Okay so what now? We've got one badguy left. Wait. Make that badgirl. No, badqueen! There we go! We've got one badqueen left! How is Shadow and Silver gonna get her out of the picture? Hmmm...
Crimson Amber
Chapter 21: Surprise Queenie!
"Okay so what do we do now?" asked Shadow who had come back to the headquarters upon request. Sonic had suggested that they go to the Kingdom of the Ancient Walkers, and try and reason with Aleena. "I don't think she'll just step down and hand over the kingdom," he muttered quietly to himself.
"Did you say something you wanted us to know?" asked Tails. Shadow's eyes which were examining the golden rings on his wrists, suddenly snapped up.
"Oh what? No!" he pushed out. Blaze looked at him for a short amount of time, before walking over to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off. She didn't attempt to put her hand back on his shoulder, but instead questioned him.
"Brother are you all right? You seem quite...distant...and edgy these past few days. Is anything bothering you?" Shadow looked over his shoulder at Silver. He snapped his gaze back to his rings as he callously replied.
"It's nothing I can't handle." Knuckles, spoke up.
"Prince Shadow, I know that living like you did, then almost having your loved one killed. Then him dying," Knuckles began inclining his head towards Silver, "has tested your trust to the bare thread. Although you say that, your actions belie your words. You have to learn to trust us Prince Shadow. We are your friends."
Friends. Shadow, before Silver, had never had any friends. Everyone who were supposed to be 'likely prospects' were afraid of him. His firey temper. His skill with weapons didn't make it any easier either. He had never known friends. Now these Sapients were willing to be his friends. It made him feel good inside. His lips twitched briefly, in what almost counted as a smile.
"The truth is, after the incident with Silver, the one where he got whipped, My trust really lagged. My own father had allowed me to suffer in cold-blood. Then after the other accident where Silver died. I couldn't trust anyone. Not even myself. After finding out that Aleena was grasping onto my kingdom did not make things any easier. 'I was meant to rule' hasn't yet sunk in. The stress, plus the mistrust, plus the depression, is really getting to me. I don't know what to do!" The last sentence was uttered with a slight note of desperation, so small, it was hardly noticed by anyone but Silver.
Silver shifted over until he was standing right beside the other. He tenderly whispered into Shadow's ear. "You can trust me. You can always trust me." Shadow inclined his neck to gently nuzzle Silver's neck.
"I know," he whispered back. "I always have, and I always will. I promise." he turned to Sonic. "Well? Are we going to go there now?" Sonic nodded.
"Yes. But it is about a five day journey there." Shadow smirked.
"Then let's take the shortcut, shall we?" he asked the chaos emerald out of his headquills. Tails's eyes widened.
"So that's where it went! I was looking for it ever since this morning!" Shadow looked at the ground rather sheepishly, (which he had never in his life done before,) before replying.
"Yes...I borrowed it for the purpose of...exterminating...Mogul. I must have forgotten to give it back," he said. Blaze frowned in thought.
"Yes but does the emerald have enough energy to transport our whole group?" she asked.
"You ought to have faith, dear sister," replied Shadow, a slight smirk on his face. She looked at him indignantly before realizing that he was teasing her. She grinned.
"Dear sister yourself! You tease!" Shadow acknowledged her retort with a twitch of his lips before turning back to Sonic.
"When do we leave?" Sonic gave a cocky grin and tilted his head at Shadow.
"Whenever you feel like it my prince!" Shadow smirked.
"Does that include now?" Sonic's grin opened wider showing his small sharp hedgehog fangs.
"I was hoping you'd say that!" he said before dashing out of the HQ. Shadow, Blaze, Silver, Knuckles and Tails followed behind him. He was seen in the center of the camp explaining to all the assembled Sapients what was going to take place.
When Shadow stepped into the clearing, Silver gasped his hand. Tails held onto Silver's hand. Knuckles clutched Tails's hand, Blaze held onto Knuckles hand as Sonic clasped his hand with Blaze's. Espio, who had insisted on coming despite his maybe poisoned arrow wound grasped hold of Sonic's hand, and the line went on.
"Chaos Control!" And they were gone.
They reappeared on a sunny glade, that was apparently on the outskirts of a city. They walked along a dirt road that led to the city gates.
"This is the city in which the royal palace is set," Blaze informed Shadow. Shadow looked at the city in surprise.
"It looks so...I don't know...It...has a feeling ," he stated. Blaze threw a quick glance at the fast approaching city gates.
"Appearances can be deceiving," she finally said somewhat uncertainly. Shadow looked at her, but then said nothing more. He watched as they approached the gates of the city. Two guards with somber expressions blocked the gates to the city with their spears giving the usual greetings.
"Who goes there," they more said than asked simultaneously. Sonic stepped forward.
"Sonic, son of Queen Aleena," Sonic said with slight distaste in his voice. It was more than obvious that he hated the title. The guards mouths formed into silent 'o's as they drew back their spears and gave quick bows before dragging the heavy gates open. They entered the city.
Shadow's steps were measured and certain as he viewed the city. He somehow felt like this was where he was meant to be, but for some reason, it felt so wrong. He didn't know why, but it just did. He followed Sonic, Silver walking by his side, and still grasping his hand.
They came into full view of the palace. It was enormous! If Shadow had thought that his old mansion had been large, it was nothing compared to this monument. At the palace walls they were met again by two guards. Same greeting. Same reply. Same reactions.
They entered into the palace grounds. The guards had insisted on keeping the others out with the exception of Sonic, Blaze, Shadow, and Silver. Silver had come because Shadow had asked them (mind you quite politely) in a way that said he thought their entrails would look pretty as pennants. They passed by the palace gardens and came up to the doors of the palace.
Guards. Again. Shadow began to wonder what was the need for so many guards. Same thing again. They entered into the palace, following Sonic's lead. They headed towards the throne room. Some more guards. Shadow could see that Sonic was becoming quite annoyed as they ran through the now familiar phase, as he almost spat out the words. They opened the door.
Sonic walked in followed by Shadow, Silver, and Blaze. The walls of the throne room consisted completely of windows with gilded frames giving it a majestic look. On a gilded throne sat a lilac hedgehog whom Shadow assumed to be Sonic's mother.
"Sonic," stated the purple hedgehog on the throne, with an air of formality. Sonic's eyes seemed half-lidded as he leant against one of the windows.
"Mother," he frostily acknowledged her greeting. Aleena looked at Sonic, an unreadable expression on her face.
"You must learn to be more respectful," she began. "You are my son. You are the prince! You will one day succeed me." Sonic bristled.
"I am not a prince! You're not even a real queen! You're just a temporary replacement until we find the real crown prince!" She looked over him smugly.
"The crown prince is dead. There is no heir to the throne but you," Sonic returned her smug gaze with a little arrogance, as he opened his eyes fully.
"Then, O Queen," he started mockingly. "Why don't you be more respectful as to pay your respects to their royal highnesses Princess Blaze and Crown Prince Shadow?" he finished whipping an arm to present the three others with him to her.
Sorry. I know it looks like Sonic is being a jerk by being disrespectful to his mother, but he has reasons that will not be revealed in this chapter. Here's a little turn of events. Tell me what you think! Review! I love it when you do that! Pleez review!