Amy tried to stifle her sobs by pressing her face into her pillow. She did not want the guards outside her door to hear her weeping. They would certainly report back to her father and Graves and she did not want to give them both the satisfaction of knowing how sad and frightened she was.

Fortunately she had not seen much of either since her father first boarded the eggcarrier. For the most part Amy was locked in her room at her fathers new castle. Built on the ruins of Sunny Meadows her fathers army had pulled the town to the ground in less than a week. Now a fortress stood in its place. Amy had been locked away in the tallest tower and was only let out on state occasions, when her father wanted to show the new royal family were a united front. Amy had been paraded infront of ambassadors and politicians. Forced to smile as though she agreed with her fathers policies. The wicked emperor kept her under his heel with the threat of further atrocities should she disobey him.

Amy few allies in the castle. Most of the servants were sympathetic toward her but didn't dare help her escape. Like Amy they were kept in line by the threat that Emperor Rubrum would execute their loved ones should they resist him.

Amy gripped the pillow tighter as she thought about her friends. Her heavy tears soaked through the silk pillowcase as she dried her eyes. A muffled noise outside made her sit up sharply. It was Graves.

Amy felt her breath catch in her throat. Graves had never come to her room before. He usually relied on his trusted guards to fetch her to him. This could not be good news. Perhaps he and her father had finally grown tired of amy's refusal to walk down the isle and had come to execute her. Amy sighed, at this point death would be a release.

Even so, as the keys to her room rattled in the heavy oak door Amy found her fingers twitching. She resisted the urge to summon her hammer and try to fight her way out of the castle.

Graves entered the room with a disconcerting smile on his face. He was dressed in his usual military garb but Amy noticed he had been given a crown to wear in anticipation of his imminent promotion up the royal ranks. He saw Amy glaring and laughed.

"Suits me doesn't it?" He chuckled. "I'm to be made a Duke on our wedding day."

Amy's lip curled.

"You'll be waiting a long time."

Graves smile grew broader. "Three days is no time at all." He said.

Amy's eyes narrowed. "There is no way that you can force me to say the words." She said. "I'll never agree."

Graves snapped his fingers. There was a disturbance outside Amy's room. Two guards burst in pushing two prisoners infront of them. Amy gasped as the captives were thrown to the floor at her feet. Knuckles and Tails were gagged with their hands behind their backs. They had strange metal collars around their necks and looked as though they had come off worse in a fight. Amy sank to her knees infront of them and stroked Tails cheek. It was swollen from a recent injury. Knuckles raised his head and met her eye.

"I have captured all of the so called resistance princess." Graves gloated. "Your father now faces no opposition and the world is his. The oracles recent prophecy is inevitable. His legacy will be secured. You will marry me and give children."

Although their faces were mostly obscured through their gags and their bruises Amy could see the look of horror in her friends eyes. But she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. The fact that it was Knuckles and Tails infront of her and not Sonic meant he must still be out there. Graves wouldn't pass up the opportunity mock Sonic if he had him. As long as Sonic was free Amy wouldn't give up.

"Your father has instructed me to offer you an ultimatum." Said Graves. " A bargain for the life of your friends. If you consent to this marriage without fuss then your friends will be sent to the salt mines where they will be allowed to live." He tapped Tails collar. "Dr Eggman has ensured their obedience in this matter. All that remains is your agreement. However, should you refuse then I'm afraid the collars will explode and kill your little companions instantly."

Tails eyes remained defiant. He was trying to communicate something to Amy but she couldn't tell what. She could see from the look on his face that he was prepared to die. She couldn't let that happen.

"Fine, I consent." She said quietly.

Tails and Knuckles became agitated. They struggled against their bonds and shook their heads. With a second click of Graves fingers they were dragged away. Tails eyes were full of sadness as he disappeared between the guards.

Amy remained frozen on the floor as Graves swept away after his men. The purple hedgehog paused at the door and turned back to Amy.

"Obedience is such a good quality in a wife." He growled. "There may be hope for you yet."

Xxx

Sonic shivered as he waited on a large grey rock. It may still be summer down below but here up in the mountains there was snow on the ground. He tapped his foot impatiently and pulled on the rope binding him to Starline. The platypus stumbled and fell heavily to the ground. As the evil doctor got back to his feet he snarled at Sonic.

"This would go quicker if you released me."

Sonic shook his head.

"No dice." The hedgehog said, wagging a finger at his captive. "The amount of times you've tried to kill me? Give me one reason why I should trust you?"

Starline kicked at the ground impatiently.

"How many times?" He demanded. "We have a common purpose."

"That doesn't mean you won't try to double cross me." Sonic pointed out.

Starline opened his mouth to argue but did not seem to be able to offer any sensible alternative to Sonic dragging him up the mountainside.

The platypus reached the rock and perched next to sonic. Far below them they could see the smoldering ruins of Sunny Meadows. Just beyond that was a Gothic castle complete with moat and drawbridge.

"It appears Emperor Rubrum is somewhat of a traditionalist." Starline grumbled.

Sonic nodded. "Well you managed to escape it so tell me, what's the best way in?"

"Through the front gate."

Sonic gritted his teeth.

"I'm in no mood for sarcasm." He said. "Unless I'm the one being sarcastic. In which case it's charming and witty."

Starline rolled his eyes.

"I assure you, I was being quite sincere." He said. "The best way for us to enter the castle is through the front gate."

Sonic shook his head and looked at the platypus as though he were loosing his marbles.

"Even though I am REALLY spoiling for a fight right now I'm not sure I can take on a whole castle. At least not before any of my friends get hurt."

"Not everything had to involve a fight." Starline tutted. "If your white friend is to be believed there is a wedding to prepare for. "

"Not if I can help it." Sonic interrupted bitterly.

"A wedding which will involve flowers being delivered, food, wine, guests. Lots of people coming and going." Starline pointed out.

"They'll be looking out for me." Sonic pointed out.

Starline laughed.

"You overestimate your significance to the Emperor. He does not know you Sonic and certainly doesn't see you as a threat."

"Oh trust me he's going to see how much of a threat I am."

"Indeed." Starline said, again rolling his eyes. "But for now we should take advantage of the Emperors apathy towards you. We can disguise ourselves and sneak into the castle."

Sonic nodded.

"Okay, then what?"

Starline puffed out his chest pompously.

"I will make my way to the dungeons where they are keeping Dr Eggman. Presumably your friends to. I will release them all from their control collars and with the drs help we will take back command of the badniks. While I do this I will need you to cause a distraction at the ceremony."

Sonic smiled at the thought.

"I can definitely do that." He said confidently. "But even with everyone free it will be hard to beat Rubrums army."

The platypus sighed heavily. "I'm afraid we have no choice but to engage them in battle. Miss Rose is no longer able to banish her father."

Sonic raised an eyebrow.

"It appears Miss Rose needs her tarot cards to perform her spell." Starline explained. "You saw it yourself with commander Graves. She used the death card to bring him forth when you were at the lake yes?"

Sonic nodded.

"And she used the emperor card on the egg carrier to bring forth her fathers army. Unfortunately Graves destroyed the cards not long after. Miss Rose needs them. They are like a totem that focuses her will. They ensure she can receive the desired result. Without them she is lost."

Sonics hand strayed towards his pocket but he stopped himself in time. Probably best that Starline didn't know about THAT.

The platypus sighed again and got to his feet.

"We should get moving if we are to arrive in time."

Sonic lingered on the stone for a few moments more. His face was unreadable as he stared down at the castle. A thousand thoughts swirled around his brain. The loudest thoughts which screamed for his attention were the words Silver had said to him just days before.

Sonic hated the idea of destiny. It implied he had no control over his future and that scared Sonic more than he cared to admit. He was just starting to get an idea of what he wanted from life. Of who he wanted. To think that was 'just how it was meant to be' and not his choice was overwhelming. We're his feelings still real even if fate controlled them? Sonic clenched his fist and got to his feet. He had time to work of that out later. For now only one thing mattered, stopping the wedding