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Sonic walked through the forest, stepping over roots and ducking to avoid branch-paddles from getting stuck in his quills. The sky had cleared out and not a single fluffy cumulus floated near the sunset. The trees were brightly lit with greenery and towered over the blue hedgehog. And as much as he thought those were intimidating, he found genuine admiration in how tall plants, such as these, could grow. Sure, it’ll take hundreds of years for a sapling to reach its final height and more. But it’s almost a miracle that these trunks hadn’t been caught in a demolishing fire or gotten in hands of a rather known evil doctor.
Speaking of the devil– Sonic’s real reason as to why he came here in the first place was the said scientist: Eggman. It was another Friday evening with a brawl near the loop-de-loop with him and his friends against the doctor. Him, Tails, Amy and Knuckles. And as you’d expect, they won. However, for the past few months doctor’s attacks have been subtle, obviously planning another master scheme behind everyone’s backs, as if Tails doesn’t already have enough bugs all around his base to keep an eye on him 24/7.
Be that as it may, today was different. Everyone was having fun smashing Buzz Bombers and other badniks when they got ambushed by a horde. Though it seemed like they were overpowered, Sonic saved the day by a single spin dash, sending several robots flying and clattering onto the ground. And after it seemed their feat had arrived, Amy noticed smoke drifting through air from the distance, all the way from the forest. None of them knew what it could’ve been since it was too far away for any bots to wander out to.
Sonic could’ve called it a night and brushed it off with ‘It’s probably a local’, but not a single soul lives outside the town. He knew it all firsthand from racing through the whole place daily. Therefore he couldn’t help but to feel unsettled. There shouldn’t be smoke at all.
So, after trying to fall asleep under plush covers even before the sun had decided to set just because he thought he felt like it, which wasn’t like him at all, he sucked it up and sped to the curve of the woods. Sonic stood before nature, blue ears turning in an attempt to detect any sound. Nothing. He looked up at the ether, seeing the smear of smoke gently dissipate. It was a sign there’s no open fire.
Now here he was, walking instead of dashing at top speeds, because if he did, it would be a matter of seconds when he’ll faceplant straight into moist soil. And deciding he’s not in the mood to sprain his ankle to a petty root, Sonic dragged his feet against the ground, trying to find the source of the smoke.
It wasn’t for long until he noticed the sun hinting to disappear behind the trees and cast orange strays across the ground. It was a mesmerizing view.
Albeit, the next step he took, not looking where he had set his foot, sent him tumbling down a sudden hill. Pain didn’t seep into his senses ‘til he had fallen onto his back, a few scratches and bruises from hitting various branches and rocks all around his peachy skin. Sonic was slowly regretting coming out of bed. Whilst he grumbled under his breath about getting dirty and standing up, letting out a light groan, a crackle of electricity was heard in the background. He immediately went to investigate the foreign sound that evidently didn’t belong in this environment.
First thing he took note of were crushed boughs hanging from trees and laying on ground. No bigger parts of trees were harmed. And climbing past a particularly thick tree, he saw a lifeless badnik on top of a pile of rocks sending out tiny sparks. After walking up to the robot and giving it a nudge, Sonic took in his surroundings. He had never been to this part of the forest; never knew it even existed. “How did I spin dash it so far?” Agitation churned his stomach once he took a step back. A few flickies chirped around the bot, curious as to see what it was.
He was surrounded by six 10 foot boulders covered in vines and moss, a few of them on the brink of collapse and already in shambles. The ones that stood had a sharp corner pointed towards the tree behind Sonic. Everything about this awakened perturbation within him, the golden rays cascading through the trees no longer a comfort. It was getting dark.
Sonic took a step closer to the tree, it was awfully quiet. Against the evergreen stood two bushes, as if hiding what prying eyes aren’t supposed to see. Taking a closer look, Sonic felt his foot hit something hard. Then crouching down to touch the object, his hands slid further into the bush. It was a rock of some sort, however it was almost in perfect condition– not a single crack ruining the wobbly yet flat surface. It came to the point where he had to push the bushes for him to unravel this nerve-eating mystery.
A few moments later he came to a conclusion that this was no ordinary stone. It was a box. He slid his gloved hands on the edges, feeling a slit. Hooking his fingers under the rock and with most of his strength, he lifted the lid, letting it fall onto ground.
He didn’t know what to expect when he stared down the casket, eyeing another hedgehog. He feared it might’ve been a grave and now he’s interrupting someone’s peace. But the longer he stared, the more confused he got. “Shadow?” muttered Sonic. And the person in the casket indeed looked a lot like the said hedgehog, even an exact copy. Alas, he didn’t recall Shadow wearing armor the last time they met. But could it be…? Therefore he was sure whoever it was before his eyes, life had left them long ago. It was visible for the way moss had grown over the metal curves, the said material no longer pristine and shiny, but rusty and brown.
A soft exhale inside the helmet was what pulled Sonic out of his trance of thought. “It breathed?” He raised his eyebrow, not trusting his ears. He waited for a couple of minutes, finally hearing an inhale.
They’re sleeping. This person who looks like Shadow in the middle of nowhere surrounded by weird boulders and hidden in the bushes, is alive. Dread and nausea threatened to overwhelm him as he lifted the visor, seeing as a tan mouth caught some golden brown sunlight. It was slightly open, the tip of a dried tongue stuck out to probably wet its lips but stopped working a while ago. Leaning closer and placing his ear against the stranger's chest, he heard the most fragile heartbeat imaginable. Perhaps sleep is the only thing keeping them alive.
Not really taking that into consideration, Sonic reached out to shake their shoulders. Didn’t work. Even after some soft pats and smacks against the hedgehog’s face didn’t work, he stared at those lips. Then he looked around himself. It wasn’t as if anyone would know about this…
So, turning back to the one ahead of him, he leaned all the way down and gently placed his lips upon theirs.
Next thing Sonic knew, he was punched straight into his face, sending him flying across the place and thumped against a boulder. It created further cracks into the rock. Once Sonic hit the ground and tried to get up, the tip of the statue fell. All Sonic heard was a cruciating crunch, break of multiple bones as a sizable rock had fallen onto his arm, nearly on the wrist. Scream filled with agony left his lungs once he actually started to feel the pain surging from his hand, pulsing and burning hot.
Tears threatened to spill as he tried to push the rock off with a single hand, but it was no use. The pain had weakened his limbs and now resembled noodles.
The moment Sonic heard footsteps, he lifted his gaze onto the one standing ahead of him.
“In the name of Camelot, flee from this land and–” The ebony hedgehog’s voice was deep and raspy, as if it hadn’t been used for centuries. They reached over to their hip to draw a sword, only to find the pouch to be missing. Conflicted, they growled. “Thievery!”
Sonic ducked his head as the other threw a punch to where his head had been. “Wait! I’m on your side! I didn’t–!” He winced as the rock on his arm shifted, putting more pressure on his already broken bones. He couldn’t move his left hand. “Please, I–I’m injured! Can’t you see?!” Sonic had never heard himself beg before, but something about the other hedgehog frightened him. Maybe it was the intimidating red pupil glaring at him through the visor.
Squeak!
Sonic sharpened his ears.
Squeak! Squeak!
A flickie next to him had a piece of rubble on its wing. Worry and panic rose in him as he reached over to lift it off, even as his own arm was stuck. The bird was free again.
The azure hedgehog closed his eyes and prepared for another hit, which never came. Confused, he looked to see the other kneeling. Sonic’s eyes widened to the brim.
Their tone was apologetic, “Forgive me, my king. For I have caused thou misfortune.” The hedgehog kept their head low, ears flattened against the head.
Sonic had never been more bewildered than now. Last time he checked, he’s pretty sure he is, in fact, not a king. “What are you talking about?” He tried to sit up, but as he did, pain pulled him back against the soil like a magnet.
The knight looked up, motioning their hand towards a boulder. Sonic followed. “You’re the great King Arthur. The ruler of Camelot. My king.”
“Um,” Sonic tilted his head, until he saw it. A familiar face with brows and a smile that lined up with his perfectly–except it was on a stone statue. He looked back at the one before him. “I’m sorry, but that’s not me. Yet I’m not an enemy.” Sonic attempted to lift the rock on his arm once more, only to hiss in agony. Alas, it was short-lived as he felt weight lifted off his arm. The knight threw the rock aside and reached out their hand. Sonic mumbled, “...Thanks,” and accepted it with relief.
Standing up, the knight bowed again. “My sincerest apologies, my king. If you would please, behead me to puncture the consequences of my actions.”
“Wait, what?” Sonic took a step closer, holding his injured arm that now dangled freely. “Dude, it’s just an arm– It can be fixed.” I hope so. He placed his hand on the hedgehog’s shoulder. “Who are you?”
The knight rose, “Why, do you not remember, my king? I’m one of your dearest servants, if not the loyalest. I am Sir Lancelot. You have a great army of knights! Sir Galahad, Sir Gawain, Sir Lamorak and Sir Percival.”
Sonic shook his head, nothing of this made sense to him. “How long have you been here?”
Lancelot tilted their head, “What do you mean? Of course, it’s been a few hours. Just like you promised. However, I don’t recall being hidden in the forest…” They looked around, mouth scrunching into a thin line.
“What year is it?”
The knight hesitated and once they spoke, their voice lacked the confidence fro before. “1502.”
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Sonic sat on the examining table as Amy took care of his arm. The knight stood near him, a piercing red eye watching the pink hedgehog’s movements warily through the visor.
“You really had to go in there, didn’t you?” Amy had aligned the bones carefully so they could heal back together properly. She tied the bandage tightly around his arm, making sure it would hold it.
Sonic cocked a smile. “You know me, Ames. I couldn’t help it.”
“Well, next time don’t go alone. OK? If it weren’t for Shadow, I can’t imagine what could’ve happened.”
Sonic hopped off the table. “Okay, first off their name is Lancelot. Second– They caused this injury. No offence.” He saw the knight avert their gaze. “I’m more worried about them, because they were asleep for half a chiliad. But Lancelot refuses to believe it.”
A young fox walked through the garage door. “I have good news and bad news. Which one–”
“Good.” Amy said so the kit would cut straight to the point.
“Lancelot is healthy. His– I mean, their stasis did no harm to their physical state.”
“But?” Sonic raised his brow.
Tails looked at his pad, also known as Miles Electric, “I couldn’t detect any Chaos Energy in them. Lancelot is like any other hedgehog. Just… Really old.” He placed his tablet away, approaching the knight. “Could you tell me what was the last thing you remember?”
Sir Lancelot stayed quiet, crossing their arms.
Sonic rolled his eyes with an annoyed sigh, “Lance, you can speak.”
The knight gave Sonic a nod, all before looking down at the fox. “Our kingdom, Camelot, was in terrible danger. Allies had turned into our enemies, so we fought for our conquest. But, it never came. My king promised he’d return once our kingdom is freed, for I ought to wait for him in my very own grave.” They eyed the fox. “And finally, he helped me recrudesce my fate.”
Tails placed his thumb on his chin, lost deep in thought. The blue hedgehog walked up to the fox. “Maybe you can find more answers from the library?”
“Yeah. But Sonic, try not to exert yourself,” said the kit.
“I know, I know. Broken arm. I’m so fragile now. I got it, don’t sweat it, bud.” Sonic ruffled Tails’ head, earning a childish giggle.
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Sonic sped to the meadows with the knight, plopping down amongst the flowers. The sun had begun to rise and light the land under it. Lancelot stood next to him, arms crossed. The blue speedster felt rays of warmth on his fur, basking in it. The ache in his arm had subsided, yet a new kind of pain haunted him now.
“My king, you keep talking of someone named Shadow. Is he… your new lover?” The knight gazed off to the distance, voice heavy with uncertainty.
Sonic’s eyes widened with stupefaction. But when he began to think about it, he didn’t believe Lancelot would let out secrets, considering their loyalty. “I mean, he was. He died about a year ago.” He could feel the other boring holes into his side with their eyes. “But, what do you mean by ‘new lover’?” Sonic sat up vaguely.
The knight exhaled heavily, and sat down as well. “My king and I had a distribution. An understanding between the two of us.” They looked down onto a flower swaying as a soft wind flew by. “Something many wouldn’t understand.”
“So, you loved him?”
They lifted their hand to cover their mouth, muffled, “You could say.” The knight plucked the flower, rolling the straw between their digits. “He was annoying at times, reckless even. Yet, my duties of protecting him led me to feelings I was impossible to ignore, no matter how hard I tried. And to think…”
“Sounds a lot like me.” He hummed. Sonic knew the realization pierced their heart tenfold harder than to anyone. “But he’s not dead. At least, not his adoration towards you.” Lancelot looked at him, befuddled. “He lives on in you. In everyone who had ever known of him. That’s the power of remembering. Knowing the time you spent with him meant a lot to you and holds a special place in your heart.”
Lancelot stared at Sonic, up until the line of their lip began to quaver. They looked away. “I apologise, my– Sonic. I cannot help but to see him in you, too. You’re just like him. The bird you helped earlier, despite your state, you didn’t cease to help. As if it were your sworn duty. Or because it is your only way. To let others back to freedom, no matter what. Like him.” Sonic’s ears dropped against his head in condolence. “I just wish you really were my Arthur.”
The two sat in silence, only wind wheezing in the background, making the meadow shuffle. Sonic’s voice was quiet, “I wish you were Shadow. Sure, you two share the same looks, similar goals, similar pain. But I can tell you’re a whole different person. Something that makes you Sir Lancelot.” He shifted closer. “Lance, may I see your face?”
The knight’s mouth fell open into an O and gaped at Sonic. But with enough stalling, he leaned forward, letting the blue hedgehog lift his visor and take it off entirely. Lancelot’s face was like Shadow’s, except a massive scar laid across their brow and reached all the way to the mouth. One of the knight’s eyes was grey, which probably had lost its vision a long time ago.
Sonic cupped Lancelot’s face with his other not-so-broken hand, “Unique. But as handsome as Shadow.” His thumb rubbed the corner of the ebony hedgehog’s mouth, feeling the scar. “You two really are one of a kind.” Lancelot leaned into his touch, closing their eyes as if trying to picture their king caressing them instead of Sonic. Sonic’s gloves were cotton, as soft as tufts of clouds. His hands were gentle, yet they could feel the restricted power flowing within.
Lancelot let out a low sound that resonated to a whine, trying to get more of the comforting touch. It had been far too long since they’d been held like that. Their eyes stayed closed.
“Kiss me, I beg of you.” The knight almost pleaded, their voice tearful. Sonic saw the desperation, the raw need for them to return to their loved one. And so did he.
Gingerly, Sonic dipped his head. Yeah, it felt wrong. He wasn’t Arthur, but he sure could pretend for the sake of Sir Lancelot. Even if it meant he would lie to himself that the one in front of him is Shadow. Their lips slotted together softly. Sonic’s eyes lidded low, watching emotions play across the knight’s face. The said hedgehog wrapped their arms around Sonic, drawing closer.
The kiss was pulpy, nothing out of the ordinary. But under the surface, it meant more to the two. Almost a way to grieve. And it didn’t last for long until they broke the kiss. Lancelot opened their eyes. Eyes that teetered on the verge of spilling.
The dark hedgehog hid their face in the crook of Sonic’s neck, the other feeling droplets wet his fur. He embraced them, even placing his bandaged arm around them. It hurt to move his arm, but the weeping knight carried much greater pain. The only right thing to do was to let them let it all out.
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Sonic listened intently as the young fox explained. “So, it turned out there was a whole section dedicated to the Kingdom of Camelot.” Sonic, Lancelot and Tails sat in the kitchen of the fox’s home. “Those books described Sir Lancelot as the last knight of the Round Table, a union of great knights to serve King Arthur, and the last to exist in Green Hills, but there were no records of his–their date of death. Now we know why.”
The knight nodded, their visor back on safely. Sonic played with the hem of his glove, “Do we know why Lance was the last knight?”
“I don’t think so. Though there’s a legend that they, Sir Lancelot, haunted the forest, protected it from people who dared to do any harm to nature.” Tails flipped through a book, “But there’s another thing. Lancelot shouldn’t have lasted for so long. Even in hibernation, there’s no way anyone could sleep for five hundred years. The normal lifespan of a mobian hedgehog is roughly 80 to 150 years.”
“Soooo, they’re a miracle? Neat!” Sonic nudged Lancelot’s arm to help lighten the mood. I did not help.
The knight lifted their visor, looking down. “I want to go back. Where I belong.”
Tails stilled at seeing the scar across their face, but shook it off. “Back to the forest?”
They looked up. “Yes. Set me ablaze if needed.” The underlying message was as loud as a siren. Lancelot wanted to become one with earth so they could rest their soul for good. “Burn me alive, stab me, poison me– anything.”
The kit turned to look worrisomely at Sonic, then back at the knight. “... We can’t do that.”
“Very well. Then I shall decay slowly.”
Sonic shook his head, then placed a hand on Lancelot’s shoulder. “Or you can live. Not everything has to end with death.”
“I can’t,” the hybrid said softly, “not without my king.”
“We could put you in a coffin. Like a mummy.” Tails offered, trying to break the tension.
Sonic clicked his tongue, “That could work. What do you say, big guy? Wanna be mummified?” He said it as a joke and didn’t expect for the knight to actually agree.
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The three stood in the forest, watching as Knuckles dug a hole for Lancelot’s grave. The sky had turned orange, as it had taken them the whole day to convince the echidna to leave Angel Island. Once the coffin fit the hole, Sonic turned to Lancelot. He knew he was going to miss them, but he wasn’t one to choose the knight’s fate.
“Guess, this is it. Only got to know you for a full day.” Sonic attempted to chuckle, but failed.
Sir Lancelot lifted their helmet, grabbing onto Sonic’s hands. He winced at sudden pain stinging up from his arm, but beared it. “Worry not, our time was not gone into waste. You taught me many things I never knew.” Sonic’s eyes grew glassy as Lancelot pressed their foreheads together. “I hope you reunite with the one you call Shadow. I know he’s still around. I can feel it. And even if he’s not, he’ll be in your heart. Promise me you’ll wait for him, just like I did for my king.”
The knight departed from the blue hedgehog, moving towards the coffin. They placed their helmet back on and crawled down into the hole.
A lump formed in Sonic’s throat as the lid got placed onto it, blocking the sight of Lancelot. This was the only way for them to grow their wings and flee to freedom eternally.
Once the hole was completely buried, Sonic stood there. He waited for hours, long after his friends had left. Waiting for something. Anything. But nothing ever came.
His knees buckled and he fell to the ground, hands digging and grabbing the soil. He didn’t care about the pain from his arm. Sonic needed to see them one more time. He knew he had promised to wait for his rightful one, but damn it all. Lancelot was the closest he had of Shadow since he’d died.
Wait.
How did Shadow die?
Sonic paused as dirt in his hands turned into black gust. The trees had disappeared and so had the starry sky.
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Sonic woke up, panting. His fur was slick with sweat and a shiver oozed down his spine at seeing an open window, the curtains around it dancing gracefully. Sonic looked around, he was back in his room.
But he felt movement next to him. A dark gloveless hand had reached out, grabbing Sonic’s arm. Sonic prepared to wince at pain that never came. Huh. His arm wasn’t broken anymore.
Lifting his gaze onto the owner of the hand, he saw two piercing red irises staring back at him.
Sonic’s eyes lit up, relief spreading within him. He laid back down, now scooping the hybrid up into a spoon from the back and nuzzled his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent he loved so much. Then he peppered it with soft kisses and snuggled close.
“What’s gotten into you?” Shadow blushed at the attention Sonic lavished him with, but didn’t deny that he liked it.
Sonic almost purred. “Had a terrible nightmare. About a world where you weren’t in it.”
Shadow scoffed playfully, “Terrifying indeed.”
The two fell asleep in each other’s arms, peacefully cuddling. Outside the window glowed a half moon in the open night sky, illuminating the hedgehogs’ fur colors and a pair of rings adorning their fingers. Cold air sneaked into the room, but wasn’t able to bother the slumbering couple.
Right. It had been just a dream. A bad dream. But who was that Lancelot guy, anyway?
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