Merendinoemilano: That whole chapter was meant to be intense, and the story is going to get more and more intense. I just hate how long it took to get to here.

Guest:www dot youtube dot com/watch?v=g7_I6kj9fTc

/*-*/

Tingling. That was what Sonic cold best describe what he felt. Between flashes of pain, light and noise, and cold, dark and quiet, Sonic spent most of his time with a tingling sensation coursing through his body. Sonic's memory seemed to completely fail as he struggled to remember his name.

Then Sonic's eyes opened, to find himself lying on grass. He sat up and looked around. There were tall hooded men, massive in every regard, inhabiting a town. They seemed to make Eggman look small in every regard. These hooded men chanted in a strange language, with a few words he had heard from Ceawlin. Sonic finally looked up, and saw a man struggling against a rope that was tied around his neck.

Sonic looked around and saw there were six people all significantly smaller in size than the hooded men, tied with ropes around their neck, which were attached to trees. Sonic scrambled to life, going up to grab these victims. His hand passed through a man's foot. He wasn't really there.

Sonic stepped back as the hooded went quiet. The other men, all revealed themselves. They had large beards, brown hair and brown, lifeless eyes. The main hooded man walked over to the rope, and spoke, once again, in a quiet voice with his language that Sonic couldn't understand.

When he finished speaking, the man drew a knife and cut the rope. The victim who was on the rope rose rapid, a crack coming from his neck as his life ended swiftly. Sonic felt his heart rate increase, as the horror of what he had just witness unfolded.

The man in the hood, however was not content with a single execution. He did the same to the other five victims: walking up, chanting, and executing.

Sonic wanted to be sick. He heard light cheering from the crowd, but even it felt half-hearted. Some kissed necklaces with strange symbols on them, but then left and went about their business.

Sonic was suddenly jerked towards the exit of the town, surging at what seemed to be a thousand miles a second. He landed on grass, and saw a strange…short man. He was on his knees, his brown hair growing out to a slopy, unkept state. He was crying, and surrounded by men who were slightly taller, but clearly from a different group as the main man.

"Jonathan? We need to move." One of the black-haired guards stated softly, "We have to get the word out."

"Johan…. My name will be Johan among my brothers." The man on his knees confirmed, rising slowly, "Can you see them? They don't have any willpower left. We once ruled the world, now… our spirit has been broken."

"The Saxons got the worst of the Teskan invasion. I mean, once we broke through your defenses…" The guard muttered.

Jonathan… or Johan rose, "I must rebuild my people. We have grown weak and hopeless…. I can't allow that to continue.

"J-Johan." A voice muttered.

Sonic turned his head in the direction of the speaker. A boy… although to call him small would be a grievous underselling of the child's size. The child was about five feet tall, making him taller than Sonic.

The child spoke quickly in the same language as the hooded man. Johan spoke as quickly in the same language. Johan finally held up his hands, and spoke a little more.

His guard asked, "What was he saying?"

"Louis, They seem to think of me as an angel or god. His little brother is direly ill, and he thinks I can heal him." Johan sighed sadly.

"All due respect, while some of our victories have seemed miraculous, I don't think you have that kind of power." Louis the guard stated.

Johan stood firmly, "I will go." He began to walk towards the boy, who ran off to the forest.

Sonic followed suite, arriving at a wooden house, with candle light in the window. Birds seemed to watch from the trees, as though looking for an easy meal. Sonic walked through the dark wood door, feeling the sense of dire urgency as he entered. The room was quiet, but there were clearly living souls in the house. Around the corner stood a large bulging man, and a large woman.

Johan approached them.

They spoke quickly, but Sonic heard "Johan" from the man.

Johan nodded, "Ja."

The man parted and Johan(and by extension Sonic) approached. Sonic saw a child, who's cheeks seemed deflated and black. The child wheezed, and shuddered, even under blankets. Johan got on his knees, and took off his jacket. Johan's arms seemed to bulge slightly, but nothing extraordinary.

Yet Sonic didn't see any great display of strength or power. Instead, he saw Johan drop to his knees. "Lord… I am your humble follower, as is my clan. I know this child may not believe in you… but please, spare him."

Sonic heard the wind blow through the window.

"Sir… we might have gotten away with some medicine." Louis coughed. The second guard spoke, a feminine voice ringing out, "I don't we did. We seizes guns and ammo, things for war. We never though to raid for antibiotics."

Loius seemed to nonverbally scold the girl. She balled her fist in response.

Johan interrupted them, "Lord… why are you punishing this child? Have you abandoned me? I served you faithfully. I came here from a life of mercenary work, to be crowned Grand Chief, as you have dictated to me. Why do you make me suffer?"

The woman guard walked over, her dark hair slightly falling from her helmet as she bent down and rubbed Johan's shoulder, "Sir… you've done all you can."

Johan's posture shifted. She cocked her head, "Sir?"

Johan stood up, "I have not done all I can." He stood up as the wind shifted, blowing violently before calming down.

Johan stroked the child's cheek, and stood up. Louis laughed nervously, "Sir… you aren't a medic, and you certainly aren't an angel. Let's go."

Johan shook his head, "I was born…sickly. My bones were…are brittle. My lungs were small. My father did not believe I would survive. I thought I was cursed… but I wasn't. The world endures these sicknesses, and children go their whole life without ever having to face them. I have been blessed, because I was born weak, so I could become strong, stronger than any Saxon ever before. God has never abandoned me, he has give me mountains to climb, to make my muscles grow."

Johan's posture changed, to one of pride, "Every wound, every battle, every strong enemy, was brought by God to produce a stronger, wiser, tougher me. My bone have been broken so many time that they are harder than any normal Saxon's, my muscles are stronger than the greatest of warriors. Every challenge has pushed me to higher limits. Now, a new challenge has been presented to me."

Johan's smile disappeared, and it turned into a snarl, "Leave me now! Or I will banish you with my bare hands."

The guards and Sonic looked confused at the short man who rose to seem angry, "Uh… sir?"

"I was not referring to you." Johan stated firmly, starring next to the place that Sonic stood, "You will not take this child. I will fight you off, for you are a coward. You dare to come after the sickly and the wounded never a strong man in his prime. I will show the world why."

Sonic felt a sudden jolt when a figure seemed to manifest themselves next to him. A robed man, with a puss filled hand, and a withered hand. His face was obscured but Sonic felt like he had seen him before.

The large man who had been in the house rose and grabbed a large axe.

Johan thrust out his hand, and spoke in the bearded man's language. The bearded man held his axe, but kept it low, and Johan rose.

"If you will not leave this child, I will force you out." Johan stood in the way as the hooded figure approached, stopping at Johan.

There was an earie silence from the hooded man. Johan nodded, "Very well." Johan suddenly slammed his fists into the figure's robes. The hooded figure was pushed back maybe an inch, but Johan raised his foot to kick.

The Hooded figure, however, didn't seem too panicked, and stretched out it's green, puss filled arm to Touch Johan. Johan ducked out of the of the hand, only to be grabbed by the other, wrinkly old one.

Johan's face seemed to grow hair, a large beard out rapidly. Johan pulled his right arm back, and theew it as hard as he could into the hood. The hooded figure staggered back, seeming to be in shock.

Loius and the guard drew pistols, but Johan shouted, "No! I will best him on my own."

The female guard looked concerned, but her winter mask blocked any facial expression outside of her eyes. She nodded, and Louis lowered his weapon.

Johan walked up to the hooded figure, and aimed lower, striking the chest of the robbed man with decisive intel. The hooded figure staggered back, against the door of the house, seeming to still be in shock. Johan raised his foot, and kicked the man out of the door.

Sonic saw Johan with a different look. He seemed to…glow, like a glowing hand was around him.

Johan walked towards the hooded figure, who stood up, and balled his fists. He threw a punch, only for Johan to duck under it, and punch the man in the belly one more time, harder and faster than Sonic could have seen.

The hooded figure staggered back, Johan walked up to him, getting closer as the hooded figure tried to rise.

Johan raised his food, and brought it down on the lower part of the robe. A sick tearing sound erupted, and Sonic saw a black… tumor filled leg fly out.

The robbed figure stopped moving, and rolled over. It held its hands out, not to attack, but in… fear… surrender.

Johan held his blow, "Leave now. I have other matters to attend to."

The hooded figure began to dissolve. Sonic awoke, trying to sit up.

Inside the room, was Sally, sleeping on a chair. It was midnight, and Sonic felt an echo of pain in his chest, along with weakness and drowsiness.

Sally's hands seemed to be clasped in a nervous position. Sonic gasped as pain began to intensify once again, along with an itching in his chest. Sonic tried to scratch the itch, but he found his arms were strapped to the recovery bed. As if to add to his woes, Sonic felt the pain in his chest magnify again.

His memory was fuzzy, but Sonic knew he was hurt, as he probably didn't go to the hospital for a yearly checkup. Sonic chest pain spread upward, hitting his head like Amy's hammer, causing his vision to blur as he cried out. Sonic wasn't sure about what was happening. He heard Sally to him, and felt a pair of hand hold him to the table.

Sonic heard noise and crashing in between screams and thrashes. He saw hands over him, before Sonic began to feel very sleepy. His pain dulled quickly, and Sonic felt his eyes close, with Sally's voice calling to him, "Shh, You're going to get better."

Sonic's vision went black as he drifted off to sleep. When he awoke, Sonic was still in a hospital bed. His eyes opened, but his chest felt stiff and tight. Sonic opened his mouth, and felt uncomfortable even breathing.

His gaze landed on the seats, where a bundle of yellow fur lay curled up, sleeping. The soft rise and fall of Tails' chest made Sonic smile back to all of their glorious adventures they had shared. He felt weak, and miserable.

Sonic had hoped he would go back to sleep before Tails woke up. Unfortunately, the Fox's ears twitched, before his nose wiggled. Tails' eyes opened, seeming to have been disturbed by Sonic's awoken state.

Sonic tried to smile, "Hey buddy…" Sonic sounded terrible, even to himself.

"Sonic…" Tails trailed off, look away, "I'm so… so sorry."

Sonic wasn't sure why he would be that way, "Not your fault." Sonic found his breathing to be slightly easier.

"I should have been there for you. I was…away." Tails frowned, slumping down.

Sonic felt himself getting angry at Tails' sad nature, "Nothing you could have done."

Tails scowled at that as the door opened, and a sleep deprived Sally walked in, "Oh… you're awake- SONIC, YOU'RE AWAKE!" She seemed to be torn between rushing to hug him, and staying composed. She had some snacks from a vending machine in her arms.

Sonic tried to smile at her, already feeling somewhat better, but the buzzing in his chest creating an irritating feeling. "Sup Sal?" Sonic tried to laugh off how sluggish he felt.

"Sonic… How much do you remember?" Sally asked, as if approaching a very touchy subject.

Sonic closed his eyes, and found a little bit, "Kick badnik butt, Crush stupid faker…. Johan…" He remembered the Wolverine charging over barbed wire. The rest blended into an adrenaline fueled blur.

Sally nodded, "Ok… well… You've been shot. It was an accident, and I take full responsibility… but it was from one our own."

Sonic should have been surprised, outraged, upset even. But he honestly wasn't any of those things… barring a little bit of outrage in his heart. The guys watching his back were as green as Scourge. They needed training to be of any use.

"How are you feeling." Sally asked, smiling nervously.

Sonic groaned, "Tired… Hungry."

Sally nodded, "I'll talk with Doc about getting you some food or something-"

The door burst open again, and Doctor Quack marched in, looking quite miffed at the sight of Sonic being awake. "I have allowed you certain privileges because you are all special cases. However, Mr. Hedgehog needs his rest."

Sonic tried to wave an arm, only to find himself strapped down to the bed, "What's up… Doc…"

The Doctor looked at Sonic softly, but clearly upset over the fact that he was interacting, " Go to sleep. I will tell you in the morning."

As much as Sonic tried to fight it, he caved, and closed his eyes.

When he re-awoke, the doctor was standing over him, with an assistant, marking things down on a clipboard. The sun was shining through the cracks of the shades to his room.

Tails and Sally slumped back against chairs which were in front of the window that led into the hallway. The blinds were down, so Sonic couldn't seem outside the window.

Doctor Quack looked down to write more onto his clipboard, and saw Sonic, "Ah… You're awake Mr. Hedgehog."

Sonic gasped, "I'm hungry." He was actually speaking a little better, with less effort.

Doctor Quack nodded, "You're nutritionally stable. Although, you're stomach is technically filled with mash, so it will feel empty."

Sonic frowned, "I'm hungry." He repeated, clearly feeling hugry.

"We'll get you something solid in a minute." Doctor Quack forced a smile, as if to clearly not show how agitated he was getting, "First… I need explain what happened."

Sonic listened, blinked a couple times. Sally and Tails perked up to listen in.

"You were injured…. Impossibly." The Doctor explained as the nurse left, "The bullet seemed to bounce around, destroying a large chunk of your lung, cutting off your liver, and damaging your intestines. The bullet could only have moved like that if magic was at work." The doctor seemed quite frustrated.

Tails' curiosity seemed to turn to skepticism and guilt. Sally seemed mortified.

"You should not have survived. But your body seems to have enough energy that matches the Chaos emeralds, which we will call chaos energy, to fix itself." The Doctor's hands motioned, before he rolled them back in an explanation, "It seems your usage of Super Sonic has created a reserve of chaos energy that your body has tapped into to speed up your wound healing ability."

Sonic nodded, and laughed a little, which stung, "I can live through anything."

Doctor Quack growled, "No… You cannot. This last wound has emptied your Chaos Energy reserves. Your next big injury could be your last."

Sally stepped up, "What do we need to do?"

"Keep Sonic from straining himself for the next few days. Try to keep him from getting reckless injuries, or at least serious ones." The Doctor muttered.

Sonic blinked, "Wait… I'm leaving?"

"You've been in here about a week and a half. Your injuries are almost healed. Just stay off them. Your body is slowing down on healing, so keep that in mind next time you try to jump head first into a trap." Doctor Quack muttered, pulling the straps of the bed, loosening them. He then walked out of the room.

After a sandwich, Sonic was free to leave… minus running, jumping or anything fun. His life sucked.

/*-*/

Fiona looked over her pack. Three sets of clothes to hold her until she could get some actual laundry. Her standard attire, condensed into three little folded sections. Fiona also carried with her an extra set of boots, from experience, and her special bracelet, which Frederick had got for her.

Fiona nodded to herself, pleasantly surprised at how little she actually needed to carry for her trip. Roja was four days away, but Fiona knew a few short cuts that would speed up the trip by a whole day.

She picked up her bag, and walked out of her room. As she walked down the hallway, Fiona looked out the large windows, and felt a pang of sadness. Fiona honestly loved it there with her brother. She enjoyed his, Alister's, and even Olivia's company to an extent. She'd get to see them again, Fiona was sure of it, but it still didn't take away from the fact that Fiona was going to miss them.

Fiona arrived at the door, with her bag over her shoulder. Alister was waiting there, seemingly indifferent about her leaving. Frederick looked glum however, and slumped down.

Fiona licked her lips, "I guess this is goodbye. At least until I get a break to come see you."

Frederick nodded slowly, looking down. The silence hung in the air for a few moments before he looked up with his mouth open. What followed was more silence as they both knew what he was going to ask. Fiona's life wasn't going to be a helpless housewife. She was going to have excitement, and fun.

Frederick closed his mouth and nodded, "I am getting a communication wire set into a special room in the house. I will be able to contact the Freedom Fighters soon, and then we can talk more."

Fiona looked down at Alister, and lowered herself down to hug him. He'd really left quite the mark on her life. Frederick nudged his son, and Alister looked up at Fiona. He walked forward and hugged her, "When you come back, we can talk more about watches."

Fiona almost laughed at that, "Sure… I might even bring you one back."

Alister's face lit up. He was kind of strange, and something told Fiona he was going to have trouble with emotions later on.

She finally pulled away, and walked out of the door. Fiona continued walking until she was about fifty feet away. She decided to give one last wave, and turned around. She waved at the manor, and Frederick and Alister's hands waving back.

Fiona turned around and kept walking towards Roja. About three hours later, Fiona began to realize just how useful carriages were. She took the forest, and trusted her instinct. "I should have totally asked for a carriage ride." Fiona told herself as she climbed over a root from a tree. Granted, the trees were beautiful, with all of the colors of winter coming in to paint a wonderful picture.

Even as Fiona set up camp of the night, she couldn't help but smile. This place… this kingdom… it wasn't so bad. She still expected a visit from Scourge in the night. It strangely never came. He was probably off doing something else.

Fiona curled up, and fiddled with her tail before going to sleep. She ate berries and nuts as she found them, and also realized how important food was for a trip. Fiona had been so concerned about her apparel, that she had completely forgot to pack anything outside of a can of sausages.

Granted, Fiona was no stranger to rationing out food, and she knew how to make them last the remaining two days. When Fiona finally arrived at the city of Roja, she was somewhat amazed at how much it seemed to grow.

There were more houses, larger complexes, and the manor area had been cleared with wood scaffolding had been set up. Sonic was actually building a manor. Fiona wanted to laugh at the idea, but doubts began to circulate in her head.

Sonic had been her enemy. It was a position he had wanted, so that worked for her, but the Freedom Fighters probably had no love for Fiona Fox. It was only in that moment that Fiona realized how skeptical Frederick had been. She had thoroughly betrayed the Freedom Fighters without any remorse.

So to get back in, she'd have to play a little underhanded. Fiona began think about the various opponents she would face. Sally Acorn, Fiona would point out her statement on the poster. Tails, Fiona would call out any grudge as childish. Antoine, flattery made him the most moldable guy on the planet.

Fiona walked in with a new stride of confidence. They'd want someone with charisma and social skills to interview, so most of the freedom fighters would be busy. They tended to have trouble with people skills. She might get lucky and have a new guy interview her. Fiona walked up to the bunker that seemed to be the place for the Freedom Fighters.

The line was surprisingly small, which confused Fiona. She had thought with the Freedom Fighters actually being used for something would increase their appeal to young, insecure guys trying to prove how "manly" they were. Instead, four citizens, were lined up in front of Fiona. The line moved quickly.

Fiona found the form, and began to fill it out. Her name( Aria because she wanted an actual chance), birthday, skills, potential disabilities or weaknesses. Fiona filled it out, leaving a couple things off. The Freedom Fighters didn't need to know everything. She looked around and saw all of the new recruits, seeming to be about forty strong, all waiting for an interview.

Fiona sat in what appeared to be the kitchen/ mess hall. A bunch of benches and tables all lined up to make the new folks sit down. Fiona heard the name called, "Alvin Murdock." It sounded like Princess Sally's voice.

Fiona looked up and around at the new fortress. It seemed to be made of concrete and metal, like the one she and Scourge had briefly taken before their "followers" had decided to change sides. This one was a lot larger, like it was made for more members. Not an army, but more like double the members they had before it was built.

"Sasha Keiofk." An accent voice called out. Fiona had predicted it perfectly. She still thought back, about her time before she was faking. Fiona had pulled rescue operations, and actually helped a fair number of mobians. She wasn't Sonic the Hedgehog, but she broke a prison here, sabotaged a roboticizer there, and she had gotten her thanks for it.

Fiona actually thought about how good she felt, when people would thank her, give her a hug, or sometimes even something nice like a jewel or cake. But that wasn't her. She wasn't exactly a good person, but now she found herself coming back. Maybe Fiona was learning to be better? Maybe she was bored? Fiona didn't care.

"Aria Fox." Fiona stood up, and walked down the hallway. This voice… sounded a little older and raspier. Was Sonic's Uncle Chuck doing an interview? It was a variable Fiona hadn't expected, but it wasn't entirely bad either. Chuck was distant, and a kind face. He was also older, and Fiona could just play it off as growing up, and learning from her mistakes.

Instead, when Fiona walked inside the room, which was really several small cubicles designed to create the illusion of privacy, she saw an empty chair, and walked up. Her surprise was immeasurable when the blue hedgehog turned around, and faced her. It seems she was not the only one surprised.

Sonic blinked, "Aria Fox?" He seemed to be confused.

Fiona feigned relaxation to hopefully avoid her tell of her brain sounding seventeen different alarms, "That's my name, Aria Fox. Friend and lovers call me Fiona, you can too." Fiona winked as she found herself with no other options. She couldn't account for this at all. Her head was screaming at her to run away.

Sonic squinted down at her, and a somewhat unamused frown took over. "Fiona, what are you doing here?" He sounded exhausted, and again, not amused.

Fiona mentally slapped herself, friends and lovers, could she have chosen a worse line to say? Sonic was a lover once. Fiona found herself reclining back, pushing her chest out, hoping Sonic would completely forget everything that had happened, "I'm here to sign up. The Freedom Fighters are looking for volunteers, right?"

Sonic ran his tongue over his teeth, stopping on a k-9 to suck a little, very clearly remembering everything, "Yeah, we're looking for new volunteers. They need to be reliable, brave, and pretty good. We don't exactly have room for traitors and bad girls." Sonic scowled.

Fiona felt kind of confused and nervous. Sonic seemed so nice in their previous encounters. He seemed so welcoming, " Well… I might be just what you need." Fiona pushed up. She was taking a gamble and putting everything on being charming and appealing.

Sonic scowled, and the sound of energy bursting out made Fiona shiver, and a royal voice growled, "So… My ears weren't lying. You must be sick to the point of delusional for coming here. Especially if you think we're going to give you the time of day before we throw you out."

Sonic cleared his throat. Fiona snorted, "Oh come on. I just want to help, you seem like you can use all of the help you can get." Fiona smiled innocently.

Sally scowled, brushing her blades against each other, "Sonic, just slap a rejection stamp on her form and move on."

Fiona stood up, "Now, Wait, this is his interview, not yours. You need to let him decide if I am worth having as a member of your team." Fiona didn't even try to not sound desperate. For one reason or another, Fiona needed to be approved for this role. She didn't want to be stuck either being a trophy wife or on the run.

Sally growled, but Sonic cleared his throat. Fiona looked back and forth as the two seemed to share a silent conversation. Fiona felt her heart pounding in her chest.

Sally then moved, her blades disappeared, and she nodded with a soft but agitated smile, "Alright, You'll make the right decision… I hope." She walked off.

Fiona turned back to Sonic's scowl, "So… what do you want to know?"

Sonic looked down at the stamp, seeming to breathe a little harder.

Fiona looked down, and decided to try to get him a little buttered up, "I'm not going to lie… I wasn't expecting your handsome face." Fiona saw him grit his teeth through his mouth.

"Cut the crap." Sonic growled, "Are you being serious about joining."

Fiona wanted to say yes. Instead, she found herself moving against her own will, "I might be. I might just be looking for a good time."

Sonic growled in his throat, and immediately grabbed a stamp, letting it rise.

Fiona was about to be rejected. She hadn't shown vulnerability, so she would walk away with her dignity. But she didn't want to walk away at all. Fiona had to make a decision, which would she regret more: Seeming soft and actually caring, or never being able to help build a better world?

Fiona's hand surged forward, grabbing Sonic's arm, "Wait! Please Wait!" She found her heart pounding against her chest. Fiona felt nervous, but there was no going back now.

Sonic remained still. Fiona licked her lips, "I… I don't know if I want this. I have a lot to lose now… but if Scourge comes by, I can't promise I won't run off with him. But I don't like what I did. I regret hurting you out of spite, and I'm sorry I hurt Tails." Fiona felt incredibly stressed and soft. The new recruits could all probably hear.

Sonic pulled his arm out of her grip.

Fiona continued, "I could be better. I can't promise I'll be perfect, but I don't want to sit back while everyone else keeps what little I have left safe. So please, let me be a Freedom Fighter again." Fiona's hands were clasped together. She was actually begging, but she didn't see any other options.

Sonic looked deep into her eyes, his beautiful green gems starring into her soul. Sonic sighed, and put the stamp down, and picked up another one, and stamped her paper. Fiona red the bright red letters: APPROVED.

Fiona smiled, and Sonic stood up, gasping a bit in discomfort. Then Fiona saw it. The red specks around his lower belly, along with stitches for a hole.

Fiona gasped, "Um… what happened to you?" She felt very uncomfortable, because she knew the answer.

"I got shot." Sonic frowned, "It was an accident. That's why I'm here, to help out while I heal up."

Fiona nodded slowly, "I see… You're getting better though."

Sonic frowned, "You're probably going to be given a gun. If you're going to shoot me in the back, do me a favor and kill me so I don't have to deal with the "I told you sos" from everyone else." Sonic walked over to a water cooler, and began to pour himself a glass.

Fiona looked down at her paper, feeling a little conflicted, but happy that she had her second chance. Hopefully, she wouldn't blow it.

/*-*/

Johan crawled through the tight hole, the rope which pulled the sled pushing against his teeth. Meats and cheeses for his slaves lined the cart as he crawled forward, entering the large room, to find it empty.

Johan sniffed the air, carefully making sure he was not prone to violence where none was needed. They had not left the area without returning. He set down the rope and trudged through out the area. The lights were on, which told Johan that power had been restored to his fortress. Perhaps his slaves were taking a break.

Johan continued to walk up the stairs, following the scent of his targets. They appeared to be in the rooms ahead, or at least that was where their scent led him to. The door main door was open, and Johan stepped forward, ignoring his senses which told him that danger was ahead.

As he stepped over the frame, the door suddenly slammed against his chest, locking him in place, although… it seemed like it was trying to cut him in half. The door lacked the power to get through his tough hide though. Johan suddenly felt a blade strike his side, skipping off his fur.

Now he understood. He felt anger rise at the betrayal. All of his Red Garden Defenders jumped out of their hiding spots with weapons drawn, made of iron. Johan found himself stunned with anger, his body locking to prevent a rash decision.

They swung iron weapons against his hide, with the only real damage being slight annoyance when they would Johan's eyes. The Garden Defenders started of so enthusiastic. All seven of them were working against him, although the one who had started was truly putting in all of the effort she could.

Her teeth were grit as she swung the metal mace against Johan's hide, trying to knock him unconscious. She had a metal arm, and decently sized features, indicating fertility, and fierce blue eyes. Even as the others faltered, slowly coming to realize how little damage they were doing. The red Garden Defenders slowly began to back away, two swallowing nervously.

Johan's body finally realized his anger wasn't going to subside, and decided to return control. Johan jerked up, warranting a small explosion, before slamming down, earning another explosion. The two parts of the door fell loosely around him as Johan walked in further.

The Female one kept swinging, backing away to stay at optimal range. Johan grew tired of these attacks.

He finally caught her weapon. The Red Garden Defender was surprised, but jerked, trying to free her weapon. She tugged and jerked, growling and screaming as if to muster some hidden strength that might have been in reserve.

Johan pulled the weapon up, standing on his hind legs, raising both the weapon and it's wielder over the ground. It took her a moment to realize that she had no footing. When the Red Garden Defender woman realized that she was dangling in the air, she began to swing her hips, trying to kick Johan in the face. She soon realized how hopeless that was, and her mind seemed to go to work. That gave Johan enough time to speak.

"You did not hesitate, you did not falter. You went in with the full intention to kill me." Johan growled.

She panted, sweat seeming to drip down her face and body as she remained quite.

Johan set her, down, earning a confused look from the red Garden defender. "W-Wait, what are you doing." The Red Garden defender sounded guarded.

Johan found himself smiling at her. How fitting that he, the mightiest and fiercest warrior, would have the fiercest slaves. Johan laughed, "You actually had the will to seize your destiny. You never backed down, or resigned yourself to defeat. I like that."

Johan turned to one of the cowardly ones, who had faltered after not finding success. Exampled did have to be made, "Don't ever betray me again." Johan surged forward and grabbed one of them, and pressed his paw down through the Red Garden Defender's stomach. He pulled, tearing the halves apart.

Johan tossed the parts away, as another garden defender rose to speak. Instead, Johan held up his hand, snarling, and turned back to female Garden Defender who had fought so hard, "What is your name?"

She seemed hesitant, but conceded, "Talia-Ul."

Johan cocked his head, "Stupid name, I name you Ezra. You will lead my slaves, and you will tell me all of your progress. I will not speak to cowards."

Ezra seemed confused, stunned and tried to calculate her response, "Why aren't I dead."

"Why would I kill you. You have life, and vigor. I don't want lazy slaves." Johan snorted, "Now, I trust the forge is functional, judging by these poor weapons."

Ezra nodded, "Yes… and the roboticizer… has power."

She seemed hesitant to tell him that latter part. Johan nodded, "Very well, I want the forge prepared, and I want to be taught how such a weapon works."

Ezra blinked, "Um… what?"

Johan cocked his head. Perhaps she was stupid, "Organize them. Put them to work. I promote you to head slave. Lead them and guide them in my absence, and figure out the best way to please me."

Ezra nodded slowly, and looked at her subordinates. She pointed at two, and they went into the forge room.

The rest led went to various small glass screens.

Ezra walked up to Johan, and gestured to the large glass screen which lit up, "So this is the main computer which houses the code for the roboticizer."

Johan cocked his head, "Computer? Code?"

"It basically decides how the roboticizer works." Ezra explained slowly looking up and down at Johan. His eyes caught her glances, but he saw works, but they looked different.

"How does this "code" work?" Johan demanded to know. He needed to understand the weapon to use it for a far more glorious purpose.

"I don't know. Robotnik kept it a close secret." Ezra shrugged, not sounding too displeased.

Johan would need to commit to learning this… computer's code.

"The forge is heating up." One of the slaves came in to tell Johan.

First… he'd need to address his lack of equipment.

/*-*/

Alright, so I hope everyone had a good new year. I understand that this story is changing a little bit, but more stuff is happening.

I'd love to hear what you all think, and maybe tell me what you think is going to happen. Or just point out how I could improve the story… it all works… please… I'm in desperate need of self-fulfillment from people on the internet who I will probably never meet in real life…

In all seriousness, I do wonder what's going through all of your heads as you read. I want to give clear vision when I post these chapters.