Boss Teal: I hope you read the Wolverine Saga. Otherwise a lot of last chapter would be confusing with various names and stuff. Ceawlin is a dad, so he has to discipline his child. Don't worry too much about Sticks, though.
/*-*/
Sally stood in a strange city, which had buildings made of stone and wood. An ancient atmosphere filled her lungs. Why was she here? She was in Freedom HQ with that… psychopath from another dimension.
A disturbing feature of the city, aside from its lack of structure and zoning, was how quiet the city truly was. Sally thought carefully about what she needed to do to proceed. Probably look for help or possible freedom fighters who had been stranded here as well.
Sally began to walk through the city. She saw a forge, with it's steel still cooling. They appeared to be making swords. Sally walked up to house that stood next to the forge, and went to push on the door. The door was massive, easily seven feet tall. Her arm phased right through it as she applied pressure.
That was disturbing. Sally looked at her arms, and pressed them against the walls inside the house. They phased right through. Was she a ghost? Dead? Sally heard whispering in the house. She turned and saw… a woman. Not a mobian, but a human-looking woman. She held two children in her arms, and was whispering in some gargling language. Sally wished Nicole was here.
The Woman had long golden locks, and a face that would have beautiful if it wasn't so terrified. She shuddered, and stroked them, crying tears as she did.
Sally walked over, to try and comfort them, "You'll be ok… what ever it is…. You'll be fine." They didn't respond. She was even present in this world. She might as well have been a figment of their imagination. No, not even a figment, she was basically nonexistent.
Sally… wished Sonic was here. He acted kind of rash, he was arrogant to the point of annoying at times. But he was also hopeful, optimistic, and devilishly charming. Seeing these people without much hope… made her feel worthless.
The door burst open, and Sally saw a large, hairy man run in. His face was dripping with deep red blood. He wore armor that seemed to be battered. The man spoke in the same language as the woman, his arms stretched out to plead with the woman.
These people were similar to eggman in some regards, and different in others. They had large bodies, but unlike eggman, their arms and legs were muscular, refined. Sally would have loved to study them more.
The woman nodded at the man with determination in her eyes. She lifted her children up, and pushed them outside.
Sally walked through the doorway, but in hindsight, could have just phased through the wall. The city had completely changed. Fires were all around, screams and shouts rang in the distance. Flaming balls soared through the sky, striking buildings, and the second layer of walls.
Sally shook herself to stay focused. This was horrifying, but she focused on the family. They led their children down the circular road. Sally saw more families join in a sort of migration. They continued to walk until Sally saw the intersection of roads. One leading up a hill to wooden castle, the other, leading down the hill to gate, where men stood guard.
Sally saw other families coming towards her family. They all met up, and the large men began to speak. A few raised their voices, and balled their fists, but some calmer voices calmed them down. Sally didn't nervousness on their face, but hopelessness, anguish, and guilt. The men suddenly drew swords from their waists.
Sally thought they were going to fight in front of kids, but instead, they pressed the flat parts of the blades to their heads, as seemed to speak a chant, or prayer. Finally, they broke off. The families left… but the children stayed.
They stayed in a square, what must have been five to seven hundred children all terrified. Sally felt compelled to watch over them. A cry went out from the bottom gate. Sally turned to see the guards pressing up against the gate. Sally watched in horror as they pressed tighter against the gate, but could not contain its shudders.
Then…. Everything went quiet. The guards backed away. The air hung in silence.
A fist suddenly slammed through the gate's front, shattering it's wooden lock. Sally saw men, completely covered in armor rush into the city, fighting and swiftly dispatching the guards with little more than a sword strike. The swords, small and jagged, but clearly lethal.
The clobbering off hooves gave Sally a slight fright when men on horse back burst through the guard's ranks, fling torches onto building. The houses went ablaze. Sally heard the screams of women and men as smoke and cries filled the air. She found herself crying. Why weren't the parents here to save the kids.
Sally looked at the kids, but they weren't scared, just sad. She saw the horsemen ride towards them, the glittering black face masks covering nasal helmets removed any sense of humanity from them. Sally averted her eyes, unable to watch.
Strangley, though, the horses stopped, just in front of the first child, a young boy, who looked up miserably at the rider. The rider staired down. Sally wasn't sure what was happening, but there was at least… restraint shown. More than Eggman ever did.
The attacking army came up rushing forward, burning more buildings down, but stopping at the massive square of children. The army parted like waves against a rock, passing only glances as at the children.
Sally felt oddly nervous as something approached. She had involuntarily moved behind one of the wooden houses. She watched from behind the wall, as a presence approached. A short man, with a black face mask like the other warriors. This one was in charge, because everyone parted as he approached.
Sally felt her breath quicken. Her bodies seemed to weigh so much in his presence.
The man got low, facing the small child, and speaking… lowly. Sally began to relax. This guy wasn't a monster.
She watched, as his hand rose, and patted the child's head. Suddenly his head jerked in Sally's direction. Could he… see her?
The Soldiers around looked confused. The man balled his fist, and thrust a punch in her direction. He could see her! A shock wave rippled through the air, causing the children to duck, and Sally felt herself flung into… awareness.
Her eyes opened as she panted. What was that dream, it felt so real. She almost moved, but felt the thorns rise against her waist.
Evil Sonic sat there smugly, "Good morning. Only eighteen hours till your time's up. I hope your me can deliver."
Sally was still in shock. What was going on while they were here?
/*-*/
Sonic awoke to an unusual start of his morning. He was suffocating in a dream, only to wake up and find Tails laying across his face. White fur stuck into Sonic's nose. Sonic moved his hands quickly and pushed the fox off of him, gasping for air.
Tails woke with a start, and scrambled around, panting in a panicked state. Sonic stretched, "Sorry buddy, I couldn't breath."
Tails seemed to calm down, before looking down, "I'm sorry."
"Hey… It's alright, I just was having trouble. I'm glad you aren't mad at me anymore." Sonic smiled at his little buddy, hoping that he was correct.
Tails looked up at Sonic and smiled, " Yeah…" He seemed confused a bit, but happy.
"Look at you two. You are so close… I wish I was like that with my brothers." A raspy voice spoke out at the end of the longhouse.
Sonic whirled around to find Sticks standing by the dresser that sat against the wall. Sonic blinked up at her, "Were you watching us all night?"
"No, I made sure you got to sleep, and I checked on you every once in a while." Sticks smiled, a happy, innocent smile.
"You don't trust us?" Sonic asked, feeling a little offended that even after meeting him a couple times, she didn't trust him.
"I trust you well enough, I don't trust him." Sticks pointed at Tails. Sonic got… a little angry. Tails slumped down, nervously.
"You listen here! Tails is my little buddy. If you trust me, you can trust him." Sonic growled, getting a little aggressive.
Sticks returned his aggression with a firm glare, "I will remain cautious. I don't like his feel…"
Sonic frowned, looking at Tails, expecting to find the poor guy slumping. Instead, he starred at Sonic, with his mouth agape. He seemed to be in a happy surprise shock.
Sonic smiled at him, before growling back at Sticks, "You can trust him."
Sticks frowned, "Fine. I will place my trust in yours."
Sonic nodded, still a little upset, before asking, "How's your butt?"
Sticks stepped back, flustered, "What? Who asks that?"
Sonic shook his head defensively, "No…I mean you got whipped with… you know…"
Sticks blinked a couple times and nodded, "Badgers have loose, thick skin, like wolverines. It helps us fight grabby enemies, but also makes us not get so hurt from being hit. Da hit me hard, but I'm just a little tingly now." She made her point by pulling on her skin, which stretched about three inches up.
Sonic blinked, processing what she had just said. Ceawlin slapped her hind quarter with enough force to probably draw blood from Sonic or Tails. Yet she was fine.
Sticks walked over and grabbed Sonic's hand, "Come on, It's time for breakfast."
They walked out, and the pot was already full of goodies that make Sonic's stomach growl. There were Eggs, bread and sprinkles of brown stuff…. Which made a sort of casserole.
Ceawlin had laid out several scoops as the villagers came out around the table. Sonic sat down, and Sticks, sat to his left, and Tails sat to his right.
Ceawlin began to mutter, "Oh mighty God, who is valiant and strong. Thank you for returning my dohtor from the wild and dangerous world. Thank you for protecting us, and securing our future with good crops and lively people. Bless this food to serve your kingdom, and protect us, oh Lord. Amen." Ceawlin finished, and they ate.
Sonic took a bite. The food was sweet, and the bread seemed to provide a crunch to the eggs that made their softness bearable. There was cinnamon in it.
Sonis saw Tails over joyed with the food. It was all down his throat in a few minute in a more saage style of eating than Sonic had ever seen from the little guy. Sonic looked up at Ceawlin, who actually wasn't as mad as Sonic thought he would be.
Instead Ceawlin was smiling.
Sticks leaned over, "Eat… Da says that people who eat quickly enough to burp offer the best compliments."
Sonic heard a loud belch from Tails, who looked flustered. Instead, the Table cheered, and more belches followed.
Sonic split the food, and gave tails some more, because the little guy looked hungry. He also looked so shocked and surprised, but happy, "Thank you, Sonic."
Sonic smiled, and finished his portion.
After breakfast, Sonic noticed how Ceawlin was sitting on the wall that surrounded the settled. He seemed to be watching for something, as though he could sense a threat out there.
A morning fog had risen to the mountains, and it was thick, as if to cling to anything that might escape.
Sonic walked up to the Wolverine, "I… need help with this rose." Sonic gestured to the rose, which looked a little crushed from sitting in his shoe.
Ceawlin didn't change his gaze, "I will not kill for you. You must be a man, and make your choice. Live with it, and endure. That is the rule of nature."
Sonic pleaded, "But I can't. I have moral principles, and I can't lose Sally and the others."
"I have spoken." Ceawlin growled, still gazing in the fog. His fur seemed to be half raised.
Sonic finally asked, "What? Is there something out there."
Ceawlin remained quiet, and sat up, "You would be wise to stay here…"
Sonic frowned. He couldn't exactly afford to do that. He zipped over to Tails, who jumped up, "What are we doing?"
"We're going down the mountains… I'll face myself, and try to… save everyone." Sonic sighed. He didn't like this.
Tails sucked in his lips, "Wait… what about the wolverine in the city. At home I mean?"
Sonic blinked, "What about him?"
Tails smiled, "Well… He's a killer. He might… do the thing."
Sonic frowned. He hated the idea. Johan was… brutal. But… Tails was right. Sonic couldn't afford to lose the freedom fighters. Johan would kill people, and Sonic wouldn't ask… better to keep his conscience clean.
Sonic nodded, "Alright… we'll try it."
They ran down the mountain. The wind howled at their back, shrieks flew threw the air, as though the cries of ghosts, tortured and in pain. Yet as Sonic ran, something was off.
They'd passed that tree five times. Sonic held out his hand, and stopped. Tails stopped as well.
Sonic frowned, "What… what is going on. We've been going in circles."
"Hey… Sonic!" Sonic turned to see the red dreads of Knuckles, who waved at him from the tree line.
"Oh… hey Knux." Sonic flashed a grin, "What? Did you get bored without me?"
"Yeah. You're actually kind of fun to be around." Knuckles smirked, chuckling a bit.
Sonic grinned back. Tails… was… nervous though. He wore it on his face.
"Sheesh. What's wrong with you?" Knuckles muttered to the fox.
"N-Nothing." Tails frowned.
"What's up?" Sonic could tell the guy was upset and nervous.
"It's nothing. I'm glad we met our buddy Knuckles." Tails chuckled weakly.
Sonic nodded, "Hey Knux, any idea how to get out here?"
Knuckles blinked, "Well, you just walk-"
"No, This place is weird. We've been going in circles." Sonic explained, kind of aggravated.
"Hmmm, Well, I guess just follow me back." Knuckles shrugged, and walked back into the tree line.
Sonic was about to bolt, but Tails grabbed his hand. "What? What's up buddy?"
"Sonic… I… I'm nervous about this." Tails frowned; his hands were shaking. Sonic could tell the fox was terrified for some reason.
"Hey… Listen. We'll get through this… we always do. If you watch my back, I can't lose." Sonic smiled, patting his little buddy on the head.
Tails smiled, and nodded, "Ok…" There was guilty feeling in Tails' heart. Sonic couldn't place it. Was he still feeling bad about their arguments?
They walked into the woods, and Sonic realized something. The knucklehead had taken off without them. Sonic just walked in the same direction Knuckles had gone, "Hey Knux, I kinda need you to lead the way."
"It's just over here. I can't figure out why you're having so much trouble."
Sonic walked along the soft ground. It seemed to get even more soft and wet as he walked. Sonic's shoe slipped down in a muddy puddle, and Sonic actually tripped for once, landing face first into thick mud. He couldn't breath as he struggled. It was like the mud was wrapping around him.
He felt Tails' hands pull him up, "Are you ok?"
Sonic nodded whipping his face, "Man… this is rough…" Sonic looked down to see what he had tripped on. White-yellow. A crack, smooth. A skull.
Sonic frowned, and looked at Tails, who shuddered.
Sonic had a bad feeling.
"Come on Sonic! You'll be free over here!" Knuckles shouted.
Sonic looked at Tails, who was nervously scanning the area. Something wasn't right.
"Hey Knux… I want to ask you something."
Knuckles appeared from a tree, "Yeah? What is it?"
Sonic smiled, "hey… Do remember my name?"
"Yeah… It's Sonic, what about it?" Knuckles complained, "DO you want to go or not?"
Sonic shook his head, "No, I mean my real name."
"Real…name?" Knuckles asked, "What's that got to do with anything?"
"Well, Knuckles, you should remember the secret code we had. My name …. I told you it after I saved Angel Island. You shouldn't have any trouble remembering, assuming you are really Knuckles." Sonic accused. Not his finest tact, but he was on the spot.
"Oh… It's…" Knuckles thought for a moment, "Olgilve? Olgilve hedgehog." Knuckles smiled smugly.
Sonic nodded, "Yep… That's my name." Knuckles turned around, and they walked.
"Just one more thing." Sonic yawned, as the continued into the forest.
"Yeah?" Knuckles sounded a little annoyed.
"I never told Knuckles my name. I never told anyone my name." Sonic smiled, feeling pretty smug. He saw the quills on Knuckles rise. Of course, it wasn't a big achievement to pull one over Knuckles, but that didn't make the moment any less sweet.
The Imposter froze, "W-what are you talking about. You told me at Angel Island."
Sonic shook his head, "I never told anyone my real name. I hate that name." Sonic growled, "Who are you?"
The Imposter laughed, and turned around, his eyes turned black, and blood seeped out of the cracks, "Well… I'm Knuckles… from my world. I guess you figured me out."
Sonic stood on guard. Knuckles didn't move.
Knuckles smirked, "So what happens now?"
Sonic opened his mouth, but was suddenly tackled to the ground by…Tails.
Sonic whipped around, and saw a mound of mud move, dripping goop forming a strange mouth.
Tails smiled softly down at Sonic, before getting punched off by Knuckles.
"What do you think your doing?" Knuckles grabbed Tails by the throat, and pinned him against the tree. He gasped, and choked.
Sonic stood up, getting angry.
Knuckles growled with a sick smirk, "Perhaps I need to teach you a lesson." He slammed his fist into Tails's stomach, earning a yelp out of the fox.
Sonic spun straight at Knuckles, slamming him through a tree, before whirling around to lift Tails out of the mud. The little fox was gasping, his fur dark and muddy.
"Are you going to good?" Sonic asked, seeing the little guy pant.
"I'll be… behind you!" Sonic suddenly felt himself pulled into a thick, brown substance. Mud swirled around him as he couldn't breath.
"How do you like my golems? Not as good as the bone golem I made, but good enough." Knuckles' arrogant voice laughed.
Sonic felt his lungs straining, so this was how he was going to go out? Drowning in a bog with a golem from an evil Knuckles.
The golem stopped moving, before it began to disappear. Sonic couldn't see, but the light was getting more and more visible, until Tail's whirling appendages were seen, blowing the mud away.
Unfortunately, Sonic wasn't in any shape to help Tails out. Knuckles had an easy window to get him. Knuckles stood in front of Tails, and grabbed him again by the throat. He flipped the fox around, to face Sonic, "SO you killed my pet, I'll kill yours."
Sonic stretched out his hand, but he was still coughing. Tails whipped around, thrashing in a struggle to stay alive as Knuckles' grip tightened.
Then… in an assured accident, a Tail thrashed across Knuckles' face, cutting his eye open. The Echidna recoiled, his dark red blood dripping across his dark red quills. He recovered and raised his fist to punch the cowering fox.
But then he froze, and backed up, "I'll see with your friends." Knuckles growled, and vanished.
Sonic smiled at Tails, who looked shocked, and afraid, "Good job buddy. Let's go… get Johan."
They set off, after Sonic had a breather.
/*-*/
Fiona opened her eyes from a soft, fluffy, white pillow. She yawned and stretched out, Feeling the surge of relief as her muscles pulled open, alleviating the stiffness in them. She felt… tired. Two days without sleep was not good.
Fiona looked around her room, and sat up. What time was it? She couldn't tell, but it appeared to be mid day.
She slid out of bed and onto the floor. Or that was the plan, but instead she dropped down, and collapsed on the floor. The tingling in her left leg told her that she wasn't fully awake. Noted.
Fiona grabbed the bed, and lifted herself up, feeling blood work its way to her legs.
Her door handle twisted, and opened, with her big brother walking in, "Hey… I thought I heard a commotion in here."
Fiona walked over to him, "Yep, I'm up, now let's get something to eat."
"It's three in the afternoon?" Frederick stated.
Fiona laughed, "Yeah, and I'm hungry. Don't let your little sister starve."
Frederick frowned, clearly a little unnerved by her smoothness, but he gradually began to smirk, "Very Well."
They went to the kitchen, "Chef, prepare my sister a food of her desire." Fredrick proclaimed.
The chef perked up, "Oh… lord, Your guest has arrived."
Fiona turned and saw a grey mustached, blue hedgehog sitting in the Dining room. Fiona gulped a little bit as a strange feeling of fear worked its way into her heart.
Frederick, on the other hand, looked over joyed with his guest, "Ah, wonderful." They walked into the room.
"Sir Charles, thank you for meeting me." Frederick smiled gleefully, and relieved.
"Ah… it's nothing… What's the problem sonny?" Chuck asked, smiling.
"Ah… it is about that meal you served me, when I visited your brother's house?" Frederick exasperated. Did he have trouble making chili? Even Fiona could make Chili, and she wasn't exactly skilled in the art of the kitchen.
"AH… Chilidogs… What's wrong." Charles asked, before squinting at Fiona. He recognized her. "You…" His warm, nice-uncle-for-everyone posture disappeared. Not that Fiona could necessarily blame him.
Frederick looked back and realized he was talking about Fiona, and clasped his hands together, "Ah, this is my lost sis-"
"I know who she is." Chuck growled, shaking his head, "I know all too well who she is."
A…fair accusation. Fiona couldn't argue with his belief. He wisely only trusted people once. Pretty smart old man.
Frederick could read the room, "Ah… Is… there something wrong?" which was noble speech for, "What's the problem buddy?"
"No, nothing that will stop me from helping you." Charles growled, clearly ready to leave.
Fiona licked the side of her mouth, "I'll, wait outside."
She walked out of the dining room, into the hall, but instead of leaving, she stayed to listen. Why? Well… she couldn't place it. Maybe she wanted to know what the people who were personally affect by her betrayal thought? Maybe she wanted to hear their gossip. Maybe she was just too hungry to leave.
"The chili… does not taste the same. It is good… but not like your chili. My cooks have tried everything, spices, meats… vegetables. We can't get it right." Frederick gasped.
Charles had a tone of humor in his voice, "Ah, you won't find any of that stuff working. It's really quite simple, you have to let the chili sit for two days."
"Sit…. For two days?" Both Fiona and Frederick were surprised. Frederick could easily have been completely lost in that moment.
"Yes sir, leave the chili somewhere cool for two days. It'll change the flavor. Honestly, though, only my nephew likes it that way. We all tolerate it for him."
Frederick cleared his throat, "Ah… yes… I see." He did not see, but Fiona couldn't exactly come up with an explanation.
"You need to stop feeling so stressed, it's not good for you." Charles chuckled softly, "You'll end up with grey hair, trust me, it doesn't make you any wiser."
Frederick hummed to himself, "Yes… I just… have a lot to do."
"Do you? Or do you think you have a lot to do?" Charles' voice was sympathetic, "You can have help. You aren't alone."
"Thank you for your advice." Frederick muttered, closing off a bit.
"Alright, it's clear I've over stayed my welcome, and I'll see myself out." Charles muttered. A few door shuts later and Fiona was sure that they were alone.
Frederick walked out, and looked at his sister suspiciously, "Tell me, why did he look at you that way?"
"What way?" Fiona asked innocently, clearly not fooling him.
"He acted closed off to you. Why?" Frederick demanded, in a more serious tone.
Lying wasn't working… which meant she needed to try something else. Honesty.
"So… You know how I betrayed the freedom fighters?" Fiona sighed, feeling a slight pang of guilt as she recalled everything. Tricking Sonic, slapping Tails, goading Amy( That last one wasn't a big deal to her).
"Yes, you were coerced. I am aware of that." Frederick hurried along.
"That's a bullet point list of events." Fiona sighed, not enjoying this, "It got… personal."
"Personal? How, did you hurt Charles family? Did you steal something-"
"I dated Sonic." Fiona blurted out, "I dated him to get his attachment, and then I revealed my deception…"
Frederick was silent. He turned around and looked up at the ceiling, "Why would you do that?"
"I hated him. I thought he left me in the hands of Robotnik... I wanted to hurt him… bad…" Fiona slumped. She waited for him to walk off. What she did was… not good. Not noble, not acceptable. Not gracious or wise.
"Well… I suppose I understand his anger now." Frederick sighed, before turning and smiling at her, "Please don't do something like that again."
Was that it? He really wasn't mad?
"Really? No, "I hate that you are my sister." No "Why do you exist?"" Fiona asked, bewildered.
"I am glad you are still alive. I love you." Frederick smiled, "You're the only family I have outside of my wife and kids."
Fiona sucked her lip in, and nodded, "Well… At least with the ghost gone, you don't have to worry about them disappearing."
Frederick froze, and frowned, "The Apparition isn't gone."
Fiona locked up, "What?"
"The Apparition will return… unless a "marker" is destroyed." Frederick frowned.
"A marker?" Fiona asked frowning. An item…
"I don't know what it is?" Frederick grasped the air, "I don't have a solution."
Fiona answered his question, "it's an object. Something in the real world…." That night! She saw red eyes from her window…
Fiona blinked, "I think I have an idea!" She ran to her room. And looked at the exact spot the eyes had looked from. A tree, a large dark oak… it's leaves were in the process of falling.
Fiona ran down the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Frederick shouted.
"I think I know where the marker is!" Fiona ran over to the tree in the courtyard. There were leaves scattered all about, but if they destroyed by the wind, the apparition wouldn't exist. Who ever summoned it didn't put it on leaves.
She looked around, there were only branches. She walked over and began to pick them up. She tossed them aside, two black branches, a bright yellow one, a couple more black ones, nothing. Undisturbed dirt.
Fiona growled and circled the tree. Four black branches here, Five there. Nothing, nothing out of the ordinary. The dirt was fine!
Fiona growled and shouted, before running back inside. She'd have to search harder.
/*-*/
Johan heard the giggle from the young rabbit as she ran away from the two children trying to touch her in a game called "Tag". It seemed very similar to hunting, only instead of killing the target with a spear, they would touch the target, and the target would be the hunter.
The old possum woman sat on the porch rocking chair, "Have you thought about our conversation?"
"No, there was no need. I know the ways of the world. The strong thrive, the weak die, anything else is arrogance." Johan affirmed. He hadn't seen any benefit to debating a weaker mentality when he knew the way that had made the Saxons so successful.
The woman sighed in defeat, "You strong headed men…" She muttered.
Johan snorted, but kept his eyes on his ward. She was… happy. He felt a slight pinch of joy at the sight of her enjoyment. His enjoyment was cut short by a couple of citizens, a bear and a fox, with wild eyes walking by.
Johan stood on all fours, rising from his lying position on the porch, and glared them down. His gaze had not lost its sharp, demoralizing edge. They knew who to fear, and backed off, but Johan could tell they were not broken.
They were looking for an opportunity. Such a weak, and horrible culture, that would allow the murder of children for a cause. If he were home, they would already be dead, but alas, this society was not so adamant in its morals.
Johan's alarm had been set off. He marched down the steps, and the children stopped running, their nervousness around him was pleasant. He bit the back of Cream's dress, and picked her up, taking her into the much more defensible house.
"You are quite paranoid it seems. Not for yourself, but for children." The old possum smiled smugly.
"I can sense their malice. There is no "paranoid" to it." Johan growled, making a circle with his body around his ward.
"You scared them off already-"
"They have not lost anything. They will try again, until they succeed or lose something." Johan growled, pricking up his fur to assert his seriousness.
"You young men mean well, but are very prone to rash decisions. Please don't ki-" The possum started.
"-I can not be the aggressor, I am aware of that." Johan snarled. He hated this place. Evil could not be struck down swiftly, instead, evil always got a free punch before justice was done, "But I do not have to be helpless or idle. I can not be the attacker, but I will be the strongest defender they will ever face."
The Possum nodded, "Very well. You can't be reasoned with, but as long as you are trying to hurt people for fun… I suppose you are no problem."
Johan wasn't sure how to respond. He ended up going with gratitude, "Thank you." He muttered.
The kids had gathered inside, and Cream seemed nervous, but also seemed to understand he would not hurt her.
A zipping appeared in the doorway, and The Garden Defender Sonic and his strange ally Tails stood in the doorway.
"Johan… I need your help." Sonic stated.
Johan was intrigued, so he would listen, but he owed the hedgehog nothing, "Speak plainly, and waste no time."
Sonic nodded, and reached into his shoe, "This rose… It has Sally, and my friends in a thorny trap. If it doesn't get the blood of four innocents… the freedom fighters will die. Please help."
Johan thought for a moment, "It is… enchanted?"
"Yes." Tails nodded, with a knowing confidence.
"Burn it." Johan growled, "Burn this Icon of weakness and sin."
"What… no!" Sonic shouted, "I need you…. To do what you do best…"
Johan cocked his head at the accusation, "I do not kill innocents."
Sonic shook his head, "You killed and ate an entire Walrus family!"
"I killed adults, who were inherently weak and thus evil. I sparred children. I do not kill innocents." Johan affirmed.
"But you kill bystanders!" Sonic shouted.
"They are not the same." Johan snarled at the accusation of the fool.
Sonic and he starred at each other for a moment. Johan wasn't sure why, he would not concede. That being said… He needed the princess alive…
"I will take this rose… and handle it." Johan growled firmly, taking the rose from the Garden Defender's hands.
Sonic frowned, "You will?"
"If this is an enchantment… there is an easy fix." Johan sighed, as he knew how simple it was to deal with enchanters. Of course… smart, experienced enchanters… might have more enchantments…
Sonic nodded, "Alright… I'm going… to try and save them."
Johan saw him disappear with his odd fox friend.
/*-*/
Sonic ran through new Freedom HQ. He was about to do something possibly stupid. The Sun had started to set… which meant he was almost out of time. He hoped Johan would keep his end of the deal.
Sonic arrived in the cafeteria. He barely had time to duck, and avoid Knuckle's punch in the doorway.
"Control yourself!" Sonic's evil twin called out from the bar, sitting on it patiently.
Evil Knuckles growled, "Grr… I owe him!" Evil Knuckles' eyes had grey streaks in them, presumably from where Tails had cut them.
"I told you to bring him back. Not fight, that's on you, moron." Evil Sonic groaned.
Knuckles snarled, but didn't move. Evil Sonic smiled, "SO… you think you found a way to break the enchantment?"
Sonic's gusto, all his confidence, went out in that moment, "h-how how did you…"
"Tell me, do you know what my favorite mythical creature is?" Evil Sonic smiled.
Sonic remained frozen. How did he know? How did any of them know? Sonic didn't tell anyone where he was going. It was just him, tails and occasionally evil knuckles…
"My favorite creature is the Phoenix. Not because of the whole, dies and comes back stronger thing. No… it's about how they are born…" Evil Sonic laughed, "You see, volcanos aren't good nests. So what they do, is find a good nest with a good care taker."
A phoenix… Sonic slowly came to a realization, his neck slowly turning behind him…
"They distract the bird who owns the nest, and knock out one of the eggs, right before replacing it with their own…." Evil Sonic allow Sonic to connect the dots. His eyes landed on Tails', who's eyes were covered by lids.
His face was contorted into a sad… guilty smile, "You never looked too close…" His fur turned a dark purple.
"I'm really glad you didn't…" Tails' eyes…. Started bleeding. He was crying.
Sonic stepped back… still in shock. Of course not, why would he ever suspect… his little buddy.
Tails' eyes opened finally, with a sad smile, covered with regretful, bloody tears, "I enjoyed being your Tails… while it lasted…"
Sonic never had his Tails with him since the emerald…
/*-*/
So… what'd you think?
I feel like I could have worked a little better, but this is what I got. Please leave a review to let me know how I could have improved, or if you were just shocked by the outcome.