Visions and Tales of Battle
There were many beautiful places and locations on the Isle of Hibernia. from the morne mountains and the antrim Coastline in the North, to the Cliffs of Moher in the Windswept West. from the circles of Kerry, to the awe-inspiring site of the Titans Causeway, there was a reason that tourists, human and Islander are alike, love to visit the Emerald Isle . But few places carried the legendary reputation as did the spot that was the very heart of Hibernia. for while political power in the in the Kingdom came from the Taoseach and the Dail Hibernia in Dyflin, the soul and tradition of the people, long buried under the blanket of modernity, lie in the hills of the eastern province of Meath.
In the village of Scrin, the people went about their daily business. Islander hares, badgers, red deer, and many other animal folk walked along the streets, talking and chatting amongst themselves as they went in and out of the stores, went to and from work, and went about their daily routine errands. Nothing much seemed out of the ordinary in this quiet little town, though if one had looked , they would have noticed most of the town's population of puffins, northern lapwings, nightjars, and other birds were all conspicuously absent from the city's streets. While tensions towards the bird folk had not flared up on Hibernia as much as they had on the other islands, there was still a sense of worry and mistrust at their absence. The few Birds who were seen either at their jobs or on the streets received whispers pointing and stares from many of the passerbys. There was a palpable tension in the air, so thick you could cut it with a knife. And for the first time since the Great War with the battle Birds decades ago, avians and non-avians looked upon each other with suspicion rather than friendship.
but it was high above the village of Scrin that stood the Tara Hill. This sacred high place was covered with the ancient stones and ruins of the one's great Hibernian civilization. at the very top of this hill stood a mighty castle built in The roundhouse style with stone walls and towers. Thousands of years ago there had once been a wooden structure that stood in on this on the spot, a feasting hall built in the same shape and size. But it was now a building of stone, cut from the same rock as the nearby megaliths, and covered in the same swirling line pattern designs that decorated the the other local stones. if one approach this impressive fortification, they would see many kidneys of a red and orange hue standing guard wearing green and blue Kilts and tartans , and armed with sheleigh clubs and swords she that their sides. It was among these numbers that stood their leader captain of the Guard Remington the Echidna ( jokingly called Constable Remington by the Hibernian folks in the village below). Remington made it a point of Honor to take a shift standing guard at the gate just like his men , and it was during this shift that a figure in white robes and carrying a carved wooden staff approached.
"Halt, who goes there?" The proud Echidna demanded in old Hibernian. "Identify yourself, and state your business, if you do not wish to be run through by my blade on the spot!"
"Remington, you incompetent idjit, you know very well who I am!" The figure in the white robe pulled his hood back, revealing a bearded orange echidna standing there. "I need to see the king at once, so let me through that blasted gate!"
"Och, begging yer pardon Druid Cathbad, I did not know it was ye." Remington apologize profusely moving aside. " please go right in his majesty awaits your counsel."
The old Druid entered the castle, passing by many Echidna men women and children dressed in the ancient Hibernian manner. making his way through the many corridors and passages Cathbad found his way to the throne room of the high king. When he saw the spectacle before him the Druid could only sigh . while the other Islander monarchs of Earth maintained a certain dignity at the Royal courts High King Conchnobar Finvara was more known for his revelry and merry making. the sound of bagpipes, fiddles, and Lutes filled the hall , and the whiskey flowed freely. The younger kid no Warriors of his court who should have been training and practicing for battle, were far too busy getting drunk and making fools of themselves . storming past these intoxicated revelers, the echidna Druid went up to the throne and confronted the monarch.
"Your majesty, I hate to impose upon your revelry, but there is an important matter I need to discuss with you." The Druid bowed respectfully to the young monarch, a green Echidna dressed in furs and a golden jeweled circle crown. "I believe there is a matter that needs royal attention."
"Ah, Cathbad! My loyal Druid Sayer of Doom and Gloom!" The high King replied jokingly, but respectfully... knowing full well that druid's commanded as much respect in their society as kings and warriors. With a gesture, the king motioned for the revelers and musicians and dancers to stop. "Now, what Prophecies of Doom do you have to portend this day ?"
"Your highness, you are aware that the famous world-traveling hero Sonic and his friends are visiting our our lands, are you not?" The Druid asked, stroking his long white beard.
"Why yes, I know they're here. I'm supposed I'm supposed to meet with them a few days from now, to discuss important matters." The king replied. "I've even heard the echidna Knuckles is my lesion on his mother's side."
"Indeed, his grandfather Athair was one of my first pupils as a young druid." Cathbad waved his staff in the air , and Magic swirled as an image began to take shape. "But that is not why I am here right now your highness I'm here to inform you of events that have transpired in regards to the hero and his companions."
In the vision that the druid had conjured up, the king and his court saw Sonic and his friends (except for the pink Hedgehog, who was Sonic's consort, who seemed to be missing) walking across a field, when suddenly they were ambushed by a group of battle bird soldiers wearing armor and armed with guns. The soldiers immediately opened fire, and the heroes managed to dodge quickly out of the way. Team Sonic then went on the attack, the blue blur zipping around and knocking down the battle bird troops, while several of them with electroshock batons were punched away left and right by Knuckles. Tails and Cream took to the skies above the battle, spin dashing and knocking down the battle bird extreme gear riders that were shooting down on them from above.
"Well, I don't see the problem here." The king simply shrugged. "Sonic and his lads seem to have it under control."
" Keep watching, your highness." The druid replied grimly. "You know how treacherous an enemy like the battle birds can be."
The heroes seem to be doing well in the fight at first, but slowly began to be worn down, as the enemy soldiers kept coming. Then, the figure of what looked like the squirrel in cybernetic armor stepped forward, and challenged the Blue Blur to combat. the battle was fierce with punches and kicks traded, and Sonic dodging blows from the cybernetic giant that probably could have caved his skull in. but the heroes of Team Sonic would not back down; punching, kicking, and spin dashing while avoiding punches, kicks, and gunfire at the same time. Knuckles picked up two of the battle bird soldiers, and smashed their heads together, before grabbing their guns and crushing them in his mitt covered hands.
"Ha! He is a fighter!" The king laughed. " A true son of the Milesian echidnas!"
Sadly, this did not continue for long, as a green canary stepped forward, holding a gun to the head of a crying blue pika girl she was holding captive. The canary ordered them to surrender, or she would shoot her captive. Reluctantly, the four heroes surrendered, and we're quickly taken in chains by their battle bird captors.
"Bah! What a foul move that was underhanded and dishonorable!" the king raged standing up from his throne. "These battle birds are truly dishonorable warriors, and behave like cowards on the battlefield, taking hostages of the innocent rather than relying on their combat skill!"
"Then perhaps we could send out some aid, a group of your finest Warriors backed by set back by several of our gizords and guardian robots?"
"No, the Guardian robots stay here to guard the to guard the palace." he pulled out his sword pointing it out toward the door of the feasting Hall. "My brave warriors, take the gizords and march forth to aid these heroes in they have they have not been defeated by skill of arms, but rather by treachery in battle."
And as the Echidna Warriors ready themselves for battle, the wily old Druid smiled, pleased with himself that he'd been able to aid team Sonic.
