Chapter Text
“Sonic?” The knock at his door startled him out of his thoughts as it opens. Tails cautiously entered the room seeing Sonic sitting on the windowsill. Boxes and random items littered the room. It didn’t take him long to notice his older brothers distant look. “You’ve been in here for a while, are you doing okay?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah sorry bud. I got a little distracted.” Sonic said looking back out the window out towards the docks. Full of merchants, selling fish and other wares that were allowed within Soleanna proper. Untouched by magic and the potential end of the world when Chaos had become consumed by his anger.
Absolutely nothing had changed…
“Do you need help with anything?” Tails asked,
“I'm good. Just taking a break.” Sonic said putting the papers he had forgotten were still in his hand down next to him.
It had been two weeks since they returned to Soleanna. They were all given time to rest from their travels. The Queen only requested to see Sonic privately shortly after they arrived.
Tails, Amy, and Knuckles stayed close to Sonic while they waited for his escort to the castle. The door knocks as Sonic goes to answer it. A tall Crocodile accompanied by a purple Chameleon stood in the doorway that they all recognized.
“Vector! Espio!” Sonic said excitedly. “Boy you two are a sight for sore eyes!”
“Lieutenant Sonic.” Espio saluted, “We are here to escort you to the Queen.” Sonic let out a light hearted huff to Espio’s focused resolve.
“Give it a rest Espio.” Vector places a reassuring hand on his partners back. “This is Sonic you’re talking to. Not the Queen herself.”
“And you aren’t taking this serious enough.” Espio said giving Vector a look.
“Relax, there’s six of the Queens finest right here.” Sonic said with a reassuring tone that cut through the tension. “I feel sorry for anyone who would think of attempting something.”
“Right, this way.” Espio said as the four of them follow in silence. None of them knew how to start up a conversation. It had been so long and so much had happened… And they all knew that they needed to be cautious about what they said.
“So… If you don’t mind me asking…” Vector broke through the silence. “Is it true what they said? Was it really a ghost ship?”
“Ha! No, not a ghost ship.” Sonic chuckles, lying through his teeth. “It was a bunch of smoke and mirrors. They had a weird device that created fog to cover their escape.” Sonic and the others had rehearsed their story more times than they could count. They all had to be on the same page if they were ever interrogated.
“That makes sense, using mist is a clever tactic.” Espio commented to Sonic’s explanation of the mist as the four of them nod. Silently relieved their explanation sounded believable.
“You’ll have to tell us the whole story sometime. You were gone for almost a year. Honestly, it’s a surprise you’re still alive.” Vector said.
“Only if you’re buying the drinks.” Sonic joked and Vector chuckles.
Sonic turned the conversation back towards them at that point trying to avoid talking about their time on sea. Asking Vector and Espio about what has been going on with the kingdom.
They tell them that it has been rather quiet until recently. The Neighboring Kingdom of Mobotropolis has opened communication in becoming allies. That seemed odd to Sonic. Their ruler, Emperor Robotnik, was always hostile. Especially towards Mobians.
Walking the streets towards the castle brought back so many memories. Being on patrol with his friends, going to grab items at the local shops. Sonic’s thoughts shift overlooking from the places to the people. They all looked so happy, unaware of how close the world came to an end.
Sonic’s mind shifted to Shadow, wondering if his efforts to help Eclipse were going alright. He still felt bad for having to leave but there was so much he had to take care of. And he needed to know if his Uncle had anything that could give him answers about his past.
He was taken back by the beauty and vibrant light throughout the halls when they entered the Castle. Painted in delicate colors from the stained glass that lined the top of all the windows. Portraying the story of their beloved sun god Solaris.
Solaris gave the world warmth of the sun and flame. Gifting them a piece of himself, the flame of Solaris. A pure white flame that was his anchor to the material plane and the royal family. They are in charge of making sure that the flame is protected from selfish hands.
For if one dark of heart touches the white flame, they shall unleash the flames of disaster.
It is said that deep within the Castle of Soleanna in a section that can only be entered by the royal family rests the eternal flame. Sonic remembered his Uncle telling him about the pure brilliance of the flame. It was Solaris’ link to our world. And how the royal family connected with him. He had told Sonic that only a chosen few were gifted the chance to see it. Sir Charles was one of those luckily chosen.
“The Queen is ready for you.” One of the guards said snapping Sonic out of his thoughts. He was surprised to see they were not in front of the throne room, instead he recognized this as one of the conference rooms he had frequented before missions.
It was finally time to face the music… What would she say? How would she react?
“I still don’t like you going on your own.” Knuckles huffed struggling to hold back a snarl.
“It’s alright Knux,” Sonic reassured. They knew this could happen; the Queen would probably want to speak to all of them individually. “We’re home, it’s safe here.”
“Fine, but we’ll be right here if you need anything.” Knuckles said as Sonic lets out a chuckle.
“Sure, sure, bud, I’ll see you all in a few.” Sonic waves him off as his three friends walk over to the side while Sonic waits for the doors to open and he is let in. Doors closing behind him.
There was another door on the far side of the room and a large table, but he was surprised to see he was in here alone. It only took him moments to start comparing this small room to what he was confined to.
Soleanna castle was such a contrast to Archea. So much light and life was here when Archea felt hollow and dead no thanks to their now defeated ruler. Sonic tried to focus on those positive things to keep himself from spiraling. Now that he was alone it would be harder for him to pull himself out of the dark…
“Sonic…” It almost came out as a whisper, Sonic snapped to attention recognizing his sovereign’s voice, staring into blue eyes. Her voice was so soft, but it carried the tone of disbelief with it. Before either could say anything Sonic was already kneeling in front of her faster than she could blink. His head low looking down.
“It is good to see you again, Queen Elise. Please let me start by giving a formal apology for all the time and resources spent… and the lives lost on m…” He’s interrupted by Queen Elise kneeling down and he feels gentle hands carefully wrap around him, being mindful of his quills and pulling him into their embrace.
“That isn’t necessary. It should be I who apologizes for what happened to you.” Queen Elise said. Sonic fights every urge to flinch worried his sharp quills might accidentally cut her.
“You… You didn’t know I’d get abducted by pirates. No one has that amount of foresight.” Sonic tried to joke.
“But I should had noticed the signs that you were uncomfortable. I saw it, when I asked you to take lead and captain a crew on open sea. You hesitated to answer… If I had just asked… Then Charles…”
“We can sit here all day playing the blame game…” Sonic slowly moves gently pulling out of Queen Elise’s tight hug. “But that won’t bring him back.” He takes her hand placing something into her palm. Sir Charles’ flame enamel pin.
Sonic knew Queen Elise and his Uncle were very close friends. He could see it in the tears streaming down her cheeks. She was devastated that he was gone. They sit there in silence for a moment as The Queen composes herself.
“No, you are right. Thinking about what we could have done differently won’t bring back the dead.” Queen Elise said as she reaches over placing a hand on Sonic’s head. “I am glad that you are back home and safe.”
“Thank you, it’s… I’ll be honest, it’s strange.” Sonic’s gaze lowered looking at the enamel pin in Queen Elise’s hand. “After being on sea for so long… it almost feels fake.”
“There will be plenty of time to discuss what happened later. I wanted to see that you arrived unharmed with my own eyes. and if you need anything while you are recovering please do not hesitate to reach out.” Queen Elise said with a gentle smile.
It was at that moment that Sonic realized that he and the Queen of the country he swore loyalty to were both sitting on the ground.
“Y… Your Majesty!” Sonic quickly gets to his feet in a blur. “You shouldn’t be sitting on the ground.” He holds his hand up to help her back up to her feet. But he’s taken by surprise to seeing her let out a laugh making him flinch not expecting that reaction.
“Charles said the same thing to me a long time ago.” Her smile brightens. “Back when he first became an Elite. Quick to think he did something wrong.” She accepts his hand and gets back up to her feet.
Sonic begins to wonder if his Uncle told Queen Elise anything about his past. Perhaps after some time he could ask her for more information. But bringing that up now would seem very suspicious.
He had to be cautious about everything… No one can know…
“Well, he did raise me.” Sonic chuckles.
“He did a phenomenal job. You have used your gift from Solaris to help so many people. I hope that you will continue to do so.” Sonic felt the heavy weight of those words as she said them. Unsure how to respond. “We can talk more about the future later. You and the others should rest for the next few days. When you are ready to divulge what happened we shall formally go over your experience.”
Queen Elise pats his head again, “Charles was a dear friend to me. And I consider you to be family. I still remember when he brought you home and informed us of the tragedy. I swear that while you are recovering you will be kept safe.”
“Thank you.” Sonic gives her a nod before they say their goodbyes for the time being and part ways.
It was only just yesterday that they gave their testimony about what transpired… After Sonic was captured they kept him alive in an attempt to force him to join their crew of the Final Hazard, captained by Shadow the Hedgehog. After some time his speed was found out and he was brought to the Queen of the pirates and interrogated further. They did not believe his powers were a gift from Solaris and so The queen had Shadow and his crew take Sonic to find out the truth. The Fleetwood crew attempted a rescue within the Gaia temple, but a third party known as the Dark Arms intervened.
In all the mess, the Final Hazard slipped away again with Sonic. The Crew of the Fleetwood retreats and returns to inform the Queen about what they know before going back after the Final Hazard. In that time Sonic manages to escape the pirates but is soon captured by the Dark Arms. Their Emperor, Black Doom tortures him trying to gain information about Soleanna.
In their attempt to rescue Sonic, Amy is terribly wounded, and Sir Charles is struck down by Black Doom. Sonic takes down Doom shortly after. They leave the recovery of Archea to their own people and return Charles back to the flame and make their way back to Soleanna.
They rehearsed this story so many times that Sonic was beginning to believe that was what transpired. It sounded much more believable then discovering he was the last of his kind and connected to seven magical gems that could grant a wish.
And fell in love…
Now they wait to see what will happen. Their story seemed to be believed but who knows. Amy had gone to see a doctor and get confirmation about her back injury. Knuckles when to talk to his family about Angel Island and the opportunity to explore it. Meanwhile Sonic and Tails were going through their childhood home. Putting Uncle Chuck’s affairs in order.
He had no idea that his Uncle owned so much stuff. Sure he knew it might take some time to go through it all. But it’s been two weeks and Sonic has barely managed to go through the items in his Uncle’s desk.
That’s when he found it…
Papers, forged papers of Sonic’s citizenship. More proof that everything he grew up to know was a lie. He needed to know more. Where did he come from? Who were his parents? Being left with all these questions made him feel even more alone and alienated.
“Something came in the mail for you.” Tails said holding a package wrapped in red paper. Sonic’s ears perk up reaching out for the package as his brother hands it to him. There was a letter attached and he quickly opens it reading it’s contents.
𝐵𝓁𝓊𝑒,
𝐻𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝓅𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁 𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑒𝓁𝓎. 𝐵𝑒 𝓈𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝑅𝑒𝒹 𝐼 𝓈𝒶𝓎 𝒽𝒾.
The short note was signed with a lipstick stain. Sonic lets out a chuckle, of course the Pirate Queen wouldn’t sign a letter normally.
He opens the package seeing the beautiful crimson red stained leather bound journal. Eyes brightening opening the book and seeing a sentence written on the first page. Elegant hand writing he had gotten to know intimately.
ℑ 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔫𝔬 𝔦𝔡𝔢𝔞 𝔥𝔬𝔴 𝔩𝔬𝔫𝔤 𝔦𝔱 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔱𝔞𝔨𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯 ℜ𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔰𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔠𝔬𝔭𝔶 𝔟𝔲𝔱 𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔢 𝔩𝔢𝔱 𝔪𝔢 𝔨𝔫𝔬𝔴 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔯𝔢𝔠𝔢𝔦𝔳𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰.
Sonic rushed to his Uncle’s desk to grab a quill and ink only to pause. What should he say?
𝘏𝘪!
“What’s that?” Tails asked seeing an excitement in his brothers’ eyes he hadn’t seen in a while.
“The Journal Rouge was going to send to Shadow, and I could still keep contact.” Sonic said as he stared at the page thinking he’d instantly see new writing in the book. But after the minutes pass by… nothing happens…
Of course he would be busy, Shadow was helping Eclipse get the Dark Arms introduced into society and the castle rebuild.
“Is it safe that we have it?” Tails asked looking over Sonic’s shoulder at the book.
“We’ll keep it well hidden.” Sonic said. Just as his gaze turned away from the page, black ink began to appear as if a ghostly quill was writing something down.
𝔒𝔣 𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔰𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔰𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔴𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔰𝔦𝔪𝔭𝔩𝔶 𝔥𝔦.
A chuckle slipped out of Sonic’s mouth as Tails is quick to notice the shimmery gleam in Sonic’s eyes. “I’ll let you catch up. Amy’s coming over later for dinner. I’ll let you know when she gets here.” Tails said beginning to leave the room.
“Thanks Bud.” Sonic said pulling the chair closer and siting at the desk ready to give the book all of his attention.
“Sorry, I got a little excited. How are you? How are things going? Are the others doing alright?” Sonic wrote.
Sonic just waited for an answer watching the pages as if they may magically catch on fire and burn away.
𝔗𝔦𝔯𝔢𝔡 𝔪𝔬𝔰𝔱𝔩𝔶, 𝔒𝔲𝔯 𝔢𝔣𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔱𝔰 𝔱𝔬 𝔥𝔢𝔩𝔭 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨 𝔄𝔯𝔪𝔰 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔰𝔩𝔬𝔴. 𝔏𝔲𝔠𝔨𝔦𝔩𝔶 𝔏𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔫 𝔥𝔞𝔰 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔞𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔞𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔰𝔱 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔢𝔞𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔥𝔬𝔰𝔢 𝔴𝔥𝔬 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔩𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔦𝔯 𝔞𝔟𝔦𝔩𝔦𝔱𝔶 𝔱𝔬 𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔞𝔨 𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔯𝔢𝔩𝔶 𝔥𝔬𝔴 𝔱𝔬 𝔰𝔦𝔤𝔫. 𝔊𝔯𝔢𝔶 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔰 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔥𝔢𝔩𝔭𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔯𝔢𝔟𝔲𝔦𝔩𝔡.
He smiled hearing the crew were helping with the rebuilding of Archea. Hopefully it won’t be a crazy undertaking.
ℌ𝔬𝔴 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲?
Sonic hesitated before he wrote about his talk with the Queen and their story. How everything looks like they are in the clear and how he had begun going through his Uncle’s belongings.
𝔜𝔬𝔲 𝔡𝔦𝔡𝔫’𝔱 𝔞𝔫𝔰𝔴𝔢𝔯 𝔪𝔶 𝔮𝔲𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫. ℌ𝔬𝔴 𝔞𝔯𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲, 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔶?
Sonic stared at the page for a few minuets before tears welled up, unable to hold them back any longer.
“I miss you. The nights are cold, and I feel so vulnerable here. I know I’m not in any danger here but. It’s hard to put into words the feeling.” Sonic wrote. It felt so freeing to get that off his chest. Realizing that keeping it all inside was taking up so much energy.
ℑ 𝔪𝔦𝔰𝔰 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔫 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔡𝔰 𝔠𝔞𝔫 𝔟𝔢 𝔴𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔫 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔰𝔢 𝔧𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔩𝔰. ℑ 𝔰𝔴𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔱𝔬 𝔶𝔬𝔲. 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔪𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱 ℑ 𝔨𝔫𝔬𝔴 𝔈𝔠𝔩𝔦𝔭𝔰𝔢 𝔠𝔞𝔫 𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔩𝔢 𝔥𝔦𝔪𝔰𝔢𝔩𝔣 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔞 𝔱𝔦𝔪𝔢, ℑ 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔳𝔦𝔰𝔦𝔱. 𝔉𝔬𝔯 𝔫𝔬𝔴 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔫𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔫𝔢𝔢𝔡 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔞𝔩𝔨. 𝔘𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔩 ℑ 𝔠𝔞𝔫 𝔥𝔬𝔩𝔡 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔦𝔫 𝔪𝔶 𝔞𝔯𝔪𝔰 𝔴𝔢 𝔠𝔞𝔫 𝔲𝔰𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔧𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔩.
Sonic wiped the tears away, worried that if they dripped on the page Shadow would somehow see. “You’re still such a sap.” He wrote.
ℑ𝔣 𝔦𝔱 𝔨𝔢𝔢𝔭𝔰 𝔞 𝔰𝔪𝔦𝔩𝔢 𝔬𝔫 𝔶𝔬𝔲𝔯 𝔟𝔢𝔞𝔲𝔱𝔦𝔣𝔲𝔩 𝔣𝔞𝔠𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔫 ℑ 𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔴𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔢 𝔞𝔰 𝔦𝔣 ℑ 𝔴𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔞 𝔭𝔬𝔢𝔱.
“Sonic! Amy’s here, can you help her bring in some groceries?” Tails called out.
“Be right there!” Sonic called back. “I have to go. I love you.” Sonic both wrote and said out loud.
ℑ 𝔩𝔬𝔳𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔱𝔬𝔬. 𝔚𝔢 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔰𝔢𝔢 𝔢𝔞𝔠𝔥 𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔰𝔬𝔬𝔫 𝔪𝔶 𝔩𝔬𝔳𝔢.