Chapter 33
They all stood still near the lake for a moment coming to the realization that if Morrigan finds out Sonic knows where the Holy Grail is then their problems will become far worse. "We can't just stand here, how do we get inside the castle?" Blaze asked,
"There's an underwater entrance through the lake, it attaches to the well just outside the castle." Nimue explains,
"There's no way we can hold our breath for that long…" Percival said,
"You're not coming," Gawain said,
"You expect me to stand by while our King is in danger?" She argued,
"The King told you to stay away. There's a chance they won't find out that she knows the grail's location. But if you get caught in the process, everything would have been in vain." Gawain said,
"Gawain's right Percival, we can't risk it." Knuckles said as Percival looks at all of them conflicted, but she also knew they were right.
"Alright… I will stay…" Percival said sounding defeated,
"Do you have a way for us to breathe under water?" Amy asked,
"I do, you will be able to swim there without an issue." Nimue said,
"Probably a good thing Sonic isn't with us since she can't swim." Shadow said crossing her arms.
"Yeah she would have freaked, finding out we'd have to go in the water." Knuckles said.
"She asked me to protect Percival… but you're going to need a guide to lead you around the castle." Gawain said as they all nod.
"I can protect myself… but if Lancelot tries to come back I will follow your path and meet up with you at the castle." Percival said,
"Alright, let's get ready." Blaze said as they all start prepping to leave. They all walk over to the water's edge and look at Nimue.
"This will give you the ability to breathe underwater as if you were breathing air." Nimue said waving her hand as a mist surrounds them for a moment. "If you can, try to save your friends without engaging Morrigan. He is still too powerful for you all right now."
"We'll save the others and get back here as soon as we can." Shadow said as Nimue hands her a small bag full of strange colored berries,
"My gift is not permanent. You will need these to come back." She said,
"Sonic's going to love that." Amy joked,
"Stay safe Percival," Gawain said as Percival places her hand on his shoulder.
"You as well, please keep the King safe." She said as he nods. They all jump into the water and start swimming up the channel towards Camelot.
Inside Camelot's castle, Sonic was frantically looking around the Kings royal chambers for something, "C'mon where is it…" She said going through the drawers as she finds a square shaped key and smiles. "Yes! Thank Chaos I remembered about this." She walks over to the headboard of the bed as she feels around the stone wall behind it for a small slot where the square shaped key fits. She turns the key; a secret door opens up next to the bed as she pockets the key. "Lock me in my own castle huh?" She enters the secret passage and closes the door behind her. She goes down the tunnel and follows it to another door and softly opens the door looking around the hallway for any people. It was quiet as she steps out and closes the secret passage behind her. "Now let's hope I can remember how to get to the dungeons."
In the dungeon, Tails was attempting to unscrew the bolts on the prison door. She was finally able to get one loose and starts to remove it. "This is going to take forever." Tails said with a sigh,
"Now that you have one out, let me use it and we can work together." Cream said holding her hand out. Tails drops it in her hand as they both start unscrewing the door.
"You two are rather determined," Merlina said with a smile impressed by their willpower,
"We can't just sit here, that's not what Sonic would do." Tails said, "Even if it takes a long time, we can't just do nothing."
"What wouldn't I do?" Sonic said popping her head out from around the corner,
"Sonic!" Cream said as they all jump up surprised,
"I really need to hire better help, there isn't even a guard watching the keys." Sonic chuckles jokingly holding a ring of keys. "You guys okay? That creep didn't hurt any of you did he?"
"We're fine, just glad to see you." Tails said as Sonic walks over to the lock and starts trying the different keys, "I like the new outfit."
"Back at you little dude! My lady!" Sonic said jokingly to Cream as she bows to her,
"Your Majesty," Cream curtseys with a giggle,
"And you Merlina?" Sonic asked turning her head towards her,
"I am fine your Majesty." She said giving a gentle smile happy to see her, "But you look so different."
"I kinda died and got reincarnated." Sonic said still going through the keys, "But I'm still me! Well mostly." She turns and smiles at her. "Why aren't any of these keys working?"
"The locks are magically sealed." Merlina said,
"Why didn't you tell me that sooner," She throws her hands up in the air and lets out a groan,
"How did you get here? Where are the others?" Cream asked,
"Well… I kinda go caught myself." She chuckles,
"Of course you did…" Tails lets out a sigh and shakes her head.
"Hey! I don't think you have room to judge while you're locked in a cell." Sonic said with a huff tapping her foot,
"How'd you escape?" Tails asked,
"Dummies locked me in my own room, little did they know I have a secret pathway out of the room in case of emergencies." She said sounding proud of herself as Merlina sees the thorns around Sonic's wrists.
"Your wrists…" She said as Sonic turns towards her,
"Oh yeah… Morrigan put them on. He tried to mind control me but guess I'm immune, so he sealed my powers instead." She said shrugging,
"You don't have your speed?" Tails said,
"I don't have anything… I already feel exhausted from going down that flight of stairs." Sonic said with an exhausted sigh, "Is this how Knuckles feels when I make him run laps with me?"
"You must get back Caliburn, you will be able to remove the thorns with his help." Merlina said,
"Do you know where he is? I didn't see him in the throne room" Sonic asked as Merlina shakes her head,
"I do not know for certain, the only other place Morrigan might keep him is the treasure room." She said as Sonic starts to think.
"This is starting to feel like an online video game. Each new mission completed means another one unlocks." Sonic said with a chuckle,
"Where are the others?" Cream asked,
"They're with Nimue, the Lady of the Lake. She said she knows a secret way into the castle so knowing them they're on their way here… I hope Shadow's okay." She starts to think how she was injured and starts to worry,
"She's probably raging since you got kidnapped again." Tails teased,
"Ha, ha yeah… She's probably planning to kill Lance, and after what he just pulled I might let her." Sonic's face turns red crossing her arms trying to hide that her hand started to tremble. What happened frightened her more than she cared to admit. "I'm getting off topic… Merlina, do you remember where I hid the extra key to the treasure vault?"
"It's hidden in a false book within the library. On the second level by the magic scrolls." Merlina said,
"Okay… Let's hope I can get Caliburn without getting caught. It's still pretty early… If I'm lucky, Morrigan's the type of guy to sleep in." Sonic said,
"We'll keep trying to get our door off just in case." Tails said as Sonic nods,
"Also, you should know… We're completely disconnected from Chaos here." Sonic explained as Tails looks at her Chaos Emerald,
"It's not even glowing, how strange." Tails said,
"Just thought you guys should know. Well, time to prove that I can be stealthy!" She gives them a thumbs up and runs back up the stairs.
"She's going to get caught again isn't she?" Cream said,
"Yep…" Tails said going back to removing the screws as Cream helps her.
Just outside the Castle gardens, Shadow climbs out of a well and starts helping everyone out as they all pause catching their breath. "Swimming in robes is not easy…" Amy said,
"It's not easy in armor either." Shadow said,
"We need to be cautious; the castle will be swarming with Dark Hollow." Gawain said,
"What's our first plan of attack?" Blaze said,
"Gawain said Tails and Cream are probably being held in the dungeon," Shadow said,
"They will probably keep the King locked in her quarters; she may be a prisoner but even Morrigan still recognizes her as King." Gawain said,
"Unless they did something to her like they did Lancelot…" Knuckles said,
"Let's hope that isn't the case, we'll be in a lot of trouble if we have to fight both Lancelot and the King." Gawain said,
"We should go to the dungeons first, Merlina is probably imprisoned with your friends and she may be able to help with her magic." Gawain said,
"I have magic too." Amy said,
"Yeah but Merlina actually knows how to use her magic." Blaze said as Amy looks defeated,
"You have a point." He said,
"So we get to the dungeon first and grab the others. Then we find Sonic." Shadow said as they all nod in agreement. They follow Gawain's lead inside the castle courtyard.
Sonic quietly walked down a hallway towards the library, making sure she checked around corners before continuing forward. She hears footsteps as she quickly hides behind one of the decorated curtains as she hears the familiar sound of armor. She stays perfectly still while waiting for the sound to be out of earshot. She lets out a sigh of relief as she continues down the right hallway and enters the library. The walls were covered in dusty books and scrolls, against the far wall was a stained-glass window of a picture of Sonic wielding Excalibur wearing golden armor.
"Don't remember that being there." She said closing the library doors behind her, "I think Merlina said second floor." She walks up the stairs as she remembers back to the last time she was in here as Sonic was when he discussed with the knights and Merlina on how to keep Camelot safe in his absence. She started searching the books next to the magic scrolls as she moves one book that feels lighter than the others she's grabbed. She pulls it off the shelf and opens it revealing a hole carved out of the pages holding a key. "Man, When I was King Arthur I definitely was a better planner." She chuckles as she hears the door to the library start to open. She panics and hides behind one of the side bookshelves as Morrigan enters the library. He picks up a book and sits at a desk starting to read as Lancelot enters the room.
"Ah, how is our guest?" He asked,
"She was rather upset with me; I will be checking on her momentarily. But I wanted to inform you that Percival was in Nimue's grotto when I took the King." Lancelot said,
"That's why I could not scry on her presence. It matters not now that we have the King the Grail will soon be ours." Morrigan said,
"Do you truly believe she told the King the whereabouts of the Grail?" Lancelot asked as Sonic remembers that Percival told her it was in a place only her and Percival know about.
"You yourself told me how close Percival and the King were at one point, Of course she'd keep it in a place that was important to them." Morrigan said as Sonic's memory flashes to a place where they had discovered a secret grotto, now silently cursing to herself that she has the information they need. "Were you jealous of their relationship?"
"No, that was in the past." Lancelot said,
"Exactly, besides, she is here now and safe under your guard." He said, Sonic could tell how he phrased things sounded more like a spell than words of encouragement,
"She is safe under my guard." Lancelot repeated,
"Good, now make sure she's comfortable. We will ask her where the Grail is later." He said as they both leave. She figured he was altering Lancelot's perception to thinking what he's doing is good for the realm. But she also knew now was not the time for that, Lancelot will soon know she's not in her room and will begin a search for her. She leaves the library after waiting a few minutes and heads straight for the treasure room.
The others get just outside the castle walls as Gawain starts moving his hands over the wall surface, "What are you doing?" Knuckles asked,
"The King thought it was wise to have secret passages throughout the castle." He said pressing one of the stones as a doorway opens from the wall. "Only a few know of their existence,"
"That's pretty cool," Amy said,
"We need to hurry." Shadow said entering the passageway as they all get inside the castle. "How far will the exit of the passage put us in conjunction to the prison cells?"
"Not far, we'll need to be as quiet as possible when we get inside. The longer they don't know we're here the better chance we are of rescuing everyone," He said as they get to the end of the secret path. Gawain cracks open the door and peaks out making sure the coast is clear.
"We'll be relying on your way around here Gawain," Blaze said as he nods,
"Let's go." He said as they all sneak in and begin their way towards the prison cells.
Lancelot walked up the stairs back up to the Kings quarters holding a change of clothes for her as he pauses for a moment at the front of the door. "Your highness?" He calls out as he knocks on the door but hears no response, "I apologize for my behavior last night, may I come in? I have a spare change of clothes for you since yours were damaged… I was unsure if you would favor your old attire or a maidens dress." He still hears nothing as he lets out a sigh, "Forgive my intrusion," he said unlocking the door and opening it revealing that no one was inside. "Damn!" He throws the clothes to the side and quickly runs down the stairs.
Sonic gets to the treasure room waiting a moment before unlocking the door and entering. The room was covered in gold and precious gems as she sees against the far side of the room was Caliburn chained to the wall. She forgets herself for a moment as she runs up to him remembering all the things they went through a lifetime ago. "Caliburn?" She calls out as the eyes on the hilt of the sword open as he lets out a yawn,
"Who are you?" Caliburn asked as Sonic looks a little dejected at him not recognizing her,
"Really? Out of everyone, you are the one who doesn't recognize me?" Sonic said shaking her head as he looks at her more closely,
"Sonic?" He said sounding surprised, "But how? You're a girl!"
"Hey! There's nothing wrong with being a girl." Sonic said sounding insulted,
"I never said there was, but it was still a surprise. What happened to you?" He asked as she pulls out the ring of keys and starts to try every key on the lock,
"Well, I kinda died and then was reincarnated." She said with a smile,
"I meant what happened to your clothes? You look like you fell into a thorn bush." Caliburn said,
"I sort of did." Sonic chuckles,
"Fool! You shouldn't be here, it's dangerous!" Caliburn said as she continues to search for the correct key.
"You can thank Morrigan and Lancelot for that. Besides, I can't save Camelot without my trusty sword." Sonic said as the lock opens, "Sweet! I was starting to get worried that this lock was magically sealed too." She cheers as she starts removing the chains wrapped around him.
"Where are Sir Percival and Sir Gawain?" he asked,
"They're safe with Nimue at the grotto. Hopefully, they'll do as I ask and stay away." Sonic said knowing all too well the likelihood of them following orders when it came to her safety, "I need your help to get Merlina and my friends out of the dungeon. The locks were magically sealed, and the key was no good." Caliburn jumps off the wall and floats in front of her.
"Then let us save your friends, a Knight must always protect the innocent." He said with a smile as she smiles back remembering all the lessons he taught her about how to be a Knight. She reaches for the grip and spots that the roses on her wrists begin to glow.
"Crap! I think they know I escaped!" She said as vines sprout out of the thorn bands and begin to wrap around her.
"Sonic!" Caliburn jumps shocked,
"Hurry and get these off me!" She struggles as she loses her balance and falls over.
"Hang on!" Caliburn said moving closer to cut the vines as a black thorn whip wraps around Caliburn and pulls him away,
"Caliburn!" She squirms as she sees Lancelot holding Caliburn by the hilt,
"Unhand me this instant Sir Lancelot!" Caliburn argued,
"I'm impressed you got all the way here without anyone noticing. I remember before you were never good at being quiet." Lancelot said walking over next to her.
"Lancelot listen to me! Morrigan it just using you to… Mmmph!" The vines wrap around her mouth silencing her. Lancelot leans down picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder,
"Sir Lancelot that is no way to treat your King!" Caliburn protested trying to get out of his grip, "Release her at once!" They both struggled as Lancelot took them towards the throne room.
The others make their way down the stairs to the prison. They get to the bottom they see the others trapped in the cells as they all see one another, "Cream!" Blaze runs over and reaches through the bars as Cream grabs her hands,
"Blaze!" She said happily,
"Did they hurt you?" She asked looking concerned as she puts her hand on Creams cheek,
"No, we're both alright." She said as Tails nods,
"Are you alright as well Merlina?" Gawain asked as she walks up to the bars,
"You and Sir Percival should not be here if Morrigan finds her," Merlina started to say,
"I'm not Percival," Blaze said as she looks confused and then sees Knuckles,
"There are two Gawain's?" She said looking shocked,
"I'm Knuckles and that's Blaze." Knuckles introduced them, "This here is Amy and that's Shadow."
"You are from the King's world?" Merlina asked as Shadow nods,
"And I'd like to hurry this up so we can find her." Shadow said,
"Right where are the keys?" Gawain asked looking around,
"Sonic took them with her to get into the library." Tails said,
"Wait, Sonic was here? Why didn't she let you out?" Knuckles asked,
"The locks are magically sealed, even with the correct key they cannot be opened." Cream said,
"Sonic went to find the key to the treasure room where they might be keeping Caliburn. He has the ability to dispel magic." Merlina said,
"How did she escape?" Amy asked,
"Apparently they had her locked in her room, but there's a secret path out that she was able to use to sneak out of." Tails explained,
"Sounds like something her highness would do, she hates feeling trapped," Gawain said,
"But she should have been back by now…" Merlina said,
"Meaning she might have gotten caught…" Shadow said,
"Well it's not like she can be sneaky." Tails shakes her head,
"Then we need to hurry!" Knuckles said,
"I have an idea…" Amy said, "Merlina, would I be able to dispel the locks?" he asked as she looks at his staff,
"Yes I may be able to guide you through doing so." She said as he nods, and they work together to attempt to dispel the magic as they try to figure out their next plan for attack.
Sonic continues to struggle as Lancelot carries her and Caliburn into the throne room. Morrigan stood there as he lets out a sigh relieved to see that Lancelot found her. "It was foolish of me not to check her room for secret passageways. Where did you find her?" He asked walking up to him,
"She was in the treasure room." Lancelot said looking at Caliburn who was trying to get out of his grip,
"She must have been trying to free her friends. I was wise to lock their prison with magic." Morrigan said sounding pleased with himself,
"Morrigan, release us at once! I will not let you harm the King!" Caliburn said as he looks at Caliburn annoyed,
"Swords shouldn't talk…" He said as vines wrap around Caliburn silencing him. "Put her on the throne." He waves his hand as Lancelot walks over to the throne and slams Caliburn into the stone getting him stuck there. He gently sits Sonic on the throne as she continued to squirm. Morrigan taps his staff to the ground as the vines around her legs outgrow and dig into the earth as the other vines wrap around the throne. "There, you won't be going anywhere." She glares at him as he walks up to her, "You should be weak enough now for me to get the information I need from you." He said as the vines move away from her mouth.
"I won't tell you where the grail is!" Sonic said,
"So you do know where it is." Morrigan said with a grin,
"Uh… no… definitely don't know that," She said, her ears twitch quickly realizing her mistake. "Crap…"
"A simple truth spell should force you to tell me the location of the grail." He said pointing the skull at her,
"You already tried to control me once and it didn't work" Sonic said confidently,
"Correct, I cannot control you completely, but now that I have sealed your powers you will not have the strength to fight this spell." He said as she glares at him, "Let's see if this works first. What is your name?" He asked as the eyes of the skull glow purple as Sonic's eyes slowly start changing to the same color.
"Which one?" She said sarcastically not realizing it was starting to affect her,
"Your true name," Morrigan said,
"My…" Sonic spoke as if the words were being forced out of her, "My name… Is… Sonic… the Hedgehog." Her eyes change back looking confused, "What?"
"Like I said, the spell forces you to talk, not even you can resist it." Morrigan explained, "Let's try again, How did you escape your room?" The skull glowed purple as did her eyes.
"There's… a passage…" She tried to fight it, "Next to the bed… I used a key…" It felt like her body wanted to tell the truth, and it hurt if she tried to resist.
"Where's the key?" Her eyes continued to glow as she started to lose the will to fight her bodies desire to speak.
"Left pocket…" Sonic said catching her breath her body started to heat up. He reaches into her left pocket and pulls out the key, as he smiles.
"Very good, we'll try a few more questions just to be sure you can't resist."
Amy focuses channeling his magic as they see the lock on Merlina's door release, a magic veil dissipates from around the door and it opens. "I did it!" Amy cheered as he catches his breath, "Man that's not easy." Gawain opens the door and holds out his hand to Merlina as she takes it, and she steps out of the cell.
"Thank you for your help. Now let me get the other one." Merlina said walking over to the other lock and casting the same magic as the enchantment is dispelled,
"You made that look easy…" Amy said lowering his head sounding defeated,
"You're new to magic," Knuckles said patting him on the back, the door opens as Tails and Cream leave the cell, Blaze embraces Cream tightly and kisses her.
"I missed you too." Cream giggles,
"I'm just glad you're okay." Blaze said,
"Save your reunion for later, the King is still in trouble." Gawain said,
"Wait, something happened, when we saw Sonic there were weird bands of thorns wrapped around her wrists with blue glowing flowers on them." Tails said,
"That sounds similar to the ones around Lancelot's wrists…" Gawain said thinking back,
"She said Morrigan tried to control her mind, but he couldn't, so he took her powers instead." Cream explained,
"Good to know we don't have to worry about her being under his control." Shadow said,
"But if Sonic can't use any of her abilities, he will be able to get information out of her…" Merlina said,
"What do you mean?" Knuckles said,
"There's a spell that would force you to tell the truth, If she had her powers she'd have the strength to be able to shrug the spell off, but I fear without them he will take the information he needs from her." Merlina explained,
"We better hurry then," Blaze said,
"If they recaptured the King they might be keeping her in the throne room." Gawain said,
"Then we'll check there first." Shadow said as they all leave the dungeon.
Morrigan continued forcing the truth out of Sonic as she could no longer resist the spell, her eyes stayed purple and her ears were lowered submissively. Her mind became fogged by the spells power. "One last question because I'm curious," He said looking over at Lancelot, "Who are you in love with?" Lancelot turned towards her part of him not wanting to hear the response, but the other part desperately needing to know.
"I love… Shadow the Hedgehog…" She said sounding out of breath, Lancelot recognizes that name as his face twists with anger,
"You love a woman with no honor?" Lancelot yelled stepping forward as Morrigan stops him before he can snap Sonic out if the spells control,
"Calm yourself Lancelot, we almost have the grail." Morrigan said but Lancelot was enraged that a woman who not only interrupted their knightly duel and couldn't stand a chance against his sword skills had snatched the love of his King,
"I'll kill her for stealing her heart." He said, Morrigan could see the rage blinding within Lancelot and if he did nothing he would lose his hold on him.
"Don't worry, now that we know this spell works, with the power of the Grail we can alter her memories. We'll make her forget this Shadow the Hedgehog." Morrigan places his hand on Lancelot's shoulder as the staff glows along with Lancelot's eyes, "Soon she will be yours." Sonic starts to break free of the spell as he was attempting to diffuse Lancelot's rage.
"Lancelot… H… help me…" Sonic pleaded as the purple in his eyes begins to flicker,
"We're not quite done yet my dear, it is time for you to tell me." He taps the staff on the ground again as she flinches with a yelp, her eyes go back to purple, "Where did you hide the grail?"
"The Molten mine… There's a grove we found that hides a hidden spring…" She said as he laughs,
"We should have gone after her in the first place, This would have been far easier." He said as her eyes change back to green,
"I don't feel so good…" Sonic said looking disoriented, she no longer had the strength to fight the vines,
"We'll need her to guide us to the grail." Morrigan said tapping his staff again as the vines begin to revert back into the bands. Lancelot goes and picks her up gently before she slumps over no longer being supported by the vines.
"Soon all of this will be a forgotten memory my King." Lancelot said placing his hand on her cheek, she leans into the touch instinctively letting out a light relieved whimper, the cool metal gauntlet feeling nice after it felt like her entire body was on fire. The doors to the throne room burst open as the others rush in holding their weapons.
"Sonic!" Shadow yelled,
"You are too late; I know where the Grail is." Morrigan laughs waving his staff as the room fills with Dark Hollow monsters.
"Shadow…?" Sonic said weakly as she sees her across the room. She moves Lancelot's hand away and tries to get out of Lancelot's arms fighting through the feeling of exhaustion, but he tightens his grip on her as he makes eye contact with Shadow, "Let me go Lance…"
"Release the King!" Gawain demanded, as a Dark Hollow jumps at him and he strikes it down with his blades.
"I cannot do that, she will guide us to the grail," Morrigan turns towards her and grins, "Whether she wants to or not."
"We won't let you!" Merlina said. Blaze defends Cream and Tails as Amy blasts back one of the Dark Hollow.
"You can't stop me, I've already won." He said as a black whirlwind surrounds them, and they disappear.
"No!" Shadow yells, she spirals raging internally that she had to watch Sonic get taken away again. If she could warp she could have saved Sonic instantly.
"We need to get rid of these Dark Hollow then regroup at the grotto!" Gawain said as Knuckles punched one of them away from Shadow noticing her not moving,
"Shadow snap out of it!" He grabs her by the arm and shakes her, "You can't save her if you're zoning out!" He yelled, as she shakes her head. Not having the powers to protect Sonic enraged her.
"The seven servers are the seven Chaos…" She starts taking off her limit rings, "Chaos is power, power enriched by the heart."
"Shadow don't! You can't use Chaos here!" Blaze yelled, Shadow's body begins to glow red as she steps forward towards the Dark Hollow,
"The heart is the controller; the controller serves to unify the Chaos. Chaos Blast!" Shadow creates a blast of energy that wipes out all of the Dark hollow in the room. They all stare in awe for a moment not expecting that to happen.
"S… She did it…" Tails said looking shocked as Shadow collapses.
"Shit!" Knuckles yelled. They all run over to her as Cream grabs the rings and puts them back around Shadow's wrists. "You Idiot! I didn't mean almost get yourself killed!"
"Amy could you help me?" Merlina said as Amy nods as they both start healing her.
"Why would she do that?" Gawain asked,
"I think she was trying to force Chaos Control so she could tap into Chaos." Knuckles said looking her over, "It was incredibly risky, but I think it worked. I can feel Chaos energy coming off of her again."
"We need to get back to the grotto so Percival can tell us where the grail is." Blaze said,
"I can get us there quickly but one moment." Merlina said as she rushes over to the throne and removes the vines off of Caliburn, "Are you alright?"
"Lady Merlina! I am so glad to see you are unharmed." Caliburn said,
"It is good to see you unharmed as well. Would one of you be able to help?" Merlina asked as Blaze walks up,
"Ah! Sir Percival! Lovely to see you."
"That's starting to get old," Blaze said annoyed and she pulls him out of the ground. "My name is Blaze."
"I apologize then Lady Blaze," Caliburn said as she lets go of him and he floats over to the others,
"I didn't know Caliburn could talk." Tails said looking surprised as Blaze and Merlina walk back over.
"Of course I can talk! I am the sacred sword Caliburn," He said sounding insulted,
"I think she'll be okay." Amy said finishing up healing Shadow,
"We need to go." Knuckles said picking up Shadow,
"Gather around." Merlina said as she casts magic similar to Morrigan as they are surrounded by a whirlwind as they are teleported back to the grotto. Percival and Nimue rush over as they see them arrive.
"Are you all alright?" Nimue asked as Percival looked them over,
"Where is the King?" Percival asked,
"We were too late, Morrigan got the location of the Grail and took her to lead him there." Gawain said,
"Then we must hurry! If he gets his hands on the Grail then Camelot is lost!" Percival said as Shadow sits up holding her head,
"Take it easy Shadow…" Cream said,
"Where are we?" Shadow said looking around,
"Back in the grotto, you fell unconscious because you forced Chaos Control like an idiot." Knuckles said as Tails notices Shadow's Chaos Emerald is glowing.
"Your Chaos Emerald is still glowing!" Tails pointed out
"You might be able to use your abilities," Amy said as Shadow focuses Chaos energy into her hand and creates a Chaos Spear.
"Good, now I can get her back with my power." She said looking determined.
"Are you the one named Shadow the Hedgehog?" Caliburn said,
"What of it?" Shadow said dissipating the spear. She looks over at the talking sword floating next to her. Shadow came to terms a long time ago that their lives were incredibly crazy, but she was not expecting a talking sword.
"I am Caliburn, Sword of the King. You are the Shadow that Sonic is in love with, correct?" He asked as Shadow's face turns red,
"D… Did she tell you that?" Shadow asked feeling flustered,
"Morrigan forced the truth out of her and asked her whom she loves, and it was your name she spoke. I wish to save my King, but I cannot do it alone. Would you be willing to help me?" Caliburn said as Shadow looks shocked.
"You want me to wield you?" Shadow asked,
"Of course, if you are worthy of the love of our King than you are worthy to wield me, temporarily of course until the King can wield me herself." He said, "What do you say, Sir Shadow, Knight of Chaos?" She stands up with a confident smile,
"I say, let's go save her!"
Morrigan, Lancelot and Sonic arrive at the Molten Mine, the entire area was surrounded by rivers of lava and covered in abandoned mines. Sonic started to get her strength back as she tried to push out of Lancelot's arms. "Put me down!" She demanded as he lets her down,
"We must hurry, now that Merlina is with them they will be able to pursue us at a faster pace." Morrigan said looking around,
"Glad I could help you find what you're looking for but you guys don't need me anymore, I'm just going to go…" Sonic tries to step away from them as Morrigan taps his staff on the ground as the vines around her wrists intertwine restraining them together, "What is with you and these stupid vines?" She said pulling her hands close to her face attempting to bite at them as Lancelot grabs her by the forearm before she could try.
"I enjoy the beauty of a rose and the protective thorns that surround it." Morrigan said,
"That's overly dramatic…" Sonic said rolling her eyes,
"It is how I have a hold on Lancelot, he is the thorns, and you are the rose that he desires to protect." Morrigan said,
"I don't need protecting!" Sonic said, her ears pinned back in anger as she began struggling, "You got what you wanted now let me go!"
"We need you to guide us to this lovely grove you found." He said leaning close to her as she spits in his face.
"That's how I feel about being your guide." Sonic hissed as he leans back wiping his face.
"How un lady like." He said,
"I'm King, I don't really care what you think is or is not lady like." She said sounding annoyed as she pulls against Lancelot's grip, "Alright Lance, I need you to stop being a mindless zombie and help me already!"
"This is for your own good your majesty, once we have the grail you will become immortal and Camelot will prosper." Lancelot said,
"Camelot was already prospering without me! On top of that Morrigan only wants the Grail for…" A vine wraps around her mouth again. She grabs at the vines but didn't have the strength to rip them off as she lets sounds of muffled frustration.
"You talk as much as that annoying Sword of yours." He said sounding annoyed, "You will only speak when I tell you to." Sonic glares at him, "Now, point us towards the grove." The skull glows as her eyes turn purple as she points forward. "Excellent," She snaps out of it and tries to struggle again as Lancelot pulls her forward.
"The Molten Mines? You hid it there?" Gawain said sounding concerned,
"Yes, while looking for a lost child, the King and I stumbled upon a beautiful secret grotto with a crystal blue spring. I go there from time to time and know the area rather well. I may be able to get us there before they can." She said,
"I need to know the location before I transport us there." Merlina said,
"Do you remember the location where Sonic and I had our Duel?" She asked as Merlina nodded,
"What's the plan when we get there?" Amy asked Shadow,
"We move quick, If we can get the Grail first, we'll have the advantage." Shadow said,
"But what if Morrigan tries to trade Sonic for the Grail?" Tails said,
"Merlina will take the grail and teleport away before he can try." Shadow said as Merlina nods, "Then I'll challenge Lancelot to a duel."
"Honor bound; he won't be able to refuse leaving Morrigan defenseless." Gawain said,
"He also has those Hollow knights and other magic abilities we don't know about so not completely defenseless." Amy said,
"And he'll probably use Sonic as a shield to stop the rest of us from trying to attack him." Blaze said,
"There is one other thing, the grail is protected by a spell. Only The King or I may grab it from its barrier. However I think Morrigan knew that." Percival said,
"That's probably why he wanted to have control over her." Tails said,
"Cream, Tails, I want you two to stay here." Shadow said turning to them,
"What?" Cream said,
"But Shadow!" Tails protested,
"Without the power of Chaos you two can't fly, and neither of you are equipped to fight here like the rest of us were." Shadow said,
"But I want to help!" Tails pouted,
"You'll be helping by staying safe." Shadow said patting Tails on the head, "Sonic would be devastated if either of you got hurt."
"Shadow's right…" Cream said, "We're not strong here." She sounded defeated,
"I will fight twice as hard for both of us." Blaze said taking Creams hand and kissing the back of it, Cream gently smiles,
"Please come back safe," She said stepping up and kissing Blaze on the cheek.
"Punch Lancelot in the face for me!" Tails said as Knuckles gives her a thumbs up.
"Do not worry! We will return victorious!" Caliburn said as they all gather around Merlina as she slams down her staff and a whirlwind teleports them to the Molten Mines.
Sonic was having trouble with the heat, Lancelot continued to pulled her along as Morrigan notices her staggering on the brink of collapse. "Lancelot, she's struggling." He said as Lancelot picks her up and carries her. Sonic looks at Morrigan in protest. "How far are we?" he said as the vines move away from her face as her eyes glow purple,
"Not… far." She tried to stop herself from talking but she couldn't help it, "Down the next… mine shaft…" She said as the vines move back around her mouth. She looks at Lancelot weakly with pleading eyes begging him to stop.
"We need to take a break." Lancelot said stopping,
"We do not have time," Morrigan said turning towards him in protest,
"She needs rest." He argued.
"But Lancelot, we're almost there." He said as Sonic notices the staff glow as Lancelot's eyes glow, "The temperature at the grotto would be better suited for her to rest there instead of in this heat. She needs somewhere to cool down."
"Somewhere cool…" He said as he continues forward. Sonic tries to get his attention, but it doesn't work, she didn't know how to get through to him. They make it to the next Mine shaft and head inside towards Morrigan's goal of obtaining the Grail.