Princess Mononoke 2: The Shape Benders

By Rosa the Champion Duelist

Prologue:

Long ago, there existed two races alongside the beasts: those who knew magic, and those who did not. The ones who had no magical powers whatsoever were just called "humans" and they lived in towns and villages with other humans, ignoring all save their own kind.

The second race was the Shape Benders.

They received their name from their one and only magical ability: their power to "bend" their body into that of an animal, wild or tame. Shape Benders were almost completely indistinguishable from humans when not in animal form, the only difference being a ring of teal color surrounding the pupil in each eye. A Shape Bender could, as long as he did not transform in public, live disguised in a human town, working there and earning a living. When transformed, a Shape Bender could easily be distinguished from a true animal by several things. Their eyes are bigger, their mouths more expressive, and their outside appearance (an example of either fur or feathers) appearing rather scraggly.

Shape Benders were able to use their gift quite expertly to help themselves. A Shape Bender, in human form, could buy something from a human merchant and then return at night as an owl, rat or raccoon to steal his money back. They would also steal from shops and the rich of the villages, not caring if anyone got hurt.

This carried on for many years until the humans, finally recognizing the Shape Benders for what they truly were, had had enough. They attacked the Shape Bender settlements and caused them to suffer double the damage the humans had taken. The Shape Benders responded to this new hostility by transforming into wild beasts such as boars, wolves, and bears, to viciously attack the humans who were serving out justice. This attack/retaliate pattern went on for several years, resulting in large death tolls on both sides.

Finally, after one particularly devastating battle, the Shape Benders fled, running of into the vast forest to escape the vengeful humans. As they ran, they passed through the realm of the great Forest Spirit. When He saw them, He knew what they had done, and He punished them for it. From that moment on, if any Shape Bender were to use his power for evil, he would remain in the animal form he had used forever. With this new rule weighing heavily on their shoulders, the Shape Benders continued to head west, promising the Forest Spirit that they would find a place where they could forsake their evil ways and live in peace.

Eventually they found a valley deep in the mountains. They built a little village there, with houses and shops and a school for their children. The elders of their race set a big stone in the middle of the town square, symbolizing their promise to the Forest Spirit.

"We will never again kill or hurt without cause. We live here in peace, and hopefully someday the world will respect and trust us. We only seek to be forgiven for what we have done."

They continued to live there, for many years. They lived in peace with the animals of the woods, knowing that the Forest Spirit kept them safe from harm. He was their protector, and as long as He was around, they knew they were safe.

Then one day, everything suddenly, horribly, changed.

…………………………………

That's the end of the prologue. The next chapter will revolve around Ashitaka. You know the drill: Read and Review!