Angel Bunny and the Knights of the Round Stump

Chapters

A Price to Pay
The Knights of the Round Stump
Spike's Bridge
The Colossal Castle
To the End of Bottleneck Road

A Price to Pay

Author's Note

The picture I added for the story is actually relevant but later on after chapter one. So don't mind its looks please. Thanks for reading.

A Price to Pay

The song he heard floating on the breeze was all for him, he reckoned. He heard it when in his forest one day. Well, only he calls it his forest; and with much earnest does he make all the animals know where the boundaries lie. A rabbit like he doesn’t bother with paltry things like signs or, Celestia forbid, a line of barbed wire. He makes do with his morning rounds along the imaginary border. It always takes him from the curve where the long lane leads to the south pond choked with reeds. Going to the east, he ends up over and about the field of tall grass and back where he began, the wooded hills. He was actually in a light slumber after his walk when the sound stirred him. He was leaning against a smooth root to one of his favorite trees. He looked above and saw the green canopy. He knew where every owl and eagle loved to perch and nest. Although he can’t go and visit them in their homes, he made sure to wave at them. It was his forest.

His arms rested, folded behind his head and supporting him up against the tree. The beautiful sound on the wind could be his on the other side of the world. He would always know everything about it. He rose to his paw pads and sniffs for her. If she was close enough, he could pinpoint her in an instant. His little resting place was in a small depression of soft soil where huge ferns grew all around. He could always relax, knowing that he had no enemies on his land; any friends he had, he knew by smell. If he can’t notice her then why can he hear the sound? Is she singing by the well? Or does she now tend to her animal friends? The wind picked up, shoving his floppy ear into his eyes in a blur of white. He shook his head and climbed the near ridge. Further than that, he went to the edge of the forest. By then, there was no sound and he looked from a high vantage point to the northeast. Perplexed, he sniffed at the air again. The rabbit figured that he was hungry.

In his forest, there are many feeding spots for the taking but no trespasser ever wants to come across this rabbit. He has cultivated his image as being tough and easier to anger than an old mule that refuses to work. He never budges or gives ground to anyone unless his lord demand it which he thanks Celestia is a rare thing. He went to the edge where his forest bushes up against the commons, a low land soggy with river runoff and lots of little streams filled with gravel and bits of gold. He found a stash of vegetables that used to be a few seeds planted not long ago and eagerly began to eat.

As he went and nibbled some cabbage, he distinctly smelled someone familiar. He lifted his head, already looking in his direction.

“Sir Angel!” the bunny that approached him rapidly called out. Angel wished that Luna had given him a warning in his dreams that his ugly brother was coming to see him. He wasn’t ugly in the physical sense. He was blindingly white like a snow hare and had a charming face that could woo any doe. He also has the softest fur of any rabbit. He came to a halt within the boundary of Angel’s land, his feet kicking up wet leaves as he slows. He panted before speaking.

“Where were you this morning? Our lord and friends were gathered and waited for you for some time but you did not come” he said, grinning at his annoyed brother.

“They had no reason to expect me down by the river”.

“I was sent all the way here to talk to you”.

“I guess they did but I’m just surprised you bothered to call me by my title as I usually must urge you to do…when and if I allow you to come and visit” Angel replied with discomfort. “What was so important that I must be interrupted in the middle of eating”?

“Maybe I just remembered that the last time I called you ‘Angel’ on your land, however many moons ago it was, you threatened to smite me until my kittens couldn’t recognize me” he jested.

Angel has already had enough of his brother’s insolence. “You have no respect and no honor”.

“Sure, Sir Angel” his brother said, purposely goofing up the ‘sir’ portion.

Angel rose above the vegetables aggressively. “What do you want”?!

“It’s not me. Our lord wishes your immediate return. If I were you, I would grovel at his furry feet. I hear he’s rather furious”. Angel hated it when his brother played innocent and worse, when he lied.

“Nonsense. He hasn’t been angry with me since…well, I can’t recall. I would say never actually”. Now, it was Angel that smiled smugly.

Neither of the brothers really cared what the other thought. “Then go check for yourself” he said. “For now, I ought to return to our lord’s side”. He scampered away, down a long drainage ditch towards the north valley warren, as if pursued.

Angel clicked his teeth, resolutely determined to smack the arrogance from his brother’s voice or at least to be there when someone else did. Angel didn’t hate his brother but he had lots of siblings; the one he had with ‘Sir Achrom” was the rockiest. Achrom didn’t even like being called ‘Sir’ and only had the title because he was one of the lord’s children, the leader of the warren that ruled all rabbits from Angel’s land to the edge of the Everfree. That silly rabbit doesn’t need to sprout wings to fly. His mind is always among the clouds.

Angel tried to eat a little cabbage but each bite failed to nourish his appetite. He was a little squeamish when Achrom mentioned his lord. Knowing he can’t relax until he’s settled this little problem, Angel heads north to his former home. He knows every shortcut across the little streams to take him there as fast as possible and doesn’t miss one. His lord is not one to be kept waiting.

The home of the rabbits sat between the woods to the south and a river that can be swam across with little effort. The land with marshes and ponds easily rivals Angel’s own land in its fertility. Angel’s claws tore the mineral rich clay as he crossed a few sandy islands across a brook. After that, he passed by many rabbit holes. He knew which member of the clan resided in each.

Angel entered the center of his warren where the lord of the rabbit clan lived in a palace. It’s actually conspicuous as far as an underground home would be but the rabbits exalt it way too much. There was a massive tunnel in the side of a small hill surrounded by thick hedges and a few blackberry bushes. The tunnel was large enough for a cat to enter but it was heavily guarded at all times. It was also the only burrow to have an ingenious trap door set to block entry in case something unwanted tried to break in.

Angel is sniffed briefly then let inside. This passes for warren security. The first run is rather dark as a tunnel would be but there is a light at the end of it. What kind of rabbit would live with light underground? Well, the Lord of Rabbits would. It’s definitely not normal but he is more special than others. He’s aged and has been around long enough to recall meeting ponies. He remembers how they learned to light up the inner chambers of the great burrow with torches even if they say it’s an odd practice. Newcomers get a sense of grandeur when they visit him.

The lord and his knights are in the middle of talks when Angel arrived in the great chamber. This room has always impressed Angel every time. It was once a natural hollow in the ground but the rabbits found it and leveled the floor into a smooth dirt cover. It’s basically a half-cylinder shape, twice Angel’s height. In the middle, a central long piece of wood acts like a table for guests. Their lord serves out the finest food: radishes, carrots and other things. In the back, there is another tunnel leading out to the top of the mound. A flag, emblazoned with an ancient rabbit emblem, presided over the whole affair.

“Ah, Sir Angel arrives at last” the Lord of the Rabbits proclaims. He is a rather plump individual, his years of strength long since passed into history. His claws are overgrown and look like shale. Rabbits seldom have the chance to age like he does but his cheeks grew large, making his eyes appear as beady stones pressed into his face; not dissimilar to a pony’s double chin actually. He and his brother count among his descendants with many in his host barely related to them. His other children inherit different colors from his patchwork fur; he’s white, black, grey, brown, and even silver. Angel always wished he could have inherited such desirable fur.

The knights only assemble for the most serious of business. In their shiny armor plating, they turned their heads to see him. The red light often reflected off unblemished metal. Even Angel’s brother was there at their lord’s side and enjoying a juicy carrot slice.

“I have, my lord” Angel replied. He sat at a seat opposite the Lord of Rabbits. Rabbits are a rather stubborn lot with their beliefs and Angel is no exception. He and his brother would never use personal language with the Lord of Rabbits unless alone.

“Excellent. We have not seen you in some time”.

“I know. Being away gives me much to think about these days” Angel said.

“I hear you spend a lot of time sleeping. Sometimes in the forest or by the lake or even among pony folk” the Lord of Rabbits said amusingly.

Angel frowned. “Many of them are my friends”.

“They’re not your clan though” he tried to remind him. “Either way, you’ve spent so much time out there that you missed a guest that wanted to see you”.

“It was a pony?” Angel asked. His ears perked upwards.

The Lord of Rabbits snorted. “Of course not. It was a rabbit. An outsider”.

“You should have seen him” Achrom butted in, snickering. “He was about your size but he looked as green as a cabbage. A real freak, am I right”? He nudged his knight friend beside him but got only a careful smirk.

“A green rabbit? I guess I wish now that I’ve been here when that happened” Angel regretted.

“I think you might be able to see him yet” the Lord of Rabbits said. “When he came he asked whether all the knights of the warren had been assembled here. I told him that yes indeed we were all here for our monthly feast”.

“That you didn’t show up for” Achrom teased under his breath.

“Anyway, he wanted to know why there was an empty seat and I told him that you live over by the forest. I inquired as to his interest in our knights. He mentioned that he wished to meet our finest which would be you. He seemed elated actually to hear of you. He said that he was looking for a knight to find him an heir to his own castle as he is very old”.

“What challenge is this? Can’t produce his own offspring? I wonder what he has in mind” Angel said, shifting in his seat.

“He didn’t say much and looked unimpressed by your fellow knights or my grand hall”. A knight brought forth a long striped lance, thick at the handle and tapering to a sharp point at the end. “He made it clear that the knight may bring this weapon only. He will not appear if you bear so much as a knife with you”.

“It is fascinating but I barely understand the situation” Angel contemplated, at a loss for words. “Maybe it would be best to pass up his offer”.

“Lord Angel, are you serious?” the Lord of Rabbits said incredulously. “For a noble rabbit like you, one that has entered the knights on merit rather than by name, will turn down the gentle rabbit’s quest? It’s unheard of”!

“Giving me this lance might be a challenge of a dangerous sort” Angel reasoned.

His lord wasn’t buying it. “A knight doesn’t fear danger. If you would spend less time in this forest you call yours and more time with your fellow knights then perhaps you wouldn’t be acting so…tame. And when was the last time you had gone on a quest alongside our most gallant?” he asked.

“It was a long time ago” Angel replied. He felt a burning feeling. Was it shame? He lowered his head and avoided his friends’ stares. “I’ve had things come up lately”.

“Are they so important? A solitary life can’t be that fulfilling. But I had a feeling that this stranger may have come to challenge your selfish way of living. Such a task brought upon you is what you shall do to repent” the Lord of Rabbits proclaimed. “If you don’t venture forth and complete it then you can consider yourself stripped of your command of the Round Stump. Consider it my royal decree”.

“But who would you replace me with, my lord?” Angel protested.

He looked at his lamest son, Achrom. “I suppose it will have to be him”. Angel’s brother shot him a cocky smile.

Angel was fuming in his head. “Are you serious? No other knight took up his challenge in my stead”?

“I’m afraid not. No one dared to stand against this green rabbit”.

“Fine, my lord. I’ll accept his quest in all due faith and keep myself well in your good graces” Angel said through clenched teeth. His father knew how to get to him. Testing his loyalty always dug into his side. As the room full of cowards returned to eating and talking, Angel didn’t feel anything but dread. He stared at the long lance like it was dipped in poison. He knew it would soon be his to carry.

The Knights of the Round Stump

There are usually only two reasons why a brother would change overnight. It could be one or the other. Not both. They are about the same emotions even if one uses them and the other takes advantage of it. Sure, a brother can have a little bit of both in him but one is always stronger than the other. Angel knows his brother. He loves himself more than every other rabbit in the world put together. He often complains about his armor being too tight and has to get someone to help him into it. He won’t be coming that morning. At least Angel didn’t expect it. He expected that his brother would slip into the emotion that suits him like a paw into a leather glove. In this case, it would be a case of envy. At least Angel believes this deep down.

Before he left, Angel scrawled in his diary. He didn’t hold back his feelings, what little they were, for his friends and comrades in the knights. He may as well make it all known. He may never see them or the warren again anyhow. He set it out on the desk so it can be easily found then set to wearing his uniform. His armor was already polished. It was good enough for any parade, especially the one coming that morning. The parade for his departure.

Angel greeted the morning with a sniff outside the tunnel. The scent of pine and water was in the air. The bats were flapping home before the sun came. He actually sensed his brother about. Maybe he was wrong somehow. Too quick to judge for once. He sprung from the hole and spotted Achrom nearby. His body language, like other rabbits, comes out as strong to other animals but it only makes the subtleties hard to catch. At first glance he seemed normal but he didn’t rush him as he would. He trudged forward through the grass, wriggling in his armor like a dog trying to shake a plastic cone from its head; bits of grass were stuck to it. He had already smashed a bunch of grass that morning.

Angel did not know what he wanted so he tried to be civil. “Good morning” he said. “Already awake at this hour? Are you feeding”?

“No, I wanted to speak to you so it’s good that you got up early” Achrom replied.

“I always have things to do at this time” Angel said. “Even more so at this hour. Responsibilities find their way of piling on my head worse than leaves do upon the forest floor”.

Achrom seemed to hesitate rather than to spew out words no matter the consequences like he usually would. Angel wondered why he was cherry picking them so. His mind still came up with all manner of excuses his brother might have concocted. Not even one really put him in a good light. He can only blame himself for that sordid habit.

“I’m sorry I haven’t taken our time together seriously” Achrom said mournfully. “But I know you’re a good knight and honor is what’s most important”. Angel quickly was caught up on the thought of time. Did Achrom think that they’re time together was running out? Or was he really making plans to continue on without him? The thoughts were beginning to feel terrible. Angel wanted to just think about his quest, the last thing he cared about. It was just another silly expedition anyway. Nothing to be concerned over. All of this about his brother would probably be nothing but a trifle in the end.

“I’ll be able to do some good for us all. Exploring gives us knowledge and we can always use that” Angel said. His brother had tried hard to convince him to stay at home instead of going to the Crystal Empire years ago. Although he had almost heeded his advice, it was one of those times where ignoring him was the right thing. The Lord of Rabbits never forgot the time one of his own traveled to the ends of the world and lived to tell about it. It was also when Angel promised himself to never let his brother hold him back.

“I know that you have gone to many places but you don’t know this land at all and you’ll be without company”.

Angel shook his head. It’s not like it mattered if the knights couldn’t come. Not after knowing that they refused to even budge out of their seats to stand against the Green Rabbit.

“Even now, do you try to discourage me in order to see to my leave from the knights”? He doesn’t wait for an answer and climbs the mound towards the top. Above the Lord of Rabbit’s home, a cherry tree provides shade for the Round Stump; it’s where the Knights of the Round Stump gather for all its business. They say that the stump was once a smaller and shorter twin of the tree that still stands but one day, a great storm arrived with powerful thunder. One bolt struck down the middle, reducing its core to charred ash. The beavers came and cut it down. The remains are used as a meeting place.

Angel realized that his brother still followed him up the hill, his composure unfazed. “I couldn’t possibly undermine your convictions” Achrom said.

Angel chuckled, amused by his strange behavior. “Spare me all forms of flattery”. They both arrived at the top of the mound. From here, Angel can sometimes smell Ponyville even if he can’t see it. As the dawn approached, dragonflies buzzed about them and the bees and bright butterflies were in flight, ready to spread pollen from the vast flower fields around.

“Why are you here”? Angel took his seat by the round stump and took a deep breath. His claws scraped against the thick moss that grew on its sides, slick with dew. Giant mushrooms formed a ring around it.

Achrom smiled cheerfully as if trying to dispel Angel’s doubts. “I wanted to show you that I can be as faithful just like you are to the warren. Look, I have something you might like”. He had with him a small satchel that Angel hadn’t noticed before. He took out a small stack of little flyers and laid them upon the stump.

“What in Celestia’s name is this?” Angel inquired. He opened his eyes wide as he examined them. His brother wasn’t known for being artistic. In what looked like charcoal, Angel’s image was crudely drawn. Still, he managed to draw him looking somewhat heroic, carrying the lance he saw from before; uneven words alongside asked for support. But for what it was in favor of, Angel hesitated to contemplate. He always knew that Achrom had it in him to be a shrewd propagandist or even a politician if he had any willpower beyond eating all the carrots in the lord’s house. What could he possibly be up to?

“They are for your future campaign” Achrom revealed. “Is it not wonderful”?

“For what”?

“It’s for your return. I know you’ll replace our lord in the coming days. I just need to remind everyone of this so they don’t try to support some other rabbit, even one of our brothers over you”.

“Good grief! Why would you say that about our own father? When did you become such a prophet…and one that foretells misery?”
Angel snarled. He was angry enough to want to chase his brother down the hill and whip him for his words were offensive. Instead, he balled up the flyer he was reading and threw it at his head.

Achrom picked it up without any fuss but shook his head. “Angel, I assumed you know. Our father has recently found his left eye to have failed him”.

“When? Tell me why I was never notified!” Angel demanded. This he knew wasn’t a lie. Even Achrom wouldn’t stoop low enough to come up with such horrible rumors.

“You were gone with your pony friends the week prior when it happened. The knights were speaking with him on that very subject when you finally returned home”.

He couldn’t believe it. The shock stung him worse than a thousand bee stings. Angel lowered his head into his hands and wept. In the blackness of his thoughts, he pictured his aging father being led from his home to spend his days far away at the very edge of the warren, safe but irrelevant. His blindness was the worst thing to happen, an ill omen to his people. They would demand his resignation soon and he would be far away when it happened. And all that time, the rabbits would move on, campaigning to fill a position where the predecessor was still alive.

“I now blame myself worse than ever” Angel said. “What a pity”. He didn’t have much time to grieve for the sun rose over the horizon. Its light licked the tops of the hills and the front of the cherry tree. The rabbits faced it and lowered their bodies, with all four paws splayed out on the ground, and bowed to the sun god.

“The knights will be out soon” Achrom reminded Angel as they got up.

“Indeed, they will” Angel said. He drew in all his courage. He would need it soon.

The knights arrived shortly after dawn and sat at the Round Stump. Achrom had put his flyers away and sat silently with the others. They all had their bowls of tea made for them, part of the ceremony.

Angel wanted to get everything over with as soon as he could. The faster he spoke, the faster he dealt with the Green Rabbit. The tea was like acid to him. He rose on his feet.

“It is with much honor that I take on a task on behalf of not only the knights but the warren itself” he announced. “I am doing so because I may indeed come back as a changed rabbit. If lordship is in my future then I need time to reflect on my life. It may be the will of Celestia that the stranger from the north had come into our lives. If so, I thank her”. The knights clapped as Angel sat. They proceeded to eat and drink and pass the time until the crowd started to gather at the foot of the mound. They were the ones that didn’t have to risk their lives on a journey. They likely enjoyed their food.

They went down together and the crowd made way for Angel. He now carried the lance in his front paw. Many rabbits spoke words of praise at such a renowned figure. He passed the crowd, stepping over flower petals strewn over the path to signify a lamentation that some of their own was to leave. This sort of parade always had an edge of sadness to it as well as a celebration. Angel saw Achrom hand out some of the flyers, and he rolled his eyes. His brother was such a hard character to understand at times, being noble in his own way. It wasn’t his way but he knew he didn’t have to judge him. Besides, he wouldn’t leave on the worst of notes. There had to be some good in him, something not yet tainted by selfishness. He wondered if he would ever see that cunning face again. He would be the one to defy his logical world. Maybe he could be that rabbit to change everything, his own character and even brotherhood itself.

A knight never makes a speech to the common rabbit during their departure. Angel knew better than to change that. He left down a well-worn animal path where the deer love to use on their way to the near lakes. His armor rattled as he walked on three legs at medium speed. When he was out of sight of the mound, he rested and leaned the lance against his shoulder. He looked around at the beautiful countryside with its forested hills rising tall. Farmland full of orchards was to the northeast and the scent of apples drifted downwind. He sighed and realized that something was lacking in all of this. He removed a long flute from his sack and played an all too familiar melody to the sky. He knows somehow that it always reaches the pony world. Somewhere, a certain mare would receive it and smile. For all her doubts, she can know that that he’s headed on yet another knight’s journey and would return to her again.

Spike's Bridge

Angel was used to traveling around on foot, even in a full suit of armor. He never minded anything the knights could throw at him, even when he was a rookie in the service. They made him go on long marches even to the edge of the forests where only wild hares are known to dwell. He remembered a few of his friends went on dares to see how far they can go without armor into such places, the forests, bogs, caverns, before running back. Between the knights and the reckless actions of youth, there was little in this world that gave him pause.

Sure, he was just a little rabbit but everybody knows about the knights. Some would rather laugh at them but they aren’t really going to be messed with often. Most know better. Even larger animals like the manticore that came too close to rabbit territory were surprised into retreat when the rabbits would lunge at its legs or leap to claw at its face. And he was the leader of the knights, the one that trained the younger ones and carried the flag to the far north. He has seldom felt any need to show off his rank, a thing he hardly cared about when outside his own territory.

Angel came across the river that wound its way to the north where he was headed. He saw two bridges, one leading east to Ponyville and the other facing the mountains. He needed to go north. He decided that this would be a good place to rest. The bridges and the clearing at the fork were all coated in the shade produced by the waving branches of trees. It felt at least ten degrees less outside of the baking sunlight. Everywhere, his steps crushed the thick blanket of leaves. The midday sun sparkled on the waters of the rivers, making the colly bridge made of iron look like a shadow.

He drenched his body with the rest of the water from his canteen then bounced closer to the shore to refill it. He then stopped. It wasn’t easy to see with the glare but there was a figure standing against the railing of the bridge. It was smaller than a pony though, standing straight up. He kept looking up at it while getting more water, wondering who or what that could be. He certainly had no fear of it but he had a feeling that he’s seen that shape before. After he finished, he took his lance and walked up to the bridge.

When his eyes adjusted, he saw a dragon. Well, it was just a baby dragon. But a dragon nonetheless. It didn’t even have wings and nobody in the world, much less the warren, would bother making tapestries or singing songs about such a small being such as Spike. But Angel personally knew this dragon. He wasn’t like any other dragon he ever heard of. This one isn’t rampaging and doesn’t stand tall above others. This one is sarcastic and mingles with ponies just like he does from time to time. The only thing he seems to share with his fellow giant reptiles would be his sense of greed, thankfully barely constrained by the Princess of Friendship herself.

Angel put the lance over his shoulder as he continued. He didn’t want Spike to think he really cared about his presence. The last thing he wanted is to have him speak. They couldn’t even converse in the same language and the best they can do is some kind of interspecies charades like a couple of imbeciles. Of course he saw a tilt of those green spines and two reptilian eyes staring at him. Spike immediately jumped in front of him, spreading his arms and legs out like a soccer goalie.

“Who goes there!?” he boomed like some kind of knight himself.

Angel could just point at himself while giving some kind of quizzical stare as if to ask what sort of silly question that was.

Spike furrowed his brow and seemed to look past Angel’s armor.

“Ah, it’s you Angel. I haven’t seen you much lately” he said.

Angel demanded to know who Spike thought it was but his squeaks fell on deaf ears. Either way, he had to pass and he wasn’t about to continue arguing with him any further. He tried to edge his way around the dragon but he held out his arm, blocking him like he was a traffic officer.

“Hold it! I need to know why you’re trying to pass. Twilight gave me the responsibility to protect the bridge today and I’m taking that very seriously”!

Angel’s teeth were clenched hard enough to crack a walnut. It figures that he had a lance when dragon skin was practically immune to stuff with needle points. He even volunteered to be a needle cushion for his stupid pony crush for Celestia’s sake. Well, he couldn’t force his way past Spike. At least not easily. And the dragon wasn’t going to understand a single word he said. But not from lack of trying.

Angel kept yelling with flecks of spit flying from his mouth as his squeaks intensified. Spike was a silly little brat. Then he was a gigantic idiot. He dished out the insults in vain. But even if he could understand, chances are that it wouldn’t matter too much. Angel knew about his dragon’s code. It’s probably the reason why he’s even there in the first place. He’ll do anything his friend, Princess Twilight asked. Even coming all the way here to guard some bridge at the edge of her kingdom. Who knows why he’s there. Maybe he was getting in her way and she sent him on some pointless errand just to get him out of her hair for a few hours? Angel didn’t blame her but did it have to be at that exact time that he needed to get across the bridge? He couldn’t swim across. Not in that heavy armor anyway.

Angel has had enough. He tried to knock the dragon aside but his feet were practically rooted to the hot metal. Spike’s claws gripped his armor as he held him above the ground then tossed him forward like a bowling ball across the bridge. The spinning of the world was accompanied by the sound of crashing metal. The lance went flying, throwing up leaves as it landed.

Spike could easily be spotted from where Angel was. The dragon was sitting by on the railings, his stubby legs dangling over the curvy wires that made up the railing. He had a fishing pole in his hands. It bobbed up and down often. Angel turned away from the break in the bushes where he spied on Spike and turned back to his attack plan. Well, anytime he was conducting an operation, it’s an ‘attack plan’ even when there was no battle going on at all.

He had sketched out ways to get past Spike. He scribbled many of them out. Directly applying force simply wasn’t going to work. Besides, if he hurt Spike then what would Twilight think? What would she say to her friends? Spike is just two spaces removed from her. And he wasn’t going to do anything to make himself look bad if he could help it.

He left the bushes with his lance. Spike turned and watched him approach.

“I heard you coming as soon as you left your hiding spot, Angel” he said. “Don’t think about sneaking past”! He seemed to focus back on his fishing but Angel knew that he was always listening. Dragons need good hearing because they have such huge caves usually and they need to listen to the faintest sound even when asleep to defend the gold and jewels they hoard. Angel thought he figured a way past him. He was going to use that incredible hearing that Spike has against him.

He sat next to the bridge. Taking the lance, he tapped it against the iron railing. It was a brief flick, one that barely touched the metal. But the ring had a noticeable ting to it. Angel wasn’t sure if it was the specific way it was made or some trace minerals from the soil but this metal sounded clear like a chime depending on how it was struck. The poles were also hollow which is why they reverberated like they did. To a pony or even himself, it was high pitched but bearable. He didn’t like it but he knew it was the worst to a sound sensitive animal like a dragon. Spike’s face twisted up after each ring. Angel made sure they got louder so the sound can dig in there. Eventually, Angel knew his plan was working when Spike held his hands to his ears in pain. Then he yelped at the realization that he had dropped his fishing pole in the river below.

“Oh no! Angel”! Spike stomped next to him like a bigger dragon would. “Look what you did”! There was no point in talking so Angel merely smirked at his misfortune.

“Look, I need that fishing pole back!” Spike yelled. “I’m going to go get it because it belongs to Applejack. You’ll stay here. I’ll make you Pinkie Promise”. He gestured the well-known promissory invented by the party pony of Ponyville. His eyes demanded that Angel do the same.

Angel shook his head and somewhat mimicked it. It was a good enough appeasement for Spike although he didn’t see that Angel had kept a paw behind his back. He invented that when he had to make it look like he was breaking an oath to the knights some time back. Keeping one limb hidden was all it took. A pretend promise didn’t have to be kept. Angel watched the naive Spike jump into the river to retrieve the rod. By the time he returned to the bridge, Angel had made his way past the hills and was entering the northern plains. The dragon was probably angry and Angel didn’t care.

As he continued, he didn’t feel very victorious. And not at all like laughing. Spike was just a baby and he was just trying to be loyal to Twilight. There was nothing wrong with that. He didn’t feel right to gloat since it wasn’t exactly hard to take advantage of his youth. But at least he can say that he did it peacefully. And he’ll get over it now that things were back on track. He was still ahead of schedule and the skies were open, allowing him to see the Unicorn Range, jagged ridges of purple many kilometers away. It was plenty of time to think of how to make an introduction to the Green Rabbit himself, once he arrived at his distant castle nestled in those very mountains.

The Colossal Castle

Angel Bunny found himself at the bottom of a hill. A hill like no other he’s ever laid eyes upon. At its base, an opening large enough to fit a mountain troll was cut deep. Coated with white stones and sealed off by a vast iron door.

He would have thought that he took a wrong turn and ended up at the home of a dragon but the door was engraved with the image of rabbits. This whole place was unmistakably the territory of some great lord. It would even make his own look like the paltry son of a carrot farmer.

Because of all that, he wavered for a bit. He eventually forced himself to march to the front door. He felt extremely determined. He was going to face what was in there, no matter what.

Before he even reached the door, it split in two and swung inward. There was a hall so long that he couldn’t see the end of it and was all lit by chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. He noticed that twelve rabbits had pulled the doors open on long ropes. They were the first rabbit’s he’s seen since he left home. He walked in hesitantly and said ‘good morning’ to them. They did not reply so Angel thought they were servants and not allowed to speak.

The walls were rounded so it was still a rabbit tunnel but it was so well made that it could rival Princess Celestia’s halls, as ridiculous as it sounded. There was not a single trace of dirt to be found! He sniffed and he noticed the smell of flowers. White stone walls and marble columns reached six meters high. It was like walking in a cavern. It made him shout in the empty tunnel. He heard his own voice echo back. Pure curiosity drove him on.

After a while, he reached the end where there was another huge pair of gilded doors like the last. But Angel’s attention was taken by the rabbit which stood near them. It was an animal with fur like the gentle slopes of the warren, a pure and luscious green. It was the first time they had met face to face. His tremendous size was rivaled only by the strength of his voice.

“Sir Angel! You have come at last!” His deep voice boomed from his massive jaws. He joyfully stepped towards Angel down some steps. When he was finally close enough to where they could smell each other, Angel had to crane his neck upwards to see his eyes. He was three times Angel’s height, a creature of flabby muscles and saggy skin which folded like hills do. He looked like he could barely carry himself. Running must be impossible for him.

Angel lowered himself to show respect. “My good sir, I have come as promised as favor from the Lord of Rabbits from Ponyville and the surrounding territories. I am at your service.”

He suddenly gave Angel a good slap on the back. “Welcome! I am known as the Green Rabbit and that is what you shall call me! And this is the kingdom of the Green Mountain!” he shouted happily.

Angel stood up straight. It was certainly a unique way of greeting someone. He’s never witnessed anything like it before. Compared to the Green Rabbit, his own kind were always as solemn as a funeral.

“I must thank my gracious host for allowing me to stay,” Angel said. “I was not expecting such magnificence on my arrival. Do you know how it was built or even whom had done such a grand task?”

The Green Rabbit laughed even more joyfully than before. “Well, I had overseen its construction myself, good knight. My own claws had worked to carve out the tunnel and my servants brought me stones from the river to cut into what you see before you.”

Angel could hardly believe it. “It must have taken a very long time to settle in this mountain,” he said.

“Nonsense! The tunnels were dug in mere days,” he replied. He turned around and opened the golden doors. “Come inside and take a look.”

The two of them left the main tunnel and entered a system of smaller ones. Immediately, he saw that it branched into three paths. The roof of the tunnels were shorter but flat like the home of his winged pony friend. And like her lovely cottage, he saw so much that dug up memories. Instead of chairs, there were cushions all over the place for resting on a moment’s notice. There was a lot of room to play and paths for running went along the walls and even as high as the roof.

Angel learned that going to the left would take him to the great bath chambers which was always full of hot water and lots of toys. To the right, a path led outside to the kingdom’s gardens where food of every kind was available for the picking whenever a rabbit pleased. Ahead were the general quarters, the lord’s throne room, recreation spaces, a library, and many other things.

Angel hopped over to a device attached to the wall. It was a slender cylinder with a lever extending from it. He decided to lower it to see what would happen and as he did so, a few green pellets clattered to a plate below. He recognized them as some common dry food that he used to chew on. But they used to be for a daily treat. The idea of summoning them at will seemed incredible.

As Angel chewed one, the Green Rabbit lumbered closer.

“I hope that this kingdom has done much to impress you,” he told Angel. Angel nodded slowly as if in a trance. Everything he had seen was something out of a fairy tale. It couldn’t be true.

“Go ahead to the left where you’ll reach the chamber for bathing,” the Green Rabbit prompted. “Servants will be waiting for you in there. When you are done, you shall be taken to the dining room and we will resume our talk.” They said goodbye and he parted from Angel.

Angel continued to marvel at the paintings of rabbits frolicking in fields with the image of the mountain in the background until he reached the end of the tunnel hall. There was a large chamber with a domed ceiling. A large pool was dug in the earth and reflections of the rippling water were everywhere. He looked around and see rabbit servants going about their business, carrying towels and other things. A couple of them, smaller males with white fur, came near.

“Hello there,” Angel said. “What is all this?”

“An underground pool. We will assist you so you may be relaxed,” the servant replied. The other rabbit took the lance which was nearly stuck to Angel’s paw after having carried it for so long.

Angel was led to a washing area where his body was scrubbed with thick brushes. Angel thought that it was not necessary but his manners forbade him from mentioning that. But he had enjoyed it when his tail was maintained and set on a curl as he always liked it. By the time they rubbed fine oils into his fur, he had already dozed off and they had to wake him.

A few hours later, Angel was escorted to the throne room. He went in and saw a round red silk cushion at the back of the room. The walls were adorned with silk and the pattern on the floor was a round spiral like on his lance. A swirl of gold and white. The Green Rabbit had Angel sit on a cushion opposite his own. There was a short wooden table in a strange shape; a very curvy thing, it was richly carved. There was food laid out upon it and the Green Rabbit was already eating the peaches and chomping on purple carrots. Water or juice ran in streams down his face and dripped from his long black whiskers. Angel envied such a feast. He could live off of it for a week at least.

“I don’t suppose a rabbit such as yourself has ever had pomegranates?” the Green Rabbit said.

“I’ve never seen them”. Angel wasn’t even sure what kind of food he referred to.

He picked up a fruit the size of his head. It was the color of blood it seemed. Angel didn’t think it looked very appetizing. He dug his teeth into it and juice spilled onto his plate below. Drips of it splattered on the table. Soon, he gave part of it to Angel, who had slowly begun to nibble at it. The potency of the fruit was so rich that it made him cough after he swallowed the juice.

“It’s…delicious,” Angel commented. He licked his paw where some of the juice had gotten in his fur.

“I’m delighted to hear that. It’s from a desert far to the south,” the Green Rabbit mentioned.

“Did I come all the way to this land just to speak with you?” Angel inquired.

Clearly amused, the Green Rabbit pushed his plate to the side. “Hardly. I need you for a very valuable quest on my behalf. Although I will not hold you obligated any further than merely speaking to me, I can promise a high reward upon your completion.”

Angel thought the idea sounded interesting, if vague.

“So…what sort of quest would this be?”

“Well, I am getting older and I have come to a realization in these days that I need a companion.” The Green Rabbit went on to lament about how he’s been rather lonely and has not had a mate in many years. While he could have any rabbit he sets his eyes upon, he’s only known of one that he would wish to have near him. But this doe with the softest fur of all rabbits belonged to another rabbit in a nearby land. The doe is guarded at all times and trying to rescue her from that prison could be a fatal journey.

It certainly sounded like a difficult proposition. Angel has done his fair share of rescuing rabbits from certain harm but this sounded a little different. Almost like kidnapping. But the way this rabbit was described, it sounded like it could be for her own good.

“I know this is a task well suited to yourself, Sir Angel,” the Green Rabbit said in praise.

“If I went, I would bring her to you,” Angel agreed. “That would be no problem but as to a reward…it would have to be worth the effort.”

“There is no price I would not pay for this female.”

The Green Rabbit sounded very sincere. Angel obviously knew that he would probably name any price and receive it without hesitation. He chuckled to himself. The only problem he’ll have in the future is how to get the sacks full of treasure all the way home.

To the End of Bottleneck Road

On the night before his departure, Angel was by his father’s side. There was no light in his chambers. Angel hadn’t known about his eyesight yet but they only needed their sense of smell. They hadn’t said much for an hour. Angel just got him his water and touched his head with a towel. The room was rather cool but his father certainly didn’t know it. His eyes were likely squeezed shut. This fever was particularly bad. Worse than the others. The rabbit doctor said that it might last until morning. Angel could only sit there, listening to him wheeze. No matter how dedicated he was to the Lord of Rabbits, there was nothing he could do. When his father did speak, it was never about himself. He asked about whether the warren had enough food to last the winter. He asked if Angel was still alone in the forest. He could never stop talking about others. He mumbled about it until he fell asleep.

His paws snapped a long twig on the path. The sound cut through the fog on that early morning. He looked around and let his breath catch up. This was a completely new land to him. It was a land of shade and vastness. Rabbits are smaller animals. Very little in this world is considered small from their perspective. So what is already great in scope becomes even greater. To his left, the hillside plummeted down with exposed faces of granite to the distant rapids. The opposite is a forest packed with reddish trees three meters wide, towers that obscured the sun. The mountains all around were infinite, and extended into the sky forever. Angel swallowed his fear. He was just a speck of white in a wild land.

The layers of decaying matter that formed an animal path on the mountain felt springy. He had gone for days without meeting anyone and felt accustomed to the silence by now. There were no towns around here. Animals without claim to family, home or anything else rabbits and pony take for granted rule this land. This was a place of obscurity. He didn’t think he would meet another soul. At least one worth talking to. When he got up, the first thing he heard was the screech of some hawk above, flying to the nearby silver lake. It was a distant black sea from the mountain. It was fine to him. Less talking meant more walking.

The trail curved around the mountain. It was only getting steeper and the trees thinned on the left, giving way to fields of boulders. Angel dared not get too close to the edge. One of the few things that frightened him was falling and that was a spectacular drop. He would end up a red stain on the rocks if he made a silly mistake like that. So he strayed closer to the trees and pressed on.

He kept an eye on the depths of the forest like it was his own. He always felt like he was being watched but he never managed to spy any animals in the bushes or hiding in the trees. He didn’t trust this place and they likely didn’t trust him either. He was so distracted that he was caught off guard when he saw a cart of all things resting at the side of the trail. It was twenty meters off still. If he had been paying attention, he could have seen it much earlier. It could just be abandoned, something a traveler left behind long ago. Angel kept watching for a while then walked towards it, his lance readied for anything.

The grass behind it was still smashed. The wood still light brown with a glaze that shined in the tiny spots of light. It must have stopped there recently, but why? Angel crept around the wagon. The wind billowed the light sheet that covered the thing. Summoning his courage, Angel extended the lance and lifted part of the sheet so he could try and peek inside. He readied his legs to jump at a moment’s notice. As soon as it was high enough, there was a movement inside like something was disturbed by the light. Angel heard a groan so he withdrew, taking no chances.

There was actually something living in there. As much as he wanted to bolt, he was a knight and had to check to see if it wasn’t someone in need of help. Chances are, if it’s a pony, they would not even understand him if he spoke. But that never deterred him before.

“Hello there!” he shouted, cupping his paws around his mouth. “Are you stranded”?

A couple hooves with ruffled fur the color of dark saffron stepped out. They were stained, the bottoms covered in mud. Was it a pony? It pushed aside the sheet with its head and he saw that it was indeed one, albeit one weird in appearance. When he stepped out, he reached back in and took out a baggy hat and hit it against the wagon to force its shape back then set it on a head of grey hair.

“Hello there, yourself” he replied. He had a homely grin which wiggled his hanging beard that looked like a trail of smoke. As he spoke, a single shaft of wheat swayed against his rubbery gums. His teeth looked the same color. On his flank, an image of a strand of wheat was partially hidden by a piece of cloth of some sort. Angel couldn’t tell what it was or why he wore it.

“I hope I’m not intruding on what you are doing” Angel said. “I didn’t expect to see a pony around these parts”.

He nodded. “It’s no intrusion. I’m glad to see a fellow like yourself. You sound like somebody good to have around”.

Angel relaxed. This pony sounded very simplistic like some of his own kind back at the warren. He likes ponies and rabbits that live close to the earth. To understand the beauty of it.

“My name is Sir Angel”.

“I’m known by the name Mr. Greenhooves but everypony calls me Greenhooves. I’m mighty grateful to have met you, friend”.

Angel smiled. That was quick. To meet someone one minute then become a friend the next? A strange thing to be sure but a good thing.

“I would offer you a snack but I ran out some ways back” he said.

“And I unfortunately don’t have any food that would satisfy anything much bigger than a rabbit”.

Greenhooves gestured to his cart. “You can at least spend the night here. Better than out in the wilderness”.

Angel wanted to consider it but he still wanted to reach this land of the Green Rabbit by tomorrow. But he would love to accept such generosity and take some time off his feet. He looked at the cart and noticed that one of the rear wheels was missing. When he first saw the cart, he thought the whole thing had sank into the mud.

“Is your cart alright?” he asked.

“I’m afraid not” Greenhooves replied. “These varmints came while I was napping and took off with it. When I got up to head on over the hills, I was stuck. Never seen anything like it before”.

Angel stared at him and the cart, bewildered at what he said, the idea of animals taking a wheel from an unsuspecting pony. “But…that…that is unheard of” he stammered.

Greenhooves shook his head and clicked his tongue. “Well, you’re telling me. Doesn’t matter. I’m going to nap some more. Nice talking to ya”. He went back into the cart and once again put the sheet back down. The whole thing shifted as he stretched and likely went back to sleep.

Angel took a close look at the surrounding hill. He could see a disturbance in the brush where something big was dragged through it recently. Grass and flowers were crushed haphazardly. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to take a quick look around to see if he can figure out where it went and who had taken it. Knight’s honor demanded it anyway. If there was somebody out there on the road that needed help, he would not hesitate to offer it.

Angel crawled up the hill, wary of the brambles and the thorns that stuck out of the earth. Flies were coming out of every niche in the forest and the heat was rising as noon approached. He whipped at them with his lance. He hopped along a log past a trickle of water that flowed down. From there, he spied something odd in a depression of soil. It was near some hedges that were ripe with red berries. And on the edge of it, he saw the wheel, its spokes scratched up and brass plating dull and pockmarked.

He reached it and looked inside. It was a den and sure enough, three auburn colored heads poked from around the wheel. They belonged to fox cubs. The sight of a predator, even a baby, chilled Angel’s blood. The fact that the animals didn’t know better but to stare at him with inexperienced eyes didn’t diminish his fear of them. The mother had to be near. He hurried and seized the wheel, knocking them aside to roll around and yawn. As soon as he did, he knew he was being watched.

He turned to see her staring at him from the shadows. She was crouched down and licking her lips. And yet, it was she that seemed reluctant to attack. Angel was flummoxed. A healthy vixen have torn more than one of his companions apart before. Even he would be ill pressed to fight one in its own territory. It seemed to be waiting to him to move. All he could do was to point the lance towards her as he backed up. As soon as he was beyond the den, she scrambled to the cubs. Angel didn’t hear her chase him as he dashed back to the animal path.

Mr. Greenhooves was woken up and he gladly fixed his wagon without much effort. After that, Angel decided to rest and gather his thoughts in the back while the pony pulled the cart at a swift trot. He must have talked but Angel’s mind was still in a daze after that near death experience. But it wasn’t all bad. He surely saved himself some time by stopping to help.

His father told him all he knew about where the Green Rabbit was said to have lived. It was before he fell asleep as the gasping finally started to stabilize. Angel’s eyes were heavy weights at this point. But he spoke about Bottleneck Road so clearly. Angel could only imagine that he had been there before when he was just half the size he was that night. He said that at the end of this long trail of stone, one could see a castle like none other in the wide world. He said that it was a place where anyone could find their destiny.

Angel thought that finding destiny was a bunch of rubbish. He never knew anyone or pony that ever did. Their supposed destinies were just too grandiose to ever be achieved. They might even grasp something nearly as great but when they never met their true desires, he could see the disappointment in their eyes. He never bothered with such things. His destiny was just to see the sun rise and nothing more. Well, it was a bit more than that. He seemed to daydream a lot. Especially about a certain Pegasus. What sort of destiny would that be though? Wouldn’t anyone dream about her every second of every day if they could? If they knew her as much as he did?

The wagon stopped and Angel was lurched awake. It was sunny and he was in a small clearing, a break in the forest.

“Angel, come out. This must be your stop” Greenhooves called out. He waited until Angel got his things and jumped from the wagon. He sniffed and a rush of pollen entered his nostrils. Instead of icky dead matter, there was a carpet of flowers in bloom even upon the trail itself. He didn’t even recognize them all. He walked towards the pony.

“Are you certain that we’ve reached that place we spoke of earlier?” Angel asked.

He gave him another one of his wise nods. “Yup. This here is Bottleneck Road. I’ve never had a reason to go there myself as I just go straight on past the mountains. Today’s a fine day. I bet there is a great view from up there”.

Angel didn’t understand him. Was he talking about the castle? Regardless, he gathered some gold and offered some to him.

“No need for that. After all, I help out my friends”.

“Well, thanks. By the way, how are you able to talk to me?” Angel asked.

He grinned. “I learned to listen to everything little critters like yourself says. That’s all”.

With a nod from him and a bow from Angel, they parted. A minute later, the pony and his cart were gone.

Angel started up the road, his feet pattering up thick cobblestones. It was steep. The castle could be on top of a hill. Would it be guarded? He knew that they had to be expecting him but he was still worried. Rabbits were notoriously territorial when it came to their own kind. Seeing one in armor might frighten them.

The trail narrowed as he climbed. He ended up high enough that he was higher than the trees. Only bare grass covered this side of the hills and a lower plain leading to a huge ravine some distance off. The cobblestones were crumbled by then and eventually only a few bricks remained when the road reached a sudden end. The hill fell sharply into these huge steps going down a hundred meters or more. Angel suddenly felt like vomiting. Dizziness pulled at his limbs and especially his stomach. He turned away and walked back until he could start breathing normally. He turned and looked around. He was as high as he could go and yet there was no castle. His cheeks flushed. Was all of this some kind of trick? He started to walk off but then he noticed something strange. His lance had painted stripes from one end to the other. He turned back and carefully looked over the edge. Each of the layers of his huge hill were ringed with white stones. It kept going for six layers. Then it dawned on him that this was the Green Rabbit’s castle.