MerendinoEmilano: They work great as a team, at least when no issues are up.

Victor John Foxfire: I see you are frustrated with both of them. Fiona is playing it safe, keeping both options available, unable to make a decisive choice. Sally doesn't like Fiona, and wants her out. Sally feels threatened, so that creates conflict. Sally also doesn't trust Fiona, and while with good reason, won't take any risk. I wanted to convey that. I guess your frustration either means I wrote their dynamic good, or really bad. Johan doesn't have a regiment, he's a one man army, with the respect of the soldiers… nothing bad could ever come from that. Sonic is drifting in between Johan's past, but it's not always in order. Now, Johan avoiding hypocrisy is one of the virtues I wanted from his character. He's just, meaning he upholds any law he views as legitimate. Religious, Social, Legal, those categories don't exist for him. There are only good things and bad things, and he acts according to his creed.

/*-*/

Sonic's eyes opened, and he was in a camp. There was bustling. Tanks rolled across dirt roads, These ones being cream-colored. They had round turrets, and some had short, large guns, and others had long and thin guns. Sonic wasn't one for measurements, but there was a clear difference.

His attention was directed into a tent as more soldiers ran by. Sonic floated inside, where he saw a man with a bandana standing, looking at a map. He was muscular, for sure, and looked young.

A form came into the doorway, both Sonic and the Figure turned to see Johan come into the tent. He had more scars, or rather scabs, on his face than before. Sonic heard the figure growl, "Jonathan, what you did on the southern front was unaccept-"

"Oh, shut up!" Johan, or Jonathan, barked, "A platoon got stuck and the last thing we need is to lose an entire platoon because your stupid order got lost in the middle of being spread!"

The figure paused, "A platoon?"

"Yeah, a platoon Asis, a whole three hundred men, five hundred if you count the wounded." Johan growled.

Asis nodded, frowning, "I see. Thank you. You seem to be fine… aside from those wounds. Have you had them checked."

Johan nodded, "We did what we had to do." He seemed to shrug it off, as if he didn't have a bullet wound in his shoulder, or two cuts across his cheek.

"You lost some men when you opened the corridor, how are you holding up." Asis seemed to look closely at Johan, seeming to gage his reactions.

Johan shrugged, "We killed more of them than we lost, we saved more than we lost. Nothing to really hold."

Asis blinked a couple times, "You aren't feeling regret, or sorrow? Are you hurting?"

Johan seemed to think for a moment, before shrugging, "No."

Sonic felt… uncomfortable. Asis sighed, "Are you sure?"

Johan groaned, "Stop it, Da. Get on with the debrief."

Asis' upper lip pushed out, his tongue running across his teeth, "Your father told me you were different. I thought he meant your defect-"

Johan snarled, and Sonic felt a shiver up his spine, "Don't talk about it!"

Asis remained Stoic, "I think he was referring to your nature. You were always different. I am wondering if I raised a monster?"

Johan seemed to calm down, though clearly upset still, "Maybe you have. I am the monster that will haunt the nightmares of your enemies."

Asis shook his head, and lowered it, "That. I just told you I knew your father, and you didn't even react. A normal person would ask all sorts of questions. "What were they like?" "Would they have loved me?" "Am I anything like them?" You don't seem to care though."

Johan rolled his eyes, "I don't care about someone I never met. I don't worry about questions that don't matter. There's work to be done, and I am going to do it. I know you saved my life, and I am grateful… even if I can't show it. That's where my loyalties lie. When your empire, even if it isn't your empire anymore, had trouble, I did what I could. I used what you taught me, and I brought it back."

Asis nodded, "Alright. I see you're agitated, I know you don't express smaller emotions very well, but you need an outlet. And try to stop being, or at least appearing so cold, it's not good for morale. And…. There's a lot for you to learn."

"I know." Johan growled, but Asis interrupted, as Sonic just realized he had been looking directly at Sonic, "I was talking to our listener."

Johan reached for his knife, "God? Angels? Demons?"

Asis shook his head, "No… this is weaker. I think they were invited here by something, in some time. Maybe in the future, maybe in the past."

"Should I be worried?" Johan asked firmly.

"No, they can't do anything, only watch, but it helps to know when they are. I can teach you the skill at some point."

Johan snorted, "Sure… when ever we get free time. Now tell them off. I don't need any distractions."

Suddenly Sonic bolted awake, as if he had been electrocuted. He looked around is room. It was a nice room, one he didn't really notice when he came into the night before.

He was really tired last night. Sonic's burns tended to sap his energy. Sonic felt… old. He knew constantly fighting wasn't good, and getting hurt wasn't good for energy, but he never felt so tired. It was like his life had left its passion behind.

Sonic stretched out of bed, and saw the fine blanket that seemed to stretch over the bed. Who ever owned the house was very… well off. Sonic noticed how comfy the bed was, how the room didn't feel too cold even though he didn't light a fire in the night. Sonic stepped out onto the floor, which had carpet as opposed to wood or tile.

Sonic had a feeling that Antoine and Sally both had rooms similar to his. Sonic stepped outside after putting on his shoes. Sonic felt unnerved by… what ever he dreamed about. It was weird, losing his dreams. Sonic felt like he was missing important details because he had them when he slept.

He walked down to the communal kitchen. Sausage and a grainy stew were being passed out. Sonic grabbed a bowl and sat down. He ate in silence, noticing Fiona across the kitchen area, eating alone as well.

As tired as Sonic had been, she had been even more so. She fell asleep like she hadn't slept in days. Sonic almost felt bad for her. He still had his doubts, but Fiona needed someone to believe in her. Sonic could… at least try that.

The more he thought about it… the more trust she deserved. She hadn't run off despite the several chances she had. She could have shot him in the back at any point, but she didn't. Fiona even ratted out Scourge, who could have been a serious problem.

Then again… Sally seemed to have some proof that Fiona wasn't good. Sonic was torn, but he knew that he needed to at least hear her out before he could fully trust Fiona.

So Sonic finished his breakfast, and headed straight for the Headquarters. Walking in was easy, as Sally didn't really have any complicated meeting process, unlike the king.

Sonic walked up to her desk while she was looking at a map.

Sonic cleared his throat to let her know he was there.

Sally looked up, "Oh, Sonic…. I heard you were back. I… see you have some scars, are you ok?"

Sonic nodded quickly, "Yeah, I'm fine… hey, can I ask you something?" Sonic wasn't sure how to be clever or tactful. Those were never his strong suites.

Sally nodded, and sat up straight, "What's wrong?"

"Do you have proof that Fiona is hiding something?" Sonic blurted out.

Sally seemed a little disappointed, "That's what you want to talk about? Alright, I overheard her talking with someone on her watch. I don't know who. She insists she was talking to herself."

Sonic nodded slowly. That was something, but then again, it was her word against Fiona's. Sonic decided to ask clearly, "Do you have proof? Like something that will say she was definitely guilty of trying to hurt us?"

"Of course not." Sally grumbled, "I just know she's up to something."

Sonic felt himself getting a little angry, "You said you had something on her. That's what you told her, right?"

Sally smirked, "It's fun watching her squirm. She acts so sly and mysterious. I just knocked her down a peg. Although, if she was innocent, she wouldn't be so afraid."

Sonic balled a fist, "She's trying to be good! You keep pushing her away. She almost left last night, and if I hadn't stayed, she might have gone back to Scourge!" Sonic barked, much to Sally's recoil.

Sally slowly recovered, "I think she's playing everyone. I think she's playing you the most. She's going to hurt you by the end of this, I know it. I don't want that."

Sonic heard enough, "Stop it. You… you need to actually think about everything that you've done. You're changing, and I don't like where it's going." He left her with that thought. Maybe he wasn't right, Maybe he wasn't using the proper words. But he wasn't going to stay and think about it. Instead, he was going to visit Fiona, and remind her she was a welcome Freedom Fighter.

Of course, when he saw her resting on the wall, looking across the snowy plains to the east, Sonic was reminded how beautiful she really was. That wasn't a horny statement, driven by a hormonal teenager, it was a fact. She had wonderful curves, bright blue eyes and surprisingly well maintained fur. She was solid ten in the looks department. Shame in the history department she was a whopping two.

Sonic still approached her, and enjoyed the way her face lit up when she saw him. Of course, the bright, genuine smile was replaced by a sly smirk, "Get bored of the regulars?"

Sonic gave her a smirk, "I was just coming to check on you. You seemed so sad, all alone." He playfully taunted.

Fiona kept her smile, "Alright, that one got me."

"Funny or painful?" Sonic asked, hopeful that she joking.

"A little bit of both." Fiona sighed, keeping her smirk up.

Sonic slumped slightly, "I didn't mean to jab you. I was just trying to have some fun."

Fiona nodded, "So… did you talk with the Princess? Find out my big dark secret?"

Sonic nodded, "Yeah… Apparently you have been talking to someone."

Fiona let out a nasal breath, and nodded, "That's what she told me."

Sonic felt… off about that. "Have you been talking to anyone?"

Fiona cocked her head, "Of course not, no one outside of the guys here, and even they don't want to talk to me when I tell them I'm not interested."

Sonic wanted to believe her, but his internal compass was going off. He couldn't find much emotions to feel within her, so she was probably telling the truth… unless of course she didn't care. If that was the case, then Fiona could lie without showing any emotions. The purple emerald had its limits as a lie detector.

Sonic's intuition, on the other hand sounded several Alarms. Sally wasn't a liar, so she wouldn't make up something, despite her personal opinions. Fiona could be very convincing when she wanted to be. Why was Fiona there anyway? She could have left at anytime, and "wanting to make a difference" didn't satisfy Sonic.

Sonic must have been glaring because Fiona growled, "Look, if you don't trust me, just send me back. I think this might have been a stupid idea anyway."

Sonic shook his head desperately. He was in the worst position he could possibly be in. If Fiona was telling the truth, then Sonic may have Isolated her, and send her back to Scourge. If not, keeping her with them was dangerous, but Sonic had to at least try to keep her with them, "I get it. Sally feels uncomfortable with you, and she's trying to get you riled up. Don't worry about her."

Fiona's guard seemed to drop a little, "Alright… thanks."

Sonic smiled, "If you get into trouble, I'll come and help you, I promise. You won't be left alone."

Fiona snorted, "Come on, you won't always know when things are going down. Don't make me a promise like that."

Sonic shook his head, with a confident grin, "I'll be there, trust me."

Fiona's sly smirk returned, "Don't be late."

Sonic smiled at her. They didn't say any more. Sonic ended up meeting up with Tails before they started their move out. The Flow was nice, and Eggman seemed to be hopelessly out matched what could go wrong.

/*-*/

Fiona felt warm, which was odd considering the actual temperature was quite cold. She didn't know why, but she was pretty sure she wasn't sick. Still, she felt happy, and that was enough.

She woke up with a lightness in her chest. She got dressed, and headed outside. Something about her days were going right. The cold air cooled her off and the sun seemed to shine down on her.

Fiona ate breakfast with a smile, and saw the everyone was pretty… normal. The newer guys were sitting around with their old guns and confused looks. Still, even they didn't seem to mind the waiting. Or rather, they weren't quite revolting yet.

Fiona could understand their anticipation, however. It felt like a waste of time. Johan was gone for some reason, and they were waiting on him. Fiona would go and talk to Sally, if she wasn't… uncomfortable around Sally. So Fiona kept her distance.

Sonic sat down at the table, "So… How are you doing?" He seemed slightly concerned with her.

Fiona smiled, "I'm getting along just fine. I won't run off just yet. We'll see how it goes." She felt her body getting warmer.

Sonic smirked, "Alright… So what do you think of the new recruits?"

Fiona snorted, "They look new alright. I guess I should be grateful for the help. I mean, they'll save me some work, but I doubt they even know how to shoot a rifle."

Sonic snickered, "Yeah, but hey, they want to help. We all deserve a second chance." Sonic's eyes looked at Fiona cautiously.

Right… The silence hung in the air as Fiona nodded slowly, not ready to meet his eyes. He was giving her a chance to prove herself. Yes, he had asked about Scourge, and Fiona had lied, but those had been white lies. It wasn't like it was actually going to hurt Sonic.

Fiona was going to help out until Scourge got her out. Then… maybe she could get Scourge to actually make peace with Sonic. The two really didn't have anything to get from beating each other down. Scourge could be king of his universe for all Sonic cared. At least, that was what Fiona thought.

"He's back!" A call went out.

Fiona perked up, and saw the large Wolverine walk through the gate, a sled with boxes in tow.

The Recruits gathered around, and Fiona walked over. There were more boxes than She expected.

Johan ripped them open, and began to distribute the weapons. Sally came over, walking by Fiona. What ever she had, she was keeping it close to her chest until it was time to reveal. Hopefully, Fiona could escape beforehand.

The plate-vests and rifles seemed to intimidate the new users. Sally stepped up, and picked up a rifle, "Alright, these are bolt action rifles. They can hold ten bullets, and load like this." Sally pulled the bolt back and began to show the new recruits how to load the weapons. Then they set off.

Fiona stuck close to Sonic, and overheard their conversation.

"Shouldn't we train them how to use the rifles?" Sonic asked, "They haven't actually used them yet."

Sally sighed, "Yes, we should, but the Republic is impatient, and I've already got a strike for taking so long."

"Why does that matter? We are pushing Eggman back." Sonic naively proposed. Fiona understood the politics. Rulers tended to want results fast, regardless of how costly it was… until it actually costed something.

"I can't say no again." Sally sighed glumly, "I just hope we don't actually need to use them too much. I'd like to avoid casualties."

"ENEMY SPOTTED!" The called went out from the front.

Everyone scrambled. Sally called out, "Form a defensive line! Get your guns ready!" Of course, organizing roughly a thousand men, two hundred of which were fresh, was difficult.

They scrambled around each other. Fiona saw rocks to her left, and ran over, crawling behind them, peaking her rifle through the crack between them.

Fiona leveled her sights and waited as the chaos ensued. Sonic ran around, rallying the soldiers that he could, and getting them in the right positions.

Tails flew overhead, parroting Sally's orders. The sound of small motors picked up through the shouts and screams. Some of the mobians straight up ignored the orders and hid behind trees with their rifles out.

The Motorbugs emerged from the road and Fiona fired straight into one's… skull? Headpiece? What ever it was called ,it was broke.

Fiona saw the swat bots and Legionnaires approaching. The Swatbots seemed to struggle moving fast, but the legionnaires were running into the woods.

Fiona fired at the bots. Johan sprang to life, smashing Motorbugs as they got close. Fiona was once again grateful that Eggman didn't ally him.

Fiona kept firing at the badniks. They were sturdy, solid, difficult to really break, but Fiona wasn't one to shy away from challenges. She fired her last round, knocking down the fourth badnik. Fiona pulled the bolt back and slammed it in. The click let her know she needed to reload.

She pulled out the two strips and pressed them into the rifle, before slamming the bolt back in. She propped herself up, and fired again, this time with a louder rumble.

The men had finally organized as Sally shouted, "Fire!" A volley flew through the forest. Two bullets struck Johan, who snarled around, but realized who was fighting. Apparently, he wasn't too angry at them, because he went back to smashing skulls.

Fiona loaded and fired again and again. Lasers struck the rock, and Fiona ducked down. She felt confident. They weren't going to lose here.

Fiona popped back up and lined up with the Legionnaire, pressing the trigger. She fell on her back, clutching her chest. Fiona landed a direct hit.

She just shot a fellow mobian. The thought rumbled through her… for a moment. The legionnaire would have done the same to her. Fiona shook it off and aimed once again. Sonic zipped past her, and smashed something. Fiona looked up to her left, where the rocks and hilly-forest met. There was a Swatbot that had climbed over.

Fiona smiled at Sonic, "Thanks, but I had it covered."

Sonic however, seemed more focused on the hill. He zipped in, and the sound of smashing told Fiona that there was a flanking force. She ran up the hill, and got ready to fire at the badniks. Sonic, seemed to clear out most of them.

Fiona went back to her rock position, only to find the Legionnaires running in every direction. They were retreating. Fiona looked down to seem probably twenty mobians lying on the ground, motionless.

Sally walked over, and knelt by them, bowing her head.

Johan returned, "Why are we stopping, let us catch them before they can escape and remuster!" He growled.

Sonic came back, and frowned, looking down sadly.

Sally stood up, "Let's get them home."

Johan growled, "Why?"

"Their family needs to see them." Sally bit, "We can't just leave them here."

"They are far too dead to care what you do with them. Let the dead bury themselves, there is victory and battle to be fought!" Johan growled in anticipation. He seemed to be excited, not necessarily in a good way.

Sally stood up and glared at him, "We'll send them back. Forty men won't cost us too much I hope."

Sonic nodded, "I can cover for sixty guys."

Johan snarled, "SO be it. Do not halt victory for the dead, I mean it. No amount of mourning will bring them back, and the dead don't care if they are in the road or river." He seemed firm, threatening almost. Johan really wanted to keep going.

Fiona kept herself on guard. Who knew what was next?

/*-*/

Johan was so eager to continue fighting. His efforts to create a somewhat formidable force within these creatures' army was rewarded with a growing blood lust. His senses also told him that there was an enemy he needed to destroy further in the Eggman's territory. It gnawed at him, making Johan continuously shift as he paced around their camp.

They set up camp and gathered their dead, wrapping them up and preparing to return them to the capital city. Why? There was no point. The souls were either in Heaven, Hell or Valhalla. The dead could not, and should be brought back to life, until the end of days.

Still Johan growled as he walked back and forth, patrolling around the camp, hoping for some attack that would reinvigorate him.

"Hey." Johan craned his neck to face Gewis, who caught his jumpy, rather guarded nature. "Sorry, sheesh, do you even sleep?"

"I do, but there is so much to do, so many enemies to kill." Johan scanned the forested area.

"I'd rather not kill anyone." Gewis mumbled.

"Gewis, you will have to kill people. People need to understand why you are not someone who will be walked on." Johan growled.

"It's Lewis. And I don't want to kill people. I know I have to, but I don't like it." He mumbled, "I came here to say thanks. You got me out of the Motorbug's way, so I owe you that one."

Johan remained focused, his metal plate mask probably hiding his expression, "You are a warrior. You will not be trampled upon, nor will you submit. Deep down, you know I am right. People like you belong at the highest order of a society, not in prison."

Gewis shook his head, "It's so much more complicated than that."

"NO IT ISN'T. Your people make it sound complicated to justify their weakness and cowardice. Those who are strong and can keep their freedom deserve it. When your rights are violated, you strike back, and secure them. Anything else is an evil response." Johan barked, growling again.

Gewis was silent for a moment, "Even forgiveness?"

"Especially forgiveness. Letting a crime go unpunished means the criminal will continue endlessly. Someone has to stop those who forget their place." Johan affirmed.

They were quiet. Gewis simply nodded slowly. Johan allowed himself to see the mentally conflicted face of the young warrior. He was thinking about Johan's words. That was enough, the logical would see the truth in them.

Of course, the night went by without battle. Three days of marching only proved to heighten Johan's hunger for battle.

So when the sight of the city, walled and secured came into view, Johan was thrilled. He was finally able to sate his hunger for battle.

Sally called the army together, "Alright, there are several gates. We can assume that there is a massive garrison as well. I don't know how many badniks there are in there. Johan, I want to you to break down the gate, and keep them off us while we attack."

Johan turned around and got ready to charge. A swift, decisive strike. Johan was ready. He could feel it, the enemy that would give him a glorious battle was in the city.

Sally called out, "Johan, charge!"

Johan burst forward tearing through the snow. He let out a roar, or the best one he could while maintaining his moment.

The two guards seemed to hear him, and quickly identified him, judging by their terrified faces.

Johan slammed into the gate right as the Alarm went out, signaling the enemy's scramble for their weapons.

Johan shook off the stiffness he felt from slamming into steel gates. His armor held, and his mask didn't bend. Johan turned his head to face his next target: The towers. Johan bounded back towards the gate that held the towers, and ran up the stairs, before slamming into the right tower of the gate. It crumpled, earning screams from the bodies within the tower. He then ran to get the next tower as his allies scrambled up to the city walls.

Johan finished with the tower and turned to see the wolves and weasels rushing out to attack them.

"What? He's attacking now?" A voice shouted over the noise makers.

Johan jumped off the gate, and slammed into the ground, creating a shockwave of snow. He let out a roar as the enemy seemed to fire straight at his chest, which was futile because it was the most protected by armor. Johan slammed his claws into a Weasel's skull, smashing it open. Johan took his fingers and licked the blood off of them, as the enemies around him staggered in horror.

Johan felt it flowing, the blood, the energy, the thrill. It was weak, but there. He just needed a stronger opponent.

The Voice called out with the noise makers, "PROTECT THE CITIDEL NOW!"

Johan swung his arms, tossing two wolves and a weasel across the road, one of the wolves slamming into the building. The sound of gun fire from behind him let him know his allies were close by.

Sally called out, "Get in cover, spread out through the city, Let's drive them back!" She ran forward and cut a weapon in half next to Johan.

"What ever he had in the citadel, we need to smash it. SONIC, SMASH THAT TOWER!"

Sonic turned into a blur as he ran to the large building in the center of town. The sound of screeching and roaring filled the air as a blur moved to intercept.

Johan smashed another Wolf's skull with his hands. He would have loved an axe. He would build one in his off time.

"Metal Sonic!" Sally called out, before turning to Johan. Johan perked up in excitement. He saw the machine, the machine that had been so fierce and fun to fight again. He wanted to go in a fight… he would have to wait for Sonic to either fail or defeat it. There was no glory in fighting an occupied opponent.

Sally grabbed Johan's face, and pulled, "HEY! I'm Talking to you!" She shouted over the gun fire. Had she? Johan wasn't paying much attention.

Sally cleared her throat, "You need to destroy that tower! Ok! Smash it to bits. Sonic will handle Metal."

Johan had a feeling there was mockery in her tone, but he understood. He turned to the street. It was clear down the center to the large building. There appeared to be several smaller structures around the large building, with some purpose to be connected.

Johan charged forward, preparing to tear down the large building that towered roughly forty feet in the air. His rush was hindered when the wolves wheeled out a large cannon. His mind returned to his defeat in the north. He was softer, weaker back then. Now he had to prove his strength.

Johan made a turn and charged at the large cannon, which began to glow as they lined up with the gateway. The enemy spotted him and scrambled to turn the gun around on him. Johan was quickly closing the distance. The gun turned to face him, and Johan leapt forward.

As the beam filled the air, Johan smiled and flung himself with his full weight. The beam hit him, but his strength and armor overmatched the blast, and he continued forward, slamming into the large gun, grabbing one of the crew and slamming them into a wall.

The rest of the crew scrambled away. Johan smashed the gun even more, to ensure they would not have it repaired.

A second crew was within the center ring of the city, and Johan exchanged a gaze with the two. He was confused as to why they were not firing at him. They seemed nervous.

Johan turned his body, and returned to all fours. The crew immediately abandoned the weapon, and ran in a disorganized fashion. Johan bounded towards the gun, and did a quick smash before turning towards the tower.

"STAND AND FIG- Oh it doesn't matter anymore. BEHOLD!" Johan heard movement from within the tower. Two large doors began to open, with fog and steam emerging from the insides.

The sound of mechanical limbs crunching forward, slowly, sluggishly. Not at all like the Metal Sonic which seemed lighter and designed for agility.

Johan felt his heart beating in excitement. His senses were right, there was an enemy here to fight. His excitement dwindled when he realized it would likely be a machine.

The floating sphere which contained the Eggman descended from the sky, "Oh… you're just in time."

The sound of heave footsteps was accompanied by two large, blue glowing eyes which seemed to be a foot taller than Johan.

The Eggman laughed, "You gave me quite the scare when you showed up. I couldn't really see a way to stop you. But after seeing you fight, I got an inspiration."

Brown, painted steel emerged from the Tower. A large Brown diamond plate made up the machine's torso. It had two large, brown, blocky metal arms with stiff blades sticking out of each forearm area. The Legs were made up of equally thick steel, which seemed thinner in the back area, as if to fold in on itself. The thing that truly peaked… emotion from Johan was it's head. The glowing blue eyes came from a jagged, steel head, with thin plates that made eye brows and ears. A mechanical Wolverine's head.

Eggman laughed, "What do you think of my technological marvel: Metal…. I don't believe I caught your name… What was your name?" He seemed to ask Johan. It was a fair question, that he would know who he fought.

"I am Johan, of the Saxon tribe." Johan stood up, and eyed the mechanical copy.

"What I have here is pinnacle of brawling war-" The Eggman started.

Johan was conflicted with his emotions, but he was ready to dissuade the illusion of victory, "What you have is appeasement and hope. Hope that when I have finished tearing this metal abomination appart, that I will be too tired, or too impressed to do the same to you." Johan growled. He was skeptical on both.

With one hand, the Metal Johan was a symbol Of Johan's strength, that he was so powerful that the weak would try to copy him. With the other hand was the frustration that it would probably do nothing but disgrace Johan should anyone fight it.

The Eggman fumed, "Metal Johan, Show him who's boss."

Memories Broken, the truth goes unspoken

Johan spread his legs in an attack stance. The Metal Machine roared to life, and trudged forward with a fair amount of fluid motion. Johan surged forward to meet it, ducking down to grab it by the waist area. He used that as an opportunity to grab the machine and lift it off the ground.

I've even forgotten my name

Johan felt a harsh impact on his back, causing him to stagger, slamming the machine on the ground. It had force, that much was true.

I don't know the season

"CAREFUL WITH THAT!" The Eggman shouted, "THAT THING TOOK WEEKS TO PERFECT, SEVERAL FIELD TESTS, AND HOURS OF DESIGN! SHOW SOME RESTRAINT!"

or what is the reason I'm standing here holding my blade

Johan crawled of his metallic copy, and leapt back. Metal-Johan slowly rose, lifting itself by its knees, then its torso. There appeared to be a light dent in its metal chest piece.

Johan snarled at his copy. His copy opened its jaw, revealing a soft of glass case in its throat, letting out a sound similar to that of metal wheels grinding.

A desolate place, without any trace

It surged forward at Johan, and he rose to meet it, slamming a fist into its chest piece. The machine staggered back as a dent made itself known in the torso. Johan was wasting too much time trying to puncture the armor. He needed a new plan.

It's only the cold wind I feel

The Machine recovered and reared its right arm back.

It's me that I spite as I stand up and fight

"WAIT NO!" The Eggman Shouted as the fist full of static blades surged into Johan's armor. The blades collided and snapped, chipped and bent on contact with Johan's armor. The Machine let out another metallic screech in frustration.

As I stand up and Fight, The only thing I know for real

Johan allow the foam and anger to flow from his body. God was calling to him, he could hear the promises of victory as his Ulfheidnar's rage came forward with his hands, together in a tight, two-fisted hammer on the machine's left side.

There will be blood, Death

The Metal-Johan flew back. Johan's vision became blurry as he pursued. A red beam flew from his metal copy's mouth, but Johan ignored any pain he felt. He smashed again and again, roaring, before slamming his head into Metal Johan's chest.

The man in the mirror nods his head

Johan began to feel… exhausted. He wasn't used to using the trance with armor. It weighed more than he prepared for. But as his vision came back, it seemed the trance was effective.

The only one, left,

His metallic copy stood, but it seemed locked in a right-forward position. The head turned down to see the massive dent in the torso, and yellow fluid leaking from the seams of the armor. It tried to push forward, but the left leg did not respond.

Will ride upon the dragons back

Ultimately, it was not worth Johan's time. The Machine could not hurt him. "Perhaps if it was built a month ago, I might have been at risk. This machine is no threat to me." Johan stated, panting.

Because the mountains don't give back what they take

The Eggman gulped, "R-Right… Retreat!"

Johan's metal copy, however, seemed to at least understand the warrior's code: Fight until you die, or your enemy does. It's jaw lowered once again, and the lens in the back of its throat began to glow.

Oh no, there will blood, death, it's the only thing I've ever known!

Johan charged the machine… right as it burst into flames. Fire ran down the stream of yellow and up through the crevices and cracks in the armor.

Losing my Identity, left wondering have I gone insane

Johan's metallic copy screeched as it burnt, seeming to swing in an attempt to land one hit on Johan. Johan raised his fist, and smashed the metal head of the burning machine. Such abominations did not deserve to exist.

To find the truth in front of me, I must climb this mountain range

The armies that remained were silent. The fighting had ceased as the two powerhouses slugged it out. Now… Johan's enemies realized his strength, and how little they could fight. He felt a wave of regret fill his heart. Pain and sorrow at the sad truth: there was no real challenger for him. No enemy to make him grow.

Looking down from this deadly high

Their surrender was… angering, but such was the way of cowards. Where were the warriors of this land? Were they all fight for the same kingdom?

But never realizing why I fight.

They had won, with their enemy commander in retreat, and the city secured. A victory that was assured from the beginning.

/*-*/

Yes Mr. Foxfire, you were right about Metal Johan. I didn't want to spoil it, but I guess it wasn't that good of a fight anyway.

This really marks the end of the Counter-attack arc for this story. What did you all think of the arc as a whole?

There was a lot to unpack from this chapter, but I hope you all will tell me what you thought of it, or how I can improve.