III: Pride in the Beast

Blaze and Marshall continued to stare one another down awaiting the first move. This gave the princess time to ponder the lion's words. "Why are you doing this?"

Before saying anything, Marshall would unveil his claws taking the first swipe at the princess who would in turn dodge him with ease. "If you want an answer, you should see Sector 313."

The feline leaped atop a nearby palm tree listening to his statement. "How is a metropolitan area of the Allied Freelands affected by the three kingdoms?"

"Your empire used Sector 313 as one of many deportation focal points!" He slashes at the tree knocking it and Blaze down in one fell swoop. "Many of them were from Sol Empire correctional facilities."

Blaze landed on her feet as she kept her distance from the lion. "Deportation of Sol Empire prisoners has been outlawed!"

Marshall rushed her claws first only to be met with her own keeping him at bay. "The damage is already done, princess! Those criminals are everywhere in that city! MY CITY!" He then headbutt the princess to stagger her.

The feline released her grip on his hands backing away holding her head where the impact was. "We don't need to fight. We can resolve this issue without it."

"Your empire ruined my home,…" He clenches his fists. "…so now I'm going to make you feel my pain!" He lunges at her once again only with closed fists this time.

Blaze would then strike the ground beneath her creating a wall of fire around herself to deter the lion.

Marshall would stop himself just before making contact with the flames. "Defense won't win this game, your highness." Before attempting to breach the fire, he received contact from Jilt and Rancor via earpiece. "What is it?"

Jilt responded with the news. "We have our heading. Find a water vessel and follow these coordinates."

Blaze lowered her fire wall noticing that Marshall was speaking to someone else. "Who's that?"

The lion notices her attempting to eavesdrop and makes a break for it hijacking Marine's water bike taking off.

"Marshall!" She runs to the end of the dock, but is too late to stop him. "He could be heading anywhere."

Marine would then show up behind her. "Relax, Blaze. He can't go where he's going on my ride."

"Where's he heading?"

"Well, I managed to catch up to the Magma Hurricane where I could overhear their conversation after carving a hole in the haul. They're on their way to the South Aquila Republic."

Blaze grew more concerned now knowing where they were going. "Ready the Ocean Tornado. We have to get there before they do." She made way for the dock only to feel the raccoon grab her wrist.

"They have another member."

"Who?"

"They were wearing a shroud, but they seem to know a lot about you and the Sol Empire."

The feline was perplexed by this new discovery, but the identity of their ally would have to wait as she and her friend prepared to set sail for the Southern Aquila Republic.