It was the kind of night that is often described in horror stories. The large full moon was blood red and clouds swirled around it while they transformed themselves into distorted shapes.

If one were to look up at the inky black sky, a chill would instantly run down their spine. Thoughts of blood and murder would crawl into their mind. A storm blew in that night. Rain pounded on the stone walls of Castle Mercia herself and the wind shook the trees around her.

Crack!

Boom!

Lightning struck so close to the castle that it rattled the walls that it made Manic jump. The little hedgehog stared up at the massive castle. His fur was soaked and clung to his skin. The vest he once wore now served as an umbrella. A poor umbrella. He missed the warm glow of the king he had met's lantern and heat it put off.

Once he was under the door frame, Manic knocked on the door and waited. The front door creaked open and a young fellow who looked similar to Hazen poked his head out to look at the guest. His fur was a pine green instead of olive green like Hazen's and he wore a brown hood rather than a black one.

"And who might ye be, good sir? O' my. Ye soaked t' de bone! Prithee. Come."

Manic could barely understand the other hog's words due to his accent.

"Uh...what?" He said with a stupid look on his face.

Without a word, the other male grabbed Manic by his right arm and pulled him inside the castle.

The entryway was huge. A long red rug with gold trimming stretched across from the door to the end of the hallway. Portraits of past kings lined the walls.

"Oh wow" said Manic in awe, "its like a museum!"

"Tis be the Castle Mercia of old." Replied the pine green hedgehog. "Oh dear me. I don't mean to be rude. Allow me to introduce myself. I am King Rob O' The Hedge', my good sir."

Manic bowed his head a bit in respect. "I'm Manic The Hedgehog. Brother of Sonic The Hedgehog. Oh and uh...dude?" He looked King Rob in the eye, "Are you related to that other guy? Hazen I think his name was."

Suddenly, the king grew very pale in the muzzle and stuttered as he spoke. "H-Hazen?"

"Yeah, dude." replied Manic. "Dark El Mondo Creepo. Wears all black and has this face…" The green hedgehog did his best impression of Hazen's face as he could, only to look like a classic jester in the eyes of the King of Mercia. "Know him?"

"He...Thou shall'st speak o' his name within t'is stronghold..."

"But…"

"No buts. That name is forbidden. Speak o' him nevermore."

Manic had a look of confusion on his face. What was Rob O' hiding? Why is he not allowed to speak of Hazen? What was Hazen hiding? To avoid further conflict with the king, the prince said nothing more. He lowered his eyes to the floor; his ears lay flat against his head.

"My apologies, Your Highness."

Rob O' merely smiled. The color returning to his muzzle as he ruffled up the little prince's quills.

"Ye be a lucky bastard. I bist a vengeful king."

"How am I lucky if you are a vengeful king?"

"Pardon me accent. How do ye say...not a vengeful king."

"Oh okay, dude." Manic chuckled nervously.

King Rob O' The Hedge' lowered his hand from Manic's quills. "Shall I lead ye t' ye sleeping quarters, Sir?"

"That would be great, dude."

"Right t'is way."