-Episode 10: Trust-
Over the course of six months, the Freedom Fighters go on a string of successful missions, all while strengthening their bonds with one another, with Sonic and the others lowering their guards around Geoffery over the span of this time.
The Freedom Fighters arrive back at the Knothole after one of these missions, which involved saving civilians during the aftermath of one of Eggman's increasingly sporadic, which seem to put the team, especially Sally, more on edge.
"Well, looks that went well!" said Sonic, as we walked alongside Tails and Bunnie.
"Yeah, it's a good thing we showed up in time, but this makes me think... Eggman's attacks seem to becoming less frequent.." Tails said, pondering about the success of the teams recent missions.
"Yeah...it's like things are going a little TOO well." Bunnie said, with even her of all folks catching.
"Come on! Things've been great, why're you guys gettin' so worried?!" said Sonic, wanting to keep the conversation positive.
"Yeah, you're right.." said Tails, trying to convince himself with Sonic's positive appraisal of the situation. The group continued to chat among themselves before reaching their living quarters, with the exception of Geoffery and Sally.
"What's wrong, Sally? You look like you have something on your mind.." Geoffery asked out of concern, before the two of them reached the stream.
"Bunnie and Tails have a point... it feels like all of this is going too well... Eggman's attacks are becoming less and less frequent... but that's not all... " Sally said, before she started to trail off into her mind again.
"Are you worried about Sonic?" Geoffery asked, seemingly cracking it.
"I...It's just that... his attempt at being cheerful, at being optimistic looked... forced this time.." Sally said, with a tinge of worry.
Geoffery said nothing, he just simply listen to her open up about her struggles.
"The truth is...Sonic and I have known each other since childhood. My kingdom was destroyed during a coup where Robotnik ended up taking over both Mobotropolis and all of Mobius. Sonic has helped me, saved me more times than I count... It just hurts to see him like this..." Sally said, tearing up during the last sentence.
After all of this, Sally can be heard sobbing quietly, letting out some buried emotions she's held onto for a long time. Geoffery gently takes a hold of her hand, which Sally reacts to looking up at him. After a moment, they lean in closer before... Sally snaps out of it, shakes her head with guilt and walks away, with Geoffery giving a dark look as she leaves.
Later that day, Sonic walks into the infirmary, where he is greeted by the site of his comatose and bedridden Uncle Chuck. Sonic walks over to his uncles bedside and sits on a chair.
"...We did it, Uncle Chuck... We saved those people from Eggman's attack." Sonic said, before continuing, feeling his sadness slowly overtake him.
"...I miss you so much, Unc. Nothings the same without you... We get you back and this happens... I know I try to be strong for Sal, but... I don't know what to do... " Sonic continued before he sniffles and tears up.
Flashbacks are shown of all the happy memories Sonic, Sally and Uncle Chuck, ranging from days in the park, days out together to all the times the Freedom Fighters tried to save him.
After this, Sonic slowly collects himself and stands up before wiping the tears away from his eyes.
"I can't cry... not yet. Not until this is all over.." Sonic whispered to himself, before looking out the window at the sunset covering the horizon. The hedgehog walks up to the window before placing his hand on the pane.
Meanwhile, Bunnie and Antoine are seen walking side by side as the sun begins to set on the hills ahead of them.
"Do you zink this war will ever be oveur, Bunnie?" asked Antoine as the two of them continue to walk.
"I don't know, Antoine... but we gotta hold our for hope, right?" said Bunnie, looking at him with a small, reassuring smile.
"If I could, I would end zis war, just feur you, Bunnie." Antoine said, before holding Bunnie's robotic hand, to which she looked at him while a blush appeared on her face, followed by a loving smile.
"I wish I could be strong enough to protect you, Bunnie... but alas, I am ze coward.. " Antoine said, lamenting his own weakness.
"Antoine... " Bunnie whispered sympathetically.
Later that evening, Geoffery walks up a hill overlooking the Knothole. Eggman walks towards Geoffery and stood beside him.
"The attack will proceed as planned?" Geoffery asked, going over tactics.
"We will attack the Freedom Fighters' stronghold and before long, where we will reclaim not only Mobotropolis, but also the whole of Mobius and then we establish the Eggman Empire!" Eggman says, ending his dramatic speech by balling up his fist.
"Good..." said Geoffery, with the last shot focusing on his deranged grin.
-To Be Continued-