Sonic and the Chaos Kingdom

by CGMayra

Sonic is made king after his 23rd Birthday, but he's not thrilled about it. Immortal Prince Shadow threatens with a rebellious attack! War rages as Sonic must now be the Hero King. Charas: Emperor Eggman, Babylon Thieves, General Knuckles the Barbarian, Tails the Royal Adviser, and Maid Amy (Medieval Sci-Fi) CONTAINS: Marriage&pregnancy NO DETAIL, Teases, OC deaths, fighting

12. Chapter 12

Sonic and the Chaos Kingdom

Ch.12

(…Buckle up.)

Amy was soon whisked away by her maid-friends and put before tutors, stylists, and taken to every etiquette lesson in the known world! She was bombarded for a week on end with unparalleled lesson after lesson.

Finally, it was the night before the actual wedding was suppose to commence, and she hadn't seen Sonic through all of that.

She was exhausted, to say the least.

She was wearing a noblewoman's clothes that not only choked her from the tight upper collar but also forced her stomach to rearrange where its organs went to make it fit, figuratively of course.

She was wearing a cherry pink dress that shined as it went down, and was sleeping quite beautifully, with small huffs of air that cutely rang in the large study room.

Her final lesson wasn't government, economy, social preparedness, or anything else ridiculous like that.

It was History and the Science of the Emeralds.

…Great.

Loads of fun!

A light tap came on the table, as Amy blinked her eyes slowly awake before raising her body up punctually, standing with the form of an elite woman and quickly started spouting out royal jargon before she heard the voice of a familiar friend.

"Amy, it's okay, it's me."

Amy turned her head slightly to see Tails smiling, wearing his father's tutoring attire that just happened to finally fit him for the first time, and looking proudly and loving to her.

He stuck out his chest, hoping she would notice his new uniform.

Her face lit up at a friendly sight, "Tails! It's you! It's really you!" she leaped at a diagonal angle from the table over to him, letting her lower half rest on the table as she squeezed him tight. Even a leg daintily lifted up to show her enthusiasm.

"A-Amy! I'm.. I'm glad to see you too."

Tails was squeezed so tight that he literally sounded like a girl for a second, before Amy let go, and he was able to breathe properly again.

He coughed, "Ehem! Phew… looks like you've been through a lot."

He smiled kindly, but he knew that all the knowledge getting shoved into her head so quickly must have been demanding on her.

"Oh, you have no idea!"

Amy moved back over to her seat, having to bob a bit like a seal moving back into the ocean, what with her dress making her so stiff and barely able to bend, before letting her hands slide on the table as she rested her head on the table and to the side.

"I've had to learn more than just court hearings, that's for sure." At least she knew that part.

Tails let out a sympathy laugh, "It's not all great shoes and princess dresses, is it?"

He then opened his eyes and said what was really in his heart though, "I'm just glad that Sonic picked from his heart, and that it wasn't up to me to make the decision. You really are a remarkable friend, Amy! Not only are you saving Sonic from probably the worst dethroning this kingdom has ever seen from his stubbornness and pride, but you're also saving the kingdom by giving them someone they adore and can look up to and find assurance in! The council was literally rejoicing when they heard your name as the choice. It's just… well, it's just perfect! I never thought as kids it'd ever end up like this but…"

He scratched his head, before nodding back to her. "You were right. You and Sonic were meant to be."

Amy was frozen, staring at Tails as he thought it was mostly from all the praise she just received.

Until she opened her mouth, that is.

"Did you say that Sonic picked from his heart..?"

"That's all you got from that?"

Tails's face dropped, but he laughed, holding his stomach slightly. "Woo… I guess you and Sonic have some things in common." He rolled his eyes, thinking of their selfishness at times, before shaking his head.

"But yes, I think he really does care about you. However… with this being so suddenly forced on him… I wouldn't expect him to be all lov-"

"It's really happening… isn't it?" Amy cut him off, looking down, her excitement was as if her heart was just plugged back in, and it began to start beating loudly.

She rose from her chair, looking over all the books on the history of the Chaos family, and the Chaos Kingdom's organization, and the rule book passed from generation to generation contained within it, and the rules of the Queen and-

"A-Amy, hang on…." Tails realized she didn't understand. "You… You do know Sonic and how he is, right? I just don't want you to get your hopes up that this is-"

He tried to explain, he really did, but as he moved his hands to gesture for her to calm down, he sweat-dropped at her expression, the light of youthful love in her, and the thrill of getting married to her true love coming soon.

It was a real fairytale, at least, it was for now.

But Tails knew better… he looked to the side, his eyes shifted on the books in front of her, before he concluded that he might have to break her heart with reality.

He squinted his eyes and tightened his fist, before standing straight.

"Amy. As not only Sonic's advisor, but your own, I feel I have to tell you that-!"

"Look whose being made a queen! Haha! PARTY'S HERE!"

"Knuckles!"

"Drink up, Amy! Tails! We've got a full load from the outskirt cities of fine food and beverages!"

Knuckles had completely knocked the doors to a swinging slam against the walls, their hinges being slightly dented and ripped at one bolt from his immense and powerful 'knock' that he dwelt on them, and had two drinks in both hands.

He held them up triumphantly. "Cheers! To our new queen and lovely sidekick!" He teased Tails, who narrowed his eyes at him.

"You have expert timing…" He snarled out, leaning forward as far as he could to really glare down Knuckles.

"H-hey! What gives? I'm only playing." He swooped an arm over Tails and gave him a mini-nuggie as the drink in the glasses spilled out in spurts at times.

"Grrr… KNUCKLES! The rug!" Tails shouted out, getting out of his hold and gesturing to the rug he just tainted.

Knuckles flinched back a bit, "Opps! Hehe… sorry." He then strode over to Amy as Tails pouted and had a tissy-fit, folding his arms.

"So? How are you feeling?" Knuckles plopped the drinks down on the books, as Tails literally had a heart attack and fainted when he thought of the circular stains that was going to leave on such historical treasures.

Amy giggled, and then let out in almost a sigh, "You're the first person to ask me that, General." She lifted two of the drinks and dusted off the books, placing them to the side in a neat stacked pile, and let Knuckles grab a chair and put it to the side of her.

"Have you seen Sonic lately?" She inquired, not answering his last question.

It didn't seem to faze him though.

"Huh? That good for nothing?" He plopped his feet up, one at a time, onto the table, as Tails was just about to put the books away.

He dropped them and put his hands to his head, "Not the table!" he cried out, and finally swung his head back in a cry of rage, "Can't you act like anything other than a barbarian!?"

"Hey! Relax, little dude! It's a table!" Knuckles countered, before turning back to Amy, and pushing his glass with one on the table, encouraging her to take a sip.

"I can imagine it must be rough on you, not having him here to give you pointers." He then gulped down his own drink, as the spraying from that dripped down his muzzle and landed all around him.

"Ugh." Tails gave up, letting his arms drop down as he went to get a napkin, defeatedly.

"Nice look, by the way, Tails." Amy politely tried to cheer him up, pointing out that she noticed the new look.

Tails suddenly straightened his back out, turned, and then took a look of pride, and straightened his vest out. "It's my father's. Finally fits." He closed his eyes and held a proud stance.

Amy winked, "Very snazzy." She complimented kindly.

He beamed, and then continued to go and clean things up, in a much better mood now.

"Everyone's acting like they're on pins and needles, even Sonic!" Knuckles let out, commenting about the anger flying around lately in the castle walls.

"You'd think even Sonic would lighten up a bit." He took another big chug of his drink.

"…Yeah… he's been having it rough these last few years…" She thought back on the year and couldn't help but look away, almost falling into a daydream of it all summed up.

"Yeah, but you sure fit his criteria." Tails commented, walking back with his supplies.

He got on a knee and started for the rug, "He literally told me the few things he wanted in a girl. Extremely vague, and at one point, I thought of dressing you up as the royal jester and court clown just to get his attention! But I'm glad it never came to that." He admitted, but put a hand up to his mouth to hide his chuckle of Amy being a joker.

"…huh?" Amy raised an eyebrow.

Knuckles just waved the drink around, shaking his head as if saying, 'Don't think too much into it.'

"Sonic's been distant from all of us. Don't take it personally that he hasn't been courting you or nothin'." He took another drink as Amy blinked her eyes in surprise.

That was true… usually, there's some courting that happens. Mostly in public, for the people to be more secure in the upcoming relationship that will last and affect the kingdom…

"I also wouldn't worry about that." Tails got up, having scrubbed the rug good, and nodded at seeing he got to the stain in time, before turning to where Knuckles was.

Ruffling up his sleeves, he brought his supplies over there by Knuckles's chair too.

Knuckles eyed him, but just didn't bother to care.

He figured he'd let Tails do what he pleased.

"He never has been the affectionate type." Tails tried to bring the subject back to the original one at hand… the real…

Problem…

But before he could elaborate, Knuckles slammed his glass into his head.

"OW! Hey-!" he held his head, fumingly looking up at Knuckles before seeing his face…

It was a grave threat.

Knuckles looked so seriously down to Tails, before looking back at Amy with a hardy laugh and smile.

"Boys will be boys! I'm sure when he comes around to being a man, he won't leave you unsatisfied." He winked to her, as she blushed and put her hands up to her face, shaking her body back and forth as much as her dressed allowed her too.

"Oh, Knuckles! Stop that!" she hit him lightly, but Knuckles wobbled in his chair and got his bearings back, putting his feet down and sighing that he didn't topple over.

"Still strong as ever." He nervously smiled, but looking down, he noticed the remaining drink in his hand had spilled all over Tails.

"…Ohh…" Knuckles looked scared. "S-sorry about that, kiddo…"

Tails slowly just turned his head to Knuckles, before smiling and showing that he had anticipated his clumsiness and put some rags over his father's attire to protect it.

He took off the rags quickly and straightened himself up, proud he had saved his family treasure.

"I think I'll clean up, AFTER you leave." He glared at Knuckles, before turning to Amy.

"Are you ready for the ceremony?"

"Emhmm. I picked out my outfit with the help of Vanilla and the head designers, then I wrote my vows~" she cutely stated, tilting her head and then nodding excitedly.

"I just… I hope Sonic's still not mad at me…" she looked away, "After all… we're going to be married tomorrow… so…"

The two noticed the grave look of worry and sorrow filling her eyes, before she quickly looked up and hid it skillfully by closing her eyes with a neutral smile, meant to look cheery.

"I'm sure he's just as nervous as me! I just hope he doesn't get cold feet is all." She scratched her head, and headed out towards the doors.

The two just watched her silently.

"Anyway, the books didn't tell me about the whole 'secret ceremony' that only the royals do, and I'm excited for Sonic to lead me through it! I better get some rest now, after all! The maids told me that this was my last stop! So I'm off to bed, see you guys in your best looks for tomorrow!" she winked as she spun her head around, causing her hair to swing beautifully over her shoulders, before taking both doors in her hands and closing them.

'….You idiot!" Knuckles threw the empty glass down, shattering it on the floor.

"Ah!" Tails flinched, before glaring at Knuckles, "I'm the idiot!?" He pointed towards himself, and then the glass, "I'm not the one ruining a perfectly good study room!"

"Is that all you can think about?! You were trying to scare off Amy! You were literally going to tell a bride-to-be THE NIGHT BEFORE HER WEDDING that her good for nothin' husband doesn't love her!" he got up from the chair after scolding Tails to his face and then headed for a bookshelf.

"Augh! I mean, don't you know anything about women!?"

"And what, you do?!" Tails was offended, "I only…" He took on a softer approach, feeling remorse as he suddenly withdrew from the conversation and held his arm, shyly looking away.

"I just… wanted to warn her… Sonic's only using her as a placement. A job to keep him in power. I didn't want her to think that it was all real when it wasn't… I do think he cares about her! But I think he's decided to marry a friend rather than a stranger he couldn't trust…"

Knuckles dashed over to him, holding him by the scruff of his Father's uniform.

"You dare mutter that to her sweet face, and I'll pummel ya." His threat was real, and it was intended to protect a friend.

"As far as she knows, her dreams are coming true. And for this kingdom's sake of surviving without the Council kicking Sonic out of the throne AND taking over for the people, you keep your mouth shut!"

"There's nothing wrong with the Council!" Tails glared back, pushing his friend off him as he dusted himself and straighten the frills on his father's undershirt that was exposed.

"But I do want Sonic to remain King! I know he can be a good one!"

"I know and agree too, Tails. So does Amy. But you just can't say things like that to her! Especially when she's all excited about this!" Knuckles pointed to the door, and was finally letting some tension go from the room, speaking more with emotion and less with anger.

He rubbed his face, "Aye, aye, aye…" He walked out towards the back window. "This kingdom will remain a mess without a woman who knows how to lovingly care and clean up after some punk's mistakes…" he shook his head.

"…Everyone loves Amy. It's clear to see she was the obvious choice… it's just a bonus she actually does care and love Sonic." Tails admitted, also lowering his head and speaking with a different tone.

Knuckles folded his arms, not liking how they were addressing this, but knew it was the truth, no matter how frank it was. "Yeah… a real miracle." He closed his eyes.

"Poor girl… we're going to have to help her every step of the way… especially when and if she finds out."

"…Oh, she'll find out, alright…" Tails rubbed behind his head, "She'll find out the second he's not in the same room with her for her wedding night." He raised his head up and sighed, realizing how unfair this was to her.

"I don't want to lie to her."

"It's not lying. Because like you said-" Knuckles turned around. "He loves her, he just doesn't… he doesn't see or notice it yet!"

He then violently turned around again, huffing in quiet rage at Sonic's actions.

"He's treating the best thing that he's got like recyclables! Even us!"

"He's not meaning too." Tails defended, but looked down.

"Even you know he takes advantage of you!" Knuckles hollered out, "Don't lie to your own self! He's terrible to all of us! Amy's just lucky she's been nothing more than a maid so far! Soon, she's gonna discover that Sonic's nothing more than a glorified baby whose trying to escape his fate. Even after it looked like he succumbed to it!"

They were both fed up with Sonic, but they also had a deep loyalty to him, and they couldn't deny the wonderful friendship they had with him.

But how he was treating this… it was unacceptable.

"He's going to break her heart…" Tails couldn't help it, the lump in his throat was forming, just thinking of the misery Amy was going to be in when she found this all out.

"…." Knuckles remained silent, looking out the window. "You don't know that… he's surprised us before. He launched an underground attack and then retrieved his family's lost Chaos Blade back to its rightful home. He… he defeated Shadow! Finally, after hundreds of thousands of years of war, and he's going to be a good king! We have to keep believing that he'll continue to change for the better, and never quit surprising us all."

Knuckles finally stood up for him too, but looked back to see his little buddy in tears, clenching his fists.

"I don't know if… if we'll be able to comfort her… before he finally does measure up to the guy we know he can be." His eyes were covered in the shadows of the night, as Knuckles sighed in empathy for the guy and walked over to him, pulling him into a hug.

"There, there, now… little guy… you get so sensitive with things sometimes." He was just poking fun at him, but looked up and held in his sorrows too.

"Amy's lucky to have us look out for her. We'll whip Sonic into shape before it comes to that." He looked down at Tails who wiped his eyes, and nodded.

"Yeah, let's not let her down."

Knuckles nodded. "That's the spirit!" He laughed and gave a friendly hit to Tails's shoulder, who laughed but then felt the ache in his back moments later.

"Let's find that lousy royal hedgehog pain in the rear-end and teach him a thing or two about how to properly attend a wedding!"

Knuckles rolled up his sleeves and winked to Tails, showing he was planning to beat the snot out of Sonic if he tried to escape again.

Tails snickered slightly, before shaking his head. "He'll come. He's already told me he wouldn't try anything."

"Spoken like a true criminal." Knuckles narrowed his eyes, and searched the window again, before dashing over to it, opening it up, and searching the rooftops.

"What kind of guy doesn't try to bail the night before his life truly ends..?" He teased, as Tails rolled his eyes and tugged him out of the window, shutting it tight.

"I do know a thing or two about women, by the way." He stated, matter of factly, before turning to Knuckles and standing properly, "I also know a great deal about men, and I know exactly where he is."

"Well, if by all means, your grand dukeness." Knuckles played along, bowing to Tails who waved his twin fluffy tails at his show of actual courtesy, "Mind showing me the way?"

Tails nodded, "Right this way, good barbarian sir." He teased with his best fake accent and followed him out the door.

"You're not doing this."

"Why not?"

"Because!"

"Because what!?"

"Sonic…"

"Don't give me that! I'm making up my mind, and that's that!"

Sonic jumped out of a closet, and put on a pose, having a cape rapped around his other shoulder like an overly large scarf and a ridiculous hat on.

"Ta-dah! What do you think?"

"….For a wedding?" Vanilla slouched down on her patted stool, a hand up to her face, holding her head up, as she was given strict orders to watch him all night.

To make sure he wouldn't run away.

"Well, if this one isn't right, I'll try on something with a little more… pizzazz!" Sonic dashed back into the huge closet of his wardrobe, being in the mirrored room with the oldest of clothes known to the Chaos Kingdom, and picking out a miss-match of all the wrong attires.

"Sonic… let's be practical." She finally stood up straight. "You're only doing this so tomorrow can't come."

A bunch of clothes were springing out of the room, coats, shirts, capes, you name it.

"Do you think green's a good color for me?"

She let out some frustrated air from her nose, and sat up properly, ready to have this conversation at long last.

"Your friends are worried about you, and for the last week, I've been the only person you've shown your face around. Let's just get to the bottom of this already. Stop dancing around the topic. You're being a terrible friend and poor Amy's worried sick about-"

"I~ Don't want to talk about that right now, instead, I want to talk about… THIS!"

He continued to dig through clothes, before finally coming out in the most stylishly wrong attire you can imagine.

He looked like a rocking hippie, or something, with old attire from a date long passed, and started dancing around and looking at himself in the mirror, shuffling and making faces he thought were cool in them.

"Sonic… the longer you do this, the more you're going to exhaust yourself."

"Nah, not me. I'm a night owl, an energy rabbit… uh, no offense." He admired himself in the mirror, before Vanilla finally leaned forward and put her hands together, smirking.

"I think it's about time you learn what rabbits do in bed…"

He froze.

"After all, it's the night before your wedding,… it's about time someone told you these things."

"….I forbid it." He turned around and pointed to her.

"Oh, but… you never forbid anyone. Especially your friends." She looked kindly to him, showing real motherly concern for him.

"Sonic, you're still a man who asks for milk in the morning…"

"…Milk makes you grow healthy… and strong!" He posed in the mirror, turning away from her and avoiding her topics again.

"Don't you think it's about time to grow up..? You're 26 now. You're getting married. You have a kingdom to worry about and for once, it's a peaceful time to think about a family and-"

"I've got it!" Sonic spun around, "the perfect piece of accessory to make this all work!" he dashed back into the wardrobe, as she sighed and got up, walking to the edge of the wardrobe.

"Woah!" his hand pushed out from the entrance, "Like you said, I'm a 26 year old man." He then wagged his finger at her, "No. Peek. ing."

She rolled her eyes, having taken care of him since he was a baby.

She turned and faced it with her back, "Your mother would be proud of you, you know. Finally settling down."

"Pfft!"

From the other side, she could hear his disagreement.

"…You always thought your mother was unhappy and trapped in this castle, but she was actually very happy with her life. She had lived her adventures, and was also very nervous to get married and have children… But she had you, and your father. She was content, Sonic."

"She was forced into it."

It was sharp tone, but Vanilla was pleased to hear some real emotion coming from him then.

"I don't want to talk about my mother."

"Or any of the other influential women in your life…"

He briskly walked out of the wardrobe, wearing a few things differently, a tilted large and wide hat, and the accessory was a ring around his left arm, shingled with small decorative items that added to its appeal.

She smiled, "For once, you've actually made a wise decision."

She walked over to him as he turned to look at her puzzled, fully knowing that all his choices were ridiculous from the get-go, until she touched the ring around his arm.

"This thing?" He looked it over. "Are you serious?"

"It's your ancestors." she commented, as he looked back to it.

"It has a whole legend and story behind it." She beamed.

Long ago, there was a player king.

He loved to woo all the available women in his kingdom, and had at least a couple hundred balls a year, always spotting out the newest beauty in the land who had come of age.

However, when his time to marry had come, he chose the most beautiful woman of all, one he hadn't conquered with his looks yet.

But she was found out to be a strict woman, who would chastise him if he even dared looked to another woman, and over time, he was humbled and put in his place, as she stripped him of any and all his 'pleasures' from before…

Though bitterly uptight, she softened out, and they even seemed to be falling for each other.

It was reported later that the King admitted that the only woman he had ever loved was also the most challenging woman he had ever faced.

Finally winning her heart though, the king and his queen spent many nights together, but the king was very much obsessed with his rings.

He would wear them everywhere, even to bed.

She insisted that he would never be able to touch her while wearing one, and so, before every night, the king would slip off his rings and place one on the doorknob of the bedroom.

This became a traditional sign of the royal couple, stating to all, that they would very much like to not be 'disturbed.'.

Vanilla smiled, telling the story as Sonic frowned, looking at the ring.

"This is one of the many rings your ancestor cherished, before they were all melted down by his strict lover." She smiled, before reaching out to it.

"This was one he hid and saved, along with a few other precious treasures." She smiled fondly to him before getting up.

"I would hope you don't think of Amy as strict." She teased, but only half-joking.

"She's a very fine lady. One who's in the right for demanding respect of you."

Sonic flicked his nose, a deeper sense of his upset behavior showing through, as he turned around and folded his arms.

"…Please don't treat her like a pawn." Vanilla's tone changed, her eyes were full of worry, as Sonic spun around, his rage coming back.

"I know you care about her. And there hasn't been a better time to prove it then now." She almost seemed to beg, as Sonic glared more, not liking how this conversation was going.

"She'll be a fine queen." He raised his head up high, trying to escape the situation with some humor, and walked with a silly strut to the door.

She reached out for him and held his collar of his flamboyant neckwear, pulling him back.

"Listen to me! She's more than a queen! She's going to be your wife!"

Sonic's lips formed a tight line, before he tried to gently get out of her reach.

"Sonic, dear boy, you're going to-"

"WHAT!? Break her heart?! You and the rest of them think the same too!" he finally tugged his neckwear off over his head, and started backing away from her.

She had finally gotten him to snap, and wasn't at all hurt by his outburst, but thankful that she finally got his true feelings to come out.

"So what if Amy's getting married to be queen!? Nothing else?!" Sonic swung his arm out.

The words hurt Vanilla for Amy's sake. "Why…Dear boy, why..?"

"Isn't it obvious?!" Sonic extended his arms out, bewildered but also letting out a lot of pent up frustration over the course of the week…

"She's the obvious choice! She's what the people deserve! Not me! She'll let me have my way and I'll let her have hers! She'll marry me, alright. And then she'll rule. And then I'll be off the hook to finally do what I want to do!"

"…Do you really think that's fair?"

"WHEN HAS ANY OF THIS BEEN FAIR!?"

"Sonic…"

"I lost my mother, I lost my will, I lost a lot of dreams when coming to this… this…!? BIRTHRIGHT! And Amy lost her family too! She was born into what clearly should be defined as slavery, and I'm not too far off that chain either! We came into this fate; we'll go down in this fate! At least I'm being decent enough to have ONE of her dreams come true! That's more than anything I've gotten!"

His words were more than a man's anger, but his tears too.

Sonic would never cry, but by the way he was expressing himself, it was clear to Vanilla that he didn't know how to express what he was feeling, but it was better to let this out now before he did it to anyone else…

Especially Amy…

"So no. No. I guess I'm not being fair, when it seems perfectly fair to me to HIRE a queen, rather than let all our dreams die out with the kingdom. She's loved. Loved enough by the people. I've got… I've got adventures to do. Amy will be fine without me… and so will the kingdom." He took his stupid hat off and let it fall to the ground with a hardy toss.

"You saved your people.." she softly let out. "What has Amy ever done to deserve you holding back?"

"Holding back!?" Sonic clenched his fists further, spinning around.

"…You clearly care more than you're letting on." Vanilla couldn't understand everything, but she did know that Sonic wasn't a cruel man.

He truly thought Amy would be happier without him ruling by her side.

"…" Sonic shifted his eyes down, not willing to answer that.

"If you really think that way… then shouldn't you talk it over with Amy first?" she knew Amy wouldn't allow something that absurd, but maybe the notion will have him stop and think more about his words…

But he was done talking, though Vanilla knew it wasn't over yet.

She raced towards him, "What are you trying to say, Sonic!? Tell me, plainly!"

She stopped him before he was able to walk out, as he took a breath, not wanting to lose his temper again.

She held him back and with a mother's touch, held his shoulders, "You're not really planning to leave Amy to a duty she has no idea how to handle, are you? You're not going to abandon her to a fate you're also forcing her into?"

His eyes shot up to hers.

"Forcing?" he hissed out.

"If with all do respect, she's been begging for this since I first met her." He gently, as much as he could through his discipline, took her arms off of his and walked by her.

"Sonic… Sonic you can't leave a kingdom upon her shoulders alone! That's cruel!" She turned around, as Sonic also matched her pace.

"MY MOTHER AND FATHER LEFT IT ALL ON MINE!"

Vanilla held back her outstretching hand, such pain in both hers and his eyes.

He breathed deeply, the colors of how he was really feeling came fully into view.

He turned his head and held back tears.

"Sonic… Will you throw your pain and anguish onto her… just to free yourself of it?"

After a long pause… Sonic lifted his head.

"I've no need of your services this night. That is all." He walked away and pulled off each of his clothes as he did so, heading to his room.

When he got to the ring around his arm he stopped his hand from ripping it off… and just twisted it for a moment, before leaving it alone.

He jumped on his bed after passing the guards who barely looked to him, but seemed to have their guard up as he entered, and shut the doors behind him.

This may be the last moment alone he would ever have before having to deal with Amy by his side constantly from now on…

He was exhausted.

He was miserable.

And the best part?

He had to go through the most boring ceremony of his life tomorrow…

Bright… and early in the morning.

The girls had rushed Amy to her feet and in her beautiful wedding dress, as she twirled and giggled at how it was more than any of her fantasies could have hoped for.

"Over here, your highness."

Amy wasn't used to that, and didn't response.

"Ehem."

She continued to talk to her maid friends and laugh, getting excited before the artist groaned and turned to Tails.

"Amy!" Tails called out, as Amy turned around, a huge grin on her face.

"He's talking to you." Tails rolled his eyes, seeing how ditzy she was today as she excitedly held onto one of her friend's arms, squee'd in joy, and ran towards Tails.

"Yes?"

"Hold still for a moment, okay?" Tails smiled, seeing her so happy was a nice change after all that's been going on, as he lead her to sit in a chair, and positioned her arms on her lap.

"Ready?" he looked up to her.

"Emhmm." She nervously smiled, and sat properly, as she was taught to do.

The artist, in a whirlwind of colors, painted a portrait of her, which took a few hours, but he finally completed it as the guards hauled it away.

Amy got up from the chair, "Whelp, I guess I'll never see that picture again."

"Why do you say that?" Tails turned to her, confused.

"They're hanging it up as we speak."

"Because there are billions of halls in this place." Amy joked, and chuckled as she turned to Tails, "You really think anyone looks up at those paintings? Especially if they're moving as fast as Sonic down them?"

Tails laughed with her, and as Vanilla lead her out to the royal ceremonial chambers, he lost his smile all completely and held a serious look of doubt on his face.

She was strong… but how strong could she be?

Being the wife of Sonic The Hedgehog? King of the Chaos Kingdom? With the destiny she was now willingly taking upon herself?

She doesn't know.

Vanilla kept thinking that last line in the back of her head, and looked down to her worried.

How will she find out? Will it destroy or strengthen her? Will she loose all faith and hope entirely? Will she turn away from love for good?

Amy just happily skipped onward down the long halls, taking time to look up at the paintings of royalty, before stopping before a portrait of Sonic's mother and father.

Vanilla was pulled out of her thoughts as she looked up at the picture as well, and down to Amy's searching face of it.

"What's wrong, my dear?" She asked.

"…She looks content." Amy stated, smiling up gently to the mother that was so kind to her as a child.

"She was always so elegant and refined."

"She was also very much a secret tomboy." Vanilla grinned, remembering her dear friend.

"…Yeah, so I've heard." Amy never had seen that side of her, but looked up at the father.

"He was a lucky man. Taking such a wild and fierce woman, and having her fall in love with him to make her a beautiful reflection of tranquility and ladyhood." Amy stared admiringly, before looking back at Sonic's mother.

"But she was the really incredible one. For raising Sonic to believe in himself, to dream big, and to always do the right thing, even when no one else was brave enough to do it. Sonic always did."

Vanilla swallowed as her heart sank.

Would he do the right thing,… today?

The way Amy spoke was so beautifully in love with Sonic, that even his faults and his families faults were blind to her.

Would she ever open her eyes to see the true light of the situation?

"You know what Sonic said to me, when he proposed?" Amy tilted her head to Vanilla.

Vanilla held her breath.

"He said, now I can protect you."

She looked back at the painting, before joyfully pointing out something that made her excited, "Look, look! He's got his arm around her waist! Eee~ I bet he loved protecting her too."

She turned to look up with a big wonderful open-grin to Vanilla, before looking shocked at what she saw.

"Vanilla! You're crying!"

"Forgive me." She couldn't say it, she dared not to speak Sonic's true intentions.

She couldn't ruin the happiest day of Amy's life by telling her sweet adopted child the horrors of what being royal truly meant.

What Sonic had revealed to her.

Your very life stripped from you, your every want taken care of without as much as you lifting a finger, and the horrible reality that your life was being forfeited for another's wellbeing.

It was a necessary sacrifice, only fantasized in storybooks and fairytales, all because the common people had no idea.

They never knew what it truly meant to be, 'A Royal Heir.'.

Heir to imprisoned duty so that a kingdom may flourish and live.

"What's wrong..?" Amy's caring heart pulled her to lift her hand up and gently move her adopted mother's head towards her.

She was the only mother Amy ever knew.

"My sweet girl, I'm just so…" She was choking up, but quickly put her hand to Amy's gentle hand on her face.

"I'm so blessed to have raised you. To see you grow up so beautifully… into a wonderful, and powerful young woman."

Amy grinned. "Ah, Vanilla!"

She hugged her, embracing her with a tight squeeze of her everlasting affections for her.

"I may be getting married, but I'm still gonna be around! I'll need you to teach me everything! Wife and Queen stuff." She winked.

"But of course." Vanilla held it together, sucking up her tears.

"And I'll never leave your side." She stroked Amy's head, as Amy happily put her head down against hers.

"I know your father will be walking with you." She stated, as the two pulled away.

"Emhmm. I bet he's just so excited, but also torn apart to give me away." Amy replied, and the two continued down the hallway, arms linked together.

Sonic had his arms folded, turning away from the door, as another even larger in stature, raised all the way up to the ceiling, was before them, decked out in royal symbols and jewels, completely outlined in gold.

He tapped his foot.

"Geez, I would think you'd be patient for once in your life, but for the first time ever, you were up and dressed before I even got there; demanding the arrangements be sped up! What's gotten into you?"

Tails raised an eyebrow, suspicious of why Sonic would want this over with, when he clearly didn't want to be married.

"It's not an issue, Tails." Sonic flatly stated.

"So don't worry about it."

"W-well, no. I mean, for an advisor it isn't." Tails stepped closer, "But as your friend, of course I'm worried about you. You haven't been talking to anyone and have been hiding yourself for a week straight! We all missed you and-"

"Presenting, her royal highness, Princess Amy Rose." An announcer called out, as Tails and Sonic both turned around.

Outside, the guards and men all turned around, looking through the windows, as Knuckles was standing firm in his duties.

"Look lively men, Shadow may be locked up, and it may be a time of peace, but that doesn't mean mischief isn't at foot…ah, men? MEN!" he turned to see them all gawking at the cute maids dressed for the occasion.

"Darn you,… kids and there priorities these days…" He stomped up the steps to spin a few men around, hollering orders at them.

"KEEP YOUR BACKS STRAIGHT AND FORWARD! You'll have plenty of time to talk to the help AFTER you defend the castle!"

He pulled down his chest armor and huffed, stomping back down the steps and pulling his axe out in front of him.

"Hmph! To be young again." He shook his head, although, he wasn't entirely, THAT old…

"Wow, Amy!" Tails exclaimed, "I've seen you in fancy getup before, but every time, it always looks like it suits you so well!"

As him and Sonic turned to see Amy and Vanilla walk through the doors the maids opened, the maids each held a flower to symbolize the kingdom and prosperity, and each put a flower into Amy's hair, explaining what each one meant.

Love, fidelity, honor, glory, health, etc.

Amy now had a beautiful flower crown, soon to be royally replaced at her second ceremony where she would be officially crowned as queen.

But for now, she was only marrying Sonic, which was still just as exciting to her.

As she swayed her beautiful wedding dress around, looking down and being cutely embarrassed as Tails praised her, she was nudged by Vanilla to walk forward.

"This is where we cannot pass." Vanilla explained, as Amy turned around.

"W-what do you mean?"

The maids all giggled.

"This is the forbidden area. Where only a King and his wife may enter." She gestured as she explained, and looked to Tails, who nodded, hands behind his back.

"That's right! Only you and Sonic are allowed through this door. It's off-limits to anyone BUT the king and queen, themselves!"

Sonic groaned, rolling his eyes.

"A truly touching sentiment."

Sonic seemed very sarcastic.

Tails sweat dropped at his words, but Vanilla just glared, as if warning him to not ruin this day for Amy.

"Even Sonic hasn't been able to ever explore this part of the castle." Vanilla bent down and whispered to Amy, "Maybe you'll have your first adventure together yet." She winked and then looked to Sonic.

He looked at her from the corner of his eye, before then slowly looking over to her, hunching his shoulders at her statement in tense disapproval at what she was suggesting.

She was going to try and make a point indirectly to him.

He either keeps his manners or she'll give him a strict talking too.

Amy giggled even the more, thinking about how romantic it was to have a sector of the castle, and such a big large room itself, just to her and Sonic!

She didn't even notice the side glances that Sonic and Vanilla were having.

She walked up calmly and daintily to Sonic, who continued to have his face squared in a pout and his arms folded, daring to not look at her but it was clear he had seen how lovely she did look…

Considering he was leaning away from her the more she advanced, and pushing his head further down, it was clear he was trying to hide the fact that he did actually like the fancy apparel on her too.

They hadn't spoken… far longer than a week.

Since the day he saved her from the former Chief Maid, he had continued to keep his distance, and the Shadow incident…

"Hello, Sonic…" Amy bowed her head and dipped into an extremely low curtsey.

Tails was so proud, he had sparkles in his eyes as he noticed she had practiced her respectful low drop that all elite women had to learn when in the presence of someone far above their ranking.

Since she hadn't married Sonic quite yet, she was still required to do it the gesture in the presence of a king.

She came up from it extremely well balanced as well, and the maids all whispered to each other how impressed they were at her refined new skills.

"Hi." Sonic coldly stated.

The greeting set her off a moment, before he grabbed her hand as quickly as lightning strikes and walked abruptly forward, with steps extremely light but nothing compared to his typical speed, towards the door.

She still felt like she was being dragged along, but was too wide-eyed in all the new things happening that she didn't care.

Tails waved, "See you on the other side! And Sonic! Don't forget the royal introduction!"

Tails made sure to add in, as he quickly took off down another corridor, "I'll see you with the Priest!"

"Huuua…" Sonic groaned again, leaning his head back before shaking his shoulders out and rolling his head around to stretch it too.

"Ehem." He started, having let some tension out as the others began to slowly leave the room.

Vanilla watched, worriedly…

But slowly withdrew as well, saying a silent prayer to the emeralds, that Sonic would have a change of heart.

He pushed the doors, remembering the main jist of it all through the multiple times he read the book about the chaos kingdom and quickly watched as the huge doors slowly opened, barely a crack that a mouse could wiggle through.

"Eh-heh…" he sweat dropped, before pushing harder at his embarrassment to not open them up properly.

"RRRUUUGHHH…!"

He put his shoulder into it, and it finally started to budge again, but there was a huge creaking noise, as the maids and solders outside plugged their ears.

"Heheh… hasn't been opened in a while." Sonic admitted, and then stepped back to Amy's side.

"Rust." He pointed up, shrugging slightly, as if trying to play it off.

She giggled in her nerves, still finding Sonic so unbearably charming.

"From this second forward, we're one." He began, as Amy jumped slightly on her heels, getting extremely excited at hearing Sonic say those words, which he nonchalantly and very emotionlessly stated out as if matter of factly.

"Through these doors, we are to never part, hand in hand, at least for this ceremony's purpose. Not sure why, only that it symbolizes walking through challenges and trials together in life. So-!"

His words were fast, his eyes darted every which way as if not focusing, but the whole time Amy didn't notice this.

She just looked into a dark room, where no light was had at all.

"I know it looks dreary… but so does the rest of the world." Sonic let a very sad and dark joke slip, but then continued, "Walk perfectly in unison with me." He leaned over and whispered to her.

Amy nodded quickly, mostly from how close he had gotten to her to say that.

She watched as his foot went up, and wiggled upward as if indicating for her foot to follow it.

She did so, revealing her luxurious diamond high heels, as Sonic whistled, which made her giggle once more.

"That's some fine foot wear."

"Not as great as your shiny red shoes~" Amy flirted, but he didn't seem to notice.

"Yeah, well, these don't go out of style."

He then slid in, "Not with my decree, anyway."

Which made her laugh again.

The two took their first step, and as they did, the whole room suddenly was lit with thousands upon thousands of candles, showing different areas with pillowed and blanketed areas to rest on and a stream that cared for fruit trees and other naturally growing plants there.

She was amazed that the whole space looked like a colorful and luxurious garden. Above her, were statures of the Master Emerald and the Chaos Emeralds seeming to float in the overhead, held up together by golden rods that connected them all, almost like a royal king's crown.

"These lights, that somehow flickered on…" Sonic gestured to the candles, but looked around as if curious as to how that just happened.

He noticed his foot had triggered a block that was lifted above the others, and smiled, "Ah."

Seems his spirit of exploration was still very much alive, as Amy was amused at his antics.

He lifted his foot, as Amy knew she had to follow his exact movements, and watched the lights flicker off.

"Represent…"

Sonic smiled, looking around at the darkness, seeing them all go out, before lowering his foot again.

The block, seemingly lowered without the two being aware of the added pressure, as the lights flickered back on.

"My ancestors."

He grinned wider, looking around as Amy held a hand over her face, loving the fact that he was enjoying testing the new surroundings out.

"Do we have to be in here together?" She asked, hoping it was the case.

"No, once we're married, we can come in here anytime we want." He wanted to try and do the trick again, but Amy held a hand to his shoulder, giving him a look.

"Everyone's waiting, so we'll have plenty of time to come back and check out the secrets of this place, right? Or you know,… explore when we have some free time."

She winked cutely, trying to encourage him to put off his curiosity just long enough so that they can get married.

His joy completely vanished, as he glanced at the ring neatly placed on his arm….

Would this be considered strict?

He straightened his back and let in some air.

"Ehem… anyway…" he pulled her along, but she perfectly matched his march, giggling and not seeing how anxious he was…

He was actually enjoying himself… so it annoyed him a little that his joy was cut short by her.

He remembered the story of the strict queen… but shook his head of it.

Not willing to think of it further, he continued on with the introduction, having envisioned this place from his readings many times.

Which also explained why he was so curious of it.

"There are two fires to each candle."

He turned to where the book had told him to go and saw the candle where his mother and father must have lighted theirs.

Then, by quickly looking around, he noticed the gold stick and held it up.

He handed it to Amy, "With your other hand, take this."

She did so.

"We light our futures… may it…" he groaned, "shine brightly…" he felt it was so cheesy, as he quickly lit his and waited for her to move and light hers as well.

She noticed his waiting and slow blinks, before quickly doing so, smiling nervously as he spun them around, making sure their feet were still in unison and keeping Amy balanced so she wouldn't wobble with his hand holding hers.

She thought what he was saying was so magically beautiful, that at times, she just wanted to stop and think about it a moment.

All of these lights… still burning strong, although, far departed.

It was a beautiful show of eternal love. The kind she had always prayed for to exist.

"Next." He quickly walked up some golden stairs as Amy looked up, admiring everything and taking it all in.

"Beautiful… What does-"

"That comes later." Sonic mentioned, knowing she was going to ask about the statues above them.

He pulled her over near the top of the large golden staircase with a red carpet that lined white on its sides, as if mimicking the ropes of royalty.

He cleared his throat, holding her two hands now in front of him and hurrying on with the ceremony.

She stood in front of him, not sure what he was going to say or show her next.

For a moment, Sonic looked up, not even looking at her.

Suddenly, he slowly dropped his eyes to her, and for a second, Amy noticed a gentler look in them.

He didn't seem rushing this time.

He just stared at her,… and she wasn't sure what he was thinking.

He swiftly changed his body to being tense again though, as he squinted his eyes shut, and started on his vows.

"So, I vow to um… protect and provide for you. Keep you happy, safe, well fed, emotionally balanced, if at all possible…, and whatever else you may need in life."

Amy giggled, not seeing anything wrong with his attitude as he barely even looked to her now.

He just swung his head around and listed off what he felt was what you were meant to say in these situations.

You know, to heighten the moment or… something.

"I…will…" Sonic's lips trembled, actually staring at her for once, opening his eyes slightly.

His lips swiggled in what looked to be a snaky line, clearly shaken up and realizing what he was doing…

He was getting….

MARRIED.

"W-will…"

His knees started to get weak too, almost giving as he bent them slightly to try and remain upright.

"…Love me?"

"For-the-eternities-to-come-through-sickness-and-in-health-and-for-the-rest-of-known-existance. May-Chaos-Bless! Phew~"

In wide-eyed horror, he had moved through the last line as quick as wind could pass, taking it as long as his breath could carry it.

He seemed really nervous about that part, and relaxed with a sigh when it was stated, at last.

Amy thought it charming, seeing it only as nerves and thinking Sonic's demeanor just showed how excited he was too, but shyly dodging the 'lovey-dovey' stuff, and thought it rather adorable.

"I vow to-"

"love, serve, respect, honor, encourage-"

Sonic's eyes darted up to the left and up to the right, listing off the obvious statements.

Amy firmly placed a hand over Sonic's mouth, seeing as he was jumping over her turn, and not allowing him to speak for her.

He looked unamused, narrowing his eyes just slightly before turning his head and looking a little more patient.

"…Thank you."

She whispered, after he finally stopped talking, and continued.

"I vow to love you… and these people. I know it's going to be tough now that your life is changing so much for you. But I want to help. I want to do more than be a queen for you, Sonic… I want to be your right-hand gal! I want to be a comfort and a light when the 'dark and dreary world' becomes too much for you when all you want to do is go for a 'walk'."

She teased, as he stood a little more straighter, and watched her with unbiased eyes.

That had… touched him somehow.

And he shook or wiggled out the strange feeling it gave it.

"I know that you feel that sometimes… life is unfair. But with all my heart, and for the rest of my life-! Oh, Sonic! I want to prove to you how wonderful life can be! How wonderful love is! That's it's an adventure too, all on its own. I know you want more than just what I can offer you, but I wouldn't mind exploring and chasing your dreams too! If you'll let me, that is… and when we can actually leave the kingdom to do so, but I know it's possible with all the friends we have around us. Sonic… you're never going to be alone on anything again. I promise! Hehe~"

She took her hands that were in his and shook them lightly, showing her resolve in these vows, and so happily thrilled at the possibilities before them.

He simply stared… his mouth slightly open at how simple and … truly wonderful her words were.

They wrought in him a strange sensation he hadn't felt before.

But he tried once more to shake it off and ignore it, ducking his head slightly, and raising it as if making it more like a nervous nod to her statements.

"I memorized it just a little while ago, I'm glad I got it all down! Hehe~" She turned her head to the side and laughed, before looking back up at him.

He was frozen stiff.

Her words were too innocent, too kind, too loving…

He looked away.

Guilt swarmed him once more, doubts of him ever being worthy of her ambushed his heart and attacked with fury of his deceit he was playing, of his lack of any heart at all for treating her the way he was, and most importantly…

For not saving her from this fate she didn't understand…

"Sonic? What's wrong?"

For the first time that day, she noticed something odd from him.

"Are you okay..?"

She stepped forward, her loving question leading her to duck her head to try and see his face, as he closed his eyes, not sure how any man would dare even know he was going to break this sweet girl's heart, and live with himself after it.

"I'm fine, I'm just…"

He turned back to her.

"Touched."

She beamed.

"I have faults you know, big ones." Sonic warned, trying to somehow hint to her what an awful decision she was making.

As if he could save her from himself.

He had to marry, it was fate that he chose the only girl who actually would stand by him through thick and thin, but it was also destiny to have to choose it so soon…

He wasn't ready. But he was going to follow along with the illusion that he was.

He was going to make her a Queen, and she was going to rule the way the people deserved, take some of the load and hate off his shoulders, and judge and be the honorable 'knight' she always wanted her father to see.

He would keep his promise.

He would grant her power above her station.

It was his plan all along.

She would be what the people wanted… not him.

Not a screw up... worthless king.

And he knew Amy would forgive him for anything he did.

Then why was their so much pain in his heart?

Why was he dreading lying and saying what he knew was untrue?

"I really…"

He lost his composure.

He took quiet breaths.

Staring into her eyes, seeing that they held a world completely untouched by any ill-thought, unknowing of deceit or lies, and completely trusting in love with all her heart, a love… he would never understand.

"I can't do this…"

He muttered, letting his grip on her hands go, but hers caught his quickly, remembering she couldn't let them go during the ceremony.

"Huh?"

His expression dropping as his heart wouldn't allow such a foul and cruel fate to come across one so kind… so…

Beautiful in soul.

And… well, in that dress…

"What was that..? Sonic..?"

He couldn't break her heart like this.

He opened his mouth… only to close it and remain looking down.

"Amy… I can't…"

He shook his head, wanting to tell her the truth, but knowing too well the consequences of such honesty!

"I don't know if I…"

"….I understand."

His eyes shifted immediately back up to her.

"You do!?"

He was in shock.

"Yes…"

She lowered her head, closing her eyes…

Before raising it back up with a smile, looking to him squarely, and giving his limp hands a firm jerk.

"You're scared."

His face turned back to sorrow.

She didn't know.

"I understand that this is… well, it's a bit rushed. Even for your standards."

She joked, and the unexpected statement made him chuckle a minute, a faint side of his mouth curling to a smile, before dropping again.

"You should know… I'm pretty jumpy too."

She turned her face, blushing as she did so, before looking back.

So innocent.

His eyes just fell the more over her expression of purely intending comfort...

When it was him who should be comforting her.

"But we can do this together, Sonic! I know I shouldn't be afraid if you're next to me… cause you'll always have my back, no matter what!"

The words stung him, making him jitter backwards slightly.

Pained at how he could even think of someone like her, so trusting, as simply a way to escape.

A betrayal.

Did he love her?

Everyone seemed convinced of it.

And he had never really thought of it before.

"Hmm?"

"I was just thinking…"

Something from the bottom of his heart gave him courage, and he gripped her hands again.

"…How beautiful you are…"

She smiled up at him, her bliss only boiling up even more as she loved being noticed by him like this.

She loved that he looked at her, truly looking at her, even if his eyes kinda looked sad, she knew it was mostly him just being thrown back by her vows.

They were pretty impressive… after all.

She giggled to herself.

She was hoping they'd touch him, and was extremely relieved and thrilled they did!

Pity…

The sadness in his eyes… pity.

"I don't deserve you, Amy."

"Hehe, don't say that."

"I'll say what I know is true."

"Sonic, your voice is so conflicted… You really don't have to be anything for me. Just love me, that's all I ask!"

'Too much to ask for… from a self-absorbed fool.'

He closed his eyes, feeling doomed by Chaos at even thinking that by marrying her, he could somehow pull off the throne and ruling a kingdom.

He couldn't go through with this.

But it was his only choice…

"I really don't."

His voice shook slightly, as he walked her slowly back down, and lead her outside on the other side of the room.

He closed the doors behind him, them breaking the unity of their steps, as Tails and the Priest approached Amy.

"Come this way, child…" The Priest stated, as Amy walked down and looked back, waiting for Sonic.

Sonic held his hands on the door, already shutting it, and stared down…

"The Emeralds represent time… the Master Emerald represents divine protection." He explained, answering her question from before, and then turned around.

"We represent the future."

He strode up to her side, and took her hands again, walking her up to the Priest and Tails, where they stood on the upper level of the throne, as Sonic kneeled.

Amy saw this and quickly followed after.

"I, representing the presence of Chaos, the God that watches and protects the future of us all, present you two as one before him, and declare you to be husband and wife. From this eternity to the next, and the ones that follow, shall your souls be ever united under the endless and vast space of time, universes, and realities in all the unknowns of space."

He gestured to Amy, "Do you, Princess Amy, take King Sonic, heir of the chaos throne, to be your mate, your sole partner, for all time and eternity, that you may rule and reign by his side, proving aid and comfort, direction and wisdom, children and joy, faith and hope to him, all the existence of your soul and forever more?"

Amy had never heard a marriage quite like this before.

It swirled a feeling in her chest that was like nothing she had ever felt in her whole life.

Forever… an eternal love… was it even possible?

"Yes…" she breathed out, tears of joy silently fell from her eyes, as she opened them to see Sonic staring at her, his expression empty, but his mind full of thought at her reaction to those words.

"…Hmm, it is done." The Priest nodded, and turned to Tails.

Tails held up the Chaos Emeralds on a purple pillow, and waited.

"Chaos!" the Priest called out.

The Emeralds began to shine immensely, their power being manifested with unparalleled beauty.

The light then dimmed, as Tails stepped back, and smiled to the Priest.

"Hmm… your vows and heart is accepted before Chaos, I'm sure that you witnessed it as well as we did, that the Chaos Emeralds reflect Chaos's approval of your love and divinity in this sacred obligation as soon to be Queen of the Chaos Kingdom, and of course, mother to the future souls that shall come in due time."

Sonic was a little freaked out at the emeralds shining so brightly.

He had never seen Chaos actually manifest his power through them before, other than with Chaos Control and the Chaos Blade.

"…Hmm… King Sonic, heir of the Chaos Kingdom's proud line of royalty." The Priest turned to Sonic, who jolted in spot, and bowed his head, nervously sweating buckets galore.

What if Chaos knew? What if Chaos wouldn't accept what he had said or done?

Or… marrying someone he didn't even know he loved?

Dooming an innocent soul to a life of endless servitude to a kingdom… trapped inside stone walls that tortured his free spirited ways…

Was it really what she wanted? To him, this was a prison sentence, death row, but to Amy…

He looked to her once more.

Her eyes filled with teary, joyful hope for the future.

He didn't know what to expect… from a God who literally dictates, enforces, and controls nature by its chaotic forces…

Would he understand the chaos of his own heart?

The complexities of why he was doing this?

Amy would be loved. Protected. Safe from anyone who would dare to hurt her… free to make the kingdom a better place.

Wasn't that enough to calm the apparent guilt he was feeling?

Was it enough to gain approval from the Emeralds?

After all, if they didn't glow, that would break Amy's heart, The Priest wouldn't approve the union, and Sonic would be cast from the throne!

Then… who knows what chaos would ensue…

Shadow may as well have won. Getting rid of the chaos bloodline by not even lifting a finger…

"I entrust your vows were also had for approval,… we shall see now."

The Priest turned to the Chaos Emeralds.

"Chaos! God that dwells in the holy Master Emerald! We beseech thee!"

He then turned to Sonic.

"Do you honor the code of Kings, that you will love and care for your Queen, that you will honor your right as husband, father, and ruler of the Chaos Kingdom, and do all in your power to sustain the right of freedom, of peace, and of all manner of good for you, your wife, your family, and your kingdom? Do you…"

Sonic gulped.

"Sonic, King of the Chaos Kingdom, royal heir to the throne, and Chosen Soul of Chaos, Hero to us all, accept Princess Amy Rose, as your wife, Queen of the Chaos Kingdom, and mother of your future posterity from now on and until your soul's existence may cease?"

…If this was an eternal matter, why would you say a soul could cease?

Sonic took a quick glance at the Emeralds.

Do they kill hypocrites?

"…hmm?"

The Priest had waited a moment, and raised his long white eyebrow skyward.

When Sonic didn't respond for quite some time, keeping his head down, he turned bewilderedly to Tails.

"This is an outrage!"

"L-let him think a moment.." Tails didn't know what to say, he knew this was the hardest thing to ask of Sonic, even after being made King…

"I'm sure he's just trying to take this all in…"

"Outrageous! To keep Chaos waiting for so long!"

Amy turned to look at Sonic.

His mouth was open, but he didn't speak, his eyes shrank in fear as they scanned the floor.

Amy held her face to a tight line.

She slowly inched her hand towards his that was keeping him up, as the other one was on his knee.

He flinched out of it, and slowly turned to look at her hand.

So kind…

…Too kind.

He turned his head away, his expression looking as though he was already condemned.

His immense sorrow at not knowing how he felt about her plagued his heart and mind.

He would doom his eternal soul if he hurt hers, and Chaos would make sure of it!

"Sonic..?" Tails turned to his friend, so torn up as he knew he couldn't help him…

No one could.

Sonic turned from her hand, squinting his eyes shut as he faced his head back towards the ground in front of him.

If he was chaos blasted into smithereens, then at least Amy would be safe to rule the kingdom with someone who actually could love and deserve her.

"…Yes?" He tiled his head, and braced for a chaotic lightning bolt.

It was true only by the questioning sound of his words.

The same sound that rang in his mind and heart, on if he really loved Amy, and should take her as his…

The same sound that questioned whether he deserved her.

Whether she deserved to be with him in this fate.

A boring, lifeless fate to him.

Could be something wonderful to her.

He just couldn't see that.

The Emeralds didn't respond.

"Was that… a question?" The Priest, his long white eyebrows drooped forward from his priestly robe. The eyebrows were long, and hung down all the way down to his knees, as he leaned forward with suspicion.

"…Yes." Sonic stated firmly. "Yes, I will marry her." He was still being honest…

Do Emeralds honor honesty or certainty?

Amy stared, something was off, the way he said it… it was all starting to click to her.

Did he mean that?

Was he really in love with her?

Who would propose if they weren't in love?

Yes, he was on a deadline, but didn't he…

"I really don't deserve you."

Her eyes opened wide.

The Emeralds barely lit up, but they still shone, not as brightly as Amy's vow, but they shone.

Suddenly a loud hum was heard, as Tails held up the emeralds, and looked disappointed in the glow.

"In all my years serving the people of Chaos…" The Priest stared in righteous indignation.

"I've never seen them glow so low…"

Suddenly, a bright green light shone from the window, creeping up from the earth like a sunrise.

"Hmm..? What on earth..?"

The Priest, Tails, Amy, and Sonic all looked up and to their right.

Amy and Sonic stood up, as Amy walked towards the window.

"Is that..?"

From far and long away, a landmass that couldn't be seen from such a distance, was holding on it the most brilliantly shining Master Emerald.

Its power radiated so brightly, that it looked like a new sun had formed over the horizon.

"…I've never seen the Master Emerald shine so brightly!" Tails exclaimed.

"Chaos.. what on earth kind of manifestation is this?!"

"Anger.." Sonic's ears flipped back, worried…

"Sonic… I think the Chaos Emeralds were dull because the Master Emerald's power is sucking them dry… I think… I think that it understands your heart sincerity!" Amy turned back around, as Sonic sheepishly smiled.

"Yippie?" He cringed.

Was that true? Did they know something he didn't..?

"Oh, Sonic! You must love me more than words can express!"

Amy leaned over and embraced him, as he felt something warm in his heart then.

Or maybe it was hinting at something far more.. but Sonic didn't dare to say anything.

What if it was a death threat? But…

What if it was his heart's… true…

He shook his head, not wanting to analyze it that much, but lightly put a hand to Amy's arm that was around him, and tapped it gently, looking to her and not knowing what to say or do.

Play it off? Does he really even want to know?

He didn't understand the power of Chaos, only it's use for powering up and attacking, but the second Amy leaped and threw her arms around him, he felt something new stir in him…

Maybe… it was foreshadow of things to come.

Was it… hope?

Hope that he did?

He didn't know where that thought came from.

But when Amy held him, the Chaos Emeralds shone brightly once more.

The whole room was so bright they had to cover their eyes.

"Incredible!" the Priest let out, shielding his eyes with his arms, "I'm almost convinced that this marriage is being purified by Chaos himself! It's as if Amy's heart and Sonic's heart together bring forth the full power of Chaos! Amy through the wielding of the Chaos Emeralds, and our honored King, rightfully stirring forth the sacred righteous forces of the Master Emerald through his own heart! I must dare repent for my grave error of ever doubting your love for each other! And how sound and truly destined this union was before Chaos!"

Sonic thought about that moment.

His eyes still wide in wonder.

And well, in confusion too.

Amy had the emeralds shine brightly, and he had the Master Emerald, for some unknown reason, shine brightly…

Then… were they really one soul now?

Or was this just one really convenient magic trick…

He thought that 'becoming one' was just a saying… and it looked like the Priest hadn't seen anything like this 'magic trick' either…

"The kingdom rejoice! This is a great sign of rejoicing!" he quickly ran over to the Chaos Blade that Tails also was holding to his side, and drew it.

Then, he took the items of royalty and the Queen's crown, which Sonic hadn't seen in years, and held it up.

"By the grace of Chaos! You are a chosen woman!"

He dubbed her quickly, and then had Sonic step forward.

"Come, your highness! You must crown her a royal Queen!"

Sonic was pulled up quickly to his feet, and stumbled as he did so, before taking the crown in his awkward way.

He was still in shock from a moment ago, and still locked in his thoughts.

Did this mean… he was spared?

He studied the Queen's crown for a moment in his hands, and memories of his mother swarmed his mind.

It repelled everything else from his mind… as he held it tenderly in his hands.

Her loving face, a sweet voice, and the exciting tales she would tell him…

"Amy…"

He looked up from the crown to her, seeing her reflection in its golden line.

He thought of Vanilla's words.

His mother would be proud.

So would his father.

Would Amy's father?

And her mother?

Amy was a good choice.

He wasn't.

They all would be disappointed…

Not in her…

But in him.

He rose the crown up, banishing any further thoughts on the matter at hand.

"Amy." He stated more firmly, "By the power given in me through the chaos that flows in my veins, I dub thee Queen and my….my…" his lips trembled again, that same goofy swiggly line of a snaky string across his muzzle.

"My-y-y-y-y…"

"Wife?" Tails stated.

"Yeah, that!"

Sonic's body stiffened and his eyes shot out wide, before putting down the crown gently to her head, but in a rapid and fluid motion, stepping to the side in his super speed as quickly as it was done.

Still so nervous…

Feet, still so cold…

As Amy rose up, after the Priest had motioned the Chaos Blade on her left and right shoulder, she smiled fondly to Sonic.

"Wow… heh… A queen." Amy was a little taken aback, but knew she had to be queen to marry Sonic, and was willing to do amazing things with her new found power and authority, for the people she so deeply loved.

Including… Sonic.

"You must present her at once! Kiss the girl and get on with it!" The Priest hurried them to the balcony, excited as he looked once more to the window, the Master Emerald still shining brightly like a green sun over the natural horizon.

He pushed them left to hurry them up the stairs to the people waiting outside.

Shadow, deep in the dungeon, heard the guards all scramble to get a look at the glowing green of the sky.

He smirked, as Rouge flew down from the darkness of the ceiling. "Well, that was unexpected. But lucky me~" she batted her wings and swirled the keys around.

"Any idea why the Emerald's acting up?"

"Hmph, as if I care about what Chaos is thinking…" Shadow got up, as a few other prisoners begged to be released too, and he ignored them.

"They're married then?"

He fiddled with his gloves, adjusting them.

"Yep~ But no announcement yet. Which means that everyone will be gathered in the courtyard."

She smiled, flirting as she hinted that it was the perfect moment for a break out, and moved closer to him as she stated this fact.

"We'll escape by the back then, where the light isn't shining so brightly…" he smiled slightly too.

"Rouge?"

"Yes, my king?~"

"Good work." He walked off, as she pouted.

"What? No thank you kiss?"

She took off after him, dropping the keys as the prisoners all reached for them, but they were too far away. One even tried to put his arm under the bars, but it was still inches from reach.

Sonic lead Amy up the balcony, "Hey, what happened to, 'our pace must match'-"

"That's for the other room's tradition.." Sonic was too into his own thoughts on what Chaos was thinking to really address her…

Could it be it actually felt sympathy for him?

And if so, does that mean a God could feel for his pathetic state?

"S..Sonic?"

"What now, Amy!?"

He turned around, and suddenly realized his outburst, and shook his head.

"I'm sorry… I was… I was startled by the Master Emerald. I didn't… I didn't mean to-"

He looked away, ashamed.

More than anything… he didn't want to come off as a monster to her.

"No, it's okay. It startled me too."

Amy held out her hand to his arm, and turned him to look back at her.

She was smiling, such a peace that didn't belong to him.

He had no idea that how she saw him, truly saw him, was a hero beyond any wild imaginings.

More than a king…

She just felt amazingly lucky that she could be his queen.

"We're um… we're not officially… married yet."

She nervously looked away and then back at him.

Her lips pursed…

Sonic's eyes widened.

Crap.

She stepped up further onto one of the stair's steps, trying to match his height difference with hers and even them out.

"…Ready for forever?" she slightly teased, but was nervous, and excited, and excitedly nervous!

She had dreamed of her first kiss since she first met Sonic, and it was all so wonderfully happening! And Chaos had accepted and purified their marriage! What more could she ask for?

Sonic held his ground.

The daunting realization of having to kiss Amy was a lot for him to take in.

One, his past self would have fled the scene at once.

Secondly, something in him knew his childhood days were gone if he did.

And Third, he knew Amy would want a long and complex one, and he didn't know how to deliver that…

Fouth… wow, their were a lot of numbers!

He would be stuck for good. Stuck in this stone castle, with no more adventures, no more daring fleets of heroic actions or battles!

He would be…

An old man.

Much… but not perfectly… like his father before him.

And his father before him.

And so on and so forth!

He almost wanted to grip his head and scream, not wanting that fate.

But just took his eyes from the floor, and moved down the step towards Amy's.

"Uhh…right, let's."

He had no idea where that suddenly came from.

Amy giggled and seemed to jump side to side on her heels, switching which one bounced, before closing her eyes and leaning forward.

Sonic's ears bent low again, as he thought how he was going to approach this.

No one was watching… people were waiting… and Chaos was still shining a death threat, as far as Sonic was concerned.

He slowly leaned down,…

It was probably the quickest second of his life.

"Alright, done! Time to go!"

"Woah!" Amy was pulled at the quickest speeds, feeling like she barely felt his lips on hers, like a gentle brush of wind before the swift hurricane that pulled her upward and along.

But also knowing how terribly shy he could be, she held a hand up to her face as she flew in the wind behind him, and laughed.

"Oh, Sonic! You're so modest sometimes-AH!"

Sonic spun her arm forward to have her in front of him, and pushed her lightly forward with his hand on her back.

"My people," he started, and looked to the side of him where the Master Emerald was still blaringly bright in the distance.

He gulped, again.

This was… the entire kingdom!

"I give you… Your Queen!"

He presented Amy, as she stepped forward.

The people roared with their acceptance and approval.

"Long live the King! Long live his Queen!" They shouted out, before the traditional song began to be had.

"W-what are they doing..?" Amy looked to Sonic.

It was the first time he had heard it too, sense he was young.

"It's… It's the Chaos Carol." Sonic was so amazed at their approval, that it made him feel horrible about this reign…

"They only sing it for deep respect of their royalty and country."

He turned away, upset.

"They're singing it cause they're so happy you'll now to rule over them."

He lowered his head in shadows, as Amy didn't notice, and looked forward to the people, her joy to the brim, her open smile only growing bigger at all the familiar faces below her.

Oh, the charming Chaos Carol, can you hear? Can you hear? (Unison)

Oh, the charming Chaos Carol, by and by~ (Unison)

At last we have a Queen! With a heart as sweet as spring! (Men)

She shall plead our plight before our fearless king! (Women)

She shall feed our children bread, by and by, by and by (Unison)

And our kingdom shall remain in great peace! (Unison)

All glory to our king! (Men)

And all glory to our queen! (Women)

One of us has ascended to the throne, to the throne! (Women)

And she shall reign in loving care, by and by~ (Men)

And the charming Chaos Carol, can you hear? Can you hear?

Shall play into the future, by and by~

By and by~

By… and …. Byyyyy!~ (Unison)

'Plight before the king?'

The people usually kept the tune, but changed the words according to what they were praising, and Sonic liked the word 'fearless' but not so much the inclined meaning of Amy voicing for the people against something he may have done.

Like… not execute Shadow… for example.

He ruffled his hands through his quills, making sure to be far away from the balcony so no one, not even Amy, saw his frustrations.

'Well, at least they have their queen!' Sonic spat out in his head. 'Happy now?'

"My people!" Amy threw her arms up, as the cheering fell into a hush.

"Let us not forget, even as your song has said, I'm one of you." She lowered her hands to her heart, as Sonic turned to listen.

"This crown belongs to us all!"

The people cheered, hollering their love for her.

"I have worked among you, given to you all I have, and taught your children who have sat below my knees. I know of your pain from their words, and of your hardships for their sakes, and I promise you, as Queen, to fight for your justice! To slay all your doubts with truth of a grand future! But most importantly, I promise I shall forever and always… be your friend, and advocate unto Chaos!."

The people were lifting one another up on each other's shoulders, waving hats and handkerchiefs, rejoicing in her words, shouting out her name, and their moving rejoicings made Amy cover her mouth with her hands as she cried.

It was improper for an elite, especially a queen, to cry in front of her people.

But this brought even greater love from the people out from below, as they saw her literally expressing her love for them, and that she wasn't afraid to show them, proven with her crying before them.

"Cheers for our queen! Who cries for our mercies and joys!"

"Here, here!"

"Don't cry, our Queen!"

"Amy, your highness, we love you!"

Sonic's fist tightened.

"They're better off with Amy ruling." He muttered and turned from where Amy was, walking down the stairs.

His anger and jealousy over Amy's acceptance rose into him, as Tails and the Priest looked to the window, and saw the Master Emeralds light dying down…

"Wo-hohohoho! Cry out for help all you like! But you're back to being mine now!"

Eggman's robots had began moving the Master Emerald into a large steel box, but the powerful Master Emerald had shone so brightly, that it had blinded him before blasting his robots and goons away.

"Ruaggh!" Eggman spun up from behind blasted away, "You were never this difficult before! No matter… I've already drained you of all that I'll ever need, and even some excess! I don't know where you learned to struggle, you stupid shiny rock! But I'm still going to use the power I've already taken and make an army of robots based on your power~ Then, at last, the whole of all the kingdoms on this pathetic world, will be mine..!"

He spread his arms out, as the Master Emerald didn't stop shining brighter and brighter.

"Arugh! It's no use doing that old trick again! I'm leaving! And I'm taking down your precious Chaos Kingdom! Some God you are!" He laughed as he jumped on a weird flying sphere, held up with gears as it pushed a large amount of wind and fire from beneath it, and took him off into the sky, along with his robotic army, all glowing green with black and grey armor, much larger than the little robots scrambling to keep up with their master…

Amy was so nervous, sitting in Sonic's bed and knowing this would be the first night they were 'officially married' together was a little unnerving to say the least.

Sonic took off the ring of his ancestor and looked it over, standing outside his bedroom door…

He looked, grudgingly, towards the army of solders and friends all staring at him from the left.

He waved nervously, and quickly opened the door and slammed it shut.

Amy nervously jolted.

"…." Sonic stared her down in the dark, before she noticed his light green eyes dart to the window, and jumped.

"Ah! Sonic!" she flung the covers off of her blushing face and raced to the window, looking out. "Sonic!"

"Quit shouting!"

Amy looked down and saw him resting on a tree, laid back and relaxed, and throwing her up the ring.

"Catch!"

She fumbled with it in the air but caught it. "Got it!... uh… what's…?"

"Hang it on the outside of the door." He instructed, wiggling a pinkie finger into his ear to clean it.

"W-…why?" Amy looked puzzled.

"So they think we're together." He rolled over, and tried to get comfortable on a branch he was used to sleeping on in a nice warm day, not really a night…

"W-wh-what!?" Amy fumbled with the ring again, and then caught it before it fell down below her and caused any unwanted noises. "B-but that's lying if you're planning to stay out there all night!"

He rolled his eyes away, looking like a pouting child that she wasn't going to do what he asked.

"W-why do you want to lie, anyway?" Her ears bent down, looking sadly towards him.

Was he that afraid..?

Was he… afraid of her?

"… Isn't it obvious? So they don't assume I'm sneaking out or anything." He waved an hand back at her, gesturing a shrug before trying to get comfortable on the tree again.

He sniffed his nose, feeling the nailing cold up and through his nostrils.

He opened his eyes just slightly, looking even more upset at his choices.

This was going to be a hard night…

"…" Amy looked over the ring…

"I.. I won't." she stated, and put it to the side, on top of a dresser.

Sonic's eyes flashed open, and he looked up at her.

His plan revolved around her doing what he said without question, now he was a little worried…

"What do you mean, no?" he asked, getting irritated.

"Is this how our married life is going to work out? No, and no some more?"

"I just don't like lying!" Amy called down, leaning over the open balcony.

"It's getting late, and it's very cold outside. I'll put a pillow or something in the middle so it's not so uncomfortable for you…" she had been coaxed to sleep countless nights as a child with him by her side during some bad dreams and storms before, she didn't understand why he wouldn't just want to sleep and not worry about… umm… other stuff.

"I mean… I understand how you're feeling… I'm nervous too. We can just… wing it for a while till we're good, agreed?" She tried to reason, even shrugging when she said 'wing it' but he just turned over on the branch.

"Not interested."

She puffed up her cheek, a usual adorable thing, but he wasn't fazed by it this time.

"Why are you always so… so uncompromising!"

He huffed through his cold nose, and turned over on the branch again, away from her, as he adjusted his head up and slammed it down again, turning to look at her over his shoulder, and then sticking an immature tongue out at her.

"Ah!" She leaned back, and fury crossed her face. "Well, that's one way to show you care for someone! Hmph!" she turned and folded her arms.

Care…

He looked down, opening his eyes and realizing sleep was going to escape him all night if he didn't go…

She puffed up her cheek once more, actually trying to make it work, but- "Fine then! Treat me like the plague! Jerk!" she turned her face to the side and walked in.

"…Amy?" Sonic turned around.

Something in him didn't want her to be upset with him…

He felt himself getting up, and walking to the side of the branch.

When he didn't see her, he dashed up and entered back in the room.

She jolted, having some covers over her as she was just crawling back into bed.

She looked so cute when she turned angry again, and stormed as fast as she could out from the covers and back up, still gripping them, but holding her hands down in front of her, blushing…

"What!? You really think I'm going to do something you wouldn't want too!? I'm just like you, Sonic! I'm just as nervous as-"

"I'm sorry."

It was clear and to the point.

"As… oh… w-well, you should be! And… and I'm sorry too." She looked away.

"For what?"

"What do you mean, for what?! W-when someone apologizes, you apologize too!"

"…Amy…" he walked a little toward her.

"U-uh…Erm… Y-you shouldn't act that way, you know! I-it's mean! It's disrespecting me b-by suggesting that I'm… that I'm …"

She stepped back the more he advanced, and started to fidget as she pulled the cover off the bed and in front of her.

"I'm… I'm…. I'm…"

The nearer he got, the more her words began to stumble, and her mind stopped thinking about her ramblings.

He stood on the side of the bed she was, her against the wall, and him standing there.

"Then get in."

"W-what?"

"Get into bed."

With all the darkness, she couldn't see his face, but he clearly climbed over the bed and took a spot, flinging a pillow in the middle.

She looked shocked, blinking her eyes as her hands still were clutching the bedcover up over her muzzle, a leg up before she slowly let it down, and calmed down.

'W-…what was that all about?' she thought to herself.

He then moved his hand back, reaching and patting the bed for something…

He caught hold of her cover, and threw it over himself, tugging her violently onto the bed's side.

"AHH!" she hilariously flopped on its side, and opened an eye as her leg went up, before glaring cutely towards Sonic.

"You did that on purpose…" she accused, but she didn't really know.

She climbed into bed, and scooted as close to the pillow as she felt was okay, looking back and blinking her eyes to Sonic.

He didn't move.

All she could see was his back.

With that… she closed her eyes.

'Oh Chaos…' she prayed, 'please don't let him think I'm a monster!'

That morning, Amy felt a ruffle, and slowly blinked her eyes open.

Looking up, groggy from her sleep, she rubbed her eyes as she saw Sonic putting on a brown hoody with a cape, before looking her way.

She gasped.

He just smirked, "I wanted to ask you something." He adjusted the hoody on his head, making sure his face couldn't be seen from the muzzle up.

"I'm going away for a while…"

His words pained her slightly, but she saw this coming too.

"I thought so."

He paused in his preparations, and looked back to her.

"….Go then." She looked a little hurt.

"…."

His shoulders rolled back, as if he hadn't wanted to see that expression.

"…Go on! Take a walk then!" she cried out, throwing the pillow in the middle at him.

His face suddenly turned to amazement, and he dodged the pillow that was thrown at him, and looked up at Amy.

"What… was that?"

"I said, go on a walk! I'll be fine the first day, anyway. Just be sure to come back. I'll 'wing it' if you're so sure you don't want anything to do with me!"

"…."

He just froze there.

"I may be gone a while."

"Go on, then! Tails, Knuckles, and Vanilla said they'll help me out. But be sure to come back, that's all I'm asking for."

It was all.. bittersweet.

Was she really letting him go? Or testing him…

"..What? What are you waiting for!? I gave you permission, didn't I?! Go on! I can manage myself! I've been instructed! I've helped you with your court hearings! That's all you really do right?! So go on! Take off!"

She was referring to a few days…

Sonic misunderstood.

He thought she understood that when he said, 'a while', he meant much longer than a few days.

He also wasn't aware… of their new found duties…

And neither was she.

If either had understood the other… or the extremities of all the powers that were now granted to Sonic. Him being now King, the council would surrender most authority to him, as it is rightfully his.

Amy, would also be held under more than 'elite woman' mannerisms, more than court hearings…

But the two were fully unaware… unaware that there existed an misunderstanding… one that would gravely be their tragedy.

"…Amy… Are you sure?"

He lowered his head.

"This… would mean a lot to me."

"I didn't slur my words, did I?! Just go!"

She threw another pillow, and reached to grab the last one, but Sonic had rolled and grabbed the last pillow, having a mini tug-o-war with her and it.

"I mean it, Amy! I want to know this isn't just kindness! I want to know you're not just saying this out of anger or to test me!"

"Test you!? Do you really think I'm that kind of a woman!?"

She almost ripped the pillow as she pulled it back, and swung at him.

He had purposefully let go as to not make a scene of feathers everywhere, but ducked as he let her swing a powerful force of feathered pillows at him.

Her third swing knocked him down, as she had gotten up on the bed, huffing and puffing from the energy it took to really put a good swing in with a pillow…

He looked up at him, moving his arm down, breathing just as hard as her.

"…I guess…" she took some breathes, "This means I'll see you… around."

"… I won't forget this… Amy."

He nodded, and quickly turned around to push himself up, and ran to the balcony.

When he stopped… it surprised Amy.

She gripped the pillow, a look of pleading hope in her eyes…

Don't go…

Please don't go…

He tapped his hand's fingers on the balcony's side frame, and looked back at her.

The hoody hiding his full expression.

He smiled.

"You were the best decision… I've ever made."

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, the world stopped and she couldn't breathe.

He jumped down to some trees and dashed off, knowing the guards were heavy on the alert, and took the 'scenic route' through the sewers.

Amy curled up in the bed, sitting down, and hugging her legs.

"…The best?" her head jolted up, and she ran to the window.

"R-really!?" she called out, before he was gone.

She held her racing heart… those words meant everything to her.

So… her trust that he'd do the right thing… may have been slanted.

But he would come back… and he wouldn't forget her sacrifice.

She grinned a stupid kinda love-struck smile and danced back to bed, twirling and then falling on its nice comfy surface.

"He said I'm the best decision of his life~" she beamed, before gasping and racing towards her door.

The guards outside readied themselves as the door swung open, but when they saw Amy, they quickly straightened up, back in their rows, and blushed at her cute silky nightgown as she dashed to the royal chambers of the King and Queen's room.

Darting in, she barely struggled with the door, having a pretty mighty upper body power anyway, as shown with her force with a pillow fight, and fell at the feet of the statues above her.

"Oh, Master Emerald. I know my father has prayed to you before about my future, and I'm sure his soul and my mother's cry for my wellbeing even in their departed eternities. But thank you. Truly I thank you from the bottom of my heart! All I ever wanted was to be loved, and now, you have fulfilled your wish! I shall do my best to fulfill yours, by caring for these people, helping Sonic to be the best king and hero he can possibly be, and of course, taking care of my friends and loved ones. I thank you, Chaos! I thank you, oh so much! But please… please keep him safe for me… please… let him… let him return soon."

Her prayers lasted for a little longer, as she continued to bow and thank him, before a knock was made at the door.

She dried her joyful tears and got up, but before running out, curtsied.

"Thank you for having him love me." She silently gave one more thank you in a whisper, and dashed out.

"Vanilla!"

"Good heavens, child! You're in your nightgown!"

"I didn't have time to change, I wanted to thank Chaos for-"

"But deary, why aren't you with…"

Vanilla stopped a moment… and looked down.

"Did he… send you away?"

Amy shook her head, ecstatic.

"No, Vanilla! The exact opposite!"

Vanilla blushed, "O-opposite?"

"Emhmm, he said I was the best decision ever!"

"…Did he?"

She was a little skeptical, but believed that Amy didn't lie so…

"That's.. that's wonderful! W-…why then have you left his side?"

"Oh, he's not here right now. I let him go on a 'walk'."

Amy nodded happily.

Vanilla's eyes widened, "A walk?"

"Uh-huh!"

"This… this early?"

She didn't understand the term.

"Weeeellll, he may be gone for a while,…" Stating that saddened Amy as she looked away, but shook off her feeling, and tried to desperately remain cheery before Vanilla.

She wouldn't want them to worry… even if her anger was just below her skin…

"But! I promised to do my duties and his till he comes back and cools off from all the nerves and stuff."

She bounced on her heels, swaying left and right.

"….My dear, no…"

Vanilla suddenly thought she knew what had happened.

Her misunderstanding was just as bad as Sonic's.

"Y-you don't understand!"

"Oh, don't worry, Vanilla! I can handle the work load on my own." She beamed.

"Darling, when he said a while, he meant-!"

She wasn't too far off… but she was still not understanding Sonic's motives.

"A good long while, I know. But he'll be back. A few days or so isn't so bad."

She walked past her, lifting one foot in front of the other with a swing of her arm to match it, as Vanilla held her heart, knowing she couldn't break it to her.

But she had too.

"He's left you in charge." Her voice was grave, as Amy stopped in her steps.

She turned around, "Huh?"

"….You're now in charge of the entire kingdom…"

"W-what do you mean?" Amy didn't like the face Vanilla had, and held a hand up to her chest, afraid…

"S-Sonic only just does court hearings anyway. I'm naturally good at those, s-so…" She shrugged the concern, but when Vanilla's face didn't change, she worried.

"What do you mean… an entire kingdom?"

"With Sonic married, he has many more duties now as a full-fledged 'King' than before." She explained, as Amy suddenly froze in her spot, her eyes shrinking.

"There is a ball to be hosted come a few weeks time. He was supposed to present you to the other kingdoms we've allied with. Our trade partners. You have no experience in dealing with foreign affairs, no matter how much your judgments have helped in court, the council will now require an indefinite amount of effort and work from you…"

"N-no one told us.."

"My poor child… you've let him escape. He's given you everything. All the duties of now… a King and Queen's roles..." Vanilla fell to her feet, and put a hand over her face, overtaken by him actually doing such a horrible thing.

"Ah! V-Vanilla!" she then saw Vanilla tumble down, overcome with her emotions on what she believed was Sonic's cruel actions.

To her, she thought he was fully aware of his new position.

Amy wondered that too…

"I'll learn fast, you don't have to worry! I'm good at judgments anyway, and Tails and Knuckles can help. We'll-"

"You do not realize what will be asked of you!" Vanilla suddenly shot her arms down, swinging her head as her emotions finally got the best of her.

"How could he do this to you..? Does he truly not…" she couldn't bare to utter the words, especially to Amy.

She didn't realize that Amy had also misunderstood… and given permission.

"I must inform Tails and Knuckles at once…" she slowly rose to her feet, as Amy stayed motionless, her eyes shaking…

The tangled web of misconceptions was spiraling…

Soon, Vanilla would tell her end of the story and enrage and disappoint them even beyond what they would do if they knew the full truth…

Amy stood up, still unsure of what to think…

"My sweet girl… this is truly terrible…"

She then looked Amy dead in the eye, holding her in place with her hands pushed against the sides of her face.

"He's given the entire kingdom upon the shoulders of one person, Amy… He's left you to swim against the most powerful executive and elective decisions and most grueling lessons of life and society anyone will ever face… As a new royal, you have neither the experience nor the brain power to set laws that could be carried out into action, to deploy security in issues the public knows nothing about, to exact judgments and attend the most elite of rituals, banquets, parties, and engage in… pray Chaos it doesn't come… war efforts to supply and maintain a kingdom… Amy… " she was a mother… moarning for her daughter's outcome… the horrible weight placed upon a young, and inexperienced girls shoulders…

Her young girl's shoulders…

"He has left you utterly alone."

Amy shook her head… the most horrible thing she's ever heard of has just pireced her ears, stabbed at her heart, and made her to step back in thought.

Now,… her misunderstanding was made even far worse than them all.

Did Sonic know about this?

Was this his plan all along?

Would… no, he would certainly come back.

But… for how long… would she be able to endure this time?

She's been beaten… she's been accused of treason… now…

Could she be… utterly alone?

She was thinking she would just sit for a while and take care of court cases, not… not government affairs revolving things she doesn't understand.

She turned away from Vanilla, her eyes frozen in fear and terror.

"My child…" Vanilla held her close, as her gaze turned to shadows, and she pulled away.

"Amy..!"

"I'm not alone."

Vanilla watched as her stature and expression changed, a new look upon her countenance, with every bit of bravery, trust, and strength Vanilla couldn't fathom… Coming to her so quickly and all at once.

"I'll delegate and debate with Tails on the matter. Difficult challenges are an Advisor's specialty, yes? I'll impress the council, and I'll gain their trust and approval."

"They already approve of you, but of your ability.. my dear, it takes years to learn these affairs and routines, you'll be exhausted!" Vanilla warned, growing dramatic.

"I'll have Knuckles go over other military affairs with me, and Tails can help me with Council etiquettes, and Vanilla, you can help me with those important balls and-"

Vanilla clung her hands to her shoulders on both sides, holding her in place.

"Listen to me! One person can't rule a world!"

"…Good thing this isn't the world then…"

"He's abandoned you to the wolves! He's deceived you! He knew you would be strong and say this, he knew you'd defend him, he knew and yet he… he…"

She lowered her head, bawling out at the cruelty of a man's heart.

"He literally left you."

"…Vanilla."

Amy put her hands on both her adoptive mother's shoulders, knowing that untrue.

"Please have more faith in Sonic. He'd never hurt me, and he'd most certainly never abandon his people. He's not mean, he's just tried. He needs to go out and stretch his legs, to explore, to adventure. And when I need him the most, he'll come. And he'll stay."

Her words were far too kind for the situation at hand according to Vanilla, who embraced and held her close, not being able to get through to her the dire struggles the situation entailed.

At least… that's how she misinterpreted Amy's resolve and strong stand.

"You are too kind… you are too kind to a fault, my dear…"

Amy smiled.

"It will be the end of you… if you let people take advantage of your pure heart… my darling… don't let him get away with this." Vanilla moved back, and put a hand up to Amy's cheek, before shaking her own in her mother's rage at Sonic's supposed actions.

She didn't know… but from what he was saying that day in the wardrobe room… she didn't know what to believe of him anymore.

Amy leaned her head into her touch, "Sonic won't let me fall in exhaustion. Nor will he let me believe he's a terrible person. He cares too much about his friends. He's been listening too much to the crowd and ignoring his own heart. He needs to find his heart, and then he'll return again. To me,… and to the throne."

"You… how are you able to stay so strong..?"

"…I manage." She faked the light tone.

When she got back from being escorted by Vanilla to her room, she didn't even care about the solders trying to not look at her embarrassing light nightgown, or the fact that Vanilla was continuing to try and explain the situation to her.

She wanted comfort, not explanation.

But Vanilla and the others were tried. They all were, with all the tensions building up, no one was acting like themselves it seemed.

No one was trusting Sonic… as it seemed.

Amy closed the door, and wept bitterly until they came to start her on the schedule of the day's duties at hand.

Before they did… however…

"I thanked you…" she banged her hand against the wall of her room.

Her head shifted right as her tears refused to fall, her face tight with it's grief.

"I thanked you and you left me to suffer again…"

She rose her head up, and dashed to the balcony, crying out her frustrations and sorrows,…

"You took my family from me! My mother and my father! Now my true love too!? Why!?"

She slid down the small railing and hugged it's thin pillars below, staring out towards the stars and moon, on the opposite side of the Master Emerald.

"…I… I just wanted true love… I just wanted… someone to love me…"

She lowered her head.

She didn't know how to interpret what Sonic did and didn't know…

She just knew he wouldn't be so thoughtless… so uncaring…

The next day- Tails, Knuckles, and the entire court were amazed at Amy's words…

"I'll be covering all the duties and responsibilities of the King for now on. He has gone on a mission that will last an unknown amount of time. Until then, I require the assistance of all who are under oath to assist the royal family." She spoke as she was instructed to by Vanilla the previous week, and Knuckles and Tails both looked away, knowing this would happen…

"He really is the scum of the earth." Knuckles spat on the ground, and turned to walk out.

Tails just put a hand over his face, and turned away, putting the other to the wall for balance.

"How could he really be so cruel..? I didn't want to believe it… but I knew it… I knew he would…"

"General, Advisor."

The two spun around.

"I require you're immediate attention. Please stay and help me. I-I mean..., assist me in organizing a plan for the coming harvest events, celebrations, and laws I'll be needing to sign and go over today."

She sat on her side of the throne, a little below one of the steps to the higher throne…

Sonic's throne…

The King's throne…

She dared to peek up at it, and knew the rumors would be worse now.

The judgments more critical of him.

She was so loved… for them to find out that the king had left her… to rule in a new element all on her own… they would never forgive him.

She turned back to the court, and stood up again, face ridden with determination to not let Sonic's name be tainted.

"The King is on a mission, let no other rumor start." She darted her eyes to the room, her maid friends, solders, councilmen, and even the scribes…

"Let it be known, that for the good of the kingdom, Sonic has asked me to reside, while he leaves to protect and secure the safety of this kingdom!"

If he really was out there, on grand adventures, then maybe he was taking out some bad guys as well.

And so, she wasn't lying, when she stated that it was for the good of the kingdom.

With the news of Shadow having broken free… She hoped the people would think he was after him.

A noble quest for a king, indeed.

She hoped… he would prevent war.

But even still… letting Sonic have some freedom may let loose some of his pent-up wild spirit, and mellow him out a little to be able to be happy again, and not so.. so…

"Your highness."

Amy looked up, and sat back down to her throne.

She cleared her throat.

"Proceed."

"…I just wanted to say…"

Tails smiled.

"You're incredible."

And smiled, and held back tears she desperately didn't want to leak out.

"Thank you."

She nodded.

"Thank you, kindly."

She choked on that last one, but held it together.

"Emm."

Cream had raced up and put a hand on hers that was gripping the throne's armrest, and smiled.

"You look beautiful, Mis- I mean, Your highness." She curtsey, and raced back to her mother, who looked to Amy with such sorrowful, but proud eyes at her determination to follow through on her commitments to the kingdom.

Amy nodded to her as well, pulling her lips back as her eyes turned watery and red, and she dared not break the rule again of crying in public.

"I… I shall retire to the study room. Bring the laws and cases there."

She picked up her dress, and descended down the steps, before stopping abruptly and turning around, almost forgetting. "C-Court dismissed!"

She then bolted, and fell on her old maid bed, sobbing.

Vanilla rushed in, falling with her and holding her in her despair.

Cream also flew in, and landed on the bed, hugging Amy's head, as Cheese hovered in, not understanding what was happening, and sobbed at just seeing Amy hysterically crying and breaking down.

"That was wonderful." Vanilla repeated, realizing that no matter how real the situation, Amy wouldn't give up just like that.

"You really shouldn't cry over a little thing like that, Am- I mean, your highness. Everyone forgets to say 'excused' it's not your fault." Even Cream didn't comprehend.

This would tax Amy's heart, body, mind, and strength for who knows how long.

Learning as much as she could for the good of her now inherited kingdom, and waiting ever so patiently, for Sonic to return once more… and show her what she doesn't know, and teach her what she must know, and hopefully…

By Chaos's grace…

Praise her for all she did and more.

(Edited from its original draft. I hope I cleared things up a bit better than before.)