COMPLETE: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 131: The Beasts' Treasures) (EVERYONE)

[LightningTopaz]

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

Brock and the gang return for a fifth round of stories!

Week 105: Why Taillow's Feathers Are Blue

(real tale: Bluebird's Tale)

Brock charges out to meet the crowd eager to hear what story he has planned to start the new season. "They say in Houen that long ago, when the world was new, the Pokemon we know today as Taillow was not blue at all. He was pure white, and he was not happy about this." he begins. "The little white bird Pokemon would fly through the bright blue sky, look down at beautiful blue lakes, gaze upon the ripe Belue Berries -- when he saw anything blue, in fact, he so loved that color that he wished he, too, could be blue."

He waits for a beat, then continues "After many years of wishing to be blue, the little white Pokemon decided he would go to see the Great Lord Arceus for his counsel. As the ruler of all things, Taillow knew that Arceus would give good advice. So off he flew to Arceus' castle in the heavens. When he arrived, he looked up with sad Growlithe eyes and said..."

In a breathy female voice, he pleads "Lord Arceus, I long to be as blue as the waters, as blue as the sky, as blue as Belue Berries. Tell me what I must do to become blue."

As himself, he continues "Arceus smiled and nodded as he listened,for he could sense that the little white bird Pokemon's dream was pure and true. So he told him exactly what he must do, and he taught him the spellsong he had to sing."

In a deeper version of himself, he intones "You will sing this song, and you must know the ways of change,"

"What are the ways of change?" he asks as Taillow.

"As himself, he continues "Arceus just smiled. He was pleased the little Pokemon wanted to learn. Not every being listened; not every Pokemon followed their dreams. He was proud of the little white bird Pokemon."

He walks around the stage as he continues "For many days Arceus instructed Taillow in the ways of change. He taught him how to be patient, how to pay close attention, how to be grateful for the smallest gifts, how to wait in silence. He taught him many other things that only the Pokemon know. Taillow listened closely. He nodded when he understood, and when he did not understand, he asked questions."

When he returns to his place at center stage, Brock continues "When the lessons had ended and he had nothing more to teach, Arceus sent Taillow on his way. The little white Pokemon flew to the edge of the lake and began to sing the spellsong..." He pauses to sings as Taillow <i>Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...</i> making a blue aura appear around him for a few seconds. "Then, just as Arceus had instructed him, he dove down into the lake. The water was cold, and beneath the surface it was dark. For a moment he was frightened and thought about turning back. But Taillow remembered what Arceus had taught him, and he dove deeper still. Finally, he came to the coldest, bluest part of the lake."

The audience listens, eager to know if Taillow will get his wish. "When he had reached the place Arceus had told him he must travel to, he remembered his next lesson." Brock continues. "He had to be patient and wait. So he waited for five long days, and at the end of the fifth day, he raced to the surface and burst forth from the water and into the sky, where he found that he was as blue as the lakes, as blue as the sky, as blue as Belue Berries, as blue as he had ever hoped to be."

Applause goes up over a 'Ta-da!' stinger. "Now, Mightyena happened to be passing that way, and when looked up and saw Taillow, he was jealous. In those days Mightyena was white, too, and he too wanted to be a different color -- especially the color of this new Taillow.

"Teach me your spellsong," he demands as Mightyena.

"I can't," he retorts as Taillow. "I can't give away the secrets of the Great Lord Arceus to just anyone. If you really want to learn, you must go and learn yourself."

He grins at the enthralled crowd. "That's exactly what Mightyena did." he continues as himself. "He ran to the heavens to see Arceus and begged him to teach him the spellsong of transformation."

"It is not right for you to be blue, Mightyena," he intones as Arceus. "That is not the color you are intended to be. You must not be jealous."

"Ooh" go up from the crowd as Brock continues as himself. "But Mightyena was jealous, hurt, angry--and determined to boot. Besides, he was bigger and stronger than the Taillow. So he went to him and demanded that Taillow teach him the spellsong, or else! Although he was trembling with fear, Taillow reluctantly taught Mightyena the special spellsong and the secret of the water."

The next day Mightyena sang the song..." Brock then sings as Mightyena <i>Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...</i> "dove into the water, and sat at the bottom of the lake for five long days. When he came out early in the morning, he, too, was blue. He was as blue as the lake, as blue as the sky, as blue as Belue Berries, as blue as Taillow. Not only that he was proud, for he fancied himself the most beautiful Mightyena in the world."

Giggles go up as Brock goes on "Mightyena began to prance down the road, calling out to everyone...." As Mightyena, he calls offstage "Stantler, Pikachu, Buneary, Ekans, Froagie, come look!"

More laughter goes up at Brock's feigned giddiness. "He woke up all the Pokemon, even the wise old Noctowl." he continues. "When they saw him, they shook their heads. They muttered that a Mightyena should not be blue, and no one should behave with such pride. But Mightyena was very proud, and he continued to prance and brag. Soon he was so smitten with his own looks that he paid no attention to the road ahead of him, and he crashed right smack into a tree."

The crowd roars with laughter at this. "The Pokemon laughed just like you guys, for everyone had been quite upset with Mightyena's boasting." Brock smiles. "Meanwhile, Taillow worried that Arceus would be mad at him for teaching Mightyena the spellsong of transformation."

He waits for a beat, then continues "But as Mightyena hit the tree, he slipped and fell on the dirt path. He wailed in pain and rolled this way and that. But nobody moved as Mightyena flailed about pleading for help, and as they watched, they looked in wonder as Mightyena's color began to fade away. When he got up, shaking his aching head, he was completely black with patches of gray, and that is the way he has been ever since."

He concludes "Taillow continues to be a bright, beautiful blue, but he never boasts about it."

The crowd roars with applause as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 106: Reinosha and the Bucket Maker)

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


Week 106: Reinosha and the Bucket Maker

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 51, story 2)

The lights come up on Brock checking his tuning on his guitar as the applause dies down. "A long time ago, where Mt. Silver is today, there lived a bucket maker--we will call him Satoru." he begins. "He was a hard worker, and his buckets were very strong and stable. He had a friend that lived nearby, and the two of them got together to play chess and swap stories every night."

After setting the guitar aside and getting up from his chair, he walks around the stage as he continues "Now, Satoru was also known for his skill at chess, and had only lost a few games out of thousands of games played. In fact, he could think many moves ahead while his opponent was still thinking of their next move."

Awed murmurs go up at this. "One day, a great wind blew up, and Satoru spotted a Mismagius at his front door." Brock goes on. "He recognized the Pokemon as Reinosha, a Mismagius said to be able to read minds. He tried to retrieve his sword, but Reinosha telepathically embedded it deep into the wall of the house, where he couldn't get it out. She reminded him that a weapon wouldn't harm a Ghost Pokemon like her."

The auditorium is silent as the audience awaits what happened next. "Then, Satoru remembered his bow, but it and its arrows were tucked in a corner." Brock explains as he retrieves his guitar. "He also remembered that if you sang a song, Reinosha couldn't read your mind." he adds as he plays a few expectant G chords to check his tuning. "So he started singing the longest song he could think of...which went something like this."

With that, he starts playing a brisk melody in G and sings <i>There's a hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a hole, there's a hole,
There's a hole in the bottom of the sea....

There's a log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a log, there's a log,
There's a log in the hole in the bottom of the sea.

There's a branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a branch, there's a branch,
There's a branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea.

There's a bump on the branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a bump on the branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a bump, there's a bump,
There's a bump on the branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea.

There's a Froagie on the bump on the branch
on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a Froagie on the bump on the branch
on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a Froagie, there's a Froagie,
There's a Froagie on the bump on the branch
on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea.

There's a tail on the Froagie on the bump on the branch
on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a tail on the Froagie on the bump on the branch
on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a tail, there's a tail,
There's a tail on the Froagie on the bump on the branch
on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea.

There's a speck on the tail on the Froagie on the bump on the branch
on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a speck on the tail on the Froagie on the bump on the branch
on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a speck, there's a speck,
There's a speck on the tail on the Froagie on the bump
on the branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea.

There's a fleck on the speck on the tail on the Froagie on the bump
on the branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a fleck on the speck on the tail on the Froagie on the bump
on the branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea,
There's a fleck, there's a fleck,
There's a fleck on the speck on the tail on the Froagie
on the bump on the branch on the log in the hole in the bottom of the sea....</i>

Thunderous applause goes up at the song's end. "Now, while Satoru was singing all of that, he retrieved his bow and ignited an arrow with fire from the stove." Brock explains as he sets the guitar aside. "But before he could shoot the firey arrow, Reinosha disappeared!"

Tense murmurs fill the air. "He thought Reinosha was scared of his bow, but then Reinosha appeared behind him, and turned the flaming arrow at him!" Brock announces.

Gasps go up at the turn of events. "Just before she could kill Satoru, an ember from the fireplace stunned her, making her drop the bow and the arrow." he assures the audience. "Reinosha fled in terror, and Satoru was saved. He realized Arceus created the ember that scared Reinosha away, and always gave thanks to Arceus for protecting him."

The audience roars with applause as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 107: The Clever Girl)

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


Week 107: The Clever Girl

(real tale: The Clever Girl)

"There was once a poor farmer who had one trusted treasure--his daughter, Satomi." Brock begins. "One day the farmer became involved in a dispute with his neighbor over a Miltank. Because they couldn't agree on a solution, the two men traveled to the palace to seek the magistrate's help.

The magistrate was a kind man, but he was young and inexperienced. He listened carefully to both sides of the story. At last he said..."

In a mimic of Rylan, he intones "Instead of deciding the case, I will put a riddle to you. The man who answers best shall win the dispute. Do you agree to this?"

He narrates as himself "The two men nodded, certain that they could answer whatever question the magistrate might pose. Then the magistrate asked...

As Rylan again he asks the audience "What is the swiftest thing in the world? What is the sweetest thing? And what is the richest? Bring me your answers tomorrow."

He continues as himself "Back home, the neighbor asked his wife to help him solve the riddle. "She told him that their little Ponyta was the swiftest thing in the world, for no one ever passed them on the road. The sweetest thing was the honey from their Combees. And nothing was richer than the chest full of gold and jewels that she had been saving for many years."

Whispers race through the crowd as the audience speculates what Satomi will come up with for the answers to the riddle. "The farmer, in turn, told Satomi about the magistrate's riddle." Brock continues, quieting the debate. "Satomi sat down beside him and touched his hand, as a sign she wished nothing more than her father's happiness. When her father told her the three questions, she smiled and explained to him how to answer the riddle."

Silence goes up as the audience wonders what Satomi told the farmer. "The next day, the two men returned to the magistrate to answer the riddle." Brock continues. "First the neighbor offered his answers. Then the farmer said..."

In character as Flint he explains "I humbly answer, sir. The swiftest thing in all the world is thought, for thought can run any distance in the twinkling of an eye. The sweetest thing is sleep, for when one is tired, nothing is sweeter. The richest thing is the earth, for it provides us with all our riches."

"Tell me, good man, how did you know these answers?" he gasps as the magistrate.

"My clever daughter, Satomi, told me these things." he proudly replies as the farmer.

As himself, he goes on "The magistrate decided that he wanted to test Satomi's cleverness a second time. He gave the farmer ten eggs, and told him to have them hatched by the next day. So when the farmer gave the eggs to Satomi, she told him...

In a mimic of Dawn he explains "Father, take a handful of millet and return to the magistrate at once. Say to him, 'My daughter sends you this millet and says that if you plant, grow and harvest it by tomorrow, she will bring you the Torchics"

As himself, he continues "The magistrate was amazed at Satomi's wisdom, and wanted to meet her, but he had one more test. He then told the farmer to tell her she must come to me, but she must come neither by day nor by night, neither riding nor walking, neither dressed nor undressed."

He pauses for a beat, then continues "Once again the farmer ran home to tell his daughter of the magistrate's request. Satomi waited until dawn, then, when night was past but day not yet begun, she wrapped herself in fish netting, threw one leg over a Ponyta's back, and the other she kept on the ground. And she traveled in this way to the magistrate's home.

He concludes "The magistrate was so impressed by Satomi's cleverness and so pleased with her wit, that he proposed marriage to her right then and there, and they were wed some months later. But whenever the magistrate had a case he could not solve on his own, he asked Satomi for advice, and she became known far and wide for her wisdom."

The crowd roars and Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 108: Sorin Counts the Croconaws)

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


Week 108: Sorin Counts the Croconaws

(real tale: Mouse Deer Counts the Crocodiles)

"Once upon a time, deep in the jungles of Fiore, one can hear many kinds of bird Pokemon singing to their heart's content." Brock begins

Mild laughter goes up as he mimics a Swablu song for effect. "You might also the sound of Nincadas crying to attract their potential mates..." A soundscape of birds singing and Nincadas calling fills the auditorium, creating the illusion that the jungle is actually there. "and if you're really lucky, you might hear the cries of Mankeys or Chimchars as they rummage through the jungle to find food or just play by swinging from one tree to another using the vines hanging from the green canopies." Some Mankey and Chimchar noises are added to the jungle soundscape to illustrate Brock's point.

"But I digress." he muses over the soft jungle noises. "Our story concerns probably the most famous resident of this jungle--the wily Pikachu Sorin."

Wild cheers go up at the mention of the Pikachu's name. "In Fiore lore, Sorin tales often take place in the jungle, and this tale is no different." Brock explains as the cheers quiet. "Now, Sorin lived alone in the jungle--he had neither a lady-chu nor Pichus to call his own. He also did not have a particular place to call home--As far as he was concerned, the entire jungle was his home. If he wasn't running around and exploring, he was sleeping in a thick bush under a big tree. Sometimes he slept between the large buttress roots of a Nanab tree - the big roots protected him from drought and were quite comfortable as he could use the dead leaves which fell between the roots as his bedding. On the day that this tale from Fiore happened, he was sleeping in a thick tangling shrubbery quite near a Lum tree."

Giggles of anticipation waft among the jungle soundscape as Brock continues "Sorin was terribly hungry that morning, so he woke up quickly and out he went into the jungle to find some food. He searched high and low but he did not find any edible things, the little branches of the shrubs where he used to eat had not produced any juicy young shoots either, the ones which were left behind were just too small to stop his poor stomach from grumbling. 'These must have been eaten by the jungle guardian, Xerneas--he always eats ahead of me,' he thought."

He then explains "As the guardian of the jungle, Xerneas normally searched for food at dusk or dawn." before continuing "So Sorin left the shrubs and continued his searching. A while later he came under a wild chestnut tree. There were plenty of empty chestnut shells and their green prickly cases scattered on the ground. A strong smell of rotten dead leaves and deadwood was everywhere. Sorin started rummaging under the tree to see if there was anything left for him. The best he could find was a half-eaten wild chestnut. 'Must be the leftover from the wild Emboars’ feeding last night.' he thought. Left with no choice he ate the rest of the chestnut anyway."

Brock starts running around the stage, speaking all the while. "Sorin continued his search for something edible all morning. In fact, he ran for so long, and traveled so far, his head started throbbing from the heat and all that running. On top of that, he was very thirsty too.

He returns to his place at center stage. "Finally, he came to a river bank. The river was muddy in color but flowed calmly with a lot of drifted logs bobbing with the current. So Sorin looked around, and suddenly his eyes caught a glimpse of red berries scattered under a large shady tree near the bank at the other side of the river. As he moved closer towards the edge of the river bank to have a good look at the tree, his heart began to beat faster, hoping the berries were edible ones.

He was really happy when he found he had discovered a Pomeg tree.Those ripening Pomeg Berries, some scattered on the ground, some still on the tree, seemed to be very inviting to his hungry stomach. On the silent riverbank he could even hear the plopping sounds the berries made when they dropped into the murky waters. He could do nothing but haplessly watch the floating berries being carried away by the slow current of the river he could not cross. Although the current was slow, the water was very deep and the river was just too wide for him to swim to the other side.

"'There are my lunch and dinner, but how am I supposed to go there?' Sorin thought. His mouth kept on watering as he imagined the juiciness and the sweetness of the Berries, for he had tasted them before. His previous thirstiness started to get over him and to quench his thirst, he walked along the bank and found a lower place where he could take a drink. As he was too occupied with his drinking and thoughts of how to go to the next shore, he did not realize something had been drifting near the side."

"Oohs" go up as Brock goes on "Sorin was about to finish his drink when he heard a loud SNAP..." A sound effect of a snap pierces through the jungle sounds, startling a few in the audience. "and felt an excruciating pain on his front left leg. There, he saw a big; hideous mouth with protruding sharp teeth had clamped his tiny leg just below his knee. A medium sized Croconaw had caught his leg. He did his best to stay calm, but his mind was racing to find a way to release his bleeding leg from those powerful jaws."

“Croconaw, you have wrongly bitten! That was a twig, not my leg.” he calls in character as Sorin.

As himself, he interjects "Of course, Croconaw was not the sharpest tack in the drawer, so he believed what Sorin had just said, immediately released the ‘twig’, and prepared to take another good snap. Seeing his chance, the cunning Sorin quickly jumped to a higher ground while maintaining his balance with both arms and his good leg. About then, Croconaw realized he had just snapped at thin air instead of Sorin’s leg. He got very angry, and tried to climb the bank to give his runaway meal a good chase."

The audience swallows hard as Brock continues "Sorin knew he couldn't go too much faster with his injured leg--so he started to think, and soon got an idea."

”Croconaw, my dearest companion, please do not hurt me. You do not know my intention for coming to meet you,” he muses as Sorin.

“Okay then, Sorin, do explain to me your intentions!" he intones in a deep gravely voice.

“Actually, the Great Lord Arceus asked me to count how many Pokemon are there in this very river, as His Excellency wanted to know your numbers.” he explains as Sorin.

As himself, he interjects "Upon hearing the name of the Great Lord, Crconaw trembled in fear. He knew well that Arceus was the creator, protector, and guardian of all the world, but even he could be angered, and Croconaw did not want to know what Arceus' anger looked like."

"Do you speak the truth?" he asks as Croconaw.

“Yes, do not waste your time anymore." he demands as Sorin. "Tell your leader to tell all the Croconaws to be here. I shall start counting soon. Do not leave out anyone or the Great Lord will be angry!"

As himself, he interjects "So Croconaw quickly dove into the river. Before he could swim farther away, Sorin cried to him..." As Sorin, he calls "Oh, The Great Lord Arceus will reward anybody who has assisted me.”

“Is that so?" he asks as Croconaw.

“Have I ever told you any lies before?” he grins as Sorin.

Soft laughter fills the air as Brock continues as himself "A few moments later, what had been thought as drifted logs in the calm river started to swim towards the bank where Sorin stood. Minutes later, the area was full of Croconaws of various age and size. Some of them were old enough to even be Feraligatrs."

As Sorin again, he calls “My fellow Croconaws, I shall start the counting now, do align yourself in a straight line from this bank towards the other, so I can easily count you.”

As himself, he interjects In minutes, a straight line of Croconaws of all ages could be seen across the murky waters. Knowing that his lunch and dinner were waiting for him on the other side, Sorin started to jump on the Croconaw's heads while being careful not to land on his hurt leg. He also sung a song while he counted them, which went like this..."

As Sorin, he sings to no tune in particular <i>Ichi, ni, san; First, second, third slit, male and female I’d hit! Shi, go, roku, shichi, Fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, Hachi, kyu, to juu. Eighth, ninth and tenth. ju-ichi, ju-ni, ju-san, Eleventh, twelfth and thirteen, your tails, don’t whip! ju-yon, ju-go, ju-roku Fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, ju-shichi, ju-hachi, ju-kyu. Seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth.</i>

Giggles and applause fill the air as the jungle soundscape fades away. "He sang until he reached the other side." Brock continues as himself. "The Croconaws, seeing the counting had ended, went their separate ways, with no clue that they had been had."

He concludes "Sorin happily munched on the Pomeg Berries safely on the other bank, but it did take a while for him to finish the berries all by himself."

Applause fills the air as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 109: Sorin's Trap)

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


Week 109: Sorin's Trap

(real tale: Kalulu's Trap)

"Once King Entei gathered all the Pokemon together to announce that that spring they would not only clean house, they would also build a new village." Brock begins.

"We've grown too crowded here," he explains as King Entei.

"But as King Entei spoke, assigning everyone a task, Sorin was too busy watching Chimchar swinging from branch to branch, all the while chattering with delight." he goes on as himself. "Sorin gasped as Chimchar leaped this way and that, but then he had an idea--because everyone knows Sorin is quite the trickster...."

Enthusiastic cheers go up at the familiar beginning, but Brock just grins and savors the applause for a moment before continuing. "The next morning, when all the Pokemon set off to build their new village, Sorin stayed behind in his burrow. He had collected dozens of vines, and he wove then together to make an ingenious noose trap, which worked almost like a Chimchar's tail."

Giggles of anticipation go up at this. "When Sorin was sure he was alone, he tiptoed toward Braviary's nest and whirled a vine in the air, catching the nest." Brock proceeds to pantomime twirling a lasso for effect. "As he pulled it down to the soft forest floor, one of Braviary's eggs rolled out. Sorin picked it up and ran home to add it to his collection of treasures. That evening, when Braviary discovered her nest lying on the ground, she called to the others..."

"A thief stole one of my eggs," he screams as Braviary. "We must catch him!"

Laughter goes up at Brock's melodramatic pose. "We'll leave the nest here," he assures the audience as King Entei. "Surely the thief will return tomorrow to steal another egg. But this time we'll catch him."

"But King Entei didn't know Sorin had heard the whole thing." he goes on as himself. "They would leave Delcatty to catch the thief. Strong and beautiful as Delcatty was, Sorin wasn't afraid, and that night while everyone slept, Sorin spread his noose of vines across the forest path to Braviary's nest, cunningly attaching it to two palm trees, disguising it beneath the forest floor. Then he returned home to sleep."

In the wings, Sachi and the other Players try oh-so-hard not to laugh as Brock continues "The next morning, the Pokemon set off to work, but Delcatty stayed behind, hidden behind a tree. Sorin, meanwhile, hid himself in some bushes near the fallen nest and rustled some leaves. Hearing this, Delcatty leaped from behind the tree to protect Braviary's nest, but as she crossed the path, she tripped upon the noose. It wrapped around her paw, and a moment later she was swinging high in the air."

The audience roars with laughter as they picture Delcatty in the trap. "Delcatty called and called for help, but nobody heard her." Brock continues when the laughter quiets. "This gave Sorin time to snatch another egg."

"And then?" Sachi asks from the wings, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye.

"In the evening when the Pokemon returned, they found Delcatty swinging from the noose and quickly set her free." Brock replies, as if Sachi's question was planned. "The next day, Primeape stayed behind to guard the nest, and he too was caught in the trap."

He adds as an aside "Needless to say, Primeape was deeply embarrassed when the others returned." to some laughter. "Liepard said he could outwit any trickster, but the next evening the Pokemon found him swinging from the noose. One by one, the other Pokemon all had their time in the trap, swinging foolishly in the air, unable to free themselves, and unable to protect Braviary's nest."

He then intones "Finally, only one egg remained."

"So who finally caught Sorin?" Akane asks as she joins Sachi and some of the other Players in the wings.

"It was Wartortle who volunteered that night." Brock replies. "King Entei had his doubts, but Wartortle assured him she knew just what to do. That night, instead of hiding in the bushes, Wartortle climbed into Braviary's nest, just beside the last egg. She was hiding there when Sorin arrived to prepare his noose."

The Players grin at each other as Brock goes on. "When no one came when he rustled leaves, he crept to the nest and peered inside, where he swore he saw two eggs. He reached to grab the new, strange egg. As he did, Wartortle bit down as hard as she could on Sorin's foot."

More laughter fills the air as the audience pictures Sorin's reaction to the pain. "Sorin pleaded and pleaded for Wartortle to let him go, but Wartortle just held on, allowing the Pokemon to see who had been taking Braviary's eggs." Brock explains

He concludes "King Entei commanded that Sorin return Braviary's eggs, which he did, after Wartortle let go of his foot."

Even more giggles go up at this. "But as he limped home, he thought about just what trick he was gonna play next--cause that's Sorin for you!"

"Applause fills the air as Brock takes a bow, but Sachi's and the other Players' applause backstage is the loudest....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 110: The Boiled Eggs)

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


Week 110: The Boiled Eggs

(real tale: Amin and the Boiled Eggs)


"There was once a young man --we'll call him Kazu--who worked day and night to make a living." Brock begins. "He plowed and harvested farmers’ fields and milked their Miltanks. But when a drought hit the land, Kazu found himself with no work. He decided he must move away or starve."

Concerns murmurs waft through the crowd as Brock continues "Since he had no money to buy him supplies for his journey, he asked his neighbor and friend--we'll call him Hiroshi--for a loan. Hiroshi had a barn full of Combuskens and, feeling sorry for his friend, agreed to help."

In an older version of himself, he assures the crowd “I’ll boil you a dozen eggs. They should feed you until you have found a way to feed yourself.”

As himself, he continues "Kazu carefully packed those eggs in a basket, grateful for his friend's help. Surely, he thought, those eggs would keep him from going hungry on the road."

He adds as an aside "Besides, the egg is a source of life, after all."

Many in the audience nod in agreement. "And so, with hope in his heart, Kazu set off into the world to seek his fortune." Brock continues, walking around the stage all the while. "After a few months, a farmer hired him, and Kazu worked tirelessly. He worked for anyone who would hire him, no matter how little they paid. He was careful with the money he earned, so careful that after one year he had enough to buy a small plot of land. By the second year, he had a flock of Mareeps. By the third year, he had Ponytas and Miltanks."

Awed gasps race through the crowd. "Each year he did better, adding more Pokemon and more acres to his farm." Brock explains. "By the time six years had gone by, he was a wealthy man, owner of many acres and so many Pokemon, they numbered like the sand by the sea. He also had Tepigs, Miltanks, Mareep, Ponytas, and Combuskens of his own."

The crowd murmurs in awe, impressed with that many Pokemon. "But wealth did not make Kazu entirely happy--it wasn't long before he started feeling homesick." Brock quiets the chatter as he returns to his spot at center stage. "So when he had more than most people like him would ever earn in a lifetime, he sold his land and most of his Pokemon, and with his favorite servant and Ponyta by his side, he mounted his favorite Rapidash--which had a shining blue mane, and rode toward home. As they rode, Kazu dreamed of the welcome he would receive in his village. He imagined the words of welcome his old friends would offer, and he smiled as he remembered the sights of all that was familiar to him."

After waiting for a beat, Brock goes on "But when he entered his village, no one recognized him at first, though rumors quickly spread of a rich man on a handsome Shiny Rapidash who had appeared. When people discovered this wealthy stranger was their own Kazu, they gossiped even more. Soon the people were convinced that Kazu’s wealth was even greater. People whispered of palaces and jewels, and many complained behind his back, wondering why Kazu was not giving out Pokemon and gold and silver to those who had once been his friends."

Giggles go up as the audience pictures the townsfolk's rumors and complaining. "But it was Hiroshi that was more upset than anyone..." Brock intones. "So one afternoon, he knocked on Kazu’s door." He knocks on the stage floor for effect, quieting the chatter.

“Come in, my friend.” he smiles as he approaches an imagined guest, using an older version of Ash as Kazu.

As Hiroshi, he sternly intones “I’ve come to collect the debt you owe me.”

“You wish me to give you a dozen boiled eggs?” he asks as Kazu, to some laughter.

“I have been very patient, Kazu,” he explains as Hiroshi. “I’ve waited seven years to be repaid. You owe me five hundred pieces of gold.”

“But Hiroshi, eggs are precious, but there is nowhere on this earth where eggs are so costly.” he protests as Kazu, to more laughter.

“You don’t understand. Those eggs could have been my fortune.” he retorts as Hiroshi.

The crowd laughs even more as Brock balks in feigned surprise. “Old friend,” he gasps as Kazu, “I don’t know how you make your calculations. I do not owe you five hundred pieces of gold for 12 boiled eggs.”

“Then we will take this matter before the magistrate.” he offers as Hiroshi.

The crowd applauds the interplay before Brock continues as himself "So the two of them traveled to the magistrate's house. Hiroshi explained to the magistrate that he had given Kazu a dozen eggs, and each one of those eggs might have become a Combusken. Each of those Combuskens might have lain dozens of eggs, and each of those eggs, too, would have become Combuskens, and in seven years, he would have owned a great flock if he hadn’t given away those dozen eggs.

"After Kazu presented his side of the story, it was getting late, so the magistrate told the two of them to return the next day, and he would decide the case then." he explains. "The next morning, the magistrate stepped out to announce his decision. A huge crowd had come to the magistrate's house--everyone waited to hear what the magistrate would decide. But Kazu was not there, and for 30 minutes everyone waited patiently for him to arrive."

He waits a few moments, as if waiting for Kazu to appear on stage. "Finally, the magistrate was about to announce that Kazu would have to pay Hiroshi for the eggs when Kazu arrived, red-faced and out of breath. He explained that he had a plate of boiled beans he had to plant in the garden, for he wanted a good crop the next year.”

The crowd laughs at how silly the request is. "The magistrate laughed like you guys, and told Kazu that boiled beans could not grow.” Brock explains to the crowd. "Kazu explained that he was essentially doing the same thing by pronouncing that boiled eggs hatched into Combuskens."

"Oh's fill the air as Brock concludes "Needless to say, the magistrate turned a lovely shade of Charizard red, and commended Kazu for his wisdom, in addition to pronouncing him innocent. Kazu forgave Hiroshi for jumping to conclusions, but no one in that land forgot the lesson of the boiled eggs for a long time."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 111: The Legend of the Mistrakers)

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


Week 111: The Legend of the Mistrakers

(real tale: The Moonrakers)

The crowd roars as Brock charges onstage, but the cheers become interested murmurs as the lights come up on a can of Midori Mist sitting on a table. "Ah, Midori Mist--Pewter's own soda enjoyed by millions of people worldwide." Brock explains, gesturing to the familiar green, black, and white can.

Some applause goes up in agreement. "But as any of the tour guides at the bottling plant will tell you, the two young men that invented Midori Mist, Yemon and Tokujiro, have just as much lore surrounding them as their drink does. It's one of these stories I want to tell you this week."

"We all know Midori Mist was popular from the very beginning." Brock explains as he walks around the stage. "But at that time, fizzy drinks often had stuff in them that we wouldn't dream of drinking today, such as absinthe. That meant that soda makers could and did get arrested for their drinks."

Gasps and concerned murmurs race through the crowd. "But despite the risk, Yemon and Tokujiro kept making their Midori Mist. Everyone that tasted it said that it was the finest drink in Kanto. Besides being tasty, people even said that Midori Mist could cure any ailment." Brock assures the crowd.

With that, he begins his tale as he returns to center stage. "Now, long ago in Pewter, there was an tavern called the Diamond Harp--which is now a historic site that is still open to this day--and the barkeep would happily buy Midori Mist by the barrel from Yemon and Tokujiro. Many times, it would often sell out within hours."

Awed whispers fill the air at this. "But then one spring day, Yemon and Tokujiro ran out of ingredients in the main brewery." Brock goes on. "The two of them thought about what to do, and they came up with what they believed was a brilliant idea. So they bought a Ponyta and cart and traveled all the way to what is now Cerulean. Their plan was to get some more ingredients from their supplier there, use some of it to make a batch or two in their Cerulean brewery, and take two batches and what ingredients they didn't use back home. Naturally, they hoped to avoid the police, so they traveled by night. Luckily, as they were riding home, the night was clear and bright, and a beautiful full moon lit up the sky and the path before them."

The lights go down, save for a blue spotlight on Brock, simulating moonlight. "They were riding along when they happened across a bridge over a shallow pond, and as they were riding, the Ponyta got spooked at the sight of the water." Brock intones from the spotlight. "It reared up and whinnied in fear, and when it did, the cart tipped, and the barrels of fresh Midori Mist rolled out and over the side, into the water."

"Oh no!" a boy gasps.

"Before Yemon and Tokujiro knew what was happening, the barrels disappeared." Brock adds. "Yemon panicked at first, but Tokujiro noticed two rakes in the cart, and suggested that they rake them out. Yemon protested that the water was cold, but Tokujiro assured him that the Midori Mist was even colder."

The audience laughs at this. "They waded out in their boots and began to rake at the water, wrestling those barrels out of the water and muck." Brock goes on. "Suddenly they heard the sound of hooves in the distance, and froze in fear--could it possibly be the police? They had to do something and fast!"

"So what did they do?" a woman asks, worried for Yemon and Tokujiro.

"Sure enough, a policeman riding a Rapidash arrived — he was out looking for smugglers." Brock replies. "He bid Yemon and Tokujiro good evening, and asked them what the heck they were doing in the cold water."

He interjects "You see, back in those days, people believed anyone from Pewter City wasn't the sharpest tack in the drawer, because of its vicinity to the mountains. Mr. Policeman was no different--he figured the two travelers before him were very obviously from Pewter."

After opening and taking a sip from the can of Midori Mist on the table, he goes on "Anyway, Tokujiro claimed that they were raking up the moon's mist from the water. The policeman tried oh-so-hard not to laugh as Yemon added that the mist from the moon was said to have healing powers. Thankfully, the policeman bought their story, and rode on his way."

Everyone heaves a sigh of relief as Brock concludes "Yemon and Tokujiro kept raking, and soon enough they had rescued those barrels and loaded them onto the cart. When they returned to the Diamond Harp, they told everyone the story about how they fooled the police. This made the drink even more popular, because ads claimed it contained some of that mist from the moon they raked that night."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow, then returns to his waiting drink as the lights go down...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 112: The Talking Tinderbox)

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



Week 112: The Talking Tinderbox

(real tale: The Snuff Box)


"You remember the tale of the tinderbox that summoned the Legendary Beasts?" Brock asks the audience.

Cheers go up in reply. "Well, this week I have another tale of a tinderbox for you, but this one's power is different." he explains.

With that, he begins "As often is the case in this world, there was once a young man who spent all his time travelling. One day, as he was walking along, he found a tinderbox by the side of the road. When he opened it, the tinderbox asked him <i>Che cosa desiderate?</i>

Giggles and murmurs go up as the audience tries to figure out just what Brock said, but Brock is quick to translate. "That's Italian for 'What do you want?'

After giving Lotta and some of the other Players listening from the wings a nod, he goes on. "He was very much scared, but instead of throwing the box away, he only closed it up and put it in his pocket. Then he went on far away from there, but as he walked along, he thought to himself, "If it says to me again 'What do you want?' I'll answer its question and see what happens.'

"Oohs" go up as Brock continues "So he took out the tinderbox and opened it, and again it asked <i>Che cosa desiderate?</i> The boy replied that he wanted his hat full of gold, and sure enough, his hat filled with more gold pieces than he could count in a flash of green light."

Applause goes up at this. "Our hero--let's call him Takuya--was amazed at this." Brock explains. "He realized that he would never need food, water, shelter, money, or anything else. So on he went, through grassy plains, rolling hills, high mountains, and thick forests, till he finally came to a beautiful castle in a grand city."

A regal melody plays to signal a scene change as the audience pictures the city and the castle. "Now, if there's a castle in a story, there's probably gonna be a king, right?" Brock asks. "And maybe a queen too?"

Affirmative cheers go up in reply. "Takuya walked around the castle several times, not caring who saw him, till the king noticed him, and asked what he was doing there." Brock goes on. "Takuya replied that he was merely looking at the castle, and nothing more. But that night, he took his tinderbox and opened the lid. When it asked <i>Che cosa desiderate?</i>, Takuya wished for a castle with walls of gold, floors of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and pearls, and the furniture all of silver and gold. He had hardly finished speaking when a castle built exactly as he had ordered appeared in a flash of green light next to the king's castle."

Brock waits for the applause to quiet, then goes on "When the king woke up the next morning, he did a double take at the sight of the magnificent castle glittering in the sun. The servants could not do their work without stopping to gawk at it. So the king went to see Takuya. Takuya explained that despite his humble appearance, he was actually a very powerful prince. He went on to request that they all live together in one castle or the other, and that the king would give him his daughter's hand in marriage. Wedding preparations were made, and it wasn't long before Takuya and the princess--we'll call her Haruna, for she was born in the spring--and they lived happily in the glittering castle."

Thunderous applause goes up, but a tense guitar chord signals that the story is not over yet. "However, the queen was jealous both of Takuya and even Haruna, her own daughter." Brock intones as the lights come up on his in a chair at center stage, guitar in hand. "Princess Haruna had told her mother about the tinderbox, which gave them anything they wanted, so the queen bribed her ladies to steal the tinderbox. They memorized where it was put away every night, and one evening, when everyone was asleep, one of the queen's ladies stole it and brought it to her mistress."

He plays a foreboding riff before continuing "You can probably figure out how happy the queen was..." to some nervous giggles. "She opened the lid, and when the tinderbox asked her--!"

<i>Che cosa desiderate?</i> Lotta fills in the request from offstage.

Brock just takes Lotta's offstage participation in stride. "The queen replied that she wanted her, her husband, her servants and ladies and the glittering castle across the sea, but leave Takuya and Princess Haruna behind."

After playing a fearful interlude, he goes on over a frantic melody "When Takuya and Princess Haruna woke up the next day, they found themselves back in the old castle, without their tinderbox. They searched the castle from top to bottom, but to no avail. Takuya felt that they had not a moment to lose, so he mounted his Ponyta and filled his pockets with as much gold as he could carry."

He then continues as his last chord fades "Takuya searched all across the neighboring lands, and it wasn't long before he ran out of gold. But still he went on, as fast as his Ponyta could go, offering his services in return for food and a bed."

Excited chatter goes up as Brock plays Lugia's song. "Someone told him that he ought to ask Lugia for help, for he flew across the world every night, and might be able to tell him something. So Takuya traveled until he reached the heavens--which is a story in itself."

He plays a harmonic chord to symbolize Cresselia appearing. "When he got there, Cresselia met him at the gate to Lugia's palace, and asked what he was doing there--as it wasn't often a living mortal came to the heavens. "Takuya told her everything that had happened, and asked to see Lugia in hopes that maybe he might have seen a castle with walls of gold and tiles of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds,and pearls, and furnished all in silver and gold. As he was telling Cresselia all of this, Lugia arrived and asked what was going on. Cresselia explained that it was an unhappy mortal who had lost everything, and had come all the way to the heavens to ask him for help."

Lugia's song shifts to a sad melody as Brock goes on "Takuya asked Lugia if by any chance he had seen a palace with walls of gold and tiles of rubles, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, and pearls, and all the furniture of silver and gold. He explained that once this castle belonged to him, but now it was stolen. Lugia sadly shook his head and said no, but told Takuya that Ho'oh may have seen something during her daily flights across the sky, and to ask her."

He plays a "flying" melody as he continues So Takuya went all the way to the other end of the heavens, where Ho'oh made her roost. When Ho'oh asked what the matter was, Takuya begged her to tell him if in the course of her daily flight across the world she had seen a palace that had no equal in the whole world, for..."

"Its walls were of gold and its tiles of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and pearls, and all the furniture in silver and gold." the audience repeats with Brock.

Brock smiles, pleased that the audience has remembered the castle's description. "But Ho'oh said no, but assured Takuya that maybe Suicune had seen it, for he ran everywhere, and saw things that no one else ever saw, and if anyone knew where it was, he or one of the other Beasts would know."

He continues over a "traveling" song "So Takuya returned from the heavens and scoured the world until he found Suicune's den. Suicune was away at the time, but Takuya waited by the entrance for Suicune to return. When Suicune returned and asked takuya what he was doing there, Takuya explained how he was seeking for his palace, and that no one had been able to tell him where it was, so he had come to him, in hopes he would know. He added that he had been shamefully robbed of a palace where..."

Its walls were of gold and its tiles of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and pearls, and all the furniture in silver and gold." the audience repeats without being prompted.

"and he asked Suicune if he had seen such a palace on his travels." Brock finishes the sentence. "Suicune replied that he did see such a castle--he had passed by it several times without being able to move one single tile. Takuya begged Suicune to tell him where it was, and Suicune told him that it was a long way off, on the other side of the sea. But Takuya as not discouraged--he had promised to go to any lengths to find what he had lost, even if it meant going across the heavens and to the ends of the earth to find it."

He continues over an interlude "Takuya thanked Suicune for his help, and traveled to the distant land in the east. He offered his services as a gardener, and learned that the head gardener at the castle had just left, and perhaps he might have a chance of getting the job. Takuya walked up to the castle and asked if they were in need of a gardener; and he was hired right there! He passed most of his day in gossiping with the servants about the wealth of their masters and the wonderful things in the house. He made friends with one of the maids, who told him the history of the tinderbox, and he convinced her to let him see it. One evening she managed to get hold of it, and Takuya memorized where she put it--in a secret place in the bedchamber of her mistress."

"The following night, when everyone was fast asleep, he crept in and took the tinderbox." Brock intones as he plays a "sneaking" melody. When it asked him..."

<i>Che cosa desiderate?</i> Lotta almost screams from offstage--she's been looking forward to saying that line again the whole story.

"Takuya replied that he wanted to return home with his palace, Princess Haruna, and her maids and servants; and for the king and the queen and all their servants to be drowned in the sea." Brock intones before playing a little harmonic flourish to symbolize magic. "He hardly finished speaking when he found himself back home again with Princess Haruna and her maids and servants, while all the other inhabitants of the palace were lying at the bottom of the sea. He and Princess Haruna lived happily ever after, although they were careful with who handled the tinderbox, so no one could abuse its power again."

The crowd roars as Lotta joins Brock onstage to take a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Interlude 18: A Flair for Drama)

Interlude 18: A Flair for Drama

Sachi smiles as she studies some reviews of past plays that have been performed on the show. "You guys have such great stage presence and chemistry--that's why I joined up to start with."

"Why, thank you." Brock smiles as he joins Sachi in the room. "Plays take some time to plan, but when we can get it all to come together, it's a smash hit..."

"Speaking of plays, I think it would be fun to do another melodrama...not a spoof, but a real melodrama." Lotta suggests before pulling something from her backpack. "I even have a <i>scritto.</i>

Brock studies the script for a moment, then raises an eyebrow when he sees that a character is intentionally doubled. "Interesting...I could adapt my persona of Vincent de Guile for this..."

"Ash has to be the hero!" Yuki pleads.

Brock, meanwhile, is reading through the unfilled roles in the cast list, and writing the name of the one interested in the role. "Faith Truman, the heroine..."

"I would love to play a poofy gowned heroine!" Sachi gasps.

"Ben Truman, her dad...who will also play the twin brother Bill." Brock asks. When no one jumps to play the role, he marks it as one to be auditioned for, and continues down the list. "Hope Truman, the mom..."

"I would like that role." Akane offers.

After writing Akane's name by the role, Brock reads the next character off the list. "The three flower sisters--Hana, Chika, and Madoka." After studying the growing crowd of Players, he marks the three names as needing auditions and continues. "Love Truman, Faith's elder sister..."

"I'll play her!" Lotta volunteers before snatching the script from Brock's hands and writing "Me!" next to the character's name.

"Okay..." Brock chuckles, bemused in Lotta's enthusiasm. "Donnie, Love's husband..."

"I'll play him." Rylan volunteers.

"Okay...I'm playing Vincent de Guile..." Brock pauses to write his name next to the role. "Sheriff Teague..."

"I'll play that part." Kano offers.

"Ash playing Darien Lyons, adapted to a prospector..." Brock muses as he writes Ash's name by the role. "Aunt Carolina, a relative..."

"Morgan could play that role!" someone suggests.

"Nah, Morgan's better suited for for strong and cunning roles, and the occasional wise woman or oracle." Lotta replies.

Brock just writes that the role needs auditions before continuing "Aunt Melissa, a relative..." When no one speaks up for the role, he marks it, then reads the last named character on the list. "Melantha, the tavern owner..."

"That's Morgan's role." someone suggests.

Brock writes Morgan's name by the role, then addresses the crowd. "Okay--all we need now are crowd extras for guests and tavern patrons."

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!" the crowd cheers as they dash off in different directions to start building sets and finding costumes....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 113: How Darkrai Was Tricked)

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

Week 113: How Darkrai was Tricked

(real tale: The Woodcutter's Trick)


Brock smiles as he approaches the wings. <i>Rehearsals for the new melodrama are going well--I hope this tale from Shinou will hold the audience over until we're ready to perform it next week.</i>

With that, he jogs onstage to meet the crowd. "In a certain village lived a woodcutter and his wife." he begins. "The woodcutter and his wife had an intense <i>joie de vivre</i> — they loved their work and their family, and they loved the woods and they loved the sea. Their <i>joie de vivre</i> was so intense, they often said that they wanted to live forever, so they wouldn't miss out on all the world had to offer."

Piqued murmurs go up as Brock intones "So one day, the woodcutter got the idea to fool Darkrai, so that he would never find them. They vowed to each other that they would live long, healthy, happy lives, and stand by each other no matter what happened."

More chatter races through the auditorium as the audience wonders how Darkrai can even be tricked. "The years went by, and the woodcutter and his wife lived happily, but one late spring night, when the woodcutter was very old, he was walking home through the woods carrying a heavy load of firewood." Brock continues as the lights go down a little to mimic nighttime. "He had just reached the top of a hill, so he stopped to rest a moment before coming back down. He looked ahead at the long path before him, and in his exhaustion and weariness, he failed to remember the vow he and his wife had made to each other long ago."

He then intones "He wished that Darkrai would come and free him from the burden he carried."

The auditorium is silent for a moment before Brock continues "For a few moments he rested, and then he started on his way toward home, but before he had gone very far, Darkrai appeared to him on the path."

In a deep and spooky voice--his go-to "Darkrai" voice--he intones “Ye have called for me, and I am here." He adds a deep guttural laugh for effect, making some children in the audience shudder in fear and delight

“And who are you?” he demands in an older man voice for the woodcutter

“I am Darkrai,” he answers as Darkrai, “and you are coming with me now.”

Nervous giggles go up at Brock's feigned look of surprise, as if he is the woodcutter realizing his grave mistake. “No, no, I was only joking,” he stammers as the woodcutter. “I have my wife and my family to care for. I am not ready to go.”

“But you called me,” he retorts as Darkrai. He reaches forward, as if about to grab someone from the front row.

“Wait!” he interjects as the woodcutter. “I have an idea. I’ll make you a deal. If you will wait twelve years, you can have not only me, but perhaps others in my family, too.”

The audience shudders as Brock does Darkrai's evil chuckle again. “I will get them all one way or the other anyway,” he muses as Darkrai. “That is no bargain. Give me something I do not have.”

He pauses for a moment, then continues as the woodcutter “I’ll give you a home...”

“I find homes everywhere!” he laughs as Darkrai. “I have visited every home in every land.”

“I don’t mean to be bold, but I've just remembered something." he interjects the woodcutter. "There is someone you have never visited and never shall. There is a home to which you have never been welcomed.”

"Impossible!" he gasps as Darkrai

“Not impossible at all. Indeed, there is a cave beyond this valley,” he explains as the woodcutter, pointing off into the darkness at stage left. “In that cave there is a hermit who lives there now and has always lived there. He is immortal. I know because he has told me so, and many of my friends have met him. In fact, he has been sitting in the same spot for so many centuries, he no longer moves. He is anchored to the ground by his beard, for it has taken root.”

“This is impossible!” he roars as Darkrai, simultaneously making laughter and screams fill the air.

“Not impossible, I’m afraid,” he replies as the woodcutter. “For this is true. He is the wisest man I have ever known, and he knows how to outwit even you.”

“Where is he?” he demands as Darkrai. “Give me directions to this place! How dare anyone claim to be immortal — no one is!”

“I can point you in the direction of his cave,” he assures the audience as the woodcutter. “Simply walk over the next mountain and into the valley, and turn right at the bottom of the valley. There you will find a series of caves, but the immortal one sits in the last cave to the right.”

Thunderous applause goes up at the interplay. "The woodcutter pointed toward the caves, and before he had finished speaking, Darkrai had stormed off, moving at the speed of wind across the mountaintop, into the valley." Brock continues as himself. "He forgot all about the woodcutter as he searched cave after cave after cave, and he vowed he would never stop looking until he had found this man."

He concludes "The woodcutter, meanwhile, hurried home, relieved at his narrow escape. He told his wife the tale, and when they said their prayers that night they gave thanks for fooling Darkrai for all these years. They knew that eventually Darkrai would figure out he'd been had, but for now they were grateful for every moment of their lives."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Sidestory 10a: Faith, Hope, and Love, part 1)

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


Sidestory 10a: Faith, Hope, and Love (part 1)

As the audience settles into their seats for the premiere of the melodrama, Yuki watches from the wings as the cast gets ready, Happini in her arms. When she sees Brock pass by in a tuxedo-like costume with a black cape to match, she begins whining fearfully.

"Hey, I'm just playing pretend, okay?" Brock assures Happini before hurrying to his place onstage.

"You have a part to play in this too..." Yuki coos to Happini as she makes her way to the piano and gets her sheet music in order. "You can turn the pages for me."

"Pini!" Happini replies, and scrambles on top of the piano by the open sheet music.

"I'll nod when I want you to turn the page, okay?" Yuki tells Happini. Happini nods as the lights flash the five minute warning.

When the lights go down, Yuki begins a spritely ragtime tune for the overture. When the song ends, the lights come up on Sachi in a pale blue gown, Akane in a white gown, and a male actor in prospector's garb inside a rustic log cabin. "Are you comfy, Daddy?" Sachi asks the actor.

"Yes dear...but what is truly comfortable is having someone so beautiful and kind as you by my side." the actor replies.

"I'll never leave you, Daddy--I'll stay by you and Mama for however long you need me." Sachi assures the actor. "At least until the mortgage is paid."

"But the mortgage IS paid, dear." Akane interjects.

Sachi balks at the news. "But I thought we still had two months left!"

"Your father paid the last payment yesterday." Akane explains.

"You talk too much, Hope..." the male actor sighs, to some laughter.

"I'm sorry...I thought you had told Faith already." Akane protests.

"Why didn't you want to tell me, Daddy?" Sachi asks. "That is wonderful news..."

"I didn't want to lose you..." the male actor replies. "Didn't want you running off with some good-for-nothing like your sister Love did...

"But Love is happy!" Sachi protests. "She loves Donnie, and he loves her in return!"

"All the love in the world means nothing if he can't provide for her..." the male actor interjects over a hopeful interlude from the piano.

"Dear, Donnie may yet strike gold up here, despite the biting cold and wind..." Akane adds.

"I wanted her to marry someone rich, so she wouldn't freeze to death up here...." the male actor grumbles.

"Their love will keep them warm, just as my--!" Sachi's line and the piano's song come to an abrupt halt.

"Your what?" the male actor asks after an awkward silence.

"Oh, nothing..." Sachi giggles.

"You were referring to Darien Lyons again..." the male actor sighs. Some cheers go up at the hero's name before the male actor continues "I have a bad feeling about him based on how he prowls around here..."

"He does not prowl--he brings supplies to us and keeps us safe from the wild Pokemon." Sachi protests.

"Then he will have one less thing to do, then--I've arranged to have oil delivered from town." the male actor explains.

"Not with Vincent de Guile!" Sachi gasps, to a tense stinger from the piano and boos from the audience at the villain's name.

"I made all the arrangements when I delivered the final payment yesterday." the male actor explains.

"Just think--I won't have to brave the cold for twigs anymore." Akane smiles.

"It is nice, but I'll miss seeing Darien Lyons coming to deliver the wood..." Sachi sighs before something out the window gets her attention. "Oh! I believe we have guests coming to call!"

"Well!" Akane smiles as she joins Sachi at the window. "If it isn't the Flower Sisters...Hana, Chika,and Madoka."

"By all means, let them in." the male actor smiles as a knock comes at the door. Sachi nods and the piano begins a playful melody as she lets in three girls--one wearing a pink gown, one wearing a periwinkle gown, and one a cream gown. "They are so close, they all finish each other's sentences." the male actor muses.

"Good evening, Faith..." the girl in pink begins.

"Hope..." the girl in periwinkle adds.

"...and Ben." the girl in cream concludes

"Good evening, girls." the male actor smiles. "What can I do for you tonight?"

"Oh, we were just out on a stroll..." the girl in pink replies.

"...and we thought..." the girl in periwinkle adds.

"...we would come say hello." the girl in cream concludes.

"Shall I put the kettle on?" Akane offers.

"Oh no..." the girl in pink declines.

"We don't plan to stay." the girl in periwinkle adds.

"Just for a moment." the girl in cream concludes. They continue like this for a moment:

"While we were in town today..."

"We heard a rumor..."

"Of wonderful news!"

"We heard you killed a wild Beartic..."

"We heard you went to see Sir Vincent de Guile..." Some more boos fill the air at the villain's name.

"We heard you finally paid off the mortgage."

The male actor smiles. "News apparently travels fast in town...what you heard is correct, girls."

"Yes, Daddy can rest easy now that he doesn't owe another dime." Sachi smiles.

The girls continue their chatter over the piano. "While we were in town..." the girl in pink explains.

"We went to see Mr. de Guile too." the girl in periwinkle adds, to some boos from the audience.

"We went to borrow money." the girl in cream concludes.

"Now why would such sweet gals like you three need to borrow money?" the male actor wonders.

"We want to open a Pokemon Center." the three girls reply.

"But what Pokemon there are are the wild ones..." the male actor interjects.

"Most of the ones the prospectors brought froze to death." Sachi adds, brushing away a feigned tear.

"That's why we want to build a Pokemon Center!" the girls chorus.

"So the prospectors' Pokemon..." the girl in pink explains.

"Will be safe..." the girl in periwinkle adds.

"From the biting cold and wind!" the girl in cream concludes.

The male actor smiles. "That's mighty nice of you. Wonderful that there is still kindness yet in this ol' world..."

"So when is your Pokemon Center going to open?" Akane asks.

"That's the problem!" the girls chorus over the piano.

"And so..." the girl in pink begins.

"We came... the girl in periwinkle adds.

"To you." the girl in cream concludes. They continue like this:

"We know..."

"You don't..."

"Have much...:

"But we came..."

"Because we know..."

"How to help you!"

"Mr. De Guile..." The audience boos again as the girl in pink mentions the villain's name.

"Told us he would..."

"Lend the money to you."

"I see..." Sachi muses. "Mr. de Guile wants us to mortgage the house again, and the payments go toward the Flower Sisters' Pokemon Center."

"It is a worthy cause, girls, but it's hard enough making ends meet as it is! How could I pay back that much money?" the male actor wonders.

(just then, another knock comes at the door. "Dear, please see who that is..." the male actor requests.

Sachi nods, and goes to open the door at stage right. "Love? Donnie? Come on in!"

Lotta, in a pale green gown, and Rylan, in adventurer's gear, enter the scene. "Mama, Daddy, good ta see you again..." she smiles as she hugs the male actor and Akane over a peaceful interlude from the piano.

"Howdy everyone." Rylan smiles, to a chorus of replies.

"What brings you here tonight, Love? Were you lonesome?" Akane asks Lotta

"Oh, I was out helpin' Donnie see if he caught any Pokemon out here..." Lotta explains.

"I thought he was a miner..." the male actor muses to some laughter.

"He was, but he was fired." Lotta replies.

"Couldn't tell gold from silver, so they gave me the boot." Rylan grumbles. "Both of'em are very good ta find..."

"So we thought we'd drop in and say hello." Lotta concludes.

As "Hellos" waft through the crowd onstage, the piano suddenly plays a tense riff as Brock enters the scene from stage left, to thunderous boos from the audience. "Hello, everyone." he smirks.

"Mr. de Guile, what a surprise!" the male actor smiles. "Have you come to deliver the oil?"

"Not exactly...I happened to be in the area and thought I'd drop in to ask if these little ladies..." Brock gestures to the Flower Sisters. "...have told you of their noble endeavor."

"We tried..." the girls chorus.

"It is a noble cause to be sure, but I dunno if it would be worth it." the male actor explains.

"Will Vincent de Guile be able to convince Ben Truman?" a male announcer interjects as the lights go down. "What horrible plot has he concocted, and what role will Darien Lyons play? Find out in the next part of our exciting escapade!"

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Sidestory 10a: Faith, Hope, and Love, part 2)

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


Sidestory 10a: Faith, Hope and Love (part 2)

"When we last left the Truman family..." the narrator begins over an interlude from the piano "Ben Truman, having newly paid off the mortgage to his home, is approached by the three Flower Sisters--Hana, Chika, and Madoka--to build a Pokemon Center to keep the townsfolk's Pokemon and wild Pokemon safe from the harsh mountain winters. Ben isn't sure at first, but little does he know that he is about to be sucked into a vile plot of Sir Vincent de Guile that will prove his undoing!"

Boos fill the air as the lights come up on the house again, where Brock and the male actor playing both Ben and another character are talking. "It is a noble cause to be sure, but I dunno if it would be worth it." the male actor explains.

"Not if you play your cards right." Brock sneers, to some boos.

"How so?" the male actor asks.

Brock hugs the male actor close. "If you open a Pokemon Center, you'll have all those Pokemon to battle for you--it would be great fun for the townsfolk to bet on their favored Pokemon." he suggests as an aside.

"Oh, that does sound fun!" the male actor smiles.

"And since a source of healing is right on site, the Pokemon could just charge right back into battle again after being healed!" Brock goes on. "They'd battle 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year!"

The male actor balks in anger. "Why you heartless cad! I would never overwork human workers, so why should Pokemon be any different?"

"You always did have a heart, Ben Truman..." Brock mutters.

"It's common sense, really..." the male actor tells Brock before addressing the sisters "I've reconsidered--I will mortgage my house again for the sake of the Pokemon Center."

"Thank you!" the girls chorus

"Daddy, I'm so proud!" Sachi smiles

A tense piano chord goes up as Brock comments to the audience "And when he defaults on the mortgage, this house, the Pokemon Center, and all the Pokemon in it will be mine!" Boos race through the crowd over his evil chuckle.

"Stealing Pokemon and a house, and forcing the Pokemon to battle 24 hours a day? What more does Sir Vincent de Guile have up his sleeve?" the narrator gasps over a tense piano chord as a knock comes at the door. Not only is Ben Truman caught up in the scheme, but things are about to get worse for Love and Donnie too! Does Vincent have a hand in this as well? Will this new twist in the tale threaten Love's secret ambition to challenge the Pokemon League? And what about Faith, and her love for Darien Lyons? Don't miss the next episode of our exciting escapade!"

As the crowd applauds, backstage, Kano--in costume as Sheriff Teague--sighs as Brock comes backstage. "Aw, I was looking forward to arresting Rylan and Ash's first scene."

"More importantly, are we going to use live Pokemon for the part where I run out into the snow and angrily catch Pokemon?" Lotta asks. "Or are we gonna use dolls to stand in for live Pokemon?"

"We're leaning towards using dolls--lot less of a hassle." Brock replies as he changes out of the Sir Vincent de Guile costume and into a tap dancer's costume for another sketch....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 114: Zubat on Both Sides)

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

I didn't forget about the play sidestory, the play I chose was a bit long, so here's a tale or two to hold you guys over while I find a new one.

Week 114: Zubat on Both Sides

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan", episode 54, story 1)

"Maybe that melodrama was a bit long..." Morgan sighed. The audience had gotten bored with the over the top plot by Scene 6, and by the time Act 2 had finally started, they wanted the whole thing to just end.

"Don't worry, we'll find a new play--one that won't bore the audience." Brock assured his costars. With that, he hurried out to meet the crowd.

Once all is quiet, he begins "A long time ago, the bird Pokemon and the beast Pokemon battled, in what we know today as the Red and Green War. The war raged on for years, but neither side had a clear advantage over the other."

Piqued murmurs go up as Brock continues "One day, a Zubat strayed into the realm of the Beast Pokemon, where the guardian Arcanines thought him suspicious. Zubat explained that he lived in the cave up the hill, and needed to pass through the realm of the beasts to get there. The Arcanines were still suspicious, as Zubat had wings, but Zubat explaind that he had hands and feet, so he was a winged beast."

Chuckles go up at this. "At home, the Zubat and his family wondered what, if anything, could stop the ongoing war, which continued to drag on and on." Brock continues. "The next day, the guard Pidgeots guarding the realm of the birds stopped him, believing him to be a spy for the beasts. But Zubat explained that he had wings and could fly like them."

Laughter fills the air as the audience speculates what both sides will do once they figure out Zubat's trick. "This went on for a while, with Zubat having to prove to each side that he was simultaneously a bird Pokemon and beast Pokemon." Brock explains, quieting the debate. "Finally, the Wave Guider and his Lucario arrived, quelling the fighting and restoring peace to the world. But Zubat was still wary that both sides would figure out his trick, so ever since then, he only comes out at night, while everyone else is asleep."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 115: Ekans and Fennekin Return the Favor)

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


Week 115: Ekans and Fennekin Return the Favor

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 55, story 1)

"Once a healer--we'll call him Naoru--was traveling through a terrible storm." Brock begins. "Suddenly he saw a man crying for help as he tried not to get swept away by he river, and saved him. The man--we'll call him Senboshi--was grateful, and offered to go with Naoru on his travels."

Interested murmurs fill the room as Brock paces the stage a little. "The storm subsided some time later, but the river was still at flood stage." he explains. "As they walked along the road, Naoru and Senboshi happened to spot a Fennekin and an Ekans in the river. They rescued both Pokemon, and both Pokemon went with them on their travels."

"Aw"s go up as Brock continues "Naoru and Senboshi parted ways as soon as they reached a town. The town elder was amazed by Naoru's story, and invited him and his companion to stay at his house for the night. Naoru agreed, in return for healing anyone that needed care in the town. The townsfolk lined up in droves to get their aches and pains healed, and for those that couldn't travel, he made a house call. The people were grateful, and showered Naoru in gifts, making Senboshi quite jealous."

"Ooh"s fill the air as the audience speculates what Senboshi will do. "That night, Senboshi told the elder that Naoru was really an evil sorcerer in disguise, unaware the Fennekin saw the whole thing." Brock intones. Naoru was arrested the next morning and thrown in jail. Meanwhile, Fennekin told Ekans what had happened, and Ekans was appalled someone would backstab an innocent person like that. So the next day, he bit the elder's foot."

Laughter fills the air as Brock feigns being bitten and the resulting pain. "After three very painful days, the elder orders Naoru freed, and pleaded with him to heal his foot. Naoru agreed, and the elder's foot healed in a matter of hours, convincing the council that Naoru really was a healer."

He concludes "Senboshi was thrown in jail instead, where it is said he is still there. Before he left town, Naoru asked the elder why he was set free. The elder explained that a Fennekin told him in a dream that Naoru was innocent, and could heal his foot. It dawned on Naoru that the Ekans that bit the elder's foot and the Fennekin in the elder's dream were the same Ekans and Fennekin he had saved before! He silently thanked them as he went on his way, where he had many more adventures."

He grins at the enthralled crowd. "But that is another story for another day!"

The crowd roars and Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Interlude 19: Second Time's the Charm)

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


Interlude 19: Second Time's the Charm

"I don't get it..." Sachi sighs. "Why did people not like the melodrama?"

"For one thing, it was a bit too long, something we didn't take into account." Brock explains. "By the time Act 1 finally ended, the audience was bored."

"And a bored audience isn't a happy one." Lotta adds.

"Nor are bored cast members happy." Brock agrees.

Sachi, meanwhile, is looking through a large, thick book filled with script ideas. "Hm...who said that all of us had to dress up in a costume?" she smiles, showing Brock the script of "The Three Wishing Bags"

"That's it--I've done this script before with Ash, only as a puppet show." Brock explains. "But we can still have Ash perform Erin, his Riolu mage character." He then studies the rest of the roles as the other Players arrive. "Ash performing Erin, me as the king..."

"I'll be the prince!" Rylan volunteers

Brock digs a coin out and shows it to Lotta and Sachi. "Since I know each of you want to be the heroine...this is heads..." He shows the side of the coin with a Pikachu face. "This is tails..." He then displays the side depicting the Kanto League crest.

"Heads!" Lotta calls as Brock flips the coin.

"Tails!" Sachi also calls the toss.

Brock examines the coin on the floor. "It's heads."

"Sachi would make a perfect jester--and that's an energetic role." Kano suggests.

"So long as I can make people laugh, I'll do it!" Sachi smiles.

<i>A few days later...</i>

"Okay, action!" Brock calls from the audience, where Lotta is looking at the table serving as Ash's puppeteer's wall. "Start at where Luna asks if Erin's been looking for something."

Back behind the table, Ash finds the appropriate place in his script and positions Erin, who is wrapped up in a black cloak, by the table. "Ready!" he calls.

Lotta finds the point Brock mentioned and begins "You're looking for something? What is it?" as Luna.

"I have bin looking for a valuable treasure." Ash replies as he makes Erin get up from the table.

"Treasure? Like gold and gems?" Lotta asks.

"No, something far better tan gold ar gems--I've found it here in tis room." Ash replies.

"What is here that's more valuable than gold and gems?" Lotta looks at the Riolu puppet with a bemused look.

"I have searched for someone kind and generous, and I see you posses bot' tese qualities." Ash replies.

"How can you be so sure? I have only met you for a few minutes." Lotta protests.

"Ordinary Pokemon cannot sense tese tings, but I am no ordinary Pokemon." Ash replies.

"Th-then what are you?" Lotta stammers fearfully.

Kano triggers a puff of smoke, obscuring Ash removing the cloak. When the smoke clears, the Erin puppet is in its usual costume. "I am a mage--a Pokemon trained to call upon te elemants as magic." Ash explains.

"A mage!" Lotta gasps. "You aren't going to cast a curse on me, are you?"

"Very good!" Brock is impressed by Lotta's realistic feigned fear.

Ash feigns some gentle accented laughter. "Oh no, no, lassie...I use my power naught for darkness, but for light. Kindness like yours strengthens my power."

"O-okay..." Lotta stammers. "I trust you."

"As tanks for placing your troost in me, I'll give ye somtin' more valuable tan anytin' King Altan himself possesses." Ash continues.

"Oh, you don't have to give me anything in return for my giving you food--I would've done the same even if you had nothing to give in return." Lotta assures the Erin puppet.

"I understand, but you honestly deserve tis gift." Ash replies. "In return, lass, will you follow the instructions I have for using tis gift to te letter?"

"I will." Lotta replies.

"Here ye are, then." With that, Ash makes Erin give Lotta a small drawstring bag.

"Uh, thanks?" Lotta asks. Brock motions for a little more emotion, so Lotta tries again with a note of confusion in her voice. "Uh, thanks? I've always wanted a little bag to keep things in..."

"Ah, but tese bags are no ordinary bags..." Ash replies. "Tey are a set of tree magic bags of wishing!"

"Three? I only see one..." Lotta muses as she looks quizzically at the bag.

"Tere are two others inside the wan ye hold, lass." Ash replies. "Joost hald a bag in front of you and say this charm...wishin' bag, wishin' bag, grant my wish, my heart's desire, joost wan wish I do require. Ten make yer wish and it shall be granted. One bag is used for each wish."

"This is too amazing to believe!" Lotta cries joyfully in character. "How can I ever repay you?"

"A word of caution before I leave ye, lass--te magic within te bags is so powerful, tat if anywan else tries te use te bags; tey will die instantly. To revive anywan stricken by tis, ye must use another bag yeself. Don't let anyone but ye use te bags...understood?" Ash warns as Erin.

"I promise...I'll be very very careful." Lotta replies.

Ash makes Erin give a little bow. "And now we part...I hope we will meet again someday...fare ye well, lassie." Lotta waves goodbye as Kano triggers more smoke and some rainbow sparks, making it appear to Brock and the others in the audience that the Erin puppet has disappeared.

"How was that?" Ash asks as himself.

"You did fine, Lotta just needs a bit more work of showing her character's emotion." Brock assures Ash as the stage is reshuffled....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 116: The Thief and the Liar's Partnership)

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


Week 116: The Thief and the Liar's Partnership

(real tale: The Thief and the Liar)

Brock takes a deep breath to relieve the Beautiflies in his stomach. <i>Here's hoping that when we premiere the play next week, it'll go over better...</i>

With that, he jogs out to meet the cheering crowd. "Once a thief met a man who always lied on the road." he begins. "When the thief asked the liar what he was doing, the liar explained that he had just seen a Persian flying, and he was waiting for it to come down in hopes he could study its wings."

Laughter goes up as the audience pictures a flying Persian. "The thief just smiled and offered to form a partnership," Brock continues. "All it took to make a fortune is one thief and one liar, he figured, and since he was a thief, the two of them would make a fine pair. The liar loved the idea; so together they set out to see the king of a neighboring country. As they walked, they plotted."

"Ooh's fill the air as the audience wonders what the pair is plotting. "When they reached the palace, the liar hid in the forest while the thief went to see the king." Brock explains. The thief suggested the king prepare a banquet, but the king balked at this--a terrible drought had hit the land, and there was no crops even for themselves. The thief replied that he had just come from a country so rich in crops, everyone was knee deep in food. The king did not believe the thief, but the thief insisted. They decided to wager 300 gold pieces, because the king was certain the drought had destroyed crops far and wide."

Giggles fill the air as Brock paces the stage for a moment, then continues "The king sent a servant to travel to the land to see if what the thief said was true. As the servant rode through the forest, the liar stepped out from behind a tree and asked where he was going. When the servant answered, the liar said he had just come from the country in question, and every crop is growing so tall and so strong, it took two dozen people to harvest each plant."

Awed gasps go up as Brock intones "To save himself from a long journey, the servant asked the liar to come to the palace to tell his king the news, and the liar agreed. When the liar explained everything to the king, the king was astonished. But he was an honest man, so he paid the thief 300 gold pieces."

He continues as he returns to his place at center stage. "The thief and the liar departed and traveled on to another kingdom, where they pulled the same trick. This time the liar told tales of lettuce so large, one head needed at least 12 wagons to carry it to market. In another kingdom, the thief told a tale of a kingdom with a shrine spire so high a Pidgey perched on it and was able to peck at the stars, making some stars fall from the sky. The king bet the greedy thief 10,000 gold pieces that this was not true, and sent his servant to find out. The servant came upon the liar, who told him he was indeed from the country in question, so the servant asked if the story of the Pidgey and the stars was true. The liar said it was--not only that, but he saw 12 people shoving with all their might to roll a monster egg into a cellar."

Laughter goes up as the audience pictures the servant's likely reaction. "The servant came and told this story to the king, and the king paid the thief 10,000 gold pieces." Brock explains. "The thief and the liar split their earnings into two equal shares and parted ways. The years went by, they both married, and built houses of their own. But one day, as the liar was counting his coins, he discovered he had been cheated. He wanted to get his fair share, and went to see the thief.The thief greeted him warmly. When the liar accused him of cheating, the thief assured him that if he came next week, he would pay his old friend what he owed."

Silence fills the air as Brock goes on "A week went by, and the thief told his wife of his plan--he would lie down and when the liar arrived, she was to tell him that he had died and she had buried him. The thief's wife did as she was told, telling the most heartwrenching rendition of the story she could. The liar knew the thief's wiles well, and suspected something was up. So he went to the barn and began to toss the hay with a pitchfork, prodding it this way and that."

He concludes "To this day, it is said he is still looking for his former partner, in hopes of getting back his rightful share."

Laughter and applause fill the air as Brock takes a bow....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Sidestory 10b: The Three Wishing Bags, part 1)

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

Sidestory 10b: The Three Wishing Bags (part 1)

"Ready?" Brock asks Akane--in a fantastic cook's costume--and Sachi, now wearing a festive multicolored jester's costume.

"I believe so..." Akane assures Brock. "We've rehearsed this well.

"Let's do this!" Sachi cries as the lights flash the five minute warning.

Onstage, Kano begins narrating to the audience from a spotlight at stage right. "Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was once a noble called Lord Perimere. He was one of the more respected nobles of the land, but rumors said that his only daughter, Luna, was in love with the prince, Tristan. One day, the king requested to hold a great feast at Lord Perimere's house, where some of the household servants began to learn of Luna's love for Prince Tristan." He lets that hang as the lights come up on a set of a kitchen. Akane is by a table, pretending to knead dough and stir ingredients as Sachi looks on, sprawled on a chair.

After a few tense seconds Sachi notes Akane's comings and goings and tries to walk into into her path, but Akane shoos her away every time. Finally, Akane snaps "Not now, Rada, not now! You're going to make me ruin this pie if you're not careful!"

"I have nothing to do with it, Ginger--the pie was ruined before you started!" Sachi giggles, throwing a cup at Akane, only to have Akane duck behind the chair.

"Make one more smart remark and I'll...I'll...I'll tell Lady Perimere you're picking on me!" Akane threatens.

"Aw, you poor baby..." Sachi replies sarcastically in character, making the audience laugh. "If you complain, I'll tell them what you REALLY put in that stew yesterday." she retorts.

"You know I put nothing but the best meat in my stew!" Akane protests.

"Ah, but the best of what kind of meat?" Sachi replies. "Lord Perimere was telling me that one of his Growlithes has gone missing..."

"Are you implying what I think you're implying, Rada?" Akane growls, to some laughter and "ew"s. "If you tell His Lordship that, YOURE the one that's going to be in the stew!" With that, Akane and Sachi proceed to chase each other around the stage, much to the audience's delight.

As the chase continues, Lotta, in a fantasy maid's costume, walks into the chaos with some prop bowls. "For Arceus' sake, watch where you're going!" she scolds as Akane and Sachi continue to chase each other. "You were at each other's throats when I left, and I see you two are still at it." She avoids Sachi before adding "Please don't make me spill this soup on the floor!"

"That's exactly where it belongs, dear Luna." Sachi interjects.

"Don't encourage her, Luna!" Akane pleads. "You know I make a fine Squirtle soup!"

"Ginger's famous, all right--I bet she's the only cook in the land who can make Squirtle soup just by boiling the shells!" Sachi adds.

Before Akane and Sachi can chase each other again, Lotta seperates them. "Please stop this! You'll disturb the prince!"

"The prince is here?" Akane asks.

"Didn't you know? Prince Tristan dines tonight with Father." Lotta explains. "He is such a handsome boy..."

"Ah, love...maybe that is the answer to your troubles in the kitchen, Ginger." Sachi muses.

"Is Rada implying I'm a bad cook again?" Akane whispers as an aside to Lotta, to some giggles.

"I don't think you are..." Lotta replies.

"Okay, Miss Know it All, if you know so much, what is your solution?" Akane challenges Sachi.

"If someone is deep enough in love, his sense would be dulled, yes?" Sachi explains. The other girls nod in agreement. "Then the prince couldn't taste the food and all is well!"

"Ooh..." Akane growls."I ought to grind you into mincemeat for implying my cooking tastes awful!" The audience roars with laughter as Akane menacingly approaches Sachi.

"Rada, enough teasing." Lotta scolds.

"I'm sorry..." Sachi sighs. "Is it true you're in love with the prince?"

"I wish it was..." Lotta replies.

"Every lady in the land wants to marry him, and why are you any different?" Sachi asks.

"I know, but Father disapproves of it so much, I may as well be in love with the moon." Lotta sighs. "What should I do?"

"You can bring your father his soup before it gets ice cold." Akane grumbles in character.

"If only I could live in the castle..." Lotta sighs as she picks up the tray and start offstage. "Then I could see him every day...but it would take a miracle to do that." With that, she departs, leaving Akane and Sachi onstage.

"I wish we could do something to help Luna..." Sachi sighs

Akane stifles a giggle before saying "Any ideas, Miss Know-it-all?"

"Well..." Sachi thinks for a moment. "I know! We could go to the palace and ask King Altan for a job. If he hires us, we insist he hire Luna too--this way, she'd be closer to Prince Tristan!"

"Great idea!" Akane smiles. "I have my doubts if it will work, but it can't hurt to try."

We see His Majesty tomorrow!" Sachi announces, prompting Kano to knock on the wall to simulate a door. "Who's there?" she asks.

A sound effect of a door opening is heard as Ash, hidden behind a row of tables, makes Erin slowly "walk" into the scene, her costume hidden by a black cloak. "Forgive me for troublin' you, good ladies, but I have traveled far and am very hungry...could ye maybe spere a day's worth of food for a wanderin' traveler?" he asks in Erin's distinctive voice.

"Be gone! I will not be bothered with beggars." Akane tries to shoo the Riolu puppet away.

"Can't ye joost spere a little meat and bread?" Ash pleads.

"If it is her bread you seek, then stay hungry and count your blessings." Sachi chides.

"How can ye say tat te a poor little Pokemon like me?" Ash gasps.

"You must not be from around here, or have heard of the cook from which you beg." Sachi giggles. Akane tosses an oven mitt at Sachi, but it lands on the floor just as Lotta returns, her tray now empty.

"Now what? Can't you two ever get along just for a moment?" Lotta sighs, exasperated before the Riolu puppet gets her attention. "Aw, who's this?"

"A little Riolu that came in here asking for food." Sachi explains. "I'm just glad she didn't eat what Ginger made!"

This is the last straw for Akane. "That's it! I'll make an omelet out of you!" With that, she chases Sachi offstage.

Lotta just giggles. "Don't mind them, Miss Riolu...you said you were hungry?" she asks the Riolu puppet.

"Yes--I have eaten noting far tree deys." Ash replies, making the Riolu's head droop.

"Then just settle at the table there, and I'll get you something to eat." Lotta assures the puppet.

"Tank you so much, good lady." Ash replies before making the Riolu puppet "eat" the prop bread and soup Lotta sets before it.

"Not at all." Lotta replies. "Have you traveled far?"

"Yes, boot mebe I dun't need te travel anymore." Ash's Riolu muses as it finishes "eating". "Perhaps I have faund what I seek right here..."

You're looking for something? What is it?" Lotta asks.

"I have bin looking for a valuable treasure." Ash replies as he makes Erin get up from the table.

"Treasure? Like gold and gems?" Lotta asks.

"No, something far better tan gold ar gems--I've faund it here in tis room." Ash replies.

"What is here that's more valuable than gold and gems?" Lotta looks at the Riolu puppet with a bemused look.

"I have searched for someone kind and generous, and I see you posses bot' tese qualities." Ash replies.

"How can you be so sure? I have only met you for a few minutes." Lotta protests.

"Ordinary Pokemon cannot sense tese tings, but I am no ordinary Pokemon." Ash replies.

"Th-then what are you?" Lotta stammers fearfully.

Kano triggers a puff of smoke, obscuring Ash removing the cloak. When the smoke clears, the Erin puppet is in its usual costume. "I am a mage--a Pokemon trained to call upon te elemants as magic." Ash explains.

"A mage!" Lotta gasps. "You aren't going to cast a curse on me, are you?"

Ash feigns some gentle accented laughter. "Oh no, no, lassie...I use my power naught for darkness, but for light. Kindness like yours strengthens my power."

"O-okay..." Lotta stammers. "I trust you."

"As tanks for placing your troost in me, I'll give ye somtin' more valuable tan anytin' King Altan himself possesses." Ash continues.

"Oh, you don't have to give me anything in return for my giving you food--I would've done the same even if you had nothing to give in return." Lotta assures the Erin puppet.

"I understand, but you honestly deserve tis gift." Ash replies. "In return, lass, will you follow the instructions I have for using tis gift to te letter?"

"I will." Lotta replies.

"Here ye are, then." With that, Ash makes Erin give Lotta a small drawstring bag.

Lotta studies the bag. "Uh, thanks? I've always wanted a little bag to keep things in..."

"Ah, but tese bags are no ordinary bags..." Ash replies. "Tey are a set of tree magic bags of wishing!"

"Three? I only see one..." Lotta muses as she looks quizzically at the bag.

"Tere are two others inside the wan ye hold, lass." Ash replies. "Joost hald a bag in front of you and say this charm...wishin' bag, wishin' bag, grant my wish, my heart's desire, joost wan wish I do require. Ten make yer wish and it shall be granted. One bag is used for each wish."

"This is too amazing to believe!" Lotta cries joyfully in character. "How can I ever repay you?"

"A word of caution before I leave ye, lass--te magic within te bags is so powerful, tat if anywan else tries te use te bags; tey will die instantly. To revive anywan stricken by tis, ye must use another bag yeself. Don't let anyone but ye use te bags...understood?" Ash warns as Erin.

"I promise...I'll be very very careful." Lotta replies.

Ash makes Erin give a little bow. "And now we part...I hope we will meet again someday...fare ye well, lassie." Lotta waves goodbye as Kano triggers more smoke and some rainbow sparks, making it appear to the audience that the Erin puppet has disappeared.

"I can't believe it! I have a means to make my dearest wishes come true!" Lotta giddly shouts. "I could wish for a gown like a princess...or gold and jewels....but what I really want is to be close to Prince Tristan!"

With that, she opens the bag and chants "Wishing bag, wishing bag, grant my wish, my heart's desire, just one wish I do require! I wish I was a lady of the royal court!" The audience gasps in awe as rainbow lights and sparks fly about the darkened stage....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Sidestory 10b: The Three Wishing Bags, part 2)

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


Sidestory 10b: The Three Wishing Bags, part 2

<i>Backstage...</i>

In a dressing room, Brock finally finishes putting on some blue, purple, and gold robes. "How's this look?" he asks Morgan as he steps out from the room.

"You look like a king, all right." Morgan smiles.

"Pi Pinipi, ha pini pi?" Happini smiles as she bows before Brock.

"Well, my little princess, you can go see if it's time for me to go on." Brock replies as some extras in costume as lords and ladies join him.

"Wait!" Morgan dashes over with a prop crown decorated in jewels and swirly inlays. "A king can't meet his public without his crown!" she explains as she sets the crown on Brock's head.

Happini, meanwhile, gasps as she hears a major commotion onstage. "Tristan? Someone? Help!"

"I'll go get help!" another female voice offers.

<i>That's our cue.</i> With that, Brock and the extras walk onstage, where Akane, Sachi, Lotta, and two female extras are crowded around Rylan, who is playing dead at center stage. "Oh, too late! The king's here!" one of the extras gasps.

"What's all this commotion?" Brock asks before gasping at the "dead" Rylan. "Summon the royal healer, quickly!" He then addresses an extra. "Lady Cathrine, do you know what happened here?"

"Um, er..." the extra playing Lady Cathrine stammers as Yuki, in a white healer's robe, examines Rylan.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Your Majesty, but there's nothing I can do--Prince Tristan has died." Yuki reports.

"Your Majesty, I think I know how Prince Tristan died..." Lotta explained. "It was no assassin, but a bag."

"A bag?" Brock is intrigued.

"A year ago, a Riolu gave me three bags of wishing, and someone must have taken them." Lotta explains. "If I may, may I revive the prince?"

"Please! Anything to save my son!" Brock pleads.

Lotta, meanwhile, opens the bag. "Wishing bag, wishing bag, grant my wish, my heart's desire, just one wish I do require! I wish Prince Tristan were alive once more!"

Rainbow light and swirls surround Rylan, making him get up. "Wha...what happened? The last thing I remember was Lady Cathrine using a bag on me..."

"Lady Cathrine, was it you that used Luna's bag of wishing and killed Tristan?" Brock sternly asks.

"I only wanted to impress him..." the extra playing Cathrine softly replies.

"I'd say you nearly suppressed him!" Brock snaps. "If Luna hadn't intervened, I would be having to bury a son!"

"But thanks to Luna, I am very much alive." Rylan smiles."As thanks for Luna saving my life, I would like to ask her hand in marriage."

"As for Lady Cathrine...the only bags she'll handle from now on is tea bags." Brock muses as he leads Lady Cathrine offstage

"I can see it now: 'Swishing bag, swishing bag, just one cup, my heart's desire, just one brew do I require'...Sachi quips before the lights go down, ending the play...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 117: The Mint Warrior)

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

Week 117: The Mint Warrior

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 58, story 1)

"A long time ago in a land far away, many people lost their lives and homes in a great war." Brock begins. "But one village had a problem of its own--arrogant warriors kept stealing all the crops in the fields."

Intrigued murmurs fill the air as Brock goes on "One night, as a certain man and his wife had dinner, a knock came at the door." He knocks on the side of the stage for effect,to some giggles. "The village elder was at the door, and he was dealing with a massive stomachache, so he hadn't eaten a thing all day."

Laughter goes up at Brock clutching his stomach in a feigned stomachache, as if he is the elder in pain. "After a bit of a struggle to get him to eat some mint to cure his stomachache, the elder was cured. The man explained that with everything else in short supply, they, like many others, had to eat mint all day, but at least they hadn't been sick in some time."

Awed gasps fill the air as Brock continues "Inspired, the elder ate two mint leaves every day, and grew and shared his own mint with the townsfolk. However, there was still the matter of rogue warriors attacking towns and stealing food and other items."

"Ooh"s fill the air as the lights dim a little to simulate nighttime. "One night, a gang of rogue warriors snuck into the elder's house, believing there was riches to be had." Brock intones. "They refused to believe the elder when he said all he had was mint, and threatened to kill him."

Some in the crowd gasp, but Brock just grins--his favorite part of the tale is coming up! "As they went off to search the house for valuables, they were suddenly rebuffed by what they thought were two mint plants in warrior's garb! No matter how many times the rogues cut the mint warriors, more leaves kept growing back. Terrified, the rogues fled into the night empty handed."

Relieved applause fills the air as Brock explains "It turned out the mint warriors were Celebi and Shaymin in disguise. When the elder saw all the mint leaves on the floor, he offered to clean it up and offer it as thanks to Arceus. Shaymin explained that while Arceus would appriciate the sacrifice, the mint warriors they were disguised as were practically invincible thanks to mint's parasitic nature. Celebi added that the elder keep some of the cut mint for himself and brew a little tea with it."

He concludes "Needless to say, that town was not bothered by bandits again, and the townsfolk to this day plant mint as thanks for Celebi and Shaymin protecting them."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live From The Fireside: Season 5 (Week 118: Daisuke, the Beast Slayer )

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


Week 118: Daisuke, the Beast Slayer

(real tale: The Beast Slayer)


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

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

When he returns to his place at center stage, he goes on "One day, a handsome young man mounted on a beautiful Rapidash came to the poor man's house, and offered to take one of the poor man's daughters as his bride in return for a hundred gold pieces. The father was very much shocked at this request--he may have been poor, but not so poor that he had to sell his own children. The young man, however, threatened to kill him if he refused; so the father reluctantly consented to give Miyu to him, receiving a hundred gold pieces in return. The next day, the father found himself also giving up Ran, and the day after, Eina, to rich young men, on pain of death."

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

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

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

Awed chatter and some applause goes up at the wondrous items. "Daisuke put the three treasures in his bag and went on his way. As soon as he had gone a little ways, he sang to the boot <i>Karuto, iichiida shou...</i> and the boot warped him to where his sister Miyu lived, which was the most magnificent palace he had ever seen in his life. He asked to speak with his sister, but Miyu replied that she had no brother and did not wish to be bothered with the stranger. It took a lot urging for the Daisuke to get permission from her to tell his story; but, when she heard it, everything made sense, so she decided to welcome him as her brother. She asked how he had ever found her home, and how he had come through the thicket which surrounded her palace. Daisuke told her about his magic boot."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Did Daisuke save her?" a girl stammers as she squeezes her mother's hand in fear.

"Daisuke wasted no time in using his magic boot to warp by Princess Yuna's side." Brock assures the girl. "The <i>mujina</i> had hidden her in a cave by the sea and had gone away in search of food. Princess Yuna was delighted to find her husband whom she had never expected to see again, and asked him to get her out of there. "Daisuke explained that since she had gotten into this mess, she could at least try to kill the <i>mujina</i>. So Princess Yuna waited for the <i>mujina</i> to return, then she asked it to tell her the secret of his seemingly eternal life. The <i>mujina</i> was very much flattered to have the Princess Yuna so interested in him, and he told it to her, unaware of a plot."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thunderous applause fills the air as Brock takes a bow...