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The story ofPokemon Scarlet & Violetextends past the border of Paldea into new and interesting lands. The land of Kitakami may be far-off from Paldea itself, but it has its own rich history. Its myths involve an ogre that dons magical masks, a Bloodmoon Beast that lurks the Timeless Woods, and loyal heroes that had bravely defended Kitakami.
But, there is one Pokemon that stays out of sight, pulling the strings behind some of these myths like a puppeteer. The Mythical Pokemon Pecharunt may at first seem like a purple mochi-like plush doll, but it reveals itself to be more sinister.
The Lore of Pecharunt, The Subjugation Pokemon
Pecharunt is a Poison and Ghost-type Mythical Pokemonthat originated outside Kitakami. It hastwo formsthat it can take. The first is a small, purple, peach-shaped body that serves as its closed shell. Once the shell splits into two, the inner body of Pecharunt is revealed to bea bulb-like ghost with a ponytail.
The shell is where Pecharunt stores its poison, which can be used to create edible (but poisoned) mochi and to create toxic chains that it uses to attack.Its Binding Mochi has the potential to draw out someone’s full capabilities and fulfill their wishes.However, those who eat Pecharunt’s mochi, whether human or Pokemon, becomechained to its will.
People who getpossessed by Pecharunt develop a purple aura, and their eyes glow purple.As seen in some circumstances, they may begin dancing like a chicken and obsessively saying the word ‘mochi.’
“If you see a shadowy figure approaching you outside the village at twilight, be wary. Don a mask at once, and hide your face.”
Thepeople of Kitakami have a long tradition of wearing masks, especially when putting on their mask festival. The masks covered people’s faces, and thisprotected them from accidentally eating Pecharunt’s mind-control mochiif it tried to shoot them at people’s mouths.
Writing on some of thesignboards in Kitakami seems to be talking about Ogerpon, but this is because everyone has placed the blame on Ogerpon and made her out to be evil. This is misattributed, and it is actuallya warning against Pecharunt’s antics.
“Once it sees your face, your soul will be forfeit. And you shall never return to the village.”
Local myths refer to the dangers that Pecharunt poses if one isn’t careful. It fits the bill, asPecharunt has the ability to control people, which would make it seem like their souls are forfeit.
How Pecharunt Came To Kitakami
Pecharunt comes from a land outside of Kitakami, and wasraised by an old couple that had no children of their own.Pecharunt used its mochi to put them under its control.
Sincethe mochi draws out the greed of anyone who eats it, soonthe old couple began asking Pecharunt for gifts.Pecharunt tried to fulfill their wishes so that they would love it more.
One day, the old couple asked Pecharunt to gatherspecial masks that were said to be in Kitakami. Along the way there,Pecharunt met Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fenzandipiti, and made them its retainers.
Pecharunt and its Loyal Three went to stealthe masks from Ogerponand her trainer, and succeeded in taking all but the Teal Mask. Soon, Ogerpon tracked down the group. Enraged at how they hurt her trainer,Ogerpon defeated all of them and took back the masks.
Pecharunt used the last of its energy to retreat into its shell, mimicking a peach-like plush. It became known to the locals asthe Never-Rotting Peach.
Theproximity of a Mythical Pecha Berry is enough to revive Pecharunt from its slumber. The berry’s skin has a lustrous glow, and its alluring aroma is sensed by the dormant Pecharunt.
The Mythical Pecha Berry
A Pecha Berry of the highest quality. It’s said that a Pecha Berry tree carefully tended by an expert gardener will produce just one of the Berries every few years.
The newly revivedPecharunt goes on to wreak havoc in Mossui Town, trying to snatch back some semblance of power for itself.
It begins to possess the people of Mossui Town, getting everybody to eat its poisonous mochi. It does this by eithertricking them by having someone’s friend offer it to them, or by forcibly shooting mochi into their unmasked mouths.
As you progress throughtheMochi Mayhem Epilogueto Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s DLC, you will get to lift Pecharunt’s curse on the residents of Mossui Town.
Pecharunt And The Loyal Three
In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s lore,Pecharunt is the leader ofthe Loyal Three trio.
In the past, it foundOkidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipitiin various states of misfortune.It offered the trio their heart’s desires, but only if they entered into service to Pecharunt.
They all agreed, and this is whyeach of them has purple toxic chains on their bodies.It’s visual proof thatthey entered into a pact with Pecharunt.
Pecharunt Is Inspired By The Tale Of Momotaro
Pecharunt’s story with the Loyal Three is inspired bythe Japanese folkloric tale of Momotaro.Coincidentally, Pecharunt’s name in Japanese is also‘Momowarou.’
Like most folklore, there are various versions of a tale. Here isone version of the tale of Momotaro.
A giant peach was floating down a riveruntil it was discovered by a childless woman. When she and her husband tried to eat the peach, a child burst out, saying that he was sent by the gods to be their son.They named him Momotaro.
When he gets older,he goes out to fight against ogre-like demons known as Oni.On his journey to Onigashima (Demon Island),he meets and befriends three talking animals: a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant.
They agree to help him battle the Oni in exchange for some of the dumplings he carried with him to eat.The group reaches the island and destroys the evil Oni, looting their treasure and taking it back home with them.
Momotaro meets a dog, monkey, and pheasant on his way to defeat the ogres. Sounds a bit familiar, right?This mirrors the tale of Pecharunt and the Loyal Three.
Albeit, instead of a group of good-doers trying to defeat evil ogres,it’s a group of evil-doers trying to defeat and steal from an innocent ogreand her trainer. The tale is inverted.
Pecharunt offered Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti what they wanted in exchange for their service. Then, as their leader, led them to battle against Ogerpon to plunder the treasure of those special masks.
With all this, it’s not hard to see now why Pecharunt is known asthe Subjugation Pokemon.
