Prologue

Never let it be said that Möbotropolis was not beautiful. Indeed, with its jade fields and fountains on every corner and its conical marble and granite palace, it was a veritable paradise. At least, on the outside. But on the inside, even paradise can have problems.

"Aleena," a distinguished blonde mink dressed in an emerald suit addressed a young, amethyst-colored hedgehog. "When we allowed you to marry Jules, it was on the condition that Julian and his family would stay in the palace to keep an eye on him. Was it not?"

The matriarch of the city nodded. "It was, Lord Montclair. But how long was that to last. It was never clarified. He was there for nearly a year and everything was fine. I thought… and Jules felt that science was silly. We have magic."

"A time frame was never specified because the agreement was to go until we could trust your choice in husbands. Jules' idea that science is silly had no bearing on this agreement," Lord Montclair said.

Aleena bit her lip. How could Jules put her in this position?

"Jules, how could you!" She screamed at the deep blue hedgehog. "He just lost his wife and child! Did he really need to lose his job too?"

Jules's expression was clearly uncaring. "The man lost his wife only because he was stupid enough to keep working as he was. Science is useless. He could have found another job to support them and…"

"Jules! He's a scientist! Science is his passion! Look, I don't care what you say! I'm giving him back his AHHH!" She screamed as he smacked her hard. She screamed again as he kneed her in the stomach and threw her across the room.

He stomped over to her cowering form and readied another blow, only to have his fist stopped by a pulsating green aura.

"You will cease this abuse at once Jules," a gravelly voice heralded the arrival of the Oracle of Delphius.

The Oracle snapped his fingers and Aleena was teleported behind him.

"Ahh, Oracle, how nice to see you," Jules sneered. "Abuse? I'm simply teaching my wife what her role is as a woman. If she simply would understand, I wouldn't need to rough her up."

The Oracle glared. "Jules, I know what you are doing. Moreover, I know what you have done." He helped Aleena to her feet and used his magic to heal her injuries. "Are you alright my dear?"

Aleena trembled but nodded. "It's my own fault. He's right. I'm the wife, he is my husband. I am to obey him…"

Jules smirked self-satisfactorily. "That's right my wife. And you will never question me again, will you?"

The Oracle waved his hand, causing the hedgehog king's mouth to snap shut, unable to open. "Shut up! I know what you have done, and now I will tell Aleena how you murdered Maria Robotnik, her unborn child and attempted to murder Dr. Julian Ivo Kintobor Robotnik."

Aleena gasped. "He did what? But it was an accident? Wasn't it?"

The Oracle shook his head. "No my dear. With the help of his brother Sir Charles Hedgehog, Jules was able to plant an explosive chemical in with the chemicals that Maria was working with. This is what caused her death."

Aleena stared at her fuming husband. "You… why? Why? I don't understand."

Jules growled, unable to speak because of the spell. The Oracle glared back. "I should have never helped you before. Now, I'm advising you to get out. Leave Möbotropolis. Or I will be forced to inform the council of this and yes, I can prove it."

Jules turned his glare to Aleena, promising her a world of pain and agony if she allowed the Oracle to continue. "O… Or… Oracle… maybe…"

"Aleena, tell him to leave. You need not fear him anymore. Banish him," he encouraged her. "For your sake, for the sake of your people, for your children."

Aleena forced herself to look away from her husband. "J… Jules… I… want you to get out. I… I… banish you."

In his rage at her words, Jules launched himself at her but a wave of the Oracle's hand left him hanging helplessly in the air. "Again Aleena. He can hurt you no longer. Say it again."

Seeing her tormentor in such a position, unable to even get to her, she felt empowered. "Jules, I banish you! You are to leave tonight, and never return to Möbotropolis!"

The Oracle punctuated her words with a spell, sending him out of the palace, into the desert several hundred miles from Möbotropolis. "Well done my dear. I'm sorry I allowed this to happen."

Aleena fell to her knees in tears. It was over. It was all over. The last twelve months of fear and pain were over. Except now what was she to tell the aristocracy?

"Aleena!" Lord Montclair's shout snapped her out of her reverie. Her eyes snapped to his. "Do you deny that you violated the agreement set down by this board when you were allowed to marry that bastard?"

Aleena looked over to a fuming Julian Robotnik. The man wore a prosthetic arm and leg. "I do not deny it… but… Jules…"

"Your inability to hold to such a simple promise makes us question your ability to govern this kingdom," Lord Montclair stated. "It was technically your inability to hold up your end that led to Maria's death."

Aleena gasped. She hated to hear it but she knew he was right. "It wasn't my fault… you can't ask me to take responsibility for that…"

Lord Montclair nodded. "And that is why you failed. You are the Queen of Möbotropolis. It is your duty to care for its people, every single one of them. When something goes wrong, no matter what it is, it is your fault just by virtue of the fact that you are the one in charge. However, because we are a parliamentary monarchy, we the council must also accept responsibility and rectify our mistakes that led to the tragedy in question. Today, we will do that."

Aleena suddenly felt a measure of apprehension. "What will you do? We can't go back in time and change things. I'm sorry for Maria. I really am," she looked at the hurting widower. "I wish with everything in me that I could bring her and your child back, but I can't. So what can be done?"

Lord Montclair eyed her with all seriousness. "You're right. We cannot turn back time. But we can make sure this never happens again. Aleena Hedgehog, this council has decided that you are not yet ready to assume the throne of the Royal House of Möbotropolis."

Aleena gaped. "But then… who will rule? My children are still in their infancy. They surely cannot rule in my place."

"We have asked Dr. Robotnik to rule as regent over the city while you are further trained for the role. This is in part to make reparations to him for the tragedy that has befallen him," Montclair explained. Before Aleena could ask, he continued. "You will be given three years. If, in that time, you are able to prove to us that you can competently govern this city, you will be restored as Queen. If not… Dr. Robotnik will rule until your children are of age."

"So… I have three years. Robotnik will rule in my place. I don't get any say in this?" She demanded. "What about my children. How am I to care for them and train too?"

"You're right… you can't train and care for your young ones at the same time. Sad thing is, your lack of maturity leads us to even doubt your ability to care for them properly," Montclair declared.

Aleena's mouth dropped as she understood the implications. "You won't take my children from me! He can have the throne! You cannot have my children. I won't allow it!" She turned and fled the palace for the Oracle's Cave, taking her dear ones with her. He would be able to give her a safe place to hide.

AN: So we see the beginning of Robotnik's rule according to my version of him and this cartoon. Please review.