Merendinoemilano: I hope so. I hope all of these chapters are at least somewhat interesting.

So… A song, Fires by Jordan St. Cyr

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A soft movement across his cheek woke Sonic from his slumber. Sally, reaching across his sleeping bag, was caressing his face gently. She had a soft smile, one that made Sonic want to move closer to her and cuddle with her more. But as his sleeping mind came to, he became very aware of just how difficult a new relationship with Sally could be.

Sonic instead opted for a simple smile. Sally's smile turned sad, "Hey… it's time to say good bye."

Say goodbye? Right… Nagus had taken Knothole. Sonic frowned, "I'm sorry I couldn't save us." He muttered.

"You did what you could." Sally muttered, giving another soft smile. Was this really how things were going to go? Sally was going to fade into the obscurities of history, because some guy took her throne? Come to think of it, why were the Freedom Fighters still fighting? The kingdom was back… and Sally wasn't on the throne.

Still, part of him wanted to keep everyone safe. Sally also probably wanted the security of the kingdom, which meant Eggman had to be stopped. Sonic sat up, and looked around sadly. This had been their home for over ten years. And now they had to say goodbye.

They took a tour around the base. Sonic stopped at his room; all of his things were loaded into boxes. He saw his smiled softly. The memories they had shared…

Where would everyone go now? Sonic had never thought about it. He'd probably run forever, going where ever the sun took him. It wasn't a bad life. There was more to do, however, and Sonic needed to help out.

Helping Nagus… that was a thought. Sonic never thought about it, but with him as king, keeping Eggman at bay was helping the jerk. Still, keeping Eggman at bay was fun, at times.

Sonic picked up the boxes and took them to the door. The room was empty when he returned. It had no soul, no fire… just a pale, mourning room.

Sonic loaded the rest of his boxes, and went to the door. Sonic opened the door, and found Frederick sitting there, with a massive grin, "Congratulations on your award."

Sonic blinked, "What?" Was Frederick gloating? It didn't seem like something he would do.

"I hope you will protect your new province effectively and treat it well." Frederick smiled. What? Of Course he would keep the kingdom- His?

"Frederick, what's going on?" Sonic asked cautiously.

"The Nobles passed a vote to bestow the Province of Roja to you. It passed with 83 percent support. The nobles want you to rule that land." Frederick smiled.

Sally came in a smiled, "That's wonderful. Sonic you've made quite the impression."

Sonic didn't share her view. He was horrified, "What? Why? Did you do something? Sonic asked, panicked. Why would Sonic ever want to run that land.

Frederick blinked, and licked his lips, "I may have suggest to the nobles that you demonstrated capable leadership and had proven time and again your ability to protect us. I may have also mentioned how most of them owed you for saving their lives from Robotnik or Eggman."

Sonic panted. Why would ever.

"Sonic… Listen." Sally placed a hand on his shoulder, "We have an opportunity here."

Sonic turned to Sally, desperately. He didn't know the first thing about running a region.

Sally smiled, "We lost knot hole… but with you as a landed lord, we can build a new base for the freedom fighters."

Sonic felt panicked, "They burned down half of the city."

"And we can help rebuild it." Sally smiled, that comforting smile, "Just don't let it go to your head." She joked.

Sonic stopped and laughed for a moment. Was he nervous… yes… but they had an opportunity to build and modernize.

Sally pulled out the portable device, "Nicole, how does that sound?"

"Anything is better than being in here. It's more cramped than I remember." Nicole's voice came through the speakers.

Sonic nodded slowly, "Alright… But I don't know the first thing about being a lord?"

Frederick laughed, "I'm still figuring it out myself. But I know you are the right man for the job."

Sonic still didn't want the land, but the freedom fighters needed it. A comforting thought was that Nagus couldn't mess with the freedom fighters while Sonic had their headquarters under his control. Maybe some good would come from this.

But why did he have to be the one to rule the land? Sonic didn't want to have to keep coming back to the same spot over and over again.

They began to walk to mobotropolis to pick up the freedom fighters. Weird… A smoke stack was in the sky. The Mobians hadn't built a factory had they?

Sonic Looked at Sally, who looked concerned, "A bon fire? Sonic, we need to go check it out."

Sonic scooped her up and ran in the direction of the smoke stack. Weird… it looked like it was coming from… the prison!

Sonic slowed as they approached the descending staircase. The bright orange glow told Sonic there was a fire down in the depths.

Sally looked horrified, "Sonic, we need to call for help." Judging by the sight of people, help was already on the way. Did Everyone make it- Fiona!

Sonic ran towards the steps, and began to ran down them.

"Sonic wai-" Sally called out, but he couldn't wait. Fiona might be in there, and the Wolverine… He might be down there as well.

/*-*/

Fiona pressed her back up against her cell. The Wolverine's door wasn't closing…

The Guard muttered, "Crap." His skull exploded from a maul. The blood splattered all over the room, Was he coming for her next.

A spark came from the vent by her bed. Her cell controls ignited from the blood, and small flame emerged.

Fiona ran to the front of her cell, and beat on the sound proof barrier. Why, she didn't know, but she had to do something.

She beat on the barrier, but heard the sound of fire behind her. Her sheets had caught fire, and the back of the room quickly swept up in a blaze.

I remember you told me, that life may not be easy

Fiona turned around and saw the Wolverine, but strangely, he wasn't going towards the stairs. He walked into a separate cell, an empty one. The Fire began to pick up, coursing through the pumped oxygen that allowed the prisoners to breath.

And everything that I need, You've already given me

Fiona coughed, and found the air to be getting thick as smoke came though the did the room change? Why did it get so big. Everything was big.

Fiona was in her simple, childish dress. Oh no, why now? Fiona's throat burned. She saw the burning drapes and paintings.

"MAMA!" She cried, and walked forward, the sight of the burning manor and walls, scorching her heart.

She cried out again, "MAMA!" She was alone. Fiona's body shook, she couldn't move. Something grabbed her, and she quickly struggled. She didn't want to be captured, or tortured again. No!

I remember how you told me, I can trust you completely

She suddenly felt the arms wrap around her, in a comforting manor. Her eyes looked up, and it was… a blue hedgehog… Sonic? Right, she wasn't a child anymore. She had to live.

So why am I doubting when you proved that you'd fight for me

Sonic smiled, a reassuring, comforting smile. He came for her, "Listen, things are going to get rough. You might feel a little burning, but I won't let you die, ok?"

You walked me through fires

Sonic jumped out of the cell, onto a small patch that hadn't caught fire yet. He stroked Fiona's back to calm her down.

Pulled me from flames.

He was here for her. Even as her throat and eyes burned, and his did too, he had come back for her.

If you're in this with me, I won't be afraid

She had been terrible to him. She had betrayed him, mocked him, spit at him, hurt him and people he cared about. But he had come for her. He was a good person, and that burned almost as bad as the fire.

When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher

Fiona's throat burned, but she got two or three words out, "I'm sorry."

And I can hardly breath,

Sonic gave her a soft smile, and coughed, before getting a low stance, cradling her in his arms.

I'll walk through these fires,

She felt the wind rippled through her fur, and small specks of pain as fire licked her sided, but she was alive, and saw the bright light of day.

Because you're walking with me.

Sonic collapsed on the outside of the prison. They were both panting, and tons of people came to help Sonic. She couldn't hear much, but he pointed at her.

The fire crews arrived, but strangely… the light in the prison seemed to die down. It was dark in a matter of moments. The Coals rapidly cooled.

Fiona felt her heart ripple and scream to run Fiona began to shuffle back, a frost built itself on the side of the concrete walls of the stair well.

A clanking sound was heard as foot steps approached.

Brown fur emerged, with the wolverine appearing, jaw open as foam dripped out of his mouth. He worse a chest plate made out of the metal trays they had provided with food. His arms and legs were still exposed, but he was no less dangerous.

Fiona scrabbled back, and saw Sally Acorn, deposed princess, draw her ring blades. More people had arrived, and the Wolverine pulled out a spear made of twisted forks and spoons.

Fiona felt her throat closing, but she still tried to scramble away. The Wolverine bellowed at the Sight of Sonic, and crouched down, holding his spear in a wide motion.

The security from the city surged forward with pistols and fired. Fiona flipped herself on her stomach and covered her ears. Why was all of this happening right now? Couldn't She get time to breath?

She heard a scream, and dared to look up to find a guard hanging from the spear, that the Wolverine held in his hand. The tray breastplate had holes in it, but seemed to have a second layer.

The city guard's dripped down the shaft. Fiona was going to die. If she didn't make a stand here, this beast was going to kill her.

Sonic slammed into the Beast's chest plate in his signature spin-dash. It worked about as well as expected. Sonic uncurled, but he was upside down. His spines!

Fiona saw his spines stuck in between the layers of armor. The Wolverine closed his arms around Sonic, and they seemed to tighten. Sonic cried out.

Why was this happening? Fiona would have paid money two months ago to see this. Now she wanted Sonic to live, and he was about to die. No… No he wasn't.

Fiona saw Sally surge forward with her ring blades and swing at the beast. He raised his foot and kicked her away. She let out a groan.

Fiona had to do something… The guard's gun. It had dropped on the ground. She dove for it.

Sonic's cries grew louder, before going silent. Fiona dared to look up as she reached for the gun, and Saw Sonic was biting the Wolverine's arm.

She grabbed the gun, and aimed lower. She saw his legs. They weren't armored, and this would hopefully hurt. She fired into the legs. Unfortunately, she only had one shot, as the first shot in the double barreled rifle had been fired. Fortunately, Fiona didn't need it.

The bullet lodged itself into the Wolverine's shin, warranting a slight flinch, that was enough for Sonic to curl up again.

He spun off, flinging bits of armor. The Wolverine stabbed forward, missing Sonic barely. This time however, the Wolverine turned and stabbed the other Guard.

Fiona was alone… No she had Sonic and… the princess. Fiona still felt her heart quiver. This thing was a demon. It couldn't be stopped, not even by rifles.

The Wolverine howled before making eye contact with Fiona.

/*-*/

The Fox was cowering in fear. Good.

Johan hated guns. They removed the dignity of warfare. There was no skill between warriors, no test of strength or growth. The fight was over before it began. One could kill their enemies from hundreds of feet away, and never have the glory of seeing the dying face of their foe.

Johan had his trusty spear, and armor… admittedly it was better to drop it. The armor had lost its integrity, and hardly protected anything in the center. Johan dropped the armor, causing it to scatter into its various pieces.

Johan roared at the Fox again, and jumped at her. She wished to do battle with him? Fine.

The Blue Garden defender slammed into Johan's side.

"Thanks." The red Fox muttered.

"Good-" The Garden defender replied something else. Johan still needed to work on the language a bit more.

Johan felt a burning sensation in his leg. The Squirrel had stabbed him yet again.

Johan grabbed her arm, and threw her. The Garden defender reappeared with the Squirrel in his arms. Johan growled a shuddering rumble. This was getting annoying.

The Garden defender ran and curled back up into a ball, but Johan knew exactly what to do. As the garden defender came into range, Johan grabbed him, and began to squeeze. Johan would break his spine, that would slow the Garden defender down.

A strange Dog appeared with a sword, and charged at Johan. That would be fun, after Johan finished with this dreaded spine ball. He kicked the dog-wolf away.

The Garden defender was crying out. The Squirrel appeared and stabbed Johan again. Johan stomped at her, but she rolled out of the way.

Johan was getting pissed. They just wouldn't die. Johan suddenly dropped the garden defender when pain ripped through his arms. The Fox fired twice again, and loaded more ammo into the barrels.

Johan snarled… when a low mumbling was heard. Johan staggered back. Why? The pain and bleeding was that much. He would live.

The chanting got louder. A frail old goblin with a jewel staff grinned at Johan. He was SORCERER! Johan hated Magic, a weapon of cowards. Johan tried to charge the man, but he was feeling… sleepy.

Johan hated him, and Roared, drowning out the chant. The Goblin looked shocked. Johan lumbered towards him, when they yellow mechanical man appeared, slamming into him.

Johan felt hands wrap… everywhere. He couldn't breath. Gah, He had to keep fighting. He was free at last!

Johan rose, despite his lack of air, and walked towards the sorcer, carrying all who dared to try and restrain him along. His breath was heavy though. Johan would destroy them. He would destroy them all! He would butcher them, and eat them.

He collapsed. He couldn't breath.

Damn them… Damn them all!

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