MerenDinoEmilano: Badass? I thought it was a sad chapter. Two of the closest friends torn apart by anger and pride. I guess there was some stuff to be awesome though.

Victor John Foxfire: I may have discounted Geoffrey's character for the sake of simplicity. He's malcontent to Sonic. Anytime Sonic has Issues, he's happy, at least that's how I wrote his character. As for the scent Johan recognized… that's to be revealed.

I honestly expected more disturbed responses, considered the bulk of last chapter was Sonic and Tails ripping into each other… The more you know.

/*-*/

A cloud passed over the sun. Sonic looked up. He hoped it wouldn't rain. Not today. He had the whole party planned around his family being in Roja with a clear sky. Still, it was dark, and it made him a little sad, the idea that the party would get rained out was not a happy one.

Sonic turned around and walked inside. He had found a couple of chefs who had done some catering before they moved to Roja. He saw the fine array of toppings for the hotdogs. Onions, cheese, peppers, and the king of all toppings: Chili. There were fries, burgers and a few other "dishes" that were apparently well liked by nobles.

Sonic walked into the kitchen, "Hey, how's it coming."

"Everything is going according to schedule. Assuming nothing terrible happens, we should be set to eat on time. Do you know when the guests of honor will arrive?" The chef asked, seeming to be a little… more relaxed than usual. Sonic squinted.

"Have you been drinking?" Sonic asked, suspicious of his calm demeanor.

"I had a glass to calm my nerves." The chef smiled, slightly rosy cheeks, seeming to not have all of his rings in his head.

Sonic nodded, trying to keep his frustration to a minimum, "Alright, just try to keep from having anymore. We need you on stand by incase we need more food." It was unlikely, but Sonic wasn't taking any chances. It wasn't like a chilidog was going to go to waste under his watch.

The chef nodded, "I'll keep it under wraps."

Sonic looked at the sous-chef who rolled his eyes, nodded at Sonic, and gave a thumbs up. Sonic sighed and walked out of the kitchen. He couldn't really control the chef, but he had faith that everything would fall into place. Sonic stepped outside, and saw Sally, sitting outside of the gate area with her hands on her hips.

Sonic didn't like that look. He was in trouble, probably. Still, Sonic wanted to see if maybe the day had just gotten off to a rocky start, "Hey, Sal what's up?"

Sally growled at Sonic, "You know exactly what's up. You still haven't apologized to Tails?" She seemed in utter disbelief. Well Sonic was in disbelief that the little pest had attacked him.

"No, and I'm not going to. Screw him. He thinks he's a man, let him be the bigger person for once." Sonic growled, trying not to take his anger out on Sally.

Sally recoiled, "Come on Sonic, just work through it like you two normally do. Please, That wasn't anywhere remotely cool to say. You were at fault." Sally firmly stated.

Sonic blinked, "Oh, so Tails gets off again? He's somehow fine and ok? No-NO! I'm done sitting there and taking it for him while he works out his issues." Sonic snapped as Sally went to protest. Sonic didn't mean to interrupt her necessarily, but he needed to let her know what his deal was.

Sally recoiled from his response. Her face was horrified, "H-How can you say that. What you…" She recoiled seemingly from the memory itself, "You are horrible." She muttered, "How can you sit there an leave it there?"

Sonic was really getting frustrated… but he did sort of want to explain it. She should at least understand where he was coming from. " Tails has always been the little adorable crab. He gets to do whatever he wants, and never had to deal with any of the people he pissed off. Well now he crossed a line. He hates me? Fine! I don't need that freak around me anyway." Sonic stomped his foot into the ground. His breathing was jagged and angry.

Because his chest hurt. Not a physical pain from getting pounded. It was like someone was scrapping the insides of his heart with a metal feather. Sonic balled his fist.

Sally shook her head, "I don't get it. You want to apologize to him."

"I HATE YOU!"

Sonic felt the pain double down in his chest. How could Tails say that? Sonic tried his hardest to help the little guy out whenever problems came. He tried to pull Tails out of a slump whenever the fox was down. How could he hate Sonic? It wasn't fair.

It wasn't fair that Tails got to be a punk whenever he wanted and never have to apologize. It wasn't fair that Sonic had to do most of the heavy lifting, and then make time for Tails whenever something bad happened.

Sonic turned to Sally, he could feel the bitterness setting in, "If he wants to be a big boy, let him. Let him work through this like the rest of us."

Sally balled her fist softly, her face becoming steely, and unreadable, "You don't mean that."

"YEAH I DO! He wants to be an adult, but he acts like a kid. Fine!" Sonic shouted, panting from a sort of exhaustion he couldn't really figure out.

Sally shook threw her hands up and down, as if to throw down an imaginary towel, "Fine, if you're going to be stubborn, I have other things to do. But think about what you are throwing away."

She walked off, back to Freedom Headquarters. What did she know? Probably a lot. As Sonic thought about it, she was pretty good with people. But he wasn't going to be the first to apologize. No, he'd done that enough.

Sonic instead opted to distract himself with preparations for the party. Distract himself he did. The posts were set up with lights around to form a lovely square that held the dance area. Tables were lined up in zig-zag patterns, ready to be seated by seventy people. Candles were set up for each table, to provide enough light as the day went into the night.

Sonic nodded, and smiled, right as the first carriage came in. It seemed to host the noble family of Ramston. Then came the republic envoy, carrying Rosemary and the other republicans, including…

"UNCLE CHUCK?" Sonic exclaimed with joy, the sight of his uncle was enough to cheer him up.

"Hey Sonny boy, did my idiot brother show up yet?" Charles laughed… but with a bit of concern.

"No….why?" Sonic asked nervously. Surely everything was fine?

"He and I left at the same time. We agreed to race each other here through carriages. I suppose the metal body might be slowing it down a bit." Charles dismissed, not realistically. He was scared, which made Sonic scared.

Hamlin stepped off the carriage, "Move it Charles, I've been sitting in here all day." He seemed to be…normal. Not that Sonic liked him much normally.

Sonic saw the rest of the republicans get out. He got out of their way, letting them pass. Sonic's friends on the council were giving him a wave as they passed by.

A couple more nobles showed up. Sonic greeted them and let them into his mansion. Sonic was never one for formalities. It felt pointless.

Sonic tapped his feet, growing antsy as the day began to shift towards early dusk. He tried to tell himself it was fine. Carriages had a habit of breaking down, and taking time to repair. Still… they were hours late. Sonic suddenly stopped as a figure came down the road.

Sonic recognized the blonde hair on the blue Hedgehog anywhere. Why wasn't she in a carriage? Sonic didn't care. Maybe they walked? He was just happy…

Sonic saw her face. It wasn't joyful or ready to party. It was panicked. Sonic ran straight at her, stopping, "Mom?"

Bernadette hedgehog panted, "ITS YOUR FATHER! HE NEEDS HELP!" She shouted, pointed down the road, panicked. Eggman must have sent in a bunch of Badniks.

Sonic didn't need to be told twice. He was ready to zip off… when he had a thought. What if Eggman had several Metal Sonics? He needed help. Sally told him she would help him out if he needed. This counted as a need.

Sonic zipped up to Freedom Fighter HQ. He burst through the airlock and… into Tails.

Tails and he tumbled back, before Tails pushed him off, the fox's face lighting up with an anger.

"GET OUT! YOU AREN'T WELCOME HERE!" Tails shouted, probably presumptuously.

Sonic panted, "Tails, I need help, let me-"

Tails shouted, "GET OUT! I DON'T CARE!" The Fox practically screeched in rage.

Sonic tried to out maneuver his fox friend. "Tails I'm serious! It's about Dad!"

The Fox growled, " LEAVE ME ALONE! GO BACK TO YOUR STUPID LIFE!"

"Tails, please!" Sonic tried. He didn't have time for this "SALLY! SALLY HELP!" He shouted down the hallway.

Geoffrey appeared in the doorway, a smug look on his face, "Sally is in a meeting. She's got better things to do, what ever it is, she said it would have to wait. Do not interrupt her."

Sonic grit his teeth. All he had done was waste time. Sonic shook himself. It didn't matter, he made sure to leave a glare before he zipped out of the doorway.

Sonic bolted out into the street, past his house in the direction that his mother had come from. He was Sonic the Hedgehog, he was never late.

There was a first time for everything.

/*-*/

Fiona looked up at the glowing figure, "Come on, answer me clearly. What do I need to do?"

The figure spoke once again, "Go forth, and comfort him. Let him know that you both have a purpose, and I have plan. His suffering is not in vain."

Fiona was getting frustrated. She almost tore her grey dress. She would have if it had been in real life, "JUST ANSWER ME PLEASE!"

The figure spoke clearly, "I will leave you now. This will not be the end. Be not led into temptation, and I will deliver you from evil."

Fiona jerked awake as the Carriage rocked from running over some rocks or something. Fiona's eyes drifted to her dress. She wore a symbol of nobility. How strange was her situation? She was a noble, an enemy, a soldier and a traitor, all to the same kingdom.

No wonder Sonic didn't trust her.

The carriage continued to rock forward. Fiona gazed out the window in the forest as it turned into hills. Then… into a city wall. They were a little late to the party, but Sonic wasn't really one for timing. He was never late of course, but he also didn't seem like the kind of guy to get hung up on things like dates and times.

The carriage stopped, as Fiona heard the sound of rain starting to strike the roof. It was a good thing that she didn't wear makeup, or she might look a little messed up. Then again, she really didn't want dance soaking wet.

The door opened, and Fiona jumped out. The rain began to pour down a little harder. It still wasn't drenching, but it was enough to make Fiona want to get out. She ran without concern for her family. They could get soaked if they wanted to.

She made her way inside the relatively small manor. It was big enough to host probably a hundred people, but still hardly large enough to host the full noble court of the realm. It actually made the Apalsan Manor look huge.

Granted, it was certainly larger on the inside. She walked inside and saw the nice glow of candles as Noble families ate standing up. The walls weren't exactly ornate, sporting only a few colors, the silverware was made of iron. There were chilidogs and hamburgers on the table that held the food.

This party was definitely Sonic's. Speaking of him, where is he? Fiona thought to herself, scanning the room.

There were probably seventy people in the room. She saw Freedom Fighters, who looked occupied, and confused. She saw the republic and her former-admirer-turned-hated-enemy sitting with his mother. Those two seemed to be in an interesting argument. There were several nobles who looked confused.

"Where is Lord Hedgehog? I came to this ball with the understanding I would meet his fine lineage." A whisper came from a possum woman.

The Possum next to her whispered, "I an disgruntled by his lack of presence here."

Fiona frowned, so Sonic was absent. She walked further into the room. Tails saw her, and Fiona thought for a moment he was going to intercept her, and maybe make a couple more threats. Instead, she was allowed to keep walking. He just seemed to sit there, talking with his mother.

Which unfortunately meant Fiona would have to go to him.

She walked over to the stairs, and sat behind the steps, just close enough to hear the two talking.

"-Won't do it. He can be alone." The Fox snapped at his mother.

Rosemary gripped Tails by the back of the fur, "Our republic is one bad day away from tearing itself apart. He's our most powerful and influential ally. You will go and make up with him, or so help me!"

Tails yelped in a low voice. Fiona recoiled slightly, but remained out of sight.

Tails nodded, "Fine… I'll go talk to him." The Fox was certainly frustrated.

Fiona saw Tails walk past her, not even paying attention to her. What ever happened, it had to be big. She decided to follow Tails. The stairs weren't cluttered and Fiona rose up as Anthony or whatever his name was stood at the top of the balcony.

"Hello my fellow piers… Our dearest friend is of beings the stubborns, as is Sonic's nature. He is super stubborn no?" The Coyote smiled, seeming to hope for a laugh. It didn't come.

Fiona got to the top of the stairs, and worked her way down the right hallway, before making a left. It wasn't hard to spot the Chipmunk, and deduce that she was at Sonic's door. The question was, why wasn't it open?

Sally was wearing a blue dress with shoulder covers and an open back. It seemed to cover just enough in the upper area, but was more conservative the lower it got. Her hair was braided back in a longer, twisted chain. Maybe Fiona should grow her hair out longer.

Fiona approached, but kept her distance from Tails. She wanted to eavesdrop in on what was happening, not get chased off.

Sally continued to sit against the door, "Come on Sonic… You can't host a party and not come. Come on Sonic… what ever it is, we can talk about it."

Sally turned to Tails as he spoke, "Is he still not talking?"

Sally shook her head, "I don't get it. I wanted him to apologize earlier. I didn't think he would take it so bad."

Tails growled in frustration, before walking up to the door, "Sonic… hey… It's me, Tails, let's talk."

A rumble came from the room. Sally stood up and backed away, looking horrified. Tails' eyes widened. Fiona was curious what made things so bad.

"OH YEAH, WELL SCREW YOU! YOU DESERVE WHAT EVER HAS YOU FEELING SO SAD!" Tails shouted, slamming his fist on the door.

Fiona recoiled. Was the Unbreakable bond really broken?

Sally pushed Tails back, "ENOUGH OUT OF YOU!... Go enjoy the party." Sally seemed to calm down, and sigh, "You're making things worse."

Tails stepped back… his face became hurt, then angry. He turned around and stormed off, only then realize Fiona had seen the whole thing. His face probably would have been beet red if he didn't have fur. Thankfully, he stormed off without a word.

Fiona was jammed out of her thoughts by the Sound of Sally slamming into the door. Fiona approached as Sally rammed her shoulder into the doorway. She tried three times, before her breathing became angry, and she balled her fists. Sally's arms began to glow as two burning swords of light appeared on her hands. She grit her teeth.

Fiona walked up and slumped against the wall, "Well, you seem to have taken to the brute force style nicely."

Sally turned to Fiona, only now noticing her. She sighed, "It's you. What do you want?"

Fiona tried to look smug to hide her concern, "I want to know why our host isn't out there greeting the rest of us. It's kind of rude."

Sally's disgust turned into an annoyed frown, "You and me both." She nodded, "He won't talk to any of us, aside from tell us to leave him alone. I don't know what happened."

Fiona knocked on the door, "Hey Sonic… what's up." She treaded carefully. She didn't get a response, so she tried to elaborate, "It's Fiona, what's going on?"

Fiona heard the sound of several *thunk*s against wood. Still no response.

Fiona turned to Sally, remembering the layout of the outside, "I'll go check on him."

A voice inside her spoke with a strange urgency, leave, he's not your problem. You can be free.

Fiona shook her head. There wasn't really a reason to leave. It wasn't time yet… right?

She walked into the door next to Sonic's room. There was a room with a wooden bedframe made of light wood, and simple sheets and comforter. Fiona looked around and saw the window.

She slipped out of her dress and into her black leather outfit.

She walked up to it, unlocked it, and stepped out into the dark wet weather. The mansion had been built with the floor frame larger than the wall area. This meant there was a tiny ledge to cling to when needing to, say, sneak into the next room over.

Fiona slide across the ledge, crawling around one of the stone frame posts. She arrived at what she believed was Sonic's bathroom, but she needed to make sure.

She pressed against the Window seal, and pushed up. Nothing. Fiona felt the water start to soak into her belly-top. No matter, it was leather, so it was fine…right?

Fiona looked down at her silver bracelet. She took it off, and pressed the triangle at the base of window. She pushed in and up, until she felt a slight give. Fiona put the bracelet back on her arm, and pushed up on the window. It slid up, and Fiona slipped inside.

She felt her feet slide onto tile. Fiona saw herself in the mirror. Her hair and fur was a little matted, but she was still intact. Strong and ready for what ever would come.

She turned to open the door and greet Sonic face to face, only to find the bathroom door wide open. She could see clearly into the bedroom. She could hear strange gasping, like someone was struggling to hold something in.

Fiona walked over to the door frame, and looked inside at the door. The door that stood between Sally and Sonic had a table moved in front of it. The table was covered in… strange blue… quills?

Fiona turned looking for the iconic form of the blue hero. She didn't find it. She saw a blue hedgehog… who's quills all stood on ends. They pointed in every direction, as if danger was coming from all sided. The hedgehog had a stern look on his face, and his arms seemed to be locked, holding up a strange chunk of blue metal.

Sonic gasped, as if struggling to breath while holding up the strange Metal Sonic's head. The head was weird though… it was older… like an old roboticiz-

Fiona's eyes widened. Suddenly… locking himself in a room alone was understandable. She then saw IT. The green crystal.

"I've got a nice distraction planned."

He didn't? He couldn't have… could he?

Sonic spoke for the first time, with a laugh… a dangerous laugh, "Five miles… that's nothing to me… Five miles to see my success… I did it dad. Johan believes heroes go to a place called heaven when they die… Can you see me? I got the big house you told me to get… I'll never go hungry… you could have seen it… I guess five miles was too much though…" Sonic gasped again, every fiber of his being trying not to cry.

Fiona felt sick. If she had just left with Scourge… this wouldn't have happened. Fiona walked forward.

Sonic's eyes then turned his raised quills ready to launch, "YOU! You knew didn't you?" He shouted angrily, his face struggling to keep composure.

Fiona's vocabulary abandoned her. How could she play it? How could she spin it around?

Sonic rose. Fiona's survival instinct kicked in. She ran back into the bathroom, and jumped out the window, rolling on the ground. She ran… She ran… She ran out of the city.

She ran into the hills, where no one would see her crying. She felt so stupid, so hurt. She didn't kill Sonic's dad, but she might as well have ordered the hit.

Fiona slumped down against a tree.

"Hey Babe, ready to go?" A familiar, smug, but pained voice asked.

Fiona lifted her head and turned. Scourge stood there, leaning against a tree. His chest and arms had burns. Sonic's dad went down fighting.

Fiona felt a pit in her throat, "Did you do it?" She knew the answer, but still couldn't believe it.

Scourge blinked, "Did I do what?" He smiled proudly, slyly. As if he was doing a humble-boast.

"You know what I'm talking about!" Fiona gasped; her fist balled. Why? There were so many better ways to handle it. Why would he kill someone when he could start a fire or something?

Scourge smiled, and held up his hands to calm her down, "Yeah… I did. So what?"

Fiona shook her head, "Why?"

Scourge almost laughed, but was getting annoyed, "Because you wanted a distraction. So there, blue balls is going to be struggling, and we can get away."

Fiona shook her head, horrified, "Why not just burn down a storage shed, or an office. No one needed to get killed-"

"WHY DOES HE GET THE GOOD LIFE?" Scourge snapped, causing Fiona to flinch back, raising her arms to defend herself. Scourge continued on his rant, "Why does he get to enjoy his life, and have loving parents who will stick up for him? Why does he get to be a fancy boy while I get stuck with the shaft? It's not fair to me!"

Fiona stepped back as Scourge re-composed himself, "So Let him suffer." Scourge sighed, " It's about time he had to take a little trouble in life."

Fiona shook her head, ignoring her fear, "You make it seem like this was about hurting Sonic."

"That's what it was always about, right? That's why you came to me, right? That was our plan, to hurt him as much as possible, right?" Scourge growled at her. She couldn't argue against that.

"But killing his dad-" Fiona gasped, but Scourge jumped in.

"Oh grow up! I killed my dad. He died like the piece of shit he was! You don't see me crying about it!" Scourge shouted, "You signed up for this. The train left the station." He smiled at her, the knowing smile. She'd have to back track everything she'd worked for.

Fiona realized it all too late. Scourge… was a monster. No, she always knew, but that was appealing to her. A guard dog to keep the light away. She was a fool, and he was right. This was the life she had chosen.

Be not led into temptation, and I will deliver you from evil

Fiona frowned. She had a chance… a single chance. A duty, to herself, to Sonic, to her new God. Fiona looked at Scourge, a confidence burning within her, "This is where I get off. Stay away from me."

Scourge blinked, shaking his head as if he didn't understand what he had heard, "W-what? Come on Babe-"

"No!" Fiona a finger at him, seeing him flinch away, "I'm done… This isn't my life anymore. Whatever happens… I'm trying something new." Fiona turned around, ready to march back into the city. She didn't look back, but she imagined Scourge was shocked, dumbfounded even.

When he went to stop her, Fiona dared to do something she knew was stupid. Fiona's fist collided with his stomach, and she slapped him onto the ground. Scourge clutched his face, shocked.

She returned to the party and felt the rise in pride as she returned to ball area, before climbing up the notches in the wall into the room next to Sonic's.

She put on her dress, and felt the wave of depression slide within her heart. What could she do now? Fiona slumped down. When Scourge acted like Sonic, blind with rage, Fiona found it better to climb a tree and wait for it to be over. She'd have to help Sonic in the morning, maybe he'd calm down.

Go forth, and comfort him

Fiona heard those words in her heart. They were commands. The idea of facing him was… terrifying to say the least.

you both have a purpose, and I have plan

Fiona balled her fist. Whatever plan it was… was cruel.

His suffering is not in vain

Fiona nodded to herself. She needed to help Sonic, before he destroyed everyone around him. Before he destroyed himself.

She turned around, and stepped out of the window, and into the outside world.

/*-*/

Johan could smell him. The distinction was clear. Being so close to the Garden Defender had allowed him to distinguish the scents. The Green one was dangerously close, but his carried an unnatural piece to itself.

Johan sniffed around, eager and hoping that the fool would attack him. Johan would not lose a second time. He continued to sniff, but where ever he went, the Green Garden Defender seemed to evade him.

Johan searched… until he saw a green crystal. It seemed to be large, but abandoned. It drew his attention, for which he suffered. Johan shook out of his trance to find his prey had escaped. Any further pursuit would be pointless.

Still… the Crystal was intriguing enough.

/*-*/

Finally, the Storm is here. Suffering builds character, Suffering Builds character, Suffering builds character.

The next chapter will be full sized.

I am madly hyped for issue 50 of IDW, to the point where I am worried I am setting myself up for disappointment. I love Surge( as a character, not in a weird way), I think there is so much potential, and that potential is tugging at me hard! I've also got one for a Sonic and Eggman teaming up AU. It's so messy!

Please leave a review, especially on this and the next chapter. Some of my chapters are light, but these are the big ones I want to post, these emotion heavy plot points. So please tell me what you think or how I could improve.