Meeting the Princes

*Three days later, six carriages arrived at the castle. Abigail & her Father sat in the throne room (look up "The Salvatican Throne" by "GleamingScythe" on "DeviantArt"), waiting for the Princes to arrive. Abigail was wearing a new silver tiara & a blue gown decorated with roses (look up "Peach - Rose #2" by "Katlime" on "DeviantArt") & sitting on throne to the right side of her Father's throne, which was in the middle. Harvey stood next to the King & Rosie, along with Blaze, Sally, & Lacey, stood next to Abigail. Then the doors opened & a brown male coyote with blonde hair, blue eyes, a yellow muzzle & wearing a butler's uniform entered the room*

Antoine: Your Majesty. Ze Princes have arrived.

King Robert: Good. Send them in, Antoine.

*Antoine nodded & stepped aside as six male Mobians entered the room. First was a blonde-yellow mink with curled blonde hair with two large curled bangs at the front (one longer than the other), blue eyes, a tan muzzle, wearing a pale red coat with a cream undershirt & gloves, a black belt, green breeches, & a pair of black "colonial" shoes (look up "Sonic underground characters reimagined" by "Cyclone62" on "DeviantArt"). Then a male grey wolf with dark gray hair & yellow eyes (look up "The Plus Ultra Squad" by "SwanGirl24" on "DeviantArt"), wearing a silver armor over a black bodysuit (look up "The Dragon Prince - Hazel" by rayn44 on DeviantArt). Then a brown male monkey with blue eyes, peach skin, wearing a gold crown with a ruby in it & a red vest/coat with turquoise cape. Then a tan male lion with orange hair, & green eyes (look up "Sonic Underground Redesigns" by "phantomgirl2510" on "DeviantArt"), wearing a turquoise royal uniform. Then a green male hedgehog with purple eyes, peach skin (look up "Sonic Underground Redesign: Manic" by "rinkunokoisuru" on "DeviantArt"), & wearing a green royal uniform (look up "Sonic, Sonia, and Manic - Formal Clothes" by "SwanGirl24" on "DeviantArt"). And finally a red male echidna with purple eyes, peach skin, & a crescent moon mark on his chest, wearing tribal clothes (look up "-STH The Ancients 2" by "Biko97" on "DeviantArt"). They all stood in front of the King & Princess & bowed to them, each in a different way*

Antoine: Your Majesties. May I present Prince Bartleby of the Kingdom of Mercia. *the mink stood up* Prince Zeke of the Wolf Pack Nation. *the wolf stood up* Prince Ken Khan of the Dragon Kingdom. *the monkey stood up* Prince Cyrus of the Kingdom of Leonus. *the lion stood up* Prince Manic of the Sol Empire. *the hedgehog stood up* And Prince Knuckles of the Knuckles Tribe which guards Angel Island.

*The red echidna stood up*

King Robert: Welcome, gentlemen. Allow me to introduce to you my lovely daughter, Princess Abigail.

*Abigail reluctantly stood up, walked down the stairs, & curtsied to the Princes with a forced smile*

Abigail: I welcome you all to our fair Kingdom. I hope you will enjoy your stay here.

*Prince Bartleby stepped up to her & took her hand*

Bartleby: With a beautiful Princess like you to keep me company, I'm sure I will enjoy my time here very much.

*He kissed her hand, making Abigail suppress a cringe. Prince Zeke stepped up to her next*

Zeke: I've heard that you are quite a skilled fencer, Princess. Perhaps we should have a sparring match sometime.

Abigail: Sounds delightful.

*Prince Ken Khan stepped up next*

Ken Khan: Dear Princess. On my honor, I shall do my utmost to learn about your Kingdom's customs and culture so that we will ensure this Kingdom's future, should you choose to marry me.

Abigail: Oh, you really don't have to go that far. *in her mind* Or that far ahead.

*Prince Cyrus stepped up next*

Cyrus: It's an honor to meet you, Princess. I hope we can get to know each other during my time here.

Abigail: Me as well.

*Prince Manic stepped up next*

Manic: I must admit, Princess. You're even prettier than your portrait.

Abigail: Why, thank you, Your Highness. *in her mind* So that's why Father had me sit for all those portraits last month.

*Finally, Prince Knuckles stepped up to her. He just nodded his head*

Knuckles: A pleasure to meet you, Princess.

*Abigail was surprised by his greeting*

Abigail: Y - Yes. Indeed.

King Robert: Well, now that the introductions are out of the way, Antoine will show you to your rooms, gentlemen. I do hope you'll find them comfortable.

*The Princess all followed Antoine out of the throne room*

*Once Abigail was back in her room, she changed into her casual dress & collapsed on her bed*

Abigail: I can't believe I have to choose one of them to be my fiance! None of them are even remotely my type.

*Nearby, Sally, Blaze, & Lacey were putting her gown, tiara, & shoes away, & serving tea*

Lacey: Well, at least they're all handsome.

Abigail: Lacey, I'm not looking for just handsome. I want someone who's also smart, kind, strong, and will accept as I am.

Blaze: You know you're pretty much asking for the impossible.

Abigail: Hey, I can dream, can't I?

Sally: Yeah, just don't expect too much from these guys. Especially that Prince Bartleby.

Abigail: I know, I know. *just the, there was a knock at her bedroom door* Come in.

*The door opened & a golden female rabbit with green eyes & a white muzzle wearing the maid uniform stepped into the room*

Bunnie: Pardon me, Your Highness. But his Majesty, the King, requests your presence at the Royal Stables. Oh, and he says to wear your riding clothes.

Abigail: Alright. Thank you, Bunnie. *Bunnie bowed & left the room* Well, you heard her. Time to get ready.

Sally, Blaze, & Lacey: Yes, Abby.

*After being changed into her riding clothes, she went down to the stables. But she was in for a surprise when she saw her suitors, a long with a squad of knights & a pack of hunting dogs, waiting for her instead of her Father*

Bartleby: Ah, Princess. How wonderful of you to join us.

Abigail: Uh . . . Yes. But what brings you all here? Where's my Father?

Knuckles: Well, Prince Zeke was bored and suggested to his Majesty that we all go out hunting. And he gave his approval.

Zeke: Well, I have heard that the Princess enjoys riding her horse through these woods on sunny afternoons. So I thought, what better way to get to know one another than with a nice friendly competition to show the Princess our skills.

Cyrus: As for your Father, he is busy with work and won't be joining us.

*I didn't hear that last part because I was too shocked*

Abigail:*in her mind* Oh no! If they go into the forest, they might find the lake! And if they find the lake, Snowy and his friends will be in danger! Not to mention all the other animals! I have to stop them!

Cyrus: Is something wrong, Princess?

Abigail: Oh, nothing. It's just . . . We can't go into the forest.

Manic: Why not?

Abigail: It's too dangerous. There are lots of wild animals in the forest. Plus, I've heard rumors of people disappearing if they go too deep into the forest at night.

*That part was actually true. For the past two years, there have been many strange disappearances in the forest*

Ken Khan: Do not worry, Princess. If any dangerous approaches us, we will protect you. I swear to you, on my honor.

Abigail:*in her mind* This guys takes his honor very seriously. *all the Princes started to mount their horses* Well, if I can't stop them, then I just have to make sure that they go anywhere near the lake.

*She got on her horse & they all went into the forest*

*A few hours later, the hunting party hadn't had much luck finding any animals. Mostly because Abigail was distracting them long enough so the animals could get away*

Cyrus: Not having much luck, are we?

Manic: Why don't we spilt up and cover more ground?

Abigail: No!

Knuckles: Why not?

Abigail: You guys don't know the forest. It's better for everyone to stay together.

Ken Khan: The Princess is right. It's better if we don't go out separate ways.

Bartleby: Ah, the Princess is not only beautiful, but smart.

*The party went deeper & deeper in the forest. Soon, they arrived at the lake. Abigail looked around & sighed in relief when she didn't see Snowy & his friends anywhere. They all stopped to water the horses. While they were busy, Abigail snuck away to find Snowy & his friends. Soon, she found them in the middle of the lake, safe & sound. She was about to sneak back when she heard someone calling her*

Guard:*off-screen* Your Highness!

*She turned around & saw the group heading towards her*

Guard: Is something wrong, Your Highness?

Abigail: Oh no, I was just . . .

*Suddenly, Manic noticed the swans on the water*

Manic: Oh, look! Swans.

*Everyone looked where he was pointing & their eyes went wide with amazement*

Cyrus: Would you look at that. A swan wearing a medallion.

Cyrus: Amazing.

*Snowy's friends started to gather around him, like they were protecting him. Suddenly, they heard a loud flapping. They looked up at a tree behind them & saw a big black owl, that seemed to be glaring at them as it flapped it's wings. Then it's eyes glowed red & a thick fog surrounded them. Abigail turned back to Snowy & his friends with worry. Then she heard the sound of a string tightening. She turned around & her eyes went wide with horror when she saw Bartleby had loaded his crossbow & was aiming it at the swans*

Abigail: What are you doing!?

Bartleby: I'm going to that swan with the medallion home so you can hang it up over the fireplace.

*Abigail ran towards him*

Abigail: No! Don't shoot!

*Suddenly, Bartleby started to glow as the owl flew past him. When the glow died, everyone's eyes went wide*

Ken Khan: He's been turned into stone!

Knuckles: There must be some evil magic at play here! I suggest we return to the castle at once!

*Abigail looked out at the lake one more time & saw that Snowy & his friends were gone. Everyone got back on their horses & rode back to the castle, with one of the guards guiding Bartleby's horse*

*Back at the castle, everyone has gathered in the throne room to explain everything that had happened to the King*

Abigail:*I'm her mind* I just don't understand it.

King Robert: Alright. From what I understand, you say that Prince Bartleby was turned into a statue when he tried to shoot at a swan wearing a medallion.

Knuckles: Yes. And I suspect that very swan had something to do with.

Abigail: No! It's not him! He's my friend! I know him! He would never harm anyone!

Rosie: Your friend? Is that why you've been looking for excuses to go into the forest every day?

Abigail: Well . . . Uh . . .

Harvey Who: When you come to think of it, no one has ever been to the other side of that lake. Ever.

King Robert: Alright. I believe I've heard enough. Until we find a way to turn Prince Bartleby back to normal, no one is to go anywhere near that lake. *he turned to his daughter with a stern look* Am I clear, Abigail?

*Abigail looked down & reluctantly bowed to him*

Abigail: Yes, Father.

King Robert: Good. No then. I suggest we all prepare for dinner. I'm sure we're all starving after the day we've had.

*After dinner, as the sun was going down, Abigail went back to her room, with the excuse of feeling tired from today's events, changed into her riding clothes, & used a secret passageway to get to the stables. After she saddled her horse, she looked up at the castle*

Abigail:*in her mind* Forgive me, Father. But my friend needs me.

*Then she mounted her white horse & rode off towards the forest*