Oh. My. God. This is my longest chapter ever, and its the third update. IN ONE DAY! This will be the last for today, though. Anyway, hope you enjoy it. I'm sure some of you will. :)

Chapter 7: Blaze Confesses

"So, Blaze, this is where you're from?" Sonic asked. Blaze nodded, smiling.

"I've got a question: If you're a princess, why don't these people worship you and the ground you walk on?" Knuckles asked.

"Well, the truth is, no one outside of the Royal Family and Royal Guard even knows I'm the princess," Blaze explained. "Except for you, of course."

"Why not?" Cream asked.

"Its kinda tradition. Royal family members' status is kept a secret until they reach maturity. Its a matter of safety." Blaze answered. "I'm almost old enough. When my birthday comes, my father, the King, will announce it to the public, and there will be a festival called the "Festival of Roaring Fire". There will be dancing, music, and many other forms of entertainment."

"And how old do you have to be, exactly?" Amy asked.

"Maturity is, at least in the Royal Family, reached at fifteen. My birthday is in a few more weeks." Blaze answered. "Other families may say the age is older, or even younger."

"Sounds pretty cool." Sonic said.

"Hey, can we meet the King?" Vector asked.

"Hmm... if he isn't busy, I suppose so." Blaze answered.

"All right then, lets go!" Charmy shouted.

"Charmy, calm down! I'm pretty sure the King wouldn't want to put up with you if you bug him." Espio said.

"Sorry..."Charmy apologized. Blaze then took them to the castle. There were two guards in front of the door, wearing red armor and holding lances.

"Are they with you?" One of the guards asked Blaze. She nodded, and they were allowed admittance. After entering, everyone but Blaze looked around in wonder at the Entrance Hall. It was huge, with a large chandelier in the middle of the ceiling. On the walls were various portraits of past Royal Family members.

"Whoa..." Sonic murmured.

"This place is huge!" Cream exclaimed. Shadow wasn't greatly interested in the room, but instead about those guards.

"Why don't they use modern weapons, like guns?" He asked.

"The Four Kingdoms decided not to use guns long ago, as they believed it would only lead to more destructive weapons." Blaze answered. "So we use weapons that to you would be considered 'old'. Nega is the only one who uses them."

"Hold on. Four Kingdoms? There are more?" Rouge asked.

"Of course. It would be ridiculous to think one Kingdom could rule the whole world." Blaze responded. "That is where both Eggman and Eggman Nega fail: They do not realize this. Now then, follow me." Blaze led them through the castle, until they reached a large door with red and gold designs on it.

Blaze opened the door, and revealed two golden thrones on the other side of the room. The one on the right had a red cat. He appeared to be very old, looking to be about sixty years old. He wore a red robe and a gold, ruby encrusted crown. The throne on the left, however, was empty.

"Hello, father!" Blaze greeted.

"Blaze, nice to see you!" He replied. "How have you been? Are the Sol Emeralds safe?"

"Yes, they are quite safe." She answered. "I wanted to introduce you to my friends." Sonic and the others stepped forward. "Father, this is Sonic, Cream, Tails, Knuckles, Amy..." She listed everyone but Nova, as he wasn't present.

"Blaze has said very good things about you, Sonic and friends. Is it true that you helped her return to our world?" Asked The King.

"Yep!" Sonic replied, giving a thumbs-up.

"I thank you very much. So, how long will you be here?" The King asked. Everyone then faced Tails.

"I'm... not really sure, yet." Tails answered.

"Well, you're welcome to stay as long as you'd like." Replied The King.

"Thanks, um..." Cream started.

"Oh, yes. I am King Corona III." Answered King Corona.

"Thank you, King Corona." Cream said, smiling.

"So, do you have any other concerns that need addressed?" Corona asked.

"No, I think thats all." Sonic answered.

"Well, okay then. Enjoy yourselves. Oh, and Blaze," King Corona said. "Your mother is in the medical wing. Do be sure to visit with her later today." Blaze nodded, and led her friends out. As they stepped out of the castle, they heard a voice speak to them.

"So, you're a princess, huh?" Everyone looked up and saw Nova flying overhead.

"So, I guess you heard, eh?" Sonic asked.

"Yes. I was just wandering around more or less aimlessly, when I spotted this town. So I checked it out, and a few minutes later, I saw you go into the castle. The guards wouldn't let me in, but I flew up to a window and listened." Nova explained.

"So, anything interesting happen with you?" Amy asked.

"Nope. I was pretty bored." Nova answered. "So, are you going to head back to the temple?"

"No, I think we'll stay here for a little while longer." Blaze answered.

"All right. If you need me, I'll be around here... somewhere." Nova said, and wandered off.

"Do you need me to lead you around?" Blaze asked.

"No, I think we're able to find our way around." Shadow answered. He also walked off.

"Okay," Blaze responded. Everyone started to walk away, going in separate directions. "Um... Sonic? Could you come with me for a moment?"

"Sure." Sonic answered. "I'll catch up with you later!" He called to Tails, who nodded and walked off. He and Blaze walked through the city for a minute, neither saying anything.

"Um... so... did ya have something you wanted to say to me?" Sonic asked. Blaze remained silent. "Is it what you were going to say yesterday? On the roof?" Blaze nodded slowly. "Well, it must've been of some importance for you to bring it up again. What is it?" Blaze glanced over at Sonic nervously.

"Blaze," Sonic said. "If you don't tell me, its just gonna keep bugging you." Blaze looked to Sonic again.

"I wish I could tell him..." Blaze thought. It was hard for her to think clearly, as her stomach was churning, making her feel sick. Sonic brought Blaze over to a bench and they both sat down.

"Blaze, is something wrong?" Sonic asked, very concerned. "I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"

"No... you didn't do anything, Sonic..." Blaze responded. "I... I..."

"Blaze? What? You what?" Sonic asked.

Blaze was getting frustrated with herself, though she didn't show it. Sonic waited for her to say whatever was on her mind, occasionally trying to encourage her. This went on for several minutes. Finally, a voice in her head shouted out above her thoughts.

"Just do it!"

"Sonic... I... I love you!" Blaze shouted. Feeling an immense weight lifting from herself, she threw her arms around a now stunned Sonic. "I love you!" She repeated.

"DUDE! Blaze loves me? Wow..." Sonic thought. He began to feel his stomach churning, and he just felt... weird. But it was a good weird. Sonic couldn't figure out how to describe it. He put his arms around Blaze and pulled her a little closer.

"I love you, too." Sonic whispered. Neither one knew how much time passed as they sat their, embracing each other.


Wow. Just wow. Hope you liked it! I didn't think I'd be good at romance, but I think I did okay! Anyway, review!