Ash

“I wear my scars as badges of honour, to remind me that even though those sorry idiots tried to get at me, I've lived through it, and will continue to do so.”

Gender: Male
Warren: Darkhaven
Voice Actor: Aaron Paul (think Jesse; Breaking Bad)
'Verse: TV Series

Rank: Owsla; Corporal

Sire: Unknown
Dam: Unknown
Littermates: Blackavar

Mate: Sorrel
Kittens: Open

Personality: Ash has the demeanour of the tough-guy, always scowling and sulking, never failing to remind the lesser rabbits of the Mark that he's on top, and they're down below. This isn't because he holds disdain for them; he feels pressed to be cold towards others, looking up to Captains Campion and Vervain, not to mention the General himself. Unlike his brother, a known attempted escapee, he feels as though he can do something right for Efrafa, and will not hesitate to do what he feels is the right thing.

When faced with problems, he's often a little flustered. He's very crafty and strong, but when it comes to practicality, he's lost. He always relies on Moss, his partner, to do the hard thinking tasks, while he takes jobs that require toughness. He's insecure about what his superiors think of him, and often strives to impress, which often ends up making him look like the bigger fool. He knows that he'll never be as good as the Captains, but he doesn't let hat stop him.

Relations:

Campion: Captain Campion was always a role model of Ash's. Even though there isn't a great age difference between the two, and though Campion became part of the Owsla only a short while before he did, Ash always saw him as a great rabbit, idolising him and always following in his example. Though he was shattered when the Captain betrayed the warren, he realised that it was for a good cause, and Ash couldn't keep up his grudge.

Vervain: Ash sees the cunning, dark officer as something of a coward, always grovelling at Woundwort's feet. Though he is a feared Captain of Owsla, Vervain sets off alarm bells in Ash's head. He knows that Vervain is jealous of the attention given to Campion, and he knows that he would do everything in his power to be rid of him, and for that, Ash will never be able to become friends with him, but respects his craftiness and resourcefulness.

Moss: Lifelong best friend of Ash's, Moss will always be there for him, and Ash will always be there for Moss. Having trained together, fought side-by-side and having always been able to rely on one another, there's a level of trust for the Corporal that Ash will never bestow upon anyone else. Upon their separation following the destruction of Efrafa, Ash is distraught, and mourns the loss of his friend, and likely will never know that he became the Chief Rabbit in Woundwort's stead.

Arrow: Another good friend of Ash's, Arrow is very dear to him, and Ash respects him greatly. As friends, they share a lot, and aside from Moss, there is no rabbit he'd rather have at his side, and like Moss, Ash mourns him when Efrafa is destroyed, not knowing that his friend lived to fight another day.

Hay-Oak: Ash pities the rabbit, though they're good friends. He feels as though while he's close to Hay-Oak, he can never truly understand him, and while they do have a bit of a laugh together, there's a darker side to the other rabbit that Ash cannot fathom. When Efrafa is destroyed, Ash prays to Frith to bestow on him luck and happiness, because as far as he knows, Hay-Oak hasn't seen much of it.

Blackavar: Though Ash is Owsla, and Blackavar is a traitor of sorts, there is some small love between them. Ash always looks out for his little brother, when he can, and would never wish harm on him. When Blackavar escapes to Watership Down, Ash doesn't stop him, and instead wishes him well.

Flax: A fellow officer, although of a slightly higher rank, Flax and Ash are somewhat good friends. Though they rarely see each other, as Captain Flax is needed to help with the search for Hazel's Warren, they maintain a strong bond even after Efrafa is destroyed.

Spartina: Having only known her for a short time, he can only say that they are acquainted, and that he respects her for allowing him to stay in Darkhaven.

Sorrel: Ash, at first, doesn't trust the Darkhaven doe, simply because of her eagerness to assist him and serve at his side, but after her failed attempts to throw him off his perch, he starts to admire her, and gradually, love begins to bloom. Their courting is the highest point in his life so far, and for as long as she is true and loving towards him, he will feel that all things are right with his life.

History: Born and bred in Efrafa, Ash was always the stronger of the litter. From birth, he would be seen kicking his littermates around, and bullying Blackavar for the sake of it. His mother would often say he had a sixth sense, knowing that his youngest brother would cause trouble for Efrafa in the future. Because of his strength, he was singled out as a good fighter, and as soon as he was old enough, he was put through rigorous training, where he met his future partner and best friend, Moss. The two became instant friends, united by their shared intent on becoming glorious warriors and defending the warren.

Training was a difficult process, and the officers in charge were often stern with them, but Moss and Ash nearly always came out on top. It was during this time that he met Flax, a newly promoted Corporal who saw in them a rare strength, similar to the willpower and brawn they saw in officers like Campion, and though they were not nearly on the same scale, the officers spoke to Woundwort about an early promotion. He also became friends with Arrow, another rabbit who would stay in his heart and memory until his dying day. Ash held a deep respect for the older rabbit, and was grateful for the trust and friendship bestowed on him by Arrow.

Ash and Moss were promoted a few months before Campion was nearly killed by a hawk, and a few weeks after Blackavar and Primrose escaped to Watership Down. Flax, who had been promoted to Captain, kept them up to date with what was going on with Hazel's warren. Moss was often picked to go on Wide Patrols with Campion, Vervain and the rest, leaving Ash in the dark. Though he pretended to be happy for his friend, he felt lonely and left out. Moss noticed his sudden change in mood, and tried to confront him about it, but Ash lashed out at him, and the two friends broke apart for a short while before Ash made up for his outburst.

With most of the officers out searching for Hazel, more work had to be done in the Warren, and because of Ash's usually calm nature, he is picked to help maintain peace. Of course, this doesn't come without challenge, and on many occasions, rabbits unhappy with Efrafa's condition would attack him. One rabbit got close to his throat, and he was out of action for a few days while they were being treated, but he was proud to get back into the fray, wearing his scars as badges of honour.

And then Woundwort declared war on Hazel's Warren.

When the fight broke out, on that stormy night wreaked with thunder and lighting, Ash was out on a Wide Patrol. No one was sent to bring him back, and when he finally returned, he found the deserted, destroyed warren. Not knowing where the rabbits had gone, and only finding bodies of his fellows strewn about the ruins, he left, going as far away as he dared, before unknowingly collapsing in Darkhaven territory. He had no warren, no Chief Rabbit, no purpose. He might as well die here.

Spartina found him, and brought him to her hell-pit of a home. He became accustomed to all the fighting, and in no time at all, had acquired a moderately high rank. Ash soon realised that although he liked the idea of a warren built on war, he couldn't stay. His stern nature and coldness towards others made them dislike him, and he uncovered many plots to take him down. He left several days before Campion stumbled upon Darkhaven, and, later, Woundwort.

He wandered for some time, lost without hope, and after a few months, managed to find his way back to Darkhaven, but it wasn't in the state he left it in. Its only inhabitants were the wounded, the sickly, elders, does and kittens. Its Owsla had been lost, taken by the Black Rabbit, some said, and they needed a strong leader. Ash was the leader they needed, strong, smart and determined. If they would have him, he said, he would be their Chief, and they most definitely wanted him. He now rules as Ash-rah of Darkhaven, and likely will remain such until his death.

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