A Sense of Serenity

By Violet Whirlwind

Chapter 1: Wedding Bells

There was a festive feeling in the air that day in a little village hidden deep within the Great Forest on the planet Mobius. The war was over; had been for about ten years now. No creature had seen any trace of the evil dictator who had ruled the planet with an iron fist for eleven long years. The city he had held in cold metallic slavery all those long years had finally been returned to a blissful state of prosperity, the creatures living within going about their daily lives as they had before Robotnik's coup. King Maximillian Acorn, due to his failing health, had abdicated the throne to his more than capable daughter, Princess Sally. She, along with the other original Freedom Fighters, still lived in the now famous Knothole Village. This was purely a result of habit; the secret town had been their only refuge during the long years of oppression, and now it seemed more like home to them than any rebuilt palace ever could. Plus, there was the added security that it was still hidden, and could once again be converted into a rebel's stronghold should the need ever arise.

It was true that the days of danger and adventure were in the past, but in these days of peace, one needed only to look around themselves to find their own drama and adventure if they so desired. Simply living, it seemed, could be an adventure. Life was never boring for long in Knothole. At that moment, a fairly large spectacle was about to unfold.

A brief walk through the secret village, and the infectious spirit of festivity would have permeated even the most uptight soul, leaving them free to frolic in the many games and contests found scattered around the town. Mobians were everywhere, laughing, talking, participating in games and contests, and generally having a good time. It was the eve of the ten-year anniversary of the evil tyrant's defeat, and Knothole was alive with music and bright colors; morale was high and spirits were light. Even the trees seemed to get in on the act. It was early autumn, and the trees had begun dropping their red-gold leaves like fiery confetti.

This year, the Mobian Independence Day Festival was to be an even more joyous event than in previous years. The princess was to be married the next day to none other than the hero responsible for the planet's liberation those ten years ago. Sonic had proposed − nervously − three months ago under the light of an early summer double-moon. Sally had accepted readily, and the two of them had agreed that it would be most fitting for the wedding to take place on the tenth anniversary of the day the Freedom Fighters had finally won their liberty from Robotnik.

Creatures from all over the planet were gathered in a brightly-lit meadow adjacent to Knothole. The town wasn't usually this crowded, but, then again, it wasn't everyday that a well-known princess was betrothed to a hero known the world over. The guests of honor were seated at a heavily ornamented table, under a canopy of paper lantern bearing, russet-clothed tree branches. Princess Sally seemed to be enjoying herself, but her soon-to-be king seemed a little out of sorts.

He tried to hide it behind a cocky grin, but inwardly, Sonic was beginning to feel claustrophobic. The feeling worsened as the evening wore on, each well-wisher that came up to wish the couple luck in their new life getting more and more on the retired blue hero's nerves. It didn't help matters that the occasion had become an impromptu autograph signing.

Sigh. "Here ya go." He said, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice as he handed the book back to its owner. She floated off on cloud nine.

"Ahem. Sign mine." It was more of a command than a request. Sonic found himself looking into a familiar ─ not to mention extremely annoying ─ pink face.

"Aaah! Amy, you've already got seven!" he said, exasperated.

If I can't have you, at least I can get another autograph for my collection...Amy Rose thought, shoving the book in his face. "I know. I want another one. Sign it. Now," the other hedgehog commanded.

That was the last straw. Sonic jumped up, knocking over his chair in the process. "Arraaaagggghhhhh! I can't stand it! I'm outa here!"

Before Sally could even say anything at all, she was knocked over by the force of his departure. She stood up, brushing herself off, and stared off in the direction he disappeared. Oh dear...she thought, sighing and walking off in the direction of the ring pool.

"What? Was it something I said?" Amy Rose was left alone by the now vacant picnic table.

"Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaggggggggghhhhhhhh!"

The Blue Blur sped around the entire perimeter of Knothole a total of four times, yelling at the top of his lungs. It felt good to finally let out all the feelings of irritation and annoyance he had been storing up for some time now and just run. Midway through his fifth circuit, he skidded to a halt. He surveyed his surroundings, recognizing the place immediately.

The setting sun glinted off the crystalline surface of the small lake, making it sparkle with the colors of the last rays of daylight. Several haphazardly placed boulders, smooth and shiny from age and running water and covered in a patina of soft green moss were scattered around the sand-strewn edges of the pond. A diminutive waterfall entered the pool near the rear, splooshing and splashing softly. An ancient log jutted out into the center of this small body of water, rotting and partially submerged. The hedgehog looked at it and all the memories came flooding back. It was this very chunk of wood, now not much more than floating detritus, incapable of supporting any weight whatsoever, that he used to stand on while waiting for a power ring to surface so that he could go rocketing off on some sabotage mission in Robotropolis. He sighed heavily, plopping down on the bank, his spiny blue back resting against an ancient willow tree. Those were the days when life was easy. No, not easy, he corrected himself, but they sure seemed a whole heck of a lot less complicated...Now...now his life was about to change drastically. After tomorrow, he would no longer be just plain Sonic, he would be King Sonic. He wasn't sure he was comfortable with that. He closed his eyes, sighing as he let the serenity of the place wash over him, his worries gradually drifting away.

"I knew I'd find you here."

The familiar voice startled Sonic into wakefulness. "Huh? What?" He leapt to his feet, looking around defensively. It was an instinctual response resulting from the many long years spent in guerilla warfare with the now-defeated tyrant. He relaxed when he realized who it was. "Hey Sal." he said distractedly. Did I fall asleep? he thought absently as he watched a couple of fireflies as they danced above the darkened surface of the ring pool.

"There's something bothering you." It was a statement, not a question.

"What? N-no there's not. Ev-everything's cool." he stammered, trying to hold on to that attitude of nonchalant bravado.

"Sonic Hedgehog," The princess had her hands on her hips now. "I've known you long enough to be able to tell when you're hiding something." she said with mock severity. "Now out with it."

There was a long pause.

"Oh, okay," he said finally, sighing in surrender. "The thing is, I'm not really cool with this being king thing. I mean, I love you and all that, but why'd they havta go and make me a king? I'm not...I mean..." he trailed off, looking at his future mate with searching eyes. The ground squirrel was decidedly plumper than she had been during the war, as a result of the child she carried. That's another thing I'm not too sure about, the hedgehog thought to himself. I'm not sure I'm ready to be a father.

"It's tradition. And, it's your responsibility. By proposing to me, you've already accepted the crown. Don't tell me you're backing out on the eve of our wedding!"

"Sal, you know me too well. I'd never do something uncool like that!"

"Good. I didn't think you would." Her tone softened as she put a hand on his shoulder. "And I also know you'll get used to being king. It just takes time." Heck, she thought, I bet you'll actually start to like it before too long, knowing you. "I have faith in your resiliency."

"Uh, thanks."

"Now come on. Let's get back to the party before our guests start to get suspicious."

"As long as I don't have to sign any more autographs."

"That's your call, not mine." the princess replied, chuckling, as the two of them walked back through Knothole toward the sounds of merriment.

"Please to be standing still, Son-eek."

"This thing chafes, big time. Do I really havta wear a tuxedo? It makes me look sooo stupid!"

After the war, Antoine D'Coolette had set up shop as a tailor in Mobotropolis, specializing in formal attire. When not serving his duty as a royal guard, he could be found fitting Mobians with specially made gowns and suits for special occasions, which included weddings. This shop was where he and the hero of ten years ago were currently, as the coyote tried desperately to make sure everything on the blue hedgehog's tux was in perfect position.

"I am thinking eet is making you look quite dashink."

"Yeah, well, I'd rather be 'dashink' out of here. Forget the tux!" The Blue Blur was getting more and more impatient by the minute.

"But eet is part of ze royale protocol!"

"I don't care! Can't I just have a simple little wedding and get it over with? This is way past annoying!"

"Tradition indictates-"

"Indicates, Antoine!"

"Hmm, yes, weel...As I was saying, tradition indicates that ze marriage of ze future king to ze preen-cess-"

"Can it Ant! And would you hurry it up already, I'm gettin bored!" Sonic was mentally screaming, I don't wanna be king! I do not want to be king! He began pacing, the French coyote still trying to put various finishing touches on his suit.

"Come back 'ere! Your tie, eet is crook-ed!"

Like I care. "How long do I havta wait?" he asked irritably, plopping down in a nearby chair and crossing his arms.

"About une hour."

Sonic groaned. "Wonderful."

"I don't know if I can do this, guys. I mean..." Sonic stood outside the intricately carved double doors of the temple dedicated to Mother Mobius, the protective spirit of the planet he and his friends called home. His eyes scanned the cityscape, longing for some escape as he unconsciously tugged at the strap of the bow tie around his neck, trying to loosen it. Like a hangman's rope...he thought morbidly to himself before shaking the thought out of his mind. Snap out of it! This was your idea. he chastised himself. 'Sides, Sal has a kid coming, and there's no way I'm gonna be labeled a deadbeat dad!

"I think you'll do just fine. You fought bots continually during the war; a little wedding shouldn't be a problem."

"This isn't a little wedding, Rotor. I'm only marrying the daughter of the king, for crying out loud!" the nervous retired hero announced sarcastically. "'Sides, it's not the wedding that worries me, it's what comes next. I don't wanna be made king!"

"You can do it! You can do anything!"

Sonic looked fondly at his best friend and sidekick. Tails was as optimistic as ever. After all those years, he had still retained those childlike qualities that made him so irresistible. The fox was now about 20, although in many ways that fact didn't affect his personality much. He still had overwhelming faith in his idol.

"You're right about that!" The cocky grin spread across the cobalt hedgehog's face as he ruffled the headfur of his best friend. He sighed, turning back toward the temple door as it began to open. "Okay," he said, steeling himself for the ensuing ceremonies, "Let's do it to it."

Though she did a good job of hiding it, Sally, too, felt her heart pounding as she prepared herself for the ritual that was to join her and the retired hero for the rest of their lives. It was a momentous occasion, to be sure, and her nervousness was mixed with excitement.

"A little to the left please, Bunnie." The future queen contemplated herself critically in the mirror for several minutes, scrutinizing her new hairstyle. "Hmm...No, it doesn't look quite right. Got anything else?"

"'Course ah do, what would y'all like me to try, this time, Sally-Girl?"

"Oh, I don't know...what do you think would look good?"

"Hmm..." The cybernetic rabbit regarded the regal ground squirrel thoughtfully, tapping her metallic fingers absently on the counter. After the war, she had finally been able to set up the styling salon she had dreamed of throughout those eleven long years of oppression. She had named it, appropriately, Hare Styles by Bunnie. "Ah could try a braid..." she mused.

"Is it long enough?"

"Ah think so...Hold on, ah got the perfect idea!" There was a soft metallic clang as she snapped her fingers. The effects of the robotisizer had been irreversible, however, Rotor had been able to design some less cumbersome metal limbs for her. Slimmer and shapelier, they had even been painted the same tan-cream color as the rest of her fur to disguise their incongruousness even more.

Bunnie began braiding Sally's russet hair, which was indeed considerably longer than it had been during the war. It went almost to her waistline. About halfway down the length of Sally's hair, Bunnie stopped braiding. Grabbing a white ribbon, she tied it off, leaving about two feet of hair loose below the braid. A pair of scissors emerged from a panel in her arm. The half-robotic rabbit used them to trim back errant strands that refused to conform to the style she had chosen. "How do y'all like it Sally-Girl?"

The squirrel moved to a full-length mirror. She smoothed out the wedding gown and gazed at herself. "Hmm...I like it-oh!" Her eyes went wide for a moment as the child within her gave a sharp kick and jabbed her in the side. "But I think there's something missing. I just can't put my finger on it."

Bunnie attached the veil and threw it over her friend's face. "How all's that, sugah?"

Sally looked at herself critically for a minute. "Much better." she said, smiling.

"So, when are y'all due there, Sally-Girl?" Bunnie asked, indicating the unborn child her friend was carrying. "If ah may have the audacity of askin."

"Not a problem, Bunnie. It'll be a couple of months, at least."

"How excitin. Are yuh lookin fo-ward to it?"

"Sort of. It's funny. I've often imagined being the mother of Sonic's children, but now that I'm actually going to be, I'm kind of scared."

"Y'all'll do fine, sugah."

"I'm sure you're right, Bunnie."

"Is it a girl or a boy, Sally-Girl? Do y'all know what species?"

"We haven't had an ultrasound yet, but I think it's a hedgehog. I can feel its little spines digging into me when it moves. They're not very sharp yet, but they're there. We don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet."

"Well, good luck. Ah bet it's makin Sugarhog nervous as a worm in a bird's nest, ain't it?"

"You don't know the half of it." Sally looked at the clock. "Oh no! We're going to be late! I'd better go get Daddy!"

"No need. I'm already here." The wheelchair bound elderly fox was already at the door of the salon, flanked by members of the Royal Guard. He smiled as she approached. "Sally, you look beautiful."

She blushed slightly. "Thanks Dad."

Where the heck is she? Here I am, stuck up here all alone at the altar with the entire population of Mobius lookin at me, and she chooses NOW to be late? I've never known Sal to be late...'Course, I've always been the transportation before, and everyone knows I'M never late...I hope nothin went wrong...Sonic began tapping his foot impatiently. Can't they hurry up? I wanna get this done! In an effort to control his impatience, he turned his gaze to his best man: his faithful companion, Tails. The two-tailed fox grinned, as nervous as his hero was. His eyes kept darting furtively up to one of the balconies before snapping away, embarrassed. The groom followed his friend's gaze upward. Right in the middle of the front row sat a very pretty gray fox who looked about the same age as the bashful kitsune. Sonic elbowed his friend playfully. "You never told me you had a girlfriend."

Tails blushed. "I-I don't."

"Suuure. Why don't you-" Suddenly, the temple doors swung open wide, revealing the gowned Sally, wreathed in golden light from outside, looking every inch the queen she was born to be. Sonic's jaw dropped to the floor. All his nervousness was forgotten as his bride-to-be was escorted by her father down the aisle. The cerulean hedgehog stared at her. She was the only thing he saw as she took up her place beside him at the altar. "Sal..." he whispered. "You look way... past...GORGEOUS!" he breathed. Sally just smiled, suddenly inexplicably shy.

The temple priest cleared his throat and tapped the podium for attention. He was an elderly deer with eccentric black and white fur that made him constantly appear to be wearing a tuxedo. His antlers, having long outlived their usefulness, were stubby and worn down to within several inches of his balding head. Thick glasses perched low on his graying muzzle. It was clear he had lived through both the Great War and Robotnik's coup. With shaky hooves, he carefully smoothed down his white-furred chest as he cleared his throat again. A venerable smile spread across his impossibly wrinkled face and muzzle as he looked up at the couple before him, one of them the planet's beloved princess, the other the hero idolized throughout the world (who was getting more and more impatient the more time the slow-moving old deer spent preparing.)

Coooome on! Does this guy always do EVERYTHING so slow! Sonic thought irritably. However, he wisely held his tongue, sighing. This was going to be a very long day.

The priest cleared his throat a third time, and spoke in a muted, rheumy voice, "Well now. Are we ready to begin?"

"Yes!" The azure 'hog mentally winced. He'd said that a little too quickly. He stole a glance at the princess. She was peering at him with a curious expression on her face. He grinned somewhat sheepishly and turned his gaze back to the patiently waiting priest. He mouthed an apology.

Yet again, the aged deer cleared his throat and began the ceremony. "We gather today on this momentous occasion in the sacred House of the beloved Mother Mobius to witness the joining of Sonic the Hedgehog and Princess Sally Alicia Acorn in holy matrimony…"

Sonic didn't bother listening to the rest of what he considered superfluous religious mumbo-jumbo as his eyes met his bride-to-be's, his mind full of its own thoughts. It's finally happenin! I'm gettin hitched to Sal! I can't believe it! I still don' wanna be king…His thoughts drifted off as he again became aware of his surroundings. He sighed again, attempting to control his aggravation at the sluggish priest. Finally, the ancient pinto deer got to the part Sonic had been eagerly anticipating.

The elderly deer wheezed a bit, then cleared his throat again before continuing, "Sonic T. Hedgehog, do you take Princess Sally Alicia Acorn, heir to the throne of Mobius as cherished mate for all of your days?"

"You'd better believe it! Er, I mean...I do."

"And you, your Highness? Do you take Sonic the Hedgehog to be your cherished mate for all your days?"

Sally smiled. "I do."

"Bring forth the rings please." A small, slightly pudgy mouse child was the ring-bearer. He toddled forward, holding aloft a cushion on which rested two power rings. The priest looked at the rings blankly for a few minutes, not comprehending. Someone hurried up and whispered something in his graying ear. He nodded and turned to the audience, "This procedure is highly unorthodox, but it seems that we will be using these two power rings instead of the normal ring exchanging ceremony." He cleared his throat again and turned back to the couple before him, directing them to each take hold of one power ring and link them. A bright flash of light momentarily blinded the crowd as the rings were brought together. When the audience could finally see again, the two rings appeared inexplicably linked, Sonic holding one, Sally the other. "As these rings are now irrevocably linked, so too do I pronounce you hedgehog and wife, joined together for all eternity. You may kiss the bride."

"Alll right!"

The crowd went wild as the newlyweds shared the first kiss of their married life. Each had wanted this for over ten long years, but neither had had the time or nerve to express it before. The moment ended far too soon as the priest cleared his throat for the thousandth time.

"Ahem. It is time. Sonic Hedgehog, kneel and face the king, please."

The heroic hedgehog gulped visibly, complying. Great. The coronation. I am NOT ready for this...he thought nervously, Well, here we go... Sonic's heart was thundering in his ears. He bit his lip imperceptibly as the current monarch wheeled his chair up to the altar. The cobalt hero found himself staring absently at the elderly fox's paralyzed toes. Every nerve in Sonic's body was tense, poised to whirl and run. He forced himself to remain calm, biting down harder on his lip.

"Sonic T. Hedgehog, in recognition of all your brave acts in service to the crown, in times of strife..."

Blah, Blah, Blah...Get on with it! The hedgehog was getting impatient again.

"...I hereby relinquish my position as king and give it and the hand of my daughter to this highly deserving hedgehog. May you rule with wisdom and truth in a time of peace and prosperity...King Sonic of Knothole." A hush fell over the assembled Mobians as Maximillian somberly removed the crown from his head and ceremoniously placed it on that of the kneeling blue hero. As Sonic stood, crown tipped jauntily behind one ear, the thunderous audience booming approval in his ears, that familiar arrogant grin once again spread across his face. Hey, this could actually be cool!

The new rulers were escorted onto a palanquin. Before the Royal Guard bore the chair from the temple, Sally turned and threw her bouquet. It landed, not in the hands of one of the scrambling females, but in those of a very astonished two-tailed fox.

Disclaimer: Sonic the Hedgehog and all associated official characters (c) SEGA/Archie/Dic. Used without permission but not for monetary gain. Serenity and all fan-made characters in this story (c) Violet Whirlwind.