Ok. This is my third story. I'd just like to say thanks to Shadow1517 and XxAnimegirlxX. Their stories "Thorns and Roses" (Animegirl) and "The Purple Hedgehog" (Shadow) inspired me to right this story. I own nothing but the plot. I'd also like to thank K5Ratikan for reviewing all my stories. You're reviews are really helping me. Your a mentor of sorts for me. Please keep reviewing and giving your great advice!

Chapter One

A small, purple blur sped across the meadow. She wasn't looking where she was going; she was too busy enjoying the exhilarating feeling of the wind in her quills. She was a girl who lived for speed and adventure. She was the kind of girl who never let herself be ordered around. Though her status was high, her carefree and mischeivous attitude meant she acted more like a farm-boy than the daughter of King Tibor Ramirez, right-hand man to His Holiness, King Gerald IV, and Queen Irena, whose nickname was "The Rose of the South." She dashed along happily, clutching a lavender flower tightly in her hand, her eyes closed against the wind. So of course, it was no wonder she didn't see the boy appear out of nowhere into the meadow. And it's not even a slight surprise that she ran into him, either. They both fell over and landed heavily in the grass. They looked at each other, and something sparked inside the two children. They didn't understand why, but they already hated the other. The boy sat up and shoved her off. The girl glanced sideways at the hedgehog. He was half a head taller than her, with black fur. His quills were streaked with red, and his eyes were the exact same ruby red. His eyes were cold and angry, and her own amber eyes narrowed. He looked about a year older than her, but his eyes said he had been forced to grow up. Fast.

"Watch where you're going, runt," the black hedgehog said bluntly.

The small girl's eyes flashed angrily. Runt? He did not just call her a runt.

She shot to her feet, and yelled at him, "You watch we're you're going, you son of a-" She was cut off by a deep, male voice.

"Shadow, who is this...girl?"

She turned to see another black and red hedgehog walking towards them. That fuelled the girl's temper. How dare he cut her off like that? She wasn't a brat, but she hated people who deemed themselves above everybody else. The hedgehog who interrupted her was obviously this boy's father. The difference was, this man seemed that much colder.

"She ran into me, and is accusing me of getting in the way, when it was obviously her fault."

The man turned to the firey purple hedgehog. "You are going to apologize for bumping into my son, girl."

Before she could retort, a familiar voice called out behind her. "Lynxa!"

Lynxa winced as she turned to see Knuckles, the red echidna, her bodyguard-in-training and best friend, riding towards her. He stopped beside her and jumped down. He sighed.

"Lynxa, I'm glad your safe. Your father has been worried sick about you. How many times have we got to lecture you? Don't go off by yourself. Especially at the moment, what with a gang of thieves running around. What will Lady Irena say when she's hear about this?"

Lynxa sighed exasperatedly. "Mom'll tell me to stay inside the castle walls until I'm told otherwise. But I'm eleven, Knuckles. You can quit acting like my keeper now."

Knuckles smiled. "You're to adventurous for your own good. Now, we'd best be going."

"Interesting." They turned to the pair watching them.

"So," the older hedgehog continued, "You're Ramirez's daughter. You wouldn't have known you were a princess, the way you were running around like a drunken wild animal."
Knuckles growled, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"It's hard to believe that bastard Ramirez managed to make an heir after all. It only takes a look at her father to explain why she is such an urchin."

Lynxa, who had been clambering onto the horse, heard this, jumped down and marched past Knuckles, to stare defiantly at the older hedgehog.

"You ever," she growled, "insult my father again, I'll make you pay dearly. You got that, bastard?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Such a dirty mouth for a princess."

"Please. I've never acted like a princess in my life, and I don't plan on starting for-"

Knuckles grabbed her around the waist, through her up on the horse, and hoisted himself up to sit in front of her. Without a word, he urged the horse into a gallop and headed back towards Arnesway Castle.

(Hours Later)

After a long lecture, Lynxa was sent to her room for the night. King Tibor slumped into his armchair by the fire, sighing heavily. Lady Irena glanced worriedly at her husband. She knew he was under a lot of stress. Mephiles had been getting harder and harder to deal with, putting more and more pressure on her husband. The two lords had been discussing o solution to their problem, and it seemed their was only one thing to do, even though she absolutely dreaded the thought of... She looked up in surprise when the doors opened. Knuckles walked in, and bowed. She smiled at him, motioning him to rise.

"You're Majesties," he said.

"Please, Knuckles," Tibor said wearily. "We know each other to well to be formal. Please, sit down." The echidna flopped into an armchair.

"Are you sure this is the only way, Tibor?" Knuckles asked. The king nodded, sighing.

"I'm afraid so. Although, when she finds out, she'll murder me."

Lady Irena chuckled. "And rightly so. There has to be a loophole there somewhere, dear."

"A loophole?" The king said. "With Mephiles? Don't be silly. Everything he does is watertight."

"Then it is done?" Knuckles asked cautiously.

The king nodded. "Yes. It is done."

Ok. Hoped you like. Please review! All flames will be turned into marshmallows.

TTFN,

Vezza Angel