o3o(chapter56): Sonic and Fiona interacting is always fun for me. Fiona is charming but also fierce, making her a fun character to write about
o3o(chapter58): So, everyone was desperate at that time. The nobility secures alliances through political marriages. The more desperate the party, the more favorable the alliance terms. Frederick also wants to secure a husband for Fiona, because he believes she'll be lavishly cared for and happy. Rosemary also wanted an alliance, and to make her son happy.
o3o(chapter61 + 62): So, with Regards to Dark-Sonic, It's not the fake emeralds that was my justification, it was the quantity needed. I don't dismiss that Dark Sonic was triggered by rage and turmoil, but he also had a massive amount of energy to draw from. Far more than the seven chaos emeralds. Hence why I said that Dark Sonic was like a black hole, while Super Sonic was a star. A star is powerful, but a blackhole is several stars condensed into a tight ball so dense that light can't escape it. More over, the tone was not supposed to be an epic snap moment. It was meant to be a fight between two characters who had enough of each other, even though they shouldn't be fighting at all. The two traded blows and escalated something in a rather sad ending to a good relationship. Their anger towards each other would intensify in the next chapter, thanks to both of their responses.
Anonymous(Chapter 63): I enjoyed writing that chapter. I remember sitting so eagerly, ready to post that chapter.
Guest(Chapter 62): I mean, I saw the stats for the chapter, but I also wonder how Fanfiction calculates the stats. It said I had something like two hundred reads.
Victor John Foxfire: Johan's beliefs held firm throughout his speech. While he's been through a lot, his morals have remained the same: You survive only because you are strong and courageous enough to. The irony of abandoning the reliance on champions and heroes is that his process will make heroes from within the army, but not ones with super power. Johan also used the opportunity to naturally inject a speech to inspire the soldiers, and set a precedent of how desertion would be perceived. He twist the view of their desert to look cowardly, and they were shamed for it, discouraging any future desertion as well. Johan has a surprising amount of charisma despite being very barbaric in nature. His honesty makes him believable, and comforting in a sort of way. After all, he will tell it to you straight, and won't lie to preserve your feelings or comfort.
Fiona has become rooted in her homeland once again. She has things to keep her there, things to fight for. Sonic is dead, at least as far as she is concerned, but she doesn't just fight for him anymore. But there is also a sad tone for Scourge. He had an opportunity to become a hero and save the day, redeem himself and become something more. He just didn't take it because of his own insecurities. But Fiona is not done, and temptations have a habit of coming back at the worst times.
With Fiona's dreams, however, there is always suffering for those who choose to do the right thing. Of course, there is more to the story, and I won't get into everything, but the dreams represent the past, present and future, and the choices she has to make.
Bad Joke(Chapter 62):… YEAOW!
Roleplay(Chapter 63): Oh the position was absolutely scandalous if someone walked in without context. Thankfully, a lot of the people were respectful and didn't disturb Sonic… although I could have made quite a few jokes that chapter… ah the trade off of potential and tone.
o3o(chapter 64): Yeah, the fight quickly escalated, but there is a bit of truth in Sonic's words. It's not fair that Sonic has to be the one to apologize first every time. There is some give and take, and it becomes frustrating.
o3o(chapter66): Fiona's heart came back in full swing. She felt real love for the first time, and it was scary.
o3o(chapter 68): So I think you've read further, and it is answered why Tails is so angry. He's trapped in a weird spot in his life.
o3o(chapter 69): Fiona really showed she cared that chapter. She sacrificed personally for Sonic, and then, she realized she could make a move. Fiona played her hand with that dance and kiss, but she was just too late. It sucked for her.
o3o(chapter 70): I loved writing the chapter. I had set everything up to build to a conflict between the two brothers, which we really don't get enough of.
o3o(chapter 71): There is also the possibility that Fiona's mind was working through some things. Her psychological state has been changing as the story has gone on.
Guest(Chapter 77): I was never into spiderman comics(Nothing against them, just too many alternatives), but I realize that there is a pretty big similarity.
o3o(chapter 80): Because things have a habit of going wrong when not being supervised.
Anonymous( chapter 81): uh… yeah… *Thinks about Compromise Surge*
Bad Joke(Chapter 82): Now there's no way to get out of marrying her, Sonic.
o3o(chapter 83): I… I'm kind of lost on that reference.
Anonymous(Chapter 88): So, Frederick was prying, and again, trying to find Fiona a good husband. Sally stunk for a particular character with a powerful nose…
o3o(chapter 89): Scourge… is interesting. More on him in later chapters.
o3o(chapter 90): Fiona has options, and that means she doesn't always chose the best ones. Still, She can hopefully stay on the right track enough. We all make a few bad choices here or there.
Quote(Chapter 91): Drama is fun.
o3o(chapter 91+92): Johan's plans finally came to fruition. He set out to set things right.
o3o(chapter 93): Yeah, I kept the two apart for a little too long. They're back to talking and playing around… for now.
F (chapter 94): Sally is really working on a time crunch, so she needs a quick answer in her favor, and she needs It now.
Anonymous(Chapter 94): The fighting got really intense, Sally struggled with keeping a level head, which lead to more casualties. Johan, on the other hand, focused on planning for battle without any distractions or issues. He had a bit of an advantage there.
o3o(chapter 95): Whisper straight up slaughtered the entire brigade sent to assassinate Sonic. She was raised by a Saxon, and that meant no restraint with anyone who would harm someone she is tasked to protect.
o3o(chapter 96): Nagus was never a good king. His traits made him hard to deal with, but easy to manipulate to an extent. Johan misjudged how easy he would be to manipulate, and lost his temper after dealing with the old man. And yet I feel a little bad for Nagus. He did almost everything Johan told him to, and was then cast aside, hoping for a friend who never was.
o3o(chapter 99+100): So, a lot of your questions will be revealed in the future, and I'm leaving a pin in a few. Fiona is struggling to stay good, but she's overcoming her desired to back away slowly, and with a little divine help. Johan doesn't have an Alliance, he has full control of the kingdom's army… which is ironic because that's how Robotnik toppled the kingdom.
o3o(chapter 101): Sonic is in for a world of hurt, unfortunately. Eggman gets to exact all of the rage he feels against the hedgehog. Sally is… that's a spoiler.
Scourge… might be done, or… not.
I do feel Fiona does not get enough love, both from the fandom( outside of the TailsxFiona/ Tails harem shippers) and does deserve more. Sally also does as well, but she has a little presence, so Fiona was my focus. I wanted her to grow, and I didn't want to just say "Oh, she was good all along without any struggle, just pretend birthday bash never happened". I wanted to give an explanation to why she was better. I also wanted to see her and Sonic hit it off again, because I think the two work surprisingly well together.
It seems we are both caught up now. Thank you for reading this far ahead, and giving me a beautiful glimpse of your journey through my story. I am glad you have enjoyed reading most of my story so far.
/*-*/
Sonic jerked awake as another burning sensation shot through his legs. Sonic screamed as it plunged straight through his calf muscle. He tried to keep himself from sounding so weak, but the shock really got him.
Mecha Sally just stood there with her cold, blue eyes. She pulled the blades out, warranting a yelp from Sonic, who began to pant as air reentered his lungs.
"Ah, Hedgehog, good, you're awake." Eggman laughed as he brought in a tray of old and stale foods. He also brought water, which looked pretty normal, "It's feeding time, hedgehog." He managed to make even eating sound so dangerous.
"Aw… this delicious feast, you shouldn't have." Sonic snarked at him. He pushed against his restraints. They were still pretty tight, and they weren't particularly weak.
"Oh my dearest hedgehog, we can't have you losing strength for the main event. Speaking of which…" Eggman pressed a button on his Eggmobile, "What's the status on the invasion."
The speaker let out a sound, "She is finishing up preparations now. She has requested more time to repair the damages on the Egg Carriers."
"Bah, tell her to proceed. I've waited long enough." Eggman growled, rubbing his forehead, before turning back to Sonic, "Now… where were we?"
Sonic felt Mecha Sally wedge Sonic's jaw open.
"Right, Eat, and then we'll get back to having fun." Eggman grinned, rubbing his hands together.
A robotic arm shoved the old, dry bread and limp vegetables in Sonic's mouth. Sonic then had water poured down his throat. It hurt going down, the bread was dry, and he didn't have a lot of time to chew, but he did swallow them.
Before he could mutter another snarky response, he had another chunk of food shoved down his throat, and more water poured. It was like a weird version of water boarding.
"Now… Let's give you a few moments to settle in-" Before Eggman could finish, Mecha Sally shove her blade into Sonic's calf muscle, causing him to shout in pain. "MECHA SALLY, I ORDER YOU TO STOP!" Eggman barked.
Mecha Sally pulled the energy blade out, leaving Sonic to gasp and struggle to find his footing.
Eggman growled, "I order you to not torture him without my say so!" He threw his hands up and flew out of the room, "Even as a robotic slave she's still annoying."
Sonic panted as he was alone with his roboticized beloved, "Come on, Sal… what's going on?"
Mecha Sally simply stared back at him, as if she was calculating how much pain she could afflict on him.
"Why are you doing this? Eggman isn't giving you the orders to hurt me… what happened?" Sonic asked, looking down at his legs. They wounds were cauterized thanks to the energy blade's heat. He looked up at Mecha Sally again, "COME ON, ANSWER ME!"
She stood there, silently.
Sonic slumped down. He jerked on his restrains again.
"You hurt me. You made me angry with you." Mecha Sally spoke in a robotic voice.
"I have that habit, but we had so much more together. I loved you, and you loved me too… right?" Sonic asked, his voice dripping with hope and a bit of terror.
"I did. But that did not follow me. Love and happiness were not necessary. Rage was. I only hate you, because I only need to hate you." Mecha Sally clenched her metallic fingers into a fist.
"Come on, there has to be something in there? You have to at least remember how it felt. If you can feel angry, you can feel happy!" Sonic pleaded with her.
Her energy blades lit up, and thrust at Sonic's face, but stopped inches away. Mecha Sally lowered her blades, and walked rigidly out of the room. Did she feel something, or were Eggman's orders commanding her to stop.
Sonic wasn't sure what, but he had to save her. Sonic was going to save Sally. He couldn't imagine a world without her. Sonic vowed that he would save her.
He found new strength, and began to pull on his restraints with all of his might, twisting and wiggling his hands. He pulled and jerked as he struggled against the metal chains. He kept pulling and pulling.
Then air left his lungs as he finally took a breath. Sonic slumped down, when noticed that there was a little give, so tiny that most wouldn't notice it. But Sonic did, a tiny bit of give. It was a start.
/*-*/
Fiona thought that the first days were going to be filled with rigorous training, drill or perhaps strategy talks. Instead, Fiona woke up that morning feeling a bit eager to at least put her mind to work.
She picked up a watch, and gazed at it. It wasn't the watch she gave Alister, or one that he gave her, but she looked at it and assigned him to it. She was doing this for him, for Frederick, for Olivia and for Sonic. Fiona ate a healthy breakfast from ever so stubborn Christina, and was surprised to see the wolf, Whisper, eating at the table with them.
"Oh… I wasn't expecting to see you here." Fiona mumbled, both happy and a little unnerved. She still kept her mask over her face.
Whisper pushed her mask up ever so slightly so that it still covered her face while she scooped up some more food and ate quietly.
Fiona finished up her food and walked outside. It was then that Fiona saw the various nobles who showed up, only they weren't nobles, they were generals of the army. A few were older, a few were younger, but they were all from powerful families.
They arrived and walked towards the top of the hill where the Freedom Fighters were training. Fiona followed them up to a large tent where the Wolverine resided over a table. In the room was Gewis the fox, Lanolin the sheep, the blue bear… Oswald? She forgot his name.
The nobles came in and looked for a seat while Fiona stood outside, peaking inside. Johan seemed to not even acknowledge them with his eyes, "Do not bother, I will be brief. You are the generals, descended from blood of noble birth, no?"
An old possum stood there, and seemed to tug on his uniform, adorned with various medals, "Indeed, I am descended from a long line of nobles who served to unify us into the kingdom of Acorn. My esteemed line has been credited with saving this very kingdom."
Johan still looked down at the map. Fiona saw he had two eyes, which was both miraculous, and terrifying. The Wolverine simply muttered, "All of you are dismissed of your duties."
That warranted a stop from the noble commanders, a younger one stepping forward, "What?"
The older one cocked his head, "I beg your pardon?"
"You have it. You are dismissed. This kingdom no longer has need of your services." Johan growled simply, finally looking up at the nobles.
"You can't be serious? Surely you do not intend to command an entire army." The older one laughed nervously.
Johan didn't laugh, "If I must. Though I do have Gewis and Lanoo- Lanal- Lanolin… and Oscar." Johan stuttered with the names and snarled in frustration, "I have them to aide me."
"Gewis… I'm not sure I am familiar with the name." The older noble cocked his head skeptically.
"Gewis was a prisoner. I have come to see him as a just and capable commander. Lanolin is from the commons but her hard work and effort are to be raised up." Johan growled at them.
"C-Commoners? You are replacing us with COMMONERS!" The younger noble shouted, clearly outraged. Fiona had to laugh. She knew there would be political problems with his decision, but the outrage was funny enough for her to get a few kicks in.
"I am replacing you with men I know can lead us to victory. They have proven themselves to me, you have not." Johan growled at them. Fiona noticed a concerned look from the white fox and sheep.
"This… this is an outrage." Growled the old noble.
"This is my decision. If you wish to serve and save your homeland, you may serve as the rest of the lot. If you prove yourself capable, then I will grant you positions of power. Until then, however, you eat, sleep and work with the soldiers." Johan growled, glaring down at the men. It seemed only now they realized how massive Johan truly was.
And he was actually smaller than she last remembered him. Something about him had changed, like he'd been seriously weakened.
The young nobles backed away while the old noble stepped forward, "I will bring this to the king!"
"And it will do nothing. He will do nothing to me as he has bestow the full martial might of the kingdom onto me. I decide what happens in this army." Johan simply growled, "Now, stay or leave. Do not waste my time."
Fiona watched the nobles exit the building. A few young ones looked relieved. Others looked determined. The older one, however, was outraged clearly and huffed off. To be fair, he was old, and clearly not cut out for frontline work.
Gewis spoke with a bit of concern, "WHAT WAS THAT?"
"What?" Johan asked curiously.
" "I'm promoted?" what are you doing? I'm not cut out for this!" Gewis whined frustrated.
"I'm not a commander. You've known me for maybe three weeks!" Lanolin pleaded.
"I know your courage, I know how resourceful you are. I know you will take responsibility for any failure you create. As for you, generals, it does not take much to lead men to victory. All you need to know is what your enemy will do, and how to handle it." Johan sounded pleased, "For example, who do you think is listening to us from outside the tent?"
Fiona jerked out into the open, "S-sorry. I was curious, just wanted to see what the nobles were doing. I didn't mean any offense."
Johan simply waved her off, "No matter. We have nothing to hide. Return to your men, and we will get started with preparations for the incoming attack."
Fiona walked down the hill to the mess hall and ate with the men and women there. There were more mobians that she expected. Like they had just arrived.
As they were eating, the Wolverine walked into the tent. Everyone stopped eating, and looked at him.
Johan simply looked at them, gazing over each mobian, before leaving the room.
"That was the wolverine?" A mobian muttered, "He really is that big."
Fiona laughed, causing the table to look at her, "OH yeah, big, strong, and really scary. Be glad he's on our side. His enemies don't tend to live very long."
They gave her a morbid look, and as Fiona thought about it, they weren't exactly wrong. They finished up eating, and stepped out. Johan had walked down by the lake, waiting for them.
Fiona several mobians walked down to him, where he turned around and kept walking, down, following the river. Then he started running, moving through the forest surprisingly agilely.
A purple boar rushed forward, and pursued. Everyone followed the boar, rushing into the forest deeper as they ran over branches and rocks. The wolverine was obviously faster, but he seemed to slow down for them. It was like a game…
Fiona slowed down as the rest of them pushed forward, huffing and scuffing after a few minutes. She let followed at a brisk pace, just enough to keep close.
Then Johan settled down on a sandy chunk of water, before crossing the river on his hind legs. The soldiers caught up but slowed down at the beach area.
Johan seemed to walk in a wide stance, going slow and seeming to wiggle his feet around in the water.
Then he returned across the river to the men who had sat down to relax and catch their breath.
Johan sat down and gazed at the men once again. Fiona could see a look of judgement from his eyes. She stayed back as he growled, "Good work. You can run."
"Did… did we pass the test?" The purple boar panted softly.
"You did. You will be the leader of these men." Johan growled at them. The men looked around, confused from that statement. Fiona was also lost as to how he could make such a decision. Johan seemed to notice their confusion, "You led these men, and they followed you. Thus, you are the one to lead them."
The Purple Boar nodded slowly ,before looking down ,"Are You the leader of the Freedom Fighters?"
"I am the Martial of the realm. I decide what this army does." Johan growled firmly, sitting down.
"Oh…" The boar mumbled.
"Now, I have need of you. Go, tell the white fox known as Gewis to gather the men, and come here. Lead him here if you must." Johan growled firmly at the boar.
"W-what? I thought…" the boar mumbled before nodding.
"What did you think?" Johan growled firmly. He wasn't accusing, per say, but he was certainly prying. Fiona could see it.
"I… Thought we were getting special training or something." The boar muttered in a frustrated voice.
Johan growled, mildly annoyed, "You did. I pushed your bodies with that exercise. A game we teach our children to play. Next I will fix the mind of these broken peoples. Now do as I have asked, or should I have someone else do it?"
Fiona didn't hear anger in his voice, but genuine curiosity.
The boar shook his head, "No, I got it. I'll be back in a few minutes."
So Fiona sat there, and waited for the boar to return. Johan sat quietly, with the awestruck and nervous men around him. He didn't seem to pay them any mind, which was honestly probably unnerving.
He instead seemed content to listen to the birds in the trees. The place seemed almost peaceful, you could forget a war was going on around the world. Fiona laid back and reclined, allowing herself a little bit of shut eye.
"You noticed, did you not?" Johan growled, and the soldiers that were there looked at her.
"What do you mean?" Fiona asked, having a feeling that he was referring to her slowing down with their training.
"You slowed your pursuit." Johan growled, sounding a little angry that she didn't play his game.
"I figured you wanted us to follow. I don't understand why you wanted us to chase you, but I figured there wasn't any point to moving faster if you weren't going to run out of sight. Why tire myself out?" Fiona laughed, and reclined back.
"To push yourself and become faster. That is the point of that game. We pit ours to chase the other to make them rise to the challenge." Johan scowled at her in judgement.
Fiona suddenly felt very uncomfortable around him.
Finally, Gewis showed up with the rest of the army, which gave her a reprieve from Johan's judgment gaze. The soldiers walked into the clearly slowly, and Fiona realized just how many there were. There must have been a few thousand, all crammed into a tiny woodland area.
Johan gazed around at the men in the clearing, and gave a solid, aggressive nod. "Welcome, all of you. We will begin your training now."
The men looked around, somewhat confused, "Uh.. Sir, the targets are back at the headquarters." A bear stated dumbly.
"Anyone can hold a rifle. I need to train out your fear of death. That is why we are here." Johan gestured to the river and trees around him.
The soldiers looked around, seeming to scan for some sort of trap or trick. Fiona knew there wasn't any traps. She checked the area before they arrived.
One brave volunteer stepped shook his head, "I don't see anything out here."
Johan seem to snort as the soldiers all seemed to turn to him, "There is nothing out here. Your task will be simple, walk across this river." Johan gestured before turning around and walking through the water on his hind legs.
Fiona noticed that his movements seemed less beastly.
Once Johan crossed the water he turned around, "Now, each of you, cross without fear."
Fiona watched a goat step forward, ever so confident. Fiona felt like something wasn't right. He chose this area in particular, which you didn't normally do.
The goat stepped into the water, and began to trudge forward across the river. Then it got deeper and Fiona kept her eyes on the goat. The goat seemed to walk casually, and hold up his arms confidently, and turned to look at the crowd of soldiers.
That's when things went wrong. The goat suddenly plunged underwater as the current swept out his legs. Fiona took a step back as a couple of soldier stepped back. The goat resurfaced and shouted, "HELP M-" the current pushed him under once again.
Fiona and several men ran forward. She heard a splash, and Johan appeared out of the water, carrying the goat, "You failed because you lost focus. Then fear overtook you, and you lost focus."
"I just… I just… didn't wanna… drown." The goat mumbled through chattering teeth.
"Then go without fear." Johan set the goat back where he started, and crossed the river again, "Next one, step forward."
Everyone stood there hesitantly. The river was a lot more dangerous than the rest of them had thought. The goat shuddered as someone put their uniform over him.
Fiona frowned, but she felt a force pushing her to do it. God, are you really telling me to go?
The force didn't seem to stop, so Fiona walked up, "I'll cross."
Johan gave her a nod and Fiona stepped into the shallows. The water was cool, which meant it was probably ice cold deeper. It was also murky, which made looking where she was going hard. Still, the current parted around her boot, so Fiona kept walking.
She got to knee level when she felt the current push against her calf, and then she felt first bits of rock. They weren't jagged or sharp. That would be good, as she could take her time and lock her foot in between the jagged ridges. No, The rocks were smooth, as though they'd been grounded out with erosion.
Taking your time wasn't going to get you across the river. It only exhausted you. You needed to be fast. Fiona kept pushing and found some unnaturally flat rocks as the water rose to her waist. They seemed to be knocked over recently.
Fiona kept moving, avoiding the slick surface of the stones as she kept pushing towards the Wolverine. As the water rose to her Stomach, Fiona felt the full force of the current. The water felt ice cold, and stung against her stomach. She grit her teeth and kept pushing.
Then she suddenly felt her foot slip. Time slowed down as Fiona began to fall into the water. This was it? This was how she was going to go down? To a river? No, There was more for her in this world.
Fiona grit her teeth and pressed her feet down to catch herself. She steadied herself, and pushed forward, out of the deepest point of the river. She arrived at the banks of the sand, and staggered up the sand.
Johan was waiting there… with a smile. Fiona grinned up at him and muttered, "How'd I do?"
"Good. You were able to draw strength from God and yourself. There was no danger for you. Next." Johan called out across the river.
The soldiers still seemed pretty hesitant.
Johan growled, "NEXT, COME FORTH YOU COWARDS!"
The soldiers shook their heads and backed away. One of them shouted, "We don't feel like dying. No thanks!"
Johan growled, before jerking his head violently, "So be it."
He started to cross the river, and Fiona perked up, "Hey, I'd rather you not leave me here!"
"Then come." Johan stated simply, as if he wasn't asking her to cross a freezing river.
Fiona blinked to confirm what she just heard, before groaning in agitation. She stepped back into the cold river and tried to run through the water. Yet as she walked along side Johan, the current wasn't so bad, and it wasn't as cold as she walked along with him.
They reached the other side, and Johan sat down as soldiers began to shift around.
Fiona wrung out her top the best she could while keeping it on.
Johan growled, "You all are afraid of death."
"Well… Yeah, who wants to die?" A bold soldier laughed, earn a chuckle from all around.
"You are all going to die." Johan growled bluntly. The laughter stopped, and Johan growled, "There is no armor, no medicine, no food that can prevent your heart from stopping, your mind from fail, your blood from leaving. Everyone here will die, one day."
The soldiers shifted with a somber note, and Fiona couldn't blame them. Johan needed a little more inspiration, like what he said yesterday.
Johan growled at the men fiercely, "We will all encounter an enemy that we can not defeat. But I know this, I will not let death have any control over me. I will not be known as a coward, who went the time came to make a choice, chose to live another day and abandon all that he cared for."
They looked uncomfortable, but Johan continued, "I will make my death mean something. When I fight, I fight to become stronger, and when I die, they will sing songs of my name! Those of you who are not ready to reach the heights of glory, return home, and bear your shame! But to those of you who seek greatness, stay here and learn all I wish to teach you. Become more than flesh waiting to die!" Johan roared up at them.
The men nodded slowly, and Johan growled, "Now… Prepare yourselves to run!"
The men looked upset, "We just got done running." One complained.
The Wolverine pointed to a rocky area, "It is not the same."
/*-*/
Johan stood at the top of the mountain, with the soldiers taking a rest from exhaustion. He had been winded on the climb up, and his weakness had become more apparent. But now was not the time for slothfulness. Now was the time for passion.
"Wotan then came to rule Eisgard, with his wisdom and cunning, and his powerful wife Freija. He began to prepare for the Ragnarok, and awaits righteous warriors who will fight at the end of days!" Johan roared triumphantly.
It was rare that he called on the old gods in such a pleasant light. He had defeated them a number of times.
The soldiers seemed to mumble, without fire or passion. Johan knew they were exhausted, but the few that did find passion kept his attention.
"Those warriors shall be raised up if they are valiant, and die sword in hand, for the final battle will end the days of the devourer!" Johan roared as the men sat in their tents, eating some of the wild game and fruits Johan had found in the forest. With the many weaknesses that he had developed, Johan did not lose his sharp senses.
Still, Johan could see their eyes grow weary, and exhaustion was taking hold of most of them. They didn't voice their displeasure, but Johan knew that they had heard enough. The moon was high in the sky, and full. If he were home, they would be holding the Witan now.
"Enough, get your rest, tomorrow we will returning to fixing your minds!" Johan shouted and the men settled in, seeming to groan in relief.
One of them dared to complain, "ARE WE SLEEPING OUT HERE? Not in a bed or cot?"
Johan nodded, ignoring the anger that was festering inside of him, "Yes, sleep in the wild, and you will grow in tune with what it has to tell you. You can learn much simply by understand how creatures and trees act in the wild." That should have been enough. Johan wanted to find his trusted second and perhaps take comfort in his confidence.
Johan placed his nose to the dirt and sniffed out Gewis. He found the young fox under his tent, sleeping through Johan's sermons. No matter, the boy needed his rest.
Johan knew Gewis was capable of great things. He could feel the potential in his bones. Gewis was smart, and had performed well in the desert. Johan could finally make use of his skills.
Johan sat down next to his generals and went to sleep. He was greeted by a memory in his dreams.
Johan sat on the throne as the Gothi raised his arms frantically.
"If we allow them into our lands, we will divide our people with a weak God who abandoned us during the second war!" The Gothi ranted angrily. His attendants in the back nodded with their leader.
The Pastor seemed frustrated but remained calm, " I only desire to do what I have been doing my whole life! I will not deny my God or Jesus, and I will not deny his power and love to our people!"
The Pastor had fewer men with him, but they seemed to plead to Johan.
The Gothi began to argue with him, "Your god has no love for us. He sought to destroy us! That's why he abandoned us in the mainland!"
"He did nothing of such! We were simply un prepared for the attack!" The Pastor bickered.
The two began to exchange insults, neither of which Johan cared about. He looked at Odacer, who stood at his and could tell the young man was already uspset.
"Enough!" Johan barked, standing up to face them, "I don't care what either of you think the other did. I don't whether you believe Christ is weak, or if Wotan is blind! I am here because you are fighting amongst each other while our enemy occupies our old territories!"
The Gothi and Pastor looked at each other with an immensely angry scowl.
"We did not start this fight!" The Pastor exclaimed in frustration, "His people beheaded three of my fellow evangelists!"
"You are not welcome in the tribes!" The Gothi pointed angrily at the pastor.
"ENOUGH!" Johan barked, visibly growing frustrated, that frustration being shared by his nephew, "Stop this bickering now! Where did this begin?"
The two stopped and paused, seeming to think about their answers carefully. That was probably wise for them.
The Gothi stepped forward, "His people were calling our gods weak outside our sacred groves!"
"As is his right." Johan growled, angrily tugging his beard in frustration, "You the right to say as you please!"
"He was disrupting our offerings!" The Gothi shouted angrily, raising his arms.
"My followers and I were doing no such thing! You were far done with your offerings and chanting!" The Pastor shouted balling his fist.
"We were in the process of Silence!-"
"CEASE THIS BICKERN NOW!" Johan shouted, standing from his throne. Their heads jerked towards him, finally realizing how much they had upset him in with this simply unnecessary war, "I am preparing for a great war, and I do not need my men fighting over your dispute!"
The two seemed to look at each other with snarls on their faces. They seemed intent on destroying the other, "Then resolve it." The Pastor demanded.
"But be warned that what ever you should say will have effects on the entire kingdom!" Growled the Gothi arrogantly.
Johan growled at them. They seemed to have at least been united by an attempt of a powerplay against Johan. A foolish attempt.
Johan walked down from the throne, and gave a signal with his fingers for Odacer to follow. Johan growled, "I follow God, and his son, Jesus. I serve them passionately, with my strength and power." Johan walked down to their level and Odacer walked behind him. "With that being said, I will not harm my brothers who follow the old ways, nor do I have the patience to deal with the conflicts you two breed."
Odacer handed Johan the axe, and Johan grabbed it. Only now did the Gothi realize just how foolish those words had been. Before he could utter an apology, Johan swung his axe into the Gothi's neck, cutting through the bone and sinew, launching the head into the air.
Johan then swung the axe towards the Pastor, but the hand had been stiff, so the blade did not flip easily. Instead, Johan swung the blunt end into the Pastor's skull, shattering it with chunks of bone and brain flying through the air.
The attendants backed away with terror, but Johan called out to them, "Enough! Step forward, NOW!"
The attends walked slowly across the wooden floor of the Great hall. They could see Johan's anger, as his wife called out, "Please, enough. They have learned their lesson. Your rage is charming, but it needs to-"
"NO! They will learn!" Johan barked at her. He received a scowl, which told him that he would have to apologize later.
The Attendants stopped in front of Johan, and he gestured to the bodies on the floor, "Both of you will spread the word of what has happened here. You will tell your followers this: They can share my kingdom, or they can share these two's fate. If one side attacks the other, I will make both suffer."
The Attendants nodded vigorously.
Johan continued, and gestured to the Pagans, "You will not have your warrior's death, and you will not spread anything in the ground!" Johan calmed down, "Now go."
They ran out the door quickly, and Johan returned to his throne, aware of the fact that he would have to enforce his statement later.
Johan's eyes opened, and he stretched out. Those were good times. He had built a stable kingdom with a fierce army. Now he would do it again… with a little more effort this time.\
/*-*/
Sonic suffers again, but not all hope is lost. He's working on a way out. Fiona enjoys a spot of seniority over several new recruits, all coming together to make a new army to protect the kingdom. Johan pushes these new bodies, both in body and soul, to be better, with some rather unorthodox teaching methods.
So this part will be slower as the mobians build up to fight off Eggman. The things that happen before the battle can be just as important as the things in the middle of the fray.
Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and tell me what you thought, I will respond next chapter.. Or you can send me a private message and I will respond when I can. I don't mind criticism and learning to improve.