The Sweetest Rose in the Garden

Synopsis: Traveling back to the present day. The royal family takes a trip to the Hanging Gardens of Mobius, the famous terraced garden built by Aleena and Jules for their three children. This is the prickles' second trip, as they first went there as baby hedgehogs.

 

 

Chapter 1—What Are the Hanging Gardens?

               

                Amethystia looked above, completely transfixed with the variety of flowers in full bloom and the array of colorful birds around her and her siblings.   They were very friendly to her and the others, and one paradisical bird perched on her left shoulder.  

                ‘Looks like you made a friend, sis.’, Maverick commented, as a parrot perched on his right shoulder.  It was one of the rarer parrots that lived in Mobius that was returning from the brink of endangerment.   Robotnik had killed almost every species on the planet under his rule.  These innocent creatures had once been under his control, but now, they were free.   It had been strange recalling that once these stunning birds had been shields to him.   No longer would they die violently under distress and chaos.   They could live among these hanging gardens, soaring high.   

                ‘Come to think of it, we never asked about this place.  It’s absolutely gorgeous.’, Dashiel complimented.   The terraced gardens extended for miles, hosting thousands of locations to picnic, birdwatch or commune with the creatures that were indigenous to Mobius.   So-called woodland creatures were actually quite tame and had been friends of Sonic’s for years.   They had known him since the Rebellion ended and owed him their lives, so to pay them their regards, they surrounded the gardens and coexisted with the Royals.   

                ‘You were little prickles when we first arrived.   No more than a few months old.   It wasn’t long after the Freedom Fighters had won against Robotnik.’, Amy explained.   The hoglets had remembered the holovid they had seen about ‘Victory Day’.  It was celebrated the same time every year on the anniversary the Freedom Fighters had become triumphant and Robotnik was no more.    

                ‘Before it was a different place.  It wasn’t green and teeming with life like it is now.’, Jules recalled.   He shed a tear remembering how broken the gardens had been.  Originally Jules had built the gardens as a sign of love and affection for Aleena while he had been courting her, but Ivo had started his rise to power and too many Mobians shrunk in fear, scattering to the winds.  

                ‘It’s painful to remember, and I know images of that wretched era will never fade.’, Aleena said, comforting her husband momentarily.     The siblings understood the sorrow coming from their grandparents but turned their attention to happier times, like the present.

                ‘So, why are they here now ?   They’ve been around for so long, and I think many modern-day Mobians forget their significance.’, Amethystia stated, astutely.    

                ‘I must get Cyril on that immediately.   He needs to update the archives.’, Sonic whispered to Amy, who chuckled, typed something into her wrist computer and a ‘whoosh’ sound was heard.

 

 

 

Chapter 2—Sonic’s Addition to the Garden

                ‘You know that I initially built the gardens, right, little ones ?’, Jules began.   The siblings nodded, understandingly.   

                ‘He initially built them for me but had to rebuild them.   Neither one of us knew if the prophecy would be fulfilled or not.   We were taking a leap of faith at the time, especially in hiding until the time was right.’, Aleena said.   

                ‘The apple didn’t fall far from the tree when courting was involved.  After the Rebellion, Sonic and I grew even closer and he added to the gardens.’, Amy recalled fondly.   Sonic tenderly held her hand and Amy couldn’t help but display the brightest, shiniest grin that the siblings had ever seen.    In the middle of the garden there were rose bushes, all bearing the bright pink color Amy was so fond of.  

                ‘The question of marriage had been weighing heavily on my heart after the Freedom Fighter’s victory.   I knew that if I wanted Amy to be my Queen, there was no time like the present.’, Sonic stated, squeezing her hand, affectionately.

                ‘So, you proposed.   Dad, you smooth operator !’, Maverick said.   Amy chuckled.  

                ‘Yes, he even sang to me, and I remember the song…

                Say you will, Amy Rose

                The sweetest rose in the garden

                Please be mine for all of time

                Place your hand in mine

                Walk beside me…’

                Dashiel pretended not to heave his chili dog lunch after hearing his dad’s proposal song.  Amethyst thought it was extremely romantic, while Maverick thought it was the slickest, dopest song he had ever heard. 

                ‘I may have to try that on the ladies when I get older.’, he mentioned, wriggling his eyebrows.

                ‘You’re still a kid, Mav.  Don’t rush it.  Trust me, ladies ain’t nothing but trouble.’, Dashiel said, remembering all the issues he had with the girls around the castle that had been crushing on him.   One by one, he had to turn them all down, since he was interested in none of them.   Amethystia harrumphed.

                ‘Love is a beautiful thing, no matter when it happens to you, Dash.  You’ll see !’, she said, optimistically.   Dashiel rolled his eyes. 

 

Chapter 3—A Spot to Picnic

                Just as it had been left last time, the lawns had been mowed pristinely and the whole acreage smelled fresh and earthy.   Maverick took a deep, long, drawn out breath, savoring the remarkable scent of newly mowed grass.

                ‘Sure feels great to be here.’, the Prince thought to himself.   For the first time in a long time, Dashiel had gotten a chance to relax, stretch and breathe deeply.    Every other day for he and his siblings had been reading, writing, arithmetic, martial arts and perfecting their defensive attacks.    A multicolored butterfly landed on Amethyst’s shoulder.    She giggled girlishly. 

                ‘It’s so serene here.  Granddad, this garden is absolutely perfect.’, she complimented. 

                ‘Those were my exact sentiments when I saw the potential the land had when I first found this vast acreage.    It was pristine, untouched, and to convince your grandmother I was serious, my intentions had to be made known in the most grandiose way I knew how.’, the former king reminisced.   He then recalled, that unbelievably, today had been the day that Jules had asked for Aleena’s hand those many years ago.   

 

Chapter 4—Keeping the Legacy Alive

                As they finished their splendid lunch, the grandparents, parents, and children washed their meal down with cold, fresh water.   Although it wasn’t a ridiculously balmy day, the water was exactly what they required to refresh them completely.  

                ‘The landscapers must be tired after keeping the gardens manicured.’, Maverick mentioned.

                ‘They have a rotating schedule, so they don’t get worn out or bored with the work.’, Amy explained.    Out of all the executives in the world, Amy happened to be the best at what she did, and she oversaw the caretaking of the gardens.    At the end of the garden was the family cemetery, which had been renovated over the years.   This would be their final resting place.   They paid their respects to their ancestors, left sovereigns at the sight, and began their walk home.  

                ‘This is going to be here long after we’re gone and ascended to the beyond.’, Aleena said, watching her grandchildren speed past her to the castle.    She knew they would take care of it well and the rest of the family would be sure to keep it green for many, many years to come.

 

Chapter 5—Happy Surprise Anniversary ! 

                Sonic had always been the sneakiest hedgehog around when it came to keeping parties concealed.   He had known that today was more special than most others since it had been his parents’ wedding anniversary.     He had everyone yell once Aleena and Jules walked in, showered overhead by confetti in every color imaginable.    The grand dining was set and there were all kinds of gifts on a dessert table that showcased both a chocolate fondue fountain and delectable cheese fondue.    

                ‘You planned this didn’t you ?’, Aleena said, a little overwhelmed by this gesture of kindness.

                ‘So like you, Sonic !   Thank you, you didn’t have to go to this much trouble.   It’s almost too much !’, Jules commented, taking in the array of glorious food and dazzling presents waiting for them after they had been amply fed. 

                Once the celebration was over, there was still a lot of fun to be had with games and trivia to put a cap on an already full, incredible anniversary.    Everyone was sated with so much dessert that it was hard to get up out of their chairs and work off their sugar overloads.    Yet, the exercise had been good for everybody and those inside and outside of the kingdom could see what a pinnacle of love the former king and queen were in their unfailing love for each other. 

 

 

Epilogue

Jules and Aleena had decided to have their own trip for their anniversary after the celebration in Crystal Castle.   They had taken the camper van out into the vast woods where they first met, many, many years ago.  Once the royal family arrived back at the palace in the Camper Van, the royal standard was raised.

‘Welcome back, Jules and Aleena !’, said everyone in the castle, as they exchanged embraces.  A bit of rest and relaxation had really rejuvenated the former King and Queen.  They thanked Sonic for allowing them to use the Camper.

‘That little beauty has every modern convenience.’, Jules remarked, wildly impressed with just how comfortable it was.   The newest version of the Camper had been built for speed and defense when the situation called for it.   No such artillery was needed currently, but it never hurt to be prepared.  

‘Those woods are so much nicer now.  Knothole is much bigger, wider, and busier than I recall.  I even came across Chuck when I was there.   He wanted you to know that he’s exceedingly proud of you.  We should invite him to the Castle, catch up on old times.’, Jules said, gently.   In his deroboticized state, it wasn’t known how much longer Uncle Chuck would have with them, but the fact that he was much sprier than most of the Celeritas family spoke volumes.   He had at least ten more nimble and witty years left in his youthful body.

‘What’s that smell ?  Don’t tell me you decided to cook us another delicious meal ?’, Aleen said.

            ‘We had the cooks make your favorite, mom.’, Sonia said, hugging her mother warmly.  Aleena smooched her daughter’s forehead and all of them sat down for another incredible repast.  Unlike before when they had gone out to work off their excess consumption, all of them settled down for the evening, lulled by the sounds of the crickets and peepers in the woods, serenading them.

 

To Be Continued…