They went up the steep slope of the valley and travelled in a wide arch so that they weren’t spotted hopping across the open field. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQseL4DwLc1
The Porcelain Colony rabbits with them carried sticks in their mouths. They’d been confused when Comet told them to gather them when they went through the bushes but they decided to trust him.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u4MWsiCk7
Comet noticed they were getting closer to the farmhouse. It brought a lot of memories back to him but also his resolve, to save the valley. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iqq3acNjv
Mossy and Stone, the rabbits who’d practically raised him had been exiled by the Magia and then killed by them. Perhaps it would bring them some peace to know that he was about to finish what they started.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWMsIuN71S
Even so, he couldn’t help but hop towards the wire fence of the backyard, just to see if anything had changed.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjBzj64uzS
A dog startled them all by jumping up and barking frantically at them. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiufOmNQfM
“We should get away from here.” Suggested Arrow, eyeing the dog nervously.
”I’ll just take a quick look.” Said Comet. The dog was only a small terrier, it couldn’t jump the fence. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ2R0lrf6g
He peered through the wire, and saw two children come out the back down. The girl was holding something in her arms. The sight of the children wasn’t that surprising, they were Felicity’s children and often came to visit the Old Man.
“Wow, look at all those rabbits.” Said the boy excitedly. The thing in the girls arms moved. Comet couldn’t quite make out what it was.
”I think Cloud wants to see them too.” She said and put the creature down. To Comet’s surprise, he saw it was a rabbit. The rabbit hopped past the terrier, who ignored him and kept barking at the rabbits outside the fence who were all getting nervous.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpI8b2uq5a
Once the rabbit got closer, Comet gasped, he knew this rabbit.
“Is that… you, IvoryHeart?” Asked Comet in disbelief.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk67lBQWFTA
“What are you doing here? Don’t tell me the Magia sent you to bring me back.” He said, seeing the rabbits in the distance.
“No, I just wanted to see what had become of my old home, before we destroy the enemies of the valley.” He said.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbTZi9U92R
Arrow and Blue dared to join Comet, recognising IvoryHeart as well.
”So this is where you went off to?” Asked Blue. “You betrayed your colony.”
”I know… but it was made clear to me that Porcelain Colony wasn’t mine anymore.”
“Then you’ll come back then, once the Magia are gone?” Asked Blue.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxcRnOUh9c
He looked sad and completive for a moment before shaking his head. “I don’t think I could be leader again, not after how the colony sees me now. You deserve a new leader, one who is still full of passion and hope. Besides, these human children have given me a name and without them, I would have died out in the wild like I expected” He said.
“Did an Old Man let you stay?” Asked Comet hopefully. He felt foolish for asking it but he had to know.
”Old Man? No, there’s only one man here and a woman. I don’t believe they are old by human standards. The woman did not like me but the children convinced him to let me stay after they found me here, after I came looking for food and shelter.” 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO153rhNjS
Comet sighed. The woman had to be Felicity and the man was probably her husband. At least the house was being taken care of.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS10KrcBSTs
“Well good luck. At least I know a rabbit is protecting my old home.” He said. It was time to go, the others had been patient enough.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WXPP6b2vx
Comet didn't regret leaving his old home behind. He was too close to victory and when he looked at the rabbits waiting expectantly for him, he knew he’d found the connection and freedom he’d been yearning for.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVbAXmvn2u
“I was wondering if you were going to stay back at the farmhouse.” Said Blue, as they hopped away. “I’ve been feeling a bit guilty about it, you would be safe here with these humans if Bone and I hadn’t convinced you to leave.”
“No, I don’t want to go back. I’ve changed too much to live my old life and by the end of this, I hope we all get to live in a better valley.” He said. Blue nodded. It seemed to put him at ease. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnqcbTV0rT
They drew as close to the thicket as they dared then Arrow signalled for them to stop, sensing they were close enough.
“What do you want us to do?” Asked Tabby, one of the Porcelain Colony rabbits with them.
”I just need one of your Iron stones, Arrow.” Said Comet and got one from his satchel. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriJjhRmRza
He felt the cool touch of it in his paws.
“I’m going to ignite the thicket with this. After it's caught alight, you will put the sticks into the fire and chase the rebels and wild rabbits into the tree line and set that alight as well. Then you can run to the fortress or go underground to be safe from the fortress.” Explained Comet. “I know it’s not an ideal solution… but I think it’s the only way to get rid of them for good.”
”That could work… but what about the Magia?” Asked Tabby.
”Their leaders are dead, they are disorganised and now that rabbits are learning how to use magic again, they should be easy to get rid of once this is done.” Said Comet.
“Let’s do this then.” Said Tabby.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQXHLatoGe
They heard some shouting, one the rabbits at the thicket had spotted them. There wasn’t anymore time for discussion.
Comet used the power of the Master-Medallion to energise the Iron stone. He sprinted towards the thicket and tossed the iron stone into the heart of the thicket.
Comet dashed away and circled back to the group, a moment later, a slither of smoke started building. From the outside, it didn’t seem like much but it sent wild rabbits and rebels fleeing from the thicket.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaFzWOHwES
”Don’t let them escape into the fields, head them towards the tree line.” Ordered Arrow. The rabbits nodded and surged towards the fleeing rabbits.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ9L4Y6cFo
Then, suddenly, the fire erupted, spreading throughout the entire thicket with fierce intensity.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZtZ3yYNJW
The children started panicking at the sight of the distant fire. Comet knew they would try putting it out but he wasn’t concerned, the rebels and wild rabbits would be long gone by then. Besides, a fire started by the power of the Master-Medallion wouldn’t be easy to extinguish.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIny0OqRhVh
He followed the others into the tree line which was rapidly catching fire, the dry grass and undergrowth allowed it to spread quickly. Comet and the Porcelain rabbits struggled to race through the tree line before the fire engulfed them too.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iSkx2Yeri
Comet decided to light up the Master-Medallion to help guide himself and the others through the flames and smoke.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26gDyv8rmB
When he finally cleared the tree line, it was a relief to be clear of the choking smoke. He hoped everyone else had been fast enough.
He wanted to keep running down the valley, but forced himself to stop to use the Master-Medallion to make a high pitched sound, hopefully it would bring the others towards him.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStym71ejHQ
No one came but with the fire rapidly approaching, he had no choice but to start racing down the valley.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY76cjlyDR
He heard some screaming and looked to his right to see Blue racing down the valley, his tail on fire. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcL7aqB6w4
He practically rolled down the valley and threw himself into a wet and muddy part of Silver Colony’s swampy marsh. He got out and shook himself off. His tail was singed but not on fire anymore.
”Have you seen Arrow and the others?” He asked.
“He was heading towards the fortress, I accidentally got split up from them.” He said. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9vqSeHpOy
They didn’t even have to discuss it, they both raced towards the fortress, desperate to see if they’d made it. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8grwoCmlUB
Comet stopped short when he saw that the surviving rebels and wild rabbits were trying to swim to the fortress. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUKsw4GnNe
Most were not good swimmers and ended up having to circle back or drowning but a few were getting across. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeytPEuiqO
Arrow and the Porcelain Colony rabbits had made it through the fire and were doing their best to defeat them. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1oFkGmDlj
But if they didn’t get across to the fortress soon, they would all be killed by the fire. Its heat was quickly evaporating the shallow marsh. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFlMsyOo2O
“Come on, we have to get across.” Called Comet, seeing that Arrow and the others were more focused on fighting. 123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJSIpcY7Wf
They seemed surprised to find the fire was closing in on them.
“None of us can swim.” Said Arrow desperately. Blue voiced the same concern. There was no time to get them underground. They would have to get in the water.
”Just try your best, we will help you.” Said Comet. He looked at the rabbits who were on the edge of the island and they agreed.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KQb9ehdlL
Blue took a deep breath and closed his eyes and jumped into the lake and began swimming to the island the best he could.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d8YYtKcFZ
Comet jumped in after him, trying his best to support him, he could smell the smoke and feel the heat and the water glowed orange.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI5bo2RrqO
He began to fear that the fire was going to kill them all before they even got to enjoy their freedom.
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