The Ambassador Arrives

*The next morning, at the castle, the Prince's yellow mobini cat was taking a nap on one of the thrones in the throne room, purring. Just then, Starline's poodle came sneaking up behind her. He got in position to pounce. He jumped & tried to bit the cat's tail, but missed. The cat opened her eyes*

Ivo: Enjoy it now, sister. 'Cause it ain't gonna be yours much longer.

Maria: Oh please. Having delusions again, Ivo?

Ivo: Let's just say the throne's gonna belong to my Master, Starline. And anything that belongs to him automatically belongs to me.

*He growled at Maria & started chasing her around the throne room, until he crashed into a cabinet*

Maria: Ooh. Loose a tooth, Ivo?

Ivo: My tooth!? No! No! Not my tooth! *he then looked in a mirror & noticed his gold tooth was still there. he sighed in relief* You better hope you've got nine lives, Maria! *he started chasing her again* 'Cause you're need them all!

*Later that day, a red & gold carriage pulled up to the front entrance. A guard walked up to it. Inside was a white female bat with tan skin & teal eyes wearing a fancy purple hat with a purple feather & a purple dress (look up "Victorian Lady in Purple" by "FlapperFoxy" on "DeviantArt") & holding a purple fan. A light & dark brown female chipmunk with dark auburn hair, blue eyes, & a dark auburn stripe wearing a blue & white maid uniform (look up "Sophia Victorian Maid" by "SoapieHH" on "DeviantArt") was sitting beside her*

Rouge: I am Ambassador Rouge. Here by invitation of the Queen *the guard bowed & left. she then turned to the maid sitting next to her* Queen Sally. You are quite sure about this, right?

Sally: I am.

*Meanwhile, up in Shadow's bedroom, the Prince was in the middle of a science lesson with his tutor. He picked up a magnifying glass & used it to examine what looked like a piece of gold. Maria was napping on his desk. Just then, there was a knock at his door*

Shadow: Come in. *the orange cat maid walked into the room* Abby. Perfect timing. I was just about to tell the Professor that I've classified this as iron pyrite. Pretty, but not considered valuable. Commonly known as fool's gold.

Harvey Who: Well, done Your Highness!

Abigail: Yes. Well done. *she curtseyed* Your Highness.

*Shadow & the Professor looked at her, confused*

Shadow: Your Highness? Why the sudden formality. It's just me and the Professor.

Abigail: The Queen sent me. Apparently, the Ambassador has arrived with a gift for you.

Shadow: The Ambassador . . . She's here already?

*Both him & Abigail looked down, sad. The Professor looked at them both with pity

Harvey Who:*in his mind* Why must fate be so cruel to these poor children?

*Down in the throne room, the Ambassador & her maid (Queen Sally) were meeting with Queen Aleena, Dr. Starline, & Fiona*

Sally: On behalf of - uh - Queen Sally. I present this engagement gift to you.

*She handed Queen Aleena a white & gold present. She opened it & found a diamond necklace inside*

Queen Aleena: Oh, thank you Ambassador. Prince Shadow will be quite pleased.

*Queen Sally turned to look at a portrait of the Prince on the wall*

Rouge: May I inquire, Your Excellency, if you have set a date for the wedding.

Queen Aleena: Will a week from today do?

Dr. Starline: Ah! Next week! *everyone looked at him in confusion. Fiona gave her Father a side glare* A most wise and thoughtful decision, Your Majesty.

Rouge: Excellent! I will - uh - send for Queen Sally. So that she may meet her new husband.

*Queen Sally looked at the portrait again*

*Later, back in the Prince's room, Maria was wearing the diamond necklace & admiring herself in a mirror. Abigail walked past her & on to the balcony. Shadow was standing on it & watching a cream & brown female rabbit & a gray female manta ray playing together in the garden*

Shadow: Oh happy. Free to do whatever they want. *he turned to Abigail* What do you think Queen Sally will be like?

Abigail: Oh, I'm sure she'll be . . . Suitable.

Shadow: I know it's the right thing to marry her, but sometimes I wish . . . Well . . .

*He turned away from her*

Abigail: Apparently, she's a lover of music. She plays three different instruments. The flute, the violin, and the piano. *he didn't cheer up. she thought for a minute & got an idea* Shadow? *he turned back to her* You're going to need your cape.

Shadow: I am? Why?

*She just smiled at him*

Note: Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper