A few months pass, and the day of Sonic and Sally's mating ceremony arrived. Sonic was down in the forge with Tails, talking to him about his decision to be mated to Sally. "This isn't right Tails. I don't think this is the right decision at all."

The orange fox checked his two tails for metal dust. "Not to be an arse, but you should have thought about that earlier Sonic."

The cobalt speedster nodded. "I know. Trust me, I love Sally, but it's a different kind of love. It's more of a brother/sister love."

Tails nods. "Does Sally know that?"

Sonic sighs. "I can't tell her that, Tails. It would break her heart. I've already made Sally angry for visiting Princess Amy Rose. She'd kill me if I said I didn't love her like she loves me."

The fox nods and follows the hedgehog out of the forge. "Well, it's too late to turn back on your decision Sonic."

Sonic sighs. "I know."

The males exit the forge and get ready for the mating ceremony.

-Rose Castle-

Queen Rose knocks on Princess Amy's chamber door. There's no answer, only crying is heard. The white hedgehog enters the room to find Cream holding the sakura hedgehog. "Cream, what's wrong?"

The rabbit frowns. "Princess Amy's sad. Well, she's beyond that, Your Highness."

Queen Rose sits beside them. "Why are you so sad Amy?"

The princess answers with a few sobs between each word. "T-Today is the-the m-mating ceremony for S-Sally and-and Sonic."

The queen nods. "You really care about him don't you?"

Amy nods. "It's not j-just that. I-I love him."

Queen Rose frowns as Amy resumes her crying on Cream's shoulder. The rabbit sighs. "Princess Amy's been crying for the last three hours."

Queen Rose nods. "Have you tried saying Sonic doesn't truly love Princess Sally?"

Cream nods. "Several times. It's no good. Nothing's working."

King Rose enters the room now. "It seems the only thing that will help Amy's sorrow is to have Sonic as her mate."

The white hedgehog turns to her fire-red husband. "Do you have any ideas?"

The king shook his head. "None that will satisfy her. She'll have to take a mate that isn't Sonic."

Amy's voice is heard. "NEVER! I'd rather live a lonely life than take a mate that isn't Sonic!"

The queen sighs. "Amy, don't you want our family line to continue?"

The rose-pink princess nods. "Yes, b-but only with S-Sonic."

Cream keeps rubbing Amy's back. "I'm sorry Your Highness, but it looks like you have no choice."

Amy stands and faces the others, her green eyes still filled with tears. "Then all of you leave me. Get out."

King Rose frowns. "You have no authority to order me and your mother around."

Amy's eyes flash. "I SAID GET OUT!"

The king starts toward his daughter, but Queen Rose and Cream grab him. He growls. "Let go of me!"

The two females shake their heads and literally drag him out of the room. The queen has guards stand outside the room. "Let no one in until Princess Amy feels better. That includes His Royal Highness here."

The three guards nod and take their positions outside Amy's room. Cream looks at the queen. "How long will Princess Amy be crying?"

Queen Rose sighs. "Until Sonic is in her arms as her mate."

The two females drag the struggling King Rose to his chambers. In Amy's chambers, the princess is on her knees, crying against the balcony rail. "Oh Sonic… Please come back to me."

-Acorn Castle, 7 PM-

The sun is just about to set, and everyone is gathered outside the king and queen's balcony. There's a priest, Tails, King and Queen Acorn, and Sonic standing on it. Tails takes a giant club and bangs once on a nearby gong. Two doors open up on the left side of the balcony, and Princess Sally Acorn appears. She's wearing a white silk dress with a white veil and a sapphire tiara. Sonic smiles. 'Boy does Sally look beautiful.'

The priest brings the hedgehog and ground squirrel close together and begins speaking. "Good townspeople, we are gathered here today to join Princess Sally Acorn and the knave Sonic the Hedgehog in a mating ceremony. If anyone believes these two should not be together, speak now or stay silent forever."

Sonic thinks to himself. 'I know someone, but she's not here.' Silence greets the priest, so he continues. "Sonic, take Sally's hands."

The cobalt hedgehog does so, and his emerald green eyes stare into Sally's sapphire blue eyes. He repeats after the priest. "I promise that I'll only be by your side, and that I'll love only you."

Sally smiles, then repeats after the priest. "I promise that no one but you will get my love, and that I'll never leave your side."

The priest smiles and speaks to the townspeople. "Let it be known now that Sonic and Sally are now mated together! May they live long lives and bear many children!" (Note: Being mated in this case is like an arranged marriage. Thank you to holospartoi258 for reminding me to point this out.)

The crowd of commoners cheered as Sally pulled Sonic into a tender kiss. Sonic kisses back, but his heart and thoughts are elsewhere. 'This isn't right! I'm living a lie! I don't love Sally like this!'

The kiss breaks, and Sally nuzzles Sonic's left cheek. "I love you Sonic."

Sonic nuzzles back. "I love you too Sal."

Sally smiles and leads Sonic inside, followed by King and Queen Acorn. Tails is behind them, but he's frowning. 'Sooner or later Sonic, the pressure will get to be too much, and you'll finally make the right decision. I really hope you make it soon, for everyone's sake.'

-Rose Castle-

Cream the seamstress enters Princess Amy's chambers, and finds the pink hedgehog leaning on her balcony rail. "Princess Amy?"

Amy doesn't move, so Cream slowly approaches her. "Your Highness?"

Still no answer. Cream gently puts a hand on Amy's shoulder. This makes Amy turn to her. "Cream? W-What's going on?"

The rabbit smiles. "You fell asleep I guess."

Amy sighs. "Is Sonic here?"

Cream frowns. "Sorry milady. No sign of him."

The princess nods. "Thank you Cream."

Cream nods. "I've been asked to inform you that the first group of males are going to be here in one week's time."

Amy growls. "Tell my mother and father that all will be sent away. Only Sonic will satisfy me."

Cream sighs. "Will you even take one look at them?"

Amy shakes her head. "No. Not one will I lay eyes on, nor will they see me. Until Sonic comes back, I will not leave my chambers."

Cream nods and goes on her way. When she exits the chambers, Cream finds Queen Rose waiting. "Has she changed her mind?"

The rabbit shakes her head. "No, Your Highness. Only Sonic will change her ways."

Queen Rose summons a squire and writes a letter. Turning to the squire, the white hedgehog nods. "Take this to Acorn Castle, and personally deliver it to Sonic the Hedgehog. Hurry."

The squire nods and leaves. The queen turns to the rabbit. "Keep this quiet. I want this to be special."

Cream smiles. "You want him to be with Amy don't you?"

Queen Rose nods. "I've yet to meet him, and I think he should be with her. If he's only been here once and made her smitten with him, then I think there's no other male she should be with. Now, go on about your work."

Cream bows. "Yes Your Highness."

After Cream leaves, Queen Rose sighs. 'Please hurry Sonic.'

-Acorn Castle-

Sonic and Sally are just entering their chambers from dinner. Sally climbs onto the bed as Sonic bars the door, locking the wooden bar.

Sally purrs to Sonic from the bed. "Oh Sonic, come lay with your mate, and let her give you the best night of your life."

Sonic nearly vomits, but joins Sally on the bed. "Since this is my first time doing this, I don't know what to do."

The squirrel princess smiles. "This is my first time as well, so just go with the flow."

Sonic nods, and the new couple has what will turn out to be the best night of their lives. Three hours pass, then Sonic and Sally fall asleep, snuggled close together in the silk bed sheets. Sonic dreams of Amy, and finally being back in her arms.