Day of The Play: Ash woke up and immediately looked at the space next to him and didn't see Tommy again. *Is he on the floor again?* Ash asked himself as he looked over the edge of the bed. No, Tommy wasn't there either. Ash looked towards the window and saw Tommy on the windowsill looking out the window. Tommy saw the movement and looked in his direction. "It finally stopped raining." He commented. Ash then noticed that he had one of the translators on his arm. "Yeah, that was some storm wasn't it?" Ash agreed. "Did you stay up all night?" "No." Tommy replied turning back to the window. "You pushed me out of bed in your sleep around 5 this morning." Ash scratched his head embarrassed. "Sorry about that." Tommy gave him a one eyed glance. "Next time I sleep next to Pikachu." "Pika Pikachu!" Came a reply beside Ash. Ash and Tommy looked down to see a Pikachu. "I meant to say Natasha. I just forgot your name again." Tommy replied. Just then Ash noticed that Brock, May and Max were gone. "Where is everyone?" Ash asked as he helped Natasha put on her translator. "Breakfast. They left about twenty minutes ago. Cody and Skye went with them. "You never did tell us how Bayleef liked her name." Pika-Natasha reminded him. "I had two choices for a name for her and I sent them both to Professor Oak. The names were Molly and Bailey. Professor Oak called back and we decided to name her Molly B. since she seemed to like both of them." At that moment Ash remembered something. "Hey, isn't the play this afternoon? And don't you have one last dress rehearsal in.." He checked the clock. "In two hours?" Forty-five later Ash and Tommy found themselves in a room inside the Sunbeam City Theater. Ash had found out two days ago that the Gym leader had moved to another town and closed the Sunbeam City Gym. The residents of the town then turned it into a theater for plays and movies. He found Sophie and Courtney sitting on the floor ironing sequins onto a dress. Today Courtney had her brown hair in braids, while Sophie had cut her long blonde hair sometime during the night. "How's Amethyst?" He asked Sophie. She looked up from her work with a positive smile. "She's doing alright. Nurse Joy wants to keep her for another day for observation." Amethyst, Sophie's Squirtle, had gotten injured and sick a day and a half ago. It seems the Pokemon had gotten a crazy idea that if she jumped off a bed she would be able to fly. She landed on the floor, hurt herself and had to be taken to Nurse Joy. Then the poor girl came down with the Pokemon version of the flu. Amethyst was originally playing the Princess's mother. Dale's Gardevoir, uh...Faye, took over Amethyst's part. Courtney looked at Tommy. "Good, you have your costume on." She then reached over and straightened his hat a bit. She then snapped her fingers. "Oh, I just remembered! Be sure to have your hat tipped down in that one scene where Buck and Princess Lynette come in and you're sitting with your back next to the wall." Tommy nodded. "Okay. Anything else?" Ash looked at Tommy carefully. If Ash didn't know any better, he would say that Tommy sounded slightly nervous! Courtney smiled and put her hand on his shoulder. "Yes. Good luck, have fun, and relax." Sophie threw her hands in the air. "We're finished!" She cried. Courtney gave her an odd look. "With what?" Sophie gestured to the dress. "The sequins on the dress!" Courtney grinned. "Great!" She looked around until she saw what she was looking for. "Azure! Get over her kid! We're done with your dress!" Azure looked up and used agility to get to their spot. Tommy then tipped his hat at her. "Howdy, Ma'am. Fine day to day, ain't it?" Azure nodded politely as Sophie and Courtney started laughing while Ash just looked at everyone, puzzled. "It sure is sir." Courtney waved her hand in front of her face as if shooing away her mirth. "It's the first words that they say to each other when they meet for the first time and Buck isn't around." She explained when she saw Ash's confusion. Ash then noticed that Courtney's eyes were different colors. Her right eye was blue and her left eye was green. She then picked up a program and gave it to him and he found that she was somehow missing two fingers on her right hand. It was just a space! "It has the name of the play, the pokemon in it and who they play, and pokemon not in the play but who are also members of P.A.T., and all those humans in P.A.T." "Oh, thanks." Ash replied. he noticed that Ellen, Dale's Kirlia, was listed as the set designer (as was Danny's Larvitar, Courtney's Raichu and Tyler's Meowth) and background artist. Ash wondered about Courtney's missing fingers. "Courtney? I was just wondering how you lost your two fingers." Courtney looked up surprised. "Well, I was nine and I decided to explore the woods near where I lived. After a few minutes I stepped on a tail. It belonged to a Pokemon and it got mad at me." "What pokemon was it?" Ash asked curiously. "A Ninetales. It's eyes glowed for few seconds and two of my fingers disappeared. It still feels like they're there though." Ash looked at Sophie again. "Why did you cut your hair?" Sophie shrugged. "I guess I was getting tired of long hair. Do you like it? Danny cut it for me." Courtney looked at Ash with a smirk and then gave Sophie a pointed look. "What?" Sophie asked semi- defensively. "He cut my hair before, so he was the perfect one to cut it again." She then got up and went over to Amber. Courtney looked at Ash again and bobbled her head slightly from side to side for a few seconds, all the while with a smirk on her face." Ash looked from Sophie to Courtney in utter confusion. "Am I missing something here?" Courtney stopped bobbling her head and raised an eyebrow. "Nothing that I know of." She replied after a few seconds. She then looked at Azure who had gotten her dress on. "Where's your hat, sweetie?" Azure gave her a funny look and pointed. "It's by your foot." At that moment a bell rang out insistently. Ash, Courtney and Azure looked up as did everyone else in the room. "We have forty- five minutes until the play starts." Mike announced. Scotty ambled over to Courtney. "It amazes me that you always do almost everything at the last minute." Courtney shrugged. "I don't see anything wrong with that. Can you hand me a ribbon? I need to put it in Azure's hat." Ash left Courtney and found Brock with Dale. "...so it doesn't have that plastic aftertaste." Brock said as Ash came within hearing distance. Ash recalled that Faye had said that Dale was a horrible cook, so maybe Brock was giving him cooking lessons? Dale nodded in understanding. "I get it now. More flavoring instead of trying to make it nutritional and visually appealing!" Brock frowned. "Well, nutrition and visual appearance is also important. Just practice on making your food taste good as well." Dale grinned. "Okay, Thanks Brock." Dale turned back to Faye and helped her with her costume. Brock turned around and saw Ash. "There you are. I saw you talking to Courtney and Sophie earlier." Ash looked over his shoulder at Tommy and Courtney. "Yeah, I was just dropping Tommy off. He looks really good as a cowboy." Ash looked at Brock and handed him a program. "We should find our seats before the theater gets full." "Actually May and Max have been saving our seats for us. Natasha is out there with them." Brock and Ash found their seats, which were in the middle of the front row, and sat down. Brock looked at the program that Ash had given him. The play was called: To Change an Outside Inside-out. He thought the title was rather...interesting. The idea for play was by Merlin Carillon, Nadine Dunkel, Cameron Roche and Tyler Russell and written by Polly Dunkel, Scotty Graserba, Pastel Dunkel, Sabrina Dunkel and Courtney Menton. He looked to see who Nadine, Pastel and Sabrina Dunkel were. Nadine was a Dragonite, Pastel was a Cyndaquil and Sabrina was a Flygon? He turned to the back to see a list of those who were in the Pokemon Actors Troupe. He got to the second name and stopped. He went back to the first name. Courtney Menton. He then looked at the second, third and fourth names. Coral Menton (Chinchou), Burgundy Menton (Mareep) and Indigo Menton (Electrode). Brock quickly got Ash's attention and showed him the list. "So...they sort of...adopt their pokemon?" Ash asked pointing to two other names: Sophie Morgan and Emerald Morgan (Vaporeon). "I could be another tradition." May suggested. "Actually the Pokemon themselves suggested it so it would be less confusing for those in the audience." A voice replied. Brock, Ash, Max, May and their pokemon looked up. It was Courtney holding Ivory, her Pichu. "Shouldn't you be backstage getting ready? Max asked. "I'm done with everything. I was just wondering if you guys could watch Ivory for us. She likes to watch the plays from the audience's point of view instead of from the wings." "Of course we will." Courtney then gave Brock the Pichu. "You won't have long to wait. The play starts in ten minutes." "I guess I got here just in time." Another voice announced. Everyone looked and saw Nurse Joy holding Oliver. Courtney looked the most surprised. "I thought you said he wouldn't be well enough in time for the play!" Nurse Joy shrugged and smiled as Courtney took Oliver from her arms. "He recovered faster than I thought he would." Then Nurse Joy turned around and left. Courtney gave Oliver a hug and then said. "I thought you wouldn't be well enough, so I got Tommy, Ash's Treecko to play your part for you." Oliver tapped his translator twice. "That's okay. I'll just watch." "So what's the plan this time?" James asked as he sat in a chair a five rows from the front. "We watch the play and as we watch the play we decide which Pokemon we want to steal." Jessie replied. Meowth looked around. "What about Wobbuffet? He always reveals who we are!" Jessie waved a hand. "I left him at the Pokemon Center. I'll go back for him when the play is over." "Are you sure it was him?" Scotty asked Mike and Officer Jenny. Officer Jenny nodded. "We're positive. It matches the picture and description perfectly." Scotty left the group and found Courtney. She had just come back and was with Piper, Faye, Kristen and Chase. He touched her shoulder and whispered in her ear. "Officer Jenny just told me that The Fungus has been spotted in town." She turned towards him. "We don't have to worry about Bart unless we see him." She replied softly. "What about his pokemon? He has at least one other." Scotty asked glancing at the time. Courtney sighed. "And we have no idea what it is either." Showtime At that moment the lights dimmed and all noise ceased as everyone paid attention. The curtains drew back and the play began: Emilio (Caterpie)/Narrator: We begin our tale in a small town far, far away and into the past. This town was built, not by humans, but by us: Pokemon. Humans are not aware of this little town, for they have no reason to come here. The town of Fair Day is quite literally in the middle of nowhere. So now we begin our play just after sun up in the home of Sheriff Porter: Piper (Bagon)/Princess Lynette's father, Sheriff Porter: Good Morning dear, are the kids up yet? I made breakfast this morning Faye (Gardevoir)/Princess Lynette's mother Molly: They should be down in a minutes. Brock could hear footsteps coming down stairs. *That's odd. I didn't see any stairs backstage.* He thought. At that moment a Larvitar and a Ralts came into view. Kristen/Laurie and Chase/Luke: Morning Mom, Morning Dad. Kristen/Laurie: Is there any word from our sister Lynette? Piper/Sheriff Porter: Just that she met this Prince Gordon, but you knew that since last month. Otherwise there is no new news. Chase/Luke: (laughing) Maybe she was kidnapped. Kristen/Laurie: (looking at Chase/Luke): You and your imagination. Narrator: Just then the pounding of hoofbeats fill the air. Meowth looked around as he, James and Jessie could hear actual hoofbeats. "Where do you think that sound is coming from?" He asked. Jessie leaned forward. "Is that a Ralts?" "Yeah, so?" He countered. "A Ralts is rare where the Boss lives. Then again so is a Gardevoir, Bagon and a Larvitar." "Let's get back to watching the play." James interrupted. (Sound of a door knocking) Piper/Sheriff Porter: I guess I'll just have to see who that is." (He gets up and answers the door to see a young lady on Ponyta-back) Piper/Sheriff Porter: May I help you? Ellen/Messenger on Ponyta-back (Kirlia): I have a message for you from Prince Gordon: Your daughter has been kidnapped by two mysterious men and is now guarded in the Fateless Tower by a two headed dragon. Piper/Sheriff Porter: That's terrible! Is there anything else? Ellen/Messenger on Ponyta-back: Yes. The mysterious men have requested that someone other than you, your family, Prince Gordon or his family to go and save her. But they say that they doubt anybody can get past them and the dragons to get to your daughter. Here are the instructions and directions. (She then leaves and rides off on her Ponyta.) (Piper/Sheriff Porter stares after her for a few second and then goes back to the kitchen still holding the instructions and directions. (Kristen/Laurie looks up) What is the matter father? You look upset Piper/Sheriff Porter sits down and puts the papers on the table.) Your sister has been kidnapped by two mysterious men. Nobody from this family or Prince Gordon's family are allowed to save her. Chase/Luke: So what do we do? Faye/Molly: Come up with a plan. The Next Morning Faye/Molly: Come up with anything yet? (Bagon) Piper/Sheriff Porter: Yes. I talked with the town doctor, barber and dentist and he won't do it. I foolishly told him ahead of time what he was getting into. Then I talked to Buck, the Coroner's son. After he agreed to save our daughter, then I told him about the dragons. Chase (Larvitar)/Luke: Then what happened? Piper/Sheriff Porter: He still agreed to do it. (Faye/Molly claps hands in relief): That's wonderful! When is he leaving town? Piper/Sheriff Porter: (shakes his head): He already left....after he visited the saloon for a few hours. Kristen/Laurie: Why didn't you ask that one cattle farmer....Wyatt? Piper/Sheriff Porter: Because he doesn't do anything! He's always in the saloon. He never drinks...he just....sits there doing nothing. Occasionally he does something..he walks out and goes home Chase/Luke: So where is Buck? Buck's Location (Nuzleaf) Sandy/Buck: So I turn left at the Hospitable Fountain until I come to the Tree of Answers, then I cross the Desert of the Perished. (stops reading and looks up.) Why didn't I ask the Sheriff first before agreeing to do this?! (Begins reading again.) Then if I make it across the Desert of the Perished- (stops reading again.) If?! How dangerous is this? (Begins reading again.) Then I travel until I find the Singing Shadow. I should then ignore the Singing Shadow or put in earplugs. Then I take a right at the Singing Shadow until I come to the Stone of Truth. I should ask the stone a question and continue until I come to the Fateless Tower and the two headed dragon that guards it. (Stops reading and looks over the horizon proudly.) Then I fight that dragon and save the Sheriff's daughter. (Thinks) I believe he said her name was Lynette. (Starts to run in the direction of the Hospitable Fountain) Here I come Lynette! At the mention of Lynette, Brock looked to see who was playing her. In the program it said that there were two pokemon playing Princess Lynette, one of them being Azure Menton. He remembered someone mentioning a Prince Gordon earlier in the play. Prince Gordon was played by Hazelnut Dunkel- a Machop. And the King was played by Gilbert Carillon. He was slightly amused when he found out that Gilbert was a... He frowned. Didn't he see a Pokemon named Filbert in the back of the program? He looked again and there it was: Filbert Dunkel- Primeape. He looked closer at the list. He didn't know that Riley had a Blaziken named Pistachio. May blinked and found that the scenery had changed already. *Wait a minute! Didn't he just start to travel to the Hospitable Fountain? How did he get there already?* She nudged Ash to get his attention. "Did I fall asleep for a minute? The scenery just changed." She whispered. He shook his head. "Look in the program and you'll find your answer." He whispered back Hospitable Fountain (Spotting the Hospitable Fountain) Sandy/Buck: Is this the Hospitable Fountain? Scarlett (Totodile)/Fountain Voice #1: Yes. You have arrived at the Hospitable Fountain. How we make your stay more comfortable? Carol (Eevee)/Fountain voice #2: Perhaps you would like to sit down and have some water. Augustus(Oddish)/Fountain voice #3: Or maybe you would care to stay for the night. It's a long way to the Fateless Tower. (Frowning) Sandy/Buck: How did you know I'm heading towards the Fateless Tower? Scarlett/Fountain Voice #1: The winds speak mysteries and truth. Carol/FV #2: And everybody coming this way always goes to the Fateless Tower. Augustus/FV #3: You're the first we've seen in over a hundred years! (Pauses) Sandy/Buck: Which way is it to the Tree Of Answers? Scarlett/FV #1: Right! Carol/FV #2: Left! Augustus/FV #3: Straight ahead! (He starts to walk and turns back) Sandy/Buck: Which way? Scarlett/FV #1: Straight ahead! Carol/FV #2: Right! Augustus/FV #3: Left! (Scowls and crosses arms) Sandy/Buck: Are you telling the truth? Scarlett/FV #1: No! Carol/FV #2: Maybe! Augustus/Fv #3: Yes! Buck then stared at the fountain for a few seconds before making up his mind. He then turned and walked away...going to the right of the fountain. (At the same time) FV #1-3: Go left! Max watched as Buck turned from the direction he was headed and went left. Max quickly looked up at the left of the stage. For a split second he had thought he had seen a Noctowl and a Haunter. Must have been his imagination. At that moment the scene had changed again! This time Buck was at the Tree of Answers. How did they change the scenery already?! Ash also saw what Max saw. But what Max didn't see that Ash saw were two sets of eyes looking at them from the stage. It belonged to the Noctowl and the Haunter. Were they part of the play? He looked in the other direction and just missed seeing a Gengar and a Sableye. *I know something was just there. Or was there something there?* Ash looked in the other direction but didn't see the two sets of eyes anymore. *Oh look, the scene changed again.* He thought. (Walks up to the Tree of Answers) Sandy/Buck: Are you the Tree of Answers? Merlin (Alakazam)/Tree of Answers: All questions will be answered in time. Sandy/Buck: (Muttering) I guess you are. (To ToA): Is it hard to cross the Desert of the Perished? Merlin/Tree of Answers: Yes (To the readers: It's the answer to his first question) Sandy/Buck: Is it dangerous to cross the Desert of the Perished? Merlin/Tree of Answers: Yes, very. Sandy/Buck: Will I survive to save the Sheriff's daughter? Merlin/Tree of Answers: Not really. Brock watched at Buck panicked and ran into the Desert of the Perished. A little while later a random Mankey came into the view complaining. Cashew/Random Mankey: Will I ever find my way back home? Merlin/Tree of Answers: If you're lucky enough you will. (That was the answer to Buck's last question) Cashew/Random Mankey: (Hopefully) Will it take me a long time? Merlin/Tree of Answers: yes. Cashew/Random Mankey: (Sits down by the tree): I should just give up shouldn't I? Merlin/Tree of Answers: No, it will not take you a long time to get home. Cashew/Random Mankey: (looks up) Was that the answer to the question I just asked you? Merlin/Tree of Answers: NO. Cashew/Random Mankey: What is my Name? Merlin/Tree of Answers: No, it wasn't Cashew/Random Mankey: (waits for a few minutes): I'm waiting. (Waits for a few more minutes and then leaves) May then understood what it was about. The Tree of Answers couldn't answer the previous question unless the person asked another question! What if the person after the Random Mankey asked the Tree a question it didn't know and left then another person came along and asked it if it was the Tree of Answers. Would the answer be 'I don't know'? May frowned. Why was it so hot all of a sudden? (quickly becoming tired from running) Sandy/Buck: It would be easier if it were the Desert of the Small. Meaning it was a small desert. And it's getting hotter too! Max watched as Buck kept walking. He also couldn't understand why he felt so hot. Suddenly Max leaned forward. Sophie had come onto the stage. Only she was slightly translucent and her voice was seemed somewhat distorted. At that moment a cool breeze went through the theater. It was finally cooling down. Sophie/Illusional Human #1:(remember, distorted voice) Oh, Look! A Nuzleaf! I think I'll catch it! (Throws a Pokeball) Sophie/Illusional Human #1: Go Poliwhirl! Use water gun! Gray/Illusional Poliwhirl: Poliwhirl! Sandy/Buck:(no distortion) I have to get away! (Runs around the Poliwhirl and human) Sophie/Illusional Human #1: Poliwhirl! Use body slam! (Buck looks up in time to see the Poliwhirl coming at a very fast speed. He dodges and the Poliwhirl lands hard on the ground.) Ronnie/Illusional Human #2:(appears out of nowhere and also talks with a distorted voice) Looks like your Poliwhirl is unable to battle. Here, let me try to catch it! Sophie/Illusional Human #1: Okay. Poliwhirl return! (Throws a pokeball) Ronnie/Illusional Human #2: Go Roselia! Use Stun Spore! Rosie/Illusional Roselia: Roselia! (Buck dodges the stun spore and looks down) Sandy/Buck: A leaf! (picks up the leaf and uses grasswhistle, putting the Roselia in a trance) (Buck drops the leaf in disgust) Sandy/Buck: It tastes like hot sand! (Tyler/Illusional Human #3's voice appears out of thin air and is distorted) Tyler/illusional Human #3: Go Clefairy (Appears) Use Sing! Balance/Illusional Clefairy: Clefairy! (Buck sees this, covers his ears and runs in the direction he wanted to go.) Ash poked Brock to get his attention. "Did that mean that he was having hallucinations? The distorted voices and the almost see through people?" Brock nodded. "I think so." At that comment Ivory and Oliver giggled at what they said. "What's so funny?" Ivory and Oliver looked at him innocently. "Nothing." Ivory said with a mischievous smile. "So what does he have to come to next?" Max asked. "The Singing Shadow." Oliver whispered smugly still giving Ivory a knowing look. "I think he's there!" May hissed. Jessie watched as the Nuzleaf actor approached the Singing Shadow cautiously. It was singing such a beautiful song that she couldn't help not to lis..zzzzzzz. Harmony (Jigglypuff)/Singing Shadow: (singing): And quiet my mind upon the dew. What can I say? (at this point the whole audience is asleep.) Harmony looks up and stops singing when she notices the whole audience is asleep. Except for Oliver and Ivory. They're too busy laughing to fall asleep. Harmony turns around. "Ok! They're asleep! We can do a scene change with out using hypnosis!" Ten minutes later Brock felt as though a sudden downpour of water was dropped on him. If felt as though he were soaking wet! He woke up with a start to find that he was completely dry. Ash, May and Max also woke up quickly. Ivory looked up a him with that same innocent smile that she had on before he fell asleep. "What was that?" He asked her. She looked at Oliver who shook his head. Ivory looked back up at him. "What was what?" Aria (Aipom)/Mysterious voice #1: Buck, wake up Buck. You're sleeping in the middle of a desert. Bellanca (Bellosom)/Mysterious voice #2: You still want to rescue Lynette don't you? Together: Wake UP! Buck wakes up and looks around. He notices that he is somehow near the Stone of Truth. Sandy/Buck: Are you the Stone of Truth? Brenden (Umbreon)/Voice of Stone of Truth: Yes Sandy/Buck: Am I still in the Desert of the Perished? Brenden/Voice of Stone of Truth: Your feet still are Sandy/Buck: Will I find Lynette? Brenden/VoSoT: I don't know anybody named Lynette Sandy/Buck: What will I find? Brenden/VoSot: I don't know. I have never been where you are going. Then again I do not know were you are going. Sandy/Buck: (frowns) You're not very helpful. Brenden/VoSoT: I know, but I do tell the truth. (Stands up as he remembers something) Sandy/Buck: Wait a minute! The Tree of Answers told me that I wouldn't survive the trip in the desert! Brenden/VoSoT: That wasn't the answer to your question. It was the answer to the question before that one. The Tree of Answers only answers your question if you ask another question. "I knew it!" May shouted somewhat loudly. "Shhhh!" Max reminded her. Sandy/Buck: Which way to the Fateless Tower? Brendan/VoSoT: Straight ahead. But watch out for the two headed dragon. Buck shielded his eyes and look out into the distance. He could barely see the tower. He made up his mind and dashed off in that direction. A few seconds later a shadow appeared next to the Stone Of Truth. It saw where Buck was headed and started to follow, singing quietly all the way. The audience fell asleep for a second time. When they woke up, Buck was a lot closer to the tower. (An unseen pokemon (from the actor's pov, the audience can see the pokemon) spots Buck) Iris (dratini)/Dragon of The Wind: Is he here to rescue the Princess? He might need my help. (looks down to see how small she is) Iris/Dragon of The Wind: It would be easier to help if I were a bit bigger. (evolves) Omar (dragonair)/Dragon of The Wind: That's much better. (He then follows Buck to the Fateless Tower.) Max stared in shock at the evolution. "How?!" He squeaked. He felt someone tapping his shoulder. It was May pointing to two different names in the program: Iris and Omar Dunkel. May's thumb was covering up a third name, but that didn't matter. "But if they're two different Pokemon then how come we didn't see them switch places?" Max asked. May looked from him, to the stage then at Brock and Ash as if the answer was on their foreheads and then turned back to Max. "I have no idea." Buck ran until he came to the stairs of the Fateless Tower. He then climbed the stairs with a silent Singing Shadow following close behind. When he reached to top of the stairs he came face to face with two Mysterious Men. Joel(Arbok)/Mysterious Man #1: Well now, what do we have here? Fred(Weezing)/Mysterious Man #2: Perhaps someone challenging us for the Princess? Sandy/Buck: (confused): Princess? I thought she was the Sheriff's daughter! Joel/MM #1: (looking at MM#2) The things these people don't know! Fred/MM #2: I know! (to Buck) We won't let you in until you pass...a test. Sandy/Buck: (Somewhat suspicious) What sort of test? Joel/MM #1: Well- (At that moment the Singing Shadow decides to help Buck by singing the two Mysterious Men to sleep.) Sandy/Buck: (Turns) The singing Shadow! (He then runs inside.) James frowned. "Jessie, those two looked awfully familiar." Jessie shook her head. "No, all Arbok and Weezings look alike." Meowth pointed to the notepad in Jessie's hand. "Put them on the list! You guys'll have another Arbok and Weezing if you steal those two!" Omar/Dragon of The Wind: He might need my help to get the Princess out. In order for me to help him I need wings. (Evolves again) Nadine(Dragonite)/Dragon of the Wind: Here I go! "Add that Dragonite to the list!" James and Meowth hissed in a frenzied voice. (The scenery shifts yet again. This time it is to the inside of the Fateless Tower. Buck looks around and notes the numerous scorch marks on the walls, as well as about eleven skeletons strewn about.) Sandy/Buck: (with his voice echoing loudly) I wonder what made those. (He hears a very faint voice.) What was that? Azure (Pikachu)/Princess Lynette: (sounding far way.) Whoever is there! Please help! Sandy/Buck: That came from up the stairs. (he then runs towards the stairs but steps on a tail.) (looks back) Sandy/Buck: What was that? Buck watches as a monsterous two headed dragon rises to it's full height. It looks in all directions before finally spotting him. Sienna(Gyarados)/Two headed dragon-head #1: Are you the one who stepped on my tail? Sandy/Buck: (nods) That was me. Nyssa(Gyarados)/Two headed dragon-head #2: Then you are about to become toast! The two headed dragon then unleashes a powerful flamethrower. Buck ducks and runs to the stairs as fast as he can. Sienna/Dragon head #1: Get back here! At that moment the Singing Shadow decided to help again by putting the Two Headed Dragon to sleep. When they are asleep the Singing Shadow then followed Buck upstairs. Jessie leaned forward in anticipation. "A two headed Gyarados that can use flamethrower would be a wonderful present for the Boss!" She then wrote it down on the notepad. "Wouldn't it be rather dangerous to try to catch it? And why would the boss want a two headed Gyarados anyways?" James asked. Meowth held up a finger. "I'll tell you why. He'll wake up one day..." Buck acended the last step and found himself in front of a door. He knocked on the door and it fell inside. Princess Lynette looked at him in surprise. Azure(pikachu)/Lynette: And to think I could have gotten myself out all this time! (She studies Buck some more) How did you get past the Two Headed Dragon? Twelve other people have tried and they failed! Sandy/Buck (thinking of the skeletons): Oh. Really? Buck turns around and comes face to face to face with the two headed dragon. Sandy/Buck and Azure/Lynette: Aaaahhhhh! Buck then runs to the window in the Princess' room. At that moment a part of the wall collapses and reveals the Dragon of the Wind. Nadine/Dragon of The Wind: (looks at Buck and Lynette): Relax, I'm harmless! The Dragon of the Wind then grabs Lynett and flys away with her. Buck then looks back to see the Two Headed Dragon enter the room and so he jumps out the window. Halfway to the ground he lands on the Dragon of The Wind. Sandy/Buck: Why didn't you take me with you?! Nadine/Dragon of The Wind: Sorry, ladies first. I had to pick up the Singing Shadow before I got back to you. I can only take you three as far as the Stone Of Truth. Arrival at the Stone of Truth. Brock watched as The Dragon of The Wind gently set Buck, Lynette and the Singing Shadow on the ground next to the Stone of Truth. Then he watched in amazement as the Dragon of The Wind evolved back into a Dragoniar and finally a Dratini. Azure/Lynette: How did you do that? Pokemon can only evolve forward. They can't go back to what they were! Iris/Dragon of The Wind: I am able to. That power was given to me by the Ancient Dragon himself. (The Dragon of The Wind then leaves. After a few feet she disappears into thin air.) Sandy/Buck: (Staring after the Dragon of The Wind): I guess we better get going. It's a long way to Fair Day town. Azure/Lynette: (irritated): I know, I used to live there. (They then begin to walk into the Desert of The Perished.) Sandy/Buck: (after a while): Is it true you're a Princess? One day after they have made it back to Fair Day Sandy/Buck: (Walking in to the Quarter Moon Saloon with Lynette.) This is a very nice place to mill around and talk. It's also home to doornails who don't do anything all day. Azure/Lynette: (looking around): This wasn't here before. (Spots Wyatt) Who is that? Sandy/Buck: (gazing at Wyatt disapprovingly) That is one of the farmers. He does nothing all day and probably does nothing all night. Azure/Lynette: (turns to Buck) Is he one of the people you politely called a 'doornail'? Sandy/Buck: (turning away from Wyatt): He's one of the ones I had in mind. Azure/Lynette: (rolls eyes) I see. (They then sit down at a nearby table that is diagonal to Wyatt's.) Sandy/Buck: Did I also mention that this place is a great place to eat? Azure/Lynette: (Studying Buck closely) No, I don't believe you did. (She turns her head in Wyatt's direction and catches him looking at her with one eye. He then quickly closes his eyes and she turns away.) So what do you do? Sandy/Buck: I'm a cowhand. It may be a tough job, but it sure is fun. Azure/Lynette: (Glances at Wyatt and sees him watching her. She looks away as he closes his eyes again.): So what is your family like? (She glances back and makes momentary eye contact with Wyatt. She then turns back to Buck): Do you have any younger or older siblings? Or are you the only child? Sandy/Buck: (Sets his glass of water on the table): My family is nice and hardworking. I am the only child in my family. Azure/Lynette: (Glances at Wyatt and makes small eye contact before turning back to Buck): Are you married? Sandy/Buck: (picks up his water glass) No, I'm not married. (He smiles at her) Yet. Azure/Lynette: (Her eyes dart to Wyatt who was watching her she looked at him.): Are the people in this town friendly? Sandy/Buck: (Glances at her before studying his water glass): Friendly enough I guess. Snowball(Delibird)/Waitress in QMS: May I take you order now? Sandy/Buck: Yes, I'll have a salad. And another water. Azure/Lynette: A salad for me too please, and a water. (They talk until their salads arrive and then they talk in between bites.) Lynette takes on last bite of her salad and looks in Wyatt's direction. He is, once again, looking at her. He smiles, and then gets up and leaves. Buck turns as Wyatt walks out he door. Sandy/Buck: About time. (He turns back to her.) Would you like to talk? Azure/Lynette: We've talked the whole trip back. What else do you want to talk about? Sandy/Buck: (Thinks): Did I ever tell you this joke about.... Two days later. Lynette walked into the general store, relieved that Buck wasn't with her for once. She browsed the merchandise slowly trying to find a yellow scarf. She had found what she was looking for and turned around and came face to face with Wyatt. He looked surprised but then he smiled kindly and tipped his hat. Tommy/Wyatt: Howdy, Ma'am. Fine day to day, ain't it? Azure/Lynette: (looks out window then nods) It sure is. Tommy/Wyatt: (Looks at the scarf in her hand) How about I buy that scarf for ya? It's the least I could do. Azure/Lynette: (Puzzled): But I haven't done anything for you! Tommy/Wyatt: (tilting his head and smiling): You bring sunshine with ya every time I see you. Azure/Lynette: (nervously): You're very kind. (she gives him the scarf.) Here, if you actually want to you can pay for it. I've been wanting to talk with you anyway. Tommy/Wyatt: (reaching for a new hat on a shelf): Oh? About what? Azure/Lynette: (Glancing at the cashier): About the general order of things in town. Tommy/Wyatt: (walking towards register): Really? Iris(Venomoth)/Cashier: Will this be all for you Mr. Wyatt? Tommy/Wyatt: Yes, it is. (The walk outside and then walk to a fairly secluded area and sit down.) Tommy/Wyatt: What was it you were wanting to talk about? Azure/Lynette: (Looks to see if anyone is looking or listening before answering.) It's just that Buck seems to be a bit....unaccepting of those who have evolved by a stone or some other means, besides naturally, and says that those who do evolve or have evolved by stone are not worth looking at and he doesn't seem to fond of those who can evolve in the ways I just mentioned either. He also said that I was an exception and tried to get me to promise that I would never touch a thunderstone or any other stone. This was during our trip back here. Two days ago he made some joke about a Raichu that I didn't agree with, but I wasn't sure what to say. Prince Gordon was the same way. I'm getting the feeling that they are both interested in me but someday will drop me for someone who evolves naturally. Their love for me is conditional. And that one condition is that I never touch an evolution stone. Tommy/Wyatt: (Tommy then forgets his lines and desperately tries to remember it) Alice: (whispering from the wings): You can also add me.... Tommy/Wyatt: (Hears what Alice says): You can also add me to the list of those who are in love with you. But unlike Buck or Prince Gordon, my love is unconditional. If you want to evolve into a Raichu someday...that is fine with me. You can touch all the evolution stones you want and my love for you will still be unconditional. (he then spots something in the distance) Who is that? Azure/Lynette: (looks down) Well, to be honest, I love you too. (then looks in the same direction Wyatt is looking.) It appears to be three people on Ponytas. (They wait until the figures can be more clearly seen) It's Prince Gordon and his family! Hazelnut(machop)/Prince Gordon: Princess Lynette! I have finally found you again! Gilbert(Wobbuffet)/King Gordon: (disapprovingly to Lynette): I believe the original plan was for whoever saved you from the Fateless Tower was to bring you back to us. "A Wobbuffet? Why would a Wobbuffet be a king?" Jessie asked sourly. Azure/Lynette: Why is that? Rhythm(Chansey)/Queen: Why, for your marriage to my son of course! (turns to Prince Gordon's sister): Go find someplace to change into something nicer. Bunny(Bulbasaur)/Prince Gordon's Sister: I have already begun to do so mother. (Bunny starts to glow but stops a few seconds later.) Azure/Lynette: (hands a note to Wyatt and quickly whispers in his ear): Read this when you are alone. (to Prince Gordon's family): Of course, the wedding...how could I have forgotten? Rhythm/Queen: (puts hand on Lynette's shoulder): We should go somewhere private and discuss the wedding plans. (turns to King Gordon, Prince Gordon and Prince Gordon's sister): Be a dear and find a place for us to stay. Gilbert/King Gordon: I believe I saw someplace on the way into town. (He and the other two ride of to find the inn.) Sandy/Buck: What is going on here?! Rhythm/Queen: Princess Lynette is set to marry my son. Sandy/Buck: But I saved her from the Fateless Tower!! Rhythm/Queen: Yes. But you, however, are not a member of a royal family. Lynette is. Tommy/Wyatt: (Surprised and slightly disturbed):I guess I'd better get going home. (leaves) One hour later Wyatt walked in the cool air thoughtfully. Lynette was a princess who was trapped between two men who loved her. Both of them weren't accepting of those who evolve by stone. One of them was supposed to marry her and the other one couldn't marry her for he wasn't royalty. The one she was supposed to marry, she didn't like his philosophy on stone evolution. Then, to make matters worse, he liked her and she liked him, but he wasn't a member of a royal family. He then remembered the note that she hastily gave him. He took it out of his pocket and read it. It was a cross between a request and an order. He reread the note and carefully folded it back up. He then started searching for the object of her request. When he found it he slowly made his way to her house. The next day Lynette ran quickly to the middle of town to meet Wyatt. She didn't want to marry Prince Gordon or Buck and she did want to marry Wyatt. She reached her destination and looked around for Wyatt. She spotted him by the fountain and dashed over to him. Azure/Lynette: Did you get it? Tommy/Wyatt: (nods and takes a small package out of his pocket. He unwraps it and presents it to her): It's right here. Azure/Lynette: (Looks over her shoulder and sees Prince Gordon, his family and Buck running towards them. She then turns back to Wyatt): Then let's hurry before it's too late. (she places her head carefully upon the object and awaits the transformation. A few seconds later she has transformed.) "Looks like Courtney has another Raichu, doesn't it?" Ash asked Brock slowly. Brock agreed. "Looks that way." Hazelnut/Prince Gordon: Lynette! Why did you do that?! Magenta(Raichu)/Lynette: Because I didn't want to marry you. You said it yourself, you don't like those who have evolved by stone. Buck said the same thing a few days ago. (gestures to Wyatt) Wyatt loves me for who I am and not what I am. Hazelnut/Prince Gordon: But...What about... Gilbert/King Gordon: (Gently to Prince Gordon): Perhaps it was for the best. Your mother, sister and I never approved of her in the first place. (Glares at Lynette) You've made your point. (he then turns his back to Lynette and speaks to his family) I suppose it would be best to leave this (rolls eyes) place. Pack your things and we'll leave within the half hour. Magenta/Lynette: (to Buck): You better go with them. I don't want to see your face around here anymore. Sandy/Buck: (shrugs) Fine by me. (leaves to pack his belongings, but then turns back to Lynette) Lynette? Have I mentioned that your new ears look like they've been chewed on? Magenta/Lynette: (crisply): No, you haven't. And have I mentioned that you have beady little eyes and a nose that looks like a pencil? Buck then stares at her in shock and then turns and slowly makes his way home. Lynette looks on victoriously at Buck's and Prince Gordon's family's departure. She then turns to Wyatt after a few minutes. Magenta/Lynette: Now what do we do? Tommy/Wyatt: (gazes deeply into her eyes): Be ourselves, live our life the way we want without external interference, and live together, married, and someday have kids. Magenta/Lynette: (softly) Sounds nice. When do we start? Tommy/Wyatt: (smiling): How about right now? Emilio(Now a metapod)/Narrator: Lynette and Wyatt married the next day. They never saw or heard from Buck or Prince Gordon and his family again. They did have three kids and lived the rest of their lives in the town of Fair Day. The members of the Pokemon Actor's troupe hope that you have enjoyed this production. We hope to see you again next time we are in town. Ten minutes later Ash, Brock, May, Max and their pokemon managed to make their way backstage after the play was over. The first one they met was Tommy, who was waiting for them. "Congratulations Tommy! You were great!" Max cried. Tommy shook his head. "Not exactly. I forgot one of my lines." Brock frowned. "Really? Which one?" Tommy looked up. "The one where Wyatt tells Lynette that he loves her." Ash scratched his head. "Nobody noticed that. I thought the pause was meant to happen. I thought Wyatt was searching for the words he wanted to tell Lynette!" "Many people and pokemon forget their lines from time to time. Sometimes you remember them, other times someone coaches you or you ad-lib. It's what makes these plays so exciting to produce!" Courtney announced. She had arrived with Azure and Magenta by her feet. Max gasped at the sight of Azure. "I thought you evolved into a Raichu!" May looked from Courtney to the pokemon to Max. "I thought she did too!" Courtney smirked. "May, do you have your program with you still?" May pulled her program from her pocket and gave it to Courtney. "It's right here." Courtney pointed to the lines at the bottom. "If you look here you will find that the special effects were conducted by Confuius, Lynette, Casper, Tabby, Sable and Alpine. Those pokemon, in that order are, a Noctowl, Ghastly, Gengar, Shuppet, Sableye and a Haunter. All of them are capable of providing or ending illusions." "So Azure's evolution in the play was only an illusion?" Max asked. Courtney nodded. "As were several other aspects of the play: A two headed Gyarados that had one body and could use flamethrower, the Tree of Answers, the Hospitable Fountain, Stone of Truth, the skeletons, and my favorite: The shadow of a Jigglypuff who played the Singing Shadow. She looked at her pokemon, all of whom had gathered around her during her explaination of the parts of the play. "How about we all go get some ice cream?" She looked up at Ash and his friends. "Would you guys like to join us?" Ash smiled. "Of course we'll join you! Right Natasha?" Natasha looked at him happily. "Of course we will!" That is the end of part 5! The sixth part is the last part to the story. No previews this time! ;)