Author's Note: Thank you, MissMJS, Aragon Van Hellsing, CrimsonDestroyer, Aliciathewolf45, Risingzero2001 and Sad Little Demon for your reviews. I'm super happy to read all your thoughts, compliments, and theories!

•~•

With colder weather approaching, the holidays were coming. A week after the riot all seemed to calm again in the realm. Shadow and Cordovan visited the village and gave out extra provisions to the villagers for winter. With a line leading around a corner, Shadow exchanged a basket full of fresh fruits and vegetables to a family of three. "Here you go," Shadow smiled warmly.

The female badger smiled graciously and bowed her head. "Thank you, your highness."

"—Trying to make up for the horrid acts you placed upon us," another voice piped in. The two royals turned and looked at an orange male orangutan scowling at them.

"Beg your pardon," Cordovan replied, rather offended.

"Just a week ago you strung up an innocent female because she was trying to bring peace!"

"The Crown did not murder her as I've said before," Shadow retorted. "I ask you to look ahead, not backward, and we will do the same."

"Please, we were neighbors once, living side by side. We can be again," Cordovan spoke sincerely. With that, Shadow and Cordovan made their departure through the crowd of villagers back to the carriage.

"Thank you, cousin," Shadow whispered. "Your presence here means a great deal, given our recent disagreements, my politics have left you more aligned with Amy."

"At least today we're united to stop Mobius from tearing itself in half," he countered.

Once they stopped in front of the carriage, one of Shadow's guards walked up to him. "Your majesty, your brother asks you to return to the castle immediately." The two nodded and immediately climbed inside.

•~•

Back at court, Amy and Rouge sat in Amy's living room to discuss a proposal. Over the course of a few days, Amy had come up with a plan to ease tensions within the realm and believed her plan would succeed if she could do some convincing. "I have thought long and hard over this, but I think this will be best for Mobius," Amy began.

"What is it?" Rouge asked curiously.

"I know it's been a couple of months since Knuckles died, but I want you to marry Prince Cordovan."

Rouge looked stunned by the idea. "Prince Cordovan?" she repeated, blinking in surprise. "Not to sound rude, Amy, but I hardly know the guy."

"I realize that, but I truly think if you get to know one another you'd be an ideal fit. After all, you're a wealthy noblewoman and he's a handsome an eligible Prince."

Rouge placed her hands in her lap as she processed the notion. "Is there a particular reason why you want us to wed?"

"There is actually…Prince Cordovan is one of the many who was marked by the riders. He's a target as you know, and since you are unmarked, I thought if you two were to wed since you both have significant titles, it would make a positive statement to the kingdom."

Rouge looked reluctant as she rubbed her left arm with unease. "I don't know, Amy…"

She clasped her hands together, looking desperate. "Please, Rouge, do this for me out of duty as one of my ladies," she begged. "This could be one of the first steps to restoring peace."

It was obviously to Rouge that this meant a lot to Amy, and if it would make her happy she'd do it; even if it wasn't what she wanted. After all, she had a duty to her queen. "Alright, Amy, I'll do it for you," she smiled weakly.

Amy smiled in relief and stood up, causing Rouge to do the same. "You have no idea how much this means to me." Amy hugged her. "Thank you, Rouge. You're a wonderful friend." Rouge returned the embrace, trying to smile, but one never really formed.

•~•

Later that morning, Shadow roamed down the halls in a hurry when Amy caught sight of him from another hallway. "Shadow!" she called.

He turned to look back as she caught up with him. "What is it?"

"Just hear me out," she started. "But what if Rouge married your cousin?" she hypothesized.

He shot her an incredulous look. "Marry one of the most prominent marked princes in the kingdom?" he asked in hesitance.

"Yes," she smiled. "It sends a message."

"…It certainly does." He continued walking down the hall, forcing Amy to try and keep up with him.

She jogged behind him, continuing her plea. "Marriages have been making alliances for centuries," Amy continued. "It's a custom that people understand and by doing this, you exemplify acceptance, tolerance, and people living together in peace!"

He stopped and turned back to look at her. "I don't know if this is a good idea, Amy…"

"This could be insurance from the radicals rising up against you. Against us."

He shook his head. "I'm sorry, my answer…"

"—Is no. As I knew it would be." She looked at him discontented. "You have fallen completely to the nobles, but I had to try." Shadow watched sadly as she walked off completely deflated by her efforts.

•~•

A few minutes later, Shadow met up with Sonic in one of the halls after receiving a message from one of his messengers. "Did you find Lord Montgomery?" Shadow questioned as they walked towards the dungeons.

"No, but I found someone who I think can help us," he explained. They stopped in front of a door and Sonic unlocked it. When the door opened, a female bunny sat on a cot bed. "This is Tiffany and she is an ex-servant of Finitevus'. I ran into her as she was making her escape from a secret holding near his estate."

"Why were you being held in the first place?" Shadow questioned.

"He caught me eavesdropping on his conversations, so he kept me hostage until he decided what to do with me, your grace," she replied.

"Do you know where Finitevus was keeping Lord Montgomery?"

She shook her head. "Not exactly, but I know that the guard watching him would know," she began. "His name is Drago and I use to hear Finitevus send him over to tend to Montgomery to give him food and whatnot."

"How often did he visit the hostage?" Sonic inquired.

"Every three days or so," she answered.

"When was the last time Drago checked in on you?"

"Two days ago," she replied. "He should be going to see Montgomery either today or tomorrow."

"We'll have to get Montgomery out from underneath Finitevus' nose," Shadow plotted.

"What will happen to me, your majesty?" the female bunny questioned.

"You'll remain here under the protection of the crown until we can take Finitevus down once and for all. I won't let your life be endangered if he finds out we're after him," Shadow replied.

The female smiled in relief. "Thank you, your highness. Thank you!"

"No, thank you for supplying us with this useful information," Shadow smiled. With that, the two brothers left the female in her chambers and walked down the hall together.

"Well, now all we have to do is wait for the right time to strike and find this Drago guy," Sonic noted.

Shadow nodded solemnly. "Yes, I can't wait for this nightmare to be over. I've lost control of my kingdom and my wife can hardly look at me…"

They stopped by a corner in the hall to talk in private. "Don't worry, Shads, this will be over soon. I'll have Drago followed and we'll end this."

Shadow placed a hand against the wall. "Yes, but we need Finitevus to get mad enough that'd he send for his guard to retrieve Montgomery." Right after the words left his mouth, his eyes widened as he realized something.

The blue hedgehog raised a brow by his brother's expression. "What's wrong?"

"I know just how to piss off Finitevus," he smirked.

•~•

After coming up with his plan, Shadow looked for Amy all over the castle until eventually finding her taking a walk by herself in the castle gardens. The ebony hedgehog ran over to join her. "Amy!" he called. She turned when she heard her name and spotted him jog over. "I've changed my mind about Rouge and Cordovan. You were right; the marriage is a good option, a viable path towards peace. We'll announce their engagement tonight."

"What about the nobles?" she asked suspiciously.

They continued walking along the path. "Forget about them, I'll use your argument that a stable Mobius benefits them," he explained.

She stopped by the water fountain, still doubtful on his sudden change in opinion on the matter. "I'm afraid to believe you. I mean, I want to, but you've been so erratic lately, as you are now," she said pointedly.

"You're going to have to trust me this time." He placed his hands together. "Please speak with Rouge and my cousin. I could force their engagement as king, but it would hardly engender good will on either side."

Amy eyed him reluctantly and sighed. "Don't go back on your word, Shadow, I'm trusting you. Don't give me hope for Mobius, for us, and then take it away again."

He nodded, placing one hand over his heart while he raised the other. "I promise you, I won't."

She smiled weakly, but hopeful. "Very well, I'll go speak with them."

He leaned over giving her a quick peck on the cheek, making her blush slightly. "Thank you, my love."

•~•

Later that afternoon, Amy met with Cordovan out in the field behind the castle to discuss her proposal. In the luscious green fields, Cordovan escorted his horse as he and Amy walked together side by side. "So, what did you want to talk to me about, your grace?" the brown hedgehog inquired.

"It's strange…though you never set out to be, you are the most visible leader of the branded in Mobius. You're a noble and a prince of the blood, but they look up to you, Cordovan," she mused.

"Hm, I sense a creeping feeling of unease here," he chuckled.

"Because you've come to know me," she laughed. "I ask for things and I'm asking you if you would become a symbol for all of Mobius."

Cordovan halted in his tracks, keeping the lead for his horse at bay, forcing Amy to mimic his actions. "What kind of symbol are we talking about here," he probed with intrigue.

She cupped her hands together as she looked him in the eye. "Would you consider marrying my lady, Rouge?"

He let out a small nervous chuckle, before realizing Amy's features had remained the same. She wasn't laughing with him and apparently this was no joke. "…Oh, you're serious?"

"Yes, Shadow and I have agreed that your marriage would help ease violence and distrust," she elaborated. "The realm seems calm now, but that's only because those who have been beaten down are terrified. We must do something now."

"Well, no offense, but Rouge is not my choice of an ideal wife," Cordovan began. "Pardon my saying, she's a lovely girl, but I just am not attracted to her."

"I understand, but I assure you, she's a wonderful person."

"You know my brother has been trying to negotiate for me to marry other eligible females…"

"Look, I know that I'm asking you to give up something enormous in return, but if it saved lives, changed Mobius, and possibly brought you happiness with a beautiful noble lady…isn't it worth considering?"

He smiled, impressed by her influenced pitching skills. "You know you could sell the ocean a cup of water, don't you?" he quipped playfully.

Her optimism rose. "Are you saying..?"

"—Yes, I'll do it," he grinned in defeat.

"This will change everything," she smiled.

"Yes, I'll be living here at court and our children will grow up, side by side," he noted.

She smiled at the thought. "The times we have banded together, you have been a very brave like-minded friend," she complimented.

He returned a warm smile. "As have you, my grace."

•~•

In Shadow's study, the doors flew open as Lord Finitevus made his way inside looking beyond peeved. "I just learned that you consented to marry Lady Rouge off to that traitorous Prince Cordovan! Have you lost your damn mind?"

Shadow put his pen back in his ink and sighed in annoyance. "Can't you work with me, for once? Mobius is on the verge of a revolt," he avowed

"You are wrong, all is quiet," he denounced.

"I don't trust that it's over, I was in the midst of that riot a week ago. I saw stones thrown, Mobians attacking other Mobians. People died!" He bellowed, eyes becoming large and panicked. "Not to mention, I haven't slept in days!" he said throwing his arms up.

Finitevus cocked a brow as he watched Shadow rise from his seat and paced back and forth before ultimately sitting behind his desk again. "…You do not seem yourself, my king," Finitevus analyzed as he approached his desk.

"That is because I am your king, not my own," he corrected in a tizzy. "I-I can't do this anymore, I won't'!" Shadow howled.

"If you allow this marriage to go through, I will remove you from the throne," he threatened. "Have you forgotten what I can do to you?"

Shadow slammed his hands on his desk, making him jump. "I can't live like this anymore!" he growled.

"And what of Amy?" he challenged.

Shadow blinked a few times, looking even more frazzled. "I can't think about that…she'll survive, somehow." He rubbed the skin between his eyes. "Or perhaps we are all doomed by my mistakes."

"Shadow…you said yourself you haven't slept in days. Maybe rest is what you need."

"Oh…and now you care about my health?" he spouted.

"All I am saying is that you need to not make any decisions today," he elaborated.

Shadow suddenly rose from his seat abruptly, making Finitevus take a step back in surprise. "Leave me! I will not have you hissing in my ear," he said erratically.

Finitevus stepped back, keeping his eyes on him. "Of course," he replied quietly before he turned to leave.

Shadow slowly sat back down in his seat as he watched Finitevus exit the room. Once the door was closed, Shadow composed himself and looked to his left where a hidden door opened from the wall. Listening to the entire conversation go down, Sonic stepped out with wide eyes. "Think he was convinced?" Shadow smirked.

"I'm not sure I even want you to be king anymore," Sonic quipped after hearing his performance.

Shadow laughed, knowing his acting had gone down well. "Good, that means I sealed the deal."

•~•

After his meeting with Shadow, Finitevus met with Rouge in her bedroom to confront her on the marriage proposal. "I'm not sure it's safe to be alone in here without a chaperone," Rouge noted, eying him cautiously

"Oh, enough with your brainwashed perception of me. You'll need me as a chaperone if you go through with this engagement to Cordovan," he pointed.

She placed a hand on her hip. "And why do you think that?"

"Cordovan has always been a target since he was marked, if you marry him, you will have a target right on your back beside him. Many would give anything to try to assassinate the two of you for a statement."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "So, what do you expect me to do then?"

He stood before her. "Marry me. Elope with me now, before anyone can stop us, it will save your life," he said as he leaned in closer.

She placed a hand on his chest and pushed him away. "No," she asserted. "I'm doing this as a duty to my king and queen and you can't stop me."

"But…"

She pointed towards her bedroom door. "Get out of my room. Now!"

•~•

After his disastrous attempt to wed Rouge to get her out of the marriage deal, the white echidna walked along the path of the courtyard with Drago by his side. "Get Lord Montgomery, and bring him here to the castle," he ordered. "We are pressing regicide charges today."

"What has changed?" the white wolf asked curiously.

"Shadow is crumbling under the pressure. He's defiant but defeated and needs to go before he makes rash decisions that I cannot reverse."

"Right away, my lord," he bowed.

•~•

Meanwhile, in the throne room, Shadow rose from his seat when Sonic entered the room. Sonic walked to the middle of the room, standing before him. "Finitevus has met with Drago."

Alerted by the message, Shadow stepped down off his throne to join him. "Why aren't you following him?" he asked quietly.

"I had the stable hand delay Drago's horse to give us time," he explained.

Shadow began to exit the throne room with Sonic tagging behind. "I'm coming with you to get Montgomery. You'll need help against Drago and no one else can know why you're after him," he affirmed quietly.

Sonic kept his pace up by his side. "I should argue against it for your safety, but we have one chance and we cannot fail."

They turned down a hall together. "If we fail, remember…"

"—I know, I'll get Amy out of the kingdom."

•~•

In the dining room, Shadow found Amy tasting some of the food for the night's banquet. Knowing this mission was risky, Shadow wanted to see her one last time in case it went awry. "…Amy?" Shadow spoke catching her attention.

She turned away from the table she stood at. "Shadow?"

Slowly, Shadow made his way towards her, looking quite nervous. "Amy…I-I love you. You do know that, right?"

"What's happened?" she asked, noticing a shift in his demeanor.

"Nothing," he smiled weakly. "It's just… the season makes one take stock of the year."

She clasped her hands together. "Well, let's enjoy it, then. Shall we get ready for the feast together?" she suggested kindly.

"Uh, there are a few things I have to take care of first," he said, looking over to his right, where Sonic patiently waited. "But don't worry," he said looking back at her. "All is well," he smiled.

Still, she seemed confused by his mood. "All right then…" She made her way around him to continue overlooking the banquet set up, but Shadow turned after her.

"Amy, wait a minute…" She stopped in her tracks again. "I know you're still angry, but let me look at you."

Perplexed by his command, Amy slowly turned around to allow him to look at her. She stood there awkwardly, as he allowed his eyes to imprint her image into his mind, almost as an eternal photograph. He gave a genuine smile as he stared at her beauty before him.

She looked around the room, uneasy, feeling strange by his longing glance. "Is that enough?" she asked, breaking him out of his daze.

He looked dispirited, wishing he could stay in this moment forever. "Not nearly…" He quickly jogged over and gave her one long kiss on the lips that she surprisingly, reciprocated. He pulled away and looked at her confused expression. "I love you—Always. Remember that," he said before he quickly left.

•~•

Later that evening, the banquet began and noblemen and noblewomen of all ages gathered in the dining hall, laughing, dancing and eating. The room was full of happy faces and Amy made her way around her guests over to Cream who stood by Tails enjoying a laugh. "Hello," Amy smiled. "Having a good time?"

"Wonderful, Amy!" Cream mused. "This party has been just perfect especially with everyone's spirits so high!"

"I have to agree," Tails concurred. "I haven't seen Rouge yet, but I wanted to congratulate her on her engagement to Prince Cordovan. That's quite the catch!"

"You can congratulate her after the announcement," Amy advised. "I was thrilled when Shadow approved of the engagement, but I'm proud of him." Amy looked around the room, seeing how blissful everyone was. "It's too quiet…everything seems at peace."

"Because it's well deserved, my grace," Tails smiled. "This is what you wanted, correct?

She nodded slightly, even though her gut was telling her something was off. "I suppose you're right."

•~•

Meanwhile, in the village, Mobian guards continued to hand out provisions for the strong winter approaching. Snowflakes drizzled down as villagers lined up, already bundled up in their warmest winter wear, waiting to gather free food and other necessities. But unknowingly, Jet stood in the background concealed in a brown cloak as he watched the set of three guards hand out food to the commoners. His hardened expression remained locked on the head guard, as he took mental notes. Another guard came over and plopped down some fresh bread. "This is the last of the bread, we'll have to head back to court to replenish it," the guard expressed.

"Very well," the head guard spoke. "I'll tell Jeremiah to take over before we leave." Hearing that comment, Jet slipped out of the crowd knowing the plan was about to take action.

A few minutes later in one of the alleys, Jet snuck up on the head guard and quickly pushed him from behind, forcing him to smash against one of the stone walls. The guard grunted in response, but before he could retaliate, Jet smothered his mouth from behind and slit his throat with the other hand. Jeffrey came over and helped ease the dying guard to the floor. "Mind the blood, we'll need the uniform," he advised.

"We just need to kill the other two now," Jet noted.

•~•

Back at the castle, Amy stood beside Cordovan as the night progressed. "I'm going to announce your engagement," she whispered.

His ears fell momentarily. "Oh, but, shouldn't we wait for Shadow to return?"

"He's gone with Sonic into town for an errand," she answered. "He'll be back soon," she assured.

"Do you think he'll change his mind?" Cordovan questioned.

"I don't think so, at least, not this time," she clarified. Cordovan seemed skeptical on her comment and she sensed it. "I know that you've lost faith in him, and I've told him the same, but the truth is, I love him, and no matter what he does, I believe in him."

"How can you be so certain?"

She smiled weakly. "They say that marriage is like a promise, and it is that, but the best ones are based on certainty." Cordovan looked over to Rouge standing by some other ladies chatting as he continued to listen to Amy. "I believe marriage is an inexplicable faith in someone else. Even when they do wrong, you still have optimism in their decisions," she finished.

At that moment, something clicked in his own mind as he absorbed her speech on marriage, and suddenly his commitment to this union suddenly didn't sit well with him. But before he could intervene to stop it, Amy had already stepped away and clapped her hands together to gather everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the court, I have an announcement to make." Cordovan slowly made his way over to Rouge. "With the king's blessing, it is my honor to announce the engagement of my beloved lady in waiting, Lady Rouge to Cordovan, Prince of Knothole," Amy smiled. "Their union will be eternal and their love unbreakable."

Everyone began to clap as they watched Prince Cordovan and Lady Rouge hold hands. "Wish them well," Amy finished. With that, a small crowd gathered around the newly stated couple as they congratulated them on their engagement.

Amy watched with a smile until she felt a presence loom behind her. "Ah, short and sweet," Isabelle piped in from behind. "But do you really think this will last by forcing the two of them together?"

She watched as Rouge and Cordovan accepted the good wishes from the guests around them. "I know it will," she said with confidence.

Amy locked eye contact with Cordovan from across the room. To her, he looked happy, but as she looked away, Cordovan's smile slipped. Perhaps, he was starting to have regrets about his decision. After receiving all the well wishes, Cordovan discreetly slipped out of the party and made his way down one of the castle corridors.

•~•

AN: Right now the poll for my next story is tied with The Hybrid Part II at 2 votes and Brothers of Anarchy at 2 votes. Make sure you vote so I can know which story to vote on!