Sonic and the Chaos Kingdom
Ch. 15
By: Cutegirlmayra (I'm sleepy~… -brain: but you have people that want a new chapter!- So sleepy~…. –Brain: Girl, you have notes after notes. Aren't you excited to write the ending of this arc and move on to…- I'm fast asleep~… -brain: GET OFF YOUR LAZY BUTT- I's awake to find nothing but work… oh well, to work then! Heigh-hooo!)
Sonic was in the small library, reading once more the Book of The Chaos Kingdom, studying it intently as he seemed to be reading a chapter that had his fascination for the moment.
The door creaked open, and Sonic momentarily raised his head from his people's book, three fingers on the side of his face, the rest tucked under and holding his chin up. "Hmm?"
Amy peeked her head in, "Ello?" she cutely called, then smiled. "Why am I not surprised?" she opened the door all the way, and curtseyed. "Mind if I come in?" she took the side of her long and slender dress and moved it to the side, being polite.
"Pfft, as if!" Sonic teased, but gestured for her to come in. "Why do you never knock? And why so informal? You act like we're married or something." He continued to tease, as she came over and kissed the top of his head, before looking down at what he was reading.
"What'cha looking at?" as she peered down, he quickly shut the book tight, which startled her.
She leaned away and blinked.
"Nothing important." He winked up at her.
"Hmm… That is your favorite book, isn't it?" she leaned down again to see his face, smiling another pleasant grin, before twitching and leaning up.
"What's wrong?"
"Ow… backache." She rubbed her back.
"Oh, here, let me see." Sonic sat better up in the chair.
She smiled, and slipped down below where his feet were, as he started to rub and massage her back.
"How long has it been, Sonic? Since we've been looking for Shadow?" she inquired, as Sonic sighed, having had a real hard time making up for that to the people.
"Long enough." He stated, "Since I think we were married."
"Hmm…" Amy looked away.
"Why? What troubles you, my dear?" he seemed to take on a different accent, as if trying to sound funny and charming at the same time. He tilted her head up, using his hand to lift her chin.
"Nothing much. Just feeling a little ill. That's all." She looked away, her smiling fading…
"…You're worried about another war… aren't you?"
She continued to turn her head away.
"Amy…" he pushed her just slightly away from him, and slid down to the floor himself, making her laugh as he held her close. "Where ever Shadow is… we'll find him. And the Ark Kingdom has grown pretty well over this year… I'm sure that if any threat, we'll know about it right away." Sonic tried to comfort her.
"…. But…" Amy shifted a little, turning to rest her head on his chest. "They're still a pretty weak nation… they've chosen to rule over themselves with no real leader, and that Jet dude is just gorging his way through their lasting wealth and food storage." She made a face, and Sonic just laughed.
"Yeah… he's a fine general." Sonic rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "But I'm sure they'll be okay."
"Yeah…" Amy moved a hand over her stomach.
"Still feeling ill?"
"Just a little. Nothing to worry about though!" She beamed, and got up, having some trouble, but Sonic helped her out.
"Geez, Amy! I only say this cause I love you, but… ya gotta watch what you're eating. Starting to get a bit chubby there!" he tapped her stomach and as she made a face.
"Thanks…I'll work on that." She seemed to be biting her tongue on something, but he didn't ask further about it.
As they came out, Tails frantically ran passed them, before jogging backwards and freaking out in front of them. "He's here! The grand marshal of the neighboring nation's cities! And you're still dressed like that!" Tails gestured to their casual wear, which was still fine and elegant for most royalty.
"Ughhh! Don't tell me you forgot AGAIN!" Tails exclaimed, putting a hand to his head before grabbing Sonic and dashing off to the large wardrobe room. "We'll see you later, Amy!"
"…Uh.. bye?" Amy pouted, she knew the 'queen' wasn't even invited to this 'evaluation of providences' that Sonic had to attend with this man, and it made her kinda upset about it too…
"…Amy?"
Amy turned around, seeing Vanilla and smiling. "Vanilla!"
"What are you doing!? You should be in bed!" she raced out, and held Amy's hand. "You're getting weaker and weaker by the month! You really shouldn't-"
"I haven't… I mean wanted to but I…" She couldn't say it, looking down.
"You've been showing signs all week. When are you going to take this seriously?"
"I'm not that bad… and besides, I don't want to be cooped up forever!" Amy put her hands on her hips, it wasn't that bad, honestly… but it did cause some discomfort.
Vanilla sighed, "…You haven't told him yet… have you?"
"Nope." Amy admitted, "I was hoping to but… what if he says something like- What?! But I still had a year left! Or something like that..?" Amy looked down, as if her heart would be crushed if he did say something like that.
"He's changed a lot… But I can't lie and say I couldn't see him saying that…" Vanilla looked away. "Well, try and be sensible when telling him. And also… with yourself. You shouldn't go and do rash things now. Just… try and play it safe." She lightly lifted Amy's head with her hand, and smiled reassuringly to her.
Amy smiled, but took a long breath in and then held it. "Sure."
Vanilla nodded and walked off, before Amy let the air out, quietly saying… "No promises…" and beamed as she snuck away~
"So, your royal highness!" the man began, which immediately made Sonic wish he was back to reading a book again…
He had learned to not look so bored, though. And so he straightened his back out, and faked his best grin, tapping his finger, softly and slowly, on the armrest.
Not only did he have to impress this guy, but he also needed him to prove to him that he's been governing and managing the affairs well.
One wrong or offensive thing and Sonic could be knocked back down to Prince-powers again.
"Furthermore-…!" the old muskrat stated, a monticule on his eye, "I have yet to see an amazing assortment of the Chaos Kingdom's lavishing Berries and Spices. I hear they're quite remarkable this time of year, and yet, no data on their whereabouts or even the expenses of the fine seasoned crop..?" he gestured an eyebrow up to Sonic.
"….Did you hear that, Tails?" Sonic leaned over to where Tails was, right next to him, holding his own in his role of Advisor. "Get the man some berries and spices." Sonic gestured, as Tails sighed and clapped his hands, having a maid run over.
Tails whispered in her ear and the maid took off.
"On their way, sir." Tails stood straight again, hands behind his back, looking more and more like a butler than advisor now…
"Well done! Good sort. Now!" When he noticed his request had been fancied, he continued, tightening the expensive gem around his suit's tugged in scarf just a little farther up his neck. A common thing noblemen did. "Your crop prices..? Soaring! No doubt..?"
"Eh-hem." Tails nudged Sonic, who nodded, getting nervous.
"We've had about a dozen acres and counting working on a new treatment for their soil. With the residue of Chaos's essence the whole place has been firing out bucket-fulls of large crops and excellent drinking water." Sonic looked to Tails, who nodded that he was saying it well, but then showed his fingers in the universal sign for 'tiny'. "Ehem, and also, with the abundance, we've been pricing those choice crops to a minimal. Letting the people eat more than ever, and not having it cut us at all on expenses or lessen our good agriculture community." Sonic looked exhausted having to recite that whole thing, but Tails fist pumped him in pride when the man turned around and took a berry out of a bowl, and a spice out of another presented by two maid girls.
"Emmm! Splendid! I see you've been paying attention to the economy. Well done!" he took another bite, praising Sonic as well as the fine dining. "Oh! I would very much like to stay for dinner, ho, ho. Certainly." He muttered to himself, taking a napkin out from his pocket and wiping his mouth, before turning back to the King.
"I also hear your Queen is lovelier than ever! I understand traditions, but I wonder, isn't she more involved in business than ever before?" he raised an eyebrow.
This was a trick question.
Although Amy did preside for a long time over business and economy standpoints, she was now mostly over judgments and co-signing for laws. Attending to the needs of the people, since she was so good at it, and everyone liked her, but also working on charity funds, food donations, and water/school structures being built.
"Amy-I mean, the Queen has her hands full with tending to the needs of the individual citizens of each city and county side in our lands. Trust me, she'd love to be here, but I wouldn't want to overburden her." Sonic spoke sincerely, but tried again to sound professional.
"Hmm… not burden her againI see, well then." The man took a sip of a beverage offered him, as Sonic tightened his fists.
"That was a low blow…" Tails also was upset, whispering that out of the corner of his mouth.
He looked to Sonic out of the corner of his eye, "Let it go…" he warned.
Sonic took deep breaths, he hated his past mistakes being brought up again… but he relaxed his shoulders and just looked away, covering his mouth and 'tsk'ing at the man's comment.
The man slurped his fill and then shoo'd the maid girl off, fixing his long sleeves cuffs. "Now then, shall we discuss your… presence?"
"…My what?" Sonic was starting to become bewildered.
He was sitting on the side of his throne, one leg up, his body tilted to the side, leaning on it's right, and having one hand up over his mouth to hide the anger that was building.
Now his eyes turned to the man, wondering what nonsense and rude comments he was going to test Sonic with next…
"Where's the majesty of your majesty, hmm?" he gestured around him. "Look at these walls, these curtains, for pete's sake! When my father's forefathers described walking into the presence of a king, they mentioned the awe-striking glory of the king, and his many dancers, gold trinkets, and beautiful sculptures at each corner of the room! Why, they even had a court jester!" the man huffed.
"Grand Marshal.." Tails finally butted in, "Does this really have to do with the state of the providences?"
"Whose going to respect a dull king?"
That did it.
Sonic abruptly stood up.
"Sonic… Don't…" Tails, through gritted teeth, warned him.
"…." Sonic slowly sat back down, but his expression never changed. "We give what we can back to the people. I'd rather look modest in appearances than let my people live without." It was a good answer, but something in Sonic was killing to have a big spectacular for this guy. Proving he wasn't a 'dull king', which pricked at his pride and honor so much so that the very voice of the Grand Marshal echoed in his mind, making him twitch in anger with every hollowed sound of it.
The Grand Marshal lifted an eyebrow, smiling. "Good response… but most like to be shown the power of their king… you know… to keep others in line." He took off his monticule, and breathed on it, wiping it off with his napkin from his pocket. "I, for one, have heard others talking… not so much as those in the Ark Kingdom do…" he adjusted it on his face.
Tails and Sonic looked to each other, then back at the man.
"Are you saying that you eavesdrop on other kingdom's gossip-!" Sonic was silenced by Tails shoving one his twin tails into his face, making Sonic push the fluffy thing out of his way to breath, and spit out any unwanted hair from his tongue.
Usually, Tails was so clean about his tails, but he had to sacrifice one for the good of his kingdom…
"Sonic has been well respected their ever since he freed their people from Shadow's reign. Again, this has nothing to do with the state of-"
"It has everything to do with how the people view their king!" The Grand Marshal turned around, before showing some malice in his stride.
He pointed to Sonic, "Our cuddly king has done nothing other treat the people kindly, though he may put on the facade of a loving ruler, he is only showing off a rather soft-underbelly. One that this kingdom can't afford to see! We need ruthless dictatorship that proves we're under protection of someone worth messing with! You're kingdom is flourishing… so what about arms? The bakery and farmers have their weight in gold as it is, according to your logics. So then, what about the poor and the wealthy? Those that do… oh, say… mining for instance? Chaos did nothing for them! We like ore, but we have nothing more to do with it than make houses and horse chariots for goodness sakes! What I'm saying is, we need something more than just prosperity, we need entertainment! Something to fear! Something to revere! We need WAR." The man struck his cane that was tucked under his arm harshly to the ground.
"Catch my drift?" he smirked up to Sonic.
"Are you saying we provoke and raise commotion… just for excitement in another field of economy!?" It was the most ridiculous political thing Tails had ever heard. "That's absurd!"
"Is it..?" the man tilted his hat down. "Our dear king has let our nefarious Prince Shadow, enemy to all the Chaos Kingdom, free again to instigate another war… perfect for business." He raised his hat, but the usual courteous gesture turned into one of insult and offense. "Even our king has become bored of the goody-two-shoes game."
Sonic couldn't stand it anymore. This man was clearly Anti-King, and his statements were one of conspiracy, nothing to do with the state of the kingdom.
"Look, all I've heard is that you think I'm doing swell, and that my kingdom's thriving thanks to all our efforts to keep the peace. Thank you for your time." Sonic bowed his head, and then looked to Tails. "Escort the man out." He was about to get up, before…
"I would hate to bring this topic to the counsel… your highness." The man sneered.
Now… that was a threat.
Sonic slowly moved back… and sat in his seat.
"What exactly do you want?" Sonic was fed up playing nice with this accuser.
"I want to be impressed." The man narrowed his eyes, still that creepy smile on his face. "I want the king to prove to me his superiority and excellence! I want to be sure that when war DOES come, which I'm sure it will… that the people will be secured in their ruler,… screw economy. I want a show!" flung up his cane, and caught it very stylishly. "I want to be so startled in awe that I'm reassured any opposing forces will be too intimidated to actually think they'd win against the Chaos Kingdom! This land needs a man who looks like a tyrant! Scaring all and any from it's borders! Not some teddy bear…" He scoffed.
"This man is just an instigator, don't let him set you off, Sonic. His only power is to moderate the cash flow and production of prosperity. He can only take your power away if you're seen as neglectful, which, you're not!" Tails whispered to Sonic's ear, continuing his role as Advisor and instructing him thusly.
Sonic twiddled his fingers in one hand, fiddling with something other than losing his temper and having this guy thrown out!
"But what do we do, Tails? None of us planned to entertain this mad man!"
"Your Majesty!"
The three men suddenly turned to a silly looking woman in a joker costume, a few dancers behind her, and some even quickly laying a red carpet with fine gold designs on the trailing of it. Curtains were immediately unfolded down from the upper levels, draping the long walls with the symbol of royalty and the Chaos Emeralds, before finally some food was brought out.
"Why on earth keep the party waiting?!"
The woman threw her arms out, as if suggesting Sonic had this planned all along, and slid down some stair railings and hopped up next to his armrest.
"Ow.."
The woman held her back.
"…Amy…?" Sonic breathed out, his eyes widening.
She looked down, and winked.
"…No… way…" Tails's grin slowly grew and grew, seeing as Amy must have overheard how tense Sonic was feeling, came to see how everything was going, and overheard the man speaking ill about the 'presence of the king' and decided to take matters into her own hands.
She probably just whipped this all together as quickly as she could.
"Ah! Now this is more like! Ho, ho!" the man giggled, as the dancers spun around him, one throwing some fabric she was dancing with over him and pulling him to a chair they brought out.
"Look at his eyebrows! You'd think he couldn't see! But be not alarmed, he's just a man who has eyes in three!" Amy, well disguised as a clown, jumped off the armrest, cartwheeled down the ringed steps to the King's throne, and spun her way in a goofy fashion through the dancers and to the man.
She pulled off his monticule, breathed on it, and then poked two eyes and made an arc to show a smiley face, then placed it back on his eye, which made him laugh.
"Splendid!" he cried out, clapping. "You really had me thinking you were nothing but talk, My good king! Nothing but fluffy talk of this and that, but THIS! This is luxury!" he kicked his leg up as some male dancers came in, picking the chair up and spinning him up in the air. "Ah-ho!" he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself as two performers came out on balls, which Amy hilariously tried to jump on but the performer bounced with the ball and she missed, pretending to stumble and fall.
"Ow.." she gripped her stomach, but worked through the pain, flinging herself up. "And now to all our fancy courts, and merry men and women, let us now dance the jig and make ourselves to be the grin of each, our guest's lippy skin!"
They cheered at her rhymes which she spat out like a song, and grabbed a guitar from the musicians and played a silly tune.
Sonic was laughing so hard, he had never seen Amy like this, making a fool of herself on purpose.
"And here, we have the king, and all his merry chaps! I'd hate to see, ho-ho, to be, the cat that sits on his lap!" she jumped on the armrest, then laid on his lap, cuddling up to him. "For you see, that cat, a great pride, a bride to be, has all but been pleased better!" the crowd laughed, as Sonic gave her a slight glare, reaching to grab her but she jumped up and used one hand to balance herself on the top of his throne.
The Grand Marshal clapped, "Now that's entertainment!" he howled a laugh.
"The king, oh yes, his highness! Called that from his big buttockess!" she landed on the chair, turned around, and gripped her butt with both hands, before landing back down in the King's lap and kicking her feet up. "And yet, as late, I do believe, because of that, most cats meow for his seat! HO!"
She leaped off and continued to make jokes, the dancers and music now moving to her words and rhythm. "This man, this newt! When sighted with a pretty lady, becomes mute! But fret not, you see, his ear is keen, to hear the drop of gold! This lady, here, she is witty, she'll drop her body, but him? he'll drop his career! Cheers!"
He dropped his jaw at the dancer Amy had brought over who did indeed seek to please, moving low and up around him as Amy made her joke.
"Broke he is! And on fire from being set free! We kick him out, to hear him shout, Our king is all but more than cuddly and glee, Our king has reign and you, the stain, of the Chaos's free domain, yippiee!" She spun in air and kicked his body out, having motioned him with the dancers and musicians out of the court in an indirect way.
He was laughing and thoroughly enjoying himself before realizing they had just kicked him out and insulted him.
"Hooo." Amy let a breath out, before gripping her stomach as a maid, dressed as a dancer, caught her to hold her up.
"My queen! Are you alright..?"
"N.. Never better…" Amy knew she overdid it this time… but she so desperately wanted to help Sonic…
"That… was wonderful!" Tails cried out, and looked to Sonic, still laughing and hitting the armrest of his chair, unable to control himself.
"You ever had Sonic flabbergasted!"
"You need to let go of me…" The crowd was blocking Tails and Sonic from seeing her, and the maid girl looked worried.
"You need to rest."
"Please… They need to think we've triumphant." She looked with pleading eyes to the girl,… who in sorrow… looked to Sonic and Tails, then back at her mistress, and nodded.
Letting Amy go, Amy straightened up and held her own, walking forward with the best smile she could muster, putting her arms away from her stomach and on her hips.
"And he said he'd love have me attend… perhaps he wasn't expecting it in that regard." She took the mask off, and shook her hair out. "Sorry for the jokes, Sonic. I had to make him laugh and think you're impressive somehow." She scratched the back of her head.
He literally zipped up to her, all the way from across the room, and scooped her up, spinning her around as he held her bridal style, and nuzzling his nose against hers.
"Yo-o-o-ou we-er-er-re Fantastic!" he then threw her up and caught her again.
She swallowed some throw-up, and looked awful from the throw, but smiled nonetheless at Sonic.
"I'm glad I got him out of here without declaring anything bad against you…"
"Where'd you get all the decorum?" Tails asked, seeing that everyone had secretly been placing more and more amazing gold objects and enhancing the beautiful setting the more the song and show went on.
"Could you believe storage?" she laughed, tilting her head back from Sonic's arm to look upside at Tails.
"Funny. I knew she was the one for you." Tails teased Sonic, "She literally checked off every part of the list."
"The one thing I did right." Sonic smiled, and pulled her up next to him, but not letting her feet ever touch the ground. "Marry you." He placed his head next to hers, and she giggled, as the crowd aww'd.
He then looked around, nervous, and cleared his throat. "Alright, alright. Sadly, I hate saying this, but someone has to clean this all up, and it's not gonna be me!"
Amy coughed harshly, and everyone gasped at how badly it sounded.
"Amy?"
"I'm fine… umm… My stomach…"
He looked down, seeing he was holding her up and pretty tightly.
"Oh, sorry…" he let her down, and she shook her head.
"No, no… you're fine-" she coughed up a storm again, and Vanilla raced in, seeing everything around her, and then noticing Amy and her costume.
"You didn't…" she looked deathly frightened.
"Oh, Vanilla… H-heh… hi." Sonic figured Amy was in trouble, but waved and moved her closer to him. "It's not Amy fault! In fact, she actually did me a pretty big favor." He smiled down at her, before his face turned to worry.
She looked pale, but he figured that was from all the extra effort she did today.
"Your highness!" the maid come up behind Sonic, referring to Amy.
"I'm fine." Amy kept repeating, and smiled up to Sonic. "I'm glad I was able to help."
Sonic's eyebrows furrowed, "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes." Amy spoke quickly, before Vanilla and the maid girl dressed as a dancer quickly pulled her away from him. "I'll be fine, Sonic! Don't worry about me! I just need to rest a bit…" Amy coughed, calling back over her shoulder to Sonic, as he felt his hands linger on the sensation of holding her, and didn't like someone taking her away from him.
"Man… Amy used to be so young and full of life. Now, I guess, she's just gotten older." Tails concluded, and looked to Sonic. "Chin up, Sonic! You can now formally fire that guy with the permission of the council and we can all go back to our merry lives!" Tails suddenly started to do a little jig and hum Amy's tune as he followed some of the maid girls dressed like dancers out of the room, making them all giggle at his silliness as he dropped and kicked out his feet, coming up and saying, "Hey!" like a Russian squat dance.
"Heh… since when he'd become a flirt?"
Sonic turned around to look at Knuckles, "Knuckles? What are you doing here?"
"Heh, I came to warn you about something." Knuckles handed him a letter.
As Sonic opened it up, skimming it, Knuckles went on, eyeing Tails flirting and getting attention from the maid girls.
He shook his head, "He knows he can't marry below his station… that's what happened to Amy's father, right?"
"Oh yeah! I have to change that." Sonic remembered, before reading something that was the primary focus of the letter. "Wait a minute… Chaos disturbance?" Sonic looked to Knuckles.
"Yep." Knuckles took the paper, rolling it up. "Some guy I sent over a week ago said he spotted the Master Emerald acting up again… this time, it was spooky. I'm heading down to check it out, haven't heard back from him since. I'll report to you when I get back." Knuckles turned around, shaking his head at Tails's attempts and just thinking him ridiculous before walking away.
Sonic outstretched his arm, "Wait!"
Knuckles looked back.
"…Council's permission?" he faked a smile.
Knuckles blinked his eyes, before billowing a hardy laugh and smacking Sonic on the back. "Don't worry! They won't be mad at you! I told them you asked me to look into it, making you look good." He winked. "I'll see you at the end of the quarter." He continued to walk away, waving a hand up by his head to wave to Sonic from behind.
"…Be careful… Knuckles."
Knuckles looked back and winked, before rounding the corner. "Some party!" he laughed again.
"Well, Well… looks whose found my mountain hideaway cave…"
"Eggman… I've been waiting for this moment… for so many years…"
"Yikes, they had you thinking a lot inside that cell, didn't they?"
Shadow clutched his fists tightly together on either side of himself, raging just from seeing Eggman's pathetic face.
Rouge looked cautious behind him, looking to him and then Eggman, being aware as much as she could of her surroundings.
From what Rouge could see, there were Robots all around them in this dusty desert cavern, and the dark of the night made it unbearably sandy and hard to see what lurked in the shadows…
Eggman was sitting on a well carven out throne, or so it appeared, with two miniature robots beneath him.
"I'm threw with playing pawn to your game, Eggman. You lied to me! Maria never wanted any of this! She wanted me to gain peace… now I see that I can't have that with you ruling beside me. You must be stopped! My homeland reclaimed, and then I shall master the power of Chaos and take down the Chaos Kingdom once and for all!" he motioned himself into a battle pose, without a sword, he'd still kill Eggman.
An obnoxious laughter, completely saturated in confidence, rang through the cavern walls and echoed out in all it's circular exits and roof cave-ins…
"I thought you came to want me back! Hahaah! Well, that's good. Cause you're FIRED!" he pointed down at Shadow, chuckling a sadistic laughter. "Sure I played off your faulty memory for a while, but now that I've obtained what I want… I don't need you anymore." He sat back, putting his fingers up together and looking very evil on the spot.
"What?!" Shadow gritted his teeth.
"He came here to fire you, you crazy old coot!" Rouge shook a fist up, enraged at Eggman's arrogance. "You do realize he could tear your robots limb from limb, right? You don't stand a chance!"
Eggman tilted his head down, smirking…
The dark of the night suddenly became less dark… when a thousand green eyes lit up all over the cave.
"I'm sorry… did I seem… outnumbered?"
He gestured out to the darkness, where the lights kept flickering on… for miles… and miles…
"You see, I've already cultivated enough of an army to take down your kingdom as well as Sonic's! I only used your powers because I didn't have any of my own quite yet… but with the belated king's idiot son running around, I was finally able to obtain all I needed and more…"
He sat up, putting his hands behind his back, and grinning even the more.
His pearly white teeth glistening in the moonlight over the mountains of desert wasteland…
"What are you planning!?" Shadow shouted out, "What have you made me do!?"
"I've made nothing out of you other than a murdering tyrant… But… that was already in your DNA… wasn't it?" he chuckled, before Shadow let out a punch, but was deflected by electric spears that flew around him and knocked him back.
"What?!" Shadow landed, and looked around him.
"Who-hohoho!" Eggman leaned his head back, laughing once more.
"Did you really think it'd be that easy!? Come back and try to destroy me?!"
Shadow's eyebrow twitched, he hadn't realized how powerful he had made Eggman to be…
"With all my robots now supercharged and powered by the Chaos Energy filled in the Master Emerald's unlimited supply, I now have the absolute destructive force necessary to take over the entire continient! And after I robotize all the people in the Ark and Chaos Kingdoms… I plan on going to the uncharted territories and furthering my conquest… to the entire WORLD! HOHOHOOOOOHOHOHO!"
"You're mad." Rouge stepped back, before racing to Shadow's side.
"Shadow! It's a trap!"
Eggman pulled out a strange miniature canon, holding it in his hands with two arms, and aiming to fire it at Shadow.
"Rouge!" Shadow tried to reach out to stop her, but she had flung him down and took the ray on herself.
"Hehhohoho… Fwoo." He blew out the steam coming from the end of the device. "I call that… a Robotizer gun! Whohohoh! The first of it's kind!"
"R-…Rouge…" Shadow's eye twitched, as his once friend was now a metal contraption, that turned and had her eye-sockets flare up the same emerald green as the rest of the robots.
"No…"
"Oh, yes!~ Isn't it just eeeevilll~ hahaha!" he motioned his arms up, fingering in the air and then laughing as he arched his back.
"Get him! I want my new general in the front lines!"
The robots started firing out Chaos Spears like bullets, as even Metal Rouge lunged forward to grab him.
"Urk!" he quickly dodged, and started to race away, hitting some robots out of his way and dodging their constant fire.
"Bye, bye~ Prince Shadow… the hedgehog." Eggman waved goodbye, before putting a hand up to his face and giggling, "hohohoh~"
A smaller robot looked up, and blinked his eyes.
"What are you staring at? Get me my chariot!" he smashed down his fist on the robot, which only made it smaller, as it waddled away in fright, racing to do as it was told.
"I'm sure it will work this time!"
"You've said that every time."
"But I mean it this time!"
"Alright.. Alright… let's try this again."
Tails had stationed each Chaos Emerald in a circle around Sonic, as he walked into the center, and smiled at his friend's enthusiasm.
"I've calculated that your sword only pulses when you're controlling Chaos, but in order to control Chaos, you need some already in you. Ergo, you're birthright." Tails continued to run amok, jumping over tables of research he had done before getting his instruments all situated.
"However, in later research, I found that the first king utilized the power of chaos to purify his kingdom and their hearts, including his own, ergo- I call this the Super form!" he spread out his hands, before showing the ancient page where it showed a picture of a yellow flying silhouette. "You're ancestors were the first to control chaos! The technique for such an endeavor has been lost for centuries and eons! But! Lucky for you, you're good old friend has unlocked an interesting thing or two." He took on a smug look, and leaned on the table, winking to a few maid girls who were cleaning the hall near them.
They giggled, and Sonic just rolled his eyes, folding his arms and facing Tails with his back. "And..?" he encouraged on.
"Oh!" Tails turned around and continued, "I've discovered that through the years, every child born of Chaos is literally heir to the throne!"
Sonic turned around, "You mean… my dad had chaos in his blood?"
"Uh-huh. I believe that's how royals first started. Whomever could control Chaos and pass that ability down became the rightful air of the Chaos Kingdom! Which would explain why the blade only responds to you, Sonic." Tails concluded, and continued to get things situated. "According to my findings, you could turn Super again! It's not just for purifying hearts! It's for amazing, supernatural power as well!"
"Now we're talking!" Sonic unparted his arms, and held them out, ready to charge up. "How do I tap into it?"
"Think of that day when you used Chaos control. It should be very similar…"
"But I thought I could only do that while holding an emerald?" Sonic blinked his eyes.
Tails winked, "Trust me. In close proximity, anything can happen! Remember when you were married? The Master Emerald pulsed so strongly, it sent a shine throughout the land! I still don't really know why…" he scratched his head, "Hadn't figured that one out quite yet, but I'll work on it." He ducked his head to get some things from under a table, and hit his head trying to come out. "Oww!" he rubbed his head, pulling what he wanted out. "I've gotten taller." He mentioned, and looked at his legs. "My legs are so long now…"
Sonic laughed, "And you're getting pretty frisky with the ladies! Haha!"
Tails blushed, and pouted his way, "That's not funny! Hmph." He looked away, and continued to keep himself busy, not discussing the topic any further.
"Right, ehem. Anyway… are you focusing yet?"
Sonic closed his eyes, "Em-hmm."
"Good." Tails narrowed his own, and started pulling switches down, and cranking other gadgets. "Don't' lose that focus!"
Sonic could feel the power of the chaos emeralds around him…
He concentrated on that day… when he used Chaos Control…. And also that time he felt the purifying power of the Master Emerald…
"Almost there! Keep at it!"
The Chaos Emeralds started to glow, lightly moving upward, and spinning slowly in place.
"That's it!"
Sonic pulled the power towards him, feeling it build gently at first inside, before powerfully… and all at once..!
"We've got it!"
'…I wanted to change… I wanted to become better than I was… I wanted to do what was right… not just want I wanted… I wanted to make everyone happy… everyone proud… smiling…'
An image of Amy came into his mind, her turning around in her cloak as she prayed to the Master Emerald, her eyes shining with the color of it.
Tears had made them sparkle.
'….Amy….'
"SOONNNICC!"
Sonic opened his eyes.
The room was glowing violently, the chaos emeralds shaking, and Tails freaking out over each of his devices blowing up and combusting from the power sources being unreadable.
"I can't record a thing!" he exclaimed.
Sonic thought a moment. 'If I turn… Super… as Tails called it… I'll once again be in tune with seeing right from wrong… good from evil…. The more I merge my own will with Chaos… and control it… the more stronger I can become for the world… for my kingdom… for my friends.'
Sonic took a deep breath, and then looked more determined than ever.
"…Can you not transform?" Tails's fur and hair was being flung around in the swirling power of the force that looked like wind spinning around Sonic.
He smirked.
"Chaos Control!"
A brilliant light flashed, blinding Tails as he looked away, ducking his head and covering himself with his hands and tails, hearing his devices now fully explode upon their tables, and finally, the light faded.
"…Sonic..?" he turned around.
A glowing being stood before him… and slowly it turned his head, and winked to him.
"I think I know how it works now." Sonic smiled, and looked at his hands, then below him. "W-woah! I'm floating again!" he laughed, clutching his stomach. "This is so cool!" he flew up, but was too fast and powerful, making a huge Sonic Boom as he slowed down and teleported at lightning speeds.
"Sonic!" Tails looked around.
"Yo-hoo."
Tails turned around, crying out in surprise, falling backwards, and seeing Sonic standing behind him.
"This is cool, Tails! I can transform, as long as I'm willing to change, and stay changed." Sonic gestured a hand out, helping Tails up, and put the hand back on his hip.
"I don't think Shadow will know what hit'em." He grinned in excitement and understanding of his birthright.
His family wasn't made to just sit on thrones all day and take care of some guy's cart having a broken wheel and learning who staged the murder attempt or sabotage.
It was to protect.
It was to keep peace and the source of all power in good hands…
He lowered his head.
He wasn't in the right place to hold this power….
"It's not the heart it heals." Sonic stated, and took a deep breath. "It's the man that wields its power. The man has to be willing to fight for peace and protect that which is right!" he held up his fist, and clutched it tightly. "It takes a changed man to wield this power… chaos control is done through stubborn will alone… but this change… this requires a change of heart."
"So… it's not the Master Emerald that purifies?" Tails stood up.
Sonic shook his head, "No. It shows you your wrongs. It's your plight or desire that makes you change. Your inward change becomes your outward power." He let go of the power, and powered down, before thinking something amusing.
"You think you could control this power while in bed?" Sonic gave a curious eye to Tails.
"WHAT?! Stop being ridiculous! After all you've seen Amy do today, you should know she's in no condition for THAT!" He looked so disturbed, but Sonic was only kidding, and laughed at how Tails took him seriously.
Tails cringed, "Besides, who sleeps with someone whose-"
Sonic slapped him on the back, cutting him off. "Whooo..! I didn't think you'd take me so seriously, bud! Hahah!"
"Your majesty, Sonic!"
A knight came barging into the room, dropping to one knee, as two or three more knights fell to one knee behind him as well, all gasping for air.
"Hmm..?" Sonic turned around, Tails also taking a serious approach now.
"What seems to be the problem, gentlemen?"
"A message has been sent back by General Knuckles sir… it's…
It's Prince Shadow."
"Grrr… DID I SAY FALLBACK!? Attack! Attack men! ATTTACCK!" Knuckles charged forward, helping the stragglers as they fought off superhuman machines, using Chaos to blast their opponents away, and have charged beams blaze through their lines of defense.
"We're no good, General! They've got us surrounded!"
"Protect the Emerald!" Knuckles called out, before turning around… "No…"
Shadow, having escaped to Angel Island, was being hunted down by these robots.
Having successfully taken cover through dashing through the Chaos Solders lines undetected in all the chaos, he was able to evade the chaos-powered robots and make his way to the emerald. Touching its holy surface, he could feel that same power from the battle he had with Sonic…
"This power…" he closed his eyes, feeling it soar within him.
'I am weak now… I am utterly useless! You've denied me your power before… the power to preserve Maria's life! But perhaps you will give me enough strength to at least make her final wish come true… but for that… I'll need power! I know her real wish now! I must bring peace back to the land!'
"Master Emerald… Hear me now!"
"Get your hands off my emerald!"
Knuckles charged forward, but Shadow's immense desire to change for the sake of Maria's wish, which was right, surged through him and a brilliant flash was seen.
Knuckles stopped only a moment for the light, "It can't be…!" unbelieving someone so evil could be changed, he continued forward, and lifted his axe, jumping in the air!
"AHHH!"
CLLLANNNGGG!
"Urk… Urrrk.."
"…."
The light faded, and with his limiter ring, Shadow had blocked the axe's blade.
His might was strong enough to fling Knuckles back, and his glowing body stood as the brightest light in the dimmed night.
"That's… not possible!" Knuckles scooted back, holding his injured arm, simply from the force of the vibration!
"Hmph, the General." Shadow smirked, before hearing the solders cry out.
He turned to the army, and smiled once more. "Chaos!" he flung his arm out, "Control!"
He teleported, and was seen hanging in the air, before flipping his arms out, "Chaos Spears!"
Giant blasts of Chaos spiking spears blasted forth from his hands, as the robots beneath exploded and their Chaos Energies all soared back into the Master Emerald, which only empowered Shadow more.
In a fell swoop, he cleared the battlefield, and began spin dashing through any remaining outliners.
"He's… he's more fierce and ferocious than before!" a solder cried out.
Then, as the field burned to rumble and sod, Shadow slowly descended, his back towards the army, as he looked over his shoulder. "This… is the Chaos Kingdom's poor excuse for an army?"
The solders all took their stances, but some cowered in fear.
Knuckles got up, his arm still shot. "Hold your positions!" he was still taken aback at how Shadow could ever have his heart purified!
"This only makes it more clear what I must do." Shadow's voice ringed through the silent night, and even his low tone was enough to be picked up on from the farthest reaching corners of the island.
"The Chaos Kingdom is, and was never able to, provide the necessary power to preserve peace in this land… Tell your king… If you still can call him that. That I, King Shadow, challenge him to the King's Right."
The solders gasped, and Knuckles's eyes widened. "A King's Right… what are you planning to do!?"
"Heh… I'll tell you." Shadow soared up through the sky, and spun out a powerful chaos pulse from his body. "I'll defeat your mighty King, proving that I am the sole royalty over this entire continent! And I will lead in peace, with an iron fist will I make Maria's dream a reality! With the death of the last Chaos king… there will never be a war-torn land again!" Another powerful pulse, this time, it knocked each and every solder down, and blasted away even further any robot scraps that were on the field.
The few surviving robots were being controlled by Shadow, having their bodies twitch, as one of his hands was controlling the legion that hadn't even entered the island yet.
'I can feel it… all the sources of Chaos Energy… I know where they are.' He could feel the Chaos Emeralds inside the castle walls of the Chaos Kingdom, he could feel the robots below him, he could feel the Master Emerald…
"This land will never know bloodshed again! Bring your King who plays Hero here.. and I will destroy him!" he blasted off towards the Ark Kingdom, as the robots slowly turned around, and advanced in his direction.
"For now, I must destroy Eggman." Shadow, having arrived over his kingdom, suddenly saw some robots robotizing citizens.
Age, gender,… none of that matter to a robot.
Shadow clutched his fists, his teeth tightening. "EEGGGGGMMMANNN!" his roar sent a powerful pulse of Chaos throughout the city, and the robots lowered their guns, each one coming under Shadow's power.
"Hmm?" Eggman was sitting on Shadow's throne, Jet and Storm knocked out, and Wave being threatened if she didn't feed Eggman some grapes.
"Who the devil is-?" He pushed her to the side, and got up, putting on Shadow's old robe and crown, before heading outside.
"It's 3 dashes on the sundial in the morning!" he cried out, and looked up. "…What..?" his confidence dropped, seeing the figure of gold… even brighter than the rising sun…
"We have to declare war!" Tails cried out, gathering his broken machines, and quickly just piling them onto a table, "If what they say is true, Shadow's robotizing and enslaving his people again!"
"But he attacked his own robots, Tails. How come?" Sonic was so confused at that detail, turning around, and gesturing to Tails. "Something doesn't seem right."
"Why are you pondering a murderers motives?!" Tails made a good point to Sonic, and he looked away.
"We have to tell the council, no-… I'll tell the council, they hate you enough as it is." Tails shook his head, seeing how that would go down.
Sonic kept his head low.
"They said Knuckles is hurt and on his way back, I'll inform the royal physician and-"
"I can't go."
"And-… what?"
Tails turned to the side of himself, looking at Sonic, sorrow and anger filling his heart.
"What do you mean you won't go? You're the king! You-!"
"I… I promised Amy I would never leave her again."
He looked away, his eyes darkened in his own sorrow as well.
"I can't make the same mistake twice, Tails."
"You… but… There's war!" Tails cried out, not sure how to make it more clear to him.
"I mean,… if you don't go… the kingdom…"
"I can't, Tails. I made a promise. A vow, even. I… I can't come with you."
Tails looked behind him at the Chaos Emeralds, all down and turned on which ever way.
"….This new power… heh. We won't even be able to use it to fight against a Super Shadow."
Sonic clutched his fist.
"That's why he's going."
The two turned around.
"Amy…?"
Amy moved around the corner, keeping herself in a very regal manner, before looking to Tails, showing her authority in her expression and tone of voice.
"You're highness will be accompanying you on the battlefield, as is the responsibility of kings. And he will do so, with my permission, and of course, with the permission of the council on his side."
Sonic held his tongue… not able to speak.
Before…
He walked up to her, "Amy, I can't break my promise again." He put a hand to her arm, but she stepped away from his reach, shaking her head.
"No, you promised in the figurative sense." She stated, and raised her head again, showing every ounce she had for Sonic. "I know you won't be gone forever… and you better not be. Figurative or not!" She jumped up and embraced him, as he held her back, but delicately this time.
"Amy…"
Tails nodded, before looking to his sundial clock. "Yikes! I have to go! They're meeting for the Council soon!"
Racing off, Sonic pulled Amy away from him for a second. "You know that wasn't figurative…"
Amy turned abruptly, and Sonic followed her down the same hallway they had once argued in when Sonic had returned, … after he had first left her side.
She kept her head down, as Sonic loyally followed wherever she was heading.
"Stop it. You know this has to happen." Amy was holding back tears, but didn't dare look behind her. "I asked you to love me, and the kingdom. I never said to abandon one over the other." She shook her head, before turning around to him.
"I won't be the reason you don't help Knuckles and the army prevail and save all those poor people!"
The dark of the night crashed a loud spark of thunder and lightning, she shook her head again, and put her hands up to her face.
"You really have changed Sonic… not just for me… but for everyone! Saying you won't go to war… so you can keep your promise… that's more than any action you could of done for me… but now, I must return the same!" she walked up and pushed gently on his chest. "Go! You must defeat Shadow! I free you of your promise! Please! The people of the Chaos kingdom and Ark kingdom need a hero! They need you!" she spoke through her tears, before Sonic finally put his arms around her, and pulled her close.
"Why aren't you saying anything!?" she screamed out, before hitting his chest lightly. "Why aren't you agreeing! Why aren't you saying you'll go!? Say it! Say that you love me and you'll return safely!"
In another burst of lightning and thunder, Sonic moved both him and Amy to the side of the wall, and began to kiss her.
His hands trailed her figure, ignoring the odd shape of her sides for a moment, and deepened the passionate kiss by tilting his head, as her arms came up and over his shoulders, pulling him even nearer.
A knight turned the corner on his normal routine, before immediately seeing the scene through the slits of his helmet, and without skipping a step in his march, immediately about-faced and went down the same corridor he had just come out from.
When the two finally pulled away, Sonic whispered through fainted breath, speaking at last.
"I meant what I said, Amy… The best… and probably the only right decision I've ever made in my life… was choosing to marry you."
"Sonic…"
"Now… if you'll excuse me…"
It took every bit of his being to pull away from her, not wanting too, but knowing he had too for the sake of the kingdom, her protection, and the safety of his friends.
"I have a Cousncil to get too."
"W-what?"
Amy was shocked.
He held her hands in both his own, and smiled cheekily to her.
"Y-…You're serious?"
"What? Every good king has to plead before the Council. Even my own father did it." Almost word for word, he quoted Tails so many years ago.
With a humble confidence, Sonic walked down the corridor, and Amy quickly picked up the pace to follow him, and the two entered the Council room.
The Chief Councilmen raised an eyebrow, as Tails was shocked to see Sonic and Amy enter the scene.
"Sonic..? What are you..?" he was worried, whispering under his breath before looking to the Councilmen.
"Your highnesses?"
"I'm terribly sorry to intrude." Sonic struck a pose, and kept his signature smile firmly planted on his face. "But I'm afraid there seems to be a matter of urgency."
"That won't do." The Councilmen stated, stroking his beard before getting up, looking upset. "You should have known from your other disturbances in this court of the people! You must prepare and inform the council before all things are arranged! You-!"
"I enact the Cause of Emergency!" Sonic's authoritative voice suddenly put the whole room in silence.
"The… The king's override?" The council looked to each other.
"What makes you feel your action is of the most highest regard to the kingdom?"
"It's a matter of war." Sonic narrowed his eyes.
The council began to murmur more loudly now, as the councilmen took a hammer and banged it moderately on his podium. "Order, order! We abide in order! Now then, in order for us to conclude on a decision, your cause must be supported by another councilmen!"
The councilmen all went silent…. Before Tails stood up.
"I side with the king's urgency! Let him speak!" It was bold, even for Tails, before he looked down at his friend. "The king has changed… I can see it in his eyes."
Sonic nodded to his friend, seeing he had at last regained Tails's full respect and confidence again. He had regained his friend.
The council was now gasping and muttering more loudly in their discussions, as the Chief Councilmen once again banged his small hammer, "Order, order I dare say!"
Tails smiled.
"Then… Miles Prower… lead the discussion." The councilmen nodded to his much younger college, and sat down, moving his long robe to do so.
Tails stood up, "My fellow councilmen! Our king wishes to declare war on Prince Shadow, who has once again threatened his own people! And has declared a challenge of the Right of Kings."
The council once again gasped, all shocked at even the mention of that declaration.
"Right… of Kings?" Amy leaned towards Sonic.
Sonic motioned his head back to her, speaking over his shoulder to her in a quiet whisper, gently… as to not have anyone look down at him for it.
"Kings that challenge for the right to rule. If I win, Shadow will be under my authority, and have to surrender to me and my reign. Otherwise… I could kill him, and the Ark Kingdom will become my own. Thus… the law to reign over another King." He stated bluntly.
"B-but Shadow's not a king." Amy protested, putting a hand up to his shoulder, and shaking it slightly. "He doesn't even own the Ark kingdom!" she seemed confused.
"…He's not." Sonic's face showed confliction. "But his blood still owns the right to the Ark kingdom's throne…"
Amy looked down, saddened to hear that, as her eyes scanned the floor.
"Why is he calling himself a king then?"
"I can't say." Sonic was now intently listening to the discussion, seeing Tails's passionate rebuttals and how the older men truly came down at him, before finally, he seemed to own the whole of the room's attention.
"-without Sonic's power and right we are helpless! Shadow will come down and destroy us all! His army is powered illegally by the desecration of the Master Emerald's power! We owe it to our God, and we owe it to our people, to stand and finally put Shadow to his knees! Justice!" Tails raised a fist firmly in the air.
The room was silent…
"This… is the first time I've seen you fight with the elders…" The Chief Councilmen stammered a horse chuckle, before nodding. "I consent. I give full kingly power to Sonic the Hedgehog, heir to the Chaos Kingdom, over this cause… to declare war, and to fight in the army of the Chaos Kingdom! Leading as his forefather's before, to finally stop this murderous tyranny, and prove herewith his crown!" he held the hammer up, as every councilmen that agreed stood up straight, showing their approval.
It was a unanimous vote.
"Also the right to marry who you want and also the right to fire and banish that dumb grand marshal." Sonic spoke so fast and so low-key that when the councilmen's hammer hit, no one noticed till after the fact the trickery of Sonic's last notion.
He fist pumped.
"Yes!"
Sonic spun around and headed out the door, his cape and crown never looking so noble.
"S-Sonic, wait!" Amy tried to reach back and get him, but he was moving too fast. She turned to the council and curtseyed. "Thank you!" she chimed, before racing out after him.
"Good luck… Sonic." Tails smiled, before a councilmen next to him, already standing, and very tall for his height, ruffled Tails's hair on his head and patted his back, putting a hand to his shoulder.
"You're father would be proud." The older man said.
Tails's expression changed to one of glad joy, as his eyes teared up, and he nodded his thanks to the older councilmen, beaming down a father's pride to him at being able to say that at last.
"Knuckles!"
Moving down the hallway, Sonic and Amy spotted Knuckles, as Tails came rounding the corner.
"You sure take your sweet time… ugh.." Knuckles collapsed, as his men tried desperately to hold him up, but his armor was weighing him down.
"Here, hold him up!" Sonic quickly darted to help Knuckles up, and began walking with him to the doctor.
"Just this way!" Tails pointed forward, and went on ahead to guide them to where he was.
"We're going to war. I want you and Tails at the meeting." Sonic instructed, looking forward, and determined more than ever to succeed.
"Pah!.. ugh… you think so?" Knuckles sarcastically stated, wiping some spit from his muzzle. "What makes you say that?" he continued to tease.
Sonic smiled, carrying him over on his back as the other two solders made sure he didn't slide down.
"Heh… what's the plan?" Knuckles lowered his head, exhausted from returning from that field of chaotic battle.
"I'm leading the army, with caution, stratagem, and in the Chaos Kingdom's honor."
"Huh.. .not by impulse or for the heck of it? …ugh… why you spoil everything?" he grinned. "So… not playing hero, then?"
"…No." Sonic stated.
"Wrong!" Knuckles bonked his head, which still came down pretty hard, even if he was weakened.
"Urk!" Sonic almost lost grip of his friend, and Amy gasped as he also almost came down, losing his footing before pushing Knuckles back up on his back, and continuing on.
"You've just found the way to be the real deal, pal…" Knuckles showed him his pride in saying that, and put a hand up on his shoulder, patting it twice.
"I'll follow you… My king… Heh, if you keep acting like one." He ruffled his quilly head, and then lowered his head in completely fatigue.
Upon getting Knuckles aid, the next few hours were setting up the war meeting.
Knuckles was finally ready to get back up and go to war again, and walked in, with his two most trusted solders, and waited on Tails.
Tails came in, and Sonic nodded, having his general and war strategist with him.
He put his hands over the map of the world, and began…
"I know I've made a lot of wrong…" he started, and his hands tightened on the map, crinkling the paper slightly. "I've hurt you… and I've betrayed your trust… your friendship… but I can honestly say I didn't know what I was doing at the time." He then looked up at his friends. "But I promise… with a vow that no circumstance could ever break… that I will never… do anything, or let myself and my selfish impulses bring pain and sorrow to my friends again! Nor the kingdom… nor myself." He put a hand to his heart, and then stood up.
He drew forth his chaos sword, it's lime green light encompassed the darkness of the room around them, and as he circled it, he spun it so he was holding it down, and took it's hilt, pounding it to his chest lightly.
Knuckles smiled, knowing the gesture all to well, and did the same with his axe.
Not having a weapon, Tails smiled and just did the motion with a closed fist.
"For land… for religion… for-"
"LOVE!"
The three turned around, and Amy giggled.
"Amy?" Sonic smiled, not in the least bit surprised that she was listening in.
"I thought the guards…?" Knuckles leaned to look over her, as the guards all shrugged, showing that she had made them cookies.
He lowered his eyelids, shaking his head at them, as one nibbled on a cookie, and the other took it out of his mouth and put it back in the basket, seeing Knuckles's disapproving expression.
Knuckles then looked as if the Solder hadn't done enough.
And immediately, he took his arm up, and swung it down on the cookie-eating disobedient one.
Knuckles looked to the other, who did the same gesture to the cookie-basket holding disobedient solder.
Knuckles then nodded, the scolding done with, and turned back to the war meeting, arms folded, completely content.
"Amy? Should you be out of bed?" Tails asked, looking down at her stomach, and then back at her.
"I'm fine." She walked over, and gave Sonic a kiss on the cheek. "For luck, my love!"
"Haha! A chaos tradition!" Knuckles billowed out, laughing at Amy's cute gesture.
"Huh?"
"Men going to war usually get a kiss on a cheek from their love or wife, sometimes a daughter, with the expression, 'for luck, my love!' it goes back to your family roots actually." Tails was about to give a history lesson, before Amy broke him off, which made him slightly upset at her rude jump-in.
"Everything we do goes back to something your ancestors did." She teased, and winked to him, as he rolled his eyes, thinking that very much true.
"Sonic! Complete the tradition!" Knuckles encouraged.
"Uhh…uhhhh.." Sonic wanted too! But… he didn't know the next part…
Knuckles laughed, and started to coax him through it. "Wait for me, my love!" he raised a hand up, showing that Sonic should put feeling into it.
"Uh." Sonic turned to Amy, "Wait for me? Amy?"
"No! That's not-" Knuckles was about to protest, but Tails just raised his tail, as Knuckles looked at it, and then to Tails, who shook his head, showing that it was alright.
"Forever, Sonic… forever." Amy and Sonic held their sights on each others eyes for a good minute, before Sonic gently moved down, and kissed her lightly.
When he pulled away, Amy squee'd, and walked blissfully out of the room. "All of you come back safely! Alright? Knuckles! Tails? I know a few girls who would be SORELY disappointed if you died in the heat of battle!"
Knuckles looked surprised, and then laughed again, slapping his knee.
But Tails blushed, and seemed to want to know who these exact ladies were, their addresses, and what kind of flowers they liked.
As the door closed, Knuckles zipped on over to Sonic, putting an arm around his shoulders, "Well, well. Look at our little king, suddenly a man with his own woman now! Wishing him off to war, haha!"
"Kinda embarrassing." Tails teased, before laughing too. "Don't you know anything about cooties?"
"All I know is that I've gotten way more than you both combined." Sonic moved Knuckles's paralyzed hand from over his arm, seeing his shocked expression, before billowing out another hardy laugh and almost falling to the ground.
"You don't know my love life!"
"I think I honestly can say that you've never touched a woman."
"But she's touched me." Knuckles gave him a cheeky eye and walked back to his side of the table, as Tails just looked offended and utterly destroyed in his confidence.
"I just haven't met the right girl to date yet!" he puffed up both his cheeks. "I'm working on it!"
"Rrrright… just like your working on why the Master Emerald shone so brightly on my wedding day." Sonic gave him a sneaky eye and winked to him, before the three walked out, laughing and joking… before war truly set….
'Shadow…' Sonic thought. 'My true joy comes from my friends… I'm sorry yours was taken from you.. but I won't let you take mine away!'
His thoughts trailed to the people of this kingdom he's learned to love. To Jet and the people of the Ark Kingdom… to Tails, Knuckles… and Amy… Vanilla and Cream… even the council… everyone…
Back in Amy's room, she sat down, and kicked her legs up, squeeing, before Vanilla came bursting in, looking once more worried and upset.
Amy's squeeing stopped as she groaned and put a pillow over her face.
"Why are you moving around so much!? And after that fiasco of you clowning around! Do you have no sense to the strain your body is under? Please consider your unborn child!"
"I know! I do! I just… I'm so happy about it, but Vanilla,… Sonic needed me…" She got up, throwing her pillow down and showing the sincerity of her words with her gentle eyes.
"…So full of love." Vanilla sighed, her anger immediately dissipating.
Cream then came flying in with Cheese.
"Oh Amy! I heard from Tails! You're pregnant! You have a little girl or boy in there?" She flew down and touched Amy's belly, which wasn't showing too terribly much.
"War means he may be gone for a much longer time than before…" Vanilla's thoughts suddenly turned to the predicament at hand…
"You still haven't told him?" she looked up to Amy.
Amy… shook her head.
"I couldn't tell him… I know it's wrong of me not too… but shouldn't it be my turn for one more mistake?" she tilted her head, and smiled sheepishly.
"…You're doing a great disrespect by not telling him your condition." Vanilla sat by the side of the bed, as Cheese put an ear to Amy's stomach, but Cream just laughed and explained that the baby's too small to be heard quite yet.
"I know." Amy gently stroked her stomach… before letting some air out of her lungs. "But then he really wouldn't have left. He'd feel obliged by his promise even more so…" she looked to Vanilla.
"He'll come back.. and when he does, I'll tell him." She smiled.
"…I pray he comes soon.." she looked at her belly. ".. I pray your right, and keeping it a secret from him is the best option… for now." She put her hands together, as if literally praying.
Amy looked down at Cream and Cheese, gently rubbing Cream's head, as in the distance, a weakened Master Emerald shone another great and powerful light, but this time, much shorter than on their wedding day…
It was more a flash of light, traveling up and through the emerald…
Amy felt some sort of power flow through her, but couldn't quite understand it. The sensation was so fast, she thought maybe she was just feeling the ill, about to throw-up, morning feeling again.
Either way… Sonic was on his horse, riding next to Tails and Knuckles, out to the battlefield of No-man's land… and making their way to the Ark Kingdom.
(I…Am so sleepy~ -Brain: Rest. Rest now. It's literally gonna be thanksgiving tomorrow and you shall eat your way into a real foodbaby like Sonic thought her belly was.- Yay~…food~… zzzz…stupid boy.)