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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 334a: The Sister of the Beasts, part 1

(real tale: The Little Sister of the Giants)

"Once upon a time there was a little girl who was very beautiful." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "Her eyes were a deep green, like a pair of fine emeralds; her hair a beautiful midnight black; her smile like the dawn. As she grew older, she grew also more and more beautiful."

He thinks a moment for a suitable name for his heroine. "We'll call her Angeline." he suggests to the crowd.

Applause goes up in approval of the name. "Angeline’s mother had died when Angeline was very little, and her father had married a second time." Brock explains. "The stepmother--who does not deserve to be named--was a woman who was renowned for her great beauty. As her stepdaughter grew more and more beautiful every day, she soon became jealous of Angeline. Every night she would ask the father who was more beautiful, her or Angeline?"

He assures the audience "Now, Angeline's father was a wise man, and knew all about his wife’s jealousy. So he always responded that she was the more beautiful."

He then intones "One year, the father suddenly died from a horrible disease, and stepmother and stepdaughter were left alone in the world. They both mourned deeply the passing of their husband and father, but before long, people said that although the stepmother was beautiful, Angeline was even more so. At first, the stepmother merely tolerated this, but eventually, she couldn't stand it any longer, and locked Angeline inside a hidden room in the attic."

Murmurs go up as Brock continues "The hidden room in the attic had only one tiny window high up in the wall. The window was usually shut, but Angeline would often climb up to open it in order to get a little air. The next afternoon she grew weary of being confined in the room, so she dug a foothold in the wall where she could stand up and look out the window."

He reminds the audience "But even though Angeline was confined there in that lonely room, people still said she was the more beautiful of the two."

"Ooh"s go up as Brock continues "This was the last straw for the stepmother, so she ordered a servant to carry the girl into the jungle and kill her, telling him to bring back her heart as proof the deed had been done."

Concerned murmurs go up, but Brock quickly reminds them "If you think you know where this is going, I can assure you this is different."

He goes on "Anyway, Angeline was glad to be out of the little room, and went out for a walk with the servant with a light heart. They walked through the city streets and out into the open country. Soon they had reached the deep jungle, and after an hour or so, they were so far in the jungle that the path was entirely overgrown. No ray of light penetrated through the deep foliage, and Angeline grew very scared, begging the servant to tell her where they were going. The servant finally burst into tears and told Angeline of her stepmother's evil command. He went on to say that he couldn't hurt, much less kill, an innocent girl whose only crime was her beauty and kindness--and that was no crime that deserved death."

Murmurs go up as Brock continues "Angeline thought for a moment, then told the servant to return to his mistress with the heart of a Tauros. The stepmother believed the servant's lie, and thought that Angeline was gone for good."

He grins. "But Angeline was very much alive, and would befriend much more powerful companions than seven dwarves--I will tell you who they were and how her stepmother was defeated next week!"

"Aw"s and applause fill the air as Brock takes a bow...
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 334b: The Sister of the Beasts, part 2

(real tale: The Little Sister of the Giants)

"Meanwhile, Angeline wandered on through the jungle." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "The Arboks glided swiftly out of her path. The Chimchars and the Chatots talked to her to keep her company. She wandered on until finally she came to an enormous cave. She discovered that the cave had many rooms, very much like a palace, but the cave was entirely deserted--and dusty to boot!"

"Ew"s and giggles fill the air as the crowd pictures the dusty cave. "Angeline quickly found a broom and immediately went to work." Brock explains. "Soon the whole cave looked liveable, and beautiful. Just as Angeline was finishing her work, she heard a noise outside. She looked out, and there before her eyes were the Legendary Beasts--Raikou, Entei, and Suicune!"

"Oh"s go up at this. "She remembered that her father had told her of the many wonderful deeds the Beasts had done, but she had never dreamed that she would see them face to face." Brock explains. "She was understandably frightened at how they would react to her, a mere mortal, in their cave, and scrambled under a chair as fast as she could. When the Beasts came inside, they were amazed to find everything in order. They wondered who could have cleaned the cave while they were away. As the Beasts debated and discussed, their majestic voices assured Angeline that even though they were powerful Pokemon, they would not harm the good and the pure."

He intones "Finally, she worked up the courage to come out from under the chair and let them see who had done the work for them."

“Who are you, good lady?" he asks in a majestic deep voice for Raikou.

"How did you find our cave?" he asks in a gentler deep voice for Entei.

As himself, he narrates "Angeline told the three Beasts her story. Her beauty and her kindness won their favor."

“You are welcome to stay here with us, as our companion and friend, for as long as you desire. We will see that no harm comes to you here." he assures the audience as Raikou.

He continues as himself "Angeline lived in the Beasts' cave for a long time afterwards. Every day when they went out to hunt she would make sure the cave was kept neat and clean. They called her 'sister' and loved her with all their Legendary hearts."

"Aw"s go up at this. "For a time, all was well--until the stepmother learned from rumors in town that Angeline was alive, well, and living deep in the jungle with the three Beasts." Brock intones. "In fact, the stepmother was so mad that she thought she could never be happy as long as Angeline was living on the planet. So late one night, she consulted a notorious old witch about how to kill Angeline for good."

Angry murmurs go up as Brock explains "The witch gave the stepmother a poisoned hairpin--when used, it would kill the wearer. Then she showed the stepmother how to reach the Beasts' cave."

He assures the restless audience "But when Angeline’s stepmother found the Beasts' cave, the Beasts were waiting for her--and very angry!"

Some of the children cheer as Brock goes on "They unleashed all their holy fury, in the process diluting the poison enough so that anyone that wore the pin would not die, but fall into a deep sleep, only to awaken either from true love's first kiss, or until the pin was removed. But in all the confusion, the cursed pin fell into Angeline's hair, and she fell into a deep sleep. While it was not the promised death the stepmother hoped for, it was enough to convince her that she was the true fairest one of all."

Gasps go up at the turn of events. "After the Beasts had collected their bearings from chasing off the intruder, they went inside the cave to find their beloved sister in the enchanted sleep. Fearing she had died, they conjured a beautiful crystal coffin, and kept watch over it."

He smiles, as if assuring the audience all hope isn't lost. "Soon a handsome prince--we'll call him Daniel--came to the cave. He was already renowned for being a brave hero, and an ally of the Beasts. So when he saw the Beasts keeping watch over the crystal coffin, he asked if he could have a look at the maiden inside. Though he could not enjoy her company in the land of the living, he offered to take the coffin to the royal palace, and have the maiden buried with all the honors due a princess. The Beasts agreed, and escorted Prince Daniel to the royal city."

Murmurs fill the air as Brock reveals the twist in the tale. "He commanded that no one enter the room where the crystal coffin, and this aroused the curiosity of one of his maids in waiting. At the very first opportunity she could get, she slipped into the room. She opened the casket and was surprised to see the beautiful lady. She then noticed something silvery in her hair, and carefully pulled out the pin."

He smiles. "Imagine her surprise when she saw Angeline sit up, and ask where she was and what had happened."

Cheers fill the air at this. "The maid called for her master the prince, and when Prince Daniel saw that Angeline was alive, he confessed his feelings to her. Angeline replied that she too loved him, and the funeral preparations became wedding preparations." Brock concludes. "And so it was that Prince Daniel and Angeline were married, with the three Beasts as the guests of honor, and eternal guardians of the royal family."

Then something occurs to him. "As for the stepmother, she was run out of town after word got out about what she had done to Angeline, and I don't think she has been seen in that land since then!"

Laughter and applause fills the air as Brock takes a bow...
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 335: The Mount of the Golden Queen

(real tale: The Mount of the Golden Queen)

"Once upon a time, a boy--whose name is not important to us--was eating lunch in a clearing in the forest." Brock begins. "As he was sitting there, he saw a Rattata run into a juniper bush. His curiosity spurred him to look for it; but as he bent over, down he went, head over heels, and was knocked out cold."

Gasps go up at this. "Don't worry, he was fine." Brock assures his audience. "He dreamed that he was going to find Aurelia, the princess on the Mount of the Golden Queen; but he did not know the way.

He continues "The following day he returned to the forest, came to the same clearing, and again ate there. He saw the same Rattata, and went to look for it, and when he bent down he went head over heels, and was knocked out cold again--but he was okay. He dreamed again of Aurelia, the princess on the Mount of the Golden Queen, and in order to get her, he would need seventy pounds of iron and a pair of iron shoes. He woke up and it was all a dream; but by now he had made up his mind to find the Mount of the Golden Queen, and he went home. On the third day, he could not reach the clearing of his happy dream too soon. This time, when he dreamed of Aurelia, the princess on the Mount of the Golden Queen, she came to him, and laid a letter and a band of gold in his pocket."

He then reveals the twist in his tale. "When he woke up, he found in his pocket both of the things in his dream. The next day, he scraped together what money he could, and bought seventy pounds of iron and a pair of iron shoes with the money. He made spikes out of the iron, put on his iron shoes, and set forth."

The audience wonders how the hero was able to run in iron shoes. "For a time he traveled by land; but eventually he came to the lake which he had to cross. He saw nothing but water as far as the eye could see, and rowed for so long and steadily that he wore out several oars in a row. He eventually reached land, and a green meadow, where no trees grew. He walked all around the meadow, and found a mound of earth from which smoke was rising. When he looked closer, a lady met him.. He asked her to tell him the way to the Mount of the Golden Queen. But she replied..."

“That I do not know. Go ask my elder sister, who lives in an earth-mound you can find without any trouble.” he replies in a mimic of May for the lady.

As himself, he continues "So he left her and came to a mound of earth that looked just like the first, and from which smoke was also rising. A lady met him, and he asked her about the way to the Mount of the Golden Queen."

“That I do not know,” he replies in a mimic of Misty for the lady. “Go ask my brother, who lives in a hill a little further away.”

As himself, he continues "So he came to the hill, from which smoke was also rising, and knocked."

He knocked on the stage floor for effect, to some laughter. "A giant met him, and our hero asked the way to the Mount of the Golden Queen. The giant took a whistle..."

More giggles go up as Brock plays the Zelda whistle theme on his own whistle for effect. "and called together all the Pokemon of the world. The beast Pokemon didn't know, and the sea Pokemon didn't know, but when the bird Pokemon were called..." Brock plays the Zelda whistle theme again. "Mr. Braviary knew the way. The giant entrusted our hero to the Braviary's care, and off they went through the air, over fields and forests, over hill and over dale, and before long they were above the ocean, and could see nothing but sky and water.”

He continues "Before long, they had reached a large, high mountain with a great iron door in one side. They knocked, and a servant met them. "Our hero was well received; but the Braviary said farewell, and flew back to his native land. Our hero asked for a drink, and he was given a glass of water. When he had drank it all, he let the golden band drop into it. When the maid brought back the glass to her mistress Aurelia, Princess Aurelia looked into the glass, and there lay a golden band which she recognized as her own. So she asked if someone was there, and when the maid said yes, Princess Aurelia asked him to come in."

Brock then intones "As soon as our hero came in, she asked him if he happened to have a letter. Our hero took out the miraculous letter he had received, and gave it to Princess Aurelia. When she read it she embraced him, for he had rescued her. At that very moment, the mountain turned into a beautiful castle, with all sorts of precious things, servants, and other treasures."

He smiles. "It goes without saying they all lived happily ever after, right?"

Laughter and applause go up in agreement as Brock takes a bow...
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 336a: The Guardian Arcanine, part 1

(real tale: The Cu-Beag of the Willow-Wood)

Cheers go up as Brock arrives onstage. "Once there were a king and a queen of a certain land in what is today Kanto, who had a son named Calton. He was a handsome and brave boy, and when he had come of age, he asked his father's and mother's blessing, saying he wished to travel on a journey of fortune. So after receiving his parents' blessings and bidding his friends farewell, off he went. At noon, hungry and tired, Calton sat down to eat his lunch. Just then, an Arcanine emerged from the forest, a hungry look in his eyes. He said..."

"Calton, my Growlithes haven't tasted food for a day-won't you share your food with them?" he requests in a gentle deep voice for the Arcanine.

"Of course." he replies as Calton.

Brock then explains as himself "See, Calton was a kind person, to all races and those with fur, fins and feathers. So he broke a loaf of bread in half, and gave the bigger half to the Arcanine."

"Calton, look under your foot and lift the iron nail you find there!" he instructs as Hunter.

As himself, he continues "Calton looked under his foot, and there was the iron nail." He shows a similar nail to the crowd. "The moment he picked it up..." He tosses the nail in the air, but the audience gasps in awe when a shining prop sword in many colors comes down in its place! "...it became a shining rainbow sword in his hand."

He explains in character as Hunter "Calton, that's the Legendary Blade of Eight Colors. Arceus has granted it to you because you performed a good deed for me when I needed it the most. With that blade you can vanquish the greatest foes in the world-but the only one I know that could possibly stand against it is the four headed giant known as Crohore. Not even the Eight Color Blade can kill him, because his soul is not in his body. As you are not likely to meet him in your travels, you will always be able to triumph with that holy sword, wherever you go. But if you ever find yourself in any danger, and need help, sing this song: Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Then I, Hunter of the Hills, will come to your side, and do what I can to help you."

After sheathing the prop sword at his side, Brock continues as himself "Calton thanked Hunter, and the mighty Arcanine trotted back with the bread to his den in the forest. Calton continued onward with the Eight Colored Blade buckled on him. He traveled far away, exactly how far, I don't know, but one evening he saw a castle with seven towers in the distance. Figuring that the castle meant adventure, and maybe fortune. he went up and knocked at the gate."

Giggles go up as Brock knocks at the stage floor for effect. "The king himself came to the gates, and looking down at Calton, asked him what he wanted."

He then proceeds to vocally role play the conversation between Calton and the king. "I'm looking for work, Your Majesty."

"What can you do?"

"I'm good at most anything, but I'm particularly good with a sword."

"I'm afraid I cannot give you anything to do at the moment, for the only one I'm looking for now is one who can fight giants."

"That is what I'm especially good at. I'd rather be fighting giants than sitting in a tavern with nothing to do."

"I'm afraid you would not be much good against these giants, for they're the most terrible in the world."

"Please, just let me try."

"Well, if throwing away your life is what you wish, I won't try to stop you. I'll hire you for a year and a day, give you that many day's gold for wages, and my beautiful daughter Milana in marriage, provided you're still alive by then. All you have to do is to carry a can of water for Milana's bath from the Well of Beauty in the valley below."

"That's too easy...."

"But, there are three terrible giants who claim ownership of that well, and have killed every hero and heroine that ever tried to carry a can of water from it. A thousand of the world's greatest heroes and more have gone to that well for water, but so far, none of them ever returned alive."

"I'll do my best, and the best can do no more."

Applause goes up at Brock's vocal dexterity. "And so, Calton had a fine dinner and a soft bed." he continues as himself. "After breakfast the next morning, Calton, after receiving a can from the king, started off to the valley. He reached the well safely, and was dipping in his can, when he heard a terrible roar as made the teeth in his head rattle. Jumping up, there he saw standing over him a great giant."

"You are too big for one bite and too small for two, so I'll let you choose how to die--by sword, by spell, or by fist." he growls in his standard low gravelly "monster" voice.

"If I must lose my life, I'd rather die by sword!" he vows as Calton, drawing the prop blade for effect.

He narrates as himself "So the giant drew his sword, and Calton drew the Blade of Eight Colors, and the epic battle began. They fought up, they fought down, and they fought all around, so much that the fighting could be felt a mile away."

After performing a few moves against a pantomime opponent, Brock continues "Finally, when the giant was nearly exhausted, Calton gave a hop, step, jump, and landed with his sword on the giant's neck, cutting the head clean off his shoulders. Then he filled his can with water at the Well of Beauty, and returned to the castle."

He sheathes his blade, the narrates "The king was the first person Calton met at the castle, and he was beyond surprised to see Calton return.

"Calton, did you have any trouble getting the water this morning?" he asks as the king.

"Not at all, Your Majesty." he smiles as Calton.

"That is amazing. But it will not be so easy tomorrow."

"I'm not worried about tomorrow--tomorrow brings its own troubles."

He intones as himself. "But Calton's adventure was just beginning--I will tell you more next week!"

"Aw"s and applause fill the air as Brock takes a bow...
 
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Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 336b: The Guardian Arcanine, part 2

(real tale: The Cu-Beag of the Willow-Wood)


"The next morning, when the king came to give the can to Calton, he said...." Brock narrates as he arrives onstage, picking up from where he left off the previous week.

"This may seem strange, but I heard the roaring of only two giants last night-what can this mean?" he muses as the king.

"Maybe one of them was sleepy?" he asks as Calton.

"We'll go with that, then." he smiles as the king.

Giggles go up at this. "So Calton started off with his can for the Well of Beauty, in the hollow." Brock continues as himself. "He reached the Well of Beauty without incident, and was just dipping in his can, when he heard a roar that made his teeth chatter. Looking up, he saw a terrible giant with two heads standing over him."

Gasps go up, but Brock continues "The second giant drew his sword, and Calton drew the Blade of Eight Colors, and the epic battle began. They fought up, they fought down, they fought all around, so much that the fighting could be felt two miles away. Finally, when the giant was nearly exhausted, Calton took a hop, step, jump, and landed with his sword on the giant's neck, cutting off both heads. Then he filled his can from the Well of Beauty, and started for the castle. The king was the first person who met Calton at the castle, and he looked even more surprised."

"Calton, I'm astonished to see you coming back alive. Did you have trouble getting the can of water?" he gasps as the king.

"Oh, no trouble worth mentioning, Your Majesty." he smiles as Calton.

"Well, you have come back alive two days, but you'll never come home the third." he warns as the king.

"I'm not worried about tomorrow--tomorrow brings its own troubles." he replies as Calton.

He then adds a twist in the tale. "When Calton returned the third day after slaying the third giant as easily as the first two, he found the castle in a panic. While he was away, Crohore had attacked the castle, and captured Princess Milana. Calton vowed never to sleep two nights in the same house, nor eat two meals at the same table, until he found the castle of Crohore, and saved Princess Milana."

"May you succeed in a year and a day." he tells an imagined person as the king

He continues as himself "Calton, setting off, traveled across the world until he reached a little house in a dark forest, with an old man in it, and the old man welcomed him by name and asked him where he was going."

He proceeds to role play the conversation between Calton and the old man. ""I'm going searching for the castle of Crohore of the Four Heads--Maybe you could help me find it."

"Many of the castles of the world I know, but the castle of Crohore I don't know, nor do I want to know. You will never find the terrible Crohore, and if you did, it would be better for you if you never found it. Take my advice, and return home."

"I won't go back home. I have promised never to sleep two nights in the same house, nor eat two meals at the same table, until I have found the castle of Crohore, and rescued Princess Milana. I'll keep my promise or die trying."

"Very well. If you must go I'll do what I can to help you."

Brock next narrates as himself "In the morning, after breakfast, the old man took Calton, and mounted him on the Legendary shining steed Epona."

He then reveals who the old man is. "This is no ordinary mount, Calton--she has been ridden by many heroes before you." said the old man. "Get on her back, and you will reach tonight my elder brother's, who'll be able to help you further, because he has lived two hundred years longer than I, and knows four times as much about it. if you are ever in great distress, sing the words 'Karuto, iichiida shou', and I, the Braviary of the Beechwood, will come to your aid."

As himself, he goes on "Calton thanked him, mounted Epona and went on his way. Epona's heels only touched the hilltops, and on they sped."

He smiles at the enthralled audience "But what else did Calton find on his quest? I will tell you more next week!"
 
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Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 336c: The Guardian Arcanine, part 3

(real tale: The Cu-Beag of the Willow-Wood)

"Late that night, he reached a house on the edge of a lake in a dark forest, where he saw a very old man, who welcomed him by name." Brock picks up from where he left off the previous week.

"I see, Calton, that you stopped at my younger brother's house last night. Tell me where you are bound." he requests as the old man.

Calton told him everything, and asked if the old man could help him. he narrates as himself.

"I have lived four hundred years in the world, and know half of the castles in the world, but I don't know the castle of Crohore." he sighs as the old man. "You should return home, for you'll never be able to find him. Even if you did find him, it would be better for you if you never found him."

"I can't go back home." he replies as Calton. "I have promised never to sleep two nights in the same house, nor eat two meals at the same table, till I have found the castle of Crohore and rescued Princess Milana. I'll keep my promise, or die trying."

"Very well, then. I'll do what I can to help you." he smiles as the old man.

As himself, Brock continues "After breakfast the next morning the old man took Calton out, picked a blade of grass, and blew on it."

Brock proceeds to blow on his own grasswhistle for effect, to some excited whispers from the children in the audience. "Just then a beautiful Talonflame appeared, waiting for Calton to climb aboard." he continues

He then reveals who the old man is. "This Pokemon will take you through the skies with lightning speed. You'll reach our eldest brother's house tonight. He has lived two hundred years longer in the world than I, and knows ten times as much about it. Maybe he will be able to help you. If you are in any danger, and need my assistance, sing the song 'Rou iitsa ron selga vichii' to call me, the Shining Buizel of Lake Valor."

As himself, Brock continues "Calton thanked him, and set off through the skies at lightning speed. Late that evening, he landed at a little house on the edge of the sea, and found a very, very old man, who welcomed him by name."

"I see that you stopped at my two younger brothers' houses, these last two nights. Tell me where you are going, and about your quest." he smiles as the old man

He interjects as himself "Calton told him everything, and asked if he could direct him to the castle of Crohore."

he then proceeds to role play the conversation between Calton and the old man. "I have lived in the world for six hundred years, and in all that time, I have only once reached the castle of Crohore, it is so far away. I advise you to turn back, for you can never reach it. Besides, if you ever did find it, it would be better that you had never found it."

"I can't go back, for I have promised never to sleep two nights in the same house, nor eat two meals at the same table, until I have found the castle of Crohore, and rescued Princess Milana. I mean to keep my promise, or die trying."

"Very well, I'll do all I can to help you."

As himself, Bock narrates "In the morning after breakfast, he took Calton down to the shore, picking a lily, laid it on the water, where it transformed into a full-rigged ship."

He then reveals who this old man is "This ship goes with the speed of the dawn. Get into it, and it will take you to the land where Crohore lives. After that, you will have to find your own way. But if you are ever in great need, and need my help, sing the song 'Seios, higarima laisido' to call me, the Kadabra of the Seaside."

As himself, he concludes "Calton thanked him, and off he went in his magic ship, sailing with the speed of the dawn. Late that evening, he came upon the shore of a far away land, where he rested from the long journey.

Brock just smiles at the enthralled audience. "What horrors awaited Calton in the castle of Crohore? I will tell you more next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 336d: The Guardian Arcanine, part 4

(real tale: The Cu-Beag of the Willow-Wood)

"In the morning he went forward, and traveled far away, until he spotted a great castle with ten tall towers in a dark forest." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "As he approached the castle he saw, looking from a window in the tallest tower, no other than Princess Milana herself. She waved to Calton when she saw him, and Calton came to the bottom of the tower. She told him that this was the castle of Crohore, and that he held her prisoner there. Crohore, she said, wanted her to marry him-but she had asked for a year and a day's freedom before she would give her consent-in hope that she might be rescued. He had granted her request. The greater part of the year and a day was now up, and she had begun to despair of ever escaping."

"I'm afraid by traveling here you have only thrown away your life." he sighs in a mimic of Serena for Princess Milana

"Well, it will be thrown away for a good cause." he replies as Calton.

"Listen closely--Crohore, who is away hunting, will soon be returning. You should go to a little house that is in the valley, and hide until Crohore has gone hunting again tomorrow."

"I know Crohore can't be killed because his soul is not in his body. I want you to try and find out, tonight, where his soul is. Then we'd have a chance of escaping."

As the audience applauds Brock's vocal dexterity, Brock continues as himself "She promised to do her best to find this out; and Calton went off and hid in the valley. When Crohore returned from the hunt that night, Princess Milana came to him after dinner, and for the first time since he had captured her, talked with him. As soon as she thought she had him in a good mood, she said..."

"If you want me to love you, why do you keep your secrets from me?" he asks as Princess Milana.

"What secrets am I keeping from you?"he asks in a gentler version of his "giant" voice.

"You have never told me where your soul is."

"Oh, my soul is in the great rock on the lawn in front of the door."

He interjects as himself "The next day she told the news to Calton."

"I'm sure it isn't there, but we should at least test out this place." he cautions as Calton.

As himself, Brock continues "So, by Calton's directions, Princess Milana decorated the rock-hung flowers around it, and put gold and silver ornaments on it until it looked beautiful. When Crohore returned from the hunt that evening, and saw how she had decorated the rock where his soul was supposed to be, he was well pleased."

"It's a pity to waste all your beautiful work, and all your pretty flowers and valuable ornaments, on that old rock-for, after all, my soul isn't there. I only told you that to test you; and now that I see you really love me, I'll tell you where my soul is. It is in the beech tree at the east of the house." he grins as Crohore.

He interjects as himself "When she told this to Calton the next day, Calton said...

"I don't think it is in the beech tree either. However, just to test him, decorate the beech tree today." he instructs as Calton.

He continues as himself "So she decorated the beech tree with lovely flowers, beautiful ribbons, and gold and silver ornaments. When Crohore returned. he was pleased at the sight. Now he was fully convinced that the princess finally loved him. So, after dinner, he said to her..."

"I see now that you love me, and I'll tell you where my soul really is, for it is not in the beech tree." he explains as Crohore.

"Where is it?" he asks as Princess Milana.

"In the center of the garden grows a holly bush."

"I know."

"My soul is in that holly bush, but still no one can hurt it, because even if the holly bush were pulled up, my soul would escape in a Fennekin, that would jump out of the heart of the holly bush, and there's no Arcanine in all the world can catch that Fennekin-except for one, and that is Hunter of the Hills. Even if the Fennekin were killed, out of the Fennekin would fly a wild Ducklett with my soul in it. There's nothing in all the world that could catch that Ducklett-except maybe the Braviary of the Beechwood. Even if that wild Ducklett were caught and killed, out of the Ducklett would drop an egg with my soul in it. The egg would fall to the bottom of the deepest lake in the world, and nothing in all the world could bring up that egg-except the Shining Buizel of Lake Valor.

Even if that egg were brought up and cracked, my soul would escape out of it in an Eelektrik, which would swim into the great river, and curl under a stone in the deepest pool there, and nothing in all the world could find that--except the psychic power of the Kadabra of the Seaside. Even then my soul would hide in the head of the Eelektrik, and I could never be killed until the Eelektrik was killed. All that, as you see, is impossible for all the world to accomplish."

He intones as himself "Or is it?", signaling the end of the tale for the week.

"Aw"s and applause go up as Brock takes a bow...
 
After a holiday hiatus, let's finish this tale!

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

Week 336e: The Guardian Arcanine, part 5

(real tale: The Cu-Beag of the Willow-Wood)

"The next day, when Crohore had gone hunting, she told Calton everything." Brock begins as he arrives onstage.

"Well, we have found his secret at last, and, with the help of the Legendaries that watch over us all, we will destroy this villain." he vows as Calton

As himself, Brock continues "He asked for the sharpest knife in the castle, went into the garden, and began to cut down the green holly bush. At the first stroke, Crohore, who was hunting in the woods thirty miles away, gave a roar that shook every window in the castle, and the sound echoed across the world. Calton kept cutting with all his might-for he found the earth trembling as Crohore came. At every stroke Calton gave, Crohore unleashed another roar that rattled the stars, growing weaker all the while. When he came within sight of his castle, Calton, feeling that his life was now on the speed of his work, with one blow uprooted the bush. At that moment, Crohore staggered, and only saved himself from falling. But he gave a cry that startled the birds from all the forests of the world, and sent them to the skies in terror."

Murmurs go up as Brock continues "When the holly bush was pulled up, out of the heart of it jumped a Fennekin, and it ran like the wind. Calton called Hunter of the Hills..."

After singing as Calton Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul.... he continues as himself "He sped after the Fennekin, and killed it. Crohore, who was now getting close to Calton, was weaker and foaming with rage. When the Fennekin was killed, out of it flew the Ducklett, who took to the sky like an arrow from the bow. Calton called the Braviary of the Beechwood..."

After singing as Calton Karuto, iichiida shou... Brock continues as himself "He immediately swooped in sight, and killed the Ducklett in the clouds. Calton now saw Crohore coming closer and closer--weak as he was, he was still strong enough to kill at least hundred people."

Fearful murmurs waft through the auditorium--can Calton destroy Crohore in time? When the Ducklett was killed, an egg fell from it, which went to the very bottom of a deep lake. Calton called the Shining Buizel of Lake Valor..."

After singing as Calton Rou iitsa ron selga vichii... he continues as himself "He answered the call quickly, dove to the bottom of the lake and brought up the egg."

He intones "Still nearer now was the raging Crohore, and in a few minutes he would kill Calton."

Gasps go up at this "When the Shining Buizel brought up the egg, it cracked, and out of it sprang an Eelektrik, which swam into the great river, curling itself under a stone in the deepest pool there. Calton called for the Kadabra of the Seaside..."

He sings as Calton again Seios, higarima laisido... before continuing as himself "Immediately the Kadabra appeared, caught the Eelektrik with telekinesis, brought it up, and dropped it at the feet of Calton, who cut it clean in two. Crohore gave a roar that rattled the stars, and made a thousand of them fall before falling dead at Calton's feet."

Relieved applause goes up at Crohore's demise. "Princess Milana, who saw all of this from her tower, gave a mighty cheer as she ran down to join Calton." Brock continues, himself relieved for his hero. "From the giant's castle, and the giant's vaults, they filled their magic ship with diamonds and pearls, precious ornaments, and bags of gold and silver, and then set sail. They never stopped till they reached her father's castle, with only hours to spare."

More cheers go up as Brock continues "Great was the rejoicing by the king and all the court, who had given both of them up for dead. A wedding was ordered, and the king asked lords and ladies, nobles, knights, and heroes to come, Calton's parents being among the many guests. In addition to all of these, there were four very honored guests at the wedding-the Kadabra of the Seaside, the Buizel of Lake Valor, the Braviary of the Beechwood, and above all, Hunter of the Hills!"

The children are especially excited at the legendary Arcanine's name. "The wedding festivities lasted for nine months, at least, and every night of celebration was better than the night before." Brock explains. "The king gave his kingdom to Calton and his bride. They needed neither army nor navy, for the four Pokemon watched over their realm by land, sea, and sky."

He concludes "And so, in peace and happiness all of them lived happily ever after."

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

Week 337: The Emerald Knight

(real tale: The Green Bogatyr)

"Beyond the valleys of Kanto, beyond the mountains of Shinou, and beyond the wide seas that embrace Alola, there lived a great king, who was well loved and well liked by his people." Brock begins as he arrives onstage in a familiar majestic purple, red, and gold minstrel costume. "The king had a beautiful daughter named Ariana, but one day, she was kidnapped by an unknown force. Devastated, the king made a proclamation..."

"Who will volunteer to find and rescue my daughter?" he asks someone offstage in his preferred "king" voice.

Murmurs fill the air as Misty arrives in her own minstrel costume--an elegant red, white, blue, and gold outfit with exotic bird feathers for trim. "Many a hero came from far and wide to try their luck, but one day a knight in green armor--we'll just call him the Emerald Knight--heard the proclamation, and went to the king."she narrates.

Just then, Ash arrives onstage in his own minstrel costume--a green, blue, and gold outfit. "I will rescue your daughter!" he declares to Brock, to some applause.

"Brave as he was, our hero did not really know where to go, or where to look for her. So he went to seek advice from an oracle." Brock narrates as himself.

"You will have to deal with the Nightmare Pokemon, Darkrai." Misty tells Ash as the oracle. "But before you engage in battle, you must retrieve his spirit, and it is hidden away. No sword, arrow, or spell will vanquish him. You must go beyond thirty nine lands to the fortieth kingdom, which is Darkrai's domain. The road is long, and you will encounter many difficulties."

"Our hero left his steed in the meadow and went on foot. He walked for a long time, until he saw a hut at the edge of a forest in the distance. He approached the hut and went in to find a woman spinning." Brock narrates

"Which way are you headed?" Misty asks as the woman.

"The Emerald Knight told her everything about his quest, leaving nothing out." Brock narrates as Ash and Misty pantomime a conversation.

"It will take you many years to walk to the land of Darkrai." Misty explains. "If you want to complete the task you must listen closely. You need a steed that races faster than the wind. Even then, it will take a year to reach your destination. A mountain nearby has a cave. Within the cave, behind twelve locked doors stands such a steed, bound by chains of iron. You will break in the first three doors. The steed will hear her rider and break out through the rest of the doors. Your task is to get a hold of this steed, so you will be able to reach the Kingdom of Darkrai."

"So the Emerald Knight climbed the mountain and found the cave entrance." Brock narrates as Ash pantomimes climbing. "Once the knight began breaking in, the steed--none other than the Legendary Ponyta Epona--heard him, broke the chains, broke through the doors, and ran into the open air."

Laughter goes up as the sound effect of a Ponyta whinny plays for effect. "The Emerald Knight noticed Epona's eagerness and divine strength." Brock explains. "As he contemplated what to do, and how to catch Epona, Epona suddenly stopped before him and bowed, as if swearing her allegiance to him."

"Aw"s fill the air as Brock's spotlight expands to include a chair and his guitar. Once Brock is settled and Misty has arrived with her fiddle, he interjects "Before long, the two of them were off!"

With that, the audience claps along as Misty and Brock play a set to simulate traveling. When the song ends, Brock continues "Our hero rode for a long time, and eventually came to a dense, dark forest. There he saw a Pyroar tangled up in a poacher's net. The knight cut the net, freeing the Pyroar. The Pyroar thanked the knight, and gave him a ruby as thanks."

Excited murmurs fill the auditorium--if jewels are in a story, magic--and with them spellsongs--are not far away! "The Emerald Knight went on, eventually arriving in another dense, dark forest." Brock quiets the chatter. "He saw a Pidgeot tangled up in a net, so he set it free. The Pidgeot thanked our hero, and gave him an emerald as thanks. Our hero now rode to a seashore, where he saw a Seaking caught in a net. Of course, he freed the Seaking too, and it gave him a sapphire as thanks. The knight rode along the shore until he saw a Pikachu caught in a net. After freeing the Pikachu, it gave him a topaz as thanks."

"After some time, our hero met an old man, and he asked him..." Misty narrates.

"Tell me, good sir--is the kingdom of Darkrai far?" Ash asks Brock as the hero.

"To reach the kingdom of Darkrai you must sail across the sea." Brock explains as the old man. "Once you reach that land, you must go along the seashore. Far away stands a lone oak tree. You will need to uproot the tree to find a chest, within that chest there is a Buneary, within the Buneary a Ducklett. The Ducklett will have an egg, within that egg there is a needle, and within the needle is Darkrai's spirit. Break the needle and Darkrai will die, setting Princess Ariana free."

With that, the Trio prepares to play again, with Ash fishing a familiar silver whistle from a pocket in his costume. "Our hero thanked the old man for this advice. He boarded a ship along with Epona, and sailed away." Misty narrates as she prepares to play again.

The children in the audience whisper excitedly as the Trio play the Earth God's Lyric from "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" for effect. "Upon arriving in the land of Darkrai, he rode along the shore. Brock picks up the story again. "Before long, he came across a run down hut, where an old woman lived. The Emerald Knight got off Epona, and entered the hut. He asked..."

"Is the lone oak tree far from this place?" Ash asks Misty as the hero.

"The oak tree is not far, but why do you seek it?" Misty asks as the old woman.

"I desperately need to cut down the tree. Underneath the roots is a chest that keeps Darkrai's spirit!" Ash explains.

"Be careful, this is not an easy task! At any moment Darkrai may attack you from either land, water, or sky!" Misty cautions.

"She gave our hero a shovel and an axe." Brock narrates as Misty pantomimes giving Ash something. "The knight thanked the old woman and rode on, where he soon saw the great old oak tree. When he came close to it, he dismounted from Epona, took the shovel and began digging. However, the handle broke the first time he tried to dig. So our hero took the ax, but as soon as he touched the tree, the axe broke too."

Laughter fills the room at Ash's feigned temper tantrum. "In frustration, he desperately sang..." Brock narrates.

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Ash fills in the spellsong, making his Mega Ring glow in response to his voice.

"The ruby glowed, sending a red beam of light into the sky, and in minutes the Pyroar appeared to help. He set the leaves ablaze with his holy flame, and before long the tree came crashing down." Brock continues, to awed chatter from the audience. Underneath the roots they found the chest. As soon as the Emerald Knight broke the lid open, a Buneary ran out of the chest so quickly, it seemed impossible to catch. Frustrated, the knight sang...

Seios, higarima laisido... Ash fills in the song, making a prop topaz glow.

"In moments the Pikachu appeared, caught up with the fleeing Buneary and paralyzed it with a Thunderbolt." Brock explains. "Then a Ducklett fluttered from the weakened Buneary, and flew high into the sky. Our hero remembered his friend the Pidgeot, and invoked the emerald

Karuto, iichiida shou... Ash fills in the song, making a prop emerald glow.

"In seconds the Pidgeot appeared and raced up into the sky, caught up with the Ducklett, and pecked at the Ducklett so hard, an egg fell down from it into the sea." Brock continues. "The Emerald Knight quickly invoked the sapphire..."

Rou iitsa ron selga vichii... Ash fills in the song, making Misty's Mega Ring glow in response.

"...and the Seaking came up from the depths with the egg in its mouth." Brock goes on. "Our hero put the egg in his pocket, mounted Epona and rode into the Castle of Darkrai. Darkrai did not allow him to get far--he flew up to the knight, grabbed him, and carried him into the sky. The Emerald Knight knew what he had to do. He took the egg out of his pocket and told Darkrai..."

"If you do not let me go, I will break the egg, then break the needle and your death will come." Ash warns an imagined entity.

"But Darkrai challenged our hero to a duel." Brock interjects, making the crowd gasp. "Our hero, on the other hand, broke the egg, then broke the needle, killing Darkrai right there."

Cheers go up at Darkrai's demise. "The Emerald Knight approached the castle, but was ambushed by the guards of Darkrai." Brock narrates. "Our hero dispatched them all, and entered the castle only to see hundreds of beautiful maidens seemingly lying dead."

Gasps go up at the turn of events. "Devastated, our hero went to the garden, where he found a well with the Water of Life." Brock assures the jittery crowd. "He took some of the water, and sprinkled it on the maidens, who all awakened from their spell. The Emerald Knight easily found Princess Ariana, but he took all the captive maidens on board the ship."

Some light applause goes up as the Trio plays the Earth God's Lyric again. "After a long journey the ship returned home." Misty picks up the story again. "After seeing off the other princesses on their journeys home, our hero brought Princess Ariana back to her father's court."

"I thank you for your courage, for your power, and your wisdom. As a reward for your heroic deeds, I give you my entire kingdom, and the hand of my beloved daughter as your bride!" Brock announces as the king.

Misty concludes "Then there was a grand wedding, and festivities that lasted for a long time."

A thought occurs to her as the boys join her. "As far as we know, they are still celebrating today."

Laughter and applause fill the air as the Trio takes a bow...
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 338: Kanade and the Three Demons

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 247, story 1)

"One of Kanto's tallest and most iconic mountains is Mt. Moon." Brock explains as he arrives onstage. "Many stories have been told that feature the mountain, and it is one of these I want to tell you."

Intrigued murmurs fill the room at this. "Many nuts and berries grow on the mountain, so it is not unheard of for people to gather food there, just like they did long ago." Brock explains. "But one day long ago, three demons came to the mountain, and effectively took it over, and so a lot of people were afraid to venture up there. And for a long time, no one ever did go there."

Gasps fill the air at this, but the grin on Brock's face signals that his hero--or heroine--is not far away. "Then one day, the famous warrior-miko Kanade came that way. The demons tried to frighten her away, but she replied that she wasn't scared of them. Try as the demons might to grab her, she cast a holy spell...

He proceeds to sing as Kanade Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing as himself "...and disappeared in a flash of light, blinding the demons in the process."

"Wow"s go up at this. "In reality, Kanade had simply used her holy magic to teleport her herself a little further up the trail." Brock explains, to some "Oh"s from the audience. "The next day, the demons set a trap for Kanade. But try as they might to catch her, she eluded their trap every time. Eventually, the demons decided to follow Kanade, and catch her that way. They found her meditating on a cliff that overlooked the forests, the valleys, the cities, and the towns in the distance. But try as they might to approach, her holy aura kept them from getting within a few feet of her."

He continues "One day, the demons found Kanade carving something from a log. As they got closer to see what it was, they were blinded by her holy aura yet again. For three days, Kanade kept working, her holy aura allowing her to keep working without needing to eat, drink, or sleep. The demons, meanwhile, waited in a cave, figuring Kanade would stop from exhaustion sooner or later."

Murmurs fill the room, then Brock reveals what Kanade was making. "On the fourth day, the demons saw what Kanade had been carving--a huge statue of Arceus! Kanade explained to the demons that Arceus knew all, sees all, and loves all--and that the demons deserved to be punished for making the people suffer! With that, she sang..."

He then sings as Kanade again Gatrandis favel, secret, edena...
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron zen fine, si...

Some applause goes up at the song's end. "On the last "si", the statue began to glow, sending a bright rainbow light at the demons!" Brock explains. "They fled in terror, never to be seen again."

Relieved applause wafts through the room. "With the demons gone, people returned to the mountain, food was plentiful again, and those that were sick were healed." Brock continues. "Kanade was hailed a hero, and word of her courageous deed reached what is today the Indigo Plateau, where the Pokemon League stands, and where at that time, the Pokemon Master ruled. The Pokemon Master was touched by Kanade's kindness and courage, and ordered a grand temple built in her honor. Kanade was flattered by the beautiful temple, but replied she had not done what she had done for her own glory, but for the glory of Arceus."

He concludes "Kanade served in the Great Temple, as the temple came to be called, for many years, and her descendants continue to serve there today. The statue of Arceus she carved still stands on Mt. Moon today, watching over Pewter City and the surrounding areas, and making sure that demons do not return again!"

Applause goes up as Brock takes a bow...
 
@Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 339: The Legend of Tapu Bulu

(real tale: Kebo Iwa)

Cheers go up as Brock arrives in a familiar palm print Alolan shirt. "Thank you..." he smiles before beginning his planned tale for the week. "As you likely know by now, each island of Alola has its own tapu, or guardian god--this time I want to tell you about the tapu that looks after Ula'ula Island, Tapu Bulu."

With that, he begins "Long ago in Alola, on Ula'ula Island, a wealthy man and his wife prayed long and hard to have a child. After many years, Arceus--or as the people of Alola call him, the nui ali'i, or great chief--blessed them with a healthy baby boy. But this was no ordinary little boy. From the moment he was born, the boy ate and drank without stopping. Not satisfied with just his mother's milk, the boy would point to the food in her kitchen until she fed him freshly cooked rice as well. His body grew bigger by the day, and by the time he was had come of age, he was as big as a Machamp, and people began to call him Nui Ikaika, which means 'great strength'."

"Wow"s go up as the crowd pictures what Nui Ikaika would look like, if he were real. "As the years passed, Nui Ikaika's parents ran out of food, so the neighbors had to help support the growing young man." Brock explains. "Not only did the neighbors cook for him, they built him an enormous house when he could no longer fit inside his parents' home. Soon even the neighbors started needing help feeding Nui Ikaika, so they called upon all the people of Alola to pitch in. Nui Ikaika just kept growing until he was a young man. He became so strong that he could dig a well with his fists, and so he dug wells to protect his people from droughts. His heart was just as big as his body, and he kept his people safe. He could easily defeat anyone who challenged him or the people of the islands."

More awed chatter races through the room as Brock continues "News of Nui Ikaika's strength naturally reached the chief of his home island, and as he listened to the stories of this boy, he had an idea for how Nui Ikaika could help the Alolan people."

He explains to the crowd "You see, the chief was very worried because a rival chief of a neighboring land--his name is not important to us--had made a vow that he would rule all the islands in the ocean, and this included Alola. The chief knew he had to do something to stop this."

Gasps go up as Brock continues "The chief of Ula'ula thought Nui Ikaika might be the answer to his prayers, and so he invited the young man to the great ceremonial house, and explained what was going on. Nui Ikaika offered his services to help. He swore to the chief he would never allow the rival chief to conquer Alola."

He intones "When the rival chief heard the tales of this giant and his strength, he sent servants to meet with Nui Ikaika and invite him to his own land. The rival chief wanted the giant to meet his daughter--we will call her Lani, meaning "sky" or "heaven". Nui Ikaika was intrigued and said he would go. The chief of Ula'ula had his doubts about his rival's sincerity, but he encouraged Nui Ikaika to go."

The audience listens as Brock continues "So Nui Ikaika traveled to the palace and met the beautiful kamali--which means 'princess' in Native Alolan--Lani. He was immediately smitten. The rival chief proposed that the two islands seek peace by uniting the giant Nui Ikaika with the kamali in marriage."

He adds an an aside "Of course, Nui Ikaika agreed to this."

He continues "The rival chief then told our hero that the empire needed his help building a well to save the people from a drought. Nui Ikaika agreed, of course, and so he began to dig. But it was all a ruse. As Nui Ikaika was working, the evil chief sent a message to his army to surround the giant. Still, Nui Ikaika continued to work, ignoring the commotion surrounding him. When he was deep under the ground, the rival chief instructed his troops to bury Nui Ikaika with rocks."

The audience gasps in horror, but Brock has other ideas. "And no sooner did the last rock settle on the ground, did the rival chief order his troops to invade Alola, beginning with Ula'ula Island. Just at that moment, however, they all heard a rumbling sound. Suddenly, the rocks that had buried the giant--who Arceus had transformed into a red bird-like Pokemon--thundered into the air. Arceus also appeared by the new Pokemon's side, saying that the new Pokemon's name was no more Nui Ikaika, but Tapu Bulu--and he would be the new guardian of Ula'ula Island!"

Cheers go up at the turn of events. "The troops attacked Tapu Bulu, and he fought with all his strength. Try as the rival chief might to get the angry tapu to give up, Tapu Bulu ignored all his pleas, and continued fighting for the Alolan people he had sworn to protect."

He concludes "With Arceus' holy power guiding him, the rival chief was defeated, and Alola was saved. Pleased with Tapu Bulu's valor and courage, Arceus formally made him the guardian of Ula'ula Island, and took him to the heavens to join the other tapu, where he continues watching over his beloved Alola."

Wild cheers go up as Brock takes a bow...
 
@Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 340: The Demon's Pendant

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 250, story 3)

"In a certain village in a valley, there lived a young man named Yosuke, who lived with his mother." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "Although they were poor, they had each other's love, and that was all the treasure they needed or wanted."

"Aw"s fill the room, but Brock has other ideas. "One day, Yosuke's mom caught a terrible disease, and though Yosuke worked around the clock to help his mother, she got worse by the day. It helped that Yosuke and his mom were well loved and well lived in the villagers, so the villagers took up a collection so Yosuke could buy some medicine, and offered to look after his mom while he was away."

Concerned murmurs fill the auditorium as Brock explains "Now, in order to get the medicine, Yosuke had to go to a distant town, and his route took him through a winding mountain pass. As he was on his way back, he happened to encounter a demon on the pass. The demon demanded the medicine, but Yosuke refused. He did everything he could to protect himself from the demon's claws, ultimately jumping into the river far below."

Gasps go up as the crowd fears for Yosuke's fate. "Don't worry, he was fine, although it was a long way down and a cold landing." Brock assures the jittery crowd.

He continues "Yosuke came to in a woodcutter's house some hours later. The woodcutter felt sorry for Yosuke, but said he knew about the demon that had attacked him, but no one had ever returned from slaying it. This didn't deter Yosuke at all--that night, he headed for the Valley of Despair, where the demon was said to live."

The lights dim a little to mimic night as Brock goes on "When he arrived, he found a group of demons dancing around a fire and singing unholy songs--which I will not repeat here. He did, however, see that among the demons' stolen treasures was a sapphire pendant with healing power."

"Oh"s go up as the crowd figures out how Yosuke would save his mother. "That night, once all the demons were asleep, Yosuke took the pendant and ran as fast as he could all the way home. Thankfully, he made it just in time, and his mother was healed." Brock smiles.

He concludes "Yosuke told his mom all he had been through, and his mom thanked him, saying she always believed he was a hero. The villagers kept the holy pendant, and included it in the shrine as one of the village's treasures. They also told the children of Yosuke's adventure, something their descendants continue to do today."

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

Week 341: Soup without Salt

(real tale: The Shepherd's Soup)

"Once upon a time, a shepherd named Manuel wandered the hills near what is today the Tower of Mastery with his herd of Skiddos." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "Whenever the rain was heavy and the days short and dark, he would take shelter at the foot of an old tree or--if he was out in the hill country--in a ruined temple. Manuel was friendly with all the Pokemon, and they introduced him to the beautiful world around him. He understood their language as they spoke of a time when magic ruled the world and their cities were powerful, drawing visitors from far and wide."

"Awed murmurs waft through the room as Brock continues "One night, Manuel sat by his fire near the ruins of a great city, which once had been a center of trade and now was built only of memories and stones. He dreamed of what the ancient city may have looked like in the distant past. He could almost hear the sounds of people and Pokemon. He could see vendors selling their wares, and he fell asleep dreaming of those ancient days."

The lights brighten a little to mimic dawn. "At dawn, Manuel woke up. He woke his Skiddos, and led them into a valley for fresh water and herbs." Brock explains. "This was one of his favorite spots, for here he could bathe or swim near a waterfall. Later that morning, he had just sat down to eat his breakfast when he heard laughter. A few of the Skiddos heard it too and began to walk toward the sound. Suddenly, a girl with thick jet black hair and light in her eyes danced from the shelter of the trees. She skipped toward Manuel, and he stared in amazement. She was more beautiful than anyone he had ever seen."

He goes on "The more they talked, the more Manuel's shyness fell away. The two of them talked of the villages he passed through in the countryside, of the people who lived there. She told him her name was Sonia, and Manuel began to imagine marrying her and building her a house near this waterfall. He promised himself this would happen one day."

"Aw"s go up at this. "But at sunset, Sonia's father called her home." Brock intones. "Manuel was totally smitten. For the next year the young man could think of nothing other than marrying Sonia. He saved nearly every coin he earned selling his wool, and when he had enough money, he bought a diamond ring and went to Sonia's house. There he introduced himself to her father."

"I've come to ask Sonia's hand in marriage." he requests as a young man for Manuel.

"Why would my daughter marry a peasant boy like you? I will agree to this only if you pass a test." he scoffs in an older version of himself for the father.

He interjects as himself "With that he led Manuel to the river, and bound his legs in rope."

"You will stand in the river up to your neck for three days and three nights." he explains as the father. "However, you cannot do anything to warm yourself. If you succeed, I will know you are strong, and worthy of my daughter's hand. But if you fail to endure the cold, you must leave this place and forget all about my beloved, Sonia."

Angry whispers start to fill the air as Brock continues as himself "The water was ice cold, but Manuel was determined. For two days, he stood in the water without moving. He was cold, and he was exhausted, but he thought of his beloved Sonia, and that gave him the strength to go on. On the third morning, he looked up at a faraway hillside and saw a fire burning. He closed his eyes and imagined the sound of crackling wood and the smell of smoke. He thought of nights he had slept wrapped in his blankets, surrounded by his Skiddos, maybe listening to a traveling musician that was passing by. Suddenly, without thinking, he reached out towards the fire. The moment he did, Sonia's father decreed that he had failed."

"WHAAAAAAAAT????" the audience collectively gasps.

"Manuel tried to explain that he had only moved his arms, but no, he had failed, Sonia's father said." Brock sighs. "So they went to the magistrate and told him all that had happened. The magistrate agreed to hear both sides, and decide who was right from there. On the day of the trial, Manuel and Sonia's father each made their cases. When they were done, the judge ruled that Sonia's father was correct, and so Manuel was banished from the village, with the magistrate giving him three days to pack his belongings and go."

Angry murmurs go up at this. "To say Manuel was furious and hurt would be an understatement." Brock assures the audience. "As he walked back to the river trying to figure out what to do, he passed the crafty Pikachu Sorin, who asked what was wrong. Manuel told him everything."

"I am a well-known judge, and I can solve your problem." he smiles in a mimic of Ash for Sorin. "Sell your Skiddos, and with the money you earn, prepare a great feast. Most importantly, prepare a pot of soup, but don't add any salt."

As himself, he continues "Manuel trusted Sorin, who was wise and clever, and did everything he said to do. Sorin brought a bowl of salt to the feast, and placed it beside the pot of soup. He and Manuel filled every plate and every bowl. The gathered guests began to eat, believing the meal to be Manuel's farewell feast."

He grins "The magistrate tasted the soup, and you should have seen the look on his face!"

Laughter and "ew"s fill the air as the audience pictures the magistrate's reaction. "When he asked for the salt, Sorin replied that surely seeing the salt was enough." Brock explains. "Of course, the magistrate wanted to know how the mere sight of salt could make the soup taste better."

"Then how did a faraway fire warm this boy?" he asks as Sorin, making "Oh"s go up as they realize Sorin's logic.

"The magistrate realized that Sorin was right, and allowed Manuel to stay and marry Sonia." Brock continues as himself. "Thankfully, Sonia's father respected the magistrate's new decision."

He concludes "And so, thanks to Sorin's cleverness, Manuel and Sonia lived happily ever after."

"Aw"s and applause fill the air as Brock takes a bow...
 
@Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 342: Tanooki the Hero

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 251, story 1)

"Everyone knows about Tanooki, the wily raccoon-dog, who has a fondess for playing tricks on people." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "But every once in a while, Tanooki can be a hero--when he wants to, anyway."

Giggles go up at Brock's wry observation. "Long ago, Tanooki was best friends with the elder of a certain village." Brock's voice quiets the laughter. "The townsfolk saw Tanooki as wise and clever, and so when the elder had a problem he couldn't solve, he asked Tanooki for help. It turned out that whatever Tanooki said to do, no matter how harebrained or off the wall it was, always managed to work."

The lights dim and a sound effect of thunder in the distance plays as "rain" falls onstage. "One autumn, a huge storm struck the area where this village was, and the wind and rain battered the area, ruining many crops, pulling up trees, and destroying houses." Brock continues, aware of the "rain" falling on him.

The "rainfall" subsides an the lights brighten again a few moments later. "By the time the storm subsided three days later, many towns and villages were in ruins, and many people were in danger of starvation." Brock intones. "So the elder went with some of the townsfolk to ask the local magistrate to excuse them from their yearly taxes and to ask for aid to help rebuild. But the magistrate refused both requests, and so the delegation returned in despair."

Angry murmurs fill the room at this, but Brock assures them "Of course, Tanooki heard the people crying and their worried chatter, and began brainstorming ways to help the village."

He goes on "The next day, a public notice went up that the Pokemon Master was due to pass through the area on his way back to the Aiiro City, and that the people and any Pokemon were to stay inside their houses and close the windows as a sign of respect. In addition, five boats were to be prepared to meet the royal ship when it came on shore. The villagers saw this as a golden opportunity to get help, and eagerly complied with the notice."

The lights next dim to simulate nighttime. "The caravan passed through to the Aiiro City without incident, but that night, as the Pokemon Master lay asleep, he was jolted awake by an unseen girl singing a Swanna Song...

With that, Brock sings in character as Serena Gatrandis favel, secret, edena...
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron zen fine, si...

Applause goes up for the song before Brock continues as himself "As the Pokemon Master looked on in awe, he saw Arceus himself materialize before him!"

Excited chatter races down the rows as Brock continues "Arceus explained to the Pokemon Master that many were suffering due to the storm, and in many parts of the affected area, the people struggled to pay their yearly tax, or could not pay at all--and they needed food, medicine, and aid to help rebuild."

He goes on "The next morning, the Pokemon Master prepared a massive aid package, and called together all the magistrates in the affected area to deliver portions to all the cities, towns and villages they served, with the hardest hit having the highest priority. He also told them that the affected area was welcome to pay what they could as they rebuilt, and those places that could not pay at all were excused for the year, no questions asked."

Awed chatter fills the air at this. "To say the villagers were elated by the generous aid package would be an understatement, and many lives were saved." Brock explains. "It turned out that Tanooki was the one that had sang the Swanna Song to beseech Arceus directly, since he couldn't bear to see the humans he loved suffer. Needless to say, he was given some of the remaining gold in the aid package as thanks for his help."

He concludes "To this day, the people of that area never forget what Tanooki did, and revere him as a hero."

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

Week 343: Beautifly's Thanks

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 252, story 3)

"In a certain village lived an artisan who made his keep making paper flowers to sell as decorations." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "He had a daughter named Hikari, who was as equally skilled as her father. One day, as Hikari was walking in a field looking for new ideas for flower designs, she found a Beautifly trapped in an Ariados web, and set it free moments before it could become the Ariados' dinner."

Applause goes up at this. "Back at home, she told her mother about the trapped Beautifly, and how she had freed it." Brock smiles as the applause quiets. "Her mother only smiled and said that a good deed does not go unrewarded."

He continues "Hikari soon became famous for her paper flowers, and many people came from far and wide to request one--whether it was a noble or a commoner, all who bought Hikari's flowers raved that they were so realistic, you almost couldn't tell they were just paper."

Awed chatter fills the room before Brock intones "Now, at that time, there was a law in the land that said no Pokemon--not even a Venonat--could be killed, injured, or otherwise forcefully struck for any reason, not even in self defense. This meant that herders could not protect their Tauros and Mareeps from Mightenas, and summers were all the more miserable thanks to endless Venonat bites."

The murmurs turn angry at this. "One day, as Hikari and her father were in town selling their paper flowers, a wild Growlithe surprised Hikari, and it would have bitten her had her father not brandished a stick as a warning." Brock goes on. "The magistrate saw the whole thing, and arrested Hikari's father for attempting to harm the Growlithe, when he had in fact never laid a finger on the Growlithe to begin with. It didn't help that some magistrates, like the one in the town, tried to game the system because of the law, and arrested people when they in fact did nothing wrong; all in an attempt to gain the bounties for people that actually had broken the law."

He lifts a hand to quiet the angry chatter. "Hikari calmly told the magistrate that her father had only brandished a stick at the Growlithe to warn it away, and nothing more. The magistrate then proposed a test for Hikari--if she could pick out a paper flower from a lineup of four other real ones, he would trust her claim, and set her father free. As Hikari studied the lineup of flowers, she saw the Beautifly from before. It sipped nectar from all the flowers except for the second one."

Relieved applause fills the air as Brock continues "The magistrate was stunned that Hikari had passed the test, and asked Hikari how she could tell that the second flower was only paper. Hikari told the magistrate about the Beautifly, and how it had passed over the second flower, but gathered nectar from the real flowers."

He concludes "So Hikari's father was set free, and his crime forgiven, thanks to the Beautifly."

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

Week 344: Kanade the Summoner

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 253, story 2)

"There once was a man who was notorious for mistreating his servants." Brock explains as he arrives onstage. "As a result, no one wanted to work for him."

He then assures the audience "His name is not important to us."

Giggles go up in reply as Brock continues "One day, a young man named Makoto came and asked the man to hire him. The man agreed, and immediately put Makoto to work--in addition to cleaning out a storage shed, Makoto had to travel from one end of Kanto to run an errand, and then all the way to the other end for another errand!"

Laughter fills the air as the crowd pictures Makoto running. "The sun was beginning to rise when he returned from the second errand in exhaustion." Brock explains. "But Makoto was very patient with his demanding master, and before long, three years had passed."

He continues "Not long after the fourth year began, the man decided he wanted to move into a new house on the outskirts of town. But Makoto warned him not to, since there were rumors that the house in question was overrun my monsters--and no one knew where they were coming from. The man dismissed Makoto's concerns as fairy tales, and went ahead with the move."

Murmurs of fear fill the air as the crowd speculates what the man will encounter, but Brock has other ideas. "One night, not long after he moved in, the warrior-miko Kanade came to visit the man, and asked for a place to stay for the night. The man agreed, provided Kanade do her fair share of the work. Makoto couldn't help but watch in awe as Kanade did everything the man asked of her without complaining. The next night, a Tsareena came to visit the man. The man treated the beautiful Pokemon no differently from a human servant, but it did everything the man asked of it without complaining."

He goes on "This went on for a while--every Pokemon from the tiniest Caterpies to Legendaries visited the man, and they were all put to work. But...

"They graciously did everything their demanding master said to do without complaining." the audience repeats along with Brock.

"Good, you've been paying attention." Brock smiles, pleased the audience has caught on to the tale's refrain. "Eventually, after all 802 Pokemon, including Arceus, had come, been put to work, and subsequently exhausted, Kanade returned. She explained that she was the one that had sent every Pokemon in turn to him, and scolded the man for effectively treating both human and Pokemon like slaves--even Arceus had come back to her heaving with exhaustion!"

He grins. "Needless to say, the man treated those he hired, including Makoto, much nicer after that!"

Laughter and applause goes up as Brock takes a bow...
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 345a: The Magical Gifts, part 1

(real tale: The Magic Gifts)

"In the outskirts of a beautiful little village in the powerful kingdom of Trestelle--or 'three stars', if you don't speak Italian--there lived a man and his wife--their names are not important to us." Brock begins. "Their farm was small, and so was their house; but what they lacked in material wealth, they more than made up for with far better treasures--love and happiness."

"Aw"s go up as Brock goes on "The man would work on the farm, and woman would tend to the house and selling hand stitched decorative blankets, pillows, and artwork to make some extra money. They would have been happy living like this for the rest of their lives, except for one very strong burning desire--they wanted a child more than anything in the world."

He continues "One day, a little boy was born to them; and then their joy knew no bounds. They named him Felix, in honor of their happiness, and the luck they hoped he would bring. But something was special about Felix--he grew not by years, but by hours, and every day he was even more handsome and kind than the day before. Not only that, but his unusual intelligence astonished the whole village."

"Wow"s and excited gasps waft through the room as Brock continues "Before long, Felix was of age to start school--his parents believed he had too much talent to let him grow up as ignorant as they were. So a week later Felix started going to the village school. Every morning he would get up early, have his breakfast, and go to school, cutting across the fields to shorten the distance. In the afternoon his father would call for him with his Ponyta, and they would ride home together. Five years passed; and at ten Felix knew more than even his teachers."

Brock waits for the awed murmurs to quiet before continuing "One afternoon, the woman was busy sewing and thinking of Felix's future, when a coach stopped before her door and an old man stepped out and approached her."

"Good day, miss. Are you, perhaps, the mother of Felix?" he asks in an older version of himself.

"I am her, and she is me." he replies in a mimic of Lola for the mother.

"My name is Solon. I am working on a history of this part of the country, and I need someone to help me." he explains as the old man. "I was told in the village that your son is just the boy I want, and I have come to ask you to let me have him. I will pay him a stipend of a hundred gold pieces a month.''

As himself, Brock goes on "To say the mother was thrilled is an understatement. But she did not want to commit to anything without first asking her husband, as well as getting Felix's approval. So she asked Solon to return the following morning. The man and Felix were as delighted as the woman; and it was agreed that every day, Felix would go to the beautiful place which Solon had rented, returning home at sunset."

He continues "Five more years passed. Felix not only had gained much of Solon's wisdom but, spending every day with a gentleman like him, his manners were so polished that no one had any clue he was the son of the poor laborers. Far from being ashamed of his parents, however, Felix adored them more and more each day, and wished he were able to give them some proof of his immense love."

More "aw"s go up at this "One afternoon Solon called him, and told him..." Brock interjects.

"I have finished the work that brought me here, and now I must return to my homeland." he explains as Solon. "It is a shame for a boy like you to remain in this little village. Go to Toive, the capital of this kingdom, and there, with your education and the training I have given you, you surely will find a fine job, and then you can give your parents a happy and quiet old age.''

He narrates as himself "Felix felt very sad at losing his kind friend and teacher; but he thought long and hard about Solon's advice; and that night he discussed the matter with his parents."

"In Toive, I could soon earn enough money to keep you from having to work so hard. I do not like to see you tire yourself, Father, working on the farm; nor Mother at her sewing. Your tired arms and your tired eyes need resting.'' he explains in a mimic of Ash for Felix.

"But what will we do without you? Moreover, we are used to working, and a life doing nothing would kill us." he protests in a mimic of Flint for the father.

"Oh, you can always do whatever work you want to; but it will be just for pleasure—not because you have to do it. I am fifteen years old; and it is time for me to put to some use the education you have given me." he offers as Felix.

"Perhaps you are right; but it frightens us to have you go alone to the capital. To get there, you must pass through the Enchanted Forest. Strange things are told of those woods, where the Pokemon speak like humans, and other strange things happen. No one around here was ever brave enough to venture into the Enchanted Forest. The truth is that one also can go to Toive by boat; but the water route is only for the rich and is far too costly for us." he explains as the father.

"Do not fear for me, Father--my intentions are good; nothing bad can possibly happen to me." he smiles as Ash.

As himself, he continues "So, a few days later, embracing his parents and promising them that very, very soon he would return, Felix started on his journey, happy and confident."

He intones. "Little did Felix know, his journey would make him a legend...I will tell you more next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 345b: The Magical Gifts, part 2

(real tale: The Magic Gifts)

"After walking steadily for seven days, Felix arrived at the Enchanted Forest." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "He stopped a moment to look around him, and then went inside. Around noon, he sat down on the ground and took out some food from his bag. Before he had taken the first bite, however, he heard a noise behind him, turned to look and spotted a Sawsbuck leaping toward him.

"Felix, I am hungry. Will you give me something to eat?" he asks in a mimic of a young woman for the Sawsbuck.

"Sure! I don't have much, but you may have some of it." he replies in a mimic of Ash for Felix.

"Thank you...as you did something good for me, let me give you something good in return. Name what you wish, and it is yours." he smiles as the Sawsbuck.

"I do not need anything, but my father, who is old, gets tired easily. His spade is very heavy; if you could give me a lighter one, I would be very grateful." he requests as Felix.

"You are a good person to think of others before yourself. You deserve to be rewarded well. Come with me!" he calls as the Sawsbuck, motioning for an imagined person to follow him.

As himself, Brock continues "Felix followed the Sawsbuck to a big tree not far from where he had camped. Here the Sawsbuck pawed at the ground a moment with his hoof, and dug up a very tiny spade, which he gave to Felix. Felix was grateful for the gift; although secretly, he thought the Sawsbuck was making fun of him in giving him a toy, when he wanted an actual genuine spade."

"Now, let me show you how to use the gift I gave you.'' he explains as the Sawsbuck.

He narrates as himself "Putting the spade on the ground, the Sawsbuck laid a hoof on it and sang...

With that, he sings Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... as the Sawsbuck before continuing as himself "The spade glowed green, and began to move so quickly that in five minutes it had dug up all the ground it could reach."

Awed chatter goes up at this. "Then the Sawsbuck sang..." Brock proceeds to sing Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... as the Sawsbuck before continuing as himself "...again, and the spade stopped, where it immediately jumped into Felix's bag."

He smiles. "Mere words could not describe Felix's happiness. He wanted to rush home immediately, and give the magic spade to his father; but he knew that would mean another parting; so he continued on his way, after giving his heartiest thanks to the kind Sawsbuck."

"Aw"s fill the air as Brock goes on "He had walked a little ways through the forest when he saw a frightened Pidove flying in his direction, pursued by a Talonflame. Felix grabbed the first decently sized rock he could find, and threw it hard enough to hit the Talonflame in the head, making it plummet to the earth."

"How can I ever repay you for what you have done for me?" he cries in the mimic of a teen girl for the Pidove. "Ask me what you will, and it is yours."

"Thank you, Miss Pidove. For myself I ask for nothing; but this I ask for my mother. She is old, and it tires her to move the needle back and forth. If you could give me a needle that would lessen her fatigue--!" Brock starts as Felix.

He explains as himself "Before the words were out of Felix's mouth, the Pidove had given him a pure white needle. Then she took his handkerchief, which had a rip in it, laid a wing on the needle and sang...

Brock's Mega Ring glows in response to his in character voice as he sings Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... as the Pidove. "The needle jumped from her wing to the handkerchief; and in seconds no one would have known that the handkerchief had ever been torn." he continues as himself. Ecstatic, Felix wrapped the needle in his handkerchief and put it away in his bag. Thanking the Pidove profusely, he continued on his way."

Whispers of debate fill the room as the audience speculates on what kind of Pokemon Felix will meet next. "For three days he walked through the Enchanted Forest without anything of note happening." Brock explains as he walks around the stage for a moment. "Then, on the afternoon of the fourth day, he began to hear growls and whines of a beast in pain. He hurried in the direction of the noise, and discovered a beautiful Pyroar with its feet caught in a trap. Felix ran to the Pyroar, and with his pocketknife, cut the cords and wires which bound him."

"Thank you, young hero. What do you wish in return for the great favor that you have done me?" he asks in a deep gentle male voice for the Pyroar.

''I ask for nothing, Sir Pyroar. Knowing that I have helped you is payment enough." he replies as Felix

"I see that you are very kind. But let it not be said that you have served the Beast King and he did not reward you.'' he assures an imagined person as the Pyroar

Excited gasps go up as Brock reveals a prop ruby to the crowd. "With that, the Pyroar shook out a ruby from his mane and gave it to Felix." he narrates.

"If at any time you wish to go somewhere without being seen, take this jewel in your hand, and sing these words: Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul. When you want to become visible again, all you have to do is repeat the song a second time." he explains as the Pyroar.

After putting away the prop jewel, Brock continues as himself "Felix put the ruby in his bag, after thanking the Pyroar for his great kindness. Not much farther on, our hero passed a large cave. In front of it sat a couple of Ursarings, with their three Teddiursas playing nearby The Teddiursas had a drum which they were playing while they danced; but the two Ursarings were crying. As Felix was a kind-hearted young man, he asked what the matter was, and if he could help them in any way."

"Oh, yes...my beloved and I were pushed over a cliff by a Donphan." he sobs through feigned tears as Mr. Ursaring. "We managed to crawl home; but we are so badly hurt that we cannot work, and this year we will starve. Our children are so small that they can do nothing."

"Don't cry--I will do the work for you.'' he assures his imagined partner as Felix.

He then interjects as himself "Picking up the sacks of wheat and Cornn Berry seeds which stood nearby, he scattered the grain up and down the furrows until the last seed had been planted."

"Thank you so much! We will pay you well for what you have done for us!" he cries as Mr. Ursaring.

After revealing his own frame drum to the audience, he interjects as himself again "Taking the drum which the Teddiursas had left behind, they gave it to Felix."

"Whenever you wish it to play, whisper the tempo you wish it to play at." he instructs in the mimic of an older woman as Ms. Ursaring. "Then it will give such music as you never heard. When you want it to stop, just tell it 'Fine'."

Knowing giggles fill the room "Felix thanked the Ursaring family, and put the drum and its stick in his bag." Brock continues as he puts away his own drum and its stick. "The following afternoon he came to the shore of a beautiful lake. Just then, he spotted a young Fletchling struggling to stay afloat. Felix quickly waded in, took the Fletchling in his arms, and nursed it back to health."

"Thank you! The Honchkrow, my worst enemy, tried to kill me so that he could steal the food that I have in my nest." he smiles in a mimic of Serena for the Fletchling. "I owe you my life. If you should ever find yourself in trouble, no matter how great it might be, I can help you. Take this emerald, and if you need me, sing these words: Karuto, iichiida shou. I will come and help you."

Murmurs go up as Brock puts away a prop emerald. "Felix thanked the Fletchling, put the emerald in his bag, and continued on. He was nearing the edge of the Enchanted Forest when he came to a little creek that tumbled its way over rocks and sand between banks of colorful flowers. It was so beautiful that he paused a moment, to admire it; and as he stood there he saw a Goldeen lying on the bank gasping for breath. Felix picked it up and carefully put it back in the water."

"Thank you, young man. You have saved my life!" he smiles in a mimic of Misty for the Goldeen. "If you should ever need me, call me. My name is Undine. If you sing 'Rou iitsa ron selga vichiii', I will hear you and come, if you are near some water."

As himself, he continues "With that, the Goldeen disappeared, and Felix went on. He had about an hour to go before he reached the forest edge. But it was late in the day, and he was tired, so he stopped to rest beside some vines. As he lay on the grass, he saw the light shimmer on an enormous Ariados web, stretched near the ground; and when he looked for the Ariados, he saw that a Beautifly was caught in the web, and trying its hardest to escape. Felix jumped up and ran to it, and soon had it free."

"Thank you, Felix. As a sign of my gratitude, let me give you this jewel." he offers in a mimic of May for the Beautifly.

Surprised gasps go up when Brock reveals a prop diamond to the crowd. "Felix did not think that much of a present; but imagine his surprise when he saw he had received a diamond!" he grins, gesturing to his prop diamond.

"If at any time you need help, sing to this stone 'Seios, higarima laisido' No darkness can stand against the power of light." he explains as the Beautifly

After putting away his prop, Brock continues as himself "Felix thanked the Beautifly, and put the diamond with his other treasures in his knapsack. Two hours later, he had left the Enchanted Forest behind, and was nearing the great city of Toive. But Toive had its own story to tell...I will tell you what that entailed next week!"
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 345c: The Magical Gifts, part 3

(real tale: The Magic Gifts)

"The deep silence that reigned in such an immense city astonished Felix." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "He stopped at a house where a woman sat spinning at her wheel, and asked what was the matter."

"Ah, good sir, we are very unhappy."he sighs as the woman.

"Tell me what has happened here, good lady. Perhaps I can help you in your time of trouble." he offers an imagined person as Felix.

"You would have to be very powerful indeed to do that. But I see you are a stranger and do not know what has befallen us, so I will tell you." he replies as the woman

The lights come up on a chair at center stage, where a chair and Brock's guitar are waiting. "She offered Felix a chair, and began her tale of woe." Brock interjects as he settles in the chair and checks his tuning.

He starts a sad melody while he narrates in character "Thirty miles from here, there lives a sorcerer whose heart is as evil and twisted as his body. Imagine someone with a twisted nose, and an enormous open mouth from which a black, sharp-pointed tongue hangs between large yellow teeth. That is basically what this fiend looks like. His name is Jarkuna. Nobody knows who he is or where he came from. Five years ago he arrived, riding through the air on a huge Crobat, and went to live at Mirondon—some old abandoned ruins which, in a single night, he turned into a magnificent marble castle. The next day came twenty dwarves, all of them Jarkuna's slaves.

Our good ruler, King Aldaron, has been a widower for many years, and has no one but his daughter, Princess Ariana. Everyone loves her deeply. She is a beautiful girl, and as wise and kind as she is beautiful.

King Eitan, who rules the country to the east, wanted his son to marry Ariana; so he sent the young Prince Dominic here to get to know our princess.

A week after Prince Dominic's arrival, Princess Ariana went for a walk with her two ladies in waiting. As it was a nice day, they walked farther than they' thought, and suddenly found themselves in front of the castle of Mirondon. Jarkuna saw Ariana and immediately fell in love with her great beauty.

The next day this fiend came to the palace of King Aldaron, and asked for the hand of the princess. The king, as you can imagine, was astonished; but he knew the sorcerer's powers well and he did not dare offend him. He told Jarkuna..."

In character as the king, he tells an imagined person "I consider myself honored by your offer, milord, but I regret to say you are too late. I have promised my neighbor, King Eitan, that Ariana will marry his son, if she wishes to do so. The word of a king is sacred. I am sorry, therefore, that I cannot oblige you."

"If that is your only reason, you need not worry," he sneers as Jarkuna, to boos from the audience.

As the woman again, Brock continues "A week later, as Prince Dominic was passing Mirondon, Jarkuna met him on the road, and forbade him to take another step toward the palace. Prince Dominic countered that he would go where he wished; and started forward. But he found the road blocked by the twenty dwarves, Jarkuna's slaves. Pulling out his sword, Prince Dominic rushed furiously at their master. Jarkuna stood perfectly still, without attempting to defend himself; and the moment the sword touched him, it clattered to the ground, broken in three pieces. Not one to give up so easily, Prince Dominic grabbed a spear that lay on the ground and threw it at Jarkuna's head. It fell with a crash on the magician's head, and then, without hurting Jarkuna at all, it bounced back and wounded Prince Dominic in the same place."

"You see, nothing can hurt me." he explains as Jarkuna, before the song he is playing takes a somber tone. "Go back to your homeland, and never approach Toive again! I will let you live today; but that wound on your forehead will remind you that it is better to obey the Prince of Mirondon than challenge him!"

As the woman again, he continues "Seeing that he could do nothing more, the unhappy prince returned to his own kingdom, followed by his two attendants.

Meanwhile, two laborers who had been working in that area hurried to Toive, and told King Aldaron what had happened. Alarmed, he called his councilors together to advise him as to what to do against an enemy so powerful that no kind of sword, arrow, or spell could harm him. They knew that the fiend would come again to ask for Princess Ariana. They dared not refuse him, for fear of his revenge; and they could not think of a single thing to do except to buy time for as long as they could."

Brock finishes his song before concluding as himself "Here the woman paused a moment, overwhelmed by the memory of what had happened....but her tale got only sadder from here--I will tell you what that entailed next week!
 
Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 345d: The Magical Gifts, part 4

(real tale: The Magic Gifts)

"Felix did not know what to say to comfort the woman--whose name was Olivia--so he did not say anything." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "Eventually, she wiped away her tears and continued her story."

"Two days later, the fiend arrived at the palace and gave the broken sword to the king." he continues as the woman

'Sir, you are no longer bound by your word. I give you this as proof that I vanquished my rival and he fled back to his own kingdom, never to return. I now ask to see the Princess Ariana.' he growls as Jarkuna, to some boos

As Olivia again, he narrates "The king ordered a page to tell Ariana to come to him. After a few minutes the page returned with this message: 'The princess regrets that she cannot come right now, Sir Jarkuna, as she is busy gathering flowers in the garden.'

The infuriated magician ran to a window that looked out over the garden and, after framing Princess Ariana in his hands, he sang...

After singing as Jarkuna Gran zirtan vin fangan miti... he continues as Olivia "No sooner had the last note of the hideous song echoed out into the sky, every flower in the garden disappeared, and in their stead grew a tangle of briars and foul-smelling weeds. Ariana's cry at losing all her beautiful plants reached the king and Jarkuna, who simply laughed at her tears."

'The day that your daughter consents to marry me, her flowers will return, more beautiful than ever. But the next time I come to ask for her, she will not be able to say she is busy with her flowers!' he sneers as Jarkuna, to more boos.

He narrates the setup for the next scene as Olivia "With that, the fiend left the palace. Princess Ariana cried for a whole month; and then Jarkuna appeared again."

He then roleplays the next horrifying scene vocally

'Milord, I wish to see Princess Ariana.'

'Summon my daughter here.'

'The princess regrets to inform you, Sir Jarkuna, that she cannot come right now, as she is with her dressmaker, trying on a new gown.'

"Ooh"s go up at this. "The magician ran to the door closest to Princess Ariana's apartments, and after framing the door in his hands, he sang the same cursed song again..."

After singing as Jarkuna Gran zirtan vin fangan miti... he continues as Olivia "The dressmaker was making a stitch as the moment the evil spell was cast, but the needle broke in her hand. She took another, and that one broke too; and so for a year now, Princess Ariana has never had another dress because there is no needle that will not break at the first stitch."

He interjects as himself "At this, Olivia burst into tears again, but soon composed herself enough to continue."

"The fiend, having completed this new evil act, now said to the king..." he narrates as Olivia.

'The day that your daughter becomes my wife, she will have all the gowns that she desires. In the meantime it is well for you to consider what happens when my wishes are disregarded. There will come a time when excuses will not do!' he warns as Jarkuna, to even more boos.

As Olivia, he goes on "With that, he left the palace and returned to his castle. Poor Ariana was now physically sick from crying and worrying; so that when, a week later, this hideous monster came back to Toive, the people, who almost worship the princess, grabbed sticks, stones and anything else they could find, and charged at him. My tale would end here if he had not been invulnerable to blows. As it was, he was not hurt, of course; but he was furious. After framing a field in his hands, he sang the cursing song again. This evil spell has left us without a harvest. In vain we plowed the fields and planted the wheat and Cornn Berries. The seeds turned into rocks as fast as they touched the ground. What are we to do! Throughout this great country that once was so rich and fertile all now is hunger and misery."

He interjects, still in character as Olivia "But that is not the worst of it! A month ago, a messenger came from the castle of Mirondon to tell the king that the fiend is tired of waiting, and if Ariana does not marry him in two months, he will wipe this fair kingdom off the face of the earth!"

"What has kept him from capturing Princess Ariana and marrying her anyway, if he can work such terrifying magic?" he asks as Felix.

"We have often asked ourselves that very question." he sighs as Olivia. "We think her heart is so pure, that his magic can't touch her. The king has posted notices all over the kingdom, offering the greatest possible reward to any one who will save Ariana from this horrible magician. Every person in Trestelle is willing, even eager, to do anything they can; but they all know that they are powerless against this monster. A month has passed; and one more remains before the fiend's nefarious plans will be carried out; and nobody has thought of any possible way to save the lovely princess. The palace is open all day and all night, hoping that someone will come—someone brave enough to try to kill the sorcerer or drive him out of the land, for the king is convinced only that will save us all. No one as yet has dared offered to try; and time ticks away towards our destruction. Arceus have mercy on us all!"

He interjects as himself "Her tale of woe completed, Olivia cried harder than ever."

"I thank you a thousand times over for telling your story, good lady. I will hurry to the palace, to tell the king that I will be the one to defeat this sorcerer, this monster, this fiend!" he vows as Felix.

Cheers go up at this. "At Felix's vow, Olivia stopped crying long enough to stare at him in amazement." Brock continues as himself. "But how was Felix going to accomplish his heroic vow? I will tell you more next week!"
 
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