John Victor Foxfire: I chose a sort of "bear" like care for Johan, as wolverine's are known as the "stink bear". They also look a lot like mini-bears. Johan is very peculiar. He doesn't like Tails, rather, he sees the utility of the Two tails, and sees potential in the user. Something I think a lot of people are going to have trouble with( especially in the later chapters) is the difference between Johan respecting someone, and liking them.

Fiona isn't fully logical in this story. She Blames Sonic for abandoning her( as was shown in Archie), but with that hatred, she also uses Sonic as the scapegoat for all her past issues. Some of the things Fiona blames Sonic for are well founded and reasonable, others are just a disconnect from how cruel the world can be. And poor Sonic is in an emotionally vulnerable time right now, unsure of what he wants or what to do, caught between living as a man of the people and being a nobleman.

/*-*/

Sonic slumped down in his room. He didn't turn the lights on, as men with guilt consciousness didn't want to be in light. Fiona Fox was his creation… he was the reason that she was so angry, so dead set on fighting the kingdom. He had created this monster with carelessness.

Gosh he had been such an arrogant, showboating fool. Back when he was younger, he really didn't care about anyone except maybe Tails. Sonic ran his fingers through his top quills, scratching his head. He hadn't gone back for her. Instead… he had left Fiona in the hands of that monster.

The Worst part about it: Sonic didn't even remember the promise he made, or the girl he'd promised to save. He'd never felt guilty about it, never even given it a second thought. Fiona was right… he wasn't a hero before. He was just a kid playing around, messing with an old doctor because it was fun. Would he have saved others if he didn't enjoy fighting Robotnik? He felt so ashamed.

Sonic heard a knock on his door. He muttered, "Come in." He put up a smile.

Sally walked in, she had a soft, cautious smile on her face, "Hey… I heard you were looking a little down."

Sonic shook his head, "Wha- No, I'm just a little tired."

Sally walked in and sat on the bed, "Come on. I know you. Something is wrong. Why are you sitting in the dark?" Sally placed a hand on his shoulder. Sonic frowned, and honestly didn't want to talk too much.

"I'm… a little confused about something. I don't really feel like talking about it just yet." Sonic muttered.

Sally opened her mouth, and let out a sigh. The two starred at each other for a few moments. Sally gave a sad smile, "Ok, I get it." She stood up, and smiled at him. Sally's figure left his room, and shut the door.

Sonic growled at himself. He wanted to shrug it off, but man… to make a girl suffer like that was…heavy to say the least. Sonic sat there in the dark. He shook himself. Then he slapped himself. He couldn't afford to be down. There wasn't much he could do to change the past.

Sonic walked out into the freedom fighter HQ, and noticed that an hour must have passed. Did he fall asleep?

Sonic walked into the command center to Find Elias eyeing him. He was probably still upset over Sonic's admitted aggressive outburst.

Sally flashed a surprised, but happy smile, "Hey… Are you ready to talk yet."

Elias seemed lower his arms, as if to try and be a little more open.

Sonic frowned, and waved it off, "It's nothing big."

"You went to see Fiona didn't you?" Sally asked, twisting her head at Sonic, still smiling, but in a rather cautious and inquisitive way.

Sonic nodded, "Yeah… She just… brought some stuff to light. I don't know."

Sally sighed, shaking her head, walking over to Sonic, "I don't think you visit her anymore. She doesn't ever lighten your mood. She's just tearing you down."

Elias stepped in, "Remember, she's an enemy. She'll do everything she can to make us miserable."

Sonic sighed, "She wouldn't be an enemy if I had been better."

Sally frowned, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Come on. She was going to betray us anyway. You couldn't have changed that."

Sonic shook his head angrily, mostly at himself, "No, I LEFT HER IN ROBOTNIK'S PRISON."

Sally blinked, "What? When?"

"Back when she was little. I was there, I could saved her apparently, and I even promised to come back. But I never did… I just left her there." Sonic slumped, "I wasn't a hero back then… I just did stuff because it was fun. I don't even think I'm a hero now." Sonic groaned, feeling the depressing realization set in.

Then he felt a hand slam into his cheek hard. Sally stood there, calmly, but mildly angry, "You are a hero. You save people, just because you had fun doesn't make it any less heroic. You messed up, get over it."

Sonic felt his jaw clench. Get over it. GET OVER IT? Sonic growled in a low voice, because he was so angry, "You-…." He couldn't even muster a coherent thought. He couldn't think of an attack to return. But apparently, he didn't need to. Sally's body language quickly became defensive, and submissive, as she came to realization of what she just done.

Elias moved in, attempting to protect his sister. She was already moving to an apology, "I'm sorry… I wasn't thinking right there."

Sonic felt himself calm down slightly, "It's fine. It's just fine."

Elais eased up. Sonic sighed, and turned around.

Sally grabbed his arm, "Hey… I'm sorry. I really am."

Sonic shook his head, "I am going for a run. Goodbye." He was still very angry. She didn't learn from the last time, she didn't care. She smacked him again. Maybe she thought it would snap him out of his funk, but all it did was remind him of how quickly she had tossed him aside.

There's more than just that His logical part said. Unfortunately, the Logical part was rather small on his brain. The Emotional part, however.

That stupid girl. We should leave, and let them see just how bad things get without us. The Emotional part cried.

Sonic ran so far, until he found a tree to smack his head against. That shut them up.

"HOLD IT!" An angry shout came from behind the tree, "This tree is older than my Grandf- Sonic?"

Sonic looked up to find Frederick, standing defiantly with two armored mobians, one a wolf, and one a bear. They seemed to be very protective, so Sonic assumed they were guards. They seemed confused once Frederick identified Sonic, like they didn't what to do?

Sonic blinked a couple times. He didn't remember changing direction, or even heading towards Frederick's estate. Did he go too far north, or was he just too distracted to focus on where he was going? Whatever the reason, he was here now, "Hey… Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your tree."

"No-No, Come on and sit down, you seem rather disgruntled." Frederick was giving Sonic a look of pity, which spoke to how he looked.

Sonic shook his head, "Oh no, I'm good, I was just…clearing my head."

Frederick reached inside his robe, and pulled out a letter, "Actually, I received a letter from the former princess. She asked me to take you on a "Guy-Night". I am not exactly sure what she means by that, but I will try my best. So let's go do a… "guy night"."

Sonic blinked a couple times, "I think she just wants us to hang out. But I can-"

"Oh please, let me do this. I would like to do something to help the princess. My father would want it, as he loved the Acorns." Frederick had his hands clasped and was practically begging. Sonic couldn't say no.

"Alright, I guess. IT's not that big of a deal. I don't exactly have a hangout spot." Sonic muttered.

"I do know an area." Frederick mused, "The building was rebuilt two days ago."

Sonic nodded, "Alright, lead the way." He wasn't exactly sure he needed the pick up, but maybe sometime with a friend would help him shake off his funk.

Of course, Sonic wasn't expecting a bar within the rebuilt town. Walking into the bar, a sweet, wheat smell filled his nose, and he noticed how crowded it was.

Sonic blinked as Frederick walked up to the bar, sat on a stool, and rested his arm on the bar, seeming to gain an immense amount of confidence. Sonic walked up, and sat next to Frederick.

The Red Fox had a still smile, and the bartender came over. The Bartender walked over to their seat, "So what'r ya having?"

Frederick opened his mouth and froze. The Bartender leaned his head in, urging Frederick on.

Frederick gaped before saying, "Uh… A Barley beer."

The Bartender Looked at Sonic, who shrugged, "Something Fruity, like a blueberry vodka or something."

The Bartender nodded, and went back behind the counter.

Frederick looked at Sonic like he'd said something outrageous.

Sonic noticed this, and asked, "What?"

Frederick shook his head, "You come to bar to drink fruit drinks? Why not have a manly drink."

"I like blueberries." Sonic shrugged.

The Bartender returned with a glass pink filled with a black murky liquid, and a white glass, filled with clear vodka.

Sonic sipped the sweet mixture. It was nice, although he knew from when His Uncle and dad had parties not to drink too quickly.

Frederick, on the other hand, raised the pint and took a big chug from the beer, His face contorting as he realized just how the beer tasted.

Frederick's mouth gaped open as he coughed, "Oh my…"

Sonic nodded, "Yeah, that's why I like fruit drinks."

Frederick winced, "How did my father always smell like this so much?"

The Bartender had returned, "Your dad? You wouldn't be talking about Alister would you?"

Frederick nodded, "You knew him?"

The Bartender nodded, "Oh yeah. Barley beer is a military Ration. Big with soldiers and commanders."

Frederick nodded with realization, "Ah yes. I understand now."

Sonic looked at Frederick with a bit of curiosity, "What's up?"

The Bartender walked off to tend to another section.

"Nothing, my father just happened to be a… military Focused man." Frederick muttered, glumly. Frederick finished his drink quickly, recoiling with every gulp.

Sonic offer his drink to Frederick, as he'd probably like it a little more than bitter beer.

Frederick shook his head… almost desperately.

Three drinks later, and the two were talking.

"This girl… Fiona, she's looks a lot like you man. And I left her… I just don't feel like a hero." Sonic muttered, blinking a couple times as his legs felt a little wobbly in the chair.

Frederick shook his head, "No man… No-no-no. Yeh incredblu. Yeh saved me, and I wasn guhd." His words were slurred, and he was taking breaths. They'd definitely been drinking faster than they should have been.

Sonic noticed people were starring. Maybe it was time to go.

As Frederick laid down another set of mobium, Sonic grabbed his arm, "I think we've had enough. It's time to go."

"I'm stihl havin a great time." Frederick groaned

Sonic tugged a little harder, "Dude, You can't handle much more. You're dr-"

"You can' handle it. You 'hre worthless. Why can' ya be more like youh brothers. Eht's a sword, not a mountain. Gosh you disappoint me." Frederick burst, "Yu sound liehk my dahd." His breaths were exaggerated.

Sonic took his hand off Frederick's arm and put it on his shoulder, the Red Fox slumping down, his mouth quivering. Sonic tried to pull him out of this pit of depression, "Hey, no, that's not what I'm saying. You just don't have much experience."

"Nah, nah. You'h reiht. You'h reiht Dad. I'm a failure. I miss Yu and Ma. I miss mah brothers and sisters." He was crying, "I wish anyone had survived besides me. Dem it." Frederick then gasped at his own words.

Sonic picked him up, and the two guards came over.

Frederick muttered, "Youh strong. Ha ha, I can' even beat a runr in strenth."

Sonic passed him off to the guards and smiled, "Hey, you're doing good. Don't feel bad for yourself. I'll be by tomorrow to help you with your castle."

Frederick laughed as they exited the building, "Ha ha, Then I won' be a failure. Righ dah?"

The poor guy was under a lot of pressure, and Sonic couldn't help but feel a little bad for him.

As Sonic left, he could hear, "ef I fix you' castle, I won' be a failure reiht?"

Sonic bolted home, rather exhausted from the Alcohol and his night. Holy crap, it had become night time.

He ran back to Freedom HQ and flopped down on the bed. Sonic heard his door crack, and Sally stood in the doorway.

"Mmm Hey." Sonic mumbled, feeling sleepy.

Sally walked in and sat down. Her nose recoiled and she asked, "Are you drunk?"

Sonic shook his head, "No, a little tipsy, but not drunk." He'd made sure to count his drinks.

Sally nodded, "Hey… I'm really sorry. I'd hoped we'd made up ground after that Wolverine's attack, but I think I lost it tonight."

Right, he was supposed to be mad at her. He wasn't anymore, "It's fine, Sal. I just need a little time to go around, maybe feel a little alive. Thanks for having Frederick Hang out. He's…interesting."

Sally nodded slowly, before smiling, "Antoine is looking into something for me. He apparently found a Wolverine when He was looking for Fiona, and She helped him capture her. I was thinking we go and check it out."

Sonic nodded, "Yeah, sure. Can I just go to bed?"

Sally blinked and nodded, walking out of the room, "Good night, my noble knight." She whispered.

Sonic wasn't ready for pet names yet, but He wasn't ready to call her out just yet. So he went to sleep.

/*-*/

Johan watched from the bushes. His wounds were healing nicely, and he had caught himself on of the strange rabbit creature. He watched the small rabbit girl closely. She seemed to be farming, along with a larger rabbit girl, who appeared to be either a mother or sister.

The small one intrigued him. She demonstrated either courage or stupidity, and the fact that she could farm was proof that she was not the later. He would still need strength, so he would probably eat her and her mother, but he was still recovering.

Johan observed a strange Hare-man watching while the two worked. Johan despised the laziness he observed out of the man. To relax was fine, but this man seemed to lack any semblance of effort to improve his strength or stature. He was content.

Johan also felt a pang in his heart. His honor dictated that he repay the Rabbit girl, but his needs dictated that he eat something, and that he assert dominance. Johan would need time to think.

He returned to his burrow after drinking in the river, and laid down. His ears alerted him to the Small rabbit appearing in his home. Johan perked up, baring his teeth.

The Rabbit girl snapped her finger at him, her strange pet squeaking at him. Johan got the message. Besides, she didn't seem to be a threat.

Johan slumped down as she set down a flax bask- Food.

Johan's nose lit up, and the Girl pulled out meat in between bread. There appeared to be cheese and lettuce as well. She set it on the ground, along with a glass of brown liquid, and some carrots.

She stepped back, and Johan ate the food. It was spectacular, filled flavor and body. He despised white bread however, and would loved a barely bread. Still he could not be fussy. It was not terribly filling, but for a body of his size, nothing ever would be.

His eyes turned back to the girl. He had no ring to give her, so he would find another way to repay her. Honor triumphed over bodily desires, after all.

/*-*/

Have I beaten down Frederick enough to fry in a pan yet… No he needs more tenderization.

Feel Free to leave a review to keep morale up. I like to hear from my audience, to learn and improve, or just be complimented.