Sonic, Caliburn and Gunivere see that they have arrived at the lake where Sonic saw a pink hedgehog walking over to the group.
The pink hedgehog wore a sky blue hairband with golden metal circle ends. She also wears an elaborate dress with a sky blue torso section that has white frills running down the middle on its front and a white ribbon around the collar. The lower part of her dress on the other hand poofs out and extends all the way down to the ground, with mediaeval circle symbols along its hemline and three golden buttons of increasing size running down her front pelvis area. Her lower dress also has another layer with an opening on the front and a white layer of fabric with elaborate edges around the midsection.
Around her waist she dresses a third, shorter layer to its lower section consisting of fabric in a slightly darker shade of blue. She also wears a golden belt, white and neat arm warmers, white gloves, gold bracelets, and a transparent frame on her back with sky blue edges that she wears on her arms.
"I have been waiting for you, Queen of Camelot and wonder of another realm!" The woman said as Guinevere bows her head in respect.
"Greetings Nimue it is an honour to see you again." Sonic on the other yelped in total shock and in worry that he was gonna be hugged by this Amy double and was about to run away.
"Fool! Where do you think you are going!?" Caliburn said in anger as he blocked his escape. "B-but that's her?!" Sonic explained as Guinevere facepalmed at this moment.
"Oh for goodness sake! You are being very rude to the Lady of the Lake! Bow your head! Before I remove it from your neck!" Sonic sweet drops as he nodded as he bows his head to Nimue who then asked.
"I think I may know why you three are here seeking my counsel. It's about Excalibur isn't it?" Guinevere nodded at her knowing it was true as Sonic came over to her side.
"That's right! You don't waste any time at all, lady!" Caliburn whispered. "Show some respect hedgehog!" Guinevere rolled her eyes. "He seems to enjoy making a fool of himself."
Once inside Nimue's quarters Guinevere helped herself to some tea while her mask was on the table while Nimue then explained a way to remove the scabbard's powers. "Whoever defeats King Arthur and takes full control of his scabbard might end up being the same as him right?
Guinevere hoped not to worry that would not happen to her or to Sonic before the lady of the lake revealed her tests to them as Sonic was happy to hear them. "First, free the innocents from King Arthur's dungeon. Second, offer compassion to those in need. Third, defeat King Arthur's knights of the underworld. You have three days... Good luck…." And just like that the lady of the luke vanished from sight as Guinvere placed her mask on
"I get it. She's only going to tell the secret to a true knight." Declared Sonic knowing this was gonna be the hard part. " Are you up to the task? This will not be easy." Explained the wise old sword that had served its former master while Sonic just smirked.
"Heh! I'm the world's fastest hedgehog! Check it out! You'll be calling me "Sir" before you know it!" Guinevere smirks at that with a teasing eye roll. "We'll see!"
And so Sonic's little group ventured out as they first began giving about eighty rings to the townspeople who barely had any rings as the crowd cheered for the kind hearted actions given to them by them.
Even helping out local townsfolk while rescuing them from the Underworld knights who had stationed a small base underneath the Camelot castle as Sonic and Guinvere had easy pickings out of the monsters while helping the villagers.
In just a few days Sonic had passed the lady of the lake's trials with ease as the blue hedgehog was running alongside the sword and the queen of Koothole.
"It's close," Caliburn remarked, sounding guardedly impressed, "But somehow you made it."
"Too easy!" Sonic deflected with a grin. "Piece of cake." "Do not let it go to your head, fool!" Declared Guinvere smacking him on the back of his head as they stopped as Sonic rubbed his sore head before Sonic then heard something.
"What's wrong?" Asked Caliburn as Sonic then made a follow me look as the two then see a crying child as Sonic came over to the kid.
"Hey, what's the matter? Are you lost or something?" The child looked up at him, tears streaming down their face and soaking their skin. "A great big dragon attacked my village!" they cried in between wet, gasping sobs.
"A dragon?!" Sonic's eyes widened as he remembered his fight against the Mist Dragon; that one had been plenty big and tough, but there hadn't been any houses or people around. A beast like that around a village meant…
"It took my mommy, a-and my daddy, and ev-everyone else away," The child sounded a bit on before sinking back into terrified gasping and crying.
Sonic considered his options. Either he could run back to the lake, get there on time and learn what he needed in order to defeat King Arthur, or he could take a detour and help this child out.
Guinevere then noticed Sonic's choice as she nodded in agreement with him after all this was her kingdom and she was their queen even if she was branded a traitor to it she then kneels down to the child.
"You know where we may find this dragon child?" She asked as the child nodded. The child was still struggling to breathe, but they held up a trembling hand and pointed back the way they had come from.
had come from, to a large rocky summit in the distance. "It's in the big cave at the bottom of that mountain."
"All right." Sonic stood up, taking a moment to stretch. "We're on it!" As Caliburn exclaimed in shock. "W-wait! Don't tell you're seriously going to slay a dragon at this very moment. What of the Lady's tests?! You both won't make it!"
Guinevere then retorted back knowing how serious she was about her choice. "As their queen I have to do it after it is my duty to protect my people until my dying breath old friend!" While Sonic then spoke up next.
"I play by my own rules," he declared, lifting Caliburn away from the ground and toward the mountain. "Remember that."
With that, Sonic rushed off, shooting the child behind him a thumbs-up while Caliburn on the other hand grumbled that he couldn't believe this. "Hang in there, kiddo, we'll get your folks back!"
And if that meant that he and his friends would fail Nimue's test, then they would just need to find another way to discover Excalibur's weakness.
Upon arriving at the Titanic plains Sonic and Guinvere came across deadly knights of the underworld but slayed them on approach for they were just an obstacle in the way as Sonic slashed through many of the knights from underworld but speaking of knights.
Sonic then remembered that King Arthur had an entire Round table of knights to do his dirty work and how many could be sent after him and his allies.
It was almost a relief to see an armored red echidna standing in the middle of a bunch of rock slabs on his way to the dragon's lair. "I don't suppose you're gonna let us by?"
The knight stayed silent drawing his swords. "Heh." Sonic eyed the new knight up and down, unable to hold back his smile. "You look just like this knucklehead I know!"
"Gwain I should've known!" Guinvere exclaimed knowing hot thick headed this knight always completed any task sent by Arthur due to his mighty strength.
Two ax-like blades unsheathed themselves, and the echidna's mouth twisted into a scowl. "You dare mock Sir Gawain, Knight of the Round Table? An act most unwise, my friend! You cannot fool me with your lies! No doubt you're after the dragon's treasure!" Shouted Gawain at Sonic and Guinvere.
"Gawain no don't be a fool we're not after the treasure nor do we wish to pick a fight with you we just want-" But however Guinvere was cut off by Gwain who shouted back in anger.
"Be silent Guinevere you stand accused of betraying the knights of the Round table and his royal majesty you will be brought for treason against along with the blue scoundrel who aids you in your crimes!"
Sonic heaved a sigh, throwing up his hands in exasperation. "Oh man… You sound just like that knucklehead, too!"
Sir Gawain growled and struck forward. Sonic dodged on reflex, but from that one attack, he could tell that, though Sir Gawain was slower than Sir Lancelot had been, his blows were much more powerful; had he not moved in time, he was sure that the hit could have taken his arm clean off.
"You have defied King Arthur!" Sir Gawain shifted, his bronze armored boots kicking up dust. "This place shall be your grave!"
Guinevere growled as she brought out her sword. "Knowing how pig-headed and stubborn he is always fighting is our only option!" Sonic nodded as he swung Caliburn a few times as they entered a battle stance.
"Say your prayers your thieving mice!" Shouted Gawain as he attempted to slash their necks but they dodge as Guinvere strikes back as she manages to deliver some good blows before kicking the echidna back as the queen shouted. "Switch!" As Sonic nodded as he zoomed over and began clashing with Gwain's blades as the blue hedgehog managed to find an opening and then kicked the knight into some of the stones Gwain groaned and said to them.
"Not bad for a lowly squire but don't think you and the Queen can beat me!" Sonic smirked taunts back. "Yeah well I think your barking is worse than your bite Gweny!"
Guinevere chuckled. "Indeed, Sonic thinking and planning hasn't been one of Gwain's best qualities as always."
The two continued to press the attacks as they managed to disarm one of Gwain's swords as the echidna was struggling to push back their attacks as Sonic and the Guinvere unleashed a powerful slash attack as Gawain screamed. "NO!" Before slamming into the ground.
Sonic and Guinvere looked exhausted from fighting as Sonic placed out a hand waiting for a high five. "Nice work out there Guin!" Guinevere thought she saw someone else in his place, someone who she thought had been lost to the darkness in his heart, a kind hearted king who was loved by his subjects, even by her.
Guinevere smiled as she returned to reality and high-fived Sonic before going over to their defeated foe.
"To lose not just a squire but to the queen who rules over the kingdom itself." Gawain said in pure shock on his defeat. Sonic was ready to tell him that it wasn't that big of a deal when the knight grabbed his remaining blade and pressed it to his neck. The hedgehog's eyes widened. He isn't about to- "Only death can remove this stain upon my honor!" Sir Gawain growled, morose as he closed his eyes, and once again, Sonic relied on his speed to save the day.
Sonic takes the sword away. "Oh for crying out loud stop being so dramatic it was just one loss!" Gawain yelled in anger as he waved his arms around. "Silence! Silence, I say! A Knight who fails their king is unfit to live!"
Sonic frowned, looking at the swords in his hands. "Isn't there more to being a knight than serving a king?" "No." Sir Gawain's response was immediate. "A knight pledges their life and loyalty to the crown. To fail is unacceptable."
Sonic hummed, tossing one of the blades into the air and catching it again. "Well in that case, try to make it up to your king. I think he'd rather have a redeemed knight that does his job helping than a dead one, don't you?"
Guinevere frowns and looks at him. "I may despise Arthur for what he's transformed into but however I prefer that you at least stay alive." Gwain then said knowing he could not argue with the queen even if she was now an enemy. "Is that an order from her royal highness?"
Guinevere smiled as she lifted her mask to show him her blue eyes not of anger but of kindness. "Yes, it is my knight." The former queen now guardian helps Gawain back to his feet.
"I understand I will think about it for now. It's time that we parted ways." Sonic nodded to the echidna as they had acquired the other blade. "Sure see you around!" As they all went their separate ways as the knight had a lot to think on about Sonic's words.
"Sadly the time has now passed." The wise sword declared as Gunivere sighed. "We know that my friend you don't have to inform us!" As Sonic's group began to head back to the Lady of the lake.
Before seeing the same child from before. "You've been waiting here the whole time?" Sonic asked. "Sorry about that! But good news, everyone's safe!"
The child blinked their eyes once before smiling softly, a gentle and serene look crossing their face that seemed wise beyond their years. Their heads bowed to him, but before Sonic could assure them that thanks wasn't necessary, they spoke in a familiar voice.
"Thank you. And… Sorry about tricking you." Guinevere then smiled. "There's no need to apologising my lady. We did what we thought was the right choice."
The child then transforms back into none other than Nimue who then praises Sonic's kind hearted actions here today. "You have shown courage, strength, and compassion," she announced, causing Sonic's ears to perk up and Caliburn to stand more firmly on his point.
"Huh? Then that means…" Nimue nodded. "I will show you how to blunt the power of Excalibur." Sonic then said. "Great to hear!"
A while later the group had arrived at Nimue's lake as Sonic and Guinvere helped themselves to some snacks.
"I see," Sonic murmured, nodding and tapping his foot. "So we have to defeat the Knights of the Round Table and collect the sacred swords?"
"Yes." Nimue gestured to the two blades that Sonic had taken from Sir Gawain. "The five sacred swords, combined with your Caliburn, should dispel the power of immortality that protects him."
"Shouldn't be too hard," Sonic remarked. "We've already got one, and the other knight I fought wasn't too hard to go against." An odd look passed Nimue's features. "Tell me… I see that you have Galatine, Sir Gawain's sword, but whom else have you encountered? Which sword did you nearly take?"
Guinevere then said, knowing the answer. "Thy bfe Lancelot." She held out a hand before swallowing her cookie. "Sorry, what I said was that the hedgehog and Caliburn encountered Lancelot on their way over to me. I was just returning home from acquiring some food from the less fortunate."
imue closed her eyes, sighing softly.
Sonic looked between the two of them. "Something the matter?" he asked. "I know Caliburn said he's tough, but he was kind of a pushover when I fought him."
"Enough to run away, still armed…" Nimue's eyes reopened, a faraway look in them. "I must reiterate what Caliburn has told you. The next time you find my son, he will most certainly be aiming to kill. Be on your guard if you ever wish to hold Arondight amongst the other swords." Sonic's jaw dropped. "Wait he's you're what?!"
"My son," Nimue replied calmly, folding her hands on her lap. "I am the mother of the Ultimate Knight, the one who helped hone his incredible talents, and I would recommend that you cease thinking so little of him."
The unspoken threat of a mother protecting her son's honor hung in the air, and Sonic closed his mouth, nodding quickly in agreement. He still had his doubts, but if two people told him to be wary, then the advice was worth taking. "So where to next?" he asked, eager to get their plan into motion.
Guinevere then said, bringing out a map. "The answer is clear: we head to the Molten mines. It's there we'll locate Sir Percival and her ego driven brother Sir Lamork!" Sonic then smirked. "Well at least it's gonna be a fair flight since your with me Guin! We'll have those swords in no time at all."
"We'll see about that…" "Hey, c'mon!" Sonic snapped, picking up Caliburn after the sword's quip. "Isn't it about time you gave me a little credit?"
The sword's eyes stared firmly at him as he replied. "Your next opponent is Sir Percival. She is as strong as she is noble and not only that she was also Guinvere's most loyal friend when she was with the Knights before Arthur fell to madness but now the Queen is on your side she will want nothing but to take you both down!"
Sonic understood why the old sword was telling this it wasn't doubt it was because Caliburn was a bit worried for him.
"Don't worry!" Sonic reassured his sword, and sure enough, he saw Caliburn's eyes soften just a fraction. But Sonic needed more than just a fraction; he needed Caliburn to trust in him as well, and there was no better way to build trust than with more trust. "I've got one of the great sacred swords fighting with me."
Caliburn's eyes widened and the sword cleared his throat. "O-Of course! It's… about time you figured that out!"
"And you have the great guardian of Brocéliande Forest and also the queen of Camelot at your side." Guinevere said with a smile as she stood alongside Sonic who smirked that he had great allies alongside him.
After tying the two swords that belonged to Gawain are all tied up as he readjusted his grip on his favourite sword. "And besides I've got a team to help me out and when we stand together as one she'll never see us coming before it's too late!"
"That is exactly what I told you not to do!" Caliburn scolded Sonic's hand, but Sonic didn't take his words to heart. He knew it wasn't a bad thing that he was starting to understand his weapon.
Gunivere kept hidden a small chuckle to herself as she felt like good memories were returning and bad ones fading away before she followed the hedgehog and the sword on their next quest.
Once away from Nimue's place she declared as the squirrel and hedgehog both heard her voice from afar. "Fare thee well brave hearted queen of Camelot and brave knight, chosen one of Caliburn…"
Sonic smiled that he had now become the new chosen one of Caliburn.
Thank you for your patience it may have taken a while but I managed to get it done and dusted in the next chapter Sonic and his little group are facing not just one knight but two of them! Sir Percival and Lamork in the next chapter and Sonic acquires his title of the knight of the wind when he faces them.
In another news we just got news of the newest model of the Nintendo Switch and I have to say it looks totally awesome! Better graphics and it looks like a new Mario Kart game which does look amazing and fleshed out I can't wait to go ahead and get once it comes out and who knows maybe we might be seeing some new games come out along with the new Switch like the new Metroid game time will tell in this Nintendo Direct I'm so hyped for when it happens so for now RGGAM signing off!