COMPLETE: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 240: Kanade's Rock)

[LightningTopaz]

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Brock and the gang kick off Season 9 with an adventurous tale....

Week 213: Prince Entieda

(real tale: Don't Know)

The crowd roars as Brock arrives onstage, eager to hear how the ninth season of tales will begin. "There was once a king whose wife, the queen, became mother to a son, who she named Dan." he begins. "By sheer coincidence, a Rapidash in the stable had a little Ponyta that shone. The king was amazed at the little Ponyta's shining fur, and gave it to his son Dan."

"Aw"s go up at this. "When the young prince was old enough, he was sent to school, where he learned to read and write, as well as history, literature, science, math, and everything else a prince had to know." Brock explains. "Every day before leaving for school, he went into the paddock where his little Ponyta, who he had named Epona, lived, and talked to her and petted her."

More "aw"s fill the room at the heartwarming scene. "One year, a war broke out, and the king was obliged to go to battle." Brock continues. "He entrusted his queen and the boy to the care of a prime minister. However, the queen was a wicked woman, and she hatched a plot with the prime minister to take over the government, and establish herself as sole sovereign in the land. But because Prince Dan was clever and observant, the prime minister had to be very cautious, lest his plans be discovered. As part of the plot, the prime minister planned to get the king killed, then marry the queen, so he also decided to get rid of Prince Dan too."

Whispers of fear and anger waft through the room as Brock goes on "In order to do this, he put a dagger in his bed with the point upwards, in hopes that when Prince Dan went to bed, the dagger might run him through. But when Prince Dan went into the paddock to say hello to Epona like he always did, he saw that she looked downhearted."

"Epona! What's the matter?" he asks in a mimic of Ash for Prince Dan.

"But as the groom was nearby, Epona only hung her head and said nothing." he interjects as himself. "That afternoon, Prince Dan came back to see Epona, and again he asked..."

"Epona, what's wrong?" he asks as Prince Dan.

"I am well, but the prime minister wants to kill you." he replies in a mimic of Serena for Epona.

As himself, he continues "She told the prince about the plot; and what he was to do that night. So that night, Dan did not sleep in his bed, but slept on the couch instead. The prime minister saw he had failed in this scheme, but next decided to poison Dan, and so spiked a chocolate box with poison, since he knew well that any form of chocolate was Dan's favorite candy."

"Uh oh"s race through the room as the children await what happened next. "The next day, before he left for school, Dan visited Epona, and Epona said to him..." Brock continues.

"Master, be on your guard, and take no chocolates." he cautions as Epona.

As himself, he explains "When Prince Dan came home he was offered some delicious-looking chocolates--milk, dark, white, and every kind in between--but he refused to touch any. The prime minister saw that this scheme didn't work either. So he went to the queen and said to her..."

"I have just received word that the king is returning; and we are not yet prepared for his destruction; and I believe that Dan’s Ponyta tells him everything." he explains in a deeper version of himself for the prime minister. "Pretend to be very sick, and say that the heart of Epona is the only thing that will heal you."

He intones "Soon the king arrived, and was horrified to find the queen sick. She told him everything that the prime minister had told her to say."

He then replies in an older version of himself for the king "Certainly, I will have the magical Ponyta killed, wait until Dan returns from school, so he may say goodbye to Epona."

As himself, he continues "The king met Dan as he came back from school, and told him that he had to kill Epona, under the ruse she had a terrible disease. Dan was understandably saddened, but asked to see Epona one last time. Once the king granted permission, Dan ran to Epona, told her what his father had said, and asked if she wanted anything as her last request."

"I am well, but call for a glass of wine, and drink to your father’s health and the failure of your mother’s and the prime minister’s plans." he instructs as Epona. "Then jump on my back, I will carry you far away, where we both will be safe."

As himself, he narrates "Dan did everything he was told to do. When he had saddled Epona, he asked for a glass of wine, and kneeling before his father, said..."

He raises a glass of Kuran Berry juice standing in for wine in the air. "To your health, father, and to the failure of my mother’s and the prime minister’s plans, who have sought to dethrone you and kill me too."

He interjects as himself "Then he spurred Epona, and away he rode." as he sets aside the glass. "When the king heard those words, he grew suspicious and looked into the matter, and then the truth came out. He had the prime minister hung, and he threw the queen in the dungeon."

"Serves them right for trying to hurt the prince." a woman smiles as she holds her son close.

"Meanwhile, Epona had galloped far away over land and sea, and never stopped until she came to what is now Kanto, and to the great Aiiro City, as Indigo Plateau was called at that time." Brock goes on. "Then, at the outskirts, she stopped, and said..."

"Now go into the town, but never say anything but 'I don’t know' to whatever is asked of you, until I tell you otherwise." he instructs as Epona.

As himself, he goes on "Prince Dan promised this, and leaving Epona in a meadow on the outskirts, he went alone into the great city. Those who met him asked him who he was, but he answered only 'I don't know.' They
asked where he was from. He replied only 'I don't know.' They asked how he made a living, but he said only..."

"I don't know." some children repeat with Brock.

Brock just grins. "Have you heard this one before?" he jokes, to some laughter. "After a day or two, the king learned that there was a handsome young man going around the Aiiro City, who said no other words but 'I don't know.' So he sent for him and asked him his name, and received the answer..."

"I don't know." the audience repeats on cue before Brock can say the line.

"Very well," Brock replies in his "king" persona. "so may it be. You will be called Entieda, which means 'I don't know' in the ancient tongue."

As himself, he continues "Then he sent him into the kitchen to serve as a servant, but gave strict orders to the cook not to mistreat him in any way."

He next explains "Now, it was the custom for the servants to go into town one day a week as a break from their duties, with one staying behind to prepare lunch. When it came to be Prince Dan’s turn to be alone in the kitchen, he took some ashes and strew them all over the meat. When the cook came home, he was angry to see a lot of perfectly good meat spoiled."

"What did you do that for?" he demands in his "somebody's in trouble" voice.

"I don't know." he replies as Prince Dan, to some laughter as he singlehandedly performs the conversation:

"Do you know that you deserve a good beating?"

"I don't know."

Giggles and some light applause go up at this. "But as the king had ordered that the boy was not to be mistreated, the cook did not dare lay a hand on him; but he went to the king and asked to take him out of the kitchen and put him somewhere else." Brock explains as himself. "So the king placed him with the gardener."

He explains "Now, it was the custom in the garden for the gardeners to go to town one day a week, and one remained behind to guard the garden. When it came to Dan’s turn to be at home, Epona came trotting up to him. She brought him a bridle, and said...

"Lay your hands on the bridle and sing to it 'Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...' and you will have a splendid Rapidash to ride and grand clothes to put on." he instructs as Epona.

"So Dan did as he was told..." Brock pauses to sing as Prince Dan Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing as himself "and a beautiful Rapidash stood before him with a red suit of clothes over the saddle, with all the decor made of gold."

"Wow"s go up as the audience pictures the costume. "Then Dan jumped on the Rapidash's back and rode around the garden until all the beds were trampled flat. Then he leaped off the Rapidash, which vanished along with the splendid red costume." Brock goes on. "Now, it happened that the king’s youngest daughter, Princess Christina, was sick in bed that day with a bad cold. She had been looking out the window, and saw everything that had happened."

Excited whispers fill the air, but Brock quiets the debate. "When the gardeners came back from town, they were very angry, and they demanded..."

"Who has been here spoiling the flowerbeds?" he demands in his "angry" voice

"I don't know." he replies as Prince Dan to some laughter

"Why did you not keep watch like we asked you to?"

"I don't know."

"Were you asleep or awake?"

"I don't know."

"I hope that you know that you deserve a beating?"

"I don't know."

The audience howls with laughter at Dan's feigned obliviousness. "It took a dozen men a week to put the garden in order again, and a month before any flowers grew in it." Brock smiles. "A few months passed, until it was again Dan’s turn to remain at home while the rest went to town. Princess Christina had told no one of what she had seen. On top of that, she had caught another cold, and so she remained at home. No sooner had everyone left, and Dan figured he was alone, did he go into the garden and sing..." He pauses to sing as Dan Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing as himself "...to the bridle. In a flash of blue light, a Rapidash with gold fire for its mane and tail appeared with a blue suit of clothes adorned with silver over the saddle. Dan put on the suit, iumped aboard his new mount, and rode up and down the garden trampling all the beds. When he was tired he dismounted, and in a flash of light the Rapidash and the blue clothes disappeared. Of course, Princess Christina had seen the whole thing."

Giggles go up from the childrren at this. "When the gardeners came home and saw the mess, they were understandably very angry, and they asked..." Brock proceeds to singlehandedly perform the rigamarole again "Why did you not keep proper guard?"

"I don't know."

"Who has been in the garden, making this mess?"

"I don't know."

He interjects as himself "It goes without saying that if the king had not given strict orders to the contrary, they would have beaten Prince Dan until he was at least three different colors."

Laughter goes up in agreement. "Again Princess Christina said nothing, and decided on the same day the next month to fake sick, so she could stay home and see what would happen." Brock explains. "Now, when the appointed day came, when it was Dan’s turn to keep guard, Princess Christina remained in the palace. This time she opened her window and leaned out to see better."

He pantomimes doing this before continuing "Dan sang to the bridle..." He sings as Prince Dan Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing as himself "...and immediately a shining Rapidash appeared, and over the saddle was a magnificent green costume all woven with crystal thread. He jumped into the saddle and rode up and down and around the garden, and when he came close to the open window, where Princess Christina watched, then he leaped on the saddle, and kissed her on the cheek."

Cheers go up at the mention of love's first kiss. "Now when he had ridden enough he dismounted, and Rapidash and costume vanished." Brock continues. "When the gardeners returned, they were furious.

"Who has been here? There are Rapidash hoofprints everywhere!" he demands as he begins the rigamarole a third time.

"I don't know."

"How is it you don’t know? Did you keep your eyes shut?"

"I don't know."

Once in his place at center stage, he continues as himself "At that time, the king thought his three daughters were of age to be married. So he sent heralds to proclaim the news far and wide, and had the following posted on all the message boards...."

He unfurls a blank piece of paper and reads the imagined message on it. "Wanted, three desirable husbands, for three eligible princesses. Must be of royal blood, good looking, kind hearted, well mannered, and do not drink or smoke."

After folding up the paper, he goes on "The king only wanted his daughters happy, and one day he said to them..."

"My dears, I really don’t want to force any undesirable husbands on you. I give you free reign to pick and choose and take whoever you like." he smiles as the king.

"Any one at all, Daddy?’ he asks in a mimic of May for Princess Christina. "Didn't you say in the proclamation they had to be of royal blood?"

"So long as he is well mannered, treats you well, and doesn’t drink or smoke, I will not insist on that requirement," he replies as the king.

As himself, he goes on "Millions of princes from far and near came to the Aiiro City, all of them aspiring after the hands of the princesses. Every one of them were handsome, kind, and well mannered, and thankfully did not drink or smoke. The king had them all brought out in the courtyard before his daughters, and the eldest, Princess Orla, chose her husband, then the middle daughter, Princess Ariana, did the same, both desirable princes. But Princess Christina did not find any to her liking, so she said to the king..."

"Daddy, may I have one of the court?" he asks as Princess Christina.

"By all means-if he treats you well, is well mannered, and does not drink or smoke." he replies as the king.

"Will you bring them all up?"

He narrates as himself "So all the court was brought forward and assembled in the front courtyard before Princess Christina, but not one pleased her. Then she said..."

"Is every member of the court here?" he asks as Princess Christina.

"All but that miserable Entieda," he grumbles as the head gardener.

"Send for Entieda." he requests as Princess Christina.

He narrates as himself "When Prince Dan arrived, she went straight up to him and kissed him, and said...

"This is the one for me." he announces as Princess Christina.

Cheers go up at the choice, but Brock reminds them "Now, when the sisters and the princes who were to be their husbands saw and heard this, they were shocked and offended at first. However, the king was so good natured, and Princess Christina so persistent, that there was no way he could talk her out of it, and the three princesses were married the same day."

He concludes "With Epona's permission, Dan revealed himself to Princess Christina, and explained why he had to hide his identity from her. But this only made Princess Christina's love for him even stronger, and they all lived happily for many years."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 214: Ho'oh and Lugia's Journey)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 214: Ho'oh and Lugia's Journey

(real tale: The Journey of the Sun and Moon)

"As is often the case in many a story, there were once two young people who loved each other dearly." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "The boy was named Jason, and the girl, Ariana. She was as sweet as a Pidove, but as strong and brave as a Braviary."

Intrigued whispers go up at this. "Her father was a rich farmer, and owned a large house, but Jason's father was only a poor shepherd." Brock explains. "Ariana did not care that her lover was poor, for what he lacked in material things, he more than made up for in heart. This was why she didn't think her father would object to their marriage."

He walks around the stage as he goes on "So one day Jason put on his best clothes, and went to ask the farmer for his daughter’s hand. The farmer listened to his profession of love, and then replied...."

“If you wish to marry Ariana, go and ask Ho'oh why she does not warm the night as well as the day. Then ask Lugia why he does not shine by day as well as by night. When you return with these answers you may not only have my daughter, but all my wealth too.” he instructs in a mimic of Flint for the farmer."

As himself, he continues "These did not deter Jason, who placed his hat on the side of his head, and taking a loving farewell of Ariana, set out in search of Ho'oh. When he came to a small town at sunset, he looked around for a place to spend the night. Some kind people offered him shelter and invited him to stay for dinner, asking why he traveled. When they heard that he was on his way to visit Ho'oh and Lugia, the master of the house asked him to ask Ho'oh why the finest Aspear tree they had in town had, for several years, stopped bearing fruit, for it used to produce the most delicious Aspear Berries in the world."

"Mm" fill the air as the crowd pictures the Berries. "Jason promised to ask, and the next day continued his journey." Brock continues, his walking picking up into a jog. "He walked on and on, over mountain and plain, through valley and dense forest, until he came to a land where there was no water. The inhabitants, when they heard the reason for Jason’s journey, begged him to ask Ho'oh and Lugia why a well, that was the chief water supply of the district, no longer gave good water. Jason promised to do so, and resumed his journey."

He then arrives at center stage. "After traveling a long way, he reached Ho'oh's nest, and found her about to depart on her daily journey."

"Wait, Ho'oh!” he pleads in a mimic of Ash for Jason. "Please don't go without first answering a few questions for me.”

“Be quick then and speak, for I have to go all around the world.” he replies in a gentle female voice for Ho'oh

"Why you do not warm or light the earth by night as well as day?”

“If I did, the world and everything on it would burn to a crisp.”

Some applause goes up at how Brock single handedly performed both characters. "Jason then asked about the Aspear tree and the well." he narrates as himself. "But Ho'oh replied that her friend Lugia would be better able to answer those questions than she could." he explains as himself. "With that, Jason bid Ho'oh farewell, and traveled far and fast to meet Lugia. On coming up to him he said..."

“Would you kindly wait a moment?" he requests as Jason. "There are a few questions I want to ask you.”

“Be quick, for the earth is waiting for me,” he replies in a gentle older voice for Lugia before performing both ends of this conversation too:

“Why you do not light the world by day as well as by night? And why do you never warm it?”

“Because if I lit up the world by day as well as by night, the plants would produce no fruit or flowers. Though I do not warm the earth, I supply it with dew, which makes it fertile and fruitful.”

Brock then interjects as himself "Next Jason asked about the Aspear tree which had stopped bearing fruit."

“While the king’s eldest daughter, Princess Orla, remained unmarried; the tree bore fruit every year. After her wedding she had a child who died and was buried under this tree. Since then there has been neither fruit nor flower on its branches: if the child is exhumed and given a proper burial, the tree will produce fruit again.” he explains as Lugia.

As himself, he narrates "Jason next asked why the inhabitants of a certain land were unable to obtain from their well the clear and wholesome water it had once produced."

“Under the mouth of the well, just where the water should flow, lies an enormous Toxicroak which poisons it continually." he explains as Lugia. "The brim of the well must be broken and the Toxicroak killed, then the water will be pure again.”

"As himself, he continues "With that, Lugia went on his way. Jason started for home himself, and came to the land where they were short of water. The inhabitants ran to meet him, anxious to know what he had found out. Jason led them to the well and told them what Lugia had said, at the same time showing them what to do. Sure enough, right underneath the brim of the well they found a Toxicroak poisoning everything. When they killed it, the water was pure again."

Cheers go up at this. "Jason was showered with presents, and he went on his way after thanking the people." Brock continues. "Upon arriving at the town where the barren Aspear tree grew, he was warmly welcomed by the prince, who immediately asked if he had forgotten to ask about the tree."

“I never forget a promise once made,” he replies as Jason, “but I doubt you will like hearing why the tree wilts.”

As himself, he explains "He then told the town everything Lugia had said, and when his instructions had been carried out, the tree bloomed immediately. Jason was showered with many rich gifts, and the king presented him with a valuable Rapidash, allowing him to carry all his gifts and reach home very quickly."

He smiles. "Needless to say, Ariana was ecstatic on hearing of her lover’s safe return, for she had worried a lot while he was away. But her father’s feelings were very different; he wished never to see Jason again, and had sent him in search of Ho'oh in hopes that he be burnt alive."

Angry whispers fill the air, but Brock assures them "Imagine his shock when Jason returned, not only safe and sound, but with more knowledge than any of the naysayers. He had learned why Ho'oh neither lights nor warms the earth by night as in the day; and why Lugia does not give warmth, and only appears during the night. On top of all this, he had brought with him greater riches than his father-in-law, and a steed full of fire and vigor.

He concludes "So Ariana’s father could find no fault, and the wedding was celebrated with joy and feasting. Large quantities of roast Fletchling were eaten, and glasses overflowing with wine were emptied. So beautiful, too, was the music, that for a long time, it echoed among the mountains, and even today, the sweet sounds are still heard by travelers in those regions."

The crowd roars as Brock bows....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 215: The Gold Wand)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 215: The Gold Wand

(real tale: The Quest of the Golden Wand)

"Once upon a time, there lived a king who had a daughter who was beautiful beyond compare--we'll call her Abigail." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "Of course, all the neighboring princes wanted to marry her; but she found a million and one good reasons for not accepting one of them."

Giggles go up at this. "Now, among the crowd of princes in her father's city there was, however, one very handsome young man--we'll call him Gareth--who had touched her heart a little; but she could not work up the courage to confess her love for him, and decided that she would ask him to prove to her that he was as brave as he was handsome, and if he loved her well enough to do whatever she asked, even if it meant going to the ends of the world." Brock explains as he paces around center stage. "So one day she told her father the king that she would take for her husband the one among her suitors who could bring her the magical wand of the Charizard known as the Great Dragon, which could open any door it pointed to, among other powers."

He then explains "Now, this Charizard was the strongest and most feared of all the wild Charizards. He always kept an eye open whether he was awake or asleep, so that no one could approach him without being seen and then eaten. When the suitors heard of Princess Abigail's decision they trembled in fear, and made some excuse or another to return to their homelands."

The children nervously giggle as they picture the Great Dragon as Mega Charizard Y. "But the handsome Prince Gareth loved the beautiful Princess Abigail so much, that he vowed either to find the Golden Wand, or die trying." Brock assures the children. "So, without telling anyone what he was doing, he took the long road to try his luck."

He walks around the stage as he continues "Day after day he traveled, over hill and over dale, through the wilderness and desolate places, until one morning, he saw an old woman sifting flour into a great baking pan. But the flour did not fall into the pan, but on the ground; and when he got closer, he saw that the old woman was blind. So he sifted the flour, and put it in a sack which lay nearby, and then asked her..."

"Where are you going to carry it, milady?" he asks in a mimic of Ash for Prince Gareth.

"My boy, in return for the favor you have done for me, what shall I do for you in return?" he asks in a gentle older female voice for the old woman.

"Only give me your blessing, for you cannot help me in what I am seeking." he sighs as Prince Gareth.

"And what is it you seek? Will you not tell me, that I may know, and see if I cannot perhaps still help you?" he requests as the old woman

"I am a prince, milady, an only son, and I have heard of a princess who is very beautiful, and that many princes go to ask her hand in marriage; but she finds no husband to her liking. I took my mother's blessing, and went to see her and return home again. But when I saw her, I was driven crazy by her beauty and by the sweetness of her face. Her father told her that she must make up her mind to marry. Then she said that she would take for her husband the one who would bring her the Golden Wand of the Great Dragon, which he points at doors and they open." he explains as Prince Gareth.

"Listen, my son. You have undertaken a hard task, but your parents' blessing and mine will give you courage." he explains as the old woman. "Follow this road to a place where the grass grows green and high, for no man has ever trod upon it. Go straight ahead, and then, beyond the rising ground to which it leads, you will come to mountains and ravines, and there you will see, far off in the distance, a great cavern. Go near, and if you hear snoring, the dragon is inside and asleep. Remain at a distance until the door of the cavern opens, for he has his flocks inside and puts in front a great rock which no one can move. You must wait till the dragon opens to drive out his flock, and then find a way to hide yourself in the cavern; when he comes back to sleep, and folds his flocks, and closes the cavern again with the rock, listen, and from the snoring you will know that he is asleep. Come down from your hiding place, and go near him. Tied to his neck is a golden key, and with these scissors you must cut the key from his neck, and when he opens the cavern, you go out too. When you have succeeded in getting out, take again the high road until you come to a great palace. When you use the key in the door of the palace, it will open. Enter and fear nothing. In a great chamber you will see a Ponyta and a Growlithe; and before the Ponyta bones for her to eat, and hay before the Growlithe. Switch them around, and give the bones to the Growlithe, and the rest you will learn later from the Ponyta."

As himself, he continues "Prince Gareth thanked the old woman, gave her some coins, took the scissors which she gave him, and set off. He took the long road, and saw the great cavern. He approached, but heard no snoring; peeked in, and saw that there was no one in the cavern. There was, however, a great cauldron full of milk, and a cake as big as a mill stone. Then Prince Gareth remembered that it had been many days since he had eaten. So he broke a piece off the cake and dipped it in the milk, and he ate until he was satisfied. Afterwards he looked around, and spotting a hollow high up in the rock, he climbed up and hid there. After a little while he heard the Mareep bells, and concluded that the flocks were returning and the Great Dragon with them. He crawled back in his hiding place, and prayed for Arceus to help him."

Laughter goes up as Brock feigns saying prayers. "As soon as the dragon had entered the cave, he came to the rock which closed the opening of the cave, and sat down to eat. When he had eaten, he found that he was still hungry, and cried..."

"What an amazing appetite I have today — neither the milk nor the cake satisfies me!" he gasps in an older version of himself for the Great Dragon.

Then, something occurs to Brock. "Did I mention that the old woman had also given Prince Gareth sleeping dust to throw into the milk?"

Cheers go up at this. "So when the dragon had eaten, he threw more logs on the fire, and went to sleep." Brock continues. "When Prince Gareth heard the snoring that signaled the dragon was asleep, he climbed down very, very quietly, cut the key from his neck, and then climbed up again into his hiding place. But then it occurred to him that when the dragon woke up and saw that the key was missing from his neck, he would search the cave to find it. So he got down again, took a long pole, sharpened it, put it in the fire, and when it was white-hot, he stuck it into the dragon's left wing, burning him."

Some children jump as the distinct roar of Mega Charizard Y echoes through the auditorium. "He began to roar terribly, and the noise brought the other wild Charizards, to see what was the matter with their chief." Brock narrates over the sounds of pained roars and whines from the Mega Charizard. "But they could not enter, because the rock was in front of the cave and they could not remove it, and as he continued to roar they concluded that he was angry, and left. After a while, the dragon pushed away the stone, and opened the cave, and sitting at the mouth he began to let out his Mareep one by one. There was one very big and woolly Flaaffy among them, and Prince Gareth crept between its legs, hiding himself under its long, shaggy wool; allowing him to get out of the cave while the dragon was writhing in pain."

Relieved giggles fill the air. "Meanwhile, our hero took the road which the old woman had described to him, and after he had gone a little ways he saw the palace from afar." Brock goes on. "When he came to the door, he placed the key in the lock, turned it, and entered. Inside, he saw a beautiful Ponyta fastened with chains, and she had before her a heap of bones; and a equally beautiful Growlithe, who had before him a heap of hay. He tried to free the Ponyta, but could not. Then he put the hay before the Ponyta, and the bones before the Growlithe. When the Ponyta and the Growlithe had eaten they asked him..."

"How did you get here? The Great Dragon will surely eat you if he finds you here!" he gasps as Kano for the Growlithe.

As himself, he narrates "Prince Gareth told them how he had gravely wounded the Great Dragon, and that he had come seeking a golden wand."

"Who told you to come here?" he asks in a mimic of Misty for the Ponyta.

He narrates as himself "Prince Gareth then told the Ponyta about the old woman, and that what she had advised him to do, he had done. The Growlithe then said..."

He then reveals in character who the old woman really is. "That was no ordinary old woman--she was the envoy of Arceus, the holy Delphox Kitsune. Arceus bade her come to the earth in that disguise to test the hearts of those that came that way until she found one with the heart of a hero. Now, my boy, go this way and enter the upper chamber. There you will see two captive princesses, and you must set them free."

As himself, he goes on "So Prince Gareth made his way to the chamber, and found two beautiful princesses, who were stunned to see him, and asked him how he got there. He told his story, and how he had come to seek the golden wand. The elder princess, whose name was Orla, said to him..."

"We will gladly give you the wand if you will set us free." he requests in a mimic of Lotta for Princess Orla.

"They gave him the wand, and he went and touched it against the Ponyta and sang..." Brock pauses to sing as Prince Gareth Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing as himself "...and the Ponyta became a third princess. He next touched it to the Growlithe..." He sings as Prince Gareth again Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul..., "...and the Growlithe became a handsome prince. Then the middle princess, whose name was Ariana, interjected..."

"Before we leave there is another good deed to do." Brock explains in a mimic of Dawn for Princess Ariana. "Look out the window. Those Pokemon you see outside are all young men and women, and princes and princesses besides. They were all out hunting together, and as they found the door open they came in, but the Great Dragon saw them and cast a spell which turned them into various Pokemon. If you cast a healing spell with the wand, they will regain their true forms."

"Prince Gareth went down with the wand, and cast a spell of truth..." Brock sings in character again Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing as himself "...and in a flash of light, they became young men and young ladies, and began to embrace and kiss Prince Gareth. When the two princesses had come downstairs, Prince Gareth locked up the palace again, taking the key with him."

The children are ecstatic at the rescue. "The party of princes and princesses took the road that led to their own lands, while Princess Christina and her beloved went with him to escort her sisters home. When their parents saw them arrive, you can imagine the joy at seeing their daughters home alive, and the elder princesses reunited with her own beloved." Brock continues. "With three weddings made, our hero set out to return to his own beloved, Princess Abigail. But he did not travel on foot--the king had given him many carriages and gifts as thanks."

He then intones "Now, when Princess Abigail heard that Prince Gareth had vanished without a trace, she literally got sick with worry. Many healers came to cure her, but there was nothing they could do. Her father was in despair, for he had no other child. So when Prince Gareth arrived at the palace he found all the doors locked, because there was great mourning for Princess Abigail, who grew worse every day."

Fearful murmurs race through the room at the turn of events. "But Prince Gareth wasted no time--he took the golden wand in his hand, touched it against one door after another..." Brock then sings as Prince Gareth again Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing "...and they all opened before him until he found himself in Princess Abigail's room."

"Milady! I have brought you the golden wand of the Great Dragon! Will you marry me? I love you more than anything, and have traveled to the very ends of the world for you!" he declares as Prince Gareth.

He giggles in a mimic of May for Princess Abigail. "You alone will I take! I was worried sick because I worried something terrible had happened to you! A life without you is no life worth living!"

As himself, he continues "They kissed and embraced, and she sent for her father, who listened as Prince Gareth told him all about his adventures. The joyful news spread through the palace and the city, and soon the sound of music and drums and fireworks rang through the realm. The wedding was held with great pomp and splendor. The happy pair went home to his father's kingdom, and there was even more festivities, the likes of which were talked about all over the world."

He grins. "For all I know, they are still celebrating there today!"

The children's applause is the most enthusiastic as Brock takes a bow....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 216: Ekans' Lesson)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 216: Ekans' Lesson

(real tale: The Yam Festival Lesson)

"Once upon a time, Wartortle was taking a long walk, just following where the road led her." Brock begins as he strolls out onstage, the newly received emerald Mega Ring on his left hand glinting in the spotlights. "When she started out from home, she was in high spirits, but after some time, she began to move more slowly, and then more slowly still. By the time she reached any form of civilization, she was not only tired, but starving too."

Laughter fills the air as Brock clutches his stomach in feigned hunger. "When she saw the rooftops in the distance, she knew where she was. This was the village where her old friend Ekans lived." he explains. "They knew each other well, and they had at one time been friends."

"I'll just stop and see my old friend," he muses in a mimic of Misty for Wartortle. "He'll surely give me something to eat."

"And so Wartortle made her way to Ekans' house. he continues as himself. "When Ekans saw his old friend, he greeted her warmly."

"Come right in, sit inside where it is cool," he smiles in a mimic of Kamon for Ekans.

He adds as himself "Naturally Wartortle was grateful for the invitation. Once inside, Wartortle smelled some familiar scents--fish frying, and Berries, and she could've sworn she smelled vegetable soup too. She sniffed the air with anticipation. Surely her friend would share a meal, and sure enough, a moment later, Ekans said..."

"Let us eat together." he announces as Ekans, making a grand gesture to an imagined table.

"I'll go wash my feet in the stream outside," he assures an imagined person as Wartortle.

As himself, he narrates "This she did, and when she returned, dinner was on the table. Now she could see the steaming bowl of fried rice, the platter of fried fish. In fact, Ekans had coiled his body around the feast."

"Come," he smiles as Ekans. "Let us eat."

"I'd love to," he replies as Wartortle, "but why are you coiled around the plates? I can't reach anything with you in the way."

"Ah," he grins as Ekans, "this is the way of us Ekans. When we eat, we curl ourselves around our food to protect it from predators."

Some applause goes up at Brock's skill at performing both ends of the conversation. "With that, he began to eat with great gusto, but Wartortle could not reach over her friend's body." Brock continues at himself, trying to grab at imaged food as he speaks. "She tried, and tried, and tried again, but with that enormous coil in her way, she could not reach even a breadcrumb to eat. Within a few minutes, all the food was gone, and Ekans was nearly the size of an Arbok." He makes a huge form in the air for emphasis.

Giggles go up as the children imagine a fat Ekans. "How good it is to eat with a friend," Brock sighs happily as Ekans.

As himself, he explains "Now Wartortle was even hungrier than before. She was also hurt, angry, and a little confused. Why had her friend guarded the meal that way? What could this have meant? Was Ekans toying with her? Was Ekans not truly a friend? After considering all her options, Wartortle decided to leave."

Then,he stops in his tracks, as if remembering something. "But then an idea occurred to her."

"Ekans," he asks as Wartortle. "you were so kind to me. Why don't you come to my house for dinner on the first day of the autumn festival? There'll be plenty to eat!"

"I'd love to come!" he gasps as Ekans.

He grins for a moment, savoring the enthralled looks on the audience's faces before continuing "So on the first day of the autumn festival, Wartortle made onion soup, and set out platters of meat and Berries, and while everything was cooking, Wartortle slipped out into the fields and wove a long, thick tail of grass, which she attached to herself with gum from a nearby gum tree. Soon there was a knock on the door..." He knocks on the stage floor for effect. "and there stood Ekans."

"Welcome!" he smiles as Wartortle. "You have come such a long way, you must be hungry."

"I am indeed," he replies as Ekans. "Let me go wash up at the spring,"

He narrates as himself "...and off he went to wash. When he returned to the house, he saw that Wartortle was already eating, and she had coiled her long, thick grass tail around the plates and bowls and platters. Ekans tried to reach for a Berry..." Some children laugh as Brock tries to reach for something. "...but he could not reach over that tail. Ekans tried with all his might to reach over or under or around that tail, but he could not. After a while he was begging for food."

"I'm starving, Wartortle," he pleads as Ekans. "I wonder how is it that your tail used to be so short, but now it is so very long? Why is it your tail guards your food?"

"Ah," he grins as Wartortle. "That's an interesting question, my friend. And the answer is simple. One person learns from another."

Finally, something dawns on Brock. "I was not a good host," he sighs as Ekans.

"And I have learned from you," he agrees as Wartortle.

He concludes as himself. "And so it was. That year Ekans did not enjoy the autumn festival that much, but he did learn a lesson."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Sidestory 12: The Legend of Liron, part 1)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Sidestory 12: The Legend of Liron (part 1)

(real tale: Tom the Piper's Son)

The lights come up on Brock in his minstrel's costume. "In a far away land, there lived a minstrel whose instrument of choice was the flute." he begins. He had a son who was very dear to him named Liron, which meant 'my song'." But no matter how hard Liron tried to play the flute, he didn't sound very good. While most of the adults in the town laughed at him for sounding terrible, the children understood how much effort he still put into his instrument, and urged him to keep trying. But little did Liron know, an encounter with a Legendary would change his life forever..."

With that, the lights come up on a set of a roadside in a fantasy land, where some children in fantasy costumes are playing. "Look! Liron's here!" a boy gasps as Ash, in a simple blue tunic and white leggings, arrives onstage.

"Won't you play something, Sir Liron?" a girl requests.

"I don't know...you guys have heard how terrible I sound..." Ash sighs as he sits on a rock and takes a familiar silver whistle with a green mouthpiece from a pocket in his costume.

"Come on, just try?" a boy begs. "Try the Prayer to Lugia--that's an easy and pretty song!"

Ash thinks a moment. "Okay..." he sighs and readies the whistle to play.

The audience roars with laughter as Ash deliberately plays a squeaky, airy, and flat rendition of "Lugia's Song", making him sigh when he finishes. "Don't give up, Liron!" a girl assures Ash. "If you keep practicing, you'll prove the grown-ups wrong!" With that, the children hurry off.

After a few tense seconds, a familiar voice sings Karuto, iichiida shou... and Melody appears before Ash to some applause. "Peace, young minstrel. Why do you cry so?" she asks.

"No matter how hard I try to play my father's flute, I don't sound good at all." Ash sobs through feigned tears.

"Maybe you could try a different instrument--your voice." Melody suggests. "Would you like to learn the magical art of spellsong?"

"Yeah!" Ash smiles.

"Then for a year, I will meet you in the forest,and teach you my secrets." Melody offers. "If you practice diligently, all who hear your flute will dance, and you will be able to conjure the elements, heal, and many other things through your voice."

"And so, Liron dutifully came to the forest for a year, and learned many of Meloetta's secrets." Brock narrates as the lights go down. "But was his newfound magical ability going to be enough to convince the adults that he was a worthy one to succeed his father? We will tell you more next week!"

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Sidestory 12: The Legend of Liron, part 2)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Sidestory 12: The Legend of Liron (part 2)

(real tale: Tom the Piper's Son)

The lights come up on Brock in his nook. "When we last left our hero, Liron, he had been studying spellsong under Meloetta's guidance. A year had passed, and now the time had come to see if the spellsong lessons had paid off..."

The lights come up on Ash has he arrives in the scene. "It's been a year since Meloetta appeared to me here...I have done everything she has told me to do, and learned how to spellsing...maybe it would do my father proud to have a spellsinging son!"

Just then, Lotta, as a fantasy woman, limps in the scene feigning a broken leg. "Ow-ow-ow, my leg...if only that tree branch hadn't fallen on it..."

Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... Ash sings, making Lotta gain a faint green glow for a moment.

Lotta gasps when she discovers her injury gone. "My leg....it's healed! It's a miracle!" She starts dancing as Ash plays a set of two tunes at his usual skill level. As she dances, the kids from before dash in and gawk with amazement.

"That song..it's Liron!" a girl gasps.

"Before he sounded all squeaky and flat...now he sounds just like his father before him!" a boy agrees.

The audience claps along as Ash keeps playing, and everyone else keeps dancing. When the song ends, the room explodes with applause. "Thank you, Liron..." Lotta smiles. "I don't know how you managed to heal my leg, but there must've been some magic in that song you sang to me!"

Karuto, iichiida shou... Melody sings as she appears again.

"Meloetta!" Lotta and the kids gasp.

"It was I who taught Liron how to spellsing, and how to play his instruments well." Melody explains. "My wish for every minstrel is for their song to heal the sick, mend what is broken, and call forth wonders, to name a few things. But above all, they must never forget the song in their heart. Liron has shown you the song in his, and it can easily be awakened in yours."

The lights return to Brock. "And so it was that Liron became a great minstrel like his father before him. Although he went on many more adventures, he never forgot the lessons Meloetta had taught him, and he became known far and wide for his gift of spellsong." With that, the lights blink off to end the play.

The crowd cheers as Brock leads off the bows...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 217a: The Three Valleys, part 1)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 217a: The Three Valleys, part 1

(real tale: The Three Valleys)

"Long ago, there lived a count, who had many castles and estates, and a beautiful daughter. But no one liked him, for it was rumored he was in cahoots with Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "At some time or another, his servants would all vanish without a trace."

Some kids in the front rows shudder in anticipation. "The last who disappeared was the shepherd. When he did not return to the castle, the whole town turned out to look for him, to no avail." Brock continues. "After this, no one would enter the Count's service, but eventually, a bold, handsome young man--we'll call him Dolan--presented himself. He had traveled far as a soldier, and blew off evil spirits as fairy tales. The count immediately hired him, and said he could take the Mareep out wherever he liked, but never go into the three valleys to the east of the castle."

Some others in the audience swallow hard as they picture what horrors await in the three valleys. "For a time all went well--Dolan drove the Mareep into the rich meadows around the castle as his master had ordered, and led a very comfortable life. But he was always thinking of the three valleys, and being a brave young man who did not fear evil spirits, he one day took the bow and arrows he had used on the battlefield, restrung his bow, and said, as he struck his rusty sword against the ground...."

"I will see who dares to harm me in the three valleys! They'd better not mess with me!" he announces in a mimic of Ash for Dolan.

"So going towards the east, he soon arrived with his Mareep in the first valley, where he found beautiful meadows where he could safely leave his flock." he continues as himself. "He looked carefully, but, except for the Beautiflies fluttering to and fro..." He weaves the notes that match "Ai-yai-yai, I'm your little Beautifly!" into the uneasy melody he is playing. "...and the humming of the Combees, there was neither sound nor movement."

He pauses to dig a whistle from a shirt pocket as he goes on "Then he sat down beneath a tree and began to play his flute to pass the time."

One of the Firelights grabs a drum and proceeds to provide a beat, over which Brock plays a set of two tunes. But the harp playing an ominous chord quiets the applause. "Suddenly, there arose a crashing and cracking as if some mighty Pokemon were breaking through the bushes." Brock intones. "Before our hero could nock an arrow, a powerful giant stood before him and cried..."

In a low deep voice for the giant, he intones "What are you doing here with your grass-eaters, destroying my meadows, you insolent fellow? You will pay for this!"

Some kids yelp in fear, but the grin on Brock's face assures the children all is well. "He did not wait for an answer, but heaved his spear with all his might at Dolan, who dove behind the oak, and the spear sank so deep that the point stuck out the other side."

He sets the harp aside for a moment, takes a prop bow, and nocks an arrow before going on "Then, nocking an arrow to his bow, he took aim, and struck the giant so hard of the forehead that he fell with a deep groan to the
ground."

With that, he fires his shot, a tung from offstage signaling he hit his target. "Before he had time to get up, Dolan bounded forward and ran his sword through his adversary's neck, killing him."

Cheers go up at the giant's demise. "Dolan took the giant's sword and armor, and was about to return home, when he spotted a stately castle in a clearing." Brock continues. "The doors were wide open, so he went inside. In the spacious hall stood a stone table on which was a cup covered with a silver plate bearing these words:

Who drinks of this cup
Shall overcome the nightmare.

"And then?" a girl asks.

"Dolan had no confidence in the words or the drink, and left the cup untouched." Brock replies. "He laid the dead giant's armor in the hall, and taking the key to the door with him, he returned home with his flock, and went to bed without mentioning his adventure to anyone."

Once back in his place at center stage, he goes on "The next day he tended his flocks on the mountain slopes surrounding the castle, but the second day he could not rest without wondering what lurked in the other two valleys. So after girding on the sword he had taken from the dead giant..." He pauses to set a prop sword at his right side. "...he started with his flock for the second valley, in hopes of a new adventure. There were beautiful pastures, richer and more luxuriant than in the first valley; the flowers smelled sweet, the birds sang just as sweetly, and through the meadows meandered a stream clear as crystal, by the banks of which our hero lay down to rest. He was just about to get comfy when an enormous block of rock fell on the ground, missing him by inches, and a voice rough and wild, like that of an Ursaring, said..."

"What are you doing here with your grass-eaters, you insolent fellow?" he demands in a gravely version of his "somebody's in trouble" voice, to some delighted screams from the children.

As himself, he reveals who owns the voice. "...and from behind a wall of rock stepped a mighty giant, brandishing a huge stone club." He makes a form in the air to give his audience an idea of how big the club was. He aimed a blow at Dolan, who ducked behind the rock, which shattered into a bazillion pieces from the force of the blow."

Excited chatter goes up as Brock draws his blade, which has emeralds studded in the hilt and a spherical one in the pommel. "Quick as lightning Dolan drew his sword, and with one stroke cut through the sinews in the bend of the giant's knee, who fell to the earth with a loud roar."

After performing a few sword moves, he narrates the next part of the fight. "The giant tried to fight back, but a well-directed thrust through the heart soon quieted him." He delivers a final blow to his imagined opponent to illustrate his point.

Cheers go up as Brock sheathes his blade. "Dolan left him lying there, and turned towards the wall of rock; where he found a massive door concealed in the brush. He went in, and entered a hall-like cavern, in which, at a stone manger, stood a shining Ponyta ready for battle, and over the manger was the following:

Who rides this legendary steed, Epona
Shall overcome the nightmare.

But Dolan thought 'I am strong enough to take care of myself, and I do not want to overcome the Nightmare Pokemon, he has always left me in peace. But I will remember that here stands a fine Ponyta on which I can ride into the wide world.' He threw fresh oats into the manger, shut the door, and returned home."

"Did his master find out what was going on?" a woman asks.

"The next few days he remained very quiet, lest someone figure out what he had done." Brock explains. "Then, as no one had questioned him, he drove his Mareep into the third valley. Beautiful meadows glittered in the sunshine; from a hill of rock a waterfall rained down, forming a small sea where millions of fish Pokemon played. Dolan looked around, and searched under every bush, but found nothing. No sound was heard save the continued splashing of the cool water. The day was very hot, and Dolan was just about to take a swim, when from out a ravine near the sea appeared a horrible human head, with one eye, as large as a plate, in the center of its forehead, and a voice loud as the roll of thunder shouted..."

"What do you want here, you insolent earthworm?" he demands in his "monster" voice again.

As himself, he goes on "The head rose higher and higher, until a giant as high as a mountain stood before Dolan, who with a sure aim sent a beam of light from his sword into the eye of his adversary. The monster groped wildly about with his hands, in hopes of strangling his enemy, but he only grabbed an oak tree, which he tore up by the roots and threw high into the air. Now the victory seemed easy, for though the giant could no longer be hurt by cuts and thrusts, which slipped off from his body like water off a Ducklett's back, Dolan soon found other means."

"Like?" a teen boy asks as he holds his little brother close.

"He called the blind giant all kinds of names not fit to repeat in front of a family audience..." Brock grins, to some nervous giggles. "...and lured him ever closer to the sea, at the side where the cliff overlooked the water. Finally, he sprang on the edge of the precipice, gave one last shout--something I'm not repeating--then silently concealed himself behind a tree. The giant pursued him eagerly, but lost his footing, and fell into the sea."

Cheers go up at the giant's demise. "Then Dolan went down into the ravine where the monster had appeared from." Brock explains "He found a meadow full of beautiful flowers, and a spacious mansion stood in the middle. Dolan entered the hall and saw a mighty sword, and on the guard was engraved the following:

A beam from this holy blade
Shall overcome the nightmare.

He remembers his sword from before,and feigns struggling to draw it as he continues "Dolan grabbed the sword, but he was too weak to even draw it, and he wearily laid the scabbard back in the corner. At the same time he thought, since he had conquered three giants, he could surely take on Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon, and win, sword or no sword. As the sun set, he gathered his Mareep together and returned to the castle. Once he got there, he was immediately summoned before the count, who asked him angrily where he had been. Dolan told his master everything that had happened in the three valleys, and how he had that day slain a giant as high as a mountain."

"Woe to you and to me," he gasps in a mimic of Flint for the count. "I heard the giants' cries of rage, and hoped you were paying for your disobedience with your life. But fate had other plans, and now I and my daughter Elena must suffer because you disobeyed my commands and entered the giants' territories. It has been foretold that tomorrow the leader of all that is evil and dark, Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon, will appear, and demand Elena or me as a sacrifice; but before that, you will suffer all the agonies of torture as punishment for bringing me into this calamity."

He angrily looks over at an imagined person at stage left. "Seize him!" he demands as the count.

"Dearest father," he pleads in a mimic of May for Elena. "Shouldn't we use this brave young man's courage to save us than torture him? He has slain three giants; surely he will be able to vanquish the Nightmare Pokemon."

As himself, he narrates "The count thought long and hard about this, and then acknowledged that Elena's suggestion was both a good idea and clever. He told Dolan that if he could take on Darkrai in battle and win, he would forgive him.

Brock just smiles at his enthralled audience. "It goes without saying that Dolan agreed...but how did he defeat Darkrai? I will tell you more next week!"

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

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 217b: The Three Valleys, part 2)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 217b: The Three Valleys, part 2

(real tale: The Three Valleys)

The crowd roars as Brock appears in his minstrel costume--his Halloween costume for the year. "With the first dawn of morning, he got up from the couch, for he remembered the words about overcoming Darkrai, and hurried to the first valley, where in the castle stood the cup with the inscription 'Who drinks of this cup shall overcome the nightmare.'." he begins, picking up from where he left off the previous week. "He grabbed the cup and drank it all in one gulp. The magic potion flowed through his veins like fire, and he felt enough courage and strength to take on a whole army singlehandedly."

"Wow"s and awed whistles go up at this. "With sparkling eyes, he hurried to the second valley, mounted the shining Ponyta Epona, who greeted him with a joyful whinny..." A sound effect of a Ponyta whinny emphasizes Brock's point. "...and then galloped as if flying to the third valley, in which stood the mighty sword. Yesterday he could hardly move it; today, with one hand, he swung it high over his head, as if it was a twig."

The Zelda "got item" stinger plays as he holds his prop sword from earlier over his head like Link, to some laughter. "By sunrise, he was back at the count's castle, waiting eagerly for what would happen, but the day passed and no one appeared. Ho'oh had gone to roost, and Lugia had just risen in all his glory, when in the northern sky a dark stormcloud appeared. With lightning speed it approached the castle, and a voice that made the earth shake boomed out from the cloud..."

"Where are my promised sacrifices?" he demands in a gravely, deep voice--his go to "Darkrai" voice.

He continues over the harp "At the same time a huge Braviary with greenish-grey wings like the storm-cloud hovered high over the castle, ready to swoop down on his prey. Dolan spurred Epona, and holding his blade skyward, cried..."

"There are no sacrifices here for you, you robber!" he almost screams as Dolan. "Return to the depths which you came, or you will feel my wrath!"

As himself, he continues "On hearing these words, the Braviary swooped down with a wild cry, before Dolan could nock an arrow."

He adds as an aside "He would have died had his mind wandered or had he been without Epona."

He then plays a series of long glissandos to mimic Epona running. "He spurred her, and she flew swift as the wind under a very old and thickly leaved willow tree, whose branches hung down almost to the ground, so that the Braviary could only break in through the side. The Braviary tried this, and it killed him, for his outspread wings became entangled in the branches, and the brave rider, with one powerful blow of his sword, severed the head from the body. But instead of blood, there came from the headless body of the Braviary a huge Arbok, who, with wide open jaws, approached our hero and tried to trap him in the rings of its coils."

"And then?" a girl in costume as a princess asks.

"By a skilful movement, it encircled the Ponyta and rider, and squeezed them to the point where Dolan thought they would both suffocate; but Epona pressed herself so close against the tree that the head of the Arbok came around on the other side of the trunk, keeping it from harming our hero with its poisonous bite or breath. One stroke of the shepherd's sharp blade, and the body of the Arbok fell in two to the ground; and Epona immediately trampled on the head. But the right half of the Arbok swelled, the cut became a frightful mouth, which spurted out smoke and flames, while from the coils of the Arbok's body grew claws and wings, and eventually a horrible black Charizard threw itself on our hero, whose strength was starting to fail."

Gasps go up at this. "But in the hour of his greatest need, a thought occurred to him as he turned Epona around." Brock assures the crowd. "She broke through the branches of the willow tree into the open field, and sped with her rider to the nearest stream, in whose waters they both cooled themselves. The Charizard snorted after them, spitting forth fire and smoke. But as the head of the Arbok had been destroyed, there was no deadly poison in its breath, and Dolan was safe from the flames because he was in the stream. So he rode boldly towards the approaching Charizard with sword in hand..." He pauses to draw the blade from earlier. "...and tried to approach it from the side; but all his blows glanced off from its scaly body. Suddenly it occurred to him to aim a sword beam down the monster's throat. He turned Epona and spurred her straight towards the Charizard, and firing a beam through the smoke and flame, it landed right in the creature's throat."

Cheers go up at the Charizard's demise. "He was forced to leave his sword behind, for his Epona, singed by the fiery breath of the Charizard, bounded far to one side; but the monster did not attempt to follow them, the sword's beam had gone deep into its body." Brock explains, "It struck wildly with its tail on the ground, until the earth burst, then it shivered and fell over, first on its side, then on its back, a stream of fire poured forth from its wide open jaws, and with the flames it died."

More cheers fill the air at this. "And so it was the battle ended, and Darkrai was defeated." Brock continues over a triumphant melody. "Joyfully Dolan rode back to the count and Elena, and told them everything that had happened. The count, embracing him, said..."

"You are our hero, to you I owe my life and all that I possess. Take half of what is mine, or choose from it whatever pleases you." he requests as the count.

"Dolan gazed earnestly into the eyes of the count's lovely daughter Elena, and replied..." he narrates as himself.

"I know of nothing, in the whole world which is dearer to me than your daughter Elena, milord." he replies as Dolan. "Give her to me for my bride, if she be willing."

"Are you willing, my child?" he asks an imagined person by him.

"I love him more than words can say." he replies as Elena.

"The next day, the marriage was celebrated with great splendor, and when Arceus had blessed their union with children, Dolan, a shepherd no more, would say to his sons and daughters when telling them of his adventures..." he narrates as himself.

"There are three things that can subdue giants and evil spirits--the fire of courage, the power to persevere, and the wisdom of heaven." he concludes as Dolan.

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

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 218: Noodles and Rice)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 218: Noodles and Rice

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan", episode 134, story 2)

"There was once a certain village in the mountains." Brock begins. "While many of the people there were not very well off, they were still happy. One day, the people heard a cry for help, and a terrified young man raced down the road to town. He claimed he had seen a monster in the forest, but the other townsfolk were not so sure, and figured the young man was seeing things. But the next day, someone else returned to town and claimed to have seen a monster. Now the townsfolk were worried--could a monster really be lurking in the forest? Some were skeptical, and theorized that bandits were causing trouble in the mountains."

"So what was happening?" a man asks.

"A few days passed, and it wasn't long before the worrying rumors spread far and wide." Brock explains, assuring the man he will answer his question at the proper time. "One day, a traveler stopped at a tea stand, where he heard all the rumors. But he too was skeptical, assuring the owner that whatever was lurking in the forest, he'd be okay."

He then intones "It wasn't long before he got horribly lost in the forest."

Nervous giggles fill the air at this. "As he stumbled through the trees, he found a small house near a clearing. At first, he wondered if it was a bandit's hideout, but an old couple sitting down to dinner dispeled his fear. The woman felt sorry for the traveller, and invited him in for the night. But the traveller couldn't sleep--he had a nightmare his hosts were monsters in disguise, and screamed loud enough to wake the old couple. But when the woman came to check on him, the traveller overheard her say that "slicing was better"--just like the woman monster in his nightmare!"

After a pause, he continues "He wanted to scream, but didn't--he had to get out of there, and fast!"

He jogs around the stage for a moment to mimic the traveler running. "When he saw his chance, he fled into the night--but since he had no idea where safety was, he ran all over the mountain before returning to the same house."

He then assures the audience "The old woman just giggled as the traveller begged for his life--she and her husband had only been making noodles and rice all along!"

Relieved laughter goes up at this. "They had a good laugh over the misunderstanding, and after a breakfast of noodles and rice, the traveller said goodbye, and promised to tell the villagers there were no monsters in the forest after all." Brock concludes before bowing for his audience.

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 219: The Swanna Song)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 219: The Swanna Song

(real tale: The Magic Swan)

"There were once three brothers, who lived in a far away land." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "The two elder brothers' names are not important to us, but the youngest was named Morgan. Morgan was often made fun of by the other two, and they treated him shamefully. If anything went wrong with their affairs, Morgan had to take the rap and set things right for them. And the Cheri Berry on top? He had to endure all the bad treatment because he was weak and delicate and couldn't defend himself against his stronger brothers. To say that poor Morgan had a hard life is putting it nicely, and every night he thought long and hard about how he could make it better."

Angry murmurs fill the air at Morgan's mistreatment. "One day, when he was in the wood gathering sticks and crying all the while, a old woman--who was really the holy Delphox Kitsune in disguise--came up to him and asked him what was wrong; and he told her everything." Brock continues.

"Come, my good man, isn't the world wide enough?" he asks as the old woman. "Why don't you set out and try your fortune somewhere else?"

As himself, he goes on "Morgan took her words to heart, and left his father's house early the next morning to seek his fortune, as the old woman had told him. But he felt sad leaving the home where he had been born, and where he had at least passed a short but happy childhood, and sitting down on a hill he took one last look at his home."

He pauses, then introduces Kitsune for real. "Suddenly, Kitsune, in her true form, stood before him, and said...

"So far, so good, my boy; but what do you want to do now?" he asks as Kitsune.

As himself, he narrates "Morgan didn't know what to answer, for as far as he knew, fortune would drop into his mouth like a ripe Cheri Berry. Being a Psychic Pokemon, Kitsune read his thoughts, giggled, and said..."

"I'll tell you what you must do, as you seem to be a kind and unselfish boy, and I'm sure you won't forget me when you've made your fortune." he smiles as Kitsune. "Tonight at sunset, go to the Aspear tree you see growing at the fork in the road. Underneath it you will find a man asleep, and a beautiful large Swanna will be tied to the tree close to him. You must be careful not to wake up the man, but you must untie the Swanna and take it with you. You will find that everyone will fall in love with its beautiful plumage, and you must allow anyone who likes to pull out a feather. But as soon as the Swanna feels so much as a finger on it, it will begin singing its last song, and you must calm it before it can sing it in full, or else it will die. Then the hand of the person who has touched the Swanna will be paralyzed, and nothing will set it free, unless you touch it with this stick, which is my gift to you, and sing Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul.... When you have caught a whole lot of people, lead your parade along with you; you will come to a great city where a princess lives who has never been known to laugh. If you can make her laugh, your fortune is made."

As himself, he continues "Morgan promised that he wouldn't forget Kitsune, and at sunset he went to the tree she had mentioned. The man lay there fast asleep, and a beautiful Swanna was tied to the tree beside him by a red string. Morgan freed the lovely Pokemon, and led it away without disturbing its master."

He walks around the stage for a moment as he continues "He walked on with the Swanna for some time, and came at last to a bustling shipyard. They gawked in admiration of the Swanna's beautiful plumage, and one boy, who was covered in clay from head to toe, called out..."

"Oh, if I only had one of those feathers how happy I should be!" he calls as a young boy.

'Pull one out then,' he offers in a mimic of Ash for Morgan.

As himself, he continues "...and no sooner had the boy plucked one from the Swanna's tail; the Swanna sang Gatrandis favel, secret, edena...., but that was as far as it got before Morgan assured it everything was okay. Try as the boy might, he couldn't get his hand away. The more he cried, the more the others laughed, until a girl who had been washing clothes in the neighboring stream hurried over to see what was the matter. When she saw the poor boy stuck to the Swanna she felt so sorry for him that she stretched out her hand to free him. The bird sang Gatrandis favel, secret, edena....."

Laughter goes up at this before Brock assures the crowd "But that was as far as it got before Morgan calmed it, and the girl was stuck too. When Morgan had gone on a ways with his captives, they met a chimney sweep, who laughed over the extraordinary little parade, and asked the girl what she was doing."

"Oh, give me your hand and set me free from this cursed young man." he pleads in a mimic of May for the girl.

As himself, he continues "The sweep gave the girl his hand, and the bird sang Gatrandis favel, secret, edena.....

After his last note echoes into the room, he assures the crowd "But that was as far as it got before Morgan calmed it, and the sweep was added to their number. They soon came to a village where a fair was being held. A traveling troupe was giving a performance, and a jester was working a few magic tricks. His eyes widened with amazement when he saw the remarkable trio stuck to the Swanna's tail.

"Have you gone nuts?" he asks in a nasaly voice.

He narrates as himself "...he asked as he tried oh-so hard not to laugh.

"It's no laughing matter,' he explains in a mimic of Flint for the sweep. "This wretch has got ahold of me so tight, I feel as if I were glued to her."

As himself, he continues "Without a moment's hesitation the jester grasped the sweep's grubby outstretched hand. The bird sang Gatrandis favel, secret, edena.....

"But that was as far as it got before Morgan calmed it." the audience repeats along with Brock.

"...and the jester unwillingly joined the party." Brock continues, pleased the audience has caught on to his refrain. "Now, in the front row sat the mayor of the village, who was annoyed by what he considered a foolish trick. He was so annoyed, he grabbed the jester by the hand and tried to pull him away, in an attempt to hand him over to the guards. Then the bird sang..."

Gatrandis favel, secret, edena.... the children enthusiastically sing, before Brock can react.

Brock isn't sure what to make of the children filling in his spellsong, but he fills in the rest of the refrain. "But that was as far as it got before Morgan calmed it, and the mayor shared the fate of his predecessors. The mayor's wife, enraged at the insult to her husband, grabbed his free arm and pulled at it with all her might...."

Gatrandis favel, secret, edena... the rest of the audience sings without any prompting.

"Thank you..." Brock stifles an embarrassed chuckle--he hasn't counted on audience participation for this tale. "...with the only result that she too was forced to join the procession. After this no one else had any wish to join them. Soon Morgan saw the towers of the royal city in front of him. Just before entering, a glittering carriage came out to meet him, and in it was seated a young lady as beautiful as the day, but with a very solemn and serious expression. But no sooner had she spotted the motley crowd stuck to the Swanna's tail did she burst into uproarious laughter, and all her servants and ladies in waiting joined in. 'Princess Abigail has laughed at last,' they all cried with joy. Princess Abigail stepped out of her carriage to look more closely at the wonderful sight, and laughed again over the poor captives. She ordered her carriage to be turned around and drove slowly back into the city never taking her eyes off Morgan and his procession."

He continues "When the king heard the news that his daughter had actually laughed, he was more than delighted, and had Morgan and his marvelous party brought before him. He laughed himself when he saw them till the tears rolled down his cheeks."

"My good friend," he offers in character as the king "do you know what I promised the person who succeeded in making Princess Abigail laugh?"

"No, I don't," he confesses as Morgan.

"Then I'll tell you--a thousand pieces of gold, or a piece of land. Which will you choose?"

As himself, he continues "Morgan chose some land. Then he touched the members of his party one by one with his little stick, and they were all free again, and they all ran away as if a fire were burning behind them; and their flight, as you may imagine, gave rise to more laughter."

Laughter goes up from the audience. "Then Princess Abigail felt compelled to pet the Swanna, at the same time admiring its plumage. The bird sang Gatrandis favel, secret, edena.....

He assues the audience one last time "But that was as far as it got before Morgan calmed it."

He then concludes "And so it was that he won Princess Abigail as his bride. But the Swanna flew up into the air, and vanished on the blue horizon. Morgan received a kingdom of his own as a present, and became a very great man indeed; but he did not forget Kitsune, who had been the cause of all his good fortune, and built a shrine to her in their magnificent castle."

Before the crowd can applaud the story's end, a girl asks "But how did the whole Swanna song go?"

"You want to know how the complete Swanna song went?" Brock is surprised at this, but decides to sing the complete song for the audience. Gatrandis favel, secret, edena....
Emusto rozen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron zen fine, si....

When Brock's last note fades away, the room explodes in applause....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 220: Maya and the Prince of the Sea)

@Chimchar98; @Chaosj2; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 220: Maya and the Prince of the Sea

(real tale: The Sea King)

"Long ago, a fisherman and his wife--we'll call her Maya--lived on a tiny island not far off the coast of Kanto." Brock begins. "They fished for Seaking and Magikarps, and every week, they sailed to town and sold their fish. They were poor, but they had food, cresting waves, the bright blue sky and each other's company."

"Aw"s go up as the crowd pictures the heartwarming scene. "This would've been all well and good if Maya had not longed for a Miltank more than anything else." Brock cautions. "Her husband laughed at her dream. Maya knew a Miltank could not survive on their tiny island, but still she longed for warm milk and fresh butter and cheese."

"Mm"s go up in agreement. "One day, as they were cleaning Magikarps on the shore, a tiny boat rowed toward them." Brock continues

"Mother, have you any fresh milk?" he calls in character as a young boy.

"Oh," he sighs in a mimic of Serena for Maya, "we have no such treats. We have only fish to offer."

As himself, he narrates "The young man accepted Maya's offer, and rowed to shore."

"What's the name of your little rock here?" he asks as the boy.

"Dew Island," he replies in a younger version of himself for the husband.

"The dominion of the Prince of the Sea," he gasps as the boy. "So you live in Manaphy's realm. You must have everything you need and more."

As himself, he narrates "Maya's husband admitted that he'd never heard of Manaphy before."

"Oh, surely you've heard of him," he giddily cries as the boy. "Manaphy possesses every imaginable treasure in his kingdom at the bottom of the sea. He is rich beyond compare, and anyone who treats him kindly soon becomes rich too. He's temperamental, though. Anyone who dares offend him is soon sorry."

As himself, he continues "Just then, Maya remembered the stories of Manaphy that she had learned as a little girl. The young men ate heartily and said farewell, and Maya started to daydream of Manaphy. By the afternoon, she had devised a plan."

"Ooh"s go up in anticipation of what Maya and her husband will do. "They rowed out with their net, and when they reached the deep sea, Maya started to sing songs she remembered from those bedtime stories of yore." Brock continues as he fishes a pitch pipe from his pocket. "She sang Manaphy's praises, but she added a twist of her own. She promised she would give Manaphy a feather from both Ho'oh and Lugia if only he would give her a Miltank."

After blowing a B note to establish what key he will be performing in as Maya, Brock starts singing as Maya in a nonsense language that sounds like Gaelic. But after a few verses of the song in B minor, the audience joins in on the chorus:

Hi rì him bò hill ò bha rò hò
Hi rì him bò hìrì ri ri ù
Hi rì him bo hill ò bha rò hò...

When the last thud of Brock's foot signals the end of the song, Brock continues as himself "That night as Maya and her husband slept, a fierce storm blew up from the sea. By dawn all was calm, and when Maya looked outside, she could not believe her eyes. The most beautiful Miltank in the world stood upon her shore. From that moment on, whenever either Maya or her husband wished for something, it was theirs. Their little island overflowed with milk, and every net was always filled with fish. They grew rich, and so they built a large house to replace their tiny cottage. Before long they had even hired people to help them with their work."

He then intones "But one Miltank was not enough for Maya. Her husband protested, but Maya was not satisfied, and so once more she sang, until 30 Miltanks lived on their island. But then Maya decided she wanted a bigger island."

"There's nothing to do but build a dam and pump out the sea," he jokes as the husband.

"Though Maya knew her husband was kidding, she decided she would do just that." he explains as himself. "She loaded their boat with rocks and sailed to sea."

He retrieves a whistle from his pocket before continuing "A musician went along with her to entertain her, but he played his flute so beautifully that Manaphy and all the sea Pokemon rose to the surface to listen."

After playing his version of "The Meowth's Call" for effect, he continues "Maya, not seeing them, began to throw her stones into the water to build her dam. One stone grazed a Milotic's cheek and another hit Manaphy's head. Suddenly, Maya's boat was spinning and bouncing as waves rose up and foam sprayed over her. Manaphy rose out of the water.

"Why do you throw stones at me?" he demands in a higher pitched version of Ash for Manaphy.

"Your majesty, forgive me. It was a mistake." he pleads as Maya.

"And where is the gold and silver you promised?" he asks as Manaphy.

"Your majesty, every day they are scattered upon the waves of the sea." he explains as Manaphy

As himself, he continues "But Manaphy was beyond furious. He blew a wind so hard that Maya was tossed from her boat. She flew through the sky and landed with a thud on the island. When she looked up, she saw her tiny cottage and her husband wearing his ragged old jacket, sitting on the shore mending a net."

He concludes "It dawned on Maya that her tiny cottage and her loving husband were all she really needed in the world."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 221: The Rescue of Princess Daisy)

@Chimchar98; @Chaosj2; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 221: The Rescue of Princess Daisy

(real tale: The Flower Queen's Daughter)


"Once a young prince--we'll call him Lucas--was riding through a meadow that stretched for miles as far as the eye could see, when he came to a deep ditch." Brock begins. "He was turning to avoid it, when he heard someone crying for help in the ditch. He dismounted from his Ponyta, and hurried in the direction the sound came from. To his astonishment he found an old woman, who begged him to help her out of the ditch. So Prince Lucas bent down and carefully lifted her out of the ditch, asking her how she had managed to fall in to begin with."

"My son," he explains as the old woman, "I am very poor, and not long after midnight I set out for town in order to sell my eggs in the marketplace on the following morning; but I lost my way in the dark, and fell into this deep ditch, where I might have remained forever if it were not for your kindness."

He gasps in a mimic of Ash for Prince Lucas "You can hardly walk; I will put you on my Ponyta and lead you home. Where do you live?"

"Over there, at the edge of the forest in the little hut you see in the distance,' he replies as the old woman, pointing out where the imagined house is offstage.

As himself, he continues "Prince Lucas lifted her onto his Ponyta, and soon they reached the hut, where the old woman dismounted, and said to Prince Lucas..."

"Just wait a moment, and I will give you something." he assures an imagined person as the old woman.

He continues as himself "She disappeared into her hut, but returned and said..."

"You are a mighty prince, but at the same time you have a kind heart, which deserves to be rewarded. Would you like to have the most beautiful woman in the world for your wife?" he asks as the old woman.

"Would I ever!" he replies in a mimic of Ash for Prince Lucas.

"The most beautiful woman in the whole world is Daisy, the daughter of Rosa, the Queen of the Flowers, who has been captured by a Hydreigon. If you wish to marry her, you must first set her free, and I will help you do this." he explains as the old woman. "I will give you these three magic jewels: if you sing "Karuto, iichiida shou..." to the emerald, Arashi, the King of the Braviaries will appear; if you sing "Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul..." to the ruby, the holy Delphox Kitsune will come to you; and if you sing "Rou iitsa ron selga vichii" to the sapphire, you will see Undine, the Queen of the Sea by your side. They will help you if you are in any danger. Now farewell, and may Arceus' favor be on your undertaking."

As himself, he continues "So she handed him the three jewels, and the hut and everything around it disappeared, as though it was a mirage. It dawned on Prince Lucas that he had been speaking to a light fairy in disguise, and after putting the three magic jewels in his pocket, he rode home and told his father that he planned to set the daughter of the Flower Queen free, and intended on setting out the following day in search of the maid. So the next morning, Prince Lucas mounted his fine Ponyta and left home. He roamed around the world for a year--and the adventures he had during that time are stories in themselves--but he had found no trace of her at all. He came at last to a hut, where a very old man lived, and asked him,"

"Do you know where the Hydreigon lives who keeps Princess Daisy, the daughter of the Flower Queen, prisoner?" he asks as Prince Lucas.

"The Hydreigon lives there on the mountain, and he has just begun his year of sleep." he replies in a gentle older voice for the old man. "For a year he is always awake, and the next year he sleeps. But if you wish to see Princess Daisy, go up the second mountain: the Hydreigon queen lives there, She has a party every night, and Princess Daisy attends them regularly."

"As himself, he continues "So Prince Lucas went up the second mountain, where he found a castle made of gold with diamond windows. He opened the gate leading into the courtyard, and was just about to walk in, when seven Hydreigons wearing rainbow pendants to tell them apart ambushed him and asked him what he wanted."

"I have heard so much of the beauty and kindness of the Hydreigon queen, and would like to enter her service." he explains as Prince Lucas.

"Well, you may come with me, and I will take you to the queen." he replies in an older version of himself for the eldest Hydreigon.

As himself, he continues "They entered the castle and walked through twelve splendid halls, all made of gold and diamonds. In the twelfth room they found the Hydreigon queen sitting on a diamond throne. She was the biggest and ugliest dragon Pokemon under the sun, and was larger than her seven attendants put together. Her appearance was an understandable shock to Prince Lucas, and so was her voice, which was like the croaking of many Murkrows all at once. She asked him..."

"Why have you come here?" he asks in his "Murkrow" voice for the Hydreigon queen.

"I have heard so much of your beauty and kindness, that I would very much like to enter your service." he replies as Prince Lucas.

"Very well," he smiles as the Hydreigon queen; "But if you wish to enter my service, you must first lead my Rapidash out to the meadow and look after her for three days; but if you don't bring her home safely every evening, we will eat you for dinner."

As himself, he continues "Prince Lucas agreed, and led the Rapidash out to the meadow. But no sooner had they reached the grass, she vanished. Prince Lucas looked everywhere for her in vain, and finally sat down on a big stone and contemplated his grisly fate. As he sat there lost in thought, he heard a Braviary cry off in the distance."

He unveils a prop emerald from his pocket. "Then he remembered the three magic jewels, and taking the emerald out of his pocket he sang..."

Karuto, iichiida shou... he sings as Prince Lucas, making the prop emerald glow.

As himself, he narrates "The emerald glowed, he heard a mighty rushing wind, and Arashi, the King of the Braviaries, landed at his feet."

"I know what you want of me," he explains in deeper version of himself for Arashi. "You are looking for the Hydreigon queen's Rapidash, who is galloping about among the clouds. I will call all the Braviaries of the air together, and order them to catch the Rapidash and bring her to you."

As himself, he continues "With that, Arashi flew away. That evening, Prince Lucas heard a mighty windstorm, and when he looked up he saw thousands of Braviaries driving the Rapidash before them. They all landed before him and gave the Rapidash over to him. Prince Lucas returned to the Hydreigon queen, who was stunned when she saw him, and invited him to that night's party. She also gave him a cloak made of gold, and led him to a huge room where millions of dragon Pokemon were dancing together. But the only human there, it seemed, was Princess Daisy."

Cheers go up at Princess Daisy's appearance. "Her yellow and orange dress was woven out of the most beautiful flowers in the world, and her complexion was like lilies and roses." Brock continues. "As Prince Lucas was dancing with her, he managed to whisper..."

"I have come to set you free!" he stage whispers as Prince Lucas.

"If you succeed in bringing the Rapidash back safely on the third day, ask the Hydreigon queen to give you the Rapidash's shining foal as a reward." he suggests as the real Princess Daisy.

As himself, he continues "The party ended at midnight, and early the next morning Prince Lucas led the Hydreigon queen's Rapidash out into the meadow. But once again she vanished before his eyes. He took out the ruby and sang..."

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... he sings as Prince Lucas, making a prop ruby glow.

He then narrates as himself "The ruby glowed, and in a flash of fire, the holy Delphox Kitsune stood before him."

"I already know what you want, and will summon all the Fennekins, Braxiens, and other Delphoxes of the world together to find the Rapidash who has hidden herself in a hill." he explains as Kitsune.

As himself, he continues "With that, Kitsune disappeared, and in the evening millions of Fennekins, Braxiens, and Delphoxes brought the Rapidash to Prince Lucas. Then he rode home to the Hydreigon queen, who gave him a cloak made of silver, and led him to the ballroom. Princess Daisy was delighted to see him safe and sound, and while they were dancing together she whispered..."

"If you succeed again tomorrow, wait for me with the foal in the meadow. After the party we will flee together." he stage whispers as Princess Daisy.

"As himself, he continues "On the third day Prince Lucas led the Rapidash to the meadow again; but once again, she vanished. Then Prince Lucas sang to the sapphire..."

Rou iitsa ron selga vichii... he sings as Prince Lucas, making a prop sapphire glow.

He narrates as himself "The sapphire glowed, and in a moment Undine, the Queen of the Fishes appeared, and said to him

"I know what you want me to do, and I will summon all the fish Pokemon of the sea together, and tell them to bring you back the Rapidash, who is hiding herself in a river." he explains in a mimic of Misty for Undine."

He next narrates as himself "That evening, the Rapidash was returned to him, and when he led her home to the Hydreigon queen she said to him..."

"You are a brave youth, and I will make you my servant." he explains as the Hydreigon queen. "But what shall I give you as a reward?"

As himself, he continues "Prince Lucas asked for the shining foal of the Rapidash, which the Hydreigon queen gave him, in addition to a cloak made of crystal, for she had fallen in love with him because he had praised her beauty. So that evening he appeared at the party in his crystal cloak; but before the music was over he slipped away, and went straight to the stables, where he mounted his foal and rode out into the meadow to wait for Princess Daisy. Towards midnight Princess Daisy arrived, and placing her in front of him on his mount, the two of them rode like the wind until they reached the Flower Queen's domain. But the dragon Pokemon had noticed their flight, and woke their brother out of his year's sleep. He flew into a terrible rage when he heard what had happened, and vowed to lay siege to the Flower Queen's palace; but the Queen caused a forest of flowers as high as the sky to grow up around her palace, through which no evil could find a way out of."

He continues "When the Flower Queen heard that her daughter Daisy wanted to marry Prince Lucas, she said to him..."

"I give my consent to your marriage, but my beloved Daisy can only stay with you for half the year. In the fall and winter, when everything is dead and the ground covered with snow, she must return to my palace underground." he explains in a mimic of Lotta for the Flower Queen.

He concludes as himself "Prince Lucas consented to this, and led his beautiful bride home, where the wedding was held with great pomp and magnificence. The young couple lived happily together until the fall, when Princess Daisy returned home to her mother. In the spring she returned to her husband, and their life of joy and happiness began again, and lasted until the next fall, when Princess Daisy returned to her mother. This coming and going continues to this day, and in spite of it they have always lived happily together."

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

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 222: The Twin Archers)

@Chimchar98; @Chaosj2; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 222: The Twin Archers

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

Excited murmurs fill the air as Brock arrives with a quiver of prop arrows and a prop bow. "There were once two sisters who loved archery more than anything." he begins as he shows off the bow. "The elder one was named Yumi, and the younger one was named Vela."

Giggles go up as the children realize the two sisters names mean "bow" and "arrow" before something occurs to Brock. "In fact, the two of them loved archery so much, they forgot about their houses and their fields, much to their family's chagrin."

"Ooh"go up at this. "One night, the girl's father sat down with them and explained that while archery was a fun and challenging pastime, they should also remember to clean the house and tend the fields." Brock explains. "But he added that if they loved archery THAT much, to go out and make a living with it."

He walks around the stage for a moment as he continues "The next morning, Yumi and Vela took their bows, bid their family farewell, and went out into the world to seek their fortune. They traveled over high mountains, green valleys, rolling hills, and deep forests, having many adventures on the way."

He adds as an aside "But those are stories in themselves."

"Aw"s go up at this. "One day, they came to what they thought was an abandoned town, but Vela heard crying from one house." Brock continues as he slings the quiver of thirty arrows on his back and takes the bow. "They found a little girl inside, who told them that a monster terrorized the town every night. Those that did not die had long since fled, and now only she was left. Yumi assured the girl that she and her sister would find the monster and kill it in hopes it would convince those that had fled to come back."

The lights dim a little and gain tree shadows to mimic inside a forest. "And so, the girls traveled into the forest where the monster lived." Brock explains as a spotlight appears on a wooden Sudowoodo-like monster with a target hidden where its heart would be, if it were real. "Before long, they found what appeared to be a huge tree in the forest, but when Vela splashed some water on it, it turned out to be a Sudowoodo!"

He nocks an arrow before adding "It was a long and drawn out battle, but eventually, Yumi and Vela landed two shots between the eyes, killing the Sudowoodo."

With that, he fires, to some applause when the audience sees Brock hit the bullseye in the hidden target.

"Yumi and Vela settled in that town, acting as a mother and big sister to the girl." Brock concludes as he sets his props aside. "People returned to the village, and it grew and prospered. Yet the people thanked Yumi and Vela for their brave deeds, and erected statues in their honor, which you can see today."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 223: The Oran Princess)

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

Week 223: The Oran Princess

(real tale: Gypsy Queen)


"Once upon a time, a prince--we'll call him Mamoru--told his parents he wanted to marry the most beautiful woman in the world--and he would go to the ends of the world to find her if he had to." Brock begins as he strolls onstage. "With his parent's blessings, Prince Mamoru rode over high mountains, across green valleys, and through villages, cities, and towns. One day, he came to a fountain, and he stopped to take a drink. As he bent over, he saw three Oran Berries reflected in the water. He turned and looked up to find an Oran Berry tree. Three exquisite Oran Berries hung from the lowest branch."

"Mm"s go up as the crowdd pictures the Oran Berries, "They looked so delicious that Prince Mamoru could not resist, and he reached up and picked all three." Brock continues. "He cut the first one in half, and as he did, a beautiful young woman appeared before him."

"May I have some bread?" he asks in a mimic of the girl.

"I'm sorry, but I have no bread," he sighs in a mimic of Ash for Prince Mamoru.

As himself, he goes on "She vanished in a flash of light. In his hand, Prince Mamoru held the Oran Berry -- whole again. Naturally, he quickly cut into the second Oran Berry, and a second young woman stepped from inside; even lovelier than the first.

"May I have some bread?" he asks as a girl.

"I'm sorry, I have no bread." he sighs as Prince Mamoru again.

He continues as himself "When the second woman vanished, Prince Mamoru began to think. He decided to find some bread in case a third beauty appeared. Just as he was thinking about where to go to find some, a merchant passed by pulling a cart overflowing with pots and pans, canvas and clothes, bottles and baskets. Prince Mamoru asked if the merchant sold bread, and the merchant said yes. So the prince bought a loaf and paid the merchant generously with a hundred pieces of gold."

He then intones "Then Prince Mamoru sliced open the third Oran Berry."

He smiles. "To his delight -- and the merchant's astonishment -- the most beautiful woman in the world stepped out from inside."

"May I have some bread?" he asks as a girl again.

He narrates as himself "Prince Mamoru gladly cut a slice of the bread he had just bought, and when he did, the woman--whose name was Sakura--said..."

"Thank you. In return for your good deed, you may ask of me anything you wish." he smiles in a mimic of May for Sakura.

"I only wish that you would marry me," he replies as Prince Mamoru. "Marry me and I will be the happiest man on earth."

He continues as himself "Naturally, Sakura agreed. But when Prince Mamoru noticed that her garments were tattered and worn, he knew he had to find her a proper dress to wear."

"Wait here while I find a gown for you," he instructs an imagined girl as Prince Mamoru.

As himself, he continues "And so, Prince Mamoru rode off, leaving Sakura behind with the merchant. All this time, the merchant's daughter--we'll call her Hotaru--had been asleep inside the cart, under a mountain of blankets. Just at that moment she woke up, and when she saw Prince Mamoru riding away, she became curious."

"Who was that?" he asks in an older girl voice for Hotaru.

As himself, he continues "The man told Hotaru everything that had happened. He showed her the bag of gold. 'Imagine how much more there is than that,' she thought to herself. With that, Hotaru decided she must marry Prince Mamoru. So she began devising a plot."

Fearful murmurs fill the air as Brock narrates "She turned to Sakura and said..."

"Let me comb your hair so you will be even more beautiful when Prince Mamoru returns. A bride must always look her best." he offers as Hotaru.

As himself, he intones "Sakura agreed, and as Hotaru combed Sakura's hair, she stuck a pin in the woman's head and sang a curse.

He then sings as Hotaru Gran zirtan vin fangan miti...

"In a swirl of evil energy, Sakura transformed into a Pidove." he intones as himself. "Hotaru then dressed in Sakura's clothes and took her place beside the Oran Berry. When Prince Mamoru returned and saw Hotaru, he was surprised to see she looked somewhat different."

"I think the sun must have burned your skin," he muses as Prince Mamoru. "Let us hurry to the palace where you will be protected and loved."

"Ooh"s go up as Brock continues "So Prince Mamoru took Hotaru to the palace, and there he married her. But the new princess was cruel and greedy, and Prince Mamoru's life was not happy. A year after the wedding, a Pidove landed in the royal garden, where the gardener was tilling the soil to protect the seeds for the coming winter."

"How are Prince Mamoru and his wife?" he asks as Sakura--a hint as to who the Pidove really is.

"He often cries," he muses in a mimic of Forest for the gardener. "I don't think he is very happy."

As himself, he continues "The Pidove flew away, but she returned the next day and the day after. Each day she asked about Prince Mamoru. Finally, the gardener told Prince Mamoru about the Pidove, and when Prince Mamoru heard the story, he knew he must meet this Pidove.

"Do whatever you can to catch the bird," he orders as Prince Mamoru.

He continues as himself "The next day, when the Pidove appeared, the gardener captured her and carried her to Prince Mamoru. The moment he saw the little Pokemon, Prince Mamoru was fascinated by it. He began to pet the Pidove, and as he did, he felt something in its head. He carefully removed the pin, and when he did, the Pidove transformed into Sakura again in a flash of light."

Cheers go up as Brock concludes "She told Prince Mamoru everything that had happened. When Prince Mamoru heard the story, he ordered Hotaru kicked out of the palace. Soon after, Hotaru was sent away, to wander the land for all eternity. As for Prince Mamoru, he married Sakura, and they lived happily ever after."

With that, he takes a bow for the enthralled crowd...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 224a: Four Jewels of Power, part 1)

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


Week 224a: Four Jewels of Power, part 1

(real tale: The Shoemaker's Apprentice)

"You remember way back when I started telling stories on the show, I told a story that involved four jewels of power, received when something was divided?" Brock asks.

Cheers go up in reply. "Well, to mark a year of stories, I'm gonna tell a similar tale I learned on my most recent trip to Houen." Brock explains.

He takes a deep breath and lets it go as the crowd roars at the landmark milestone. May, Max--if you guys are watching, this is for you both.

Once the applause has quieted, he begins "Once upon a time there was a shoemaker's apprentice named Dillon. He was supposed to enter the priesthood when he came of age; but days before his sixteenth birthday he lost both his parents, and was placed in the care of an aunt and uncle. Not knowing how to afford or continue his priestly training, his aunt and uncle apprenticed him to the village shoemaker, and he had been there three years by the time our story begins."

After pausing to let his backstory sink in, he continues "Dillon had often been punished for twisting thread around and around his fingers instead of sewing, or cutting out faces on the shoemaker's bench instead of hammering pegs in. On the bright side, he knew everything you ever wanted to know about making shoes; and could make a pair on request, but he had no desire to make this his trade."

Some angry murmurs fill the air at this. "One day, his master asked him to go out into the forest and cut pegs, as there were none left in the workshop." Brock continues. "Dillon was up and off to the forest like that." He snaps on the word "that" to illustrate his point. "He had so much fun exploring, he forgot all about the pegs. He climbed hills, scrambled down the valleys, picked wild Razz Berries, clambered after birds' nests, poked into Durant hills, and tried to catch Beautiflies, just to name a few of the fun things he did."

Laughter goes up from the children in the audience. "The day flew by, and the sun was just beginning to set when Dillon remembered what he had been sent out for, and he began to look around for some suitable wood." Brock intones. "But before long, he did not know where he was, so now he only thought of how he might get out of the forest alive. So he took off running, and ran until he found himself on the open plains."

He assures his worried audience "Just as he was coming out of the forest, a little Pikachu came running towards him, and squeaking all the while."

"Pika pika! Follow me back into the forest; there is someone there who wants to speak to you." he calls in a higher pitched mimic of Ash.

As himself, he continues "Dillon followed the Pikachu back into the forest, where he saw a Sawsbuck carcass on the ground. A Ninetales, a Pidgeotto, and a Sandshrew were all fighting over it, so the Pikachu asked Dillon the best way to divide the Sawsbuck between the four of them. After thinking a moment, Dillon took out his knife and skinned the Sawsbuck carcass. He gave the head to the Sandshrew, the heart to the Pidgeotto, the legs to the Pikachu, and the body to the Ninetales."

Some applause goes up at this. "This pleased the four Pokemon, and they each gave him a jewel that would grant him power--the ruby the Ninetales gave him would grant him her strength and cunning." Brock shows off a prop ruby to the audience. "The sapphire the Pidgeotto gave him would enable him to fly." He next shows off a prop sapphire. "The topaz the Pikachu gave him would grant him super speed and super senses..." He shows off a prop topaz to illustrate his point. "...and the emerald the Sandshrew gave him would allow him to dig through anything, even diamond and mythril."

Awed and excited whispers fill the air as Brock shows off a prop emerald. "Dillon thanked the four Pokemon, and started off for home. But his heart sank at the thought of being punished for staying out so late." he explains as he puts the emerald away and retrieves the sapphire. "So he took the sapphire, held it to the sky, and sang..."

He then sings as Ash Karuto, iichiida shou... making the sapphire glow in response to his voice.

As himself, he shows the crowd the glowing sapphire. "The sapphire glowed, and Dillon found himself in the air, flying like a Pidgeotto!"

Wild cheers go up at this. "After spending a few minutes learning to control his flight, he flew a long way, over land and sea, until he came to a far away land." Brock continues as he pockets the sapphire. "To say he was thrilled with all he saw is an understatement--the hills and rivers, the places and people, everything was so fresh, so new, and so exciting. So he went on till he came to a large castle, much larger and grander than any of the others he had seen in books."

He interjects "But there was one thing very remarkable about this castle--all the windows to the east, west, and south were boarded up, and only the windows facing north were open. In front of the windows was a large and beautiful
garden, where the sun shone, the flowers smelled sweet, and the birds sang. So Dillon flew into the garden, and landed under a tree just outside an open window. There was a huge crowd of people inside. There was the young and beautiful princess--who was named Sophia--with her ladies, and the king, her father, was also there. The queen had died years before, and Princess Sophia was their only child. The king loved her more than anything in the world, and it was for her sake that the castle had been built like it was. It had been foretold at her birth that if the sun shone on her before she turned sixteen, she would be captured by Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon."

"Oh no"s race through the room at this. "Princess Sophia was currently fifteen years old, and she had been forced to spend nearly all her time indoors." Brock explains. "Only in the evening, after the sun had set, could she explore and play in the beautiful garden; all the rest of the time she was forced stay inside. As Dillon lay there under the tree, he gawked at just how beautiful Princess Sophia was. He had never seen such a beautiful maiden like Princess Sophia before except in his books, and he especially liked her jet black hair and emerald eyes, very much like the mystical emerald he owned."

He then assures the crowd It wasn't long before Princess Sophia saw Dillon outside, and asked who the strange boy in the garden was. The king, being a kind ruler, assumed it was a poor traveler in need of shelter, and gave orders to let Dillon inside, as he had likely had a long journey. Dillon knew how to act before royalty thanks to his books, and he won the favor of so many on the royal court, he was allowed to sleep with Princess Sophia that night."

"Aw"s fill the air as the dim lights brighten to mimic sunrise. "The next morning, while Princess Sophia was still asleep, Dillon gently woke her up, and explained to her..." Brock narrates.

"Please don't be afraid, milady." he assures an imagined person as Dillon.

"Afraid? Afraid of what?" he asks in a mimic of Serena for Princess Sophia.

As himself, he continues "Dillon told her that he owned four magical jewels, and depending on which one he invoked, he could have super strength and fire magic, the power of flight, super speed and super senses, or the ability to dig through even diamond and mythril. Princess Sophia was amazed that such a humble traveler had such great power, and promised not to tell anyone without Dillon's permission. She asked if she could see his powers, and he demonstrated them all. The two of them became fast friends, and rumors started that they were in love, never mind that he was a commoner and she royalty."

He explains from center stage "Princess Sophia knew very well that her father would never allow her to marry a commoner. So she came up with a plan. She gave him a bag of gold, and told him to buy himself a fine suit and some Rapidashes. Then he had to take into his service some men-at-arms and some pages, and, attended by a royal train of followers, he was to come and ask for her hand in marriage. Dillon agreed, and eagerly did everything the princess had said to do."

He looks out on the enthralled audience "Did Princess Sophia's plan work? And what about the prophecy of Darkrai? I will tell you more next week!"

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 224b: Four Jewels of Power, part 2)

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


Week 224b: Four Jewels of Power, part 2

(real tale: The Shoemaker's Apprentice)

"A month passed, and one day, a magnificent royal parade arrived." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "It was the son of a neighboring king, Prince Falkner, who had supposedly arrived, attended by his knights and men-at-arms, and twenty four magnificent Rapidashes all glittering with gold and silver. They were courteously and hospitably welcomed, and the prince requested the hand of Princess Sophia in marriage. The king replied that the princess would make her own choice--he did not wish to force any husband on her. But he added that whoever Princess Sophia chose for her husband would have to live where she lived, reside in the castle whose windows looked towards the north, and that he would not take her anywhere until she was sixteen years old, as per the prophecy."

Whispers fill the air as Brock continues "The prince agreed to all this, so Princess Sophia was told she would have three days to decide. So she thought about it for two days, and on the third day, she said that if her father wished it she would marry the prince, who felt strangely familiar."

He smiles as the debate wafts through the audience. "The wedding was a grand affair, and for three weeks there was all kinds of feasting and festivities."

Some in the audience start to clap,but Brock reminds them "But our tale is far from over--one day, the court traveled to another kingdom, where a tournament, complete with Pokemon battles, was taking place; but the newlyweds stayed behind, because of the prophecy."

The whispers turn fearful as Brock sets the scene. "It was a dull and dreary day, so Prince Falkner said there couldn't possibly be any danger in her going out to see the tournament in all its grandeur. In fact, Princess Sophia was more than willing to see more of life than she could from her windows that only faced north. So they set out, and before long, they came to the place where the company was assembled. But no sooner had they arrived did the sun break through for a moment, and a ray of sunshine shone down on Princess Sophia as she sat by the side of her beloved. At that same moment, he sensed that she had somehow vanished, and he could not see her anywhere."

He sings in a familiar mimic Seios, higarima laisido... before continuing as himself "...he sang to himself, gaining the super speed and super senses of a Pikachu, so he could track her by scent. The happiness and excitement turned to sadness and fear. Princess Sophia had vanished, and so had the prince. The wedding guests were all sent home, and the king returned to his castle and locked himself in his room. The misfortune he had so carefully sought to prevent had come to pass."

"Aw"s go up at this. "Meanwhile, Dillon, with his super senses, had been following the scent; which led him into the western desert." Brock continues. "Upon reaching the mountain, he lost the scent. He concluded that Princess Sophia had been taken into that mountain. But there was not a gate nor a door to be had."

He asks his enthralled audience "Anyone want to guess how he got in?"

"One of the magic jewels!!!" the kids in the front rows chorus.

"So he invoked the emerald...." Brock pauses to sing Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... as Dillon before continuing as himself "and set to work digging his own entrance into the mountain."

He smiles. "What wonders and horrors awaited our hero in the mountain? I will tell you more next week!"

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 224c: Four Jewels of Power, part 3)

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


Week 224c: Four Jewels of Power, part 3

(real tale: The Shoemaker's Apprentice)

"Hours became days, and Dillon used his enhanced strength and nails to make an opening large enough for a person to fit." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "His homemade tunnel led deeper and deeper into the mountain, and eventually he came to a great cave, which served as a courtyard to a castle that was inside the mountain. He ran on through long passages and up many steps, through room after room, till he came to a room where a burning lamp hung, and there sat Princess Sophia crying. She was not alone, for the Nightmare Pokemon Darkrai was there too, stretched out to hid full length, with his hideous head lying in her lap; and she was forced to sit and comb the wisps of fire that served as hair while he slept. Dillon crept into the room, and whispered softly..."

"It's me, your beloved." he whispers as Dillon.

As himself, he narrates "Princess Sophia was understandably startled, but she recognized his voice. Then he whispered again..."

"All may yet be well; but ask Darkrai how long you are to remain here." he whispers as Dillon again.

As himself, he continues. "So she let her hands fall and stopped combing Darkrai's hair--for lack of a better way to describe it--and he woke up with a jump."

"Why did you stop?" he growls as Darkrai.

"Oh! I was just thinking," he stammers as Princess Sophia.
.
"Well, what were you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about if I will be here for the rest my life."

"Yes, you will. I won't let you go for long as I live."

Some applause goes up at Brock's ability to singlehandedly perform both characters. "So Princess Sophia started combing again, and Darkrai was soon sound asleep again." Brock continues as himself. "But seeing her beloved hiding behind a pole made her stop combing, and Darkrai woke up."

"Are you thinking again?" he asks as Darkrai,

"Yes. I was thinking about how long your life might last." he replies as Princess Sophia.

"My life will last far longer than yours. No one can take my life, for it is inside my heart, and I do not carry my heart inside me; lest it be broken."

As himself, he continues "Satisfied with that answer, Princess Sophia kept on combing, and Darkrai fell asleep a third time. But then another thought came to her, causing her to stop, and this time, Darkrai woke up angry at being constantly disturbed."

"NOW what are you thinking about?" he angrily demands, a note of frustration in his "Darkrai" voice.

"You yourself give me so much to think about." he explains as Princess Sophia. "You say you have a heart, but it is not inside of you. If it is not inside you, then where is it?"

"There is no need for you to know that, but neither is there any harm, so you are quite welcome to know the answer. Far away from here, in a country far to the east, there is a great lake, and in the lake there is a Garchomp, in the Garchomp there is a Buneary, in the Buneary there is a Ducklett, in the Ducklett there is an egg, and in that egg is my heart. Think about that as you comb, if you know what's good for you!"

As himself, he goes on "Princess Sophia quickly complied, and Darkrai fell asleep again. Dillon whispered to Princess Sophia to take heart, for she would soon be released from the evil spell."

He looks out on his enthralled audience. "What adventures awaited our hero in the east land? I will tell you more next week!"

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 224d: Four Jewels of Power, part 4)

After a holiday hiatus, let's finish this story!
@Chimchar98; @The Jingster; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 224d: Four Jewels of Power, part 4

(real tale: The Shoemaker's Apprentice)

"Dillon ran as fast as he could out of the room and out to a mountain, invoked the sapphire..." Brock pauses to sing as Dillon Karuto, iichiida shou.. before continuing as himself "...and flew a long, long way into the east land, where he landed on the shore of a great lake."

The lights dim a little to mimic nighttime. "It was getting dark when Dillon arrived, and he looked everywhere with no Hydreigon to be had." Brock continues, walking around the stage a little as a speaks. He came to a lonely little hut, and he asked if he could stay there for the night."

"We are only poor folks," he explains in an older version of himself, "and have no accommodation for royalty like you."

"Well, could you at least give me a chair to sit in?" he asks as Dillon.

He assures the audience as himself "They did at least give Dillon a chair. The next morning, he woke up early and went outside, and close by the house he saw twelve fat Tepigs in a sty."

"You are not as poor as you claim to be," he explains as Dillon as the lights slowly brighten to mimic daytime. "I see you have twelve good Tepigs standing there."

"Ah!" he gasps as the man, "It is not as if they were our Tepigs. No! The Hydregon is to have them for his breakfast. For out in that lake there lives a Hydregon who would destroy the whole country if the king did not give him twelve fat Tepigs every day. They are driven down here every night, and it is my job to drive them down to the shore every morning. But there will soon be no more Tepigs left in the land, and Arceus have mercy on us when that day comes."

"I will go with you." he declares as Dillon.

"Ah, no!" he almost screams as the man, "That will never do! If he sees a stranger with me, he will tear us both to pieces."

As himself,he narrates "But in spite of the man's pleas, Dillon insisted on going with him; so he followed him as he drove the Tepigs down to the lake. They had not gotten very far before they heard cracking and crashing in the forest."

He intones "That was the Hydregon creeping up inland to get his breakfast."

He next sings as Dillon Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before narrating as himself "Dillon invoked the ruby, gaining a firey red aura."

"Bring me my Tepigs!" he demands in a low gravely voice for the Hydreigon.

"You must take me instead!" he retorts as Dillon.

He narrates as himself "With that, he rushed at the Hydregon, and they fought with tooth and nail for a good long while, with no clear advantage on either side."

"If I only had my twelve sides of bacon inside me," he muses as the Hydregon, "I would soon make an end of you."

"Well, if I had only a mouthful of bread and a glass of wine, it would soon be all over with you," he replies as Dillon.

He narrates as himself "By now, they were both so worn out they could do no more damage. So the Hydregon plunged into the lake again, and vanished. But Dillon's holy fire wore off, and he said to the man...

"You can put your Tepigs back into the sty again; the Hydregon won't have any breakfast today." he smiles as Dillon.

Has himself, he continues "But he wanted something to eat, so he went into the royal city that was close by, ate well, drank well, and slept well, so that the next morning he was up before anyone else, and returned to the little hut on the shore of the lake. He got there early enough to meet the man just as he was driving out the twenty four Tepigs, making up for what he missed the day before. Again they heard the crashing and the tearing of the underbrush as the Hydregon came creeping inland. But when he cried, 'Bring me my Tepigs!' he didn't seem half as angry as he had the day before. Dillon invoked the ruby again..."

He pauses to sing as Dillon Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul..., before he gives the same answer in character. "You must take me instead!"

He narrates as himself "They dashed at one another, and tore and fought so hard that the earth shook under them. Eventually the Hydregon said..."

"If I had only those twenty four sides of bacon inside me, I would have made an end of you." he muses as the Hydreigon.

"If I had only had a bite of bread and a glass of wine, it would have been all over with you." he retorts as Dillon.

As himself, he continues "Then the Hydregon plunged back again into the lake, Dillon's power wore off, and went back to his host's house. The man put his twenty four Tepigs into the sty, and then hurried to the royal city, where he told the king that the Hydregon had not had his Tepigs either that day or the day before, since a fire elemental from heaven had come and fought with the Hydregon till neither of them could fight any more. He also told him also what the Hydregon had said, and what the elemental had said as they parted.

He adds as an aside "Little did they know the king's son--whose name is not important--had heard the whole thing. He was only ten years old, but he was a brave young man, and he wondered why no one had helped the elemental by giving him the bread and the wine it asked for. He silently vowed that if no one would help the elemental, he would do it himself!"

Cheers go up at this. "The next morning the man drove down thirty-six Tepigs to the shore—the king himself had declared that it must be done." Brock explains. "The Hydregon must have what was his by right, so long as they could procure it for him--but to be fair, the king was no hero."

Nervous giggles fill the air at this. "As the Tepigs came down to the shore the Hydregon crept inland, and snapped up one of the Tepigs before the fire elemental appeared." Brock intones. "But Dillon arrived before too long, and the two fought and bit and tore and raged so much, it was terrifying to see. But neither could gain an advantage over the other."

"If I had only those thirty five sides of bacon inside me!" he cries as the Hydregon, " I would have made an end of you."

"If I had only a bite of bread and a glass of wine, you would have been done for," he retorts as Dillon.

He announces as himself "At that second, a huge loaf of bread was thrown right into his mouth, and a glass of wine seconds after that. As soon as Dillon had taken this refreshment, he made another dash at the Hydregon, and rent it asunder."

Cheers go up at the Hydreigon's demise. "Then out of the dead Hydregon sprang a live Buneary, which ran off into the forest." Brock explains. "As soon as Dillon's fire magic wore off, he invoked the topaz..." He then sings as Dillon Seios, higarima laisido... before continuing "...and quickly caught the Buneary and tore it open. A Ducklett flew out of the dead Buneary, but as soon as his super speed and super senses wore off, Dillon invoked the sapphire..."

He sings as Dillon again Karuto, iichiida shou... before continuing "...and chased the Ducklett until he managed to grab it. Then the Ducklett laid an egg, and the egg fell to the ground. But Dillon saw where it fell, and in a moment he landed, and held the egg in his hand. It had fallen a long way, and landed on a rock, and yet there was not even a crack in it. 'It is hard,' Dillon thought. 'but I know something that is harder still.'"

"So he invoked the sapphire again..." He sings as Dillon again Karuto, iichiida shou... before continuing "...and flew all the way back to Darkrai's mountain. As soon as he came to the great cave he landed, with the egg still in his hand. Then he ran through all the long passages, up all the steps, and through all the great rooms, till he came to the rocky chamber where the lamp was burning, and where Princess Sophia sat with Darkrai's head resting in her lap. She heard him coming, and she dropped the comb and clapped her hands. Darkrai woke up with a jump, and reached for his iron staff, but at the same moment Dillon heaved the egg so hard that it smashed on the ground. Immediately Darkrai fell dead as a doornail."

Wild cheers fill the room at Darkrai's demise. "At the moment Darkrai died, the mountain burst open from top to bottom, and Dillon and Princess Sophia stood in the main hall of the most beautiful castle one could wish to see." Brock explains to the giddy crowd. "All the rooms were full of silver, gold, and gems, and the country where the castle stood was no longer a desert land, but green plains, rushing rivers, and gardens full of flowers and fruit."

"Wow"s waft through the room, but Brock isn't done yet. "Dillon soon made arrangements to return to Princess Sophia's homeland. They sent word to all the wedding guests to come again, and the wedding was celebrated anew with happiness and rejoicing beyond all description, and the king gave Princess Sophia half the kingdom as a wedding present."

"Aw"s fill the air as Brock concludes "Our heroes lived in the castle which had once belonged to Darkrai; and the king now had windows made in his castle looking east, west, and south, as well as north. He lived long enough to see his children's children, and when he died Dillon ascended to the throne. But he kept the four magic jewels, and went on many more adventures--but that is another story for another day!"

The room explodes in cheers as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 225: Good Sense)

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


Week 225: Good Sense

(real tale: The Gift of Good Sense)

"Once upon a time, a poor peasant was dying." Brock begins as he arrives onstage He called to his three sons, and gave them each a gift--to the eldest son he gave a millstone; to the middle son he gave a bamboo staff with bells on it; and to the youngest son he gave a drum.

"These are for you," he explains in a gentle older man voice for the father. "but remember, they are only as good to you as your good sense."

As himself, he continues "When their father died, the three brothers set out into the world. They came to a fork, and decided to part ways, agreeing to return to the fork in a year to see how Arceus had treated them.

The lights go down to mimic nighttime. "Carrying his millstone, the eldest son walked to the mountains." Brock continues, walking around the stage a little to mimic traveling. "When night fell, he laid down beside a tree, setting the millstone beneath his head as a pillow. As he was falling asleep, he heard wild Pokemon approaching, so he lifted the millstone and climbed the tree."

Intrigued murmurs go up at this, but Brock has other ideas. "Before long, he heard thieves arguing among themselves about a treasure they had just stolen. This gave the eldest son an idea--he grabbed the crank of his millstone and began to turn it. When the thieves heard the grinding sound, they believed it to be Raikou or Zapdos passing by, never mind the sky was clear. As they fled, they left their treasure--a huge diamond, if you're curious--behind. The eldest son climbed down and took the diamond for himself. Thanks to the millstone and his good sense, he was now a wealthy young man."

Applause goes up in approval. "Meanwhile, the middle son walked for days toward the sea." Brock continues as the applause quiets. "At last, on a dark night, he collapsed with exhaustion. He realized he was lying on a stone in a graveyard, but he was too exhausted to move, so he did his best to make himself comfortable.

Giggles go up as Brock retrieves a prop priest's staff, complete with bells on it. "As soon as the sun rose, he continued on his way, where he came to a merchant's house. When he got there, he found the family crying. He asked what was wrong, and the merchant explained his young daughter had suddenly died during the night.

"I'm a traveling priest," he explains in a mimic of Forest for the second son. "Let me cast out the demons in the house, and I'll bring her back to life. But everyone must leave the house, lest the fleeing demons possess you too."

As himself, he continues "Everyone left him alone with the girl's body. As soon as they had left, the second son called...

Akuryo taisen! he calls in character as the middle son, brandishing the staff for effect.

After holding the heroic pose for a few seconds, he explains as himself "That means 'evil spirits, begone' in case you're curious."

"Oh"s fill the air as Brock continues. "Sure enough, three demons fled the house, believing the middle son to be a real priest. One of them dropped the girl's spirit as it fled, so the middle son caught it in a bag. He then carefully opened the bag on the girl's chest, and the spirit seeped into her heart. A few moments later she was sitting up, trying to figure out who the stranger was before her."

Cheers go up at this. "The merchant and his family ran inside, and when they saw the girl sitting up, alive and well, they danced with joy." Brock continues, doing a few steps himself for emphasis.

"I must pay you with a fortune for saving our daughter," he cries in a mimic of Flint for the merchant.

"As himself, he continues. "So the middle son was paid well for his kind deed. Thanks to his father's gifts, he too became a rich, happy man."

More applause goes up as Brock sets the staff aside and retrieves a frame drum. "Meanwhile, the youngest son traveled to the forest. There, delighted by its beauty, he sang and played his drum."

With that, he proceeds to scat the reel "The Archer's Purse", accompanying himself with his own drum.

Wild applause goes up when Brock finishes. "Soon he saw a Raikou, and when he pounded on his drum, the Raikou danced. Before long they were dancing together, as the youngest son continued to sing and play his drum. They did not realize they were near a village, and when the villagers saw the dancing drummer and Raikou, they thought they were a wandering minstrel and his tamed Raikou, and tossed money to them. This gave the youngest son an idea."

Murmurs go up as Brock goes on "He and the Raikou began to travel from village to village, performing their dance. When news of the drummer with the dancing Raikou reached the king, he insisted on seeing a performance. And so the youngest son and the Raikou came to the royal court and performed for the king."

With that, he plays a different beat, and sings Anat za za, aridavi deen lava itsplan den lan den lan do, lava ii pa pa, bari bari bala rilibilibi liku len den lan do lava rin lan ten lan day alo, barala lavalava lukuluku dayavu, a rin lan ten lan den lan do barala katakata kutukutu deyavu....

Laughter goes up when the audience realizes what Brock is actually singing. "I'll pay you whatever you wish for that Raikou," he offers as the king as the applause dies down.

"Your majesty, this Raikou is a family treasure. I cannot sell him." he protests in a mimic of Ash for the youngest son.

As himself, he continues "The king kept offering more money, and still more. At last the youngest son gave in and became the richest one of all."

He concludes "A year passed, and the brothers met again. Together they celebrated all their good fortune and gave thanks to their father, who had taught them to understand that good sense always serves us best."

The crowd applauds as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 9 (Week 226: Mightyena Rock)

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

Week 226: Mightyena Rock

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 140, story 2)

"There was once a small village in the mountains of a far away land that was always attacked by Mightyenas in the winter." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "The leader of the pack was a huge Mightyena with a torn right ear, so the villagers nicknamed him Yaburata-mimi, which means 'torn ear'." No one dared leave their house during the winter, lest they be eaten by the Mightyenas."

Intrigued murmurs trace through the room as Brock continues "One year, not long after the first snow of winter, the warrior miko Kanade came to the village. No matter where she asked, the people turned her away, since it was believed that letting a stranger in one's house attracted the Mightyenas."

Once back in his usual place at center stage, he adds "Eventually Kanade made her way to the local shrine, but was told she had to sleep outside. As Kanade shivered in the howling wind and swirling snow, she asked Arceus why the people had turned her away."

He then intones "Just then, she spotted the Mightyena pack in the snow, and they soon surrounded her. But Kanade was not afraid of the snarling Mightyenas around her--she knew Arceus would protect her."

The crowd does not expect the twist in the tale. "Suddenly, Kanade recognized the Mightyena the villagers called "Yaburata-mimi" was actually a Mightyena she had nursed back to health after she had found it badly wounded and its right ear torn in a run in with an Ursaring. She had named it Yusha, after its heroic battle. She called to Yusha, and after a long embrace, Yusha led her to the pack's cave."

"Aw"s fill the room as the crowd pictures the heartwarming scene. "Meanwhile, the priest found one of Kanade's scrolls in the snow, and thanked Arceus she had been eaten by the wolves instead of him." Brock goes on. "But Arceus did not take kindly to anyone mocking his faithful servant Kanade, and sent the Mightyenas to kill him anyway."

"He brought it on himself." someone comments.

"Saddened by the loss of their priest, the villagers built an elaborate trap to capture the pack, then kill them all one by one." Brock intones, touching his fingers as he says "one by one" to emphasize his point. "But seconds before the first arrow was fired at the Mightyena the villagers knew as Yaburata-mimi, they heard a female voice sing..."

He then sings as Kanade Jao wiisha bes chiel com yutuul... before continuing as himself "...creating a shield of light around the pack. The elder demanded to know why Kanade wanted to save the Mightyenas when they had done so much harm to the village. Kanade told him how she knew the pack leader as Yusha, and had nursed him back to health as a Poochyena. The elder would have none of it, and ordered the archers to fire."

Gasps go up at this, but Brock isn't done yet. "Amazingly, Kanade took the arrow meant for Yusha, much to the crowd's surprise. As the healer rushed to her aid, Kanade vowed that if they were going to kill Yusha, they had to kill her too."

He assures some frightened children "Luckily, Kanade's wound was not serious, but Yusha stood guard by her side for a week while she recovered. On the night she was fully healed, a triumphant howl told the village Kanade was okay."

A sound effect of a Mightyena howl prompts some in the crowd to cheer. "Seeing Yusha standing guard at Kanade's side caused the villagers to have a change of heart about the Mightyenas--no more were they to be feared, but guardians of the village--a position they have held to this day." Brock explains. "The rock where Kanade saved Yusha's life is now called Mightyena Rock, in memory of Kanade's brave deed and the faithful Mightyena that watched over her."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...