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

*AU Whip does not seem more confident, however his further inquiries are drowned out by the extravagant introduction into the feast hall. Van barely restrains himself from gazing, slack-jawed, upon the room and the band, apparently overwhelmed by the opulence of the hall. AU Whip settles into his usual stoic attitude and simply follows Mana, snatching Van by a spine when he passes by the star-struck... thing*

Terra: *rises from her chair next to her husband and smiles warmly* Welcome, friends of my dear daughter, Mana~! As King and Queen, we and the Guardians of the Royal Palace welcome you to the feast!

*All the said Guardians around step forward from their earlier formation and make a sweeping bow to the three as they pass along. Within the group, the familiar blue hedgehog winks as the three pass and Yui waves excitedly from floating in between two Knights, a girl with long orange hair and a ivory and crimson outfit and a boy who rivals AU Whip in black jackets and swords. Other Knights maintain neutrality while others glance up with curious looks or pleasant smiles like one green hedgehog; however, not all seem all too pleased with the two boys' arrivals, as a familiar red echidna glares from within his metal visor*

*AU Whip sweeps by the faces of the Guardians with his eyes as he passes, though his head never turns from the straight-forward path he follows. Van, either intimidated, or humbled by the guardians, awkwardly waves as he passes by, one arm hidden nervously behind his back. He refuses to let his eyes meet neither Tempest nor Knuckles', in fear of being smited by some high-level skill they may or may not possess*

*When the trio make it to before the King and Queen, the Guardians return to their elegant posture as Mana goes to kneel before her parents, implying that the two should follow her example*

*AU Whip kneels slowly and elegantly , resting his arm on his knee and bowing his head. Van kneels... a little less elegantly, falling to his knees quickly and nervously*

*Behind their backs, some of the Guardians exchange glances ranging from skeptical to amused*

Tempest: *doesn't bat an eye towards their bows and looks at the two boys sternly as he addresses everyone in the room in a voice that easily commands everyone* You may rise.
Mana: *rises to her feet and curtsies with her dress* Delightful greetings to you, Mother and Father~
Tempest: *for the first time since the two boys have met him, a hint of a smile plays at his mouth at Mana's words* I see your sister's meddling hasn't worn off.
Mana: *sweatdrops and shakes her head sheepishly* Sadly.
Terra: *smiles warmly at her daughter and fixes the tiara on her head* Don't worry, it's cute~ *looks to the two boys and begins the introduction* Friends, we welcome Sir Whip and Sir Van to the castle with a warm and generous meal! For the Kingdom of Arcana and the Royal Family shall welcome those who extend a friendly hand to us, and in return, we must do the same. *clasps her hands together and smiles* Let us begin the feast~!

*The Guardians move to their respective seats across the long and elegant tables and an excited chatter takes place as food to their liking appears on their plates generously out of nowhere. Terra and Tempest sit down at the head of the table together and the Queen waves to Whip and Van to seats near them*

Terra: Sit here, sit here~! We have a lot to talk to you about~
Tempest: *smirking slightly* You mean interrogate?
Terra: *shushes Tempest*
Mana: *sits down with a sheepish expression on her face*

*AU Whip calmly sits in a seat calmly, crossing his arms on the table in front of him. Van does the same, though his hands rest neatly on the table with his elbows off*
AU Whip: Ask away.
Van: --Your Highnesses.
*AU Whip throws his glance at Van, whom seems to have regained some composure somehow*

Terra: *waves Van's addition off* It's fine, just call me Terra if you want~ Although, keep up with the titles for Tempest. He likes extravagant things, right honey~? *smiles sweetly at him*
Tempest: *doesn't acknowledge his wife's question* Yui told us that you had a run in with one of the Dark Knights? A bat?
Mana: *blinks in surprise and looks at the two questioningly*
Terra: *huffs at being ignored*

Van: Whip did, sir. I was... preoccupied.
*Van leaves the stage open for AU Whip, both of whom avoid Mana's glance*
AU Whip: Yes, I did. She was a thief whom was trying to rob a merchant. I.... failed to stop her.
*AU Whip looks ashamed of the fact*

Terra: *nonchalantly does a familiar hand wave gesture* It's fine, don't beat yourself up over it~!
Tempest: *nods in response to Terra's comment* You're only a novice. Rouge has much more experience, not to mention she's very crafty and stealthy.

*AU Whip doesn't seem to entirely accept this, but Van nods his head in agreement*
Van: Uh huh. Besides, even I fell for that dummy emerald, and my class gives me a minor appraising skill...

*The two parents nod in response, but Tempest stares them down for a moment*
Tempest: So. What are your plans thus far?

*Van is taken aback*
Van: Ah-
*AU Whip cuts him off*
AU Whip: Now that we've appeared in this world, our goal is to reunite with our friends.
*Van nods his head in agreement*
Van: R-right. Thanks to the way we appeared here, our friends are all over the world...

Mana: *before her parents can comment, she looks at AU Whip with surprise* You would include your counterpart in that category of "friends"?

AU Whip: ...
Van: Of course~
*Van pats AU Whip's back*
Van: I bet he's just a soft teddy bear underneath all this strong warr-ACK!
*Van's eyes tear up and he stops patting AU Whip's back. AU Whip doesn't seem to have done anything at all and maintains his stoic expression, though it sounds as if his legs shift slightly*

*The three cats sweatdrop at the interaction, but Terra recovers first with a cough into a fist*
Terra: Well then. *looks to Mana* Will you be going with them?
Mana: *looks surprised* I have permission to travel with them?
(simultaneously)
Terra: Of course!
Tempest: Absolutely not.
*The two exchange stubborn glares, to which Tempest frowns deeper and turns to give a suspicious glance at the two*
Tempest: ...They need to prove themselves strong and willed enough first to protect you.
Terra: *rolls her eyes* And how would you suggest them to do that?
Tempest: *eye sparkles with a frightening intent* ...They could always challenge me.

*Notably, Mana and other Guardians who hear that blanch at the idea. Terra rolls her eyes*

Terra: Because that would be fair.
Tempest: It's an idea.

*Van's eyes widen at the thought*
Van: Ch-ch-challange? Th-the King? Can't we-
AU Whip: I accept.
*Van almost chokes on the food he hasn't eaten yet*

*The guardians turn horrified at Whip's easy acceptance, but Mana simply lets her head drop to the table with an audible thud*
Mana: I can't believe it. He's as bad as my Whip... And he's gonna get himself killed.
Terra: *raises a surprised eyebrow at Whip but look impressed* You've got spunk, don't you kid~?
Guardian: (to another one sitting next to him) He also has a death wish.
Tempest: *looks surprised by his easy acceptance and stares him down* Are you sure? You'll rush into battle without any warning or intel?

AU Whip: ....
*AU Whip glances to the Guardians, and then back at Tempest*
AU Whip: You're the King, however, you also seem to be the leader of these group of knights. You've also taken a knight under your wing by defeating him in combat, as I've heard. That would suggest you are the strongest warriour in this hall, if not the Kingdom.
*AU Whip slightly leans back into his seat*
AU Whip: And judging from Mana's high level in non-Princess fields under your training, I can also assume that "King" is a title class. Your true fighting style is probably consistent with the rest of your legion, more than likely a blade as well.
*AU Whip closes his eyes*
AU Whip: I'm aware of the odds I stand against you. However, I am determined to prove our worth to you, and since Van is less than combatible-
*Van sheepishly looks away*
AU Whip: -I will have to accept your challange.

*The entire hall has gone to hush-filled whispers at the turn of events*

Sonic: *shakes his head, grinning* He's still rearing to go, huh?
Knuckles: *looks disgruntled* I hope the King puts that rat in his place.
Sonic: *waves his chili dog at Knuckles* Bitter~

Yui: *sweatdrops at the declaration and looks at her parents* Mama, doesn't it remind you of how Papa fought for you?
"Mama": *giggles sweetly* Yes. And it seems the story of Kirito-kun's defeat has spread through the Kingdom as well~
Kirito: *has a disgruntled face as well* ...He cheated.
*both Yui and "Mama" giggle at Kirito's denial*

Tempest: *stares down Whip before smirking* Impressive. I admire your fortitude as well as your insight. *begins picking at his food* We will begin the tests an hour after the feast is complete. Until then, you might as well enjoy your meal.
Terra: *smiles in approval at Whip* This is an interesting turn of events~ *looks at Van* However, you'll still be tested as well. And in the end, it is Mana's choice whether or not she wishes to go with you.

*Van becomes nervous, but both he and AU Whip nod their heads in unison, replying in the same manner*
Van: Of course.
AU Whip: Of course.
*By this point, no animosity bothers to build between them*

Terra: *smiles at them and cocks her head to the side* So~ What do you guys think of my daughter~
Mana: *chokes on her fish*

*Van sputters on his drink, fighting not to accidentally spit it out. AU Whip doesn't budge*
AU Whip: She's a nice girl. Very skilled.
*Van tries to follow along with AU Whip's lead*
Van: Yeah, she's pretty- pr-pretty-
*AU Whip subtly slaps his back, causing him to spit up his words*
Van: Pretty good! At, playing the piano!
*He aimlessly takes another drink to halt any blushing he may have*

Mana: *blushing lightly*
Terra: *looks disappointed* Ohh, I guess it's not a love triangle then.
Tempest: *gives Terra a scolding look* Terra, you can't ship our daughter.
Terra: *grins brightly* Why not? I shipped you and Dawn at first, didn't I~? *her smile turns satisfied and she looks down at her plate* But I guess now I ship myself with you~
Tempest: *his muzzle turns a light pink to match his daughter's* Terra.
Terra: *ignores Tempest and turns to AU Whip with a slightly pouty expression* But you don't like my daughter at all in that way?
Mana: *a slightly evil and mischievous light has entered her eyes* He prefers my counterpart~

*Now it's AU Whip's turn to choke on his food, beating on his chest to stop it from going down his larynx the wrong way*
AU Whip: I- I- don't-
*Van tries to save both of their hides*
Van: S-speaking of the other Mana.... why isn't she here in this kingdom as well?