MEANWHILE.....



Talec had left the mountain after Rumbo had suddenly fallen 'asleep'. In actual fact TIME had put him to sleep and told Talec to leave the mountain, heading West. Even though Talec was no longer a Guardian of TIME, he still felt that it was his duty to obey 'him'.....



By the time Rumbo had decided to leave the mountain he felt a presence within his head. TIME was telling him to head West. Rumbo decided he had no real choice....



As Rumbo headed West, through an old and tiresome forest, he felt the trees starting to become alive. Something was happening here. Somebody was telling him something....



...TIME....



As he looked around and around he saw that the same feeling was constant and that nothing was really happening at all. But then he didn't expect what would happen next....

'Who goes there?'

Rumbo turned around...nothing. He could feel some kind of pattern coming on...

'Who art thou?' the tone of voice was purely sarcastic.

Rumbo didn't really know what to say, 'I am a wanderer....a loner....'

'A loner you be?' the voice replied, yet to Rumbo's eyes there was nobody in sight...

'Who are you?' Rumbo asked.

'Who art thi?'

'Whoever you are you're Carrotus is not up to scratch!'

'I speak to you as the Guardian of this forest....'

Rumbo wasn't in the least amazed, 'Really?'

'YES, AND I HAVE COME TO HAUNT YOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHH!' Suddenly a tiny figure came out from one of the trees, collapsing to the ground. It appeared to be about two to three feet tall, with a mysterious lining around its body. It appeared to be neither 2D or 3D. It wore sunglasses and was something Rumbo had never seen before....

Rumbo was about to draw his gun, then realised he had left it back in time. All he had was his stupid bandana, something TIME wanted to return to him...

'Um..' the figure started, 'I wasn't REALLY trying to scare you.....'

Rumbo raised an eyebrow, 'Who are you?'

The creatures brown fur whisped in the cool wind, whilst the stubby fangs within its mouth looked as dangerous as a mousetrap, to an elephant that is, 'Names Batty.....'

'Batty, huh?'

'...Yeah, Batty Buddy...'

'You don't sound that much of a friend to me pal!'

'Hey leave me alone, um....' Batty tried to think of a comment back....'LONER!'

Rumbo didn't move an inch. He just stood there, staring back at this Batty, 'What are you doing in this forest?'

'Um...trying to protect it...'

'From what?'

'Um.....anything really....'

'So you're basically hiding something in the forest and you don't want anyone to find it, right?'

'HOW DID YOU KNOW?' Batty was amazed.

'Instinct, pal, instinct! So what are you hiding?'

'If I to,d you that it wouldn't be hidden anymore...'

'It would be if I didn't know where it was!'

Batty gave up, 'Alright....its just my food stash.....I'm livjg in this forest since I been chucked out of many a town and village...'

'Why?'

Batty shrugged, 'I don't know, maybe its because people think I'm a vampire or summit...'

'What are you?'

'A toon bat, not real yet not non existant!'

'Weird...'

'So are you, man.'

'In what way, Batty?'

'You looked like another rabbit who came through here. I didn't get to scare him as he only went around the forest noth within...'

Rumbo thought to himself....'Talec.'

Batty suddenly noticed the red bandana in his right hand. Batty's memory started to come back, remembering a rabbit that became popular in Carrotus because of his blue appearance and his red bandana he wore on his head. Batty looked at Rumbo...first glancing then approching him and looking up close.

'What are you doing?' Rumbo asked wonderously.

'Do I know you?' Batty asked.

'Well I don't know you so...'

'I mean are you some famous guy or summit?'

'....' Rumbo couldn't reply.

'Well are ya or not? Its one or the other...'

Rumbo began to walk away, 'I used to be...not any more. I don't deserve such a title now...'

Batty's memory suddenly came back, 'Are you Rumbo Rabbit?'

Rumbo stopped and turned round, looking back at Batty with saddened eyes, 'Yes I am.'

'WOW!' Batty exclamated, 'The great TIME traveller who saved Carrotus?'

'I never saved it, only aided it..'

'Your just too modest.'

'And you've got a big mouth!'

'Hey!' Batty said back, then decided to change the subject, 'So where are ya goin'?'

'I don't know...'

'You following that other rabbit?'

'....Possibly...' Rumbo thought that would be a good idea for now.

'Let me come with ya!' Batty said.

'You want to come with me?'

'Sure!' Batty replied, 'It'll be a laugh,plus I can help you out, especially with my food!'

Rumbo thought about it for a moment.....



By the time Batty had collected the food they had begun to set off together through the rest of the forest and to where Talec would most likely be heading.....that OTHER mountain.....



_________________

'From the ruins of the ancient world came a rabbit whos feelings for the world surpassed any other rabbit. He strolled into this new world, leaving his past and present behind him, with only the future to look forward to.'