MerendinoEmiliano: I am glad you found the chapter interesting.

SO, College started back up. Expect lower productivity on my part, and possibly less updates. I'll try to keep up, but you may only get one chapter a week.

/*-*/

Sonic had his suspicions confirmed. Fiona was Frederick's sister… Or rather Aria was Frederick's sister. It made him feel somewhat good, as she at least had some family left over. She had someone there to help her, and maybe steer her back on track.

Speaking of Frederick…. The guy looked shell-shocked.

"Hey… Are you good?" Sonic asked, waving a hand in front of Frederick. The idea that his sister was a criminal… his only surviving family had betrayed the kingdom… That probably didn't sit well.

Sonic patted Frederick, "Hey… I don't think she's a bad girl… despite what she says. I think she just needs a little direction. Don't feel ba-"

"My baby sister is alive." Frederick sounded…. Excited, "She's alive! I'm not alone!" he was so happy.

Sonic nodded, "Yeah… I saw the photo, and I knew it was kind of a stretch… but…"

"You found my sister…" Frederick clasped Sonic's hands, his smile unwavering, "She might be a criminal, but I am happy she is alive. To know she'll be there for her nephew… and be back home."

Sonic frowned, "Just…. Temper your expectations. She's kind of a rough soul. I know if I can find the line she won't cross, I-we can bring her back, but… well…" Sonic trailed off.

Frederick nodded, "I know I must be patient. I am still adjusting to my life."

Sonic smiled at him, "Well… Uh… I'm going to go back to Freedom HQ."

Frederick nodded, "Thank again. My sister is alive…" He muttered to himself.

Sonic felt good as he made his way through the forest, skipping along back to Knothole. His joy was cut short by people scrambling around. Sonic saw the freedom fighters in a panic, scrambling around with supplies.

Sonic saw Sally run up to Sonic, "Where have you been?" She sounded outraged and confused.

"I was checking up on something, what's going on?"

"Eggman's badnicks were seen in the southern states of the kingdom. The Lords have asked us to help, and they've mobilized their retinues." Sally stated, "Now we need to get there now!"

Sonic nodded, "Ok, I'm ready."

Sally nodded, "Let's go. Everyone, meet up with us at the southern mustering grounds. LET'S GO!" She shouted, and jumped into Sonic's arms.

They raced through the forest, down to the hilly southern regions of the kingdom. It would have been a seven day walk to get this far, but for Sonic, it took a matter of Seconds. He kept running. He was faster than any plane.

Sonic saw the banners that were positioned over a hill, with several Nobles and Lords gathering men in armor and rifles. Their tech level was a little weird, but it worked.

They stood ready as Sally arrived, "What's going on?"

A Boar stepped forward, "We spotted badniks on the border, and I kept a close watch while I sent for Aid."

Sally nodded, "Have they crossed in?"

The Boar shook his head, "No, but they seem to be prodding our defenses."

Sally frowned, "I can't mobilize the Freedom Fighters without Nagus's approval, or a direct attack."

Sonic stepped in, "Yeah, but a training exercise is perfectly ok, provided we get the approval from the lord… Right?"

Sally smiled slyly at Sonic, "Yes, and Antoine could use some training in hill combat." Her eyes turned back to the Boar.

The Boar blinked a couple times and nodded, "Scribe!" A small cat appeared.

"Yes Lord Swineskin." The Scribe asked.

"Prepare a letter of approval for a training exercise on our lands." The Boar commanded.

"Yes, lord." The Scribe sighed. He walked off, while the various armies seemed to sit there.

Sonic sat with Sally, and waited for the other freedom fighters to arrive. This was an awkward pause. Sonic hated this bureaucracy. He missed the days when the Freedom fighters could just go and stomp Eggman and then call it a day. Nagus just had to get involved and ruin a good thing.

Sally smiled at Sonic. He smiled nervously back. They sat in that awkwardness, before Sally sighed, "I'm really sorry for using you to get my throne. I know…. I know you don't like to be manipulated, and I know Frederick is a friend of yours."

"He's Fiona's brother." Sonic blurted out. He wasn't sure why he compulsively shouted it. Maybe he wanted to break up the awkwardness, maybe he was just on edge.

Sally blinked, "Are you sure?"

"Apparently, her Real name is Aria." Sonic confessed, "I found out, and reunited them… She doesn't want to believe it." Sonic stated, slumping down.

"What do you want me to do?" Sally asked, seeming kind of on guard.

"How do I get her to realize the truth?" Sonic asked, pleading with her.

Sally groaned, why was she so agitated, "When I heard Elias was alive…I heard it from a trusted source."

Sonic muttered, "A source you shouldn't have trusted in hindsight."

Sally growled, "This isn't a joke!" Sally let out an angry breath, "I Trusted Geoffrey. I don't think Fiona trusts you… That'll take time, Ok?"

Sonic nodded, and slumped there. Sally opened her mouth, but closed it. She probably didn't know what to say. So they sat there in silence. Sonic tapped his foot, waiting for the transport to arrive.

The transport did finally arrive an hour later. Sonic was really too fast for his own good. The flying transport landed, about the same time the Boar noble came back with a sheet of paper.

"Here is your permit for training exercises on my land." The boar explained.

Sally took it, and signed the paper. They were ready.

Antoine seemed confused, "Um, Training exercises?"

"False alarm, rules of engagement." Elias explained, seeming to piece everything together. Sally nodded to confirm the prince's suspicions.

"So… we are going to learn hill fighting, right?" Sonic asked with a smirk and wiggle of his eyebrows.

"Yes, so you want to stay at a high point, or rather, get to the high point as fast as possible." Sally started. She went over the importance of not exhausting themselves going up and down hills, and how important it was that they keep control of the top.

Sonic was a natural, being fast and energetic. Elias, Antoine and Amy… less so. They were used to level fights, if they fought at all. Sonic got to watch with an unhealthy amount of amusement as Antoine panted his way up the hill, his uniform getting soaked in sweat.

Sonic did learn a little bit about hill fighting. Apparently, something call "combat-width" is a very critical factor. It was more for large scale fighting, but combat-width was the size of the army that the battlefield could have fighting. Hills had less combat width than plains. Something Sonic never thought about as Antoine rambled on and on about his "Strategically superior mind" to Sonic. Did he always have such a punchable face?

Still, Sonic ran up and down the hills, moving from side to side to knock over the sticks that had been set up as mock dummies. Then, the strangest thing happened… The Badniks that were moving around retreated back into Eggman's territory. Sally called out, "Guy's… Something's going on."

Sonic ran up next to her, "Why are they leaving? Eggman didn't even try."

Sally growled, and threw her binoculars, "I don't get it! He's not attacking, why send them out? He could of spied with a lot less. What is going on?"

Sonic growled as well. Eggman was doing something, playing on a field that they didn't know yet. Sonic got ready to pursue, and smash the badnicks. Sally's hand stopped him.

"We can't go. I hate it, but we are under a kingdom now. We are no longer rebels. We have rules to follow. So as much as it pains me to let them go, we can't leave this territory." Sally groaned glumly.

Sonic softened, and nodded. It was painful, but the Kingdom was staying on defense. He had to respect that. For now…

/*-*/

Fiona sat on the cot. She didn't know how she was feeling. So many emotions ran at once, and she didn't know what to do. Her heart told her to be happy that her brother was alive. Her brain told her to be angry at Sonic for trying to trick her. The Worst part about it: She actually wanted to talk to Sonic. She wanted to clear things up, to find out the truth.

But if she did, would he be forgiven? That would mean she hadn't understood the situation. She would be in the wrong. Fiona didn't like that at all.

Fiona groaned in the cell. She hated being so confused. Why hadn't Scourge gotten her yet? Why was help taking so long.

Fiona saw a form move in front of her cell door. There stood "Frederick" awestruck in his noble robes at the sight of her.

Fiona felt panic swell in her, "Leave me alone! Tell Sonic to stop his stupid little trick!"

"Frederick" shook his head, "he's not here. I came to see my sister."

"Stop trying to lie to me. So you found an old photo and thought you could pull of my brother?"

Frederick stepped in the cell, he was hold a sweet bun. Covered in caramel and pecans. Fiona felt her mouth water.

"Frederick" looked at her pitifully, "What do you need me to do to prove I am your brother?"

Fiona growled angrily. He was playing on her emotions.

"Frederick" smiled, "Let's eat this. I know mom used to love them." Fiona couldn't stop the shock on her face.

Her mom had always called them a "Fat persons food." But late at night, Fiona could see her mother taking pieces off a sweet bun. It was no secret, but no one in her family dared make a joke about it.

Fiona conceded, "I am going to ask you some questions, If I don't like any of your answers, you leave me alone and never talk to me again."

Frederick gave a soft smile, "F-Fair enough." He was nervous. Good.

He ripped the sweet bun in half, and handed one of the halves to her. Fiona took it, and asked, "What was our dad's name?"

"Alister, Alister the Firefox. He was the Lord of Apalsa." Frederick answered, and the both took a bite of the sweet bun.

Fiona licked her lips to get some of the caramel off, "You enjoyed Wrestling with dad?"

"Dad wouldn't wrestle me. He spent time with Richard and Loric. He didn't… enjoy my presence." Frederick muttered. Both of those had been right from what she understood. Her mind was quickly running out of excuses.

She took another bite, before asking, "What did we do, every winter. We all did it." If he was a liar, this would be the test.

"Every winter, we would go on the great hill in the east, and sit under the old oak tree, and have a picnic. Father would always hate it, but we did it anyway. The girls would sit and talk, and our brothers and dad would out and run drills and wrestle. I ended up sitting alone." Frederick clarified, glumly. He finished his sweet bun.

Fiona felt her arms shaking. It was him… It was Frederick… Her brother.

Fiona felt her breath quicken. He was probably so ashamed of her. He was out there being a lord, and here she was in prison.

Frederick clasped her hand, "I'd like you to meet Alister."

"Dad?"

Frederick shook his head, "My son."

Fiona felt the world become so small. A son… He had a life. She'd been so focused on revenge she'd never actually…. She was an aunt…

Fiona pulled away, "Maybe… not yet… Give me some time… please?" She was turned around, but she could feel Frederick's displeasure.

"Ok." He sighed, "But…. Please think about seeing him… I'm sure he'd love to meet his aunt."

Fiona had no doubt. He'd love to meet no good traitorous aunt who'd almost sold the kingdom…

Fiona nodded, "I'll think about."

Frederick stood up, and she felt his arms close around her. Her guard rose, but realized it was just a hug. The Guy was just happy that his sister was alive.

She felt warm… Happy, a pure happiness. Not one from anger or revenge. Fiona heard a rumbling coming from herself… and From her brother…

They were purring… Genuinely happy. And then… he was gone. Fiona wanted another hug so badly… she wanted to hug him back. She wanted to meet her nephew… she wanted to be apart of their lives. She wanted her family.

/*-*/

Johan trudged through the woods. His body felt great. He'd gotten to exert himself last night, and he was excited.

It was strange, however… The little rabbit did not come out to water the fields. Farm was something for slaves… not for someone of dignity like a king. Johan's own words came back to him.

"Odacer. I am above nothing. If I have to slave away in a field to ensure our survival, I'll be there before the sun rises." Johan growled at his freshly marked Ulfheidnar.

Odacer pleaded, "But it's slave work… you're a king. Let a farmer do it."

Johan growled as he slammed the hoe into the hard ground, "What does that say? That I will do anything except provided food. No, never let anyone say I didn't do what was necessary when time came." Johan shouted.

Johan groaned, before grabbing the bucket over by the house, and going to the river. He'd return, pour the water, and pull the weeds. Repeat and repeat.

Still… his muscles were being worked, and he actually felt good. It was good.

The fields were done in an hour's time… maybe an hour and a half.

Johan noticed how quiet the house was. He pressed against the door. It opened. He was technically trespassing, but curiosity had gotten the best of him. There was blood on the floor. Johan licked it… it was about a day old.

Johan trudged through the house and discovered something. It was built for small bodies. He could feel things falling over, as he crawled forward through the house. He heard a subtle noise. Johan trudged down the hall.

He saw an open door, and pushed inside. The small rabbit turned around, in surprise, but held out her arms. He was to stay away. He got the message, but his eyes laid on the bed. The older woman was bruised and wheezing. He felt no regret about what he had done last night. Every second he held the man's head under the water was good.

Johan also recognized the situation. The girl was without a proper protector or guardian. She had no mean's of defense nor survival.

Saxon law told Johan he had three options. Sell the girl into slavery, unlikely to work. He had no connections to slavers like he did in his past life. Send the girl to a next of kin. Again, No connections. Which left the third options. He would be her guardian, as her father, until she was old enough to fend for herself, at which point, she would no longer have his protection.

Johan hated the idea of remain in one place for so long, but honor was honor, and he was a Saxon.

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