Chapter Text
Long ago, in a kingdom high in the mountains, there was a king. But not just any king. A noble one, with a brilliant intellect and power far beyond what anyone could dream.
At least, if one bought into the propaganda.
King Ivo Robotnik had married into this kingdom for Queen Aleena’s money and power. On the surface, it was for the sake of his two daughters, Sage and Belle, who longed for a mother. The partnership had been mutual, as Queen Aleena’s children had needed a father and Queen Aleena felt that Ivo was a perfect choice. To capture this feeling, she crafted two beautiful magic mirrors for him, since he loved seeing his appearance and power most of all. The king was delighted with his gifts, using one to survey the kingdom he loved (especially his new family) and the other to admire his appearance. He repaid the queen’s gift a hundredfold in crafting new industries for the kingdom, particularly in technology and in mining, the kingdom’s biggest industry.
It was, however, the untimely death of the queen and her youngest children that Ivo’s true nature started to be revealed. He made Queen Aleena’s surviving child a ragged slave in the palace, focusing his efforts on advancing his beautiful daughters and his own power and strength.
For a while, things went on peacefully. The kingdom still blossomed and grew despite the untimely death of the queen. There was peace and tranquility in the land.
But underneath all of that, a sense of jealousy and hatred was blooming. For if there was anything Ivo despised more than anything, it was not being the very, very best.
After all, if he was the greatest king of all, who would dare be better than he?
“Magic mirrors upon my wall,” King Ivo chanted. “Who is the most powerful and fairest of all?”
“You are, of course, boss.” The red circular mirror answered.
There was a pinch of hesitation in his words that made the king’s eyes narrow. “What was the hesitation for?”
“Well, um–”
“There’s somebody else that’s more powerful and fairer than you!” The yellow-squared mirror squealed.
“Cubot!” The red mirror hissed.
Ivo’s eyes narrowed further. “A lash for whoever they are! Reveal the identity!”
Cubot had the gall to look sheepish. “Uh, Orbot....do you want to tell him?”
“Alright, since we can’t do “Rock, Donut, Thursday”,” Orbot agreed and cleared his throat. “It’s a male hedgehog with emerald eyes and ocean blue quills–”
“Oh! It’s Sonic!” Cubot exclaimed. Then he promptly smashed his mouth shut. “Oh. Oh.”
Ivo’s face contorted into a rage. “Sonic.”
Said hedgehog dipped his hand into the bucket of warm water and scrubbed the red bricks on the main walkway. He was already exhausted, but he still had the palace steps to clean. Along with whatever his stepfather asked him to do.
His ears pricked at the sound of a carriage arriving, the horses clopping to a gentle stop outside of the palace steps. His stepfather must be expecting visitors. And sure enough, he heard a voice from inside the carriage, sultry and feminine, speaking to the guard.
“We’re guests of the king. We’ve come from the far coast of Archaea.” The guard bowed and hurried inside.
A visiting king? That didn’t happen too often. Especially ones who came right up to–
Shit, he didn’t get the stairs cleaned yet.
He grabbed his bucket and cloth and zipped ahead of the carriage. He hastily scrubbed the stairs until they were clean (not sparkling like what Ivo had hoped for), but it would have to do. He finished in record time, but as he stood to zip back to the walkway, he slipped.
Strong arms gripped Sonic tightly from behind, saving his skull from a painful encounter with the bricks. “Careful, now.” A deep baritone rumbled in his ears. “No need for you to crack your head open welcoming us.”
“Careful? Where’s the fun in that?” Sonic quipped, ignoring the way his heart sped up at the voice.
The voice clucked. “You are insufferable. Now let’s get you upright.”
Sonic swallowed as the figure helped him stand on his own two feet and dusted off his rags. While he did this, Sonic took a good look at the guest.
The guest was clearly a king, given his gold crown, elegant gray and burgundy cape with gold trim, and his matching red military jacket. He had a gold lacy tie sticking up from the collar and he sported black and gray shoes. On his wrists and ankles were golden bracelets and he had several rings on his right hand. His red stripes and eyes glowed brightly against his black fur and quills.
Wait, a king?
Sonic stepped back and bowed low. “Your majesty.” How did Ivo expect him to apologize again? Oh, right. Begging. Ugh.
Sonic dropped to his knees. “My apologies for our unpreparedness for your visit by failing to adequately clean the stairs.” Sonic hated groveling, but Ivo struck him if he didn’t, so…..
The king’s face twisted into an expression Sonic couldn’t place. “Please, there’s no need for that. Rise.” As Sonic got to his feet, the king gestured to the palace. “I am eager to meet the king and the prince. They have such a lovely kingdom here and a beautiful castle regardless of if the stairs are cleaned.” He glanced at Sonic again. “What is your name, good servant? I make a point to get to know those I meet in a new place.”
“I’m Sonic,” the blue hedgehog replied with a smile.
“Sonic?” The black hedgehog echoed, intrigue in his eyes. “You share a name with the prince, if my information is correct.”
“Well,” Sonic remarked sheepishly, arms tucked behind him.
Ruby eyes dilated in understanding and surprise. “I see.” He then bowed before Sonic. “I am Shadow, King of Archaea. I’m honored to meet you, Prince Sonic.”
“Just call me Sonic. And the honor’s mine, your majesty,” Sonic replied, bowing back.
“Please, just Shadow will do.” The king smirked. “And don’t worry about the stairs. I’m not expecting the castle to shine for my arrival.”
“Yeah, but the idea was for a red carpet arrival. Now you’re walking up those stairs with soggy cape hems,” Sonic remarked.
“Who said I’d be walking up?” Shadow warped to the porch in a flash of light. “Easy as that.”
“Whoa!” Sonic exclaimed, eyes wide with intrigue. “Teleporting around the area in mere seconds? And here I thought you’d sped over to catch me. Nice to know you’re not faster than me.”
Shadow crossed his arms. “You, faster than me? Ha! I doubt that.”
“I’ll make you eat those words!” Sonic shot back. “I’ll race you to the palace gardens and back!”
“As much fun as that would be,” a beautiful white bat landed beside Shadow. “We do have to go meet King Robotnik. Perhaps such a contest can wait for later.”
Sonic sighed. Right. Shadow had to go announce his presence and whatever. “Alright then. We’ll do it later. How long will you be here for?”
“As long as it is needed,” Shadow answered.
“Then perhaps we can race later this week?” Sonic inquired.
“It’ll be a date to die for,” Shadow remarked. He then bowed to Sonic. “I will see you again, your highness.” He and the bat hurried inside the castle.
Sonic felt his face grow hot. A date? With Shadow?
Was it bad that he was looking forward to it?
Sonic did not officially meet Shadow until tea that afternoon (to which he’d been invited – a rarity for someone such as him). The weather was warm enough for iced tea today, evidenced by the wavy glasses filled with ice. And based on the black hedgehog’s expression, it was clear that the tea assembly was done to accommodate him.
King Ivo sat twirling his mustache as Sonic sat down. “A pleasure you could join us, Prince Sonic, though it would help if you were on time.” Sage and Belle nodded in unison.
Sonic caught Shadow’s intrigued expression and bit back his snarky comment. “I’m sorry. I was…distracted.”
“Lazy, you mean,” King Ivo remarked. Then he turned to Shadow. “We have such an important guest here and I expect you to mind your manners.” He gestured to the visitor. “This is King Shadow of Archaea. He is here for negotiations between our kingdoms.” His eyes narrowed. “Perhaps it would do you some good to learn from his example of manners.”
Sonic silently slid into his seat, too angry to snap at his stepfather for his remark. When would he have time to keep good manners? Between duties and punishments?
“It’s all well and good.” The visiting king replied, plucking a flower cookie from the plate. “I have been late for guests myself. Mostly because of my sister and her escapades.”
A sister? Sonic’s heart warmed at this. “What’s she like?”
“Spunky,” Shadow replied. “She has an enthusiasm for life, the world, and for adventure at the cost of being a docile lady. She’s burned through so many tutors it’s hard to believe she can still be a princess. Why my father thought a human girl would be a wonderful princess, I will never know.” He fingered the glass. “But she’s very loving. She’s always putting the people before herself. Not to mention her zeal for peace and life is very infectious. She’s my inspiration, my voice of optimism, and my dearest companion and advisor. I don’t know what I would do without her.”
“She sounds wonderful,” Sonic remarked. “What’s her name?”
“Maria,” Shadow beamed. He plucked a tea sandwich from the platter. “Perhaps next time I come, I will have to bring her.”
“That seems acceptable,” Sage stated.
“Yes, please bring her!” Belle’s wooden hands clapped together eagerly. “We’d love to meet her!”
King Ivo hummed in agreement. “Perhaps once we’ve finished negotiations.” He gestured to the spread. “How is everything? We made sure to be accommodating down to the letter.”
“Indeed, save for the palace steps,” Shadow remarked. “A poor servant boy nearly cracked his head open in his haste to clean them. Surely, you’re not overtaxing the servants with much work due to my arrival, are you?” Shadow’s eyes met Sonic’s. “And surely, the prince is doing such menial tasks with a kind heart, is he?”
Sonic choked on his tea. The hell and the nerve of this bastard to out him like that!!!!
“I apologize, King Shadow,” King Ivo started. “Rest assured, the servant who did this will get a minimum of twenty-five lashes.”
“And if it was the prince?” Shadow inquired. “I swear, the servant cleaning the stairs looked similar to the prince.”
And just like that, he was screwed.
“Said servant will be punished accordingly. For now, Sage, Belle, you are dismissed,” King Ivo stated. “Sonic, you as well. But report to your room. We need to talk.”
Sonic shivered at the very words.
“You utter one word to him or even so much as look at him and you will not leave the deepest, darkest dungeon we have for the rest of your life. Understand?” King Ivo asked.
Sonic, his body covered in bruises and back little more than bloody beef jerky from twenty-five lashes, lifted his head. “Yeah, alright.”
“Good.” The king jammed a toothbrush into his hands. “Now go finish the stairs and the walkway. Use this and don’t miss a spot.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Sonic stumbled out of the torture room, taking only a minute to refill his bucket of water. He was in so much pain he nearly dropped the bucket twice, the water sloshing as he did so.
Once he got outside, he knelt as he pulled his quills away from his aching back. He could feel the blood dripping down his back, stinging with the position and his own sweat.
Three hours passed and his hand was cramped from the scrubbing. His stomach roared with hunger. His back screamed in agony, but Sonic ignored it all, trying to finish the stairs. He was almost done – one more stair to go. Of course, there was still the walkway, but Sonic was ignoring that for now.
“Ahem.”
Sonic jumped, ignoring the stabbing pain in his back.
Shadow stood there on the steps, eyes not leaving Sonic’s. “You’re injured.”
Sonic glanced at the toothbrush in his hand and then at Shadow. The king had spoken to him and Sonic should reply. Was Ivo’s threat worth the risk?
“Sonic,” Shadow extended his hand. “Let me help you.”
His voice was so tender and so warm, unlike the stiff status he assembled at their first meeting and at the tea party. And it was enough for Sonic. He took Shadow’s hand, letting the black hedgehog help him up.
“I’m sorry,” Shadow stated. “I didn’t know he’d punish you like this.”
“No big deal. It happens a lot,” Sonic answered nonchalantly, wiping up some of the blood with an unbloody edge of his rags. A shame – this was one of his nicer sets.
“No big deal?” Shadow turned him around, sucking in a sharp breath. “Chaos, how long has this been going on?”
“The whipping is fresh,” Sonic answered. Which was true – up until this point, the physical violence had never escalated beyond bruises and the occasional cut. The emotional and verbal abuse, on the other hand, knew no limits.
“No, you idiot,” Shadow groaned. “I mean how long have you been treated like this?”
Since that horrible night. To this day, the haunting message still lingered in Sonic’s mind.
“I’m sorry, your highness. There was an accident. The carriage tumbled off the road….might’ve been bandits….no survivors….”
“Sonic?” Shadow touched Sonic’s cheek. It was then that Sonic realized he was crying.
Fortunately, the king noticed his distress. “Show me the palace gardens,” he said. “Or at least point me in the general direction.”
“Just behind the south castle wall,” Sonic answered. Shadow nodded and gripped his hand.
There was a short squeezing followed by a pop. When Sonic opened his eyes, he realized that they had warped to the gardens. In fact, they were in the middle of the wildflower area, a section of the gardens devoted to a mismatch of flowers.
Shadow beckoned Sonic to sit down. “I’ll mend your back.”
“How?” Sonic asked. Did Shadow keep bandages in his pockets?
“I possess healing abilities both for myself and others. Keep your back to me,” Shadow ordered. Sonic nodded, sitting on his knees. One of Shadow’s hands laid on his left shoulder while the other laid at his right hip. Slowly, the hands moved, the flesh knitting itself back together. Sonic grimaced at the sensation.
“What sort of flowers do you like?” Shadow’s voice was a hymn in Sonic’s ears, distracting him from the pain.
“Sunflowers,” Sonic whispered. “Yours?”
“I just love lantanas,” Shadow replied. “And lavender. Those two are my favorite.” His left hand hit a nasty gash and Sonic hissed, spines flaring briefly.
“I’m sorry,” Shadow whispered. “Try and relax, okay?” Sonic nodded, lowering his quills. “Do you have any hobbies?”
“Reading. And playing chess with Maria,” Shadow answered. “What about you?”
Sonic winced. “It’s hard to have hobbies when I’m cleaning. But when I was little, my mom used to read me stories. I always liked the Arabian Nights and King Arthur ones best.”
“I see,” Shadow hummed. “I’m more fond of history and strategy books and the occasional romantic novel. The sweet ones, of course. The ones with the happy ending.”
“You’re a softie, huh?” Sonic inquired. “A romantic at heart?”
Shadow grunted briefly. “I blame Maria. She reads those kinds of books religiously.” His hands stilled for a brief second. “But…I agree the idea of marrying for love as opposed to an alliance has merit. I’d rather marry someone I love as opposed to someone I don’t.”
“Who wouldn’t?” Sonic chuckled, hissing at his still open wounds.
“Don’t move,” Shadow ordered. “I’m still not done.”
Sonic nodded, letting Shadow get back to work. “Favorite treat?” The blue hedgehog asked.
“Coffee beans and lavender petticoat tails,” Shadow answered. “One’s part of my morning routine and the other is my favorite tea snack. Yours?”
“Chili dogs,” Sonic whimpered. Shadow’s hands had touched another nasty gash. “Tell me… ngh ….tell me about your kingdom. What’s it like?”
“It’s beautiful,” Shadow smiled. “My kingdom is situated along a beautiful beach. All day long we hear the deep blue and turquoise ocean waves ebbing and flowing against the white sands. Every morning Maria and I walk along the beach at sunrise, watching the waves and smelling the salt while taking in the peace.”
The beach at sunrise? Oh, that sounded wonderful.
“We have beautiful, rolling green hills inland,” Shadow continued. “Palm trees everywhere with coconuts by the dozens. We do have other trees, but they’re further inland. Not like here, where it’s mostly pine.”
Sonic could easily picture it in his mind. “Flowers?”
“Lots of them.” Shadow’s hands delicately traced patterns into Sonic’s spine. “We have whole meadows filled with flowers of every color and type you could imagine. Especially sunflowers. They’re very prominent.”
It sounded like paradise.
Shadow’s hands came together. “There. Is that better?”
Sonic stretched, no longer hampered by the whip marks. “Yes, thank you.”
“My pleasure,” Shadow smiled.
“Here. Let me return the favor.” Sonic easily plucked a bundle of white carnations, white jasmine, a red rose, a lavender rose, blue hyacinths, and a pair of gardenias. Sitting cross-legged, he began weaving them together.
“What are you doing?” Shadow inquired, a brow raised curiously.
“Just a second.” Sonic tied off the last of the stems. Then he held up the tied flowers. “Tada! A flower crown.” At Shadow’s perplexed expression, Sonic added. “You don’t like it?”
“No, I do,” Shadow answered. “It’s just….no one’s given me a crown of flowers before. I’m not quite sure how to make one. My sister usually gives me bouquets of flowers, but never crowns of flowers.”
“Perhaps I can come to your kingdom and visit? I will make you lots of flower crowns with the flowers there. And I’ll even teach you how to make them. I’ll teach both you and your sister,” Sonic offered, setting the crown on Shadow’s head. It sat a little lopsided, but Shadow didn’t seem to mind.
Shadow’s eyes glowed as their hands interlocked, a lavender and a blue rose pressed into Sonic’s hands. “I would like that, Sonic. I’d like that very much.”
King Ivo was seething as he watched the pair in the garden through his mirror.
He probably should’ve told Shadow to stay away from Sonic. But he figured the king was smart enough to stay away. He was here for Ivo, after all! It was important for their kingdoms to have a good relationship, especially given Shadow’s industries.
When he’d first noticed Shadow eyeing Sonic over tea, he’d suspected nothing less than the usual curiosity. Now Ivo was sure that Sonic had fallen on the palace steps in more ways than one. And Shadow had done much the same.
“Surely this is good, boss?” Orbot spoke nervously. “This could easily establish an alliance with King Shadow and keep Sonic out of trouble. Especially since Sage and Belle haven’t impressed him.”
“Yes, unfortunately,” Ivo grumbled.
“And it would be an agreeable match,” Orbot continued. “The chemistry is already strong between them. I’m sure if Shadow married Sonic, it would solve your problems in one swoop: an alliance and getting rid of Sonic.”
“Yeah!” Cubot grinned. “Especially since Sonic would be a king then!”
“Cubot!!!” Orbot hissed frantically.
And that was Ivo’s issue. If Shadow was any common man, even the poorest man, this wouldn’t be a problem. But Shadow was a king. Marrying him would give Sonic considerable power and influence. And Ivo was not willing to give Sonic a chance to seize more power if he could help it. After all, Sonic could come after him with Shadow’s army in retribution for his torture. He could depose Ivo and his daughters and take his kingdom back. Take revenge for the family he lost…
“Mirrors, mirrors,” he stated, ignoring Orbot and Cubot’s panic. “Who is the most powerful and fairest of all in this kingdom?”
“Sonic!” Cubot answered proudly. “I mean, he reeled King Shadow in hook, line, and sinker!”
“And…if Sonic weren’t around…who would be the most powerful and fairest of all this kingdom?” Ivo asked.
“You’d be…boss,” Orbot stammered.
Ivo smirked triumphantly as a plan began forming in his mind.
He had started destroying House Hedgehog years ago. It was time to finish the job.
“I’m sending you out with Stone tomorrow,” Ivo stated plainly.
“Really?” Sonic inquired. His emerald eyes were bright and shiny with excitement, though they were ringed with suspicion. “What’s the occasion?”
“Well, Stone found this beautiful flower patch in the woods the other day,” Ivo smiled. “And given how much King Shadow loves the flower crown you’ve made for him, I figured that maybe you’d like to pick some and make some flower crowns for our guest before he returns home.”
Sonic’s eyes glowed with delight. “Oh, he’ll love that! I’ll bring home as many lantana and lavender blossoms as I can carry! He’ll love them! Oh, I’ll have to ask what flowers Maria likes. I’ll make her one too!”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Ivo patted Sonic on the head. “Now run along and go get cleaned up. You’ll want to look amazing when his majesty comes to collect his flower crowns.”
“Of course!” Sonic ran out of the room at the speed of sound, beaming from ear to ear.
Ivo smiled wickedly in his wake. “Stone?”
“My king?” The huntsman entered the room, smiling from ear to ear as he carried a steamed goat milk latte in his hands. “A treat?” He inquired as he lifted the mug.
“Thank you.” The king accepted the treat, taking a hearty sip. Stone always made the best lattes when he wasn’t out doing Ivo’s dirty work.
“What can I do for you, my king?” Stone inquired, standing proudly in his jet black hunting clothes.
“I have a...special task I can only trust you with,” Ivo replied, setting his latte aside. “When you go out to the forest tomorrow, take Sonic with you. Go someplace deep and find somewhere he can pick flowers or whatever he wants to do.”
“Of course,” Stone agreed.
“And when he’s deep enough where no one can find him, kill him,” Ivo ordered.
Stone looked taken aback. “Sire?”
“Are you deaf?” Ivo rebuked. “Take Sonic into the woods and kill him! That’s an order!”
“But, the prince–” Stone protested.
“SILENCE!” Ivo boomed. “Or did you forget the penalty if you fail?”
Stone gulped and then nodded. “Y-Yes, my king.”
“And to see to it you don’t fail, bring me back his heart in this.” The king tossed a red wooden box with a gold clasp in the shape of a heart being stabbed with a knife. It was an old family antique – his family always had their enemies’ hearts brought back to them in this box for generations. Now Ivo would use it for his own purposes.
“I have no worries, Stone, that you’ll follow my orders. You are always loyal to me,” Ivo smirked as his huntsman nodded. “You’ll do anything I tell you to.” He gripped Stone by the collar. “You’re as loyal as a machine, save for the fact you’re covered in flesh. So I have no doubt this will be an easy task for you.”
“Yes, my king,” Stone agreed. He hurried out of the room, the box tightly clutched in his hands. Ivo sat down on the throne and smiled brightly. In a matter of hours, he would be the fairest and most powerful in the kingdom. And nobody would be able to stop him.