"You were about to kiss him! Then what happened next, Amy?"

In the Floran meadows, Amy and Cream reclined on the warm, dewdrop pasture that grew in abundance of white dahlias in every which way. The sky had a certain melody to its lore, one in that it cast its spell on the young princess. Whatever caused it, the princess had an urge to venture to the outside world. Mockingbirds tease each other in the air, playing a harmless game of tag without a care in the world. Sunlight gleamed throughout the entire kingdom, shedding a radiance that grew. It was just a beautiful day for Princess Amy Rose, but with an explainable cause.

"Well", Amy replied dreamily "just as we were about to lip lock, the guards were coming toward us, looking very suspicious. I came to the thought that his parents wanted to see me, so I panicked, thinking that I maybe blew my cover. And to top it all off, the magic was failing around my costume. To this extent, I had to get out of there.

"So I did. I was a bit sad that I had to leave because I was having so much fun, dancing and talking the night away. Oh Cream, you should've seen him. He was so handsome and mysterious, also he's surprisingly…" Amy blushed as she said this. "…gallant.

"But mostly, I was distraught to see Prince Shadow's face. Even though that magic was gone that night, I'm certain there is still magic around us." Amy finished with a delightful glow emerging in her cheeks.

Cream stared at Amy, wide eyed. They were busy making dahlia wreaths for each other, all the while listening to Amy's enchanting escapade. Cream finished hers, afterwards placing them on Amy's head.

'She looks so lovely with flowers on her head, Cream fondly thought. She looks as though she could be the next Eve.'

"Are you going to see him again?" the little girl asked.

It didn't occur to the pink hedgehog that this was a good question to have been asked. When is she going to see him again?

"I…don't know. Maybe…I might not see him again for another eight years…" Amy mournfully replied.

Cream was saddened to see her dear friend so downcast at this realization. Then, she heard her name called for dinner and she bid Amy good bye. The princess returned the favor by kissing her on the forehead, and looked down at the limp dahlia in her hand.

The little rabbit was both curious and astounded at how Amy reacted in certain ways. For one thing, she acted happy and carefree. Last night's events got her singing songs and had her wander into unknown spaces in her world. More curious than that, she had a sparkle in her eyes every time she smiled. Now, as in a switch of emotions, she looked depressed, despaired of the fact that she may never get to see her newfound love ever again. Cream hated to see her in one of her moods, especially like this. When she looked back, the sorrowful princess disappeared without a trace.

Amy never let the idea ponder into her head. Her worried expression tells all of what she worried her. As she walks into her room, she took a long stare around it. It just looked so gray all of a sudden. Then, her gloom turned worse, and she jumped into the bed with her face against the pillow. Morbid feelings took over her conscious, accompanied with wet eyes.

'I didn't even think about that! How could I have been so foolish to ignore it? It had taken 8 years before I met that ravishing man. It was a splendid evening I had, and I never wanted the memory of it to go away. Forgetting the memory of him… and his captivating eyes. I'll never forget those unique, adorable red eyes as long as I live on this planet.

They felt as though they were exploring deep within me, as though they knew me by first hand and hungered and thirsted for more of me. Oh if I'd stayed longer, we would've been inseparable just like that. It's like…I've found the one half that would totally complete me. Now, I have this strange longing to make him experience the good things in life…the experiences that I've had.'

Amy lifted her head up to the ceiling from her pillow, with her eyes closed. She laid still. Waited, craved for that gentle and attentive touch the black prince gave her. She knew that, if she felt that touch again, he would make sure that everything would be alright, that nothing could make a turn for the worse for a beautiful day like this. Afterwards, Shadow would bring her closer like last night, and hold her in a protective and loving embrace, tenderly stroking her hair…

But, it wasn't there. Amy opened her eyes to a knock on the door.

"My rose, are you okay?" a voice asked.

"Ummm…yes, Father."

"Can I come in sweetheart?"

In came King Aster, his face full of concern for his baby daughter. Only one look at Amy's almost joyless glance gave him a hint that something's amiss.

"Baby, you want to talk about it?" he asked. He took a seat beside her on the bed, arm wrapped around her shoulder. Amy looked up at her father. It'd be insane to tell him what happened, so she decided to put it to a discreet question.

"Father, say you go to a ball. You suddenly meet a person that catches your whole aspect of things. In other terms, you fall in love with that person. But, when you were just enjoying yourself, you had to leave quickly, disappointing your own suitor in the process."

Aster nodded.

"So, what do you do to see that person again?" Amy's heart sat at the edge of eagerness for an answer from him.

"Well, what you can do is try to see that person again, no matter the consequences. Sometimes, love can be more overpowering than the rules and laws, so it motivates more people to do things that they never thought they could do. Most of the time, baby rose, it's worth it." Aster smiled at his daughter.

"Okay Father, but what if they lost interest in you already?"

"Who would lose interest in an amazing,sweet, and beautiful person that quickly? Anyone with sense enough knows that he's one lucky guy to have a precious being from heaven to love…to care for. That's devotion for you."

Blushing because she knew who that amazing girl her father was talking about, she gladly received that kiss on her forehead. Suddenly, a burst of confidence surged inside her. She realized that of course she could go looking for him…in secrecy, in that matter. Beaming, she kissed her father on his cheek and ran out of the door and out of the palace walls, excited to see her darling admirer again.

King Aster chuckled to himself, glad that he could help his blossoming flower in any way. "My little Amy Rose, in love."

Amy wandered into the forest and thought again of optimistic thoughts. She looked everywhere and in every location for Prince Shadow. It wasn't until later that she found him, practicing his archery skills. In the shadows, she hid behind a tree, watching him in an attentive mood. She sighed at his stance as he readied his bow, pulled it back, and let it go. Her heart palpitated faster every time he grew a look of determination and focus, then satisfied pleasure with every perfect shot. I wish there was some way that he could look like that when I'm entertaining him, she thought in as she kept watch.

Shadow was busy with his daily activities, still thinking about the pink stranger. He kept the ring in his possession, hoping to return to its rightful owner.

Now he knows that the pink blur in his dreams, the pink rose, symbolized the pink hedgehog last night. He's almost certain of it. Also, that ring in his dreams is exactly the ring he has now. Could it be that she is tied to his future as king…?

Something most familiar happened. Shadow's nostrils caught that scent…a jasmine perfume in the air. It's that same smell the lovely pink girl had! He grew a suspicious look in his eyes, looking around the area. There were nothing but trees and shrubs in the midst. Then it was as though he was instructed to turn around, and turned to the direct spot Amy was hiding in.

Amy's eyes flashed with horror. Her heart drummed faster in unmistakable fear and shame. She was found out!

She heard Shadow's demanding, threatening voice echo, "Who's there? Come out and show yourself!" He walked over, and Amy had the urge to run off, in fear that discovering who she was would get her killed on the spot. Taken the opportunity, she ran to the opposite direction; however, something held her back like deadweight. Like lightning, Shadow caught up to the future queen just in time before she escaped, and grabbed her arm in force.

He turned her around, eyes flaring with rage glared into pleading pools of green, and then softened at her appearance. Shadow saw that he must've frightened her badly. Not that he would've cared, but something about her made him think twice before turning her in as a trespasser. She was, as he recognized, a pink hedgehog, with the same features, the same shape, and probably the same voice…

"Madam, may I see your hand for one moment?"

Hesitantly at first, Amy held out her shaking hand to him. It never crossed in his mind not do his new hobby, so he took out his prized possession, shining in the sun. Amy was surprised that he still had it with him; he must've missed her badly. He slid the sunflower ring on her delicate finger, and waited to see if it would slip.

Graciously, it stayed like it was a part of her. It was the simple final piece to an incomplete puzzle. The happiness Shadow must've felt at this… He finally found the missing love of his incomplete life. He looked up at her crown and then to her golden locket.

Now, he had a peculiar power: he could see through all kinds of metal. He looked inside the locket to see inside inscribed:

To my lovely baby daughter;

Princess Amy Rose

Future Queen to the Flora Kingdom

Shadow's heart skipped a few beats. It's his parents' rivals' royal daughter!

He looked into Amy's hopeful eyes and grew a smile of adoration. They stared at each other in elated recognition.

"Hello, Princess Amy Rose."

"Hello, Prince Shadow the Hedgehog."

Just because they met, doesn't mean that it's over. There's more to come on a Romeo and Juliet basis ) !