The Nutcracker Prince: Sonic Style Chapter 6, a sonic the hedgehog fanfic

*Chapter 6: A New Princess*

A princess. Maria is a princess? She transformed into a hedgehog, and she is the princess? This changes everything. It's meant to be. Shadow continues to hold her hands, smiling at her.

"I always thought of you as a princess when we first met, and now, look at you. You are my princess." He said. "Maria, stay with me. We will rule the Land of Mobius together and have a new life. Be my princess forever." Maria felt her heart beating. Yet, it's a good thing. She smiled at the black hedgehog.

"Oh, Shadow...I will." She said. The mobians began to cheer. Shadow and Maria brought their bodies close together and lean their heads close. Their lips are locked together. A kiss. Their first kiss of true love. Amy watches them in happiness. But, she realized that Maria will never return to her world. She's a hedgehog now. But, Amy won't bring it up at the moment. She will have to talk to Maria about it soon. The two hedgehogs pulled away from each other and face their friends who cheer for them.

Later that night, everyone was celebrating about their new princess of the land. The whole castle town was in the streets waiting for the carriage to arrive. A golden carriage is strolling down the streets with a coachman beaver and the horses pulling the carriage. On the carriage, there is Shadow, now dressing in a blue suit with golden buttons, and wearing a crown. Maria is still in her pink gown, but she is wearing a ring with a diamond on top of it. Everyone in the streets are cheering for the prince and princess. Shadow and Maria waved at them with smiles. They see their castle ahead of them, and soldiers are saluting. Maria giggled and held Shadow's arm and nuzzle it.

"I'm happy that you are here with me." Shadow said to her.

"As am I." Maria told him, kissing his cheek. Shadow chuckled a little. "Oh, Shadow, this is like a dream come true. I've always wondered what it's like to marry a prince and live in the enchanting castle. Now, here I am." Maria said.

"You are a perfect girl, Maria. The one I've been dreaming for so long. Here you are. With me." Shadow said, looking at Maria's ring. "I love you, my princess."

"And I love you, my prince." They both kissed on the carriage, and broke it as they see they are in front of the castle steps. Shadow came down first and had his hand out for his princess. Maria took it, and they both walk up the steps.

Inside a castle ballroom, everyone are dressed in formal clothes, waiting for the prince and princess to arrive. Amy stood by the bay window and see the doors open. Shadow and Maria have their arms lock, waving at everyone who clapped for them. The music began to play for them. Shadow made a bow to her.

"May I have this dance?"

"Yes, of course." Maria replied as she made a curtsy. They brought their bodies together, and begin to dance around the floor with everyone watching.

Last night in a dream that came to me,
Oh, I saw a face and I knew right then,
That you were meant for me.
Last night, in a dance from long ago,
As the music fades and we walk away,
Why did we let it go?

"They make a cute couple." The rabbit said, drying her tears with a tissue. "I just love happy endings." Vector held her close with a grin.

"That girl is perfect for our prince." He said. They continue to watch Shadow and Maria dance around the floor. Shadow made a bridge for Maria to go under and spin around. He did it once more for her and brought her close to him, smiling lovingly at her.

How do you know the first time,
Is the right time in your life?
Not to let it pass you by,
I won't let it pass me by.
And if the winds of fate,
Blow our ships off course someday,
No matter where we stray.
I know you'll find your way.

"I hope this dance lasts forever, Shadow." Maria told him.

"Me too. I don't want to let you go. Ever." Shadow said, twirling her around him. "I will always love you. I'll be there for you."

"Same here." Maria said. "Everyone here is so kind to me. No hate. And that's how I want it to be." Shadow kissed her forehead.

"Since you are here, everyone loves you." He told her. Maria smiled at him.

I'll always come back to you.
I'll always come back to you.
For once in your life a promise will come true.
I'll always come back to you.

Outside the castle, the snow starts to fall. Amy looked behind her to see the beautiful sight, and turn back to the dancing couple. But Maria stopped to see the bay window. She approaches the window to see the snow falling from the night. Shadow followed her with a grin.

"Snow..." Maria said. "This is like magic. Snow appears whenever we dance."

"You can see snow anywhere, my love." Shadow said. "What you see from the books are here." Maria rests her head on Shadow's shoulder and felt his arm wrap around her. They see Amy coming over with a sad frown. Shadow faces her with concern.

Last night in a dream I've had before,
Oh, I heard your voice calling me,
Like from a distant shore.
Oh, last night like a ship lost on the sea,
I see the light shining there,
To light the way for me.

"What is it, Amy? Why so glum?" He asked.

"Prince Shadow, I would like to speak with Maria. Please." Amy said. Maria turned to her with concern. Amy took her hand. "Maria, I'm sorry to say this to you at this time, but...what about your home?"

"Home?"

"Your home. Where you truly come from." Amy said. Maria blinked at her and realize what she meant. Her home. The ARK. Where her grandfather and friends are. But, in her heart, she is home. With Shadow. Still, she didn't want to leave her grandfather behind. She will at least say goodbye to him. And boy, will Gerald flip out to see her like this. Maria came towards Shadow.

"Shadow, I wish to return home. I want to say goodbye to my grandfather and my friends. I'm afraid they will see that I am missing from the ARK." She said.

"I see." Shadow said. "Of course we can return to the ARK and say goodbye to everyone. That is what you wish for." Maria hugged him.

"Oh Shadow, thank you."

Suddenly, the doors burst open, everyone turned around and let out a gasp. There is Eclipse, holding his chest where it bleeds, and gripping on the red sword. His eyes are glowing with hate. Shadow had Maria behind him to protect her. He took out his sword with a glare.

"He...he's alive..." Maria said. "How could that be?" Amy held her shoulders to bring her back. Eclipse is slowly walking in, barely.

"Shadow..." He growled. "This...this isn't over yet...!"

"I defeated you, Eclipse." Shadow said. "How can you be alive now?" The alien laughed a little at him. Maria's spine tingles after hearing a creepy laugh.

I'll always come back to you.
I'll always come back to you.
When you're feeling all alone,
A million miles from home,
And the dark of night is closing in on you.
For once in your life a promise will come true,
I'll always come back to you.

"You...you will pay for this, brother..." Eclipse said, walking in, limping. "Same goes with the little princess of yours."

"Don't touch her, Eclipse." Shadow growled. The darkling chuckled a bit, but he coughed.

"We are not...done with this, Shadow. This kingdom is mine!"

"I can just finish you off right here." Shadow said. Maria took a step back and look around her to see the ballroom is slowly turning dark. What is happening? The mobians start to kneel down, growing pale and weak.

"Shadow..." Maria started. "What's happening...?" Amy came over to Maria with weak eyes.

"Maria...run..." She said.

You're feeling all alone,
A million miles from home,
And the dark of night is closing in on you.
Once in your life a promise will come true,
I'll always come back to you.

Shadow then began to feel weak himself. He fell on his knees, groaning a bit. Maria went up to him, holding his shoulders. Eclipse start to chuckle.

"Such a weakling you are, brother. You don't deserve to become the ruler of the Land of Mobius." He said. He eyes focuses on Maria. "As for you...I will finish you..." Maria didn't move away. She held Shadow close to her. Amy was telling Maria to leave, but she slowly turns into a fairy doll.

"No..." Maria gasps after she saw that. She looked down to see Shadow slowly turning back into a nutcracker hedgehog.

"Maria...I...I love...you." He said before he turns into wood. Maria's tears start to form in her eyes.

"Shadow..." She sobbed and hold her nutcracker close. Eclipse came close to her and raise his sword above him... But, everything around them turned white. Everything is disappearing. Even Maria who is fading away with tears in her eyes.

I'll always come back to you.
I'll always come back to you.
I'll always come back to you.