A/N -

I'm so sorry. Again. I'm just… Augh. So, this and chapter 2 were originally meant to have been one chapter, but I split 'em because length. It should've only been like, a day. But it's taken like a month. I don't know why I've been absolutely nonfunctional.

Back to the situation at hand. Starline forcefully contorted his face into a sinister smile, even though it was obvious he was just trying to keep up the appearance of being in control. "Well. Let the record show that I've tried the peaceful route." He punctuated his words by closing his eyes, shaking his head, and shrugging his shoulders. "You've made your choice."

Antoine crouched, like a tiger preparing to pounce. Even though he no longer had his weapon of choice, that didn't mean he was offenseless. While he wasn't as skilled with his bare claws and teeth, he still knew where a jugular was and could tear it out with ease.

But, he was finally snapped out of it by a shriek by Bunny - screaming "Antoine, no!" I mean, a direct attack like this was suicide! Maybe, if Surge and Kitsunami weren't in the picture, Antoine would be the victor. But Starline wasn't alone, the playing field wasn't equal.

Sally grit her teeth, her heart pounding through her chest and mind racing. She had to make a split second decision on whether or not to use the one ring they had for a quick escape or save it for a potentially worse situation… But, like- this situation was bad enough that if she didn't use it now, they likely wouldn't survive to use it again. But she wasn't stupid, she had to be smart about this. She couldn't just think of anywhere, she couldn't just think of going back to Knothole.

No, she was going to think about that little blue planet. Far away from Starline. It'd be, at worst, a whole new start. She'd have to start all over, build a new home, a new kingdom… But… If that was the cost to pay for survival, then so be it. But, best case scenario.. Maybe… Just maybe, they could find the Master Emerald, and- harness it's power to save their world. Free the citizens from Starline's mind control. That was a wild moon shot dream, but… right there, on that moment, it felt possible.

Well, that was settled. With one swift motion, she hucked the ring towards the wall. The area went silent, somehow the portal seemed to drown out any and all sound. The Freedom Fighters each began to make a break for what appeared to be their salvation, which caused Starline to lose the composure he fought so hard to keep a hold on. Letting out a shrill shriek of "You two, get them! Now!" with an accompanying finger point, his anger just boiling over and he was unable to contain it.

There was a small problem, Surge and Kit- well, they weren't going to somehow get ahead of the group. But, they were so in-tune with each other that they both came up with the exact same idea. They launched an all-out attack. Combining water and electricity onto a beam of concentrated death.

The Freedom Fighters so nearly made it through unharmed, too. But one of them just had to stop. To hesitate, to look back and make sure everyone else made it through. That being? Bunnie. The entire group stared through the portal in awe, each one desperately hoping what was about to happen wouldn't. The poor rabbit was enveloped by the attack, letting out one last horrid wail of pain before she collapsed to the ground. Just as the portal closed, the horrid smell of a mix of burnt fur and flesh wafted through.

Said scent caused Silver to fall to the floor and begin retching. He had quite the weak stomach, but- thankfully he hadn't eaten recently so mostly he just hurled up water. But Antoine… He just got this look, like a deer in oncoming headlights. A single tear escaped from his eye, immediately soaking into his fur. He was taught to be strong growing up, to only care about protecting the princess and not get attached to anything else. He had a purpose, a duty, a role to play. But- he'd… did… he find himself getting attached to Bunnie? No. No. It wasn't that. He was... simply mourning the loss of Mobian life, especially with how few were left. R-right?

Sally cleared her throat, barely holding on to her composure. "Guys… We're this close to a breakthrough, I can just feel it. We can't let Bunnie's sacrifice be in vain. We need to keep moving forward." She called. She knew it would go over horribly with everyone… she was just… in denial. She wanted to drop to her knees - scream, cry, and give in to the despair that felt all encompassing. But she refused to buckle, refused to break. Like her bodyguard, she was conditioned to have an iron will.

Blaze said nothing, just shooting the chipmunk a look of disgust. Turning her head to take in her surroundings, it looked like they landed in a heavily forested area. There wasn't any sort of civilization in sight, but various species of insect were scurrying about… including what she would soon learn were called mosquitos. She had to physically stop herself from burning the whole forest down when a swarm of those suckers burrowed into her fur. Oh, she already couldn't wait to get out of here. "Silver." She sharply snapped, turning around. "You, make us a camp."

"Yea, yeah… That sounds like… a good idea." He replied. The poor boy was extremely dizzy, vomiting having exacerbated the dehydration that came with a lack of supplies. "Rest here for the night, get going in the morning… I think we all… need a little break…" But first, he had to make sure he didn't collapse in a puddle of mud.