Sonic stood on the edge of a river. He saw the roaring waters of all kinds. In his eyes, it was so… beautiful, and strangely scary. There was a sense of dread that the waters carried, with every white cap making… a face? Sonic's eyes were perhaps tricking him, messing with his train of thought.

Something orange moved out of the corner of his eyes. Sonic jerked around and saw a massive flame rising over the forest. Mobians were running to his side, which was clean and not ablaze. Sonic couldn't make out who all was in the refugees, but he had confidence that some knew him well.

"SONIC!, SONIC!" A voice cried out from the fire. Sonic felt his heart twist and turn from that voice, Sally's voice.

Sonic ran towards the forest, but his feet seemed to run on air, and he couldn't move.

"SONIC!" Sally's voice began to change as the fire swelled up.

Lines seemed to make borders, and stopped the fire from spreading closer to him.

Sonic's eyes opened, and he saw Fiona, standing up, and eating from a bowl. She saw him, Sonic saw her eyes watching him out of the corner of her eyes. She leaned down to him, "You slept for ten hours and look like you slept for two." She sighed.

"S-sorry, bad dream." Sonic groaned at her. Fiona pulled up a spoonful of the soup in her bowl, a white soup with shellfish inside, and herbs to line it up.

Christina's cooking soothed his soul, but only partially. Sonic looked away.

"What is it?" Fiona asked, leaning on the nightstand, watching Sonic with eyes looked happy to see him.

"Sally… She's out there, she needs my help." Sonic sighed, stretching to eat some more.

"Trust me, she doesn't need anyone's help." Fiona stated firmly, showing her belly where she had been stabbed.

Sonic nodded at her, pushing the covers down, and trying to climb out of bed. His head felt like his brain rammed against the front of his skull. Sonic winced, and looked over at Fiona.

She had already climbed out of bed to stop him. Sonic felt her soft body hug him, and raise him up to prevent Sonic from falling over. Sonic let out a sigh, and caught a whiff of her body scent… that sounded creepy.

Still, it made him feel… calm. Sonic felt her hands stroke his back as she held him on her body.

"Can you not try to move for five minutes. I will choke you out if I have to." Fiona snorted, her body vibrating lightly in a purr.

"Well… I do gotta-go-fast." Sonic snickered, wincing from his own laughter.

"I know. Let's try walking before we go running off to save the world." Fiona smiled, before slowly raising Sonic up off the bed. His legs felt heavy and noodle-y, a sign that he really needed to get back into running. Getting stabbed there also probably didn't help

"Let's go for a little walk. I really shouldn't be doing this… so meet me halfway." Fiona stated, glaring at Sonic, and holding his arm a little tighter.

"Ok…Ok, I get it." Sonic let out a wheeze, "It's good to see you… really." Sonic smiled at her and reached out his hands, walking towards the exit of the hospital. Every step made the next one easier, and Fiona hovering around him to catch him felt strangely nice. Sonic wouldn't normally be so eager to have someone help him, but Sonic wasn't exactly in tip-top shape.

Fiona grabbed a pitcher of water, and took several gulps of water, before passing the pitcher to Sonic as he reached the exit.

Sonic took it in his hands, and took a nice deep swig of water. It was cool and nice, and having more than the bare minimum amount of water was soothing to Sonic, to say the least.

They stepped outside, and somehow, Sonic's legs felt a little stronger. His body walked along with the side of the walls. Fiona walked over to him, and stretched out a hand to raise him up.

"I got it!" Sonic snapped, feeling super angry at his body's sluggish, weak feeling. It also strangely enough gave him some strength. Sonic's legs didn't feel as bad anymore. He then turned and looked at Fiona.

Sonic saw a face that looked hurt, afraid, angry… sad. Sonic panted at her, before looking down, "I'm sorry… I don't know where that came from. Really, I don't mind your help." Sonic tried to smile up at her.

"You know…. Nevermind." Fiona shook her head, but kept her hand back, "You got it. You'll be fine. I'll walk with you."

Sonic kind of wanted to know what she was trying to say, but he decided to let it lie. He wasn't in the mood to argue with her.

So Sonic took the next couple of steps, and it got… easier. Sonic took a few more, then a few more with Fiona walking along side him. Sonic looked up and realized that they were… on the outskirts of the city. The buildings that he had made for the refugees were now being used for… a lot of things.

Several were still houses, but some were odd businesses. It seemed that several mobians had moved into the city.

"You're city has been booming, thanks to the military base and few other things." Fiona remarked with a smile.

He felt her hand brush down his shoulder. Sonic looked around again, only this time, he noticed how many eyes were on him. A small rat girl ran up to Sonic, and held up a flower, "For you, my lord." The little girl smiled. The flower was a cup shape, and had some red and white colors speckled up and down it.

"Thank you." Sonic smiled at her, but he couldn't hide the emptiness of his voice. Fortunately, the little girl didn't seem to notice, and giggled before running off, back to her mother.

More eyes watched Sonic from a distance, but they all seemed to nod and smile at him. He was at least partially missed. His city was… bustling without a care in the world.

Sonic looked over at Fiona, "Everyone… everyone's ok…" Sonic couldn't believe it. Was Eggman just sitting there, focusing on torturing him, tormenting him. It was flattering and insulting at the same time. Sonic was almost angry that he was captured by…

Sonic realized his fist was clenched when Fiona gently pulled it open, watching Sonic with concern.

"Are you going to be fine?" Fiona asked expectantly, "Because it looks like you are upset over your town doing so well. You should be happy, to be back."

Sonic didn't really think of it that way. He smiled, "I am happy, Really… I just… wasn't expecting life to…" Sonic struggled with the words to say without sounding like a total jerk.

"You thought life wouldn't go on without you." Fiona pointed out.

Sonic nodded, seeing more people bustling about, some carrying food in large crates over to carts, along with other boxes, "I thought everyone would be… terrified, worse off."

"We were, for a time. But…" Fiona sighed without finishing her thought. Something had happened beyond doubling down.

"Johan?" Sonic asked. Sonic had strong opinions about him, and they definitely weren't good.

"He stirred us up. They're planning to attack Eggman, and push the borders out." Fiona remarked, wearing a bit of a smile, "Its kind of crazy… but I think the kingdom is going to be safe."

Soni slumped down. He really didn't want Johan doing whatever he pleased. Sonic turned and looked at the straight road. He needed to get better, and fast.

Sonic spread his legs, and bent his knees. With his citizens on the sides of the road, Fiona barely had time to reach out before Sonic sprinted across the road, feeling every step suck energy out his body.

Sonic slipped and fell down tumbling in front of his own mansion. Sonic panted as his whole body reminded him that he was in pain, and dusty. His manor… looked mostly maintained. There was dust on several windows, which Sonic could see from the outside. But aside from that, the house wasn't robbed or plundered.

He pushed himself up off the ground, growling to himself, before panting, and taking a step towards his home. Slowly, Sonic made his way to the door, only to feel Fiona grab his arm and pull him back, "HEY, I SAID A WALK! NOT A RUN, WE'RE GOING BACK!" She commanded him with such force, that he felt no choice but to obey.

She turned around and they kept walking back, before Sonic registered What Fiona had said about the soldiers, "Wait, they're attacking Eggman? Who all is going?" Sonic started panting and panicking. His body was getting even more tired from every word.

"Stop! Just stop. Stop worry about everyone else, and focus on yourself." Fiona commanded, grabbing his shoulder to life him up and carry him along further.

"They can't-" Sonic started before he was interrupted by the red vixen who was clearly done with any negotiations.

"You can't do anything!" Fiona corrected him, "Look at you, you can barely walk, and you want to go and fight?" She scowled at him, and Sonic got strange… Sally vibes from her.

Her words… were true as well. Sonic shook himself to keep from being too down. He was tired, but he should have recognized that she was just caring about him. He should have.

Fiona could see he wasn't doing well, and decided to soften up, "I'm sorry, I know its not great to wake up, and worry about everyone. But you can't take the weight of the world on your shoulders anymore, especially not as you are now." Fiona leaned her head over to nudge Sonic's head with hers.

Sonic sighed, but kept moving as more mobians bustled about. He saw so many of the orphans from the adoption drive he had ran, and how they looked… happier. It was nice, to see that something he had done was… staying… for the moment.

The future had never seemed like something he would focus on. He liked to take it one day at a time, live each day the best he could and move along. But for the first time in a while, Sonic felt…uncertain. That was the word. He wasn't scared, or nervous. He was uncertain. That was it… nothing more.

The question of whether or not anything would last… if he could last was sitting there in his skull, making sure that he knew it was there, and that it wouldn't stop being there.

"Hey… I'm happy you're safe and alive… I had a dream, and I am pretty sure God sent it that told me where to find you." Fiona smiled at him as they walked back to his bed. She set him and walked over to hers. Sonic could see new scars clearly, or maybe he just finally noticed them after being shaken out of the prospects of freedom.

"Did Sally do that?" Sonic asked, pointing a shaky finger to a nasty gash that freshly pink along Fiona's side.

Fiona looked down and sighed, "Mecha Sally did… She was very rough. I think she doesn't much care for me." The Vixen flashed Sonic a smile and a laugh.

Sonic's eyes were already feeling heavy, "She's really gone…" Sonic mumbled, curling up ever so slightly. The whole world seemed a bit darker. He had promised to save her, but he found himself doubting anything could be done.

Fiona looked over at Sonic. He knew she was sad. Sonic smiled at her, "Thank you… again… for everything." He closed his eyes as the pain in his wounds started to dull.

Her voice was ever so quiet, and distant, "Well… don't thank me yet. I didn't do it alone."

With that, Sonic couldn't argue or ask anymore. He just… slept… again.

/*-*/

Fiona laid in bed and stared up at the ceiling. In all honesty, it was more torture to do nothing. She wanted to move around, at least walk, and no amount of delicious sauces and soups were going to change that.

Fiona made sure that Doctor Quack wasn't in the room or at the door, before she rolled out of bed and stretched, popping her back and stretching. She could see the hedgehog's lightly rising and falling chest under the thin sheets.

She walked over to him, and sat on the edge of the bed. Fiona wondered if he was dreaming. She wondered if he had the same kinds of dreams she did, or if his were a little more clear. He didn't seem to move, even as she brushed his face gently. He really was tired, and it just his body.

Fiona knew from Scourge, who never really took failure to heart, that Sonic was especially vulnerable to it. He didn't let it show, but deep down, Sonic was torn up by what he couldn't do, or worse, what he could do. But he was alive, which was better than several of the other possible outcomes of their trip.

Her ears picked up movement from behind the door. She bolted back into her bed and laid down, ignoring the nasty burning feeling she felt in her wounds.

A familiar face walked in, one she was all too happy to see.

"There you are, My goodness, what happened to you?" Her brother ran inside, followed by Doctor Quack.

"Nothing too bad, just a few stab wounds, not the worst I've taken." Fiona sighed, shifting in her bed. She really shouldn't have jumped into it. She lifted the covers off her body.

"This… This is not acceptable. No noblewoman should be forced to endure this torture." Frederick mumbled, horrified, before flinching down, "I can't let them do this to you anymore."

"I asked to go… I knew Sonic would be there, which is why I had to." Fiona growled at her technically older brother.

"You asked to go on a mission that would lead to you being in such a state? On what intelligences did you even attempt this?" Frederick sounded worried, and it was touching, almost.

Fiona prepared an answer… but it sounded crazy even in her head, "…God."

Frederick went silent, looking absolutely dumbfounded. It was crazy, stupid and perhaps far too trusting for Fiona, but it was the truth. She had seen Sonic in a dream, which she could only attribute to God's work, as Sticks put it.

"W-what?" Frederick stated in disbelief, astounded by her answer.

"God… he showed Sonic to me in a dream." Fiona stated, taking a deep breath, and emotionally buckling down.

Frederick blinked a few more times. He shook his head, "No… No… I am going to get you brought back to my estate."

"No… I need to stay here, and help them. We have seen things, and I am needed as a Medic-" She started in defiance of her brother.

"NO!" Frederick shouted, "I won't have them sending my only sister back into fire-"

"Please, calm down, you two are not the only ones here." Doctor Quack commanded, lowering his hand to gesture to where he wanted the volume.

Frederick flinched, and nodded, "I…. I am sorry…But I am a nobleman, and I am taking my sister."

Fiona rolled out of bed and stood up, "No, I am staying here, and you won't move me outside. I know that you aren't a fighter, and I am. I also know you won't move troops into the city, that would risk an internal crisis." Her brother shrank at each of those words.

He was still facing her, before he puffed himself up, "I am your Guardian, and I will not allow these delusional fantasies to cost me my only-"

Fiona wasn't sure why her hand moved, but did, gliding across his face with a blow. She did know what she going to say, however, "These aren't delusions. He's the proof." Fiona pointed at Sonic's sleeping form.

Frederick looked down, "I will have you back on the road to Apalsa by the morning. I am not going to appease the royals with your service any longer… I am sorry….I am…very sorry. I didn't mean…" He didn't finish the sentence. He simply looked away and turned around. Fiona didn't care to hear anymore anyway.

Her brother left the room, with very little to say.

Fiona curled up in her covers. She wasn't going to leave.

"That was not something I wanted to see when I got up this morning." Doctor Quack grumbled, rubbing is hands through his feathers on the top of his head.

"I am not going to called insane for what I believe." Fiona growled, "I don't owe anyone an explanation for my views."

"No…I am not here to challenge that, but consider that he is worried about you." Doctor Quack sighed, sitting down next to her, "He is just concerned that you are risking your life. I am sure he doesn't want to see his sister hurt or dead."

"Then he should stop worrying about me. I am not going to be a subject to his ideal family. I have a choice in my own life." Fiona snapped angrily.

"What ever you decide is your choice, but I know from experience stubbornness can lead to you regretting your actions." The Doctor stated, glancing at Fiona.

Fiona saw what he was saying… and yes, she was a little defensive. Her brother had done a lot for her, and he did love her. Fiona knew that much from his actions and defenses of her.

"You can decide what ever you wish with your life." The doctor pulled some papers off his clipboard, "You are discharged, clearly able to tend to yourself." The Duck stated as he stood up, and left the papers on the night stand, "What ever you decide is up to you."

He then walked out the door. Fiona picked up the papers for her discharge. Perhaps it was best if she worked on her relationship with her brother…

She saw the hedgehog laying over in his bed, sleeping so peacefully.

Fiona would leave once he was able to take care of himself… then she could try something to…sway him. She got up, and went to talk with her brother.

/*-*/

The army pushed around to break the defenses, striking from the sides and rear of the heavy fortifications. Johan found it strange that they had not yet been turned around to deal with their attack. Still, it was their enemy's own failure.

The men were happy, and lively. They rushed forward and struck each trench with force and fire. Most of them did. The broken defense opened a wound in their enemy's front line, and the fortifications were captured and destroyed. It was strange that they were not turned around to deal with the coming attack. Johan did not see the reason for such a decision.

The cage was destroyed, which caused many men to take moments of rest. The swiftness that they had captured the unsuspecting foes had given even more life to most of the men.

There was, as usual, one who was opposed to Johan.

As the men were resting in the enemy trenches, and several bodies were being tossed out to remove their trace, more were coming across the trench. Fresh armies made their way in the trenches, so while Johan's finest were resting, he prepared for another attack.

"My brothers who fight with me, we move now, out into our enemy's lands to reclaim what is ours!" Johan raised his claws to the sky as the boy-prince came out.

The soldiers who had ran across the field, looked fiery, their fear and doubt breaking with the proof of their own success. The carriers had all fled or been destroyed by the moved up equipment. The enemy was slow and tired. They would seize this moment.

The prince walked up to Johan, his arms outstretched in an angry way, "What are you doing? We've taken enough ground as it is. We need to rest."

Johan glanced down at the boy, " We have a chance to pierce their heartland, and drive them further from your borders."

"What about the defenses north, and to the west, and to the south. My kingdom is still under siege." Elais growled at Johan.

Johan looked down at him, before nodding, "Very well, you may take your men north to break the Egg Man's defenses, those who will follow you at least. We will pull his armies thin, and break them in their weakness."

"No, you're going to stretch us too thin, and then we'll be caught in the middle of a trap that Eggman will have prepared!" Elias growled at Johan, standing firmly with his arms outstretched.

"And What shall we do?" Johan challenged, "I will not sit here and wait for him to rebuild the defenses which our men fought to take."

The men around Johan began to laugh at the prince. Johan almost found it amusing.

The boy did not, as he lowered his head, and his face gave off a warmth of fear. He was afraid of being wrong.

"Our enemy is led by a fool who thinks he is a wise strategist. He is not. He is a bad leader, and a bad general." Johan stated, gesturing to the open fields outward, "He does not care for his men, he leaves them to their fate, and then grows shocked when they are weak and killed easily."

"He's brilliant." The prince spoke so softly, weakly. He had no courage in himself, "He took control of the entire kingdom."

"You gave him your kingdom, just as you gave to me." Johan growled at the boy, "You put your faith in steel without blood, and were shocked by no meaning in blood oaths." Johan remembered reading about those decisions, covered in flattery and excuses.

The men continued to laugh at the boy.

Johan roared at the men, "NO MORE!" His shout shook the men, making them stand up straight. Johan calmed himself, "WE PUSH THIS FRONT NOW!" Johan roared, and the men cheered, moving to the edge of the trench as wagons came in to provide food and supplies for the offensive.

Johan rose from the last enemy trench and moved out into the open fields. The rubble from the fortresses would be collected later. Instead, they would march now.

The army walked across the sleeping ground. Many men remarked that it was dead, but Johan could feeling the life in ground beneath him. All it needed was a chance to live, and it would flourish once again.

Johan heard a rustling behind him, and the wolverine to face whoever approached. The wolf came forward, followed by the badger, which he had sent out on the mission to strike the enemy's base.

Stoix approached Johan with caution as the men stood around, tapping their boots with desire to move. Stoix then held a fist to her chest, knelt down before raising a piece of paper.

Johan cocked his head, and the wolf known as Whisper approached, holding her rifle on her shoulder.

"We found this while we marched into Eggman's territory." The Badger presented with a lowered head, "My men told me that it carries information about the very important areas of Eggman's empire on the continent."

"Why do you bow?" Johan asked, feeling a small anger in him.

"…I am presenting a gift to my king." Stoix proclaimed as the wolf known as Whisper stepped in front to guard her.

"You are a Saxon, are you not. Did your father not teach you that you kneel to no one. You are truly free, and some who is free does not kneel." Johan growled, standing up straight, "Stand, and present this to me."

Stoix quickly rose, her face expressing an immense happiness and energy. Her legs skipped as she held up the rolled piece of paper.

Johan did not take the paper. If it was as valuable as she said… his large form and sharp claws might damage it. So Johan turned to Elias, "Would you gather that, and search it?"

Elias recoiled at that, but did so, mumbling curses quietly.

Johan growled, "Insult me openly. Show courage, do not be a coward." Johan found the boy to be angering, stubborn.

"I said I am not your errand boy." Elias growled back at Johan.

"You are a man, one of importance. Nothing is too small for you to do." Johan growled. A king should not be too proud to do anything.

Elias unrolled the paper, and his emotions changed. His face turned to a smile, "She's right… this is a map of the checkpoints, distribution areas and codes, and even the major Craften Factory in the… mountains." Elias smiled.

"He has a single factory?" Johan asked, before the green wolf commander approached.

"Sir, we're waiting to move. We were told we were going to attack Eggman." The wolf spoke plainly, without fear or offense.

Johan nodded, "We will speak more of this later. Secure that map."

The badger nodded and stored it in her hood, as the rest of the men marched forward with their rifles on their back. Wagons moved with them as they approached the hilly, sleeping areas. Their enemy was slow to respond, which would be their undoing, along with many of their other failures.

They descended upon a small, three building base, which had a small trench around it. The buildings were in the shape of an L, with the one furthest away being the smallest, but having a metal peak on top of it. The small garrison that was there, and their machines were outside, watching curiously from their small base, before the realization that they were under attack reached them.

The men from the sixth and ninth army rushed down to the small base as an alarm was sounded. The steel soldiers moved out while the living peoples ran into the small trenches, with one running into the building.

The advantage of Johan's men were their numbers, and their position, while the enemy had the advantage of being settled. That advantage did them little good as the sixth army pushed up around the left of the small base, and the ninth army pushed around the right, guarding themselves behind wood and stone.

The base was encircled as the lasers flew upward, attempting to strike each squad of men. The officers raised their banners as the men returned fire, shooting down the hillsides into the ravine, immediately destroying most of the metal soldiers, shattering the windows and damaging the buildings.

Johan ran down the hill, and the bear Bosphor led his men down the mountain with a shout, "COME ON, I WON'T HAVE YOU COWARDS MAKING ME LOOK BAD!" His men scrambled and joined the brown bear as the sixth army provided protective shots.

Johan smashed through the door of the first building he could, and was shot in the chest and stomach with lasers. His hide burned, but he would not be stopped. Still, many took their weapons and raised them high to counter charge him. Johan slammed into three of them, knocking them against the wall, before slamming the fourth one into the wall.

The last one turned to run, his hood getting caught on Johan's claw. Cowards deserved no mercy, so Johan pulled him in, pressing his claws down on the chest of the red garden defender, who fearfully fired into Johan's stomach.

Johan roared and crushed the ribs, causing the body to thrash about before going limp.

The sound of the battle raged on, but he was not filled with the fire to continue the fight. His men were fighting though, so he could not expect them fight without him. The men in the buildings were thoroughly defeated, with their bodies lying on the ground while two were awake, breathing heavily.

Johan walked over them, and saw that their eyes were foggy. They were not capable of fighting, and Johan saw no glory in killing a helpless foe. He would deal with them later.

Johan ripped open the door and walked out into the center of the base.

The other buildings had less lasers firing from them, and they were firing towards the hillside, unaware of the sweeping attack from the sixth army. They pushed up to the door, and pressed the buttons on the side of the door.

Bright letters flashed as two men peaked up against the wall to look in through the high windows. One of the soldiers growled, "Nothing!" He slammed the but of his gun against the buttons, which flashed bright red again.

Johan grabbed the doors, and began to force them open. The metal creaked as he pushed them out and his men rushed inside.

All that remained was the last building, as two shots came from inside the building they had attacked.

Johan approached the building, which had only one laser shooting out. Johan's ears heard a strange ringing and buzzing. This angered him as the sound continued beyond its allowed time.

The ninth army was shooting through the windows, being aided by the cover as the one laser inside continued to fire.

Johan ran up to the door, which some of the soldiers were trying to open with a stick. Johan approached them, as one on the right, who held the stick, pressed hard against the sealed door. He pushed hard against the stick, which caused it to snap at the middle, throwing the soldier to the ground. He looked up at Johan with a hope in his eyes.

Johan grabbed the doors, and pulled against them. The doors were tight, but Johan's strength forced them open. His muscles were still strained, which made his body feel alive with the force.

He heard a crashing noise inside, with a shout, "COME ON, PLEASE!"

The men rushed inside to find two hooded soldiers, one on a computer and another aiming outside of the broken window. The men immediately shot the armed one, while the other raised his hands in surrender.

Johan snarled as the men captured the coward. One soldier raised his head at the window, only for the window to be shot and the wolf to flinch, "HEY, WE GOT THE BASE, STOP SHOOTING!"

Johan heard the shout from above, "WELL RAISE A FLAG, YOU RETARD!"

The men looted the buildings while Johan walked outside, overseeing everything that was to happen. Tomorrow, they would move further up.

/*-*/

Alright, that's part two of this arc that I though would be moving along much faster…

Alright, you know the drill, leave a review, keep morale high, make sure to check out the last chapter if you missed the big charge.

See you all around