Tale 143: The Juniper Rod, part 4 (Brock)

(real tale: The Witch of Lok Island)

"So, did Sora save Hideki?" Ash wonders as he pets Happini, who is still shuddering from his scary story from before.

After checking his guitar's tuning, Brock continues "The witch was delighted when she saw what she thought was a young man."

"By my cousin Darkrai!" he gasps as the witch. "This is the handsomest lad that ever I saw, and I think I shall love him for some time."

Nervous giggles go up from the group as Brock continues as himself "So she flattered Sora, calling her her beloved. Then they went to a table beautifully set with all manner of good things. But Sora found the magic sword that she had given Hideki, which he had left behind him as he had raced toward the door. She quickly took the sword and set it by her side. Then, after having partaken of the treats on the table, she followed the witch into the garden. The enchantress showed her the lawns set with diamonds, the fountains with their lavender-scented sprays, and last of all the fish pond where thousands of many-colored fish were swimming. Sora appeared delighted and gazed with amazement at the beautifully colored scales and tails."

He intones over a tense chord. "The witch, seeing her so happy, asked her if she would like to live in the palace forever."

"Will you consent to marry me?" he asks as the witch.

"Oh, yes indeed!" he replies as Sora, "but first let me try to catch one of those pretty fishes."

As himself, he continues "The witch assumed the request was a mere whim, and giving Sora the fishing cage said with a smile..."

"Now, fair fisherman, let us see what may be your luck. A rich catch may await you." he intones as the witch.

"I will catch Darkrai's cousin!" he cries as Sora over a triumphant chord.

As himself, he narrates over an adventurous melody "With that, Sora quickly threw the witch in the cage. Once sure the witch could not get out, she added..." As Sora again, he calls "Accursed witch, become in body what you are in heart!"

As himself, he continues "The witch uttered a terrifying shriek that ended in a moan as she transformed into the hideous Queen of the Toadstools. Sora threw the cage into the well, and sealed it with a sign of Arceus, where it remains for all eternity."

Wild cheers go up at Brock's triumphant flourish. "Then she ran back to the fish pond, but the fish had already left it and were moving toward her like a procession of festival goers, singing her praises. But just as she was about to touch the first fish with the sword, she noticed at her feet a Froagie. It was crying profusely, But Sora recognized the bell around its neck."

"Is that you, Hideki?" he excitedly gasps as Sora.

"It's me!" he frantically pleads as Hideki.

As himself, he continues "So Sora touched him with the sword, and turned the Froagie back into Hideki. They kissed each other, laughing and crying alternately. Sora then touched each of the fish in turn with the magic sword and they too returned to their human form. As Sora was touching the last fish who should arrive but Naoki, who had also returned to his true elven form. He thanked Sora profusely for breaking the witch's spell. He then led Hideki and Sora to the witch's treasure chest, and told them to take as much of the jewels and gold inside as they wanted. When they had as many gems as they could carry, Sora conjured a coach big enough to carry her, Hideki, and all the people they had freed; and they were whisked home to Nisambi."

He concludes "Hideki and Sora were married not long after their adventure. But instead of buying a little house and a Ponyta to till the fields, they bought all the fields in the town and settled down as mayor and wife, where they and all the people they had brought from Guren Island lived for many years, becoming what is today Pewter City."

"Fascinating..." Melody smiles as she applauds...