Chapter Text
When I was caring for Sir Sonic, many months after the great battle, to entertain him as he lay sick in bed, I would tell him stories from my past. He was curious to know why I would relinquish the throne to my brother, Prince Jet. Why I cared so deeply about the knights... and what we found… was worrying… to say the least.
I had been through so much strife, most of which caused by that fake King Arthur and the knights, it… did not make sense why I would come back. Truthfully, I just had so much hope that my home was someplace I would want to return to… and with Sir Sonic leading us, making the decision to end Camelot’s suffering… I thought that things were finally working as they should. Sir Sonic had promised me that the moment he was crowned king, that Camelot would be the home I always hoped it would be.
He made me promise…
That I would never sacrifice so much of myself again, for something so unrealized. That I hold him accountable to that promise. As a good metric, I have decided to take a look back through my history… so that I can recognize the patterns. The method and the means to the downfall of a country… and the first signs that I must leave… and never look back.
Today, I will tell you a tale. My own, of hardships and strifes, pain and suffering, but even more frightening, the loss of a true foundation. My family. Before I met Sir Sonic, I had spent so long waiting for a home… and then I would have it ungraciously ripped from my hands.
I was so close… to that feeling of fellowship, and then… there was more waiting to be done.
I will tell you, that the moment my eyes were laid on the old King Arthur, when I told him of my country’s struggles, he was struggling himself, but eventually, the mere notion of him allowing my own problems to weigh on his mind… it felt nice… to be kept in someone’s thoughts…
Sir Gawain and I related to each other. Giving up an important responsibility because we believed that the work of King Arthur was important. It felt nice… to have someone that I could relate to. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel so lonely.
Sir Lancelot… the moment I was lovingly embraced as I wished to be, sealing that act so divine with a kiss… it was the first time in years I felt that light in my chest. Love. True love.
I had family. I had people I cared about and who cared for me.
Eventually… that changed.
But, we will get to that.
My beginnings were just as harrowing as myself in those latter days. I, of course, do not know for sure my true origins, but this is the first story that was taught to me, by a great friend of mine, almost a sister of sorts, Lady Rouge of Angel Island. It has been quite a while… but I will relay to the best of my ability.
My mother, Queen Firebrand, sat against the warm walls of her underground escape, exhausted. Traveling through those tunnel systems while carrying the child of her beloved, King Gale, was hard on her, but they unfortunately could not have waited any longer. Their baby had to be born elsewhere.
It all started when that strange wizard came to our kingdom. He offered to give our king these suspicious living suits of armor; his own Knights of the Round Table… but clearly… there was something very off about them. That was the typical thought of his work.
This strange wizard was followed one evening by our own vigilant Knights of the Heart of Gaia, to see where his suspicious magic came from. Could he really animate the inanimate? This evil wizard… he was found scavenging around… in graveyards. These suits of armor… they were fueled by the souls of the dead! Of course no one would want them! What curses could be laid upon them, I don’t dare say.
King Gale of the Heart of Gaia, he refused to accept these suits of armor; these undead… nay, cursed knights, and had even threatened to expel this strange wizard from our country if he did not pick up his own feet and leave on his own terms. And the strange wizard… Eggman as he was called, started his assault.
Our kingdom exhausted all of our resources in fighting against him. A war was fought against these knights of the living dead… and worryingly enough… it seemed that we were failing and the evil wizard began proclaiming that our kingdom was practically his. Everyone feared for the safety of our royal family, only months away from their firstborn heir, the embodiment of two nations becoming one… but they had a plan. They chose to escape, and let the next generation take care of the rest.
My mother wasn’t sure if it was due to Eggman’s threats, the rush they had left their castle in, or their tiresome trek through those secret tunnels, but she suddenly felt the labor pains her mother had warned her of. Another thing to worry about. It was much too soon.
Guided by her meditation, the encouraging voice of her king, and Gaia’s warm light, lit by Laevatein… out came their child… and then suddenly… another. They had twins. Me and my brother. There was a purple cat who looked just like her mother, and a hawk. He barely had his feathers, but you could see the start of a beautiful green plumage not unlike their father. Even on my own head, strangely enough, thick tufts of fur gather, looking no different from feathers.
Now, for the sake of simplicity, I will tell you that these two were myself, Princess Blaze, and my brother, Prince Jet. When Rouge had told me this story before however, she did not name these two. I had no idea that this story had to do with me! It was only a fantasy. A family I wished would care for me… but only in my dreams.
“How beautiful...” Queen Firebrand sighed at her children. The moment she first laid eyes on them, her heart swelled… and slowly sank. It was a shame that they would not get to know them… but this short moment of her recovery was her only chance to be their mother. A nice safe haven.
Queen Firebrand would not be able to move much, but the cave they had settled in was perfect. Almost every moment she sat there, waiting for her king to return from bathing their children in the rivers that flowed here, she thanked Gaia for this beautiful gesture, not unlike what she gave to Her own firstborn, Light Gaia. The fires that burst from the ground and the lava that gushed beneath the surface, inspiring many for generations.
Heat from Gaia’s fire meant that her children would never be cold, a steady breeze of clean air meant that their exit was nearby, if they ever had to leave in a hurry, and a river flowed nearby, offering a nice, calm ambience. She could not find a better place for her children to be born; for her last moments as their mother. It’s such a shame… Queen Firebrand thought of her circumstances, but… one must take what Gaia gives them, a true extension of Her love.
King Gale returned with their children. Queen Firebrand held out her arms and carried their daughter. Her firstborn, and likely the next ruler of their kingdom. “We already have a name for this one.” She reminded her king. “Blaze, representing not only Laevatein’s fire, but the impression she will leave on her people. What about the other?” She said, gazing at her second-born child.
King Gale stared lovingly at his son, his breath catching every moment his vision locked with the baby chick. “Our beautiful son will build up our daughter’s strengths.” He said. “Jet… seems pretty nice. He will fuel our daughter’s flames, carrying her to new heights.” He leaned in closer to whisper, “It was also the name of my grandfather.”
Queen Firebrand chuckled. “Blaze… and Jet.” Very strong names. She had no doubt that Eggman would eventually become a thing of the past. Her children would make sure of that. “For our son…” Queen Firebrand hummed, “would his name not be Prince Jet, the second?”
“I know what you’re thinking.” King Gale sighed sadly. “Jet… should be fine on its own.” That way, he could not be connected to the royal family by the public… other than coincidence. “What matters… is that we know.”
Interrupting this tender moment, their daughter cried like a firecracker in Queen Firebrand’s arms. She gently rocked her, and pulled her closer to feed. “You know…” Queen Firebrand sighed. “That we will take this knowledge to our graves.” After they would take their children away, Eggman would stop at nothing to make sure that his position as king was solidified. After their children were protected, they knew that they would be hunted down… all the way to their deaths.
King Gale sat beside Queen Firebrand, his gaze fighting between his daughter and son. “I… know… we might not live long.” He sighed heavily. “After this, our top priority is getting these two to safety… even if we must separate.” King Gale proposed the idea that Queen Firebrand would go one way, and he, the exact opposite. Not only would their children be in hiding, but they would never know that the other exists.
King Gale grasped onto Queen Firebrand’s hand, his blue eyes soft, like the calm before the storm. The look Queen Firebrand fell in love with all those years ago. “What is it, Gale?”
“I know that our circumstances are dire, but you must know…” King Gale’s eyes flashed. There was the storm! “Gaia… she will protect them. Their beginnings are filled with grief, perhaps even loneliness, but in the end… they will find each other.”
Queen Firebrand nodded her head, her heart swept up in the tempest between them. “Eggman… will… fall.” She said. And it would be by her children’s hands.
Hope!
This moment was the embodiment of hope in their eyes!
The next few months, Queen Firebrand and King Gale hardly spared a moment with their children, but the queen had fully healed, it was time for them to leave. The two emerged from the cave into a wide oasis. A horse from their stables was already prepared for them by an old friend of theirs, dodging Eggman’s forces… but it seemed to stray from its path.
Queen Firebrand searched around the sun-scorched bushes and tall palm trees. Tucked away, hanging upside down on a thick leaf was a young bat. Normally, they would pay no mind to them, but Queen Firebrand noticed something. That bat… she was eating through their supplies!
That, would not do.
“Excuse me?” Queen Firebrand called up.
The bat was startled and fell out of her tree, into a thick pile of sand. “Ow…” she growled angrily.
“Why do you have that?” Queen Firebrand asked.
“None of your business.” The bat scoffed, continuing to bite into a juicy pear.
Queen Firebrand could not believe the attitude in this young bat. She looked no older than nine, but she spoke as if she had some higher authority over her. The queen. “That food belongs to me.” Queen Firebrand felt that she should ignore this odd behavior. I’m not rewarding that.
The young bat chuckled. “That’s funny.” She said. “I found it. All by itself… doesn’t look like your name’s written on it.” The bat tossed away the eaten pear. “Anyway… I was supposed t’ guide some royals to their safety. That you?”
“That is I.” Queen Firebrand said with contempt.
“And me.” King Gale said as he stepped out from the bushes.
“Took ya long enough.” The bat scoffed. “I’ve been waiting for days.” The bat took the horse’s reins. “I got one horse.” She said. “Russet said ya might wanna leave as soon as possible. Wouldn’t want ya givin’ birth out in the middle of nowhere…” the young bat turned around and noticed Queen Firebrand and King Gale holding a baby each. “No way...” she gasped. “Twins?” She flapped her wings over to Queen Firebrand. “What’s this one’s name?”
“Blaze.”
“And this is Jet.”
The young bat pointed to herself. “I’m Rouge.” She landed gracefully on the ground, and held out her hand. “Nice t’ meet ya.”
Queen Firebrand shook her hand. “You don’t really look like a Rouge.” Queen Firebrand saw no sign of the color red or pink on this child. Perhaps… she was named after the sunset? Her skin was a beautiful tan shade, reminding her of that golden hour.
“I know, it sounds weird...” Rouge sighed, “I named m’self.” She took out a small bag attached to her and reached inside. She took out a large pretty cloak. “Some old rich lady was carryin’ this around on the docks. She called it a ‘rouge cloak’. I don’t know what ‘rouge’ is, but it sure sounds nice!”
Queen Firebrand giggled. “Rouge is the name of this color.” She explained. “It’s very pretty. I think you’ll grow into this.” Including her name. She already wore it just as proudly as my other in her country.
King Gale cleared his throat. “I would like to stay around and talk… but we must separate… Queen Firebrand.”
Queen Firebrand had gotten so caught up in this talk, she had almost forgotten about their plan. She solemnly walked forward, kissed her beloved king and gave a soft peck on her son’s forehead. A soft tweet filled her ears. She tried her best to burn it into her memory. Her son’s voice.
King Gale, stroked the fur on Blaze’s head, and it nearly brought them both to tears to hear a soft purr. He held his hand there, drinking in the moment. These would be the last memories they had of each other.
“You’re… separatin’?” Rouge asked. She looked at the horse that would carry them. “I guess… we would look kind of suspicious.”
“You must go. Now.” King Gale sighed. He stood up straight. The subtle glisten in his eyes showing that he was trying his best to keep himself together, and leave a proper image of himself to his queen. “Prince Jet and I… we will be fine.”
Queen Firebrand pushed her head into the soft feathers on King Gale’s head. The last time she would know their gentle touch. “I know. Take care anyway... Princess Blaze and I will be fine, too.” The last time they would call their children by these proper names.
Queen Firebrand examined her horse, checking to see that their supplies were secured, or what was left of them. Rouge flapped around, staring curiously at Princess Blaze. “Would you like to hold her?” Queen Firebrand asked.
A blush the same color as Rouge’s namesake rose on her cheeks. She silently nodded her head. Rouge sat on a rock behind Queen Firebrand. The queen sat beside her, and placed the baby in her arms. That same tiny purr vibrated in the air.
Queen Firebrand looked around at this scorching heat. Her daughter had recently opened her eyes in that cave, glowing like fields of golden wheat, but with all of this sun, she would never open them properly. She feared her daughter might create a bad habit out of it. “Rouge?” Queen Firebrand asked.
“Yeah?”
“Could you use your wings to block the sun from Blaze’s eyes?”
Rouge bent over and wrapped her wings around her body. “Like… this?…” it seemed like she didn’t need much of an answer. Princess Blaze’s eyes opened, almost like clockwork. Rouge stared in awe at them. “They’re so pretty!” She gasped.
“Like gold…” Queen Firebrand sighed. Looking at the two together… she had an idea. “Rouge?”
“Yeah?”
“When I arrive at our destination, I will disappear into our vast deserts, and never be seen again.” She could not stay for long, or at all. She… wasn’t sure of who to entrust her daughter to. “Will you take care of her for me?”
Rouge paused from petting Princess Blaze’s fur. “I don’t know…” she sighed. “I’ve never had a sister before. Or anyone. Other than Russet. He’s the only family I got.”
“You know someone trustworthy?”
Rouge nodded enthusiastically. “Of course!” She yelled dramatically. “Russet’s the best.”
Queen Firebrand breathed a sigh of relief. If this mysterious Mobian had anything to do with how this young bat turned out, she thought that Princess Blaze would do fine. “Let’s get going, then.”
Queen Firebrand hopped onto her horse. Rouge sat behind her, carrying Princess Blaze, continuing to wrap her wings to protect her from the sun, almost like a precious jewel. It would only be a few days travel, somewhere deep in those black-rock mountains that surrounded them. Somewhere not even that wretched man would dare go. Surrounded by hot fire, his cursed knights would never survive the travel.
The Black Spires.
Princess Blaze would be safe.
The future of their kingdom was secured.
Queen Firebrand, her lovely pink fur, scorched by Gaia’s sun, she sent out a simple prayer.
Please, keep my king and our prince safe.
There are many highs and so very low lows to my life. Nothing will be quite as devastating as that first family I lost. But, as Sir Gawain had told me when I would open up about these moments, ‘it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all’. At least… I knew what love felt like. I just wish it didn’t hurt so much to see it leave, and so often enough, I almost believed it was impossible for me to have.