I hurry over the terrain, blasting ahead in an awesome display of fiery speed. My movements are practiced, assured, but my thoughts are a confused flurry of uncertainty.

Why did mother and father send for me so suddenly? And, why are they being so vague about what it is they even want to see me for? My parents are the rulers of this world, the beloved and benevolent king and queen. I, their daughter, am slightly less benevolent and a little more...well, father says I'm cold, and mother says I'm too blunt for the politics of a princess. Either way, I would say I am more efficient, but to everyone their own...

I slow down once I'm in sight of my family's castle, the structure well taken care of and worn. When I was younger, I used to escape it by descending down the ivy on the side, but that changed after I accidentally set the vines on fire when one of the guards startled me during a climb.

I shake myself from the memories, only half paying attention to the servant now guiding me to my parents. Although it may seem crass to some to have servants, my family's estate creates many jobs for otherwise unemployed sapients. Also, the pay is good and the jobs not too demanding. Nevertheless, these aren't reasons enough for me to have my own, personal servants; I'm far too independent and intolerant of people to be followed around, being waited on all of the time.

"Your majesties?" Says the middle-aged koala I've been following once we arrive at the throne room. "Princess Blaze returns."

"Wonderful! Send her in!" My father replies, and I slip in through the door.

"Hello, mother, father," I greet, and they return the sentiment enthusiastically. After several inquires as to my recent life and journey, I finally manage to remind them I'm here because they wish to tell me something.

"Ah, yes! Of course!" Father says, but he immediately rubs his ear and looks at my mother. "Do you want to tell her, dear?"

"Oh!" She says in response, looking surprised. "I suppose so. Blaze, darling, we've been talking, and we think that it's about time you started to consider finding a husband." I stand, shell-shocked, completely taken aback by this. "Nothing hurried, dear, but it is time you start thinking who you want to marry. Normally, a noble would inevitably be the choice, but we know you value ability more than birthright, so we're letting you make the decision. We'd like you to be married by spring, in, oh, 5 or so months."

"I-I..." I trail off, knowing that I'm lucky my parents are leaving such wiggling room yet still angry about the forced responsibility all the same. "I know you want me to be thinking about a husband, but 5 months? How will I ever find somebody in that amount of time?!"

"We can hold parties, invite families, whatever you'd like," assures my father. "We'll give you plenty of opportunity to choose someone." I nearly fall over, feeling as if a great weight has suddenly descended on my shoulders.

As if it wasn't enough to be the Sol Emerald guardian, now I have to marry in 5 months--without ever having been in a relationship! This won't end well... Still in a state of shock, I bow to my parents, purposely avoiding a traditional curtsy. I am not some simple princess to be pinned to some boy and toted around. I am the most powerful being on this world, and any man I choose will know his place as a servant of this kingdom, as an elite of effort and intention. Such a man is rare, but I will have to find one. To find genuine heroism in such a short time frame, though...

I sigh, completing my rituals for dismissal and striding from the throne room. I can do this. I know I can. I try to look calm and professional on the outside, but, inside, I'm shaking and close to tears. Oh, Sol, what if I can't find someone I respect?! As quickly as I can, I exit the castle and blaze my way to a small, uninhabited sandbar that I frequent to escape the frustration of life. Sitting on the sand, looking across the endless waters always gives me new perspective on my problems, reminding me of the scope of this world and those beyond it.

Those beyond it... The thought brings to mind a special someone who I had befriended some while ago now. A man of courage and wit, with an openness I respect. I'd first mistaken him for an enemy in my visions, but he ended up helping me in a time of great need, even giving me a Chaos Emerald from his world to help me locate the Sol Emeralds.

Sonic... I wish I knew someone like him, from my world. Then, my choice would already be made. I sigh, putting my head on my knees and wrapping my tail around my side. Sonic's not an option for me, and I've never met his equal on this planet. For a while, I thought I'd met someone similar, but Shadow the Hedgehog had turned on me in time. He eventually let me have the Sol Emerald he'd been fighting me for, though it was, I could tell, not the honest heroism that Sonic has. No, Sonic is always a hero, doing the best he can for everyone. Shadow has some good in him, and he's incredibly intelligent, but it's just not enough. I'd have trouble calling him a friend, after all the trouble he's caused me.

I try to turn my thoughts away from this, knowing my fanciful notions will get me nowhere.

There has to be someone I can find. Someone like I'm looking for, they'll have an established presence. I should use my connections to all the local provinces, ask them who the man they most respect and admire is. I don't mind if he's older than me, which he probably will be if I stick to what I want. I just need someone who I can be on equal terms with, at least in honor and intelligence.

I start to stand up, determined now. In five months' time, I will certainly find someone who deserves a position of such power. After all, I don't need to just search the people I know; I have an entire network of citizens who respect me and will help me in my quest.

This is possible. I will find someone I can truly love. I just need to look.

~~Three disappointing months and a lot of searching later...~~

I can't believe I still haven't found someone. I lash my tail a bit, having returned to my favorite sandbar to think about my growing problem. Unfortunately, even the calm water isn't helping me relax this time, and I have to focus on my breathing to maintain my level of stress. As I sit, trying very hard to remain composed, my thoughts echo that of my parents' reactions today to the encroaching time limit. This is getting worrisome.

It isn't that I haven't been trying. I've gotten to know over forty well-respected, dignified men in these past few months, but not one has proven a match for me. They all have too much focus on presentation and wealth or too little knowledge of even the most basic parts of governing. I never thought being 'down to earth' would be a problem in prospective candidates, but I have found that it certainly is. Far too many men the locals recommend are too base, too unable to lead any group larger than a village.

Then, of course, there are the others who are too good at being on top. I found some that I felt I could trust not to squander the royal funds or reputation, but, without fail, they didn't see me for the force that I am. Each one had trouble accepting that they would be second in command, after myself, and there's no way I could work with someone who doesn't understand the importance of checks and balances, someone who would seize control while I'm off dealing with inevitable problems concerning my duties as a Sol guardian.

Feeling nervous, I take a deep breath and stare out at the crystal water, feeling my stomach flutter with unease. The slight waves follow the wind, and I peer a little closer as I see the water in the distance start reacting to a gust that's clearly extremely swift.

Is that wind...blue? Suddenly, I gasp, stepping back. Even as I regain my composure, he's skidding to a stop in front of me.

"Blaze! Long time no see!" He greets, smiling with the same brilliance I've missed since he left. "What's up?"

"Sonic!" I exclaim, not having expected this even in my wildest dreams. I fumble for a moment, feeling completely unprepared to talk to him after my thoughts today. "Actually, a lot."

"Lotta good or lotta bad? Wanna tell me about it?" He asks, still grinning with that easy confidence. His very stance shows his power, as well as his kindness; he's relaxed with the ease of someone completely unafraid, but he's also ready to jump in the moment anyone needs assistance.

"Well, only if you have time. Why are you here?" I question, worried that I might hold him up from something important on his planet.

"Oh, I'm just here on a visit. Got all the time in the world!"

"Well, okay, then," I say, trying not to become flustered by the fact I've been internally bemoaning the fact I couldn't just marry him and be done with all this. "My parents gave me a five month limit to find a partner for marriage, but it isn't going well. I've only got two left now, and I haven't found anyone promising."

"Only five months?" He asks, clearly surprised. "That's a little fast, don't you think?"

"A little bit, but I already have enough say in the matter. I've been really struggling with it, though there are several I have in mind if I can't find someone new soon."

"Oh, really?"

"Well, yes..." I reply, trying to shake the thought that he sounded a little crestfallen. "Why?"

"Oh, nothing. That's great that you've got it covered! Who're the lucky guys?" He asks, seeming perfectly cheerful. Almost a little too cheerful, but I try not to overthink it.

"Well, they're all minor nobles. I didn't want to marry someone wealthy, but the barrier in lifestyle between a common citizen is just too great. Very few have the education I'm looking for, and the ones that do are already taken. I had really hoped that I wouldn't follow the tradition, even if marrying someone of minor importance breaks the mold enough already..." I sigh, disappointed. "After all, I'm supposed to be the princess for the people."

"I'm sure they'll understand. They trust you," Sonic says, surprisingly gentle in his tone.

"Yes, well, I wish I could marry someone who I would only have to work with occasionally. My biggest concern is him trying to take over when I have to leave to take care of the Sol Emeralds. I already have administrators I trust, with a system in place to ensure they can't seize power. Marriage in name is all I need, though I suppose I'll eventually need to produce an heir, as well. Beyond that, I don't need any assistance."

"Taking in help you don't want, huh?"

"Unfortunately, that seems to be the case," I say, sighing again. For a moment, we both fall silent, contemplating the problem before us.

"What if you could marry someone who wouldn't be here hardly at all?" Sonic asks suddenly, breaking the pause. "Someone who could visit occasionally, who could be king, but who would let you be in charge? Someone who, say, had his own world to take care of but would rush to help if you ever needed it?"

"...are you offering?" I ask, unable to contain my shock. Sonic's cheeks are tinted a bit pink, and he averts his eyes.

"Well, if it would help you, then yeah. I wouldn't mind." He seems even more nervous than I was about my problem, and I feel myself smiling.

"Actually, that would be a wonderful solution."

"Really?" He asks, now animated. "I mean, you've really impressed me by how good you are at everything. I would be happy to, um, y'know..."

"Marry me?"

"Yeah. Gives me an excuse to get away from all the women fighting over me back on my world, too, which is a bonus," he adds sheepishly, and I chuckle, feeling incredibly relieved. "I could never settle down in one place, y'know? But this arrangement could work really well."

"Then, will you meet me for marriage, in the spring of this world?" I ask, formally making the invitation.

"As you wish, Princess Blaze," Sonic replies, winking. "Should probably meet your parents first, though."

"Of course. We can go today, if you'd like. I've told them a lot about you, so they should take to you well."

"Really? Sweet!" Sonic motions for me to lead the way, his grin on full force. As he starts walking though, I put a hand on his shoulder.

"Sonic, wait," I say, pulling him in front of me.

"Yeah?" He asks, emerald eyes sparkling with his question.

"Thank you," I tell him sincerely, speaking from my heart. "This means so much to me."

"You don't have to thank me. I'm just helping out a--well, I guess we're more than friends now, right?" He looks a little uncertain, but I smile at him.

"Yes, I would say so." Then, not knowing how to convince him with words, I pull him closer to me. I'm a little uncertain, myself, but I trust my instincts to know what to do. I kiss him, not too harshly or too quickly. I take it slow, a beginner's kiss.

Thankfully, he responds favorably, softly putting his hands on my waist. When we pull back, I smile at him again, and he returns it.

"Sonic the Hedgehog, I, Princess Blaze, do officially propose to you. Do you accept this offer of marriage?"

"You bet!" He grins, flashing me a double thumbs up. I laugh, finding him amusing. We head off towards the palace, Sonic easily keeping up with my fiery speed.

Thank Sol. I never thought this would work out this way, but it seems my dream is now a reality. I smile over at Sonic, indescribably grateful for him. I'm lucky, so lucky that things worked out.

And I'm lucky to have him.

Author's Note: This one has been stumping me for months, so I'm really glad to finish it. I'm actually pretty happy with it, though it took far too long. I honestly can't find the message asking me for this story, so, if it's yours, please tell me so I can add your name! Next up is an Eclilver, Eclipse the Darkling x Silver the Hedgehog, set in the future. I hope to see you then! Don't forget to make some requests!