"I'm so excited! Dad said that he would throw me a surprise birthday party tomorrow, one which I would always memorialize for the rest of my days." Amy exclaimed to her pet spaniel, Kerriston.
The particular reason that Amy is so happy today is the notice of herself, her family, and the villagers in general, of her birthday. Every year, the kingdom is extravagantly dressed in blossoms of roses, every variety and color, in honor of her maturing image over the years. And since that she is to be acquiring the throne in five years, this is indeed a celebration that will be merry.
In this event, no one is sad or miserable. It's like a national holiday. Everyone gets together, sings songs, dances, entertains, laughs, and just joyous for the sake of being alive. To celebrate the brilliant gifts that you received in life and the reminder of the day of their beloved princess's birth is enough to motivate a whole army to war, to be boastful, proud, determined, and dedicated to the future queen's seemingly beautiful life. And Amy was never spoiled about this, as you can see.
But the one tradition that she always adored is the presents. So far, she has every thing a girl could dream of, and now she couldn't contain herself of what she will retrieve this year!
"I wonder what Dad will give me this year…and Cream…and Sonic, can't forget him…and Shadow…"
She just has the feeling that it will be a good day tomorrow. For now, she is meeting up with Shadow at the Mist Meadows, a distant place more tranquil than the Floran Meadows.
There a person can just hear birds singing, to lullaby sweet hearts away to an Elysium unknown to the cold hearted; it was also where young love falls under its fateful spell, a hypnosis that Amy can't interpret for herself. The little princess just knows it is the perfect place to spend quality time with a prince. Just like in her favorite romantic, chivalry bedtime stories.
Picking up Kerriston to the level of her face, she smiled to the puppy, and the puppy smiled back. It was as though the dog was the only royal member of the family that knows about her and Shadow, and accept her happiness. Amy hugged the puppy, a little bark uttered out of its mouth in loving return.
I love that dog, she thought in sincerity. It's so innocent when it knows something that is never to be discovered, and yet so apologetic when it makes mistakes. They forgive you, just by looking into your eyes.
Amy's emerald eyes glistened in distracted envy.
Like…you are the one who's a normal person…never having a care in the world.
Waving goodbye to the dog, Amy climbed out of the balcony with the tied rope that she made, and headed off to her destination.
Sonic had the free time to make sure the whole cavalry of Jade Knights were prepared to present a special salute to Princess Amy. As the Head Captain of the army, he wanted to make sure that everything went perfectly.
Topsy turvy, upside down, Sunnyside up, you name it. The pandemonium that Sonic can fully control with ease is a certain occurrence that rarely happens. And just for a gift. Obviously, an idea in this hedgehog's head is brewing in progress.
Why, amidst all the racket and deafening confusion, arguments, and commotion, you can hear Sonic's voice booming over the crowd…
"Aramis, you take the fourth position right there - no wait, Horace! You're doing it all wrong – Stephen, I really doubt Her Highness will be impressed by that…no, no, no, it's an octave higher, HIGHER!"
Yes, Sonic has been such a busybody today with his present to Amy. Ever since that both of them reconciled, he arranged a special gift for her. It would be something that she will remember him for eons to come. But there was one thing he never forgot to include that differed than all of the other gifts that he gave the pink hedgehog –
Sir Sonic the Hedgehog's present to Princess Amy Rose would be made from the bottom of his heart, and this time it's personal.
His smirk grew in confidence and excitement as he watched his work being created for the world to behold tomorrow.
"I know she'll love me for this. Her Highness will be crying tears of happiness."
One of the soldiers, his co commander, approached Sonic in curiosity.
"Sir, has it occurred to you that every soul wonders why you make such a determination and passion to make such a contribution to Her Royal Highness?"
Sonic chuckled. "Peter, you will never know what really goes on in my conscious. In time, you will know the reason why I'm making such a big deal out of this particular gift now…"
"But, sir, you are a free spirit! There would be no way that you can work your back off just for this!"
"Peter, there are other days to run," Sonic replied sternly, "But right now, I have a mission to fulfill. Especially when it comes to the Princess…"
The co commanding officer then uttered a small smile of discovery.
"Then, surely this must mean that you are smitten with Princess Amy, are you sir?"
That was when everybody stopped their activities. No movement, no noise, all sight, all eyes, turn to their superior.
Sonic, on the other hand, grew a very noticeable magenta around his peach muzzle, sweat starting to drop down his back out of surprise and…well…
"M...m…me? In love with a pretty hedgehog that is of aristocratic blood, and will probably never consider being seen with me anyway? Why, you must be joking! I mean, I love her, but not in a romantic sense! It's my duty, my job to protect her at all costs, make sure that she won't be in harm's way. We have a reliable relationship, but not intimate, I'm sure of it!"
Silence. Unconvinced mind is turning loose around here…
"Hey!" he stuttered in a hurry, "Why are we still here? Get back to work; we don't have a lot of time!"
"Sorry sir, it's just that…it would be a predictable and suitable match around here. And it would be a shame if she was paired with the wrong kind of suitor." Peter replied.
"Yeah, don't remind me…" he growled under his breath.
Movement commenced once again around his presence, assuring the knight that the subject was dropped.
Who would even consider the thought of him being with the royal heir? Even though he shrugged off the consideration with a laugh, the blue knight's softening, introspective eyes said otherwise.
In the crowd and parade of little lily-of-the-valleys, Amy patiently waited for her dark lover, all the while looking up in the sky at the fluffy snow white clouds.
"Waiting for me, aren't you?"
Amy looked up face to face to Shadow's, giving him an upside down kiss while he came down to sit with her. She sat up to straighten herself, and stared Shadow into his eyes.
"Tell me…do you ever have a certain time in your life that you can be just be thankful of?" Amy inquired.
Shadow, sharpening his dagger from his pocket, gave her a quick glance to show her that he was listening. "What do you mean, just be thankful of?"
"You know, a day where you are reminded that someone gave you life in this world or an angel is watching over you in protection from above. The impression that someone cares about you. You know what I mean."
Shadow shifted his eyebrows. "Amy, are you talking about a birthday?"
She nodded with excitement, hoping that he'll catch on what she's trying to say to him.
The Umbrian prince just sighed, his head down a bit, and laid his head on Amy's lap.
"I don't know…I sometimes wonder if there would ever be a time when I would enjoy being alive."
Amy's expression suddenly turned worried. "Whatever do you mean Shadow?" She started to pet his red and black quills to calm her nerves. Does this mean he was miserable every day, even when he was introduced in the world?
Shadow just slowly nodded, frowning a bit. "I mean, there were too many mistakes, too many ill wills, too much…tragedy" and he stressed the last word, "There had been a motive of my blood. To not suppress your emotions, never let them command over your senses.
"In my family, if you ever saw an injustice, you never stand up because you felt it was none of your business and it may have been justified to them. If you saw someone you loved, you never make a fool of yourself. If you saw a person crying, you don't console them because that is catering to the weak. If you saw a death, never cry. It got to the point where it was my values, my morals. And then, there were moments that I regret ever happening in my life. With all my power and strength, if I could go back in time and reverse it from happening, then everything wouldn't be like hell for me now. That's the reason why I have a grudge against the world.
"But, it's too late for me now. The stern and unfeeling cold put a shield on my heart from all emotions. So, yes, there were also some times when I felt like I shouldn't have been born any way, if this is the person I am."
With full consideration, Amy's heart had a pang of sympathy. She can't believe that her Shadow would feel this way about the world around him. Even his parents don't love him that much, only when he conquers more and destructs more?
Awww, Shadow…
Shadow stopped his musings and looked up at Amy, who was shocked as though something slapped her in the face.
"How could you say that? Believe it or not, there is somebody who cares about you, whether they spite you or fear you. Everybody knows that you have a ferocity that hardens as the years go by, but deep down inside you have at least a soft interior, if you show it. Just remember that, to me, you are something that is unique and beautiful in my eyes. You'll never melt away from the one vacancy in my heart that you have seventy five percent control of."
Red eyes flared up with respect. Shadow came to Amy, lifted her chin so that their eyes would meet and lips adjacent, and kissed her with a fierce emotion that no one will comprehend in their lives.
After they broke up, Amy looked up in the skies, obviously thinking too.
"Anyway, I know how you feel." Her voice lowered to a shameful tone. Shadow noticed this immediately.
"Long ago, my mother was about to give birth to a suitable heir to the Flora throne…"
And as she tries to remember the tragic event, pieces of the graphic occurrence flashed back and forth.
"Mama, is the baby okay?"
"You see, everybody was hoping that a son would be born to be in my place. It was an exciting yet nervous experience. My mother was stressed to the bone…"
"This can't be! The baby came too prematurely!"
"My father was anxious and scared as hell…"
"My Lily, it's going to be okay. You and the baby will make it, just hang on…"
"The whole court was in shambles. A few hours later, it was announced that the baby was born and was, in fact, a male heir. However it would be a sad observation…"
"Your highness –"
"Yes, what is it? Is the baby born? My Lily made it alright?" Aster aggravated.
The doctor, with forlorn eyes, stared the hopeful yet confused king in the eye.
"Your Highness, the Queen is alright, but I'm afraid your son was…a stillborn. A stillborn for five minutes."
Never had Aster have the incentive to break down crying, but it was his moment. Finally, he had achieved something, but it was at an unfortunate price.
He cried out to the skies, "Why? Why put this curse of misfortune of giving us girls instead of a royal son for me? Are you angry at me? Is it my own existence that has angered you in the heavens…?"
Fawn green eyes looked at her father in fright, burning tears sliding down her supple cheeks.
"Daddy…are the gods mad at me? Are you angry at me…?"
"Zechariahs Zinnias was to be his name. King Zechariahs Zinnias. Not the little weakling Amy Rose. Some times, I wonder if I'm the curse. If possible by nature, I really am the reason of Father's frustration all these years."
And as she said this, freshly awakened tears formed at the corners of her eyes.
"Maybe, I might be the one babe that he really didn't want or care for in the world. All of this because I'm a girl."
In a reflex, Shadow held her in a close embrace. He really hated to see her cry like this, especially if she is blaming herself.
"You are wanted in this world. You have a birthday tomorrow that almost everybody celebrates on account of you being alive. For another reason, you've turned my life around as soon as I laid my eyes on you. You melted the frozen shield on my heart ever since, and I have you to thank for it. Just never forget that you touch peoples' hearts",
He kissed her on her forehead.
"In many incredible ways. You'll make a great queen."
Both relieved at each others' comfort, the prince and princess laid there on the lush grass, staring up at the clouds that promise another good day.