Chapter 1

The Kingdom of Mobotropolis, the capital city of the lush country of Mobius. Five years of peace, without the tyrant Robotnik, had brought back the green. The slums and dirty factories were gone replaced with thriving communities. Children could once more play in the streets while their parents went to market without fear.

In the center of the city there was a castle built from a giant cluster of trees. Aleena and her family had moved in shortly after liberating their people.

Now, five years later, streamers of white crystals and bells were strung up around the tree-palace. White and pink flowers bloomed from every branch, raining their petals over the city aided by the gentle breeze. People flocked to the palace in droves.

Sonic Hedgehog looked out his window while he dressed him in a white tuxedo. The door opening caught his attention.

"Oh look at you. My son," Aleena said. "I was so afraid we might never have this. Your wedding day."

Sonic nodded quietly. "Yeah… it's a big day. Is Manic ready to be my best man?"

"He is. Oh, Sonic, I can't express how proud I am of you. Princess Sally is a perfect choice for your queen. She's smart and beautiful, she'll help you take care of this kingdom properly," she took a brush to Sonic's tux. "And her family is quite powerful and rich. They'll be able to help our country's continued recovery."

"I appreciate it, Mom but, that's not why I'm marrying her. I don't care about her family's power or their money," Sonic emphasized. "I'm marrying her because I love her and we want to be together." He looked into the mirror, at the guitar-shaped medallion around his neck. "I wish she was here."

Aleena touched his shoulder. "I know. I do too. But… her sacrifice is why we are free today. So, we must try not to be sad. She wouldn't want that. I'm sure she's watching over you right now." She hugged him. "And she's as happy and proud of you as I am."

The echoing of the church bells broke them out of their moment of grief and she straightened his jacket. "It's time, my son."

—————

In the chapel, the Oracle of Delphius stood at the pulpit with a proud smile on his face. Sonic took his place as the harpist plucked and the cellist and violinist rowed their bows along the strings.

Manic entered the chapel with Mindy on his arm. They walked down the aisle until splitting off at the front.

Manic gave Sonic a thumbs-up. "Looking great, bro. You getting cold feet?"

"Nah, Sally's great… I'm ready for this…" He looked back down the aisle as the organ reached a fever pitch and the guests all stood.

A distinguished old squirrel brought his daughter to the entrance to the chapel. Sonic's eyes lit up when he saw Sally.

Her auburn hair framed her heart-shaped face. Her a-frame white dress trailed the ground with a deep blue ribbon wrapped around her waist. Sonic could see her smile from where he stood.

When he had met her, at the freedom celebration five years ago, they had made a simple connection over a love for speed. Starting with just hanging out and seeing who was faster between him running and her bike and evolving into going on dinner and movie dates. She understood the effects the war had on him and she gave him comfort when the nightmares tormented him.

Now her father was giving her to him, and she was hooking her arm around his. Her midnight blue eyes glistened up at him.

"We gather here today," the Oracle began, signaling for everyone to sit. " to join Prince Sonic Hedgehog and Princess Sally Acorn in holy matrimony."

Before he could continue, the room was bathed in darkness. The doors and windows slammed open, mist started to seep in. For a moment there was nothing there but in the next, a figure in a black gown stood. Two wolves stood at either side of her.

"Sorry I'm late," she said as she made her way down the aisle. Her magenta pink hair flowed behind her and she seemed taller.

Sonic's mouth fell open. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Sonia?" Manic asked. "Is it really you? Mother said…"

"That I was dead? Oh yes, that was her intention…" she glared at the woman. "When she blew up the courthouse."

Aleena bit her lip as all eyes turned to her. "I didn't intend for you to be hurt, my dear. I thought your brothers would keep you from going to save him."

Sonia growled menacingly. "And then you just left me to die. You knew I'd gone. You just decided to write me off as dead." She turned to her brothers. "And you two, just believed her when she said I was dead. You didn't even care enough to come find my body to give me a proper burial."

Sonic sputtered. "Sonia… I… I'm sorry… you're wrong. We did care. We love you. We've missed you so much."

Manic nodded. "He's telling the truth. Sonia, we were devastated when she said…. We're so sorry."

Her black eyes burned with fire. "The only reason I'm alive today is because of Bartleby. He shielded me from the explosion." Her lip only trembled once before she steeled herself. "Robotnik dug us out but it was too late. He got everyone out of the courthouse and out of the city after we learned Mother had claimed victory. He helped me recover. You… you left me to rot."

The amethyst queen got between her and her sons. "Then where have you been? It's been five years! Where were you? What do you want? Where is Robotnik?"

Sonia's eyes swept the room. "Oh, I just brought my dear brother a gift on his wedding day." She approached him.

Sally got in front of Sonic. "Sonia, please. We knew each other as kids, and this is not the kind of person you are. Really think about what you're doing…" Her voice cut off when the pink hedgehog made a closing mouth gesture.

"I'll let you speak when I'm done!" She snapped. "My gift to you… to both of you, is this day. This joyous day. And I implore you to enjoy it. Because tomorrow, I am declaring war on Mobotropolis and I vow to take back the throne in the name of Robotnik."

From his seat, a lion in a black suit stood up, pulling out his weapon. "If you think we're going to let you betray us for Buttnik, you have another thing coming." He charged at the pink hedgehog.

She dodged his attack with precision and disarmed him with a spell. She clenched a fist at the young leo and he rose into the air, gasping for air. "You have a lot of nerve to accuse me of betraying anyone. I know you set the charges. I recognized your handiwork that night."

"Daughter, please," Aleena begged. "You don't want to hurt anyone. Let him go. He placed those bombs on my orders. He didn't know you would be there. I'm sorry but Robotnik was a menace, a tyrant. You know this! Our people and their freedom was more important. You understand that. You fought in the war, you know what it was like."

The young woman trembled, her face twisted through multiple thoughts at once. She clenched her fist tighter and gave it a twist. Cyrus gasped and blood trickled from his mouth before she let him drop to the floor, still and unbreathing.

"Cyrus!" Sonic and Manic both shouted.

The mouse, Trevor, knelt beside him and put his fingers on his neck. "She killed him." He wept for his friend.

"You're right. I did fight in that war. I gave you two years of my life and you…. You bitch. Your punishment will be slow and much more painful. I showed Cyrus far more mercy than I will show you. Unless you want to surrender now. Proclaim me queen and I will grant you quarter." She looked around. "And anyone who swears loyalty to the name Robotnik will be granted the same. Resist… and…" She gestured to the lion. She turned and walked to the entrance. "Sleet, Dingo, let's go. I think they've gotten the message."

Manic and Sonic went to their friend's side as she left. The doors closed and the lights brightened. But the darkness remained. It cloaked the chapel with an oppressive atmosphere of dread.

The Oracle sighed. "Oh my princess…. I'm sorry I failed you…" Tears fell from his eyes.

Sonic looked at Manic. "I have to try to catch up with her. We have to try and stop her." He grabbed his brother's hand and he sped off down the aisle and down the corridor.

They caught up with her at the entrance. They blocked her way. "Sonia, stop! We have to talk about this. Please." He begged her.

The woman glared at him. "I think I said all I had to say. You abandoned me when I needed you most." She shrugged her shoulders. "End of story."

"Mother said you gave your life to stop Robotnik, she insisted the honorable thing was to leave the courthouse as a memorial or war tomb." Even as he said it, he realized how stupid he was.

"Mother said. Mother said. And you always do what Mommy says, don't you, Sonic. Now get out of my way," she threw out her hand and he went flying across the hall, into the wall. Manic ran to help him up.

He turned his head to her. "What about Robotnik? What happened to him?" He asked the same question their mother had asked earlier.

She seemed to think about her answer. "He got us to safety… and fixed my injured leg. Then he died. He was old and losing Bartleby was too much. His heart just broke." She replied flatly. "But I will reclaim this kingdom in his name. I will avenge Bartleby's death. I will destroy the Hedgehog Royal Family. You are dead to me." She walked out of the palace. Sleet and Dingo stopped only once to give her brothers' disdainful looks.

Sleet looked at Manic. "Such a shame, too bad your intelligence didn't match your good looks." He stomped after Sonia.

"What do we do now, Sonic?" Manic asked.

Sonic shook his head. "We'll get her back. We won't let her hurt anyone else and we'll get her back." He swore.