Anime Portal Station (Actually it's more of a break room.)

*AU Whip glares at the bottle, but snatches it up anyways*
AU Whip: Yeah... thanks Yui....
*AU Whip drinks from the bottle, refilling his health bar, and stands himself up humbly after such a hard loss*

Sonic: *offers a handshake* That wasn't bad, Whip!
Caliburn: If it were not for the level difference and Sonic's natural speed, you would have no doubt made a fine opponent.

*AU Whip returns the handshake*
AU Whip: Level shouldn't have mattered...
*Van walks into the group, twiddling a spine*
Van: Well, that was a good match, for a beginner like you against a high-class Knight like Sonic.
*Van nods his head. AU Whip doesn't take kindly*
Van: So... I guess we should be on our way then. It's not like I can join the Royal Guard as an Artisan, anyways...

Sonic: Hey, where do you guys think you're going? *grins* I never said I wouldn't take you to see the Princess.

*AU Whip and Van share responses, though Van sounds much more excited*
Van: Really?!
AU Whip: Really?
*Van bows his head*
Van: Thank you very much! That means a lot to us!~

Sonic: *grins* No problem! It's easy to do when you're part of the Royal Guard.
Caliburn: Nor do you seem to be any threat to the Princess, unlike those wretched Dark Knights...

Van: The Dark Knights? Who're they?
AU Whip: Do they pose a threat to Ma- Er,... the Princess?

Yui: *floats into Van and Whip's line of sight* The Dark Knights are a group of rogue Knights that defected from the Kingdom of Arcana to be lead under a leader by name of Lord Robotnik. They often try to enlist others that hold grudges against the King or the Queen, and while the group is small, they are arguably effective.

Their goal is to overthrow the Royal Family and take over the Kingdom. *smiles, erasing any dark emotions that were on her face while describing the group* But there is no need to worry! Papa and Mama are really strong~! They won't let those mean people take the throne~

Sonic: *laughs* You can count on us too! *his trademark grin still sits comfortably on his face* That faker doesn't have anything against me!
Caliburn: I also pity the fools that are chained to the illusion that they are strong enough to defeat the King.
Sonic: *his cocky expression melts into one that's slightly worried by the idea as he laughs nervously* [i]Ooooh[/i ]yeah...
Yui: *has deflated as well* Papa didn't stand a chance against the King...
Sonic: I can't decide who's scarier- Amy or the King...

*the trio seem very troubled by the idea of this King*

*Van doesn't share this troubled air, instead sounding confident in this king*
Van: This king guy sounds pretty strong!
*AU Whip crosses his arm, catching the tone of their praise more accurately*
AU Whip: ...If the King is so powerful, why are the Dark Knights even a threat?

Sonic: *shrugs* Because of a lame rule.
Caliburn: A royal decree from many generations ago made it law that the King or Queen may not see combat unless they are challenged or the country is at war.
Yui: Ne, Sonic-san, is that why you don't want to become King?
Sonic: *starts playing with his ear* Yeah, that's one reason...
Yui: *tilts head in thought as she taps her chin* That must be difficult then, seeing how you're betrothed to Mana-hime...

*AU Whip seems shocked*
AU Whip: Y-you're betrothed to Man- the Princess?
*As shocked as AU Whip, he suddenly remembers something, and turns to Van, whom.... has seen livelier days*
Van: .....B.....Be......B....

Sonic: *picking at his ear again, obviously not enjoying the path the conversation has taken* Aren't we supposed to be taking you to the Princess?
Caliburn: Despite this Knight's reluctance, yes, the two are set to marry eventually.
Yui: Ne, Sonic-san, I thought you had a girlfriend though...
Sonic: What?
Yui: That... pink hedgehog friend of yours.
Sonic: *scoffs* Wha-Pft- Amy? No way! She's just my friend who happens to throw marriage proposals at me left and right.
Yui: Is she not upset by the binding?
Sonic: *sweatdrop and regains the pale look of fear* Oh, she's upset alright...

*AU Whip crosses his arms and gives a slight smirk*
AU Whip: You're quite the lady killer, aren't you?
Van: Be....be....bet.....b....

Sonic: Hey, now that was a given. *flashes a cocky grin accompanied by what seems to be a trademark pose that would make most fangirls swoon*
Caliburn: *sighs* Shall we depart for the Castle?
Sonic: Yeah, good idea. *looks back at Yui* Yui, you know where to go, right?
Yui: *nods with a smile* Mm!
Sonic: *salutes at the two* Don't take too long then! *rockets off again, before his figure is seen in the distance doing his tricks again*

Yui: *turns to the two* Shall we? *sees Van and becomes worried* Van-san? Are you alright?

Van: Bet....be....b...betr-betr-bet.....
*AU Whip waves his hand in front of Van's face*
AU Whip: ....
*AU Whip lifts Van over his shoulder*
AU Whip: He'll be fine. Lead the way Yui.

Yui: *sweatdrops, but starts floating* If you say so, Whip-san... *leads them through the town, but she suddenly stops in the middle of the street, before darting to an alley in the left* Quick! In here!

*AU Whip finds himself skidding to keep up with Yui's sudden change in direction, but follows her down the allyway quickly anyways*
AU Whip: Yui! What's going on?

Yui: *peaks her head around the corner, seeming to stare at one of the civilians* ...That's one of the Dark Knights...

*AU Whip drops Van on the floor*
AU Whip: What?
*AU Whip peeks around the corner as well, looking out for anyone suspicious*
AU Whip: Which one?

Yui: The bat girl, Thief Class.

*Now that Yui's pointed her out, the girl sticks out as an attractive ivory bat hiding underneath a nondescript ragged and brown cloak. She seems to be looking at one of the merchant's stalls, eyeing some pricey jewelry, before turning away from the stall with a smirk*

Yui: *puffs out her cheeks in indignation* She just stole from that merchant!

*Somehow, AU Whip goes from being behind Yui to approaching the Bat Theif*
AU Whip: Hey, Bat Girl!
*AU Whip points his open hand at her accusingly*
AU Whip: Where do you think you're going with those stolen jewels?

*The accused jewel thief turns around with a sly smile*

"Bat Girl": You know, there's only really one person I let getting away with calling me Bat Girl. *eyes Whip speculatively with a smirk on her face* And I'm afraid you're just not my type. *blows a kiss towards Whip and begins to walk away* Maybe try again when you're older, kid.

Yui: *floats into the open as well* Rouge-san!

Rouge: *turns around again* Oh, well if it isn't sweet little "Yui-chan". What are you doing out here without your Mama or Papa? I was under the impression they were smart enough not to let you wander around the kingdom by yourself.
Yui: *looks irritated by the comment* You won't be able to escape, Rouge-san! I already sent out a signal letting the guards know you're in town!
Rouge: *shrugs* Why are you being so stingy? All I'm doing is getting a few jewels that were stolen from me. *jingles the little bag*
Yui: *huffs* Those jewels belong to that merchant, and you know you're wanted for treason against the King!
Rouge: *sighs* All this for a lousy emerald? Fine. *throws the bag at the two, before suddenly extending her wings and stirring up a dust, to which Yui shields her eyes to with a cry, and the bat takes to the skies* See you later, "Yui-chan"~ *flies away*
Yui: *coughing, but then follows after Rouge* Come back here!

AU Whip: Yui!
*AU Whip hops up and pulls her out of the sky before she can get far, shaking his head*
AU Whip: There's no use. She's too fast.
*He holds up the emerald in his hand*
AU Whip: We managed to get back the stolen jewel. That's good enough.
*Even though he says this, he still glares at the escaping bat*

Yui: *suddenly takes the emerald, scanning it* ... *looks at Whip with a shocked expression* It's a fake!

*The said item is labeled <<Fake Decoy>>*

*AU Whip takes the emerald in surprise*
AU Whip: What!?
*He examines the emerald and it's Decoy label*
AU Whip: ....We've been tricked...
*Van crawls out of the alleyway, still shaken, but apparently okay enough to speak*
Van: What's... going on out here?