Chapter 7: An Interrupted Ceremony
Fireworks erupted in the darkening skies as a signal for the main event to begin. Various individuals of festival goers started to gather at the waterfront of a river that ran through the streets of the city. This particular river ran up to what looked to be some kind of shrine with the Soleanna sun logo on it. The metal construction had weaving vines of metal as it continued upwards to a metal bowl that was the centerpiece of the structure. However, it wasn't this structure that had the attention of the festivalgoers but a boat that was slowly making its way down the river. On it were various drummers and dancers, complete in festival garb. The drummers beat on their drums as the boat continued forward, the dancers moving around as they danced their traditional dance to the beat of the drums. In the center of all this were three individuals. Standing towards the back were 2 individuals in white robes signaling their connection to the royal household as servants. Their hoods remained up so no one could see their faces clearing for they weren't the main person of this ceremony. No, that honor belonged to the one in the center, she had fiery red hair that was cut short and on her head rested a silver circlet with two feathers at the end of each part. Her dress was white with feathers along the bottom. This was Princess Elise, who was enacting her role as the Barrier of the Flames. Her face remained stoic as she held out the silver ceremonial torch, a bright flame coming out of the end. The citizens of Soleanna cheered as their Princess' was now in sight, each of them excited to see her. Those visiting joined the cheering of the Monarch, slowly making her way down the stream on the boat, surrounded by dancers and drummers. It was quite the spectacle to be held, even to two other visitors as they stood in the crowd with their cloaks still covering their features. Of course, this was Sonic the Hedgehog and Michelle "Tails" Prower.
The two of them continued to enjoy themselves as they were taking in yet another of the festivities. They had been mostly working on relaxing and taking in the sights with the occasional stop at a booth that wouldn't gain them too much attention. Now it was time for what seemed the most important part of the Festival, as they had heard, which was the lighting of the sacred flame. Tails wasn't exactly sure what made a fire sacred, but they didn't gain a ton of information about it, they were mostly here to relax. Tails continued to watch the rhythmic players as they built higher and higher as the boat got closer to their destination. Tails' gaze shifted to the monarch. So that was Princess Elise huh? She seemed so serious. This caused Tails to frown slightly as it reminded her of her own Princess back on Mobius. Sure she didn't have that serious, almost emotionless look on her face, but she was still a monarch and a good friend of hers. She wanted to be back home.
Tails' must have shifted a little at this as it got the attention of Sonic who glanced her way. She could tell he was concerned for her. She gave him a small smile to show she was alright before returning to the boat as it was now beginning to dock at the shrine, the drums and dancers' pacing increasing drastically at this point. The duo continued to watch as Elise and the two robbed individuals walked to the end of the boat where it made contact with the shrine. When they reached the edge, it was only Princess Elise who disembarked from the boat as she stood in the center of the platform just in front of the shrine. When she stopped, so did the drums and dancers as now everyone went silent, all eyes on the Princess. Complete silence continued through the area. Slowly, Elise raised the torch as she began to speak.
"Today is the day we recognize the hero who stood in the face of the invaders from another land," The Princess said clearly for all to hear her, "She protected us from those who wished to destroy us, using the power of the Sacred Flame. It's thanks to her that we all can now live in peace."
Elise raised the torch high, ready to use it to ignite the bowl of the shrine. Suddenly, something flashed across the open air, striking the Ceremonial torch, and knocking it out of her hands. The onlookers watched as the flame went out before shifting their attention to the direction of the odd beam of energy. This was new, thought some of the attendees as others thought similar things not realizing what was happening here. The Princess, however, was doing her best to remain calm. She had seen the torch go out and knew this was not part of the ceremony. Was someone trying to cause mischief? Her gaze shifted towards the spot it was as she could see what looked to be glowing eyes.
"What's going on here?" Elise asked, trying to keep command of this situation. She wasn't going to let her subjects see her in a state of panic after all.
"What indeed."
The voice was chilling. Elise could feel the slight goosebumps on her arms. Whomever it was, they weren't just here to cause a little trouble. All eyes shifted in the direction as slowly a being materialized from the darkness. A quick jump and he landed right on top of the shrine, looking down at the Princess. This being was a crystalized Mobian Hedgehog as he stood there, looking straight at the Princess.
"Who-?" Elise began only to be interpreted by the hedgehog.
"Am I?"
Elise gave a nod to indicate he had guessed her question correctly. The being chuckled coldly as he continued to address the Princess.
"I think the better question is who are you?" He responded, "Who exactly do you think you are for telling such lies to your subjects."
This got a few murmurs from the crowds. Just who was this creature, and what was he talking about?
"Lies?" The Princess asked as her inner voice wondered if he knew. Does he know about my curse?
"Why of course," The crystalized creature continued, "You hide in your castle only to appear once a year in order to perpetuate this lie to your people. They don't know the true history of those flames, do they? Where they came from, or even who began-"
"That's quite enough," Elise said with an air of command. Somehow this, this thing, knew a lot of information. She wasn't about to allow him to continue speaking, "I won't have you come here, during our ceremony, and spread your-"
"Lies?" the Creature interrupted her before giving a slight chuckle, "I'd be careful if I were you, for you may just-"
"Guards!" Elise said, her hands clenched. She had to get a handle on this situation before she lost control. And she couldn't lose control. Not again. Elise continued to look at the crystalized creature, expecting to see her guards advance on him. When that didn't happen, she looked back to the ship, but all she saw was the two cloaked individuals unconscious on the ground. This got a few gasps from the audience. This, this was just a part of the show, right?
That's when the creature began to laugh. Elise slowly turned back to face him.
"What did you do?"
"Did you really think I'd come out here and not take precautions?" The creature asked.
Elise gripped her hand tighter, she couldn't panic, she had to remain in control. Though, what was she supposed to do? She looked around, as there should have been more guards, not just the ones on the boat. But none of them came forward either. She was trapped, all alone. Slowly, she took a step back, her hand tight in a fist to keep herself in check, but this situation was difficult. What was she supposed to do?
"What do you want?" the Princess asked, doing her best to keep herself in check.
"That is simple," The creature said as he pointed his finger directly at her in an accusatory manner, "I'm here to get back what you took from us."
Elise took another step back. He couldn't mean... that... could he?
While this exchange was going on, down in the crowd were Sonic and Tails as they continued to watch events play out. At first, the duo thought like the others that this was just some scripted event. Not like they've been to one of these before. Yet, it was when the creature revealed himself that Tails' eyes grew wide. It... it couldn't be! They, they were back! Tails slowly began to panic as she and Sonic continued to watch the event unfold. Sonic looked at the black creature as it seemed familiar to him. A black hedgehog? Yet the jagged spikes coming off this creature wasn't the same... or, was this maybe what happens when they fully take over? Sonic continued to ponder on this as Tails pulled on his sleeve.
"H-help... her."
That's all Sonic needed to hear as he shed his cloak, using his speed to jump onto the raised platform the shrine was on. Various eyes shifted their gazes towards the appearance of this new hedgehog.
"Hey, you," Sonic said looking directly at the strange Mobian, "I don't fully care what's going on here, but I think it's time for you to leave."
This was yet another surprising outcome, thought one Mephiles.
"And just who are you?" Mephiles asked calmly.
"My name is Sonic the Hedgehog," Sonic replied to him. This was odd, the Black Arms seemed to know a bit more about him than this guy. Perhaps they weren't connected?
"Sonic huh?" Mephiles mused to himself. He glanced at the Princess, but she seemed just as confused at the appearance of this Hedgehog. No matter. He may not be who she cares most about, but in this situation, he can prove to be useful by showing just how helpless the Princess really is here. "I'm afraid that you are not welcome here, Sonic."
Quickly, Mephiles fired a dark-colored energy beam from his hand toward the blue hedgehog. This didn't seem to bother Sonic as he easily sidestepped out of the way, causing the beam to hit the ground where he once stood.
"You're pretty fast," Mephiles said as he adjusted his aim, "But what about her?"
The beam launched from Mephiles' hand this time it was directed straight at Elise. This caught the Princess off guard and she let out a yelp. Suddenly, before the beam reached her and Sonic could move her out of the way, a fire erupted from her, blasting the beam away from her as well as Sonic who was hit as he was pushed right off the platform. When the fire cleared, Elise was standing there, a slight panic beginning to show on her face. Yet, those watching were confused, as unlike the ground that had been charred when the beam hit, Elise seemed to be perfectly fine, even her attire seemed to be unaffected by the explosion. This got several murmurs from the crowds. Elise just looked out over them, her panic slowly shifted to terror. They knew. They had to know now.
"There she is," Mephiles said, seizing the opportunity, "Your True Princess!"
More murmurs from the crowds at this news. That fire came from her? Was there more she had been keeping from them? Various comments such as those were filling the crowd as Elise's panic only increased until finally, she couldn't take it anymore. With a yell, she jumped up as a fire ignited under her, propelling herself over the crowd and to the street on the other side, then she didn't hesitate as she bolted down the street, embers flying from her as she did. All the while Mephiles watched, chuckling to himself. This was going rather well, he thought to himself.