Know Your Place

In this Our World story, Flame learns that he was demoted while the world was brainwashed.

This is a transcript from Discord.

## Story

```
As Jack Beakton concludes his speech to the crowd, they cheer again. With the raven taking the spotlight, Sergeant Flame is able to leave the scene unnoticed. Well, *mostly* unnoticed.

Hannah:
*I notice everything.*
*Follows Flame, also not wanting to be among the crowd.*
"You've been going non-stop for the past two weeks, you need to rest..."

Flame:
"Two weeks away from my office. I have to make sure I'm caught up with everything."

Hannah:
"I'm heading home as soon as I go say hi to Dad..."
"..." *A nervous expression crosses Hannah's face.*
*Sigh...*

Flame:
"I'll tell him. I told you, don't worry about it. You should be happy."

Hannah:
*Slowly nods and puts a smile on my face.*

As the two separate, Calias zooms in from behind to join Hannah.
Flame, meanwhile, continues toward his office. He can already tell something is wrong. Many of the passing agents aren't saluting, looking at him with strange expressions.

Flame:
*Glares at the insubordinate agents.*

Most of the agents hurriedly break the eye contact, their walking pace visibly increasing.

Agent:
*One agent instead just keeps staring.*

Flame:
"What are you looking at, soldier?!"

Agent:
*Mutters something before walking away.*

Flame:
(What is wrong with these people?!)

Flame finally arrives at his office to find the door locked. Not surprising... until it refuses to unlock.

Flame:
*Starts pounding on the door in a futile attempt to get it to budge.*

Violet:
*Steps out of her office, hearing the noise.*
*Sigh.*
"Don't bother..."

Flame:
"What is the meaning of this?!"

Violet:
"Well... There are consequences to leaving unannounced for two weeks."

Flame:
"There are *much worse* consequences to being under Eggman's rule!"

Violet:
"Yes, of course, we know that now... We didn't then. And it's too late."

Flame:
"Too late for what?!"

Violet:
"They demoted you... to sergeant."

Flame:
"WHAT?! When am I going to get my rank back?!"

Violet:
"Hopefully soon, but we aren't sure..."

Flame:
"What's the holdup?"

Violet:
"Technicalities, you know. Promoting someone from a sergeant to a general is far from straightforward."

Flame:
*Fists begin to clench as the reality slowly sets in.*
"Do they have anyone filling my role until then?!"

Violet:
"..."
*Gestures subtly toward self.*

Flame:
"YOU?!"

Violet:
"I'm sorry... We all are."

Flame:
*Starts pacing back and forth.* "I took action to save the world..."
*Pauses in front of Violet.* "AND THIS IS MY REWARD?!"

Violet:
"Life isn't fair, Sonny..."

Flame:
*Flame's fists clench tighter, as if he wants to punch something.*
*He turns and punches his locked door.*

Violet:
*Takes a step back toward her office.*
(I don't think I can help him...)

Flame:
"I CAN'T BE A SERGEANT!"

Hannah:
*Approaches at a brisk pace.*
"Dad warned me..."

Violet:
*Nod.*

Flame:
*Doesn't seem to notice Hannah there.*

Hannah:
"Hey... It's okay..."

Flame:
"It's not okay! Do you realize how *humiliating* it is to be a mere SERGEANT?!"

Hannah:
"It's just a title. We all know who you are. And besides, it's only temporary. You've been through a lot worse."

Flame:
*Says nothing, breathing heavy.*

Hannah:
*Places a hand on Flame's shoulder.*

Violet:
(If *I* tried that, he'd probably bite...)

Flame:
*Closes his eyes, trying to calm himself.*

Hannah:
*Turns to Violet.* "I have a request."

Violet:
"Yes?"

Hannah:
"He's treated the last two weeks like war, only sleeping at most four hours a day... Can you make him not show up for a day?"

Flame:
"No! I'll be fine!"

Hannah:
"Look at yourself! You need to rest. You'll feel better, trust me."

Violet:
*Nods.* "Absolutely."

Flame:
*Growls.*

Hannah:
*Stares at Flame.* "Tell me you won't set an alarm."

Flame:
"..."

Hannah:
"I'll break into your apartment and steal the clock..."

Flame:
"Fine! I'll do it! Ugh..."

Hannah:
"We're just trying to help you, Flame..."

Flame:
"..."

Violet:
"*You* must be excited to return home, Hannah."

Hannah:
"Oh, yes. I'll get to finally take a shower, eat something that's not MREs, sleep in a bed... *If* I can sleep..."
*Slowly walks away.*

Flame:
*This reminds Flame that there's a matter at hand worse than his demotion.*
*He begins to follow in the direction Hannah went.*

Violet:
"Report to your training room when you return the day after tomorrow."

Flame:
*Refuses to acknowledge her with anything more than a nod.*

Violet:
*Watches him leave.*
*Sigh.*
(I'm here for you, Sonny... Whenever you're ready...)

What more awaits our heroes in the aftermath of the recent world-changing events? Stay tuned to Our World!

```

## Characters

*In order of appearance:*

* Hannah Dash
* Sonny Flame
* Violet Meadows