Victor John Foxfire: Sonic's body wasn't quite ready to fight new illness he was exposed to, and that allowed it to spread and get bad really quick. Scourge has been waiting, and keeping an eye on his ruby for a while now… I'm sure nothing bad will ever come from Scourge getting back in Fiona's life…

So… Johan did not actually make Sonic better, he simply scared Death off from taking him, specifically just before midnight. Johan is a wild man, which means he has a lot sixth senses that are lost due to lack of refining. Sticks, Rough and Tumble would have felt a presence leave, but most of the city dwelling mobians had more trust in what they could see, and what machines could tell them. Of course… Death isn't always easily deterred.

Merendinoemilano: I am working extra hard to get you all fun, and enjoyable characters.

/*-*/

Sonic wasn't quite sure what was going on. He was on the hill around… old mobotropolis… Oh… this was a dream. Where was everyone then?

Sonic was outside the city, but there were still usually kids outside. He ran down into the city. Everything seemed… fake.

The buildings looked like they were made of modeling clay, the windows looked like they were made of plastic. Except for the bottom parts of the buildings. Those seemed to be kind of defined.

Sonic made his way down the street, until he got to the inner circle of town. There he a voice…. His voice, a little kid's voice.

"Why do I have to wait out here." Little Sonic said, sitting on a carraige outside the draw bridge.

Chuck shook his head, "Sonny, it's only for a few minutes. You'll probably get your chance to talk with the king at some point, but he is a very busy man."

Sonic groaned, "But Uncle chuck-"

"Sonic, if you leave this cart, I'll tan your hide when we get home." Jules growled firmly.

"Yes dad." Little Sonic muttered. Sonic was so young back then, so stupid about how the world worked. Still, his dad was right… about a lot of things. He just couldn't see when he was so little.

Sonic felt a chill in his back, as figures passed by. This part of the town was kind of detailed. Things looked like stone and wood, not just clay. As his eyes circled around, they settled on a dark figure.

This guy was really tall, and wore a black robe. Something about this guy seemed… out of place. He was creeping ever closer to Sonic, and it was kind of disturbing.

Sonic shook his head. This was a dream, and this guy might look creepy, but he was probably just a traveler.

Something about this felt off though. The figure's fingers were weird…one hand was wilted down, like an old man. The other had a nasty green rot that was oozing and dripping puss.

Sonic felt nauseous just looking at him. Sonic didn't remember this guy from any memory or history. The fact that his face was hidden under a dark veil made Sonic even more cautious.

The figure finally made it to Sonic, as his little self called out to someone, 'Oh hey, you! You wanna play rock paper scissors?"

Sonic looked away from the horrifying man to see the target of his younger self's offer. A family of red foxes, with several girls and a few young men walking towards the kingdom.

Little Sonic was completely ignored, except for a couple of haughty laughs from the ladies, and…a small, shy wave from the red fox with an orange bow in the back of her hair.

Sonic frowned. How many little details did he forget?

Sonic turned back as a puss filled hand extended from the Hooded figure. He could see Sonic? Sonic stumbled back, before bolting up… in a hospital bed… with Doctor Quack pinning him back down.

Sonic struggled a little, not quite sure if everything was as it seemed.

"Easy boy, easy." Doctor Quack muttered, "You're alright."

Sonic finally settled down, and gasped. His throat was dry to the point of being sore. His lips stung, and his breath stunk. Sonic recoiled at the smell, and blinked as it hurt his eyes to stay open.

Doctor Quack nodded, "You're friends will be here soon. They've been visiting you every day."

Sonic opened his mouth, and was immediately reminded why he kept it closed.

Doctor Quack nodded, and walked over to the sink, and filled a plastic cup with water. He brought it over to Sonic, and carefully put it to the hedgehog's lips.

"So… you've had a bacterial infection. We aren't quite sure what caused it, but it appeared to be a blood thriving bacteria. It probably entered through a cut or abrasion." Doctor quack explained as Sonic made the water disappear.

Sonic gasped as his blood finally began to flow again. He felt hot, and licked his lips.

"You're still ill. The strain seems to be really weak to antibiotics, but it's spread through out your body." Doctor Quack finished, "Any questions?"

Sonic raised a heavy hand, and grasped some more. He needed more water.

Doctor Quack got the message, and got up to refill the glass. He brought it back to Sonic, who downed it instantly.

Sonic gasped for air, "How long have I been out?"

"Four days. We've been trying to keep you alive, but also scared that you'd be contagious. As it turns out, the bacteria spreads through blood and feces. It can't survive out in the open very well. Still, I'm surprised you survived." Sonic felt his heart rate shoot up. Four Days?

A Hippopotamus nurse opened the door to the hallway, "Sir, he has a visitor."

Doctor Quack nodded, "Bring them in."

The a figure walked through the door. Sonic was hoping it would be Sally or Tails. Instead he recognized her right away, "ROSEMARY?" Sonic almost shouted, before coughing in pain as his throat caught.

"You're awake, good. That means we can speed this up." Rosemary stated coldly. Sonic cleared his throat, and Rosemary turned to Doctor Quack, "I need some private time with him."

"I can't just leave a patient-" Doctor Quack started.

Sonic cleared his throat, "It's good."

Doctor Quack looked at Sonic confused, but shrugged, "Don't kiss him, don't drink his blood, don't get too close to his face."

Rosemary glared coldly at the Doctor, clearly not amused by the joking tone. Once he left the room and the door closed, Rosemary immediately asked, "What did you find out?"

"Really? I've been sick for… I don't know, and you want me to answer your question?" Sonic groaned.

"The Council of Nobles is in two days. I would like to work on our king to hopefully keep the kingdom together. I was going to have them manually wake you if you weren't awake when I arrived. I hope that explains the dire nature of the situation." Rosemary calmly stated. It was only now that he noticed how tight her jaw was, how stiff she was moving. She was wound up tighter than any screw.

Sonic nodded, "The Southerns want to leave the kingdom. The others want Max back. They both noticed Nagus is really stupid, and they both don't like how he's messed with their armies and control. They think his "posturing" is bad, what ever that means. That's all I got." Sonic sighed, "They want me to join their little groups. I asked them to give sometime to think."

"Things are indeed dire." Rosemary muttered, "You've kept your end of our deal. I'll work on mine… once you are better."

Sonic blinked at her, "You do care." He joked with his raspy voice. He definitely needed some milk… soup even sounded good.

"I don't like to admit it, but you are one of the biggest checks for Eggman's power. We need you." Rosemary sighed, "And I am not as cruel as you think."

She left the room, with that. Sonic may have needed to rethink his approach towards her.

The door immediately opened, with Sally and Amy bursting through, "Sonic!" They wanted to hug him, he could tell from their stance. They were ready to jump on him, but they didn't.

Sonic gave them a weak smile. He still felt hot and had a massive headache.

Amy was happy, and all too quick to say, "I knew you'd be fine. I've just never seen you sick before."

Sally growled, "I asked you over and over if you were alright. You said you were fine. What were you thinking?" She sounded stressed and nervous. Sonic wasn't exactly booming with energy, so he stayed quiet.

"You are reckless, and stupid." Sally insulted him again. Sonic would have bit back any other day, but he just didn't feel like doing this right now.

Sally continued on, "You just can't seem to take care of yourself! Are you trying die? Do you want to hurt me?" She shouted.

Sonic's skull exploded, or at least it felt like it. He grabbed his pillow and tried to cover his ears. This was not fun.

Sally's voice falter. She was quiet. Did she leave?

Sonic eased the tightness of the pillow, and saw Sally sitting in a chair by the door, looking off into space. She seemed torn between being sad and angry.

Amy had her hands up in a silent, "calm down" gesture, trying to keep Sally from shouting. Sally let a breath out of her nose.

Sonic just lay there, tired. The infection was certainly taxing…taxes? Right he had to take care of Roja.

Sonic tried to sit up, but Amy ran over and slapped him down. Hard. Sonic started coughing on the bed.

"Sorry! Sorry!" She apologized desperately, "Wasn't thinking. Stay in bed."

"Roja… guards…" Sonic tried to speak, but coughing and feeling terrible were proving to be difficult tasks.

Sally walked over, apparently shaken out of her slump. She put a hand on Sonic's forehead. Slowly nodding, she gave a soft smile, "I'll go ask the elders and guild masters what they'll be willing to pay. You can work on it later. Get better… please."

Sonic frowned, and slumped back… dozing off into dreamland once again.

/*-*/

Fiona once again found herself starring at the ceiling. She frowned, once again debating with herself about her future. She could go with Scourge, and live as free as she ever wanted to. But that freedom would come with a cost. Fiona would lose her entire family… her nephew, her brother.

But to stay here? Be shackled to a life of either being traded for a political alliance or just never leaving the mansion? That wasn't living. She wasn't going to being a brainless bride who would just pumped out kids and looked pretty.

Fiona looked down, pressing her chin against the top of her ripcage. It was a little late for the latter part, but she didn't exactly want to lose beauty. Aside from some scars on her belly, Fiona was pretty… pretty.

Fiona stretched out and stood up, her newish outfit feeling rather nice and tight as she moved. New leather belly shirt and shorts were going to help with the cold, which was funny because she had fur to take care of any frost bite.

Fiona walked out of her room and down the stairs… to find Frederick with a bag packed standing at the door. "What's going on?" Fiona asked, raising her eyebrow.

"I am going to Mobotropolis to engage in the Council of Nobles." Right… it was that time again.

Fiona asked. "Can't you skip it? I wouldn't mind staying here with you."

Frederick gulped, "I promised Nagus I would help him with something. That was our agreement. I would get you, and he'd get a voice with the noblemen."

Fiona frowned. She didn't realize that he'd basically sold himself to Nagus for her freedom. Then again… how else was she there at Frederick's house.

"Guess I can't talk you into staying." Fiona asked, feeling surprisingly nervous. She was soft… vulnerable… Because she actually cared about him.

Frederick smiled softly, "I will be back… and I will bring you the finest sapphire bracelet I can find. Then will we be fair?"

Fiona remembered her strong arming, "Yeah… Ok… We'll be square. Just… I wouldn't mind spending a little more time with you."

Frederick smiled sadly, before walking out the door. Fiona smiled back as he left and got on a carriage.

Now she was alone, in the mansion… or at least it felt like it. Fiona walked back to her room. Come to think of it… Sonic would probably be there at the Noble Council… if he was better. Again she found herself hoping for his survival.

Ironic… She had spent so long hoping for his long… excruciatingly painful death. But… he wasn't to blame. The harsh reality had set in: no one person was to blame for all of the pain she endured. Still, Sonic left her at the hands of Robotnik. He didn't come back.

She felt herself get a little mad over that. Did she really forgive Sonic for letting her suffer just because he'd saved her brother?

Fiona frowned. She knew she just looking for an excuse to get angry. She didn't hate him for that time… because Fiona wouldn't have grown to be Fiona Fox. She would have been Aria of Apalsa, the sweet little ditz who'd somehow survived a terrible bombing. What she learned… couldn't be replaced by anything.

Fiona walked through the garden. She saw little Alister fiddling with the broke watch. His little tongue pressed up against his cheek. Fiona crept closer and saw him poking the insides with a little stalk from a plant. He pushed a gear and whipped the watch around. Alister smiled and set it down, before clapping. He picked it back up and flipped it around to began to poke the gears again.

Fiona jumped forward, "WHATAREYOUDOING?"

Alister jumped, and Fiona burst out laughing, "I couldn't resist, sorry."

Alister appeared to be in a shocked stated, before he looked down at the watch, back at Fiona.

"Aunt Aria… I broke it…" His ears and tail drooped submissively. He sounded so sad.

Fiona smiled down at him, "It's your watch. I don't blame you for it. I'm just glad you're having… more fun than I would have had with it."

Alister's face lit up "Wanna see me make it move?"

Fiona smiled, "Sure…" She didn't really feel like it… but Alister sounded really excited.

/*-*/

Johan sat in the prison. He did not mind it as much as he thought he would originally. The fact is that he expected to go to their prison.

Johan had time…. To do nothing. That was the angering part. He no longer saw any value in remaining in prison. He'd also made a deal, to protect the kingdom for freedom. But it seems no matter how much he did, the kingdom would remain hostile to him.

Still…. Something was different.

As Johan watched the parades of finely dressed creatures, most likely nobles of the realm, their eyes gazing into his with eyes full of respect. They knew fully his strength and capacity. They respected him for it.

Johan felt the change in the wind. He had a feeling… he would not be bound much longer.

/*-*/

So… a kind of big chapter coming up. Thanksgiving is also coming up, and make sure your family is prepared.

This was a pretty slow chapter, I'll admit. I actually came up with the last chapter two days before I was originally going to post this one. I did this because it felt off to go from kind of ill to better over the course of a chapter.