The Tree of Sustenance

Synopsis:   The myth/lore of the Tree of Sustenance.    Who planted it and how did it begin supplying mana to the inhabitants of Mobius ?  

Chapter 1—Storytime 

It was winter break not long after Wintermas.    The hedgehoglets were getting cabin fever since a massive snowstorm had hit the kingdom, leaving most Mobians snow bound.   Fortunately, Cecil Tinker, the resident storm chaser and meteorologist, had made certain that everyone was well-informed, and all inhabitants were stocked with basic goods to weather the ill-tempered squall.     

Being a master storyteller, Sonic knew just the tale that would captivate his youngsters as well as the other kids in the courtroom.   They had been playing and were filled with ennui.   Anything to break the tedium of the day was a welcome respite, particularly when Amy had made fresh cookies in the oven accompanied by hot cider mixed with cinnamon and cloves or a rich cup of cocoa with or without marshmallows.   

‘Once upon a time, ‘, Sonic began as everyone huddled together with comfortable blankets and treats.    He waited for everyone to settle down, wrapped up in their blankets and sipping their hot beverages contentedly.   

‘Ahem.  Once upon a time, the Universe was nothing more than a blank canvas.  Energy surged and suddenly, novae, stars, galaxies, and the entire multiverse was birthed.   Mobius came out of the sea of creation, and it was overseen by the Stewards.’, Sonic explained, reciting the story verbatim.   

Chapter 2—Just Let Him Tell the Story, Amythesta ! 

‘Are there any Stewards around any longer ?’, Amythesta questioned, curiously.   

‘Just let him tell the story, Amythesta !’, Sally said, gently as she cuddled next to one of her favorite hegehoglet princesses.    She and Cyril had stopped by after Wintermass, but were returning home as soon as spring returned, back to their villa, which wasn’t far from the Crystal Palace.    

‘As I was saying, everything was overseen by the Stewards.   For the time being, Mobius itself was nothing but water.    One of the Stewards devised a way for weather to be churned up.   Since it was a self-propagating system, once the cycle was begun, there was no off switch.   Little by little, Mobius started to grow, flourish and thrive.    Many faye appeared, developing their own haven, shielded from what would become the Mobian land we all know and love so well.    

Chapter 3—The Tree Itself 

‘The Mobians who began subjecting the land from rather sophisticated tools wondered how they would live off the land.   There were plenty of fruits, vegetables, and beasts of burden to have life and have it abundantly, but still no free-form energy to use for powering cities, since such things hadn’t really been invented yet. 

The Giants, in their all-knowing wisdom, carved out a place where the Tree of Sustenance would ultimately go.   It is at the edge of the Enchanted Forests and still resides there to this day.    It is said that the Tree ultimately granted wisdom to anyone who ate of its fruits, bestowed certain gifts upon those it chose as heroes or heroines of our realm and even protects us from certain threats.    Certainly, the Tree and Giants do what they can, but they can only do so much.’, Sonic said. 

The lot of the prickles had gone to sleep for the rest of the evening.   Sonia, Sally, Amy, Knuckles and company gathered up all the little ones and tucked them into bed for the night.  

‘Are there Giants even left ?   I hear that the Chaos emerald came from the Tree itself and created my Island home.   It’s not certain how much of that legend is actual fact, but the signature can be traced to the gem itself.’, Knuckles said. 

‘There are certain kernels of truth in legend, my love.’, Julie Su stated wisely.    With them were a couple sleepy headed echidnas that savored the story but were feeling a bit noddy at the moment.    With their salutes, the echidnas left in their own spaceship and headed back to Floating Island.     

Sonic pondered the story himself.  The Giants were still around because the legend had said they were immortal.   It was stated that the ancients interacted with them, and it was clear and inscribed on cave walls from time immemorial that the Giants never really faded away.   They weren’t seen by Mobian eyes since Mobius became industrial.    It was a mystery.   One that Sonic wanted to solve, and who better to take along with him but his siblings, Tails and old friends who were familiarized with the myth ?

Chapter 4—Exploring the Lore 

‘Sir Tails, can you check the Intelliputer ?’, Sonic asked.   The Intelliputer had an updated interface, thanks to Cecil Tinker, who had upgraded the system to be more anticipatory and participatory.    

‘According to ancient Lore, there are Giants who still roam Mobius.   It is said that their dwelling is near the Enchanted Forests.   They are often shrouded in Mist, so it is rare for a Mobian to see them, but they do keep the planet safe and help protect the Tree of Sustenance.’, the Intelliputer relayed.   It gave them exact coordinates of where the Giants had been residing for millenia and added that the Giants especially loved gifts of food, crystals, ancient books or anything practical.    

Sonic, his siblings, and friends all boarded Sally and Cyril’s airship to head to the Forests.  Before long they were in Giant territory.    As the name implied, everything was far more gargantuan than they even imagined.    Each item was shaped and formed to suit a Giant’s needs and the regular Mobians felt a bit intimidated by seeing their elders for the first time.

‘It’s not a fairy tale after all.’, Sonia said, eyes in wide wonder.     

‘Imagine that.’, Manic quipped with a chuckle.    

The Giants were friendly, hospitable, and patient.   They answered all inquiries directed to them and explained some of the mysteries they had been pondering for eons.    

‘What’s out there ?  Do you know ?  I’m certain you’ve seen it before you colonized Mobius.’, Tails questioned.   

‘We haven’t seen it all and yet we know the Cosmos is unending.’, one giant responded, sagely.   The Giants knew of the Starliner and the feats it would perform as well as other enterprising ships similar to it.   Space travel left the Mobians open to myriads of opportunities.   

‘I’m sorry we can’t protect you against everything.   We are, after all, only so powerful.’, another Giant lamented. 

‘Well, the Tree has given us what we need and provides us all with life.’, Sonic said, impressing them all. 

‘Yes.  It couldn’t have chosen a better vessel of light than you, your court or your siblings.’, another female Giant stated, gratefully.   

Chapter 5—Back to Basics 

The friends, colleagues, and lovers all returned to Crystal Castle after what was a rather lengthy but informative trip.    It hadn’t been the first time the squad had been in contact with the realm of magic.  

‘I wonder how Bronto is doing these days.’, Manic wondered aloud.

‘Well, that’s what the crystal relay is for, Manic.’, Sonia retorted with a huge smile.   With that, the trio and their friends spoke to their friend who was lightyears away, but with the marvels of modern technology, felt like he was standing in the library right along with them. 

After the curiosities of the young ones had been sated, they were all given pre bedtime snacks.   Rogue, Sonia and Sally put all the hedgehoglets to bed for the night and life could resume its typical ebb and flow.   

Epilogue 

Sonic remembered something Aleena his mother had said about ‘the burden of greateness’.   It was something like ‘heavy lies the burden of greatness’, or a similitude of that ancient saying.    Sonic never really felt it was a burden.   He loved his family and he adored Mobius.    He did realize one day the torch would be handed to his progeny, who were groomed for incredible things in the future.    Whatever roles they took would ultimately help the continued growth of Mobius.    No matter what tomorrow brought, good or bad, the hedgehogs and their friends were ready to face it and the Tree would always be there to fortify them, replenishing them, nourishing the planet for eons to come. 

To Be Continued…