Chapter 6
In the palace, Mephiles very bored that day. He'd given up with Shade finding a suitor and couldn't find anything else to do. He slouched in the throne tossing a ruby back and forth between his hands. Suddenly he heard the door slam open and sprung back up causing the ruby to fly in the air before hitting his head.
"Grr...what is it, Scourge?" he asked rubbing his head.
Scourge ran in with a scroll in hand, "Sir, I think I may have a solution for the problem with your daughter."
Fiona flew and sat on the arm of the throne, "Raa! The problem with your daughter."
"Oh really? Because I have given up on trying to convince her. I doubt you think you can convince me."
"Just hear me out. It's all here." Scourge unrolled the scroll and Mephiles took the other end of it to read. "'If the princess is not chosen a husband by the appointed time, then the sultan shall choose for her'."
"But Shade hated all of the suitors. How can I choose someone she hates?! Without getting blamed for it?"
"Not to worry my liege, there is more. 'If in the event a suitable suitor cannot be found, the princess must then be wed to...oh...interesting."
"What is? Married to who?"
"'The Royal Visor', that would be me."
Mephiles tried to read the scroll again, "But I thought the law says that only a prince can marry a princess-" Scourge snatched the scroll away and put the scepter in front of Mephiles.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures, wouldn't you agree?"
Mephiles stared into space as his eyes glowed purple, "Yes...desperate measures..."
"You will order the princess to marry me."
"I will order the princess...to..." he snapped out of it for a second, "Wait, she doesn't even like you."
Scourge put the scepter closer to Mephiles' face, "Yes she does! And the princess WILL marry me."
Mephiles' eyes glowed purple until loud music was heard outside the palace. He blinked his eyes and got out of his throne, pushing Scourge aside to see what was going on. Once he was on the balcony, he grinned as he saw a parade come down the street. "Scourge, you must come see this."
Scourge growled lowly before he stood by Mephiles watching the crowd below.
Sonic was leading the parade with a turban on his head, only his fur was purple to look different from everyone. The soldiers started to sing, "Make waaaaay for Prince Aliiiii! Say heeeeeyyy! It's Prince Aliiiiii!"
He ran through the streets of the town singing, "Hey! Clear the way through the old bazzar. HEY YOU! Let's us through, it's a bright new star. Oh, come be the first on the block to meet his eye!"
Elephants, servants, gypsies of all kinds were dancing through the massive parade. The beautiful colors and fireworks dazzled everyone as well as who was sitting ontop of Doom.
"Make way! Here he comes." Sonic banged pots and pans together and drummed on a fat man's stomach. "Ring bells. Bang the drums. Oh, you're gonna love this guy!"
The fans opened to reveal Shadow sitting on top of Doom flashing a smile. "Prince Ali! Mighty is he! Ali Ababwa. Genuflect, show some respect down on one knee."
Mephiles tapped his fingers against the balcony to the beat while Fiona started to dance on Scourge's shoulder. "Now try your best to stay calm. Brush up your Sunday salaam. And come and meet his spectacular coterieeeeee!" Sonic gathered men on top of each other and they shook hands with Shadow while riding Doom. Unfortunately one of them slipped and all landed onto him.
"Prince Ali! Fabulous he! Ali Ababwa. Strong as ten regular men, definitely." Sonic secretly shot magic at Shadow making him lift all the men off of him into a circular patter above his head.
He turned into an old man... "He faced the galloping hoards!" ...then a little kid... "A hundred bad guys with swords!"...then a jolly man with his arms around two other men's shoulders. "Who sent those goons to their lords? Why Prince Aliiiii!" Everyone started to sing along.
Shade finally decided to get up from bed and walk onto her balcony. She looked around to see a giant parade coming towards the palace. Oh great, she thought, another stupid prince.
Men started to carry in golden statues. "He's got seventy-five golden camels."
"Don't they look lovely, June?" Sonic said dressed as a new reporter.
Women were sitting on bleachers with beautiful purple birds with amazing feathers. "Purple peacocks, he's got fifty-three."
Now dressed as a woman, he said, "Fabulous, Harry, I love the feathers."
"When it comes to exotic type mammals..." Sonic turned into a tiger in front of two kids, then a goat. "Has he got a zoo, I'm telling you!"
"It's a world-class menagerie!" Everyone sang.
Sonic was now into a small balcony of the three girls from the other day, dressed like them in a red belly dancer costume. They all sang at the same time.
Sonic: Prince Ali! Handsome is he! Ali Ababwa
Girls: There's no question this Ali's alluring. Never ordinary, never boring
Sonic: That physique! How can I speak? Weak at the knees.
Girls: Everything about the man just plain impresses.
Sonic: Well, get on out in that square...
Girls: He's a winner, he's a whiz, a wonder!
Sonic: ...adjust your veil and prepare...
Girls: He's about to pull my heart asunder!
Sonic: ...to gawk and grovel and stare at Prince Ali!
Girls: And I absolutely love the way he dresses!
The entire time Shadow was laughing at him as Sonic danced around with the girls to tease him. He never realized how much of a joke Sonic was till now. And it was pretty funny. To return the favor, Shadow blew kiss to the girls for laughs. The girls each fainted into Sonic's arms who were too heavy, even for a genie, to hold up. As he plopped into the floor of the balcony Shadow rolled his eyes with a smirk.
Shade on the other hand didn't pay attention to any of it but stared at him. She rolled her eyes. He didn't really think a way to a girl's heart was the most amazing and expensive things in the world, did he?! Shade scoffed and waving her arms off at him and walked back into her room.
As more men walked through the gates holding up red and gold flags, ivory monkeys were playing trumpets, which was surprising. "He's got ninety-five white Persian monkeys."
Men: He's got the monkeys, let's see the monkeys.
"And to view them he charges no fee."
Women: He's generous, so generous!
"He's got slaves, he's got servants, and flunkies-proud to work for him!"
Mephiles: Thought this was interesting in all honesty. All the fireworks, the entertainment, this prince was trying hard to impress him. Maybe he would even impress his stubborn daughter. Mephiles decided to let the guy in and walked towards the doors. But Scourge was faster and blocked his way from opening them.
"Bow to his whim, love serving him. They're just lousy with loyalty to Ali. Prince Aliiii!"
The giant doors flew open with multiple dancers, swordsmen, animals and Doom tumbling inside. The doors slammed on Scourge making him stuck between it and the wall.
"Prince Aliii! Amorous he! Ali Ababwa."
Sonic went over to Mephiles with an arm around his shoulder. "Heard your princess was a sight lovely to see." Sonic pushed Mephiles onto his throne and went back with the others. "And that, good people, is why he got dolled up and dropped by..."
As soon as they were said, the people popped up in front of the sultan."...with sixty elephants, llamas galore. With his bears and lions, brass bands and more! With his forty fakirs, his cooks and bakers, and birds that warble on key! Make waaaaaaaaaayyy for Prince Aliiiiii!"
Shadow got onto Silver and flew around the room doing multiple flips while Scourge, having finally gotten from between the door, pushed everything and everyone out of the palace. Sonic shot back into the emerald that was kept under Shadow's turban and pulled it down before it could be seen.
Silver came to a stop in front of Mephiles and Shadow bowed before him. Scourge slammed the door shut breathing heavily with an angry look. Who did this guy think he was?! But before he could even take a step, the door was slammed on his face again by a dancer running after the others who left. He was pretty sure he lost a tooth by now.
Mephiles, despite trying to keep a royal façade, was actually quite amazed about his entrance. "That was...wow."
Shadow fought a grin. Pretty sure I got him on my side now. He's the rudest guy on the planet...next to me of course. He thought exaggerating. Shadow hopped off of Silver waving his cape back making him look more dramatic. "Your majesty, I have journeyed from afar to seek your daughter's hand."
Mephiles stepped down from his throne and shook his hand. "Prince Ali Ababwa, huh. Funny name but nonetheless, I am delighted to meet you." That was half the truth, he was honestly done with seeing different suitors every week or so. He gestured towards Scourge, "This is my Royal Visor, Scourge. I'm pretty sure he's delighted too."
"Ecstatic..."Scourge, having FINALLY gotten from the door and the wall (talk about a rock and a hard place), fixed his quills and clock before being called by Mephiles. He had an annoyed look to his face, but didn't like this guy. Something was off about him and he was determined to find out. Mostly to get rid of him before he marries Shade.
He walked up to Shadow. "I'm afraid Prince Abooboo-"
"Ababwa." He corrected.
"Whatever...you just can't parade in here, uninvited, and expect to..."
Both noticed that Silver was starting to fly around Mephiles. "This is an amazing thing. Can I uh..."
Shadow helped him onto Silver. "Of course, your majesty."
As soon as Mephiles got onto Silver, Scourge put the cane down on him to stop Silver from flying. "Your majesty," he said, "I must advise against this. What if you get hurt?"
"Oh please, Scourge. You're the one telling me to have some fun once in a while." Mephiles kicked away the cane and Silver shot into the air like a rocket. On the other hand, Fiona fell down the cane with her beak hitting smack against the floor.
Silver flew around the large room with Mephiles actually laughing for the first time in years. They flew around Doom who was minding his own business (surprising he was still in the room) and Silver got the idea to fly straight under him. Doom jumped in surprise and glared at the two flyers.
"Now..." Scourge said stepping closer to Shadow. "...where did you say you were from again?"
"Oh, much farther than you have I assume." Shadow said with an triumphant smirk. He started to hate the guy.
"Try me." And they both soon stared at each other. The competition was over when Mephiles flew just above them making them duck. Fiona was, however, flown into the air from the wind blowing past her. Silver made a U-turn and started to fly toward her.
"AH!" she yelled flying in the other direction. Soon it became a chase. "Watch it, you dumb rug!" Silver bumped her bottom making her jump but keep flying at top speed. Fiona had enough and covered her head and pulled herself into a little ball form making her slow down, but also passing over Silver and Mephiles. She flapped her wings again seeing they were way past her and breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up too late though, her body slamming straight into one of the pillars that held up the room also dividing the balcony outside to the inside. She slid down to the floor with a weird look on her face and saw tiny little flying Mephiles and Silvers all around her saying "have a cracker" multiple times.
Silver weaved through the pillars before flying down towards the others. Mephiles hopped off and a smile. "That was amazing!" he exclaimed. He'd never felt like this in the longest time.
"Spectacular, your highness." Scourge said bored. Silver was standing on his tassels wobbling back and forth from dizziness. Doom caught him with his truck before he fell completely.
Mephiles fixed his turban, "This is a very impressive prince we've seen so far." He whispered to Scourge, "And if we're lucky, maybe you won't have to marry Shade after all."
"I don't trust him, sire."
"Nonsense! One thing I pride myself on, Scourge is that I'm an excellent judge of character."
Fiona was dusting herself off, "Oh "excellent judge" yeah sure, NOOOOOOTTT!"
Why'd you hire me, idiot? Scourge thought. He had to admit it, it was true. He only hired him because he thought that he and Shade could connect somehow since they're close in age. Obviously you can tell how THAT went.
Shade was standing by the doorframe slowly walking into the huge space eavesdropping on their conversation.
"I'm pretty sure Shade will like you." Mephiles said.
Shadow leaned toward him, "And I'm pretty sure I'll like Princess Shade."
Scourge squeezed between them. "Your highness, no! I most intervene on Shade's behalf." He elbowed Shadow away earning a glare from him. "This guy is no different from the others. What makes him think he's worthy of the princess?"
Shadow, trying not to lose his temper, merely laughed and said, "Your majesty, I am Prince Ali Ababwa." he twirled Scourge's quill around his finger and tugged on it making it become frayed and curly. "Just let her meet me. I will win your daughter."
Shade's eyes burned bright green as she stepped towards them. "How dare you! All of you!" All three men turned toward her and stood awkwardly, embarrassed she heard them talking. "Standing around deciding MY future?! I am not a prize to be won and don't you forget it!" Shade turned and stalked out of the room growling to herself.
"Oh dear..." Mephiles said pinching the bridge of his nose. He should've been more careful talking about this situation. Shade's temper is amazing when pushed too far. He started to guide Shadow toward another passage way. "Don't worry about her, Prince Ali. We just need to give her time to cool off..."
Scourge crossed his arms, staying behind them and whispering to himself, "I think it's time to say goodbye to Prince Abooboo..."
HI PEOPLE! I'm really sorry for keeping you waiting sooooooooo long. 8th grade was a hectic year with graduation and trying hard to not beat up people you can't stand...phew... Well, here we are with his entrance as Prince Ali! The song...was 5...freaking...pages...long...I'm done.
