MerendinoEmilano: I wanted to grasp just how hopeless he felt. The path going forward will have angsty Sonic… and angry Sonic, a wound, a conflict that has been set up for a moment in the future.

/*-*/

Sonic felt the flash of sunlight cast down on him. He twisted and turned trying to cover his face. Sonic just wanted to sleep a little longer.

"Come on, it's time to get up." A soft voice stated. Who was in his… right, she was there. Sonic tossed around.

"Just let me sleep a little longer." Sonic groaned. He did want to start his day. Why would he start his day?

Fiona sighed, a simple, slightly agitated sigh, "Come on, you can't lay in bed all day. You've got work to do."

Sonic groaned, "I'll work tomorrow."

He could feel Fiona getting annoyed. Sonic didn't want to annoy her, but he just didn't feel like getting out of bed. Could anyone really blame him? Sonic would dare someone to say he didn't have an excuse to sleep extra.

Fiona then gave a resigned sigh. That would hopefully be the end of that argument. Sonic wasn't really sure how to feel about. He didn't trust her, but he also did trust her. He felt so confused around her. She was good at lying, which made him all the more nervous around her.

Sonic felt a firm, but soft weight pressed down on his chest. He was forced to open his eyes to find Fiona resting on his stomach, her tail working around to thrash on his nose.

Sonic groaned, "Fiona, please!"

Fiona smiled a smug grin, "What? I'm just taking a nap. This is a nice comfy spot."

Sonic groaned as she pressed herself down on him. Sonic felt his ribs compressing against his lungs. Sonic finally sat up, "FINE! I'll get up!"

Fiona smiled, and climbed off Sonic. He kicked off the covers, and climbed out of bed. After standing up, Sonic found himself asking the question: What time was it?

"Fiona, what's the time?" Sonic asked, rubbing his eyes.

"It's a little past noon. The Orphanage lady tried to talk to you already." Fiona frowned, before sighing, "You have a festival today or something like that."

Sonic nodded, getting slightly agitated with himself for forgetting. Right, he was going to try to get those kids some nice parents. If only he had both of his.

Sonic slumped down at that thought.

Fiona sighed, "Come on Sonic, you need to stop being so… stuck up on it. He's gone, but he wouldn't want you to stay in bed all day."

Sonic tried to be angry, instead of just tired, "You are really going to lecture me about staying on something?"

Fiona flinched, "Ok, I deserve that. I do, but you need to eat. You need to get out, feel the sun. This stuff of laying in bed isn't healthy."

"I TOLD HIM TO BE HERE!" Sonic mustered the little bit of energy to react. He felt it, the full weight of guilt. His dad had been so reluctant to come, but he finally caved.

Fiona gave Sonic a hug, "You did, and you had no way of knowing what was going to happen. Just like I had no way of knowing what you were going through all those years ago. We make mistakes, I know that better than anyone, but you would be back up if anything else had happened." She held Sonic right there.

She was right. He would have been back up, he would have pulled through. This was a terrible situation, it hurt him, so badly, But he was not going to stay down. Sonic the Hedgehog… did not stay down.

He stood up, "Can I get something to eat?"

Fiona smirked, "It's your place."

He went down into the main hall, where the tables and chairs were still set up. There had been some work to clean up, but his friends were clearly busy. That was fine. Sonic wasn't alone, however. His uncle sat at the table closest to the door, drinking coffee. Sonic sucked in a breath.

He hadn't even talked to his uncle since the … incident.

Sonic slowly stepped down the stairs. He was nervous. He looked to his right for Fiona, but She seemed to stay at the top of the stairs.

Sonic grabbed a plate of old chili and tomatos. He saw down next to his uncle, "Hey… Uncle Chuck."

Chuck… smiled? Sonic was confused, "Sonny boy… how are you? You need to eat right."

Sonic blinked, "Uncle chuck? You seem… cheerful. Are you ok?"

Charles wince and smiled, "I'm not. I feel sad for my brother. I'm going to miss him."

Sonic felt so confused, "But you don't seem too sad."

Chuck sighed, slumping down, "I can't afford to be sad. I loved my brother so much, and I'm going to miss him, but I can't stay down. I have to look after my nephew, who needs me to be strong. My brother wouldn't want a life of misery after his death."

Sonic felt himself… smile. He also felt someone behind him. Sonic turned to see his mother. She looked down, but she put up a smile, and gave him a hug.

"It's not your fault, Sonic." She hugged him so tight. Sonic felt so soothed, he almost forgot his pain in that moment, "You just need to keep moving forward."

Sonic nodded and smiled. He ate breakfast. Fiona seemed to administer the entire house while he had been asleep.

Sonic went out to get the fair set up. Quickly moving, Sonic was able to get stands and a stage set up. He did grow tired of the public knowledge, however.

"Lord Sonic, are you ok?"

"I'll get through it."

"Lord Sonic, we can take care of it."

"No, I can work on it."

"Lord Sonic, I heard about what happened. Do you need time away?"

"I'll be fine."

Sonic finally got everything set up, and Sonic took to the stage, setting up the microphone in the square. He probably didn't need it, because everyone noticed the work he was doing. Sonic glanced around at his citizens, "HEY EVERYONE!" He started off with a cheerful fist pump. He hoped to get everyone out the nervous funk they were in.

The citizens seemed to freeze, looking back and forth, before Sonic saw several shoulders loosen. It was a start, "Thank you all for coming to attend this adoption fair. Some of you may not know what exactly an adoption fair is. I'll be fast. Anadoptionfairisacoolthingforadoptingkids."

Sonic saw the confused heads, and he put up a smile, "Too fast for you? Alright, I'll do it slower. An adoption fair is a cool thing where we show off these lovely kids who need good parents." There was some laughter as they finally caught on to the joke.

Sonic let his smile loosen, "The truth is, Robotnik changed the world, and destroyed most of these wonderful kids' childhoods. They don't have families, mom or dads, uncles or aunts. They just have each other. But I want to change that. If you all could find it in your hearts, take one or two or…three if you're feeling adventurous, and give them the love of father, the love of a mother. Someone to hold when times feel hard. We've all needed those hands."

Sonic saw several sad faces nodding. He was getting through to them. Sonic decided to wrap it up, "So please, consider finding these kids a nice home."

Sonic bowed and walked off the stage, catching a glimpse of two yellow tails in the crowd. Was he ready to talk? Sonic's mind wandered.

The thunder crashed, giving young Sonic quite the shivers. Still he was a big boy, and didn't need help. That did not stop his curiosity from getting the better of him.

There was shouting downstairs, and little Sonic wanted to know what all of the noise was about. So he crept down stairs, where his mother and mechanical father were arguing.

"I Don't know where Amadeus is, I wouldn't have brought him home otherwise." Julian Hedgehog stated firmly, probably with a growl intended. He seemed to have a ball of fur in his hand. Did he buy a pillow?

Sonic's mom responded, "Well, they wouldn't just leave him!"

Jules shook his head, "I'm not sure, he is… different." Jules stroked the ball of fur, which seemed to be vibrating.

"Who's different?" Sonic asked, coming into the room. Something important was going on, and who better to help the most important hedgehog in the world. He was SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, the greatest hedgehog to ever live. How dare his parents not consult him about something.

"Olgilve, go to bed." Jules stated.

Sonic whined, "It's not Olgilve, it's Sonic! And what's going on?"

Jules looked at his wife, before grabbing the ball of fur by the top chunk, and lifting. It uncurled to reveal… a fox.

Sonic blinked. Something didn't add up. Balls didn't turn into foxes. Pillows didn't turn into foxes. Then it clicked. He completely understood.

Sonic turned to Bernadette, "I KNEW THE COOKIES WOULD WORK! You have weird kids' mom." Sonic didn't know too much about it, but he felt like hedgehog produced hedgehogs, not foxes.

The Fox stared back at Sonic, sticking his tongue out. He was quiet guy. Two little appendages uncurled off his back.

Bernadette smiled nervously, "Olgilve, This is-"

Sonic interrupted, "TAILS!"

Jules immediately jerked his metal head, "Sonic, his name is Miles Prower."

Sonic ran over and grabbed the fox in his arms, "That's a stupid name. Tails is better, 'cause he has two tails."

Sonic zipped around the room with what he thought was his new little brother. The fox began to whimper and cry… loud.

Sonic skidded to a halt, and handed the kid to his mom, who took the fox while Sonic covered his ears. Sonic decided that was enough noise for the night, and went up the stairs, before looking back to see the fox starring in his direction.

Sonic shook himself out of the memory. Those had been the good days. Tails didn't come to him, so no apologies, but Sonic would work with it anyway. If he wanted to be stubborn… Sonic would respect it. He would not be the first to apologize.

Sonic turned and saw the tables at the Fair being filled out. He felt good. Something was actually coming from the organized fair. Maybe the kids would grow up, and adopt kids of their own. Sonic hoped not. He hoped there would be no more orphans in the world in the future.

Sonic walked around, and saw Sally, standing at the entrance. No dress or fancy outfit, just her good old Freedom Fighter Vest. Sonic walked up to her, "Enjoying the party?"

"Party? This is a fair Sonic. That being said, you did a good job. You really are impressive you know that." The smile Sally put up… it was unnerving. She was trying to direct his attention away from… the event.

"Bah… I'm just really fast. That's all." Sonic smiled, and waved her off.

Sally shook her head, "You really are something else. But you don't have to go it alone. If you need something, or to talk, I'm here." Sonic felt himself change at that moment.

"I'm fine." Sonic growled, "I don't need your help." He pulled away from her, before feeling terrible. She didn't try to hurt him. But she promised to help him. She didn't help him. But she did promise, and that hurt.

Sally seemed to understand, "Ok… I'm here to listen… even if I can't help much."

Sonic was ready to shout at her, but… maybe that was a problem as well, "Can we… talk in private. I need to get some stuff off my chest."

Sally nodded, and the two walked away from the fair, and sat on his Manor's steps. Sonic sighed, "I miss my dad. I wanted him to see how much success I had in life. That I'm not a loser. I wanted him to see me… successful. To let him know that raising me wasn't a waste." Sonic slumped, feeling vulnerable, like raw skin exposed by a scratched scab.

Sally grasped his hand, "Sonic, you fought off a madman who beat the entire kingdom. You inspired so many people to fight to protect everything they love. You saved so many lives, and help change so many more. I think your dad always knew you weren't a loser. You just keep trying to prove it to yourself." She smiled, and leaned in, kissing the side of his forehead.

Sonic blinked a couple times. She pulled him into a hug. Maybe he wasn't a loser.

/*-*/

"I'd like to stay with Sonic, I don't think he's… in the right place mentally." Fiona asked firmly. She wasn't going to go crying to her brother and beg.

Frederick looked at the slumped Hedgehog who was over the open grave. Sonic looked so hopeless. Frederick nodded slowly, "I am inclined to agree. Please look after him. Keep him safe."

Fiona did just that. She made sure to talk the cook into staying and preparing breakfast. She stopped a couple visitors so he could sleep in.

Fiona found herself in and odd rut. She was trying to make sure Sonic wouldn't have a trigger that might result in… drastic action. She wanted to go further with him. Maybe fall back into his good graces. She didn't know how much he blamed her. Fiona didn't really understand where stood in relation to him.

Sonic wasn't exactly clear on what he thought of her. Did he hate her? Did he forgive her? Did she dare hope that he enjoyed her? Fiona shifted nervously as she walked up the stairs to wake up the hedgehog. He was certainly stubborn, and tired … and broken.

He wasn't sleepy, he was just unmotivated. His energy had been sapped. It was unpleasant to say the least. Fiona felt terrible. Still, maybe him getting up would be enough to start shaking off the funk. Fiona could only hope.

She once he got up, she went to check and make sure laundry was in order… which was just a bunch of socks and a suite. Right… Sonic didn't have many clothes. Still, Fiona quickly washed them( the socks desperately needed it).

Fiona then went out to help Sonic with the set up for the fair. It was a noble idea, providing homes for children. It was so nice it sickening… or maybe not.

Fiona felt something change inside of her. Something had switched off the voice telling her to run off with Scourge. The Saxon God. She still had a hard time believing it. Maybe it was her imagination, her mind making the dreams so real.

Fiona shook her head as the banners finished up. Next came the moment of truth, would Sonic crack? Fiona held her breath, ready to rush up and salvage the speech if he broke down. But he went through… confidently.

Fiona almost felt out of place, useless. Sonic was bouncing back… without her help. Fiona watched Sonic walk off the stage as the children were lined up, and presented. IT felt strange, almost like an auction for children that was only missing money.

Still, Fiona though she could at least check up on Sonic. Of course, when she saw Sonic, he was hugging Sally.

Fiona tried to keep her distance, and stay positive. Those two were having a moment. Of course, while they were hugging, Fiona felt a dark presence glaring at her. She looked around, desperate to find who was going to try and kill her.

Her eyes landed on Tails, and he seemed to be trying with looks. Fiona saw it, the hatred in his eyes. He was so… angry. A completely different fox. Fiona came to the conclusion that he was clearly not going to like her anytime soon.

So she kept her distance.

Sonic ran off, leaving Sally, who came up to Fiona. She instinctively brought up her guard from past experiences.

"Something has you scared." Sally pointed out, "Are you worried Scourge is going to show up?"

"He and I… aren't a thing anymore." Fiona explained, tapping her foot.

"I know, I have ears." So she heard that night? Oh well.

"Tails seems over joyed to see me." Fiona sighed, and shrugged, "I don't know why he's so focused on me."

Sally nodded slowly, "I think he sees you as an enemy. You caused a lot of trouble for us, and he took some things… personally. I did too, but I understood: None of us mattered. It was about hurting Sonic, right?"

Fiona shifted uncomfortably, feeling a little angry. "Yeah, That's why I betrayed you all. I wanted to hurt him. You all got caught in the trap made for him."

Sally nodded, frowning, "What about now? What do you want now?"

Fiona felt her breath hitch. What did she want? Freedom, Happiness.

Fiona shook her head, "I don't know. I know I feel bad for how hurt Sonic is. I know he's going through a lot of pain he doesn't deserve. I know that much."

Sally seemed to examine her. Fiona felt like she was being eyed up for carving, that Sally was still strategizing ways to catch her, encircle her, destroy her. It was unnerving.

Sally sighed, "Alright, I'll let you have him today. He needs a break, and needs to relax. I've… got to talk with Tails. Those two are being stubborn, and they won't drop their pride." Sally growled in frustration. She seemed exhausted.

"They'll come around… right?" Fiona frowned. The two were as close as they could be.

Sally groaned, "I wish I was confident. You seem to have a talent for breaking up those two."

Fiona recoiled with frown. Sally noticed and immediately recovered, "It's not your fault this time, but you seem to be factor in it."

Fiona continued to scowl. Sally was still blaming her. That being said, she found herself worried about those two. Maybe it would have been better if she left. It felt wrong to break the unbreakable bond.

Fiona looked up at Sally, "How bad do you think it will get?"

Sally shook her head, "Hard to say. Those two have little spats, but these arguments are rare. I'm going to look after Tails, try again."

Fiona sighed, and nodded. When she turned around Sonic zipped right in front of her. He seemed to be looking around for something. No time like the present.

"Hey Sonic, let's get some lunch." Fiona proposed with a weak smile. He needed to calm down and Fiona was certainly hungry.

Sonic stopped looking around, and faced her, "What? But I ate like an hour ago."

Fiona rolled her eyes, "And I ate like four hours ago. I'm hungry, and you need to sit down from… what ever is distracting you."

Sonic opened and closed his mouth, as if trying to find a protest, but coming up short. They sat down at the restaurant in the market area next to the Fair. It was bustling, most likely due to the large mass of people who had come to attend.

Fiona sat down and placed an order for a ham sandwich and some berry tea. Sonic simply asked for the same drink.

The two sat there, while Sonic looked around, seeming to take a deep breath.

Fiona asked, "So…"

Sonic jerked around back her, " 'So' What?"

Fiona gave Sonic her best knowing smile, "You want to talk about everything that's been going with you and the little guy?"

Sonic blinked before groaning in disgust, "Uh, you sound like Sally. He's been a little punk, and he needs to learn stop being so petty and start growing up."

Fiona blinked, forcing a look of shock on her face, "My, Sonic the Hedgehog talking about growing up?"

Sonic nodded slowly. That wasn't the reaction Fiona was hoping for. She wanted him to go on about how he was still a kid. "We've all got to grow up some time. We can't just throw a tantrum when we don't get our way."

Fiona realized that maybe she needed to hear out the whole story, "What did he do?"

Sonic threw his hands up, "He's been a punk the whole time. Tails has been rude, rough, angry. He doesn't tell us why, instead he treats us like we are stupid and he wonders why we don't fix anything!"

Fiona sighed, feeling more like she was getting his venting as opposed to the full story, "What happened, Sonic."

Sonic took a breath and closed his eyes. He held his breath for a moment, before going off, "He was supposed to give me a letter from his mom and he decided to give it to me along with some attitude. I wanted to know what was wrong, and he punched me in the face."

"And that's what this is about?" Fiona asked, hoping that wasn't all it took to break them up.

"Well, no. We went outside and settled things like men." Sonic explained, trying to make it sound less childish.

"You mean you went outside and pummeled each other?" Fiona groaned, lowering her head in time for her sandwich and Tea to arrive. The tea was bitter in a fruity way, with natural black berries in it.

Sonic nodded, "Yep… and then we said somethings. Apparently, I am the worst thing to ever happen to Tails, and apparently he hates me."

Fiona flinched. That hurt just hearing about it, "Wow… I'm sorry."

"Yeah… Well I told him what I thought. He's a little punk whose family left him. I got that over him." Sonic scowled, sipping his tea angrily.

Fiona almost fell back in her seat. "What's wrong with you?"

"He's gotten to pound on me for a while it's time he got a taste." Sonic growled, panting.

Fiona scowled, "Sonic, You can't… you should…. That's not ok."

"So? I've apologized every time we had a fight. I'm always the guy to apologize first. He can come back and tell me he's wrong." Sonic fumed, "I'm so sick of it. I'm tired of having to be the bigger man. We've been through everything. Do you know how many time's I've saved his hide?"

Fiona sighed, "How many times has he saved yours?" She hoped Sonic would maybe wake up from his angry state.

Sonic remained quiet. His posture seemed to lighten. He wasn't quite like Scourge, not yet, but he was certainly heading down the wrong path.

Fiona tried again, "Come on, you two are as close as can be. You've been through so much together. Don't let it end like this."

Sonic growled, "It won't, once he comes to me and apologizes for being a little turd. He needs to take responsibility. I'm tired of it."

Fiona pleaded, "Stop being so stubborn. He already hates me enough as it is-"

"Yeah, he hates me because I want to believe you're good. He hates anyone who will give you a second chance. Tails seems to have this stupid idea that he decides who we work with." Sonic grit his teeth. He was still very angry apparently. Or was he hurt?

Sonic's face seemed to be forced, so Fiona wasn't sure. Maybe he was more upset about the issue than he let on. Fiona hoped that he wasn't crumpling. If he was, she needed him to start being honest with her, before he did something that he or everyone else would regret.

Fiona sighed, "Sonic, are you ok? I don't think your heart is in the right place. If you need to talk, I'm here."

Sonic sighed, and looked down at his tea. He swirled the glass, "I get it. I… I'm not completely calm."

Fiona nodded eagerly, "Come on, how do you feel?"

Sonic growled, "I feel like I shouldn't have to always apologize. When he is ready to grow up and start talking like a normal person, then we can talk. Until then, I won't back down!"

Unfortunately, Fiona knew the story too well. Sonic was… more like Scourge than he wanted to admit. And she couldn't help but feel like everyone was going to suffer for their pride.

/*-*/

As Johan approached the streets of the large capital which held the greatest seat in the kingdom to plead his case once again, the people of the city began to notice him. It was clear they were focusing on him.

They kept their eyes on him with a sense of fear and wonder. They were perhaps afraid of him? Or perhaps they saw a solution with his presence? Either way, it made little different to Johan, as those who lacked the will to bring their request to him did not deserve his time or attention.

He continued to walk, and a crowd began to amass behind him. They were acting rather skittish, perhaps far too afraid of him to present their argument. Still, Johan found the mass of weak men to be annoying.

Johan remained focused. The masses were foolish, the did not know what they wanted, and those who did were far too cowardly to come forward. He had important things to do.

Unfortunately… no, foolishly, the council had the same response. They seemed far too content to wait for destruction as opposed to muster their power. No matter, it would make the next motions of his plan far more effective.

"We can't, with the security of our people at stake, push our forces elsewhere to accomplish something so blatantly aggressive and ambitious." The fat pig stated, though his posture seemed to be quite terrified. What ever happened in the desert affected him in some way. Or perhaps he was a coward with little confidence in a quick war. Either way, the council seemed to back him.

Which of course frustrated Johan as he left the building, growling and furious. Still, patience was supposedly a virtue. A foolish one, but a virtue nonetheless.

When he exited the large Palace which was far more indulgent than functional, and found the crowd waiting.

"What's going to happen to us? Is it true the king didn't appoint an heir?" A fox woman asked seeming to shake. Johan found himself agitated quickly at her fear.

"I hear the nobles are planning a civil war for the kingdom? Is that true?" A bear pleaded, shaking. Again, Johan's anger grew.

"Did Nagus say why he abandoned us?" A wolf demanded, outraged. Johan actually found himself less angry with the wolf.

"Your king has left for the sake of building a better leadership. What happens to you is your choice. If you choose to take power, then you have the right. You must now decide where you stand in the world, and if you are content with that place." Johan resigned, "The republic is a failed system that your king can not tolerate. It does not work and thus the king has abdicated."

Many of them nodded in agreement. That truly upset Johan, "DO NOT AGREE SIMPLY AS SHEEP! Decide for yourselves what you believe. I do not care."

He pushed past them, as he had more important matters to attend to. They still seemed to follow at a distance. No matter, he would repel them if they dared to enter his ship.

Johan found his way to the large craft, and entered, "I have a new desire for this craft." He spoke firmly to Ezra, who looked disturbed by his presence.

"Right, I will make the specifications. What do need done exactly?" Ezra smiled, nervously. She seemed to take to her role quite well.

"I desire this." Johan handed her the paper which held the drawing. She hesitated, and Johan wanted to know why. "What trouble's you?"

Ezra looked at the paper, "This requires actual construction. We'd have to remove a lot of the rooms just make to room for the breach. I don't even know if the ship can handle it."

Johan growled lowly, "It will work. Remove what can be removed, and begin your work."

Ezra shook her head in disbelief, "We are limited on metal. We can't just make this gun, it's massive. Also, the loading process would require a few hundred men."

"I will be enough." Johan stated, "I will secure the metal you need. I want my ship ready for war."

Ezra looked reluctant, but nodded, "Very well, We'll get started."

/*-*/

Johan is at work, building and creating a new project. Sonic is still trying to be a good lord to his people. Fiona finds herself in an emotionally torn state once again, and in the middle of a brewing conflict.

So I've looked at the statistics. A lot of you keep returning, so... I guess I am doing something right. I would like to see more feedback from everyone, but if you don't feel like reviewing, whatever. I hope you all have a good time with where I am taking the Story.