Chapter Text
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Let me tell you, little Gregorian,
The tale of the Golden Fruit.
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“Psst, hey kid. Wake up!”
Mienfoo’s ears twitched. The young weasel Pokémon stirred from his makeshift bed in the corner of the gondola. He turned on his side, extended his arms to stretch drowsily, and let out a deep yawn.
“Wake up kid – we’re there!”
The young traveler immediately perked up. He leapt to his feet excitedly, raced to the other side of the large basket and hopped onto a crate to peer over the tall railing. Immediately, his vision was overwhelmed with the beauty of his destination.
Subarbore
The Capital of Aurumus.
From the balloon’s gondola, hundreds of feet in the air, Mienfoo could see everything.
The great tree Aurum and its dark golden bark towered high over the city. The city stretched for miles around it – entire districts were nestled between its enormous, wall-like roots. Almost every street seemed to bustle with activity, with mun of all shapes and sizes moving about.
And the tree’s foliage! Its leaves were a diverse mix of autumn colors, all shimmering with a golden aura as the morning sunrise reflected off them brilliantly.
The great tree was in bloom - it wouldn’t be long before it bore its Golden Fruit.
“You were right, auntie,” Mienfoo said under his breath. Her stories - as vivid and beautifully as she told them - truly did not do the sight justice.
“Well now, my boy,” the voice resounded again, from above Mienfoo. “Glad you decided to travel by air, no?” The old Jellicent that carried the basket beamed down at him proudly. “It is simply the best way to experience the splendor of Aurum for the first time.”
Mienfoo’s whiskers twitched as he smiled up at the large flying Pokémon, his fur riffling in the breeze. He took another look down at the city below him, and grabbed onto the ropes that connected the gondola to the Jellicent. He pulled himself up onto the railing, and outstretched his other arm as he allowed the wind to ripple through him. He took a deep breath, then roared:
“MY ADVENTURE STARTS HERE!”
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Long ago,
This was a barren, nameless land.
Its soil forever tainted by blood spilled in an ancient war.
Or so it was thought.
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“I’m going to let you down at the government office in the West District,” Jellicent explained while slowly descending. “There are mun there who will take care of everything for you. A place to stay, food and drink, registration in the Queen’s Tournament and-”
Mienfoo was barely listening, clutching onto the rope and staring down at the city streets below.
It was just like the stories his aunt had told him - Subarbore was filled to the brim with festivities! Many of the streets were lined with all sorts of games and food stalls, like those ‘carnivals’ he’d heard stories about. The tournament hadn’t even begun yet, and there already looked like there was so much fun to be had!
But still…
He sighed.
There’s still something missing, isn’t there?
His round yellow ears jumped at a strange sound amidst the commotion – laughter? But not the kind he would expect from a carnival. It was mean-spirited, a combination of mocking cackles and snickers. He scanned the streets below, until his gaze fell upon the source.
It came from the edge of the district, in a hidden alleyway nestled between a row of buildings and a massive tree root that they were just passing over. He saw a group of Pokémon gathered, ganging up on another who was laying down in… a sandbox? No, a flowerbed.
Mienfoo grit his teeth and furrowed his brow. He turned to snatch the blanket he had been curled up in off the gondola floor, and then leaped over the edge. “Be right back.”
“Wha…? WAIT!” Jellicent shot a tentacle in Mienfoo’s direction, trying to snatch him out of the air, but he straightened his body into an arrow and slipped through his grasp. “WHAT ARE YOU-”
With seasoned confidence, Mienfoo angled his fall. After picking up a little speed, he grasped the corners of his blanket with his hands and toes. It opened into a makeshift parachute, slowing his fall as it caught a wave of air. But it didn’t last long, quickly ripping to pieces above him. He knew it would.
...
This wasn’t Mienfoo’s first time skydiving. Near his hometown was a mighty cliff which overlooked a beautiful lake. One of the older Pokémon living there was a diver who would jump from the cliff into the waters far below. At eight years old, Mienfoo thought to imitate his actions and took the plunge himself.
His first attempt ended with many broken bones, but the near-death experience and the excruciating pain only strengthened the child’s resolve. He trained himself, practicing and practicing the art of falling until he became as graceful in the air as a Whimsicott.
...
The blanket had done its job, slowing his momentum just enough. He spun in mid-air, angling his feet downwards just in time to contact the side of a massive root. His claws extended from his fingertips, stabbing into the bark and etching marks into it as he skated downwards at an angle.
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One day, a sapling sprouted from the heart of the nameless land.
Its wood bore a golden tint and its leaves were beautiful and diverse.
The sapling grew and grew and grew, until it towered above even titans.
A wonderous sight which gave hope to the scattered, hungry mun of the land.
They called it a gift from Arceus and admired its beauty.
And, eventually, something magnificent grew from its branches.
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“Urk…” Scraggy grunted, his face planted in the flowerbed as bits of soil rained down on him. “Sorry, sorry, sorry…”
“Come on now,” a red monkey said with a cruel frown, crumbling a chunk of soil over his head. The teenage Simisear was tall and thin, with fiery red hair fashioned into a mohawk. “When are you gonna learn your lesson you dumbmun?”
A trio of teenage mun gathered behind her all laughed and snickered as the Scraggy groveled.
“I lent you that money so you could buy snacks for US. Don’t you think you could have left us - I dunno - A LITTLE BIT!?”
“I…” Scraggy lifted his gaze pleadingly. “wuz hungry…. Lost control…”
Simisear snapped. Her expression flooded with rage. The chunk of soil exploded in her clenched fist. Her hand rushed downwards to yank him off the ground. “You know who I am,” she said forcefully, wisps of fire leaking from her form. “I’m gonna be the winner of the Queen’s Tournament!” Scraggy whimpered as her fingertips singed his flesh. “Maybe I should show you what it’s like when - I - lose control…!”
She turned and tossed him into the wall of a building near them, then reared a blazing hand. “Flame Bu-”
“STOP!”
Simisear paused as a sudden voice interrupted them. She turned, just in time to see a young Mienfoo leaping down from the sky. The new arrival grasped onto the wall a few meters up, then expertly backflipped off it to land directly between her and Scraggy.
Mienfoo spread his arms straight out, quivering slightly as he struggled to maintain his balance. He sighed as he realized that he was still upright. “Nailed it!” he said with a fist pump.
Then he turned his attention to the speechless Simisear, pointing a single finger up at the older simian. “I can’t condone this kind of violence!” he said, brimming with confidence. “This is bullying, no matter how you slice it!”
There was a moment of bewildered silence, as the tiny pre-teen weasel stared down the group – most of whom were at least twice his size. Then laughter erupted.
But Simisear wasn’t laughing. She grit her teeth and stepped closer. “Listen brat,” she said, bending her torso forward to literally glare straight down at him. “You’re from the sticks, right? Well here in the city, it’s rude to butt into other muns’ conversations.”
Mienfoo tilted his head upwards, meeting her eyes unwaveringly.
“Now go run back to kindergarten or whatever and go play in your sandbox. I’m talking to my friend.”
“…friend…?” Mienfoo muttered aloud in disbelief, glancing backwards at Scraggy. The bulbous headed lizard mon was on the ground, holding the burn marks on his skin in pain. Mienfoo felt his claws extend from his fingertips as his rage boiled over.
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“The Golden fruit!!!”
Yes, the Golden Fruit.
The most delicious fruit on Pokévrth, dazzling gold and shining like a precious jewel in the sunlight.
Those that have eaten it say its taste is indescribable – not sweet, not sour, nor bitter.
A new taste entirely.
The mun of the land thought the fruit a gift, bestowed upon them much like the great tree.
A sign of prosperity and hope.
But, back then –
The Golden Fruit was a curse.
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Mienfoo spun back around and grabbed Simisear by her neck fluff, then yanked her down to eye level. “You call this friendship?” he growled in her face. “Amicitia Aurea! You’re a disgrace to it!”
Simisear’s fist flew sideways – connecting with Mienfoo’s cheek and flooring him. “HA! I can’t believe you buy into that junk!” Her leg erupted in fire as she buried her foot in Mienfoo’s stomach. She straightened herself while Mienfoo rolled across the ground. She lifted her hand, forming a sphere of flame in her palm.
“That old saying was lip service a thousand years ago.” She reared her arm back and pitched the flaming sphere towards him. “It’s stupid.”
“…take it back…”
Mienfoo kicked off the ground – darting away from the sphere before it exploded in a surge of fire. He shot a piercing glare at the monkey, his sharp claws gleaming in the sunlight.
Calm down.
Mienfoo retracted his claws and slowly exhaled. He moved his arms around his body and shifted his footing, taking on a martial arts stance. “Way of the flower, and the rippling wind.”
“Flame Burst!”
He charged forward, barely avoiding another exploding sphere. He quickly closed the distance and stopped, widening his stance by putting weight on his forward foot. Simisear closed her fists and took on a close-quarters stance herself. She pivoted with a blazing kick, but Mienfoo was quicker.
He flexed the muscles in his arm and back, twisting his arm. The loose red fur around it would begin to whirl. His arm became an intense, miniature cyclone which he whipped forward. WHIRLING ORCHID!
The wind pressure emitted by his arm easily extinguished the flames on Simisear’s leg and nullified the momentum of her kick. His arm came forward, grazing her side. The simian was thrown sideways, hitting the ground with a pained grunt.
“Grr…” Simisear growled. She quickly recovered, jumping back to her feet. “YOU LITTLE SH-”
Tulip’s Kiss!
Mienfoo’s closed fingertips formed the shape of a spearhead and poked into her chest – then exploded outwards as he opened them. A burst of pressure erupted from his fingers, blowing Simisear’s chin upwards and her arms outwards. She was left wide open as he pressed an open palm on her stomach with his other hand. Repulsing Sunflower!
Simisear flew down the alleyway, to the awe of her crew.
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For you see, just as the Golden Fruit was exceedingly luscious – it was equally rare.
A single fruit grew from Aurum’s branches every ten years.
Word of the fruit quickly spread, and all wished to taste it for themselves. But it was too rare.
The mun of the land lost themselves in their gluttony.
Brother turned on brother, neighbor fought neighbor.
They fought and slaughtered one another, just for the chance to taste the Golden Fruit.
As terrible as this was, it was merely a sign of something far worse to come.
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A Watchog wearing a bandana. A runt of a Beartic who nonetheless towered over his comrades, with icicles atop his head forming a mane of spiky hair. A thorn-covered ferroseed with red gang symbols painted on his steel body. The three members of Simisear’s gang stood in awe of their leader’s defeat.
“HE TOOK DOWN ADDIE!”
“HOLY #%&%, THE KID KNOWS KUNG FU!”
“GET HIM!!!”
The trio charged forward, roaring.
Mienfoo met them head on; dodging punches and bites, powering through blasts of icy wind, and parrying thorny tackles that bloodily scratched at his arm. He grit his teeth, howling through the pain as he weaved through their attacks and struck back with vigor.
…
Covered in soil, Scraggy looked at the scene with awe. A young Pokémon, a year or two his junior, fought against the bullies with elegance. It was like looking at a beautiful flower, spiraling in the wind. His eyes watered.
…
“GAAAAH!!!” Simisear screamed in frustration, rolling herself upright on the ground. “Arceus%#$% brat…” she said, wiping blood from her lip as she watched the fight unfold in the alleyway ahead of her. She grinded her teeth, squeezing her fist angrily. “I’m not done yet…” She reached a hand to the fluff on her neck, pulling out a small item – an orange pill, bearing two letters:
⸤ EE ⸣
...
Mienfoo spun in the air, thrusting his open palm into the Beartic’s ribs. Repulsing Sunflower! The bear Pokémon flew sideways, crashing into the wall of the alleyway. The mustelid landed elegantly, as the Watchog and Ferroseed leaped at him from behind. He twisted his arm, transforming it into a condensed red whirlwind. He spun in place and whipped it above him. Whirling Orchid!
The two mun grazed the whirlwind and found their momentum diverted. They flew in random directions, each crashing into the ground. Mienfoo panted while the trio groaned in pain.
“YOU!” Simisear shouted, pointing at Mienfoo. She stepped towards him, moving her hand towards her mouth. “YOU’RE DON-”
"THERE YOU ARE!"
A booming voice interrupted, making everyone in the alley pause. They all glanced upwards, seeing a huge Jellicent floating overhead “Are you alright, boy? The guards on their way!”
A look of fear filled the faces of Simisear’s group. “It’s the popo!” Watchog shouted, jumping to his feet. “We’ve gotta clear out!”
“Grrr…” Simisear shook with rage as her gang ran past her. “This isn’t over!!!” she shouted, before turning to run after them.
Mienfoo stared at her back for a moment, his claws extended at his side while his hand trembled.
It’s done. Calm yourself.
The mustelid sighed, before turning in the direction of the flowerbed and the Pokémon still laying within it. “Are you alright?” he asked while walking forward.
Tears started to flow from Scraggy’s eyes as he sat himself upright, covered in dirt. “Y-yu…,” he said with difficulty, “yu stud up fer me.”
Mienfoo smiled at the slightly taller Pokémon, before stopping before the wooden walls of the flowerbed and bending over. He began to sift his paws through the trampled soil. As a florist, his heart sank at the sight of the destroyed flowers. “I can’t believe those teens would do something like this – hurting someone they call a friend, and disrespecting flowers on top of that! Just awful…”
Mienfoo’s eyes sparkled as he noticed something half buried in the dirt – a flower with bright purple petals. It was slightly crushed but seemed mostly intact. Moreso than the other flowers in the bed, at least.
He quickly snatched it up and gently brushed the dirt off, before beginning to prune it with his claws. He did his best to mask the damage and bend the petals back into place, though the result was still far from his best work.
Satisfied, he turned back to Scraggy. “They may not be your friends,” he said while extending his arm to present the flower to him. A chrysanthemum. “-but I would love to be.”
Scraggy stared at the flower in awe, and the tears in his eyes started back up. “Rully?”
“Amicitia Aurea, my friend,” Mienfoo replied with a smile. “Let our friendship be golden and beautiful.”
“I’m Gregorian. Mienfoo Gregorian.”
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It wasn’t long before news of the Golden Fruit reached the ears of neighboring lands.
The Empire of Ice. The Blazing Kingdom. The Blitzreich. The Isle of Prosperity.
The Thundering Herd. The Bird Tribe. The Garden of Enamorus. And more.
All nations on the continent of Uryus heard the tale of Aurum and its Golden Fruit.
Their rulers – the sons and daughters of Arceus – believed that a gift from their Parent should belong solely to them.
They marched their armies to Aurum, and they waged war.
Their battles laid waste to the land and its inhabitants, soaking the earth with blood.
They fought until the Fruit was claimed.
Then, after ten years, they returned and fought again.
And thus began the Endless Warring.
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