About 20 years later…
Leone Kingdom Castle, Leone Kingdom

Runa had bid everyone goodnight and did her nighttime routine. After this, she tucked herself in bed, turned off the lights and slept.

This happened every night after dinner. Until one night...

The gut-feeling Runa had been feeling was so strong that her eyes and mind refused to rest. She attempted to close her eyes and drift off to sleep, but she turned her body side-to-side because she was disturbed by the gut-feeling.

Soon after, Runa couldn't take it anymore.

Runa's eyes shot open. She sat up and turned her head from left to right. Then, she exited her bed, fixed her bed and packed up her things. Her backpack contained a bottle of water, a gallon of water, a few pieces of bread to eat when she's hungry and a few more important things.

After Runa packed up her things, she pulled out a paper from one of the cabinet drawers and started writing a note.

To my dearest friends, the Royal Guardians,

I hope you're having a wonderful day here in the Leone Kingdom. I'm writing this note to inform you that I'm leaving. I'm going on a journey to wherever my gut-feeling takes me.

Please, take care and stay safe.

Love,
Runa

After that, Runa placed the note in the middle of her bed. Then, she wrapped her backpack straps around her shoulders and started taking off on her journey through the window, then the tree, then the walls of the castle, then the village, then the forest.

———————————————————————

Meanwhile…
The Underworld, Below the Grounds of the Leone Kingdom

Pound, Venia, Hyper, Eggman and their henchmen gathered around. Both the Eggman Empire and the Underworlders had tried to come up with a name for their group. But this was not so simple.

"I think it should be called 'Eggman Empire!' Since you, Underworlders are part of my team, I think it should be called that!" Eggman exclaimed.

"No, I think it should be called 'the Underworlders' because you, Eggman Empire, are living in the Underworld with us. Plus, thanks to you, we have technology," one of the Underworlders said.

"Um, g-g-g... guys, m-maybe we should come up with a new name together," Snively said, trying to break up a fight between the first Underworlder and Eggman. "Both of your group name ideas are the same as the ones you guys have before we met."

"Snively's right. We're talking about giving us a new group name, not naming it after either of your group names," another Underworlder said, trying to break up a fight as well.

"They're right, boss. We should think of a new name," Orbot said to Eggman.

"Yeah, I'm tellin' ya. Coming up with names takes forever," Cubot said.

As the argument between the first Underworlder and Eggman broke out, chatters began to spread among the group. At last, Pound slammed the stone table with his fists. "That's enough!"

Everyone jolted to Pound.

Pound was seen sitting on a stone-made throne with a table before him. Beside him on the right was Venia and on the other side was Hyper, with his tail hanging onto a stalactite. Hyper had a usual wacky expression on his face. Venia had a serious expression and Pound had an angry look.

"We'll think about the new name later. Right now, we'll talk about why I called you guys here," Pound said.

Eggman scratched his head with his right index finger. "And why is that?"

"Because I have a plan. A plan that will help complete what Arrogan wished for before his death," Pound said.

Everyone turned to each other, then back at Pound with evil smirks. Eggman rubbed his hands together as his smirk widened. "We're listening."

———————————————————————

With Leo and the others…
Leone Kingdom Castle, Leone Kingdom

"Runa snuck out?!" Intellizo asked in shock.

Inside Runa's bedroom were Intellizo, Leo, Solomon, Bashiri, Billie and Clifton. They were all shocked in disbelief.

Intellizo was seen holding a note with both hands. Once he read it, he was shocked in disbelief like the others, but anger also rose inside of him.

"Why would she do that?!" Intellizo asked.

"I don't know, Intellizo. There must be a reason why Runa snuck out all alone," Billie said.

"I agree," Solomon said.

"Perhaps, it could be that she has a purpose. A real one. I've seen it in her future," Bashiri said.

"Or it could be that she's looking for a new adventure," Clifton theorized. "We haven't fought any bad guys since Leo's turned back to normal."

Leo flinched upon hearing this. Anger occurred in him, but he managed to regain his composure.

Intellizo crumpled the paper and threw it in the window's direction. He let out multiple breaths. After he calmed down, he told the Royal Guardians, "Runa said something about going wherever her gut-feeling takes her." He turned to the others. "Where do you think she could be?"

"I saw her on the balcony staring at the forest beyond the Leone Kingdom village. Perhaps, she could be there," Leo said.

"Great. Let's go. If we can't find her, we'll have to go further. If we can find her, we're gonna have a little talk with her," Intellizo said.

"Alright," Clifton said as everyone else hummed and nodded in agreement.

With that, the Royal Guardians packed up their things and headed out to the forest to search for Runa, but not before Intellizo told Solomon to guard the Leone Kingdom castle.

———————————————————————

The Great Forest, Somewhere between the Leone Kingdom and Nekronopolis

Runa’s journey continued.

As Runa kept walking and walking, her feet were getting sore. By the time she got to the Great Forest, her feet ached even more. And so, she decided to sit under one of the trees and laid her back on its tree trunk. And so, she did.

Runa let out multiple breaths of exhaustion. Thirst began overtaking her and she hadn't drank any water since she left the Leone Kingdom castle.

And so, Runa zipped her backpack open and pulled out her water bottle. She opened the lid and connected her lips to the bottle's mouth. Runa took a few gulps of water before she pulled the water bottle away. She closed the lid and let out a fresh sigh.

Then, Runa put her water bottle back to where she got it and pulled out a piece of bread. She took a bite of it and closed her eyes. "Mmm."

It was dry and stale, but at least it's slightly warm. Runa kept devouring the bread until it was gone.

After that, Runa pulled out her water bottle again and started drinking. She took a few gulps before she pulled the bottle away from her mouth. She closed the lid before putting it back in her backpack.

A bit later on, Runa pulled out a large white blanket. She set her backpack down, with its back side on the ground. Then, she laid her head on the backpack and covered her body with her blanket. The only thing exposed to the public was her head. She turned to her right side and drifted off to sleep.

The next day, Runa woke up. She stood from the bed she had modified last night and stretched out her body. After that, she folded her blanket and put it back in her backpack. She picked up the backpack and wrapped its straps around her shoulders again. Then, she walked further on her journey.

Soon, after a few days of walking further, Runa found herself standing in front of the city of Nekronopolis.