Merendinoemilano: I am setting things up once again. The next chapters will build the foundation for some major events.
John Victor Foxfire: YOUR BACK! WAHOO! So, I'm glad you all read the Phoenix, I was worried it wouldn't be read because it was a separate story. Sonic is certainly sick, and not in a good spot. He's going to suffer for a little bit. Rosemary is certainly hostile to the Acorns, but she is also politically minded, which leads me to the coming section of politics within the kingdom. Despotism, republicanism and feudalism are all pulling on the kingdom's power, and thus, the kingdom is in a disfunctional spot. Somethings are changing though…
Hamlin (or Porker as I had Sonic call him) is so malcontent that he no longer cares about the functionality of the kingdom. He represents a portion of the problems that will be addressed.
/*-*/
Sonic felt genuinely hot. He would love to make a joke about how he was the pinnacle of desire, but he was too busy trying not to combust from how hot his face felt. He felt something soft underneath him… Sonic opened his eyes to find a blast erupt in his skull.
Why did it hurt so bad? Sonic didn't want to open his eyes. It hurt just trying to force them open. His nose was running. He was definitely sick. Sonic stretched around… He was laying on a bed…. He knew that much.
Sonic finally worked up the courage to open his eyes. He was in a bed room… it appeared to be a lady's bed room. There were a few dressed discarded dresses strewn across the floor.
Sonic closed his eyes again. He was warm under the covers, and he felt tired. A sound rumbled through his ears, sending a spike into his brain. Sonic groaned as the rumbled turned into voices, which appeared to be arguing.
The door to the room opened, and Sonic felt his brain get torn into from the slam.
"Look, he's here ok. I don't think he's alright." A female, sly voice, sounding somewhat panicked echoed through the room. Fiona? Yep, definitely Fiona.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!" Another feminine voice shouted. Sally.
Sonic cried at the sound of the noise. It was so painful, he felt like he was being ripped apart.
"He was like this when we went inside!" Fiona's voice rippled in a forced whisper.
"I am ordering the cooks be held until we figure this out." A male, soft voice growled. Frederick… definitely.
"We need to get him to a doctor." Fiona stated, "If he was poisoned-"
"I don't think he was poisoned. He wasn't feeling well before we came, but he was too stubborn to not come." Sally sighed, tapping her foot to create a series of earth quakes in Sonic's skull.
Sonic tried to speak, but all that came out was a groan. He was thirsty. He was hot, and he was cold. He felt everything at once.
Sonic saw a figure walk up to him, "Hey… how are you?"
Sonic coughed a little, "Water." Was all he could get out. He didn't want to say anything else.
The figure disappeared. A hand stroked his face comfortingly. Sonic wasn't sure how to respond. He didn't even know who was touching him.
Sonic felt a hand place something hard to his lips. A glass? Sonic opened his mouth and felt moisture touch his throat. The water tasted amazing. Sonic finally pulled back for air.
When he could breath again, he asked once more, "Water."
The figure disappeared.
Fiona's voice came echoed through the room, "We need to get him to a hospital or something."
"Can it wait until after the party?" Frederick's voice sounded nervous.
"It might not. You want to deal with a corpse of a noble in your house." Fiona growled back. Sonic was touched by that, almost enough to not feel like he was in hell.
A hand returned with more liquid. Sonic drank it, before feeling sleep call to him once more. Sonic closed his eyes.
He strangely didn't dream. He felt soft hands on him. He felt cold and hot.
Sonic felt himself on something hard. He felt weak, really weak. He was having trouble even breathing. What was wrong with him? He felt heat on his face.
Sonic dared to open his eyes, and found light beating down on him. It was daylight. He was in something hard, and it was moving. A carriage?
Sonic heard the neighs of the horse. Definitely a carriage. He closed his eyes once again. He wanted more water. He was wet around the waist. Did he…. That would be embarrassing.
Sonic felt nauseas as the carriage ran over bumps. He groaned, but couldn't stand yet. He couldn't even move. Sonic felt… helpless. He was hurting, tired and embarrassed.
Sonic opened his eyes after what felt like a few minutes, but instead of the sun on his face, a figure stood over him. The figure wore a black hood, and his face was completely hidden in darkness. One of his hands was skin, wrinkled and dry. The other hand was green… as though it were infected. It dripped a light yellow puss out of the cracks in his fingers.
The man just stood over Sonic. Sonic wanted to know what he wanted. But the guy just sat there as Sonic lay in the cart.
Everything was quiet as Sonic felt his eyes get really heavy. He went back to sleep. He heard a cry as he closed his. A hand was pushing on him. Sonic shifted slight, but felt really weak.
/*-*/
Fiona saw the carriage go off to Mobotropolis, carrying Sonic to the hospital. Sonic's eyes had dark circles around them, and he was really pale. There was a term for it?
The shadow of death…
Fiona's realization made her shudder, and also feel terrible. Not just in the sense of sadness, but also in the sense of confusion. Did she really forgive Sonic for her time in Robotnik's prison. Fiona found herself dreading a world without him. Did that qualify as forgiveness?
Did she want to be forgiven? Was she sorry… truly? Fiona flopped down on her bed as she thought about it. She gazed up at the ceiling.
Scourge was a lot of fun. His sly nature, the freedom he gave her. She wouldn't give it up. Scourge was a blast. To go where she wanted, do what she wanted? Absolutely amazing.
But at the same time, Scourge did things she didn't quite agree with. He was quick to get violent, even when they could settle things more… diplomatically. Scourge had a self-esteem issue that would flare itself after any defeat, and he got scary. In so many ways, he was what Sonic could be without restraint.
Bottomless passion, no inhibitors. A crazy, fun time. Fiona smiled softly. She was prisoner now, she had to keep reminding herself about it. Even still, she wouldn't trade her time with Scourge for the world.
Sonic presented a different piece of her. She didn't want him to die, and he made her feel happy. He had a charm to him, and though he could feel unbearably selfless and preachy, he was always there with a gust of wind to help if you needed it. He didn't get dangerous when he lost confidence, and wasn't quick to violence.
Still, Sonic was shackled to an unbearable self-righteousness. He'd always do what was right, all of the time, regardless of what she'd want or need. He could never understand the actual world because he's been sheltered by the royals. He's had an easy life.
Fiona sighed looking up. Was she angry at him? Did she care anymore?
Her door opened up, and Fiona sat up. Frederick walked in, looking less than pleased. He sat down in the chair by her dresser. He looked mildly stressed.
Fiona raised an eyebrow, and smiled, "Hey, what's up with you?"
"I want to ask you some questions." Frederick sighed, rubbing his temple, "What were you doing away from the party?"
"Alister was upset, so I took him to the inner garden to calm him down. That's all." Fiona shrugged, "Why?"
"How did you find Sonic?" Frederick asked, a hint of accusation in his voice.
"I didn't." Fiona's jaw clenched as she glared at her brother.
"You must have, you were the one who brought the princess and I to him." Frederick growled, pulling at his hair.
"Sonic found me inside the garden." Fiona explained, groaning at her brother's hostile stance.
"So you deliberately interacted with him!" Frederick growled, his breathing getting heavy.
"Yeah, he came and talked with me. So what?" Fiona growled back.
"I have a very delicate situation within the kingdom. I am trying to balance being a good diplomat for our king, and keeping the nobles happy. I told you to stay away from him!" Frederick snarled, "I don't need the princess hating me."
"You're playing politics! I was just hanging out. I didn't make him sick, I didn't hurt him." Fiona defended.
"YOU DID! NOT LAST NIGHT, BUT YOU TARNISHED OUR FAMILY !" Frederick shouted, veins popping out of his neck.
Fiona froze, and balled a fist, "So that's what this is about? I told you something about my past, and you are going to use it against me. Jokes on you, I don't regret what I did." Fiona glared at him, as he slowly shrank down.
"I didn't intend-" She wasn't going to him the chance.
"You can leave now. I am done talking." Fiona growled, rolling over. She knew what she was doing. She was going to work this around.
"I am sorry, that was-" Frederick started.
"You are just as bad as the rest of them. I did what I had to do to survive. But keep looking down on me with that high-horse of yours." Fiona growled, "I don't want to talk to you. Go ahead and send me back to prison."
"Please, Aria-" Frederick started.
Fiona whipped around, "I'M NOT ARIA! I AM FIONA NOW!"
Frederick flinched, "Fiona… please… let me make it up to you. I didn't mean to be harsh. Please, tell me what I can do to make amends. We're all that's left of our family." Frederick begged.
Fiona rolled over and sighed. He was good. He wasn't even trying to use her weakness. He just played it perfectly without trying. Her heart strings got tugged hard.
Fiona sighed again, "I will keep you to that. Leave me alone."
Frederick let out a breath, "Very well. I await your response…. Fiona."
She heard her door close, and starred up at the ceiling once again. She had family in the world. She had a brother, and a nephew. A…sister-in-law…
Her world really was changing. A light tapping struck her window. Fiona turned to see a small drizzle of rain rolling down the glass.
Fiona felt torn in so many places. She could have a nice quiet life if she stayed her. She could get fat and never worry about anything. But that sounded boring. Fiona wanted some excitement in her life.
Suddenly, something a lot harder than water hit her window. A small rock.
Fiona walked up to it and looked down at the hoodlum who'd dared to- it was… Scourge. She opened the window, "What are you doing?"
"I was just hangin around. I saw you get caught, so I waited for the right time to strike. Let's go babe." Scourge grinned at her. His jacket was getting wet as he stood there.
Fiona almost jumped out the window. He'd took way too long. But, she had a couple doubts that held her back. Did she even want to go back? Was she cut out for that life?
"Listen-" She started, thinking of an excuse, "The Freedom Fighters are looking around for you. If we go, they'll be on your tail. You need to get back up in case things get rough."
"Oh come on, I like it rough." Scourge joked, raising his voice in a clearly daring fashion. He was trying to get caught.
Fiona felt a shiver down her spine, but she held true, "I'm serious. The last thing we need is to get cornered with no way out. I'm not giving up what little freedom I got from playing the sweet little girl for a half-assed rescue."
Scourge frowned, running his tongue over his teeth, "You really aren't comin huh?"
"Not yet." Fiona stated haughtily.
"I don't get why you aren't locked up, but alright. I'll be back… once I find some help." Scourge growled.
"And I'll be here." Fiona smiled slyly.
"Oh you'll be here, and I'd better get a lovely little reward for all the trouble I am going through." Scourge returned her sly smile.
"Oh get out of here before we both get in trouble." Fiona growled down at him.
He gave a two finger salute, and vanished. That should give Fiona plenty of time to evaluate her decision. Still, she was getting worked up, just thinking about all of problems with either side. She needed to pinch herself something pretty to calm her down.
Actually… she didn't need to steal it. She had a favor.
Fiona walked down to Frederick's room, only to find him sitting outside it with Alister.
"Listen… you can't bite people."
"I know dad, I was just… scared. I don't know what happened."
"…Maybe you're a little young for balls." Frederick sighed in disappointment. Couldn't he see that Alister was in shock at the ball. Fiona had a feel something was different in Alister's head.
"I'm sorry dad." Alister looked down at the ground. The kid wanted to make his dad happy, but instead got disappointment.
"Just… Try to be more social next time. And please don't bite any guests… Or I'll start biting you… like this." Frederick poked his son softly in the stomach.
Alistor moved his hands to guard the tender area, only to find a second finger in his side. Alister kept moving as his father barraged him with a wave of tickles. The little fox giggled uncontrollably.
Fiona stepped into view, "How sweet. How are you doing?"
Frederick stopped tickling Alister enough for the fox to jump away. He looked up at Fiona, "I love the watch. It turns really fast and makes every part tick. The little gears…. They're smooth. They stopped turning though." Alister jumped in excitement.
Fiona blinked, "It's broken."
"I'll figure it out." Alister ran back into his room.
Fiona blinked. Something was definitely off in his head. She turned to Frederick.
He licked his lips, "Ar- Fiona… I want to apologize."
Fiona crossed her arms. She really just wanted a bracelet, but she'd listen, just so he'd be a bit more cooperative.
"Sonic told me you had a rough history… I didn't understand it fully. But Sonic did say that he thinks you are a good person. You just have a different moral line than us. I never thought anything of what that meant. I am glad to call you my sister, and I know life hasn't been easy for you… but I do like you in my life." Frederick bowed his head emotionally.
Fiona blinked… wow. That was… rough on her. Fiona pinched her thigh, "Wow… that's…sweet. You aren't off the hook, though."
Frederick sighed, "I know…"
"I want to be able to talk to who I want. No interference or politics." Fiona stated, "And I want a bracelet. Something blue to compliment my fur."
Frederick frowned, "I… Suppose I can arrange something. I do believe you will…. Have an easier time if Lord Sonic is in your life… I hope he is. I like him in my life as well.
/*-*/
Johan walked through the great capital of their so called "kingdom."
He had been summoned here by his contractor, but guards escorted him… not to a dungeon, but to the Princess Sally.
"Sonic is sick." She explained from the chair as the Garden Defender lay on the bed. Johan did not need her to tell him this.
The Garden Defend cast the shadow of death. He would be dead by- no.
Johan crawled towards the small creature. A duck in a white outfit backed away.
Johan felt it's presence once again. If he was truly Johan the great…. He would be able to do what he had several times before, this time on someone else.
Johan must defeat the Garden Defender in fair, open combat. Honor dictated it. So Death could not have him.
Johan felt Death's presence looming. Johan growled and laid for the challenge.
A wind blew through out the room, despite lacking windows.
Johan crawled on the bed which Sonic lay and snarled at the direction he sensed the entity.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Sally cried out. She was blind, clearly.
Johan could smell Death, and he would not be defeated. He spoke clear and straight, "I am Johan the Saxon. Johan the Destroyer, Johan the Invincible. You know my power. I have beaten you back before. If you think you can best me now, then stay. I must kill him, not illness."
A harsh wind blew through the room, knocking papers over… rippling curtains.
Death was mad, but it left. Johan had done it…. Or perhaps Death did not wish to risk… no… Johan was himself.
/*-*/
Alright, I'm trying to get back on track with this. I'll torn between classes and work, but I will try to keep a schedule up.
Please leave a review about what you thought about the chapter, to keep my excitement going. I love to hear my audience think.