Here's the next Chapter!
Rouge walked in the small ally of the city, The sun was setting, she carefully carried her chao and climbed up a ladder and crawled inside an abandon building.
ducking under a fallen beam Rouge entered what was appears to be the remains of a room. Gem flew out of her owners arms and onto a small pillow.
Rouge walked over to the chao and pulled a blanket over the little creature, then she walked over to a giant hole in the wall that served as her window and pulled back the torn curtain.
The place was in her sight and it's lights glowed in the sky.
" Some day Gem... things will be different" Rouge spoke. The chao was already sleeping not listening.
" We'll be ritch, live in a palace and not have any problems at all". She said staring at the palace
/ / / / /
" I'VE NEVER BEEN SO INSULTED!" the fox Princess stormed into the palace drenched in water.
a Black hedgehog, with long upturn quills and golden eyes was shock to see the princess in her condition.
the black hedgehog was also dressed in black robes and gold trimming rushed over to the princess.
" My lady Fiona" he approached her " Leaving so soon?" He asked but seeing the fox all covered in water. The fox named Fiona glared at the sultan and pushed him aside.
" GOOD LUCK MARRY THAT JERK OFF!" she screamed.
The black hedgehog knew who was behind all of this. The black hedgehog stormed out to the yard looking for his son.
" Shadow...Shadow!" he searched the yard when a head came swinging down from the trees scarring the elder hedgehog.
"Shadow get down from here!" he called from the trees. The prince landed in his feet, he look identical to his father except his quills were a bit shorter and this had red stripes and his eyes were red.
The prince wore robes that were black but instead of gold he had red trimmings. " Relax Father" he spoke calmly " I'm here now".
" Care to explain why Princess Fiona was soak and storming off in a fit?" the sultan asked. Shadow shrug his shoulders.
" Beats me, after all she clumsy for a princess, fell in the fountain" the hedgehog walked over to the fountain and sat down on the edge. The sultan approached his son.
" More like you pushed her in the fountain..." the hedgehog sighed " son you have to stop rejecting the princesses that come to call the law says you must be..."
" yeah yeah, a princess I get it" Shadow sighed as he watched the fish in the fountain swim around, they may feel like they have freedom but they don't, being stuck in a fountain constantly swimming in the same direction every day of their lives, that how Shadow felt.
" By your next birthday" the sultan reminded him " there's not much time"
" don't force me against my will" Shadow spoke " if I marry... I want it to be with someone who loves me for who I am.. Not for what I am"
The sultan sighed " hopefully we can try another Princess Who..."
" I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANOTHER PRINCESS!" Shadow snapped splashing the water in the fountain. The prince turned away folding his arms, the Sultan gave up.
" Fine...Throw your temper tantrum boy! You'll never be Sultan with that attitude!" the Sultan walked back to the palace.
/ / / / /
"I.. I don't know where he get's it from, his mother wasn't that picky..." the Sultan sighed as he walked over to his model of the city, he sighed wondering if his son will ever grow up, he did see a shadow loom over the model and it startled him.
" Ah Lien-Da" the Sultan spoke " my most trusted advisor" he spoke. the echidna female was wearing a dress that was black but had red trimmings around the chest area.
" I live to serve you my lord" she holds out her hand and the Sultan kissed the top of her palm.
" You seen Troubled.. My lord" she asked " everything alright?"
" It's this sutor business... Shadow just doesn't see to corporate, every girl that come he rejects them..." the Sultan walked over to his throne and sat down. He rubbed his temple with his head. Lien-da noticed the ring on his left finger. she recognized the jewel that sat inside of it.
" Well then" she walked over to him " Perhaps I can find a solution to this thorny problem" she lifted up the hedgehog's left hand " It may require use of the mystic blue diamond"
" My ring?" the Sultan looked down at the ring, he hope the Echidna wasn't going to break it.
" The ring has been in my family for generations... I was hopping Shadow would use it a s an engagement ring for his bride..." he was cut off by Lien-Da's staff, it's puma shape eyes started to glow.
" Don't worry, everything will be fine" she commanded through her staff.
" Everything..will be...fine" the sultan fell under the spell.
" the diamond?" she questioned. the Sultan removed the ring from his hand.
" Here... Lien-Da... whatever you need will be... Fine.." He said in his trance, Lien-Da snatched the ring.
" I'm grateful you see things my way" she had him sit back down on the throne " now just sit here and be a good little boy " she teased.
" Yeah...that'll... be... good" the Sultan leans in his throne still hypnotized.
Lien-Da smiled then started to walk away, the moment her back is turned her smiled disappeared and turned into annoyance.
Kragok joined her side as she exit the throne room.
" Gee how much longer do we have to kiss up to that stupid hedgehog?" he asked as the two came across a wall, Lien-Da pulled a rope and the wall opens revealing a secret passageway.
" Calm yourself brother" she held out the ring, as the two stepped inside the wall closes " everything will change once I'm Queen"
" And what will that leave me your Majesty?" Kragok asked.
" relax you'll have power as well, you can be queen too" she teased.
" Oh very funny" he responded as the two opened a door to a chamber.
" Shut up and get in here!" Lien-da commanded and the male Echidna walked in, she slammed the door behind them.
/ / / /
Shadow ran in the dead of night in his yard, he was dressed in plain street clothes and had a cloak over his head, a small pouch next to him filled with money and a dagger in case someone tried to kill him.
Shadow was running away! he ran over to the tallest tree and started to climb up
" I can't let father run my life for me... I need to get out" he spoke as he climb to the last branch, he grabbed hold of the wall and climb over, he took one last look at his home.
" farewell... Father" and with that he slid down and into the streets.
/ / / / / / /
Shadow had never seen a busy street before, he watched as the shop owners of the market place calling out to earn money for the day with their goods.
Far from Shadow rouge sat ontop of a stand, she looked over at Gem " ok Gem go!" She commanded, Gem went under the tarp used as a roof and was sitting on top of a melon.
" you taste bud will dance when..." the merchant noticed the Chao " hey you shoo, shoo" he placed his melon down , Rouge reached down and grabbed the melon, while the merchant grab the mellon the chao had awayf rom the creature, he turned back to see one of his melons were missing, he looked back but the chao was gone.
" Nice going Gem" Rouge commented and broke the melon in half " breakfast is served" as the two begun to eat the fruit they stole.
/ /
Shadow continued to walk one merchant was offering pots of brass and Silver. another vendor offered dates and pistachio nuts.
The pistachio caught the hedgehog interest but knew he could spend his money on it.
" Got a lady back at home sir?" another merchant spoke " give her a necklace, a pretty necklace for a pretty lady"
Shadow inspected the necklace, it look so nice but then again... It could be stolen so he had to pass.
" FRESH FISH!" another merchant called throwing a fish in the Prince's face.
" sorry.. I'm allergic to... Fish" Shadow said polity, in truth he could stand the rotting smell from the cart.
as he walked he bump into a person in the middle of a performance, the man swallowed what he put in his mouth then belch, as he belch a small burst of fire emitted orm his flames startling the hedgehog.
" Oh.. I'm sorry" he said.
Rouge looked over and notice Shadow. she saw how.. Handsome he was and full of mystery. The hedgehog covered his face back up with the hood.
Gem noticed her owned acting weird, she climbs on top of the bats head and waved in her face.
Shadow unaware was approaching the bat when he heard a commotion.
" Please sir" a woman spoke hiding her child behind her " he's only a child"
" he's a thief!" the merchant spoke " and he must obey the law!"
" Sir it's just one little apple, My son is very hungry and..." she didn't finished for the merchant grab her by the wrist.
" You will pay for his crimes" he drew a sword and laid the woman's arm down on the table.
" No.. Please" she begged, but Shadow intervene and stop the merchant from cutting the woman's arm.
" Who are you?" the merchant asked.
" Cutting off someone's hand... Disgusting" he spoke taking the sword out of the merchants hand.
" Sir it's the law" he said " anyone caught stealing will be punished by the removal of their hands" the merchant explained to the hedgehog.
" Says who?" Shadow asked.
" The Sultan"" the merchant spoke with confidence. Shadow glared at the merchant.
" Well... The Sultan is cruel, this law is stupid!" he said with a smirk.
A small crowd gasp hearing what the hedgehog said. Shadow realised he must of done something wrong or his identity was revealed.
" You.. you better take back what you said" the Merchant spoke " no one insults the Sultan and lives, for anyone who insults the Sultan will be sentenced to death!"
" Death?..." Shadow was about to ask more but Rouge intervene
" My good sir" she spoke " I believe he didn't mean that" she walked over to Shadow and placed her arm around his " thier you are, running off like that" she started to pull him away.
" What are you doing?" he asked.
" Play along" Rouge winked. before they could go any further the merchant stopped her.
"You know this foolish man?" he asked. Rouge sighed and leaned over to the merchant.
" Sadly yes..." She responded " he's my brother, believe it or not, he's not that smart, have to keep an eye on him"
Shadow was offended by what this girl was saying about him, but then again commander interact differently than royalty so he could learn a thing or two from this bat.
" Then why did he insult the Sultan?" the merchant asked. Rouge smiled and pulled her arm away.
" oh that... You see My Choa is name Sultan, and he doesn't like Chao's". Gem was caught trying to pickpocket and she backed away as eyes were on her.
Shadow understood and glared at the chao " uh.. yeah..." he held up his cloak " Sultan look what you did to my cloak, your so stupid"
The Chao pretended to look hurt, then Shadow picked up the creature " oh don't cry please forgive me" he said tickling the creature under her chin.
" See no harm done" Rouge tossed and apple back to the merchant, she walked over to Shadow " ok bro let go home Mama must be worried about you" she pushed shadow away from the crowd.
" Oh mama, you gain some weight?" Shadow asked a camel still pretending to act immature.
" No, no" Rouge giggled " that's not mama" as they walked off.
/ / / / /
Kragok was running on a contraption that generated a thunderstorm inside Lien-Da's laboratory.
" Sister.. couldn't... you... wait... for a real storm?" he asked while running on the contraption.
" Quiet Kragok run faster" Lien-Da places the ring inside a contraption that looks like an hourglass. the artificial lighting form Kragok speed struck the diamond. the sands in the hour glass started to swirl.
" Yes sands of time, reveal to me who can enter the cave" Lien-Da commanded " the second chamber of the hourglass showed Rouge and she and Shadow were climbing up a ladder
" Yes... there she is... So young, my diamond in the rough..." she recognized the figure under the hood following Rouge
the Prince? how did he get involved...
" That her!" Kragok cried out, he let go of the contraption and he was knocked off and onto the floor.
" Ah let have Knuckles extend her an invite.. after all He complains about her all the time... Shall we?" she asked her brother.
"Swell" he said agreeing with his sister, then collapse from exhaustion. Lien-da laughs while watching the sands of time swirl.
/ / / / /
Rouge lead Shadow into the roof top of the buildings. before she could take a step further Shadow reaches out and grabs her wrist.
" I...I'm not around from her so... I..." he was trying hard not to blush.
" I figured that on my own" Rouge responded and he let go " I'll admit you insulting the Sultan could stir up some trouble" she jump over the roof, Shadow ran over reach out to catch her incase she fell but the bat extended her wings and landed on the other side.
" Oh really?" he teased. He wondered how he would get over there.
" You got something to say?" she called " say it to me face..." her eyes widen as Shadow did exactly what she did only he landed on his feet landing right in front of her.
" You were saying?" he asked smirking. Rouge was trying hard not to be impressed but now seeing him up close she was also trying hard not to blush
" Come on" she rolled her eyes and he followed her.
/ /
" watch your head thier" she called to him, Shadow ducked under the broken beam " you... you live here?" he asked , he was surprised the place was... a dump then again she lived on the streets and not in a real proper home.
" Yup just me and Gem" she walked over to her 'window' " not much but" she pulled back the curtain " it's got a great view"
Shadow eyes met with the palace, he looked away disappointed " it's wonderful" he said sitting down.
" What would it be like to have servants.. Valets?" she asked him.
" Oh sure.. the place life isn't that glamorous," Shadow spoke up " you're told where to go or how to dress...and who to..."
" Well it's better then stealing food every day and running from that knuckle head of a guard " Rouge told him.
So she's the one that Knuckles complains about... Shadow decided to keep that info to himself, despite the trouble she cause, he could help but like this girl.
" Sometime you just feel so..." Shadow spoke up
" Trapped" the both spoke in unison Rouge takes a seat next to him " so where you from?" she asked.
" You don't want to know" Shadow told her " I ran away and I'm not going back?"
" How come?" she asked " you on the run like me?
" Heh" Shadow chuckled " as if!" His smile turned into a frown " I ran away due to being forced into..."
" Into what?" the bat asked now concern for him.
" Marriage" Shadow said " an arranged marriage"
" oh..." Rouge looked away, sure she would one day like to get married but the way Shadow was speaking about it, it may sound awful.
Gem came floating over and she curled up on Shadow lap " looks like the little Sultan needs his beauty sleep" Shadow teased.
" Oh yeah... Her name is Gem" Rouge told him.
" Oh" realizing his mistake " Sorry Gem" he patted the chao on the head " I've never seen a Chao up close before"
" Really" Rouge was now closer to him " Chao's are really good pets..."
" I guess I have to get one..." he look over to her, the two were inches from each other lips, but the moment was right as they keep coming closer. their lips about to touch.
" THERE YOU ARE!" a guard called, he was a green crocodile.
" They found me!" both Shadow and Rouge spoke " their after you?" they asked each other. the crocodile swung his sword breaking the broken beam.
Did father send them? Shadow wondered but was pulled by Rouge she stood on the edge of her window.
" do you trust me?" she asked.
" what?"
" do you trust me?" he extends his hand. The prince took it and the two jump, Rouge extended her wings so they would land on their feet.
Rouge took a corner but Knuckles was waiting for her, he grabbed her by the wrist " hello street runt" he greeted " Gem flew down she tried to blind Knuckle s again but it didn't work, the Echidna grabbed the chao and threw her into a pot.
Shadow tried to help Rouge but Knuckles grabbed her " it's the dungeon for you " he said throw her against the crocodile and a chameleon.
" No!" Shadow cried out " Knuckles let her go!" he commanded.
" I acknowledge you know my name but I don't listen to street rats" Knuckles told him.
" Unhand him" Shadow throws off his cloak revealing his identity " By orders of Prince Shadow!"
Knuckles gasp " Prince... Shadow!" he bowed, the guard bowed and forced Rouge on her knees.
" The Prince?" Rouge asked.
" My...my lord, what are you doing outside of the palace walls?..." The Echidna asked.
" That's none of your concern " Shadow cut him off " Do as I command and release her!" the hedgehog drew his dagger from his belt.
" Easy, I would but my order come from my cousin Lien-Da, you have to take it up from her" Knuckles explained as the guard dragged Rouge away.
" Believe me" the hedgehog growled" I will!"
/ / / / /
Lien-Da slid her wall open of her room, peeking out she slipped out. Shadow spotted her.
" LIEN-DA!" he called. The startled Echidna turned to face the Prince. Kragok was right behind her when she slammed the wall on his hand.
" Oh Prince Shadow" she bowed in respect " how may I be of service to you?" she asked as she batted her eyes.
Truth be told Lien-da is only ten years older then the Prince but Shadow did fall for her charms unlike his father.
" A girl was taken from the market place." he folded his arms " By your orders!"
" Oh" Lien-Da twisted her hair in her finger " I'm sorry but I'm just doing my job as making sure peace was kept in Arabia. Besides, the girl was a criminal"
" And her crime?" Shadow asked.
" Why...Uh kidnapping the Prince, after all you disappeared we sent out..."
" She didn't kidnap me" Shadow told her " I ran away!"
"oh" Lien-Da pushed Kragok fingers back into the wall and closed it, behind the wall Kragok was trying real hard not to yelp in pain.
The Female Echidna started to walk away "well looks like I made a bit of an oopsie" she confessed " if I had known...
" Lien-Da?" Shadow asked.
" You see..." the Echidna turned facing him " the girls sentence has been carried out"
" What sentence?"
" Death" the echidna told him, Shadow was a bit shock. Everything he learn to day... Now he knew when he became Sultan he'll change the law, making sure a fair trial is held.
" I'm so sorry My Prince" Lien-da took his hand into her's " if i can make it up to..."
Shadow glared at her and took his hand out of her grasp " don't touch me you wench!" he walked past her exiting the room.
Kragok slipped out from the wall and closed it behind him, he walked over to his sister. " so how did it go?" he asked while flexing his hand.
" I think he..." the two Echidna looked over at the room door " took it very well"
/ / / /
Shadow sat outside in the palace yard again this time the chameleon and crocodile were there to prevent him from running away.
Ever since that little stunt he pulled Shadow had lost his freedom. But it didn't matter for he also lost... A friend.
Super long Chapter!
Well next chapter it'll be about Rouge in prison.