//------------------------------// // The Colossal Castle // Story: Angel Bunny and the Knights of the Round Stump // by Silver Letter //------------------------------// 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.