Back to Chapter 52

Mere weeks later, the Tornado- now painted a vibrant red and white- enjoyed its first true flight. The initial trials had gone perfectly and Sonic’s friends had all delighted at taking a ride in the passenger seat as Uncle Chuck piloted them through the skies of South Island. Even Tails was able to get something out of the ride as even though he was capable of self-propelled flight, he couldn’t hope to reach the altitudes the bi-plane could.

Sonic had thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of being up in the sky, but he’d decided to try something a little more daring. Since the accident that had turned him blue, Sonic’s spines had been fused together in a sleeker formation, greatly cutting down on wind resistance. Sonic couldn’t help but wonder- could he stand on the bi-plane’s wings? He remembered seeing a “wing walker” in a book and the concept fascinated him. Uncle Chuck would never agree to the idea, of course. Which is why Sonic asked Ben instead.

In due time, safety measures were affixed to the upper wing of the bi-plane- specifically, harnesses for Sonic’s feet and a rope to hold on to. Not that Sonic intended to use them. Upon finding out, Uncle Chuck most certainly did not approve- but he had to admit that Sonic’s hypothesis had proven correct as he managed to expertly ride on the wings of the plane in flight, with Sonic initially surprising Chuck by leaping from the passenger seat onto the wing during a flight. Chuck supposed there wasn’t much he could do about the recklessness of youth and at least Sonic had managed to prove his wing walking was safe. Hypothesis, experimentation, conclusion- maybe there was hope to turn Sonic into a scientist yet.

At any rate, there Sonic was on the wing of the bi-plane, happy as could be as the wind washed over him, the sun high in the clear blue sky above. Seated in the passenger seat behind Chuck was Sally, excited for the journey the three were on.

The official summons had come through three days beforehand. Sally was to bring Sonic to Acorn Castle for an audience with King Acorn himself- Sally’s father. Even if Sonic was capable of aquaplaning the distance to West Side Island- which he was not- Sally certainly wasn’t capable of such a feat. Hence, the Tornado had been constructed at just the right time. Chuck had been all too happy to pilot the Tornado for the journey, knowing he would always be welcome in the court of King Acorn- Sir Charles Hedgehog, to give him his full title, had long been a friend to the throne.

Eventually, the bi-plane landed on the outskirts of the Wood Zone, a vast environment of forestation. At its centre was Knothole Forest, a quiet and peaceful community and home to many of Sally’s childhood friends. But it would be the castle a short walk from the edge of the Wood Zone that would be of interest on this day.

Acorn Castle was huge, a stone monument to Sally’s royal lineage. The Acorn family had ruled over their kingdom with peace and wisdom for generations. Sally had never seriously considered aspirations of ruling. Her big brother Elias would one day be king and that was that. But Sally was happy to lead people in other ways, hoping to become a figurehead and a beacon to help create peace, unity and prosperity among the kingdoms and countries of Mobius. That was a goal that Doctor Robotnik’s arrival threatened to risk.

As Chuck, Sally and Sonic crossed the bridge leading to the castle’s front gate, they were greeted by the soldiers guarding the entrance.

“Your highness, welcome home,” the first soldier, a moustachioed beaver welcomed the princess.

“Thank you, Commander Fleming,” Sally nodded politely.

“A very fond welcome to both you and your guests, your highness,” the other beaver soldier, the appropriately named Lieutenant Smiley, added, his face warm and pleasant with a smile befitting his name.

“Thank you, lieutenant,” Sally returned the smile as she led the two hedgehogs into the castle.

“They seem nice,” Sonic noted.

“Fleming and Smiley were crucial members of the former Rebel Underground,” Sally explained.

“What’s one of those then?”

“The Rebel Underground was formed a long time ago as a sort of intelligence force. Antoine’s father used to serve as its leader, you know. Well, anyway, daddy realised it seemed silly to call it the Rebel Underground while we’ve enjoyed peacetime for so long and there’s nothing to rebel against! So officially the unit was renamed the Royal Secret Service, though it’s not really seen much in the way of action in recent years. Like I said, peace time”

“It’s handy for someone like your father to have an intelligence taskforce,” Chuck noted, “as peace time isn’t always a guarantee”

“No…” Sally mused, “Particularly not with you-know-who to worry about”

“Well, let’s not worry about him today,” Sonic tried to brighten the mood, “We’re here for your dad, not old egg-breath”

“Quite right,” Sally agreed, “Now, Sonic, I know the whole royal thing is a bit unusual for you. But I really need you to be on your best behaviour”

“I’m always on my best behaviour,” Sonic protested, half-joking.

“That might not be the high praise you think it is,” Sally quipped.

“Very funny. Look, this whole kings and queens and royal armies business you and Antoine have to deal with is way above my head, underneath the blue and the cool and the speed, I’m just an ordinary guy. But I can do respectful”

“That’s all I ask,” Sally opened the door to the throne room and seated there in front of them were her parents- King Nigel Acorn and Queen Alicia Acorn. Sonic suddenly felt very working class.

The royal herald cleared his throat, “Announcing the arrival of her highness princess Sally Alicia Acorn, Sir Charles Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog”

Sonic raised an eyebrow, “Make me feel like an odd one out, why don’t you?”

Sally elbowed Sonic in the side as she approached the thrones and curtsied, “Father, mother, it’s wonderful to see you looking so well”

“Sally, my child, how splendid this is indeed!” the king exclaimed in his posh, exuberant voice.

“You’re looking well, dear,” Queen Alicia added, “The fresh air of South Island must be doing you well”

“Always, mother. And it helps that I have such stimulating company”

Sonic folded his arms. Did Sally always talk like this around her parents? It didn’t feel like the real her, somehow.

“Sir Charles, my old friend,” the king smiled down at Chuck, who bowed deeply, “How marvellous to see you”

“The pleasure is all mine, highness,” Chuck responded, “I remain your faithful servant”

Sonic was really perturbed now. Uncle Chuck definitely didn’t talk like that normally!

“Forgive us, Sir Charles,” Alicia spoke up, “But it is your adoptive nephew we’re most keen to speak with”

Sonic glanced around the room.

He paused.

He pointed at himself, confused, “Who, me?”

The king laughed with delight, “I see you’ve undergone something of a change in image since last we met, Sonic!”

“Oh, yeah! There was an accident. I’m blue now. You’d probably noticed that”

“Sonic!” Sally snarled, “Could you at least pretend to show a little decorum?”

“Nonsense, my dear!” Nigel waved off Sally’s concerns, “I must say I adore Sonic’s frank manner of speaking! Why, one gets so used to being surrounded by members of the royal court, one almost forgets what the layperson sounds like!”

“I don’t know what a layperson is,” Sonic admitted, “But it sounds like it’s a good thing so I’ll take it”

“It means you’re a commoner,” Sally shot with a degree of sarcasm so only Sonic could hear it.

“I’m alright with that,” Sonic responded in kind.

Alicia leaned forwards, “Sonic, my husband and I have heard many great things from our daughter about your exploits. Naturally, word of Doctor Robotnik’s incursions on South Island have reached our shores, but to learn from Sally that you were the one responsible for stopping his nefarious schemes was truly inspiring”

“Oh, well,” Sonic decided to be uncharacteristically humble, “I mean, it wasn’t just me” He looked over at Sally and smiled kindly, “I did have some help”

“Well,” Alicia spotted Sonic’s glance at her daughter, “that’s pleasing to know. The measure of a person is the company they keep, or so they say. And it seems you’re keeping good company”

“I tend to make friends easily!” Sonic shrugged.

“Sonic, the Kingdom of Acorn wishes to bestow upon you a gift,” the king announced, standing.

“Is it a Game Gear? ‘cause I already have one of those,” Sonic admitted. Sally kicked his foot.

“If you would be so kind as to kneel, my boy”

Sonic glanced at Uncle Chuck and Sally, who both recognised this was an important moment. Sonic decided to stop making jokes. Sonic took to one knee as the king drew from his scabbard a ceremonial sword. Sonic lowered his head, without being prompted but somehow knowing it was the right thing to do.

The king raised the sword, then gently placed it on Sonic’s shoulder, then on the other, “I dub thee, Sir Sonic of Green Hill and I do confer upon thee all the rights and privileges of rank within the court of Acorn as well as give you free roam of West Side Island”

Sonic’s heart skipped a beat.

“You may rise,” the king smiled.

Sonic stood and was unable to hide his pride. Uncle Chuck placed a hand on his shoulder with a smile. Sally let out an amused giggle.

“Sonic, do you know what this means?” Alicia asked.

“Yeah, I think I do…” Sonic responded, “It means when I get back home, I can get Tux to be my butler!”

Sally gave Sonic a kick in the leg for good measure.

On to Chapter 54