Chapter 4: The Magic Beans
"You sure you want to do this?" asked Serena.
"Princess Xerneas is the only one I can trust. Maybe in exchange, she can lend us some money to buy some food," said Ash. He turned to the captain of the guard. "Can you take me to the castle?" asked Ash.
"Okay. I hope you know what you're doing," said the Captain.
"So do I. Come on, Pikachu," said Ash. Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder. They along with Bossy and the guards began to walk to the castle.
Ash, Pikachu, Bossy and the guards arrived to the castle. The captain opened the door to the throne room and began to hear a conversation between Princess Xerneas and one of the other guards. "I'm afraid that none of our enemies are in possession of the harp and Swanna," said the Guard.
"Please keep searching the land. And hurry. The people are on the verge of starvation," said Princess Xerneas.
"Yes, your majesty," said the Guard. And he left the throne room. The captain of the guard entered the throne room. "Captain," said Xerneas.
"Your majesty, I'm here cause Farmer Ash and his Pikachu wish to see you," said the Captain.
"You may come forward please," said Princess Xerneas.
"Your majesty," said Ash as he and Pikachu bowed before the princess.
"Pikachu," said Pikachu.
"How are you doing?" asked Ash.
"Not too well. I'm still sad about how I failed to keep the Primarina Harp and Swanna safe. I was their caretaker and I let the them down. I would use my life giving power to restore Happy Valley. But if I use too much power, I'd turn into a tree for 1,000 years. And I don't have an heir to the throne if that does happen. The kingdom needs its ruler. But I don't know what to do," said Xerneas. She began to cry.
"Cheer up, your majesty. I know you won't fail at this favor I ask of you," said Ash.
"What errand brings you here?" asked Xerneas.
"It's about my Miltank, Bossy. She nearly got butchered by that hunger driven Kleavor you recently had thrown into the dungeon. So, I feel like she's not safe with me right now. Do you think you can take care of her until we find a way out of this famine, please?" asked Ash. Princess Xerneas thought for a moment.
"Sure. I may have failed the Primarina Harp and Swanna, but I won't fail you," said Xerneas.
"Thanks," said Ash.
"You're such a selfless and caring young man. I'd like to give you some money in return, but we've nearly run out. So I'll have to give you another gift. Such generosity must not go unrewarded," said Xerneas.
"What else could you give me?" asked Ash.
"Pika?" asked Pikachu.
"Let me see. Oh yes," said Xerneas. She went to a part of the throne room where a small green box was kept. Part of it was covered in cobwebs. She dusted off the cobwebs and picked up the box. "A family heirloom. One of the last," said Xerneas, offering the box up to Ash and Pikachu.
"But really, uh, I . . . ," said Ash.
"You sure? We could never . . . " said Pikachu.
"Don't worry, Pikachu. It's all right. You and Ash may need these more than I do," said Xerneas.
"What's in it?" asked Ash. Princess Xerneas opened the box to show to Ash and Pikachu.
"Beans," said Xerneas. Ash and Pikachu saw five beans that were glowing with a strange magic energy.
"Beans?" asked Ash.
"Pikachu?" asked Pikachu.
"Yes. Magic beans," said Xerneas.
"So what makes them magical? Does one make you full for a long time as an equivalent of several day meals?" asked Ash. Princess Xerneas chuckled.
"Oh no, no, no, no. You're not supposed to eat them. You're supposed to plant them. It has a beautiful legend. Let me read the legend to you," said Xerneas, taking out a scroll. She began to read from it. "Faithful subject, good and kind. If fame and fortune bow wouldst bind. Oh mystic spirit of ancient queen, plant with care these magic beans," said Xerneas.
"But with the sun so hot and no rain hasn't come for weeks, won't they die before they even grow?" asked Pikachu. Xerneas chuckled again.
"Actually, these beans require a different method to grow. You're supposed to plant them in the light of a full moon," said Xerneas.
"A full moon?" asked Ash.
"Pika?" asked Pikachu.
"Yes. According to the legend, when the magic beans are planted in the light of a full moon, they'll grow into the biggest beanstalk you've ever seen. So big it reaches up to the clouds," said Xerneas.
"Pikaaaaaaa," said Pikachu in amazement.
"Magic beans were a lot more common in the old days. People used them to travel between here and a land in the clouds according to the legend," said Xerneas.
"A land in the clouds?" asked Ash.
"Pikachu?" asked Pikachu.
"But not many people believe in that tale anymore. But I still believe," said Xerneas.
"How come they're not common anymore?" asked Ash.
"Well, according to the history books, somebody from the land of the sky became very greedy and tried to lead his people to take over the land below. So, the people who lived on Earth had to destroy the magic beans and beanstalks in order to prevent them from coming down. The beans we have are the last of the magic beans," said Xerneas.
"Who exactly were the inhabitants of the land of the sky anyway?" asked Ash.
"Here's the thing. The history books contain no records of who were the people of the land of the sky. We don't know why. They could've been wiped out to prevent anybody else learning about who they were. And according to my trusted astrologers, there's a full moon tonight. If you do everything correctly, they should grow," said Xerneas.
"If this land in the clouds does exist, I hope whoever lives there might be able to lend us a helping hand in this famine. That is, if they've decided to stop being greedy," said Ash.
"Pikachu," said Pikachu.
"Who knows," said Xerneas.
"Anyway. Thanks and take good care of Bossy," said Ash. He and Pikachu began to leave.
"I will," said Xerneas.
Back at Ash's house, the Pokémon were feeling excited know that they may be eating a big feast again. They were even singing about it.
Incineroar: Hey look!
Turkey, Clauncher, sweet potato pie.
Lucario: Pancakes piled up 'till they reach the sky.
Greninja: (Ribbeting)
Charizard: Oh . . .
I wanna eat and eat and eat and eat and eat until I die!
All (Singing): Turkey, Clauncher, sweet potato pie.
Pancakes piled up 'till they reach the sky.
Oshawatt: Lots of starches, lots of greens.
Greninja: Fancy chocolate covered . . .
Ash & Pikachu (Speaking): Beans!
"What do you mean beans?" asked Incineroar.
"We exchanged Miltank for five magic beans," said Ash.
"Pikachu," said Pikachu.
"Five beans?!" cried Charizard.
"We can't live on five measly beans!" objected Lucario.
"These are no ordinary beans. They're magic beans. If you plant these beans in the light of a full moon, they'll grow into something big," said Ash. But then, Oshawatt grabbed the beans and stuffed them into his mouth. "Oshawatt! You're not supposed to eat them! You're supposed to plant them!" said Ash. But then, Oshawatt's eyes widened. For the beans didn't taste good. He spat the beans out of his mouth and out the window. "Now look what you done. Since it's so dark outside, we'll never know where those beans landed," said Ash. Oshawatt blushed in embarrassment.
"You think we'll find out where they landed tomorrow?" asked Pikachu.
"I hope so," said Ash.
(Insert "The Beanstalk Grows" from Fun & Fancy Free)
And so the unhappy farmers and Pokémon went to sleep on empty stomaches. "It's too bad about those beans . . . ," said Pikachu.
"Pipe down! Maybe I can dream about something to eat," said Oshawatt. By the time that Ash and his Pokémon went to bed, the moon had risen and it was indeed a full moon. A moonbeam shined on a hole where the five magic beans fell. Suddenly, up from the hole, comes a bean vine. But this is no ordinary bean vine. No indeed! It was growing fast, and big and strong. It grew and grew and kept on growing. And all through the night, that magic beanstalk grew onward and upward.
(End Music)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The scene of Princess Xerneas giving Ash the magic beans is based on a storyboard scene showing Minnie gave Mickey the beans. I chose to have the amount be five like in some versions. And I figured if I have the beans give off a magic glow, that ensures that it's no trick. Now everything is falling into place. I decided to have the beanstalk grow outside the house instead of in because like I mentioned in the entry of the cover, I plan to have two visits to the giant land. And I figured that's how it'll work. Next chapter, the first climb up the beanstalk will happen . . .