Brace yourself... This is a long chapter

That night Shadow was outside his bedroom walking on the balcony. He did over react.. and in front of a woman too.

He didn't mean to lose his temper but with all the stress of being forced to choose a bride and then Lien-Da not being truthful around him, he had to snap...

But why did he snape in front of that princess? Sighing he went back into his room.

/ / / / / /

" Did I do something wrong?" Rouge asked Tikal " why was he upset ? " She, Tikal and Gem were outside in the royal yard. Gem was on her back enjoying the use of her trunk while she ate away at a big pile of food. but when she stuffed a pineapple in her mouth the chao elephant spit it out and it landed in the pile of fruit she didn't like.

" Now Rouge" Tikla spoke " you heard the Sultan, the prince really didn't mean to snap at you like that, after all he had a stressful day"

" I guess" the bat replied " after all... He did say how he was forced into marriage and..." then she realised what she had done " oh how could I have been foolish!"

" What do you mean?" the echidna genie asked.

" when I was a street runt he was able to talk to me but now that I became a princess...he must think I'm just some air head who only want his riches and power... no wonder he hates me"

Tikal walked over to her " now Rouge , it's only the first day, relax, give it some time, maybe when you get the chance to talk with him you can tell him the truth"

" I...I can't " Rouge told her " if I did that and he found out I was just a street runt... I... I could lose him..." she walked over to the fountain and looked at her reflection. "ok got to be proper, have to show respect and grace" she turned to Tikal " how do I look?" she asked.

" Like... a Princess" the echinda spoke. the two females were startled by a figure approaching them, Rouge worried that whoever it was overheard their conversation.

" Ah there you are Ruby" a tall male hedgehog with long up turn quills and dressed in a golden robe with black pants and a silver sash around his waist. it was the Sultan.

The two girls sighed with relief knowing he didn't hear their conversation. the elder hedgehog placed his hand on Rouge's shoudler and escorted her away from Tikal " I know it's late but maybe you can talk to my son" he spoke. Rouge looked back and watched as Tikla waved a friendly wave then disappeared.

...

The Sultan brought her to Shadow room " don't be to frighten, he's a good boy, maybe if you talk with him he'll warm up to you, be yourself" he approached the guards that were at the door " stand aside men, The Princess is going inside".

The guards obeyed and stepped aside. the Sultan opened the door to the Prince's chambers, Rouge carefully stepped in.

" Just relax" he told her and quickly closed the door on her. Rouge looked back her eyes widen, she felt like she was fed to the lions. she walked in a little further, there was a table in the center, and two doorways, one lead to the balcony , the other she assumed lead to his bed.

" Father" Shadow voice called " how many time must I say knock be..." his crimson eyes came across Rouge " oh..." he folded his arms behind him " I'm sorry but I'm not in the mood for a conversation" he told her.

" I...I understand" the bat said " but your father kinda leaf me in here, you're gonna have to take it up with him."

" Thank you Princess..."

" Ruby... Princess Ruby" she introduced herself " I'll Just be..." she tripped over a foot stand and fell on her backside. Shadow rushed over to her.

" Are you all..." he asked but when he saw her on the floor, her bun came undone, her short hair was forming around her face. Something about her was familiar. Shadow reached out and took her hand to help her off " You... look like someone" he spoke. Rouge took her hand back and backed away.

" Uh... I don't think so " she lied. Shadow sighed.

" Sorry" he said " it's just you look like a girl I met at the market place" he told her " she was a bat with white hair.. kinda like you... but" he turned away " she was sentenced to death"

Rouge covered her mouth in shock, someone told him that she was dead. but why?.

" I'm... I'm sorry she spoke " I had no idea"

" Of course not" he started to walk away from her, the bat followed him out to his balcony. leaning on the railing " after all a pamper princess wouldn't know anything".

" Excuse me?" Rouge spoke up before she could really yell at him a floating ball came over to her ear.

" Rouge wait" a voice called from the ball, it was Tikal " don't get mad, talk with him"

" but he's being a arrogant jerk!".

" What was that?" Shadow asked. Rouge had to think of something.

" Oh uh... I " then she glared at him " I called you an arrogant jerk!"

Tikal in the floating ball face palmed " well you on you own on this one" she zipped into Rouge's dress pocket and went inside the lamp.

" You don't know me" she lashed " you have no idea who I am and you dare judge me?" she was close to him " And you, think your some every other stuffed shirt, swaggering, peacock, Ha" she turned away folding her arms.

" Now wait just a minuet" Shadow reached out taking her by the wrist. He went silent. The way he touched her.. It was indeed familiar.

" I... uh..." he turned away blushing " I apologize" he spoke letting her go " you're right I've been an arrogant jerk" he walked over to his balcony , he stepped up standin on the railing " it may be different for you but for me i'm trap, i wish I could just..." he lost balance and fell off the balcony.

" Shadow!" Rouge was about to go after and fly but Shadow came back up his eyes were shut tight as he was preparing to hit the ground but when he open he was floating, and he was above Rouge.

The bat sighed with relief as she took to the sky to be level with him " good think my magic carpet came and saved you" she pointed out.

Shadow felt under his hand then looking down he was indeed shock, it was a carpet and it was magic, Rouge took seat next to him " wanna go on a ride?" she asked him.

" You mean... You can travel to anywhere on a carpet?" he asked. She nodded

" yup" she lowered her eyelid " that's if you trust me"

" What?" Shadow asked, ok there was something about this girl that the hedgehog prince recognized.

" Do you trust me?" she asked again. Shadow though for second then he made up his mind, maybe this girl, if he played his cards right he learn a bit more about her, and maybe...

" Yes" he answered. Rouge looked down at the carpet.

" Carpet lets go" she commanded and like that the carpet took off into the sky.

...

the two flew over the castle wall as they flew over the town then they were on their way into the desert.

Shadow had never been so high up in his life it was a whole new experience for him. Rouge on the other hand was use to such highs due to her wings.

She smirked and decided to fly with the carpet. Shadow watched as the bat dip and flew in the sky while keeping up with him.

She landed back and they crashed into a cloud. emerging they held a piece of the cloud. Rouge let her go while Shadow held on for a bit longer until it dissolved on it's own.

then the Carpet took them higher, they were above the clouds, the view, it was like diamond, then the carpet dived, going faster. Shadow closed his eyes but hne he opened they were in Egypt.

a round belly human with a big bushy mustache was working on a sculpture of a sphinx. when he saw the two mobians fly on the carpet he was flabbergasted by the sight that he chiseled to far and broke the nose off. The elder man fainted from what he had done.

As Shadow and Rouge flew in the sky they came across a herd of white horses running. Rouge reached out and petted one of them.

Then they came to Greece, the carpet flew under some trees and picked a flower and gave it to Shadow.

Shadow didn't quite understand what to do but the carpet pointe over to Rouge with it's tassel indicating that he give her the flower.

The carpet was now hovering over a river. Shadow seized the opportunity to give her the flower, she accepted as the two looked in the water they make eye contact and held hands while the carpet carried on.

/ / / / / / /

the Carpet led them to China as they took seat on top of a roof to watch the fireworks.

Shadow held a pinwheel in his hand. He got it when they landed, he inspected the small toy seeing how motion would make it spin.

He looked over to see Rouge focus on the fire works. now he decied to make his move.

" It's a shame Gem isn't here to see this" he asked.

" Don't worry about her, she doesn't like fire works..." Rouge gasp realising what she said. Shadow smirked.

" You are the girl" he said " your the girl foem the market"

Rouge was caught, he knew, she was frighten what was he going to say? what could she do? Fly? No that wouldn't be right.

" Why did you lie" he asked taking her hand into his " do you have any idea how worried I was when I was told you were sentence to death"

" Shadow I..." Rouge spoke up but the hedgeohg sighed. " I'm sorry. I didn't want you to find out this way but..." she looked into his eyes " when I first met you I...I saw loneliness in your intimidating eyes, lost and confused...and I fell in love with you" she confessed.

Shadow didn't feel convinced.

" Who are you he asked, why do you want to be with me?" he asked.

Rouge sighed, it was now or never " I'm... I'm Princess Ruby. I don't care about riches or power, being Queen means nothing, I came in hopes to find love" she looked into his eyes, now he felt bad for misjudging her again. he scooted closer and took her into his arms.

" I'm sorry" he said " I was being harsh" he looked over watching the remaining fire works. Rouge on the other hand her heart was beating very fast, and she couldn't believe he bought that.. Half truth, she did fall in love with him, but the Princess part, that was indeed a lie.

/ / / / / / /

the two returned to the palace Shadow stood up on the carpet while he walked off, Rouge sat down as the carpet floated up.

" Well I bid you good night.. Princess" he said.

" Me too...Prince" she told him, she stood up as the carpet brought her down again to be eye level with him. he was tall for a prince

But with nudge of the carpet she ended up leaning in and kissing him on the lips. the kiss lasted for 10 second then they parted.

" Well..." Shadow spoke, his face blushing " night..." he croaked making rouge give a soft chuckle. the crimson striped hedgehog walked away awkwardly.

The carpet rose carrying Rouge off the balcony, she waited for him to look back, and he did. He took one last look at the bat before going inside.

...

The bat fell back on the carpet as it floated her to the ground. he likes her!, she couldn't believe it.

" First ime in my life" she told the carpet" things are starting to go right..." as the carpet landed Rouge took the moment to gaze at the stars in the sky.

Then hands reached out! One hand cupped over her mouth preventing her from screaming for help, while the other dragged her off the carpet!

So yes the " magic Carpet ride" scene... and cameo of Eggman XD.

Now who dare to abduct Rouge?...

find out in the next chapter!