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COMPLETE: Live from the Fireside, Season 14 (Week 373: Darkness and Light)

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

Week 358d: The Tale of Marianna, part 4

(real tale: Marianna)

"The next morning Marianna was once again led before the king." Brock begins as he arrives onstage.

“Welcome, welcome, lovely maiden." he sneers in a mimic of Ghestis for Garabin. "I have long hoped that you would return here, for my poor dear nephew, Prince Brian, the only son of the late king, has been sick for some time of a malady no healer can cure. Perhaps you can cure him with the Water of Life.”

As himself, he continues "Marianna replied that she would do her best to help Prince Brian; so the lord high chamberlain gave her his arm, and escorted her to the prince’s room. The king and many courtiers followed after him."

Concerned murmurs fill the air as Brock continues "Brian lay in a great old-fashioned bed, his face flushed with fever. So weak was the prince, that he could hardly lift his head to look at his visitors. A great pity swept over Marianna’s heart the moment she saw him; as for Brian, he fell madly in love with Marianna at first sight."

He then adds a twist to the tale. "But just as Marianna bent over Prince Brian to touch his forehead with what she thought was the Water of Life, the shining Fletchling screamed as if he were caught in a net. Marianna looked at the crystal flask. Nothing seemed changed; the water within seemed as pure and diamond-like as ever. But she knew that if the Fletchling was making such a racket, something wasn't right. So she instead poured it out on one of the plants in the room, causing all to panic when it wilted."

Gasps fill the room at this, but Brock isn't done yet. "The king still ordered Marianna arrested and thrown in the dungeon--he made the best of the setback to his plot, and figured merely attempting to kill the prince was a good reason enough for her to die. He next caught the Fletchling, and delivered it to the kitchen to be roasted."

He smiles to assure the audience all hope isn't lost. "By sheer coincidence--an act of Arceus, if you will--the cook’s apprentice was none other than Lila, the peasant girl whom Marianna had saved. Lila recognized the shining Fletchling, and instead of killing it, let it fly out the window."

Cheers fill the air at this. "The shining Fletchling flew to the window of the wizard’s room. The wizard was present, stirring the giant cauldron. The Fletchling flew to the window of Prince Brian’s room, and saw that he was still lost in a feverish dream." Brock intones as a sound effect of bells starts to play. "An hour later the castle bells began to toll, and a dismal procession was seen walking from the castle towards the cliff where witches, sorcerers, and others that practiced evil magic met their doom. First came a regiment of soldiers, then Marianna, weighed down with chains, and last of all came Garabin, the wizard, and some of Garabin’s cronies."

"Boo"s interweave with the bells as Brock continues "The bells kept on sadly tolling and tolling, heralding the impending doom of the innocent girl who had saved Prince Brian's life and exposed Garabin's plot. The sound also woke Prince Brian from his sleep, and with his last ounce of strength, poor Brian dragged himself to the window. The procession was at this point passing directly underneath the window, and Brian’s eyes met Marianna's."

As the bell sound fades away, he intones "But he had no strength left to order the proceedings to stop, and fell to the floor. And so the procession went on."

He quickly assures his audience "But Marianna would in fact be rescued, and Garabin punished as he deserved. I will tell you how that happened next week!"
 
@Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 358e: The Tale of Marianna, part 5)

(real tale: Marianna)

"Meanwhile, the shining Fletchling had returned to the wizard’s chamber, which was empty." Brock begins as he arrives onstage to conclude the long tale he has been telling. "With a joyous cry, the Fletchling fluttered through the window, and discovered the vial the wizard had poured the Water of Life into. Clutching it in his claws, the Fletchling flew to the prince’s room. Brian still lay in a heap by the window, and the shining Fletchling sprinkled a little of the vial's contents over him."

Excited murmurs fill the theater as Brock continues "Prince Brian jumped up, strong as a Pyroar, grabbed his sword, and rushed down to save Marianna. He arrived at the cliff just as the innocent maiden was about to be pushed off into oblivion, and standing by her side, dared anyone to lay a finger on her."

He intones "Garabin, seeing his plot completely exposed, seethed with fury."

“Seize them, and toss them both over the cliff!” he demands as Garabin, pointing at an imagined being.

As himself, he reveals the twist in the tale. "So the soldiers rushed at Marianna and Prince Brian, intending to carry out their wicked master’s orders. But even as they did so, a voice sang..."

In his "dwarf voice, he sings Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

Cheers erupt at Brolin's return. "At this song, a flash of fire knocked the soldiers back, and the dwarf Brolin, Marianna’s foster-father and one of the rare few dwarves that could use magic, took his place beside the lovers." Brock explains.

“Cruel king, and you, wicked and perfidious magician, Arceus has judged your hearts, and found them wanting!" he almost screams in character as Brolin. "The doom you intended for these innocent people, He now brings upon you!"

He interjects as himself "With that, Brolin sang..."

He next sings as Brolin over a rushing wind sound effect Gatrandis favel, secret, edena...
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron zen fine, si...


As himself, Brock continues over the wind noise "On the final 'si', the sky grew black, the lightning crashed, and there came a mighty, rushing wind. Three giant gusts came by, the first one blowing the false king and the wizard head over heels into oblivion, the second carrying away the soldiers, and the third the cronies."

The "wind" quiets down after a few moments. "When the sky cleared, only Brolin, Marianna, and Brian were left." Brock continues.

“Marianna, Rivalion has told me your story, and it is thanks to him that I have returned in time, with the storm at my heels." he explains as Brolin. "You, Marianna, are the rightful queen of this land.”

“Dear queen, let me be the first of your subjects to salute you.” he smiles as Prince Brian.

He interects as himself "He knelt before her, and humbly kissed her hand."

“No, Brian, your father took the kingdom; so it is only fair you take the queen.” he smiles as Marianna.

He concludes as himself "And so Brian and Marianna were married, and all lived happily ever after. The shining Fletchling sang at the wedding, and when the ceremony was over, he rose singing into the air, and flew joyously home to the elven realm, where he would watch over the lovers from afar."

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

Week 359: Sorin Writes a Song

(real tale: Anansi Writes a Song)

"Once an Entei--whose name is not important--ruled over a small kingdom somewhere in the world." Brock begins. "One day, a traveling minstrel came to his capital city to give a performance. He played the harp, and the lute, and told and sang stories about great men and women and the deeds they' had done. He sang about things going on all across the wide world. The king and everyone in the city enjoyed the music very much."

He returns to a chair waiting at center stage, where his guitar is waiting. "When he was finished, the minstrel asked the Entei for a small token of thanks in exchange for his performance."

"You dare ask me for a gift!?" he gasps in a low deep voice--his go to "large creature and monster" voice. "You should be honored to have me listen! You should give me a gift!"

As himself, Brock went on "In fact, the Entei was so angry that he ordered his servants to give the minstrel fifty Slashes."

Angry murmurs waft through the crowd over the guitar's sad melody. "The minstrel returned home and told his friends what had happened to him at the Entei's court. They were shocked and angry to hear of the king's pride and arrogance."

Brock acknowledges the crowd's angry murmurs with a nod as he plays a G chord. "Now, the wily Pikachu Sorin was among the friends of this minstrel, and he decided to write a song to let everyone know how they felt about the arrogant Entei--since everyone knows Sorin is quite the trickster."

Cheers and laughter filled the air at the comment. "The song went something like this..." Brock begins before singing Anat za za, aridavi deen lava itsplan den lan den lan do, lava ii pa pa, bari bari bala rilibilibi liku len den lan do lava rin lan ten lan day alo, barala lavalava lukuluku dayavu, a rin lan ten lan den lan do barala katakata kutukutu deyavu...

When the last A minor chord fades, he goes on "Sorin wrote the song with a very catchy tune, and people all over the countryside began to sing it. Women sang it while they were doing laundry. Children sang it during their games. Men sang it while hunting and tending the fields. It was heard at dances and festivals. Soon it was known all over the world!"

Laughter fills the air at this. "When the king heard the song, he sent for the minstrel he had mistreated and asked him... " Brock continues.

"Who has written this song about me?" he asks as the Entei.

"It was Sorin who wrote the song, but everyone sings it." he replies in a mimic of Ash for the minstrel.

"I will give you a thousand gold pieces if you tell him to stop the song." he offers as the Entei.

"Oh, but once something is done, it cannot be undone." he warns as the minstrel over a thoughtful melody. "You did not have to have me beaten, but you did. Now you cannot undo it. Sorin did not have to write the song, but he did. Now the song is alive among the people. It cannot be taken back."

He smiles as the children giggle over the song. "And so it is that Sorin's mocking song is still sung to this day when a leader only thinks of themselves, and not their people."

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

Week 360: Chiko, the Archer of Heaven

(real tale: The Brave Bowman)

Excited murmurs fill the auditorium as Brock arrives with a quiver full of prop arrows on his back. "Once upon a time, there lived a young lady named Chiko which means 'arrow'." he begins. "The name was very appropriate--she was so skilled with a bow, people called her the Archer of Heaven. She might have been famous, but she was a girl, and where she lived, the people thought that all girls were fit to do was tend the house and raise any children."

Angry murmurs fill the room at this. "Chiko knew that being a girl would make all she wished to accomplish harder." Brock explains, acknowledging the audience's anger. "She wanted to join the royal army and defend her land, but she also knew the king would refuse her."

He then tells the crowd "But Chiko was a clever lady, and so she decided to find a man to hire her as his attendant--since that was one of the few ways a woman could serve in the army--and together they would join the army. And so, Chiko set off on her search to find a man that had strength and good character."

Intrigued murmurs fill the air as Brock continues. "One day, she came upon a strong young man--his name is not important to us--digging a ditch. Chiko stopped to say hello and asked why such a strong man like him was digging ditches."

"It's the only work I can find." he sighs in an older version of himself for the man.

"I have an idea--come with me to the king and ask him to let you serve in his army." he offers in a mimic of Misty for Chiko. "I'll be your attendant. I promise you that I'll do anything the king asks you to do. We'll share the pay, and that way we'll both earn a living."

As himself, he tells the audience "The man was understandably skeptical. What, he wondered, could a woman do besides housework, cooking, and child care? Still, he was tired of digging ditches, and so he agreed."

"I am a great archer--I've heard rumors that there's a Raikou loose in the city, and I am sure the king will want a hero to kill it." he smiles as Chiko, referring to the quiver of prop arrows on his back.

After stopping to pick up a prop bow at stage right, Brock continues "When the two companions arrived at the palace, they requested that the king's servants tell him a great hero had come to meet with him, and that the hero wished to kill the Raikou. The king invited the man and Chiko in, and when he saw the man, he was impressed. He assumed this was the hero the servants had told him about."

"But who is this little lady beside you?" he asks in his "king" voice.

"She is my loyal attendant, milord. I wish to join the army, and she will be by my side." he explains as the man. "I take my attendant everywhere. I wish you to pay me 1,000 gold pieces a month for the two of us. It will be worthwhile when we kill the Raikou."

He continues as himself as a projection of a jungle appears o, the stage, complete with a Raikou target. "The king agreed and explained that the Raikou was carrying off too many people and had to be stopped. So the man and Chiko went into the forest, where the Raikou had last been spotted. Soon after, Chiko--with her perfect aim--shot the Raikou.

The audience watches as Brock nocks and then fires a shot for effect, only applauding when they see that Brock hit the target's bullseye. "When the news that the Raikou had been slain reached the king, he was so thankful that he rewarded the man and Chiko with gifts and praise." he explains as the stage backdrop returns to normal, and the Raikou target is switched for a Bouffalant target.

He approaches the new target and explains "But the very next day, word came that a huge Bouffalant was roaming the roads, and crushing anyone and anything in its path. Chiko and her companion hurried to the village and found the Bouffalant. With her perfect aim, Chiko killed the Bouffalant too."

The audience watches in awe as Brock fires another shot for effect, applauding when they see he hit very close to the bullseye. "When they returned to the palace, the king rewarded them with a large amount of money." he explains as the target is whisked offstage. "But the king's praise was for the man, because he just assumed he had killed the Raikou and the Bouffalant."

He intones "After a while, the man began to believe that it was his strength and size that counted for their success. He began to think that he could work alone. Chiko was saddened at this, but there was nothing she could do to convince the man to keep her by his side. Still, she stayed close in case her skills were ever needed."

Angry murmurs fill the air, but Brock has a major problem for the man of his sleeve. "Sure enough, a few days later a king from a faraway land sent word to Chiko's king that his invading army would be marching into the land and take it over--unless he was willing to fight him. The king called the man to his side and instructed him to fight against the invaders. He gave him a fine Rapidash, which the man mounted."

He grins. "What the man did not know was Chiko had found an equally fine Rapidash of her own, and she had followed him to the battlefield."

Excited murmurs fill the air as a tense melody punctuated with drum rolls starts to play. "As the man's Rapidash pranced out of the city ahead of the army, the drums started rolling." Brock continues over the music, a drum roll punctuating his point. "At the sound of the drums, the man began to shake with fear."

"Don't be afraid. Stop shaking like a leaf and be strong. If you fall off the Rapidash, you'll be injured, at best." he whispers as Chiko.

As himself, he narrates "But the man was so terrified, he could not stop shaking and sweating, and he climbed off the Rapidash's back. He ran as fast as he could until he reached home--he wanted nothing to do with battle. So Chiko left her own mount with one of the stable boys, and climbed on the man's Rapidash herself!"

Cheers fill the air as the lights reveal more targets arranged in a marching formation to represent the enemy troops. "With her bravery and astonishing aim, Chiko drove the army farther and farther back." Brock narrates before firing his first shot at the "troops".

Exciting music plays and the crowd cheers even more as Brock fires a volley of shots for effect, knocking down the "troops" one by one.

A victorious stinger plays once the last target falls down. "When she finally drove the enemy army away, Chiko returned to the palace, and the king understood how foolish he had been to disregard a woman's true skills." Brock explains, to cheers from the girls and women in the audience.

He concludes "From that day on, Chiko was known far and wide as the Archer of Heaven, and the king named her the first female chief of his army. Thanks to her, many more different professions opened up for the girls of that land."

He smiles at his enthralled audience. "Moral of the story? A girl can do anything a boy can do, and then some!"

Laughter and wild cheers of agreement fill the air as Brock takes a bow...
 
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@Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 361: How Tapu Lele Guided the Maiden

(real tale: The Great Swimmer)

Intrigued murmurs filled the theater as Brock arrived in a familiar palm print Alolan shirt. By now, the beautiful shirt was the common signal that a tale from Alola was the featured tale for the week.

Once the chatter quieted, Brock began "Long ago, on what is today Akala Island in Alola, there lived a young girl whose name was Leilani. She was the pride and joy of her parents, and descended from the founder of her tribe. Everyone knew that Leilani had to marry the son of a chief, and carry on a long family tradition."

He explains "Akala and Melemele have always been close to each other, and on what is today Melemele Island lived another tribe. There a shy boy named Alika lived. The other children teased him, for he often did not know what to say."

Giggles go up at this. "The two tribes were at peace with each other. They often held swimming contests, boat races, and played all kinds of games. One day, the young men of Melemele rowed across the sea to Akala to take part in a holy festival honoring the tapu. Alika went along with his brothers and friends, and everyone brought fruit to present as gifts to their hosts.

The crowd claps along as the notes of a ukulele playing a festive song drift onstage. "As the dancing began, a great crowd gathered onshore to watch." Brock explains over the music. "The moment Alika saw Leilani, he fell in love, and when she looked across the beach at him, she too fell in love. But the two of them did not speak." The ukulele finishes its song at this point.

"When Alika returned to Melemele, he built a house on a hillside." Brock explains. "Over the years, he often climbed up to this house, and gazed across the lake toward where Leilani lived. In the evening he would play his flute...

Excited whispers fill the air as Brock retrieves his own whistle from a pocket. "...and if the wind was favorable, the beautiful lilting notes reached Leilani. She looked up and saw the bright moon, and her eyes filled with tears of joy, for she knew the song was meant for her."

With that, he plays a love song for effect, with the ukulele adding some soft chords in the background. "Over the years, the two lovers met several times when their tribes gathered together for games and dances." Brock continues when the song ends. "Once, he pressed her hand, and she pressed back. This gave Alika courage, and so, when he returned home, he sent a messenger to tell Leilani he loved her. When she heard the news, she sighed...

"I am yours, and you are mine." he smiles in a mimic of Serena for Leilani.

As himself, he continues "Alika sent another message, telling her he would play her a song when the time had come for her to travel to his island. When she answered, she promised she would sail to him whenever he called."

He intones "But her parents learned of Leilani's plan. They did not approve of her love, and so they pulled all the boats onto the shore to make sure their daughter could not sail away. Then came the promised night--a sweet summer night. Alika climbed the hill, sat down in his house, and began to play a beautiful song, asking Leilani to come."

The audience listens as the whistle and ukulele play another song for effect. "He played and played as the shadow of the moon danced upon the sea, but as the dawn broke, he saw no sign of his beloved." Brock explains as he readies the whistle to play again. "The next night he climbed the hill again, and played a song filled with longing."

The audience sniffles as the whistle and the ukulele play their lament. "Down below, his friends laughed at Alika and teased him." Brock continues. "Night after night he sat in his house on the hillside and played one song after another. But Leilani did not come."

He assures the audience "Meanwhile, Leilani was listening by the shore to the song that drifted across the water. She grew frantic, for she did not know what to do. At last she looked down, deep into the sea, hoping that Tapu Lele would tell her what to do. Just then, Leilani heard Tapu Lele's voice, and she knew what she had to do."

Whispers of speculation race down the rows as Brock continues "It was a long way to the island, but Leilani tied six gourds to her sides to help keep her afloat. She stepped onto a high rock and dove into the water. There was no moon that night, and Leilani hoped that the darkness would hide her. She swam and swam until at last, with aching arms and legs, she reached a half-sunken tree stump sticking out of the water. She grabbed the stump tightly, trying to regain her strength, but she was tired and cold, and for a moment she feared she would lose her grip and drown."

He interjects "Then suddenly, lifting her head high, she heard the music again and her body was filled with new strength. She let go of the stump, and on she swam. Each time she raised her head above the water, she could hear the notes of Alika's flute."

The audience eagerly claps along as the whistle and the ukulele play an inspiring song for effect. "At long last, she reached shallow water and felt firm ground beneath her feet." Brock continues when the song ends. "But it was just at that moment that Alika gave up hope and crawled into a hammock to sleep. Down on the beach, Leilani climbed into a shallow pool of warm water, trying to regain her strength. Then she heard footsteps on the sand. When she turned, she saw Alika's servant approaching, carrying a large jar that he would fill with water from the pool."

"Who is the water for?" he asks as Leilani.

As himself, Brock goes on "The servant jumped back in alarm, not knowing it was his master's beloved. Leilani asked for the jar, and once she had it, she smashed it against the rocks. The servant hurried back to the hillside to tell his master of the supposed evil spirit hidden in the pool. Alika got dressed, grabbed a javelin, and ran down the hillside, ready to do battle against what he thought was a demon."

Giggles fill the air as Brock brandishes his whistle like a sword for effect. "Hearing her beloved's voice, Leilani nervously hid under the rocks that hung over the shallow pool. She watched Alika feel his way around the edge of the pool."

He interjects "Suddenly, he touched her hand. He quickly reached up to strike what he thought was an evil spirit. But just as he did, Leilani stepped from her hiding place and stood before him. Alika knew his beloved immediately. He embraced her, begged her forgiveness for trying to harm her, and wrapped his cloak around her."

Brock goes on "In the morning, when Alika's father noticed his son was missing, he walked up to the house on the hillside. There he found Leilani and Alika together, laughing happily, with smiles as bright as the summer sun on their faces. Word soon spread of their happiness and of Leilani's great feat. Because Leilani had proven her strength and will, her family did not object to her choice of a husband any more.

He concludes "Before long the two tribes held a wedding such as no one in Alola had ever seen before. To this day, the descendants of Leilani and Alika tell the story of how Tapu Lele guided Leilani."

Applause fills the air at the story's end, but intensifies when Ash--in a flame print Alolan shirt, joins Brock onstage with ukulele in tow. Both of the boys bow as the crowd roars....
 
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@Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 362: The Water of Life

(real tale: The Water of Life)

"Once upon a time, there was an old king who had a faithful servant. " Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "There was nobody in the world like him, and this was why: around his wrist he wore an armlet that fit his arms perfectly. There were words on the golden band; on one side was the message 'WHO THINKS TO WEAR ME ON HIS ARM MUST LACK BOTH GUILE AND THOUGHT OF HARM'. On the other side was the message 'I AM FOR ONLY ONE, AND HE WILL BE AS STRONG AS TEN CAN BE'."

Intrigued murmurs went up at this. "The years passed, and the old king felt that his time was close." Brock's voice quiets the chatter. "He called Justin to him and told him to serve and aid the king who was to come as he had served and aided his master. The servant--his name is not important to us just yet--promised to honor his master's last request, and then the old king closed his eyes for the last time."

Sniffles waft down the rows at this, never mind that the fallen king is only in Brock's imagination. "One day, not long after the new king ascended to the throne, a stranger came to that city from over the hills and far away." Brock explains. "With him he brought a portrait, but it was covered with a curtain so that nobody could see who or what it was. He opened the curtain and showed the picture to the young king. It was a likeness of the most beautiful princess in the world. Her eyes were emerald green, her cheeks were ruby red, and her skin as white as snow. The picture looked so realistic, it looked like the young lady would step off the canvas at any moment."

Excited murmurs fill the air as Brock goes on "The young king just sat and stared for a long while. He vowed that he would never rest until he had her for his own."

"Then listen! This is a likeness of the princess that lives over beyond the three rivers, whose name is Elia." he explains in a mimic of Flint for the traveler. "She once had a wise Fletchling that she loved and cherished, for it knew everything that happened in the world, so that it could tell her whatever she wanted to know. But now the Fletchling is dead, and Princess Elia does nothing but grieve for it day and night. She keeps the dead Fletchling in a glass casket, and has promised to marry whoever will bring a bottle of water from the Fountain of Life, so that the Fletchling may live again."

He continues "But the young king had no peace or comfort-- all he could think about was Princess Elia. At last he called the servant--we'll call him Justin--to him."

"Can you get me a bottle of the Water of Life?" he asks an imagined person as the king.

"I don't know, but I will try." he replies in a mimic of Ash for Justin.

As himself, Brock continues "So Justin went forth into the wide world to seek what the young king wanted, though the way there was both rough and thorny. On and on he went, until his shoes were dusty, and his feet were sore, and after a while he came to the end of the world. There he found a majestic rainbow roost, where the golden phoenix Ho'oh was keeping watch, having just completed her daily journey."

"Good evening, milady." he smiles as Justin.

"Good evening, traveler. Where are you traveling that brings you all this way?" he asked in a gentle older voice for Ho'oh.

"I am seeking the Water of Life, and have come this far without finding a drop of it."

"If that is what you are after, you have a long way to go yet. The fountain is in the land that lies east of the sun and west of the moon, and very few have gone there and come back again. On top of that, there is a great Hydreigon that keeps watch over the water, and you will have to defeat him before you can touch a drop of it. All the same, if you have made up your mind to go you may stay here until my companions come home--perhaps they can help you get there."

He continues as himself "So Justin came in and sat down by the fire to wait until Ho'oh's companions, the three Beasts, came home. Raikou was first to come, but he knew nothing of the Water of Life and the land that lay east of the sun and west of the moon. He did say that he had heard people speak of them as he ran across the world, but he had never seen them with his own eyes. Entei came next, but he knew no more than Raikou did. Last of all came Suicune, the Guardian of the North Wind."

"Do you know where the Fountain of Life is, and the land that lies east of the sun and west of the moon?" he asks as Ho'oh.

"I do, milady. I had been there once, but it was a long, long distance away." he replies in a younger version of himself for Suicune.

"Can you give this young hero a ride over there tomorrow?"

"Of course."

Brock continues as himself "So the next morning he told Justin to climb on his back and hold on tight, and away he ran. Suicune ran a long, long way, until at last they came to the land that lay east of the sun and west of the moon; but being a Legendary Pokemon, Suicune was not the least bit tired from running all that way."

"Thank you, Sir Suicune." he smiles as Justin.

"It is always a pleasure to help a brave hero like you." he replies before showing the crowd a prop sapphire. "If you ever need me, take this sapphire--sing this song to it, and I will come."

He continues as himself "After teaching Justin the song to invoke the sapphire's power, Suicune raced off, back to Ho'oh's side. Justin walked a great distance until he came to a field covered with sharp rocks and human and Pokemon bones, for he was not the first one who had come that way for a bottle of the Water of Life."

Fearful murmurs waft down the rows as Brock goes on "The Hydreigon lay in the sun, sound asleep, and so Justin had time to look around him. Not far away was a deep trench like a drain in a swampy field; that was a path that the Hydreigon had made by going to the river for a drink of water every day. Justin dug a hole in the bottom of this trench, and hid himself in the crack in the kitchen floor. Before long, the Hydreigon woke up and found that he was thirsty, and then started down to the river to get a drink. Justin lay very still until the Hydreigon was just above where he was hidden; then he thrust his sword through its heart, and there it lay, after a turn or two, as dead as a doornail."

Cheers go up at the hydreigon's demise. "After that he had only to fill the bottle at the fountain, for there was nobody to refuse him. Then he invoked the sapphire..." Brock continues.

He pauses to sing as Justin Karuto, iichiida shou... making the prop sapphire glow.

"...and there was Suicune, as energetic as ever." he smiles as himself. "Justin climbed aboard, and away he ran. After he had thanked Ho'oh and the three Beasts, Justin started off for home. As soon as the king saw the bottle of the Water of Life he had the Ponytas saddled, and off he and Justin rode to find Princess Elia, who lived over beyond the three rivers."

Interested murmurs fill the room as Brock goes on "It was not long before they came to the town, and there was Princess Elia mourning and grieving over her Fletchling, just as the stranger had said. But when she heard that the king had brought the Water of Life, she welcomed him as though he was a great hero. They sprinkled a few drops on the Fletchling's body, and it returned to life."

Some applause goes up at this. "Before Princess Elia would marry the king, she decided to ask the Fletchling for advice." Brock explains.

"Tell him that you will marry him as soon as he captures the legendary steed Epona, who lives in the forest to the east, for if he is the hero who found the Water of Life, he can do that and more." he suggests in a mimic of Serena for the Fletchling.

He interjects as himself "Princess Elia did as she was told, and so the king went to Justin."

"Can you catch Epona for me?"

"I do not know, but I will try."

Giggles go up as Brock continues as himself "So off he went to the forest to tame Epona, the saddle over his shoulder and the bridle over his arm. Moments later, Epona came galloping through the woods, and the ground shook under her feet. But Justin was ready for her."

He grins. "And oh, how they did stamp and wrestle! Up and down and here and there, until the fire flew from the stones under their feet. But being a god-Pokemon, Epona could not stand against the strength of ten men, so eventually she fell on his knees, and Justin was able to capture and tame her."

"Listen--tomorrow my master, the king, will ride you up to Princess Elia's house, and if you do not do as I tell you, it will lead us both to horrible fates. When the king mounts you, you must stagger and groan, as if you were carrying a mountain." he whispers as Justin.

As himself, Brock continues "Epona promised to do as her new master bade her, and then Justin jumped on her back and rode away to the king. The next day, the king rode up to Princess Elia's castle, and Epona did just as Justin told her to do. When Princess Elia saw him she thought that he was a great hero. But the Fletchling knew differently."

"Something isn't right here." he muses as the Fletchling. "He never captured Epona by himself. Tell him that you will marry no one but the person who wears a golden armlet with this message written on it."

He continues as himself "So Princess Elia told the king what the Fletchling had said, and the king went to Justin."

"You must let me have your armlet." he demands as the king, to gasps from the crowd.

"No--your servant is the true hero, and I will have none other." he interjects in a mimic of Misty for Princess Elia.

Some applause goes up for the twist as Brock concludes "It goes without saying that the king went away in shame, Justin and Princess Elia were married in a grand wedding, and all lived happily ever after."

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

Week 363: The Nine Talonflames

(real tale: The Enchanted Peafowl)

Some "Oh"s and murmurs fill the air as Ash, Misty, and Serena arrive with Brock on the stage, their instruments in tow. "Have you ever heard the story of the shining Talonflame who became a queen, and the young prince who married her?" Brock asks the audience as he readies his harp to play.

Excited murmurs and "no"s come wafting in his direction. "Well, here it is..." Brock replies as Misty and Ash start a regal melody that evokes a royal palace. "There was once a king who took great delight in his garden. Every morning you would find him watering his flowers or picking the fruit of his favorite tree."

As the harp joins in the tune, Serena picks up the story. "This was a Leppa Berry tree that had the magic property of bearing buds, blossoms, and shining crystal fruit every twenty-four hours like clockwork. In the morning the first thing the king did when he woke up was look out his bedroom window to see that all was well with his miracle tree."

"One morning he was shocked and saddened to see that the tree had been stripped of all the shining fruit which had ripened during the night." Ash continues as the fiddle and harp start a sad melody. "The palace guards looked everywhere for the thief, but found nothing."

"The next morning, the same thing happened; and every morning after that, when the king looked out his bedroom window, he saw that the tree had again been stripped of its shining crystal fruit." Misty intones before readying her instrument to play again.

"So the king called his three sons to him, and explained what was happening." Serena continues as her friends play a festive melody. "The eldest son eagerly volunteered to keep watch, standing guard under the tree and leaning against its trunk."

The harp, fiddle and whistle's song starts to lose its gusto as Serena continues "As midnight approached his eyes grew heavy and he fell asleep. When he woke up the next morning, the shining Berries were gone. Then the middle son volunteered, but he fared no better than his brother had."

"So what was taking the Berries, you ask?" Ash smiles, to giggles from the crowd.

Brock grins as he plays a Bb chord to herald the hero's appearance. "Finally, the youngest son, whose name was Brian, asked if he could have a turn watching the tree." Serena goes on over the soft rendition of the Zelda theme Brock is playing to accompany her words. "The king was understandably reluctant--how could Brian succeed where his older brothers had failed? But Brian persisted, and he was allowed to try."

"So that evening Brian laid beneath the miracle tree in a sleeping bag." Misty picks up the story. "About midnight, when the Leppa Berries had began to ripen, he woke up and looked at the tree. The fruit had just begun to ripen, and the garden shone with a soft gold light. Just then, nine Talonflames that shone came to the tree. Eight of them settled upon the tree, and the ninth landed on the ground beside his sleeping bag, and, as soon as she had touched the ground, she transformed into a beautiful young lady."

"They talked and laughed together all night long, and when dawn came, she thanked him for the Leppa Berries." Brock continues the tale as he plays. "He asked her to leave one Berry behind, but she gave him two–one for himself, and one to take to his father. This done, she transformed back into a Talonflame and flew away, followed by the other eight."

"In the morning Prince Brian rose up, and took a Leppa Berry to his father, who did not know what to do for joy, and commended him for a job well done." Serena continues as Ash, Misty, and Brock start a joyful melody. "The next evening, Prince Brian returned to the Leppa Berry tree, curious to know more about the Talonflames."

"He learned that the ninth was named Keira, and she and her eight ladies ruled over a far away land." Ash continues. "She also asked him to come to her country--a huge Hydreigon had brought terror on her homeland, and he had all the makings of a fine hero. If she and her ladies ever failed to come, that was a sign the Hydreigon had captured them."

"Prince Brian promised to come and rescue them all if need be, and in the morning he again brought his father a Leppa Berry." Brock continues.

The harp's song then turns somber. "This went on for a few days, until one night, what Prince Brian feared the most came to pass--Keira and her ladies did not come." Brock intones. "Remembering what Keira had said, and with his father and brothers' blessings, he set out on a grand quest in search of them."

After playing a traveling interlude, Misty picks up the tale. "When he had traveled a long time, he came to a lake, where he spotted a little Goldeen trying to jump into the water. Prince Brian felt sorry for the little fish Pokemon, and set it back in the water, receiving a sapphire for his trouble, and the song to activate it."

"When he had gone a little further, he spotted a Fennekin caught in a trap." Serena continues. Prince Brian felt sorry for the struggling Fennekin, and let it out of the trap. He received a ruby as thanks, and the song to invoke its power.

"Eventually, he came to a hill, and found a Braviary with its wing caught in brambles." Ash narrates. So our hero carefully untangled the Braviary's wing, and received an emerald as thanks, as well as the song to use it."

"While on the road, our hero met a man, and asked him..." Brock narrates.

"Do you know where the palace of the great Hydreigon is?" Ash asks as Prince Brian.

"The man gladly showed him the way, and also told him when he was home." Brock goes on. "After thanking the man, Prince Brian went on, and eventually came to the palace of the great Hydreigon. Upon arrival, he found his beloved Keira, and when she saw him and he saw her, they were both full of joy."

He smiles. "Keira assured Prince Brian that her ladies had managed to escape, and were back at her palace awaiting their queen's safe return. The next question was how to escape themselves."

Nervous giggles go up at this. "They obviously couldn't just ride away--the Hydreigon would surely catch them and eat them both, as he was faster than any mortal Ponyta." Misty explains. "Prince Brian asked if Keira had learned where anything faster was, and Keira replied that she had once overheard the Hydreigon bragging to some friends that he had been plotting to steal Epona, the god-Ponyta that belonged to the holy Delphox Kitsune. Luckily, the Hydreigon had not made any progress in this plan, so she suggested that Prince Brian obtain Epona first, and they could escape that way."

"She went on to tell him Kitsune wouldn't give Epona to just anyone." Serena cautioned. "If anyone wanted anything from her, they had to serve her three days. Those that served faithfully received whatever they wished, those that had served faithfully and still failed would serve Kitsune forever, and the evil and impure that failed would die."

"The next morning, Brian traveled to Kitsune's abode." Ash picks up the story.

"Good day, milady!" he smiles as Prince Brian.

"Good day to you, young prince." Serena replies as Kitsune. "What brings you here to this sacred place?"

"I would like to take service with you." Ash replies.

‘Very well--you will serve me for three days." Serena explains. "If you complete the tasks given to you successfully for three days, I will give you anything you wish. If you put forth an honest effort and still fail, I'll understand, and keep you with me."

"She next took him into the yard." Brock picks up the tale. "In the yard were many stakes adorned with skulls of all sizes, including a fair few human skulls, as a warning to the evil and impure."

Serena makes a grand gesture to an imagined object. "This grisly scene before you are all those who sought my treasure for selfish reasons, or tried to kill or deceive me. But I have read your heart and know it to be pure, so I do not see your skull joining their number."

"That afternoon, Kitsune led Prince Brian to a stream, and said to him..." Brock narrates.

"Yesterday evening, I lost one of my favorite rings in the stream." Serena explains as Kitsune. "Your task for today is to find it."

"Prince Brian searched the stream and the banks for miles, but found no trace of the ring." Misty picks up the tale, to giggles as Ash searches the stage for something. "He was about to give up when he remembered the sapphire the Goldeen gave him."

Rou iitsa ron selga vichii... Ash sings to a prop sapphire, to awed chatter as it glows.

"The sapphire glowed, and the Goldeen from before surfaced in the water, the ring in her mouth!" Misty smiles, to some applause. "Kitsune was well pleased with our hero, and rewarded him with a fine meal for a job well done."

"On the second day he had to look after a herd of Bunearies, and no matter how hard Prince Brian tried to keep up, the Bunearies went one direction and another." Serena continues, to some frantic running chords from the harp. "He was about to give up in frustration when he remembered the ruby he had received."

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Ash fills in the spellsong, making a prop ruby and his Mega Ring glow.

"The Fennekin from before arrived, and happily rounded up the Bunearies, so that they were all accounted for at the end of the day." Serena continues.

"On the third day, our hero was tasked with finding a shining Fletchling and catching it." Brock continues. "Although Prince Brian watched the skies for hours, any Fletchlings he saw were normally colored."

He then plays a trilling note to signal something shining. "Towards evening, he spotted a shining gold Fletchling flying by, and invoked the emerald..."

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

"In minutes, the Braviary from before swooped in and caught the shining Fletchling." Brock continues. "He then brought it to our hero unharmed."

"Kitsune was pleased that Prince Brian had completed her three tests, and gladly gave him Epona, plus a secret spell that would defeat the great Hydreigon." Ash picks up the story. "Before long, he arrived at the great Hydreigon's Palace. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he told Keira to hurry and get ready, as he had a mount faster than any mortal Ponyta.

"They had not gotten very far when the Hydreigon found them both missing." Misty intones, to gasps from the children."He soon caught up to the two lovers, but just when it looked like the end, Prince Brian invoked the secret spell Kitsune had taught him...

Gatrandis favel, secret, edena... Ash fills in the song.
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron zen fine, si...


Wild applause goes up at this. "The great Hydreigon was engulfed in a bright rainbow light, allowing Prince Brian and Keira to return to Keira's homeland safely." Brock concludes over a victorious song. "They arrived to a hero's welcome, and a grand wedding was held before the year was out.

He looks out at the enthralled audience. "In fact, it is said in that land that they reigned honorably and faithfully for a very long time, and their reign is remembered fondly even now."

The crowd roars as the group takes a bow...
 
@Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 364: The Flute and the Whip

(real tale: The Pipe and the Whip)


"Once upon a time, there lived a man and his wife who were very poor, and it didn't help that they had three sons to raise." Brock begins as he arrives on the stage. "Two of the sons--whose names are unimportant--were clever lads, but the third, Jack by name, was not quite as clever."

Murmurs go up as Brock goes on "The years passed, and the man and his wife watched their sons come of age. One day the father, who felt that Arceus was calling him home, called his sons to his side and said...

”When I die, you must each in turn come and spend a night at my graveside.” he instructs as an older version for himself as the old man.

As himself, he continues "The sons agreed to this, and after clinging to life for a few days, the father met Arceus in heaven. The day after the funeral, it was the eldest son's turn to spend a night at his graveside. But whether he was afraid or not, I don't know, so he asked Jack to go in his place."

Giggles go up as Brock continues "Jack had dinner, put on his coat, and went to the graveyard. He lay by his father’s grave, and was about to fall asleep when all of a sudden he heard his father’s voice coming from within it."

”Is that you, Jack?" he asks as the old man.

”Yes, it’s me." he replies in a mimic of Ash for Jack.

”Why didn’t my eldest son come to my graveside first?”

”He said he was afraid.”

”Have you had anything to eat?”

”Yes.”

”You’re not cold, are you?”

”No, I have my coat on.”

”Because you have shown yourself to be a good and kind son, here is a flute for you. Play it, and whatever you wish for will come true.”

Brock reveals a familiar whistle with a black mouthpiece to the audience, to some applause. "Jack tucked the flute into his belt and returned home." he continues. "When the eldest brother asked what had happened, Jack only said that he had been asked if he had eaten and if he was cold."

After pocketing the whistle, he continues "A week went by, and it was the middle brother's turn to spend the night at his father’s graveside. But he made the excuse that he had a busy day the next day, and sent Jack in his place. They fed him dinner, gave him a warm shirt and jacket to wear, and Jack came to his father’s grave, spread the shirt on it and, covering himself with the jacket, was about to fall asleep when he heard his father’s voice coming from inside."

He then proceeds to perform the conversation between Jack and his father's spirit again. ”Is that you again, my youngest son? Why hasn’t my middle son come?”

”He said he had a busy day tomorrow, and needed the rest.”

”Well, then here is a whip for you. It will help you if you are ever in danger."

Some applause goes up as Brock shows the audience a prop whip. "So Jack tucked the whip into his belt and returned home. When the middle brother asked how things had went, Jack only said that he was not to come to the grave at night anymore."

He then intones "Some weeks later, Jack's brothers kicked him out of the house, simply for being unlike them."

Angry murmurs waft through the auditorium at this. "Jack reluctantly put on his jacket, ragged and torn as it was, tucked his flute and his whip into his belt, and set out on his way. After a long journey--which is another story on its own--he came to the royal city, asking everyone he came across if there was any work for him to do, for he was very hungry and had to feed himself somehow. One of the people he spoke to said...

”I heard that the king is in need of a shepherd." he tells the audience in character as a young woman. "Go to the palace, and if you tend the king’s Mareep for him for five years he will give you one of his daughters in marriage.”

He interjects as himself "So Jack made his way to the palace."

”I would like to tend your Mareep for you, Your Majesty.” he offers as Jack.

”Very well, but on one condition." he explains as the king. "When you drive the Mareep into the mountains, you are to let them graze where they will, do not forbid them.”

Brock goes on as himself "The following day he drove the Mareep to pasture into the mountains, and they ran on and on and did not stop for even a moment till they reached a glade grown with silken grass. They began to nibble the grass, and Jack lay down under an oak tree and fell asleep. He was awakened by a mighty roar, and, opening his eyes, saw a terrifying Hydreigon, his jaws open wide, standing before him."

”Why are your jaws open like that?” he stammers, a note of fear in his Jack voice.

”Your Mareep have trampled my silken grass, and you must pay with your life!” he growls in character as the Hydreigon.

He readies the whip as he continues as himself "But before the three headed dragon Pokemon could make good on his threat, Jack took the whip from under his belt and went at him. He cracked the whip once, and one of the dragon Pokemon’s heads rolled to the ground."

Some in the audience jump as Brock actually cracks the whip, never mind it is only a prop. "He cracked the whip a second time, and the second head followed the first. " He lashes the air again for effect. "The third head followed soon after that."

Cheers go up at this. "Jack found the Hydreigon's cave nearby, and went inside. There was a table there with a golden tinderbox, but when he opened it, imagine his surprise to see the Legend of Thunder, Raikou, before him!"

"Thank you for releasing me from the Hydreigon, good lad--I now pledge my loyalty to you. Name what you wish, and it is yours." he smiles in a gentle deep voice for Raikou.

”I only ask to see where the king’s Mareep are.” he replies as Jack.

As himself, Brock continues "Raikou was pleased with Jack's humility, and granted him permission to ride the divine steed Epona in addition to granting his wishes. He went to the glade but the Mareep were not there, and though he called them again and again not one appeared--it was as if the earth had swallowed them."

After putting the whip away and readying the whistle to play, he continues "But Jack remembered the flute his father had given him, and, pulling it out from under his belt, began to play."

The audience claps along as Brock plays a set of two tunes. "In moments, all the Mareep were running toward him, as if they were glad to see him." Brock continues, pocketing the whistle until he needs it again. Taran drove the flock to the king’s palace, and the king’s youngest daughter, Princess Christina saw him through the window and cried joyously..."

”The shepherd is bringing back the Mareep, Father!” he cries in a mimic of May for Princess Christina.

”Really? I was sure the Hydreigon tore him to pieces long ago.” he muses as the king.

”No, he didn’t, Father, for there he is! Come and see for yourself!” he cries as Princess Christina, pointing out something offstage all the while.

As himself, Brock continues "The king looked out the window and stared in disbelief at the approaching flock. When Jack drove the flock into the palace yard, the king met him there, and began counting the Mareep. It took him three days to count them all, but all were present and accounted for."

Some laughter goes up as Brock continues "The following morning Jack took a bag full of food, tucked the flute and whip into his belt and drove the Mareep to pasture. They ran on and on for three days and nights until they came to a glade grown with silken grass. They began nibbling the grass, and Jack had some lunch and lay down for a rest under a tree. All of a sudden he heard a mighty roar and felt something hot nearby. He opened his eyes, and there before him was a six-headed Hydreigon, tongues of flame spurting from his mouth. Jack sprang to his feet."

”Begone, you evil Pokemon! Am I a Pignite for you to make into smoked ham?” he taunts an imagined being as Jack.

”Your Mareep have trampled my silken grass, you will pay for it with your life!” he shoots back as the Hydreigon.

Brock takes the whip as he narrates "But Jack snatched the magic whip from his belt and went with it at the Hydreigon, and before the minute was up, the Hydreigon’s heads had rolled to the ground." He cracks the whip again for effect.

Cheers go up at this. "Jack found the Hydreigon's cave, and went inside." Brock continues as he puts away the whip. "Everything in it sparkled and shone, and was so beautiful that he could hardly believe his own eyes! He sat down at the table, where a silver tinderbox lay."

He grins. "Imagine his surprise when the Guardian of Flames, Entei appeared before him!"

"Thank you for releasing me from the Hydreigon, good lad--I now pledge my loyalty to you. Name what you wish, and it is yours." he smiles in a slightly younger sounding deep male voice for Entei.

”I only ask to see where the king’s Mareep are.” he replies as Jack.

As himself, Brock continues "Entei was also pleased with Jack's humility, and granted him permission to ride on his back in addition to granting his wishes. He went to the glade but the Mareep were not there, and though he called them again and again not one appeared--it was as if the earth had swallowed them. But Jack remembered the flute his father had given him, and, pulling it out from under his belt, began to play."

The crowd claps along as Brock plays the tune "Off to Pastoria" for effect. "In moments, all the Mareep were running toward him, as if they were glad to see him." he continues as he pockets the whistle. "Jack drove the flock home, where Princess Christina saw him again."

He proceeds to perform the rigamarole a second time. ”The shepherd is back with the flock, Father!”

”Really? I feared that the six-headed Hydreigon ate him long ago.”

”No, he didn’t, Father. Come and see for yourself!”

As himself, Brock goes on "The king looked out the window to see better, and stared at the approaching flock in amazement."

"He has done well to kill off two of the Hydreigons that have plagued the realm, but I worry the third will be his biggest challenge yet." he intones as the king, to some interested murmurs.

As himself, he continues "Jack walked happily along and winked at Princess Christina, who sat at the window and smiled. So many were the Mareep that the king did not bother counting them but stood there with a big smile on his face."

”Will let your youngest daughter marry me?”he asks as Jack.

”Let us not be too hasty--you have done well to slay two of the Hydreigons that have long brought terror on the realm, but the third is the strongest of all." he explains as the king. "If you can defeat him, you will have delivered the realm, and Christina is yours."

Excited murmurs go up as Brock continues "The following morning Jack took some food, and drove the Mareep out to pasture. They came to a glade grown with silken grass, where he had lunch and lay down for a nap under a tree. All of a sudden there came so loud a roar that the leaves on the trees shook and trembled. Jack immediately remembered the king’s warning. 'How can I sleep when the eldest of the Hydreigons is on his way here!' he said to himself."

He intones "Sure enough, the eldest Hydreigon was coming. He had nine heads, and so fierce were the flames pouring from his mouth that any trees and grass in his path were scorched to ashes. The Hydreigon saw Jack and let out a mighty roar."

Some in the audience jump as a sound effect of a Hydreigon roar resonates through the room. ”What are you trampling my grass for?” he demands as the Hydreigon.

”Because I was here first." he counters as Jack.

”I’ll swallow you like a Venonat!”

”I would love to see you try!”

Cheers go up as Brock readies the whip again. "With that, Jack snatched the whip from his belt, and soon all nine heads lay on the ground."

The crowd roars as Brock lashes the air, their cheers almost drowning out the crack. "He found the Hydreigon's cave, and went inside." Brock continues as he puts the whip away. "It was as if the sun were ablaze, so dazzling was the cave and everything in it, and he had to cover his eyes with his hand for fear of being blinded. There was a table there with a crystal tinderbox on it. When Taran opened this one, the Guardian of the North Wind, Suicune, stood before him!"

"Thank you for releasing me from the Hydreigon, good lad--I now pledge my loyalty to you. Name what you wish, and it is yours." he smiles in a slightly older deep male voice for Suicune.

”I only ask to see where the king’s Mareep are.” he replies as Jack.

As himself, Brock continues "Suicune was also pleased with Jack's humility, and gave him eternal youth and life, in addition to letting him ride on his back. When Jack came to the glade, there wasn’t a single Mareep there. But Taran took out his flute and began to play, and the Mareep appeared as if out of thin air."

The crowd claps along as Brock plays a version of "The Fletchling Feather" for effect. "When Jack drove the flock to the royal palace, the king was stunned to find Jack alive."

”This boy has done the impossible--he has saved the realm from the Hydreigons, and proven himself more than worthy to have you, Christina." he smiles as the king.

He concludes as himself "The king welcomed Jack like a great hero, and before the year was over, Jack and Princess Christina were married. The wedding was a grand affair, and thousands came from far and wide to wish the lovers well."

"Aw"s go up before Brock remembers something. "It is said the music never stopped playing all that time--as far as I know, the festivities continue to this day."

Cheers and applause fill the room as Brock takes a bow...
 
@Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 365a: The Heart of the Princess, part 1

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"Long ago, in a place far from here, and in a time of magic, there lived a king and a queen, who were rich and happy." Brock begins as he arrives on the stage. "But the queen was a proud, haughty woman, and disliked anyone more powerful than her. She hated the fey most of all, and could not bear them to come to the castle where she and the king lived."

Angry murmurs go up at this. "Time passed, and a little princess was born—who they named Joanna." Brock explains, to some applause in approval of the name. "It goes without saying that the bells rang, and fireworks lit up the night sky in celebration. There was great rejoicing all across the land, and the king and queen were happy beyond all measure."

He interjects "One day, as the queen sat by the cradle of the young princess, she said..."

"My beloved, when you have grown you will be rich and beautiful, and you will marry a young prince, who will love you dearly." he coos in the smarmiest female voice he can think of, to some laughter. "Then one day you will be queen, and have a fine palace, and jewels, and land to your heart's content."

As himself, he continues "Hardly were the words out of her mouth when she saw a flash of light beside her, and, looking up, saw a tiny winged lady dressed in yellow from head to toe standing on the other side of the cradle. She was a fey of the light, sent to bless the princess."

"How do you know that your child will be so happy, milady?" he challenges as Serena for the light fairy. "Whose help will you seek to get her all these fine things?"

"I will ask no one's help, for I am queen of the land, and can have what I please." he counters, using a mimic of Jessie for the queen's actual speaking voice.

"Don't be so sure, Your Grace; but Arceus sent me with a message should you refuse His blessings--on the next night that the moon is bright, guard well the princess when the clock strikes twelve, lest something of hers be taken from her." he warns as the light fairy.

He intones as himself "Try as the queen might to protest; the light fairy had vanished."

He stops to retrieve his harp by stage right as he goes on. "The sky that night was dark and overcast, and no moon was to be seen, and the next night was the same, but on the third night the moon shone bright and clear, and as the clock struck midnight..."

He proceeds to play a series of F chords to mimic clock chimes as he speaks. "...the queen awoke and looked at the baby, who was sleeping peacefully in its cradle; but hidden between the clock chimes she thought she heard a faint whistling outside the window, which grew louder and fuller each moment. Just as the twelfth chime rang, the queen saw a bright flash of red light from the cradle, followed by something fluttering across the room like a tiny bird, with red, soft feathers. It flew straight out the window, and all was quiet as before.

He sets the harp aside and removes the fingerpicks as he intones "The queen took the baby in her arms and looked at it anxiously by the light of the moon, but it looked as if nothing had happened at all, so she placed it in its cradle and tried to forget the whole affair."

He reminds the audience "But something had in fact been taken from the young princess--I will tell you what that was, and of the one that decided to find it, next week!"
 
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@Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 365b: The Heart of the Princess, part 2

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"Now, Princess Joanna's nurse was a very wise woman who knew much about fairies and their culture, and as the girl grew up she watched her with an anxious face." Brock explains as he arrives onstage.

"She is under a spell, though I don't know what kind; but before she is a woman they will see how different she is from others." he explains in a gentle older female voice for the nurse.

He explains as himself "The nurse's words proved to be true. No one had ever seen a girl like Princess Joanna before. Nothing seemed to trouble her. She never shed a tear. If she were angry, she would stomp her feet and her eyes would flash, but she never cried, and she loved no one. In fact, when the king her father went to war it did not grieve her; and when he returned she was no happier than she had been when he was away. She never kissed her mother, or her ladies, and when they said they loved her, she stared at them blankly, and asked what they meant. Though the ladies scolded her for being hard-hearted, the old nurse always stopped them from hurting her."

"It is not her you should blame. She is enchanted, but it is not her fault." he explains to the audience as the nurse.

"Oh"s fill the room as the audience figures out the the princess lost her heart on that night long ago. "Princess Joanna grew up and was the loveliest lady in the land." Brock continues as himself. "It was many long years since anyone so fair had been seen, but for all that her mother mourned over her sorely, and her eyes were sore with crying for her beautiful daughter, who had never yet wept one tear herself."

He smiles before introducing the hero of his epic adventure. "The neighboring country was governed by a king and queen who had a son--we'll call him David--whom everybody loved dearly. He was a handsome young man, and as good as he was handsome. He was as gracious to the poorest beggar as to the greatest lord, and all the poor folk came to him to tell him their troubles, if they thought they were badly treated; and because he was brave and handsome, the royal court loved him as much, if not more than the common people."

Applause fills the air at this. "Now, in this land there stood on a high hill a great tower, and at the top lived an old wizard." Brock goes on. "No one knew his name or his age, for he had lived there for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. No one knew how the tower had been built, either. It was made of one huge rock, with no connections or braces."

"Wow"s and awed whistles waft down the rows as Brock continues "While many in the land were awed and respectful of the old wizard, the king and queen were afraid of him. It didn't help that no one had ever dared to climb the tower and see the old wizard at his work except Prince David, who knew him well and did not fear him at all, but went up and down the tower as he wished, and in return, learned much of the way of magic."

He looks out at the enthralled crowd. "This knowledge of magic would prove key to winning back Princess Joanna's heart--I will tell you how our hero embarked on this quest next week!
 
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Week 365c: The Heart of the Princess, part 3

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"One night it happened that Prince David found himself alone on the hillside, and seeing a bright light shining from the top of the tower he decided to go inside and pay the old wizard a visit." Brock picks up from where he left off as he arrives onstage. "So he went to a door, and pushing it open, stepped into a narrow, dark, winding staircase, that went straight up the center to the room at the top, where the wizard lived. The staircase was pitch dark, for there were no windows. It didn't help that it was so narrow that only one person could walk in it at a time, but Prince David knew the way, and climbed until he saw a ray of light, and walked through the doorway into the wizard's chamber."

The lights brighten a little as Brock goes on "This room was as bright as day, for it was lit by a lamp which the wizard had made, and though it needed no oil or wax, every day it was filled with sunbeams, and still glowed at night after the sun had set. So the whole room shone with a brilliant light, and in the middle of it all sat the wizard, who was a wonderful old man to look upon, his gray beard a stark contrast to his colorful robes. His eyes still had the sparkle of youth in them, even though he had seen many things, and had learned much of the world."

Awed murmurs go up at this. "When Prince David arrived, he was looking at an enormous book full of pictures." Brock explains. "But these were no ordinary pictures, for they walked and moved over the page as if the people, Pokemon, and objects they depicted were alive."

"It's only me, great one. What book is that?" he asks in a mimic of Ash for Prince David.

"In this book are living portraits of all the residents and items in the world--this is how I know what is going on outside of the tower." he replies in a gentle older man voice for the wizard.

"May I take a look?" he asks as Prince David.

As himself, Brock continues "The wizard just chuckled as he turned a few pages, and stopped at one depicting many different kings and queens of of the world. Prince David knew some of the monarchs on the page, and some of them he had never seen before. He recognized King Réné, who had come to his court the year before, his wife Queen Constance, and their son, his friend Prince Edward. He also recognized Princess Joanna's parents, but did not recognize the girl next to them."

"Who is that?" he asks as Prince David.

"It is their daughter Princess Joanna." he replies, a note of fear in his "wizard voice. "I beg you not to look at her, my son, for she will bring nothing but trouble to all who know her."

"I don't care if she brings trouble or happiness! She is the most beautiful lady in the world." he vows as Prince David.

He interjects as himself "With that, he grabbed the book and looked long and hard at the living portrait of Princess Joanna. She was dressed in white, with a golden sash around the waist, and a crown of daisies on her head. As Prince David looked, the picture turned and smiled at him until he smiled back again."

"Aw"s fill the air before Brock cautions "When the wizard saw this, he took the book from the young man's hands, and put it away."

"Think no more of Princess Joanna, however beautiful she may be, or you will rue the day you saw her in the Book of Places and People dearly." he warns as the wizard.

Fearful murmurs fill the room as Brock concludes as himself "Prince David said nothing, but he thought all the more of the living portrait of Princess Joanna. After he had left the tower, and returned to the palace, he could not forget her, but dreamed of her all night, and thought about her all the more during the day."

He looks out at his enthralled audience. "And so, the adventure of a lifetime began...I will tell you more next week!"
 
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Week 365d: The Heart of the Princess, part 4

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"The next morning, he went to the king and said..." Brock began as he arrived onstage.

"My father, I humbly request that you will send word to the king of the neighboring country and ask if I may have his daughter, Princess Joanna, for my bride. I have seen her portrait, and there is no one in the world I love as much as her." he requests as Prince David.

He interjects as himself "When the king heard this, he was delighted."

"Our good neighbors are rich and powerful, and it will be a capital idea for our son to marry their daughter." he smiles as the king.

Giggles waft through the room while Brock continues as himself "So he immediately sent an ambassador to ask for the hand of Princess Joanna for Prince David. Joanna's father and mother were delighted with the offer, and happily accepted it; but the queen's heart sank within her, for she thought, 'Joanna is not like any other maiden who ever lived before, and perhaps when Prince David sees her and finds this out, he will refuse to wed her after all.' but she said nothing of her fears, and the ambassador returned to the court with many wonderful gifts, and a message of acceptance."

Light applause goes up at this, but Brock is quick to tell the audience "Meanwhile, Prince David knew no peace or rest, but wandered among the hills by himself, thinking of Joanna, and still, in his heart, he wondered what the wizard had meant when he said that if he thought of Princess Joanna, one day he would rue it. Eventually, he said to himself 'I will disguise myself as a poor man, and go see my princess for myself before the ambassador returns, then I will know what the wizard meant'."

Intrigued murmurs go up as Brock throws on a cloak to represent the prince's disguise. "So he disguised himself as a peasant, and set out without telling anyone where he was going. He traveled day and night until he came to the country where Joanna lived. Then he walked near the palace gardens, and he saw a group of lovely ladies sitting together on the grass."

He smiles. "His heart raced as he looked at them, for in their midst, the most beautiful of all, sat the Princess Joanna. Her auburn hair fell to her waist, her face was like a rose, and her eyes were blue as sapphires, but when she lifted them, he saw that they were clear and hard as glass, and her voice when she spoke was like a bright bell. He watched as she brushed away a servant girl who asked to see her father, who had been injured in a hunt. The other ladies looked angry at the distant answer, but no one said a word."

The murmurs turn angry as Brock continues "Then a groom informed her that one of her favored Ponytas had suddenly succumbed to disease during the night, but she showed no emotion, and never shed a tear. Prince David turned away with a heavy heart."

"The wizard spoke the truth--there will be nothing but sorrow for all those who love my poor Princess Joanna." he sighs as Prince David.

He assures the audience as himself "Yet he could not bear to leave her and return his own home, and still he remained near the palace. For some days he watched her unnoticed, when she walked and rode, and listened to all she said, and each day he grieved more and more, for she never said one kind word to anyone; yet each day when he saw how beautiful she was he loved her more and more."

After savoring the enthralled audience for a moment, he concludes "So what would our hero have to do to win back the heart of his beloved? I will tell you more next week!"
 
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Week 365e: The Heart of the Princess, part 5

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"When Prince David returned to his homeland, he found joy and celebration everywhere, for the ambassador had returned with a message from Joanna's father promising she would marry Prince David, and everywhere he looked, preparations were being made to welcome Princess Joanna to her new home." Brock begins as he arrives onstage.

"My son, all is arranged for you to journey to her father's court and bring back your bride, so now I hope that you are happy and wish for nothing more." he smiles in character as the king.

As himself, he continues "On hearing this Prince David's face fell, and his father and mother wondered what was wrong. But he said to himself, 'I will never marry my Joanna until she loves me as I do her, and how can she ever do that when she loves no one, not even her own father and mother?'"

Intrigued murmurs fill the air at this. "Meanwhile, at the court of Joanna's father grand preparations had been made, and excitement was in the air when Prince David arrived with servants, Rapidashes, and presents for his bride." Brock continues. "The king and queen welcomed him with the greatest honor, and beside them was Joanna. and she looked so beautiful, in a dress as blue as her eyes, that everyone said, 'How glad he will be when he sees how lovely she is.' And so the trumpets sounded, and the bells rang, when Prince David, followed by his attendants, arrived in the throne room, and all present stood up in respect."

Brock proceeds to get on one knee, as if the king and queen in his tale are there. "He bowed on one knee, kissed their hands, and he kissed the hand of Princess Joanna, but he did not lift his eyes from the ground or look in her face, and his own face was so sad that the people whispered to each other, and speculated and debated why he looked so sad."

He gets up as he goes on "That night, Prince David sent a message to the queen, asking for her to speak with him alone, and when she heard this her heart sank, and she thought, 'He must know that there is something amiss with Joanna, and perhaps he comes to say he will not marry her after all.'"

He intones "So she sent everyone away, except for the old nurse, and gave Prince David permission to come. When he came in and saw her saddened face, he said..."

"You have guessed, milady, why I come to speak to you. Tell me what ails Princess Joanna, and why is she unlike anyone I ever saw." he requests as Prince David.

As himself, he interjects "The queen cried bitterly, but the old nurse said..."

"I know and will tell you, Sir David." he smiles as the nurse, initiating a roleplay of the entire conversation. "Princess Joanna is under a spell. A fairy of the light enchanted her when she was a tiny baby as punishment for her mother's pride, and until this spell is broken, she will never be like other people."

"What spell was cast on her?"

"I don't know."

As himself, he explains "The nurse told Prince David of the light fairy, and the whistling the queen had heard at night many years before, and as he listened Prince David sighed and said..."

As Prince David, he vows "There is no spell that can't be broken if one knows how, but this is hard to do, for we do not know what the spell is, or the fairy who cast it. But bid the people to stop the preparations, Your Grace, and stop the festivities, for there will be no wedding. We will not marry until I have found the fairy who has wronged my Joanna, and set her free. Tomorrow I will depart at dawn, and journey to the very ends of the world, to search for what can break the spell. I only ask that Joanna wait for me for seven years, and if I have not returned at the end of that time, and you have heard nothing of me, you must presume that I have met Arceus in heaven, and marry her to whom you will, for if I am alive, I will return before then. Until seven years have passed, remember that Joanna is still mine."

Some applause goes up at this. "On hearing this the queen cried even more, and begged Prince David to stay and marry Joanna, or leave her and return to his homeland." Brock interjects when the applause quiets.

"I have sworn that I will not marry Joanna until she loves me as I do her, neither can I return to my home and forget her, so bid her be ready at dawn tomorrow to bid me farewell, and tell no one that I am going. I also ask that you would to send a messenger to my father and mother to tell them why I am not returning" he vows as Prince David.

He narrates as himself "The queen said nothing, but she cried very bitterly; but the old nurse smiled and said..."

"Arceus' favor be on your quest. You are a noble prince, and truly deserve our princess's love." he smiles as the nurse.

After savoring his audience's enthralled looks for a moment Brock concludes as himself. "What wonders and terrors did Prince David discover on his quest? I will tell you more next week!"
 
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Week 365f: The Heart of the Princess, part 6

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"The next morning, the queen woke Princess Joanna and told her Prince David wished to tell her good-bye." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "Prince David stood at the door of the palace, and when Princess Joanna came out looking lovelier than ever in the dim morning light, the tears filled his eyes, and he thought 'I may never see her again, and then she will never know how much I loved her'."

"Good-bye, Joanna. "Don't forget me for seven years, for perhaps I may yet come back and marry you." he begins as Prince David

"Why do you leave me?" he asks in a mimic of Serena for Princess Joanna. "I thought there was going to be a grand wedding, and I would have all the gifts that are being prepared for me. But if you must go, fare thee well."

As himself, Brock continues "David sighed as he mounted his Ponyta and bade her farewell. When he looked back at the palace, the queen and Joanna still stood at the gates. The queen cried; but Princess Joanna looked quite happy and contented, and smiled brightly."

Interested murmurs waft down the rows as Brock goes on "Prince David rode until he came to his own land, then traveled to the tower where the wizard lived. He climbed the tower and found the old wizard with a sullen look on his face."

He then proceeds to roleplay the entire conversation between Prince David and the wizard by himself:

"I know why you've come. You have seen Princess Joanna; but do you still wish to marry her?"

"I will marry her, or no one. But I want to find out who or what has bewitched her, and break the spell."

"You will have to search for that. It may be years before you can set her free. Is that what you truly wish to do?"

"I will seek to break the spell, even if it takes a lifetime. Please, tell me what it is, and how can I break it?"

"A fey of the dark has stolen her heart. This is why she loves no one, and can feel no sorrow; she has no heart with which to love or pity, and until it is found, she will be hard and cold as ice. Her mother was warned about her pride, and this is the price she paid."

"A child should not be punished for a parent's transgression. I will go and seek her heart, and bring it back to her. But where do I begin looking for it?"

"The dark fey has taken it to a castle where the stolen hearts of many people lie. This castle is very far from here; it is guarded by an old gnome, who is spiteful and cruel, and who pays no heed to those who beg him to let them inside. Are you sure you want to risk being put under a spell yourself, or worse, killed?"

"I'm sure. Tell me what path to take, and I will set out immediately."

Applause fills the air at Brock's vocal dexterity. "The wizard took a small round piece of glass from a pocket, and gave it to our hero." Brock narrates as himself, showing the audience a prop diamond pendant shaped like a teardrop.

"Take this--it is all I can give you to help you." he explains as the wizard. "You must look at the stars, and you will see that they are all of different colors—red, blue, yellow, and green; look for the one which is the deepest, brightest blue, and follow it; it will lead you many miles both by land and by sea. Follow steadily, and let nothing turn you from your course, and you will surely come to the castle where the heart of your princess lies."

Brock takes a moment to savor the audience's smiles as he pockets his prop. "What wonders and terrors awaited Prince David on his quest? I will tell you more next week!"
 
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Week 365g: The Heart of the Princess, part 7

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"Prince David thanked the wizard, and took the glass." Brock begins as he arrives on the stage. "After bidding him farewell, he left the strangely lit chamber, went down the dark staircase, and stood again on the hill outside, with the dark sky overhead filled with shining stars."

"Ooh"s go up as the lights dim to mimic night, save for a bright blue spot near stage left. "David raised the glass and looked at them through it, and then he almost shouted with surprise, for they looked wonderful." Brock explains. "They were like jewels of many colors—green, blue, yellow, red,—and in the south was one of a deep glowing blue, like a sapphire, and David knew that was the star he was to follow."

He pauses before saying. "Then he looked back towards his father's palace."

"Farewell--someday I will return, and bring with me my beloved Princess Joanna." he sighs as Prince David as he looks back towards stage right.

As himself, he continues "With that, he set off. He traveled a long, long, way, until he reached towns and villages he had never seen before. All that night he traveled while the stars shone, and he could see the blue star to follow. But when the stars grew pale, and the sun rose, he lay down under a tree to rest. When he woke the day was almost done, and the sun was setting. So he went to a little town nearby and bought food, and rested until the stars shone in the sky. Then he continued through the night, still following the sapphire star."

After walking around the stage for a moment, the lights brighten as Brock returns to center stage. "Many days and nights passed like this. He journeyed through many strange lands--which are tales themselves--and his heart sank when he thought, 'I may wander all around the world, and come no closer to the star, or to the castle where they keep the heart of my poor Joanna'."

Some sound effects of waves and Wingulls play to evoke a beach. "Eventually he came to the seashore, and in front of him lay a great sea, and beyond it he saw no sign of land." Brock explains. "But the star shone right over it, and he knew that he had to cross. It was in the evening, the sun had set, but some fishermen still remained on the beach, resting beside their boats. David went up to them, and taking some money from his pocket, asked for how much one of their boats were. At this the men looked surprised, and one of them said..."

"Why do you wish to buy a boat? We use them to fish near the shore, but no boat or ship has ever crossed this sea, for no one knows what lies beyond." he protests in a mimic of Flint for the fisherman.

"Then I will be the first to find out. Tell me how much you want, and give me your largest boat."he requests as Prince David.

Brock continues as himself "On this the fishermen huddled to discuss this offer. Many believed the prince was nuts, but they agreed to let him have a boat."

The sounds fade out as he continues "So they gave David their best boat in return for a fair price. He set sail, and sailed where the blue star shone. He sailed until he had left every trace of land behind. By day he kept the boat still, out of fear he would lose the star, but when the second night came he was so weary that in spite of himself he fell asleep. When he woke, he found the sun had risen, and his boat was drifting close to land. It was a flat, lonely shore, without trees or grass, and facing him was an immense castle. It was built of black marble, and it could not be a more gloomy place, for the windows were small and high up, and barred with heavy iron bars. The castle had no spires or towers, but was one square black block, and looked more like a prison than a castle. Around it was a high wall, and outside of this a moat without a means to get across."

He smiles as he looks out on his enthralled audience, "What horrors awaited inside the castle? I will tell you more next week!"
 
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Week 365h: The Heart of the Princess, part 8

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"David steered his boat to shore, stepped from it, and looked around for a way to cross the moat." Brock goes on. "He saw a little hut nearby, and beside it lay an old man, fast asleep. A large Arbok lay beside him, also asleep. David stood watching them both, afraid to wake them, when the gray man raised his head, and opening a pair of dull, gray eyes, looked at him. He didn't say a word, and eventually, Prince David asked him..."

"Grandfather, tell me how I am to enter the castle. if you have the key, will you please give it to me?" he asks as Prince David.

"I indeed have the key, and no one can enter without my permission. What will you give me in return?" he asks in a gentle older voice for the old man, proceeding to role play the scene himself:.

"How much do you want?"

"Your money means nothing to me. But look over there. I am building a wall of stone, and my strength fails me; if you can complete that wall, I will give you the key to the castle."

"How long must I work? Unless I can enter the castle before seven years are over, it will be no use to me."

"Look at that Arbok--it is sitting on its eggs. When they hatch, you can have the key and open the castle door."

Some applause fills the air at Brock's vocal dexterity. "Then the old man rose, and beckoning to him to follow, went into the little cottage." Brock explains as himself. "From a nail on the wall he took a pair of shackles fastened together by a heavy iron chain, and placed them on his arms. Then the old man took down another heavy chain, passed it over the first one and fastened it to his ankles, so that he could only move his arms and legs a little bit. This done, he pointed to where, on the wall high up, hung a gleaming golden sword, the hilt glittering with precious stones."

"That is the key of the castle." he explains as the old man. "You need only push the doors with its point and they will open; but while your hands are chained you cannot reach it, but when the Arbok's eggs hatch, your chains will fall off, and you may take the sword down from its place."

He continues as himself "Then he showed David how to move the heavy stones, and where to build with them. He sat down by the Arbok and watched him. Our hero worked hard until the sun had set, and then the old man rose, called him into the hut and gave him food and drink, then he showed him where he could sleep. So our hero slept soundly and dreamed of Joanna."

He smiles at the audience, as if assuring them all will be well. "But was this a trap for our hero? I will tell you more next week!"
 
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Week 365i: The Heart of the Princess, part 9

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"At dawn he was awakened by the old man, who again gave him plenty to eat." Brock begins as he arrives on the stage. "All day David worked hard, and in the evening as he passed by the Arbok, he looked at it as it lay coiled over its eggs, and said..."

"How soon will your work be done, and mine also, Lady Arbok? Please hurry, so I may find my way into the castle, and return to my princess." he pleads as Prince David.

As himself, Brock continues "And so the days passed like this. Every morning the old man awoke Prince David and gave him food, and all day he worked hard. Then when night approached, he gave him plenty to eat and drink, but never ate himself."

The lights dim a little as Brock continues "Meanwhile, the doors of the castle never opened, and no one was seen going in, or coming out; but sometimes strange noises could be heard from within its walls. Sometimes there were wails and moans, which it filled Prince David with horror to hear, and sometimes there was sweet singing, so sweet that it brought tears to his eyes."

He smiles--it's time for the twist in the tale! "On one of these occasions, one of his stray tears touched the Arbok's eggs. But no sooner did they touch them, did the shells break open, and from each egg came a small moving thing, though what it was Prince David did not see, for he leaped to his feet with a shout of joy, which filled the air, and echoed again from the castle. At this the old man opened his eyes, and raising himself gazed, as if thunderstruck, with astonishment at the eggs."

The audience starts to applaud, but Brock has other ideas, "But out of the eggs came no fully formed being. From one egg came a foot, from another a leg, from another a tail, and from one a head, and each looked as though it belonged to a different Pokemon, yet all of then joined together, creating a hideous monster of many colors. Then Prince David's chains opened up and fell to the ground."

"Now I will go and take the sword from the wall!" he cries as Prince David.

The lights come up on a prop sword as Brock continues as himself "With this, he turned and rushed into the hut. There on the wall hung the shining sword, and David reached out his hand and grabbed it, as if it knew he was the worthy hero to wield it."

As he puts on the scabbard contining the prop sword he vows in haracter "I promise that when I enter the castle, I will not say a word to anyone, save for asking for what I seek. I will not taste food or drink, until I have found the heart of my Joanna."

As himself, Brock continues "Then, with the sword in his hand, he passed the old man, who still sat chuckling over the monster, too busy to heed him, and he went on to the bridgeless moat. It was not wide, and he swam across it easily, and scrambled up the bank by the stone wall."

Murmurs fill the air as Brock draws the sword and points it at something. "He pushed with the point of the sword at the gate, and it at flew open, allowing him access to the outer court. Then he saw a heavy door in the wall of the castle, and went up to it, fearing nothing. Upon touching it with the sword's point, it too flew open, and he went inside."

He smiles as he sheathes the sword. "What wonders and terrors awaited our hero? I will tell you more next week!"
 
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Week 365j: The Heart of the Princess, part 10

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"He stepped into a passage filled with flowers and decorated with silk. " Brock begins as he arrives on the stage. "He walked upon a velvet carpet, and the air was filled with sweet scents. He heard sweet voices singing far off in the distance. He walked on through another door, and yet another, and with every step he took all things became lovelier."

Awed murmurs fill the room as Brock continues "Eventually, he walked into a large chamber, one he had never seen before. On the ceiling were precious stones arranged in patterns of flowers and crowns. On the walls were soft velvet hangings and embroidery. The furniture was of made of the finest gold and silver and ivory, and flowers grew everywhere, even sprouting from the floor and along the walls, filling the air with sweet scents. Many bird cages holding Fletchlings hung on the walls, and they sang sweetly."

Giggles fill the auditorium as Brock mimics a Fletchling song for effect. :On a table in the center of the room was a feast fit for royalty, and as Prince David wondered if he should go any farther, a curtain opened, revealing a lady in black velvet, who came smiling towards him and held out her hand."

"I am honored to see you, young hero." he smiles in a mimic of a young lady. "I am mistress of this castle, and you are very welcome. Before you tell me where you come from and what you seek, you will sit down and share this feast with me."

He interjects as himself "Prince David started to answer, when he felt the sword in his hand, and remembered his promise."

"I seek the heart of Princess Joanna." he explains as Prince David.

"And you shall find it." he assures an imagined person as the lady. "But first you must rest and eat, for you must be both tired and hungry."

He continues as himself "With that, she sat at one end of the table, and asked our hero to sit at the other. She took the golden covers from the dishes, and prepared to begin the feast. Prince David didn't know what to do, but he sat at the table in silence, and remembered the wizard's magic glass. When she was not looking, he took it out, and looked through it at her."

He then reveals the truth about the lady. "He saw no finely-dressed lady, but an old woman, clad in yellow, with a shriveled face and evil looking eyes. He put away the glass, and sat still as a statue, though the yellow woman urged him to try the different dishes again and again. He saw that her face grew red with rage."

Gasps go up at the twist, but Brock isn't done setting the terrifying scene. "Then all of a sudden she disappeared, the lights went out, and he was left alone in the darkness. He searched for the door he had entered from, but could not find it or any other way out of the room; so there he was, a prisoner with the Fletchlings."

"Never mind this...I have at last reached the inside of the castle, and surely will find the heart of my Joanna, and if I keep my vow, nothing can harm me." he vows as Prince David.

As himself, he concludes "So he sat down to wait for what might come. He sat there the whole night, and no one came near him, but the Fletchlings sang so beautifully that he almost forgot the passage of time."

He looks out at the excited audience. "How did our hero escape with the heart of the princess? I will tell you more next week!"
 
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Week 365k: The Heart of the Princess, part 11

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"When morning came and light again shone through the windows, he searched for some way out of the room, but the door had disappeared." Brock picks up from where he left off the previous week. "The feast from the previous night was gone. The day passed, and still he was alone. As evening came, he sat and lamented, worn out and faint from hunger. But when the darkness came, the lamps in the room were suddenly lit as if by magic, and all was bright. A curtain opened, and the same lady from before arrived. This time, she carried a goblet and a well-filled plate."

"My mistress sends you these, and begs that you eat and drink, for you must be both hungry and thirsty;" he implores as a young lady.

He interjects as himself "But Prince David pushed away the goblet and the plate, and said..."

"I seek the heart of Princess Joanna; I beg you to give it to me." he pleads as Prince David.

As himself, he announces the twist in the tale. "Suddenly, the lady disappeared!"

Gasps go up at the turn of events. "Our hero trembled with horror and disgust, for now he saw no lady." Brock explains. "In her place was an old hag in yellow, carrying a goblet shaped like a skull. David jumped to his feet and knocked the goblet from her. The wine spilled on the floor, and moments later, the room was changed. The silken hangings, the gold, the pearls, and the flowers were all gone. Instead, he was sitting in a grim chamber like a vault. The yellow hag stood before him, with anger burning in her eyes. But in one hand she held what Prince David had traveled far to find. It was a soft red feathery thing, with wings, but shaped like a heart, and it trembled and quivered in her hand.

"Take it, for you have won it." he grumbles in a mimic of Jessie for the hag. "Take it, and tell the queen how many years of toil and labor her proud words and boasting have cost her. When you see the heart's owner, let it fly, but first sing to it the last song the Swanna sings before it dies:

'Gatrandis favel, secret, edena...
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena..
Emusto koron zen fine, si...'

and it will fly to her side, and you will see it no more."

Excited whispers fill the auditorium as Brock continues as himself "Prince David grabbed the heart with a cry of joy, then turned and fled from the room through an open door. The halls were no longer softly carpeted and hung with silk, but dreary and bare, made of cold stone, where his footsteps echoed. He hurried from the castle as quickly as he could, and once outside did not stop to look for the old man or the monster, but swam across the moat. He went straight to where his boat lay moored as he had left it, nearly seven years before, and never paused until he had rowed so far that the gray castle and the shore had almost disappeared from view."

He smiles at the enthralled crowd. "Did Prince David make it back to his beloved's side, and restore her heart to her? Furthermore, did her parents keep their promise to him? I will tell you more next week!"
 
At long last, we finally finish this epic story!

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

Week 365l: The Heart of the Princess, part 12

(real tale: The Heart of the Princess Joan)

"At last he returned to the shore where he had bought his boat." Brock begins as he arrives on the stage. "From here, he walked until he had reached Joanna's country, and her father's castle.He had no money, and his clothes were rags. He looked like a poor beggar, and he had to beg food as he traveled, or he would have starved. Still, he was ready to cry in joy, because he had with him the heart he had gone so far to find."

The auditorium comes alive with whispers, now that the crowd knows that the long story's ending is in sight. "He trudged on day and night, for he knew that the seven years were almost up." Brock reminds the crowd. "He feared that he might be too late, and find that Joanna had married someone else."

He smiles. "Finally, after many weary miles, he reached her land, and approached the palace where she lived. He found that the people were making preparations for some great festival."

Gasps and "oh no"s fill the air at this. "He stopped and begged for food from a woman who stood by a cottage door." Brock explains. "When she had given him some bread, he asked her to tell him the occasion for such rejoicing."

"It is for the marriage of the king's daughter Joanna. Tomorrow she is to marry King Lambert, who rules a land to the west of here." he explains as the woman. "The wedding will be very grand, but none of the common folk like the idea. He is old and ugly, and they say he does not love her at all, but only marries her so he may be king of this land as well as his own. The queen is distraught about it, and for seven years refused her consent. But the years will end tomorrow, and so they will wed. The guests are already beginning to arrive at the palace, and each one brings a gift."

"I will be a guest at that wedding, and I bring the best gift of all for the bride." he vows as Prince Divia, to cheers.

As himself, he continues "He hurried on, not heeding the woman's scorn and laughter.When he ca me to the palace, he found it decorated with flags, and arches of flowers were erec ted in front of it. Many servants stood at the door to welcome the guests who came.David approached quietly, lest he be driven away by the servants, and then he saw a young page.

"Tell me where the Princess Joanna is, and what she is doing." he requests as Prince David.

"She is with the king and queen and King Lambert in the stateroom, receiving the guests and accept the presents they bring." he replies in a mimic of a young boy for the page.

"I am a guest, and I bring a present for her. Tell me how to get into the palace." he asks as Prince David.

He explains as himself "On hearing this the page burst out laughing, and told the other servants what he said. They were very angry, and had half a mind to throw him in the dungeon had the old nurse not been passing by at that moment."

Relieved sighs fill the room as Brock continues "The old nurse asked what was going on, and Prince David reminded her of the vow he had made seven years before. He also told her about the promise the king and queen had made in return. He finished by warning her that they were on the verge of breaking that promise by promising Joanna to another.The nurse assured our hero she would inform the king immediately. She hurried to the stateroom, where she explained everything. Stunned, the king had to go with her to see what the nurse had spoke of with his own eyes."

He smiles "When David saw them coming, he took from his shirt the little red heart, and stroked it as he sang the following to it...

with that, he sings as Prince David Gatrandis favel, secret, edena...
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron zen fine, si...


Brock waits for the applause to quiet before continuing as himself. "When the last note faded, it spread its wings and fluttered through the palace. For a moment it rested at the side of the Princess Joanna, and then disappeared inside of her. She gave a scream, and cried..."

"My mother! My father! What has happened? Oh see, it is David who has returned!" he cries as Princess Joanna, to some "aw"s.

He adds as himself "Before they could stop her, she had ran down the grand staircase to embrace Prince David."

"Your nurse spoke the truth!" he gasps in character as the king. "It is Prince David, who left here seven years ago, and who we all thought lost. Now he has returned in time to marry our princess."

he adds as himself "The king, the queen and all the people laughed for joy. King Lambert tried to protest, and claimed that Princess Joanna was betrothed to him."

"No--she was promised to Prince David for seven years." he explains as the queen. "We are grieved for your sake, King Lambert, but we cannot break our royal word."

He continues as himself "Then Princess Joanna kissed him before them all, and begged that he marry her immediately. So they brought a fine Rapidash with a gold saddle, and jeweled bridle, and placed Prince David aboard it. He rode to the shrine beside Princess Joanna, where they were married with their families, the people, and Arceus as their witnesses. The people threw flowers before them, and bells rang and trumpets sounded. Many were the minstrel's songs praising Prince David's faithfulness and courage."

He concludes "And so it was that all were glad, for their princess had her heart back, and she could love once more."

"Aw"s and applause fill the auditorium as Brock takes a bow...
 
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