Wow, I haven't updated in a loooong time. I have been VERY busy, I haven't had Wifi, and writers block kidnapped me...all at the same time! Anyways, I had started this like three weeks ago, maybe longer, and decided to finish it tonight and post it on here. This one, again, isn't MY personal favorite, but I found this plot difficult to write and keep sincere.

Anyways, I hope you guys at least enjoy it. It's a little bit of an atlernate universe, just the fact with the whole kingdom and such. I changed that so the plot would work in for Sonic ALSO being a prince.

Notice: I have my story on Deviant Art Reforming has Chapter 6! I will be adding that story to my Fanfiction account after it is complete in case anyone was wondering why I don't just put in on Fanfic now. I want to see the responses I got on it from Deviants before I post it here...so far, most have been good.

Well, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own the SEGA characters

Forceful

A melody of sweet violin harmonizing its key with the cello, resounded throughout the lively church. Guests filed in, the song mingling with the flooding conversation that reached the ear while lights were hung in decor, with delicate candles and flowers arranged in color coordinate order.

The mid-aisle was covered in a deep maroon rug, it's long body stretching out across the room, placing a path to the altar, where a cobalt hedgehog stood nervously, fidgeting with his black tie and square tux.

Despite the festive atmosphere in the occasion, as well as the chorused laughter of guests, many were not at all in high spirits, the foretold event weighing down their shoulders in despair.

While the kingdom rejoiced in glee, happy of the new king and queen that would take upon the throne, the maid of honor was harshly swallowing tears, the pink hedgehog trying miserably to stay strong in her stance. Her jade eyes flickered hopelessly to the groom, his uncomfortable stature obvious to the naked eye.

Sonic hadn't planned to be married so soon, especially at the young age of nineteen. He still had his whole life ahead of him, places to see, adventures to live. But his freedom had been halted by the hand of his mother, who brought up the subject of his betrothed.

This of course, crashed his relationship with Amy, who now stood beside him in a deep purple gown, flowers gripped in her trembling hands as the clock counted down the passing seconds till the vows were to be spoken.

He didn't know who to feel more sorry for; Amy, having to watch her boyfriend marry another. Himself, losing his freedom and being forced to marry a friend he didn't love, or the bride, whom parents, though having passed away in an untimely death, had coincided with Queen Aleena to betroth him to her.

Blaze. He was to be married to Blaze.

Neither wanted the bond, but Sonic followed his mother faithfully, promising to do whatever needed to be done for his kingdom.

Meanwhile, Blaze felt it her responsibility to honor her parents wishes after death, the guilt of their passing still chaining her in invisible binds.

In the far back of the church, a private dressing room was cluttered with make up and glam articles, including comfortable clothes tossed carelessly to the floor, and hair product placed inordinately in a basket on a wooden chipped dresser.

Standing affront of a long body mirror, was Blaze, her curves accented to perfection with her beautiful champagne dress. It's elegant beading of rhinestones, the sweet heart top lining, one shoulder strap, and flowing silk bottom that hung off hips in all her grace.

She was beyond beautiful, more than a model, her prowess a shimmering radiance.

But in the crystal reflection, she could only see the slight puffiness under her eyes, the pink tint that the whites of her orbs had taken, and she felt anythingbut disgusted with herself.

She didn't want this. She hated this.

Not only did she feel much too young for such an oath to give, but her heart wasn't in Sonic's hands. It belonged to someone else.

Blaze wasn't the type to dream of every detail for her wedding, she hadn't ever wondered what diamond cut ring she would prefer, nor what flowers she liked. She most definitely had never worried of who she would marry too.

But suddenly, Shadow had come along, and she knew exactly who she wanted to spend the rest of her years with. It was spontaneous really, how fast they had connected and become close.

Yet here she was, on her wedding day that didn't feel like her own, because it wasn't. It was the kingdoms. She was marrying Sonic for her people, for her parents.

They had betrothed her to him, and it was the only way for her to gain a sort of closure with her mom and dad after their death. She had to do this for them, if she refused, it was one more ounce of guilt she couldn't carry.

Turning to get a view of all sides in the mirror, Blaze sighed, swallowing tears that pushed at the back of her eyes to reveal her distraught clearly.

The pressure on her shoulders added to the weights, and she felt a sense of claustrophobia keeping the much needed air from her hungry lungs.

Dropping into a pitiful posture, she sat upon the bed that was centered in the bedroom, her hands folded in her lap as her voice broke, "I look horrible," she whimpered, despite her air of regal and natural beauty, all she could see were the lies that were painted on her white gown, staining her dress permanently. She was lying to her kingdom about the marriage, lying to her parents that she wanted this, lying to herself that she would be able to pull through.

"You look beautiful," a voice protested from the back door of the room, and Blaze turned her attention to the very first, and last person she wished to see at that moment.

Shadow stepped in the room, locking the door behind him for privacy. He wore a black tux, sharpening every red feature on him, contrasting with his midnight fur. His hands were in the pockets of his pants, eyes angled blankly, but tinged in sadness.

"Shadow..." she whispered in surprise, delight, and despair. Was it possible to feel such countered emotions at once?

The hedgehog stepped farther into the room, approaching the confused feline and crouching in front of her seating, reaching with tentative hands to clasp her own that rested in her lap.

"Are you ready? It starts in a couple minutes," he reminded sincerely, trying desperately to hide his anger. To say he wanted to just screw the kingdom and kidnap the violet princess for his own, was a gross understatement. He kept his face soft enough to comfort her, but hard enough so she wouldn't feel even more turmoil in her situation.

Blaze met his eyes in despair, hoping to mentally reach out and plead with him. She was screaming internally to just forget her promises, forget Sonic and the kingdom, even her parents wishes. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to just escape her fate, and run. Run faster than Sonic could even imagine, disappear into air, dissipate from destiny.

Her flames were licking beneath her fur, eager to escape.

On any other day, she could take the weight of his gaze, but in such distress, she fell, amber eyes falling to their clasped hands in her lap.

"I don't think I can do this Shadow..." she said breathless, the shaking in her voice clear, as well as the shivering in her hands against his.

Shadow eyed her, his heart clawing for hope, lightening at her words. He knew he shouldn't feel happiness in this moment, but the thought of her struggling with consent to the kingdoms wishes made his spirit rise.

Logic excused the lie however, and he shook his head to rid of any thought of a chance for him and her. It was impossible, their position was so utterly hopeless, no amount of faith would reach the demands.

He sighed, searching for words to comfort her. His heart pulsed at the sight of her in a white gown. She just didn't even see how much of a catch she really was. Her tomboy antics, stubborn will, and independent nature screamed rebel, but her regal form, and natural grace was there too. It was seeing the princess part of her before his eyes that made his breath catch. He loved her all ways, inside and out, but it was rare that her royal being was brought to her exterior.

"Blaze, this is..." he paused in his sentence, frowning to himself. He had been about to say 'her choice', when in reality, those words would help little. Of course she wouldn't feel it was in her power to stop this. She looked so lost, wandering in a void of wonders, decisions, debating who to please, the kingdom, her parents, Queen Aleena...herself and him...

It was all such a mess. But when the sudden image of her sleeping in the same bed as his cobalt rival spun through his conscience, his hands suddenly squeezed her tighter.

And then eventually, the kingdom would demand for heirs...

A sudden possessiveness surged through Shadow, and he abruptly stood. Letting her hands go and taking a steady step back.

Blaze watched his emotions splurge in a vicious cycle, startled by his sudden change, and furrowed her eyebrows at him curiously. "Shadow? What's wrong?" she asked, missing his comforting presence, as her nerves stirred further at his impromptu distant demeanor.

Shadow heard her confused tone, taking no notice to respond as his eyes glazed. It was becoming too much. Too much weighed his heart down, and he feared that impulse would overtake his senses. If he remained in this room, with her alone any longer, a rash move would be made on his part, one that would end horribly.

Red eyes glanced up to Blaze's wet ones once more, as he sent a silent plea to understand. He couldn't support her in this, he couldn't be here when the ceremony took place. As selfish as he felt in doing so, he needed to distance himself from her.

Blaze read his thoughts wearily, realization dawning on her. His eyes told her his thoughts, relaying his decision in leaving, planning to run from the pain she was causing him in marrying another man. It was so softly spoken into the silence, yet it hit her hard in the conscience. A part of her had desperately grasped to false hope that Shadow had appeared to take her away, pull her our of the dreadful nightmare.

She had let herself believe a lie.

Shaking his head in repent, Shadow swiftly stepped forward, grabbing the sides of her face and pushing his forehead against her own. "I'm sorry," he whispered, a breaking voice, and disappeared in a flash, the lingering of his breath on her face.

Blaze choked back another sob. Her arms instinctively wrapped around her small frame as she continued to burrow her emotions faster than they could form to tears. How could she allow herself to fall so low? How could she pull through with this to the end without falling apart?

The sound of her cue music began, and she knew that at any moment, she would have to take long steps down the aisle; to the altar to promise vows that she wasn't sure she could keep, to unify with a man she wanted to part from, and to lie directly in the face of her people, when she was farthest from the truth.

'I have to do this...I have to do this...I have to...'

Her eyes widened. Through the small window of her room, she could see out into the church, and though the sight looked to be cheerful and grand, décor intricate and obviously wealthy, her vision found the flaws of the scene. Amy stood, in much the same state as Blaze. Her eyes had rounded out in cause of crying, and she looked to be using her entire will to hold her already shattered heart. Sonic fared not much better, his weight shifting nervously, fingers fidgeting with the collar around his neck, and his jade gaze would often flicker remorsefully to the pinkette he loved, as well as sending his own mother weary looks.

All of this clicked into place, and Blaze froze. Her mind whirled, and just as the clock ticked to her directed time to walk down the aisle and stand beside her groom, she a lit the bouquet of flowers that she held in a wreath of flames, burning them to ash and dusting off her palms.

'Sorry Mom and Dad...but you're not here anymore. This is my life,' she sent a silent prayer to wherever her parents may be after passing, and swiftly picked up her skirts and turned on her heel.

Just as an usher in a midnight black tux opened the room to walk her down the red carpet, the back door had slammed shut, leaving the room vacant of a bride, and a pile of ashes on the floor.

Running at high speeds in several layers of heavy fabric proved to be impossible. Amidst her running, she kicked off her heels and left them in the field behind, not caring in the least as to where they ended up; her only goal to find a figure of ebony fur, and scarlet streaks.

"Shadow?" she called, as she continued to trot about the forest, whipping in all directions.

He was still nowhere to be found.

Once again she called his name, this time more urgently, desperately even. She needed to find him before he left for good.

Running farther till she reached a forest clearing, she turned in a circle, eyes scanning the perimeter in hope.

"Shadow!?"

…

No response.

Wiping the remnants of tears and stained black streaks from her fur, Blaze's golden orbs searched each bush and branch helplessly.

"Please come back..." she whispered, though no one else was around, the words had slipped from her tongue imploringly.

Only the insects that lingered in the earthly features of the forest sounded out.

Sighing, her hope began to falter. How far had he gone? Did he really leave her to her own fate?

Just as she felt her emotions twist once again, a strong pair of arms encircled her, breath catching and dying in her throat.

Without hesitation, she spun around and pulled the black figure closer to her, burying her head in thick white fur and sighing in relief.

"You're here..." she mumbled into his chest.

At that moment, she cared not whether her dress was dirty, where Sonic and Amy were, nor what her kingdom thought. She couldn't carry through with the high demands of the people. She didn't have to.

Shadow was the only one she ever wanted an opinion from, and as he chuckled into her shoulder, holding her just as soundly as she was him, it was all she felt she needed to get through the trials of her decisions that lay ahead.

"I'm here, Blaze. I'm here."