Merendinoemilano: Well, some laughs have happened. Now, things are going to get a little sad, and serious.
/*-*/
Sonic climbed out of the hospital. He was a little woozy, but apparently, he had been cured. Sally looked thrilled as she helped him stand up. Once Sonic was on his feet, he stretched out, feeling his stiff legs finally loosen up.
Sonic looked at the door and walked out. Amy and Tails were waiting there…but no one else. They were probably busy.
Tails looked up and gave a small smile and wave. He seemed… disturbed.
Amy looked quite terrible. Her eyes were half lidded, as though she was struggling to stay awake. Her eyes slowly processed Sonic's form standing before her.
She jumped up, "You're better?"
"I got discharged today." Sonic smiled, stretching out his arms to give her a hug.
Amy jumped into his arms, but Sonic felt her sling herself into him. She barely caught her and kept her from falling on her face.
"Woah, are you ok?" Sonic asked leaning down to look at his good friend.
"yep… Just testing your reaction time." Amy laughed groggily. She seemed to slump down, as if her body weighed a ton.
Sonic nodded slowly, "Have you not been getting much sleep?"
Sally shook her head as Amy tensed up.
"I-I've been fine." Amy muttered, her chest beating really fast.
Sonic felt her pull away, "Are you sure? Do you need a nap?"
Amy's eyes seemed to be distant, but she still shook her head, "No, I don't need a nap."
Tails looked slightly upset, "Sonic, stop getting in her business."
Sonic felt himself get a little angry, "I'm not "getting in her business" I'm asking if she's ok."
Tails growled, but Amy interrupted, "Both of you shut up!... Thank you Sonic for asking about me… but I'm fine."
Tails and Sonic looked at each other, and nodded.
Sally stepped in, "Ok everyone… let's get back to Freedom HQ, Sonic has some stuff to do in Roja, and we have to get our network set up… and I have some business to do with recruiting…"
Sonic nodded, Tails shrugged, and Amy sighed in relief. Sonic scooped up Sally, and Tails lifted Amy after they checked out of the hospital. Vanilla was still comatose, but she was healthy. Sonic thankfully didn't have bills to pay, as Freedom Fighters got free treatment, but still...
They arrived back at Roja, and Tails set Amy down. She looked nervous, and mildly distraught. Sonic was about to ask about her, and he opened his mouth.
Amy looked like she was ready to breakdown, but right as Sonic was about to ask, he heard Sally.
"Ok, here he is, tell him what you told me?" Sally explained.
The Cobbler's guildmaster, Carpenter's guildmaster, and an old Baboon stepped forward.
Sonic blinked, "What's up?"
"It has come to our understanding that this city requires some form of impartial security." Spoke the Cobbler's guildmaster, "We've decided to agree upon a tax that won't harm us any, and will allow you to carry out the necessities of our dear city."
Sonic nodded, "Uh… Ok, how do I add these taxes?"
"We will uphold our guilds' responsibilities. This tax will be our responsibility… of course you are free to double check our work if you believe we should somehow cheat you any money." The Baboon stated as if it were obvious.
Sonic nodded, "Alright… I'll get to work on a…guard system or whatever." Sonic tried to sound interested, but he was more concerned with what Amy and Sally were doing.
"Very good. Also, might we be expecting a manor soon enough? It would be good to establish a presence so our workers understand that this is an official tax." The Fox from the carpenter's guild explained.
Sonic frowned. He really wasn't getting out of that huh? Sonic nodded. "I'll…ask around for a good design… I think I'll come up with something."
"Very good." Nodded the Fox.
Sonic cleared up his throat, feeling the sun set on his city, "I… Uh… got to deal with something." Sonic explained.
The three nodded, and left him. Sonic ran up to freedom HQ, and stopped by the mess hall. He grabbed some soup and bread, eating it quickly. Rotor would probably be mad at him later, but Sonic didn't care.
He walked down the hallway, looking for Amy's room. He finally saw a door cracked. When Sonic walked up, he listened closely.
"This… I can't keep doing this." Amy was crying.
"You have to be specific, we can't help you if we don't know what's wrong." Sally's voice whispered softly.
"Please Amy, you can tell us." Tails pleaded.
"You wouldn't understand… I see him every night! I can't sleep." Amy's tears reverberated through the room.
"Amy…" Sally tried.
"Please… I just want to sleep…" Amy sighed with tears.
Sonic frowned, and walked away. Ironically enough, he felt like curling up and going to sleep.
"What can we do to help? Do we need to take you to Doctor Quack?" Sally's voice faded off.
Sonic laid down on his untouched bed for he did know how long. His eyes were closed… but he couldn't sleep. Because he wasn't tired… he was just hoping to sleep and find a solution.
Lights out fell on the new HQ… which felt cold. Not Johan's freezing blizzard, no this was a different kind of cold. This was a chill that couldn't be felt on the outside, but could be grabbed on the inside. Sonic starred at the ceiling. Problems after problems rose, and every time they solved one, another came in it's place. It was…exhausting.
Sonic licked his lips, and sighed. His life was exhausting, always problems on the rise, and never seeming to get anywhere. Hopefully, Rosemary would give them the approval to head out and knock Eggman back to his lab. Sonic needed a real win.
He froze as he heard movement in the hallway. Sonic got up, and went to check on what was going on.
His eyes adjusted as he cracked the door, spotting Amy, in her buttoned up pajamas walking through the hall, carrying…. A bag…
Sonic saw the bag swish around, tapping a walk, causing Amy to freeze.
"Amy?" Sonic asked, hoping she wasn't doing what he thought she was doing.
Amy jerked up, and looked around to see him, "Sonic? Why are you up?" She sounded scared… and teary eyed.
"I was… kind of hungry… can we get something?" Sonic asked, hoping that she would say yes.
"I…err… Ok." Amy frowned, but the glints in her eyes started to show.
Sonic and Amy walked into the kitchen and sat down. Sonic got up and found some peanut butter. He made them both a peanut butter sandwich, which was all he could reasonably do in the culinary department.
"So… why are you up?" Sonic asked, hoping for a lie as he eyed the bag.
Amy's throat locked up and she placed a hand around her neck, seeming to force down the chunk of sandwich. Sonic got up and quickly got her some milk.
"I… I can't do this anymore." Amy muttered.
"What?" Sonic asked, as finally came back with the glass of milk.
"I can't be a Freedom Fighter anymore. I can't do this." Amy cried, slamming a fist on the table.
Sonic's eyes widened.
Amy continued, "I'm leaving tonight. I don't want everyone to be down, so I'll go and probably help Cream, or work at an orphanage."
Sonic frowned, "You can't leave, we'll miss you. I'm sure we can work this-"
Amy began to unbutton her sleepware, before discarding it to the floor. "Sonic… Every night, he drags me into the woods, he smashes my ribs, and throws me around like a doll. Every night, I feel everything he did to me that day."
Sonic's eyes drifted down her body to see the scars. Johan had smashed her ribs, and they had regrown with outward bend. Her belly was scarred, and her waist seemed to be curved inward.
"Now you want me to stay here, with the guy who did that to me… I can't Sonic." Amy cried, slowly covering herself up.
Sonic felt they were being watched.
"I won't go to Doctor Quack. "Oh, you have nightmares… yeah, I'll give you sleep medication". I can't do that. I'll go to Mercia… and try to live my life." Amy sighed, closing a shaking hand.
Sonic couldn't blame her. He couldn't even imagine the pain she had been in, how traumatizing that was. Still…. He couldn't let her leave just yet.
"Don't go tonight." Sonic decided to make his request plainly, as he placed a hand on her shoulder, "Please, everyone will be sad if you do. Let's say goodbye to everyone, and leave with laughs and hugs. Please."
Amy seemed stunned, which hopefully meant she'd agree. She did, "Alright… but can you do something for me?" She began to tap her fingers together nervously.
"Sure. What do you need?" Sonic asked, smiling. He realized this was Amy Rose, the girl who had been possessive and stalkerish for a few years of his life. He probably shouldn't have made that offer.
"Can you hold me tonight, and keep the nightmares away." Amy asked, nervously.
Sonic blinked. That was it? "Sure…. I'll hold you tonight." The finished their food and walked to her room.
Amy laid down on the bed, and Sonic crawled behind her. He wrapped his left arm under her, and his right arm over her. Sonic pulled her close in a hug.
He saw blue eyes watching in the doorway. Sally hopefully heard everything.
Amy began to giggle slightly.
"What's so funny?" Sonic asked, feeling slightly nervous. What was she up to?
"I think it's funny… that all it took was me leaving to get you in bed with me." Amy giggled, dozing off as she spoke each word.
"Yeah… funny." Sonic smiled, deciding to let her have the joke. He pulled her tighter, and closed his eyes.
/*-*/
Fiona's eyes drifted down the hallway, unamused at the sight. Little copper glints sat on the ground, pieces of a watch.
Fiona walked down the hallway, picking up little cogs and wheels. Part of her wondered if Sonic ever had to deal with this. Probably not.
Fiona gathered up all of the little pieces that would lead to questions like "How'd you get a gold watch?" and "Where'd Fiona grab it from?"
Fiona hated those questions. They tended to lead to her getting trouble.
She walked into the room the housed her nephew, to find him sitting on the bed, with his head in his hands.
Fiona knocked on the door to let him know she was inside, "You alright?"
Alister looked up, tears in his face. He looked old, older than any four year old had the right to look. He seemed tired and frustrated. "It won't work."
The stupid watch? That's why he looked so bad?
Fiona blinked, "Well, you're missing half of the pieces." She stretched out her hand, but Alister's eyes only lit up slightly.
"It's broken. I broke it, and it can't be fixed." Alister mumbled grumpily.
Fiona frowned. Did he have to be such a killjoy? Then she remembered…. No… yes… maybe.
"I know a fox could easily fix it." Fiona smirked slyly.
Alister shook his head quietly.
"Yes I do, I know a few people who could easily fix it." Fiona smirked slyly at him.
"Can the Green Hedgehog help?" Alister Asked softly.
Fiona tensed up, her jaw locked. How did… no way…
"W-Who?" Fiona asked, trying to brush it off.
"The green hedgehog… he looked like Lord Sonic. He talked to you outside… do you rememb-"
"Yes I remember." Fiona nodded slowly. How did he find out? "Tell you what… forget about him… I'll call my friend-" Probably not anymore "And you'll get your watch fixed… ok?"
Alister nodded, "If it can be fixed…" He muttered gloomily.
The sight of a carriage outside told Fiona to act quickly. She walked down the hall to the entry of the manor, now complete.
Frederick walked in, clearly glum from his experience.
"So… how'd it go?" Fiona asked sitting back against the dark corner at the bottom of the stairs.
"It… happened." Frederick sighed, "I fear I will bring more trouble to my home… once again I have failed my duties to protect us by angering the wrong people."
Fiona blinked, "Uh-huh, I'm sure we'll be fine."
"I did not forget your gift." Frederick sighed, holding up a box.
Fiona blinked… right, he owed her a sapphire bracelet. She opened the box, "Wow…" A silver chain… with a sapphire triangle glimmering. The triangle was easily the size of Fiona's palm. It bled beauty and power.
Fiona smiled, before shaking her head, "I need one more favor."
"What? What do you need now?" Frederick sounded slightly annoyed. She'd better not push her luck.
"I acquired a gift for Alister… and he-" She stopped, not wanting to incriminate the little guy, "-it ended up breaking. I need you to ask the Freedom Fighters to send over Rotor or Tails to help out."
"You want me to summon the Freedom Fighters… for a toy?" Frederick was clearly at the end of his rope.
"It's for Alister. The little guy is distraught with it being broken." Fiona pleaded, putting up the best smile she could.
Frederick sighed, and nodded, "Our issues are resolved after this, am I clear?"
Fiona nodded slowly, "Yes… You're clear, we'll be fine."
Frederick nodded, "I'll write the letter in the morning."
/*-*/
Johan trudged around his prize. The flying craft which he had downed seemed to be even larger up close. He found his entrance through tear in the side.
He opted to crawl on all fours, as it was still more comfortable than walking upright. His eyes were not much use, as the light seemed to dim the further he traveled into the flying fortress. His ear and nose served him better.
He could smell rotting flesh. A snack for later perhaps.
Johan sniffed his way until the smell was strongest.
"Motion Sensors activated, Welcome back" A voice boomed over Johan's head. Lights erupted, being slightly blinding until his eyes adjusted. Johan saw seven corpses, all red garden defenders. They were strung everywhere. Judging by their positions, some had died on impact, others had succumbed to wounds and injuries later.
Johan almost backed away, but even with the smell of rotting corpses, his stomach growled. Why waste food? He tore into the bellies of his snacks. The first garden defender seemed to be quite easy to rip apart, with the joints crumpling with ease.
He struggled with the second one's arm, which appeared to still have joint connectors. Johan locked his jaw on the spiny arm, and began to jerk. He tore it after a second tug, and began to chew it down.
Then… He saw it. A giant clear pipe. He could smell evil coming from it. Johan kept his distance, but growled at it. Something about the clear pipe, with it's metal hooks at the top felt… unnatural.
Johan stepped away, ready to smash it, but not entirely sure of its intended purpose. It may be useful later.
Johan found stairs which led to the upper level. He saw machines scattered about, battered and crushed from the impact of the craft.
As he trudged through this new layer, he saw the rooms light up from various small bulbs. Johan saw more corpses, and pieces of machines. Judging their position, he assumed they were either moved, or the machines had fallen from a room next to the large one he was in. There were small sphered in this room, which appeared to store power somehow.
Johan crawled over to the room, and could immediately tell what it was used for. The iron bars awaiting to be refined, the sight of large hammers, a strange table they were on that had arrows. Johan saw cans which appeared to leak liquid. This was a forge of some sort. Johan would see to repairing it later, once he understood everything about this craft.
Johan continued to walk around, but found very little of use. There appeared to be large rooms giant bowls of water, which told Johan of the unquenchable thirsts of the crew. He could not understand the reason for building small walls around each one, though. These rooms also had strange downward facing hooks which seemed to drip with water, an mirrors. Those were not uncommon among the conquered peoples the Saxons dealt with.
Another room was similar, but it lost of the bowls in favor of large walls with holes at the bottom.
Johan found a storage room, and several husks of machines. He also found a variety of the large racketen which had devastated the city. Perhaps they would be of use later.
Johan had a full area of his prize. He stacked the bodies away from the terrible machine which still disturbed him. he ate what he wanted to, but once Johan was full, he stuffed the bodies in a storage room for later.
He then set off back to the area where his contractor commanded from.
/*-*/
Please tell me what you all thought of the chapter and what you think is going to happen.