Hello Everyone!
So, CH3 is here! I hope you'll enjoy it, despite it's not my greatest work.
I would like to give my special thanks to:
- ReeceTails for following this project from CH1, and helps me to progress with it. Thanks, mate! :)
- GraceFace3 for the review and tips about the grammar. A you see, I took your advise. ^^
Also thanks to everyone who follows the fic, mark it as favourite, and read it. I'll appreciate every review. :)
I don't own Sonic the Hedgehog, neither any of Sonic characters.
-o-o-
Chapter 3: Let's Lay a Bet!
The next day after the ball was sunny and hot, ideal for the fiesta that took place at the huge backyard of the Acorn Residence. On the grill terrace, the ladies were preparing the materials for cooking. At the side of the swimming pool, the girls were sunbathing, while fathers and boys were playing a match of beach volleyball on the sandy court a bit away. The atmosphere was simply perfect.
"So, have you already decided when you'll hold your wedding?" Sonia asked Lara-su.
"Not yet. We're both very busy for that. As a newbie Guardian, I still have to work a lot to be acclaimed. And Argyle participates in reorganizing the Chaotix."
"That's sad. I would really like to see you two getting married." commented Salma the Chameleon, who was also a guest along with her father, Espio.
"We don't have to be quick. We have more than enough time to that. Let's talk about you, Sonia. Don't you want to tell us something?"
All the girls turned their attention to the princess after hearing Lara-su's question. Sonia knew well what they wanted to talk about, but she tried to play innocent.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come on, sugah! We all saw that ominous dance of yours!" said Belle.
"If I didn't know you, I would say you laid your eyes on my little brother." added Melody.
"Is it true?" wondered Salma.
The princess began to feel uncomfortable by the interrogation her girlfriends made. After the ball, she was thinking a lot about her attitude she showed towards the fox boy, and tried to find the reason of it. She simply couldn't answer to the questions honestly, and it wasn't her style to lie about anything. Deep in her soul she wanted to get out of this situation. Her wish came true abruptly. A volleyball fell into the water, and splattered a few drops of cold water on the girls. All of them were surprised by the unexpected cold feeling, but the real schock was just about to come.
"CANONBALL!" shouted Manik and Argyle as they both jumped into the pool with a big splash.
The raindrop of icecold water made the young ladies escape with a huge united scream. The boys were laughing wildly as they got out of the pool, Manik taking the particular toy with him.
"Have you lost your mind?!" shouted an angry Lara-su.
"Our fathers went to cook after we kicked their asses badly." answered Argyle.
"We thought to shake you up bit, since it's your turn to play against us." added Manik, while he twirled the still wet ball on his finger, spraying the angry girls.
The guardian girl took away the ball from Manik.
"All right, you blockhead! Let's see what you've got!"
The teams stood up on the court facing each other. In the boys' team were Manik, Skye, Argyle and Jacques, while the girls' team included Lara-su, Sonia, Melody and Belle. Salma took the role of the referee. The match began. The young ones played vehemently, none of them wanted to give the victory to the other team. However, while Lara-su obviously led her team, the boys' game has no tactics at all, and they began to drop behind. When they were losing by five points, Skye decided to take control.
"Time-out!" he said, and called the other boys together. "Okay guys, let's bring some tactics into our game! Jacques, you're serving good, so try to aim towards Sonia. She reacts to flat balls badly. Argyle, you can reach out two ways, and Lara-su likes knocking down. If you move to the wrong way, just use your tail. And Manik... you jump well, so always be near to the net, and try blocking."
"What's the matter, boys? We're waiting for you!" said Lara-su impatiently.
After briefing, the boys took their places and the game continued. The tactics brought effect, every single point of the girls got a reply of two points from the boys. By the end of the set, they had similar amount of points.
"Match-ball! Last point wins!" shouted Salma.
This time, Lara-su was the one to ask for time-out and call her teammates together.
"Be cautious, they will change their style of play." whispered Skye to the others.
The girls had the serve. The last game lasted for long minutes, as both teams blokked each others tries. Lara-su really wanted to put an end to this match, and tried to work Skye with a strong knock down. He jumped and barely hit back the ball, which was flying back directly to the guardian girl, giving her a new opportunity. Skye knew he won't have a chance to stand up and get this one, but he still tried it. After a strong shout from the girls' leader, the ball arrived with high speed. As the fox boy jumped for it, his hand avoided the flying object, which had arrived into his face with full force. The loud smack was followed by painful moans. Skye turned to his back and put his hands on his stingling face. The others ran to him.
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! Are you all right?" Lara-su asked worriedly.
"How could he be?! You hit him with full force!" said Manik.
"Baby, you used only your muscle for this hit, right?" worried Argyle.
"I don't know, I was caught up in the moment!"
"Then it's a miracle he's still alive!" cut in the prince.
"Calm down, guys. I'm okay." said a moaning Skye, as he sat up.
He still felt dizzy by the power of the impact, so he held up his hand to ask somebody helping him to stand up. Lara-su took his hand and pulled him up from the ground easily.
"I'm really sorry."
"Don't worry about it. It was a nice hit, by the way." said Skye as he rubbed his aching face.
"That means the girls' team won!" announced Salma.
"Oh no, they didn't! This is not a boxing match, they couldn't win with a knock out!" complained Manik.
"Hey kids! The food is ready! Come to eat!" shouted Knuckles.
"Come on, Manik. Sometimes you have to accept defeat." said Jacques as he led the prince to the way of the terrace.
Everyone went to have lunch, but Skye stayed at his place waiting his dizziness to disappear. Sonia noticed this and turned back to the boy.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." he still rubbed the area of his left eye as he answered.
"Let me see it." she said, and gently pushed the boy's hand away.
She leaned close to him to see his bruise, and saw it began to swell.
"That's not looking good." she told quietly.
All of a sudden, she reached for Skye's face to touch the injury. He stepped back a bit; he didn't know if the pain or the unexpected feeling of the girl's touch made him to do this.
"Oh, sorry. I know a good concoction for swathing. I'll make some for you later."
"Thank you." he replied with reddened face, then they both went to eat.
After the square meal, the princess and Skye went to the kitchen to prepare the pack for his eye. Lara-su was also with them, she helped Sonia in cooking. The Prower boy was sitting patiently on a chair. His eye became really swollen by that time.
"I'm very sorry for making you work on your birthday party." he apologised softly.
"Don't be silly! We have to cure a bruise like that." she said smiling at him sympathetically.
"Besides, I'm the one who should feel guilty instead. I made you injured after all." added Lara-su, before she turned back to her girlfriend. "So, you'll nominate yourself to be a council member, won't you?"
"Yes, the elections are coming soon. I thought if I would never get on the throne, at least I would serve people this way. I hope I could get in though."
Skye also became aware of their discussion.
"Of course you could! As a princess you're more popular than you mother was." Lara-su encouraged her.
"Dad will also try to get into the council." joined the boy.
"Really? That's great. He'll surely success. People willingly elect former Freedom Fighters." rejoiced Sonia.
The fox boy speculated a bit. If his father and Sonia would be council members also, he could get support much more easily for putting his project into practical.
"I think it's done." stated the princess.
She soaked a piece of clout in the brew. Then she took it to the injured boy to carefully put it on his eye.
"This will ease down the swelling." she explained.
While she fixed the pack with an eyepatch, Skye was following her every move with his free eye. She was graceful and gentle, and did everything religiously. After experiencing so many similar situations, he began getting used to her nearness. After finishing to place the pack on, Sonia stepped back aside her girlfriend. The girls observed the result of their work from afar. Their smile became wider and wider, and they semmingly tried hard to hold back their laugh. Of course, Skye understood the situation right away.
"Do I look that good?" he asked sarcastically.
The girls couldn't hold back anymore and they both laughed hard.
"You're looking like a messed up badguy!" howled the guardian girl.
"Exactly! Our fathers surely had enemies with similar looks, when they were young!" added the princess.
Skye frowned a bit. He didn't mind to bring some joy, but the moment was embarrassing for him. Seeing his reaction, Sonia tried to get a hold on herself, with small success.
"We're sorry. But you're looking so cute! Here, let me show you."
She held a small mirror in front of him. He looked at his reflection for a little longer, then he also laughed on himself.
After Skye, Sonia and Lara-su went to the gaming room to join the others, who also laughed a good on the fox boy's temporary appearance, it was time to give the presents to the birthday girl. The young Prower was glad to be out of attention finally. He was getting bored of the funny remarks about his villain-like look. He was observing quietly from the back as the others gave their presents to the princess. She rejoiced over every single present she received. She obviously cherished the kindness of her friends. The most touching moment was provided by Melody, who performed her very first song, accompanied with a guitar play. She wrote it in honour of her girlfriend. The princess was so touched her blue eyes were sparkling from the tears of joy. Skye thoughtfully followed the event, or more likely Sonia's reactions. He was so enchanted he didn't even noticed when his sister finished her song, which was rewarded with burst of applause by the others.
"I guess only this handsome guy is left." said Manik as he patted his wandering friend's shoulder.
The fox boy quickly returned from his thinking, and handed his well wrapped present to the princess.
"To tell the truth, it was a sudden idea. But I hope you'll like it." he said a bit uncertainly.
The girl unfolded the package gingerly. The lining in it suggested there was a precious item in it. When her hand finally touched it, she pulled it out very carefully. She was really surprised by the sight of the telescope they used together to observe the horizon a week ago. The memory of that moment came to her mind. It was a bit weird, but a pleasing experience for her in the same time.
"Do you really want to give me this?" she said, while looking at Skye wonderingly.
"Well, I saw you liked it. I thought it would be in good hands here." he rubbed the back of his head.
"Thank you very much. I'll cherish it." she finished warmly.
They looked into each other's eyes. It lasted for seconds only, but stretched to minutes for Skye. He was totally lost in the girl's shiny blue eyes. He saw something else in them besides her happyness, but he didn't know what it was.
"Okay, keep this fluffy moment for later! Now it's time to party!" cut in the prince.
The gaming room had a lot of stuff to spend time with: bowling, pool, darts, and other games. Despite that, the girls were sitting around a table and chatting gleefully. Jacques and Argyle were in the middle of a bowling game, while Manik and Skye were playing pool. The prince just made his umpteenth well aimed shot.
"Man, you're really good at this." acknowledged Skye.
"I've learned from dad. He's a master in this game." bragged Manik.
"At least aiming is easier for me with this ridiculous eyepatch."
The boys went on with the game, and Skye was clearly loosing in it. He didn't mind it though. From time to time he glanced over to Sonia, who enjoyed the company of her girlfriends with sunny smile on her face.
"Dude, tell me honestly. Why are you so drawn to my sister?" Manik asked.
"What are you talking about?" he asked back.
"Don't play dumb! I see how you look at her. However, it seems like she's interested too."
"Oh, come on! You're totally wrong. Besides, I'm under her rank." he finished with a bit disappointed voice.
"She doesn't make a big deal about that, believe me. And I see what I see, no matter how much you deny it!"
"Could we change the subject, lightning boy?"
"By the way, if we speak about speed. How fast you could run actually?" the prince asked curiously.
"I don't know exactly. I've never timed it."
"Don't give me that crap!"
"I just run to train myself. And not to showoff like you do."
"However, I've heard a lot about it from our parents. I would really like to know which one of us is faster."
"You seriously want to race with me, don't you?"
"What's the matter? Are you afraid of being defeated?" Manik asked defiantly.
"I told you I don't make a prestige about it, so..."
"All right then! Hey guys! Me and Skye are going to race against each other!" proclaimed the young prince.
"What?! No way! I said..." Skye desperately tried to get out of this challenge, but everyone else was getting excited about it.
"Really? I'm curious about it!" said Lara-su.
"Me too. I heard this and that about Skye's speed." added Argyle.
"Listen, I really don't want to..." the fox boy still resisted.
"I would gladly see how you cut my big mouthed brother's comb." cut in Sonia with excited smile on her face.
The enthusiasm of the princess toned up Skye's spirit in a moment.
"All right then! Let's see what we've got!" he said.
The company arrived to the running track outside the castle. It was a great course for high-speed running: good grip, banked turns, and some abstacles to practice maneuvering. The racers took on locating bangles, since their position on the track would barely be perceptible to the eye. Also the others could see the times of each runner, so it would be easy to see who's the winner. None of them could lay a bet on who would be faster. And speaking about bets.
"Why don't we make a bet to give a bit more excitement to the event?" Manik asked.
"What are you thinking about?" Skye asked back suspiciously.
After mulling on it a bit, the prince's eyes kindled.
"The loser's sister will go to a date with the winner!"
"WHAT?" shrieked Melody.
"Don't be ridiculous! We don't have to bet, just let's get this over already." answered Skye coolly.
"Of course you won't bet! Sonia, don't you want to say something?" the furious mongoose girl asked her girlfriend.
"I don't really mind." she said simply.
Skye was a bit disappointed by the girls' reactions. For him it seemed like they were absolutely sure in his defeat.
"Then make a deal, and let's get it started already!" enthused Argyle.
"Come on Melody, don't be so tough. You'll get yourself out of it somehow." said Salma.
Finally, the Prower girl sighed in defeat.
"All right, I'm in. But just for the sake of the others."
"Cool! It's a whizz!" declared Manik happily, and shaked hands with Skye. "Let's do it to it!"
"As you wish." said Skye with cool firmness, and went to the way of the start line.
"I really hope you'll win, little brother!" shouted Melody.
"Relax! He'll solve this, even with half an eye" joked Lara-su.
Hearing this, Skye quickly removed his bandage. Both boys stood on the start line, and stretched their muscles before the race.
"Okay, 50 laps on the track! Who accomplish it quicker, wins!" declared Argyle, as the racers got into starting position. "Then ready! Get set! GO!"
The two boys shooted out with high speed, and disappeared from the others' eyesight in a moment. The blue and brown blurs circulated on the track as quick as lightning, and they seemingly drifted together. Their friends closely watched the time results on the displays. Half-way down, however, differences began to show up between the two boys.
"Skye is keeping up pretty well, but dropping behind slowly. If it goes like this, the difference will be quite big between them." Argyle analysed the situation.
"Manik has a really good stamina, so Skye's performance is already remarkable." added Sonia.
"Do not conclude anything yet. My brother still hasn't played his trump card." Melody warned the others.
The race was nearing to the end, and Skye became aware to his growing disadvantage. It's now or never. – he thought. He began to spin his double-tails like he wanted to fly. But his intentions were way different this time. A few laps later, he completely fetched up with his rival. The others were amazed by the changing in the race.
"This is prodigious! Where this extra speed came from?" wondered Belle.
"This is Skye's speciality. By combining his abilities, he can generate thrust with his tails while running. He can speed up more with this." explained Melody.
"But then why isn't he using it from the start?" Jacques asked.
"It takes a whole lot of energy from him. He could use this ability only for a short amount of time, before he totally tires out himself. He's been practicing for years to perfect his timing and recognise his limits."
"Amazing." added Sonia quietly.
"It's going to be a tie!" said Argyle excitedly.
Everyone was looking tensely as the racers zipped through the home straight. After crossing the finish line, they could stop only meters away from it. They both gasped for air. Skye couldn't even stand on his feet anymore, so he sit down on the ground instead.
"You know... you're tougher... than I thought." the prince gasped out.
Skye couldn't reply, he just panted heavily.
"Guys, that was awesome!" rejoiced Lara-su as they walked over to the tired boys.
"And I have the results in my hands. Seeing the final times, the victory depended only on 0.05 seconds. And our winner is none other than Skye!" declared Argyle.
The others appreciated his result with applause. He still tried to catch some breath, but smiled contentedly. However, Manik was totally dumbfounded.
"That couldn't be true! It's surely a mistake!" he gaspet out.
"It's surely not. The photo-finish makes it absolutely obvious." reacted Sonia as she handed the premised picture to him.
He checked it closely, and became more surprised.
"I can't believe this! I want a rematch!" he declared.
"Sure! Next week maybe. My muscles will probably be regenerated by then." replied Skye, still sitting on the ground.
It was getting late, and the party came to an end. Almost all the guests marched off to their homes or guest rooms. Melody had already joined her parents in the hall, where the royal couple were saying goodbye to the Prower family. Skye had to go to the toilet, which was a little walk away from there. As he was on his way back to his family, he abruptly ran into Princess Sonia, who had a small package with her. No matter how wide the corridor was, they met each other face to face. They once again looked into each others' eyes for a few seconds, then both of them turned their heads away in embarrassment and tried to fix their gazes on something else. Finally, the boy looked at the box in the girl's hand.
"Is there something important in it?" he asked.
"I've just remembered I left your present in the gaming room. I wanted to take it to my room before I forget about it. I would be really sad, if something would happen to it there." she held the package closer to her, while finishing her sentence.
"I see. The party was great. I've had a good time."
"Even though you were anguished so badly? First the hit in your face, and then that tiresome foot-race. Your eye is looking pretty good, by the way." she said, while observing the boy's face closely.
The mention of the race brang up Skye's polite attitude.
"Listen, as for that stupid betting, I don't intend to take it seriously, of course. So you don't have to date with me just because of that." he said deliberately, though his heart wanted him to say it's opposite.
The princess' face reddened before she reacted.
"To be honest, I wouldn't mind at all. I'll be busy for the next few weeks, but..." she took a deep breath. "After the elections, I'll surely have some free time. I would gladly meet you then." she finished quietly.
Skye was totally taken aback by her remark. It was hard for him to keep his ballance.
"Ah... Okay! We'll... discuss it later." he stattered.
The girl just nodded and slowly stepped around Skye, so she could continue her way to her room. She took her first few steps backwards to throw one last glance at the boy, then turned around to walk away. She wasn't running, but walking quickly. Skye dumbfoundedly looked after her for a few minutes. He felt a bit confused. When he talked to Jacques D'Coolette about his stance with relationships, he really meant what he said. But at that very moment, he wasn't so sure if he would honsetly think the same way.
-o-o-
That was CH3. I hope you liked it. From now on, I plan to speed up the events, so follow my fic henceforward. ^^