Oresrush, The Wildlands…

Oresrush popped up in the middle of the Wildlands as a pioneering settlement one day. A young boy and his father found it as an empty piece of land, this young boy's name is Partitio Yellowlil, who's learning to be a merchant under his father's footsteps.

As a matter of fact, it was at his young age where he cut his first deal. A dubious silver nugget, and it was here and now that due to his father Papp and his family friend/business partner, Roque Brilliante brought Oresrush into fruition. 8 years later, Oresrush became very prosperous due to silver being its commodity. It was by then that Partitio became an accomplished merchant in the town due to selling silver ore to many merchants from all over the world.

However, there was trouble one night due to a gang led by a man led Giff causing trouble for workers in the mines, but thanks to Partitio and several of the townsfolk, they drove Giff and his gang off, but the happiness was short lived as Roque decided to leave town and head east for new business opportunities with a new invention called the steam engine and declaring the Silver Age was soon going away.

Soon after Roque left though, things began falling hard for Oresrush over the years, due to the former owner taking the land back due to a contract loophole and levied a huge tax on silver, causing most of the residents to live in poverty, with some of them being jobless and the town and homes falling apart over the years. And yet, despite Oresrush's decline, Giff still demanded more now that he and his gang became the new enforcers of the land owners.

If nothing was done, Oresrush's land would be sucked dry. The time would soon come for Paritio to take a stand against his oppressors… and he would not do it alone.


Present Day…

"So this is Oresrush…" Zero said as Spirit Force arrived in the town and saw it in its current state.

"This is terrible." Kampan said. "It's even worse than what the people in the slums of the Iron Kingdom went through."

"This used to be a prosperous silver mining town. But due to unfavorable circumstances, the town now looks like this." Rebecca said.

"Everywhere we look, people are out of their homes. Wish there was something we could do…" Happy-2 said.

"I got a message from our benevolent landowner. Tax on silver's going up. Lucky you." the group suddenly overheard.

They looked ahead to see a group of men, at the front led by a young man with black hair wearing a gray vest with a white undershirt and a tie, black pants and brown shoes, along with a yellow coat that had the sleeves hanging loose. They were being confronted by a portly man with blonde hair and a moustache, flanked by two men.

"A lotta competition in the silver trade lately. Ore prices are going down, down, down." the portly man said. "Hurts the boss's kindly ol' heart to do this, but times are tough."

"You think we'll stand for that?! You ain't gettin' another leaf outta us!" one of the townsfolk spoke up.

"Yeah! We're all strugglin' just to eat!" another said.

"Hm? Getting rebellious, eh?" the portly man questioned before pushing the first townsfolk back a bit. "In this world, there are those who squeeze and those who get squeezed. You idiots are the latter." he said before knocking the first man down. "You're nothing but lemons to me; your job is to get squeezed into lemonade!" he said as he stomped on the man's head.

"You… you…!" the lead man said as the portly man stopped and turned his back.

"Though none of you can afford to buy lemons anymore, can you? Hah!" the portly man laughed. "Listen up, bucko. Next time I come to collect. I'm taking a bigger cut."

The portly man and his goons laughed before walking away, the lead man rushing ahead but failing to catch them in time.

"B-boss…" the first townsfolk said.

"Damn it!"

"I totally understand." Ajna's voice spoke up as the five men turned around to see her and the rest of Spirit Force. "That guy's being a jerk because of all the money he's flaunting."

"Wh-who are these guys?" one of the townsfolk asked.

"They sure don't look like anybody Giff's got under his wing…" the second said.

The lead man stepped up to Spirit Force. "Howdy there strangers. What can I help you with?" he cautiously asked before eyeing everyone real closely. "Whoa now, you've all got special looks about you. Not sure I've met people who look as unique as you fellas."

"We're the answer to your prayers." Ace said. "My team and I saw the exchange between you and that horrible man, and we want to lend a hand. Someone like him needs to be brought down from his high horse."

"...You saw all that, huh? C'mon, let's talk someplace private-like." the man said.

"Lead the way." Ace said.


The group was led to the man's house, where they were with him and his bedridden father.

"Oh no, is he alright?" Ginseng asked as she approached the man's bedridden father.

"It ain't nothing unmanageable, thank goodness." the man said. "But it's gone on for quite a while now. You all saw how Giff's men treat the townsfolk here. Can barely get by with the scraps they leave us."

"That's horrible." Shantae said. "How can bullies like them just keep getting away with this?"

"Money changes hands a lot, little lady. Those with money have all the power." the man said. "And I figured it's time someone changes all of that."

"You want to put an end to that man's tyranny right?" Simon asked.

"That's right." the man said. "I appreciate you all coming, but this is something I have to settle. Can't let outsiders get involved in this business. Don't want to rope them in to be taken advantage of too."

"Even so, we refuse to see the people in this town continue to suffer under that man's rule, this is something we can't let slide either. Outsiders or not, we want to help." Ace said.

The man turns his back and considers his options before tipping his head. "...Partitio."

"Huh?" Klonoa asked.

The man turned a side glance to the group before smiling. "My name. Pleasure to be working with y'all."

"Nice to formally make your acquaintance, Partitio. My name is Ace Neptune, and this is my team, Spirit Force." Ace smiled back.

"Mighty nice to introduce yourselves. I prefer to know the names of my hires." Partitio said.

"Hires?" Klonoa asked, the rest of the group adopting similar looks of confusion.

"Well, if y'all insist on being involved with this business, then it's only fair that I insist on paying you for it." Partitio replied.

"Oh no, that isn't necessary. We're helping because we want to, that's all." Ace said. "We're partners now."

"Partners, huh?" Partitio parroted, before nodding. "Right then, I can get behind that. Pleasure to be working with you, Ace."

"Same here." Ace said.

"Now that that's settled, let's hustle on over to that snake Giff's place!" Partitio said, cracking his knuckles.


Spirit Force and Partitio made their way across the mining area up to a large manor which was owned by Giff. After making their way inside, they saw him conversing with his two grunts.

"Did ya see the tears on that fool's face earlier? Hah!" Giff laughed.

"Heh, you said it, Giff!" one of the thug's said before the door was kicked open by Simon.

"Knock, knock." Simon said.

"Huh? Who're you?" Giff asked.

"Just a friend I made earlier today." Partitio said as he walked into the room, followed by the rest of Spirit Force. "One of several, in fact."

"Well, look who it is. I'm touched. You came to give what you owe me, early?" Giff asked mockingly.

"...Heh. Somethin' like that." Partito chuckled before he pulled out a single leaf. "Here. A coin made from our silver."

"One measly leaf? You trying to insult me?!" Giff asked.

"You're one to talk about insulting." Yuri said.

"That's right, you rotten scoundrel! Every fortune's made from a pile of these: the little guys. Treat one with contempt and you'll lose 'em all. That goes for money, and for people." Partitio said.

"Hmph. What a joke." Giff said.

"You've caused enough trouble for the people of this town, and we're taking it back." Balthus said.

"You? A group of freaks following a third-rate merchant from the boonies?" Giff cackled. "Hah, you all picked the wrong man to follow. He's just as stupid as his father."

"What'd you say?!" Partitio asked.

"'The original owner of this plot of land retains the right to buy it back at any time they so please.' That bit of fine print? Wasn't even in the original contract." Giff said, pulling out a paper. "The landowner slipped it in at a later date, all quiet-like. His gullible idiot of a father never even noticed! Thanks to him, we've lived fat off the hog! Earned ourselves a mine and a buncha fool miners for next to nothing." he said as he and his grunts laughed.

(Cue- The Fight for My Friends- KH RE:COM)

"We've listened to you go on and on…" Ace said. "Time someone shut your money-grubbing mouth up!"

"I'd say it's time your mouth go shut for good, kid!" Giff said as he and his thugs armed themselves. "It's the people with smarts that win! That's how the world is!"

"You've really gone and done it now, Giff." Partitio growled as he pulled out a bow. "You really, really got my goat. Get ready, Giff. 'Cause we're takin' our town back from your dirty mitts!"

"That's enough empty threats out of you! Get 'em, boys!" Giff said as he and his lackeys charged.

Oresrush Enforcer

Giff

Despite being outnumbered, Giff and his goons didn't back down from the fight. Giff for his part mostly let his goons do the work as he was protected.

"We'll have to get rid of this bloke's cronies if we wanna slug him a new one!" Kampan said.

Partitio notched his bow and took aim at the spear wielding lackey, firing an arrow off and stunning him. "Got one of 'em seeing stars! Guess he ain't partial to bows!"

"In that case, you're up Zebei." Ajna said.

"Look out below!" Zebei called, leaping into the air and firing down a wave of six arrows down onto the spear wielding thug, knocking him out.

Hermit then analyzed the lone remaining thug and Giff himself.

"Giff's other lackey is weak in particular to spears, daggers, axes, and the ice element. Same with his oversized boss." Hermit announced.

"Works for me! Got me a polearm too!" Partitio said, pulling said polearm out and jabbing it at the other lackey.

"Take this!" Miriam said, slashing Blue Rose at the other thug, as the ice element attribute from her sword soon knocked him out as well.

"C'mon, that all you got?!" Partitio taunted Giff.

"Tch… Can't believe trash like you is giving me trouble…" Giff growled. "Fine then. If my boys can't take care of you, I'll do it myself!"

"Finally decided to do your own dirty work?" Partitio asked. "Fine by us! We'll take you on!"

"Hehehe…I'll squeeze you dry!" Giff chortled as he took aim.

"He's gonna try something…!" Klonoa said.

"Stop him before he attacks!" Hermit said.

"I'll pound you into lemonade!" Giff yelled as he shot out with his knife at Partitio. Before he could hit his mark, Ace intercepted the attack, blocking and pushing the blade away with Breidablik, the barrel pointed straight at Giff's face.

"Wha-?!" Giff stammered in shock.

"This is a gun. Here, let me show you how it works." Ace said, preparing to pull the trigger. "I hope you've made your peace."

"Ghhh…wait! Spare my life! If it's money you want…I got loads of it." Giff said, going to the safe and opening it up as money poured out.

(end song)

"Look at all that silver! That's enough to rebuild your town, Partitio!" Kampan said.

"Yes! See? That street rat gets it. I was only following orders anyway." Giff said.

"Whose orders?" Spade asked.

"I can't say. It'll be my hide if I do." Giff said.

"If you don't spill, it'll be this." Simon said, pointing Zero's Blade at Giff's you-know-what.

"Eep! I-I can't get you to him! No one's ever met him in person!" Giff cried.

"Hmm…he's tellin' the truth. Now that I think of it, all the documents and such were handled by post." Partitio said.

"But who would have the authority and wealth to buy Oresrush back, and have the smarts to subtly change the contract Giff had?" Weisz asked.

"One of the greatest tycoons this world has ever known. Roque Brilliante…the tycoon himself." Giff said.

"Mr…Mr. Roque?!" Partitio said in surprise.

"The man's got a ruthless mind for business. This was his plan all along." Giff said.

"You're lying…" Partitio couldn't believe it.

"Partitio, who's this Roque person?" Al asked.

"A merchant I always looked up to ever since I was a little boy. But this has to be some mistake…I'm sure of it. Mister Roque'd never do that to us… He wouldn't…" Partitio said.

"Partitio, I think it would be best and think on this later, it's been a tough night." Ace said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"You're right. Oresrush is back in our hands. That's enough for now." Partitio said.


It was a few days later, that Oresrush was being brought back to life, people were visiting again, the townsfolk managed to regain their jobs, and Giff had to work off the huge debt he owed, and Paritio's father was back in good health.

(Cue: Kaine *Salvation*- Nier)

"It's been sixteen years since we settled here." Papp said, he and his son overlooking the town. "We started from nothin' and had our fair share of ups and downs…"

"Yeah, you can say that again." Partitio said. "Pops… Mister Roque, he…"

"I don't give a hoot about Roque no more, son. He left us in the lurch. I don't ever wanna see his face again." Papp interrupted. "Listen. I want you to look to the horizon. You've got a bright future ahead of you. You're gonna be something, if I reckon right. Something too big for this little town to contain even if it wanted to."

"Pops…" Partitio muttered.

"Don't worry about us anymore. We can get along just fine without you." Papp said as he walked over to some of the townsfolk, several of them calling Paritio by his name or boss. "You've got too much potential for our little town. It'd just go to waste here. That's why…I want you to hit that dusty trail with your new partners already. Get along, little chickadee."

"Wait, new partners?" Partitio asked, before looking past his fellow workers to see Spirit Force. "Butter my biscuits, you folks are still here?"

"Of course. Knowing that you want to help those less fortunate is something we want to help share." Ace said.

"You're right. I do wanna do that." Partitio nodded. "This town is my home. I grew up here. But to be honest as the day is long, I've wanted to see the world for a while now. Ever since… Mister Roque took off and left us. I don't regret stayin' here, not for an instant. But now, well, I know how painful poverty can be."

"Boss…"

"We managed to weather our troubles here, even if just barely." Partitio said. "But somewhere out there, I know there's folks sufferin' just as much as we did, or worse. I wanna do what I can for 'em. Use my talents to make the world a better place."

"Being a merchant ain't just 'bout makin' bundles of leaves. It's the reason why that matters." Papp said as he approached Paritio. "I'm proud of you, son." he said before placing his fedora on top of Partitio's head.

"Pops…" Partitio said.

"You're no chickadee any longer. You're a full-fledged bona fide merchant." Papp acknowledged. "Go on! Help others like you helped us! Bring prosperity to all those troubled folks out there! And show up that Roque feller while you're at it! Get along now, Partitio. We'll see to the town while you're gone."

"Yeah! We'll keep it safe and sound!"

"Dont worry about us, Boss!"

"Boss! Take care out there!"

"Heh, if you all say so, I got no choice, now do I?" Paritio asked before he looked to Spirit Force. "And you fellas wouldn't mind helpin' a merchant like me out on this job?"

"Not at all. As long as we're helping those in need, we're with you all the way." Ace smiled.

"We'll make sure your ideas get out there in the world, and we'll help get you there." Ajna added.

"You won't lose your way with us around!" Kushi said.

"Alrighty then. Let's hit the road." Partitio nodded with a grin as they prepared to head out. "I'll come back here once we've eliminated that devil called poverty from the world!"

And so, with lofty ambitions stirring deep within his breast, Partitio leaves his hometown behind with his new partners. Untold thousands across the world suffer under the yoke of poverty, and he has vowed to friends and family to help them all.

Onwards this young merchant and friends stride with eager step, excited by the prospect of discovering what's over that distant horizon.