Merendinoemilano: I am glad you liked the dialogue, but I'd like some clarification of that second line.
/*-*/
Sonic sat at the breakfast table with Julian and Bernadette Hedgehog. His mom had made omelets for the morning, as he had told her about what he was doing today. The White Chaos Emerald, the emerald of wish, will and commitment. Sonic took a bite out of the omelet, while continuing to think about how the emerald could test them.
The more Sonic thought, the more he was both comforted and disturbed. The White Emerald didn't have clear rules like the Red or Yellow Emerald. It's aspect dealt with the head, which had a massive amount of mystery behind it.
Sonic took a bite of egg, bacon and onion. He wasn't going alone, which was good. Tails was coming with him, which was nice. It was just like old times, the two of them running to get an emerald.
"Sonic, talk. You're upset, and I can tell." Julian spoke clearly, but his metallic voice lacked most of the emotion he had in life. "Are you still overwhelmed."
"No, the Emerald just has me a little nervous. I don't know what to expect." Sonic snorted, "I mean, I can take what ever it throws at me, but I would like a heads up or something." Sonic tried not to sound so nervous.
Jules nodded slowly, "Do not stress yourself out. You can do anything you put your mind to. You will be fine."
Sonic looked up at his father. His dad was trying his best to be supportive, and Sonic couldn't help but feel happy. That being said, he needed to get back to freedom HQ. Sonic wolfed down the rest of his omelet and stood up.
Bernadette frowned as she finally sat down, "Leaving so soon?"
Sonic nodded, "I got to get back to Freedom Headquarters. We want to get the Emerald today, because apparently we're going to attack Eggman soon. Sally wants the full set of Emeralds in case we need them." Sonic tried to smile to let his mom know he was embarrassed that he was leaving so soon.
Instead she gave a frown with a nod, "You two are having trouble aren't you?"
Sonic almost fell over, "Wha- Who told you?"
"Mother's notice the slightest things. What's wrong?" His mother asked so soft and tenderly.
Sonic shook his head, "We're not together anymore. We're just having a couple arguments here and there." Sonic wanted to avoid the part about the piece of garbage skunk and the murderous monster living in the base.
Bernadette didn't seem convinced, but she nodded, "Very well, I wont pry, but you know you can come and talk to us anytime."
"Please do." Julian stated, "We haven't seen a lot of you since you moved. We enjoy these little visits."
Sonic smiled, "Y-Yeah. I'll come by soon, I promise." Sonic waved and ran out the door.
Sonic ran through the forest, and had to skid to a halt when he notices a series of crusted branches and torn limbs.
He looked down the area, and saw something had plowed through the forest. The branches' break points looked funny, almost like they were torn off really fast.
Sonic shook his head and ran back to Freedom HQ. He passed Roja and saw new buildings being constructed, stopping for a moment to see the new guard house. It was looking nice, like a two story building with a basement. Plenty of room for guard stuff and housing.
Sonic then zipped back to Freedom HQ, having to stop at air lock, before it finally opened and Sonic ran inside. He ran to the lab where the star posts resided, and Sonic saw the Freedom Fighters standing around, talking.
Sonic overheard Tangle talking to Sally, "Why does the kid get to go after the Emerald and I don't?"
Sally sighed, as Tails scowled, "Tails has experience backing up Sonic with the Chaos emeralds. People have gotten lost in the Special zones, so we're sending in the most experienced."
"So the sidekick gets to go but I have to stay here? Come on, let me learn!" Tangle groaned.
"I'm not a side kick!" Tails barked at her. He balled his fists angrily.
Sonic cleared his throat before it devolved any further, "Are we going to do this thing?"
The room went quiet. Sally licked her lips nervously as every eye seemed to be on him. Strangely enough, Johan did not seem to be there, but he was probably out doing his own thing.
Sally smiled, "Alright, we're going to send you both the special zone."
Tails grumbled, "I don't see why I can't do this on my own."
Sally shook her head, "Last time was enough. We're sending in back up in case something goes wrong or you aren't alone in there."
"Evil Sonic caught me off guard, it wont happen again!" Tails groaned.
Sally shook her head "Sonic is going with you. It's for everyone's safety."
Tails groaned as they cleared the room. Rotor went to the control room and called out, "Alright, preparing star posts in three…. Two…. One."
The star posts spun up, rippling across to the special zone. Tails whirled his rear appendages to life, and Sonic grinned at him, "I'll be there right after you." Sonic got into a runners stance as Tails zipped through the gate.
Sonic waited a few seconds and followed suite. He zipped through the gate and saw the world spin around, vibrant lights twisting and swirling, until he came to in the special zone.
Sonic stood on solid white stone. Stone made a wide pathway that led up to a circular pyramid. Around him stood trees with wide leaves on dark ground, with grass rising.
Sonic walked down the path and saw Tails sitting up, waiting for him. "Hey, you miss me?"
Tails looked Sonic, already in foul mood, "Come on, Let's get this done."
"Sheesh, you seem like you aren't happy right now." Sonic snorted, trying to get Tails to tell him what's wrong.
Tails shook his head, "I'm fine, let's go"
They walked up the path to a gate way. Sonic saw grey stone surrounding the temple, as if to deny entry except through the right means. Past the gateway was a white pillar with black markings on it. As they approached, the markings seemed to shift around until they made words he could understand.
The two stopped and read the pillar together.
"You who come, be warned.
Mind your heart, beware your scorn.
The failings of truth, and deceptions of lies
Maintain disorder within your heart.
Do not seek power within your soul.
Temper your mind and distance the vile.
Know what you seek, and prepare yourself.
The righteous will earn.
The selfish will burn.
The foolish will learn.
Ask for the tallest mountain,
Or the largest fish.
Come forth, and state thy wish
Test thy heart
Be warry the demand
For shan't be undone
Lest spoken in grand"
They finished reading and gazed at each other. A riddle, great. Sonic hated riddles, as they always had some stupid catch to them. Sonic sat down, "What do you think it means?"
"The white emerald is the emerald of whishes right?" Tails asked, slowly nodding his head trying to get Sonic to nod along. Sonic complied. Tails continued, "So we have to make a wish to get the emerald."
Sonic frowned, "It can't be that easy… right?"
Tails nodded, "We need to be cautious."
Sonic frowned, "Well, I guess let's take a closer look." Sonic walked around the pillar and saw the white stone steps which ascended to the Emerald at the top. Each level was smaller on each massive disk, with smaller steps for ease of use with. There was a thin disk around the base of the temple that had a strange grey look to it.
Tails called out, "Sonic Stop!" He sounded frantic.
Sonic stepped forward and stopped as Tails froze, "What?"
Tails looked at Sonic's feet, "This area looks pressure sensitive."
Sonic looked down. Everything looked fine, "Tails, nothing happened, see?" Sonic laughed at his paranoia.
Tails eyed him angrily. Sonic didn't understand as the fox walked onto the temple disk. "See, nothing wrong." As he finished the thought, the thin disk that surrounded the base rose into a dome, completely covering the temple.
Sonic froze mid-step. Tails' head began to vibrate in frustration. Sonic lowered his head, "Sorr-"
"Sorry? You're sorry? Why did you come here?" Tails growled, shaking his fist.
Sonic blinked, "I was here to because Sally wanted me to back you up."
Tails grit his teeth, "That never stopped you from disobeying her before! You came here to mess me up!"
Sonic let his foot down, "What? No I didn't-"
Sonic stepped backwards, up the stairs.
"Of course you did! You always get us into to trouble!" Tails barked, "You get cocky, and mess us up! And you clean it up-" Tails rose up the stairs, following Sonic, "- and get called a glorious hero!"
Sonic shook his head, "I don't want to get called the hero for that stuff!" Tails was in a dangerous mood.
Tails growled, "Of course you do! You don't anyone else to be a hero! You can't stand the idea that someone else might be just as good as you!"
"I never said that!" Sonic felt the ground level out as he reached the top of the temple.
"Of course you didn't. You don't have to say it!" Tails balled his fist, rising to the top, " You can't be the hero if you say it! You have to be noble hero, and I'm just the stupid kid who follows you around!"
"I DON'T THINK THAT!" Sonic shouted.
"YOU'RE FULL OF CRAP!" Tails barked, "YOU DON'T SEE ME AS ANYTHING MORE THAN A SIDE KICK! YOU WON'T EVEN LET ME TRY TO HELP OUT! I'M SO SICK OF YOU!" Tails shouted, grabbing the emerald. It glowed to an incredible brightness, and then went dim. The walls around the temple lowered.
Tails staggered back. His face looked horrified.
Sonic felt himself thrown for a loop, "W-What did you wish for?"
Tails remained frozen in place, starring at the pedestal where the emerald once resided.
Sonic waved a hand in front of his face, "Buddy?"
Tails shook himself, and looked away from Sonic, "I'll take this back."
Sonic nodded slowly. They ran slower than usual; Sonic was thinking about how angry Tails got. Tails was thinking about something… but he couldn't tell what.
They ran through the gateway, and came back out at Freedom Headquarters.
Sonic skidded to a halt, followed by Tails. Tails clutched the emerald tightly.
Sally cleared her throat, "We have all seven?"
Sonic looked at Tails, who stretched out his hand. His knuckles were shown through his gloves from how tightly he was clutching the emerald.
"T-Tails, are you ok?" Sally tried to pry it from him.
Tails looked up as if to say something, but his eyes were absolutely full of something… terribly sad and scared. Shame. His voice was silent.
Sally stepped forward, "Tails… is there something you want to say?"
Tails closed his eyes, small bits of water appearing in their corners, "No… I'm fine." His voice was forcefully void and empty. He let go of the emerald and left the room.
Elias spoke up, "Something is very wrong with him."
Sally nodded at her brothers' remark, "I know. Sonic… what happened."
Sonic explained everything slowly, trying to pass off the argument as normal. It wasn't. it was bad. They never got like this except after Fiona left.
Sally frowned, "Tails is trying to find his place on the team. We should give him some space… let him clear his head."
Sonic nodded.
Rotor frowned, "I'm worried about what happened. I hope what ever happened in the temple doesn't come back to bite us."
Sonic frowned, "I don't know what happened."
Elias cleared his throat, "Uh… there are people here."
Sonic perked up, along with everyone else. They checked the security cameras, and saw what must have been a hundred mobians outside their door.
Sally raised her eyes, "Oh gosh… I didn't have this many volunteers planned. I was expecting to have a couples months before they showed up."
Sonic blinked, "What?"
"Sonic, I need a loan. From your treasure. We need to get housing and weapons." Sally explained desperately.
Sonic shook his head, "What is going on?"
"I passed out posters, those people out there are the first volunteers of the Mobian Army." Sally stated in awe.
/*-*/
The world was a beautiful place without Robotnik's hands on it. Fiona had always held that view, at least in terms of physical appearances. She could enjoy the flowers, as girly as that sounded, with all of their lovely and odd smells. They kept life interesting without necessarily getting dangerous.
Fruit trees provided lovely amounts of shade and calmness, and during harvesting season, snacks. Now, however, they provided a beautiful array of colors. Fiona found the weather perfect for an outside nap. She'd get a few more sunbaths in before winter came and took the greenery for a season.
Fiona curled up, and placed the tip of her tail on her nose, helping to shield it from the cool winds that were sweeping across the orchard.
Why Frederick had built such and area was beyond Fiona, but she found a little bit of comfort in the surrounding trees. She felt the sun on her fur, filling her with warmth and a drowsiness. Fiona kept her eyes closed as she began her catnap.
The wind churned in the distance. Something was moving incredibly fast. Fiona's ears perked up. Sonic? No… this was more aggressive. Sonic wouldn't be running like this unless he was attacking a enemy.
This was Scourge, running like always, with something to prove.
Fiona uncurled and sat up, raising a knee. She rested her right elbow on her knee.
Her dark knight arrived, stopping right next to the tree.
"Alright, come on, you made enough noise." Fiona smirked gazing at his knee sticking out.
"That loud huh?" Scourge snickered, walking out in front of her.
Fiona shrugged, "What's up, you're here for a reason I hope."
"Can't an emperor visit his favorite crown jewel?" Scourge smiled, as he walk closer to her. Fiona found his approach giving her shivers.
She stood up and walked towards him, meeting him in the middle, "is that all." She asked with a sly grin, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck.
Scourge suddenly pressed her against a tree, his lips assaulting her own. He started rough. She liked him when he was a little rough.
She pressed back against him, pushing her tongue into his mouth, getting more passionate and energetic with each second. Scourge grabbed her hands and pulled them up over head, pinning her against the tree.
Fiona then felt his hand reach for shorts. She jerked back, "No." She stated firmly.
Scourge frowned, "Why not?"
"We could get caught at any moment. I'd like to keep the little freedoms I have." Fiona smiled and waved dismissively.
"That wasn't the reason all the other times." Scourge muttered, clearly frustrated.
"Oh you poor baby." Fiona mocked with a fake pouting face, "You can't have oyur way all of the time, poor you."
Scourge growled, suddenly angry, "I could." He muttered.
Fiona sighed, "Come on, I'm just messing with you. How's my escape plan coming along?"
Scourge smirked, "It's coming along alright. I've thought of a great distraction to get you out." His eyes gave a…sinister… glimmer to them.
Fiona cleared her throat, "Scourge… Don't piss anyone off. You need to watch it. Don't do something drastic."
Scourge replied with a snort, "It'll be fine. They won't think anything about keeping you when I'm done."
Fiona frowned, "Scourge plea-"
He zipped off.
Fiona groaned, no longer able to sleep so soundly. She curled up and tried her best. Fiona thought it was nice of him to come and check on her, but part of her was worried about what he was going to do. She…wasn't sure how she felt about the kingdom anymore.
Fiona actually found herself… liking the kingdom. She wasn't sure if she forgave Sonic, she wasn't sure if she thought Sally Acorn was a good leader, but she was sure she loved her nephew. Fiona loved her brother, she loved his house, and his warmth. Maybe… staying and helping wouldn't be so bad?
Fiona actually gave it some thought. She'd need to rejoin the freedom fighters, which was a challenge within itself. A hopeless mountain to climb? Fiona wasn't one to back down so easily. She just needed to get them to let her in. As Fiona thought about it, her gazed up at the clouds.
Scourge was passionate, he made her feel special. Was she betraying him by helping the freedom fighter? Was it even worth the effort? Fiona felt the doubts compound in her mind.
"You seen disgruntled, what's troubling you." Frederick's voice pulled Fiona's attention away from the crippling conflict within her mind. Frederick seemed to be dressed in the most casual attire she had seen him wear. He wore a blue noble visitor coat without a cape.
Fiona sighed, feeling her conflicted emotions balance out between the dreariness of her confusion and the fact that Frederick had zero understanding of what casual wear was. "I want to join the Freedom Fighters again."
Frederick frowned, "I thought I made it very clear that I don't believe you would be welcome even if I gave you my approval."
"I will, it will take time for them to trust me again, but I'll make it work." Fiona argued, hoping he would fold.
Frederick shook his head, "No, I won't give you my blessing. I can't send you back without the assurance you will come back!" He barked, "I lost my family once, I will not endure losing them again."
Fiona froze. She hadn't considered his thoughts, or rather, she had assumed he would be fine. As it turns out, he wasn't.
"You think I am going to go out and die?" Fiona asked, feeling herself get a little angry.
"Yes!" Frederick shouted, "I know you will go and fight, and probably get hurt or killed. I can not hope to live with that!"
Fiona grit her teeth, "I survived out there! You got to live comfortably and wait for the kingdom to come back, I got to live out there, fighting Robotnik and his metal toys. You have no right to doubt me!"
Frederick went quiet. Fiona realized he was angry, but keeping something back. Fiona needed to make things up or he was going to shut down for good.
"Sonic will watch my back. Do you think he can't keep me safe?" Fiona did her best to avoid how she felt right then. Her views of Sonic had changed so much over the past few months.
Frederick looked down, his posture shifting to one of confusion.
Fiona ignored her tail spinning in excitement, "You know he'll have my back."
Frederick sighed, "You are right. I have no right to project a weakness on you that isn't there. I do not doubt Lord Sonic's abilities. That being said… I would like you to practice with a rifle, for your safety and security."
Fiona wasn't planning on using a rifle, but she nodded, "Fine, I'll practice an hour every day, but in two weeks, I'm going to join the Freedom Fighters."
"Very well." Frederick sighed in defeat, "I will discuss it with his majesty, then you will go."
Fiona nodded. Not her favorite deal, but the best would get.
/*-*/
Johan did not like the new scents that now occupied the fortress. He had approached after visiting his flying fortress to see how far repairs had gone. Now, several scents had moved in and out of the base that had been rather simple.
As such, Johan prowled in with his guard raised. He was met with the sounds of talking, from the assembly area. As he walked into the room, he saw bears, rabbits and wolves all standing around. In the center of the room stood the princess and all of the members of the "Freedom Fighters". They were shaking hands with the new people.
Johan cocked his head as Sally made eye contact with him. She must have seen that he was concerned about the new presences in the underground fortress, because she gestured to him, "Freedom Fighters, this is Johan. He's… a mercenary for the kingdom. He'll be watching your back."
Johan cocked his head, as his mind pieced together that these were recruits for an army. They did not impress him. These people were small, they had nervous looks in their eyes. They weren't warriors, they were farmers, tailors, anything but warriors.
Johan regarded Sally, "These men are hardly fit for any battle. I question their ability to raise themselves out of bed."
He expect (and hoped) for anger from the recruits. What he got was mixture, with some being angry, but others feeling ashamed, as though they had been called out. These people would not even prove themselves to him.
Sally scowled, "That's why we will train them. They'll get better, faster and stronger. You can't expect citizens to have experience with weapons."
"Mine did. My people were trained at a young age by their fathers, and then by each other. You can not expect to defeat lions with an army of sheep!" Johan growled. If what she said was true, then he would be better off fighting alone.
"We can learn!" Growled a rabbit. His voice was high, probably not even sexually mature yet. This was the defender of their kingdom?
The brother of the Princess set down a strange ear guard, "Sally, We have approval. The council wants an offense to push Eggman back to the city of Manara!"
The princess froze. Was that city far? Johan asked, "What troubles you?"
Sally sighed, "We got new recruits, and they haven't even settled in."
"Keep them in reserve. I can fight the fool's army." Johan asserted. The machines were not terribly strong or powerful. Johan could best them easily.
Sonic stood up, "Hold up, you aren't me. You can't fight alone out there."
"We aren't helpless." Growled some of the new recruits.
"We can help out." Other stated. They were not wrong.
Sally seemed to look of into space, "We don't have much of a choice. Freedom Fighters, prepare to move. We will march to Mobotropolis and pick up what ever supplies we can get along the way. Then we will make Eggman hurt!"
The Recruits cheered. Johan was skeptical, not of their ability to win, but that the recruits would be anymore useful than fertilizer for the ground.
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Ok, so a lot is going on right now, so I might not be posting for a while. I might be posting like regular, you'll see next week.
Tell me what you think in the reviews please.