Merendinoemilano: I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Daedriel: This chapter is entirely Johan focused, but the arc as a whole is going to be mostly Johan doing things, interacting with people. Sonic and the others need a breather, and things need to simmer at home while Johan is abroad. Also, Sonic needs happy time with his girlfriend and bros. I've really beaten him up a little too much in the story. I wanted to include Sonar for a couple reasons, but she's going to be a little more prevalent than she was in the comics.
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The two days of marching through the desert proved to be annoying to Johan. His men were invigorated, which was pleasant for Johan, considering their panic when they were underground. Still, as the first night drew to a close, with the cloudy sky and cold air moving in.
They did not have a fire, for several reasons. Johan wanted no enemies to sneak upon them that night. Even if they were not concerned about enemies, the lack of resources would be a problem. There was hardly any wood with them, and the desert didn't seem to have anything that could be used for fuel.
Johan found bones, which he ate while the other men ate bread and drank their water. Stoix and her brothers had dried meats, which they seemed to enjoy along with extra water.
Johan approached, "Have you enjoyed your tastes of war?" Johan was curious, as the girl had come in with love and joy for war. Still, bright ideas and reality were two different things.
"There's a lot more moving than fighting. I was expecting more battles, but we've only fought one day since we started." Stoix frowned, tapping her foot. Johan understood her frustrations.
"That is why we savor the battles we are given. Most of our enemies in the Saxon lands would rather try to outrun us than fight us. But we find joy in the fights we do manage to make, and hopefully grow from them." Johan found himself with a smirk. She was a Saxon in all but blood. Her brothers, however, didn't seem too keen on the fight. But they kept their reservations to themselves.
Johan watched as the men wrapped themselves in old hoods of dead enemies, and curled up, sleeping close to each other to spread warmth.
Johan kept watch over them, and dug a small spot in the sand and sat down on top of the hole when a voice spoke to him, "Thanks for saving me back there." Sonar spoke softly. She moved so quietly in the sand, it was quite impressive. Johan almost missed her.
"I did not save you. You saved yourself by allying yourself with me. If you have not been my ally, I would killed and eaten you without hesitation." Johan grumbled, settling in.
"… You can tone it down a bit. You are really extreme. You can drop the act, we get it, you're the strongest guy out here." Sonar shifted nervously.
"I do not "act". I live by the truth of the world. Everything I do or say, I mean with full intent." Johan growled, again hating how his way seemed so outlandish to such weak people. "If I spare you, do not do so out of mercy or pity."
Sonar nodded, before letting out a sigh, "Alright. You're kind of crazy, but alright." She sat there, as Johan closed his eyes. She did not move, though, and it troubled Johan.
"What else do you wish to know?" Johan growled, eager to sleep and begin his next day.
"You gave Lewis a new name. Why do you give people names?" She asked, "And… uh, what would my name be?"
Johan growled in his throat. Could she even understand the concept? "It is easier for my tongue to say." Johan simply stated.
It was easier than to explain the several people that lived in a single person's life. Lewis was a boy who acted with passion, but did not understand his place in justice. Gewis is the product of Johan, showing him his righteous nature, and demonstrating a new way of life. But to explain that to Sonar, was far more energy than Johan wanted to give. He would rather save his energy for later, and tell her if he gave her a name.
Sonar licked her lips, "What… what would my name be?" She sounded interested, deeply invested.
"Loth-" Johan felt himself driven to anger at that name. He caught himself and growled, "We shall see. I will give you a name that will suite your role in the order I give the world."
Sonar seemed to chuckle slight, "Ambitious, are we?"
Johan didn't even bother to answer. The words were always the same. Johan couldn't do it. There was no way it could succeed. Johan needed to be realistic.
Then they would see his new world, and cower in fear as he stood over them with glory and victory.
Sonar slumped down, and sighed, "I don't suppose you have room for a copy with six sisters and three brothers?"
Johan cocked his head, "You have some siblings?"
"Some? I have a lot… They're prissy, the girls are girly and pompous, the boys are… just boys. I'm waiting for my older brothers to grow up." Sonar slumped against Johan's arm. She sounded exhausted.
"Girly?" Johan growled.
"You know, they love dresses, and flowers. They love to squeal at boys, you know, the stuff." Sonar grumbled, before shifting, "I left home because… well, I don't want to be another face in the crowd, I got my friends to come along and join the sand blasters."
Johan gave close attention to her story, "Do you not wish to fight?"
"I don't know. I… lost a friend, but I want to help the world." Sonar seemed to wake up after thinking about something, "I want to be a hero."
Johan growled softly, "Heroes are pointless. They all die in the end. I need you to live." Johan looked down as her large ears perked up. She rubbed her head with her fingers. "Are you well?"
Sonar looked up at Johan, before nodding, "Yeah… I've just get a headache occasionally. I don't think my head liked getting hit with rocks. Nothing serious though, I don't ringing or anything."
Johan nodded, "Very well." He returned to the topic at hand, "Do you wish to return home?"
Sonar looked up at the stars, before slumping down, "I do miss mom's cooking. But… I don't know. This isn't what I signed up for."
"What did you join for?" Johan almost laughed.
"I wanted to bring peace to the desert. We've been fighting for so long… I thought… we thought we could change it. But an old friend betrayed us." Sonar growled, balling a fist.
"Let their throat be crushed as they beg for life." Johan growled, "Traitors and cowards have no place in the world."
Sonar smirked up at him, and rested her head on his strong arm, "Look, if you want to go meet my family, they're about twenty minutes by jeep that way?" She pointed north east, "There's a little town, and you'll find a bunch of Fennecs living there. Mom's the one with wrinkles and a grey eye."
Johan nodded, "Perhaps I will look for them."
Sonar sighed and curled up. "Just… don't leave us stranded." She was faithful, and compassionate, perhaps to the point of weakness, but she was also loyal to allies. That was a trait hard to come by even with Johan's extensive history. Most of the Saxon's allies saw them as additional manpower, not as friends or companions.
Johan waited for her to be asleep, and stood up. He ran towards it as his energy continued to cool the air. Johan wandered under the moon, a rare break from the clouds that formed overhead. Johan continued until he saw sandstone buildings. There was one with the lights still on, bright and burning. Johan stepped into the town, and got close.
He heard laughter, and outrage.
"Come on, Nalia, it was a joke." A tall male Fox laughed.
"It's not funny, it's disgusting." A Lady Fox growled.
"BOTH OF YOU, QUIET!" An older voice shouted, and several chairs seemed to shift, "Now pass around the soup. Make sure your nephew gets some. He's a growing boy."
Johan saw the older Fox as she passed around the food. She had a strong, guiding feeling around her.
A small blue Fox who could barely poke his ears over the table squeaked, "Where is aunt Soni?"
"Oh, Soni… is out." A pale green fox girl smiled. She was taller than Sonar, and had long, wavy hair that seemed to curl back and forth.
"Oh, and you love that don't you. You split our family up! And you're happy." An older, feminine voice shouted.
"Shut up, if she wasn't such a boy that wouldn't have happened." The pale green fox shouted back.
"Both of you, quiet…. I miss my little girl, but she's gone. I hope she's just out, living the best life she can." The mother commanded as a large pot was passed around the table.
Johan heard enough, and wandered back to the camp. He saw Sonar laying down, with Gewis and Oscar sleeping in their own bags close by. Johan looked down at the girl with a new found respect, But that would have to wait until morning.
Johan dreamt of his army, back in the days of the Great wars. How his armored brigades tore through the Teskan defenses. How their empire struggled to maintain itself, and the Saxons once again claimed their mantle at the throne of the world.
How long had it been since he returned to that world? The Irony of the War was that the Teskans won. The Saxons broke their military, conquered the territories, and forced the surrender of Teskah, only to leave their nation in favor of the new dimension they had found. They abandoned the very land they had fought for. It was almost laughable.
Johan still enjoyed the memories. The Large tanks which fought while fighters flew overhead, attempting to control the skies. The Thrill that at any moment, his life could be over as he charged the enemy tanks. The fires burning from husks as his tank rammed an enemy's. The Experience was all too nostalgic.
Still, Johan did have to wake, and when he did the sun briefly peaked through the cloudy skies. The men awoke with surprising vigor, as if ready to finally return to the Sand Blaster's base and be shielded from the weather.
Johan saw the Egg Carrier in the distance returning to the base that Johan and the others had escaped from. They would not find their bodies, and Johan felt the burning rage of the pointless as his allies had fled.
Still, Johan could have engaged the Carrier, and would have likely won, but it would delay and cause problems for their movement. Better to regroup, and plan a larger attack.
They continued until the mountainous sections appeared, and the men took the opportunity to get the mountain water that appeared at the base. Johan, for all of his strength, couldn't deny it either. He was thirsty and had traveled a long distance. He dipped his snout into the water, drinking from it. He was refreshed after a long drink. How he longed for some mead or ale.
Johan made his way up the cave, using the cliff rocks as his men went around. His climb rewarded Johan with being at the entrance of the base, much to the surprise of the desert wolf that was watching the door. Johan snarled and entered the base. The Wolf parted and left, allowing Johan to continue without resistance.
Johan walked deeper into the cave, and saw the people stopping when he approached. They were apparently surprised to see him again. No matter, Johan would deal with them soon enough.
Johan walked past the rationing station, which seemed to be restocked, most likely with food from the raid. Johan could tell the people were nervous around him. Johan was intimidating by the nature of his size. Still their fear seemed to tell Johan that Jack had likely planned on Johan being left at that base, and he would have never come to aid Johan.
That Betrayal would not stand.
Johan made his way to Jack's station, ready to confront that pathetic hare. Conveniently, the hare was surrounded by the his close command, who were all laughing at Johan's expense.
"You think he made it out?" A vulture asked, seeming to laugh even harder while he drank.
"Nothing could survive a bombardment like that." The Bear chuckled.
"Boys, the beast is out of ah hair, he won' bother us again." Jack seemed to laugh it all off.
"Speak of the Devil, and he shall appear." Johan growled, prompting a jerk from the entire leadership.
"W-what thah heck?" Jack yelped as Johan continued to crawl closer to them, "You a ghost?
Johan smashed the desk under his paw, "Could a Ghost do this?"
Jack stood up and staggered back, "N-Now hold up a second. Yah look pretty mad, and ah get it. Ah would be too, but ah couldn't risk mah boys to fight a big ship like that."
Johan growled deeper in his throat, "You left my men to die."
"Ah sent mah fox over to tell ya, ah didn' just leave ya." Jack smiled, his hands still up to protect himself. His friends seemed to be quite on guard, as if expecting to fight Johan.
Still, His words made sense. They were strategically sound, even if Johan could tell it wasn't primary motivation.
"What is your next plan? How do you intend to deal with our enemy?" Johan snarled, but calmed down. He would bide his time, and if treason should emerge again, he would act…accordingly.
Jack leaned back, trying to get away from Johan and licked his lips nervously, "W—What?"
"What is the next base we shall destroy?" Johan snarled, making his impatience very well known. There was no time for this senseless waiting.
Jack was scooting back with his chair towards another table that had been set up. Johan sprung forward, causing Jack and his men to Jump. The bird and bear drew their weapons, quite quickly, which almost impressed Johan. The others flinched and held their hands up. Cowards.
Johan caught the sheet of paper that sat on the table. There were several words in them, but they seemed to be directed to a "Hamlin". That name, held a strange spot in Johan's head, where he thought he remembered the name from somewhere, but if he did not know who held the name, then they must not have been worth his time.
"What is this?" Johan snarled, looking over the letter, and marveling at both the lack of commitment to securing the message, and the time wasting formalities that went into making the letter a full page.
"That's a little letter to a friend, nothing that concerns ya." Jack grumbled, balling a fist. Johan noted how quick he was to defend the letter from him. If it was that important, Johan would let it be. He handed the letter back to Jack, who seemed surprised.
The letter likely did not affect Johan in the moment, and Johan was more focused on getting what he wanted, and getting out of the desert, "What is our next target? My men shall rest for the night, and we shall crush our enemy under my foot."
Jack blinked, seeming to have trouble with the idea that Johan did not care about his love letter to some fool far off. Johan wanted progress with this war, and Jack was going to give him that progress.
Jack stuttered for a moment, "W-well, ah don' exact want to rush things. We gotta take it a little slower or we might run the boys ragged."
"Your men have had time to rest. We have a chance to destroy our enemy, and I will not waste it. We shall, continuously until our enemy is destroyed." Johan growled, taking a step towards Jack.
They were cut off by thunderous applause and cheering.
Johan turned and saw Sonar being carried by Gewis. The copper garden defender, Spike's face lit up at the sight of his returning friend. The men of the Sand Blasters seemed to turn and cheer at Johan, giving him praise for simply saving one warrior.
"Ah, that's good. I was worried Sonar wouldn' make it." Jack grumbled, licking his lips softly.
Johan saw Gewis and the men flop down in their little spot that had been arranged for them. Stoix and her brothers went to the eating area to get food.
"None of ya got hurt? Impressive." Jack blinked, and seemed to lightly grit his teeth.
Johan growled, but thought this was a teachable moment, to see if the boy could be something…more, " Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God." Johan spoke in his low voice, but those who were looking at him scrunched their faces at his words.
They were listening, though. Stoix perked up and came over as Johan continued, " I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Stoix nodded proudly, her face lighting up at the verse. Jack, however, did not share her enthusiasm, "Yah some sorta god? Arrogant aren't ya?"
Johan shook his head. There was no point. And yet, he had to explain it, "Those are the words of my God, who protects me from all the cowards and liars, the feeble weapons they use."
Jack shook his head, "Bah, ya'll do ya. Leave yah stupid superstition out of mah desert." He snarled.
Johan saw Stoix walk forward, balling a fist. Johan held out an arm, "Bide your time, he will pay for his foolishness."
Jack growled and grit his teeth, seeming to forget his fear he held earlier.
Stoix looked up at Johan, and saw his firm face. She understood, and nodded before snarling at Jack, and going back to her brothers.
"Ya think ah'm some sorta fool?" Jack snarled, balling his fist.
"Mind your temper, you fool, or I will be forced to protect my men." Johan growled back, standing on his hind legs.
It seemed that Jack understood in that moment the size difference between them. He nodded softly as he shrank away. Johan noticed something missing.
"Where are the prisoners I captured?" Johan snarled, unable to find the traces of their scent anywhere.
"Oh… them? We buried them in the desert. Once a robian, always a robian." Jack laughed with a grin. His laughs and grins seemed to die down as Johan's face did not show amusement. He seemed to back away as Johan seemed to cock his head and think for a few moments.
"Do you believe I am an imbecile." Johan prowled closer to the Hare, trying to obscure his anger.
"W-Well no." Jack shuddered as Johan approached him, never leaving eye contact. Jack, however seemed to be looking around.
Johan continued his advance, "Do you believe I am a fool, making jokes and playing with toys?" Johan kept his gaze as he snorted out his nose. Jack continued past his circle.
"N-No. Ya'h aren't the jokin type." Jack gulped as he stepped back, looking around as for help as his men shifted away. They understood Johan was not to be trifled.
Jack backed into the cave's wall, and Johan asked his last question, laying a paw on the hare's shoulder, "Do you believe I am one to waste time?" Johan asked, rising to his hind legs.
The Hare seemed quite quiet, his eyes focusing on Johan's large, partially retractable claws. Johan growled, and the Hare seemed to be jarred back to reality.
"N-No. Ya'h a very punctual gentleman." Jack laughed nervously. That was all Johan needed to know.
He closed his hand around Jack's neck, and thrust it upward into the rocky ceiling. His hand served as a tight grip, but also a shield for Jack's soft and feeble neck that was all too easy to break.
The cave rumbled from the impact as Johan snarled. The men from the sand blasters took notice and looked over at them, somewhat nervous.
"If I want someone dead, I will kill them! I do not leave my enemies alive in vain!" Johan shouted into his face. His frustration boiled, "This desert will be soaked in blood when I am done! I do not need extra bodies to do that!"
Jack, in a foolish panic, drew his revolver and fired into Johan's shoulder. He fired all six shots, but they only lodged themselves in Johan's thick hide.
Johan… actually found some comfort in that, "Well… at least you can fight when you are terrified." Johan threw his body over Johan, before setting Jack down on the rug. He then brushed the bullets out of his hide with a swipe, "Perhaps you might be useful yet. We shall see."
Johan walked to the eating area, with the sand blasters parting. Some gave him salutes, other gave nods of approval, some flashed their thumbs up. Regardless Johan was greeted with love and respect. Not that it mattered, as he saw no need to keep appeasing these weaker men.
But perhaps the fact that they looked at Johan with such respect showed they could be better. IF their respect resulted in copying Johan's way of life, then they were capable of improving. If not, then there was no reason to try to appease them.
Johan found some fish and cactus fruit. It was strange, eating cactus, but it was not a terrible food. It was edible, and Johan would eat it while he planned for his next attack.
After finishing, he returned to the command area, and approached Jack again, "Where are we attacking next?"
"Ah think we should maybe let the legion calm down. Give them a few days." Jack grumbled, shifting nervously as Johan approached his chair and placed his front paws on the desk.
"We will not give them a safe place to hide. We will pursue our advantage, and they will be afraid of me. If you do not attack, then I will take whatever men will follow, and I will destroy them myself!" Johan barked, causing Jack to flinch.
Apparently, Jacks men had been listening. His inner circle was outraged, but the men began to cheer, "YEAH, Let's push them back!"
"They can't stop us!"
"We got the invincible Wolverine, Nothing can beat us!"
Jack began to shrink as the tide was quickly against him. He chose cowardice, and thus his weakness became apparent to his men. They would only naturally seek to follow a leader who would bring them glory and dignity.
Jack quickly held up his hands but the crowd wouldn't be silenced. How quick they were to latch on to heroes, desiring someone to give them hope instead of giving it to themselves. Jack looked around, panicked, "Alright, ah'll think ah something. Give me time."
Johan growled in his throat, but nodded. A plan was good, that much he was aware of, despite his outrage over the idea of letting the enemy rest. There was no rest for the wicked and weak. They would never find safety or comfort, because Johan would never give it to them.
How long were these people prepared to fight for? Johan enjoyed battle but these people did not. They seemed to fight only out of need, not out of a desire for growth or glory. SO why prolong the fight? Fear of death? The cowards were going to die one day anyway, why not simply end the fight decisively?
Johan was plagued by these questions as he laid down near his men who were resting. They were tired, as was Johan. He decided to let the desert warm itself, as he went to sleep for a light nap.
His light was hardly boring. Rather than a memory of the past, or a distant legacy, Johan stood in the desert. Sand was all around him, except for a river, which had reeds and pads growing in it. Johan followed the river, and came to two large fig trees.
The one on the right had the skulls of bird where the fruit should be. It's wide range seemed to cast a shadow over the reeds, killing the ones would not live in the thin light that broke through.
On the other side of the river, Johan saw a second tree, large and imposing, but very orderly. It had large roots that seemed to drain the river of it's precious water. The large tree also had fruit, but the fruit was sharp and spikey, not at all like the sweet figs that Johan enjoyed.
Johan growled at the miserable sight before him. Each tree seemed to stretch its limbs to cover and blot out the other. One with its principle of death, the other with its principle of consumption. There was no change, however. Only waste goods and time.
Johan snarled again, when he noticed the river. It seemed to pick up speed, growing aggressive and rampant. The water began to slosh as an icy breeze came in. The reed were snapped off their stalks and the pads flew upwards freezing in the air. These reeds and pads dug into the trees.
The wind picked up, and fierce wave of icy air came over the river. It struck the trees knocking the weakened trunks down. The roots began to wither as the large trees died. In the process, seeds began to fall. Each sprouted a bloom and grew, bright and fruitful.
When he awoke, Johan saw Sonar and her ally, Spike sitting down in front of him.
"What is your trouble?" Johan growled, as he rose.
"Thanks, again for helping me." Sonar smiled, and gave a respectful bow. Her friend, the garden defender, smiled.
"She told me about how awesome you were. Thank you." Spike bowed his head.
"Is there a purpose beyond thanks, or are you wasting my time?" Johan growled, rising up and stretching his neck.
"Uh…Well, no, I just wanted to say thanks." Spike mumbled as Sonar shifted nervously.
"Very Well, I note it. Now leave me to my men." Johan stretched out and turned to the asleep badger and rodents behind him.
Sonar nodded and took Spike with her. Johan found them to be…tolerable. They at least moved with purpose, so their interruptions were not… troublesome. Gewis was fond of Sonar. Whether she was a possible wife, or simple kinship between the foxes.
Johan's mind drifted to his dream. The message seemed clear, and mandated by heaven. God stood with Johan, and his victory was assured.
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Johan continues to learn about these desert customs. All of the Sand Blasters have feelings about him, some good, some bad. One wonders what the future has in store for their relationship.
Please leave a review and tell me what you think, or how I can improve.