Chapter Text
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Prologue
500 A.M
Doomspire, Blackfire Lands.
When Amelia saw soldiers and carriages stopping in front of the castle beneath the banners of House D’Mobius, she bolted. She would have fled to another chamber if only her mother had not been so stubborn with her. Bruises already marked her arms from how many times Amarantha had gripped her tightly to stop her from doing anything reckless.
Her emerald eyes widened with alarm as she searched desperately for some way to save herself. They were going to kill her heart. The thought would not leave her mind. At this point, perhaps death would have been kinder. She did not want to go with them, did not want to become part of their plans. That fate felt worse than death itself. They had already taken her husband away from her, was that not enough? Her eyes were swollen, her lips and cheeks soaked with tears.
Amarantha look at her with warning. “I told you a thousand times to change those clothes.” Noticing the black and crimson jewelry Amy still wore, she could not suppress a grimace. She stepped closer and tore every piece from her despite her daughter’s protests. When all was finished, she only looked at her with pity for a brief moment before her stern expression returned. Amarantha heard the heavy, hurried footsteps echoing through the corridor. Amy flinched the instant the knights pushed the doors open.
“Lady Rose and Lady Amelia?” one of them asked, studying them carefully before his gaze settled on the older woman.
“That is us.”
“Your Grace and Prince Manic are waiting for you,” he said at last. “Please follow me.”
The king? Prince?
Amarantha gathered the skirts of her gown to move, but stopped when Amy tried to force her way past the guards, begging them to let her go. Naturally, they did not obey. At first they tried to warn her, but eventually they were forced to restrain her until her knees hit the floor.
“Amy, enough!” her mother ordered.
“What is all this commotion? I could hear it from the hallway.” A man stepped forward behind the soldiers holding her down. He was taller than her, his armor far finer than the others’, polished and refined. Manic? But that was not his voice, or at least not the one she remembered. It could not be him.
Amy shrank back slightly when she looked up and met the green eyes belonging to that strange yet painfully familiar voice. The figure stepped closer, staring down at her. She nearly gasped. Sonic?!
For one fleeting moment she wanted to throw herself into his arms. Surely he would understand her. Surely he would save her from all this. But once again, there was no warmth in his expression. In truth, he did not even look at her with cruelty either, and somehow that made her heart race even faster.
“It has been a long time, Amy.” Sonic watched her closely. “Why are you dressed like this? And what happened to your forehead?”
“She tore her gown trying to escape, Your Grace.”
“I see. I might have done the same, trapped in a miserable place like this…”
Amarantha remained silent.
Sonic extended a hand toward Amy. “Everything will be alright now. The Blackfire family will not harm you anymore. We are returning to the capital.”
“I do not want to!” she blurted out. “I will not be safe with any of you. I will not be safe anywhere!”
“I suppose it is natural to distrust everyone in your position, but you must come, milady.” He looked at her with pity. “This only proves how unfortunate you were to have that man take you from your home.”
Unfortunate?
“I will not go…”
“You will. It is alright now. I will accompany you, there is nothing to fear. Or have you forgotten that we grew up together? You are returning home, to your father and brother who are waiting for you. I will personally make sure you arrive safely.”
Amy had no choice but to take his hand and follow behind her mother. A year had passed since her wedding. A year spent far from her home, and two years since she had last seen Sonic. He had not changed much. He was still the same boy she had chased after as a child, his face still youthful, though now he carried an air she recognized all too well. Tense shoulders. Chin held high. More measured words and footsteps. Yes, he is a king now. The only king of Mobius.
The urge to hug him was overwhelming, but she restrained herself. She had already learned that not everyone is truly your friend, even those who once were for many years. Though with all her heart she wished Sonic still was.
When they reached the main hall, more guards were still pouring inside while the castle servants hurried from one side to another. Many looked frightened, others wary of the D’Mobius men. Most likely, many of the servants would be imprisoned, but what about Eclipse? What would happen to him? She prayed he had hidden himself far away… very far away. Amy only hoped he was nowhere near this place.
“My lord,” one of the guardsmen announced, “Lady Rose and her daughter are here, as commanded.”
Manic glanced up from the paper in his hand, and upon recognizing them, satisfaction crossed his face. “Very good. Dismiss the others.”
Everyone standing nearby stepped aside, and the servants quickly disappeared. For some reason Sonic did not stay, which only filled Amy with even more anxiety. Wasn’t he the King? Shouldn’t he be the one doing the talking? Why did he personally came anyway?
The hall felt unbearably empty. Doomspire had never been a noisy place to begin with, but now they were stripping away everything that had once belonged to Lord Blackfire and his father, Doom. Manic sat near the hearth upon a bench and ordered two chairs placed before him for the ladies to sit.
Amy still looked like the sweet yet stubborn girl he remembered. The last time he had seen her she had been fifteen. How old was she now? Eighteen? For a girl once known for her fierce spirit, she now looked utterly broken, her soul crushed beneath grief. No doubt she had suffered terribly beneath the ruthless hands of the Red-Stranded Doom. Yet who could have imagined that Shadow the Hedgehog would lose a kingdom over her? In the end, that usurper had still been young at heart. No matter how merciless he had been in battle, he had only been boy who had lusted enough for Lord Rose’s beautiful daughter.
Thinking of it brought relief to Manic. The usurper was dead, and perhaps he even owed gratitude to the young woman seated before him for it.
His gaze scanned her face, lingering on the wound across her forehead, though before he could speak Amarantha interrupted first.
“My lord, my lord… what is to become of us? And what of Caelthorn?”
“Lord Rose is with my father. As for Lord Silver, he was ordered to remain behind to negotiate terms or take members of House Kintober as hostages, if the situation comes to that,” he replied with a grimace. “You may rest easy. By decree of King Sonic, rightful ruler and protector of the realm, you both have been pardoned.”
Amarantha let out a relieved breath. “Thank the gods. He has been merciful to us!”
“You may finally rest. Everything will be alright now. But tell me, Lady Amelia, what happened to your face? That wound on your forehead is rather deep…” He turned toward one of the guards with concern. “Fetch a healer. Quickly.”
“It is not necessary,” Amy whispered, though her mother looked at her harshly.
“It is best that she is treated. Milady, you seem frightened. Tell me, who did this to you?”
“My lord, please forgive her. Ever since all of this began the poor girl has been hysterical!” Amarantha quickly interjected. “That wound is nothing. She refused to surrender the crown that usurper gave her. When I tried to take it from her, she resisted so much that I accidentally hurt her.”
“It was mine!” Amy did everything she could not to sob. “Shadow gave it to me. It belonged to me. I loved him.”
“Nonsense!”
“That is enough, both of you.” Manic looked unsettled by everything he had just heard. “I see the situation has affected her deeply, but her mind will clear in time. There is no need to be so harsh with her.” He sighed. “Tell me, milady… that bastard did not get you with child, did he?”
Amy fell silent, unable to meet anyone’s eyes after such a question, but once again her mother answered for her.
“No. I made certain of it. She carries no child in her belly. Throughout her marriage to that monster I gave her black rue tonic.”
Manic glanced briefly toward Sonic, who stood by the doorway with the same unreadable expression as before.
“Very well. As reward for House Rose’s support during the war, you are to marry our king, milady…”
The air left Amy’s lungs the moment she heard it. No, it could not be true. She did not have to marry Sonic. Yet her mother looked delighted by the news, thanking them both so fervently Amy thought she might fall to her knees and kiss their feet. Of course Lord Rose had likely agreed just as eagerly. Who would not want their daughter to become queen? But they would need to marry her quickly. There were still many loyal to House Blackfire, and those same people would wish to protect her as the Lady of Doomspire, as their queen, perhaps even wed her to Eclipse or another heir.
But what about Eclipse? Fear twisted inside her for him. He was only thirteen years old. More scholar than warrior, a boy who delighted in books, new knowledge, and hunting. Shadow had never wanted him left alone, nor his sins passed down to his younger brother. What would they do to him? Kill him? Torture him?
Amy blamed herself a thousand times over. She had failed to protect him as she had promised. When there was the chance, she should have grabbed that hammer and run away with him. But she did not. She allowed herself to be hurt and poisoned, now she had ended up here with a weakened body.
After the conversation, Manic ordered a few guards to escort both ladies away to rest. Lady Rose practically ran with excitement when she heard they would finally leave that place in the morrow. It was no surprise. Everyone knew how much she loathed the Blackfire family, or rather, the deceased Lord Doom Blackfire and every trace he had left behind. It must have been a nightmare for her to stay in such a bleak and dark place, surrounded by the faces of her enemies.
Sonic pulled one of the empty chairs closer to the fire, his shoulders still tense, refusing to look at his brother.
“You should be happy. You liked Lady Amelia when you were kids, didn’t you? Even after you learned the Red-Stranded Doom had taken her away, you were the first one willing to go after her.”
“Things are different now, Manic. I wish it were that simple.”
“It is simple. We put an end to all this nonsense, we take Lady Amelia with us, you marry her, she gives you a son. What else could you want? You are the king now. The only king.”
“I’d gladly hand the crown over to you!”
Manic’s ears twitched at that, though he did not move.
“You didn’t know him, Manic. You never knew Shadow.”
“And why would I want to know the man who drowned our lands in blood? He’s dead.” He stood up. “You didn’t know him either.”
Sonic shook his head. “No, I didn’t. He was my blood yet I never could truly know him. He was insane in many ways, but he was right about one thing.” He looked at his brother, who had raised an eyebrow. “The Chaos Emeralds.”
“Ah, the Emeralds?” Manic almost laughed. “Children’s tales. Don’t tell me you actually believe those little stories, your grace.”
“So you’re telling me you haven’t seen the darkness?”
“It’s just that, darkness. Even the Citadel has said there’s nothing to fear. Probably just fog.”
Nothing to fear. Sonic knew very well the kind of things they had endured during this war. He had barely turned twenty, and he already doubted how much longer he could carry the weight of the crown. But the burden of war alone had already been more than enough for him. The Red-Stranded Doom had started the war at only fifteen years old. His people crowned him king, and he brought every monstrous beast and creature from the the north to conquer the lands. For what? Sonic wished the war had never happened at all.
When everyone finally left the hall, thirty guards were allowed inside, two standing at every door and window, the rest forming a circle around the room. One of the larger guards dragged in a hedgehog, his eyes were golden and bright, barely looking mobian, with a white muzzle and dark slate fur marked by crimson streaks similar to those of his dead brother. This was undoubtedly Lord Eclipse.
What a disgusting little thing, Manic thought. Every Blackfire had something strange about them, but this one was easily the ugliest he had ever seen. Still, he looked like the child he supposedly was, with chubby cheeks and an awkward youthful appearance. The poor thing had bruises across his face, likely from the guards’ punches. Blood ran down his forehead as well, and his hands were tied.
The guard forced him to kneel, drawing a pained sound from him. Apparently, he had tried to hide inside one of the castle’s secret corridors, but one of the men had caught him before he managed to escape.
“Queen Amelia?”
“Lady Amelia,” Manic corrected. “She is no longer bound to your house, nor she carries crown given by your brother. It would do you well to remember that.” He had not expected the boy’s first question to be about her. “It was wise of her to surrender the castle, my lord. There are not many people left on your side anymore, are there? Even your castle is in ruins.”
“What are you going to do with her? Maybe she’s a widow now and they’ll strip her of the title Lady of Doomspire, but she was still my brother’s wife. What else will they do to her?”
“Nothing severe. We are not going to punish a victim of your family. The poor woman has suffered enough already. Though it seems you care about milady… perhaps it will please you to know your brother will leave no heir behind, and that she will marry into the royal family.”
Eclipse pressed his lips together, saying nothing.
“You will obey the decree,” Manic continued. “You are obviously considered a threat, but you’ve been granted the chance for forgiveness, since we were informed you had no direct involvement in your brother’s plans.”
“Shadow’s plans. I am still his blood… still his brother.”
“Believe me, that does not please me in the slightest. Thank your king for sparing your life.” He glanced briefly at Sonic. “All you have to do is surrender before your people and bend the knee to House D’Mobius. You will officially be given the title of lord of Doomspire, and they will follow you. They are weak, but stubborn. Giving the title to someone else would hardly work, but you want to protect your people, don’t you?”
“You’ve all said it yourselves many times. We are savages. Every child and elder will come out with a sword to meet you. For those who are already gone.”
“That is not what I saw, and the words of your house mean nothing out there.” Little by little, they are surrendering. “You’re smart, boy. Think carefully. If you refuse, you will die.”
“Then kill me.”
Manic nodded toward one of the guards. “Sir Storm, you heard him.”
The albatross, Sir Storm, gripped his claymore with both hands and approached Eclipse, who did everything he could to keep a serious expression on his face and swallow his fear as the massive edge towered above him. His ears and tail stood rigid with tension.
This isn’t rigth, Sonic thought. Eclipse, strange as he was, was still young. Maybe his brother had already been dangerous at that age, but Eclipse had neither the strength nor the cruelty for it. He looked almost sickly. His lips were pressed so tightly together, and his voice had trembled throughout the entire conversation.
He probably believed he had to act like his brother, or even like his father in a moment like this.
Sonic stopped Sir Storm. Manic looked at him in confusion, but when Sonic ordered him to give him space with Eclipse, they had no choice but to obey.
He knelt down in front of him. “Alright, my lord, that’s enough. I truly ask you to reconsider. I don’t think you actually want to die.”
“There is not much left for me to do besides die.”
“I don’t believe that. What would you gain from it, kid? Watching your people slaughtered?” Sonic sighed, adjusting his posture. “Look, I heard you have a younger sister. Rhygenta.”
“Rhygenta… she’s barely eight. She’s no danger to anyone.”
“And you would leave her alone.”
“She’ll be fine.”
“You sound very certain, but I’m sure whatever reason you have for believing that won’t matter for long. Your sister is only eight, but unfortunately both your men and mine already have their eyes set on her, whether to use her for their own plans or simply for revenge. They won’t stop until they get to her.”
“My men would never hurt her. That much I know.”
“That doesn’t mean they can’t hurt her in other ways.”
That made Eclipse’s quills bristle as he glared at him, but Sonic only untied his wrists, earning a surprised yet wary look in return.
“I promise to protect Lady Amelia,” he said, this time sending Eclipse into visible panic. Sonic raised a hand. “Listen, I know Lady Amelia is not a cruel woman. Whatever happened during her marriage to your brother, to her, could never justify mistreating a child like you, especially one in your condition. I can see you care about her. She will be safe, and so will your little sister.” He looked at him more firmly this time, though not unkindly. “You will surrender completely so no innocent person under yours or your brother’s command dies alongside their families, including your sister. Lady Rhygenta will come with me as a ward. She will stay with Lady Amelia and me in the capital. Her presence there will show peace to the realm.”
Eclipse licked his cracked lips, clearly holding something back.
“I don’t trust any of you.”
“Don’t.” Sonic stood up, helping the younger hedgehog to his feet as well. “Just see it as a debt repaid, alright? I owe many things to many people. And I’ll owe even more to Amy in the near future, so accept this. If you cannot trust me, then trust her. This is the best option you have, and the best one I can offer you, kid.”
Eclipse only nodded. It was not a clear answer yet, but it was still more than what Manic had managed to get from him.
“Just one thing.” Sonic watched him carefully. “Your brother… do you know how he died?”
“Betrayed, obviously.” Eclipse looked at him with hatred. “Orchestrated by your people.”
“There was a battle too. Two spears went through his chest and neck, or so I was told.” He adjusted his gloves. “Very well.” He looked toward one of the guards. “Take him to bathe, give him something to eat, and let him rest for a while. I’ll come for him tomorrow.”
“Yes, your Grace.”
Sonic left Eclipse behind, pretending not to notice the small figure peeking out from beneath the table in red skirts. Tomorrow he would have to calm Amy down again and ask for a healer to see her. That tonic her mother had secretly given her was surely the reason she had lost so much weight and looked so pale and weak.
He wondered how many horrors she must have endured. At least now he knew the fate of Maria Robotnik had not repeated itself with her and Shadow, though he could not say the same about what had happened between Lady Rose and Lord Doom Blackfire. The similarities were far too obvious. Amarantha had surely suffered deeply watching her daughter marry the son of the man she hated most. He could not blame her for that, could he?
Amy… he wanted to see her smile again. He regretted not embracing her the moment he saw her.
When he stepped into the castle courtyard, he noticed another comet crossing the sky. Sonic narrowed his eyes.
A red comet.