o3o: They are united by the common enemy, and a mutual need to Save Gala-Na, who is the highest councilor in Archie. Johan respects the strong and the brave. Julie-Su fits those conditions, and he's only going to respect her more as they fight together. This chapter will finally get us back on track with Sonic and Fiona, but I realized I needed to catch Johan up.
Ranoutofideasforaname(CH:32): Welcome to the story, I always love it when new viewers come along, and I love it when they leave a review.
So, Bunnie is a character I struggle to work with, particularly with giving her a story that intersects with the three protagonists. I'm trying to keep her in the story, but I don't really see an arch for her to undergo, or an event to shift her position anymore than I already have.
Cream and Vanilla aren't really active on the frontlines, and Vanilla is in a coma, so there's not much I can do with her. Cream is going to be very important in the future, but for now, she's there for Johan to take charge of.
Your criticism is important, and I do like when someone can give me a metric to improve on. I'll try to work with some of the more obscure characters… once you get to this chapter… lol.
This story is larger than I originally thought it was going to be.
Guest: Fair enough. I know Johan is not for everyone. I'm honestly surprised it took me this long to get push back from him. You grasped his views and origin mostly correct, although murder is debatable depending on the definition you use. He does kill, but he might not murder depending on the definition you use. The one he uses is attacking an unarmed, unsuspecting and incapable person without any notification or time for preparation. That would be dishonorable.
As for Johan, he is not necessarily meant to be liked, but he's not meant to be hated either. You can see he has a code he lives by, and it has its appealing and unsavory parts of it. His power is great, but he's not invincible, just extremely strong, as you'll see… never, because you're done… I didn't really think this through… did I?
/*-*/
"And it seems the Egg Pawns are superior to the old Swatbot systems, taking the victory with a three-to-one elimination." Orbot stated with a bit of surprise.
"Hmm, interesting, perhaps its time to retire the old swatbots for good." Eggman grumbled, pretty impressed by the results. He was full of life and enjoyment.
Sonic hung limply from the metal magnets that restrained him. He was out of breath, and could feel the bleeding holes from where his quills had been ripped out without restraint. Sally was alive, that was important. He was tired, very tired.
"Cheer up, hedgehog, you got what you wanted, and I got what I wanted. I'd say it was a fair deal." Eggman laughed, slapping Sonic's sore back.
Sonic groaned in pain as blood continued to drip down. The quills would grow back, this wasn't his first time needing to have one or two removed. It would take a few days before they sprouted. But he would be fine. They just hurt.
Eggman scowled, "What, no whimpering or begging for your life? Come on, make this fun for me!" Eggman threw his hands up and before balling a fist. He punched Sonic in the stomach.
Sonic lurched forward and coughed as Eggman pulled away, " Give me a reason." Sonic snarked back between panting breaths.
Eggman smirked at Sonic, before punching Sonic in the stomach, forcing the hedgehog to gasp and cough. He took a desperate breath as his stomach sent him alerts. The two Echidnas looked a little worried at Sonic, before focusing back on their work at the computers.
Eggman smiled, thoroughly pleased with Sonic's response, before pressing a button on the wall, "Egg Boss Six, come to room 164 now."
Sonic panted in his restraints as he waited. Eggman stood, tapping his fingers together menacingly. Sonic felt the stuffy air begin to hurt his nose.
Then, the door opened… with the young pronghorn woman stepping in. Clove was here at Eggman's request.
Eggman put up an angry smile, "You took your sweet time, I suppose you wouldn't have cared if this had come with treatment for your sister."
"I didn't mean any disrespect or to waste your time. I was simply away with what remains of my army, and we are working on repairs." She spoke so submissively, powerlessly. Sonic knew she was in pain as she bowed her head, "I've also had to write back home to those who… aren't going back."
"Hmm, yes, yes, How are my carriers?"Eggman waved dismissively, pushing his glasses up with his other hand.
Clove grit her teeth before sighing, "They are still being repaired. They sustained far worse damage than we originally thought. The Kingdom of Acorn should not be taken lightly, sir."
"Bah, I know exactly what they are up to. They got few inevitable hits in, but they won't last long. Those people will scared, and they'll break apart into teeny-tiny pieces." Eggman growled, interlocking his fingers together as he climbed into his Egg mobile. Once he sat down, Eggman smiled, "Now, speaking of breaking mobians down, this hedgehog needs to be tortured." Eggman gestured to Sonic.
Sonic gave Clove a friendly smirk, before he rolled his head back, "Come on, Eggman, you think she'll do better."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand. I am an officer; torture is not in my realm of duties." Clove stated, her eyebrows forming a scowl across her face as she tried to show a smile, "I should be preparing our troops and leading our men."
"Your job description is whatever I tell you it is. Now I need someone to torture this Hedgehog, and you will do it. Once you're done, I'll get more… treatment for your sister. Consider it an incentive program. You hurt him enough, and you get what you want." Eggman smiled as the Egg mobile began to hover over the ground.
"But surely there are better followers to handle this. Your mechanical princess has the tools and nature to do-"
"My mechanical princess is undergoing repairs. I want you to do this. Consider it a test of loyalty. Hurt him, but don't kill him." Eggman smiled at her before flying out of the room quickly, laughing as he did.
Sonic hung limply with Clove looking around the room. There were two witnesses to what ever she was going to do. The first thing Clove did… was sit down, and pant to herself, as if she had just been punched in the stomach.
"Are you ok?" Sonic asked in a labored break, gradually getting his strength back.
"You know what I'm going to have to do to you, and yet you ask if I am ok?" Clove panted, before giggling to herself. It wasn't a sane giggle, it was a stressed one, "I don't like blood. I'm not… I don't like to be cruel."
Sonic nodded at her slowly. She wasn't ready for what she needed to do at all.
"But if I don't… my sister will get worse, I can't lose her." Clove whined before closing her eyes and balling her fists. She punched her own thighs in frustration, before rubbing her hands over the top of her head.
Sonic sighed, knowing that she was just making the best decision for her family, "Go ahead, do it. I don't blame you, I hope I wouldn't do the same… but if it were my little brother, I can't say anything." Sonic braced himself for a cut or beating.
"Now you are compassionate about it. Why? Make this easy for me, please! Give me a reason why you should be hurt." Clove demanded, raising up a staff and holding it out to point at Sonic.
Sonic opened his eyes and sighed. His fears and doubts worked their way to the surface once again. "I'm terrible." Sonic confessed, "I let my girlfriend fight, when I knew she wasn't feeling great. I told my little brother that I hated him. I let everyone I know down." Sonic slumped in his restraints.
Clove pressed the button on her staff, and the curved scythe made of energy came out. Sonic gulped and braced himself once again. He didn't want her sister to suffer, and if his suffering could save her, then so be it.
"You aren't terrible. You've just made mistakes. None of them are as bad as mine." Clove sighed, keeping her scythe in front of her as she slumped in guilt. Her fists began to shake as she did so, before whining, "I need to hurt you… but I can't. My sister is going to suffer because I… I have to."
Sonic could read the rest of the statement: but I don't want to.
Sonic gulped and reached for straws. Then he found one, "You're just painting a picture… on my chest. That's it." Sonic mentally screamed at himself for demanding more torture.
Clove looked up at Sonic, horrified by his statement. She cocked her head, "Why would you help me with this? You know what you will suffer."
Sonic groaned, "I have a little brother! I wouldn't lose him for the world! You know what you need to do, so do it!" Sonic demanded at her in a rather uncharacteristic forcefulness. He was tired of the suspense. He wanted it over with, "Save your sister, paint your picture." Sonic demanded.
Clove looked at Sonic before nodding and closing her eyes, "Thank you. I'm sorry for what is about to happen."
Sonic just nodded and closed his eyes. The scythe cut quickly, shallowly across his stomach.
The torture was painful, but after ten minutes, Clove broke first, "I can't do anymore. This is where I stop. He must be pleased with this."
Sonic looked down at his chest, heaving. There were several cuts, nothing terribly deep but the mass of them was painful to both look at and feel. She had carved small eastern buildings into his chest, taking his painting analogy to heart.
Sonic's blood was smeared in certain places, and he could see off the glass of the doors that the carvings made a village on a mountain. She was so precise and accurate with each strike of her weapon, it was truly impressive if it wasn't so painful.
Sonic imagined Tails, sick with something life threatening. He would be desperate too, "You did good… I'm hurt pretty bad. "
"Please, don't be graceful. I have done something… horrible." Clove rested her head in her hands, gritting her teeth in frustration.
The damage was hardly anything serious. Sonic had thin cuts, but nothing deep that would cause long term damage. He could endure it, and only have to deal with the incredibly uncomfortable feel of having his chest flayed.
Eggman walked in, strutting with glee, "Ah, I see you two have been getting acquainted, as per my instructions. Very well, your sister will receive another batch of treatment. This makes up for your failure at the rodent's capitols."
Clove had a defeated look in her eyes. She wasn't ready to keep fighting.
Sonic panted from his restraints, and laughed, "Well, are you happy now that you've scratched me up a little." Sonic did his best to taunt Eggman.
Eggman scowled at him, before turning back to Clove, "Well, I suppose you didn't hurt him enough to shut him up. Oh well, More for me, I suppose." Eggman glared at Sonic, and waved Clove off. She took a moment to register what he was telling her, before she did as she was told and left the room.
Sonic smiled at Eggman, "You can't hurt me anymore Eggman. You have nothing else to hurt me with." Sonic laughed a bit, perhaps being a bit intentional with his taunting but Eggman deserved it completely.
Eggman, instead of getting angry, actually smiled, "Is that what you think? I can think of a couple of ways to hurt you just a little more." He spoke with such malice and confidence as he ran a finger down Mecha Sally's metal shoulder.
Sonic hid his fear and smiled, "Come on, we both know you wouldn't hurt her. You'll never stop talking about how you have the Warrior Princess as your robot butler." Sonic hoped that was enough to keep Eggman focused on something other dismantling Sally for fun.
"Hmmm, there are other ways to make you suffer, hedgehog. Don't you worry…" Eggman growled, before grinning, "Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know that I am going to stop the torture again, for now."
Sonic snorted. He wasn't falling for that one again. Eggman had offered to stop before, and then immediately started torturing Sonic two days later. Sonic would stay ready.
"Oh, and I thought I'd give you an update on what is going on with our little project on Angel Island. Our little Grand-master has a lot to prove, so she's hard at work seizing the city. I'm looking forward to a nice little status report from her, telling me all about how the city now flies the Eggman banner." Eggman taunted in front of Sonic.
Sonic simply snorted, panting a bit as his body came back to full strength, "Come on, Eggman. Even with out me, they'll kick you out, no problem."
Eggman smiled, taking a deep grin one his face as it darkened a blackness, "Well, You seem to be in high spirits. You'll find that those are misplaced all too soon."
Sonic felt a little, unnerved by the knowing face Eggman made, but then again, Eggman was known for boasting about victories he didn't have. He suddenly turned around, and walked out the doorway. That left Sonic, Mecha Sally and the echidnas in the room.
"Leave us." Mecha Sally stated at the echidnas who were just trying to do their job.
They left without much of a fuss, quickly shuffling outside. Sonic heard the male groan, "Awe, she puked." In annoyance.
Mecha Sally waited for the door to close before turning to Sonic, "You did good. I am still alive, with minimal maintenance needed."
"I did what I could for you." Sonic sighed with a smile at her. He still hung limply from his restraints, but he tried to stand up.
"Indeed, that is why I brought you a reward." Mecha Sally stated through her monotone voice. Her chest piece opened up, and a brown paper bag was stored. Chilidog and fries.
"You're amazing, Sal." Sonic smiled, and Mecha Sally held the dog up to his face. Sonic opened his mouth and ate. It still wasn't as good as Uncle Chucks or anyone in new Mobotropolis, but the lack of good food in the prison had made anything taste great.
"I will have to ask you to suffer more for me. My foes will only get more difficult." Mecha Sally stated as Sonic finished the dog and licked his lips.
"Anything for you, Sal. I'll do it." Sonic smiled at her. She nodded and turned around, and Sonic called out to her, "I love you, Sal, we'll get through this."
Mecha Sally stopped, and nodded, " We will." Then she left, leaving Sonic alone in the room until the Echidnas returned.
/*-*/
They kept moving through the large plateau which they had started on. Eggman had set up base very far from the front, that much was for sure. They were over their time, surely.
Fiona shook her head, and tried not to think about the scolding they would probably receive for being late… if not more serious punishments. Fiona really wasn't sure what Johan would do if they failed. Of course, if they missed the drop, then they'd be walking home, but he would really leave them like that?
Fiona thought it would be better not to tempt fate as they moved across the high ground. Fiona was first ahead, even though Sticks insisted that she be allowed forward. She just wasn't quiet enough to pass under the radar of patrol bots.
Fiona's ears flicked as she heard the motor from the patrol Badniks coming along. She whistled quickly at her team, and they dove behind sleeping trees and ditches.
There were more this time, five on patrol, as if they were guarding something more valuable. The badniks began their scans once again. Scanning across the flat grounds, the machines seemed to be sluggish, and slow to move. Like they were on alert.
Fiona wanted to kick herself. Of course they would be on alert, there were check-ins every so often with each checkpoint. There wasn't anyone on the last checkpoint to answer the check-in. Maybe a piece of her thought that they would be slower to react, but that was a distant fantasy in that moment.
The badniks stopped scanning, and Fiona got ready to move. She could hear the rest of her group rising up as they got ready to start running past the patrols. The patrol badniks turned to the west and started moving.
Fiona stepped out to start running.
Suddenly, the Badniks stopped and turned around. Fiona returned to her spot behind the tree, and took a deep breath. Did they hear her?
They immediately started scanning again. Fiona looked over in the ditch where Renault was clutching his seized legionnaire rifle like it would save his life. Then again, they might need to fight their way out.
The machines continued to scan in a way very similar to how they would normally, just in a slightly different spot. They continued to scan as Fiona shifted behind her post. She decided it would be best if she found something else to focus on instead of the impending danger.
She turned her head to look at Sticks, who was practically skipping with joy at the idea of fighting them. Her hand was already on her sword, and her shoulders were jittering from behind the tree.
Oscar was at least well there to keep her in place, holding her free arm and keeping the badger restrained. He was also pretty calm, or keeping up a good appearance.
The machines scanned their way once again, and everyone shrunk down behind their cover. The red light passed over the trees and the brown, rough ground.
Then the lights stopped, and the machines turned. Fiona shook her head at Sticks, who was about to rush out. The Badniks were rolling away, this time with more speed, continuing their patrol.
Fiona relaxed and passed a thumbs up to Sticks and Oscar, who then passed the thumbs up to Renault. They got up and moved quickly past the patrol area that the badniks had taken.
Once they were clear, Fiona kicked to the dirt to remove any tracks. She drug her feet while everyone climbed into the trees and got ready to sleep. Thankfully they refilled their water and grabbed quickly edible food.
Fiona climbed into the tree across from Sticks' and opened her pack… to find that the food was already dwindling…
Fiona scowled before realizing why. Ultimately, the food wasn't terribly filling, thanks to the fact that it was easy to eat. It didn't need any cooking or treatment, which meant that it was… something. Fiona couldn't figure it out, she just knew that they were eating more.
She ate most of the food in her pack, and set it over. That was concerning, but they'd discuss it in the afternoon once they woke up. It was strange sleeping in the morning, but that was their plan to avoid patrols.
In hindsight, it made no sense, as they weren't dealing with living creatures most of the journey. It wasn't like machines needed to sleep. That being said, it wasn't time to tempt fate, and risk getting spotted in broad daylight.
Fiona snuggled up as she bent into a V-shape in the tree. Her eyes closed as her mind slowed down to get some rest.
Fiona woke up to the sound of everyone getting out of their trees, and dropping down. Fiona gathered her things and joined them, holding up her Legionnaire rifle.
Sticks stopped them from leaving, "We need to talk about our food, we need more."
"Are we really almost out?" Renault asked, opening up his pack, and looking down at the food that was in his bag. He frowned and pulled out four potatoes and three packs of canned meat.
"Have you even been eating?" Oscar squinted at the food. He still had enough food for three days, more like six with how little the young nobleman had been eating.
"I do, I'm just not too hungry at nights." Renault smiled with embarrassment on his face. Fiona looked below his face and down at his stomach. He had been losing a bit of weight since the trip had started.
"Are you sick?" Fiona glared at him. He wasn't eating properly
"N-No. I'm fine, I'm in good health and I feel great. A little tired, but I am not ill or nauseous." Renault insisted.
Sticks cleared her throat, "He says he's fine. If he won't tell us what is wrong, then we don't need to know. Right now, we need to figure out how to get more food."
"Well, why don't we just use his food. He's not going to eat it all." Oscar proposed, giving the pig a light elbowing. Renault put up a forced smile as he lightly flinched from the tapping. Fiona would have been inclined to agree if it weren't for the fact that the food was only going to last them maybe one more day.
"That will last us one more day if that. We need more." Sticks insisted, with her mouth twitching slightly.
Fiona frowned and thought of the route she would need to take to. Her memory of her dream was not great, "I don't know where we go from here to get more supplies."
"That's why I say we do something a little brave for once." Sticks grinned, rubbing her hands together.
Fiona blinked as Sticks explained her plan to the group. Fiona could feel the doubt and fear coming from the others, and it wasn't unwarranted. It would waste time, and was dangerous for the secrecy of their operation.
"Do any you have a better plan?" Sticks insisted, putting her hands on her hips. She had a smug grin across her face as if she knew that her way was the only way that would work.
So they went with the plan. They moved through the forest, taking careful steps to find cover. Sticks led this time, guiding them towards the sound of the machines moving through the forest. This was stupid, and crazy, but it might have been just enough to work.
Fiona sat low, following Stick's surprisingly quiet lead. She kept low to the ground as the Machines continued to scan. They crept closer, with the boys, who were louder thanks to the heavier equipment they were carrying, staying back.
The Patrol badniks stopped scanning, when they began to flashing a glowing red light on their back. The machines promptly turned around, and moved back towards Fiona and Sticks. They quickly rolled behind some roots as the scanner badniks rolled past them.
Was the red light an indication that they were low on power? That would be a serious tell in a fight, but then again, it was possible that Eggman wasn't expecting these things to be out for so long, or to see actual combat. It was also possible that the red light indicated a detection, and they were spotted.
Fiona and Sticks continued to follow the machines as they rolled over small cervices in the ravine before going down the slope of the ravine. Once the two girls had caught up to the ledge, they saw it. If the old area was an outpost, this was a small base.
Fiona could already see four guards on the outside, two at the front entrance of the road or south side, where Fiona and the others would come if they weren't hiding, and two on the west side, the direction where Fiona and the others currently were.
Fiona crawled up to a root and counted three buildings instead of two. They were all full sized, and likely had several men inside. The guards who were out were alert, with fierce and determined looks on their faces. They knew something was up.
They went to the large building on the east side, with a large door opening up and letting the machines inside.
Fiona glanced at Sticks as the boys caught up, "Are you planning on attacking this one?"
Sticks frowned, and tapped her fingers on her end of the root, "We'd need to be quick, and quiet. We have to attack."
Fiona gulped. They were definitely outnumbered, and going to fight a force considerably larger than they were used to. Fiona glanced at Oscar, who seemed hesitant, and Renault had the same look a thousand times over.
Sticks frowned before shaking her head, "Ok, what we do is we scout the area and find a weak point. Soft boys, stay here, keep that stuff right there. We'll go around."
"What? They're on patrol, they know we're out here. That's a bad idea." Fiona whispered to Sticks in a scolding manner.
"We need the goods. We need them now. I don't see any better options. We raid the outpost, and get out quick. How much further did you see the base?" Sticks demanded to know.
Fiona thought for a moment. It wasn't terribly far. They would need more food, but not much. Three days worth of food. Suddenly, the tractor-bike they had lost seemed so much more valuable. They'd lost enough time, they couldn't afford to lose more.
"What if we raided the storehouse in the night. We go in quick, grab what we need and then leave." Fiona offered to the badger.
Sticks frowned, "What if they sea us?"
"Then we go your way. But we can't risk it, ok?" Fiona stated at the badger.
Sticks groaned, but nodded, "Fine, We will be quiet. Let's go find the storehouse."
/*-*/
Johan felt the firm ground under his feet. He felt tired despite just waking up. He felt hungry, with ravenous pain in his stomach. Johan shook himself as he rose, growling in his throat. He struggled with his memory of why he was out in the concrete.
Johan smelled blood. He sniffed the air, and tracked the scent, walking to his right and finding an old, cold body. Johan pressed down on the chest cavity of a Red Garden Defender, and tore into the stomach area, tearing into the stomach muscles and securing his meat in his mouth.
He bit down again, this time into the arm, tearing it off and crunching on the meat and bone. He felt better, sore and somewhat hurting, but he could live through the pain.
Suddenly, Johan felt a form behind him. He jerked around and snarled, only to make eye contact with Gewis, who looked happy to see him, "You're alive! That's great." Gewis let out a breath of relief.
Johan looked at his body. He had taken a lot of damage in the last battle. His body was tired still, likely from the damage and loss of blood, "I am, this pain was a small annoyance."
"It almost killed you." Gewis insisted, pausing for the moment and then stating, "I'm glad it didn't. You made it through alright, I think. Do you feel good."
"I am weary, but it will pass. " Johan growled rising up and shaking himself. He had been injured in the battle, but they had slaughtered the Legionnaires in two of their bases. All that was left was to destroy the last camp they had set up.
Johan still needed to find Gala-na. It was time to move. "Prepare the men to march."
"What? No." Gewis stated firmly at Johan.
Johan turned his head and growled, "What?"
"No, you have not recovered yet. You've been sleeping for a day and a half, but you aren't anywhere close to being ready. Let's rest and try it tomorrow." Gewis offered, sounding fearful for Johan's life.
"I do not need your fear, I need your courage. Prepare to fight!" Johan growled at his officer, snarling and pawing at the concrete.
"No. We are staying an extra day. You need to get better." Gewis insisted, angering Johan even further.
"We will lose the speed we have gathered! They are broken now; we cannot let them recover!" Johan explained, growling angrily at the fox.
"And they'll be more of a challenge. You like challenges." Gewis offered a rather confident smile. He knew he had Johan, or so he thought.
"They will not be challenging, just stronger. We will lose more men, get ready to move!" Johan barked the order louder.
"Now is not the time for you to be stubborn! Come on, you're half-dead. We can try after a day of rest." Gewis insisted once again, grabbing Johan's arm in an effort to convince him, "Our guys need you alive. I'm saying this from a place of respect and love for you."
Johan took his words carefully, and took the moment to calm himself. One more day. That gave the enemy a lot of time to prepare a counter attack. Still, he was tired and sore, "One more day, then we will attack."
Gewis gave Johan a firm nod, and Johan went back to eating, tearing up the body even more. He would prepare, and be ready for the march when it would come.
"Hey… We counterattacked out of the town hall. We're home free and able to move around the city for the most part.
Johan cocked his head at that, surprised at the brave move, "You led an attack?"
Gewis nodded, shifting with pride at the surprise in Johan's voice, " Yeah, I figured it would wrong for us to sit back in the town hall while you were out doing everything. That's why I set us out to help you… That's why we showed up when we did."
Johan smiled. The man saw an opportunity, and seized on it. The fox was a good commander, no doubt. Johan would look forward to seeing him grow in the future.
/*-*/
Alright, Everyone is moving… except for Sonic. He's still stuck in his little spot. Fiona and the others are going to get more supplies, while Johan is forced to stop his campaign, and recover his strength.
So, with my job, I might slow down or fluctuate with the next arc posting. You might get a few really close together and then none for a few weeks. It is an adjustment to say the least. Still, I won't abandon this story… because it's my guilty pleasure.
Please leave a review. You guys keep morale high, and I do not mind criticism or feedback. If you did give constructive criticism, please give me an example of something that was wrong, and elaborate on what you'd like to see. It doesn't have to be criticism either, if you just want to say you had fun, or had a theory, I'll respond to all of it in the next chapter. If you want a faster answer, or maybe don't want it public, you can always PM me, and I'll keep it private or anonymous depending on the content of the message and respond as soon as possible.