A Threesome's Tales

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 159: The Princesses in the Sand (Misty)

(real tale: The Three Princesses of Whiteland)


"There was once a fisherman who lived by a palace and caught fish for the royal table." Misty begins. "One day, he was out fishing, but didn't catch a thing. Try as he might, there was never even so much as a jerk on his hook; but when the day was done, he heard a voice from the water, which said: 'If you will give me what your wife shows you when you go home tonight, you will catch plenty of fish.'

"Uh oh..." Ash swallows hard.

"This does not bode well..." Brock agrees.

"So the man--we'll call him Hiro--said yes, and before long was catching fish like no tomorrow." Misty goes on. "But when he got home that night, his wife showed him a baby which had just been born, and he broke down and cried when he told her what he had done."

'I would break down too if I were Hiro." Ash muses.

"It wasn't long before this reached the royal ears of the king." Misty continues "When he heard what had happened, he said that he himself would take the child and see if he could somehow save it. The baby was a boy, and the king brought him up as his own son until the boy--who had been named Kaitou--grew up."

"Kaitou...what a nice name." Melody sighs dreamily.

"One day, Kaitou asked to go out with his father to fish." Misty intones. "The king was reluctant at first, but he finally gave his okay. Everything went well, until they came back to shore in the evening."

"Did they run into a monster?" Ash wonders. Pikachu sparks excitedly, eager for a quest.

"Kaitou discovered that he had lost his hanky in the water." Misty replies, making Pikachu sigh. "So he got back in the boat to try and find it; but no sooner had he got in the boat did it begin to race so quickly that it was surrounded in wakes, and all that Kaitou did to keep the boat steady was to no avail, for it went on and on the whole night.

"So where did Kaitou end up when the boat finally stopped?" Brock is worried for Kaitou.

"When the boat finally stopped, he came to a land that lay far, far away." Misty assures Brock. "when Kaitou had walked on for some time he met an old man on the beach, and asked him where he was. The old man replied that Kaitou had arrived in the far away region of Kalos, and listened as Kaitou told him everything that had happened."

"Azu?" Azurill asks.

"The old man told Kaitou that if he were to walk on farther along the beach, he would come to three princesses who were buried so far in the sand, he would only see their heads." Misty explains. "The first would call him--as she was the eldest--and beg him to help her, The second would do the same, but he was not to go near either of them. But if he helped the third, it will bring him fortune."

"Hm..." Ash is intrigued. "Is Kalos a real place?"

"Yeah..." Brock shows Ash a map of the world, and points out a star-shaped continent. "Right there is Kalos."

"I hope I get to go there soon!" Ash smiles, motioning for Misty to continue.

"Kaitou went on his way, and everything happened as the old man said." Misty continues. "When he went up to the third princess, she said 'If you will do what I tell thee, you will choose among us three,' So Kaitou said that he would do whatever she said, and she told him that three trolls had buried all three there in the sand, but they had once lived in a castle, which Kaitou could see way off in the distance, past a forest."

[Then what did the princess tell Kaitou?] Mai asks.

"She told him that if he went into the castle and risked his like by having the trolls beat him and survive, he would set them free." Misty explains.

"What else did she tell him?" Brock wonders.

"She told Kaitou that when he went in, two Enteis would be standing by the doorway, but if he went between them, they wouldn't hurt him." Misty replies. "He would then come into a small dark chamber; where he would lie down. Then the troll will come and beat him, but when the beating had ended, he was to take a jewel hanging on the wall, and invoke a mystical song that would heal him, as well as do other things. Then he he was to take the sword hanging next to the jewel and kill the troll."

"There's your quest..." Ash smiles at Pikachu.

"Kaitou did everything the princess--we'll call her Marin--had told him." Misty continues. "He walked straight in between the Enteis, and then into the small chamber, and lay down on the bed. The first night, a troll came with three heads and three rods, and beat Kaitou senseless, but Kaitou held out until the troll was done, and then he took the jewel, a ruby, and sang the mystical spellsong..."

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Brock fills in the spellsong.

"Once he was good as new, Kaitou took the sword and killed the troll." Misty continues, making a dramatic slashing motion for effect. "In the morning when he went to the beach, the princesses were only buried up to their waists. The next night everything happened in the same way, but the troll who came then had six heads and six rods, and he beat him much more severely than the first had done but when Kaitou went out the next morning, the princesses were in the sand up to their knees."

"I'm sure Kaitou had to be at least three different colors before he healed himself..." Ash chuckles.

"On the third night, a troll came who had nine heads and nine rods, and he beat Kaitou for so long, that at last he passed out; so believing Kaitou to be dead, the troll took him and flung him against the wall." Misty intones, making the Pokemon gasp. "The ruby fell into his hands, so he mustered what little strength he had left to sing the spellsong..."

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Brock sings again.

"and he was healed, as if nothing had happened at all." Misty continues. "Kaitou wasted no time in killing the troll, and in the morning when he went out of the castle the princesses were standing there entirely out of the sand."

She concludes "He took Princess Marin as his bride, and lived with her very happily for a long time, where they had many more adventures. But that is another story for another day!"

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 160: The Lucky Punch (Ash)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 59, story 3)


"A king of a certain land always started his day looking out on his vast kingdom." Ash begins. "But deep down he just wished that something--anything--exciting would happen, and so sent out a proclamation for everyone in the land to bring a rare and wondrous item, with a prize going to whoever had the rarest thing."

Piqued murmurs fill the air as Ash continues "Now, one man--we'll call him Kenji--decided that if he won the contest, he would use the prize money to buy new tools, as his tools were old and worn from years of working in the fields. That night, when he arrived home, he found a huge Berry at least the size of a person's head!" He makes a form in the air so the audience has some idea of how large the giant Berry is.

"Wow..." Melody gasps. Brock whistles in agreement.

"Kenji carefully tended the huge Berry every day, and before long, it was so large, not even ten strong people could lift it." Ash explains. "After hoisting it aboard a large cart, he took it to the capital city, only to find the guards in the gatehouse were asleep--for they too were bored that nothing exciting happened on their watch."

Giggles go up at this. "The guards woke, but they were slightly annoyed by the constant parade of rare items entering the capital." Ash goes on. "They were stunned when they saw the huge Berry, and let Kenji in, with a promise that they got half of the reward."

"Ooh"s race through the small audience, but Ash just grins--it's time for the twist in his tale. "The king was awed by the huge Berry, and asked Kenji what he wanted as a reward. Kenji replied that he wanted ten punches."

Laughter fills the air as Ash balks in feigned surprise, as if he is the king. "The king was bewildered at the request, but Kenji insisted, and so he was given five bonks on the head." He knocks five times on a rock for effect.

After the laughter quiets, Ash continues "The guards noticed nothing but a set of farming tools when Kenji departed that evening, and asked for their share of the reward. Kenji complied, and gave each of the five guards a bonk, saying that was half of the reward."

More laughter fills the air as Ash concludes "The king saw the whole thing, and relieved the greedy guards from their posts. He also gave Kenji some even better tools and a thousand gold pieces, as thanks for exposing the corrupt guards."

"Well, that's one way to out some greedy guards!" Misty giggles as she wipes a tear of laughter from one eye...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 161: Daisuke, the Beast Slayer (Brock)

(real tale: The Beast Slayer)


"Once upon a time there was a man and his wife who were very poor." Brock begins. "The man earned his living making wooden bowls and platters to sell and oftentimes worked from dawn until dusk, but wooden bowls and platters sold for so very cheap that he could barely support his family no matter how hard he worked."

"Aw"s go up at Brock's woeful observation. "Now, the man and his wife were the parents of three lovely daughters--we'll call them Miyu, Ran, and Eina." Brock explains. "They were all very beautiful, and the man and his wife often lamented the fact that they did not have money to provide for them."

Pikachu sniffles as Brock goes on "One day, a handsome young man mounted on a beautiful Rapidash came to the poor man's house, and offered to take one of the poor man's daughters as his bride in return for a hundred gold pieces."

"WHAT???" Misty gasps.

"Isn't that selling them into slavery?" Ash is just as appalled.

"The father was very much shocked at this request--he may have been poor, but not so poor that he had to sell his own children." Brock explains. "The young man, however, threatened to kill him if he refused; so the father reluctantly consented to give Miyu to him, receiving a hundred gold pieces in return. The next day, the father found himself also giving up Ran, and the day after, Eina, to rich young men, on pain of death."

Angry murmurs race through the tent as Brock goes on. "Their home was not childless very long, for soon a little boy was born to them. They named him Daisuke, and brought him up in great luxury. But the neighborhood kids always teased him with taunts that said the only reason his father was rich was because he sold his three sisters. The teasing made Daisuke sad of course, but he said nothing about the matter for a long time. When the year came that he had come of age, he went to his father and mother and demanded that they tell him everything."

"Oh boy..." Melody braces herself for how Daisuke will react.

"His parents told Daisuke the whole story of the strange circumstances through which they had obtained their wealth." Brock continues, breaking an uneasy silence. "Daisuke then asked if he could go out into the world in search of his sisters. His father and mother gave him their blessing, and Daisuke set out on his journey early the next morning."

Brock walks around the tent for a moment,simulating Daisuke traveling. "Before long, Daisuke came to a house where there were three brothers fighting over a boot, a cap, and a key." he continues when he arrives back at the rock he was sitting on. "He asked them why those things were so valuable that they were fighting over them. The brothers replied that if one sang to the boot, Karuto, ichiida shou... the boot would immediately take him anywhere he wished to go. If one sang to the cap, Yveltal, ame no hao bakezo..., the cap would turn him invisible. The key could unlock any door in the whole world. Inspired, Daisuke offered so much money for the three items, the three brothers decided to end their fight and divide their shares of a thousand gold pieces."

Awed chatter and some applause goes up at the wondrous items. "Daisuke put the three treasures in his bag and went on his way. As soon as he had gone a little ways, he sang to the boot Karuto, iichiida shou... and the boot warped him to where his sister Miyu lived, which was the most magnificent palace he had ever seen in his life." Brock continues. "He asked to speak with his sister, but Miyu replied that she had no brother and did not wish to be bothered with the stranger."

"Did he get through to Miyu?" Ash asks.

"It took a lot of urging for Daisuke to get permission from her to tell his story; but, when she heard it, everything made sense, so she decided to welcome him as her brother." Brock replies. "She asked how he had found her home, and how he had come through the thicket which surrounded her palace. Daisuke told her about his magic boot."

"Aw"s and some applause go up, relieved Daisuke has found one of his sisters. But Brock had other ideas. "Later that afternoon, Miyu suddenly burst into tears. When Daisuke asked what the matter was, Miyu explained that her husband was a red Gyarados--and he would be very angry to find a human in his palace. Daisuke then told Miyu about his magic cap."

"Pika?" Pikachu asks.

Brock pauses for a moment, then intones "Soon the red Gyarados arrived, and in a very bad mood, damaging, if not breaking everything in his way, and ranting that he smelled human blood."

Gasps go up, but Brock assures them "It took some doing, but once Miyu had talked him into a relaxing soak in the hot spring, he became a handsome man. He then ate dinner, and when dinner had ended, Miyu asked him what he would do if he saw her brother. The red Gyarados replied that he would be kind to him, just as he was to her. Daisuke revealed himself, and the red Gyarados treated him with all the kindness and respect of a king. He asked Daisuke if he wanted to live for the rest of his life in the palace. Daisuke declined the invitation, saying that he had two other sisters to find. Before he left the next day, the red Gyarados gave him a magical sapphire from his royal treasury, saying that if he was ever in any danger in which he could help, take the sapphire and sing Rou iitsa ron selga vichii...

Some light applause goes up at the gibberish spellsong. "Daisuke thanked the red Gyarados, and went on his way. Then he took out his magic boot and sang Karuto, iichiida shou...

"Where did Daisuke end up?" Misty is piqued by the spellsong.

After a beat, Brock continues "Daisuke was warped into a more wonderful palace than Miyu's. Ran had married Master Gogoat, and he too treated the newly found brother of his queen with great consideration. When Daisuke had finished his visit there, Master Gogoat gave him a magical emerald from his collection of curiosities, saying that if he was ever in any peril in which he could help, take the emerald and sing Imultao, ame no ga bakeno...

The audience waits to see what sort of Pokemon Daisuke will encounter next. "With the aid of his magic boot, Daisuke went to visit the home of his youngest sister Eina." Brock continues. "He found her in the most magnificent palace of them all, for her husband was Moltres. When Daisuke left, he gave him a magical ruby from his stash of wondrous items telling him that if he was ever in any danger, all he had to do was take the ruby and sing Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

Cheers go up from the Pokemon at the gibberish "spellsong". "All three of Daisuke's new friends had admired the power of his magic boot and they had all advised him to visit a legendary kingdom said to be made of jewels, many of them magical." Brock goes on. "Daisuke was glad that his sisters were safe, and so warped himself to the mythical kingdom of jewels. He soon heard on the street that the king of the land of jewels had a beautiful daughter--we'll call her Yuna--whom he wished to give in marriage if she could be persuaded to choose a husband. She was such a famous beauty that no one could pass before her palace without eagerly gazing up in hopes of seeing her lovely face at the window. Princess Yuna had grown weary of being the object of so much attention, and she had made a vow that she would marry no one except a man who could pass before her without looking at her."

"Ooh"s go up at this. "Daisuke was interested when he heard this, and rode past the palace with his eyes fixed steadily on the ground. He did not give a single glance upward in the direction of the window where the beautiful Princess Yuna was watching him. Princess Yuna, meanwhile, was overcome with joy at the sight of the handsome stranger who appeared as if in response to her vow. The king summoned him to the palace and ordered that he and Princess Yuna be married right then and there."

Thunderous applause fills the tent at this, but Brock is not finished yet. "After the wedding festivities had died down a week or so later, Princess Yuna soon found out that her husband carried his choicest treasures in his bag. She asked about their significance and Daisuke told her all about them. She was especially interested in the key, and told him that there was a room in the palace which was never opened. In this room there was a mujina, a huge Buizel-like monster which always came to life again whenever it was killed. Princess Yuna had always been anxious to see the mujina with her own eyes, and she suggested that they should use the key to unlock the door of the forbidden room and take a look."

"Bad idea..." Ash giggles.

"Daisuke, however, pleaded with her not to do this." Brock explains. "He decided that it was too risky a bit of amusement; but one day when he had gone out hunting with the king, Pincess Yuna was overjoyed to find that the magic key had been left behind. She quickly picked it up and opened the forbidden door. The mujina gave a great leap, and grabbed her with his sharp claws!"

Surprised screams go up as Brock grabs at the air, startling Azurill and Happini. "When Daisuke and the king returned from their hunting trip, they were very much worried to find that Princess Yuna had disappeared. No one knew where she was. After searching through the palace and garden all in vain they went to the place where the mujina was always kept. The prince recognized his magic key in the door, but the room was empty. It dawned on him just what had happened--the mujina had fled with Princess Yuna!"

[Did Daisuke save her?] a Meowth stammers as she squeezes her mother's left front paw in fear.

"Daisuke wasted no time in using his magic boot to warp by Princess Yuna's side." Brock assures the Meowth. "The mujina had hidden her in a cave by the sea and had gone away in search of food. Princess Yuna was delighted to find her husband--whom she had never expected to see again--and asked him to get her out of there."

"I would do the same if a monster caught me..." Misty muses.

"Daisuke explained that since she had gotten into this mess, she could at least try to kill the mujina." Brock intones. "So Princess Yuna waited for the mujina to return, then she asked it to tell her the secret of his seemingly eternal life. The mujina was very much flattered to have the Princess Yuna so interested in him, and he told it to her, unaware of a plot."

He explains to the group "The mujina explained that its life was in the sea. Somewhere in the sea was a chest, and in the chest there was a stone, and in the stone there was a Pidove, and in the Pidove there was an egg, and in the egg there was a candle. Only when that candle was extinguished would he die."

The crowd applauds, impressed that Brock remembered the whole list. "Little did the mujina know, Daisuke had been there the whole time, and he had heard every word. As soon as the mujina had gone to sleep, Daisuke stood on the seashore held the sapphire to the sky, and sang Rou iitsa ron selga vichii....

"Sure enough, a great school of fish appeared in a flash of blue light." he continues. "Daisuke asked them to get the chest from the depths of the sea. They replied that they had never seen such a chest, but maybe the sea guardian Kyogre would know about it. So they went and asked Kyogre, and she said that she had seen the chest only moments before. With Kyogre's help, the fish brought the chest out of the sea. Daisuke opened the chest easily with the aid of his magic key, and inside he found a stone."

After pausing for a moment, Brock continues "Then Daisuke took the emerald, held it to the sky, and sang Imultao, ame no ga bakeno... The ground started rumbling as the emerald glowed, and Daisuke saw millions of Gogoats and Ponytas running to the beach from all directions. They attacked the stone, giving it mighty blows with their hard heads, horns, and hooves. "It didn't take long to break open the stone, and from out of it there flew a Pidove."

The audience is on the edge of their seats as Brock goes on "By now, it had dawned on the mujina what Daisuke and Princess Yuna planned to do, and dragged Princess Yuna back in the cave. "Meanwhile, Daisuke took the ruby, held it to the sky, and sang Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Moltress appeared in a flash of red light and quickly defeated the Pidove. "Minutes before the mujina could kill Princess Yuna with his great claws, Daisuke took the egg from the slain Pidove, broke it and blew out the candle. At that moment the mujina died, and Princess Yuna was unharmed."

He concludes "Daisuke warped both of them home to the jeweled kingdom, and the king called for a great festival that lasted at least a week. There was rejoicing throughout the whole kingdom, and great relief that Princess Yuna was all right. Daisuke was hailed throughout the jeweled kingdom as a hero, and the people there talk of his many adventures even to this day."

Misty heaves a sigh of relief. "You even had ME scared for a second..."

"That's why Brock is the master storyteller!" Ash assures her as he applauds...

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 162: The Legend of Ryan (Misty)

(real tale: Pinkel the Thief)

"A long time ago, in a land far from here, there lived a widow who had three sons." Misty begins. "The two eldest though they were on the lazy side, some of the neighbors gave them work to do because their mom was highly respected. But by the time our story begins, they had both been so careless and lazy that their masters sent them home."

An uneasy silence fills the air before Misty continues "So they returned to their mother and youngest brother, who they didn't really like, because he made himself useful around the house, looked after the Combuskens, and milked the Miltank."

"What's this boy's name?" Ash interrupts.

Misty thinks of a suitable name for the boy. "Let's call him Ryan, okay?"

Ash nods in approval of the name, so Misty continues "Anyway, Ryan's brothers thought it was much nicer to live at home and do nothing than do chores they did not like, and they would have stayed by the fire till their dying day; but their mom lost patience with them. She was about to kick them out of the house when Ryan told her that he too was old enough to go out into the world and seek his fortune too."

"So did Ryan get to go too?" Melody asks.

"The woman wept many tears at telling her youngest son goodbye, but as she saw that his heart was set on going with his brothers, she did not try to stop him." Misty assures the group. So the boys left early in the morning with high morale, never doubting that their idea of work was there for the taking."

She pauses for a moment, then continues "But a few days of wandering opened their eyes. Nobody seemed to want them, or, if they did, the two lazy brothers said that they were not able to do all that the farmers or millers or woodcutters required of them. Ryan, who was wiser, would gladly have done some of the work that the others refused, but no one thought of offering him any. So they went from one town to another, living only on the Berries and nuts they could find in the woods, and getting hungrier by the day."

"And then?" Brock asks, piqued

"One night, after they had been walking for hours and were very tired, they came to a large lake with an island in the middle of it." Misty replies. "A bright light shone from the island, so bright that it looked like daytime. Just then, they spotted a boat in the reeds..."

"Azu?" Azurill asks.

"The eldest brother suggested that they use the boat to row over to the island." Misty explains. "So they rowed across in the direction of the light. As they approached the island, they saw that it came from a golden lantern hanging over the door of a house, while sweet tinkling music came from from some bells attached to the horns of a Shiny Gogoat. The boys' hearts rejoiced at the thought of being able to rest, but they entered the hut, they saw an ugly old woman inside, wrapped in a cloak of gold which lit up the whole house. They looked at each other uneasily as she came forward with her daughter, as they knew by the cloak that this was an infamous witch."

Ash swallows hard as Misty goes on "She demanded what the boys wanted, and the eldest brother explained they needed food and shelter for the night. The witch shooed the two elder boys away, but asked that Ryan stay with her, But Ryan talked the witch into letting him go with his brothers."

"So where did they go?" Brock wonders.

"They came at last to a palace in another land." Misty replies. "The king put the two eldest in charge of the royal stables, and Ryan he made the servant to his son the prince--who we'll call Destin. Ryan proved to be a clever and amusing servant, and the king noticed this as well, and often allowed him in his own service, which made his brothers very jealous."

"Uh oh..." Melody giggles.

"This went on for some time, and every day Ryan earned the favor of someone on the royal court." Misty continues. Finally, his brothers' jealousy was so powerful they couldn't stand it. So one day, they told the king of the wonderful lantern over the witch's hut. The king loved collecting all the rarest things he could find and asked where he could get this marvelous lantern."

"They told the king to send Ryan after it, right?" Brock smiles.

"That and if he succeeded, the king would make him chief advisor." Misty replies. "Ryan eagerly agreed, and set out for the island. It was late by the time he arrived, and almost dark, but he knew by the savory smell inside that the witch was cooking her dinner. So he climbed onto the roof, and watched till the old woman's back was turned, when he quickly grabbed a handful of salt from his pocket and threw it into the pot. Suddenly, the witch called her daughter and asked her lift the pot off the fire and put the stew into a dish, as it had been cooking for a while and she was hungry. But no sooner had she tasted it did she put her spoon down, and declared that her daughter must have been messing with it, for it was nigh on impossible to eat anything that was all made of salt."

"The boys laugh as Misty goes on "So the girl took her bucket in one hand and the golden lantern in the other, and hurried to the well. Ryan followed, being careful to keep out of the way of the light. When she stooped to fill her bucket at the well Ryan pushed her into it, and snatching up the lantern hurried back to his boat and rowed off from the shore, all without the witch knowing what he had done."

Brock leads some applause at this. "The sun had not yet risen when Ryan returned to the palace, and, entering the king's chamber, he held up the lantern, making it as bright as the heavens." Misty continues. "The king woke with a jump, and when he saw the golden lantern, he hugged Ryan and appointed him his chief advisor.

"I have a feeling I know where this is going..." Ash giggles.

"Of course, this made the brothers more even more jealous; and some weeks later they told the king of the Shiny Gogoat. Ryan eagerly agreed to get it, in exchange for a portion of the kingdom." Misty explains. "This time it was easier for Ryan to approach the island unseen, as there was no lantern. But, on the other hand, the Gogoat slept inside the hut, and would therefore have to be taken from under the very eyes of the old woman. How was he to do it?"

"You tell me." Brock challenges.

"The first thing he did when he reached the shore was to look for a piece of wood, and when he had found one, he hid himself close to the hut, till it grew dark and near the hour when the witch and her daughter went to bed." Misty explained. "Then he crept up and fixed the wood under the door, which opened outwards, in such a manner that the more you tried to shut it the more firmly it stuck. And this was exactly what happened when the girl went to lock up for the night."

Ash chuckles as Misty continues "They gave up on it after a bit of a struggle, and as soon as they were asleep, Ryan saw his chance. He tiptoed inside, and gave the Gogoat its favorite food. While the Gogoat was eating, Ryan stuffed each golden bell with wool, being ever alert in case the witch woke up, and what kind of Pokemon he would turn into when he was discovered. But the snoring still continued, and he worked as quickly as he could. When the last bell was full he offered the Gogoat more food, and it and followed Ryan all the way his boat, all without the witch having a clue what had happened.

"Ooh..." Melody giggles.

"The king was so delighted with the Gogoat that he always kept it by his side, night and day; and, as he had promised, Ryan was made ruler over a third of the kingdom." Misty explained. "The brothers were even more furious, and a few weeks later, they told the king about the golden cloak."

"Ryan said he'd get it, right?" Ash smiles.

"And if he could do it, he would receive the princess'--who was named Brenna--hand in marriage and be named his successor." Misty adds. "So Ryan put a large bag inside his coat, and pushed off from the shore, being careful to reach the island in daylight. When he got there, he walked up to the hut. The witch threatened to kill him, but before she could rend him with a knife, Ryan suggested he have one last meal--and if she wanted, poison the broth, for all he cared."

Brock stifles a giggle as Misty continues "The witch did just that, but Ryan just poured the poisoned broth into the bag, then played dead. The witch believed Ryan really was dead, and left to go get some ingredients for a potion. That bought Ryan enough time to take the cloak and escape, all without the witch having a clue what really happened."

She concludes "He carried the cloak to the palace, and in return received the hand of Princess Brenna in marriage. When it came time for Ryan to ascend the throne, he ruled his subjects with a wise and just hand alongside Brenna. As for his brothers, he did not punish them, but left them in the stables, where they grumbled all day long."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 163: The Wise Miko (Ash)

(real tale: The Five Wise Words of the Guru)

"Once there lived a handsome young man--we'll call him Mamoru--who, even though he was well loved and well liked, was unhappy because he had a stepmother that didn't know when to stop talking." Ash begins. "She talked constantly day in and day out, until Mamoru grew so frustrated, he decided to go out into the world and seek his fortune. So the very next morning he started off with a few clothes and a little money in his pocket."

"And then?" Misty is intrigued.

"However..." Ash cautions. "There was one person in the village that he wanted to say goodbye to, and that was the miko, or priestess. She was well renowned for her wisdom, and had taught Mamoru many things. Of course, she was also wise in reading faces, and saw that something was wrong. When she asked Mamoru what the matter was, he explained what he planned to do. She tried to talk him out of leaving, but gave up when she saw Mamoru's mind was made up. She then told him five pieces of advice she said would help him on his travels."

"Which were?" Brock asks.

"First, always obey without question the orders of any whose service you enter." Ash replies. "Second, never say anything unkind to anyone; third, never tell a lie; fourth, don't try to be anything that you are not; and fifth, if he met any other mikos or priests, stay and listen."

He pauses for a beat, then continues "And so, Mamoru set out upon his journey, promising to remember the miko's advice. After a while, he came to a great city, where he met a prosperous-looking merchant. Mamoru asked whether he could give him a job. The merchant told him that the day before, the king's chief vizir dismissed his bodyguard and was wanting another--and Mamoru was just the type of person that he needed."

"Pika?" Pikachu wonders.

"Mamoru thanked the merchant for the advice, and went to the vizir's house, where he was hired as his bodyguard." Ash continues. "One day, the king left on a great journey and the chief vizir accompanied him and his retinue. They travelled for several days, till they came to a land deep in the desert. They came to a village, and when the council of elders hurried out to salute the king and to pay him their respects, they explained that, while they and all that they had were at the disposal of the king, they didn't have enough water for all the people and Pokemon!"

"Well, they're in a desert, what do you expect?" Misty grumbles.

"The king merely told the vizir to somehow find water, and that was that, as far as he was concerned." Ash continues. "So the vizir asked all the elders where he would find a well, a spring, or a stream."

"Azu?" Azurill is worried for the retinue.

"Well, one elder told the vizir about a well that a former king made hundreds of years ago that was said to be great and inexhaustible." Ash explains. "It was covered in heavy stonework, with a flight of stairs leading down to the water deep under the earth; but no one ever went near it because it was also said to be haunted by evil spirits, and those that went in the well, often didn't come out."

"Then what?" Brock asks, an excited grin forming on his face.

"The vizir figured that he wouldn't know if those stories were true until he tried, and so told Mamoru to enter the well." Ash goes on. "Mamoru remembered what the miko had said..."

"Always obey without question the orders of any whose service you enter." Misty, Brock, Melody, and the Pokemon reply.

"So Mamoru fastened two huge jars to a Ponyta, and carried two smaller ones on his shoulders." Ash continues, pleased his friends have remembered one of the words of wisdom. "He set out that evening, with the elder as his guide. It wasn't long before they came to a spot where three big trees towered above the sand, and under their shadow was the dome of an ancient building. That,the elder said, was the well, and watched as Mamoru went on alone with his Ponyta."

"Were any of the ghost stories true?" Melody stammers.

"Well, Mamoru climbed down the flight of stairs which led down into the darkness." Ash replies. "Not to mention it was dark, and quiet enough that you could hear a pin drop. He finally reached a huge pool of water, and he washed his jars with care before he filled them, and started carrying up the lighter vessels first, as the big ones were so heavy he could only take up one at a time."

After pausing for a beat, he announces "Suddenly, he saw a giant standing on the stairway! In one hand he held clasped to his heart a dreadful looking mass of bones, in the other was a lamp which cast long shadows about the walls, and made him seem even more terrible than he really was. He asked Mamoru what he thought of his wife, and gestured to the pile of bones, which were the bones of his wife, who had died from a terrible disease."

"Don't be rude or unkind to others..." Misty muses, as if she is the miko reminding Mamoru.

"Mamoru told the giant that none was as beautiful as his wife." Ash smiles. "The giant was touched at this, and offered to help Mamoru carry the water. When they got to the surface again, the giant offered to do something nice for Mamoru, since Mamoru had done something nice for him. Mamoru replied that all he wanted was to allow people into the well to draw water, so the giant decided to stop bothering people."

[But what happened back at the camp?] Mai wonders.

"Everyone was elated when Mamoru returned with the water." Ash replies. "But he didn't say a word about his adventure with the giant, but merely told the king that there was no truth to any of the tales."

"Pini?" Happini asks.

"The king was so pleased with Mamoru that he ordered the vizir to let him serve under him him in exchange for one of his own servants. So Mamoru became the king's attendant; and as the days went by the king became more and more delighted with Mamoru, as he was always honest and spoke the truth, as per the miko's advice." Ash replies.

Mai nods in approval as Ash goes on "Finally the king appointed Mamoru as the royal treasurer. However..."

"Bad sign..." Brock warns.

"The king had a brother who was evil and greedy." Ash intones. "He thought that if he could win the young treasurer over to himself he might be able to steal as much of the king's treasure as he needed. Then he could bribe the soldiers and some of the king's counsellors, head a rebellion, dethrone and kill his brother, and crown himself king. He had to be sure that Mamoru didn't get wind of all these wicked plans; so he began by flattering him whenever he saw him, and finally offered him his daughter in marriage. But Mamoru remembered the fourth piece of advice the miko told him..."

"Don't try to be something he was not." Melody cautions.

"Mamoru respectfully declined the great honor, saying he was unworthy of marrying a princess, as he was no prince." Ash goes on. "The king's brother was furious, and went and told the king a contrived story about Mamoru saying insulting words of his sovereign and of his daughter. Though his brother was lying through his teeth, the king grew very angry, and sent Mamoru to a nearby tower under the ruse of an errand, but the king actually wanted to kill Mamoru."

The Pokemon swallow hard as Ash continues "Mamoru went a ways until he came to a little temple on the outskirts of the city, where he heard the miko giving a sermon to a group of pilgrims. He remembered the miko's fifth piece of advice, and stepped inside to listen. He intended to hear one sermon, but became so deeply interested in the wisdom of the miko, that he sat through quite a few sermons!"

Everyone giggles as Ash continues "Meanwhile, the wicked brother, who dared not disobey the king's command, was feeling very hungry; and as for the princess, she was quietly crying in a corner waiting for the news of Mamoru's death, so that she might eat her dinner. Hours passed, and stare as he might from the window no messenger could be seen."

"Did the treacherous brother get his just desserts?" Melody asks.

"At last the brother could bear it no longer, and after disguising himself so that no one would recognize him, jumped on a Ponyta and galloped out to the tower, where the king had told him that the execution would take place. But, when he got there, there was no execution going on. There were only some men engaged in building, and a number of soldiers idly watching them. He forgot that he had disguised himself, asked a passerby what was going on, not knowing the king had told the guards to kill anyone that asked what was going on."

"And the treacherous brother was killed right there, right?" Brock asks.

Ash nods. "Mamoru told the king every bit of his brother's treachery, and the king offered him the hand of one of the ladies of the court as a sign of his forgiveness. Mamoru accepted, and continued to serve the king faithfully for many years, never forgetting the five pieces of advice the miko had taught him."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 164: The Bird Keeper's Song (Brock)

(real tale: Tattercoats)

"Once upon a time, in a great palace by the sea, there lived a very rich old lord, who had only one little granddaughter, whose face he had not seen in all her life." Brock begins. "He hated her bitterly, because at her birth his eldest daughter had died; and when the old nurse brought him the baby he swore that he would never see its face as long as it lived."

Angry murmurs waft through the tent, but they begin to quiet as Brock continues "So he turned his back, sat by his window looking out over the sea, and wept bitterly for his lost daughter, till his white hair and beard grew down over his shoulders and twined round his chair and crept into the chinks of the floor, and his tears, dropping on to the window-ledge, wore a channel through the stone, and ran away in a little river to the great sea."

"Aw"s go up at this. "Meanwhile, his granddaughter grew up with no one to care for her, or clothe her; only the old nurse, when no one was nearby, would sometimes give her a plate of scraps from the kitchen, or a torn petticoat that would have otherwise gone in the trash; while the other servants of the palace would drive her from the house with blows and mocking words, calling her "Haiki,"--which means "scraps"-- and pointing to her bare feet and shoulders, till she ran away, crying, to hide among the bushes." Brock explains. "So she grew up, with little to eat or to wear, spending her days outside, her only companion a young bird keeper who fed her Pokemon on the plains. This bird keeper--we'll call her Sachi-- was a joyful little girl that didn't let life's troubles get her down. So when Haiki was hungry, or cold, or tired, Sachi would play her many airs and dances on her little flute..."

Excited chatter fills the air as Ash retrieves his whistle. "that she forgot all her troubles, and would dance with the Pidgeys, Taillows, Starlies, Swablus, and Fletchlings as her partners." Brock goes on before motioning for Ash to play.

Ash plays "The Meowth's Call" for effect. After waiting for the applause to die down, Brock continues "Now one day, word spread that the king was traveling through the land, and was going to host a great ball--every lord and lady in the area was invited, and some rumors said that Prince Taka, his only son, was to choose his future bride during the festivities. Finally, one of the royal invitations to the ball was brought to the palace by the sea, and the servants carried it up to the old lord, who still sat by his window, wrapped in his long white hair and weeping into the little river that was fed by his tears."

He waits for a beat, than continues as he paces around the tent. "But when he heard the king's command, he dried his eyes and commanded them to bring shears to cut him loose, for his hair had essentially bound him to the chair, and he could not get up."

Giggles fill the air at this. "Once he could get up, he put on his finest clothes; and ordered his shining Rapidash saddled in all its finery...but he quite forgot he had a granddaughter to take to the ball." Brock goes on.

Ash lazily fingers the whistle as Brock continues "Meanwhile, Haiki sat by the kitchen door crying, because she could not go to see the ball and all its pageantry. When the old nurse heard her crying, she went to the lord and begged him to take his granddaughter with him to the royal ball. But he only frowned and told her to be quiet; while the servants laughed and said..."

In character as a younger boy, he mocks "Haiki is happy in her rags, playing with the bird keeper! Let her be - it is all she is fit for."

Angry murmurs race through the tent as Brock goes on "A second, and then a third time, the old nurse begged him to let the girl go with him, but she was answered only by black looks and fierce words, till she was driven from the room by the jeering servants, with blows and mocking words. After she had cried a bit from the pain, the old nurse went to look for Haiki; but the girl had been shooed off by the cook, and had run away to tell her friend Sachi how unhappy she was because she could not go to the royal ball."

He returns to his rock, which faces Ash, Misty and the Pokemon as he continues. "Now, when Sachi heard her story, she proposed that they could go together to see the royal ball in all its splendor. But when Haiki looked down at her rags and bare feet, Sachi began a reel or two on her flute. The song was so beautiful, that Haiki forgot all about her tears and her troubles, and before she knew it, the two of them and the Pokemon were dancing down the road towards the town.

The audience claps along as Ash plays a set of three tunes for effect. "Before they had gone very far a handsome young man, splendidly dressed, riding up, stopped to ask the way to the castle, and when he found that they too were going there, he got off his Ponyta and walked beside them along the road." Brock goes on after applauding Ash.

"You seem to be quite the happy folk," he smiles in character as a young man, "and will be good company."

"Good company, indeed," he replies in a mimic of Melody, subtly giving the audience a clue as to who Sachi really is. Melody stiles a giggle at just how accurate Brock's impersonation of her is.

Ash next plays a mystical melody as an interlude before Brock continues as himself. "It was a curious tune, and it made the young man stare and stare at Haiki till he couldn't see her rags - in fact, he couldn't see anything but her beautiful face."

Ash then plays the mysterious song through twice before Brock comments as the young man "You are the most beautiful maiden in the world. Will you marry me?"

"Not I," he scoffs in his best mimic of Misty to represent Haiki. "You would be finely put to shame, and so would I be, if you took a bird keeper for your wife! Go and ask one of the great ladies you will see tonight at the royal ball, and do not flout poor Haiki."

As himself, he intones "But the more she refused him, the sweeter the flute played, and the deeper the young man fell in love; till at last he begged her to come to the royal ball, just as she was, with Sachi and her Pokemon, in her torn petticoat and bare feet, and see if he wouldn't dance with her before the King and the lords and ladies, and present her to them all, as his dear and honored bride. Now at first Haiki said she would not; but Sachi said..."

As Melody again, he assures the audience "Take fortune when it comes, little one."

He then continues as himself "So when night fell, and the hall in the castle was full of light and music, and the lords and ladies were dancing before the king, just as the clock struck midnight, Haiki and Sachi, followed by her Pokemon, entered at the great doors, and walked straight up the red carpet, while on either side the ladies whispered, the lords laughed, and the king seated at the far end stared in amazement. But as they came in front of the throne Haiki's lover rose from beside the King, and came to meet her. Taking her by the hand, he kissed her three times before them all, and turned to the king."

He smiles--it's time for the twist in the tale! "It turned out the girls' companion was really Prince Taka in disguise!"

Cheers go up at this. "He told his father the king..." As Prince Taka again, Brock announces "I have made my choice, and here is my bride, the loveliest girl in all the land, and the sweetest as well!"

As himself, he continues as Ash readies the whistle to play again. "Before he had finished speaking, Sachi had put his flute to her lips and played a few notes that sounded like a Fletchling singing far off in the woods; and as she played Haiki's rags were changed to shining robes sewn with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, and pearls. A golden crown lay upon her jet black hair, and the Pokemon behind her became a crowd of pages and servants, bearing her long train."

When Ash finishes his second set, Brock concludes "As the king rose to greet her as his daughter the trumpets sounded loudly in honor of the new princess, and the people said that she was the loveliest girl in all the land. But Sachi was never seen again. No one knew what became of her, although some said she was actually Meloetta in disguise."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 165: The Language of Pokemon (Misty)

(real tale: Bobino)

"Once upon a time there was a rich merchant who had an only son--we'll call him Washa." Misty begins. "Now, since Washa was very clever, and always yearned to learn something, his father sent him to a private teacher, where he thought he would learn to speak all kinds of foreign languages."

"So he would at least know how to survive in any foreign land." Ash smiles.

"At the very least, how to say 'I'm hungry', 'I'm thirsty', 'I need help', 'How do I get to such and such a place?', and 'How much does this cost?', as well as how to understand the answers to those." Brock agrees.

"After some years with his teacher, Washa returned home." Misty goes on. "One evening, as he and his father were walking in the garden, the Taillows in the trees began making so much racket that they found it impossible to hear each other speak. This annoyed the merchant very much, so Washa offered to explain what the Taillows were saying to each other."

Giggles go up as she continue "The merchant looked at his son in astonishment, and asked how Washa could explain what the Taillows said. Washa replied that though he was no oracle or mage, his master taught him the language of all Pokemon."

"I'm sure the merchant wanted Washa to learn the language that humans speak, and not the language of Pokemon." Ash grins.

"Washa went on to explain that his master thought it best to begin with the language of Pokemon, and then learn the languages of humans." Misty confirms Ash's prediction. "On their way into the house, the Growlithe ran to meet them, barking furiously. The merchant had no clue why the Growlithe was making so much racket, but rebuffed Washa's offer to translate."

"Then what Pokemon did they hear?" Melody is piqued.

"A little later, as they sat down to dinner, some Froagies in a neighboring pond started croaking and singing like no tomorrow." Misty continues, to some chuckles from the boys. "The noise bugged the merchant so much that he lost his temper, and sent Washa to bed without dinner when he offered to translate."

"Azu azu!" Azurill is appalled.

"Pini!" Happini agrees.

"Yeah, that's a silly reason to go without dinner." Brock adds.

"So Washa went to bed, but his father, was so mad that he sent for two servants and told them to kill Washa the next morning." Misty intones.

Gasps go up at this. "The next morning, one of the servants woke Washa early, and took him to a carriage that was waiting for him. The servant sat by him, while the other servant rode alongside the carriage as an escort." Misty explains. "Washa didn't know what they were going to do with him, or where he was being taken; but he noticed that the servant beside him looked very sad, and his eyes were watery with tears. So he asked what the matter was, and where he was going.

"Did the servant answer?" Ash wonders.

"At first, the servant said nothing." Misty replies. "But after Washa bugged him for a while, he finally admitted he was taking him to be killed, by his father's orders. Washa asked what he did to deserve to die, and the servant replied he had done nothing that deserved death, but his father was mad because in all those years of study, he had learned nothing but the language of Pokemon. He expected something quite different from you, and that was why he was bent on killing him."

"That's a stupid reason to die!" Now Brock is angered at Washa's "crime".

"However, despite their orders, neither servant could bring themselves to kill Washa." Misty assures the boys. "They had frantically pondered ways to save Washa and their own skins--once their master discovered that had let Washa live."

The boys nervously giggle as Misty continues "By sheer luck, a Mareep had been following the coach. The servants agreed to kill it in Washa's stead, and give the heart to their master. By then, Washa would be long gone, and no one would be the wiser."

"So, where did Washa travel?" Brock asks.

"Washa walked for a long time, until he came to a house where some herdsmen lived. He knocked at the door and asked for shelter for the night. The herdsmen, seeing how kind he was, welcomed him, and allowed him to stay for dinner. While they were eating, the Growlithe in the courtyard began to bark. Washa walked to the window, listened for a minute, then told to the herdsmen to send their wives and daughters to a safe place, and arm themselves as best they could, because at midnight, a band of thieves would attack the house."

Pikachu sparks excitedly as Misty goes on. "Naturally, the herdsmen thought Washa was nuts, but he told them about his gift of speaking to Pokemon. The herdsmen were amazed, but they decided to do as Washa advised. They sent their wives and daughters upstairs to a safe room, then, after arming themselves, they took up their position behind a hedge, waiting for midnight."

"And then?" Ash grins in anticipation.

"Just as the clock struck twelve they heard the sound of approaching footsteps, and a band of thieves cautiously crept towards the house." Misty intones. "But the herdsmen were on the lookout; they sprang on the robbers from behind the hedge, and with blows from sword, arrow, and spell, sent the thieves packing!"

The boys applaud at this. "The herdsmen were thankful Washa had warned them, and they begged him to stay, but he declined, as he wanted to see more of the world. Misty continues. "So after some days of travel, he came to a peasant's house. While he was debating whether he should knock and ask for shelter for the night, he heard a great croaking of Froagies in a ditch behind the house. Stepping to the back he saw a very strange sight. Four Froagies were throwing a small bottle about from one to the other, making a great croaking as they did so. Washa listened for a few minutes, and then knocked at the door of the house. The peasant asked him to come in and have dinner."

After pausing for a beat, she goes on "When the meal was over, his host told him that they were in big trouble--his eldest daughter was so sick, that they feared she would not recover. A great healer had promised to send her some medicine that would have cured her, but the servant to whom he had entrusted the medicine had lost it, and now there seemed no hope for the girl."

The boys grin at each other, then listen as Misty explains "Then Washa told the father of the small bottle he had seen the Froagies play with, and that he knew that was the medicine which the healer had sent to the girl."

"Told'ja." Brock whispers to Ash.

"The peasant asked him how he knew this, and Washa explained to him that he understood the language of Pokemon, and had heard what the Froagies said as they tossed the bottle about. So the peasant retrieved the bottle from the ditch, and gave the medicine to his daughter. In the morning she was much better, and the grateful father did not know how to thank Washa enough. But Washa would accept nothing from him, and having said good-bye, went on his way. He went on like this for some time,and helped many people with his gift."

"Who else did he help?" Melody wonders.

"One day, he came upon two men resting under a tree." Misty continues. "As he was tired, Washa stretched himself on the ground at no great distance from them, and soon they all began to talk to one another. In the course of conversation, Washa asked the two men where they were going; and they replied that they were on their way to a neighboring town, where, that day, a new mayor was to be chosen by the people."

"Ooh, cool!" Ash smiles.

"While they were still talking, some Taillows settled on the tree under which they were lying. Washa was silent, and appeared to be listening. At the end of a few minutes he told his companions that the Taillows said that today one of them would be chosen as the mayor of that town."

"But how to choose the mayor?" Brock wonders.

"A great crowd was assembled in the marketplace, waiting for the hour when a Braviary should be let loose from a cage, for it had been decided that wherever the Braviary landed, the owner of that house would become mayor of the town." Misty explains. "The appointed hour arrived; the Braviary was set free, and all eyes strained to see where it would land. But circling over the heads of the crowd, it flew straight in the direction of a young man who was entering the town--Washa!"

The Pokemon cheer as Misty concludes "All the people cheered and proclaimed that he was their mayor, and he was led to the mayorial mansion. From that day on he lived there happily, and ruled wisely over the people."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 166: The Brave Mother and Daughter (Ash)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 57, story 1)

"Once the daughter of a certain village's elder--we'll call her Kanade--was to marry the son of the elder of the next village over." Ash begins. "Suddenly, a great storm blew up, carrying off the wedding coach into the sky. The elder was so depressed, he got physically sick, and so his wife--we'll call her Nara--took it upon herself to find her daughter."

He continues "Nara wandered across the world for a whole year, and one night, decided to rest in a shrine to Arceus for the night. The miko felt sorry for Nara when she heard her tale of woe, and allowed her to stay for the night. That night, she told Nara that Kanade was being held in the lair of a red Gyarados."

Fearful murmurs race through the tent as Ash continues "Arceus appeared to Nara in a dream, and confirmed what the miko said, plus some more information--the red Gyarados' cave was across a raging river, and guarded by a pair of Houndooms. The Houndooms slept during the day, but the bridge was alive, and had thrown many an adventurer into the river."

Fear turns to excitement as the Pokemon debate how Nara will save Kanade. "The next morning, Nara made her way to the bridge, walked right past the sleeping Houndooms, and crossed the bridge." Ash goes on, quieting the chatter. "After wandering through the cave's passages for a while, she found Kanade safe and sound, working at a loom."

Applause starts to fill the air, but Ash intones "Their reunion was cut short when Kanade heard the Gyarados returning, and told her mother to hide in a hollowed out rock."

The group silently waits to hear what happens next, before Ash continues "The Gyarados demanded that it was hungry, but then noticed three roses blooming instead of two--for they only bloomed when someone was present. He asked Kanade if she was hiding someone, and Kanade lied, saying she was expecting a child. Excited, the Gyarados threw a big party and invited all the sea monsters to attend."

Giggles go up as the audience pictures the wild party. "When the monsters and the Gyarados were all exhausted from feasting, drinking and dancing; Nara and Kanade took that opportunity to escape!" Ash announces. "However, their escape route ended up blocked, and the Gyarados and the other monsters were approaching, and fast!"

Ash is quick to assure the antsy group "Just when it looked like the end, Arceus appeared to Nara and Kanade, and instructed them to flee in a boat by the shore. But the Gyarados and the monsters started drinking the river water, causing the two of them to go backwards. The two of them understandably panicked, but Manaphy appeared to them and suggested trying to make their foes laugh. So they sang the silliest song they knew, which went something like this..."

With that, he sings 99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer on the wall, if one of those bottles should happen to fall, there'll be 98 bottles of beer on the wall.

98 bottles of beer on the wall, 98 bottles of beer on the wall, if one of those bottles should happen to fall, there'll be 97 bottles of beer on the wall.

97 bottles of beer on the wall, 97 bottles of beer on the wall, if one of those bottles should happen to fall, there'll be 96 bottles of beer on the wall.

96 bottles of beer on the wall, 96 bottles of beer on the wall, if one of those bottles should happen to fall, there'll be 95 bottles of beer on the wall.

Thankfully, Ash decides to stop at 95 bottles of beer on the wall. "Anyway, the song made the Gyarados and the monsters laugh, which filled the river back up again, allowing Nara and Kanade to make it home safely. They never forgot how Arceus protected them in their hour of need, and gave thanks every day."

[EmeraldSky]

Tale 167: The Farmer's Drawing (Brock)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 12, story 3)

"In a certain village, there lived a famous artist--we'll call him Iro." Brock begins. "His paintings were renowned throughout the land, and many temples would ask them to decorate their ceilings with scenes of the Legendaries, saints, and other friendly spirits and beings."

After pausing for a beat, he continues. "One day, as he was on his way home from a temple on the outskirts of town, he met a farmer--we'll call him Makoto--on the road. Now, Makoto had never seen an artist before, and had all kinds of questions--what kind of paper did he use, how long does it take to paint something, what do you like to paint, and other questions like that. Iro was flattered by all the questions, and agreed to have Makoto visit him."

After spreading a blank piece of paper, a black piece of paper, and art supplies on a wooden platform, Brock continues "Makoto came on the agreed day, and started asking Iro what all the brushes, paints, daubs, and other tools were. Iro just smiled and assured his guest to watch and learn. He told Makoto he was going to paint a woodcutter cutting down a big tree."

He gestures to the blank piece of paper, which is now propped on a small easel. "First, Iro laid a large piece of paper on the floor, and covered it with a preservation solution of water and salt." After doing this to his own paper, he continues "Then, he mixed however many colors he needed."

The group watches for a moment as Brock goes to work painting his own version of the picture in the story. When he finishes some minutes later, he continues "Makoto watched in awe as Iro painted the picture, but pointed out that there were no wood chips at the woodcutter's feet."

Laughter goes up at Brock's feigned look of surprise. "Iro was angry at this, and challenged Makoto to try and do better. So Makoto proceeded to cover a piece of paper with black paint." He gestures to the black piece of paper, which is on another small easel next to his masterpiece. "When Iro asked what the drawing was, Makoto explained that his picture was of a Murkrow flying at night."

He concludes "Needless to say, Iro was humbled at Makoto's cleverness, and took him in as an apprentice. The two of them become best friends for all time."

Applause goes up as Brock takes a bow...

[EmeraldSky]

Now that we're all caught up with the DA version, this version will be synced with it.

Tale 168: The Shining Goldeen (Misty)

(real tale: The Golden Headed Fish)

"Once upon a time, there lived a king who lost his sight from a terrible disease." Misty begins. "Understandably, he was very unhappy, and became even more so as the months went by, and it didn't help that all the best healers the land were unable to cure him. The poor king grew so thin from misery that everyone thought he was going to die, and the prince, his only son, thought so too."

"So were they ever able to cure him?" Brock wonders.

"So there was great rejoicing through the land when a traveler arrived in a boat down the river Tohjo." Misty continues. "After asking around and learning why everyone looked so glum, he declared that he was court physician to the king of a far country, and would, if allowed, examine the eyes of the blind king. He was immediately admitted into the throne room, and after a few minutes of careful examination, announced that the case, though very serious, was not quite hopeless."

"How did they cure him?" Ash is intrigued.

"Somewhere in the ocean, he said, existed a Shining Goldeen. If someone could manage to catch this Pokemon, he would prepare an ointment from its blood which would restore the king's sight. He decided to wait a hundred days, but if the Goldeen was still uncaught when that time was up, he would return to his own master."

"Sounds fair." Brock notes.

"A hundred days is PLENTY of time." Ash agrees.

"The next morning the young prince--we'll call him Kaitou--set forth in quest of the fish, taking with him a hundred people, each one carrying a net." Misty goes on. "An impressive fleet of boats criss-crossed the oceans of the world. For three months they worked diligently from sunrise to sunset, but though they caught a zillion Goldeens, not one of them shone. 99 days came and went, and even Prince Kaitou entertained the idea of giving up."

"He didn't give up, did he?" Ash smiles.

"Nope, he decided to go cast his net out himself, one last time." Misty intones. "and he got the shining Goldeen with hours to spare!"

"WOW!" Brock is impressed.

"Talk about in the nick of time! " Melody agrees.

"But Goldeen looked up at him with such sad Growlithe eyes that he could not bring himself to kill it." Misty interjects. So he picked up the shining Goldeen, threw it back, then began his journey back to the palace. When he arrived home, he found his father with a high fever, and he refused to believe the story."

"WHAT????" everyone gasps.

"Maybe throwing back the Shiny Goldeen wasn't such a hot idea..." Brock muses.

"The king was so mad, he ordered Prince Kaitou's life in exchange for the Goldeen." Misty continues. "The queen,on the other hand, didn't feel Kaitou deserved to die for what he did. That night, while everyone else slept, she disguised him in common clothes, filled his pockets with gold, and put him on board a ship which was sailing that night for a distant island. Before the ship left, she told Prince Kaitou that he was to take no man into his service who desired to be paid every month."

[How odd...] Mai contemplates the strange advice.

"Now, Prince Kaitou thought his mother's advice rather odd." Misty explains, acknowledging Mai with a nod. "If the servant had to be paid, he did not understand what difference it would make whether it was by the year, by the day, or by the month. However, he knew that his mother was wiser than he, so he promised he would do what she said."

"So, what happened to Prince Kaitou on the island?" Ash asks. Pikachu sparks excitedly, as if expecting a quest or spellsongs to appear in the story.

"Well, first he bought the prettiest house he could find." Misty explains. Then servants came offering their services; but as they all said that they had to be paid at the end of every month, Prince Kaitou, who remembered his mother's words, reluctantly turned them all away. Then one morning, a young girl appeared and asked that the prince hire her. She told Prince Kaitou that at the end of a year he could pay her as he saw fit. Prince Kaitou was pleased, and took the girl for his servant."

"I have a sneaking suspicion I know who this girl is..." Ash muses. Brock grins in agreement.

Now, although no one would have guessed it from the look of the east end of the island, the west was a complete desert, thanks to the ravages of a horrible monster which came up from the sea, and devoured all the corn and Tauros." Misty continues. The king had sent hundreds of soldiers, archers, and mages to try and kill it; but, somehow, they all fell asleep at the moment that the monster appeared. Finally, heralds were sent throughout the island to offer a great reward to the one who could slay the monster."

"There's your quest..." Ash smiles at Pikachu.

"As soon as the girl--we'll call her Aisha--heard the news, she went straight to the palace, and asked the king what reward would be given." Misty goes on. "The king replied he would give the princess' hand in marriage and anything else he wanted."

"There's your princess..." Brock grins at Happini, who is starry eyed at the fact a princess is in the story.

"Aisha told the king it would be better to let Prince Kaitou have the princess, and a share of the royal treasury every year." Misty goes on. "The king agreed, and they drew up a scroll outlining their agreement. That night, Aisha traveled down to the shore to watch, but, before she set out, she ate a herb that had the equivalent of several cups of coffee, so she would not doze off. Then she hid herself behind a large rock and waited. Around midnight, a swell seemed to rise on the water, and, a few minutes later, a hideous chimera stepped noiselessly onto the rocks. It walked stealthily up towards the fields, but Aisha was waiting for it, and, after a bit of a battle, plunged her sword into the soft part behind the ear. The creature staggered and gave a loud cry, and then rolled over dead, with its feet in the sea."

Happini cheers and Pikachu unleashes some celebratory sparks as Misty continues "Aisha watched for a little while, in order to make sure that the chimera was dead. After she was satisfied that it was dead, she cut off a bit of the chimera's fur. She gave the fur to Prince Kaitou, and bid him to show them to the king and say he was the one that killed the chimera."

"Wouldn't that be dishonest?" Ash asks.

"Prince Kaitou had the same concerns as you, Ash, but Aisha assured him she had a reason." Misty replies. "So Prince Kaitou did as Aisha said, and the king was so delighted at the news that he begged Prince Kaitou to marry the princess right then and there. But Prince Kaitou refused, saying that all he desired was a ship which would carry him to see the world. When he and Aisha embarked on their adventure the next day, they found tons of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and pearls in the cargo hold--a gift from the king."

"Cool!" Ash is excited at the mention of treasure.

"So they sailed, and sailed, and sailed some more; until they reached the shores of where Vermillion City is today." Misty continues. "Aisha went into town to find out what sort of a place it was. After some hours she returned, saying that she heard that the king's daughter--we'll call her Takara--was the most beautiful princess in the world, and that Prince Kaitou would do well to ask for her hand."

She waits for a beat, then continues "Prince Kaitou listened to this advice, and taking some of the finest necklaces in his hand, he mounted a splendid Rapidash, which Aisha had bought for him, and rode up to the palace, closely followed by his faithful attendant."

"What was the king of this land like?" Melody wonders.

"The king happened to be in a good mood, and they were readily admitted to the throne room." Misty explains. "Prince Kaitou lay down his offerings before the throne, hoping to Arceus that that was enough for the king to grant him Princess Takara in marriage. The king replied after an uneasy silence..."

"Young man, I will give you Princess Takara's hand in marriage, if that is your wish; but I must warn you you that she has already married many other young men, and not one of them lived to see the day after." Brock cautions in character as the king.

"Prince Kaitou did think, and was so frightened that he almost went back to his ship without any more words." Misty intones. "But just as he was about to withdraw his proposal, Aisha whispered..."

"Fear nothing, but take her." Melody whispers to Ash, who stifles an embarrassed chuckle.

"So Prince Kaitou and Princess Takara were married that night." Misty continues. "After the festivities died down, they went to their rooms for the night. The moon shone bright, and Prince Kaitou walked to the window to look out upon the river and upon the distant hills, when he saw a silken shroud neatly laid out on a couch, with his name embroidered in gold thread across the front."

Pikachu swallows hard as Misty goes on "Horrified at the spectacle, he turned his head away, and this time he saw a group of men digging busily beneath the window. It was a strange hour for anyone to be at work, and what was the hole for? It was a curious shape, so long and narrow, almost like...!"

"His own grave!" Ash fills in the blank.

Misty nods, pleased that Ash has been paying attention. "The shock of the discovery rendered him speechless, yet he stood fascinated and unable to move. Just then, a small Ekans crawled out from under table, and wriggled quickly towards him. But Aisha was watching for anything out of the ordinary, and she grabbed the Ekans and killed it."

The boys heave a sigh of relief as Misty continues "The king did a double take to see Prince Kaitou alive, and ordered the hole filled. It turned out the Ekans had put a curse on Princess Takara, and with it dead, the curse was gone. She lived very happily with Prince Kaitou. The days passed swiftly in hunting in the forests, or sailing on the broad river that flowed past the palace, and when night fell she would sing as she played her harp..." Brock retrieves his own harp and runs a finger across the strings for effect. "or Prince Kaitou would tell her stories of his homeland."

The harp's song turns somber as Misty continues "One evening a messenger from Prince Kaitou's homeland came, and informed Prince Kaitou that his father had died. A great ship was prepared, and Prince Kaitou returned home with Princess Takara."

She continues "In spite of her grief, the queen was overjoyed to welcome her son home, and commanded the palace to be hung with splendid finery to welcome the bride. The people expected great things from their new sovereign, for they had suffered much from the harsh rule of the old one, and crowds presented themselves every morning with petitions in their hands, which they hoped to persuade King Kaitou to grant. He decided each case justly, yet fairly, and it was agreed that he had great wisdom."

She intones "Then one night, Aisha came to him, and asked permission to return to her own land. Although he was sad to see her go, King Kaitou told Aisha to take what you wished, for without her, he would have long ago been dead."

She concludes "It was only then that Aisha revealed that she was the shining Goldeen!" Brock adds a triumphant glissando for effect as Ash and the Pokemon applaud...