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''Gregor and the Marks of Secret'' is a high fantasy/epic fantasy novel, the fourth book in the critically acclaimed ''The Underland Chronicles'' by Suzanne Collins. It picks up soon after the end of ''Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods''. ==Plot summary== The novel opens with Gregor's little sister Lizzie preparing to go to camp, while Gregor and Boots head down to the Underland for a day of visiting their ill mother and training. When Gregor meets with Ripred for his lesson on echolocation, the rat introduces him to the teenaged Pearlpelt. After Gregor observes Pearlpelt's instability and violent tendencies, Ripred tries to convince Gregor that the Bane must be killed before other rats can put him into a leadership position. Gregor is very uncomfortable with the idea. Ripred also mentions that there is a "Prophecy of Time" involving "the warrior" and the Bane, but won't say more. The next day, Gregor returns to meet Ripred, but can not find the rat. Instead, he runs into three of the Bane's "friends": Twirltongue, Gushgore, and Reekwell. Gregor only narrowly escapes their surprise attack after the rats' smash in the bulb on his flashlight. After several weeks, Ripred is still missing, but Gregor figures he is fine and allows himself to enjoy his summer in the Underland. During Hazard's birthday party, a messenger arrives with Luxa's crown. Luxa, Aurora, Gregor, and Ares know that this crown is from the nibbler colony in the Jungle, and is a plea for help. They investigate, but discover only a deceased mouse and an abandoned colony. Luxa is very upset, and her discomfort only grows when they return to Regalia and discover a basket of nibbler pups has just been pulled from the river to the north of Regalia (much like the biblical story of Moses). The four decide to investigate the nibblers' other colony at the Fount, under the pretense of going on a picnic alone. This ruse leads to Hazard, Howard, Nike, Thalia, Boots, and Temp coming along as well. The group finds the colony mysteriously deserted, though they do discover a "mark of secret": a symbol shaped like a scythe which Gregor and Ares also found by Cevian's body in the Jungle, and which Hazard says is a warning of extreme danger. Continuing their investigation, the party heads into the Swag. While there, an earthquake seals off the Fount-side entrance, and forces them into Hades Hall. During their journey back to Regalia, the travelers encounter a group of dead nibblers who were forced off a cliff; Ripred, who has been trapped by the Bane for so long that his teeth are slowly killing him; and several other creatures. Gregor becomes more and more upset with Luxa, beginning when she declares war against the rats with the "Vow to the Dead". He realizes that it is mostly because he will be leaving the Underland as soon as his mother is well enough to travel, but does not completely understand why he is so bothered. After a dangerous encounter with some currents, the team locates the missing nibblers. A few hundred have been forced into a pit next to a volcano and are organizing to escape. Before their plan can be completed, however, the volcano rumbles and the mice suddenly begin suffocating. Boots, who is too little to understand, begins to sing an Underland children's song—and Gregor is shocked to realize that it depicts what they are seeing with complete accuracy. He explains his idea to the group and they all reluctantly agree that the song is, in fact, yet another of Bartholomew of Sandwich's sinister prophecies; Luxa later decides to call it the "Prophecy of Secret". The volcano starts erupting more violently, and all rush to escape until an explosion of volcanic ash knocks Gregor unconscious. When he awakens, he discovers Thalia died during the eruption. Ares takes her body back to lie with those of the mice, which are already being covered by lava, and the group travels sadly on until they reach the Jungle. Once there, they decide to rest before parting ways: Gregor, Ares, and Temp going to escort the young and injured back to Regalia and spread the news of the rats' plans; Luxa, Aurora, and Ripred returning to the Firelands to protect and mobilize the remaining nibblers. Gregor wants to head back to the Firelands, but Ripred convinces him to go back to learn about the "Prophecy of Time" and finally claim Sandwich's sword. As Gregor and Luxa are taking the first watch, Ripred notices Gregor staring fixedly at Luxa. He says to Gregor, "...life is short. There are only a few good things in it, really. Don't pretend one isn't happening." Gregor realizes that part of the reason he has been so upset with the queen of late is that he is beginning to like her as more than a friend, and goes over to talk with her. When it comes time for him to leave, he is very concerned for her safety, but knows his duty is to all of Regalia. His group rushes home, flying past a group of rats mustering to attack. The novel ends with Gregor accepting his role as Sandwich's "warrior" by claiming the man's sword. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Gregor and the Marks of Secret」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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