Victor John Foxfire: Scourge is certainly playing with Fiona, although, the one lantern on the door is pretty standard. As for the Shadow's behavior, it was waiting for her to be isolated… alone without help… certainly not mindless. Still, Scourge made the most of those moments, and Fiona will always have that past with him, even if she tries to ignore it…
As for Johan, he had a bit of arrogance. He thought he could completely control both Nagus and his temper, and that has led to issues with the reforms… and new issues continue to arise…
MerendinoEmilano: Sonamy?... maybe wait until a bit later before you wish for Amy to be in Sally's shoes. As for how many chapters are left… I don't know. Originally this story was going to be 80 chapters… and we are well past that. I can't give a time frame for when this story will be over. It's not that I wanted this story to go on forever, but to get everything out AND make it interesting is challenging with the limited time frame. I would have to expand the chapters by a lot and take longer to post in order to get this story done within that size limit.
/*-*/
Sonic finished setting up the stage. It was different from the auditorium, but they would have to make it work. It was the simply platform they had for the festival, outfitted with a posts and curtains for "regal flair". Sonic still waited for Sally's approval. She seemed a little tired, but Sonic was good at keeping her spirits high.
He zipped down the hill and into the base. Sonic found Sally going over her list, checking to make sure that everything was in order to accommodate the nobles. Sonic came in and gave her a quick kiss, "Hey, You want to come check this out?"
Sally leaned back in and gave him a kiss, "Sure, let's go."
As they left the room, Sonic saw Elias give Sally a look. That look. The plotting to do something big look. Sonic didn't pry though. He had to accept that they were going to be plotting something, and this was probably going to be a serious moment.
Sonic carried Sally up the hill, and set her down in front of the stage. Sally absolutely looked unhappy with the simple wooden chairs, but they didn't exactly have the money for velvet and stuffing. Well, maybe the duchy did, but Sonic knew the only way to get that kind of money.
Sally walked around each row, and began to nod, "This will work, we need to make sure that there is plenty of accommodations."
Sonic nodded, "They can stay at my manor."
"Can your manor fit that many people in it?" Sally asked skeptically.
"I mean, it'll be a little cramped, but we'll manage." Sonic proposed.
Sally frowned, but nodded slowly as she understood. Sonic was about to ask her for ideas when Sally drew her ring-blades, "HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" Sally shouted, holding up her ring blades, pointing behind Sonic.
Sonic jerked around and saw the hooded wolf with her mask on, standing with that long rifle in her hands in attention. She stayed still, but Sonic jumped in.
"Wait, wait. She helped me out when that Sarat attacked." Sonic vouched, "She's not going to hurt us."
Sally glanced at Sonic, but kept her blade up, "Are you sure? She came here with a weapon drawn." Sally was clearly on guard, not that Sonic blamed her.
"I'm sure. If she wanted to shoot me, she could have done it by now." Sonic smiled at Sally, before turning to the wolf, "Hey… What's up?"
The Wolf walked closer to Sonic, before siting down cross-legged, and resting her weapon on her knees. She bowed her head at him.
Sonic blinked, "I… Never got your name." He wasn't exactly sure why she was doing this, but it was making things awkward. She was still Silent.
Sonic rephrased the question, "Can I know your name?" Sonic heart a light noise from under her mask.
"I am shamed." She whispered so low that Sonic had to lean in.
"Shade huh?" Sonic smiled, and held out his hand, "Put her there, Shade."
Sally spoke very clearly, "I think she means she is shamed. Disgraced."
Sonic blinked before looking at the wolf, who nodded under her mask.
"Can I know your name, please." Sonic asked politely, hoping to get out of this dramatic look she was giving.
The Wolf sighed, "No one shall speak my name, for I am disgraced." She was being very dramatic, "I have come for you, to enter your services, and serve you faithfully."
Sonic blinked at her statement, "Ok, but what should I call you?" Sonic didn't really pay attention to her statement because he really wanted a name.
"Call me what you wish." She sounded agitated, very annoyed by Sonic's statement.
Sonic threw his hands up, "Well, at this point, I'm gonna call you Whisper. You know, because you don't seem to speak in anything but a whisper."
Sally growled at Sonic, "Sonic, don't be like that. Show some respect. She's asking to become a knight for you."
Sonic blinked at Sally, before turning back to the bowed head under the mask, "Is-is that right?"
Whisper was still for a moment, before gave a slow, unsure nod. Sonic felt embarrassed, " Sorry, I didn't mean to be a jerk."
Whisper mumbled, "The name is fine."
"Why do you want to work with me anyway?" Sonic asked, feeling a little thrown off, like she had been stalking him.
"Redemption." She sighed, "The wolverine will vouch for me." She seemed tense, super uptight.
"Redemption? Can you explain?" Sonic smiled weakly, hoping that she would fill him in.
"…no." Whisper mumbled, and Sonic shook his head.
"Well, I guess welcome aboard then. Can I at least see your face?" Sonic asked, hopefully.
"…no." She mumbled again.
Sonic looked at Sally, and held out his hands. She shook her head and shrugged. Sonic sighed, "I guess…. I'll set you up a room. I would like to see your face though, something. I feel like I'm talking to spy."
Whisper growled lightly, but she stood up, "I will go to your manor."
Sonic looked at back at Sally, "She needs to loosen up or something. Sheesh." Sonic mumbled
Sally shook her head, "We don't know her story. She certainly needs someone to help her up. She doesn't think highly of herself."
"Well, I mean… I guess I can try and talk to her." Sonic smiled weakly. Sally smiled back, before walking up to Sonic and kissing him.
Sonic relax, until a low rumbling made Sonic look up and see an Egg Carrier flying overhead. It seemed to have a long, tall cannon extending from the front. Why was he here?
Sonic then realized that the ship was descending down over the lake that loomed next to the hill. He was going to land in the water?
The ship lowered itself, displacing the water as it went into landing mode. Sally and Sonic both watched carefully as the ship finally stabilized on the water. Sonic did remember how it floated even when crashing in Central City's Lake.
Sonic saw the ship's side hatch open and extend a plank to walk out on. A yellow shrew ran across the plank, and straight towards Sally, "Lady princess, I have come to bring you a message."
Sally blinked before glaring suspiciously at him, "Why were you on that ship?"
"The Wolverine's ship? I was in the capital, and you had left, but he said he would bring me here." The Shrew explained, "I bring a message from Queen Myra and the Sand Blasters."
"The Sand blasters? What do they want with us?" Sally asked, concerned.
The Shrew seemed… mildly offended, perhaps expecting an easier time speaking to them, but Sonic agreed with Sally's stance on this one.
She answered why quickly, "Forgive our paranoia, but we don't exactly have a good relationship with Jack and the Sand Blasters."
"Could we talk inside? This is…. Rather important, and I do not wish to stir a panic, as was my queen's request." The Shrew asked, firmly making the desperation clear.
"We don't know you, and we are preparing for a major meeting soon, so can it wait?" Sonic asked, feeling kind of annoyed that he wasn't getting the hint.
"And this may change the course of everything." The shrew insisted. Sonic was getting agitated, but this time, Sally stepped in.
"Is it that serious?" She asked, and Sonic saw her breath increase. She was getting emotional again.
"It's about our mutual enemy, Doctor Eggman, and perhaps an update on the things you were not present for at capital." The Shew bowed his head.
Sally nodded, "Very well, let's go inside. You did great, dear." Sally smiled at Sonic and kissed him on the cheek as the two walked down into the hillside.
Sonic turned and saw Johan walking off the ship, and Sonic ran up to get to him, "Hey, what are you doing here? Why are you parking your ship in my lake?"
"I need a place to let it rest. It shall be here until I am ready to use it." Johan stated, and continued walking to Freedom HQ.
Sonic groaned and ran up to Johan, "You can't do that without my permission?"
"Would you have me leave?" Johan asked, but continued walking.
"I don't want that ship here." Sonic growled at the big beast.
"I will leave once we have dealt with our issues in your capital." Johan growled.
Sonic entered Freedom HQ, and found the Freedom Fighter veterans all looking at the shrew in the command room.
"First of all, Jack Rabbit is dead. He died in reclamation of Sand-Blast city. It was a fierce battle, and heavy casualties were sustained on all sides." The Shrew explained. Something about his explanation didn't make sense, there was missing piece.
Bunnie sat up, "W-What about mah uncle?" She looked worried, but then Sonic remember. Beauregard was the leader of the legion.
The Freedom Fighters turned their eyes to Johan as Sonic began to piece together the likely outcome for the rabbit.
The shrew cleared his throat, "The Legion and a fair portion of their army and command were destroyed, along with Jack and most of his high command. The current leader of the Sand Blasters is Sonar Al-Oasis, or as the name she has chosen, simply, Sonar the Fennec. She is the Daughter of Myra Al-Oasis, the current queen of the Desert kingdom."
Bunnie asked again, sounding shaky in her voice, "What happened to mah uncle?"
"He is dead. He died with honor in battle, we should all be so blessed to die in such a way." Johan stated simply, "I killed him in an honorable duel."
The room was quiet as the words began to register with the Rabbit. She began to pant in anger as Johan simply dismissed the statement. "Yah BIG JERK!" Bunnie shouted and thrust her robotic arm up to fire at him.
Antoine grabbed her as tears began to pour down her face, "It is of not worths it." He pushed her into his chest. Bunnie began to cry in his arms angrily.
Johan sighed, "I destroyed your enemies. Why are you all so dismayed?"
"HE WAS MAH UNCLE!" Bunnie shouted, her face scrunching in anger.
"Why do you care? He was your enemy." Johan stated again, as if her explanation was not enough.
"HE WAS MAH UNCLE!" She threw her hand up and Sally gave the order.
"STAND DOWN!" She shouted, "I get it, you're angry, but don't provoke him!" She glared at Johan, but SOnic got the idea. No sense in pushing the issue.
Johan cocked his head, "Simply because he is your uncle does not grant him protection from me. If they are against me, I will destroy everything they love. I will burn their cities, and destroy their homes!"
Johan balled his fist as if that proved his point.
The Shrew cleared his throat, "We have bigger issues right now." He pulled out a Legion holo-message and pressed the button. Sonic recognize the schematics anywhere: the Death Egg.
The room locked up except for Johan, who simply sat there, listening and watching them.
Sally sounded panicked and tired, "Is… Is that the Death Egg?"
"Indeed, We discovered it while examining the abandoned Legion-Egg Army bases. It appears they were in quite the hurry to leave." The Shrew explained as the hologram continued to spin.
Sonic frowned, "Egg Army? Like his bots?"
"Not quite. It appears Eggman has been rather quick to change how he handles some of his conquered peoples. Rather than roboticize them, he seems to be enlisting them to fight against us." The Shrew explained, opening his arms casually as if pointing out the obvious, "Perhaps something has caused Eggman to re-evaluate his situation."
Sonic followed his eyes to the Wolverine. Sonic left that implication there, "So, back to the Death Egg, what's going on with it? When will it be ready?"
The Shrew frowned, "Well, We are expecting it to be ready by the end of the month. That being said, The lack of Oil flowing to Eggman's production has likely given us more time."
Sally frowned, before raising her head, "We need to wait on the Noble Assembly. We can't have a civil war with this looming over head."
Sonic's eyes widened as he had to point out the obvious, "We already sent out notices. I wrote up the invitations and delivered them by hand."
"THEN GO OUT AND TELL THEM TO WAIT!" Sally shouted angrily. The room once again became silent as everyone stared at her. Sonic saw Antoine and Bunnie exchange glances, while Elias frowned and seemed to get lost in thought.
Sonic took a moment to stare at her, hoping for some form of apology. Sally panted angrily, before rubbing her nose, "We… We can't afford any internal conflict. Robotnik… He can't win… HE CANT!"
Elias frowned, and finally stated his mind, "We finally have an opportunity to get our throne back. We need to take it."
Sally growled, "We can do it when we come home!" She was shaking, but Sonic wasn't sure if it was out of fear or anger.
Johan's voice came through, "He will be the protector of the kingdom."
Sally turned and held up a finger, "You're up to something, I know you're plotting something, and I'm not playing your game!"
"I have waited long. He will be the man who defended the realm if you stop this weapon. You will not have the support to do what is necessary." Johan growled at her, glaring down at her.
Sally growled, "Waiting for what? Are you going to try and take the throne for yourself? You seem very invested in us taking out Nagus, despite the fact that he was your friend!" She was not thinking clearly, Sonic could tell.
"Sally, maybe… take a moment-" Sonic was trying to be patient.
"-OH, Take a moment? THAT'S RICH COMING FROM YOU!" Sally shouted at him, panting again.
"You insult my honesty, Despite what I have told you!" Johan snarled, pawing the ground in anger.
Sonic grit his teeth, "YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN!"
Sally threw her hand up, before it was caught by Elias, "CALM DOWN!" The older brother restrained his sister.
Something about that set Sonic off. She didn't even slap him this time, but Sonic still felt angry.
"YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT YOUR… CONDITION! You don't want to lose him." Elias explained to his sister, and she froze for a bit.
Sally slumped down, "Do whatever you want… I'm going to bed."
Sonic should have left that there, but he couldn't explain his anger. Sonic threw his hands up, "NO! I'll go!" Sonic snarled, and walked to the door.
"Sonic, wait!" Sally groaned, her voice no longer dripping with panic but with regret, "Please… don't be Upset… I can't deal with that on top of everything else…."
Sonic stopped, and took a moment. She was sick, so Sonic had to forgive at least some of it. He turned around, "We're good… I guess."
Sally frowned, "Thank you… Now we have to figure out what we are going to do if the nobles move to remove Nagus… and He resists."
"I will fight for you. If he should be a problem, then I will destroy him." Johan's voice growled confidently.
The Shrew blinked before nodding, "Right… Well, It seem you have everything you need figured out. Can we count on you to deal with the Death Egg?"
"We might need support from the Desert Kingdom." Elias pointed out, which shocked Sonic. He knew they could take the thing on their own.
The Shrew looked annoyed, but he nodded, "Very well… I will… Alert our Queen."
And with that, he left, leaving Sonic and the others to handle preparations for the nobility. Johan cleared out as well. He seemed to march out, without much left to say.
Bunnie seemed devastated and Sonic couldn't blame her. Beauregard seemed like a great guy, never mind the fact that he was her uncle. Sonic walked up and put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I know it sucks…" Sonic mumbled, not really sure what to say. What could he say? She just lost her last real family member.
"It's not fair." Rotor grumbled angrily, "He gets away with everything. He's hurt so many good people… he belongs in prison."
Sonic couldn't really argue with that. He killed Beauregard, and… Rotor's family, "I'll talk to Sally and Elias about it… when things calm down."
Rotor and Bunnie both scowled at him. Sonic didn't know why they were mad at for not wanting to stir the pot anymore than he already did.
Sonic decided to go back up and check on the seating. He went to work making sure that every row was just fine. In reality, Sonic wanted to get away from Sally and the drama of the room. So Sonic continued to move chairs ever so slightly, trying to make the seating look nice.
"Greetings, may I help?" Elias's voice asked, as he walked up in his typical formal stance and attire.
Sonic shrugged, "I guess."
"That was rather rough in there. It seems a lot of our friends are… unhappy with things that are going on." Elias sounded so political and vague, it was pissing Sonic off.
"Just say it." Sonic groaned, "I don't have the energy or the brain power to do a back and forth." Sonic picked up a chair.
Elias picked up one next to his, and finally spoke his mind, "Please be patient with my sister. She means well, and she has a lot going on."
Sonic blinked, "The Infection?"
"Yes… she is stressed among other things as well. Father… He has not been well. His mind slips at times… not often… but it happens." Elias explained, his hands shaking as he struggled with the news himself.
Sonic took the news… poorly. He liked Max fairly enough. Sonic could only imagine what they were going through, "I'm.. I'm sorry about that."
"Like I said, It doesn't happen often… but the time is coming." Elias sighed, and set he chair down before sitting down on it.
"I… I'm sorry." Sonic sighed again. He didn't know what else to say.
"I… Somewhat envy you. Not just for your lack of royalty, that freedom to do as you please. You lost your father already." Elias smiled bitterly.
Sonic didn't return the smile. He felt his jaw clench, "What?"
"You've already experienced it, and moved on. I wish it was just… over." Elias sighed, scowling.
"I don't." Sonic growled, "Do you think I had fun with my dead dad?" Sonic felt himself getting furious at the thought.
"No!" Elias corrected himself, "You just… You don't have to deal with the pain anymore."
Sonic growled, and turned around to not face Elias, and work more on the rows of chairs, "Let me tell you, I am still dealing with it… It's just easier with people who love you."
"Then maybe be that loved one for Sally and I." Elias seemed to ask, in his vague little way.
Sonic slumped down. He was really getting angry at them for trying handle that kind of news, wasn't he? He felt ashamed of himself, but he could make things right, "I'm here… if you need anything."
/*-*/
Fiona tossed and turned at night. It was that time yet again. She should be sleeping, but her mind continued to race. Frederick was still out, and Fiona could occasionally see the shadows move. Granted, that was probably more from lack of sleep than anything.
Scourge's words came back to her, every night, right as she was getting ready to go back to bed. Maybe she could help him? Maybe she could be a voice of reason to him when he was getting ready to go nuts.
Fiona rolled over a she struggled with the idea of leaving Scourge behind. She didn't want to necessarily go on without that excitement, and she could help keep things contained. He never said he wanted her romantically…
Fiona rolled her eyes. Of course it wasn't romantic. Nothing about their relationship was "romantic", perhaps physical, but never anything deeper.
Still, Fiona found herself with the idea of fulfilling her calling of doing good in the world. She could convince Scourge to be better, to stay in Moebius, and be happy with owning a kingdom… or an empire. Both worked.
She could be a queen by his side. Just one problem: she didn't love him. Their relationship had been built on spite, they both knew it. Yet Scourge didn't want to let her go… That left a mark on Fiona.
She rolled on her right side this time. Scourge was obsessive, she knew that much from how much he wanted her to "acknowledge his supremacy" over Sonic. In reality it was little more than reassurance that they would come out.
That wasn't to say he was diligent or focused. No, he'd quickly get distracted by a pair of breasts or some snide comment. He would just fixate on something, and it would eat at him.
She rolled onto her other side. She could fix Scourge. He needed reassurance, and she had given that to him when they were together. Fiona stopped being there for him, and he turned into a monster. Logic suggested that if she went back to him, he wouldn't be a monster.
Of course, this would involve betraying everyone she knew and cared about. Turning her back on people just like she had accused them of not too long ago. The idea wasn't even attractive in any regard. She would have to give up her noblewoman status to go and be with an angry country hick.
…Which was a noble sacrifice within itself. Fiona would be doing good work, with sacrifice, to keep the peace. That was good and righteous, right?
Fiona finally slammed her head on the pillow, "Alright, I'm tired of all this indecision. Help me… please."
She closed her eyes.
Fiona woke up… on the pathway, once again. That dreaded red brick pathway, only it went down… back to the middle. Fiona could see the jungle from the hill of the house.
"Do not go down there. It is a sudden and slippery slope." A voice spoke firmly from behind her. Fiona turned around and saw the white hooded figure standing there.
Fiona rolled her eyes, "That's the only pathway there."
"You will not be happy, and you will give yourself up to wickedness. Stay here." The white hooded figure demanded.
Fiona didn't like being told what to do, she balled her fists and turned around, "Don't tell me what to do!"
The Knight walked out off the porch, and seemed to hold out a hand for Fiona. She knew he was trying to be nice. Fiona sighed, and smiled, before reaching out her hand.
Then she heard a scream of agony from behind her. Fiona turned around, and looked down at the swampy jungle. She saw the mud covered Hedgehog crawl along the ground, practically weeping as he limped along the road.
Fiona felt a mixture of disgust and pity. This creature was so… sad. She started to walk down.
"Don't go, it is a trick! He will lure you in, and never let you go." Cried the white cloaked guardian.
Fiona saw the dark hooded figure sitting there, waiting. Fiona knew the figure wanted her down there, so was the muddy hedgehog hurt by the mysterious figure?
Fiona didn't really see a lot to gain from going down there, except for the fact that someone was hurting right in front of her. She was… trying to be a good person, and that meant helping others.
Fiona then saw the knight-hedgehog begin to walk towards the muddied one, a fist balled. Fiona knew there was fight going to break out.
The Muddy hedgehog cried out in terror, and scooted back.
Fiona ran down and got in between the two, "STOP!"
The Knight was silent, but he stopped, and seemed to burn the muddied hedgehog with a fiery glare.
Fiona growled at the Knight, "You go back up there… I'm going to walk this path the way I see fit! Don't you dare hurt him!"
The Knight remained still. Fiona realized she didn't have any weapons, so if the Knight lost his cool… she could definitely be pulverized.
Instead, the Knight's metal covered head lurched forward, and bumped up against her own. Fiona felt a little uncomfortable, and a little soothed. She couldn't explain it, but the affectionate gesture seemed to tell Fiona she was in good graces.
The Knight pulled away and walked back up the white hooded figure.
Fiona turned around, and walked back onto the middle path, before taking a deep breath. The muddy Hedgehog looked up at her gratefully.
The Black hooded figure's voice spoke in front of her, "Welcome back to the bargaining table. Where were we?"
/*-*/
Johan prowled around the base as the preparations seemed to be completed. Gewis walked with him, "So why didn't you want the noble council dissolved? You could have had absolute power when you took the throne."
"I want to hear voices which offer ideas." Johan explained simply, "I do not like sharing power… but…" Johan struggled to justify his thoughts. Why did he let the nobles provide council in the homeland?
A sudden movement jerked in front of Johan, and He snarled.
The Wolf stood in front of Johan, "I call on you to fulfill your oath."
"Oath? We're in the middle of something, big changes are being made within the kingdom. We can wait on what ever you think he promised you." Gewis stated defensively.
Johan calmed down, however, and did have to acknowledge his promise, "Indeed, I made a promise to you, and I will keep it."
Gewis looked at Johan with a bit of surprise and concern. Had he not seen Johan's honor in battle?
Johan followed the wolf to the Blue Garden Defender. Sonic seemed to be busy working around the curtains and talking with his compatriots.
Still, Johan approached him with the wolf, "I am here for her to join you."
Sonic looked up at Johan, "I already agreed that she could work for me."
Johan clarified, "She wishes to join you as a guard in the war. She has my endorsement."
Sonic finally stood aside, "Look, I don't think that means much. I don't know if you realized, but we kind of don't like you. Most of us actually hate you." He presented a snarl.
Interesting.
Sonic sighed, "Look, We're making ready for then nobles. I'll talk about having Whisper put in the actual army, ok?"
Johan nodded, and had much to think about.
The Princess suddenly shouted, "What do you mean?"
"I have decided to position the Penal Army closer to home. They will serve me personally." The Voice of the foolish king rang through the room from the silence.
"Did the republic approve this?" The Princess growled, standing defiantly in the way of the video system.
"The republic does not matter anymore. I removed its power just the other day." Nagus sneered, as though the mere thought of the old system was enraging to him.
Johan for his part found it to be pleasing. Even without Johan's nudges, Nagus had worked for the Wolverine's plans.
He did expect the princess to be deterred, however, and that would have been a problem. To his surprise, she growled, "Then I don't recognize this decision!"
She slammed a button at the station and the screen went black.
The other squirrel ran forward to confront her while the rest of the room looked nervous.
Johan, however, found himself at Gewis's attention, "He dissolved the republic?"
Johan turned around to leave. Gewis got the idea and followed. As they walked outside and were alone, Gewis asked the question, "You aren't surprised?"
"I am, but I am pleasantly so. I was not expecting him to act so cleverly." Johan mused, allowing his smile to grow.
"Wait, you wanted Nagus to remove the republic?" Gewis asked, sounding shocked.
"Yes." Johan answered simply, but kept his reason to himself.
"Why?" Gewis asked.
"it will be clear… in time. You will understand… in time." Johan simply answered. Now the fun was going to start as conflict grew in the kingdom.
/*-*/
Nagus has unintentionally aided Johan. Homestead problems continue to arise. Several pieces are moving into place and the balance of power is shifting.
Please leave a review and tell me what you thought of the chapter. I don't mind criticism or praise, but I do love to hear from my readers.