Cottontail IX

**King Cottontail IX** is a main character in *War.* He first appeared as a featured character in the 2020 Christmas special, "Hollow Crown."

In terms of the series narrative, Cottontail IX is the first King of Leprolia during the War.

## Appearances

### "Hollow Crown"

King Cottontail IX made his first appearance in "Hollow Crown," shortly before Christmas in the year 700. He was a member of the Great Plot, a secret attempt between Cottontail, Poultrus III of Gallix, Horatio V of Equine Isle, and Jacquetta Lazoy of Felexa to investigate the potential illegal militarization of Vulpus and take action against Queen Vixen VII, who was soon to be coronated under the Harmonious Crown. At the time, Cottontail was the third-longest-serving living Cartonian monarch with a reign of 31 years. They were unable to uncover anything suspicious and did not intervene with the Harmonious Coronation of Vixen VII in Vulpus on January 1, 701.

### *War*

Cottontail returned in "Suddenly the Skies Darkened." By now, Leprolia had already joined the Granite Bloc in war against the Summer Sun. In November 709, Gallix was invaded by its own allies and the Vixen Queen murdered King Poultrus III on live television. Poultrus had sent his brother, Alexander Petukinau, and his family to Felexa ahead of the broadcast. Fearing for their lives, Madonna Jacquetta Lazoy of Felexa sent the Petukinaus to Leprolia. Though Cottontail appeared to grant the family asylum, he worried that harboring the Galligasque royal family would only bring more threat to Leprolia. Hardened by war, he therefore made the decision to have the Petukinaus killed and sent to Cervidium.

In "Fall As Lucifer Fell," Cottontail and his son, Glaucous Oldman, advanced on the surrendering city of Baahaa. The ten-day-King Edward XIV surrendered the entirety of Capricon to the Granite Bloc, which was subsequently carved up into six occupation zones. Cottontail brokered the terms of surrender on behalf of his alliance. The Hornover Royal Family was moved into house arrest.

Following the Siege of Talonclaw Castle in 712 ("Infamy"), the Lazoy Royal Family sought refuge in Leprolia. They were sent to Sylvia on the same path as the Petukinaus. Madonna Jacquetta Lazoy met with Cottontail and asked him what had become of the Petukinaus. Cottontail admitted to their murder, horrifying Jacquetta. Cottontail expressed remorse and his commitment to her safety. Nonetheless, Jacquetta had already arranged to enter into exile in Canis to avoid history repeating itself.

Cottontail and his son, Sterling, were horrified to hear of the 716 executions of Swan XX and Mickey XI in "Lest We Forget."

King Cottontail tended to his grandson, Azure Oldman, after he was gassed by Cervidium in "Something Wicked." However, Azure hid from his grandfather that he had been afflicted with the supernatural ability to control snow.

Cottontail fell ill, and did not attend the annual Granite Bloc summit in "Two Moths Drawn to the Flame." He passed peacefully in his sleep on March 13, 721. All of his family was present, except Azure Oldman, who had fled to Canis out of fear of persecution for his condition. Cottontail's last words were "Live Leprolia." He was succeeded as King by his eldest son, Sterling Oldman, who took the regnal name Cottontail X.

## Character

### Namesake

Cottontail's regnal name is derived from the fable of Peter Cottontail.