Sonic and The Chaos Kingdom
Ch. 19 FINAL
By: Cutegirlmayra (Here we are at the start~ I can feel the beating of our hearts~ Thanks for lasting this long with me everyone! I'm trying to bring back my writing to a truly creative form, and I'm so glad that everyone is enjoying this story! The end is upon us, but fear not! I have bonus stories along the way : ) Family from the past and also Skid stories, I also have a very special character appearing towards the end of this chapter that will appear again, so stay tuned! ;) And thanks again for supporting- all together now-
Sonic! And the Chaos Kingdom!)
Horses stood upon the hill top in great numbers, as swarms of men positioned in an arching line, looking down upon the inhabitants of the closest town to the Castle.
Riding some odd looking mechanical steed with wheels, the hooded mustache man peered down with his beady glasses on the towns folk.
"So pleasant… So…blissfully unawares." He held to the wheel of his poorly constructed contraption. "I've had to scrap and meld these 4 and something years to get to this point. Buying the last of my thieves and bandits, taking and pillaging, avoiding that abominable prince!" he slammed a tightened fists down on his machine, having it rattle from within slightly at the shockwaves.
He grinded his teeth a moment, before slowly beginning to laugh in his signature way, leaning his head back and letting it come full force.
"I, Doctor Eggman, Grandfather of Gerald Robotnik, will let nothing stand in my way… from fulfilling my ultimate purpose. This day… we take the crown… or destroy it." He lifted a hand up. "You ruffians and hooligans! You rats, dogs, and fiends of the pits of pities and filths of fortitude! You noble wenches of blemishes, and men of unsavory valor and corruption! Bent, with the addiction of blood lust and sin… if you want all I've promised, all I've foretold, then this day… do not disappoint me!" He leaned his machine up before it flopped back down again.
He drew out his gun, as the characters around him grinned wickedly, ill-intent in their hearts, drawing their own weapons stained with the uncharted territories many lies and secrets.
"To war! To death!" Eggman cried out, "To centuries that lead to this! Our eternal victory!" leading the charge, his machine made a motorcycle like sound, and the rest of the army, equipped with their own technology, rushed down to the town and started to lay siege upon every living thing, and anything that had even remote value was either smashed or stolen.
Houses were torn down and set to blazing fires. Windows were smashed and markets ransacked, but through this whole turmoil of anguish and boisterous boast of bloated prides, Eggman strode beyond it all, heading for his true destination…
-The Castle-
Sonic was deeply focused on the interesting lines of each hand-drawn location, skimming his own hand over the dry ink and imagining the journey that Shadow must have taken to each new territory, new land, new people…
He quickly opened some notes and started to read Shadow's entries of each location, listed on the incredible long map, expanding his own horizon as he thought about the tapestry of the Chaos and Ark Kingdoms lands… and how massive the world truly was compared to that rug.
He looked up a moment, a fire sparking in him to go and travel, see the world and befriend new allies and seek further adventures!
"Father! Errgh! Father!"
Sonic suddenly was pulled out of his thoughts, looking forward as he saw his son struggling to push open the big and heavy doors into his study room.
He chuckled, and put an elbow down, leaning his head to rest on his hand, waiting…
"You can do it, son." He teased, but mostly encouraged. "One way or another, I'm gonna teach you how to be a proper man."
Skid continued to shove and push and even tried to use his super speed to push the door open, but his body wasn't much and his pushing very minimal.
Skid started to tear up, before skidding his feet to the outter floor of the hall.
"Daaaaaddddyyy!" he cried for help.
Sonic chuckled, and got up and sped to the door, opening it as Skid wobbled in and fell down, getting up on his knees and sniffling.
"You've gotta learn how to push through your own problems, kid." Sonic waltz over and scooped him up, putting him on his shoulder and then going back over to his desk.
He flipped through more notes and went back to his thinking, as Skid wiped his face clean of his frustrated tears and rubbed his strained arms, before looking down at the map.
"What's all this, Daddy?"
"It's Prince Shadow's adventures. I'm trying to vicariously live through his journal."
"What is… vi… vi-um…"
"Vicariously?"
"Yeah, yeah!" Skid bounced on his shoulder.
Sonic looked to the side, slightly embarrassed, and put his kid down on the table beside all the papers rolled out on it.
"It means I'm jealous, kid. I'm downright envious." Sonic leaned both arms down on the table in front of his son, and turned back to look at the map, before shaking his head down. "Daddy's just wishing he wasn't daddy again."
"…Huh?" Skid tilted his head, unable to understand. "What is.. en…. Envovious?"
"Envious. It means I wish I could have seen and done all that Shadow did." He flipped through multiple pages of Shadow's entries with his thumb, before sighing and straightening his back up.
He then smiled to Skid and ruffled his hand into his quills, making Skid laugh.
"I think Daddy's cool." He stated, and Sonic paused a moment.
"I think Daddy's the best king that ever was is."
"…was is?"
"Um… was and is?"
"…That's my boy."
Feeling great accomplishment at hearing his kid thought he was cool and a good king, he picked him up once again and held him close, quite rare for him to show such affection. However, this made Skid very happy, as he cuddled up under his Dad's chin and rubbed, much like he did with his mother.
Sonic pulled him back a bit, looking oddly to him. "What are you doing?"
"Momma says that if you want someone to know how much you truly love them, you cuddle them!" he spread his arms out wide, and then hugged his father again.
Sonic looked slightly displeased with that explanation, before closing the journals and walking towards the door, holding Skid in one arm.
"I think it's time you spent more time with Dad." He grumbled, and started to walk towards the knights in training.
"No! to the left! Dodge! Dodge! Get the- noo! Augh.." Sonic, like a father watching his kid fail at sports, held his head with both hands and lowered it slowly, as Knuckles sweatdropped, seeing Skid race away from the other in-training boys, and cower behind maids who were passing water along to the sweaty knights-to-be.
"This is the prince?"
One boy spoke up, pointing his wooden practice sword to Skid, who was hiding half way under a maid's dress, before she swiped it away and gave him a stern finger, making him flinch and look apologetically up to her.
"…Maybe we should go easy on him. He's probably just new." An older boy spoke up, seeing how Skid was so young…
"Heh. If I can beat a prince, I'll have bragging rights for weeks!" The younger, first talking boy, suddenly swung his sword around and approached the prince. "Here." He kicked the downed wooden sword Skid first had towards him again, as the maids moved away, not wanting to get involved.
Skid held out hands for them, but they refused to pick him up.
He sorrowfully turned back to the boy.
"What are you? A pansy or something?" The boy leaned forward, as the word struck at Skid.
Suddenly, he tightened his fists.
"Oh, look! I think I made him mad! Haha!" The boy mocked, turning to his friends before looking back at Skid.
"D-don't, Barkle! He's royalty!"
"Royality, smolity. He's just some wimpy kid-"
Suddenly, the boy turned to see Skid's hand reach for the sword.
Picking it up, he stood with amazing nobility, and a look of stern anger.
The other boys stood back.
Skid swipped the sword in front of him, and then his arm started to vibrate.
"W-what's he doing!?"
Suddenly, Skid swipped the sword again, and the boys felt a huge wind blast as they held their arms up above them.
"Aahhhh!"
"…..Ehem."
The boys looked up.
Skid smiled, and turned to show the maid's pushing their dresses down.
The boys looked startled at first, before laughing and whistling.
Skid grinned.
The boys suddenly rushed him with pats on the back, pulling him into their friend circle, and asking how he was able to do that.
The maids all shoved their many layers down and then turned with grumbling anger towards Sonic, who was so shocked at his child's response that he was literally winded of any and all air to speak.
Knuckles suddenly boisterously let out a hardy laugh, hitting his knee and then pulling Sonic over to him. "You're kid may not be a fighter, haha! But he sure is good at winning acceptance without speeches! HAHAHA!"
Sonic growled, not liking that.
He wanted his kid to be manly! Not pull some mischievous pranks for kicks and friends!
"Skid!" he called out, folding his arms after removing Knuckles's arm from under him, the general still letting out some muffled laughter.
Skid turned around, smiling before he saw his dad's face.
The other boys 'oohhh'd as one said, "That's the king." And Skid bended his ears back, slowly dragging his feet over to his father, and twiddling his fingers.
"Y…Yes, daddy?"
Sonic glared down at him, clearly upset with his actions.
"Do you think women like being treated like that? For your own amusement?"
Skid slowly lowered his head down.
"That wasn't for you to dwell on. I want an answer, kid."
Skid took a deep breath.
"No."
"Don't let it happen again. I expect you to be a king someday. A truly great warrior and knight among men. I can't let you abuse those rights and honors with little tricks like these. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"….."
"Skid."
"Kinda?"
"W-..What do you mean, kinda!?"
Skid kicked the ground a little, before digging the tip of his toe into the ground behind him, having his hands behind his back, not like being the center of a scolding.
"Momma… she did say… that girls like to be treated with respect." He looked up to Sonic. "But…. What is respect?"
Sonic face palmed himself, dragging it down before rubbing the back of his neck, looking down and away.
"Well… Respect, son… is when you love someone enough to honor them."
"…How do I honor you, daddy?"
The question sang right into Sonic's heart, and vibrated his innermost soul.
He looked to his son and didn't know what to say, or even convey the feeling that resonated in him at those words.
He remembered a time he asked his father the same question, and pulled from that memory as he knelt down and put a hand to his son's shoulder.
"…Honor me… by loving me enough to listen to me…" Sonic stated, trying to even sound like his own old man, as Skid looked down, and thought about it.
He suddenly leaned his head up with a smile, and nodded. "I want to be like you, Daddy. But I'm scared of getting whacked." Skid turned back to the training fields, seeing the kids throw hard hits towards one another and their leather paddings.
Sonic looked up, and back to his kid, seeing how much fear was there.
"…Come on. We'll practice another day." He had compassion, and picked Skid up to walk away.
"Hey, prince!"
Sonic turned around as Skid looked over his father's shoulder.
The boy, once fighting him, stood with a friendly smile on his face, before giving Skid a thumbs up, and winking.
Skid gave his signature open-grin, and then waved to his new friend, as Sonic smiled, raising an eyebrow.
"Heh, maybe you do have a knack at peace." He smiled and walked on. "Still, you need to learn how to be more manly…"
"But I am a guy, daddy." Skid looked confused, turning to Sonic.
"Liking girls is great, son. But there's other things to it then that." Sonic looked unamused, knowing how much of Amy was really in Skid. "There's much more than girls in this world."
Skid giggled, "Not much more." He beamed, as Sonic twitched to the side, and held Skid out in front of him.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
"Your highness! There's trouble!"
"Hmm?" Sonic turned to see a few soldiers make their way to the courtyard to him, huffing and puffing, just coming in from the gates.
Sonic placed Skid in his arm to sit, and held him slightly like so. "What seems to be the problem?"
"It's…" the men couldn't catch their breath in time, before…
"Eggman's returned. He's fully shown himself. He's moving fast."
"Shadow!"
Shadow, with his dirty, tattered cape strode without any exhaustion passed the weary men, unable to even get up from their knees at bowing to their king.
"Where is he?"
"The corner town. Just ahead of the castle. A few miles northwest. I'm afraid you need to get your son to safety." He spoke refined and quick sentences, before emphasizing and looking to Skid, showing his apparent concern for the child.
"He'll be wanting the crown." Shadow looked up at Sonic's right ear, that shined in it's golden plated royalty.
"Heh, not a chance!" Sonic's younger years took over, as he smirked and looked determined to fight. But then…
Looking to Skid, he realized he had bigger things than just 'yay, a battle!' to worry about.
He looked down and realized that he didn't know where Amy was, and then turned to Shadow.
"Shadow. Take my son to Amy. Make sure he's safe. Then, meet me on the battlefield." For the first time in the Chaos Kingdom's history, a Chaos King passed his only heir into the hands of Prince Shadow, and the very act of trust and unselfish passing made Shadow's eyes widen, unable to react at once.
He stared at what would have been his mortal enemy, literally, for the next war if it weren't for his surrender and oath.
Holding Skid, he felt no anger or hatred for some reason… and the little boy just peered up in complete innocence, not realizing who Shadow could have been to him… and what even war was.
"Shadow."
Shadow broke his train of thought, and shook his head slightly up towards Sonic.
"This is an order… are you okay?" He crocked his eyebrow.
"Urk..!" Shadow flinched, 'does he not realize what he's just done!?' he sweat dropped, realizing Sonic had truly left the past in the past.
Then he realized, and looked back down at Skid.
Sonic had only had a few years of war with Shadow… it wasn't like he was there to see all the wars. All the destruction and hatred.
The book must have informed him of it, but it's nothing like actually living through it.
Shadow slightly held a neutral smile, realizing that Sonic held no further loathing on behalf of his people towards him, and honored the code of war, retaining the honor of peace which Knuckles had spoken of.
There was an etiquette in all things, after all.
Shadow suddenly held the boy close, mimicking the hold that Sonic once had on him, though Shadow had never even been in the presence of a child before, he learned quickly through memory and mirroring.
He looked down at Skid as Skid played with his chest fur, fascinated by it. "Wooah…" he breathed out, and started chuckling, not aware of what was being spoken, before looking to his father's face, and finding reassurance that everyone's actions shouldn't frighten him.
Sonic smiled to him, and ruffled his hand once again in his hair.
"You be good, kid." He lovingly teased, before looking to Shadow. "Go."
"I will now." Shadow nodded his head, and then took off into the castle.
Sonic watched a moment, before his purple coat flew out of sight, and turned to his men, seeing they had caught their breathes now. "Inform general Knuckles and strategist Tails about this matter. I'm off to the fray!"
Sonic fashionably, and quickly fluidly, grabbed his cape and flung it in front of him as he tore through the courtyard at super sonic speeds to his horse, almost debating whether he needed one or not.
He blurred past the stable boy, having grown older now into a man, as he clung to his rake and seemed to have a maid present with him, but Sonic didn't ask questions.
Jumping onto his horse in it's stable, he didn't even bother with a straddle or reins. "Hiyah!" he cried out, as the horse bucked and stomped in it's surprise, before kicking the door down and charging off.
"Look out!" The stable man pulled the maid closer to him, to avoid any injury to her.
"Ahh!" the maid was squished up against him before the two watched the king pass by abruptly. "I-Is he always like this?!" she adjusted the clothing on her head and then her outfit, as he blushed and scratched his head.
"W-well… yes. Yes he is."
Sonic, smiling in a giddy mood, raced through the trails down to the town, before his smile faded…
So many burning buildings… screams and shouts from every round, and items poured out on the streets like the dirt that littered the air.
"…What…" he pulled back his horse, having it rear slightly, swinging his head.
"Wind Rider,… we need to find Eggman." Sonic gritted his teeth, before hearing some bandits behind him, and turning around.
They were charging him, firing off guns and arrows.
Sonic pulled out his Chaos Blade, and rippled a pulse out, sending the arrows away, and then swiping at the energy bullets, which dissipated at the very touch of the Chaos Blade.
"Ah!" The bandits, having covered faces, looked shocked at how fast he dodged their ambush.
"Heh. You haven't met me yet, have you?" Sonic smirked, and charged towards them. "I'm Sonic! Sonic the KIIIINNGGG!" he dived right through them, sending Chaos swipes to knock them off their horses, and then pulsing those on the ground down and back, his horse almost trampling them if they didn't crawl away fast enough.
A bandit held his ground though, and drew his metallic sword, which sparked of electricity, as he yelled out a battlecry and ran to Sonic.
Sonic, looking oddly to the brave man, pulled his sword back, as Wind Rider's nostrils flared, and leaned up, as if waiting.
The man came closer and the horse jumped over him, like a little hop, as the man looked up and turned around, but Sonic swiped and cut him down.
He turned to Wind Rider, and patted his neck. "Good horse." He praised, and kicked him onward as the Horse just shook his head of the praise, but whined in almost acceptance of it.
(Author's note: Sonic's people aren't very tall. I mean, they're not humans you know! So a horse could leap over them, just saying.)
Back at the castle-
Shadow raced around moderately, trying to be careful with his new passenger, as Skid laughed and held his hands up, liking the ride before Shadow finally stopped, looking around and realizing he couldn't find Amy either.
A few maids cowered at seeing him behind pillars, and he tilted his head to see them, before approaching.
They screamed but one remained still, her knees shivering in fright as the other maids tried to call out to her.
"Maid, where is your mistress?" his voice was full of purpose, but not tender in the least bit.
She flinched and covered her head, which made him step back a second and realize he needed to speak gentler.
"Maiden…"
The reaction he got was just what he wanted, as she stopped shaking and suddenly looked up, blushing slightly.
"Where is your queen? I must deliver a message, as soon as I can. I have her son here as well, tell me. I implore you."
Suddenly, the other maids started to walk up, also blushing.
"S-she's in the library." The maid spoke, shakily.
He turned in the direction where he remembered the Chaos map stated it was.
He nodded, "Hmph. Thank you." He bowed to them, but mostly her, and then took off.
The other maids suddenly squealed and melted into one another, falling down and holding their faces.
He wasn't aware of his charm, so it seemed.
Coming up to the library, he opened the door abruptly, before his eyes widened.
Amy was held at gun point,… by a strange, and large hooded man… holding a chaos emerald.
Sonic was being backed up against a building, his horse taking small steps back, but with force, neighing loudly didn't help draw them back any further though, as Sonic slashed his sword out multiple times.
"Give up, King!" A bandit stated, having outnumbered Sonic.
"Where are my men!?" Sonic shouted out, realizing Knuckles and Tails, or even Shadow hadn't come at all!
The bandits chuckled, and readied to spear his horse down, as he looked for the first time truly panicked.
Suddenly, a bright light shone behind the bandits, "Chaos Control!"
The men were blasted away from Sonic, as Shadow stood in the center of the light, holding the white chaos emerald, and panting as he looked quite beaten up.
"Shadow!" Sonic got off his horse, running to him, and holding him steady, elated he had made it. "I'm glad you're here!"
"Sonic… He's here." Shadow panted, as Sonic suddenly realized, seeing his hurt eye squinting and him holding his other arm with the chaos emerald in it…
Something was wrong.
"Shadow..?" He looked back up to his open eye.
Shadow looked enraged, "Eggman."
Sonic's eyes widened, as he grabbed both of Shadow's arms. "Where's my son!?"
-The Castle-
Sonic and Shadow raced back to the Castle, this time, Wind Rider rode solo, and made his own way back to the stables as the stable boy quickly took hold of him, and watched as the two royalties dashed into the throne room.
"Eggman!" Sonic pushed the two large doors open, as the whole room was filled with everyone working at the castle, all frozen in place, as they turned to him.
"Whohoho~" a familiar laugh.
Sonic looked ahead, before Amy shrieked and he turned to see her off to the side, maids holding her back.
"Sonic! Sonic he has-!"
"So good of you to join us, Your highness…"
Eggman sat upon the throne, holding the Book of the Chaos Kingdom in one hand, and having Skid…
On his knee.
Sonic's eyes shook, seeing his son naively chewing on some meat, and not realizing at all the danger he was placed in. "Noo…"
"Oh yes." Eggman lifted a hand up in the air, flexing it menically, as he grinned.
"Such a cute son, actually. I was expecting him to be more.. eh, how would you call it… macho? But he's actually such a little dear~" Eggman petted the top of the boy's head, before squishing his face next to his own, and then setting him down back in his lap again. "I think you know what I'm here for, and I clearly have an idea of what you'd like back?"
He picked the boy up and shook him back and forth lightly, as if holding a prized teddy bear up before setting him back down, and bouncing him on his knee. "All I'm asking for is your precious title and crown. We already have the priest." He gestured to the side, as the priest suddenly was surrounded by spears.
He gulped.
Sonic glared, his anger at it's peak, and turned back to Eggman.
"…hmm? Speechless? Yes, well. I get that a lot."
"You just won't die!" Shadow stepped forward, and Eggman cocked his brow, slowly pulling out his gun, letting it charge as it whirled to life.
"Now, now, Shadow… I distinctly remember you present and accounted for when I made my rules about no one moving…" He lowered the gun to the back of Skid's head.
Amy cried out again, "Shadow! Stop!"
Shadow, forced under his oath, 'tsk'd and narrowed his eyes at Amy, being forced to remain still.
"You may have stolen my emerald, abased prince, but you're not going to steal my… opportunity, this time. Hmm-hmm~" he hummed a chuckle, and looked to Tails, snapping his fingers.
"Get on with it."
Tails, slowly moving, being cautious, moved up to Sonic. "We have no choice…" his eyes were full of dread for what could befall Skid, as he reached up to take the crown. "We have to protect Skid."
Sonic watched as Tails rose his hands to the crown, as Sonic's mind started to reel, he watched the arms and felt the seconds ticking down, all that he had and strived for, worked for, fought for would be gone in an instant!
He then saw a flash of memories of his life, before they all landed on Skid, and then-!
"Wait! Skid!" Tails flinched his arms, blinking his eyes as he lowered them.
"Hmm?" Eggman held the trigger this time.
Skid looked up, breaking away from his happy nibbling.
"T-that…! That man called Momma a pansy!"
"He did what!?" Skid suddenly dropped his meat, and spread his arms out wide.
"W-wha-what?" Eggman was just shocked at the phrasing, and moved the gun. "What in the world?"
"Amy turned to Sonic, not sure what he was doing.
Sonic smiled, "That's right! A big, fat pansy!"
Skid expression was priceless, it was one of total shock, then turned back to the look he had at the training grounds, and he slowly turned to Eggman.
"Eh, heheh… Stay still now, little.. pest…" he lowered the gun back to Skid, but there was apparent fear and uncertainty in his eyes.
Skid lowered his eyes and stood up on his lap, as Eggman suddenly grabbed a foot, and smiled weakly. "Now… d-don't try anything rash, boy…Ehhehheh…"
But without any fear, and straightening his back, Eggman almost saw a young Sonic in his appearance, and this made him lean back, dropping his jaw.
"…Momma… is beautiful." He glared so intensely for a little boy, that even Eggman got goosebumps at his very words.
"Uhh…." Eggman just let his jaw rest where it was.
Suddenly, Skid burst forth over his shoulder, as Eggman's hand whipped right with it, and it spun him around in his own seat, before Skid started bolting through the court, and Eggman held on for dear life, crying out as he flailed behind him.
"Sooommmeeeoooonnnneeee stooooppp ttttthhhhiiisss kiiiiidddd!" he cried out, as Skid would round and then pivot and zig-zag and fly across the room with him trailing behind him.
"That's no kid!" Sonic smirked, stepping forward and moving Tails out of the way,
"That's my kid!"
"AHHH!" Eggman couldn't hold on much longer, and when Sonic's kid skidded the next sharp point, he was whiplashed into the wall, leaving cracks all around his outline, as he pulled away and a few teeth in his smile came falling out like tile.
"Cute kid." Eggman rolled his head and then fell on the ground.
"Arrest him!" Sonic commanded, as Shadow was the first to respond, jumping on Eggman's large self and getting his hands behind his back, using the cape to tie them together since he didn't have anything else.
"My baby!" Amy dashed to Skid, the maids letting her move now as Skid stopped running and turned around.
"Momma? Offph!"
She tackled him into a big momma bear hug, and wouldn't let go, just cuddled with him squished up against her.
"Emm~ My little boy…" she kissed him over and over profusely, as he started smiling before pushing her away.
"Momma! Momma! That's too much!"
"Ohhh, hush! You don't know what's too much on a poor mother's heart!" she continued to smother him as Sonic's anger still showed on his face.
"Take him to the gallows!"
"With all due respects, your highness. Such a punishment is for common criminal offenses. This calls for much worst…" The priest stepped up, but dared not go in Sonic's way.
Sonic turned in furry at the priest, but held back any distain, and nodded.
He turned to Shadow, "What was your people's sentence for treason?"
Shadow looked to Sonic from the corner of his eye, still holding Eggman down as Knuckles and his men started to get a hold on him.
"…Execution."
"Yes, but how?"
"…"
"Beheading."
Drums
The kingdom was all together in a large construct, rounded like that of the colosseum, only the wooden benches stretched higher and it wasn't so wide.
Sonic and Amy rose from their chairs, as Sonic took her hand, and she held Skid in her arm.
They walked to the balcony, where Eggman was being led in chains to his death.
He had his head down, scowling as he looked up at Sonic, before Shadow hit his head down with the blunt of his gun-sword.
Sonic's chest rose and fell with rage, but it had been a few days now, and he looked up to his people, ready…
"The sentence goes as follows." He let go of Amy's hand, who now used her free arm to have a better grip of Skid, who looked confused at the arena, not understanding but not saying anything about it either.
"Treason upon 2 kings."
The men shoved Eggman down to his knees.
"Profiting war and injuring both land and people."
Eggman's head was placed and locked into it's wooden hold.
"Threatening my son."
The executioner hoisted the blade higher, as it glinted in the light once hung where the light could reach it.
"Threatening both peace, kingdom, and manipulating through lies the honesty of good men!"
Shadow folded his arms, hearing Sonic's words, he softened his expression, before turning away and shutting his eyes closed, feeling unworthy to be called a 'good man'.
"Eggman, former advisor of the Eggman Empire, sworn enemy of the Chaos and Ark Kingdom, I hereby sentence thee, for all thy crimes, unto a forever death. The most shameful death."
Eggman looked up at the blade, as it's light reflected onto his own glasses.
He smiled, and lowered his head.
"Long…. Live… the king."
His raspy, slow, and still just as threatening voice echoed in the ring.
Sonic's eyes widened.
Bandits suddenly swarmed the arena, as Sonic called out to Knuckles.
A battle raged, in what seemed like a medium slow motion, as Sonic took Amy with Skid and pulled them back behind him, and then homing attacked down to make sure no one interfered.
The bandits fought and slashed their way to Eggman, but were downed by Sonic, Shadow, and Knuckles before they could make their way to rescue him.
Eggman looked up, fear suddenly striking across his eyebrows as he saw Jet, Wave, and Storm, all with their men of thieves, watching…
He was expecting them to fight, but saw them do the Ark symbol of disloyalty for eternity, a backwards sign of their usual customary one. This one involved taking the tip of the thumb, and facing the front of it to the nose, and then flicking it downward.
The other, as you may recall, was simply the placing of the thumb's tip, usually the top of the nail, to the nose and bowing slightly.
With this sign, Eggman knew he was not only betrayed, but that Jet's thieves weren't ever on his side.
Jet turned away, still hoping to be king of his own people some day, and vanished from the land of Chaos and Ark, journeying into the uncharted territories.
Wave and Storm follow him, along with their secret band, stating that their sign was not only to Eggman, but to the very land itself.
They would honor Sonic's reign, to a decree, but would never dwell among it again.
Without the added men, Eggman knew the rescue party was doomed.
Looking at the rope that held his life, he saw a soldier race up to it, look him dead in the eye.
For a second, he thought he saw Maria's eyes in that boy's face.
He cut the rope, right before a Bandit reached up and attacked him.
Eggman heard the moving of the blade, and could barely look up, before the act was done.
Amy covered Skid's eyes and turned her own away, before looking up and holding a hand over her mouth.
Shadow turned and fell to a knee, panting.
He felt years of sins and strife lifted from his shoulders, and for once, could close his eyes and feel that Maria was at last avenged.
Sonic turned, still breathing hard from anger, but slowly lost it, as he hit the ground and began to feel for the first time tears once again pierce his tough exterior.
Tails, standing up by Amy, peered down to Sonic, unsure what was wrong, as Knuckles tried to walk over to him.
"This! This is ends all conflicts!" Sonic rose to his feet, great love within his tearing up eyes, as he swiped his cape back, and looked to his people. "This is what we've fought for! Our children will know no more war! We must keep it this way! Teach them of the awfulness of war! Teach them of death by lies and deceits and our ancestors tears! Teach them that a king wept that day… that he himself…. Could feel chaos rejoice at justice finally had… and not justice from revenge, but justice from ending all wars, forever! We, the people, can rebuild! But what is lost to time will forever be time's. Therefore, look upon the end of strife, of misery, of endless torments from war-driven men of ambition corrupted! Look and behold! The blood that spills is not his own! It's the blood of all those he's selfishly murdered for his own gain and desires! Look upon his countenance! Even after death, you can still see the fear! We don't need to fear our honorable deaths, but by our loved ones or any others. For we fight not for the things of this world, but for the things of a better world. My people… do you hear me?!"
"…We hear you!"
"Will you sanctify this peace?!"
"We hear and we obey!"
"Will you honor my line as guardians of this peace!? Through Chaos that reins over us all!?"
"Prosperity to the kings!"
"Will you teach this!? Will you fight to retain peace!? Whether by your words, your actions, or your swords?!"
"Peace be unto the king! We will hear and obey his words!"
"…Good. Good…"
Sonic wiped his face, and stood up on the large podium where Eggman's body lay.
"Then… are we truly free."
The people rose to their feet, applauding and cheering at Sonic's words, as Amy's own eyes teared up, seeing how much he had changed, and knowing this was the true king she, and all his friends, knew he could be.
"Momma?"
Amy looked down at Skid in her arms.
"Yes, baby?"
"…I want to be a good king, just like Daddy."
Skid looked down towards his father, as Sonic looked so grateful in his eyes, watching the cheering and applauding of his people and wiped his face again, waving.
"Yes… I think you will be. Just like Daddy."
She smiled, and held him close.
"You did it, Sonic. You're a true king."
"Shadow!" Sonic raced over to Shadow, seeing him departing. "Where will you go?" He looked concerned, as if to a friend.
"Hmph. Seeing as you found my reports so intriguing, maybe I can try and set relations between you and other countries." Shadow looked over his shoulder, smiling down while keeping his eyes closed.
"No… don't." Sonic smiled, as Shadow seemed surprised, and turned around.
"…That's my adventure." Sonic beamed, and then held his head high, about to announce another command, so it seemed. "Shadow, kneel."
Shadow, confused as to what was happening, bent a knee.
"Shadow the Hedgehog, I command you under the Chaos Blade of the Chaos and Ark Kingdoms." He drew once again his Chaos Blade, and tapped Shadow's shoulders with it. "To remain true to your oath, and go in peace. Help rebuild the kingdoms, and bless those in need of service, and do all you can to repair the damages done in the past. This is your charge for life, I reseal it upon your head."
He then laid the sword upon Shadow's head.
"Dishonor to this… and you shall suffer worst than even the traitor Eggman. Who suffered worst of all."
"I obey this covenant. And ask for my leave." Shadow rose as Sonic nodded, holding his sword up and then down to rest in front of him.
"Permission granted."
The two held out their arms and gripped the other by the wrist, giving a sturdy shake, as Shadow departed with a nod.
"Where will he go?" Tails flew down to Sonic's side, not hearing the conversation, but seeing the actions preformed. "Where'd you send him to?"
"No where. He's a rover now." Sonic withdrew his sword to its sheath, and let his hand rest there a moment, tilting his head to speak to Tails, but not remove his eyes from Shadow's back. "He's off on his own quest of redemption. Doing good deeds wherever his feet may fall. And serving with no other initiative other than his own heart, code, and oath."
"…Woah. He's truly changed, huh, Sonic?" Tails looked up to Sonic.
"Well… pfft, yeah." Sonic turned back to Tails, confused, "You okay, little buddy? Usually, you're the one explaining stuff to me."
Tails looked a little surprised to hear that, before laughing at realizing how true that is.
"I'm probably just still in shock at seeing my first beheading." Tails admitted, and scratched behind his head. "The council was watching, and I felt I'd be labeled weak if I didn't watch…"
"You should have just kept your eyes on the maids." Sonic teased, elbowing him.
"…A-actually… about that…"
-The Wedding-
"It is my sworn duty to honor this occasion, Tails! If I didn't speak now, I'd have to forever hold my peace! Which, I think when it comes to my kingdom, I definitely should."
The court laughed, as Tails stood married to his new beautiful wife.
Sonic waved a hand up, showing he wasn't finished. "A toast! To my dearest friend! And to the lovely vixen who decided he was worth the effort to keep."
Tails gave him a slight look, but his wife giggled softly, and he smiled to her.
"To the newly weds! May Chaos prosper you and your kin." He raised his glass, and then everyone followed. "Cheers!" Sonic clanked his glass with Amy's.
"My, my~ So many weddings." Rouge sipped her glass, before scooting over closer to Knuckles, lowering an eye and keeping her drink by her lips. "Give a gal a few things to think about, don't you agree?"
Knuckles was stuffing his face with turkey, before stopping to look up, and turn his eyes, and attention, to Rouge.
He swallowed, and smiled weakly. "Ehhehe… come to think of it." He looked away, "If I was a gal, I'd be thinking of finding myself someone too. You know, before I start sagging or something. Beauty doesn't wait around forever! Haha!"
Rouge twitched and slightly broke her glass, before punching him as he fell backwards.
His men, all around the outside of the table, stepped forward as if to help, before some sweat dropped and others laughed hysterically.
"Uh, oh. Looks like I'll be giving two speeches this time around." Sonic sat down and lifted a leg over the other, turning to be able to lean back and speak with Amy.
She laughed and fixed his quills, as Sonic took another drink.
"Sonic…. I've been thinking too." Amy looked away, whispering.
"Hmm?" Sonic kept drinking, but looked back at her.
"If we can't have kids… can we… still…" she leaned into his ear, whispering something before his face turned red and he pulled away.
"AMY ROSE." He shouted a whisper, "You certainly can have whatever your hearts desires, considering I'm powerless to stop the queen from her whims anyway." He sat back down and spoke truth, knowing if she wanted something, she'd get it anyway she could.
"But we'll consult the doctor first." He then sweat dropped, showing he was a bit nervous at her request.
"..Emm… do we?" she wrapped her arms around him, as if encouraging it to stay private. She didn't want the doctor to say anything that would ruin her relationship with Sonic for life.
He choked on his drink and spat it out, before looking back at her.
"Am I that hard to resist?"
"Am I?"
"You know I can't answer that."
"What? In fear of your life?"
"In fear of being beheaded for downright treason." He leaned his head fully back over the armrest, sitting improperly now, and kissed her more immensely than he usually did in public.
The court gave little roars, whistles, and light laughter, before he pulled away and winked to them, as they all laughed more noticeably now.
"Hey! Quit looking at me! I've been married! It's the newly weds we're suppose to be encouraging here!" Sonic hit the table, and pointed to Tails. "Kiss her, you fox!"
The table started repeating, 'kiss her, kiss her!' and Tails blushed before giving in, turning to her as she excitedly held her self together, and leaned forward to let him do so.
They kissed and the room cheered.
Later that night, while Tails and his wife went to be alone, the rest of the court danced in a ball, and Sonic was able to more rightfully acquaint some of the new royalties he had made.
"You're land is lovely, King Sonic. Without any fault." A king ruler spoke, and nodded to Sonic as Sonic nodded back to him, peppily.
"I thank you! You may take a tour as much as your heart desires! As long as the trade stays good." Sonic clanked his glass with the other king, who bowed deeply, as was custom in his land, and then drank.
"Yes, of course. And friend, you shall have right to journey in my lands. Feel free to trade and praise as you go, haha!"
Sonic's ears flicked, and his face lit up. He smiled with such pleasure as he turned back to the king, "I will hold you to that, your highness."
Amy then walked out from the crowd, and held her hands out for Sonic to take them, giggling.
"Oh, my queen seems to be in a dancing mood. Excuse me, good king." Sonic placed his glass down and rubbed his hands together.
"You rang?" he teased, walking up to her before scooping her off her feet and flying down the dance floor with her laughing.
The other king's queen, walked over to him, grabbing his arm. "What a quaint king. He's so kind and jolly. I rather like this place too. Make sure to not anger him, deary." She kissed his cheek, which was an endeavor, seeing as her husband was a large and extremely tall man. "I'd hate to his bad side."
"Not to worry, my queen." The other king mused, and kissed her directly on the forehead, as she bent her head to allow him to do so. "I shall be great friends with him. Me thinks he is a man of his word, with much valor and honor to them. I shall be blessed and happy by staying on his 'jolly' side." He patted her head, comforting her as she smiled at his acknowledgement of how wise it would be to stay friendly with the Chaos and Ark Kingdoms.
Skid peeked around Vanilla's dress, as she stepped aside.
"You want to dance?" She smiled, having babysat him while his parents were at play.
"T-there's…" he wandered forward a ways, as Vanilla smiled, seeing he had spotted young princesses in a circle together, from the other lands.
His eyes drooped. "Pretty…~"
"Be mindful, young prince. They don't know you." Vanilla tried to warn. "You should present yourself as a gentlemen. With gentle words and gentle-"
"hand holding!" Skid turned around, grinning from ear to ear. "I'll be gentle! I'll be gentle! I promise, Miss Vanilla! I won't even break a nail!" he dashed off towards them, as Vanilla put a hand up to her mouth.
"I-… I don't think that's how the expression goes!" she reached out to try and stop him, but saw it was no use and shrugged. "That boy…"
Knuckles, getting a break from Rouge to get some refreshments, came back to see the doors open, right before handing Rouge her portion.
The crowed suddenly stopped dancing and turned, as Sonic and Amy also held their ground a moment.
Shadow walked in through the open gates, having heard that 'all' royalty was requested to be there, and under oath to obey all rights by any of the Chaos Kingdom, especially that of the king, he felt obliged to go.
Though, he folded his arms, seeing the fanciness of the ordeal, he scowled and looked like he wished he hadn't needed to come.
"Shadow!" Sonic raised a hand, breaking the awkward tension, as the crowd saw him approach and greet the late comer.
"What brings you here?"
"You're oath." Shadow looked unamused.
"..My..? Oh,… Ohhhh, all royalty, got it. Right. Good to see you without bad news for once!" He joked, and then patted him on the back, bringing him in. "To the dance!"
Everyone looked much more relaxed, and continued to dance and enjoy the celebration.
Sonic walked Shadow in before Shadow kept resisting his fast pace.
"H-hey, what's wrong? Can't keep up or don't like the friendly…" he suddenly turned, seeing a small girl behind him, clinging to his cape. "…Gesture?"
Sonic removed his arm from around Shadow, and backed away, before giving him a confused and suspicious look. "…Shadow?"
He groaned, looking away, as the little girl moved closer to his leg.
"….Shadow, don't make me command you to talk…" Sonic gave him a look, and Shadow sighed.
"I can explain…"
"You better. I might think this is some act to regain control." He glared, not wanting to think that.
If that kid was what Sonic thought she was… then this could be an act of trying to regain the throne again for the Ark Kingdom.
Walking over to the side, Sonic folded his arms, and waited for an explanation.
"This child-"
"Is she your flesh and blood?" Being impatient, Sonic leaned forward and raised an eyebrow.
"…Yes." Shadow looked down, folding his own arms.
Sonic's eyes suddenly widened, "R-really?" he leaned back, having half-expected Shadow to say it was an orphan he picked up. "H-how did this happen?"
"….An older woman came to me in the street, knowing I was under oath to do all the Chaos Citizen's request. She mentioned her dying daughter, ill with a slow-fatal disease. She was her only child, born to her in later years. She begged me to marry her and give her a heir, to the which, she would raise to carry her blood line."
Sonic listened intently, as all suspicion suddenly left him at the tragic plight.
"…Go on." Sonic unfolded his arms, showing consideration and passion for the tale.
"…Under my oath, I performed the deed. The woman conceived and this girl was born." He looked down and removed his cape, revealing the girl with black hair and lighter red stripes, faded instead of prominent, like her father's.
She hid at first, before she saw her father's glare, and slowly moved herself to his side, looking down, seeming very, very shy.
Sonic let out a quiet gust of air, seeing how young she truly was.
"Her mother..?" he turned to Shadow, despair already apparent in his expression.
"…Died. Just a few months after the endeavor. The poor grandmother of this child later died of her years catching up weeks after, and a messenger, free of his labors because of his recent lady's death, carried her for miles to find me. When he at last did so, I was not under oath to him, since he was a servant under my-…. The Ark kingdom."
Sonic's eyes widened, as Shadow stared down at the girl, a more tender look in his eyes now.
"…She is my flesh, and my corruptible blood flows within her. My natural instinct and royal bloodline bade me to receive her. I couldn't refuse."
"…Marrying a Chaos girl. Heh, kinda scandalous." Sonic shook his head, musing over that, before looking to the girl. "Poor thing."
She hid once again, seeing her father's eyes come off of her, before he moved his foot and scooted her forward. "She is being taught to follow even when she's tried of walking, and present herself when ever I demand it. Other than that, she is rather silent and calming company." Shadow looked back to Sonic, "Your people have a right of fathers, so I've learned. I have a request to make. Grant me the right of fathers, that I may protect her if one may command the unlawful of me on her behalf."
"…What do you mean?" Sonic looked confused. "I put you under oath, so long as it caused no injury to you OR the ones you loved. You have ever right granted to protect her, right of fathers or not."
"Still. I request it. Will you offer it to me?" He bowed his head, looking serious about his request.
"…Why?"
"Must there always be explanation with you!?" Shadow stepped forward, furry in his eyes, before he took a step back and regained himself.
Sonic was confused, and felt slightly threatened, looking over him and ready to fight if necessary, before seeing this really meant something to Shadow.
Shadow folded his arms and turned from Sonic. "Someone could, say, ask for her. They could mean ill will, and yet nothing stated. To protect her, I wish to have the right of Fathers to deny them of that request. I do not wish to-"
He felt something tug on his cape and looked down.
Sonic followed his gaze and noticed the girl looked up to him with sincere eyes.
"…" he sighed, and rubbed her head, making her smile and beam up at him. "To lose her." He finished, and looked away, as if embarrassed he performed that said action so readily in front of Sonic.
"…Haha!" Sonic smiled, and then laughed, seeing as the little girl had indirectly asked to be noticed by him, and he was learning to be more compassionate through her. "As long as you raise her to know her place, that she is no longer recognized royalty, and shouldn't strive to change that, then you have my blessing, and you may, if prompted, use your Right of Fathers to protect and secure her to you."
Sonic nodded, "This is your king's decree." He then looked down at the little girl, and waved to her.
She shyly withdrew behind and under her father's cape.
"Heh, shy little thing, isn't she?" Sonic tilted his head, bending down to smile at her.
Shadow rolled his eyes, "She doesn't know how to act around strangers. It frightens her to make a poor mistake and hear my scoldings." He looked down at her. "Present yourself and stay put."
She immediately straightened up and stood by his side, fidgeting as she closed her eyes, hoping she could gain courage through not looking at others looking at her.
Sonic frowned, and looked to Shadow, "A bit cruel to command her, isn't it?"
"You've granted me the right of fathers, I may enact my right as I see fit." He slightly glared.
"Ah, I see. A little power and now you think you're able to get away with that, eh?" Sonic leaned back up, getting in Shadow's face, and placed both hands on his hips to squarely threaten him. "Watch it, buddy. If I request, you could dance in a jester's garb for all I care." He smirked.
Shadow held back, but frown deeply, as Sonic won that round, and gloated by grinning in his face.
Sonic then felt tiny hands pushing on his leg, and looked down.
The little girl was trying to get him away from her father.
Sonic laughed, "She's adorable! Look! She's trying to defend you!"
Shadow, not seeming to like her actions, leaned down and tapped her head, as she gasped and immediately withdrew behind him.
He cleared his throat, straightening up, and she once again scurried to her place beside him, standing tall, and closing her eyes again.
"…She's going to be one heck of a lady under your hand." Sonic shook his head, looking to her, before back at Shadow. "Just… promise to be loving to her." Sonic commented, worried he may be a harsh father.
"My fathering cannot be judged unless I cause harm to her. I have studied your 'right of fathers' ordinances and laws. I think I am justified in my schooling of her." He held his head high.
Sonic 'tsk'ed, seeing he probably just came to get that taken care of. "Well, you have what you want. And I'm satisfied with your visit. So.. if you'd like…" he gestured to the door. "Take care." He faked a smile.
"Come, Maria." Shadow moved swiftly to the door, as the little girl followed.
"…Maria…" Sonic whispered the words, and smiled, lookingly fondly to the two. "I see now…"
"Wait!"
Shadow halted, and turned with a flick of his cape, as Maria, his little girl, turned to see who had stopped them.
Skid, completely eyeing Maria, held out both hands to stop their marching off.
"…You're… you're so pretty!" He exclaimed, and ran right up to her, making her flinch back and hold in a shocked cry.
"I'm Skid! King Sonic's kid. That's why my name's Skid! Funny, huh?"
He was right up in her face, and his goofy love-struck expression made her move back, looking up at her father.
Shadow was so stunned by the abruption the boy caused that he didn't seem to give her any command, just looked to Skid in perplexed bewilderment, and looked down to show his distaste to his daughter, though not directly giving her any cues.
With that, she slowly stepped back, but Skid reached out and grabbed her hand, looking sad.
"W-where are you going?"
"S-Skid!" Sonic rushed up, holding his hands out. "Skid, that's not a princess…" he explained.
"Hmm..? But she's with the prince of peace. That makes her a princess, right daddy?" he turned to his father, before back at Maria. "What's your name? It's only polite to give." He grinned, as if he had alternative motives for learning her name. "Come on~ What is it, what is it!?"
She squirmed in his grasp, and looked fearfully to her father, wanting him to take her away.
"Ohh… Shadow!" Skid turned his attention to him, narrowing his eyes. "Make her say her name!"
"S-Skid!"
"What? I want to know."
Shadow glared and twitched in anger, but looked down to his daughter. "State your name. Your oath is not my own, but I cannot refuse him. Even under the right of fathers." He seemed really upset about that.
Maria flinched as Skid loosened his hold on her hand, and she placed her hands to her side, looking down, stricken with uneasiness.
She took a deep breath to calm herself, and stated, very softly, almost barely above a whisper…
"M-my names Maria…"
"MARIA!"
The loudness caused the two fathers and Maria to flinch back, as Skid took her arms and spun her onto the dance floor.
"Maria! Maria! Maria! What a beautiful name! I love it! I love it, I love it, I love you!"
Maria face looked dizzy and disoriented, never having ever been around or interacted with someone like this before, or another kid, for that matter.
Shadow anger rose and rose, but he was still under oath to 'wait' as Sonic looked white in the face, completely unable to react in time, before slowly turning to Shadow, worried about the look on his face, seeing his eyes were covered in darkness and Chaos oozed from his being like radiation.
"Eh…heh…. Heh…. Ehem, she can turn super, right?" Sonic put a fist up to his mouth, trying to change the subject, before Shadow turned and roared off his head.
"YOU TELL YOUR SON TO LEARN DISIPINE WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN. BADE ME RETRIEVE MY DAUGHTER THIS INSTANT."
"Woah!" Sonic felt his quills stand on end, and pushed them down, "Hey! This is my court! And… And… And I'll go get them…" he felt it only fair, and bent forward with his arms dropped ahead of him as he wandered through the crowd to his son.
Amy suddenly ran into him, and pushed him out of the crowd. "Oh my gosh! Sonic! Skid is dancing with someone longer than the other girls! Ahh! I think he's found his one~" she swooned, and then turned to show Sonic Skid and Maria dancing together. "She doesn't appear to be a good dancer, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt because Skid's leading is kinda fast for the average girl anyway. Ohh~ Isn't this exciting!? Our boy's falling in love!"
"With my families previously sworn enemy." Sonic muttered, as Amy suddenly lifted her arms down from her excited ranting.
"W…What? Come again?" she turned to Sonic, confused, but her smile twitching to still hang on to hope.
"That's Shadow's little girl." Sonic straightened up, as Amy froze a second. "He got a request from an old lady with one sick daughter. The daughter died, then the mother, and he was left to tend her. He came here under oath, but then requested to have the right of fathers from me."
"T-that's horrible… I mean terrible! I mean," she shook her head. "It's good he asked for the right of fathers! Poor dear… wait, he's not one of the chaos kingdom's… does he still get-?"
"All Ark kingdom's citizens have the rights of the Chaos people now. They're ways only live on in their hearts, but it's not law." Sonic explained, dusting himself off and fixing his crown. "Either way. Let's pray that Skid HASN'T fallen in love. Can you imagine? The Ark and Chaos kingdom… officially one through marriage? Pfft! My ancestors would be rolling in their graves." Sonic faintly chuckled a laugh, before going to get them, but Amy's mind started to dwell and think on that, before pulling Sonic back into her arms.
"W-WA-WA-WAIT-Wait…. Um.. maybe just let them dance a little longer? Hehe~" she beamed.
Sonic seemed confused, not understanding.
Maria had never danced before, and so this was very odd and uncomfortable, as she tried to place her feet accordingly, but just when she thought she had some rhythm, he'd pull her another way and she would have to readjust to his quick pacing again.
"Haha! Isn't this fun?" Skid danced, as Maria pouted, clearly not liking the entitlement of this boy.
"Oh? What's wrong? Do you need to use the bathroom?" he looked down at her, as she tugged her hands away from his, and stomped her foot down.
"I… I do not!" she looked embarrassed by his questioning, which made him flinch back.
"I.. I have to return to my father." She turned, but all the dancing people made her stumble back, as Skid held out his hands to her.
"Look out!"
Catching her, she looked up.
His expression was a kindness she hadn't seen before, and this made her slightly blush, but feel uncomfortable again.
His heart raced at seeing a faint blush on her cheeks, making her whole face light up from its dark appearance, due to the deep color of black in her hair, followed by a softer red in their streaks.
"…Gosh.." he lowered his voice, and his eyelids. "You sure are pretty, miss…"
She held his stare a little longer, before a low hum was heard, and they turned to see the literally twitching rage of her father, standing still by the door.
"….Ah!" she pushed herself out of his grasp, and turned to her father, before back at him. "I have to go!"
"W-wait!" Skid reached out for her, as she tried to dodge the footfalls of the adults, rushing past them. "M… My Cinderella…" he noticed immediately that this was like a fairytale his mother told him, and bolted off after her, but was stopped by all the randomly moving people.
"Maria!" he called to her, which made her look back, unsure of herself, before continuing forward, and getting knocked down a time or two, but getting right back up and jumping towards her father's legs.
Once she was next to him, clinging to him, Shadow calmed down long enough to have the hum of rage from his chaos and muttering growls silenced.
Skid made his way over but stopped when he saw the dead look of distain from Shadow, before Shadow wrapped his cape around Maria, blocking her from sight.
Maria's face slowly vanished, though she turned around to see him one last time.
Skid's eyes seemed to slow down time, taking in her complexion straight into memory, as if pausing time to snapshot one last image permanently into his mind.
Amy and Sonic rushed over just then, as they stopped behind Skid, and looked to Shadow.
Shadow's look pierced them through as well, as they fidgeted a second too.
"Bid. Me. Leave."
"You have our pardon."
Amy sweat dropped, trying to be kind and smile with her eyes closed, avoiding eye contact.
Sonic also matched her look.
"Have a nice day."
Shadow turned and walked out, Maria close to his side, as she held her hands to his leg, before looking back at Skid.
He couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"…Good riddance." She turned to mumble to her father's ears only, and held herself closer to him.
-a few hours later, miles of walking-
Shadow remained constant in his walk, but when his speed picked up, she fell and started to cry slightly.
He never broke his stride.
"F-…Fa-….Father!" she cried out, getting up to her knees, before feeling her scrapped knees, and crying again.
"Do not cry!" Shadow abruptly swiped his cape out and held his stance. "You are a dethroned princess of the Ark Kingdom. You're blood holds the infirmity of an immortal sovereign. You have nothing but rags to wear and yet, you are to act royal in all that you do! As your denounced people before you, you will rise and grin and bear your afflictions! You will serve as I do, but your oath is not your own and in that, you are free! You may depart from me when you have proven you understand all this. Until then, I have been granted my rights as your father. Stand! Maria!"
He vented slightly, in his rage, but Maria twitched upon the ground, drying her tears as she weakly took the last of her strength to stand.
He watched her struggled, not moving an inch, as she then held herself high, and straightened her back.
She then formed a tight frown and looked forward with conviction.
He watched her, and continued on, gesturing for her to keep up.
She strained, but took a step forward.
"…I… Am the daughter of a fallen king… erk." She fell again to her knee, but Shadow didn't turn around this time. "Fa-!... err…" she closed her mouth, and tried to stand once again.
She wore nothing but a patched up bag as a dress, and though it was dirty and smelled from all the walking she did with her father, she stood up and dusted it off, thinking it a royal garb of the forsaken.
She took a deep breath, and walked again, each painful foot fall a symbol of her father's repentence to her.
"I… am Maria the Hedgehog. My mother died of severe illness- Ah!" she tripped again, hitting her hurt knee.
She squinted through the pain and looked up, seeing she finally caught the attention of her father, quite a ways away now, staring at her.
"Grr…." She willed herself up, and continued, panting, and holding a hand to her hurt leg. "I am a princess in tarnished blood! Ah…. I yield to the Chaos Kings… err… But I plead for no mercy!" she suddenly stopped, shaking off the last of the pain, and then bolting to her father.
"I am named after an angel of love and peace! I am the forsaken of the Ark kingdom! I am servant of the Chaos lords and ladies, and I- Am- MARRRIAAA!"
Shadow heard her cry out, but couldn't make out what she was saying.
She stumbled to his feet and feel before him, breathing heavily, and coughing as he watched her below him.
"….Rise." he commanded.
She twitched, her head coming up with dirt all over it.
He spun up some of his cape, and knelt down, wiping the dirt off of her.
"Never have dirt nor sweat upon your face be shown. You may be the child of an ashamed experiment with royal linage, but you are to act as the ladies of courts, and of judgement and order. If I have any say over your future, you will become the woman that will lead peace if ever I should fail to tarry on these lands any further. You are my heir…" he placed a hand on her head, making it drop slightly in her weariness, before looking back up at him, hanging with a obedient ear to each and everyone of his words.
"Heir to my sufferings… to my pains and torments…" he suddenly bent down, as she felt his arms wrapping around her. "To my anguish… my sorrows… and my regrets." He pulled her towards him. "I will make you stronger than all these things. That you may live. And live in peace."
Her eyes twitched, never having known loving arms before, as he picked her up and began to carry her.
In her weariness, she started to fall asleep, as he continued,
"Remember this. And so long as you remember, then you are mine. And royalty conquered."
She slowly closed her eyes.
FIN
(Bonus Stories! 1. The Origin Before Sonic – Sonic's father and mother are introduced, their first meeting, wedding, and falling in love. Followed by Tails's father and mother, Knuckles's conversion, and Shadow's memories of his father's story. Amy's father and mother, and her father's death in battle. Sonic, Tails, and Amy as wee-little babies, lol. 2. Skid's reign, and Maria's Rise – Skid's grown much older, can't wait to get married, constantly thinking and dreaming of Maria, longing to see her again, much to Sonic's disapproval and Amy's excitement. Shadow returns to the land of Chaos, is threatened by someone to hang over Maria, a beautiful but tough woman now. Maria is left to a school, where her father doesn't seem to return. Skid spots her and takes her into the castle as his 'guest'. Shadow returns, hears of Skid's actions, and is bewildered. Maria, feeling abandoned, silently plots to marry Skid to return to her royal positioning. Shadow demands Right of Fathers, and that if Skid can defeat him, he may take Maria's hand. Maria desires to be with Shadow again, if he truly didn't abandon her. Skid refuses to lose Maria again, and will have her, or die trying.)
(Excited? :D)