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COMPLETE: Live from the Fireside, Season 13 (Week 346h: The Enchanted Forest, part 8)

Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 345e: The Magical Gifts, part 5

(real tale: The Magic Gifts)

"I wish to ask you a favor, good lady...will you let me stay here?" Brock asks in character as Felix as he arrives onstage, picking up where he left off the previous week.

''With the greatest pleasure. I am alone in the world, and I will look after you as if you were my own son." he replies as Olivia

As himself, he continues "She took Felix to a small but very clean and comfortable room; and here the young traveler bathed and put on some clean clothes; and then, tying in a little bag the gifts of the Pokemon of the Enchanted Forest, he went to find the good woman, Olivia, to ask her to accompany him to the palace. At the royal gates the guard let them pass without question; and when they came to the door of the palace they found a page there ready to escort them into the throne room."

He proceeds to bow on one knee before an imagined king. "Your Majesty, I know all of your misfortunes, and I have come to request the privilege of vanquishing this fiend. I will either kill him or drive him out of the land, never to return." he explains as Felix.

As he gets up, Brock continues as himself "King Aldaron was astonished to hear this, and to see how young the speaker was; but the boy's confidence and genteel manner pleased him."

"I am grateful for your noble intentions." he explains in his standard "king" voice. "but I am afraid it is impossible to accomplish the task you wish to undertake; and if you should fail and displease Jarkuna, you would only increase our misfortunes all the more."

"Tell me what I must do to prove my ability." he requests as Felix

Brock next makes a grand gesture to an imagined location. "If you can make those briars disappear, and flowers come in their stead, I will believe that you can at least try to overcome Jarkuna.'' he offers as King Aldaron.

"Please ask your servants to take me to the garden, then.'' he replies as Felix.

As himself, Brock continues "Two pages went with him, through the marble hall of the palace, down the steps, into Ariana's once lovely garden. On the way, Felix had gotten the little spade out of his bag, and softly sang to it Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...

Brock's Mega Ring glows for a moment in response to his voice. "The moment the spade touched the ground it began to dig, and it dug so quickly, it could not be seen as it hopped back and forth. The briars began to fall and wither, and the weeds, and the thistles and the nettles. As fast as these symbols of the curse fell, in their places, as if by magic, appeared all the lovely flowers. First came roses, then lilies, jasmine, carnations, daffodils, and millions more."

"Wow"s and some light applause fill the auditorium at this. "Princess Ariana, who was watching from a window, hurried to the throne room to embrace her father." Brock continues.

"What has happened here? Who can work such magic?" he asks in a mimic of Serena for Princess Ariana.

He makes a grand gesture to someone, as if Felix is actually there. "Ask him yourself; for here he is." he smiles as the king.

he interjects as himself over some applause. "At that moment Felix entered the room, and having heard the king's words, he answered without waiting to be questioned."

He then proceeds to roleplay the conversation between Felix and Princess Ariana using just his voice:

"My name is Felix. I have come to Trestelle to earn enough money to make my parents happy in their old age, as they are very poor and have to work hard. They have given me a good education, and now I hope to make use of it."

"You are a good son. If you should succeed in freeing us from this calamity that hangs over us, I will give you a palace and a large income, so that you may bring your parents here to live in comfort."

"Ah, sir, what would I not undertake to earn that! I am completely at your service."

After some applause goes up for Brock's vocal dexterity, he continues as himself "Felix noticed that the princess was looking sadly at her dress, which was old and worn. He remembered what Olivia had told him."

"Order your dressmaker, milady, to bring the cloth and cut out as many dresses as you wish; I promise that they will be sewed and ready to wear before nightfall." he assures an imagined person as Felix.

"Oh, sir, in the blue room there are many gowns all cut out and pinned together, but, alas, not sewed. I will take you there." he offers as Princess Ariana.

As himself, Brock continues "When Felix was alone in the blue room, he took out the needle which the Pidove had given him and sang to it Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo..."

Excited whispers go up as Brock's Mega Ring glows again. "The needle began to sew, and in two hours twenty lovely dresses were ready. Felix took them to Princess Ariana, and she was more than delighted—not only to have the new gowns but because now she was sure that Felix could save her and her father's kingdom from the evil sorcerer." Brock explains, to some applause. "As Felix kept an eye on the holy needle, he brainstormed his plan of attack against Jarkuna; so that when the king assured him that he now had full confidence in him and would allow him to undertake the seemingly impossible task, Felix was ready."

He then vocally roleplays the conversation between Felix and the king. "Tomorrow I will start for Mirondon. I don't know when of if I will be back; but if you do not hear from me, do not lose hope. I don't wish to charge to battle without knowing my enemy first. I must learn where Jarkuna's weak spot is, so that I can finish him quickly. I will not start for Mirondon until tomorrow because before I go I wish to surprise the good citizens of Trestelle. At dawn, where there are now rocks, they will see acres upon acres of rippling wheat!"

"How can I ever repay you for such mercies?"

"By keeping your promise about my parents, milord."

"You have my word; and the word of a king is sacred. But you deserve much more than I have promised."

Felix's heart quickened when he saw the princess blush and lower her lovely eyes. But he tried to get rid of this hope; and, turning to the king, he answered...

"What greater recompense could I have than the knowledge that I had saved the princess from a horrible fate!"

"Your words show your good heart. But while you are away on your dangerous quest, I will try to think of some reward worthy of a brave hero."

He intones as himself "How did Felix defeat Jarkuna, and what sort of reward did he earn for the heroic deed? I will tell you more next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 345f: The Magical Gifts, part 6

(real tale: The Magic Gifts)

"That night, Felix went into the fields, took the emerald the Fletching had given him, held it to the sky, and sang..." Brock begins as he arrives onstage.

He then holds a prop emerald high, and sings as Felix Karuto, iichiida shou...

Awed murmurs race down the rows as the prop emerald glows in response to Brock's voice. "The emerald glowed, and he heard the soft beat of wings. Moments later, the Fletchling landed on his shoulder." Brock narrates as himself.

"What do you wish?" he asks in a mimic of Serena for the Fletchling

As himself, Brock continues "Felix told the Fletchling everything. Without answering, it threw back its head and began to sing the most beautiful notes Felix had ever heard."

Giggles fill the room as Brock mimics a Fletchling song on a whistle for effect. "Seconds later, the air was filled with millions of bird Pokemon, and immediately were lost in the distance, all flying toward the Castle of Mirondon." Brock goes on as he pockets the whistle. "There, with their strong beaks, they broke a window of the wizard's granary, and flew into his well stocked rooms of wheat and Cornn Berries. Each Pokemon grabbed a grain in its beak and flew out again; and these millions of seeds were scattered all over the fields of Trestelle. As the grain was magical, it began to grow immediately, and the next morning the amazed and delighted people saw, instead of bare earth and rocks, a sea of amber waves of grain. Their joy was beyond words. When told by Olivia that Felix had given this blessing, they ran after him, hailing him a hero, and begging him never to leave them. The lady herself was astonished at her own good fortune in having such a wonderful guest."

Excited murmurs go up as Brock continues "Early in the afternoon Felix returned to the palace, and King Aldaron renewed his great thanks and his expressions of confidence in the young man. Encouraged by the friendship of the good king and the lovely Princess Ariana, Felix returned to Olivia's house, stopping just long enough to say goodbye; and then he started, alone, for the Castle of Mirondon."

He walks around the stage for a moment. "As he walked, Felix thought long and hard about the best way to attack the sorcerer Jarkuna. He remembered that sword, arrow, and spell would not hurt him, but surely something had to be his weakness. The question was, what was that something?"

"Oh"s go up as Brock reveals a prop ruby to the crowd. "Inspired, Felix took the ruby the Pyroar had given him, and sang to it...

He proceed to sing as Felix Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing as himself "...making him disappear in a flash of fire."

After setting the prop ruby aside, Brock continues "Once sure that he would not be seen, Felix walked right past the guards, didn't bother stopping to admire the magnificent marble castle with its turrets reaching up to the sky, and went directly toward the kitchen, hoping to learn something useful from the servants. It was not at all difficult to find the kitchen, for he was guided by the delicious aroma that came from the food being prepared for Jarkuna. Although invisible to the dwarves, Felix was still very hungry. By sheer luck, when he entered the kitchen there was no one there. The first thing he saw was a large platter containing a roasted Combusken with all the trimmings, carved and ready for serving, He grabbed a drumstick in each hand and began to eat with great gusto, because it was delicious and well made."

"Mmm"s fill the air in agreement. "When he had had his fill and thrown the bones behind the stove, the door opened and ten dwarves filed into the kitchen and sat around the table, ready for their dinner." Brock explains. "The cook started to serve the roast Combusken. When he saw the drumsticks are gone, he looked suspiciously at the dwarves; but he knew that none of them could have been in the kitchen, and chalked it up to Jarkuna's magic."

He goes on "Felix did not learn anything useful from their conversation that day; but the next day he was more fortunate. A servant he had not seen before sat at the table with the dwarves."

He then proceeds to vocally role play the scene himself. "Why do you have no orders today?"

"His Lordship is simply furious because he has found his granaries empty, and all the fields of Trestelle covered with wheat, and he wants to be alone, to plot out his revenge. Woe to that person, whoever they are! They are a lost cause! We can hardly begin to imagine the terrifying revenge that Jarkuna will take, and we have sworn that we will not say a word."

"I do not think that if the secret were told it would help anybody. You know that the only vulnerable spot Jarkuna has is in his throat; and no one could reach that because of the enchanted coat of mail that he always wears around his neck."

"Tell us--is our lord angry?"

"Angry! He is so furious that—well, you know his passion for candy—he refuses to touch even a mint chocolate ganache—his favorite kind of all!"

Some applause goes up at Brock's vocal dexterity. "Felix did not wait for more; for he had learned what he so eagerly wished to know." Brock explains as himself. "Overjoyed, he quickly left the castle; and as he came near Trestelle, he nearly screamed...

He pauses to sing Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... as Felix before continuing as himself "Then, without stopping a moment, he hurried to the palace of the king. Kissing the king's hand and the hand of the lovely Princess Ariana, he told them..."

The audience listens as Brock shows off his vocal dexterity again, this time recreating the conversation between Felix and King Aldaron:

"Princess Ariana is saved! Do you trust me?"

"Absolutely!"

"Then carry out my instructions. I am afraid, Your Majesty, that you will not want to do what is so very necessary. I must have a letter from you that I may present to Jarkuna, telling him that the princess accepts the honor of being his wife, and inviting him to eat here, to celebrate the marriage."

As himself, he continues "Princess Ariana was understandably alarmed at hearing this; but only for a moment. When she looked at Felix, she regained her confidence in him, and begged her father to agree. The king wrote the letter; and with it and with a retinue of horsemen and shield-bearers, Felix set out for the Castle of Mirondon. When they arrived at the gates, the guards were told to announce that an ambassador from the king wished to see Jarkuna. Felix was ushered into the castle immediately and, bowing low before the sorcerer, he delivered the king's letter. When Jarkuna read it, he was so filled with delight that he forgot all about his plans of vengeance. He heaped gifts upon the bearer of this excellent news and upon all his followers—who then lost no time in getting as far as possible away from Mirondon."

Giggles go up at this while Brock explains Felix's plan. "When they reached Trestelle, Felix went home and asked Olivia to buy a half-dozen mint chocolate ganaches, telling her that he wanted to add something special to the filling. This he did, slipping into one of them the diamond that the Beautifly had given him. The next day, he took the chocolates to the palace and gave them to Princess Ariana.

"Guard these very carefully, and when Jarkuna comes, offer them to him, telling him that you ordered them made especially to please him." he instructs an imagined person as Felix.

As himself, he continues "Princess Ariana promised to do this. Preceded by his twenty dwarven slaves, ridiculously dressed in suits of green and yellow and red, the horrible Jarkuna made his triumphal entry into Trestelle seated in a carriage of gold, the sides decorated with his coat-of-arms—a Salazzle crowned with nettles. He wore trousers of bright crimson velvet, a blue jacket, and a purple cape; and this showy dress made more prominent than ever his extreme hideousness. In the throne room, where the king received his guest with great honors, the sorcerer kissed Princess Ariana's hand and then took a seat beside her."

"Excuse me for a moment, I have something for you." he smiles as Princess Ariana.

He interjects as himself "She returned with a little marble box, magnificently carved and tinted. Inside, wrapped in paper of pure silver, the delighted wizard found the six chocolates.

"I told the royal chocolatier to make these, just for you." he tells an imagined person as Princess Ariana.

He continues as himself "To say Jarkuna was overjoyed would be an understatement. His favorite treat! And proof of Ariana's love for him! The chocolates looked so delicious that he ate them all, one after another. But hardly had the diamond touched his throat when the sorcerer choked up, began to glow white, and disappeared in an explosion of rainbow light. The twenty dwarves, with cries of alarm, fled in fright--at the same time relieved that they were now free. At that same moment, a loud crash that sounded like a million Thunderbolts told the people of Trestelle that the Castle of Mirondon was once again a place of old, weed-grown ruins."

Cheers go up at this. "Princess Ariana, frightened at first by the wondrous event that had occurred, soon realized that there was no other way than to use some of their foe's own weapons." Brock explains. "The delighted king did not know how to thank Felix for what he had done for them. He gave him a magnificent palace and a large sum of money; and ordered the most elegant ship in the kingdom to be put at Felix's disposal, that he might bring his parents to Trestelle."

He intones "But not everyone saw Felix a hero. Yet Felix had a plan to outwit these jealous foes as well...I will tell you more next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 345g: The Magical Gifts, part 7

(real tale: The Magic Gifts)

"As I told you all last week, not all looked on Felix as a hero." Brock explains to the audience as he arrives onstage. "The ministers in the court of King Aldaron could not see without deep fury how anyone so young as Felix could accomplish what they did not even know how to begin to do. No sooner had Felix started for his old home, did they get together in secret and forged some papers which seemed to prove that on his return he intended to dethrone the king, so that the people, who worshiped Felix for saving them, would name him in Aldaron's stead."

"Ooh"s go up at this. "The king fell for this trap; and, furious with rage, he refused to listen even to Princess Ariana, who kept telling him that Felix would never do such a thing. He was blind to reason; he forgot all that Felix had done for him; he listened only to the lies of his ministers. Becoming more and more enraged, he at last followed the prime minister's suggestion and gave orders that the ship bringing Felix and his parents to Trestelle be stopped in midwater and the three cast upon a desert island."

Gasps go up from the audience at this. "Unaware of this plotting against him, Felix stood one afternoon on the ship's deck, looking over the railing into the sea. Suddenly he saw a wave begin to separate into two parts, and there in between appeared Undine, the Goldeen he had helped in the Enchanted Forest."

"Are you alone, Felix?" he asks as Undine.

He looks around the stage for a moment before replying as Felix "Yes."

"Then I will tell you something very important--it could save you and your parents' lives." he explains as Undine.

Brock then interjects as himself "Undine told him all about the ministers' plotting. She had heard the whole thing when they walked beside the lake one night."

"Oh"s fill the air while Brock tells an imagined person as Undine "Order the ship to be stopped immediately, under the ruse that you wish to reach Trestelle before nightfall. Then, get into a lifeboat, and land in the grove not far from the city. Turn yourself invisible with the Pyroar's ruby, and enter the house of the prime minister. Lift the brick in the right hand corner of his office; take out the papers you find there, then hurry to the palace and put them in the bag that delivers the royal mail to the king. Hurry back to your ship; and tomorrow you will be received with the honors that you rightfully deserve."

As himself, Brock continues "Felix did everything Undine had told him to do; and the next day not only was he given a triumphal reception but the king himself met him, took him into his arms, and named him his new prime minister before all the people."

He smiles as he looks out on his audience's enthralled faces. "What had happened in such a short time, you ask? When the servant delivered the king's royal mail, the first thing King Aldaron had picked up was a very large and bulky envelope. Imagine his surprise to find proof that his ministers not only meant to dethrone him and have one of themselves named in his stead but, fearing Felix's power, they plotted so that the king himself would destroy the young man, the very hero that had saved them all!"

More "Oh"s go up at this. "Immediately upon learning this, King Aldaron summoned the royal army, and had all the treacherous ministers thrown upon the same desert island they had meant to cast Felix and his family on--the doom they had planned for another had come on themselves!" Brock smiles to some light applause. But our hero had one more problem to solve...I will tell you the exciting conclusion next week."
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 345h: The Magical Gifts, part 8

(real tale: The Magic Gifts)

"Now, when Jarkuna ordered Dominic back to his own kingdom, King Eitan was understandably angry by what he thought was disrespect shown to his son; but he feared Jarkuna, so didn't do anything so long as he remained at Mirondon." Brock explains as he arrives onstage, a frame drum and its stick tucked away beneath his left arm. "With Jarkuna gone, he declared war, and the very next day a large army, commanded by his most valiant generals, besieged the beautiful city of Trestelle."

"What can we do? How can I get together my troops in such a short time!" he gasps as King Aldaron as he sets his instrument aside for later. "This year my grief as a father has made me forget my duties as a king; I have thought of nothing but my daughter; and my army is as disorganized as everything else in my kingdom. Eitan's spies have told him that nothing would stop his army now, and he could easily add Trestelle to his own territory."

"Do not worry, milord. I think I can save you." he assures an imagined person as Felix.

As himself, Brock goes on "He hurried home, assured his parents that all was well, grabbed the magic spade and the drum—the gift of the Ursaring family—ran to the walls of the city, and passed through the gates to the fields. There, with his spade, he indicated a circle that went all round the wall, even to the sea; then he dropped the spade, almost screaming Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo..."

Brock's Mega Ring glows in response to the song, never mind Brock is singing in character as Ash. "The spade dug so quickly that in a short time the whole city was protected by an impassable moat, filled with water from the sea." Brock explains as himself. "When the work was finished, Felix only sang the song again, and the spade stopped. Next, Felix sang..."

He next sings as Felix Rou iitsa ron selga vichii...

"What is it?" he asks as Undine.

"First, to thank you for all that you have done for me; and then to ask you to fill this moat with the biggest waves of the sea, and tomorrow let those waves wash back into place all the earth my good spade has removed." he replies as Felix.

He intones as himself "The water in the moat began to ripple, and then heaved itself up into great waves; and Undine disappeared as Felix thanked her again."

He next retrieves the drum. "Next he took the magic drum and, touching the stick to it, said Alla marcia. Hardly had he said the last word when the little drum unleashed music that sounded like a million drums rolling all at once."

With that, Brock plays such a beat on his own drum for effect., prompting the audience to clap along.

When the applause for Brock's beat dies down, he goes on "The frightened people of Trestelle hurried to the wall to see what was going on. And so they helped Felix to defeat the large army; for when Eitan's generals heard the drums and then the vast number of people rushing to the walls of the city, they feared an ambush. They gave orders to their armies to attack the city; but the night was dark, and the soldiers could not see the moat—which had not been there at sunset; so they rushed headlong into the deep water and were swallowed up by the big waves. All the armies of King Eitan perished; and the next day the waves washed the earth back into place and the moat disappeared as though it was never there. The jubilant people again hailed Felix a great hero who had freed their city from its enemies; and the king called him to the palace to present him with the hand of the Princess Ariana."

"This is the most valuable thing I have to give you for all you have done for us. Take my daughter; to no one would I give her so willingly." he announces as King Aldaron while he puts the drum and its stick away.

As himself he interjects "Felix, overjoyed, fell at the feet of King Aldaron to express his immense gratitude, at the same time asking if the Princess Ariana would honor him. Ariana did not need to answer; for her eyes told him that she was very happy indeed. Felix's parents were invited to join in celebrating the engagement. And how delighted they were! But they were not surprised; for they thought that nothing was too good for their boy."

He then reveals that he has more to tell as Felix . "All of my ability to help you, I owe to the Pokemon of the Enchanted Forest. Now I wish to prove to my lovely princess that I am not unworthy of her. An old woman who lives far out in the country once told me that years and years ago, two large cities stood where the Enchanted Forest is now. If that is true, undoubtedly all those Pokemon are human beings who were put under an enchantment by some cruel sorcerer. Those Pokemon have helped me; and now I will try to help them. Tomorrow, I will go to the Enchanted Forest, and call together all my Pokemon friends there, and see if I can learn what to do to return them to their true forms. The day I succeed in freeing them, will I return to ask my beloved Ariana to marry me."

He concludes "They could not help but approve of Felix's kind wish; and the following day, with many farewells and well wishes, he set out once more for the forest, to embark on new adventures in that place of magic."

He smiles at the enthusiastic crowd "What adventures awaited him there, you ask? That is another story for another day!"

"Aw"s and thunderous applause go up as Brock takes a bow...
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 346a: The Enchanted Forest, part 1

(real tale: The Enchanted Forest)

"The beautiful noonday sun shone between the leaves of a great tree in the Enchanted Forest when Felix stopped beneath it and sat down on the bank where he had first met Undine." Brock begins as he arrives onstage, picking up immediately after his first long story ended. "The little creek tumbled noisily over the stones and lost itself in the distance among a mass of colorful flowers and lacy ferns. It was a haunting spot, and Felix sat there a long time, savoring the peaceful stillness. Then, he sang..."

He pauses to sing as Felix Rou iitsa ron selga vichii...

"What do you wish?" he asks as Undine.

"To thank you again, and to ask you a question. How is it that you, living here in the forest, could hear my voice and come so quickly to me in the city, and could listen to the ministers when they walked beside the lake?" he asks as Felix.

"This may be surprising to you, but it is very simple." he replies as Undine. "You remember that I told you on the day you rescued me, that you must be near the water if you wished to call me. Although I live here in the forest, the streams here connect with the sea, and so I can swim there easily. When you went to Trestelle, I spent most of my time there—I wanted to be where I could help you in case of need. For the same reason, the little Fletchling often flew to the city, in order to answer more quickly if you should call. You did not have to wait long for us, because we were always close to you. So now I ask you...what has brought you back here?"

"I'll be back in an hour; then I will tell you." he replies as Felix.

"All right--I await your return." he smiles as Undine.

Some applause goes up for Brock's vocal dexterity. "Felix watched the ripples as Undine swam away; and then he took out the emerald and sang to it..."

After singing as Felix Karuto, iichiida shou... he continues as himself "The emerald glowed; and in moments the Fletchling came flying and landed on a nearby bush."

"I would like to have a meeting of all the Pokemon that have helped me. Will you be my messenger, and ask them to come here to this creek?" he asks as Felix.

"Okay!" he replies as the Fletchling.

As himself, Brock continues "It was only a matter of minutes before Felix heard the Pokemon approaching through the thick woods. One after another they came—the graceful Sawsbuck, the noble Pyroar, the Pidove, the Ursaring family, the Fletchling, the gracious Undine, who raised her head above the water of the creek, and, last of all, the Beautifly. They formed a circle around Felix, all trying to express their friendship in their own way."

"My dear friends, I have called you, first, to thank you, for I can never thank you enough; and, second, to show you that my gratitude will be expressed in more than words." he begins as Felix "I am sure that you are not what you appear to be— in other words, that you are under some kind of spell. My greatest wish is to break this enchantment and return favor for favor; but in order to do this it is necessary for you to tell me in what way you can help me. I know that it will be a difficult, and perhaps dangerous, undertaking; but I believe I can accomplish it—if you will help me by telling me all that has happened to you."

Hhe intones as himself "The Pyroar looked at the Ursaring family; and the Ursaring family looked at the Sawsbuck; and the Sawsbuck looked at the Fletchling; and so on. This silent look traveled around the magic circle until it came back to the Pyroar again, who they had designated their representative and speaker."

"You have spoken true--we are not what we appear to be. For two hundred years we have been enchanted, and we had lost all hope of being saved." he explains as the Pyroar.

"Two hundred years! How is it that in such a long time nobody has tried to help you?" he gasps as Felix, to some laughter at Brock's expression of feigned shock.

''Few people have dared to enter the Enchanted Forest; and among those few you are the first one in whom we had enough confidence to tell our secret. For if anyone should attempt to free us, and fail, then all hope for us would forever be lost." he sighs as the Pyroar.

"I will not fail! Tell me what I must do." he vows as Felix.

"First you must know what happened." he intones as the Pyroar, prompting the lights to go down and a screen to appear behind Brock, which depicts in paper animation the events he is telling about in character. "Two hundred years ago, where the Enchanted Forest now stands, were two powerful cities. In the most beautiful of these was the palace of the light fairy Hikari, whom everybody loved for her great kindness, to rich and poor alike. Among the many gifts the fairy queen Titania had bestowed upon Hikari was that of being able to make beautiful anyone she chose—provided it was not someone who Titania had punished. Everybody in both cities, of course, called upon Hikari to be godmother to their baby sons or daughters, begging her to bestow upon the baby the gift of beauty; and, being so kind, the good Hikari never refused."

"Ooh"s and "ah"s go up at the storybook scene depicted onscreen as Brock continues in character as the Pyroar. "One day this lovely light fairy, who was herself very beautiful, was walking in her garden of roses. She wore a dress of yellow gossamer web that shimmered with the colors of the rainbow as the sunshine lingered on it; and its fringe of iris perfumed the whole city with the fragrance of their white and purple petals."

The animation's music turns somber as two paper dark fairies with dragon wings enter the scene. "That afternoon, the dark fairy Veilia and her son, Prince Malo, came to see Hikari. Velia was herself beautiful, but her heart was as black as the magic she commanded. Malo was just like his mother, beautiful and yet ugly at the same time. When they saw Hikari, they were filled with jealousy, and a cruel plan came to Veilia's mind. She told Hikari she had heard of the gift that Queen Titania had given her, and that she had come with her son to ask that they be made beautiful again. Hikari explained that Queen Titania had told her not to use the gift on anyone who was suffering punishment; if she did, she would lose all her magic. Try as Veilia might to convince Hikari, Hikari stood firm, and eventually Veilia and Malo departed, warning her that if she not respond in fifteen days, they would do something terrible."

"Boo"s fill the air as the animated dark fairy storms offscreen in a huff. "As this conversation had taken place in the garden, some laborers heard it, and soon it was known all over the two cities." Brock continues as the Pyroar. "Hikari was well loved by the inhabitants of both cities, and they immediately called a meeting, with Sir Leon de Quevedo at their head, and agreed to protect Hikari from the wicked Veilia."

The animation pauses for a moment and a spotlight appears on Brock as he narrates as himself "At this point in the tale, the Pyroar paused a moment, as if overcome by emotion. After composing himself, he went on..."

Brock spotlight blinks off and the animation resumes as Brock narrates in character as the Pyroar "Fifteen days later, as promised, the fairy of darkness and her son returned. On entering the outskirts of the city, the bone carriage, drawn by its team of Zubats, fell into a moat which had been dug by the citizens and covered over with dry branches. Veilia was furious; but she and her son climbed out of the water; and then found themselves facing a strong wall, which they could not pass. With her magic wand, Veilia quickly pulled the carriage out of the moat and transformed it into a shining black Charizard, breathing fire from its mouth as it flew with the dark fairy and her son over the improvised wall. On touching the ground, the shining Charizard disappeared, and in its place was the carriage with the team of six Zubats."

The lights come up on Brock again as the screen rolls up. "But this was not the end of the Pokemon's tale of woe--I will tell you more next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 346b: The Enchanted Forest, part 2

(real tale: The Enchanted Forest)

The lights go down in the theater as the papercraft animation resumes from where it left off the previous week. "In Hikari's palace, Veilia wasted no time in asking if Hikari would grant their wish." Brock narrates in character from the darkness as the Pyroar. "But Hikari refused, saying she would call forth Queen Titania if she had to. Moments before Hikari could sing the holy song that brought forth her magic, Malo covered her mouth with his hand, then gagged her with a piece of cloth."

"Boo"s go up as the Malo figure does this to the Hikari figure. "With Hikari as their prisoner, Veilia sang her own song of power--whose words I will not repeat here. When the final note faded, the buildings in the cities crumbled to the ground, as if there had been a violent earthquake; and in a matter of minutes, nothing that could be called a city remained; it had become a wild forest." The audience watches in awe as this happens on the screen. The six Zubats flew about the forest, spitting venom at the inhabitants, who stood paralyzed where they stood, transformed into a Pokemon that best reflected their personality as a human. For example, the Beautifly was a pretty and kind young lady that had been due to wed. But Veilia was not done yet. She told us that we would not age in our Pokemon forms--and if the spell was ever broken, we would be the same age we were. But Hikari, the only one that could break the spell, was their captive; bound and gagged so she could not sing."

The animation pauses as Brock appears in a spotlight. "The Pyroar told Felix..." he narrates as himself.

He explains to the audience as the Pyroar "From what I have told you, you can understand what it would mean to us if you succeed. Nothing that we have done for you can compare with this great gift that you propose to give to us—our human forms. But to continue..."

The lights go down and the animation resumes as Brock continues in character "Malo grabbed Hikari, and carried her to the bone carriage, which disappeared as soon as the three were inside. From that day to this we have not seen our lovely lady."

"Aw"s and light applause goes up as the animation ends and the lights come up, revealing Brock in his usual place at center stage. "The Pyroar wept two sad tears, which, when they touched the ground, turned into two rubies." he narrates as himself.

"I loved Hikari...and would've done anything to protect her." he sighs as the Pyroar.

"There is one thing that seems strange to me..." he muses as Felix. "Why can't Queen Titania save Hikari? Surely she hasn't noticed her absence in two hundred years?"

"In the world of the fey, there is no such thing as time." he explains as the Pyroar. "Two hundred years pass in what feels like two days to you. Queen Titania believes Hikari can still cast her holy magic, she does not know that Malo has silenced her."

"I thought that the fairy queen knew everything that happened." he protests as Felix.

"Maybe you are right; and in this case she is merely trying to prove Hikari's loyalty." he grins as the Pyroar."

"What great joy would it be if I could free her from her imprisonment and you from your enchantment! But you must tell me where I can find Hikari, and what I must do to reach her." he replies as Felix.

"Many years ago a Braviary flew over this forest and dropped at my feet a letter. I picked it up to read it, and its message said this..." Brock explains as the Pyroar before unfolding a blank piece of paper and reading the imagined text on the page in character. "Dear Sir Pyroar, Hikari has not forgotten you. The day that you find a human being courageous and pure enough to save us, send him to me and I will tell him what to do. First, he must find for me the diamond that grants me my power of spellsong, which Veilia stole from me. I am locked in the tower of a castle that is built on the highest mountain that forms the Rocks of Romestal.'"

"I will go! However long and dangerous the way may be, I will succeed. Besides, I have your magic gifts to help me." he smiles as Felix.

"Unfortunately they will be of no use to you in this case. We have no power in anything having to do with Veilia. Perhaps you will find more useful this new gift. Lie down on the ground." he instructs as the Pyroar.

He interjects as himself "Felix did so, and the Pyroar said..."

"Fellow Pokemon, let us give this brave hero the Great Gift, a piece of the deep magic Arceus used to create the world." he instructs as the Pyroar.

As himself, Brock continues "The Pidove cooed a few low notes, and Felix fell into a deep sleep. While he slept the Pokemon blessed him, and touched him. When Felix awakened an hour later, the Pyroar explained what they had done."

"We have given you the gift of speaking and understanding every Pokemon's language. Go, and may Arceus and Queen Titania give you their protection!" he calls as the Pyroar.

He concludes as himself "Felix said good-bye to his Pokemon friends, and started on his way to find Veilia's castle....what wonders and terrors did he find on his adventure? I will tell you more next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 346c: The Enchanted Forest, part 3

(real tale: The Enchanted Forest)

The lights come up on Brock at center stage. "After walking about fifteen days, Felix arrived at the borders of Trestelle." he begins. "While at a small village to rest and restock his supplies, he asked a man who sat in the sun at the door of his house..."

"Good sir, can you tell me how to get to the Rocks of Romestal?" he asks as Felix.

"Ah, young traveler! Do not be so foolish as to go there. Many have gone; but so far, none have returned." he gasps as the old man. "It is necessary to cross the land of the dwarves, and the land of the giants. If by some great miracle you escape from one of these lands, you will perish in the other. You are young, and it pains me to see you go to certain death."

"I am not afraid, good sir. I go for a good reason, and nothing will harm me." he replies as Felix

As himself, Brock continues "The old man reluctantly told Felix the way to the Rocks of Romestal; and Felix gave him a small bag of gold as thanks. Three days later, Felix arrived at a narrow, muddy creek; and this, he knew, marked the border of the land of the dwarves. Without hesitating he waded across; but he had hardly taken twenty steps on the other side when he was surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of dwarves, who were only about as high as his knees. With god-like quickness they had him bound, hand and foot, and were running with him across the fields and underground. Eventually they laid him down in front of their king, whose name was Giotto."

Excited murmurs go up at what Brock has chosen to name the dwarf king. "Now, normally the dwarves were peaceful to those they knew, but as they had never seen Felix before, they believed him an intruder, which was why they had captured him." Brock explains.

"What have I done to hurt you?" he asks as Felix.

"According to the Dwarven Creed, anyone who we haven't seen before will be considered an intruder, and dealt with accordingly, unless they prove otherwise." he replies with a slight Scottish accent to represent a dwarf.

"But I am not familiar with your laws, and I mean you no harm...will you be merciful enough to spare me?" he asks as Felix.

"Since you say you mean no harm, here is a test for you to prove your words." he explains in a deeper version of his "dwarf" voice for King Giotto. "Our treasury is almost empty. If by tomorrow you have for us five million gold pieces, we will trust you, and consider you a friend to the dwarves; otherwise we will consider you an intruder."

Brock then intones as himself "With these words, Felix was led into a damp prison and left there, alone."

Angry murmurs fill the room as the lights dim a little. "With his head in his hands, he thought of his parents, of the lovely Princess Ariana, and of all his Pokemon friends who now would wait in vain for their freedom." Brock explains. "How in the world would he come up with five million gold pieces by morning?"

After pausing a moment, Brock reveals the twist in his tale. "As he was pondering this question, a small noise caused him to look up; and he saw two Pichus playing with a piece of straw. In order to forget his predicament for a while, Felix listened to their conversation."

"What a pity that young man does not know our language!" he scoffs in a high pitched male voice to represent a male Pichu. "If he only could understand us, we could tell him what you and I discovered last night. You know what I mean—the secret chamber underneath this prison, where a great dwarf king--Giotto's distant ancestor--hid his treasure. If he lifts the square stone under the head of his mattress, he would find the stairs that lead to the secret chamber."

"Yes, and think of all the money the ancient dwarf king hid! There must be ten million gold pieces in there, at least!" he smiles in a mimic of his own Pichu, Tarina.

He smiles as he narrates "Felix was grateful to his Pokemon friends for giving him the gift of understanding Pokemon. The next day, Felix sent word to King Giotto..."

"Yesterday, you promised to give me my freedom if I would have for you five million gold pieces. I will give you that much and more, as a sign you can trust me."he explains as Felix.

As himself, Brock goes on "Giotto was beyond amazed. He immediately took a rock, carved some dwarven runes on it, and then gave it to Felix as a passport. Felix pushed aside the mattress and, with his knife, pried up the square flagstone, leaving uncovered before the amazed eyes of the dwarves the underground chamber piled high with gold and jewels. Giotto immediately ordered Felix freed, and gave him a little of the treasure as an apology."

Just then, the sound effect of rainfall plays as "rain" falls in the theater. "With the dwarves' blessings, Felix set out as fast as he could go, not even stopping for shelter when a fierce rainstorm blew up." Brock explains as himself. "While the guards at the gates were examining his passport, he heard one of them say..."

"How happy we would be if we only had a guardpost, where we could get out of the rain!" he sighs in frustration as a dwarf.

He intones as himself "But what awaited Felix in the land of the giants? I will tell you more next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 346d: The Enchanted Forest, part 4

(real tale: The Enchanted Forest)

"A few days later, Felix arrived in the land of the giants." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "Hiding among the trees and shrubs. he slipped past the guards unseen. Just when he thought he was safe, he was suddenly grabbed by a monster fifteen feet high who sounded the alarm. Ten giant warriors came running, and they carried him far from the city and tied him to a tree which stood at the foot of a mountain."

"Who has permitted you to go this far?" he demands in a deeper version of himself--his go-to "giant" voice.

"Sir, I did not know that I could not pass this way.'' he protests as Felix.

"Any one who dares to set foot in the land of the giants without the written consent of the High Council will be treated with suspicion unless they prove otherwise!" he warns as the giant

''Forgive me. I did not mean to offend you. Tell me what I can do to gain my freedom." he requests as Felix

Brock next interjects as himself "The giants discussed and debated among themselves for a few minutes, then the leader of the warrior band told Felix..."

"If tomorrow you have here for us a thousand swords for our warriors, you will have our trust and your freedom." he explains as the giant.

"But, how can I go look for them when I am bound like this?" he asks as Felix

"We will untie you if you promise that you will not try to escape." he replies as the giant.

"I promise." Brock even adds a little bow to an imagined person as he says this line as Felix.

"Take care that you do not break that promise! You would be seen by the guards, and what would happen next would not be pretty!" he warns as the giant, to shudders from the audience.

As himself, Brock goes on "When the giants left him, Felix sat at the foot of the tree, thinking about his misfortunes. Two Fletchlings were perched in the branches above him, and he began to listen to their song."

He smiles as he looks out on the enthralled crowd. "Imagine his surprise to hear one of them say..."

"What do you think about the task the giants have given this poor fellow?" he asks in a breathy female voice.

''Not as impossible as you think; for there is help close here. This grove is one of the many entrances to the forges and armories of Keldeo. If he gave three knocks on top of that black rock, Keldeo would come to him." he replies in a mimic of Shauna for the other Fletchling.

As himself, Brock continues "Felix got up, and in a twinkling of an eye, had climbed the hill until he reached the only black rock in sight. He then knocked on it three times." He knocks on the stage floor for effect, to some giggles.

The rock rolled away, and in the opening beneath it appeared a small blue horse-like Pokemon with a red mane and pale face.

"Who is it that calls me?" he calls in a younger version of Ash for Keldeo.

"An unfortunate human who needs your help. If you were so good as to forge me, tonight, a thousand steel swords, I would do for you, in return, anything that you might ask of me." he replies as Felix

"Sure! I need wood to feed my furnaces. If in two hours you can cut down all those trees on the hill for me, before sunrise the thousand swords will be here." he replies as Keldeo.

As himself, Brock continues "Giving a heroic leap, Keldeo disappeared below, and the black rock rolled back into place. Felix slid back down the hill, equally discouraged as when the giants left him. As he sat there beneath the tree, he saw two Durants carrying a heavy burden, but there were so many stones and twigs in their way that they had difficulty in getting around them. Felix stooped down, and cleared a path for them."

In character as a young girl, he smiles "Thank you, kind human! If you were to dig beneath this tree, you would find a shining green Sandshrew. In seconds, he can destroy the largest roots in the world, if you only show him where and sing to him 'Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...'

He continues as himself "Felix thanked the Durants and, leaving them gawking with amazement at hearing him speak their language, he began to dig vigorously. Sure enough, hidden away among the roots of the tree, he found the shining Sandshrew; and taking it gently into his hands, he pointed to the forest and sang it the holy song...

After pausing to sing Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...as Felix, he goes on as himself "The Sandshrew ran toward the forest; then there was the noise of falling trees, one after another so rapidly that it seemed like one long, continuous crash. In minutes not a single tree remained; and the Sandshrew returned to its den. Felix covered it back up, and then hurried to the black rock and knocked three times." Brock knocks on the stage floor again, to the bemusement of the children in the audience.

"Sir Keldeo, I have carried out my part of the agreement, and now I have come to claim the swords." he calls as Felix.

He interjects as himself "Keldeo saw with astonishment that the forest had indeed been cut down, to the last tree. he looked up at the clouds and sang his own holy song...

He then sings Karuto, iichiida shou...as Keldeo before continuing as himself "Moments later, there came a furious hurricane that lifted the tree trunks, whirled them to the cavern, and dropped them there. When the last one had disappeared, the wind subsided as quickly as it had come up. Keldeo whistled..."

Some in the audience jump as Brock proceeds to do this for effect. "...and there appeared before him an array of Fire types, all of them eager to do what the young hero of the Sacred Sword asked of them."

"Everyone, bring me the thousand swords for this young man!" he instructs as Keldeo.

He goes on as himself "When the first streak of day came over the mountain top, a thousand steel swords glittered beside the black rock. The chief of the giants was amazed to see them; but he could only keep his promise and give Felix a passport that would assure his safety until he reached the boundary of their lands."

He concludes "When the guards at the gates were examining Felix's passport—a piece of palm leaf with the giant language on it—he heard one of them say to the other..."

"How happy we would be if they would only give us helmets, to keep the the sun off our heads!" he sighs in a deeper version of himself.

He looks out on his enthralled audience. "Our hero had passed two trials, and now only one more remained. I will tell you what that entailed next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 346e: The Enchanted Forest, part 5

(real tale: The Enchanted Forest)

"Our hero did not lose much time in reaching the foot of the mountain where Veilia's magnificent castle stood, with its glistening marble towers pointing up to the sky." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "But there still remained a long way for him to go before he reached the castle."

Intrigued murmurs go up at this. "So, after resting a while, he set out to climb the steep mountain." Brock continues. "The sides of it were almost vertical, with creeks and wide fissures zigzagging through the rocks. Felix waded or jumped over the creeks, and climbed up and down the fissures, without stopping, having always before him as a guide the glistening white castle which shone at the top of the mountain."

He goes on "After three hours of hard climbing, the rough hillside ended in a sort of platform, on which the castle was built. Here Felix hid himself among the brambles to wait for nightfall, as he did not want to be seen. When darkness came, he crept out of his hiding place and slipped around the castle with great caution. Fortunately, the moon was shining; so that he was able to see, in the very top of the highest tower, a beautiful young lady, leaning over her small balcony and crying bitterly. As her tears fell to the ground they turned into rubies, crimson red. When he saw this, and remembered that the very same thing had happened when the Pyroar in the Forest cried, Felix had no doubt that he had found Hikari, the light fairy."

"Aw"s go up at this. "He wrote the following on a leaf..." Brock explains before producing a blank sheet of paper. "The Pyroar of the Enchanted Forest has sent me. I have come to do everything possible to break the spell on them, and to set you free."

He tosses the paper backstage, then continues "Then, rolling the leaf around a stone, he heaved it toward the balcony; and it fell right at Hikari's feet. She picked it up and read the note; then, radiant with happiness, she leaned again over the balcony. But this time her tears were tears of joy, and as they fell they formed a ladder of roses, by which Felix easily climbed to her window. He told Hikari all that had happened; but the kind fairy, silenced by Veilia, was unable to answer him. She could write, though, and Felix soon read her reply, which said this..."

In a mimic of Serena for Hikari, he spaks. "Thank you for your kindness; but I am helpless —as you will be—until I recover my voice, which Malo snatched from me. With the return of that I will regain my power, and then I can tell you what must be done to disenchant the Pokemon of the forest. I do not know where my voice is; but I think it cannot be far from here."

"I will not leave the castle without finding it! I will begin the search immediately!" he vows as Felix.

Cheers fill the room as Brock goes on "As the night was nearing its end, Felix hurried down the ladder of roses, which disappeared the minute he touched the ground. The food he had brought with him was all gone, but fortunately he found fruit to eat that day; and he nibbled at it while he planned how to search the castle for Hikari's voice. He lamented the fact that he could not use the Pyroar's ruby to make himself invisible."

The lights dim on the stage, revealing a chair and Brock's guitar. "He slipped in among a patch of briars, to hide until nightfall, but he did not see a large opening which had been covered over with leaves and branches." Brock explains as he settles in with his instrument. "The next moment he was falling, down, down, down..." Giggles go up as he plays a "falling" riff to illustrate this. "...all the way to the bottom of a deep cavern." More laughter fills the air at the hard chord that represents Felix landing.

"Bruised and sore, he sat up to look around him." Brock continues over a thoughtful song. "He saw that he was in an enormous canyon, through which a great torrent of water rushed and roared a few feet from where he had fallen. 'How will I ever get out of here?' he thought. 'It is impossible to climb the walls, for they are as smooth as glass all the way to the top.'" His bumps and bruises hurt so much that he lay back down again and closed his eyes; and before he knew it he was sound asleep."

He stops his song to interject "Felix was awakened by a noise somewhere near him--Kero! Kero!--and there at his feet was a little Froagie. Before Felix could speak, he heard another Froagie call back in reply..."

"Here, how is it you are out so early?" he asks in a higher pitched version of Ash.

"Oh, the old Toxicroak was called to the castle by Veilia; so I slipped out to look at the sky and get some fresh air." he replies in a gravely version of Serena for the first Froagie--a subtle hint for the audience.

"What a sad life you must pass at the bottom of the torrent! Why won't the old Toxicroak let you hop all over the canyon, as the rest of us do? Where did you come from?"

"I am not really a Froagie."

"Then what are you?"

"I can't tell you that."

He interrupts his vocal role play to narrate as himself "The second Froagie was curious now."

The audience listens as Brock resumes the conversation, and playing both roles. "I will keep your secret, really, truly."

"Then I will tell you. I am the voice of the light fairy Hikari--that is why I sound so beautiful. Veilia, making sure I would never be found, turned me into this form. and then, to be doubly sure, she put me down here, and set to watch over me the leader of the six Zubats that draw her carriage. This Zubat keeps me at the bottom of the torrent--and he doesn't know I call him a Toxicroak in secret."

"Is there no way you can be returned to Hikari?"

"There is, but it is almost impossible. It is by killing my capture with a red stone that is hidden somewhere in these waters."

"I know where the red stone is! It is guarded by that Ariados who has his web stretched between those reeds."

"If I could only catch the Ariados!"

"Don't you dare go near it! It is a ferocious Pokemon that devours everything that comes within its reach..."

As himself, Brock continues over some light applause "Felix raised himself slowly and cautiously, so as not to make a sound, and crept nearer and nearer to the giant Ariados. What he would do when he got there, he had not fully decided. As he approached he heard the Ariados groaning sadly."

"This red stone will break my beautiful web with its great weight." he sighs in a mimic of Janine for the Ariados as he plays a soft lament. "Is there anyone in the world brave enough to kill the wicked Zubat, who compels me to keep the stone as a punishment for my contempt for him? With real joy would I help to crush his head!"

He stops his song. "Felix could hardly believe his ears. Where he had expected to find a ferocious enemy, he had an ally!"

He then proceeds to role play the conversation between him and the Ariados. "I am here to kill the Zubat."

"What? You can speak my language? Come here. Don't be afraid!''

"Afraid! I don't know even the meaning of the word!"

"Good! Crawl under my web between the reeds and get the stone."

Felix did as he was told.

"Now, how do I get to the bottom of the torrent?"

''That is easy. Push aside those reeds and look!''

He continues as himself over an exciting melody "Felix saw before him a large crevice. The giant Ariados began to weave a strong thread, which he dropped like a rope ladder into the abyss. Our hero slid down easily, and found himself in an enormous cave, where the water did not come. But he did not have much time to look around; for hardly had he touched the ground when he heard a harsh "Eek-eek!" followed by a sweeter, more musical, voice; and the Zubat entered. Felix rushed at his victim and threw the red stone, with such good aim that the Zubat was dead in one shot."

Cheers go up at the Zubat's demise. "The Froagie jumped into Felix's hands; and imagine his astonishment and joy to find himself holding not a Froagie, but a shining orb of rainbow light--Hikari's voice!" Brock smiles over a triumphant sting, to more cheers. "He hurried up the Ariados' ladder, carrying with him the dead Zubat as a battle trophy. Then, thanking the Ariados, he hurried down the canyon. By this time, night was approaching again."

"Now how do I get out of here?" he muses as Felix. "Will Hikari think that I have abandoned her?"

He interjects as himself "A voice, which seemed to come from the orb, answered him."

''Do not forget that you have me in your hand, and that I have recovered my power to do anything that will help my owner, for whose freedom you are working for." he explains in an echo-y version of Serena.

He intones as himself "Night now had fallen, and the earth was hidden in darkness."

Karuto, iichiida shou... he sings in the echo-y version of Serena.

He smiles "As the last word was sung, he stood in Hikari's room in the tower, and her voice flew inside her throat where it belonged, recovering her power and her ability to speak and sing."

"I owe you more than my life, Felix, for you have given me my freedom. Let us flee immediately--Veilia can do nothing to me, as darkness fears the light, but she is able to do you a great deal of harm." he explains in his normal "Serena" mimic.

He continues over a frantic melody. "Leaving the tower cautiously, they crept around the castle and came to the stables. Here Hikari chose two magnificent shining Ponytas--Epona and Lightfoot--which could run almost with the speed of lightning and could go up or down the steepest mountains without stumbling or losing their speed. Mounted on these divine steeds they set out; but Hikari stopped a moment when they reached the garden, and sang..." He pauses to sing as Hikari Seios, higarima laisido...

He explains as himself "This created a large white rose, which was so beautiful that it stood out among all the other flowers of the garden."

"What are you doing?"he asks as Felix.

"Asking the rose to make its scent so strong that it will put the castle's residents to sleep for five days. By that time we will be in Trestelle. On the way I will tell you how you can free the Pokemon of the Enchanted Forest." he explains as Hikari.

As himself, he concludes "What was Hikari's plan? I will tell you more next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 346f: The Enchanted Forest, part 6

(real tale: The Enchanted Forest)

"When our heroes were some distance away from Romestal, Hikari slowed down the Ponytas a little, so that she could tell Felix something important." Brock begins, picking up where he left off the previous week.

"First of all, you must know that to undo Veilia's spell, words, songs, or magic wands are of no avail." he warns as Hikari. "It is not easy for anyone to suspect the only means powerful enough to be of service; but from what Veilia said when she was casting her evil spell, I learned that to break it, it is necessary to combine two widely different things. They will remain enchanted until someone laughs and cries at the same time, beneath a large oak tree which stands beside the little creek where you first met Undine."

"Well, I never would have guessed that!" he gasps as Felix, to some laughter as he continues the conversation between the two characters. "But it seems very easy to accomplish. But we are approaching the land of the giants, and they will not let anyone pass through."

"Do not worry. I can soon allow you to pass there safely."

"But we might lose several hours. As it is night time, only the guards will be out. If I only had two nice helmets for them, we would be saved."

"Is that all?"

As himself, Brock interjects "Hikari sang to some hanging pine branches...

After pausing to sing Seios, higarima laisido..., as Hikari, he continues as himself "...and two pinecones fell to the ground, where they were transformed into two elegant helmets, in a size appropriate for giants. Felix guarded them carefully until he reached the guards."

He smiles "When I passed here a few days ago, you were uncomfortable because of the strong rays of the sun. These helmets will protect your heads." he explains as Felix as he offers an imagined object to an imagined person.

As himself, he continues "The guards were so happy to have what they had wanted for so long, they let Felix and Hikari through, and allowed them to pass through without question any time they liked. The following night found the two travelers in the land of the dwarves."

"Only the guards will be out. If I had two guard posts, I am sure we could pass safely." he grins as Felix.

"That is very easy." he agrees as Hikari.

As himself, Brock goes on "Hikari wasted no time in transforming two enormous stones into beautiful guardposts with all manner of amenities with her magical song."

"Good evening, my friends. When I passed here a few days ago, you were uncomfortable because of the rain. These nice guard posts will protect you." he explains as Felix, making a grand gesture to an imagined guardpost.

As himself, he narrates "He pointed to what had been two large stones minutes earlier; and the dwarves, delighted, ran into their shelter, while Felix and Hikari set out as fast as their mounts could take them. By dawn, they had reached the kingdom of Trestelle."

"Soon we will come to the end of our journey, and I have not yet asked you anything about your plans to free your enchanted friends of the forest." he wonders as Hikari.

"I have not decided on a plan completely, as of yet." he confesses as Felix. "Queen Titania, who I am sure has been helping me, will make me think of some plan, and before a week passes the Enchanted Forest will have disappeared and in its place will stand the two beautiful cities. But tell me, Hikari, if there is any way in which Veilia's evil power can be taken from her, so that she cannot bring harm on anyone or anything else?"

He explains as Hikari "There is only one way—to separate her from her son. Malo used his power in such evil ways that Queen Titania was forced to take it away from him. Veilia, furious at the queen, gave Malo half of her power; and now their spells will not work unless they are together; for half without the other half is powerless. You may be sure, though, that Veilia and Malo stick together; and it would not be an easy task to separate them."

He smiles at his enthralled audience "So how could they break Veilia's spell, and render her harmless once and for all? I will tell you that next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 346g: The Enchanted Forest, part 7

(real tale: The Enchanted Forest)

"Three days later, our heroes entered the city of Toive." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "Imagine how happy were Felix's parents, King Aldaron, and Princess Ariana, to see him returning with the beautiful Hikari!"

Excited murmurs race through the auditorium at this, "The king begged Hikari to live at the palace; and she gladly agreed. Many times over they told their story, for their audience never tired of listening to all the marvelous things that had happened." Brock's voice quiets the chatter. "On the night of their return, the king gave a grand banquet in honor of the great hero and the lovely fairy of light. A few minutes before the guests sat down to eat, something happened that would have an important influence over the future."

He explains "You see, one of the invited guests was the Marquis of Tintura, a very old and ugly man whose one overwhelming desire was to look eternally young. He dyed his mustache brown, he wore a wig, and every day he put blush on his cheeks."

"Oh"s and gigg;es of anticipation fill the air. "As dinnertime arrived, the marquis went up to one of the servants, and asked where his place would be at the table." Brock goes on. "When he learned that he had to sit between Felix's parents, he was furious. He was a proud man, and he did not think that one so noble as himself should be placed between two poor country bumpkins--and he made his displeasure known in no uncertain terms!"

Laughter fills the air as the crowd pictures the marquis' temper tantrum. "Felix still adored his parents, and when he heard the haughty old man's remarks he planned to punish him somehow." Brock grins. "The marquis was given another place, and the dinner went off without a hitch. When the guests were leaving the banquet hall, Felix managed to whisper a few words to the king; and shortly afterward Aldaron invited everyone to come to a picnic lunch the following day in the Enchanted Forest."

He smiles. "The guests stared at the king as if he was nuts. The Enchanted Forest! No one ever set foot in that mysterious place! The king, however, insisted; and as nobody wanted anyone else to think they were a coward, everybody accepted."

As the laughter quiets, Brock continues "At the designated time, dozens of carriages arrived at the entrance to the Enchanted Forest. Every invited guest was present. When they had dismounted, Felix and Princess Ariana led the procession into the mysterious woods, with the others following closely behind them, walking two by two; the servants, carrying the baskets of food, brought up the rear. They had not gone far before Felix saw his friend, the Fletchling, among the branches of a thick pine tree. He called to him softly and then stopped a moment, pretending to break off a branch, but really to whisper a few words in the Fletchling's ear."

"Ooh"s go up as Brock continues "The Fletchling flew on ahead and perched on the topmost branch of the large oak tree which grew beside the little creek where Felix had first met Undine. Felix and the princess started towards this tree; and after them came the crowd. In about 30 minutes, they arrived at the violet-covered banks of the little creek."

"Don't you think, Your Majesty, that this is a fine place for the picnic, here under this gigantic tree?" he smiles as Felix

As himself, Brock continues "King Aldaron agreed; and ordered the servants to serve the food. The guests formed groups beneath the great tree; and the marquis, who arrived tired and dusty, sat down upon the grass and quickly opened his beloved box of blush. But hardly had he opened the box did a huge cloud of dust appear, which made him sneeze. He reached for his handkerchief, and was surprised to find that it was not in his pocket."

The crowd laughs in delight, but Brock is only getting started in describing the comical scene "Felix courteously offered him his handkerchief; and the marquis quickly accepted it, and, shaking it unfolded, hurriedly buried his face in it. A moment later everyone was howling with laughter--The painted and powdered face of the haughty old marquis was streaked with soot; the pink of his cheeks were only visible between smears and blotches of black. The king laughed, and his guests laughed; even the servants lost their dignity and doubled over laughing. But the marquis did not find it funny at all--he was simply furious! He jumped up, shaking his fist at them; but at that moment, the Fletchling swooped down and, catching his wig in her beak, flew upward with it and disappeared among the tree tops."

The audience can hardly contain itself laughing as they picture the ridiculous scene. "The alarmed marquis, forgetting all about his haughtiness, began jumping up and down like a child throwing a fit, trying to catch the bird Pokemon." Brock continues as the laughter finally quiets. "With his face smeared in black, and his wig flying through the air, he made such a ridiculous spectacle that the people laughed until tears ran down their cheeks, just like you guys."

He intones "The moment the first tear fell, a flash of light filled the air around them; and a moment later, the Enchanted Forest was no more, and where it had been stood the two cities, looking exactly as they had looked the day Veilia had tried to destroy them. The enchanted Pokemon regained their true human forms, and from everywhere came cries of great joy. Sir Leon, no more a Pyroar, but a fine and distinguished looking young man, rushed up and threw his arms around Felix, and then turned to Hikari, who blushed and gave him her hand."

"Aw"s go up at this. "Undine's creek was now a crystal stream that flowed through the garden of Hikari's palace; and Hikari invited all the guests to spend the afternoon with her in her lovely garden and then return to the big marble palace for afternoon tea." Brock concludes. "They accepted gladly—all but the furious marquis, that is. He called a carriage and quickly departed for his own castle."

Laughter and applause go up as Brock takes a bow...
 
This is the last part of the last story for the season, but Season 14 will begin in a new thread next week!

Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 346h: The Enchanted Forest, part 8

(real tale: The Enchanted Forest)

"Upon reaching the door of Hikari's white palace, the guests heard a whooshing noise in the air." Brock intones as he arrives onstage to finish the epic adventure and the season with a bang. "When they looked to see what it was, they saw Veilia flying towards them on a shining black Charizard which blew sheets of fire from its mouth. Behind Velia was Malo, astride the Charizard's tail."

Gasps go up at this, but the grin on Brock's face is a clue that all hope isn't lost. "Hikari looked to the sky, and beseeched Queen Titania, and all the powers of light directly..."

with that, he sings the Swanna Song as Haikari. Gatrandis favel, secret, edena...
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena..
Emusto koron zen fine, si...


Applause go up when the last note dies. "As the last 'si' echoed into the sky, a brilliant carriage cut from solid diamond, and drawn by two shining Braviaries, descended to the earth below." Brock continues as himself. "From this carriage stepped one of the most beautiful beings in all the world, save for Arceus himself. Her gown, spun of the rays of the sun, shimmered like the rainbow; over her arm she carried a mantle woven of moonbeams and embroidered with threads of starlight."

Awed murmrs fill the auditorium as Brock continues "Hikari knelt at her feet and told her all that had happened. Veilia and Malo, meanwhile, were frozen in terror--they knew their hour of judgement was at hand; and the guests stood gazing at the fairy queen, entranced by her dazzling beauty. When Hikari finished her story, the queen turned to Veiiia and Malo."

"Neither the punishment that I have given you, nor the loss of your beauty has had any effect upon you." he scolds in a mimic of Clair for Queen Titania. "You remain the same! In order that you will not cause any more harm, I now condemn you to a transformation that will separate you from each other forever. Velia, because of your cold rancor, you shall be turned to ice; Malo, because of your fiery vengeance, you shall become fire. Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul..."

As himself, he interjects "At Titania's holy song, the Charizard, the dark fairy, and her son disappeared."

"I have sent them beneath the earth, out of sight where they will forever struggle to unite themselves." he explains as Queen Titania. "But whenever they come together, the ice will chill the fire; the heat of the fire will melt the ice.''

"Oh"s fill the air as Brock continues in character "I know all that has happened to you, but I did not interfere, because I wished to prove your loyalty. Now that you have come through the trial triumphantly, I will reward you in any way you ask."

"Milady, grant to Sir Leon the powers and privileges of the fey; so that he may be as great as I." he requests as Hikari

"As you wish.." he replies as Queen Titania before singing in character .Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

"Thank you, milady! Now I can marry the lovely Hikari!'' he cries as Sir Leon.

As himself, Brock proceeds to reveal each of the Pokemon's true forms. "Felix was surrounded by his Pokemon friends of the forest, who were now in their true human forms. Undine was a priestess of water, and the oracle to the royal family."

"The Fletchling was a court minstrel, who forever sang of Felix's and other heroes' exploits."

"The Beautifly was the royal painter, who painted portraits of many mortals and fey alike."

"The Ursaring family were the duke and duchess of a neighboring land that was an ally with this kingdom."

"The Stantler was a distinguished ranger, whose arrows never missed."

"The gentle Pidove was a beautiful young princess, named Paloma."

Brock looks out at his enthralled audience. "Felix and Ariana, Sir Leon, and Hikari were married that very day, with Queen Titania offering her heartiest blessings on both weddings; and for at least nine months there was feasting and dancing and rejoicing throughout the whole kingdom of Trestelle."

He concludes "When, a few years later, the time came for King Aldaron to join Arceus in heaven, Felix ascended to the throne; and with Ariana to advise and help him, he proved a model king, loved by all his subjects, and whose reign is still fondly remembered in Trestelle today."

The auditorium explodes in wild cheers as Brock takes a bow...
 
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