-DISCLAIMER-

Sonic the Hedgehog and all related characters/themes © SEGA and/or Sonic Team.

'The New Age Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog' © Kathryn Christine Starcrafter aka Lumorean Arts.

-THE RETURN OF METAL SONIC-

Chapter 1: The Sun Festival

Upon the expansively printed paper being shoved in his face the blue hedgehog read the intricately printed words:

The Sun Festival

Annual, city-wide event of Old-Soleanna honoring the Gods of Time.

Saturday Only, Everyone Welcome!

There will be food, fun, and prizes to be won!

Also enjoy the traditional Water Parade featuring the Sea-Shore Empire's princess, Elise Soliel!

"And, you're showing me this because?" a confused Sonic asked.

Tails tossed the article onto the desk at his side atop anciently dated mail and some old blueprints yet to be patented. "Just wondering if you'd like to go."

Sonic took a moment to flop backward onto an old, wooden chair against the far wall of their long since new HQ on Koko Island. It had been a while since either had visited the place and in itself the vast majority was in disarray. Sonic had always assumed his little buddy was keeping up the place. But, apparently since building his other workshops in the Mystic Ruins and the Sky Caves the yellow, two-tailed fox had had very little time to do so. In truth, the last time either had set foot on the floating island had been since the 'Metal Sonic' incident, long since passed.

Sad but true. Everything worked and apparently the Delivery Craft still dropped the young genius' post here. The majority of letters piling the grimy desktop were a good couple years old. Only the Flier gently crowning the mass had been dated two days prior. Sonic took a moment to think over the question while his friend began dusting off keyboards and sorting through old files-deciding if any were worth a second start.

"Isn't Soleanna near the water? It's part of the Sea-Shore Empire." Sonic cringed.

Tails took a deep breath and blew upon an ancient toolbox, his head being over taken by a cloud of gas-scented soot. Though sneezes and coughs he answered, "it's the capital of Sea-Shore." Tails took a few deep breaths to stop his sputtering before continuing. "Emperor Hector Soliel is the current leader until his daughter finds a husband. She's already of age, but the current law states the successor has to have a partner before ascending."

The hedgehog wasn't bothered by how Tails acquired this knowledge. He seemed to know every kind of law and political correction of all the Empires within the Land of Darkness. It wasn't a complaint, for sure, as the teen-aged fox's quick thinking had gotten them out of plenty of legal scraps during their world travels.

"If it has anything to do with water you should know the answer." Sonic flung both arms behind his quills, closing his eyes as if satisfied with that simple response.

Tails shrugged. "Just a thought, no big deal."

A silent hour went by safe for Tails' shuffling back and forth between dusting and rebooting old equipment. While the fox was physically in a cleaning fit, his partner was in a mental one. Soleanna... Soleanna... Soleanna... Something about Soleanna.

"Have we ever been to Soleanna?" Sonic eventually asked without lifting an eyelid.

Upon being asked his partner was toting a tower of cardboard boxes out into the noonday sun. With a clatter the armload was dropped to his side, sweat drizzling down his brow. "Ya know, instead of sitting there in dreamland you could help me."

Sonic slouched forward, an arm draped across each knee. "Alright, alright, just answer me."

Tails took a deep breath. "Well, I've been there myself, together no, you alone I highly doubt."

"Well, what's it look like?"

An idea sparked. "I'll tell you, if you help clean the place. This is technically your home too."

"Fine, ya got me." Sonic smirked with a playful chuckle.

Clean up lasted till evening twilight, as Solaris and Illumina both shared the sky equally. Plenty more boxes needed to be tossed out into the tropical sands surrounding the ancient, downed plane Tails had converted into a magnificent base. There was more dusting and washing before the two set to chopping off feral vines that had slowly overran the outer hull. All the while the knowledgeable fox spilt all he knew of the Sea-Shore Empire.

Soleanna was the capital of Sea-Shore, itself currently split into two halves. There was Old Soleanna -the original, nostalgic, city by the sea. Then there was its more recent counterpart of New Soleanna. Within Old Soleanna still sits the Soliel Manor from which all workings within Sea-Shore are carried out by the current ruling family.

There really wasn't much else to be said. Like the rest of Sea-Shore it lay by its namesake, the main export being fish and main travel being by boat. The people however, were more rustic and tuned into their ancient bloodlines. This could only be said for the more elder citizens while its youth felt more at home with the modern. As such, New Soleanna was built and with its ascension began the dwindling of long forgotten customs along with a widening gap between fathers and sons.

"What about this Emperor you mentioned?" Sonic asked while taking another swig of cola.

Both anthros sat outside amongst the star freckled sky and humid summer atmosphere. One of the relics they had uncovered from way-back-when included a patio set complete with a round, oak-wood table, an olive-green parasol and a few-mostly intact-chairs. And so, after a good days work they drug out two of the best seats and sat against the dusk with a few sandwiches and drinks to complete a meager dinner.

Tails swallowed a bite of his turkey on rye before speaking. "Hector Soliel is its current ruler while his daughter is in waiting. Like I said. The Empress Elise II, Hector's wife and Elise's mother, died years ago," he explained rather sullenly.

To this the hedgehog was silent. All his life Death seemed to follow like a tattered shadow. From family to friends, there were many he wished he could have prevented from a premature departure. A fact with little solace was that not only his life had been affected by this cancer.

So, the only thing he could think to ask was, "how did she die?"

It was now the fox's turn to claim a moment of silence. "She was killed during the Festival of the Sun." Each word seemed to drip from his mouth like tears. "Many believe she was the target of a paid assassin. I don't remember the whole affair in detail, I haven't read anything about it in, like, years. But, I think it had to do with some new laws that had been passed that not everyone agreed with. I'dun know."

There was another brief pause. Assassination. With that single word deep-seated memories bubbled to the surface of the hedgehog's current train of thought. How many years had it been? Since he had last seen Knothole? Since Sally was murdered? No matter the days, months, years, that moment would always be with him. Haunting him like the faint presence of a leach once clutched to the skin. Tails knew this, and seemingly the conversation had ended, Sonic's curiosity doused.

So to see his friend leap from his seat with the exclaim, "that settles it!" obviously generated a question.

"What's settled?"

"We're going to Soleanna." Sonic grinned, the mistakable aura of adventure beaming from his glance.

The night turned out to be perfection. Warm, but not humid, the sky was like a velvety cape in a blue-violet hue and embroidered with diamonds. Not a cloud could be seen to obscure the luminous moon who had decided to bloom in full. Grand, explosive sparks ignited the sky to form fanciful rainbows of snowy glitter.

Far below great hollers and cheers announced the approach of the royal family. Hundreds of citizens donned in festival garb began to cluster about the bridges and rails in euphoric anticipation. Across the shimmering waterways began the Parade of the Gondolas. Massive, silvery dance floors glided forward as if riding on the wind itself. Upon the front line first preformed the firebreathers, streaming forth billowing crimson ribbons above the crowd. Upon similar vessels came acrobats on tapered high-wires and ribbon-dancers of fanciful skill. There were jugglers and magic acts and even a vast, caged manticore-taming show.

But, the real show was only just about to begin. There came a brief pause before which came a marvelous, streamline watercraft coated an unfailing sterling. Out from its sides jutted thin paddles carved with wing-like rudders. Each long stroke dipped in and out of the murky depths while trailing a pathway of stars from each transcending ripple. As the transport inched forwards its deck split in two. The bow held a vast dance floor atop with twelve ballerinas garbed in sun-yellow leotards pranced in synchronicity to a miniature orchestra set near its opposite end. They twirled in circles and bowed back and forth, pirouettes and glissades and chassés all in perfect phase.

The second half, the raised stern, was were most eyes fell. Curved about the platform was a shapely wreath extending protective, feather-like tendrils about a cluster of undoubtedly important individuals. At the farthest end were four Priests of Solaris, three of which were cloaked in an earthen-brown. The forth appeared to be a hobbled old man in impressive robes of white, symbolizing status among his inferiors. Next there were three more. These lean men were adorned in ceremonial, ivory armor and golden, sphere-topped staffs. Then, lastly were portrayed the royal family, at this time consisting of only Emperor Hector Soliel and his daughter, Elise Soliel III.

The current Emperor was a man of high regard among those of Sea-Shore. Though old and aging, his wisdom in politics had yet to fail. He honored law and order beyond all else and though some of his Judgment could be considered harsh those who were close to him knew he was a loving individual at heart. His build was still strong and stable, angular features outlining omnipotent eyes of azure. Body-length robes of silk nearly obscured all curvature, while overly embellished golden trinkets dangled about neck and gnarly wrists as if weighted down. Even so, one remained raised about his head in acceptance of his people's praises.

To his left stood a vision of beauty to all who beheld her. Slender and leggy, her light skin gave a startling contrast to her fiery mane. Beneath those strands came forth breath-taking irises of sea-gray. Tightly hugging her frame was a knee-length gown of smooth taffeta. Her ornamentation was almost amusingly simple, for a princess. Very little in the way of jewelry or cosmetics.

A loving woman, her selflessness was told of even beyond the boundaries of her future obligation. She had little hand in dealing justice, however, many had learned that she was not so easily cast aside. She would give her life for her country, for anyone she deeply cared for. This sense of altruism had before placed her into situation of which she had not come out of unscathed. She was a princess, after all. But, she would hold strong to her heart even through the darkest nights.

Amongst the gathered citizens there came booming hoots and hollers as Elise rose her hand to greet the gathering. Standing against the crowd two anthros took notice to the parade as well. Since short in stature, they had positioned themselves on an overhanging rail attached to an archway of which only those of their kind could reach. Speaking of which, there was surprisingly few.

The first of the two was Tails, whose buttery-yellow fur had been dyed orange in the light. He glanced down to the apparently uneasy hedgehog who had in-fact decided on the trip. This anthro, a well known hero above, generally stayed out of the reach of anything thought of as wet. So here he had just a bit more freedom. Though, after witnessing just how much water actually existed inside the city, he was now having second thoughts.

"You gonna be okay, Sonic?" Tails snickered.

The cobalt-black hedgehog snarled, "shut it."

He currently hung over the rail by his stomach as if he were about to be sick. Truth be told he was actually quite relieved as it had only been a few moments ago that he had, once again, freed himself of an individual he often referred to as 'the Pink One.' She herself had already been in Soleanna preparing for the festival. Of course, once Amy found out her hero was here nothing could have stopped her from latching magnetically to his arm at every step.

Sonic did eventually perk up once his buddy announced:

"Hey look, here comes the royal family!"

The hedgehog lifted his quills from the cement walkway below them. At first his tired, emerald irises were caught on the frilly dancers aboard the deck. But as the ship moved forward his gaze shifted to the platform at its stern. Then, everything paused. Time just stopped.

With all thought to the wind -per usual- Sonic vaulted from the overhang and dropped to the bridge just below him. He knew his friend had been started by this sudden free-fall, but for some reason all sound seemed muted. As if every second counted in that fleeting moment the hedgehog did what he did best, ran. He weaved in and out of passing pedestrians, halting only once to again view the figure who had suddenly sent his emotions in a whirl. That girl. He could have sworn he knew her. Somewhere. Somehow.

Again he ran, faster than ever. With enough force Sonic shot from the solid stone structure and touched down only briefly on the bow of the advancing ship. In mere seconds he was past the now frazzled dancers and again took to the air. Only this time, there was nothing but a slim stretch of inches between his face and hers.

The rush of wind obviously caught the girl off guard and struck her cold. The force gently took one of the feathers from her circlet and carried it up into the cosmos. Eyes wide, Elise was enveloped in a sense of euphoria. Her heart had stopped, fingers to her lips as if reliving a sweet memory long buried under piles of duty. The only thing that forced her from this state was her father's burly palm weighted against her shoulder. Her startled face shot to his wizened, bearded one.

"Are you alright, Elise?" He questioned concernedly.

It took a moment or two for the fog overclouding her thoughts to process that simple request. "Oh, yes, I'm fine," she finally blurted.

Looking into her father's eyes told her that he did not believe her.

The culprit who had caused all of this had finally ended his impulses at the pinnacle of a nearby spire, overlooking the parade ever-still. Questions swirled through his mind as to why he had done such a thing. Just to see her face? How stupid! Then again, he had always given in to unreasonable desires. But, never had they been for someone of the opposite sex. Not for many years, at least. Just then, the feather that had been forced from her crown caught his eye and diverted his attention. Sonic smiled, watching the frail, downy object rise on invisible winds to the reflection of Illumina hovering far beyond reach. That woman meant something. And there was no way he was leaving this place till he found out what. Water, or no water!

-END OF CHAPTER-

Author's Notes:

Tails is fourteen years current to this fiction.

Solaris is the God of the Sun and Future Time. Illumina (who's name and character was indeed inspired by the old game Sonic Shuffle which never was converted for NAA) is the Goddess of the Moon and Past Time. They are both sister and brother as well as husband and wife.