Amy and Cream follow Mr. Rose as he silently leads them through the long hallways; Now that she has a brief period to finally collect her thoughts and think, Amy is bothered by everything that's happened. She thought about one thing the most, her uncle who was murdered trying to rescue her father. She looks at her father, seeing the pink hair of his move with every footstep, and looked at his hands-seeing them balled up in fists; he must be angry too she thought.
Amy stopped in her tracks and looked at the floor, grabbing Cream and her father's attention. "Father…why is this happening? Why were you kidnapped…? Why is Uncle dead…? Why didn't they kill you?"
Mr. Rose could only close his eyes and look at down, for he was to ashamed to face his daughter. "I knew I'd hear those questions eventually…"-he turns around and crosses his arms- "I should first start with why I was abducted. You see, I was abducted because of my connections to the United Federation's president…it seems like Redd Mamba is plotting scheme involving them. When he captured me, he and executives interrogated me brutally-hoping I'd squeal and give in. But I never did, and that's why I was sent to the room where you found me…"-momentarily looking at Cream before he returned his attention to his daughter- "I was spared because Redd Mamba didn't want any news to reach the United Federation that I died, especially since they'd suspect foul play. For that reason, I believe he must have wanted my intel because he knows he cannot beat them the way his organization is currently; he's plotting some specific plan tailored specifically for handling the United Federation."
"But what about Uncle…why did they kill him?" Amy said with emotional pain.
Mr. Rose hesitated for a moment-remembering vividly how his brother died, "He…interfered. Or that is the best term to use…more like, he said to much and bit off more than he can chew…"-he looked down the hall ahead of him- "when Rob arrived, he came in with vengeance and slaughtered many of the guards; even then, Redd wasn't planning to kill him-as long I spoke and betray the United Federation…But Rob, he was sharp. When he found us, he had uncovered Redd's plan and threatened to expose him to the United Federation unless I was released. Because of Rob's threat, Redd made sure to dispose of him immediately before Rob could try anything…and I was forced to witness the whole thing…"-agony grew in his tone as he ended there.
"The U.F…" Cream whispered.
Mr. Rose took out a black mask, "I was able to recover this before he died…he was a true robin hood; always stealing from the rich of other nations to help take care of the poor that live here…"
"That's his signature black eye mask…"
"Have it…" he said handing it to Amy- "You're already using his bows and quiver; this would complete the set."
"But…I…"
He approached his daughter and patted her on the head, "I know he'd be proud to see how much growth you achieved; you looked identical to him earlier…I know you'll become a great successor."
Amy's eyes watered as the last memories of her teacher crept in her mind…Always make sure to control your breathing, and never give away your location or your target…A young child like yourself should learn to smile more! ...One day, I'll leave my weapons for you…you've come closer and closer to becoming a great archer despite being so young! I can't wait to see how you grow! …hey, make sure to come and visit me anytime…-tears fall as Amy shuts her eyes- "I'm sorry I didn't continue my lessons Uncle…I'm so sorry!"
"Amy…don't cry…" Cream said emphatically, feeling her best friend's sadness; Mr. Rose stood silent.
Amy wiped her face, "I…I won't let you down ever again…make sure to watch me from heaven! I'll make you smile brighter than you ever made me!"-she accepts the mask from her father and stares at it, seeing her uncle's initials on the back; she puts on the mask and ties it, now she definitely looks like a professional.
Mr. Rose smiled, "hmm…you really do look like a little like him with that on…anyways, we should continue moving the longer we stay here, the more time we're giving Redd a chance to strategize…"
The three of them continue their way to Redd's room; back in the lobby, Lily and the others returned to the main yard to see Percy and the others had successfully defeated the grunts-securing the perimeter and were now just sitting around enjoying their victory. Percy approached Lily, putting away his axe.
"Sorry for the late arrival but we came in just at the right moment, eh?" he winked, nudging Lily.
"Wait Lily…you don't look so good!" A Sky-blue hedgehog said with concern.
"Don't worry, Chimalis. I just got in a scuffle."
"Well, we have some news about what's going on in the other nations…but now wouldn't be the best time to discuss this; we should focus on retrieving your father…" An orange hedgehog with glasses said, holding a big book in his arm.
"So…shall we head in?" a brown hedgehog said with enthusiasm.
Lily nodded, "That won't be necessary, Borus; I want you and the others to stay here and be on watch in case Redd sends in reinforcements. It seems strange that this would be all he has in his forces. I'll also have Richard and Tails here back you up…"
Richard was shocked by the sudden order, "but your injuries…"
"No arguments, stay with them and aid them; I'll be fine." Lily demanded with a confident smile, showcasing that her resolve was stronger than before.
"We'll leave it to you, then…I'm actually quite glad to hear you had similar suspicions about the reinforcements. The truth is, it feels strange that they would just use their whole entire forces at once…reserves must be coming." The bookworm said, adjusting his glasses.
"And you can bet your life they'll be stronger, Ziyon." Percy responded, crossing his arms while looking at the orange fellow; everyone seemed on board with the plan, but just when Lily was ready to make her exit, she heard someone call her name.
"I have something for you, Lily!" a voice called from afar; when Lily looked up, she saw a light pink hedgehog run over to her-holding a sword in hand.
"Marcie…?"
"I retrieved this during one of our missions over the other countries…I think it'll suit you quite well."
Lily inspected the sword, "I'm not very familiar with the two-sword's style though…"
"If anyone can do it, it's you…"-Percy placed his hand on her shoulder- "get going, you got some ass to kick. Leave this area to us."
As Lily left, Percy's smile disappeared as he looked at the others-then the large castle. He could sense the presence of dozens upon dozens cubed making their way to their location. Percy gripped his axe and glared at the castle, waiting for the soldiers to show up, "On my order, we charge and stuff them in the lobby…"-The soldiers begin flooding out suddenly-"GO!" he yelled; they all begin their attack.
Lily sprints through the hallway and looks back, hearing Percy's command-she knew the fight for them had resumed. "It may only be a handful of them…but their power is that of a hundred men!" Lily grinned, reassured that victory was imminent.
In the conference room sat Redd mamba, sitting in a comfortable chair-looking at a collection of monitors that were displaying footage of everything going on in the castle. He saw his soldiers now engaging in battle outside of the castle, he saw Mr. Rose and the girls heading his way, he saw Sonic also heading his way, and he also saw Lily making her way too. He slammed his fist on the chair, upset in witnessing Lycoris' defeat.
"That damned hedgehog! To think he could defeat Lycoris in such a fashion…"-he looked over at his cane, and then grabbed it- "…I'll handle him myself, along with that old bastard, they'll both learn a lesson! No one harms my child and gets away with it! No one messes with my plans without punishment!"
Redd leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling, "These fools just don't understand…my whole reason for taking down the United Federation…"-he closes his eyes forcefully- "It's revenge!"
Redd Mamba, the don of the Mamba family, had two sons of his own before the addition of Lycoris. Lycoris was never told this story because it would surely affect him in the worst way if he learned of the events that served as the fuel to his adopted father's fire to facing the United Federation. It was back when the nation of Gordana was still a turf war between the Roses and the Mambas. The Mambas were losing the turf war rather quickly, and soon, the whole organization would be wiped out unless they could rally a comeback. The Roses were winning mostly because they had the support of the United Federation, who supplied them with high military grade weaponry, and the best of defenses. The Mambas stood no chance like this, but the two sons of Redd Mamba still had enough fight in them; Zabier, the eldest son and future heir to the organization, led a small force of the best men within the organization to go in and launch a sneak attack against the base of the Roses. In this small group, there was his younger brother, Jinco, A younger Ailio who was at the prime of his life as the best hitman in the continent and dozens of capable men; this attack was done without Redd Mamba's permission. Before this attack, Zabier and Redd had gotten into an argument because Redd was deciding to surrender and relocate, but Zabier refused to admit defeat so late in battle when so many comrades had been killed fighting for the Mamba name.
"We can't just quit!" Zabier yelled; he didn't look all that much like Redd, and instead his scales were bronze with his hair being a lighter color than his scales.
"You're just like your mother…stubborn and bashful."
"Leave my mother out of this, you know she'd say the same thing that I'm saying right now."
Redd took out a locket that had a picture of him and his wife; she had the bottom of a serpent but the upper body of a regular human. "This world isn't the same without you anymore…" he whispered heartfully.
"Look, we don't have to bring her up again…I know how painful it is for you to live with that memory…"
"So, you can be understanding at times…"
"Look dad, we just can't quit on the family; we must launch a sneak attack on their base and take the head of their leader."
"That's too risky, son. I understand how you must feel, but I need to look out for the sake of you and your brother…"
"We can fight! Trust us!"
"I refuse…at the break of dawn, I'll announce our surrender."
"Dammit dad!"
Redd walks away with regret, "I hope you'll understand one day…"
Later that night, Zabier convinced Jinco, Ailio and many others who agreed with him to go and launch an attack on the base in hopes of assassinating Mr. Rose. They infiltrated successfully and waged a bloody showdown, but it was when they faced Mr. Rose that everything took a tragic turn. Mr. Rose was enraged by the acts of Zabier and Jinco in the brutal murders and unleashed absolute hell, slaughtering both boys mercilessly; only Ailio managed to escape from the base-everyone else died. When Redd got the news that morning of what happened, he was heartbroken; he surrendered and backed away for a while, refusing to pick a fight with such a powerful enemy.
Redd opened his eyes, "My sons…watch me today, as I take the head of the man who killed you. I restrained myself last time because I didn't want to ruin my plans…but after seeing Lycoris take defeat-it's time I brush off all these concerns and do what I should've done those many years ago…"
Redd makes a cross, and then gripped his cane. He stared down at the footage of Mr. Rose, and his heart began to beat faster, his breath got heavier, and his eyes became sharp with rage, "I'll kill you…!"