Critics are more than welcomed but no hate. "No offense but this story smells like burnt cookies..." - That counts as hate

Keep in mind that some answers to any questions may be answered through out the story so it is better to read on.

Most characters in this belong to Archie or Sega. (Obviously...)

Now here is my prologue...

"My brave little boy," an older lady whispered under her breath as she looked upon her youngest and last son. Aleena smiled as wrinkles of joy formed in the edges of her eyes. She loved every one of her children. All were the most beautiful things in her eyes. She cherished the moment of the evening when after Sonia and Manic have already began their long slumber, the birds stopped chirping as grasshoppers begin to hum, and her baby boy is tired and needs sleep.

Aleena continued to smile and was about to turn away when she heard a wail come from the crib. The crib was light blue to show the child was a boy. Aleena pushed her purple quills over her shoulders before gently reaching out to pull her baby close to her. His eyes were scrunched and puffy, surrounded by tears.

"Don't cry," she cooed the baby. Her son looked up at her, both of their emerald green eyes meeting each other. "I'm not leaving you, my angel. I will always be here." Her son didn't stop his cries after Aleena's soothing whispers.

She still smiled, not bothered by the late night interruption. With the child in her arms, she slowly rocked back and forth, bouncing the boy to a steady rhythm.

"Silver breeze, let it go

Don't shy away from your greatest foe

Stand tall with pride

All worries had died

I'll bite my tongue

'Till the morning sung

Oh how I wished for my lovers kiss

But I knew, it was all just imagined bliss

Silver breeze, gone so long

And I heard the morning song"

Aleena smiled once more at the content face of her sleeping son. He was so peaceful. She knew her lullaby gave him peace, he was always out half way through the song. Aleena was glad she could pass such an ancient song in her family down to her own children and off to other friends. It always cleared her mind when she herself was once young and flustered often. Aleena yearned for the day her mother would come back from the grave and sang to her once more. A day that could never come.

Aleena's smile soon turned sad. She closed off her thoughts before she would start to weep.

Aleena laid down her baby in the crib. She pulled the small sheets up to his belly, not wanting to risk her child suffocating from under the blankets. Any protective mother would do that.

She bent over, kissed his forehead before walking to the large doors. She paused with her gloved hand on the handle. Turning back, she analyzed the room. It was too spacious for her liking. Of course, all rooms are wide and opened in the castle. It didn't fit a nursery though. It's not too comforting for a baby.

The room was mostly empty with very few toys. Everything she had for her children to play with were in the play room. In the nursery there was just the crib, a changing station that mostly the maids used, and a closet filled with baby clothes, mostly used to keep her child warm.

She knew her husband liked it this way. He was wanting his son to be masculine and powerful. Any king would want the prince to grow up to be tough and commanding. Her son Manic wasn't really the best example of this now, although he was only 5 years of age. Aleena found it amusing as the king only frowned in disappointment when they saw Manic playing with Sonia's dolls, grooming their stringy hair and making sure that none of them were wearing plastic, mixed-matched shoes.

Sonia was most likely the toughest of all the children. It was natural for her to take this leadership role since she was in fact the eldest child. Aleena approved very well that her only daughter showed such strength. She wasn't too elegant or dressy as one would expect from a stereotypical princess, it was unknown that most princesses weren't weak. But Sonia always stood out to her. She never backed down and supported her siblings. This wasn't shown in any real battles but the princess did get very aggressive in the games Dragons VS Wizards. Those games she forced Manic to play while Sonic would be the frog that was once a handsome prince, this was mostly him laying on the floor off to the side.

Aleena knew, though, something was special about Sonic. It hadn't had to do with him being a prince, title never made anyone stand out in her eyes. But there was a plan for him, something grand. She wasn't sure if it included rule over the kingdom or something more.

Aleena looked over her sleeping child for a moment. "Goodnight, my sweet, sweet Sonic," she whispered. Aleena turned around and exited the room, leaving with a soft click from the door.

More cries erupted from the nursery.

5 Years Later...

"You can't catch me," a taunting voice echoed through the halls of the castle. A blue blur whizzed past butlers and maids who were preparing for dinner and leaving them distressed from almost tripping over it.

A few seconds later it was followed by a young girl. She looked tired from chasing after her friend, playing tag isn't fair when she is always pronounced "It". "Oh, c'mon Sonic," her light voice whined down the hall from exhaustion," I can't run at 60 miles an hour. I'm wearing a dress!"

Sonic laughed and turned back to his friend in a flash. He did note how she was wearing a dress. After examining her he laughed, "You couldn't even run 60 in shorts!" He earned a glare and saw his friend bunch up her fists. "Oh and by the way, Sally," Sonic included," I was only going 20, trying to keep it slow for you."

Sally punch him in the arm before both kids ran off, Sonic at an even slower pace. "You know I can't wear shorts," Sally puffed as they ran more, exploring the vast castle," It's inappropriate for a young lady like princess." Sally crossed her arms as they stopped in front of the play room.

The young boy shrugged. He didn't understand why Sally's mother didn't allow her to wear shorts. In the castle, his older sister, Sonia, wore shorts all the time. The dress code was even less strict with the young boys. They could walk around with hardly any clothes on at all. Sonic didn't even bother wearing his proper crown most of the time, he felt it too heavy for his head. The only times he did wear it were during the public ceremonies.

His mother didn't mind any of this. It was always his father, Sonic was more careful around. Being only at the age of 5, Sonic learned to clean up his act fast when his dad strolled by. He stood up straight with a small, red royal robe on, ironed to perfection, or that is how he made it look.

Being so young, Sonic didn't understand why his dad, the king, acted as he did. It hurt Sonic, but the young boy didn't fully know about his own emotions yet. He felt stricken in his chest when he found out his mother could only sing him the "Silver Wind" lullaby in secrecy, when no one else was around. But this didn't bother him too much... yet.

They opened the door to see Sonia and Manic playing as usual. The two were always playing together. Having an age difference of only one year brought them closer.

"Surrender now or face my sword," Sonia called out from on top of the little, plastic slide, using her "manly" voice. She held out wooden card board, shaped to have a point, in the direction of her green younger brother. Manic grinned wickedly, his green, messy quills covering part of his face. "Never!" He called back, holding up a small doll, blonde and pink, before charging forward to use it as his weapon.

"What is it with your brother and dolls?" Sally asked Sonic with a giggle. The young boy just shrugged before joining in to play with Sally close behind him.

Sally was on Sonia's team, pretending to hold a sword since there wasn't another card board cut out. Sally didn't leave her position on the slide as much as Sonia did. The purple hedgehog was in more proper play clothes, wearing a red blouse that was loose on the little girl and purple shorts. Sally still wished she could wear shorts. Being a young girl, Sally did love wearing beautiful dresses. Her current one was light and short sleeved. It had a thin clothed layer that was creamy white with silky blue under it. It flowed down, slightly past her ankles, tangling her legs in the long skirt. Her dresses made it hard to keep up with her best friends.

"You will be eliminated!" cried out Manic. The three siblings all founght each other. Sonic, being more of a lone wolf, didn't join Manic's team, but instead created his own. Each clashed at each other as Sonia ran circles around them, literally. She of course wasn't as fast as Sonic, no one was.

Sally smiled at them. She was ready to join them. Blowing her red curls out of her face, Sally began to descend down the slide. Unlucky for her, Sally's foot got stuck on the end of her dress. With a loud gasp, she slipped over the edge of the slide. This didn't go unwitnessed by any of the other children. Sonic acted the fastest of all, catching his best friend before she could hit the ground. That was his first "heroic" saving.

Sonic laid promptly on his back with Sally sitting right upon his gut.

Sally didn't look scared as she smiled down at Sonic. Sonic smiled back before slightly groaning. "Can you get off of me? You're kinda heavy!" This earned him a direct hit on the back of his head.

3 years later...

Sonic sat on the edge of his mother's bed in her chambers. He had his head held down, staring at his feet. He exchanged his usual red tennis shoes for black dress shoes. He found his black tuxedo itchy and wanted to tear it off right there, but he knew his father wouldn't want that.

Sonic sniffed, feeling his runny nose. He knew tears were threatening but Sonic was strong enough to prevent them from falling. Sonic couldn't cry. He knew his father wouldn't want that either.

He rubbed his eyes before opening them wide, his green orbs shinning, while trying to dry them with the burning air. There just wasn't enough oxygen in the room. He could feel his throat squeeze tight, something was choking him. Something had to be, he wasn't crying. A brave prince never cries. He stands tall with no fear, his chest puffed out in domination, no emotion could overcome him. The little boy scowled at himself for slouching. His father always yelled at him when he showed his poor posture. But now it seemed impossible for Sonic to straighten himself up.

"Sonic?" He heard such a familiar voice come from the tall doors. He looked up to see his own mother. She looked as heart broken as ever. The green eyes that she shared with her son looked lifeless, they appeared as a sickening green. Her light purple fur over her body seemed more grey with her quills not looking as neatly kept.

Her dress seemed so foreign on her. A black gown for a proper funeral was sewn around her small frame. It was different and too plain compared to her usual golden and white dresses.

The boy couldn't bear to look up at his mother. He was quick with returning his gaze to his feet. Sonic didn't want to see anyone right now. Then why was he in his parents' , or mother's, bedroom instead of his own?

Aleena smiled sadly at her son. "Everyone was looking for you," she made a moments hesitation," although I do not know why you would be in here."

She had done enough crying now, everyone has, except one little boy who refused to do it. He was so stubborn when it came to his feelings.

Aleena could always hold a grudge against her past husband. He made their child that way. All the king ever did with Sonic was stress how he had to act as a man. The boy was only 8 and he already hid his feelings to act strong.

Aleena didn't care about toughness. She only wanted happiness for all her children. Sonic could be like Manic and play with dolls and she still wouldn't care. Of course by now Manic grew out of the doll grooming stage, he now preferred to throw them around and cut their hair.

"Oh Sonic," she sighed of worry for her son. How would he handle this now? Sonic wasn't exactly close to his father, but she knew he wanted to live up to his expectations. There was so much pressure put on him at such a young age.

She tried to comfortably put her hand on his back, to soothe him, but Sonic flinched away at the slightest touch. Aleena didn't let him see her hurt expression, not that he would anyways. Sonic still had his head down, not bothering to meet her gaze once more.

Aleena closed her eyes, she tried to imagine a better place. Her young son next to her did the same thing. Somewhere where there is happiness and hope. Where the sun rises in west and sets in the east. A place with four moons instead of just one. Opened grass fields will surround them so Sonic could run as fast as he can. And the most important key is that their whole family will be there.

Such a place doesn't exist.

Aleena opened her eyes and looked down at her son. He was still holding himself back, away from the world.

"Silver breeze," Aleena began to sing with her croaked voice, "let it go."

Sonic shook his head at the lullaby. It wasn't just a song used to put him to sleep, it always made him feel better. But not now.

"Don't shy away from your greatest foe"

He couldn't listen to this song. Not now. His father wouldn't want that. The king always disliked how his mother would sing to them. He claimed it made them act like babies. A simple tune wouldn't change anything, it's just a waste of time. A stupid, stupid song.

"Stand tall with pride-"

"No," Sonic whispered. Aleena didn't quite hear him. Before she could push out the next line Sonic stood up. "Stop it," he sneered at his own mother. Aleena was taken back. Her mouth hung slightly open in surprise. Sonic had never spoke to her with that kind of voice. Not once in his life had he ever denied his mother, not even when she made him eat broccoli.

"That song," he yelled, his childish voice not too threatening though," It's stupid! I hate it! Don't sing it! You're wasting your own breath!"

Aleena wanted to cry harder. This is what her child had came to. No crying but instead yelling. Harshness that didn't suit him.

Sonic breathed heavily with his chest rising and falling fast. He never lashed out like that before, he could run five miles but as soon as he yells he is out of breath. Strange how his body works.

Aleena stood up and walked swiftly to the door. Sonic watched her cross him, not casting a single adoring glance at him. Aleena paused with her hand on the golden handle. "I must inform you son," Aleena said with no emotion," that you do not want to become like your father."

And with that she left.

Sonic sat back down on the edge of his parents bed. He couldn't quite narrow down exactly what he was feeling. Anger? Guilt? Relief?

His mother stopped singing to him every night.

2 years later...

"Hurry up, Sally," Sonic pestered to his friend. She frowned at his accusing look. "It's not my fault," she retorted, gesturing to her dress, "my mom still makes me wear dresses." Sally wouldn't admit to Sonic she still likes the dresses, he'd think of her as "too girly."

Sonic jumped up onto the stoned wall that always towered over their short figures. He looked back at Sally who stomped through the bushes, her skirt getting caught on a branch a few times. Sonic smiled in amusement watching his best friend struggle. As Sally always thought being slow was a pain, Sonic found it more entertaining.

He reached down, his hand wide opened for her to take. Sally gratefully took it, appreciating his help. Sonic could feel the warmth of her small, furry hand through his glove. Sally was always so warm. He thought it was because she was also warm hearted.

Sonic pulled her up in one swift movement. He enjoyed being strong from all the movement he did from day to day. Sonic even thought he was stronger than the average 10 year old. He didn't show it off often, but when he did he made sure his point was made.

Both children sat on top of the wall. They looked down upon the city. The people down there were so far away they only looked like small aunts doing their daily lives.

"I wish I could go down there," Sally blurted out, as if it was a deep confession. Sonic scooted closer to her, their shoulders were now brushing each other, letting her know she had his full attention.

"Why?"

Sally looked down at her feet that dangled over the edge. She could see past them and note how easy the small drop would be. It's so simple to jump of the 7 foot fence and roll down the hill to the city.

"I want to see the people," she simply said. Sonic still looked confused. They always saw people. Maids, butlers, and now the tiny "ants" roaming through the streets. "From up here," Sally explained, "it's not the same as it would be to go down there. To see the commoners up close. Don't you want to know how they live?"

Sally tilted her head at Sonic, waiting for an answer. The young boy scratched the back of his head. He wasn't sure, really, it wasn't something he thought about on a daily basis. "I guess I would," Sonic said.

He looked down there. At this very moment they could jump and run down to the village and play with everyone there. He was sure the people would welcome them since they were the prince and princess. But something was holding him back.

How would his mother feel about this? She was so caring and protective that Sonic was sure she wouldn't want them wandering down there.

Sally sighed and stood up. Her gaze looked over the setting sun. It turned the sky to a soft orange hue. Sally loved the color orange. Orange and blue were her two favorite colors. That is why she took the time to enjoy sun sets. The way the sky part in between blue and orange. Day turns to night with colors transitioning. She smiled and her glance shifted back to the village. She stared at it while she gulped. Thoughts bouncing in her mind. Would she jump?

Sonic stared up at her. He feared that she was willing to jump. But one thing Sonic was unsure of is if he would jump with her. Would he run down to the city or catch Sally and bring her back up.

After a moments pause, Sally slowly edged forward. And then in a swift moment she jumped back into the bushes of the garden.

Sonic watched her move back to the castle, probably ready to go back to her home.

He sighed and looked down at the town. Just like Sally had felt, he wanted to jump.

5 years later...

"Where are you taking me?" Sally asked her boyfriend for the hundredth time. Sonic just laughed as he continued to move Sally forward. "You'll just have to wait to find out."

Even though Sally was slightly upset that he wouldn't tell her, it was over powered by her giddy feeling. Today was going to be a good day and she just knew it. On her 15th birthday Sally was already given one surprise. Sonia had given Sally shorts. The kind that were above her knees. Sally instantly changed out of her dress and into the blue shorts. She then wore a yellow blouse that hung loosely around her. The only down side for her was that she knew she could never wear them around her family. She could only wear shorts in the Hedgehogs' castle, but she didn't mind. A pair of shorts were better than no shorts.

But her day brightened even more at Sonic's reaction to seeing Sally in her new favorite clothing. Sonic had never before seen bare fur past Sally's ankles. He may have gotten a few flashes of her lower legs when she jumped and twirled in her dresses, but that was all he ever saw.

After Sonic gotten over his stunning surprise he instantly wanted to show Sally her surprise.

Sonic continued leading his beloved ahead. He kept his gloved hand over her eyes, making sure she wouldn't get a single glimpse of his surprise. He just knew that if he tried to trust her to keep her eyes closed, Sally would peek of curiosity.

"Sonic?" Sally questioned. "Are we in the garden?" Sally could feel the scrape of a leafless branch brushing her leg. Most of the plants in the beautiful garden had passed at the current moment. The summer heat was too much for the flowers, no matter how much refreshing water was given to them. It saddened Sally that she couldn't help them. She came to Sonic's castle at least thrice a week, she was hoping her favorite spot would be beautiful and lively. She could only hope so much.

"Maybe," Sonic mischievously answered. He knew Sally was smart enough to figure things out. It would eventually catch onto her what was planned.

Sally couldn't help but gasp and let out a small squeak when she felt herself being lifted up. At the same time Sonic removed his hand from her eyes. Sonic watched as she blinked a few times, allowing her blues eyes adjust to her surroundings.

"The wall?" Sally questioned. Both were seated on the stoned fencing. This had became to be known at their own spot. Both teens always sat upon it, looking down at the village. Each time Sally spoke of how she wished she could go down there for once.

And then it hit her. "We're really going to?..." Sally's eyes widened with hope at Sonic. Her blue hedgehog smiled with a "Yep." He plucked her small crown off of her soft, red hair. He placed it in a back pack before sealing the zipper. Sonic gently set it down in a bush, where no one could see it.

Sally looked confusingly at Sonic. "We are just going to pretend to be normal people," Sonic explained," If we are known as royalty then we wont be able to see them in their normal lives. Most of them only know about my castle, or at least that's what Sonia told me, so it may be harder for me to blend in without being recognized. But they don't know Princess Sally Acorn, so all you have to do is not wear your crown."

Sally looked over Sonic. He usually didn't dress in the proper attire. Now he wore a white t-shirt and blue jeans. He looked normal enough. Although Sally worried other people may find his eyes the most magical thing ever, and then get lost in them, and then recognize the eyes of a prince! Or maybe it was just her who thought that.

Sonic hoisted her up, placing an arm around her back and the other under knees, before jumping down. Sonic was about to run down the hill before Sally stopped him. "Wait," she said, before climbing out of his arms. Sally grinned at Sonic's confused face before taking off.

She felt so free for once. Sally spun in circles, pretending to be an air plane. About halfway down the grassy hill Sally stopped and purposely fell over. She laughed as she rolled and rolled down. Shards of grass imprinted onto her skin, although it wasn't noticeable since her fur covered it up.

Sally stopped at the bottom, laying on her back with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. Everything smelled so nice. The grass scent drifted on her and stayed. Underneath it all, warm, fresh dough filled the air. Sally loved it all.

She opened up her eyes with excitement, ready to head off. She jumped slightly seeing Sonic leaning right over her. He grinned his charming grin. It was always so happy and care free Sally could just kiss it. But she never has before... and never will...

Sonic reached out his hand for Sally to take. "Having fun there?" He asked playfully. "The funest fun there is!" Sally answered eagerly, not caring that "funest" isn't exactly a word.

Sonic let his arm rest over Sally's shoulders as he guided her into the plaza. Lots of people stood around happily. Some girls sat at a café, drinking soft coffees and chatting up about their latest social lives. Kids ran around at the park and teased the birds, birds with out the humanistic features of course, only to be pecked at. Cars of business men heading to work drove up and down the streets.

Everything was so normal and modern here. Sally and Sonic both had a feeling as if they were too old for this. In a castle life they had to be proper. No smart phones were given. They had to dress as if they were from the 1800's for royal meets. It wasn't right for teenagers. But the city life was so much better.

Life was happening.

Sally smelled it again. The delightful bread. She felt bubbly when she saw a bakery. Sally heard so much about bakeries but never actually stepped foot inside of one.

Sonic knew exactly where she wanted to go. He could just tell by the gleam in her eyes. Sally ran across the street without warning. To her everything happened so fast as it was all in slow motion in Sonic's eyes.

A car of a red fox late to work sped directly towards Sally at 70 miles per hour. Sally was sure it was safe to cross when she began to run, but now she knows different. The guy honked out his horn and slammed on the breaks to stop, but the car still slid down the paved street.

Sally screamed for her life and squeezed her eyes shut while raising her arms as if she could block the blow. But nothing came. She wasn't hit with the force she expected. Sally felt a familiar rush evolve around her. She looked up to see Sonic, wrapping his arms around her. Sonic saved his Sally. Sally heard Sonic curse under his breath with relief. "Seriously Sally," he grunted looked down at her. Sally felt ashamed she was so careless. She wasn't exposed to these dangers in the streets. "I'm sorry," she whispered, feeling small in his arms.

They left behind the angry drivers and few citizens who stopped and stared at the close scene before them.

Something kept ringing in Sonic's head. Sally almost died.

The rest of their time was more light. No pressure was put on either of the teens. Both Sally and Sonic enjoyed a warm doughnut from the bakery. Afterwards they walked past shops, but didn't bother to buy anything. Both knew that they could've. Being considered royal made you born with wealth. Neither of them bothered with it anyways.

The park was exceptionally fun. Sonic found a tree he seemed to enjoy and began to climb it. He felt 5 again. So lively and able to do what ever he wanted. He played like a little kid around the branches.

Sonic didn't bother with toys and such anymore. He was growing up. More responsibilities were being dropped upon him. Sonic only had time to run and hang out with Sally, everything else was work. He had gotten so much duties as a prince ever since the king was gone. Sonic inwardly winced at the thought before continuing his climb.

Down below the beautiful princess talked to the citizens. She was glowing from happiness on the best birthday of her life. Sally laughed as she talked with the little children. All were unaware of her being a princess, which was what she wanted. She just wanted to talk to normal people without any special treatment. "Maybe one day they'll be my people," Sally thought with a blush.

She looked over to Sonic, who was laying down on a branch. He was completely unaware of the blue eyes gazing at and admiring him.

Sally wondered if he fully understood how she felt about him. Sonic did love Sally, they were in a romantic relationship so of course he did. But Sally never heard him say the actual words before. Sally never said it to him either...

Sally continued to smile at him for a moment before turning her attention back to the young children. As always, Sonic was still on her mind. One day they will be married. Sally wasn't sure if Sonic knew, but they had an arranged marriage. She could remember the day her mother told her, expecting Sally to protest. But instead the girl was quiet. Sally's mind raced as she wanted to tell Sonic right away.

Sally never told him. She feared that she would never know if Sonic truly loved her since it's a preplanned marriage. Sally knew they had a set marriage, and she truly loved him.

Sally felt so happy that day. Her 15th birthday was the best day of her life.

"C'mon, Sally," Sonic said eventually. I think we should head home. Sally nodded and left with Sonic, waving farewell to the children.

Sally looked down upon the city. So many people down there were normal. Normal was good. Sally smiled sadly as she felt Sonic place her tiara back onto her head. It was one step back into her own life, away from the secret one she had with Sonic. She looked down at her shorts, her legs were exposed to the world. "Soon," Sally thought, "I'll be back into my dress."

Sally's smile slowly shifted into a sad expression.

"Don't worry Sally," Sonic said reassuringly, "We can go back anytime you would like to!" Sally brightened up at this. She knew for a fact that she'll remember those words.

'Anytime...'

6 months later...

"I'm really sorry, Sally," Sonic looked apologetically. Sally just waved him off for the hundredth time. She hated when he did this. He always blamed himself for something that wasn't his fault. Or at least it wasn't his fault to Sally.

"Really, Sonic, I'll be fine. Don't worry. I told you, it's okay!" Sally was a little exasperated with him. She has been trying for the past ten minutes to get him out the door.

"I thought I sent out a message for you," Sonic continued to explain again, even though his girlfriend understood what happened," it must've gotten lost. I'm really sorry..."

"Sonic!" Sally snapped. "Just shut up already." She laughed at Sonic's confused expression. "I told you it's okay. I don't mind hanging out around here for the next few hours! Honestly! Now go!" Sally began nudging Sonic through his bedroom door, he followed willingly.

Sonic turned around one last time with a grin," For the record, if I didn't have to go to this stupid reunion, I would most defiantly love to spend the day with you."

Sonic strongly disliked family reunions. Most people would enjoy them and catch up as soon as possible, but that wasn't how a royal family worked. Sonic had to dress up in a prince uniform, he strongly had negative feelings for them. Sonic didn't like his scratchy, navy blue suit. He also felt like a completely different person wearing his formal crown he places on his head once in a blue moon. He wore this to go to several long speeches given by people he hardly knew. It was especially hard when half of them were about his "brave" and "strong willed" father. He knew he will have a tough time for the next 5 hours.

Sally knew how Sonic felt about this. But he couldn't forget that he is a prince. A prince has duties to hold and carry through.

"Good bye, Sonic, " was all she said before closing the door and turning back into his bedroom. She could feel a draft from under the door from him running off down the hallway to his family, ready to leave for a long day.

She giggled to herself when she heard him call out, "I'll come and find you as soon as I get back!"

Sally turned to Sonic's room. Other than the garden, they were caught hanging around in here often. Sonic's bedroom was most likely her favorite room in the whole castle. It never screamed him, but he did have the softest bed in the world. The walls were painted a light royal blue, not because of him being blue himself. Most of the rooms in the castle were either blue or purple. The flooring was hard and marble, so clean her reflection shinned in it.

Sally plopped down upon Sonic's bed. The sheets were a dark blue, to go along with the blue themed room. Sally couldn't help but wrap herself into the plush softness as she stared above her. Sonic's large canopy casted a shadow on her. She knew he liked it dark in case if he wanted to take another nap for the day, but Sally herself preferred the light. It always resembled so much happiness.

After an hour of resting, or trying to, Sally decided to wander the halls. She loved to explore Sonic's home over hers. His castle was much better than the one back in the Acorn Kingdom, in her opinion.

There were only so many pillars she could count, Sally added up exactly 257 on one floor. She was beginning to get bored. "4 more hours until they return," she thought to herself.

Sally drifted to the back and outside the castle. She loved the stone path that circled the garden. It was so perfect to her. She loved how the flowers bloomed still and the bushes carried the greenest leaves. Winter months didn't affect the growth of the plants. It was warm all year round in the area.

Sally skipped through the shrubs, wanting to get to her special seating spot. Using her arms, she grasped the stoning and pulled herself up onto the wall. She smirked at herself, admiring her own strength. She felt disappointed that her mother never gave her the credit she deserved. Sally was very strong and she could bet most girls would have trouble lifting themselves up in a dress.

Sally sat as usual with her feet dangling off the edge, swinging back and forth over the hill. She smiled down at the normal people. She thought of how the children she talked to could be doing anything right now. "Maybe they're at the park..."

Sally then had an idea. It seemed to fill up her heart as she was setting her mind on whether or not to carry it through. "Sonic did say 'anytime'," she thought with a mischievous grin. Sally hadn't visited the neighboring town ever since the first time Sonic took her there on her first birthday.

Sally smiled to herself as she slowly lifted her golden tiara off of her head. She gently set it down on the wall next to her, making sure it couldn't fall off.

She stood up, dusting off the long skirt on her dress. Looking down, the city seemed far away and the hill looked steeper. She liked it that way.

Sally jumped off of the stone wall, hoping none of the guards were watching her. She was lucky that they always gave the royal subjects their privacy.

Once more, Sally wanted to feel the feeling she had before. To be free and cherish the life she has. Sally smiled and she skipped on ahead. Grinning down the hill before falling forward, ready to roll down the hill. Sally laughed aloud as she continued to roll and roll.

The skirt of her dress tangled around her in the process. Sally felt her legs stuck close together but she didn't care to loosen it up.

Sally stopped as she laid upon her forearms, pushing herself up. Within a few steps forward, her head spun. Her eyes drifted back and forth around her skull of dizziness. She was blinded.

Sally tried hard, she really did, to stand straight, but the world was tilting. Step after confused step she moved forward. A splash of shadows and oranges exploded in her sight. She loved the color orange but now she wished it would go away.

Sally had to rely on her other senses. She could hear so much. Many people talked and gossiped. The screams of kids from the park emitted towards her. Sally wanted to smile, thinking of them playing a game. Then more people screamed. So many loud voices yelling at her. Then there was a horn sounding out at the loudest cry.

Later that evening...

Sonic sighed as he got home. The sun was starting to set. He knew exactly where Sally would be if she was still at his home. Sonic grinned as he ran off to find her, abandoning his jacket in the process.

He looked up ahead and into the garden. Over the wall he could only see the bright orange sky. It seemed to be burned by the sun before slowly cooling into a dark blue. He never appreciated sun sets like Sally, he hadn't had the slightest clue as to why she appreciated them so much. Yes, they had her favorite colors, but was that all why?

Sonic slowed down as he approached the stone. It still slightly towered over him, but not as much as it had when he was younger and still a naïve child. He was slightly confused as to why Sally wouldn't be there. Could she still be in his room? Sonic knew how much she cherished his bed. He laughed silently to himself at the thought.

Before turning around, there was a flash in the corner of his eye. On instinct, Sonic turned directly to it. He hadn't noticed before, but there sat was a small, golden tiara. It was the one and only Sally Acorn's.

"Why would she leave it out here?" Sonic thought to himself, picking it up. It was cool to the touch. "She must've left it out a while ago..."

Sonic turned and headed back into the castle. Sally wasn't inside. Not in his bedroom. Not in the play room. Not in the kitchen. Not down any of the halls.

After hours of searching, the news was finally discovered the next morning that Sally Acorn, princess of the Acorn Kingdom, was ran over by a moving vehicle... instantly killed.

1 year later...

The night was still. Every maid and butler ran off to their own quarters for their rest before having to get up early the next morning. The only ones remained alert were tall, stiff guards. More security was placed around with watchmen at every door. There was even a personal body guard for the small chao that stayed in the Hedgehog household, or castlehold.

Another person was awake as well. So weak and broken, you couldn't tell that they had ever smiled once in their life. Sonic the hedgehog was lying awake in bed. He did this on most nights, thinking to himself. The thoughts that brought claustrophobic headaches and painful migraines. These were the thoughts of a lover's past.

Sally Acorn was gone forever. She was out of his life, which was strange. Sonic was used to seeing her every week for years. Now he couldn't even visit her gravestone every day, it being located somewhere far away and unknown to him. Sonic would know if he wasn't so thick skulled, that being what his sister told him.

But he couldn't do it. Sonic wasn't able to bring himself to go to the funeral of his ex. He sat in a tuxedo for the ceremony for hours, alone and locked in his bedroom. He never visited his mother's chambers like how he had done during the funeral for his father, the king. Instead, Sonic remained alone. He was quiet and kept to himself, not uttering a word to anyone else.

In his dark times, he only spoke to his older siblings, and rarely, his mother. He wasn't sure why he pushed her away. He used to love his mother, he still did, but Sonic didn't express it as much.

Troubles with his own feelings is hard. So many times people had asked him," Do you want to talk about it?" Each time his answer was just a quick shake of the head. No one expected that he would say yes. If Sonic learned anything from his father, it was to not show weakness. Sonic could only be strong and keep his head up. Not every teacher is a good teacher. The king wasn't a good teacher.

Laying in his bed on this night, Sonic could feel it. Such a pressure growing in his heart. Not only was he broken, he was shattered. He would fall apart any moment, not being able to handle the act. So much loss in a young boy to the point he has nothing left to do...

And with that, Sonic got up.

He meekly pushed aside the dark blue covers, hating the color blue. For once her took things slow, walking to the door. Sonic knew he could turn around and go back to bed, continue to be fake. Sonic knew if he did that then he'd go insane. He would be more dead inside.

Opening the tall doors, Sonic peaked into the hallway. He was met face to face with an orange, birded guard. The bird didn't show well his surprise of seeing the prince leave his chambers in the ungodly hour. Sonic waved him off, muttering something about not following him.

The teenager shuffled his way around, coming up to another door, very similar to the one of his own bedroom.

I was dark in the room. The moonlight beamed a silver gleam through the thin windows and over the peaceful sleep of Aleena. Sonic felt desperate, looking at his own mother. He wondered if this is how she felt, during dealing with the death of his father.

In that empathetic feeling, Sonic ran. In a flash, he was next to his mom, on top of the covers.

Aleena almost yelped aloud, startled by the sudden pressure. She rubbed at her tired eyes and brushed back her messy quills from her face. Aleena looked confused at the shaky figure curled up next to her. It took a moment to realize who it was in the dark. "Sonic?"

"I'm sorry," he blurted back in a response. Aleena quietly gasped at his voice. It was so raspy and cracked, she wondered if it really was he child. "I'm so sorry," Sonic repeated over and over again. Aleena smiled sadly down at him. She felt bad that Sonic had to go through heartbreak at such a young age of only 16. "It's okay," Aleena cooed while rubbing his back," I wasn't even that tired."

Sonic looked up at her for a moment, it was a long time since their identical eyes met. They paused, staring at each other. Aleena saw a single teal roll down his right cheek.

Sonic shook his head and tucked it back into his chest. He curled up into himself tighter. "No, not that," his muffled voice was heard," for everything. For yelling at you 8 years ago, for dad, for my behavior, and for Sally." The queen and her young prince were quiet for a moment. Aleena wasn't sure what to say. She knew ,"It'll all be okay," wouldn't help now. A reoccurring plan lingered at the back of her head once more.

Sonic rolled over on to his back. Not his arms and legs were spread out. He was trying to breathe steadily with a clenched throat. Aleena observed his now tear stained cheeks. "It's all my fault," Sonic moaned.

Aleena furrowed her eye brows at this. She felt flustered and angry at who ever made him think this. "Sonic the Hedgehog," she exclaimed," The death of your father was no-"

"Not that!" He cut her off. "It's Sally! It's my fault that Sally died! It's all my fault!"

Aleena sat up straighter, looking down at her distressed son. "Now why on Mobius would you think that?" Sonic looked at his mother, his eyes were dull with no life and his eyes lids drooped lazily over them. "If I was there she wouldn't have left and gotten ran over! It is because of me that her DNA was smothered on those disgusting streets!" Sonic sneered the last two word, coating them in venom.

Aleena tried to remain as unfazed as possible from Sonic's tone. She didn't appreciate how he talked about the land she ran, but yet she couldn't hold a grudge. "Sonic," she spoke calmly and softly," you didn't have a choice. We had to go and honor our family.."

"It's still my fault!" Sonic screamed. Aleena silently hoped no one could hear him. "I put the idea in her head that it was okay to go down there," Sonic explained, but it sounded more like a plead.

Aleena knew that is still wasn't his fault Sally died. She also knew arguing with him about it was pointless. Sonic liked to stick to his own ideas, he would always take blame for something that isn't his reasoning.

Sonic began to sob more. He was a silent crier, you couldn't hear a struggled breath leave him followed by a whimper. Sonic sat up and pulled his knees to his chest. He hid his face away, not wanting to be seen so weak, just wanting to be heard. His shoulders shook violently as his bottom lip continued to quiver.

Aleena stretched out her hand towards him. Sonic looked over the same time, almost as if he sensed it. He stared at her small hand, similar to how a scientist would stare at a experiment in process. He weakly lifted his own hand and placed it in his mother's.

Aleena smiled, not of happiness and yet not of grief. She pulled her son closer to her, Sonic scooted closer with out any protest. Aleena wrapped one arm around in as Sonic buried his head into her shoulder.

He whispered something that caught Aleena off guard. "Sing to me..."

She knew he didn't want just any song. He wanted his song, his long lost song that he hadn't heard from her in 8 years. Aleena smiled as she began her lullaby.

"Silver breeze, let it go

Don't shy away from your greatest foe

Stand tall with pride

All worries had died

I'll bite my tongue

'Till the morning sung

Oh how I wished for my lovers kiss

But I knew, it was all just imagined bliss

Silver breeze, gone so long

And I heard the morning song"

By the time she was finished, Sonic's breathing was sustained. The two were once again flooded in silence. This gave Aleena time to think. She frowned. The thought was still boggling inside her mind.

She drew in a shaky breath. "Sonic," the boy raised his head to meet his mother's gaze ," would you like to go away?"

He knew what she meant. Not just go away, but to step down. Leave the royal life. This would help him, or at least that's what she hoped. Aleena knew Sonic never cared for his title. He didn't even take it seriously.

Sonia and Manic eventually moved into a better state of royalty. They knew what plans their future held. But Sonic... His family could tell that he didn't belong, there was a better place for him somewhere.

Sonic could become normal. Sonic would be free. Sonic would be away from her.

As soon as Aleena feared he wouldn't answer, Sonic's voice cut at her thoughts. "Yes."

She didn't say anything. She held herself together with a firm nod. Aleena embraced her son all night. By morning it was settled what was to happen.

Sonic would be leaving in the next week. He knew where he was going. A small area, small compared to the major cities he was used to looking upon. It had wide fields, specifically set for running. A place with four weathering seasons. Heat wont be beating at Sonic all year long. And lastly, it is far away from where royalty is important. A place where Sonic can escape.

TAADAA! I know a lot happened in this prologue, but I needed it that way!

Recap! Summary on Sonic's early life! That's done! Next chapter will hopefully be up by early next week!

This story isn't a royal story, I know it seems like it at first, but royalty isn't the main point.