Chapter Text
One day in the Emerald Kingdom, the King, Sonic, was sitting on his throne. He was a blue hedgehog with green emerald eyes, his golden, magnificent crown rested subtly on his frowned brow, and his red, velvet cape covered his back. He was grumbling to himself, he had been engaged to a Queen from a neighboring kingdom, even if he was acquainted with her, he didn’t feel any love toward her.
The azure King was deep in his thoughts when his lackey entered the throne room. “My lord, someone is asking an audience.” A twin tailed yellow fox spoke, the King finally got out of his thoughts at the voice, yet his frown remained. “Do you know who it might be?” He immediately asked, not feeling like having any audience at the moment.
“It’s Infinite, the slave dealer, my lord.” The kitsune answered gently, kinda nervous, knowing how his King would react, especially since he seemed bothered by something. The frown on Sonic’s face immediately deepened at the name of the slave dealer, Infinite was well known in the entire Kingdom, even the neighboring ones had heard of him. The King, Sonic, was known to not have any slaves in his castle, he disliked the idea, for him the idea of slaves was wrong, especially when he saw how some Kingdoms treated them.
“Him again? I thought I made it clear last time he showed up, I am not interested in slaves.” The blue royal grumbled under his breath, clearly irritated. It wasn’t the first time that the slave dealer had asked an audience with him to sell his slaves, but the King always refused. “I-I know, my lord, but he said you wouldn’t refuse him this time…” The lackey answered, his nervousness growing at seeing the irritated look on his King’s face.
Sonic groaned loudly in exasperation, he was already bothered by his engagement condition, feeling unhappy about it. Now this slave dealer was back to sell him a slave, knowing exactly that he didn't want one. The King exalted reluctantly, knowing that Infinite won’t leave until he got the audience he wanted, and knowing the jackal, he probably had greatly intimidated Tails, his lackey, to get his audience.
“Tails, lead him here. Let’s see what he proposes this time, otherwise the guards will force him out.” The King finally said after a moment, displeased to see the slave dealer once again, yet he will have to see what Infinite wanted, probably wanting to sell a slave once more. “Y-Yes, your Highness…” Tails answered quickly before walking away, going back to the entrance of the castle.
While the lackey was talking to the King, the slave dealer was waiting for his audience, a slave next to him looking down. Infinite tugged on the slave’s leash harshly, making the poor Mobian whimper in surprise and slight pain. “Try to be decent for once, slave.” Infinite said with a growl, the ebony slave whimpered louder in fear this time, ears going down in complete submission. “Y-Yes… Master…” He answered in a whisper.
Tails, walked back to the slave dealer at the castle entrance, feeling nervous all over again around the jackal. “The King accepted to give you an audience. Please, follow me…” The kitsune said softly before leading the way. Infinite grinned as he followed the lackey, tugging harshly on the leash, forcing his slave to follow. The poor slave made a low whimper, yet followed his master.
As the tree Mobians entered the throne room, the King looked up, seeing Infinite, the slave dealer, not surprised to notice him with a slave. He grumbled softly before he spoke. “You really want to sell me a slave again? Even with my warning last time?” Infinite grinned at the King’s words. “Your Highness, of course I remember our last encounter, but I am certain this slave will interest you.”
“And why would I be interested in this slave specifically? I was clear last time, I refuse to have slaves.” Sonic answered, starting to feel frustrated at the situation. He wanted this discussion to end already, not liking how this slave dealer was trying to sell him slaves again and again. “This slave is really obedient, he can do any task you ask him. All the previous owners never complained about his work.”
As the slave dealer spoke, the King got slightly intrigued by his words. “Owners? You sold this slave to others before?” He asked, his demeanor relaxing. “Yes, your Highness, this slave had many different owners.” The jackal answered, his usual grin on his muzzle, still holding harshly onto the slave’s leash. “Can I know why this slave got different owners? This sounds unusual.” Sonic got more intrigued by this information, he knows for a fact that slaves aren’t sold to multiple people, mostly once or sometimes two or three, but rarely more. Why was this particular slave returned to the slave dealer then?
Infinite smirked knowingly at the King’s question, noticing the interest in the emerald eyes. “Oh, it was only for financial purposes, this slave is a gold mine.” Sonic frowned again at the slave dealer’s words, of course, he wasn’t going to get much details from the jackal. His eyes then fell on the slave, who was on their knees, eyes on the ground, and body covered with a dirty coat. After a moment of thinking, the azure King spoke. “Can I see the slave?” He then asked, his interest picked once again.
“I’m sorry, your Highness, but you could see the slave if you buy it.” The slave dealer spoke, a satisfied smirk over his muzzle, he was standing there, as arrogant as he was known for. The King grumbled slightly under his breath, getting irritated by the jackal’s arrogance. “You are here to sell me this slave, but I can’t even see them?” His voice was clearly irritated, and it made Infinite’s smirks widen, feeling satisfaction at angering the azure King. “I could let you see the slave’s eyes if you are willing to buy.”
Sonic eyed the slave for a moment, strangely feeling some interest for the slave, which was new. He never liked the idea of slaves, not liking how they were treated, he didn't want to treat anyone like that, for him it wasn’t right. All his servants in his castle were treated respectfully, being respected as living beings, not usable objects like he saw slaves in other Kingdoms. He then sighed as he got up from his throne, approaching Infinite and the slave.
“Very well. I want to see the slave’s eyes.” The King spoke in a serious tone. The jackal nearly chuckled before he harshly tugged on the slave’s leash, making the poor slave whimper. “Let the King see your eyes, slave.” Infinite ordered, taking a step back as the King walked towards them. The slave trembled slightly in fear, before slowly looking up, seeing the King directly watching him.
Sonic froze for a second as the ruby eyes of the slave stared at him directly, his heartbeats suddenly accelerated, mesmerized by those eyes. The King and the slave stared at each other for a moment, until Sonic forced himself to look back at Infinite, a serious look on his face.
“What is the price of the slave?” The azure royal asked, keeping his serious face. He instantly disliked his own words, since he had always refused to have any slaves, but this one seemed… special in a way he didn't understand, his heart feeling strangely warm at the thought of getting this one.
The slave dealer smirked in delight at the question, he was pleased that the King, who always refused to get slaves, was finally accepting one. “Like I said, this one is the best of the best, extremely loyal and obedient, he would do anything to please its owner.” He answered, his tone business-like as he always did with any customer. “20 gold bars seems to be a reasonable price.”
Sonic made a slightly disgusted grimace at Infinite comment, not liking the term ‘owner’ while talking about other Mobians. “20, huh? Seems a bit excessive. What about 18?” He then spoke, hiding his disgust quickly with his serious King face.
“This is an interesting price, my lord, but this slave is a gold mine, I could sell it easily to someone else.” Infinite said, still smirking, using his usual tactic he would use with any customer, especially since he noticed that the King was interested in the slave.
Sonic grumbled slightly, clearly seeing the manipulative tactic of the jackal, but his heart wanted to get the slave, no matter what his mind was telling him. He then suddenly snapped his fingers. “Tails.” He started, alerting the lackey immediately. “Go take 20 gold bars for the slave dealer.” He then ordered, Tails bowed respectfully before leaving the throne room for a few moments, coming back with a bag containing the requested gold bars.
The kitsune handed the bag to his King, who checked quickly before looking at the slave dealer. “20 gold bars.” He gave the kinda heavy bag to the jackal. Infinite grinned mischievously, pleased by his success, he then bowed in false respect to the King. “That’s perfect, my lord. This slave is now yours, you can do as you please.” His tone was implying something darker, making the King grimace in disgust. “I surely won’t do the same things as you.” Sonic didn’t hide the disgust on his face and tone, knowing exactly what kind of Mobian the jackal was by his reputation.
Infinite smirked, not bothered at all by the King’s words, even feeling proud by them. “I won’t bet on it.” He teased mischievously, liking to see the disgusted look on the azure King’s face. He then handed the slave’s leash to Sonic, his smirk widening slightly. Sonic grabbed the leash, his face still showing disgust. The slave was still looking down, knees on the floor, the dirty cloak covering them completely.
“It was a pleasure to deal with you, my lord. I should take my leave now, I am quite busy.” The slave dealer spoke, bowing in false respect once more with his usual mischievous smirk plastered over his white muzzle. Sonic merely answered with a quick and blunt, “Yes.” pleased that the jackal was finally leaving. As the King was finally alone with the slave in his throne room, his gaze focused back on the poor Mobian kneel on the floor.
“Can you tell me your name? Can you speak?” The azure King softly asked, his voice sounding gentler now that the slave dealer was gone, slightly dropping his King facade. The slave was slightly confused as to why the King would use this kind of tone for a mere slave, but he obediently answered, knowing better than to ignore a royal command. “I-I'm Shadow, Master…” The voice was low, somewhat pained and afraid. Sonic immediately felt sorry for the poor Mobian, yet he was satisfied with the answer.
“You don't have to call me Master, you will be a servant here. King Sonic or just King is enough.” The azure King then gently uncovered the slave's face from the dirty cloak, making said slave look up with some confusion. Sonic could see a tan and smooth looking muzzle despite the treatment, black fur and quills covered in sweat and dirt, the quills were unkempt, making the red stripes over them all jaggy.
The azure King felt his heart slightly skip a beat as he admired the black hedgehog, he had been mesmerized by those ruby eyes earlier, but the feeling only got stronger. He forced himself to look away, trying to not break his King act. “Shadow, follow me. You need a bath and proper clothes now that you are under my care.” He kept his gentle tone, even if he showed his stern royal face. Shadow immediately started to follow the King, since he was still holding the leash, yet he obeyed without a word or complaint.
The azure King led Shadow into the corridors, stopping briefly to talk to another servant requesting new attires for the slave. The servants immediately bowed to the King, respecting their monarch, some of them eyed the ebony hedgehog curiously as he obediently followed the King with his eyes down. Sonic just ignored the servants’ look until he arrived at the royal washroom, deciding to take care of the slave there.
Shadow admired the large room with astonished eyes, he had some rich masters in his life, but it was nothing compared to the King himself. Sonic finished to prepare the bath for his slave before he spoke again. “I'll let you wash yourself, take all the time you need. I'll stay by the door if you need anything.” He smiled gently, appearing less kingly compared to how he usually acts with his subjects. The ebony slave watched the King walk out of the room before his gaze found the bathtub filled with warm water, he stayed standing for a moment, not knowing at all how he was supposed to wash himself.
Sonic stood by the door for several minutes, kinda ignoring the servants that watched him with some confusion as they passed by. He tried to hear some noises from the bathroom, wondering what his slave was doing, yet there were no sounds, nothing at all. The King started to be confused and decided to knock on the door softly. “Shadow? Are you alright in there?” Some seconds passed until he heard a low voice. “I-I…” Shadow's voice sounded nervous, shy, and somewhat ashamed. It made Sonic's confusion grow, wondering what was happening in the room. “Can I come in?”
When he heard no answer, the azure King decided to open the door. Shadow was staring at the tub filled with warm water, arms wrapped around himself, he had no idea how to wash himself. Sonic felt even more confused at first, walking in the room before closing the door behind him. “Are you alright?” He asked once again, his voice low and soft to not scare the ebony slave. Shadow noticed the King and started to feel embarrassed and shy. “I…” He tried to admit that he had no idea how to use a tub, but he felt highly embarrassed to say that to the King, his new master.
Sonic watched his slave in silence for a moment, as he saw Shadow's embarrassment, he started to understand. He let out a small smile, seeing his slave like this was strangely appealing to him. “Don't be scared, my slave. You can tell me what's wrong, I'm not here to judge.” He spoke in a gentle, warm voice, wanting Shadow to feel safe in his presence. Shadow was somewhat surprised by the King's behavior, never in his life he had been treated like this.
The red striped slave relaxed slightly with the King's tone, this gentleness was new to him, yet he immediately liked it. “My King… I just… I-I don't know how to use a tub…” He admitted with some shame, instantly thinking that the azure hedgehog would laugh at him, insult him, or be disgusted. Yet Sonic kept his smile, a warm smile that was rare to see on his usually King-like stance. “Then I'll help you.”
Shadow's eyes went wide as he stared at the azure King, with complete disbelief. The most powerful King on this side of the continent, wanted to help him wash himself? He felt extremely embarrassed just by the thought. “B-But… My King… Y-You shouldn't… I-I…” He was so flustered that his stuttering was worse than usual, yet it only made Sonic chuckle slightly at his embarrassed slave. “I shouldn't? You're my slave, I have to take care of you.”
“B-But isn't it… degrading for you?.. You're the King…” The red striped hedgehog tried to argue, to explain his point of view, he didn't want the King to disrespect himself with such things.
Sonic became slightly serious at Shadow's words, like his slave was saying he wasn't worthy of him just because of the rank difference between them. Something inside him felt angered with Shadow's silent description of himself. “This isn't degrading for me. As a King I have to take care of my people, and I'm choosing to help you.” He stated, his tone a little more serious than earlier, yet still gentle. “I won't force myself on you, I'm letting you choose if you accept my help or not.” He then added, his gaze not leaving the sight of the trembling, red stripped slave.
Shadow was completely speechless, he had seen many people, as a slave, he had many owners, but never in his life had he been treated like this, with care and gentleness, like a real Mobian instead of just a slave. His mind struggled, it was all new to him, the gentleness the King showed him was strangely appealing to him, but he thought about the Royal first, he couldn't disrespect the King just because he ignored how to wash himself.
Poor Shadow didn’t have time to speak again as Sonic spoke first. “Come on, I’ll help you. As I said, I’m not here to judge you, no matter my rank we are both hedgehogs.” Yet the King’s words that were supposed to reassure Shadow, made him panic instead. He wasn’t a normal male hedgehog, that much he knew after all the years of being tortured by the slave dealer, Infinite. “I-I don’t want to disobey you, my King, but… If you could just explain I-I’ll try on my own…”
The azure King frowned again at the ebony hedgehog’s refusal of his help, yet he respected his demand, after all he wasn’t going to treat Shadow like a slave. “Very well, I will let you undress yourself and go in the tub. I’ll help you wash your head quills and then you will do the rest yourself. Do we have a deal?” Shadow immediately gave an embarrassed nod, he was really starting to wonder why the King was so serious and dedicated in helping him, HIM, a simple slave, for the poor striped hedgehog it was too nice to last.
When Sonic looked away, giving some privacy to the slave, Shadow gently started to take off his clothes, which were more like dirty rags than anything else. He slightly frowned to himself, realizing he was indeed a mess, and the thought that the King himself was going to help him clean up didn’t help his growing nervousness. He then shyly and nervously approached the tub, feeling the warm water inside, it indeed felt nice on his hand. With a small smile he gently climbed in, actually sighing at the feeling of the warm water against his dirty fur.