Victor John Foxfire: Nephthys fought till the end to ease the Wolverine's heart. She knew him very well thanks to the research she had done. And yeah, Eileen the Crow's voice actor could probably do Nephthys, at least for this story.( I don't have bloodborne, but I looked up the quest to get a feel for the Voice actor)
I enjoyed writing Johan's crocodile growl, the thought was funny in my head, but then I realized I could actually use that scene to establish a couple things, and also re-enforce the idea that Johan is a living creature(in the story), and that he can become infatuated with someone. There were a couple other things that may have become hidden by the bold "flavor" of that scene.
Nephthys was very clever, and I imagine that without Johan's intervention, she could have tried to implement her plan. Obviously Eggman would have dealt with her when he won, but she was very good at keeping herself in the right positions. This is the part where I lament that I actually had to kill her off. I didn't want to kill her off, but I needed a grounded and established solution to not have her blown up, so I went on a different path. We can see if it pays off.
Would Johan have tried to court Nephthys? Absolutely. Would she have rejected him? Probably, but not absolutely. The Xorda is an underrated plot point in my opinion. I think it helps answer a lot of micro-level questions about Mobius, like how food and dating between species works. A lot of people just write it off as part of the "weird" phase of archie.
Gewis is older than Atreus, heck I think he's older than Sonic by this point in Archie( even though Sonic is forever 15). Gewis is 19 years old, and I've got plans for him. Oddly enough, he was a throwaway character I made for one chapter, and then developed a story around him. And yes, he had quite the experience seeing Johan fall in love and be expressive about it.
MerendinoEmilano: I am glad you enjoyed the talks. I do have a little favor I want from you in particular, I'll tell you at the bottom.
Walter White(CH1): I don't know about art, but I did try to set the scene. I don't know if you are being sarcastic or genuinely enjoying the story. I hope it is the later, so thank you for your support.
/*-*/
Sonic felt some soft and fuzzy between his fingers. He wiggled and scratched deeper into the blanket that he held so close. A soft coo came from the victim of his scratching. Sonic opened his eyes. He looked down to see yellow fur nestled under his arms.
Tails snuggled closer to Sonic's arm, as if to prompt Sonic to scratch his chest more. Sonic obliged and the fox softly purred as he scratched. Sonic smiled as the fox nestled and shook, clearly enjoying the physical attention. Tails always loved to be scratched there, but as he got older, Tails made Sonic stop. In hindsight, that was probably the point where Tails stopped being a child.
Sonic felt a hand rise up his chest. Sonic turned his head to look and see Sally, looking deep into his eyes, ever so calm. Her head rested on Sonic's forearm, practically pinning the hedgehog to the bed. Sonic felt her hand rise up and stroke the side of his face, "Good morning, snugglehog." She whispered softly.
Sonic gasped as a yellow tail winds up and tickles his nose, "What time is it?"
"It's… a little past morning. I thought I'd let you sleep." Sally sighed, brushing a thumb against Sonic's cheek, before leaning down to kiss Sonic's arm.
"Don't count me out just because of the last few weeks. I'm back and I'm fine." Sonic smiled flexing his arm muscles. Of course, it didn't rise very much, but it never really did.
Sally kissed Sonic's arm reassuringly, "I know. I just love laying in your arms. They make me feel so safe and warm."
Sonic laughed softly, careful not to wake up his little brother, "Well, I love it when you're under them."
Sally giggled softly, leaning up and dodging the soft yellow tail that was feeling around Sonic to kiss him on the lips. Sonic kissed her back, curling his arm to hold her closer.
Sally broke the kiss, "I was also waiting for someone else to wake up so we could… continue what got interrupted last night." Her eyes wandered over to Tails
Sonic shuddered ever so softly at those words. He saw Tails' ears flick.
"Uh… Gross, I'll leave." Tails sat up.
Sonic shifted ever so slightly and Sally looked as embarrassed as possible. Even through her fur, her face seemed to turn red. Sonic felt heat rising up his whole face, but Tails already crawled out of bed. He walked over to the doorway, and turned around, "I'm glad you're back, Sonic."
Sonic shifted as Tails walked out and closed the door, right as Elias came up to their room. Sonic could hear mumbling, and waited with Sally close to his chest. Their hearts were both pounding ever so slightly, from the range of affections to the fear of getting caught.
Still, the door didn't open, which meant that Tails had chased off any intruder. Sonic lookd down at her, but Sally's eyes still looked terrified. Sonic leaned down to kiss her, but it was very one sided.
Sonic shifted, and Sally snapped out of her trance. Sonic gulped, "Did… Did he kill the mood again?"
Sally slumped down, "I guess we should get started." That was yes. Sonic tried not to pout, but Sally clearly saw that Sonic was miffed.
"I'm sorry, I keep getting you riled up, and then… well, you know." Sally snuggled closer to Sonic. His mood got better as she kissed up and down his chest. Sonic leaned down and kissed her.
She rose and their lips met. Sonic and Sally both gazed into each others' eyes. The two moved quickly.
They graced the world with their presence an hour later. Sonic immediately was reminded why Sally wanted to stop. There were glances, a couple thumbs up Sonic's way, and a sneer from Geoffrey that made the whole adventure worth it.
Elias walked over to Sonic as he made his way to the doorway, "I trust you had a… good morning?"
Sonic laughed nervously, clearing his throat, "Yeah… it was good."
"Well… I hope you did well. I think you can." Elias gave a smug smile. Oh that bastard was waiting for that payback wasn't he?
Sonic sighed, and slumped down. They probably should have tried to be quieter. Sonic looked up at Elias, giving the most civil payback he could think of, "Yeah, well tell Sally that she's invited for brunch at my place."
Elias nodded, and Sonic took off.
Sonic ran down into his mansion, and grabbed the handle. Sonic opened the door, and shut in. He sat against the door, feeling his energy leave him. Sonic closed his eyes, and smiled.
Sonic heard a throat clear, and he opened his eyes. He saw the green marmot stood in front of him, her annoyed smile giving Sonic a shiver.
"So you have been-a skipping my meals?" Christina grumbled, cracking her knuckles. Sonic gulped as he saw the iron skillet in her hand. Sonic gulped.
"W-what do you mean? I never skipped anything?" Sonic laughed nervously, watching her approach him slowly.
"You got-a out of the hospital-a. You went-a to the base, I made a nice food-a for you." Christina growled, flipping the skillet in her hand.
"W-What? No…" Sonic lied as he turned around, only to get tackled to the ground by a red vixen.
"Got him!" Fiona shouted at Christina. Sonic felt ropes tied around his legs.
"Fiona, stop it, let me go. I don't approve of this!" Sonic made his disproval known.
"I know, but you don't get a say, my duke." Fiona laughed as Sonic was lifted over her shoulder. Sonic looked down and saw a chair dragged out in the middle of his mansion's entrance.
Fiona dropped Sonic down into the chair. Sonic dared to ask, "What are you going to do to me?"
Fiona leaned into his ear, "Oh, some very… very naughty things." She tied a rope around Sonic's left arm and worked over to his right.
Christina had disappeared, which made Sonic extra nervous. He could feel something coming, and he wasn't sure what it was. The sound of screeching came from the hallway which gave Sonic a slight shock as he braced for impact.
Fiona leaned down and whispered into Sonic's ear, "You are in so much trouble."
Sonic shuddered, wondering what cruel punishment they had planned. The screeching became louder until a large serving cart wheeled its way in front of him, stopping just before it hit his legs. Christina stood there with a dark grin on her face.
"You've missed-a most-a my meals. I'm-a make sure you'll-a never go hungry again." Christina grinned, her voice growling in rage.
Sonic gaped, "Look, I'm sorry, I just wanted to spend time with Sal-" Sonic was cut off as a bland scone with jelly on it was shoved down his throat.
"Everyone knows-a that your cook-a is the most-a portant woman in your-a life. Then-a it's-a wife, then-a lovers, then-a friends." Christina poured a sweet and bitter coffee down Sonic's throat. Then Fiona shoved a cannoli down his throat.
Sonic tried to push out of the ropes, but they were done surprisingly tight. Sonic screamed through the pastries in his mouth, which were pretty good but the fact that he was tied to a chair was not something he was enjoying.
Sonic heard a popping sound, and turned his head to see a white wine being poured into a glass by Fiona. Sonic shifted nervously as he finally swallowed the tasty pastry.
"Are you ready, my duke?" Fiona grinned at Sonic as the large serving dish was raised up. Sonic gulped at what could be underneath it.
What Sonic saw was several fried, small sandwiches which were arranged in a circle around pasta topped with what appeared to be chopped up fish and tomato sauce.
Sonic swallowed everything that was in his mouth, before clamping it shut.
"Come on, open up." Fiona demanded, reaching down and shoving her fingers in Sonic's mouth. He held his jaw shut as she tried to pry him open, "Come on, let us feed you!"
"You're force feeding-" Sonci couldn't finishe the sentence as a fork-full of pasta slammed into his mouth. It was all fantastic, and Sonic loved every bite, but this method was both terrifying and over the top.
"Look, Christina, I'm sorry, but I was with my girlfriend." Sonic pleaded, "I won't miss anymore meals without telling you, I promise."
"Oh, duke, it's-a far too late-a for that." Christina grinned at him, with another fork full of pasta.
Sonic clamped his mouth shut as Christina approached.
"Quite being-a stubborn-a!" She growled. Sonic was not going to take this punishment lying down.
He felt Fiona's foot slam onto his toes, and a pain shot up through his leg. Sonic couldn't stop himself from crying out, only to have a spoonful of food shoved into his mouth.
The door opened, and Sonic creaked is head to see a surprised Sally standing there. Everyone seemed to be shocked. Sonic could see the pure surprise on Sally's face. He was waiting for the shock to wear off to see the other emotions Sally had tucked away.
Fiona and Christina both looked rather shocked, with the marmot turning especially embarrassed, covered her face.
Sally gulped, "Well… that's… I was not expecting that." She seemed to be recovering from the shock of the situation.
Sonic shifted in the seat, "Y-You aren't mad?"
Sally seemed to rest up against the wall as the door closed, "Well… My boyfriend it tied up with two other women in front of him. Being force fed food is not the worst case for this situation."
Sonic blinked as she walked up to the embarrassed marmot, who covered her face, "I'm here for brunch with my boyfriend."
"R-Right away." Christina ran away quickly, leaving Fiona to stand in the room awkwardly with Sonic still strapped to the chair.
/*-*/
Fiona watched Sally take a seat at the large table where Sonic was supposed to host great balls and gatherings. The large cart that held the appetizers, breakfast foods, cappuccinos, and everything their revenge entailed was wheeled into the room.
Fiona sat down a few empty seats away as Christina brought out a plate to hold a panini and pasta. She carefully scooped up a panini and filled the plate with pasta. It was an ordinary brunch as Christina nervously poured an expresso into a cup.
"So… are-a you going-a to tell anyone about-a earlier?" Christina gapped as she handed the expresso with sugar, a slight shake in her hands.
Sally wore that smug, cocky look that she was in the position of power she loved so much, "What, that you tied up my boyfriend and force fed him food?"
"It-a…. it was-a joke." Christina laughed nervously, as she set down the tray.
"I'm sure… I won't tell anyone." Sally smiled, and sipped her expresso nicely, "Just don't let it happen again."
Christina nodded nervously, "Ri-Right-a."
It would have looked like an ordinary brunch if not for the fact that host was still tied to a chair. A little fact that Christina tried to rectify.
"Hold up, what are you doing?" Sally asked, holding up a hand.
"I'm-a…I'm-a freeing my boss-a." Christina smiled nervously. Fiona shifted nervously.
"Oh no, He stays tied up." Sally commanded with a cocky grin.
"What?" The three of them shouted in surprise.
"Obviously, Sonic forgot the basic code of conduct." Sally smiled, "First you take care of your chef, then your wife, then your friends." She raised up one of the wine glasses. Christina seemed to get shaken out of her daze before grabbing the wine bottle and pouring the princess a glass.
Sonic groaned, "Oh come on, that's not a rule and you know it!"
"It very much is a rule. Just one that wasn't written or very well known." Sally smiled, drinking the wine, "Don't worry, cuddlehog. I'll eat, then you can join in. Fiona, brunch?"
Fiona smirked, hiding the immense burning jealousy that ached her soul as she nodded. Christina brought a panini and pasta on a plate, along with a sugared expresso. Fiona raised her expresso from across the table and Sally raised her own.
They drank the sweet-bitter drink and then Sally picked up her panini, and bit into it. Fiona heard the groan from Sally, as she swallowed, "Sonic, these are divine. You were so right when you said she was amazing."
Christina nodded silently.
Sonic groaned dropping his head, "Alright, fine, I get it. I'll tell her that I won't be eating next time. Do I need to remind you what we were doing that night?"
Sally suddenly shuddered, before her ring-blades lit up, and cut Sonic loose.
Sonic sat up next to her, his frown turning to grin, "Was that so hard?" Sally picked up a piece of pasta with sauce and flung it at Sonic. It bounced harmlessly off Sonic's cheek.
Fiona grit her teeth, before realizing that gritting her teeth hurt, so she crunched on a panini. Of course, she couldn't stay mad when there was amazing food in her mouth.
Sally groaned again, "I have to say, the statement 'never trust a skinny chef' was proven wrong."
Fiona was surprised when Christina looked down at her stomach area through her apron and uniform. She actually seemed to take a bit of offense to that comment.
"I'm-a not that thin-a." Christina rolled a bit of fat under her uniform. She was in no way obese, but she wasn't… physically defined like Sally or Fiona.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend." Sally bowed her head, just as confused as Fiona was.
Christina poured Sonic an expresso, "I'm-a fine." Her face seemed more focused, and less emotional.
Sonic grabbed her arm, "Are you sure? Are you feeling alright?" Sonic looked at her with a lot of concern. A slight offense wasn't going to cause any problems.
Then again, Fiona remembered what led them to this situation. Unvented emotions could cause a lot of problems.
Christina put up an obvious fake smile, "I'm-a fine."
"Are you?" Sonic demanded, holding her there. For the briefest moment, Fiona saw Scourge in Sonic.
Christina growled, her words getting faster with each one that passed, her hands rising and making gestures, "Mio padre mi diceva sempre che nessuno mi avrebbe preso sul serio se non fossi diventato più grasso".
Sonic groaned, "I can't understand that, I'm sorry."
"MY DAD-A SAY NO ONE LIKE A SKINNY CHEF!" Christina shouted and threw her hat at Sally before turning around and stomping off.
Sonic stood up and Fiona followed, but not before flashing an angry scowl at Sally.
Fiona ran up to find Sonic holding Christina crying form. Granted, her tears were exactly sad. She was pissed beyond any reasonable excuse. Her form was trembling as she growled with tears in her eyes, "Quella ragazza è una… cagna totale. Spero che… si rompa i denti e debba mangiare… la zuppa per sempre."
Sonic looked at Fiona who could only make out soup and dentist. She gave Sonic a shrug.
Sonic sighed, "I-I don't know what you are saying." Sonic tried to sound gentle and calm, but he was also a little defensive.
"She's a jerk-a and needs-a punch!" Christina growled, balling a fist, even as the tears streamed down her face.
"Hey!" Sonic shouted defensively. Fiona was actually with him on that one. She wasn't happy with Sally, but she didn't deserve to get hurt for the comment.
Sonic caught himself, and sighed, "Hey… she wasn't trying to be mean. Heck, she was complimenting you. She didn't know about… your history. You're an amazing chef, I love your food, and everyone who's been here loves it too."
Christina looked up at Sonic and pulled away, before sighing, and drying her tears, "I'm-a go apologize."
Fiona walked up to Sonic as the cook went back into the room, "What was that about."
"Well, Christina lied when she came here. She wasn't from a rich school, heck her family wasn't even able to own a dirt house. So it wasn't easy selling the idea that she could cook. I guess that's still a sore spot for her." Sonic shifted, looking down.
Fiona nodded, "I see… I guess that makes sense." Fiona didn't really think the response was warranted but, she could understand a reason to be angry.
Fiona passed a glance to Sonic, "I… I think I am going back to Frederick."
Sonic blinked at her, "What? Why?" he sounded sad, which made Fiona a little happy.
"It's quiet here. I guess I wanted to help you, now you don't need it. I… also wanted some things that you can't give me anymore." Fiona sighed, gritting her teeth at the last words. It was hard to articulate the feelings she felt.
"Well… I'm sorry. I didn't… I wasn't…." Sonic couldn't get the words outs.
"It's fine… it's just… quiet around here. And I think it's time for me to go." Fiona sighed, closing her eyes. It was quiet in the house. Too quiet for her.
/*-*/
Johan watched as the second barrage of missiles came out of the second ship. The guns on top of the cars fired up, intercepting the missiles as they came down. The explosions shook the sky.
Gewis ran up to the walls and pointed at the Carrier that was on the left side of the fortress. The large laser cannons fired up at the ship, turning the front tip orange from the heat.
Johan found himself useless in the current fight. At least, he was useless until the men started dropping. Of course, he could always start throwing equipment at the ships. But they only had so much.
Instead, Johan simply basked in the calmness of war. How his heart was finally at ease, except for his former enemy who was on the ground. How tragic, she could have been an amazing asset to him, but her master forced her to die.
Johan hated every moment of that. Death before dishonor was a way of life, but she had a chance to be something greater plucked from her. It enraged him.
Johan saw another volley of rockets came out to strike the base.
"Shoot those down!" Gewis called out, and the cars continued to fire upwards to hit the coming missiles.
More explosions filled the sky, but Gewis seemed to be unhappy with the results. He came down, and one of the Sand Blasters, Mark, called out, "I got three more boxes! We can't keep playing this game."
Gewis frowned, looking at Johan for support. Johan didn't have a lot of help to give.
Gewis growled, "We'll figure something out, any more boxes in the other jeeps?"
"A few." Mark shrugged, but his fear was ever present.
Gewis turned to Johan, "Come on, give me some advice."
"Trust your instinct." Johan growled, before grabbing car and pushing it to avoid a missile. The fire licked behind him, but it was nothing.
"Come on, give me something better." Gewis shouted, panting in fear.
Johan thought for a moment. He looked and could see the eyes looking at Gewis, and seeing his fear. They were reacting.
Johan sighed, "Do not let fear cloud your mind. Fear is good when you control it. Now it controls you." Johan glared at Gewis to re-enforce his point.
"What do you expect, we can't even hurt the Egg Carriers at this distance. We need good orders and leadership!" Gewis shouted, panting again in fear.
"Do not be afraid. God is our ally, and he will aide us. He give wisdom to those who are disciplined, and valiant." Johan clarified.
"I need something a little more immediate and real, thanks." Gewis grumbled, before turning around. Then he saw it. The wrecked air battery that Johan had removed.
Johan saw his mind working, and couldn't help but grin.
"Help- can you help bring that in?" Gewis pointed to the battery. Johan bounded over to the collapsed battery.
Johan picked it up and brought it over to the cars. Gewis called up to the gunners, "Dismount that thing."
"Right now?" The gunner asked.
"Already done!" Mark called out, tossing the machine gun off the car.
Gewis ran and looked up at the vehicle, before looking back to the large gun, "We'll have to tow it." He grit his teeth and Gewis looked up at the gunner of the other gunner. The wall batteries fired off another volley.
"Get tow chains out!" Gewis called, Mark and the gunner responded by getting out of their vehicles and bringing out chains. They began to tie up the gun as machine guns began to fire off at the coming missiles.
Johan lifted the anti-air cannon to help them chain it up. Gewis wrapped the chain around the gun, and pulled off the extra wheels to place and chain under the gun. It sank into the sand.
"Alright, What I need you two to do is to drive behind the Egg Carriers and fire on their engines. Enough to cause them to crash into the ground." Gewis explained, but he seemed rather upset.
"What? Out there? Are you crazy?" Mark asked, shouting with his hands up.
"You'll be covered. We've got our guns keeping them distracted. Take the long way if you need to." Gewis tried, holding his hands up to calm down the soldiers.
"Why can't he go?" Mark asked, shifting.
"He's… too big, and they'll notice him. Trust me on this one. I'll get you and everyone through this." Gewis tried to put up a more confident pose.
Johan was surprised that his statement was effective enough for them to nod. They ran to their cars, and tapped on the side. Gewis ran up and climbed in the back of Mark's car.
Johan growled, "God be with you."
Gewis nodded, "And you." He sounded confused, before looking up, "I hope your god is with me. I'll need help."
Johan nodded, "You will do well."
The car began to whirl to life, before they drove out the gate. Johan watched them leave before running to the walls, "Continue the Barrage!" afterwards, Johan went to the medical area, looking for Sonar.
Johan crawled through the cramped walls looking for the green fox. His lack of understanding the area was a problem. The Saxons would not build forts, that was a Prubian project. Even if they built walls or some guard from invaders, they would leave the medicinal areas in the sunlight.
Johan did push deeper down the corridors, until he found the area that should have been the medical bay according to Sonar's instructions. He saw that the door was open, and Sonar knelt at the bedside of the scorched garden Defender. She clutched his hand so tightly. Johan saw her lean down and kiss the hand of her friend.
"I'll be back, I promise… I just need to go now. Get well soon." She stood up, and pulled out a pair of glasses with a band to connect them to the back of the head, and turned to face Johan. She did not seem surprised by his presence, "You need me out there?"
"I need you to take command of the defense. Gewis is out to attack the enemy." Johan growled, scratching an itch in his neck.
Sonar frowned, "Why not you? You've led us through everything now." She walked behind him as they went back to the surface. Johan felt the rumble of an explosion
"I am a Saxon. We are the masters of the attack. Our Enemies fear the time when they sit and wait for us." Johan growled, feeling the sting to his pride about what he was going to admit.
Sonar already knew and voiced, "But you can't defend worth a flip."
"Why would we bother defending when our charge will surely destroy our enemies." Johan explained, making a turn, leading to the entrance, "I need you to assume command to cover my short comings."
Sonar frowned and grit her teeth, "Where's Jack?" She sounded emotionally active. Perhaps she was not able to lead as Johan had hoped.
"He has fled, once again leaving me and my men to tend to these loses." Johan growled, as they exited.
"He…He..." She gaped, unable to get out words. Her fists were shaking.
Johan growled, "Calm yourself. He is not here, our enemy is."
Sonar grit her teeth, as she sucked in her breaths, before nodding, "I'm ready."
Johan nodded, "Tell the men what they need to do."
Sonar ran up to the walls, "Aim slightly higher!, Try to hit a rocket pod." Sonar shouted at one of the gun crews. Johan grabbed the two large machine guns that were taken off the cars and carried them up to the walls.
The enemy's rockets were not firing as rapidly as before. They seemed to be slowing down, perhaps saving their ammo.
The machine gunners got to the wall, and reloaded the weapons.
Johan walked down the walls, and out the gate as another volley came up.
As he turned around to go on the outside of the walls, he heard an explosion, and saw flash out of the corner of his eyes. Johan picked up the pace as Sonar called out, "Give them cover! Get them back in here!"
Gewis was doing his work, and Johan saw fit to support him. Now that their surprise was up, he needed to get there to protect them.
Rockets fired again out of the left Egg Carrier, which had a smoking rear, indicating at least one engine was damaged. The machine guns were firing constantly to detonate the rockets.
Johan found the cars with the gunners waiting for the battery to cool down. Johan was able to jump up and smack a rocket, detonating it in mid air to protect the crews that were firing.
Johan saw several men descend from the carrier with ropes. The second Egg Carrier began to move towards them, which prompted Johan to work aggressively.
He saw the men come down with their heads covered in cloth, perhaps to keep cool, or as a form of identification. Regardless, Johan smashed into the ones that had landed and opened fire at him. Their shots were harmless. Some began to climb up the ropes to avoid Johan as he tore through their friends.
Johan killed what he believed to be fifty in number. They climbed higher. Johan growled at their cowardice, and bit a rope, attempting to pull down the ship. It snapped in between two climbers, causing one to fall down.
She stood up, "Wait-wait!" the cat was silenced as Johan slammed his claws against her skull, snapping her neck.
Johan might not have been able to get all of them, but he could get some of the climbers. Johan ran to each rope, pulling until they snapped. He could not completely destroy them, but he could kill a few. Less enemies for his men to face, and more cowards removed. Granted, some who stood their grounds would have a terrible pain in their skulls the next day, but they would live.
Johan certainly killed fifty, and captured eight. A second explosion caused the carrier to lean towards Johan. It fired a second volley as the Second Egg Carrier turned around… exposing its engines to the Refinery defenders.
The Second carrier's farthest left engine exploded, as Sonar threw a fist up and jumped down the wall, running over.
A third blast from Gewis' Anti Air gun and a rocket volley came out as Sonar made her way over. The first Egg Carrier's engines on it's left side exploded, causing it to tip side ways and go into the sand. Johan moved quickly, and saw the last Egg Carrier flying away.
Johan saw the crashed Egg Carrier dig into the dirt, moving towards the Refinery, before stopping forty yards away from the walls. He was tempted to finish what he had started, but he had men to attend to.
Johan climbed up a sand dune, to see where the anti-air gun had been. Instead, the cars were in pieces, the gun itself split over several pieces. Gewis was on his back, in the dirt. Johan began sniffing as he got closer.
Gewis let out a groan, and rolled over, sand sprinkling off his fur as he rose up. Johan heard a gasping. Mark, the gunner, laid on the ground, a piece of his car imbedded within his chest.
Johan crawled towards him as Sonar called out, "MARK!" She finally had caught up to them. She slid down the dune and ran straight for her fallen ally.
Johan saw the piece of the roof in his chest. If they shared a similar body to Saxons, he was cut in his stomach, lung and his intestines were pierced.
He grabbed her arm, "H-Help me! Please… Please help!"
Sonar…cried, and grabbed the piece of metal. Gewis shouted, "Don't pull it! He'll bleed worse."
Johan crawled over. He needed onions to be sure, but he was short on supplies. The rasped voice of Stoix came from behind Johan, "Oh… he's dead."
Her words were ignored by everyone, as Sonar and Gewis seemed to lift Mark up. Sonar looked at Johan and pleaded, "Come on, Help us!" Tears were pouring down her face as Mark groaned and wept.
"P-Please, I don't want to die." Mark begged. It was not his choice. Johan walked over to the bleeding cat, who looked up at him so desperate.
Johan growled as he raised Mark's head up. "May God see your courage, and have you prepare a table for the righteous warriors." Mark looked confused, as Stoix, Roht and Touborn watched and nodded at him.
Sonar looked up at Johan, processing his words, only to realize in that moment what he meant.
Johan jerked Mark's head back, earning a crack from his neck as his body went rigid, locking up, ensuring that his hand enclosed on the rifle.
Sonar scream, "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?"
"He was weak, and could not survive on his own." Johan growled, "This was always his end. He was never going to survive." Johan dropped the body.
Sonar clutched Mark's shocked face, "We could have saved him! or tried!"
"Nothing could be done. He was dead, even if he did not realize it." Johan growled, "Nothing could have been done."
Sonar didn't even respond, she clutched the head of a friend. Johan perhaps was being cold, but he had nothing to gain by wasting resources on a coward. At least Mark was useful in death. He saw Sonar's anger burning in her eyes as he turned around. Very useful.
He went to the crashed Egg Carrier, where the crew held their hands up in surrender. Surrender? Were they so cowardly that they would not fight without their large ship to protect them? Johan growled as they were rounded up.
"None of them are worthy to live!" Johan growled, but a hand grabbed Johan's arm, prompting a hiss.
Gewis pulled away and held up his hands, "Look, I think we can use them. We need crew for your ship, right?"
Johan growled, and scraped the ground behind him with his back paw. He turned to the Sand Blasters, "Take them prisoner, do with them what you will." Johan growled, before going to his prisoners. He picked them up and took them into the fortress. These were the fine warriors of this world, and far more deserving of Johan's attention than the cowards.
Johan walked into the fortress, before looking at the tire tracks from the Sand Blasters' cars. Stoix followed up to Johan, "They fled again." She was angry, and Johan felt the same.
"They will likely proclaim that they were protecting the oil from destruction." Johan growled, closing his fist, before punching the black metal wall of the fort. He growled, before sighing, "You marked each car?"
"Yes." Stoix growled, tapping her foot angrily.
"Record the ones who stayed. Mark the valiant. I will settle this later." Johan growled before walking out the gate.
"Where are you going?" Sonar shouted, coming towards the gate with Mark on her back.
"I'm going to rally Jack and his men for the next assault." Johan growled, before groaning, "Drop him. He is already dead, let the sand bury him."
Sonar looked torn and she tossed him down the sandy dune into a pit before walking up to Johan with a snarl on her face. Johan could tell she was angry. Sonar sighed, "The Egg Carrier went towards Sand Blast City. I think they're preparing for us there."
Johan nodded, "Very Well, My men and I are going back to the ravine, while our defenders dig in here. Do you wish to come?" She did, he knew she did.
"Yeah… Yeah I do." Sonar growled.
They set off, walking towards the Sand Blasters' headquarters. After an hour or so of walking, Johan finally asked Sonar, "Are angry that I finished off your friend?"
Sonar walked up closer to him. Gewis also moved closer. He was very interested in the conversion, or Johan observed as much.
Sonar grit her teeth, "I… I know he was going to die. I… Know you ended his suffering."
"But you are Angry, no?" Johan pressured.
"I am… and I know I shouldn't be." Sonar sighed, sounding ashamed of herself, "It's stupid."
"It is, but you know it, and you can remove it from your life now." Johan stated, "I did not wish to kill him, but to prolong his pain and waste resources is foolish."
Sonar nodded, but allowed herself to fall behind. They continued walking for a few hours. Johan saw Gewis and Sonar… actually standing apart, seeming to be distant.
Johan finally asked, "Sonar, what do you, in honesty, think of Gewis?"
"What? You want that right here?" Sonar gulped, shifting.
"Those who are honest to all can not be fazed with fear." Johan growled.
Sonar looked at Gewis, who seemed very interested in her thoughts. She then turned back to Johan, "He's… cool, I guess. He isn't anything special to me." Sonar sighed, keeping along, not looking at Gewis. That was likely good because he looked hurt and wounded.
Sonar sighed, "You… You're pretty impressive. Everyone looks at you, either afraid or with a ton of respect. No one questions you, because they know you'll get them through. I can't say the same about Gewis."
Johan growled, "Hm… Gewis was the one who got them through most of the siege." That reflected how quickly these people made up heroes, and ignored the followers.
Gewis seemed to lose a bit of fire, but moved closer to walk with Johan.
"H-Hey, Smoke!" Gewis jumped up and Johan turned to see a couple smoke stacks rising in the sand. The eleven of them ran quickly, spotting tracks in the sand. Two cars.
When they rose over the sand dune Johan saw two cars, and two Sand Blasters were hiding behind them. They were panting, and terrified. The cars were stopped, and Johan crawled down.
The Two Sand Blasters saw Johan, "NO, Stay back!" They weren't scared of him.
"SNIPER!" Sonar called out, pointing in the distance. Johan couldn't see that far, but he trusted her. Sonar then looked down at the Sand Blasters and drew her revolver, "YOU SONS OF BITCHES!"
She pointed it down at the dog on the left, "WE LOST GOOD MEN BECAUSE OF YOU ASSHOLES!" The one on the right drew his own.
Johan growled, "Calm yourself, do not harm them." He was still in view of the sniper, at least he believed. That was interesting.
"They deserve to die." Sonar growled, cocking her revolver back. Then, a white hand rested on the top of her revolver.
"It won't make you feel better… trust me." Gewis sighed, "They deserve it, but not because we're angry, but because they are evil." Using the world "Evil" was not Something Johan expected, but it showed Gewis was listening when he spoke.
Sonar's hand shook, and she lowered it.
Johan growled, "Rest assured, the scales of justice will always balance." Johan walked closer to the cars as Stoix called out.
"These aren't lasers. This a thirteen-millimeter shell. Went through the body. These cars aren't moving any time soon." Stoix shouted as she circled the area. It was interesting that she was still alive. They were not the targets.
Johan sniffed the air as sand blew his way from the cars. It was their follower. The one who refused to reveal herself. A female by the scent.
Johan crawled down to the cars with the panting Sand Blasters.
"Do not be afraid. Fear is what killed your friends." Johan growled at the two, feeling no sympathy, and slightly delighting in their pathetic nature. They deserved to be terrified.
"W-What?" The Dog on the left asked, still panting.
"You fled, and left us to fight on our own in fear. If you had not, your friends would not have been in this sniper's sight. Now, do not be afraid, because you can not control if you die or not." Johan growled, feeling a smile work it's way to his face. Time to test his theory.
Sonar squinted as Johan turned to smile at her, "The Scales of justice will always balance." Johan called to her, before grabbing the Sand Blasters, each in one hand. He spread them out, and jumped on the car, holding the two out, their heads level.
The one on the right barely had time to widen his eyes before everything above his jaw separated with a bullet.
"AHH, LET ME GO, BASTARD!" Shouted the one in his left hand before he suffered the same fate. The sand had exploded behind them, but Johan, and his men were still alive.
Sonar panted, and had fallen back, but nothing came.
"GET DOWN!" Gewis called to Johan. Johan decided he was going to sit on top of the car. The Sniper was not worried about him. if anything, the sniper was a friend. Perhaps too cowardly to join the close fight, but a useful ally nonetheless.
Johan then saw the sand two dunes over move. A hood and mask rose, and she gave a simple salute, pushing a fist to her breast, before running off. She carried a long, armor-crusher rifle.
"W…wait I know that smell." Stoix panted, "It can't be… her."
"Who?" Sonar asked.
Johan growled, "It does not matter. She does not wish to be disturbed. I will respect her wish. Let us continue." He saw no reason to force her to work with him. She did so of her own will, and if not, so be it.
Still, Stoix seemed troubled, along with Roht, who seemed shocked, happy and angry at the same time. Touborn seemed more concerned about the two's reaction. He seemed more worried about Stoix, who's walk seemed to be a trance.
No matter, what would come, would come. There was no sense in waiting to return. Johan had to have a talk with Jack.
/*-*/
Alright, MerendinoEmilano, I have a request for you: tell me how good my Italian was in this chapter. I used a very cheap translator, but if it's not good, I'll just have Christina get mad in English.
Now, back to everyone. The Desert Fox Arc concludes next chapter. Sonic and Sally are getting…really close. Fiona is struggling, but she'll find her way. I've finally teased the character who's fans are starting to make me hate her. This character has been around since the chapter's about Eggman's siege of mobotropolis.
Please, leave a review, and tell me what you've thought about the chapter. You can also PM me if you have something that you don't want to be publicly responded to. Again I welcome all criticism, so if you think I can improve, please tell me with some example or metric to use.