As Eleo strolled along the forest path, he cupped his hands around his mouth and called out, "Hello? Does anyone want to join my team?"
A voice from above grumbled, "Hey, shut up! I'm trying to sleep!"
Eleo stopped, confused, and looked up to see a squirrel lounging lazily on a branch, glaring at him with half-closed eyes. The squirrel promptly threw a nut at Eleo's head before retreating into its hole.
"Ow! Okay, rude," Eleo muttered, rubbing his head. "Not exactly the warm welcome I was hoping for."
Continuing on his way, Eleo took in the surroundings. The island was eerily similar to one he'd visited before. The trees, the rocks, even the distant sound of waves—it all felt like déjà vu.
"This place looks exactly like Pork Island," he mused aloud, his ears twitching in suspicion. "Nothing's channnnnnnnnnnnn—AHHHHHHHHHH!"
Eleo's words turned into a scream as he stepped on loose ground, sending him tumbling off the edge of a hidden cliff. He flailed wildly, his voice echoing through the forest, "NOT AGAINNNNNNN!"
CRASH!
Eleo landed on a thick tree branch, sprawled out like a ragdoll. Leaves fluttered around him as he groaned in pain. "Ow, ow, ow… okay, that was not cool."
He sat up, looking at the long drop below and then back at the branch he'd landed on. "Well, at least I didn't hit the ground. Silver linings, right?"
The squirrel from earlier peeked out of its treehole, snickering. "Nice landing, bunny boy."
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, furball," Eleo shot back, shaking his fist at the squirrel. "Just wait until I recruit someone cooler than you."
The squirrel rolled its eyes and disappeared back into its tree. Eleo carefully climbed down from the tree, muttering to himself. "Okay, mental note: watch where I'm walking. This island better have more to offer than rude squirrels and hidden cliffs!"
He dusted himself off, determined to keep exploring despite his less-than-heroic start.
After an hour of trudging through dense forest and rocky terrain, Eleo finally stumbled upon something unexpected—a colossal wall stretching endlessly in both directions. His jaw dropped as he tilted his head back, trying to see the top, but it seemed to touch the sky itself.
"What the heck is this wall?!" Eleo exclaimed, his ears twitching in frustration. "Who builds something this big? Was it giants? Ooh, maybe a dragon? Nah, dragons are too lazy to build walls. I bet it was some really bored humans."
Curiosity buzzing in his head, Eleo decided to run along the wall to find an entrance. "Okay, if there's a wall, there's gotta be a way in. Can't just leave a bunny out here stranded!"
He sprinted with determination, dodging rocks and roots, occasionally stopping to poke at the wall to see if it had any hidden doors. After about an hour of running, panting, and muttering to himself about why anyone would need such a huge barrier, he finally reached the front of the structure.
Before him stood a massive gate, towering even higher than the wall itself. The metal shimmered faintly, etched with intricate carvings and patterns. Above the gate, a sign hung with bold letters that read **Wyll City**.
Eleo squinted at the sign, scratching his head. "What's that supposed to say? Hmm... W-y... something, something. Bah, I can't understand this! Why didn't anyone teach me how to read more than 'pork' and 'nos'?!"
He paced in front of the gate, staring up at the sign as if the letters would rearrange themselves into something recognizable. "Okay, think, Eleo. There's gotta be a way in here. Maybe I could knock? Or climb? Or—" He paused, spotting a small bell hanging by the gate.
"Hey, what's this do?" Eleo reached out and tugged on the rope attached to the bell. A loud DONGGGGGG echoed through the air, startling him so much he fell backward onto his tail.
"AHH! Why's it so loud?!" Eleo rubbed his ears, glaring at the bell. "Stupid noise machine!"
Moments later, a small hatch opened in the gate, and a guard's face appeared, looking down at Eleo with a mix of confusion and amusement.
"Who's there?" the guard asked, his deep voice echoing slightly.
"Uh, hi!" Eleo waved enthusiastically. "I'm Eleo, and I'm here to, uh... go in there! Can I come in?"
The guard frowned. "What business do you have in Wyll City?"
"Uh... business?" Eleo tilted his head, clearly not understanding. "Well, I'm here to find people to join my team! You know, strong people, cool people, maybe someone who can read signs for me? You got anyone like that in there?"
The guard blinked, utterly baffled. "What kind of team are you talking about?"
"The strongest team ever!" Eleo exclaimed, puffing out his chest. "We're gonna be unstoppable! Well, once I find some teammates."
The guard sighed, shaking his head. "Wait here," he muttered, closing the hatch.
Eleo stood there, tapping his foot impatiently. "Man, I hope they let me in. I mean, who wouldn't want a bunny like me around? I'm practically a mascot for awesomeness!"
After a few minutes, the hatch reopened, and the guard said, "The gate's opening. Don't cause trouble, got it?"
Eleo grinned from ear to ear. "You got it, Mr. Guard Dude! I'm the least troublesome bunny you'll ever meet."
As the massive gates groaned and began to open, Eleo bounced excitedly on his feet.
Eleo stepped into the bustling city, his eyes widening as he took in the sheer size and energy of Wyll City. Towering buildings loomed over cobblestone streets, and the air was filled with the chatter of merchants, the clinking of coins, and the aroma of freshly baked bread.
"Wow," Eleo muttered, spinning around to take it all in. "This place is awesome! So many people! So many smells! Okay, focus, Eleo, focus. I've got to find my first teammate. No distractions! None at all!"
He marched forward with determination, keeping his eyes locked on the path ahead. But then, something caught his eye—a storefront window displaying an array of toys. Among them was a bright, shiny carrot-shaped toy that gleamed under the sunlight.
Eleo gasped, pressing his face against the glass. "Oh my gosh, they have a carrot toy! Look at it! It's perfect! It's beautiful! I need it!"
He squinted at the small price tag hanging from the toy. "Aw man, it says it's... 2? Or maybe it's 3? Ugh, I can't read these dumb numbers!"
A voice suddenly cut through his musings, calm and slightly mocking. "It costs 5 dollars, actually."
Eleo flinched and turned to his right, startled. Standing a few feet away was... himself?
His jaw dropped as he stared at the figure. The bunny looked identical to him—same fur, same ears (well, almost), and the same bright eyes. But there were differences. The stranger had an X-shaped scar across his right eye and a half-missing right ear. He wore a dark, tattered cloak over a simple black outfit, his expression cool and unreadable.
"Uh... uh..." Eleo stammered, pointing a shaky finger at him. "W-Who... Who are you?!"
The other bunny smirked, leaning casually against the wall. "What's wrong, bunny boy? Never seen yourself in a mirror before?"
Eleo blinked rapidly, shaking his head. "This isn't a mirror! This is... this is weird! You look just like me! But, like, more... battle-damaged a-and what's your name?"
The stranger raised an eyebrow. "Battle-damaged? Seriously?" He crossed his arms. "Name's not important right now. What's important is why you're wandering around my city looking like me. Kind of suspicious, don't you think?"
"Your city?" Eleo repeated, his ears perking up. "Wait, wait, wait. Are you saying you're like, the boss of this place? Or maybe... Oh! Maybe you're here to join my team! You must've heard I'm putting together the strongest squad ever, huh?"
The other bunny let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Join your team? Don't make me laugh, kid. I've got my own things to handle. But you? You're just walking around like a clueless little bunny, aren't you?"
"Clueless?!" Eleo said, offended. "I'll have you know I've been through a lot! I fought a knight, I've got cool ink powers, and I even have a boat!"
The stranger's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a look of mild curiosity. "Ink powers, huh? Now that's interesting. Maybe you're not completely useless after all."
"Hey!" Eleo puffed out his chest. "I'm not useless! I'm gonna be the strongest there is! And you... you're really weirding me out right now! How do you look exactly like me?"
The stranger's eyes darkened, his smirk returning but colder this time. "That's a story for another time. Let's just say... you and I might have more in common than you think."
Before Eleo could respond, the stranger turned and started walking away, his cloak billowing behind him.
"Hey, wait!" Eleo called, running after him. "You can't just say something cryptic and leave! Are we brothers? Clones? Long-lost twins? Are you some kind of evil version of me?!"
The stranger glanced over his shoulder, a sly smile on his face. "You'll find out soon enough, bunny boy. If you survive."
And with that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Eleo standing there, more confused than ever.
"Well," Eleo said to himself, rubbing his head. "That was... weird. But kind of cool. And maybe a little scary. Who was that guy?"
He stared in the direction the stranger had gone, his resolve hardening. "Guess I'll have to find out. And when I do, I'm gonna get some answers!"
Eleo wandered through the bustling streets of Wyll City, mumbling to himself. "Man, who was that copy? Maybe he's a clone! Or... an evil version of me! Yeah, that makes sense—evil me. Oh, that'd be so cool and scary at the same—"
Before he could finish his thought, he collided with something—or rather, someone. With a soft "thud," Eleo stumbled backward, looking up to see a tall, slender skeleton towering over him. The skeleton was impeccably dressed in a sharp, dark suit, complete with a neatly folded pocket square and a gleaming monocle perched on one eye. A lit cigarette dangled lazily from his bony fingers, a faint trail of smoke curling into the air.
Eleo blinked, rubbing his head as he got to his feet. "Uh, sorry about that, Mr... uh... Skeleton Dude. I wasn't looking where I was going."
The skeleton adjusted his monocle, peering down at Eleo with a calm, almost amused expression. "It's quite alright, bunny," he said in a deep, smooth voice, exhaling a puff of smoke. "No harm done, and skeleton dude? That's a first. The name's Tony." He extended a bony hand toward Eleo, who eagerly shook it.
"Nice to meet you, Tony! I'm Eleo!" The bunny grinned, his ears twitching with excitement. "And I'm on a mission to become the strongest in the world!"
Tony raised a non-existent eyebrow, taking another drag from his cigarette. "The strongest, you say? That's a bold ambition for someone so... small."
Eleo puffed out his chest, clearly not deterred. "Size doesn't matter! I'll be the first kid to become the strongest, and no one's gonna stop me!"
Tony smirked, a hint of skepticism in his hollow eyes. "That's... admirable. But let me tell you something, little one: there are plenty of people in this world who are leagues stronger than you. It's just a fact. Strength isn't just about ambition—it's about experience, skill, and a touch of luck. And, no offense, but you're just a kid."
Eleo's ears drooped for a moment before he bounced back, his grin returning. "Then I'll be the first kid to prove everyone wrong! I'll show you—I can become the strongest! Watch me!"
Tony flicked the ash from his cigarette, his smirk widening. "Hmph. You've got spirit, I'll give you that. But tell me, bunny—why should I care? Why are you telling me this?"
"Because," Eleo said, pointing dramatically at Tony, "you should join my team! I'm looking for strong, awesome people to help me on my journey, and you seem... pretty cool!"
Tony let out a laugh, his voice echoing like rattling bones. "Join you? A stranger I just met? You're a peculiar one, aren't you? Why in the world would I do that?"
Eleo scratched the back of his head, his ears twitching nervously. "Uh... because I'm just a harmless kid? It's not like I could force you or anything."
Tony stared at him for a long moment before letting out a dry chuckle. "Fair point. But I'm not in the habit of following strangers, harmless or not. If you want me to join, you'll have to prove yourself first."
"Prove myself?!" Eleo perked up, bouncing on his feet. "How? You want me to fight you? Lift something heavy? Win a staring contest? Oh! Oh! Maybe I can solve a riddle! I'm great at riddles—wait, no, I'm terrible at riddles, never mind."
Tony chuckled again, shaking his head. "Easy, little one. It's none of those things. If you want me to join you, you'll need to show me your resolve. Convince me you're not just some naive kid chasing an impossible dream. Actions speak louder than words, after all."
Eleo grinned, determination shining in his eyes. "Alright, Tony! Challenge accepted! Just you watch—I'll show you what I'm made of!"
Tony leaned against a nearby lamppost, exhaling another puff of smoke as he observed the energetic bunny with mild amusement. "This should be interesting. Alright, Eleo—let's see if you've got what it takes."
Eleo hopped in place, his excitement practically radiating off him. "Alright, Tony, get ready to be amazed! I'll prove I've got what it takes to be the strongest!"
Tony crossed his arms and tilted his skull slightly. "Impress me, then. What's your plan, little bunny? What grand feat of strength or bravery will convince me to join your... what was it again? A team?"
"Yeah, my team! A group of the coolest and strongest people in the world!" Eleo said, pointing dramatically. "We'll take on the toughest challenges, fight the strongest enemies, and maybe... uh, find some good food along the way!"
Tony chuckled dryly, the sound rattling like wind through hollow bones. "A noble quest, indeed. But words are cheap. Show me something real."
Eleo nodded furiously. "Okay, okay, uh... how about this? I'll find the strongest person in this city and challenge them to a fight! That'll prove I'm serious, right?"
Tony raised an eyebrow—or at least the space where one might have been. "You? Challenge the strongest person in Wyll City? I admire your boldness, but I hope you've prepared yourself to lose. This city is full of skilled fighters, not to mention some... unsavory characters."
"Perfect!" Eleo said, undeterred. "The stronger they are, the better! Just point me in their direction!"
Tony tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Well, there is one individual who stands out. A renowned fighter who's never been defeated. They go by the name of Ryker—a hulking brute with a bad temper and an even worse sense of humor. If you can survive a fight with him, I might just reconsider."
"Ryker, huh?" Eleo said, his tail twitching with excitement. "Alright! Where can I find this guy?"
Tony gestured with his cigarette toward a towering arena in the distance. "The Colosseum. He practically lives there. But don't say I didn't warn you—he's no pushover."
"Got it!" Eleo said, already sprinting off toward the arena. "Thanks, Tony! I'll show you what I'm made of!"
Tony watched him go, shaking his head with a faint smile. "That kid's either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish. Probably both. This should be entertaining."
As Eleo ran through the city streets, his mind raced with excitement. "Alright, Ryker! Get ready, because Eleo the Bunny Kid is coming for you!"
With his destination set and determination fueling his every step, Eleo disappeared into the crowd, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him in the Colosseum. Tony, meanwhile, lingered by the lamppost, quietly wondering if this reckless bunny might actually surprise him.