So…. No reviews… hmmmnnn
/*-*/
Sonic ran along the road, outpacing the rider. The Wolverine lumbered behind him. Sonic admitted that this was strange. He was working with a monster, but admittedly, these monstrous circumstances. How had he beaten that… abomination? Johan seemed to be full of Talents and terrifying abilities. Could they work on Mobians?
Sonic saw the Wolverine was lumbering forward with the rider, seeming to listen carefully to his explanation of what was going on. Sonic probably should be doing the same, but he was eager to get to Frederick.
Tails walked up behind Sonic, startling him, "Hey… Sonic…"
Sonic jumped, and turned around, "Oh… Hey Tails, what's up?" He turned to see the fox with his hands clasped together, trancing each thumb over the other in a repeating motion. Sonic could feel a small, warmer emotion coming over the fox.
"Hey… Thanks for saving me back there… you really helped me out…" The Fox trialed off, "and… well…. It means a lot." The Fox was embarrassed.
Sonic seemed a little surprised, "Well, yeah, of course. We look out for each other. You'd do the same for me." Sonic smiled and the fox slumped down, his ears drooping.
The horse passed by them, and Johan grunted, clearly impatient at their talking.
Sonic jogged forward, with Tails following behind.
"Alright, we've got to move, so… I guess we can play twenty questions?" Sonic asked, "Maybe I can learn something new about my little buddy?" He joked, as they jogged along the road.
"Favorite Fruit?" Tails asked, smiling weakly.
"PFFT the chilidog of course." Sonic joked.
"Sonic…" Tails playfully whined.
"Alright… Watermelon." Sonic stated proudly. He loved the juicy sweet flavor.
"Blueberries." Tails smiled weakly. Sonic nodded.
"Alright, my turn. Favorite hobby?" Sonic asked, smiling at his buddy, slowing down to make sure Tails could think properly.
Tails' ears drooped, "I don't… really do hobbies… I'm not great at anything."
"Oh come on, you're great at a lot of things. You're fast like me, you can fly, you can be quite the socializer when you want to be. You're a great pilot, a really good friend, and wonderful… bah, you get the idea." Sonic smiled, patting his fox friend on the back.
Tails was flustered, but smiled, with that warm feeling emerging out of him, "I guess… I really like flying. The wind in fur… it just feels so… free." Sonic had been… really sensitive to emotions lately.
Sonic nodded, "Yeah… I like running for the same reason."
Tails smiled, and went silent. He asked, "If you could be any mythical creature, what would you be?"
Sonic frowned. That was a tough one. Sonic had it, "I'd probably be a Centaur. Just roaming the plains… running forever." He knew a few mythical creatures.
Tails nodded, smiling, a little sad suddenly, "I'd be a Phoenix."
Sonic thought for a moment, "Yeah, you always do come back better than before. Nothing keeps you down for too long." Sonic cheered.
"That's not… Nevermind." Tails smiled. They continued on the road.
Johan trudged and snarled along behind them. Sonic frowned, and Tails noticed, "What's up?"
Sonic sighed, "I don't trust him. I feel he's going to do something, and hurt people."
Johan suddenly cocked his head, "You don't trust me?" Crap, he'd heard.
Sonic decided to just be forward about it, "No, I don't. How do I know you aren't going to bolt as soon as we turn our backs?"
Johan seemed to process this as they walked a little bit, "I will not run. I am a man of my word. I am under contract to protect this kingdom. I will do so as long my contract holds."
Sonic frowned, "You say that now, but you're a murderer."
"Only by your laws." Johan growled.
Tails perked up.
Sonic looked at him, "What? Did you think of something."
Tails frowned, "Well… never mind. It wasn't a good idea anyway."
Sonic frowned. Something about Tails seemed so… defeated. His little buddy was broken. Sonic wrapped an arm around Tails, "Buddy, You are smart. You've got plenty of good ideas."
Sonic could feel Tails getting warm and fuzzy on the inside. The Fox purred a little bit, cuddling closer to Sonic as they walked. "I need to think a little more, but I do have an Idea." Tails smiled, more confidently this time.
The sun was setting. Sonic hated being on a time crunch, but they arrived in Apalsa. Sonic hoped he could help Frederick.
/*-*/
Fiona wanted to close her eyes. She stayed with Alister, with six guards. She couldn't keep them awake, she could barely keep herself awake. The sun was setting, which meant she needed to get ready. Fiona knew she didn't have sun light to stop this ghost.
That's what she thought it was. It possessed people, and had strange powers…
Fiona Saw the sun begin to dip. Maybe she should have gone outside… into a field or something… a place where they could run… and be free.
Fiona's eyes began to close. She shook herself awake.
"Aria, are you… Ok?" Frederick's voice asked, so concerned.
"We can't trust anyone… this thing can… possess people." Fiona growled.
"Yes… you told me that… I don't quite believe it." Frederick frowned, "I think… you may be exhausted. You need some sleep. I will watch my son, and these guards will ensure that nothing happens." Frederick proposed.
The Guards couldn't even keep themselves awake.
"No. I'll watch him. I can take good care of him." Fiona vowed. That was a lie. She had no idea what she was doing.
Frederick squinted at her.
"What?" Fiona asked, a little agitated.
"It's… nothing…" Frederick muttered, "If you are confident, then go ahead. My sister has full authority here."
The one of the guards had enough energy to nod his head. Frederick left the room, and ran down stairs.
Fiona looked around. The guards immediately went back to dozing off.
Fiona looked around the room, carefully watching for-
A sudden jerk ran through the shadows by the closet.
Fiona shouted, "UP THERE!"
The guards shuffled up, confused.
Fiona grabbed Alister and pulled him towards her, and ran into the hallway.
The guards followed, "Miss, we can't leave him."
"IF you aren't going to do anything, you're just getting in my way!" Fiona shouted.
The guards continued to chase, "Miss, there was nothing there!"
Fiona growled. They're stupid, they think I don't know that they're asleep. Please, I'm the best watch there is. I'm a little tired, and I've always been the protector of my fam- wait
Fiona stopped. The realization set it.
The guards caught up, and Fiona's heart rate increased, "Were you asleep? Be completely honest with me!"
The head guard shook his head, "No, we know the punishment for sleeping on the job."
Fiona realized it too late. She released Alsiter, who back away from her nervously.
Awe… you ruined the game A voice muttered in her head.
"Everyone, stay away from me!" Fiona didn't know what to do…
Guess I have to try something new… or a little old fashioned. The Voice laughed in her head.
Fiona felt jittery. Her hands were shaking. The voice… had stopped… was that a good sign? She heard the slamming of doors, and gust of wind flew throughout the Manor, extinguishing lanterns with a chilling wind. It still wasn't the coldest wind she had felt, but it was somehow more sinister.
Fiona had to act fast, so she grabbed Alister and allowed her night vision to set in as they ran. She saw the crates that lined the halls as new sets of ornamental armor had been delivered the night before. She avoided tripping over those.
"ALISTER!" Frederick's voice called out desperately. Was he possessed? Fiona couldn't take that risk.
She ran into a room. As it turns out, this room appeared to be a large guest room. A large, queen sized bed sat against the wall, stretching out. The moon Just crept over the large glass pane, casting a ghostly glow. Its light seemed to freeze the hardwood floor.
That was the least creepy thing about this room. Or Maybe Fiona's head was messing with her. The room had a wooden carved rocking chair, made of Yew and silk. In it sat a stuffed brown bear, with pale blue glass eyes. Its normal happy smile turned into a hungry grin. Across from the Bear, sat a dresser with a large wide mirror on the top. In Addition to all of the noblewoman essentials, sat a razor, needles and some thread. On the floor, sat a blonde stuffed rabbit, holding two cloth cleavers high in the air.
Fiona pulled Alister in for a hug, and tried to slow her breathing. She was exhausted. Were the stuffed animals starring at her? No… they were looking off into space. Fiona took a deep breath. A slow creak echoed through the room. Fiona's eyes went into focus, her tail puffing up to look big.
The Rocking chair rocked slowly back and forth. Fiona's neck tickled with slight gust. Alister shivered in her arms. She wasn't doing much better. She'd rather fight badniks again then deal with this. The back of her neck tingled once again. Fiona gulped at the slow gargling behind her.
"Give me the kid." The voice demanded. Fiona jerked around with a fist, and slammed her knuckled into the towering bed frame. She winced as she heard a her knuckles pop, and would probably leave a bruise.
Fiona pulled Alister into the right corner of the room, next to the bed. What did this thing want with her nephew. Fiona quickly did a re evaluation of the room. A large bed, with a towering frame, an empty rocking chair, a Dresser with a lot of utensils for personal care.
Something wasn't right there.
Fiona scanned the room for movement. Nothing, except a teddy which was flopped on the floor. That wasn't right. They were the only ones in the room.
Fiona slowly stood up.
A goofy voice chuckled in a rather unintelligent way, "Gorsh… leaving so soon?"
Fiona grabbed Alister and bolted out of the door, back into the hallway, where she slammed into… Sonic?
The three fell to the floor. Fiona rose up and dragged Alister away, "Who are you?"
"Fiona… It's me." Sonic rubbed his head, which he apparently hit on his way down.
"How do I know? Are you a Creation of that thing?" She growled, her heart pounding. It was starting to hurt.
Sonic looked in the room, "Was it in there?"
"ARE YOU SONIC!" She shouted, her jaw hurting, and her stomach feeling nauseous. She needed sleep.
"You know it's me." Sonic smiled, at her. He was troubled, and that smile held a thousand worries underneath it. Sonic saw she wasn't entirely convinced, as he frowned, "You were a little girl when we first met. You were tortured because I left you, and it haunts me now."
Fiona felt her heart begin to calm down, but it was still racing. "It's… you, alright. Why are you here?"
"I heard Frederick was in trouble, We decided to come and help." Sonic smiled softly.
Fiona frowned, "We?"
"I brought… the Wolverine. He knows how to deal with strange things." Sonic sighed, gazing off slightly. He didn't like the idea.
Fiona's heart began to race as she put the pieces together, "Is he here?" She asked, clutching Alister tightly.
Sonic nodded.
Fiona gulped, but Sonic asked again, "Where is this thing."
"The ghost…was in there. Fiona pointed to the guest room.
Sonic nodded, and a turned around, "Johan, Come here!"
The scraping Fiona heard made her hair stand up. Johan the wolverine, trudged up the stairs, his eyes glowing, his mouth foaming, "There is a vile presence in this house."
"Yeah, you, and a ghost." Sonic clarified, "It's apparently in that room. Get to doing your thing."
Johan's eyes turned to Fiona, and he gave a sick grin. He knew she was terrified of him.
Johan walked inside the room, squeezing through the door frame, and he snarled. After a moment, his voice came through, "There is nothing in here. Not anymore."
Fiona felt her heart speed up once again.
Johan crawled out of the room, "It is gone."
Sonic frowned, "We still have a problem."
Fiona felt her eyes start to close. She really needed sleep. She needed to survive as well.
Give me the child A whisper muttered in her ear.
Fiona jumped and dragged Alister away. Much to Sonic's surprise.
You can't out run me The voice whispered.
Fiona ran across the halls, listening to the sound of jiggling armor inside the boxes.
"Johan, GET THEM!" Sonic shouted.
Fiona ran out the Front door. She saw Frederick standing outside, looking terrified and ran forward to grab his son. The Door flew open, and a gust of wind blew through the air.
I am getting that child! The voice cried in her ear.
Fiona balled her fist as a set of ceremonial armors walked out, jaggedly.
A window shattered, its sound rippling through the air as a Wolverine stood between Fiona and the Armors. She clutched her nephew as tightly as she could, bracing for Johan to smash the suits. Instead, a low, gargling voice emitted from his throat. He was speaking, but not in any language recognizable.
The armors stopped, and suddenly began to crumple. A shriek of pain came from them… and then… silence.
Johan still seemed to be on guard.
"Is it gone?" Frederick asked.
"It is wounded. It will return." Johan growled, snarling, "It is an Apparition. It is bound to a physical object. Destroy the object, get rid of the illusion."
Frederick blinked, "What object."
"Any object you fool!" Johan shouted, "Find something out of place. Someone had to place it. An Apparition doesn't appear without someone placing a marker."
Fiona stood up, "The black Fox."
Frederick frowned, and looked at Alister's bandaged hand.
Fiona was trying to remember where she saw it. The red eyes.
Johan frowned, "Now for my payment."
Sonic emerged, "Wait, is it over?"
"Yes. I demand the rabbit girl be returned to my care." Johan proclaimed.
"What?" Sonic sounded outraged. Fiona wasn't sure what was going on, but he was upset.
"I did a service. I demand the child who I am responsible for be returned to my care." Johan snarled.
Sonic balled his fist. The yellow two tailed shadow emerged from the wall surrounding the manor. His posture seemed different… he was scared. Granted this area of supernature events was fear-worthy.
"Fine… She's in Roja." Sonic conceded. They'd argued while Fiona was thinking.
"Wait, are we safe?" Fiona asked. This was all pointless if the Apparition would just kill them in their sleep.
"You always were safe. Apparitions can only attack minds, not bodies. They are a coward's tool. " Johan proclaimed, "It will not attack you… for now. It is wounded and weakened, even more than a typical illusionist."
Fiona felt a wave of relief wash over her. She could sleep now. She did sleep now. Her back collapsed, in a quick respondent's arms.
/*-*/
Johan had difficulty waiting. There were always threats and problems that could be solved by moving swiftly and decisively. However, He could smell the pheromones coming from the Garden defender as he held the sleeping vixen. Any Intrusion would warrant hostilities.
Hostilities were not something Johan wanted… yet. He needed a good reputation to receive better freedom. So he held his tongue as the Garden defender escorted the young girl to her chambers.
The Garden Defender then met Johan back outside. "Alright, I'll take you to Cream."
Was that the Rabbit's name? He did not know it, but the name Cream? It sounded like Kreme, which was a bonus product Saxons produced from making butter and cheese. It was sweet and strong, a fitting name. Johan would not change it.
They lumbered off, but Something plagued Johan. The Fox seemed…. Softer, as though he was injured. This would also align with the scent, which was of something dying. Johan wasn't sure how to feel about this. He would keep his suspicions up.
When they arrived at the city, over the course of a few hours, thanks to the two, creatures moving him at an exceptional speed. There was more to it though. Something had used magic to get them there faster.
The Little fox, Tails, was out of breath, and Johan saw the gated city. It was massive and prosperous. It's size spoke of a city perfect to raid and plunder. Johan immediately caught the scent of his young rabbit child.
Sonic the Garden defender spoke, "Alright, follow me." He seemed unnerved. So Johan was not alone. This was odd, the magic that had been used had not gone unnoticed.
Something that was even more odd, was that the citizens were scrambling about.
Sonic ran forward, and Johan followed suite.
A crowd had gather deep in the city with angry peasants shouting. What they were shouting at…were children. Johan saw brown fur and burst through the crowd, knocking several to their feet. Their terror shook them out of whatever frenzy they had entered.
Johan saw the rabbit and positioned himself between her and the crowd, flaring up and growling. Johan did take an oath to protect the citizens, but he also took and oath to protect the child. The latter oath was made first, and thus was more shameful to break. Still Johan needed to avoid breaking oaths.
"What's going on!" Sonic's voice echoed over.
"My lord, your friend told us about your situation. We'll provide you with the bloo-" A peasant stood on a crate, as though proud of threaten children.
"Who told you?" Sonic shouted, clearly angry. This was not his doing.
"Your Friend, fists…. Knuckles?" The peasant faltered. "Did he lie?"
Sonic went silent, as did the crowd. The Fox's tails were wagging curiously. He was intrigued to see the answer. Johan found himself in the same stance.
Sonic finally answered, "No, I have to get blood. But this-" He gestured to the children behind Johan, " I Don't want you to kill orphans. Even for Sally."
Johan frowned. Something was wrong with his contractor.
The Red Garden defender emerged, from the crowd, and Sonic jumped down, before looking at Johan, "Nothing better happen to her." He threatened.
Johan had no intention, but a threat had to be answered, "You will not command me!"
The Garden defender simple conceded and ran to meet the red creature.
Johan faced the child, and pulled her to his chest, producing a deep growl to ensure everyone knew she was under his protection.
/*-*/
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