John Victor Foxfire: So Nagus is doing a bunch of things, but conspiring with Eggman is not one of them. He doesn't want to share or lose power, so working with Eggman would be counter productive. His issue is with his paranoia(which Elias has not entirely disproven). The Freedom Fighters operate more like a mercenary band, remaining loyal to Sally, not the kingdom. Tails might have the most allegiance to the kingdom, because of his mother, but that isn't a comfort for Nagus. With Elias there, the throne could be reclaimed citing him as a claimant, and without a standing army, Nagus would be alone, as the nobles seem to favor the Acorns.

Rather, Eggman was doing something else…

Your Assumption of Ceawlin is fairly accurate. He was a Gedriht, or king's body guard, so he had to be very firm and decisive. That being said, Gedriht and Gesith are also responsible for protecting and ensuring peace within the empire. This can come through negotiation, or simply having a big, imposing presence that keeps people in line. They are more negotiable than ulfheidnar. Both carry a zeal and drive, which leads them to be sort of radical with their loyalty and willingness to die, but their standing philosophies are different.

Cream definitely feels like the fighting was Sonic's fault. Johan was essentially minding his own business, not really hurting anyone or causing trouble. In her eyes Sonic attacked Johan, not the other way around. Fiona is also feeling very confused, and is having to deal with two scopes of reality...

/*-*/

Sonic wasn't sure what to expect as they walked up the mountain pass. He didn't really care either. His mind was focused on Amy back at home… Sitting in that bed, hurting, aching. Sonic felt pain, and some piece of guilt. He hadn't moved to save her, being so busy on defense. Sonic frowned, did he value Sally more than everyone else?

Sonic felt a wave of shame at that thought. He thought sally was great, the recent problems have brought a lot of issue to light. She had actively manipulated problems to try and come out on top. The fact that they were leading the Wolverine up the mountain was proof of that.

That thought was dramatic. Sonic watched as the Wolverine creaked his neck around, seeming to look at the surrounding area. Sonic felt… Reasonably concerned. The Wolverine had pushed him to his limits last time. If the guy decided to run away, Sonic wasn't sure he could stop him.

The Wolverine stopped moving. He raised his snout and sniffed the air. A low growl came from his throat, the caused Sally and Sonic to get ready to deal with him. Things were going great already. Sonic had to drop his cynical view, and pushed Wolverine's butt to try to get him to go forward.

The Wolverine snapped around and hissed, but he kept moving. The walk had shifted from a light trot, to a cautious crawl. Sonic felt it, two powerful predators were going to meet each other.

Sally allowed the Wolverine to pass, so she could talk to Sonic. "I'm starting to think this was a bad idea."

Sonic nodded, "We didn't think this through. I expected better from you, Sal." Sonic tried to be playful.

Sally blinked a moment, but played along, "Me? What about you?"

Sonic smiled, "Come on, you're the one who thinks, I just run and do my thing."

Sally chuckled.

The log wall came into view, and Rough and Tumble were up in the guard post, looking visibly disturbed at the sight of the Wolverine.

Sally approached the gate, "Hey… We brought the Wolverine, as requested."

Rough nodded, "I'll go get Da."

Rough disappeared from the gate. Sonic sat there, careful to watch the wolverine the best he could. He felt more comfortable now there was another force to help if things got crazy. Another though crept into his head… What if they were working together? What if they ended up working together?

Rough returned, "Da wants to meet him." Rough sounded nervous.

They walked up to the large long house, before the Wolverine broke ranks and pushed inside.

There sat Ceawlin, and Sticks stood to his left. She had plated of quickly assembled food. Bread and fish.

Ceawlin gazed at the Wolverine, who gaze back. The two were silent. Sticks set the plates down, and looked nervous.

Sonic felt that nervousness in his heart. The Two Wolverines seemed to sniff at each other.

Then, a growl was heard, but not from Their wolverine. Ceawlin, growled and bore his fangs. Sticks ran for cover.

The Wolverine responded by growling, and snarling.

Sonic wasn't sure what to do in this situation. Sally moved in but Sticks shook her head, and gestured for them to get back. Why?

Ceawlin jumped over the fire, and Sonic quickly grabbed Sally and pulled her away. Ceawlin roared in the Wolverine's face.

The Wolverine snapped at Ceawlin, and the two swung their larges paws at each other's faces. The Wolverine was struck first, but he pushed in and tackled Ceawlin. Sonic was about to jump in, but Sticks appeared, having worked her way over, "Stay out of this. Da's making a point."

Sure enough Ceawlin flipped over to get on top, and began to slam his paws into the Wolverine's face. The Wolverine swung his claws and cut Ceawlin's chest.

Then Suddenly, the two backed off. The Wolverine, crept back towards the door, moving autonomously on his own.

Sally and Sonic both had no Idea what was going on, but Ceawlin was visibly pissed, snarling and breaking angrily out the mouth.

"What's going on." Sally asked, confused. She pulled out Nicole's handheld.

Nicole's holo-form appeared, and shook her head, "Their language has been lost for a long time."

Ceawlin's thundering voice drew their attention, "Get him out of here! Off my Mountain. I Don't want that liar anywhere near me. If he returns I will kill him!"

Sally brought her hands up defensively, "What's wrong. You wanted to-"

"HE IS NOT MY KING. HE IS LIAR!" Ceawlin roared.

Sally nodded slowly with a calming hand gesture, "Now calm down please, what's wrong?"

Sonic realized he had clenched up from tension. Ceawlin calming down also calmed down Sonic. His jaw shuddered, as he calmed down, Sticks left the room, seemingly terrified of her Da's anger.

Ceawlin shook his head, "He claims to be my king. I do not like liars."

Sally kept her hands raised, "Why do you think he's a liar?"

"My King was invincible, unbeatable, beautiful. No Weapon could strike him down, as even swords did not break his skin. He is a Liar!" Ceawlin Growled.

Sally shook her head, "Maybe he is, and he needs a faithful warrior to follow him."

"NO, HE IS NOT MY KING. HE IS AN ULFHIEDNAR, MY KING WAS NOT AN ULFHEIDNAR!" Ceawlin shouted, angrily.

Sally lowered hands, "An ulfhiednar?"

"A Berserker." Ceawlin growled, "My king was too short to be a Berserker."

Sonic stepped in, "If he's not your king, then who is he?"

Ceawlin shook his head, "An imposter, a liar. I do not know. He is a Saxon, but There are trillions of Saxons spread out, and thousands die in engagements. I do not know who he is, but he had best stay away from my people and me." Ceawlin snarled.

Sonic nodded, "Ok…"

Sally also nodded, "Ok, thank you for your help."

"You may stay for lunch, I fear I have been a dishonorable host." Ceawlin offered.

"No, We have to get back. We are about to lose our home, and We could use someone with power and influence to help." Sally subtly proposed. Even now she was manipulating good people.

"Your king can throw you off your lands?" Ceawlin asked, mildly upset.

"That is what is about to happen." Sally said hopefully. She really wanted his help.

"I hate civilized peoples. You must go and defend yourself." Ceawlin muttered, and turned around.

Sally looked shocked but nodded at Sonic, and they set off down the mountain. The walk down the mountain was silent. The Wolverine was sticking with them…

Sonic and Sally both shared a curiosity about what his game was. Sonic knew that if he could deduce the Wolverine being able to run off, Sally could too. She stayed close to Sonic.

The Wolverine could probably escape right now. Sonic recognized that he was incredibly strong, and could overpower them with a little effort. Did he trust them suddenly? Was he playing a more dangerous game?

Sonic rubbed his eyes, feeling exhausted. They hadn't slept well while the beast was near them. Sonic went three days without sleeping properly, because if he closed his eyes, that would spell death for them.

Yet the beast hadn't tried anything. It might stray off to eat some of the wild life, but he still followed them.

Of course, Sonic returned to find more people being lined up by guards to deliver taxes. Their previous disdain had turned to outright anger, and grudges. Sonic could see that they could only pay so much before things would get difficult.

Roja felt like a powder keg, ready to explode out of anger. A few of the villagers who had come to trade seemed to come with hoes and scythes. They hadn't done anything yet, but the writing was there, and the people were clearly upset.

Sonic ran past the line to talk to the taxman, "Hey… Um, pal."

The Tax man seemed to push mobiums aside, not even looking up to Sonic. Two guards stepped forward, and the Tax man muttered, "If you aren't here with a stack of cash, I have no need for you."

"I just came with some advice." Sonic explained, backing off so the guards would calm down, "These guys aren't happy, and if you keep taking money from them… it won't end well."

The Taxman, still in his book muttered, "No one likes to pay taxes, but everyone enjoys the security of the state. I have a job to do, and I am endorsed by the king. Now buzz off while I'm still in a good mood."

Sonic growled, feeling mildly upset by this guy's apathy towards the building riot, "Listen buddy." Sonic grabbed him by the fine coat he wore, "Unless you want things to get really bad for everyone, you'll ease up!"

"Who do you think you are? Guards arrest this man!" Cried the taxman. The hetorians moved in on Sonic.

Sally emerged to defend Sonic, "Hold it, this is Lord Sonic. You'll imprisoning a noble man, do you think Nagus wants to deal with that trouble?"

The Tax remained surprisingly calm and not at all intimidated, "You have an obligation to stay out of Royal business. I will do my job, and I will collect the taxes I have been assigned, Now please, let me continue my work!"

Sonic was pissed, but there wasn't a lot he could do legally. This territory wasn't exactly his to control, and he got violent here, there would probably be a lot of problems for everyone. Still, the locals seemed like they wouldn't mind pounding this guy.

Still Sonic simply walked back. The Wolverine seemed oblivious, or uncaring towards the Town's unrest. Sonic wondered what kind of thoughts would occupy a mind like that?

They began their march back home, or what was their home temporarily.

/*-*/

Fiona's feet packed back and forth, the darkness of the room. She was stressed, and the darkness wasn't helping like it usually did. She just kept walking back and forth. She was being pulled on all sides.

Fiona hated Sonic, but He reunited her with her brother, but he still left her at Robotnik's prison, but He saved her life later on. She didn't know what to believe.

Fiona's claws dug into her scalp. She hated being conflicted, she hated not knowing what she wanted, and she hated being unable to do anything about it.

A Figure passed in front of the glass door. Her Brother had arrived, "Hey… Fred… Why are you here."

Frederick let out a light gasp at the nick name, but held a smile, "I'd like you meet someone… or rather there is someone I'd like to meet you."

Fiona blinked a couple times, before slowly coming to the realization. For some reason, she was terrified of the thought.

Frederick gestured for someone to come over, "Come on… come and see your aunt." He sound so soft and careful.

A small red fox stepped cautiously in front of her. His little ears were slumped, and he quickly crawled behind Frederick's leg. His eyes were still light blue, indicating just how young he was. There were bits of silver in the little guy's fur, which glistened.

"Sorry, Alister is still a little shy. He's not used to meeting a lot of people. Even with the re-establishment of the kingdom, we were still cautious about letting him go out into the world." Frederick muttered, a little embarrassed, but he pulled his son out from behind his legs, "Go, on, say hi to your aunt, introduce yourself."

The little red Fox, stumbled forward, "hewwo, my name is… Lester."

Fiona crouched down and smiled, "Hi, my name is Fiona."

"Yana." Alister repeated, still shy.

Fiona's heart fell in love immediately. The little guy was adorable, "You're getting it." The Door had opened and Fiona hugged her nephew. The Little fox was so uncomfortable. Still Fiona didn't mind.

Frederick smiled, "Would you look after him, I have a date with his mother tonight."

Fiona didn't even need to blink, "I would love to-" She thought about it for a moment, "You are leaving me alone with your kid. Me, a known criminal."

"You won't hurt him will you." Frederick asked in a joking manner.

"Well, no, but are you sure-" Fiona asked.

"I know that our family has been divided for a long time. I think we need to get back together. SO we'll start with play dates." Frederick smiled.

Fiona also smiled. Maybe this would be good for her. "Alright." She needed the company anyway.

/*-*/

Johan slumped back into his cell. Something was coming from metal windows in the wall. When the door would open, it would make a noise. He'd wait until after dinner, when the guards left and did nothing.

The red foxes appeared to be close which was interesting. Foxes were typically solitary creatures.

Johan trudged back and forth. That was a Saxon on the mountain. They both spoke with the Wolverine tongue, But Johan was certain that the Saxon knew who he was. He also called Johan a Liar. Ceawlin… That name didn't sound familiar, but He knew Johan, so Johan probably just needed to remember more.

The Guards of this prison seemed to come down, carrying mush in a bowl, with bread on a metal tray, with small metal pitchforks. The Door opened, and the guard set the tray down.

Johan approached, and sniffed the food. It smelled good. Then His nose smelt it really good as his face collided with the bowl. The Guard had his foot pressed again Johan's back. His smug grin was very punchable.

Johan's anger subsided when he realize he could make out some of the words spoken by the guards. The Guard was clearly mocking Johan, calling him a beast and savage. Those were words spoken by others he had killed, but that needed to wait, for now. Johan would bide his time. This man would be the first to die.

The Guard left, closing the door, the sound vibrating through the window where air came from.

Johan licked his mouth and snout the best he could. He ate his lunch from the bowl. The Tray was thick and metal… could be useful.

Johan turned his attention to the window, and began to claw. At it. The metal grate was in complete disrepair. It had not had maintenance for a while.

What Johan saw once his eyes adjusted, were small colored pipes. He decided to mess around with them, and see what they would do. He cut one…