-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-

Prologue: We Will Be Together

The beast called to the distorted heavens...

I and my companion answered it with a cry of our own...

We attacked simultaneously, striking the crazed god with all our might...

I gave every bit of my heart, a new form of strength fueling me...

Love...

I understand it now...

A power that can heal all wounds with merely the warmth from a single kiss...

I will tell her, once Solaris is burning in the flames of its own destruction...

With this end may there be a new beginning...

The Sun God's fire once blazed with the souls of a thousand worlds. Now it had been snuffed like a supernova, so close one could almost touch it. There was blackness, Sonic watched as his partner Shadow was consumed by its unforeseen assault. The golden hedgehog's limbs relaxed as the elemental Chaos generated by the Miracle Gems drained from every pore. He expected to fall back to earth, to return to the others, to return to her. But no, the now cobalt furred hedgehog hovered in the blackness like an inverted star.

Another presence arrive in this warped space. Her presence. At first there was confusion. Why? Why was he still hovering in this nothing zone when Solaris had been befallen? Why was she here with him? That was when realization struck as though a lead ball had been inserted where his heart had been. There was only one true way to kill the Time God.

In the distance an orb appeared radiating light as pure as the dawn. It gave off droplets of energy that brushed the hedgehog's fur like the touch of a lover's hand. It forced away the shadows that had once obscured his sight. The two were the only ones that existed in this space.

Elise turned to him, hovering only a few feet from his side. In her eyes there was a look of innocent confusion. "Where are we? Did you defeated Solaris?"

Sonic's heart burned like a smoldering coal. Both turned to the ever enlarging sphere, its circumference threatening to engulf them.

He spoke as a single tear rolled down his cheek, invisible by the light. "Not yet."

An Elise of the tender age of seven stood beside her father in the Chamber of Flames. In the old Emperor's hands he held a golden lamp whose design spoke of the orient. At the center of the object a tender flame flickered gingerly as though content just by being held.

Soleanna's ruler spoke with a tender voice hollowed by age. " This is the infant Solaris, the Flame of Hope." The little fire swayed for a moment, knowing that he was being spoken of. "When he grows a little older he's going to be able to help us, Elise. He will teach us how to return to moments we regret. To rectify past sins and ultimately create a better future."

The little girl glanced at the dancing fire shyly, afraid to ask the undying question pecking at the back of her mind. "Will we be able to see mama?"

Her father's lips curved into a cracked smile. "Yes, my child, we will both be able to see her again." He spoke those words in an exerted breath as the relief of their meaning warmed his heart.

Elise smiled sweetly, watching her father return Solaris to his post upon the altar. When the Emperor withdrew his hands the infant flame stretched towards the retreating individual, crackling as if to ask him not to leave. Taking little heed to the god's request, Hector took his daughter by the hand and lead her away.

Only then did the two bystanders viewing the scene, a blue hedgehog and an older version of the girl, solidify at each side of the intricately carved pedestal. Solaris shivered, startled by the sudden appearances. Elise reached forward, her companion watching every move halfheartedly. At the God's sides did she grip the lamp and bring him to her chest. Solaris continued to shutter. Sonic saw within her watery eyes the reflection of the flame, wishing he did not have to forget.

"This was Solaris, when he was only a child," she began. "It's amazing how such a tiny thing could cause so much harm." Sonic remained silent, focusing on each word that issued from her lips. "This is the only true way to stop him, to prevent him from becoming the Flames of Disaster in the first place. But, if we put him out here, in the past, then the future that has already been created will not exist."

A pause, the air had become heavy with ill tension. Revelations were being formed within her mind at the finishing of each sentence. She understood what she had to do. She knew of its consequences. The only question that formed itself was: did she have the courage to do what was right?

"Our encounter will never have happened." She released a sharp breath, her body swaying unevenly to face him. "You and I will never meet."

Neither could ever imagine those words ever being spoken.

The lamp began to tremble as the Princess's fingers drained of will. "I-To tell the truth..."

Another pause. Everything was happening so fast!

"I don't care what happens to the world!"

Sonic's mind flashed back to all the times he had saved the world from certain destruction. It was nothing to him, just another crazed robot needing to be unplugged. But, there were some times, moments when he wished his personal decision would lay weight. Even so, he never listened to himself. He always did the right thing. No matter how much of a toll it had cost him.

This time was no different. There was no question as to what had to be done. In order for the present and future to be cured of Solaris' flames, the reason must be extinguished here, in the past. Who knew what kind of negative consequence it would cause. There were always two faces to a coin. Currently though, the weight of the now held precedent over all other choices. It had to be done, no matter how debilitating.

But, what could he possibly say to reassure her when he couldn't even reassure himself?

"Elise," Sonic whispered in an attempt to gain her attention.

Her silver, watery eyes turned to him, reflecting all the suffering her soul was churning in.

The hedgehog could think of nothing else to say other than, "just smile."

The effect was not what he had hoped for. Her eyes that had once lead streams of tears now curled in a searing glare.

"Is that all you can say, after all we've been through?" Her words were cracked, on the verge of screams. They bit into the hedgehog's soul like some feral animal. Elise was trying with all her might to hold back any unnecessary actions. But, she couldn't. With a harsh clatter the brass lamp hosting the infant Solaris was tossed to the floor with the outburst, "damn it, Sonic! I love you!"

Elise toppled to the frozen tiles on her knees, clutching her face in shivering palms. For a moment, Sonic was slow in registering her words. Yet there was no questioning what his ears had caught.

"Oh, Elise," he whispered only a pitch high enough for her to hear.

He drew close, heart racing while embracing the human girl in an act of solace. This was the first time he had ever come to her, and it felt... natural. Perhaps from all the times she had held him the action had become more of a reflex. It was an exchange of comfort and warmth and love that neither could resist when given by the other.

"I'm sorry, I never meant to make you cry."

The teenage royal continued to sob onto his soft pelt, silent safe her moans. The weight of all that had to be done had finally come crashing down in the most brutal of manners. It hurt, it really hurt to lose something so precious as a life. Though not in the sense of literal death. It was mental. Neither of them would ever remember this moment happening, any of their moments. What good would it be if the one they loved was alive when they knew nothing of his or her existence?

But, this moment did happen. All of their moments happened. Solaris' death couldn't possibly erase everything! It was Ivo who brought them together in the first place... looking for Solaris... No, there had to be some underlying factor that caused them to meet, and would reunite them in the end. There had to be something. Wait, there was something! It was part of the reason why he had went to Soleanna in the first place, dealing absolutely nothing in any part of Solaris' existence inside the human girl!

There was a faint whisper of hope in the hedgehog's voice. "Elise, look at me." He force her chin upwards, half-erect eyes rimmed with pink glanced at him spiritlessly. "I've never broken a promise to you before, have I?"

Elise waved her head halfheartedly in the form of agreement. No, her never did. He had promised to protect her, to always come when she was in danger. He promised to rescue her from every assault posed from the Doctor, to catch her every time she fell. None of these had ever been broken, so why would he do so now?

"Then, I'm going to make you another promise, one I'll always keep. I promise you, Elise, in the new present, and the future, we will be together. No matter what happens we will be together, forever."

"What?" It was then that her eyes widened in disbelief. "You..." Had he just admitted to sharing the same feelings?

Sonic nodded, one of his gallant grins softly appearing to lighten the mood. "Yeah, and it's not easy for someone like me to admit. I... care for you, a lot. At first, ya know, I didn't think it was possible, human and hedgehog." His viridian irises seemed to zone out for a second in thought to the whisper, "I understand now." He chuckled to himself, making his partner examine him strangely. He turned back once the thought had diluted, the euphoria of the moment causing him to blurt out, "I love you, Elise."

Again, her response was opposite. Her forehead returned to his shoulder, sobbing stronger than before. "But, what does it matter? Neither of us will remember any of this happening! It hurts, Sonic, it really hurts."

Both arms returned to comfort his distraught friend. "I've never broken a promise to you. I'm not going to start now."

"How?" Removing herself from him, the young princess locked eyes with him. Sonic could tell she wanted reassurance, but there there really wasn't much he could give.

So, he shrugged. "I don't know. I just need you to believe in me, like you did when Mephiles took my life. Can you do that again?"

He smiled, and to this Elise could do nothing but nod. Would she actually object to him now, after all that had happened? No, she could never do such a thing to him. The moment when that demon had taken him from this world sent her soul into turmoil. But, he had stayed near, and she had felt him watching her, believing that he would guide her to what had to be done. She would always believe in him, and trust in his judgment. If Sonic the Hedgehog believed they would be reunited, then she too believed.

"Yes," Elise sighed. "You'll find a way." She then gave the faintest of grins. "You're Sonic, after all."

The hedgehog that had remained holding her gave a chuckle, another grin softening his muzzle. There was now little preventing the two from their desires. It was he who came to her first, softly brushing his lips with hers. Elise answered his wish, coiling her arms about his quills and forcing herself to him. Sonic, in return, brought his paws to his lover's back. With one flex their bodies pressed into one, giving both warmness and passion to the other. In that moment the two had shared their first true kiss.

Now, while all this was being done the little flame that had been forgotten was laying across his side a distance away. From his view he had seen and heard all. Though fearful of the two at first, now he held sympathy for their plight. He wish there was no suffering in the world. That was why he had given himself to the aging Emperor in the first place. He had hoped with his powers, and the monarch's seemingly noble ambitions the two could make a better future. But now, hearing their story of what was to come, he knew there would be nothing but chaos.

So, what could he do? If what the girl had said was true he would have to be 'blown out.' Did that mean he had to die? The infant shuttered at the thought, causing some of the oil inside his lamp to leak upon the floor. Now, the liquid that which fueled him was no ordinary substance. Though he was a god, there still needed to be something to support him in reality. For this, the Emperor had made a chemical concoction similar to a physical form of energy. It dripped out in clear blots, coagulating together in the form of crystal sphere. This gave the little flame an idea. Perhaps, even in death he could still help these two at least.

Eventually, the lovers parted for breath, both giddy with the euphoria of the aftermath. But, that soon faded with the remembrance of what was to come. With forced effort Sonic pushed himself from the person who he so cherished, making his way to the dwindling flame that would seal their fates. With a shaking paw he reach down and gripped one of the lamp's sides, his fingers brushing against something foreign. He didn't remember anything being there before, nor did he take much notice to its presence anyway.

The hedgehog then returned to the girl still seated upon the frigid tiles, wiping away her tears. They both gripped each side of the object equally, digits intertwined like an unbreakable web. Before anything could be said or done, Sonic squeezed Elise's shivering hands. Her moonlight eyes were forced to look upon his loving face.

"Remember, I promised," he spoke in a low and comforting tone.

In response Elise allowed a soft grin to brighten her pale cheeks. She nodded. "I know."

His heart burnt. Her heart wept. But, there was still the task left to preform. One final deciding action that would determine both their fates, or mark their destines. Bending forward ever so slowly, one would believe they were returning for one last kiss. But, instead breath was expelled from both their lips, overtaking the diminutive light.

Solaris sputtered, the cavern flickering with his death. The world became blurred, the future resetting. With a poof the scene went black.

There was now only nothingness filled with the thoughts of resurrection, longing, hope, and reunion.

-END OF PROLOGUE-

Author's Notes:

Only Sonic and Shadow can use the Elemental Chaos generated by the Emeralds. They share the same soul basically. Silver was actually born in another dimension entirely and can not go 'Super' in NAA.

Sally was murdered in the (thus far) fourth fiction in the NAA Timeline.

Mobius (the planet of NAA) is broken up into two halves: the Lands of the Sky(the floating islands) and the Lands of Darkness(the planet's crust). The Lands of Darkness are divided into twelve Empires. Elise's family rules the Empire of Sea-Shore of which Soleanna is at the center.

Her family's last name 'Soliel' means 'Sun Angel' and was the product of combining Sol=Sun with the suffix el=Angel.

The scene where Sonic zones out is him recalling a talk he had with Shadow in another work of mine.