Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Acorn, trouble was brewing! The once quiet and peaceful kingdom was now filled with constant bickering and skirmishes. The townsfolk were sick of it, and they had two opposing families to thank for their daily headaches. To say things between these two families were unpleasant, would be a gross understatement. You couldn't walk two steps outside your own house without having to dodge empty (and sometimes not so empty) glass bottles, pieces of furniture or fists. On this particular day one member of the Roses family has accused a member of the Flames family for "stealing some weird looking gem". Nobody knows if it's true or not and for the people who thought they could sleep in today, definitely couldn't give two cents.

One of these people being Lady Blaze of the Blue Flames who was already behind on sleep from the night before. Blaze quietly groans and tries to pull her blanket over her head to block the sound and early morning sunlight, but is suddenly jerked awake by a sudden pull of her sheets. "Good morning! It's time to get up my lady!" Blaze opens one eye and stares at the cute, green seedrian girl who stares back with her eager blue eyes. Blaze sighs "Alright Cosmo, I surrender. How is it possible for you to have so much energy at this time of day?" Cosmo chuckles and motions to the open window, "We seedrians enjoy the sunlight! And as your lady-in-waiting, it is my responsibility to make sure my lady is prepared before the day begins." Cosmo walks over to the window and shuts it close, muffling the sounds of arguing from the street below. Cosmo sighs "Why can't we all just get along?" Blaze quietly shrugs as she slips into her outfit for the day.

You see, the people were used to the baseless accusations the families would pin on the other just to throw a punch or two at the other, but today the fighting got too out of hand and attracted the attention of Princess Sally Acorn who had been visiting due to business she had to attend to in town. The princess was well respected by the people and so what she said usually goes. Sally looks around the crowd of people before she spots the two suspects. A female white bat strands across from a dark male hedgehog, both shooting looks at the other, indicating their urge to pounce. "What is the meaning of all this commotion?", she demands. Without daring to break eye contact they both address their concerns to the princess. "This winged fiend attempted to steal my chaos emerald!" The female bat gasps and raises her hand to her head. "I did no such thing! I was merely admiring its beauty from a close distance. And besides, its beauty is wasted on a brute such as him." The male hedgehog growls but doesn't dare to make any further motion in front of the princess. "Don't your families ever grow tired of this petty display year after year?", Sally shakes her head solemnly. "Whether you are a Rose or a Flame matters not to me, I cannot bear to see my people hurt." The crowd around her begins to calm down a bit as she speaks. "I Rouge of the Flames, cannot stand by and just let this ruffian sully our good name!" The male hedgehog glares back at her, "And I Shadow of the Roses can't excuse these lesser life forms from years of petty theft from our family!" The two look about ready to fight before another voice chimes in from behind the princess. A silver male hedgehog steps in between the two. "Silence now both of you!" The two are taken aback but don't break from the others gaze. "What right do you have to try and stop us pretty boy?", Rouge remarks. Silver pauses and ponders quietly before speaking up "None, but as the princess's guard I Silver, am bound to protect and eliminate any evil that might dishonor her". "But not only that, this silly feud threatens the peace of the entire kingdom!" Silver stares down the two, daring either to continue any further. After what seemed like an eternity the two broke their gaze and sighed. Rouge turns to the princess, "My apologizes your highness, that wasn't very ladylike of me", she muttered. Shadow grits his teeth and lowers his hands "It seems we have no choice but to comply...for now." The princess and Silver leave followed by Rouge and Shadow, and the crowd disperses, thankful for the moment of silence granted to them.

Back in Blaze's room Cosmo shares some exciting news. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you something, no thanks to all that commotion outside!". Blaze looks up at Cosmo who was brushing her hair. "There's going to be a big party tonight and I think it'll do you some good to get out of this stuffy room of yours," she gleefully exclaimed. Blaze shakes her head, "You know I'm not a big fan of social gatherings." If Blaze had her way she would spend the night in the study enjoying a good book. Cosmo places her hands on Blaze's shoulders "I know but this will be your chance to make new friends, and besides I'll be there with you!" Blaze considers for a moment. "Where is this party anyway?" Cosmo hesitates before answering. "Uhhh. It's at the Rose's manor for Lady Amy's sixteenth. B-but the theme is masquerade so nobody will even notice if we're there!" "I don't know Cosmo, it seems a bit risky" Cosmo looks at Blaze pleadingly "I know b-but…" Blaze could see a slight tint of red on Cosmo's face which gave away the real reason her friend wanted to go so badly. Blaze doesn't let the chance to tease her friend slip away. "Ah I see now, there wouldn't happen to be a certain fox from a neutral party attending this gathering, would there?" Cosmo stays silent, her face growing redder, only confirming her friend's statement. Blaze sighs "Alright I'll go with you, just promise we won't stay there too long?" Cosmo perks up and tears begin to well up in her eyes, "Yes, oh thank you Blaze! I promise it'll be a night to remember!" She hugs the purple cat and helps tie her hair up for her. "Now, let's find you the perfect outfit!"