Comet slowed down as he spotted large brown and grey rabbits hopping into burrows. Some were just sitting there, staring up at them.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWX5dRzaBG
Blue, distracted, bumped into Comet with a thud. Comet gasped, losing his footing and tumbling down the slope. Blue could only watch while Bone leapt down.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs1sIjiHl2
Comet’s mind raced with fear until he finally crashed into a bush. He blinked against the light, his head hurt as he tried working at where he was.
Blue and Bone hurried down to him. “Why did you stop like that?” Demanded Bone.
“Didn’t you see them, they were staring right at us.” Said Comet, indicating to the stationary rabbits.
“I saw them, they’re just Watchers. Their role is to watch the borders.” Said Bone then glared at Blue. “You’re lucky he didn’t break his neck.”
“It was an accident.” He said defensively.
Comet just groaned as he sat up to stretch his aching legs and clear his head.
“Hey, there they are!” Shouted someone nearby. Comet backed away and hid behind the bush while Blue and Bone talked to the approaching rabbit.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPb8lJiZmc
“So, you're the hare? Not very impressive.” Said the black and white Dutch rabbit. Comet lept in fear and spun around to face him.
“What do you want?” He demanded.
“I wanted to see if the rumours about a hare coming were true but hare’s are supposed to be powerful. You aren’t.”
“I know that.” He said, shaking himself off. “If I really am a hare, I’m going to get trained.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob8ZYdNbZB
The rabbit was silent for a moment. “Do you even know what the Magia wants you for?”
“Well they want the old here to train me.” As he spoke, he realised he’d forgotten to ask what exactly he’d be training for.
He snorted with amusement. “They haven’t told you anything, have they?”
“What have they told you then?” He asked.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy96ppk7lHB
Blue and Bone came back and glared at the Dutch rabbit. “Time to return to your post.” Said Bone.
“I will.” He said, barely even glancing at them. He turned back to Comet. “My name is Arrow by the way, we’ll probably see each other again.” He said and hopped away.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC5gZCek5w
“Why’d you chase him off, he was going to tell me something.”
“It would have been nothing useful, he’s been a pain ever since we got chosen to do this mission over him.”
“Yeah, just ignore him, I’m surprised the Magia still lets him be a Seeker when he’s so annoying.”
“Look who’s talking.” Muttered Bone with amusement.
“I’m only a Seeker because you convinced me to be.” Said Blue, playfully shouldering him.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dVpQ0Qfl3
As they led Comet away from the bush, the terrain gradually shifted from stones to a mix of grass and mud. They passed by some stationary Watchers who acknowledged them with nods.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQADH8QEQCt
“Now, we’re officially in Silver Colony.” Announced Bone.
“I’ve been thinking, you said this hare would train me but you never said what I’d be trained to do.”
“The Magia knows more about that than us but you’ll probably be learning how to use the powers of the colonies.” Said Bone.
“He means you’ll learn how to use the magic powers from each of the colony's special resources, like silver, porcelain and iron.” Said Blue excitedly. “You’re so lucky, I wish I could do that.”
“Is he serious?” Asked Comet, staring at Bone.
“It’s not magic, it’s spiritual but yes, he’s pretty much right. Don’t ask me how it works, ask the Magia.” He said. “We just need to get to that large rock.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ghun75fB
Comet could see it in the distance and despite his exhaustion and muddy ground, he picked up his pace. As they got further into the marshlands, the ground became softer and damper. It felt like they were sinking as long grass ticked their stomach.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKH0GtXaC6
“The Magia really chose to live here over any other colony?” Said Comet.
“No, they live on the opposite end of the valley, in Diamond Colony. They wanted to meet you here because the hare is too old to travel from his cave.” Said Bone. He looked towards the imposing silver cliff face. If there was a cave back there, Comet couldn’t see it.
“Once you’re fully trained, you probably could live wherever you want. Well, except for the colonies in the south.” Said Blue.
“Perhaps they won’t be enemies by then.” Suggested Bone.
“I hope so. I’ve always wanted to visit Gold Colony.” Said Blue.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmTUASPROe
They were almost at the rock now and Comet was starting to get nervous. Mossy and Stone had rarely spoken about the Magia, but when they did, they never had anything good to say.
“What should I do when I meet the Magia?” He asked.
“Just be polite and answer their questions. They’re quite serious but they’ll tell you everything you need to know and help you settle in.” Bone said.
Comet decided the only way to find out for sure what they were really like was to meet them for himself.
He stopped abruptly at the sight of the largest rabbit he’d ever seen standing by the rock. The caramel-coloured rabbit was almost twice as big as Bone and Blue. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTnmg2oIRv
“Who’s that?” He asked nervously.
“Oh, that’s Lock, one of the smaller Silver Colony rabbits.” Said Blue mischievously, seeing Comet’s distress.
“Don’t worry, they may look intimidating but they are very peaceful as long as you respect them. Their main concerns are eating and keeping their colony safe.” Said Bone reassuringly, then gave Blue a look. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ydPZP2HEm
They approached the rabbit by the rock.
“Greeting Lock, we have found the hare.” Said Bone. Lock nodded.
“I’ll take you underground, the Magia is waiting for you.” He said. His deep voice didn’t help to ease Comet’s fears.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbTKj0cQ46
The tunnel’s entrance was large and Comet feared the rock would crush them under the earth. He shook his head. The rabbits had been living here for a long time and that hadn’t happened… yet.
Still, the idea of going down the deep dark tunnel into the unknown wasn’t very enticing.
“Are you sure they can’t meet us out here?” He whispered to Blue.
Lock spoke up before Blue could reply “No, they want to meet you underground, it’s where they spend most of their time anyway.” He said, then turned to Bone, “Are you sure he’s the one the Magia sent for?” 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNMALZ5tbd
“Of course he is, do you think we’d risk going to a human colony just to get the wrong hare? He’ll get used to going underground.” Assured Blue, then looked at Comet who nodded nervously. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpYiI3X33w
Lock just grunted again and led the way into the tunnel with Blue at the rear making sure Comet didn’t change his mind at the last minute. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA0hcvk8hK
Taking a deep breath, Comet steeping into the tunnel. The darkness and strange smell of unfamiliar rabbits was almost overwhelming. Blue was the only thing that was stopping him from darting back out again.
He was skittish and kept bumping into Bone who finally had enough.
“Would you stop that already!” He snapped.
“Sorry.” He muttered.
Blue suddenly made a sound and leapt at Comet who screamed and lurched forward, slamming into Bone. He rounded on him and swiped a paw across his face.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExWIb8LpBA
After he realised what happened, Bone gasped, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise it was you Comet.”
“It’s alright, just another scratch to add to the one Blue gave me.” He muttered as he rubbed his nose.
They heard Blue snickering loudly. “That was hilarious.”
“No it wasn’t!” Bellowed Bone, realising it was Blue’s fault.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj9NeY8S6u
“Keep it down, we want the Magia to meet you before the whole colony does.” Said Lock, looking at Bone who snorted with indignation.
“They probably already saw him falling down the valley.” Said Blue.
“Only because of you.” Said Comet.
“Shh, I’ll deal with him later.” Said Bone.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Asked Blue defensively. “I was just having fun.”
“If you don’t be quiet, I’ll tell the Magia to deal with your stupidity.” He said. Finally, Blue shut up. 219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYd3evtQ2N
The rabbits kept silent as they navigated the dark labyrinth of tunnels and corridors. The tunnels were quite large which made it a little less claustrophobic but it was still unnerving. Lock seemed to have no problem though, confidently navigating in the dark.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVA57Y6mSW
Despite the suffocating darkness, he got occasional glimpses of light trickling out from slits along the base of the tunnel. It made it a little easier not to trip over his own paws. He just hoped that wherever they were going would have more light.
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