***

Tikal's eyelids sunk down. The sun began it's journey under the horizon. From her balcony she could see the shadows it created over the city. Soon she laid down on her bed. Her face seemed to be stuck to her pillows. Her hand gravitated to her belly. *What's gonna happen to us? * The princess shifted onto her back. * If I move anymore I will wrinkle this dress… Grandfather would explode. I'm dieing! This thing is digging into my waist!* Two taps came from the princess's door. Like a ghost coming out of the shadows Tikal's grandmother emerged from the room's entrance. Her slow stunted walk made the princess scared. The princess immediately ran over to her. Grandmother seemed to be in a trance. She made low mumbles as she touched the young girl's face. Grandma's voice was weaker than usual.

"Is he coming for you?"

"Who?"

"The hedgehog."

The princess blushed. The expression in her grandmother's face was kindhearted, yet held a stark sadness underneath. Her cold wrinkly hands shook from old age. They only seem to give comfort to Tikal.

The Grandmother continued, "You must leave with him."

"Wha'?"

Then a loving kiss was placed on the princess head. "You must go."

The old echidna woman made a weak but very sweet smile and proceeded out the room.

***

At 7pm sharp the stuffy occasion began. The Princess and the Chief stayed close together and traveled the room. Princes cordially greeted Tikal and quickly magnetized to the Chief for a brief, and hopefully impressive conversation. The longer, the better, the most likely a certain princes would become the second most powerful echidna royalty in the kingdom. Sonska walked around the perimeter of the room with an unwavering distained burning in his heart. He hated what he had to witness. Tikal was stiff with mystical beauty as a porcelain doll. All the males surrounded her pretending to be interested in her. It made his quills curl.

"Hey watch out!!!"

Sonska heard a nearby scream. The next moment he was flat on his back. The small box the hedgehog was carrying spun out onto the floor.

"Excuse me!" gasped Nazel as he lay on top of the hedgehog. "Oh! Forgive me hedgehog!" The echidna picked up the box, " I guess this is yours."

Then General press his hands on the rippling hard stomach of the High Royal General as he got up.

"No, prob' I wasn't lookin' where I was goin'." replied Sonska.

Nazel help the blue one to his feet and started to dust him off.

"I see you made it here together and well. You look a little stressed—is something wrong?" Questioned the echidna.

" Oh I guess I didn't get enough sleep last night."

" Well make sure you do get some. The wedding is set for early morning. The king will want some extra security … of course."

"Fine then. But I'm The High Royal General of the army. Doesn't he have enough guards for the job?"

The echidna felt flush for a second, "Your present is good for moral! * and it's easier to keep an eye on you if you're here.*"

Nazel's nervous smile did not fit well with Sonska.

The echidna continued, " Enjoy the party, then."

The Nazel went back to the party. * Walkers dam it! You are soo awful Nazel!* The echidna General thought to himself with a smile, "His body feels good… I have to stop lusting after that brat!* Soon Nazel arrived at the Chief's side. The Chief grunted under his breath, " What is he doing here?!!!"

The General felt his palms become sweaty, "I kinda got caught by him. This was the only excused I could make up on the moment."

"Incompetent! How can you be so incompetent!!!"

" Sir, I am deeply regretful ."

"Make sure you watch him."

"Yes sir."

The chief returned to the gathering. He rested his heavy hand on the princess's shoulder. Tikal tried to focus her mind. *Relax! Relax! Relax! Oh…. oh I have to pee.* She quickly looked up, " Grandfather may I be excused for a moment."

He glanced down, "Be back soon."

It almost seemed that she ran out of the grand room. Sonska noticed her move and disappeared as well.

***

Tikal smooth down her dress feeling very relieved. She walked down the hall slowly. She did not want to go back the that room full of aristocrats. Suddenly, a door pops open. She froze and was pulled inside the room. The door quietly closed behind her.
The smells of the Garden room surrounded her. She could feel the rushing water rumble the floor beneath her. Her eyes lit with fire. Her lips touched Sonska's. They pressed delicately. In silence, they tasted each other. He said, "We're outta here!"

Next the hedgehog grabbed her arm. He never held it so tight as he did in that moment. He began to move towards the balcony.

Tikal said softly, " The Palace is teaming with people. We will be seen."

" Forgot who you're looking at?"

" The guards are former marks men from the army. You saw what they could do in battle. They can shoot any moving thing, even you."

Sonska paused realizing he did not think of that. He could feel her spirit fading. In a second her spirit flashed inside her again.

"What's that in that box!"

" I'll show you later—we need to escape Tikal."

"I want to see it!" Tikal grab the box from him and popped it open. Inside of it was the beautiful gold necklace.

"Sonska! It's Gorgeous!"

"You like it? * Ha ha the hedgehog always knows.*" Sonska smiled.

"Put it on me please."

Sonska was more than happy to put his gift around her neck.

"Their will be less guards at night and the darkness will conceal us from the marksmen." She paused, " I'll light the candle when it is safe to come, as always."

Sonska stroked her hand. She could see how his heart was hurting. A part of him was straining to hold back tears.

"Sonska, I must tell you something."

"Wha'?" He said as his eyes become glossy. His touch became a little firmer but still maintained a loving caress.

" I am pregn— "

The door to the garden room slammed open. A maid with a very botched dreadlock job rushed in. She looked very angry. She stopped at stared at the couple. They stared at the maid. Then the light purple echidna spoke, "THIS IS NOT THE WHERE THE PARTY IS !!" in a slight strained voice. From the hallway another voice said, " It is at the end of the hall."

"Dam!" the maid echidna whispered to herself and then she quickly left the room.

Tikal pondered " Are we in trouble? I mean she saw us."

" She seemed preoccupied, though."

" For a second I thought we were cooked!" Tikal fearfully laughed. " I better get back now." She smiled and kissed Sonska again. After she left, some time later the hedgehog found his way back to the ball.

***

*Where is that beautiful blue barbarian!* Nazel searched the crowed room for him. *I have to find him or the Chief will punch my face through my anus. Fuck!* He began the hunt. Then out of the corner of his eye Sonska appeared. * Good I get to keep my head on my neck. *

The party seemed to be going fine, when an argument broke out between two maids. Nazel assumed one of them must have dropped something. It was just that they were acting so uncivilized about it, especially here. In a second, one of the maids rose up. She was quite ugly light purple echidna girl. Then she lifted the sleeve on her right arm. On the top of her hand rested and small crossbow. She pointed it directly at the Chief and shot it execution style. The arrow cut through the air. The guests scattered in the panic. Sonska instincts went into action. The blue one set off turbo and leaped into the air. He caught the arrow moments before impact and threw it back at her. She was starting a dash for the hallway when the arrow snagged her clothing and welcomed her to the ground. She quickly flipped to her side ripping her clothing away from the arrow. Blood dripped out of her lip. The Blue hedgehog dive onto her and yanked her head up. To his surprise her hair came off. He stared at the ball of dreadlocks for a couple seconds too long. SLAM She hit him straight in the face. He stumbled back. And through one eye he noticed that she was not an echidna all … but a hedgehog! Sonska still a bit shaken tried to grab her. She had great flexibility and turned and twisted out of his arms. Soon she was fading. Sonska began to grasp at the ghostly image only to scrape his claws against the floor.

Soon Sonska got up and returned to the party. This, by now, reflected the aspects of a support group. The guests' brush with death was a cohesive factor and they started to talk among themselves. They began to make up stories of heroics that were never done. The Chief was the most impressed and hugged Sonska in great thankfulness.

The Chief took a long breath and easily said, "I knew I could expect great things from you, hedgehog."

***