Outside by the garden, Belle and the others came to a last tree which it doesn't look like one. "Guys, this is the last one." said Belle. "That's not it. That's just a weed wishing it was a tree." said Chip. "Azu azu." Rillie agreed. "Eevee." Petite sighed.
"Chip, we've looked at every tree on the grounds." "But it's more this way than that." "It will have to do." Belle held Axe tightly and tries chopping the tree until Axe groaned. "Oy, gevault! What a headache I have." he said. Belle looked at him. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'll get a saw."
"No, that's fine. I don't want I should put you out." he said. "Oh, all right." she said and Belle was about to chop until Axe stopped her for a moment. "Do you have some oil? I just thought a little massage…" he said as he looked at Belle who raised her eyebrow, "But if it's no, it's no. Go on. What are you waiting for? Knock yourself out."
Belle aimed the tree to where it be chopped but Axe interrupted again. "You never get headaches, I guess. Lucky you." he said. "Eevee?" Petite looked at him like 'really?' "Really, I can get a saw." said Belle as she looked at him until she heard something. "Who wants a saw I said go ahead with the whacking and the hitting. Who's stopping you?" "Shh." Belle shushed him as she heard something.
"What is that?" Belle listened as she heard music, coming from inside the castle. "Eevee..." Petite was in awed by the music, including Belle. "It's beautiful."
Forte was playing his music from his organ. "And now for a little Fife." he said. Karel and Saber covered their ears as Fife inhaled deeply and let out a high-pitched whistling sound.
Sultan heard the whistle sound. He howled and barked and quickly ran off. Belle and the others notice Sultan going. "Sultan, wait!" said Belle. She put Axe down and starts chasing him along with Chip and their Pokemon. "Don't worry yourself about me. I'll just sit here. Snow is fine." Axe leaned on the weed tree to relax until a pile of snow fell on him. "A little wet, but who's complaining?"
"Yes, my dear. Come to me." said Forte as kept playing.
Belle and the others kept following the music as they were searching for Sultan. "Come here, boy. Come here." she hollered.
Forte smiled as he knew that she was getting close. Sultan arrived at the parlor, barking as he spotted Fife. Karel witness what he saw and hid. Fife yelped and ran around the room, trying to get away from the Rockruff. "Sultan?" Belle's voice echoed.
Belle, Petite, Chip, and Rillie entered as they were looking for Sultan. The looked around seeing the room was dark. "Hello? Hello?" she spoke. "W-Well, maybe there's nobody here. M-M-Maybe we should go." Chip shuddered. "A-azu azu-u." Rillie agreed.
Belle turned as she saw Sultan barking at something on the chair. "What's the matter, Sultan?" she asked as she walked closer to the chair. She looked and saw Fife and Karel, whimpering from the Rockruff but turned their heads as they saw Belle.
"Oh, hello. I don't believe we've met. I'm Belle and this is Petite." "Eevee." Petite greeted as she smiled at them. "And you are?" "Fife and this is Karel." "Kricketune." he greeted. Sultan growled at the two. "Down, boy, down." she said to Sultan and turned back at Fife and Karel. "We heard the most beautiful music. Was it you?" she asked.
Fife giggled and blushed. "M-me? You thought that was m-me?" Fife asked as he accidently let out a high-pitch whistle sound that made Rockruff and the Pokemon whimpered. Fife chuckled in embarrassment. "Mademoiselle, please."
Belle and the others turned and saw Forte. "I am Maestro Forte, court composer and your most humble servant." he spoke, acting like a gentleman. "Sableye!" Saber greeted as he appeared in front of Forte. "And this is my companion, Saber." "Pleased to meet you, Monsieur Forte and Saber. I'm Belle."
"Yes. The entire castle is talking about you, child. They say you're planning a Christmas gala. Marvellous idea. The very thing to shatter the master's dark and gloomy past. But you must make this the grandest celebration ever." "Sableye." Saber said with agreement. "Have you gifts?" Forte asked.
"Yep." Chip replied with a smile. "Food?" "Yep." "Garlands, ribbons, wreaths?" "Check." "Spangles and "fandangles"? The trinkets, the trimmings, the trappings?" "Yep, we got 'em all." "Azu!" said Rillie.
Forte smirked and looked at Chip. "A tree?" he asked. Chip's smiled turned to a frown and looked at Belle. "See, Belle? I told ya." "Well, we found one." "But it was on the piddlin' side of puny." said Chip.
Forte chuckled, "But did you look in the Black Forest? There you will find a tree better than any you can dream of." he said as they all turned at the window, seeing the view of the forest. "Better? We gotta go, Belle!" said Chip. Fife and the Pokemon shuddered, seeing the view of the forest. "We gotta." "Chip, we can't. I promised your master I wouldn't leave the castle grounds. I gave my word." "Eevee eevee." Petite agreed.
Chip looked disappointed but Forte spoke, "Chin up, son. There's a profound lesson here. Keeping your word is much more important than bringing joy to another." "You're twisting what I said." said Belle as she had her hands on her hips. Petite looked at the pipe organ, she felt like something is not right about him.
"Not at all. I agree with you. Look after yourself. Let the master do the same. Never mind that the tree was always his favorite part of Christmas." said Forte. Chip looked at Belle with pleading eyes. "Please, Belle? Ple-e-e-ease?"
Belle looked at Chip for a moment and looked at the Black Forest from the window. "It looks dangerous." Forte chuckled, "Mademoiselle, you are in more danger… in this very room, I assure you." Belle sighed, "All right." "Yes!" said Chip. "We'll take Philippe. If we hurry, we can be back by nightfall." said as she, Chip, and their Pokemon started to leave.
"Au revoir, Monsieur Forte. You'll keep my secret, won't you?" Belle asked. "Of course, mademoiselle. The master will remain completely in the dark." he answered. "Au revoir, Fife." she said as the four left the room. "Au revoir." said Fife as he waved including Karel.
"Fife! I want you and your Kricketune to follow her. Make sure they don't come back." said Forte. "Oh, yeah, but, maestro, she's so nice." "When you're finished fawning, Fife, perhaps you can recommend someone else to play your solo." he said as he showed chest where Fife's music sheets are.
"No! I'm going. I'm going. Come on, Karel." "Kricketune!" they said and they quickly left the room. "Sableye." Saber watched and let out a sinister smile.
To Be Continued...
