A Threesome's Tales

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 139: The Mysterious Love Song (Ash)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 48, story 2)

"In case you don't know, Lavaridge Town has long been known for its hot springs, which some have said have healing powers." Brock explains to the audience. "But as Ash is about to tell you, they've also brought together friends and lovers as well."

Fascinated murmurs go up at this as Brock motions for Ash to begin. "Well, one day, a man--we'll call him Masato--came to the springs to relax, when he saw a girl--we'll call her Shiori--struggling with a broken sandal." he begins. "Masato fixed it for her, but all that day, he couldn't get Shiori out of his mind."

He pauses for a beat, then continues "They met again the next day on the bridge leading to Lavaridge Town. They talked for a while, and after a few months, grow very close."

"Aw"s fill the air before Ash intones "One day, the Masato found out that Shiori had left the springs, leaving behind an odd letter. However, it was hard for him to read the writing, so he hurried westward, in hopes Shiori went that way. Eventually he met a miko resting at an inn, and asked her to read it."

"What did the letter say?" Melody asks, piqued.

"The miko read the message--which said 'If you miss me, visit me at the seventeenth village.' Ash replies. "She went on to tell Masato that the seventeenth village was a place known as Wakasa Town."

He goes on "Masato followed the miko's instructions to the letter, and came to the largest house in Wakasa Town, where he learned his beloved Shiori was about to be wed to a man she did not love. He settled down in Wakasa Town, where he found work running the general store, hoping all the while that Shiori would come to him and recognize him."

"Did Masato ever see Shiori again?" Misty worries.

"Meanwhile, Shiori got very sick, which her father believed was lovesickness." Ash assures Misty. "He told his servants that he would be willing to let her marry who she loved--if she could identify her own writing. The servants wrote all manner of love songs, but the bulk of them were terrible."

Giggles go up at this. "When Shiori got to the last one, she found it was the song she had written!"

Cheers go up as Ash concludes "And so it was that Masato and Shiori were reunited, and they were married not long after."

"Aw..." Misty smiles as she applauds...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 140: The Juniper Rod (part 3) (Brock)

(real tale: The Witch of Lok Island)

"So, what did the juniper rod turn into?" Melody asks as the group awaits the third part of Brock's adventure.

After making sure his guitar is in tune, Brock goes on. "The rod turned into a shining Ponyta, complete with saddle and bridle. Sora mounted and galloped off so fast, the trees and the ditches and the church steeples flew past the girl's eyes in a colorful blur." He plays an adventurous melody to prove his point. "Yet she longed to go even faster, and she urged her Ponyta onward, whispering in its ear..."

His song quiets for a moment as he whispers in character as Sora "The Ponyta is less swift than the Taillow, the Taillow less swift than the wind, the wind is less swift than the lightning, but, steed of mine, you must be swifter than all, for part of my heart is suffering, the dearest half of my heart is in danger."

"The Ponyta understood her, and flew with all the speed of one of the Legendary Beasts." he continues as himself before ending his song. "Finally, they reached the foot of Mt. Moon, where Sora invoked the rod's power again."

He sings Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... as Sora before continuing as himself. "She had barely finished the magical song when the Ponyta transformed into a gold Pidgeot, who then took her to the very summit of the mountain."

"What did Sora find on the peak of Mt. Moon?" Ash wonders.

"Sora found what looked like a nest made of potter's clay, lined with dry moss." Brock replies. "A Sableye was sitting there, his diamond eyes the only light in the dark. When he saw Sora, he cried..."

He next switches to a Chatot-like voice. "Here is the maid who has come to save me!"

"To save you?" he gasps as Sora. "Who are you?"

"I am Naoki, the husband of the witch of Guren Island. She it is who with her spells confines me here." he replies as the Sableye.

"But what are you doing on that nest?" he asks as Sora.

"I am trying to hatch six stone eggs, and I will not get my freedom until they are hatched," he answers as Naoki.

"That's awful!" he exclaims as Sora. "How can I rescue you?"

"Just as you will deliver your beloved Hideki, who is under the witch's spell," he replies as Naoki.

"Tell me what to do!" he pleads as Sora. "Even if I have to go to the ends of the world!"

Some applause goes up at the interplay. "So what did Naoki ask Sora to do?" Misty wonders.

"Naoki told Sora to travel to Guren Island herself, and introduce herself as a young man." Brock explains as himself over a tense melody. "Then she would be on the lookout for her chance to snatch an enchanted orb the witch carried in her belt. If Sora could imprison her in it, she would stay in there for all eternity."

"Next question--where was Sora going to get boys' clothes?" Misty asks.

"When Sora asked Naoki this, he whistled..." Brock pauses to do this for effect, startling everyone. "and four Clefairies hurried to his side. The first Clefairy held a number of Berry leaves in her hand, the second a pair of scissors, the third a needle, and the fourth an iron. They immediately went to work making a young man's suit for Sora."

"Now how do you make a boy's outfit with Berry leaves?" Ash is interested.

Brock grins before answering Ash's question, playing a playful melody up the musical scale as he explains each step. "With the first Berry leaf, they made a fine shirt. Another leaf soon became the overcoat, and it took two leaves to make the pants. Finally, a hat was cut out of the biggest leaf, and the stems of the leaves were used to make the shoes."

"Oh"s and applause fill the air at Brock's final triumphant chord. "When Sora put on the new clothes, she looked for all intents and purposes like a young man."

"Go now!" he pleads as Naoki. "Hurry, and save your beloved Hideki!"

The audience claps along as Brock plays the Zelda theme for emphasis, "So Sora quickly mounted her gold Pidgeot and in a matter of hours, arrived at Guren Island." he explains as himself over the song. But the song begins to slow down as he continues. "Once there, she sent away the Pidgeot until she needed its help again. Then she plunged downward to the witch's palace just as Hideki had done."

He grins as his last chord fades away. "But did she meet the same fate as her beloved? You'll have to find out on my next turn!"

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 141: How the Norka Was Slain (Misty)

(real tale: The Norka)

"Once upon a time there lived a king and queen that ruled a kingdom so vast, no one knew where its borders ended." Misty begins. "They had three sons--two of them were pretty intelligent, but the third--we'll call him Kentaro--wasn't exactly the sharpest tack in the drawer."

Giggles go up at this. "Now, the king had his own private Safari Zone, where all manner of exotic Pokemon roamed." Misty continues. "But every night, a fearsome creature known only as the Norka would sneak in and eat some of the Pokemon. The king did everything he could, but he was unable to kill it. So one day, he called his sons together and told them that whoever could destroy the Norka would get half of the kingdom."

Thunderous applause goes up at this in anticipation of the epic quest that is soon to follow. "Well, the eldest son set out at sunset the next night. But before he reached the Safari Zone, he went into a tavern, and spent the whole night drinking all manner of drinks, playing games of chance, and listening to the minstrels sing. But when he finally came to his senses, it was too late; the day had already dawned. The next night the middle son went, and did the same thing. Needless to say, their father scolded them both soundly for frittering away their gold on wine, women, and song!"

Laughter goes up at Misty's wry observation. "Well, on the third night Kentaro undertook the task. Everyone laughed at him, because they felt he wouldn't be able to do much of anything, if at all." Misty continues. "But he took his sword anyway, went straight into the Safari Zone, and sat down on the grass in such a position that if he ever fell asleep, his sword would poke him to wake him up."

After a few beats, she continues "The night passed without incident for a while, but around midnight, the earth began to shake, the Norka came rushing up, and burst right through the fence into the Zone. Prince Kentaro woke with a jump, leapt to his feet, and charged straight at the beast. The Norka fled in fear, But Prince Kentaro was hot on its heels. He realized he couldn't catch it on foot, so he hurried to the stable, saddled the fastest Rapidash there, and set off in pursuit. He finally caught up with the beast, and they began an epic battle. They fought and fought for hours, until the best fled to a great white stone, tilted it up, and escaped into the shadow realm."

Gasps go up as the audience speculates what will happen next. "Prince Kentaro went home, told his father everything that had happened, and asked him to have a leather rope long enough to reach to the shadow realm." Misty explains. "When the rope was made, Prince Kentaro called for his brothers, and after packing enough supplies for a year, they set out for the place where the beast had disappeared. When they got there, they built a fortress on the spot, and lived in it for some time, making battle plans. But when the day finally came for one of them to enter the shadow realm, neither of the elder brothers could so much as lift it. Prince Kentaro decided he would go into the shadow realm himself, and easily tossed away the stone. He then tied the rope around him and told his brothers to lower him in. He would let them know he was ready to be brought up by pulling the rope."

"His brothers complied, and when he had reached the shadow realm, he walked for a long time, until he noticed a princess crying in a little alcove." Misty goes on. "The princess told Prince Kentaro that she had been captured by the Norka, and in order to defeat it, he would need to be very strong. She gave him a potion of strength, saying not to drink it until he had found the Norka, as it would only work for a short time."

The audience is on the edge of their seats as they await the outcome of the battle Prince Kentaro started. "After wandering through the shadow realm's many traps--which is a story in itself--Prince Kentaro found the Norka curled on a rock in the middle of what looked like an ocean, and drank the potion of strength. Despite being wounded before, the Norka still had plenty of strength left!" Misty cautions. "But Prince Kentaro matched it step for step, even as the battlefield shifted from sea, to land, to air, and back to sea again. Finally, after a long battle, the Norka was slain, and the princess freed!"

She concludes "Prince Kentaro and the princess were married that day, and both of them lived happily ever after."

Happini's cheers are the loudest as Misty takes a bow...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 142: The Hidden Princess (Ash)

(real tale: The Princess in the Chest)


"There were once a king and a queen who lived in a beautiful castle, and had a large, and fair, and rich, and happy land to rule over." Ash begins. "From the very first day they met, they loved each other, and lived very happily together, but there was a sticking point--they had no heir."

He waits for a beat before elaborating on his beginning. "They had been married for seven years, but had neither son nor daughter, and that pained both of them. Every time the king was in a bad mood, he took it out on the poor queen, and said that here they were now, getting old, and neither they nor the kingdom had an heir, and it was all her fault. For the queen, this was hard to listen to, and would spent many nights crying herself to sleep."

"How terrible!" Melody brushes away a tear.

"I would've given His Highness a good talking to!" Misty grumbles, appalled at the king's behavior.

"Finally, the king told the queen that he was going on a great journey, and would be away for a year." Ash explains. "If the queen had a child when he returned, all would be well. But if there was no child born when he returned, then he would part with her."

"So what did she do?" Even Brock is worried for the queen.

"After the king had left on his journey, the queen had one big pity party, constantly worrying about what to do." Ash explains. "Finally, one of her ladies told her about a wise woman in the land, who had helped many in all manner of troubles. The wise woman was summoned, and the queen explained that she was childless and the king and his kingdom had no heir."

"Pika pikachu?" Pikachu asks.

"The wise woman told the queen that out in the royal garden, under the great oak that stood on the left side as one left the castle, was a little bush, rather brown than green, with hairy leaves and long spikes." Ash replies. "On that bush there happened to be three buds. If the queen ate the middle of the three buds at sunrise, then in six months, a little princess would be born. As soon as she was born, she would be given a nurse, who would live with the child in a secluded part of the palace. No other person would be allowed to see the girl--not even the king or the queen--until she turned sixteen."

"Or else." Brock adds, to some nervous giggles.

"The queen rewarded the wise woman richly, and did as she was told." Ash continues, unfazed by Brock's comment. "Six months later, a little princess was born. She was named Sakura, in honor of the cherry blossoms blooming when she was born. The queen did as she was instructed--Princess Sakura and her nurse lived in a secluded wing of the castle, away from all manner of prying eyes."

"Aw..." Melody smiles.

"When the king came home and heard that a daughter had been born to him, he was of course very pleased and happy, and wanted to see her right away." Ash continues. "The queen had to tell him that it had been foretold that it would cause great sorrow and misfortune if either he or she looked at the girl until she turned sixteen."

"The years went by, until the day before Princess Sakura's sixteenth birthday." Ash intones. "The king decided he couldn't stand not seeing his daughter any longer and hurried to her private wing. But no sooner had he seen Princess Sakura, did Arceus speak to him from the heavens..."

"Did you not heed your beloved's warning?" Brock demands as Arceus. "Tomorrow Princess Sakura will die, and you must choose one of three punishments for your impatience: either the land must be smitten with a horrible disease, you must fight a long and bloody war, or lay Princess Sakura's body in a plain wooden chest, and set it in my holy shrine for a year under guard."

Everyone is on the edge of their seats to learn which punishment the king will choose. "Now, the king was scared stiff--better his child die than hundreds of his citizens." Ash continues. So he agreed he would lay Princess Sakura in a wooden chest, bring it to the shrine of Arceus, and leave it there under guard for a year. Sure enough, Princess Sakura died early the next morning, just as Arceus had said."

"Pini..." Happini brushes away a tear.

"The king kept his promise. Princess Sakura's body was laid in a plain wooden chest, and set in the shrine of the castle, with a guard posted in the shrine every night to keep watch over the chest." Ash continues as Brock comforts Happini. "But then something weird happened--the first morning when the captain came to relieve the guard from his post, there was no guard there."

"Pika chu." Pikachu notes.

"Yeah, that IS weird..." Misty agrees.

"They blew it off as the guard getting frightened and running away at first." Ash explains. "and the next evening, a new guard was posted in the shrine. In the morning he was also gone. This wore on for many nights--when the captain came in the morning to relieve the guard from his post, there was no one there. It was impossible to know which way he had gone if he had run away--and what they could've possibly been running from."

Pikachu swallows hard in fear. "Rumors started flying that the princess's ghost haunted the shrine, and killed all those who were to guard her chest." Ash continues. "Before long, there were no more willing guards left who would stand guard in the shrine. Many of the guards said they would rather desert than stand guard in the shrine."

"What did the king do?" Misty asks--piqued in what is really happening to the guards.

"The king then promised a large reward to the soldier who would volunteer for the post." Ash continues. "This worked for a while, and many volunteered in hopes of a lush payment. But they never got it, for in the morning, they too had disappeared like the rest."

"So what was taking the guards?" Melody asks.

"Now, on the night before the summer festival, a young smithy--we'll call him Kenta-- came to the capital city, like so many before him, to find work." Ash continues. "When he came to the inn that night, he met some soldiers there, who were trying to find someone to stand guard in the shrine in return for a hundred thousand gold pieces. Kenta eagerly volunteered, as he was very brave, and was as clever as he was strong."

[What happened to Kenta?] Korra worries.

"Now, it was about eight o'clock at night when Kenta arrived at his post." Ash explains. For a while, he occupied himself by how brave he was and what he would do with a hundred thousand gold pieces. "But as the night wore on, he started getting scared. He had heard the rumors about those that stood guard in the shrine, and supposedly, no one had ever escaped alive from it, Just then, he found a hidden door in the shrine's right wall which was unlocked, and got the idea to run away."

He tiptoes to the tent entrance as if he is Kenta sneaking to the hidden door. "But before Kenta could leave out the hidden door, he heard someone ask..."

"Good evening, Kenta, where are you going?" Melody asks.

"N-N-Nowhere..." Ash stammers as Kenta.

"Oh, yes you were going somewhere." Melody scolds. "You were just about to run away, but you have promised to stand guard in the shrine tonight, and there you must stay."

"Kenta pleaded with Meloetta to let him go." Ash continues as he returns to his place in the circle. "But Meloetta told him...

You must remain at your post, but I shall give you a piece of advice." Melody fills in the dialogue. "If you go up and stand before the priest's lectern, and stay there; nothing will harm you. If you remain there until you hear the lid of the chest slam down again; then you will know that it is safe."

"With that, Meloetta pushed him in the door again, and locked it after him. Kenta scrambled behind the priest's lectern, and stayed there, without noticing anything, until the clock struck midnight. Then the lid of the princess's chest sprang up, and out of it there came something like the princess, only it made all kinds of ghastly shrieks and howls as it tried to find the guard!"

"A zombie!" Brock gasps.

"Kenta stayed put behind the priest's lectern until the clock struck one, and he heard the lid slam shut." Ash intones. "Relieved that all was well again, Kenta fell asleep, and did not awake before it was bright daylight, and he heard steps outside, and the noise of the key being put into the lock. Then he came out from behind the lectern, and stood with his sword in front of the princess's chest."

Misty notices the babies shuddering in fear. "I think the princess zombie was a bit much for the little ones." she reports before consoling Azurill, who is crying profusely.

"Yeah, that scared ME too." Brock agrees as he consoles Happini...

[EmeraldSky]

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...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 144: The Grateful Prince, part 1 (Misty)

(real tale: The Grateful Prince)


"Once a king of a far away land lost himself in a forest, and couldn't find the way out." Misty begins. "As he was wandering down one path which looked promising, he saw a man coming towards him. The man asked him what he was doing there, and the king replied that he was lost. The man promised to help him in return for the first thing that met him when he came home."

"So what did he do?" Brock asks, intrigued.

"The king refused--he had an Arcanine that was very skilled hunter, and couldn't bear to give him away to a stranger." Misty replies. "After three more days of wandering without getting anywhere..." Giggles go up at this. "the king met the stranger again, and still refused his offer. After about a week, he met the stranger a third time, and reluctantly consented."

"And then?" Ash wonders.

"When he arrived home, the royal nurse was about to run and meet him with his infant son in her arms." Misty goes on. "The king ordered her to wait--had she stepped outside, he would have to give up his only son to his rescuer."

"What's the name of this little prince?" Melody interrupts.

Misty thinks a moment. "We'll call him Thomas." she replies. "He got the idea to exchange his son with the baby of a common family that lived near the castle. So Prince Thomas lived the life of a commoner, and the common girl--who we'll call Sandra--lived like a queen in the palace."

"That IS a clever idea." Brock muses.

"The years went by, and Prince Thomas grew big and strong." Misty continues. "He enjoyed living as a commoner, but he couldn't stop thinking about the girl he had been exchanged for, and why the exchange had to happen. He vowed that when he came of age, he would travel all over the world, and not rest till he had set her free. It pained him that he had to become king at the cost of a girl's life."

She waits a beat, then goes on "So one day, he got dressed, gathered his belongings, and marched straight into the forest where eighteen years before his father had lost himself. After he had walked some way he began to cry..." She then strikes a melodramatic pose. "Oh, how unlucky I am! Where can I be? Is there no one to show me the way out of the wood?"

Giggles go up at Misty's over-the-top pose. "Then an old man with a long grey beard appeared, with a leather bag hanging from his belt. He nodded cheerfully to the prince, and assured him that he knew the forest well, and would lead him out in exchange for something valuable. Prince Thomas told the old man the most heartwrenching tale about he was an orphaned wanderer, with only the clothes on his back and a few pieces of gold to his name."

"And then?" Brock is piqued.

"The old man offered for Prince Thomas to enter his service." Misty replies. "They agreed that Prince Thomas would be given food, clothing, and a portion of land for his service. They started off through the woods, until they came to a cave hidden in the brush."

Everyone waits to hear what wonders--or terrors--await Prince Thomas in the cave. "But if you wanna know what was in that cave, I'll tell you on my next turn!" Misty smirks.

"Not again..." Ash groans--he didn't count on another cliffhanger.

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 145 The Legend of Mizo, the Flute Boy, part 1 (Ash)

(real tale: Tiidu the Piper)

"Okay...I think this tale isn't too long, nor too scary." Ash assures the group. "Besides, it has a whistle in it!"

Everyone snaps to attention--if a flute or whistle is involved in the story, then that means Ash will play his own whistle in an epic quest or heartwarming adventure!

Once sure all is quiet, Ash begins "Once upon a time there lived a poor man who had more children than food to feed them with. However, they were strong and hard working, and soon learned to make themselves useful to their mom and dad. When they were old enough, they went out into the world. Everyone was more than happy to hire them for servants, for they worked hard and were always cheerful."

"There has to be a rogue somewhere." Melody giggles.

"Out of all of them, there was only one who gave his parents any trouble, and this was a lazy boy who I'll call Mizo." Ash explains. "All the discipline in the world had little, if any, effect on him, and the older he grew the lazier he got. In fact, he spent the winters huddled up by the stove, and his summers sleeping under a tree. If he was not doing either of those things, he was singing."

The tent is quiet, as if expecting Ash to sing as Mizo. But Ash just continues "One day, he was sitting under a tree singing so sweetly that you might easily have mistaken his voice for the notes of a Swablu. An old man happened to pass that way, and asked Mizo what he wanted to do when he was old enough to learn a trade. Mizo replied that he wanted to be rich, and have no need to learn a trade or work."

"What did the old man say?" Misty asks.

"The old man laughed, and told Mizo that he would not receive riches if he didn't work for them." Ash replies. "Mizo retorted that he'd heard the whole rigamarole before, and did not want to work as his siblings did."

He waits for a beat, then continues "The old man admitted that Mizo did have a talent--music. He told Mizo that if he learned how to play the whistle..." He pauses to retrieve his own whistle. "he would easily earn not just his daily bread, but a little extra money as well. He instructed Mizo to get himself a whistle, and learn to play it as well as he sang, and wherever there were people to hear him, he would never lack money."

"But where was Mizo gonna get a whistle?" Brock wonders.

"The old man told Mizo to keep singing, and he would have enough money to buy a whistle." Ash replies, fingering his own instrument all the while. "Mizo thought for a moment about everything the old man had said, and decided to go and give the idea a try. His mom and dad were thrilled at the thought of Mizo going out into the world--maybe he was finally coming around to the idea of work."

Giggles go up at this. "For a while, Mizo wandered from town to town and sang." Ash continues. "The people he met were all friendly and kind, and enjoyed his singing, giving him food in return, and even a few gold pieces. Mizo carefully saved the gold till he had collected enough to buy a beautiful silver whistle." He proudly shows his own whistle to his audience. "Then he really became the talk of the land--nowhere could a whistle be found as fine as his, or played as well. Mizo's whistle could get any tavern jumping-- wherever there was a wedding, a holiday, or a festival of any kind, everyone knew Mizo had to be there, or the evening would be a failure. In a few years, he had become so noted a whistler that people would travel far and wide to hear him."

With that, he plays "The Meowth's Call" to signal a scene change. "One day he was invited to a party where many rich people from a neighboring city were present, and everyone agreed that never in all their lives had they heard such playing as his." Ash goes on. "They crowded around him, praised his skill, and pleaded with him to come to their homes, declaring that it was a shame not to give their friends the chance of hearing such music. Of course, all this delighted Mizo, who accepted gladly, and left their houses laden with money and presents of every kind. One great lord clothed him in a magnificent tunic, a second hung a necklace of many jewels round his neck, and a third handed him a whistle made of gold..." He shows the audience one of his gold whistles, which is tuned in Eb, for effect.

"I bet Mizo was popular with the girls." Brock smiles.

"As for the girls, they tied silken scarves round his plumed hat, and their moms knitted him gloves of all colors, to keep out the cold." Ash explains. "Any other person in Mizo's place would have been happy to settle down; but Mizo was in no way ready to settle down."

He plays another set of tunes on the gold whistle before continuing "Now Mizo wondered one day if there was something he could do to make the money come in faster. He remembered having heard some stories of a kingdom in a far off land--what is today Johto--where minstrels of every stripe were welcomed and highly paid; but where it was, or how it was reached, he didn't know. So he wandered along the coast, hoping to see some ship that would take him there."

After playing the tune "The Illumise Light" on the Eb whistle to signal a scene change, Ash continues "Finally, Mizo reached where Vermillion City stands today, where several merchant ships were anchored. He found that one of them was sailing for the west land in a few days, and asked the captain how much it was for passage. But the cost of the voyage was more than Mizo could afford, and though he played his best on his whistles, the captain refused to lower his price. Just when Mizo was about to give up, a young sailor, who had heard him play, offered to sneak him aboard when the captain wasn't looking."

"Ooh"s go up as Ash continues. "So the next night, as soon as it was dark, Mizo stepped aboard, and was hidden down in the cargo hold in a corner between two casks. Unseen by the rest of the crew, the sailor managed to bring him food and drink, and when they were well out of sight of land he proceeded to carry out a plan he had invented to deliver Mizo from his cramped quarters."

[What did that entail?] Mai wonders.

"At midnight, while he was keeping watch and everyone else was sleeping, the man motioned for Mizo to follow him on deck, where he tied a rope around Mizo, fastening the other end carefully to one of the ship's ropes." Ash explains. "He explained that he was going to throw him into the sea, and he had to call for help as loud as he could. When he saw the sailors coming, he was to untie the rope from your waist, and tell them that he had swum after the ship all the way from shore."

"Mizo didn't like that at all, I bet..." Misty smiles.

"Well, at first Mizo did not like the idea, for the sea ran high." Ash replies. "But he was a good swimmer, and the sailor assured him that there was no danger. As soon as he was in the water, everything happened as the sailor said."

"Pika pika pikachu?" Pikachu asks, eager to hear what Ash would play next.

"The captain was touched at Mizo's story, and he told Mizo he would take him to the west land free of charge." Ash replies. "But only Mizo and his friend knew what really happened."

Everyone waits to see what Ash will play next, but he just grins and concludes "As for what adventures Mizo got into in the west land? I'll tell you more on my next turn!" He adds a little flourish as a sign of his promise.

"Two cliffhangers...is Brock going to tell one next?" Melody wonders.

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 146: Why Taillow's Feathers Are Blue (Brock)

(real tale: Bluebird's Tale)


"They say in Houen that long ago, when the world was new, the Pokemon we know today as Taillow was not blue at all. He was pure white, and he was not happy about this." Brock begins. "The little white bird Pokemon would fly through the bright blue sky, look down at beautiful blue lakes, gaze upon the ripe Belue Berries -- when he saw anything blue, in fact, he so loved that color that he wished he, too, could be blue."

He waits for a beat, then continues "After many years of wishing to be blue, the little white Pokemon decided he would go to see the Great Lord Arceus for his counsel. As the ruler of all things, Taillow knew that Arceus would give good advice. So off he flew to Arceus' castle in the heavens. When he arrived, he looked up with sad Growlithe eyes and said..."

In a breathy female voice, he pleads "Lord Arceus, I long to be as blue as the waters, as blue as the sky, as blue as Belue Berries. Tell me what I must do to become blue."

As himself, he continues "Arceus smiled and nodded as he listened,for he could sense that the little white bird Pokemon's dream was pure and true. So he told him exactly what he must do, and he taught him the spellsong he had to sing."

In a deeper version of himself, he intones "You will sing this song, and you must know the ways of change,"

"What are the ways of change?" he asks as Taillow.

As himself, he continues "Arceus just smiled. He was pleased the little Pokemon wanted to learn. Not every being listened; not every Pokemon followed their dreams. He was proud of the little white bird Pokemon."

He walks around the tent as he continues "For many days Arceus instructed Taillow in the ways of change. He taught him how to be patient, how to pay close attention, how to be grateful for the smallest gifts, how to wait in silence. He taught him many other things that only the Pokemon know. Taillow listened closely. He nodded when he understood, and when he did not understand, he asked questions."

When he returns to the rock he was sitting on, Brock continues "When the lessons had ended and he had nothing more to teach, Arceus sent Taillow on his way. The little white Pokemon flew to the edge of the lake and began to sing the spellsong..." He pauses to sing as Taillow Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

"Then, just as Arceus had instructed him, he dove down into the lake. The water was cold, and beneath the surface it was dark. For a moment he was frightened and thought about turning back. But Taillow remembered what Arceus had taught him, and he dove deeper still. Finally, he came to the coldest, bluest part of the lake."

"Did Taillow get his wish?" Misty asks.

"When he had reached the place Arceus had told him he must travel to, he remembered his next lesson." Brock continues. "He had to be patient and wait. So he waited for five long days, and at the end of the fifth day, he raced to the surface and burst forth from the water and into the sky, where he found that he was as blue as the lakes, as blue as the sky, as blue as Belue berries, as blue as he had ever hoped to be."

"Yes!" Ash is especially happy for Taillow.

"Now, Mightyena happened to be passing that way, and when looked up and saw Taillow, he was jealous. In those days Mightyena was white, too, and he too wanted to be a different color -- especially the color of this new Taillow." Brock intones.

"Teach me your spellsong," he demands as Mightyena.

"I can't," he retorts as Taillow. "I can't give away the secrets of the Great Lord Arceus to just anyone. If you really want to learn, you must go and learn yourself."

He grins at his enthralled friends. "That's exactly what Mightyena did." he continues as himself. "He ran to the heavens to see Arceus and begged him to teach him the spellsong of transformation."

"It is not right for you to be blue, Mightyena," he intones as Arceus. "That is not the color you are intended to be. You must not be jealous."

"Ooh" go up from the group as Brock continues as himself. "But Mightyena was jealous, hurt, angry--and determined to boot. Besides, he was bigger and stronger than the Taillow. So he went to him and demanded that Taillow teach him the spellsong, or else! Although he was trembling with fear, Taillow reluctantly taught Mightyena the special spellsong and the secret of the water."

The next day Mightyena sang the song..." Brock then sings as Mightyena Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... "dove into the water, and sat at the bottom of the lake for five long days. When he came out early in the morning, he, too, was blue. He was as blue as the lake, as blue as the sky, as blue as Belue Berries, as blue as Taillow. Not only that he was proud, for he fancied himself the most beautiful Mightyena in the world."

Giggles go up as Brock goes on "Mightyena began to prance down the road, calling out to everyone...." As Mightyena, he calls "Stantler, Pikachu, Buneary, Ekans, Froagie, come look!"

More laughter goes up at Brock's feigned giddiness. "He woke up all the Pokemon, even the wise old Noctowl." he continues. "When they saw him, they shook their heads. They muttered that a Mightyena should not be blue, and no one should behave with such pride. But Mightyena was very proud, and he continued to prance and brag. Soon he was so smitten with his own looks that he paid no attention to the road ahead of him, and he crashed right smack into a tree."

The group roars with laughter at this. "The Pokemon laughed just like you guys, for everyone had been quite upset with Mightyena's boasting." Brock smiles. "Meanwhile, Taillow worried that Arceus would be mad at him for teaching Mightyena the spellsong of transformation."

He waits for a beat, then continues "But as Mightyena hit the tree, he slipped and fell on the dirt path. He wailed in pain and rolled this way and that. But nobody moved as Mightyena flailed about pleading for help, and as they watched, they looked in wonder as Mightyena's color began to fade away. When he got up, shaking his aching head, he was completely black with patches of gray, and that is the way he has been ever since."

He concludes "Taillow continues to be a bright, beautiful blue, but he never boasts about it."

The group roars with applause as Brock takes a bow...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 147: The Grateful Prince (part 2) (Misty)

(real tale: The Grateful Prince)


"So, what did Prince Thomas find in the cave?" Brock asks Misty.

"Thick darkness surrounded them, yet it seemed to Prince Thomas as if their path led into still deeper depths. After a long while he thought he saw a glimmer of light, but the light was neither that of the sun nor of the moon. He looked eagerly at it, but found it was only a kind of pale cloud, which was all the light this strange underworld could boast. Earth and water, trees and plants, all forms of Pokemon, each was different from those he had seen before; but what most struck terror into his heart was the absolute stillness that reigned everywhere. Not a rustle or a sound could be heard. Here and there he noticed a bird Pokemon sitting on a branch, with head erect and swelling throat, but his ear caught nothing. The Growlithes opened their mouths as if to bark, the toiling Tauros seemed about to bellow, but neither bark nor bellow reached Prince Thomas' ears. The water flowed noiselessly over the pebbles, the wind bowed the tops of the trees, all manner of bug Pokemon darted about, without breaking the silence. The old man, which Prince Thomas presumed to be a wizard, uttered no word, and when Prince Thomas tried to ask him the meaning of it all he felt that his voice died in his throat."

"Oh my..." Melody gasps.

"How long this fearful stillness lasted, he wasn't sure, but Prince Thomas gradually felt his heart turning to ice, his hair stood up like bristles, and a cold chill was creeping down his spine, when finally, he heard something very faint, and this life of shadows suddenly became real. It sounded as if a troop of Rapidashes were running their way over a plain." Misty continues. "They climbed a hill, and Prince Thomas saw in the distance the house of his master, but it was so surrounded with buildings of all kinds that the place looked more like a village or even a small town. The wizard told him to be careful in the house, not screw anything up, and speak only when spoken to."

What a jerk... Ash silently grumbles.

"When Prince Thomas came inside, he saw a beautiful lady, with brown eyes and jet black hair--we'll call her Briana." Misty continues. "Needless to say, Prince Thomas fell madly in love with Briana, and he watched her set the table, bring in the food, and take her seat by the fire as if he wasn't even there. Then she took out a needle and thread, and began to mend her stockings. The master sat at the table alone, and invited neither his new servant nor the maid to eat with him. His appetite put Ash to shame--he soon cleared all the dishes, and ate enough to satisfy a dozen men."

"And I thought my appetite was huge..." Ash is just as stunned as Brock.

"When he was finally full, the wizard told Briana to pick up the pieces, and take what is left in the iron pot for her own dinner, but to give the bones to the Growlithe." Misty goes on. "Prince Thomas didn't like the idea of dining off scraps at first, but imagine his surprise when he found that there was plenty to eat, and that the food was very good. After dinner that night, the old wizard told Prince Thomas..."

"For two days you may rest from our journey, and look around the house." Brock fills in the old wizard's dialogue. "But the day after tomorrow you must come with me, and I will point out the work you have to do. The maid will show you where you are to sleep."

"Prince Thomas thought he had leave to speak, but before he could say anything, his master turned on him with a face of thunder and exclaimed..." Misty narrates.

"You Growlithe of a servant! If you disobey the laws of the house you will soon find yourself a head shorter! Hold your tongue, and leave me in peace." Brock roars in character, startling even Misty.

"N-nice touch..." Misty stammers before remembering where she is in her tale. "Briana motioned for him to follow her to a certain door, where she motioned to him to go in. He would have lingered a moment, for he thought she looked sad, but dared not do so, for fear of the old wizard's anger."

"You do a great angry wizard..." Ash whispers to Brock.

"That's not the only powerful voice I can do..." Brock replies. "Want me to do angry Arran Seluna?"

"Uh, not right now, that's fine..." Ash stammers--if Brock's "angry wizard" voice was strong enough to startle everyone, he could only imagine how loud he would be when he did Arran's angry monologue confronting the evil wizard that captured Skydancer, the baby pegasus, before casting his signature "final blow" spell--Rainbow Fantasy.

"Anyway, when he woke up the next morning, his first thoughts were for Briana, whom he found hard at work." Misty continues. "He drew water from the well and carried it to the house for her, kindled the fire under the iron pot, and, in fact, did everything that came into his head that could be of any use to her. In the afternoon he went out to the farmyard, where a beautiful Shiny Rapidash had a stall to itself; in another was a Miltank with two Shiny calves, while the clucking of Combuskens and Duckletts reached him in the distance."

"And then?" Melody is intrigued.

"Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were as savory as before, and Prince Thomas would have been quite content with his quarters had it not been for the difficulty of keeping quiet before Briana. On the evening of the second day he went, as he had been told, to receive his orders for the following morning." Misty goes on.

"I am going to give you something very easy to do tomorrow," Brock intones as the wizard. "Take this scythe, and cut as much grass as the Rapidash will want for its day's feed, and clean out its stall. If I come back and find the manger empty it will go ill with you. So beware!"

"Prince Thomas left the room, pleased over how easy the job supposedly was." Misty assures the shuddering Pokemon. "He was just going to open his door, when Briana whispered in his ear..."

"What task has he set you?" Melody whispers to Ash.

"For tomorrow?" Ash replies as Prince Thomas. "It is really nothing at all! Just to cut hay for the Rapidash and to clean out its stall!"

"You poor boy..." Melody sighs in character; "How will you ever get through with it? The Shiny Rapidash, who is our master's grandma, is always hungry: it takes twenty men always mowing to keep it fed for one day, and another twenty to clean out its stall. How, then, do you expect to do it all by yourself? But listen to me, and do what I tell you. It is your only chance. When you have filled the manger as full as it will hold you must weave some of the rushes which grow among the meadow hay, and cut a thick peg of stout wood, and be sure that the Rapidash sees what you are doing. Then it will ask you what it is for, and you should say that you intend to bind up her mouth so that she cannot eat any more, and with the peg you are going to keep her in one place, so that she cannot scatter her corn and water all over the place!"

"With that, Briana went away as softly as she had come." Misty continues. "Early the next morning he set to work, and everything happened as Briana had said. By the time noon came around, there was still food in the manger, and the place was as clean as a whistle. He had barely finished when in walked the wizard, who stood astonished at the door."

"Is it really you who have been clever enough to do that?" Brock asks as the wizard. "Or has someone else aided you?"

"I had no help," Ash replies as Prince Thomas, "Only my own strength and wits."

"The wizard bought that answer, and that evening told Prince Thomas..." Misty narrates.

"Tomorrow I have no special task to set you, but as the girl has a great deal to do in the house you must milk the Miltank for her. But take care you milk her dry, or it may be the worse for you." Brock intones as the wizard.

"As he was heading toward his room, Briana came to him and asked..." Misty narrates some more.

"What is your task tomorrow?" Melody asks Ash again.

"I am to help you," Ash answers as Prince Thomas, "and have nothing to do all day, except to milk the Miltank dry."

"Oh, you are unlucky," Melody sighs again. "If you were to try from morning till night you couldn't do it. There is only one way of escaping the danger, and that is, when you go to milk her, take with you a pan of burning coals and a pair of tongs. Place the pan on the floor of the stall, and the tongs on the fire, and blow with all your might, till the coals burn brightly. The Miltank will ask you what is the meaning of all this, and you must answer what I will whisper to you..."

"She whispered something in his ear, and then went away." Misty narrates. The dawn had scarcely reddened the sky when Prince Thomas jumped out of bed, and did everything Briana had said to do. When the wizard sat down to milk the Miltank himself, he didn't get a drop. "He asked if Prince Thomas had help, but Prince Thomas said he did it all himself."

After pausing for a moment, she continues "That night, when Prince Thomas went to his master to hear what his next day's work was to be, the wizard said..."

"I have a little haystack out in the meadow which must be brought in to dry." Brock explains as the wizard. "Tomorrow you will have to stack it all in the shed, and, as you value your life, be careful not to leave the smallest strand behind."

"No sooner had Prince Thomas arrived in his room, Briana asked him what task he had for the next day." Misty narrates.

"Tomorrow I have to carry a haystack, and leave not a stalk in the meadow." Ash explains as Prince Thomas.

"Oh, you unlucky boy!" Melody cries as Briana. "and how do you think you are to do it? If you had all the men in the world to help you, you could not clear off this one little haystack in a week. The instant you have thrown down the hay at the top, it will take root again from below. But listen to what I say. You must steal out at dawn tomorrow and bring out the Shiny Rapidash and some good strong ropes. Then get on the haystack, put the ropes round it, and harness the Rapidash to the ropes. When you are ready, climb up the haystack and count to three. The Rapidash will ask you what you are counting, and you must be sure to answer what I whisper to you."

"Briana whispered something in his ear, and left the room." Misty goes on. "At dawn the next day, everything happened as Briana said. Needless to say, the wizard did a double take when he came in after breakfast and found the work done. he asked Prince Thomas if he had help..."

"But Prince Thomas said he only had his own wits." the boys repeat.

Misty grins--the boys have clearly been paying attention! "Late in the evening, Prince Thomas went to his master to learn what he was to do the next day. But the wizard was beginning to think something was up, and said to Prince Thomas..."

"Tomorrow I have no work for you, but when I wake up you must come before my bed, and give me your hand in greeting." Brock instructs as the wizard.

Misty then concludes "But was the old wizard sincere in his request, or setting a trap? You'll find out on my next turn!"

"Aw, I wanted to do an evil laugh!" Brock protests, to some giggles from the Pokemon. In addition to a million voices, Brock has the evil laugh down to an art in their eyes...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 148: The Legend of Mizo, the Flute Boy (part 2) (Ash)

(real tale: Tiidu the Piper)

"So, what adventures did Mizo the whistler get into in the western lands?" Misty asks Ash.

"Well..." Ash pauses to grab both whistles before beginning "When he got there, he wandered through the streets for many days, seeking someone in need of a servant; but though more than one person would have been glad to hire him, they seemed to Mizo not the sort of people to help him to get rich quickly. At last, when he had almost made up his mind that he must accept the next place offered him, he happened to knock at the door of a rich merchant who was in need of a kitchen servant, and gladly agreed to do the cook's bidding, and it was in this merchant's house that he first learned how great were the riches of the west land."

"Oh?" Misty is interested.

"For instance, all the vessels which in other lands would be made of iron, copper, brass, or tin, in the west lands were made of silver, or even of gold, diamond, or mythril." Ash explains. "The food was cooked in silver pots, the bread baked in a diamond oven, while the dishes and their covers were all of gold. Even the very Tepigs' troughs were of silver too."

Awed murmurs go up as Ash cautions "But the sight of these things only made Mizo more excited than before. "What is the use of all this wealth that I have constantly before my eyes..." he thought, "if none of it is mine? I shall never grow rich by what I earn as a kitchen servant, even though I am paid as much in a month as I should get elsewhere in a year."

"By this time he had been there for two years, and had saved quite a large sum of money." he continues. "His passion of saving had increased to such a pitch that it was only by his master's orders that he ever bought any new clothes, for the merchant did not want beggars in his house. So Mizo reluctantly bought himself a cheap coat."

After playing a few tunes on the Eb whistle to signal a scene change, Ash continues "Now, one day the merchant held a great feast in honor of the christening of his youngest child, and he gave each of his servants a handsome garment for the occasion. The following week, Mizo, who liked fine clothes--especially if they were free--put on his new coat, and went for a walk to some beautiful gardens, which were always full of people on a sunny day. He sat down under a shady tree, and watched the passers-by, but after a little while he began to feel rather lonely, for he knew nobody and nobody knew him."

"Poor Mizo..." Melody sighs.

"Suddenly he spotted a familiar old man, though he could not remember when or where he had seen him before." Ash goes on. "He watched the figure for some time, till finally the old man left the crowded paths, and laid down on the soft grass under a Meli tree, which stood at some distance from where Mizo was sitting. Mizo walked slowly past, in order that he might look at him more closely, and as he did so the old man smiled, and held out his hand."

The lightbulb goes off in Brock's head. "Oh! This is the same old man that told Mizo to learn to play the whistle to start with!"

Ash smiles, pleased that someone in his small audience has put two and two together. "No sooner did he ask Mizo where his whistle was, did Mizo recognize him. He told him everything that had happened since they had last met. The old man shook his head as he listened, and when Mizo had finished his tale, he scolded Mizo for abandoning his whistle for a soup spoon."

He adds as an aside "Mizo could have made as much by playing his whistle in a day as his wages would have come to in a year."

He reaches for the D whistle as he continues "The old man told Mizo to go home and get his whistle, and play it there. Mizo did not like this advice at first--he was afraid that the people would laugh at him; and, besides, it had been a while since he had touched touched his whistles. But the old man persisted, and at last Mizo did as he was told."

After waiting a beat, he continues "When he started playing, it sounded all weak and half-hearted..." Giggles go up as Ash plays a very weak version of the first few bars of "The Meowth's Call". "but somehow the sound of the whistle was sweeter than he had remembered, and as he played, the crowd stopped walking and chattering, and stood still, listening to him."

With that, he plays "The Meowth's Call" with its usual gusto. "When he had played for some time he took off his hat and passed it around, and silver coins and gold pieces came tumbling in. Mizo played a couple more tunes as thanks..."

He plays a few more reels on the D whistle, as if he is Mizo playing for the crowd. "When Mizo left that night, the people begged him to come back again the next week." he goes on as soon as the applause quiets. "The old man told Mizo to return at the same time every week to the gardens, sit under the Meli tree, and play to the people, and bring a really big hat for a tip jar. If he was invited to play at a party, he was to accept, but take whatever the host inclined to give, and nothing more. With that, they said their goodbyes."

After playing a couple more tunes on the D whistle, he continues "Now, Mizo couldn't do as he was told right away, as he had to fulfill his appointed time of service first. He bought some fine clothes, in which he played every week in the gardens, and when he counted his gains in the evening they were always more than on the week before. Finally, his year of service was up, and he had more invitations to play than he could manage to accept, and at night, when the citizens used to go and drink in the inn, the landlord always begged Mizo to come and play to them. He grew so rich that very soon he had his silver whistle covered with gold as well, so that both whistles glistened in the light of the sun or the fire. In all of the west lands there was no prouder man than Mizo."

"Pika?" Pikachu asks, sparking excitedly.

"In a few years he had saved such a large sum of money that he was considered a rich man even in the west lands, where everybody was rich." Ash explains. "But then, he started longing for his homeland and family, and show them how well he could play. This time he would not need to hide in the ship's hold, but could hire the best cabin if he wished to, or even have a whole ship all to himself. So he packed all his treasures in large chests, and sent them on board the first ship that was sailing to his native land, and followed them with a light heart. The wind was calm at first, but it soon intensified, and by the time night fell, it rose to a gale."

Misty gasps, fearful for Mizo as Ash intones "For two days they tried to outrun it, and hoped that by keeping well out to sea they might be able to weather the storm. Suddenly, the ship struck on a rock, and began to take on water."

"Uh oh..." Even Brock is worried for Mizo.

"Orders were given to man the lifeboats, and Mizo with three sailors got into one of them, but before they could push away from the ship a huge wave overturned it, and all four were flung into the water." Ash goes on. Luckily for Mizo, an oar was floating near him, and with its help he was able to tread water. When the sun rose, and the mist cleared away, he saw that he was not far from shore. By hard swimming, for the sea still ran high, he managed to reach it, and pulled himself out of the water, more dead than alive. Then he flung himself down on the ground and fell fast asleep."

He grins. "So how did Mizo get off the island? I'll tell you on my next turn!"