Later that day after school



Manic was busy picking up his leftover school work as he jsut remembered his meeting with lein-da where suddenly sonia grabbed his attention



Sonia" you know I can take your backpack home for you, since you'll be making a heavy detour :/ crossing her arms a bit Manic" you think I'll be needing anything for my training session with le-lara?" Sonia" I don't know did she tell you what you'll be doing? " Manic" not..really but then again it cant be anything too serious considering I'll still be back home for dinner at the very least xD" Sonia" well in that case you'll want all the time you need, so I'll take your stuff home, its not a problem" Manic" acting someone hesitant as he looked down for a moment I don't know I don't know why I'm so..hesitant with others doing things for me" Sonia" it doesn't make you a spoiled kid if your worried, sometimes your just get help, look I think your taking this "trying to keep up with the rest of the pact" thing too seriously finger quotes just forget everything, get some lectures and some workouts and be home so we can help me with chaos history, cause you somehow book mark all the right chapters " Manic" somehow xD and yet I remember jack squat " Sonia" see we all bring something she chuckled as she grabbed the backpack later! " ( Whooosh!)



continuing along as planned manic did met up with lein-da acting as vigor as ever she already had him perlexed



Lein-da" glad to see your hear on time" Manic" it would be bad if I was late and being so fast " Lein-da" true now put this one,* handing him a blindfold Manic" wha? a blindfold for what?" Lein-da" remember my 3 rules? " Manic" ...right no whining , questioning, or complaining. ma'am* as he put the blindfold on" with that being said lein-da guided him onto the transport with her as they flew off leaving the station



Manic" listening in, lein-da was quiet while manic was strapped into the seat as he thought to himself* ( she knows I've did jogs across the mobius and angel island with dad lots of times, I know alot of the places my heart by now, but shes probably doing a trust exercise, no one else is here so I'm at her mercy, its almost like in Redwind learning the trust others or do you trust yourself )... "

Lein-da" > > .... ( I'm rather impressed this far alone , I remember when my brother gave me the rounds like this, only for me I'm not going to be a ass-hat like him actually try to train him ) eventually reaching angel island the carrier slowly descended and touched down . lein-da had him walk outside the plane ( watch your step ) immediately manic's hear flicked as he heard rushing water near him



for us we could see we were in mushroom hill zone by a large river that was leading down stream into the forest, while they stood a top a water fall



Manic" shaking his head " Lein-da" can you guess where we are?" Manic" alots of pollen in the air and I hear rushing water, would be probably seaside if I didn't smell the heavy plants so I'm gonna go with mushroom hill?" Lein-da" gold star , right now we're standing by the main river that least down ot the beach through the thick part of the woods until you touch sand your not allowed to take that blind fold off. Manic" oh that will be easy from here no less " Lein-da" well I'm sure it will I'll be guiding you, you'll have to choose either by taking my word or trusting your senses of the environment " Manic" but I don't have my phone or a radio with me " Lein-da" no need, I have something for you (Ka-click) suddenly then lein-da snapped a restriction collar on his neck as he quickly stumbled Manic" Aghhh... hey what the!? why do I feel so much weaker DX" Lein-da" sorry manic no speed for this part of my trials, its either me or your instincts* with that she casually pushed him off the waterfall*



( Ahh AHHHHHHHHHH!! ( SPLASSHHHHHhhhh!) ( Cough! Gouch!!) lein-da......!!!) quickly enough the current carried him down stream where his whales were coming quieter



Lein-da" hmhmhm l3 your big boy now manic you either sink or- O O s-swim.. feeling proud of herself for a moment but as she turned around suddenly there a full family of wolves gathered around her growling heavily, until one from the back approached her as the others moved aside and it was snowy giving her just as equally of a angered expression barring her teeth



Lein-da" ( this fucking women... I swear to chaos ) listen he'll be fine, this is trial run I had to do myself when I was younger when I asked for my brothers help, only I actually care . I'm going to use the egg pod to follow him from above the beach should be a good hour walk if he knows his stuff well, I swear he will be fine! " a few a moment or two the wolves began to calm down as snow sat up right, as the wolves slowly began to leave al lthat remained was snowy, but just as lein-da was about to resume her time with manic, snowy walked away leaving a ice figure of lein-da from her tail, then turning towards it she gave one more cold glare towards lein-da then pushing her paw on the ice figures head knocking it over and breaking it into pieces



Lein-da" I...I guess the message... feeling the cold sweat down her head as her fur started crawling, snowy quickly took her leave as well



Meanwhile from the river bed. manic finally reached a point where he pull himself out of the water crawling out *

Manic" well that's one way to wake you up... as he walked to try and lift the fold up for a moment( Kasshhh!) Lein-da" no peaking! " Manic" Gahh DX! Radio" I see you finally decided to ditch the theme park ride " Manic" yeah and I want my refund... " Radio" sorry no refunds beyond this point , no you have two routes you can take, if you follow the river its straight shot of the beach or you can take the forest path, following the trees with the thick trunks of bark but you can get lost easily and turned around, or carefully make your way down river being mindful of the rocks



Manic" ( if her own thing is to trust her word or my knowledge and instincts...) ..hmmm... ( the hills only have one huge river, and a waterfall like the one I know I fell down and if I wanted to guess right... where the grass stops is where the rocks start )... I'll take my odds on the river as he started running



Lein-da" o o... hmm *even after that bath he was still willing* she smirked, as she hovered down the river path from the sky



Manic" Ahh Achooo! naghhh... leaving drenched like this I swear if I get a cold... ) ..Ahhh! (thud!) he ended up tripping falling on the ground* Lein-da" you've been quiet for a while, I hope your not feeling of throwing in the towel " Manic" ...never...NEVER! as he got up dusting himself off he continued his stride through the forest eventually the smell of salt water brushed his face ( beach air I'm getting close finally!) .... as he tried to so a small run but he quickly stopped Radio" alright manic this you'll have to really trust me on,, the beach is crawling with crabs , they return to the sea at this hour, you push forward and risk aggravating them? or you can take the detour ot the west and and pass them all together, its your choice*



Manic" but you said I can take this off when I reach the sand" Lein-da" you want to end this so badly you'll risk getting jumped by crabs. seaside crabs are easily violent" Manic".... sigh your right* ( wack!!) gahh!... running straight int oa palm tree as he pushed against it was very loose as he pushed it a tree... manic suddenly started lining where he was verses the rushing water from the river and going back to the tree he drew a line in the dirt then immediately he started tackling the tree ( Gah!) Lein-da" what are you doing??" Manic" Guh! making a short cut of my own , like you said.. follow my instincts as he started tackling the tree man times until he missed it ait where he only scratched against it cutting his arm Grrr...>< " Lein-da"..... hes either determined or stupid" after lining up one more tackle he rammed the tree as it finally caved knock it over and as it fell you coudl hear it plowed straight on the beach, scaring off a chuck of the crabs, manic hustles walking along the tree and as he reached down her grabbed the sand of the beach in his hand



Manic" does this count?" Lein-da" yes it counts, looks like you made it " as manic took the blindfold off he was greeted by a lovely sunset of the beach (Click) the collar became unlocked and he had his full strength back Manic" ahaha I did it! " Lein-da" congrats manic I was worried at first but you pulled through " Manic" so whats next" Lein-da" well that will be for tomorrow but no more collars , which I'm sure you'll be thankful for " Manic" yes DX " Lein-da" hmhm, well now that you have your full strength back I'm sure you'll have no trouble making it back to the ship" Manic" I can't hitch a ride?!" Lein-da" its only a one seat" Manic" Grrr.......* suddenly looking down, he saw a sharp rock* heh just enough.. as she suddenly went into a spin dash and with enough speed he jumped out throwing the rock towards her and at the rock hit the pod (DING!) it made her spin like a pinball nearly making her fall out but she held on tightly, tryign not to fall

Lein-da" DX!!! " Manic" ( that's my payback for the day xD )



back home at the castle

bedroom, sonia was at her desk revviewing some notes when she looked at the clock

Sonia" .....he borderline missed dinner I hope hes alright"



( Sally" MANIC Sweet chaos your a mess what happened!! " Manic" I'm alright mom really-) Sonia" !?!" ( your fur is a matted your covered in dirt and sand you r arm is scratched, are these palm tree shaving? and you have a crab on your quill! ) Manic" long day"



Sonia" you look like hell " Manic" I feel like hell... and this was only day one... " Sonia" sure you don't want to wash up " Manic" just let me rest my eyes for a minute..or two.. " Sonia" writting a message in chat and he returns "



Nova" not broken I hope, Kiara" my mom can heal him if he needs it " Surge" puts some grit on his teeth " Khalon" mom had snowy keep an eye on him so it can't be that bad " Kiara" I'm sensing moms aura right now, if it was that bad it sure as well pushed her luck my guess "



with that being said manic had falling completely asleep





the next day



manic was completely snoring away on his bed untill eventually he woke from his sleep



Manic" yawn....ahh.. wha..* suddenly turning his head as his eyes began to focus suddenly he looked at the clock seeing it was 10:00 huh...AHHH! I'M LATE FOR SCHOOL! (Thud!) Ahhh! tripping over his own feet falling out of bed he turned the room into a tornado gabbing his clothes and packing his backpack until coming to a halt when the door was locked from the outside what the heck why is the door locked!?...( Bang Bang) MOM! the door is-...locked? suddenly noticing a posted note on his head *



Note" Manic I had a feeling you would be exhausted I called in a sick day for you at school, given your training I proposed you have the week off any assignments you will do from home, please rest as long as you need to, I only locked the door to keep you from flying down the hall in panic. Love: mom"



Manic"... well at least I won't have to worry about miss mayflower scolding me xD " suddenly the door opened up and it was sonic " Sonic" hey sport good to see you r wide awake " Manic" yeah after a short heart attack " Sonic" your mom had a council hall meeting to attend , I said I'd go but she thought maybe I should take this time to help you warm up for whatever lara is gonna put you though > >" Manic" ... . . hehe yeah well I'm sure he won't be as bad as yesterday " Sonic" well I hope not Manic" hehe" Sonic" so how about some breakfast to get you started " Manic" yes please he smiled*



meanwhile



sol kingdom

blaze was on a video call with kathy

Blaze" she blind folded him and had him treed through the forest to the beach with a restriction collar??" Kathy" yes... " Blaze" I'm surprised you didn't jump her after she pushed him down the waterfall" Kathy" believe me I wanted to! but snowy got my message across , but sweet mercy shes skating on thin ice right now!" Blaze" easy kathy, shes still only trying to get him ready for the bigger tasks ahead and if this is training; well it was never going to be easy" Kathy" still does he have to risk dying?" Blaze" don't tell sky this but, my mentor had me survive on the vikings island during a harsh snowstorm alone for 3 days " Kathy" .....why...?" Blaze" it was to teach me to maintain and control my flames, so that no matter the condition I will always have a fire lit" Kathy" dare I ask how old you were? she sighed... " Blaze" looking away nervously rubbing her fingers through her head ..maybe...7 or 8 " Kathy" mother of mercy God all mighty! I don't know who to yell at! you? your mother or your mentor!?" Blaze" well I was a child I didn't know any better, my mother was too busy with the war efforts to even tend to me, and my mentor was well.. he was strict , the only real attention I got was from gardon and, crystal surprisingly" Kathy" wait sky's mother?" Blaze" yes, she worked here as a material researcher our paths would cross on occasion and she would play with me so I wasn't so alone > >" Kathy" ohhh ba-by ;w; well at least you don't put nova through the same hell you did" Blaze" well no but then again nova had a stonger sense of control then I did , maybe some traits from sky?" Kathy" oh? so she did get something from him other then a guilt complex " Blaze" ha ha ha ha ha! your so harsh xD "



Kathy" only because I care " suddenly sky came in the room Blaze" oh I will call you back kathy ( Click) so how was reaper training" Sky" good, it went well, nova is even throwing some different methods I should try using to fight, and even getting me to use my crystal more often now. and even something I never really pushed myself to do " Blaze" that being?" Sky" you noticed I never use my scythe if I'm in another form be it the fox or wolf, nova believes if our scythes are connected to the soul then no matter what form I'm in should have access to it, I jut have to focus and concentrate on it. " Blaze" then you'll be using your two favorite elements with your scythe" Sky" nods we're gonna have a sparring match this evening before dinner but until then she needed to having a tutoring session with kiara " Blaze" what did she need help with" Sky" charting and map scaling" blaze" I see - - she could have asked muzzy or gardon " Sky" =w= kiara's good with math and geometry so she would rather just get the help from her shes grateful she only has like two assignments with this stuff " Blaze" well I'm glad she had wonderful friends she can see for help if need be she smiled softly



Sky" mhm.. stretching as she walked toward s the garden window also another thing I wanted to bring up with you. you were right, you kathy, even wildfire you were all right about me " Blaze" regarding what?" Sky" me wanting to have that respect and to be recognized as king, I have the strength I have the conviction but I always just came off as a errand lad, having to do this, do that, meetings here there everywhere, I was doing everything no instructing or leading. I've bene so hard on myself expecting praise from a superior that I forgot I'm the highest in reality, and I need to stand tall take the role and lead by example not look for someone else to validate my tasks I preform as he paced the floor



Blaze" and what brought you to this conclusion?" Sky" if anything listening to nova giving me ideas, things I can work on train or help myself or ways we help each other I felt like...she was guiding me not the other way around" Blaze" was that a bad thing?" Sky" no, but it gave me a bit of self reflection. I've been doing too much and it was only after being forced not to work that I finally see it " Blaze" mphm~ your welcome~ she smirked but in all seriousness , when we go out in town you may not have seen or noticed but, when people see us they smile, when we enter a restaurant some want to get a picture or two , heck I sometimes have to convince my favorite baker to stop giving me my lemon tart for free as a gift Sky" hmm~ " Blaze" but I will tell you this, and I hope you hold this close to your heart. one day when I went to pick up nova from the school, the younger students were running experiences fighting practice dummies , or doing workouts, but I saw one child he had taken a practice staff and turned it into a scythe and used it practicing his swing "



Sky" o o...... " Blaze" the praise may not be loud like you would imagine , but I believe your inspiration reaches where it matters ^w^ " Sky" oh... oh wow ... smiled softly ^////^ " Blaze" I don't see you blush often" Sky" shut up! Neghhh >< " Blaze" ehehehe XD always and forever be a child " Sky" tsk crossing his arms " Blaze" but lets not forever someone else here will be having scythe lessons one day~ " turning her attention to a basket rocking it as snowfall was sleep curled up in a ball Sky" yeah, one day soon probably sooner then we think " Blaze" hmm X3 "

Blaze" don't mention to wild I said any of this stuff , any leg he can get over me he will take it with a smile " Blaze" I'm sure literally and figuratively " Sky" don't. start. alicia does that enough" Blaze" sure my lips are sealed~ if you give snowfall his bath tonight " Sky" fine" Blaze" and do lock the bathroom door I don't want a wet ball of fur running around " Sky" hit happened only one time" Blaze" once is too much" Sky" or could let kathy do it " Blaze" then will never get him back , " Sky" yeah xD "



moving on t the rest of the day, lein-da was waiting at teh downtown district of albion cit casually checking her clock seeing when manic would arrive until eventually he did leaving a trail of dust behind him



Lein-da" so you finally arrived" Manic" yeah sorry for cutting it so close, so what are we doing today" Lein-da" well as I've said before this is more a "mission" task as she put a radar on his wrist ( click) I want to see how precise you can pay attention to to your environment, and how fast you can preform under pressure, I remember hearing from knuckles sonic likes being under the gun but I doubt you are the same " Manic" nah push me! I can take it! " Lein-da" TwT alright then~ snapping her fingers* suddenly the device on his wrist unfolded into a clamp with a timer on it" Lein-da" around the casino district there was 3 chests, each one has a key card that unlocks the other you have 2 minutes to find them ,the last one has the key to take the lock off your wrist if the timer reaches zero you'll get a bit of a shock, " Mani" whaa?! " Lein-da" clock is ticking " as manic races off*



Lein-da" reaching in her pocket she pulled out the key for his wrist I wonder when he'll notice* sshe casually pulled out her phone to call jack suddenly manic was already back* !?! your back already??" Manic" lara-su always gave us tours around this part of the city, plus I found your little trick after the first box, each one had a theme and you choose wine beverages, after the second, I know it was only the location of the shop, process of elimination " Lein-da" o o my my I'm honestly impressed, you figured it out so quickly " Manic" but the key card didn't work and I can't get this off" Lein-da" not everything is as it seems , maybe you missed something" Manic" maybe.. ugh I-..* just as he was about to rush off again suddenly he turned towards her again* you have it don't you " Lein-da" why would I" Manic" you said it yourself your theme is wines, and you had a discount card in your chest for a bottle of whisker wines " Lein-da" !? I thought I siad not to stare! pushing the card down Manic" its kind of hard, not gonna lie" Lein-da" huffing out of discomfort fine, I'll let you have that, however figuring it out was only half the task now comes your real test as energy started to charge in her hands



Manic" a whole minute left I can do this! charging at her with full force



meanwhile

Nova took a strike towards sky with her scythe as sky blocked it shoving her back* Sky" you really learned how to put your weight into the swing " Nova" well after doing it enough , you get it eventually, how about your wolf form, feel like giving it a go now?" Sky" well better late the never > > " Nova" come on you can do it I know you can, " Sky" taking a deep breathe alright , and remember no holding back" " Nova" I'll try "





* nova started first by hauling back her blade then then swinging forward into a tornado spin towards sky , sky jumped back dodging her attack then with a uppercut swing of his own he disrupted her spin but nova recovered quickly using her fire as a cover and blasted him with it, engulfing him completely in her flame( Fwooosshhhhhh!)



Nova" ??.....(Shinkk!) with in a second all the fire was frozen looking like as sculpture then extending forward from the vase was a trail of ice making it way towards nova as she jumped back and started running from it as it chased her down until she used her fire to stop it then from above sky jumped down back in his base form with his scythe slamming down with his scythe (Shing!) ( Whooshhh!) missing her head by inches she formed wings from her energy and flew backwards dodging it *



Nova" ( hes still switching back and forth, but if he wasn't I swear this would be alot harder) panting softly.. > >; .... Sky" ( it still doesn't want to react I need to stop taking the easy option... ) ..( come on focus),,, focus" as sky stood still trying to concentrate his power making the ice generate in his base form" Nova" ( he must be doing it backwards I thought he would try to get the scythe to sommon in his wolf form not the ice in his base ) either way a fights a fight twisting her waist around like a spring she swing around throwing her scythe towards him then on top of that she engulfed it in her flames creating a flame tornado towards him Sky" !?! causing sky quickly jump out of his the way with his reaper form but at that moment nova chased him down flying wards him as she rocketed it towards him punching him straight in the stomach sending him flying back* ( Cough!) sky fell tumbling through the air hitting the ground



Sky" coughing... pulling himself towards her got back on his feet ..* changing back to his wolf form*... ( come on what am I not doing.. I can feel it I can sense it but it not wanting to cross why is it forcing itself to stay apart its sol energy I've used it before! )... " Nova" in that moment she rushed him down with fire engulfing her fists Sky" as sky stood there focusing on only his weapon in his wolf form he eventually something was starting to form but in that second nova on in close and thrusting her fist towards him she engulfed him in fire (WHooosshhhhhh!!) as she jumped back watching the fire completely take over*



Nova" dad? .....(...........) Dad.?? oh Goddess.. DAD! DX ( Woosshhh!) suddenly in a icy wind the flames slowly faded out as sky walked from the cloud and in his hand was his scythe with a icy coating along the hilt and the blade itself still maintaining the ice on his scythe while still having burns from her flames Nova" whoa... o o you did it, you actually did it! " in that second sky swung his arm back as the blade began to glow he quickly unleased a energy strike towards her that flew through the air

Nova" OH GOD !! ( BASSSHHHH!!) the energy from from the strike itself left the grass frozen but as it hit the ground itself suddenly the ground around it was completely stricken with ice and crystal that even started to grow as if it worked like kathys vines over taking the field, nova hovered in the air just barely dodging it holy hell this is amazing, suddenly her ears flickered as she heard was sounded like faint foot steps sky as dashed from the spikes flying higher and higher in the air until he reached her with his scythe pulled back behind her



Nova" o o....." Sky" no holding back remember " * as sky hooked her where the blade and hilt meet, in one full swing he launched her back down to the ground smashing into the ice) (BASSHHHH!)



as sky was in reaper form his elevated in the air waiting for nova to respond and with in moments suddenly you saw the ice starting to melt until a Geyser of flames erupted melting all the ice as nothing was left but the hot muggy mist that clouding her as you only saw a red glow from her eyes

Sky" hmhm that's my girl~ as he stepped on the ground ice was starting to form just from his energy alone, as the ice was slowing reach nova it was being to melt turning to to steam only when it reached so far



meanwhile from the castle blaze was watching them from the balcony while holding snowfall

Blaze" literally my burning star~ " Snowfall" o o... " Blaze" your gonna be just like us snowfall you have alot to look forward too in time* bouncing him softly in her arms* Snowfall" nova... owo "



Niyako" .. watching as well i.. really didn't expect her to be a Goddess of fire.. I knew she was good but... " Blaze" and she can do this , imagine what I can do she chuckled Niyako" ears lowered as he tail tucked ... ( m-maybe I don't belong in this family.. I'm just an engineer for God's sake DX ) " Blaze" oh I'm just joking niyako no need to go into a cold sweat xD " Niyako" says my future mother in law who can turn me to ashes in a second " Blaze"...??" Niyako" AHhh I'm so so sorry that just came out that way I didn't impose a- suddenly she put her hand on his head Blaze" I think that shows who close you've become part of this family, and I know my future son in law has alot to live up to ^^ " Niyako" ... chibi, looking down at the ground as blaze walked away you fail your mech exam and your substitute marry into a family of demi-gods sure why not..." ( Blaze" were not demi-gods niyako for goddess sake. there are some that make us look like children " ) Niyako" that does not make me feel better DX " Snowfall" DX " Blaze" imagine what kathy can do compared to us "



meanwhiel back on the field



as nova was building up fire in her hands asshe was aboutot sprint towards sky as he was about to to the same *



( (Th-Thump!) Sky" O O .... ( G-Aackk!) in a second he coughed up blood Nova" ?!! " in a second sky dropped his scythe as he was force back into his normal form spitting up blood Sky" panting...*coughing Ahhh... ahhh " Nova" rushing towards him* Dad! dad!! " Sky" wow ..okay.. I learned something new" Nova" what happened should I call the doctor?! ;w; Sky" no.. noI I should be fine just.. I pushed myself too hard too soon" Nova" how..?" Sky" its its like my reaper from before, separating from my body it was taxing and if I remained in that state too long, this would happen so I suppose using my reaper abilities in my alternate forms has the same side effect" Nova" but your not dying right " Sky" no, but I think this will be enough for today " Nova "* helping him on his feet* well at least we proved you can do it " Sky" y-yeah, and you really showed your stuff too " Nova" I won't lie I got scared for a moment xD" Sky" you think I wasn't it? they both laughed over it Sky" lets havea rest for now~ " Nova" ^w^"



Sky" although I think we should have kathy come to fix the grass valley, cause I think we ruined the climate just a bit, Nova" summer on one side and winter on the other " Sky" best of both worlds xD" ( hahahahah) kathy hits them both with a newspaper Kathy" like father like daughter it seems also. XP "



evening

Castle acorn



the family was having dinner minus one noticing one chai t being empty *



Sonia" so I suppose having manic late is going to be a the going thing this week" Sonic" I can't say for sure but right now it appears that way" Sally" I know this is a training process but after yesterday I fear I may have cause for concern" Sonic" eheh.. I'm sure it will be alright" Sally" well I hope so" Sonia" you know.. can I ask this honestly? I get why, nova wants to train to protect the sol emeralds thats her goal , lara-su is the new guardian, what exactly is manic's end goal?" Sonic" wanting to follow in your old mans foot steps, sort of like how khalon and prime knuckles seem to be , thats the closet I would make it" Sonia " but, I remember him going on about living up to your legacy and instead of just inheriting it he wanted to kind of earn it in way, that was another reason why he was going out of his way doing all that hes doing " Sally" manic has been feeling alittle left behind comparing to your friends and I think he doesn't want to be left behind anymore " Sonic" someone with speed like mine being left behind doesn't really fit us I would say he chuckled softly but uhh.... I will be honest and seeing him crash the way he did, had me alittle worried so we can jsut avoid those events I would be happy " Sally" agreed "



that being said manic eventually made his way home, sonia seeing him by the corner of her eye in the hall not looking as bad as he did the other way but bandages were present on his person from around his waist and head



Sonia" another rough day?" Manic" not as rough as yesterday but better , and I feel like I came out better for it so uhh.. yeah I'm good! so yeah I'm gonna turn in early night everyone" Sally" at least grab something and have a bath? are you sure manic " Manic" I'm sure mom I'm okay, love you he called out heading off down the hall having tired tone Sonic" I really starting to question wither or not I should stick my nose in this or not, I don't want to be a helicopter parent" Sally" but at the same time, how long before manic comes home completely in a coma DX " Sonia" I doubt that will happen , plus remember kathy is always hovering somewhere in the distance if shes not responding then things must be fine" Sonic" yeah but what she thinks is a concern verses what I think is a concern is two completely different things crossing his arms maybe I can have a chat with lara-su before hand and learn what exactly is going to happen next so we can be alittle prepared for it " Sally" I thought knuckles already told you" Sonic" he just told me

it was going to be some varying training exercises and sparring sessions that would push manic to his limit and besides that it was really anything too detailed , I'm starting to wonder if there just playing it all by ear, I might as well just have asked kathy " Sonia" you loovvvve~ just name dropping her don't you T T" Sonic" we all have our sour spots, I do find it ironic for me is has anything to do with knuckles to some degree be it from here or another version " " Sally" but kathy is unrelated" Sonic" but she is a guardian at the end of the day and what is knuckles? coincidence? I think not " Sonia" good grief "



as manic collapsed on the bed laying on his back



Manic"......( what am I even doing... am I trying to prove something?... showing I'm just as good as everyone else?... I don't know anymore )



hours earlier

Manic" getting the key from lein-da* " Lein-da" I'm goign ot be honest manic I wasn't expecting you to get passed my first trial at all and I didn't think you would try to fight me, period" Manic" yay I guess, I'm not exactly happy with the fact I have to keep this secret from my dad and say I'm training with lara-su coming home like I came from a war, eventually hes going to learn I'm lying , at this point I don't even know why I'm even doing this anymore! " Lein-da" I thought you goal was to get better at control your speed " Manic" I thought that too, but I think my ego just tells me I don't want to fall behind everyone else, nova lara, are guardians my dad left behind a legacy and I want to fit that and I just....." Lein-da" you just...? " Manic" I don't know...I don't know what I want, all I know is I feel like I'm being left behind by my friends and I don't want to hate them cause I know its just me... " Lein-da" sighing softly no training tomorrow, it wil l be a rest period, however I do want you to come see me , I think maybe alittle retrospect might help you, Manic" how " Lein-da" I do felt there was hole in my chest, believing I needed to be something achieve X in order to become Y, and I hated others around me who didn't reflect those goals and in the end I was only ruining myself " Manic" why go out of your way to help me" Lein-da" because someone went out of there way to help me "

end



Manic" so I guess tomorrow will be history lesson" Sonic" hey manic you doing alright sport?" Manic" tired, " Sonic" you know if you think you had enough you can call it quits just saying" Manic" no I'm alright, I'm half way after tomorrow might as well finish it out plus this was a means to paying back for slicing knuckles's car so I have to bite the bullet, its only fair " Sonic".... well I'm.. I'm proud to hear your steed fast conviction , I wonder if you got it from your mother chuckles Manic" eheh maybe.. um sorry if I've been sour puss at all its been weird but in some way I do like this is a bit" Sonic" you know what I'd like? , I'd like you having training by your dad and not someone else leaving you half dead in the dirt, thats what I'd like m but it is what it is. shrugging but you said you want to keep going didn't you" Manic" yeah then I can throw it in everyone else's faces xD " Sonic" smirks well just don't push too hard and you know I'm here for you ^^ " Manic" thanks sonic hugs him tightly Sonic" get some rest champ see you in the morning~ " Manic" good night "





the next morning



Manic was already taking a ride with lein-da to her home office , as they exited the car and entered the legion's station , manic noticed all of the old relics of the eggman war from different machines to uniforms to even plates summarizing events*



Manic" what is this, like a museum? ' Lein-da" you would be half right, this is the dark legion's hall of history and a bit of a reminder for myself of certain... mistakes I've made " Manic" doesn't look so much like mistakes to me " Lein-da" that is because you don't know the history behind it as lein-da took a stroll over to a display case, taking a necklace in her handthis belonged to my mother Merin-da her and my father served as the grand master something I desperately wanted to the point I became a monster for it" Manic"...... lara always went on about the grand masters and how ppower upsessed they were, why did you want to be one of them anyway?" Lein-da" the very same reason you are trying so hard to keep up with your friends. I wanted to be grand master to lead my people, and I felt I knew better then my mother at the time, and I was looking for praise fro mmy father, but seeing there priorities were elsewhere, I wanted there position for myself. looking back I couldn't tell you if I was right or wrong. let me ask you something manic if you achieve anything right now what would it be? I know this may bea loaded question but try and humor me for a moment "



Manic" anything > > hmm... well if I wanted something meaningful I guess I would say I fall short, cause I'm already happy with my friends and family, but I guess what makes me so unsure is seeing all the things there doing, and I wonder am I doing something wrong..? " Lein-da" I wouldn't say its wrong, your just satisfied, your a have a loving family , good friends , and a legacy you can make what you a want of it. crossing her arms I suppose the reason I brought you here was to show you people who took advantage of me because I was so busy trying to force myself to take on something that might not have been for me " activating a profile viewer one of which was her brother* this was my brother kargok , he was like me only worse, " Manic" is it fair to say you look less like a villain then he does?" Lein-da" I think your completely fair in saying so, after our mother was....deceased we both were striving for th e title , the grandmaster holds much political and military power and statues over the clan , I always felt my mother squandered her posittion, and my father was too busy trying get on eggmans good side only to use him later but that didn't end well for him either, but sadly I followed in his wake and I ended up under his damn thumb anyway, only in some cases to be left in a body cast or worse "



Manic" worse DX " Lein-da" I will spare you the details," Manic" but then if you say you did this that and the other and you turned over a new leaf , what made you change, you said someone went out of there way to help you, I assumed it was going to be knuckles?" Lein-da" tsk... knuckles hated me as did my half-sister but I can't say I didn't give her good reason but at the time I didn't care, the n came my partnership with Dr finitevus someone I never should have trusted and caused me to make everything a living hell for myself and kathy "



Manic" you mean thats when killer became a thing?" Lein-da" yes... switching to her profile Manic" I'll never get use to seeing that face" Lein-da" I still have nightmares , but there all I deserve. but before I go off topic again, at one point it was sky that tried to get me to let everything go" Manic" why?" Lein-da" he for someones say me ruining myself try to achieve my goal and told me just to let it go, he truly wanted to office m an escape from all of this. to this day I don't get why? everyone else would have me dead-to-rights but he tried to extend a hand " Manic" maybe he liked you" Lein-da"....* biting her lip* and I was so starved for compassion I forgot whati t felt like which almost made me.. crush on him in return, not that he knows that"



Manic" you went though all this lein-da and thinking about it, maybe.. maybe in a way I feel like I have it easy and its cool being someone like my dad I can run at top speeds, and I'm hero to some for the little things I try to do XD, but.... looking at nova or kiara or even lara-su I feel like I'm carrying cup of water while there holding buckets, comparing our selves to others is never good, be it me with my friends or you with your relatives, we should just be ourselves, at least that's what my dad would say" Lein-da" the problem with that coming from your father is that he's never had empathy for someone else, knuckles and I never got along but our goals lined up and well, lets just say sometimes I tried to make moves but well it didn't go my way crossing her arms

Manic" but in the end what did you want? " Lein-da"........I wanted what I knew was best for my people ,I wanted to make sure of that, and I told myself I was willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that, even if it I destroyed myself in the process and in come cases I did... holding her head as she recalled her moments being shot by snively or close calls with killer or the most recent krogak from another mobius I .. told myself I would be a monster to protect everyone else but maybe I didn't want that or I wasn't as willing as I thought " Manic" grandma always said we never stop learning about ourselves and the world around us and you shouldn't be too hard on yourself as long your willing to learn those lessons to be better " Lein-da" heh... this was suppose to be a talk for you not me " Manic" I can be wise when I want to~ but I do get what you wanted to do. you wanted me to get the idea I don't have to rush behind my friends or beat myself up for lagging behind, maybe... maybe my path is a different one. an I shouldn't hurt myself because I'm not becoming like them " Lein-da" exactly, carve your own way, we take lessons and examples from our friends and family around us not to copy them but to help us down on our paths whatever it might be - - " Manic" and I could end up like my dad or not who knows but no matter what I'm still me at that end of it all " Lein-da" nods you know I worried about vanolo when he would hang out with you sometimes nice to know my worries were misguided " Manic" hey! I'm not that bad XP "



Lein-da" well you never know she laughed so with that being said I think I knew good mission for you in the training simulator that might work out good for you" Manic" cool so it wouldn't just be a day of nothing but talking " Lein-da" there is nothing wrong with having little patience"



as they were taking there leave at the entrance they were quickly stopped by sonic



Manic" dad? " Sonic" so I was right you were with lein-da this whole time not lara " Lein-da" sigh fine its been an ill kept secret knuckles asked me to give some guidance and training for him and honestly I think its been doing great for the boy" Sonic" hes been coming home half battered you call that great?? " Lein-da" training was never suppose to be easy " Sonic" you don't have o drill him either " Manic" dad I'm fine really, I don't mind it at all" Sonic" maybe you don't manic but me and your mother do" Lein-da" manic is trying to find is place in the grand scheme of things and I think my ways have helped him see those things , you need to fall a few times in order to learn " Sonic" I think I can get the same point across without your help " Lein-da" sonic don't you think your being a little over protective? what is the worse hes had to encounter? even I don't coddle vanolo " Sonic" from all of your track records doesn't inspire alot of hope , and no offense lien-da your not really the motherly type Lein-da" excuse me!? " Sonic" I tries lara cause she babysat the twins all the time shes familiar the the kids, I wanted someone like a big to train manic not a drill commander " Lein-da" some of us work better without kid gloves sonic, maybe manic is tried of your constant babying , I know you feel like you fallen short being a husband and father, but don't have the kids "suffer" for it she hissed " Sonic" given between you and jack its hard to tell who's the mother " Manic" Dad enough! okay! the lessons lein-da gave me were good I like the training I'm getting, I know your only worried but I don't want to belittle what shes done for me , so just leave her alone! " Sonic" ?!!.... " Manic" shes going to take me to the police center to test out a VR mission thing right?" Lein-da" y-yes right > > " Sonic" manic are you really-" Manic" yes! I'm sure lets go as he walked passed him as lein-da followed after him Lein-da" I promise he'll be home in one piece... "



as they left, leaving sonic there on his own



Sonic"....... ( Vosh) suddenly kathy just appeared in front of him what the " Kathy" you know I don't like getting too involved and I'm trying to ease up and let you guys handle your own drama only in extreme cases but this time... (SLAP!) giving him a backhand slap what. the hell. has crawled up your butt, lein-da tries all the time to be a good mother for vanolo shes not only the hardcore dome you see all the time, and as for manic, let him breathe! hes not going to be a sonic 2.0! (Vosh!)



as kathy teleported back home

Kathy" ><.....* grabbing one of the cats* HMMMMMM!!! screaming into there fur they squirmed and jumped out her arms ... at least I kept it brief"





with manic off with lein-da , leaving sonic alone with his thoughts especially after kathy's interaction all he was left with was his own actions , but back with manic and lein-da she had gone silent for a bit untill they arrived at the base



Manic" hey.. I'm I'm sorry for the stuff my dad said " Lein-da" your not responsible for him, but thank you for defending me, you didn't have two " Manic" your..your welcome " trying his best to put on a small smile " as lein-da had the training program set up for him she immediately left him to his own devices at that point leaving her on her own



Lein-da" ..* rubbing her head tiresomely* stupid... lousy son of a... suddenly you could see she had her phone out as she called jack Jack" lein-da its not often I call from you at this time" Lein-da" yes well.. consider it a special occasion.. as explained what took place Jack" he really went there..." Lein-da" yes and .. after everything I'm doing for vanolo he has the nerve to-" Jack" its alright he doesn't know, not many do, but still that gives him no right and the fact his son spoke up also adds on to your case " Lein-da" yes.. so I'm sur e he'll be finished with this last task I have for him in no time, but can you drop manic off home for me , I feel if I see him right now I will do something I shouldn't.. Jack" thats fine I will be there shortly" Lein-da" thank you... and I'm.. I'm not bad for the kids am I.. I know I have a history but I'm really trying to-" Jack" its alright lein-da.. I promise your doing just fine don't let what he said get to you" Lein-da" wiping her tears away trying to keep a straight face... "



at the same time



Sonic" hey sally " Sally" hm?" Sonic" be honest, am I am I a bad father?" Sally" !? well I wouldn't say by no means "bad" but you do try to be what I consider to be the standard and your involved, but what would make you question this?" Sonic" explaining to sally what happened " Sally" oh I see... well your not bad but your comments sometimes come out very unfiltered , you say what you think too much without considering how others might take it, and nor do ooyu think about how others might look hearing something like that towards her from manic's end he probably feels guilty regardless of how you feel about lein-da manic doesn't share those same feelings " Sonic" I jsut feel like everyone wants to turn my kids against me " Sally" sonic, I think that fear alone is going ot turn them against you, you have to relax and allow them to grow into there own, you have to grow just as much as they do, and well we all make mistakes alone the way " Sonic" hmm Sally" personally for manic's sake I would say you need ot apologize to lein-da for the parenting comment cause really sonic for a women who is a mother , a real mother trying her best, regardless of who they are we take that very seriously and what you said was really a kick to the nuts " Sonic" okay I admit I was a bit over the top, again I felt like folks want to turn me against my own kid " Sally" or maybe you were expecting him to be just like you?" Sonic" maybe, another miscount on my part " Sally" mhm but at least an easily fixable one , once they arrive or if you pick him up, apologize with manic there and you can salvage the situation, okay? Sonic" I'll try, now I only hope shes willing to hear me out



at that moment there was a visitor at the door

Sonic" it must be them -w- " ( Beep beep!) as sonic left to answer the door nicole contacted sally Nicole" yeaaahhh... can I be hones?t " Sally" that depends, can you be unbiased? " Nicole" even unbiased telling a mother shes no different from the father thats... thats really kind of hurtful, I understand not everyone can be a kathy, but those who try > >.... " Sally" hes unfiltered and always believes his own hype and he struggles when he gets push back, but I think hes genuinely sorry" Nicole" some things are hard to forgive sally, you think your being little too nice on him" Sally" before I wouldn't be so nice but seeing him actively trying to improve for the better I'm trying to be little less harsh and given how lein-da is I'm sure she will make her feelings known - - "



menwhile in the lobby



Sonic" honestly I wasn't expecting to see you hear jack" Jack" yeah well lein-da had to call it in early so she asked me to bring manic home " Sonic" that's alittle unfortunate I sort of want to apologize for somethings that were said before > >" Jack" shes told me the story I will make she sure she hears it" Sonic" heh thanks, so how did the training go manic?" Manic" at least I'm not dragged through the dirt again he chuckled Sonic" only two more days to go" Manic" yeah xD " Jack" mind leaving me with your dad for a moment manic, jsut have some other issues to over " Sonic" its alright, take it easy inside xD " as manic headed inside, without showing it , he know jack was going to talk about how lein-da was feeling Manic" > >;; .... " Sonic" alright whats the real thoughts about me" Jack "no one wants to hear there wife in distress over the phone, you know that right?" Sonic" she really took it that hard?" " Jack" yeah. she did (Twack!!) in a second jack kneed sonic in the stomach causing him to spit up as he hunched over* Sonic" cough!! Ahhh..><" forcing sonic on his knees, jack grabbed him by the chin lifting his head up ><;; Jack" I'm only here because she was scared of what she would do to you if she saw you again, so I'm sure this is a light version, you say some dogshit like this again, and I'll break your ankles " Sonic" cough noted... " on that note jack took his leave, as sonic slowly got back on his feet I can't say I didn't deserve it sigh... but didn't sal say he was skys advisor? I can see why "

it wasn't long before jack arrived back home only to find lein-da sitting with vanolo by the fireplace



Vanolo" I'm surprised he took the mission so lightly , I think I struggled when you had me do it" Lein-da" well you are younger vanolo keep that in mind, but you fared just as well* Vanolo" well I always have help > > " Lein-da" and in time you'll be soloing just like your mother with no issue" Vanolo" > > " Lein-da" but no pressure... wrapping her arm around him tightly " Jack" well don't you both look cozy" Lein-da" how did it go?" Jack" sonic wished to apologize what his comments and I added on to his apology so this won't happen again" Lein-da" I see I'm happy yo u drove a point home, I worried if I was being too soft" Jack" no sometimes folks need to be reminded that the husband plays a part as well putting his hand on her shoulder* Lein-da " mhm... * suddenly a portal opened up* and walking through it glacion walked towards them Jack" isn't that one of kathy's? " Lein-da" !! yes she comes by sometimes " Vanolo " glacion XD as she jumped on the couch with them Jack" fire and ice how ironic " Lein-da" oh hush she laughed softly " Jack" feeling better? as he sat down beside her Lein-da " just a bit leaning her head on his shoulder just a bit - - "





Back in the sol kingdom



medical office

Doctor" well your highness the results are in and so far your health is in overall in good order, you may want to add more water to your diet and lessen your salt intake " Sky" well I know little changes I know I can make = = " Doctor" but I understand you had concerns regarding your heart?" Sky" well yes, during a training session the other day I preformed certain tasks and when I do them too long it causing me to cough up blood, hearing this my wife got scared and she wanted me ot have this check up, just to calm her nerves " Doctor" walking to the shelf looking up the previous records * I remember you use to take heart medication some years ago, and then only recently you were able to stop completely? " Sky" yes > > lets just say it was due to a transplant I had " Doctor" well that would explain alot, why you would no longer need the medication, but it is odd your body just accepted it so seamlessly " Sky" it was done using a form of magic " Doctor" now I see -w- " Sky" you seem little annoyed " Doctor" its more I've been around folks who treat magic as a substitute for real medical science and treat it like a cure all when it isn't, but some have rose tinted glasses for the arts " Sky" well everything has its ways of helping I never thought one over shadowed the other > > " Doctor" at least you are more leveled about it then many I've met in my time " Sky" heh Doctor" but as for your heart regarding the bleeding, if it happened using the same training methods as before right?" Sky" well in a way , if your willing to humor me if I explain it? " Doctor" sure I have time "



sky explains what happens in his reaper form if he was separate from his body for too long in the past then explain his new technique with nova the other day



Doctor" I see.. well I would have to monitor you over time but I can give you a theory, when your soul leaves your body, it leaves it dormant like between life and death but your body still is active and functioning but its turn cold with no soul , and our hearts are always functioning even when we are asleep, and I believe you leaving your body is..similar to boat engine running at full speed then all of a sudden the fuel tank is gone but the engine is still going on what use to be there and it starts to disrupt the floor and that disruption sends your heart into shock I can explain how your soul returning fixes the functions but at least that my idea as for you coughing up blood" Sky" I won't have to start taking the pills again will I DX " Doctor" well no everything seems to be normal but if you keep pushing it like you did this time there might be a possibility " Sky" I see " Doctor" well for now you have nothing to worry about but I will keep a close eye on your condition, "



after a few rounds up sky left the medical bay a little dishearten



Sky"I get a brand new heart by way of the angel of death , and in order to improve my skills I could end up back on these stupid meds rubbing his head there has to be a way I can do this.. ( it boils down to my sou l leaving the body so if there a way I can jsut have part of it stay in the body so my heart will remain stable? ) Niyako" your highness I finished those updates you wanted for nanobyte and I'm having the code sent to the main frame for the firmware update" Sky" oh? wonderful thank you niyako,,, as he continued on Niyako" is something wrong?" Sky" just some roadblocks I've hit if I want to train with my soul a certain way, its a little hard to summarize " Niyako" is is when your soul leaves into your new form bia your crystal and it hurts your main body because your separated?" Sky" ?!!" Niyako" nova tells me alot when we're alone " Sky" I hope you cherish that trust like gold T T" Niyako" eheh.." Sky" but to answer your questions yes, if I plain to pracitice this new form of attack I have it have the potential to damage my heart and if I tell my wife she might even forbid me from doing it" Niyako" you know I'm not a spiritualist but I've always heard our souls are spread out across many different lives across the realm of creation, in some ways our souls are already in pieces so maybe there isa way you could leave more of your self behind in your main body to keep yourself sustained when you trains form? " Sky" easier said then done niyako " Niyako" I know I'm just trying ot help, too bad there is nothing I would develop to help " Sky" you do plenty, the best option I have is either I heavily limit my time using that power or reduce it ot one time attack or not at all or..." Niyako" no jsut wait can see what happens you only just started using this new thing right? Sky" yes Niyako " maybe the answer will show up on its own later" Sky" why not now " Niyako" wouldn't we al lwantt hat " Guard" Niyako! cleva is expecting you! Niyako" right! okay I have to go!"



Sky" ( he isn't wrong though ).. I'll just keeping testing and see what I can and can't do and go from there "



as sky made his way back to the dinning hall , he was surprised to see blaze talking with sally and sonia was there as well sitting with her



Sky" hm? sonia , sally this is a surprise and no sonic? " Sally" yes well I wanted to keep this a little secret for now , I came asking for your help " Sky" did something happen is anything wrong?" Sally" no, no this isn't an emergency situation more along the lines of an unexpected development" Sky" ohhh okay " Sally" go ahead and show him" Sonia" no pressure > >;; she stood up form the table Sally" sky I know you were never fond of the council back during our years fighting the war, but there were little tidbits about my family history I'm sure your aware of?" Sky" uhhhh... look all I remember is your familiy heriteda magic sword that was used to defeat naugus at some point down the line, the sword of acorn was it? I remember you rejected the calling because of your father shoehorning you into a boxed destiny " Sally" thats one way to put it, eventually we had the sword away in the family chambers since naugus was gone and there was no need for it to be used again, unless a great time for its retur nwoudl be needed, and by who that remained to be seen, untill...today"



Sonia" holding her hand out as a force of wind surrounded her as energy started to manifest and with in a second a medieval blade with a golden hilt was summoned to her hand (Boom!) *



Sky" Ehh!? " Sally" it shouldn't be a shock but it is sonia has been chosen to wield the sword of acorn " Sonia" and I know jack squat about sword fighting I never even picked up a sword ;w; " Sally" I was hoping you could possibly teahc her the ways of sword fighting" Sky" well...uhhh... I mean " Blaze" you still have your old blade from your master, I'm sure its no different " Sky" actually it is, eastern style sword play verses knightship sword fighting are very different, I am familiar with both, I wonder if darkfire could help.. " Sally" I want these ot be private lessons " Sky" why so keen on that?"



Sally" because, given manics drive to make himself catch up to the rest of his friends in terms of skill and feeling involved I don't want this suddenly development with sonia to damper his confidence and even the fact the sword chose sonia and not him? would not help at all... " Sky" ohhh I see, your trying to avoid a wedge between them " Sally" yes, " Sonic" does sonic know?" Sally" not yet but I fear he might find out soon enough but for now would you be willing to help, " Sky" firstly , wouldn't you ask antoine? hes captain of your acorn guard isn't he?" Sally" yes but hes terrible at secrets " Sky" true > > " Blaze" has darkfire actually ever used a kings sword before?" Sky" not that I know it , common swords I've seen him with are eastern style blades , evne pirate blades carry there own form of fighting" Sonia" this is all nice and fun but I'm not really a fighter DX , mom is right though , why me? not manic he wants to be everything my dad was meanwhile I'm just coasting on by, I was actually going ot start computer science with data this year, I'm not... sigh this isn't for me... " Sky" walks up to sonia all things in life happen for a reason, we may not understand the reasoning now but maybe in time we will, putting his hand on her head well sally I can run her though the basics just get her started as for anything more serious will play it by ear, how does that sound?" Sally" thats just fine thank you" Sonia" so does that mean I have to join the sword users club " Sky" well if kathy can have ponytail club I can have sword club~ crossing his arms " Blaze" shouldn't be a weapons club instead?" Sky" or it could be a blade club but that doesn't roll off the tongue as good "

to be con.