The echidna race is an unassuming group of Mobians, living among many others. Though they are still a mystery to the more curious as they talk very little about their past or history, usually being vague about it. However, very few know the truth about the echidna race and their history. And why they keep to themselves so much…

In the country of Mercia, part of a much bigger piece of land than most of the islands she has seen before, Sally steps upon the new sight before her. A small port town with fishermen, a trade market, and a few hotels for travelers to stay at. Aleena soon joins her as she takes in the sight of a different town than what she remembers.

Aleena: "My goodness… Not since I was still carrying Sonic have I walked upon these lands…"

Sally: "From the size of this island, it looks to house at least five kingdoms by itself… It was amazing…"

Aleena giggles at the prospect before walking up to Sally.

Aleena: "You are closer than you think, your highness. You see… The various islands that we call home used to be much bigger landmasses. Years of rain falls, changing tides, and general tectonic shifts led to many of the world's continents to now be reduced to islands scattered across a wide open ocean. Mercia is among one of the largest islands, being something of a country by itself."

Sally: "Hmm… I've noticed a lot of medieval civilians. Is that just a local style?"

Sally points to the more old fashioned wear of the various citizens in the port town, which included longer gowns, hoods, and even some crowns and jewelry.

Aleena: "To a degree. Mercia happens to be the 'Land of Medieval Fantasy'. Taking inspiration from the legendary hero of human folklore, Robin Hood. They dress this way as a way to remember the stories of old. Of course, some people take such inspirations the wrong way…"

Sally: "You mean like encouraging thievery?"

Aleena: "Indeed. Troubling, the amount of times people get robbed, assuming that it was "part of the act" is quite high. The young king of Mercia does try to stamp out such atrocities, but he's very inexperienced in his field."

Sally: "Mercia has its own king?"

Aleena: "Yes. Outside of the main seven world leaders of the highest world order, myself included, there are various leaders of more minor or unassuming kingdoms or islands that we only really contact if such needs arise. I speak from experience that Mercia and my Christmas Island… do not get along well…"

Sally: "Oh my… Sounds like bad history."

Aleena: "More than bad, Sally. Ever since the days of your great, great, great grandfather, Matthias Albert Acorn, and my great, great grandfather, Ezekiel Hedgehog. It was during that time that Ezekiel wanted to declare independence from the Kingdom of Acorn; Matthias didn't oppose the declaration, though in return, the two would become brothers in arms. Of course, the Duke of House Mercia wasn't too thrilled by this notion, declaring himself independent of the Kingdom of Acorn."

Sally: "I recall this from my father. King Ezekiel would win a duel with the Duke, becoming the first King of the Snow Kingdom on Christmas Island."

Aleena: "Correct. However, the Duke had sinister plans. He revolted against the Kingdom of Acorn and began a civil war with the Kingdom of Snow. The battle that ensued would become known as… The Battle of Red Snow. King Ezekiel would end up losing his life in the battle saving his family from the invaders, including the treacherous Duke. The Kingdom of Acorn would arrive as reinforcements and the battle was ended. Many lives were lost and the Duke was banished from the Kingdom of Acorn, along with his followers. He established the Kingdom of Mercia in this very country, claiming it as his own. Rumors have it that his own men betrayed him in an act similar to Robin Hood - an arrow through the heart - robbing the short lived king of his greatest treasure. Thus, the country's tradition began."

Sally: "Wow… You are very knowledgeable with history, Aleena."

Aleena: "You have to be, as a ruler. You must know your friends and your rivals. And especially, your enemies…"

Aleena glares as two knights approached her and Sally. She does not react beyond the glare though. The knights had their faces thoroughly hidden from view, making it hard to tell if they were intimidated or trying to be intimidating themselves.

Knight: "Queen Aleena of Christmas Island."

Aleena: "Yes? I wasn't exactly hiding my presence. We are just passing by."

Knight: "Of course. But the King requests an audience with you. Come with us."

Sally: "Excuse me, but why-"

Knight: "Steel your tongue, knave. And stay out of this."

Sally: "Knave!? You half baked clump of iron-"

Aleena: "Calm yourself, Sally. Let me go deal with this alone. I'll meet back with you at the forest near the castle. Okay?"

Sally: "...Alright. Just be careful."

Aleena nods before going with the soldiers to the castle, Sally watching on with worry before sneaking behind closely, though just far away enough to not get spotted. She might be disobeying someone with higher authority than her, but she'll be damned if she lets Aleena go in alone.

Traveling some distance from the port town, Aleena and the soldiers arrive at the Castle of Mercia after a fair few hours. Entering the castle, Aleena takes note of the old stone used for the castle. The wooden supports that keep the castle from toppling over. The carpet and banners that decorate the floor and walls all have the insignia of Mercia on them, though they seem much different from what she remembers them. The more she saw them, the more on guard she was as she approached the throne room. Entering, she was met by a golden throne, with a lone Mobian pigeon sitting on it. The pigeon stands up from his throne, bowing to the queen.

Pigeon: "Queen Sonia Aleena Hedgehog, how good to see you."

Aleena: "I'll keep things cordial, King York. Though I am a bit busy."

York: "I understand. I won't keep you for too long. I just wanted to greet the Queen of the Snow Kingdom to my humble home."

Aleena: "Yes, I suppose I should ask about that. How did you know I was coming? I have only been here for a short while, not nearly enough time for news of my arrival to travel here. If nothing else, you seem to almost expect me."

York: "Queen Aleena. Is it truly that odd? I just happened to get news of your arrival, that's all. From your boat captain."

Aleena: "Funny. Because the captain of my boat made no mention of my name. Just asking permission to dock at the port town."

York paused at this as he realizes his lie just fell through. As Aleena glared at the younger king, she hears the sound of a sword being drawn as she dodges a slice aimed at her head, then a swing at her legs as she quickly backs away. The two knights that escorted her to the castle had their weapons drawn. York draws his bow, firing an arrow in Aleena's direction, but Sally appears to slash the arrow in half quickly with a broadsword.

Aleena: "Sally!?"

Sally: "Sorry, but something told me this was a trap! And boy, do I hate being right right now!"

Aleena: "I'll allow it! Only because the assistance is greatly appreciated!"

York: "Surrender yourself, your majesty. And you too, your highness. Surrender your will."

Aleena: "Our will?"

Aleena raises an eyebrow as she then notes how York's eyes seemed blank. Unfocused even. Almost like he was under some kind of hypnosis. Before she could theorize what was happening, she finds herself avoiding another sword swing as a soldier aims at her. Sally quickly blocked the sword swing before pushing the soldier's weapon aside and jump kicking him in the face, knocking him back. Aleena glared as she began to let out a vocal "Laaaaaaah~" using her voice, causing the soldiers and York to get trapped in invisible walls.

Aleena: "Do not underestimate the singing voice of my Mystic Melody."

Sally: "Wow. That's the Mystic Melody?"

Aleena: "Yes, but it won't last for long."

Aleena quickly runs out with Sally close behind, running into the halls of the castle. As they leave the throne room, a figure steps from behind the throne, a snake tongue flicking out as the figure seemed irritated.

Aleena and Sally run through the halls, dealing with soldiers on the way as they try to bar their escape. Aleena uses her own fists to fight back against the soldiers while Sally uses her quick movements to disorient them.

Sally: "Sorry for disobeying! But you were right to suspect them! News traveled way too quick for it to be a coincidence! And five bucks says they probably had a trap waiting for me at where we would have rendezvoused."

Aleena: "Honestly, I didn't think of it, but you are likely right! Though do not make it a habit to disobey me! I get enough of that from Sonic and his rebelliousness!"

Aleena jumps over two soldiers with their shields out and uses a quick Spin Dash at them, bowling them forward. She sighs before an arrow grazed her shoulder. She turns to see York with more of his soldiers.

Sally: "Uh oh… Now what?"

Aleena looks around before glancing at the window near them. They were being corralled there and as she looked down, it was a long drop to the moat below. As she stares back at the soldiers and York, the soldiers split as a figure walks by them, approaching the girls.

Figure: "My my. I never thought you two would become quite the hardy prey. Though, this silly game of cat and mouse has to cease. Queen Aleena… Princess Sally…"

The figure that stood before them was a Mobian snake, no less a king cobra. His hood was spread open to reveal a pattern, which Aleena recognized almost immediately. She scowls at the green skinned cobra as he smiles.

Sally: "Who are you? And what do you want?"

The cobra gives a taunting bow, hand over his chest as he smirks.

Cobra: "I am named Mordred Hood IV. The proper king of Mercia."

Aleena: "Mordred Hood IV? So then you must be the great great grandson of the Duke of House Mercia…"

Mordred: "Ah, so the name brings back a piece of olden history, does it not, Aleena?"

Mordred approaches Aleena, reaching out to grip her mouth, but she tries to bite him with her sharp fangs, nonverbally telling him to back off. Though the bite misses, Mordred does back away a bit.

Mordred: "Feisty. I like that in women; makes it much more satisfying when they fall under my control."

Sally: "Okay, Creepdred. What do you want from us?"

Aleena: "If I had to guess… He wants to use us to gain control over our kingdoms."

Mordred smirks as Sally looks over to the hedgehog queen.

Aleena: "King cobras are a unique breed of snake. They have those patterns on their inner hoods to indicate their power. And in Mordred's case, it's hypnosis."

Sally looks back in horror as Mordred laughs evilly.

Mordred: "Quite right, Aleena. And King York was quite a willing avian. As were his soldiers. They now serve as my subjects for my kingdom. As will you two. Oh… And don't worry, Princess… I'll be sure to send you back to your daddy… so you can rule over his corpse as my servant. The Kingdom of Acorn, the Kingdom of Snow, and the Kingdom of Mercia… And they are just the beginning of my reign."

Sally: "As if we'd be mind controlled by you! We'll stop you!"

The soldiers get closer, and despite Sally's bravado, she wasn't very confident she could back up a claim. Aleena was silently humming, just low enough that Mordred could not hear. Until the soldiers were suddenly pushed back by walls, Mordred getting a face full of barrier as he was knocked onto his back.

Aleena: "Now, Sally! We need to jump!"

Sally: "Jump!? Where!?"

Aleena points to the window, which only frightens Sally as she saw just how high they were compared to the moat.

Sally: "B-But! If we jump, what will happen to us?"

Aleena: "...We pray to Gaia…"

Mordred gets up, rubbing his nose as he glares at Aleena and Sally.

Mordred: "You idiots! Stop them! Now!"

Sally looks at Aleena once again before the two held each other's hands. With a deep breath, they jumped out of the window, landing into the moat. The barriers dropped afterwards as Mordred walked up to the window, glaring down at the moat.

Mordred: "Tch… That drop into the seven feet deep water would likely lead to their deaths. So they'd rather welcome the reaper than to serve me, eh? A foolish choice… Send out scouts to find them. I want to see their bodies before I'm satisfied with their deaths. Search the whole Usalong River and the beach for them. Understand!?"

Soldiers: "Yes, my liege!"

Mordred glares down at the moat before walking off towards the throne room, but a smile crept onto his face as he walks.

Mordred: "Perhaps I should pay the Kingdom of Acorn a quick visit. And that miserable Nigel. If his daughter is dead… I could tell him that the Queen of Snow murdered her."

He smiles wider at such an idea before laughing, his laughter echoing in the castle walls as he walks back to the throne room.

Elsewhere in Mercia, down a riverbank, the bodies of Sally and Aleena float, seemingly dead. As they float, a hand soon grabs them and a figure pulls them out of the water. Echidnas, who have notable cybernetics in certain places, stand over the duo. The oldest of the echidna looks at the downed hedgehog, recognizing her.

Eldest Echidna: "Alert the Patriarch. A friend is in need of medical attention. But be wary of Mordred's minions."

Two echidnas leave as the others stay to check on the duo, to make sure they were not too late.

To be continued…