o3o: You do offer an interesting idea, but it would be hard to get an army through Eggman's defenses, even with a transport craft. As for Johan, he does believe in freedom of speech, but he wants them to keep the peace amongst each other so close to a coming battle. The two commanders were about to start a brawl between two armies. He couldn't afford that at the time. It also allowed the prince to get somethings off his chest.

The Flyghting is typically used because insults carry a lot of weight, and if someone offends another's good name, it can lead to conflict. But, the ability to purge any simmering insults from your body helps prevent any long term damage. Some also use it to have fun with their neighbors, as Gewis and Sonar did.

/*-*/

He could see her. Even with the blindfold completely covering his eyes, even with Sonic's eyes shrouded in darkness, Sonic could see Mecha Sally standing in front of him. She gazed at him with those cold eyes, mocking him, taunting him. She planned it, didn't she? She wanted him to marry her, and Sally tried to force him to marry her, and he refused.

Sonic measured his breathing, ignoring the iron block stuck in his throat from his heart hurting. She knew just how to hurt him. Sonic didn't want to even think that way. She loved him… right? Or was she just using that to get close to him.

Sonic felt his eyes water. He loved her, he did. Maybe he should have married her. Maybe everything would have gone right if he had settled down. Could Eggman have done all of this if Sonic was sitting in a castle with Sally.

Or maybe she would have just chained him down and tortured him in the dungeon! Sonic snarled as the blindfold became soaked with his tears. She betrayed him. He put his trust in her, and she betrayed him. Why? It was a stupid question he asked himself over, and over again.

Sonic felt the wind tickle his ears. Someone entered the room, but Sonic's ears weren't working right. He was in pain, because his body was still battered from Eggman and… Her torture. He ached, but he could tell that someone entered the room.

Then Someone touched the cut along his chest. He could feel breath as he flinched from the pain and opened his mouth to cry out. A mobian had touched him, one with fingered gloves, so not an echidna… right?

"C-Clove… Clove is that you?" Sonic waited for a response, but only heard slight echoes and reverberation. Nothing that would give away anyone who was there. But there was a smell, sweat and dirt. The smell of outdoors, which made Sonic suspicious, and afraid strangely. Mecha Sally… she'd got him good.

He was going to die here, alone, pointlessly. Eggman wasn't going to roboticize him, give the Freedom Fighters a chance to save him. Eggman was going to humiliate him, make him look weak and pathetic for the whole world to see. Sonic had a choice to make… A Scary one, but better than Eggman getting what he wanted.

Sonic gasped, and growled, "Please… I need a favor."

He felt a little bit of wind brush against his chest. Sonic groaned while still feeling his arms strained under his own weight. Sonic couldn't ask her to help him escape. Clove had too many reasons to stay… but he could ask for something else, something that wouldn't get her punished as hard.

"Clove… Please… Kill me. Cut off my head, quick… and easy." Sonic panted, gasping as he continued to itch from the scabs along his back. His whole body ached, and his soul ached even worse.

"Clove… Please. Don't let him have the last laugh… Please." Sonic pleaded, silently cursing that she couldn't see his eyes.

Sonic then felt fingers caress the side of his head. Another set of fingers ran down his chest, and rubbed up his belly. Something was wrong.

"W-who are you? What are you? Are you here to hurt me even more?" Sonic shouted, admittedly louder than he should have. He pulled on his restraints, trying to break out of them.

Sonic opened his mouth to shout and scream at person handling him. But he was silenced by a strange feeling. Lips closed around his, a tongue pushed into his mouth.

/*-*/

Fiona would like to have been able to pin down the exact moment where things went wrong. Perhaps the moment their little tractor broke down, they should have given up. Perhaps the moment when they started running out of food, and had to raid supply stations was when things were destined to get hard.

Strangely enough, as the four ran through the forest, all too aware of the tracking badniks on their trial, Fiona found Johan's voice finding her.

It does not matter how or when things went wrong. What matters is how you intend to fix your situation.

That was easier said than done. The mud had turned to hard clay, the trees when from being alive but sleeping to very-like dried up and dead as they ran across the ground.

"We should be fighting!" Sticks growled as she jumped over a dried up, outstretched root.

"They're Patrol Bots. They'll sound an alarm if we break them!" Renault barked in a strange, quiet tone to not give away their position.

The bots seemed to move like dogs in a hunt, rushing after the team as they ran through enemy territory. Once their tracks were discovered, Fiona and the others had to keep moving. Fiona turned back and saw Oscar huffing as he ran with all his might. The poor guy was moving on resolve and fear alone.

"'Why are we running?" Sticks groaned angrily, continuing to move swiftly over the roots and fallen trees.

"We're getting out of their range. They'll have to turn back then, or get broken down!" Fiona commanded. As long as they weren't spotted, then they would be fine…

Their second raid. That was where things went wrong. Fiona had hoped they had made it through the base without being spotted, but they had walked right in front of a camera.

Fiona was turning into an optimistic idiot. She should have known better than to assume anything would go her way on chance alone.

"Grrr, how much longer. I could be using my strength to tear them all apart." Sticks growled angrily, looking over her shoulder and reaching for her sword.

"They'll be all around us in a few minutes, Don't let them know we're here!" Fiona growled back at Sticks, "Just keep pushing!"

Fiona turned around, "Come on, keep it up! We're almost in the clear!" Fiona whispered aggressively at Oscar, who had the burden of pretty much the heaviest equipment of the trip.

Oscar gave nods as his head swayed side to side as if trying to catch as much air as possible to cool himself off.

The truth was, Fiona had no idea if they were anywhere close to the border. A dark and humorous thought crossed Fiona's mind that they had been somehow running in circles despite running in a straight line. Still, the big bots had to charge at some point, right?

They still pushed on. Fiona could only hope that bots would break before they did, or the stealth aspect of the mission would have been as good as gone.

Sticks hopped onto a root and began to climb up a tree, much to Fiona's disdain, but she wasn't going to stop to pull Sticks away when the bots were so close.

So Fiona kept moving. She was committed to idea that if they got far enough, the bots would stop pursuing. Of course, that meant that Oscar had to get over there with them.

Fiona looked over her shoulder to Oscar run past the tree that Sticks had climbed up. The badniks were still tracking them. How far could these things go? She didn't stick around to get caught, and turned back, sprinting across dusty ground.

She kept running, feeling her lungs start to burn as she fled. Renault was also starting to lag behind.

Then they heard a crash in the forest. Finally, Fiona was willed to stop, as the sun beat down on her, and sweat finally coming out in full force. Fiona felt her fur start to soak, but she paid no mind to it, and moved towards the shadows of the barren trees.

Oscar lumbered forward, before stopping and panting from the weight of the goods he was carrying.

Sticks came out of the area, and gave them a thumbs up, "They don't like branches."

That stopped everyone. Fiona then thought for a moment… wouldn't the Echidna's and wolves know that badniks had stopped working…

"We should probably leave if you want to keep being cowards." Sticks stated bluntly, before pointing back to the forest.

"They're tracking them! We got to move!" Fiona growled, before looking at the guys, who were carrying most of the heavy stuff on their backs. They looked exhausted.

Sticks stepped forward, and held out a hand for Oscar, "I can take that."

That was nice. Oscar had the recovery beacon, which was a lot heavier than the attack beacon. What did it do was the question. It was supposed to save them somehow. Was it a teleporter of sorts? Maybe it had a few warp rings in it.

Fiona blinked for a moment, and they stood up, "I'll take the bombing beacon."

Renault handed her the beacon. Fiona wondered why they didn't just bring warp rings! This would have been so much easier, and comfortable. Instead, they were stuck trudging through hostile lands without any support or goods!

Fiona trudged along as Sticks did the same. The young girl was showing off her strength by keeping pace as they jogged. She was a wild one, that was for sure.

They kept running, until Renault complained, "Ok… I need to stop! Please!"

"We're being tracked… we can't afford to stop." Oscar growled, panting as he kept running. Renault still started to slow down.

"I can't keep running like this… I need food and sleep. These are absurd conditions to keep moving in." Renault whined, much to the annoyance of Sticks and Fiona.

Sticks growled, before sighing, "Fine, We'll take a break for this weakling. Word of Advice, Johan won't give you anything if you complain like this."

Oscar collapsed against a tree, and began to breath heavily.

Fiona felt herself getting nervous. Her nervous nature was put to rest once she realized that they were traveling on sand. The Badniks wouldn't be able to track them… theoretically.

Renault sat down and kicked his feet while breathing heavily, "Can we break out the rations… Please."

Fiona groaned, and reached into her pack. She pulled out some of the food they had brought. Again, nothing like the food of home, certain not Christina's cooking. But it was edible, and they were all a little hungry.

No cooking, so they ate it… plain temperature.

"How did they find us?" Renault asked, taking a large swig of water from their pack.

"We were spotted, taking food and supplies from the outpost." Fiona panted, also feeling very tired. She was probably more tired than either of them, but her fear of being captured was a bit more pressing.

"I knew we should have killed everyone there. No more pursuers if they're all dead." Sticks growled pulling her sword from her back and poking the sand with it.

"They would have kept following us, and that would have sounded the alarm." Fiona pointed out, sighing and leaning back to pop her back.

They sat there for a moment, while Fiona evaluated where they were. The sand around them was… reddish-yellow… and the rocks were black. They were starting to look familiar, too. They were close to their location.

"Guys, I think we're almost there… We just need to keep moving." Fiona perked up, realizing that the journey was finally over. Sonic would be close by… and the base that housed the enemy leadership was nearby as well. Which meant they would be winning two for one.

"No… No… no more, not yet." Pleaded Oscar. He didn't seem to have an issue when they were running, but it seemed that the heat had caught up to him.

Sticks groaned, passing her canteen to the dying bear.

He opened it and began to aggressively gulp down the water. Their feet were stuck in the sand as the sun began to set. They were all somewhat tired, as running without sleeping tended to do that.

But they were so close!

Fiona panted, and stood up, "Come on, let's get rested up and get going."

"Can we not sleep for a moment?" Renault asked, agitated with the way Fiona was ready to keep moving.

Fiona looked around. Everyone needed a bit of a break, even Sticks. Still… "We can't afford to keep waiting. We need to get that beacon there as soon as possible. Remember?"

They looked at her with exhaustion. They could still move though, and they needed to.

Oscar staggered to his feet, "Just a little… longer." He groaned, holding out his hand to Sticks to pick up the pack.

She shook her head, and stood up, "Alright, let's go… Quite your babying pretty boy." She pointed at Renault, and pointed upward to tell him to stand.

The boy was practically ready to cry. Yet he stood up.

Fiona stretched out her arm, and picked up the bombing beacon pack.

They marched towards the large rocks in the distance, using the shadows to keep cool as they moved. The sun was also setting, allowing them to feel less hot and sticky.

Fiona felt the weight of the beacon on her back. It was heavy, and she was glad she didn't have to carry it for very long.

Everyone looked like they wanted to sleep. Fiona would be grateful for a nice warm meal, some good beer, and a bath. Then again, everyone probably wanted that.

She kept walking… until a light shined below her. Fiona stood on an obsidian cliff, overlooking a fort, surrounded by black walls. Badniks moved around, fly and walking in patrols. The base was on high alert.

Their raid had not gone unnoticed. But Fiona was more focused on a single thought. This was where she was supposed to be. Part of her was terrified to even go lower. What would she find? Would Sonic still be alive? Would he even be there?

Fiona felt her breath run short as the sun sat on the horizon, gradually declining, adding a spooky aura to the base below. There were two large buildings inside the large, walled off square. There were three walls surrounding the base, with the rocky cliff that Fiona was on being the fourth. Apparently, they didn't see much of a need to defend that area.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go and do this." Sticks growled, pointing down.

Renault and Oscar came alive, seeming to be eager to complete the mission and get home.

Fiona held up her hand, "H-hold up." Her heart began to beat very fast, both with excitement, and with the sudden awareness that this was it. This would be the toughest challenge yet. The enemy knew they were there, or at least close by, "Go slow, don't be sloppy."

Sticks glared at Fiona for a moment, before nodding her head in agreement, "Right. We need to find the big building, and blow it up!" She pumped her fist.

Renault nodded, "We need to be quiet too. This place has plenty of space to keep us prisoner… and torture us." He shuddered at the thought of it. Fiona shared his pain.

Why was she going out of her way for Sonic? Maybe… Deep down, she really saw a chance now. Maybe she was a fool for believing in dreams. Still, only one way to find out.

"If we place the beacon and can't get out, it's game over for all of us." Oscar grumbled, leaning against the rock.

Fiona's mind distracted itself from the desire to sleep by running the idea of what would happen if they were hit by the massive bomb. She'd probably be vaporized instantly.

"Ouch, have our necks broken." Sticks growled, rubbing the back of her neck subconsciously, "If we're favored. If not, We'll live long enough to have our skin scorched, along with all our bones broken."

"You aren't helping us get motivated." Fiona growled at the Badger, who shrugged.

"We all have to die one day." Sticks sighed, setting down her heavy pack.

"Why would you say it like that? Let's all agree to meet up here when we're done." Renault offered instead. A solid plan… which could be improved.

"Why don't we set up the beacon up here. It'll take us back, right?" Fiona proposed, feeling excitement in her legs. This could be done quick and easy.

"We can leave the beacon here, but we shouldn't set it up until after the plane drops the bombs. Those were the orders… right?" Oscar proposed, looking to Fiona and Renault to confirm.

She didn't remember it being like that, but she couldn't tell him otherwise. All she knew was that they needed both beacons. So Fiona conceded, "Alright, We'll leave it tucked away in the rocks."

Sticks walked over behind one of the rocks that made the small valley that led to the cliff of the base, and set down the pack, tucking it in between the massive stone and a smaller rock.

"Now… We need to place the beacon… and run a rescue operation." Fiona pointed, before looking at the two buildings, "We have one beacon and two buildings. So we need to split up. I'll take the one closer to the cliff side, and go searching through it."

"I'll watch you're back." Renault proposed,

Fiona nodded, and looked over at Sticks and Oscar, "That-"

"Leaves the other building for us. We'll take care of it." Oscar nodded at Fiona, before sighing, "I hope you're right about him being alive. We need all the help we can get."

Sticks finally burst, "Hey, I'm the leader!... But… it's a good plan. We'll do our part. Save the fast man." She said that in such a way… Fiona shook her head and nodded.

Fiona turned around and leaned over the side of the cliff, and saw ridges and spikes. Deterents for most… but Fiona wasn't most. Instead, they were opportunities.

She carefully grabbed the ledge, and dangled her legs down until she landed on a spike. Then she committed the rest of the way. Fiona was quick, climbing was her specialty. She was down at the bottom before She knew it.

Renault, on the other hand, was climbing down the side of the Stone next to the cliff. Less spikes, but more slippery surfaces, meaning it was actually more risky. The poor pig looked like he was going to pass out, from fear, but Oscar helped him down.

They finally got to the bottom, and split into their two teams, with Fiona and Renault sticking to the shadows as two Legionnaires ran past them on high alert.

"Listen up! We have intruders out and about. We are the guards of this fort, keep vigilant!" Shouted one of the echidnas.

That was an interesting stance to hold, especially while Fiona lurked towards the front of the building. There was a key pad, along with a badge scanner. Not impossible to crack. Fiona gestured for Renault to hurry over.

He did, and put in the infamously easy code. Now Fiona had to get a badge. They were still well hidden, and the Guards didn't know where to look.

Which meant Fiona had the ability to chose the engagement plan. She picked up a rock, and moved behind one of the walls, gesturing for Renault to do the same. The pig hopefully saw her plan, and moved with her as the guards returned to their posts.

The door was now protected by two Legionnaires. Fiona tossed the rock against the side of the large obsidian stone. It cracked and crumpled as it triggered a few chunks to fall onto the ground.

"What was that?" A legionnaire growled, his hood shuffling as he turned.

"We built this base next to a cliff, what do you think it was?" Growled his companion, before sighing, "It's probably just the cliff losing a few rocks."

"I guess that makes sense." The First Legionnaire nodded, and went back to Scanning his surroundings. The night had become darker, so there was less visibility.

Fiona's plan had failed. Time to switch to a different style of the same plan. She turned around, and flicked her out past the cover. She let it sway, moving and jerking to try and draw the guard's attention.

She couldn't see, but they didn't give any reaction which could be heard. Renault gave Fiona a look of doubt and skepticism. This plan would work.

Fiona pulled her tail back to herself. As she did, the first guard spoke once again, "I Swear I saw something over there."

"Yeah, rocks." The second Legionnaire sighed, "Just stay focused."

"No, I'm serious, I saw movement." The first one growled, on guard.

"… I swear, you're jumpy. Every once in a while, there's an unknown track which turns out to be some flicky the doctor missed. I doubt anyone would be able to make it this far into our territory, unless they could fly." The Second guard groaned, "Them freaking is just protocol at this point. Window dressing to look like we care."

Fiona growled, and stamped her foot into the ground angrily. She was getting nowhere with these distractions.

"-But if it'll calm you down enough to let me day dream, then fine. Let's go and look around the corner. If we get written up, you're taking the fall." The Second guard growled, and Fiona could hear movement.

She gestured to Renault who immediately ducked down and balled his fists. Fiona got low, waiting for the first sign of trouble.

The two guards walked around the corner and looked at the wall, before slowing scanning towards the building. Fiona didn't wait for them to scan very far, she leapt into action, grabbing both and jerking them back.

The First guard let out part of a yelp when Renault covered his mouth. Fiona threw the second one to the ground before kicking him in the head.

She then turned and punched the other guard's chest, knocking the wind out of him. The two were unconscious, not dead, so the steal mission was… pointless.

They were all going to die either way. Fiona's lack of killing might have only led to suffering. Fiona looked down at the two. Would it be better to break their necks?

"Come on, let's go!" Renault whispered impatiently, running to the door. Fiona nodded and stripped the bodies. She didn't have time to worry about suffering, especially when she was on the chopping block next.

Fiona put on the hood and ran over to Renault, "Come on, a quick disguise." He put on the hood and mask, and they pressed the second Guard's badge to the scanner. The scanner came to life, and the door unlocked.

They walked in, and saw white tiles, on the floor, leading to several rooms in a massive grid pattern. They stepped inside further, with several white walls that had colored stripes guiding their way.

They walked down the white hall with a red stripe on each wall. Fiona's ears were tucked under the hood, so listening for foot steps was difficult. Still, the mask also hid her form, so she could just keep moving… theoretically.

Fiona opened the first door on her left and saw… a closet, full of plastic jugs and mops. It was a utility closet, of course. Fiona closed the door, and moved on towards the next door. Behind her, Renault showed off an empty armory, which made it very clear that the legionnaires outside were all armed.

Renault shut the door, but pulled out a small cylinder. It looked like a battery for the weapons in question. He tucked it into his cloak and moved in.

Fiona opened the next door, and saw several cloaks and masks all sitting on racks inside of a closet.

All of these are supplies Fiona noticed, and sure enough, Renault's door held what looked like riot shields and electric sticks. On racks.

The moved down into the orange hall, and Fiona approached the door. On her left. It became very clear how large this facility was. As she opened the door, she saw a kitchen, and a pantry.

"We've got a food closet in here." Renault whispered to Fiona. Orange was food and…entertainment.

They moved down to the green hallway, and Fiona opened the door to find… bunks. Resting areas. The other door held showers. They moved further along and found a room with a variety of cushions and pillows, not matched up, as if the soldiers had moved them all there.

There was also a large screen in front of the pillows.

Green was living quarters. Fiona moved down further towards the blue stripped rooms. It was here, that Fiona made a serious mistake. She opened the door as Renault opened his. As it swung wide open, two Legionnaires stopped, and looked at Fiona.

Fiona tensed up, and waited.

The one closest to her growled, "Are we going to have to report you? I swear you keep bugging us because you're brain is so fucking small that it seems entertaining to you."

Fiona gulped, and then remembered that she had a Legionnaire's outfit on. They thought she was one of them, "Uh… Sorry, I'll keep it quiet." She spoke in a deeper voice.

"Whatever, don't come back here." The Legionnaire growled.

Fiona shut the door, but as she did, the layout of the room came to her. There were large screens and dials, like a room with several communication controls. Was this a command hub? Fiona had found the communication relay…. Which meant this building needed to go.

But not before they would save Sonic… hopefully.

Fiona backed away from the door, and continued down the hallway. They arrived at the last set of hallways. A purple color sat on the walls of the other hallways. Fiona opened the first door and found… a literal empty room. She wasn't even sure if there was dust on the tile.

Renault found a different room, with boxes inside. This area still seemed to be under construction, or being set up. Fiona growled to herself, and a creeping hand of dread approached her shoulder. Sonic was likely dead. This whole detour was for nothing.

Fiona had been mentally obsessing with this stupid boy, and endangered everyone for a selfish wish.

"I Don't think he's here." Renault mumbled, walking over to her, his form looking rather timid and out of place.

Fiona growled in her throat, and shook herself before following the hallway. She wasn't sure if she should apologize, or if she should just keep moving and not waste anymore time.

They walked down the hallway and saw a square room to her left and to her right. These actually had separate hallways instead of doors blocking the area.

And God worked once again, inside her. Fiona felt a force will her to walk into the small hallway. Renault followed, and they noticed a keypad. Why the extra Security? Fiona turned to Renault and nodded. The pig went to work, putting in the code.

And the door opened…

The room was dark, with several computers set up, but turned off. Fiona did not touch the lights, as she felt comfortable once again in the shadows. She walked inside, and her eyes adjusted.

There, in restraints, was the Blue Hedgehog, slumped over… though he was hardly Sonic the Hedgehog. This hedgehog was beaten, snared, cut and weak. His form was depressed, his eyes bore the stain of tears even in the darkness.

His body did not fare much better. His form was covered in cuts, bruises and trails of blood which moved down his legs. Fiona approached the hedgehog who was strung up by what appeared to be magnetic restraints. There was a stepping station for mobians, and Fiona worked her way up.

The Hedgehog hitched and hissed. He was hurt, physically, and emotionally.

"What did they do to you?" Fiona asked, running her fingers along a scabbed over gash in Sonic's chest.

He hitched in pain, before gasping, "C-Clove… Clove is that you?" He sounded so weak, and pained.

Fiona pulled away, and removed her mask, "No, it's just me, the old-back stabber." She smirked, trying to lighten the mood. Sonic didn't seem to react. His ears weren't twitching normally. It was like he couldn't hear her. And he still couldn't see her, because he appeared to have a sort of blind fold on.

"Please… I need a favor." The Hedgehog gasped, leaning forward.

He sounded so deadly serious. Fiona was… mortified. It wasn't as though she hadn't been cruel in the past, but a part of her found the Hedgehog's state to be… unacceptable… horrifying.

"Clove… Please… Kill me. Cut off my head, quick… and easy." Sonic pleaded, gasping and twisting with what little strength he had left.

Fiona resisted the urge to slap him across his face. Instead, her mind turned to how desperately he needed help and comfort. He was going to die if he didn't get some soon. His desperation to die… that scared Fiona in a way that she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Clove… Please. Don't let him have the last laugh… Please." Sonic pleaded. He was clearly referring to Eggman. Who was Clove? Why did Sonic trust her so much? Fiona wondered if she had taken so long that Johan had slipped a second spy or defector into the base.

"Sonic… I'm not going to kill you." Fiona stated, rubbing a hand down the side of his face. She ran her fingers along the lower end of his stomach, tracing a new scar that had emerged there. The Hedgehog tensed up, still clearly not listening to her.

"W-who are you? What are you? Are you here to hurt me even more?" Sonic shouted loudly into the room. Fiona's eyes jerked to the open door. Renault shifted and moved over to close it.

Fiona needed to get that blind fold off. She had been so focused on how sorry he was, that Fiona's mind hadn't thought about how he still didn't know he was being saved. It was quickly becoming too late as Sonic opened his mouth to shout.

Fiona acted quickly. She let go of any caution or thought, and lunged forward. She kissed him, passionately across the lips, pushing her tongue to let him feel her passion. She was nowhere close to being his enemy… right?

Fiona was… enjoying this, and Sonic's form tensed up, before relaxing.

Renault cleared his throat, "Uh… we're on a time table… hurry."

Fioan pulled back and gasped. Her heart rate multiplied by three times, she was reduced to a little girl with her first crush as her cheeks and entire face felt flush with blood.

"…Fiona? H-how?" Sonic gasped slumping down. Fiona reached behind his head and pulled off the blindfold.

She pressed her forehead against his as Sonic's face looked conflicted between pain, joy and fear. Fiona nodded to Renault, and he pressed a button on the restraints. Sonic's form plummeted down, but Fiona caught him.

"We've got you… I'm getting you home." Fiona vowed, before putting on the mask once again, "We're going to sneak him out through a prisoner transfer. They won't question Eggman's orders."

Renault nodded, but grabbed a baton. Probably not a bad idea.

They moved out of the door, carrying Sonic towards the medical station. This was a cover. Clearly, Eggman wanted Sonic alive, so they would believe in a check up.

They moved down the hallways, and as they got to the medical bay, two Legionnaire stepped out.

"Hold up, What are you doing with him." One blocking the door asked nervously.

"Prisoner transfer. We need to make sure he'll survive the trip." Renault offered, "So, a quick check up, and we'll be moving him."

"I didn't hear about a Prisoner transfer… especially not one as valuable as Sonic the Hedgehog." The other Legionnaire demanded, suspiciously.

Fiona had to speak, or it would look suspicious, "The Doctor is not exactly consistent with his notifications."

The suspicious Legionnaire snorted, "Ain't that the truth. Alright… We'll be heading back now. Keep him alive just long enough for the fat guy to kill him."

Fiona and Renault nodded, as the two Legionnaires turned around and started walking the other way.

Fiona pushed Sonic into the medical room, and set him down on the table. She went to work with some bandages.

"I thought it was a detour." Renault whined.

"It was, but now they've seen us. We need to be believable… and Sonic needs something to keep him from getting infected on the return journey." Fiona explained, finishing up her wrappings.

They then opened the door and stepped out, with a bandaged Sonic in toe, and more bandages in their cloaks. It was too much to hope that would be enough.

A Siren wailed out and lights began to flash red at the top of the hallway.

"A Prisoner has escaped! We have intruders!" Came a shout from the hallways.

Fiona picked up Sonic, and rushed outside, carrying the hedgehog.

"Stop right there!" Shouted one of the guards.

"You idiot, Why would they stop? They're trying to run off with the Prisoner!" Shouted another.

Lasers started flying towards the three as they ran outside. Fiona quickly slammed the button for the door, and it shut, blocking some of the lasers.

She looked at Renault, "I'll set the beacon, you get him up that cliff!" She ordered.

Renault nodded, and pushed Sonic towards the cliff. Fiona ran around the sides and walked over the unconscious Legionnaires, before climbing up the building. She moved quickly with the pack on her back. That was the bomb-beacon.

Fiona pulled it out, and saw the note that was written on it. Simple instructions on the black disk with white markings which made a circle. She pressed the white marking. Immediately, the circle lit up into a hostile, harsh red.

Fiona set the beacon down as the sound of an engine blared overhead. Fiona was thankfully disguised, so Metal Sonic wouldn't pay much attention to her… right?

Fiona walked off the building, and slid down, to Find Renault trying to push Sonic up the cliff.

Sticks came along, blood coating her side and face, followed by Oscar who came, carrying a roll of paper in his hands.

"Get off, I'll carry him up!" Fiona growled, hating that she was going to have to lift the hedgehog on her back .Still, it needed to get done, and they needed to be gone.

Fiona pulled Sonic onto her back, and grabbed the black cliffs. She was almost immediately outpaced by the rest of her team.

"F-fiona… you came… for me?" Sonic whispered, clearly in pain from the climb Fiona was doing.

"Y-yeah." Fiona growled as her breath strained trying to pull both of them up. Still, he was a lot lighter… which was a bad sign. Fiona could really use some good signs.

"Fiona…" SOnic whispered, and his body felt lighter… limp. His breathing was shallow, "Sally…" He mumbled, and his head fell onto Fiona's back. That seemed to only add to her weight.

"Now is not the time to die on me." Fiona growled, throwing her hand up the cliff. Her hand rose, and grabbed the obsidian shard sticking out. Then a crack came.

Fiona immediately felt her hand give way as her arm flew… into another's grip.

Sticks was kneeling at the top of the cliff, a maniacal grin plastered on her face, "I got you, walloon!"

"There they are!" A shout came from below as the moon rose in the sky.

Fiona was pulled up to the cliff as the lasers flew up to the obsidian. Fiona's back was scorched by a blast from a laser, her top searing and burning open in a way that Fiona could clearly feel. It wasn't falling off, but her back was blistering as she almost fell to the ground.

Sticks, caught her, "Alright, time to clear out." She gestured to the pack with the recovery beacon.

Fiona nodded, and carried Sonic over to towards the beacon as the others ran along to set it up. It just occurred to Fiona that they didn't know how they were going to get out. Hopefully, it would be a warp ring that would take them away. Fiona couldn't be sure, however.

As Fiona supported the hedgehog with her shoulder, her ears flicked. The Jet Engine had returned. Fiona dared to turn around to look over her shoulder to face Meta-

It was not Metal Sonic Hovering overhead. It was much worse.

Mecha Sally hovered over the cliff, glaring down at Fiona with a look that was clear: I hate you.

/*-*/

Alrighty, folks. There's a cliffhanger for a week. I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts… even though Fanfiction is broken right now…

Alright, if you've made it this far, leave a review, tell me what you thought, or theories about what's going to happen, or some criticism about what I could do better. It all works.