Sonic The Hedgehog #90

Featured stories[]

Story one[]

Synopsis[]

The morning after the incident with Dapple, she (still enthralled), "Joey", and another servant, are all seen walking behind Blaze and Blackwood in the Sylvania Castle grounds; the latter of which is finishing an otherwise simple tale of a knight slaying a dragon to save a princess. He stops by a frozen puddle and uses his feathered cape to cover it for Blaze to walk over, who deems it a bit unnecessary. As if on cue, he stops again and shows behind them a perfect view of the castle clock tower ringing, which he considers his favorite part of the entire structure.

An animatronic show above begins as Blackwood points out that it is chronologizing the noble linage of the country's guardians protecting her people and with the castle standing tall as its 'stalwart protector'. He goes on to say that it is a beautiful story... and a "beautiful lie", which catches Blaze's attention.

Blackwood explains to her a tidbit behind the legacy of his shared name, a subject he avoided speaking to Silver about last night. He talks about his great-grandfather being the only one in the family reportedly not named "Blackwood" and, just a few generations ago, he rebuilt Sylvania Castle with only the cornerstone from "Blackwood the First" included. He hoped of honoring the family's old stories with his inventions. The current Blackwood calls his great-grandfather a "brilliant but foolish" man, believing his dreams and obsession with fairytales came at the cost of the rest of the country, and the world, leaving the family behind. The ermine states that it is through "his power" that brought the Sylvania people back into the castle and vows to continue his "battle" to right any remaining wrongs of the past.

As Blaze comments on the history and his fortitude, Silver psychically pulls Dapple to behind the bushes and keeps her quiet, letting her know he is on her side. Remembering about the young doe needing to "see herself", Silver pulls out and opens a compact mirror Blaze lent him to show the deer her reflection, as they decided what she said was in a literal sense. She quickly snaps out of her trance once more and recognizes him, calling him "Hair Boy" based on his chest tuft, before asking where she is dragged into this time. Silver quietly tells her that they're hiding from some of the staff who have just noticed she has gone missing (and are still upset over her behavior from last night in the kitchens). Silver then explains to her that, after talking to Blaze, they are now investigating the castle and host; while Silver finds, frees, and protects Dapple to collect information, Blaze will converse with Blackwood, keeping him busy while finding out her way of what he is plotting.

Now up to speed about what had occurred since her last blackout, Dapple reveals how she and the townsfolk got into this mess in the first place: She heard that the Blackwood family was always meant to protect them but also heard stories about them being "creeps". As far back as she remembered, the castle gates were always locked, keeping locals and potential visitors out until they were invited to a feast one day like Silver and Blaze. Despite the public skepticism of the invitation, curiosity got the better of Dapple and she convinced her Auntie Lichen, whom she describes as a respectable figure everyone trusts, to tag along with almost everyone else following as well. She confesses that she believed the Blackwood of this generation may be interested in getting to know the townsfolk more and how he may have turned over a new leaf after staying isolated for so long, willing to give him a chance to try. Thinking about how wrong she is now, given her current situation, she believes the ermine had this terrible trap planned for them from the start as, unlike Silver and Blaze, the last thing she remembered was everyone being led underground.

As they remain hidden, Dapple checks the palm of Silver's glove, remembering the markings that freaked her out the night he saved her, with Silver revealing that they were made to help control with his psychokinesis. While Dapple states that nobody has ever seen Blackwood in the flesh until recently, to know exactly what he is capable of, she and Silver both soon come to the same possible conclusion: If Blackwood has similar markings like the hedgehog, either designed on his own gloves or a "doohickey" installed, he may possess powers that would allow him to control the minds of Dapple and the rest of the Sylvania populace. Silver also suspects that the possible concussion Dapple received before the feast may have allowed her to fight off control easier than most. He suggests a "bonk" to their heads might help them as well but Dapple suggests saving everyone "concussion-free". However, without a surefire way to completely stop Blackwood, no one will be safe as they are practically hostages in his domain, leaving them the only option of confirming the gloves' properties.

Reassuring Dapple that she is not at fault of this crisis, as Blackwood exploited her hopefulness, they continue to follow Blaze and Blackwood out through the main gate unnoticed, where the ermine wants to bring the cat to a more "intimate" setting. As Silver and Dapple pass through as well, they find the other two disappeared, but notice a slow-burning leaf near a cave, courtesy of Blaze, so they don't lose them.

Inside a cavern with illuminated drawings, they find Blackwood taking Blaze across a river via a gondola, calling the area his favorite place to go to as a child. He also comments how he was able to have someone to talk to, hoping to remember his time with her. With the mood set, he then talks of a "benefactor" planning to change the world and like others before him, has given the ermine a special power after agreeing to join this person. Thus, he makes an offer to the princess: she would join the "benefactor" as well for any power she desires and, as king and queen, the two can form an alliance and rule over their respective lands. Growing annoyed but remaining collected, Blaze finally asks exactly what power he has, and he casually shows off one glove with a black circle on the palm, revealing that the pair he is wearing can compell anyone he touches to do his bidding.

With this confirmation heard, Dapple whistles loud enough to gain Blackwood's attention, allowing Blaze to destroy his glove and leaving him in shock. The cat then berates him for his callous tyranny, saying that the Sol Empire will never make deals with disgraceful people like him who go against everything he claimed to stand up for earlier, as she fought hard to make her own empire safe and has therefore earned the title of "Princess". With his plans falling through, Blackwood furiously sets a trap with a large wave of water, distracting Blaze long enough for him to activate his other glove to render her asleep.

Silver intercepts with his powers shortly after to save his friend and declares that Blackwood has lost now that they know about the remaining glove's ability. The ermine laughs at the thought that a royal like Blaze would be friends with a "commoner" like Silver and, in the chaos, he manages to bring Dapple back in control without touching her again, having her pin Silver down while he escapes with the unconscious Blaze.

Unable to do anything with the enthralled Dapple on him, Silver manages to get her to stand down since she is only compelled to defend her "master", and Blackwood had already left. With the compact mirror he borrowed broken from the attack, he then convinces her to take a look at the clear reflective water so she can free herself again, while reminding her of what is still at stake. Fed up with having her mind continuously toyed with by her abductor, Dapple insists on helping Silver defeat Blackwood so they can finally save everyone for good. As they prepare to go through the cavern's waterway to catch him, they feel an earthquake and Silver blocks the incoming cave-in that follows. When the area clears with light from outside, they are shocked to see a metallic foot near them, before discovering that the entire castle has come to life and transformed into a giant mechanical dragon.

Appearances[]

Characters:

• Blackwood the Ermine
• Blackwood the First (mentioned)
• Blackwood's great-grandfather (mentioned)
• Blaze the Cat
• Dapple the Doe
• Joey the Badger
• Lichen (flashback)
• Shrouded figure (mentioned)
• Silver the Hedgehog

Locations:

• Sonic's universe
  • Earth
    • Unnamed continent
      • Sylvania
        • Sylvania Castle

Items:

• Hypnotic gear

Misc.:

• Psychokinesis

Continuity[]

• This story is the second time a "benefactor" has been mentioned. It was first mentioned by Infinite on the Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles podcast.