Finding Purpose

“I'm not so sure about this, but I'm going to give it my best effort!”

When the Ranger Corps. had asked for volunteers for their program to Rescue, Rehabiliate, and Release the Koronoks of Jurupa Forest, Luca knew they had to take part. Despite their youth and relative inexperience, Luca brought an energy and enthusiasm to the volunteer team that everyone else appreciated.

According to those organizing this expedition, their goal was to collect mushrooms to help create bait and medicine. As they understood it, the mushrooms were key to curing the illness plaguing the little critters, so Luca took this role especially seriously. The Koronoks were rare already, and their population was fragile. Many experts had gotten involved in the case, and other volunteer groups were full of people who seemed to have endless amounts of experience in conservation and wildlife. Luca was just happy to help out.

Jurupa Forest was dense and, as they plunged deeper into the foliage, darker than imaginable. It was no easy task to find anything despite the relatively thin amount of plant growth on the forest floor! They seemed to spend hours looking around, gently gathering up any of the mushrooms growing in the dark crevices and hidden corners. They would find small clusters at times and then nothing for seemingly even longer stretches of time. Luca stopped to check their bag again, inspecting the various fungi held within. This is harder than I thought... I can't give up. They were not really discouraged, but they had wanted to do more to help the team.

Their thoughts were disrupted by a noise in the distance. They turned, looking out in the direction of the noise. A small pair of dark little eyes returned the glance before their owner disappeared again into the endless darkness beyond. Luca shook their head, returning to checking the nearby undergrowth for the fungus species they'd been told favored this area. There it was! A familiar brown and green structure waited for them only a few feet away. They knelt down and started digging out around the base of the Zing Cap, as they'd been taught to do. I knew I could do it!

Again they heard that noise. This time when they looked up, they could see the source. A small creature with a long, lithe body stared at them. Its brown fur helped it blend into the nearby trees, so it was no wonder that Luca had not seen one until now. It looked around nervously, cautiously, seemingly unsure of the group of Xeros behind Luca. It took a few more steps forward, and Luca could make out discolored dots along its body. Now, closer, the fear and pain on its face was more apparent. It was thinner than expected and carried itself low to the ground.

“Are you a Koronok?” Luca had never seen one in person before, but the question seemed rhetorical. The Koronok continued to look around as though it expected something to descend upon it. “Oh, you don't feel too good, do you? We're trying to help you.” Luca's voice was soft, a gentle and reassuring whisper. They offered a hand out to the creature, taking a slow step forward.

The Koronok tensed up, alarmed by the single step. It backed away quickly, maintaining the same distance as before. Luca stood up, unsure of whether or not they should alert the group. Wasn't the end goal to capture and cure the Koronoks? That one looked like it really needed help, too, so it was probably best they didn't let it get too far away.

Luca dug into their bag, pulling out the Zing Cap from earlier. “Maybe you'd be more interested in this? I know you're afraid. We are here to help you. You'll be able to eat all the mushrooms you want once we're able to give you medicine. Then you won't feel sick anymore.”

The Koronok licked its lips, silently agreeing. Illness had made it eager for an easy meal. It briefly considered its options. For a moment it seemed to be willing to approach Luca, but noise from the others in the group scared it back to reality. With a final glance at Luca, it sprinted off into the darkness of the endless trees.

Luca shook their head, feeling more motivated. Maybe finding all those mushrooms was hard, but these little guys were worth it. They would gather supplies for as much bait and medicine as possible, as long as it helped protect Koronoks' survival. Losing a precious species would be a devastating loss to the forest. They belonged here.

I will be back for you soon, little Koronok.