The group was ready. They had no choice but to be, and as they walked through the gates that led to the final boss, they observed the stronghold.
The clock was ticking. After today, their lives would be forever changed, but above all their worries, one question stuck out the most.
Are they ready to become soldiers of Julianard and aim for world domination?
It was strange how the final destination's mood changed day after day. The first day started fine, testing the nerves, but was still inviting. The second day was calm, welcoming the recruits back for another beautiful lesson. However, today the air was so heavy that many wanted to run and escape the scene. It was as if the world was judging the recruits, testing their resolve by using only a fraction of its gravity to weed out the weak.
The school of Julianard loomed over the students like an impenetrable fortress. Its walls were built with an ironclad resolve that would never be broken. The only way to pass was to embrace the school's teachings and become one in mind, body, and heart.
The group stood there, unified in their mission and their hearts, knowing that this was the moment of truth.
Sonic led the party. His grip on his guitar case tightened as he collected his thoughts. He had the advantage of being familiar with his craft, but he required further guidance.
Alongside him, Tails swallowed the nervous lump in his throat. He was less confident than his blue buddy, but he managed to steel himself and muster up enough courage to walk forward.
Amy was the least anxious. The pink hedgehog had already envisioned herself on stage, taking the world by storm as she regaled the masses with her pirouette form. She didn't have the presence of mind to attend by herself. With her friends by her side, Amy was ready to take over the world of ballet and usher in a new era of dance.
Knuckles was one of the most anxious. He had come to enjoy the festive ambiance. The music was sublime, the dancers were phenomenal, and Knuckles felt a spell cast upon him as he tapped his foot to the beat, but watching the dancers and participating in the dance were two different notions. He didn't feel like he belonged.
Rouge, Knuckles' partner, was the opposite. She was thrilled, and even though it would cut drastically into her hobby, the bat welcomed the new challenge. She didn't know what to expect going in. She anticipated many hiccups, especially with Knuckles as her tango partner, but that was the rush she wanted. She craved the unknown.
Lastly, there was Silver, the reason everyone volunteered to join the school. The young hedgehog was the most nervous of the group. He spent yesterday afternoon catching up on much-needed rest, but nothing could alleviate his growing anxiety. He demonstrated some of his artistic capabilities, and things seemed to go smoothly, but there was still lingering insecurity. The flower of self-doubt feasted upon his weakness, and Silver had no way of nipping it in the bud.
The professional painter came equipped with his utensils.
He was ready to show the dragon his heart.
He was ready to show his comrades his value as a soldier.
He was ready to show Blaze what his world had to offer.
"You guys ready to roll?" Sonic broke the silence.
"We'll see," Knuckles replied first.
"Ready to rock," Tails nodded with his chest out.
"Nothing to worry about, boys," Rouge stated.
"We're all in this together," Amy reminded them. "For better or for worse."
Silver didn't say anything. He took a deep breath and exhaled. The painter focused, and his friends didn't want to disrupt his flow.
However.
"YEAH!" The painter screamed to the heavens; his fists extended to the sky as his voice echoed across the plaza. Everyone turned to the group, eyes landing on the pale-furred Mobian.
"IT'S NO USE HIDING! LET'S TAKE THE WORLD BY STORM! WORLD DOMINATION!"
Silence.
Silence filled the front courtyard. Mixed faces were drawn to Silver's announcement. Some were confused, others were snickering, and more were smiling.
"ALRIGHT!" Sonic screamed. "LET'S DO IT TO IT! FOR THE GLORY!"
"YEAH, BABY!"
The brothers' screams sparked a chain reaction. Soon, the entire plaza was filled with the screams and cheers of participants as many marched to their battlefield with newfound vigor.
Sonic and Silver bumped fists, Rouge and Amy hugged, and Knuckles patted Tails on the back.
They went their separate ways, not knowing what the day had in store, and not aware of the pairs of eyes admiring their conviction.
Sonic and Tails walked into the music hall, where the instructor, Shinichi, stood at the conductor's podium. Already, the silent air was messing with people. Usually, Shinichi would be strumming away at his guitar as the students piled in to ease their nerves. Not only was his guitar missing, but Shinichi, also, was rather taciturn. As the most social of his brothers, it was weird not seeing him talk.
After everyone was accounted for, Shinichi pulled out a manilla folder and placed his hands on the podium.
"Welcome, my little rockstars," he said, his voice restrained. "Welcome to your last reprieve. Let me start by saying that it's been a blast showing you guys why I love music. More than anything, I hope you all found something you wish to share with the world. By now, you should have a general idea of what to expect from this school. We practice hard, we perform hard, but we try to still have fun. It's only going to get more intense from here on out. If you don't think you can handle it, I will not be offended if you leave, and I wish you the best of luck in future endeavors."
No one moved. No one said a word. If a pin dropped, it would be heard.
"Alright then, I'll take that as your resolve," Shinichi smirked. "In that case," he bowed with an elegant flourish of his hand, pearly whites showing as he grinned from ear to ear. "My name is Kaoru Shinichi, guitarist of Siren's Vanity. My brothers and I hail from Japan, so we use surnames before first names. Regardless, call me as you like beforehand."
The teacher's energy returned as he left the podium and wheeled a tall wooden cabinet into view.
"With that out of the way, I would like to take this final day to address concerns and take a commemorative picture with everyone. Some of you already have an instrument. For those who don't," Shinichi opened the cabinet and revealed an entire collection of different guitars. "Line up and pick your partner."
Sonic urged Tails to go and gave him an encouraging thumbs up when the yellow fox looked back with his eyes pleading for help.
Tails took a few deep breaths and remembered Sonic and Silver's war cry from earlier.
"Miles, right?" Shinichi said.
"Yes sir, but I prefer Tails."
"Then, Tails, tell me why you want to learn the guitar?"
Tails stammered a little.
"I-I uh… I want to live out some fantasies. I'm also doing it for a friend. We're all kind of taking different classes but wanted to attend together."
He recalled the sextet's mission and picked his head up.
"I don't want to leave him climbing on his own, and I believe choosing the guitar is the best way I can express myself and help him out."
Shinichi smiled, and the students in the room clapped in response.
"Woo! That's what I'm talking about, little buddy!" Sonic cheered.
"Nicely said," the teacher spoke up. "Then, you're going to need a partner to help you along the way."
Tails walked up to the cabinet and ran his fingers along the wood, feeling the life in each instrument. He then stopped in front of a beautiful cherry-red guitar.
"This one," he said, lifting the guitar out of the cabinet. "I choose this one."
Shinichi nodded and let the others select a partner. When everyone was done, he pushed the cabinet to the side as the students took their places.
"Now that everyone has their instrument, I want to take this moment to thank you all for choosing Julianard. We'll make sure to make your experience an unforgettable one."
Shinichi took out a camera and his personal guitar.
"Let's make history!" he shouted as he ushered everyone to get into formation and snapped some pictures.
When Knuckles and Rouge set foot in Vector and Vanilla's studio, the room was decorated with various backdrops and lights.
"Good morning, everyone," Vanilla greeted them with a smile more radiant than usual. "I'm glad we've had the chance to show you what our wonderful school has to offer. I hope you learned something new, whether it's about yourselves or the partner you chose. If it's not too much trouble, I would like to take pictures of everyone. Since today is the last trial day, we want to mark the occasion, so, I want all guys to go with Vector to change while the girls come with me."
The news was met with surprised reactions from the guys, but none of them complained. Some thought it would be fun. Others were a bit embarrassed. But, in the end, they all went with the flow.
"When you're finished just meet back here until everyone's settled in," Vector stated.
The girls had a different kind of surprise when they got to the dressing room. Vanilla had an array of costumes lined up for them. It was like being a part of a real-life fashion show, with a myriad of different dresses and suits waiting for them.
"Let's make the guys' jaws drop, ladies," Vanilla stated. "Pick whatever flatters you the best. I'll be here to help."
'Oh, I am going to love seeing the look on Knuckie's face.' Rouge took to the clothes like a moth to a flame, zipping back and forth until she found the perfect outfit. 'Ready or not, Knuckie, here I come.'
The guys, on the other hand, were having an equally enjoyable time, but Knuckles was the only one stuck.
"Having trouble?" Vector noticed and walked up to him.
"My mind and heart are fighting each other," he said. "To be honest, I don't want to be here, Vector, but I promised the guys I'd take the journey with them."
"I used to be the same way," the crocodile patted his old friend on the shoulder. "I wouldn't be here if not for Vanilla and Cream. Vanilla explained the situation to me. Hard to believe Silver of all painters is having trouble. I love the one he gave Vanilla. It's great."
"He seems to be getting his mojo back, but his energy is still out of sync. I try not to mention it, but I think his problems are rooted deeper."
"It happens to the best of us. I'm sure he'll pull through. As for you, I think you have what it takes. I mean, if I can do it, there's no reason you shouldn't. Don't think about it too hard and remember; your partner is there to keep you up."
Knuckles nodded and searched the wardrobe again. After a few minutes, he found an outfit that called out to him and quickly changed. The surprise on his face was evident as he studied himself in the mirror, interested in how the transformation turned out. He picked out a long-sleeved, red buttoned-up suit and black vest combo that matched his black pants and dress shoes. He debated on adding a hat but chose against it.
"That's me?"
He hardly even recognized himself.
"Looking good there, Knuckles," Vector voiced his approval. "How do you feel?"
"… I'm still not sure," he said.
"Butterflies," Vector nodded. "They'll go away. Now get out there and show the ladies what you got."
Knuckles accepted his fate. He had to remind himself why he was here. They all made a promise to stick together no matter how difficult the journey was, and Knuckles was stuck at the toughest wall yet.
When he re-entered the studio, he was the last one to arrive, and his heart stopped upon locking eyes with his partner, Rouge.
The bat wore a long black and red dress, the bodice wrapped around her neck, and a diamond-shaped opening above her bust. Her shoulders were exposed, with two pieces of fabric extending around her biceps.
Rouge caught the red echidna staring and approached coyly.
"Well, don't you look handsome, Knuckie?" She cooed. "Don't just stand there. Tell me what you think."
Knuckles was speechless. He was completely captivated by her beauty as were many others.
"You look… beautiful," he finally said.
Rouge turned a little pink and smiled as she locked arms with the echidna.
"Careful, sweetie, that honesty of yours is dangerous."
"You all look amazing," Vanilla complimented. "Let's get started. Which couple would like to go up first?"
"We do," Rouge stated before anyone else could.
"We do?" Knuckles repeated more uncertainly.
Rouge pulled the echidna on stage and whispered in his ear.
"Let's do that pose they did at Twinkle Park," she said.
'Oh no.'
Rouge turned and pressed back against Knuckles' muscular chest. She moved his arms around her front while she placed a hand on the side of his face. They were pressed together too close for the echidna's liking, but he couldn't very well say no when Vanilla was loving it.
The look in Rouge's eyes. Knuckles couldn't decipher them, a glint that sparked something he hadn't felt in a long time.
"I have you now, my prey," Rouge whispered in a voice only Knuckles could hear.
"Perfect," the mature hare snapped away. "I love it. That's the energy."
Knuckles had much to think about.
Amy stepped into her ballet class with a kick in her step. She was full of energy and excited to see what the ballet mistress of the kingdom had in store for the corps today.
The first person who caught her eye though was a familiar feline who waved her over.
"Long time no see," Blaze greeted.
"Same to you," Amy hugged her. "Couldn't resist showing the newbies how it's done?"
"Please, I'm not that petty," she gestured in the direction of the blonde-haired instructor. "Miss Peach asked me to be here to provide some words of wisdom. It'll be an easy day, just some picture taking and addressing any concerns."
"Ooh, sounds fun. Did you hear our little rallying cry in the courtyard?"
Blaze smirked.
"I did. That's one way to start your morning."
The two shared a laugh and got dressed in their practice uniforms.
"I've been meaning to ask, Blaze, but what inspired you to try ballet?" Amy inquired.
"A multitude of reasons. The biggest is simply because I enjoy dancing," she explained. "I like activities that keep my mind sharp. It was actually Vanilla who introduced me to the school. A couple of days with Miss Peach, and I was dying for more."
Amy smiled. "Well, I'm glad you're here, and I know Silver and the others are too."
Blaze returned the gesture. "You're all a crazy bunch, but I do enjoy everyone's company."
"Oh, trust me, you haven't seen anything yet. Wait until the holidays roll around."
"Sounds like an adventure. Should I be worried?"
Amy shook her head. "If I told you, it would ruin the adventure," she smirked.
From the side, the instructor, Peach, smiled as she saw her star student smiling with a friend. She was happy for the feline.
"Alright, everybody," she called out. "Let's get started."
Everyone got the chance to take a picture with Blaze, who put on her best regal smile. She enjoyed the peaceful ambiance, not able to think about the inner turmoil raging in her head and body mere nights before.
Blaze believed she could finally fight back the demon.
"Blaze, take a selfie with me right quick," Amy requested. "Something we can show our boys."
The feline's ears flattened.
"You mean your boy," she corrected the pinkette. "I have no boy."
"Oh, you know what I mean," Amy slung an arm around Blaze's shoulder and posed with her for the camera. "There we go. I can't wait to see the look on Sonic and Silver's faces."
"Now, that's something I've been meaning to ask you. What exactly is your relationship with Sonic?"
Amy started to sparkle.
"He and I are soulmates."
"Uh-huh, and what makes you think that?"
The pinkette started to chuckle.
"I can sense a strong connection between us. It's hard to explain, but I just know that he's the one for me. Even if he can't see it, I truly believe he'll come around to the idea of us."
Blaze had no immediate response. Of course, she wasn't thinking about the idea of love and soulmates. She had more important factors to contemplate than matters of the heart.
"I wish you luck in your journey," she said, making Amy pump her fists with determination.
"I'm even more sure after yesterday when Silver revealed a little tidbit. You remember when you joined us at the beach last week?"
"I remember. That was a fun evening."
"It was. Anyway, Silver told me I caught Sonic's attention and that he couldn't take his eyes off me. I knew the tides were changing."
Amy's confidence bounced off her in waves. Her infectious enthusiasm made Blaze smile and root for her.
"I guess if anyone can do it, it's you."
"You have a good shot too, Blaze," Amy giggled as the feline rolled her eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yeah, and I suppose the impromptu date you and Silver had at Emerald Coast wasn't a thing either."
Blaze started to blush.
"T-That wasn't a date," she adamantly denied. "That was merely two friends hanging out."
"Blaze," Amy held up a finger. "Nice long walk on the beach," raised another finger, "taking up ballroom dancing together," third finger, "amazing chemistry."
"Okay, that first one isn't fair. We were just talking and lost track of time."
"Mhmm," Amy put her hands behind her back and swayed side to side. "And?"
"The second one just so happens to align with my personal goal. He's trying to overcome his mental block, and I can't take a ballroom class without a partner. I figured we would both benefit."
"And the third?"
"Another coincidence," Blaze waved it off. "Our shared hobbies mean nothing."
"You're soulmates too, Blaze."
"Not likely," the feline crossed her arms. "Silver is a friend. A friend, Amy."
"Hey, anything can happen. I think you two would make a fantastic couple, almost as cute a couple as me and Sonic."
"… You're quite stubborn," Blaze commented.
Amy stuck her tongue out in a playful manner. "Endearingly stubborn. It's one of my charms."
"Do you harass Knuckles about his love life too?"
"All the time. He and Rouge would make a great couple. All six of us would make amazing couples, and then there's Tails and Cream. I believe those two should be together. I have a long list."
"That's scary, Amy."
"It's my job as a romantic."
Blaze shook her head with a wry smile. Amy's ambitions, while admirable, were a little terrifying.
"I see I can't sway your stance on this."
"Nope, but it's okay, Blaze. You may not see it yet but give it some time. I bet you'll warm up to the idea."
She couldn't necessarily counter that argument. As Amy said, anything can happen.
'If only things were that simple. Some problems cannot be solved through stubbornness alone.' Blaze was thinking about her problems with her pyrokinesis.
"We'll see," she finally conceded. "Let's focus on the task at hand first. Do you have any concerns about the class?"
"Ah, none, I'm all fired up," Amy grinned. "You might want to be careful, Blaze. I may take your spot as number one."
Had Amy been anyone else, Blaze would not take such a jab lightly. Because it was a friend, the feline laughed at the audacity.
"I'd very much like to see you try, Amy."
Thus, a new rivalry was born.
Silver crossed the campus with his head focused on the day at hand. He had an important decision to make. Should he take up Blaze on her offer or stick with his current arsenal?
He weighed out the pros and cons of each option. On one side, he had Blaze's full support. Her knowledge and experience were sure to elevate them to new heights and probably break the curse placed upon him. However, by accepting Blaze's invitation, Silver would have to contend with the inevitable evaluation of his inexperience. He was a complete amateur trying to measure up to a professional. The skill difference between them was sure to rear its head and make the matter harder to control.
On the other hand, Silver could stick with his current arsenal. There was no reason to take up another class when his focus should be the contemporary aspect. All he had to do was concentrate on the primary lesson. However, he felt he would be letting Blaze down if he didn't help her see the course through to the end. She was willing to go outside her comfort zone to help him. It was only fair he did the same.
"Of course, you don't have to," said the imaginary voice in his head. "It would be easier to just decline. Besides, you're a novice not fit to even dance the same floor as Blaze, who has more than seven years of experience under her belt."
Silver stopped in his tracks.
'I came this far though. I've made progress since then.'
Heaving a deep sigh, the inspiring painter adjusted the strap on his backpack and marched to his class.
When he arrived at the studio, Bowser was already present, sitting on a large throne that wasn't there before. Silver fell in line with the other students as the dragon turtle steepled his fingers together, his eyes closed but his awareness still sharp.
"Hm, I see the master painter returned," he commented, knowing it was Silver without even looking.
"Good morning to you too, sir," Silver spoke up, amazed Bowser was able to identify him so easily.
"You're the fifth person out of eight to show their face," the instructor pointed out. "How do you feel, painter?"
Silver cracked a smile. "Nervous, but also eager to learn."
"I could tell by your footsteps. You brought something with you."
Silver wasn't sure how Bowser was deducing all this but he didn't complain.
"I thought it would be a good idea to bring some of my art supplies in case inspiration strikes."
"You know, this is the first time a different artist came under my tutelage," Bowser admitted. "And trust me, I've dealt with characters from multiple backgrounds. From what you've witnessed so far, what do you have to say about my class?"
Silver thought for a moment. "It's good, sir. It's clear you're passionate about teaching and your guidance has been invaluable. I'm certain I'll learn a lot from you."
Bowser frightened the class with an evil laugh.
"That's what I like to hear. I'll make fine soldiers out of every one of you."
Just in time, the remaining three recruits entered the room and fell in line beside Silver. It was at this moment, Bowser opened his eyes and studied his eight soldiers, a perfect harmony of both Overlanders and Anthros.
"Give it a minute."
Soon, the intercom turned on.
"Ho ho ho! Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen! This is your headmaster speaking wanting to thank everyone for the contributions you have made at our school. Every journey must start with that first step forward, and I hope you continue to walk down the road laid out for you. Never stop chasing your dreams for it is what makes every adventure unique. Thank you, for everything."
The headmaster signed off.
"Finally," Bowser said, getting up from his throne. "Alright! The whole squad is here. Three days in a row now, every single of you has returned. Is everyone saying they have what it takes to survive in my army?"
The eight soldiers nodded in unison, their eyes blazing with a determination that made Bowser bellow.
"I have a good squad then. I won't give you the same threatening speech, but I WILL be coming down on you hard if you're not meeting expectations. Better voice your concerns right now because your roles as soldiers will be solidified after you leave here today."
One female Overlander raised her hand.
"How exactly will you be helping us if we're expected to create our own style?"
"That's where your creativity comes in," Bowser answered, sitting back on his throne. "I will be your greatest critique."
He paused for a moment, almost as if he was gauging their reactions.
"The greatest compliment you could ever receive from me is constructive criticism. I will be pushing you to your limits, but I will also be supporting you with my guidance and experience. If you have powerful steps, combine breakdancing with salsa and see what you get. If you're more reserved, some improvisational ballet might be more up your alley. The benefit of my course is to do whatever you want without stressing about guidelines. Your only limit is your imagination."
Another soldier raised their hand, a male Mobian with bear-like features.
"How will we be tested?"
"After the first month, we'll start holding little competitions to judge everyone's progress. You don't need to win, but you'll get bonus points if you do."
The questions continued rolling.
"Can we team up?"
"Go nuts. If all eight of you can perform a synchronized dance, I'll be impressed."
"If we're not asked to win the showcase, are we just competing against each other or the other classes?"
"The other recruits, and I expect complete domination over our opponents. I only tolerate absolute victory."
Finally, Silver raised his hand.
"Do I have permission to use you as a muse?"
Bowser laughed.
"Absolutely, you don't even need to ask."
"I'd like some of that action too," a female anthropomorphic with lemur qualities stated. "Silver, right? You better make me look good."
Silver nodded, a smile playing on his lips.
"You have my word…"
"Tangle, I'm the one trying to overthrow this menace and show her I can throw it back too."
Silver remembered, but he also remembered the way Tangle described her mission as more colorful.
"Give me some time. I bet I can come up with something."
'I still need to finish Blaze's picture. I can't rush that one. There's one for Sonic and Tails, Amy, and Knuckles and Rouge. Should I make one for myself? Hmm, maybe later. I have too much on my plate right now.'
"Any more questions?" Bowser asked his squad. When no one spoke up, he clapped his hands. "Alright then, you're free to go."
The class grew confused, which Bowser took notice of.
"Your first official day starts tomorrow," he proceeded to elaborate. "You can either use this time to get a head start on training or go about your business. Regardless, I want all hands on deck the minute you walk in. Don't forget, you have a showcase in one month to prepare for."
The students nodded and dispersed, each to their destination. A couple of them took up Bowser's offer and stayed behind for more practice while the others, like Silver, bid goodbye to the large turtle dragon. He stepped outside feeling more confident. He was starting to see the softness in his instructor.
"Hmm, this might work out," he mumbled. Of course, he still had a couple of stops to make before anything was set in stone, but his trepidation towards the future was looking brighter.
Silver's next destination was the ballroom kingdom. Part of him said to wait for Blaze, but Silver felt he needed to do so without her influence. Thus, he continued walking while getting his thoughts in order.
'Next stop, Mr. Luigi and Miss Daisy.'
Amidst the sea of aspiring ballerinas, Blaze was the most popular. She was surrounded by her juniors, everyone asking for her guidance and expertise on the matters they struggled against. Her leadership and charisma had earned her the admiration of her peers.
She strove to be the perfect role model for her younger trainees, wanting to inspire them to be the best they can be, but at the same time, she tried not to impart her same experiences. After spending time with Silver and his friends, the feline noticed something that shook her to the core.
When was the last time she had any fun?
It was a hard question to answer at first, but slowly, Blaze started to understand. Along with the stress of constant battles with her inner inferno, her dull gray world was getting its color back.
Practice, compete, profit, and repeat; Blaze had gotten stuck in this routine, and she did not want to pass this ideology on to her juniors. It wouldn't be right.
At the same time, Blaze was worried about her pyrokinesis. What if she made a mistake? What if she hurt someone?
Her flames were fighting a losing battle. The commands of their master or the demands of the infernal demon, who was the real master? Whose orders should be obeyed?
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
Blaze returned to the world of reality.
"Yes, just watching everyone have fun," she answered.
"They're enthusiastic, aren't they?" Miss Peach inquired. "We have another great class this year."
Blaze looked out at the crowd of dancers.
"They're the most vibrant I've ever seen," she commented. "One upstart, Amy Rose, had the audacity to challenge me for my rank. Can you believe it?"
Peach held a hand to her lips.
"Oh my, the boldness on that one," she gasped. "And you took it in stride?"
"Oh, she knows, Miss Peach," Blaze smirked, putting her hand on her hip. "She knows."
Peach could see the intensity in her eyes. There beheld a drive she hasn't seen from the feline in quite some time.
'I need to talk with this Silver and his friends.' Peach couldn't help but wonder how their influence impacted Blaze positively.
"Blaze, is it true you're taking up ballroom dance?"
Blaze did her best to stifle a groan.
"It's true. The boy you saw the other day, Silver, and I decided to give it a try. Miss Vanilla said it might do me good, and Silver was kind enough to be my partner."
"Well, I'm glad you're trying new things. If I can be honest, I'm worried about you, Blaze. This is the first time I've seen you so happy in a long time."
Blaze touched her cheek. She wasn't aware of her continuous smile.
"Do I really look different?"
"Greatly, but it's in no way a bad thing. Seeing you genuinely enjoy yourself makes me happy."
Blaze lowered her gaze. She owed it all to her new friends.
"This Silver is a good influence on you. I can't wait to see how you two perform."
Blaze was just glad her instructor wasn't throwing accusations out.
"Hmm, he wouldn't happen to be the one who gave Daisy that portrait?"
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Blaze asked back, smiling fondly. "Vanilla and I were gifted one as well."
"Really?" Peach was amazed. "Now, I wish I made that good an impression."
"Give it time. He probably has something in store."
"In that case, tell him I'd like it signed please."
The two shared a laugh.
"He'll be thrilled," Blaze responded. "In any case, I'll be sure to let him know."
The two shared a contented moment of silence, watching the joy of the dancers before them. Moments like this made it all worthwhile.
'This is it, Blaze. No more waiting around.'
She waited patiently for a certain someone to arrive. The deadline was upon her, but she had no reason to be worried. Every part of her was confident that things would go exactly as she envisioned.
All she could do is wait.
It wasn't long before she heard someone approaching.
"Hey, sorry to keep you waiting," they said.
"You're fine," Blaze replied. "How did it go?"
"Well," Silver scratched the back of his quills. "I'm starting to see Mr. Bowser's soft side."
"I told you," she couldn't help but smirk.
"Yeah, yeah, but my point still stands."
"Fiery threats aside, you have a great teacher. If I had to grade him, I would say the only one who comes close to dance knowledge is the headmaster. You cannot go wrong with Mr. Bowser."
"That at least makes me feel better. What about you? How was your day?"
"Horrible," Blaze scoffed jokingly. "I had to babysit the younger dancers. It was awful. Everyone wanted pictures and autographs, and Miss Peach did nothing about it. Amy wasn't much better."
"No, not the apprentices," Silver grinned through the feigned shock.
"A small battalion of them, Silver, clinging to me like lost children," the feline shuddered. "I was only saved at the last minute by Miss Peach telling them to chat amongst themselves."
"I'm sure it must've been difficult for you, but hey, you survived and live to dance another day. That speaks volumes about your character."
"Yes, I have to keep looking forward," Blaze stood up and turned her attention to the great blue sky. "It's a dangerous role, but someone must take up the mantle. It seems destiny has chosen me as her champion. Do you think I'm up to the task?"
Silver pretended to think about it.
"There's no one more suited for the job."
Blaze's smile enlarged.
"Thank you, Silver," she turned and faced the painter. "Now, I know I started this game, but I believe there's something we need to discuss."
Silver understood.
"Let me ask you something first."
"Sure."
"Are you sure you want me as a partner?" Silver inquired with a little pink tint dusting his cheeks. "I mean, okay, how can I explain this? You've seen the other ballroom dancers."
"That's right."
"And you know how they're supposed to stand real close with each other."
"Mhm."
"Are you comfortable with that?"
Silver was imagining it. He went to the studio to better gauge his problem, and it wasn't Blaze that made him nervous, it was the intimacy both would have to share.
Blaze's expression softened, and a small laugh tickled her throat.
"Silver," she said. "I've been dancing for years. I'm sure I can handle a little proximity with you. We shook hands before."
"Shaking hands and holding hips are very different," the painter countered.
"And yet, both are necessary for us to work as a team," Blaze retorted. "That's why it's a partnership."
She extended her hand toward the hedgehog.
"So what do you say? Partners?"
Silver breathed and placed his hand in hers.
"Partners."
The two smiled and shook hands.
"WOOO!"
"YEAH!"
"YOU GO, DUDE!"
"CONGRATULATIONS!"
Multiple choruses of cheers and shouts startled the duo.
A crowd gathered and watched their exchange, and when Silver agreed, they burst with joy.
Silver and Blaze went through multiple shades of red as they withdrew their hands.
"Every time, huh?" Silver said.
"Every time," Blaze covered her face. "I'm beginning to suspect there's a ploy."
"Well, hey, at least you're not alone," Silver pointed out, his large smile ebbing Blaze's annoyance.
"That's the only good thing," she sighed and regained her professionalism. "Regardless, I look forward to working with you, Silver. Let's conquer the world I guess."
The hedgehog laughed.
"We shall rule with iron feet. It's no use opposing us."
And Blaze laughed more joyfully than she ever had in a long while.