Comet and the other surviving rabbits huddled in the fortress. They stayed there for what felt like hours. There was nothing to eat and only a shallow pool to drink from. Comet drifted into sleep, completely exhausted.
He was shaken awake by SilverSkull. He jumped up, surprised and shook himself off. There was no one else in the fortress.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctjkG2zOCC
“Where is everyone?” He asked, panicked.
”They’re all fine. Brook came and told us it was safe to come to the surface. I would have let you sleep more but the rabbits are asking for you.” He said.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmYByfsJZV
He nodded and stretched, he braced himself for what he would see when he left the fortress. It was afternoon and he sighed when he saw the north of the colony was blackened and charred but in the distance, it seemed like the south of the colony had survived relatively untouched by the fire. 46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfIQ8FSnK3
“I wish I could have found a better solution.” Said Comet.
”You did the best you could… better than I did, that’s for sure.” Said SilverSkull. “I still don’t know how to handle the few Magia that are here.”
“They came back?”
”Yes, conveniently when the battle was over.” He said.
Comet decided he needed to see them for himself and he swam across to the mainland. He surprised himself as he realised how easy it was to swim across now, he didn’t even give it a second thought.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuMO7GZFlC
A whole crowd of rabbits from every colony surrounded the small group of Magia rabbits. They looked innocent and harmless but Comet knew that this is what they always did when they didn’t have power. 46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud5qmxEhgl
“What should we do with them?” Asked SilverSkull.
”I say we get rid of them.” Growled Arrow. The other rabbits agreed.
The Magia cowered in fear, trying to look as vulnerable as possible.
”Please, there’s only a few of us. We didn’t support Master Coney’s plans and we regret what he did.” Said one.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gejJFV7uK
”Really? Then why didn’t you say anything when the Magia leaders were destroying the colonies.” Said Comet.
“Exactly, I suspect they would be saying something very different to us if Master Coney had won and was wearing the Master-Medallion right now.” Said Arrow.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugFGQvg2C1
“We can prove ourselves to you. If you let us stay, we can help you recover. We won’t be a burden or cause any trouble.” Another one said.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUKjWVk7ll
Comet trust a word they said. He knew the Magia had first gained influence in the valley by initially helping to protect the colony’s from threats and giving them access to more food and resources but once they got enough power, they used those very same things to manipulate and control the colony’s. 46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JOe93GM4j
But SilverSkull was the leader of Silver Colony and this was his land, so it was his decision. Comet just hoped he’d learnt his lesson.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVga59W2FR9
”I think you’ve helped quite enough.” Said SilverSkull. “Leave the valley and join the rest of your kind.”
The Magia started to argue but SilverSkull and the other rabbits glared at them and made it very clear they better start moving, or they would make them.
Comet finally relaxed when he saw they disappear into the burnt tree line though it wasn’t much of a tree line anymore, the bushes were gone and trees were burnt black, completely stripped of their leaves. 46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOCtfB4gZ4
They were silent for a moment, unsure what to do next.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7quvoCTye
”Silver Colony rabbits, it’s time we started redigging our warren. It got partly destroyed in the battle and we need a place to sleep before it gets dark.” Said SilverSkull. The Silver Colony rabbits agreed with this plan and began heading towards the warren.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFoOJKUmh5
”I think it’s time we returned to our colony’s.” Said a Copper Colony rabbit. The remaining rabbits agreed with this and started parting ways. 46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe060TwztFn
Arrow and Blue didn’t move. They had a sombre look.
”What’s wrong?” Asked Comet. “I know that it will take some time for the valley to recover but I’m hopeful it will be better than before.”
”Oh, it’s not that.” Said Blue. “We both just don’t really know what to do with ourselves now… we liked being Seekers and now that Seekers aren’t a role anymore, we don’t really know what to do now.”
“Exactly and Porcelain Colony has changed so much… the only reason I was even allowed to live there in the first place was because of the Magia. I don’t know if there’s anywhere I belong.” Said Arrow.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wA5JURXZW
Comet titled his head for a moment. He knew they didn’t have a place they belonged to, but he always knew that once the Magia was defeated, he would have the freedom to decide. 46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxfSb4ljEt
“I don’t think that’s entirely a bad thing… I was thinking that with the Master-Medallion, I could help teach rabbits how to use magic again.” Said Comet. “But I couldn’t do that all on my own. I could teach you how to use magic and we could travel the valley, helping rabbits.”46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9biyn4Szlz
”It would also give the colony’s a great way to defend themselves while they’re still vulnerable.” Said Arrow. “But I don’t know, what if we can’t learn to use magic?”
”If those Copper and Gold rabbits were able to learn magic in a day, I’m sure you can as well. Blue?” He asked, wanting his opinion.
“I love it! We can recruit new Seekers, made of the most skilled and magically talented rabbits. We will inspire the colony’s and help the leaders keep peace and diplomacy.” Said Blue dramatically.
Comet snorted with amusement. “Let’s just start with learning magic first but I’m glad you’re excited.” He said.
“Can you teach us magic now?” Asked Blue.
”I think it’s getting a bit late for that now.” Said Arrow, who looked noticeably tired. He was eager to rest. “We need to find a place to sleep, unless we can convince SilverSkull to sleep in their warren for the night.”
He was right. Comet hadn’t even thought about that. He turned to Orion’s cave. He had forgotten about him.
”Where’s Orion? Is he alright?” Asked Comet anxiously.
“He’s alive. I think he went back to his cave.” Said Arrow.
”We have to see him. He could give us a place to sleep.” Said Comet. The others didn’t argue.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJgeMu4jit
Once they got to the cave, Comet called out to Orion. 46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrGWypNbAn
He couldn’t help but get excited when he finally emerged.
“Come inside, there’s something I need to tell you.” Said Orion. His seriousness made Comet concerned.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyy3codlIR
They sat together in the dimly lit cave. It was still hauntingly beautiful. Orion seemed to be lost for words for a moment, before speaking up.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodxLJmNiE9
”I am so grateful for what you have done, you have freed the valley and me, from the control of the Magia. With them gone, I am no longer bound to the valley and I have no reason to stay.” He said slowly.
”Wait, you’re going to leave?” Asked Comet, his eyes wide.
He sighed. “Yes, I know I am old and weak with my energy drained, but I want to travel across the open land again, as a hare should do.”
”I understand… but I hope you don’t feel like you have to leave. I’m sure SilverSkull would let you stay and everyone likes you.” Said Comet.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuPvNeKKky
Orion shook his head. “I know you want me to stay… but you’ll do fine without me, you’ve already done more than I ever did. I know you’ll continue to do great things for the valley. Don’t you have any ideas on how to help the valley now they have magic?”
“Actually, I do have some ideas.” Said Comet but then fear got the best of him again. “But what if the leaders come together and decide to ban magic?”
”I think they want to ban magic when it’s the only reason we defeated the Magia, they don’t deserve to be leaders at all.” Said Arrow, grunting threateningly.
“No need to get aggressive, I’m sure the leaders will be happy to embrace magic, and even if they don’t, it should be easy enough to get them to trust us.” Said Blue.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZv3ivhKZI
”I see you have good friends, Comet, rabbits that will fight for you and guide you.” Said Orion. “I think it’s time I leave, I don’t want to attract the attention of the colony.”
He didn’t move. He looked at Comet, waiting for his approval. Comet felt mixed emotions, he wanted Orion to be happy and knew he would be fine without him, but once he left, it would be like he was dead.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVUGYQoXf8
“I wish you luck.” Said Comet finally. “Don’t forget about us.”
“Of course I won’t, NightWing will let me know what’s going on down here.” He said. Comet perked up, there was a way to keep in touch with him after all.
”But I understand you will need a place to live now and a place to train rabbits, which is why I give you this cave.” He said. “I trust you will take good care of it.”
”I won’t let you down.” Promised Comet. This was more than he could have hoped for. They touched noses and Orion left the cave.
Comet sat at the entrance of the cave, and watched as Orion hopped up the valley and disappeared out of view into the fading light.
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