MerendinoEmilano: I'm hoping to present a good character shift in Fiona, and maybe start a fun little series. Also, a bit of an emotion heavy chapter.

Thank you guys for consistently reviewing. This has helped keep morale high for the story. Now, I am going to take a quick break. Why? Because I am working on a Halloween special for this story. I'll be back after spooky month. That being said, it will be a separate story.

/*-*/

The freshly erected buildings towered in the sky. Their very poorly designed roofs staggered in a jagged line over it. But Sonic wasn't ready to knock himself down, as there was more work to be done. The hammering from a building told Sonic the new nails were almost done. These ones were made of iron, courtesy of Eggman's junk.

Boards were being loaded, cut by Rojan Carpenters, on stone cut by Rojan masons. That being said, the smiths came from elsewhere. They settled in some of the first houses built, and asked for some materials for a kiln. Sonic was glad they'd made the sacrifice, because these new houses didn't look quite as shoddy.

Sonic heard a, "We're good." From one of the workers, he was an unemployed ex captain, who apparently had plenty of skill with repairing ships. His name was Nebus or something like that.

Sonic ran down to check on the smiths, who had started a fresh batch of nails. Sonic walked over, and an ox called out, "Whoa, they're still hot." He grunted.

Sonic nodded, yep, they were fresh, which apparently meant no building with them just yet. Sonic waved up at the old captain, "Hey, we're done for now."

A wave told Sonic that he got the message and was going to wait for a few hours.

Sonic took this time to go check on the in-ground base that was built. He arrived at the hill, that had been hollowed out and filled with concrete(which he may or may not have placed). Still, as Sonic approached, something was either very wrong or very right.

There was no one outside, no one standing guard.

Sonic ran in and heard… laughing, which was a good sign.

He came around the corner, and saw that there were balloons, a small table cloth of food, and his freedom fighter friends, all laughing and toasting.

"Hey, guys." Sonic muttered softly, trying to keep up a smile, "You guy's having a party."

Sally looked like she'd been caught. Tails and Rotor blinked and looked away. Everyone else had their lips puckered in awkwardness.

Sally stpped forward, "Oh…Um, well, we finished moving in, and we decided to celebrate… and you were busy… So…" Sally seemed to realize there wasn't a good way to frame this.

Sonic nodded and smiled, "Yeah, I was little busy with the houses. I'll go, uh, check on them. Congrats and everything on the new base, guys… Uh…" Sonic just turned and left.

He could barely see Sally reaching out to stop him. He wasn't angry per say. It would have been nice to have been told about the party, but hey, everyone makes mistakes. Sonic wasn't sure how to feel. He ran back to the construction area, where the refugees were checking out their new houses.

He saw the smile of families and children. They were happy to have a solid roof over their head. These houses were more like apartments for the time being, but Sonic still had many homes planned out.

He stopped, and ran over to a barrel to sit down. The street was slow with everyone taking a lunch break, and checking out the new homes.

Sonic couldn't help but smile slightly. This was where he was going to be. The Freedom fighters were… moving on. Sonic hated the idea of becoming a lord, but now, he had no choice. So, that meant the freedom fighters were going to be distancing themselves from him. Why? Sonic didn't know, but that was what was happening.

Sonic blinked, right, time was still passing.

"Hey." Sally's voice shook Sonic.

"Hey," Sonic replied, putting his sad smile once again.

"Are you mad?" She asked.

"No. It's no big deal." Sonic tried. It was eating him on the inside, but he didn't want her to think that.

"Really?" She wasn't convinced. It would be hard to lie to her, she knew him best.

"No, but it happened. I get it. I just… feel… nevermind." Sonic sighed, he hated this feeling. He wasn't sure where he was now. Physically, that was an easy question, but who he hung out with, where he stayed, those were difficult.

"Look, we didn't mean anything by it." Sally's voice was agitated for some reason.

"I know." Sonic muttered, "You guys weren't thinking about me, that was… obvious."

Sally flinched, "Look… we still want you there." She tried. But Sonic didn't feel like playing this game.

"Nah, I got work to do. Have fun though, eat a chilidog for me." Sonic tried to put up a cheerful smile.

"Sonic…. Alright, well, if you change your mind… come on over." Sally sighed.

Sonic didn't go back. He stayed at the construction site, and continued to work on houses. The City was growing to be… massive. Unfortunately, Sonic was running low on money. He'd spent most of the tax money on getting people to help. He didn't have much to continue the project.

Sonic walked into the HQ, and saw the empty party stuff. He gave a soft smile, hoping that no one was there to see how down he really was. Of course, the party was probably a drag without him.

Sonic walked over to where his room was supposed to be. He walked in, and saw a familiar pink Hedgehog making his bed.

"Amy… Are you staying in my room?" Sonic asked.

Amy gave a nervous smile, "No, no… I was just… Hoping to surprise you."

Sonic looked around, and nodded, "I am surprised."

It was just like Knothole. His guitar was in the rocking chair in the corner, his bed wasn't made, but the dresser was set up. Why did he have a dresser? Well, because he needed to look nice occasionally, according to Sally. The inground window let him look into the city.

"I trust everything is to your liking." A somewhat amused voice spoke.

Sonic turned to thank Nicole, "I love it. You designed this."

"I do still have some use in my console form. I decided it would be best if you, the lord of the town, could watch it." She smiled, in a somewhat arrogant fashion. Sonic almost forgot she was an AI.

Sonic nodded, "Well, thanks."

"You are staying with us? I enjoy your company, and You make Sally very happy." Nicole asked, perhaps a little nervous. Again, was she really a machine?

Sonic nodded, "Yeah…"

Amy jumped in, "Wait, were you going to leave the Freedom Fighters?"

"What? No, I just was taking care of the town." Sonic explained, raising his hands defensively.

Amy frowned, "Why would Nicole think you were leaving?"

Nicole Saved Sonic, "Sally was concerned that Sonic might distance himself from the Freedom Fighters, and eventually leave."

Sonic frowned, "I'm not… I'm not going anywhere until Eggman is behind bars."

Amy nodded, "Ok… It's getting kind of late, we'll clean up the boxes in the morning."

Sonic nodded, "Yeah." He laid down, and starred at the ceiling.

He waited… and waited… He kind of wanted to cuddle with Tails, but his little buddy had been angry lately. Sonic wasn't sure what the problem was, but he hoped he could fix it before things got worse. In his thinking, Sonic failed to notice his eyes closing and dozing off.

He woke up and felt…. Happy. Today was going to be a good day. They'd sent Eggman packing, they'd retake the lost territory soon enough. They had the monster in prison, and his city was moving along nicely. What was one party?

Sonic zipped into the new Cafeteria, which had never been eaten in before(Aside from lunch breaks during construction). "What's going on guys?" Sonic cheerfully asked as he slid into the room.

"You tell me, You're the one with the bright grin." Sally chuckled in relief, seeming to know he was in good spirits.

"Oh you love it when I'm in a good mood." Sonic joked, with a wink. He didn't know why, but today was going to be great.

Sally smiled, "Well, you might not be in as good of mood when I tell you what we are doing today. I want to get the last emeralds. I can't help but feel like we will need Super Sonic really soon. Eggman won't stop trying, so we need to push him back."

"Pff, is that all. Let's get the Emeralds!" Sonic cheered.

Sally laughed, "Alright, let's eat first."

They ate Eggs, Bacon, and Donuts. Apparently, some traders came after hearing about a massive population spike in Roja. Donuts and other goods were coming in.

Sonic smiled finished up. Tails wasn't looking at him at all. Sonic wasn't sure what he did wrong.

"Hey, buddy. You be careful out there." Sonic patted Tails on the back. The little guy was lost in though, but his hand snapped the fox out.

"I'll be fine." He growled softly.

"Yeah… Just… watch out. You're going for the dark blue one… I should probably go there. You can have the purple-" Sonic tried.

"NO!" Tails shouted, "I can do this!" His fists were balled.

Sonic stepped back, and even Elias looked worried, "Are you mentally sound." The prince asked.

Tails growled, "I'm fine. I can do things. Stop treating me like a child."

"Tails we don't treat you like a child, we are just concerned for you." Sally stated, in her "mom" voice.

Tails scowled, his eyebrows wrinkling, "But you don't say that to him." Tails growled, pointing at Sonic.

Sally remained quiet. Rotor spoke up, "I don't think you should go like this. You need to cool down."

"I'll be fine." Tails growled, and stood, ready to run through the star post.

Sally and Sonic looked at each other. This was not a good place to be, but if they denied Tails, would his situation get worse? Sally nodded, "Alright, make us proud Tails."

Tails nodded, and starred fiercely at the star post.

Rotor sounded off, "Alright, to the Blue Chaos Emerald, Sonic, which one is this one?"

"Cosmos." Sonic hoped he was remembering right. It was…massive, and not exactly desolate. But Tails was adamant in this endeavor.

"Going in three, two, one…" Rotor Sounded off as the star post began to spin. Tails began to wind up his appendages, and swirled through as the star post spun up. Sonic saw him disappear, and was… kind of worried for him. But Tails would be back, maybe a little shaken, but he would return.

Sonic looked at Rotor, who waited for his nod of approval. Sonic nodded, he was ready.

Rotor called out, "Going for the purple chaos emerald, in three… two… one…"

The Star post spun up, and Sonic bolted through. The weird Illusion began as he spun around in a purple swirl. Sonic had to close his eyes, or he was going to get sick.

Then… He felt himself stabilize. Sonic opened his eyes, and found himself standing on dark purple bricks. He appeared to be on a circular pyramid.

Sonic shook himself and stood up. This was the place, which meant that there was almost definitely a test here. Sonic looked around, and saw nothing. There was a stair case going down, which he walked towards. This was going to be easy.

Suddenly, a ring of bright purple flames burst up around him. Sonic quickly jumped back, his heart pounding. The flames shot up even higher. Sonic took a deep breath. He was almost fried hedgehog.

Now that he looked closer, there were rings in the brick work. He had to be careful. The flames died down as Sonic breathed. He calmed down. He took a step back towards the stair case. Then another. He then just started walking. As normal.

He started descending down the staircase, one foot at a time. He looked around. This place was actually pretty crazy. It had walls like a fortress, stone and sturdy. The sky was full of dark purple clouds, which crackled with light purple lightning. The world seemed to have a purple hue.

He got to the bottom of the stair well, and followed the straight path to the gate of the fortress. When he arrived, however, there appeared to be a massive block of clear purple in his way. Sonic touched it. The block was ice. Sonic frowned, and could hear a strange cracking. He ran around the castle. This was the only way inside.

Sonic looked at the block, curled up, and slammed into it. His spin dash only hurt himself. Sonic growled, and small flames appeared on the sides of the walkway. "Alright, tough guy, you want to play like that?"

He ran back, and charged forward, spin dashing twice as hard into the block of ice. He hurt himself again. Sonic growled angrily, "YOU STUPID PIECE OF ICE!" As he shouted, though, flames roared from the sides of the walkway, and the ice began to drip.

Sonic got it. He thought about Sally, how prissy and bossy she was. He thought about Antoine, who always talked a big game, but was never there when it counted. He thought about Fiona, who now had an easy life, despite the pain she put him and Tails through. Speaking of Tails, the little bugger needed to calm down, he was a kid, and needed to learn his place!

The fire burned brighter and hotter, and the ice thawed… Well… most of it.

All that was left, as Sonic was panting in anger, was a purple diamond shape. The Chaos emerald of emotion, feeling and communication. Sonic picked it up, and smiled. He felt… relieved…. Calmed… happy. No fires emerged, and he ran to the top of the pyramid. Looking at the Emerald, he smiled, "You had a real clever test, huh?"

The Portal appeared, and Sonic jumped through, arrive back in New Freedom HQ.

Sonic smiled up at everyone, and held up the Emerald Triumphantly. Everyone in the room was tense. Sally was worried.

Sonic looked around, Tails… again. Sonic turned around, and crouched down, "Rotor, where's Tails?"

Rotor shook his head, "I'll get the portal up again."

Sonic got ready…. When the portal opened, and a terrified, two Tailed fox appeared. He was panting, and looked up, panicking even more.

"Tails?" Sonic asked, walking closer to not startle him any further.

Tails flinched and backed away, looking most terrified of Sonic… before standing up, "T-Tails… Yeah." Tails gave a weak smile, panting.

"What happened in there." Sally asked. Tails seemed a little less panicked when Sally spoke.

"I…. Got lost… I got scared… and you left me." Tails looked at Sonic, still nervous.

"You said you wanted to do it alone." Sonic muttered.

"Did I?" Tails asked curiously. He was still confused. But he didn't, he just wanted to lead the expedition.

Sonic frowned, "I'm sorry… buddy."

Tails licked his lips, "Yeah… it's ok."

Sonic frowned, but them smiled, "At least you are back in one piece. I knew you'd make it through." Sonic tried to joke.

Tails smiled weakly, "Yeah…"

Something was off. Maybe Tails needed a break?

"Hey buddy, let's get something to eat." Sonic tried.

The Fox perked up, "Let's go."

/*-*/

Fiona tensed up, as the measuring tape wrapped around her chest. It was rather tight, but that was the idea. To measure all her body to provide a form fitting dress. The tailor tighten the measuring tape, earning a gasp from Fiona.

"Sorry miss, just making sure the measurements are accurate." He laughed behind her.

I'm sure. Fiona thought skeptically. He was just going as far as he could without his wife getting upset across the room.

Alister seemed just as uncomfortable, but the Sheep was being as gentle as she could. "You're being very brave."

Alister looked down at his feet. The little guy was embarrassed. Fiona gave her best comforting smile. Alister was still looking down.

The measurements went around the waists next. The Tailor wrapped the tape around her hips, then tightened it again. "Hmmm, alright, I've got your measurements." The tailor almost sounded disappointed.

Fiona, on the otherhand, was thrilled. Two tailors and a three days of measurements, but she was finally free… or as free as she could be. Fiona was still technically a prisoner, and that was hard for her to remember.

As the Tailor left the room, Fiona walked over to Alister, who was shuffling nervously. She tapped his shoulder, "Hey, calm down, and stand straight up."

The little guy followed her commands. The Wife of the Tailor smiled, and went to work measuring the little fox's waist. His tail wagged curiously. The tape wrapped around his waisted, and he jerked ever so slightly, but held still.

Fiona smiled, keeping a hand on his shoulder.

The wife of the Tailor smiled, "You've got good strong hips. That means you'll grow to be big and strong."

Alister looked down bashfully, "Thank you ma'am."

"You're so sweet and polite. That's everything, you can go play now." She smiled.

Alister ran out of the room, but not before looking back at Fiona, who shrugged. Which the little fox took as a sign of approval, so he went outside.

The Tailor came back in, and Fiona sat down.

"I have a fine variety of styles." He handed Fiona a book, which she Flipped through. Too frilly, too bulky… another too frilly..

Fiona wasn't liking the options at her disposal. In fact, they all seemed… prudish, pompous, arrogant. She wanted something a little more freeing, more movement, lighter on the body. Then she saw it… the perfect design.

"This, in black." Fiona pointed at the book.

"A-Are you sure. That's an…interesting design. But would your brother approve?" He asked, nervously.

Fiona shrugged, "I don't care. I want it. In black."

The Tailer sucked his lips in, but conceded with a nod. He left to go down stairs his wife followed, not before giving Fiona a curious look.

Fiona walked down the hallway to find Frederick stroking his head nervously, talking with a trader, "I need more. If this party it to be acceptable, we can't run out of things like good wine."

"I can look around, but understand it takes time to transport this stuff, and it can get expensive, especially with the recent losses of wine country."

Frederick nodded, "Just do what you can."

The merchant left.

Fiona walked up to her brother, who seemed to be shaking, "What's going on, what if I can't get this done."

"Sheesh, calm down." Fiona groaned, slumping against the wall next to him.

"I can't be calm, If I wait, things will go horribly. I need…. I need..." Frederick panted.

"When was the last time you ate?" Fiona countered.

Olivia walked over, "Don't even try it. He won't leave for anything."

"I ate fine. This morning's breakfast was enough." Frederick growled.

"No, No, you are going to eat something, and drink something." Fiona growled, "Gosh, I'm turning into mom. Look you need to calm down and relax."

Frederick frowned, "I'm not going to-"

"If I have to drag you out, I will!" Fiona raised her voice, shaking Frederick back down.

Frederick gave in, "Very well…. I'll eat something."

"Let's go." Fiona smiled, and they went out.

A chilidog salesman was fine. The two grabbed a couple of dogs under the setting sun.

Fiona walked back to her room, and got ready for bed. As she looked up at the moon from her window, Fiona felt a sense of comfort. She was home.

Her eyes wandered down the window… Something was watching her. A pair of glowing red eyes reflected in the window. It was in the room! Fiona jerked around, her fist balled. Nothing. Fiona pretended she didn't feel breath on her neck. It was her imagination.

"PAPA!" A cry came from Alister's room. Fiona burst out of the door, as did Frederick. They ran and slammed open the door to the young child's room. Alister lay there on the floor, crying in pain. His arm hung out limp. Fiona ran over, but was outpaced by Frederick. The two guards stood there, confuses.

Frederick opened Alister's hand, which was clenched tight. His palm was bleeding, like something had cut him.

Frederick shouted at the guards, "WHAT WERE YOU DOING?"

"We were outside his room sir…" The guards muttered nervously.

Frederick's face turned back to Alister, who was whimpering, "Hey… You'll be ok. OLIVIA, GET SOME BANDAGES!" Frederick asked, "What did this to you."

"T-The Fox…" Alister muttered, "The black fox." He cried, tears streaming down his face, "Daddy, I don't want to be alone."

Frederick stroked his son's head, "Ssh, I know, you can sleep with us tonight."

Fiona felt nervous. There was an intruder in the house?

Frederick looked at her, then to the guards, "You will keep watch over my sister, do you hear?"

They nodded vigorously.

"You can sleep in the day, but nothing is going to happen to anyone else in my house. We will investigate in the morning." Frederick growled.

Fiona still found it hard to get sleep.

/*-*/

One of the many benefits of being in an enemy prison was time. Time to think, to evaluate your position. Johan had done this. And came to a conclusion. Fate wanted him in a cycle.

He'd fight the Garden Defender, lose, get injured, and retreat. Now, he was in prison, escaped, lost and got sent back to prison. Twice.

Something was wrong, but if Johan was going to defy fate, he needed to stand firm and hold his grip.

He trudged around in his cell. The betray was to be expected. The Princess had little reason to keep him around, aside from honor. The fact that he was now in prison was proof of this society's morally bankrupt state.

This was fine. He had tested their honor, and found their style. Now, he knew better than to trust them. He'd now keep an eye on their state when making deals. He could escape, but he was better than them. They were weak, dishonest, and cowardly. He would show them the proper path to walk.

He looked up at the moon, from the cell bars. It was full in the sky. Johan knelt in his anointing light.

He stopped. He felt it, something from beyond. He began growled, primally, but if approached, he needed to assert his strength.

"Dude, what the hell!" The Young guard shouted, backing away from the door.

Johan continued to growl, hoping to deter the aggressor.

The guards were looking at the stair well now, concerned.

"What's up with you?" the old one asked cautiously and curiously. He was smart enough to know that if Johan could tell it was bad news, he should be worried.

Johan felt the presence retreat. He let out a breath to return his body to a resting state. A wizard, a magician…. Something of sorts. It was an invader, of the dimensional kind. Johan knew because he himself led many invasions into many dimensions.

Still, that magical force had a familiar presence, like the Garden Defender, but more malicious. Johan would remain on his guard.

/*-*/

I am taking a week break because of college. Please review to keep motivation high.

Furthermore, keep an eye out for my Spooky month special, "The Phoenix."