The Biggering

**The Biggering** is The Lorax rewritten.

In response to his abominable past, The Once-ler becomes obsessed with building a better life for himself and keeps pushing moral boundaries with every small success.

A mysterious creature tries to change his ways for the sake of the land and animals he's tasked to protect, but can't compete with the power money brings, nor the careless greed of companies and consumers alike.

The story has a morbid tone and portrays Once-ler as a manipulative sadist.

The remake was conceived on November 16, 2021, and Wiki exclusive artwork made public at Tumblr on May 13, 2022.

## Story

**Introductory Poem**
*(Click "Expand" to read)>*

> **A Once-ler was born, Once-up on a time,**
> **with snow on his face, covered in grime.**
> **His plate always empty, his bed just the floor,**
> **if no action taken, he would be no more.****Once-mom would say: *"Nothing's for free!***
> ***They love to trick people like us, believe me!"*****Once-dad endorsed: *"You have teeth and hands..***
> ***..claw, bite, kick, punch! Be the last one who stands!"*****This sickly boy, so hungry and small,**
> **was told to steal from the weakest of all.**
> **His hands on their necks, it meant his survival,**
> **and their scraps made him crave more and grow tall.****A wretched life indeed, the world agrees,**
> **but even this boy had a moment of peace.**
> **His hobby was knitting**
> **and though not quite fitting,**
> **it helped him stay warm and make a fair living.****Earned money was different, different was real praise,**
> **Once-ler decided to change his old ways.**
> **Stealing was over, he'd knit his success,**
> **His designs were loved.. but the yarn was a mess.****What could he use that was also for free?**
> **Then he saw his first Truffula Tree!**
> **He took his axe**
> **and chop, chop, chop, chop!**
> **Then something orange told him to stop.**
>
>
>

> The Once-ler started his journey towards monetary success when he was a young teenager and travelled around on a donkey carriage to collect suitable materials for his self-made knitwear, to then sell. It barely earned him enough to stay alive, as the materials used were uncomfortable, though his designs smart.
>
>
> When he arrived at the Truffula Tree fields, he became ecstatic by the look of their leafs and wanted them for his next product. He was welcomed in by the local wildlife with kindness, and Once-ler decided to deem the once untainted wilderness his new home and spot to set up shop.
>
> A handful of trees were sacrificed for his cottage, and the next one he chopped down appeared to hold a small creature in it, who awakened confused by the great mess the newcomer had made.
>
>
> The Lorax watched him knit with careful curiosity, but didn't think the odd-looking result warranted his tree's death and made sure to let him know. The Once-ler argued his "Thneeds" were objectively useful and The Lorax impatiently listened to his excited sales ramble, but expressed not to have faith his product would sell. He demanded to know the whereabouts of the young boy's parents -questions that were purposely avoided.
>
> Once-ler proved him wrong by selling out every time and would maintain the belief his product would benefit humanity more than the obsessive preservation of an uninhabited plot of land.
>
>
> High on his first success, Once-ler continued chopping down trees to make more Thneeds. When the workload became too much, he looked up family members to help grow his business. The Lorax tried to speak with them as they came, but they were also blinded by the expectation and promise of money.
>
>
> Once-ler's business and wealth kept growing, and he became dangerously powerful in a small amount of time. Loud, unstoppable machines cleared out the area for his empire, and The Lorax could only watch.
>
> He funded the construction of Truffula's first and only city and negligent people began moving in, who blindly worshipped him for the products, comfort, and jobs he provided, despite the horrible circumstances that were clearly visible outside their city walls.
>
>
> After having been ignored and patronized for too long, The Lorax broke into Once-ler's office to convey the damage done to all of nature. The response given sounded sympathetic, which relieved him somewhat, but in in the end, Once-ler didn't care to make himself care.
>
>
> Some time later, The Lorax returned to his office to complain again. He started off by commenting on his lacklustre response after witnessing him trip and fall into his Thneed maker earlier that day -with the implication he planned to let the machines kill his biggest critic.
>
> They began arguing over familiar issues, to which The Once-ler presented more excuses, testing The Lorax' patience. On the topic of taking environment-friendly measures, he claimed they were too expensive and you couldn't halt yourself for anything in the world of business. The Lorax admitted not to know the workings of capitalism and to only speak for nature, but still doubted Once-ler's genuineness in his concern for the families of his many workers, that relied on them getting their paychecks.
>
> A secretary then entered to report the company's value had increased exponentially, and the happy news turned Once-ler more sinister towards his guest. The Lorax reminded him his actions did not only affect human lives, but Once-ler stated not to care for animal casualties.
>
>
> When the last tree in the area got chopped down, the production of Thneeds stopped and Once-ler had to deal with the aftermath of his careless greed. Now that the popular Thneed was off the market, people were no longer soothed and became critical of his practises. His brand's value dropped and the news of the destruction he had left behind during his years of operation worsened his reputation. Nobody wanted to buy from any of his establishments out of protest.
>
>
> The Once-ler lost his riches after going through many lawsuits his lawyers could no longer win, and his first Thneed factory became his only corporeal possession in the end. He made the empty building his home and deliberately tried to stay out of the public eye in the hopes he'd become a forgotten villain.
>
> The Lorax came to visit him, but had little to say to a man who never listened. He handed him the last Truffula seed and spoke the word "unless", whereafter he ascended into the skies. The location of his departure became the only patch of grass found in the desolate Truffula fields and was the ideal -and intended- place for the gifted seed. Still, Once-ler refused to plant it.
>
>
> He took on a more humble existence and was able to go into forced retirement thanks to the shares he still had at other companies. His lowered incentive to take care of himself caused his hair and beard to grow, making it so that the people of his own city didn't recognize him as he walked amongst them to buy his needs.
>
> His body height and voice made some wonder, and visitors would show up at his door on rare occasions, but turned around after meeting with silence or the threats of "a crazy hobo".
>
>
> When Once-ler's body had grown old and weak, he was visited by The Lorax once more. After some small talk, Lorax expressed confusion for his refusal to plant the gifted seed. Once-ler claimed to had thrown it out the same day and not feel responsible for the destruction of Truffula, since millions of people had participated and he was merely a servant of his customers. He was punished by righteous indignation, while his critics never took the incentive to revive the land in all these years.
>
> The Lorax was disappointed to learn Once-ler hadn't changed and explained no one could do anything, as the seed he entrusted him was the only Truffula seed in existence. Once-ler called him foolish for still believing he'd care, yet was also happy that the presumption they'd meet again if refusing to plant it was proven true, making it the right choice in his eyes.
>
> Lorax' question to why he'd want to see his enemy again was called a misunderstanding, but other than that, Once-ler didn't clarify his reason.
>
>
> Knowing time was up and there's no point in shouting down a dying criminal, Lorax took on a calmer approach and assisted him to bed. Once-ler did not understand how someone who used to look at him with fear and rage still granted him moments of kindness.
>
>
> After The Lorax took his leave, he lied there for hours on end, initially over exhaustion, but then realized he struggled to move at all. Nevertheless, he endured the pain of having to carry his own weight and got up to grab a dusty vial, located underneath a drawer. He took the long, steep staircase down to the ground floor and shuffled towards the patch of luscious green grass, once left behind by The Lorax.
>
> He fell to his knees with a crack, trying to remove the cork from the old vial, but with no strength left in his muscles, he could only sit there and look at it, his eyelids becoming heavier.
>
>
> While barely maintaining consciousness, an orange hand grabbed his and steered it for him. A hole was dug and the seed released into it, whereafter Once-ler collapsed and didn't move again.
>
> As he lived in no one's memory, nobody came looking for him and nobody ever found him. The forgotten man slowly merged with the soil, and many years later, a peculiarly large Truffula Tree stood proudly.
>
>
>
>
>
>

## Characters

*For minor characters, check out this list.*

### The Once-ler

The Once-ler is the canon antagonist in The Lorax. He's between the age of 30 and 40 during his peak success.

His real name is Leronce, which is not known outside of his family circle. The Lorax happened to get introduced to the name as well, and is the only other person who addresses him with it.

Leronce comes from a poverty-stricken household and grew up obsessed with finding riches. As his wealth grew, he became overly confident and believed to can do no wrong, though his difficult past had already convinced him to be a victim and entitled to everything. As such, he's not very empathetic and cares only for himself; the latter being a trait taught to him by his parents and environment as a self-preservation mechanism.

With little food in the home and coaxed to take any and all opportunities, he often had to steal and fight for goods with other children wandering the neighbourhood. All these experiences turned him sociopathic, stubborn, conceited, and sly, with trust issues and no friends.

Unlike the original Once-ler character, Leronce has a fondness for The Lorax, though the way he sees and treats him resembles a messy love–hate relationship. He consistently becomes annoyed the moment he starts preaching, but otherwise tolerates his visitations and doesn't automatically treat him like an intruder whenever he shows up in his space.

Leronce as "The Once-ler" is worshipped by many, though has critics besides The Lorax. He fends them off with his charms and free sample gifts, and in more extreme cases, his lawyers and surface-level excuses that present him as a saviour with no other options.

In terms of appearance, his most noticeable features are his height and indistinguishable face. Leronce grows physically taller the more his company succeeds, though is still fairly lengthy at the end of the story, implying it's not just a visualized metaphor, but he's genetically tall as well.

### The Lorax

The Lorax is a canon character from The Lorax. He's argued to be an ancient, immortal being.

He deems himself the protector of trees, and ultimately, all of nature, yet seems to have no real power to help protect these and is dependant on people's willingness to listen to his preaching. The Once-ler picked up on that very early in time and does not take him seriously because of it.

His inability to take extreme measures, or rather the discomfort in doing so, is a flaw that doesn't evade The Lorax and fills him with shame when the damage to Truffula has become irreversible.

The Lorax has followed Once-ler around for years and the two know each other well, but as the furry activist seldom has something new to say, he isn't always given entry to his home or office. Even so, The Once-ler allows him to barge in every now and then and entertains "pointless" discussions with him.

Once-ler seems to have some kind of fascination with him, but The Lorax doesn't return these feelings and considers him a pest on good days and nerve-rackingly frightening on bad ones. His biggest worry is to get caged or turned into a piece of decor, since Once-ler likes to flaunt with ominous tools and taxidermied animals.

The Lorax is a small, chubby, orange-furred creature of unknown species, capable of human speech and thought. Though The Once-ler could never figure out what he was, he accepted him as just one of the many peculiar animals living in Truffula, though The Lorax denies being an animal at all.

## Gallery

***Pro tip:** After clicking on an image, use the left and right keyboard arrows to easily move to the next or previous image.*

***Pro pro tip:** To not lose track of the main gallery, open an "<instant full view>" link in a new window by clicking it with your mouse's scroll button.*

### General artwork

**First concept image of Once-ler and The Lorax.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2021)***Concept images of Once-ler and The Lorax.**
 *(Wiki, 2021)***Sketch of The Lorax scolding a young Once-ler.**
 *(Wiki, 2021)***Sketch of a young Once-ler knitting for the first time.**
 *(Wiki, 2022)***Sketch of the primary Truffula wildlife.**
 *(Wiki, 2022)***Sketch of the Truffula wildlife.**
 *(Wiki, 2023)***Sketch of the Truffula wildlife.**
 *(Wiki, 2023)***Sketch of "no sequel"-Leronce.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)***Sketch of The Lorax as a human and an animal**
 *(Wiki, 2022)***Sketch of The Lorax as a human.**
 *(Wiki, 2023)***Sketch of The Lorax as an animal.**
 *(Wiki, 2023)***Sketch of The Lorax showing off the "green fingers" ability.**
 *(Wiki, 2023)***Sketch of The Lorax showing off the "Call for Eden".**
 *(Wiki, 2023)***Sketch of The Lorax showing off the "green ears" ability and his power of authority over animals.**
 *(Wiki, 2023)***Sketch of The Lorax going white.**
 *(Wiki, 2023)***A cover, semi-styled and inspired by the original's book cover.**
 *(Deviantart upload, September 27, 2022)***Alternate cover.**
 *(Deviantart upload, October 31, 2022)***The original image that was used in the promo video.**
 *(Tumblr upload, October 31, 2022)***The original image that was used in the promo video.**
 *(Tumblr upload, October 31, 2022)***The original image that was used in the promo video.**
 *(Tumblr upload, October 31, 2022)***The original image that was used in the promo video.**
 *(Tumblr upload, October 31, 2022)***The original image that was used in the promo video.**
 *(Tumblr upload, October 31, 2022)***The original image that was used in the promo video.**
 *(Tumblr upload, October 31, 2022)***The original image that was used in the promo video.**
 *(Tumblr upload, October 31, 2022)***The original image that was used in the promo video.**
 *(Tumblr upload, October 31, 2022)***The original image used in "Once-ler's Recollection" lyric video.
Additional image 1 and 2 in links provided.**
 *(Youtube upload, November 5, 2022)***Once-ler wanting The Lorax to be his pet.**
 *(Deviantart upload, June 19, 2023)*

### Comics

**Story-driven:**
None.jpg**The Once-ler is born.***<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**The Truffula animals and The Once-ler meet.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)**<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**The Lorax and The Once-ler meet.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)*None.jpg**The Lorax asks about Once-ler's parents.**None.jpg**The Once-ler burns down a plot of land, then witnesses a disturbing power. The Lorax enters a critical condition.**None.jpg**The Lorax suspects Once-ler of killing an animal. Once-ler questions Lorax' leniency with animals killing each other.***<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Comic sketch of The Once-ler getting himself out of a lawsuit.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)**<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Comic sketch of The Once-ler manipulating O'Schmuns, still a protester of his.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)**<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Comic sketch of a carefully skeptical O'Schmuns getting disarmed by Once-ler's fake concern and her own fantasies, once again.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2023)*None.jpg**The Once-ler investigates a handsy Thneed copycat, but nearly succumbs. The Lorax intervenes.***<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Comic sketch of The Once-ler dealing with the lovestruck O'Schmuns.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)**<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Comic sketch of Once-ler admitting not to care anymore.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2021)**<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Comic sketch of Once-ler's last confrontation with The Lorax.
(part 1)**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)**<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Comic sketch of Once-ler's last confrontation with The Lorax.
(part 2)**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)**<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Comic sketch portraying a moment of Once-ler's childhood with his parents.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)*None.jpg**A young Once-ler beats up a toddler for food.***<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Comic sketch of O'Schmuns meeting The Once-ler many years after his success ended.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)*None.jpg**Lorax tends to The Once-ler in his last moments.**

**Shorts/non-canon/other:**
*<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Non-canon comic sketches of The Lorax following Once-ler around.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2021)**<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Comic sketches of The Lorax criticizing Once-ler's fashion/interest in fur.**
 *(Wiki, 2022)***Non-canon comic sketch of Once-ler tricking The Lorax.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)***Non-canon comic sketch of The Lorax' departure.**
 *(Wiki, 2021)***Semi-canon comic sketch of an old Once-ler pulling a gun on a young boy out looking for him.**
 *(Wiki, 2021)**<Click here for instant full view>*
**――――――――**
**Non-canon comic sketch of The Lorax interacting with a spiteful Once-ler tree.**
 *(Wiki exclusive upload, 2022)*

## Trivia

* The reimagined Once-ler is mostly inspired by the scrapped song, "Biggering", from the 2012 Lorax movie;
	+ The introductory poem includes a piece of lyrics.
* Multiple important events are not expressively stated in the story or by The Once-ler;
	+ Some of the people he fought as a child ended up maimed or dead.
	+ His mother hanged herself shortly after he left home.
	+ His father did not want to work for him and refused any kind of reconciliation.
* There's no answer given to whether The Lorax is real or imaginary -and the story supports both possibilities.

## See also

* No Sequeling (Unofficial sequel)
* The Once-ler (specieswapped series)
* Lorax, Wanna Hang Out? (Spin-off series)
* "Last Clash with the 'Stache"/Biggering (Music video)
* The Call for Eden (Music video)
* I Would Die for You (Music video)
* Not The Lorax by Illumination (Song album)