The princesses arrive

(Starlight City, south island- early evening)

This was the event of a lifetime.

The International Islander royal ball- the event of events, the grand gala where the who's who of earth's islander royalty would attend. Every noble from the royal houses of the animal folk would be there, enjoying themselves on whatever finery was put together for this year, as well as to raise money for whatever charity most needed their aid. In truth, most of the islander nobility hated attending this 'ghastly' event, rather than actually being out in the field, and helping their people. But the money that wealthy corporate sponsors would donate to charity as just too valuable a resource to pass up.

So the royals and nobles arrived from every part of the globe, most of them staying at the respective embassies for their countries. But this year, the five royal princesses-the youngest, most eligible royal bachelorettes- were getting ready in the grand royal hotel, the most luxurious spot on South island. It was when their cars and carriages pulled up, that the press and the media were there, ready to annoy all of the guests who were currently arriving.

"Hello, everyone!This is your lifestyle reporter, Collie Chang, here!" A very curvy Siamese cat reporter in a purple halter top and mini skirt, greeted the audience. "And I'm here today to greet the royal princesses of the islands, who will be attending today's royal gala! There is quite a crowd of celebrity watchers on hand, to greet the blue-blooded arrivals, and here comes the first one now!"

A sea green limo, all decked out in pearl and clam shell theming, pulled up. And a purple fish islander, with a sea green evening gowns, stepped out of the car.

"Ladies and gentleman, please give a warm welcome to... Princess Undina of Meropis, who is here to pursue her cause of cleaning up the world's oceans!" As the aquatic princess came up the red carpet, the reporter held out the microphone to her. "Hell-oooo, Princess Undina! How are you today?"

"Hi, Collie, it's so wonderful; to see you and your wonderful audience here today!" She blew a kiss to the crowd. "And remember everyone, it's up to all of us to keep the world's oceans clean!"

"Thank you, Undina! It's always a pleasure!" Collie turned back towards the next arriving vehicle, which resembled an old west styled stage coach, and a lilac- colored wolf girl wearing a light blue dress with beads and buckskins on it stepped out. "And coming next, dear viewers, is the fair princess Lupe, daughter of Chief Thunderpaw, leader of the wolf pack nation. Greetings, Princess Lupe! How are you this fine evening?"

"Salutations, Miss Chang, it is wonderful to see you here." The wolf pack leader inclined her head, before turning to the camera. "And I'd like to remind all of our viewers out there, to give any time and financial resources to the protection of our world's forests. Remember, we need those trees to breathe!"

"Thank you, Princess Lupe!" Collie waved her off, and Lupe headed inside. "And up next, it looks like we have Princess Sonia, the hedgehog heir to the throne of Christmas Island!" The peach-colored hedgehog girl in the regal purple dress had barely gotten off her large, expensive looking motorcycle, when Collie was in her face with the mike. "Princess Sonia, is there any truth to the rumors that the world-famous hero, Sonic the Hedgehog, is your long-lost brother? Also, what about the royal gossip surrounding your brother, prince Manic, trying to court Princess Lupe?"

Sonia, angry that this paparazzi had ruined her entrance and charity pitch, snarled and grabbed the mike from the shocked reporter. "First of all Collie, there is no way in Dark Gaia's name that I'm related to that spiky blue rube." Sonia snapped. "Secondly, yes I will confirm my brother Manic is chasing wolf tail, though I don't know how successful he will be. Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I will now head inside. My fiance, Lord Bartleby, is waiting for me."

As the disgruntled hedgehog princess stormed into the building, collie turned back to the camera. "Thank you for, uh- those lovely words, Princess Sonia. I would now like to take this opportunity, to remind our audience that all of the lovely outfits the princesses will be wearing today, were designed by Honey Brand Clothes and Accessories. And here to tell us about it, is the CEO and chief clothing designer, Honey the cat!"

At that, an amber-colored feline in a red dress and pig tails stepped forward, and balled up her fists like two paws, winking at the camera. "Thank you for that introduction Collie, Nya! I'd just like to remind all the ladies out there, that our new spring fashion line will be in stores in February, Nya! The finest jeans, skirts, blouses, and sweaters, all at affordable prices you can't pass up, nya! Be sure to get out there, and check out my latest masterpieces, nya! Bye byeeee!"

"Nya indeed, Miss Honey." Collie replied, stifling a giggle at a fellow cat's usage of 'nya' to look 'cute' and sell clothes. "I sure know where I'll be spending my rings, when it's time to update my wardrobe." She looked at her watch. "Well that's all the time we have for now, so thank you for joining us for this wonderful look into the lives of are royals. Back to you in the studio, Scarlett Garcia."

Meanwhile, in the royal suite in the hotel behind them, a chipmunk princess with light-brown fur and red hair was glancing out the window, staring down at the crowds below.

"Oh mio Dio, there's a lot of people here, Scarlett." She stated, her voice thick with a Spagonian accent. "I didn't think so many people would be interested in a silly gathering of royals. Don't the people have more important things to do, than watch us blue bloods make utter fools of ourselves, non è vero?"

"Oh come on naow, Sally girl! Y'all know this is big a big shindig for all you royal types!" Scarlett "Bunnie" Depardieu, the princess's rabbit handmaiden, was unpacking their dresses and garments, and pulled the undressed princess away from the window. "Naow quit peekin through those curtains, before some paparazzi snaps a photo of y'all in your current undignified state."

Princess Salvatrice "Sally" Ghianda, called 'Sally Acorn' by the world's english-speaking press, was the most popular of the islander royals to the public. Youngest sibling of the Ghianda royal family, She and her older brother organized the Sabato island resistance- nicknamed the 'freedom fighters', during Eggman's takeover of the planet. As a result, the media followed her everywhere these days, from every charitable event, to every diplomatic meeting she attended. It amazed the royal family that the public had so much interest in her, rather than crown prince Alfonzo, her older brother who would actually inherit the throne.

Scarlett, meanwhile, was an english speaking southern belle from an island of the coast of the United Federation. Niece of the famous Baron Beauregard Rabeau (owner of the Baron's Fried Chicken chain, the largest poultry restaurant chain on the planet) and Aunt Lulumae, Scarlett and her sister Vanilla had been raised by their aunt and uncle to be proper southern ladies. But when King Umberto Ghianada had sent out a call for young ladies to be raised at court as handmaidens to his daughter, Scarlett had been sent of to the royal court of Sabato island at age ten- a move her aunt and uncle felt would better her social ,standing, and increase her chances of finding a husband. Scarlett's sister Vanilla was not happy with the decision, however, and so the two had not spoken for years. Scarlett even had a famous niece, named Cream, whom she had never been allowed to meet.

"Certamente Scarlett, I know the importance of this day." Sally replied, snapping on her lacy brazzire, and slipping on her floral print underwear as she started to get dressed. "This is a davvero enorme opportunity, to push my fund to open orphanages for all the bambini e bambine who lost their parents in the war with Robotnik."

"Oh, but it's an opportunity for more than thait, Sally girl- arms up, please." Sally raised her arms, and Scarlett put on the chipmunk princess's underlayer of petticoats. "This is the perfect opportunity to meet a royal feller- y'know, a prince ta sweep y'all off yer feet, like Antoine did with me."

"Mio caro amico, you were lucky to end up with a man like your husband, guard captain Depardieu." Sally kept her arms up, as Scarlett slid a beautiful blue ball gown over the chipmunk's head, then began to lace up the back. "No prince will come within a hundred yards of me, due to those rumors about me and-" Sally narrowed her eyes and clenched her teeth. "-Sonic."

"Ugh, the sugar-hog..." Scarlett sighed at the mention of the blue hedgehog, who had had such a big impact of their lives. Sally and Scarlett had only actually ever met the hedgehog in person once, when we saved them during the so-called 'spinball' incident (Sally hated remembering that mess, as the acids and pollutants in Robotnik's volcano fortress had temporarily dyed her fur pink, as well as almost completely burning her clothes off- leaving princess Sally in an undignified and humiliated state and crying her eyes out when Sonic freed her). She had a crush on Sonic for a few years after that, though that faded over time. Later, it was Sonic's heroism that inspired Sally and her brother to create the freedom fighters, in order to resist Robotnik's rule after Sonic was imprisoned on the death egg.

But after Robotnik's defeat, an animation studio in the united federation had made an animated series with 'Princess Sally' as Sonic's love interest. It had been near impossible to court any prince on the islands without the 'Sonic' issue coming up, and Sally had to put up with her celebrity groupies, constantly saying Sally and Sonic should 'be together'. While this drama had little effect on the indifferent Sonic's life, it certainly complicated Princess Sally's life to the point she couldn't hear the hedgehog's name or see his face without feeling sick to her stomach. It wasn't the Sonic's fault at all, of course. but the publicity surrounding the mess had wrecked Sally's social life.

"Awww, I wouldn't worry about thait none, Sally girl." Scarlett giggled, pulling a pair of white, satin elbow-legnth gloves up Sally's arms. "Way I hear talk, a certain ol' friend o' yours is gonna be al the ball... prince Ken Lau of the Sunrise islands is gonna be there! This is y'all chance to rekindle an' ol flame!"

Sally's heart leapt at that. Ken Lau; the eastern prince the media had given the nickname Monkey Kahn! A martial arts master from the same islands as Espio the ninja, Kahn had so mastered the mysterious skills of kung fu, that he could smash through egg robos with swift punches and kicks , and destroy whole egg pawn armies with mighty ki blasts from his mystical staff. She had met Kahn years ago at a diplomatic conference, and the two had dated for several months, until the Eggman war called him back home to the Sunrise islands. After single-handedly freeing his homeland from the eggman empire, Kahn had stayed away from Sally when the Sonic rumors were swirling about. Perhaps... perhaps this was the opportunity to rekindle that flame of romance between the two of them?

"Forse... perhaps this ball will be worth it, after all." Sally replied, as Scarlett applied lipstick, mascara, foundation, and eye liner to the princess's face. "Aspetta un attimo, Scarlett... where are Danton and Alfonzo? I thought they would becoming to this ballo reale with us."

"Oh, Antoine and yer brother are getting ready back at the Sabato island embassy." Scarlett told her, as she sat her down in front of a mirror, and began working on her hair. "They'll be along in time, y'all don't need ta worry bout thait none."

The rabbit hairdresser worked for nearly an hour; curling, combing, and untangling the mess on top of Sally's head. Finally, the princess's hair was all styled up into a giant pouf, with strings of pearls and other ornaments woven through her red hair. Scarlett then spun her around to face the mirror. And the princess's jaw nearly hit the floor.

"Oh Scarlett, è bellissimo... it is beautiful!" The princess exclaimed, as Scarlett slipped golden rings on each of her gloved fingers. "But... should you have done the makeup before the hair? And what about getting yourself ready? You're not even-"

"Eh heh heh..." The bunny girl laughed nervously. Scarlett looked down at her cybernetic right arm, and lower legs that were cybernetic from the knees down, as she stood there in her undergarments. "I forgot to dress myself first. Uh, maybe Lupe, or one of the other princesses can help me?"

Princess Sally just laughed, and shook her head.

...

As the ball preparations were being made downstairs, everyone was running in every direction frantically, trying to get everything done on time. Nobody really noticed the mysterious large crates that were brought in, nor the fact that they were owned bu Clutch the Opossum industries, incorporated. Nobody noticed the fact that if one listened closely, they could hear the sounds of whirring coming from each of the crates. And nobody noticed that if you were to look inside of one, you would've seen a pair of eerie glowing eyes looking back out of them. The ball's security detail and the royal guards were in for the shock of their lives...