Chapter 20

Fiona Fires Back

The cell was dark and dingy with naught but a single, worn out mattress, a toilet and a small sink. Golden beams of light that shone through the barred windows were the only source of sun. There was nothing to look at, nothing but the bleak, plain walls.

Far below the ground, in the bowels of the old medieval castle constructed and used in Mobius' early days lay an old, decrepit dungeon unused for centuries. The paint had started to chip off with time and the austere stone slabs were decorated only with the etched ravings of past lunatics and depressed inmates. There were five different cells, but only four were vacant.

Fiona stewed in her juices. She barely ate, barely spoke and slept most of the day. The only contact she was granted since her capture weeks ago, apart from a hopeless interrogation session, was her jailers. They didn't talk to her, barely acknowledged her and only recognized her existence when they needed to give her food. However, the two jailers bickered and complained a lot. Their fury and disdain for their once proud nation helped Fiona survive the darkest days. With the knowledge that even his own people resented Vector, she had hope for the future.

Today was one such day when her jailers – Rouge the Bat and Alecia Acorn – were in another angered conversation.

"At least it'll almost be over," Rouge tried to reason as their voices grew louder and their footsteps on the hard-stone floor echoed through the empty halls.

"Yeah, but the over will mean the death of three-fifths of the population!" Alecia spat, disgusted as the two women marched down the corridor lined with cells, carrying a plate of unappetizing food.

"You know we can't go against Vector, despite our hesitations," Rouge warned. "Remember what he did to the others that disobeyed him."

"Exactly, he murdered them. Slaughtered them in cold blood. He's not a leader or a hero. He's not ushering us into a new age prospered by the will of Chaos. Chaos would never let a dictator like him rise to power. This is the work of Iblis," Alecia growled.

"It doesn't matter."

"It does. We're teachers, Rouge. We shape and mold young minds. We get them to see the good of Chaos. We can't teach them about how Mobius rose to glory by following Vector."

"History is written by the victors, Alecia. As scholars, we stand by and observe. Once we win, we can help depose Vector and then write the good intentions behind his heinous deeds and find a light at the end of this black tunnel," Rouge reasoned.

"This long, deathly tunnel." Fiona listened intently, using this moment to finally make her move.

"You mean you used to be teachers," Fiona finally spoke, startling both jailers who'd hardly heard her utter a single word, let alone string a sentence together.

"What was that?" Rouge scoffed.

"You used to be. And once this war ends, Vector won't bring things back to normal. He's incapable. You'll never become educators again. You'll remain prison guards until the day you die," Fiona smirked.

"Don't pretend you know anything about Vector," Alecia growled as she stepped closer, hoping Fiona hadn't heard her hesitations about her leader.

"I know enough to know he's a madman corrupted by greed, power and bloodlust. But I know a lot more about a previous student of yours – Shadow. Well, I guess he's your superior now, isn't he?"

"He'll be our student again soon and we'll steer him back onto a righteous path," Alecia challenged, stepping up so she was an inch away from the bars. Fiona stood and gripped the bars with white knuckles, conducting a staring contest.

"He's a monster, almost as bad as Vector. There's no repentance in his heart. His heart and soul are as black as his fur. He's mad and has unquenchable thirst. The pair of them will only lead this world to chaos."

"You don't know anything!"

"Alecia, leave her," Rouge spun her partner around and led her away from the caged fox. "Let's just go back upstairs. Maybe have a glass of wine to calm ourselves."

"Whatever." Alecia shot a final glance back at Fiona, who smirked and waved at her. As soon as the jailers were out of sight Fiona let a small chuckle escape her lips as she held up the silver key she had swiped from Alecia's belt when she was distracted. Fiona twisted her arm through the bars and inserted the key in the lock, turning until the bolt fell loose and the barred door swung open.

"Freedom at last," Fiona sighed, breathing in the air as she snuck down the corridor and out of the decrepit castle.

…

Sonic yawned as he wriggled out of the sleeping bag, being as careful as possible not to wake the sleeping kit beside him. Sonic smiled as he looked down on Tails' sleeping figure, so peaceful. Sonic didn't realize until now how lucky he was to have Tails, despite the predicaments they always seemed to find themselves in. However, he also knew that happiness can't last forever. One way or another, everything would end by nightfall and Sonic prayed that by the end of it, Tails would be okay. Even if it meant sacrificing himself.

"S-Sonic?" Tails asked groggily as he rubbed his eyes, sitting up. "What time is it?"

"Go back to sleep buddy," Sonic cooed. "It's dawn. I'm just going to stretch my legs."

"I'll come too," Tails croaked as he pulled himself off the hard ground, cracking his back.

"Alright, but be quiet. Let the others get some sleep," Sonic suggested as they tiptoed away from their makeshift campsite, black coals littering the bed where the fire used to rage. The pair waited until they were a good distance away before they began to talk.

"Sonic?"

"Yeah buddy?"

"I, um, just wanted to wish you a happy birthday," Tails smiled sheepishly.

"It's my birthday?" Sonic asked.

"I think so," Tails shrugged. "I kinda lost track of the date when we were on the island and never thought to check but it's sometime around this year."

"I don't think it's for another week or two, buddy," Sonic chuckled.

"Still… if something happens and I don't get to see you turn eighteen I figured I'd say it now," Tails twiddled his thumbs awkwardly.

"Enough of that sour talk. Nothing is going to happen to us. I won't let it."

"You really think this is all going to turn out okay?" Tails asked, never feeling more unsure in his life.

"I don't know, Tails. I don't know what the future holds, but I do have hope, and that's all that matters. As long as there's hope, there's a future that has us in it."

"Okay." Tails purred softly as Sonic draped his arm around Tails' shoulders as the two circled around and walked back to camp. By the time they arrived, Tikal, Blaze, Knuckles and Razor were all awake and packing up their supplies.

"About time ye showed up," Razor bellowed happily.

"We thought something might have happened to you," Blaze worried.

"We just went for a little walk," Tails assured her.

"Why are you so happy today, Razor?" Sonic asked.

"Because today is the day we finally stick it to ye father. Vector's reign of terror ends today!" Razor barked as he tried to stuff the tents back into their bags.

"Don't worry about packing up the camp," Knuckles said. "We're close to the city so we won't need to camp anymore."

"Knuckles is right, it's just heavy weight," Tikal added.

"Besides, after we end this war we can all come back here and camp, thinking back on this moment," Knuckles laughed.

"Alright, then it's settled," Sonic decided as he filled his pack with only the essentials before hoisting it onto his back. "Let's head into town!"

…

"I must have dropped it somewhere," Alecia thought aloud as she traced her steps back down the cobblestone staircase.

"I can't believe you lost the key," Rouge sighed. "For a teacher you're pretty clumsy."

"It's okay. It's not like it's that big of a deal."

"It would be if the prisoner managed to find it."

"How would that be possible? Fiona couldn't have… couldn't… have…" Alecia trailed off, her heart falling into a pit in her stomach as her words caught in her throat.

"She's gone," Rouge breathed as the two teachers turned guards stared at the empty cell, the gated door hanging ajar.

"Shit, shit, shit," Alecia cursed as she paced back and forth. "This is bad, this is bad, this is bad."

"Alecia, calm down. Let's just leave before anybody knows. It's not like anybody besides us comes down to check on Fiona." However, as if a cruel twist of fate, they heard loud, echoed footsteps growing closer. They both gasped, turning to see Shadow's figure slowly descend the steps.

"Ladies," Shadow nodded in monotone.

"Sh-Shadow," Alecia stood up straight. "What are you doing here?"

"Vector is done of the prisoner and wants me to dispose of…" Shadow trailed off when he reached them and saw the open cell. "Where is Fiona?"

"Fiona? Fiona who?" Alecia laughed awkwardly.

"Don't play games with me," Shadow scowled. "Where is the prisoner."

"Oh… that prisoner… we, uh…"

"We moved her," Rouge quickly chimed in, coming to the aid of her friend. "Right, Alecia?"

"Y-Yeah… this cell was too good for her so we moved her somewhere else."

"Where did you move her? All the other cells are empty."

"Well…" Shadow narrowed his eyes, studying Alecia's sweat covered face. He glanced down to her belt, noticing that her key ring was missing, whereas Rouge still had hers clinging to her belt.

"Alright. I believe you. If she's moved, I'd like the keys to the cell back."

"You… you what?"

"Give me the keys," Shadow growled.

"Well… I… you see… the funny thing is…" Alecia sighed, knowing full well she couldn't hide her screw up. "Alright, Fiona swiped my key when I fed her earlier and escaped." Shadow said nothing. He simply clenched his fist and inhaled deeply.

"He's taking this better than expected," Rouge whispered. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Shadow unholstered a pistol and fired it straight at Alecia, his former teacher. The bullet hit its mark and struck Alecia squarely between her eyes. She didn't even have time to react before the life drained out of her and she fell to the floor.

"You… you… you killed her…" Rouge babbled, unable to form a coherent sentence as she stared at the blood stained on her clothes. Alecia's blood.

"She let Fiona escape. I need Fiona… I have revenge I need to serve."

"She… she used to be your teacher," Rouge couldn't fathom her old pupil's sudden, demonic change.

"And she used to be alive," Shadow shrugged, holstering his pistol. "Now, you better go find Fiona and bring her back to me or else the next bullet will hit you."

"You can't do this," Rouge shook with fear.

"I'm your superior, whether you like it or not, and as long as Vector remains in charge, you'll do as I say. Or else," Shadow warned, all emotions draining from him and being replaced with anger. It was the only emotion he knew left, ever since Sonic alluded him all those months ago. It swelled around inside him, contorting him until his bloodlust for vengeance consumed him.

"She only escaped a few minutes ago," Rouge said. "She couldn't have gotten far. I'll track her down and bring her back."

"You'd better," Shadow said, snarling as Rouge snapped into action and brushed past him, sprinting up the stairs as fast as she could. "I'm surrounded by idiots!"

…

They stood on the edge of town, still hidden behind the tree line to the north. A strange feeling coursed through the teenagers. It had been so long since they had returned to their town. It was eerie looking back at the place they all grew up and spent their whole lives. It looked the same, but felt entirely different.

"Be careful. We can't be spotted," Sonic warned as he took the front. Tails followed closely behind. Knuckles, Blaze and Tikal continued afterwards.

"I'll watch our backs," Razor whispered through the silent, stagnant air. The six crept further into town in single file, keeping to the shadows and off the streets. They passed familiar buildings. The bakery, the local swimming pool, the pub. It was exactly how they remembered it, except something was off.

"Where is everybody?" Tails asked wearily.

"It's like a ghost town," Blaze added poignantly. A few cars roared by and the rare straggler roamed the streets, but the usually bustling streets were empty.

"I guess everybody was either conscripted and sent to fight or are staying in their homes from fear," Razor suggested.

"That's horrible. It wasn't like this before I left," Tikal frowned, her mind wandering.

"That was ages ago. A lot can change in an ever-escalating war," Knuckles said.

"It's only been a week and a bit. Surely it can't be this drastic." The town lay under a blanket of silence. Traffic lights blinked red, yellow and green to control the non-existent flow of cars. The road was empty, the town desolate.

"C-Come on," Tails urged. "We need to keep moving."

"Vector set up shop in the crumbling castle at the southern tip beside the coast," Tikal explained as she strolled with less care. She took the lead. "It should be another few hours of walking before we get there."

The air was hot. The sun beat down from overhead and the buildings beside the group absorbed heat and radiated it onto them. As they pushed through the ghost town, hours ticked by and sweat drenched their faces.

"Wait," Sonic called. "Let's go this way," he thumbed down a side street.

"But that's the long way to the castle. If we keep going this way we can follow the coast around," Tikal countered.

"I know, but we should stop by my house first."

"Sonic, we don't have time-" Blaze began to argue but was cut off.

"The boy has a point," Razor interjected. "Vector is his father, so we might find something helpful at his old house."

"It's as good a plan as any. The odds are stacked heavily against us right now," Knuckles pointed out.

"Alright, fine," Tikal huffed begrudgingly agreeing to take the longer way around. Sonic led them down the winding streets, taking many turns before he found himself at one end of the familiar street. Sonic passed by the white fences of the cookie-cutter houses until he stood outside the front door of his childhood house.

"Here we are," Sonic breathed as he lifted up a small flower pot beside the door and scooped up the small, silver key that lay hidden underneath. He held the key in front of the lock, standing frozen.

"Well, what are ye waiting for?" Razor barked. Tails noticed Sonic hesitation and stepped up beside him, slipping his hand inside Sonic's for support. Sonic gave his hand a squeeze, inhaled deeply and twisted the key. The door creaked open and Sonic stepped inside.

Sonic's breath caught in his throat at the sight. It was exactly the same as it always had been. It was like he stepped back through time. He could imagine himself sitting on the couch watching Saturday morning cartoons. He could hear his mothers sweet voice calling, or Tails' tired figure tiptoeing down the stairs rubbing sleep out of his eye while he clutched his blanket. It had only been three and a half months since he had last stepped foot in this house, but it felt like an eternity. It felt like it was in a different life.

"Alright, let's have a look around," Razor commanded. The six of them began to get to work when they heard footsteps coming from the kitchen and they all froze.

"Vector, honey, is that… you…" the sing-song voice of Sally chimed from the kitchen. Her melodic voice grew louder as she stepped out into the living room expecting to see her husband. She had a plate clutched in her hand and a drying towel in the other. "Sonic?"

The sound of the ceramic plate shattering onto the hard wood floor filled the silence as it cracked into small, chaotic pieces.

"Mum?" The word got caught as he tried to force it out. Sonic could feel his heart beating a thousand times a minute as he stared at his mother.

"Sonic… Sonic it is you," Sally gasped, shaken out of her trance and rushed over to him. Knuckles and Razor immediately jumped to defense, but Sonic waved them away and rushed up to her. He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tight. She returned the gesture.

"Sonic… my beautiful boy," Sally's eyes welled up with tears, spilling into Sonic's shirt. "I'm sorry about what happened. I never wanted you to run away."

"Mum… I missed you," Sonic sniffed, trying to keep his composure.

"I missed you too, sweetheart. I was so wrong. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize. I'm sorry I judged you, and blamed you for something you couldn't control."

"It's okay, mum. I forgive you." Tails, Blaze, Knuckles, Tikal and Razor watched on with smiles on their faces.

"I just wish I could have stopped him, but there's nothing I could have done, and then I lost you."

"Mum, I-"

"I lost you to him when you fell out of the light. I should have been a better parent, but I guess the pull was just too strong."

"Mum...?" Sonic took a step back, keeping at arm's length as he stared into his mother's misty eyes. "You're talking about dad, right?"

"Your father? No, I'm talking about Iblis. I should have realized you were losing yourself to sin. I should have solved this myself before it blew up into a war."

"What are you trying to s-" Sonic was cut off as Sally acted quickly. She was too quick, and Knuckles, Razor, Tails, Tikal and Blaze could do nothing but watch helplessly. Time seemed to slow for Sonic as he realized what was happening, but he was at his mother's mercy, unable to stop her.

Sonic shuddered, Tails screamed, and the others gasped as Sally's arm slid to her leg in a flash. She pulled out the dagger and thrust it deep into Sonic's flesh – the flesh of her only son.

A/N: Sorry this one took so long but I've just been writing so much that I need to take a little break for the holidays. However, I thought I'd quickly at least finish this chapter since it was already half complete. As you can see, just becuase Vector has ushered in a war doesn't mean all the inhabitants of Mobius are okay with this. Most just want things to go back to the way they were, but they're too afraid to even walk the streets anymore. And most of you thought I forgot about Sally. "Why was Vector the leader? What about Sonic's mum?" I didn't forget, and here is the pay off. I hope it was worth it and I hope you're liking the story. We're coming out to our final four chapters now and the final battle between our heroes, Shard, Vector, Shadow, Amy and Cream is fast approaching. Who will live? Who will die? How will this all end? Stay tuned and find out next year.

Next time on Sontails: War of Faith - Chapter 21: Back-Up Blunder