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. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8BMrIkzZV
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVA8FWEBgS
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. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWkW4fU7SG
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsYkexGM3C
Even so, he couldn’t help but hop towards the wire fence of the backyard, just to see if anything had changed.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vwrd6ZqYZ
A dog startled them all by jumping up and barking frantically at them. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HEB5pBbcH
“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. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelS8Z31EXs
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgbBDz6dXJ
Once the rabbit got closer, Comet gasped, he knew this rabbit.
“Is that… you, IvoryHeart?” Asked Comet in disbelief.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUHnaFILoM
“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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLqP9q9lrl
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WIC05UW1Z
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.” 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6iM0TmmCN
Comet sighed. The woman had to be Felicity and the man was probably her husband. At least the house was being taken care of.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBFgGdGoop
“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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4FnQpaZe6
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf66k4Kmeb
“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. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD3a0jrLsX
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. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxYQxQxdWY
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5ZyZPtReC
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK1XBJusuR
”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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyKQzzFbWc
Then, suddenly, the fire erupted, spreading throughout the entire thicket with fierce intensity.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5MUgHz7SA
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx09uPe92F4
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtTZseqDbo
Comet decided to light up the Master-Medallion to help guide himself and the others through the flames and smoke.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6moDJrw9M
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgFpXl4UCz
No one came but with the fire rapidly approaching, he had no choice but to start racing down the valley.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdS3Cih7Tp
He heard some screaming and looked to his right to see Blue racing down the valley, his tail on fire. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvggSLd270
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. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCmWVbwdSU
They didn’t even have to discuss it, they both raced towards the fortress, desperate to see if they’d made it. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs0LDixJG4
Comet stopped short when he saw that the surviving rebels and wild rabbits were trying to swim to the fortress. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw2l987wKC
Most were not good swimmers and ended up having to circle back or drowning but a few were getting across. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjxTeN2Dw6
Arrow and the Porcelain Colony rabbits had made it through the fire and were doing their best to defeat them. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzpY0dL04L
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. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWqkLLnwa1
“Come on, we have to get across.” Called Comet, seeing that Arrow and the others were more focused on fighting. 167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IMn4Yj5gO
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgd1uq2Z8S
Blue took a deep breath and closed his eyes and jumped into the lake and began swimming to the island the best he could.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuflHhXrFS
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.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnh6HlQgae
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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