Wrote by JOSH. (LORD_FORD_BREAKER@YAHOO.COM)
LEGAL STUFF: Sonic and the gang are all copyrighted to SEGA and Archie
comics. The Highlander series/movies are copyrighted to whoever owns it.
RATED R for blood, graphic violence and occasional swearing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- Knothole Village Minutes after returning from up north. Friend or foe to be Author's note: I tried to make each character's speech the way they would really say things but if it comes out wrong in some places, sorry. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
Focus woke up to hearing several voice's and felt somebody untying his ropes. Opening his eyes he saw Bunnie was there working on the knot. She had her head turned the other way though. "Hello Miss Rabbot." "Huh." She said turning to him. "How long have you been fake'n sleep there?" "I woke up to you working on this tight knot, so I'd say about 10-20 seconds." Finishing the knot, Bunnie helped him out of the plane. Bunnie pointed over to where Sonic and Sally where saying that's were he needed to go. "Thank you for your hospitality Miss Rabbot. You are a true lady." he said. "Oh my...well your mighty welcome." she said with a slight blush. He was about halfway there when something didn't smell right. He though about turning to see where it was coming from but decided to continue forward. Sally was about to say something when the human did something she never expected. "I am sorry for any inconvenience I have cause you Princess Acorn. It was never my intention.' Focus said kneeling on one knee before her. "First of all, get up. You don't have to do that." Sally said. "Yes Princess Acorn." "Second don't call me that." she said pulling Nichole from her boot. "Okay. What would you prefer to be called?" "Sally is fine." she said opening Nichole. "Nichole." "Yes Sally." The machine said in its usual chippery voice. "Scan this overlander and find out if he's really from another dimension." she asked pointing it at him. "One moment.........yes he is and he's not completely human." "I knew it!" Sonic said turning to Focus. "Wait Sonic...Nichole is he a robot?" "No. He has no metal components in him at all." "Then what makes him not completely human?" "That answer is classified." "WHAT!?" The three of them said in unison. "I don't even belong in this dimension. What did you find that makes it classified?" Focus said taking Nichole. "That's the one thing I never liked about you Nichole. Max put to many access denied or time lock garbage in you. Did you ever stop to think that maybe that information would come in handy to, oh I don't know, like GOTTEN RID OF ROBOTNICK by now!" He was about to continue when Sally took Nichole back. "Sorry about that." "I'll forget it this time. Now Nichole why is that information classified?" "Sorry Sally but, Access Denied." This instantly sent Focus into a laughing fit. "HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Putting his hand on the tree next to them only helped for a second before he fell down. Clutching his sides he kept laughing even though Sonic tried to get him to stop. Bunnie and Antoine came running over when she heard the laugh. "What the who-ha is going on? What did ya say Sally-girl to make him laugh like that." "Nothing Bunnie. I just asked Nichole something and after she said access denied he started laughing." "I dont'z seez why there'd be anything funny about'z that." Antoine said. A few minutes later he finally calmed down enough to talk, but was sitting at the base of the tree. "Sorry, sorry...hehehe...I just couldn't help it....hehehe." "Maybe you'd like let us in on the joke." Sonic said sarcastically. "It's stupid really....hehehe...but......hahaha....ummm....like I said before I'm from another dimension and the writers there thought that making every other comic or episode with Nichole saying access denied......hehehe....or having a time lock problem was funny. I always wondered if Sally would get fed up one day and smash Nichole if she said it one more time. You apparently have more patience than I do. Oh boy. I haven't laughed like that in a long time. Thanks Nichole." Nichole responded with a loud buzz. "He does have a point though Sal. Nichole could be holding back information that could be the key to defeating Ro-butt-nick." "What do you want me to do with this bag of his stuff Aunt Sally?" Tails said flying over. It was apparent that even though he was flying the bag was almost to heavy for him. Seeing what was in the bag she had Antoine take it away. "Moi! But where ever shalz I putz it?" "Have Rotor place it in the safe." Sally said putting Nichole away. "All right Mr. Focus. We need to talk in private." "Understandable. You don't want everyone to know that an overlander is in the village just yet."
Rotor was tinkering around as usual when Antoine walked in. "Ze Princess wants the overlanderz thingz placed in the safe." "Okay Antoine. Let her know I got right on it." He said taking the bag. As Antoine walked out he went through the bag. Seeing the large gun he pulled it out first. "Wow. I wonder how this got pass Sally's approval. She probably didn't see it." Placing the gun in a bag he put the bag in the safe before heading over the the meeting hall.
In the meeting hall where all Knotholes strategic plans were made was Sally, Sonic, Bunnie mostly incase the overlander tried something, and Antoine. Sally and everyone else was behind the bench while Focus was sitting in the middle of the room. "Sonic has already told me the story you said now I want...." "Where's Tails?" Focus said looking around. "Why?" Sonic asked suspiciously. "When anything's going on important, he's always been there by your side." Turning to Sally, "This guy know way to much..." "Your telling me this. Only a few of us around here knows that Nichole has those time locks." "Is there any way at all that I could prove that I'm on your side?" Focus said interrupting. "Sally I thought you should see this since I don't think you knew it was here." Rotor said coming in. "Hold that thought Mr. Focus. What is it?" Getting in front of Sally where Focus could not see what was happening, Rotor pulled the large silver gun out and laid it down. "Whoa Rotor where did that come from?" Sonic exclaimed. "Sonic please tell me you knew about this?" Sally said looking into his eyes. "Other than his sword I had no idea. Honestly Sal." "What do I do with it Sally?" Rotor asked in an uneasy voice. "You brought my Magnum in didn't you?' "What?" Rotor said turning around. "Yeah. I can see it from here." "Hmmm...about that thing you said earlier about proving things." Sally said with a commanding tone. "Yeah." "Would you mind having this..." she was saying as she tied to pick up the gun. "What the...." She tried with both hands and barley succeeded. "If your asking me if I mind having it destroyed, since I know you really don't like having guns around with the children being around as well. Yes I do mind, but go ahead anyway, just for don't destroy my ring or my sword. That sword is extremely important and I'd would rather being dropped off somewhere else if I can't have it here." "What's the ring do? Give you those amazing healing abilities." Sonic asked. "No. My father gave it to me. That's all." "Oh. Sorry." "Not a problem." "Rotor you might want to disarm it before trying anything to it. Do you know how?" "Never seen anything like this but I think I can figure it out Sally." "Here I don't want anyone to get hurt....." Focus said coming over taking the gun. "WAIT!" the group said in unison. Sonic was about to jump over when Focus had already disassembled it and dropped it in front of Sally. "This is how you take out the ammo in the rest of the clips." he said showing Rotor. Sitting back down, he waited till they said something. "He could'va killzd everyone in herez." Antoine said shaking. "Good grief Antoine. Other than Sonic here I could easily take you all. That gun I wouldn't need." Seeing the look in Sally's face. "You want the truth so I'm telling it." "I want to hear how you got here and why....." She was saying while picking off her fingers. "Fine, fine, fine...I'll go over it again." Focus again told his story from where he was fighting another like him till landing at Knothole. He left out the gory part though. "So just what are you really?" "Ask Nichole if she will tell you my age?" Sally gave him a strange look as she pulled Nichole out and asked. "Access to that info is Denied." "Why?" "Access De.." "Denied. I got it the first time." Sally said closing Nichole. She set her aside shaking her head. "So what is your age?" "Ok. We call ourselves Immortals. We cannot die unless our head is cut off. Blow us up into a million pieces will also work, but then our power wouldn't be unleashed." "Power?" Sonic asked shifting in his seat. "It's called the quickening. We transfer all our experiences and knowledge to whoever's head we take. I've lost count how many I've had to take. It's either kill or be killed. No exceptions, unless your on holy ground." "Holy grounzd?" Antoine said. "Church's or graveyards. Anyway I was born in 1293, found out I was an Immortal in 1345 when I was run through in a fight. Woke up to another Immortal hauling me off the battlefield. He told me what I was and how to live. After a few years he left saying that the next time we meet it would be a fight to the death. Luckily I never saw him again. The only problem with being here is with no Immortals to fight, I will eventually start to age just like all of you. Anyway that's it." "That would make you over 2000 years old." Bunnie said. "That has got to be the craziest thing I've ever heard! That's just impossible." Sonic said waving his arms around. "How can we trust this guy with a story like that!" "Sonic calm down. Focus...is there anyway you can corroborate your story?" Sally asked putting her hand on Sonic's shoulder. "Have Nichole or Rotor find out the date on the sword and the ring. That might help." "Rotor get rid of this and bring the rest of his stuff in. I want to see what else he has." "Yes Sally." No one talked while Rotor was gone. About 15 minutes later Rotor came in with a bag. Pulling everything out he set it in front of Sally. Shifting through it she saw nothing dangerous except the sword which see set next Nichole along with the ring. "Rotor you can give him the rest of this stuff." "Thanks Sally." Focus said putting things away. "Oh Rotor did you get rid of that gun yet?" "Not yet. Why?" He said with a suspicious look. "The scope is not dangerous and I would like to have it back." "Oh that what this is?" Pulling it from the bag. "Yeah. That's it." "Let me see it." Sally said. "This might come in handy ." she said looking through it. "Ok Rotor, thanks." "Nichole scan these two object and tell me there dates and DON'T SAY ACCESS DENIED." "Working Sally...............the ring is older than the sword. By a few hundred years. The sword has been remade several times and has been subjected to a laser for increased sharpness. The ring does come from around the year he specified. The sword was made by him." "The story he told us. Is it possible that he's telling the truth?" "90% possibility that it is true." "I can understand why you would want to keep the sword with you till you trust me better, but please don't destroy the sword." "A sword I can tolerate but a gun no. Now I'm going to let you stay here but with certain restrictions and a guard will be with you at all time." "That's fine. Is there anything I can do around here to help with anything that might gain some trust?" "Why are you so interested in gaining our trust sugar? You seem really anxious to get it." Bunnie said standing up. "Because your my heroes. I used to daydream about ending up here helping with beating Robotnick and his bots. Going places to see what was left of my world in this time. Trying to rebuilding the once proud kingdom of Mobotropolis. Getting your father out of the Zone of Silence. Most of all I want to slowly kill Ro-butt-nick with that sword." They all were getting up slowly and stopped as he finished. They were all looking at him funny like he might actually be crazy. "What?" he said with his arms out. "I'll take you to our guest hut. Sonic take this sword to my hut." "But Sally what if he tries something?" "Sonic I promise you that I won't try anything. I was raised to respect royalty even if they were the enemy, for which I don't believe you are. Besides I would never hit a lady." Sonic just blinked at him and then left in a flash. Walking toward the far end of the village Sally pointed out were he could and could not go and the rules. Sonic came up beside Sally just as they got to his door. "Dinner will be at 6:00. Someone will come to get you when it's time." "What time is it now?" Focus said opening his pocket watch. "3:12. Why?" "Just want to set my watch to your time so I know the right time." he said messing with it. "Hey Sally. I heard that there's someone new here. Who is it?" Dulcy asked as she came flying over the hut. She managed an almost prefect landing till she ran into a tree. "OW!" "I always knew she needed practice but I didn't think it was this bad." Focus said wincing when she hit the tree. "You alright Dulcy?" Sonic asked. Shaking her head she turned around to him just now noticing Focus. "Yeah I'm fine. Hmmm. I thought something smelled funny." She responded glaring at Focus. With a depressed look Focus told Sally he'd be waiting for her to send someone to get him later. Going into the hut Focus said thanks before closing the door. "How did you know that someone new was here?" Sonic asked. "Tails told me, he just didn't mention that it was an overlander." "All right we'll inform everyone at dinner time about our guest but until then don't say anything." "Why are we letting him stay here Sally? He might be trouble?" Ducly said walking along with them. "Mostly because he knows way too much about us Freedom Fighters and a lot of it Robotnick doesn't even know. After what Nichole said I'm beginning to think that he might be telling the truth. I took a path around to that hut where he could have easily knock me out and gotten away. But he was polite and did nothing except answer all my questions truthfully." "What did you ask that we didn't hear already?" "Personal questions about my father. He knew quite a bit, even things I barley knew and some I didn't. He even told me that my mother and brother are somewhere on the Floating Island. Knuckles doesn't know their there but says that he should be able to find them. What surprised me was that he knew where the Sword of Acorns was and that it would cure daddy of becoming a crystal body when we finally get him out of the Void." "Then we better call Knuckles." Sonic said taking her hand. She squeezed it back as they headed for Rotor's shop.
Up on the Floating Island things were going great. The Dark Legion hadn't been seen in weeks and with the Echidna's and city all brought back the Island was prospering again. So far Robotnick hadn't noticed the new increase of populace on the island. Knuckles and Julie-su were coming up from the Chaos Emerald chamber when Vector came along. "Hey Knux, Knothole's call' in ya." "That trashcan Buttnick must be doing something to Knothole or Sonic that they need my help." Knuckles said in anger. He took off running after Vector. "Hopefully it doesn't take long. I had plans for us today." Julie-su said following after Knuckles. "I don't think it will be that long. Cool blue always comes through." "Who?" "Sonic." "Oh." Coming out of the forest they came to a clearing where a large hut sat. Inside Mighty was attempting to clear up the reception on the screen. "Hey there Knuckles. Sally wants to talk to you. For some reason she wants to talk in private." Mighty said getting up. "Everybody out then." Whispering in Knuckles ear Julie-su asked Knuckles to see if Sally would let her stay. "All right Sally everyone's gone except Julie-su. She wants to know if she can stay?" On the screen Sally was sitting at a desk with Sonic behind her. From her expression I'd say some pretty disturbing news hit her. Knuckles thought sitting down. "Do you promise to keep this conversation completely secret." Sally said looking at Julie-su. "I promise." "You can trust her Sally. I know she won't say anything." "Good. I know that you can be trusted so if you vouch for her she's ok then. What I'm telling you must not be told to anybody else. If Robotnick found out what I know and he were to exploit it Knothole would fall." "All right Sally. What is it?" "Information was given to me that my mother and brother our somewhere on your Island. When Robotnick started taking over they were taken there to hide out but I don't know anything else that happened after that. Just that they were last known to be there. Also the Sword of Acorns is on your Island in the hands of someone named Mammoth Moguel. Watch out for him. He has the power of a chaos emerald in him somehow. If you can get the Sword we can save daddy from becoming fully crystallized." She fidgeted a bit after ending. "There's something else isn't there?" "We found an overlander who has unbelievable healing powers. He is in Knothole with strict supervision. From the story we got from him and from what Nichole says, he must be telling the truth." She relayed the stories that Focus had told her. Scratching his chin Knuckles pondered what she said. He got up and paced around before answering. "If it's true that this Focus is from another dimension and everything he told you about your family is true then I'd watch out for him carefully. If Robotnick got hold of him the planet would be in grave danger." "We are watching him. Dulcy is standing guard over his hut right now till I info the rest of Knothole. In the meantime can you try and locate....." "If it was any other person I would probably say no but for you I will try and find them. I will send the Chaotix to locate this Monguel with some backup. I'll tell them that you had info on your fathers sword and wanted to get it back." "Thanks Knuckles. I'll own one again." Sally said getting up. "Once I know anything I'll contact you immediately." "See ya Rad Red." Sonic said with a wink and a thumb up. "Back at ya Cool blue." Closing the line Knuckles let out a long breath saying, "And I thought this day couldn't get any better." "Well what do we do now?" "Tell the others." Going out he called for them to come closer. Mighty, Espio, and Charmy all came from different locations apparently each was doing something alone. Knuckles figured it was another game of hide and seek since Vector was standing next to him. It amazed him that Vector could hear at all with that racket he was always listening to on his walkman. "Ok group. Sally wants us to find something for her she says is up here. While me and Julie-su go looking for something else I want you looking for a guy named Mammoth Monguel. He suppose to have the Sword of Acorns with him. I'm going to see if Remington can spare any help to find this guy. When you find him be careful, he apparently has the power of a chaos emerald in him or on him. Sally needs the Sword back so get it if you can. If it seems to hard wait and then I can come help." "Since this has to do with chaos emeralds why aren't you going?" Mighty asked. "Sally wants me to do something for her that I'm not aloud to say about at this moment." Vector moved over to Julie-su and whispered into her ear asking what Knuckles was keeping secret. Julie-su responded by shoving him away saying that she wouldn't betray Knuckles. "I'll contact Remington and have the help sent here. Once there here go start looking." Heading back to the radio unit Knuckles explained the situation to Remington and then headed out with Julie-su.
Six o'clock was rolling around and it was Sonic's turn to cook. Antoine was helping out. Sally was opening the door and letting others in when she remembered Focus. Seeing Geoffrey walking up she told him to go get the visitor at the guest hut. After giving her a quick salute he left. She held the door open for a few more minutes before go in. Seeing Sonic had finished with cooking, since he was sitting down next to Tails. She sat down with them. "Once everybody's settled I'll inform them of our guest. I haven't heard rumors so nobody must have noticed." "I kept most of them distracted while you took him to the hut." Sonic said putting relish on his chili dog. "Who'd ya send to go get our guest." "I had Geoffrey do it." she said getting up. "Well everyone's just about ready." Sonic nodded his head while pouring more on when Tails grabbed his arm. "What's up Tails?" "Did Aunt Sally say she sent John to go get Focus?" "Yeah.......Oh no." Sonic said realizing what Tails said. "Watch my Chili dogs Tails. I got to stop John." Getting up he caught up to Sally before she was at the makeshift podium. "Sally do you realize that you sent Geoffrey to get an overlander." She stopped and put her hand over her mouth. "OH NO! I WAS so busy thinking about what I was going to say...we go to stop him." Everyone had stopped talking and was looking at them. "It's nothing were just arguing." Sonic said trying to distract there attention off Sally as she ran out.
Dulcy was tired of watching the hut and was about to call for Sally when Geoffrey showed up. "Dinner time Dulcy. Sally sent me to get our guest." Geoffrey said loading his crossbow. "Thanks. I was ready eat the tree's." She said flying off. I wonder who are guest is today. Sally didn't say who it was. John thought as he knocked on the door. Focus was having a dream about sparring with Antoine when he heard the door knocked on. "Hmm...what...oh yeah. Just a sec." he said rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He was putting on his black trench coat as he opened the door. Seeing who it was surprised him enough he stood there with his left arm barely in the coat. Geoffrey stood there in shock for barely a sec when we lashed out. "HOW IN THE HELL!...." He pulled his fist back and caught Focus dead in the face. Focus fell back several feet rolling over a couple of time. "MMMMMM." Focus moaned getting to his feet. Touching his face he could feel his lip was split open and a couple teeth were loose. Spitting out some blood, "I was wondering when you'd show up. As much as I loved to punch your face into a bloody mess, Sally wouldn't like that so I'm willing to forget this happened." "Bloody mess hey mate. More like yours is going to be the messed one." he said shooting his arm crossbow at Focus. Focus managed to dodge out of the way of the arrow but not St. John's kick to his stomach. Before he could try to retaliate John kicked him in the face knocking him into the wall. "OH THAT DOES IT GEOFFREY. I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TAKE YOU OUT!" Focus yelled delivering a roundhouse kick to his face as got close. John smacked into the wall getting back up with amazing recovery speed. He started loading another arrow when Focus plowed a fist into his gut. Before Geoffrey could move to stop his fist, Focus gave him a powerful uppercut to his chin that sent him out the window. Landing outside Geoffrey could feel slivers of glass and wood in him. He was bleeding from a split lip of his own and a bit tongue. Blood was coming out of several cuts turning his fur red. Jumping out the window Focus was about to land on St. John when he moved and did a leg sweep knocking Focus on the ground. John caught Focus with a elbow drop to the throat. Rolling away Focus grabbed his throat while kicking Geoffrey in the face. "Nice one John. Almost felt that." He said in a weak voice. Going into a boxing stance he taunted John with the one thing that he was sure to get John's goat. "Is that the best you've got. I've seen turtles that fight better." "RRRAAAAA!!!" Geoffrey yelled firing off an arrow he managed to load.
Focus saw it coming but was too close to move out of it's way. Bringing up his arm it stuck itself into his left shoulder. Letting out a yell of pain Focus charged John. Catching him in the gut Focus lifted him off the ground as he slammed John into a nearby hut wall. John felt a few ribs crack as he hit the wall. As he impacted he coughed up blood on Focus back. Putting his fist together he drove his elbows into Focus back. Focus dropped to the ground with John on him. Rolling over he accidentally rolled onto a piece of glass. He screamed as it pierced his chest going into his lung. Shoving John off him he pulled the glass out. Blood squirted out and he felt it rising in his throat. Getting up Geoffrey clutched his side. He watched at the overlander pulled glass from his chest. Picking up a piece of broken frame he swung for Focus's head. Focus could feel his body giving out as he saw Geoffrey take a swing at him. Grabbing the piece of frame he pulled it from John's hand and tossed it aside. Getting up quickly he gave John a swift kick to the groin. John grabbed his groin screaming in pain as he fell back. Focus could swear he heard a few words he didn't think that the Mobians knew. "Your a better fighter than I thought." Focus said spitting out more blood. Looking over to his right he could see a few Mobians watching but couldn't tell how many since everything was blurry. "He's going to need a Doctor. I just hurt him, nothing life threatening." Pulling the arrow from his arm he dropped it and turned to go into his hut but fell over at the door step. "I should've warned Sally that this wou......." he was saying as blackness over took him.
Sally ran as fast as she could wishing she had Sonic's speed. Getting closer to the guest hut she heard the sound of glass breaking. Coming around another hut she watched Geoffrey trip Focus. She yelled at them to stop and even threw a rock between them but they didn't see it. She was heading over to get between them when Sonic showed up. "WHOA! This is going to take awhile to clean." Sonic said sliding to a halt in front of her. "Let me handle this Sal." Sonic went to rush both of them when Geoffrey went down from a kick to the crotch. Sonic winced when he saw it. "That's going to hurt." Sally said moving closer. They watched as Focus spit out some blood. "He's going to need a Doctor. I just hurt him, nothing life threatening." Focus said. They watched in horror as he pulled the arrow out of his arm. They could see blood was coming out of him in several places as he turned around and fell at his doorsteps. "Sonic get Dr. Quack as well as Dulcy. Tell Rosie to make sure everyone stay's in the mess hall till I get back." Sonic was about to protest when she ordered him to go. Seeing him speed off she pulled out Nichole. "Nichole scan Geoffrey. How bad is it?" "Scanning Sally...........He has three cracked ribs on his left side. A few front teeth are loose and several cuts and bruises. He will survive." "What about the overlander?" "He is dying fast, but will fully recover." "WHAT?!.......Oh right." Turning around to the approaching noises she saw Dr. Quack running up with his bag. His assistant was behind him with a stretcher. Sonic as usual stopped right next to her. Dulcy was a few seconds behind. "Oh my. What happened here and where did that overlander come from?" Quack said checking on Geoffrey. Sally handed him Nichole showing what her scan revealed. "I'm not sure. When Sonic and I got here they were going at it. It's my fault. I forgot to tell Geoffrey who are guest was." "Geoffrey going to need a few stitches and a cast for his broken ribs. He's not going to be moving much for awhile. Help me get him on this stretcher." After moving St. John onto the stretcher with the help of his assistant and Sally he started walking over to Focus. "Forget about him. He's........" Sally was moving her hands around trying to think while explaining not doing to well. "Dead I think is the word your looking for Sally." Quack said rolling Focus over. "Hey Sally what did you want me for?" Dulcy asked pinching her nose. "The smell of blood always makes my stomach sick." "Once we get them moved out of the way can you burn this area and then put it out so no one has to see all this?" Sally said with pleading eyes. "Since I know you don't want the children seeing this I'll do it." "Thanks Dulcy." "What do you want done with this guy Sally?" Quack said pointing at Focus. "We'll put him in the hut for now so Dulcy can get rid this mess. Sonic go in and put some towels down or something on the floor. The less to clean the better." As Sonic went in Quack and Sally dragged Focus in and placed him on a sheet Sonic laid out. "Dr. Quack. What you've seen hear don't discuss with anyone else until I inform the rest of the village." "That explains why you wanted everyone to eat in the mess hall today. Well here's Nichole back. I've got work to do on Geoffrey so I'll get right on it." he said leaving. Sally heard him tell his assistant the same thing she just told him. After Quack left Dulcy breathed fire over the blooded area then ice after that so the fire wouldn't spread. "How long do you think we have to wait for him to get up?" Sonic asked looking at Focus's bloody body. She started asking Nichole when Focus breathed in deeply then went into a coughing fit. Sally and Sonic stepped back watching him get up on his hands and knees. "Well that certainly didn't feel good. How did I get in here?" he said looking around. Seeing Sally and Sonic behind him he turned around staying on his knees. "I'm sure that John said that I started this, but I didn't. I should've warned you that I might have a problem if we met, but completely forgot. I'll understand if you want to lock me up." "I heard that he had amazing healing capabilities but not like this." Sonic said bewildered. "Are you injured at all?" "No. Just my pride." "I believe that you didn't instigate the fight." Sally said putting Nichole in her boot. Taken back a bit Focus asked why. "When I sent him here to get you for dinner I forgot to mention who was here. Geoffrey hates overlanders and sending him here was a mistake. I was so busy thinking about other thing that I completely forgot." "When I saw him standing there I knew that trouble was coming but I figured I would be able to get him to not fight. When I opened the door he said something I won't repeat just yet and then sucker punched me. I was half asleep and my left arm was stuck in my coat. I tried at first to reason with him but he just kept fighting. On any normal day I could have subdued him easily and there would be such a big mess to fix." "Well I'm glad you didn't kill him. I know you could have but kept from doing so. I was going to introduce you to the village but instead I'm going to have dinner brought here. I'll let everyone know that your here so something like this doesn't happen again. But I want you to stay here for now." "Not a problem. If anyone else does attempt to attack me I'll run or subdue them in a way that wouldn't injure them. The only reason I struck back at Geoffrey was cause I don't like him. I don't think I ever will." "That's understandable." Sonic said. Sally glared at him. "What? I don't like him very much either." "Sonic will bring you dinner. I'll have Rosie come by later to get your clothes." "If you want I can clean them so she doesn't have to see all this blood. I can also patch them myself if you got thread." "Unfortunately Rosie has seen a lot of blood on a lot of clothes. If you can sew your own clothes back together then that will help. I'll send Sonic in the morning to get you for breakfast." "Might want to wait till I actually have my clothes back since I don't think you have any clothes in my size." Thinking about this new development Sally said Sonic would also bring him breakfast and hopefully he'd have his clothes repaired by lunch. I'll have to see if we have anything in storage in his size. She was thinking as her and Sonic left. After they left Focus took off everything except his boxers. Seeing that everything he took off except the boxers and socks had blood on them he left the messy clothes on the sheet. Going into the bathroom he cleaned up the best he could putting a sheet around him since the towels were way to small. Sonic came back by 6:45 with dinner. He set it on the table where Focus was sitting. He laughed at seeing him sitting there in a bed sheet. "Funny Sonic. Real funny." "Sorry we don't have anything in your size. Hey....don't tell anyone I said this but I'm glad someone finally took Geoffrey down for once. I especially like when you caught him below the belt." Sonic said with a smile. "For you, this conversation didn't happen." Focus said picking up a chili dog. Sonic folded the sheet on the floor over the clothes. After closing the door he jetted away to the washing room before anyone could see what he was carrying. After finishing Sonic's really hot chili dog's Focus took a long bath. After a couple hours of exercising and practicing his martial arts he feel asleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- Knothole Village Minutes after returning from up north. Friend or foe to be Author's note: I tried to make each character's speech the way they would really say things but if it comes out wrong in some places, sorry. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
Focus woke up to hearing several voice's and felt somebody untying his ropes. Opening his eyes he saw Bunnie was there working on the knot. She had her head turned the other way though. "Hello Miss Rabbot." "Huh." She said turning to him. "How long have you been fake'n sleep there?" "I woke up to you working on this tight knot, so I'd say about 10-20 seconds." Finishing the knot, Bunnie helped him out of the plane. Bunnie pointed over to where Sonic and Sally where saying that's were he needed to go. "Thank you for your hospitality Miss Rabbot. You are a true lady." he said. "Oh my...well your mighty welcome." she said with a slight blush. He was about halfway there when something didn't smell right. He though about turning to see where it was coming from but decided to continue forward. Sally was about to say something when the human did something she never expected. "I am sorry for any inconvenience I have cause you Princess Acorn. It was never my intention.' Focus said kneeling on one knee before her. "First of all, get up. You don't have to do that." Sally said. "Yes Princess Acorn." "Second don't call me that." she said pulling Nichole from her boot. "Okay. What would you prefer to be called?" "Sally is fine." she said opening Nichole. "Nichole." "Yes Sally." The machine said in its usual chippery voice. "Scan this overlander and find out if he's really from another dimension." she asked pointing it at him. "One moment.........yes he is and he's not completely human." "I knew it!" Sonic said turning to Focus. "Wait Sonic...Nichole is he a robot?" "No. He has no metal components in him at all." "Then what makes him not completely human?" "That answer is classified." "WHAT!?" The three of them said in unison. "I don't even belong in this dimension. What did you find that makes it classified?" Focus said taking Nichole. "That's the one thing I never liked about you Nichole. Max put to many access denied or time lock garbage in you. Did you ever stop to think that maybe that information would come in handy to, oh I don't know, like GOTTEN RID OF ROBOTNICK by now!" He was about to continue when Sally took Nichole back. "Sorry about that." "I'll forget it this time. Now Nichole why is that information classified?" "Sorry Sally but, Access Denied." This instantly sent Focus into a laughing fit. "HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Putting his hand on the tree next to them only helped for a second before he fell down. Clutching his sides he kept laughing even though Sonic tried to get him to stop. Bunnie and Antoine came running over when she heard the laugh. "What the who-ha is going on? What did ya say Sally-girl to make him laugh like that." "Nothing Bunnie. I just asked Nichole something and after she said access denied he started laughing." "I dont'z seez why there'd be anything funny about'z that." Antoine said. A few minutes later he finally calmed down enough to talk, but was sitting at the base of the tree. "Sorry, sorry...hehehe...I just couldn't help it....hehehe." "Maybe you'd like let us in on the joke." Sonic said sarcastically. "It's stupid really....hehehe...but......hahaha....ummm....like I said before I'm from another dimension and the writers there thought that making every other comic or episode with Nichole saying access denied......hehehe....or having a time lock problem was funny. I always wondered if Sally would get fed up one day and smash Nichole if she said it one more time. You apparently have more patience than I do. Oh boy. I haven't laughed like that in a long time. Thanks Nichole." Nichole responded with a loud buzz. "He does have a point though Sal. Nichole could be holding back information that could be the key to defeating Ro-butt-nick." "What do you want me to do with this bag of his stuff Aunt Sally?" Tails said flying over. It was apparent that even though he was flying the bag was almost to heavy for him. Seeing what was in the bag she had Antoine take it away. "Moi! But where ever shalz I putz it?" "Have Rotor place it in the safe." Sally said putting Nichole away. "All right Mr. Focus. We need to talk in private." "Understandable. You don't want everyone to know that an overlander is in the village just yet."
Rotor was tinkering around as usual when Antoine walked in. "Ze Princess wants the overlanderz thingz placed in the safe." "Okay Antoine. Let her know I got right on it." He said taking the bag. As Antoine walked out he went through the bag. Seeing the large gun he pulled it out first. "Wow. I wonder how this got pass Sally's approval. She probably didn't see it." Placing the gun in a bag he put the bag in the safe before heading over the the meeting hall.
In the meeting hall where all Knotholes strategic plans were made was Sally, Sonic, Bunnie mostly incase the overlander tried something, and Antoine. Sally and everyone else was behind the bench while Focus was sitting in the middle of the room. "Sonic has already told me the story you said now I want...." "Where's Tails?" Focus said looking around. "Why?" Sonic asked suspiciously. "When anything's going on important, he's always been there by your side." Turning to Sally, "This guy know way to much..." "Your telling me this. Only a few of us around here knows that Nichole has those time locks." "Is there any way at all that I could prove that I'm on your side?" Focus said interrupting. "Sally I thought you should see this since I don't think you knew it was here." Rotor said coming in. "Hold that thought Mr. Focus. What is it?" Getting in front of Sally where Focus could not see what was happening, Rotor pulled the large silver gun out and laid it down. "Whoa Rotor where did that come from?" Sonic exclaimed. "Sonic please tell me you knew about this?" Sally said looking into his eyes. "Other than his sword I had no idea. Honestly Sal." "What do I do with it Sally?" Rotor asked in an uneasy voice. "You brought my Magnum in didn't you?' "What?" Rotor said turning around. "Yeah. I can see it from here." "Hmmm...about that thing you said earlier about proving things." Sally said with a commanding tone. "Yeah." "Would you mind having this..." she was saying as she tied to pick up the gun. "What the...." She tried with both hands and barley succeeded. "If your asking me if I mind having it destroyed, since I know you really don't like having guns around with the children being around as well. Yes I do mind, but go ahead anyway, just for don't destroy my ring or my sword. That sword is extremely important and I'd would rather being dropped off somewhere else if I can't have it here." "What's the ring do? Give you those amazing healing abilities." Sonic asked. "No. My father gave it to me. That's all." "Oh. Sorry." "Not a problem." "Rotor you might want to disarm it before trying anything to it. Do you know how?" "Never seen anything like this but I think I can figure it out Sally." "Here I don't want anyone to get hurt....." Focus said coming over taking the gun. "WAIT!" the group said in unison. Sonic was about to jump over when Focus had already disassembled it and dropped it in front of Sally. "This is how you take out the ammo in the rest of the clips." he said showing Rotor. Sitting back down, he waited till they said something. "He could'va killzd everyone in herez." Antoine said shaking. "Good grief Antoine. Other than Sonic here I could easily take you all. That gun I wouldn't need." Seeing the look in Sally's face. "You want the truth so I'm telling it." "I want to hear how you got here and why....." She was saying while picking off her fingers. "Fine, fine, fine...I'll go over it again." Focus again told his story from where he was fighting another like him till landing at Knothole. He left out the gory part though. "So just what are you really?" "Ask Nichole if she will tell you my age?" Sally gave him a strange look as she pulled Nichole out and asked. "Access to that info is Denied." "Why?" "Access De.." "Denied. I got it the first time." Sally said closing Nichole. She set her aside shaking her head. "So what is your age?" "Ok. We call ourselves Immortals. We cannot die unless our head is cut off. Blow us up into a million pieces will also work, but then our power wouldn't be unleashed." "Power?" Sonic asked shifting in his seat. "It's called the quickening. We transfer all our experiences and knowledge to whoever's head we take. I've lost count how many I've had to take. It's either kill or be killed. No exceptions, unless your on holy ground." "Holy grounzd?" Antoine said. "Church's or graveyards. Anyway I was born in 1293, found out I was an Immortal in 1345 when I was run through in a fight. Woke up to another Immortal hauling me off the battlefield. He told me what I was and how to live. After a few years he left saying that the next time we meet it would be a fight to the death. Luckily I never saw him again. The only problem with being here is with no Immortals to fight, I will eventually start to age just like all of you. Anyway that's it." "That would make you over 2000 years old." Bunnie said. "That has got to be the craziest thing I've ever heard! That's just impossible." Sonic said waving his arms around. "How can we trust this guy with a story like that!" "Sonic calm down. Focus...is there anyway you can corroborate your story?" Sally asked putting her hand on Sonic's shoulder. "Have Nichole or Rotor find out the date on the sword and the ring. That might help." "Rotor get rid of this and bring the rest of his stuff in. I want to see what else he has." "Yes Sally." No one talked while Rotor was gone. About 15 minutes later Rotor came in with a bag. Pulling everything out he set it in front of Sally. Shifting through it she saw nothing dangerous except the sword which see set next Nichole along with the ring. "Rotor you can give him the rest of this stuff." "Thanks Sally." Focus said putting things away. "Oh Rotor did you get rid of that gun yet?" "Not yet. Why?" He said with a suspicious look. "The scope is not dangerous and I would like to have it back." "Oh that what this is?" Pulling it from the bag. "Yeah. That's it." "Let me see it." Sally said. "This might come in handy ." she said looking through it. "Ok Rotor, thanks." "Nichole scan these two object and tell me there dates and DON'T SAY ACCESS DENIED." "Working Sally...............the ring is older than the sword. By a few hundred years. The sword has been remade several times and has been subjected to a laser for increased sharpness. The ring does come from around the year he specified. The sword was made by him." "The story he told us. Is it possible that he's telling the truth?" "90% possibility that it is true." "I can understand why you would want to keep the sword with you till you trust me better, but please don't destroy the sword." "A sword I can tolerate but a gun no. Now I'm going to let you stay here but with certain restrictions and a guard will be with you at all time." "That's fine. Is there anything I can do around here to help with anything that might gain some trust?" "Why are you so interested in gaining our trust sugar? You seem really anxious to get it." Bunnie said standing up. "Because your my heroes. I used to daydream about ending up here helping with beating Robotnick and his bots. Going places to see what was left of my world in this time. Trying to rebuilding the once proud kingdom of Mobotropolis. Getting your father out of the Zone of Silence. Most of all I want to slowly kill Ro-butt-nick with that sword." They all were getting up slowly and stopped as he finished. They were all looking at him funny like he might actually be crazy. "What?" he said with his arms out. "I'll take you to our guest hut. Sonic take this sword to my hut." "But Sally what if he tries something?" "Sonic I promise you that I won't try anything. I was raised to respect royalty even if they were the enemy, for which I don't believe you are. Besides I would never hit a lady." Sonic just blinked at him and then left in a flash. Walking toward the far end of the village Sally pointed out were he could and could not go and the rules. Sonic came up beside Sally just as they got to his door. "Dinner will be at 6:00. Someone will come to get you when it's time." "What time is it now?" Focus said opening his pocket watch. "3:12. Why?" "Just want to set my watch to your time so I know the right time." he said messing with it. "Hey Sally. I heard that there's someone new here. Who is it?" Dulcy asked as she came flying over the hut. She managed an almost prefect landing till she ran into a tree. "OW!" "I always knew she needed practice but I didn't think it was this bad." Focus said wincing when she hit the tree. "You alright Dulcy?" Sonic asked. Shaking her head she turned around to him just now noticing Focus. "Yeah I'm fine. Hmmm. I thought something smelled funny." She responded glaring at Focus. With a depressed look Focus told Sally he'd be waiting for her to send someone to get him later. Going into the hut Focus said thanks before closing the door. "How did you know that someone new was here?" Sonic asked. "Tails told me, he just didn't mention that it was an overlander." "All right we'll inform everyone at dinner time about our guest but until then don't say anything." "Why are we letting him stay here Sally? He might be trouble?" Ducly said walking along with them. "Mostly because he knows way too much about us Freedom Fighters and a lot of it Robotnick doesn't even know. After what Nichole said I'm beginning to think that he might be telling the truth. I took a path around to that hut where he could have easily knock me out and gotten away. But he was polite and did nothing except answer all my questions truthfully." "What did you ask that we didn't hear already?" "Personal questions about my father. He knew quite a bit, even things I barley knew and some I didn't. He even told me that my mother and brother are somewhere on the Floating Island. Knuckles doesn't know their there but says that he should be able to find them. What surprised me was that he knew where the Sword of Acorns was and that it would cure daddy of becoming a crystal body when we finally get him out of the Void." "Then we better call Knuckles." Sonic said taking her hand. She squeezed it back as they headed for Rotor's shop.
Up on the Floating Island things were going great. The Dark Legion hadn't been seen in weeks and with the Echidna's and city all brought back the Island was prospering again. So far Robotnick hadn't noticed the new increase of populace on the island. Knuckles and Julie-su were coming up from the Chaos Emerald chamber when Vector came along. "Hey Knux, Knothole's call' in ya." "That trashcan Buttnick must be doing something to Knothole or Sonic that they need my help." Knuckles said in anger. He took off running after Vector. "Hopefully it doesn't take long. I had plans for us today." Julie-su said following after Knuckles. "I don't think it will be that long. Cool blue always comes through." "Who?" "Sonic." "Oh." Coming out of the forest they came to a clearing where a large hut sat. Inside Mighty was attempting to clear up the reception on the screen. "Hey there Knuckles. Sally wants to talk to you. For some reason she wants to talk in private." Mighty said getting up. "Everybody out then." Whispering in Knuckles ear Julie-su asked Knuckles to see if Sally would let her stay. "All right Sally everyone's gone except Julie-su. She wants to know if she can stay?" On the screen Sally was sitting at a desk with Sonic behind her. From her expression I'd say some pretty disturbing news hit her. Knuckles thought sitting down. "Do you promise to keep this conversation completely secret." Sally said looking at Julie-su. "I promise." "You can trust her Sally. I know she won't say anything." "Good. I know that you can be trusted so if you vouch for her she's ok then. What I'm telling you must not be told to anybody else. If Robotnick found out what I know and he were to exploit it Knothole would fall." "All right Sally. What is it?" "Information was given to me that my mother and brother our somewhere on your Island. When Robotnick started taking over they were taken there to hide out but I don't know anything else that happened after that. Just that they were last known to be there. Also the Sword of Acorns is on your Island in the hands of someone named Mammoth Moguel. Watch out for him. He has the power of a chaos emerald in him somehow. If you can get the Sword we can save daddy from becoming fully crystallized." She fidgeted a bit after ending. "There's something else isn't there?" "We found an overlander who has unbelievable healing powers. He is in Knothole with strict supervision. From the story we got from him and from what Nichole says, he must be telling the truth." She relayed the stories that Focus had told her. Scratching his chin Knuckles pondered what she said. He got up and paced around before answering. "If it's true that this Focus is from another dimension and everything he told you about your family is true then I'd watch out for him carefully. If Robotnick got hold of him the planet would be in grave danger." "We are watching him. Dulcy is standing guard over his hut right now till I info the rest of Knothole. In the meantime can you try and locate....." "If it was any other person I would probably say no but for you I will try and find them. I will send the Chaotix to locate this Monguel with some backup. I'll tell them that you had info on your fathers sword and wanted to get it back." "Thanks Knuckles. I'll own one again." Sally said getting up. "Once I know anything I'll contact you immediately." "See ya Rad Red." Sonic said with a wink and a thumb up. "Back at ya Cool blue." Closing the line Knuckles let out a long breath saying, "And I thought this day couldn't get any better." "Well what do we do now?" "Tell the others." Going out he called for them to come closer. Mighty, Espio, and Charmy all came from different locations apparently each was doing something alone. Knuckles figured it was another game of hide and seek since Vector was standing next to him. It amazed him that Vector could hear at all with that racket he was always listening to on his walkman. "Ok group. Sally wants us to find something for her she says is up here. While me and Julie-su go looking for something else I want you looking for a guy named Mammoth Monguel. He suppose to have the Sword of Acorns with him. I'm going to see if Remington can spare any help to find this guy. When you find him be careful, he apparently has the power of a chaos emerald in him or on him. Sally needs the Sword back so get it if you can. If it seems to hard wait and then I can come help." "Since this has to do with chaos emeralds why aren't you going?" Mighty asked. "Sally wants me to do something for her that I'm not aloud to say about at this moment." Vector moved over to Julie-su and whispered into her ear asking what Knuckles was keeping secret. Julie-su responded by shoving him away saying that she wouldn't betray Knuckles. "I'll contact Remington and have the help sent here. Once there here go start looking." Heading back to the radio unit Knuckles explained the situation to Remington and then headed out with Julie-su.
Six o'clock was rolling around and it was Sonic's turn to cook. Antoine was helping out. Sally was opening the door and letting others in when she remembered Focus. Seeing Geoffrey walking up she told him to go get the visitor at the guest hut. After giving her a quick salute he left. She held the door open for a few more minutes before go in. Seeing Sonic had finished with cooking, since he was sitting down next to Tails. She sat down with them. "Once everybody's settled I'll inform them of our guest. I haven't heard rumors so nobody must have noticed." "I kept most of them distracted while you took him to the hut." Sonic said putting relish on his chili dog. "Who'd ya send to go get our guest." "I had Geoffrey do it." she said getting up. "Well everyone's just about ready." Sonic nodded his head while pouring more on when Tails grabbed his arm. "What's up Tails?" "Did Aunt Sally say she sent John to go get Focus?" "Yeah.......Oh no." Sonic said realizing what Tails said. "Watch my Chili dogs Tails. I got to stop John." Getting up he caught up to Sally before she was at the makeshift podium. "Sally do you realize that you sent Geoffrey to get an overlander." She stopped and put her hand over her mouth. "OH NO! I WAS so busy thinking about what I was going to say...we go to stop him." Everyone had stopped talking and was looking at them. "It's nothing were just arguing." Sonic said trying to distract there attention off Sally as she ran out.
Dulcy was tired of watching the hut and was about to call for Sally when Geoffrey showed up. "Dinner time Dulcy. Sally sent me to get our guest." Geoffrey said loading his crossbow. "Thanks. I was ready eat the tree's." She said flying off. I wonder who are guest is today. Sally didn't say who it was. John thought as he knocked on the door. Focus was having a dream about sparring with Antoine when he heard the door knocked on. "Hmm...what...oh yeah. Just a sec." he said rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He was putting on his black trench coat as he opened the door. Seeing who it was surprised him enough he stood there with his left arm barely in the coat. Geoffrey stood there in shock for barely a sec when we lashed out. "HOW IN THE HELL!...." He pulled his fist back and caught Focus dead in the face. Focus fell back several feet rolling over a couple of time. "MMMMMM." Focus moaned getting to his feet. Touching his face he could feel his lip was split open and a couple teeth were loose. Spitting out some blood, "I was wondering when you'd show up. As much as I loved to punch your face into a bloody mess, Sally wouldn't like that so I'm willing to forget this happened." "Bloody mess hey mate. More like yours is going to be the messed one." he said shooting his arm crossbow at Focus. Focus managed to dodge out of the way of the arrow but not St. John's kick to his stomach. Before he could try to retaliate John kicked him in the face knocking him into the wall. "OH THAT DOES IT GEOFFREY. I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TAKE YOU OUT!" Focus yelled delivering a roundhouse kick to his face as got close. John smacked into the wall getting back up with amazing recovery speed. He started loading another arrow when Focus plowed a fist into his gut. Before Geoffrey could move to stop his fist, Focus gave him a powerful uppercut to his chin that sent him out the window. Landing outside Geoffrey could feel slivers of glass and wood in him. He was bleeding from a split lip of his own and a bit tongue. Blood was coming out of several cuts turning his fur red. Jumping out the window Focus was about to land on St. John when he moved and did a leg sweep knocking Focus on the ground. John caught Focus with a elbow drop to the throat. Rolling away Focus grabbed his throat while kicking Geoffrey in the face. "Nice one John. Almost felt that." He said in a weak voice. Going into a boxing stance he taunted John with the one thing that he was sure to get John's goat. "Is that the best you've got. I've seen turtles that fight better." "RRRAAAAA!!!" Geoffrey yelled firing off an arrow he managed to load.
Focus saw it coming but was too close to move out of it's way. Bringing up his arm it stuck itself into his left shoulder. Letting out a yell of pain Focus charged John. Catching him in the gut Focus lifted him off the ground as he slammed John into a nearby hut wall. John felt a few ribs crack as he hit the wall. As he impacted he coughed up blood on Focus back. Putting his fist together he drove his elbows into Focus back. Focus dropped to the ground with John on him. Rolling over he accidentally rolled onto a piece of glass. He screamed as it pierced his chest going into his lung. Shoving John off him he pulled the glass out. Blood squirted out and he felt it rising in his throat. Getting up Geoffrey clutched his side. He watched at the overlander pulled glass from his chest. Picking up a piece of broken frame he swung for Focus's head. Focus could feel his body giving out as he saw Geoffrey take a swing at him. Grabbing the piece of frame he pulled it from John's hand and tossed it aside. Getting up quickly he gave John a swift kick to the groin. John grabbed his groin screaming in pain as he fell back. Focus could swear he heard a few words he didn't think that the Mobians knew. "Your a better fighter than I thought." Focus said spitting out more blood. Looking over to his right he could see a few Mobians watching but couldn't tell how many since everything was blurry. "He's going to need a Doctor. I just hurt him, nothing life threatening." Pulling the arrow from his arm he dropped it and turned to go into his hut but fell over at the door step. "I should've warned Sally that this wou......." he was saying as blackness over took him.
Sally ran as fast as she could wishing she had Sonic's speed. Getting closer to the guest hut she heard the sound of glass breaking. Coming around another hut she watched Geoffrey trip Focus. She yelled at them to stop and even threw a rock between them but they didn't see it. She was heading over to get between them when Sonic showed up. "WHOA! This is going to take awhile to clean." Sonic said sliding to a halt in front of her. "Let me handle this Sal." Sonic went to rush both of them when Geoffrey went down from a kick to the crotch. Sonic winced when he saw it. "That's going to hurt." Sally said moving closer. They watched as Focus spit out some blood. "He's going to need a Doctor. I just hurt him, nothing life threatening." Focus said. They watched in horror as he pulled the arrow out of his arm. They could see blood was coming out of him in several places as he turned around and fell at his doorsteps. "Sonic get Dr. Quack as well as Dulcy. Tell Rosie to make sure everyone stay's in the mess hall till I get back." Sonic was about to protest when she ordered him to go. Seeing him speed off she pulled out Nichole. "Nichole scan Geoffrey. How bad is it?" "Scanning Sally...........He has three cracked ribs on his left side. A few front teeth are loose and several cuts and bruises. He will survive." "What about the overlander?" "He is dying fast, but will fully recover." "WHAT?!.......Oh right." Turning around to the approaching noises she saw Dr. Quack running up with his bag. His assistant was behind him with a stretcher. Sonic as usual stopped right next to her. Dulcy was a few seconds behind. "Oh my. What happened here and where did that overlander come from?" Quack said checking on Geoffrey. Sally handed him Nichole showing what her scan revealed. "I'm not sure. When Sonic and I got here they were going at it. It's my fault. I forgot to tell Geoffrey who are guest was." "Geoffrey going to need a few stitches and a cast for his broken ribs. He's not going to be moving much for awhile. Help me get him on this stretcher." After moving St. John onto the stretcher with the help of his assistant and Sally he started walking over to Focus. "Forget about him. He's........" Sally was moving her hands around trying to think while explaining not doing to well. "Dead I think is the word your looking for Sally." Quack said rolling Focus over. "Hey Sally what did you want me for?" Dulcy asked pinching her nose. "The smell of blood always makes my stomach sick." "Once we get them moved out of the way can you burn this area and then put it out so no one has to see all this?" Sally said with pleading eyes. "Since I know you don't want the children seeing this I'll do it." "Thanks Dulcy." "What do you want done with this guy Sally?" Quack said pointing at Focus. "We'll put him in the hut for now so Dulcy can get rid this mess. Sonic go in and put some towels down or something on the floor. The less to clean the better." As Sonic went in Quack and Sally dragged Focus in and placed him on a sheet Sonic laid out. "Dr. Quack. What you've seen hear don't discuss with anyone else until I inform the rest of the village." "That explains why you wanted everyone to eat in the mess hall today. Well here's Nichole back. I've got work to do on Geoffrey so I'll get right on it." he said leaving. Sally heard him tell his assistant the same thing she just told him. After Quack left Dulcy breathed fire over the blooded area then ice after that so the fire wouldn't spread. "How long do you think we have to wait for him to get up?" Sonic asked looking at Focus's bloody body. She started asking Nichole when Focus breathed in deeply then went into a coughing fit. Sally and Sonic stepped back watching him get up on his hands and knees. "Well that certainly didn't feel good. How did I get in here?" he said looking around. Seeing Sally and Sonic behind him he turned around staying on his knees. "I'm sure that John said that I started this, but I didn't. I should've warned you that I might have a problem if we met, but completely forgot. I'll understand if you want to lock me up." "I heard that he had amazing healing capabilities but not like this." Sonic said bewildered. "Are you injured at all?" "No. Just my pride." "I believe that you didn't instigate the fight." Sally said putting Nichole in her boot. Taken back a bit Focus asked why. "When I sent him here to get you for dinner I forgot to mention who was here. Geoffrey hates overlanders and sending him here was a mistake. I was so busy thinking about other thing that I completely forgot." "When I saw him standing there I knew that trouble was coming but I figured I would be able to get him to not fight. When I opened the door he said something I won't repeat just yet and then sucker punched me. I was half asleep and my left arm was stuck in my coat. I tried at first to reason with him but he just kept fighting. On any normal day I could have subdued him easily and there would be such a big mess to fix." "Well I'm glad you didn't kill him. I know you could have but kept from doing so. I was going to introduce you to the village but instead I'm going to have dinner brought here. I'll let everyone know that your here so something like this doesn't happen again. But I want you to stay here for now." "Not a problem. If anyone else does attempt to attack me I'll run or subdue them in a way that wouldn't injure them. The only reason I struck back at Geoffrey was cause I don't like him. I don't think I ever will." "That's understandable." Sonic said. Sally glared at him. "What? I don't like him very much either." "Sonic will bring you dinner. I'll have Rosie come by later to get your clothes." "If you want I can clean them so she doesn't have to see all this blood. I can also patch them myself if you got thread." "Unfortunately Rosie has seen a lot of blood on a lot of clothes. If you can sew your own clothes back together then that will help. I'll send Sonic in the morning to get you for breakfast." "Might want to wait till I actually have my clothes back since I don't think you have any clothes in my size." Thinking about this new development Sally said Sonic would also bring him breakfast and hopefully he'd have his clothes repaired by lunch. I'll have to see if we have anything in storage in his size. She was thinking as her and Sonic left. After they left Focus took off everything except his boxers. Seeing that everything he took off except the boxers and socks had blood on them he left the messy clothes on the sheet. Going into the bathroom he cleaned up the best he could putting a sheet around him since the towels were way to small. Sonic came back by 6:45 with dinner. He set it on the table where Focus was sitting. He laughed at seeing him sitting there in a bed sheet. "Funny Sonic. Real funny." "Sorry we don't have anything in your size. Hey....don't tell anyone I said this but I'm glad someone finally took Geoffrey down for once. I especially like when you caught him below the belt." Sonic said with a smile. "For you, this conversation didn't happen." Focus said picking up a chili dog. Sonic folded the sheet on the floor over the clothes. After closing the door he jetted away to the washing room before anyone could see what he was carrying. After finishing Sonic's really hot chili dog's Focus took a long bath. After a couple hours of exercising and practicing his martial arts he feel asleep.