The Adamantoise and the Cactuar



The Adamantoise and the Cactuar is the first picture book in Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales. It follows the story of an arrogant cactuar who wishes to race a group of adamantoises. However, the cactuar's pride causes him to lose the race. The book is based on .

Prologue
 Once upon a time, there lived cactuslike monsters called "cactuars" and tortoiselike monsters called "adamantoises."

One day, a herd of adamantoises stopped at a clean spring to quench their parched throats.

A cactuar came by who was quite thirsty as well. He lined up behind the adamantoises, but soon grew impatient.

"Speed up the guzzling, girls and boyses! No time to wait for adamantoises!"

One of the adamantoises replied:

"We're just taking our time, friend. The water tastes much sweeter when you drink at a moderate pace."

The cactuar did not like the sound of that, not one little bit.

"Moderate pace? What a disgrace! Speed is key, can't you see?"

"'Slow and steady wins the race' is our policy," replied an adamantoise.

"Slow and steady? What a laugh! My blinding speed tears up the path!

"So up that mountain, to the summit! We’ll race until I’ve clearly won it!

"To better the mood, The loser should give to the winner their favorite food!"

"We accept your proposal, little friend."

And so the race began between the speedy little cactuar and the slow but steady adamantoises...

Epilogue
 And so the race began! The contenders sped away from the starting line.
 * 1. Prickly Pride

The cactuar had put a lot of distance between himself and the adamantoises, but unfortunately for him, his mind wasn't quite as sharp as his prickly spines.

"There's no way I can lose! It's time for a snooze!"

With that, the little fellow settled down for a nap-- in the middle of the race, no less!

At the same time, the adamantoises were moving up the mountain, slow and steady, at their very own pace.

A short while later, the cactuar awoke to quite a shock! He peered up the rocky path and saw the adamantoises already at the top of the mountain, holding a post-race debate.

"This can't be right! Alas, alack! Restart the race! Yes, take it back!"

"Now, now, little friend, don't forget. Speed is key. You said it yourself."

With his own words turned against him, the cactuar blew his tiny top. He showered the adamantoises with a burst of prickly spines.

Luckily for them, their hard shells protected their delicate skin and it didn't hurt... not even one little bit.   And so the race began! The contenders sped away from the starting line.
 * 2. Merry Meat

As sharp as his spines were, the cactuar had quite the dull intellect, and soon settled down for a nap, content with his current lead.

At the same time, the adamantoises were moving up the mountain, slow and steady, at their very own pace.

The large fellows kept on moving, and with the cactuar fast asleep, they quickly found themselves the victors at the mountaintop.

"We did it! We won!"

The cactuar was at last awakened by their triumphant cheers.

"Winning while I sleep? Ain't that a bit cheap?"

"But a promise is a promise, little friend," the winners reminded the sore loser.

And so, with a sorry look on his face, the cactuar handed the adamantoises their prize: delicious slabs of fresh, juicy meat!

"What a mouthwatering feast you've prepared! Why don't you join us?"

"No way! No way! What did you say?

"You really think that you'd be able to host a loser at your table?"

"The more the merrier is our time-tested faith!"

And so the cactuar and the adamantoises enjoyed the sweet taste of victory together as friends.   So the race began! The contenders sped away from the starting line.
 * 3. Boulder Barrage

As sharp as his spines were, the cactuar had quite the dull intellect, and soon settled down for a nap, content with his current lead.

At the same time, the adamantoises were moving up the mountain, slow and steady at their very own pace, and had soon reached the top!

"Now that I’m feeling good and rested, it’s time to smoke those fools I’ve bested!"

The cactuar awoke and then sped off like the wind... unaware he had already lost the race.

Suddenly, the mountainside shook, and a boulder came crashing down on the poor little cactuar.

"I'm stuck! I'm stuck! What lousy luck!"

The adamantoises heard his cry for help and came to the rescue.

"Although we're not as quick as you are, these shells come in handy, don't you think?"

"Allow me to apologize! I’d be a cactuar sandwich without you guys!"

As soon as the adamantoises set the little cactuar free, he sped off in a hurry, too embarrassed to stick around after his unexpected defeat. 

Prologue
 Months passed by after the thrilling competition between the cactuar and the adamantoises, and winter was ready to settle in over the land.

"My winter stocks are gone, it seems! I guess I’ll have to head downstream!"

But the adamantoises tried to stop the cactuar from going.

"The water on the river runs rapid this time of year, friend. It's also far too chilly."

"Don’t get your shells into a bunch! I’ll be right back in time for lunch!"

"Didn't you save up food during the summertime?"

Unfortunately, the cactuar had spent his midsummer days frolicking in the sun, and had ignored the important task at hand.

"There are even stories about a real whale of a monster in the river waters," warned the adamantoises.

"No fear! No fear! I'm outta here!"

And so the cactuar set out on the river in his wee little raft, having ignored the wise advice of his friends... 

Epilogue
 "No fear! No fear! I'm outta here!"
 * 1. Prickly Pride 2

Soon after departing, the cactuar lost control of his raft, which was cast into some rocks by the raging waters.

"Help! Help! I'm allergic to kelp!"

Suddenly, the gigantic whale Bismarck emerged from the depths of the river and opened his titanic maw, waiting for the cactuar to lose his grip.

Luckily, the equally amphibious adamantoises were able to rescue the cactuar before he was served up as Bismarck's mid-afternoon snack.

"If you had done what you were supposed to do in the summer, this wouldn't have happened," the adamantoises scolded.

But the cactuar was too embarrassed and too shaken up by the day’s trauma to listen reasonably.

"You greedy misers! Oh, the nerve! Insults are all you’ll ever serve!"

Then the agitated cactuar, who could bear it no more, unleashed a flurry of spines at his friends...who were only trying to help.   "No fear! No fear! I'm outta here!"
 * 2. Whale's Wrath

Soon after departing, the cactuar lost control of his raft, which was cast into some rocks by the raging waters.

"Help! Help! I'm allergic to kelp!"

Suddenly, the gigantic whale Bismarck emerged from the depths of the river and opened his titanic maw, waiting for the cactuar to lose his grip.

Luckily, the equally amphibious adamantoises were able to rescue the cactuar before he was served up as Bismarck's mid-afternoon snack.

"Thanks a bunch! I was almost that whale's lunch!"

But Bismarck was one unhappy camper.

"How dare you steal away my most delicious treat!?"

"Now, now, I'm sure we can work this--"

"Silence!!!"

Suddenly, Bismarck unleashed a powerful stream of water at the group of friends.

Luckily for them, they were strong against water, and it didn't hurt... not even one little bit.   "No fear! No fear! I'm outta here!"
 * 3. Winter Woe

Soon after departing, the cactuar lost control of his raft, which was cast into some rocks by the raging waters.

"Help! Help! I'm allergic to kelp!"

Suddenly, the gigantic whale Bismarck emerged from the depths of the river and opened his titanic maw, waiting for the cactuar to lose his grip.

Luckily, the equally amphibious adamantoises were able to rescue the cactuar before he was served up as Bismarck's mid-afternoon snack.

Or at least that's what they thought...

Crash!

In the next instant, Bismarck swallowed up the cactuar and the adamantoises!

"Whew! That was a close one! I spent all my midsummer days frolicking and almost ended up with nothing for the winter!"

With plenty of food for the upcoming season, Bismarck swam off, as happy a whale as there ever was. 