o3o: The defeats Sonic has suffered, they add up and when your love is being forced to torture you, it does something to a man. He is suffering, and he will need help.
As for Fiona, it wouldn't be much of a story without troubles arising. There will be issues, but what kind remains to be seen. There will be plenty of trouble for Johan too… once we get to the actual battle.
Anonymous: Sonic is suffering, but help is on the way. It just can't arrive fast enough.
So, Sticks is a character I have twisted a bit. She's more than a paranoid comic relief character in this. That being said, there's plenty of fun to be had with her.
Tails is suffering as well. He has a guilt complex, combined with the beatdown of self-pity. But there is hope in the future.
/*-*/
Sonic woke from his dreary sleep to an electric shock. He let out a screech as thousands of volts coursed through his body, unable to stop shaking.
"Rise and shine, hedgehog." Eggman's voice cackled with glee as Sonic's vision slow came to. He was still in the large, white torture room that held Sonic there. The equipment was still the same as before, but the screens were turned off, and all that was really working was the vitals( Sonic could hear the machine beeping), the lights( Which were extra bright) and the torture controls( His body gave him pretty clear signs that those were working)
Mecha Sally stood by Eggman's side, watching Sonic with the cold, blue eyes that were just common form at this point. Sonic didn't bother trying to reason with her, plead with her or anything. What was the point? He had tried so many times, and they all failed.
Sonic failed.
He'd tried to stop Eggman, He'd tried to save Sally, He'd tried to escape. He failed in all of them. Sonic just slumped over, and sighed.
"Don't!" Eggman growled, stomping his foot against the steel floor, "Don't you ruin this for me!" He slammed a button on the board and Sonic felt a volt shock him straight up, letting out another scream as his muscles rippled through his body.
Eggman shouted, "Don't you give up yet! I want to savor every moment of this! YOU WILL BE READY TO RESIST, THEN I WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER!" He smashed the desk, and turned to Mecha Sally, "Stab him!"
The Machine walked forward and drew her energy blades, before raising them up to Sonic's legs.
"Stop!" Eggman ordered, before grinning at Sonic mischievously, "Aren't you going to tell her to fight it? Don't you think you can still reach your precious little princess? Or have you given up on little mommy, and accepted that she will never return to you?"
Sonic simply laughed. He didn't care what Eggman had to say. It was all talk, just there to get Sonic riled up and angry. Sonic was done giving Eggman what he wanted, "Just get on with it, Eggman. I've got plenty of time, so we might as well make this day interesting." Sonic grinned back at Eggman.
The Doctor seemed to get frustrated by Sonic's words at first, but then he smiled, "Well, you do have a little life left in you. Since you asked so nicely… Mecha Sally!"
Mecha Sally thrust the blade into Sonic's leg, cutting into the bone. Sonic felt a jolt from the damage, and let out a squeaky yelp as the blade came out. She leveled the blade with Sonic's other leg, and thrust it in. This one missed the bone, but still stung.
Sonic groaned in pain, and sweat once again began to pour down his head as he shook.
"You know, hedgehog, if you beg for mercy, I might just let you off easy today. I have someone else I wish torture anyway." Eggman snarled, tapping his fingers together.
Sonic scoffed at Eggman, but didn't say anymore. Eggman didn't need anymore, apparently as he stood up from the sound.
At the same time, a message came through, "Doctor Eggman, The remainder of the Sixth Egg Army has returned."
Eggman perked up, before looking down at the speaker. Sonic continued to hang down as Mecha Sally brandished her blades threateningly towards Sonic. Eggman's face darked, and he locked his fingers over his Egg Mobile, a low growl escaping his throat.
Sonic remained quiet save for the breath he was catching while everyone was distracted.
"Mecha Sally, cease anymore fun until I say. Leave and recharge." Eggman commanded, before hovering out the doorway.
Mecha Sally's blades disappeared, before she turned around, and stared walking. She made it to the doorway, before stopping, and passing a cold glance over her shoulder. Something was different this time. It almost looked like… she felt bad for him.
Did Sonic dare to hope that? He didn't know, but his heart leaped at the idea.
The door remained open as Mecha Sally disappeared behind the doorway. The door closed, leaving Sonic to hang in there, laying his head down.
He saw shadows move behind the white windows, the obvious large one being Eggman, while a smaller form was more obscure. Sonic dared to keep his eyes open, watching the forms grow more and more energetic.
The shorter form remained stoic and still, but Eggman had no problem raising his voice enough that Sonic could hear the sound of his voice through the walls. Sonic couldn't make out the words, but the vibrations reached his ears just fine. Sonic groaned and lowered his head.
"Are you ok? Do you need something?" An Echidna whispered up at Sonic. Sonic turned his head limply to face the Legionnaire.
"Water…" Sonic gasped as his throat felt parched. It would at least alleviate some of the discomfort he felt.
"Alright." The Echidna moved to the water dispenser that was next to his computer, gathered the water and walked in front of Sonic to give him the little paper cup. Sonic drank it and while it wasn't exactly a pitcher, the cool water felt nice going down his throat.
Sonic gasped as he finished the cup, panting as he said, "Thanks."
"No problem." The Legionnaire smiled, before tapping his foot in front of Sonic, "So… uh, are you like a secret experiment or something?"
Sonic blinked slowly, not even having the energy to answer that. Gosh he sounded old. Sonic rolled his head and smiled, "What? No… Just born this way."
The Echidna blinked before slumping down, "Oh… Ok So-"
Eggman walked through the room angrily, and the Echidna backed away and went back to his station. Eggman didn't seem to notice or care, walking in with the green and black deer who walked in looking sad and frustrated.
"You'll spend some time in here, so that next time you think about acting cowardly, You'll remember that there are consequences for your actions. If you fail me again, it may not be you up in those restraints." Eggman growled, before turning around and walking towards the door.
"I did it to save lives!" Clove pleaded with a quiet voice.
"Yes, and it may cost your sister her precious treatment." Eggman snarled, before walking out and shutting the door.
Clove slumped down, her ears drooping and her tail flopping down limply. Sonic was quiet, and watched Clove ball her fist, before opening it, and balling it again. She was torn between anger and sadness. She jerked around and glared up at Sonic, before shaking her head and slumping down.
She pulled up a small chair and sat down. This poor doe, Clove, looked terrible. The two sat in silence together. Sonic didn't know if he should even bother trying to talk to her. Then again, he wasn't going anywhere.
"So… I saw the battle." Sonic gasped, sounding weaker than he expected. He hoped she wouldn't notice.
"Please don't speak of it anymore." Clove grumbled, her knuckles tightening and locking up, "I don't need to talk with you. I just need to sit in this room until the Doctor has had his due."
Sonic tried to nod his head, "I know. It's just I think you did the right thing."
Clove remained quiet, grabbing her pants as her eye began to twitch, and she began to flinch strangely.
Sonic explained, "You tried to keep your people safe. I don't think anyone can get mad about that." He smiled weakly at her.
Clove growled, "Please, be quiet!" her knee snapped down in frustration.
"I think you did good." Sonic gasped, before finally deciding to shut up.
Unfortunately, Clove stood up, and turned to the Echidnas, "Give me some time alone with him." Her face was steely and unreadable, and Sonic realized he probably should have shut up.
"Ma'am, I can't leave him in here alone-" The Echidna who got Sonic the water stated softly, in a pleading manner.
Clove turned to him with her cold face, and sighed, "Give me some time with him, now."
The Echidna wanted to protest, but he got the message, and left with the other one. That meant the two were finally alone.
Sonic continued to hang by his restraints, feeling his heart beat a little faster in panic as he realized she could hurt him pretty badly if she wanted to.
"I tried my best." Clove slumped back in her chair, seeming to be so sad and frustrated, "I needed more time!... I couldn't risk anymore of them." She seemed so small, and weak. Clove was about to break.
"You did what you could." Sonic reassured. Wait, why was he reassuring her? She was with Eggman.
"No, I could have planned better. I should have stalled for more time." Clove crumbled before Sonic's very eyes. She hugged herself and grit her teeth, "They depended on me to keep them safe." Her arms were shaking violently.
Sonic could tell that she genuinely cared about the deer she lost. Sonic felt his heart ache for her at that. His mind drifted to his father for the moment.
Clove suddenly jerked up, "Why am I telling you this? How stupid can I truly be?"
Sonic shook his head, "No, I won't use this against you. I won't try to manipulate you. I know how it feels. This stays between us." Sonic gasped at that, but kept to his guns. He wasn't going to abuse her trust.
Clove eyed him suspiciously, before nodding, "I know you're a good man. I knew that much when I joined the Egg Army. Now I am a commander, and you are my enemy." Sonic heard the regret in her voice when she said "Commander".
"You didn't want to be an Egg Boss, did you?" Sonic asked, feeling his lungs tighten. He was really battered up.
"No… I didn't. But I had to." Clove sighed, slumping in her chair, before raising a hand to stop Sonic from asking anymore questions, "Save your energy, I have someone who needs help, and Eggman is the only way for me to get it. That is why I am doing this."
Sonic's vision started to blur, but Clove was firm in her voice. She was dedicated to protecting this person…
"You're… sister?" Sonic asked, his chest feeling heavy and his breathing feeling strained.
Clove shook a little, surprised by the fact that Sonic could figure it out. He was almost insulted by how stupid she thought he was, but she nodded, "Cassia is all I have left from home. She… is very sick. I need to help her. If I don't do well, she doesn't get treatment."
Sonic nodded softly at the pronghorn, "I get it… I'd do the same… for my little brother." Sonic gasped again, before coughing as his throat grew dry. When he looked up, Clove held a paper cup with water in it up to Sonic's lips. Sonic drank from the paper cup, feeling his strength slowly come back.
Clove growled angrily at herself, "I wanted to be a painter. I loved the landscape our hills and mountains. But I can't get that life while my sister needs my help."
"We could find a cure for what ever her problems are." Sonic offered her. He didn't know anything about illnesses or disorders, but he knew Tails, Rotor and Nicole were smart, and could probably find a way to fix everything.
"It's a shame I never met you before all of this." Clove smiled sadly, slumping down, "I think you would have been a good friend to have. Unfortunately, I can't afford that friendship right now. My sister needs her treatments, so we have to be enemies. The Doctor has the treatments, and I cant afford to lose her. She's all I have left."
Another thought lurked in Sonic's head. Both Eggman and Johan threatened to make people's lives miserable if they did not comply. Was Johan really any better than Eggman? Outside of being on their side, he hurt a lot mobians just get what he wanted.
"I got you." Sonic confirmed, sighing and slumping down in defeat, "I wish we didn't. I hope you get through all of this, and your sister gets better. Maybe, one day, we can be friends."
"I don't think that day will come." Clove sighed, shaking her head, before turning around to leave the room, "I hope you live, and can find more freedom, because I don't think your kingdom will last."
Sonic slumped in his restraints as Eggman buzzed the door and Clove left. Maybe they didn't have a chance. Sonic had failed his kingdom and every mobian who counted on him by being captured. He continued to fail them.
/*-*/
Fiona sat over the road as badniks moved towards the kingdom. Most were construction badniks by the looks of them, but there were also Swatbots and Motorbugs. She stuck to the inside of the tree, watching as the machines were followed by Mobian wolves and Echidna's. The legion was moving in to the kingdom.
Once they were finally passed, Fiona back across the branches and made her way back to the group, who had hidden in a small ditch. She jumped down each rung of branches and landed onto the ground, "Alright, we're clear to move. It looks like they're moving a lot of construction bots."
Sticks rose out of the mud she was hiding in, "Bah, they're buildin' a fort! Going to try and keep us out!"
Oscar rose from the ditch, shaking his head in annoyance, "Come on, No one builds forts anymore. It's a big waste of time."
"I mean, I would say it held off the Egg Carriers for more than enough time at New Mobotropolis." Renault smiled, climbing up the trench in a rather unthreatening fashion.
Oscar scowled, seeming extra agitated by the pig's comment. It was a good point, and apparently, he didn't like that. He caught himself, and nodded, putting up a fake smile, "Yeah, I guess I was wrong."
"Don't feel too bad about it. So, what are we going to do when we get home?" Renault smiled, and hoisted the attack beacon pack over his shoulder.
Oscar licked the inside of his mouth before climbing out as well, and walked alongside Fiona and Sticks. He carried the recovery beacon pack on his back, and it wore on him.
They made their way across the roads and into another marshland. The water was an unnatural shade of brown, and the trees seemed to droop. They were definitely outside the kingdom. The water would have to be boiled, and they would be relying on packed food supplies for the rest of the trip.
Fiona turned to give everyone the warning, "Hey, we need to take care of the water before we eat it, ok?"
"No problem here." Oscar grumbled, raising his leg and shaking off extra bits of debris as they stepped through the swamp.
It was still organic plant mater, but it was definitely polluted and toxic.
Sticks stepped through the swamp, clearly unhappy at every turn. She needed actual clothing for this kind of water, but she didn't pack any.
"So… What are we are we all going to do when we get back?" Renault smiled and laughed nervously, "I'm going to get a nice warm bath, clean off all of this oil and… gunk."
"Bah, you bathe in cold water." Sticks grumbled, "It's natural, pure and easy. And you can drink it if you're in a river." She seemed to smile at that, and looked over to the brown river longingly.
"Richy rich boy, huh? Able to afford a hot bath?" Oscar grumbled, glaring at the pig for the moment, "You a noble's boy?"
"What? No, I'm a farmer from…" Renault stammered, not knowing where to place his origin at, "Do you not have hot baths?"
"Hot baths take a lot of wood. Most of the poor class can't afford them." Fiona snarked as they climbed out of the marsh onto a small island, "It was a dead giveaway."
"Oh… Well, What are all of you going to do when you get back." Renault shifted the focus, as if embarrassed.
"Me, I'll probably get a bath and go to my post." She mumbled, helping the noble pig out of the water. That was a lie, the truth was, she was going back to visit her brother and nephew, and make sure Sonic was ok. She was hesitant to bring him up, because there was a good chance that no one would believe her, nevermind letting her go to get him.
"Oh… What about you, a big guy like you must have a lady or someone waiting for him?" Renault turned to help Oscar up onto the island.
"No, Drop it." Oscar growled, suddenly becoming guarded and defensive. He climbed up the island and brushed off his leggings.
"What? Come on, you're big and strong-" Renault wouldn't shut up. Fiona tried to move in but it was too late as Oscar threw a punch across the pig's snout.
"I SAID DROP IT!" He shouted, knocking the Pig to the ground on his side.
Renault seemed to be shocked by his out burst, and rubbed his cheek, before standing up in a huffy mood, "That's not nice!"
Oscar growled and balled his fist again. Fiona grabbed the arm and twisted, "Stop it! You're an idiot, you know. He didn't know about any touchy subject you had. None of us did! You need to grow up and talk about this!"
He lurched forward again, causing Renault to stumble back. A form moved over the young noble.
Sticks had her sword drawn, rocking back and forth under its weight. The only weapon they actually carried. She stood over Renault in a defensive pose. Fiona's mind went to a dirty place as she wondered if Renault could see anything under the cloth, "Order from all of you! Control yourselves!"
Oscar trembled in rage, and Fiona twisted his arm even tighter until he yelped. Then she eased up on it, "Are you calm?"
Oscar seemed angry, but nodded, "I'm calm… Sorry Renault. I shouldn't have hit you." He didn't elaborate, but he had calmed down enough, so Fiona released him.
Renault crawled out from Sticks and stood up once again, "Alright… Don't hit me anymore. I didn't know not having a woman was such a heinous subject for you." He started using his noble vocabulary.
Oscar growled once again, and balled a fist. Renault held up his hands.
"Wow, breaking out some big words?" Fiona snorted, reminding Oscar that she was right there. He calmed down again.
"What do you… I mean, tough subjects." Renault shifted quickly. As they were wearing uniforms, it was harder to spot nobility within the ranks of the army.
"You're the son of fancy boy." Sticks grumbled the obvious, suddenly rolling her eyes, putting her hands on her hips after putting her sword on her back.
"You're a nobleman." Fiona sighed, shaking her head at the idea that one, the fact that she failed to catch it was a little upsetting because that was one of her specialties. Not that someone would blame her for that.
"What, no… I'm just a farmer from the northern duchy of Mandea." Renault tried to deny it. However, the locals had their own term for the duchy, and only the nobles called it by its proper name.
"Oh, and what did you farm?" Oscar asked with a smug curiosity.
"We farmed onions." Renault smiled, standing up proudly.
Oscar and Sticks looked at each other before a smile crossed both of their faces. The two laughed and Oscar chuckled, "Really, you'd plant onions in the spring?"
Renault froze, before looking away, "I am… a nobleman." He confessed with a sigh, "I thought I would go unnoticed because you are not nobles."
Fiona blinked at him. Oscar snorted and Sticks simply nodded and kept walking, looking at the ground curiously.
"What?" Renault smiled weakly.
"I'm the sister of the Duke of Roja." Fiona scoffed, shaking her head at his ignorance.
"I'm the daughter of a mountain chief." Sticks mumbled, brushing some foliage aside.
"I'm the son of a craftsman." Oscar grumbled. That one didn't really work.
Renault slumped down in shame, "I didn't realize you were… mostly nobility yourselves."
"I don't get why you wanted to hide it?" Fiona snorted, and it definitely made no sense. IT wasn't like they would have restricted the mission.
"I didn't want you to think I was that I was soft." Renault mumbled, shifting where he stood. Fiona had to restrain herself, from laughing.
"Trust me, we won't think you're soft and weak because-" Oscar started with a laughing smile.
"Quiet! Get down!" Sticks growled at them. Fiona shrunk behind the tree, the boys jumped into the marsh and Sticks dove into the mud as well.
As they did, a red light began to swipe over the area, scanning across the brown and dark green foliage. Foina peaked out to get a glimpse of the scanners. They appeared to be special badniks with search lights, patrolling the swamp.
She shrank back as the light ran back over the tree. Were they searching for something, or was it just patrol duties?
The machines scanned again, passing over the swamp areas, before they began to rumble. Their didn't seem to have legs, but instead had strange floats and motors that wound up as they moved through the swamp area.
Sticks held her sword in her hands, grinning eagerly, before sighing. They'd have to be careful, and sleep in the trees if they wanted to avoid being hunted.
/*-*/
Johan's eyes opened up from the inside of the plane. He felt the shift in the movement as it began to lightly descend.
"Attention everyone, strap yourselves in, we are about to land and it could be bumpy." The fox's voice came through the radio system. The soldiers in front of Johan began to shift with an uneasy fear.
The plane rocked from the wind.
"Calm yourselves." Johan commanded, "It is only wind."
"I'd rather not die on this metal bird." Simon, a Wolf, growled at Johan.
"I see. Your fear will surely shield you from the ground." Johan growled back at him.
The wolf turned and focused on what was in front of him. Johan felt the briefest feeling of doubt in his mind as he realized the fox had no time to prepare for the craft. Johan shook the doubt, as it would not serve him anything good.
The dark casing continued to shudder. Johan could hear Gewis's heavy breathing as the fox allowed his fear to consume him.
"Calm yourself. I would not lead you here to die." Johan growled at his men.
Some turned around to look him in the face before nodding. The plane continued to descend. A factor that added to the fear of the men was that they could not see what happened, as the cabins were separated by a metal plane, and only a doorway that was closed.
The plane started rocking violently, shuddering as it began to lurch forward, with wheels screeching in anger as the plane slowed itself. The Men began to grip their seats with a swiftness, both to calm themselves and to right themselves.
Finally, the plane slowed itself to a halt. The soldiers were shaking in fear, but it quickly passed over them as the door to cockpit opened and the Fox stepped out and leaned against the doorframe, "Welcome to Marble Hill."
The soldiers finally relaxed and the Fox and attendant opened the door on the side of the plane. The soldiers began to unload their equipment from the plane. Johan was the last one to leave, but they still needed to unload the packaged large scale weapons that had been set in the back behind Johan.
As Johan walked out, he realized they were on a white cliff. The cliff was not made of snow, and the areas around him were made of stone…. Marble. There were rocks and stone bricks of a failed kingdom around them. Whatever was before, it had not earned the right to survive.
He aided them in unloading the large weapons. The men were restless, which was good. Johan turned to them as Ezra stood close by, shifting around with anticipation as the sun began to rise.
Johan examined his men, who were simply enjoying the solid ground. Many of them had probably not ever flown. "Prepare to move. Fox, where is the city I need to take?"
"It's that way. A few miles." The fox, Tails mumbled, pointing east. The sun would be to their back.
Johan turned to his men, "Then we will carry ourselves off this cliff, and we will meet our enemy in their city. We will destroy them there, and we will destroy them anywhere they would hide!"
The men looked at Johan, inspired before becoming afraid, as though realizing they would be marching. Yet they did not protest.
As Johan got low, his instincts put him on guard. He spun his body around and swung am arm into a red Garden Defender's fists. The creature had strangely been able to fly through the air. His arms were strong, very strong. Strong enough to respect.
"No more, I won't let anymore of you destroy my island!" The red Garden Defender shouted. Johan knew little of what he spoke of, but he also cared little for why the creature fought.
"Wait, Knuckles, We're friends!" Tails emerged from the plane.
The red Garden Defender failed to keep focus, and took his eyes off of Johan, who grabbed him and threw him into the ground, shouting, "Finally a worthy foe!"
The red Garden Defender rose to face Johan and he snarled across his face, "You!"
The Tails rushed in between Johan and "Knuckles". Gewis spoke, "We're with the kingdom of Acorn. We've come to help Echidnapolis."
"What? Who's this? Where's Sally. Hell, I'd even take Sonic at this point! What's going on!" Knuckles barked at the fox in confusion, looking around at the armed soldiers, "Why are there so many of you?"
Tails looked down at his feet, again displaying his shame, "I have a lot to catch you up on."
Johan growled, "Are we not going to fight?" He was so joyful to see an enemy of great strength challenging him.
"No, We have more import things to do!" The Fox shouted at Johan.
Johan growled, but knew the Fox was right. It did little to appease the battle urges that lurked in his heart, "Then we will leave now. Men, prepare to march!"
"Wait, Knuckles knows this Island really good. Let him lead you through!" Tails offered with a shout.
The red Garden Defender opposed that, "I'm no guide! Find your own way."
"But we could save Echidnapolis. We just need to get there quick!" The Fox begged. Johan growled in his throat. He would not beg for anything.
The red Garden Defender frowned, before sighing, "Alright, I'll lead you through the mountains. It'll get you there much faster."
Johan nodded and they set off, following the young warrior. He led them through a hidden cavern that was lit by crystals and a river of molten stone that led to a large pool. It bore the likeness of the stories of Hell.
Indeed, it was very warm near the river, but they mostly moved overhead.
Knuckles the Strong followed beside Johan, walked forward with a strong focus Johan could respect it. Finally the red Garden Defender spoke plainly, "You're pretty strong."
"I am." Johan observed, before replying, "You are strong, and powerful."
"Yeah." The red Garden Defender replied briefly.
"You chose to attack us, though I am clearly not like your enemies." Johan pointed out, more curious than angry.
"I didn't know you, and I wasn't about to wait and find out if you were friendly or not." The red Garden Defender proclaimed, before balling a fist, "I say strike first before they get a chance to hit back."
"I respect that." Johan gave a nod at the warrior.
Knuckles then turned to look at the army of a hundred men following, "What do you plan to do with them?"
"We will take the city." Johan explained, walking over a cool stone in the cave.
"With a hundred men, against several armies?" Knuckles asked, with confusion and doubt in his voice. Johan could see his curious eyes watching him.
Johan decided on a calmer answer than he had given before, "If wars were only decided by numbers, then there would never be fighting."
"Well, we'll see about that. Good luck fighting the Legion." The Red Garden Defender grumbled.
"Wait, you aren't coming with us? We need all the help we can get." Gewis proclaimed with his arms out, and his voice echoing through the cave.
"I have to guard the Master Emerald. I don't have time to deal with the Legion." Knuckles growled, kicking a small rock along.
Gewis turned to Johan for assurance. Johan didn't give him the answer he wanted, "If that is your wish, so be it."
"What? Are you really going say it's ok to sit this out? Apathy is a crime, right?" Gewis sought Johan's approval.
"No. A man has the right to decide what he should fight for. If he avoids battle out of fear, then it is a crime. If he avoids battle because there is no value, then he makes a choice." Johan growled, clearing his thoughts for his follower. Gewis did not care for his answer, but nodded.
"I hope you do good. I don't need anymore visitors on my island." Knuckles grumbled in his throat, before they approached a wall.
He jumped up and grabbed a crystal. The stone wall lowered, and Johan saw the towering structures in the distance… along with the Carriers.
Johan and the army walked out of the cavern. The Carriers loomed over the city, but did not destroy it.
"It's still standing?" Gewis asked, sounding shocked.
"The city needs to stand. If Lien-da destroys it, then she loses any legitimacy she has with the Legion. There's too much to gain. The fighting is going to be really bad, why am I here?" Ezra asked, shifting nervously like a weak pup.
"You are here because the people need to see that you are worthy of the crown I will give you. They will see you fight, and they will chose you over your enemies." Johan growled, glaring at the town.
He could still hear fighting, and this was going to be a serious battle, but not one he could not win.
/*-*/
Re-enter Knuckles, along with Some Sonic and Clove interaction. A struggle for Echidnapolis sits on the edge, and there is more in the city than meets the eye.
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