The Prince and the Pauper – A Sonic and Silver the Hedgehog Story

Living in Wonder

Silver woke up by hearing his ma calling for him.

"Silver, time to get up for school." She called from his bedroom door before heading down the stairs to make breakfast. Feeling tired, he moaned as he got up and went to the bathroom to brush his quills, brush his teeth, and wash his face before heading down the stairs. His pa already had his breakfast, but he was drinking the rest of his coffee before heading out to work.

"Morning pa, morning ma." Silver said as he sat down.

"Morning Silver." His pa said.

"I know this is not much, but please try to eat it." Silver's ma said as she gave him a plate of bread, a slice of ham, and a cup of milk. This was there dinner from yesterday, this is their way to make sure non of their food won't go to waste because they can't afford it.

"Don't worry, I will, thanks." He said as he picked up his cup and drank some of the milk.

"Alright, I guess I'm off to work, I'll see you tonight then. Love you Clara and love you Silver." His pa said. "And I'm not looking forward to it. I always work hard, bring home a decent pay, but almost all of it goes to our son's education. It's no wonder why everyone here is in the poor house like us. The taxes on schools is too high and we aren't getting a fair paycheck. I wish King Leon can do something about making our schools free and make our paychecks fairer and higher." He got his coat and an umbrella because it was going to rain later in the afternoon.

"Oh don't start with that again Cirrus." Silver's ma said as she sat down to eat her breakfast. "I know you like a book, you're gonna rant on that subject all day and you're going to stress yourself out again."

"Something has to be done and you know it. I think we should keep talking about it until something's done." He said as he opened the door and walked up. Silver's ma sighed.

"That man always worries about everything, and it makes him worry me that he worries over things that can't be helped." She said. During all of that Silver stay silent agreeing with his pa. He wishes that they weren't poor like they are now. They can afford some foods and to pay the bills, but his pa is right. His pa works at an office, and his paycheck is $800 every two weeks. It's really not enough to live off of because every three weeks, his pa has to pay the school taxes, which cost $500, and $230 of it goes to bills, and what is ever left over goes for food, clothing, and medications if needed. His pa did tried to find a better paying job, but there was none available, so he has no choice but to still work at the office.

As Silver finished his breakfast, he looked through a window near him to see the castle of the royal family standing proudly in the morning sunlight about two miles away, and his mind got lost in his thoughts of what would it be liked to live rich, and to not worry about going to bed hungry, cold, and wearing comfortable and fancy clothes. Emerald City, which is Silver's hometown and the largest city of Metropolis, is also a home to the royal hedgehog family, consisting of King Leon and his two children, Prince Sonic and Princess Amy Rose. Everyday, Silver thinks of what would it be like to live in the royal family, and wondering how easy of a life they have of not worrying of becoming poor, buying anything that they want, and even not worrying about going to bed hungry or cold.

"I really wish I can live with them, just for a day, just to see what it's like to live wealthy." He thought as he left his house and headed for school. He stopped at a stop sign and looked into his pocket to see five dollars left that his pa gave him.

"I guess I can only buy an apple and hopefully some cheese." He said to himself as he put it back and headed for school.

Prince Sonic stood near a balcony looking down at Emerald City, the city that's two miles from the castle. As the sun grew higher, it shone a soft glow on the city, making it more beautiful.

"I bet everyone is heading for work and the children is heading to school." He thought to himself. "I wish I can be a part of that activity."

He never told anyone because he believes no one, even his sister Amy Rose would take him serious, but he wishes he can live down there someday and live like an average townsperson. He always wonders what's it like to walk the streets of Emerald City, talking to the people there, buying from their stores, and even living in a hotel. To smell the freshly baked goods from the bakery's windows, to hear people shouting, yelling, laughing, and get into their activities and festivals. He thinks of that almost everyday and all the time. The more he thinks about it, the more he craves to be down there.

"A beautiful morning isn't my son?" He heard his father, King Leon talked behind him. Sonic's thoughts went away and it remind him of why he can't go down there, because he's the son of Metropolis's king, and is also next in line to the throne, so he has to learn royal duties and the in's and out's of becoming a king.

"Um, yes, it's a very beautiful day father." Sonic quickly replied. His father smiled and looked up ahead. The sun also shone brightly on his blue fur, a similar color to Sonic, but darker.

"Metropolis is a beautiful, and powerful country. The people living in it are amazing." He said. Sonic came with an idea, hopefully this will work for him to be with the people, even if it took just one hour.

"Then why don't we visit them, and let the people know how much we love and appreciate them?" Sonic asked. He eagerly looked at his father with an answer.

"We might someday, but for now it's important for you and your sister to stay here and be educated here, to learn how to be a king and queen, to learn how to rule over this country, and even to keep it strong and plentiful." He replied.

Sonic nodded but felt disappointed. He tried everything to suggest a good reason to leave the castle, but it's always the same like now, his father always has to remind him that he shouldn't leave the castle.

"The children down there are lucky to not live what I have to go through now, and that's being in here doing nothing but learning to rule over this country! At lease they get to school to leave their homes for a few hours and meet with children of their ages and have fun. But for me, it's a big problem." He thought angrily.

Hiding his anger, he followed his father in the castle for Sonic to start his school day, he's being teach by a private instructor. Today, he's learning Algebra 2.