Shadow the Hedgehog

Hope kept laughing but jumped back when a figure appeared behind Melody. "Hello there," she said in an all too familiar voice, stepping forward to reveal this Zone's Rouge. ---- "You seem troubled by it."

Hope giggled away at her friend's routine. ---- "In the context of a fair competition, yes."

"There's only one way to find out," grinned Hope. ---- "Magic isn't something everybody has or can get. It'd be like running a race against a guy in a sports car."

"I know, she's standing right behind you." ----- "The rules of a game are designed so that no side has an unfair advantage."

"No. At least I don't think so. I meant I hope she doesn't sneak up on us." ---- "You've nothing to be worried about. I just wouldnt' let you say you'd won if you'd used magic."

"Let's hope she's not vindictive here or anything." ----- "I wouldn't recommend that."

"Hopefully we can meet her then." ----- "But we both know I'd be the clear winner if it were," laughed Zamy.

"I suppose so. This place is all pretty impressive, but it still seems odd she's basically here by herself. I wonder if there's a version of Shadow and Rouge, or a even steam driven Omega here." ----- "Well it's not exactly a competition, so it doesn't matter too much."

"Suck up," thought Hope teasingly as her royal counterpart walked off. ----- "Better luck next time."

"Indeed. I shall leave you two for the time being." ----- Zamy just managed to hit the ball back.

"If only they were all as grateful." --- Zamy swatted the ball over.

"We spared no expense here. I have to impress diplomats after all. They tend to be more cooperative if they're waited on." --- "I'm glad I suggested this."

Hope stepped in as well. "It's certainly well furnished." ---- "Thanks!"

"I'm worried you're right," thought Hope, following ""Here we are, you can use these rooms for the time being." ---- "Thank you. I'm not out of shape at least."

"I can't disagree with that," thought Hope,   "If you'll follow me please," asked HRH Hope, setting off. ----- "Over there." Zamy swam over into the deeper section and knocked the ball into the air.

"Well not at people. just wooden targets," replied HRH Hope.   "Do you experiment much with the loadings?" asked Hope.   "Of course, that's half the fun." ----- "Not at all."

"Yes. They're a rather enjoyable way to pass the time as well. Not much else to do when nothing important happens either here or elsewhere." ----- "Good thinking."

"Many different kingdoms. They're all rather small. Occasionally a few band together and try to attack my land, but they always forget I have a lot of cannons and aren't afraid to use them." ---- "Will do."

"It certainly is." --- "I think our CD player will conveniently need fixing if that happens."

The princess walked up to a large map on a table. "You see everything in green? That's what I control. So that would be roughly 1/4 of the continent we're on. My predecessors were wary of imperial overstretch, a caution I inherited." ---- "I just hope she doesn't bring her's along."

"In time maybe." "Indeed. It works out rather well." ---- "Luckily I didn't bring any with me here."

"That's a fair point."   "It looks very sparse without anyone running around," commented the regal Hope. ----- "Well what she doesn't know won't hurt her I guess."

"Well you know what they say, there's always someone better than you. Who'd have thought they'd work for a version of me," teased Hope as she entered the court. ---- "As I suspected."

Hope followed after her counterpart. "You don't have many people around here." "No, I let them go home for a month. Nothing ever happens this time of year so it's cheaper this way. Rest assured, I have my full security detail though. The fact you can't see them should tell you how good they are." --- Zamy shuddered. "The less dancing the better."

Hope grimaced as she saw Melody curtsy. -- "I'm not sure beyond the obvious."