Chapter 2: A Quest from the King
The royal dining hall was as impressive as it was large. Magnificent decorated, coloured glass painting magnificent displays were etched into the stain-glass windows that rose high, stretching from the floor to the ceiling. An intricate glass chandelier hung from the ceiling, each candle encased in sculpted glass that radiated brilliant light throughout the room. The centrepiece, a large mahogany table that stretched for meters down the centre, had been crafted by the most talented wood carver in the country. It was big enough to fit more than fifty men. It rarely did.
"You know I hate eating in this room," Eclipse complained as he shovelled another forkful of food down his gullet. Shadow ignored his comment, offering him only a snort in response. He knew as well as Eclipse did that he enjoyed the perks of being the prince's friend. Although Eclipse complained a lot about all the fanciful events he had to attend with Shadow, and at times, admittedly, the loneliness that comes with it, he knew Eclipse wouldn't change it for the world. Much like himself, Eclipse had grown up with the finer things in life, and there was more than a couple times where Shadow would find Eclipse wrinkling his nose at some lessor things. They'd often have arguments about it. Shadow would often win, like he did most things.
"Feel free to go join the guards in the food hall if you wish," Shadow shrugged as he picked up his bowl and slurped down the remaining juices that lined the bottom.
There it was again – the wrinkle that formed in Eclipse's nose. Shadow supressed a laugh, pushed his bowl aside and instead studied Eclipse's face as he tried to formulate an excuse. They both knew he had none, and instead admitted the truth.
"That place stinks. They never shower after duty and the chairs have captured the smell. It's impossible to spend more than a couple minutes in that room. Something needs to be done," Eclipse groaned.
"What a brilliant idea," Shadow clicked his fingers. "How about today after meal time you go and clean everything while they are out training? I'll be busy overseeing everything anyway, so this way you don't have to be bored waiting for me to return. I know how often you complain that you never get to do anything around here when I'm off seeing to the duties my father gives me."
"Now hang on a second, you know that's not what I meant," Eclipse huffed, his fluster only growing with each of Shadow's laughs. He huffed some air as he crossed his arms.
"But, Eclipse, if that wasn't what you meant then what could you possibly mean? Because to me it seems like you were complaining that the king's personal, private guard stink! This must be brought to father's attention immediately."
"Shadow!" Eclipse whined. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I love eating with you in the dining room and I'll never complain about it again," he gave in. "You win."
"That's more like it," Shadow puffed out his chest and rose to his feet. His foot caught the leg of the chair and as he stood he tripped forward and crashed down on the table in front of him. His arms sprawled out instinctively to halt his fall, flipping up the bowl that span through the air and landed delicately on Shadow's head. Now it was Eclipse's time to laugh.
"How the mighty have fallen. Quite literally," Eclipse jested.
"You won't speak a word of that. Forget it ever happened!" Shadow yelled as he removed the bowl angrily.
"You tell the guards that I said they stink and I tell them you like to wear bowls as helmets." They both narrowed their eyes, daring the other further.
"Mutually assured destruction. Well played, sir. Well played."
"Truce?" Eclipse held out his hand.
"Always," Shadow clasped Eclipse's hand in his own, flipped his on top and pushed. Eclipse pulled, then mirrored Shadow's actions by flipping his own hand and pushing it back into Shadow. They both took their left hand and placed them on top of their right hands and pushed them down. Then both span their right arms all the way around like a windmill and formed fists, finishing as they bumped them together.
It was their secret handshake, one they'd spent years of their childhood perfecting. It meant that everything was okay, and it showed that they'd always have the other one's back no matter what. The air instantly calmed as the seriousness evaporated like the morning fog on the moors, and they both laughed.
"Prince Shadow!" A guard threw open the door and barged into the dining room in a fluster.
"Do you know how to knock, man?" Shadow soured as he turned to scold the man.
"I'm sorry, my prince, but this is urgent. I–"
"Nu-uh, you're not getting off that easy," Shadow interrupted him indignantly. "I'm not going to listen to a word you have to tell me until you go back out and enter properly."
"But–" the guard tried to argue but the look Shadow gave him told him that he would have to oblige. He turned to Eclipse and noticed him mouth an apology. With an audible sigh the guard retreated to the hallway, closed the door behind him and banged his fist loudly against the wood.
"Oh, it sounds like somebody is at the door," Shadow called aloud.
"Shadow, seriously? This is dumb, even for you," Eclipse mentioned, but Shadow paid him little heed.
"Come in," Shadow called. "See, was that so hard?" Shadow said as the guard rushed in again.
"Might I speak now, my prince?"
"Of course. What is so urgent that you thought it necessary to interrupt our breakfast?"
"It's the king, my prince. It seems he has taken ill overnight. It doesn't look good. General Rouge is with him now but he requested specifically for you."
"Father is sick? Well why didn't you say that earlier instead of messing around with the door!" Shadow yelled as he blew past the guard and sprinted to the hallway. "C'mon Eclipse, a bit of hustle," he called as he rushed down the hallway and up the flight of spiralling stairs.
"I'm sorry for him. Thank you for letting us know," Eclipse apologized for the prince, rolled his eyes at Shadow's calls and took off after him. Normally he'd scold the prince – it seemed apart from his father Eclipse was the only one brave enough to put Shadow in his place. Not even Rouge dared to unless Mephiles was around. Not this time, however. He could see something in the guard's eyes, and he could sense that Shadow saw it too. Something was wrong with Mephiles. Very wrong.
As Eclipse dashed down the hallway he noticed an unusual amount of guards patrolling the castle. It was normal for a platoon or two to go on roaming patrols, but he had never seen this many guards at once. Burying the fear and uncertainty within him he pushed on, ignoring his burning lungs that screamed for a rest as he climbed three flights up to the king's floor and dashed down the final hallway in a flurry.
When Eclipse finally caught up with Shadow he was being ushered into the king's private quarters by the two guards that were stationed outside, spears raised to the roof and eyes on alert. As he arrived they were unsure whether to let him in, but Shadow heatedly ordered them to let him through in a hurry.
"Father, are you alright?" Shadow asked, his voice growing low as he hastened to the king's bedside and took his father's hand in his own. Rouge was there, standing dutifully beside Mephiles. She hadn't left his side since she'd heard of his illness that morning.
"I'm fine, Shadow," Mephiles said, but his sentence was interrupted by a raspy cough that turned wet. He stole a handkerchief from Rouge and covered his mouth as the cough turned into a fit, and for a solid minute Shadow knelt horrified watching his father's rapture of coughing. When he finally removed the handkerchief all four of them noticed the crimson stain.
"That doesn't look fine," Shadow worried.
"He's stronger than he looks, Shadow," Rouge interrupted, noticing Shadow's reservations. "Stronger than any man I've ever known. He'll be fine, right Eclipse?" Rouge shot him a knowing look, and Eclipse decoded her message quickly.
"Y-yeah," Eclipse allowed himself to creep closer and place a comforting hand on Shadow's shoulder. "He doesn't look that bad to me."
"Not that bad!" Shadow cried out as he ripped Eclipse's hand off him and pointed at the red handkerchief. "He's coughing up blood. Father, what happened to you?"
"Nothing you need to worry about," Mephiles croaked, exhaling loudly. Each word he uttered looked like it hurt.
"Nothing to worry about! Yes this most certainly is. Father, tell me." Mephiles raised a palm, ignoring his son's wishes. Whatever it was, it was clear that Mephiles didn't want to let Shadow know, which made Eclipse think that it was more severe than the king wished to admit.
Shadow ground his teeth in frustration. He knew his father could be a stubborn old fool when he wanted to be. Rouge would often say it was that pride and stubbornness that he inherited, but she'd always apologize after when it was clear her comments made him upset. That gave him an idea.
"General Rouge, I order you to tell me what has happened to my father," Shadow commanded forcefully. He knew how loyal Rouge was, and regardless of her age, wisdom or rank, he knew she would always do what he said. Rouge glanced from the young prince to the tired king. With a sigh, she gave in.
"Your majesty has been poisoned," Rouge admitted, earning a grunt from the king. Shadow would have smirked if not for the severity of her sentence. He was usually jovial when he managed to force Rouge to do something for him – it was his own little way to get vengeance for all the painful trainings she'd condemn him to – but this wasn't an occasion to smile. Instead of joy, Shadow could only feel dread.
"Poisoned? By who? I'll kill them!" Shadow grumbled.
"We don't know," Rouge admitted. "It must have happened while he was sleeping. A guard said he thought he saw somebody sneaking down the hallways last night but couldn't find a trace when he went to investigate."
"Which guard? I'll have him thrown in the dungeon for his negligence!"
"Shadow!" Mephiles bellowed, retrieving what little strength he had in his energy reserves to reprimand his son. "We don't treat our people like that. It was my fault for getting complacent in my age."
"I'm sorry, father," Shadow apologized begrudgingly. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"There is one thing," Mephiles choked out the words. It was clear talking was a struggle, and a single, knowing glance tossed at Rouge told her exactly what he was thinking.
"Legends tell of a mystical flower hidden deep within the Forbidden Forest to the north," Rouge began.
"I thought that forest was haunted? We were told never to venture there," Eclipse piped up.
"There are legends of hauntings, too. It was said people could hear haunting music late at night, but when heading to investigate they'd stumble upon a creature of great power. Many have gone to retrieve it's treasure; none have made it back to tell the tale."
Shadow and Eclipse glanced at each other. They always thought the stories of the forest were just fairy tales, but even still neither had ever ventured within the thick glade. They'd gone to the edge, once, but couldn't see through the thick layer of trees that guarded its perimeter. Shadow could see the uncertainty on Eclipse's face, but a single look at his father instilled within him the courage that he would need to draw upon.
"We'll do it!"
"We will?" Eclipse yelped.
"Yes. Rouge, what's in the forest? Can it help my father?"
"If the legends are true, then it can," Rouge nodded. "There are many legends of mystical treasures hidden within the forest, but some tales say there's something else about it. The reason the creature made that very forest its home. The golden flower."
"I've heard of that," Eclipse said. "The nectar of the golden flower can heal any poison."
"Precisely! It was said the creature was being hunted, when near death it took refuge in the forest and stumbled upon the flowers that cured it. Since then it's called that forest its home, and we've made it forbidden ever since."
"So we go to this forest, take the flower and avoid the monster? Easy, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Shadow said impatiently as he turned, seized his best friends arm and tugged him out of the room. "C'mon Eclipse, let's go get geared up. We haven't any time to lose!"
"Stop pulling so hard you're hurting me," Eclipse complained as the two boys fled down the hallway.
"Rouge," Mephiles whispered uneasily. Rouge leant down beside him so that she could hear. He was growing worse by the hour.
"What do you need?"
"Go with him. Keep him safe, please. You're the only one I trust to guide Shadow. Keep him safe, and help him become a righteous king."
"I promise to guide him as best I can," Rouge swore, before adding, "until you get better. Then he's all yours," she feigned a smile. "This won't be the last time we speak, old friend. We'll get that flower."
"Thank you," Mephiles croaked again. Rouge bit her lip in contemplation, mulling over whether she should stay by his side, but knew she couldn't disobey his request. Shadow needed her, and Mephiles needed Shadow. With a final side-long glance at her weakening king, Rouge set off down the hallway after the boys, bellowing orders at her guards to prepare her horses and weapons. She had a flower to find and a monster to kill.
The cracks of wood splintering against wood and clashing against skin and bone echoed through the clearing, ruining the serenity. The birds squawked angrily as they flew from their perches atop the thick branches and the squirrels and rabbits hid in their alcoves to avoid the ruckus. Yellow dandelions that littered the field were crunched beneath boots as Sonic and Tails practiced their swordsmanship, as they so often did on lazy weekends. Like usual, Tails found himself severely outmatched and, like usual, Sonic was complaining that Tails needed to get better.
"You're movements are too predictable," Sonic complained as he easily de-sworded Tails and pushed him to the ground.
"I'm trying my best," Tails complained as he rubbed his backside, rolling to his haunches to take in greedy breaths. He was exhausted and sick of sword fighting. He didn't even know why he bothered. It was Sonic's dream to become a knight and make a name for himself, not his. He was happy being a baker. He wasn't a leader. However, deep down Tails knew why he continued to come out to the field; because Sonic wanted him to.
"Here, let me help you up," Sonic rolled his eyes, blowing quills out of his eyes and held out his hand. Tails grabbed it and was hauled to his feet. He brushed the yellow petals off his flour-caked pants.
"That was pathetic!" a shrill voice bellowed from across the field.
"Oh lord, here we go," Sonic sighed.
"Sonic, c'mon, play nice," Tails insisted as the two boys turned to face their companion.
"For the amount of time you two spend practicing you'd think you'd eventually get some skill. It's honestly amazing how bad you both are," a girl, about the same age as them, beamed proudly as she sauntered up to them, chest puffed out arrogantly.
"Hi Amy," Tails waved with a smile.
"Yeah, hi," Sonic said less enthusiastically, earning him a swift elbow to the arm from Tails. "Ow, what was that for?" Sonic cursed, shooting daggers at his companion. The look Tails gave him said it all, and reluctantly Sonic turned back to Amy and put on as much enthusiasm as he could muster. "Hello Amy, nice to see you out here on this fine day. To what do we owe this pleasure?"
"Much better," Tails laughed.
"I thought you said we were going to go to the markets today? I was waiting there with Ray for over an hour. I can't believe you guys ditched me to come train. I've been stuck with my little brother for too long. Not cool," Amy complained.
"Sorry Amy, we totally forgot," Tails slammed the palm of his hand against his forehead.
"Yeah, sorry Ames," Sonic said, although it wasn't nearly as sincere. "But, hey, at least you got to spend some quality time with your brother. We were just trying to help you understand the importance of family."
"The importance of family? Okay, how about Tails and I go to the market and you can go spend brotherly time with Knuckles," Amy sneered.
"Don't turn this back on me," Sonic stood up to her, trying to puff out his chest to match her, despite how much stronger she was.
"Well don't you ditch me next time!"
"I said I was sorry!"
"Maybe sorry doesn't cut it," Amy fought back.
"You want to settle this with a duel?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Amy nodded as she unsheathed her steel sword from its holder and brandished it with two hands. Sonic rushed over the trunk of the tall tree and kicked up his own sword that he and Tails had tossed aside in favour of sticks for practice.
"Seriously, guys? Why do you always have to do this?" Tails rolled his eyes.
"Stay out of it, Tails," both Amy and Sonic chastised him before squaring up to each other, gripping their swords and staring each other down, daring the other one to make the first move.
"Am I the only sane one here?" Tails asked rhetorically. "Why yes Tails, you are, and I thank you for always being the reasonable one. Oh, no problem Tails, and might I say how handsome you are looking today? Really? Thank you Tails, you're looking quite dashing yourself, I–" Tails cut himself off when he looked up and saw both Amy and Sonic had stopped their bickering to stare at him with raised eyebrows. His face flushed red.
"You okay, man?" Sonic asked.
"What a weirdo," Amy said.
"Hey, don't call him weird!"
"What are you going to do about it, tough guy?"
"This!" Sonic raised his sword and slashed it at Amy, who stepped back, dodging the pointed tip of the blade.
"Here we go," Tails rolled his eyes, sitting down cross-legged beneath the tree, leaning against the trunk as he got settled to watch his friends bicker, as usual.
Their squabble didn't last long. It never did, but this time was paramount. Tails watched with disinterested eyes as Sonic tried to use brute strength to overwhelm Amy, his muscles flaring against his skin as he brought down the sword against her again and again. What Amy lacked in strength, she made up for in skill in spades. Expertly dodging his strikes and ducking beneath his blows she blocked each and every strike without concern. She took the time to taunt him with a yawn, throwing Tails a gloating wink. It infuriated Sonic, but the boy was clearly outmatched and he knew it.
Normally Tails would be worried that they sparred with steel instead of wood, but he knew them too well. Sonic looked like he wanted to seriously hurt her, but deep down he wouldn't, and neither would Amy. This was just the way they showed their friendship. It confused Tails, but if it helped them release some energy he'd gladly take the peace.
"You give up yet?" Amy asked as she slid around Sonic and pushed the hilt of her blade against his back. Sonic stumbled forward, his face growing red.
"You wish," he tightened his grip around the hilt of his sword and rushed at her again. She readied herself to block, pushing her heel against the dirt for balance and raising her sword in defence. However, what Sonic did next surprised her. She expected him to force his sword against her, like he always did, but instead he feinted a blow, turned his blade sideways and managed to duck beneath her defence. With guard lowered, Sonic pushed, and Amy fell to the ground with a thud, her blade flying from her grasp.
Whooping with glee, Sonic flew his hands skyward in victory as he turned to check if Tails was still watching. He'd never managed to beat Amy before – she'd always gotten the better of him. His training had paid off, and Sonic was ready to gloat. However, before he had a chance to properly soak up his victory the ground raced up to meet his face. One second he was standing proud, the next his was coughing up dirt as he lay on the ground. His feet had been swept off the ground as Amy shot out her leg. When Sonic scrambled over to reach for his sword he felt cold steel push against his neck and Amy was scowling from above him, her face blocking out the sun. She didn't look happy.
Tails's eyes grew wide and he jumped to his feet and rushed over to her in a panic. "Amy, you've won, back off now," Tails defended his friend. Amy narrowed her eyes, staring daggers at Sonic who continued to flounder on the ground. Then, she broke.
Her lips curved upwards as a bout of laughter gripped her. Sheathing her sword she held out her hand. Sonic rolled his eyes, but smiled the same as he took her hand and let himself be hauled to his feet.
"I almost had you there," Sonic grinned.
"Bah, as if. I was in control the whole time," Amy shook it off. She didn't want to admit he surprised her.
"Hey, come on!" Sonic whined. "Just admit I caught you off guard."
"Maybe for a millisecond," Amy admitted.
"It's okay, you don't have to say it. The look on your face when you hit the ground said more than any words could," Sonic snickered playfully. "What did you do, though?"
"Rule 1: Always –"
"– be prepared, yeah, yeah I know," Sonic rolled his eyes. Amy always recited her three key rules to a fight, but no matter how much Sonic tried to use them against her he never could seem to get the better of her. She was just too skilful. Still, that didn't stop him mocking her. "Rule 2: Never let your guard down!"
"I didn't let it down at all!" Amy tutted with crossed arms.
"Then how did I knock you over?"
"The same way I beat you. You used Rule 3: Surprise wins the prize. You surprised me, but then you got cocky and just had to show off to your boyfriend."
"He's not my boyfriend!" Sonic snapped.
"Whatever, you sure jumped to his defence pretty quickly. And he seemed so worried when I swept your legs."
"Is that what you did to win?" Sonic asked, changing the subject. He knew how uncomfortable it made Tails, though the boy would never admit it. He could see him fidgeting with his fingers. Amy always had a way to make him feel uncomfortable.
"Yeah, here, I'll teach you," Amy offered. "It's a good trick if you're ever knocked down and you lose your weapon." She crouched down low, demonstrating how she twisted her body and stretched out her leg. Before Tails knew it, he was kissing dirt as Amy swept his legs with her own and gravity finished the job.
"Not cool!" Sonic grumbled as he rushed to his best friends defence and Amy chortled loudly. "You alright?" he asked with a smile as he helped Tails to his feet, brushing off some of the dirt.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," Tails sighed as he noticed a small stream of blood trickling from his scraped knee. Sonic turned to Amy with a scowl and marched up to her.
"Not cool!"
"What? You wanted me to teach you, so I did!"
"That's not what I meant and you know it," Sonic shoved a finger into her chest.
"You can't always rush to his side when he's in trouble. Tails needs to learn how to fend for himself. You can't keep babying him or he'll end up dead one day because of it!" Amy bit back. Her words were harsh, but they came from a place of worry. Amy had a soft spot for the nervous kit, but the world they lived was cruel and she knew her or Sonic wouldn't always be around to help Tails if he got into trouble.
"He doesn't baby me," Tails finally found his voice.
"Oh, really? Prove it! I dare you to explore the Forbidden Forest!" Sonic and Tails' eyes grew wide.
"The F-F-Forbidden Forest?" Tails stuttered, his nerves on full display.
"Well, if you don't think you can handle it," Amy cast her line, and just as she expected Tails took the bait. He steeled himself and clenched his hands. He was sick of her thinking he was weak. He was sick of being the loser of their group. This was his chance to prove himself not only to Amy, but to himself.
"Amy, you're crazy," Sonic stood between the two of them. "He's not an idiot. We've all heard the rumours about the best of the forest. There's no way Tails–"
"I'll do it," Tails croaked.
"And another thing! He… wait, what did you say?"
"I said I'll do it."
"Tails, dude, you don't have to prove anything to me. I know you're not weak, and so does Ames, don't you?"
"I do now," Amy smiled. She was impressed. "You really will do it, won't you?" Tails nodded determinedly. "Well I'll be damned, maybe you're stronger than I thought. There's no way in hell Sonic would do that," she elbowed her companion.
"I so would, but, as I said, we don't need to prove anything." Amy started clucking and dancing around like a chicken. It didn't take much to convince Sonic. "Fine, we'll do it!" A smirk crossed Amy's face. Sometimes it was just too easy. However, Sonic's next words made her faulter.
"But only if you come with us into the forest."
"Wh-what?" Amy spluttered.
"You heard me. Unless you're too scared, of course. We totally understand if you are, right Tails?"
"Yeah, we totally understand. It is a scary place and we know it might be a little much for you," Tails' words dripped with sarcasm. Amy grunted. She knew exactly what they were doing. They were using her own trick against her, and although she didn't want it to work she knew she couldn't refuse. She was the leader of their group. She was the strongest. She was the bravest. She knew this, but she had to prove it.
"As if I'd miss this. Come on!" Amy stomped forward, ignoring the giggles of the boys behind her as they fell into line behind her, marching steadily towards the row of dark-oak trees that lined the perimeter of the silent forest.
No more than thirty minutes passed when the trio found themselves just inches from the wooded barrier that separated the bright, sunny pasture from the dark and foreboding forest. Tails' heart was pounding in his chest like a drum, loud and constant. Whatever little bravery he'd managed to muster up in retaliation had dissipated as the forest grew closer and larger. Now that he was standing in front of it things had gotten too real for him.
"Hey guys," he croaked, only now finding his voice. "I don't know about this."
"Don't tell me you're chickening out now," Amy rolled her eyes with folded arms. She knew this was coming, but she'd be lying to herself if a small part of her wasn't glad he was voicing his reservations. She'd never admit it, but she could feel fear envelope her, too. She didn't want to venture into the forest.
"I-I-I," Tails faltered over his words, failing to find excuses that didn't make him out to be a whimpering mess.
"He's not scared at all," Sonic jumped to Tails' defence, as he so often did. "He just wants to make sure you weren't going to change your mind. It's okay if you're scared, Amy. We understand."
Sonic returned the ball to her court and Amy knew she was stuck. Her lips pursed as she tried to hide her frustration. She knew he had her cornered, and she knew there was no backing down now. She tried to push the many rumours she'd heard to the back of her mind – those of screeching ghosts haunting the forest, and eerie music playing with no source – she had a reputation to uphold.
"As if," she snorted, turning to brave a slit in the wall of wood where small beams of light punctured the darkness. "Come on, I'll lead the way. Let's go exploring."
"Right behind you," Sonic feigned confidence. He couldn't let Amy think she was braver than him. That left Tails last, his knees shaking beneath him. His breaths turned short and shallow as he tried to force his muscles forward. Finally, he, too, entered the forest.
Little did they know that something crouching in the shadows was watching them with calculating, reptilian eyes. If they had just admitted to each other they were scared – if they had just turned back and never ventured into that forest then maybe everything would have turned out different. Maybe this whole ordeal could have been avoided. The upcoming war might have been avoided, and the bloodshed wouldn't have to be spilled. But they didn't. And it did.