AN: What was that about one a week? Reverse jinxing is apparently a thing it seems. This is one is a bit shorter but that's for the same reason as Chapter 8, so don't worry.
Also, big milestone of over 200k words. Crazy to think about that. Anyways, onto the chapter
"Hidden right within the city?"
"Oui."
Harvey's expression is one of great concern.
"And over one-hundred personnel in zat one image."
He looks down, shutting his eyes as he buries his face into his free hand.
They're already arming themselves? I thought we had more time...
"Sir Who, I request veterans of the Special Forces Team to aid mon efforts."
Harvey raises his head and opens his eyes.
"Those two?"
"Oui."
He sighs.
"As much as I hate to say it, I agree. I will contact them. Thank you, Air Commodore, and keep up the good work."
The line hangs up, leaving him alone in his office.
Someone else might get it wrong...
The black and crimson hedgehog sits peacefully on his bed, pressed against its backboard. He is completely silent as he reads a book he has only recently begun reading. He comes to a line.
"Give every man thy ear but few thy voice."
He nods at those words.
Indeed, too many people say all they know, and too many more fail to know all they say
He turns to face the sleeping bat.
Not you though. You act like you don't, but every word you say seems to have a purpose
He smiles.
A smart one you are
He thinks about last night, what she said out in the rain.
What are you trying to show me?
He ponders on it all, arriving at no conclusion.
I guess I'll just have to wait and see
He returns back to the book. He comes to another line in the same page that rings true with him.
"This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man."
He thinks once again about Rouge's words, though not ones from last night.
"You're a good person and you'll always do what's right; because it's inside you. Whenever you get that feeling, you follow it. Think of it as your True North, it won't ever let you down. Okay?"
He closes his eyes in a moment of gratitude.
Thank you
He opens his eyes and is about to continue reading but the groans from the bat interrupt him.
"Oh, my head..."
He memorises the page and closes the book.
"About time you finally got up."
"Don't mess with me, I'm not in my usual chipper mood."
"There's a glass of water on your nightstand. Should still be cold."
She opens her eyes and looks and indeed there it is.
"Thanks."
She grabs the glass and begins drinking it.
"Slowly, you don't want to make yourself nauseous."
She finishes a gulp and ceases drinking.
"Thanks, Gramps."
"You're welcome."
She turns to face him.
"Leaning into it, aren't you?"
He gives a smirk.
"What better way to disarm you?"
"I wish you weren't so smart."
"No, you don't."
She sighs and smiles.
"No, I don't."
"Good, now get up and get ready, quick. We're gonna catch up with Omega and Hope."
"Why so early?"
"Because after that, us two will be attending a meeting of the President and the Confederated Council."
Rouge groans.
"Whyyyy?"
"Because, it's important and we've got nothing else going on."
"I really wish you weren't such a workaholic..."
"Keep wishing, cause you're getting up."
The rabbit sits in his chair, on the screen in front of him is a Robian armadillo.
"So, thuh 'good' Doctah wasn't bluffin'?"
She shakes her head.
"Nay. There is a veritable array of arms, armour, and supplies here. Hard to guess how much, but I gage 'tis enough to supply a very big army."
He smiles as his eyes widen in anticipation.
"Wunderful. Progress on gatherin' it all?"
"Nearly did finish, estimated progress 'round eighty percent."
Now his eyes widen in shock.
"So quick? Ya guys really do us proud!"
"I appreciate the compliments, but much of our speed is due to Robotnik's helpful decision to prepackage them for storage. The main time sink shall beest travelling back and forth."
He chuckles.
Always so serious, but that's why Ah love ya, all of ya. Ah'll do anything and everything fer this family
"Get back ta thuh Refinery safe and sound, alright Matilda?"
"Of course. See thee soon, Uncle Baron."
The screen flickers off and he prepares himself to lie to someone he also loves very much, who is also family, but who is not a part of this family, of choice, but of another one, of blood.
Ah'm sorry darlin', but ya're a smart girl,
He taps on several buttons and awaits for her to respond.
Ah know ya'll understand in time
The screen changes to show a smiling rabbit; her smile brings one to his own face.
"Uncle Beau! So gud ta see ya!"
"Heya, Darlin'. Sorry fer it bein' so long. Been real busy."
"Ah bet. So, how are thangs?"
"Business as usual fer thuh most part. There's always so much ta do. We're working out some deals ta export sum of thuh excess oil we've got, give us some more funds ta work with. Add in our work ta make sure thuh Refinery don't pollute thuh land, resettling Robian refugees from Sand Blast, and even some from Acorn, into Robiswell, Hareford, and Accipitridopolis, and our irrigation efforts so that this land is actually hospitable means Ah'm usually lucky if Ah can find enough time ta catch forty winks. It's pretty stressful, Ah can't deny."
"Yea, but Ah know ya can handle it."
"Well, it ain't just me. All of us are workin' hard togethah. It's tough, but rewardin'."
She smiles and looks down.
"Darlin, somethin' wrong?"
She shakes her head and looks back up.
"No, Ah just want ta say, thank ya Uncle."
He smiles but it is marked with some confusion.
"Fer wut?"
"Fer droppin' Eggman and thuh Legion; fer working ta build something new. It couldn't have been easy turnin' away from him, takin' a risk, but ya did it anyways."
His confusion is gone and in its place comes pride; but not arrogant and self-serving egotism, instead it is gracious and respectful dignity.
Ah'm gonna make ma own path, fer all of us, ta freedom
"Thanks, Sweetheart."
"Are ya sure I can't come visit ya?"
He shakes his head.
"Sorry Darlin', no can do. After everythin', Ah don't want ta endanger ya by havin' anyone in Acorn thinkin' yer with us. We may not be with Eggman or Dimitri anymore,"
He feels shame in his chest at his stretching of the truth.
No, don't be ashamed! Ya're not takin orders from him, he's just givin ya stuff, that's it! He tries anything and we'll kick his behind all thuh way over ta Yurashia!
"But I doubt they'll just let bygones be bygones."
Ah know I wouldn't...
"Yea, I guess ya gotta point. Say, how is Mat-"
"Baron, urgent news for you."
He turns his head.
"How urgent?"
"I'm not sure whatever code we have for the absolute pinnacle, but if I did I'd be using it right now."
He frowns and turns back to the computer.
"Sorry, Sweetheart, Ah gotta take this. It was nice talkin' with ya. Ah love ya."
She smiles.
"That's okay Uncle Beau. And Ah love ya, too."
He gives a nod and a smile as she waves goodbye and the screen flickers, but within his chest is ma.
Ah wish ya would realise how wrong those people are and come live with us. Hell, Ah'd even be okay with yer husband taggin' along if he did thuh same
He sighs.
Wishes don't come true, so Ah gotta work ta make that dream a reality
"What's this urgent news?"
"Really?!"
The lynx's holographic projection smiles with such wholesome joy the Robian can't help but return it, as best as he can.
"Yes. You'll have a body again. And to add more good news, he said he'd consider removing all your restrictions."
"Sir Charles, that's incredible! How did you get him to do so?"
Charles is about to speak but stops as the inevitable brevity of his answer dawns on him.
I just asked him
Then a piece of that conversation, one that he had overlooked due to his joy at Maximilian's acceptance, comes to mind.
"But something will happen soon; if she remains steadfast, I will consider removing all her restrictions."
Then another piece comes to him.
"Right now, I've never been more certain about what I'm going to do."
And then Maximilian's response to his question about what he meant.
"In due time my friend, in due time."
Charles rubs his chin.
What are you going to do, Ma-
"Sir Charles?"
Her words snap him out of his thoughts and he looks to see the holographic lynx waiting for his answer.
"Oh, my apologies. I-, well I just asked him."
Her surprise is evident but she maintains her happy demeanor.
"He really trusts you!"
He can only give a half-hearted smile and nod.
"Yea, he does..."
The two return to working on a wide array of projects.
The two squirrel-chipmunks sit in the study, which is still a mess.
"Max, I understand your feelings, but isn't this a little extreme?"
He rubs her back as she lies on his chest.
"No, it is not a 'little' extreme. It is very extreme. But it's for our children, and nothing is beyond my consideration in regards to them."
"But you know Sally, she won-"
"Irrelevant. Her compliance will not be required. I will not see her squander her talents, her gifts, her intellect, her compassion, and her time on any son of those two."
"And Elias? What he's doing is impor-"
"His work is a lost cause. The Southern Baronies are beyond peaceful reconciliation. Harvey and D'Coolette will see to bringing them to heel. Elias will come back home, you will see to it. You were with him all those years, he will trust you."
"But Max, they'll be enraged beyond belief. How do you think they'll feel about us?"
"They'll hold nothing against you. I will take all the blame for this plan and you will play ignorant, pretending that I lied to you as well.
"But that'll just make them even angrier and all of it at you alone!"
"So be it. Let them curse me, let them rage at me, let them hate me. I love them, we love them, and that's all that matters."
"Max..."
"You know in your heart that this is the right choice. For too long this family has been scattered, divided, alone. Our enemies have preyed upon our weakness for over twenty years, no more. Our children will return home, we will keep them safe, and we will set them straight."
Alicia simply gives an uncertain "hmm" that reverberates through his chest as he shuts his eyes. The two enjoy the quiet.
Eli, I hope you understand how much I love you
He then thinks to his daughter.
Little Bean, I hope that, one day, you'll understand why I do everything I do...
The trio depart from the plane.
"Daddy, what city are we visiting this time?"
Elias picks her up and places her on his shoulders.
"Nocturnopolis."
"What's it like here?"
The squirrel walks beside her husband.
"Well, to start, as the name implies, a lot of nocturnal animals live here."
"Nocturnal animals, so I guess a lot of bats?"
"Now Alexis, what did we learn in Bat-on Rivière Rouge?"
"Plenty of bats do fine in the day."
Elias looks up at her and smiles.
"Atta girl. But yes, a lot of bats live here."
Alexis turns to face Megan.
"What else is there, mommy?"
"Apparently it's got some pretty crazy, but cool, celebrations and there's also some nice underground caverns that hold lots of crystals and minerals."
The six year old girl wraps her arms tight around Elias' neck as they walk forth.
"Ooo! Can we go to the caves?!"
The parents chuckle.
"Sure thing sweetie, once we attend the reception at the town hall."
The little squirrel girl groans.
"Boring!"
Elias chuckles and gives a little jumble of Alexis.
"I agree with ya, Sugar. Boring!"
Megan shakes her head.
"Eli..."
"Kidding! Sorry Sugar, mommy's right. We have responsibilities to attend to."
"Hopefully you won't take too long, daddy..."
"We're not broken."
The room fills with the sound of the firm statement.
"Good one that time. Soon we'll be saying it with a smile, won't we? How we all doing today?"
At the robotic voice, various robotic murmurs of "Alright" and "Good" sound out.
"Alright, that's good to hear. Does anyone have anything interesting they want to talk about?"
A blue Robian hedgehog speaks up.
"I do."
"Wonderful! What is it?"
The room turns to face the voice.
"Well, a bit over a week ago, our son came to see us for the first time in a long time. We talked, it was nice since it'd been so long. And I finally did something really, really big."
"And what was that?"
The female Robian sitting beside him massages his back.
"He asked us how we got, turned, and I told him how I did. The whole story. It felt like this weight that was on me was lifted, or at least lightened."
The Robian pig smiles.
"That's great, Jules. Saying how it all happened out loud is a bigger step than most people realise. There's a sense of finality, of reality, of concreteness, to saying the words aloud that thinking them doesn't have."
Jules smiles but deep down he still holds a great guilt.
Everyone in this room is like this, because of me. Because I saved him
Other people begin talking but he zones out.
I wish I had left him to die right there, right then
If he could sigh, he would.
I wish for a lot of things, don't I?
His internal communicator begins ringing. He sees the name and immediately stands up.
"Sorry guys, I gotta take this."
He exits the center.
The phone is ringing.
I wish that I could let you two rest
After almost twenty seconds, the other side picks up.
"Hey Harvey, everything alright?"
He sighs at the robotic voice and his words.
I wish it was
"I'm afraid not. I'll need you and Bernadette to come to Mobotropolis as soon as possible. It's important."
I wish that I didn't have to use force against my own countrymen
"Alright, if you say it's important, I trust you. We'll be there."
I wish I didn't have to do all this
"Thank you."
But I also wished that all my fears, my suspicions, were untrue, were unfounded
He hangs up, leaving him alone in his office again.
I've wished for so many things at this point I'm not sure why I bother continuing to do so
He takes out a folder and begins sifting through the pages.
Wishes don't come true
The three enter into the office of the mayor.
"Welcome Yah Royal Highnesses."
Elias and Megan give respectful nods of acknowledgement to the bat and seat themselves down.
"Hello, Mayor Bauer. It's an honour to be here in your wonderful city."
"Thuh honour's all ours."
"So, obviously there's a lot of work to see to; where should we start?"
"Well-"
The bat is cut off by the entrance of a badger.
"Mistah Mayor, Ah got sum-"
He then cuts himself off upon realising who is in the room.
"Oh, Ma Royal Highnesses, ma apologies fer bargin' like that."
Elias raises a hand to show it is no issue.
"Please, tell the Mayor whatever is important. We can wait."
The badger nods and turns to face the bat.
"Thuh miners have agreed ta cease their striking and we've come ta an agreement."
The bat smiles.
"Really? Well, that's great, just great!"
The badger nods at the mayor and then bows to Elias and Megan.
"Yah Royal Highnesses, may yer eyes not see 'Thuh Rising Sun'."
He then exits the room, leaving them startled and somewhat anxious.
"I hope that's not a threat..."
At these words, the bat quickly slaps his forehead in realisation.
"Aw shucks!"
This draws their attention back to him.
"What?"
"Ah'm sorry, Ah forgot ta tell ya about that phrase. It's pretty common here, as much as 'bless ya' and 'piece of cake'."
"I suppose that makes sense, that a city full of nocturnal people would view seeing the Sun as an unpleasant thing."
"Oh, 'Thuh Rising Sun' isn't thuh literal Sun."
Megan leans forth.
"It's a name?"
Bauer nods.
"Right ya are. A real trouble maker, that one; big traveling hustler and crook. As many names for him as there are Southrons across thuh Baronies who have felt the burn of that scoundrel."
"How come we've not heard of him?"
"Because he's probably dead. Ain't been one sightin' of him fer almost twenty years."
"Oh, I see."
"But enough of all that nonsense, Ah think Ah've figured out wut yer first function will be."
Elias nods and smiles.
"Commemorating the successful handling of disputes by the miners and managers. Couldn't find a better symbolic opener if I tried."
The people, and father, can see that I'm good too! That I can do all this. That I'm not just the absentee member of the family. That I'm more than just your brother
He feels shame in him as he stands up and shakes Bauer's hand.
It's not that I don't love you, but I'm tired of always being in your shadow
He maintains his smile throughout it all as they exit the office.
The people will see that I'm more than just an Acorn and father will see that I'm more than just his son. They'll see that I'm own man; I always was, always am, and always will be
"How much longer do you think all this work will take, Omega?"
"Hard to assess to be completely frank, Shadow. The primary factor is if the people in stuffy suits do not decide to expand the scope of this project. If they do not, then around five days."
"Alright, that's not too bad, I guess."
"Speak for yourself! I'm not cut out for all this binary. Give me a wrench and a blowtorch and I'm a happy camper, make me code an algorithm and I actually have to think about what I'm doing. I swear, if I don't have to write another conditional statement for the rest of my life, it may just be too soon."
Rouge laughs at the Overlander's words.
"First, nice humble brag, girl."
Hope smiles.
"Thanks, I learned from the best."
"Oooh, flattery? You really are a genius."
Shadow groans.
"Do not feed her ego."
"Don't listen to handsome over there. Anyways, like I was saying; second, don't get too bothered cause you're heading right up to the ARK once this is finished."
"Yea, I know."
"Hey Hope."
"Yea Shadow?"
"You hear about the news from Station Square?"
"About Charlemagne coming back? Yup."
"Thoughts?"
"To be honest, not sure. When I first heard about it, I didn't believe it. It's funny since I don't even know the guy, since he disappeared when I was like, what, two? But I heard stories, from my family plus Overlanders in general."
"Is he like what you expected?"
"Yes and no. It's like he's kept who he is, but not what he was about. He's got the charisma, the rousing speeches, the commanding presence, striving for tomorrow, but none of the militarism or the aggressive rhetoric; he seems a lot calmer too, my grandma always said he could be rather, temperamental, to put it lightly. I guess it could be he's just mellowed out. It's been almost twenty years since then and he's likely been all alone. But maybe it's just an act."
Shadow emits a low "hmm".
"Sorry Shadow, I wish I could give you a definitive answer on whether or not my uncle's behind him."
"It's alright."
She nods and takes a sip from her coffee as Omega turns to face Shadow.
"If Eggman involvement with blond orator is confirmed, my full armament is ready to be unloaded into him."
Rouge chuckles.
"Pretty sure we won't need that, Pyro."
"Better to be safe than sorry."
"I suppose that's true."
"C'mon Rouge, we gotta get going."
She turns to face the hedgehog.
"I can't believe you're dragging me to this stupid meeting."
"Today."
She returns her gaze to Omega and Hope, the latter suppressing her laughter; Rouge throws her arm in an exaggerated, exasperated manner.
"See this, you guys? He's acting like he's our dad or something!"
Robotnik's eyes slightly widen in intrigue.
"Already?"
The short and nearly bald Overlander standing before him nods.
"Yes."
Robotnik looks up to the air at nothing in particular.
"What made her decide to return so soon? Well, it doesn't matter; this is a perfect opportunity to see how well he can deliver."
"Wait, I thought you've been trying to capture her?"
He looks down to face the short Overlander.
"Right you are."
"So why are you gonna just let him kill her?"
"Because, Snively, it will serve my purposes better. It will weaken our enemies and commit them to fighting against one another while we pursue our more relevant objectives. Simple as that."
"He's our enemy?"
"Anyone who isn't you or me is my enemy."
"But didn't you just give them weapons?"
"That I did."
"Aren't you afraid that we'll just be strengthening him?"
"Afraid? That's the plan! Now, no more questioning of my genius! Prepare the EFS Subjugation and Decimation to take off two days from now."
He nods and heads off to do as ordered, leaving Robotnik alone. He enters into his most secure room and walks up to the three-dimensional and interactive holographic map of Mobius.
So many threads, but in time they'll all tie back together
He looks to Southwestern Northamer, where the Baron has forged his own semi-sovereign state, west of the Mobissippi.
"You may not take orders from me anymore, but that doesn't mean I can't manipulate you."
His gaze shifts to Mercia.
"So close, I can sense the end. And when they remove that idiot king, that fox and his band will be helpless to stop me from running roughshod over them! And from there, I can begin work to either strike back at the Dominion, bringing Regina to heel, or, alternatively, apply even more pressure in order to aid you."
His gaze then shifts to somewhere entirely different.
"Out of all my plans, none fill me with as much excitement as you! You're performing better than I expected."
He smiles madly.
"This world is like a house of cards. Just a few rumbles, and it'll all come crashing down."
A cat and a mongoose sit in a café, eating breakfast, as the rain pools onto the window on the outside.
I wish you were here. You could help me figure this all out, I bet...
"I was thinking we could visit the Botanical Garden."
Mina's words bring Hershey out from her thoughts.
"Sure, some Soumerca flora would be nice to see."
"Then we could go to the Station Square Garden around noon."
"Who's performing there?"
"Eadwig. Gonna play something called 'Für Elise', he told me."
"You know him personally?"
"Professionally is more how I'd put it. But amicably so. Different worlds of music but we can still respect the other."
"I won't deny, that sounds pretty nice."
"And we can cap it off with a visit to the most interesting dive in the city."
Hershey's ears perk up at the way Mina says "interesting".
"Interesting how? And what is it?"
"El Stación Salón. Real scummy place I'd say, but plenty of interesting, if not occasionally repulsive, folks, pretty good drink, and a little special something."
"A lot of leading sentences, Songoose."
"Oh, I ain't answering that one. That's something you've gotta see in person. Trust me. And we will, tonight."
Hershey nods her head.
"Alright, seems we gotta long day ahead of us."
She wonders what he would think of all this, how much fun they would have.
I wish you were here Geoff
But a worrying thought forms itself; she remembers the last time she wished someone was with her.
I can't believe they never even found your body. An empty casket burial...
She disguises her emotional state by scarfing down another bite of her pancake.
How I foolishly believed that there being no body meant there was hope you were still alive. How many nights did I wish for you to be there waiting beside my bed in the morning?
She sighs as she chews.
Too many
She swallows the mouthful.
I just hope this wish comes true, I don't think I can move on from you, my love
The skunk and squirrel sit in the makeshift armoury, the former fiddling with a laser rifle as the Sun shines above them while snow falls from the sky.
"Rather nice piece that one is, St. John. She's got a nice cooling apparatus and her focusing arrays are made out of flawless diamonds; helps intensify the beam and ensure it travels further before dissipating. Perfect for long-range engagements."
Geoffrey nods in agreement but then shifts his gaze to Hall.
"Hey, I jus' realised somethin'. Back in tha' forest, ya were usin' a material rifle instead ov an energy one. Why's that? Don't like tha' fancy new stuff?"
Hall looks down in thought, shaking his head.
"No, not all. In fact, I quite love the laser weaponry; lighter and no recoil plus not having to account for gravity or wind resistance is a marksman's dream."
"So, ya have used them?"
He nods.
"That I have."
"So, ya used 'em, liked what ya saw, but then went back ta materials even though ya're in one ov tha' most elite units who has access ta energies."
"Correct."
'So, why?"
Hall raises his head from the floor and looks to Geoffrey.
"Because, the lack of recoil, of a ringing sound in my ears, of struggle, of resistance, it's almost surreal. When I pull the trigger on an energy rifle, I don't feel it the way I do with a material. You remember when you said what was the alternative to feeling hurt when losing someone?"
Geoffrey nods.
"Growin' desensitized ta death."
"Well, I could feel that was happening when I used energies. I was getting too comfortable, forgetting that when I pull that trigger, I am, at a minimum, trying to hurt someone, and more often trying to kill them. Seeing someone die at a distance is already a strange experience, you're already so detached from it. What few sources of feedback, of kick, were gone and I knew where that road would lead me down. So I've sworn off energies, completely."
"But what about against robots? Like Robotnik's?"
"I thought the same thing. I thought I could properly separate it, like I separate the numbers; but after I fought the robots, when it was time to transition back to materials, I found it hard to let go. It was like a drug and you can't make compromises in kicking an addiction. You have to either do it or not at all; half-measures will get you nowhere. With materials, the reminders that whenever I pull that trigger I'm intending to end a life remain with me. It's not a pleasant feeling or thought, I don't cherish it, but I need it; otherwise the number of people I've killed becomes just that, a number."
Geoffrey places a hand on Hall's shoulder.
"Feels good to get that off my chest."
"Gud ta know ya trust me enough ta tell me that."
"Of course I trust you. How could I follow you into battle if I didn't?"
"Probably because ya'd be ordered ta do so."
As he retracts his hand, Geoffrey gives a sly smirk causing Hall to chuckle.
"Valid point, sir."
"Hall, what did I say?"
The squirrel smiles.
"Simply messing with you, St. John."
Geoffrey smiles.
"Ya bastard, ya're learnin' quick, aren't ya?"
"I aim to please."
"I bet yer boo back home likes ta hear that!"
"Oh, I have no one waiting back home for me."
"Guess ma first duty as King Consort will be ta find ya a nice girl then."
Hall gives a hearty laugh.
"Wat's so funny?"
"No offense but I think you shouldn't bother."
Geoffrey leans back.
"Oh, but think about it."
He then makes a spreading motion with his hands in the air, as if he is revealing some secret.
"Queen Regnant Rose-St. John an' her husband King Consort St. John standin' before tha' court, an' right by their sides, tha' loyal Archduke an' Archduchess Hall."
Hall scratches his muzzle.
"Why I cannot deny how nice that sounds, and how much good it would do to cement Acorn's influence over Mercia to have competent nobles from Northamer running things, there's but one issue."
Geoffrey gives a nod of his head for Hall to continue.
"I doubt you'll find any woman of high standing who will wish to marry a man who does not enjoy the company of women."
As Hall chuckles once more, Geoffrey's eyes widen somewhat.
"Oh, I see. I'm sorry, I, uh, had no idea ya preferred men."
He scratches the back of his head.
"I said no such thing, St. John. The truth is I don't enjoy anyone's company that way. However, you have nothing to apologise for. My personal inclinations, or rather lack thereof, are not something I expect you to know. And before you ask, don't worry; we're just friends. No offense."
"Oh, so we're friends now?"
"I'm calling you 'sir' a lot less than I would if we weren't."
"Fair point. An' because we're friends, I'll ignore yer denigration ov ma obvious good-looks."
The two laugh.
"I must say one more thing, however, St. John."
"Oh, do tell?"
"If you can find a noblewoman who will be willing to marry this 'guardian angel' of yours, I'll happily make the sacrifice for our country."
He gives a smile but Geoffrey can tell it's more than just a joke.
"Ya're serious."
It isn't a question, but Hall answers anyway.
"Yes, I am. I'm prepared to give my life for my country, I think I can give my happiness, too. Besides, even if I wasn't before, you've set a strong precedent to follow. It's always good to see people who lead by example."
Geoffrey and Hall share a smile and an understanding; a bittersweet one, but a shared one nonetheless.
"Perhaps we could be miserable togetha?"
Hall leans back and gives a reserved nod.
"There are certainly worse ways to go out. Relaxing on a nice estate as our wives that we don't love berate us while we simply sit, ramble about 'the good old days', and shoot at whatever catches our eyes."
He lets out a brief "heh" as he looks down at nothing in particular.
"I wonder what he would think of me in that situation. Guess I'll just have to wait till I reach the hereafter to ask him."
Geoffrey senses something in that "he" and "him".
"Yer father?"
Hall simply nods.
I wonder how he died
But he won't ask, not right now.
"Well, whatevah either ov our fathers would say, I'm interested ta see how ya behave off duty."
"Oh, I'm certain I won't disappoint. I'd wager we'd raise hell as we drink fine gin and wines."
Those words send a terrible feeling into his chest.
I'm sorry Em'ry
He looks into Hall's eyes.
Maybe ya are ma angel? Maybe ya are someone who I don't have ta lie ta, someone who can understand ma decisions, someone who can support 'em, someone who can join me in ma misery?
"Hall, ya know ov General Em'ry, right?"
He nods.
"Of course, your dossiers on all of them were quite extensive. Quite a distinguished Mobian if I must say so myself. Seems to have a good head on his shoulders; such a shame he can't be convinced to join us."
Geoffrey looks down in shame.
I'm sorry Em'ry
"What?"
Geoffrey looks up in surprise.
I suppose that's jus' affirming what I already know; I need ta get all this out. Everything
"Em'ry isn't just an asset, a tool, not ta me; he's ma friend. I hate myself for gettin' attached after I told myself not ta, but I can't change how I feel."
Hall understands where Geoffrey is leading this, but he lets him continue out of respect.
"I'm goin' ta betray him. Oi've lied right ta his face, hell, I don't even know how many times; lost track I guess."
Geoffrey is silent for long enough to let Hall know he can speak.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Geoffrey. But I'm also happy you trust me enough to tell me."
The skunk gives a somber nod as his eyes close. He isn't crying, but that small fact doesn't help the guilt he feels.
"I can't believe in jus' a year Oi've gone from tha' Commander ov tha' RSA ta a Brigadier ov tha' most distinguished Royal Army unit an' am expected ta become royalty. All because ov a mission ta make sure sum rebels didn't take over this damn country..."
"And as good as all that sounds, and how much you likely would've gladly accepted such honours a year ago, the details that come with them make you wish otherwise."
Geoffrey nods.
"Yea. They say 'Be careful what ya wish for'. Well, I didn't wish for any ov this, so maybe it's crap advice."
Hall places a hand on Geoffrey's shoulder.
"Then perhaps, St. John, you should wish for something. If my memory serves correct, the end of that phrase is 'you might just get it'."
Geoffrey feels resolve in him at Hall's words and the skunk looks to the morning sky as snow comes down. He knows that wishes are the futile desires of a child.
How many nights I wished for ya ta come back, then for ya ta be okay, then for it ta stop hurtin'
He sees his father waving goodbye as he boards the airship.
At least I got ta say goodbye an' tell ya I luv ya. Plenty ov people don't get that chance; like Hersh
He feels the snow come onto the white fur of his face.
I'm sorry Hersh
He closes his eyes and he makes a wish, like he did when he was five.
I wish I had a way ta get out ov all ov this,
The black and white cat flashes in his mind.
Ta get back ta ya, without abandoning ma duty
He opens his eyes, absolutely certain nothing will come of it all.
Wishes don't come true
But he still feels hope that it just might.
I'm not sure if hope makes it all easier or harder...
The fox and jackal come to an artillery cannon and sit beside it as the snow peacefully falls around them.
"Can't believe we've gotten six inches already."
"Oui."
Miles looks at the great artillery cannon.
One of the ones I acquired for them. I wonder how many people its killed? I wonder how many homes its destroyed? I wonder how many lives its ruined?
He turns to the jackal to try and get his mind off this train of thought.
I've already decided to end it, no need to dig the hole deeper, Miles...
"Hey, Edouard, how old are you by the way? It's only fair I know, since you know I'm seventeen."
The jackal leans back.
"Twenty-huit."
"Man, almost thirty? You're a fossil!"
The two chuckle.
"I've still got two ans before that."
"Yea, yea, whatever you say to yourself."
"Prower."
"Yea, Edouard?"
"When I asked vous if the amante vous left behind felt the same way, vous remember what vous said?"
Miles nods.
"Vous think it is égoïste to want someone to love vous?"
Yes
But he won't say that.
I wonder how many more lies I'll say before it's over? How many promises will I make just to break?
"No, but someone who I killed? Yea, that's messed up I think."
The jackal hooks his arm around the boy and pulls him into a hug.
"Don't think like that, mon gars. It's never erreur to want joie."
Miles doesn't fight the motion, simply accepting the embrace.
I can't believe I'm doing this to you. Letting you further in knowing full well I'm going to leave. I'm a fucking monster
He closes his eyes as his head rests in the jackal's warm fur.
But this makes me feel so good
"But what if your happiness comes at the expense of doing the right thing?"
Edouard chuckles, the gentle vibrations reverberating softly through Miles' head as the boy prepares for some deep philosophical answer; what he gets is something far more real.
"I thought it was vous who said 'There's always a will. Le only thing lacking in most efforts is a volonté'."
He doesn't open his eyes and he doesn't respond, but Edouard knows he heard it and is listening. He decides to make things easier on Miles.
"Vous don't have to répondre to that."
And the fox smiles at being given the opportunity to avoid the issue.
"Prower, is all this why vous said vous 'don't want to do anything like that'?"
He responds this time with a soft nod that makes itself felt.
"I espoir after all this, vous changement your position on this. Le monde is so vaste, why should vous be alone in it?"
Miles lets a smile come to his face that Edouard cannot see; it is not a smile of happiness or joy. No, it is too subtle and reserved to be such a thing. It is not a smile that one makes not when they are with their love or when they achieve something great, it is a smile that one makes when a cosmic joke plays right before their eyes. It is a knowing smile.
Nobody needs to know
"Well, I'm not alone. I have you guys."
"Très vrai, Prower. Très vrai."
"Edouard, this gun, it's from me, isn't it?"
Edouard's nod is felt by Miles.
"You know, for so long, I've struggled to figure what I feel about it all."
"About what?"
"About all the destruction that my mind has led to, does lead to, will lead to."
I wonder if Uncle Chuck feels this way? Maybe every scientist with a conscience feels this way?
"And I'm not just talking about my weapons. My work on engine propulsion, energy conversion, heat dissipation, seismic absorption, metallurgy, and dozens of other fields all ties into war. Better guns, better airships, better computers, better tanks, all of it all ties into killing. I used to fool myself into thinking that they'd mainly be used against Robotnik, but he's been quiet for a year now and my inventions, my discoveries, my theories, are still being used."
And when I'm gone, they'll remain
"Vous savoir what they say about guerre, Prower?"
"People say a lot about war, don't they?"
"Vrai. But this saying is rather pertinent, I think."
Miles remains silent, allowing Edouard to continue.
"'Only le mort have seen la fin de guerre.'"
Miles feels a slight fear in his chest.
Has he figured me out?
Miles remains in the warm breast, eyes shut. He isn't crying, but he's filled with emotions nonetheless.
I hope not
He begins to try and divert from this line of conversation
"Well, I think I've come to my own conclusion on my own contribution to war."
Edouard now remains silent, allowing Miles to continue.
Good, he's bought it
"I'm done caring, about what other people think or feel or do of and with my inventions. I can only control what I do, what I feel, and what I think. If Acorn decides to take an algorithm designed to aid reconstruction efforts and uses it to expand their wartime industry, so be it. If the Federation takes an engine design I made to help people travel faster and uses it to upgrade G.U.N.'s air attack capabilities, so be it. If you guys decide to use my support in winning this war to attack some other country, so be it. All I can do is what I know is right. That's what I've always done, I suppose."
Right?
The two sit in silence and simply soak in everything that's been said.
"Vous savoir, that's what Michel said to moi the first time I met lui."
At these words, Miles opens his eyes, pulls himself from Edouard, and faces him.
"Sounds like you've got a story to tell."
He nods.
"It was mon third night out in le forêt. I had ran away from home."
Miles perks his eyebrow.
"Why'd you do that?"
"Mon father was, or is, a juge. He had condamné a homme to décès by firing escouade."
"What'd the guy do?"
"Allégué to have been in contact with le 'Fantôme de Noël'."
"What?"
"This was rather long ago, before the war had begun or Michel had even révélé himself."
"How long ago?"
"Around douze years ago, I think; could be thirteen."
"You were only sixteen?"
Edouard nods.
"I watched it, despite mon father's insistance that I do non such thing."
"Sixteen's pretty old to shelter you from death."
"That's not why he did it. He was very clair with moi; I supposer I apprécier his frankness. He told moi he didn't want moi to get impliqué in it, said that I was going to get a job that was apolitique and évite all of this 'Nordiste-Sudiste absurdité', as he référé to it."
"Wait, he wasn't a staunch supporter of the monarchy?"
Edouard shakes his head.
"Non, he was. Like I said, he condamné a homme to décès by firing escouade just for the allégation of speaking with Michel back then."
"So why didn't he want you to do as he did, or does?"
"I wish I could say for certain why, but I can't. I never asked lui, and I never saw lui again after I ran away. If I had to take mon best guess, I supposer maybe he just cared about moi more than he did for his politique; at least I hope that's why."
"The allegation against the man, it was true, wasn't it?"
Edouard nods again.
"The homme indeed had been speaking with Michel. That's how I managed to find lui, or rather how he found moi. He came to moi juste as I had started a fire to keep myself warm, I heard his voice. He asked moi what I was doing and I told lui how I had no idée. I rappeler that when I turned around to look at lui I was surpris; my mind made the connection immédiatement due to his grey fourrure. I asked if he was who I thought he was and he simplement nodded."
The similarities between Edouard's meeting with the marshal and his own are not lost on Miles.
"I told lui how I saw a homme be shot because of lui; he juste nodded again. He then went to sit beside moi. We talked, about a lot of things. At the finir of it, he said he was sorry, that I had to see it, and then he asked moi what I was going to do now. I once again said how I had no idée. He then said he knew how that felt and he told moi that in temps like that all he could was what he felt was right. I asked if I could joindre lui and the rest is histoire."
Miles feels a deep guilt in his chest.
Same circumstances, yet he's stuck by him while I've shut him out...
He simply sighs at it all and resigns himself to lying in Edouard's chest again, shutting his eyes once more.
"Life is so complicated."
"Vous said it."
I wish I didn't have to leave you all
As the two simply enjoy the embrace, he feels foolish, childish, for thinking such a thought.
Wishes don't come true
"Alright, we've got all this new weaponry and a perfectly good target; sounds like a match made in heaven. Do we have their trajectory?"
The tarantula gives a thumbs up with one of her arms as the other five continue typing on the computer.
"Good. How long till intercept with us?"
"Six hours and twenty three minutes."
He turns to a Robian condor.
"Go set up our guns, we're gonna clip that airship's wings. Put ground forces on standby in case we need them and activate our jammers once they can't avoid us."
The condor nods.
"Right away."
And he departs.
"Time ta draw first blood."
Shadow and Rouge walk up to the President.
"Ah, Agents, so good to see you. I hope you enjoyed the Septcentennial, in spite of the weather."
"That we did, Mr. President."
"What brings you here?"
Rouge gives a look to Shadow.
"Wondering the same thing..."
Her whisper does not go unnoticed by him and he gives her a shove while maintaining eye contact with the President.
"Well, with all the craziness going on in the world right now, we wanted to make sure nothing happens to anyone here. Especially you."
The President smiles.
"Well, that's wonderful. I, and I think I can speak on behalf of the Confederated Council as well, would be honored to have your protection. Your presence will certainly make us feel safer. Though in all honesty, I am certain that this city is safe from any threat."
The female echidna stands at a podium, before her is a large assembly of her Legionnaires, numbering almost two hundred strong; at the forefront of them is an echidna, wearing a suit much different to his usual one, that she cares for very much.
My true father
She smiles as she remembers killing her biological one, just like she was smiling back then.
You've stood by me this far, as have the rest of you. I will repay such confidence, such faith, by showing you what I can do!
She clears her throat and speaks, her voice booming without the aid of any microphone.
"Legionaries! A momentous hour is approaching for the Dark Legion, the true Dark Legion. For some time now, envious rivals and traitorous appeasers everywhere have forced us into our current circumstance of defense; but that time is nearing its end! The sword of aggression, of advancement, I force into your hands, our hands. The coming events will demand enormous sacrifices from us but we shall show the enemy what it means to attack. Not the Legion, for the Legion is simply a tool, an instrument, a means to an end. Our enemies are our enemies not because they attack us but because they attack what we stand for; the advancement of our people from our mundane, unfair, and arbitrary restrictions and limitations towards heights dictated only by our own creativity, skill, and desire. They are enemies of the future, of tomorrow. And so I commend you to future generations. Go forth, strike fear into the hearts of our world's worth of enemies, so that their eyes may divert from our true path, so that their schemes of retaliation and prevention are not aimed true. And I order you to, when the eyes of the world are fixed upon you, cry forth our motto so that they may understand , why we've suffered, why we fight, and why we'll die!"
"Jawohl!"
"I have more to say, in regards to more personal matters. I speak now as more than just your Grandmaster, but as your comrade, as a lifelong legionnaire. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the continued and unwavering expressions of your loyalty and your esteem. When it comes to this war, we are all brothers and sisters. I won't lie and act as if there have been no conflicts, no strife, no wrongs, perpetuated against one and between us; but now I, as well as all of you, forgive each other wholeheartedly. Our righteous sword will come victorious at the end of this struggle!"
The crowd pound on their chests in synchronicity, producing a rhythmic beat. Instead of waiting for it to finish, or ordering them to stop, she decides to continue speaking, pacing her words somewhat to the beat.
"Former generations as well as those who stand here today know how much has been lost and how much is at stake. We were brought together then by an oath of allegiance that we are so dedicated to that we maintain it despite the one we swore it to having lost his own way! So great is our faith, our fidelity! And today, all of you gather in preparation for the triumph of our weapons and our minds and our will against those pitted against us, for now that oath will be seen to the last drop of blood. This Legion fights for something beautiful, something holy; a flame that the ravages of time and nature shall not, cannot, extinguish! We are that sacred flame that burns the way clear for us to reach the future, my legionnaires; one day, through our painstaking efforts, we will elucidate the future of the echidna people so that they may stand with us, rather than against us."
Their beating grows in strength and vigour as they begin humming softly. She sees Rex nodding slowly and subtly to her in approval.
Thank you
"I expect all of you to add a new page of fame to our glorious history. I find myself confident in you all to advance our ancient mission, our ancient appeal to the echidna people, to have them all take up the sword that we take up right now. The entire true Legion, to the last, is grasping on that sword and soon the entirety of the echidna race shall, too. And so, in order to set a proper example and precedent for you to follow, as any great leader must,"
She grasps the hilt of her blade but holds it there for a second so that, as draws it, the crackling of its energy resonates with the rhythm they have established.
"I draw the sword which with I hope to inspire you to victory and our people to greatness!"
She holds the blade, encapsulated in a bright, beautiful, blue lightning, high above her head.
"Hurra!"
Their cheering fills her with a most wonderous sense of pride at her own power, her own command.
"The sword is drawn, and I cannot, will not, sheathe it again without victory and honor! All of you shall, and will, see to it that only in honor and victory and triumph is it returned to the scabbard! You are my guaranty that I can and will dictate the course of the future of our people! Up and at the enemy! Down with the enemies of the future, of tomorrow! Three cheers to Dark Legion!
"HURRA! HURRA! HURRA!"
"And to Unity, Struggle, and Progress!"
"UNITY! STRUGGLE! PROGRESS!"
She smiles wildly with pride as she gestures with her free hand to several legionnaires on the side sitting with instruments who begin playing at said gesture. The melody they begin playing is the same as the one the crowd is humming.
Now Playing: "Heil Großmeister, Dir! [Hail To Thee, Grandmaster!]"
(Inspired By "Heil Dir Im Siegerkranz [Hail To Thee In The Victor's Wreath]")
Heil dir im Siegerkranz, [Hail to thee in the Victor's Wreath]
Herrscher des Neuerungs! [Ruler of innovation!]
Heil, Großmeister, dir! [Hail to thee, Grandmaster!]
Fühl in des Morgen glanz, [Feel by the splendor of tomorrow,]
Die hohe Wonne ganz, [The greatest joy fully,]
Retterin unsere Volks zu sein! [To be the savior of our people!]
Heil Großmeister, dir! [Hail to thee, Grandmaster!]
She feels like she could take on the entire world at once as the crowd sings.
I will guide us all to salvation!
Fühl in des Morgen glanz, [Feel by the splendor of tomorrow,]
Die hohe Wonne ganz, [The greatest joy fully,]
Retterin unsere Volks zu sein! [To be the savior of our people!]
Heil Großmeister, dir! [Hail to thee, Grandmaster!]
History will forever remember me!
Nicht wilden nicht reaktionäre, [Neither savage nor reactionary,]
Kann den Traum aufhalten [Can stop the dream]
Von unserer Zukunft: [Of our future:]
Liebe des Fortschritt, [Love of progress,]
Liebe des verbesserte Männer! [Love of the improved men!]
Streben nach des Traum von Menniker [Striving for the dream of Menniker]
Ist diese Heer! [Is this Army!]
The crowd continues beating their chests, accentuating the beat of the instruments.
I will crush any and every fool who stands in the way of the future!
Liebe des Fortschritt, [Love of progress,]
Liebe des verbesserte Männer! [Love of the improved men!]
Streben nach des Traum von Menniker [Striving for the dream of Menniker]
Ist diese Heer! [Is this Army!]
My glorious instrument to shape the world to my will!
Heilige Flamme, glüh', [Holy flame, glow,]
Glüh' und erlösche nie, [Glow and never go out,]
Fürs Zukunft! [For the future!]
Wir alle stehen dann [We will all stand together]
Mutig für eine Frau, [Bravely for one woman,]
Kämpfen und bluten gern, [Fight and bleed with joy,]
Für des Legion und Morgen! [For the Legion and tomorrow!]
From our darkness comes a beautiful flame, and the dream it will give light to is even more beautiful!
Wir alle stehen dann [We will all stand together]
Mutig für eine Frau, [Bravely for one woman,]
Kämpfen und bluten gern, [Fight and bleed with joy,]
Für des Legion und Morgen! [For the Legion and tomorrow!]
For me they shall fight and die!
Industrie und Wissenschaft [Industry and science]
Hebe mit Mut und Kraft [May lift with courage and strength]
Ihr Haupt empor! [Their heads upward!]
Krieger und Heldenthat [Warriors and heroes deeds]
Finde ihr Lorbeerblatt [May find their laurels of fame]
Treu aufgehoben hier, [Faithfully preserved here,]
Auf diesem Kreuzzug! [On this crusade!]
One day we will be able to stand in the light of day, in the open, and not be slandered by those afraid of what change brings!
Krieger und Heldenthat [Warriors and heroes deeds]
Finde ihr Lorbeerblatt [May find their laurels of fame]
Treu aufgehoben hier, [Faithfully preserved here,]
Auf diesem Kreuzzug! [On this crusade!]
What I will achieve will be forever etched into the fabric of all Mobius. All will look to my work and, seeing how perfect it all is, will tilt their head back and laugh at the sky in joy!
Sei, Großmeister Lien-Da, hier [Be, Grandmaster Lien-Da, here,]
Lang deines Volkes Vezir, [Long your people's Vizier,]
Der Echidna volk Stolz! [The echidna people's pride!]
Fühl in des Morgen glanz, [Feel by the splendor of tomorrow,]
Die hohe Wonne ganz, [The greatest joy fully,]
Retterin unsere Volks zu sein! [To be the savior of our people!]
Heil Großmeister, dir! [Hail to thee, Grandmaster!]
Yes! I answer this call! I will be the Vizier to guide our people, and then the world, towards our rightful destination!
Fühl in des Morgen glanz, [Feel by the splendor of tomorrow,]
Die hohe Wonne ganz, [The greatest joy fully,]
Retterin unsere Volks zu sein! [To be the savior of our people!]
Heil Großmeister, dir! [Hail to thee, Grandmaster!]
I will give the world the greatest gift it has ever seen; my vision!
"And I stand here before you all today and marvel in joy at your achievement to come together, to bridge differences, and to mend divides. So, bravo to you,"
He gestures to a group of miners.
"For having the courage to stand for what you believe in; not in a violent or destructive manner that only brings ruin to all parties, but in a way that allows for change, reform, and a better future for all involved. And I also extend congratulations to you,"
He turns to face several managers and city bureaucrats.
"For listening and engaging with the concerns and wishes of these hard-working labourers. It's often scary to hear that people don't like current circumstances and wish for things to change, but I think we often see that not listening is probably the worst outcome of all; for those who make peaceful reformation undesirable, or worse, impossible, will make violent revolution desirable, or worse, inevitable. Only through mutual recognition, communication, comprehension, negotiation, and appreciation can we come to reconciliation."
The crowd claps at the words and he looks to where Megan and Alexis are sitting. They smile and regard him with looks of encouragement as well as love; they give him confidence to say what he wishes to say, to do what he wishes to do.
Everything makes sense thanks to you
He smiles back at them.
You keep me grounded
He turns back to face the general crowd as their applause comes to a halt.
"It makes me proud to see the desire to work together, to extend an open palm rather than a closed fist, to exchange words rather than blows, displayed by you all naturally. There was no need for me or anyone else to tell you, to guide you, to order you, to do these things, for you are of Acorn, and the people of Acorn are a people who's inherent goodness is as great as their resilience and strength; and looking to all the things we've all endured through, that veritably makes us the most moral people to grace Mobius."
"Yee-haw!"
He smiles and continues speaking.
"I also-"
"Get out, ya damn Mobotropolee!"
The gopher tortoise who yelled those words steps forth in front of the crowd.
"This ain't yer home! Yer kind's brought nothin' but war and death ta this place!"
Several royal soldiers by Elias' side begin walking over to the heckler to eject him but he raises a hand to tell them to stop. One of them turns to face him.
"Sir?"
"He has something he wishes to say, let him say it. What kind of person would I be to praise listening to those opposed against us only to shut out someone the moment they criticised me?"
The soldiers all give an uneasy look to him and each other but return back to their original positions. Elias returns his gaze to the heckler.
"Do you have more you wish to say?"
"Ah've said everythin' that needs ta be said."
"Good, now that you've said your peace, I will say mine. Your words have no effect on me. Not one piece of your slander, of your vitriol, of your hatred, will reduce my opinion on the people of this great land one bit. Everything they've shown me speaks of a people who value love and life above all else. So, say your words, your slander, your vitriol, your hatred; hurl with all your might your puny little rocks against the great stone fortress of goodwill that I and the people of this land have built in concert."
The tortoise doesn't change his expression at Elias' words.
"But know this: I am not a man who desires conflict, who desires to hurt, to act violently; but I am a man, I am not a pacifist, I am not helpless, and I am not a coward. If you manage to somehow begin hurting the people, any people, of this land, or if one day your puny rocks begin to harm the foundation of the citadel of compassion that we reside in, I will not hesitate to exit from its safety and put an end to your actions. For aggression unopposed becomes a contagious disease, and I will not see my motherland fall to any sickness."
Elias then turns to face the crowd, completely ignoring the agitator.
"For over a year, I, as well as my lovely wife and our little girl, have traveled across the great Southern Baronies, to help in repairing the devastation of war, and then to build anew to greater heights; and in that time, what we have seen is mainly a people with compassion and caring, who have extended generous hospitality and kindness to us. I, on both my own as well as their behalf, extend thanks to you for being yourselves. We will continue our work until the time has come where either a region of greater need calls for us or we feel we can do further good here. I will never ask what you can do for me but instead strive to understand what I can do for you. I do not wish for the world of troubles that we face to disappear, for wishes do not come true; instead, I hope for the strength to continue my labouring to see an end to them."
"Wa-woo-woohoo! Wa-woo woohoo!"
The yell the crowd gives is strange and primeval, almost unbelievable to Elias, Megan, and Alexis if not for the fact that they are hearing it right now. Elias feels his body tense at what he thinks is a cheer, his hands grip the podium, and his eyes widen somewhat.
Definitely wouldn't want to hear that from angry people!
Hershey and Mina exit the building.
"Whew, pretty humid in there."
Mina chuckles at Hershey's discomfort.
"Man, Soumerca might not be your place then."
The mongoose looks to her watch.
"Well, we've got about an hour or so to kill before the concert. So let's get moving!"
"Aren't you just a bundle of energy?"
As Mina walks off, Hershey types on her wristwatch several observations she's made.
Gonna be a pain to write all this out...
She then taps a button.
But I can send this at least
She then begins walking and catches up with Mina.
The fox sits in her cell, desperately fanning herself with her hand in a futile attempt to cool down. In the cell across from her, she hears the sounds of pants and grunts.
"Could ya keep it down?"
The sounds do not cease.
"No can do, gotta keep up ma strength."
She shakes her head despite the fact he cannot see it.
"Why? We ain't gettin' out of here."
The sounds of exertion continue.
"What else am I gonna do? Sit around and whine like you?"
She groans.
"Exactly."
She rolls her eyes as she thinks about how rapidly her situation has deteriorated in just a few years.
From the Queen reveling in a palace to a prisoner rotting in this joint!
She stews in her anger, still fanning herself despite how little it is doing. She thinks about the pair who ousted her, fury rising in her at the very thought of them.
Hope those two are at each other's throats; cutting, preferably
Miles' eyes and attention are fully fixed on the tablet screen.
"I can't believe she almost died!"
Edouard massages the boy from behind.
"And she was all alone, none of us there to help her, like how she's helped us..."
Edouard has quite a vast array of thoughts, he doesn't say anything however. One thought is quite prevalent in his mind.
Thankfully Thomas isn't here
He's not certain how the hedgehog would react to seeing Miles so distraught over royalty, even if not from Mercia, being in danger. The boy sighs and turns around to face the jackal.
"Thank you, Edouard. I get that you probably don't like her but you remained silent. I appreciate that."
"C'est nothing, Prower."
"Maybe for you, but I'm pretty sure Beric would blow a gasket at me for this."
Don't tell me vous can read thoughts now...
After a few seconds of silence, his fears, mostly joking in nature, are put to rest.
"Oui, c'est vrai. So, vous know about all that?"
Miles nods.
"Yea, a while ago. It was a lot, but I get it, understand it. You know why, obviously."
Edouard nods.
"Oui. Perhaps he sensed vous would, somehow. I doubt he'd tell most peuple how much he desires to kill his frère."
Miles' eyes widen.
"What?"
"Oh..."
"Emery is his brother?"
Edouard rubs the back nervously.
"I suppose he didn't mentionner que?"
"No, he didn't. But what about his name?"
"He changed it when he left."
He shakes his head.
"Why 'Beric'?"
"Pardon Prower, I won't tell vous that, vous will have to ask lui; it's his right to tell vous or not. But I'm pretty sûr he will."
Miles nods.
"Alright."
He turns his head back to the tablet.
I'm glad you're safe from them. Soon enough, you'll be safe from me
"Hey Edouard, I need some alone time."
"Of course, Prower. Just rappeler, vous can't be everywhere at once, so don't beat yourself up over this, okay?"
Miles nods.
"Yea, obviously. Besides, she's tough, I know she'll make it through anything."
The sounds of the jackal's footsteps in snow sound and eventually disappear, leaving Miles alone. He can't deny how intense the desire to return is.
So I can see you one last time, tell you that I love you one last time, tell you that you are perfect one last time, that nothing is wrong with you one last time, and that things will get better, one last time
But he also can't deny how strong his resolve to not to do so is as well.
Because if I do that, I won't be able to stay on this path, I don't think so. And I know where the alternative leads, it leads to something far worse than my death and your pain because of it; it leads to your death, because of me
He feels a great sadness in his chest but an equally deep solace rises to match it. He thinks to what he saw Noël do in the tent when he was alone. He grabs a set of earphones and places them into ears, plugs the jack into the tablet, and navigates through it.
No more denying how I feel and what I want, just accept it, and accept that I won't get it
He comes to the song he wants to play
And that's okay, because I may be a monster, but I don't have to do what I'm made for. There's always a choice, to do the right thing. If I didn't already know that, you guys taught me it
He smiles.
I'm glad I got to hear your singing, Bing; the world hearing it too is also nice
He taps on the screen and closes his eyes as snow blows on him.
Now Playing: "Way Back Home"
(Bing Crosby with Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians Version)
(By Tom Waring and Al Lewis)
The roads are the dustiest,
The winds are the gustiest,
The gates are the rustiest,
The pies are the crustiest,!
(The songs!) The songs the lustiest!
(The friends!) The friends the trustiest,
Way back home!
He smiles and begins humming as he thinks of all his friends, none closer to him than that hedgehog.
You're more than just a friend to me, you're my brother; the one I never had, the one I never deserved
The trees are the sappiest,
The days are the nappiest,
The dogs are the yappiest,
The kids are the scrappiest!
(The jokes!) The jokes the snappiest!
(The folks!) The folks the happiest,
Way back home!
I hope you're all happy. That's all I've ever wanted
Don't know why I left the homestead,
I really must confess!
I'm just a weary exile,
Singing my song of loneliness!
Not for long
His tails coil around him in a sad mimicry of hugging arms as his humming continues without pause.
The grass is the springiest,
He thinks of those he likes and the hug tightens the slightest bit.
The bees are the stingiest,
He thinks of those he cares about and the hug tightens again.
The birds are the wingiest,
He thinks about those he's loved and the hug tightens once more.
I never got to see you die but I think that's okay; because now you won't get to see me die
The bells are the ringiest!
He thinks to those he would kill for and the hug tightens harder.
(The hearts!) The hearts the singiest!
He thinks to those he would die for and the hug tightens to the point of actually squeezing him.
(The arms!) The arms the clingiest!
He thinks of the one he loves more than anyone else and the hug tightens so tight it is practically crushing him. He desires the pain, not because he wants to be hurt, but because otherwise his sole focus would be on his fear.
That you won't get over me
Way back home!
At those words, of all the places that could appear, the one that would make him feel the most unease is the one that does.
Cocoa Island
The Sun is the blaziest!
He remembers the warm tropical days.
The fields are the daisiest!
The lovely verdant forests and plains, full of life and beauty.
The cows are the graziest!
He thinks of all the Mobini, so calm and relaxed compared to mainland ones.
The help is the laziest!
He thinks of the Flickies, those lovely little creatures.
You may not have been my family, but I still love you. And I failed to protect you. Then, I let so many of you get carted off to slavery while I became one with our slavers
(The boys!) (The boys the wittiest!)
He thinks to his hero, his brother, smiling with a chipper attitude as if he's just delivered a joke, emerald eyes peering into his soul.
No one like you. I know you could've protected them
(The girls!) (The girls the prettiest!)
He thinks to his friend, his sister, beautiful as can be as leans on her hammer, emerald eyes peering into his soul
No one like you either. I know you could've protected them too
(Way back home!)
He thinks to the island once again
The pigs are the snootiest!
The owls are the hootiest!
The plants are the fruitiest!
The stars are the shootiest!
Someone like me, given heaven on Mobius for so long
He isn't sure if he feels gratitude, shame, disgust or hatred at that fact.
That's okay. It's okay not to know
His humming continues despite the mess that his thoughts are.
(The grins!) (The grins the funniest!)
He thinks of all the happy times.
(The smiles!) (The smiles the sunniest!)
He thinks of all the good times.
(Way back home!)
This time, Knothole comes to mind.
Of course, the other home is the one that's gone
I don't know why I left the homestead,
I really must confess!
I'm just a weary exile,
Singing my song of loneliness!
He is amazed at how he is in no danger of tearing up. But he knows why.
I've reached the final stage
He sighs a sigh of relief unlike any other in his life.
Acceptance
The home food's the spreadiest!
The old wine the headiest!
The old pals the readiest!
The home gals the steadiest!
(The love!) The love the liveliest!
I love you, Mom
(The life!) The life the loveliest!,
I wish I could tell you to live life to the fullest, after I'm gone. I'd say anything, any lie, to make sure it'd happen. I'd even say to "do it for me" if I had to. After all, what's one more broken promise, one more lie?
Way back home!
When my Mom's happiness is on the line?
His humming comes to a stop as the music does, and his mouth opens.
"Way back home..."
The words come forth in a hushed whisper.
But wishes don't come true
The sky is dark and full of stars, the air is peaceful in its silence, the only sound being the soft blowing of wind and the rustling of leaves.
This is heaven
She lies in the embrace of the blue arms of her love, while their son, her son, sits beside her.
"Have you guys ever seen so many stars?"
Her love turns to face her son.
"Definitely not, bud!"
She shuts her eyes at how wonderful this all is.
This is all I've ever wanted
"Mom, keep your eyes open! We might see a shooting star tonight, and you know what they say about them."
She opens her eyes and looks to the source of the voice.
"Why would I need a wish?"
She hooks her arm around him and pulls the fox into a group hug.
"I've got everything I could ever want right here!"
The hedgehog and the fox chuckle while groaning from her strength.
"Thanks Hun, but you're kinda crushing me."
She loosens her grip and smiles at both of them.
"Sorry 'bout that."
They return her smile with ones of their own.
"Don't sweat it."
"Yea, Mom, we're real tough!"
She chuckles.
"Of course, you're my 'Little Soldier' after all!"
She pinches his cheek and he groans.
"Moooom, I said to stop calling me little!"
"Oh relax, it's just the three of us, no one to be embarrassed in front of."
She lets go and he massages the region.
"It's the principle, Mom."
Her love gives a whistle.
"Oooh, 'principle'. Using big words to mess with us are ya, little guy?"
"I d-"
She interrupts him.
"And speaking of being embarrassed, where's that pretty girl?"
"Who?"
"The special one you've been talking a lot with lately; Pink with green eyes."
His obvious embarrassment and nervousness makes her smirk.
"I-, I have no idea who you're talking about."
He looks down to the ground.
"Why are ya hiding her from us? Think we'll scare her off?"
He turns back up quickly to face her.
"What? No, of course not! You guys are great, it's ju-"
He quickly realises he's just been had.
"And there it is."
"Hey, no fair! You made me think you felt insulted."
Her love leans over and ruffles her son's bangs.
"Sorry bud, 'All's fair in love and war'."
He crosses his arms and grumbles.
"I think you two are adorable, by the way."
"You're not helping!"
He leans back and raises his arms.
"Relax bud, don't go all savage on me!"
He chuckles as she wraps an arm around her son once more.
"Oh, relax sweetie. You don't need to hide anything from us."
She feels the soft fur of his two tails brush against her back.
"Well, I don't know if she feels that way about me."
"Have you asked her?"
"I can't just ask her! That's crazy!"
"Why? What's the worst that could happen?"
"She could say no."
"To such a handsome young man like you? Doubtful."
"Mom..."
"What?"
"Yo-"
His words come to a sudden stop as a shooting star passes above them, then another, and another, and soon a meteor shower is taking place before their eyes.
"Ooooooooh!"
And out of nowhere, from nowhere and everywhere at once, a song, a familiar one to her, begins playing.
You loved this song. You loved a lot of songs
Now Playing: "Soldier Boy"
(Elvis Presley Version)
(By Luther Dixon and Florence Greenberg)
Soldier boy, why feel blue?
Don't you believe that she will be true?
The three remain locked in a loving embrace, eyes fixed to the heavens as the sea of lights flows above them.
I love you with all my heart
It's written in the book,
That she was meant for only you!
She shuts her eyes and doesn't wish upon a single one of the stars.
I want both of you to have them all, cause I already have everything I'll ever want or need
Soldier boy, tell me why do you cry?
When you return she'll rush to your side!
In a strange moment of lucidity, she remembers the truth, that this is nothing more than a dream, that this has never happened, and unless she finds him again, never will.
Please come back, my son. I'm waiting for you
It's written in the book,
That she was meant for only you!
She thinks to that hawk boy on the Enduring, fiddling with his belt. It dawns on her that he likely wasn't reaching for a weapon.
He was fiddling with it far longer than getting a weapon out would've taken
She thinks about the fact she fully intended to kill him, only an incredible happenstance prevented it and allowed him to be killed by someone else.
Would I do it again, knowing this?
So prove your love is true!
She doesn't even take an instant to answer.
Yes
She'll be there to say "I do!"
I'd do it again, again and again and again, a million times over
And if you go o'er sea or land,
I wonder how far away you went?
She'll make you understand!
When I see you again, I'll make it so you'll never want to leave again
While you're gone, oh try to believe,
Her love for you is really for real!
Know that I'll do anything for you
It's written in the book,
That she was meant for only you!
I'll fight everyone
So prove your love is true!
I'll suffer anything
She'll be there to say "I do!"
I'll change everything
And if you go o'er sea or land,
I'll kill anyone
She'll make you understand!
For you, and the rest of my family
While you're gone, oh try to believe,
Her love for you is really for real!
More real than anything else
It's written in the book,
That she was meant for only you,
Please come back my-
Soldier boy...
Her eyes well with tears as she fully understands that this is just a dream. She hugs them both tighter than is physically impossible, they say nothing and simply accept it. The meteor shower intensifies and the world around them is made completely perfect by her will.
Let me enjoy this while it lasts
But she will get no such thing.
"Your Royal Highness."
The tears flow forth from her eyes as she realises what's happening.
Please, let me stay here
"Your Royal Highness."
She opens her eyes and looks to all the shooting stars.
Please, let me stay here!
"Your Royal Highness."
She feels a desperation suffocating her and she looks to her love and her son slowly fading away.
I can't lose you!
She quickly turns back to the sky.
"Please, let me stay here!"
She feels the entire world shaking around her as her grip on them slips.
"PLEASE, LET ME STAY HERE!"
"Your Royal Highness!"
She understands that it is pointless and at this understanding, she shuts her eyes and lets go of her love.
I'll see you again soon
And grasps her son with all her might.
I wish the same was true for you
But she knows it isn't. She understands that she's going to leave here, that she's going to lose this perfect place, that she's going to lose her son, despite all the shooting stars in the sky.
Because wishes don't come true
"Your Royal Highness!"
Her eyes open up and she sits up.
"Are you okay?"
She turns to see an aviator.
No. I just had to leave heaven
"Yea, just a bad dream. What is it?"
"We think we've run into trouble."
She raises a brow.
"Battle Birds again?"
The lizard shakes his head.
"Not sure, ma'am, but Captain Grey requests you come to the bridge."
Harvey reads the message Hershey sent him.
Blending into city quite successfully. Have noticed signs of political tension. Public seems to buy into his rhetoric, though unsure if enough to secure victory for him. Election is anyone's game I suspect
- Agent Tom
Why is news so often bad?
He thinks of one place where that isn't the case, for now at least.
You're doing well, I'm just sorry what that will mean for you and her
He shakes his head and begins reading another report, from an agent in Central City.
"While I understand your desire to avoid involving ourselves in that region and with those people, the fact of the matter is that Empire City needs those oil shipments. Energy demands aren't getting any lower."
Haynes nods at Trinity's words.
"I agree, Westopolis is facing similar difficulties."
The President simply gives a nod and a deep "hmm".
"But the pollution?"
"C'mon Idriss, that oil exists whether we use it or not. Might as well make sure it goes to us and not someone else."
"If addressing our energy issues gets G.U.N. to start properly defending our Yurashian frontier, then I'm all for it. Dominion forces are getting a little too close for my liking."
Shadow and Rouge look over the meeting.
To think the future and fate of almost a billion people is primarily decided by these eight
"Alright."
The crowd turns to face the President.
"It's time to vote on whether or not to accept the Baron's trade offer. All in favor"
Administrator Haynes and Executive Trinity immediately raise their hands.
"It's the only way for Empire City to remain the premier commercial and industrial hub that it is."
"If Westopolis is energy starved then Station Square will become dangerously disconnected."
Mayor Bullyani nods and raises his hand in agreement.
"The traffic through the Caribbouan Sea will also provide welcome economic activity."
Magistrate Zhen raises his hand.
"We must see to these matters as soon as possible. Any further delay will allow our enemies to better prepare to strike us in a moment of weakness."
Literati Bardomiano raises his hand as well.
"As much as it pains me to agree, Spagonia's progress on nuclear fission theory is just not far enough for me to be able to recommend any other course of action in good faith."
Faama Idris gives a thumbs down.
"I think this will simply be delaying the issue. If we are reliant on Eggman-adjacent individuals and groups, even just former ones, to supply us with power, well, where does that road lead us?"
Princess Elise also gives a thumbs down.
"I concur. Surely there must be an alternative?"
The President surveys the seven.
"Alright, the motion passes, five to two."
They all lower their hands and the eight begin tapping on the tablets in front of them.
"Next issue up for discussion, our stance on the Mercian Civil War."
The two avians enter into the bar.
"Alright, you take the left, I'll go right."
The albatross nods and the two begin their search. After a few minutes, he sees her.
There you are
He approaches the wolf-weasel drinking at the bar.
"Hey there."
She doesn't even turn to face him.
"Not interested."
The hawk leans in on the bar beside her.
"That ain't what I'm here for."
She gives an amused huff.
"Then what for? Ya hiring?"
"As a matter of fact, I am."
That gets her attention.
"Alright. Who do you want me to put a hole in?"
"No, actually I-"
"Oh, you want a bullet in them instead?"
He shakes his head.
"Just listen to me for a sec, okay?"
She leans back and takes a swig of her glass.
"This is ain't no assassination job, it's a prison breakout."
Her face makes clear her confusion.
"A breakout? I'm way above that level. Call me when ya got a big fish mission."
"It isn't an ordinary prison."
"Oh I'm sure it-"
"It's Devil's Gulag."
She quickly returns her eyes to the hawk.
"Oh my, that definitely ain't an ordinary prison. Is it payin' good?"
"Yea, and there's an incentive on top of the pay. We can discuss details somewhere more private."
She nods and the hawk calls to the albatross.
"Storm, I found her! Let's get going."
The cat and mongoose shuffle their way past the crowd and into their seats.
"Nice seats, Songoose."
"What can I say?"
The bear walks onto the stage and gives a bow before sitting at the piano. As he begins playing, Hershey looks all around, taking in everything.
Everything seems okay, on the surface, but so much seems to be bubbling just underneath...
"Your Royal Highness."
"What's this trouble we've run into?"
"Not quite sure, ma'am."
He gestures to her to come over to look at the console.
"As you can see, our ability to send and receive communication is absent."
"How long for?"
"Around thirty minutes. I thought at first it was simply a mistake on our end, then some accidental interference, but now I'm certain it's deliberate. I'm sorry to wake you but I wish for you to be prepared in case something occurs. My best guess is either Battle Birds, again, or Robotnik."
She nods.
"Where are we over right now?"
"The Great Desert."
Her eyes widen.
"Oh no..."
Grey raises a brow.
"I assume you have an idea of who is behind this?"
She nods.
"Family of a friend of mine."
"The way you say that makes me assume it's not the kind of family you wish to meet with."
"No, he isn't. I assume it's too late to change our course?"
"Well, I'm not sure where they are encamped at so I can't say for sure, but I believe so. Turning an airship is something that takes time, lest we tear the ship due to gravitational forces."
"Fantastic..."
"Alright, I won't deny that's a pretty penny ol' Eggie is paying. But you mentioned an incentive on top of it all."
The hawk nods.
"That I did. Your brother is in there."
The purple wolf-weasel begins laughing heartily causing the two avians to look in confusion.
"Hoooh boy, that's a good joke!"
"What's so funny?"
"My brother can rot in there for all I care. Freeing him is probably a deterrent to me in all honesty."
The hawk quickly looks down at the tablet.
"Well, there's someone else in there."
He shows her the tablet screen. At the sight of the red vixen, the wolf-weasel ceases her laughing and adopts a more professional attitude.
"Ah, her. Good head on her shoulders, always a pleasure to work with. We gotta a lotta catching up to do, I bet."
"Batteries three to seven fixed on the airship. She's reached the point where evasion won't be a possibility."
The Baron slams his organic hand into the palm of his metallic one as winds blow sand and dust through the air.
"Perfect. There won't be any avoidin' us and we'll get ta see how good thuh Doctah's product is."
A rattlesnake comes over to him.
"Baron, there'ssss a sssssannd sssstorm approaching."
"Another one?"
The snake nods.
"Well, hopefully we'll be able ta finish and bunker down before it gets too serious."
He brushes the white fur of his cheek, dust and sand falling off like snow.
When everything settles, thuh world will be a better place
He thinks to his niece.
Ya may not agree with how Ah get there, but Ah hope in time ya'll understand
He goes to a console and begins typing on it as various numbers related to the artillery guns.
And in thuh end, hopefully, that'll be enough
"Uncle Baron?"
He feels a tugging on his duster coat and he turns to face it. The sight of three children, two of them Robians, sends joy rushing through his heart. He kneels down to meet the one tugging his coat at eye level.
"Heya there, Jessie, what is it?"
"We're gonna shoot down them Acorn jerks, right?"
He smiles as he nods.
"That we are, Darlin'."
The little wolf girl begins jumping with glee.
"Ooh, I bet that'll be a sight!"
"Uncle Baron, where'd we get all these fancy new cannons from?"
His eyes shift a lizard, with scales.
"From an old colleague of mine."
"Is it the Eggman?"
He looks down.
"Yea, it's from him."
"It's okay Uncle Baron. I know you'll do what's right for all of us."
He looks up with a smile and places a robotic hand on the lizard.
"Thanks, Ace. Always good ta know ya guys have my back."
A robotic peccary goes to hug him.
"That's cause we know ya have ours, now and always."
He enjoys her embrace, as cold and metallic as it may be.
"Right ya are, girl, right ya are."
A squirrel, accompanied by around seven other children, come to the balcony.
"Uncle Baron, can you play us the song?"
She holds up the guitar, its warm wooden form in stark contrast to its shining steel strings.
"Yea, please!"
"That'd be just thuh best!"
He turns to the tarantula.
"How long do we have?"
"Forty-five minutes to an hour."
He returns his sight to the children, his children.
"Alright, but just once."
They all cheer and follow him as he goes to sit.
"I hope ya brought yer harmonica, Lilah."
The squirrel nods and goes to sit at his feet while the rest of the children sit like a class in attendance as he begins strumming with his left hand.
Now Playing: "Uncle Baron's Ballad"
(Based On "The Times They Are A-Changin'")
Come gather 'round people,
Wherever ya roam,
And admit that thuh waters
Around ya have grown!
And accept it that soon
Ya'll be drenched ta thuh bone!
If yer time ta ya is worth savin',
Then ya better start swimmin'
Or ya'll sink like a stone!
Fer thuh times they are a-changin'!
The children smile with a joy that only innocence can hold as Lilah blows into the harmonica.
Even after everything they've been through, they're still wide-eyed as can be
Come kings and despots,
Who've held us down, now and then,
And keep yer eyes wide,
Thuh chance won't come again!
And don't speak too soon
Fer thuh wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'!
Fer thuh loser now
Will be later ta win!
Fer thuh times they are a-changin'!
A time is comin' that's gonna be like no other
Come Southrons, free Mobians,
Please heed thuh call!
Don't stand by idly!
Don't let yer family fall!
Fer only togethah,
Can we all stand tall!
Thuh battle outside ragin',
Will soon shake yer windows
And rattle yer walls!
Fer thuh times they are a-changin'!
And it'll knock tyrants right off their thrones and wake thuh people up ta fight
Come mothers and fathers,
Throughout thuh land,
And don't criticize
What ya can't understand!
Yer sons and yer daughters
Are beyond yer command!
Yer old road is rapidly agin',
Please get out of thuh new one
If you can't lend yer hand!
Fer thuh times they are a-changin'!
A new dawn is comin' fer all of us
Thuh line, it is drawn,
Thuh curse, it is cast!
Thuh slow one now
Will later be fast,
As thuh present now
Will later be past!
Thuh order is rapidly fadin'
And thuh first one now
Will later be last!
Fer thuh times they are a-changin'!
A-changin' they are indeed