It was a new day in Mobotropolis; the king and queen were out on the streets. So they could meet the princess of Zaria. The kingdom of Zaria was just beside Mobotropolis. The princess was staying with them for a month, the reason was so she could find herself a suitor. During these times, it was the parents who decided what man/woman their child would marry. However, this princess' parents want her to chose, but if she doesn't find one until she's 19; they will find her a husband. The princess was now 18, only having a month before turning 19. Sonic and Sally patiently wait for their new arrival, "How long will she be staying with us?" Sally questions, looking over to the entrance. The queen was rather excited to see her best friend again. It has been years since they last talked.

"Only a month my dear! Everything will be fine." Sonic smiles, taking a hold of her hand. She smiles up at him, then looks back to the open entrance. Hearing the horses trotting on the wooden bridge.

They watch as the two horses trot into their town, pulling the carriage towards them. They wait until the carriage's side was in front of them. The driver hops off his seat and walks to the passenger door. Opening the door for the princess. Out first was a foot in light blue flat shoe. Stepping upon the carriage's small steps. She had her gown lifted so you could have a peak of her ankle. Revealing her skin was the color pink. Her opposite foot steps onto the next step, before standing onto the ground. The princess had emerald bright eyes, small pink lips which always had a smile and pink hair that's tied up into a high bun. She was wearing: a blue and white gown, a golden belt wrapped around her hips with 3 golden buttons in the middle of her skirt horizontally, golden ring bracelets, white gloves along with white arm warmers and a sky blue hairband with golden metal circles on each side.

A smile of grace plastered on her face. A face of an angel. The princess walk towards the king and queen. She greets them with a curtsy, "It's wonderful to see you my king and queen. It is an honor to be in your presence."

Sonic bows in return. "We can say the same, princess Rose." Sally smiles at her old friend.

"I can't wait to catch up Amy."

The princess smiles back. "If you don't mind, but we would like if you would accompany us to the market?" Sally questions, linking her with Amy. Who smiles in return for the offer.

"I don't mind; I would love to." The two royal ladies begin to walk toward the streets of sellers. Sonic snaps his fingers, signalling the guards to walk beside them. Knuckles goes to Sally's side whilst Josh- another guard- goes to the princess' side. Sonic walks behind the two ladies. The two began a conversation about their time apart. Whilst the small group go through the market, they don't notice two criminals setting their eyes on the women's jewelry. Which shines brightly on their wrists and necks. Knuckles was intrigued by all the merchants on the street. It has been some time since he last visited a market such as this. He had an old friend run errands for him (Get him food and essential items) whilst he watched the Master Emerald. So he rarely left his former home.

The princess smiles upon a beautiful bunch of flowers; all of different kinds. But one that certainly stood out to Amy was the roses. These flowers were plastered around her castle and life as a symbol of her family. It has been for generations. "Oh my, what extraordinary roses!" She beams, parting from the group to have a closer look. The queen soon follows as the men stop. Sonic looks for something to catch his interests as the guards watch the women.

"Can we please buy these?" Amy asks of Sally. Who nods in return making the hedgehog smile.

As Sally began to pay for the roses; there was a sudden tug at her necklace. Her eyes dart down to see the necklace has disappeared. Amy gasps, knowing the reason why. "Help! Help, there's a thief!" She points to two hooded figures. Running and pushing through the large crowds. The guards were quick to react, following the hooded culprits. Who were taking each turn to avoid the guards. But they still were on their tracks. The hooded figure on the right- who seemed to be a bat judging from the wings- Throws a stall over. Letting the items fall to the ground. Knuckles managed to jump over them. Unlike the other guard who fell (literally) for the bats obstacle.

The unknown partner in crime huffs in frustration, "Let's escape by going above ground." He says, whilst grabbing more items as they run by stalls. Knuckles was getting closer. They needed a way out fast. The bat grins in response, before opening her wings. Jumping up to now be flying. Grabbing her partner in crime under his arms. Knuckles notices what's going to happen; he swiftly runs down an alley. Finding a way up to the roofs. As if he'd let these hooligans steal from not only the queen but one of his dearest friends. The bat flies upward, letting her friend go onto the roofs. They both are running beside each other again. As they were nearing the stone wall around the town, the bat was forced backward. Her friend hadn't notice till he was just at the edge of the wall. He looks back, muttering something under his breathe. His friend falls back thanks to that persistent guard. As the bat falls onto the brick, Knuckles straddles her waist. "I got you, thief!" As she tries to fight back, her hood falls. Causing Knuckles to pause upon viewing her face.

She was ravishing.

Those teal eyes were mesmerizing, her plumb pink lips formed in a snarl. He was taken back for that small moment. She took his vulnerability as an advantage, pushing his body off of hers. Swiftly flying towards her friend. Who was relieved to see she can still stand on her own. They both jump over the wall, running deep into the forest. Knuckles growls in frustration as he watches them leave. Disappointed in himself for letting them get away. How could let that bat's beauty distract him?

"Knuckles! Knuckles where are you?!" He hears the king call for him. Knuckles sighs in defeat, before climbing down the building to see the blue hedgehog down the narrow street. Sonic smiles, now suddenly being right in front of Knuckles (thanks to his super speed). "Did you get them? Where's my wife's necklace?"

Knuckles shakes his head, avoiding eye contact. "No. I'm sorry but they got away, sir." Sonic's smiles disappears.

"Damn it, well, I want you to keep an eye out for them." He turns, walking back down the street to meet up with his queen and guest. "I'll inform the rest of the guards of these thiefs." Sonic states, Knuckles only hums a yes. Following him down the street.

The two stop running to take a small breather. The bat rests her hand against a tree. Leaning over slightly as she heavily breaths, "That- was- thrilling!" She says between her breathes.

Her friend scoffs, "It was alright. However, I recommend you to be more careful Rouge. He almost caught you. I'm surprised you didn't freeze like he did when you were blushing. Don't deny it." She smirks up at the hedgehog.

"I won't, Shadow. As long as you don't deny that pink princess didn't catch your attention either." Rouge teases with a small cackle. She knew Shadow too well. As soon as she saw Shadow gaze at the pink hedgehog for more than 10 seconds; he was interested in her. If Shadow saw something he liked, he'd take a longer inspection on it.

He turns his back to Rouge, "I was inspecting her jewelry. That's all. I'm sure that princess shall be at that ball later tonight. So I will have a chance to steal her jewelry then." Shadow explains in a rather rushed tone.

Rouge shrugs her shoulders, "Alright~ Let's go." They begin to run back to their shared cottage. Deep into the woods.