Chapter 1
It has been a week since Sonic got sucked into Camelot and was crown king. Sonic who has never been the person who stays in one place but was as free as the wind was now trying to take in information about the other rulers.
The grand hall of Camelot buzzed with energy as the knights of the Round Table stood before Sonic, each one eager to fill him in on the details of the kingdom and its neighboring rulers. Sonic had only been in Camelot for a week, and though he had quickly adapted to his role as king, the intricacies of this new world were still overwhelming.
Lancelot, who Sonic is having trouble seeing this Shadow so calm and addressing him with repect, was standing at the head of the table, clasped his hands behind his back. “We know this is a lot to take in, but as your knights, we’ll ensure you’re well-prepared. Allow us to give you an introduction to the rulers of the kingdoms surrounding Camelot. It’s vital to understand our allies and, more importantly, our potential threats.”
Sonic nodded, trying to keep up. “Alright, hit me with it. I’m all ears.”
Lancelot smiled. “Very well. Let’s start with King Harold of Chaotix. He rules over a prosperous kingdom, known for its trade and strategic location. His closest knight is Sir Rowan, and King Harold’s trusted companion is a spy named —he’s skilled in stealth and intelligence gathering. Now, Zane might remind you of someone you know—his methods are similar to those of Espio from your world.”
Sonic raised an eyebrow. “A spy, huh? Sounds like someone I could use on my team.”
He saw the paintings and realised that King Harold was Vector’s counterpart with Prince Charles as Charmy’s counterpart and Zane as Espio.
Lancelot nodded. “Indeed, Zane is a valuable asset. But do not mistake him for Espio—he is his own person with his own agenda.”
Sonic leaned back in his chair, listening intently. “Got it. So, who’s next?”
“Next is Queen Victoria of Morningstar,” Lancelot continued. “She’s a ruler obsessed with jewels and gems, and her kingdom is known for its wealth. Queen Victoria’s adopted daughter is Princess Maria, who is beloved by her people. It’s crucial that you treat Maria with the utmost respect. In her eyes, she is the most precious person in the world.”
Sonic chuckled, immediately know that it was a certain friend bat of his. “I know a thing or two about looking out for people.”
Hearing the name Maria remind Sonic about something that Shadow once talked about. Maybe it might be a different Maria Sonic thought.
Galahad, who stood by Lancelot’s side, added, “One more thing, Your Majesty—beware of Sir Gawain. He protects a certain gem for Queen Victoria, and it’s caused some… disagreements in the past.”
Sonic’s eyes narrowed, already making the connection. “Let me guess. This gem… is probably an emerald, right?”
Galahad grinned. “You’re quick, Your Majesty. Yes, it’s an emerald that Gawain holds dear. It’s caused quite a bit of tension between him and the queen. But don’t worry about that—just keep your distance from it.”
Sonic gave a short laugh. “I’ll do my best.”
Lancelot cleared his throat, moving on. “Now, we come to a more… delicate topic. King Shadow rules over the Black Arms kingdom.”
The room fell silent for a moment as Lancelot’s words hung in the air. Sonic stiffened in his seat, his eyes widening at the mention of Shadow’s name. He tried to mask his discomfort, but the mention of the Black Arms instantly set off alarm bells in his mind.
He looked at the portrait to see a look alike of his Shadow and Lancelot only the thing that set him apart from Lance the most was the four sharp prongs on the figures back, raised as if he was preparing to stab the painter. He wore an iconic frown of Sonic’s Shadow on his face and had his arms crossed in the portrait.
“Wait, the Black Arms? The same Black Arms that attacked my world?” Sonic’s voice was shaky, his heart racing.
Lancelot frowned, noticing Sonic’s sudden shift in demeanor. “Yes. King Shadow, in this world, rules the Black Arms kingdom. The Black Arms are a force to be reckoned with, and King Shadow is a complex figure. He killed his father, King Doom, to take the throne, and though he’s been more peaceful in recent years, that doesn’t mean he’s someone to be underestimated.”
Sonic clenched his fists, feeling the familiar anger surge within him. The memories of his battles with the Black Arms—the destruction, the pain—flooded his mind. He could still remember the threat that Black Doom had once posed to his world. The thought of that same version of Shadow ruling over a kingdom made his stomach churn.
Lamorak, who had been standing off to the side, caught Sonic’s attention. His sharp eyes mirrored the same cold intensity as Shadow’s, though he held himself with the quiet dignity of a knight. Lamorak’s voice was calm but firm. “King Shadow has, for the most part, sought peace in recent years. His kingdom is still a force to be reckoned with, but it’s not the war-hungry force it once was. We must respect his strength.”
Percival, who had been listening attentively, spoke up. “Prince Eclipse is his son. He handles most of the domestic affairs of the kingdom while his father remains more distant. However, we must still prove our strength to King Shadow. If he sees any weakness, it could prompt an attack.”
Sonic swallowed hard, trying to control his emotions. He was shocked to hear that this world Shadow has a son. He glanced around the room, his eyes settling on the other knights. “So… Shadow’s been peaceful, huh? But he’s still a threat.”
Lancelot nodded. “Precisely. And as long as you remain strong, Sonic, we won’t have to worry about him. King Shadow respects power. That’s why you’re here. To show him that Camelot is not a kingdom to be underestimated.”
Sonic took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He had learned over the years to keep his cool, but the Black Arms always stirred something deep inside him. “I’ll keep my guard up. No one’s gonna take Camelot down while I’m in charge.”
Gawain, standing with his arms crossed, added, “It’s not just about defense. We need allies, too. King Shadow has been known to ally himself with kingdoms that show strength. Make the right moves, and he could be a valuable ally, rather than a threat.”
Sonic gave a slight nod, his mind racing. “Alright, I get it. I just… I won’t let my guard down when it comes to Shadow. I’ve dealt with him before, and I won’t make the mistake of underestimating him.”
The knights exchanged knowing looks, clearly understanding the weight of Sonic’s words. The tension in the room was palpable, but there was an unspoken agreement that Sonic was the right leader for Camelot. They all believed in him.
Lancelot’s voice broke through the silence. “Remember, Sonic. We’re with you. Camelot’s strength lies not just in its knights, but in its king. Show King Shadow, and the world, what you’re made of.”
Sonic stood up, a fire reigniting in his chest. “You can count on me. No one’s taking this kingdom down. Not while I’m here.”
And with that, the meeting continued, each knight sharing their wisdom and offering their support. But in the back of Sonic’s mind, the mention of King Shadow and the Black Arms lingered. He knew that the peace they spoke of could shatter at any moment, but as long as he had the knights by his side, he was ready to face whatever came next.