Before the Final Rose Petal Falls
Disclaimer: Neither Sonic the Hedgehog or Beauty and the Beast belong to me.
Chapter 4: Caged
In the small house of Amy Rose and Tails sat the cerise hedgehog herself at an oak table. Atop the surface was a piece of parchment, a quill that had once belonged to a blue jay and an inkwell. She tapped the metal, un-dipped tip of the quill against her lips as she mused in thought. Tails had advised her only yesterday that perhaps she should take a chance in writing stories herself and she decided to go for it.
Amy ran different plots through her mind.
'Once there was a beautiful princess born in a far off land. She had hair black as coal, lips red as blood and skin white as…no, never mind. That story already exists. Um, what about a 'rags to riches' st-oh, right, Cinderella.'
Amy sighed to herself. There were already so many wonderful stories out there. A Thousand and One Nights, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel. How can I make a story original and unique? C'mon, Amy! Think! Use that imagination of yours!
Amy continued to think. She let out a snort as she thought about herself. Oh yeah, sure. Right. A story about a girl who is the village oddball. Seen only as a pretty face and not appreciated for her intelligence and thoughts on the world.
Mulling over her status as a pariah, Amy was struck with an idea. "That's it!" She cried. Dipping her quill pen into the inkwell, Amy began to elegantly write out a story. As she immersed herself in writing, Amy failed to hear the ruckus outside her house.
Mere steps from his soon to be fiancée's door-or so he thought- Scourge adjusted his ebony waistcoat. Running his fingers through his quills, he shot Bokkun an arrogant and slightly predatory grin. "So, remember what we discussed. I go in and propose to the girl…"
"And when she says yes and you two come out, I strike up the band!" Bokkun laughed and cheerily waved his baton accidentally giving the signal too early for the band had begun to play.
"Not now, you buffoon!" Scourge snarled popping his fist against the dark chao's head. He rolled his eyes as his lackey began to sob in pain. He whipped around, stomping up to Amy's front door, not noticing the female triplets as they wailed the loss of Spagonia's most handsome and eligible bachelor.
In the midst of her writing, Amy jumped, startled as she heard a knock on her door. She frowned in annoyance seeing that in her surprise, her hand jerked leaving a scrawl across her parchment. Heaving a sigh, she stood and went to go look through the spy mechanism Tails had created to allow them to view who was standing on her doorstep. She grimaced when she saw it was Scourge, but pasted a polite smile on her face as she opened the door, preparing to gently turn him away.
Unfortunately her plan couldn't be put into action as Scourge swept in past her, the dark green hedgehog oozing superciliousness. "Scourge," Amy greeted pleasantly though she spoke through her teeth. "What a surprise. Please, do come in and make yourself at home."
"Amy, there's something I've wanted to talk to you about," Scourge said, leaning too close for Amy's comfort.
Moving away she forced herself to remain polite and not reach for the thick book she had been reading to use as a means of exerting her irritation, Amy merely replied, "Oh?"
"I want you to picture this," Scourge began as he used gestures to show a possible scene on the horizon. "A big mansion, practically the size of a castle with a roaring fireplace in the living room, my latest kill hanging over the flames. Little male hedgehogs running about the place, probably chasing the chao. About six or seven of them."
Pretending to be interested as she sidled away from him, Amy asked, "Children or chao?"
Not quite listening to her, Scourge went on, "While my little wife massages my feet." He then looked at Amy. "And do you know who that wife will be?"
A coil of dread settled into her stomach. "Let me guess…"
"You, Amy." He wrapped a possessive arm around her shoulders.
"O-oh, why Scourge!" Amy exclaimed. "I-I-I don't know what to say." I'd rather vomit.
"Say yes!" The hunter encouraged. Never!
Amy chuckled weakly as she ducked from under Scourge's arm as she lead him in a slight waltz toward her door. Blindly she grasped the handle. "That's really flattering," She said, batting her eyelashes as Scourge practically pressed himself against her. "But I don't think I'm good enough for you!"
As she let out her polite rejection, Amy opened the door, swinging herself away from Scourge as he fell head first toward a mud puddle that was a result of last night's rain. Amy swallowed a chuckle as she slammed the door.
Upon sighting Scourge exiting Amy's house , Bokkun gave the signal and the band struck up its first song. He looked back at Scourge who was glaring maliciously back. With a weak chuckle, he asked, "So, uh, I guess that means maybe?"
Scarlet flashed in the hedgehog's eyes as he grabbed the dark chao by the throat. "Mark me well," He hissed. "I will have Amy Rose as my wife and I have no qualms about taking down anything or anyone in my path."
As the sun bid farewell to Mobius and the waxing crescent moon began to come out from hiding, Amy finally found the courage to poke her head out the door to see if the obnoxious oaf had finally given up and left. "Is he gone?"
With a sigh of relief, Amy stepped out of the house and began ranting to chao that usually came to flit about the place. "Oh, can you imagine? He asked me to marry him! Me, the wife of that boorish, brainless…" Scattering feed for the chao Amy continued thinking aloud.
"Madame Scourge, can't you just see it? Madame Scourge, his little wife. Ugh!" She became adamant the more she thought about it. "No sir, no me. I guarantee it. I want much more than this provincial life."
Flinging down the bucket, startling the chao, Amy took off running, trying to rid the frustration and adrenaline she felt. I want adventure in the great, wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell. She came upon a field of dandelions, picking one as she sank to her knees still musing to herself. "And for once it might be grand, to have someone understand. I want so much more than they've got planned."
She plucked a dandelion and watched as a gentle breeze stirred up the small wispy seeds, carrying them away on its current, taking her hopes and dreams with them. Resting her head on her arms, Amy settled down to enjoy the sunset when the sound of thundering, panicked hooves flooded her hearing. Looking up, she was startled to see Tornado racing toward her. She became worried when she saw that Tails wasn't there riding on top.
Getting to her feet, Amy scanned the skies for any sign of her brother possibly flying home. Seeing that the skies were empty, Amy ran to the horse and leapt onto its back. "Take me to Tails, please," She begged.
The horse reared back briefly before taking off in a gallop leading Amy into the darkened, rain soaked woods. As they went deeper into the forest, Amy's mind was a whir of constant prayer. Please Tails, please, please be all right. If you're hurt, or…or…worse….she didn't want to think about it. Please be safe little kitsune.
After what felt like an eternity to Amy, Tornado stopped in front of an iron wrought fence standing guard to a castle comprised of Gothic columns, spires and gargoyles. She eyed the place warily before glancing down at Tornado's matted golden mane. "You're sure this is where Tails is?" She whispered.
The horse whinnied once, signifying to Amy its assurance. She bit her lip before leaping off Tornado's back and walking up to the gate. Her fingers barely brushed the iron pole before the gate swung open, granting her admittance. Swallowing her fear, Amy hurried forward up the stone path merely raising an eyebrow as the door opened without the precedence of her knock.
Once her feet touched the foyer, Amy called out, "Hello? Tails? Is anyone there?" She traipsed through the parlor, walking up a winding staircase. Pausing, she called up, "Tails? Tails? Where are you, brother?" Amy grasped a candelabra, hardly paying attention to it as she continued her climb up.
Reaching a wooden door, Amy carefully pushed it open, shivering as cold air swept around her. Glancing out a barred window and taking note of how high up she was, Amy ascertained that she was in some sort of tower. "Tails?" She whispered.
"Amy?"
Whirling around, Amy found the sound of the weak voice. There in some sort of cramped cell looking exhausted and absolutely terrified was her little brother.
"Tails!" Amy cried, racing to him. "Wh-what's happened to you?" She looked into his eyes and saw how glassy and red rimmed. She saw that the fur on his face was matted and knew it was due to tears. "Who could have done this to you?" Amy whispered, horrified.
"Amy, you've got to get out of here!" Tails urged.
"No way! I'm not going to leave you!" She gripped his forearms. "Oh, Tails, you're so cold."
"Amy, please, you must leave! Forget about me!" Tails insisted. "You've gotta get out of here before the monster shows up!"
Amy was surprised at this. "Monster?"
Before Tails could go on, a deep, snarling voice ripped through their reunion. "Who are you? You don't belong here! Get out!" The siblings could hear heaving breathing mixed with low growling.
Amy spun around, yet unable to see the voice's owner. "M-my name's Amy Rose. Please, you must let my brother out!"
"No way! He trespassed. He stays here for eternity."
"Oh please sir, let him go free," Amy continued to plea. "He's a little boy! I'm afraid he's getting sick staying in here. He could die!"
The voice was flat. "No chance."
Well aren't you Monsieur Compassionate? Amy bit her lip, knowing what she had to do in order to save Tails. It was the only choice. "Take me instead."
The figure in the shadows was taken aback. "You'd stay? Here, forever?"
"There's one thing I need for you do first," Amy said. "Come into the light."
Stepping into the shaft of moonlight, a hulking, thick furred navy blue werehog revealed himself. His sharp malachite eyes bored down into her emerald ones. She felt a trickle of ice run down her spine as she listened to his voice now coupled with his intimidating, no, frightening appearance.
"So, do we have a deal?"
Amy closed her eyes, virtually signing away her freedom and any chance of fulfilling her dreams. "Yes."
"Done." With that, the werehog swept past her and wrenched open the cell, grabbing Tails roughly by the arm.
Her eyes widened as the werehog proceeded to drag her brother away. "Wait! What are you doing? Don't I even get to say goodbye?" The answer she received was the door slamming, muffling Tails' cries of protest. Falling to her knees, Amy buried her face in her hands and wept.
As Sonic trudged back up the stairs where the-admittedly-lovely pink hedgehog was, he was stopped by Silver.
"Master, Master!" The shiny candelabra whispered. "Why not try to make the girl feel more at home?"
"She's a prisoner here," Sonic retorted.
"Yes," Silver agreed. "But she's also a girl. Don't you think it's a possibility she could wind up being the girl?"
"I just imprisoned her, Silver. I highly doubt that's going to make her fall in love with me."
"So don't treat her like a prisoner," Silver replied. "Treat her like a lady. For starters, don't make her stay in the tower. Offer her one of the many rooms here."
Sonic let out a sigh. "I suppose I could do that." He opened the door to see the girl, Amy, gazing forlornly out the window.
"You didn't give me the chance to say good-bye," She whispered.
Feeling guilt, no strange emotion to him, but not something he wanted to deal with, Sonic said, "Let me show you to your room."
Amy looked back at him, surprise etched clearly into her eyes. "You're giving me a room?"
"Would you rather stay here?" He asked gruffly.
"No," she answered quickly before hurrying after him.
The two hedgehogs remained silent as they walked through the castle halls. Sonic snuck a peek over his shoulder and saw a tear run down Amy's face as she kept her gaze lowered to the floor. Silver, whom he was carrying gently nudged him. "Make conversation with her!" He whispered encouragingly.
"Uh," Sonic began, suddenly feeling very awkward. "You're free to go anywhere within the castle. Anywhere with the exception of the West wing."
Finally looking up at him, Amy asked, "What's in the West wing?"
"Nothing of your concern!" Sonic snapped, causing his prisoner to cringe. Having reached the room where she would be staying, Sonic opened the door. "This is your room," he said as she walked past him. Closing the door slightly, he added, "My servants will be here to attend to you whenever you need them."
Silver hissed at him before he closed the door on Amy completely. "Invite her to dinner!"
Sighing inwardly, Sonic turned back to Amy and said. "And you will be having dinner with me. That's an order!" Slamming the door, he swept away, stalking back to his quarters.
Watching his master leave, Silver also sighed. If all things manage to go well, given time, something we don't have much of, she may learn to love you. But, Prince Sonic, you too, must learn to love her.
Hearing the door slam behind her, Amy raced to the large, plush bed and flung herself on it, letting out her sudden onslaught of pent-up emotions through the hot, angry tears that ran down her face.
Okay, three things:
1) I'm sorry for the delay. I wanted to take a break and then I got writer's block.
2) Yes, yes, I know, Sonic's a jerk right now. But remember he is the Beast of this Beauty and The Beast fanfic, so he's going to be bitter and rude for a bit, eventually becoming the blue hedgehog we all know and love. Just give it some time. It will happen! Until then, when you review this and say what a meanie he's being, all you're really doing is stating the obvious…
3) Whoo! Big vocabulary there in this chapter. Sorry about that, I like using elaborate words.
