Eve and the Black Knight Saga Episode 3: Battling Lancelot and Nimue's Tests
"I am Lancelot, Knight of the Round Table. I challenge you to a duel!" the Black armored knight says and holds his sword, pointing it toward Eve.
Eve ends up meeting Lancelot who is part of King Arthur's Knight of the Round Table, and has challenged her to a fight. However, what Eve and Jazz are shocked about is that the knight resembles Shadow.
Eve thinks, "He looks exactly like Shadow, and for some reason… he also acts like Shadow too."
Eve sighs and says to of course, even in King Arthur's story, my brother is still stubborn and ready to fight enemies. Some things never change…"
"What do you mean by that?" Caliburn asks.
"It's a bit of a long story, but let's just say that Lancelot looks a lot like someone I'm very close to," Eve says.
Lancelot questions, "What shall it be? Will you abandon your sword and flee?"
"What?!" Eve exclaims, shocked and un-amused.
Then sternly says, "I'm not going to run away! And I'm not scared to take you on in a sword fight! And I'm not abandoning Caliburn either!"
"Quite a spirit you have. And glad to hear you willing to challenge him. A knight never flees a foe," Calburn says.
"Yeah. I never run from an enemy that easily," Eve says.
Suddenly, Lancelot asks, "May I have your name, apprentice knight?"
"She is Eve the Hedgehog, and she accepts your challenge!" Calburin says.
Eve holds Calburn by the handle and asks, "You ready for this, Caliburn?"
"Yes. Eve," Calburn says.
"Very well, then! Brace yourself, Eve the Hedgehog!" Lancelot says, and charges at Eve.
He then holds out his sword as he says, "Now, let's see what you can do?"
Lancelot swings his sword at Eve, but Eve quickly uses Caliburn to repel the attack. The two then jump back.
Eve whispers to Caliburn, "He's actually pretty strong."
"He is powerful as I feared. You need to be careful battling him," Caliburn says.
"Right," Eve says.
Eve looks forward to seeing Lancelot speeding toward her and his shoes seem to be hovering like shoes like Shadow's. Eve quickly dodges as Lancelot swings his sword, then she swings her sword back. Lancelot quickly repels the attack. Both of the black hedgehogs swing their swords and they clash with one another. Eve then swings her sword and is able to attack Lancelot with a strong swift. Lancelot then jumps in the air and swings his sword, but Eve is able to use Caliburn to block the attack and ends up bending her knee to the ground with Lancelot pushing his sword with force.
"You're going to have to do better than that to defeat me, apprentice," Lancelot says.
"I can do better alright," Eve then, then she uses her strength to push Lancelot away from her.
Eve charges and Lancelot does the same. The two then swing their swords and they both collide with one another. Lancelot and Eve continue to fight with their swords colliding the other. Eve fights as hard as she can to defeat Lancelot and knows what she needs to do in order to save Camelot and hopefully to save King Arthur and destroy the scabbard forever. Unbeknownst to Eve, her chest is showing a dim glow from under her clothes, not even Lancelot notices it. Eve continues to use Caliburn to repel Lancelot's attack on the sword. Eve continues to fight, until she throws the final swing of her sword, and knocks Lancelot's sword from his hand. The sword flies in the air for a short bit until the blade hits straight into the earth, leaving most of it exposed from the ground.
Eve takes deep breaths of exhaustion of the fight she has with Lancelot. She has to admit, it's surprising to see that she has defeated Lancelot in a dual.
Eve presents Caliburn to Jazz, "Can you watch over him for a second."
"Chao," Jazz answers with a nod and takes the sword.
Then Eve walks towards Lancelot.
Caliburn asks, "What is she up to?"
"Chao Chao," Jazz answers.
Caliburn doesn't understand, but he has a feeling Jazz doesn't know what Eve is planning either. Lancelot who is tired from the fight, feels defeated about losing the duel to an apprentice, but he also notices that she doesn't seem like an apprentice. He also notices that she seems very skilled for a mere apprentice. Suddenly, a white gloves hand reaches out to him, and he looks up to see Eve holding a gentle smile on her face.
Eve says, "Here, let me help you."
Lancelot is rather surprised, but then turns his head away and disgusted.
Confused, Eve asks, "What's wrong?"
"Well, aren't you going to finish me off?" Lancelot questions.
"Huh?" Eve says, confused.
"You have defeated me, so what are you waiting for? If you're done thoroughly humiliating me, why don't you finish me off?" Lancelot says.
Eve becomes stunned to hear this. Lancelot expects Eve to finish him off… he expects her to kill him. However, Eve wants to prove to him that she isn't planning to slay him. She hurries back to Jazz as Lancelot watches Eve's actions. What shocked him to see that she has another sword in a scabbard. What really shocked him, is the fact she has taken it off with the sword and placed it on the ground. Eve then walks back to Lancelot and offers her hand again to him.
Confused, Lancelot asks, "What are you doing? You've left yourself defenseless."
"Trust me. I'm actually pretty good with or without a sword, but that isn't the point. Just because I defeated you, doesn't mean I have to kill you. I only want to help. That's the reason why Merlina summoned me here to begin with, to help," Eve says.
Lancelot continues to look at Eve with a confused expression. But seeing the sweet smile, it's enough to convince him otherwise. He takes Eve's hand and the girl hedgehog helps him up.
"I uh, thank you for sparing my life. Just don't expect me to do anything in return," Lancelot says.
Eve smiles to see that Lancelot is a lot like her brother, even though it's a problem when he acts like a grouch. Either way, she is glad that Lancelot understands her intentions and has no will to finish him.
"So Eve the Hedgehog, I like why Merlina has summoned you. I saw you being summoned by her," Lancelot says.
"I see. You then, you also saw how I took out the knights of the underworld?" Eve replies.
"Yes. I also ask where are you going that brings you so deep in the forest," Lancelot says.
"Right. I'm actually going to find Nimue," Eve says.
"The Lady of the Lake?" Lancelot asks.
"Yes. You see, Merlina told me what happened to King Arthur. How he has been possessed by an evil spirit that was in the scabbard. Since she was the one who gave it to him, Merlina believes that she may know how to blunt its power. I know that you serve King Arthur, but the scabbard is making him do those bad things, so I need to stop him and the scabbard. After that, I need to find a way to destroy the scabbard, so no one can be possessed by the spirit and the power of the scabbard. I know it sounds crazy but in order to stop the scabbard, I have to stop King Arthur. If I can stop the scabbard, I can free King Arthur from its power. At least, that's what I hope to do," Eve explains.
Lancelot closes his eyes calmly, "Hmm, that sounds like you have taken upon a very difficult task. A task that seems courageous and noble, but also quite foolish to take on King Arthur as long as he has the scabbard."
"If being a fool means helping innocent people, then I guess I am one," Eve says.
"Hmm, you are one peculiar apprentice," Lancelot says.
Eve smiles and lets out a giggle.
"Anyway, we better get going cause we need to reach Nimue before it gets too dark," Eve says.
"Indeed it is," Lancelot says, and soon looks at his sword and decides what to do with it.
Eve then walks away to join her Chao and the sword. She places her scabbard belt around her waist and takes Caliburn.
Eve turns her head, "Before I forget, do you want to…" but she comes to notice that Lancelot is gone, but notices his sword has been left behind.
Eve takes the sword from the handle and pulls it from the ground. Eve sighs and hopes Lancelot can join her, but feels it will be too much to ask for.
Eve takes the sword to the others and says, "Okay, we better get going before night fall."
"Yes. We shall continue," Caliburn says.
The three then head off to go to Nimue and ask for her help. Unknown to them, Merlina has been hiding behind one of the trees and has seen everything.
Merlina smiles and says, "Oh Eve, you really are a knight from another world and have claimed one of the sacred swords of the Round Table. However, your quest is still beginning and you must defeat King Arthur to save this land."
Suddenly, Merlina feels a sharp pain on her chest and clutches it. Her eyes opened and they shimmered ghastly gold colors as a strange pattern appeared on the side of her face and a dark blue glow from her chest.
Merlina says, "Please Eve, you must stop King Arthur… and take the scabbard from him."
Suddenly, something in her voice changed, "And have the scabbard brought to me."
Then a small tear falls from her face.
After leaving Lancelot and has taken his sword. Well, more like after Lancelot decides to leave the sword behind, even though Eve isn't sure if it's on purpose or not. Eve, Jazz, and Caliburn continue their journey to see the Lady of the Lake.
"Wow... So he truly was Lancelot, one of the Knights of the Round Table?" Eve asks, amazed.
"The mightiest of all and the closest to King Arthur. It was mere luck that enabled you to defeat him," Caliburn says.
"I have to admit, you were right. I read about Lancelot, King Arthur, and about the Knights of the Round Table, but actually fighting him, it proves that he was strong and has incredible skills with a sword," Eve says.
"I see," Calburn says.
Then Caliburn asks, "But why did you not deal him the final blow?"
"Huh?" Eve replies, confused.
"Such sympathy is an insult to a knight," Calbrun says.
Eve sighs and says, "Hate to break to you Caliburn, but that's not what I do. It's just… not me."
"Beg pardon?" Caliburn replies, confused.
Eve explains, "Back at home, my friends, my brothers, cousins, and I do fight against villains, robots, machines, and all kinds of dangers. However, excluding destroying robots, machines, and the buildings, we don't well, execute or give our enemies the final blow. Maybe that's something your world used to, but that is not the kind of work I do. That is, unless we have no choice to, which we ended up having to do, rarely."
Eve thinks, "Mainly what happened with the Metarex and the Black Arms."
"I am starting to see that. You lived in a world that is different from your own. So then, you have different morals, nobility, and legacy you and your friends live by. However, I can tell that you do have a strong potential, especially to those who are in need," Caliburn says.
"Um, thanks. Anyway, I'm still surprised Lancelot left his sword behind. Do… do I even have the right to take it?" Eve replies, holding the sword.
"I believe that is Lancelot's way of thanking you for sparing his life. That is Arondight, one of the sacred swords of this land. Take good care of it," Caliburn says.
"I will," Eve says.
Caliburn then asks, "Eve, does Lancelot, really remind you of someone from your world."
"He does… he actually resembles my brother," Eve says.
"Your brother?" Calburn asks, surprised.
"Yes. I actually have two brothers, one of them was my brother by blood. His name is Shadow the Hedgehog. The other brother happened when I was separated from my family and lost my memory. Sonic, he was the one who found me on the night after his birthday party. And since then, we've never been apart. Years have gone by and after an incident… I was reunited with my family that I've been separated from for a long time," Eve says.
"I see. I believe I begin to understand why you were feeling skeptical about fighting him, and finishing him off. He resembles someone who is very dear to you. Another reason that it wasn't right in your eyes." Caliburn says.
"Yeah. that's one way of putting it," Eve says.
"I'm beginning to understand you a little. You sure are a strange knight, but a strong one as well," Caliburn says.
"Thanks," Eve says
Eve, Jazz, and Caliburn arrive on a wooden bridge that has a light train on the railings. The path seems to lead them to a small island.
"We're here," Caliburn says.
"Okay. I do hope she doesn't mind us coming here this late," Eve says.
She, Jazz, and Caliburn head down the bridge to see a small island that has a gazebo that is made of stone and glowing lights around. Just then, someone begins to approach them, suspecting to be Nimue.
Nimue walks forward and says, "I've been waiting for you, knight from another world."
Nimue is wearing a sky blue hairband with golden metal circle ends, a gold ring bracelets, white gloves, white and black arm warmers, a blue and white dress with golden belt and buttons, and transparent back garments with sky blue edges. However, the rest of the appearance is a familiar face to Eve.
Eve softly replies, "Amy."
"Eve, you mustn't stare! You are being rude to the Lady of the Lake! Bow your head!" Caliburn whispers.
Eve takes a deep breath and bends to one knee and bows her head in respect.
She calmly says, "Um, hello Nimue. My name is Eve the Hedgehog."
"Chao Chao," Jazz replies.
"This is Jazz the Chaos and Caliburn one of the Sacred Swords. We asked for your help," Eve says.
"I think I know why you are here. It's about Excalibur isn't it?" Nimue suspects.
"Yes. Merlina told me that you will be able to help us, since um, you're the one who gave him the scabbard along with the sword, Excalibur. She believes you'll be able to help us on how to hinder its powers," Eve says.
"Yes. There is a way. Please come in. We'll talk about it over some tea," Nimue says.
Soon enough, Eve, Jazz, and Caliburn are with Nimue in the gazebo. Jazz takes a sip of her tea as Eve listens to what Nimue has to say.
"I'll tell you how to hinder the scabbard's power of immortality. I'm the one who gave it to him, so it's kinda my fault, see?" Nimue says.
"I see. But I don't think it was your fault. From what Merlina told me, you gave it to him in order to prevent the scabbard from falling into the wrong hands, and make sure no one will be possessed by the evil spirit inside. You were hoping to prevent the scabbard from spreading it's evil that was inside of it," Eve says.
"Yes. Sadly, the spirit inside was proven to be stronger than any of us could imagine. But still…" Nimue says.
"Still what?" Eve calmly asks.
Nimue sadly says, "Whoever defeats King Arthur and takes his scabbard... Might end up turning out the same way, right?"
"I see…" Caliburn says.
"So then, if I tried to take the sword, then I'll be possessed by the spirit within it.
"Yes. So I have three tests for you. Would you like to hear them?" Nimue says.
"Of course," Eve says.
Nimue then explains her tests, "First, free the innocents from King Arthur's dungeon. Second, offer compassion to those in need. Third, defeat King Arthur's knights of the underworld."
"Right," Eve says.
"You have three days... Good luck…" Nimue says, and disappears.
Eve, Jazz, and Caliburn stand there until they decide to leave.
Eve turns to Caliburn, "It looks like we got our work cut out for us."
"Yes, it appears we do. Are you up to the task? This will not be easy," Caliburn says.
"I know it won't be busy, but if I can pass Nimue's test, then I'll be given the means to save King Arthur from the scabbard along with the people of the kingdom. If we don't do something… who will," Eve says.
"Chao," Jazz replies with a nod.
"You are correct. As of now, you may be the only one who can prevent the underworld from taking over the kingdom and all of its people. However, saving the ruler of the kingdom and destroying the scabbard will be the most difficult task you are willing to take… that is, if it is possible to save King Arthur," Caliburn says.
"I know there will be a way to save King Arthur. And I feel there is a way to destroy the scabbard. Even though we have a lot of questions, I feel that we'll find some answers," Eve says.
"Maybe so. Then…we shall depart now, and rescue the innocent from King Arthur's dungeon," Caliburn says.
"Right," Eve says.
She then zips off with Jazz holding to her quill and holding Caliburn in her hand. Now Eve has to prove herself worthy to becoming a true knight and to how to dispel the power of immortality from the scabbard. Eve's journey is still continuing.