MerendinoEmilano: I've been trying with it.

/*-*/

Sally immediately shouted, "Scatter into the trees!" She sounded frantic before looking at Sonic softly, "I need you to break through the gate."

Sonic nodded, and gave Sally cool grin, "I'll be back in a second."

"Don't get hurt, please." Sally pleaded as Sonic heard gunfire, and saw Fiona shooting at the watch towers.

Sonic found himself hesitating for a moment. He remembered getting shot, it wasn't fun. Still, He would be fine now that he knew what he was trying to avoid.

Sonic took off and ran straight for the gate. He wasn't getting shot at for some reason. The walls actually seemed quite deserted. He heard the gunshots from inside still, so he had to wonder what was going on.

He hurtled towards the main gate, and curled into a ball, flying through the wood and steel barrier. The large gate flew open, and Sonic uncurled. He saw the ground under him immediately began to kick up dirt. Sonic dove out of the way to the inside of the wall. He raised his ears and tried to pinpoint where the shots were coming from.

All he could hear is gunfire all around. The whole city seemed to be alive with gun fire. They were only at the east gate. Sonic leaned out from behind the tower, and a bullet zipped past his face. Sonic realized that there were…. Two? Two mobians in the towers of the gate.

Sonic heard more gun shots in the city. He couldn't stay there, Sonic looked around, which meant looking at the building front of him and another down the wall. There were some alleys between the buildings, so Sonic took off. He heard shots coming from behind him, and saw shutters on the side a… house? Shop? Sonic didn't care and he jumped through it.

Sonic slammed into tile floors, before raising himself up. His ears flicked as he heard a new sound in the air. It sounded like… crying and whimpering. Sonic looked around and realized he was in a bakery. Sonic saw the service counter, and the pastry displays that were missing some stock.

Sonic leaned over the counter and saw a family of bears, huddled up together, with the father seeming to push everyone into the corner, serving as a living shield. Sonic carefully approached the family.

The Dad jumped up, "Get to cover young… oh, S-Sonic the hedgehog? Thank goodness you're here. Please, get them to stop fighting. We don't want any part in this, and the king won't let us leave."

Sonic gulped as he realized they didn't know he was a lord and that he was part of the problem that was destroying the city. Sonic struggled to find the words, "Listen, you need to come with me. I'm getting you-"

As Sonic tried to finish the sentence he heard gunfire, closer from inside the walls. A bullet ripped through the door, and Sonic tackled the bear to the ground, as rifle shots rang through the streets.

Sonic looked up and saw that there were mobians in uniforms, some of them were brightly colored, and others were Freedom Fighter uniforms. Sonic knew they were from the center of the city, so they were probably enemies. On the other side of the street, different colored uniformed mixed with Freedom Fighter uniforms. Sonic knew they were from outside the city so they had to be his friends.

Sonic looked back at the bear who seemed very nervous and terrified. His family huddled behind the counter, "Do you have a back door? Any place we can get out without going through the firefight?"

The bear nodded and led Sonic into the back of the store. Sonic saw boxes of ingredients, waiting to be used, all being disrupted over this war. The room curved, and Sonic saw a door with a bolt lock on it. The bear unlocked the door, and led his family outside.

Sonic mumbled at the bear, "Wait here, ok? I'm going to get other people out their houses, and try to get them out of the city."

"Wait, you can't leave us here!" The bear growled, gesturing to his kids, "Take them out of the city at least. Please, Don't leave them to the Wolverine's six thousand."

"Six thousand?" Sonic mumbled. He tried to shake it off. The wolverine should have had a tenth of that. Hopefully. Hopefully he still had all six hundred. Sonic shook his head, "Go to the end of the wall, and wait near the gate. I'll be back soon."

Sonic turned around as the bear shouted at him. Sonic climbed through the neighboring building's window, and listened. This was the sales district, so not every building was going to be full. That made Sonic a little happy, at least on the surface. They were out of harms way… maybe.

That logic wasn't going to work for everyone.

Sonic zipped through the store, and did a quick search. This was apparently a tailor's shop with how many hung up suits there were. Sonic frowned, already seeing some bullet holes in the suits.

Sonic was about to go out the back door and avoid running into a cross fire when he saw three mobians out of the right window, and they were setting up to fire towards the gate.

Sonic heard a voice shouting out through the streets. Was that… Fiona?

Sonic burst out of the window, and tackles on of the men, before bouncing on the next ,"Not today, boys!"

The third one turned and raised his rifle. Sonic slid and kicked the gun up, sending it up before tackling the soldier, "Stay down!" Sonic shouted at him. The soldier stopped struggling, and Sonic stood up, only to hear shouting at him.

Sonic turned as bullets flew towards him. Sonic zipped back into the house. His arm felt a little sore. Sonic looked and saw the small graze. "Ow" He muttered. If Sonic was being fully honest, he was more worried about how Sally was going to chew him out for it.

Sonic zipped back into the alley. His arm was fine and functional. It still hurt, but he'd be fine.

The alley was still clear to Sonic's knowledge. He zipped across the alleyway and jumped inside the next building. Sonic heard whimpering on the inside of the building. Sonic looked around, and saw a bundled up mass of wool. Sonic ran over to the mass, "Are you alright?"

The wool uncurled, and Sonic saw three sheep, two a light grey, and one a pure white sheep. Sonic saw two were older, a grey mother and a white father, and one was easily in his late teens.

Sonic smiled at them, "Listen, go out back, and follow the alley up to the wall, ok?"

"You're… lord Sonic? Oh goodness, what is happening?" The father growled.

"Listen, I'm trying to get you all to safety, Ok? Listen to me!" Sonic raised his voice to drive home his point. The sheep turned and focused on him.

"Will there ever be an end to our family's bad luck?" The sheep mumbled, before going into the alleyway.

Sonic watch the family leave, before looking around. They seemed to make cushions, and furniture. Sonic shook his head and went into the alley.

It was there that he saw men running from the center of the city towards the walls. Sonic ran at the men, and got ready to slam into them.

The soldier lined up their rifles, and Sonic sprinted at them, bracing for impact. Sonic heard gun shots, and dared to open his eyes. He was fine, but the men who were aiming at him were bleeding on the ground, lifelessly.

Sonic saw two mobians, also from the center of the city. They were members of the penal brigades.

"We're here to help. The Wolverine is attacking the city, and we're going to help him take it." The orange wolf smiled.

Sonic nodded slowly, before seeing an opportunity, "Help me search the buildings for people. We're going to get people out of the city."

"Why, How does this making our job any easier?" Ask the bear, recoiling at the thought.

"They…." Sonic struggled to find the words, before he found the right words, " It'll get people out of our way. You won't have to shoot through any stragglers." Sonic hoped that would convincing.

The wolf frowned and nudged the bear. The bear nodded, "Fine, we'll make this quick."

Sonic went to search through the buildings. He found one near the center of the town which had two rabbits. They were apparently bakers, and Sonic saw a couple of chocolate covered bread roles. There looked like there should have been more.

Sonic told them to leave the house in the same way as before.

"Thank you, Sonic the Hedgehog. Please stop them from destroying our homes, please." Spoke the lady-bunny, who was actually a little… big in the belly.

Sonic nodded at her, "I… I will."

He wasn't lying, they were going to save the city… after they won. Sonic felt guilty about how a decision he was part of was destroying so many lives. Then again, if he wasn't there, those people would still be in harm's way.

Sonic left out of the alley way as the fighting seemed to pick up even harder. He ran down to the wall that a good twenty or so mobians, and gave the order, "Now, go to the gate, and We'll let you all out of the city."

"You're part of the invasion?" gasped the rabbit.

Sonic shook his head, "We're not invading, we're just removing Nagus from-" Sonic started, but the crowd was already panicking.

Sonic heard them hurling accusations at him.

The penal soldiers raised their rifles, "Move now!"

The people screamed and ran towards the gate.

Sonic turned and shouted, "What are you doing?"

"Getting them out of danger." Shrugged the bear.

Sonic wanted to argue, but he couldn't argue with the results. He ran back into the alley ways.

"W-What is that?"

"HE CAN'T BE STOPP-"

Sonic heard the cries coming from inside the city. He ran out of the alley ways to find an enemy line set up behind boxes, firing at a target. He heard a different sound as well, the sound of revolvers firing. Sonic jumped out and tackled an ox, who had his rifle up.

Sonic saw who they were shooting at. Whisper was pushing up with her revolvers drawn. They were firing at her, but they certainly weren't stopping her.

She fired three more shots into the line, before taking cover in one of the alleys. Sonic jumped up and retreated back into the alley way, and went back towards the wall before turning just short to find Whisper, standing against a wall.

She was leaning… like she was injured.

Sonic gasped, "Are you alright?"

Whisper jerked her head. Her mask still obscured face, and she was panting. She walked forward and slumped against him. Sonic felt his hands lung to catch her, before they pushed… into her.

Sonic pulled out his gloves to find them covered in… blood. Sonic pulled her cloak open to find at least… four? Four bullet holes in her side. Sonic gasped, "Why are you so hurt?"

"I believed you were… captured. My life… for you" She gasped, "My… sword… for…" She slumped against him. Sonic could feel she was weak. He picked her up, and threw caution to the wind. He zipped outside the city.

"GET HER HELP!" Sonic shouted at some of the men who were simply standing around.

Two came and grabbed Whisper, and carried her off to a white tent, that was already filling up. He was about to turn around, when Sonic felt a hand grab him.

Sonic turned and saw a soldier shaking his head, "I have to treat that. Sorry Sir, but you can't go out there again."

"I'M Fine!" Sonic shouted, "Take care of her!"

"You aren't." The soldier shook his head. Sonic looked down and saw that the medic had a hold in his shoulder. It wasn't that bad, "I can't send you out there with a clear injury like that."

Sonic groaned, and felt himself getting carried off on a stretcher.

/*-*/

Fiona rushed into the city street, and took cover behind some boxes. She saw a wolf rush up next to her, and peak out to take a shot at the enemy formation. As he raised his head, a bullet flew and struck him just below the neck.

Fiona growled in frustration, realizing just how far ahead she was of the main force. The stupid princess had chosen to attack now of all times.

Fiona heard gasping, and looked down to see the wolf was still alive, clutching his chest. Fiona groaned, before picking him up. She didn't know if he was going to live, but at least it got her away from getting shot.

Fiona carried him into the alleyway as she heard Sonic zipping around. Fiona heard a window break, and just had to assume that he was going in to try and get people out.

She carried the wolf through the alleyway, and towards the wall, before setting him down at the gate. The soldiers who didn't want to get shot at had already set up medical tents. The princess wasn't anywhere to be found, but that was pretty in-character for her.

Fiona again found herself unable to fault the princess for sticking with her followers in the fighting. Fiona went back to the front, and tried to show a little more restraint that to just rush ahead. She didn't feel like dying just yet.

Fiona then realized the plan. She ran over to a couple of soldiers dug in behind some boxes, "Hey, follow me." She gestured to the alleyway as Sonic ran by… carrying someone.

The men looked at her as if she'd asked them to charge headfirst into the fire.

Fiona groaned, before realizing she knew how to get them to move, "I need some big, strong men to come and protect me." She lowered her shoulder and twisted to show off her curves.

That… didn't work, and while she got a few looks that showed a few of them listening, they weren't exactly drooling. Instead, most looked annoyed and confused.

Fiona growled, "Look, you want to win fast, or do you want to stay here and try your luck with them?" She pointed over the boxes as a few more bullets flew overhead.

The soldiers turned to look at each other, and nodded. Fiona gave them a quick nod, and ran into the alleyway. Her small little squad was going to press the advance and give everyone an opening. Fiona was going to be the hero to save the day.

And I'm still going to be a prisoner Fiona thought…not bitterly. Still, she was all about redeeming herself. It wasn't like she expected everyone to trust her right away.

She just thought it would be nice if they wouldn't hold it over her head the whole time she was trying to be better. Fiona thought she'd done enough to prove that she was at least sorry.

They ran down the alleyway, before Fiona took a left. She saw the first row of entrenched soldiers, hiding behind boxes, taking pot shots over their cover. Fiona gestured for her men to take the shots.

They began to fire down the alley into the street. Fiona readied her rifle and aimed at a wolf who was aiming down the street. She took a deep breath, and pulled the trigger. The bullet flew into the wolf's side.

Fiona pulled the bolt back, before slamming it back into the chamber, she fired and hit an ox in the side. The ox yelped and fell down. Fiona was about to aim at a different target, when the ox grabbed his rifle and aimed at her.

Fiona found herself praying. "Lord, please don't let me die here. Not now. Please." Fiona staggered as a bullet flew by her into a building. She raised her rifle once she caught her footing.

Fiona pulled the bolt back and slammed it in quickly and fired at the ox again. He collapsed, and Fiona felt her throat tighten. Still She pulled back into the alleyway and ran closer to the palace.

Fiona and the four men following her cleared out the next row, firing at the rows of soldiers who had set up behind carts and boxes. She was actually surprised by how many soldiers were in the city. She growled as she aimed again.

Suddenly, shots ran out from the alley, but they weren't the bolt actions that the wolverine had given or standard rifles. Fiona saw some mobians, they looked like city people. Still they weren't shooting at her, so she was good.

They continued their advance through the alleyways, and Fiona recognized the bright tops of the Royal palace towers. She realized just how close they were into capital. There was a few more sections of the city. She could see the stone bridge, which was far better for them than having to deal with a draw-bridge.

Unfortunately, the thing separating them from the palace wasn't just a bridge, but a series of boxes and dug out fighting positions. Fiona began to fire from the alley to try and cover the advance of the main force. Fiona kept firing at the entrenched bridge area.

She heard the sound of the air vibrating, which told her that Sonic was coming, and getting back into the swing of everything. That was good, Fiona didn't exactly feel like trying to force her way through the bridge.

Then, Fiona saw it out of the corner of her eyes. She saw him. The Wolverine seemed to walk along the north bridge, disregarding their struggle at the east bridge. He had the white fox following him, going straight for the royal palace.

"HEY, HELP US OUT!" Fiona shouted across the way, but he didn't seem to hear. Or care. Fiona growled, and peaked out, only to pull back as bullets struck the side of the building. The Wolverine was going ahead?

Fiona had a strange pit in her stomach at the thought. Something wasn't going right, she knew a schemer when she saw one, and the beast was scheming.

And she couldn't do anything about it.

/*-*/

Johan and his men rushed the gates. He could hear the sound of gunfire from inside the city gate. Johan was about to tear down the gate when it opened. He recognized his soldiers from before, the penal soldiers.

Johan saw Olivar holding the gate open as he, Lanolin and the soldiers rushed in. Johan saw Lanolin pass Olivar a glare and he could hear her breath tighten. He would deal with them later.

Instead, Johan had a more pressing matter to deal with: His enemy was scrambling defenses as the bell continued to ring out. Johan bounded straight towards the entrenching enemy, smashing through a row of boxes and cars as they fired into his armor.

Johan smacked the solders into builds, feeling their bones snap under his force. He should have been enjoying every moment, but instead he found himself… bored. Where were the strong warriors who would give him a challenge?

He smashed the last of the first fortification, before looking up at the tower. Gewis was leaning over the top, looking exhausted from ringing the large bell. Still, the two made eye-contact, and Gewis nodded at Johan.

Johan turned around and snarled as a wave of soldiers charged at him from inside the city. They seemed to falter, which only angered Johan more. He raised his paws and smashed the formation with a wide swing, knocking them into the buildings.

Johan waited, hearing the sound of men firing throughout the city. He should be pushing up, but Gewis asked him to wait, and he would assume that Gewis had a good reason for asking such a thing. The men pushed up behind Johan.

Gewis came out of the tower, "Listen, The Penal brigades are on our side. They're loyal to you." He explained, "So watch your fire."

Johan turned to his men who came in and took cover behind the buildings as bullets flew into Johan's back, "Listen to me! The men dressed as Gewis and Oscar are with us, do not fire on them!"

The men nodded, somewhat scared from behind the buildings. Johan growled and turned around to face the entrenching enemy force.

Gewis and Lanolin took cover behind Johan as more bullets flew in a volley at him. Johan brought his hand up to shield his eye, before charging at the line of defenses.

The soldiers behind the cover cried out and several broke ran as Johan smashed into the boxes. As he ran his men ran out of the cover of the buildings and fired.

The rows began to fall down, which prompted Johan to continue his advance against them. Lanolin and Gewis kept up, with Oscar following behind. The rest of the soldiers pushed up or checked alleys. They had become… better with the time they had spent with Johan.

Johan saw another fortification line set up, or what could be called a fortification line. He pushed forward, lumbering towards the men in the rows who were scrambling. Then Johan heard Oscar call out, "Look out!"

Johan dared to turn and Oscar tackle Lanolin to the ground, a bullet ripping into his side. Johan turned to see that there were rifles in the upper windows of houses and buildings. He growled, "Get to cover!"

Gewis grabbed Oscar and slammed into a locked door. Johan, who originally going to continue his charge, wasn't going to leave them to their fate. He ripped open the door as Gewis shot one of the men in the windows. Johan then tossed Oscar into the room.

Lanolin, however, was frozen. She kept her face in the dirt, shaking. She had her fist balled.

Johan crawled on top of her as bullets flew from the windows across the street, "GET UP! YOU WILL NOT DIE HERE!" He felt Lanolin shift under him. He craned his neck down to look her in the eyes. She looked up at him with a sense of… awe and joy.

Johan heard Gewis firing from the building, and growled at Lanolin, "GET UP! NOW!" She crawled out and grabbed her rifle, filled with a sense of determination, or that was how it appear.

She shot up at the windows, before Johan rushed around her at the fortified blockade that had regained its resolve. That was Good, Johan was looking forward to an actual fight.

He smashed through the blocked as they continued to fire at him. Several aimed at Johan's face, but he had learned to guard his eye very closely. He stepped on one soldier, and slammed another into a building. He crushed a third one's throat, and stepped on a fourth one, crushing his ribs.

I used to rule the world

They scattered once again. No matter, Johan was intent on the capital. He was ready to end this little war, and give the sorcerer justice.

Seas would rise when I gave the word

Still… his men were back there, and Oscar needed aid. Johan returned to the building, only to find Gewis waiting there, ready to move.

Now in the morning, I sleep alone

Johan growled, "Is he alive?"

Sweep the streets I used to own

"Oscar… hopefully will live, with the grace of God." Gewis mumbled before shaking his head, finding his resolve, "I've taken the bullet out and sewn him up… not great, but I… think he'll live."

Johan did not like indecision, and as the soldiers advanced up through the clean streets, he saw a healer, "Tend to Oscar, he is in the building."

Lanolin shouted from inside, "YOU'RE A MONSTER, YOU HEAR ME! I HATE YOU!"

Johan poke his head in, "Control yourself. You will have your chance at justice." He then pulled out of the building, seeing her jolt at his words, before nodding slowly.

Johan then turned to his fox companion, "Come, let us end this."

There was fighting throughout the city, further than Johan expected. Soon, he had his answer as he smashed through the last bits of cover and crossed the bridge. It appeared the rest of the army had shown up as well.

I used to roll the dice

No matter, Johan would have to get to the fake king first.

Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes

He lumbered across the bridge, into a hastily assembled line of defenses. They fired at his back, and Johan was rather annoyed by the sound of bullets striking metal.

Listened as the crowd would sing

Johan slammed into the carts, pushing them aside as Gewis shot one of the soldiers who was standing on top of the walls surrounding the palace.

"Now the old king is dead, long live the king"

Johan clawed through a wolf, cutting his insides open, and bit down on a goat, who shot Johan in the side.

One minute I held the key

Johan threw another soldier, a blue fox, into the palace wall, causing his body to bend and twist from the force.

Next, the walls were closed on me

More soldiers seemed to fire from the walls. Gewis took aim, and started firing at them.

And I discovered that my castles stand

Johan ran up the stairs of the walls to deal with the enemy tower guards.

Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

The men at the walls panicked, and continued to fire at Johan. He shielded his face as he pushed forward.

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing

Johan smashed into a tower. He found that missing his left eye gave him a vision blind spot that was actually causing problems.

Roman cavalry choirs are singing

He heard cries outside from his men charging.

Me, my mirror, my sword and shield

Johan felt something strike his face, and realized that there was a panicked soldier standing there with an old mace.

My missionaries in a foreign field

Johan smacked him into the tower wall, before turning and running out the doorway, further along the main wall.

For some reason, I can't explain

Johan saw the enemy soldiers on the wall scramble to fire at his face.

Once you were gone, there was never

Johan grabbed the first soldier, a bear, and threw him off the wall.

Never an honest word

Johan closed the distance and bit the last soldier's neck, crushing it between his jaws as he swallowed chunks of meat and blood.

And that was when I ruled the world

Johan then Jumped off the walls as the men rushed up.

Gewis called out to Johan, "They've barricaded the door!" He continued to try and pull it open.

Johan growled at his men who had spread out in the courtyard, "Hold here, do not go further!"

It was a wicked and wild wind

They looked around but seemed to nod amongst themselves. Johan then turned to the large door into the palace.

Blew down the doors to let me in

Johan slammed his fist into the palace doors, ripping them off their hinges and sending them straight at some of the guards.

Shattered windows and the sound of drums

Several were knocked to the ground. The others began too flee. One shouted, "Take him, it's not worth my life!"

People couldn't believe what I'd become

Johan chased them down as Gewis fired at the remaining guards.

Revolutionaries wait

Gewis shouted, "I need some help here!"

Johan turned and saw that Gewis was being overrun by the remaining honor guards.

For my head on a silver plate

He smashed them into the wall by simply charging at them, letting his weight do most of the work. Johan then turned back to see the doors to the throne room shut.

I'm just a puppet on a lonely string

Johan prowled towards them, and Gewis followed along. When got to them, he pushed open the doors.

Oh, who would ever want to be king?Paused

Johan prowled onto the throne room as a pig suddenly squeal, "AHH, THE BEAST IS HERE!"

The troll who seemed to have been pacing, turned and held a bright grin on his face, "FINALLY! I was wondering when you'd finally come here. Now, let's discuss how to handle this little… rebellion."

Did he believe that Johan was here to help him? Johan cocked his head as the Pig… Hamlin squeaked, "HE'S WITH THEM!"

"Enough out of you!" growled the sorcerer at the pig, saliva dripping down his jaw, "Now, beast, how should we handle this rebellion?"

Gewis looked up at Johan, waiting for his response. Johan growled, "I would advise that you surrender, and give up the throne."

The Troll laughed, walking towards the throne, ready to sit down, "Finally, some good advice, then… what?" The troll stopped, and turned to look at Johan, confusion flashing in his eyes.

Johan growled, "I am supposed to ask you to surrender. We both know you will not."

Nagus's breath became heavy and slow, "What… what treachery is this?"

"There is no treachery, we are not allies, you ensured this." Johan growled prowling towards the fools.

"You…" Nagus started, before his face contorted to rage, "You planned this!"

Johan allowed a smile to grace his face, "I am far too stupid and savage to plan anything, no?"

"You would deceive me? You insolent creature!" Nagus shouted angrily at Johan, raising his staff.

Johan remained calm, but found the challenge to his honor to be infuriating, "I do not lie. I told you I would cast you aside when I was done with you."

Johan stood on his hind legs.

Nagus snarled, his blood rushing to his neck, the staff in his hand shaking, "You would throw away all that I've done! I made this kingdom, you advised me, and we had a good deal!" He swung his staff, which struck Johan's metal chest, bouncing harmlessly off the steel.

"I advised you on what needed to be done." Johan growled, controlling his anger, "I advised you while you listened. Now, you have set up the throne, ripe with foolish decision, for your successor."

Nagus snarled, breathing heavily, his vein popping out of his forehead. Johan had enough, and stood on his hind legs, before Nagus' entire form shifted, and he began to… laugh, "Well… I suppose I'll have to deal with them… after I deal with you!"

He raised his staff, and a strange energy pooled around Johan. Gewis raised his rifle, before the strange black and white rodent landed from the ceiling behind him, pressing a crossbow to the back of Gewis' head, "Drop it."

Johan craned his neck to see Gewis snarl, but dropped his weapon. The coward. Johan would deal with him later.

Nagus, however, seemed to laugh, "You and I have made a deal, which mean I have the power to bring you into the order of Ixus!" Nagus laughed as more energy swirled around Johan.

Johan kept calm. The fool, like a child, needed to be told the truth. Not a version of his memories that favored him, but the true reality they lived in. One where he made many mistakes.

Nagus laughed a happy, arrogant laugh, "Why didn't I think of this sooner. I don't need your advice, I just need your body! NOW SERVE ME, MY SECOND FOLLOWER OF MY FEARSOME FOUR!"

Johan felt…. lightning within his body. A strange buzzing within his arms and legs, A light burning in his chest. Nagus continued to laugh, and Johan grew irritated with his arrogance. He had humored the fool long enough," ENOUGH! Your jokes are poor on the mind and ears."

Nagus froze, his joy vanishing, only to be met with frustration, "W-What? How are you-"

Johan slammed his head forward, knocking Nagus to the ground, "You never made a deal with me. You sought so long to avoid making a deal with me, to humiliate the princess by forcing her to do so."

Nagus panted, both from terror and shock, before staggering to his feet, "N-NO! I… I should have won!" He straightened his crown, and raised his staff.

Johan thrust a fist into Nagus' right kneecap, snapping the leg back in a straightened angle. Nagus shrieked in agony. Johan growled, "You spent so long seeking an easy path to power. You read stories and aligned with demons and the unholy."

Johan rushed at the stunned fool, "Never once did you train your body, and fortify your mind with skills to fight, only to curse, and call on dark arts." He smacked the fool to the ground again, not killing him…yet.

"NAGUS!" The black and white rodent shouted. Johan turned to see if he was intervening, when he saw Gewis reach for his knife, and stab the rodent in the throat. Perhaps he was not a coward. The blood burst onto Gewis' face and uniform.

Johan returned to the old fool, and raised him up by throat, "Perhaps if you had worked to be stronger, and faster, I might have found a use for you!"

Nagus struggled, and still held onto his staff, swinging it at Johan's face. He still had some fight within him. Johan… found himself feeling… pain. Nagus was always going to be disposed of, but they had worked together, and Johan felt some debt for that time. Johan would repay him.

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing

Johan growled, "Rest assured, that the angering changes you have made were necessary. "

Roman cavalry choirs are singing

Nagus ceased struggling for a brief moment as Johan eased his grip to allow breathing.

Me, my mirror, my sword and shield,

Johan continued, "You will be hated for all that you have done, and many with use that hate to ignore the truth: You are the… hero… of this story."

My missionaries in a foreign field

Johan growled softly, feeling a sense of pity for the old fool, "The changes you have made under my guidance will allow these people to survive where they would have died. You have saved them all."

For some reason, I can't explain

Nagus and Gewis both seemed confused.

I know Saint Peter won't call my name

Johan finally tightened his grip. It was time to end this, "It may be many years before they see it, but when these people are prospering, and their enemies are far beyond the hills of the borders, they will know that these changes started with you and your sacrifice! It is… mournful that you will not see that day."

Never an honest word

Nagus thrashed in Johan's grip, opening his mouth as if to utter an incantation, but Johan pinned the body to the throne with one arm, "Receive Justice, vile Sorcerer!" Johan pulled his hand back, and jammed his claws into Nagus' throat, cutting deep into the base, until the body fell, and the head stood where Johan held it. The last face the head held while alive was a hopeless, broken man.

But that was when I ruled the world

Johan panted, feeling… tired. It was all worth it, dealing with Nagus' insults and foolishness. Johan pulled the body out of the throne. And removed the crown from the fool's severed head. He slumped down in the wooden chair, now coated in blood, and breathed a sigh of peace. Evil had been expunged, and the kingdom now sat in limbo.

Gewis looked… distressed. He stared down at the corpse of the rodent he had stabbed. Gewis had killed before, but perhaps this was more intimate.

"You are pure. He threatened you and tried to kill you." Johan growled, leaning back with the crown still in his hand.

Gewis turned to Johan, and nodded before smiling, "I… guess… Are you… king now?" Loyal Gewis. Gewis… who had stood by his side, and was loyal through all of the kingdom's turmoil.

Johan growled, "Go, tell the remaining soldiers that Nagus is dead… then do not return to me."

Gewis rose, before looking at Johan, "W…what?"

"Leave, tell the mean to stop fighting, and stay away." Johan repeated, his throat rumbling.

"W-why? This is my victory as much as it is yours… You're… claiming credit?" Gewis accused, panting angrily.

Johan couldn't explain it to him, "A lot has changed, and I am protecting you from this victory."

Gewis seemed to freeze for a moment, before throwing his knife at the ground and storming off. Johan rose from the throne, and picked up the knife. As he did, he heard a scrapping sound from someone crawling on the ground.

Johan turned and saw Hamlin, crawling towards the door, or rather frozen when Johan's eyes landed on him.

"I…I….I never….I never betrayed you!" Hamlin shouted as a yellow pool appeared under him.

Johan walked over to the fool, and picked him up, before setting him down, "Go… bring me the finest oil you can find. If it is not to my standards, I will kill you. Then leave me, and never let me see you again."

Hamlin seemed stunned, but Johan didn't care. Johan turned around and walked back to the throne.

"Y-You're just letting me go? I t-thought…" Hamlin mumbled nervously, "T-That you were going to k-k-kill me."

"I did too. Instead, I will let you go, and that is much worse." Johan growled with a smile, turning to face the pathetic, weak, worthless, lying creature, "You are a schemer, and an abuser. You have no power, no distinction."

Johan seemed laugh bitterly as he explained, "You will wander the world, abusing and scheming, until no one will be abused, and no one falls for your schemes. Your life will be pointless, and your only joy will be when it ends. No one will remember you. So run, schemer, abuser, cheater, liar, find someone who believes you are worth the effort to kill."

The pig scrambled out to find the oil. Johan slumped back in the throne, and waited, breathing a pleased sigh as blood pooled on the floor.

/*-*/

I feel a little bad for Nagus. He spent the last few moments of his life surrounded by enemies he thought were friends. In a sense, he was truly alone in his final hours.

But all of that is in the past, future is all that matters, and the kingdom needs a capable ruler….

The Final chapter of this arc will come… soon.

Please leave a review, and tell me what you thought. I welcome a happy review or criticism, but I love feedback, and it keeps my morale high.