Aftermath
It was the next morning. Bugs was unconscious from the last attack. He had no idea what happened afterwards when he fell from the two-story building. He was on a bed when…
"Where am I?" said Bugs as he awoke. His blurry vision came into focus. He was back in his room. Someone was standing over him.
"Shh," said Lola. She dabbed his forehead with a rag.
"What happened?" he asked
"Dark Rider came and left you on our doorstep," she answered, "you were out cold."
"Ahh," winced Bugs as he tried to get up, but felt a jolt of pain. Lola made him lie back down.
"You need to rest," she said
"What happened to Sam?" asked Bugs, "the last ting I remember was falling off da building and everthing going black."
"The word is that he chickened out. Dark Rider must have come to defeat Sam,"
"And da Freedom Fighters?"
Lola looked down.
"What happened?"
"They couldn't do anything without a leader. They failed to take out the town hall. They said Sam had left some of his men to protect it. I think they all retreated back to Hamota,"
"Darn," muttered Bugs, "We'll have to try harder."
"No! You have to get out of here," begged Lola, "you almost got killed."
"I can't leave now,"
"This isn't even your fight. You shouldn't be putting yourself at risk for us,"
"I want to help. Besides, I'm already involved, might as well keep fighting,"
"I just wouldn't forgive myself is something happened to you,"
She looked at him, he looked deeply into her eyes.
"It's alright," he said, "I just can't stand around doing nothing."
She sighed but then looked at him once more. She came closer and kissed him. He slowly wrapped his arms around her. They continued their romance until the sound of a large group of horses came from outside.
"He has to be here," came a voice.
"Sam's here," said Lola releasing the kiss
"So…" whispered Bugs, not wanting to let her go.
"You have to get out of here, you're in no condition to fight,"
"Humph…." said Bugs disappointedly
"I'll distract them. You sneak out through the balcony," she said getting up and adjusting herself. Bugs got up and winced a little in pain.
"Can you do it?" she asked
"Yeah no problem,"
She gave him a quick kiss on the lips before leaving the room and locking the door. Bugs took his hat and climbed out the window, onto the balcony. He carefully walked to the side and climbed down. There was only Joy in the stable. He opened the stable and Joy trotted to him. He climbed onto the horse and rode back to the Hamota tribe.
As soon as Lola came out of the room, Sam and his men were inside the inn.
"We know you have him here," said Sam to Pa
"I don't know what you're talking about," said Pa
"That rabbit! He's here hiding somewhere! I bet he's upstairs!" he climbed upstairs and found Lola there.
"Alright where is he?" he yelled
"I don't know who you're talking about," said Lola
"Don't play dumb with me! The gray rabbit! Where is he?"
"He left town,"
"No he didn't! He couldn't have!"
"He's not here. His left with his horse and wagon. Sorry you wasted your time,"
Sam was about to turn around when he thought of something.
"He's in that room isn't he," said Sam grinning
"No," she said stepping back
"Yes he is," said Smith, "I just saw her come out of that room. I thought I heard her talking with someone."
"Oh really? Smith, break down the door!"
"Wait!" said Lola
Smith pushed her out of the way. He kicked the door open but it was empty. There was no one.
"You jerk!" said Lola, "You better pay for that door!"
Sam was disappointed no one was inside. He stomped and went back downstairs. Smith and the others followed. They left the inn. Lola let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew!"
Bugs arrived to the tribe by that afternoon. He found the Freedom Fighters there. They got up to meet him as he dismounted.
"What happened?" asked Bugs
"We just couldn't do it," answered a Fighter, "we just couldn't fight Sam's army. They're too well trained."
Joy had trotted away from Bugs. She went over to Copper, who was eating oats at the time. They nuzzled each other then ate oats together. Porky and Petunia soon came forward from the crowd.
"Bugs, we're so glad you're back," said Petunia
"Th-th-these guys need help," said Porky, "when they came here, they s-s-suffered a great blow to their spirits. They d-d-don't have the w-w-w-soul to fight."
"Bugs," came a voice from the crowd. It was Sylvester. He was fully recovered. "It's time that we take Sam down," he said.
"Sylvester, glad you're back," said Bugs
"Thanks. But we have got work to do," said Sylvester
"You're right,"
They both stepped forward and the crowd silenced itself.
"Men! We must finish what we started! It is crucial that we take Sam down!" said Sylvester, "So we took a few blows. So what if Sam stepped all over us. We will not give up! We shall never quit!"
"Remember what you're fighting for," continued Bugs, "you're fighting for da town. You're fighting for yourselves. You're fighting for you're families. More importantly, you're fighting for justice! No one deserves to be oppressed! No one should be taken advantage of! Sam abused you! Sam betrayed you! It's time to take our revenge!"
"Yeah!" cheered the Fighters
"Alright, today we must plan things out. We have to use strategy," said Sylvester, "we need someone on the inside. We need to get information."
"What about S-s-s-sun Creek?" suggested Porky
"You mean Lola? Sure," said Sylvester
"We must r-r-r-contact her," said Porky
"Wait! Don't sound the horn," interrupted Bugs
"Why not?" asked Sylvester
"When I left her Sam was in da inn. He could still be dere."
Sylvester and the others looked around.
"What should we do?" he asked
"I'll go and investigate. I'll send her word of our plans,"
"But what if Sam catches you?" asked Petunia
"Better hope dat he doesn't," said Bugs. He whistled then Copper, hesitantly leaving Joy's side, came to his owner. Bugs mounted him.
"Report back here," said Sylvester
"Will do," said Bugs turning around and riding back to Sherrock. When he was riding, the roadrunner and the coyote zoomed past him again. Bugs shook his head, and continued on his journey.
Meanwhile…
"I just don't get it," said Sam, "I'm sure that rabbit wouldn't leave. He seemed so determined to teach me a lesson."
He thought for a moment. An evil plot came into his mind. "Smith! Canasta! Come with me!"
They went back into the inn. They found Lola and her Pa cleaning up the saloon. They looked up from their work when Sam yelled.
"Boys, tie them up!" commanded Sam
"Hey what's going on!" said Pa as Canasta grabbed him and tied him down
"Let us go!" said Lola as Smith did the same to her
"Either Dark Rider or your boyfriend is gonna come for you. Then that's when we'll get um," said Sam, "Boys! Lock them up in a room upstairs. Then we'll have a little bonfire!"
"No! You better let us go!" screamed Pa. But then Canasta punched him, knocking him out.
"Pa!" was the last thing Lola could say before Smith gagged her. She struggled but couldn't do anything else.
"Shuddup! You talk to much!" said Smith
"Grrr" growled Lola
They carried them upstairs. Canasta threw Pa on the floor while Smith threw Lola beside him. Smith grabbed her face and kissed her cheek.
"Sorry it had to end this way doll," he said
Lola responded by head-butting him. He glared at her, but left her alone. They locked them in the room. They placed furniture and other things to block the door. They walked downstairs. Smith took some whiskey bottles and poured them all over the place; while saving the 'good stuff' for himself. Canasta casually dropped his cigarette onto the floor. It quickly caught on fire. They left the inn laughing evilly.
The fire was spreading fast. Lola used her ears to untie the gag. She then managed to slip her arms under her legs. She then bit the ropes until they slipped off her wrists. She checked Pa; he was out cold. Lola tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. She pushed on the door, she kicked and everything but it wouldn't open. She went to the window but there was no way to climb down from the room she was in.
"Oh no…" she whispered
They were trapped.
Outside of the Inn…
Sam and his men hid in the shadows. Waiting for any of the heroes to show up.
"What if no one comes for them?" asked Smith
"Oh someone will come alright!" said Sam, "And if they don't, I still get rid of two varmints that have always been a nuisance! Mwa ha ha!"
J.C. the Wabbit: He's bad, no? Eh, I think this chapter is too short…oh well…
Ok everyone, tell me who you think Dark Rider is before I post the next chapter when all is revealed! You want a clue? It was someone in the story, could be a major or minor character. Not much of a clue? Think about, it's certain that it couldn't be someone like Pepe le Pew or Taz, cause they never made an appearance (Even though I love those guys!). It wouldn't be someone right out of the blue! That wouldn't be fair on my part!
A prize for the right guess? Eh…I'll think about it…what do you suggest?