Sonic is being guided through Castle Acorn by Alicia, who is arm in arm with him. Alicia's affections for Sonic are leaving him nervous as he is aware that she will grow up to be Sally's mother one day.
Suddenly their tour of the castle is interrupted by a young squirrel boy. The male squirrel angrily questions why Sonic is acting so formal with his role consort.
Sonic recognizes the crowned squirrel as Maximilian. It was an odd feeling for Sonic seeing the king as a young prince.
Alicia brushes off Max's accusation by stating that she's merely being friendly with her rescuer.
Maximilian states that he's aware of Alicia's rescue. However, he doesn't trust her rescuer. He then suggests that Sonic could be conspiring with Metal Sonic.
Sonic questions why Maximilian would come to that conclusion. "Defensive, aren't we?'' the prince queries. He then questions if his plan was to stage a rescue in order to gain favor from the Acorn Kingdom and one day become king himself.
Sonic is dumbfounded by Maximilian's accusations. Alicia, on the other hand, has had enough of the prince's behavior and escorts Sonic away.
However, Sonic is curious to know what happened to Metal Sonic...
--
Metal Sonic is shackled inside of a dungeon. Maximilian states that the royal guards imprisoned him after his last encounter with Sonic.
Maximilian knows that Metal Sonic probably won't respond to interrogation, even if he were active. Instead, he demands Sonic to reveal what Metal Sonic's purpose is.
Sonic wants to reveal Dr. Robotnik's identity, but doing so would drastically change his present timeline too much. And outing Robotnik might just replace him with someone worse.
Sonic tells Maximilian that he was right about Metal Sonic, feeding his ego. However, he states that the robot's mission isn't to rule the kingdom; it's to end the royal Acorn lineage.
Maximilian states that Metal Sonic is too much of a threat to keep around. He then declares that the robot should be dismantled immediately as he prepares to strike down Metal Sonic with the Sword of Acorns, alerting Sonic.
Just then, Metal Sonic's eyes reappear, flashing red!
Before Maximilian can bring his sword down, Metal Sonic grips his wrists. The prince struggles, but cannot overpower the metal hedgehog.
Metal Sonic kicks Maximilian in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him and snatching the Sword of Acorns. Soon enough, Metal Sonic begins to glow with an aura and his body begins to repair its self.
However, before things could go any further, Sonic Spin Dashes into Metal Sonic, freeing the Sword of Acorns from his grasp. Sonic immediately grabs the sword and brandishes it, facing Metal Sonic.
Metal Sonic glares at Sonic. However, instead of fighting, he breaks free of the dungeon by taking out the royal guards that were stationed outside. With no one left in his path, Metal Sonic escapes.
Maximilian questions Sonic, saying that he thought the robot was deactivated. Sonic comes to two inclusions. Either Metal Sonic was reactivated when its existence was threatened or he sensed a new power source and was immediately drawn to it.
Sonic states that Metal Sonic will repair himself and want a rematch with him.
Maximilian questions where Metal Sonic would head to next. Sonic's best guess is that Metal Sonic will head for another power source that can compensate for the power he briefly held moments ago.
Offended, Maximilian questions what could possibly rival the Source of All artifacts.
--
In Royal Hills Zone, a Star Post is activated. The post rod twirls and the lamp flashes red and yellow before producing a Star Circle.
Metal Sonic enters the Star Circle sending him to the Special Zone...
End of Chapter 2
