Jacob, Skylar, Seamus and Co. In: The Citadel

AUTHORS PICK 3: Boundin'

@Irishboxer4 are you ready to bound?

As the bouncing crew continued their joyous escapades across the trampoline park, the unmistakable *ring-ring* of the multiverse portal alarm echoed through the halls of the Amaranthine Citadel once more. The shimmering blue and violet lights of the portal swirled with energy as the next set of visitors prepared to step through. Everyone stopped mid-bounce, their attention drawn to the arrival of the next iconic duo.With a gentle, rhythmic hum, the portal rippled, and through it hopped none other than **Bud the Jackalope**, the wise, bounding creature with the magnificent antlers, and his woolly pal, **Lamb**. Their entrance was a joyful display of boundless energy, especially as Bud's powerful leaps seemed to perfectly blend with the spirit of the citadel. With each step, Bud leaped into the air with grace, his antlers catching the light of the room like a glimmering crown. Lamb, following closely, bounced with a tender grace, his wool softly bobbing with each hop. "Oh my stars!" Jacob gasped, immediately recognizing the duo from the iconic *Boundin'* short film. "It's Bud and Lamb!"Skylar's eyes widened, "From the Pixar short? Oh, this is going to be amazing!" She quickly bounded over to greet them, Ruby and Christopher happily bouncing behind her.Bud grinned broadly as he landed gently on the nearest trampoline, his hooves barely making a sound as he gracefully launched into another bounce. "Well, howdy there!" he called out, his voice full of warmth and wisdom. "Heard y'all were bouncin' around here, and we thought we'd join in the fun!"Lamb, a little more hesitant but with a wide smile, gently bounced beside Bud, his soft wool fluffing with each hop. "I've never seen anything like this!" Lamb exclaimed. "This place is made for bouncin'—just like home!"Seamus, who had been flipping across the trampolines, bounced over with his signature grin. "Ah, Bud! The wise ol' jackalope himself. Ye must've felt right at home in this citadel, eh?"Bud chuckled, his ears twitching with delight. "A place like this? Why, it's perfect for us bounders. And look at y'all, bouncing around like you've got springs in your hooves!"Mr. Whiskers, who had just finished a mid-air somersault, raced over to Bud and Lamb, his eyes wide with excitement. "Wait, you're like, *actual experts* in bouncing, aren't you? I saw your whole *Boundin'* thing! Teach me how to do those cool tricks!" Whiskers wiggled his long ears in anticipation.Brandy, who had grown increasingly comfortable with bouncing, joined in as well, nodding toward Bud. "You've got some serious style there," she said with a small but impressed smile. "I could use some tips."Bud beamed, clearly enjoying the attention. "Well now, bouncin' ain't just about the height. It's about the rhythm of it all. You gotta feel the bounce in your bones, and let your body go with the flow." He crouched slightly on the trampoline and performed an elegant series of hops, his body moving in perfect harmony with the spring beneath him. He soared into the air with grace, performing a few loops and twirls before landing softly. "See? Like that.""Wow..." Skylar muttered, her eyes sparkling. "That's amazing!"Lamb nodded proudly beside him, though his own bouncing was softer and more subtle. "Bud's always been the best at it. He taught me that no matter how tough things get, you just gotta keep boundin'."Mr. Whiskers tried to imitate Bud's form, jumping high and kicking his legs out. "Am I doing it right?!" he shouted mid-air, before landing in a somewhat awkward flop.Brandy sighed but gave a small smile, "You'll get there, Whiskers."Jacob, Ruby, and Christopher soon joined in, attempting to follow Bud's movements. Ruby bounced gracefully alongside Bud, her powerful legs propelling her high into the air, while Christopher did his best, though his bounds were a bit wilder, his energy hard to contain.As the group bounced in synchrony, Bud guided them with patience and wisdom. "Remember," he called out, "bouncin' isn't about how high you go, it's about keepin' a steady beat. Find that rhythm inside, and the rest'll follow."Lamb, watching the others bounce with newfound confidence, found his own rhythm too. His gentle leaps were a testament to how even the most uncertain can find their own boundin' stride.Seamus, ever the thrill-seeker, jumped onto a nearby higher trampoline and called out, "Alright, let's see if we can push this boundin' to the next level!" With a mighty leap, Seamus executed a daring flip in the air, bouncing so high that he nearly touched the ceiling of the massive trampoline room.Bud let out a low whistle. "Well, I reckon you've got some boundin' spirit in ya, Seamus!"The group continued to bounce, laughter and cheers filling the air, each character finding their own way to embrace the joy of boundin'. Even Brandy, who had once been hesitant, was now attempting more daring flips and spins. And Mr. Whiskers? Well, he was still flopping more often than not, but his boundless enthusiasm kept everyone smiling.As the citadel echoed with the sounds of bouncing and laughter, Bud and Lamb exchanged a satisfied look. They had brought their joyful boundin' spirit to the citadel, and it had blended seamlessly with the vibrant energy of the multiverse.With everyone thoroughly immersed in the fun, Jacob grinned. "I've got a feeling this bouncing session is only getting started."Skylar nodded, still catching her breath from a series of flips. "Especially if the portal keeps bringing in friends like these!"As they all bounded higher and higher, the citadel felt alive with energy, as if it too was joining in on the boundin' spirit Bud and Lamb had brought with them. The Amaranthine Citadel was, without a doubt, a bounder's paradise.