Werewolf99: Hi, sorry I haven't been responding to you. The Ice Age characters will appear in Chapter 9, so you don't have to wait that long. Really glad that you find this interesting!

Chapter 7: Unfortunate Escape

The rest of the journey seemed okay, but there were still the occasional fights with the monsters and birds that lurked around. I was now much better shape, thanks to Elise's assistance earlier. I soon decided to tell her about my condition, my lack of friends and how Sonic had helped me by doing what he did best through my life. She was deeply moved by what I told her and shockingly, understood and accepted me, unlike all of the kids back at my school.

Hey, maybe I might get an actual friend after all...

Before that, Elise told me about her life of duty and sacrifice. She mentioned the things she had to do at the castle, give out orders, check on her citizens... My friend didn't really get the chance to do what she wanted, a chance to be free.

And that was when Sonic came in. One certain night during the Festival of the Sun. During so, the princess had travelled all across her kingdom with my idol, despite getting kidnapped by Eggman so many times. Then came the events of the Last Story. As soon as my friend mentioned Mephiles, I tell ya, I almost tensed up and nearly said: "Don't mention that name."

Having played 06, I hated the villain with a burning passion. When he struck Sonic and killed him, I literally jumped out of my seat and screamed. I was only seven years old when the game came out so, it was pretty horrible for me.

But hey, at least there was a happy ending.

We came into a quiet area where no enemies were in view, and decided to take a quick break. I placed my hands on my hips, trying to think things over whilst Elise seated herself neatly on a nearby box with a blue and white star almost covering the whole thing. There was only a small moment of silence before the princess spoke up, apparently having a thought lingering on her mind.

"I hope my citizens are okay..." She murmured, so quiet that I nearly couldn't catch her sentence.

This made me instantly alert. "I'm sure they're fine."

Hopefully...

However, I couldn't stop worrying about my mother. I didn't know what was happening with her right now, and whatever Walter was doing to her right now, it certainly sent chills crawling down my spine. As soon as we got out, I would resume the tour and afterwards, say farewell. I didn't mind talking to new people, but I had a quest that I needed to focus on.

Elise saw this and even though she looked saddened, she nodded. "You don't have resume the tour, if you don't want to."

As soon as I heard those words, I gave her a look of shock. "No, I don't mind seeing the rest of your kingdom, it's just that..."

There was a pause. I didn't know how to finish my sentence, since I got so caught up with my worrying. "There's something that I really have to do."

"I understand. I know you might not want to talk about it, but maybe I can help..." The queen replied.

Bingo!

I smiled. "Thanks, that would be great."

Just afterwards, there was another pause. I began thinking about what the Herd were doing and what would happen if they turned out to be real as well. I then made up my mind and decided to reveal why I was here. "Um, I have to..."

Elise lifted her head up in a flash, suddenly alert. "Yes?"

Damn, how do I phrase this right?!

"I'm...looking for someone. My mother..." Were the words that I eventually managed to get out. "She...she went missing all of a sudden, whilst I was coming home from school."

I began pacing around, trying to keep myself from having another panic attack. Whenever I had been overcome by a form of anxiety, I would end up suffering from these attacks if I didn't manage to calm myself down.

Feel free to blame my habit of worrying too much for that.

"This guy...I don't know who he is, but his name is Walter. He's taken my mum somewhere and I'm here to find them." I continued, shaking my head and squeezing my eyes shut for a brief second.

Just then, I felt two hands grab my shoulders and spin me round, so that I found myself staring right into the eyes of a concerned Elise. "H-Hey!"

M-E

Words cannot describe how massive the wave of sympathy was, when I heard that revelation come out of an innocent teenage girl.

I remembered how I lost both of my parents when I was a child, and I couldn't bear to think that the worst would come for Megan and her mother.

"Elise?"

There has to be something I can do to help...

I looked my young friend right in the eye, keeping a firm, but gentle grip on her shoulders. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry that this happened to you. Wherever you're going next, I'm coming with you."

"B-But don't you have a kingdom to look after?!" Megan asked, clearly confused as to what I was implying.

I tightened my grip. "No buts. You're only a young girl and you're out here, on a dangerous quest, by yourself. You should at least have someone looking after you, making sure that you're safe."

"The only person looking after me right now, is you." My friend replied.

Oh...

Hearing this, there was a moment of silence before I ended up doing the unexpected; I pulled Megan into my arms and hugged her tightly. Normally, I wouldn't have done this, but I felt so bad for her. I knew she would say something along the lines of "H-Hey we barely know each other!" or "What are you doing?!".

But she didn't do any of that.

The young girl wrapped her arms around my waist, returning the gesture and gave out a heavy sigh. "I don't know what to do..."

"I'm sure we'll think of something, don't worry..." I said, reassuringly.

We stayed like that for a longer, not saying a word. Eventually, I pulled away and then came up with an idea. "I'm just going to take a look around for some supplies. Are you okay here?"

Megan nodded, but didn't say anything. I smiled bravely and turned round, walking to the nearest exit out of the area we were in. Before that, I looked back at her to give four comforting words.

Which I didn't know, would be my last. "I'll be right back..."

"Okay..."

E-M

(Several minutes later...)

Elise said that she would be right back, and it feels like that it had been five years since she disappeared. I had began twirling my pistol in my hand, and tapping my foot with a hint of impatience. "Man, where are you?!"

Heh, I'm becoming like Sonic when he got impatient...

Suddenly, I heard a terrified scream. Followed by a familiar laugh. Oh no...!

Clutching my pistol tightly, I began sprinting towards the location where Elise supposedly went. Breathing heavily, I prayed to the gods that my friend was okay. "Elise!" I screamed as I ran. Darting past corners and weaving my way through the dark alleys, a feeling of dread overwhelmed me as I raised my pistol, prepared to burst in and save my friend.

Come on, come on, come on! You got to save her Megan, you f*cking got to!

But as I ran past one last corner, I froze in my tracks. My eyes widened with horror as I stared at the sight before me. NO!

Elise...

My first proper friend...

Was dead...

It was a sight that would forever scar me. I slowly walked over and knelt down. I felt so overwhelmed; I was too late. Reaching over, I gently closed her eyelids and gingerly picked her knife. The same one I had given her as a weapon. "I'm so sorry..."

I remained there for a while longer, before lifting myself up. I decided that I would keep her knife as a memory. Placing both of the weapons back in my backpack, I looked up at the cool blue skies for anything that would soothe my guilt.

I hope you rest in peace, Elise...