Long Live the King

by Platy_Cat

Summary:

Elias Acorn and the Secret Freedom Fighters' begin their final battle with Naugus.

As the vile wizard unleashes an unexpected and terrible spell upon New Mobotropolis to free himself of the demons infesting him, the team will face battles that test their loyalty and their friendships.

Chapter 1: All Together Now

 

Elias Acorn turned restlessly in his bunk. He knew he should be resting, but his mind couldn’t help but spiral. He felt he should’ve been happy. The team’s last mission was a success. They’d thwarted Naugus’ attempt to enslave the counsel, and since then the wizard had, allegedly, fallen ill.

None of the team initially believed it, assuming it was a cover for another plot, but with Nicole now being granted full access to the city again (not that she’d ever stopped) she was able to investigate more freely, and thus confirmed that no underground spell chambers or other secret caves were present in the city. Director Harvey Who had consulted his own sources and come up similarly short for any info outside the city on Naugus’ dealings.

Thus, the Secret Freedom Fighters concluded that Naugus must really be afflicted by something, which they were quick to celebrate. It would make their job a lot easier if the foul wizard just keeled over.

Elias, however, had never shared his teammates’ optimistic sentiments. His gut told him Naugus was plotting something, even now, and they were simply unable to detect it. When he’d approached him, Director Who had shared similar sentiments, but said at the moment there was nothing they could do but wait.

It was the waiting which gnawed at Elias. It wasn’t as if he considered Harvey wrong, he knew there was nothing they could currently do but…

Choosing to do nothing and wait had been Elias’ biggest flaw, not just during his time as king, but his whole life. Whenever a crisis had befallen him, Elias’ reaction had always been to default to others.

When he’d been young and hidden away in Haven on Angel Island, he’d followed the Brotherhood of Guardian’s advice, even when it had isolated him from a sister and father which he’d missed out on years of life with.

When he’d become king, he’d defaulted to Max’s wishes for a time, until he realized his father’s many shortcomings, then he’d turned to Geoffrey St. John, and was encouraged to make decisions that actively hampered the Freedom Fighters and even his own sister in their battle against Eggman, and later learned Geoffrey was a traitor that had been against his family from the beginning.

Then he’d been confronted by Amadeus and Rosemary Prower and all the shortcomings of his family’s monarchy, and even then, he’d mostly let Sally sort out the new constitution and the creation of the city council. He’d thought that with an elected council, he would finally have a reliable group of confidants to cover his shortcomings… until Naugus arrived and took the throne from him.

Elias felt his blood boil at Geoffrey’s betrayal, before taking a deep breath and reminding himself that if they hadn’t asked the traitor for information, they’d never have found Naugus’ spell chamber in time to prevent the council’s enslavement. He was lucky Silver had suggested it. This brought back a train of thought he’d been wrestling with for a while: He was still defaulting to others in his decisions.

Elias had watched his father descend into madness and poor decision making, so he knew the danger of shutting out others’ advice, and he knew he could trust the Secret Freedom Fighters, but… they wouldn’t always be around to pick up his slack, especially if their plan to restore him as king succeeded.

He’d hoped that the council would’ve absolved him of this problem, but look at where relying on them had gotten him.

 

Stripped of his royal rank, resting in a bunk, hiding under his own city, because the council he’d helped create and even ceded power to had turned against him the moment they had the chance.

Elias grit his teeth as his frustration flared. What was he supposed to do!? If he shut others out it was only a matter of time before he became his father, and if he relied on others, he ended up in a bunker hiding under his own city. Even more frustrating was the ever-present voice that said he should just run away.

What was the point of being a king to ungrateful people? Even if… when… they defeated Naugus, and he was king again, what would stop the council and the ungrateful masses from deposing him the next chance they got?

He’d yielded to that voice once before, and the throne had almost fallen to another villain. He refused to make that mistake again. He refused to forsake Sally and the Freedom Fighters again.

 

Sally…

 

Elias’ frustration was quickly drowned in sadness for his lost sister. They’d spent so much of their lives apart, and yet after her… capture, by Eggman, Elias found life without her… wrong. Even with her own mistakes, she’d still radiated strong leadership, like there was no problem she couldn’t eventually solve… and now she was gone.

Thoughts of Sally brought to mind the Freedom Fighters. Their unbreakable bond, only severed by death, capture, or enslavement, and they’d been led by Sally. Elias supposed that was what he lacked compared to his sister, the foresight to know who to trust. He’d chosen wrong too many times now to believe he was capable of doing so himself.

He trusted the Secret Freedom Fighters, but they’d been recruited by Director Who, not him. No doubt if he’d been in charge of the team’s members he’d have recruited another Geoffrey turncoat and would’ve been imprisoned for ‘treason’ in the castle dungeon by now. Elias gave a bitter and self-reproaching chuckle at his past self when he’d called Harvey insane for recruiting outside the kingdom, never realizing that that decision had likely been to avoid such an occurrence. Another example of his lack of foresight.

Elias knew what he needed to focus on right now was defeating Naugus, and after that he’d track down his beloved Megan and daughter Alexis and bring them to the safety of his reclaimed kingdom, but… then what?

He couldn’t trust the council, nor could he remove them from power without going against the people. He clearly couldn’t trust the people of his kingdom either, they were too prone to succumb to fear as evidenced by them accepting Naugus as king because he promised them protection.

 

Promised them protection…

 

Naugus ruled through promises of protection and power, regardless of whether he could actually provide it. Would he have to do the same? Could he do the same? Was it wrong to consider using the same methods of manipulation as his enemy? It would not be difficult.

He was no wizard, but Elias could put up the front of a boastful, powerful leader, instead of his genuine calm persona he had during his last stint as king. The thought of himself smiling smugly from his throne proclaiming he was the best leader the country could hope for disturbed him. It would not be his true self, but… look where his true self had gotten him.

With a wry smile Elias wondered why such actions would disturb him when he’d spent his formative years being partially raised by the secretive society of the Brotherhood of Guardians on Angel Island. Not to mention, he was already going behind everyone’s backs with the Secret Freedom Fighters anyway. Putting on a façade was a far lower crime than using a secret team of operatives to undermine the current regime.

Elias shook his head and reminded himself the Secret Freedom Fighters were necessary, to protect everyone. Once Naugus was gone… the team would disband… right?

A far more sinister thought occurred to Elias then. He knew he could trust the Secret Freedom Fighters, and if all went according to plan, they’d go undiscovered. Some of its members might choose to leave once the threat of Naugus was dealt with, and he wouldn’t begrudge them that right, but… what would be stopping him from having Director Who recruit more?

The Brotherhood of Guardians had existed for centuries, quietly influencing and preserving peace on Angel Island with none the wiser. It was only because of a traitor that they’re secrets had been discovered, leading to their downfall. So long as Elias and Director Who took care to avoid enlisting any dubious agents, was there any reason he couldn’t have a similar system? Elias wanted to reject the notion, remembering that it was the Brotherhood’s secretive nature that had led to him missing out on years of his life spent with his family, but…

The council and people had proven they could not be trusted. Would it not then be prudent, necessary even, to have a method for protecting the kingdom outside the council’s authority? He was already going against the council’s authority with his current team, what was stopping him from utilizing similar operatives in the future? What was stopping him from ensuring that his vision for the kingdom was achieved, regardless of the council’s authority?

 

“Elias!” The young king was startled out of his dark musings by Silver’s voice at his door. Rushing forward, Elias burst out into the hallway almost colliding with the time traveling hedgehog.

“What is it?! Has Naugus revealed himself?” Elias asked.

“No, it’s good news!” Silver’s expression was one of amazed disbelief, like the impossible had been achieved. “Director Who was right!” Silver nearly screamed. His excited voice carried through the small underground HQ of the Secret Freedom Fighters, waking its other members from slumber.

“He helped me figure out who the traitor was! The one responsible for my ruined future! And… and I stopped them! Director Who and I… well… mostly Director Who, figured out Team Fighters was never going to return from their mission.”

By now the other members had exited their separate rooms and were intently listening to Silver. Meanwhile Elias tensed, knowing Team Fighter’s mission had been to rescue Sally. If the future told that they never returned then… that would mean…

“But you stopped it!? How?” Elias asked, with no small amount of alarm at being told his sister, not to mention three of the Freedom Fighters, had been fated to never return home.

One of the wolf twins, Lyco, punched Silver’s shoulder and gave him a stern look. The future hedgehog finally noticed how stressed he was making Elias and adopted a calmer tone,

“All I knew in my time was that a traitor to the Freedom Fighters was responsible for destroying the team. With the planet’s main heroes gone, there was no one to stop all the warlords, Eggman or otherwise, from laying waste to the planet. But with Director Who’s help, and my own research from the future, we determined the point of no return, was the death of Sonic the Hedgehog.”

Everyone gasped at that, and Silver hastily continued, “I’ve just gotten back from the arctic after meeting up with Team Fighters… with Director Who’s approval!” he hastily added. Elias waved an impatient hand for Silver to continue.

“While I was there, I… I saw the moment Sonic and Tails were supposed to die, at… the hands of Mecha Sally.” Everyone’s eyes widened. Elias’ face became pale. “But by my being there,” Silver continued, “I was able to prevent it, to stop her. And even better…” here Silver’s expression returned to its original giddy optimism, “We were able to rescue her!”

Everyone stood in a stunned silence. Silver barely registered his teammates’ stunned reactions as he was still caught up in having finally accomplished the goal of his quest through time. As such, it took him a moment to register Elias was hugging him.

“Thank you, Silver,” Elias managed to whisper, his voice choked by emotion. The stunned silence was renewed by the usually calm and stern Elias hugging Silver. The future hedgehog could only stand awkwardly in response. Eventually Elias tore himself away and hastily cleared his throat.

“Uh… yeah, no problem,” Silver managed to squeak. The wolf twins and Larry smiled at their teammates’ awkwardness, and the good news of Sally’s rescue.

“I meant,” Elias continued, his voice now under control, “thank you for not killing her, even though she was the cause of your future.” Silver’s eyes widened,

“The details of Sally’s ‘betrayal’ were lost to history. I couldn’t hurt her for something that wasn’t her fault.” Elias gave an appreciative nod as a response.

The young king’s face quickly became serious again. “Where is she now?” he asked. Silver expression changed to nervousness,

“Well um… during the fight, and on the way back, we… had to force her into a power down.” Elias’ breath caught, “It’s okay though!” Silver hastily assured, “Tails said she would be fine, and Nicole and Sir Charles met Team Fighters when we arrived, they’re working on… getting her comfortable, as we speak.”

“I am glad to hear your mission was a success, Agent Ace.” Everyone turned to see Director Who finally exiting his own room. “But…” the old owl said raising a finger, “while I hate to bring down the mood, I feel I must dissuade Agent King from any thoughts of visiting our dear princess.”

Elias was just on the verge of giving his own rebuttal when, to his surprise, Lyco and Leeta beat him to it.

“Oh come on Harvey!” Lyco said.

“Yeah! She’s with Nicole and Sir Charles. They both know about the team so why can’t he visit his sister?” Elias was surprised, and touched by the wolf twins’ support, especially with how badly he’d handled first impressions.

Harvey gave his own smile at the display, but none the less, continued, “Because visiting the princess and giving her comfort will be the first priority of ALL the Freedom Fighters,” Harvey emphasized. “I’d be surprised if she is left alone for even a moment, and furthermore, the brain-trust Sir Charles plans on forming to help the princess’… condition… will include Rotor Walrus and Miles Prower.”

Realization played across the wolf twins’ faces, and they cast apologetic looks to Elias. The young king gave a grateful smile in return for their defense and calmed himself. Knowing Nicole was seeing to Sally was reassurance enough. Privately, he knew the Knothole Freedom Fighters were more Sally’s family than he currently was; they would be able to help her better than he could.

“So that weed thingy Shard brought back might actually work?” Silver asked. The elation of the group quickly faded, replaced with a dour silence. Silver looked between his friends with rising fear… “Wait… where is Shard?”

Harvey took it upon himself to explain Shard’s battle with Metal Sonic to Silver, seeing that the rest of the team had fallen into a mournful silence.

 

 

 

Elias had thought he’d already experienced the full range of sadness to Shard’s ‘coma’ when he’d first learned of it, but seeing Silver’s reaction made it feel as if they were receiving the news for the first time all over again.

“So… is he dead?” Silver’s voice was barely a whisper as he avoided eye contact with everyone and stared at the floor.

“Nicole is researching ways to restore him but… at the moment she says it’s impossible,” Harvey answered.

Elias looked around at his team; they had all fallen silent. The young king’s and Director Who’s eyes met. The old owl ever so slightly raised his eyebrow at the young Acorn. Accepting the sign, Elias took a deep breath,

“Today Silver proved we can accomplish the impossible,” Elias said, getting everyone’s attention, “He came from a future where we’d lost. Where destiny itself told us that we were fated to lose.” A smile tugged at the corner of Harvey’s mouth as he saw where the young Acorn was going, “But Silver changed things, he made it different, and that’s given all of us a chance. From this day forward, the future is what we make of it.”

Elias saw his teammates were being heartened so he decided to finish strong, “This team has kept Naugus at bay, aided Team Freedom in defending the city, aided Team Fighters in rescuing Sally, and defied the destiny that was set for us! If we can do all that, then we’ll save Shard too!” Elias shouted.

“Yeah!” Larry started a group cheer, soon followed by Lyco, Leeta, and eventually Silver. Harvey merely raised a silent triumphant fist.

“Larry,” Elias said getting the lynx’s attention, “You’re our resident face to the city, what’s say tonight you grab pizza for us and we celebrate our victories? I’ll pay you back when I’m back on the throne,” he said with a wink. Elias was pleased to get a laugh out of his teammates, even if it was subdued.

 

 

 

With the promise of a party to look forward to, and the rescue of Sally, the team was in the best spirits it had been in since Shard’s defeat. Elias wished Nicole could’ve been present for his speech as he knew Shard’s fate had rattled her most of all. She’d been the last one to talk to him before it happened. It was as Elias had these thoughts while he sat at the briefing table that the holo-lynx materialized.

“Elias! I’m sorry I haven’t talked with you sooner. I assume Silver gave the news?” Elias smiled and nodded, both to answer her question, and in reaction to the holo-lynx finally seeming to be happy again.

“How is she?” he asked. Nicole adopted a somber expression,

“I’ve just finished… extracting her mind from her… brain,” Elias could tell Nicole was substituting mechanical terms for biological ones.

“It’s alright Nicole, I’m not the one who’s suffering.” Nicole nodded.

“I can’t stay long, Sonic is… waiting on me to reactivate her. With her mind in the city’s cyberspace, she’ll be free.”

“I’m… guessing her body will be a more complicated matter?” Elias asked. Nicole nodded.

“Sir Charles is working on it, as are Rotor and Tails.” Elias smiled,

“I trust them, and you,” Elias said. Though Nicole looked at Elias, her mind seemed to go elsewhere for a moment.

“I promise I won’t fail this time,” she said meeting Elias’ eyes. The young king frowned in concern,

“Nicole, you didn’t…” but the holo-lynx’s head turned away as if she were hearing something Elias couldn’t,

“Sonic’s calling… insistently, I need to go. I’ll update you when I get the chance.” Elias filed away his concerns for another time.

“Go help Sally.” With that, the holo-lynx dissipated into pixels and was gone.

 

Elias felt a twinge of guilt over his recent interactions, or lack there of, with Nicole. She’d been through a lot recently. Being enslaved by the Iron Queen, losing Sally, her ostracization and eventual banishment from the city, and now the potential loss of Shard under her watch. Yet in spite of all that she’d still been invaluable for both Team Freedom and the Secret Freedom Fighters, providing aid wherever she could.

Elias heart further twisted as he recalled how Sally had spoken of her. His sister had had nothing but glowing praise and fondness for the AI, and as he’d listened, he’d reluctantly realized that Nicole had been there for Sally when he, their mother, and their father hadn’t been; she had been family for Sally when none of them could. The young king wished there was some way he could repay even a small amount of the debt the Acorn family owed her.

As Elias ruminated on these thoughts, alarms went off in the HQ.

The rest of the team rushed into the briefing room asking what was happening. While her hologram didn’t reappear Nicole’s voice spoke into the room.

“Metal Sonic has breached the city. He is being followed by a swarm of Egg Swat pods. I’ve raised the city shield. Sonic and I are going to dispatch him.” Elias tried to calm himself with the knowledge of the city shield and the presence of Sonic to combat the super badnik, because he knew the only reason Eggman would have to attack; the doctor wanted Sally back.

Everyone’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a loud energy build up. Turning, the rest of the Secret Freedom Fighters saw Silver’s hands pulsing with jagged cyan light.

“I didn’t come all this way just to buy the world an extra day,” the time traveling hedgehog’s voice was a deathly whisper, as he turned to leave their hideout. Harvey held up a restraining hand, earning a glare from the hedgehog. The old owl didn’t flinch and instead offered a small earpiece,

“Keep us updated, Agent Ace,” Silver nodded, inserting the device in his ear. Once Silver was gone Larry spoke up,

“Should… should the rest of us…?” he began to ask.

“With the city shield up I think Metal Sonic will be more than accounted for, and the princess’ location is underground, along with all the cloaking fields a robian could ask for,” Director Who answered. Elias clenched his jaw but said nothing as he silently nodded to Harvey’s assessment.

A few moments of tense silence followed Harvey’s words. Then something happened that plunged their hearts into terror. The briefing room’s HQ was bathed in red light and an automated voice that wasn’t Nicole’s said, “Iron dominion protocol engaged.”

Elias and Harvey stared at each other in horror while Lyco, Leeta, and Larry were confused by the message.

“What the heck does that mean?!” Lyco asked. Harvey declined to answer as he tested their holographic meeting room table and found it unresponsive, confirming his fears. Elias answered,

“Nicole created a failsafe program for this bunker for if she was ever enslaved again,” Elias quickly explained. He, Harvey, and Sir Charles had been the only ones on the team she’d told about it and the code phrase on how to invoke it should the need arise.

“But…! But the Iron Queen isn’t here, so what’s happening?!” Larry squeaked. Elias tried to use the holo table to reach Silver, but to no avail.

“I’ve already tried, no good. We’ve been cut off from the rest of the network.” Harvey said. Elias instead turned to his locker for his gear on the wall and inserted his own earpiece.

“These use their own frequency right?”

“Yes, but without Nicole to relay the signal…” Harvey began,

“What if WE relay the signal?” the old owl’s eyes widened before a smile spread across his face,

“Good lad! Larry, get your earpiece and get topside, but stay near one of the hideout’s entrances.” Larry quickly did so only being slightly slowed down by his earpiece getting briefly tangled in his uniform in his locker, (despite the fact it had been perfectly folded beforehand.)

 

 

Everything after that was a blur for Elias. They learned through Silver that the city had been infected by a virus which had forced the city shield to fall. Silver as well as most of Team Freedom left to defend the city from the swarm of Egg Swat pods while Sonic and Rotor went to extract the override code for the virus from Metal Sonic to save the city and Nicole.

Harvey had decided to split up the team to different vulnerable points around the city to attempt to act as a last line of defense should any of the doctor’s forces opt for wanton destruction, which would later prove to be unnecessary. Elias had argued for them to report to the bunker where Sally was being worked on by Sir Charles and Tails, but Harvey had opted against it. Not just for their secrecy, but the fact that their agents would have to move above ground without Nicole to create tunnels for them, drawing attention to Sally’s location.

This too proved futile as they would later learn that the virus in the city had been steadily breaking down the city’s systems, including the cloaking fields hiding Sally’s location for Eggman’s network.

Metal Sonic had breached Sally’s bunker and flown her away, but eventually they learned through Silver that she’d managed to fight off Metal long enough for Sonic and Rotor to arrive and give her the backup needed to defeat the super badnik and get the virus override code.

 

 

Having gotten all this second hand while remaining in their HQ, when the ordeal was over Elias collapsed into his chair, his nerves spent. Though he sat down more gracefully, Harvey was similarly winded from the experience as he knew more than anyone from studying Silver’s research what Mecha Sally had been fated to accomplish.

“I do believe that was the doctor’s last stand,” Harvey mused.

“Then let us hope he doesn’t get back on his feet for a long while,” Elias groaned. At that, the lights finally returned to normal in their bunker.

“All agents, return to HQ,” Harvey said into his earpiece.

 

 

 

Soon a battle weary but surprisingly uninjured Silver found himself explaining what else he knew of the day’s events to the team.

“… and Tails said that Nicole would be back online once she was done rebooting.” Silver finished. Before anyone could ask further questions the tell-tale flicker of said holo-lynx’s hologram came to life.

Before the lynx could get a word in, the team had surrounded her on all sides with exclamations of concern and relief.

“Perhaps we should give her a chance to breath?” Harvey chimed in seeing the lynx get overwhelmed. The team guiltily retreated backward, though Nicole found herself touched by their reaction.

After assuring her they were alright, an expression no one had been expecting went across the holo-lynx’s face; excitement. “I… I am happy to report I am not the only member returning today,” Everyone looked confused, until a new hologram began to form next to Nicole. In a flash of light the form of Shard appeared with one hand and one cannon arm on his hips.

The entire team, even Harvey Who, stood in complete shock. Shard turned between his teammates, grinning from ear-to-ear, “Hey guys, miss me?”

 

 

 

That night’s celebration was now complete with Shard as the guest of honor, much to the former badnik’s smug satisfaction. It was soon explained that while in cyberspace Sally had discovered Shard’s ‘remains’ and had brought him back to life. Shard had quickly repaid that debt by being in Mecha Sally’s body during Metal Sonic’s attempted kidnapping and holding off the super badnik until Sonic and Rotor could arrive, as well as helping to dispatch the badnik and retrieve the virus override code.

The atmosphere of the team was completely different to the start of the day. With their fallen member restored and Sally now safe, everyone had never been happier. Even Elias, with his dark musings lurking at the back of his mind couldn’t help but smile and relax. Whatever Naugus’ next plan was, they would be ready for it.

 

 

 

“Um… we sort of already have something planned,” Mina was trying very hard not to stare in open disdain at the skunk. Her boyfriend Ash had much less tact and openly leered at the king’s right-hand man. While Ash and Mina had played a part in his rise to power, they had never intended for someone like Naugus to gain the throne.

Ash held up his hand, “Show me this ‘pledge’ again.” Geoffrey had a rigidly controlled expression as he handed over a piece of parchment (who the heck still used parchment!?)

Ash looked over the document, which read:

 

O wandering mobians of the world, a home you now have found.

Whether you be of the air, or deep beneath the ground.

There is no need for battles, or wars that bring great pain.

Here we join together, for all there is to gain.

Let us not let difference, be a source of pain and strife.

Our differences are strengths, for the betterment of life.

If you accept this wisdom, then join with us and see.

Our kingdom will be strong, and the happier we’ll be.

 

“I think I actually remember this, from school,” Mina said reading the document.

“The Acorn pledge, said in times of old,” Geoffrey confirmed. Ash still looked suspicious of the skunk. “My master thought it would be… fitting, to bring it back,” Geoffrey added.

“For Sally’s rescue!” Mina said brightening, but her expression faded, “Naugus suggested it?” she asked. Geoffrey grimaced, and with an effort hid his intended annoyed expression,

“His illness has made him… reconsider his ways,” Geoffrey replied. Ash gave a wry chuckle,

“You mean he wants to make nice now that he needs help,” Ash guessed. Mina placed a squeezing hand on Ash’s shoulder and gave a stern expression to stop, but she also didn’t say yes to Geoffrey’s request.

“We… already have something planned to celebrate Sally’s return,” Mina said. Geoffrey’s jaw visibly clenched, and he seemed on the verge of an outburst, or more likely a demand, Mina thought. Just at the point of ignition, the skunk’s face softened,

“My dear Mina,” he said in an attempt at politeness, “While my master’s motives may not be entirely altruistic,” Ash made a scoffing noise which Geoffrey ignored, “This is the second gesture of peace he has made, after voting in favor of overturning Nicole’s exile.” Here the skunk saw a reaction from the celebrity and smiled,

“After all,” he continued in a deceptively casual tone, “Doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance?” Here Ash stood up and openly glared at the former secret agent, but Mina put a restraining hand on her boyfriend.

“We can include you at the start of the show. Would that be alright?” Mina asked with a guilty expression. Geoffrey put on a not-quite-convincing humble smile and nodded. Giving thanks for their cooperation the king’s right-hand-man left the Mongoose’s trailer.

Now alone, the thing that claimed to be Geoffrey broke into a conniving toothy smile. A soft, wheezing voice that did not belong to the skunk came out of the former secret agent’s mouth, “How ironic, that the same fools who helped me banish the meddling A.I. will now help deliver me my final victory.”

For once the many voices within the sorcerer were in accord as they reveled in mirth at the thought of what they would soon unleash upon this wretched city.

 

Notes:

The Secret Freedom Fighters are back together, and Elias and Naugus draw their plans for the throne!

Elias was really cut down in his prime by the reboot. Despite being a prince, I liked that he was one of the more ‘normal’ characters of the cast. Just a chill dude who was dragged into responsibilities he didn’t understand or want.

After being axed from the comic, I thought I’d give him his time to shine. While the Secret Freedom Fighters will play important roles, this is Elias’ story, and I’m super excited for you guys to see it play out.

Don’t expect the uploads to be as fast, life’s gotten really busy, so expect longer gaps. In the meantime, share your theories on where you think the story will go.

P.S. By coincidence, Archie Sonic Online just finished their own wrap up of the ‘king Naugus’ narrative, so be sure to show them some appreciation (wish it had been up when I was first writing mine, there are some cool ideas there.)

Chapter 2: Pull Back the Curtains

 

The day after Sally’s restoration to flesh and blood and Sonic’s departure to help Shadow, Mina announced her surprise show for Sally’s rescue from Eggman. Many citizens turned up in droves to watch the event, and if they weren’t there in person then their televisions were tuned to the special local channel that Nicole had set up for the Forget-Me-Knots.

 

Rotor stood sentinel backstage of the event, as Mina’s concerts seemed to have a bad track record of disaster recently. He had also been told about Geoffrey’s publicity stunt, which he saw as a disgusting attempt to use Sally’s return to bolster his own agenda, which made him unwilling to participate.

 

Tails and Amy were in the crowd, each unaware of Geoffrey’s speech and just enjoying that they could see one of Mina’s concerts again, especially with the knowledge that she’d apologized and campaigned for Nicole’s reinstatement in the city.

 

Cream was busy stopping a scuffle between several of the Chao that she and Miss Amy had helped to rescue from Snively at the city’s Chao garden. She hoped she wouldn’t be too late to watch Mina’s performance with her mother at home.

 

Deep beneath the city two separate bunkers also tune in to the event:

 

In one rests the princess who the event is for. She’d received a message in advance to ask whether she wanted to attend, but Nicole had firmly put down that idea as Sally was still acclimating to her new organic body. Sally hadn’t particularly wanted to go anyway, so instead she’d settled for a live video feed that would start at the end of the performance (and by being live squash any rumors that she wasn’t alive and well.)

Now she, Nicole, and their stoic robotic guardian Omega who was waiting for Shadow and Sonic’s return sat in anticipation of Mina’s performance.

 

In another bunker the Secret Freedom Fighters gathered to watch the event, ready to again celebrate their recent victories. Elias’ mood was only slightly saddened by the fact that it had been five days since Sally’s rescue and he still hadn’t gotten the chance to see his sister, but he’d waited this long, and knowing she was safe made it easier.

 

Finally, Mina took to the stage, “Hello New Mobotropolis!” she greeted. Even beneath the city the occupants of the two bunkers could hear the cheering coming from the concert venue. “In honor of our princess’ return we have a wonderful show for you tonight, complete with a message from Sally herself!”

The crowd roared and Sally found herself blushing despite her isolation, and to the chipmunk’s side, Nicole brightened at seeing her friend’s smile.

“But, before we get to our show, we have a message from our king,” even with Mina’s rehearsed lines, there was a moment of hesitation in her voice. In the Secret Freedom Fighter’s HQ all the agents sat up a little straighter, nervous for what might come next.

“In honor of Sally’s return, king Naugus has asked that we give the Acorn pledge in her honor.” The crowd gave a visibly mixed reaction to this, with some cheering for anything that had to do with honoring Sally’s rescue, and others seeing the action as an attempt to steal the spotlight away from the princess.

“To lead us in that pledge is the king’s right-hand-man, Geoffrey St. John.” Mina gestured to the side where said skunk was walking out from backstage.

The crowd’s reaction became a lot less split as most of the attendees adopted stern glares for the former secret agent. While many weren’t completely knowledgeable about his past, what they did know is that Geoffrey had been found guilty of betraying the crown and had only escaped punishment by a royal pardon.

The disdain of the crowd at Mina’s concert was nothing, however, compared to the stony silence in the S.F.F.’s bunker. Each member of the team turned to see a livid expression adorning Elias’ face.

The young king knew he shouldn’t be this angry at the skunk, after all he had come to some of his senses when he’d tipped them off about Naugus’ plan to enslave the council, but to see him go along with such an obvious attempt to get some of the goodwill for his sister’s return directed towards his master galled him; in fact it wouldn’t surprise Elias if this had all really been his idea and not Naugus’.

 

Geoffrey himself seemed to take no notice of the disdain directed towards him as he approached the microphone. Tapping the device with a brief look of confusion and causing a feedback loop, the skunk cleared his throat, “Repeat after me,” he gestured to the crowd.

As Geoffrey began Elias sat in stony silence. He knew refusing to say the pledge was childish at best, but he refused to follow Geoffrey’s lead. Not wanting to tick off their teammate, the rest of the S.F.F. kept silent as well.

 

“O wandering mobians of the world, a home you now have found.

Whether you be of the air, or deep beneath the ground.”

 

The crowd repeated the words.

 

“There is no need for battles, or wars that bring great pain.

Here we join together, for all there is to gain.”

 

The crowd recited, with Amy and Tails joining in despite their disdain for the skunk.

 

“Let us not let difference, be a source of pain and strife.

Our differences are strengths, for the betterment of life.”

 

The crowd recited, and backstage Rotor stubbornly kept his mouth shut, having a distaste for this attempt at sympathy by Naugus.

 

“If you accept this wisdom, then join with us and see.”

 

Geoffrey neared the end of the pledge, but Cream was only just now reaching her home and thus missed the presentation.

 

Sally was already beginning to finish the pledge which she knew by heart, and Nicole, having access to the city’s network and the kingdom’s history joined her in saying, “Our kingdom will be strong, and the happier we’ll be.” Thus the two girls and Elias were stunned as Geoffrey finished with,

 

“Our king, you will be strong, I swear loyalty to thee.”

 

The obedient crowd, as well as the watching citizens of almost every home in New Mobotropolis finished the pledge as Elias stood up in a flash, knocking his chair to the ground. “That’s wrong!” he bellowed, finally expressing his pent-up fury.

“Oh good, I thought I was misremembering,” Larry let out a sigh, but quickly paled at the expression of rage adorning Elias’ face.

“That traitorous wretch tries to steal my sister’s goodwill and he doesn’t even have the decency to memorize my family’s pledge!?” Elias began gesturing wildly as he turned away from the screen.

“Well… at least his mistake is immortalized on tv,” Lyco tried to console. By now the only one left watching the screen was Silver, which meant he was the only one to see it begin.

Geoffrey’s eyes began to glow with a dark purple aura as a mad cackling not in the skunk’s usual voice escaped his mouth. Silver stood up, but before he could shout for his teammates’ attention, the whole event brought to mind a lesson from his old master.

Silver recalled once asking Master Mogul about the Ixis Resurgence, one of the many events that had led to his ruined future, and the Ixis magics in general. His master had explained many things that day, but the chief warning he had given was never pledge an oath to an Ixis wizard, no matter how tempting the deal. With a dawning horror Silver suddenly understood what had just happened.

“A-Assemble the team, now!” Silver shouted. Everyone turned to him in confusion,

“We… are assembled,” Leeta pointed out.

“Then we need to get out there, now!”

“Silver what are you…?” Elias began, but stopped short as he turned back to the tv screen, along with everyone else as they watched in stunned horror what happened next.

 

Meanwhile Sally and Nicole were similarly outraged at Geoffrey’s incorrect reciting of the Acorn pledge. “That was wrong!” Sally barked,

“INDEED, HOW CAN A DECLARATION IN YOUR HONOR NOT MENTION ANY OF EGGMAN’S REPEATED HUMILIATIONS AT YOUR HANDS?” Omega asked from the corner. Neither the living chipmunk nor artificial holo-lynx could respond to Omega’s… compliment… as they watched what happened next.

 

As the crowd finished their recitation of the Acorn pledge, a cheer meant for Sally died out in an instant as Geoffrey’s eyes began to glow with a purple aura. Tails and Amy tensed in the crowd with Amy quickly summoning her Piko hammer.

The skunk’s mouth let out a peel of eerie cackling that sounded as if many voices were escaping Geoffrey’s throat.

“Let us be free of this accursed shell!”

“Let us take our places as lords of these peasants!”

“Let our strength be known to all who would oppose us!” three different voices chimed, all speaking out of Geoffrey. Then, as one,

“AS A NEW ORDER OF IXIS BEGINS!” at that Geoffrey’s body began to spasm as what looked like black tar erupted out of his mouth and formed a swirling cloud in the sky, blotting out the sun. The swirling mass of black soon divided itself into three differing colors of blue, yellow, and red, and began to grow to encompass the entire gathered crowd at the concert.

 

Unseen and unheard by the onlookers the three spirits who’d formerly competed for Naugus’ body now overlooked all the beings who had unknowingly sworn loyalty to Naugus, and by association, them.

“It actually worked! These fools are even easier to control than I’d anticipated.” Suguna the lobster wizard laughed.

“Oh what delicious torment we shall unleash!” Nasgau the bat wizard snickered.

“Be silent, both of you, and allow me to find my new host.” Agunus, the rhino wizard sneered.

“Our new hosts/Our new hosts!” the other two retorted as all three spirits began scanning the crowd for which body they would invade.

“What’s this!? Three sources of untapped magic amongst the gathered masses!?” Suguna snapped.

“What are you… oh yes! I see!” Nasgau said.

“Two even carry the mark of a previous Ixis wizard within them!” Agunus said.

“And they still swore loyalty to us, however unknowingly, ha ha ha ha!” Nasgau laughed, before becoming serious, “But who shall have which vessel?”

“I will not be denied power by you two fools again! I will have whichever is the strongest of the lot and…”

“Why bicker, when the choices are obvious?” Suguna chimed in. The rhino and bat wizards turned in open suspicion of their comrade.

“Agunus, you always propound the need for strength, who better than the one who wields such a powerful weapon?” Suguna indicated the pink hedgehog who was brandishing said weapon and ready to do battle.

“And Nasgau, master of the air, surely the little one’s peculiar mutation, not to mention his untapped magical power, more than piques your interest?”

“And you save the speedster for yourself I notice,” Agunus sneered, but he already looked tempted by Suguna’s reasoning.

“Of all our mastered elements, mine, water, is the fastest, but surely you’ll both notice the greater magical power within your own candidates than in mine.” The other two spirits could not disagree with Suguna’s reasoning and were far too eager to begin their conquest to care,

“Do we have an accord?” Suguna asked.

“Indeed/Indeed!” both wizards agreed.

 

After that… whatever it was… had left Geoffrey’s mouth and become the multicolored cloud above the crowd, the skunk’s body had fallen to an exhausted kneeling position. Tails saw this and grabbed Amy’s wrist.

“Amy, forget the cloud, this was Geoffrey. If we get him then…”

“Then I can bash his head in until he undoes it,” Amy sufficed as she began to push through the now terrified and scrambling crowd. Rotor had the same idea as he came from backstage walking towards Geoffrey with his nanite suit fully engaged.

“Mina, get out of here!” Rotor shouted at the mongoose, which finally snapped Mina out of her shell shock, but she stood her ground,

“T-This traitor doesn’t get to ruin my show and g-get away with it,” Mina wished that had sounded cool and not terrified. Ash also appeared from backstage as he ran to join his girlfriend. He started to voice his agreement with Rotor but seeing the fierce look in Mina’s eyes he relented and stood by her side, clasping her hand.

Before the assembled freedom fighters and pop-star could do anything more, however, three bolts of lightning, one red, one blue, and one yellow shot down from the swirling storm clouds above.

The beams of light found their marks as Tails, Mina, and Amy were all shocked and crumpled to the ground, along with Ash, who received an indirect jolt from Mina. “NO!” Rotor shouted, running to the nearest victims in Mina and Ash. “Team Freedom! Nicole! I need everyone down here stat!” Rotor shouted into his earpiece before approaching the fallen mongooses.

Before the walrus could reach her, Mina’s body spasmed and flopped in place, distantly reminding the walrus of a fish gasping for air on dry land. A new ripple of screaming came from those still in the crowd area as Tails and Amy did the same.

Loud cracking and snapping noises came from the afflicted and Rotor could only watch as Mina’s arms and legs twisted and spun at awkward angles. The mongoose’s head spun to its left and locked eyes with the walrus, glowing with an eerie blue aura. The pop-star bared her teeth in a snarl at the freedom fighter then spasmed upward into a standing position.

“Mina…? Can you…?” The mongoose gnashed her teeth then let out a piercing, guttural screech of agony. Her body shook as her arms flew out away from her. Jagged red points began erupting from the palms and backs of her hands. The red points grew until they resembled greasy lobster claws. Her face was similarly transformed as her mouth widened on either side and two bizarre ‘whiskers’ grew out from below her nose. The shaking stopped and the mongoose sagged with her head hanging, looking unconscious if it weren’t for her standing.

The same screeching came from the now abandoned audience area. Looking over the edge of the stage Rotor saw Tails and Amy had gone through similar transformations.

Amy’s muzzle had elongated outward and had a greyish coloration that looked more like stone than living flesh, and her head was now adorned with a large, jagged white horn. Like Mina, her eyes glowed, except with a fiery red aura.

Tails’ face had been consumed by wrinkles and his nose had seemingly flattened against his face. His arms now had flaps of skin from the wrists up into the armpits, like that of a bat’s. His eyes glowed with a dark yellow aura.

“G-Guys? Are you…?” Rotor stammered.

“Begone meddler!” a voice that did not belong to her came from Mina’s mouth. Raising her hand, droplets of water were pulled from faraway clouds. The droplets soon formed into a massive ball which Mina directed to slam the stunned walrus backward and through the back of the stage.

At this point Geoffrey rose from his kneeling position as his breathing finally stabilized. “Are you satisfied, parasites?” Naugus/Geoffrey asked. As Agunus shifted the earth beneath his feet and Nasgau sent a jet of air with his arm the three possessed beings turned their eager grins to Naugus.

“Then begone from me and my kingdom!” Naugus spat.

“Not until we know our powers are at their fullest,” Agunus snapped back.

“Indeed, our mettle in these new vessels has yet to be tested,” Nasgau agreed. Naugus rolled his, or rather, Geoffrey’s eyes,

“Fine! Go out into MY city,” a grin spread across his face, “It has no shortage of heroes who’d try to reclaim their lost friends,” he gestured to the spirits’ new hosts. The four spirits shared one last cackling laugh before each parted for different parts of the city, to test their own elemental powers, as well as the abilities of the hosts they had chosen.

Naugus himself turned back toward the royal military HQ. Flexing Geoffrey’s fingers, he confirmed all his elemental powers, and more importantly his crystalline magics, were intact, summoning several of the jagged structures from the ground.

“Meanwhile, I believe it’s time this republic, was cleansed of its dead weight.” The mad wizard began his march back to the council chambers, letting out peels of wheezing laughter along the way.

 

Notes:

Naugus is free of the demons that plagued him, but little does he know there's still one team of heroes ready to fight!

This is a story for Elias and the Secret Freedom Fighters, but it takes place in New Mobotropolis, which prompted the question, what to do with the other heroes? Possession!

Hope you guys are ready, cause there's a whole lotta action from here on out.

Chapter 3: Out of the Shadows

 

“Tails! Amy!” Sally screamed. Though the concert had been thoroughly sabotaged, the broadcast was still running for the doomed event, giving all who were still watching on their tv screens a view of the transformations of the Ixis spirits’ new hosts.

Nicole could barely give her own startled exclamation before her communications received messages from the Secret Freedom Fighters as well as Rotor, who they’d just witnessed get taken out by Mina’s possessed body.

“Rotor?! Rotor! You’re okay! I… yes, I’m on my way.” Nicole said, but she stopped short seeing the look on her best friend’s face.

Sally stood stock still. The vision at the corners of her eyes was blurring, her heart rate, which she treasured the return of, skyrocketed. Her breathing was fast and labored, approaching hyperventilation. Sally barely maintained a grasp on her senses. Was this… panic?

“Sally!” The princess finally tore her eyes away from the screen where she’d watched the two youngest freedom fighters be turned into monsters. “Sally, your vitals, they’re…” Nicole suddenly understood.

“Sally, come sit down,” the chipmunk numbly complied, collapsing into her chair. Nicole wished she could stay to help, but she had friends in far more dire peril than Sally, “Omega will protect you, you’re safe. I’m sorry I can’t stay…” Sally blinked several times, then turned with a quaking voice,

“G-Go help them. They n-need you.”

“COMMANDER ACORN WILL BE PROTECTED. GO, AND DO NOT ALLOW ONE OF THE GREATEST THREATS TO EGGMAN’S EMPIRE BE DESTROYED FROM WITHIN,” Omega said. Nicole gave a grim nod then faded away into pixels.

Sally gripped the arms of her chair and tried in vain to calm herself down, but her lungs and heart defied her as they continued their erratic patterns. Images of Eggman, leering down at her flashed through her mind and she held her eyes open to avoid seeing them.

Distantly, Sally wondered whether this might be a side effect of her new body. Her frantic mind latched on to the notion because it was easier than admitting the alternative.

“VICTIMS OF ROBOTIZATION HAVE REPORTED AN ACCLIMATION PROCESS UPON RETURNING TO THEIR ORIGINAL STATES.” Sally turned to the former badnik that currently served as her guardian.

“R-Right… that’s… r-right,” Sally’s breathing finally began to slow. She closed her eyes and let the images of Eggman reach her, then let them pass. Sally felt a bitter tear run down her face; she should’ve known better than to think all her wounds could be healed with a new body.

 

 

 

Nicole went to Rotor first, but kept communications open with the Secret Freedom Fighters. She found the walrus kneeling over a barely conscious Ash. Nicole performed a scan and was unsurprised to find an energy signature that resembled Naugus’ magic.

“I need to get him to Dr. Quack,” Rotor hefted the delirious mongoose into his arms,

“What about you?” Nicole asked with no small amount of concern. Rotor gave a pretend look of offence,

“I’d be a disgrace to my kind if I couldn’t take a rogue wave now wouldn’t I?” he asked. Nicole still looked concerned, so he added, “Nanite suit helped too.”

With that addressed, Rotor continued, “We can’t send Heavy and Bomb after Geoffrey, I saw him using crystal magic which means they’re at risk of being converted, and this is too dangerous for Cream, is Silver still in the city?” Rotor asked.

“Yes, as well as some… other freedom fighters, they’re on their way.” Rotor gave a curious look but logged his questions away for another time.

“Alright, have them go after Mina, Tails, and Amy, if I understand what I heard, they’ve been possessed just like king Max was.” Nicole turned her head to look at something Rotor couldn’t see,

“You get all that?” she asked. Rotor assumed she got an affirmative by her turning back to face him.

“One other thing. I don’t know what possessed Mina, Tails, and Amy, but… I think Naugus has possessed Geoffrey.” Nicole’s eyes widened,

“You mean… his illness…?” Rotor gave a grim look in response,

“If he ever had it at all,” Rotor added. Activating his jetpack, the walrus turned to blast off, “Keep me updated,” he said tapping the side of his helmet, then jetted away.

 

 

 

The Secret Freedom Fighters, except for Elias, had already suited up by the time Nicole began her conversation with Rotor,

“If he ever had it at all.” Everyone was momentarily stunned by that news.

“If that’s true he’s far too dangerous a foe for Team Freedom to face alone,” Elias’ voice came from his room. Lyco and Leeta cast impatient glances to each other,

“Uh… team leader, you plan on joining us?” Lyco deadpanned. Everyone else had gotten into their S.F.F. uniforms in record time, even Larry with his bad luck had managed it.

“Are you styling your eyebrows in there or what?” Leeta added, getting brief grins from the rest of the team.

“In a manner of speaking,” Elias’ door opened, and he emerged not in his S.F.F. uniform, but his royal garb. A hologram of Shard appeared amongst the team as the badnik deadpanned,

“Dude, even I know that’s not how you go about being a secret agent.”

“The time of secrecy has passed, the people have seen the danger Naugus poses,” Elias responded.

“No,” Harvey Who’s voice cut in, “they have seen the danger his apprentice poses, and they already associate Geoffrey with being a traitor. Our false king could still play this to his advantage.”

Elias cursed under his breath, but knew Harvey was right. Just as he was on the verge of relenting, something stirred in Elias’ mind. He wanted to reject Harvey’s words. He’d waited long enough in the shadows, hadn’t he? But… was now truly the time to follow his own course, or was this the same arrogance his father had succumb to? Gritting his teeth, Elias made his decision.

“No, I will face Geoffrey, Naugus, whatever he is, as I am,” Elias stood taller, “and besides, Naugus isn’t the only one with a false alibi. If the wizard should escape being exposed again, I can claim I had arrived to see my sister.”

The team tensed as they saw their leader go against Director Who. The moment was quick, as Harvey broke into a smile, “There’s a smart lad, but I’m afraid you’re still not enough to face Naugus.” Elias turned away from the owl,

“I’ll solve that power discrepancy soon enough,” Elias assured, “Nicole?” the holo-lynx materialized, and thus the entire team was assembled.

“We’re dividing our forces. Lyco, Leeta, you go after Amy. You helped Team Fighters when they were rescuing Sally, so see if you can talk to her.” The wolf twins nodded,

“Larry, same goes for you and Tails. I know you were only a substitute freedom fighter but if talking doesn’t work, see what your jinxes can do.” Larry gave a determined nod. Here the young king faltered,

“Silver, I know you haven’t spent time with Mina, but you’re our last man so…”

“I’ll handle Mina,” everyone turned with wide eyes to Nicole.

“No, we need you to coordinate, between everyone,” Elias objected. The holo-lynx stood her ground,

“We’ve spoken together several times since my return, and… I believe I can get through to her. I can do both, and besides, you’ll need Silver for back up against Naugus.” Elias wanted to object, but they’d taken too long already,

“Fine, do you have locations for each target?” he asked instead. Nicole waved her hand and each of the Secret Freedom Fighters’ wrists, besides Elias’, blinked. “Everyone has their missions? Good, let’s move out!”

Everyone made their way down separate tunnels to various secret exits around the city and Nicole faded away into pixels again.

Shard’s hologram and Director Who were the only members left in the bunker. “This is it, isn’t it?” Shard asked with a dejected voice.

“You have done more than your fair share, Agent Jack, and we couldn’t have gotten this far without you.” Harvey assured. Shard folded his arms and kicked at the ground. Harvey smiled at the childish gesture, “Come, let’s watch our team dispatch Naugus’ plans,” Harvey gestured to the command table, “hopefully… once and for all.”

 

 

 

As Elias ran and Silver hovered down their tunnel, the young king turned to the time traveling hedgehog. “Silver, I’ll need your help to get something to even the odds.” The hedgehog gave a determined nod,

“Just tell me what you want me to do.”

 

 

 

Rotor stood uncertainly over Ash’s comatose body. “He’s s-stable,” Dr. Quack let go of the mongoose’s wrist. Rotor nodded and turned to leave the hospital room and rejoin the fight, “Rotor,” the walrus turned back to the doctor, “If you can… please protect my family.”

Rotor stood still for a moment at the duck’s words, and with startling clarity, suddenly realized the burden Sally had carried for almost her whole life. Rotor put on what he hoped was a convincing confident expression, “That’s what Team Freedom is for. Whatever this is, we’ll beat it.” With that, the walrus left the hospital.

Rotor ran outside, but just before he could blast off, a huge gust of wind threw off his trajectory and made him duck into a barley-controlled crash. Unfortunately for him the roll carried him all the way into a light post.

“Sorry! That’s… probably my fault.” Rotor sat up with a start and turned incredulously toward the new voice.

“Larry!?” Rotor spotted the lynx dressed in a black jumpsuit with orange stripes. “Guess that’s where the wind came from, so you were the backup Nicole was…?” Rotor started to ask, but was cut off,

“Fool! This runt is no Ixis wizard!” a screeching voice reached the two freedom fighters. Larry and Rotor looked in horror at the thing that had mere minutes ago been Miles Prower. If it had not been their friend who was possessed they might’ve found it comical how short the demon was compared to them, but both freedom fighters knew better.

“Larry, think that bad luck of yours can help me save Tails?” Rotor asked.

“My jinxes have beat everything else, why not an Ixis demon?” Larry tried, but only half-succeeded at sounding confident. Rotor smiled nonetheless.

“Do we have other operatives here? …No offense,” he added. Larry smiled.

“One for each,” he gestured to Ixis Tails, “And El… our leader, has a plan… I think…” Larry tried to assure. A wry smile spread across Rotor’s face. Impossible odds and hoping your teammates had a plan? Just like the old days.

“Enough of your prattle! I have come to hear the screams of your agony, and I will not be denied!” Ixis Tails screeched.

Rotor’s heart ached at seeing the little fox who’d help him with repairs back in Knothole like this, but he shook the feeling off. He’d seen his friends time and again corrupted by evil, and each time they’d gotten them back. Rotor vowed this would be no different. The walrus flexed his arms as the hum of his wrist blasters came to life.

“You get in close, I’ll attack from a distance,” Rotor said. Larry nodded,

“Be careful, I think his thing is wind,” Larry warned before rushing toward the enemy.

“Great,” Rotor deadpanned as he took to the air, careful to avoid several gusts sent by Ixis Tails. “Hang in there kiddo, we’ll get you back.”

 

 

 

The ground shook beneath their feet as Lyco and Leeta neared the end of their tunnel. The wolf twins shared a nervous look before exiting the passage. Coming out of a tree stump the girls had little problem locating their target.

Huge, jagged rocks protruded from the ground, driven up from underneath the city. The appearance of several more shattering up through the street led them to Ixis Amy.

“M-Miss Amy, p-please stop, I d-don’t want to fight you!” The sound of a child’s crying voice made the wolf twins double their pace.

“Cream, come inside, quickly, that’s not Miss Rose!” Lyco and Leeta rounded the corner of one of the rock spires and took in the scene; Cream, the youngest member of Team Freedom flying through the air, Ixis Amy, summoning pillars of rocks from the ground and hurling them up at the rabbit. And the rabbit’s mother, beckoning her daughter to the dubious safety of their house.

“You think that pitiful structure will save you!?” A harsh brutish voice at odds with the body it came from mocked, “If it weren’t for this infernal city of machines, I would’ve buried you by now! Now submit to my might and…!”

“Hey!” Lyco shouted. The demon turned to the newcomer, “I don’t know who you are, but you’ve possessed a freedom fighter and are picking on a kid, so you SO don’t get to monologue!”

Ixis Amy’s eyes widened, before sneering, “The intruders from the cave. That fool Naugus couldn’t handle you, now you will face the might of a REAL Ixis wizard!” The demon summoned another spire of rock, this time at an angle with jagged points, directed toward the wolf twins.

The sisters jumped back and forth up two of the previous structures until they reached safety at the top. Ixis Amy slammed her hands together then pulled on unseen forces in either direction. The two spires the twins were on flew in opposite directions.

“Leeta!” Lyco screamed as while she managed to maintain a grip on her spire, her sister plummeted back toward the ground. Below the falling wolf, Ixis Amy parted the ground with a stomp, creating a crevice for the Secret Freedom Fighter to plummet into.

Before Lyco could try anything to save her sister a blur of motion went through the sky and Leeta was saved from her fall and dropped next to her sister. “NO!” Ixis Amy screamed at the rabbit rescuer. Cream landed next to the wolf twins panting with tears streaming down her eyes,

“Leave them alone! And get out of Miss Amy THIS INSTANT!” While Ixis Amy only fumed at the child’s demand the wolf twins each made a silent vow to never get on the young rabbit’s bad side.

“Raaagh!” Ixis Amy screamed and sent several more rock projectiles their way. The three freedom fighters managed to jump out of the way just in time as the spire they’d just occupied shattered into pieces, creating a cloud of dust that blanketed the area.

Having goggles in their uniforms, the wolf twins could see better. With Leeta taking Cream’s arm, they avoided several stray projectiles from Ixis Amy, who seemed to be throwing a tantrum over her obstructed vision.

“Get her back to her mom,” Lyco whispered, before running off in the opposite direction, chucking several rocks away from them to distract the demon.

Reaching the panicked mother, Leeta tried to release Cream’s hand, but the little girl wasn’t budging. “Mother, I want to help,” Leeta was both relieved and impressed that the girl had started whispering without being told.

“Honey, I… I know you do, but this… this is…”

“They need my help, what if they fall again?” Leeta’s heart ached at the earnestness in the little girl’s plea.

The mother’s eyes turned to Leeta, and the wolf suddenly felt she would catch fire under that stern gaze. She tried to open her mouth to agree with the mother, but having just been rescued she couldn’t deny Cream’s assessment.

The ground shook beneath their feet as Ixis Amy summoned up more spires. Leeta frantically looked over her shoulder and hoped her sister wasn’t being skewered.

“Promise me you’ll stay out of… that thing’s way, and only keep these girls safe,” Leeta turned back around in stunned disbelief to see the mother down on one knee, eye-level with Cream. The little rabbit gave a solemn nod. “I’ll wait for you at the city chao garden, if things go wrong, you go there, understand?” the little rabbit nodded again. The mother rabbit turned to leave, but not before fixing Leeta with a glare, that in no uncertain terms, said that her little girl had better not get hurt.

“Raaaagh! Enough!” in a blur of motion the dust cloud created from the spire fragments was forced to the ground. Leeta dragged Cream underneath her as she felt the rock dust slashing across her back, tearing her suit and cutting her tail.

“You okay?” Leeta asked letting Cream go. The little girl nodded, then seized her hands and dragged her into the sky just in time to avoid another spire being hurdled their way. “That’s two I owe you,” Leeta quipped as they took to the air. “Don’t look down, Don’t look down, Don’t look down,” she chanted to herself as the rabbit took them around Ixis Amy to regroup with her sister.

 

 

 

Ixis Mina blazed through the city at top speed. The spirit lurking within the mongoose snickered to itself as its new body ran, “Fools! They settle for potentially powerful hosts, meanwhile I claim the one with the power of the hedgehog! With this speed and my own powers, who on Mobius can stop me now?”

“That is far enough.” A wall materialized up and out of the street in front of Ixis Mina. The mongoose screamed, trying to skid to a stop but failing and tumbling head over tail and crashing into the wall.

“I do not know what manner of spirit you are, and I do not care. You will release my friend, now.” as her voice spoke, Nicole’s hologram formed next to the possessed mongoose.

“The meddling machine,” Ixis Mina sneered, “Always trying to convince the ignorant masses of this city that machinery is more powerful than magic.”

“While I am not fond of it, I have never dismissed the power that wizardry holds, and like all power, it must not be allowed to fall into the hands of evil. That is why I cannot allow you to run free.”

“Then I will show you the true power of Ixis magics machine!”

 

 

 

“Ah, good, you’re all here!” Ixis Geoffrey waltzed into the council chamber, brandishing the chaos emerald topped staff. The council members all froze in their seats, with the exception of Sir Charles,

“Everybody duck!” Charles shouted, as he revealed a laser rifle from beneath the council table, aiming right at Geoffrey’s face. Ixis Geoffrey quickly raised his staff, summoning a wall of crystal between himself and his enemy. The rifle fired into the rock, the beam reflecting away and off target.

Charles didn’t move as he fired shot after shot into the rock wall, each shot going wild but boring further into the crystal. Just as the sizzling bolts were about to breach his defense… “Be still! All of you!” Ixis Geoffrey waved his hand. The council members each froze, unable to move as their bodies were engulfed in a purple aura.

Sir Charles stared down at himself in pure terror, his mind cast back to his years spent as a robian. “Said the pledge did you?” Ixis Geoffrey snickered.

With all of his might, Sir Charles managed to squeeze off one more shot from his laser rifle, which just barely missed the possessed skunk.

“Enough!” With a wave of his other hand, crystal shot out of the ground beneath Charles’ feet and entombed him. Flicking his wrist, one at a time, he did the same to the other council members until only Rosemary remained.

“What have you done to my son!?” Rosemary screamed.

“Silence you nagging hag!” Ixis Geoffrey snapped, making crystal cover everything but her face.

“Sir Charles will make a fine hostage for when that miserable quickster tries his antics, but you…” a wicked smile played across the skunk’s face, and the terrified fox could swear she saw his teeth grow jagged. “You have undermined my authority as king for the last time.”

Ixis Geoffrey’s left hand began to mutate before the fox’s eyes, into a jagged claw. The sharpened appendage raised, ready to strike, when…

“Naugus!” Ixis Geoffrey whipped around, spotting Elias, who held the sword of light in his grasp. Ixis Geoffrey hissed at the holy relic, but his eyes grew wide upon seeing Silver.

“One of the interlopers from the cave! YOU sabotaged my spell!” The skunk glared as the purple aura surrounding his eyes flamed, but the skunk’s face was soon overtaken by a greater expression of rage, followed by a shockwave of air and fire blasting Elias and Silver backward.

“And you KNEW you TOLD THEM!” the screeching voice of Naugus screamed out of Geoffrey’s throat. After the outburst the aura around the skunk’s eyes flickered slightly, and his expression became one of pain. The skunk’s body screamed in agony as the voice briefly altered back to that of Geoffrey’s before the purple aura returned to the eyes and the expression went back to rage.

“My apprentice will pay in full for his insolence, after I’ve dealt with you!” Ixis Geoffrey hissed. Elias bared his teeth, but soon smirked as he looked over to Silver, who’s hands were pulsing with cyan energy,

“I like my odds,” the young king quipped.

“Then perhaps we should even them!” Ixis Geoffrey hissed with a wicked smile, slamming his staff into the ground. All at once the crystal entombing the council members fell away, revealing all the councilors had had their bodies converted to crystal.

The shimmering green crystal zombies clambered up onto the table and gave blank menacing stares at the Secret Freedom Fighters. The jagged henchmen lunged at the two, but Silver threw up his hands and caught all six without breaking a sweat.

“That all you got?” Silver challenged. Elias took his moment to lunge at Ixis Geoffrey. The sword of light met the wizards staff with a show of sparks.

“Actually…” Ixis Geoffrey wheezed with a smile, “that transformation has occurred to anyone who pledged loyalty to me.” The two freedom fighters’ eyes widened in horror. In confirmation of their fears, terrified screaming reached their ears coming from outside the Military HQ.

Elias turned to Silver, “Silver go! The others will be overrun! Keep the crystalized from hurting anyone!”

“But what about you!?”

“I’ll be fine!”

“But…!”

“GO!” The time traveling hedgehog reluctantly flew out of the room, carrying the crystallized council members with him. Ixis Geoffrey summoned a gust of wind that blew Elias across the room.

“That was a mistake, pretender, your friend might’ve stood a chance, but you are nothing against my power!” Ixis Geoffrey hissed. Elias gripped the sword of light with both hands,

“It seems you’ve forgotten this blade, monster. Wielded by Sir Connery, who vanquished your own master in battle!” Ixis Geoffrey cackled at Elias’ bravado,

“Alas, you’re not half the warrior Sir Connery was,” the possessed skunk sneered.

“And you are nothing compared to Mogul’s might, so I’d say it evens out,” Elias fired back. Ixis Geoffrey hissed in fury and held his staff behind him, ready to swing it and cast magic,

“Once I’m finished with you, I will slay your invalid father and meddling mother, and then… he he he, I will see your sister suffer a slow and agonizing death, and finally be rid of your interfering bloodline!”

“Raaaagh!” Elias closed the gap as sword and staff met once more as the fate of the kingdom hung in the balance.

 

Notes:

The battle for the fate of the Acorn Kingdom begins!

For the battles with the possessed freedom fighters, I tried to give an equal share between Team Freedom and the S.F.F. with the exception being Nicole, but she got taken out by Metal in her last battle, so I figured she was due for her own one-on-one.

Sorry to all Silver fans for giving him busy work with crystal zombies, but this is Elias' battle, and Archie Silver was kinda overpowered. Rest assured they'd all be super dead without him.

Likewise for Shard fans, but he had a starring role in First and Last Mecha, so I figured the other team members should get a chance to shine.

Excited for you guys to see the outcomes of these fights, they were a lot of fun to write.

Chapter 4: Into the Light

 

Silver flew high above the city and saw that Naugus hadn’t been lying. Everywhere he looked, purple and green reflections gave away the citizens who’d taken the modified Acorn pledge and inadvertently sworn loyalty to king Naugus, thus swearing loyalty to an Ixis wizard.

Picking the largest cluster of crystal zombies he could see, Silver flew down, still carrying the crystalized council. Using his psychokinesis, he began pulling the afflicted citizens out of the city and away from anyone who hadn’t taken the Acorn pledge, though there didn’t seem to be many who weren’t under Naugus’ thrall.

The more afflicted Silver carried with his powers, the more strain his mind began to feel. The time traveling hedgehog was powerful, but he’d usually only had to concentrate on one thing at a time, not hundreds. Silver pushed aside the mounting pain, knowing Elias was counting on him. He desperately hoped he hadn’t been wrong to leave Elias alone to face Naugus.

 

 

 

“You were never fit to rule this kingdom boy!” Ixis Geoffrey shouted, swinging his chaos emerald topped staff, summoning a huge pillar of crystal beneath Elias’ feet and sending him crashing through a window and outside. The young king gasped from the impact but quickly rolled to his feet as another crystal stabbed out of the ground, just missing him.

“I have my traitorous apprentice’s memories. I know you spent your time as king running from the throne!” Ixis Geoffrey sneered as he sent a jet of fire at Elias, who quickly ducked behind the crystal spike he’d just avoided to escape the blast. The possessed skunk swung his staff and sent a blast of purple energy from the chaos emerald instead, shattering the crystal barrier and blowing Elias even farther back.

Elias shakily got back to his feet, leveling the sword of light at his foe, wondering how on Mobius he was supposed to defeat such a powerful enemy.

“What’s the matter? Having trouble with your weapon?” Ixis Geoffrey snickered, “For all the quickster’s bluster, he at least had power for the sword to channel, but you? You. Have. Nothing!”

A cold dread clutched at Elias’ heart. Was Naugus telling the truth? Sir Connery had been ordained by the ancient walkers to use the sword of light, and Sonic had absorbed the power of chaos emeralds and power rings a dozen times over. Did the sword’s user have to possess some pre-existing energy or blessing to gain its power? And if that was the case, had he just arrogantly doomed them all by confronting Naugus with a weapon that was useless to him?

“Hah ha ha ha ha! Now you see your fate, pretender!” Ixis Geoffrey cackled, seeing the panicked look on Elias’ face. Raising his left hand, and directing with his right, Ixis Geoffrey created a wall of jagged crystal on Elias’ left, and a hurricane of wind on his right.

Directing his prey, the possessed skunk directed the wind to push Elias toward the spike wall of crystal waiting to impale him. The young king stabbed his sword into the ground to slow his travel, but nonetheless slowly neared his demise.

 

 

 

Rotor felt his trajectory pitch wildly as he went into a barely controlled fall, kicking up dirt as he crashed back to the ground. Ixis Tails cackled at the walrus’ misfortune, “Feeling out of your element ocean dweller? Should’ve stayed in the water where you belong!” he hissed.

Off to the side Larry struggled to try and get his jinxes to do something, anything that would at least distract the possessed fox, but to no avail. Seeing that Rotor was defenseless Larry shouted,

“T-Tails, I… know we didn’t know each other that well but… I know you don’t want to do this!” the possessed fox’s head snapped over to the lynx, annoyed to be interrupted in his enjoyment of Rotor’s suffering,

“Was that this body’s name?” Ixis Tails said with a wide, condescending smile, “Your friend can’t hear you anymore runt, and you possess nothing that could break the power of an Ixis wizard’s oath of allegiance!” The demon sent a jet of air that sent Larry flying, and, without meaning to, into a rock that had been hidden behind a bush. Larry’s head swam as he shakily got to his feet, as Ixis Tails quickly closed the gap.

 

 

 

“That jerk ruined my uniform,” Lyco said in attempted humor as Cream dropped her sister next to her. “Why is…?” she began seeing that Cream wasn’t attempting to fly away,

“She’s back-up, and only back-up,” Leeta answered, placing a squeezing hand on Cream’s shoulder.

“Relying on a mere child. It’s a testament to Naugus’ weakness that you’re still alive,” Ixis Amy sneered. Each twin was inclined to point out that this ‘mere child’ had been handling the demon even before they’d showed up, but that would risk making the rabbit a bigger target.

“M-Miss Amy, I don’t know who’s controlling you, but p-please fight him,” the twins hearts broke at the young rabbit's plea.

“Bah ha ha ha!” Ixis Amy bellowed, “This body wielded great strength, even now I see its past feats, but they are all of them marred… by simpering weakness!”

“Weakness?! Amy’s one of the strongest warriors we’ve ever seen! And who gave you permission to look through her memories!?” Lyco shouted.

“Because she wasted her potential defending the weak, instead of ruling with her power!” Ixis Amy retorted, sending three spires of rock after the freedom fighters. Leeta hurled Cream into the air before jumping in time with her sister to avoid being hit.

“As for your second query,” Ixis Amy continued while keeping up her onslaught, “This body’s memories are mine, because its previous owner swore loyalty to Naugus! And now that I’m free, I will bury all who oppose me in the earth beneath my feet!”

 

 

 

Four walls surrounded Ixis Mina, and the ceiling also constructed of nanites was soon over the possessed mongoose too, all at Nicole’s command. “Mina! You fell to an Ixis wizard’s control once before, do not let it happen again, fight!” Nicole pleaded.

Ixis Mina glared at the holo-lynx and the cage she was now in, “Trying to communicate with this body’s former owner? A useless endeavor, just wait until…” the possessed mongoose stopped as her eyes widened at something Nicole could not see. “Incredible! The very creator of our order…! Bwah ha ha ha ha! I knew I chose the right host!” Despite her current confinement, Ixis Mina threw back her head in cackling laughter.

“Please Mina, you have to fight this!” Nicole pleaded in horror, seeing the possessed mongoose’s cackling, “I don’t want to fight you!” the demon’s cackling ceased,

“My my! What’s this? This is not the first time you’ve fought with this body’s former owner, is it?” the demon grinned. The possessed mongoose’s eyes narrowed into conniving slits, “You must admit, your pleas are quite hypocritical, wouldn’t you say, Iron Nicole?”

“W-What?”

“Pleading for your friend to fight against possession, when you could not resist your own usurper without aid?” Nicole’s eyes widened in horror as her focus was broken. Unseen by the A.I., the possessed mongoose began moving her hands behind her back, collecting water droplets from the air into a concentrated ball.

“Y-You’re manipulating me, using her memories…!” Ixis Mina raised a skeptical eyebrow,

“Is it manipulation, if it is the truth?” Before Nicole could respond, Ixis Mina threw out her hand and sent a spear of concentrated water that flew through Nicole’s hologram and shattered one of the nanite walls of her prison.

Before the A.I. could seal the gap, the demon had sped out of its prison at top speed. Nicole tried to keep pace, but Mina’s speed was far greater than anything she’d achieved before.

“It seems you’ve failed her again machine, but don’t worry, it would take a truly powerful magic to sever the oath, something you can never hope to gain! Ha ha ha ha!” the demon cackled before leaving Nicole in a trail of dust.

 

 

 

Elias struggled to maintain a grip on the sword of light as it slowly carved a stripe in the ground from Naugus’ wind pushing him towards the wall of crystal spikes. Ixis Geoffrey cackled as he lazily directed the hurricane.

“Guys! We could use some back-up here! This thing says Amy can’t break free!” Elias’ already pounding heart skipped a beat as one of the wolf twins’ voices came through his earpiece.

“My jinxes aren’t helping! And whatever’s possessing Tails says we can’t break the oath!”

“M-Mina is loose in the city, I… I was wrong, she… it… says magic is required and… I can’t…!”

As the panicked voices of Elias’ friends ran through his ears the young prince despaired. He’d been a fool to confront Naugus. Of course the sword wouldn’t respond to him, it had never been meant for him. For all his supposed training, self-reflection, and improvement, he’d still succumb to his arrogance. Why had he ever thought he was worthy of taking the throne?

As the panicked cries of his friends mixed with the cackling of Ixis Geoffrey, Elias’ mind flashed backward; returning to the kingdom as his father was poisoned, Antoine (who had really been an imposter) ready to take the throne by manipulating Sally into a marriage she never wanted… and he, being the only one who could stop it.

Elias’ eyes flashed open. He was a fool indeed. It had never been about worthiness, that had just been his excuse. His excuse to flee, to run away from the responsibility that he’d never asked for. No, it did not matter if he was worthy, all that mattered is that he was what stood in the way of evil gaining power.

 

All that mattered, is that he had a job to do.

 

Suddenly a flash of light blinded both Ixis Geoffrey and Elias, but when it cleared, the two saw the sword of light living up to its name as golden rays cast outward from the weapon. “No, no no NO!” Ixis Geoffrey quickly lost his arrogant leisure and redoubled the hurricane to push Elias to his doom.

Elias flew backward as the sword came loose from the ground. The wall of crystal spikes rushed up to meet the flying freedom fighter. But before Ixis Geoffrey could watch his prey impaled, another flash of light filled the area, as Elias swung his weapon two-handed over his head. When the light cleared, it revealed the spiked crystal wall had been cleanly sliced in two.

Well beyond the shattered trap, Elias was in a kneeling position, but he was changed. His blue and red royal garb glowed with brilliant light. The blue thread was altered, now a pure white, his eyes were alight with arcs of gold electricity, and a long white cape shimmered into existence, trailing behind him.

Elias got to his feet and leveled the now glowing weapon at his foe. Ixis Geoffrey hissed and assumed a more wary stance, ready to summon all his powers to slay his enemy.

“Ixis Naugus,” Elias’ voice took on an echoey distortion that made his words reverberate in the open air, “You have been a plague on my family’s happiness and have threatened my kingdom and the world with your lust for power! No more! Today the world sees you for the monster that you are, and by my hand, you will face justice!”

Ixis Geoffrey hissed at the young king’s proclamation as he summoned crystal spires from the ground to stab at Elias.

The young king dodged and ran between the spires, and if they stood in his path, he swung his weapon, shattering the solid crystal in flashes of light. In no time he closed the gap between himself and his foe. Their weapons met once more, only now arcs of golden and purple light flashed off their weapons’ collisions, and this time it was the wizard who was pushed back from the onslaught.

 

 

 

Across the city, all three groups of warring freedom fighters and possessed victims turned toward the flashes of gold and purple lightning that came not from the sky, but from the ground near Castle Acorn.

Perfectly in time with the clashes, the three Ixis possessed beings flinched and momentarily lost their focus.

Ixis Tails’ wind attacks briefly died out as the possessed fox stumbled, causing Rotor to turn to Larry with a questioning glance, to which the lynx merely shrugged.

Ixis Amy wavered in summoning a rock spire, clutching her head, causing Lyco and Leeta to share a cautiously hopeful glance at each other.

Ixis Mina stumbled and nearly fell into a crash, her speed slowing enough that Nicole was able to catch up and fly alongside the mongoose, her expression becoming calculating.

 

 

 

“Secret Freedom Fighters!” Nicole’s voice came through the earpieces of each of the S.F.F. “Did any of your targets just experience a lapse in their focus?”

“Yes!” answered the rest of the team. Hearing this, Elias’ eyes widened, and he pieced it together.

“Secret Freedom Fighters!” Elias spoke to his teammates, “The sword of light has answered my will!” he spoke both for his team’s and Naugus’ ears, “The oath was given to Naugus, not these spirits that have infected our friends.” Ixis Geoffrey snarled at the young king’s words, but Elias could see the fear in the possessed skunk’s face, and knew he was on the right track.

“Keep your targets busy and be ready to help our friends when they are free! I will remove this curse…” here Elias locked eyes with the possessed skunk, “By removing its source.”

 

 

 

Each of the S.F.F. relayed the news to their Team Freedom partners. Sensing the threat to their new bodies, or hearing the report between freedom fighters, each Ixis spirit turned as if to rush to defend Naugus, and by extension their dominion over their new hosts, but each movement gave the corresponding team of freedom fighters the opening they’d been waiting for. Nanite traps, laser blasts, and kicks to the face were had by each of the possessed beings as the tide finally seemed to turn in the heroes’ favor.

 

Notes:

The Sword of Light has answered Elias' call, and the Secret Freedom Fighters make their final stand!

Bet you weren't expecting a super form for Elias were you? Okay, so it's not a FULL super form, since it comes from the Sword of Light rather than the Chaos Emeralds, but as I was writing it just seemed right to have some sort of transformation. Think Sally will be jealous?

Sorry for a shorter chapter this time, but the next one has the finale of all four battles between the Ixis spirits and the S.F.F.

Chapter 5: Inner Demons

 

“Perhaps now this fight will be worthy of my time!” Ixis Geoffrey tried to sneer, but his eyes betrayed his fear at the sword of light responding to Elias. Not letting up his attack, Elias relentlessly swung his weapon, beating back the foul wizard who just barely managed to block the young king’s strikes with his staff.

In a bid to escape the onslaught, Ixis Geoffrey summoned a wall of crystal between him and Elias. The young king easily sliced through the wall with his sword. Ixis Geoffrey had expected this and was ready with a jet of water he sent toward the young Acorn.

Holding up the flat of his blade, Elias redirected the jet of water away from him. Before the possessed skunk could alter the attack, his collected water droplets ran out, and Elias closed the gap to resume his attack. In an attempt to escape another onslaught, the skunk summoned a small crystal tower beneath him to act as a platform to get above the freedom fighter.

The wizard quickly realized his error as Elias sliced the pillar the possessed skunk was atop at an angle. The spire fell, and Ixis Geoffrey was tossed aside. Naugus hastily summoned a wind cloud to cushion his fall, then yelped as Elias bore down on him with another sword swing, which the wizard narrowly blocked with his staff.

Swinging his free hand, the wizard shifted the ground beneath his and Elias’ feet so that it sent both of them flying away from each other. Elias flew backwards but managed to roll into a kneeling position. Ixis Geoffrey did the same, and seeing his opponent unfazed, hissed and summoned a jet of fire to shoot at the young king.

On some instinct, and gripping his sword with both hands, Elias held the blade flat in front of him, closed his eyes, and stood his ground as the cloud of fire rushed up to meet him.

Just as the flames were about to engulf him, Elias felt the sword of light’s power surge through him. As soon as the flames touched the enchanted blade’s tip, the fire split down the middle, traveling to either side of the steadfast Secret Freedom Fighter, harmlessly passing around him.

Ixis Geoffrey’s eyes widened in terror at the sight, and he redoubled his efforts in the column of fire. Elias’ eyes snapped open and gave no surprise at the fire passing him by. Locking eyes with his sorcerer foe, he began taking slow, deliberate steps forward.

Sweat began to show on the possessed skunk’s face, as the passing fire lit up Elias’ eyes with a blazing fury. The gap between the combatants would soon be closed, yet Naugus’ mind was at a loss. He’d come so far, finally rid himself of those wretched bickering spirits, and now this… pretender, was beating him!?

As the sword neared the demonic being, arcs of its golden energy went out ahead of Elias and zapped the possessed skunk’s arms. In an instant, the comatose spirit of Geoffrey St. John, who’d been rendered completely unconscious by Naugus’ last torture, suddenly awoke; stirred by the sword of light’s power.

Seeing Elias from within the dark void of his mind, Geoffrey’s spirit quickly took in the situation. “Ha… ha ha… HA HA HA! YES!” an almost deranged laugh escaped the spirit of the secret agent.

“Silence fool, or you’ll cause the end of both of us!” Ixis Geoffrey screeched aloud. Elias’ eyes widened,

“Geoffrey?” he called, while being careful to maintain his focus lest it be a trick.

“NOOOO! You will not be the cause of my failure again!” Naugus screamed. The jet of fire quadrupled in size, and Elias had to cease his steps and go to a kneeling position just to withstand the inferno. The possessed skunk let out an agonized scream even as the body maintained the jet of fire. As his arms shook upholding his sword and sweat finally started to show on his brow, Elias stared up at his foe refusing to back down.

 

 

 

Within the dark void of Ixis Tail’s mind, a set of bright blue eyes shot open in the darkness. “What…? Where am I? How did…?”

“Be silent wretch!” Though no light entered the void, Tails felt his ‘body’ slammed up against a wall by a fierce wind.

 

 

 

In the real world, Rotor and Larry needlessly ducked to one side, having expected another volley from their foe, but none arriving. Hearing the demon call for silence, the two freedom fighters looked at each other with hopeful expressions.

“Tails?!” the lynx and walrus called.

“Raaaagh!” Ixis Tails screamed and sent a wave of air crashing into the freedom fighters, knocking them to the ground (in Larry’s case landing on a fallen tree branch which snapped up and whacked him in the face.)

“Come on Tails, fight it!” Rotor called as he used his jet pack to fly low and around the possessed fox.

Larry wearily got to his feet as his mind raced on what to do. His jinxes had only marginally affected their foe, and even then, not in any helpful way. The possessed being didn’t seem to feel pain in his new body, and Larry was reluctant to try and cause any serious injury when their goal was to save Tails.

Tails… Suddenly Larry had an idea.

“Hey monster!” Larry called across the field. The possessed fox’s head snapped around with a snarl, only to see the lynx charging forward and tackling the demon. “Sure would be unlucky for you if Tails figured out how to beat you, right?” Ixis Tails blasted the lynx off him, sending the Secret Freedom Fighter flying. Rotor barely managed to catch him and touch them both back to ground.

“Will that actually work?” Rotor asked. Larry made a helpless gesture with his hands and shrugged.

 

 

 

Within the possessed fox’s mind, the blue eyes lit up with sudden revelation. The energies he felt, the scattered flashes of senses he could feel and see and yet wasn’t in control of, “You’re an Ixis wizard!” The fox’s true voice rang out across the void.

“Silence! Or do you wish for more torment at my hands!?” the hissing voice of Nasgau retorted, but the Ixis spirit was taken aback by the young fox spirit’s reaction. Tails’ eyes narrowed into furious slits and his teeth shined through the darkness as he bared them in anger.

“Geoffrey made me swear loyalty, at Mina’s concert, with the Acorn pledge,” Tails voice was an eerie calm.

“Yes indeed!” Nasgau hissed, unnerved by the eerie calm the fox had, but refusing to show it. “I sensed the old mark of an Ixis spirit upon you! Awfully foolish to accept such an offer a second time,” the demon tried to mock. Tails’ glare deepened,

“I have never accepted the offer of an Ixis wizard, it was forced on me.” Nasgau’s attack in the real world stopped completely as his inner spirit stared in disbelief at the fox.

“Th-That’s impossible! The power required to overrule another’s will…! You’re lying! Who could possibly…!?”

“And more importantly,” Tails continued, as if the spirit had never begun speaking, “He wasn’t the only wizard who shared their magic with me!”

In an instant the dark void was filled with light. Though Nasgau didn’t recognize the location, the mindscape the two spirits found themselves in was constructed of the old Knothole, where Tails had spent his formative years.

“NO! You swore your loyalty, you took an oath!”

“Which is being broken as we speak. By what, I can only guess, but I’ll be sure to thank them later.” Tail’s spirit had fully reformed into an astral projection of his body, facing down the large mobian bat that now looked upon the fox with fear.

The young fox’s hands clenched into fists as a bright red cape shimmered into existence around his neck. Taking confident steps forward, Tails spoke again, only now his voice boomed and echoed,

“I was once enslaved by the very master of your order! He nearly had me enact my own demise. I refused to face such a fate again, and my uncle gave me the tools I needed to do so.”

Clapping his hands together, Tails began a chant his Uncle Merlin had helped him memorize before leaving New Mobotropolis. Nasgau did not recognize the words, but he soon felt its effects.

“NO! Th-This is impossible! Be silent you wretched child!” Nasgau’s spirit sent a volley of wind on par with a hurricane toward the young fox. Right as the column of tumbling winds reached him however, it dissipated, as the fox’s eyes opened, pulsating with bright green energy.

“Begone demon!” Now it sounded as if two voices were speaking, Tails and that of an older mobian. Nasgau screamed as a glowing vortex opened behind him and Tails sent his own wind tunnel to pummel the demon through it, and out of his body.

 

 

 

Ixis Tail’s body spasmed as Larry and Rotor watched, afraid to approach. The possessed fox’s mouth snapped open as the same blackish liquid that had left Geoffrey at the concert spewed out and up, into the sky.

The glowing aura that had emanated from Tail’s eyes faded away along with the horrific mutations that had given the young freedom fighter bat-like appendages, at which point the fox collapsed to the ground, unconscious, as Rotor and Larry rushed to help their friend.

 

 

 

“Wh-Where am I?! What’s going on!?” Amy found herself in a black void, feeling as if she were floating in darkness.

“Quiet welp!” a thundering voice echoed through the darkness. A floor rushed up to meet Amy’s spirit body, which she slammed into. The hedgehog groaned and tried to get to her feet but felt what she thought was a boot slam against her back and pin her to the ground. Despite her resolve, Amy let out a whimper as the weight of the boot increased, threatening to snap her in half.

 

 

 

Meanwhile in the real world, Lyco and Leeta turned to each other with confusion in reaction to Ixis Amy’s demand for silence. The possessed hedgehog then let out a pained whimper in a far less brutish voice.

“M-Miss Amy?” Cream called.

“Silence!” Ixis Amy flung out her hand, sending a smattering of sharp rock pellets, but the attack went wide, only requiring a slight dodge from the freedom fighters.

“Amy! Hey Amy!” The wolf twins called, producing more agitation from the possessed hedgehog, but the onslaught didn’t cease as more rock spires were hurled at the heroes.

“Pitiful insects, begone!” Ixis Amy raised her hands, causing a huge wall of rock to burst from the ground in front of her. Then, throwing her hands out, sent the wall racing toward the heroes.

Cream quickly grabbed Lyco, with Leeta grabbing onto her sister’s ankles. The combined weight of the wolf twins was too much for the young rabbit, who only managed to keep them off the ground and out of the churning debris caused by the rock wall’s movement.

All three freedom fighters slammed into the wall as it moved, until finally it stopped, and they all collapsed to the ground, for the moment, out of their enemy’s sight.

Both twins furiously tried to think of some way of getting Amy to fight back. Turning as one, the twins looked down at the quivering Cream.

“Cream, you know Miss Amy right?” the young rabbit nodded. “What’s something that would get Miss Amy really mad, or scared, or anything that would shock her?”

“Well… she got really mad when that awful Miss Rouge attacked us and hurt Princess Blaze.”

“Face me you welps!” the brutish voice shouted from across their battlefield. The wolf twins considered Cream’s words, before the same idea struck both of them. They shared a grim look, knowing their plan was risky.

“Cream, on my mark, fly away crying for help,”

“But… but what if you need help and…!?”

“It’s part of the plan, a trick. Just be careful if he shoots at you, okay?” the rabbit frowned slightly, but nodded, “Ready? Now!” Lyco waved her hand.

As the rabbit flew away, Lyco took her sister from beneath her arms as Leeta pretended to be unconscious. “Be ready to run in case this doesn’t work,” Lyco whispered,

“No kidding,” Leeta bit out before closing her eyes and going limp.

Cream’s cries for help stung the wolf twins’ hearts even if they knew they were fake. Ixis Amy turned to the fleeing rabbit with a reared back arm ready to take aim, but Lyco emerged from behind the rock wall dragging her sister.

“You killed her!” Lyco screamed with as convincing a sound of grief as she could manage. “You vile demon you killed my sister!”

“Then allow me to reunite you both!” Ixis Amy bellowed, but just as the possessed hedgehog reared back to send a rock spire through Lyco’s heart, the wolf’s apparent anguish reverberated through Ixis Amy’s mind.

 

 

 

Suddenly Amy saw through the darkness of her mental prison and got a brief image of the blue and black clad wolf twin carrying her fallen sister.

“NOOO!” Amy’s arms shot down against the ground she was pinned to. Amy could hear the being that had been holding her topple over in the darkness. Standing tall, Amy flexed her hand, summoning her Piko Hammer. Several tears ran down the hedgehog’s face; as each one touched the ground, color and light returned to the spiritual plain.

Soon the scene resolved itself into the deep woods of Deerwood Forest, Amy’s childhood home. Now visible, Amy stared daggers at Agunus, who gave a surprised look in response.

“Perhaps you are stronger than I gave you credit for, though it only proves a greater waste of your powers, by protecting the weak,” he sneered. Amy could only stare with murderous intent, still too heartbroken and furious to respond.

“Do not test me child, you swore loyalty, and even with Naugus fumbling things, I can still keep you under heel.”

Amy’s hand tightened on her hammer. She swung the weapon over her head and bashed it to the ground. A large crater formed under the weapon, but the cracks left by it only grew, until it deepened into a large pit, which had a glowing vortex in the bottom, a portal out of Ixis Amy’s body.

Amy briefly stared in surprise at the vortex, but she’d dealt with enough magic to know not to question it. “You’re a fool if you think you can bait me into such a trap!” Agunus sneered. Amy glared at the demon. With a single leap, she cleared the pit and stood a short distance away from her opponent.

The two spiritual beings stared each other down, neither making a move. Despite her anguish, Amy kept a level-head, remembering Sally and Julie-Su’s training. Having seen her fair share of arrogant foes, the hedgehog knew just what to do.

Amy made a pretend lunge, which briefly made Agunus’ jump. Amy smirked at the demon’s reaction. The smirk and scaring him wounded Agunus’ pride more than any words could have.

Now properly spurred, Agunus lunged toward his foe. Amy forced herself to wait. Seeing that the demon was going for a tackle, she had a strategy in mind.

Just before the brute lunged to grab her, Amy leapt straight up, clearing his encircling arms, with her hammer held in both hands high above her head. As the last bit of the gap closed between them, Amy brought her Piko hammer straight down atop the demon rhinoceros’ horn.

Agunus wailed in pain, as Amy used the force of her attack to spin backward from him. Eyes swimming in tears, he turned to rip his foe to shreds, but unable to see through his drenched eyes, he failed to block Amy’s hammer sweeping beneath his legs, sending him to the ground.

Before the demon could even think to right himself, Amy had circled around, held her hammer like a golf club, and bashed the side of his head with all her strength.

Satisfied that her foe was now too delirious to fight back, Amy grabbed him by the leg and hauled him over to the pit with the swirling vortex. Pitching his legs dangling over the side, Amy then reared back one more time, and bashed the demon’s face in to send him over the edge, into the pit, and out of her mind.

 

 

 

Watching warily from just around the rock Ixis Amy had summoned, Lyco and Leeta watched what would’ve been a comical routine, had it not been for the circumstances, played out by the possessed hedgehog.

Ixis Amy acted out a battle with an unseen foe, before viscerally screaming and clutching her face, falling down, and finally acting as if something had bashed her head.

Now flat on her back, the possessed hedgehog’s mouth snapped open as the same black tar substance from the concert vomited out of her mouth and into the swirling sky. As the substance left Amy’s body, the wrinkly skin and elongated snout receded back into Amy’s original features.

The wolf twins rushed toward the prone hedgehog, but they were beaten there by Cream, who had circled back and landed next to her friend. Amy’s eyes fluttered open to see Cream, and she gave a weak smile. Turning, she also saw the two wolf twins reach her. Seeing Leeta was alive and well, Amy gave a brief laugh of relief, then sighed, and fell unconscious.

 

 

 

“Wha…!? What’s happening?! Ash!? Rotor!? Where am…!?” Mina stumbled around in utter darkness,

“So, the hypocrite awakes?” a gurgling voice responded smoothly, though with an undercurrent of annoyance.

“Who’s there!? Who are… wait, the concert, Geoffrey, he…!” Mina just then noticed the faint sensation of running, due to it abruptly stopping.

 

 

 

“Release Mina at once!” In the real world, Nicole had used Ixis Mina’s sudden distraction from Mina’s spirit awakening to catch up to her foe. Not wasting her chance, Nicole erected new walls around her target, boxing in the possessed Mongoose.

 

 

 

A growl of annoyance echoed through the darkness of Ixis Mina’s mind, before being followed by a chuckle.

“Oh look, it’s your ‘friend’ the machine made mobian.” The faintest flicker of an image came to Mina’s eyes, of a street in New Mobotropolis cast in dark shadows from swirling storm clouds, and Nicole in her hologram form blocking… her… path.

“N-Nicole?”

“Quite the turn of events, wouldn’t you say? After all, it wasn’t so long ago that she was the possessed, except… That’s right, you didn’t stand your ground and fight as she is now doing, oh no, you ran.” Mina curled in on herself at the demon’s words.

“T-There was nothing I could do! The nanites…” here Suguna dredged up Mina’s terrifying memories of the Iron Queen’s conquering of New Mobotropolis. “They were everywhere, no where to go… had to… couldn’t get away…”

“Of course, nothing you could do. Not with your gift of speed; it’s not as if we know anyone who uses such abilities to fight his foes, now do we?” Mina sank to her knees in the darkness as all of her past shame was brought to bear on her by the vile demon.

 

 

 

As Nicole closed the four walls of Ixis Mina’s prison, she heard the possessed mongoose muttering. Focusing in, she heard a brief whimper escape the corrupted popstar, while the expression remained sinisterly pleased.

“Mina! If you can hear me, you need to fight!”

 

 

 

Nicole’s voice came as a far-off echo to Mina’s demoralized spirit. Suguna redoubled his efforts, using his influence to heighten Mina’s past shame for all her failures. Satisfied at demoralizing the mongoose, Suguna turned his attention to the more pressing issue.

 

 

 

“You waste your breath machine,” Ixis Mina sneered at the holo-lynx. “This vessel has always been weak.”

“You’re wrong! She found her own way to fight, to inspire others!” Nicole retorted. Ixis Mina scoffed,

“Mere words and music to distract the masses from their pathetic lives. But when things became dire, she played the part of coward. Always fleeing, beseeching others to fix her woes. Or have you forgotten how she turned the people against you rather than confront you herself?”

Seeing a reaction from the holo-lynx, Suguna did not let up, hoping to break Nicole’s focus again.

“Oh yes, I have found these memories most enlightening, especially… her false apology.”

 

“NO!” Mina’s spirit sobbed, unheard by the holo-lynx.

 

“She spoke the proper words to be sure, but could you really call it genuine?” Nicole glared at the possessed mongoose, but her eyes betrayed her fear.

“I have seen her memories, her very soul, and I can assure you, those words were spoken out of fear, not remorse.” Nanites traveled up into Nicole’s hologram, giving her a solid body as the walls of Ixis Mina’s trap closed in, but the demon did not flinch, as he saw his ploy succeeding…

“She convinced the people to cast you out, and she was quite content for you to rot in your exile. But then Naugus began showing his true colors, and the girl became nervous of another dictator…” Just a little closer…

“So, who better to run to for help, than the last conqueror of the city?” Ixis Mina hissed. Nicole’s face became a mask of anger as a single tear rolled down her face.

 

 

 

Mina sobbed within the dark void, as she watched the scene play out. The demon was right, about everything. Her apology hadn’t been genuine. Real remorse would’ve been going to her as soon as she realized she’d done wrong. But instead she’d put it off, with the excuse of trying to think of what was best to say. She really was a coward.

 

“You’re lying,”

 

Mina’s spirit looked up at the words of the holo-lynx.

 

“Naugus’ rise to power may have helped her see her error, and perhaps even been a driving force for her apology, but those are irrelevant.”

“Irrelevant? You’ve all but agreed with my statement!” Ixis Mina gave a mocking laugh.

“Because you’ve left out everything that came after. She advocated for me at her concerts, when her mother became a council member, she asked her to overturn my exile, which she did. And even after all that, she made the effort to help me in whatever way she could.”

 

 

 

Try as he might, Suguna could not prevent Mina’s battered spirit from hearing Nicole’s words. The mongoose felt undeserving of her praise, but the words nonetheless pulled her back from despair, weeping bitter tears for Nicole’s forgiveness, and her past failings.

As she wept, Mina suddenly felt the intent of her body’s movement as Ixis Mina’s hands began to collect water droplets from the air to use as a weapon. Mina’s eyes widened as she realized Nicole had become partially solid to fight her. If this… thing, managed to drive a water spike through her semi-solid body, the demon would get a chance to escape at best, and short circuit Nicole at worst.

 

 

 

“And yet she still fears you, machine,” Ixis Mina sneered. Nicole took a deep breath and put down her surge of fury,

“No, she fears my power. Something you could learn from, parasite.” Ixis Mina’s eyes widened as she took an involuntary step back, before swinging her hand outward to aim a well-placed water spike into Nicole’s head.

 

 

 

“NO!” Mina’s spirit cried out, and responding to her will, her body’s legs spun backward, taking the possessed mongoose a foot away from Nicole and sending the water projectile flying off target.

A bizarre phenomenon then took place; as Mina ran backward the same black tar that had escaped Geoffrey vomited out of the mongoose’s mouth and into the sky, seemingly in tune with her body’s backward movement.

Slamming into the back wall of the prison Nicole had erected, the mongoose fell into a disheveled heap as the last of the dark substance left her body.

Rushing to her friend, Nicole scanned Mina and found the energy signature of ‘magic’ leaving her.

Tears began streaming down Mina’s face as she clutched Nicole’s hand. As her mind slipped into unconsciousness, Mina sobbed, “I did it! I resisted him…” her voice took on a quite whimper, “Thank you… Nicole… thank… you…” at that the mongoose passed out.

Nicole was elated that Mina had resisted the demon’s possession, and then and there made a silent vow to never mention that her holographic ‘head’ hadn’t been solid and had been meant as bait for the monster. As far as Mina knew, she’d saved Nicole, and the holo-lynx was more than happy to give the popstar full credit for the victory.

 

 

 

As Silver carried the massive collection of crystalized citizens, fearing his mind would break under the pressure of having to gently carry so many thrashing beings, he heard what sounded like shattering glass from the afflicted.

“No! I was so careful! I…!” Silver turned around fully from his flight path to see the crystal covering the afflicted citizens’ bodies crumbling away. Silver heaved a sigh of relief, then just barely kept himself from dropping the awakening citizens (they were still several stories high in the air.)

With his strength fading, Silver managed to gently place each delirious citizens back to the ground; it was slow going as he had to make sure not to place several people atop each other. All the while he hoped this development meant Elias was winning his battle with Naugus.

 

 

 

As all three possessed mobians and crystalized citizens rejected their respective curses simultaneously, Ixis Geoffrey shuddered on his feet. Elias’ glare deepened, “They are free, aren’t they?” he growled. Ixis Geoffrey tried to hide his alarm and failed.

Elias was only three steps from striking distance from the possessed skunk as the jet of fire holding him back gradually shortened. At last, the onslaught was broken as the jet of fire found nowhere to escape to and doubled back on itself with a terrific explosion.

Ixis Geoffrey stumbled to the ground, barely holding up his staff to block Elias’ next attack. Rather than go for a kill, Elias instead swung wide, knocking the staff far from the skunk’s grip.

Ixis Geoffrey, Naugus, stared up in terror at the triumphant Elias. The clouds caused by the Ixis spirits’ release began to part as golden rays of sunlight silhouetted the young Acorn.

The possessed skunk hissed, and his fists clenched as if to summon more projectiles, but then his breath caught, and his expression flickered between rage and desperation as he became deathly still. Elias’s eyes widened. The expression of desperate pain revealed the true Geoffrey fighting for control. The true Geoffrey locked eyes with Elias and held his arms wide, giving him a chance to strike the killing blow. Elias held the blade tip to the skunk’s throat.

 

It would be so easy.

 

Despite knowing and seeing the former secret agent’s allegiance no longer aligning with Naugus, Elias’ soul burned with rage to strike the traitor down. This was the man who’d manipulated him, used him, and turned the people against him in favor of a monster.

This was the man who’d forced him to leave behind his wife and daughter to take back his kingdom from the shadows.

As this rage went through Elias’ mind, it also brought back all his previous dark musings from just before Silver’s return.

He could end it all, right now. Naugus dead, Geoffrey dead, the council made fools of and rescued by the king they’d deposed.

He could keep the identities of his friends a secret. If they were willing, he could make a shadow government to enact his will when the idiotic council did not align with his wishes.

Now armed with the sword of light he could project a visage of power and magic and the fickle people of his kingdom would never dare challenge his right to the throne again!

The sword of light briefly flickered in Elias’ grasp as these dark thoughts swirled in his mind. The Young Acorn stared at the sword, then at the struggling skunk,

“Finish… it…!” Geoffrey grated out. Elias only gave a cold stare down at his foe…

 

“Reject him, like the others.” Elias commanded.

 

“Can’t… my oath… stronger… done… knowingly…!” Geoffrey groaned.

“The sword has released you, fight it,” Elias hissed, without pity. The skunk’s face twisted with pain and rage, whether for Naugus or Elias the young Acorn couldn’t tell.

 

“Your king commands it.”

 

The two men locked eyes before Geoffrey’s body began to spasm and his face became a whirl of pain. The possessed skunk through back his head, giving a guttural scream that echoed through the city.

Rather than the black substance escaping through his mouth as had happened with the others, the dark material began seeping out of the skunk’s back, like the writhing tendrils of a sea monster. The tendrils began to take shape, forming the silhouette of the wizard that had tormented both mobians in some way for almost all their lives.

The shadowy form of Naugus reached out with its clawed hand to grasp the tendrils connecting him and his apprentice, refusing to lose the fight. Geoffrey fell forward on his knees, his fingers digging into the nanite imitation dirt of the city. Seeing the two enter a stalemate, Elias made his move.

In one swing, Elias brought down the sword of light across the tendrils connecting Naugus’ shadowy spirit to the beleaguered skunk. Both shadowy master and apprentice cried out, one in fury, one in agonized relief.

Severed from Geoffrey, the black shape rose into the air. Naugus’ spirit gave inarticulate screams of fury, before shrieking and dissipating into wisps of smoke.

Geoffrey fully collapsed to the ground, only rolling over by chance to stare up at Elias. “Thank… you…” he managed to whisper,

“You are under arrest,” Elias stated, sheathing his sword. As he did, his royal garb's pure white shine returned to its original red and blue. Geoffrey managed a weak, wry smile,

“As you wish… my king…” with that, Geoffrey collapsed to the ground unconscious.

 

Notes:

The possessed are freed from their demons, and Elias has defeated Ixis Naugus!

Writing the four simultaneous fights was really fun. I tried to give each freedom fighter (Secret or otherwise) a chance to shine.

Since Tails had a wizard uncle (and had been manipulated by Mammoth Mogul more than once), I figured he'd have discussed things with Merlin and made a plan for future magic corruption. Amy was fun to write too. She'd already put the Iron King in his place, so an arrogant Ixis wizard wouldn't be much harder for her.

Nicole vs. Mina was probably my favorite though. The comic implied the two had had more conversations after Mina's apology, so I ran with that. Really happy with how it turned out.

And of course, the man of the hour, Elias. His battle for the throne with Naugus was left unfinished due to Archie's reboot, so I hope I've given it a satisfying conclusion.

There's one more chapter I'm writing that acts as an epilogue to this story. What did you guys think of the final battle?

Chapter 6: The Prowers and the Acorns

Notes:

So... this turned out WAY longer than I planned. It became less of an epilogue and more of a sequel story.

Either way, enjoy the final story of Elias' return to the throne and the fate of the Secret Freedom Fighters in:

The Prowers and the Acorns.

Sally gripped the arms of her chair as she sat in her bunker beneath the city. She anxiously watched the live feeds Nicole had given her access to; they all showed the… attack… from the Ixis spirits was over.

“I’ve just heard from Elias, and I’m performing scans on the city, it’s over. Those who were crystalized are awaking, and Mina, Tails, and Amy are at the hospital, they’re unconscious, but their vitals are stable.” Nicole’s voice came through the bunker’s speaker. Sally all but collapsed in her chair, letting out a strangled sigh.

“THE THREAT HAS PASSED?” Sally jumped at Omega’s voice.

“Y-Yes. It seems so.”

“I’m needed throughout the city, it seems the… afflicted, caused extensive damage even with Silver’s efforts… I’m sorry I can’t be there,” Nicole’s voice added with regret. Sally closed her eyes, getting a brief flash of Eggman’s leering grin, but she ignored it,

“It’s… alright Nicole. Go show the city why they need you.” There was a pause before the holo-lynx responded, caused by the undertone of bitterness from Sally’s statement,

“I will.”

“Oh, and Nicole, please… let me know as soon as Tails and Amy wake up, okay?”

“Of course, but in the meantime, there is someone else who’d like to see you.” The door to Sally’s bunker slid open, revealing…

“Elias!”

“Sally! It’s so good to see… woah!” Sally ran from her chair and took Elias into a fierce hug.

“Are you all right!? When I saw what happened I… I…!” Elias guided the distraught Sally back to her chair.

“I’m fine Sally, really, and so is the rest of the team.” Despite his concern for his sister, Elias’ eyes strayed over to the hulking badnik guardian,

“Goodness he’s big!” the young king blurted out. While he hadn’t meant to, his exclamation stopped Sally’s spiral, causing her to chuckle.

“Did Nicole not…?” Sally asked. Elias blinked once, looking down in relief at Sally’s smile.

“She informed me of your… guardian, but…” he looked up expectantly to the badnik, who only stood, silently imposing.

“Omega, this is my brother, King Elias,” she introduced with a sly grin. This finally prompted a reaction from the automaton,

“IS THE THREAT ABOVE NEUTRALIZED?” Elias’ expression became serious,

“Yes, I saw to it.” The badnik’s arms, which had been sporting twin rotating barrel machine guns instead of hands, retracted and returned to being razor point fingers.

“THEN MY MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED. DID YOU VANQUISH YOUR FOE WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE?” Elias stood up straighter,

“Indeed,” he answered.

“EXCELLENT. THIS WIZARD’S DEFEAT WILL DISSUADE OTHER LESSER THREATS FROM INTERFERING WITH YOUR CAMPAIGN AGAINST EGGMAN.”

“That’s the hope,” Elias agreed, smiling at the badnik considering Naugus a, lesser, threat. As the badnik merely stood there, silently, Elias cleared his throat,

“Could… I have a moment alone with my sister? There are things we need to discuss,” Elias asked gesturing to the bedroom off the main room of the bunker. Sally gave a worried glance to her brother but said nothing.

“VERY WELL. MY MISSION IS COMPLETE, AND IT IS LIKELY YOUR PRESENCE WILL BE BETTER FOR HER HEALTH THAN MINE.” Elias gave his own worried look but also said nothing. When Omega didn’t move from his post, Elias took the cue and led Sally to the other room and closed the door.

“And I thought Shard was blunt,” Elias commented. Sally gave a wry smile but resisted Elias’ attempt to lead her to sit on the bed.

“I’m fine now Elias. I was just a bit… shocked, by what happened.” Elias chose not to pursue the subject.

The two Acorns looked at each other. Aside from her current white dress, Sally looked the same as the last time he’d talked with her, albeit with a worrying weariness in her eyes. Sally noted changes in her sibling too, like how Elias stood up straighter; not that he’d slouched before but now it seemed… proud, rather than proper.

“Incredible…” Elias whispered looking Sally up and down. Sally hugged herself as her hand subconsciously moved up to her neck and felt the scar where her original anatomy met the new.

“I’m still trying to believe it myself,” Sally responded. Elias shook his head, amazed at the feats his friends were capable of.

His friends…

“Sally, I’m sorry to burden you right now, but…” Elias stopped as Sally’s expression hardened, as if she was bracing herself for something.

“You want to leave,” Sally supplied. Elias stopped and blinked several times, confused, “It’s alright Elias, I understand.” Sally began speaking faster, with a strain in her voice she was trying and failing to hide, “Once I’ve gotten more… acclimated, I can take the throne. The people will be more in favor of the Acorns now and Sonic and Rotor have put together excellent teams to protect the city, and…”

“Sally!” Elias shouted over his sister’s rambling. Sally flinched and gave a fearful look to her brother, “Sally, I’m not leaving.”

“Elias… its fine, I…” Sally started to give a clearly forced reply before Elias continued,

“I’m not leaving Sally. Everything that’s happened has been because of my leaving the throne. Twice now our kingdom has nearly fallen to evil because I was too afraid to take responsibility.”

Sally was visibly trembling now, with an expression equal parts hope and weariness. “I’m bringing Meaghan and Alexis back here, Sally, this is my home, and its time I act like it.”

Seeing his sister valiantly try to save face and not act relieved at not having to take the throne, Elias wordlessly hugged her. The princess collapsed into his embrace and shed several tears.

“I know you don’t want to be queen Sally,” Elias consoled. Sally could only give a crying hiccup in reply. The two stayed that way for a while, until Sally was calmer.

Sally released the hug. Wiping her eyes she asked, “So… what did you want to discuss?” Elias grew serious again.

“I… need your assessment, on my plan to take back the throne.”

“What’s there to plan? You’re the rightful heir,” Sally asked. Elias’ face became grim,

“It is in regards to my team.”

“The Secret Freedom Fighters? Good name by the way, very original,” Sally deadpanned. Elias smirked but didn’t lose his serious attitude.

“They… we… have become a formidable team, one that I would like to preserve, for those who are willing to stay.”

“Alright…” Sally gestured for him to continue, sensing Elias was building to a bigger point,

“The issue, is their secrecy.” Sally became serious too. Aside from Larry, and to a lesser extent Silver, the team’s members were outsiders, not to mention Shard being a badnik.

“I have considered the option of keeping the team’s existence a secret, but… I have found that presents me with… too much temptation.” The two Acorn siblings shared an understanding look,

“Are we sure that particular, temptation, isn’t warranted?” Sally asked. Elias was slightly disturbed by his sister’s bitter tone.

“And what if the team was later discovered? I will not be ousted by an angry mob again.” Elias answered. Sally’s eyes cast to the floor; she nodded in agreement.

“What other options are there? Either stay secret, and run the constant risk of discovery, or disband it now, and bury the secret forever.” Sally’s bitter expression deepened, “After all, we already saw how the people and council reacted to Nicole and you, so we can’t tell the council about the team.”

Elias’ expression became ironic, prompting Sally to frown in confusion. “Actually,” Elias said, “That’s exactly what I plan to do.”

 

 

 

Numerous citizens displaced from the chaos of Naugus’ spell were gathered in the grand lobby of castle Acorn while they waited for Nicole to repair their homes. Many were counting themselves lucky the A.I. could work as fast as she could; it was expected they would be home by the end of the day.

The doors to the castle opened. Elias stood in the doorway for a moment, silhouetted by the sun. Everyone was silently in awe as the knowledge of him defeating the possessed Geoffrey played through their minds. Those who were standing bowed. Elias gave appropriate nods to those acknowledging him, before seeking out the council members that were present at the castle.

They had only spoken briefly to get the displaced civilians into the castle before Elias had gone to check on Sally, now the awkward tension between them was thick enough to cut.

“Sally is safe, and unharmed,” Elias said in a rigidly professional voice. The councilors nodded, avoiding Elias’ eyes.

“I assume councilors Mongoose and Prower are at the hospital?” Elias asked, noting their absence. “Once things have settled down, I request a council meeting as soon as possible; we have much to discuss.” With his declaration given, the young king turned as if to leave, but was startled by the sound of the castle doors clanging open.

“Where’s the king!?” a familiar voice shouted through the castle. The displaced civilians all hastily pointed in Elias’ direction. Before Elias could see the bellower, a blue blur skidded to a stop in front of him.

“Elias!?” Sonic looked the squirrel up and down as if he’d seen a ghost. He was just about to comment on his being back in the city, in his royal attire no less, when he spotted the sword of light hanging from his hip. A relieved, giddy grin spread across Sonic’s face,

“Dude, did you come back and kick Naugus’ ugly butt off the throne?” Elias couldn’t help but smile too,

“With extreme prejudice,” Elias echoed Omega’s sentiment. Sonic punched Elias on the shoulder and laughed. As the hedgehog’s eyes danced with delight and relief, he turned to take in the councilors and all the displaced civilians.

“Bet y’all feel real stupid now huh!?” Sonic shouted at the onlookers with a vicious snarl. The hedgehog’s glaring eyes turned to the councilors,

“You apologized to Elias yet for being complete morons?” he asked with a viciously sarcastic polite voice.

“Sonic,” Elias placed a restraining hand on the hedgehog’s arm. “We’ve all just been through a lot.”

“Oh yeah?” Sonic asked, “Gee, if only SOMEONE had told them Naugus was bad news, OH WAIT…!”

“Sonic!” Elias hissed. The hedgehog gave a dead serious look to the young king.

“You know, you and Sally are too polite for your own good sometimes,” Sonic said, quieter, but still loud enough for those nearby to hear. Elias’s expression changed from stern to pleading,

“Alright alright, for you I’ll shut up,” Sonic relented. Elias released Sonic’s arm and started walking out the front door, getting Sonic to follow.

“I take it your mission was successful?” Elias asked, both as a genuine question and to release the awkward silence Sonic’s accusations had caused.

“Yeah, no sweat, but give me just a sonic second, Sha… some friends… are waiting on me to give the all clear on the city, be back in five!”

By then Elias was thankfully out of the castle on the front lawn, awaiting Sonic’s return. He knew it was childish, but he couldn’t summon the will to reprimand Sonic when he came back; he’d wanted to say much the same to the council and citizens.

“Gave the good news, now give me the deets, and come to think of it, how did you know about my mission…?”

 

 

 

Elias gave a summarized version of his battle with Naugus, leaving out the battles his team had faced across the city as he didn’t have all the details of their fights yet.

Sonic whistled and clapped Elias on the back, “Man, and I missed it!” Sonic lamented. “I’ll let it slide this time, but next time you topple an evil wizard, let me in on the fun, alright?” Elias chuckled in spite of himself as Shard had expressed similar sentiments for being stuck as a hologram.

“Very well,” Elias agreed.

“At least tell me Amy and Tails got some good licks in?” Elias stiffened. Sonic’s face became pale,

“Where are they?” Sonic asked, now deathly serious.

“They’re safe,” Elias assured, “Just asleep, at the hospital. I was going there before you arrived.” Without another word Sonic gripped Elias’ wrist and sped them both to the hospital entrance.

Dr. Quack led the two to the room housing the four formerly possessed mobians. Mina’s parents stood over their daughter’s bed, Tail’s parents did the same for their child, and to Sonic’s surprise Cream and Vanilla Rabbit stood vigil over Amy.

Sonic’s eyes shifted to the far corner where a bed watched over by no one stood, housing one Geoffrey St. John. “Why is he here?” Sonic asked without trying to hide his disdain.

“He was possessed Sonic, same as the others,” Elias hedged as he gave a brief description of Naugus’ spell. Sonic’s glare didn’t falter,

“Serves him right.” No one had an answer to that statement as Sonic moved to stand next to Tail’s bed. The hedgehog spared a brief glance to the Prower parents before looking at Tails.

“Sleep it off big guy, you’ll be back to bashing bots in no time,” Sonic whispered. The fox’s mouth briefly grinned at the sound of Sonic’s voice before going back to its soft snoring.

Despite it being their son, the Prower parents suddenly felt as if they were intruding on a private moment.

“I’m going to check on Sally,” Sonic whispered to Elias. The Acorn nodded, and Sonic was soon gone.

“Let me know if they need any… magical assistance,” Elias addressed Dr. Quack, tapping the sword of light’s hilt. The doctor nodded, and so, Elias left the hospital, with one more visit to make.

 

 

 

With help from Nicole Elias returned to the Secret Freedom Fighter’s headquarters to find the place decked out with party gear. “Surprise!” Shard shouted when the Acorn entered the base.

“What in the name of…?” Elias began, turning to Silver, Lyco, Leeta, and Larry, all slumped in their chairs still tired from their battles.

“Don’t look at us,” Leeta deadpanned.

“Yeah, thank are resident killer robot,” Lyco tiredly gestured to Shard, who’s hologram gave an annoyed look in response.

“Geez, a guy tries to do something nice…” Shard muttered.

“Where did you get party decorations, HOW did you get party decorations?” Elias asked. In answer, the ‘decorations’ around the base flickered with the tell-tale sign of holographic light.

“Makes clean up a breeze,” Shard quipped. Elias chuckled as Director Who entered the room with a similarly bemused expression.

“Shouldn’t you be seeing to your city, your highness?” the old owl asked with a sly grin.

“I need to see to my team first,” Elias answered. The Acorn’s tone made everyone pay attention. “Nicole?” Elias called to the room in general. The holo-lynx materialized,

“Yes?” she asked. With the whole team present, Elias pressed forward.

“With the threat of Naugus past, we must decide the fate of this team.”

Everyone looked between each other with suddenly sad looks.

“Wait, you’re not… breaking up the band, are you?” Everyone was stunned by the fear in Shard’s voice.

“I would wish for this team to continue,” Elias said. Harvey frowned,

“That poses risks. At the moment, the city believes Elias returned from exile to visit his rescued sister. While there are the loose ends of the rest of the team, they will not prompt as many questions, and if need be, I believe we can rely on the other freedom fighters’ discretion. But if the team continues, it’s potential discovery risks a scandal and Elias being tried for treason.”

The team wilted in reluctant acceptance of Harvey’s assessment, Shard especially. Elias met the owl’s eyes before responding,

“That is why I want to tell the council about this team, and it’s purpose.” Everyone, even Harvey, gaped at the young Acorn.

“Are you crazy!?” Lyco and Leeta shouted.

“Dude! I. Am. A. Badnik!” Shard shouted too. Silver merely stared with his mouth agape. Nicole said nothing but her look of panic at the idea conveyed her thoughts. Elias raised his hands for silence.

“I believe… I should tell the council of this team’s existence, but…” he held up a finger, “Not of its members identities.” The team frowned in confusion while Harvey stroked his chin.

“I have thought a lot about this, and discussed it with Sally, and she agrees. This team has proven itself and could be utilized in the future. But as Director Who stated, it’s untimely discovery could cause problems, so… I believe I should tell the council of its creation, and its purpose, and MY involvement,” he emphasized, “but not any of your identities.”

“Could… that work?” Leeta asked. Everyone turned to Director Who,

“Potentially…” the old owl said, though his tone carried little hope, “Or, it could only bring more suspicion upon you, and at the worst time. The council will not appreciate a team who only answers to you and may demand their identities before you can take the throne.” Everyone turned back to Elias. The squirrel’s face took on a hardened expression.

“I find myself caring very little for the opinions of the council.” The team’s eyes widened at his dark tone. “By sharing the existence of the team, I may cast myself as the spurned king, valiantly leaving his family behind to save the city that rejected him. The people will see me as a hero and a martyr, and public support will make me king again.”

Harvey gave a long shrewd glance at the young Acorn, which Elias returned, unfazed. Eventually Harvey nodded, “It’s your team,” he conceded. Elias smiled,

“And one I would have the opinions of before making this decision.”

Elias turned to his teammates, “I cannot, and will not, order any of you to go along with this. If you wish to leave the Secret Freedom Fighters behind, I will keep your secret and wish you the best, but if this team is to continue, I will not sit on the throne in constant fear of our discovery.” Elias took a deep breath before continuing,

“We must decide. Keep the team, and inform the council of its existence, or disband, taking this secret with us to our graves.”

Larry stared at the floor, deep in thought. The twins looked at each other; their faces conflicted. Silver's expression was unreadable. Nicole looked at Shard, whose expression seemed on the verge of panic or despair.

“We keep the team,” everyone turned to Nicole. The holo-lynx’s expression was fierce. “This team is the reason Naugus is gone. It’s the reason Sally was rescued. And… It’s the reason I’m not currently alone in Freedom HQ.”

Lyco and Leeta got to their feet, with similar looks of determination, “She’s right. This team’s too important to lose.”

"I agree," Silver said, nodding his agreement with the wolf twins. Elias smiled, turning to the two remaining members. Shard seemed afraid to speak and turned to Larry instead. The lynx looked up with a startingly serious expression,

“I agree, with all of it, but… what happens if you tell them, and they don’t let you become king?” Elias returned the serious expression,

“I will become king again, and if all else fails, I can take a page out of the Prowers' book and use the will of the people.” Everyone’s faces darkened at the implication. Larry nodded,

“As long as you have a plan for the worst-case scenario, I say we keep the team,” Larry said with a smile. Everyone then turned to Shard, who for once seemed reluctant to be the center of attention.

“I uh… literally have nowhere else to go, so… yeah, keep the team,” the former badnik said with as much humor as he could manage. Elias nodded,

“Then it is decided. The Secret Freedom Fighters will continue,” Elias stated. The team smiled.

A beeping noise came from Nicole. “The council says they are ready for you,” the holo-lynx said.

 

 

 

The councilors sat, assembled at their table. The empty seat for the king that divided them now became almost oppressive. It was not lost on any of the elected officials that Elias was the only reason they were alive, the same man they had cast out in reaction to the people’s demands that Naugus be king.

Despite each of the councilor’s reservations, they’d gone along with the charade that Naugus had their best intentions at heart, even after his behavior had long since disproven that notion.

Rosemary’s guilt in particular was strong as she found her thoughts divided between whatever this meeting was about and her son. Her son who was now in the hospital because of the wizard she’d foolishly allowed to take the throne. She had tried to hamper Naugus’ dark dealings, but the last few hours’ events had proven just how little that had worked.

Even with that knowledge, she admitted to herself that her efforts hadn’t been what they should’ve. She should’ve called for his removal, called him out and showed the people just how selfish he really was… Rosemary rubbed her eyes, she should’ve done a lot of things.

The only councilor not experiencing some level of guilt was Sir Charles. The old hedgehog had undermined Naugus’ rule from the start, both on and off the council. His primary concern now was why Elias had called a council meeting so soon after Naugus’ attack. The young king had tried to talk with him alone, but Charles couldn’t disappear with him without raising suspicion. No doubt the subject of this meeting was what Elias had wanted to discuss. Finally, Elias appeared before them.

An awkward pause followed Elias’ entrance as he stared up at the assembled officials. “W-We would be honored, if you’d join us, your highness,” Penelope said, gesturing to the king’s seat. Elias gave an unreadable expression back to the platypus.

“Nicole?” Elias called to the room at large. The holo-lynx materialized next him. Elias nodded and turned back to the councilors.

“I request this meeting be broadcasted to the city,” Elias stated. All the councilors looked between each other in confusion at this, except Charles, who fixed Elias with a cold stare.

Beneath where Charles’ hand rested on the council table, he felt a strange contouring of it’s surface. Looking under his hand, he saw the nanites of the table had shifted, into words, “Don’t speak about team,” they read. No sooner had he read it than the message disappeared. Charles looked up at Nicole, who only gave a slight nod to indicate she’d noticed him.

“We’ve never had anything to hide,” Charles said, breaking the other councilor’s conversations. “I vote yay,” he said raising his hand. The action finally snapped the other councilors into something like the routine they were used to,

“Yay/Yay/Yay/Yay/Yay,” all the other councilors voiced their agreement. Elias gave a sideways glance to Nicole,

“We’re broadcasting to the city, your highness,” she said. Elias nodded, and Nicole faded away into pixels.

Now the councilors, as well as many curious citizens who were either already watching or being told of the broadcast, waited for Elias’ words. Holding each of the elected officials’ stares for a moment longer, Elias spoke,

“I should start from the beginning…”

 

 

 

And so, Elias told all. While he had to omit certain specifics to keep all identities besides his own secret, Elias left no detail unsaid about the creation of the Secret Freedom Fighters. He took special care to downplay any pride or bragging of his accomplishments, neither did he linger on the fact he’d left his family behind to accomplish his goal.

“…and as me and my team watched Naugus’ attempted takeover at Mina’s concert, for it was indeed Naugus, possessing Geoffrey St. John, we sprung into action, and managed to avert a catastrophe.”

The councilors each sat in stunned silence, each silently processing everything Elias had told them. After letting them sit in the news for a moment, Elias continued,

“I’m sure you, and many others watching, are wondering why I have omitted the names of my team.” Here Elias took a deep breath, “It is because when they joined me in my quest, they were assured that our mission would be performed in secrecy. I owe them my very life, as does this kingdom, what’s more…” Elias paused again; this was the crucial part, “They have agreed to continue to serve this kingdom, as secret operatives.”

“I tell of them now out of obligation, both as a member of this council, and that I might disillusion anyone who believed me a lone hero taking on Naugus, it was a team effort, and I intend to honor my promise of secrecy to them.” A long silence followed.

“Alright… but, if you don’t want their identities to be public knowledge, why ask for a broadcast?” Rosemary asked. Elias’ expression and tone remained completely neutral as he responded,

“Because I intend to keep their identities secret from everyone, including this council.”

The councilors eyes widened. “How… how is this team supposed to function if they do not report to us?” Hamlin asked.

“I will take the council’s advisement on where and how this team may be deployed best. As with any matter, we will decide on what missions they partake in together, but… they will report only to me.” Hamlin’s eyes narrowed,

“Surely you can’t be serious?” the pig asked. Elias’ tone never wavered from neutral,

“I have never been more serious about anything in my life.” Hamlin opened his mouth as if to continue, but Rosemary spoke first, having had a calculating expression during Elias’ statement.

“What need is there for such secrecy, your highness?” Elias looked away from Hamlin and to Rosemary,

“I gave them my word, Councilor Prower, and you can understand why I feel I owe them.”

Only with great effort did Elias not say his real thoughts. What need for secrecy!? How about the fact that this very council had exiled Nicole for something that wasn’t her fault! How about the fact this council replaced him, someone who had uprooted centuries of his family’s tradition and faced the ire of his father, with a monster.

Though his face remained impassive Elias’ heart burned with disdain for Councilor Prower and her husband. “The need for secrecy is to protect them from you,” Elias thought bitterly.

“No, that’s not it,” everyone turned back to Hamlin, who’s face was now adorned with a scowl. “This is about control. If this, team, only answers to you, then you can give whatever orders you want behind our backs.”

Some of the other councilor’s gasped, but Rosemary had an expression that told she had already been thinking along the same lines.

“You have my word, Councilor Hamlin, that I will report on all of my team’s dealings.” Elias responded.

Elias had known this moment would come, and he had no intention of avoiding the issue. If he was to have things his way, the council would have to trust him. He had much more devastating ammunition up his sleeve should things become heated, but he’d promised himself that he’d remain calm and civil for as long as he could.

“Your word? We are a republic! We deal in accountability, not spoken promises!” Hamlin nearly shouted.

“Councilor!” Rosemary barked at Hamlin. Elias’ eyes darted over to Rosemary. He’d expected Hamlin’s posturing, in fact he’d been relying on it to boost his own image, but it was Rosemary who concerned him the most. She was likely to keep a cool head throughout, and would be ruthless enough to try and stop him.

“You can’t honestly be considering this Prower?” Hamlin sputtered.

“Councilor!” Rosemary barked again, “This, is a complicated matter, and we are all still riding high after… everything,” Rosemary’s eyes strayed over to Elias with a shrewd glance that said she suspected Elias wanted it that way.

“It’s… not entirely unprecedented,” Councilor Dylan said, “Before this council the secret service existed. Perhaps this could be…”

“You mean the same secret service that included Geoffrey St. John?!” Hamlin asked, “This is a complete overreach of the king’s authority and violation of our constitution.”

“We… could always change it,” Isabella Mongoose said hesitantly, “If these agents were able to help defeat Naugus then…”

“Are you hearing yourselves!?” Hamlin all but shouted.

“Hamlin!” Rosemary banged her fist on the table. Her expression for the pig was more pleading than angry, and the way her eyes shifted to Elias told the young king she was onto his ploy. Elias kept himself from smirking.

“How does it feel, Prower, to have your position undermined? To know the people are against you?” he thought smugly. Elias mentally shook his head, he needed to keep his own feelings out of this.

Before Hamlin and Rosemary could continue, Nicole rematerialized in the council room. “I’m sorry to interrupt things,” the A.I. said, getting everyone’s attention, “But Miles, Amy, Mina, and… Geoffrey, have all just awakened.”

Rosemary and Isabella both got to their feet, then looked uncertain about leaving the council chambers. Elias saw his chance,

“I request this meeting be adjourned, until tomorrow,” Elias said with the tone of someone who was being considerate. Isabella flashed a grateful smile to Elias, but Rosemary’s expression became rigidly controlled as her eyes narrowed.

“All in favor of adjourning?” Charles quickly interjected. One-by-one, the rest of the councilors (in Hamlin’s case reluctantly) voted agreement.

Elias nodded to Nicole and the holo-lynx cut the video to the rest of the kingdom. Elias had to marshal his own inner thoughts; he doubted that could’ve gone better for him.

He’d managed to remain calm and reasonable throughout, and Hamlin had played right into his hands. Now, the council appeared as unreasonable and ungrateful for his and his team’s efforts in saving the city. The people would rally around him without him even needing to ask for it.

Elias again made himself put his own feelings aside. He couldn’t let this be about petty revenge. This was about safeguarding his teammates. The young Acorn tallied everything up in his mind.

Councilors Isabella and Sir Charles were with him. Charles had been expected, being a part of the team he was protecting. Isabella Mongoose hadn’t been with the council that long, and so rigidly sticking to the rules had not been cemented yet; his team’s actions saving her daughter probably didn’t hurt either.

Dylan and Penelope seemed hesitant to join either way. Elias knew from his time with the council that they were usually the ones most likely to let a debate run its course before taking a side, but they did have a track record of siding with Hamlin or Rosemary.

And of course, said fox and pig were, unsurprisingly, against him. Hamlin hated anything unorthodox or outside of the constitution, and Elias had been warned by Sally that he was vindictive and insecure to boot. Ironically, Hamlin’s insecurity would, and already had, played in Elias’ favor. That left the biggest obstacle to Elias’ goal, Rosemary Prower.

She and her husband had been the ones who led to the creation of the council. While her husband had been the one to challenge him directly, Elias harbored suspicions that Mrs. Prower had been the driving force of the enterprise.

Yes, Rosemary was the key. He didn’t believe he could win her over to his side, but he knew she could be made to. She herself had used the ‘will of the people’ as a justification for her actions multiple times, and those actions had led to Naugus. Now the people would be on his side, but Elias hoped he wouldn’t have to play that card unless he had to.

 

 

 

As Isabella and Rosemary started their walk toward the hospital, Elias walked up alongside them.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked.

“Of course not, your highness,” Isabella said, though she still looked awkward.

“I wanted to visit the victims personally once they awoke. I admit my knowledge of the Sword of Light is limited, but I figure that its presence might have a… healing affect, on the patients.” Isabella smiled and thanked the young Acorn.

To his side, Rosemary maintained a rigidly controlled expression. She wasn’t sure whether Elias’ compassion was genuine or a move for sympathy from her. Either way it would boost his public image. Rosemary pushed aside those thoughts, trying to focus on being a mother.

When Tails had returned from rescuing Sally, he’d been… withdrawn, from her and Amadeus. Neither she or her husband had said anything because at the time Sally had been a robian, and thus needed Tails’ scientific expertise in restoring her. Rosemary still couldn’t quite fathom how brilliant her son was.

Nevertheless, their son’s demeanor towards them had been… distant, and it didn’t take a genius to guess why. Tails had left with Team Fighters just after Nicole’s exile, and the young fox had never said goodbye before leaving. With a sinking feeling Rosemary now wondered if he also blamed her for his recent possession at the hands of Naugus. If he did Rosemary would have no defense for it, because deep down, she knew it was true.

As had become disturbingly routine, the politician side of Rosemary came in to drown out her motherly side’s worries. None of what she’d just thought of justified what Elias was asking for. He could give his promises all he wanted, the fact remained that a team of operatives that answered only to him might as well be a shadow government.

The three reached the hospital and Rosemary pushed all her political thoughts aside again. Right now, she wanted to make sure her son was alright.

 

 

 

Tails stirred to wakefulness. His head pounded, and for a moment he wasn’t sure where he was. As the memories came flooding back to him, he snapped upright in bed. He quickly regretted this action as the insides of his arms and face burned with movement.

“Easy now,” Dr. Quack said as he turned away from the television that had been broadcasting Elias’ council meeting and placed a gentle but restraining hand on Tails’ shoulder.

“The others! We were fighting and…!” Tails began but stopped as Nicole materialized next to him.

“It’s alright Tails, everyone’s fine,” Nicole assured. Tails sighed. Off to the side Amy and Mina also groaned as they woke up. While Amy had the Rabbit family there for her, Mina was alone. Nicole became uncertain as she hovered on the verge of going to Mina’s bed.

“I’m fine Nicole,” Tails said. Off to the side Dr. Quack made a grumbling noise that disagreed with that sentiment but said nothing. Nicole gave a grateful smile down to the fox,

“Lucky for you, you’ll have plenty of visitors soon enough.” Nicole then stepped aside, as Sally entered the room.

All the staff of the hospital, even Dr. Quack, were momentarily stunned still. It was one thing to hear of Sally’s return to flesh and blood, it was another to see it. While it might’ve normally bothered Sally to be ogled at, especially in her still unfamiliar white dress, at the moment the princess couldn’t care less as she rushed to Tails.

From the side of his bed Sally took the young fox into a fierce hug, which Tails returned.

“When I saw what happened I…” Sally trailed off,

“I’m alright Aunt Sally, I promise,” Sally squeezed harder at Tails’ addressing her as Aunt.

“Mom?”

Sally’s heart stopped at that word. Had Tails just…? Before she could say more, she finally noticed the Prower parents had entered the room. Sally quickly let go of Tails and wiped at her eyes. The Prower parents embraced their child, but Tails’ reaction was far more subdued than when he’d hugged Sally.

“Hey, look who’s out and about,” Sally gratefully turned to the just arrived Sonic as the hedgehog took her hand. “You three feeling better?” Sonic asked the formerly possessed. Tails gave a thumbs up to Sonic. Amy, who was holding Cream’s hand nodded. Off to the side, Mina, with fresh tear marks on her face, nodded as well.

Slowly, everyone’s eyes were drawn to the lonely bed farther down the room. Geoffrey was awake, though it seemed only just, as he looked far more haggard than the others.

The skunk’s eyes fell on Sally, and he gave a weak smile. Sonic stepped in front of her and glared at him. Sonic’s and Geoffrey’s eyes locked, and Geoffrey managed a weak nod of his head to the hedgehog. His eyes then ticked over to Elias,

“Thank… you…” the skunk managed with a hoarse whisper, before closing his eyes and falling back into sleep.

“Wait… when I was… Cream were they really okay?” Everyone turned in surprise to Amy.

“Yes Miss Amy, they were only trying to trick… whatever it was… that was controlling you,” the young rabbit answered.

“Were who okay?” Tails asked. Before Amy could answer Vanilla interjected,

“We don’t know who they were, but we know they were part of Elias’ team, and that they wanted to remain anonymous.” Amy frowned in confusion up at Vanilla, but the mother rabbit’s stern tone made her stay quiet.

Tails looked over to Elias, and the two shared a knowing look. The young fox’s eyes strayed down to the Sword of Light hanging off Elias’ hip.

“So you were the one who broke the spell!” Tails put it together. Elias gave a stiff nod and smile. Tails frowned, until he realized his parents were the subject of many wary looks.

Thankfully for the Prowers Dr. Quack interjected and began his summary of the patient’s conditions, which were all good news, and shifted the topic away from secret agents.

 

 

 

After another hour of monitoring Dr. Quack eventually relented to the requests of the formerly possessed to be let out of the hospital, albeit with his usual stern demands for rest. Mina’s parents took her home. The Rabbit family invited Amy to their home, which Amy accepted. Tails’ parents took the young fox home, but not before he’d given reassurances to Sonic and Sally that he was alright.

 

 

 

That night, each of the afflicted caught up with Elias’ broadcast, and the current tension between him and the council over his request.

Mina hadn’t been rescued by any masked agents, but she suspected Nicole had at least some involvement with this mystery team. The mongoose silently vowed she would never mention any such suspicions to anyone.

Amy was immensely grateful for Vanilla intervening at the hospital as she had nearly given away Lyco and Leeta’s involvement with Elias. Privately she wondered how on Mobius those two had joined with him, but she knew they were good people, and had no intention of outing them.

Tails meanwhile, had a far larger series of revelations. He’d seen one of the wolf twins with Larry when they’d extracted Elias from Feral Forest. He’d harbored suspicions when they met Shard when he said Uncle Chuck had rebuilt him. He’d known Silver was working with Elias. And most recently, he’d deduced that Nicole had to have been at least aware of Shard’s construction due to him being present in the city systems to help Sally.

With startling clarity, Tails realized he knew the identities of six of Elias’ team members, and that was assuming there were any more to know at all. Now, watching a recording of the council broadcast in his room, Tails also realized why his parents had been the subject of wary or distrusting glares at the hospital.

Tails had mostly ignored his feelings on the matter during Team Fighters mission to rescue Sally, but now the memory of learning his mother had voted for Nicole’s exile returned. He’d gone out of his way to avoid interacting with either of his parents when they’d left the city. He’d felt a little better when they learned her exile had been overturned, but…

A confusing mix of emotions welled up in the young fox. His mind conjured two contradictory images of his parents. One was of the moment they’d first reunited, embracing and promising to make up for lost time. The other was his mother and father, standing opposite Elias and the freedom fighters, each party glaring at the other.

As the tumult built within him, Tails didn’t know what to do. He loved his parents, or… he wanted to anyway, but time and again they’d gone against his friends. Forcing the creation of the council by instigating a riot. Banishing Nicole when the idiotic citizens became afraid of her. Accepting Naugus as king…

Tails clutched the sides of his head as his soul told him he should love his parents, and his mind told him they were enemies.

Just as the violent emotions were reaching a fever pitch, he remembered the night he fought with Sonic. His big brother had hurt him, and they’d fought, but in the end, they’d cleared the air.

At last peace returned to Tails’ mind. This was the answer, it had to be. His parents had said all they wanted was to make the kingdom better. So… he just needed to talk it over with them, make them see Elias wasn’t an enemy.

As Tails went downstairs from his room, he heard his parents before he reached the bottom of the stairs, “He’s backed us into a corner…” came Rosemary’s exasperated voice.

“Yes, and quite masterfully too.” Amadeus said.

“So then how do we stop him?” Tails stopped before entering the living room, listening.

“At this point I don’t think we can stop him completely without inciting another riot.” A bitter chuckle escaped Amadeus, “I’m sorry dear, if I hadn’t let things get out of hand then, the precedent wouldn’t be there for him to follow.”

“This is worse than anything you did. What he’s asking for could give him complete control of the kingdom.”

“Yes, and cleverly done too. Informing everyone of his intentions openly was a cunning risk, and stringing Hamlin along to make the council appear unreasonable…” Amadeus sighed, “This is certainly a new Elias.”

“But what are we supposed to do? The king can’t have this much power, it renders the council irrelevant.”

“That, is what we must make the people see,” Amadeus said. A pause followed,

“We’ll need all the ammunition we can find to show the people the danger of what Elias’ is asking for,” Rosemary said, “I fear our only option is to try and find some way to turn this back around on him. He made it clear today he doesn’t trust us…”

“Can you blame him!?” The two Prower parents turned in surprise to see Tails enter the living room. The young fox glared at his elders, “You and the council hated Elias from the start, and all you do is make everything worse!”

“Tails, honey, we don’t hate Elias, but what he’s asking for…”

“He’s asking to protect his team from YOU!” Tails’ pointed at his mother. “You accused him and Sally of treason when they took back Freedom HQ, you did nothing when Naugus stole the throne from him, and you banished Nicole for something that wasn’t her fault!”

Tails’ eyes stung with tears as half of him reeled at speaking to his mother and father this way, but the other side would not be quenched as all his pent-up frustration he’d had since Nicole’s exile was finally escaping.

“All you do is get in the way and punish freedom fighters for being heroes! Elias is right to keep them secret because you’d probably do the same to them too!” To say the Prower parents were stunned was an understatement. The two foxes stared in complete shock at their glaring, crying son.

Tails himself was breathing heavily as the adrenaline was starting to wear off. Now that he’d had his say, Tails felt lost, and afraid of how the two older foxes would react. Before the parents could say anything, the young freedom fighter had revved up his tails and dashed from the room.

“Tails wait! Tails… Miles!” Rosemary shouted chasing after her son, but she was no match for his speed as the young fox dashed out the front door and flew into the night sky.

 

 

 

“Do you think the council will give in?” Shadow asked after Elias explained his plan. The black and red hedgehog sat across from the Acorn siblings in Sally’s bunker, which was growing rather crowded with Sonic, Hope, and Omega also present.

“They’ve always gone along with whatever ‘the people’ wanted before,” Sonic ground out. Sally shushed Sonic and pointed to one of the two adjoining rooms where Hope was sleeping after her liberation. The members of Team Dark would depart in the morning as they had pressing business to attend to back at G.U.N.

“I believe most of them are aware of the trap I’ve laid out,” Elias said, “and for once the public is on my side.” Shadow leaned back in his chair,

“Using their own tactics against them, well played,” Shadow complemented. Elias seemed disturbed by the praise, and Sally put a reassuring hand on his wrist.

Before anyone could say more, the door leading out of the bunker opened. Omega, Shadow, and Sonic all jumped to battle stances, but relaxed upon seeing the intruder.

“Tails…?” Sonic started to speak but stopped short seeing the clear tear marks on the fox’s face.

“Can I sleep here tonight?” Tails tried and failed to keep the tremble out of his voice. Sally quickly brushed past everyone,

“Tails honey, what’s wrong?” The fox instantly broke down into tears as Sally pulled him into a hug. Through his broken sobs he gave an account of what had happened at the Prower household and how, without naming them, he’d figured out the identities of the Secret Freedom Fighters. Sonic soon joined Sally in hugging the young fox. Shadow averted his eyes and kept quiet.

As Elias watched the scene play out, guilt immeasurable assailed him. Tails was only in this position because of the promise he’d made him keep. The young fox had witnessed his fleeing Feral Forest and from there pieced everything together. Now, he was sharing a roof with the people who Elias wanted to keep his team a secret from. For all of Elias’ anger towards the Prowers, he’d never wanted to be a source of strife for their family.

“I-I don’t know what to d-do,” Tails sobbed, “Am I, b-bad for y-yelling at them?”

“No,” Sally’s firm voice broke through, “You spoke your mind, and everything you said was true, Tails, and even if it wasn’t, no child should fear being honest with their parents.”

“S-So, my parents are just… b-bad?”

“No,” everyone turned in surprise to Elias, “They are not evil, Miles. As much trouble as they’ve caused me, I believe their intentions are sincere, just… misguided in their approach.” Elias paused as he looked down, “Something I have no room to judge them for.”

Elias rubbed his eyes as he was finally forced to admit what he’d known ever since he started his plan. Seeing Tails, the Prower’s own son be torn apart by split loyalties, was a dark echo of what might come if Elias continued on his current path.

He knew he had to protect his team, he owed them everything, but this wasn’t the way. He’d set out with the mindset that the council would have to be forced to concede to him, and now it was clear Rosemary, the most influential member of the council, was doing the same with him.

Even if everything went down according to what Elias wanted, what then? He was going to work with the council for the rest of his time as king. Whether he trusted them or not, they were a fixture in his kingdom, and even if he got his way now, the conflict he’d started would continue to simmer forever. Elias sighed,

“I can’t afford to make an enemy of the council,” the young king stood up and headed for the bunker’s exit.

“Elias?” Sally asked.

“The monarchy has been at odds with the council for too long.”

Before leaving, Elias got down to one knee and took Tails by the shoulder, “Thank you for keeping your promise. I’m sorry I’ve put you in this position.” Tails was more under control now.

“You left your family to save our home, and… unless I’m wrong, you’re the reason…” Tails hesitated seeing Omega and Shadow, “…that history was changed.” Sally’s arm squeezed Tails’ closer to her, and Sonic did the same for Sally. Elias looked at the three with a knowing smile,

“I need to speak with my team. Hopefully by this time tomorrow, the council and I will finally see eye-to-eye.” With that, Elias left.

 

 

 

Some time later…

 

 

 

The Prower’s doorbell rang. Rosemary rushed to throw their front door open, but was stunned to see not her son, but Elias. After a few awkward seconds Rosemary tried in vain to arrange her face into something other than distraught.

“Elias I… why are you here?” The fox certainly was upset, as her tone contained far more overt antagonism.

“I’m sorry to bother you at this late hour,” Elias said. Amadeus joined his wife and gave a cold stare to the young king.

“I’m afraid now isn’t a good time, your highness.”

“Tails is with Sonic and Sally.” The Prower parents’ eyes briefly widened, before becoming calmer. Rosemary all but retreated behind her husband as the man assumed a resigned expression,

“I… see. Thank you for telling us.”

“That is not the only reason I came here,” Elias’ expression hardened, as did Amadeus.’ “We must stop this endless struggle between us. I do not trust you, and you’ve made it clear you don’t trust me. Our government is divided, and digging ourselves in will only lead to further conflict.”

Amadeus glared at the young Acorn, saying nothing. Elias sighed, “I have spoken with my team, and they have agreed to a… compromise.” Rosemary had now marshalled herself enough to stand by her husband. A silent standoff commenced between the three. Rosemary took her husband’s hand and guided him to the side of the doorway.

“Would you like to come in and discuss it?” she asked in a weary but no longer antagonistic voice.

“Yes. Thank you, Councilor Prower,” and the young Acorn entered the house.

 

 

 

The next day…

 

 

 

The council was assembled, some still simmering, others nervous, but all eager to start the meeting. The doors opened and Elias entered the room. He nodded to the assembled officials.

“I request this meeting be broadcast.”

“Nay,” Hamlin banged his fist on the table. Elias wondered if he’d faced any ridicule from his outburst during the last broadcast. Isabella and Sir Charles voted yes, and after a moment of hesitation Dylan and Penelope did the same. Lastly, much to Hamlin’s surprise, Rosemary voted yes too. Nicole dutifully materialized and informed the room that the meeting was being broadcast.

“I would like to alter my request from yesterday,” Elias saw no point in delaying things, “I have seen the conflict brought on by my request, and that was not my intent.”

Dylan and Penelope visibly relaxed, hoping for a peaceful resolution. Sir Charles’ face was unreadable. Isabella looked confused. Hamlin gave an openly suspicious stare at the young Acorn. Rosemary took a deep breath, as if preparing for something.

“I recognize now that I cannot be the sole informant with the Secret Freedom Fighters,” Elias said. Hamlin gave a smug smile, “Which is why, with this council’s approval, I propose we have one councilor who knows of my team’s identities and will correspond with them in addition to myself.”

Hamlin balked. Dylan and Penelope stared in surprise. Isabella seemed to be considering the proposal. Sir Charles remained neutral. Before anyone could comment Elias continued, “I propose, Rosemary Prower fulfil this role.”

That certainly got a reaction. Even those watching from their homes gasped, given the well-known animosity between the Acorns and the Prowers.

Rosemary stood from her chair, “King Elias visited me and my husband last night. He brought forward this idea as a gesture of compromise between the monarchy and this council.” Rosemary’s eyes strayed downward as a look of deep guilt crossed her face,

“Before he arrived, I… had been made aware of my poor treatment of him, and the unwitting role I played in allowing Naugus to go unchecked.” The other councilors became awkward at this but remained silent; they’d never seen Rosemary this way. Even Elias stared in surprise, as they hadn’t discussed this statement the prior night, but Rosemary wasn’t finished.

“This council has made many mistakes, that has become clear. Our initial goal was to remove the monarchy’s power and give it to the people of this kingdom, but… following the whims of an angry mob is no better than the whims of a king.”

Now there were even those at home who squirmed in guilt.

 

 

 

In Sally’s bunker, the assembled mobians (Shadow, Hope, and Omega had departed back to G.U.N.) watched in stunned silence. Sonic assumed a wary expression but was none the less happy Rosemary was admitting to it. Sally was quietly amazed, and proud of her brother for reaching out to the Prowers. Tails sat in silence as his mother spoke. Sally noticed the young fox’s worried look and hugged him closer.

 

 

 

“It is because of these mistakes, that King Elias is reluctant to share his team’s identities.” Rosemary paused, “With this council’s agreement, he has offered to introduce me to them, and have me be a correspondent with them to act as a check on his authority over the team, and… in the event I deem the team too dangerous to be kept secret, I will disclose their identities.”

Elias’ expression was unreadable as both councilors and citizens stared in wide eyed surprise. Rosemary sighed, “All in favor?” she asked. After a few seconds of stunned silence, the council unanimously agreed. “I will share my assessment when I am ready,” Rosemary stated, before leaving the council table and joining Elias as the two left.

 

 

 

“You Acorns really are too polite for your own good,” Sonic commented.

“Sonic,” Sally hushed, nodding down to Tails, who looked deathly afraid.

“W-We need to stop him!” Tails’ voice was frantic, “Sonic, go and stop him! Tell him… tell him he doesn’t have to do this for me!”

“This isn’t just for you Tails,” Sally took the fox by his shoulders, “Conflict with the council was at a boiling point, something had to give. This is the best course of action.” Tails’ face became resigned as he wilted,

“They’re going to exile them,” Tails mumbled.

“Elias will show Rosemary they can be trusted,” Sally assured.

“And if the worst happens, no one’s getting exiled on my watch again,” Sonic’s voice carried a dark undertone that disturbed both Tails and Sally. The princess gave Sonic a warning look,

“Sonic…” but her words withered under Sonic’s cold stare.

“I’ve put the universe back together Sal, I’m not about to be scared of a bunch of spineless politicians.” Sally turned back to Tails.

“Elias will come through,” she assured.

 

 

 

Not leaving the council building, Elias led Rosemary down a hallway before anyone could follow or see where they were going.

“Don’t tell me you’ve been hiding under us this whole time,” Rosemary said in a weak attempt at humor. Elias said nothing as he led her into an empty office. With the door shut and the windows drawn,

“Agent King, and guest,” he said looking at the ceiling. The floor shuddered slightly beneath Rosemary’s feet and the segment of floor they were standing on began lowering into an elevator shaft. The two were quiet until it stopped, revealing a long hallway.

“This will take us to our base,” Elias said. Rosemary looked up at the shaft which had re-sealed itself, and then at the long hallway,

“Nicole is quite the architect with this city.” The two shared a knowing look, and Rosemary hoped her expression showed she wasn’t being antagonistic. “We… never wanted to banish her.” Elias kept his expression under control.

“Councilor Prower,” Elias faced her straight on, “I cannot claim to be guiltless of poor decisions, and I am doing my best to not make needless enemies. Everything I have done so far has been out of concern for my team, so let me make this clear,” the young Acorn’s voice took on a hard edge,

“This is the last concession I will make to you. I uprooted centuries of my family’s legacy. I gave over absolute power when you demanded a republic government. I endured the disapproval of my father for ignoring his wishes. I left my wife and child behind to save this kingdom after I was all but exiled. And now, I am putting the fates of those who I’ve come to trust more than anyone in your hands.”

Elias let his words hang. A vindictive part of him enjoyed the scared look of the fox councilor. Elias shoved the petty emotion down.

“I believe we may yet come to trust each other councilor. Do not prove me wrong.” His declaration given, Elias turned and began the march down the hallway, with Rosemary following behind.

 

 

 

Reaching the end, Elias knocked at a door, which opened. Elias stepped inside the team’s HQ where several chairs had been placed around their holo-table, though at the moment, everyone was nervously standing. Elias waved Rosemary inside, where she saw most of the assembled team.

 

Rosemary had several moments of revelation upon seeing the respective faces present. “So you two did receive a message,” Rosemary nodded to the wolf twins. The two sisters only stared shrewdly at the fox.

“Came here after running for office?” Rosemary asked Larry, who only nodded. She didn’t know anything to say to Silver. And what could she say to Nicole?

“I should’ve known you’d be involved.” Harvey Who’s expression was decidedly polite as he nodded to the fox.

Rosemary’s eyes strayed over the chairs surrounding the holo-table, noting two empty. One for Elias, and another for…

“Shard,” Elias called to the room. Rosemary looked around expectantly. Elias gave a sidelong glance at the fox, before seemingly talking to the ceiling, “I give you my word that you will have my protection… no matter what happens.”

“Us too,” Lyco added with a warning look to the fox. A hologram shimmered to life next to Nicole. Rosemary’s eyes widened. Shard stood tall, with an expression of one waiting for the worst.

“A… metal sonic trooper A.I.?”  Rosemary asked, unable to keep a hint of fear from her voice.

“His body was lost in the line of duty. I believe you’ll recall Metal Sonic’s attack and abrupt disappearance from Antoine D’Coolette’s hospital room?”

“As for being a Metal Sonic trooper, he was actually the blueprint for them.” Rosemary whipped around in shock,

“Sir Charles!?” Chuck gave a wry smile and waved.

“I’m afraid playing double agent has become a habit of mine,” Charles said. Rosemary took a moment to re-collect herself.

“Is there anyone else?” she eventually asked with a bewildered expression.

“This is it,” Elias answered, “Councilor Prower, meet the Secret Freedom Fighters.”

Rosemary looked over everyone, but her eyes lingered uneasily on Shard. “I can attest to Shard’s loyalty personally,” Elias said.

“We all can,” Harvey said.

“Especially after his being instrumental in rescuing and restoring Princess Sally,” Charles said. Rosemary turned to Charles in surprise, “He acquired the tech necessary to restore her, as well as helped eradicate the programming Eggman had installed in her robian body and helping the princess fight back against Metal Sonic long enough for Sonic and Rotor to rescue her.”

“And getting the override code for the virus infecting the city, and me,” Nicole added. Rosemary had to take several moments to process all that. Even with the tension in the room Shard couldn’t help but smile at the listing of his exploits, and his friends backing him up.

“I… suppose I can see now why you were so hesitant,” Rosemary said turning back to Elias. Rosemary’s eyes darted back to Chuck. She blinked once as another revelation hit her, “You… could’ve nominated Charles…”

“Indeed,” Elias said, with a tone that said he’d thought about it, “but my conflict was not with him.” The room became deathly quiet.

Rosemary looked around at the assembled team members again, seeing antagonism, but also fear. “I’ll need to review your past missions, but… at the moment I see no reason this team shouldn’t continue to serve this kingdom.”

“Thank you, Councilor Prower.” Elias said, ushering Rosemary to the holo-table.

 

 

 

Later, at the next council meeting…

 

 

 

“… and it is my opinion that Elias’ team should continue to serve this kingdom, at the discretion of this council, and under the leadership of our king.” Cheering was heard across the kingdom as citizens watched the broadcast.

“All in favor?” Rosemary asked. Those watching suddenly held their breath. One-by-one, every councilor voted yes, including a bitter Hamlin.

Cheers and excited chatter could be heard in every watching household. More than just the fate of the team who’d saved them, many saw this as a turning point for their futures. The Acorn Council had been at odds with the monarchy and freedom fighters since their creation, but now, finally, it seemed unity was being forged.

 

 

 

Later still…

 

 

 

Despite all that had happened, and the victory of finding a compromise with Elias, Rosemary and Amadeus Prower sat in nervous anticipation in their living room. They did not discuss the verdict, and Amadeus had promised he would not ask his wife about the team’s identities. No, matters of politics were now the last things on their minds. There was a knock at the door and the fox parents rushed to open it.

Tails stood on the doorstep, with Sally just behind him. Rosemary hesitated before embracing her son. “I’m so sorry honey, for everything.” Tears ran down the councilor’s face.

“A-And I’m s-sorry for y-yelling,” Tails sobbed as he hugged her back. Sally frowned at that sentiment but said nothing.

“No,” Rosemary looked Tails in the eyes, “We… I… needed to hear it.”

“Would you both like to come inside?” Amadeus offered, seeing several passing citizens curiously looking at Sally. Everyone made their way inside and Sally shut the door behind her. Tails now hugged his father, who took his son into his arms and toward the kitchen with the promise of cookies that Rosemary had made.

Sally turned to Rosemary, unsure what to say, but the fox mother spoke first, “Ever since we got back, Tails has told us about all his adventures with you.” Sally internally cringed at what horrific stories of war Tails might’ve shared. Rosemary’s voice became softer,

“Thank you for taking care of my baby.” Sally felt her throat catch, and so, only nodded, and the two went to join Amadeus and Tails in the kitchen.

 

Notes:

Elias makes peace for his kingdom and two families reconcile!

Tails' loyalty being tested between his two families was always something I wanted to explore. After he spotted Elias fleeing Feral Forest and later deduced Silver's involvement in the comics, I knew that would need to be addressed. Hopefully I gave enough depth to the Prower parents to show they weren't malicious in their intentions.

And of course, the Secret Freedom Fighters will live on; they're way too cool a team to not keep around.

EDIT: A commentor pointed out Silver was missing from the scene of the S.F.F. discussing whether to disband, so I added him in.

Now that it's over, what are you guys' thoughts on Long Live the King?

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 4 of Mobius Frontiers