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[Pokémon] Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Performers of Harmony

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
6,270
Posts
19
Years
A little something I threw together to celebrate the release of the MD Red and Blue remake--what if the MD world had theater troupes to inspire and entertain the rescue teams and the explorer teams?

(rated E10+ for fantasy stage violence)

Act 1: The Curtain Rises

For the most part, Harmony Town didn't look too much different from any other little town in the Pokemon world.

It had a town square where its residents could gather. There was a school for the young Pokemon, where the wise Professor Noctowl taught them the ways of the world. There were a wide array of shops selling daily sundries and supplies for rescue and exploration teams. There was the local branch of the Explorer's Guild, where explorer teams rested in between missions. There was the notice board for rescue teams near the post office.

But one Pikachu sighed as she looked out on the bare patch of ground near the north end of the town square. That space needed something, she thought...something like a theater!

Her bored look turned to a smile as she remembered past trips to the various theaters across the Pokemon world. Everyone in town knew that Mayor Erin, the Lucario that looked after the town, had once been an actress before entering public service. If the town had a theater, the Pikachu surmised, Pokemon would come from all around to visit. That, and the town would have something to be proud of, like many other towns in the region.

The thuds of approaching Scorbunny feet snapped the Pikachu from her thoughts. "Oi! Lita!" a female voice called in the distance.

"Hi, Ruby!" the Pikachu smiled, waving as her Scorbunny friend settled in the grass next to her.

"What were you thinkin' bout so hard?" Ruby asked as she unfurled a picnic blanket on the grass. "Remembering our trip to see the Theatre Royal in Amber Town?"

"Not quite..." Lita admitted as Ruby set out an array of sandwiches and other treats for the two of them. "I was thinking about possibly building our own theater and giving our town something to be proud of..."

"It's not as easy as asking the mayor for funding." Ruby cautioned. "Once you've built the theater, who's gonna perform in it?"

"Anyone that wanted to." Lita replied as she bit into a roast beef sandwich. "It could also be used for concerts, dance performances, and lectures..."

"They say that every theater troupe's dream is the Beacon Theatre in Luminous City." Ruby smiled. "The Gardevoir that runs the place is very particular about which acts perform there, so if you make it there, you've made it big."

"Who's to say we can't be one of those famous troupes?" Lita mused. "But first, we need our own theater to perform in."

"It's decided! We ask Mayor Erin to build a theater here!" Ruby declared as she held a sparkling juice can high.

"I can drink to that." Lita smiled as two sparkling juice cans clanked together as a sign of their promise.

---------

Later that afternoon, Ruby and Lita arrived in the town's administration building. "How may I help you?" the Taillow at the front desk asked.

"Is the mayor in right now?" Lita asked. "We have a proposal we want to talk with her about."

"You are in luck--Mayor Erin is receiving visitors now." the Taillow smiled. "What's the nature of your proposal?"

"We want to build a theater on that bare spot of land at the north end of the square." Lita explained. "It would give the town something to be proud of, boost tourism revenue, and lower crime."

"Okay...I'll inform the mayor you wish to see her." With that, the Taillow fluttered off down a hall.

Ruby sighed as she trudged to one of the comfy chairs in the foyer. "And now we wait..."

"Well, we can look at what the good troupes have done, and get ideas for our first scripts." Lita suggested as she located a theater magazine in the pile of magazines on a table. "We could do an adaptation of 'The Golden Dragon', like the Rainbow Company did." She showed Ruby a picture of a Riolu and a Fennekin in beautiful costumes battling a shiny gold serpent-like dragon puppet on a stage.

"Brush up on your singin' and dancin' then--'The Golden Dragon' is an ancient adventure tale that Professor Noctowl says is one of the earliest musicals." Ruby smiled.

"Maybe once we get some practice and enough actors, we could do a musical." Lita grinned. "Or maybe we could do a Robin Hood tale?" She gestured to a Treecko in the traditional Robin Hood costume shooting a bow on another page.

"That would be fun!" Ruby smiled. "If you don't mind writing Robin Hood as a britches role, I'd be honored to play him!"

Lita giggled at the thought of Ruby in the iconic green outfit and feather hat. "I'll keep it in mind, then."

Ruby gasped in awe at a Combusken portraying Moltres on another page. "Oh, 'The Tale of Moltres!' I used to always ask Mum to tell me that story at bedtime when I was a lass. Only, in our version, Moltres and Princess Valencia have a little more to do!"

"Let's get the theater built, then write that script." Lita gently reminded Ruby before thumbing through a few more pages. "Ooh, 'The Knights of the Round and the Jewels of Excalibur'!" she smiled, showing Ruby a picture of a majestic Zacian puppet giving a Dewott in the role of King Arthur a prop sword.

"Another great choice!" Ruby smiled. "Perhaps we can ask Mayor Erin to borrow some of her back issues of 'Theater Today' for script ideas?"

"That one's the current issue, so it has to stay here for now." the Taillow replied as he returned. "But Mayor Erin would be more than happy to give you some back issues for script ideas after your meeting."

"So Mayor Erin can see us?" Lita asked.

The Taillow nodded. "Come with me, and you can tell her all about your theater proposal."

---------

"Wow..." Ruby gasped as she and Lita arrived in Mayor Erin's office. "Never knew our mayor liked to read this much..."

"Most of tose are city building codes and law books, in case someone needs help with an ethical dilemma." Mayor Erin replied in her gentle North Galarian accent. "But back to te matter at hand...Cyan tells me you two wish to build a teater by te north end of the square."

"Yes...were you planning on using that land for something else?" Lita asked.

"Tankfully, no." Mayor Erin replied. "Te only reason we haven't built anyting on tat land yet was because no one's approached with any decent proposal te build someting on it. I believe a teater would brighten the area, and bring te arts te all!"

She reached for a piece of paper. "But before we kin start buildin' a teater, we first need te give it a name and tink of what it will look like."

Lita thought for a moment for a good theater name. "How about...the Moonlight Theater?"

"That's a good idea--make it look like you're watching a play under the stars!" Ruby suggested.

"What kind of scripts were ye wanting to perform in tis teater?" Mayor Erin asked as one of her Riolu assistants started sketching construction plans for the theater.

"High adventures!" Ruby smiled, brandishing one of the unsharpened pencils on Mayor Erin's desk like a sword.

"Joyful comedies..." Lita went on. "...and heartwarming romantic stories. The only tears here are tears of happiness and laughter!"

Mayor Erin smiled. "I'll present these initial plans for a teater to te city council in a few days. In te meantime, go brainstorm some scripts, and start recruiting some actors and a crew."

"We will!" Ruby smiled.

"We'll do everything we can to give a great show to the townsfolk!" Lita agreed as she and Ruby turned to leave.

To Be Continued...
 
Last edited:

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
6,270
Posts
19
Years
Act 2: Choosing the First Play


"Extra, extra, read all about it! Theater coming soon to Harmony Town!" a news Meowth proclaimed as he held a newspaper depicting some concept art of the theater for the crowd in the square to see.

Ruby smiled as some of the townsfolk hurried to buy a paper, oohing and ahhing over the pictures of what the theater would look like when complete. "The word is out about our theater! The next question is what our grand opening show should be..."

"Well, we won't get very far with just the two of us." Lita mused. "So I asked around for anyone else willing to join us, and Brenna volunteered..."

"If you want, I can get our troupe registered with the Performance Guild." Ruby offered. "While you don't HAVE to do this, it's easy publicity if you are registered."

"Brenna and I will help brainstorm play ideas while you're away at the post office." Lita smiled. "We'll meet at my house, okay?"

"All right, I'll come join you after I get the Performance Guild paperwork sorted." Ruby smiled before dashing off towards the post office.

---------

Ruby balked when she discovered a Squirtle, a Gossifleur, and a Braxien at the dining room table with Lita. "Oh! More guests?" she asked.

"Shimmer saw the pictures of what the theater will look like when it's done, and wanted to pitch in as an actress and playwright." the Squirtle explained.

She smiled at the Braxien. "Then Charlotte overheard us talking, and offered to pitch in with mentor and trickster roles."

"But what kind of roles would you want to play, Brenna?" Ruby asked the Squirtle as she settled at the table.

Brenna thought for a moment. "I wouldn't mind being the hero's sidekick, but I'd actually prefer to narrate the story, whichever play we do."

Charlotte, meanwhile, set some back issues of "Theater Today" on the table. "I brought over some old 'Theater Today' issues for ideas..."

"...and I can go to the library and get some books of folk and fairy tales for ideas, if we need to." Shimmer volunteered.

"The 'Theater Today' issues should be more than enough for now." Lita assured Shimmer as she found a piece of paper. "Let's go through these and write down the names of plays we like first, then go from there."

"Remember, no sad endings if we can." Brenna cautioned. "We want everyone to enjoy our plays, so if any tears must fall, they should be tears of laughter, or tears of joy."

"Should we do a Robin Hood story or 'The Knights of the Round'?" Lita asked.

"We'd need a lot of actors for 'Knights of the Round', but keep that in mind for when we get a little more practice under our belts." Shimmer replied.

"We definitely need to do a Moltres tale--any version will do." Ruby agreed as she wrote "The Tale of Moltres" on the play list.

"Let's keep it somewhat simple for now." Lita assured the excited Scorbunny as she turned the page of the magazine she was looking through...

---------

After a while, Lita showed the group the final list of stories. "Okay...which one of all these should be our choice for our first play?"

"Think outside the 'Cinderella' or 'Snow White' box, if possible." Charlotte suggested.

"The Invulnerable Giant?" Brenna suggested.

"How would a giant work?" Lita wondered. "Pokemon on top of each other would look silly..."

"None of us has the experience to do animatronics..." Charlotte sighed as Lita crossed the story off the list.

"The Mage's Instruments?" Shimmer suggested. "Just change the boy to a girl and Aria could play the lead; since she can already play guitar, fiddle, and flute."

"We'll keep that one in mind..." Lita replied before reading the next play on the list. "How Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi Were Saved?"

"That sounds fun!" Ruby smiled before reading another play name. "'The Queen of the Lonely Island'?"

"Nah..." the group chorused.

"Too depressing..." Shimmer agreed.

Lita crossed off the name, then addressed the others. "Are we agreed on 'How Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi Were Saved?'"

Cheers went up at this. "Okay...next is going through the original story and deciding what we want to keep, change or leave out in the script." Lita explained.

"The original story involved a wood boy and his three friends saving Solgaleo, Lunala and Jirachi." Shimmer remembered. "But we can start at the point where Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi disappear."

"Instead of playing out the same adventure scene three times, we can have three unique challenges to save the princesses and the Legendaries." Charlotte suggested. "This way, it's more interesting to the audience to see six unique challenges instead of the same thing three times."

"We can keep three heroes, but give them each two challenges." Brenna agreed.

"Next question--where would we get Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi puppets?" Lita mused. "Most troupes, even the big ones, depict the Legendaries and larger Pokemon as puppets for practicality reasons."

"That being said, there are some plays where the writer explicitly wanted the Legendaries and big Pokemon as live actors." Ruby mused. "But our humble little troupe will cross into that region when we get there."

She turned business like again. "As for where we can get Legendary puppets, crew, and more cast members, we can start advertising the troupe even while the theater's still being built. Then once our theater is ready, we can hold auditions for the parts."

"I can write the script." Shimmer volunteered.

"I'll procure us some puppets and performers." Charlotte grinned, pleased at her poetic license.

"I'll make and hang the posters..." Lita smiled as she grabbed another piece of paper and started sketching out an idea for a poster. "Does Ruby want a role, or should she direct this play?"

"I'll be equally at home on the stage or in the director's chair." Ruby smiled at her companion. "I'll still do my best for a good show, wherever you want me."

Lita nodded. "What do you want to do, Brenna?"

"I'll be glad to narrate the story, and find us more actors, musicians, dancers, and other crew." Brenna replied.

Shimmer wrote "The Storyteller" on her cast list. "Well, that's one role decided..."

"We'll decide the others once the theater is ready." Lita assured Shimmer.

She looked outside to see the sun setting. "Wow...we spent all afternoon planning?"

She smiled at the group. "Thank you, all of you, for helping us get the troupe off the ground."

"Anytime!" Charlotte smiled.

"It is my pleasure." Shimmer agreed.

"I believe we can reach the Diamond rank, and perform in Luminous City's famous Beacon Theater." Brenna smiled. "Both you and Ruby have the heart and desire to see this to the end, and I intend to be there every step of the way, no matter how bumpy the way to stardom is."

With that, she, Ruby, Lita, Shimmer, and Charlotte put their hands and paws together. "Let's reach Luminous City together!"

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 3: Making Preparations


Ruby and Lita approached the north end of the square a few days later, where a majestic theater now overlooked the town. "Was it worth all the trouble to get this place built?" Ruby smiled as she admired the glittering marquee proclaiming "COMING SOON: HOW SOLGALEO, LUNALA, AND JIRACHI WERE SAVED" and the glowing silver letters that spelled the theater's name above the marquee: The Moonlight.

Lita nodded, admiring the patterned mosaics embedded in the brick that also glowed in neon light. "It was worth every Poke we spent, all those planning meetings, construction time, the auditions, and the rehearsals we've had so far."

"Buzz is already building for our first play..." Ruby went on. "Nervous for your role?"

"Nah--I've been practicing my introduction." Lita assured her companion. "Being a director isn't so bad with the right group."

"Remember what Mayor Erin said during the opening ceremony--the theater is our space to bring the arts and culture to our town." Ruby reminded Lita. "So while Luminous City and the Beacon is a worthy goal to have, every theater troupe had to start somewhere."

Lita nodded. "The best stories are about a hero who rises to greatness from humble beginnings. I believe we can do that too."

She yawned as she looked at the moon shining down on the pavement. "Let's go home...we have a few more regular rehearsals, a couple dress rehearsals, and then opening night."

"I can't wait to show the town our play." Ruby was equally excited.

---------

The new theater's majestic stage hummed with activity the next morning as Ruby, Lita, the others, and hundreds of other actors, musicians, and crew convened for rehearsal. "Okay!" Lita called over the chatter. "Even though we're not technically doing a dress rehearsal today, I still want to get through as much of the play as possible."

Cheers went up as the actors hurried into their positions for the first scene. "Ready when you are." Brenna smiled as she emerged onstage in a deep blue outfit.

"Not bad for a narrator's costume." Ruby grinned before stepping behind a screen to change into her costume.

"Orchestra ready?" Lita asked, looking over to the orchestra pit.

"All ready!" the Meloetta conductor smiled.

Lita nodded, then told Brenna. "Okay, let's start from where the overture ends."

"Once upon a time, there was a beautiful kingdom, ruled by a kind and just king and queen." Brenna began. "But one day, terror struck the land. The shining lion Solgaleo, the great moon-bat Lunala, and the wish-maker Jirachi disappeared from the sky at roughly the same time. leaving the world in darkness."

The lights blinked off over a stinger from the orchestra. "Who has taken Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi from us?" a Piplup pleaded from a spotlight.

"What have we done to offend them?" a Sylveon agreed.

"What grave crime have we committed to have them turn their light away from us?" a Chikorita asked.

The lights came up on a fantasy throne room, revealing an Alolan Ninetales in the role of the queen. "Whoever they are, they will have to bring them back!" she vowed. "Is there a hero among us that will go forth to find Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi and return them to their rightful places in the sky?"

The various Pokemon playing townsfolk crowded around the throne as Brenna narrated from her nook at stage right. "There were many people willing to offer themselves for the great adventure, but the king and the queen both realized that something more was needed than willingness. So the queen sent out a call for heroes of great strength and endurance who could risk the dangers of so perilous a journey."

The lights revealed Ruby, another Piplup, and a Snivy bowing before the Alolan Ninetales in the throne room. "Finally, the three heroes were found." Brenna narrated. "Gaia, a mystic of the earth..." The Snivy looked up at the Alolan Ninetales. "Irvine, a brave Piplup skilled with the blade..." The Piplup rendered a salute with a prop sword before he bowed before the Alolan Ninetales. "...and Eliana, who was known as 'the phoenix arrow' for her archery skill."

Ruby, now in an elegant red tunic with gold trim and a cape to match, also bowed before the Alolan Ninetales. "Here now, are the three heroes who are to release Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi from whoever are holding them in captivity and restore them to their places in the sky!" the Alolan Ninetales announced.

"Say the word, Your Highness--I will travel to the ends of the world to find Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi." the Snivy quietly vowed.

"I will not rest until the three guardians are back in the sky!" the Piplup vowed.

"Whoever dared to take Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi away from us will meet my holy arrow in battle!" Ruby proclaimed.

Lita just smiled as the scene continued. "Then go forth, heroes! We await the day the three guardians shine down on us once more!" the Alolan Ninetales replied, to a triumphant interlude as the lights went down.

Once the interlude had ended, Lita signaled the Luxray in charge of the lighting crew to wait. "First of all, great job on the scene, everyone!" she began as she joined the actors onstage.

"I wasn't too over the top with my intro, was I?" Ruby asked.

"Oh no, it fit your character." Lita assured Ruby. "According to the script, Eliana is supposed to be very confident, but not braggy. So be careful not to make her come across as braggy."

"Okay, so I can probably cut the holy arrow bit..." Ruby mused.

"How'd I do?" the Piplup playing the warrior asked as Lita approached him.

"You did great, Rio." Lita replied. "Remember--your character is brave and yet kind, so keep channeling that."

She next addressed the Snivy. "It's okay to show some more enthusiasm, Sakura. Gaia is supposed to display a quiet strength, even if she is a softspoken character. You are the yin to Irvine's and Eliana's yang, but you're not afraid to show your power if you must."

"I'll try to put a bit more power in my lines." the Snivy replied. "I just remembered you saying in the readthrough that Gaia is a lower key character, but now I see she's not supposed to be shy."

"Am I coming across as queenly enough?" the Alolan Ninetales asked.

"You make a great queen, Yuki!" one of the extras smiled.

"Work on maintaining a balance between authority and gentleness." Lita suggested. "Of course you want to show the audience you are the queen, but you are a kind and gentle ruler, so soften your voice just a little."

"Right." the Alolan Ninetales replied.

Lita retreated to her seat in the audience. "Okay...let's keep going!"

With that, the Luxray cued the lights, save for a spotlight on Brenna as the orchestra started playing again. "And so, the three heroes rode off in the dark." she began. While some were sad to see them go, many of them cheered and wished that they, too, were going."

The orchestra segued into a quieter theme. "They rode on and on for many days that seemed like nights, until they had crossed the borders of their own land and entered the boundaries of an unknown kingdom. Here the darkness was less dense. There was no actual daylight, but a faint greyness, as if dawn was approaching. They rode on until they saw looming up before them the spires of a ruined temple. Before going to the temple, they ventured deep into a nearby forest, where they found the cave of the holy Delphox, Kitsune."

Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... Ruby sang from the dark stage, cuing a sound effect of a cave opening.

Even Lita couldn't help but be awed as the lights came up on a set of a glittering cave. Wow...the set crew went all out!

On the stage, Charlotte--now wearing prop Delphox ears and a long maroon robe--met Sakura, Rio, and Ruby. "Good day to you, good lady!" Rio smiled.

"We are adventurers seeking to rescue Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi." Sakura explained. "Do you know anything that could help us on our quest?"

Charlotte nodded. "It is the evil primal dragon Eternatus that took Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi from you."

"Eternatus!" Rio gasped.

"Why did Eternatus capture Solgaleo?" Ruby asked.

"Because he's evil, that's why!" Charlotte replied with a giggle. "He said Solgaleo's rays blistered him, so he caught Solgaleo and gave him to a nine-headed Hydreigon. He caught Lunala, too, because at night, when Lunala shone, he could not perform his evil misdeeds. When he caught Lunala, he handed her over to another lackey, a six-headed Hydreigon. Then he caught Jirachi because he said he couldn't sleep at night because of her. So he caught Jirachi, and gave her to a third lackey, a normal Hydreigon with three heads."

"Where do the Hydreigons keep Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi?" Rio asked.

"Listen closely--when they go far out in the sea they carry with them Solgaleo, Lunala and Jirachi." Charlotte explained as the orchestra played Kitsune's mystical leitmotif. "The normal Hydreigon stays there one day and then returns at night. The six-headed Hydreigon stays two days and then returns, and the mighty nine-headed monster does not return until the third night. As each returns a faint glow spreads over the land. That is why we are not in utter darkness..."

Lita smiled as she watched the tense scene unfold from the audience. Everyone's putting their hearts into this play! The show's going to be a hit!

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
6,270
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19
Years
Act 4: The First Show (part 1)

The entire town arrived to watch the very first play in the Moonlight Theater a few weeks later. But backstage, there was even more excitement. Actors and performers hurried to get into their costumes, those in the orchestra made their way to the pit and started tuning their instruments, and those on the crew made sure the lights, the sound, and the effects were working.

In the wings, Lita gawked in awe as the audience members took their seats. Wow...we sold out the theater! she thought as she looked out on row after row of Pokemon, all of them excited to see the play.

"Well, this is it..." Ruby smiled as she joined Lita in the wings. "All our hard work to build this place and put on plays comes to a head here."

She pointed out a Kadabra in the audience. "That right there is Trista, a pro theater critic. If we can impress her, that's one step closer to Luminous City. But let's not get too ahead of ourselves, here."

"We have to do well before our home crowd first." Lita agreed. "Break both legs, okay?"

"You got it!" Ruby hugged Lita, then hurried off to change into her costume.

The lights flashed a five minute warning, snapping Lita to attention. Here we go...our very first play begins now!

Applause filled the air as she walked out before the elegant red and gold curtain. "Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Moonlight Theater." she began. "Out of respect for our actors, performers and crew, please refrain from talking during the show. If you need to leave the theater for any reason, inform an usher and they will direct you to the closest EXIT sign. In the event of an emergency, exits are at the sides and back of the theater. There will be a brief intermission between Act 1 and Act 2."

She looked out at the excited audience. "So, without any further ado, please enjoy 'How Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi Were Saved.'"

With that, she departed the stage to some applause. After a few tense seconds, the orchestra started a majestic overture, evoking a time of magic and adventure.

---------

"Once upon a time, there was a beautiful kingdom, ruled by a kind and just king and queen." Brenna began as the overture ended. "But one day, terror struck the land. The shining lion Solgaleo, the great moon-bat Lunala, and the wish-maker Jirachi disappeared from the sky at roughly the same time. leaving the world in darkness."

The lights blinked off over a stinger from the orchestra. "Who has taken Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi from us?" a Piplup pleaded from a spotlight.

"What have we done to offend them?" a Sylveon agreed.

"What grave crime have we committed to have them turn their light away from us?" a Chikorita asked.

The lights came up on a fantasy throne room, revealing Yuki in a beautiful blue and silver robe, with a prop crystal crown on her head to match. "Whoever they are, they will have to bring them back!" she vowed. "Is there a hero among us that will go forth to find Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi and return them to their rightful places in the sky?"

The various Pokemon playing townsfolk crowded around the throne as Brenna narrated from her nook at stage right. "There were many people willing to offer themselves for the great adventure, but the king and the queen both realized that something more was needed than willingness. So the queen sent out a call for heroes of great strength and endurance who could risk the dangers of so perilous a journey."

The lights revealed Ruby, Rio, and Sakura bowing before Yuki in the throne room. "Finally, the three heroes were found." Brenna narrated. "Gaia, a mystic of the earth..." Sakura looked up at Yuki with a reverent look. "Irvine, a brave Piplup skilled with the blade..." Rio rendered a salute with a prop sword before he bowed before Yuki. "...and Eliana, who was known as 'the phoenix arrow' for her archery skill."

Ruby, now in an elegant red tunic with gold trim and a cape to match, also bowed before Yuki. "Here now, are the three heroes who are to release Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi from whoever are holding them in captivity and restore them to their places in the sky!" Yuki announced.

"Say the word, Your Highness--I will travel to the ends of the world to find Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi." Sakura vowed, a quiet strength informing her line.

"I will not rest until the three guardians are back in the sky!" Rio vowed.

"Whoever dared to take Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi away from us will meet my fury in battle!" Ruby proclaimed.

Lita just smiled from backstage as the scene continued. "Then go forth, heroes! We await the day the three guardians shine down on us once more!" Yuki replied, to a triumphant interlude as the lights went down.

After a few moments, a spotlight appeared on Brenna as the orchestra started playing again. "And so, the three heroes rode off in the dark." she began. "While some were sad to see them go, many of them cheered and wished that they, too, were going."

The orchestra segued into a quieter theme. "They rode on and on for many days that seemed like nights, until they had crossed the borders of their own land and entered the boundaries of an unknown kingdom." Brenna went on. "Here the darkness was less dense. There was no actual daylight, but a faint greyness, as if dawn was approaching. They rode on until they saw looming up before them the spires of a ruined temple. Before going to the temple, they ventured deep into a nearby forest, where they found the cave of the holy Delphox, Kitsune."

Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... Ruby sang from the dark stage, cuing a sound effect of a cave opening.

Amazed chatter raced through the theater as the lights came up on a set of a glittering cave. But the chatter quieted as Charlotte--now wearing prop Delphox ears and a long maroon robe--met Sakura, Rio, and Ruby. "Good day to you, good lady!" Rio smiled.

"We are adventurers seeking to rescue Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi." Sakura explained. "Do you know anything that could help us on our quest?"

Charlotte nodded. "It is the evil primal dragon Eternatus that took Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi from you."

"Eternatus!" Rio gasped.

"Why did Eternatus capture Solgaleo?" Ruby asked.

"Because he's evil, that's why!" Charlotte replied with a giggle. "He said Solgaleo's rays blistered him, so he caught Solgaleo and gave him to a nine-headed Hydreigon. He caught Lunala, too, because at night, when Lunala shone, he could not perform his evil misdeeds. When he caught Lunala, he handed her over to another lackey, a six-headed Hydreigon. Then he caught Jirachi because he said he couldn't sleep at night because of her. So he caught Jirachi, and gave her to a third lackey, a normal Hydreigon with three heads."

"Where do the Hydreigons keep Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi?" Rio asked.

"Listen closely--when they go far out in the sea they carry with them Solgaleo, Lunala and Jirachi." Charlotte explained as the orchestra played Kitsune's mystical leitmotif. "The normal Hydreigon stays there one day and then returns at night. The six-headed Hydreigon stays two days and then returns, and the mighty nine-headed monster does not return until the third night. As each returns a faint glow spreads over the land. That is why we are not in utter darkness."

"As we journeyed here, we noticed many had one eye laughing and one eye crying. How could this be?" Sakura asked.

"It is because of the fate that is hanging over the king's three daughters." Charlotte sighed as the orchestra played a somber theme. "Those three evil monsters are demanding them one by one. Tonight, when the normal Hydreigon comes back from the sea he expects to devour the eldest, Princess Orla. If the king refuses to give her up, then Eternatus' henchman will destroy half the kingdom, half of the castle itself, and half the shining stones. I wish that some hero would kill the monster, save Princess Orla, and at the same time release Jirachi, so our wishes could be granted again!"

"If it pleases you, let me be the one to save Princess Orla and release Jirachi." Sakura volunteered.

"All right--she has even now been brought to the ruined temple where the normal Hydreigon makes his lair." Charlotte replied. "If you hurry, you may have time to rescue her!"

To Be Continued...
 
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EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 5: The First Show (part 2)


"That night, Gaia watched the king's party disappear, and then made her way to the temple." Brenna narrated from her nook.

Backstage, Lita watched as Sakura carefully but quickly climbed to the top of an ornate temple set. I worked so hard planning out that set...the real challenge was deciding whether or not to stick to the real story, or expand on how the heroes got to the three Hydreigons.

As Sakura carefully rolled away a foam rock to reach the temple set's next level, she thought back to when the group was first brainstorming the script...

"How can we make the battles interesting?" Lita asked as she settled before the table. "We know we want three unique challenges for each hero..."

"I know we said we were going to have a unique challenge for the Legendary and the princesses..." Shimmer explained. "But the more I think about it, that may make the play run too long."

Murmurs filled the kitchen as the group thought of another solution to their dilemma. "We know we don't want to play out the exact same scenario three times..." Brenna explained. "But we also don't want to add in too many challenges..."

"Either way, we risk boring the audience..." Lita sighed.

"Maybe we can add subtle variations to three different temple sets?" Charlotte suggested. "While the three actors go through the same basic scenario, the sets have slightly different challenges that play to the actors' strengths and their character's abilities."

"Great idea!" Ruby smiled. "That should solve our major problem!"

"In our version, let's have each hero slay the Hydreigon on their own... Brenna suggested as the group huddled to discuss the finer points of their script...


The rip of a prop bag snapped Lita back to reality--the first Hydreigon battle was coming up! "Peace--I've come to rescue you." Sakura assured the shiny Vulpix in the role of Princess Orla. "My name is Gaia."

"Thank you for releasing me, lady of magic." the shiny Vulpix smiled before hurrying to the nook she was supposed to hide in for the fight.

The orchestra played some ominous music. "Quickly! Get down behind the rock and hide there while I meet the creature and cut off his ugly heads!" Sakura called.

The audience gasped in both awe and fear as a majestic Hydreigon puppet emerged from the "water" on the set a few moments later. Boladh mé rud éigin go maith!
Beidh mé ag titim air agus a dhéanamh cothrom air!
Feicfidh mé pioc a chnámha agus deoch a chuid fola!
it chanted, its deep and ominous voice rumbling through the theater.

"Stop boasting, underling of Eternatus!" Sakura shot back in character. "You'll have time enough to boast after you fight."

"Fight? You want to fight, then, do you?" the puppet challenged the Snivy at the top of the temple set. "Very well! Blow then with your sweet breath, blow out a long level platform of gold where we can meet and try our strength!"

"No, you blow, and instead of gold, we will have a platform of iron." Sakura smirked.

Excited murmurs filled the air as an iron platform seemed to appear from thin air. The orchestra struck up an exciting melody as Sakura ran to "battle" the puppet.

Lita watched from backstage as Sakura jumped, poked the various targets on the puppet with a prop rapier, and fired blasts of light standing in for spells. The crowd's really getting into it! she smiled as she watched the audience cheer for the Snivy battling the Hydreigon puppet. But I have to hand it to Ruby for planning the fight scenes!

In the theater, the audience roared as Sakura delivered the final blow to the Hydreigon puppet. But the cheers almost drowned out the orchestra's victorious song as a Jirachi puppet flew from the "dead" Hydreigon's body, creating stars in the night sky set. "Jirachi! Jirachi has returned!" a Fletchling playing a herald cried as the Jirachi puppet soared overhead. "Arceus bless the one who has released Jirachi!"

"While there was rejoicing for Jirachi's return, there was still great sorrow at the palace, and the king knew that two more of his daughters were still in danger." Brenna was quick to calm the audience down. "Our heroes returned to Kitsune's cave to learn what to do next."

The lights came back up on the crystal cave set from before. Ruby, Rio, and Sakura listened as Charlotte greeted them. "Milady, I have returned victorious!" Sakura smiled.

"That you have, for the stars above herald Jirachi's safe return." Charlotte smiles. "But Solgaleo, Lunala, and two more princesses remain."

Rio nodded. "I will save the silver one, milady. Tell me what to do."

"You are correct that Princess Ariana is in danger." Charlotte told Rio over some mystical music. "Unless her father, the king, gives her to the six-headed Hydreigon, the monster will come and eat half the kingdom, half the castle, and half the shining stones. He also holds Lunala captive, and the hero that slays him will release her."

"Here is work for me!" Rio smiled, holding his prop sword high to some giggles and "aw"s at his heroic pose before the lights went down for the intermission...

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 6: The First Show (part 3)

As the lights came up in the theater for intermission, Sakura met Lita in the wings. "How did I do for my fight scene?"

"You did very well." Lita smiled. "I tried to come up with challenges that fit you and your character's abilities for your set--both Rio's and Ruby's sets have challenges to suit their abilities, too."

"I can't wait to see my set in a few minutes!" Rio smiled.

"How am I doing playing Kitsune?" Charlotte asked as she approached Lita, her costume Delphox ears in her paws.

"You're doing great." Lita replied. "Remember that while she is a divine Pokemon, she is also playful. Try to keep both sides of her personality in balance."

"Right." Charlotte nodded before putting her costume ears back on and hurrying into position for Act 2...

---------

As the orchestra finished the overture for Act 2, a spotlight appeared on Brenna's nook. "Irvine rode to the rock on the shore and released Princess Ariana. He told her who he was, and kept watch for the six-headed Hydreigon." she narrated.

The audience gasped in fear and awe as Rio stared down a six headed Hydreigon puppet while a normal Vulpix playing Princess Ariana shuddered in a hidden nook on the set.

After a few tense moments, the lead puppeteer repeated the same Low Galarian song.

Boladh mé rud éigin go maith!
Beidh mé ag titim air agus a dhéanamh cothrom air!
Feicfidh mé pioc a chnámha agus deoch a chuid fola!


Rio drew his prop sword in defiance. "Stop boasting! You will have time enough to boast after you fight!"

"Oh, you want to fight, do you?" the Hydreigon puppet's shot back. "Very well! Blow then with your sweet breath, blow out a long level platform of silver, where we can meet and battle."

"No--you blow instead, and let it be a platform of steel." Rio retorted.

As if in response to Rio's request, the Hydreigon puppet blew, revealing a steel platform at the top of another temple set filled with ropes and spring platforms.

Lita watched as Rio quickly swung and bounced his way to the top of the set, then engaged the Hydreigon puppet in a mock sword fight. Building Rio's set was the hardest one--but he's pretty agile, so I knew he could handle this challenge!

Cheers from the audience snapped her to attention as a beautiful Lunala puppet flew majestically across the top of the stage, signalling Rio's character's victory. Now only Ruby's scene is left... Lita thought with a smile.

---------

"The king was awakened by the sound and looked out the castle window." Brenna narrated over the orchestra's victory theme. "When he saw Lunala had returned to her place in the sky, his eyes overflowed with tears of both sadness and joy--happiness that Lunala had returned and Princess Ariana was safe, and tears that his youngest, Princess Christina, was still in danger."

She went on "When the heroes heard of the king's grief, Eliana stepped forward and said..."

"This last battle is for me!" Ruby proclaimed from a spotlight, striking a heroic pose all the while.

Even Lita couldn't help smiling at the dialogue playing out on stage. Oh Ruby...even when we were little, you were always wanting to play the hero. Now that we have started our own little troupe of actors, you can play all the heroes you want. Just remember to let everyone else shine, too...

"Let the night come! I am ready for the monster!" Ruby vowed, to some laughter from the audience at her heroic pose.

Lita watched as Ruby used her archery skill to create a stairwell up to where the Alolan Vulpix playing Princess Christina was hidden. Thank Arceus those drop platforms worked! We had so much trouble getting them to drop in rehearsal!

Onstage, Ruby called to the Alolan Vulpix "Wait for me behind the rock!"

"Be careful!" the Alolan Vulpix called as Ruby defiantly stared down a nine headed Hydreigon puppet.

After a few tense moments, the lead puppeteer repeated the same Low Galarian song.

Boladh mé rud éigin go maith!
Beidh mé ag titim air agus a dhéanamh cothrom air!
Feicfidh mé pioc a chnámha agus deoch a chuid fola!


"Stop boasting! You will have time enough to boast after you fight!" Ruby called.

"Oh, you want to fight, do you?" the Hydreigon puppet asked. "Very well! Then blow out a long level platform of sunshine gold. There we can meet in battle!"

"No! You blow." Ruby replied. "Instead of sunshine gold, we will have a platform of moonlight silver."

"So the monster blew, and on the silver platform Eliana met him in battle." Brenna narrated as Ruby nocked a prop arrow, training her eye on the first of the six prop targets she had to hit.

The crowd cheered as the "battle" raged onstage. Nice work! Lita smiled as Ruby easily hit the first target. Remember that you don't have to hit the targets in a specific order--just so long as you manage to hit the one on its chest last!

She held her breath as Ruby fired the shot intended for the chest target. I know you can do this--we did well in rehearsal!

A triumphant stinger and the stage brightening as a majestic Solgaleo puppet roared in triumph signaled that Ruby's character had won...

---------

"Okay, everyone--Trista's review of our play was printed!" Lita called a few days later, prompting the group, all the other actors, and the crew to crowd around the table in a conference room.

"What did she have to say?" Charlotte was intrigued.

"Fledgling troupe of actors show great promise in debut play." Lita read the headline.

Tears of happiness welled up in her eyes as she looked out on her friends and the many others that had brought the show to life. "Everyone...let me just say thank you for your hard work, and for making overnight a success. Can I trust all of you to continue giving your best for a good show...no matter what happens, and no matter where we may perform?"

"I'm here all the way!" Ruby smiled.

"Me too!" Charlotte agreed.

"I'll go with you all the way to Luminous City...and beyond!" Rio smiled.

"The more good shows we perform here, the more likely we will be invited to perform elsewhere." Lita reminded the excited Pokemon as she found a knife to cut the beautiful sparkling cake congratulating the group. "But for today, let's celebrate!"

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

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Interlude: The Next Show


"Our official badge from the Performer's Guild is here!" Ruby smiled as she set the mail down on Lita's kitchen table a few weeks later. "Thanks to our successful performance of 'How Solgaleo, Lunala, and Jirachi Were Saved', we've already earned the Iron Rank." She showed Lita a dull gray star badge to prove her point.

"Nice..." Lita smiled. "So, what's next?"

"If we perform four more plays, we reach Bronze." Ruby replied, pleased with herself.

"No, no, no...I meant what's next in our journey as a troupe." Lita sighed.

"It would be best if we built up some fame in our hometown first..." Ruby went on. "But if and when we are invited elsewhere to perform, Amber Town is the closest place from here."

Lita unrolled a map of the region on the table. "We are right here..." she mused, putting in a tack at Harmony Town's location at the west end of the region. "Amber Town is just a few miles away, to the east..." She stuck another pin where Amber Town was on the map. "and Luminous City is all the way over here on the eastern coast." She stuck a sparkling gold pin where Luminous City was to designate the city as their goal.

Ruby noticed the long distance between the two pins. "We've got a long way to go if we want to reach Luminous City..."

"It's not as intimidating as it looks once you mark where the other cities and towns are on the map." Lita explained.

She began marking more cities, towns, and landmarks as she continued "From Amber Town, we continue eastward into Jade City, then through the Jade Forest to reach Silver Town. Then once we pass through Mt. Lune, we reach Sapphire Cove."

"They say Lugia sleeps on Mt. Lune..." Ruby remembered. "The Legendaries love a good play as much as normal Pokemon do."

"There's also Mt. Citron, Mt. Rubin, and Mt. Saphir, which surround Mt. Lune." Lita explained as she marked three more mountains. "If you take the Steel Pass in Silver Town instead of the Lunar Path to Sapphire Cove, you can hit all three of the Jeweled Mountains and Mt. Lune. Granted, it's a longer route, but if the Legendaries are big drama fans, it'll be worth the trip."

Ruby thought for a minute. "I wonder what kinds of plays the guardian birds and Lugia like, anyway?"

"No prizes what we perform for Moltres." Lita smiled. "I'm sure she enjoys hearing people tell of all the heroes she helped..."

"Lugia probably would want a play having to do with unity, or coming together to solve a problem." Ruby mused. "But what would Zapdos and Articuno like?"

"We can think about that when we do hit the road--or ask the others when we get together to discuss our next show." Lita assured her friend.

"Speaking of which...what sort of play do you think we should do next?" Ruby wondered. "We know we don't want to do tragedies. Like you said when we started this project, the only tears here are tears of laughter, and tears of joy."

"Mayor Erin always says to dream big..." Lita mused as she abandoned her map and started pacing the floor. "That said, we don't want to dream too big for what we are capable of doing..."

"Something with more speaking roles?" Ruby suggested. "Some members of our troupe suggested that."

"Let me go get my books of mythology and folktales..." With that, Lita hurried to her room...

---------

Lita returned with a variety of books some minutes later. "Now then...which of all these stories would make a good play, or already exist as a play?"

"Preferably something a small troupe can easily do." Ruby agreed as she found some paper to write down play ideas.

"Once we have enough ideas, we can present these to everyone tomorrow." Lita agreed as she opened up the first book to the table of contents. "Nothing overly preachy, either."

"It's important to explore a theme or a lesson in the play, but audiences don't like being lectured." Ruby agreed.

Lita studied the table of contents. 'The Tower of Doom'?

"Too cliche..." Ruby sighed.

"Actually, this version is a variant on the 'magical relatives' tale type." Lita explained before looking at the table of contents again. "We probably want to avoid stories everybody knows..."

"If we HAVE to perform 'Cinderella', 'Snow White' and the like, pick a lesser known version." Ruby agreed.

"We can still do 'The Queen of the Lonely Island'..." Lita suggested.

"There's not too many roles in that tale...and since our troupe has grown a bit, let's try and give them all a chance to shine." Ruby smiled.

"'Brian of the Leppas?'" Lita suggested more story ideas. "'The Guardian Arcanine?'"

"We could more than do that one!" Ruby smiled. "But let's keep it in mind--someone else may have a better suggestion tomorrow!" She let that hang as she wrote the story title down...

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

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Act 7: The Amber Spotlight


A few weeks later, Lita smiled as she looked over the review for their latest successful play. We've amassed a lot of enthusiastic actors and crew, even if not all the plays were successful...

She looked over at the group's performer badge, which had now turned a bronze color. I hope we can venture out beyond Harmony Town soon...and show the world that we can make it all the way to Luminous City!

Some excited footsteps and a knock startled her from her thoughts. "Who is it?" she asked as she got up to see who was at the door.

"It's me, Ruby!" came a familiar voice from outside. "I've got some big news!"

Lita opened the door to find Ruby beaming as she clutched an envelope in her paws. "Hi, Ruby...what's the big news?" she asked as she gently escorted the excited Scorbunny inside.

"We got an invite from the Grandview Theater--Amber Town's theater." Ruby explained as she showed Lita the envelope with a slightly orange tinge.

After carefully opening the envelope, Ruby read the letter inside. "Dear Ruby, we've heard a lot of exciting things about your newfound troupe. We wish to personally invite you to this year's Rising Star Festival. The Rising Star Festival is a week long showcase of up and coming troupes, as well as new material from established troupes. Each up and coming troupe is paired with an established troupe as a mentor, who will help you make your next productions stand out, and make your existing productions even better..."

"Is there a schedule of events, or who our mentor troupe will be?" Lita wondered.

Ruby read further down the page. "It says that we will be paired with the Aurora Players of the Apollo Theater of Port Sunset. It also says that we need to have a week's worth of plays prepared for the festival--six to be revised, reworked, and performed; and our best one to perform on the final day of the festival. We'll also get to see the Aurora Players perform a few times."

"I don't think I've seen the Aurora Players perform before...what are they like?" Lita asked.

"They mainly specialize in musicals, but they do straight plays too." Ruby replied as she folded up the letter and put it back in the envelope. "Their recent work includes 'The Rescue of Miranda', 'The Demon Head', and 'The Adventures of Daniel the Daring."

"Those sound exciting!" Lita smiled. "But which one of our plays are we going to do? Out of our successful ones, anyway."

"We've done sixteen plays so far, and of those, ten were successful--hence the Bronze ranking of our badge." Ruby explained. "We can leave the bad and the okay plays at home--we want to put forth our best work to the Aurora Players."

Lita thought for a moment. "We could do 'The Weaver's Son', 'The Legend of Destrian'..."

"'The Tale of Moltres..." Ruby suggested. 'Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow' should make them laugh."

"'Fire, Ice, and Lightning' for sure..." Lita suggested. "'The Hero's Sword'...and 'The Faithful Fair One'. That should be a week's worth of shows."

"Perfect--I'll go send a letter back informing the festival committee we'll be there." Ruby smiled. "Then, we'll tell everyone else what to expect."

---------

The way to Amber Town from Harmony Town was not far. For the most part, it didn't look any different from Harmony Town, save for the orange roofs on the houses. However, theatrical troupes from all across the Jeweled Continent had converged on this unassuming orange-tinged town for the Rising Star Festival. "Wow..." Brenna gasped as she saw hundreds of Pokemon lining up at the local theater at the east side of town. "I've been to Amber Town's theater many times, but I've never seen the Grandview like this before..."

"A lot of really good and up and coming troupes are here." Lita reminded Brenna. "So let's try to make a good first impression."

"Yeah--you never know who you might be asked to work with on your way to the top." Ruby agreed as the group got in line. "So it's a good idea to be kind."

"What's the schedule like for today?" Lita asked, changing the subject.

"After we check in, we'll watch the Aurora Players perform 'The Rescue of Miranda'." Ruby explained. "Then after the show, we'll get to meet them, and talk about what we saw--what worked, what didn't, and how we can use what they did to improve ourselves."

"How exciting!" Charlotte smiled. "They say that any performance by the Aurora Players is not to be missed!"

"The line's moving at a good clip, so we should get some decent seats for the show." Shimmer reported.

"I've always wondered why this place is called the Grandview...." Rio mused as the line inched closer and closer to the ticket booth.

"The place has a great view of Mt. Citron, Mt. Rubin, Mt. Saphir, and Mt. Lune from the main lobby. "So if you get here early in the morning, you get a grand view of the four mountains at sunrise." Ruby smiled. "Hence the name Grandview."

"I see." Rio smiled as the group approached the ticket booth.

---------

The Grandview's elegant main lobby bustled with activity as both visiting troupes and spectators arrived to watch the Aurora Players perform. Lita was off by the east lounge, admiring the view of the forests and mountains in the distance from a window. The one with a gold glow must be Mt. Citron... she thought as she spotted one peak that appeared to glow a soft gold in the fading sun. The one that looks bright red must be Mt. Rubin...and the one capped with snow is probably Mt. Saphir. The sparkling silvery one in the center of it all has to be Mt. Lune.

"Lita! Come on!" she heard Ruby call over the excited chaos. "The show's gonna start soon!"

"Coming!" Lita called as she darted through the crowds to find her troupe mates. Soon...we're gonna climb those mountains, and show Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, and Lugia our skills!

To Be Continued...
 
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EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 8: Learning From a Mentor's Show (part 1)


The lights flashed a five minute warning before a Servine wearing an elegant green scarf arrived on the stage to some applause. "Good evening, all, and welcome to this year's Rising Star Festival. In addition to the best in up and coming talent, we also have exciting new material from established troupes to showcase this week."

She went on "As a courtesy to the actors, please refrain from talking during the performance, and hold your applause until musical numbers are complete. If you need to leave the theater for any reason, inform an usher and they will direct you to the closest exit."

In the audience, Ruby smiled as the Servine introduced the play the group was about to see. "This is so exciting!" she whispered. "I wonder what we can learn from the Aurora Players?"

"For one thing, they've done this for a while--particularly musicals." Shimmer whispered. "So if we want to do a musical down the road, it would be wise to watch them, and see what works and what does not." She let that hang as the Servine departed the stage to the audience's applause.

After a few tense moments, the orchestra started a majestic melody that evoked exotic lands, larger than life characters, and high adventure. But once the brass section's heroic motif gave way to the strings and the occasional flute, a Dewott in an elegant costume began narrating from a nook at stage right. "Once upon a time, there was once a beautiful island where there lived the most beautiful princess in the world, named Miranda. She had lived there ever since she was born, and ruled over the island with a wise and gentle hand. Nobody knew who her parents were, or how she had come to the island. But she was not alone; as she had twelve beautiful maidens who had grown up with her on the island that served as her ladies-in-waiting. But a few strangers had visited the island, and spoken of Princess Miranda's great beauty; and many more came after that, became her subjects, and built a magnificent city, in which she had a splendid palace of white marble to live in."

With that, the curtains opened to reveal a majestic bedroom set. "She was cared for by her twelve companions, who were almost as charming as their mistress, and fiercely loyal to her. Rumors of Princess Miranda's beauty and kindness spread far and wide. People came to see her from all over the world, so that it was soon no longer a desert island, but a magnificent kingdom." the Dewott went on.

The Dewott's spotlight blinked off as an entourage of Eeveelutions filed onto the stage, singing to a dozing Sylveon in a bed. Lady, by your kindly hand,
Which ever waits on love's behest;
they sang.

By your voice of sweet command,
That bids us in your presence rest.
You hold in fee your servants' love,
And rank with spirits blest above.
You quit the city's din and heat,
And let us in your smile rejoice;
You call us willing to your feet.
To listen to our lady's voice;
Then let us loudly celebrate
Your dignity and queenly state.
And though upon our charmed sight
The fairest visions soft may fall;
Your grace, your wit, your beauty bright.
Will blur them and outshine them all.
To laud another should we seek,
Our tongues your praise alone would speak.


The Sylveon woke up from her feigned sleep to see the Vaporeons, Jolteons, Flareons, Espeons, Glaceons, and Leafeons, along with a few Eevees, bowing before her. "Rise, everyone--good morning." she smiled as an Espeon gently levitated her from the bed to the ground.

"The set must've taken forever to build..." Brenna gasped as the Eeveelutions went about their characters' daily routines on the stage, all expertly timed to the orchestra's relaxed melody.

"Maybe we could ask about it later?" Lita whispered back, aware of the orchestra's song turning foreboding.

"Now it happened that the Nightmare Pokemon, Darkrai, who lived far beneath the earth in the realm of darkness, was a great admirer of beauty." the Dewott intoned over the ominous music as the lights came up on a Darkrai puppet admiring something in a crystal ball. "One day, he decided to see what the beings on the surface were doing. By the help of his powerful eyes that saw everything, he was able to observe all the kings and queens, princes and princesses, gentlemen and ladies, all going about their daily routines. As he was looking his eye spotted a beautiful island, where, bright as many stars, stood twelve maidens; while in their midst, upon a couch of Swanna down, slept a young princess lovely as the dawn."

Unruly emotions become a maelstrom
Sorrow thus becomes a monster...
the puppet sang as it spied on the Sylveon and her Eeveelution entourage.

What lies in your heart, princess?
What do your twinkling eyes seek?
I see that you dream of a hero,
Clad in glittering crystal...
Riding the steed of legend
As the gold phoenix goes on before!

But I will make sure he never arrives,
His prism blade will be shattered!
I will take you as my own, princess!
Your hero's life never mattered!


"Boo"s and fearful murmurs filled the theater as the Darkrai puppet disappeared and the lights went down. Lita shuddered as utter chaos erupted on the palace set. As she watched the Darkrai puppet "defeat" a vast army of Eeveelutions, she couldn't help but be amazed at the sheer amount of practice the epic battle scene had to have taken. I hope we can become a troupe great enough to stage epic battles like that... she thought as the orchestra started a sad melody...

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

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Act 9: Learning From a Mentor's Show (part 2)


"Days grew into weeks, and weeks grew into months, and still Princess Miranda's kingdom looked like one large bedchamber." the Dewott explained over the orchestra. "The people snored in the streets, the brave army lying in the fields slept soundly, hidden in the long grass under the shadow of nettle, wormwood, and thistle, rust and dust marring the brightness of their armor."

The lights came back up on the set of the bedroom from before. The Eeveelutions were now sprawled in various places on the stage, "asleep". "Inside the palace everything was the same." the Dewott went on. "The twelve maids of honor lay motionless. Princess Miranda alone kept watch, silent amid this reign of sleep."

Just then, an Altaria puppet in one of the set's windows got the Sylveon's attention. Floating cloudlet soft and white,
Pilgrim of the sky, I pray you for one moment, light,
On me your pitying eye.
she sang over a sad melody.

Where my love is, can you tell?
Thinks he of me ill or well?


"I know not," the Altaria puppet replied. "Ask Suicune."

Then the Sylveon spotted a majestic Suicune puppet playing among the background of wildflowers, and sang again. Mighty warrior of wind and frozen rain,
Look not lightly on my pain;
Kindly lift me from despair,
Help me freedom to regain.
Where my love is, can you tell?
Thinks he of me ill or well?


"Ask Jirachi," the Suicune puppet replied. "He knows more than I".

As the scene in the window turned to night, the Sylveon spotted a Jirachi puppet dancing among the twinkling stars. She sang again, this time to a softer tune:

Little Wish-maker, Arceus' light on high,
Look down and see;
Behold me weep and hear me sigh,
Then help and pity me.
Where my love is, can you tell?
Thinks he of me ill or well?


"You will learn more from Lugia," the Jirachi puppet replied. "He lives nearer the earth than I, and sees everything that goes on there."

The Sylveon puppet nodded, then turned her attention to the window again.

Just when a majestic Lugia puppet passed by, the Sylveon sang again:

Silver Guardian, radiant Lugia,
Your watch over Jirachi pray leave,
Throw your soft glance o'er the earth ere I swoon,
Overcome by my sorrows I weep and I grieve.
I pine for my friend, oh ease my heart,
And say, am I loved?
In his thoughts have I a part?


"Princess," the Lugia puppet replied, "I know nothing of your friend. But wait a few hours, Ho'oh will have then begun her daily flight. She knows everything, and will surely be able to tell you."

The scene in the window started to brighten, as if evoking a sunrise. Awed gasps and applause filled the auditorium as a majestic Ho'oh puppet appeared in the window over a triumphant version of the Sylveon's song.

Soul of the World, deep fountain of life,
Eye of all-powerful Arceus,
Visit my prison, dark scene of sad strife,
Raise up my soul from the sod,
With hope that my friend whom I pine for and love
May come to my rescue.
Say, where does he rove?
the Sylveon sang again. This time, her song had a note of hope that the beautiful golden phoenix puppet had an answer for her.

"Sweet Miranda, dry the tears that roll down your sad and lovely face." the Ho'oh puppet assured the teary eyed Sylveon. "Let your troubled heart be at peace, for your friend the prince is even now on his way to rescue you. He has recovered the magic ring from the world of darkness, and many armies have assembled to follow him. He is now moving towards Darkrai's palace, and intends to punish him. But all this will be of no avail, and Darkrai will gain the victory, if the prince does not make use of other means which I am now on my way to give. Farewell; be brave, he whom you love will come to your aid and save you from Darkrai and his magic; happiness is in store for you both."

The lights went down, save for the Dewott and the three puppeteers making the Ho'oh puppet "fly". "Ho'oh then flew over a distant land, where a prince named Leo, mounted on a beautiful Rapidash and clad in crystal armor, assembled his forces to fight against the Nightmare Pokemon." the Dewott explained. "Three times he had dreamed of the beautiful princess locked up in the Sleeping Palace, for the fame of her loveliness had reached him, and he loved without having seen."

Just then, the Ho'oh puppet landed on a tree before a crowd of hundred of Eeveelutions, led by a Flareon aboard a Rapidash puppet. "The Golden Phoenix!" the Flareon gasped. "What news do you have for me, milady?"

"Leave your army where it is," the Ho'oh puppet began. "It will not be of any use in fighting against Darkrai, he is immune against all weapons. The only way to rescue the princess is to kill him, and there is but one who can tell you how to do it, and that is the holy Delphox, wily Kitsune. I will show you how to find the Ponyta that will carry you to her. First take the road to the east, and walk on till you come to a wide plain: there, right in the middle of the plain, are three trees, and in the center of these, lying close to the ground, is an iron door with a silver handle. Behind the door is the shining Ponyta, also a sword that shines in all colors; both are necessary for the task you have to do. You will learn the rest afterwards. Farewell, and good luck."

The Flareon balked as the Ho'oh puppet "flew" offstage. Farewell, I am going on a journey
And leaving you all behind...
he sang to the gathered army.

But in order not to forget the memories we've made,
I shall carry on with this courage in my heart!


With that he heaved a ruby ring offstage, making the army disappear in fog and light. "And so, Prince Leo took the road to the east. After walking for eight days he reached a large plain, and all happened as Ho'oh had foretold." the Dewott narrated.

Excited whispers filled the auditorium as the Flareon whistled a familiar six note melody offstage. The whispers became cheers as a shining Ponyta puppet "ran" onstage.

"Prince Leo, my name is Epona--I have waited centuries for such a hero as you." the Ponyta began. "I stand ready to carry you and serve you faithfully. Mount me, and take hold of the rainbow sword that hangs at the pommel of the saddle. You yourself will not need to use it; give it your orders, and it will do the fighting itself. Tell me where you wish to go, and you will be there momentarily."

Lita smiled as the Flareon talked with the Ponyta puppet for a moment. This is starting to get good! Wonder how they'll pull off the Kitsune scene and the final battle?

To Be Continued
 

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 10: Learning From a Mentor's Show (part 3)


The group watched in awe as a team of five puppeteers made the shining Ponyta puppet "run" across the dark stage. "Epona capered, galloped, flew, and swam in the air higher than the highest forests but lower than the Altarias." the Dewott narrated over the orchestra's mysterious melody. "She crossed mountains, rivers, and precipices; she barely touched the blades of grass in passing over them, and went so lightly along the roads that she did not raise even one grain of dust."

The lights came up on a beautiful forest set, tinged to look like a sunset. "Towards sunset, Prince Leo found himself close to an immense forest, in the middle of which stood Kitsune's cave." the Dewott narrated as the Flareon approached an elaborate cave in the forest set.

After looking around in awe at the set and the flowers surrounding the cave, the Flareon waled up to the cave's entrance. Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...

Cheers filled the auditorium as the cave on the stage opened, revealing an entire other set of Kitsune's cave. "Oh my!" Even Charlotte was impressed at the jewels embedded in the walls, and the colorful cushions the Delphox playing Kitsune was meditating on.

"Kitsune?" the Flareon began, snapping the Delphox to attention.

The Delphox noticed the Flareon and smiled. "Welcome, Prince Leo! I know why you have come here, where no one ever enters."

"Kitsune, I come before you on a grand quest..." the Flareon explained as the Delphox seemingly conjured prop food, a bed, and prop drinks.

"With that, she prepared food and drink, made him a soft bed where he could sleep comfortably, and Prince Leo told her all his adventures and plans as they had dinner." the Dewott interjected from his nook as the Flareon and the Delphox pantomimed talking over their prop meal.

The lights blinked back to the cave. "Prince Leo, you have undertaken a very difficult task, but your courage will enable you to accomplish it successfully." the Delphox explained. "I will tell you how to kill Darkrai, for without that you can do nothing. In the very middle of the ocean lies the Island of Eternal Life. On this island is an oak tree, and at the foot of it, hidden in the earth, a coffer bound with iron. A Buneary is locked in this coffer, and under her sits a Ducklett whose body contains an egg. Within this egg is Darkrai's soul - if it is ever broken, he dies."

"Thank you, Kitsune--I will follow this advice." the Flareon smiled as the lights went down again.

The team of five puppeteers made the shining Ponyta puppet "run" across the dark stage again. "The next morning, Prince Leo thanked Kitsune, mounted Epona, and rode across the land with the swiftness of an arrow." the Dewott narrated. "Leaving the forest and its enormous trees behind, they soon reached the shores of the ocean. In the distance stood the rocks of the Island of Eternal Life, but there seemed no way of reaching it."

The lights came up on the Flareon looking out at something, deep in thought. "What is the matter, Prince Leo? Is something bothering you?" the Ponyta puppet asked.

"How can I help grieving when I can go no further?" the Flareon sighed. "How can we cross the sea?"

"Get on my back, milord, I will be your bridge; only hold on tight". the Ponyta puppet assured the Flareon.

"Wait a second...isn't the hero supposed to save a Goldeen first?" Shimmer asked as the puppeteers made the Ponyta puppet elegantly "swim" through the air.

"Maybe that was cut for time, or turned into something else." Ruby suggested as the lights camp on a set of a twilit island.

"The sun was about to set when he dismounted on the Island of Eternal Life." the Dewott narrated. "He first took off Epona's harness, and leaving her to graze on the green grass, hurried to the top of a distant hill, where he could see a large tree."

Some awkward giggles went up as the Flareon approached the prop tree. After taking a few steps back, he ran towards it, grabbed the tree with both hands, and lifted it it over his head, to some cheers."

"Wow!" Brenna gasped as the Flareon heaved aside the prop tree.

"That had to be heavy." Lita agreed as the Flareon went through the steps to acquire the egg...only for some "Oh"s as he tripped, fell and dropped the egg in the "water".

After a few tense seconds, a Goldeen puppet emerged from the water to cheers. "There's your Goldeen." Lita smiled at Shimmer over the orchestra's triumphant melody.

"I can't wait to see the final battle!" Ruby smiled as the lights went down...

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 11: Learning from a Mentor's Show (part 4)


More excited murmurs filled the auditorium as the puppeteers made the Epona puppet "run" again. "Prince Leo took the egg, mounted Epona, and crossing the sea with his heart full of hope, journeyed towards the island where Princess Miranda kept watch over her sleeping subjects in the Enchanted Palace." the Dewott narrated.

The lights came up on the set of a castle exterior, complete with a massive twelve headed Hydreigon puppet. "Whoa..." Lita gasped.

"I can only imagine how many puppeteers you need to perform something that big..." Ruby agreed as she watched the magical rainbow sword batter the Hydreigon in showers of color.

"Maybe we can ask the actors once the show is over." Shimmer smiled, oblivious to the audience's cheers as the Hydreigon was defeated, allowing the Flareon inside the huge castle set.

The Sylveon smiled as the Flareon arrived in her room. "Milord, I rejoiced to see your victory over the Hydreigon. There is yet a more terrible foe to conquer, and he is my captor, the cruel Darkrai. Beware of him, for if he should kill you, I will throw myself out of the window onto the rocks below."

The audience gasped in horror at this, but the Flaeron calmly passed an egg from paw to paw. "Be comforted, milady: for in this egg I hold the life or death of Darkrai."

The orchestra struck up an exciting melody as the Flareon sang to the rainbow sword. Something I want to protect, something I can't give up,
I want to see, this world at peace...
he sang.

Onward, my rainbow sword; strike your very best,
and rid the earth of this wicked spirit!


"Go, Rainbow Sword!" Lita cheered as the sword started battling the Darkrai puppet in flashes of rainbow colors.

"You can do it!" Ruby was equally excited as the battle raged on the stage.

After a few tense moments, the Darkrai puppet dragged itself to the window, where it saw the Flareon. "Ah, wretch! it is you, is it, who torments me!"

The puppet prepared to heave a huge poisonous breath, but the audience watched as the Flareon smashed the egg on the stage, "killing" the puppet.

Lita's cheers were the loudest as the Dewott narrated As the evil spirit breathed his last, the spell was broken, and the sleeping islanders awoke. The army, once more awakened, advanced with a victory cadence to the palace, and everything returned to the way it was meant to be."

"Aw"s filled the theater as the Sylveon embraced the Flareon. "As soon as Princess Miranda was freed from her prison, she held out her hand to her deliverer, and thanking him profusely, led him to the throne and placed him at her side." the Dewott went on as the Sylveon did this. "The twelve maids of honor, having chosen young and brave warriors, arranged themselves with their lovers around the queen."

Once all the Eeveelution couples were in place, a Braxien in the role of a priestess arrived. "Then the doors were opened, and the priestess and her apprentices entered, bearing a golden tray of wedding rings." the Dewott went on as the lights went down over the pantomime wedding. "A massive wedding was held, and the lovers united before their friends, their adopted families, and most importantly, before Arceus."

He concluded "After the wedding there were feasting and music and dancing for six months, at least, and as far as I know, they are still celebrating today!"

"Bravo!" Lita cheered as the lights came up for the curtain call.

"THAT was amazing!" Rio raved as the puppeteers led off the bows. "I wonder how long it took to rehearse the fight scenes?"

"The Aurora Players are very good at what they do." Ruby replied. "Once the curtain call is over, we'll get a chance to ask the actors firsthand!"

"Then tomorrow, we get to perform one of our plays for them." Lita reminded the group as the cast took one last bow together. "Don't forget!"

"Which play are we doing for them?" Sakura asked as the audience got up to leave.

"We're doing 'The Weaver's Son' tomorrow." Lita replied as the group made their way out of the theater and towards a meeting room. "I'll give everyone their instructions once we get back from the Q and A session."

---------

"Welcome, Moonlight Players..." the Sylveon smiled as the group arrived to meet with the Sylveon, the Flareon, and the Dewott. "My name is Irida...I've been performing with the Aurora Players for seven years now."

"I'm Aidan, one of the main heroic actors of the Aurora Players." the Flareon began.

"...and I'm Kaitou, and I mainly narrate and play comic roles." the Dewott smiled. "Thank you for being part of a great audience."

"What do you guys want to know about what we just performed?" Irida asked the group. "Or about what happens behind the scenes?"

"How long does it take to rehearse a fight scene?" Rio asked.

"It depends on the complexity of the fight, and the number of actors and puppeteers involved." Kaitou explained. "The large scale fights you saw take about two weeks to rehearse--first each individual pair rehearses their part of the fight, then we practice it together. We have certified combat trainers working with us to be sure the fight looks real to the audience, and we can do it safely."

"With puppeteers, fights become a bit harder, because they have to coordinate their movements to have the puppet react realistically in the fight." Aidan agreed.

"How long did it take to build the palace set?" Brenna asked.

"That took about three weeks to build, from initial concept to finished set." Aidan explained. "But that's not even the most complex palace set we've ever built. That honor goes to Keira's palace for the finale of 'The Nine Talonflames'.".

"To be fair, that is one our longer plays..." Irida grinned.

"How do you write the songs for your musicals?" Ruby asked.

"Above all, don't tell your audience something, then have a song about it." Irida explained. "Many times, a song can be more effective than dialogue at conveying a character's emotions..."

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 12: The Weaver's Son (part 1)


"Good morning, Moonlight Players!" Irida smiled as the group arrived in the main theater. "Now that we have performed for you, now we want to see you perform one of your plays."

"When you're done, we'll tell you what we liked, what we thought you could do better, and what you might consider tweaking to make this play even better." Kaitou went on. "If you need time to prepare, one of you can introduce the play while the others get ready."

Lita nodded as the others scrambled backstage. "We are going to perform a version of the tale 'The Weaver's Son'--with some stronger female characters."

"A nice choice--I've always wondered what that story would look like with stronger girls." Aidan smiled.

"I have a role in this play, so you'll find out shortly!" With that, Lita hurried to join her troupe mates in changing into costume...

---------

"...When he heard how his three sisters had chosen to go with three strangers for their weight in gold, silver, and jewels, he made a vow not to sleep three nights in one house until he found his sisters." Brenna narrated. "Brendan set out early the next morning, and walked on till he was tired and hungry. He sat down to eat the bread that his mother had given him, when a mysterious Pokemon came up and asked him for something to eat."

The lights came up on a Charmander on the set of a fantasy roadside, "eating" a piece of prop bread. "Spare a little bread for a traveler, young man?" a male Pikachu asked as it stepped into the scene.

"Please, sit down, good sir--I have more than enough to share." the Charmander smiled.

"What leads you down this road?" the male Pikachu asked. "Are you seeking your fortune, or something else?"

"I'm seeking my three sisters, good sir. A few years ago, they each chose to go with three strangers in exchange for their weight in gold, silver, and jewels. I have not heard from them in all this time, and so I want to find them, and see if they are happy and well."

A harp riff filled the air as the male Pikachu seemed to disappear in a flash of light, revealing a beautiful Arceus puppet in the male Pikachu's place. "Fear not, young one." the puppet assured the Charmander feigning shock before it. "For showing kindness to the least of these; and the purest love to your family; I want to help you."

"H-how?" the Charmander stammered.

"There may not be much use in your going, but here are three things that will serve you well,—the Celestial Blade, the Cloth of Plenty, and the Cloak of Shrouds." the Arceus puppet explained, conjuring a prop sword, a prop tablecloth, and a navy blue cloak before the Charmander. "No one--not even a demon--can kill you while you wield the Celestial Blade; and whenever you are hungry or thirsty, all you have to do is to spread the cloth and sing to it in the magical tongue, and any food or drink you want will be there before you. When you put on the Cloak of Shrouds, there won't be a living thing in the world that can see you, and you can go to whatever place you wish if you wrap yourself in it and wish yourself there."

"Th-thank you, milord." the Charmander stammered. "I promise to use these holy gifts wisely and well."

"So Arceus left for the heavens, and Brendan traveled onward with his three holy gifts." Brenna narrated as the lights went down. "His road led him to another world far beneath the ground. When he arrived in the other world, he put on the Cloak of Shrouds and warped away like a blast of wind, and never stopped until he saw a castle in the distance."

The lights came up on the Charmander approaching a gate on a castle courtyard set. After waiting a few tense moments, Sakura met the Charmander. "Do you have business here, traveler?"

"Will you go in and tell my sister, the lady of this castle, to come out to me?" the Charmander asked.

"Right away." With that, Sakura hurried offstage, prompting the gate to open.

A Torchic arrived some moments later, to a triumphant fanfare. "Brendan!" she gasped in character.

"Fiona!" The Charmander ran to hug the Torchic, to some "aw"s.

"Why are you here, and what did you come for?" the Torchic asked.

"I have come here to find my three sisters, who chose to go with three strangers for their weight in gold, silver, and jewels; and I know in my heart you are my eldest sister." the Charmander explained.

"Well, don't marvel at anything you see in here." the Torchic cautioned. "My husband is Virizion, the Sword of Wisdom. I see him only at night. He goes off every morning, is away all day, and comes home in the evening."

"Eventually the sun went down; and while they were visiting, Virizion arrived." Brenna narrated.

The lights came up on a room in the castle at night, just as a majestic Virizion puppet arrived. "Who is this that's with you?" the puppet asked the Torchic.

"This my brother, who has come from afar to see me." the Torchic replied, prompting the Charmander to wave hello.

"Then he is welcome here--any family and friends of yours are mine as well." the Virizion puppet smiled. "Will you stay a few days in my castle? You are welcome."

"Nothing would please me better, but I have made a vow never to sleep three nights in one house till I have found my three sisters." the Charmander replied.

"Well, since you must go in the morning, here is something for you."

After conjuring a prop emerald, the Virizion puppet told the Charmander "Keep this; and whenever you are in trouble, take it out, and sing the song 'Seios, higarima laisido'--I will hear it and come help you."

"Thank you, Sir Vizirion--I will use this gift wisely and well." the Charmander replied before the lights went down...

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 13: The Weaver's Son (part 2)


"Brendan said goodbye to Fiona, put on the Cloak of Shrouds, and disappeared." Brenna narrated over the orchestra. "He would travel until he was hungry and tired, then stop to rest. After he had eaten and drank his fill from the Cloth of Plenty, he would sleep in the open. He was not afraid, for Arceus watched over him."

She went on "In the morning he folded up the cloth, put on the Cloak of Shrouds, and went ahead, passing every wind that was before him, and leaving every wind that was behind. About an hour before sunset he saw the castle where his middle sister Darina lived."

The lights came up on the Charmander approaching a more rock themed gate. "Get away from that gate, or you'll be killed." a Chikorita pleaded as she met the Charmander onstage.

"I won't leave here till my sister Darina comes out and speaks to me." the Charmander replied.

"Right away!" the Chikorita replied before hurrying offstage.

Ruby met the Chamander on the stage moments later. "When she heard his story and his father's name, she knew in her heart that he was her brother, and said..." Brenna interjected as the Charmander and Ruby pantomimed a conversation.

"Come into the castle, but think nothing of what you'll see or hear." Ruby cautioned. "I don't see my husband from morning till night. He goes and comes as he pleases, for he is the Sword of Power, Terrakion."

"About sunset, Terrakion arrived, and saw Brendan with Darina." Brenna narrated as a Terrakion puppet arrived onstage.

"Who is that with you?" the Terrakion puppet asked. "I thought you would let no one into the castle while I was away."

"This is my brother, who has come to see me." Ruby explained, prompting the Charmander to wave hello.

"If he's your brother, he's welcome." the Terrakion puppet smiled. "Please, stay here with us a while."

"I cannot--I made a vow never to sleep three nights in one house till I had seen my three sisters." the Charmander replied. "I must go on now and find my third sister."

The Terrakion puppet dropped a prop sapphire in the Charmander's hands. "If any difficulty meets you, or danger approaches, sing the song 'Rou iitsa ron selga vichii' and I will come and help you."

"Aw"s went up as the Charmander and the Terrakion puppet hugged. "Brendan put on the Cloak of Shrouds, and away he went, more swiftly than any wind." Brenna went on as the lights went down. Before long, he saw the castle where his third sister Mairin lived."

The lights came up on a castle set with a water theme. "Mairin took her brother in just as Fiona and Darina had done, telling him not to wonder at anything he saw." Brenna explained as a Litten pantomimed talking to the Charmander. "She explained she had married the Sword of Courage, Cobalion.

Just then, a beautiful Cobalion puppet ran into the scene. "They had just gotten inside when Cobalion arrived home." Brenna narrated.

"Who is that stranger there with you?" the Cobalion puppet asked.

"This is my brother, who has come to see me." the Litten replied.

The Cobalion puppet smiled, and dropped a prop ruby in the Charmander's hands. "Keep this; it is a gift from me. If you are ever in danger and need help, sing the song 'Karuto, iichiida shou', and I will come help you."

"Later, Brendan went upstairs with Mairin to look around, and to look at the sea." Brenna narrates as the Charmander and the Litten emerged into the set of an upstairs room.

The Charmander noticed a castle on a great white hill in the distance. "I wonder who lives in that castle..." he mused.

"In that castle on the white hill lives a giant." the Litten explained. "He kidnapped the most beautiful lady in the world. Many a hero, champion, adventurer, and prince have tried to rescue her from the giant and marry her; but the giant conquers them, cuts their heads off, and then eats their flesh. When he has picked the bones clean, he throws them out; and the whole place around the castle is white with the bones of the ones that the giant has eaten."

"Ew"s rippled through the audience, but the Charmander was unfazed. "I must go to that castle so I can kill the giant and save the fair lady."

The orchestra started an adventurous melody as the lights went down. "Brendan bid Mairin goodbye, put on the Cloak of Shrouds, took the Celestial Blade with him, and was soon inside the castle." Brenna narrated."

The lights came up on the Charmander arriving in a castle chamber. Lita, in the role of the princess, balked when she saw him. "Peace, I came to rescue you." the Charmander explained.

"What can you do against the giant?" Lita gasped. "No one has ever come to this castle without losing their lives. The giant kills every comer; and no one has ever come here so big that the giant did not eat him at one meal."

"Is there no way to kill him?" the Charmander asked.

"I think not." Lita sighed.

"Well, if you'll give me something to eat, I'll stay here." the Charmander offered. "when the giant comes in, I'll do my best to kill him. But don't let him know that I am here."

"Then he put on the Cloak of Shrouds, and no one could see him." Brenna narrated. "When the giant came, he had the bodies of two men on his back."

A loud thump got the audience's attention. "Neve! Please get these ready for dinner." a deep offstage voice requested.

"Of course!" Lita replied as she pantomimed cooking the prop meat before her.

After a few moments, the voice asked "Is someone here?"

"I don't think you do--I can't see anyone." Lita replied.

"Neither can I, but I smell something here." the voice mused

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!" the Charmander cried as he ran to engage a large sandbag standing in for the giant.

Lita couldn't help but smile as the Charmander "fought" the sandbag. Rory's really getting into the role of Brendan!

"Eventually, the battle was called off." Brenna narrated. "During the night, as servants tended to the giant's wounds, Neve came to Brendan."

Lita met Rory onstage in the set of a castle room some moments later "Don't be afraid--the giant believes no one in the world can kill him. He'll be good as new in the morning."

"Is there a way to kill him?" Rory asked.

"I don't know--but I'll find out in the morning, and tell you before your next battle tomorrow night." Lita smiled as the lights went down...

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 14: The Weaver's Son (part 3)


The lights came up on the set of a living room, where a sandbag standing in for the giant was "resting" on a couch. "Great one...how can I be sure that you will never die?" Lita asked as she arrived onstage.

"Have no fear for me--I'll put your mind at ease." a gentle deep male voice assured Lita from offstage. "In the bottom of the sea is a chest locked and bound. In that chest is a Ducklett, in the Ducklett an egg; and I never can be killed unless someone gets the egg from the Ducklett in the chest at the bottom of the sea, and smashes it on the ground."

"While the giant was telling this to Neve, who should be listening to the story but Brendan, hidden in the Cloak of Shrouds." Brenna narrated, prompting Rory, now wrapped in a long cloak, to wave hello from behind a closet. "The minute he heard of the chest in the sea, he remembered the gift Terrakion had given him."

After a few moments, the lights came up on the set of a beach. Once sure he was not being followed, Rory took out the prop sapphire from before. Rou iitsa ron selga vichii...

The audience gasped in awe as the prop sapphire glowed; making a sparkling blue fabric "wave" sweep across the stage. Thank Arceus that fabric wave worked like it should! Lita thought as she watched Rory inspect a chest onstage. We all knew cardboard would be too cheesy for this sort of audience, so Irida had a great suggestion to make the wave out of fabric!

Onstage, awkward giggles filled the auditorium as Rory gave up on trying to open the chest. Then, a thought occurred to him, spurring him to retrieve the prop emerald from before. Seios, higarima laisido...

The sound effect of Skiddo and Gogoat hooves filled the auditorium as the emerald glowed, prompting hundreds of Skiddo and Gogoat puppets to arrive onstage. "At that moment, millions of Gogoats and Skiddos came running to the seashore, and soon they battered the chest till it was almost a pile of splinters." Brenna narrated over the flurry of prop Razor Leaves, prop Leaf Blades, and puppets using Headbutt.

As soon as the chaos died down, a small Ducklett puppet fluttered out of the chest and offstage. Even Lita couldn't help laughing with the audience over Rory's expression of feigned shock.

Then Rory remembered the ruby from before. Karuto, iichiida shou...

The audience gasped in awe as Rory rose into the air! "Brendan gained the power to fly for a short time, and he had no problem retrieving the egg." Brenna narrated as Rory "flew" over to where the egg was resting on a prop cloud.

Cheers filled the auditorium as Rory touched down on the stage with the egg. It was a great idea to get training for flying ropes... Lita smiled as she got ready for the pivotal battle scene.

"He put the three magic jewels in his pocket, put on the Cloak of Shrouds, and returned to the castle on the white hill." Brenna narrated as the lights went down.

The orchestra struck up an exciting melody that evoked battle, spurring both Lita and Rory to charge forth against the "giant". Remember what the fight trainer said... Lita reminded herself as she jumped and slashed the targets on the "giant" meant for her. Getting the green target on the chest is Rory's cue to break the egg!

She suddenly noticed she had an opening for the target in question! "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!" she cried as she delivered the weakening blow...

---------

"Brendan took Neve to the castle of his sister Mairin. The next day, he went back for the treasures of the giant, and there was more gold and jewels in the castle than one Ponyta could carry." Brenna went on over a victorious melody.

The lights came up on Rory, Lita, the Litten, and the Cobalion puppet in the third castle. "My quest is over, the battle won." Rory explained. "Do you need this back?" he asked as he offered the Cobalion puppet the ruby.

"Oh no, it is yours!" the Cobalion puppet replied. "Keep it as a reminder of our friendship."

"The two went on till they came to Darina's castle, where they spent nine more days with her; and Brendan was told to keep the sapphire as a reminder of his friendship with Terrakion." Brenna narrated from her nook. "They spent fifteen days with Fiona, all of them filled with great feasting and enjoyment. Brendan tried to give back the emerald to the Gogoat but was told to keep it, as a reminder of their friendship. After saying goodbye to Fiona, Brendan set out for home with Neve, who had asked to be his bride, bringing presents from his sisters to their father and mother."

She continued "Finally, they crossed back into Rory's world, and went on to where he had met Arceus. Brendan spread the Cloth of Plenty, and wished for every good meat and drink, and also wished for Arceus to join them in their meal."

Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... came Rory's voice from the darkness.

Applause went up as the lights came up on Rory, Lita, and the Arceus puppet enjoying their picnic. "Milord, my quest is ended." Rory began. "Do you need these back?" Rory asked as he offered the Arceus puppet the cloak, the prop sword, and the tablecloth.

The Arceus puppet smiled. "You were kind to me--you gave me some of your bread when I asked for it, and told me where you were going. I knew you were brave, kind, and unselfish; for I knew you never could get what you wanted unless I helped you. Take the Celestial Blade, the Cloth of Plenty, and the Cloak of Shrouds--they are gifts from me, and when you have children of your own, pass them and the magic jewels down to them when they come of age."

"With that, they parted." Brenna concluded as the lights went down. "Brendan went home, built a castle with the giant's treasure, and lived happily with his parents and his wife, Neve, for many years."

Applause rang through the theater as the lights came up for the curtain call...

To Be Continued...
 
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EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 15: Heroes in Jade

"The festival was amazing!" Ruby raved as the Moonlight Players departed Amber Town a few days later. "I learned so much from all the troupes there!"

"That and we learned to make our own plays even better!" Lita smiled as she looked back behind her to see the throng of other Pokemon following them and the large wagon holding all their props, costumes, and supplies. They cheered when they saw their leader, prompting Lita to sigh happily. It's amazing...just a few weeks ago we finally built a theater, and now we've learned enough to take our act on the road--and maybe even perform for the Legendaries!

"They say that Shaymin lives deep within Jade Forest." Ruby's voice snapped Lita back to reality. "You'll know you found her grove if it's filled with all kinds of exotic and colorful flowers."

"Speaking of which, what sort of play would Shaymin like?" Lita wondered. "Something to do with flowers?"

"That's a safe bet." Ruby smiled before thinking about all the plays they knew how to perform. "For now, let's get ready for our performance in Jade City."

"Yes, lets." Lita smiled. "We'll worry about performing for Shaymin when we reach her grove."

---------

"...so please welcome the Moonlight Players, and their performance of 'The Brave Youngest Son'." the Grovyle emcee concluded. The Songbird Theater rang with applause as the Grovyle left the stage, allowing the orchestra to begin the play's overture.

After a few moments of playing a song that evoked high adventure, Brenna appeared in a nook at stage right. "There was once a king who caught a terrible disease. Many healers came from far and wide, but they found no cure."

The curtains opened on the scene of a royal bedroom, where some Chansies, Happinis and Audinos in elaborate fantasy cleric outfits huddled around a bed. "Has His Highness' condition changed at all?" one asked.

The Audino playing the chief cleric shook her head. "Sadly no...not for the better or the worse. This is not a disease I have seen before."

"I fear one of the princes will be ascending to the throne before too long..." another Chansey sighed.

"Wait..." a third Chansey remembered. "There is only one remedy for our king. There is a certain garden far away from here. In this garden there is a tree that bears shining Leppa Berries. As soon as the king eats one of these miracle Berries, he will be cured."

"But I have heard that giants guard that tree, and pick off the fruit as soon as it is ripe." a Happini worried.

Just then, Rory marched in the room. ""My lord and father! I will go and bring the miracle Leppa Berry for you."

Cheers filled the air as the lights went down. "After a long and perilous journey; he came to the miracle tree." Brenna narrated from her nook. "But a sound sleep overpowered him that night. The giant came, and picked off the fruit. In the morning, the eldest son returned home to tell of his bad luck. The following year, the middle brother went on the quest, but the same thing happened to him. The third year the youngest of the three brothers--whose name was Brian--said to his father..."

The lights came up on a third Charmander approaching the Braxien in the bed. "My lord and father! I will go and bring the miracle Berry."

"How do you think you will succeed where your elder brothers failed?" the Braxien sighed.

"I have an idea!" the third Charmander protested.

Lita watched from backstage as the third Charmander and the Braxien went through their banter. Cole may be one of our younger actors, but he's putting his heart into this role! she smiled as she watched Cole aim an arrow at a sandbag standing in for a giant's leg on the stage.

She smiled as Cole fired, a cry of pain confirming his shot was a hit. He was a little nervous about the archery even with Pua walking him through the proper shot technique. Lita remembered, savoring a memory of the Decidueye patiently walking Cole through how to shoot properly.

Onstage, the three Charmanders from before--Rory, Sammi, who was playing a britches role, and Cole approached the mouth of a yawning abyss. "Okay if I go in there first?" Rory asked.

"Sure!" Sammi replied as she carefully tied a rope around Rory.

"When I'm ready to come up, I'll pull the rope twice." Rory replied.

With that, the audience watched as Rory disappeared into the hole. But after a few moments, Sammi saw the rope jiggle twice. Horrified, she hurried to bring Rory up. "Is everything okay?" Cole asked, to some laughter from the audience at Rory's shocked face.

"It's boiling hot down there!" Rory cried. "Even though we're all Fire types, I thought I was gonna be roasted alive!"

Sammi looked unfazed as the audience laughed again. "Let me go down there--it has to be a trial of some kind!"

The boy Charmanders set to work lowering Sammi into the hole. But they gasped when they saw the rope jiggle again.

"You were right--it's like the underworld down there!" Sammi gasped. "I guess the only one left is Brian; but I wouldn't be surprised if we brought him up too!"

"If we have to bring Brian up, we can just forget the whole matter of the wounded giant." Rory deadpanned, to some laughter.

Cole, meanwhile, finished securing his rope. "Okay! I'm ready to go down!"

"Good luck, little bro." Sammi smiled as she helped Rory lower Cole down into the hole.

The lights went down over some tense music. "Since he had a pure heart, the abyss did not burn for our hero." Brenna explained from her nook at stage right. "So it was no colder than any other cave."

Lita watched Cole climb around a cave set for a moment. This is it--the princesses and the giants are gonna be his biggest test so far!

To Be Continued...
 
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EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 16: A Show of Gratitude

"So? Did the paper print the review of 'The Brave Youngest Son' yet?" Lita asked as Ruby arrived in a lounge of the inn's lobby with a copy of the local paper the next day. Many of the other troupe members were already awake and packing up the wagon for the trip into the Jade Forest--and potentially, a performance for Shaymin.

Ruby skimmed over the Arts and Life section for a moment before finding the review. "Here we go...young troupe makes a solid effort in latest show...'The Brave Youngest Son' fun for the whole family..."

"Did they say anything about how I did?" Cole asked as he joined Ruby and Lita in the lounge with some breakfast from the complimentary buffet. The elegant forest-like lounge was not terribly busy at the early hour, but Lita hoped the troupe would be on their way before it got crowded.

"Here we go...the titular son, played by Cole of Harmony Town, is a role with both bravery and heart." Ruby read. "Cole does very well conveying both sides of the character, despite some early jitters in the first act."

"But let's give credit where it's due here...you did very well as Christina yourself." Cole smiled as he thought back to the previous night's show.

Lita just giggled. "I was just doing my best to capture the hope Christina had that her beloved had returned."

"So can we say 'The Brave Youngest Son' is a keeper?" Ruby asked as she put away the newspaper.

"I think so." Lita replied. "Granted, there are still a few places we could refine it, actors' jitters notwithstanding.

"So, what kind of play should we perform for Shaymin?" Cole mused as he dug into his waiting breakfast. "Something about flowers?"

"That was one possibility we considered, but remember when we were little in school?" Lita asked. "Professor Noctowl always said that Shaymin is the gratitude Pokemon. So I thought, why not do a play about someone or something grateful?"

"That's a start, if we can't come up with any flower ideas..." Ruby mused. "The writing team had lots of suggestions for plays if we go the grateful route...."

"Like?" Lita was intrigued.

"Right now, they're working on a play that's a version of the faithful prince and the treacherous servant tale type." Ruby explained. "I think Shaymin would like it."

"The only way to find out is to find her grove in Jade Forest, and perform it." Cole smiled as he gathered up the remains of his food and the trash.

"We should have enough time to rehearse it while on our route through the forest." Lita remembered. "Jade Forest usually has a clear path for travelers and wagons to go through. Besides, if Shaymin is there, it should be peaceful."

---------

"Wow..." Ruby gasped as she gawked at the sun dappled path that wound through the forest. "I forgot how beautiful Jade Forest is at this time of year..."

"According to my map, Shaymin's grove is at the first fork you can find from the main path." Lita explained. "We can rehearse 'The Hero of Three Colors' as we travel."

For a while, the walk through the forest was uneventful, save for the soft clatter of the wagon wheels and the Pikachu and the Scorbunny gawking at the sun drenched trees, the wildflowers dotting the path, and the occasional Pachirisu or Buneary romping through the underbrush.

After a relatively uneventful walk, Ruby spotted a path that split into two paths. "There! That's the way to Shaymin's Grove!" she called, pointing down the right path that branched off into a woodsy part of the forest.

Lita motioned to the Ponytas pulling the wagon. "Come on--let's take a little scenic detour this way." The Ponytas nodded, and followed the Pikachu and the Scorbunny down the tree-lined path. While there were a lot more trees in the area, the sun still managed to peek through the emerald canopy.

"This is beautiful..." Ruby's voice broke the peaceful silence some moments later.

Lita parted some bushes and gasped. "If you think the forest is beautiful, wait until you see this!" She made a grand gesture to a clearing filled with all kinds of colorful flowers. A large pink flower stood in the center of the grove, near a hollow tree.

Ruby recognized the pink flower. "That's it! That's the Gracidea flower Shaymin has long been famous for!"

"Hm?" A voice snapped Lita and Ruby to attention as a small, white hedgehog-like Pokémon with green grass-like fur on its back and two tiny pink flowers on the sides of its head trotted out from the hollow tree. "Welcome to my flower grove, travelers." it smiled. "What brings you to this sacred place?"

"Shaymin...we are a humble troupe of traveling actors." Ruby explained. "Would you care to see our latest performance?"

Shaymin smiled. "It has been some time since a band of actors came all this way--what is the play entitled?"

"We call it 'The Hero of Three Colors', milady." Lita replied with a little bow. "It entails the exploits of how a young prince rescues three knights that were wrongfully imprisoned, and how they help him in return when his own servant turns against him."

"How exciting!" Shaymin smiled. "Please, take all the time you need to prepare."

Ruby noticed that the clearing had nothing resembling a stage. "Um, where are we going to perform without a stage, milady?"

"Here--I will grant you a stage." With that, Shaymin sang Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...

Both Lita and Ruby watched in awe as the branches of two willow trees parted like green curtains, revealing a beautiful stage carved from fallen trees and decorated with flowers and ivy. "There...this is the Sakura Stage, where many an actor has tread its boards." Shaymin smiled. "But you will not be the last performers to grace this holy stage."

She smiled. "I look forward to seeing the fruits of your hard work."

"Right away, Lady Shaymin!" Lita smiled. "If you will give us a little time to set up, we will happily perform 'The Hero of Three Colors' for you!"

To Be Continued...
 
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EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 17: The Hero of Three Colors (part 1)

The orchestra started a majestic overture evoking a time of high adventure. Once the exciting main theme had given way to a more subdued theme evoking magic, Brenna began narrating over the strings. "There once was a king in a far away land who was feared by all his subjects, and his court. As strange as it seemed, the king had a brave and handsome son, who was kind and helpful to everyone he happened to meet--we will call him Rowan."

Shaymin nodded in approval at the name. "One day the king was very angry with three of his noblest knights, because they had scolded him for being so unjust." Brenna went on. "Without even so much as a chance for them to defend themselves, he ordered them thrown into the dungeon beneath the palace, where he hoped they would remain for the rest of their lives. He commanded the jailer to only feed them bread and water, and to beat them with an iron rod every night."

The flowers on Shaymin's head started to glow, as if she wanted to unleash an Energy Ball at the king. "Prince Rowan's heart ached when he went to his room every night." Brenna assured Shaymin. "Since his room was right over the dungeon. he could hear the knights weeping and groaning as they were beaten every night."

She let that hang as the lights came up on the set of a dungeon. After a few tense moments, Charlotte, in the role of Prince Rowan, arrived in the dungeon, where Ruby, Rio, and a Treecko were wincing in feigned pain from their feigned wounds. "Prince Rowan?" the Treecko gasped as Charlotte unlocked the door.

"Hurry away as fast as you can, noble sirs and ladies, for if the jailer finds you gone, the palace will be in an uproar." Charlotte whispered as she unlocked the prop shackles and delivered some props.

"May Arceus bless you, noble prince. No good deed goes unrewarded." Rio smiled as the lights went down.

Shaymin gasped over the orchestra's somber melody as the lights went down, then came up on the set of a throne room, where a male Delphox in royal robes looked out at a crowd of extras. "Someone here has set free the three knights without my permission..." the Delphox intoned. "If that person wishes to confess the deed, I may spare their lives."

When no one said a single thing, the Delphox approached the Lucario playing the jailer. "Since no one dares to admit their guilt, the one who was charged with watching over them will pay the price!"

"Stop!" Charlotte cried as she entered the scene, spurring the male Delphox to stay his weak Mystical Fire attack. "Be merciful to him, father, for he is not to blame. It was I who set the knights free, and I do not regret it at all."

One Luxray playing a noble saw the Delphox aim his show Mystical Fire at Charlotte. "Your Majesty, would you be so cruel to execute your own son?" he asked.

"You yourself said you would spare the life of the one that confessed." a Dewott agreed. "Prince Rowan has confessed, so see to it he receives an appropriate and yet merciful sentence.

The Delphox didn't know what to think as the extras' worried pleas filled the air. "All right...I will hereby strip Rowan's claim to the throne; and forbid him to return here, on pain of death."

The orchestra started a traveling melody as Brenna narrated the pantomimed action onstage."The king gave Prince Rowan an abundance of money and clothes, as well as a fine steed, and sent him forth into the wide world to makes his fortune as best he could. Prince Rowan had some letters to the kings and queens of other lands, which he put in his pocket. He had only one companion, a lad of his own age, who was also well fitted for the journey."

She then intoned over another solemn melody "The boy--who does not deserve to be named--was not trustworthy, and the king had taken the opportunity to get rid of him." She gestured to the Litten in the role in a spotlight. "He looked with longing upon Prince Rowan's fine clothes, his money, and his letters to foreign rulers, and made up his mind to get them for himself."

"Boo!" Shaymin called as she watched the Litten sneak up on Charlotte.

"So he ambushed our hero one night, stripped him of his valuables, and rode away on his fine steed, leaving his master without anything but the clothes on his back." Brenna sighed as the Litten and Charlotte pantomimed the struggle onstage.

When the lights came up on a forest set, Charlotte stumbled into the scene. "That rogue took everything, including my good name..." she muttered. "What do I do now?"

The lights revealed a small house at stage left. "A house! Maybe whoever lives there can help me out." Charlotte smiled.

She hurried to the house's front stoop and knocked. "Coming..." came a female voice, revealing a Flareon at the front stoop. "Oh, a traveler! Come on inside--I can at least give you food and a bed for tonight."

"Thank you, good lady." Charlotte replied as the outdoor forest set gave way to the interior set of a house, where two Eevees waited at a table.

"Mama, why do you always let travelers in at night?" one Eevee asked as the Flareon led Charlotte to the table.

"It's a long way from here to a city." the Flareon explained as she served some prop food. "That, and the traveler may be down on their luck, and not have much to spend on a room in the inn."

After the actors playing the family and Charlotte pantomimed eating the prop food for a moment, the Flareon asked "What is your name, good lad?"

Charlotte said nothing for a moment, then replied "My name is Tristan, good lady. I came from a far away country, and I have nowhere to call home."

"Then you can stay in my home, and be educated with my own children." the Flareon smiled.

"Aw..." Shaymin smiled as the lights went down and the orchestra started a hopeful melody...

To Be Continued...
 

EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 18: The Hero of Three Colors (part 2)


Shaymin smiled as a trumpet rang through the forest from the dark stage. "Hear ye! Be it known that Prince Rowan will marry the Princess Lilly in two weeks!" a Dewott playing a herald announced to a crowd of Pokemon.

A spotlight came up on the Litten as the stage became a flurry of activity. "It doesn't get much better than this...the royal treatment, and soon I will have the most beautiful princess in the world as my bride." she sneered.

Shaymin just smiled at the Litten's acting--she knew better than anyone that the treacherous servant would get his just desserts in due time. "Although...I do worry that the real Prince Rowan might come at any time." the Litten went on. "Then my ambitions will not be realized, and I will fade into history, forgotten!"

Giggles went up from the forest Pokemon and Shaymin as the Litten's horrified look became a smile again. "But I'm not worried--so long as the real Prince Rowan is not here, preparations for my plans can continue!"

She dashed offstage with a giggle as the lights went down. After a few tense moments, the lights came up on Charlotte in a forest. "It's so peaceful out here..." she mused. "This is a welcome change from the royal academy's study rooms..."

The sound of a bow snapped her to attention. "An arrow...one of the royal hunters must be out here!"

Sure enough, the lights came up on a Rowlet firing at an offstage target. After watching the Rowlet shoot for a moment, Charlotte applauded as one arrow went flying into the bullseye. "Well shot, good sir."

"Thank you, lad." the Rowlet smiled. "You seem to be well versed in the ways of the world..."

"I've studied in the royal academy for the last few years, good sir." Charlotte replied. "I graduated six months ago, and am now seeking work in a noble's house, or even the royal palace."

"Would you like to be a royal page, then?" the Rowlet offered. "His Majesty did post a notice for new pages some days ago..."

"And so, our hero was made a royal page in the palace." Brenna narrated as Charlotte and the Rowlet pantomimed talking for a moment. "He did his work so well, he grew to be well loved and well liked in the palace. Eventually, he was assigned to his own servant."

She went on as the lights went down "Prince Rowan had improved so much from his time with the lady, the servant did not recognize him, but Prince Rowan also knew that he was to be page to his greatest enemy."

The lights came up on the set of a palace, where Lita, now in a gold princess costume, looked out the window. "Lilly!" the Litten called from offstage, snapping her to attention.

"What is it?" Lita called back.

She added as an aside "What does that rogue want this time?", making the audience in the forest giggle.

"Permission to come inside?" the Litten asked from offstage. "I'd like you to meet my new page."

"Permission granted, both of you." Lita smiled.

The Litten and Charlotte joined Lita onstage. "This is my new page, milady." the Litten explained, prompting Charlotte to wave hello.

"Pleased to meet you, good sir." Lita smiled.

"The pleasure is mine, milady." Charlotte replied.

She smiled over a romantic theme. "Princess Lilly really is as kind and beautiful as she was claimed to be." she explained in an aside. "She deserves to marry someone that will treat her well."

"Such impeccable manners!" Lita smiled in her own aside. "This page...he is a far cry from his rogue of a master! I would much rather marry him instead!"

She turned to Charlotte again. "What's your name, good sir? Where do you hail from?"

"I came from the great forest, and my name is Tristan, milady." Charlotte replied over a somber melody.

"The day of the wedding of the princess and the servant drew near." Brenna narrated from her nook over the orchestra. "The greatest warriors in the land were pouring into the kingdom to take part in a grand tournament, which was to last three days."

The lights came up on a set of a palace room, where Charlotte was pantomiming cleaning. "Tristan!" Lita called as she hurried onstage. "Tristan--it would mean the world for me if you could join the many knights, warriors, archers, and mages for the tournament."

"I would if I could, Princess, but I know nothing of battle." Charlotte confessed. "I am merely a humble scholar at heart, and my only knowledge of the bow is for hunting."

"Did you study magic during your time in the royal academy?" Lita asked. "You could join the magical duels or familiar battles..."

"I did learn some magic, but it was for healing purposes." Charlotte replied. "I doubt that they have a healer's competition in the tournament."

Giggles went up over Lita's disappointed look. "Oh well...will you at least watch the events in the royal box with me?"

"That I will do, if my duties in the hunting grounds do not take too long." Charlotte assured Lita as she put away the cleaning supplies and retrieved a prop bow. "If it happens that it does take me all day to hunt for tonight's feast; will you tell me about any memorable matches at dinner?"

"I'll tell you all about them!" Lita smiled over an exciting melody.

"The first day of the tournament dawned clear and bright." Brenna narrated from her nook. "Prince Rowan, saddened at heart, mounted his faithful Ponyta and went to the forest to hunt. He could think of nothing but his great love for Princess Lilly, and pleaded to Arceus for a way to prove that he was the real Prince Rowan, and Princess Lilly's true suitor."

The lights came up on the forest again, where Charlotte trudged onstage. "How do I tell them that the one Princess Lilly will marry is a fraud, and I am her rightful suitor?" she grumbled. "I love the princess so much, and my rogue servant just treats her like a prize to be won!"

She looked up at the imagined sky. "Arceus...hear my plea..."

With that, she sang Gatrandis favel, secret, edena...
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis....
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron zen fine, si...


Shaymin sniffled as Charlotte crumpled onto the stage floor in desperate feigned sobs. After a few tense moments. Ruby--now in a magnificent red costume--arrived leading a beautiful Ponyta puppet. "Forgive me, sir warrior, for seeing me in this sorry state..." she explained. "I was pouring out my heart to Arceus...are you competing in the tournament? If you are, then you are welcome to pass this way.

"Sir Rowan..." Ruby began. making Charlotte balk in surprise. "Put on this armor, mount this steed, and go to the tournament. Upon your return, you will find me waiting here. I will hunt in your place, and present unto you all the game I obtain."

"Right away! Thank you!" Charlotte smiled before hurrying offstage to change into the sparkling red costume...

To Be Continued...
 
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EmeraldSky

Make the Colors in the Sky!
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Act 19: The Hero of Three Colors (part 3)


"Prince Rowan dressed himself in the red armor, leapt into the saddle, and dashed away to the proving grounds." Brenna narrated over some exciting music. "When he entered, the vast throng of spectators sent up a shout of acclamation, and all were wild to know who the splendid knight was and where he lived."

Lita watched from backstage as Charlotte, now in the ruby armor, waved to a large crowd of cheering extras. Here we go...it took so long to figure out how to keep the tournament scenes at a reasonable length...

---------

"What are we going to do about the tournament scenes?" Shimmer wondered as she read over Sammi's script. "We don't want to bore the audience by showing every single opponent Prince Rowan overthrew..."

"Yeah...that would also make the play run long." Ruby agreed.

"Training montage?" Rio grinned.

"Unfortunately, this is not a musical..." Shimmer sighed. "So a montage wouldn't really work..."

"That, and we haven't really done a musical yet..." Sakura noted.

"Musical or not, we'd still need a cast of hundreds or even thousands to pull it off." Ruby sighed.

"We could just show Rowan and the servant facing off every time." Charlotte suggested. "At least that would still get the point across, and still be within our capabilities to produce..."


---------

"With wonderful skill he overthrew all the other warriors until only the servant remained." Brenna's narration and Charlotte skillfully knocking down training dummies snapped Lita to reality.

Finally, Charlotte and the Litten met on the stage. After a few moments, the Litten bowed before Charlotte. "I withdraw and concede the match!"

Cheers filled the stage and the audience as Charlotte waved to the imagined crowd, then departed at stage right. "Who was that red knight?" a Pikachu extra asked.

"Never before have I seen such skill and grace, nor such beauty of form and elegance in anyone." a Chikorita extra agreed as she applauded.

The orchestra started a victorious theme. "Everyone tried to find out where the Ruby Knight had gone, but Prince Rowan had returned to the forest where he met the knight, and returned his armor and steed." Brenna went on from her nook. "He thanked him for his kindness and, taking the game that the knight had shot for him, he hurried back to the palace kitchen."

The lights came up on a crowd of extras as kitchen servants talking excitedly. "What a day!" a Charmander extra smiled as he pantomimed washing dishes.

"I know--that ruby knight is all anyone can talk about!" an Eevee extra agreed. "I wonder who he trained under to get that good at swordplay?"

"Maybe he trained under an eastern master?" a Mudkip extra suggested. "They're famous for their swordplay, including moves no one in the realm has ever seen before!

About then, Charlotte arrived on the stage. "There you are!" the Eevee extra began. "You picked a bad time to miss the tournament!"

"Oh? What did I miss that was so exciting?" Charlotte asked, to knowing giggles from Shaymin and the forest Pokemon.

"You missed a mysterious ruby knight in the swordsman's competition!" the Charmander extra explained. "No one could stand against him--he defeated every last one!"

A Taillow extra arrived on the stage minutes later. "Forgive me for interrupting your conversation, Tristan, but Princess Lilly has requested your presence in the rose garden."

"Tell Her Ladyship I will be there momentarily." Charlotte replied as the lights went down.

The orchestra started a peaceful interlude before the lights came up on the majestic set of the rose garden. "There you are..." Lita began as she and Charlotte met on the stage. "Where have you been all day?"

"I was only out hunting game, and nothing more." Charlotte replied.

"You would rather hunt for game than glory." Lita sighed. "A knight in red on a fine steed has covered himself with renown. No one but you could have overcome the splendid warrior."

"Is that so?" Charlotte smiled. "No matter...all will be well if I continue my humble duty in hunting game for the king."

"What good will THAT do?" Lita gasped as Charlotte exited. "You can go out hunting at any old time!"

"Why is he being so callous to the princess, milady?" one of Shaymin's Ivysaur attendants asked as the lights went down.

"Be patient--I'm sure there is a method to the real Prince Rowan's madness." Shaymin smiled as the orchestra started another interlude...

---------

"The next morning, Prince Rowan mounted his Ponyta and went out to hunt." Brenna narrated as the lights came up on the forest set from before. "At the same bend in the road he met another knight dressed from the plumes of his helmet to the soles of his feet in blue, and riding a fine Ponyta."

Onstage, Charlotte met Rio, now clad in blue, aboard a Ponyta puppet. "Good day, sir knight--are you going to the tournament today?" Charlotte asked, giving Rio a respectful bow.

"Sir Rowan, don this armor, mount this steed, and go to the tournament." Rio instructed Charlotte. "Upon your return you will find me waiting here. I will hunt in your stead, and present unto you all the game I obtain."

"Right away!" Charlotte replied, hurrying off to change as the lights went down.

Shaymin smiled as the orchestra started another exciting melody. I see...the three heroes are one and the same! Those knights he is meeting are the same ones he helped before, I just know it!

To Be Continued...
 
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