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As you plumb the depths of the cavern- you encounter several hot and fiery hazards as well as a few underground beasts. But your mind is on another topic- what <span class="mu-i">exactly</span> are the pikmin? They are such unusual creatures. They can't possibly be natural, can they?
Looking at the planet you are on; there are many hints of something else going on here. Unusual biomechanical forms of life, artifacts hidden in caves almost purposefully sculpted, walls made of glass, large metal obelisks halfway buried in the dirt- all hinting that at some point, an intelligent species presided here. Perhaps it was the pikmin themselves, who have since changed to a more feral version of what they once were, or was a totally different species; technologically advanced, these species may have created the pikmin. For what purpose? To be a sort of children of their race when their race went extinct? To act as an ecological cleanup crew? Or perhaps were they a creation made for labor and obedience on a long forgotten terraforming project; only now abandoned? It would explain why they obey you so easily. Of course, are any of these the true answer? That, you do not know.
At the base of the cavern you find another ancient artifact. And this time its a... potato. It looks just so dull and ugly, but the pikmin are mega excited to see it- woahing and posing. They certainly don't want to eat it, and look at you as though they trust you with it. Not that you exactly know what it is for.
With no better recourse and doubtful you could even get a thimble of useful juice from the thing, you decide to bury it in the soft soil of your cargo bay for now. It <span class="mu-i">may take a few days</span> to fully sprout, but until then we shall see...
