The sun burned into the hedgehog's skin. Sweat poured off of him. He was slumped over vacillating in and out of conscience. Every limb of his body was chained down to the horse he rode on. His horse was tide to another horse by a thick rope. On that horse rode the tall echidna guard. Beside him rode two other guards.

The smallest guard spoke, " I just can't believe it. My kids looked up to him!"

The medium echidna interjected, " Yeah, and on the inside he was just serial murderer-- slash-- rapist."

The tallest guard stopped the caravan. "This should be good. It is much farther than what was recommend to us. Soon the echidnas dismounted their beasts of burden. The short one took out his water and drank. The middle size guard began to unbuckle the hedgehog. He yanked hard and with a thud the hedgehog face smashed into the hot sand. The blue one coughed as he suddenly was wrenched back into reality.

The tall one approached, "You don't look so tough now! Violating a girl…"

The tall echidna began to pull his fits back.

"Hey that's not our assignment." yelled the small Guard.

The small echidna put down his water and began to help undo the chains.

The hedgehog moaned.

"Yaknow, this guy is crazy, if we take off all his chains, he'll come after us." The tall echidna paused, " I saw what he can do on the battlefield. We should kill him for our safety."

"NO!" the medium guard growled, " I want him to burn to death under this sun. He should suffer!"

"Then what?" the Tall guard asked.

"Well lets' knock him out. And then take off his chains." suggested the small guard.

"Sounds good to me." agreed the tall one.

Sonska closed his eyes awaiting the coming punishment. Then a heavy blow to right of his cranium made his left side go num. The hedgehog fell over. He felt himself being clobbered over and over. Pain would build until all conscience was lost.

***

It has been a long night for the new General, Sonska the hedgehog. He slumped in his seat in the War Room of the Echidna Palace. All he could hear was bah bah bah analysis of how to approach the dingoes in the sandlands. As he grumbled in his misery he looked at the reflection on the side of his gold cup of water. He stared at it hard using his imagination. Then he saw something in the reflection, eyes. He immediately sat up * Maybe I should lay off the chocolate intake.* Curiosity got to him and he looked at the cup again. The eyes, on closer inspection had a face, a girl's face. He quickly turned to see if anyone was behind him. All he saw was the grand doors were cracked a tiny bit open. His ears perked up. He quickly came to his feet. "May I be excused."

The Chief grunted, " This meeting is not over."

"I need to go piss."

Nazel made a revolting stare. He muttered, "How vulgar."

The Chief huffed, " Go… but be back."

"Yes sir!" Sonska said and was out the door.

He looked up and down the hall and saw nothing, but he heard the light sounds of foot steps trailing in the distance. He started after the sound. He turned the corner and saw her running. He smiled and ran up. Before he could tap her shoulder she disappeared.

*Whoa…* he thought standing there stunned. He shook he head, "No more chocolate for me…"

Then he turned back and made a frighten yelped. He took a few steps back griping his heart.

"I am sorry I frighten you." she said.

He swallowed, " I'm okay."

Then she started a fast walk down the hall. She walked gracefully with her hands behind her back. Sonska enjoyed looking at the slope her neck and shoulders.

He called out, " Hey how did you disappear like that? Where are you going?"

He ran in front of her and started walking backwards. Then Sonska regained his composure quickly.

He coolly asked, "So why were you peekin' in on us?"

"What business of that is yours?"

"That was top secret stuff. Not for your ears."

"Yes, you seemed very interested in it." she joked.

"Fine, you know what I think…well I think…you were lookin' at me."

For a second she looked flushed. Then the echidna girl started to stir her right foot in a circle.

She piped up, " So what if I was looking at you—What does that mean?"

"It means you have superb taste!"

She chuckled lightly at him and started walking again.

The hedgehog said, " What's your name?"

"Princess Tikal."

"Princess…Oh I heard of you. Their are right, you're hot."

"Hot!?"

"Yeah very nice T&A…excellent really."

"Of course you would think that solider boy. You have a babies' momma in each village! Don't you?"

"No I don't! I'm not like that."

"Whatever you say."

"No I'm NOT. I'm still a virgin."

This made her stop in her tracks.

"You can't be. I can't imagine how many girls have thrown themselves at you."

"Is there something wrong with being a virgin?"

"No, not at all, I'm a virgin too, …It is just that you are beautiful." Tikal said softly, " Did you have a girlfriend in the past?"

"I never had a girlfriend. It's hard to have a relationship with someone always running from the law."

"You're a criminal!?"

"Use to be, of sorts… I stole precious items, mostly."

"Have you been stealing from us!!??"

"NO. I don't care for riches…I did it for the thrill…My parents found out and sent me here, so I could clean up my act."

They heard some voices. She bolted and he ran with her. She picked up a torch and a panel in the hall opened. A few minuets later they were on the other side of the Palace.

He watched her catch her breath. He said, "Really I'm not like that."

She smiled up at him.

A light bulb when off in his head. " Let me prove it! Lets' chill."

She only glanced at him and started down the hall.

She said, " I can't."

Then Tikal opened her bedroom door. Sonska tried to follow in behind her. She almost had it closed when he stopped it with his left hand.

"You're not giving me a chance." he pleaded.

"I said, I can't. If we are even seen alone together you will be beheaded, and much worse things will happen to me, So good night Mr. Hedgehog."

A sly smirk formed on his lips.

He said, " I have a feelin' that you don't always follow the rules…Hence, peeking into the War Room."

Tikal dropped her head smiling. Then she tilted her head up looking at him.

"I'm completely safe, I'm not gonna rape you." he explained.

She inquired, "You just want to talk."

"Yes. Nothing else, hedgehog promise."

She released the door and let him in. Then darkness clouded his vision. Sonska pushed himself up into a sitting position. He realized he was dreaming about the past. He saw that he was in the sandlands. Sweat dripped off of him and would evaporate before they touched the ground. Urges to vomit rose. The only thing the battered fighter could think of was finding Tikal and hopefully his baby still growing in her. He shook the sand out of his fur. * They could have killed me…no one would have known… I must save her!… Ti…if they hurt her I'll kill them. But I must move! I must get goin'* Then he staggered to his knees. The hedgehog covered his eyes and took in a panoramic view of his surrounds. Sand, it was just endless sand in every direction. His hand fell over his right side. His teeth clenched. His stab healed using his clothing as a part of his new skin. He tore away his blood soaked clothing. It ripped open his flesh. * I shouldn't mess with it… it'll just hurt more. I… have to stay focused. Tikal.* Next the hedgehog surveyed his soundings again. This time and found the tracks the horses had left behind.