Interlude: The Minstrel of Pewter City
(
what Brock performs)
"Welcome to my humble home..." Brock smiled, making a grand gesture to the city in the distance.
It's beautiful!" Misty gasped, stars in her eyes over the gems glittering in the walls and roofs of many of the houses. "Are they all made of stone?"
"Actually, they may look like stone, but it's actually brick made from the stones in nearby quarries." Brock replied, grinning at Tintri and Hinata nuzzling each other. "I'll take you to the Pokemon Center, then meet you back there after I drop my gear off at home so I can give you a proper tour of Pewter City."
"And maybe one of your world famous storytelling performances?" Ash asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement at the prospect of seeing one of the world's best renowned storytellers work his art live.
"Well, I'll see what I can do for an outdoor performance, since the Gym is being cleaned right now, and the theater by the museum is still under construction." Brock replied, gesturing to a construction site near an ornate columned building on the north end of town.
"Wonder what this theater will be named when it's completed?" Ash wondered. "I mean, there's the Theater de Pallette at home..."
"And the local theater in Cerulean is known as the Wave..." Misty added.
"Last I heard, they were gonna name it the Fireside--since it does look a little like a fireplace in its concept art." Brock replied, showing his new friends a concept drawing of what the theater would look like when completed.
The three friends rounded a corner to reach the local Pokemon Center, where the roof and even the red Poke Ball icon were made from glittering rubies. "And here we are--the Pokemon Center."
"Thanks, Brock!" Ash smiled.
"Anytime--I'll be back shortly to lead you on your tour." Brock replied before departing.
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"I'm finally glad to be back in civilization..." Misty smiled as the Pokemon Center doors opened with a whoosh.
"Especially since no wild Spearows are out here..." Ash agreed as he made himself comfortable on a couch. The Pokemon Center was uncrowded and quiet at the early hour, save for young Pokemon getting checkups and the whirs, beeps, and bloops of the various machines healing and examining Pokemon
Just then, a young man with dull blonde hair approached Ash and Misty. "Hi there! You look like a trainer that yearns to hit the heights!"
"I do, Mr..." Ash started, before realizing the stranger had not introduced himself.
"Clyde, please." the boy smiled as he put on some sunglasses.
"I'm Ash Ketchum, of Pallet Town." Ash replied, almost in a whisper.
"Ash! If this guy, or anyone, wants to help us, your introduction should be confident!" Misty hissed.
"Okay, okay...." Ash replied with a sigh.
After muttering "Miss Bossy..." under his breath, he tried his introduction again. "I'm Ash Ketchum, of Pallet Town!"
"Well then, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, I can tell you have what it takes to become a Pokemon Master!" Clyde grinned. "I may not be a trainer, but I can tell you how to win!"
He turned to Ash. "How bout it? Want me to take you to the top?"
"You bet!" Ash replied.
"All right! Let's get happening!" Clyde smiled, nearly dancing with excitement.
Misty whispered "Don't let his hipster goofball appearance fool you, Clyde knows his stuff when it comes to Pokemon, so it would be wise to trust him."
After composing himself, Clyde began "It will be tough for your Pikachu at Pewter Gym...electric attacks are harmless to Brock's ground-type Pokemon."
"Okay..." Ash replied. "What kind of Pokemon can I expect to see him use?"
"For young trainers like you, he uses his favorite dynamic duo of Rocky the Geodude and Callio the Onix--not too difficult for a prepared trainer." Clyde explained. "Sometimes, he may welcome his Vulpix Hinata to the battlefield to throw Bulbasaur users off."
"We've met her--she's really sweet." Misty smiled.
"For more advanced trainers, he has a variety of rare and exotic Rock types, as well as his first Pokemon, an Onix--now Steelix--named Argent." Clyde went on.
Then something occurred to him. "Did you see Brock wearing an emerald ring?"
"No..." Ash replied.
"When facing off against a pro trainer, he may induce Argent to Mega Evolve--I haven't heard his Heart Song myself, but they say Mega Steelix is a sight to see." Clyde replied.
Ash heard Brock whistling for him as the Pokemon Center doors opened again. "Thanks for the advice--and nice to meet you."
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"...Here is the town square." Brock announced as he made a grand gesture to the flowers ringing the Diancie fountain in the square's center. "The Diancie fountain was a gift from Kalos after a successful Rhydon race was held here years ago."
"Fascinating!" Misty replied.
"There's also a lot of props scattered around the square too--so if I get a crowd wanting me to spin a yarn in the streets, I have access to any props I may need." Brock explained.
He noticed throngs of kids and adults headed towards the square. "Fancy that..."
A huge smile formed on Ash's face as a large crowd gathered.
This is it--my chance to see Brock perform live and in person.
He nudged Misty. "You're in for a treat."
Once the crowd and settled in and quieted down, Brock thought for a moment, than began "The king of a certain land had a beautiful garden which contained a number of very rare trees, but the rarest one of all was a Leppa tree. It stood in the middle of the garden, and produced shining crystal Leppa Berries every day. In the morning the flowers bloomed, during the day the fruit grew and ripened, and before nightfall, the berries were fully ripe. The next day the same thing happened, and this cycle would occur like clockwork every day."
"Wow!" Ash gasped, impressed as he imagined what the crystal Leppa Berries might look like, if they were real.
"However, no Berries were left on the tree the following day." Brock intoned. "No one knew how, when, or why they disappeared, and this deeply grieved the king."
[Poor king...] Tintri sighed
"Finally, he couldn't stand it any longer, and calling his eldest son to him, said..." Brock then spoke in an older man's voice. "My child, I want you to keep watch in the garden tonight, and see if you can find out what happens to my miracle Leppa Berries. I will reward you with the choice of all my treasures; if you should be lucky enough to capture the thief, and bring him to me, I would gladly give you half my kingdom and more."
"That was pretty good!" Misty grinned, impressed at Brock's mimicry skill.
"He's only getting warmed up--he easily does a unique voice for every character in the story." Ash smiled before turning his attention back to Brock's performance.
"So the young prince--whose name is not important to us--set his trusty sword at his side, and with his bow on his back and quiver full of thirty arrows, went into the garden to stand guard." Brock explained. "As he sat there under the Leppa Berry tree, a drowsy feeling came over him, which he could not resist. Before long, he slept as soundly as if he had been in his own bed at home, nor did he awake until dawn, and then he saw that the Leppa Berries were gone.
Misty stifled a giggle as she pictured the king's reaction. "When questioned by his father, he said that no thieves had come, but that the Leppa Berries had vanished all the same." Brock continued over the soft giggles. "The king shook his head--he did not believe a word of it. Then, turning to his middle son, he bade him keep watch, and promised him a handsome reward if he caught the thief."
"And then?" some children begged.
"So the middle son armed himself accordingly and went into the garden. But he fared no better than his brother, for he could not resist the desire to sleep, and when he woke up the Leppa Berries were gone--again!" Brock grinned.
The square rippled with laughter at this. "When his father asked him how it disappeared, he replied that no one had taken it, it had vanished on its own."
In character as the king, he told an imagined person "Now, my dearest one, take your turn. Although you are young, and have less experience than your brothers, let's see if you can succeed where they have failed. If you are willing, go, and may Arceus be with you."
The audience stood quietly and listened as Brock went on "That evening, when it was dusk, the youngest prince--whose name was Brian--went into the garden to keep watch. He took with him a sword and a bow, and a few arrows. He set the sword in such a way that it would lightly poke him and jolt him awake if he dozed off."
"That's a good idea..." Misty mused.
Brock then revealed what was taking the Leppa Berries as he gathers his bow and some prop arrows. "Around midnight, Moltres, the bird of fire, flew down and landed on the tree, and was just about to make off with the Leppa Berries when Prince Brian nocked an arrow to his bow and fired."
The audience holds their breaths as Brock carefully nocks one of his own arrows and fires at a Moltres target positioned at the west end at the square, where it lands not far from the bullseye.
Applause fills the air at Brock's successful shot. "The arrow struck Moltres beneath the wing." he explains, gesturing to his shot in the target before removing his gear and setting it aside. "Although wounded, she flew away, dropping one of her feathers on the ground. That night, for the first time in a long time, the Leppa Berries remained untouched."
"Have you caught the thief?" he asks an imagined person as the king.
"Not altogether, but we'll catch him soon enough." he replied in a mimic of Ash's voice for Prince Brian.
Ash balked. "I wanna know how he learned to mimic my voice this quickly..."
"He gave the king the feather, and told him everything that had happened." Brock continued as himself. "The king was charmed with the feather; it was so beautiful, and glowed so bright, that it easily lit all the rooms of the palace, and they needed no other light."
"Wow"s and awed whistles went up from the crowd. "The courtiers told the king that the feather could only belong to Moltres, the bird of fire, and that it was worth all the rest of the royal treasure put together." Brock explained, quieting the chatter. "From that time on, Moltres didn't come to the garden, and the Leppa Berries remained untouched. But the king could think of nothing more than how to own this marvelous Pokemon."
"But the Legendaries aren't meant to be caught!" Ash protested. "They watch over us all!"
Brock's face turned somber. "Finally, after losing hope of ever seeing Moltres, he grew depressed, and would remain in deep thought for hours. The mental toll got him physically sick, and every day his condition grew worse."
"He's not gonna die, I hope?" Misty worried as she brushed away a fearful tear.
"One day he summoned his three sons before him and said..." Brock switched to his "king" voice again. "My dear children, you see the sorry state I am in. If I could only hear Moltres sing, I would be cured of this disease of the heart; otherwise, I will die. Whoever succeeds in catching Moltres alive and getting her to sing to me, I will give half my kingdom and the right to the throne."
As himself, he continued "After bidding their father farewell, the brothers set off. They traveled together until they came to a part of the forest where the road branched off in three directions, and agreed to each go down a different route, and return to the fork in a year. In order to recognize the fork again, each one planted a tree at the exact point where the road split. If one of the trees wilted, its owner had either died or needed help. If a tree glowed, its owner had been successful."
"I wonder what awaited our heroes on this adventure..." Misty mused.
"When each prince had planted a tree at the fork, they set off." Brock went on. "The eldest rode on, and never stopped until he reached the top of a high mountain; where he stopped to rest and have lunch."
He smiles, revealing a twist in the tale. "Just then, the holy Delphox Kitsune came that way, and asked the eldest prince..."
"Please, Sir Prince, may I have a little of your food?" he asked in a mimic of a young woman. "I am very hungry, and have not had much luck hunting."
As himself, he reveals the eldest prince's reaction. "But the eldest prince fired an arrow from his bow, but he did not hit Kitsune, for she vanished moments before the arrow hit."
"That's Kitsune for you!" Ash smiled, savoring the memories of Kitsune stories Serena had told him.
"The middle brother, after an uneventful journey, reached a plain, where he stopped for lunch." Brock continued. "Kitsune also appeared to him and begged for food; but he too shot at her. Kitsune being Kitsune, she disappeared as before."
"You can't hurt or kill Kitsune--she's immortal!" Misty grinned.
"Prince Brian, meanwhile, traveled on until he came to the banks of a river." Brock continued, acknowledging Misty's comment with a nod. "Tired and hungry, he got down from his Ponyta and started on his lunch. While he was eating, Kitsune came to him.
"Please, young sir," he asked as Kitsune, "give me a little of your food."
"Fear not, Lady Kitsune; I see you are more hungry than I, but there is enough for us both." he assured an imagined being as Prince Brian.
As himself, he went on "So he divided all his supplies in half--one for him, and one for Kitsune. When Kitsune had eaten her fill, she said..."
"You have fed me well, so in return I will serve you well; mount your Ponyta and follow me." he instructed as Kitsune. "If you do everything I tell you to do, Moltres will be yours."
He narrated as himself "Then she set off flying before Prince Brian, leaping over mountains, soaring over ravines, and crossing rivers as easily as solid ground. Prince Brian followed at a gallop, without the slightest wish to stop, until they came to a castle built of gold."
"Moltres is in this castle," he explained Kitsune. "You must enter exactly at noon, for then the guards will be asleep, and you will pass unnoticed. Beware of stopping anywhere. In the first room you will find twelve birds black as night, in golden cages; in the second, twelve golden birds in wooden cages; in the third, Moltres, the bird of fire, roosting on her perch. Near her are two cages, one of wood and the other of gold; be sure you put her in the wooden cage."
As himself, he went on Prince Brian entered the castle, and found everything as Kitsune had told him. Having passed through the two rooms, he came to the third, and there saw Moltres on her perch, asleep. In his excitement of handling such a beautiful Pokemon, he accidentally placed Moltres in the gold cage, which caused her to scream in panic and wake up the guards.
"Oh no"s wafted through the square as Brock set the scene. "The guards caught Prince Brian, and dragged him before the king."
He then proceeded to enact the entire confrontation using only his voice. "Thief, who are you to have dared to steal Moltres?"
"I am not a thief...I have come to reclaim a thief whom you protect. I am the son of a king, and in my father's gardens is a Leppa Berry tree that bears glittering crystal fruit. In the night your bird robbed us of our golden Leppa Berries. Though I watched and wounded her, I could not catch her. My father is dying with grief because of this, and the only remedy that can save and restore him to health, is that he may listen to Moltres' exquisite song."
"You may have her on one condition--that you bring me Epona, the shining Ponyta with the sapphire mane."
He deadpanned as himself "So Prince Brian left empty-handed."
"Cry not, Sir Brian--I know you did not mean to disobey me, but your haste led you to this predicament, and so now you must find a way out of it." he scolded as Kitsune.
"I admit it was my own fault, and for that I beg your forgiveness. I want your advice: how I am to get Epona?" he asked as Prince Brian.
"I know how it can be done, and I will help you once again as a sign of my forgiveness. Follow me, and do as I tell you." he replied as Kitsune.
Misty nudged Ash. "Which came first, the Epona in folklore or the Epona of Zelda fame?"
"The Epona in folklore came first." Ash explained. "She has a bewildering array of powers that may even differ in between versions of the same story, but no matter what the story, she goes really fast, and can speak the words of humans." He let that hang as he listened to the epic tale Brock wove.
"Kitsune ran on ahead, clearing the path for Prince Brian." Brock continued as himself. "Prince Brian followed at a gallop, until they came to a castle built entirely of silver."
"In that castle lives the Legendary steed Epona." he instructs as Kitsune. "You have to go exactly at noon, when the guards are asleep. Whatever you do, do not stop anywhere. You must pass through three stables. In the first are twelve shining Ponytas with golden bridles; in the second, twelve normal Ponytas with black bridles; in the third stands Epona in front of her manger, and she shines the brightest of all. Near her are two bridles, one of gold, the other of leather. Whatever you do, do not pick up the gold bridle if you can help it, or you will regret it."
"Who wants to bet he picks the gold one up on purpose?" Misty whispered, making Ash chuckle in anticipation.
"So Prince Brian waited until the appointed time, and then entered the castle, finding everything as Kitsune had said." Brock continued as himself. "In the third stable stood Epona, eating the grain of heaven from her silver trough. She was so beautiful that Prince Brian could not take his eyes off her. In his zeal to handle the Legendary steed he had heard about in endless bedtime stories, he grabbed the gold bridle by mistake."
Gasps went up as he went on "Epona made so much racket it woke the guards, and Prince Brian was again dragged before the king."
"You thief, how is it that you have escaped the vigilance of the guards and have dared to lay hands upon my precious Epona?" he demanded in character as the silver king.
As himself, Brock went on "Prince Brian told the silver king everything, hiding nothing, and he hoped His Majesty would give him Epona as a gift.
"Most willingly, but on one condition--that you bring me Christine, the Maiden with the Sapphire Eyes: she lives in the crystal castle on the shores of the northern sea." he replied as the king.
He interjected as himself "Kitsune was waiting in the forest for Prince Brian, and when she saw him come back without the Ponyta, she knew what had happened."
"See how your haste has got you in trouble again?" he scolded as Kitsune.
"Please, I confess that I disobeyed you. But have mercy on me and help me out of this predicament." he pleaded as Prince Brian.
"Very well--since you have admitted your fault and genuinely wish to make things right again, I forgive you, and will help you once more." he assured an imagined person as Kitsune. "If you do as you are told, you may learn that there is a time to rush, and a time to take it slow. So, let's go!"
Misty stifled a giggle at Brock's in character poetic license. "So Kitsune ran on ahead, clearing the road, until they reached the shores of the northern sea." Brock narrated as himself.
"That palace over there is the residence of the Queen of the Ocean Kingdom." he explained as Kitsune, pointing at the Gym in the distance. "She has three daughters; Christine is the youngest, and it is she who has the sapphire eyes. First go to the queen and ask her to give you one of her daughters in marriage. If she accepts your proposal, she will ask you to choose one of them--take the princess who is plainly dressed. Though she may be humble in appearance, her eyes are a piercing blue, and this is why she is called the Maiden with the Sapphire Eyes."
"Oh"s went up from the crowd at this. "The queen received him most graciously, and when he explained the reason for his visit, she led him into a room where the three daughters were spinning." he narrated as himself. They were so much alike that an untrained eye could not tell them apart, and all so lovely that when Prince Brian looked at them, his heart pounded in excitement.
"He's gonna screw this up too..." Ash whispered to Tintri, who was listening from his shoulder.
"The first lady wore a gown and veil embroidered with gold, and used a golden distaff; the second had on a gown embroidered with silver and held a silver distaff; and the third wore a gown and veil of dazzling white, with a wooden distaff." Brock explained. "When told to make his choice, Prince Brian pointed to the maiden clothed in white."
Some applause and relieved cheers went up. "I don't know what Kitsune would've done if Prince Brian screwed up again..." Ash mused.
"As Prince Brian left the crystal palace with Christine, he saw his mount coming towards him, with Kitsune at his side." Brock narrated.
"Mount quickly," he called as Kitsune. "There is not a moment to lose; lift the maiden in front of you."
As himself, he went on "The faithful steed flew like an arrow, and sped rapidly over the road. Prince Brian was very happy as he rode along, holding Christine, but it saddened him to think he would have to give up all thought of marrying her himself, and that within a few short hours he had to leave her with the silver king. Kitsune, who noticed this, said..."
"It appears that you do not want to exchange the lovely Christine for Epona, yes?" he grinned as Kitsune. "Well, I have helped you so far, I will see what I can do for you now."
He interjected as himself "With that, she sang..."
Asah felt a burning feeling in his chest as Brock sang as Kitsune
Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... He shook it off as his imagination as Brock revealed the "spell"'s effect. "...transforming into an exact copy of Christine."
"Leave your real bride in the forest, and take me with you to offer to the silver king in exchange for his Ponyta Epona. Mount Epona, return here, and escape with the maid you love; I will take care of the rest." he instructed as Kitsune.
As himself, he continued "The silver king received the maiden without any suspicion, and handed over Epona in exchange. Kitsune caught up with our heroes when they had almost reached the gold castle. Here they all rested, while Kitsune transformed into an exact copy of Epona..."
Ash winced as Brock sang
Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... as Kitsune again, making the burning feeling return for a few moments.
Mental note: find out what that burning feeling is... he told himself before focusing on Brock again.
Brock continued as himself "Prince Brian entered the gold castle, and exchanged the disguised Kitsune for the firebird Moltres. Once no one was looking, Kitsune returned to her true form, and hurried after the departing prince, who she did not overtake until they had reached the banks of the river where they had first met."
"Now, Sir Brian, Moltres, the lovely Christine, and the Legendary steed Epona are all yours." he smiled as Kitsune. "From here, I believe you can manage without my help, so return to your father's house in peace and joy. If you do need my help again, I am watching over you, always."
"Aw"s went up as Brock went on as himself "With these words Kitsune returned to her earthly house in the forest, while Prince Brian continued his journey. In his hand he held the golden cage that contained Moltres, at his side the lovely Christine rode Epona. If Arceus had called him home just then, he would have died a happy man."
He paused for a moment, then continued "When he reached the for where he had parted from his brothers the year before, he hurried to look for the branches they had planted. His alone had become a beautiful Cheri tree, theirs had both withered."
Next, he reveals a twist in his tale. "He did not, however, expect his brothers to ambush him, throw him in a deep pit, and take his treasure for themselves."
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT????" Ash, Misty, and the Pokemon were just as shocked as the rest of the crowd at the turn of events.
"Once home, they sent Epona to the stables, the cage containing Moltres was placed in their father's room, and Christine was given a beautiful suite of apartments and maids of honor to attend her. Brock continued. "When the king, who was weakened by his suffering, had looked at Moltres, he asked about Prince Brian's fate. The brothers replied that they had not seen or heard anything of him, and so presumed him dead."
"Why those dirty, sneaky, double crossing Ekans...." Misty grumbled, angry at the brothers.
"Don't worry--they'll get their comeuppance in the end." Ash assured Misty, which calmed her a little.
"The king was devastated—it seemed as if his last hour was at hand." Brock intoned. "On top of that, Moltres refused to sing; Epona stood with her head bent down before her manger, and would eat nothing; while Princess Christine remained silent as if she had taken a vow, her beautiful hair was messy and uncombed, and she wept so much, her tears fell like a waterfall."
A smile forms on his face--all hope isn't lost for Prince Brian! "Now, Kitsune happened to pass through the forest, and came upon Prince Brian calling for help in the pit. With her holy power, she levitated him out onto safe ground again. Prince Brian quickly told her what had happened."
"Have faith, Sir Brian--this time the misfortune is not your fault." he grins as Kitsune. "I have a plan to make things right again."
As himself, he continued "After conjuring some commoner's clothes for him, Kitsune led him to the outskirts of the forest, close to the royal palace, where she left him. Prince Brian then entered the palace grounds, unrecognized by the servants. He claimed he was a poor boy in need of work, and was made a stable boy. Some time later he heard the grooms worrying that Epona would refuse to eat. When no one was looking, Prince Brian lay some fresh hay in Epona's manger and assured her...
"Grieve no more, Epona--your master is home." he smiles as Prince Brian.
Excited whispers went up as Brock went on "Epona recognized her master's voice, and whinnying with joy, happily ate all the hay. The news was talked about from one end of the palace to the other, and the sick king summoned the boy to his presence."
"I hear you have made Epona eat." he explained as the king. "Do you think you could make Moltres sing? She droops her wings, and will neither eat nor drink. If she dies, I will die too."
"Your majesty may rest assured, the bird will not die. I know a way to have her sing her healing song." he explained as Prince Brian.
As himself, Brock continues "The king ordered the finest food brought, and the disguised prince put a handful into Moltres's cage, saying..."
"Cheer up, Moltres--your master is home." he smiled as Prince Brian.
As himself, Brock narrated "As soon as Moltres heard her master's voice she shook her feathers, making her feathers shine brighter than ever. She danced in her cage, and sang so beautifully, the king was immediately healed, and it was as if a great weight had been lifted off his heart. Moltres again burst into song..."
In character as a young lady, Brock sang
Gatrandis favel, secret, edena....
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron zen fine, si...
Misty recognized the song. "Isn't that the same gibberish song they use for a desperation spell all the time on TV?"
"It is!" Ash cried.
"This so moved the king that he jumped from bed, and embraced the disguised prince out of sheer euphoria and gratitude." Brock went on.
"Now, teach me how to heal this beautiful maiden my sons brought back with them; she will not speak a word, her beautiful hair remains uncared for, and her tears fall night and day." he pleaded as the king.
"If Your Majesty will allow me to say a few words to her, it may be the means of making her happy again." he assured an imagined person as Prince Brian.
He interjected as himself "The king led the way to her apartments, and the disguised prince, taking her hand, said..."
"Grieve no more, Christine--your rightful groom is home." he smiled as Prince Brian.
He went on as himself "Christine knew him right away, and with a cry of joy threw herself into his arms. This astonished the king, and he could not for the life of him think how a stable boy could address a princess as his 'dear bride.' Prince Brian then revealed himself to his father, and told him the truth. Christine in turn told how the wicked brothers had threatened to kill her if she betrayed them. As for the brothers, they shook from head to toe, and trembled like leaves in the wind. The furious king ordered them banished from the land for lying to him, never to return on pain of death."
"Serves them right for trying to kill their brother..." Misty smirked.
Brock concluded "And so, Prince Brian married the beautiful Christine, and the king gave him half of his kingdom as a wedding present. When the time came for the old king to join Arceus in heaven, Prince Brian ascended to the throne, and lived happily with his beloved Christine for many years."
The square roared with applause, but Misty's applause was the most enthusiastic. "Wow! He's GOOD!!! Now I know why he's one of the best storytellers in the world!"