MerendinoEmilano: I wanted to give Amy a heartfelt send off. I don't like her because I started with the Sonic Adventure Era, so she was really annoying to me, but I still think she deserved more than a simple "goodbye". I also added a couple things that will come up later.

/*-*/

Sonic picked up the cluster of sand, watching it fall through his fingers. He hated the beach. There was sand which got everywhere, and causes rashes in the worst places. Then there was water, which had a bad habit of making Sonic's lungs not work properly. All around, the beach was so annoying to stay at.

Yet here Sonic was, standing on a dune, letting the oddity that was waves take hold. Something about them helped him feel calm. A lot had happened recently, and he needed to think. Or rather, he needed advice.

"What's up Sonny?" Chuck came up to Sonic from his little dock. He was apparently working on a transport raft for the kingdom. He'd retired from building weapons for the kingdom… to build weapons for the kingdom.

It would have been funny if Sonic didn't know how much Chuck hated the idea. But his uncle assured him that it was necessary.

"I… need some advice, from an old dude." Sonic sighed, sitting down at the dock's chairs. He pretty sure he felt sand crawl up his butt. Sonic was going to have great time later.

"Well… I'll have to find one… oh there's one, JULES!" Chuck laughed, and Sonic looked inside the main house of the dockyard.

His metallic father came out, his arm in the shape of a plasma cannon. Sonic saw it steaming.

"D-Dad? Everything alright?" His father's eyes were glowing with hostility. Then they began to dim.

"Sonic? Why are you here?" His father's metallic voice lacked emotion, it probably would have sounded confused.

"What are you doing here?" Sonic countered, confused by his father's steaming hand.

"Charles was developing a landing craft for the kingdom. This one will have better armor than the one I used." Julian Hedgehog stated firmly. Perhaps there was no snide intentions, but Sonic and Chuck looked away.

The little hedgehog was playing in his room. He had an awesome toy sword and a wooden shield he had made from an old table and rope he had found.

Sonic did a few mock thrusts, valiantly slaying his invisible foe. And not a second too soon.

"OLGILVE! COME HERE NOW!" His mother's call was serious. She even used his real name.

Sonic bolted down the stairs. The house was empty. Maybe she went outside? He opened the door, and heard crying.

Sonic ran out, to find a crowd huddled up around something. Maybe a next of sweet little birdies had fallen?

He pushed up, and tried to push through the crowd. Initially, his first obstacle, a young bear, seemed upset, before looking down. Then the bear seemed to take on a sad face, and parted. The next goat did the same, and Sonic found his way through the crowd.

Sonic finally made it to the center, to find Uncle Chuck kneeling down, crying and grasping a hand. Sonic saw two mobians, a fox and a cow, wearing white uniforms with red plus signs, standing over the center person, looking hopeless.

Sonic finally looked down. Blue quills, a gruff expression, teeth grit. His father was laying on a stretcher, clutching Charle's hand like a life line. His breathing was heavy.

Chuck looked Sonic, and back to his little brother, "Here he is… don't worry."

"Olgilve? Olgilve." Sonic's father gasped.

Sonic walked up. His father had a massive red spot across his chest, his legs were cut up, and the left side of his face was horribly bruised.

"D-Dad?" Sonic's voice was cautious. His father turned, with labored breaths.

"You listen here… no one tells you what to do… got it!" His dad commanded, throwing a hand up.

Sonic nodded, "Y-Yes dad? Big owchie?" Sonic was terrified. Why was his dad so hurt.

"Yes. I need you to take care of your mother! DO YOU HEAR ME!" Julian shouted angrily.

Chuck stepped in, "W-wait, stop talking like you're going to-"

"I AM GOING TO DIE! BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO LOOK GOOD!" Julian shouted, clutching his chest as his body began to quiver.

"I couldn't have known! I thought they were too small to-" Chuck pleaded.

"Oh save it. I'll die here because you. This isn't their fault for shooting at us, it's…. yours." Julian began to gasp shakily.

"GET HIM BLOOD!" Charles shouted at the medics.

"He's already dead, there's no point in del-" The Cow stated.

"GIVE HIM BLOOD! I'll pay whatever you need to keep him alive! I'll sell myself if I have to!" Chuck shouted at them, and the medics picked up the stretcher.

Sonic looked up at his uncle, and his dad being dragged away.

"Will Dad be ok?" Sonic asked, "Did you hurt him?"

Chuck watched the medic disappear off in the distance, "Yeah… He's hurt because of me. So I'm going to fix him. I won't let him die, I promise Ol-Sonic." He turned around and walked towards his lab, leaving a scarred hedgehog pup alone, shaking, depressed.

Sonic looked down at the ground. He knew the story. A landing invasion, defense batteries, an explosion. Armor crumpling and killing most of the attacking force. The rest, severely injured.

Julian's voice box lit up, "It was neither of your faults."

"No… you were right. I made those designs to look good on paper. I wanted it be cheap… I didn't think you would get hurt." Chuck sighed, looking away guiltily.

Julian shook his head, "I don't hate you for it."

Sonic found his shoes to be really interesting suddenly. He seme dot ick his own feet. He'd gotten really lucky in this war. They didn't have to break bunkers and be bombarded constantly.

"What's wrong Sonic?" His dad asked, and Sonic imagined actual concern in the voice.

"Nothing." Sonic sighed, and turned around.

"You're upset. I've known you your whole life. What's wrong?" Julian asked firmly.

Sonic stopped any attempt at walking away, "My life is…crazy. I keep messing up, and I can't ever breathe. I thought I'd be able to do what I want when I became an adult, but I think I have even more rules than when I was kid." Sonic vented, something inside him had twisted, and it wasn't right.

Julian and Chuck looked at each other and nodded. Sonic wasn't sure what they thinking, so he waited. Sonic's dad moved his metallic hand to gesture for Sonic to continue.

Sonic felt his mind slipping as he tried to explain everything, "I was pretty much forced to become a duke of a town. I watched as my friends were all battered by what I'm pretty sure is a hairy rock, I've had politicans breathing down my neck wanting me to join every cause on the face of mobius! My friendships are falling apart. How do I deal with this?"

Julian Hedgehog, Sonic's father, waited for Sonic to stop panting. Sonic was actually being stupid. How could his dad understand the problems of a duke? They were country hicks, aside from Chuck.

But Sonic's dad spoke first, "Ask your friends for help."

Sonic blinked. That was it? That was all the advice his father had to offer?

Julian continued, "You're now an adult. You no longer get the freedom to run around, which seems unfair. You are surrounded by problems that always need to be dealt with right away. You have everyone trying to get your attention, and you thought you were going to do whatever you pleased right now. Is that right?" Julian's emotionless face looked incredibly… smug…no… amused.

Sonic was about to shout, but his brain caught him, and he nodded, "I thought I could finally just run around and explore the world. That's all I want."

Chuck let out a hearty laugh, "That's not how the world works. Being an adult sounds like all the freedom in the world until you actually have to deal with things like "responsibilities" and "work". You gotta work through it. Not that I'd know. I'm still far too young for that stuff." Chuck joked, pulling his grey mustache.

"Yes, you have the maturity of a five year old." Jules jabbed at his brother.

Sonic stepped in before they traded insults, "Wait, that's it. Life sucks, get help?"

Chuck snorted, "Yep. You are surrounded by brilliant and loving friends with the freedom fighters. Ask for some help, just don't expect them to give you all of their time. They have lives as well."

"It never hurts to talk." Julian stated, "I'm here if you need to vent. And someone to give advice is always helpful. Your mother helped and still helps me through tough times."

Sonic blinked. He'd have to try. That was the best advice he had gotten from anyone. He turned to leave, when His father made one last statement.

"I would like to talk with you more. I'm very proud of the man you are becoming." Julian would have smiled if he had a working mouth.

Sonic felt something jerk inside him. He wasn't sure what it was, but he ran off to Freedom HQ. He ran through the trees and over a few rivers until he saw his city.

Sonic ran straight for the HQ and skidded to a halt as his nose reacted with a smell. A smell that made him… very angry. A smell of traitors.

Sonic walked carefully down the hall. He felt his blood boil. He turned into the mess hall, seeing the large black and white tail swirl curiously. Sonic jumped out, "YOU! What are you doing here?"

Sonic was pretty sure he never wanted to see the skunk ever again. He was also pretty sure he'd made it clear to Geoffrey.

Geoffrey didn't jump, in fact he was unnervingly calm, "Oh… It's you."

Sonic grit his teeth. This was not how he wanted to start his day, "What are you doing here?" Sonic demanded once again.

"I'm eating. Same as my other fellow Freedom-Fighters." Geoffrey shrugged, raising his left… plastered hand.

Sonic shook his head, trying to shrug off why Geoffrey was missing a piece of his arm, "Like hell you are a Freedom Fighter! You burned that bridge not too long ago! Now get out before I throw you out my-"

"Sonic!" Sally's voice called out. He had been so focused on his hatred for Geoffrey. He turned and saw her in… an interesting outfit. She had ditched her usual top and shorts for a formal, black uniform, studded with golden buttons and laces.

Sonic frowned, "What? You all are letting him just sit there? After everything he's done."

Sally had regret in her heart, Sonic could feel that much. She raised her hand, signaling him to calm down, "I let him in."

Sonic blinked a couple times, his anger having enough time to shift, "You let him in… after I specifically said I would never want him back in?"

Sally looked away.

Sonic felt his blood boiling, as Geoffrey's hand pat him on the back, "I'll be watching your back from now on."

Sonic's fist slowly developed a mind of its own, barely be restrained by Sonic. He wanted to punch one of them in the face. He couldn't decide yet.

Sally balled her fist, still feeling guilty, "Alright… talk to us. What do you think?" She was getting upset.

Rotor, Antoine and Bunnie were sitting at her table. They clearly didn't want to sit with Geoffrey. Sonic sighed, "I think we should throw him out there and leave him to rot. Did you hit your head and forget everything this guy did to you?"

Sally snapped at Sonic, "No, but I gave him a second chance!"

Sonic barked back, his throat feeling raw, " THIS IS HIS FOURTH! HOW MANY CHANCES ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE HIM?"

Sally frowned, and stiffened up. The regret emerged from her heart.

Sonic growled, "What were you thinking?" He wanted to understand what would ever give her the idea to forgive the smelly dumbass.

Sally's heart clenched up, and she was almost certainly lying, "I Thought he could be helpful to us. He has skills that we need."

Sonic balled his fist, the awkwardness in the room becoming very present as everyone looked around, "Be honest with me. We both know that's a lie."

Sally's heart mixed with shame and anger, but was quickly overwhelmed with the latter, "It's my decision. Live with it."

The room was quiet. Sonic took a couple moments to register what she had just said, before(in a probably stupid act) letting his emotions loose, "No… you'll live with it." Sonic dusted his hands off, and threw the non-existent dust at her.

He jerked around and walked off, purely for dramatic effect. He wasn't vulnerable or scarred, he was pissed beyond belief.

Sally's voice called out, "Come on Sonic! Don't be child!" Her voice became distant as Sonic walked out of the base and into Roja.

He needed a captain of the Guards. Someone who could pick out good people to protect the city. He wasn't leaving the Freedom Fighters, but he wasn't about to deal with the fallout from Sally's stupid decision. He couldn't overrule her either. He technically didn't have any rank.

He continued marching, walking by the wreck that was the old mansion. He needed a house. He needed a place to get away. Sonic needed a Captain of the guard.

Then he walked into the market street. He saw her, the badger who would save him!

Sonic ran over to Sticks, who was talking with Oswald, "I need your help!"

Sticks jumped up, and drew a knife. Oswald backed away.

Sonic cleared his throat, "I need someone to be my captain of the guards."

"What? No." Sticks stated, looking nervous as Sonic clasped her hands.

"Please I need someone who is smart, strong and has a good judge of people." Sonic begged. He knew from his experience that she was honest. He knew she had a good heart.

Sticks shook her head, "No! I'm going back to my da. I don't work for civilized people!" She jerked away, still embarrassed.

Sonic frowned. He should have expected the answer. There was no point in pressing, "Ok… Well, would you join our group. We don't exactly work for governments or anything… We just try to stop Eggman." He found himself hoping for her to join. He felt he could trust her.

Sticks licked her lips, "I'll… think about it."

Sonic frowned deeper. Today wasn't his day. But he could only nod, "Ok."

He walked away, he didn't know where he was going, but not here.

/*-*/

Fiona's eyes gazed into her hair in the mirror. She couldn't just bind it up anymore. Her hair had gotten too long to control. She pulled the back of her hair, stretching it out about a foot and a half.

She pulled it back and tied it around with a band. She had a fair pony tail which looked good... except of how prissy she looked. Fiona frowned at the pony tail, running her tongue over her teeth. You aren't going to work with me, are you? She thought.

Fiona loosened her band and folded the hair inside it. The band was struggling to contain the thick braid. Fiona sighed, "Sorry, you got to go." She pulled the tuck out to the original length. Fiona saw the knife on the counter. She was a prisoner, so she probably wasn't supposed to have that, especially since freedom could be two slices away.

Fiona picked up the knife. She could escape, go and be with Scourge forever… she hoped. All it would cost was Fiona's family, and any hope of ever coming back to the kingdom. She'd alienate anyone else in her home universe. Fiona frowned, and put the blade to the back of her head, pulling her hair straight. It took a lot more force than she thought it would.

The result was a ponytail that cutoff short to a sharp, flat end. Fiona panted from the force it had taken, her hair was surprisingly strong. Fiona tossed the strands of hair in the trash and looked at it closely. It was…good, really good. She liked it.

Fiona nodded to herself. Now she had the task of dealing with Frederick's disapproving voice. Fiona walked out of the room, and felt the pair of eyes on her. She turned around and called out to Alister, "What do you think?"

Alister looked up at her hair, and looked down, "I like it." He stated simply. Fiona ruffled his head, and smiled as she walked towards the entrance of the manor.

When she came around the corner, however, there was no one home. Frederick and Olivia were gone… which meant they were probably having a date night. Fiona felt out of the loop. She went to turn around, when there was a knock at the door.

Fiona thought for a moment. It really wasn't her business… but she also might want to know who was talking. Knowledge was power after all.

Fiona opened the door, in her usual leather attire to keep up the cold weather. Of course, she probably would have been scolded, if not for the fact that Sonic was at the other end of the door.

The two froze. Apparently, Sonic was not expecting her to be there either, or at least to answer the door. Fiona was surprised that Sonic had come there without an announcement from Frederick. That meant Sonic didn't expect to come there either.

Fiona smiled, "Uh… Hi. Nice to see you aren't dead."

Sonic blinked, "Yeah… It's nice to not be dead. You look nice, love the new dew."

Fiona opened the door wider, "You want to come in?"

"I just need someone to talk to." Sonic sighed, looking honestly… tired.

"Well…. I get kinda bored sitting around here. I've tried gardening, it's kinda boring, and also not good for fall." Fiona shrugged, hoping he would stay. Fiona wanted to ask for his help anyway.

Sonic walked inside, "So-"

Fiona held up her hand, "Let's talk in the kitchen. We have some left over pasties."

Sonic blinked and nodded. They walked inside, and Fiona found the stash of meat pasties in the fridge. She brought them out and sat down next to Sonic, "Alright, what troubles the great and invincible Sonic the Hedgehog?"

He picked up a pastie, and broke it in half, "Sally." He took a bite of beef and greens.

Fiona picked up the other half, "Figures. What'd she do this time?"

"She brought Geoffrey into the Freedom Fighters." Sonic mumbled with food in his mouth.

Fiona blinked, "Geoffrey? The Skunk who got frisky with the cat? That spy guy?" She took a bite, licking her lips to catch some of the crumbs that stuck.

"Geoffrey, the guy who got frisky with every girl he saw, tried to run off with Sally several times, and tripped me for chaos emeralds guy." Sonic clarified. Fiona suddenly found herself rolling her eyes. Typical guys getting jealous over little things.

Fiona shrugged, "Well, he's good at what he does, so I'm not surprised she'd want him back. It's hard to find good help, and a spy is always useful." Fiona shrugged.

Sonic growled, "I would believe that if he didn't sell us out before. He straight up gave Elias's crown to Nagus. SCREW HIM!" Sonic shouted, his fist shaking.

"Betrayed you?" Fiona sat up, suddenly interested in what Sonic had to say. She might have her answer without ever having to ask her question.

"Yeah… The jerk acted like he was going to help us, went to help me get a chaos emerald, and then stabbed us in the back. Turns out, he was working for Nagus the whole time. I hate him!" Sonic slammed a fist on the table.

Fiona jumped from his reaction. She wasn't sure she had seen him lose his cool. Fiona's senses told her to not pry, but she couldn't help herself, "I'm sure you can find it in your heart to forgive him. He probably sees his mistake." Fiona muttered softly.

"Like hell I will." Sonic's fist tightened, "But you know what? It's fine. Sally can live with the total failure that her hope is going to be! I hope he falls off a cliff, the dirty traitor!" Sonic groaned, tearing out another piece of the pasty.

Fiona frowned, "I See…." That answered her question alright. She was never going to be a Freedom Fighter again. There would always be that mistrust.

"What's wrong?" Sonic asked, seeming to take a breath, and actually looking concerned.

"What? Nothing." Fiona put a fake smile and dismissed him.

"I got you upset… I have the purple chaos emerald, which lets me feel your emotions." Sonic explained, with a rolling hand.

"Oh… I'm just thinking. I'm not mad, I was just expecting something a little more… noble out of you." Fiona shrugged. She wasn't going to get forgiveness… not easily.

Sonic nodded, "Well… I'm glad you're here. Thanks for listening to me." Sonic's voice wasn't coming through clear.

She walked him to the door, and let him out, going on autopilot as he smiled. She felt warm arms wrap around her, snapping her out of her trance.

Sonic smiled, "I'll see you around." And with that, he was gone in a puff of dust.

Fiona walked back to her room, his warmth still on her. If she wanted to be free, Scourge was her only option… right? Fiona didn't see another way.

/*-*/

Johan found the language of the "mobians" to be cleverly designed. It was based on sounds, which meant learning to read it was easy. The fox had taught him letter sounds, and Johan had gone from there in two days. The letters were not too different from Saxon's ruinic letters.

Still, as Johan read the copy of the laws and structures, he found confusion. The kingdom had three sources of power: The Noblility for local lands, the Monarchy for capital and special cases. The monarchy, however, had to share power with elected representatives, chosen from the people. The problem was that there were several elected representatives, who all shared equal power with the monarch. The capital controllers had full control of expansion and attacks, but required a majority vote to issue an attack. Four people had to agree to an attack. The nobles, however, controlled the manpower and soldiers, which meant that they could only defend.

Johan growled, and prepared to throw the book across the room.

"You break it, you buy it buddy!" The librarian shouted at him.

Johan lowered his paw, and set the book back down. He mentally scolded himself for such a lack of self-control. These people had the worst governance ever possible. Power was too divided, and the laws were rigid. The monarch and the republic pieces actively constricted each other. Any disruption to the standard would freeze the government.

Johan froze at that thought. Perhaps he could use that… he shook his head, and saw the yellow fox approaching him.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" The two-tailed fox, Tails, asked.

Johan nodded, and held up the book, "There is much to be fixed in your land."

Tails frowned, "It's not that bad."

"It is." Johan asserted.

Tails sighed, "Alright, whatever. I'm about to head back."

Johan perked up, "I would request your services."

"What now?" The Fox groaned. Johan was quite against the tone of the fox, but he still needed the fox's help.

"I would like you to come and examine my prize." Johan demanded. He wasn't in the mood to ask.

"What?" The Fox asked, clearly annoyed.

Johan growled, "Follow me." He led the fox outside the city. The wreckage of his flying fortress was on the side of the road, with a few knocked over trees.

The fox spoke from behind Johan, "An Egg Carrier… man, what is inside this thing?" The Fox asked curiously. Johan was not alone in that regard.

"I felt a terrible presence in here. I do not like it. I want you to explain it to me." Johan demanded, leading Tails into the main room. The corpses were rotting… he'd have to eat them later.

The Fox seemed to focus on the dead Garden Defenders, who ha tarnished their sacred bodies with machines. Johan growled to get the Fox to look up at the large clear chamber.

Tails looked up, "No way…"

Johan cocked his head, "What is it?"

The fox tapped his sides nervously, "It's a roboticizer. It looks like it's in working condition too. We can use this to finish our de-roboticizer!" The fox cheered.

"Roboticizer?" Johan asked, that was an odd word.

"It turns mobians into robots. People into machines." The Fox explained, still excited. Johan was horrified by such a thought. To be so perverse that someone would violate the very nature of flesh… Johan hated it.

"If anyone takes from me, I will rip their limbs off and eat their heart." Johan growled, causing the fox to lose his joyful state.

"But we need-"

"It is mine." Johan snapped had no need for a machine, but it was still his by right. No one would exploit him.

The fox jerked back, "We could help a lot of people with this."

"I do not care about your people. I earned this. I will let you have the next one I bring down." Johan affirmed. His mind actually thought harder. Abominations were terrible, but they also had cures within themselves… perhaps if he…

The fox huffed, "Fine. What else do you need?"

"I want to repair this." Johan gestured to the walls, the blinking lights, the smashed glass and pieces.

"Good luck with that. I'd have to get the scheme a tonics." The Fox dimissed.

Johan cocked his head at what the fox said, "Drinks, plots?"

"Schematics, not Schemes." The fox groaned. That was a new word.

Johan growled, "Can you fix it?" Johan wanted a clear and direct answer.

"No." The fox sighed, "I can fix some of the pieces, but I can't help with everything."

Johan wanted to smash something, but he restrained himself once again. He could not fault the fox for his lack of knowledge.

They were about to leave, when an explosion rang off in the distance.

Johan saw smoke rising from the city. Good… he was hoping for another fight.

/*-*/

So, I am switching to a weekly update system, since these chapters are getting a little big to complete in half a week.

Also, it turns out that there wasn't a funeral scheduled until the summer. So I'll be able to work on these chapters more.

Please leave a review to help keep morale up and improve my writing, or just tell me what you thought.