Merendinoemilano: I want to convey emotions within talks, but not reveal everything. These chapters usually go from Sonic-Fiona- Johan. I don't want any character to "meta game". I feel like I am struggling in that regard.
Victor John Foxfire: Johan has learned their language, which a very powerful asset. His mindset is less aggressive, but something I have been trying to convey: Johan is a literal genius. He absorbs information and data like crazy, and can learn skill that would take months to learn in days. He's not stupid, just primitive. He also knows that Sally holds a lot of respect within the kingdom, and is a warrior princess. So He does find her respectable.
Nagus isn't forcing the nobles to do anything. He just straight up abandoned them. Trench warfare is a good defensive doctorine, but flesh has it's limits, and Sally has recognized this. Hence why they retreat. To go, get rested, and keep fighting at full capacity. Nagus is arrogant, but he isn't as stupid as you think. Sally and Elias and even Max are still threats to his power. The nobles can prop them up at anytime. So he tried to remove them from play, which would leave the kingdom vulnerable, forcing the nobles to look for a new way to protect the kingdom…
Kicking out Nicole, was not a good idea however, as his city is now vulnerable. The original plan to let the nobles get weakened from repeated battle. Things have gone a little differently.
Mina doesn't have very strong affections for Sonic, but I remember reading in the comics that most of her songs are homages to Sonic. I tried to keep with that theme.
Sticks is using hit and run, which is great when you are outnumbered. It's a Saxon Staple, but the Warband she mustered was from Roja itself. Her tribe(and Ceawlin) have no idea she is out there…
Also, You may want to consider reading Shattered. From what I've read through your reviews, you would probably like it. Or not. Maybe give it or Band Of Liars a try while you wait for the next chapter, which might be a little late.
/*-*/
Sonic shuddered as the wind rippled through the air. The loud roar of the beast made Sonic's spine tingle, and his quills flair. He was…terrified. The beast had gotten out of his cell. Sonic knew it. The Wolverine was back. The Swatbots also knew it. The Cold wind blew from the building.
Their visor had turned from a bright red, to a yellow color. The machines…shuddered.
Sonic saw the prison, and heard the sound of metal being torn and split. Glowing red eyes appeared from the darkened doorway. Sonic felt his breath come short, and his throat felt like it had swollen. He was loose again?
Red glowing dots appeared in the darkened prison way, the owner lurking in the shadows. Sonic saw Sally run in there, and if he was out here… Sonic felt his fear turn to blood rushing anger.
The Badniks suddenly dropped their weapons and scrambled away, with their metallic arms in the air. They were… terrified? Was that possible for machines. The disorganized machines ran around in circles, several slamming into eachother.
"Alright Hedgehog, what trick is this?" Eggman's voice boomed over the intercom.
Sonic felt confused and angry and sad and outraged and…. SO many things at once.
Johan Leapt out, smashing into the disorganized formations. His claws ripped through the badniks Sonic was fighting. The First row completely crumped From Johan's spin, swinging his claws into the metal armor, before moving to the second row, that had become a scramble. Some Badniks fired at Johan, others ran around. The supporting legionnaires acted the same.
Sonic watched The Wolverine completely destroy the formation in front of him. The blasters fired at the wolverine barely charred the hide of the beast.
Sonic got into a fighting position, getting ready to pounce on the massive beast in front of him. Johan noticed, because he stopped, and snarled at Sonic.
Sonic felt ready. It was now or never. The white in Johan's eyes returned.
"I'll kill you…. Later." A deep voice growled. It came from Johan. What? Sonic was going die later? Not Now?
"Sonic, He's with us!" Sally's voice shook Sonic out of his daze. His anger became a joy like no other, "SALLY! YOU'RE ALIVE?"
"Yes, yes. I live, and we've got a valuable ally right now." She came out with her ring blades drawn. The guards and Soldiers who had taken refuge ran out and got into defensive positions in the market square. She point at the Wolverine.
Sonic shook his head, "What? How? He's was trying to kill me two weeks ago."
"He's a mercenary now." Sally explained, gesturing for some of the soldiers at the Palace gate to come out.
"What, When did he learn to speak? Does he know-" Sonic wanted answers.
"I don't know!" Sally shouted, "We have to take what comes our way. Help me get the city back under our control.
Sonic wanted to ask more questions, but the Badniks were closing in from the south. The North didn't seem to have any badniks, which was a boon, but it begged the question of where they were going. The South division was clearly flanking, and the West division was the main force.
"Where's Fiona, did she bail?" Sally shouted.
Oh gosh… that was the question. Sonic hadn't been watching her. Where was Frederick?
Sonic saw the Wolverine had everything under control. He tackled a legionnaire clamped his jaws on the throat. The Girl cried out as blood flew. Sonic grit his teeth. This beast was terrible, and he'd only case them trouble.
"Um…What… What is that?" Eggman's panicked voice shouted over the intercom, "I mean… Uh… tha… What the heck?"
Sonic didn't exactly disagree. This guy was killing without a second thought.
Sally called out, "Let's go! He can take care of the west gate. We need to re-enforce the south." They ran back into the city and turned just in time. The Badniks would have gotten to the street in five minutes and cut off any escape.
Sally called out to the men, "Defensive formation. Move in! Find Cover! Sonic Get our guys back here. Let's move!"
Sonic was on survivor duty. Unfortunately, the battle was going chaotically. The formations had smashed into each other, creating pockets of badniks and Mobian soldiers fighting around a main badnik push. A volley from the guns halted the push and gave Sonic time to smash through the tight square.
A Mobian Wolf was busy wrestling with badniks, his gun on the ground.
Sonic smashed through the Badniks and grabbed him. Sonic then burst out of the formation onto the next open space where two more soldiers were facing off. Sonic set down his wolf friend and bolted through the badniks as they were encircling the soldiers. Sonic then pushed them into the alleyways.
He gasped for air. "Is everyone alright?" Sonic muttered, finding himself lacking the care of their response.
"We're good thanks to you." Muttered an Otter, who realoaded his rifle from his rear pouch. Two shots in the gun.
Sonic nodded, and ran back out. It was time to save lives. He ran around the corner and flanked the Badnik square to bust an opening for a platoon of five soldiers, who had set up in a shop. Sonic burst through the door, "Come on, let's go!"
They nodded, and ran out. Sonic followed them out, running through the lines of badniks, slamming his head a couple times. Not great for a head ache, but as long as they kept lining up in rows, Sonic had nothing to worry- Arms closed around Sonic.
Blue steel made up the arms as Sonic rose through the air. A metal Sonic he had missed? Sonic thought he'd gotten all of them. Suddenly, something whizzed past Sonic's ear, and he fell out of the grip. A metal husk fell with him. Sonic looked around, and in the distance, in a north tower, a small glint of scope revealed who had saved him.
Sonic waved, hoping that they weren't aiming for him. Sonic would have to thank his savior after this. A flash from the tower, and another bullet whizzed past his head. Sonic turned around to see the centipede badnik crumple. He got the message and ran.
A volley of rockets flew through the air, crushing buildings and badniks alike. Sonic needed to bring down those Egg carriers.
He ran back to the West gate, to find some of the Nobles resting, catching their breath. Their arms looked bruised and sore from where Swatbots had grabbed them.
Sonic felt horribly confused. They must have fought them off. "Hey, Are you all good?"
"We're fine… thanks to him. Some monster, but I suppose different circumstances." A Goat muttered point at Johan. What the heck was going on? First he tried to kill everyone, now he was saving everyone.
Sonic still knew better than to question-
Blood spewed out in front of Johan once again, as he arched his neck with organs from his last victim.
Sonic ran in front of the beast, "What the heck!"
Johan snarled at him, and the cold air seemed to get even colder. Icicles were already handing from stands and buildings. Johan perked up. What was he-
Another volley of rockets flew from the ship. Sonic Got ready to take cover.
Sally was at the west gate, which was in the line off…
Sonic panicked and ran over to get her. He heard the thunder of footsteps behind him, which meant Johan was coming as well. The Swatbots were surrounding Sally and her team. What were they even doing over there?
A brown mass slammed into the wall of swatbots, allowing Sonic to grab Sally's arm, "Come on, we got to go!"
She pulled her arm away, out of Sonic's grip. She gave a sad smile. No… Not like this, not here. Sonic felt himself panic as the rocket got closer. Until a brown lumbering mass positioned itself in between them and the explosion.
A yelp was heard, followed by growl. Sonic, Sally, and the brigade were surprised that they were still alive. They looked to their Savior. Johan, with his back scorched, looked angry at them. He roared at Sally.
Sonic… understood. She just stood there, and he would be upset too.
"You fool! Do you desire to make my life miserable? Get out of my way if you aren't going to aid me. I will end this enemy on my own!" Johan shouted, before snarling up at the ship. A low squeak came from his throat in a repeating pattern.
Sonic didn't get it, but He did take notice of the fact that swat bot swarm… was gone. There were a few swat bots here and there, but the main mass had been repelled or destroyed.
Sally called out, "Move to the south gate, go!" Was she talking to the soldiers or to him?
Sonic's eyes widened. Right, he was supposed to be saving people. He bolted back, only narrowly preventing himself from tripping as his feet felt like giving out.
/*-*/
Fiona leapt out of the alley way and struck the flanking badnik force. She twisted and slammed her foot into the following one. They were moving in single file, but the strategy alone reminded Fiona that they weren't just dumb robots. They were dumb robots controlled by a stupid genius.
Still, once they leveled their weapons, Fiona ran back into her alleyway and dove into the storm drain. Was she getting tired, yes. But she was working to keep the city safe.
Gosh, she really had changed. No, she was just keeping the city secure to look good. They'd lower their guard and… maybe she'd be accepted back. The thought…. Was tantalizing.
Fiona wouldn't have to hide, heck she'd be respected. She was a noble woman, after all.
Fiona crawled out of the storm drain two blocks away from the one she'd entered. She wished she'd had some help. The Sound of machines being smashed made her warry. The brown fur re-enforced it. The Wolverine was out, he'd escaped. She held her breath.
The Wolverine sniffed the air, and turned to face her. She was… terrified to say the least.
"You want some you stupid Metal Roaches!" An angry shout filled the air.
The Wolverine jerked to face the sound. Fiona let out a breath as the beast lumbered off. She had to get back to work. Her happiness was now in check with a fear. The monster was out of his cage, and having a field day with badniks and legionnaires. Once those ran out… Fiona shuddered.
She dove down and struck more flanking badniks. The sonic boom told her that Sonic was out there, in the fray. She was fine to work in the dark alleys. She tripped another badnik, and jumped on it's head. The Metal top fell off.
Fiona heard a blast fire, and flinched, barely avoiding a shot that would have burned her arm. Fiona ran into a right alley way, and jumped into a window. She needed to catch her breath.
She sat down. Walking in on a red and yellow stripped carpet. There was an easel with a partially painted fruit. Yellow… a banana right? The couch matched the carpet, but instead of being stripped, it was speckled( AN: Speckled does not mean spotted. It's more dispersed and smaller) with yellow.
She sat down. Surely the kingdom wouldn't mind her resting… just for a little bit. Who ever lived here loved painting. There was shelf full of dyes and powders, which seemed to be bases for paint. The apartment was abandoned, thank goodness.
Fiona's mind also went to a dark-pine cupboard which had two wide leaved plants on top. She walked over and opened it. There was black cloth coating the inside. Nothing but a few books and….
Fiona's sharp fox eyes adjusted and noticed the distortion. Deep in the cupboard was a black box. She pulled it out and opened it. Inside was cream lining, and a set of very old pearls on a lace. Fiona grinned, and pulled the pearls out, stuffing them in her top. It was payment for helping the kingdom.
She dumped the old note on the ground, and decided it was time to move.
She grabbed some of the potted plants and dropped them onto the badniks which were turning to assault the soldiers who had actually began to push back. She then jumped down on top of them, slamming her boots into the badnik's heads. Her heel was starting to hurt, but there wasn't a lot she could do about that just yet.
A cry went out, over by the hospital.
Fiona ran through the alleyway. She ambushed a few more badniks, but they were starting to become scarce.
So she ran towards the hospital, to find a bandaged hedgehog, looking so terrified and shivering. Water was dripping from her out… oh
It was Amy Rose. The annoy little twat who followed Sonic every where, shaking under the terror of the Fearsome wolverine. Fiona remember… Amy was in the hospital after fighting him. She couldn't blame Amy for her fear.
The hammer had fallen, as the wolverine stood with his back to her, smashing badniks. Weird, he wasn't attacking Amy, and she was an easy target. Fiona didn't hate Amy, but there was no love lost between them. Still, she was Sonic's friend.
Fiona's feet moved without her consent, and got low, "Come on, take my hand." Fiona muttered, stretching out an arm.
Amy slowly turned, the pool underneath her growing. Fiona thrust her hand forward again. Hoping the Wolverine wouldn't notice.
Amy took it, and Fiona dragged the hedgehog into an alleyway.
"Fiona… why-why did you-" Amy asked, still terrified, seeming to lose all good thought.
"I'm trying something new in my life." Fiona did her best to sound as nonchalant as possible.
Amy frowned, "I don't trust you."
"I don't like you" Fiona countered.
"…Truce?" Amy asked quietly.
"For now." Fiona agreed. An in perfect time, as a rumble shook the ground.
The Evil Doctor's voice rippled across the city, "I've had it! I'll do it my self!"
Fiona ran out of the alley, and saw the Egg Mech, with it's spike arms primed and ready.
/*-*/
Johan's vision was not great. He blamed the Wolverine he had been reborn as for that issue. Still, if his eyes were even remotely honest, there was moving metal statue, a machine, marching towards him. It seemed to have barbs for hands, and thick, metal legs.
The machine towered over Johan, or at least from the distance, it would. Massive, with a sturdy metal chest plate and metallic arms. Red and silver, seeming to adorn a sort of color for the banner of it's maker.
Johan felt himself growing excited. While still a machine, this one seemed to be big, strong, and maneuverable. This metal machine might actually give Johan a chance to grow in strength.
So Johan finished crushing the last of mechanical brigades. The small red garden defenders seemed to retreat at the sight of him. Perhaps they knew the garden defenders from the north, or perhaps they were simply weak spined, flaccid born, cowards. Either way, the big game was there to make up for the Red Garden defenders' boring nature.
The Mechanical Giant Laughed, "Ho, Ho, Ho, you've really messed with my plans. You're an odd creature, aren't you?"
Johan snarled and began to hop up and down. The machine was wasting time. They could have been brawling by now.
"No matter, I'm coming for all of you little critters!" The mechanical Giant shouted and began to march past the gates of the city.
Johan ran towards the machine to meet it, but was stopped when small round machines surged forward. They must have been skirmishers, because they were fast, but Johan could smashed them when they would turn.
His claws ripped through the metal, and birds flew out of the wheeled robot. A snack as a reward?
Johan snapped it up as it flew around him. The bird seemed to be thin, and not very filling. Another round machine swung small claws, stabbing into his fur. Of course, it didn't actually hurt, but the machine was still, and Johan wanted to remove the annoying pest.
The he picked it up and threw into a building to his right. The explosion told Johan all he needed to know about it's fate.
Johan turned back around and lumbered towards the gate with metal giant. The Princess had already advanced, her burning swords drawn.
Johan smashed more of the metal vanguard, while the princess shouted ordered, "Push up! Cover me!"
Johan paid no mind, and continued to smash machines. That was more useful than "Pushing" or "Covering."
"GRRR, STOP SMASHING MY PRECIOUS CREATIONS!" The Metal giant shouted.
Johan's response was to pick up one of the round robots and toss it at the Giant. Johan let out a growl. This was getting tedious.
The Princess froze, "oh crud." She muttered. It seemed to be a surprised, regretful saying. Why? The Machine didn't have any ranged weapons. And it was still a good fifteen feet away.
"I'VE GOT YOU, ANNOYING LITTLE RAT." The right Spiked hand extended itself. The Princess dove out of the way. Johan needed to be mindful of that ability. If it's arms could extend, range was not going to be an easy counter.
His mind shifted to the princess, who struggled to her feet. Then it shifted to the left metal hand, that was spinning up. Johan found the situation hilariously just. She'd been weak, lead weak people, and would die a weak leader.
His mind shifted. She would die, and their contract would be void. No matter, he could find someone else to work with…
Johan took an oath. To defend the kingdom's protectors. She was a protector. Johan snarled as he ran. This was probably going to hurt, but he need to think of- he had a plan. He'd work this to his advantage.
He Just need to get there in time.
"GOODBYE PRINCESS SALLY!" The Metal giant shouted and the Left arm launched forward, as Johan slid in, his arms outstretched.
/*-*/
Sonic saw the dust kick up. His heart was…. Destroyed. He almost dropped to his knees. Not again. Not like on the Death Egg.
The dust began to clear. The large figure revealed out of the cloud. Sonic's eyes widened. There was no way that just happened.
Sally was on the ground, looking shocked as the Metal spike stuck through Johan's right paw, motor sputtering and spewing spoke.
"WH-WHAT!" Eggman's shock was shared.
Johan had caught the spiked fist. Johan pulled his bleed hand away and clapped both of his paws onto the extended metal arm.
Eggman was moving, but Johan's claws made indents into the Metal casing, holding it incase, as loud whirling and an alarm was going off. The Motor inside the Egg Brawler's left arm burst into flames.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, STOP THAT!" Eggman shouted, his panic evident.
Johan widened his stance, and spoke, that deep, threaten voice, "I am the greatest warrior you will ever meet. I will not stop, nor be bested by a feeble machine that can not grow or adapt. You are not warrior, you are a SLAVE!" Johan twisted his hips. Surely he wasn't trying to-
The metal feet began to scrap as Johan let out a yell. The Feet were air born, and the Egg Brawler soared through the sky, back towards the capital.
Johan roared his beastly roar, sending shivers up Sonic's spin. This was a forced fear. Sonic wasn't sure how, But Johan was making him afraid.
Johan lumbered towards the mech, and Sonic saw the Egg mobile eject. Johan seemed to ignore the Egg Mobile, and attacked empty mech. Eggman flew off.
Sonic wanted to pursue, but he was exhausted, and he had no back up for sure. He heard Rumbling, and Johan roared again, Picking up the metal arm he had disable, and now detached from the Egg Brawler.
He seemed to pick it up like a javelin, and threw it into the nearest egg Carrier's bottom.
Sonic saw the Eggcarrier seem to remain afloat, before slowly descending down. Transports were being launched, Sonic wasn't too worried about the Legionnaires.
"That… Will be my payment." Johan muttered, and began to lick his paws. The other Egg Carriers were retreating.
Sally walked over to Him, still seeming to not believe what had just happened, "you… Want an Egg carrier."
"Plenty of room for my loot, probably some space for a forge, and several sets of armor." Johan muttered.
Sonic shook his head, "Wait, what? You can't just-"
"We agreed, I would get my share of loot from the battle." Johan muttered, curling up.
Sally nodded, "Alright… that's fair. You've earning it."
"I know." Johan muttered, walking over the husks of badniks he had destroyed.
Sonic didn't like this one bit.
"LOCK THAT BEAST UP!" Nagus's voice boomed from the Palace Gate. It seemed Sonic wasn't alone.