Chapter Text
Prologue
"Quickly, now!" Kinger yelled from the darkness, his outline illuminated by what seemed to be an outdated computer screen. Jax watched in frozen horror, caught between Kinger and the portal ahead of him. He was pushed aside by Zooble, who let Gangle run through first before diving in themself. Ragatha followed, hesitating before jumping in clumsily. Then, Pomni. Running past Jax, she touched the portal lightly, gasping at the warmth it provided. She turned back quickly, watching Kinger's silhouette frantically typing away at the keyboard in front of him. Banging could be heard distantly alongside a booming voice, a desperate cry about loneliness and abandonment. Her eyes then quickly shifted down to the purple rabbit just ahead of her. His image reminded her of a deer caught in headlights - his pupils visibly frantic and his breathing rapid.
"Jax, it's now or never!" she yelled, hoping to break him out of his trance. His scribbled eyes looked at her, but his ability to perceive was just as distant as it was before. As his focus faded in and out, he found himself looking at a red gloved hand, open and welcoming and reassuring. Another quick look back confirmed the threat. A frantic Ringleader bursting through a firewall, lunging for Kinger before he could input the kill code.
"For the love of God, go!" a restrained Kinger yelled again with desperate eyes, unfortunately directing Caine's attention as well. The Ringleader rushed forward, triggering Jax's fight or flight, forcing him to grab onto Pomni's shaking and outstretched hand and drag them both hurriedly through the bright, open portal with shielded eyes.