MerendinoEmilano: Glad you enjoyed the chapter.
Man, I am taking a gamble trying to compete with IDW issue 50. Oh well. We'll see if this things turns up anyone.
/*-*/
Pain, that was what Sonic felt. Every piece of him hurt. He couldn't hear, he couldn't taste, but he could feel. Sonic was hurt, pretty bad. He felt cold, still. Sonic's memory wasn't great.
He was outside with Tails… something happened… Sonic couldn't tell what.
Sonic suddenly stopped feeling so cold. He felt grasping. He couldn't open his eyes, but he could feel something over his mouth, then… he felt sleepy.
Sonic's eyes opened as he was standing at a lake, A large, clawed foot kicked his chest, and Sonic fell back into darkness… Right… he died.
Then He got his second chance. Sonic was suddenly at his Manor, and saw Christina, sitting on his bed, with several plates of food, ranging from noodles in red sauce, to chicken in a white and green sauce. Cakes and pastries adorned his bed. "Come home soon-a My lord-a." Christina seemed to plead.
Sonic floated into Fiona's room, to find it empty. Figures, She wasn't exactly his fan after that night. She probably left and went home. Sonic wanted to give her everything she'd wanted, but he had to draw the line at… them.
He couldn't betray Sally like that. Sonic wouldn't want her to do the same. Sonic tried to leave the manor, when He suddenly felt himself jerked away, into an odd room. It appeared to be a waiting room. Inside, all alone, was a two tailed Fox. He was on his knees, his hands clasped together.
Sonic saw the tears in the little fox's eyes, as he looked up, "You're supposed to be all powerful… right? Give me my brother back, please! I don't want him to die… not with how we left things…. Please!"
Sonic saw the little guy's tails wrap around him, his eyes watering and weeping. Ears pressed flat against his skull. Sonic tried to go down and hug the young fox, to reassure him that everything was going to be alright. Sonic couldn't say it for certain, but Tails didn't deserve to suffer.
Sonic tried to reach out, but the Fox curled up, even more, "Please don't let him leave me… Please… take my body, my organs, my own breath…. Let Sonic have them."
Sonic could tell the fox was at his limit. His Tails seemed to puff up, his arms were rigid. Tails couldn't take a rejection. Sonic called out, "Buddy, I'm here, I'm not going anywhere!" His voice seemed to get lost in the room. Why was Tails all alone? He didn't need to be there like that.
Sonic found himself floating through a wall, which was interesting because there was a brief period of darkness before he was in the hallway. Sally was sitting there, with tear stains around her eyes. She wasn't crying anymore, but had her head in her hands. She looked exhausted, like she hadn't need sleeping or eating.
Fiona brought over a bag of chips and jerky. Fiona… looked rough, but not nearly as bad as Sally. She seemed to either be calmer, or just less affected. Did she not care? No… Sonic shook his ghostly head, she cared, but she wasn't letting him destroy her. That was good, because Sonic was out of commission and couldn't exactly comfort everyone.
"Hey… Eat something. Everything's going to be fine." Fiona handed Sally the jerky. Sally looked at the jerky and looked up Fiona. Fiona rolled her eyes, "I've worked with Scourge, he can't stay dead."
"I know… I know… He's Sonic, he can't stay down. Why is he getting hurt so much?" Sally growled, frustrated, her fist shaking, "He died, Why does this keep happening?"
Fiona nodded, and slumped down next to chipmunk, "He's the bravest guy around here. So he get the brunt of everything. I know he saved me from some Assassin, which was actually kind of nice. I sort of forgot I was a noblewoman."
"An Assassin?" Sally cocked her head, opening her mouth in awe and horror. Sonic looked at the door to the room that Tails was in. Sonic didn't want him to go to jail, or be killed for that. The realization began to set in, if Sonic didn't clear Tails' name, Then the little guy wouldn't be able to stay out of prison.
Fiona snorted, " So I guess he didn't come from you?" Fiona seemed to be putting up a smile, but Sonic saw the edges of her eyes were tired and pained.
Sally balled her fists as exhaustion came to the surface, "What kind of monster do you take me for?" Sally barked.
A couple of head appeared in the hallway, Bunnie and Antoine. Sally noticed them and took a breath, calming herself down. The Two's concerned looked were matched by Sonic, who found the stress of Sally to be somewhat disturbing. She was constantly at the breaking point, She need a few days to rest up.
Sonic was a little occupied at the moment, so he had to sit there and watch her suffer.
Fiona held up her hands, "I needed to be sure… I owe Sonic for taking care of that assassin." Fiona frowned and looked at the ground.
Sally seemed to focus on Fiona's statement, "Any idea who it was? Who sent them?" Sally frowned, her eyes burned with anger. Sonic perked up in his ghostly form. That was a question he had as well. Sonic needed to know if Tails was…. In trouble.
Fiona shook her head, "Sonic took care of them, I didn't actually see anything… I ran."
Sally sighed, but nodded. At least she wasn't hostile to Fiona, who did exactly what Sonic told her to. She probably could have done well, but Sonic didn't want to risk her getting hurt.
Sally slumped back, before perking up again, "What were you two doing? Out there alone?"
Fiona shifted uncomfortably, before sighing, "He was a little stressed out, trying to keep the kingdom together. So I took him to a club, and we had a few drinks and danced." Fiona smiled nervously.
Sonic's brain slowly caught up. The two eating, the drinks, their danc- oh… no. Sonic realized how tempted he had been. The stress had worn him thin, and Fiona attacked at the right time. He'd given in, only for a brief moment. She was… very…very pretty, but Sonic had a girlfriend, he had Sally. He was not going to cheat on her.
Sally nodded, before her nods became still, and she looked at Fiona again, this time with a squint, "Is that all?"
Fiona sighed, "Ah screw it, I'll be honest for once, I may… or may not have made a move on him." She slumped down, her ears were still alert though. She was not even remotely sorry.
Sally seemed to take a moment to process everything. She was exhausted, but her brain caught up as she grit her teeth. Fiona jumped in and saved the situation… kind of.
"Look, he pushed me off. He's committed to you. Sonic only told me about… you two… when We came back. I wouldn't have put him that situation if I knew he was taken." Fiona held up her hands. She wasn't guilty, she wasn't embarrassed. And it was kind of Sonic's fault. He really should have told her earlier.
Sally grit her teeth, and sighed, "Wouldn't you?"
Fiona smirked, and shrugged, "Probably."
Sally's face actually seemed to laugh, their mental exhaustion taking hold. Sonic was grateful that he didn't suffer mental exhaustion as a ghost or spirit or whatever he was. Sonic then felt himself tugged away. The world seemed to glow as he saw the golden figure of his dreams standing over him, before Sonic entered a less happy place.
The Royal palace, which had become the operations center for the republic in the absence of a king. Sonic could tell that thing were tense, as even the flags and banners were down. Even as he floated through the walls, Sonic could tell that something far more important was happening in the main chambers.
Fortunately, his endless floating seemed to take him to the room, where Nagus stood in front of the Six members who sat on the council, or rather, five. Sonic's uncle was nowhere to be found. Rosemary looked rather stressed, everyone else seemed on edge, except for Hamlin, who seemed to be quite apathetic about everything.
Nagus wore the confident, smug, sinister smile that made him the villain of every story. His posture was one of authority, that he had won a battle that he never had to fight. The very light in the room to fall on him, making Nagus the most well lit figure in the room. All eyes were on him.
"Greetings, Former King Nagus, who's abdication has thrown this republic into utter disarray." Rosemary spoke with complete control of her voice, but it showed how much control she was exerting. Her jaw was locked in anger and frustration. Her voice held certain notes at a specific volume level, as if going higher would break the mask she had made.
Rosemary continued through her locked jaw, "Your influence in the past year has been one of impressive regards. You successfully repelled Robotnik's attacks twice, and expanded our armed forces. Your wisdom in the weather crises help pull our people through the dangerous and uncertain times. You have amassed an expansive support base." Sonic was growing tired of hearing all of the large words Why couldn't she just be simple.
Rosemary continued once more, become more and more reluctant with each passing word, "A man of such caliber has been noted for his excellence, and his ability to lead. As such, the people will place their faith in such a leader, and will look to him for wisdom in trying times." Sonic wondered if he could have left, watched Sally and Tails more, come back, and miss anything.
"Which is why the Republic sees fit to offer such a man a prestigious position, befitting his stature and capabilities of administration and martial prowess. We look to offer you, Ixus Nagus, the throne of the kingdom of Acorn, with the voting power and rights of three Elected officials. To serve for life, until passing, and to designate an heir in times of crisis. To Lead the armies and citizens during danger and famine. To preserve the rights and liberties of every citizen of our proud kingdom. What say you?" Rosemary gasped, her breath sighing in frustration.
"Are you really offering me this position because of my history? No doubt I am impressive, but is that why you are offering me this… fine elevation?" Nagus' sly, sinister voice made Sonic's spine shiver nervously. Everything about Nagus creeped Sonic out.
"We have had several pressuring forces. I ask again, what say you?" Rosemary demanded, clearly not enjoying the arrogance of Nagus.
"I say… no" Nagus smiled smugly.
Rosemary sat up, her teeth grit in anger, "No? Might I ask why?"
"Because I will not be over ruled by such a minority of four electors. No… I wish for five votes…" Nagus held out his wrinkly arms, like claws grasping at the strands of fate, tugging and cutting them.
"Absolutely not." Rosemary stood her ground. Sonic wasn't her biggest fan after what they did to Elias, but Rosemary had grown on him in a way he had never expected. Her firm stance against Nagus made Sonic all to happy to stand behind her. He needed to be humbled, better yet, stopped.
Nagus seemed phased only for a moment, which was disturbing to Sonic. He was clearly confident in the terrible situation, "So be it, then I won't take your throne. That is, unless my demands are met."
Rosemary growled, "We are willing to negotiate a fair deal. We are not going to fold to your demands!" Her fur bristled in anger and defense. For all the faults of the republic, she was committed to it. She would defend it tooth and nail.
Even if it means imprisoning innocent people Sonic's brain remonded him as he floated over the meeting. It was a sobering reality, one that stabbed at his simple good guy/bad guy compass. Rosemary… wasn't doing good with the people.
Nagus… while arrogant and annoying, wasn't particularly… vile as a king. He was disgusting and arrogant, but He didn't exactly imprison people for speaking their mind, only threats and angry growls.
Sonic felt his support for Rosemary loosen. Nagus laughed, "I'm sure the nobles outside your walls and coming to your city will offer a fair deal. Surely they will negotiate with you, and keep the republic around. Or maybe your heads will be on pikes. I, at least offer the republic a chance to over rule me with unanimous votes."
Rosemary growled, "We are not scared of the nobles. We have the full support of the Duke of Roja, and the Duke Apalsa. We are in a prime place to face off in battle." She starred down the wizard, who grit his teeth in annoyance.
Then he regained his smirk, "I've heard through a little birdie that the Duke of Apalsa is dead, or perhaps in the hospital. Either way, I can't help but feel that he won't be coming to aide you in the coming battles."
Rosemary's anger maximized… but she slumped. It was… tragic, seeing her fold in such a broken way, "Very well… do we have a consensus on the Appointment of king Ixus Nagus, with the authority of five votes."
The votes were cast. Four votes in favor, one vote against, one abstained.
Rosemary sighed once again, her face telling Sonic that she knew the mistake was made, but there was no alternative. She seemed to hope that the best bad outcome would come from this decision, "We shall now begin the swearing in process. Do you, Ixus Nagus, so Solemnly swear…"
Sonic felt himself tugged back to the dark void, awaiting his wake-up call.
/*-*/
Fiona would have liked the awkward air to disappear, but that would require some more time. Still Sally seemed to keep her cool. And Fiona would have definitely snatched Sonic up, even if he was taken.
Her mind wandered back to that night. Why did she run? She wasn't ready for a fight? She was scared? No, that wasn't right. If she had stayed, Sonic wouldn't have gotten hurt. Thank goodness Tails showed up to save Sonic.
Fiona's mind held that thought. How did Tails make it to the Mobotropolis out skirts in time for Sonic. It didn't make sense unless he was going to the city to meet his mom. That was a possibility, but how did he know where Sonic was?
Fiona found herself feeling guilt for looking for said guilt. She wanted to blame someone, she wanted to hurt someone. She wanted to hurt herself. Or maybe that was just the tired, angry Fiona talking, and not her normally clear-headed tactical mind.
Did Scourge attack Sonic? Fiona shook her head at the thought, as it was crazy purely because Sonic was not the first target of the Assassin. Fiona was. But Scourge was all about settling scores. He might not have liked Fiona rejecting him so much.
But the Assassin was silent. Why bother settling an angry score, only to hide that you're the one doing it? Scourge wasn't exactly subtle, and he wasn't one for stealth. He also didn't use knives.
Her mind had the clear image of the knife. It was a noble blade, decorated and ornate. It had rubies in the hilt. That indicated that it came from the northern/North-eastern areas. Which nobles wanted her dead? Fiona couldn't pin it. Maybe someone she rejected?
But why brand it? A noble dagger like that would easily point east, and start an internal conflict? Were they petty? Did the nobleman want it to be known? Fiona's brain hurt.
She closed her eyes, against the chair. Sonic's face haunted her dreams. The sight of him in the morgue, his cold, bloody face. He looked like he got hit by a train. Fiona was standing in the room, once again, revisiting his corpse.
She ran her fingers along his face, wiping blood off his lips. His stomach had to be wrapped with reinforcements, as it was mostly jelly according to the doctor. Fiona licked her lips nervously, feeling the tears come to her eyes. He was gone… actually gone.
Fiona heard a groan, and saw the jelly stomach rise and fall. Sonic rose up slowly, loosely, like he was being tugged by chords. He seemed to face her direct. Then his eyes opened.
The black background reeked of malice, before the red glow from the center of them glistened off the seeming bleeding lids. A razor sharp smile allowed blood to seep out of the mouth, stirring up the most terrifying thoughts from Fiona.
But why would she be terrified? Fiona balled her fists and walked up to the revived hedgehog. No more fear, no more running. Fiona wrapped her arms around him, seeming to shock the hedgehog of her dreams. "I'm sorry I left you. Please don't leave us." She mumbled. She couldn't cry, but she could hold him tighter.
"… I won't… not yet." Fiona's eyes jerked up and saw… regular Sonic. No bloody eyes, no broken form. He simply hugged her back.
Fiona smiled in his arms. She felt lighter, happier. Maybe this was a dream, but she would enjoy it while Sonic recovered.
Sonic stroked her head, "Don't blame yourself, it's not your fault." Sonic's voice soothed Fiona through the confusion that ripped her heart up.
Fiona's eyes widened and she dared to ask, "Who did this to you? Did you get a look at his face? Can you tell me anything?"
Sonic's form was frozen. Fiona looked up to see him smiling a nervous, sort of humorous smile.
Fiona was about to growl, before her brain caught up, "Right… I guess you don't anymore than me?"
Sonic scratched his head, "I'm kind of a piece of your imagination, manifested to help calm or terrorize you."
Fiona blinked at him, slightly confused, "Terrorize me?"
"Well, I was supposed to trigger your guilty complex, but I guess you just don't feel too guilty. Or maybe you've found a way to forgive yourself?" Sonic scratched the back of his head.
"But… how'd you stop being so mean and scary? Are you supposed to terrify me?" Fiona blinked feeling confused in this dream. Then again, that was the point right?
Dream Sonic smiled at her, "I mean, that was my original purpose, but you didn't want that." He grinned at her, a sense of expectation emerging in Fiona.
"Just get to the point." Fiona groaned, her dream-head starting to hurt from thinking.
"Well, This is your dream, so you control how it goes… mostly." Sonic scratched his head at her.
Fiona blinked for a moment. That did make sense, but it was strange. She felt so powerless in her other dreams… or maybe she had the power to change them all along. Then… his words gave her an idea.
"I can control… any… way this goes?" She grinned at dream-Sonic with the slyest of smiles.
"Oh-ho-ho… That's a dirty thought on your part." Dream Sonic waved his finger in disappointment, "I don't think you're ready for that… just yet."
Fiona attempted to shift the room to something more… comfortable. Nothing.
Sonic sat there with a smug grin on his face, "See, you don't want it just yet, not really. You might think you do, but deep down, you don't want me, you want the real deal, and you want it freely."
Fiona thrust her hand out in agitation. Again, still nothing.
"I think you need to wake up. Stuff is going on, and you still want to figure out that the Assassin is-" His mouth kept moving, but the voice was silent.
Fiona cleared her ears, "What? Who's the Assassin?" He had to know, otherwise dream-Sonic wouldn't say anything.
"The Assassin is-"
Fiona's eyes opened in the chair. The room was darker, with only the auxiliary lights on. It was night time. Fiona and Sally were under a blanket. The other two, the rabbit and coyote were also under a blanket across from them.
Fiona found herself asking the question: who put the blanket there? She crawled out, and walked around. Sonic's room was unlocked, and there was a lamp on. She looked through the window. The Silhouette of the fox told Fiona all she needed to know.
He was out there, looking after them, and still worrying about Sonic. Tails was at the point of breaking, just as much as Sonic had been. The little guy should have had faith, this was Sonic they were talking about. He was too annoying to die.
Something still rubbed Fiona the wrong way, brushing her like a sudden shift in the wind. He seemed to be everywhere, and Tails' gaze seemed to be one of utter hatred when he saw her. Fiona could see him, clutching the gloved hand of Sonic, as if trying to hold his soul down, and keep it bound to Sonic's body.
Something about his posture made Fiona shift nervously. Tails had a stance that seemed uncanny and familiar. The stance that made Fiona shiver and shudder, but one she couldn't quite nail down. He seemed so frustrated which made Fiona cautious in her own right.
He brought Sonic back. That fact kept replaying in Fiona's head. Tails brought Sonic back to the hospital. The Fox had somehow known to find Sonic in the woodlands, as the duck said that Sonic had branches and didn't have any road dirt on him. Tails brought a fatally injured Sonic back, which meant he arrived in the perfect time to witness Sonic getting hurt.
It didn't make sense. Something didn't add up. Fiona's mind continued to hurt as the Fox turned around, and walked out. His face was contorted in the most pathetic, angry, crying face that Fiona had ever seen. She was torn between being warry and empathetic towards the fox.
Tails opened the door, and saw her standing there. His face snarled in a violent, angry shift, before sighing, seeming to give up his anger.
Fiona's mind wouldn't rest until she figured this case out, "Tails, I need to talk to you."
"My name is Miles. My friends call me Tails." The Fox growled at her, making the line in the sand as clear as possible. Fiona had dealt with his attitude long enough.
"I don't care, I have questions, and I need answers!" Fiona growled in a whisper, starring down the brilliant Fox, who seemed all too surprised by Fiona's metaphorical teeth.
"…Let's talk." Tails grumbled and led her into the supply closet. The room seemed devoid of life and light, with the chairs and brooms casting a dangerous pose over her.
The light in the center of the room turned on, with Tails standing on the other side of said room. His face seemed to be tactical, calculating. He was looking for her weakness. If Fiona made a wrong step, she wouldn't get the closure she needed.
"What happened on that night?" Fiona demanded. She decided to drop the coy nature. Fiona wasn't going to out think Tails, so she'd win with a head on brawl.
The Fox seemed to be thrown off his game, but only for a moment, "Sonic got hurt by an assassin. What else is there." The fox was already looking…off. This was going to be easy.
"But where do you come in? Sonic led the Assassins far out in the middle of nowhere." Fiona laid the trap. Tails seemed to be off enough for her to find out the truth.
"There was only one Assassin." Tails growled at her.
How would he know that? The way he spoke with such confidence led Fiona to dig a little deeper.
"Are you sure? I saw two, who came after me." Fiona pried, "One tried to ambush me in the city." She had a suspicion, one she had been suppressing for a while. One she thought was absolutely crazy until she heard Tails speak.
"You only ran from one dark hooded Assassin." Tails bared his teeth, wearing his heart on his sleeve.
"Who said anything about a dark hood?" Fiona glared into the fox. He seemed trapped. Fiona needed to be sure.
Tails frowned, before Snarling his teeth at her.
Fiona decided to press in, "You were the assassin?"
The Fox snarled, "I hate you, I hate you so much. You hurt and manipulate everyone to doing your bidding. You don't deserve a happy ending." Tails balled his fist and pushed into her, ready to leave.
"But… Sonic loves you. And I love Sonic, more than I hate you." Tails growled at her, causing Fiona shudder as the fox left.
She hadn't won. All Fiona had done was make her life more complicated. She didn't have a confession, only a confirmation that Tails… was the assassin.
He could walk out that door with one simple comfort: Fiona didn't have anything, proof or confession, to catch him.
/*-*/
The Room was reasonably dark with Johan allowing his thoughts to wander. He did not break his oath… The fool chose to attack him. Johan had simply reacted accordingly. He was allowed to defend himself.
And yet, Johan had broken his oath. He had failed to obey the orders of his contractors. Well, the princess was his contractor, but Sonic was within her command. Technically, Johan was not at fault.
Still, he acted rashly, without thought or care. He allowed the sudden pain to disrupt his discipline. Johan would have to face the consequences of that defiance.
Johan growled in frustration. The Fox had chosen to be aggressive on Johan's lands. The child had demonstrated the potential to be a powerful and strong warrior, only to withdraw at the last moments. The fox had turned into a scared child, not at all fit to fight.
Oh how it angered Johan, that some would be strong until that strength was challenged. He snarled ang growled in frustration. Ezra seemed quite disturbed, "Are you alright? You seem to be stressed."
Johan scowled, frustrated by his mental freezing, " It is nothing."
She nodded nervously. She maintained a healthy fear of him, that was good. Johan needed to remain focused. Sonic chose to attack at an inopportune time. Sonic was more to blame for his own death than Johan was.
That is the problem Johan's mind commanded into him. The fact was that Johan needed to defeat the garden defender in fair combat. If Sonic was dead, then Johan would have nothing to gain. Sonic was the key to his next growth. Johan needed Sonic to live, otherwise, He would be stuck in this meager, boring life. No growth, no glory.
His thoughts were cut off by a cackling. The fool was back, obviously with glee at the success of Johan's plan. Nagus walked in, his staff jittering with excitement, "Oh-ho-ho, It worked, as I always knew it would. My plan was a resounding success, and I am now easily the most powerful man in the kingdom."
Johan had to deal with the reminder that his temporary ally was Nagus. The fool was prone to arrogance, and was clearly not able to remember those who aided him in times of trouble. No matter, his useful nature was almost gone.
"Indeed. People seek guards for their security, or their freedom. You have demonstrated the effectiveness of your leadership, and your ability to repel the enemies who would attack your lands." Johan stated, already feeling weary from dealing with the fool. Nagus had what could only be described as a spiritual power to be annoying.
Johan still had a use for the old troll. There was plenty to be done.
Nagus was not content to be praised, "Of course my plan worked. I am brilliant… yes… yes… Wolverine, I suppose you are… perhaps… less lying than most…"
Johan cocked his head. The fool was also mad, a trait that Johan forgot. A shame, what a fine fool he could be, with his mad ramblings.
Johan growled, "I will not lie to you." He would not, and could not by nature. A coward lied to manipulate. They were only powerful in the shadows.
Nagus snickered dryly, as if Johan's deeds were not enough, "Of course not. You only want what comes with my favor."
Johan felt relieved that he finally understood the nature of their dynamic, but perhaps needed some correction, "I don't care about your favor, only empowering your place to lead effectively. I have no love for you."
Nagus again smirked as though he were expecting such a response, "Yes… well, I suppose now I still must deal with the republic. But now I have much more sway over the Kingdom's decisions…. How do I get rid of the Republic?"
Johan wanted to growl in frustration. The fool was helpless without him, but too proud to give Johan his deserved glory. Still… He only needed to endure the annoyance for a time. There was much to be done with a rare opportunity, "A way to remove the republic is to simply weaken its support. With as much power presented, I would simply force a member of the republic to agree to submit to my rule."
Nagus laughed, seeming to grin as he mussed with his superiority, "A stupid approach. They'd all band together and attack my position... How brain dead can you be?"
Johan snarled at him, growing tired of being insulted. Still, there were benefits to playing his game.
Nagus mussed, "Then again, that pig has a lot of power over the Sand Blasters… But they are a tricky bunch within themselves."
Johan heard the word "sand" and began to make the logical connections. They were likely in the desert, which contained the fuel and resources he needed to prepare for the great changes coming.
"I would desire the oil of the region." Johan proposed, "I need it for my ship. If I were to go there and bring order to these foolish parties of warriors, then I could deny your enemies their resources."
Nagus growled, "What?... yes… yes… I agree." He seemed to think aloud, "We might…. Yes… you, beast!" Nagus pointed at Johan.
Johan was growing tired of this, truly.
Nagus continued, "You have my permission to go to the desert and sort everything out. I won't ask questions…"
Johan felt pleasantly surprised. He had not expect the Troll's madness to work to Johan's benefit. No matter, there was much to do.
Nagus jerked around before Johan could respond. The fool still didn't realize his weakness. No matter, there was much to do, and Johan needed men. He could not draw from their army, this required a separate hand. Johan knew just who to turn to, someone who was just like him.
/*-*/
Alright, let's hear some theories. Where do you all think this is going to go?