A/N: Sorry for the wait, important A/N at the bottom.

Chapter 17

The Price of War

It was hard to describe the feeling that stirred within me. Depression? No, because I wasn't sad. I was more annoyed than sad. Anger? Well, yes, I was extremely angry, rage coursed through my veins and boiled my blood, but that isn't the word I'd use. Disappointed? Yes, Big was a massive disappointment but he's dead now so it doesn't matter. Annoyed, no, Infuriated. That's what I was feeling more than anything as I stood on the shore beside Vector watching the small boat that carried Blaze, Knuckles, Tails and Sonic further and further away until they were just a speck on the horizon.

Shadow growled out as he ripped off his shirt and dove into the stirring waters, swimming as fast as he could. The boat was almost invisible when he had swum no more than fifty meters. He wasn't the greatest swimmer, neither was Sonic. He didn't care.

"Make sure he doesn't drown," Vector growled to me as he turned and addressed the crowd of angry onlookers. I huffed in annoyance, calling to Shadow as I waded out into the water. I think he finally understood how fruitless his attempt to chase them down was because it took little coercion to convince him to come back to shore.

"You're an idiot," I reprimanded him as I let him drape his arms around my shoulders, sputtering out swallowed seawater. "You almost drowned."

"They got away," he spat bitterly, avoiding my scolding. I looked at him as we slumped down onto the sand, feverishly out of breath. He turned to me. I'll never forget the look in his eyes. They had glazed over, misty and black. Something had snapped in him. It was like he was possessed, taken over by this insatiable need. Bloodlust. Bloodlust that couldn't be quenched because Sonic and Tails had escaped us forever. I knew they wouldn't last in the ocean. I knew they'd be dead within a couple days, but that didn't curb his need. I wish I knew back then that something had snapped in Shadow. It would have saved me a whole lot of heartbreak.

"You two, get up," Vector barked at us as he towered over us menacingly. The sky still rained down from above, drowning the earth.

"What do you want," Shadow snarled emotionlessly.

"Is that anyway to talk to your new leader?"

"Leader?" I stammered. To this day I didn't know what he said to them. I wasn't sure how he corralled the crowd, but it must have been some speech. He was the father of the one that started the war. I assumed he would be lynched, him and Sally, but he spoke to everybody while I was saving Shadow and whatever he said resonated with the town.

"Yes, now you used to be my son's girlfriend, correct?" Vector asked. I was surprised how little he really knew about his son, but I did notice the bruises that used to appear on Sonic's face at school. I knew Vector used to beat him. I always hated him for it. I couldn't understand why somebody would want to hurt a single hair on Sonic's head. I do now. I can imagine my surprise if I knew back then that he would become my boss and mentor.

"She wished she was," Shadow added unhelpfully.

"You were his close friend?" Vector turned to Shadow questioningly.

"That's the funniest joke I've heard all day."

"You've got some nerve, kid."

"Look," I interrupted the two. "Sonic and I dated briefly because I forced him to, but Shadow and Sonic always despised each other. They were rivals," I explained.

"So out of everybody that's still here, you knew the most about my son, and Tails?"

"I guess so," I shrugged. "Us and Tikal."

"You'll have to introduce us later," Vector thought aloud. "But for now, I would like you two to come back to my place. We have much to discuss."

The next morning, we held a funeral for Big. Nobody really noticed the bodies of a green hawk and grey albatross the night we chased you, but it did seem strange. Most of us thought nothing of it, but Vector must have known. He came to Shadow and I and told us to prepare for the worst. Sure enough, the next day Wave lead an army from the north to attack us. While everybody ran around like headless chickens, scared out of their mind, Vector managed to fend them off. He was quite the tactician and thanks to his surprise leadership, we began to fend them out of town. It took a month before we pushed them back to the boarder and since then we had fought in that valley until recently we made momentum and finally won. In that time Vector relocated to the old dilapidated castle and spruced it up a bit. He elected Shadow and I as his primary generals and gave Tikal a high position after we introduced them. What a mistake that was…

People were annoyed that sixteen-year old's were commanding them but Vector's methods showed results so they took it in stride until it just became the norm. Especially when Shadow had the bright idea to position both Knuckles' and Blaze's parents at the front line. The town rejoiced when they killed fighting for a community and deity that their children turned their backs on.

I began to love Shadow after we bonded over out hatred of Sonic and Tails. Especially after they fled and the war began, we seemed to find solace in one another. We grew close, held together by mutual hatred. Vector put me on boat search duty, despite Shadow's reservations, and decided Shadow would lead the front lines. He always greeted me with a hug when I returned. One night when I returned, he was overtaken with lust. That night, Shadow took my virginity. I always dreamed Sonic would do that. How times have changed… But eventually it turned sour. Shadow's unsatiated desire for revenge began to overwhelm him. He became a husk of what he once was. That's when he began abusing me, but I let him do it because I loved him. However, news eventually came that Sonic and Tails were alive, and that they were on the island.

After that, I had lost Shadow. I kept bugging Vector, wanting to do something but he told me to bide my time and wait. Finally, he called upon me and gave me orders to go to Vapos. My mission was to find Wave and kill Razor. Well, I found her, and I disposed of her. However, the universe smiled upon me that day. Finally, after all this time, I found Sonic again…

"A-Amy?" Sonic mumbled in bewilderment.

"Didn't think you'd ever see me again, did you," she cackled maniacally, showing rows of white teeth. Her eyes glinting maliciously as she locked gazes with Sonic. She finally found him. Sonic took a few hesitant steps forward.

"You know her?" Razor asked curiously. Amy used the hesitation and surprise of the Vaposians to her advantage. She clenched her teeth and whipped her head backwards. The back of her head collided painfully with the nose of the guard who was holding her. Abyss shrieked in pain, clutching her broken nose. Amy wrenched her arms free of Abyss' weak grasp and reached into her boot, pulling out a dagger. She let out a guttural grown, eyes narrowing as she lunged at him.

Sonic dodged her attack with ease, sidestepping as fast as the wind. Amy plunged the knife at the ground, the metal clinking off harmlessly. She moaned in anger and annoyance as she turned and lunged again at him without break. However, again Sonic dodged her attack. Amy tried again and again fruitlessly, her maddening growls steadily growing more unnerving.

Eventually, as she grew tired, Razor and Abyss snapped into action and descended upon her, easily overpowering the angered hedgehog and bounding her wrists with rope.

"Dirty trick," Abyss scowled, wiping away leaking blood with the back of her palm.

"Aw, did I hurt the little baby?" Amy mocked. Abyss raised the back of her hand and brought it down over Amy's cheek, leaving an ugly red mark. "That all you got?" Amy spat out some blood. "I used to get that every day from Shadow."

"Shadow?" Sonic asked. "He's still around?"

"Of course. He's gone insane waiting to see you again."

"I always knew he was nothing without me," Sonic smirked.

"Now's not the time fer humor," Razor scolded him, towering over Amy. Abyss brought her down to her knees with her boot. "Now, I have some questions fer ya and yer gonna answer them, got it?"

"Like I'd answer anything you'd ask," Amy retaliated bravely.

"What is Vector's plan?" Razor growled menacingly. Amy stayed tight-lipped, refusing to talk. "Where are his troops right now?" Again, nothing. "What is his end game?"

"I'm not saying anything. You'll have to kill me first."

"Well, if ya say so," Razor shrugged, aware that he wouldn't be getting any further information out of the unhelpful hedgehog. He picked up the same gun Amy had just used to shoot Wave, relishing in the irony as he held it against her head. "Any last words?"

"Sonic," Amy turned her head to the unsure hedgehog. Sonic bit his bottom lip.

"You're not going to tell me you still love me, are you?"

"I'll see you in hell," Amy smiled as she closed her eyes and leant against the barrel of the gun. She tensed her body, waiting for the instant pain, but none came.

"Hey, give that back," she heard Razor growl. Amy peered out one eye fearfully, smiling in relief as she saw Sonic hold the gun, switching the safety back on.

"This isn't the right way," Sonic lectured. "Death shouldn't be answered with more death."

"She killed Wave right in front of us," Razor snapped.

"You were going to kill Wave whether she interfered or not," Sonic fired back.

"With a bullet that was meant for you!"

"Actually, it was meant for you," Amy chimed in helpfully.

"Shut up," Sonic and Razor bellowed simultaneously.

"This is not the way," Sonic shook his head. He turned and tossed the gun as far as he could, watching it clatter to the ground and skid into the stone walls. The crowd around him booed, but Sonic drowned it out, focusing on Razor. "Nobody else has to die in this war. Vector is the only one who needs to be killed."

"But-"

"If Vector dies, Mobius won't have a leader. The other communities can defeat them peacefully and they will surrender, trust me."

"That's wishful thinking, kid, but trust me, this will only end with more bloodshed.

"If I may," Amy piped up.

"What?" Sonic growled. "I'm trying to save your life, don't help."

"While I appreciate the sentiment, I just have one thing to say."

"What could you possibly have to say?"

"Let the girl speak. If it's helpful, I'll consider sparing her life," Razor affirmed.

"Well… it's just that… You shouldn't have left the drone's hatch open," Amy smiled as she drove her foot into Abyss' shin. With her hands still bound tightly behind her back, Amy sprinted over the ship Sonic had arrived in. Amy unceremoniously hoped up onto the wing and dove into the cock-pit. She slammed her face against the button to close the glass as Sonic sprinted over. The ship's hatch just closed into place as Sonic hoped onto the wing.

"Amy, get out of there," Sonic slammed his fist against the glass helplessly.

"Do you still love me?" Amy asked.

"Open this hatch right now!"

"You shouldn't have spared me," Amy grinned devilishly. "I'll be seeing you very soon, Sonic."

"Amy! Amy let me in now."

"Engage auto-pilot," Amy barked clearly as the engines revved. Sonic quickly jumped off the wing, rolling along the ground as the ship soared vertically into the air and shot off over the colosseum.

"Look what you've done, boy," Razor growled as he seized Sonic by the shoulders. "She'll alert Vector!"

"Good. Let dad know I'm coming. I want him to know he's on borrowed time!" Sonic growled lowly. He narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow as fire blared to life in his angry emerald eyes.

…

Bodies littered the floor, scattered along the small gravel path that wound its way through the scenic mangroves. Silence descended upon the area like a thick fog. Not even the birds that nested amongst the virescent canopy above dared to sing. Blaze couldn't bear the sight as she stepped over yet another body of one of the loyal Zuncons that gave their lives to protect hers and her friends.

Blaze had been sent to double back to see if there were any survivors. There had only been twelve of them all up, including herself, Knuckles, Tails, Tikal, Cosmo, Lumina and Galaxia. Blaze had tried to rouse Cosmo. She needed to retreat to the kingdom and leave her sanctuary, but her words fell on deaf ears.

"I saw a communicator in their shack," Knuckles had explained. "Go signal to the rest of her people and tell them to stay alert and await further instructions."

"How?" Blaze had asked. Knuckles had simply shrugged, but something needed to be done until somebody could break through to the new queen. Blaze had managed to send a message, but whether or not it was received was another question entirely. Chills ran down her spine and the hair on the back of her neck prickled. Her gut churned as she stood alone in that shack, scared that Cream was still lurking around in the shadows waiting to finish what she started.

Meanwhile, Cosmo sat hunched over the lifeless body of her sister, fresh blood soaking into the small blades of grass she lay on. Cosmo hid her face behind her hands, tears seeping through the cracks in her fingers to fall daintily on Galaxia's body. Knuckles tried to shake her to attention, urging her that they needed to get to safety in case Cream came back but all efforts proved fruitless.

"That's not going to solve anything," Tikal scolded him.

"I don't see you trying anything," Knuckles growled in frustration, his head on a constant swivel. Tikal inhaled deeply and let the air out through her nose as she knelt beside Cosmo, placing a comforting hand on her back.

"Hey," Tikal forced in barely a whisper. "Galaxia was a strong woman, and would have made a powerful leader. She was something else," Tikal smiled in Galaxia's memory. She looked expectantly at Cosmo, waiting for her to add praise for her deceased sister but she didn't even stir.

"Well, I've got nothing," Tikal shrugged as she joined Knuckles and Tails who still stared at the mouth of the winding path, gaping at the spot Cream stood not minutes prior.

"Let me try," Tails finally spoke, startling both of them. He had been a statue not moments ago, lost to the world but the situation called to him. Tails sat down opposite Cosmo and placed his soft hands over hers. He carefully brought them down from her face, peering into Cosmo's tears stained, red eyes. Tails offered her a weak smile as he guided her hands over to Galaxia's face. He puppeted her fingers, placing them on Galaxia's eyelids and flexed her fingers, closing her eyelids.

"She's at peace now," Tails sighed softly.

"She died because of me," Cosmo croaked finally.

"That's not true."

"Yes it is," Cosmo sniffed, her voice as quiet as a mouse. "If I was as strong as her… if I wasn't such a spineless coward…"

"Cosmo, stop," Tails squeezed her hand, his gaze meeting hers as they locked eyes. "I know this must be hard for you. I know what it's like to lose somebody close to you."

"Sonic is still alive," Cosmo interrupted.

"No… not Sonic… my mother," confusion swirled in Cosmo's glazed eyes. "She was killed trying to help me and Sonic. I didn't even get to see her die. The last time I saw her was right before my sixteenth birthday party when she went off to camp to give me some space. Blaze and Knuckles only told me later that she died. I never even got to say goodbye," tears welled up in Tails' eyes as the memory haunted him.

"I… I didn't know…"

"Galaxia was a strong leader, and it's a travesty what happened but at least you got to say goodbye. Just don't let her die in vain. My mother died so that Sonic and I could live happily. Galaxia died to protect you because she thought you would be a great leader. Keep the final promise you made to her. Protect your people, lead them and stop Vector."

"You… you're right," Cosmo wiped her eyes clean with her sleeve as she finally stood, turning Knuckles and Tikal. Blaze finally jogged back to the group.

"I sent out a message but I'm not sure if anybody heard it," Blaze admitted as she panted.

"Thank you," Cosmo addressed them all. "Tails is right, I can't stand around and mope while my people need me. I can't let Galaxia's sacrifice be in vain."

"So, what's the plan, your majesty," Knuckles bowed.

"Are we going to lead an army down to seize Mobius?" Tikal offered.

"No, don't be silly," Cosmo shook her head. "We've lost all our greatest warriors. Most were killed in the battle against Vapos and now we've acquired more casualties. I need to round up my people and make sure they are all protected in this troubling time. I can't afford to send any more people."

"But-" Knuckles protested but was cut off as she continued.

"But, I know I can't change your minds. I know you won't stop until Vector is killed."

"Exactly! But we're just four teenagers. We need help," Knuckles urged.

"I may not be able to supply troops, but I can show you the safest way to get back to Mobius and… I can give you access to any weapons you need."

…

"How could you let this happen?" Vector barked at the translucent blue hologram of the short hedgehog. "I thought you said you had him trapped."

"I did but he was smarter than I had anticipated," Shard admitted in a gravelly tone, not one to admit his mistakes.

"Of course he is. He might be an embarrassment, but he still does have my genes," Vector let a small smile tug at the corner of his lips.

"Sure," Shard rolled his eyes. "But don't worry, everything is almost complete on my end. I hope you've finished your end of the deal."

"Unlike you, I can actually accomplish things. The gas will be ready by the time you arrive. Goodbye," Vector concluded as the hologram dissipated back into the small disk that Shard had provided him. Not a moment passed before the wide door of the throne room opened and Shadow scurried inside.

"I don't mean to pry," Shadow began respectfully. "But did Shard say that Sonic escaped?" Shadow clenched his fists as he subconsciously grinded his teeth together.

"It's rude to eavesdrop," Vector scolded. "But, yes, it appears Sonic alluded Shard."

"How could you let this happen? You promised I would be able to see him again. You promised-" Shadow barked angrily.

"Enough," Vector bellowed, silencing Shadow with his forceful tone. "You will get your revenge, I promise. And then I will cleanse his soul of Iblis just as Chaos requires."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I know my son. He might be spineless, un-chaosly and a fool, but he's also as stubborn as they come. He'll make sure he sees me again. He won't stop until I'm in a coffin, or he'll die trying."

"So what you're saying is…" Shadow finally understood.

"Yes. If we wait, he'll come to us… and we'll be waiting. Like a fly to the web."

…

Cosmo helped direct them through the labyrinth of hidden, overgrown paths that winded like serpents through the mangroves, which in turn transformed into a mosaic forest before them.

"If you follow this straight it will open out near the main valley where Zuncon connects to both Aves and Mobius. From there, I assume you know the way," Cosmo instructed as she waved on the four teenagers.

"Yes, I know that path well," Tails nodded.

"Thank you for everything you have done for us," Blaze bowed.

"We promise we'll get vengeance for Galaxia and Earthia," Knuckles Vowed. With that, Cosmo disappeared back into the forest, leaving Tails, Blaze, Knuckles and Tikal alone to forge forward toward Mobius and the alligator that awaited them.

They marched in silence, the weight and gravity of the situation sinking them into their own worries as the forest around them began to thin out. Blots of blue sky shone through the diminishing canopy as large, rocky mountains rose in the distance. Finally, Tails decided it was time to get some answers.

"Why didn't you tell us about Cream," Tails said.

"What?" Tikal asked, surprised by the sudden randomness of the question after hours of silence.

"Cream. Why didn't you tell me what happened to her? You could have said something and saved everybody."

"Tails," Knuckles scolded defensively. "Tikal couldn't have known Cream was going to attack us."

"Even so," Blaze chime in, siding with the kit. "If she had told us about how Cream had become so skillful we could have put measures in place just in case."

"Why would she bring it up? She didn't know she'd attack, or do you expect her to tell you exactly what happened to every single person in Mobius that we left behind?"

"No, Knuckles, they're right," Tikal placed a hand on his forearm. Blaze stared daggers at him, her heart splintering but her stubbornness forcing her to stand her ground. "I should have told you about Cream."

"So, tell us, then," Tails said. "How did she become this… this assassin?"

"I guess it all started the day after you guys left in the boat," Tikal began, thinking back to the calm, crystal morning after the storm that tore the nation apart over three months ago. "Everybody was scared because Aves began to attack. Vector managed to corral everybody and he lead a resistance. Amy and Shadow seemed to be by his side. I'm not sure why he chose them, but he did. Since we were only seventeen, Vector didn't let us fight despite some of us wanting to. I decided to go over and check on Cream that day. She was still my friend, and her boyfriend had broken up with her, and broke her heart. She was devastated. She had been crying all night after you left. I had never seen her so disappointed."

"I went back to her house the next day and she had taken a turn for the worst. She wasn't crying anymore, which I thought was a good sign, but instead it was like she lost her soul. Her eyes were empty, her movements lifeless. I planned to visit her the next day, but Amy invited me to a meeting with Vector. I didn't get over to her house until late that night, but she was nowhere to be seen. She had seemingly vanished."

"What happened to her?" Tails asked.

"Well, I didn't give up on her," Tikal continued. "I kept going over day after day for the next week, but she was never at home. That's when I gave up hope. I assumed she had left. How naïve I was. About two months later, after we had pushed the Avian troops back to the valley to the north, I was out when I noticed the lights in her house were on. I knocked on the door and she actually answered. It was Cream, after two and a half months, she suddenly was back like nothing had happened. I asked her where she went and all she said was that she went off to find herself and find meaning in her life. I wasn't sure where she went, or who she went with, but the important thing was that she was back home and alright."

"I thought she might like a job, something to do, so I convinced Vector to see her. By this point nobody argued that his generals all seemed to be sixteen and seventeen year-old teenagers and I thought there could be a job somewhere for Cream. She was Tails' girlfriend, so I thought Vector might like that. He could use it."

"So, what, Vector gave her a job."

"Yes, but not because I asked him to," Tikal said. "We were in the throne room, Vector, Shadow, Amy and I when Cream arrived. She used to be nervous whenever talking to new people but she seemed as soulless and unnerved as even the bravest soul. However, as Vector began to ask her questions, an Avian assassin broke into the throne room. Shadow, Amy and I weren't quick enough and in three seconds the assailant was upon Vector. That's when Cream struck. I blinked, and she had vanished. She clawed him off Vector and delivered fast, precise, strategic jabs from a concealed dagger all over the assailant. I didn't know she even had one on her. She moved blindingly fast. It took no more than a moment before he was lying dead on the floor. She told Vector she had gone away to train. I don't know how she transformed so much in two short months, or who trained her, but the girl definitely had skills. And Vector knew it. From that point on, she became her secret weapon. I guess her first task was to kill you, Tails."

Tails looked from Knuckles to Blaze, both frozen. Neither one could believe sweet, innocent Cream could have become something so calculating and cold. Tails shuddered at the thought.

"And that's all I know. I swear."

"So… if we want to get to Vector, we'll have to somehow get through Cream?" Blaze asked, swallowing a lump in her throat.

"It would appear so."

"And," Knuckles wet his dry mouth with his tongue. "She took out not only all of Galaxia and Cosmo's guards, but dealt with a trained Avian assassin with seemingly no effort?"

"That's also true."

"So, basically, what you're saying is we're dead before we even start," Blaze sighed.

"I… yes," Tikal admitted. Knuckles, Blaze and Tikal all dropped their gaze, the reality and impossibility of their situation finally donning on them.

"Guys," Tails spoke up hopefully. "I know this seems hard, but we can't give up. Vector can't keep ruining lives. We have to do this for our friends, our family. We have to do this for Galaxia and Cosmo, for your parents, for Silver and… and for Sonic."

"Tails is right," Knuckles bellowed determinately. "We can't let Vector get away with this, just like they didn't let Large get away with it one hundred years ago.

"This became more than just standing up for Sonic and Tails," Blaze added bravely. "This became stopping a war. This became freeing our country from Vector's tyranny."

"Who knew you were so good at speeches," Tikal smiled. "You've changed a lot from that shy little kid I sat with at lunch."

"Who's with me?" Tails asked.

"I am," Knuckles said, holding his hand out in front of him.

"I am," Blaze repeated, placing her hand on his.

"Me too," Tikal nodded, adding her hand to the pile.

"Then that settles it," Tails let his hand fall on top of the pile. "We started this mess, so we are going to finish it!"

A/N: After the long wait we are finally back. Sorry this took so long but I was rewriting Sonic High to make it even better. Either way, I hope the wait was worth it. This is one of the longest chapters (Excluding the musical) and I thought it time to detail Amy's backstory as well as get a little more insight into how Cream became such a badass. Wave and Galaxia are both well and truly dead. Cosmo is still in mourning but has parted with our heros to protect her nation. Sonic let Amy escape to inevitably warn Razor, and Shard is about to send his drones over to Vector so they can finally end the war. Only 7 chapters left, things are about to start reaching their climax. I hope you enjoyed and please don't forget to leave a review.

Announcement! November 26th, 2015 was the day I created this account and the day the first chapter of Sontails: Dreams Come True and any story I've written was written and published. In 18 days, it'll be the 2 year anniversary of this story and me on ff as a whole. As such, I thought I'd do something special. I'll publish chapter 18 on that day, but I want to do more than that so listen up. I plan to do a little Q&A in the authors notes of the next chapter as a celebration. I'll answer any question I get asked (Unless it's too spoilery). It can be anything about the story, my writing process, future plans, things about my life or me personally, anything you want to know. Just ask a question in a review, or send me a PM, and I'll answer them all on the 26th with a new chapter. So, get to asking any and all questions and, as always, I hope you have a great day.

Next time on Sontails: War of Faith - Chapter 18: The Calm Before the Storm