The laser blasts that I had taken to my shoulder and body made me very woozy...I struggled to keep myself on my feet. I looked toward my friends but everything was so blurry I couldn't tell who was still standing.

I had heard screaming during the battle...I knew we'd lost or had some of our clan injured. I hoped just injured...but I was injured myself...couldn't see.

I collapsed onto my knees and held my head in my hands.

Come on Elias...get up! Be a leader! You've been through much worse than this!"

I felt a warm arm help me to my feet. I turned around and focused on Tai's face. Thank god he was ok! My brother!

I collapsed into Tai's arms and realized just how badly I was injured.

"Tai...how...how is everyone else?" I managed weakly.

Tai didn't say anything at first.

"Brother...you are injured. Do not talk...we've got to get you to our new base."

"Tai...you know something...what happened? Who is hurt?"

Tai gulped loudly. "You...you are hurt...the others...we...we..." Tai stopped...regained his composure and spoke again.

"We...lost two..." Tai said. "Fang...he's dying Elias...he kept Tails from being hit...and..."

"Take me to him now!" I screamed. "How could you try to keep that from me!"

"You are hurt...I am not even sure how bad yet! You must be protected!"

"Take...me...to...him...NOW!" I demanded.

Tai helped me to the crowd of warriors surrounding the wolf as he laid on the ground slowly passing away. Tails was attempting to revive him with CPR...but it seemed like nothing was helping him. I fell to the ground beside Fang...the poor wolf...he had no memory...he was just a simple slave...but he was loyal...and everyone liked him. Drago...Drago tried to help him...even Conner tried...

Now Tails would try...and fail...just like we all had.

"Drago! bandage! He's bleeding out again! stop the bleeding!" Tails screamed.

I took off my coat and looked at it...laser burns all over it. I'd have been dead without it. I took the coat and put it under the poor dying wolf's head.

Drago and Tails tried for several more minutes until the wolf gasped loudly and opened his eyes.

"M..master?" Fang said softly. "Did...d...did I...save...Tails?"

Tails squeezed Fang's hand. "You did...you saved me!" Tails cried.

"I'm...glad...I...was...able...to...to..." Fang gasped...and I grabbed his other hand.

"Fang?" I cried. "Fang...I command you to wake up!" I got no response. "FANG!"

I fell on his fallen body and cried...dear god...why did he have to die? I failed him!

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned. "Please. Let me grieve. I caused this. Leave me alone."

Conner took his hand away quickly. "Amadeus was shot through the head...he died instantly. He's probably in a better place...but...still...he's gone. I just found him...Everyone else is ok...injured...but ok. Had you not killed that Robian...we'd all be dead...remember that."

"Amadeus is gone too? That was Tails's father...oh god."

I felt sick.

No...I was sick.

I screamed in agony for my fallen warriors.

Then I blacked out.

Nightmares.

Visions of Fang dying over and over.

Visions of Amadeus lying dead.

Dead.

They were dead...my fault.

How could I call myself a leader when I let two of my soldiers die?

I've had many die in the past.

hundreds.

Why was it different now?

I shot up in an unknown bed and wondered where exactly I had ended up this time. I had remembered being told I was hurt and they wanted to take me to the new base. I turned on the desk lamp and lit the room. It was small...very obviously an acornian designed room...the picture on the wall was of my father...of course.

I looked down at my body and noticed the bandages.

I remembered everything...dear god...everything...

I grabbed the pillow and screamed into it as long as I could hold out.

God damn...I was a failure...how would I lead them now...now that I'd killed two of them off?

I stood up and decided that no matter what...I'd keep going...for Fang...and for Amadeus...I'd protect his child...he'd be safe with me...

I promise.