Rob o' the Hedge


 * Rob redirects here. You may be looking for Rob (Sonic the Comic).

King Robert O'Hedge, better known as Rob o' the Hedge, is the cousin of Amy Rose and the leader of the Mercian Freedom Fighters. Residing in Deerwood Forest outside of the former Kingdom of Mercia, Rob spent much of his adolescence combating the rule of Dr. Ivo Robotnik's sub-boss, the High Sheriff. As well as being a Freedom Fighter, Rob acted as a sentry for the city of Albion. When Knuckles the Echidna came to Mercia with the Lost Tribe of Echidnas, Rob O' the Hedge assisted Knuckles in freeing them from the High Sheriff's forces. Following this, Rob helped them locate Albion. After the death of Robotnik and the High Sheriff regaining his free will, Rob acted as Albion's eyes and ears to the events going on in the rest of the world. His role as Albion's sentry ended after it was destroyed by the Eggman Empire.

Early life
Following Dr. Ivo Robotnik's successful military takeover of the Kingdom of Acorn, he soon turned his eyes on the distant Kingdom of Mercia. Rob realized that the situation continued to grow worse after his uncle and aunt (Amy's parents) were captured and roboticized. Hoping to prevent his cousin from being roboticized as well, he sent her into the sanctuary of Knothole Village where many had fled from Mobotropolis during Robotnik's coup.

Freedom Fighter
Shortly after Amy was sent away, Mercia fell to Robotnik's forces, and the sub-boss known as the High Sheriff was placed there to quell any future rebellions. Rob assembled a team of Mobians who had managed to escape capture and roboticization, forming the Crazy Kritter Freedom Fighters, while also acting as king of Deerwood Forest. However, the entire group except for Rob was captured and roboticized by the High Sheriff. Rob remained in Deerwood Forest, vowing to fight until he freed the Crazy Kritters and put an end to the High Sheriff's rule.

Assisting Knuckles
During Knuckles' tenor as Mitre of the Lost Tribe, he came across Rob O' the Hedge while leading the tribe through Deerwood Forest. When the Lost Tribe was rounded up by the High Sheriff and his Robian minions, Rob helped to liberate them along with Sonic the Hedgehog and Tails. When the Lost Tribe made it out of the High Sheriff's castle, Rob set it aflame and acted as a diversion so that the Robians did not give chase to the escaping Echidnas. After Sonic and Tails' departure, Rob led the Lost Tribe to the edge of a cliff, stating that the "siren call" beckoned him. From there, Knuckles and the Lost Tribe walked over the sea to the city of Albion, finally reuniting them with their homeland. Knuckles however returned to Angel Island.

After the Dark Legion used the Quantum Beam on Angel Island and Knuckles found himself floating alone in the sea, the Guardian used the Guiding Star Gem to take him to Deerwood Forest after the spirit of his ancestor Athair told him to seek out Rob O' the Hedge's help. Rob O' the Hedge was soon met by Antoine D'Coolette, Bunnie Rabbot and his cousin Amy Rose. At first, Rob assumed Antoine was the High Sheriff due to the similarities in appearance. He also was unable to identify Amy, as she had aged herself with the Rings of Acorn. Knuckles soon arrived on the scene and explained everything to Rob, as Rob was unable to believe the strangers before him. Shortly afterwards, the group embarked on their journey to Albion to discover what had become of Antoine's father and the citizens of Angel Island, as Knuckles was unaware the Dark Legion was responsible for his people's disappearance.

Unfortunately, the High Sheriff, who was being held in Albion and was to be dismantled, managed to break free of his confines while being inspected by Knuckles and Yanar. In the ensuing battle, Knuckles was transformed into Chaos Knuckles. Rob had the idea of sneaking into the fray by disguising himself, Amy, Bunnie and Antoine as firemen. Unfortunately, the Echidnas of Albion refused to deal with them and Knuckles was forced to warp Antoine and Bunnie back to their ship with the High Sheriff in tow, while Rob and Amy wound up back in Deerwood Forest.

Trip to Knothole
Some time later, Rob escorted Amy back to Knothole, just in time for them to deal with the Arachne for control of the Sword of Acorns. Shortly afterwards, he was shocked to see the High Sheriff living amongst the rest of the Mobians. Amy informed Rob that the High Sheriff had his free will restored by the Sword of Acorns and was no longer a threat. Rob, ever suspicious of the Sheriff, remained in Knothole for two days to ensure that it was not simply a ploy by his former nemesis. After spending some time with the former High Sheriff, Rob realized he was not the same villain he used to be, having had his free will restored. Now comfortable in the fact that his cousin was safe, Rob returned to his home overseas.

The Xorda Conflict and Afterwards
During the Xorda's attack on Mobius, Rob participated in the global allianceto combat the Quantum Dialfrom destroying their world. During the year of Sonic's absence, Rob O' the Hedge's role as sentry to Albion ended after Dr. Finitevus betrayed his people and allowed the Eggman Empire to destroy the city by providing its location and sabotaging its defenses. In 3237, following Sonic's return to Mobius, Rob attended the ceremony which had Amy Rose officially named a Freedom Fighter.

Working with Silver the Hedgehog
Some time later, Rob was standing at Never Lake when his wife Mari-An approached him, having just put their son Jon to bed. The two stood at the lake together when, to their surprise, Silver the Hedgehog appeared and asked Rob if he was Sonic. Rob replied he was not but he knew him, to which Silver responded he needed to find Sonic as his future depended on it.

Rob explained to Silver they could find Sonic at Freedom HQ. Using Silver's super Warp Ring, the two traveled there together. Silver and Rob arrived together to find Sally and Alicia arguing about stranding Sonic and Amy Rose in Anti-Mobius. Sally explained to them what had happened, and thus Silver transported to Anti-Mobius with Rob. Once there, the two hedgehogs met up with Sonic, Scourge the Hedgehog, Amy, Rosy the Rascal, Metal Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog. During the brawl, when Silver threatened to kill Sonic, Rob targeted him with his bow and arrow and demanded an explanation. Following this, Rob teamed up with everyone else to take down Scourge. Scourge, refusing to give up, used the Anarchy Beryl in his throne to transform into Super Scourge.

After Super Scourge's transformation, Rob was initially overwhelmed and taken down with ease. Once he recovered though, Rob subdued Rosy to ensure she would not get hurt and then worked with all the Freedom Fighters and the Suppression Squad to try defeating Super Scourge by linking arms in a massive dogpile to hold him down until his power was burned up. His efforts failed, however, but Sonic was still able to outsmart and defeat Scourge. With the battle over, Rob later returned home.

New Enemies
With the increased threat of Grandmaster Lord Mordred Hood and the local Dark Egg Legion, who attempted to kill Jon on at least one occasion, Rob took his family into hiding for their own safety. He left his loyal lieutenan Bow Sparrow in charge in his absence. Acccording to the Egg-Net, they were last spotted at Never Lake, but the Eggman Empire lost them, though Bow Sparrow had his suspicions as to their whereabouts.

Personality
Rob is a friendly character though very suspicious of people he doesn't know. He also speaks in "old English" or Shakespearian language with a tendency towards dramatic flair. He is generally jovial but committed to justice and willing to take on much responsibility without complaint. As king, he has a great love for his people and his homeland, but willingly admits to preferring life in Deerwood Forest to the duties of a monarch.

Romance
While helping to liberate the Lost Tribe from the reign of the High Sheriff, Rob met the Echidna woman Mari-An. The two immediately fell in love, and Mari-An remained with Rob after the rest of the Lost Tribe went to Albion. The two had a child together and continue to live in Deerwood Forest.

Trivia

 * This character is most likely based on Robin Hood.
 * It is believed that Rob does have a brother, but he has not been seen or mention. The only hint of his possible existence, is when Scourge said that Anti-Rob was killed by his brother.
 * Rob's fate in the comics is uncertain, as with all of Ken Pender's characters, due to the lawsuit with Archie Comics.
 * Rob uses a bow and arrow as his main weapons. Ironically, Amy Rose (who is Rob's cousin in the Archie comics) was shown to use a crossbow in Sonic the Comic.