Part 3

Eventually Kyra woke up, and slowly regained the use of her limbs, so she could walk again. Although all the Freedom Fighters wanted to speak to her, she declined and asked that she be taken somewhere to rest. Elias's top guards guided her to a tower room where she would be comfortable, and where they could keep an eye on her for the night. She immediately fell asleep, exhausted from her long journey, and from the dreadful shock of not finding help.

What am I going to do now? was the last hazy thought in her head, before she entered a dreamless sleep.

It was well into the next day when Kyra slowly began to wake up. She could hear the sounds of the castle staff, as they passed her room. Life went on as usual.

Kyra sat up on her bed and buried her face in her metallic hands. She had no hope- no one else that she could turn to. How long would her home city hold out? Days? Weeks? Months? Nobody knew. All they did know was that if help wasn't gotten soon, her city would not exist much longer. And that was more terrifying than any situation she had ever faced.

"Hiyah!" the stump exploded into a thousand splinters of wood.

"Calm down mes cheri, we are not doing help by tearing down the great forest," comforted Antione.

"Help! Why you were..." Bunnie clenched her teeth, then took a long breath, and cooled down. "I know you don't like her much, but did you see her eyes when Elias said no?" Her sentence sounded like both a threat, and a plea for help.

Antione thought for a moment, "Yes."

"Then we've gotta do something."

Antione knew from those words, there would be no use in stopping Bunnie.

Briefly, Antione recalled the look on the girl mongooses face. Even though he did not trust her, that look had cut through him. Considering all of the horrible and wonderful things he had seen in his lifetime, that meant an awful lot.

Even though he'd only been thinking for a couple seconds, Bunnie had already traveled several feet, heading in the direction of Sonic's house.

"Wait fer' me Bunnie!" the fox yelped.

Bunnie met Sonic at his house and both sped to the court to have a spirited chat with Elias.

"But Elias..." Bunnie pleaded for the fourth time.

"No! I'm sorry, but this is too big a risk, even for the Freedom Fighters."

"Ha, I've taken so many risks, the Mobian Insurance Companies list me as a toxic hazard! And my team is just as good!" bragged Sonic.

"I know, I know, but if this girl turns on you, she's capable of being a major threat, Bunnies already said enough about that."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take," retorted Bunnie, determination shining from her eyes.

The King sighed, staying silent for several moments as he debated the question in his mind. "Fine, then Bunnie may go, but nobody else."

"Hey, what about me?!" complained Sonic.

"Bunnie will go and confirm the situation for us. If it's as true as I fear it is, well... we'll think of something. And if not... well, good luck anyhow, Bunnie. Now no more questions."

Sonic, Bunnie, and the until then quiet Antione, all looked at each other, silently knowing what each other was thinking. Especially Bunnie, who knew she was taking a big risk. They all came to a silent unified conclusion, and bowed to King Elias, before leaving the room.

The captain of the guards entered the throne room, just after they had left. He gave a respectful bow to his King before delivering his message. "It's the girl sir, the mongoose. She says she would like to go home now."

"I see, well then, you may let her go, and relieve the guards of watch duty."

The captain did not question this, it was his Kings will, "I will do it right away, sir."

He did not hear the King mutter, "Now we shall see, we shall see..."

"Okay, I gotta go..." Bunnie began as she ran down the hallway, she was interrupted by a kiss from Antione.

"Come back mes cheri," he intoned sweetly.

"Whatever yah say," blushed Bunnie.

Antione gripped her hands tightly "I mean it, my life would be empty without tu."

Bunnie tried hard to keep from laughing giddily, "I can say the same thing. Don't worry, one way or another, I'll be a coming."

They embraced, and Bunnie tried hard not to cry, she knew what she had to do.