chapter 5: Final preparations

"You may kiss the bride!"

Upon hearing these words, Silver and Blaze locked lips in a kiss sweeter than any before it.

"I am so happy!" Silver said with tears of joy in his eyes.

"Me too!" Blaze said, just as happy "I love you Silver!"

"I love you too, Blaze!"

"Silver." she repeated his name.

"Oh Silver!"

"SILVER!"

Silver was shaked awake by Shadow "SILVER! FOR GAIA'S SAKE, WAKE UP!"

"Shadow?" Silver asked sleepily, while rubbing his eyes "What time is it?"

"Six in the morning." Shadow answered.

"Oh Shads, why did you wake me up one hour earlier?" the silver hedgehog asked. He then noticed how fresh Shadow looked "How long have you been up?"

"I haven't slept!" Shadow said. Silver then remembered that Shadow's body doesn't need sleep.

"One of the perks of being the Ultimate lifeform I guess." Silver thought.

"As for your first question: I woke you up because I have to warn you!"

"For what?"

"During the night Whisper and I caught a couple of pirates snooping around the palace." said the dark hedgehog "We still don't know why were they here, but they surely were up to no good!"

Silver froze "Wh-what?! But-but did you catch them?"

"Sadly no," Shadow said with a shame in his voice "But they haven't showed up ever since."

"That's good." Silver said "Have you told Blaze yet?"

"No. Gardon said he is going to tell her once she is up."

"That would be seven o'clock." said the groom "Why did you walk me up earlier?"

"I lost patience." Shadow answered.

Silver smirked "You and Sonic have more in common than you would like to admit, huh?"

Shadow gave him dead eyes "Never say that again!"

"O-okey!" Silver said, a little scared.

(five hours later...)

Once everyone was up, they were all notified about the situation. The heroes definitely weren't pleased to hear that, especially Blaze. But the princess was not going to be threatened.

"I've waited so long for this day!" Blaze had said to Gardon "I am not going to cancel it just for some stupid bandits!"

Most of the other heroes were on the same page as Blaze. Silver was among them. The hedgehog was nervous though, not just for the pirates, but because his wedding was today.

"I feel like I am going to die!" Silver said to his best man, who was helping him with the bowtie of his jet-black costume. The wedding was in less than an hour and the groom was already sweating.

"Don't worry!" Espio tried to calm his friend down "You won't die!"

"Plus we won't let anything kill you." Sonic said, while Tails was helping him with his own black costume, with a nuances of blue in it.

"But maybe you should take it easy with the sweating." Vector said, while looking his white costume in the mirror "I doubt Blaze would wand to kiss a stinky hog."

"I can't help myself!" exclaimed the hedgehog "Me and the love of my life are about to become a husband and wife in less than an hour!"

"Actually the ceremony starts in less than an hour" Tails invited himself in the conversation "and the ceremony would probably take at least half an hour."

"You are not helping." Knuckles said to the fox.

"Not to mention the pirates that are probably trying to kill Blaze, or me, or both of us!" Silver said.

"Which is why I don't understand why do you want me to be on the ceremony, instead of being outside, looking for them!" Shadow asked, irritated by both his bowtie and Silver.

"Because I invited you here so you can all take a break from the usual dangers you have to deal with." Silver explained "Too bad danger found us anyway..."

"Yeah, one of the risks of inviting Sonic the hedgehog!" the blue hedgehog said, somehow proudly.

"Don't flatter yourself, Faker!" Shadow hissed "The pirates are not here for you!"

"Says who?"

"Says I!"

Sonic was about to response, but he then noticed that the black and red hedgehog was struggling with his bowtie "Here, let me help you with it."

"Don't!" Shadow pushed Sonic's hand away "I will do it myself, right after I go and check on Blaze!"

"But you can't go in there!" Knuckles tried to stop the hedgehog, but it was too late. He had already left the room.

"Good to see he's his usual sunny self!" Knuckles said angrily.

"SHADOW IS ONLY TRYING TO SAVE SILVER AND MY LO-I MEAN BLAZE!" Omega boomed, while Gemerl was helping him with his suit (which wasn't an easy task) "WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO STOP HIM?"

In truth Omega wasn't entirely against the idea of letting the pirates kill Silver, but there was a risk they might be afraid Blaze, which was something Omega was definitely not going to tolerate. So he actually wanted for Shadow to stop the pirates.

"I know," said Silver "but I wish he would let himself rest, even for a day."

"Yeah, dude has no chill!" Sonic said "You would think spending so much time around Rouge would calm him down, but..."

Knuckles chuckled "Like Rouge would ever be interested in that freak!"

"I would say he has better chances than you." Charmy said, seeing an opportunity to tease the echidna.

"NO HE DOESN'T!" Knuckles snapped at the bee.

Shadow was now making his way to Blaze's bedroom, where she and the other girl were preparing themselves. He was also trying to fix his bowtie on the way, but he just couldn't get it right.

"Come on, you fuc-" Shadow was saying to himself before bumping into someone, who was coming out of a room.

"Ouh!" Shadow growled "Watch where are..."

He was about to say more, but his brain stopped working upon seeing the person in front of him. It was Rouge, dress in a purple shoulderless dress that was showing her curves very well. She was also wearing gloves in the same color. The bat had changed her usual blue eyeshadow for golden dust. She looked stunning in every meaning of the word.

"Sorry!" Rouge apologize, before looked at Shadow "I didn't wa..." her brain also stepped working upon seeing Shadow. He was dressed in a black suit with nuances of red in it. Underneath was a white shirt, that (alongside with the suit) did little to hide his muscular body. Rouge could swear there were words floating in the air above Shadow spelling "So dashing!"

"Uuuaaaauu I uuuaaaauu." was all they could say for almost a minute.

"It-it's okey!" Rouge was the first to wake up "I wasn't looking where was I going."

"N-no!" Shadow also woke up "I wasn't looking either."

The two then stood still for the next couple of seconds

"Why is this so awkward! " they were both asking themselves.

"So..." the bat broke the silence "Where are you going?"

"To speak with Blaze." the hedgehog answered "Why aren't you with her?"

"Oh, I was but...I left." Rouge was now looking at the ground "I... was feeling uncomfortable around her."

"Is it because you stole from her?"

"You know?"

"Whisper told me."

"Well yes, but it's mostly because she didn't rat me out."

Another few moments of silence came, in which Shadow once again tried to fix his bowtie.

"Need help with this?" asked the treasure huntress.

"No!" her partner responded firmly.

Rouge was not listening "Here! Let me."

Shadow didn't try to fight, knowing that when Rouge had something on her mind, there was no talking her out of it.

"You are once again crossing the line!" said Shadow.

"As always." Rouge responded.

In a few moments she was ready.

"And done!" Rouge said.

"Anyway I have to go." Shadow said "Thanks for the tie!"

"Anytime." Rouge responded "See you at the wedding!"

"Yeah, see you." the hedgehog said as he and the bat parted ways.

"What the underground Gaia just happened!?" both were asking themselves this.

(Blaze's room)

Just like Silver, Blaze was nervous. And not just for the pirates, but for the fact that she would be married to Silver in less than an hour.

"Amy, is this really happening?" asked Blaze the pink hedgehog, who was making her hair. Blaze's hair was now down from its usual palm and Amy was currently curling it with a curling iron.

"Yes, for the third time this morning, it is really happening." Amy said. She was dressed in a red dress with a pail-pink flower motif on it. She also had matching shoes and on her neck was a black choker with a red rose on it.

"Stop worrying, mate!" Marine, who was dressed in a sea-green dress, said "Aside from the pirates, there's nothin' to be afraid of!"

"Speaking of which: what are you going to do about this?" asked Vanilla, while making Blaze's makeup. She was dressed in a orange dress.

"My guards are going to double their efforts!" the bride answered "They will make sure not even a fly can pass!"

"Plus I am sure Mr. Shadow will help them." Cream, dress in an orange dress like her mother's, said while practicing her petal throwing.

"Shadow won't be with the guards, though," Amy said to her sidekick "he will be with us on the ceremony."

Before anyone else could say something, someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" asked Amy.

"It's Shadow! Open up!" the voice on the other side said.

"Talking about the devil..." Belle, dressed in blue dress, said.

"You can't come right now, mate." Marine yelled.

"It's okey, let him in!" Blaze surprised everyone with this.

Cream went to the door and opened it, letting the black and red hedgehog in.

"Blaze, I- ugh!" Shadow was blinded by a flash of light in his eyes.

"Oh, why do you guys always blink!?" Tangle, dress in a yellow dress, asked as she looked at the picture she had just taken.

"Do I even want to know?" Shadow asked the lemur sarcastically.

Tangle was about to answer, but was interrupted by Shadow "Don't answer that!"

"What brings you here, Shadow?" asked Blaze.

"I wanted to ask you to let me be with the guards one last time."

"Why do want her permission?" Amy asked "You usually do whatever you want."

"I am in Blaze's home, so she is in charge and I am not disrespectful enough to cross her word."

"And for the last time my answer is this: stay at the ceremony!" Blaze said firmly.

"Why are you so adamant about me being at the wedding?" Shadow asked.

"Because I know what is like to have tons of responsibilities." answered the princess "I want for all of my friends to forget theirs for at least a day. Shadow, you and Whisper are always trying to protect everybody, but please, take a break! My man are capable enough."

Shadow sighed "Okey, I will take a break." he then started looking around "Speaking of Whisper where is she?"

"Oh, she is dressing up right now." Jewel said as she poured at the bathroom.

Just then the wolf came out and the eyes of everyone in the room widened, even Shadow.

Whisper's hair was down from its usual ponytail and the the wolf had put some lipstick on her lips. But everybody was looking at her body. She was dressed in a red shoulderless dress that was showing all of her curves and more specifically-her chest. The others were surprised by how big her breast was. She could give Rouge a run for her money. And nobody was more surprised than Tangle.

"I knew she was busty, but I didn't know she was THAT busty! " Tangle was thinking to herself while trying to keep her nose from exploding with blood.

"So... how do I look?" the wolf asked shyly. Wearing dress was not her thing.

"You look incredible!" Amy exclaimed.

"Yes, you are very beautiful." Blaze added.

"Thanks." the wolf said. She then turned to her best friend "Do I look good, Tangle?"

Tangle was out of words. What should she say? She had already embarrassed herself on the Bachelorette party and now she had to somehow say to Whisper just how gorgeous she looked, without sounding like a pervert. Okay, she could do this...

"Your breasts are awesome!"

...or maybe she couldn't...

The whole room went silent, with the only noise coming from the crickets, who were saying on their tongue "Welp, her life's over!" Needless to say, Tangle just wanted to die right then and there.

"I...I am so sorry, Whisper!" Tangle apologize, while blushing like crazy "I didn't mean to-"

"No! I-It's fine!" Whisper interrupted the lemur, while also blushing like crazy "I...am glad that you like how I look..."

"Yeah, you look good..." Tangle said awkwardly, while rubbing the back of her head.

"Thanks! You...too..." Whisper whispered.

They laughed silently and awkwardly for a few seconds, until they were interupted by Shadow.

"Ah-hum!" Shadow coughed loudly to get the girls' attention "If you two are done being gay, I would like to speak with Whisper alone."

"WE ARE NOT GAY!!!" the two girls yelled, now completely red.

"Whatever." Shadow rolled his eyes "Can we talk, Whisper?"

"S-sure." the wolf said as she and the hedgehog left the room.

Once they were gone, Belle turned to the other girls "What is "gay"?"

"What's the matter, Shadow?" Whisper asked the hedgehog.

"First: how are you?" Shadow himself asked.

"Good. My arm is healing nicely. I went to the doctor earlier this morning and he said that it should heal completely in a week."

"Good! As for why I wanted to talk: take your mask and wispon to the ceremony!"

"But I heard you saying that you are going to take a break."

"I am, but if I see a signs that the pirates are back I am going to go out and fight them! I want you by my side!"

Whisper was silent for a few seconds before saying "I was thinking about taking them with me anyway. Guess we think alike."

Shadow smirked "Suppose so. I am going back to Silver. You can go back to Blaze too."

"Okey!" the wolf said as she grabbed the door handle "See you at the wedding!"

"See you!" the hedgehog said as he went on his way.

Back with Silver, he and the rest of the boys were ready to go.

"You look good!" Espio said with a smile.

"Thanks!" Silver replied, though it was evident that something was on his mind.

"What's wrong?" asked the chameleon.

Silver took a deep breath and said "Am I about to make a colossal mistake?"

Blaze was ready for the wedding. She was dressed in a white dress that was hiding her legs entirely. The dress was decorated with lavender vines and flowers. The dress was made by some of the best designers in the empire, so it being stunning was not surprising.

"You look absolutely amazing Blaze!" Amy said, getting teary-eyed already.

"Thank you, Amy!" said the cat, but it was evident that something was on her mind.

"What's wrong?" asked Amy.

Blaze took a deep breath "Am I doing the right thing?"

"What kind of questions is that?! Of course you are not!" Sonic explained, surprised by Silver's words, like the rest of the boys.

"I know! It's just-" Silver started saying, but was interrupted by Shadow, entering in the room.

"What's going on? Is Silver ready?" asked the Ultimate lifeform.

"Yes, but he is busy asked stupid questions." Charmy answered.

"What's the problem?"

"It's just I am wondering if this marriage isn't a mistake. What if it doesn't work out!" Silver said.

"Silver," Shadow said firmly "You spent so much time worrying about the future, it's time for you to start living in the present! Nobody knows if this marriage will work out, but you better enjoy it, instead of worrying about the future!"

"Wow!" Sonic gasped "When did you become so wise?"

"I have always been! I just don't share my wisdom with you."

"Alright, Mr. Ultimate ego." Sonic rolled his eyes.

"Of course you are!" Amy couldn't believe her ears.

"I am just-" Blaze was about to say something, but was interrupted by Vanilla.

"I get it, dear," the mother rabbit said "It's perfectly natural to have doubts, but remember: live in the present! Think for the future from time to time, but not too much! Enjoy the time you have with Silver."

Blaze smiled "Thank you, Miss Vanilla. I really need that." she then hugged the rabbit.

Vanilla returned the hug "Anytime, dear. Now let's go, so you can marry your man!"

Blaze chuckled "Okey. Let's go!"

Silver smiled "Thanks Shads! You really helped me. And thanks for everything you've done for me and Blaze so far!"

Shadow closed his eyes and crossed his arms "Don't mention it! Now go and marry your princess so I can eat cake!"

"That I will do!" Silver said confidently "Let's go boys! We have to be there before the bride!"

And so Silver and the other boys left the room, heading towards the great hall. I was time!

Outside of the palace, many robotic eyes were staring at the building.

"They won't even know what hit them!" the robo captain said with an evil smile "Come on, lads! Let's go ruin this wedding!"

After that he and many other pirates headed towards the palace. They were determined to make this wedding unforgettable...

(to be continued...)

(I don't own any of the characters or the locations! They all belong to SEGA! )