o3o: One more chapter to wrap up the Capitol Crisis. Indeed, most of the Freedom Fighters are working around the new system. Many of which are stuck in the choice between choosing the lesser devil in their eyes. Antoine, however, has been trying to make his way in the world. As for the Chaotix, they mostly work with Knuckles, and he's on his island. That's the in-lore reason why they haven't appeared. Of course, I also have character creep, where I have so many characters that need something done, that I start dropping some. That's a writer's reason. I'll try to work with them, but I don't like to neglect characters, so it's sometimes better to wait on introductions until I have a good spot to include them.
/*-*/
"You are… what?" Eggman's voice growled in a menacingly low tone. He grit his teeth as the sound came through the speakers once again.
Sonic wasn't exactly confident in his hearing, as he was in excruciating pain. Mecha Sally pulled her blade out from Sonic's back. His lungs wouldn't expand as they should have. Sonic sucked in air, his throat clicking as the air slowly worked its down his throat.
His body felt strangely cold, with sweat dripping down his stomach and eyebrows. He weakly raised his head. Sonic felt woozy, as the words came through the speaker.
"We're retreating. I can't …. with our current forces, and we've lost …. men and badniks. We're returning … to properly prepare." Clove stated, her voice sounding sad when it wasn't fading in and out.
"NO!" Eggman shouted, swinging his fists at the wall, "I ORDER YOU to go bACK and FIGHT HArder! I WANT that city FLYING MY FLag!" He smashed the walls again.
Sonic rolled his head to try and get a better look.
Clove looked rather angry, ready to counter Eggman's statement, "No, I will not! We can not take the city with our current army. Our ships are damages, and our strength if half of that when we started the invasion. We are retreating, and we are going to repair. I have men to attend to, goodbye."
The transmission cut out as Eggman smashed his fists on the screen, busting it with two large shatter imprints on the screen.
"THIS betrayal will NOT GO UNPUNISHED." Eggman smashed the screen once again, letting out his rage in a string of fury. On the screen until it went black.
Sonic mustered what little strength he could to laugh, "You… can't… win… Even with… me gone…" Sonic's chest felt off, like it was lopsided, and unbalanced.
Eggman turned to Sonic, his face bristling with rage, before calming down, "No… I'll just have to settle for your suffering. MECHA SALLY, stab him AGAIN!"
Sonic's beloved stabbed him in the leg. Sonic jerked, but his scream couldn't come out. He didn't have the breath.
"AGAIN! SCREAM for me, HEDGEHOG!" Eggman seemed to shout.
Sally stabbed Sonic's other, already scarred leg.
"AGAIN! SCREAM!" Eggman shouted.
Sally stabbed Sonic in the arm. SOnic… stopped feeling pain. It was strange. Everything started buzzing around him. The world was blurry.
"again!" Eggman's voice sounded like he was in a cave or tunnel.
Sally, in flesh and blood stood in front of Sonic, holding her blades up. She simply looked at him, with both contempt and pity.
Sonic thought he mumbled "Sal?" Though his ears weren't working right, so he couldn't say for sure if it came out as anything more than a grunt.
"I said again!" Eggman's voice shouted, being suppressed by the lack of working ears on Sonic.
Sally simply shook her head at Sonic, Her voice echoing as well, "If I do, he may die."
"Sir, his vitals are already failing, he can't take anymore." An voice mumbled from beside Sonic. He was having trouble hearing, and he was feeling tired.
"I said stab him!" Eggman shouted.
Sally's blurry form raised her sword at Sonic. Sonic closed his eyes, ready to sleep through it.
Sonic's eyes suddenly opened, the room was frozen, Mecha Sally's blade was freshly out of Sonic's chest as the world turned a blue hue.
Sonic saw the angry shouting of a frozen Eggman as Echidnas seemed to be rushing to Sonic. Sonic felt fine, it was strange how his suffering didn't seem to transfer to this weird limbo world.
Then Sonic realized why he was here. Death was coming, coming for him.
Sonic tried to move, but he was still in his restraints…. Which was weird. Sonic slumped down, and sighed.
Then he felt a presence in front of him. He was expecting to see the hooded head of Death. Instead, He saw a man. Short by Eggman's standards, but still taller than most mobians. The man had a beard, brown in color, and eyes which were also brown. His skin was light in places, as if it was obscured by clothing during the day, which highlighted how the man seemed to be in only underwear. He was considerably muscular, but also scarred along almost every inch of his body. Splotches, dashed and patches gave him an almost monsterous hide.
The man looked surprised for a brief moment and Sonic looked up to smile at him. He tried to give a quick one liner, but his mouth only gave a groan. He felt… unnerved, in danger simply by the man's presence.
The man leaned down, and cocked his head to inspect Sonic, before nodding, and speaking in a thick, old accent, "hwone scamu for gelær pinung, gen ðú aberan. Seldlic. Heahfæder séon ðú, hwy? Þencan acwelan ge beorgan?"
Sonic leaned his head up and saw the hooded figure of Death, standing in the doorway. Sonic sighed, waiting for him to step forward.
But he didn't. He seemed to almost hesitate, with a strange anger coming from him.
The man in front of Sonic sneered before sighing, " Feorweg besteppan unswefn, hé cnæ min afol."
Sonic wanted to say, "I can't understand a word you are saying!"
The man growled, " Ne essian fierst, gehælan þín sylfum."
Sonic lurched upward, breathing heavily. His body didn't hurt, and the room stared at him. Sonic's wounds had healed up, with very few scars left. But there were still scars.
His body screamed in terror, but it wasn't like he was anymore scared of Eggman or… Mecha Sally. Something about that man awoke a primal instinct, and when he gave an order, Sonic's body obeyed.
Eggman looked surprised by Sonic's recovery. He smiled, and rubbed his hands together, "Good, I was worried our fun had ended. Now, where were-"
"Sir." Lien-da stood in the doorway, leaning with a grin.
Eggman groaned, "What do you want now."
"Well, with our attack being a failure-" Lien-da started, her vanished when Eggman snarled, and clenched his fist tightly, "-withheld-" She corrected, "I was hoping to bring us a victory. I want to take Echidnapolis, and secure it for the legion."
"Why would I waste time on that city." Eggman growled, his fists shaking, show how delicate the situation was.
"Well, sir. I am contested for the title of Grand Master. If my opponent secures the city first, then the Legion will likely follow her. We may have to deal with defections and traitors if she succeeds." Lien-da snarled.
"Is that so. I'll just blow them up if they try anything." Eggman growled with a grin, and pulled out a red switch.
"Or, I could keep them loyal by securing the city, and cementing my place as Grand Master." Lien-da offered with a forced, agitated smile.
Eggman growled for a moment, seeming to be lost in thought, before giving the order, "Go, do it. And don't fail me."
Lien-da grinned and the two exited the room, discussing the invasion plans. Sonic just rested, and closed his eyes.
/*-*/
Fiona felt woke up to the sound of cheering, and cannon fire. She rubbed her eyes and stepped out of her little living quarters. She was a little tired. Apparently, her body was healing from several bruises and cuts, so she was just going to sleep it off.
That was good since her half of the army was actually told to go and get some rest. So when Fiona walked out, she saw the anti-air guns raised up, pointing at the sky as they fired shots into the air. The soldiers were running into the city, jumping and shouting with glee.
Fiona could see them roughing around with each other. Entire armies were coming in and grabbing foot to eat. Everyone was in good spirits. Fiona looked past the walls, and didn't see Egg Carriers flying high in the sky.
"We won! We Beat them back!" Shouted a wolf skipping along in with excitement.
Fiona nodded , and slumped down as more soldiers entered the city. They were all joyful, the idea that Eggman would win was no where in their minds. Fiona gave a nod of approval.
They all went to the messhalls and outdoor areas, ready to eat and drink.
"BRING OUT THE BEER! BRING OUT THE WINE!" A boar shouted triumphantly, pumping his fists into the air.
Fiona sighed as the royal guards came out from the castle to try and establish order. Then, Fiona saw King Max, being wheeled out by his son. The King seemed to be rather happy, almost lost in his eyes. Fiona could see his wife walking along side her husband and son.
The men, in their excite didn't seem to notice or care about the king. They simply broke out their beer rations and were chugging away.
That was Until Johan walked through the gate. The Wolverine had some burns across his chest and arms. His lack of armor had finally caught up to him.
The men turned and raised up some old tankards as they filled theirs up, "TO OUR GLORIOUS MARSHALL, AND HIS AMAZING GENERALS!" A boar shouted, chugging his drink.
The King smiled, and his eyes cleared up, "Wonderful, our kingdom is in good hands."
Fiona walked closer to Johan, who seemed… disinterested. He seemed to be scanning his men instead of partying and cheering.
"You should have fun, We have our first victory without… the princess or Sonic." Lanolin mumbled, offering Johan a tankard as she came through the crowd.
Gewis came down from the tower, apparently waiting for Johan to come back, "Welcome back, ready to party?" He sighed in relief, as if waiting for the party was painful.
"Why?" Johan simply growled, and Fiona felt herself surprised. His words were apparently loud enough to deafen even the roaring cheers. The men stood in silence, watching the beast as their smiles deflated and the air hung in silence.
"W…Well, we won." Gewis mumbled softly, shifting uncomfortably.
"Yes, we won. You have all done well!" Johan raised his voice to let the men know what he thought, "But this battle was a small note in our large war. We have stopped an attack, which means little. They will come again, unless we destroy them completely."
Some of the men looked agitated and angry, others looked ashamed. Fiona didn't know how to feel.
Johan growled, "This was good, but we will host a true feast when the Egg man is nothing more than a memory."
The men sighed, and nodded. Some set down the extra hard bread that they were going to eat. Hardtack didn't taste good anyway, so maybe they would get some actual good food.
As if reading her mind, Johan turned to the King, "My men have earned meat and fruits. Let them eat for the night."
The King nodded with a wide smile, "Yes, of course! I knew I was wise to choose you… and trust my good council." He turned to look back at the chipmunk woman who stood there, waving softly to the soldiers as they passed by.
Johan saw his eyes and followed them, before nodding, "Indeed, a wife should be the wise advisor to a king."
The king gave Johan a simple smile. Fiona's eyes drifted to Elias, who had a scowl on his face. He seemed to take Johan's victory strangely personally. His scowl grew with every compliment sent Johan's way. Fiona saw his jaw clenching.
"Elias, my boy, it is important to surround yourself with capable men to fill the tasks you need done." The king smiled in a rather proud way.
Elias really grit his teeth at those words. The boy was never fond of his father, but Fiona had a feeling that he had some deep rooted issues, and those could cause some serious problems.
"I think you made a good choice." Elias grumbled, with Fiona's sensitive ears just barely picking up on the sound.
"I can see that now." The king smiled, "But I grow weary, I am retiring for the night, please let my stewards know if there is anything you need." King Max then reclined back into his chair.
Elias rolled the old king away, leaving Johan with the rest of his commanders.
Gewis then turned to Johan, "So, I want to know why you are so opposed to celebration?"
Johan cocked his head at Gewis.
Gewis blinked before rephrasing, "Why are you so opposed to this celebration?"
Johan nodded, with a slight smile on his mouth, "Better. I am not opposed to joy and feasts, but do not let the men believe that every small victory should give them a large feast. Do not let them grow soft and expecting."
Gewis blinked and sighed at that, "I guess I understand, but I think we should have this. I mean, it is our first victory without Sonic or the Princess. The guys finally believe in themselves."
Johan growled for a moment, "Very well. Let them have a feast, with games and parties. Remind them to be strong and resist urges. And assemble my generals, we have much to talk of."
Lanolin stepped forward, "I'll assembly everyone, You just stay put." She ran off.
Fiona sighed and decided to step away. She was going to enjoy herself, and eat something. She walked over to where most of the members of her army were, and she grabbed a barrel of beer.
"Hey, are you supposed to be drinkin'?" A shrew asked, putting his hands on his hips.
Fiona lowered a wooden cup under the barrel, and sighed, "A doctor won't stop me. He can try though."
The shrew laughed, and elbowed his friend, a stoic ox who simply grunted in annoyance, "Well, I guess hav-a go at it."
Fiona raised the cup to her lips and drank down the yellowish brown liquid. It felt nice and refreshing. It also gave her a moment to clear her mind.
Fiona hated that she had missed the end of the battle. Bosphor had demanded that the injured stay home, but still, it felt like she had missed out on a lot of fun.
Fiona also thought back to her dream. Was God showing her Sonic was still alive, or was that something more symbolic? Her heart was anxious and excited in the sunlight. Fiona couldn't explain why, but she needed to resolve whatever that dream was.
It's possible it's just a dream Fiona thought to herself. But it had felt so real, and Fiona actually remembered it. It wasn't something that she forgot in the morning.
Fiona finished her cup of beer, and grabbed another cup. She grabbed some meat that was being rolled out and chewed on it. It was pretty salty, but she needed to eat. Some fruit later, and Fiona was actually feeling better.
Which meant it was time for more drama. Fiona heard an uproar from the men towards the front of the city. She moved quickly, or as quick as she could without tearing her stitches, and saw several members of Lanolin's army standing in a circle, shouting into the center.
Fiona walked up to the army and saw the horse mobian standing there, pointing at Oscar once again, shouting, "You've got some nerve acting like you are anything more than scum!"
Oscar just growled and shook his head, "What ever, just enjoy the victory party."
The crowd of men began to "boo" loudly. Fiona moved through the crowd to as they seemed to swarm the two soldiers. They wanted blood or something, and Fiona wasn't sure how to calm everyone down.
"You're the commander's little pet! You've been her little lap dog since the beginning!" The horse whined, raising his arms to rile up the crowd.
"I understand how to listen, something you lack!" Oscar snarled back, getting more and more agitated.
Fiona tried to move around so that he could see her. Fiona wasn't sure how to get the horse to stop, but she could try and keep Oscar from playing along.
She finally got behind the horse and raised her hands at Oscar. He saw her, and Fiona raised her arms, and lowered them down, getting the message across through the shouting crowd: Calm down.
Oscar gave a slight nod, and went back to eating what looked like a slice of pork.
The horse growled, "You just follow her around and serve her every wish. You aren't a man at all!" Fiona moved around, watching as the horse was so smug with a grin on his face. The crowd roared around them.
Fiona moved to give some scolding to a couple of wolves, "Stop it, don't egg them on."
Thankfully, Oswald continued to eat some more meat, hiding any emotion he had about the comment with a pretty stone looking face.
"I bet you two do things behind closed doors. Was that why you weren't at the hospital getting stitched up, huh?" The horse growled after not getting any response from the last comment, "That little whore make you feel good?"
Fiona felt a jolt in her spine as the words left his mouth. Even the soldiers around seemed to sober up from those words.
Some were still shouting, but the chorus was quieter, and man began to slowly back away, ready to distance themselves from the coming storm that was threatening to erupt.
Oscar didn't seem to take too kindly to those words. It was obvious when his arm clenched up. Fiona noticed, and the horse noticed as well.
"Oh, yeah, is that? Were you two engaging in passion while the rest of us were sleeping in the walls? Did she like it?" The horse taunted, gleeful at his final breakthrough.
"We didn't do anything, I promise." Oscar growled in a low voice, trying to make his position very clear.
Fiona groaned as she stepped in, "He's telling the truth! They weren't doing anything objectionable." She was clear to be on his defense. God knew how bad this could get if they weren't careful.
"But he did have those lecherous thoughts, didn't you?" The horse pressed his advantage against Oscar.
Oscar snarled, and clenched a fist, his eyes began to twitch, but he remained silent. Like he was worried he'd say something stupid, or maybe just too stunned to speak.
The men around the horse, however, were starting to sober up. Fiona smiled at it finally dawned on them that the words he was speaking would get back to Lanolin, one way or another.
The horse didn't seem to care, "You thought about the whore in such vibrant ways, have you not?"
Oscar's muscles locked up and he began to breath heavily, balling his fist.
"You surely thought about embracing her generous bosom, no? Squeezing it, touching it, lic-" Before the words left the horse's mouth, Oscars fist flew at it, striking his face, knocking the horse to the ground.
Oscar shouted, "STOP TALKING ABOUT HER LIKE THAT!" his shout was accompanied by his fur bristling up in rage, creating a larger form.
The Horse didn't seem to care, and actually smiled, before throwing a punch at Oscar's face. Oscar slid across the table he was sitting at, before sitting up and tackling the horse with an angry shout.
Fiona rushed forward, before the crowd parted, and she was greeted by a very angry sheep standing over the men.
The two continued to beat each other on the ground like children. Oscar was stronger, thanks to the fact that he was a bear, but it didn't seem like he was stronger by much. He shouted, "YOU WILL START TREATING HER WITH RESPECT!"
Lanolin's face was that of rage and fury as her eyes burned, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE! GET OFF EACH OTHER!" She grabbed Oscar and pulled him off of the horse and threw him back. She was clearly not happy.
Oscar stumbled back, and his rage turned to curiosity and regret as Lanolin scowled and glared down at him. She growled at…Oscar of all the mobians there, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!"
"H…He was accusing you of…" Oscar started, but slumped down almost like a lost child.
"I DON'T NEED YOU TO DEFEND ME! YOU'RE NOT MY HUSBAND, YOU'RE NOT BY BOYFRIEND! YOU ARE MY SOLDIER!" Lanolin shouted in rage, her fists shaking violently as she snarled, before turning and pointing at the horse, who looked rather smug until he saw her finger, "YOU SMELL LIKE BOOZE, GET YOURSELF UNDER CONTROL!"
The horse snarled and stood up, before storming off.
Lanolin turned back to Oscar, raising a finger to point in his face, but before she could get a word out, he backed away, almost weakly, "I'm going to change divisions." He sighed.
Lanolin recoiled, and blinked, as if she wasn't expecting that response. She was thrown off by that statement. She gave a distant nod as Oscar walked towards the Wolverine.
Lanolin seemed to realize that every around her was watching, and she shouted, "Alright, move along!"
Fiona sighed and walked up to the sheep, "He was defending your honor."
Lanolin turned to Fiona, and shook her head, "I don't care. He's not my lover, my knight or anything like that. He's one of my soldiers, not even that anymore."
Fiona sighed and went back to eating and drinking.
/*-*/
Johan ate some bloody meat and drank some barely beer. He watched Stoix as she swung the sword in the field, it striking the ground, and nearly pulled the badger off her feet.
She panted and groaned as she raised the sword up and rested on the guard of the weapon, "How am I going to use this thing?"
Johan growled, "You will get stronger. It will take time, but the blade will work for you because your body will rise to the challenge."
Stoix nodded, before growling, "I just wish it wouldn't take so long. I want to swing my Da's sword."
"Keep training." Johan growled, "You will get better, or you will die trying."
Johan felt a form near his side, and he turn to look. It was the wolf-fox, "What do you need?" Johan growled, in his throat.
"I was of very brave, no? I was very strong, very brave, very fierce!" The wolf-fox, exclaimed, pushing a fist to his chest in pride, with his voice thoroughly angering Johan.
Johan growled, "I did not see you."
The wolf-dog took immediate offense, "What? But I was of very braves!"
"I do not dismiss it. I did not see you." Johan clarified, before growling, "I will… look further." Johan promised. It was not fair that the wolf-fox that he should not be raised up for valor and strength. Still, Johan had doubts concerning the small creature.
The wolf-fox shrank before nodding, "Very well, I will be of waitings for my position."
Johan would have to speak to the wolf-fox's commander. He turned to return his place where he was before. Johan's ears perked up and he heard the sound of shouting in the distance. It seemed that Lanolin's men were easily riled up, and preparing to fight.
Johan turned to Lanolin and growled, "Your men are preparing to fight."
"Should I go stop it?" Lanolin asked quietly, sounding confused.
The rest of the commanders turned to stare at her with that statement, with her shrinking down at their gaze.
"You should. You must show strength, and prove that you are able to lead them." Johan growled at her, giving her a nod.
Lanolin nodded back at him and ran back into the city. The rest of the men were content to watch Stoix train with her sword. She picked it up and began to swing once again.
Gewis approached Johan and asked, "Are you sure you don't want to help Lanolin."
"She must lead her men on her own. If she relies on me, she has no power, only the power that I give. Lan- Lanolin will learn to lead her men." Johan dismissed his fear. She was capable, it would take some work, but she could be a fine commander.
Stoix swung her blade too far, and it slammed into the dirt once more. She put too much force into the strike, and the blade was no longer in her control.
Johan heard the uproars from the men, and his mind became curious. Lanolin could surely calm them down, he knew that much.
The loud shouting began to quiet itself. Johan relaxed as the men grew quiet. Stoix continued to swing her sword, more with the intent to move the object than control it. Thus, the blade continued to defy her, as she exhausted herself.
Johan felt a form approach him. He saw it was Oscar, coming to him, looking sad and defeated.
"What troubles you?" Johan growled, not liking the look of the bear. He hated the defeated, weak men who allowed themselves to be consumed by their own weakness. The Saxon made sure that no one would have that mindset.
"I want to go and serve under a different commander than Lanolin." Oscar bowed his head to Johan.
Johan waited for a moment. If he was asking to leave her army, then Lanolin had failed to solve the problem in a fair way. She was not as good of a commander as Johan had hoped for. That disturbed him.
"I see, she has failed her duty to be just to her men. I will remember this. Anyone may chose to leave a commander if we are not in battle." Johan explained, growling in his throat.
Oscar seemed to be afraid at those words, "No, She didn't do anything wrong or anything like that!" He held his hands up and was suddenly defensive towards her.
"Yet you wish to leave her service?" Johan cocked his head.
Oscar frowned, and looked down at the ground. He again looked weak and pathetic, "It's not about her. She did fine… I need to get away from her. I got into a fight, and… My opponent said some stuff about me. It got me angry."
"Were you angry because he lied, or because he told the truth?" Johan growled at the bear, who seemed weaker than ever before. Johan's disgust only grew.
"Because he was telling the truth." Oscar sighed, before continuing with anger in his voice, "I have urges, I want to do things to her that I shouldn't. They keep getting stronger and stronger. I can't control them, and I'll hurt her if I stay. So I need to get distance from her, at least until I can get myself under control." He confessed to Johan as though that would justify his weakness.
Johan weighed his words before growling, "If you leave, you will never control your desires."
Oscar looked up at him with anger and fear, "What?"
"You only run away from your problems. You can not out run them forever. You must endure those desires, not flee from them. Do not give in, and make yourself a man. You must be strong enough to beat your weakness, not avoid it." Johan growled at the bear for not knowing the obvious solution.
Oscar frowned, "I don't want to hurt her."
Johan growled, pushing past the bear as the other commanders stood up, "If you truly do not wish to hurt her, you will overcome your weakness. I can not force you to fight with her, that would be foolish of me. But do not confuse cowardice with courage."
With those words, Johan entered the city. The soldiers all looked at Johan as he did. Johan made his way to the center and growled, "We are leave, and going back to the main base. Prepare to leave by tonight."
The men moved swiftly, gathering their weapons and preparing to move. The Garrison would be enough to face any threat the Egg Man sent.
Johan turned to Bosphor as he walked, "Where is the prince."
"He's up in the castle." The bear grumbled in frustration.
"Go, tell him to prepare to move." Johan growled. The prince was also cowardly, and a problem. Johan had a feeling that boy held anger against him, but was too scared to speak it.
No matter, He would speak eventually. He couldn't run from his problems forever.
/*-*/
Alright, there were some spoilers in here if you know where to look, and how to look…
The men have had their first full victory over Eggman. A perfect storm in their favor. But wars aren't decided by the first battle, and there is more trouble on the way.
Tune in two week from now for the next arc "Battle For Echidnapolis"... So yeah, no chapter next week.
Please, leave a review and tell me what you though, both of the chapter and the arc as a whole. I don't mind negative feed back, I also love to hear theories about what is going to happen. If you don't feel comfortable in posting it publicly, you can send me a pm and I won't make it public, or I'll at least keep you anonymous unless otherwise stated.
Also, if you like my writing styles, check out my other stories. Thank you.