Chapter III: Heartbreak

"King Rage!" Blaze yells running up to him

"What is it Blaze?" he asks

"Sir, the scouts report that Scourge's army near the kingdom borders has fallen back." Blaze responds

"Dammit…" Rage curses "I should have known he'd Withdraw. Summon the court and call Knuckles back to the castle we have no more time to waste. We need a battle plan now. Is Scourge in the field at all?"

"Yes, sir Scourge has been sighted at all times with the army." Blaze says

"Alright." Rage sighs "Then he will die before his troops as he did to Sonic."

"But Rage why is it that he is just now attacking? He could have attacked at any time but why now?" Blaze asks

"I don't know." Rage says "This must be an important date to Scourge. Right now send the messengers go!" he demands

"Sir!" Blaze says before running down a set of stairs.

"Rage?" Rebecca asks "What's going on?" she looks at him with a worried look as he sits down with a stressed groan. "What's with all of this King Rage stuff?"

"The Dark King Scourge is attacking Camelot because I will not hand the kingdom over." Rage answers "Five years ago Sonic was killed and I was made king according to his will. Now I have to protect this kingdom." He says as Tails comes in

"King Rage." He says "I have news."

"What is it?" Rage asks

"A message from the English Kingdom. King Silver sent it himself." The steward says

"Let me see." Rage answers opening it "Dearest King of Camelot I would like to get together with you if your kingdom survives this war. I wish to keep the alliance between our two kingdoms and I wish to speak with you." He reads before thinking hard "Send him a response that I will meet with him after we take care of Scourge and wipe his kingdom off the face of the world."

"I also have a message from the kingdoms of Spain, Dutch, Fiore, Lina, Acorn, and Restickov." Tails says "All of them wish to lend aid to help us. I strongly advise that we-"

"Tell them thank you for the offer but this is our fight and we will not let their noble knights perish for a battle that is not theirs. God will not let such an evil man who controls demons claim victory. Thou will tell them so."

"yes m'lord." Tails says

"Rage?" Rebecca asks

"This isn't much of a reunion I know but right now our kingdom is in danger and I have to protect it." Rage says calling for Sally who runs in

"you called my lord?" she asks

"I know it's not thous assigned duty but we are short right now with all of our knights out I want you to go get me my battle armor." Rage says

"But my lord…" Sally says "Are you sure?"

"This war began with Lord Sonic's death and it will be ended by my blade. I will not return without Scourge's head." Rage says

"As you wish Rage." Sally says before walking back out of the room

"Rage you're not actually serious about this?" Rebecca asks "I heard he has Excalibur now."

"I know but I have one of the sacred weapons as well." Rage answers "This is my kingdom now and Sonic would be on the field with his troops. I am going to keep his legacy and avenge his death." Rage says walking to the back wall where his weapon sat taking it and drawing it giving it a few test swings. When he sheaths it Rebecca runs up and kisses him making his eyes grow in shock.

"Rage please." She says her eyes glistening in the light "You know that I have been in love with you since we were kids and when you joined the Camelot Knights I worried every day about you. Please promise me…to come back to Camelot alive." She begs.

"Rebecca…" Rage says still trying to process what had just happened. "I…I cannot make any promises." He says looking away.

[Music: Roxas-Kingdom Hearts II]

"Rage…" she says softly "You don't have to go fight…you could be like King Henry VI who just lead from the castle."

"Rebecca…I know that you love me but…my duty is to the people of Camelot right now. I have to do this not only for my own honor but for Sonic's as well. Either I come back victorious or…I will not come back at all." Rage answers

"Rage please don't say that." Rebecca sniffs her eyes watering up "You're you! The only knight to know how to cast magic in all the kingdom! You were able to be the first from our small town to become a knight. You will come back you're invincible! No one can kill you not ever Scourge and his entire army of demons!"

"Rebecca…" he says giving her a hug "I am not invincible and… Scourge can kill me you know that."

"But he won't you're better than he is!" Rebecca says looking at Rage "You will defeat him and save our kingdom won't you?"

"I will do all that I can." Rage says as Sally comes back with his armor and he leaves before coming back with it on. "Rebecca." He says looking her in the eyes "I need you to know that…every time I am on the battlefield I think of you. Before I go in case I never come back Rebecca I want you to know…I love you."

"I know Rage…" she cries "I know…" the two hug before Blaze comes in

[Music: Chrono Trigger Theme-Chrono Trigger]

"King Rage we are ready to go." She reports. Rage then lets Rebecca go and stands up nodding as he walks with Blaze to their horses and they rode off to the encampment that was made for the army. As he rode in he could see them look at him

Rage rides to the head of the army and draws his sword. "My fellow knights today is the day we settle things with The Dark King Scourge! For years they have had the upper hand and slowly laid ruin to our kingdom from behind their borders but that changes today! Five years ago this began on the fateful day when King Sonic was slain in vain and Excalibur taken from him by Scourge. We did nothing and let the war end. But no longer! Today we invade his kingdom and we take revenge for what they have done! When we return Scourge's head will be on a stake and his kingdom in ruin! We are the Knights of Camelot the other kingdoms of this world are counting on us so together let us ride into the heart of darkness our light blazing and put an end to this once and for all!" he preaches to the troops who all reply with a battle cry as he turns his horse around "For Sonic!" he yells charging full speed. As they charge into the kingdom of Scourge

[music end]

Meanwhile in Scourge's Castle he sat among his throne when a goblin runs in "Master I have news from the western guard."

"What is it now A'kul?" he asks

"The kingdom of Camelot has invaded and they are making way to this castle with little effort all opposition and resistance thus far has failed." The goblin answers "They rest on the other side of the field only a mile from here.

"How is this possible how can their army be so strong?!" Scourge yells

"Well s-s-sire it seems that…King Rage is with them." A'kul answers

"What?!" Scourge yells "Ready my horse and gather the remaining troops. It's time that we meet him in battle. Send a messenger to them in peace with my warning to send their King to me."

"y-y-yes s-sir." A'kul answers scurrying off

Back with the Camelot Army Rage sat grooming his horse as Knuckles comes up "King Rage we have secured the area."

"Good." Rage answers "Stay alert." He replies when a yells is heard

"Monster!" it screams

"What in the world?" Knuckles asks looking "Tis only a small goblin! A messenger!" he says. Upon hearing this Rage runs to the front of the camp

"Stand down!" he says to his troops as the goblin reaches them and trips. Rage picks it up and looks it in the eye as it begins cowering

"P-please don't hurt me!" it says

"State your business." Rage demands

"I have a m-message from King Scourge." It says weakly "King Of Camelot, you are to meet me at the midway point of this field on the morrow at sun high for I challenge thee to a duel to the death to decide the fate of the kingdoms. I win Camelot is mine, You win my kingdom falls and is Camelot's. Decide not to accept the challenge of honor and your army will be destroyed." The goblin says

"Tell Scourge I accept his challenge." Rage says after some thought

"oh cannot go back." The goblin says

"Whatever do you mean?" Rage asks

"I have been banished for my disliking of Scourge. Please King of Camelot Rage Chaotic you must stop him. We are all suffering." It begs

"Sir Manic." Rage calls and a green hedgehog walks up.

"Yes my lord." He says saluting

"Take this goblin to safety and get him something to eat." Rage demands

"Bur sir he's the enemy." Manic argues

"Not this one. He's okay." Rage says "I will not allow any creature to starve like this on my watch."

"Yes, sir." Manic says taking the goblin

"Rage does thou really plan to battle Scourge?" Knuckles asks

"Aye." Rage says "I want you and Blaze to ride up with me. I do not trust Scourge and I would like thou in case he has something dirty planned."

"Surely he has more honor then to pull a dirty trick like that!" Knuckles says

"I don't know after all he did backstab Sonic." Rage says "On the morrow we settle things." He says "Until then rest up."

"Yes sir!" the knights say with a salute

"Get ready Scourge it all ends here." Rage says clenching a fist.

To be continued