The moment Robotnik shut the door, the Queen rose. Her hands trembled, and she stared at the marble floor beneath Robotnik's claw-like feet.

"You have something to say to me, Mobians?" Robotnik said.

"Yes, Dr. Nikolos," the Queen said, her voice small. "I have something to ask you…"

Her entourage shifted behind her.

"This is new," Robotnik's jaw shifted into something like a smile.

"I have decided…" the Queen hesitated. "I would like you to leave."

The minute the words left her lips, the first spark of strength filled her eyes.

Robotnik stared, his round, laser-filled pupils fixed on her.

The People's Council began to stand up, looking to the queen in terror, in shock.

"I want you to leave," Queen Alicia's voice began to rise. "This is a dome of peace, its floors have never been stained with blood, and I long to keep it that way. I want you to leave this planet and my kingdom and my people—or we will all-"

The lasers in his eyes burst to life and blasted at her heart.

Her entourage thrust out their Mobium rings, the energy exploding into rippling force shields, colliding with the deadly laser beam.

Screams rang out. Rings began to hum. Swords were drawn.

The Queen pulled her sword from its sheath, tears running down her cheeks.

"I really do have miraculous timing!" Robotnik roared, his mechanized voice rising in volume, like a loud speaker turned up too high. "I knew it was time. Those of you who support me, come forward, and the rest….if you want to live at all and with any sort of dignity, this is your last chance to choose your side."

Several members of the People's Council and their entourage dropped their ring shields, letting the rings vaporize in mid-air. They strode forward, acceptance on their faces, others ran, desperate.

Robotnik's chest began to shift and morph, three massive canons emerging from his shoulders. They began to burn as he stepped backwards, towards the closed doors. "Your shields will run out within minutes, rodents." He lowered his voice. "Marx."

Here's a small update for you all! My beta mentioned to me that she did not realize other Mobians could use Mobium rings and I explained to her that, yes, other Mobians do have rings but they can only use them if Sonic has first found them and bequeathed them to them. I need to somehow find a way to explain this earlier so people won't be too confused with this scene. XD

I think that's the only big note I needed to add. All in all, thank you so much to everyone for the reviews and follows/favorites! :-D I need to majorly edit the next scene, but I'm hoping I can upload it soon and get on with the story.

Thanks!

His Grace is Sufficient,

~April/Connie