They could see the thicket in the distance.
“Is that stupid bird taking us there?” Asked Arrow.
“Don’t tell me they went to the rebel base… we can’t go there.” Said Blue.
Comet knew he couldn’t fight the rebels, even with his extra resources. He looked up at Nightwing who suddenly fluttered down.
He hopped along the ground, searching for something.
The others looked at Comet.
“Let’s keep following him.” He said.
“I think it would have been better to go to Iron Colony after all.” Muttered Arrow.
Nightwing cawed and started hopping about in one spot.
“This is where I last saw them.” He said. “I don’t think they could have gotten far.”
They looked at Comet, expecting him to know how to find them.
“If they’ve hidden their resources somewhere else, it will only send us in the wrong direction if I try sensing them. I think it would be better if you three searched.” He said
Rusty looked uncertain, and kept looking around him, like he was expecting to be attacked but Arrow and Blue got to work, both trying to be the first ones to find them.
“They were definitely here.” Said Blue. “The soil here is disturbed.”
He started digging and Arrow joined, they jumped back when the ground suddenly caved in, real long a small hole.
“They must be in here… who wants to go first?” Asked Blue, half jokingly.
“I’ll go.” Said Arrow.
“Are you sure?” Asked Comet.
“Yes,” He said. “You three must make sure they don’t try escaping back out this tunnel.”
It was dark in the tunnel but Arrow was used to navigating unfamiliar places like this. He kept going until he reached a dead end.
It was a little confusing but he retraced his steps more slowly until he noticed a side tunnel. He had only stepped one paw inside when two rabbits raced towards him and pushed him aside.
He called out incoherently in anger and raced to the surface after them. He saw Blue was fighting both Cobalt and Luxe while Comet was trying to subdue them with a porcelain stone.
The porcelain stones calmed their erratic energy and it was enough to allow Arrow and Blue to pin them down.
“Where’s the stuff you stole from us?” Demanded Arrow.
“You’ll never find it.” Said Luxe smugly.
“Comet will easily be able to find it. He can find anything.” Said Arrow. Comet knew that wasn’t true but Luxe and Cobalt needed to believe it.
“I knew we should have brought it back to the base.” Mumbled Cobalt.
“Why didn’t you?” Asked Arrow.
“They hate all things magic related so they wouldn’t let us take it in, we found out you were coming up here so we tried digging it up to relocate it but it didn’t really work out.” Said Luxe
“It’s stupid to be against magic, it might be the only thing that can help protect the colonies from the Magia.” Said Comet.
“Since when did you start hating the Magia?”
“Since they started mind-controlling a colony and showed how little they really think of valley rabbits.”
“Well, it seems like you’re basically a rebel yourself, you should join us.” Said Cobalt.
“I don’t think the others would like a hare joining, especially one that uses the resources of power.” Said Luxe.
“I’m sure we could convince them to make an exception.”
Comet shook his head. “We have a plan to help the valley, that doesn’t involve destroying the existing colonies.”
“The only way to be free of the Magia and evil leaders is for everybody to live independently and rely on no one.” Cobalt explained.
“Aren’t you relying on your group to destroy the current order of the valley? Doesn’t sound very independent.” Said Arrow.
“Once we’ve achieved our goal, we’ll go our separate ways.” Said Luxe.
“You don’t need to do that if we create the Master-Medallion. I have a plan to keep it out of Magia paws and use it to help the valley.” Explained Comet.
“Are you going to give every rabbit the ability to use resources?” Asked Cobalt, horrified.
“No, I’ll give it to Orion and he is wise and so he’ll know how to use it to stop the Magia.”
“Give it to a crazy hold hare who works for the Magia, great idea.” Said Luxe.
“He’s against the Magia. He’ll do the right thing, regardless if you think it is or not.”
“I think our views of what is right clearly differ but I’ll tell the others about your plan, to see what they think.” Said Cobalt.
“Fine, you can go.” Said Comet.
“What? No way.” Growled Arrow.
“It’s better for us if they tell the rebels about our plan, maybe they can get them on our side.” Said Comet.
“I guess you’re right.” Said Arrow. “But if you two ever show up in the valley again, I’m sure you know that every single colony has been told to kill you.”
“Arrow, you’re always so serious. We’re smarter than you think.” Said Cobalt.
As they hopped away, Comet tried sensing the stuff stolen from them. After some time, he finally got a faint sense of being tugged in a certain direction and found himself back at the makeshift tunnel.
“I think our stuff’s in here.” Said Comet.
“Good, I’m going to find Rusty, I haven’t seen him since Luxe and Cobalt came out of that tunnel.” Said Arrow angrily, heading deeper in the bushes.
“And I’ll be look out.” Sighed Blue.
Using his silver pendant for light, Comet quickly found what he was looking for and stowed it in his satchel.
Emerging from the tunnel, he saw Blue frozen with fear staring wide eyed. Comet could see he was staring at very sickly, bloated rabbits with swollen eyes and eyes, pus dripping from them.
“The infection.” Said Blue in a hushed whisper.
“Where’s Arrow and Rusty?” Asked Comet quietly. The disturbing rabbits seemed to be wild rabbits. There was no telling what they would do.
“I don’t know.” He said, still not taking his eyes off the rabbits.
They started moving backwards, slowly.
“Arrow, Rusty?!” Called out Comet in an urgent whisper.
“What’s happening?” Demanded Arrow, charging out of the bushes, with a sorry looking Rusty behind him.
“Be quiet.” Said Blue but it was too late, the infected rabbits began chasing after them.
“Run, run as fast as you can!” Said Arrow, now seeing the situation.
They didn’t need to be told, they were already on the move, desperately trying to get away from the rabbits.
Comet could see the sickly rabbits were uncoordinated and moved awkwardly, making out running them pretty easy but he set off a diamond stone, just to put some more distance between them.
“What’s wrong with them?” Asked Comet, as they continued running.
“They have the infection. It can’t be cured and it could wipe out multiple colonies if it spreads.” Said Rusty.
“Of course you’d know that, you’re a rebel spy.” Shouted Arrow.
“What? That’s not true!” He replied.
“Save your breath, focus on not being infected by those rabbits.” Said Blue.
Once they got through the bushes, they travelled at a slower pace but didn’t stop until they could get a clear view of Iron Colony.
They saw the Iron Watchers who started yelling at the strange rabbits that were charging at them.
“Let us through, there’s infected rabbits chasing us. If we stay here, we’ll all be infected.” Shouted Blue.
The Watchers were shocked and stared up the valley, they could see the wild rabbits in the distance. Comet and the others used the opportunity to race past them.
“Where’s the leader of this colony and tell us the truth.” Said Arrow, glaring at Rusty.
“Magia Toboc is the leader.” He said.
“Not the name, where is he?” He demanded.
“I don’t know.” He said.
They knew the Watchers were now chasing after them. Comet was getting tired and slowing down and soon the others couldn’t keep going.
They were surrounded by the Watchers.
“Don’t touch them. They could have the infection. You will all be taken to our old burrows.”
“Why don’t you just call them dungeons like you used to?” Asked Arrow.
“It’s just to make it sound nicer.” Said Rusty.
“You don’t need to lock us up, we didn’t touch the infected rabbits, we just need to speak to Master Toboc. It’s for an important mission.” Said Blue.
The Watchers looked to their Master for his decision.
“You still need to be isolated from the rest of the colony, just to be safe. Follow me and don’t try running away.” The Watcher Master growled.
They were taken across the rocky ground, their eyes drawn towards the large stone outcropping with a large tree on it.
They struggled to travel down through the huge stones and the deep crevices. It was like going through a maze but with uneven ground and scraggly trees and bushes popping up at random places.
It was exhausting work after their long run and the Watchers kept forcing them to keep a steady pace.
They weren’t allowed to stop until they got to the heart of the colony. At this time of day, there were only a few rabbits out.
They briefly looked at them and then went back to what they were doing. Comet was glad not to be swarmed like they were in Porcelain Colony though he wondered how much of their actions there were known here.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
