And I finally ended the Hero arc! Of course, our favorite temperamental rabbit will come back in other one shots!
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Bunnymund was silently moving through the forest growth of the Northwest coast of what will be known as North America. While he knew the risk of time travel, especially with the risk of meeting his past self, he knew that he had to talk to North America about Maska's nation problem.
Although considering the locals are watching him like a hawk, Bunnymund is wondering if he should have gone with another method or maybe have talked to others like Gaul, Rome, Ancient Egypt, Kanem, Kievan Rus', or even China. But then save for China, he would have to time travel to see them anyway. He also knew the old Nations would not trust him with such knowledge unless he gives a reason anyway. Another reason to ask the youngling's mother. If anything is to be learn of the intimidating Nation is that she is willing to protect her children, even if they became the symbols of her downfall.
It is the slightest shift in smells that alert him to the attack. Ducking under an arrow, the Pooka rolls forward and draw out his staff. Giving an exhale, he deflects another arrow aimed at his eyes.
Without pause a brown skinned women leaps out of the shadows with a spear in hand. In a flash she had aimed the weapon.
How did I get myself into this situation? Was the thought that was going though Bunnymund's mind as he was being 'greeted' with a spear pointed to his neck.
Weaving around, Bunnymund aims his staff for a sharp blow to the knees that was missed by the women cartwheeling. He leaps forward with the staff, aiming for her shoulders.
The women snarled, her eyes dark with aggression.
Deciding that a quick victory is not possible, he shifted his stance with the intent to dance.
The women seem to be surprised but immediately changed her tactics as well. She drew out a knife and with a flick, the weapon was coming at the Pooka. Had Bunnymund not dodge, the knife would have gone straight to the heart.
Soon they were descending into a pattern of a deadly dance. Each knife missing and each attempted blow was dodged. When the women came for a lunge, he was finally able to see her features clearly in the fading light.
Oh, that explains the familiarity of the dance. Of course it had to be the kits' mother.
Deciding to end the fighting, he use his staff to channel his magic and sent the spell-blast to the North American. Her attempt to dodge was futile as the spell circled around and knocked the women down.
Giving a grunt, Bunnymund grumbled, "I'm getting too old for this," as put the staff away and gave a quick stretch. He lifts North America up into his arms then tossed her over his shoulders. He preceded to hop over to her home by following the markers that Native America had showed to him shortly after his informal appointment as a Nanny, and later Uncle-figure, of her children.
He sees the familiar plank house. He smiled as he remember the time that she whacked him on the head when he called her home a hut.
Right when he is about to go inside, the women stirred and just as quickly, she snarled and escape his grasp.
Tumbling to the ground, she looks around for something. Bunnymund already knew what she is looking for. She is looking for her hidden tomahawks.
Smiling at the women, he said in one of her native tongues, "Don't bother with the tomahawk," before her eyes could fully widen in shock of knowing such a secret, he tap the ground with his foot. The weapons is spat up from the hidden spots and finds itself on the floor.
North America demands, "How did you know about those?"
Bunnymund smiled sadly and said, "Your one that will tell me."
Her eyes narrows, "Lies," she hiss and shifted into a sitting position.
Internally grimacing as he realized that something special will have to be done, deciding to do something painful and stupid, the Pooka leap over and roughly grabbed her head. Before she escape, he bangs their foreheads together, forcing memories into her. He lets go as he nursed his bruising head.
North America staggered backwards and groaned then give a deep shuttering breath and ask, "Why are you here, Hero?"
While caught off guard for her recovery and the immediate use of his nickname, he did not allow himself to think why lest he gets consume by sadness, so he sat down, and said, "One of your son tried to conquer the other, I want to know why and how to stop it."
Sighing, North America imitated him and sat down in the grass and said in a soft voice, "Nations have a subconscious desire to take over each other. They are like humans at their worst. I myself had to subjugate the individual tribal personifications so I could exist fully, although they are still around with their own autonomy."
Bunnymund did not show it, he was panicking on the inside because he know some Nations would kill each other if they did not restrain themselves and fears what were to happen to the kits.
Unaware of the rabbit's internal fears, she continued, "On the other hand, with the bond between brothers, Maska should not be able to strike the killing blow. From the memories you showed, he was raised by you, a pooka who presence stifle most of those dark impulse that normally plague nations."
Bunnymund gave a visible sigh of relief, "That explains it. But still, how do I alleviate the issues?"
She shrugged and said, "They should go through an expansionist phase. When that happens, have it channeled inwards rather than outward. In the event of my fall from power, the tribal personifications would resume their in-fighting. All three of them will have many tribes to defeat before they will have absolute control over their land."
Bunnymund sighs. They both stand up.
Finally, she said what was bothering her, "Am I still alive in the future?" Bunnymind shrugged and said, "Does it matter?"
North America frowned and said, "Well, I would like to know if I get to meet my grandchildren." Bunnymund thought for a moment and finally said, "If you're alive, I think you would be living with your daughter.*"
Knowing that is all she is going to get, she nodded in compliance.
Bunnymund quickly ask, "Have you met past me yet?" North America gave a quick shake. Thinking thoughtfully, he said, "Well at this point I would be younger. I look more like the local rabbits you are familiar with. He should be wearing a bright blue robe as my people dictate. You can call him Manabozho."
"His name is not Manabozho?" She said with raise eyebrows.
Bunnymund shrug, "Paradox."
North America look in confusion before deciding that it was pointless to think why. "I am going to see my children," she then went inside of her plank house.
Bunnymund slid down till he was sitting on the ground while gripping his staff tightly as he tried to contain his emotions while processing the information North America gave him.
Standing up once again, Bunnymund was stuck by a moment of déjà vu. For a Pooka, that means that he is about to cross his own time line. Then he felt it. A ripple. A feeling similar to having a bull rush pass you leaving the air rushing past. His past self is getting close. Giving a breath, he slip into the shadows of the home and waits.
There, he sees himself. He looks so young. He was still wearing a full light blue robe indicating just past adolescents. Still a jokester that have never felt the cruelty of war. Bunny silently laugh at himself for the self-falling prophecy.
The younger seem surprised but gave no look of distrust. The elderly pooka gave a sad secret smile, "Why don't you come in?" His past self nodded hesitantly and enter the plank house. North America, seeing the events, gives him the tiniest look of curiosity. He nods silently and she gave a tiny look of acknowledgement. Bunnymund turns and quickly leave, before he does something stupid and break one of the Time Laws. At the same time he trying not to laugh at the irony of the situation of how it all happens.
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Like how the older Bunnymund knows more about local geography and customs compare to the younger?
Kanem is short for the Kanem Empire, an African empire that existed in the center of Africa around 700 to 1300 AD.
Did you catch the Doctor Who reference?
*This is referring to the fact that according to recent censuses in the US and Canada, there is a relatively small percentage of Natives, including those of mixed heritage (less than 10%) to the total population but in Mexico, most of the population are Natives or Metizos (mix race) [Around 80-90%].
Plank house were homes of Native North Americans found in the coast of Northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Colombia, and Alaska. They look similar to European style homes in shape although formed independent of European influence. North America has many homes that go from Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) to places in the Arctic.
Revised and edited May 2019.
