Let's talk about King Arthur and Lancelot (Sonic and Shadow ver from Sonic and the Black Knight, heavily inspired by @/ChaosRice on Twitter), but, like, AU.
Like, Arthur ends up getting sucked out of his book and introduced into Sonic's world by pure accident (Eggman).
And he's very much like Sonic! He has that cocksure smile and easygoing demeanor about him. Sure, his eyes are red, which is somewhat off-putting, but once he's in one of Sonic's pairs of shoes, the two are otherwise initially difficult to differentiate.
But the instant they open their mouths, there's a difference.
While Sonic speaks lackadaisically as always, Arthur speaks much more politely in comparison. Of course, he claims that he speaks quite casually compared to his companions, but with Arthur and Sonic standing side-by-side, Arthur might as well be speaking Victorian English or something.
Also, Arthur answers to "Arthur," "King," or "your majesty," and nothing else. He's not Sonic, despite being as speedy as the blue blur of this world, and he's never called himself Sonic. He's always been Arthur, and then the king.
Arthur's also quite curious. When he first arrives, everything is enchanting to him. He gazes around at the smallest devices like he wants to understand each intricate part of them. Hell, he even asks to visit a library! Moreover, he spends almost the entire day there, surrounded by piles of books as he uses a pen and notepad to make notes about every interesting thing he can find.
It's pretty startling to Tails to have to tell someone who looks like Sonic of all people that, hey, reading for 12 hours straight probably isn't the best idea.
There's also the fact that, when reading, his eyes narrow, and he focuses quite seriously. He makes paperwork for himself, writing his notes in beautiful script, even as he's leaned back with his feet crossed on a footrest (never on a desk or table, that would be too improper). If someone leaves him a cup of tea, he even pushes it to a safe place so it wouldn't spill on any of the nearby books, even as he smiles and thanks them.
Of course, Arthur isn't only focused on reading.
He ends up racing with Sonic, the two testing their speed against each other. It's rare for Sonic to have someone who can match him beat for beat, especially once Arthur learns how bounce pads and other abilities work. They also engage in some friendly sparing, all physical, without weapons.
Though Arthur came with a sword in its scabbard, he wouldn't dare assume others knew how to swordfight, so he doesn't use it at first. It's not until Sonic mentions it that Arthur decides to use it in a fight.
He only wields it with its scabbard, of course, so it's not sharp. However, its defensive power is exceptional. With it, he's even strong enough to parry Knuckles' punches and push him back. Of course, he speaks fondly of them all, sometimes comparing them to the knights of his round table.
He's especially charmed by Shadow, though Sonic notices that, when Shadow and the others look away, Arthur's expression becomes saddened, wistful. It's clear he'd like to go back home, but they have to find out how to do that, especially with Eggman in possession of the book containing his world.
The place where things kinda start falling out is when Sonic and several others meet up to discuss what Eggman could be doing with the Book of Camelot. Arthur listens quietly as Tails explains that he could be using the energy produced by the book to power a new egg-mech, but that he wasn't sure what sort of effect this would have on the book's inhabitants.
They keep discussing methods of retrieving the book and how to take down whatever new mech Eggman's making, but there's a subject they're either shying away from or directly ignoring that begins to drive on Arthur's nerves. So, he brings it up himself.
"Excuse me."
"Yes, Arthur?" Tails asks.
He leans his head on his hand, elbow on the table as he holds a cup of tea in his other hand.
"I don't hear this being discussed, so I shall ask about it myself. What sort of punishment shall this criminal receive for his crimes against my kingdom?" He continues when they seem a tad confused. "Wilst thou hinder my efforts to judge the criminal based on the laws of my land?"
"Uhm, well. How would you judge him?"
Arthur looks down into his cup.
"For the crime of threatening the sanctity and existence of Camelot, for challenging my rule as a foreign entity, and threatening the lives of my people, I shall have his head."
He drinks his tea, and when he doesn't get a response in the positive, he looks up at them.
Of course, Tails and a few others are staring at him incredulously, as though he's joking. However, Shadow is looking right at him, frowning. Understanding.
Arthur smiles.
Of course, regardless of the world, his Lance would understand him most.
Given, a few others also look at him with understanding. The warrior named Whisper and the shinobi named Espio do not seem to question his statement. If anything, they seem to agree.
"Whoa whoa, hold your horses," Sonic says, hands splayed placatingly. "I know he's doing his rule-the-world shtick—"
"That is a severe understatement."
Arthur hasn't really shown his attitude as king much in this world. After all, it's not his jurisdiction. When in a foreign land, it's important to respect the rules of the land he's visiting to extents that do not undermine himself or his company. So, he's spent his time learning what the rules are and how to act on them accordingly.
He knows that Sonic is not a legal party, not really. He's a hero as a figurehead, but it's a title bestowed on him for his righteous actions. Nevertheless, he is not a ruler himself. Sonic has stated this more than once.
So really, he's not talking to Sonic. He's talking to Jewel, the leader of the Restoration HQ, who is currently gazing at him with the same incredulity as some of the others.
Perhaps he was mistaken in who was in charge. Who was, then?
Well. He would need to find out, and they would need to respond to his inquiry.
"As I currently understand it, my kingdom is currently facing the threat of annihilation, depending on the unknown effects this alchemist's machinations have upon my people. He is undermining the sanctity of my kingdom, enslaving their very energy to do his bidding. Do you truly believe that I, as king, can allow that to stand without the villain receiving punishment? And that is if we manage to save my people without any lives lost."
"Listen, Arthur, it'll be okay. They won't—"
"Are you about to tell me you have lost no lives to this villain's schemes before?" Arthur spreads his hand in Whisper's direction. "You have direct opposition to that statement in this very room."
Sonic glances over at Whisper, who doesn't turn away when he looks. Of course, he never knew. She never told him. But Tangle's aware, and she holds her arm, reminding Whisper she has friends who are still alive, still with her and at her side.
"...I'm sorry," Sonic says to her. "I didn't know." Even so, when he turns back to Arthur, his expression is still firm. "Still, I can't let you kill him."
Arthur's eyes almost seem to glow, irritation clear, even in the way he leans against the table.
"Oh?" he asks, his smile wide and fanged. "Is there a reason why?"
"Look, I know Eggman's rough, and he's done some really, really messed-up things. But he has a good side to him. He's helped us save the world more than once. He also has good in him under it all. He spent some time with amnesia as Mr. Tinker, and during that, he was just as kind as any other person.
He has such a potential for good, and he has the power to use that good for the benefit of others. We just need time for him to give up the villain shtick and he can live peacefully alongside everyone else. After all, if I went around killing every person who hurt me or my friends, I think more than a few folks in this room wouldn't be here. They had the potential for good and they used it."
Arthur listened the whole way through. As Sonic spoke, he watched, out the corner of his eye, as Knuckles cringed, Shadow glanced away with a scowl, and Silver rubbed at the back of his head. Rouge also licked her teeth from behind her lips, glancing upward, and Blaze closed her eyes guiltily.
Quite the number of former assailants made comrades, then.
"So, since Eggman still has a chance, I will give it to him. That's why you can't 'have his head,' Arthur."
"I see."
Sonic sighed prematurely, as Arthur placed his cup on the table.
"On what authority do you stop me?"
The room immediately tensed, with Arthur staring up at Sonic, red eyes gleaming darkly.
"...Well, I'm no ruler. I'm just someone who stands in the way of whoever threatens our freedom. So, kingy, you have the freedom to try, and I have the freedom to stop you."
Arthur laughs then. It's not kind, however.
"My, my, what a convenient position you're in! No responsibility unless you desire it, hm? Indeed, that's quite free of you. Also, very convenient for you to forget that the times this alchemist saved the world was because he could not handle the completion of his own plans. The world would not have been at risk if not for himself."
Upon seeing Sonic grit his teeth, he shrugs.
"What, did you think I was only reading books for fun?"
Tails realizes then that some of the books hadn't been about mechanics or physical studies. There had been several about anthropology, history, and other, more complicated topics. There had been so many Arthur was looking at, he hadn't anticipated he was doing so to get a better view of the condition of their world.
"And I must admit, I agree that we make friends in the worst of conditions. Even some of my own knights once raised their swords against me. But." Arthur leans further in his chair, smiling cruelly.
"I disagree with your time limit. How many chances are too many? When will the crimes he commits outweigh any potential benefits he could provide? How much already good blood must be spilled for his satisfaction, until he finally decides to change his ways?
Well, that is for your world's leaders—and presumably you, based on your statement—to decide. For your own people, that is."
Arthur then stands slowly, and it looks as though a shadow covers his face, red eyes glowing maliciously.
"But I decide what's best for mine. I say unto thee: a hair harmed on their heads is a quill of mine broken. Their energy stolen is my energy stolen. Their lives lost is my life squandered. As king of Camelot, I will demand retribution, whether you agree or not. As king, I am free to pursue recompense in the place of my wards. I have obeyed the laws of your land, and thou shalt give me and mine the same respect."
Arthur grabbed the hilt of his sword, eyes sharp.
"By the law of the land he doth invade, his head is mine to take."
"You--"
"Wait."
Sonic and Arthur stop, turning toward Shadow.
"Now isn't the time to fight about this. You want to save your world? Then do that first, before you start arguing over who is right or wrong."
Arthur glares at him with wide eyes...but when he blinks, he immediately calms, his hand leaving his sword.
"Shadow speaks truthfully. We've not the luxury to squabble. Excuse my interruption." Arthur bows politely, as though he hadn't just threatened to kill Eggman no matter who stood in his way. "However, as we commence with the rescue mission, I implore someone, at the very least, consider what my people would be due after such an event. I shall be gracious and give you time to consider this, since you are all doing Camelot quite the favor."
'I am withholding my wrath for now, but you're on thin ice.'
Arthur then moves over toward Jewel, who jolts in surprise. But he merely smiles kindly at her.
"Then, what are our next steps?"
