All characters belong to SEGA/Archie

"Prince Sonic, please come forward" Aleena, the queen of Mobius said proudly. She wore her normal attire and golden crown atop long purple quills. In her hands a pillow with a be-jeweled crown lay. Prince Sonic walked forward and kneeled before his mother. The blue hedgehog, Sonic was in a red coat and belt that stopped a few inches above his knees.

"My son you have come far" Aleena said, trying to contain her tears of happiness.

"Mother, I will do my best I swear it"

Aleena nodded. "I know you will"

Aleena placed now held the crown and began to lower it atop Sonic's head. Suddenly an arrow was shot and knocked the crown from her hands.

"Assassin!" A citizen proclaimed. Sonic quickly stood and looked up to find the area of the arrows origin. The crowd was frantic and running to the castles exit in shouts and screams of fear. Sonic cast his gaze to the top of the large staircase, a dark hooded figure stood drawing another arrow. Sonic could make out blood colored eyes but his face was covered with a cloth that had some sort of symbol that appeared to be a red spiked swirl. Sonic had a determined look and the other aimed the arrow for Sonic's heart.

"I have you now, Prince" The arrow was shot and Sonic fell back, emerald eyes fading of life.

... (it was a dream)

"Your highness, time to wake up!" There was knocking on the bedroom door. Sonic drowsily got up. After putting on his usual attire and crown, he answered the door to see his teacher Tails, even though he was younger than Sonic he was still a genius.

"Good morning Tails" Sonic greeted.

"Good morning your highness" Tails gave a small bow. " I came to deliver your new reading assignment" Tails gave Sonic a small stack of old looking books. "I want you to read each book and if you didn't I'll know because you'll be quizzed on what's in them"

Sonic nodded and placed the stack next to his bed. "Don't worry Tails, I will"

"Great, also your mother and father have requested your presence at once"

"Thank you Tails, I'll be down in a minute" Sonic said.

Tails smiled and took off with his spinning twin tails. Sonic hurried down to the throne room where Queen Aleena and King Jules were found.

"Mother, Father you requested my presence?"

Also in the room was Sonic's trusted cousin Scourge, and surprisingly Princess Amy from a semi ally kingdom.

"Yes Sonic. You are well aware that your eighteenth birthday is approaching correct?" Jules asked.

"Of course father, how could I forget my own birthday?"

"Your mother and I cannot hold the throne forever. That is why when you are of age, you shall rule as king"

"F-father, do you think I'm ready?" Sonic asked.

"Yes, but you must also marry"

"M-marry.. but Father, I can't I'm not in love. I haven't found my mate yet" Sonic reasoned.

"We cannot wait that long I'm afraid.. that is why we have arranged a marriage for you with-" Jules was cut off as Princess Amy grabbed on to Prince Sonic's arm.

"You will be getting married to me, Prince Sonikku!"

"Mother! Father! Please tell me this is a joke!" Sonic begged.

"I'm afraid not son, this agreement will keep the peace between our two kingdoms.." Aleena said sadly.

No one saw, but Scourge was scowling angrily. Scourge knew this was coming, if Sonic became king he lost all links to the royal bloodline, since he wasn't fully royal like Sonic was. Scourge got an idea and smirked, he was unnoticed while leaving the castle. After Amy had returned to her own kingdom Sonic looked out his balcony sadly, there were so many happy couples, while Sonic's heart felt cold.

"Now, I may never know if there is really someone out there for me.. " Sonic let a single tear fall.

With Scourge...

Scourge travelled out of the kingdom he has heard rumors of an assassin guild deep in the woods, and was hoping the rumors were true. In order to keep his ties with the royal line Sonic would have to go. After finding a building that looked somewhat like an old bar. Scourge chuckled.

"Well I'll be, it was true"

Scourge knocked on the wooden door. The door opened revealing an intimidating large bear.

"What is your business here, hedgehog.." He said.

"I have a cousin, that needs to be put down and I need your best assassin"

"Sshhhh! Are you trying to give us away!" The bear looked around and motioned for Scourge to follow. The place was mostly empty.

"Where is everyone?" Scourge asked.

"Either caught, or out on jobs" The bear answered.

Scourge cast his gaze to a booth where a dark hedgehog sat cleaning a knife with a cloth with a strange symbol.

"Can I talk to him?" Scourge asked pointing to where the ebony hedgehog was.

"Who, Shadow? Oh yeah he's one of the best guys here, he always gets his kill. Hey Shadow, you got a customer"

Shadow looked up then went back to cleaning his knife. Scourge sat across from him.

"Speak" Shadow said.

"I need this pest taken care of" Scourge took a picture out from his coat and handed it to Shadow. Shadow stuck his knife in the wall and took the picture.

"Prince Sonic? Is this a joke? I don't take kindly to tricks" Shadow growled.

"No joke I assure you. I want the Prince dead, before his eighteenth birthday. Will you do it?"

"It depends, how much are you willing to pay?" Shadow asked. Scourge un hooked a bag from his belt, inside was many gold coins"

Shadow smirked. "Deal"

END OF CH.1