Victor John Foxfire: Mammoth Mogul might be my favorite villain in all media, because he figured out that when you have immortality, there is no sense in wasting resources to fight someone who consistently beats you, just wait for them to die. His wide range of powers and magical attunement would make him most aware of what was actually happening. For Sonic and Scourge's leadership, they are both sides of the coin of leadership, inspiring and terrify, both of which are necessary for a good leader. Now, you have brought something to my attention. I do not have a lot of interaction planned between Johan and Fiona. Johan appeared to her first because I needed him to herd her to the place I needed in the story.(I'm breaking this so It's not a wall of text)
Johan's big interactions are going to be with him and Sally, Nagus, Sonic, and another Character who hasn't yet appeared. Sally is in a rough spot with her place in the world. She and her brother used to have everything, now they have nothing. This also creates problems for Nagus, as his paranoia is strengthen by the fact that pretenders exist. His misunderstanding of how Feudal monarchies work is not helping his cause either.
Frederick's handling of the invitation is a taste of what you will find in this chapter. The nobility have their views of how thing should be run. They have also been somewhat(but not entirely) humbled through defeat and extensive loss. In a way, Robotnik and Eggman have been a positive force for the kingdom, cutting into the snootiness of the nobility and making them a bit more aware. Are they all going to be great pillars of virtue, heck no, but I'm not demonizing them either.
The Desert combatants both seemed pretty poor, lacking equipment and struggling to even by. They also only seemed to fight during the day, and hunker down at night, so I think they didn't have the resources to produce effective shield for both extremes.
MerendinoEmiliano: I am mostly using Archie Lore, although, I will bring in some Boom( Like Sticks) and IDW characters.
/*-*/
Sonic spun around, looking over his shoulder, "Do I have to wear this?" He was wearing what red vest over a tan Tunic, which was agitating all of the nerves of his quills, like he was in wrapped in the world's heaviest and most uncomfortable blanket.
Sally nodded, unamused by his complaint, "It's traditional noble garbs. It will show you understand the severity of your role as a noble."
Sonic groaned, "But I can't even run in this thing it is so bulky and restrictive."
Tails tightened the belt to cling closer to his belly, clearly not getting the hint, "You probably won't have to do any fighting. It's a civil meeting."
Sonic saw Tails come around to his front to give him a thumbs up. Tails had a glint in his eyes. Sonic smiled, "Alright, how do I look?"
Sally started, "You loo-"
Tails jumped in, "You Look awesome. Can we move in your castle once you get it built? I'll be your butler if you like?"
Sonic laughed, "Buddy, I'm an honorary knight. I don't even have hut outside of knothole. I still live with my mom."
Tails snorted, "Yeah, that's pretty pathetic." His little chuckles tickled Sonic.
Sonic snorted, "You still live with your mom too."
"Yeah… I guess we are both pretty pathetic." Tails muttered, allowing the silence to set in. They burst out laughing, and Sonic gave Tails an awkward hug.
Sally tapped his shoulder, "Hey, you look great."
Sonic smiled at her, "I'll go there, say no, and come back in a Sonic second."
She closed her eyes and winced, "That's… not how it works. There is a lot of ceremony in these events, and you need to participate in all of them."
Sonic groaned, "Seriously? I know how I am going to vote-"
"Sonic, there is a lot of things we just let you sit out, but the nobles and Nagus won't tolerate it. They need to be treated seriously, like they matter, because you don't want to have both parties be your enemy." Sally explained, giving Sonic a "no nonsense" look.
Sonic groaned, "Fine. But I won't like."
"Most of us don't." Sally muttered, "But you do look quite… nice." She was giving him that look.
Sonic nodded, "Alright, I guess I am going to have to head out now." He walked out and tried to run in this stupid outfit.
He had to spread his legs and do an awkward shuffle, but he was still going pretty fast. He arrived at the great palace, where the Hetorian Guards, crossed their axes.
Sonic showed off his garb, "I'm here for the Assembly of Nobles. Come on, let me in."
He didn't like the pompousness of the Color Guard, but at least they didn't cause him trouble and be so uptight. These guys looked more like guards instead of clowns, but they were really stiff.
The Hetorian Guards pulled apart their large axes, and opened the gate into the Palace. Sonic went towards the large center of the structure.
Frederick was waiting in the courtyard, and waved Sonic over, "Over here, my friend."
Sonic walked over, and saw the red fox who was standing, by the fountain. The Several nobles were there, each ready to cast their vote. But they seemed to be nodding in agreement.
Frederick smiled nervously, "I confess, I am still new to this "Assembly" business."
"From what Sally has told me, Everyone does a big introduction, then a royal explanation, then a convention, then we vote, and go home." Sonic explained, "This is a first time for me too."
Frederick nodded, "I appreciate your comradery."
"Dude, just say we are friends." Sonic groaned. His pompous speech was getting on his nerves.
The Doors swung open, and voice called out, "Please gather in the chambers, and the Assembly shall begin."
Sonic walked in to a massive auditorium. Everyone seemed to be wearing the cloth tunic, but with various crests over the vest. It now occurred to Sonic that he had no crest, he was just Sonic.
The Doors closed, and A light shined down on the wrinkly troll, Nagus. He had a flowing purple cape, and the Royal crown displayed.
"Good evening, my loyal subjects." Nagus growled through a sickeningly evil smile. He wasn't even trying to hide it. "Let us begin with the introductions."
A crowd of over three hundred Mobians, and individual introductions? This was going to take a while. Sonic was not happy to admit that he had spaced out more than a couple times, until Frederick rose, "I am Sir Frederick of Apalsa, son of Alister the Fire-fox, Son of John the Sly, Son of Edar the Righteous."
Frederick sat down, and Sonic looked over, causing the fox to nod up. Sonic stood up, "Uh, yeah, I'm Sonic the hedgehog, Uh, hero of Mobius." He sat down, and some murmuring emerged, only to be silenced as the guy next to him stood up.
Sonic looked ahead, mildly embarrassed by how short his portfolio was. It wasn't so much he cared about being from a long line, so much as being the black sheep of these ancient noble houses, only ta have sentence to his titles.
Frederick tapped his should, "Hey, you are alright." Was his discomfort that visible?
Sonic nodded, and looked ahead, before noticing Rosemary and the Mobian Republic council sitting I the back, behind the spotlight.
As the Nobles finish their introduction, a troubled Ram stood up in the front, "Where are the Acorns? They appear to be missing."
Nagus smiled, "Actually, I am king, and the Acorns have no authority or lands anymore." He seemed to think this would dismiss the problem.
He was wrong, as a wolf, Henry, stood up, "Well, then Why is Sonic the Hedgehog here? Why are your low-born lapdogs sitting in here?"
Rosemary Prower stood up and walked onto the stage, "Excuse me! We are Chosen by the people of new Mobotropolis, unlike you rude disgraces for Mobian citizens."
"That's rich coming from the wife of a traitor!" A voice called out in the back.
Nagus roared, "Order, I deman-"
"You demand nothing!" Shouted a Mole in the front row, "Lying snakes like you aren't fit to be kings!"
"You vile, ground suckling-" Nagus retorted, a vein popping in his neck.
"This Republic draws in strength from the people, we don't need relic like-" Hamlet shouted angrily.
"Filthy lowborns think they have experience to rule!" A roar came from the Right auditorium nobles.
It was becoming increasingly clear why it was taking so long to get the chilidog tax repealed. Sonic felt his head splitting from pain as they shouted, and louder, and even louder.
Sonic could be sitting at home with his family, eating chilidogs and talking with Tails. He could be running on the treadmill for Batteries for Rotor, or playing(and loosing) chess with Antoine. He couldn't do this.
Sonic stood up among the arguing nobles, and looked down at Frederick, who seemed shocked by Sonic, "Hey, I'm sorry, but I'm going." He eased his way out of the center set of seats, causing nobles to stop and look as he finally made his way to the stairways.
Sonic walked up them, when Nagus's voice shouted, "WHERE AREYOU GOING?" Sonic stopped, and realized how quiet it had become in the Auditorium.
He turned around and saw all three parties starring angrily at him. Sonic really wanted to leave, but he supposed an explanation was expected, "Look… I have a lot of things to do. I could be back at Knothole, helping moving gear around, or maybe powering the base. I could be getting supplies for the villagers and scouting Eggman for an attack force… I don't really have time to sit here, and call them a poopy face, or have him call me dum-dum."
Sonic too ka deep breath, "Look, If you guys want to argue, oh well. Frederick can have my vote… but I have things to do."
As Sonic turned around, the Ram rose, "I deeply apologize for our immaturity. You are surprisingly wise, more than I expect from someone so young, and inexperienced in the ways of politics. We shall return to focus."
Sonic felt the door, getting ready to push it open.
Rosemary spoke up, "Yes, It was very childish to turn this important meeting into a verbal battleground. Thank you for steering us back on course." That was… Surprisingly big of her.
Sonic turned around, and Nagus seemed furious, before sighing, and speaking through grit teeth, "Yes, hedgehog, please sit down, and let-us-return-to-the-matter-at-hand."
Sonic returned and sat down. He did not want to be here anymore. He wanted to go home.
Nagus forced an angry grin, "Now, I am going to pass around this bill, and you will all sign it."
Wasn't there supposed to be convening?
Nagus handed the papers to the Ram, and He looked down at it, before looking around the room, and nodding, before writing with a pen on the papers, and passing it around. Sonic saw the various nobles looking down, and writing again. The Papers got to Frederick, looked around, and wrote in the same spot.
When Sonic finally saw the paper, he saw what was being written.
Abstain. Abstain. Abstain. Rejection. Abstain. Abstain.
Sonic wrote in: Rejection. He didn't exactly have money to give.
The papers passed through the rows, and made its way to the other side of the room.
The herald, a parrot, took the papers and began to look over them. Nagus's smug grin began to waver as the parrot looked over the papers, then flipped back and forth, as though he were miss reading. The republic council began to murmur at Rosemary.
The Parrot finally took a deep breath out of stress, "Two-hundred Fifty three votes of Abstinence, Forty seven votes of rejection, seventeen votes of Acceptance."
The words hung over the auditorium, and Sonic saw many of the Nobles looking defiantly at Nagus, determination and anger in their eyes. Nagus's face flashed from Shock, to confusion, to outrage.
"What- What is the meaning of this!" Nagus shouted, veins popping out of his head.
The Ram stood up and stared down Nagus, "We have elected to reject your bill and have made our decision."
"ARE YOU STUPID!" Nagus howled, "WE NEED A STANDING ARMY! YOU WOULD HAVE PASSED IT UNDER THE ACORNS, YOU ARE TRYING UNDERMINE MY AUTHORITY!"
"You have no authority over us, and you don't seem to understand that." Those words made Nagus red in the face.
The Wolf stood up, "The Acorns understood the process and dignities awarded to nobles, something you have failed to provide at any level. You failed to even consult us about this bill, or attempted to negotiate an acceptable tax law. You didn't even provide a justification for this tax change."
Another figure stood up, "You seem to believe you have unlimited authority as king, when your authority extends to the city walls. You didn't show us any respect or dignity, and clearly have no respect for the history of this kingdom."
Nagus growled, unable to get even angrier, "I Will-"
"Do nothing, because we all have armies that will find a new king if you should attack any of us. Our alliance network has kept us safe, along with the efforts of the former princess and king, both of whom you have clearly rejected. Most of us do not even recognize your legitimacy as king." The Ram continued.
Nagus's eyes were twitching and bulging, "GET OUT! GET OUT NOW!"
The nobles rose by their rows, and walked out of the auditorium. Sonic and Frederick left together, the fox looking mildly disturbed, "I confess I feel we have only made an enemy out of the king."
Sonic shrugged, "I Think he hated me before. Nothing's really changed for me."
Frederick frowned, "I suppose I have to work with our allies, and attempt to keep us unified. Thank you for coming here." Sonic Took of his noble outfit, and stretched his legs. Frderick's stomach growled, and he froze from embarrassment.
"Are you hungry? My Uncle is making chilidogs, best chilidogs I've ever eaten." Sonic proposed, as Frederick looked down.
"I suppose I could enjoy a meal, But, I -uh, have never had these "Chili" dogs. Are they a peasant food?" Frederick asked, still starring at the ground from embarrassment.
"Oh just come on." Sonic groaned. He didn't have time for snobbiness.
"Alright I will get my Carriage, an-" Sonic picked up the fox, "I'm faster."
He bolted all of the way back to Knothole, and found his mom's house, dropping Frederick at the door, "Alright here we are."
Frederick examined the tree that they lived in, "This is a…comfortable house."
Sonic rolled his eyes, and opened the door, "Mom, Uncle Chuck, Dad, I'm back, and I brought a friend, is that ok?"
Julian Hedgehog walked in, warranting a yelp from Frederick. Jules laughed in his robotic voice, "You brought a fri- hey, you're Alister's boy, right?"
"You- You are a machine?" Frederick exclaimed, looking slightly afraid. Sonic let out a breath, as his father made it abundantly clear with the hum that he was mildly offended.
"I… Wasn't always." Julian explained, gesturing to his metal body.
"Ah I am… terribly sorry." Frederick laughed nervously, clearly looking awkward.
"Most people react that way. I'm still not used to it though." Julian was trying to laugh it off. Bernadette Hedgehog came in and clasped the metal hand.
"Have you thought about being de-roboticized?" Frederick laughed, nervously realizing how awkward he had made the situation. Sonic was starting to get a little mad, but his father be him to it.
"I was mortally wounded in battle. The roboticizer my brother built… saved my life. If I were to go back, however, I would die." Julian explained, the humming in his voice box attempting to mimic a huff.
Frederick looked around, desperately trying to find something to talk about, before jumping up, "So, you knew my father?"
"Alister, yeah I knew him. I served under him briefly in the last war. Very Emotional fellow. Your best friend and worst enemy. I was fortunate enough to get the first option. He also loved firebombing, hence his nick name." Julian revealed, nodding.
Frederick smiled, "Yeah, I didn't really know my father."
"Didn't know him? He bragged all of the time about you. I hear you were the star of his parties, and that he was so happy to have you as a son." Julian explained. Sonic felt this was getting a little too personal for his tastes.
"Did He, outside of the balls and parties… we didn't talk or do much." Frederick gulped.
Sonic's dad paused, before nodding, "I see… Well, Welcome to our home, we'll eat dinner as soon as Miles and his family show up."
Chuck Called out, "The food is heated up, are they back yet?"
As if by Magic, a knock was heard on the door, and Sonic answered it find Tails, Amadeus, and Rosemary Prower sitting outside. Right… Tails' mom was on the republic council, and judging by the awkward smile Tails had, they had talked(Probably about him).
Sonic smiled, "Hey, come on in." he laughed nervously, while his mom set the table.
The Prowers walked in, "Hello Bernadette, I know we are early, but the voting was very short."
"Yes, It was." Frederick muttered confused, "You… Know eachother."
Sonic nodded, "Oh yeah, met them while I was in space."
Rosemary smiled, "He brought us back to see our lovely little boy, all grown up." Tails began to scratch his head, embarrassed by the statement.
They sat down to eat, and Sonic got to enjoy Frederick's culture shock when he saw the messy food that was presented before him. The additional culture shock when he realized there was no fork or knife.
"Um, can I get silverware?" Frederick asked, looking at the dog dripping with succulent chili.
"Just eat it with your hands." Sonic groaned, picking up the dog biting down on it. Aged for two days, just the way Sonic loved it.
Tails was also eating and enjoying it. Sonic saw the horror as Frederick inched the food towards his mouth, and took a bite. He slowly chewed, then froze, then chewed some more.
"This is like the house maid's stew she would serve. She would take our left over meats, and throw it into a pot with onions and tomatoes, and used odd spices." Frederick exclaimed in awe, "My sisters and brother didn't like it, but I loved it, because she would always make it on my birthday, and it was special to me. Thank you mrs. Hedgehog."
Bernadette blinked a couple times, " Well I am glad it made your day."
Frederick nodded.
Tails and Sonic looked at each other before chuckling.
Sonic took Frederick back to the tiny shack that he lived in, noticing how the town was rebuilding. Apparently, things outside of mobotropolis were pretty bad.
/*-*/
Fiona stretched out of the small bed in the corner of her hut. She walked out to find the village bustling and moving about. Fishers were pulling their nets up, and Fiona walked over to the dock.
Oswald was lifting the nets onto the docks when he saw her, "Hey, Ms. Aria, Could you start sorting these fish into the baskets."
Fiona nodded, and began to sort out the fish. She saw there were more baskets, and began to try and fill those up the same way as she had the previous baskets. Fiona had only done it once, but it seemed pretty easy.
Then she felt an presence behind her…watching her, spying on her. Fiona jerked around with a balled fist, ready to take out the-
It was Illia, who felt down and raised her hands defensively. Poor gir- Stupid girl, Fiona reminded herself.
"Sorry Ms. Aria, I didn't mean to-" Illia was practically crying, warranting a look from villagers.
"Oh no, I'm sorry, I'm a little on edge. I heard a noise last night…" Fiona muttered. It wasn't technically untrue.
Illia pulled her hands away from her face, and looked up at Fiona, a smile flashed on her face. The Wolf jumped up, "Can I watch what you are doing?"
"What I'm dong?" Fiona asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That funny thing, where you mutter numbers and place in baskets?" Illia asked, wide eyed. Fiona blinked. Right, Illia was a villager without any education.
"Counting?" Fiona clarified.
Illia nodded, "It looks cool."
"Would you like me to teach you?" Fiona asked, and Illia's Eyes widened, before vigorously nodding.
"Ok, so We have one," She held up a fish, and a finger, and began to arrange them in a row, raising a finger every time she added a fish, "So, we have two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten. If we add two more, we have twelve." She began to draw numbers once she ran out of fingers.
"Wow… there are a lot of numbers." Illia whispered, seeming to shrink.
Fiona thought it was kind of cute, "No, there are only nine numbers. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine. Then you go back to one, and put a zero behind it." She drew it out in the mud.
Illia, nodded, smiling, "So I add two fish, to these fish… it would be…. Four plus ten?"
"Fourteen." Fiona clarified. Illia's face lit up.
"I'm getting back to work, ok?" Fiona explained, and Illia nodded.
"Bye, I'll go help pick mushrooms for stew tonight." Illia ran, muttering numbers to herself.
Fiona felt her heart melt… She had to stop. She was getting soft, which meant she was going to get hurt.
She finished sorting the fish, right as the snow began to fall again.
Oswald walked up, "alright, I'll get these loaded."
Fiona nodded, "Ok, I'll go with."
Oswald raised an eyebrow before nodding. What was that about?
They got on the carriage, and rode towards the city. Oswald smiled, "You've been a great help around the village. Thank you."
"It's not so bad." Fiona wasn't even sure she was lying at that point, "You guys are pretty nice… I like it here."
Oswald nodded, "Illia likes you. She was always a little shy, but she thinks you're a good person."
"I try." Fiona shrugged.
Oswald looked kind of sad…
"What's up?" Fiona asked, reclining back.
"I've been hearing things at night… I'm nervous something might be stalking our village." Oswald's focus was directed at her, "Did you hear anything last night?"
Fiona thought for a moment, "Yeah, I heard a few strange noises." She wasn't going to sell out Scourge.
"Any Idea on what they were?" Oswald asked. He was being really nosy.
Fiona shrugged, "My motto is if something sounds strange, stay away from it."
Oswald nodded, looking troubled, "Understood, well, we are going to get to the bottom of this. I don't like something that can hurt our children being so close."
Fiona nodded, mentally snorting. He couldn't jack to Scourge. But hats off for the gun-ho nature.
They Rode into the city and set up their stall.
Fiona looked at Oswald, "Ok, I'll take the Fish basket to the orphanage, like last time?"
Oswald nodded, "Actually, I have a special deliver as well, I need you to take these blue tails to the restaurant across from the Orphanage. It shouldn't be too much of a drag, but It'll be a bit."
Fiona nodded, and picked up the second basket. It wasn't as heavy as last time, but it still weighed a lot. She walked to the Orphanage and Walked to the door, knocking on it.
The old lady answered the door, "Oh, hello miss… You- You have more fish… oh thank you."
Fiona placed the basket in the doorway and smiled as the old lady took them in, and turned around. Sticks gave her a nod, before walking out the Alleyway. She had been waiting… of Course, Fiona had come with the fish wagon, so she was sign the fish had arrived.
Fiona took the second basket across the street to the building with a very long French name. Fiona walked inside and smiled, "Hey…Uh… I got a delivery-"
"Oh, good. I missed you guys last week. Cousin got sick, had to take care of him." A large bull dog groaned, "I got your payment too."
He pulled out a stack of mobiums. Fiona was… a little tempted to hide it, but she knew she wouldn't get far with that plan.
She walked back to find Oswald and Sticks talking.
"I'll be there." She nodded, though somewhat fierce.
"See you tonight." Oswald smiled, before turning to Fiona, looking mildly shocked, "Oh, hey."
"What was that about?" Fiona asked, raising an eyebrow. He was being suspicious… That was her job.
"Just a little get together we are having." Oswald smiled. Was he planning… a surprise party?
Fiona smiled, "Alright, None of my business." Fiona climbed in back,
They sold the produce over the day, and left as the sun was leaning towards the earth.
Their carriage trotted back towards the village. This was just like last time.
Fiona slumped her head, and went to sleep. Oswald wasn't going to try anything.
Fiona felt a hand tap her shoulder, and she sat up…. They were not at the village.
The Wagon had come to a stop. Fiona blinked a couple, "What's going on."
"I know who you are." Oswald growled, with a sudden harshness, "I know what you've been doing at night."
Fiona blinked a few more times. What? Did he really…
"We get off here." Oswald growled.
Fiona crawled off the wagon, and walked further into the forest. "What is this about."
"I believed you could be good… Fiona Fox." Oswald growled, and Fiona Jerked around.
"Look, I'm still working through my issues, but I haven't done anything." Fiona smiled, trying to look innocent.
"I want to believe that… But you've been meeting Scourge the Hedgehog, who already hurt thousands of mobians." Oswald growled, "I haven't told the villagers… If you ever decide to fix your life… You'll be welcome with us."
Fiona growled, "And what makes you think I'll leave alone." Did this guy think she was the forgiving type?
"You'll be in prison, once the freedom fighters hav-" No time to waste, Fiona dove and kicked Oswald's legs. He dropped to his legs, and Fiona punched him in the throat.
Oswald dropped gasping for air.
Fiona snorted, "You really are a stupid hick. I'm going finish you off, and then no one will know about me being here."
"Yeah," Oswald gasped, "It was pretty stupid to confront you without calling the freedom fighters." As he rose, Fiona kicked him down. He was about ten years older than her, and yet he acted old. Stupid country bumpkin.
Fiona pressed her foot into his back, when he muttered something in the dirt.
Fiona eased up her foot, "What was that?" She snorted smugly.
"That's why I had my friend bring them here." A twig snapped, and Fiona felt two metal points in her back.
"Get off my friend you lying, civilized scum." Sticks' voice barked.
"Please, Cherri, Don't do anything we might regret." The stupid Coyote's voice rang in her ear.
Fiona grit her teeth and raised her hands in surrender. She could take Antoine… but she didn't know about Sticks… she'd never seen the badger fight.
"Don' try anything sugah." Oh and the stupid cyborg was here. Where was Scourge.
Fiona felt her arms get bound, and she was thrown in a separate carriage.
She had been taken down the fork in the road, so close to the village… Fiona growled as she exited the tree line, seeing Scourge from the forest, watching her. Why wasn't he doing anything… He was just standing there in shock.
SAVE ME! PLEASE! Fiona pleaded through her eyes, only to get shoved by Sticks.
Scourge only ran. Fiona grit her teeth, as she knew the sentencing was coming.