F: Oh yeah, I have plans for Sticks in the story… FIGHT THE KNIGHT!
o3o: He's got a lot coming up despite doing nothing for the next few chapters.
Anonymous: I was torn on how to handle Sonic learning about the condition. There are a lot of factors that led me to the decision I made, but it won't be something brushed aside.
Guest(Chapter 13): So, Sally was eating/rubbing/wearing garlic for a very different reason. There is a character who has a very strong sense of smell. He's also very honest, so she couldn't have him finding out... Sonic is also trusting Sally both because he felt their relationship was delicate, and that Sally wouldn't abuse that trust. Not to mention Doctor Quack confirmed that it was an "infection". Why would Doctor Quack lie?
00(Chapter 15): No, I don't think it's weird. Guy nights are surprisingly rare in fanfictions. Just two bro's hanging out and having fun. It's relaxing and it shows a healthy and balanced relationship between two guys who are friends. Also, Sonic is actually acknowledged for his works and heroism, which I think a lot of people want more of in Sonic media in general.
Guest(Chapter 16): I… don't know who those characters are.
Guest(Chapter 16): I mean… he might. Of course, does he really NEED it?
/*-*/
The moon rose high in the sky. The men were tired, but they all had some training. They had set to work, both building and training with guns, large and small. Fiona saw the wagons, setup, loaded with large barrels and breaches, others loaded with Ammo.
Several men watched carefully, but very nervously as Johan walked out in front of them, "You are all… as ready as you can be. We can not let the capitol fall, we will hold the line!" Johan gazed down at the men, and Fiona could see his concern at the sight of them, "If you have any debts you must settle, settle them now. We will leave at high moon."
With that, Johan walked away. The men seemed confused, and Fiona felt her share of it as well. After all, why have them set up just to dismiss them.
Fiona turned and saw the men. The clusters had become firmer in shape. They weren't quite the ranks of old, but they had a bit more discipline. Fiona shrugged, and walked off to the Freedom Fighter's headquarters bunker, and stepped inside for a meal. It was about all she could enjoy before they set off.
As she stepped up the hill, she overheard Oscar and Lanolin talking.
"Please, let me talk to him. I might never get to meet him if something goes wrong." Oscar begged… begged. Fiona took a break off the path to go and see him, on his knees, pleading before Lanolin.
She had a scowl, but it was softer, and troubled more than angry. Fiona could see the conflict on her face as Lanolin sighed, "That's the idea. You don't get to have a relationship with him. He's not your son. He's a product of… everything you did to me."
Oscar's face was… pitiful. Fiona actually felt a little bad for him as he finally begged again, "I'm Sorry, I am sorry for everything. I was drunk and stupid! I know I was an idiot!"
Lanolin back away at his outburst, Fiona could see the white in Oscar's knuckles as he clasped them together tightly. Lanolin had a knife at her belt and her hand was on the handle.
Oscar growled in his throat, "I could die out there. I know it, I deserve it. But I don't want to go without at least meeting my son. He is my son, even if I wasn't planning on him… Please, Just let me say hi to him."
Lanolin was still on guard, her face showed that much. But she conceded, "You are Ozzy, a coworker. He doesn't need to be confused, and he certainly doesn't need to get attached to you. Are we clear?" She snapped at Oscar.
Oscar's face and body lit up, "I'm Ozzy the bear, I get it. Nothing more that friend from work."
"Coworker, a fellow soldier. Not my friend." Lanolin scowled at him, pointing a finger at his chest.
Oscar nodded slowly, losing a bit of steam, but still being surprisingly positive, "A fellow soldier, Ozzy. Got it."
Lanolin sighed, "I'll wake him up and say goodbye as well. He might be an orphan in a few days." She sounded depressed at that thought.
It had just set in for a lot of them. The fight for the capital was going to be rough. It was not like the small battles in the civil war, with quick routes and swift victories. Eggman wanted the capitol, and he was going to throw everything he could at them for it.
Fiona had made her decision already, she knew she could die, but she probably deserved it. Still, She felt compelled to follow the two as they entered the city.
The two walked carefully through the more deserted section of the city. The part that housed refugees when they had to retreat across to avoid Eggman's first incursion. Some of the houses were repopulated, but it seemed that most had gone elsewhere, for better or worse.
Fiona followed along carefully. It wasn't that she thought Oscar was devious or evil in his intentions, but emotional responses made men unpredictable, and she'd rather be safe than sorry. Fiona watched from behind buildings, moving ever so graceful as she slid into alleys. As they talked, Fiona got more curious.
It really wasn't her business, but Fiona wanted to hear more, so she moved forward and got closer to the two.
"I don't want any trouble from this. Don't make me regret this." Lanolin sighed as she approached a door with the lights off outside. The door opened, and Fiona walked casually across the street, moving in between the spaced of the houses, and pressed a thumb against the window shutter. The slight creak allowed Fiona to hear the inside of the building.
"Hey… Charlie, I have someone I want you to meet." Lanolin smiled at her son, and leaned down.
"Mom…" A soft voice mumbled, and seemed to move under the covers. Fiona peaked and pushed the window open a bit. She saw Lanolin leaning over the blue lamb who was tucked very deep under the covers.
"Hey… Hey, listen, Charlie, there's… some from work who really wanted to meet you." Lanolin started, with hesitation and concern on her face.
"Mom, is he scary?" The little lamb, Charlie, asked, looking up at his mother.
She gave a forced smile, and nodded, "Yes, but he needs to be."
"Because you're in the army?" Charlie proposed almost calmly. That was unnerving.
"Yes, dear." Lanolin smiled down, "But he's… he's alright, ok, just say hi and be nice."
"Ok." Charlie mumbled, shifting under the covers a bit more.
Lanolin stood up, and walked back to the hallway, and gestured for Oscar to go in, and whispered something to him.
Oscar looked suddenly terrified, more than Fiona had ever seen from the big guy. Still, he walked closer, slowly, trudging towards the bed, "Hey, I'm… I'm Ozzy. I …work with your mom."
"Mom told me that." Charlie mumbled at the strange man over him. The boy didn't seem too shy or nervous, just tired.
"Well, you're mom has told me… a little about you. She's very proud of you." Oscar mumbled, scratching his side nervously. Fiona squinted and realized he was in an excited shock. Fiona really couldn't imagine what he was feeling.
"Yeah, I know." Charlie mumbled, before stretching out his arms out of the covers. He then stopped, and looked at his arms, then at Oscar. Then he looked back at his arms, "Hey… you're blue, just like me."
Oscar smiled even bigger and laughed, "Yeah… I guess we are the same color." His voice sounded strained, like he was trying not to cry. Fiona could see the confused and torn on look on his face, between pride and fear.
"Huh, cool." The lamb mumbled, before shuffling back into bed. He honestly looked adorable.
"So… What have you been doing for fun." Oscar wore a face that was full of regret and cringe in his face. He really had no idea how to handle this.
"Oh I just play with some rocks, and sticks and stuff." Charlie mumbled, starting to look annoyed. The little guy was tired, Fiona could tell from his tone.
"Oh… uh, you don't play with the other kids or anything?" Oscar asked, sounding still nervous.
Lanolin lurked in the doorway, being a full lioness, watching her little cub carefully from the distance. Fiona could feel the dangerous aura around her.
Oscar definitely noticed as his whole posture changed with a shudder. Charlie seemed to snuggle in at the presence of his mother's protective instincts.
"No… People don't play with me. They think I'm weird. People are hard." Charlie mumbled, rolling onto his side and yawning.
Oscar nodded slowly with a sad and terrified smile, "Yeah, they are. Well, I'm glad I got to meet you. Your mom is an amazing woman." He stood up at that.
Charlie mumbled, "You too. You seem nice."
Oscar walked back and mumbled something with a bow at Lanolin, before he quickly walked out the doorway.
Lanolin nodded, and walked up to her son, "Hey Charlie, what did you think of that man?"
Charlie yawned, "He seems nice. He's very friendly, and doesn't call me weird." Fiona could hear the smile on the little lamb's face.
Lanolin smiled softly, "Yeah, he can seem like that at times… Listen, you know what I do is dangerous, right?"
Charlie moaned, before sitting up, "Am I in trouble?" The Lamb's ears deflated in such a pitiful display.
"No, no, no." Lanolin mumbled, pulling him close into a hug, "You're not in trouble. I just want to make sure you understand that I work in a dangerous job."
"You're in the army, people die in the army." Charlie mumbled as she let go of him.
Lanolin seemed surprised by the tone he gave, but she nodded, "Yes, people die in the army. We have to go out soon. Not you and me, I mean the army, ok?"
Charlie nodded at her quietly.
Lanolin sighed, "Now… I might not come back, ok. But understand that if something happens to me, it's not your fault. If someone tells you it is, they're a liar, ok?"
Charlie nodded quickly, "And they're a bad person, right?"
Lanolin nodded "Yes. I want you to know I love you, so, so much. I thank God that I got to have a beautiful healthy boy." She hugged her son tightly again, before pulling away.
Charlie mumbled in a cold voice, "I don't want you to die." He didn't sound distraught, rather he sounded cold and calculating, as if he was trying to think of a way to keep her there.
"I know, but we don't get to chose when we die… but we can make out death mean something, ok? If I die, I'll be building you a better future. And I'll see you again one day, just like the Wolverine taught us, ok?" Lanolin smiled down at her son.
He nodded, "Ok." Charlie sounded bright and cheerful once again. He really was different. Fiona had a feeling that he and Alister would get along great.
"I have to go now." Lanolin pulled her son in one last time and kissed him on the head. He pulled away and kissed her on the head.
Fiona pulled away from the window, and sighed. It was really starting to set in just how serious the fight ahead was going to be.
She walked back and rejoined the army. The moon was high up in the sky as the men gathered around, many looking at the dirt and ground, kicking small illuminated rocks with their rifles over their shoulders.
Gewis stood before all of them, with Johan the mighty Wolverine behind them. Gewis seemed… different, he looked troubled, but also strangely confident.
"Alright, Gentlemen, Ladies." Gewis gave Fiona and Lanolin light bow of acknowledgement, "I'll be honest…" He turned to look at Johan, who seemed to gaze up at the moon. Gewis then turned back to the men, "I don't care about this kingdom. I don't care about the snobby nobility and their stupid heroes. They can all blow it for all I care. They've never done anything for me, only brought me pain and annoyance." He growled angrily from his heart. Fiona could tell he meant every word.
The soldiers knew it as well. The looks he got and the murmurs from the ranks said that people were not happy. Gewis looked left and right, before nodding and sighing, "I know, I'm not exactly the best person to tell you we need change. I'm a prisoner, a criminal, I know it, and I would be weird if I didn't have some grudge against the jails."
Gewis sighed, and stood up straight, "But I won't stop fighting, because this isn't about me." The soldiers began to look up, at least the ones that could hear him did. Gewis took this as a sign to go ahead, "I'm not fighting for the crown, or the nobles. I'm fighting for me! For my freedom, for my betterment!" Gewis seemed to get encouraged as a few nods came from the rows.
He nodded with them and growled, " I'm fighting for the family that won't look at me, for the future that I can't see."
Finally Gewis smiled, "I'm fighting for my God, for my future, and for me!" He threw his fist up and few claps emerged.
It wasn't a roaring thunder, but Gewis didn't seem fazed. Fiona decided to give him a clap as well. That was at least a nice speech.
"So when you all go out there, on that terrifying battlefield, don't think of yourselves, think of everything we are fighting to build!" Gewis cheered, and more men began to clap and cheer, while some slammed the but of their rifles into the ground to show their support.
Gewis had a massive smile on his face, and gave a bow… which immediately took some of the thunder from the crowd. It created a certain awkwardness which caused the young fox to stagger about, embarrassed.
"Enough!" Johan growled, walking on fours towards the soldiers before bellowing, "We have a long journey ahead of us. No more wasting time, We march now!"
The soldiers nodded, and they set off. The first night they traveled for six hours of marching, before setting up camp. They set off at midday after everyone got their sleep, and marched more until the next morning. Then, something strange happened.
As they were preparing to set off, the soldiers erupted into a shout. Fiona ran to see what was going on, and they saw a… ninja. Not like the Chameleon, no, this was a lynx, which meant he came from… The Raiju clan.
Fiona had a good memory, and she knew they weren't exactly friends of the kingdom. But they also weren't amateurs, so he wanted to be seen.
"Greetings, I come to speak to the Wolverine." The Lynx bowed politely.
"I am here, speak quickly, before I carve your tongue." Johan growled as the soldiers parted. He approached on all fours, as usual, and carried a particularly agitated tone with him. He must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed that afternoon.
"Might we speak in private?" The lynx asked, eyeing the soldiers with annoyance.
"No, speak plainly now, or I will rip your limbs off and bind them to the trees." Johan snarled at the intruder.
"I come under diplomatic pretenses, We wish to present to you an offer." The Lynx explained, keeping his arms in as they soldiers eyed him carefully. The lynx quickly cleared his throat, "I am not the one offering, but she has sent me arrange our meeting."
"I have no time to stop and play with riddles. If your leader can not meet me here, do not waste my time." Johan growled at the lynx before barking to the soldiers, "We have wasted enough time, we move now!"
Fiona watched as the Lynx wore a surprised but haughty look on his face, shaking his head. Fiona watched from the back of the ranks as he disappeared, knowing full well this was not over.
/*-*/
The Armies trudged under the forest. The men marched in the night. They slept during the day, when it was hot and the air was thick.
Even as the moon rose over them, Johan felt an air of fear from the soldiers. Gewis had given his speech, Johan had done great works, yet these fools still continued to doubt his abilities.
They moved through the dark, guiding the carriages along the pathway. Johan would stop as the army moved, and check to see if anyone was left behind. They were moving slower, thanks to the extra weight and the unyielding nature of the carts. Still, they carried weapons that were needed for the coming battle, which was why Johan hadn't told them to discard the guns.
The men would rather distract themselves than face their fear to abandon it. Johan recognized it, and hated it with his very soul.
Johan finally saw the sun rising over the horizon, and decided to stop, "Stop, take a rest, we will move after we sleep." Johan gave the order and saw the look of joy on the men's face as they set up camp in a large field off the road. Johan settled at the end of the field, near a grove that was on the opposite side to the road.
Johan patrolled around the camp, his nose marking that there were intruders nearby. He could smell that they were close.
"You're angry, and they can tell." Gewis came to Johan, his body seeming to lack energy, "It's not good for morale."
"They continue to doubt me and my wisdom. They do not have any faith, despite everything I have taught them." Johan snarled, pawing at the ground angrily to control his anger.
Gewis frowned, "None of them are very well trained. You can't blame them for doubting themselves. They needed more time."
"Time is not something we have." Johan growled, patrolling his spot to clear his head.
"I know, but…" Gewis did not finish his thought.
Lanolin walked over to them, "The men are scared. They could use some assurance." She spoke softly, as if she was doubting Johan as well.
Johan growled deeply in his throat. He felt his anger growing, "Let them leave if they are so scared."
Gewis stepped in and spoke plainly, "You can't say that either. They have doubts, but they're sticking with us."
Johan growled more in his throat. He took a moment, and weighed the situation. Indeed, they showed over themselves, but they still allowed doubt to creep into their souls.
Lanolin waited and watched Johan patiently. She seemed to view and weigh him as much as he weighed the situation.
Johan growled, "So be it. If I must fight alone, then I will. If none of them will ride forth with me, I will stand alone." Johan's anger refused to leave him, he felt his blood boil in passion… and doubt. A strange feeling which worked its way into his heart, a clouding from the Enemy.
His general staff looked troubled, but they cowered away any dispute they might have.
Johan felt the air move behind him. He jerked around as Gewis called out the enemy. A blade rushed forward, and Johan raised his arm to catch the blade.
A long, single edged blade cut into his forearm from a masked and hooded cat, which Johan could tell from the smell of the body. A male, older, and perhaps wiser, but not wise enough as Johan grabbed his legs, and pulled him under his belly.
Johan roared in his attacker's face, before laughing. He felt pain. Johan looked at his arm and saw the blood coming from the blade. Johan pulled the blade out of his arm, watching as its weak point gave out and the blade snapped in two on the ground. Poor quality.
His anger had left, and in its place, happiness, "You have impressed me. Few have had the courage to try and kill me, fewer have had the will to see it through." Johan laughed as the figure threw a knife up at his chest.
Johan felt the knife bounce off his chest. Indeed, this man had the will to survive, so he deserved to.
"And you have impressed me." A young, womanly voice called from the grove nearby. A lynx in a purple garb and a strange, broad, pointed had stepped out. She held up a spear with one hand, with a sword at her waist, and a banner at the other hand. The look upon her face told Johan that she was VERY pleased to see him, "I have waited to meet you, ever since I heard of the… "Demon of the North". You are worthy of such a title." Her smile grew as the words left her lips.
Johan growled at her, "Speak who you are, speak plainly and if you lie, I will kill you." Johan allowed his snarl out at the cat.
The cat smiled something strange in her eyes, "I suppose I should introduce myself. I am the Bride of the Conquering Storm, Leader of the Raiju clan."
Johan growled softly. That name sounded familiar, as if it should be of importance. Still, his memory failed him about who they were. In fairness, Johan had not yet fought them, so why should he bother remembering their names?
"Why are you here?" Johan growled at her. She stepped forward, with her spear in tow. This "Bride of the Conquering Storm" had Johan on his guard.
"I am here because you refused to negotiate with my clansman." She sounded angry at that, before her tone turned happy, "Still, I've wanted to meet you for a while now. Ever since I heard of the beast that drove the legion out of the snow."
Johan turned to Gewis, "Prepare a table."
Gewis seemed angry as well, "Johan, this is the leader of the raiders attacking the kingdom. We're enemies." He clarified.
Johan growled, "They have come to speak, and barter. I will give them a chance to speak."
Gewis seemed to protest for a brief moment, before he went away.
He look down and released the attacker who had come, "I will offer you a chance to join me, and spare yourself any future shame."
His attacker returned to the Bride of the Conquering Storm, and bowed his head. She seemed angry with that, "Have you lost your nerve? I heard you kill anyone you can catch."
"I do not kill anyone I catch, I kill when it suites me. I kill cowards and the weak, but the strong and brave should be raised up." Johan growled, scratching his chest to deal with an itch.
The Bride's face turned less angry. Gewis brought over two barrels, and a couple of planks of wood. The Bride of the Conquering Storm stood at the makeshift table, and rested her elbows on the table, with her spear and banner placed into the ground.
Johan crawled over and sat down, on the other end, with Gewis and Lanolin flanking his sides. The Bride of the Conquering Storm smiled, "So, Wolverine, I must ask: how do you feel about the coming battle that is surely building."
"I will fight and I will win. There is no feeling behind it. I will win because I have the strength." Johan growled.
"Not by sentiment, or friendship?" The cat seemed to eye Johan carefully.
"Friendship is valuable, but it does not stop bullets, nor does it protect castles." Johan growled, scratching the ground as their meeting began to feel more like a waste of time.
"What do you intend to do with Eggman if you win?" The cat smiled, interweaving her fingers.
"I will kill him, tear his intestines from his belly and hang him for his crimes against nature." Johan growled from his throat. Her questions were tiring at best.
"Interesting. Sonic the Hedgehog thinks he should live." The Bride of the Conquering Storm clapped her palms together.
"His desires are not my problem. He did not have the strength to live in this world. If he does not have enough to strength to enforce his will, his will means nothing." Johan growled angrily. There was something wrong about her statement.
The Cat smiled and bowed her head, "I couldn't agree more."
Johan had enough of this discussion, "Now, You will stop raiding our lands. I will give you a single chance to return to your lands, and stop your foolish attack." Johan fiercely gazed at her.
She smiled in a way that unnerved Johan, "You are right. The only law of this world is might makes right. And now, Eggman is the mightiest power. That being said, I must say you are… impressive to me. You could join me, we could certainly use someone like you."
Johan growled in his throat, "So you will not surrender?"
The Cat smiled at him, "It's a shame. You are powerful and impressive. I don't want to see that put to waste, but if you insist on suicide, so be it." She stood up, and picked up her spear and banner.
Johan felt angry at her insult. She thought he would lose? He was going to destroy that miserable fool, then burn down her clan and home. He turned to snarl at her, only to find they were gone, vanished.
Gewis and Lanolin both wore a surprised look on their faces, gazing up Johan.
Johan growled, "Get sleep, we will leave in the night." He curled up next to the barrels and closed his eyes.
Gewis mumbled something, "I think she was flirting with him…"
"She was definitely making moves towards him." Lanolin mumbled back.
Johan could not care anymore. He was tired, and needed to prepare for the coming battle. He allowed himself to sleep.
When they awoke, the sun was still descending down the horizon, but they had no time to wait for it. Johan gave the order to move out. Again, he was reminded of the fear and lack of courage his men possessed. They had no trouble feasting, yet now the time has come to fight, they shuddered and wept.
Johan growled along the path, which slowly cleared to the capitol city. The large gates and walls created the illusion of protection, but his men seemed to welcome them.
Johan growled up at the gate, "Open, and we will come through to protect the city."
The guard immediately opened the gate and Johan's men came through. The city was asleep as the morning sun had yet to rise. Johan turned to his men, "Now, find a place to sleep."
A guard approached, "Actually, that won't be necessary. Many of the citizens of the city are staying in the keep. They've left their homes open to you, provided you don't steal anything."
Johan turned back to his men, somewhat surprised by the lack of selfishness from the civilized folk. Or perhaps they recognized that the army needed places to sleep if they were going to be effective. Johan turned to his men, "If any of you should take from these houses anything other than food or drink, I will impale you on the wall!"
The men gave a weak yell in approval, and Johan dismissed them. He found an alleyway to curl up in and sleep. The quiet damp, dirty alleyway reminded Johan of the cool clay by rivers in his home. Johan closed his eyes, and slept.
Or tried to. His sleep was good, until it was interrupted by a cry from the guards of the south gate, "Approaching convoy!"
Johan's eyes opened immediately, and he roared to wake up his men from the buildings. The men scrambled up to the walls when Johan heard a strangely familiar sound. The sound of engines running on cars.
Johan climbed the wall with Gewis getting to the top first, "STOP RIGHT THERE!" Gewis shouted as Johan looked over the walls. There were cars with guns on the top and long trucks with wheels. "WHO ARE YOU!"
The top of the front car opened up and a familiar, blue fox appeared, climbing up to the top of the machine gun, "I think you already know who I am. I got your message, and we came with what we could. The Desert Kingdom sends its support." Sonar smiled up.
Gewis gradually began to smile, before turning to the guards, "Open the gates. They're friends of us."
The guards looked at Johan, and Johan nodded. Indeed, while he hated the doubt in the soldier's hearts, he knew they would need all the help they could get.
They greeted the old desert friend at the bottom of the wall, with Gewis smiling especially large, "I was worried you didn't get my message, or that you would ignore it."
Lanolin seemed confused, but she remained silent, listening to the conversation.
"I wouldn't ignore a letter from you." Sonar smiled at Gewis, before turning to Johan, "And you, I heard you've been getting pretty big as well. You're the martial of the kingdom now?"
"Yes, in desperation, they turned to a warrior to fight their war." Johan growled, scratching his jaw.
Sonar blinked twice, showing she was clearly tired, "Well, you won't fight alone. Anywhere we can stay?"
Gewis mumbled, "You might have to bunk up. I think we have a few houses open, but we're pretty full."
Sonar smiled lightly, "Well, lead the way, we'll un pack in the morning."
The two went off together. Johan curled up and returned to sleep. The morning came swiftly, and Johan set to work, giving orders to dig the trenches out.
Lanolin's army began to move the large breaching guns to the wall, this time using large metal plates to shield the crew.
The Desert Kingdom Soldiers brought their cars and heavy machine guns. They brought several rifles, which were older than the bolt action rifles. It didn't matter, as they were still guns. The ammunition was welcomed, as Johan didn't fully know how large the attacking force would be.
Johan saw that the men and women of the desert seemed eager, ready for battle. Then he looked at his own, and saw their doubts and fears on their faces.
How his anger boiled at the sight of it. Gewis saw it on his face, as Johan made no secret of his anger at their cowardice.
Sonar and he seemed to talk a great deal. She seemed to enjoy his company, but they both seemed troubled by Johan's righteous anger.
Still, Johan dug through the dirt as they reached the end of the first row.
Then, Johan heard a lute, a simple tune. Johan turned and saw Oscar, standing at the wall, smiling down, tapping his feet to the tune produced by the red fox woman. Oscar smiled at Johan, and sang, "I know you're tired… of fighting and feeling you're losing ground."
Johan's men stared up at him as though he were a fool. Gewis seemed surprised but did not voice any complaint.
Oscar kept up a soft smile and sang, "I know your desires, to shape your own fate and left feats abound."
Johan listened carefully, but found himself soothed by the song. Oscar meant no ill will or anger.
"I know you're weary, with the ghost of a life that is haunting your bones." Gewis stepped forward and sang to the surprise of Sonar. There was truth in his words.
Johan looked down at his hands, and felt the terrible feeling of desire to return to the past. He saw his hands, covered in steel armor, an axe and shield in them. But he could not go back.
"Your spirit is angry, howling deviances to the unknowns." Gewis sang softly, before grabbing his red banner, "So when you ask who will ride before you? Who will bring your banner to bear?" Gewis raised his banner high, " Who will answer the carnage calling us? Send me forth I will always be there!"
The soldiers around him began to nod as the soldiers on the wall began to listen in and nodded their head. Their faces were not fearful or sad, but eager.
Gewis sang, raising his banner with fire, "Send me here I am!"
Lanolin joined in, raising her own banner, "Send me here I stand!"
The two sang, joined by Sonar, who put her hands on her hips, "We're waiting upon your command."
Johan saw his many commanders sing together, " Send me here I am!" They raised their banners high, and Johan saw the valor in their eyes. He felt his anger abandon him.
He sang back at his men, "I know the sorrow, in the words that you whisper out into the dark." His claws dug into the dirt as he sang, feeling a swift return of passion, "The fears of tomorrow, cold as the grave, they refuse to depart."
Johan saw his men lose some of their passion, and Johan nodded, before roar, "I see what this takes! The iron will forcing your feet to move on!"
He raised his fist with fire and vigor, " And left in your wake will be a trail of the victories you've won!"
His men's passion returned, and they began to sing louder as they dug into the dirt and began to lay out the trenches. Banners were raised high as they sang, "So when you ask who will ride before you? Who will bring your banner to bear? Who will answer the carnage calling us?"
Gewis sang forth louder than the rest of them, "Send me forth, I will always be there!"
Johan saw the men sing along with fire and joy, "Send me here I am! Send me here I stand!" They raised their shovels, axes and guns in salute, "We're waiting upon your command, Send me here I am!" They raised their voices into the sky.
Johan growled in approval, "WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!"
The Men cheered… as the old man in the wheeled chair came forward with his son pushing him. The men returned to work as he smiled, "I see you've inspired the men. That is good… that is very good."
"You have not fled, why?" Johan growled curiously. It was the nature of civilized men to flee from danger.
"I could not make it very far. Besides, I can not abandon my people. I will stay, and the fate of the city will be my own." The old man sighed, before his face went slack as a fool.
Johan cocked his head, and the king shook his head, "I apologize, I am tired, who are you?" He direct the question at Sonar.
She smiled and bowed, "I am Sonar the Fennec. I am the Martial of the Kingdom of the Sands, and daughter of Queen Myra."
Max seemed delighted to meet her, "Ah, a fine young princess you are. It's no small feat to lead an army, I'm sure your mother is quite proud. Alas, it is a shame that my son could not have met you before he was married that lowborn."
Johan cocked his head at that, and turned around to return to work.
Sonar sighed angrily, "Well, I only recently became royalty. I don't think you would have liked me before."
Johan heard some protests from Gewis as well, but he saw no reason to continue listening. There was work to be done, and there was little time for talk.
/*-*/
Alright, a lot to unpack. No Sonic part, but plenty of other characters get some light, including the Bride of The Conquering Storm.
More over, the conflict is building, time is running out quickly. The battle will rage, and the fate of the kingdom will be decided!
Please leave a review and let me know what you think. I love theories, observances and criticism. I will respond in the next chapter posted. If you want a private conversation, send me a private message. I will respond as soon as I can and it will remain private unless you give me permission to post it.