o3o: As it turns out, the Echidnas don't want to become vassals or puppets,
Eggman would have to detect the intrusion force first. He has an idea that someone is probably trying to infiltrate his bases, but he's not omnipotent. Everyone's wide range of skills poses a threat to any force attempting to stop Fiona and Sticks' team. That being said, they have set things in motion that are hard to hide…
Now, as for Eggman's intelligence, there is a limit to how useful his IQ is. Ultimately, everything he has done was not done alone, despite what he believes.
/*-*/
Sonic missed the moon. He never realized just how much he would miss basic things in life, but being stuck in a dull, bland, colorless room really drove home how beautiful the outside was. Eggman once again gave the order for Sonic to be cut and burned by Sally. The pain stung, and he screamed, but his mind was focusing on the little things.
He wanted to see the clouds, the sun, the grassy fields. He wanted to eat more of Christina's food, and fly in the Tornado with Tails. He wanted to see Bunnie and Antoine again. He wanted to talk to Fiona.
So he couldn't die here. He endured as Mecha Sally slashed a light cut into his forearm, letting out a groan.
"Hmmn… I suppose I was right. You aren't into this anymore." Eggman groaned, reclining back in his chair as he munched on more potato chips. His voice was empty, and his posture was slumped in a stance of pure boredom.
Sonic laughed a little, "You got nothing, Eggy. I'm still standing tall." He taunted. Sonic really shouldn't have. It would only make Eggman want him to hurt more, but Sonic still needed to keep up a look of defiance.
"Oh, now you have more energy. Stab him again, deeper this time." Eggman growled at Mecha Sally, before adding, "Not to the bone. I don't want anymore long term damage. I want him to be in good condition to see what I'm doing."
Mecha Sally's energy blade stabbed into Sonic's bicep, making him lurch forward and groan. He was actually getting used to the pain. Johan would be so proud. Sonic actually found himself wishing the big guy would drop out of the ceiling and smashed the systems to bits, rescuing him like a princess in a fairy tail. Things were really bad.
"Hmmm, I felt a little better with that one… but its still not enough. Hedgehog, I don't think you appreciate our rivalry like I do. I put in all this effort into making a plan to torture you into excruciating agony. I spent many nights perfecting the torture routine in my head, imaging the days off and designing the room to torment your stupid brain. But you don't seem to be giving me anything to work with. I'll need to think on things." Eggman groaned, before floating to the door, "That's enough for today."
The echidnas looked up, seeming to be surprised, but shrugged and reclined. Less work for them, Sonic supposed.
Eggman left the room, letting Sonic sigh in relief.
Mecha Sally allowed her blades to disappear, before looking at Sonic, "Do wish to make him lose value in you? He want you to suffer, you should pretend to do so."
Sonic snorted, picking his head up, "He's not going to get anymore joy out of hurting me."
Mecha Sally kept her cold gaze on him, "There is a 70% chance that you will die if you do not please him. He will find little use for keeping you around." She sounded observant thanks to the monotone voice that she had.
Sonic laughed a little, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you actually cared, Sal. Looking out for little old me and all."
The mechanical chipmunk remained steady and silent. Sonic blinked as he slowly came to realize that Sally was still in there. She cared, and was fighting for him… maybe. Sonic wasn't sure.
"I am sorry for this. " Mecha Sally stated, again in a monotonous voice. Sonic had to assume that she would sound mournful if she could raise her pitch, "You will not die peacefully."
Sonic laughed, bobbing his head up and down, "You know I'd like to go out with a bang. Don't act surprised, Sal."
She kept her gaze on him, "You should not have gone with me. You could have avoided the suffering you face now." Her head lowered to fix a gaze onto the ground. Was she really ashamed?
Sonic shook his head, "I'd go again and again. I'd suffer all of this over and over for you. Because you're my gal, Sal." He smiled at that throwback
Mecha Sally raised her head, looking up at Sonic, before standing and turning around to leave. Was She really in there?
As she got to the doorway, Sonic felt invigorated, and smiled, "I love you, Sal."
The roboticized Chipmunk stopped, before continuing along outside the door.
The two Echidna's exchanged glances, with the girl asking, "Were we supposed to see that?"
Sonic felt a jolt in his spine at that. If they told Eggman, he might do something to her. The image of a melted down Mecha Sally haunted his mind. Sonic quickly laughed, "Don't worry about it… Eggman doesn't pay you enough as it is."
He played it off with a smile. The Echidna's exchanged glances, before the guy shrugged and went back to his computer, which sounded conveniently like it was playing repetitive music. The girl smiled and went back to her computer.
Sonic tried to look at the screens of the large computers, but he couldn't make out anything. He didn't know if it was better to try and justify Mecha Sally's actions or if he should have just remained quiet. Sonic decided on the last one, and hoped for the best.
Sonic had a strange dream that night. He saw a golden echidna which walked up and down a grassy hill in a straight line. The Echidna was studded with jewels and velvet, and he carried a hammer on his back. The Echidna also wore vines all around him, which wrapped around his limbs and neck as he trudged forward.
Sonic got closer, and realized he looked kind of thin… or rather really thin, with no belly to speak of. He walked really slowly, and Sonic zipped along side him, "Hey, buddy, are you ok?"
The Echidna didn't even stop for him. Sonic saw several little scars across his skin, looking very fresh. The vines tightened once again, and the Echidna marched forwards, slowly, sluggishly.
Sonic walked in front, and waved his hands in front of the Echidna's face. It was at that moment that Sonic realized that something was very wrong. As he waved his hands, he saw that the stomach was stitched up. Not a battle wound, but more like surgery… like something had been taken out.
Sonic's eyes drifted upward as the roar of a river behind intensified. The Echidna trudged forward with the vines tightening once again. It had no eyes. There was no blood or anything coming out of the sockets, just hollow, dark empty sockets.
The mouth of the Echidna was open, with the vines all leading into it, pulling the echidna forward like chains. Sonic had the creepy feeling that was even more missing from the Echidna that he couldn't see.
"Buddy, stop, you're going to drown!" Sonic shouted as the Echidna walked past him with a lurching step. Sonic ran at the Echidna, and tried to pull him back, but all that ended up happening was Sonic getting dragged along into the water.
"STOP!" Sonic shouted as the water began to rise over his head, turning his screams into bubbles.
Sonic's eyes shot open in the dark room. It was night time, which meant he had slept through the day. There weren't any-
Blue glowing eyes looked at him through the darkness. Sonic blinked a couple of times to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Mecha Sally was in the room.
"Time for a midnight torture?" Sonic laughed with an exasperated breath, "Come on out, Eggy. Let's get this over with."
Mecha Sally stepped forward, "Remain quiet." She ordered.
Sonic snorted, "That's a new one… my cockiness getting to you?"
Mecha Sally stopped right in front of Sonic. The silence that followed told Sonic that something was up. He dared to guess, "Eggman doesn't know about this, does he?"
Mecha Sally didn't answer. Instead she turned to the control panel for Sonic and pressed a button. The magnetic restraints released, causing Sonic to drop from the restraints. Instead of slamming into the cold hard ground, Sonic felt metal arms catch him.
"Sal… are you back?" Sonic asked, feeling his heart beat like war drums.
She was still quiet. Sonic felt his breathing intensify as she held him there. Mecha Sally felt cold.
"Sal?" Sonic asked again. He still had the restraints on his arms and legs, but they weren't connected with the magnets anymore. He wanted to hug her.
Mecha Sally stated, "It is difficult. I can not overrule directives. I must obey."
"Sal? Let's get out of here." Sonic pleaded weakly. He felt better than before, but the position he was in made it hard to show his toughness.
"I can not let you go. My directives forbid freeing you. I am only allowed to move you under my watch." Mecha Sally stated, before turning around, and carrying Sonic out the door into the white hallways. She then carried Sonic… outside… and set him down.
Sonic was out in the courtyard, under the night sky. The moon shined overhead with a brightness down on him. Sonic laid back against a rock, "Come on Sal, let's just get out of here. You can watch me outside the walls." His heart was jittery, the open air and the sky gave him new energy. He was so close to freedom.
"I can not. I am forbidden from carrying you outside the walls." Mecha Sally stated, before turning in a mechanical fashion, and leaning down to pick up a metal box about the length of Sonic's forearm, and as wide and tall as his shoe. She slid open the top of the box, and Sonic's nose told him that there was fried potatoes.
She set the box down, and Sonic saw it, the cheeseburger and fries in the metal box. It must have been a meal for the Legionnaires. But if Sally saved it for him, then she must have some freedom.
A freedom that almost made Sonic cry. She carried the burger to his mouth, and stopped. She was trying to feed him, which was embarrassing, but also so nice that Sonic felt… weak. He opened his mouth, and took a bite out of the burger. Flavor exploded into his mouth, and brought Sonic the strangest of comforts.
Mecha Sally also held up some fries, and stuck them in Sonic's mouth. They were delicious, greasy and wonderful.
"Thank you, Sal." Sonic mumbled, relaxing slightly. She brought the burger back up to his face.
As he ate she stated, "I can not remove your restraints. I can not take you beyond the walls. I do not have restrictions to provide food and aide." Sonic could almost hear a tone of cleverness in her monotonous voice.
"I must take you back." She stated after he finished the burger. She reached over and picked him up. Sonic took one last breath of somewhat free air.
"Thank you, Sal. I'll save you, I promise." Sonic smiled as she re-connected him to his restraints.
"You will try. I know." Mecha Sally stated before turning around.
"I love you." He smiled at her as she walked out.
She stopped in the doorway, before continuing on, leaving without a word. Sonic meant every word. He would save her. There had to be a way. She was still in there, he knew from that night. He just needed to find a loophole.
/*-*/
Fiona was standing on the branch of a wilted tree. They were doing well, with plenty of nutritious food and somewhat tasty rations. They had packed as much as they could before moving along. Fiona looked across the road where the bodies and damaged badniks were. The roads were bare, but it wasn't like Eggman had tons of citizens to do trade with.
Fiona head the sound a branch moving behind her. She turned around and saw Sticks standing on the branch on the other side of the trunk.
"How's it look?" Sticks asked, crouching down as she moved around the large trunk and climbed over to the branch.
"Nothing so far. I guess they have one shipment a day." Fiona proposed. It wasn't out of the question. If they transported enough supplies in one move, then they didn't have to worry about being cut off from one resource because a shipment got intercepted. Then again, they would get nothing if the only shipment got destroyed.
"Bah, then let's go down and finish dinner. We feast to our conquest!" Sticks held up a strange, murky liquid that not water. Bits and particles sank in the jark before she swirled it a little and raised the glass to her lips.
Sticks pulled her mouth away, and her face contorted in confusion.
Fiona waited to get a decisive answer on whether it was good or not. Sticks puckered her lips before nodding, "Not bad."
Fiona struggled to not snort at the comment, "You're a natural liar."
Sticks didn't seem to get the irony of the joke, and instead became very serious, "I'm not a liar."
Fiona sighed, and shook her head, "It was a joke."
"Honor is not something to joke of." Sticks glared at Fiona, before sighing, "I forgive you. Come down and feast, night is coming and we need to be rested and ready to march." Her enthusiasm returned at the thought of marching.
Fiona sighed, and decided to join them in the storage room, climbing down the large tree with her nimble form.
They walked back to the storage building with Fiona making the comment, "I guess you probably aren't used to so many dead trees, being raised in the jungle."
Sticks stopped and cocked her head at Fiona, "I was raised in the mountains. These trees are still alive, just sleeping, resting."
Fiona felt unnerved by the strange innocence which followed a girl who happily cut the throats of two enemies who weren't really able to fight, "They look pretty dead to me."
"So do you when you sleep." Sticks turned to her with a grumble, before turning back around and walking up to the back door, " They're resting. If you feel the bark of the tree, it is hard and rough, strong and kept. The trees here fight for their lives... but when they are finally free of this cursed poison, then they will bloom and shine."
"What are you two talking about?" Oscar asked as he propped up the table.
"The forest is poisoned, apparently." Fiona pointed out with a smile. Perhaps she shouldn't have been so cynical. It was still hard to not mock the badger in some regard for her insistence that the forest was still alive.
"They could be." Oscar shrugged, "I saw a tree that was empty for most of my childhood start blooming one year. It's not out of the question." He passed a glance at the two, and raised up the last "chair", which was a box that held metal screws and wires. There were only two chairs in the outpost, so this was not an outpost with a large amount of stationed men.
Fiona groaned and rolled her eyes, before sitting down. They had plenty of food, and were all too happy to mix the large variety of plants. They pretty much boiled the potatoes into a mush and cooked up the bread. It was a humble feast by far.
Renault came into the building, and sat on his box, looking somewhat exhausted. The boiled up food was set up on the table in a rather disorganized fashion, but that was hardly going to matter.
"We've got some bread, some pan-fried carrots, some mashed potatoes, crushed parsnips, and some mashed turnips." Renault smiled, licking his lips in a rather hungrily.
The rest of them were rather turned off by the idea of eating more and more vegetables. It wasn't as bad as they would have normally been, since dwindling food supplies and getting a little hungry every night could probably make them all appreciate the value of abundant food.
"Where's the meat? Fish? Cheese?" Sticks looking down at the table with no small hint of disgust in her voice.
"I didn't find any." Oscar grumbled, clearly not enjoying the idea any more than Sticks was.
Sticks recoiled at the sight, "No meat? No wonder these men were so easy to beat. They weren't fed properly." She sighed, before she stood up, walked over to a small box, and pulled out some jars with the brown liquid inside.
She brought them over to the table, and opened a single brown jar, and set it on the table. She then took a large swig of the drink before passing it at around the table.
"We have to share this one?" Renault mumbled from the other side of the table as Oscar picked up the jar.
Sticks grinned, "I pass my cup to my trusted warriors. We are all brothers and sisters now. Drink." She opened her hand and gestured to Oscar.
Oscar passed it along, and shook his head, "I don't drink."
Sticks blinked, before laughing, "You don't drink? A little gulp won't hurt."
Oscar glared and snarled at her, "No, I won't drink."
Sticks scowled, and turned her head to Renault, who took the murky jar, and looked at the color. Fiona could tell from his expression that the pig was not eager to try the exotic flavor of… whatever it was they were drinking. Still the look from Sticks was enough to get the pig to drink, despite the fact that Renault was probably older.
He raised the jar to his lips, but stopped, and smelled the inside, "That's… that's terrible." Stick's still kept up her smile. Renault pulled the jar up to his face and took a gulp. He immediately tensed up, and a shiver worked its way up his spine and he set the jar down, coughing and sputtering. He then pushed it up to Fiona, and leaned down to cough some more.
She had no desire to drink whatever was in that jar. Still, it wasn't water, and Fiona could do with a drink to perhaps relax for the first time in a while. She pressed the drink to her lips and was immediately met by an infectious stench.
This was definitely not fine alcohol, if it could even be called alcohol at all. Fiona backed away from the drink and coughed to hide her gag. Fiona then grit her teeth and pressed the jar to her lips and drank.
Her senses were immediately assaulted with a thick, grainy texture, followed by a taste that resembled the smell of oil, and a burning in her throat that led to fierce coughs and barks, with Fiona gracelessly sputtering up the liquid, "That is terrible."
Sticks frowned and shook her head, "You civilized people are so fussy. It's a good fierce drink." She grabbed the jar and took another swig.
Fiona finished coughing to try and get the bastions of the drink out of the back of her throat, "It tastes like something my dad would enjoy."
"Mine wouldn't even try that." Renault winced and recoiled, "Was it made in a latrine?"
Fiona sighed, rolling her tongue to try and get the taste out of her mouth. Sticks shook her head in disappointment as Oscar chuckled to himself, "Now I'm really glad I didn't drink it."
Sticks groaned in agitation, clearly annoyed by their displeasure towards the garbage in the jars. Still, she took a smile on her face as she stood up from her box, in the middle of the storage building, and raised the glass jar up, "A toast to my victory!" Sticks cheered, before gesturing around, "You are all glorious companions on our journey!"
Everyone stood in silence at those words. Then Fiona, through some strange possession, burst out laughing, "Your victory?" She laughed even more at it.
Oscar then joined in, which completely assured Fiona that she wasn't crazy or stupid for finding it funny, "Your victory?" He looked at Fiona and the two started laughing. The only one who wasn't laughing was Renault, and that wasn't surprising. He was scared of her.
"It was my victory. I killed the guards. I led this team, because I'm a general." Sticks stated, confused. She clearly wasn't used to be laughed at. Fiona knew how to read people enough to determine that she was getting frustrated as well, and her points were valid.
"Yeah, it was your victory." Fiona stated sincerely, trying not to laugh some more. Something about her insisting on the win was adorable.
Oscar passed her a quiet glance that he thought she would notice, before following her lead and backing down, "Yeah, you did good. We don't want bodies in the future, though."
"Your council has been noted." Sticks grumbled with a scowl. She wasn't letting it go. Fiona made a mental note not to laugh at her again. She could already feel the badger getting ready to strangle her.
"I'm sorry for laughing." Fiona smiled, waiting for some form of forgiveness.
Sticks grumbled, "Just eat, you've all earned it."
It was not lost on Fiona how much Sticks was trying to sound like Johan. There was more self-indulgence with her praises, but she was clearly copying his movements and motions.
The "feast" was rather short, with Sticks probably drinking too much of the jar-sludge. Still, there was plenty of joy, which was essential for a feast.
"Nice work, getting us this path, Fiona. Who knows how that would have gone if we'd got caught." Oscar smiled at her, raising some mashed turnips her way.
"You were pretty impressive out there too." Renault shifted as he ate more of his own food, "You jumped in so quick, I didn't even see you move."
"Well, that's part of being sneaky." Oscar snorted, eating a little more, "Also, how about that code? You somehow knew their little routine."
"Oh… no I don't know their routine. I just figured since Eggman is a narcissist, he would do something like number code for his name. I don't think it was too hard to figure out." Renault semi-defended, semi-responded.
"It was a compliment, don't be so defensive, you'll never land a lady like that." Fiona smiled slyly, and elbowed him.
Renault looked like he was about to protest, when he looked at her, and then stopped, before nodding, "Right. Also, thankyou for keeping up with our… leader. Thing's looked like they were going very poorly, but somehow you kept everyone calm."
Fiona smiled and rested and arm on the table.
Suddenly, a loud screeching sound filled the room, coming from Stick's box. She stopped, but made no secret she did so on purpose. The badger wanted attention.
Oscar licked his lips, "Look, You were aggressive, blood-thirsty. I'll say it since no one else will, You are scary, ruthless and brutal." He growled softly, and angrily. Fiona watched carefully, but part of her had a feeling that everything would go fine.
Sticks smiled a drunken smile, "Awe, I was only hoping for a quick little thank you. You really made me happy." She leaned down on the table, "I'm brutal, remember that!"
Oscar and Renault passed a glance at each other, but didn't do anything.
"You know, once Johan takes over… I'm going to ask to take… you, pretty pig, as a trophy husband." Sticks smiled, leaning against the table, and closing her eyes, "Mm… Maybe both of you boys."
"M-me? Wait, what?" Renault exclaimed.
"He has the army… He runs the kingdom." Sticks smiled, before her breathing leveled out.
Fiona looked down at the badger, before she sighed, "She's asleep, probably not going to wake up soon. Let's finish up and get to bed."
The men looked at each other again, before nodding. They finished up their feast, and went to lay down. Fiona had a lot to think about. It was possible that Sticks didn't know what she was talking about, but the alternative was too scary to ignore.
/*-*/
Waiting sat ill with Johan. Still, he had to wait, or risk his men suffering needless losses. He listened carefully to the outside for when the firing would start. Ezra also stood with him, waiting patiently but troubled.
Johan patrolled around the entrance of the sewer, feeling an urge to attack the enemy head on, and quickly end the battle. The problem lay in if his aggression over extended them, and if his men needed help.
His large form would be easy to see, and easy to know. They would know the Wolverine was attacking them, and not the Dingoes or Legion. So he waited, or rather patrolled the sewer hole.
After a moment, he stopped, realizing that he could not enter the hole, and was only exhausting himself. He resigned that what would happen, would happen. God's plan, at work. All he could do was remain on watch, and be prepared to act.
Johan released his frustration at the thoughts and sighed in peace.
Ezra growled, "I want to talk to you." She stated it as if it were something she needed to ask.
"You are, speak plainly." Johan growled at her, sitting down and keeping an open ear for her and one for the men should the need arise.
She sounded angry, and her stance confirmed her fury with Johan, " You can't harass the Echidnapolis Council."
Albion? That was a new name. Johan might have paid more mind to it if he was not immediately guarded by her words, "You are not talking to me, you are commanding me. You will not command me." He growled at her, glaring towards her with a gaze of warning.
Ezra took a step back, before stepping forward, "I don't mean to try and control you, but if we keep this up, they'll put up more resistance against us. I don't think that helps any of us."
She made a good point. Johan could kill everyone in this city, but they would be more useful alive. Still, Johan needed them to submit. His whole reason for coming to the city was to gain control of it. If there was no control, then he saw no reason to continue fighting. He could demand their submission in exchange for his protection, but these Garden Defenders were already stubborn and proud.
"What would you advise?" Johan asked, demanding her council. She would surely have a plan to replace his if she was content to complain.
Ezra frowned, before standing up straight, "Put me on the council, that way they can see we respect their traditions, and still get some influence over the city. The Legion will at least call Lien-da's legitimacy into question."
Johan growled, "I will not allow them to keep such weak leadership. You will be their leader."
"They'll resist." Ezra grumbled softly.
"They will try, and they will die." Johan growled back at her.
"I don't want them to die. We can find a middle ground for us to work with." Ezra proposed, sounding angry with Johan's straight forward approach.
"I will not barter for what I can take by force." Johan growled firmly.
Ezra's face was frustrated and angry, and she sighed angrily, but threw her hands up.
Johan perked his ears up to hear the gunfire in the distance. It had started.
The rifles fired in the distance, showing how far his men were from the base they had set up. There were also the sounds of lasers firing, and Rockets firing in the distance. Johan waited for the signal that the men would need help.
Ezra remained quiet for almost an hour, before she finally spoke, "I just think that maybe we shouldn't try to force the hands. Echidnapolis has been out of the legion's hands for a reason. I think it's just better if we choose a peaceful route for controlling one of the most important Echidna and Legion settlements ever created."
"I will make my decision when the time comes." Johan growled, sitting up as the gunfire quieted down and left him with a wonder and eagerness to aid his men. He did not value the idea of negotiating. Why barter for what he could take by force. There was no great goal with the city, not like the kingdom which he served.
Johan waited, patiently, clawing at the ground as he waited for his warriors' return.
Ezra, seemed to be incapable of waiting for the discussion, "I don't want these people dead, or to hate me. I don't want to hurt anyone here. They aren't our enemy."
"That will be decided when after this battle." Johan growled, before glaring at her.
Ezra opened her mouth, but nodded and conceded to Johan's demands.
They waited, until the cover for the sewer opened, and his men began to climb out quickly, groaning and grumbling at their fate in the field.
Johan kept watch, and waited for Gewis to emerge from the dark area. He did, and he was the last one as he closed the cover, and brushed himself off. The smell radiated from the fox as he sighed, and panted, "They're mad. I don't think they realized it was us, but they are mad."
Johan nodded, "That is good."
"Now what?" Gewis asked, sniffing himself and recoiling from the smell of the sewer.
"Now we wait for the fighting to start. We will let them destroy each other, and we will claim victory. Until then, I will go and search the city." Johan growled. He was looking for a pale Garden Defender, she was a lady. That was all he knew, but he had her scent on clothes and a few metal instruments, "I will leave the camp. Do not follow me. I will find her." Johan growled at Gewis.
Gewis stood up in protest, but Johan silenced the protest with a simple gaze, and commanded, "Rest, eat. Be ready, for our enemy will attack once the battle starts."
He left those words with his soldiers and went out into the night.
/*-*/
Alright, I'm back, and a little late with this chapter. Ultimately, something came up( nothing serious) that occupied my weekend, so I switched to my other upload date, which is Wednesday.
Alright, a lot happens, and yet nothing happened. Strange how those slow chapters work. Alright, expect some Johan dedicated chapters coming soon.
Please remember to review and keep morale high. Your reviews, regardless of what they talk about help keep me motivated to work. You can talk about improvements that need to be made, or what you loved about the chapter, or where you think the story is going. I will respond to every review in the next chapter. Alternatively, you can send me a private message, and I will respond to it as soon as I can.