Hello, hello, hello, what's happenin', readers?

Happy Easter to everyone! If you want to understand more about the way the factory works and everything, I suggest you skim through chapter 35 again.

Chapter 70: A Green Easter

I walked through the streets of Falador market cheerfully. The place was crowded, which was a pleasant change, considering that there was a brutal murderer among us. There was a good reason why too.

Today was Easter Sunday, and stalls had been set up in the streets, selling Easter goodies. I was eating a small but very delicious crème egg (I remembered these from last year) that I'd bought in a stall which was behind me. I passed stalls selling roasted rabbits for Easter dinner, different-sized baskets, and, obviously, massive wrapped Easter eggs! My bag was almost full of the eggs I'd bought today.

A baker ran up to me, holding a tray of very small buns with white crosses on them. I could see small wrinkled raisins in the pastry of the bun.

"Excuse me?" the baker said. "Are you interested in trying a free sample of the new Easter hot cross bun? It's a special delicacy that's only around on Easter, invented by the Easter Bunny himself and baked by us." I thanked the baker, took a sample, and chewed into it. It was beautiful! It was really sweet and puffy.

"I think you've started something here," I smiled. "How much do they cost?" The baker grinned.

"20gp, please," he replied. I took out the money, and exchanged for a large hot cross bun. I chewed on it enthusiastically, savouring the sweet taste.

As I continued down the street, a massive hole appeared underneath me. The Easter market was so crowded it didn't seem like anybody else noticed. I fell into swirling blackness, screaming as I was dragged away into the unknown.

I landed with a thump on a hard, muddy surface. I groaned, and sat up, surveying my surroundings. My half-eaten hot cross bun stood a few feet away, coated with dirt.

I recognised where I was immediately, and I was so glad to be here again. I was in the Easter Bunny's factory! I stared fondly at the row of machines in front of me that brought back sweet memories. Well, almost sweet. Well, quite bitter, to be honest, considering that an evil wizard nearly ruined Easter a year ago. There were two differences- the first was that a new machine had been built, where bunnies and imps were working to make hot cross buns. The second difference was that crates of stock had been piled up at the back.

People appeared around me. These people were Osrie1, Amy11, Mark, and, very surprisingly, Haru Axe-man from Varrock! I bounced towards them as a look of comprehension spread across their faces as they realised where they were. I greeted Haru cordially.

"How are we here anyway?" Osrie1 asked. "I was exploring the Falador Easter market, and then all of a sudden I'm here."

"I'm sorry to say I'm to blame for that," a voice answered. Two fluffy white ears appeared from the ground, and the familiar figure of the Easter Bunny pulled himself out of a hole.

He was, unsurprisingly, still covered in white fur, with long white ears. He was still rather plump, and he looked like he hadn't aged much in the past year. He grinned at us.

"Hello, friends," he greeted. "It's nice to see you again. I remember a few of you from last year, when you helped me with a problem involving an evil wizard. I'm sorry to drag you down here on such short notice. Well, the new form of transportation is more convenient, rather then digging tunnels to find you and turning you into bunnies to take you here."

"It's nice to see you again too," I commented. "Why did you take us down here?" The Easter Bunny gave me a nervous grin.

"I have two reasons," he explained. "My first reason is, simply, I wanted to have a catch-up and give you some free Easter eggs as a token of thanks for what you did last year. My second reason is I need your help again."

"You need help with what?" Haru asked kindly. "We're always glad to help." The Easter Bunny smiled gratefully.

"I have great rewards for you if you can help me," he said. "I've received a threatening letter from somebody. You'll need to read it to understand." He handed us a green card with a note on it.

Dear Easter Bunny,

I am sending you this to notify you that, on Easter Sunday, in the afternoon, me and my friends will pay your factory a visit, but not for a cup of tea and a chat. We'll be coming to destroy your factory, and then we'll proceed to destroy you. It's nothing personal, don't worry.

Yours truly,

?

Underneath the 'yours truly', a four-leaved clover had been stuck on, next to the '?'. I gaped, open-mouthed, at the very threatening letter. The Easter Bunny coughed.

"I am not sure who send it," he explained. "I don't know what that clover means. I'm not even sure if this person is going to show up. But I would appreciate if you would supply me with some extra security, just in case this person does show up to destroy me. Not that I can't protect myself, or that my imps are incapable of doing it. I'd just like some extra protection."

"Sure," I smiled. "We'll be glad to hang around to protect you." The Easter Bunny beamed at us, lighting up the whole room.

While the Easter Bunny was chatting about several different things, I was watching the interesting Easter-egg making procedure. It hadn't changed much since last time- buckets of chocolate mix travelling along conveyor belts, being turned into eggs. But I did notice one thing different.

"Hey, Easter Bunny," I said. "What are those beans that the squirrels are adding to the chocolate mix buckets? I didn't spot them last year." The squirrels at the sorting machine where nuts were added to specific mixes were handling a brown bean with some sort of crack going through the middle, as well as ordinary nuts. The Easter Bunny smiled.

"Ah," he said. "That. That is an extremely rare bean called the coffee bean, which some explorers discovered in the depths of Karamja and only they and I know about. It is a very delicious, strong bean which can be used in a manner of things. It is especially delicious roasted and dipped in honey. I'm in the process of inventing a drink out of it. I'm trying to keep the recipe secret at the moment, but I'm making very limited amounts of coffee-flavoured Easter eggs, which I plan to charge high prices for. Here, try a coffee bean." he handed me a shiny brown roasted coffee bean. I took it and crunched it thoughtfully.

It had a very delicate, acquired taste that I couldn't really describe. It was sort of bitter, but I liked it. It seemed to energise me and fill me with energy and enthusiasm. I felt like my senses were on high alert.

"It energises you, doesn't it?" the Easter Bunny said cheerfully. "If given to the wrong person, it could make them hyperactive. It's a shame the effects don't last long. You won't be energised for much longer then two minutes."

I picked my half-eaten, filthy hot cross bun miserably. The Easter Bunny chuckled.

"Sorry for that," he laughed. "I'll give you a handful of them free in your goody basket to make up for it." I thanked the small, plump bunny, but before I could say anything more, there was a small explosion, and the area filled with green smoke.

Out of the smoke, a small army of imps came. But these imps weren't an ordinary red, like the Easter Bunny's imp workers- they were a light green, the colour of grass. Evil smirks were plastered on this mischievous faces, and I had to raise my eyebrow at their leader.

Their leader was a very short, sort of plump man, who had wrinkled skin, a ginger beard and small glasses. He wore a green tweed jacket, green trousers, a green top hat, and he held a small, green wand in his hand. There was a shamrock pinned to his hat.

"Hello, bunny," the man said. "I assume you got my note?"

"Who are you?" I yelled angrily. The short man chuckled.

"Young lad, I am Seamus, and I am a leprechaun," he replied.

"What's a leprechaun, and why have you come here to destroy this factory?" I shouted in return.

"I can answer that one," the Easter Bunny muttered darkly. "Leprechauns are like elves- magical, mythical creatures which come from a far-off land. Their personalities differ. Some are simply mischievous. Some are slightly wicked. But others, like Seamus here, are vile, evil, jealous creatures that will go to end of the world and back to get someone into deep trouble. But I don't know why he's here." Seamus giggled.

"Thanks a lot, bunny," he sneered. "Couldn't have put it better myself. As for why I'm here, I'm on a mission to defend my homeland's honour."

"You see, my homeland has its own celebration, where everybody dresses up in green and wears shamrocks. But, nobody else celebrates it, because of fatty here." He jabbed a finger at the Easter Bunny, who looked confused.

"How?" he questioned.

"Nobody's interested in me and my holiday any more," Seamus snarled. "They're more interested in chocolate eggs and plump bunnies. I do not feel like I am getting enough appreciation around here! Aye, 'tis not healthy for me, the holiday itself, my homeland's pride, and leprechauns in general. So, I'm going ahead in my plan to completely destroy Easter."

With a flick of his wand, a shower of green sparks was sent flying towards the Easter Bunny, and before he could say or do anything, the sparks hit him, and he disappeared in a puff of green smoke. Instead, on the floor, a gold coin lay there.

"You turned the Easter Bunny into a gold coin!" I gasped.

"Thanks a lot, captain obvious," Seamus sniggered.

There was a massive uproar in the factory as all the bunnies, imps and squirrels realised what the leprechaun had done to their boss. There was a massive surge of activity as most of the workers rushed forward, but the green imps ran forward to counter them.

"Thanks, luck imps," Seamus laughed. "Once the workers have been disposed of, we can proceed to destroy the factory and dispose of the Easter Bunny/coin. I'll start off by destroying you lot." He pointed his wand towards me. A shower of green sparks flew out of the end. I jumped to one side just in time. The sparks hit a nearby luck imp, and that imp burst into green flames. After ten seconds of burning and screaming, all that remained was a pile of dark green ashes.

"Nice aim, boss," another luck imp muttered darkly. Seamus ignored him, and turned to me again. He sent some more green sparks at me, but I managed to dodge just in time again.

"Aye, you're a quick one," he commented. "CALLING ALL LUCK IMPS! STOP FIGHTING!" Everyone turned to face Seamus.

"Young lad," he said, addressing me. "I'd like to test your wits. I'm going to use some leprechaun magic to see how well you react. Here's the deal; if you can find me, stop me, and disarm me before I kill you, then I will turn the Easter Bunny back to normal, call off my attack on this factory, and leave you all in peace." At that, he disappeared in a puff of green smoke.

All around me, I could hear cackling and taunting as the leprechaun teleported around me repeatedly to confuse me. I spun around desperately, but I could only see green smoke. I screamed in pain as something hit my side.

My reflexes weren't good enough to catch this leprechaun while he was teleporting. He was too agile for me. I needed something to speed me up. Something to double my reflexes. Something to energise me.

Then it hit me. Coffee beans! Coffee beans energised you and improved your reflexes. But how could I get coffee beans without attracting the attention of Seamus? I spotted the crates piled up at the back. I threw a rock at the crates, hoping to make the pile topple so I could use some of the beans. The pile of crates collapsed, and coffee beans spilled all over the floor. I scooped up a handful, and stuffed them in my mouth.

They were really bitter when you ate them all together raw, and I found myself cringing. But the effect was almost instantaneous- I found myself filling to the brim with energy. It was too much energy; my whole body was vibrating. I found myself jumping around. My senses were electrified. I could hear every breath in this room, see the room in high detail, and I could even smell the coffee and chocolate in the air. I saw the figure of Seamus appear for a split second, and, before he could teleport behind me; I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, and lifted him off his feet.

"Hey!" Seamus yelled. "Let go!"

"I've won your challenge," I hissed. "Leave now, or else." I was all charged up now. Seamus sighed, looking angry.

"Yes, I'll leave you alone now, and I'll turn the Easter Bunny back, but this won't be the last you'll see of me," he grumbled. "Oh no. The Easter Bunny will see the last of me now, because I've realised what type of friends he has. However, you'll be seeing me again, very soon." At that, green smoke filled the room suddenly. When the smoke cleared, all the lucky imps were gone, the Easter Bunny sat there looking shocked, and Seamus was gone. Instead, I was holding a pot full of shiny golden coins. If I looked at it from a particular direction, then I could see a small rainbow coming from it.

"I thought leprechauns were mischievous. Why has he given me a pot of gold?" I pondered.

"Don't trust him," Haru muttered. "I've heard of leprechauns and their pots of gold. That's not real gold; it's leprechaun gold. If you tried trading it, it would disappear."

"Then what's the use of it?" I asked nobody in particular. "Besides, if he holds such a grudge on me, why would he gift me?"

"I think he held a small amount of respect for you," the Easter Bunny answered. "I mean, it was genius of you to think of using coffee to your advantage! As for what it does, if you put leprechaun pots of gold down on the floor in the open air while it's sunny, then it'll create a rainbow. Apparently, it works best in the spring or the summer." I nodded. "If you put your hand in, you may find something valuable every now and then. But beware, you may be tricked. You don't know what it does."

I put my hand in, and rummaged through the gold coins. I found an experience lamp (which I planned to add to my already massive collection) and golden ring with an emerald shaped like a four-leaved clover. I slipped the ring on, and pressed the emerald. I had the strange sensation of melting into myself, and to my shock and surprise, I turned to a golden coin. I began panicking. How could I reverse this? But, like with the egg ring, I thought myself back into human form.

"That's meant to be a leprechaun trick, but Seamus used it for evil," Osrie1 said. I shrugged, and pocketed the ring. I guess the ring could be useful. As for the pot of gold, I could use it as a decoration, checking back occasionally for valuables (obviously watching out for leprechaun pranks).

"Well, for another year in a row, I'm in your debt," the Easter Bunny said. "I'm in your debt especially, Mainiac97. You've saved Easter from becoming a total disaster (again). Besides, I owe my life to you. That leprechaun really would have killed me purely out of envy if it weren't for you and your quick thinking, using coffee to your advantage. You kept your cool in a difficult situation, so you'll each find a little extra reward in the bottom of your goody basket." I thanked him several times. He chuckled. "I should be thanking you. I owe you one."

He handed us all baskets full of Easter eggs, hot cross buns, crème eggs, and some coffee beans. He gave me and Haru extra ones, to share some more Easter eggs with our friends in Falador/Varrock that didn't come here. I shook Haru's hand. The Easter Bunny clicked his fingers, and I was dragged upwards into darkness.

I appeared in the middle of Falador market. People were still bustling around me, taking advantage of the Easter market while it was still there. I ran back to Capablanca's house as quick as I could.

I arrived back, panting. People were crowded in the kitchen, enjoying some snacks Capablanca had set out. I walked in to join them, and I noticed one person missing again- Aaron.

I felt around in my goody basket, and at the bottom, I felt something rather furry. I pulled it out, and it was a pair of fake squirrel ears. A note was attached. The note read:

Wearing these ears, you maybe find yourself with some squirrel-like characteristics (like increased agility and sense of smell, for example). It also serves as part of a costume. Happy Easter!

I smiled fondly at my new Easter rewards. I planned to store them safe in my bank on the shelf that housed all my event rewards. In total, all of my Easter rewards were the egg ring, the Choclatrice cape, the Easter carrot, the pot of gold, the leprechaun ring, and the squirrel ears.

I stepped outside in Capablanca's garden. The evening sun was high in the sky, shining down on the earth below, creating a massive array of pinks, oranges and purples. A pleasant breeze swept through the city, and the birds were chirping. I shuddered as I realised this was probably the last time I'd see such beauty in nature. I set the pot of gold down on the ground, and a beautiful rainbow flew into the sky.

I'd had quite an odd, but amazing day. Even jealous leprechauns and loose murderers couldn't dampen the positives of the day; the meeting of two old friends (Haru and the Easter Bunny), the celebrations of Easter, and more.

As I stared up in wonder at the amazing sight, I heard a voice whisper in my ear.

"Remember what I said, Mainiac97," the voice whispered. "You'll never see the last of me. That coffee won't last you forever, and as soon as it's all gone, it'll be my moment to strike." I heard a final cackle, before the voice disappeared.

I was quite scared, to be honest; the fear of having a bloodthirsty, magical leprechaun as an enemy wasn't a pleasant one, but the moment was too beautiful to waste. I had to savour every amazing moment that I got, because, even if I wasn't psychic, I could tell there would be suffering up ahead.

.....and that concludes Easter special chapter 2010!

I hope you enjoyed the MASSIVE, original twist I added to the plot. I didn't really like this year's event that Jagex made- I found it boring. So, I changed it a lot, adding St patricks day themes to it. I do not take credit for the main insperation, which I found on the forums.

I hope my description of Seamus the leprechaun didn't offend anyone. I apologise if it did.

my new story 'history of a tramp' is up; if you haven't read it yet, go check it out!

nect chapter: what's short, hairy and lives under the ground?

Until next time, toodles!