Chapter 3
Later as the sun began setting, King Arthur and Queen Ailinda were in the conference room discussing their daughter's behavior.
"I don't know where she gets it from. I mean, you weren't nearly so picky when I first met you," Arthur said.
"I'm sure something will turn up soon, darling," Ailinda said, stroking her husband's shoulders.
"But it's not the same!" Arthur said.
Suddenly, the doors opened, as they both looked to see Shadow and the other knights. "Ooh, oh. Ah, my most trusted knights of the round table. What brings you all here?"
"We have urgent matters to discuss, my lord," Shadow said, as Knuckles showed them the map of their kingdom and the other lands beyond it.
"Such as?" Richard asked.
"My king... Our enemies grow stronger every day, and yet you allow your own daughter to dismiss Prince Dimitri and a possible military alliance," Shadow said.
"Meaning we're running out of ideas," Silver added.
"You're saying that you would drag us into a war with..."
"I would never drag our entire nation into war. Yet you would allow your kingdom to sink into ruin, for mere sentiment towards our most darkest enemy!" Shadow said,
"Captain Lancelot! Remember your place," King Richard hollered.
"I apologize. Forgive me, my lord. I went too far," Shadow said.
"But... if you would only reconsider, I think you would see that doubling everything we have, like double the guards, double our weapons, and double our defenses," Knuckles said.
"Why would we want to double our castle's defenses?" Blaze asked.
"What's this about invading another kingdom?" Amy asked, walking into the room.
"We would never invade another kingdom," Ailinda said.
"But an ally in Sokovia or some other regions would improve our situation," Silver said.
"Perhaps it would be wise to accept that, your majesty?" Blaze asked.
"Yes. If you consider giving Prince Dimitri a chance," King Richard asked.
"To rule? Father, Cream would make a better ruler," Amy sarcastically said, as Cream was confused.
"My dear, I'm not getting any younger. We must find you a husband and... we are running out of kingdoms," King Richard said.
Amy then scoffed, "What type of foreign prince can even care for our people as much as I do? I could lead, but if only..."
"My dear, you cannot be a queen. Because it has never been done in the thousand-year history of our kingdom," King Richard said.
"Your father does have a point," Knuckles commented.
"I have been preparing for this my whole life," Amy added. "I have read every..."
"Books? I'm afraid that you cannot read experience," Shadow said. "Inexperience is dangerous, princess. People, left unchecked, will revolt. Walls and borders, unguarded, will be attacked."
"I'm afraid Shadow is right. One day, you will understand. You may leave now," King Richard said.
"Life will be kinder to you, Princess, once you accept these traditions and understand it's better for you to be seen and not heard," Blaze said.
"How dare you? How dare all of you? Don't you all get it? I'm not a prize to be won!" Amy said, storming out of the room.
"Well, that went unexpectedly," Knuckles said.
"Well, it's this suitor business. Amelia still refuses to choose a husband. I'm afraid that I'm at my wit's-end," King Richard said.
"Now then, perhaps Shadow and I can divine another solution to this thorny problem," Silver said.
"If anyone can help, it's you all," King Richard said.
"Is there any way we can offer to give our daughter one chance to choose a husband?" Ailinda asked.
"I'm afraid we'll have to do one thing," Shadow said. "Assign her a bodyguard for protection.
"That does sound a good strategy, Shadow. You and Silver may have an idea there."
"Why a bodyguard?" Jet asked.
Because if the princess ever wants to go out into the world, she's gonna need someone to protect her from those who wish to harm her," Shadow explained.
"It is necessary to find the princess a suitor, because they usually have bodyguards to accompany them," Blaze said.
"You're right. It's time we found a suitable bodyguard for her, as well as a suitor for her," Richard said.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine," Silver said.
The king nodded, as they continued discussing on planning for the bodyguard scenario and finding another suitable suitor.
Later that night, at the castle's Chao Garden, a shadowy figure walked through. We see it was Amy in a disguise, which was a brown hooded cloak. She reached the palace wall, then began to climb it, until she was tugged from behind by Cheese.
"Chao?" the little Chao asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Cheese. But I can't stay here and have my life lived for me any longer. Do you think you could tell Cream but keep it a secret?" Cheese nodded, before he hugged her. "I'll miss you too, and Cream and Vanilla, and everyone else."
She then began to climb again, as Cheese had sad puppy eyes full of tears. "Good bye!" She then disappeared over the wall, while Cheese began to whine and whimper.