Darkness was rising from the depths of the earth, and Sunny Starscout could feel it.

Sunlight was just beginning to bathe the vast landscape of Equestria as Sunny found herself deep in thought in the Brighthouse breakfast room. The early hours of the morning had always brought her peace, a respite before the responsibilities of the day began to weigh on her shoulders. But lately, that tranquility was increasingly plagued by a sense of unease she couldn't shake.

Sitting at a wooden table adorned with ancient scrolls and dusty books, Sunny reviewed a series of texts her father had collected over the years. Each one had to do with the Zonai, an ancient civilization shrouded in mystery, whose ruins had intrigued archaeologists and scholars of Equestria for generations, including her father, Argyle. The wisdom of the Zonai, especially in regards to magic and technology, surpassed even what they had achieved themselves, and now, with the appearance of the mysterious gloom, Sunny felt that perhaps they had been the key to avoiding the danger that loomed over the kingdom.

She ran her hoof over one of the scrolls, brushing against the unknown symbols. She knew that many of these texts contained fragments of forgotten knowledge, but deciphering them was a challenge. Even with the help of the most renowned scholars, the secrets of the Zonai remained largely inaccessible. She barely knew that, in the distant past, they were considered gods who descended from the heavens and helped shape the world as it is today.

However, something deep within her told her that she should continue her research, that within these pages she might find the answer she so desperately needed. She was beginning to consider the idea of cutting her hair shorter. Cutting her mane would not only make her feel more comfortable, she also felt like it wouldn't fall off any time soon because of how stressed she was with this whole thing.

But her thoughts soon drifted to another issue that had been plaguing her since Eggman's defeat three weeks ago. After the victory, she had made the decision to train herself to learn more about magic and spells. After all, she was nowhere near ready to face a real threat, and her loss to Eggman was clear proof of that. She wanted to be ready for any other threat no matter how big or small.

However, now that darkness was beginning to emerge once again, she couldn't help but wonder if she was truly ready. What if she fell defeated again because she still wasn't ready to fight? What if, in her desire to advance and improve as an Alicorn and warrior, she had only set herself back?

Sunny sighed, her eyes scanning the vast collection of texts before her. She was caught between two eras: The past, with its mysteries and dangers, and the future, uncertain and full of challenges. As she reflected on the decisions she had made, a feeling of anguish washed over her. The peace she had achieved three weeks ago, though temporary, now seemed as fragile as a leaf in the wind.

Soon enough, Hitch entered to the Brighthouse quietly, his hooves barely making a sound on the floor. He'd become accustomed to Sunny's early morning rituals, knowing how much she cherished the quiet before the day truly began. But today, even from a distance, he could tell that something was different. There was a tension in the air that wasn't there before.

"Morning, Sunny," Hitch said softly as he approached the table. He gave her a warm smile, though his own eyes betrayed a hint of worry. "I thought I'd check in before heading to the station. There's… uh, been more reports about the gloom."

Sunny looked up from the scroll she had been staring at, her eyes meeting Hitch's. For a moment, the weight of her worries seemed to flicker behind her emerald gaze. She quickly masked it, though. She didn't want to burden Hitch with her anxieties. Not now.

"What kind of reports?" Sunny asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Hitch pulled a small device from his own saddlebag and placed it on the table. The screen flickered as it tried to display the data they'd been gathering over the past few weeks. Sunny glanced at it and saw the same distortion that had become all too familiar. The gloom wasn't just a physical phenomenon; it was disrupting everything they touched, including technology.

"It's spreading," Hitch said, his tone grave. "Every time we try to study it, the tech either malfunctions or outright shuts down. We're not getting any closer to figuring out what it is or where it's coming from."

Sunny frowned, her heart sinking further. If the gloom was affecting their technology, then their ability to counteract it was shrinking by the day. Worse still, it meant that the Zonai knowledge she was searching for might be their only hope—and she still had no idea how to unlock its secrets.

"I've been researching my father's old writings, but I haven't found anything yet that can help us stop this darkness," Sunny said with a concerned frown. "I'm worried that this will continue to spread beyond our control..."

She stared down at the scrolls again, her hoof tracing the ancient symbols. For a moment, she thought about telling Hitch everything—about her doubts, her fears, the way Eggman's defeat had left her feeling more vulnerable than victorious. But when she glanced up at him, she saw the concern in his eyes, and she realized he already knew.

"It's because of him, isn't it?" Hitch said quietly. "Eggman. What he did… it's still weighing on you."

Sunny's breath caught in her throat. She opened her mouth to protest, to say that she was fine, that she had moved past it, but the words wouldn't come. Because the truth was, Hitch was right. She hadn't moved past it. The victory over Eggman had felt hollow, like a temporary reprieve instead of a true win. The fact that Sonic's the one that defeated him on his own didn't helped. And now, with the gloom rising, it was as if everything she feared had come rushing back all at once.

"I just… I don't know if I'm ready, Hitch," Sunny whispered, finally giving voice to the doubt that had been gnawing at her. "I've been training, learning magic, pushing myself to be better. But what if it's not enough? What if I fail again?"

Hitch considered the idea of doing what he always did: Tell her she's amazing, that she's not at fault, that she's stronger than she believes. However, he has told her several times in the past, and repeating it now wouldn't make her feel better, just that he practiced this before meeting her in case he found her feeling vulnerable.

Hitch took a deep breath, choosing his next words carefully. He knew Sunny needed more than just encouragement. She needed reassurance that went beyond the surface, something that could ground her amidst the chaos swirling around them.

"Sunny," He began slowly, "I don't have all the answers. None of us do. But I think you've proven time and again that you don't need to have everything figured out to make a difference. You've already shown you're willing to step into the unknown, to face whatever's coming, even if it scares you. That's what makes you ready."

Sunny's eyes remained fixed on the table, though Hitch could see her mind turning over his words. He pressed on, his voice steady but gentle.

"I don't think any of us really know if we're ready until we're in the middle of the fight. And even then, it's not about whether we feel prepared. It's about what we do when the moment comes."

Sunny let out a soft sigh, finally looking back up at him. The weight of everything—the darkness, her self-doubt, the responsibilities she felt—was still there, but there was a flicker of something else now. Determination. She wasn't the type to back down, not when so much was at stake.

She then looked at Hitch and hugged him tightly with a smile, nuzzling slightly against him. Hitch blushed like mad at this, feeling his heart skip a beat at the unexpected gesture, but he found himself smiling regardless and returning the hug and nuzzle alike.

"Thank you, Hitch... I don't know what would I ever do without you."

Hitch felt a warmth in his chest at Sunny's words, though he quickly cleared his throat to shake off the flustered feeling. "You don't have to worry about that," He said with a grin. "I'm not going anywhere."

Sunny smiled softly, feeling a little lighter, but deep inside, doubt still lingered. As she looked out the window after breaking her embrace with Hitch, watching the sun rise in the sky, the Earth Pony realized that time for reflection was running out. The darkness that loomed over Equestria would not wait, and she had to be ready to face whatever was awakening in the depths of the earth.

With renewed resolve, Sunny headed to a large library in the Brighthouse, ready to continue her search for answers. She knew the road ahead would be arduous and dangerous, but she also knew she was not alone. She had Hitch and the rest of her friends by her side. Together, they faced challenges in the past, and together they would face whatever now threatened the peace of Equestria.

Yet deep in her heart, Sunny could not shake the feeling that this time the danger was different. Older, more powerful. And as she walked through the halls of the library, desperately searching through the ancient tomes, the mare couldn't help but feel that the coming storm would be the darkest Equestria had ever known.

Sonic faced a lot of challenges on his life.

From gods rising from the very depths of the planet itself to giant robots that loomed over the world and its conquer. But a mysterious gloom that made anyone that touched it fall sick out of nowhere? Now that was something new and dangerous, and for the first time ever, he didn't liked it.

He was standing with Tails, Knuckles and Amy near one of the cracks from which that mysterious gloom comes out. Since many have fallen ill and even schizophrenic because of the gloom, they had no choice but to study it from afar, but they all preferred it that way.

Tails pointed his Miles Electric to the crack, scanning it the best he could, but just like it has been happening with all the tech that's near the gloom, the device flickered, and the data that it was supposed to show glitched in failure.

Sonic crossed his arms, watching the Miles Electric flicker before giving out completely. He let out a frustrated sigh, tapping his foot in impatience. "Well, that's a bust," He muttered. "This gloom stuff is starting to get on my nerves."

Tails frowned, staring down at the malfunctioning device in his hands. "It's not just you, Sonic. This stuff is affecting everything—machines, magic, even the natural environment. We can't get any solid readings, and we're running out of options." He glanced up, concern etched on his face. "I've never seen anything like it."

Amy stepped forward, her usual optimism tinged with worry. "It's like the gloom isn't just a physical threat… it's something more. It messes with everything it touches—like it's corrupting reality itself."

Knuckles, ever the skeptic, folded his arms and furrowed his brow. "So what's the plan then? If we can't get close to it, we can't study it, and we definitely can't fight it. Are we just going to wait around and hope it goes away?"

Sonic shook his head. "No way. Waiting's not an option. Too many ponies are already getting sick because of this stuff. We need answers, and fast." He glanced back at Tails. "Even if the tech's not working, there's gotta be another way to figure this out, right?"

Tails scratched his head, clearly frustrated by the lack of progress. "I've been thinking about that," He said, turning away from the cracked screen of the Miles Electric. "If technology can't handle it, we might need to turn to something that's less reliant on electronics… or maybe something older."

"Older?" Sonic raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"Magic," Tails replied, his voice uncertain. "Or ancient knowledge. Whatever this gloom is, it doesn't seem to play by the rules of modern science. But there are stories, legends even, about things like this. I think we need to tap into resources that date back way before any of us, just like Sunny's been doing."

Amy perked up at the mention of magic. "That might not be such a bad idea. If the gloom is something ancient, then maybe the answers are in ancient magic too." She paused, then added, "What about the Chaos Emeralds? Could they help?"

Sonic's face brightened slightly at the suggestion. "I've thought about that, too. The Emeralds have always been our go-to when things get out of control. But this gloom is something else." His voice trailed off, and he stared at the dark crack in the ground where the ominous substance continued to ooze out. "I just don't know if they'll be enough this time."

Tails tapped his chin thoughtfully. "It's possible the Emeralds could amplify magic that we don't even understand yet. But the problem is that this gloom isn't just raw power—it's more like corruption, like Amy said. And the Emeralds might not work the way we expect."

Knuckles, who had been listening intently, sighed. "So we need magic, we need ancient knowledge, and we probably need to find a way to use the Chaos Emeralds in a way we've never tried before. No pressure, right?"

Sonic smirked, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Right. No pressure at all."

Suddenly, he heard a voice calling his name, and he instinctively started to look around for the source, as he has been doing for weeks now, until the voice spoke again and he looked in certain direction, where the voice seemed to come from.

Truth to be told, Sonic's been hearing that same voice ever since those cracks in the ground appeared all across Equestria. He had no clue on why only he could hear it, because he told his friends about it, and yet only he seems to be hearing it. The strangest thing of all is that he kind of recognizes the voice.

Sonic's ears twitched as the familiar voice whispered his name once again, distant yet unmistakable. It was soft, almost like a breeze, but with a strange resonance that sent chills down his spine. Every time he heard it, it pulled at something deep within him, like a forgotten memory trying to resurface.

"Sonic?" Amy's voice snapped him back to reality. She had noticed his distracted expression, her brow furrowed with concern. "Are you okay?"

Sonic blinked, shaking his head to clear the fog of the mysterious voice. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just..." He hesitated. Should he mention the voice again? Every time he brought it up, it only seemed to deepen the confusion for both himself and his friends. But this time felt different, more urgent.

"You heard it again, didn't you?" Tails asked, his gaze sharpening as he picked up on Sonic's hesitation. He was always perceptive when it came to his best friend.

Sonic nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's the same voice. And it's getting stronger. I don't know what it wants, but... I think it's trying to lead me somewhere."

"Lead you?" Knuckles crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. "Or is it trying to trick you? For all we know, this gloom could be playing mind games with you."

"I've thought of that," Sonic admitted, frowning. "But it doesn't feel like a trick. It's not... sinister. If anything, it feels like a warning. Like whoever this is, they're trying to help."

Tails looked at Sonic thoughtfully. "If that's the case, we might need to follow the lead. Even if we don't fully understand it, you hearing this voice could be a key to figuring out what's going on with the gloom."

Sonic bit his lip. It was a risk, but he trusted his instincts. And right now, every part of him was telling him that this voice was important. "I don't have any better ideas," He said with a shrug, trying to keep his tone light. "If it's trying to show me something, I'm going to listen. I'll take anything that helps at this point."

Knuckles grunted, still unconvinced, but he gave a nod. "Alright, but if this voice leads us into a trap, don't say I didn't warn you."

Amy, ever the optimist, smiled warmly at Sonic. "We trust you. If you think this voice is trying to help, then let's follow it. We've faced worse things before."

Tails adjusted his goggles, his face a mix of curiosity and concern. "Where is it leading you? Can you feel it now?"

Sonic closed his eyes, focusing on the voice that had been haunting him for weeks. It was clearer now, more insistent, as if it knew he was paying attention. "It's pulling me towards the forest near Maretime Bay. Huh. That place seems to draw attention most of the time. That's where I found the first two Emeralds the month after magic was restored for the first time. Now it calls me again..."

Tails tilted his head, clearly intrigued. "The forest near Maretime Bay… There's definitely something about that place. It's connected to magic and now this gloom. If that's where the voice is leading you, then it's worth checking out."

Amy gave a determined nod, her usual optimism shining through. "We should head there as soon as possible. If it's connected to the Emeralds, then it might hold the key to understanding this gloom."

Knuckles grunted, still skeptical but ready for action. "Sounds like a plan. If that forest's got answers, let's find them. Just don't expect me to trust any mysterious voices until I see the proof."

Sonic smirked. "Fair enough, Knux. But something tells me we're going to find more than just answers."

A few days later, Sonic and Sunny were walking through the forest near Maretime Bay.

Due to several factors, like Tails being chosen to open an investigation facility fully dedicated to study the Zonai; Knuckles supervising the Lookout Landing that's being built near the abandoned Canterlot City to study the gloom that's coming from beneath the ruins of the castle; and Amy, along Hitch and Team Dark, trying to recruit some ponies to form some sort of army—which she wants to call Monster-Control Crew—that dedicates themselves to fight against some strange monsters that have been appearing for the past weeks.

Not to mention that both Zipp and Pipp went to Zephyr Heights to help their Mom with preparing their army to fight, just in case; Izzy is in Bridlewood trying to show some spells to the other unicorns, and Misty is currently trying to research more about the Zonai. She's highly considering joining the team that Tails is trying to build.

With their friends busy with other stuff, that leaves Sonic and Sunny on their own to investigate the source of the mysterious voice that Sonic keeps hearing.

As Sonic and Sunny ventured deeper into the forest near Maretime Bay, the air seemed to grow heavier, the usual vibrant energy of Equestria dampened by an eerie stillness. The path ahead was overgrown, the trees towering high above them, their branches twisting into gnarled shapes that blocked out most of the sunlight. It was unsettling, even for someone as fearless as Sonic.

"This place definitely feels... off," Sunny remarked, her eyes scanning the dense undergrowth. She could sense the ancient magic that lingered here. "Are you sure this is where the voice is leading you?"

Sonic nodded, though there was a seriousness in his expression that Sunny wasn't used to seeing. "Yeah. It's getting stronger the closer we get. I can't explain it, but it feels like... it's guiding me."

Sunny glanced at him, sensing his unease. "You don't think it's a trap, do you?"

Sonic shrugged, trying to stay lighthearted. "Could be. But if it is, we'll deal with it like we always do." He shot her a confident grin, but Sunny could see the tension in his stance. He wasn't entirely sure, and that uncertainty made her nervous.

They continued in silence for a while, the only sound being the crunch of leaves beneath their hooves and shoes. The deeper they went, the more the trees seemed to close in around them. It was as if the forest itself was watching, waiting.

Suddenly, Sonic placed an arm in front of Sunny to make her stop.

"What?" Sunny asked confused, looking around. "What't the matter?"

Sonic shushed her, then he proceeded to quietly walk ahead, pass some bushes. Sunny followed him, being as quiet as she could. She had no clue what Sonic heard, but she trusted in his instincts.

Sonic moved the bushes aside, then immediately ducked down. Sunny followed his example, although confused.

"What's going on?" Sunny whispered to Sonic confused.

Sonic simply gestured with his head to whatever was at the other side of the bushes, also placing a finger on his lips, as if telling her to stay quiet.

Peeking through the bushes, Sunny's eyes widened at the sight before her. A group of creatures she had never seen in her life were gathered in the clearing. They were unlike any of the monsters or animals that roamed Equestria—twisted and menacing, their very presence unsettling. These creatures were roughly the size of ponies, with hunched bodies covered in rough, leathery skin that varied from sickly green to reddish-brown.

Their faces were grotesque, with large, beady eyes that gleamed with malice. Sharp, jagged teeth jutted out from their wide mouths, and their noses were small and pig-like. But what stood out most were the horns—long, twisted, and sharp. They curved menacingly from the tops of their heads, almost like blades. The horns seemed to glisten in the dim light filtering through the trees, as if ready to strike fear into anyone who crossed their path.

Sunny's heart raced as she watched the creatures, trying to stay as still and quiet as possible. The monsters, which neither she nor Sonic had ever seen before, moved in a coordinated manner, grunting and growling to each other as if communicating. Some of them carried crude weapons—clubs made of gnarled wood and stone, spears with jagged tips—but their horns alone looked dangerous enough to take down anything in their way.

"What are those things?" Sunny whispered, her voice barely audible as she crouched beside Sonic.

Sonic frowned, his eyes locked on the creatures. "No idea. Never seen anything like them, and that's saying something." He kept his voice low but alert, watching as one of the creatures sniffed the air, its ears twitching. "But those horns… they're not just for show."

Sunny swallowed hard, trying to keep calm. The creatures—Bokoblins, though neither of them knew their name—were monstrous in both appearance and behavior. They were clearly intelligent enough to work together, and their horns, curved and razor-sharp, added an extra layer of danger.

The Bokoblins moved with a feral grace, their long limbs carrying them swiftly through the clearing as they scavenged the area. One of them, larger than the others, let out a deep, guttural growl that made the others pause. It raised its spear, pointing toward a path that led deeper into the forest, as if signaling the group to move forward.

Sonic's instincts screamed at him to stay hidden. He could tell that these creatures were dangerous—more dangerous than the usual threats they faced in Equestria. He glanced at Sunny, his expression serious. "We need to be careful. Whatever these things are, they're not here for a friendly visit."

Sunny nodded, her mind racing. "Do you think they have anything to do with the gloom?"

"Maybe," Sonic replied, his voice tense. "Or they may be here because of it. But one thing's for sure—they’re not from around here. Let's stay quiet and keep our guard high up. I'd rather avoid conflict with whatever those things are."

Sunny's heart pounded as she crouched low beside Sonic, watching the Bokoblins move deeper into the forest. Every instinct in her screamed to run, but she knew better. These creatures were dangerous, and she and Sonic were outnumbered. Avoiding a fight was their best option for now.

Sonic, his muscles tensed and ready to spring into action if needed, slowly backed away from the bushes. He motioned for Sunny to follow, carefully retracing their steps to put some distance between them and the monstrous creatures. The two of them moved in silence, stepping lightly to avoid snapping twigs or rustling the undergrowth.

After two hours of walking, Sonic and Sunny reached an area of the forest that neither of them had ever seen before, just after crossing a large hollow tree trunk. Thankfully, they weren't followed by any of those Bokoblins, so they were sage—for now, that is.

This area they reached was quite bright, with the treetops being higher than usual, and yet, sunlight filtered through the leaves. The path was rocky, but there was a small stream in it. Some small creatures, so small that they didn't even come up to Sonic's knees, approached them. Their faces were hidden under masks made of wood, or maybe the masks were their faces. Truth be told, neither Sonic nor Sunny were sure if they wanted to know.

Throughout the journey, Sonic kept hearing the mysterious voice calling him, and the closer they got, the louder it became. He was convinced now that, whatever this voice was, it was trying to guide him to something.

Some of the small creatures approached to Sonic and Sunny, looking up to them as they jumped like little kids, some even holding small branches and making strange noises.

"You're finally here, Mr. Hero!" One of the creatures said in a high-pitched voice. "We've been waiting for you."

Sonic and Sunny looked confused at each other, then back at the creature. "Um... You're talking to me?" Sonic asked, pointing at himself.

The small creature, barely reaching Sonic's knees, nodded enthusiastically, its wooden mask bobbing up and down. "Yes! Yes, of course, we mean you!" Its high-pitched voice was filled with excitement. "The hero who can hear the voice! We knew you'd come!"

Sonic blinked, exchanging another bewildered look with Sunny. "Hero? Wait, slow down a bit. What are you talking about? Who's been waiting for me?"

Sunny crouched down to get a better look at the creatures, her curiosity piqued despite the confusion. "These little guys... they seem harmless, but how do they know who you are?"

"And most importantly: What are you?" Sonic asked confused.

The small creature hopped in place, almost like it couldn't contain itself. "We're Korok! We're the children of the forest, and it talked to us, and it spoke of you, the one who can hear the voice! We’ve been watching, waiting for you to arrive." It motioned to the other Korok, who were now gathering around, their masked faces turned up toward Sonic and Sunny with awe.

Sonic scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit out of his element. "Okay... so you're saying the forest knew I'd come here because of the voice I keep hearing? That's... convenient, to put it in some sort of way..."

The Korok nodded eagerly, its wooden mask wobbling as it spoke. "Yes, yes! The forest knows many things. It whispers to those who listen, and it told us that the one who could hear the ancient voice would come to help!" It gestured toward the path ahead, where the sunlight filtered through the trees in soft, golden beams.

Sunny stood up, her eyes wide with fascination. "This is incredible! These creatures... they must be connected to the ancient magic of Equestria and maybe even the Zonai. They seem to know about the voice that's been guiding you, Sonic."

Sonic, still trying to wrap his head around what was happening, looked down at the Korok who had spoken to him. "Alright, so if the forest is expecting me, what exactly am I supposed to do here? You said something about me helping, but what do you need?"

"Is not us who need anything, is Equestria," The Korok spoke, although their voice made them sound like a happy child that could not understand the gravity of their own words. They then got behind Sonic and pushed his leg, or rather tried to, because they were too small and weak to do so. "Come on, come on! Papa and the sword are waiting for you!"

Sonic raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the tiny Korok attempting to push him forward. "Papa and the sword?" he asked, his tone filled with confusion but also curiosity. "Hold up, who's 'Papa'? And what sword are you talking about?"

The korok didn't answered and just kept pushing Sonic to move forward. He looked at Sunny, who shrugged with a little smile, and Sonic sighed with an eye roll before moving ahead. The rocky path was pretty short, and led to a pedestal in the middle of the forest where a sword rested.

The moment Sonic saw the sword, he stopped dead in his tracks, completely frozen in place. The sword in question was long and silver, with gold detailing and a sort of crown-like ornament. The handle was silver with a gold tip, and a faint golden glint surrounded the blade of the sword.

"Excalibur?!" Sonic exclaimed in disbelief, taking a step back. "No... No, this isn't possible..."

Sunny frowned, looking at Sonic with concern. "Excalibur? What are you talking about, Sonic? You recognize this sword?"

Sonic nodded, his expression filled with disbelief as he took another hesitant step toward the pedestal. "Yeah, I know this sword. I used it when I got sucked into that weird King Arthur book. It's Excalibur—the legendary sword of the King. But..." He trailed off, his gaze fixed on the blade. "It shouldn't be here. That was a whole different world, a different timeline. How could Excalibur be in Equestria?"

Sunny’s eyes widened, both curious and concerned. "You mean... you've used this sword before? In another world?" She stepped closer, looking at the gleaming sword in the pedestal. "But if it's here now, maybe it's connected to the voice you've been hearing."

Sonic rubbed his forehead, trying to process everything. "I don't know. None of this makes sense." He looked at Sunny, his eyes filled with doubt. "I left that whole thing behind. After I freed the Knights of the Round Table and restored peace, I thought that was it. Excalibur disappeared, just like the book. I never imagined it could show up here."

"That's because the sword belongs to you, young hero," A voice suddenly spoke, shaking the ground beneath them.

Sunny and Sonic looked around confused, in search of the source of the voice, until they both looked up and gasped: A giant tree, in the middle of the forest, with big pink leaves at the top, and with a face looked at them. The tree could not move more than its bare face, and as it looked down at Sonic and Sunny, he did so with a calm expression.

"Is is good to see you..." The tree spoke with calm and wisdom alike. "Sunny Starscout, the Princess of Hope. And you, the rightful king of Camelot, Sonic the Hedgehog. After all this time, I'm glad we can finally meet each other. My name has vary from one person to the other, but most have called me Great Deku Tree. I am the guardian of this forest, a place only those with a pure heart can access, those like you two."

Sonic and Sunny stood in awe as the enormous tree, with its wise, ancient face etched into its bark, spoke to them. Its voice was deep and resonant, filling the forest with an air of reverence. The tree's massive pink leaves shimmered in the sunlight, casting a soft glow over the clearing.

"Wait, wait, hold up!" Sonic said, raising his hands as if to stop the entire situation. "King of Camelot? That's ancient history—literally. I'm just Sonic, and the whole 'king' thing was more of a... temporary gig."

Sunny, her eyes wide with astonishment, glanced from the tree to Sonic. "King of Camelot? You didn't mention that part!" She exclaimed, still trying to grasp everything that was happening.

Sonic sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's a long story. Let's just say I got pulled into this weird alternate universe where I had to play the role of King Arthur. But that was a while ago! I never thought that part of my life would come back to haunt me."

The Deku Tree, still watching them with a serene expression, chuckled softly, the sound like the rustling of leaves in the wind. "You may believe that your time as the king was temporary, but the sword has chosen you. Excalibur is bound to you, as it has always been. You were never just a visitor to that world, Sonic. You are the one destined to wield the sword of kings, no matter the world you find yourself in."

Sonic stared at the tree, trying to wrap his head around the revelation. "Destined? Look, I'm not the 'destiny' type. I just do what I have to—run fast, save the day, and move on. But Excalibur? I thought I left that whole adventure behind."

The tree's branches swayed gently, almost as if it were nodding. "The path of a hero is never linear, Sonic. Though you may have believed that journey to be over, Excalibur has returned to you for a reason. There is a great darkness spreading across the land—one that threatens Equestria. The sword is calling to you, as its been doing for a while now."

Before Sonic could question the tree, the voice he's been hearing talked again, and now it was clear who talked to him. His gaze drifted to the sword on the pedestal, glimmering for a moment in a golden light before it turned back to its regular silver color.

"Sonic..." The voice spoke, loud and clear. It was Caliburn's voice, coming out of the sword.

It made sense for Sonic, since Excalibur was Caliburn's final form. If it was talking to him now, but as Excalibur, then whatever danger loomed over Equestria was even bigger now if it required such a powerful blade to be driven from the world it belongs to this one.

"The voice..." Sonic said, stepping closer to Excalibur. "It comes from the sword... But why is Caliburn talking to me like this?" He looked up to the tree. "If I recall correctly, Caliburn had a face, and he communicated with me that way. Why is he now talking in my mind, and only mine?"

The Great Deku Tree let out a soft sigh, its branches swaying gently in the wind. "It is because the connection between you and Caliburn, or Excalibur as it now appears, has deepened beyond the physical form. In your previous journey, you unlocked the true potential of the blade, but its spirit now exists within you as well. Caliburn no longer needs a physical face to speak—he speaks directly to your soul, to the one destined to wield him."

Sonic stared at the sword in disbelief. "So, you're saying Caliburn's... a part of me now?"

"Indeed," The Deku Tree replied. "The bond between a hero and their sword is eternal. Caliburn has chosen you not just as a wielder, but as his equal. He senses the great threat that looms, just as you do, and he calls to you now because the danger is too great for either of you to face alone. Go on then, Sonic. Draw it once more."

Sonic looked down at the sword, knowing very well it belonged to him, yet still having doubts. He looked at Sunny for a moment, like if he looked for some sort of comfort or approval from her.

Sunny could see the distress on Sonic's face, and all she did was smile at him and nod, as a sign to assure him that this was fine, that it was his choice at the end of the day if he wanted to take the sword or not, even though it technically belongs to him according to the Deku Tree.

Sonic smiled back at her and nodded thankfully, then he looked back at the sword and took a deep breath before approaching it. He grabbed the handle with his right hand, which closed around it, as he felt a burst of power course across his right arm. Is as if the power of the sword mixed with his own the moment he touched.

After that, he effortlessly pulled the sword out of its pedestal, turning it around and wielding it without trouble. It was heavy, true, and yet he wielded it like nothing.

As Sonic held Excalibur in his hand, a wave of familiarity and power washed over him. The golden light that had briefly shimmered around the sword earlier now flared up, enveloping Sonic's arm and spreading through his entire body. He could feel the sword's energy resonating with his own, like two forces that were always meant to be united. The weight of the sword, though substantial, felt natural in his grip—an extension of himself.

"Sir Sonic..." The voice in Excalibur spoke again, but only on Sonic's mind. "Good to see you again..."

Sonic smiled slightly at the voice, yet he was more mesmerized by the fact it looked exactly as he remembered it. He looked at the blade from side to side, almost in disbelief, as if he were seeing it for the first time. The handle was so perfectly polished that it looked like it had just been made, and the blade shone so brightly that he could see his reflection in it. There were no nicks or scratches, it was untouched, as if it had never been used.

Sunny stepped ahead as Sonic looked at the blade, while she looked up to the Deku Tree with a smile. "Great Deku Tree, thank you so much."

The Deku Tree laughed, causing the ground to shake for a moment beneath their feet and hooves, although even then Sonic did not stop examining Excalibur. "There is no need for thanks. I merely watched over it, awaiting for its rightful owner to come and claim it once more."

For a moment, there was silence, during which Sonic kept checking the sword in his hands for any flaws. He couldn't believe for a second that a weapon like that didn't have any imperfections... And yet, there it was, looking brand new.

"I still remember when you talked about your adventure in Camelot," Sunny told Sonic as he kept checking Excalibur. "It is amazing that a sword can heal itself, no matter how badly damaged it becomes..."

"It can do more than heal," The Great Deku Tree spoke, surprising Sunny and even Sonic, who finally looked up to the talking tree. "The sword will continue to gain strength if bathed in sacred power. The stronger that power, the more powerful the sword becomes. The potential of this fabled blade may well be limitless."

Sonic had no words to describe how he felt. What could be stronger than this? The sword was able to wipe out Merlina's power at its peak. Is there anything even stronger than this?

"A sword... that grows even stronger," Sunny muttered in awe, now looking at the sword that Sonic held in his hand.

The blue hedgehog looked at it for a bit more, then it suddenly glimmered in a golden aura, as its power made a sheet suddenly appear on Sonic's back. Despite confused by this, Sonic also knew he might need it, considering the sword cannot move on its own anymore.

He finally finished checking the sword, then nodded and proceeded to sheathe it. That weight on his back, despite being somewhat uncomfortable, gave him the feeling of being almost invincible, even though he knows that is not the case.

"Great Deku Tree…" He finally spoke, clearing his throat, "the kingdom is plunged into fear by the gloom. Do we really need a sword as powerful as Excalibur to fight it back?"

For a moment, the Deku Tree remained silent. And then, he replied, "I only know that you must prepare yourself, you and all those you consider your allies. Equestria needs you again."

Author's Note

And here we are, with the first chapter of the story!

I'm glad to finally have this out, and Jesus Christ, I'm so excited to publish all the new stuff that's coming over. You guys are absolutely NOT ready for it!

Thanks again for reading! See you next time!