I thought I might as well give this a try. I like to write occasionally in my free time and I’ve always loved to think about what kinds of things the Citadel of Dreams did when it was thriving rather than how we see it when Picket and Helmer join them.

This is meant to take place before The Green Ember. This is my first fanfic and I’m very excited to show you all 😁.

I was running faster than I ever had before. I didn’t know where I was going, just that I had to get away. I could hear the fast heavy steps behind me mix with the pounding of my heart. I ducked under low-hanging branches and jumped over protruding rocks all while the wolf tore through the woods behind me. I needed to find shelter, fast! Looking to my left I saw a hollowed-out tree. Would I fit? I had no choice but to try. I bolted left, feeling the wolf’s breath on my back. With one final surge of energy, I squeezed myself into the hollow tree.

“Oh, you think you’re safe in there, do you?” the wolf taunted in his low gruff voice. “We’ll see about that.”

There was a sudden Bang! on the tree.

He’s trying to break in, I realized with horror.

I looked through the small gap through which I had come. There was no way I would be able to get back out without momentum. I slumped down, realizing I was trapped even if there weren't a wolf after me. Bang! Bang! Bang! The wolf was relentless. I heard an ominous creak as the tree began to give way.

This is it, I thought. This is the end. I’ve failed everyone. Lord Hews was right.

“Pull the leaver!” a voice suddenly echoed from somewhere below me.

I jumped in surprise.

“Pull the leaver!” it repeated.

Bang! Bang! Bang! I frantically began feeling around and my hands found what I had previously thought was an ordinary stick. I pulled on it hard and the ground came out from under me. I briefly saw the tree come down in a shower of splinters before I was swept away down a tunnel. I didn’t have time to feel relieved of my escape, for now, a whole new fear was taking over. I was speeding down a steep tunnel with many sharp turns. I hit my head once or twice and the rest of my body was already covered in bruises. Finally, I toppled out into a room. I shook my head and looked up to see many swords pointed at me.

It’s a trap! Well, at least I’ll go out fighting rather than being stuck in a tree.

I quickly took on a defensive position, ready for the worst.

“What is your name?” said a rabbit in a cheery conversational voice.

I was confused by his attitude, and after a moment of confusion, I answered, “Bender– Bender Stevenson. Sir…”

“Well, Bender Bender Stevenson, you can call me Captain Moonlight!” He motioned for the guards to lower their swords and I relaxed slightly. He stepped closer to me. “Did the wolf see the tunnel?”

“No, Mr. Moonlight, I don’t think so.”

“Good. We’ll have to patch it up but that won't be too hard. Oh, and that’s Captain Moonlight to you, Bender Bender Stevenson.”

“That’s only one Bender to you, Captain Moonlight.”

The captain chuckled and motioned for me to follow him. If this wasn’t a trap, then where was I? Cautiously, I followed him down stone tunnels looking around in awe.

“So,” Moonlight began. “You don’t seem like one of Morbin’s lot.”

“No, Captain, I’m not. I came to help. I hoped that I could bring a few rabbits out of here, as many as I can.”

Moonlight shook his head sadly. “I don’t think you can get out of here, Bender.”

Anger flashed through me. I remembered the voices of every captain telling me I couldn’t.

“It’s too dangerous.”

“Foolish boy.”

“You’ll get yourself killed!” They all said.

It was Lord Hews’ voice that rang louder than the others, “Quiet! All of you!” he looked right at me, I remember the sad look in his eyes. “If Bender wants to try, then he may.” There was an uproar at this but he silenced them once again. “But, I will not be sending any soldiers with you. I see that you are determined, so I will let you try. You have heard our council and have chosen to ignore it. Whatever happens next is up to you. Do you have a weapon?”

“Yes sir,” I said in amazement.

It wasn't until I was about to leave that Lord Hews said, “Listen, Bender, I’m only letting you do this because I know you’ll do it anyway. I’d rather see you go well prepared, rather than off in the night. Please send word if you make it.”

If you make it. Not when, if. He didn’t think I could make it, no one did.

“I’ll make it out of here!” I said with more anger than intended.

Moonlight seemed surprised. “If you say so.”

I followed him to a large room with rabbits eating, laughing, and talking. I was surprised by the joyful atmosphere.

“Where are we?” I finally asked.

“This, Bender, is the Citadel of Dreams!”

I looked in awe at the thirty or so rabbits. How could they be so joyful? A fiddler in the corner played a happy tune and a particularly rowdy group loudly laughed and thumped each other's backs.

“Wow,” I said simply.

Moonlight motioned for a buck to bring us drinks and he sat me down at an empty table in the corner. I followed him in confusion. I wasn’t over the wolf attack from a few minutes ago and my heart was still racing.

“So, Bender, how did you make it into First Warren?” Moonlight asked.

I instantly became suspicious again. Sure, he had saved me from the wolf, but perhaps it was all a trick.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, they burned all the wood around this place and I was under the impression that it was impossible to cross.”

I looked at him for a long moment. What if he was on Morbin’s side? Well, then he would know how I got in and they would make sure it didn’t happen again, but it’s not like anyone else was going to come in that way, all the lords and captains thought I was crazy and probably thought I had already been killed. And if he was on our side? Maybe then we could use it further to our advantage. I decided it was worth a shot.

“There’s a gap in the wall,” I explained. “Do you know where that big maple used to stand? In the east.”

Moonlight thought for a moment before nodding.

“Well, the roots made it hard to build there, a crack formed in the wall, and I chipped away at it until I could fit through.”

“How long did this take you?” Moonlight asked with wide eyes.

“Only a few days with proper tools. It’s thinner there than anywhere else along the wall. Improperly built, you see.” I couldn’t help but smile at my perfect plan.

“How come they didn’t spot you? I never heard a thing about a break-in.”

I became cautious again and it must have shown on my face.

Moonlight smiled. “Morbin’s not the only one with spies you know.”

I took a sip of my drink before continuing. “It was hard but we had black cloth and good timing. Besides, I think they’re more focused on the inside resistance, I heard they’re causing trouble.”

Moonlight’s smile widened before settling into a frown. “Well, that’s both good and bad news.”

“It always is, isn't it,” said a new voice. I looked behind me to find a black and white buck coming toward us. “Who’s this?” he asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

“This is our new member, Bender.”

New member? I wondered. Member of what? What was this “Citadel of Dreams”?

“He’s the unknown.” The black and white rabbit said with recognition.

I’d finally had enough. “What does that mean? Where am I? Look,” I said, turning to Moonlight. “I told you about how I got here, now tell me what here is. And why did he call me ‘the unknown’?”

“This is the resistance,” the black and white rabbit answered. “And you are the unknown rabbit we’ve been tracking.”

“Tracking?”

“Yes, we’ve been on your trail for a few days now.”

“So this,” I said looking around the loud room. “Is the resistance?”

There really weren’t that many rabbits. I kept hearing about rabbits going missing, projects getting sabotaged, and false alarms left and right. Rumors of the resistance were everywhere, was this really all it was?

“It’s a bit small,” Moonlight admitted. “But we’re growing quickly. This is only a small portion of our crew, most of them are out doing work. But if what you say is true, then they know that we exist and we need to regroup.” He looked at the black and white rabbit. “Tuck, bring the stealth team together. Try to bring everyone back, we need to lie low for a while.” Tuck saluted and walked away. Moonlight turned to me. “You, my friend, are coming with me. I need you to help me with a breakout.”