John Victor Foxfire: The Saxons have a decentralized slavery policy. They leave land for a slave to work, and expect a certain amount of products from the slave. They might demand 150 thousand bushels of grain, or fruits, or 500 thousand spears. Once the slave provides these, the slave is freed. They think this system is the best, because it encourages a slave to be more productive, and reduces the likelihood of desertion. For the Saxons, it seems stupid to enslave someone for life, because what incentive do they have to work harder or be loyal?
I really enjoyed writing Fiona and Frederick. I had set them up to be siblings for a while, and I wanted an emotional scene. I wanted to make Fiona a terrible, horrible person, and then make people feel bad for her. And you predicted this in the third chapter review, which was both exciting and infuriating. You are very smart, and able to see some of the twist. I still have a few cards you haven't found( or haven't told me your predictions yet).
Nagus is plotting and planning, but that'll come later…
MerendinoEmliano: No, this will be a fun chapter.
/*-*/
It was three days since Eggman's badniks were on the border. To say it brought unity would be a lie. The training exercises hadn't done much.
Elias growled, "We need to go on the offensive before Eggman launches an attack. He's doing something!"
Sally raised her right hand calmly, "Elias, We can't go. Unfortunately, Nagus still has us on standby. He's not going to let us out."
Elias shouted, "I DON'T CARE WHAT HE-"
Raising her right hand again, Sally glared at her brother, "I lead the Freedom Fighters. While you are working with us, you will abide by my rules."
Sonic stood behind Sally. He didn't like Nagus, but he knew that Nagus could make their lives miserable if they did something that upset him. Even more miserable Sonic thought to himself.
Elias growled, and walked off. The Tensions were high.
Sally looked over her shoulder, and saw that Sonic had stood with her, "Thanks."
Sonic nodded, "We can't give Nagus an excuse to close us down."
Sally smiled, "With you at my side, I won't be afraid of Nagus or anyone." She placed a hand on his shoulder.
Sonic felt red flags go off in his head, "No. We aren't doing this. Not right now."
Sally slumped but nodded, "You're at least with us still right."
"Of course. But this… us… not right now." Sonic clarified, holding a hand out to maintain the gesture.
Amy burst into the room, "Guys!" She was panicked, and sad.
Sally turned to Amy, "What's wrong?"
Amy was crying, "It's Vanilla. She's at the hospital."
Sonic's eyes widened. His breath quickened. Had Eggman attacked?
"What happened." Sally asked, in a pained expression.
"We don't know. She's at Tommy Turtle hospital." Amy's eyes wept as her broke. Sonic felt pain, both from Amy and For Vanilla. Vanilla was a sweet woman, the kindest woman in the kingdom. Amy was his friend, and though he hated her constant flirts and actives chases, and her bone crushing hugs… She was still his friend.
He quickly hugged Amy, and ran straight to the Hospital. They'd catch up. Sonic needed to see How Vanilla was doing… and If Cream was ok.
Sonic arrived at the hospital and spoke quickly from his emotional state, "Vanilla Rabbit, where is she?"
The Clerk, a young Wolf blinked to process his demand, "Sir, we are only accepting familial visitors. Please-"
"I NEED TO SEE VANILLA RABBIT!" Sonic shouted.
"Mr. Sonic…" Cream's voice was so…lifeless.
"You know this man." The clerk asked.
"He's my brother." Cream muttered, so tragically. She sounded so empty. She was standing in the hallway, the grey walls conveying
"Ah yes… She's in room 143." The Wolf clerk looked apologetic.
Cream turned around and walked down the hall, taking a left turn.
Sonic sat Next to Cream. She looked like she needed him more than Vanilla did, "Hey… Cream… Are you ok?"
Cream nodded, "Dad was scary…"
Sonic pulled her in for a hug, "Your dad did this?" Sonic was angry, confused and Sad.
Cream nodded, "Dad came home… he smelled really bad. He got mad, Mom argued… He hurt her… then He left and never came back."
Cream was alone at her house? Who was taking care of the crops.
"Do you mind If I come over and check on you, maybe help around the house?" Sonic asked.
Cream's eyes brightened a little, "Yeah, and you can meet my new friend."
"New friend?" Sonic was happy Cream made a new friend and all… but he'd never heard about anyone nearby.
"Yep… He takes care of me while mom is…. Asleep…" Cream was still trying to piece everything together.
"How long has she been hurt?" Sonic asked.
Cream muttered, "Four days…" Her eyes began to water.
Sonic held the Rabbit close, "Hey-Hey… It's going to be ok. Vanilla will be fine…" Sonic wasn't sure if he was reassuring Cream or himself. He was thankful when the rabbit nodded, denying him the need to think up more comforting thoughts.
Cream just smiled softly, "My momma will be fine… She's momma."
Sonic smiled, and hugged her some more. His heart was shattering at the sight of Vanilla on a ventilator. Still he had to appear strong for Cream.
"Sonic?" Doctor Quack came out of the room, with a clip board in hand.
Sonic nodded, feeling slightly nervous, "Is everything alright?"
"Oh, everything is fine. Are you the "brother" I've heard about?" The doctor asked.
Sonic smiled, "Yep, Cream's cheerful, super awesome, ever humble older brother." He joked, trying to not feel so worried.
"Ah…I See." Doctor Quack cracked a smirk, "Well, I'd like to go over some stuff with you inside. Just some stuff about Cream, and her security in this trying time."
Sonic stood up from the seat, "Alright, don't go home just yet. I'd love to walk you home." Sonic stated to Cream with a smile.
Cream nodded, and kicked her feet in the chair, while Sonic stepped inside the room. The sound of beeps did nothing to ease his tension, and the sound of air being pumped and released made his heart crumble into smaller pieces. What kind of bastard would do this to Vanilla?
Sonic turned to the Doctor, who's face had taken on a much darker tone, "What's wrong."
"She has light swelling in the brain. We are trying tame the swelling, but it's pretty bad. Not the worst case I've seen, who ever did this was certainly not a body builder or fighter, but it will be problematic." The Doctor muttered glumly.
"Will she die?" Sonic asked, unable to hold back or be coy. He wanted to know.
"No, I don't think she will die, but if we can't get the swelling down… the best case scenario will be rehabilitation for months until she gets her mobility back. The Worst case scenario is long term brain damage. Memory lapse, memory loss, Coordination loss, things that can make a child's life… difficult." Doctor Quack sighed a depressed and regretful sigh.
Sonic licked his lips nervously, "I understand… What can I do? Is there something I can get?"
"There is no magic herb or secret item that can help this, at least, none that I know of. Mysticism is more your and the pink hedgehog's specialty. I'm rather concerned about Cream. Does she have a guardian, whom you know and trust?" The Doctor asked, patiently.
"Well…No." Sonic slumped, "She had a friend who is looking out for her… but that's all I know."
"I would recommend you check up on this friend. I am concerned that her father might return and…" The Doctor's voice trialed off.
Sonic nodded, "I'll meet this friend today. I'll keep her safe."
Doctor Quack smiled, "I will let you know if Ms. Vanilla's situation changes."
Sonic smiled, "Thanks." He stepped out, to find Amy, Tails, Sally, Bunnie and Rotor had arrived.
"Hey… Cream. Can I meet this friend of yours?" Sonic asked.
Cream looked kind of nervous, "HE's very shy. I can take you to him, but he doesn't like a lot of people."
Sonic smiled, "I just want to meet him and make sure he knows what he needs to do in case of an emergency."
Cream nodded, "I'll take you to him."
Sonic put up a smile. It was fake. It hid all of his nervousness, his pain, his regret and sadness. But He followed Cream, because he needed to help keep her happy, and hopeful.
/*-*/
Johan continued to patrol around the Farmstead. He trudged around, watching for threats, marking his territory with the scent glands. He now faced a troubling question.
The Change in his nature had become apparent, he was more beastly than even Saxon culture. He had natural desires which heavily influence every action he took. Johan also recognized his understanding of history, and how he was troubled by things that were not Saxon. Was he still a Saxon, or had he become something else.
Johan let out an angry breath. Philosophy was regarded as a useless skill among his people. Questions that did not affect their everyday lives were fruitless and pointless. Thinking was good, endless pondering was foolish. Johan sniffed the air. Nothing was terribly threatening in this area. Nothing incredibly strong and aggressive.
He decided to return to the house. He'd hoped the child would be alright, but the people in white clothes took the woman, whether to bury her or heal her, he did not know. Johan slumped, before looking at his arm. Weakness had to be purged, like the impurities of iron to form steel.
He jammed his claws into his arms, and struggled to not roar in pain. He still felt horrible pain from his claws as the blood gushed out. He needed to reduce that pain to something more manageable.
Johan growled, before slumping back down, and resting.
His body warned him of a threat in the area, and woke him up. There were many creatures trespassing on his territory. Johan sniffed the air. Like a Predator, the Garden Defender seemed to have tracked him here.
They were Following the Rabbit Girl.
Johan jumped out of his burrow. A large force would require an ambush to Over match. Johan wanted to Face the garden Defender in single combat, as fighting against such a large number would be more difficult.
Johan decided to hide in the grain field, flattening his body the best he could. Johan controlled the growling in his throat, and kept his mind focused. Going into a trance was not going to help him in this fight, not yet.
Johan crept forward as the sight of the Rabbit calling to him broke his concentration. The words "Come on out." Seemed to be a summons. She wanted Johan to go before her.
Still, the obvious threat of the Garden Defender was prevalent. He also had his vendetta against the creature for defeating him twice. He could not allow himself to be defeated again.
Johan crept forward as they approached the house. The Fox was there, seeming to be a follower of the Garden defender. The Garden defender's stance changed. It was time.
Johan leapt out and attacked the small squirrel woman, his claws bore, ready to gut her. The Woman was suddenly gone, and the Garden Defender appeared with her in his arms, back with the group.
The Squirrel girl pointed and called out, and the group scattered into a wide formation. She appeared to be the leader. If Johan wanted to break their morale, she had to go first. But then… they hesitated.
Johan snarled, taking a step back to better prepare himself for a wide push. He felt small arms wrap around his back left leg. Johan turned around in surprise, but saw it was the rabbit girl. She seemed desperate.
Right… Honor triumphed over desires. Johan would need to repel the Garden defender and his band in order to secure the child.
So he attempted to scare them off. He lumbered forward, and they stepped back, creating and even wider formation, but Johan stopped before a collision. He needed to stay close to the girl to protect her.
Unfortunately, his enemy's morale and discipline held. Johan took a step back, and the girl was shouting something at the Garden defender, and the Garden defender was shouting back. The Squirrel joined in. Johan recognized words like "Dangerous" and "Friend", but his knowledge of these words was limited. The "Momma" was the name of the older female rabbit, and was similar to the Saxon word for mother, So Johan assumed they were discussing the lifeless body that had been moved.
Johan did not have time for the discussion. These threats had to be removed. Johan roared, in an effort to show strength and maybe break their resolve. Again, they tensed up, but did not fall back.
Which left only one option.
The Young rabbit appeared to be nervous, and she stepped back. This would give them the room to fight.
Johan felt his low lower jaw salivating, producing foam from anticipation.
The Squirrel pointed at him, and shouted. A partially armored Rabbit Flew at him. She appeared to be using a jet boosters. Johan waited until she slowed down, before counter charging, grabbing her legs and dragging her down. He cut her armored arm with his claws, and it fell, but gave no blood. She was a machine. He hated machines.
Johan felt an impact in his side, and saw the pink Garden Defender with her hammer out. He remembered her. She was becoming and annoyance.
Johan swung his arm at her legs, tripping her, before slamming it down on her chest. She was armored as well, appearing to have a studded dress. Her cry in pain however, gave Johan reassurance of his strength, that even armor could not protect them from him.
Johan grabbed the injured target, and had to stop himself from throwing her into the house. That the Rabbit's birth right, it was not his to destroy. Johan instead tossed her through a tree, watching it snap as her form flew into the dirt, burying her somewhat. One down.
Johan felt a sharp pain in his leg, and yelped in surprise. Damn his weakness. He turned to find burning blades from the wrists of the squirrel. As he Swung his arm, he felt the Garden Defender's spins dig into him, followed by a kick to the head from the… Fox.
Johan Staggered. He was dealing with too many targets. The large rabbit and garden defender seemed to be neutralized, but he was still fighting three… no Four opponents. He was bleeding, and somewhat exhausted.
Screw it, Trance time. Johan began to lightly hop in place, working up his adrenaline. His opponents stood back, clearly not understanding what he was doing. He heard them, the calls of the Valkyries. His body began to shut down his muscular inhibitors. Johan's vision turned blurry and Red. Wotan called!
Johan slammed his fists at the blue blur, and swung at the yellow as fast as he could. He felt his hands make contact with something., but he kept swinging. He felt something on his chest. Johan couldn't tell what it was, but he swung at the brown blur.
He felt impacts, and kept swinging…. Until a shape got in front of him, right as He was about to smash the blue blur. His trance died down, leaving only exhaustion. The Rabbit stood in front of him, arms out stretched. He could not harm her. He was bound honor to protect her. And She was protecting them…
Johan growled, but the girl refused to move, a challenge in her eyes. Johan had miss read the situation. They were friends, and allies of her. They were not enemies. Which meant Johan had attacked without need.
Johan panted, but conceded, only to turn around and see a pair of yellow fists punch his face. He staggered back, before his world turned to black…