Hey, Hamtaro fans! This is your author who brought you HamHam High School! I hope you enjoy this new fanfic that I've created. Thanks, readers.

Hamtaro the Brave

Chapter 1: Hamtaro

"PRINCE HAMTARO!"

Hamtaro had just finished climbing through the window of his bedroom. He looked around his marble floor and his huge bed with golden covers. He searched quickly for a book and got on top of his bed and pretended to read. The royal inquisitor Maxwell came bursting in with two guards.

"Where have you been?" Maxwell demanded. Hamtaro shrugged and only said, "I was here reading."

Maxwell raised his eyebrow suspiciously and said, "Well, you weren't in the palace today. The knights said that you sneaked out again."

Hamtaro's heart dropped and knew that Maxwell knew he had snuck out. Maxwell tapped his paw on the wall as he was waiting for an answer.

Hamtaro gulped and answered, "Yes, it is true that I sneaked out, but I just wanted to see the world. It is really amazing, Maxwell."

Maxwell shook his head and beckoned the guards to get out.

"Your highness, you can just read about it in a book. You don't need to actually get outside to experience it. Plus, there is the kingdom to think about. The citizens wouldn't appreciate it if they had a question and you're all out and about," explained Maxwell. He then left the room and Hamtaro's heart felt a huge emptiness. He always wanted to explore the world and make new friends.

"Bon appetite, Prince Hamtaro!" sang a voice.

Hamtaro turned his head to see his best friend; Chef Oxnard opening the door to reveal grilled and smoked sunflower seeds on a silver tray. Hamtaro grinned and eagerly took the tray. He gobbled down the delicious sunflower seeds, which had different flavors such as cheddar cheese and barbecue. After he was finished, there were still some sunflower seeds. Hamtaro had purposely saved some for his chubby buddy, Oxnard. Hamtaro pushed the tray to him and Oxnard beamed.

"Thank you, Prince Hamtaro!" Oxnard quickly stuffed his cheeks the sunflower seeds. Hamtaro shook his head and assured, "Oxnard, call me Hamtaro. Just because I'm a prince doesn't mean that you call me Prince Hamtaro."

Oxnard nodded gratefully. A question popped into his head and said, "Hamtaro? What did you do today when you snuck out? I was being yelled a lot by Maxwell because I didn't cook the sunflower seeds right or something."

"I just wandered around town. I'm sorry that you were yelled out. Maxwell just like that sometimes," Hamtaro said.

Oxnard nodded and didn't say anything, but Hamtaro knew that expression.

"Are you still trying to find that perfect sunflower seed recipe?" Hamtaro asked. Oxnard shook his head and said, "I thought that I had it all along, but I guess I didn't."

Hamtaro gave an encouraging smile and assured, "You'll find it one day. Don't worry, Oxnard. You'll find it!"

Oxnard smiled with glee and said, "You really think so?"

"I know so."

Everything was quiet then. Oxnard bid goodbye and Hamtaro felt that loneliness feeling again. Only Oxnard was nice and he was his only real friend. He didn't notice him not having that lonely feeling when Oxnard was near because he was having too much fun. Hamtaro could feel sleepiness upon him and tucked himself under the covers. He thought about today. Although he did sneak out, he could feel as if it was any other day at the palace. True, Hamtaro was the prince of the kingdom of Hamstead, but that didn't matter. All he was looking for was a little adventure with some danger. He was always on his toes and out of the palace when he could to practice sword fighting or to try to get better at shooting arrows. Always, Maxwell would have a fit with this, but Hamtaro ignored him. And finally, Hamtaro fell asleep to dream that he was slaying a dragon.

Hamtaro slept in and lazily got ready for the day where the citizens of Hamstead would ask questions and complain. Usually, they would complain about taxes or the justice in the kingdom. Hamtaro wanted to listen, but this was the rich talking. They could manage by themselves.

Hamtaro walked downstairs to his golden throne that had in silver Prince Hamtaro. One time, Hamtaro x-ed out the Prince Hamtaro part and written: This is an ordinary Hamtaro. Maxwell was furious at this, but why would Hamtaro listen to him?

Maxwell greeted him and said, "Are you ready, Prince Hamtaro?"

Hamtaro nodded and the first person came in. She had very white fur and a beautiful white dress.

Maxwell bowed and said, "Ah, Lady Harmony. What question will you ask the prince?"

Hamtaro waited and Harmony said, "It isn't a question. It's an order. We need to stop the slavery, Prince Hamtaro! The poor girls next door are starving and the older one has to give up food for the little one."

Hamtaro jumped up and was actually happy for this, "Yes! Thank you, Harmony! We do need to stop the slavery! But… how?"

Harmony stiffened and said, "I don't know."

Maxwell pointed out, "That would hurt our economy, Prince Hamtaro. If we would free the slaves, we would have to give them most of our money, leading a catastrophic era of Hamstead."

Hamtaro looked confused at Maxwell and asked, "What's an economy?"

Maxwell was polite and replied, "It is our money values like taxes, stock, and savings."

Hamtaro slowly nodded, trying to process this and said, "I'm sorry, Harmony. We'll try to think of a solution."

Harmony's face fell and said, "Thanks, anyway. Just remember those poor girls."

Hamtaro replied, "Heke? What are their names?"

"Pashmina and Penelope. They should be noticeable by a pink scarf and a yellow cloak."

Hamtaro nodded and said, "I'll keep an eye out for them. Where is your home?"

"Just outside of Hamstead in the village of Hambridge. They are right across the street from me," Harmony directed.

Hamtaro nodded and whispered to Maxwell, "Why is it called Hambridge, Maxwell?"

Maxwell replied, "It is famous for its trade route and passages from the palace to the villages."

Hamtaro nodded and said, "Thank you. Harmony, I'll try to get your request soon."

Harmony bowed out and was heartbroken. "Howdy and Dexter will be devastated to hear this," she whispered.

The hamster that came was a hamster that had black circles around his eyes. His eyes were afraid and Hamtaro could see him limping to him. He looked exactly like a panda. He bowed and Hamtaro noticed that he had an apron full of different tools.

"Hello, Prince Hamtaro. I'm Panda. I was wondering if you could let down on all of the taxes. My shop is going out of business because of increase of taxes. I can't live like this and my employees Howdy and Dexter are wondering what is going happen. They don't like it," the hamster said. Hamtaro could fell grief and shame coming and replied, "Panda, I'm sorry. I'll try to lower the taxes. You're free to go."

Panda, disappointed, timidly walked out and the next hamster shoved him out of the way. Panda was pounded out of the way and he was knocked into the wall. The hamster paid no attention. He just walked up to Hamtaro and demanded, "Prince Hamtaro!"

Hamtaro shook at this hamster's appearance. His eyes were coal black as was his entire outfit. Even the polite Maxwell gasped before him.

"Prince Hamtaro! I heard that Harmony was saying that you would free all slaves in the kingdom! What is the meaning of this?!" yelled the hamster. Hamtaro glanced at Maxwell for help. Maxwell cleared his voice and said, "Sir, what is your name?"

The hamster cackled and said, "You don't recognize me? Out of all people? I thought that you royal people would know."

Hamtaro and Maxwell still shook their heads and the hamster yelled, "My name is Spat! C'mon, I'm the head of the village of Hambridge!"

Hamtaro stood up from his throne and yelled back, "Well, you could have just introduced yourself instead of going crazy on us like that!"

Spat looked as if he was about to punch Hamtaro and then said, "Well, on to business. I heard that you were about to free all of the slaves! Why?!"
Hamtaro took a step forward and was getting impatient. "Because if you were a slave, would you like to be ordered around? That's why I don't have any. Harmony wants to help the slave girls Pashmina and Penelope! Do you have any business in that?"

Spat took a step forward and was just inches from Hamtaro. "Yes, I do have business in that! I own those two slave girls. You can't do that! They are my slaves and you can't do anything about that!"

Hamtaro wanted to take a step forward, but Spat pushed him into his throne. Spat hissed, "It looks like his highness has no idea of what is coming. I suggest he gets help from a smarter person."

And with that, Spat left. Maxwell was in shock and Hamtaro was still on his throne. Maxwell looked at Hamtaro and Hamtaro said, "What did he mean 'get help from a smarter person'?"

Maxwell shook his head and said, "He meant that someone else should run the kingdom. Of course we can't do that, but there is a certain way.. well, without you disappearing forever."

"Heke? What way is that?" Hamtaro asked.

Maxwell gulped and his heart froze. Sure, Hamtaro was always getting himself into trouble, but he liked Hamtaro. He was really nice and it hurt him to tell the rules.

"Well, if citizens aren't happy with what the heir to the throne is doing, that heir can marry to get more help and to straighten things out," Maxwell explained. It was his matter-of-factly voice. It was more stained.

"I still don't get what you mean, Maxwell," Hamtaro said.

"It means that you have to get married, Prince Hamtaro." Maxwell bit his lip and left the room. Hamtaro stood there frozen and even after Maxwell left. "Who do I have to marry?" Hamtaro groaned.

That dinner, Maxwell spoke up.

"Prince Hamtaro, I have found the perfect bride for you. Her name is Princess Bijou. She lives in France, but would like to become queen of Hamstead," Maxwell announced.

Hamtaro looked away and didn't want to marry, but said, "When is the wedding?"

Oxnard said, "Next week at sunset."

Hamtaro fell back into his chair and went upstairs. He didn't fell like sneaking out anymore.