Revolution

Chapter One: The Dream

''The air was thick with smoke, and the smoke was full of pollutants. It made the young rabbit choke. Her chest heaved as she ran through the village, darting this way and that. Others ran around her, fleeing the phantoms and their destruction.''

'' She went down an unused path, grown over by years of abandonment. She came across a rope bridge, and forgetting it too was unused, ran across it. She could see a figure on the other side of the gorge, and it did not belong to a phantom. When she made it across she ran to the figure, as she drew closer she saw it was Greely, the wolf alpha.''

'' “Oh! Greely! You have to help me! Phantoms! They are taking my family, my brothers and sisters! My mom! My dad! My village! You have to go get the other Alphas to help!” she managed to get out in between gasps and her tears.''

'' He didn’t move even a muscle. She looked at him closely, “Why aren’t you helping?! PHANTOMS!” ''

'' He turned on her swiftly, scaring her. A wicked smile spread across his face, “Why do you want help...from the king of the phantoms?”''

~

Rose’s eyes flew open and she let out a short gasp. That was a strange dream, she thought. She rolled out of bed and then the dream was gone from her head. She yawned and dressed herself, then came to the entrance of her home, a jagged opening in the cliffs. There was little light, as it was only dawn.

The sun wasn’t visible yet, but the faint blue light stretched out from behind the mountains. The light crawled across the sky, revealing the dark mountain faces. Caves riddled the rocky peaks, all housing an animal much like Rose. She smiled, she was not like most rabbits. Her teeth were sharpened to a point and her body was covered in scars. She could speak to phantoms and she knew the secrets of the land.

A noise came from behind her, she turned her head. It was Ink, her own phantom friend. Ink was part of a rarer group of phantoms, dwarf phantoms. His kind was not appreciated and often shunned by their larger counterparts. Many had become companions of the animals of Jamma, but some were part of Rose’s underground society.

Ink was the usual deep purple that looked black, but his eyes were blue and there was a small blue glow around him. Rose had found Ink years earlier, when she was a child.

“You were up early,” he said.

“Yes,” Rose replied simply.

“Why?” Ink asked meekly.

"I was restless,” she said, staring out over the valley. Ink blinked in response. He didn’t bother to press her. A long moment of silence passed as they watched the sun rise.

“The Queen will want you soon,” Ink finally said.

“I know,” Rose sighed. She stood and left her cave, she turned to look back at Ink, “Stay here, but I’ll be back shortly.”

“If she sends you out?” he asked.

“I’m bringing you with me this time,” Rose smiled. Ink nodded knowingly.

Rose launched herself off the cliff and flew up to the top of the mountain. It was easier for her this way, because she was not built for climbing. When she reached the peak she landed besides a rhino. He was a large brute whom Rose had seen before. She pushed passed the crowd to the front so she could see better.

The Queen sat perched upon her throne, lavished with a long cape, spikes, and adorned with a great crown. Her throne was black as night, much like her eyes. She was a dark grey eagle with a sharp beak and sharper talons. Her eyes focused on the crowd, her kingdom.

“My subjects, I have gotten news from Jamma. The swamp lands some of us have resided in have been named….Baloosh. There’s a lot of activity there so you will see many new faces. Now, I want also to mention that I will be sending in a raid group for supplies. Do I have volunteers?” The Queen asked.

“Me,” Rose said, raising her small paw. Several other did as well.

The Queen nodded and sent them off. Rose was to go with a fox, a kangaroo, and a hyena. She entered her cave and called for Ink.

Ink appeared, “What is the mission?”

“A raid,” Rose said while packing up her things.

“For what?” Ink asked.

“Weapons and food,” Rose said, she grabbed her bag and indicated Ink get in, too.

"Why do you need me?” Ink asked warily.

“You’ll be the distraction,” Rose said, and put Ink in the bag herself. She flew off the cliff and down the valley. She was supposed to go ahead of everyone and provide the distraction.

It was a while before she landed on the path that led into the small village. She knew it would take longer for the others to arrive on foot. So she opened up a bag that held her lunch and ate it. Ink slid out of her bag and paced, or the phantom equivalent of that. When Rose was finished she ran ahead of Ink and into the village.

The sign above the entrance was somewhat familiar, Bunny Burrow. She didn’t pay any mind to that and ran up to the fountain. Most of the Jammers there were bunnies. She stood on the stone edge of the fountain, she had a plan. She opened her mouth.

“Help! Help! I saw a phantom on the North path!”