MerendinoEmiliano: I wanted that chapter to be packed with emotion and action.
/*-*/
Sonic would be lying if he didn't share a grudge against Nagus. The guy had sat here in the capital while everyone else risked their skin for his kingdom. Sonic wasn't alone, and he felt the other soldiers around him stiffen up.
The Hetorian Guards seemed uneasy. They could tell that their presence was not welcome.
Nagus paid no mind as he growled, " Are you deaf? Surround that monster and lock him up!"
Johan's stance got defensive, and he crawled low, barring his teeth, and foaming at the mouth.
Sonic tensed up even more. If things got violent…
Sonic saw people coming out of their homes. They hadn't evacuated to the palace, Which meant they likely saw Johan in action. They saw him repel Eggman's forces.
The council elected seemed to walk out, focusing on the devasted buildings in the distance. Everyone except Rosemary and the fat pig seemed shocked. Of course, those two had experienced warfare at its worst. There was sympathy in their eyes.
Nagus shouted, "Why is that beast out of his cell?" His veins were popping.
Sally stood up from her bench, "I hired him as a mercenary. He was needed to save the city."
The Hetorians formed a half circle around Johan, trying to keep out of his striking range.
Nagus growled, "That wasn't your deal to negotiate. I wonder what other treacherous plots you've supported."
"Please, Leave him be. He's working with the freedom fighters, and I made a deal with him." Sally pleaded, actually dropping to her knees. Was she seriously begging to let that demon go free?
There were whispers among the nobles who had gathered up. They seemed quite upset. Sonic didn't like this.
Johan let out an angry snarl as the halberds closed in.
Nagus gave a bellied laugh, "This is refreshing. You, actually begging at my feet. But my rule still stands. Guards seize the monster."
Johan's claws crushed into the concrete road.
Sally immediately Jerked up and whipped around, "Johan, Stand down!"
"We had a deal!" Johan snarled, smashing a halberd, causing one of the guards to fall back.
Sally nodded, "And I don't like how this is going-"
"Yet you enforce it!" Johan snarled in an accusing manner. Sonic couldn't deny it either. Sally had begged, but she could still have tried to put her foot down harder.
Sally frowned, "I never agreed to free you forever. "
Johan's snarl grew into a growl, before dying down, "I'll remember this." He snarled, but complied. The Hetorians kept their distance as Johan trudged over to the worn down prison.
Sally called out, "I'll uphold my end of the bargain!"
Johan's huff as he disappeared down the stairs was all Sonic needed to know. The eyes of the people also told Sonic something. They were sympathetic to Johan. He was a killer, and they were actually supporting him over the king.
Nagus let out a laugh, "Alright, now… Get that army out of my city." Nagus commanded.
Sonic Saw the nobles reach for their weapons. They never liked him, but Nagus may have just taken a step too far. Sonic got ready. Of course… Nagus just had his guards. The entire army of Mobius was here, and loyal to the nobles.
This really looked bad for Mobotropolis. Then, peace came in the most unexpected form, Frederick.
He ran out in front of them, and laughed a nervous laugh, "We shall have a victory ball at my estate. The last two weeks have been very productive, and we finally have a chance to celebrate!"
Was Frederick Ignoring everything that had just happened? No… Sonic saw him look at Nagus for approval.
Sonic saw Fiona emerge from the alleys by the hospital, helping Amy along. What was Amy doing out here?
Sonic felt an arm pat Sonic's back, "Hey… Sorry I'm late." Tails muttered nervously. He'd come from the palace.
"Where were you? We could have used your help." Sonic asked, feeling worn out, and nervous, and just all around not great.
Tails frowned, "I was at the Palace… Mom said I couldn't go."
"And… You listened." Sonic raised an eyebrow.
Tails frowned, "Yeah… I did." His frown turned into an angry clench, "What? Are you going to call me a coward? I didn't let out a monster out in the city!"
There was an outcry from the nobles, which Frederick spoke again, "Pie and Beer!" He shouted, desperately. What was he doing? Sonic didn't like it.
Tails shook his head, warranting a turn from Sonic, "Sheesh, what are they so mad over. We didn't need the monster."
Sonic wasn't so sure. It hurt his pride to admit, but Johan had essentially held an entire gate while they were busy fighting in the city. Without him… Sonic wasn't good with math to check the chances.
Tails looked at Sonic and seemed to soften, "What?"
Sonic shook his head, "You're right. We'd have done fine." Sonic lied.
Tails nodded. Sally tapped Sonic's shoulder. He turned and saw she was clearly upset about something. What did he do wrong?
Sally sighed, "Hey, can you check out the north gate? I'm still worried that badniks might have come through."
Sonic nodded. That was what was making her so upset. She was nervous about the north gate. Sonic smiled at her, "Yeah, I'll check it out."
He ran up through the city main square, and headed north. He saw the walls of the city, which seemed perfectly intact. The gate remained shut, and there didn't seem to be any sign that anything had changed since a week ago.
Sonic saw the gate operator. He flashed a gesture to open the gates. Sure enough, they opened and Sonic ran out north. He didn't have to go very far.
There were husks of swat bots laying in the road. Javelins stuck out of the metal. Sticks was here, and it seemed her band of citizens were also there to throw down with Eggman's badniks.
"Come on! Let's get a move on." A raspy voice cried out.
Sonic moved further down the line, and saw his citizens on the ground, picking apart swat bots. Sticks was sitting on a cart, which had badnik parts in it.
Sonic approached, and saw that everyone was busy looking the destroyed bots. "What are you doing?" Sonic asked, kind of upset that they were out here.
"We are claiming our spoils of war." Sticks glee fully cried, giggling.
"Ok, but why are you here?" Sonic, admittedly rude, asked impatiently.
"I came to prove to my Da that I can lead. Now We are going to take our loot and go home. This was a good war." Stick laughed.
Sonic shook his head, "This wasn't the end of the war. You also shouldn't be out here leading an army of farmers and craftsmen." Sonic was a bit confrontational, but he wasn't sure how else to put it.
"Please. We did fine." Sticks laughed. Nothing was going to shake her happy spirits.
Sonic finally gave in, "Well, thanks for the help. You really saved our skins out here."
Sticks scratched her arm, "Yeah… We'll, I had fun. Maybe I should come by more often. Join a few more wars."
Sonic shook his head, but smiled at her. She was an interesting friend to have. Granted, she'd tried to kill him when they first met.
Sonic ran back into the city. Sally was slumped down. Tails was frowning in a corner, clearly angry.
"What's wrong with him?" Sonic asked, frowning. What happened while he was gone?
Sally sighed, "Well, I got mad and said that the republic was hindering our progress. We needed support and we didn't get it. Tails got defensive, and well… Here we are."
Sonic flashed a weak smile at Tails, "Come on… buddy, you know we aren't mad at you."
"Yeah, I know, I know full well you aren't mad at me!" Tails growled, "Sure. You can't be mad at the little pet huh?"
"What are you talking about?" Sonic asked, feeling kind of wounded. Tails was aggressive and lashing out, which made Sonic nervous about a cue he might have missed.
"Nothing, nothing has changed!" Tails shouted and stormed off.
Sonic looked at Sally who just shrugged and slumped down. Sonic sat next to her, "So… What now?"
"Well… I guess you need to get back home and get ready. Your friend Frederick will be hosting a feast soon, and you need to get a suit." Sally smiled.
"Me, nah, I'll just go like this." Sonic tried.
"Sonic-" Sally warned.
"Alright, I'll put on a stupid suit." Sonic muttered, "You want a ride back?"
Sally nodded, "Of course." She jumped up, and Sonic caught her. They zipped all of the way back to Roja.
The run back was quiet. Sonic wasn't exactly sure how to break the silence. "That was a good fight huh?" Sonic tried.
Sally didn't answer, she just starred forward.
"Sally? Did I do something wrong?" Sonic asked, feeling kind of nervous.
"W-what? Oh no, I was just… thinking." Sally muttered, looking kind of deflated.
"About Johan?" Sonic clarified.
Sally's silence said yes, "I made a deal with him. He said he would destroy the kingdom one day. He was violent and destructive. But I feel terrible. We made a deal, and he upheld his end of it." Sally vented in a depressed way.
Sonic frowned, " There wasn't much we could do about it. Nagus is pretty stubborn."
Sally nodded, "Yes… yes he is. I just… it bugs me."
Sonic frowned, and thought for a moment, "You never promised him freedom? Did you?"
Sally blinked, before offering a soft smile, "No, No I didn't."
Sonic smiled, before stopping just outside of Roja. What he saw was… disturbing.
"Uh… Sally?" Sonic was nervous.
"I know, I see it." Sally muttered, exasperated.
Around Roja were several clusters of tents. Was his city being besieged? Sonic walked through, and saw oxen, Foxes, Wolves, sheep and so many other mobians. There must have been several thousands of mobians.
"Wha- What is going on?" Sonic muttered as he walked through the camps, setting Sally down.
"We had to relocate all of those people from the cities… they had to go somewhere." Sally explained, but still sounded in disbelief.
"Why here?" Sonic asked, kind of scared. How was he going to take care of this many people?
Sally frowned, "I don't think you are special. If Robotnik had continued, they would have pushed further west."
Sonic frowned, but walked into the city, where he was met with a group of mobian in a vibrant discussion. The Fox from the Carpenter's guild, the Masons, and a few of the older mobians in the city.
"We can't keep this up, we have to- oh, lord you're back." The Fox stopped in the middle of his argument.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Sonic asked, looking around at the city, which seemed to be quiet and slow.
"Well, these people have come here to escape Doctor Eggman's armies. The trouble is, we don't have the space to keep them all in the city. We also don't have approval from you to let this many people in." The Fox explained with wide hands.
"Well, uh… let them in." Sonic answered, "We can at least let them stay for a night, then send them out in the morning."
"We don't have the roofs or the beds." The Boar from the Masons explained, clearly upset.
"Well, then…" Sonic looked at Sally for advice.
She grabbed him, "I'm borrowing your lord for a second."
They walked over to an alley in the city.
"What do I do, Sal?" Sonic asked, desperately.
"Well, you could have a new district outside the city walls. Then you could build houses to accommodate the people." Sally smiled.
"It's that simple?" Sonic asked, a little shocked that what took weeks of debate in metropolis could be done in a few seconds on a whim.
"Well, you probably want to get everyone's approval first. Mostly just the leaders of the guilds. Everyone will listen they agree, or at least most of them. You'll also probably have to spend a hefty sum of bills to build the houses. These people only took what they could carry." Sally explained, a little sad.
"What else?" Sonic asked.
"You could just… send them on their way. They'll have to leave, or face your wrath." Sally sounded more hesitant on that one.
Sonic frowned, "I don't want… I can't be like that."
"Well, then the first option has to do." Sally smiled. She was happy with that decision. He couldn't say he disagreed. The idea of sending all of those mobians off without any help was… horrifying.
Sonic walked back to the small council that had formed, "Alright, here is what we are going to do."
/*-*/
The rain poured down on the road way as the soldiers went into their houses
Fiona saw the massive mansion that had undergone construction while they were away for a few weeks. It was built around the treasury room, with a wide stairway leading up to it. Towers lined the mansion on its corners, and a massive main structure appeared behind the old treasury, which was the main portion of the Mansion.
Even as the door opened, Fiona felt herself shivering. The carriage was being led off, to go where ever Frederick stored his crafts. Fiona looked around for a fireplace. Unfortunately, this was a mansion.
She saw what looked like a divot in the walls. She crawled over to it, hearing her teeth chattering.
The Door opened again, and Frederick stepped inside, "Louis! Louis!" He called out.
An elk shuffled in, "Ah, Lord Frederick, how went the campaign?" He was somewhat old, and walked with a limp.
"It went… alright." Frederick sighed, "I need to make preparations for feast. We will be hosting one in a week." He began to rub his fingers together nervously.
"Um… my lord, The Mansion has not been completed yet." Louis explained nervously.
Frederic's breath began to quicken, "I-I can see that, but I need preparations made. Do we have a cellar for food and drink? A kitchen, a ballroom? That's all I need." Frederick pleaded.
"Well… my lord, the Cellar is almost done, and the kitchen is prepared, but needs to be staffed. As for the ballroom… it's only been partially constructed." The Elk explained, sighing nervously.
Frederick began to panic, "What do you mean "partially"?"
Fiona opened the door out into the back area where a small patch of greenery had been made. She saw frame work on the other side of the small garden. "Uh… Freddy, I think that's what he means."
Her brother let out a pant in terror, he seemed to keel over out of nervousness, "I Need a ball room. I promised it."
"Daddy?" Little Alister's voice made Fiona's heart light up.
Frederick seemed to slightly calm down, "Hey… Alister, Olivia."
The Orange Fox smiled at her husband, but looked concerned. She had a blue-frilled, dress on, but walked around in comfort shoes. Olivia's smiled waned, "Frederick, are you ok? You look like you've aged ten years."
"I'm fine… just a little nervous, how are you enjoying the new house?" Frederick asked, his breath seeming to stabilize for a moment.
Alister jumped up, "This is so cool? I get my own room, and not like the one at the other place, this one is big! And I get a nice bed all too my self."
"That's right." Olivia had a clever smile, "You won't need snuggles any more right?"
Alister stopped, frowning into a pout, "I want snuggles." He muttered.
Frederick scooped up his son in his arms, and hugged him closely.
Fiona hadn't had this kind of family since…before she betrayed the freedom fighters. They wouldn't have any trouble hosting a part-
Fiona got an Idea, "Why not have an outside ball." She smiled.
Frederick blinked, "What?"
"The Freedom fighters would have festivals and parties outside, and they'd have a blast." Fiona explained, "We could host it, in honor of the Freedom fighters' support in the last battle."
Frederick frowned, "But what if it rains?"
"If it rains, then we'll come in and feast. The guy's be fine and happy." Fiona shrugged, feeling clever once again.
Frederick nodded, "Very Well. Louis!"
The Elk returned, "Yes my lord?"
"Make preparations for an outdoor party. Hire us some cooks, the best you can find, and please summon the tailor for some clothes. My sister and Son need to get outfitted for a party." Frederick commanded, and finally sighed in relief.
Louis nodded, "Right away my lord."
"And get the fireplace going. We are cold from the rain!" Frederick commanded again.
Fiona shuddered, as the flame went up. Fiona curled up next to the fireplace.
She felt her eyes get heavy.
Frederick cleared his throat, "Fiona, You have a room."
Fiona blinked, and looked up, "I think I'll stay next to the fireplace tonight. Sleeping in mud and running in the rain makes me just want to stay warm.
Frederick sighed. What was so- Right. She was a noble woman, which meant she was expected to walk around dignified and prissy and pompous. Screw that Fiona thought, and curled back up, draping her tails over the back of her neck to keep her hair up.
Fiona felt someone come over, and heard a light tapping sound. Fiona dared to open her eyes.
Alister was laying on the ground, in his little school uniform, switching between watching Fiona and looking back at his tail, which was whacking him in the back of the head.
Fiona smiled slight, "It takes a little bit of work, but once you get used to it, you can do all sorts of stuff with your tail."
Alister frowned as his tail swung around and smacked the back of his head. Poor guy.
Fiona went back to trying to sleep. Once Frederick called Alister to bed, she could rest finally. Of course in hind sight, sleeping next to a fire was a bad idea. Fiona had… unpleasant dreams. They were all the same, a fire and a little girl, pain and machines.
Fiona went through cycles through out the night. Sleep, nightmare, wake up, repeat. When she finally did wake for the final time, Fiona heard the rustling of plates and utensils in the west wing.
She walked down the hallway and made a left turn. The connecting hallway led to the kitchen, where several new faces shuffled.
"That is good, I'd like four batches of this. This one, no, I don't like it, find something else." Frederick's voice came through a large doorway, which connected to a dining room. A large, long table stood in the room, about twenty chairs long and two chairs thick. Fiona saw Olivia, who appeared to be calming her husband. Alister, on the other hand, was oblivious to the world, eating odd pastries that looked like they had meat in them.
Frederick growled in frustration. This ball was really getting to him, but then again, he was serving the nobles of the kingdom.
"Everything Alright Freddy?" Fiona asked.
"It's Frederick!" He growled.
Fiona grit her teeth, "EXCUSE ME!"
Frederick shrank down as she raised her voice, "I asked how my brother is doing and he acts like I just insulted him."
Frederick was breathing heavily. Fiona softed, "Sorry, I see you are stressed."
Frederick shook his head, "No, no, I'm just…"
He didn't want to admit that this might be too much for him. Fiona could see it. Frederick rang a bell, "Anyways, we need to get you outfitted for a dress."
"Wha-why?" Fiona asked.
Olivia was happy to answer that, "Because my dress is now stretched thanks to you."
Fiona didn't like being accused, "Not my fault you're flatter than me." Fiona muttered under her breath.
Olivia blinked, "What was that?"
"I'm sorry I ruined your stupid dress." Fiona growled, "I'll-"
The tailor came in with measuring tapes. Great, a fun day for Fiona alright.
/*-*/
Johan trudge around in his cell. His morning had started early, planning to enact justice on the vile princess. It had turned rather odd when he obtained a visitor.
It had been a little wolf-bot, who'd brought him a wooden ship model. Various other visitors arrived. Which led to where Johan was now.
"I made it myself. A blueberry Rhubarb pie." The man placed it in front of the cell. It was a round pastry, with slits in the top, which revealed a dark purple inside. The guards opened the cell, and had a look of longing. "You saved my shop, and my wife."
"You idiot quick starring." The older one muttered. He was clearly aware of what Johan did to the last guard who dared to touch Johan's food.
"Man, I just don't get it? We do our part and never get any pies. This guy is a criminal and get free crap all day?" The Younger one asked.
"I don't question it, I just know you don't want to piss this guy off." The older guard wisely stated.
Johan scrapped the top of the pie and licked it off his paw. The bull who'd brought the pie looked little shocked, but didn't verbalize his protest.
The pie was… good. It had a light sweetness to it, and a crust that was layered. Back in his Kingdom, pie crust was hard and tough, but this was surprisingly good. It tasted like it had been perfected over years. Years that could have been spent fighting or learning to protect his lands.
Still, it was an acceptable tribute. Johan bowed his head, "This is good, thank you."
The bull smiled and turned around, walking out. Johan ate the pie, which was a decadent and sweet treat. Not something he favored, but the man had put effort into making it for Johan, and Johan did not reject tribute.
"Another visitor!" Called out a guard up top.
"Send him down. Man, you are really popular with everyone for some reason." The younger guard shrugged.
Johan snarled. He hated being down here, and people were bugging him with "Thank you"s. he appreciated tribute, but not a waste of time.
So imagine his surprise when the visitor was none other than a two tailed yellow fox. The One he had chosen to spare.
The Fox appeared to be angry with Johan. Good, perhaps he was ready to battle, and Johan might grow in strength and wisdom from their fight. The fox only remained silent.
Johan turned around from his cell bars, and curled up. This was a waste of time. The boy was not in the mindset for battle.
"I want to talk alone." The Fox's words made Johan perk up. He intended to solo combat Johan?
"We can't do that. If this gets out, we can't get to you in time-" The younger guard started.
"I've thought about this, I know what I am doing." The Fox stated.
"That's Tails, Sonic's side kick, He can handle himself." The older guard nodded at the fox and the two left.
The Fox was suddenly angry, as though he had been provoked.
"Speak, don't waste my time." Johan growled. Of course, that was already not possible.
"Why?" The Fox, Tails, muttered, his fist shaking.
Johan cocked his head, but remained silent.
The Fox's voice got higher, "Why do they respect you? They love you, listen to you, give you stuff. You're a murder! Why do people treat you like an adult!"
Johan remained quiet. He wanted to figure out what made this kid tick.
"I've thought for everyone else. I think I've been good to everyone. I think I've handled crazy things better than ever expected. Why are you a hero, and I'm just a side kick?" Tails shouted, panting, "Why am I still a kid under Sonic's shadow."
Johan couldn't help but laugh. His chuckle began a roar, "You think, you think? You think and think and think. That's why no one will ever respect you. They respect me because I kill. They acknowledge that I do." Johan snarled, "You think, I do. That is the difference."
Johan turned around.
The fox was in shock, "What? You want me to go nuts?"
"No, being brainless is not action. Think, but no more than necessary. Do more than thinking." Johan clarified, "If someone stands in the way of your greatness, don't think about them, remove them. If someone stops you from getting what is yours, kill them without a second thought."
Tails was outraged, but gradually calmed as the realization set in, "I do need to act more. But how do I get them to treat me like I'm older."
Johan frowned, "Where I come from, We have the Trail. Where the weak die and the strong grow. The survivors are called men. But if you kill an enemy, we also acknowledge you as an adult, worth of freedom and high status."
"But we don't have the trail or enemies. At least not-" Tails started.
"Stop thinking, start doing. Hunt your enemy, engage them in battle. Break free of others legend and shackle them to yours." Johan growled, "Now leave me."
Tails froze, and shook his head, "What am I thinking. You're a monster, a murder. I shouldn't have come here."
He left. Johan went back to counting his tribute. The Fox would be back. They'd all realize their foolishness eventually.
/*-*/
Hello, so there will almost definitely be a delay for the next chapter. Stuff is going on right now, and I need to work on it. I'll be back soon.