A/N: Took a lot of time to finish this, with finals interfering and dealing with other things I didn't have time to write. But, since I managed to finish, time for chapter 24! With Nicole back on the heroes' side, the group of 5 set out for the Dragon Kingdom to break the Iron Dominion's hold on the region. Will they succeed? Will they fail? And will Sonic and Kor get over the jet lag from flying for hours on end? Let's find out.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Sega and Archie Comics except my OC.
After a long 15 hour flight across the ocean, the band of heroes reached the Dragon Kingdom. Along the way, Ken informed them of the 4 clans they would have to persuade: the Gossamer Clan, a clan comprised of spiders who have a way of predicting key events well before they happen; the Yagyu clan, a clan of bats who used to be well-known assassins. However, with the death of their bride, word has it they've become nothing but petty theives, along with being one of the main forces in New Mobotropolis. Next is the Raiju clan, a clan of lynxes who pride themselves in skill and strength. Because of this, they are also the most aggressive. Finally, there's the Shinobi clan, the clan Espio hails from. From what Ken told them, they are mostly sworn to secrecy and stealth due to their limited numbers. No one has a clue as to where their clan resides.
The group arrived at Storm-top village just around sunset. Everyone stretched their limbs after the long trip, bones jolting from having actual movement in hours.
"Boy howdy, I can't wait for the long trip back..." Kor said begrudgingly.
"Don't worry Kor. Hopefully, if things go smoothly here, we have something to look forward to when we get back." Ken replied, arching his back a little.
Sonic whistled as he looked around. "Sure brings back good memories, right Tails?"
"Yep. Been forever since we've been here." Tails replied.
"We aren't exactly here for sight-seeing boys." Sally pointed out.
"True, but we could afford to chill for a sec." Sonic told her.
"Greetings Sonic! It has been many suns since we last met!" A new voice yelled out.
The group turned to see an elderly lion standing atop a set of steps leading into large temple.
"Yo, Li Yuen! Long time no see!" Sonic said, already having sped up the steps to greet the village elder.
"Indeed it has. I see you have also brought some friends, new and old." Li Yuen said.
"Nice to meet you sir. I'm Princess Sally." She bowed.
"And ah'm Kor Royce." The fox said, copying Sally's gesture.
"I see. It is always nice to greet new faces here." The lion then noticed Ken standing a few feet away. He was still uncomfortable about being there given the circumstances.
"Come now King of the Free People. I understand the doubts that lie within you, yet I sense great potential! We know the acts you committed were not of your own accord, and seeing you here means you are ready set things right. But, the first thing you need to do is learn to forgive yourself." Yuen finished, placing a hand on the monkey's shoulder.
Ken looked up and gave a sincere smile. "T-Thank you sir." Ken said, bowing in respect.
"Now, shall I give you all the grand tour?" The lion asked, with everyone else in agreement.
They were shown the various relics in the village, including the Temple of the Golden Lotus. Ken and Sally had walked off to talk in private while the rest continued with the tour. Inside they were some statues of dragons .
"You know, I didn't think Dragons actually existed." Kor said.
"You haven't met Dulcy yet, right?" Sonic asked. "Who?" Kor asked.
"I'll tell ya more later." Sonic told him.
"So what's the story of this place Mr. Li?" Tails asked.
"It dates back before recorded time, my friend. It is said this land was the birthplace of dragons. However, they were a young race, and they misused their immense power. They warred with each other for generations, and the land paid the price for their recklessness. In time they saw the ruination of their fighting, and vowed to leave in peace to settle throughout the world." Yuen explained.
"Kinda sounds like humanity, except they never learned, much..." Kor said with some guilt.
"Before they departed, they left the prophecy of a time when turmoil would return to divide the land, and the Golden Lotus King would bring peace and unity to the Dragon Kingdom." Yuen finished.
Sonic, Tails, and Kor they gasped in amazement at the large statue before them. It was a statue of Monkey Khan sitting legs crossed as if he was a peaceful overseer.
"I didn't think much of this prophecy when I first heard it, but now it's hard to ignore...you've got your work cut out for you Khan." Sonic thought to himself.
Before the group could continue any further, they heard a scream. Wondering what it was, they ran outside, only to find several Gossamer ninjas waiting for them.
"Where did these guys come from?" Kor asked.
"Don't know, but we're gonna find out sooner or later. Tails, go find Khan and Sally, we'll handle these jokers." Sonic said.
Tails nodded and flew off while Sonic and Kor prepared for a fight. Kor moved his hand to his toolbox when Sonic stopped him.
"We don't want to hurt them. We gotta keep a good impression." Sonic told him. The engineer nodded and settled for using his wrench.
The two dueled with the ninjas as they came: Sonic performing his signature attack and kicking at every opportunity whilst Kor used his wrench to keep their attackers at bay. At one point the fox noticed he was being surrounded, so he changed his mechanical hand into its laser form to disperse the group. After a couple minutes, they noticed Tails hadn't come back yet.
"Tails sure is taking his sweet time findin' em'..." Kor groaned.
"If I know Tails they would've been here in seconds...think they got captured?" The blue blur asked.
"Most likely...is there no end to these guys? For every one of them we knock back 2 more take his place." Kor stated.
"Quickly you two! Into the temple!" Li Yuen called to them.
Sonic grabbed Kor before rushing back to the Golden Lotus Temple.
Yuen quickly shut the door. "This place was used to greet travelers, but now it may be enough to keep the Gossamer Clan out long enough for us to formulate a plan."
"I would have a rock solid plan but unfortunately it would involve us being on the bad end of their leader..." Kor sighed.
"In more important news, do you know what happened to our friends pops?" Sonic asked.
"Im afraid they have been captured. I apologize...I've been a poor steward..." The old lion bowed his head in shame.
"Ah don't sweat it. We can still make this work, right Kor?" Sonic said optimistically. "Yeah...and we got company." Kor said, looking up at the windows.
Two Gossamer ninjas were perched in the opening. "Sorry fellas but the windows were just cleaned. Come back next week ok?" Sonic taunted.
"This is a sacred place! You cannot desecrate it with violence!" Li Yuen told the ninjas. However, to his shock, Sonic spindashed one of the ninjas to the wall. "I said-!"
"Relax pops, we arent fighting. We're just having a friendly chat, right?" Sonic gestured to the ninja, who was forced to comply. Kor kept a steady eye on the other.
"I've tangled with some of you guys in the past, and I'm noting a serious lack of weaponry. Since you guys are pulling punches, why?" Sonic asked.
"Our master learned of your arrival and decreed you would meet her. There was no guarantee you would come willingly or peacefully. As such, we were sent to make assurances..." The ninja spoke.
"So attacking and kidnapping our friends was the best you could do to get our cooperation? Why not just import a chili dog recipe?" Sonic retorted.
"It is not our place to question our master." The ninja retorted.
"Ok, but to be frank, you should watch yerselves on how you greet someone. I ain't sure how things go over here but back where I'm from, it would spell dire results for ya if you just openly attacked." Kor pointed out.
"I see...our apologies. We will lead you to our abode." The ninja told them.
"Alright. See ya later old man!" Sonic called to Yuen. "You're simply leaving with them? Just like that?" Yuen questioned.
"Sure! At this rate, what's the worst that could happen?" Sonic stated. "Great, now you know somethin' bad will happen..." Kor said amusingly.
After following the Gossamer ninjas for a short time, the two western mobians arrive at a large temple that leads into the side of a large cliff. In front of the temple, they see Ken, Sally, and Tails tied up and guarded by two ninjas.
"Hey guys! Sorry we took so long." Sonic greeted.
"How'd you guys end up captured in the first place?" Kor asked.
"They ambushed us as were still walking among the village grounds...then they grabbed Tails when he arrived..." Ken told them.
"You have agreed to meet our master with obedience and humility?" One of the ninjas asked.
"Yeah, cause those are totally my key traits. Let my friends go and we'll hear what she has to say without a fuss." Sonic smirked.
"Very well." With that, the ninjas cut the binds holding the other heroes.
"You guys ok?" Kor asked.
"Yeah we're good." Tails spoke.
"Speak for yourself...being captured so easily is only half as embarrassing as being rescued by you guys..." Ken said in an upset tone.
"At least you guys managed to come here peacefully...we didn't even get a chance to speak!" Sally bemoaned.
"Well they weren't sure if we'd come willingly or otherwise. Anyway lets get this over with." Ken said and walked inside, the others following.
After followed a straight path, they meet a female ninja sitting atop a pesdastal in a meditative position. While the other ninjas wore black clothing, hers was a shade of gray. She also had symbolic web on the forehead of her cloak that was the same as the symbol on the wall above her. This, was the Bride of Endless Reach. "I am the Bride of Endless Reach, bride to the House of the Gossamer Clan, she who knows the course of fate, she who can obtain all things."
Sally and Ken bowed with respect. "I am Princess Sally Alicia Acorn, daughter of King Maximillian and leader of the Freedom Fighters."
"I am Monkey Khan...the King of the Free People, appointed defender of the people of the Dragon Kingdom without a clan to call their own."
"I'm Kor Theron Royce, former mercenary of Reliable Excavation and Demolition and co-host of New Mobotropolis." The fox said, imitating their actions.
"Yo, I'm Sonic!" "Name's Tails. I'm with him." Both responded with a smug look on their faces.
Sally groaned in annoyance. "You two could at least show some respect!" She whispered with a glare.
"Ah, the Acorn Princess. We would very much like to hear your account of our dearest daughter, Uma Arachnis."
Sally paused in shock. "She, was one of yours?"
"Wait, I thought you said you've never been to the Dragon Kingdom." Ken stated. "She hasn't pardner." Kor said.
"She was a minion of the evil wixard Ixis Naugus and helped him escape from the zone of silence long ago. Later, she worked with a former warlord named Kodos to steal the Sword of Acorns, but in the end she turned on him and helped me retrieve it..." The princess explained. "Unfortunately, she died from radiation poisoning, but it turns out she laid a clutch of eggs beforehand. Her children later stole the sword from us, but they were captured by Eggman and sent to his Egg Grapes...I'm sorry but we couldn't save them before they-"
"Enough." The Bride stopped her. "What was the fate of the Sword of Acorns?"
"It was destroyed before it fell into the wrong hands." Sally replied.
"As it was spun, so it has been done! Our heart breaks for the loss of our daughter and her children, but it is mended anew with news of their fates fulfilled!" Endless Reach rejoiced.
Sonic and Tails just stood confused. "As fascinating as this is, could you simplify it for us?" The blue blur asked.
"Uma, and indeed, all of the Arachne have always been our most gifted readers." The Bride told them.
She began leading them down a tunnel whilst explaining the process to the two confused mobians.
"Hey Sally, this Sword of Acorns...was it like a family hierloom or something?" Kor whispered.
"Something like that...created from the Source of All, it weilds a wide variety of magical properties. However, because of this and how powerful it was, if it fell into the wrongs hands..."
"Riiight..." Kor said. He was about to question her further but noticed a gigantic web situated before them. A few ninjas appeared to be mending to it.
"You are the first outsiders to look upon the Web of Fate. Woven by our first Bride, its strands foretell of what is to come...if you know how to read it." Endless Reach explained. "It tells of our future prosperity. It set Uma on her mission, and it even foretold of your arrival."
After she explained, something about her words didn't sit well with Ken. "Now wait just a minute! If you can foresee all of this, why have you been fighting?! Why have my people been made to suffer if you're already so well informed?! Why aren't you sharing your wisdom with the rest of the Dragon Kingdom?!" He said with a glare.
"Uh, Khan? Maybe now isn't the best time to-" Sonic started but the bride cut him off.
"It is our web, woven by our bride and read by our chosen. It's not something for the rest of the Dragon Kingdom. The Web of Fate tells of key events to come, but not the road to take. We can't use it for something so base as day-to-day tactics. Furthermore, we believe this "king", born in another land, powered by Eggman's gifts and given title only to clanless peoples is forgetting he's talking to the Gossamer Clan's Bride!" She retorted.
Everyone was nervous as Ken and Endless Reach glared at each other for a minute before Sally intervened.
"Ken, the Dragon Kingdom is a massive land. The unorganized "free people" can live alongside the other clans without issue right?"
The monkey cyborg sighed. "Yes...all they want is to live in peace."
"And Ms. Endless Reach, you said the web doesn't show you the way to reach each point ahead. If that's the case, couldn't there always be a peaceful option?" Sally asked.
"Perhaps." The Bride responded.
"Then wouldn't it be the effort, even if it wasn't the fastest route? Your clan has already lost Uma and six young members who never got to see their homeland..." Sally pointed out.
"Nothin's perfect, and everyone knows ya can't rush perfection..." Kor mused.
"That...is very true...but," the bride gestured to Ken, "would the King of the Free People recognize the Gossamer Clan and its land? Or would we be opening ourselves to a new "King of the Four Houses?..."
Ken bowed his head. "The people only want peace. As King of the Free People, I will be sure to honor your clan and its claims. You have my word of honor..."
"You really think she's just going to buy 'your word'?" Sonic mused.
Ken turned toward the hedgehog with a glare. "I don't know how you do things over there, but in the Dragon Kingdom one's "word of honor" is sacred!"
"Alright alright! Consider me culturally enlightened." Sonic replied with a smirk.
With that, Ken turned his attention back to Endless Reach. "I'm all there is to fight for these lands. There are no Freedom Fighters here...if there's going to be peace, your clan will have to make the first gesture."
After a minute in thought, the bride turned towards the web. "We shall consult the web and see what it directs."
As she was reading the strands, or at least what it appeared she was doing, Ken whispered to the others. "We're in the heart of their fortress. If she says no, we'll be in deep trouble."
"Well if it comes to that, we'll keep the hundred limb brigade at bay while Tails gets Sal to safety." Sonic suggested, making Tails nervous.
"If it comes to that, we stand together to the end." Sally told the hedgehog.
"Given how nice these guys are, I'd really hate to shoot them up if it comes to that..." Kor said.
"Can you keep the thoughts of bloodshed at bay for one day please?..." Ken sighed.
"The path you ask of us is fraught with peril, and I see dark days to come if we choose it..." She said, making everyone tense. "But it should ensure peace and prosperity for all clans and all people in the end. We shall reject the Iron Dominion and you will have our support. You have my word of honor." She stated, smiling under her cloak.
Sally and Ken bowed with respect while Sonic and Tails high-fived each other. "Thank you, on behalf of the Republic of Acorn." Sally said.
"We will be watching with great interest, King of the Free People." Endless Reach replied, also bowing in respect.
As the others began to leave, Kor had something on his mind. "Um, Ms. Endless Reach, if you don't mind me askin'. Since you are are able to read of key events to come and whatnot, did it every say anythin' about my old "friend" Gray coming to this world, causing chaos and stuff with me rippin' his spine out in the end?"
The Bride stood in thought for a minute before replying. "In a way, yes. Many months ago the Web of Fate foretold of an evil man siding with Eggman to gain control. It also foretold he would meet his end by the same people he fought with for many moons, yet it did not say his end would be so...graphic." She told him.
"I see. Welp in that case, I'll be seein' ya." The former merc said before running to catch up with the others.
When the heroes got back to Stormtop Village the sun had already fallen below the horizon. Despite this, Li Yuen invited them into his home for dinner. They also met his granddaughter, Li Moon. She's a red mobian fox with jet black hair tied into a ponytail that ran down to her mid-back. She also wore a purple gi-like outfit with black boots and black bands on her wrists as well. She seemed like a nice person.
That evening, the heroes discussed the days events, even gaining a few laughs out of it in return.
"And then Khan gets all in her face, and I'm thinking 'Great. Way to get us into another big fight monkey boy'." Sonic explained, earning a chuckle from Tails and Kor.
"If we did get into a fight, that'd be a horrible way to go out, especially since we were in their house..." Kor said, drinking some of his tea.
They both chuckled again, much to Ken's annoyance.
"It seems like you've just about accepted yourself as the King of the Free People now right?" Sally asked.
"Yeah...I suppose I have. Still a long way to go though." Ken replied with some hope in his voice. "If it's anything like today, this should be a sinch!" Sonic said.
However, Tails brought up an interesting question. "Do you think everyone is doing ok back home?"
"I hope so...with Nicole back to her old self she should be keeping tabs on things. Yet at the same time...she still has to follow their commands and I know she's probably hating herself for doing it...but I suppose the good thing is they haven't figured out what we're doing yet." Kor answered.
"Sonic?" Tails asked.
Sonic's mind was elsewhere before Tails shook him from his thoughts. "Huh? Oh yeah, sure! Don't worry about them. I'm sure Amy and everyone else have things under control with Nicole's help."
"Well, if you guys say so." Tails said optimistically.
"More tea?" Li Moon asked.
"Oh! Um, y-yes please. Thanks Li Moon." Tails said with a small blush creeping onto his face. Kor just smirked at the kit's reaction.
However, as she was pouring him another cup, a kunai flew in through the open window, smashing the teapot in her hands and dousing the 3 foxes. The sudden action surprised everyone.
"Aah!" Li Moon shouted, dropping what remained of the kettle. "Woah!" Tails yelped. "What the?! Who the hell threw that?!" Kor exclaimed.
He switched his eyes to night vision and looked outside, his robotic hand clenched into a fist. In this situation if the attacker were to throw another kunai, it'd be lodged in his forehead, but he didn't care. Unfortunately he didn't find the weapon's owner.
"I swear if I find whoever threw that..." He muttered under his breath before shaking himself like a dog to dry his fur.
Tails did the same, abeit too close to Sonic. "Ugh! Tails knock it off!"
"Sorry." Tails said sheepishly.
"Did you see anyone Kor?" Ken asked.
"Unfortunately no..." Kor said with annoyance.
Sally noticed a note was tied to the kunai. "Well, if they meant to destroy us, they'd do more than break the kettle."
"Well they ticked me off. That was good tea...so what's the note say?" Sonic asked while Tails used his namesakes as a fan to help Li Moon dry off.
"It's from the leader of the local Yagyu emcampment. He wants to meet with us." Ken stated.
"Word sure travels fast around here..." Sally mused.
"Wish word traveled fast back home. That way we wouldn't have to use telephones." Kor joked.
"Well, that suits me just fine! We've already go one clan to break away. Tomorrow, we'll take on the Yagyu clan!" Sonic stated with optimism.
Everyone else agreed with him before retiring to the rooms they were given to rest in. After such a long day they needed the sleep. Kor was sleeping peacefully when he heard his PDA buzzing. It was odd given that he lost connection to his devices since the Dominion took over and his new sentry was inactive at the moment. Regardless, he looked at and pressed a few commands. To his surprise, it was Nicole. "Nicole? How'd you manage to contact my PDA?"
"It took some doing, especially since I didn't want the Iron Queen to notice, but I managed to tap into the signal your machines give to find it." The A.I. responded.
"I see..." He wiped his tired eyes. "How are things at home?"
"To be truthful, terrible...citizens are still being captured and legionized...I wish I could do something and put an end to this, but my system isn't fully protected against the Queen's magic yet...if it's possible, I hate myself for doing this..." She finished, looking down in shame.
"I know it's hard Nicole...but you gotta keep up the act for alittle longer. We managed to get one clan to break ties tonight, and tomorrow we're meetin' another. It shouldn't be long now." Kor said with optimism.
"I hope so...so far Amy, Bunnie, and Antoine are in hiding, but Rotor was captured..." Nicole told him.
"I see...well we'll try to speed things up...by the way is there another reason why you called? I didn't think you'd contact me to be honest." Kor said, yawning.
"I have...they found the Hornet..." She said with regret.
"What?!" Kor nearly shouted, then quieted to make sure he didn't alert anyone. "How?" "
They checked around HQ after the Queen found out where you guys hacked into the system. It fought off their forces for awhile until she showed up..." The A.I. responded.
Kor gritted his teeth in anger. "I swear when we get back I'm going to..." He took a deep breath and sighed. "I was afraid this would happen...what's she doing with it?"
"Using it to find anyone in hiding..." Nicole stated.
Kor sat in thought for a few minutes before coming up with a solution. "Alright...since it came to this, I'll find a way to to deal with it..."
"How? That thing is practically a flying fortress by your standards." Nicole said.
"Maybe so but it's not invincible. Since I doubt the Queen will release control of it, I'm gonna have to destroy what we created when we get back..." The former merc said with sorrow in his voice.
A/N: And it's done. Like I said before, sorry for the long wait but stuff happened that prevented me from publishing it sooner. One clan has agreed to break its ties, but how will the other clans respond? And what will Kor do with his machine now that it's in enemy hands? Wait til next chapter to find out.