Here we are again. Based on the last chapter, it is time to reveal some things and get the rising action really pumping. Sonic killed Mr. Flynn in the last chapter and we get to see what happens because of that. I feel like leaving people gaping at the end.. *Grins mischievously* I like that idea very much.

Oh while I'm thinking about it, I made a typo in the last chapter and I had it as Silver, Shadow and Tails who came to Sonic when in reality it should've been Knuckles, Shadow and Tails. Just an FYI.

The ambulance arrived as soon as someone had called the event in, they confirmed the teacher to be dead and called for a coroner to pick up his body. They had already cleaned up Sonic's gash and bandaged it when the coroner arrived to take the body for identification back at the morgue. They had not paid much mind to Sonic's wounds but merely told him to make sure he had no further head trauma or he would probably wind up in the hospital again for quite awhile.

Only people in the class knew of what happened and none had spoken out about it, either too scared to or they were waiting for the right time to start talking about it. In fact the only ones who had spoken up had been Knuckles, Shadow and Tails and that was to the others.

Sonic had been called to the principal's office but nothing had happened. Ms. Powell stared at him a while and then began explaining what had happened, which was pointless in Sonic's eyes. He had been the victim and here the principal was telling him of all people what had went down. He was half listening when he noticed she had stopped talking.

Her eyes were blank, her hands folded in front of her mouth in a contemplative manner. "I understand why you did it," she said monotonously, "it was all self defense and the court shall rule it as such. Go now, boy, go to your friends."

Noticing her drastic change in attitude, he left quickly. Tikal and the others were patiently awaiting outside the office.

"What'd she say," Tikal questioned quietly.

Sonic shook his head and motioned for them all to follow him. He went into a side hall with them with no cameras and said, "She didn't say much and what she did say was like it was prepared." His voice dropped, "It was like she was reading from some kind of script..."

The others all gave him surprised looks. "You really think that...?" one of them asked.

The blue hedgehog nodded lightly, "Mr. Flynn admitted to me before I... that he was in league with my fa- James, and I can't help but wonder if she is too."

The others stood there in shock, desperately searching for a way to prove him wrong but there was no evidence either way, to them. It seemed like everything was suddenly changing and they couldn't do anything to stop it.

Sonic began thinking and trying to connect some kind of dot. Could it be coincidence that the woman had accepted him so easily? Or had it all been part of James' plan to get him back? All these questions and he had no answers. One thing was certain, he had to watch his back more carefully from now on.

"Oh sorry, didn't know anybody was still here," a voice said behind them.

They all swung around and was met with the sight of the janitor, smiling kindly at them.

"Oh hey Ruben," Sonic greeted, "has everyone really already gone home?"

The old man nodded, "Yes about a half hour ago I believe... I heard what happened with Flynn. It's a pity but in my mind he had it coming."

The blue hedgehog studied him carefully, "What do you mean?"

Ruben glanced around and moved closer, "You didn't hear any of this from me.."

Everyone nodded in agreement, eager to hear what he had to say.

"Flynn had it coming because he has a bad history of overworking his students to the breaking point and beyond. He has also physically hurt students when they didn't do as he wished. Ms. Powell is a different story..." He paused and placed his hand on Sonic's shoulder, "She'll be about you now sonny," he said, his eyes sad. "You killed her mate."

Sonic gaped at him, "They were mates...?"

Ruben's eyes hardened with an unknown emotion, "Yes. They feared that if they were married that the enemy would discover Flynn and he would be jailed. I personally didn't care but they made me swear never to tell anyone of their relations." The older man shook his head, brushing his hand through his hair. "None of could have seen that it would be one of the student to end his reign of terror."

Sonic felt weak and fell to his knees. Ignorance is bliss.

The old janitor went to one knee and placed his hand on Sonic's shoulder once more, "Listen to me, Sonic. There is a reason for everything. A reason why you were so easily accepted into this school, a reason that it was you who ended Flynn, a reason why I am the one telling you this. She has been after you for awhile but you never would have noticed it had this not happened. Your 'father' is the one who has been helping her. Think of all the people you have seen around your father; which one comes to mind as being female?"

Sonic's head shot up and his eyes flashed with understanding, "Charlene..." He met Ruben's eyes and asked, "How do you know so much about me? How do you know all of this?"

A coy smile crept up on Ruben's face. "All in good time, young one. Let me ask you something first, then I'll answer your questions. What did Powell tell you her name was?"

Sonic thought back to the first day he had arrived at the school and barely recalled the woman in question saying Alice. "Alice. She told me to call her Alice or Ms. Powell," he said quietly.

The man nodded, "I thought as much, giving out her alias name, not her true name... That woman's real name is Charlene. Do you see the connection now?"

Sonic held his head, it all came together and he realized just how long this woman had been there in his life. "What does she want with me?"

Ruben averted his eyes, "I won't lie to you, she kept telling me and Flynn how much she wanted you dead but would never say why, perhaps she didn't have a reason back then but now..." He trailed, knowing full well Sonic could finish the thought himself. "She is going to be after you even more because of this, Sonic; you have to be careful or you will die. She is not afraid to kill you, especially now."

Tikal collapsed next to Sonic and hugged him, sensing his distress. "We will get through this, Sonic... I swear it to you," she whispered.

His hand reached up and clutched at Tikal's. He definitely needed her support right now.

The old janitor stood and checked his watch, "I must go now, I suspect Ms. Powell will be looking for me." He turned back to Sonic and brought him to his feet. "You will succeed in living, I have no doubt about it, Sonic; just keep your head up. You are and have always been destined for greatness, that I know for sure."

Sonic lifted his eyes to meet the other man's and found his eyes were twinkling with.. pride. On a whim, Sonic gathered Ruben into a hug. "Thank you, so much," he murmured.

Ruben returned the hug swiftly and then took his leave. He waved behind him as he rounded the corner and was gone.

Sonic, having found Tikal's hand motioned for them to leave as well, the others wordlessly agreed and they filed out the doors.

Unbeknownst to any of them, Ruben had slipped back around the corner and had watched them exit, a small smile on his face. "I know you will succeed, son."

There another chapter! Did you guys like it? I put some twists in and I hope none of you saw it coming. More twists and turns are coming in the future, that I promise. READ THIS NOTE - RUBEN IS A HEDGEHOG! He has black fur and fuzzy quills with green eyes.