How Kitsune Aided a Prince

Story 2: How Kitsune Aided a Prince


"In a certain land, there lived a king who had three daughters and a son, whose name was Brian." Teresa began. "The years passed, the king grew old and passed on, and Prince Brian ascended the throne. When the neighboring kings heard of this they raised an army of millions and went to war against him."

Gasps went up at this--the story can't end this soon! "Prince Brian didn't know what to do; so he went to his sisters--whose names are not important to us--and asked them..." Teresa narrated before assuming the role of Prince Brian. "My sisters, what am I to do? All of the neighboring kings have risen up against me."

"Oh, brave warrior!" she assures an imagined person as the eldest sister. "Why are you afraid? Look at Kitsune, the holy Delphox; she has been fighting with Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon, for thirty years or more; she never tires, she never rests, but you are frightened about nothing."

Excited whispers filled the room at the mention of the holy Delphox. "Prince Brian saddled his faithful steed, put on his armor, took his sword, Lightbringer, his hunting bow...," Teresa paused to retrieve her bow and the quiver of prop arrows. "and his silken whip, prayed to Arceus for strength and courage, and rode out to meet the foe. He killed not so many with the sword as he trampled with his steed. He destroyed the hostile army, went home, and slept three days and nights."

She adds as an aside "Fighting an army that big was hard work!"

Giggles of agreement went up as Teresa continued "On the fourth day he got up, called his ministers and officers together, and said..."

"I have decided to travel the world, and visit far away lands." she explained as Prince Brian. "I am going to look for Kitsune, the holy Delphox. I trust you to give judgment, govern and settle all disputes honestly and fairly."

As herself, she went on "Then he left his sisters, mounted his faithful steed, and rode forth on his way. Whether it was long or short, I don't know, but eventually he came to a dark forest, and in that forest was a cabin, and in the cabin lived an old man. Prince Brian went to him and said..."

"Hail, grandfather!" she announced as Prince Brian.

"Hail, young prince! Where does Arceus lead you?" she asked in a gentler voice for the old man.

"I am seeking Kitsune, the holy Delphox; do you know where she is?" she asked as Prince Brian.

"I don't know myself, but I will summon my faithful servants and ask."

After fishing out a familiar whistle from a pocket, Teresa went on "The old man went to the door of the cabin and began to play on a small flute."

She played the Zelda whistle noise for effect, to some giggles. "Almost immediately, bird Pokemon of all shapes and sizes flew to him; and he asked..."

"My faithful servants, have you seen or heard of Kitsune, the holy Delphox?" she asked as the old man.
 
"Not a thing." she sighed in a younger version of herself.

"Well, Sir Brian," she explains as the old man, "you should go to my brother; maybe he will tell you something. Take this ball, let it go before you, and whereever it rolls, follow it."

As herself, she continues "So Prince Brian mounted his faithful steed and dropped the ball. It rolled on down the path and he rode after it. Whether it was long or short, I don't know, but eventually he came to another cabin; where there lived another old man.

She performed the rigamarole again. "Hail, grandfather!"

"Hail, young prince, where does your way lead you?"

"I am seeking Kitsune, the holy Delphox. Do you know where she is?"

"I don't know, but I will call my trusty servants and ask them."

She played the Zelda whistle theme again before narrating "Almost immediately the beast Pokemon gathered around him from all sides."

"My faithful servants, have you heard of Kitsune, the holy Delphox?" she asked as the old man.

"Not a thing..." she sighed again.

"Are you sure? Maybe you are not all here."

As herself, she went on " So the beast Pokemon did a head count; and it turned out Mr. Mightyena was not there. The old man sent word to him, and soon he came."

"Tell me, Mr. Mightyena, do you know where Kitsune, the holy Delphox lives?" she asked as the old  man.

"Why should I not know if I live near her?" she shoots back as  Mr. Mightyena. "She slays entire armies, and I feed on the fallen."

"Where is she now?"

"She is on a great mound in the open field, or sleeping in her cave. She has been fighting with Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon, and she has laid down to sleep for twelve days."

"Guide Prince Brian to him."

As herself, she went on "So Mr. Mightyena ran on ahead, and Prince Brian followed him. He came to the great mound and entered the cave. Kitsune, the holy Delphox, was resting in a deep sleep. Prince Brian thought to himself 'My sisters told me that this hero fought without rest, but she has laid down to sleep for twelve days. Should I sleep in the meantime?"

She assumed a thinking pose. "So he thought...and thought...and thought some more....and finally he lay down at Kitsune's side.  A few hours passed, and Kitsune woke up. She saw that an unknown hero lay nearby. She thought seriously about scorching the intruder with her Mystical Fire, but reconsidered. 'No, this hero came while I was sleeping, and he does not appear to mean any harm.' she thought. 'It would not be proper or fair to me to destroy him as he sleeps. So I will wake him up, and see what he wishes of me."

After a brief pause, she went on "So Kitsune woke Prince Brian, and asked, 'Is your heart pure or evil? What is your name, and why have you come?'"

"My name is Brian, and I have come to look at you and try your strength." she replied as Prince Brian.

"You are bold, Prince Brian; for entering my abode and sleeping at my side without asking first." she intoned as Kitsune. "Had your heart been evil, I might have killed you for that."

"Ah, holy Kitsune, you may be the envoy of the Great Lord, but do not boast before you have cleared the ditch." she cautioned as Prince Brian. "You may stumble. We will fight."

"And then?" some kindergarteners pleaded.

"They charged at each other, and struck with such force that Prince Brian's blade flew into the air." Teresa continued. "Prince Brian eventually knocked Kitsune to the ground and raised his sword above him. But Kitsune reminded him...."

"Remember, young prince--I am immortal, and so cannot die, whether by weapon, old age or disease." she cautioned as Kitsune. "Since you have proved yourself, I pledge my services to you, if you will do likewise in return."

As herself, Teresa continued "Prince Brian took Kitsune by the paw, helped her up, and swore his allegiance to her and Arceus."

"I have heard, Kitsune, that you have fought thirty years with Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokemon. Why is that?" she asked as Prince Brian.

"He holds the princess of the Pidoves, Paloma, captive. As the envoy of Arceus, I am compelled to free her from her oppression." she explained as Kitsune.

As herself, she continued "So the two of them departed for Darkrai's lair. Darkrai, had put out a numberless army. But they were no match for the army of two. Darkrai fled in terror, but Prince Brian pursued him. He had almost caught him, when suddenly he ran into a deep ravine, raised an iron slab and disappeared under the earth."

She concluded "Kitsune found Princess Paloma nearby the slab, and released her, where they learned another princess was held captive by the Arbok King. Kitsune went with Prince Brian to slay the Arbok King, and many more adventures--but that is another story for another day!"

The crowd roared as Teresa took a bow....