Rouge and the Rogue (Knuxouge)

Epilogue

The castle courtyard was bustling with activity. Messengers of all types, all the craftsmen that could be found on short notice, and anyone who was someone in the kingdom were gathered, curiously chatting among themselves. The old King had been reinstated a week ago, and this was his first big announcement since. Most of the attendees anticipated some new laws. Perhaps the taxes would get worse so that he could fix the castle.

A makeshift stage had been erected in a central area. The hubbub hushed as the King and the Princess approached and stepped onto it. The King, in his fine robe and his polished crown, faced the crowd and spoke proudly.

"As you all know, I have reclaimed my throne— but this will not be a simple continuation of my previous rule. This is a new era of the kingdom. Messengers, are you ready?"

There was an audible rustling as a third of the crowd grabbed their paper rolls and ink pens.

"My first new policy. The citizen's taxes—" The crowd drew their breath— "will be completely abolished!"

Once the cheering quieted down (this took several minutes), King Cerulean continued.

"The crown will be getting its funds from taxing imports. We have made a trade treaty with the neighboring Acorn Kingdom, and will soon be receiving basic building materials, food, and fabrics. In return we agreed to send the Acorn Kingdom wheat, jewelry, and fine art. Artists, architects, doctors, seamstresses, and wheat farmers are now offered the opportunity to receive a generous salary from the crown to help rebuild the kingdom. They may drop by the castle at any time to claim this opportunity."

The craftsmen in the audience were in tears. The messenger's pens were moving so fast, they could have been producing smoke.

"We also have some changes in my court. Sir Shadow will still be one of my advisors, but he will now be joined by Duchess Sonia and Duke Manic." Shadow, Manic, and Sonia, who had been in the crowd before, now stepped onto the podium to stand beside the King. Manic was smiling, but Sonia and Shadow had determined expressions. Sonia stole a glance at Rouge and grinned briefly.

"The Duke and Duchess have proven to be much more capable rulers than I was. They will be guiding me in the best way to move our Kingdom forward."

Cheers rose from the crowd. The Duke and Duchess nodded their acknowledgment. Then they all moved aside to let Rouge stand in front.

The Princess has never spoken directly to the Kingdom before, but she was prepared to do so— more prepared than she had been for anything before.

"Please part the crowd. Several very important guests are arriving, and they will need to stand in front of me," she spoke loudly and with authority, so the crowd obeyed almost without thinking.

Several large carriages pulled up behind the crowd and released their passengers. Bathed and dressed in fine clothes, Knuckles, Sonic, Espio, Vector, Tails, Silver, Blaze, Bunnie, Antione, and Cream stood in the newly made part in the audience.

Everyone stared at them strangely. Weren't those the bandits that had terrorized the King so much? They were infamous.

Sonic took the lead, and the others formed a line behind him, as he walked confidently to the podium. He kneeled right in front of Rouge. The others stayed respectfully at a distance.

"These brave citizens completely turned around the trajectory of our Kingdom. They kept the kingdom alive when we neglected it. They put hope in a hopeless Princess, exposed the corrupt head of guard, put their lives on the line countless times for the good of the Kingdom, and they are the reason for all the new tax, trade, and repair plans. They deserve to be officially recognized." Rouge drew the ceremonial sword and held it in front of her.