I don't expect very many reviews for this, but I enjoyed writing this so I will continue writing the story. XD

Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic the Hedgehog.

He could do this! He could do this! A sixteen year old female raccoon ran out of the king's gates with tears streaming down her face. Fear pooled in the young hedgehog's stomach. He couldn't do this! He couldn't do this!

Today was the day Galahad had practically waited his whole life for. One of King Sonic's knights had retired and the sword, Espee, needed a new owner. Whoever could reach into the river and retrieve the sword would become the new Knight of the Round Table. It had always been Galahad's dream to become one of the noble knights that were respected by all in the land.

His parents had been simple farmers, but before King Sonic's rule, war had brewed in the kingdom. His father had been drafted into the army and had died in the front lines. His mother and his six year old self had worked hard to keep their farm afloat, but, alas, their hard work hadn't mattered since the advancing enemy army had reached them and burned their farm to the ground.

They had taken his mother and Galahad still heard his mother's screams of pain as their General had repeatedly raped her. When they had left, Galahad had slowly crept out of his hiding space and found his mother lying on the living room ground, surrounded by her own bright red blood. Even though she must have been in so much pain, Galahad watched his mother smile like she had never been happier in the world. He was alright. He had not been hurt.

With his mother's dying breath, Galahad knew. He knew that he had to become a knight to protect others like his mother so this wouldn't happen again. Galahad knew this was a stupid dream. A fool's life, but he had to at least try.

That was the reason he was here. He had to retrieve the sword and become one of King Sonic's Knights of the Round Table. Galahad hadn't been born in this country, so this was his only way to become a knight. If a Knight of a Round Table's sword chose him, he had to become one.

"Next!" A booming voice called and an armored red echidna walked through the gateway. Galahads' amber eyes widened; it was Sir Gawian! Sir Gawian was standing right in front of him! The aura around the knight turned to irritation. "Are you coming or not, kid?" The echidna knight growled at the stunned albino hedgehog.

Galahad almost literally jumped out of his skin, "Yes, Sir! Of course, Sir!" He jumped up from his seat on the ground and hurried after Gawian. The armored echidna led the young albino through the shining gateway and down a beaten path that had been made from hundreds of Mobians' footprints.

Galahad gulped nervously and a lump formed in his throat. This was it! This small act would decide if he would become a knight or not! If he failed… it was all over. Another Knight of the Round Table wouldn't retire any time soon since each knight right now was under thirty years of age. He had to be the one to receive Espee from the river!

Galahads' amber eyes widened as he came upon the ravine; everyone was here! King Sonic sat on a makeshift throne next to the river. Sir Percival was to his left and Sir Lancelot to his right. The Lady of the Lake stood carefully at the riverbank and bowed as he appeared. Then, gleaming in the river, was the sword Espee. The sword had a classic look to it; a long metal end with a golden handle and jewels etched into it.

King Sonic stood up and carefully made his way over to him. Galahad quickly bowed at his ruler and felt the King place on hand on his shoulder. "Young one, are you ready to see if you are worthy of the great sword, Espee? If Espee does indeed choose you, you cannot back out of being one of my knights. Once the sword chooses, you will be bound more to this kingdom than you ever were once before."

Galahad nodded, than quickly remembered that he would have to say he was ready out loud for all to hear before getting his chance at Espee. "Y-yes, I-I am ready, y-your Majesty." Galahad winced; he must look like such a fool in front of King Sonic.

The cobalt king waved his hand to the river where the waiting sword, Espee, was. "Then, step forward and see if you are worthy of the great sword, Espee." King Sonic took a step back and waited for Galahad to walk to the river.

Galahad nervously looked around; the eyes of the five greatest figures of the kingdom were watching his every move! He sucked in a deep breath and willed his feet to move towards the waiting river. Galahad kneeled next to the rushing water and the Lady of the Lake moved away to give him more room. He pried off the glove on his right hand and placed it carefully on the ground.

Galahad's now ungloved hand reached down and the cool water of the river flowed past his ivory fingers. He leaned down and gripped the golden handle of the sword. However, as soon as he did that, the harmless water that had been running through his fur turned into clear tentacles and slithered up his arm. Galahad gasped at the sudden display of magic and then felt the sword in his grasp start to change shape and morph into something new.

He tried to pry open his fingers and allow the sword to splash back into the ravine but the water twisting around his arm prevented him from doing so. Was it because he was from a different country that it was making the sword violently rejecting him?

Galahad felt arms grab him from behind and tried to pull him away from the water. Sir Gawain had dashed into the river and was currently trying to find a handhold on the sword to pull it away from him. Galahad started to shiver in fear; was this supposed to happen? Was the sword supposed to try to kill the contestants that were trying to retrieve it? Was that why the female raccoon had run out of here crying? Not from rejection, but from fear?

"Calm down," a deep voice growled into his ear. "Just calm down and try to relinquish your hold on Espee." Galahad looked behind him and saw that Sir Lancelot was the one trying to pull him away. He blushed and tried to do as Sir Lancelot had instructed, but the water around his arm only seemed to tighten its hold on him.

The Lady of the Lake held up one of her hands, "Calm down, this was meant to be. The sword, Espee, is merely changing its shape to accommodate its new host." Galahad looked at the pink hedgehog in amazement. Espee was changing shape… to accommodate its new host? Had Espee chosen him as its new owner?

He felt Sir Lancelot unlatch his arms from around him, but he stayed hovering over Galahad just in case something happened. Sir Gawain stumbled out of the stream muttering something about getting soak to the bone for nothing and took his place beside his ruler. During this whole situation, King Sonic and Sir Percival had watched from the sidelines, knowing completely what was happening in the ravine and smiling at the antics of the other knights.

Galahad watched in anticipation as the sword in his hand continued to morph and change. The water soon unraveled itself from his arm, soaking it completely, and splashed back into the river. Galahad gasped; the long sword had transformed into something completely different. It was now a giant dagger, one that looked like it could be sliced into multiple others. Why would it change into something like that?

The Lady of the Lake then bowed down to the ivory hedgehog. "Welcome to the Knights of the Round Table, young Galahad." His amber eyes widened as everything sunk into him; he was a knight! Espee had chosen him! It had chosen him out of everybody that had come before him to claim the sword as their own!

Galahad felt Sir Lancelot move out of way as King Sonic took the space beside him. "I welcome you to my Knights of the Round Table, young Galahad." He placed his hand on the ivory hedgehog's shoulder and led him away from the river. Sir Percival nodded in recognition and started to lead the way back to the castle. Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot took their places behind them on their way back.

Galahad was beyond shocked; he was now a knight! Espee had chosen him as its new owner and, as soon as King Sonic picked one, he would begin his training under one of the Knights of the Round Table.

Galahad took a look around at the three knights walking with him; out of the three of them there, Sir Percival seemed like the most likely candidate as his new mentor. Sir Percival was said to be the most calm and reserved of all the knights; she was also the eldest of current knights. Yes, Galahad nodded looking at his sword in his grasp, Sir Percival would most likely be the one who would train him.

*Vita Equitis*

One of the many maids of the castle led him to his chambers. The room had been arranged by King Sonic for the one who would pull Espee out of the river and Galahad was breath taken by the room. The majority of the places he had stayed for the night were empty barns and camping outside. The nicest place he had stayed, besides his childhood home, was a room that a nice old squirrel had given to him out of pity for a couple nights.

However, the chambers he was currently in would have put all of them to shame. Perfectly polished wood floors, extravagant rugs and a four poster bed. He had his own drawer, bathroom and balcony. Just about anything and everything he could possibly imagine being inside the room… was. If this was the room for the knave of the Knights of the Round Table, what would the King's chambers look like?

The maid bowed, "The King will call for you when he had made his decision for your new mentor, until then, his Majesty has asked if you would remain here. If you need assistance with anything, please ring this bell and a servant will be here shortly." She moved to entrance and opened a wooden box on the wall where a gleaming copper bell hung. "Any questions, Sir?"

Slightly embarrassed that the maid had called him 'Sir' since he was so used to being on the bottom of the hierarchy, Galahad shook his head no. The maid bowed one more time and silently and quickly left the room.

Noticing that Espee was still tightly in his grasp, Galahad gently placed his new sword on his drawer and laid down on his bed. He closed his amber eyes and a large smiled formed on his face. So much had happened today that he was ecstatic and tired at the same time. Eventually, Galahad lost his fight with sleep and he drifted off into dreamland.

*Vita Equitis*

Hours later, Galahad felt someone shaking him awake. He cracked open his amber eyes and found the same maid from before hovering over his still half asleep form. "His Majesty has made his decision, it is time to leave for the throne room and be assigned to your new mentor." She bowed and stepped away from his bed.

Galahad sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He looked around the room, momentarily forgetting where he was. Then, the events of earlier that day sprang back into his head. It was time to start his training as a knight! Galahad slid out of bed and followed the maid to the entrance of his room.

However, the maid held up one of her hands to stop him from going any further. "Your sword, Sir." She pointed to Espee still resting on his drawer.

Galahads' eyes widened and he mentally slapped himself for almost forgetting his sword! Of all things, forgetting his sword would have been very much frowned on. Galahad turned around and held up his hand. He took one step towards his drawer and gasped in surprise as the sword suddenly flew through the air and landed neatly into his outstretched hand.

He looked at Espee suddenly in his hand and turned in surprise towards the maid. She also looked equally surprised at the event. So… it seemed that this wasn't a normal power for the wielder of Espee to have. The maid coughed as she tried, and failed, to hide her sudden surprise. "That's… some power you have there, Sir."

Galahad just nodded, still too shell-shocked to reply. He wordlessly followed the maid out of his chambers and down the hallway. In no time at all, much quicker than Galahad thought it would take, they stood in front of the doors to the throne room. The maid knocked on the doors and they opened.

King Sonic sat cross legged in his throne across the room with Sir Lancelot and Sir Percival to his right and Sir Gawain to his right. They entered the room and made their way to the foot of King Sonic's throne; the maid curtsied and Galahad followed suit by bowing to his new ruler. The maid then walked to the side of the room and joined the other witnesses to this event. It wasn't every day that a new knight would join the kingdom.

King Sonic laughed and made his way down the stairs of his throne. "Raise your head, young Galahad. Today is a very special day for you." Galahad blushed and looked up to find, to his surprise, King Sonic a mere foot away from him. He nervously shifted his feet as King Sonic let out a laugh once again at his antics. "Calm down, young Galahad. I don't bite," the cobalt king raised his eye ridges, "much."

Galahad managed a small smile and King Sonic turned to face his three knights. "Please, come before me my knights." Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain and Sir Percival moved from their positions by King Sonic's throne and formed a perfect line in front of their King. "Kneel," King Sonic demanded.

They knelt and he turned to Sir Gawain. "Sir Gawain, your strength in battle has no competition in all the lands. You have been a great friend and have always been willing to risk your life for your friends." The armored red echidna bowed in thanks.

King Sonic then turned to Sir Lancelot. "Sir Lancelot, you hold powers that I have never seen in another individual. Your speed in battle is only rivaled to my own and your leadership of the Knights of the Round Table is the best anyone has seen in centuries. Your bravery is what sets you apart from all the rest in the kingdom." The armored ebony hedgehog bowed in thanks.

Lastly, King Sonic turned towards his last knight, Sir Percival. "Sir Percival, even though you are the only female to ever join the ranks of the knights, your quick wits and precision has left you a great respect in the kingdom. You have my many thanks for being calm in any situation thrown at you and for you great battle strategies." The armored lavender cat bowed in thanks.

King Sonic then turned to Galahad, his newest addition to his Knights of the Round Table. "Young Galahad, I have chosen your mentor from the three of these knights presented in front of you. I have thought long and hard on my decision and I believe it to be the correct one." Galahad unconsciously looked over at Sir Percival. King Sonic turned back towards his assembled knights.

"Please rise… Sir Lancelot."

Whoo! Finally finished with the first chapter of my first Shadilver! I never thought it would take this long to write a story about my favorite couple. Opps. *Sweat drops*

Silver: Yay! You should have done this sooner, Silverexorcist!

Shadow: Yes, why did it take you so long to do so?

I honestly have no idea… *Sweat drops again*

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! X3