@Tophat Dragoneye;
Episode 45: "A tale for Melanie! The master storyteller takes the stage!"
"Okay, we have props for later...." Wendy smiled as the group returned to the Pokemon Center with the two tambourines they had bought. "Now we need costumes for the routine..."
She noticed Brock sigh. "What's wrong?"
The ruby on Satomi's head glowed as she read Brock's thoughts. [He's frustrated he didn't pack any suitable costumes, and all the ones he would've used are at home.]
"Didn't Melanie say that if we needed anything, all we had to do was ask?" Hibiki asked.
"Yeah..." Brock replied, now in a better mood.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to Hibiki. "How would we pay for what costumes she gives us?"
"Oh, Hibiki." Wendy smiled. "She probably wouldn't ask for money, per se..."
"Besides, I owe her an opportunity to show her I can really sing." Brock reminds Hibiki.
"Why don't you show her how good a storyteller you are, too?" Hibiki suggested. "And work in some singing into your tale!"
"Uh huh...." the three friends grinned, pleased with their plan.
Later, inside Akari Gym...
"Melanie?" Wendy called as the group entered the neon-lit Gym.
A spotlight appeared on the large and roomy stage in the center of the room, revealing Melanie. "You called?" she grinned.
"Brock and I have a problem on our hands..." Wendy explained. "We're auditioning for the PokeTheater tomorrow, but we don't have suitable costumes to dance in..."
"So I thought I would show you that I can sing for real." Brock picked up where Wendy left off. "And while I'm at it, show off my storytelling skills too."
"Nice, a way with words and song..." Melanie smiled. "If you need time to get ready, go ahead, but if you have something prepared, the stage is yours."
Brock nodded, and made his way onto the majestic stage, allowing him to see the rows of seats, as well as into the room that housed a smaller stage for battles and training. "Okay....I learned this tale on a journey through the Shinou region." he explains.
With that, he begins "There once lived a king and queen who had an only daughter. And the beauty of this princess--we'll call her Isabel--surpassed everything seen or heard of. Her forehead was brilliant as the moon, her lips like a ruby, her complexion smooth as silk, and her breath the sweetness of fresh mint. Her hair was a beautiful midnight black, and in her voice and glance there was something so enchanting that no one could help listening to her or looking at her."
f*cka gains star eyes as he pictures what Princess Isabel looks like. "Princess Isabel lived for seventeen years in her own area of the castle, reveling in the company and the hearts of her parents, teachers, and servants." Brock continues. "No one else ever saw her, for the sons of the king and all other princes were forbidden to enter this area. She never went anywhere, never looked upon the outside world, and never breathed the air outside, but she was perfectly happy."
"So, how do you learn social skills if you stay holed up in one spot?" Melanie is confused.
"When she was eighteen years old, it happened, either by chance or by the will of Arceus, that she heard the song of the Spritzee." Brock explains as he walks around the stage, still speaking all the while. "This sound made her strangely uneasy; her head drooped, and covering her eyes with her hands, she fell into thought so deep as not to hear her mother come inside. The queen looked at her anxiously, and after comforting her went to tell the king about it."
Wendy is about to ask how the king responded before Brock lifts a hand, silently telling her he will answer her question at the proper time. "For many years the sons of kings and neighboring princes had, either personally or by their ambassadors, presented themselves at court to ask the king for the hand of Princess Isabel in marriage. But he had always told them to wait until another time. After a long consultation with the queen, he sent messengers to foreign courts and elsewhere to proclaim that Princess Isabel, in accordance with the wishes of her parents, was about to choose a husband, and that the man of her choice would also have the right of succession to the throne."
"Oh, I see..." Wendy smiles as she invites Raku on her lap.
"When Princess Isabel heard of this, her joy was very great, and for days she would dream about it." Brock goes on. "Then she looked out into the garden through the golden lattice of her window, and longed with an irresistible longing to walk in the open air on the smooth lawn. With a little convincing she talked her maids into it, on condition that she should stay with them at all times."
"I have a bad feeling about this..." Hibiki shudders.
"So the crystal doors were thrown open, the oaken gates that shut in the orchard turned on their hinges, and Princess Isabel found herself on the green grass." Brock continues. "She ran about, picking the sweet-scented flowers and chasing the many-colored Beautiflies. But in her enthusiasm to explore this strange new world, she wandered away from her maids."
"Uh oh..." Melanie echoes Hibiki's sentiment.
"Just at that moment a raging hurricane, such as had never been seen or heard before, passed by and fell upon the garden. It roared and whistled around and around, then carried Princess Isabel far away." Brock confirms the girls' fears as he makes dramatic whirling gestures to represent the hurricane. "The terrified maids wrung their hands, and were for a moment speechless with grief. Finally, they rushed into the palace, and throwing themselves on their knees before the king and queen, told them with sobs and tears what had happened. They were overwhelmed with sorrow and didn't know what to do."
"I would be too, if I were them." Melanie muses.
"By this time quite a crowd of princes had arrived at the palace, and seeing the king in such bitter grief, asked what had happened to make him so sad." Brock goes on.
"Sorrow has touched my white hairs," he explains as the king. "The hurricane has carried off my dearly beloved child, the sweet Princess Isabel, and I know not where it has taken her. Whoever finds this out, and brings her back safely to me, will have her as his bride, and with her half the kingdom for a wedding present, and the remainder of my wealth and titles when I pass on."
As himself, he intones "After hearing these words, princes and knights mounted their Ponytas and set off to search throughout the world for the beautiful Princess Isabel, who had been captured by Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon."
The Pokemon shudder at the mention of Darkrai. "Now among the adventurers were two brothers, sons of a king, and they traveled together through many countries asking for news of Princess Isabel, but no one knew anything about her." Brock assures them. "But they continued their search, and at the end of two years arrived in a country that lay in the very center of the world, and had summer and winter at the same time."
"Interesting..." Hibiki smiles, eager to learn about the land Brock described.
"The princes--we'll call them Rowan and Rigel--decided to find out whether this was the place where the hurricane had hidden Princess Isabel." Brock explains. "So they began to climb one of the mountains on foot, leaving their Ponytas behind to graze. When they reached the summit, they spotted a silver palace supported on a Combusken's foot, and at one of the windows the sun's rays shone upon a head of black hair; surely it could only belong to the princess. Suddenly, the wind blew so violently, and the cold became so intense, that the leaves of the trees withered and the breath froze. The two princes tried to keep their footing, and fought with all their might against the storm, but they were overcome by its fierceness and fell together, frozen to death."
Gasps go up at this, but the grin on Brock's face assures the girls that the story is nowhere near over. "Their broken-hearted parents waited for them in vain. Prayers were said, search parties sent out, and prayers sent up to Arceus to pity them in their sorrow."
[Poor princes...] Mizuchi sighs.
"One day when the queen, the mother of the princes, was giving a poor old man some money she said to him...
As the queen, Brock requests "My good old friend, pray Arceus to guard our sons and soon bring them back safely".
"Ah, noble lady," he answers as the old man, "that prayer would be useless. Everlasting rest is all one may ask for the dead, but in return for the love you have shown and the money you have given the poor and needy, I am charged with this message - that Arceus has taken pity on your sorrow, and that before too long you will be the mother of a son, the like of whom has never been seen".
He intones as himself "With that, the old man vanished."
After a pause, he continues "The queen, whose tears were falling, felt a strange joy enter her heart and a feeling of happiness wash over her, as she went to the king and repeated the old man's words. And so it came to pass, that a week or two later Arceus sent her a son, and he was in no way like an ordinary child--we'll call him Risan. His eyes resembled those of a Talonflame, and his eyebrows the Buizel's fur. His right hand was of pure gold, and his manner and appearance were so full of an indescribable majesty, that he was looked upon by everyone with a feeling of awe."
"Wow!" Hibiki is impressed
"His growth, too, was not like that of other children." Brock explains. "When he was only three days old, he stepped out of his swaddling and left his cradle. And he was so strong that when his parents entered the room he ran towards them, crying out..."
In a mimic of Ash he asks "Good morning, dear parents, why are you so sad? Are you not happy at the sight of me? "
"We are indeed happy, Risan, and we thank Arceus for having sent us you in our grief." he explains as the king "But we cannot forget your two brothers; they were so handsome and brave, and worthy of a great destiny. And our sadness is increased when we remember that, instead of resting in their own country in the tomb of their forefathers, they sleep in an unknown land, perhaps without burial. Alas! it is three years since we had news of them".
"Cry no more, dear parents, you shall soon be comforted: for before next spring I will be a strong young man, and will search for my brothers all over the world, and beyond." he assures his audience as Prince Risan.
As himself, he continues. "At these words the king and queen were amazed. For the strange child, guided as it were by an invisible hand, rushed into the garden, and in spite of the cold, for it was not yet daylight, bathed in the early dew. When the sun had risen he threw himself down near a little wood on the fine sand, rubbed and rolled himself in it, and returned home, no longer a child but a young man."
f*cka gasps in awe at this. "It was pleasant to the king to see his son thrive in this way, and indeed Prince Risan was the handsomest in the whole land." Brock smiles, acknowledging f*cka's and Hibiki's awed faces with a nod. "He grew from hour to hour. At the end of a month he could wield a sword, in two months he rode a Ponyta well, and in three months he had mastered the art of magic. Then he put on a helmet, and presenting himself before the king and queen, said...
As Prince Risan, he announces "My much honored parents, your son asks your blessing. I am no longer a child, and now go to seek my brothers. In order to find them I will, if necessary, go to the furthest ends of the world".
"Ah, do not venture." he pleads as the queen. "Stay with us, dear son, you are still too young to be exposed to the risks of such an undertaking".
"Adventures have no danger for me," he replies as Prince Risan, "I trust in Arceus. Why should I hesitate to face these dangers? Whatever Arceus has in store for us will happen, whatever we may do to try to prevent it".
As himself, he continues "So they agreed to let him go. They tearfully bade him farewell, blessing him and the road he was to travel."
Wendy starts to applaud, but Brock is quick to caution her "A pleasant tale is soon told, but events do not pass so quickly."
"Story's not over yet, f*cka..." Hibiki tells f*cka, who was about ready to clap himself.
"Prince Risan crossed deep rivers and climbed high mountains, till he came to a dark forest." Brock continues, walking around the stage to mimic traveling. "In the distance he saw a cottage carved into the earth, and standing in the midst of a field full of poppies. As he made his ways towards it he felt an overpowering longing to sleep, but he urged on his Ponyta, and breaking off the poppy heads as he galloped through the field, came up close to the house. Then he sang a spell that meant the caster was a friend and wished to enter:
He then sings as Prince Risan Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...
Melanie grins, pleased Brock sounds good and stayed in character. "The rock that served as the door rumbled open, allowing Prince Risan inside." Brock goes on. "He went in, and found a Delphox sitting at a table, her head resting on her hands, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, lost in deep thought. Near her were two beautiful Braxiens, their complexions like lilies and roses, and in every way sweet to the eye."
Melanie recognizes who Brock is describing. "Kitsune!"
"Ah, how do you do, Prince Risan, Hero with the Golden Fist?" Brock asks, using a mimic of Melanie to represent Kitsune; "what has brought you here?"
He interjects as himself "Having told Kitsune why he traveled, she replied..."
As Kitsune, he explains "Your elder brothers perished on the mountain that touches the clouds, while in search of the lovely Princess Isabel, who was carried off by Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon, in the form of a hurricane."
"And how is this thief Darkrai to be got at?" he asks as Prince Risan.
"Ah, my dear child, he would swallow you like a Venonat." he sighs as Kitsune. "It has been some time since I went outside this cottage, for fear Darkrai should capture me and carry me off to his lair in the underworld--for he fears the holy magic granted to us Delphoxes by Arceus".
"I am not afraid of his capturing me, I am not handsome enough for that; and he will not swallow me either, for my golden hand can smash anything". he brags as Prince Risan
"Then if you are not afraid, brave Lucario, I will help you to the best of my ability." he replies as Kitsune. "But give me your word of honor that you will bring me some of the Water of Life, for it restores even to the oldest of the old the beauty and freshness of youth".
"I give you my word of honor that I will bring you some". he smiles as Prince Risan.
"This then is what you must do." he instructs as Kitsune. "I will give you a crystal ball for a guide; it will fly in front of you, and follow wherever it goes. It will lead you to the mountain that touches the clouds, and which is guarded in Darkrai's absence by his two most trusted servants, the demons Kita and Mina. Whatever you do, do not lose sight of the crystal ball. If Kita attacks you with an Icy Wind, then sing this spell--'Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...' If Mina attacks you with her Fire Blast, then sing this spell: 'Furiya, shuru shamato...'. With the help of the crystal ball and these two spells, you will reach the top of the mountain where Princess Isabel is imprisoned. Deal with Darkrai as you will, only remember to bring me some of the Water of Life".
"Amazing!" Hibiki gasped, impressed Brock could singlehandedly perform both ends of the conversation.
"I'm impressed he learned to mimic my voice that well..." Melanie is equally impressed with Brock's mimicry.
"Our hero memorized both spells, and took the crystal ball, and, after bidding farewell to Kitsune and her two pretty daughters, mounted his Ponyta and rode off, following the crystal ball, which always flew ahead of him." Brock continues as himself.
He warns his audience "Now, a beautiful story is soon told, but the events of which it consists do not in real life take place so rapidly."
"Point noted." Wendy replies.
"When Prince Risan had traveled through two kingdoms, he came to a land in which lay a very beautiful valley that stretched into the far distance, and above it towered the mountain that touches the sky. The summit was so high above the earth, it may have reached the moon, if not farther." Brock explains. "The prince dismounted, left his Ponyta to graze, and after taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, began to follow the crystal ball up steep and rocky paths. When he had gotten about halfway there, Kita sensed his presence and blew out an Icy Wind. The cold was so intense that the wood of the trees split in half and the breath froze: Prince Risan felt chilled to the bone. But he quickly sang...
He sings as Prince Risan Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul..., conjuring a red shield of light around him.
"Nice touch!" Melanie smiles, thinking Brock's spell was a special effect.
"Kita blew with redoubled fury, but to no avail. For Prince Risan's fire shield was so hot that he was soaked with sweat, and had to unbutton his coat and fan himself." Giggles go up as Brock fans himself as if hot.
He continues as his spell wears off "The crystal ball stopped at a small snow-covered mound. Prince Risan cleared away the snow, beneath which lay the frozen bodies of two young men, and he knew them to be those of his lost brothers. Having knelt beside them and prayed he turned to follow the crystal ball, which had already flown away, and was flying ever higher and higher. On reaching the top of the mountain he saw a silver palace hovering in the air."
He then intones "Before Prince Risan could get close, a hot wind began to blow from the south, and the heat became so intense that leaves withered and dropped from the trees, the grass dried up, and large cracks appeared in the ground. Thirst, heat, and weariness began to take their toll on the young prince, so he cast the other spell..."
He then sings as Prince Risan Furiya, shuru shamato....
As himself, he continues "After cooling off, he felt stronger than ever, and so continued to climb. Not only was he relieved from the great heat, but even had to button up his coat to keep himself warm." Melanie chuckles as Brock feigns shivering.
Brock just continues "The crystal ball still led the way, ever climbing higher and higher, while Prince Risan followed close behind. After crossing the region of clouds, they came to the topmost peak of the mountain. Here the prince came close to the palace, which can only be compared to a dream of perfect beauty. It hovered in the air, and yet did not fall, and was built entirely of silver, except for its steel gates and roof of solid gold."
[I wish we lived in a palace...] Raku sighs dreamily.
"Before the entrance was a deep pit over which no one but authorized guests could pass." Brock intones. "As Prince Risan gazed upon the splendid building, Princess Isabel leaned out of one of the windows, and seeing him light shone from her sparkling green eyes, her lovely hair floated in the wind, and the scent of her sweet breath filled the air. Prince Risan sprang forward and sang..."
As Prince Risan, he sings Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...
As himself, he continues "At these words a bridge appeared over the pit, and the door opened. As he entered it closed behind him. Prince Rizan went through the palace till he came to a room bright as the sun itself, and the walls, floor, and ceiling of which consisted of mirrors. He was filled with wonder, for instead of one princess he saw twelve, all equally beautiful, with the same graceful movements and jet black hair. But eleven were only reflections of the one real princess....."
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...."They knelt before the king and queen to receive their blessing." Brock pantomimes kneeling before an imagined throne. "The three weddings were celebrated that same evening, and a messenger mounted the winged Ponyta to carry the good news to the parents of the young princes and to bring them back as guests. Meanwhile, a magnificent feast was prepared, and invitations were sent to all their friends and family. And from that evening until the next morning at least they didn't stop feasting, drinking and dancing."
He concludes with a grin "For all I know, they may still be celebrating today!"
The room explodes in applause. "Amazing! You've got real talent!" Melanie raves. "You'd be perfect for an opening act if you wanted to!" Flattered by the applause, Brock takes a bow.
