At the Ball/Midnight

Narrater: When Abigail left her house the introductions were still going underway.

*Sonic stood in front of a crowd of ladies wearing his formal suit (look up "Prince Sonic - Cosium Outfits - Formal Suit" by "LiyuConberma" on "DeviantArt"). Silver and Chuck stood on either side of him. His parents sat on their thrones nearby. A brown coyote was announcing names*

Antoine: Princezz Sally Acorn

*A light and brown female chipmunk wearing a teal gown and gold tiara came up to Sonic and curtsied to him. Then she went back to the crowd of ladies*

Antoine: Lady Honey zee Cat!

*A yellow cat with black hair wearing a red gown wearing a red gown went up to Sonic and curtsied to him. Then she went back to the crowd of ladies*

Antoine: Lady Amy Rose!

*A pink hedgehog wearing a pink gown went up to Sonic and curtsied to him. After she went back to the crowd of ladies, Sonic hid a yawn*

Antoine: Lady Lien-Da and her two daughters, Fiona and Mina!

Lien-Da: My daughters are thrilled to make your aquaintence. I'm sure the feeling will be mutual.

*Fiona & Mina started pushing each other to get to Sonic first*

Mina: Don't be so pushy!

Fiona: Stop it! Get out of my way!

*Mina got ahead, but Fiona stepped on her dress. Mina then pulled on her dress and Fiona fell over*

Fiona: Why you little - !

*Sonic sweatdropped. Fiona then pushed Mina over*

Mina: No you don't - !

Fiona: What are you doing!

*The two girls started pulling each other's hair*

Lien-Da: Fiona! Mina! Knock it off!

*Sonic sighed*

(Outside)

*Abigail's carriage had arrived at the castle. She went inside, gave her invitation to a servant, and went upstairs to the ballroom*

Abigail:*in her mind* No need to be nervous. Everything's gonna be fine.

(In the Ballroom)

Chuck:*whispering to Sonic* You'll never find a wife if you just keep bowing to them. Why don't you ask one of them to dancd?

Sonic:*whispering* Like I said before Uncle Chuck, I don't like dancing.

Chuck:*whispering* Just try, please.

*Suddenly, Abigail entered the ballroom and everyone stopped and looked at her*

Guest: What a beauty.

Guest 2: Who is she?

Guest 3: She must be a pincess.

Guest 4: No doubt about that.

Abigail:*in her mind* What do I do? Everyone's staring at me. My heart is going to burst. I don't like all this attention.

Mina: Who is she, Mother?

Lien-Da: How should I know? But I've seen her somewhere before. I'm sure of it.

Sonic: Who is that girl, Uncle Chuck?

Chuck: I don't know, Sonic, I've never seen her before. *Sonic began walking towards her* Sonic?

*The crowd of young ladies parted for him as he made his way towards Abigail. Her eyes widened when she reconized Sonic. When they were face to face, she curtsied to Sonic*

Abigail: Prince Sonic - I . . . Thank you for inviting me here.

Sonic: Tell me Miss, have we met somewhere?

Abigail: Uh, no.

Sonic: May I please have this dance?

Abigail: O-of course.

*He bowed, kissed her hand, and as the music began, they danced*

Abigail: Their all looking at you.

Sonic: Believe me, their all looking at you.

*She blushed*

Abigail:*in her mind* I can't believe it. The boy I met in the village was the Prince. And I'm dancing with him.

Sonic:*in his mind* She seems so familiar.

Abigail:*in his mind* I don't think he's reconized me. *giggles*

Sonic: What is it?

Abigail: Oh nothing, I always laugh when I'm happy.

Fiona: We have to find out who she is.

Mina: Her dress is gorgeous.

Lien-Da: Don't worry girls, the night is still young.

Chuck: As I recall, he told me he didn't like dancing.

Silver: I'd say someone's changed his mind.

Bernadette: What a charming creature.

Jules: Indeed.

*He got up from his throne and extended his hand to his wife*

Jules: May I?

Bernadette: Rascal.

*She took his hand and they danced towards Abigail and their son. When the guests saw the King and Queen dancing, they all joined in. Just as Sonic twirled Abigail, his parents switched parents with them*

Jules: I do hope that son of mine is behaving himself.

Abigail: Oh, yes Your Majesty, he's been a perfect gentlemen all evening.

Jules: A chip off the old block, I'd say.

Abigail:*giggles* Yes, Your Majesty.

Jules: Clearly, he's smitten with you. I must say, it's as though you've apeared here by magic.

Sonic: What's he saying to her?

Bernadette: Does it really matter, dear?

*As the dance ended, the Queen pulled Abigail off to the side*

Bernadette: Do we know your Mother and Father, dear?

Abigail: Oh, I-I don't think so.

Bernadette: Well, I'd love to meet them. Are they here?

*Abigail was about to answer when she saw Lien-Da coming towards them*

Abigail: I-I'm sorry, please excuse me.

*She ran out of the ballroom towards the royal gardens. Sonic saw the whole thing and ran to his Mother*

Sonic: What did you say to her?

*She just shrugged as Sonic ran after Abigail*

Jules: I think she's lovely, don't you?

Bernadette: Yes, but a little high strung.

Jules: A little.

*Sonic ran into the garden and found Abigail sitting on a fountain, catching her breath*

Sonic: Your still here.

Abigail: Yes, I just needed some fresh air.

*He sat on the fountain next to her*

Sonic: Look, I don't know what my parents said to you, but I'm sorry.

Abigail: Oh no, no, they were wonderful. Compared to my family.

Sonic: I want to meet your family.

Abigail: No, you don't.

Sonic: Why not?

Abigail: Well, they didn't want me to come tonight.

Sonic: Well, I'm glad you did. To tell you the truth I almost didn't come myself.

Abigail: How could the Prince not show up at his own ball?

Sonic: Well, I've never really liked dancing.

Abigail: Really! But your a wonderful dancer.

Sonic: Thank you. *he stood up and held out his hand* Come with me I want to show you something.

Abigail:*taking his hand* O-okay.

*Soon they were walking through the royal gardens together*

Sonic: I used to play hide and seek here all the time when I was little.

Abigail: Who did you play with?

Sonic: I played with Silver, my squire. He was my only friend growing up. And what about you, who did you play with?

Abigail: I had many friends. The farm animals, the birds, and the Chao that lived in the woods.

Sonic: . . . Are they good company?

Abigail: Their great listeners.

*As they walked, Abigail admired the garden*

Abigail: How beautiful.

Sonic: This is my parents favorite place. They always go on walks here after dinner.

Abigail: Both my parents are in heaven. Do you think their watching over us right now?

Sonic: I don't see why not.

Abigail: I think heaven is like the royal ball. Everyone's invited.

Sonic:*taking her hand* Come on, it's this way.

*He led her to a secluded part of the gardens*

Sonic: I've never shown this place to anyone.

*He stopped at a door and opened it. Inside was a small bit of grass surrounded by hedges and in the middle was a tree and a swing*

Abigail: A secret garden. I love it.

Sonic:*motioning to the swing* May I?

Abigail: Please.

*She sat on the swing and he pushed her. She went a few times, until one of her slippers fell off*

Abigail: Oh!

*Sonic went to pick up the shoe and looked at her confused*

Sonic: It's made of glass

Abigail: And why not?

Sonic: Allow me.

Abigail: Thank you.

*He gently slipped the shoe on her foot*

Sonic: There.

*Abigail smiled at him, until he came closer*

Sonic: Won't you tell me your name.

Abigail: My name is -

*Suddenly, the clock chimed midnight and Abigail gasped as she remembered Nicole's warning*

(Flashback)

Nicole: The magic wears off at midnight, so you'll have to make sure your home by the time the clock strikes 12.

(The Garden)

Sonic: What's the matter.

Abigail: It's midnight.

Sonic: Yes, so it is -

*She got up from the swing*

Abigail: Goodbye.

Sonic:*grabbing her hand* No, no, wait! You can't go now, it's only -

Abigail: Oh, please. I have to leave.

Sonic: But, why?

Abigail: Uh-well, you see - *the clock chimed again* Goodbye!

Sonic: No! Wait! Please come back! You didn't even tell me your name!

*She ran into the ballroom and past Chuck*

Abigail: Goodbye.

Chuck: Young lady! Hold on!

*He went after her. Sonic tried to follow them, but was stopped by a crowd of women bombarding him with questions. As Abigail was running down the stairs, one of her shoes fell off. She went back to get it, but stopped when she saw Chuck coming. He picked it up and saw her carriage driving away*

Chuck: Stop that coach! Close the gates! *the carriage made it through, just before the gates shut* Follow that coach! Open the gates!

*A troop of guards followed the carriage all the way to the woods, where, on the 12th chime everything changed back to normal. The pashas were back to mice, Huck and Cheese were back to being Chao, Abigail's gown was back to rags, and she was sitting on an ordinary pumpkin. When they saw the guards coming , they all hid in the woods, and the pumpkin was crushed under the pasha's hoofs. As it was crushed, a trail was sparkles flew out of it and towards the castle, where Abigail's invitation was once again ripped to pieces. Sonic had caught up to his Uncle on the stairs and was holding the slipper she lost*

Sonic: I'll find you again. No matter where you are.

* Abigail walked the rest of the way home, holding the other slipper in her hands. Huck and Cheese flew beside her*

*Lien-Da and her daughters came home a few hours after Abigail did*

Fiona: I almost had the Prince wrapped around my little finger when that hussy walked in.

Mina: You! Ha! It was plain to see he was falling head over heels for me.

Fiona: In your dreams, girly!

Lien-Da: Will you two hush up! *in her mind* I know I've seen that girl somewhere before. I just can't place where.