"WHAT DO YOU MEAN OUR REQUEST IS DENIED!" I screamed

"A wicked smile appeared on Naugus's face "Your request was denied because it would be pointless to waste our resources on something that was just dreamt up by a stupid girl."

I growled and lunged at him No longer able to contain the urge. But before I could get within ten feet Devdas and Rotor pulled me back "Don't do anything you're going to regret Nicki!" Devdas growled.

I laughed hysterically "Oh I'm not gonna regret this! In fact I'm going to savoir every moment!"

Hamlin stood up "Ms. Nicki! If you don't calm down this instant you will be asked to leave and your request will have no further debate." He said sternly. I stopped struggling and growled, like hell they will. As long as 'the king' denies our request the council vote doesn't matter.

I looked up at Naugus my eyes full of rage, him and Gregory were both standing there with smiles on their faces. Right beside him was what used to be Rotor's seat but instead of him sitting there it now was a proud looking Mobian cat. He had gold fur and wore the council's uniform. He also had a long jagged scar going down his left eye, but Instead of covering that eye he kept it open reveling a milky blue he kept it turned to the corner but he did keep his good eye on us, watching our every move with interest.

I don't know why but this guy gave me a bad feeling. He looked like he belonged on the battlefield more than he belonged in the council so why was he here? I shook my head and quickly reminded myself that I was here for a more important reason than questioning the council members.

Hamlin straightened his papers "If there is a threat like a double agent in our city I think we can all agree that action must be taken." The rest of the council members nodded and Hamlin continued "We can also agree that its risky taking action against something that might not even be there. I don't think one dream is enough evidence for something as big as a double agent."

"But…" Rotor added "The Freedom fighters have also had experiences like Nicki had that have usually saved Knothole multiple times. Like Sir Charles's nephew Sonic or Mrs. Prowers son Tails." There was some light discussion and nodding of heads amongst the council members. I smiled at Rotor gratefully. You could tell Rotor was experienced at this, he could make anything sound convincing I was glad he was on my side of this issue.

Now it was my turn to flash Naugus a smug look, but he wouldn't go down so easily. He slammed his fists on the table in anger "Are you all fools? Are you really going to let a fifteen year old girl tell us how to run our city? BAH!" he spat "I believe our city our city's defenses are good enough despite a few misguided opinions" he flashed us a look "We have the force field and myself to guard the people, and not to mention we have forces inside that will stop anything or anyone that poses a threat.

Devdas growled "The freedom fighters are too busy with Eggman to worry about a double agent inside the city. You're the king, it's your job to take care of that!

A small smile crept on to Naugus's face "Is it not the responsibility of the freedom fighters to protect the citizens from the dangers inside and outside of my city?"

"We had no way of knowing-" started Rotor, but before he could finish Naugus cut him off and continued.

"Maybe the freedom fighters should spend less time dreaming and more time defending those you swore to protect…." He sat back in his chair with a satisfied grin on his face "I believe it's time the council voted" he said. He flashed a look at a small brown porcupine who was the first council member in line.

""N-nay" he said uncomfortable with the attention. I sighed looks like we're off to a good start. Next in line was Hamlin who after a moment's thought said Nay. Finally after him was Rosemary Prower who thankfully said Yea, Next was Naugus who surprise surprise said Nay.

I narrowed my eyes, it was the gold cats turn to vote I really thought he was going to say Nay but surprisingly after a moment's thought he finally said Yea.

I looked at him my eyes wide with shock. His good eye turned toward me and a crooked smile appeared on his face. I quickly looked away from him just in time to hear Sir Charles vote Yea.

A small smile creped onto the side of my face until I heard the final vote belonging to Penelope the platypus.

Nay….

I did a quick mental headcount, the totals were three Yeas, and…. four Nays. My heart sank into my stomach. I looked at Rotor and Devdas on either side of me, they each had a grim expression showing me that I had not made any mistakes with my totals. I knew I was going to regret this but I slowly looked up at the throne where Naugus was sitting. He was smiling wildly at me and at his side was Geoffrey who pretty much had the same look but more contained.

"I'm terribly sorry" jeered Naugus "Majority rules, your request for alteration of weaponry has officially been denied. Have a nice day….."

It was anything but a nice day… In fact, the weather today seemed to match the way I felt. The sky was dark and gloomy and it looked like it would blast anything with lightning that dared to get too close to it. You could hear thunder in the distance predicting the arrival of a storm.But being the smart people we were, the first thing we did after getting kicked out of the castle was sat on the closest metal bench to discuss what happened.

After sitting down the first thing I did was pound my fist off the armrest. It let off a loud ring that startled everyone who was heading home for shelter from the storm. "That wasn't fair that bastard totally fixed that!" I yelled

Rotor sighed "I wouldn't call him that but you probably are right, but we don't have any proof that he did so there's nothing we can do about it."

"I'm guessing you can't just make the changes to the city's systems anyway?" said Devdas.

"I wish I could, but if I were to make even the smallest change without permission from the council. I could get put on trial for treason or-or possibly exiled…

I traced circles on the arm of the bench being exiled for only trying to help… Just like Nicole. I looked up at Roter "Can you do anything at all?"

"I-I'm sorry, but if Finitevus or the Destructix would attack the city I'm sure the Freedom Fighters will do anything to stop him." said Rotor hopefully.

I slowly shook my head and started to speak softly "No….. no you don't get it. Finitevus is after me not the city, and I don't know what it is but he has a plan to get the freedom fighters and Chaotix out of the way… a-and when he has a well thought out plan he almost never fails….

I felt something wet stream down my cheek. I quickly whipped it away but not before Devdas noticed. He held his hand out in front of him "Huh? I guess it started raining a little early I guess we better get going Rotor..."

Rotor looked at him with a confused expression "What are you talking about the storm is still-" Before he could finish Devdas yanked him up and dragged him off in the other direction despite Rotor's protests.

A small smile appeared on my face. Devdas knew as well as I did that the storm was still about a mile away. That was sweet of him…. I sat there for a while listening to the sound of the thunder drawing ever closer until I felt a spark of heat in my pendent. I quickly sat up straight expecting an attack from Naugus, but instead walking towards me was a golden cat the same cat who had Rotor's spot in the Council Of Acorn.

He stopped a few feet in front of me "Hello, your names Nicki right?" I nodded and grabbed the hilt of the knife in my boot for safety. He was definitely the one who was making my pendent burn, but he didn't seem hostile in any way. He was still dressed in his council uniform and he looked like he was heading home for the day. "You look like your troubled." He said curiously "Would you mind telling me what's wrong?"

I was honestly surprised, usually when my pendent burns like it was now I'm about to get shot, kidnapped, brain-washed, or attacked by some random weirdo. But never once did my pendent warn me about a guy who wanted me to talk about my feelings.

Without an answer he sat down beside and looked up with his good eye keeping his scarred milky blue one turned to the side. When you looked at him up close you can see that he was a lot younger than when you looked at him far away. He looked like he was in his late twenties maybe early thirty's "If it means anything I think you had a very convincing argument…." he said

I couldn't stay quiet any longer I had to bite "You really thought so?"

"Oh yes, King Naugus off all people should know the significance of dreams I'd bet my sword he's had plenty of those himself. But I also know he holds a grudge against you for reasons unknown, I believe that could have influenced his vote."

I laughed "Ya think?"

He chuckled to himself "Yes I guess it goes without saying that that was the reason king Naugus denied your request." We were silent for a moment before he continued "Your scared aren't you?"

"What was your first clue? Without the city's defenses strengthened the Destructix will come and I won't stand a chance…" I shuttered just thinking about getting dragged back to Finitevus's by Scourge again.

"Yes the Destructix, the council has records on these mercenaries. Each member is gifted in combat, and when they're together they pose a huge threat."

Each word he spoke seemed to add unbearable weight to my shoulders "Thanks for reminding me." I sneered

He held his hands up defensively "Now now, I'm only trying to help and I will do so by saying this… You said you wouldn't stand a chance against those mercenaries right?"

I nodded my head "Right.."

"Then make yourself stronger… with the chaos emeralds." There was a crack of lightning that cast a shadow over one half of his face but illuminated the half with the scarred eye.

I looked away and thought for a moment "Yeah but I doubt my chaos emerald will give me enough power to defeat all of them."

"Then use two." he suggested before I could even ask where I could get one, he already answered that for me "I believe Eggman is in possession of one at the moment and knowing the Freedom Fighters they'll probably go on some sort of mission to weaken the Death Egg any time now. Perhaps you could tag along with them and do something a little…. extra?"

I felt a drop of water fall on my hand but I ignored it and thought about what he said. The only way I could liberate the chaos emerald was if I went off alone in the Death Egg. That was practically a suicide mission right there, but right now I was desperate. If I did succeed in getting the emerald I could stop worrying about the Destructix recapturing me. The thought seemed so wonderful, to think I could stop worrying about them and Finitevus, I would have enough power to keep them away from me.

The rain was really coming down now the cat stood up "Well I best get going and you should to if you don't want to get sick."

He started of "Wait!" I yelled "What's your name?"

"Benedict!" he yelled back. After a few moments he was out of view and I decided that I had to go too. I ran off my pendent still searing against my chest. But for the first time ever I ignored it.