Alright, so no reviews since last chapter, so I guess just the PSA.
Next chapter will be delayed, due to certain interruptions.
/*-*/
Sonic Stretched out In his bed. He felt good… Sort of. He took a deep breath, and climbed out of bed. Sonic stretched and got ready. He bolted to Freedom HQ.
After sliding into the door, Sonic saw everyone but Antoine and Bunnie, who were still out on their own mission. The Room was eerily quiet.
"Hey… Why is everyone so quiet?" Sonic asked, noticing how everyone was looking at him.
"Sonic, we've decided… We don't really enough about the "new Player", nor do we know what is going on with our other enemies." Sally explained, somewhat somberly.
"Ok, and?" Sonic asked, raising his hands to ask the question.
Elias stood up, "We'd like you to go to the special zones and get the chaos emeralds. Just in case something goes wrong."
"Ok, Get the gate set up, and I'll get them." Sonic shrugged.
"I Understand if you are reluctant to go. The zones are dangerous, and Tails is nervous-" Sally started.
"I'm going. It'll be fine." Sonic nodded, "Just get me there."
"Alright! With the two of us, we'll get it done in no time flat." Tails exclaimed, flashing a thumbs up.
Sonic stopped, "Wait… You're going into a special zone?"
Tails nodded, so excited his legs were twitching, "Yep, I got the green, red and white Emeralds."
Sonic blinked, "ALONE?"
"Yep." Tails smiled, though it was wavering, and reasonably so.
"I don't think that's a good idea. Maybe we can have Knuckles be back up fo-" Sonic started.
"Sonic, Tails is old enough to do this on his own." Sally said nervously.
"Yeah." Tails jumped up, seeming to gradually lose his happy demeanor, "I can do this!"
Sonic shook his head, "Buddy, It's really dangerous out there-"
"Sonic, he has to go alone!" Sally shouted authoritatively.
Sonic the room was quiet. Sonic pieced it together, "The council didn't approve did they?"
"They don't know about this." Sally sighed.
Sonic nodded, "I'll get them all then."
Tails ran at Sonic and clasped his hands together, "Please, Sonic, I can help."
"I know, but It will be dang-" Sonic tried to reason. He didn't want Tails getting hurt, and he was going after the white emerald.
Tails shook his head, "I know. But I can do this. I can, really!" Tails was desperate by the look in his eyes.
Sonic frowned. He didn't want Tails getting stuck in the special zones…
"Sonic, this isn't your call to make. He can do it." Sally reasserted firmly. Of course she would be taking charge over Sonic's little buddy. Sonic grit his teeth.
"Why not! He's LITTLE, SMALL If he gets caught out there, and I can't get to him, who's going to save him? You?" Sonic barked in a blind fury, " You wouldn't go there to save anyone, because you can't control it!" Sonic felt better, though now he deal with the awkward silence that came with his outburst.
Sally was left agape. First Argument Sonic won. Everyone just starred at him.
"Sorry about that." He finally sighed, "I'll go get mine. You can do this Tails, I believe in you." He could feel the brick wall of emotions Tails was hiding behind.
"Ok." The Fox said flatly, and pushed past Sonic.
"Hey, buddy. I didn't mean it." Sonic awkwardly smiled.
"I know." Tails grumbled, going to what was probably the warp gate lab.
Sally finally recovered, and it looked like she was about to lay into Sonic, but then she restrained herself, "I think we need a moment to get our heads straight and clear. Maybe deal with some issues that we want to talk about."
"Tails and I are fine. Lets get this done." Sonic muttered, walking to the warp gate room. Tails was waiting there, starring at the wall.
Rotor walked over to monitor, sharing the face that everyone else had with concern and hesitation.
Sonic tapped his foot, "We're ready."
"Are you sure." Rotor asked cautiously.
Elias jumped in, "I think it'd be best if we wait. You don't seem to be in the right min-"
Sonic let out a breath, "I'm fine. I'll my part, as I always do, and we will get this done. Tails, you'll do good, just avoid vines, magma and electric areas. Also dodge any mines."
"Got it." Tails muttered.
Sonic still felt kind of bad. Tails was trying his best… and it wasn't good to rain on his parade.
Rotor cleared his throat, "Opening gate to Special zone one. Tails are you ready?"
Tails nodded, "Let's go."
The warp gate spun, creating red and white sparkles which bounced around the room, opening a small circular doorway. Tails jumped in… and Sonic felt a sense of dread in his heart… his last words to Tails could be "You are too small."
Sonic shook his head as Rotor called out the second gate.
"Sonic, are you ready for Special zone 2?" Rotor asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sonic nodded, "Let's get this done."
Sally placed a hand on his shoulder, and Sonic turned his head to look at her as the gate spun up.
Sally was frowning but finally smiled, "Be safe."
Sonic shrugged, "I'll be back in a Sonic second." He put up his smile, despite the feeling of anger and dread. She had put Tails up to this… knowing full well the danger all to save herself the trouble of fighting with Nagus. Now Tails was mad at Sonic… and he blamed Sally for this.
Sonic ran through the gate, and found the long pipe, filled with rings and frigid splash zones. Sonic ran through the puddles, and caught twenty rings that were lined up in a row. He zipped past the check point.
Sonic began to hop from the pipe, and jumped across the void, before arriving on the other side. He ran past the second check point, avoiding the bright blue rivers.
Sonic saw the faces…sirens calling out… Tommy turtle… Mello Bee… Sonic ran past them.
Come to visit an old friend… slow down so I can catch up.
How's Charmy… I hope he's not too bad… Can I see him?
Sonic ignored them… Knowing full well what would happen if he touched them…
Sonic continued to Run… Through the last check point… where another face was waiting for him.
An old Echidna.
Sonic took a breath, and arrived at the rising pearl stone pyramid which housed the emerald. It's white steps seemed so large.
So… You're here. You need the Emerald… don't you…
Sonic pushed past, feeling his heart squeeze itself.
Come on son, my adopted son… How is your brother? How is my boy?
Sonic walked up the stairs, looking forward… Knowing full well if he turned around, he wouldn't be able to stop himself.
Sonic… I'm not going to trick you… my time came and passed.
Sonic arrived at the top, and picked up the glowing Cyan emerald… The Emerald of spirits and souls.
Sonic turned around, for the first time, "I'm sorry. I didn't save, and I could have."
Locke seemed to laugh, despite being made of the blue liquid and having no voice box, "I don't blame you… I drove my son away… and I made my choice. I am ready to pass on, but I wanted to see you, and ask a favor."
Sonic held the emerald out, "Ok, what is it?"
"Tell my boy… I love him. I always have, even though I was hard on him, and treated him rather terrible. Tell him I'm sorry I wasn't a good dad, or a compassionate man." Locke asked.
Sonic nodded, "I'll tell him, I promise."
Locke walked over to Sonic, and touched the top of the emerald. His blue form dissolved, and disappeared. Sonic wondered what happened to souls once they passed. Was there something afterwards? Was Locke watching them, or was Sonic simply hopeful?
Sonic shook his head, and bolted back towards the entrance. He twisted past a light blue soul which tried to touch him. He saw the opening, and ran through it, panting as the voices finally ceased.
Even Elias looked a little concerned, "Are you ok?"
Sonic nodded, "Just a little… excited." Sonic sucked in a deep breath, before standing up strait, and looked at Tails, who was forcing a smile, and looked… Uncomfortable.
"Tails, are you ok?" Sonic asked, walking over.
Tails barred his teeth, "Fine…" Tails was tapping his finger against his side.
"You didn't dodge the vines… did you?" Sonic asked, sighing because he already knew the answer.
Tails immediately began to scratch all over his body, "It was hard Sonic! Can someone get me some vinegar… please!"
Sally reached into the cabinet, and pulled out the white wine vinegar, and handed it to Tails.
Tails groaned, "I'm going to smell like this for days." He began to pour it over his fur, hissing as the already irritated skin underneath began to burn. "Owie" Tails muttered, a few tears appearing in his eyes.
Sonic looked over Tails, "Maybe you should let me get the rest of the emeralds." He tried his best to look sympathetic at Tails.
Tails instead growled, "NO, I can do this. I just got a little surprised is all."
"Tails… Buddy… The Green Emerald has the least deadly traps… The rest are-" Sonic tried to reason with his little buddy.
"I can do it!" Tails shouted, "Let's get the next one."
Rotor cleared his throat, "Actually… we need the gate to cool down. We'll get the rest over the week, but the rapid use isn't good for this thing. We don't want it breaking while one of you are out there trying to get an emerald."
Sonic blinked. It had never needed to cool down before, but then again, they'd gone after the emeralds one at a time…
Sally nodded, "Yes, I think we could all use a break too."
Elias walked into the room, "The D'Coulettes made it back, and they brought someone with them."
Sally turned around, and Sonic raised an eyebrow at the dethroned prince.
/*-*/
Fiona walked lower into the prison, the two guards pushing her with halberds. She could fight back, probably trip a few of them, but what then.
There was one entrance in and out of the prison… and there were more guards on the outside. She'd just end up getting hurt for no good reason. So she bid her time.
The large, clear door surrounded by concrete awaited her. The prison was empty, and the walls made it look like there hadn't been any prisoners for a while. The prison seemed to be dirty, and dusty without use.
The Guard pressing the red button on the right of the cells entrance told Fiona that everything within the prison still worked. She was shoved in to the cell. Half of the room had light in it, the other half had the bench and pillow.
The door shut behind her, and the guards' lips were moving, indicating that the walls were sound proof. Fiona sighed, and walked back behind the shadow, and sat on the bench, slumping against the wall. She needed an escape plan, so she got to work thinking of how she was going to escape.
Plan A: Wait for soup night, get a spoon, dig through the walls…. Into dirt… It needed work.
She needed a new plan… Where had the guards gone? Did they just leave her there unattended?
Fiona then saw a yellow ear crossing over the concrete… Tails peaked around the edge of the prison cell. The little yellow piece of… She had to stop herself. She wasn't mad at him…
Tails looked at the cell control panel and pushed a button, "Fiona…"
"Mutant." Fiona retorted.
Tails flinched. That was a little harsh, even for her. She knew it.
"Fiona… How have you been?" Tails put up a weak smile. Was Fiona really going to have to deal with his lovesick puppy personality.
"I've been fine." Fiona snapped at him. She wanted him gone and to be left alone. She didn't want to deal with the stupid little child who couldn't take a hint.
"You have scars on your belly. Are you ok? Did Scourge do that to you." Tails asked his ears flattening.
Fiona rolled her eyes, "No, Now get lost."
"I know you're still a good person Fiona… Please, trust me, I know something is wrong wi-" Tails begged, his eyes getting big.
"OH SHUT UP!" Fiona shouted, "YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME. I'VE SEEN THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE YOU CURL UP AND HIDE." Fiona took a breath, and gave a Tails a smile, "I hope you get ripped apart, just like Lightning. Then I can see your brother's hopeless, just like he deserves."
Tails had shrunken down. Fiona kept her smile. Maybe he'd get the point.
Suddenly Tails sat up straight. He face become stoic, "So… Lightning is dead, and judging by your posture, it wasn't from being kicked out of the Destructix, so we can assume that they are dead as well." What was happening? "If Scourge was with them, then I guess he is also dead, which means you have no one coming for you, so you'll try to manipulate one of us… right?"
Fiona was frozen… did that just- did he just-
Tails smiled, and turned around, "Thanks for the info." He walked away, probably back up the stairs.
Fiona should have been- was mad… but she also had a smile. Not bad, Tails… Not bad at all. She hated being outplayed by a kid… but that was still a good front he put up. So she had a smile, from one deceiver to another.
Fiona was still in prison, though, so she could only recline back. She then laid down and looked at the ceiling. The quiet was actually pretty nice, which meant it could only be disturbed.
A smug voice ran through the room, "So, I heard you wanted to see my awesome face."
Fiona felt the anger and annoyance rise within her, "Oh, it's you… No, I honestly didn't care to see you ever again. Thank you, goodbye." Oh how she hated him.
"Nah, I think I'm going to stay and talk to you. Catch up on some stuff. I don't think you have anything better to do." Sonic smirked, his arms crossed. He was probably enjoying this oh so much.
Still, he did have a point… Maybe she could work tis to her advantage, "Alright… why don't you tell me what has been going in the kingdom while I was gone?"
"Oh a lot of stuff. The Acorns stepped down from power, I got officially recognized as a noble, eggman reset the universe only me to set it back, you know, typical freedom fighter stuff." Sonic spoke so casually, so arrogantly.
The Acorns were dethroned? Fiona snorted at the thought, but still, it left opportunities if she could ever get out of that stupid prison. Sonic was a noble? Right… He was technically a knight, without land or even armor. Heck he didn't even have a sword, but he probably got the title to keep him loyal to the kingdom, and reign him in. Clever Princess, clever indeed Fiona smirked.
"So how's your little sweetheart doing? You two still having trouble." Fiona taunted. If she could get the door open… then she'd get pulverized by the guards. She was a rogue by nature. She didn't do well in a head on brawl. Still, it felt good cutting into the invincible Son-
"Oh, we're fine. We are getting a nice work-life balance going." Sonic countered, smugly, "How's Scourge, dead? Or maybe moving on." Oh that was a low, but in fairness, effective taunt. Fiona realized she had shifted. Still, he though Scourge was dead, so maybe she could work this to her advantage.
So she showed her pain, "He protected me more than you ever did." She made sure to ball her fists by her sides.
Sonic's invincible look dropped, and was replaced by a look of guilt. He was too good, so he had to feel sorry for her, which she was going to use to her advantage, "I'm…sorry, I crossed a line there." Self righteous till the end.
Fiona growled, "Just leave me alone." She turned her head for dramatic effect, but leaving on eye on him.
Sonic slumped down, slowly nodding, "Yeah, I guess I'll be seeing you. Maybe tomorrow."
"Oh please, don't." Fiona growled.
Sonic left the room, and Fiona could finally… stare at the ceiling. Still, she slumped in the darkness, and had a brief moment of happiness that she had made a nice cut into Sonic. Now she just had to play on her fake vulnerability.
/*-*/
Johan trudged the through the snow, following the scent. He had been tracking this family for days, and he thought he'd finally caught up.
Johan trudged up a snow mound, and scanned the area… Gray, rubbery hide was spotted. Some kind of bipedal… sea boar… Tusks were visible, indicating a dangerous defense, but these were civilized peoples… easy to kill.
There were around five, three hird worthy, and two young bloods.
He trudged down the mountain. The young bloods, were off limits, as culture demanded they be adult before being slain. But the adults, Johan bore his teeth and charged.