The Hedgehog Prince

Victory

Sonic pulled out the sword with a grim look, a yellow light emanating from him a few seconds later. "Sonic! What's happening?" Sally shouted, shielding her eyes as it got brighter. He didn't seem to hear her, and she didn't know if there was a point to saying it again. The light dimmed after a minute or two, and Sally gasped at what she saw.

The wood that Sonic was made up of disappeared, replaced with quills and fur. The scratches in him vanished, and the clothing became real instead of just painted on. After all this time, Sonic became a real hedgehog, just as Godfather Charles predicted. He fell to the ground, and Sally ran to him.

He laughed hoarsely, pulling her into a hug with tears streaming down his cheeks. "Sally, I can't believe this is true. This is the first time in so long that I've been able to cry. C'mon Sal, hit me!" Sally looked at him strangely, his request was not what she expected. "Why would I do that?" "Oh, come on! I'm asking you!" Sonic smiled widely, and she sighed, figuring as long as it was his request.

She slapped his cheek hard, and his head snapped back. Instead of crying or howling in pain though, he was laughing. "Oh my gosh, it hurts! It really hurts!" Smiling at Sonic's antics, Sally looked around at the army of Robots who just lost their leader. They were all turning back to normal, parents hugging their children, lovers kissing for the first time in who knows how long.

Suddenly a red Echidna came up to Sonic and Sally, and they stood to meet him. "Thank you both for freeing my people, so much. The land of amusement is in your debt, and we'd love to do something to repay you, whatever you'd like." Sonic and Sally looked at each other, both in awe and disbelief.

"King Knuckles? Everyone thought you were dead!" Sonic said, and the echidna chuckled. "It seemed that way, didn't it? No, Robotnik simply transformed me. He told me if I willingly became part of his army, he'd leave my people alone. Obviously he did not keep his word, and I realize now what a fool I was to believe him. However, that does not matter now, for the curse upon this land has finally been broken."

Suddenly four animals rushed into the room: Lord Silver, Lady Vanilla, a pink hedgehog and a red and black hedgehog. They all began talking at once with happiness, when they saw that Robotnik was defeated and everyone else was safe and sound. There were hundreds of animals clapping Sonic and King Knuckles on their backs, and coming up to meet Sally and express their thanks.

"Well, now that everyone is safe and we have more than cause for celebration, I suggest we all go to the land of sweets and have a day of fun! " The pink hedgehog said, revealing herself to Sally as Amy Rose, the ruler of the land of sweets and the sugar plum fairy. Everyone agreed, and loaded up carriages to take them across the large expanse.

A few hours later, everyone was rushing about in the land of sweets, setting up tables and loading them down with the most delectable food. Sally was caught in the middle of the commotion, asking as loud as she could if there was anything she could do to help. "Oh no, my dear, you've done more than enough for all of us. Come with me now, after everything you've been through you're quite deserving of a hot bath."

Sally whipped around to see an old, kindly looking female woodchuck, gently extending a hand for her to take. "Who are you?" She said, staring at her. "My name is Rosie, dear. I've been instructed by the sugar plum fairy to get you cleaned up for the banquet. I promise, no one expects you to help out with anything. This is your time to sit back and let others take care of things."

Sally looked around, before sighing and reasoning that Rosie was probably right. "If you're sure..." She took the hand offered to her, before being whisked away into a castle decorated with designs of gingerbread and candy, that she could only assume was Amy Rose's home.

"I'll get the water started, my dear. You can change behind that screen over there, would you like to add bubbles, mineral salts or lavender oil?" Sally would've insisted she helped the woodchuck prepare the bath, but there were two maids waiting to help her change out of her old party dress, that she could barely blurt out what she wanted before being rushed behind the screen.

After a long, relaxing bubble bath; Sally was then helped out, dried off and led to Amy Rose's own wardrobe to pick out a gown. "Are you sure this is really okay?" Sally asked as she stared at a dizzying selection of dresses in every color of the rainbow. "I can just wear my own dress, it's really fine."

"Oh, goodness no!" Rosie said with a soft smile. "My dear, Amy Rose herself requested that we help you look your very best. You have her complete permission to wear whatever dress you'd like, of course it's okay." Sally hesitated, then felt the silk of one dress carefully, as if it would fall apart if she was too rough.

"All right, then." After about twenty minutes of trying on and examining quite a few dresses, Sally finally found one that was perfect. "Oh my, you look just like a fairy tale, dear girl!" Rosie and the maids applauded as Sally spun around, her fur styled differently than before to match the blue and pink satin ball gown.

"Thank you so much for helping me." She said, giving them hugs. "Our pleasure, my dear. You've helped us more than you'll ever know, it's the least we could do." Rosie said with a kind smile, while the maids opened the door at the sound of a knock. There stood Amy Rose and her cavalier Shadow, smiling at Sally when they saw her.

"Oh, I knew that dress would look perfect on you the moment I saw you!" Amy ran over and took Sally's hands in her own. "Thank you so much for lending it to me." Sally said, smiling at the sugar plum fairy. "Of course, I never pass up the opportunity to help someone look their best! Come along now, your banquet is starting soon, and a certain blue hedgehog has been waiting impatiently to see you."