+ ((( Rainbow in the Dark ))) +

Back to The Source (Part 2/3)

I'm back and for once, I'm on time. I finally got the time to write ahead some, so updates should hopefully be frequent for a bit now.

Let's get into this chapter!

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//CHAPTER 16.2

Orange

And so, they squared off,

Not in rage, but in resolve.

A dance of wills beneath the stars,

A battle not of hatred, but of hope.

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The group of rebels had made a somewhat solid plan, and it was now time for them to enact it.

Orange sighed anxiously as he waited for Elise to be ready. She was rummaging through her bag, holding up items and checking to see if they could be useful.

Unfortunately, it seemed that they could only help themselves now. None of the items that she suggested would be able to help them.

As Elise zipped up her bag and slung it over her shoulders, Orange walked over and gently touched her hand with his claws as a silent reassurance.

She smiled at him as he passed and walked over to Purple and Blue.

Orange stopped in front of the two, who had been talking quietly, "You guys ready?" He murmured. The two nodded, although Blue still looked a bit emotional after everything that had happened.

The group had decided that since Blue was too big to fit in the vents, they would all just go in through the side door. That way, Blue wouldn't have to go in alone and risk getting caught.

Orange knew that Blue was most likely very nervous about encountering Green. If the half-blind monster was around, then Blue would most likely have to choose between the two sides.

And honestly, Orange wasn't sure that his sense of justice overruled his loyalties to his best friend. At this point, Orange was pretty sure that Blue and Green were already past being best friends, and had entered some sort of romantic relationship, however unspoken.

Orange led the small group through the trees and to the playplace. They didn't have to travel far, as their little clearing had only been just outside of OddWorld.

The trees seemed to loom over them, only serving to remind Orange of the difficult task ahead. What if they had to fight their own friends to achieve freedom?

He tried to reassure himself by reminding himself that it wasn't their fault. They were being controlled. Yet he still couldn't help but have an immense feeling of guilt for causing a divide between the once close group of friends.

Orange had held back from confessing to anyone for this reason. What if he failed and he only made things worse?

What if he was just dooming Elise to die at Red's hands? Or even worse, his very own?

Orange's thoughts were interrupted as they neared the playplace. He quietly walked over to the side door and pushed it open, peering inside.

The interior was dark compared to the now bright outdoors, and he couldn't see anything yet as his eyes hadn't adjusted to the dim lighting.

Orange glanced at his friends nervously. He could also see a variety of expressions on their faces, ranging from anger to anxiousness to fear.

He took a deep breath and stepped in, keeping an ear out for any sudden loud noises that could hint at the arrival of one of the other Rainbow Friends. As he saw and heard nothing, he gestured for the rest to enter.