Sonic and the Chaos Kingdom
Ch. 17
By: Cutegirlmayra (I got some free time, and I really didn't want to waste it… though I really didn't want to write anything either… please just be glad I love you so much.)
Rouge flew back over the many plains, before seeing something in the distance, like the line of black below the sun.
"That's odd…" she blinked her eyes, flapping her wings to stay in place, and moved toward it just a little closer.
Squinting her eyes, they suddenly shot open wide, seeing the massive line of darkness… was moving… like a bumpy ripple at the bottom of the sun's eye, clear down the line of earth that she could see trailing from miles to miles…
"…It can't be." She breathed out, terror filling her eyes.
She dove back to Sonic and the team.
The solders in Sonic's tent plated him with armor, golden and with his red and fluffy white ended robe, his royal crown on the appropriate ear.
"Heh. Doesn't this all just… weigh me down?" Sonic waddled a bit in his armor, and looked to Knuckles, turning awkwardly to him in his bulky, rectangular prison, and tried a smile and thumbs up, before the helmet slammed down on him.
"Haha! That chest armor will do you some good, and I know it takes some getting used too but… those armored pants and shoes of yours will be much desired come the Right of Kings." Knuckles his own armor down, below there. "Just watch out for when it rides up. Yeesh."
"Ugh…" Sonic hated wearing clothes… now he had to wear heavy armor?
"Haha, should be light when you're in Super form. From what little research I had left from the previous readings of our experiment, I conclude that it's not only your chaos energy inside you that is amplified, but also your physical strength and endurance too!" Tails, moving the tarp of the tent, came in some extra things in hands, drink and blankets.
"I've already cleaned up the rest of the tents. The army is all ready to go and serve! And-"
"Sooooniiiccc!" Rouge flew down as quickly as she could, rolling from getting bad footing in her haste, and coughing from all the dust she conjured up from the tumble.
"Rouge?" Knuckles looked out the tent, and ran to her. "Dang it, woman! I thought you left for good!"
He bent down by her side, helping her as she took his arm.
"L-..ugh… listen to me!" she clutched her head.
When Sonic came out, his armor barely clanging on him, miraculously fitting him as well as it was intended too.
Since,… it was a hand-me-down.
"Sonic!" she immediately turned her head to him.
"King." A solder corrected her.
"…Grr, this isn't time for petty salutes!" she glared, ferociously for a woman, and turned back to Sonic. "It's Eggman! He's got a fully operational army on the horizon! But these don't look like they were made with Chaos's power! He must have held some back from the Ark Kingdom's Invasion and is now bringing them up to fight Shadow!"
Sonic bit down on his teeth, and looked up.
He raced at his super sonic speeds up the hill, having the wind flap his robe out once he got there, and saw the heads of the sun-shaded army making their way to the Ark Kingdom.
"…Those poor people…" Sonic remembered what Rouge had told him, about the Ark Kingdom's people being unrobotized, … and now… even going to war again?
It was too cruel to even fathom. Leaving no rest to their weary hearts, and plunging them right back into submission and panic once more.
Sonic clenched his fists, his shoulders stooping up and back, as he leaned his head forward.
If these were his own people…. No… that didn't matter now.
Sonic was determined, right then and there, from that moment on, to defeat Prince Shadow in the Right of Kings, claim the Ark Kingdom, and protect those citizens and families! As if they were his own faithful people!
He knew they hated kings… but maybe that was because they hadn't been treated very kindly by the right one yet.
The Right one…
"I have to win the Right." Sonic concluded, still angry at the injustice he saw happening before his eyes. Or going to happen, depending on how fast he could defeat Shadow…
Three army's…. if he could get Shadow on his side, they're armies combined could-!
What was he saying?!
Sonic moved back a moment, caught up in his emotions, he hadn't realized what he had just thought, and looked like he was stepping back from his previous notions, looking at his hands.
If he went through with the Right of Kings… he would be threatening the loss of his own Kingdom… though, he knew he could win.
He clutched his fists again.
"…I have to win." He looked up, taking on a more serious approach. "I don't have time to dwell on if it's right or wrong… my family's hatred of Shadow…" he looked down, and closed his eyes.
"Family…"
He thought of his mom and dad… them turning around and smiling to him…
Then he thought of Amy.
A baby's cry suddenly echoed in his mind as he opened them, looking frightened.
He looked away and took in some air a moment, seeming a bit spooked by his imaginings, but then calmed himself down again, trying to not worry about that right now.
"I have to defend the Ark Kingdom… and in order to do that…" He glared towards the kingdom…
"…I'll be there… Shadow." He nodded in it's direction, and took off back towards his own army.
"Sir, we've been awaiting your command." A solder handed him his arm shield and the Chaos Blade.
"Thank you." He nodded politely, and without slowing down, allowed the solders to place the articles on him, and walked towards his horse.
Leaping up onto it, he positioned him around and started walking down the line.
"When I became your king, I set down my goals and hopes for my kingdom. How I would lead, and how I wouldn't allow such an awful fate to come to my kingdom… as to fall before the sword of tyranny and hate." He looked down to his men, but in his heart, they were all one before him.
They're bravery…
"In your hearts, you have my heart. You are all heroes before me! Let the kingdom mark this day… the day that your father's dignity became your very souls. They were torn in the battles of the wars… from you, from their families and friends… from their very livelihoods! Sworn warriors… but now, you take something even greater to your hearts! You take on another people's dignity, hopes, and dreams! When I win this Right of Kings… they shall be our brothers… are sisters… and their freedom lies with your swords!"
He pulled out his own, making Wind Rider jump up slightly, whining in slight protest at the sudden sound of it being drawn.
"I refuse to let my vow as king, fall just upon those who are fortunate enough to call me king!" he raised his Chaos Blade to the sky, it's green aura suddenly shooting forth a light down the lines.
"I say… Whatever kingdom it may be… let it be the kingdom… of Peace!"
"OF PEACE!"
"Freedom!"
"Freedom!"
"For the happiness and prosperity,… of all kingdoms!"
"To the world! Valor be to the king!"
"H-huh?"
Sonic put down his sword a little, turning to his men.
"Hail to the king!"
"Long live the king!"
"I.. I know this.." Sonic squinted his eyes, before his heart suddenly filled with such touched joy. "This is…" his eyes fell slightly, as he looked over his army…. His men… his people…
His sword fell to his side as he heard the rhythm increase.
"Hail to the king!"
"The king!"
Oh, the charming Chaos Carol, can you hear? Can you hear?
Oh, the charming Chaos Carol, by and by~
And all glory give to the king! Whose will only thinks on peace!
He shall defeat and save even enemy!
He shall save our world from strife, by and by, by and by.
And may our kingdoms come as one at last!
All glory to our king!
And all glory to our fathers, pray!
We shall battle by his side, yea, by his side.
That his reign may remain, by and by.
He has proved his love to the kingdom so.
That we forgive the sins of old!
And this charming Chaos Carol, you shall hear, you shall hear!
Play far into the future, by and by~
By… and… byyyy!
With such deep love and gratitude, Sonic bowed his head, shaking it to hold back tears, as he lifted a hand up and rubbed his eyes.
They only sang this in his father's reign, and then it wasn't till Amy becoming queen that they sang it again.
Now… at last… he had won the people's hearts. The kingdom was loyally for his cause of peace. He had finally become….
A true king.
Knuckles and Tails clapped and applauded, they were wound up in great joy for their friend. Such a carol was a true sign that he had at last, overcome his faults, triumphant over his weaknesses, and had truly become a good king.
"Heh… you guys…" Sonic looked up, chuckling a little, "Whoo. Hey, make a promise to me, okay? Promise we'll sing that as we come home. All of us!" he shouted out, moving his hand across to the whole crowd.
They cheered in their response.
"Alright… I thank you. My friends… my own kin… We're all children of the same forefathers who claimed our blessed Chaos Kingdom… now… let us claim the Ark kingdom as well, not for glory… not for gain… but for PEACE!" he held up the Chaos Blade, pulsing it a few times with Chaos waves, before charging out when he noticed a figure and many more greenly glowing robots charging towards them, completely ignoring Eggman's marching army from afar.
"We don't have much time…" Sonic looked out, seeing that if he was to take down Shadow, it was now!
"Tails!"
"Here ya … go!" Tails spun his bag around, and then let the objects get flung into the air.
The Chaos Emeralds emerged, and Sonic lifted his blade up.
The seven servers corralled and spun around the ancient and sacred object, as they spun down around Sonic on his horse.
Wind Rider stomped both feet rapidly on the ground, getting really agitated now.
"I…. am Sonic!"
They spun faster.
"Your king, your protector, and your only aid."
They started to glow, causing a ring of multicolor to form around his being, as he started to withdraw his blade down, absorbing the power.
"I promise to uphold my duty, to fight evil that comes your way."
He started getting lifted into the air, off his horse, who took off bolting once Sonic was removed, kicking off and away as his head shook profusely in defiance. He was probably slightly spooked too, as he trotted towards the sidelines, seeming to not want to depart too far, neighing.
"To lessen your burdens, and hear your fears. To dry your tears and give you less suffering."
Shadow slowed his speed as he flew closer, hearing words rippling in the wind.
The citizens, derobotized, huddled together at the castle, clinging to their families, as the wind rose and Sonic's declaration came across to their ears.
"What is this?" Shadow muttered, looking around, before seeing in the distance ahead of him, a glow of yellow…
"Hmph.." he pulled out his sword, and slashed it around, "I'm here… Come and fight me! King!"
"I can only say this… I want your lives to be free,"
The Ark Kingdom's people rose their heads.
"I want your children to smile,"
A grandfather held his little grandson closer to him, tears under his hoodie, brown cloak.
"And I want you to feel safe while pursuing your happiness… and dreams."
The old man, who had once spoken before Sonic and Jet at their underground match, rose himself up off the ground, and once again, bowed to the wind.
The others saw him, and quickly rose up, moving around one another, some to windows, others held their family and friends hands, and also bowed.
"And that…"
The Chaos Emeralds moved in, closing the ring, as Sonic's body flashed a light.
When the light parted, Sonic's eyes flashed open.
"Is not all!"
"ATTTACCKK!"
Shadow leaned himself to the side, positioning himself in such a way that his entire angle looked to be in exact standpoint to where Sonic was floating in the air, shining brilliantly. (Author's note: imagine Super Sonic from Black Knight. Much like that, but with a different robe and helmet. The robe's not attached to his hips, but his shoulders, where it belongs. Oh, and a crown on his ear too.)
The massive robotic, chaos charged army thrashed forward, as Sonic also slashed his sword in the air, and pointed to Shadow.
"Let's go!" he called out, as the men charged.
Knuckles shook his head, running with the men to get in front. "That was anti-climactic. Would it kill him to scream, 'Charge'? Or even, 'To arms, my brothern'? No? Ughh.." he looked around, but no one seemed to pay him any mind, and he just held out his axe, lowering his eyelids, before seeing Red at a post.
"AH! Red! What are you doing!?"
The horse leaned it's head up from the water trough.
"We're going to war here! Get your head on straight and let's go!" he charged forward, before stopping abruptly. "Oh no… now I'm saying it! Darn that little-" he shook a fist in front of him, as his horse came charging up behind him, and lifted his head down to scoop Knuckles up and roll him in a reverse summersault onto his back.
"W-woah!... Uh… Good horse!" Knuckles nodded, and kicked him to ride faster. "Hyah!"
As Tails tried to keep up with the others, he tried to master his breathing control, his little mouth a 'o' as he breathed in and out, twisting his tails to try and keep up with the men, before seeing Tornado gentle and gracefully wind her way through the crowd, and race up behind him.
"Ah! Girl!" he looked so happy to see her, as she neighed and pressed her nose gently up to his cheek, before pulling back to regain balance as she trotted.
"H'up!" Tails spun himself up and landed on her, "Alright, let's remember the plan!" he moved her reins over to the side, sticking to the camouflage of the trees, as the archers waited his instruction.
The swords clashed with rusty metal.
Robotic Chaos creations slammed their metallic fists down upon men and solder, friend and peer, as they all worked together to take down the fiends, and give ample time for their king to enact the Right of Kings.
"Why not call it, Rite of Kings?" a solder asked, before seeing a robot slice a robotic sword attached to itself at him, as he quickly used his fast footwork to dodge to the side, and then flip around to power his swing into the robot's sword-arm, causing it to jam up as he put a foot to it, and ripped the sword through the arm like breaking bread, having the Robot rear up as he turned back to his friend.
"Here you go." He kicked the arm to him. "A new sword, curtesy of your bestest mate." He winked, having an accent of sorts, before seeing the robot's other fist go down and jump backwards onto it, before slicing the head clean off.
He dropped down. "I just don't understand why it's not that way, you know? Like,.. the right to rule? Or the … Rite to try? Like, it's a customary observance and law placed for such things as taking another King's right to rule and subjecting him to yourself and then claiming his territory, like…" he shook his head only once, and tsked. "It doesn't make sense to me, should be the other way around, right?"
The poor solder boy shivered, as the older, more experienced solder placed a calm hand on the hilt of his own sword and leaned his chin on it, having it touch the ground.
"First war?"
"Y-ye-ye-yeee-yees, sir!"
"Heh. Well, you look up there, aight?" he pointed to Sonic, glowing magnificently in the air. "That be our king, see? And it's only his second real battle to be quite honest." He shrugged, and then patted the young boy's back. "Come on. I'll keep you safe. Stick with me, and I'll keep you alive."
"R-really..? Only his second..?" the boy looked back, taking courage, smiling, and quickly dashing off, grabbing the robot's long and sturdy sword and rushing up to another set of robots with the experienced solder, crying out a battle cry as the older solder just looked excited and in his element.
Sonic and Shadow raced for the other.
"This is it Maria… the end… has come." Shadow drew his sword back, powering himself up. "Chaos… CONTROL!" he slashed his sword forward and disappeared.
"W-what?!" Sonic stopped charging, and looked around.
A powerful slash came from behind him, knocking him down.
"Augh!" He regained himself and turned around, seeing Shadow diving for him.
"Grerk!" he quickly shifted and tried to get his flapping cape out of his way, jabbing his Chaos sword up at Shadow.
The pulse rippled and sent a ball of Chaos like a comet up towards him.
"What?!" Prince Shadow's eyes widened as the blast hit his face, and he pulled up, one hand gripping his face. "AHH!"
"Got him!" Sonic regained his flight, and dashed back up, slicing through the air as Shadow was hit multiple times.
"Ah! Grah! Gah.." he turned, eyeing Sonic's next direction.
"Heeee-rAWWW!" he heaved his sword up and thrust it down.
Sonic stopped his on-sought to look down and see him aiming for a bundle of his solders.
"No!" Sonic held a hand out, and an Emerald materialized from his glowing aura from a ball of light, into a floating Chaos Emerald that spiraled rapidly down his arm and into his hand. "Chaos Control!" he cried out, and the men were ported on top of another pile of robots.
They cried out, "Wooo-ahh!" but then started attacking as they were dropped down, getting the advantage, as Shadow's attack only created a crater of where they once stood.
One solder leaped from the air onto a robot's head, and laughed as he spun on it like an owl's, before the scene shifted back to Sonic and Shadow.
"Ah… I see. So good of you to bring them to me." Shadow turned his body from the side, to facing Sonic directly, having seen the Chaos Emerald. "You're even more foolish than your father!" He charged him.
Sonic's anger flared, and his nose puffed out air in frustration at his jab, before clanging sword to sword.
"That is… your father's only foolish act was not expecting the poison in my blade!" Shadow leaned his face close to Sonic's after their swords had contended in perfect counters, and now, the wrestle of pure strength, as Sonic's eyes widened.
"What?!"
"Sonic…" Shadow narrowed his eyes,
"I killed your father."
"N…."
Sonic's face stretched, his anguish at his father's 'unknown illness' suddenly became clear.
"NOOOO!"
Shadow smirked, as Sonic pulled away, and slashed even more in a chaotic frenzy at him.
'Hmph, by making him lose his senses, I'll have him dead in no time… just wrong move…' he clicked the lever that seeped venom through his blade's coating, and then thrust Sonic away.
"This is it… The last of the Chaos Kings… The final fatherless son… and sonless king." Shadow hovered a moment, before aiming his sword up. "Goodbye… Pathetic king."
-Chaos Kingdom-
"AHH!"
"Hold on my darling!"
"Momma!"
"Cream, you can't come with us, go back inside."
"AHHH!"
"I know, love. I know. Shh… We'll get you there soon."
Carried across a wheeled bench by some menservants, Vanilla raced behind Amy as she was lifted in the air and carried down to the stone caves where hospitals were forged from the mountain sides.
Vanilla banged on the door, holding her shawl tighter around herself.
A nurse answered the door.
"Please, I pray you with all diligence that relates to the future of our kingdom! We must see the good Doctor!"
The nurse looked up, seeing the queen, as her eyes widened and her hand up to her mouth, "O-of course, bring her here!" she quickly opened the door wide enough, then waved her hand. "Quickly, quickly! Come in!"
The men rushed Amy in, and set her down where the nurse instructed them too.
"What is the meaning of all this rucus?" The doctor came out, tying his robe around him, showing his rank.
"Sir! It is time." Vanilla rushed up to him, and grabbed his hands, hunched over in a frantic worry.
"By Emerald shines…" the Doctor glanced over to the girl, "I was expecting her, but not so soon!"
"The child is kicking from within at some alarming rates, good doctor! She can't hold him in there much longer! He'll kill her!"
"AHHH!" Amy cried out, before turning her head back and forth, and then settling down as the nurse came over with hot water.
"This… is like legend…" the Doctor quickly grabbed some supplies. "You there, Marie. Let the chief maid handle the water. Get me the herbs and medicine to calm her aching. Iris? Send forth for more of my cleaner tools. I cannot let this go unsuccessful!" he moved with purpose, getting his tools ready as the menservants placed pillows under Amy, hoping to alleviate some pain from the stony table they had to lay her on.
"Va…Vanilla…" Amy breathed out, looking like she couldn't see well.
"I am here… oh my sweet child, I am here." Vanilla ran over to her side, clutching her hand, and bending down to her level. "May Chaos bless this birth… let no harm nor injury come to you or your unborn child." She looked up, seeing the sky arrayed with green.
She looked back at Amy. "It… it is as legend says…"
"A child will be born of Blue under the Chaos green skies." The man retold, and hurried to Amy. "And when that day comes… a forever peace, and the secret of the chaos emeralds shall be known and never sense forgotten. The Chaos Child shall be the first to reign over an endless peace." The doctor looked to Amy. "… My Queen, in order to work upon your holy body, I must ask you to bless my hands with your consent. Do you yield to my hands?"
He put his hands out for her.
Amy breathed faintly through the contractions, and looked to Vanilla, silent.
"My dear, this man has delivered Cream to me." She held the man's shoulder with her free arm. "I trust him with my life even… which I give him freely." She looked back to him, as if telling the Doctor that Amy was like her own child.
"…I thank you for your virtuous words unto me,… Vanilla." He nodded to her, touched by her actions done in perfect motherly love.
"…I bless… and consent you hereafter… good sir." Amy touched his hands, and held them, even in her pain, and then released them as Vanilla immediately took their place and held Amy's hands.
"Men! You are not of warrant to be in the presence of life! Be gone! For this sacred right is given to fathers, and not to youth!"
The menservants looked to each other, as the customs of job-roles with women and men was a fairly recent law that hadn't been fully enacted against the bias traditions yet. But more so, they weren't the father, and for their people, one must be father to the child in order to be present to witness life.
The men consented, bowing deep in great respects, and then left to wait outside.
"Be strong, my darling…" Vanilla stoked her sweating face, as she breathed a little better, the unborn child seeming to calm itself.
"It won't be long now…" the man put on some gloves, and turned to gesture to one of the nurses. "Get her settled… I shall check to see if she ready. Vanilla, she will be wild in birth, but you must try and calm her. If she even so much as thrashes, the child could be injured. And with all haste, I shall do my part, but you must keep her from fainting or not breathing. And by our God, if I fail, let Chaos rip my very eternal soul out of me and swallow it as his snack!" he turned to his nurses, "Make ready! We prepare this day to meet royalty!"
-Sonic and the War-
The Master Emerald suddenly glowed with such brilliance, that Shadow lowered his gunsword, and looked to the sky.
It slowly began to be seeped with green…
The distraction and amazement stopped his control over the robots, as Sonic's men all stopped, and looked to the skies, confused.
"…What.. is that?" Sonic had never seen the Master Emerald give off such powerful green light before…
It was even stronger than the green of his wedding day…
But… what did it truly mean? Was it really a blessing?
"…It can't be."
Sonic turned to Shadow.
Shadow's eyes lingered on the sky… "This… this phenomena only is to happen when…"
He suddenly turned enraged at his epiphany, turning to Sonic.
"You… Amy… She was with child!" Only using one hand this time, he swung the gunsword up and started clicking, crying out in his rage as Sonic darted through the sky, taking cover in the clouds, still slightly white.
"This war cannot end without every last one of your bloodline DESTORYED! You've brought your own child into his death!"
Sonic's eyes widened faster than a lightning's bolt, and he flickered out of existance.
"..W-what?"
Shadow turned around, the wind rustling…
"….hhhhhrrrAAAHHH!"
Shadow turned to be slammed with the Chaos Blade, having it's Chaos energy drain him a little of his own at just it's very touch, and scrape against his raw hide, which wasn't covered at all.
"Don't you dare threaten my family!"
Sonic continued to slash and just hack away at Shadow, being the ultimate lifeform, it would take more than a simple sword to bring him down, but with every hit Sonic landed, the Chaos Blade continued to drain Shadow of his lingered Super form, which was growing fainter with each sustained damage.
"ENOUGH!"
Shadow lifted his hand up, catching the blade in his hand, and feeling power draining.
"What… what is… The Chaos Blade?"
He noticed the craftsmanship.
"But how?!"
"Your people have already given me consent to rule, Shadow!" Sonic pushed down, as Shadow fought back against it's draining power, only making Sonic stronger as he absorbed Shadow's Chaos Energy.
They struggled in air.
"Heh… They would have never accepted another king." He spat out.
"I'm more than a king."
Sonic suddenly took on a calmer, more refined look.
"I'm a hero… Sonic, Sonic The Hedgehog!"
"GAHH!"
Shadow was thrust away, as Sonic powered up.
"CHAOS…." He was trying to freeze the world again, bring Chaos once again to his side.
"Not this time!"
Shadow quickly recovered, pulling out his gun blade and firing.
"Shoot!"
Sonic saw the bullets and quickly dashed away, dodging, as he wasn't given any time to power up further.
"Fine! Sword to sword, then!" Sonic zig-zagged, before coming like a streaming bullet through the air, having a comet's trail behind him.
"THIS IS FOR MY FATHER!"
"Tsk."
Shadow dashed for the Master Emerald.
"What?!"
Sonic saw him dodge and took off after him.
'Where is he going?' he wondered, before seeing his objective. 'he's trying to fuel up! Not a chance!' Sonic glared, and chaos controlled to beat him there.
"Chaos spear!"
"AHH!"
Sonic shot back, as Shadow had seen that coming.
Shadow landed to the ground, and touched the Master Emerald. "Again! Again, and again till Maria is revenged!" he called.
Sonic spat out some blood, and turned around, wiping it off. "Shadow… I know you miss her… but your friend… she wouldn't want peace this way…"
Shadow's eye twitched.
Sonic put a foot under himself. "I heard about her… Maria… she was.. the only kindness in your life… the only sense of comfort when all around you… lay destruction and ridicule." Sonic slowly wobbled to his feet, and turned.
"If Maria was so gentle and considerate… don't you think she'd want you to be the same?"
"rrrr….How dare you speak her name… you are unworthy to even know HER VERY NAMMEEE!" Shadow turned around, having juiced up enough to spin back and dash into Sonic, then uncurling to slash out at him.
Clanging swords brought sparks of ideals, as the two kings fought for their versions of peace.
"Shadow! Urkk… Listen to me!" Sonic pleaded, kicking him away and using his arm shield to block his next attack.
"The Master Emerald isn't giving you power to rule… it's giving you power to make the right decision! For her sake! Think of what you're doing to your people! To the world!"
"Eggman manipulated me once.. I won't let you do the same, Hedgehog!" he rose his other hand into a fist and slammed a punch into Sonic's face.
"My anger is full now… there's no use holding back…" he stepped back, "Not one of your father's brought me to this brink… I shall enjoy tearing your body from limb to limb… considering your next child will never know you… they'll also not know how to use the power of Chaos! Victory… is justly mine!" He started to power up, shouting out as his limiters shook with violent frenzy, unable to keep back his full strength.
The limiters burst into thousands of microscopic pieces, as Shadow's super form suddenly burst ten-fold into an even more radiant light.
"Behold… the power my father once dreamed of… now… in my power.." he rose his hand up, and clenched it. "Father… It seems I'll be fulfilling your dream after all…" he then cocked his head, looking to Sonic. "Just as your forefathers swore to defend you… you swear to defend your child."
Sonic glared, his teeth bare, and his sword still vibrating in his hand.
"Hmph… shame. What pity is mortal life… compared to me!" he rose up in the air, and Sonic followed him.
As Shadow's laugh echoed the skies, Tails looked up, and then back down to his units. "Aim for their eyes! They can't aim or sense their opponents without them!" Tails helped a solder aim, and closed one eye to do so, moving his arrow over.
"How are my father's inventions holding up?"
A man threw a grenade, and the chaos surrounding the robot defended it, as it turned to look at who threw that.
As the man started to walk back to his men, the robot sent out a powerful beam of Chaos from it's eyes, as the men started to flee.
"No good! With all that Chaos energy, we're hopeless with anything other than arms!" he warned.
"Grr… we have to drain that Chaos energy! But how.. how to take it down… how.." he turned back to his horse, Tornado, who lovingly nudged him, though seemed frightened and jittery at all the sounds and explosions.
"…Wait…" Tails pet her head, and then patted down her body till he saw the brown sack… once containing the Chaos Emeralds…
"That's it!"
"Knnnuuucckllleess!" Tails raced through no-man's land, and found Knuckles slicing robots left and right with his axe, taking them down before they could even spot him in their sights.
"Oh! Tails, how are ya? …wait…. GET BACK IN THE-!" he saw a robot stomp up behind Tails. "Dang it.." he looked defeated, but just raced up and jumped onto a robot, dashing it through with his axe before smashing it with his free fist, and then using it's height to jump and take down the rushing Robot that was aiming to crash down on Tails.
"W-woah!"
"Ha-haaa!" he hollered in triumphant, holding the Robot's head up. "Now, you." He turned back around, "What are you doing out here!? It's dangerous for anyone NOT a solder!"
"It's Sonic! I have to get this message to him!" he took out the note.
"…Really?" Knuckles rose an eyebrow up, seeing the note. "If you couldn't tell, Tails…" Knuckles gestured up to the intense battle happening upstairs… "He's kinda got his hands full in the green-sky right now. And I don't think he's taking mail delivery."
"No, that's it! I need you to shoot him!"
"Come again?"
"Remember! His coronation! You aimed that arrow perfectly!" Tails took out a bow he had hoisted to his horse's seat, and jumped down, giving the arrow and note upon it to Knuckles, tying it tight.
"…. Alright." Knuckles sighed, and put his axe down. "Here," he tossed the heavy weapon to Tails, who grabbed it with both hands, but still ended up falling over.
"Woah!"
"Here we go.. let's see… the wind… alright… String's good. Whoo… get in the zone, get in the zone." Knuckles jumped up and down, looking up at the sky and judging it one more time, before pulling back the bow, and moving his eye in line with the arrow…
Sonic and Shadow were moving so fast…
"Eeeh… no." Knuckles opened the note.
"What are you doing?" Tails stated, spreading his tails apart so he could see Knuckles, still being kept down by the sheer weight of Knuckles's axe.
"This will do nicely." He smiled, and aimed again, "Heads up!... or… down… either way." He shot the arrow out.
Piercing through the sky, the arrow spun in such speedy grace that it shot right between where Shadow and Sonic were about to collide again.
Their reflexes moved them to dodge it, but seeing the note flap in the wind, Sonic's impressively keen eye read the lines- "Absorb" from the note.
"…Huh?" Sonic looked down.
He noticed that the grenades weren't doing any good, and that the robots were going down slowly….
Just like before…
"How do you know of Maria?"
Sonic looked up, seeing Shadow's rage suddenly turn to confusion. "Your people shouldn't have any knowledge of her." He glared deeper.
"…You have a good friend… and we have good legends." He held out the Chaos Blade.
"Heh. That old thing? It will take you at least a thousand strikes to bring me to the power level I was before." He spread out his arms, taunting Sonic. "And I thought you better at this than before. You never do change, do you?"
"You're wrong, Shadow." Sonic raised it slowly up. "I'm not like my father… though I wish I was. I'm my own kind of thing. And I do change. The Master Emerald must have saw your change too, or you could never have been purified!"
"Hahaha! Purified? With the stains of your fathers on my gloves? Don't make me laugh!" he slashed out his sword once more, but no chaos wave this time. "I'm here to tell you that Chaos can be controlled by other means… like the will to live."
"Live for peace… Your friend wanted peace! To end the war! She wanted you to stop it and all you do is instigate it time and time again!"
Shadow's face turned to offense.
"You think I'm the problem!? Look in the mirror, Shadow! Chaos brought you your memory back to learn the good from the evil! And you still can't understand! Would Maria be proud of your actions? Of what you've become? You've turned away from Eggman! Isn't it Eggman that's always started these wars? If not you or him, who!?"
"Eggman…" Shadow looked away a moment, before shaking his head. "No! Quit toying with me! My enemy is YOU, hedgehog… and for the last time… at least… for Maria's sake… it has too." He started to charge up.
"…Shadow…" For once, Sonic took a look of pity on his face. "Amy once asked me to promise her something too."
Shadow suddenly shot his head up.
"…She then released me from that promise,… on condition that I come back to her safely."
Shadow frowned.
"Sure! Heh… her father's chivalry had good place… but not in how she used it. She didn't understand her father's meaning in his words… much like you don't understand Maria's.."
"Quit using her NAMMMEE!" he charged.
"I'm going to show you, Shadow! I'm going to show you what she truly meant! By my birthright! By my power to weild the true power of Chaos! CHAAOOOSSS-!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Sonic, still holding the Chaos blade up, felt it draining the chaos of the robots, making them go obsolete, and gaining enough power to rival that of even Shadow.
The emeralds bolted out in streams of light, that then connected to the sword with individual lights shooting to it.
"Ah! Not again!" Shadow suddenly halted himself, but his speed made it to where he was slowly being drawn into it again. "Urk!" he held a hand up to his face.
The Master Emerald then raised itself higher.
"CONTROLLL!"
rrrreeeeeeRRREEEEEEEE
A brilliant white shine engulfed the entirety of everything again.
And once again…
Shadow opened his eyes, blinking in the white.
"…Shadow…"
His eyes shrunk in their widening…
His mouth gaped.
"M…Mar…"
Maria.
"I have longed to commune to you, Shadow! I'm so glad you're alright!"
Maria…
Her dress hadn't changed, neither her smile nor her blonde hair.
It was beautiful… behind this white light.
"Your…"
He reached for her.
"Shadow… I miss you. But you must know. This world was meant to be saved and loved… cherished… and fulfill all of it's creation! To serve it's living things, and bring joy to all that inhabit it! Oh, Shadow…"
She stepped forward, bending her knees and embracing him.
His tears at being able to feel her once again by him… beside him… holding him…
"Maria…"
His whole body froze.
He had almost forgotten how gentle her touch could be.
"You were created for destruction… but I always tried found that you loved to serve more than hurt. You would stay by my side when I was fearful of all the evil words that our very own families would speak of… You would protect me."
He slowly embraced her back, now able to get the strength to move.
He buried his head into the crook of her shoulder and neck.
His tears made his whole body tremble.
"Do not curse the Chaos that flows within you, Shadow… you were better than what they made you to be. You're not cold-hearted, or a machine. You were born to be a hope. That even something designed of evil… could still be good. I believe in you, Shadow. I know you'll do the right thing. I know… you and Sonic will do the right thing."
Shadow jerked his head up, his eyes shaking.
"Sonic…?"
"He is to bring peace.. and you, Shadow."
She moved out of her embrace, and touched his cheek.
With every bit of an angel's kindness, she smiled and tilted her head to him.
"Chaos has chosen you to keep it."
The light started to fade.
"No…Maria, stay with me."
He clung to her, his grip tight, but her smile never faded.
"…I'm sorry, Shadow… I'm sorry I wasn't clear before…"
"MARIIAA!"
"Not on bloodshed or gain, Shadow… not through swords, or guns, or murders… But on honor. Which comes from choosing what's good. And from justice, which comes from doing that which is right. For all who love.. and want to be loved… serve them Shadow. Be the Prince you were meant to be… the Prince…
That keeps the peace of this world."
"MARRRIIAAAA!"
The light faded, as her image disappeared.
Sonic breathed deeply.
"Who knew… communicating with the dead… would be so exhausting… ugh…"
Sonic flew downward.
"…My son…"
Sonic opened his eyes slightly, feeling the sensation of wind… suddenly sounded like a voice.
"…My dear boy… I am proud to call you son."
"D…Dad?"
SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOISH!
CA-CLUNG
"….S…Shadow?"
Shadow had dived down, grabbing Sonic before he hit the ground, and slowly rose him back to the air, giving him some of his power by having let the Chaos Blade stab his shoulder, which drained him of his own power again.
"Ah..! Shadow! What are you..!?" Sonic squirmed, seeing the action, as he felt his strength returning.
His armor started to fall off in plates, having been basically unable to withstand the power that emanated from Sonic's chaos power.
"…Together.." Shadow moved away, but he held Sonic's hand on the blade, as Sonic regained the strength to fly.
Sonic's eyes shook, not sure what this meant.
"…Order me… under your Right… and I shall be servant to you, in the name of the Maiden Maria. And to the Chaos Kingdom, I grant my kingdom, and all it's people, and all it's resources… kill me. For I do not wish to be apart from her again." He breathed harshly, the ancient blood spilling from him.
"…..No." Sonic narrowed his eyes, and forcibly removed the blade.
"ACK!" Shadow fell slightly, but Sonic caught him in his arm.
Sonic held his face forward.
"I should have given you trial long ago…" he closed his eyes, thinking of his father's voice.
"…Prince Shadow."
Shadow raised a flinching head up, but only one eye was able to open, as he gripped his wound.
"…I sentence thee to a forever servitude. As you have killed my blood.. you shall now serve them for the rest of your immortal existence. For your crimes against my people… you shall do their every wish, besides that of injury to yourself or death. For only I can place such a judgement. That is.. the will of a good, and true king."
"….Haaa…" Shadow was losing breath, but smiled, closing his eyes.
"…On behalf of your offer, I accept, and remove you of any title of King hereafter. You have no home. No people. You are simply… a servant of peace."
Shadow felt something inside him stir… as if Maria's words and hands were still lingering…
"…I accept my fate… and I vow this oath of servitude… never have I known a more just king."
Sonic helped him up, and nodded to him as he was able to hover, and nodded.
"Bow then."
Sonic removed his hands from him.
Shadow knelt in the air, as Sonic rose his Chaos Blade high.
"I dub thee then… under this oath… servant to the Chaos Kingdom's whims. Every whim that will ever grace your ears, so will you do, save death and injury to yourself… or those you love. I forbid your defiance to this… and name you… Shadow… the Vagabond Prince of Peace."
Shadow rose.
"Now… together."
He offered him his hand.
Shadow took it, and nodded.
"CHAOSSS-!" the two called out, combining their powers.
"CONTROL!"
Chaos, still freezing the world, suddenly manifested himself in his ultimate form behind the two, a fainted image in the green sky, as his roar echoed and sent a ripple effect that began to heal all the damage of the land.
When all things were restored, the freezing didn't end, and Shadow and Sonic felt their wounds healed.
"…Shall we?" Sonic smiled, turning back to his cocky self, and looking to Eggman.
"Shadow… my enemy is your enemy…"
He glared to Eggman.
"Then… what will you me… my king."
Shadow turned to Sonic, waiting for his first command.
"…Bring me Eggman… and we'll have our families revenge."
"….I've never known a king with such forgiveness… as you have now shown me."
Shadow, knowing he was the physical reason why Sonic's family had perished over the centuries of fed, saw that Sonic recognized that he was a solder under command, a puppet being toyed with, and made it clear that Eggman was the too enemy of the Chaos Kingdom.
"..It's not forgiveness… Shadow."
Shadow's eyes darted back to Sonic, confused, as he studied his expression.
Sonic never looked away from Eggman's army.
"….He was the real murderer. The master over all this destruction…" he gestured a hand out to the new refurnished land.
Shadow followed his hand, before looking over the beautiful landscape now.
The desert…was a beautiful oasis….
"Your father had destroyed this land's natural resources centuries ago… and longed to do the same to the Chaos Kingdom."
"I… I had forgotten.. the land's true look and wonder."
Shadow admitted, he may have lived through years of history, but his memory was not as young as his body.
"I can't believe… how much I have let myself forget… and swallowed myself in such remorse and anguish.. as to let all this perish and die away."
"You are no longer his weapon… you are you, Shadow. I give you your first order… obey it with exactness."
Sonic turned, looking very seriously to Shadow, who in return, bowed with an arm over his chest.
Then, in the tradition of his people, which he no longer belonged too, he held his fist's thumb towards where the tip of his nose was, a sign of complete loyalty, or death for failing.
He then took off, and started destroying the army in mass waves and spears of Chaos, before the world unfroze.
"Woah!" Tails was in awe, seeing the robot's that were around him suddenly filled with flowers and grass.
"W-what happened?"
"Was this..?" Knuckles woke up, shaking his head, as most were frozen in sleep. "Chaos's doing?" he looked to the Master Emerald.
"Look!"
Tails pointed to Shadow attacking Eggman's forces with such immense power, blasting any and all away from him as he attacked from mostly long ranged and then directly diving into the haul of them all.
"Sonic… did he..?"
The Ark Kingdom looked up, as Sonic turned, and smiled to them.
"Behold… your king."
He spread his arms out, as suddenly his men started to run in the city, asking people if they were alright, and explaining that they weren't there to conquer them like Eggman, but were there to offer peace, at last.
Then, the people looked up to Sonic… and he started noticing the same gesture of the closed fist, the thumb positioned to touching the tip of the nose, showed towards him.
They saw the beautiful restoration of a land they thought cursed, and they knew it came of Chaos… and it's noble King.
"He has saved us!" The old man called out, raising both hands to the green sky. "All hail! For we were desolate and cursed! But now, are we redeemed!"
The people cheered, though Jet threw down a plate, breaking it in his anger and jealousy, being the first to destroy something in the new land, and then stomping away, having Wave and Storm follow him, though they stared at Sonic, and Wave smiled, closing her eyes and making the sign quickly, almost as if flicking her nose, and then bowing her head a little before walking off.
Storm looked up to Sonic, and also did the gesture, smiling goofily, before dashing after Jet.
It was gratitude that had them yield so willingly… and Sonic knew their trust in a king would come in time… but he was glad for their curtesy and their cultural gesture.
Sonic suddenly felt a surge of Chaos leave him, and turned around.
"What was..?"
In his mind, Amy called to him, and…
The echoing of a baby crying.
He slowly rolled his head up from having a hand grip his heart.
"….He's born…"
His face suddenly turned to awe.
Abandoning all other things, Sonic took off through the sky, racing home, and smiling.
'My kid! My kid! My own kid!
AMY!'
Sonic knew that all royalty was traditionally born in the stone mountain hospital, and floated down, as people gawked his entry, and the menservants rushed him.
"My king!", "Congratulations!", "How went the war?!", "No time, let him see the gift of life!", "Blessed be Chaos!", "Your wife and child live!".
Sonic, hearing of Amy, politely pushed with a gentle encouragement the men aside, and walked into the hollowed stone rooms…
There, at the first door, he saw Amy's pink head… laying down, and cradling something of a lighter blue in her arms.
His heart elated to see her, but also lifted to his throat a moment at seeing the head of the child having three distinct spikes.
The doctor walked over to Sonic, having cleaned himself up, he shook his limp hand.
"Good to see you, Your highness! The child is a heathy baby boy! Blessed of Chaos. As he has fulfilled prophesy."
"….Son?" Sonic spoke from the side of his mouth, still unable to propel his feet forward.
As he stared, he suddenly saw Vanilla rise up from being seated at Amy's side, and smile to him, bowing her head.
"Come. It is the King's right to hold the newborn heir first before all others, save the queen." She gestured to him to proceed.
His feet, almost as if given permission, suddenly willed themselves on, as Sonic took a deep breath, and his super form glowed a little brighter.
He first touched Amy's head, and saw her slowly turn, and smile weakly at him.
"Sonic…" she lightly breathed out in love.
He leaned down and placed his forehead to hers.
"I was worried sick about you." He whispered, and kissed her softly, before looking down at the child.
"Em…wahh…whhhhaaa!...emmm.." the child burst out into a cry, before settling down and kicking his feet out of the saddled blanket he had, before then returning to his quiet and settled state.
"And… who is this?" Sonic's grin kept spreading.
"Heh… Sonic.. Meet your son." She didn't have the strength to lift the child, so instead, she removed her arms, as Sonic saw her look to him, and then the baby.
Sonic gulped quietly, getting his hands ready, and carefully picked the infant up.
"The head… dear, king." The doctor stepped in a little, just pointing out the correct way to hold him, but not coming near Sonic.
Sonic looked to the Doctor, a little stupidly as he quickly adjusted his hold and looked down.
The child blinked it's eyes, yawned, and looked up.
"Ha…Ha!" Sonic couldn't help it, he felt such excitement suddenly build up in him. "He has your bangs!" he exclaimed. "And my head! Great Chaos, he's the striking image of me." Sonic furrowed his brown but then lifted it up again, delighted at how much he could see Amy and him in the child.
The baby held it's stare, but turned it's head.
Sonic, almost out of instinct, moved a hand and placed it near the child.
"Heh.. Hey there.. Kid." He breathed out in choppy pauses, still a little breathless.
"Ehem." He then straightened his back. "I'm Sonic. Sonic The Hedgehog." Sonic introduced himself, and smiled down to the boy. "I'm the King of the Chaos Kingdom. Wielder of Chaos. That same blood I hold now flows in you… Trust me… I felt it." He nodded his head, as suddenly, he filled the boy with Chaos power, and the boy flashed a yellow, before Sonic pulled it back, seeing him shift back to his lighter shade of blue; and smiled again.
Knowing his son had the ability to wield Chaos as well made him even more ecstatic, then…
The child smiled at him.
He quickly turned to Amy.
"He smiled at me!"
Amy's grin could only explain the feeling of deep satisfaction and relief that came over her.
He didn't act at all like she thought he would.
But Vanilla was right… he wasn't mad at her at all for not telling him.
At the current moment, Sonic wasn't even thinking of that.
He turned back to the baby, seeing it had nipped at his finger.
He put it closer.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, almost bouncing on one leg one. "Amy! Amy! It's sucking my finger! My finger, Amy!"
Vanilla couldn't help but giggle, placing a hand over her mouth. 'I knew he would take to fatherhood well.' She thought to herself, and then looked away, sweat-dropping. 'but… just to be careful. I'll still play the nanny…'
"What's his name?" Sonic turned to Amy again, not able to contain his excitement and enthusiasm.
His huge, open smile, and innocent look of pure joy made Amy giggle a little too, though it pained her too, since she was so weak.
"…I… I don't know." She smiled, "I thought of a thousand names… but I wanted to… to follow your families traditions..haa..ha.." she started closing her eyes, unable to really stay awake much longer.
"Haha…M-my traditions..?" he couldn't take his eyes off the baby now, twiddling his finger in his mouth, before looking back to Amy. "Amy?"
He zipped over to her.
"Watch the head!" the doctor reached out, and then pulled himself back, trying to be professional. "Please…" he urged.
Sonic, having a firm grip on the baby, realized that dashing around in super form was probably not the best idea, he powered down, and looked apologetic to the doctor.
He then bent down by Amy. "Amy…" he whispered, looking concerned for her, but in a gentle and not so uneasy way. He knew she would be okay.
She had to be.
"…Heh… Sorry. Just… a little pooped right now." She teased.
"Yeah…I can imagine." Sonic turned back to the baby. "Then again, maybe not. Only the piles of poop this kid's gonna make." He made a face, and Amy again stomached a laugh, even though it hurt.
"But no playing in it."
"Let's not go back there."
She giggled again before really losing strength. "Before… I faint…" she breathed out, feeling her consciousness slipping, as Sonic immediately took her hand after hearing that.
"An… 'S' name… Something for him."
"…'S'?" Sonic thought about it.
It was true, that the tradition for male hedgehogs in royality were usually named with an 'S', but…
"Silver?" he looked to Amy.
She scrunched up her face.
"No, no…" he looked back down, "You're right. That's an awful name."
"It's your kid, Sonic." Amy breathed out, and turned to shift a little towards him.
He rubbed her hand, seeing her looking so tried… but he was filled with love for her for it.
She really gave it her all. And he could tell.
She reached for the baby, and Sonic took his own hand, which was holding hers, and placed it on the boy's forehead.
She smiled, but the baby started crying.
"Oh no…" she breathed out, as Sonic bounced the boy up.
"Hey, come on. I know she can be scary, but she's your mother for crying out loud!"
"Ah..! Oh, you… you rascal!" she bonked him on the head as best she could, which was a failed attempt, since it just flopped onto his face, and made him grin to her.
"You're going to teach your kid to… to… be bad." She tried to conserve her energy into her words.
"…Heh, my kid. Our kid! … My… kid… Sonic's kid…. S'kid…" Sonic, having the idea muse in his head, looked down at the baby.
"Skid?"
The baby kicked a foot.
"Skid, skid." Sonic repeated, lowering his head down, as the baby lightly whined, but thrashed his head around, not liking the blanket restricting him.
"Heh." Sonic beamed, "Skid! Let's name my kid, Skid!"
"Your kid..? I thought.. you said… our kid?"
"You called him mine first, and you asked me to pick the name." Sonic pouted to her, holding the kid up like Simba. (It's enough to make kings and vagabonds, believe the very best~ ;D)
"Skid… I like it." Amy closed her eyes, but her smile spread across her cheeks.
He gently lowered the baby back to her arms, as she held him with what little strength she could.
"…. I love you…" he stated, holding her hand that was on the baby's.
"…Ha… you said it." She beamed with her eyes closed.
"…You haven't even heard what else I'm about to say." He knew that telling her about Shadow and everything that happened would be a lot to take in right now… in fact, the kingdom still thought Shadow a villain, and misunderstood that Eggman was really the ring-leader in all this.
Sonic looked away, "bbbuuut, maybe another time." He winked to her, knowing she had no idea what he meant.
"…Heh.. I love you too… Sonic… I'm gald… you're safe."
"Had to keep my promise… Amy." Sonic placed his forehead back to hers, as the baby whined again, and Sonic and Amy laughed.
"He sounds like your tantrums." They both said in unison, before stopping and Amy opening her eyes.
They both looked at each other.
And with a teasing glare, began to laugh again.
"Ow!" Amy gripped her stomach.
"Okay! Jokes aside, you should rest now." Sonic admitted, before looking down at Amy's blankets and pillows.
"Is that..?"
"What?" the doctor looked down. "Blood?"
"…That much… out of you..?" Sonic turned to Amy. "…And you're still alive?"
Vanilla face-palmed. 'Truly. I have failed to explain to him everything…'
"Ohhhh…" he got queasy, even just thinking of Amy losing that much blood made him put his head to the table near the baby's and hers.
She lightly breathed out a chuckle at his response.
At least he cared.
-A few days later-
"Hold the head!"
"I've got this!"
"Don't forget to-"
"Amy, come on! It's my kid too! I gotta hold him sometime!"
"Your highnesses, it's time to introduce the young prince."
The priest bowed, as Amy and Sonic held their heads up high, taking a breath.
"My people!"
The crowd cheered, mixed with Ark and Chaos Kingdom citizens alike.
"I give you- Your prince!"
Sonic held up his child, which squinted in the light, and then, instead of crying, just tried to hide his face in the blanket, flicking it up over himself with his nose.
"Eh… come on, kid." Sonic raised an eyebrow, looking lovingly to his son, but seeing him do such a thing at a time like this…
But the people still cheered.
Sonic and Amy smiled to each other.
Then…
"Hurray!"
"All hail the Promised Prince!"
"All hail the Queen!"
"All hail the King!"
The king!
The kiiingggg!
"Whelp, here we go again." Sonic gestured his hand out in a circular motion, making Amy laugh as he rolled his eyes in a fake mock, and the two hugged their son together, and looked out over the crowd.
Oh, the charming Chaos Carol, can you hear? Can you hear?
Oh, the charming Chaos Carol by and by~
And all glory to our king! And the vagabond prince of peace!
Shadow looks over a hilltop, hearing the song faintly, and then continues to walk on, holding his purple cape tighter towards him in the wind.
And this charming Chaos Carol, can you hear? Can you hear? Yes, this charming Chaos Carol, by and by~
To the son of which is born (men)
To end all war and scorn. (Women)
Lucky and praising we shall live, we shall live.
And sing of this great herald, by and by~
Where the Master Emerald brings, all the kingdom prosperity!
Yes, the charming Chaos Carol, can you hear? Let them hear!
The generations shall praise thee by and by~
And all glory to our king! (men)
And all glory to his queen! (Women.)
Let's remember our gracious heir, he'll soon ascend!
Sonic and Amy bow their heads on the words, before the little baby pops his head out, and opens his mouth wide in a big smile, seeming to like the singing, and looking around, being observant.
The two smile and chuckle up towards each other.
Yes, the charming Chaos Carol, we can hear, we can hear! And all hearts be purified and clear.
Praise, the name, of the Emeralds, they maintain, they maintain!
All the peace of the Kingdom's love~
And order~
By and By!
By and… byyyy!
-Somewhere in the uncharted territories… the forbidden lands of unexplored realms, where thieves and barbarians dwell, and other lands kingdoms and cities rise and fall… but what have we-
"here?"
"Good food and shelter? Dear sir?"
"Oh yes… thank you."
A man, large in stature, puts some money on the table.
"…Heh." The tavern man suddenly smirks.
"That's all?"
"…." The hooded man stays silent.
"You're going to have tah pay a lot more than that for my place." He put the drink down and took the hand with the rag in it he was cleaning with and gestured to himself with his thumb.
Leaning over the table, the hooded man replied,
"That's all your getting."
He smirked, and sat back down.
"…Alright."
The man folded his arms.
"Get him."
The nonchalant reply suddenly sent a herd of swarming bandits around the hooded figure.
"…Oh dear."
The man put a large hand up to his mouth,…
Then revealed a rather large gun.
The hooded man turned around, seeing them bounce, and shot the energy gun at them, having them all fall and cringe under it's electrocution.
"Witchcraft…" the tavern man stepped back.
"Call me a wizard."
The man with the large nose and mustache now sticking out from his hoody, held the gun upwards, as it steamed from it's use.
He laughed maniacally, before shooting upwards, and cutting off the lights…
His glasses shined as he powered up his gun again.
"Let's talk."
He glared, keeping his wicked smile, and pointed the glowing gun at the tavern man.
(Guess… this isn't the end? -shrug- What's Eggman doing in the wastelands of the uncharted place? And isn't Skid kinda cute? What of Shadow now? And the people of Ark kingdom? AND HOW ON EARTH AM I GOING TO CONTINE THIS SORY AFTER I'VE SEEMED TO DO ALL I POSSIBLY COULD- pulls out another chapter- Oh wait, here's some notes that should help. Let's see…. Eggman escapes and- Whoops! Haha, almost forgot!
Spoiler alert.
As always! Stay tuned for more Sonic and The Chaos Kingdom! :D)