-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/Lumorean Arts.

-THE RETURN OF METAL SONIC-

Chapter 2: Dreams and Reality

The darkness... So cold... Unyielding... Loneliness stretching on into infinity was all that remained of her world. Within this space one could feel so helpless and scared, both of which had risen themselves often throughout the young princess' life.

Even so, there always came a faint shading of Hope. It came in the form of a golden light just beyond her reach. Soon after came the winds, filled with love and comfort to force the darkness' retreat. In this new world there was joy, embracing her and lifting her. The golden light and warming winds combined to form one single entity. It held her still, in more solid form, with such tender compassion all of the sorrows of the world shriveled away. Slowly glancing upwards she just had to see his face.

Then, when Elise was to learn the identity of her savior came a different light, the light of the world she knew was real. The dream had ended as abruptly as it always did, leaving the young woman in a sense of comforting euphoria. Those arms that had held her so tenderly seemed to linger like a spirit, their indentation remaining on her skin seconds more after his world had faded. It was like waking in a lover's embrace, and in a life were her body had been marked untouchable by politics its presence was a foreign concept. One she absolutely cherished.

All about her the air was draped in a damp, gray veil. Was it morn or had she awoken before Solaris? The petite princes lifted her limp body to the frigid air. Glancing to her balcony off to the side she could see the source of the depressed lighting. This morning really wasn't much different from any other particular morning. It might have been raining, yes, but this was the Capital of Water. Here it showered often, especially in the spring. Those who had lived all their life by the sea viewed the serene downpour as welcome. To them it was a symbol of renewal. To them a good day of rain meant their city was prosperous and healthy.

Elise sighed, fully relieving herself from the warmth of her queen-sized canopy bed. She reached up high and stretched her limber body before trotting across the icy tiles towards the glass doors separating her from the downpour. The sky fell in misty gray sheets, cleansing her home from the excitement of the night before. For a moment she smiled, taking hold of the silk curtains as the memory of her visitor from the festival returned. That face. Could they be the same?

For the moment she let the thought pass with the droplets splattering against the glass shielding. Today was to be a rather frigged day after the warmths of the festival. As such it would be best to dress accordingly. Perhaps a loose, white sweater and a pair of bell-bottom jeans. Some sneaker and a quick comb through her ember hair and she was good for the day.

Elise eagerly trotted down to the first floor and took to the left-most corridor of which lead to the dining room of Soliel Manor. Upon the ebony table was laid many fanciful bouquets of freshly picked flora and fruit, sending ones sight and smell into a tizzy. Thanks to the steady downpour, the windows along the eastern wall, facing the sea, were drawn shut with ivory curtains. Inside the room was draped in hues of gold from flickering, crystalline chandeliers and wall-soldered lamps.

She came forward to the lace draped table and plucked from one of the platinum bowl a ripe apple as red as blood. She took a bit, savoring its liquid sweetness before one of the handmaids came in from a side doorway.

She was an older woman dressed in a velvety robe of deep navy. "Good morning Miss Elise. Is there anything in particular you would like for breakfast?" she twittered.

The younger woman smiled warmly. "Anything is fine as always, though probably something warm would be great, thanks."

The elder woman bowed before disappearing once more, back into the kitchen where she had originally come. Afterwards Elise sat herself at the table, continuing to savor the luscious fruit she held in one hand. For a brief few moment she was content with herself. Bathed in the resonance of the rain upon the windowpanes and the euphoria of the dream that had once again returned to her in the night. She closed her eyes, holding her chin in one palm. She juggled the memory of the festival back and forth with the reoccurring vision of the wind. Both seemed so similar, so familiar, the individuals within acting almost as twins.

Her train of thought was shattered by the gruff words of her father as he pronounced. "Elise, good, you're up. I was hoping you wouldn't sleep in today."

Elise glanced up to the man as he approach from the doorway where she had come moments before.

She inquired dully, "and why is that?"

Elise didn't want to sound disrespectful to her father, but she had a bad feeling as to what he was implying. As of late there have been an astonishing increase of male visitors to the Manor. The reason for this? Well, that wasn't too hard to figure out. Everyone knew that it was high time that their princess -Elise, that is- find a boyfriend, a suitor. It wasn't that she was confined solemnly to the manor and not allowed to socialize with the outside world. Though at times she did in-fact feel like a captive dove in a cage too small for her wings. No, the truth was she was waiting. She just didn't know for who, but she was waiting. He would find her, or she would find him. Formality meant little to her at this point. All she wanted was this single individual that had taken her fancy long since she could remember. When she met him she would know, right then and there.

Even though she had told her father this time and again time he still came with a new gathering of spring rosters as though he just didn't seem to hear -or want to. All the men he presented came from other sections of Sea-Shore than its capital, Soleanna. And all were a pack of pampered nut-jobs. It was impossible for any of them to even fathom what life was like beyond gilded silverware, silk shirts, and imported wine. She hated wine. But still, every few months or so he came baring two or three stallions straight from the races in the hopes that one might take her fancy. No amount of wooing had yet to be even remotely successful.

"Because, my dear," her father began. "The young lord Brandon Jay from Landuc is coming in a few hours time to speak with you." He took a moment and sat next to his daughter. "But I don't think he will make it till much later because of this rain."

"Dad, you know what I'm going to say."

"And I beg of you not to. This is important, to me, to you, to all of Sea-Shore." Hector sighed. "Please just try to find some liking to this one. From what I've heard you and he have a lot in common and should get along well."

"No matter what, I'm still going to say it."

"Ah, but can you not be sure this is the 'one' you've been waiting so patiently for?" He tried.

"I'll know."

With that, Elise rose from her seat and passed into one of the entrances.

"And, where do you think you're going?" the Duke snapped.

"Just out somewhere."

"In the rain-"

"And without your breakfast?" a charming voice spoke through the raise in tension.

Both turned to the elderly maid standing in front of the kitchen door. In her shivering, wrinkled hands was a small platter of heavenly-scented buttermilk pancakes, syrup and jam, some strips of maple bacon, and a large glass of orange juice so cool it dewed the glass.

"That would not be wise," the woman added.

Though her mood was still drastically low, Elise forced a smile and tossed the apple's core she still held into a nearby bin. "Sorry, I'll come back for it later. I promise."

"Elise!" Her father demanded.

She didn't listen, instead setting a quickened pace for the Manor's entrance.

"Get back here immediately!" He slammed a burly fist into the table, jolting up from his seat. "I forbid you to go out today! Elise!"

But his tantrum fell on no one's ears but the maid who still stood with food in hand. "Do not strain yourself, Sir." She shuffled forwards and sat her burden upon a corner of the tabletop. "You should know her well enough now. She is at that age where true love is a fantasy achieved simply by following one's heart."

The Duke did not answer, instead gritting his teeth in agitation. This lowly maid had no idea how true that 'fantasy' really could be. That is, if he didn't stop it.

Elise hurriedly scooped up a thick, fleece-lined jacket and switched to a pair of boots rather than her sneakers. She wrapped about her neck a lime-green scarf which she had had since childhood. Her mother had given it to her, and though it was not thick or weather-proof, she cherished it almost as though a priceless necklace. It had an interesting tale, one that involved both her mother and father and how they met. In that sense she hoped its powers would work for her as well. Perhaps today would be the day. So after taking up an umbrella and greeting a baffled Michael -Commander of the Soleanna Guard- on the way through the gate the teenage girl exited the manor into the stormy winds of the capital.

"Are you sure you want to stay here?" Tails asked his blue friend while clutching a virid jacket to his chest. "I mean, the festival is over, it was only for the night. And it's probably going to rain the rest of the day."

Sonic grinned down at his concerned friend. "Don't worry about it. You know me, I'll get bored and run off to find brighter skies soon enough." The blue hedgehog chuckled and turned to face the source of the droplets dampening his quills. "I don't wanna leave just yet."

The golden-furred fox shrugged. "Alright then. Just remember that Amy's still here somewhere. Though even she wouldn't be out in this dismal weather."

Sonic again let out a laugh. "Yeah, she's probably all snug and warm in some fancy hotel."

"Of which I would rather be right now." Tails shivered as a brief gust slapped icy dew onto his cheeks.

And on that gust came one single word: "Sonic!"

Sonic's fur pricked in goosebumps that had nothing to do with the cold. He knew that voice and the individual that was sure to follow after.

"Whelp, that settles it then! See'ya, Tails!"

And with one great burst of speed a towering wave of rain-water burst forth from the cobbled road and collided harshly with the two-tailed fox standing idly by. Now officially drench, Tails shook himself and shivered with teeth chattering together like pieces of chalk.

"Hey, Tails! You look horrible! Have you seen Sonic? I could have sworn he was just here."

He glanced to his side, ears pasted against his scalp and frigid arms clamped to his chest. In his line of sight was a pink, female hedgehog decked out in a full length, duck-yellow rain suit with an umbrella, boots and hat to match. She beamed down at him, waiting anxiously for some kind of response.

Tails took a moment in thought, then grinned mischievously. "He was just with me, told me he was going to stop by one of the shops and pick you up something nice to say sorry for last night."

"What, really?" she swooned.

"Yeah," he grumbled, "he went that-a-way." Tails gave a brief nod in the direction which the blur had taken.

"Gee, thanks!" Amy pronounced, trotting like a giddy pony. "Oh, and here." She forced her umbrella into one of his paws. "I think you need this more than I do."

She left him then with one of her petite laughs fading into the distant gloom. He watched her for a few seconds, chasing after the unseen object of her affection. If this didn't get Sonic back for splashing him, nothing would. Though this sad play of events was getting ridiculous. Either Sonic would have to go out on a date with 'The Pink One' and find some kind of feelings for her, or just get it over with and tell her straight out that he didn't feel the same as she did. Either was just as unlikely. Tails had noticed that 'Love,' in the hedgehog's eyes, was a fickle thing that he had missed out on many years ago. Sonic no longer believed he could handle such an emotion again -not after Sally. Though Tails couldn't lie and say he didn't sympathize.

The drenched fox sighed and shivered once more. Propping Amy's umbrella against his shoulder, he headed off to find a nice hotel with perhaps a hot tub or at least a warm bath in which he could soak the chills away along with the day's grievances.

The princess Elise set her burgundy Falcon in one of the many public parks scattered about the city. Though she preferred to walk the distance from the manor in this weather it would have been suicide. So, she left her hovercraft and aimlessly wandered into the shops and stands that had been disbanded for a day or two more after the holiday. She didn't know where she was going or even what to do. Most likely all her friends were inside, safe and warm. While she was cold, and hungry, and -for lack of a better word- depressed.

Most likely it was her father's pestering, which had started once she had turned thirteen -could have even been younger for all she could remember. Why was he so adamant about finding her a husband? And why so early? She was only seventeen! Elise let the thought pass as she turned to face skyward. Through her clear, plastic umbrella the clouds appeared twisted in their gray-black gloom. Perfectly they reflected her mood. She halted her trek, hypnotized by the silverly droplets plunking and splattering just above her head before streaming down to collect about her feet. Elise sighed, there was no point in going out in this weather. Just to spite her father? No, that wouldn't work. He would just shrug it off and continue his endless search for her Perfect Suitor. Well, at least if she stayed away long enough she wouldn't have to meet the gathering waiting for her back home. That was the only thing that crept a smile to her chilled cheeks.

However, in an instant all thoughts were canceled as a force as swift as a cannonball collided with her abdomen. All breath left her lungs, umbrella flying free in the up-cast as her body toppled backwards along with whatever had struck her. Both figures yelped upon connection with both the other and the street turned canal. With a great splash Elise and her newly met acquaintance lay sprawled against one another on the soiled ground. It took a moment or two before either could register what had exactly happened. Even so, the smaller figure was the first to regain himself. The blue hedgehog lifted himself off of the woman, dashing away for a second to vault into the air and snatch the drifting object that had been flung from her hand.

In another moment he was at her side again. "Geez, sorry about that. Guess that's what I get for watching where I had come and not where I was going." Then, he chuckled.

That laugh! Elise, whose eyelids had remained fixed to one another, suddenly shot open. Silvery irises widened, viewing a white gloved paw which was being presented to her. She never spoke.

"Hey, you alright? I didn't hurt you did I?" Sonic asked concernedly.

Elise regained herself. "No, no." She shrugged, taking his offer and allowing him to help her to a stand. "It was probably partially my fault for zoning out and not really paying attention either."

The two shared a laugh before actually examining the other. They both knew who the other was, though they had never officially met face to face.

Sonic the Hedgehog, widely known hero.

Elise Soliel III, Heir to the Sea-Shore Empire.

So, would introductions be adequate?

Sonic withdrew his one paw, which had seemed to remain affixed to hers for that brief second of acknowledgment. "Oh, here."

He brought his other forward. Within its grasp clutched the ivory handle of the princess's umbrella.

"Thank you." She took it tentatively, allowing that third touch to last a slight bit longer.

Though unneeded, the hedgehog proclaimed, "the name's Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog"

The young woman nodded before giving a light bow. "I'm Elise. Pleased to meet you."

And again they touched to shake, paw to hand, in a warm greeting despite the abominable circumstances. They released one another as yet another icy breeze blew past. Sonic shivered in his fur, attempting in vain to make the weakness unseen. Elise noticed, and frowned. He had nothing save his fur to starve off the cold, while she remained bundled in expensive wares. To this she folded up her umbrella and placed it into her pocket, leaving both hands to grasp the cloth knotted to her neck.

"You must be cold," she softly said.

In typical fashion, Sonic shrugged off the statement. "Nah, I'm fine, really."

But, his words were cut short from a brush of warmth being encircled across his neck. His emerald eyes short open to view the woman who had crouched down to his level, merely an inch from his face, attaching her own garment to him.

"Here." She began kindly, her eyes fixed to it and not him, a hot blush on her cheeks. "It's not much, but, it's supposed to be good luck."

Sonic drew in a breath to contradict her. However, the words that followed were not his own.

"Ah-ha! I see you! Wait up!"

His spines prickled up again from both fear and annoyance. Why here? Why now? How did she find him? Damn it, Tails!

"Sorry, Elise," he stuttered, forcing himself unwillingly away from her grasp. "Gotta go!" The young woman stood herself. Watching him dash into the thickening fog, she saw his blue quills turn back to her with the words, "bye!" and a brief wave of a single gloved paw.

Though the acknowledgment was a simple one a feeling of contentment began to rise in her chest like steam from a boiling kettle of water being prepared for her tea. She couldn't help but smile from this, a petite hand raising in the air to see him on his way.

Of course, that feeling of euphoria quickly faded as another individual made her presence known. A pink hedgehog rushed past, hardly noticing the girl she had nearly swiped out of the way.

"Get back here!" She heard the anthro yell into the distance. "Why do you always have to play so hard to get?"

Elise remained where she stood, staring blankly into the distance where the two had been consumed in the drapery of gray. For reasons unbeknownst to her she frowned, the nip of the gloom rearing its ugly head once again. The rains had stopped but still all was deep and melancholy. Yet another forceful gust blew past sending a shiver down her spine and forcing her to clutched fiercely to her jacket.

Now, she just wanted to go home...

-END OF CHAPTER-

Author's Notes:

The scene with Sonic and Elise and the umbrella was inspired by a beautiful image done by the fantastic artist Orin. Sad to say, she no longer does much STH fanart -if any at all.