Boss Teal: I will first fully acknowledge your point. Yes, reviews should not be the purpose of a story. If you are just writing to get attention, then your story probably won't last past a few chapters.

That being said, there are instances where writing can be slow and, while important, feel boring. In these times, seeing viewers enthusiastic about your story, and eager to find out what comes next, making theories or maybe giving pointers on better writing areas, can make the slog of slow points less painful. This problem is really present with large projects, like the Wolverine Saga.

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Sonic dragged Knuckles away from the crowd. He was furious to say the least. Why would Knuckles do this?

"What were you thinking, how did you even know about my… issue." Sonic was hesitant to say anymore on the matter. He wanted to deny anything even happening.

"What… I just thought people might need to know. Tails told me you were having… trouble." Knuckles smiled smugly. "I just thought I'd help out."

Sonic growled, "I didn't ask for your help!" He'd have to talk to Tails about keeping secrets better. The threat, however, loomed over Sonic's head. Sonic was… terrified. He had no idea what he was going to do.

He couldn't kill anyone, but he also couldn't let Sally and Amy die. Antoine…. Maybe. Sonic mentally scolded himself for that joke.

Knuckles shrugged, "What are you going to do? If something doesn't happen, Sally, Amy, Ro-"

Sonic snapped at him, "I know… I'll figure something out." Sonic sighed.

"You're running out of time." Knuckles complained.

"Let me worry about it. Don't make the city go crazy for me." Sonic ordered, starring down Knuckles.

Knuckles put up a brief challenge before backing down, "Alright, fine. I'll leave you to it."

Sonic was mad, but his anger was replaced by curiosity. How had Knuckles gotten here so quickly? Knuckles wasn't slow, but he was nowhere near as fast as Sonic. Sonic saw Tails was standing at a street Kitchen which had set up.

He walked up, and Tails promptly noticed him, "Sorry… I didn't want Knuckles to… hurt anyone one." Tails' ears flopped down submissively. "I understand if… you want to punch me."

Sonic was shaken out of his anger by the horror of what Tails just said, "What is wrong with you?" He cried out.

Sonic putted Tails in, startling the little fox, a hug. "Dude… I love you man. I don't want to hurt you. You were trying to help me. I wouldn't hurt you." Sonic caressed the fox's head.

Tails was stunned, which made Sonic feel bad. Did Tails really think he was going to hit his little buddy. Sonic saw the Food vender's catalogue. It was apparently Tacos, tacos, and more tacos. Sonic pulled away from Tails, and looked at the vendor, who had a hand over her heart, "How much for the tacos."

Tails perked up. The Vendor smiled, "For you, lord, it's free."

"Come on, it can't be-"

"No, seriously. This place has enough potters, so my dad finally let me pursue my culinary passion." The bear smiled.

"Ok, how much for six-" Sonic started.

The Bear smiled, "They're free." She laid out the six hard shelled tacos.

Sonic smiled, and looked down at Tail, "Alright, thank you." The two walked over to the café area next to the pile of rubble that was the old manor. Sonic didn't exactly want a mansion, but it looked kind of bad to have a burnt down town hall, and have a massive pile of rubble at the center of the city.

Tails, however, was purring as he ate. He was so happy. Sonic took a bite, and… the tacos were good, but not exceptional. They weren't chilidogs, that was for sure. But Tails loved them. Sonic was happy he got to see Tails smile. The little guy had been quiet ever since he took the trip to the Cosmic emerald's domain.

This evening was almost perfect, until a raspy groan came through the streets. Sonic saw the Young badger dragging a car full old badnik parts through the street.

"Sticks? What are you doing?" Sonic asked from his table, taking a bite out of the crunchy taco.

"I'm taking my loot back home." She gasped, exhausted. Sonic saw that a lot people who had gone with Sticks brought back badnik shells, and swat bot husks. Stick's hadn't returned yet. Sonic guessed because she had the biggest loot to bring back.

Sonic felt bad for her. They weren't exactly friends, but Sonic couldn't help but feel someone should have helped her. So He stood up and walked over to her

"Stay back, You touch anything, I'll split your skull!" Sticks growled between pants.

Sonic held up his hand, "Listen… you seem like you need some help. I'll take it up the mountain with you… ok?"

"I don't need your help!" Sticks shouted, dropping the cart handles, gasping.

"How long have you been pulling that for?" Sonic asked.

"A few days. I sleep on top of it." Sticks muttered.

"Let me carry it for you… just for a the rest of the trip. You can count it when you get back, but I can't stand to see you kill yourself like that." Sonic explained with a weak smile. Sticks averted her eyes in thought.

"I will allow you to aid me. " Sticks conceded.

Sonic smiled, and walked over to the cart, he pulled up. It didn't budge. Sonic pulled up as hard as he could. This was heavy. It was full of badnik steel and parts. Sticks didn't leave anything behind, Sonic could tell.

Tails seemed shocked, but ran over, and grabbed one end. Sonic let go and held up the other, and they pulled it.

"So… Thanks for helping." Sonic called to Sticks as they left the city.

"I wanted the glory of a good victory." Sticks frowned as though Sonic was inconveniencing her.

They continued to walk. Tails was panting as they dragged the cart forward through the forest.

"So what has you troubled." Sticks finally asked. Sonic was caught off guard.

"What?" Sonic returned, amazed that she somehow figured it out.

"You're doing something nice. You're quiet, and you seem nervous. People do that when they ask for God's favor. Something's troubling you." Sticks explained.

Sonic heard that name again, but conceded, "I… have an issue. I have a cursed rose that will kill four of my friends."

Sticks paused before asked, "Unless…"

"Unless I give it the blood of four innocents. I can't kill innocent people." Sonic sighed, partially from exhaustion, partially from hopelessness.

"Hmmm, Let's go to Da. He knows everything." Sticks proposed, "He'll be in a good mood once I surprise him with my victory."

Sonic frowned, but couldn't stop the brief feeling of hope rising in his chest. Ceawlin was… mystical in a sense. Maybe he would know what to do.

As all things were in his life however, nothing was ever quick and simple. As they rose up the mountain, Sticks did start to help, but they heard the call out a familiar skunk, "HALTEN!"

Stick came around from behind the cart as Rough and Tumble came down, seeming to recognize Sonic, "Oh it's you. What bring you to our mountain?"

"I just figured I would help her out." Sonic explained pointing to Sticks, who had a massive, proud grin, gesturing to the kart full of loot.

Sonic expect to find overjoyed brothers. Instead, they seemed… nervous. Sticks noticed as well.

"What?" She asked, clearly feeling their hesitation.

"You… may want to let us… talk to Da…." Rough proposed, being uncharacteristically caring towards Sticks.

Tumble nodded softly, "We should give Da… a chance to process everything…"

Sticks frowned, "What's going on?"

Rough licked his lips nervously, " You left… without any message or talk. You were told to go down and sell our produce. You just… disappeared." Sonic realized what was going on.

"Da's been drafting an ultimatum. You have to be returned unharmed, or he will destroy the city and it's inhabitants." Tumble explained.

Sticks frowned, and began to pant nervously, "W-what? But I'm right here."

Rough held up his hands, "But we didn't know you went off like a child. We thought you'd been captured. Da… is not in a good mood."

Sticks shook her head, "I'll… tell him." She was… terrified. Her fur was standing up. She was shaking.

Sonic felt nervous now as well. They walked up to the gate. Sonic hoped to prepare a calming statement by the time they got to the long house. Two issues came up. One, Sonic was not exactly a diplomat. That usually fell to Sally or, if their luck was bad, Antoine. Two, The angry Wolverine that roared and snarled as he burst out of the walls of the long house, scanning the area for his target.

Sonic felt…paralyzed. This guy was in full Dad mode, kill anything that threatened his kids.

Ceawlin spotted his daughter, and skipped over to her. Sticks smiled at him with the most nervous face Sonic had ever seen. Sonic also felt massive weight on his arms. Tails had ran for cover. Ceawlin Knocked Sticks over, and placed his jaws on her stomach, lifting her up, and lumbering back toward Sonic released Stick's cart, which was on stable ground now, and ran into the long house.

Ceawlin dropped Sticks on the ground by their fire hearth, and snarled, "Where were you!" He Shouted, frothing at the mouth, He was angry, and nervous, and scarred all at the same time. Sonic felt it in the Wolverine's heart.

Sticks smiled, "I was… down with the civilized folk." She laughed nervously.

Ceawlin's jaw chattered in anger, "For a week? Why couldn't Roht find you?"

"You Send Roht down?" Sticks asked, surprised.

"OF COURSE!" Ceawlin roared, "I sent him to find you. He found nothing."

"I was… off…leading a warband against eggman." Sticks slumped submissively.

Ceawlin was quiet, still, motionlessly processing. Sonic felt so many emotions swirl in the Wolverine's heart.

"Did I tell you… to go off to war?" Ceawlin snarled, gritting his teeth.

"I was just honoring the great king. You said Saxons always need ambition-" Sticks started.

"-TEMPERED BY LOYALTY!" Ceawlin roared, "You aren't a Saxon! You don't have the blood in you for long wars, and brutality. You don't even truly understand war!"

Sticks pointed out the hole in the wall, "But we won."

"Who was foolish enough to follow you into battle?" Ceawlin asked firmly.

"Some people from the city." Sticks exclaimed proudly, "I took civilized people, and led them to victory! I should be praised."

"For tricking others into going to war for you? For sending them to an early grave?" Ceawlin countered, "I asked you to sell our produce, instead you go off for a week, with no supervision."

"YOU WOULDN'T HAVE LET ME GO ANYWAY!" Sticks shouted, "YOU'LL LET THE BOYS GO OFF, BUT NOT ME!"

Sonic felt awkward in this conversation. He saw Rough and Tumble look exceptionally shocked. Tumble came first, "Da, please, she's back now! We should be happy."

Ceawlin stood up, "Put your hands on the stool." He face was steely, angry.

Sticks slumped down in a terrified expression. Her ears and tails drooped as low as possible. Her posture dropped, a strange… submissive Sticks emerged, contrary to her usual appearance.

Sonic stepped up, "Wait! What… What are you going to do?" Sonic felt terrified for the young girl.

Ceawlin jerked, as though shocked by Sonic's appearance.

Rough stepped up, "Da… Please. I'll… take it for her."

Ceawlin snarled, "What would that teach her? That she can do as she pleases and others will pay for it?"

"Please Da, I won't do it again. You love me, right? Please don't do this." Stick muttered, her body trembling.

Ceawlin's face became steely once again, and he repeated his command, "Hand's on the stool."

Sticks cried out again, "PLEASE!"

Ceawlin roared, and Sticks went silent. Her brothers went quiet as well.

Sonic gulped, and saw Sticks, with a shaking body, turn around on the stood, and lean down, with raise her hind quarter in the air.

Ceawlin walked over the stand, which held the long sword. He picked up the sword, and drew in. Sonic got ready to grab Sticks and run. He wasn't about to witness a murder.

Instead, Ceawlin slammed the sword into the ground, and picked up the leather scabbard. He returned, to the fireplace, and pulled down Stick's tribal skirt.

Sonic turned his head, and heard the rippling of air, followed by a loud smacking sound, and Sticks crying out in pain.

"One." Ceawlin growled. Another smack, "Two. Three." Another, and another, "Four." "Five, Six, Seven," Ceawlin counted off to eleven. Eleven strikes with a sword's scabbard.

Sticks was…crying. She was angry, "I HATE YOU!" She shouted.

Sonic felt Ceawlin flinch, but nod, "Indeed. I am doing my job right it seems."

Sticks pulled up her tribal skirt, and Sonic saw from her thighs the swelling, she staggered to the door, wincing in pain.

"You are not free to leave." Ceawlin commanded, and Sticks slumped in a terrified manor back to her seat, sitting understandably funny.

Ceawlin opened the pot by the hearth, and reached behind him to a sack, and pulled out brown circular plants. Potatoes. He crushed them in his hands, and dropped the bits in the pot, followed by some green herbs. Lastly, he grabbed a dried, plucked flicky.

Ceawlin gave a soft smile, "I am glad that you are home, safe and alive."

Sticks was still frowning, clearly upset. Sonic was pretty sure he would be too.

Ceawlin walked over to them, and wrapped his arms around Sticks, getting a gasp, as she shifted uncomfortably. Her butt would probably be sore for days.

Ceawlin let out a heart growling noise from his throat, "You must be hungry. You have traveled far. Please eat, and rest."

Sticks sighed, "Ok." Ceawlin smiled, and walked back, opening a clay vat, full of white liquid. The thickness told Sonic it was probably cream. He poured some of it in the pot. Sonic could hear it simmer.

Finally, Ceawlin sighed, "Now, I will address you. You have come to my mountain for a reason. Why?"

Sonic blinked, he'd almost forgotten about everything. The last few moments were… exciting.

Sonic reached in his shoe, and pulled out the rose, "Could you help me with this?" That white rose, the source of all of Sonic's ailments recently. Tails looked nervously at it.

Ceawlin cocked his head, before his eyes twitched open slightly. An aggressive growl follow from his throat, "What is that?"

"It's… enchanted apparently. I wondered if you could break the enchantment. Please, my friends are in danger from it." Sonic begged.

Ceawlin snarled, "Get it out of here! Magic is vile, sinful, weak."

"PLEASE! I NEED ANSWERS." Sonic…begged. He realized it as he had fallen to his knees, with his fingers crossed.

Stick stood up, "Please help him, Da." She looked at Ceawlin softly.

The Wolverine paused, before sighing, "I can not help you. I was born after the purge of Johan the great, when our sorcerers and magicians were cast out. I do not know anything regarding magic, aside from God's commands against it."

Sonic frowned, "Please. It will kill my friends if I don't find innocent blood."

Ceawlin snarled, "It sounds… like a vile soul. To use blood for magic is… evil. Still, if you do not wish to endure the consequences, you must pay the rose."

Sonic shook his head, "I can't… Sally wouldn't want me to kill anyone for her… I don't either…. Could you do it?"

Ceawlin snarled, "NEVER!" The pot began to steam, and Ceawlin took it off the fire, and poured it into three wooden bowls. He set them on a tray, and handed them to his guests.

"You will find no true Saxon who would kill Innocents." Ceawlin growled, firmly.

Sonic saw Sticks light up at the Creamy potato soup, "Why not. Don't you guys kill everyone? Why can't you kill for me!"

Ceawlin shook his head, "The Only innocents are children. It is forbidden by codes predating our Great King to slay a child. The penalties are shaming and expulsion."

Sonic felt his heart rate shoot up, "What do I do? How am I going to handle this?"

Ceawlin sighed, "Eat." He gestured to Sonic's bowl. Sonic looked down. He saw chunks of potato, floating in creamy broth with green specks of herbs. Sonic placed a scoop in his mouth. He felt… warm… happy. This wasn't an amazing soup, it was a homely soup. The kind mothers would serve to children after a long winter's day. Sonic felt… clearer.

"What do I do?" Sonic asked… calmer, at peace.

"If you can't pay the rose, but you feel pressured to violate your moral principle… burn it. Remove the temptation. Make a decision, and stick with it." Ceawlin stated, seeming ominous by the fire.

"Don't do that!" Tails cried out, panicked, "What if… it triggers the rose early. What if we can't save Sally without it? We need to be cautious going forward.

Sonic couldn't find fault in that logic, "Thanks for the soup, and advise, but I'm going with Tails on this."

Ceawlin frowned, glancing deeply at an increasingly nervous Tails, "You reek of death. You are… interesting." Sticks stopped eating, and licked her lips.

Tails slumped down, nervous, "We fought a monster… made of bones today."

Ceawlin didn't look completely convinced, but nodded, "You will stay the night."

Sonic almost fell back, "What?"

Ceawlin growled, "You will stay here. You are tired, and you are my guests. I will protect you from harm, and send you on your way in the morning."

Sonic blinked, but saw Stick's hopeful face. Maybe one night wouldn't hurt. He did need sleep.

/*-*/

Johan trudged around the building for orphans, remembering it's layout, and marking entry points. Johan did not know these people, but he could sense zealotry and unrest in the city. The People were out to hurt children, something that Saxons would staunchly oppose forever.

Still Johan heard the old possum woman sweeping, and the children trying so desperately to not be heard.

"Would you like something to eat." The Possum asked.

Johan perked up, "I would. You have my thanks."

She placed before him a stew made with bits of meat and vegetables. Johan ate it, though it wasn't very filling. He still ate, because he was hungry.

"So… do you have any stories you might tell an old woman." She asked sitting down. Her face had wrinkled, something Saxons only did when they were Fatigued for long times. Of course, mortal creatures with life spans tended to age exceptionally poorly. Still this old woman seemed quite eager for some excitement.

"None that would interest you. They might tear your heart, as most of your soft people are." Johan simply growled. He expected her to be angry, or sad.

Instead, he was surprised by her laugh, "You are probably right. Still, if I feel sad, I can feel happy. So give me your worst."

Johan was… caught of guard by that. Not just her reaction… but the bit of wisdom she showed. Indeed, if one can feel pain, they can feel pleasure, if one can feel sorrow, they can feel joy. The only bad emotion, was no emotion.

Johan nodded, "Very well. I was a young man, who'd led many campaigns with my mercenary band. I'd become a legend to my shattered people. We Saxons… were broken. We'd lost the last great wars so terribly, we had no motivation, no drive, only intermissions between eating and feeling miserable."

The old woman smiled sadly, "Yes… that sounds like men alright. They trip over one failure, and can't ever seem to get up."

Johan was ready to snap at her, but couldn't really refute what she had said, so he continued, "I led campaigns for our victors. I crushed rebellion after rebellion in the name of our conquerers. Then one day, I am sitting in a tavern, and I see a young… Saxon boy walk up to me. He tell me, I have a throne, in our far away colony. The people wish for my leadership."

"oh… and you took it?" The old possum asked, feeling smug. This time, Johan got to surprise her.

"No, I told the boy to go back, I had a contract to uphold, and I couldn't abandon it. It expired…" Johan wasn't sure what followed. His tales told of how he'd gone, but he couldn't remember anything… personal.

"It expired soon." Johan settled on.

"Ah… you were an honest man." She realized.

"I always have been. Perhaps I am brutal to your miserably weak people, perhaps I am ruthless and savage, but I am honest." Johan growled, feeling mildly offended that she would assume otherwise.

She seemed to recognize his anger, and held up a hand, "I didn't mean to offend you."

Johan frowned. She was indeed just clarifying, but Johan still felt defensive, "I went to my contractor for payment, and demanded my just reward for service. He ordered I be arrested. Apparently, he was not ready to let my warband disperse. I suppose it would have broken his empire to lose any army."

The possum nodded, and gestured for him to continue.

"I went to my adoptive father, and he told me to take the throne I was offered. My cousin sat on the throne, but he was soft…weak. He tried to please his nobles, who had been given permanent lands. So I attacked. The people joined my army and I killed my cousin personally." Johan clarified, he didn't want any doubt.

"I'm sorry you had to endure that." The old possum was pitying him?

"I feel no regret. The weak die or submit, the strong thrive. This is what makes great kingdoms." Johan stated.

"Is that really how you feel? There are good people who never want to fight. They aren't weak, but strong in their own way." The possum stated. She was foolish.

Johan shook his head, "There is nothing strong about allow others to take from you. Better to fight alone for what's right than to lay down and die for evil's pleasure."

The woman shook her head, but said nothing. She must have known he was right.

Johan's victory was cut short by his senses kicking in. They had gone dull while he told the story, but now he could hear it. The possum looked concerned.

Johan pushed open the door to the outside and snarled. Three figures ran away. They were still after the kids. Johan would keep watch for tonight. He walked up the stares, and laid down in front of the rabbit who was pretending to be asleep on the stool. He would not take his eyes off her for the night.

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