SNT Vs. Sonichu 3: Fractured Fantasy

Chapter 18: The Cave

The sounds of thunder rocked across the terrain at the base of the mountain. The shadows of rain were starting to appear and colder air was starting to become prevalent in the atmosphere.

The princess following the group started to cover herself as she was feeling the chills quivering through her feathers. Even though she was wearing a long sleeve shirt, she could still feel the air sneaking through the almost microscopic holes within.

Elise covered herself to use her own body heat for comfort. She thought she was about to see her own breath for a second.

"Feeling ok?" asked a voice. Elise looked beside her to see Rookie who was checking in on her.

"Oh... yeah... I'm just a little cold, that's all," she explained.

"Yeah, it's getting a little cold outside I guess," Rookie agreed.

Elise started rubbing her hands on her arms to try and create friction to warm herself up. The conversation with Rookie didn't last all that long. She decided to get to know him a little better. "So... Mr... Rookie?"

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry... I don't really like that name," Elise admitted. "Are you sure that is your real name? You are no Rookie. You are a proper wolf. Do you have other names I can call you??"

"Well, Rookie isn't my real name, but I prefer if you call me that," he responded.

"But you're no Rookie!" Elise corrected.

"I know that you think that, but personally I think my real name makes me look like a child. So just continue to call me that if you don't mind. Subaru already knows my real name and I am starting to regret telling her it. So please... just call me Rookie!"

Elise took a few seconds to think about it, but then just nodded in acceptance. "Alright."

The group of Mobians then arrived at another cave. The footprints lead them here from Pumpkin's garden. There was more cold air coming from inside that each of them was feeling the chills rolling down their spines.

"We... we... have to go in... there?" asked Elise. She never really saw the world all that much from the castle or her surroundings, so she wasn't used to this.

"It sure looks like that," SNT announced. "Well, there is no time to waste. Let's go in!"

"Oh... I just realized..." Elise announced. "I don't think there is really a need for me to be here, so I might as well turn around and head back to the palace and wait till you all catch the one who is responsible for this mess."

"Um... why can't you come with us?" Pumpkin asked.

"I would like to make sure that the village will still be in order and nothing goes wrong. I am the leader, as you all know," she responded.

Pumpkin sighed as she just batted an eye at the princess. "Listen, are you the type of person that likes to be locked in a tower forever waiting for your prince in shining armor to come?"

"Um..." Elise thought for a second. "I think that moment for me already came."

"Really?" Saki suddenly got interested. "Was he handsome?"

"No... it was Sonic."

"Ooooooh!" everyone except SNT said.

"It's always Sonic this and Sonic that!" Saki explained.

"Sonic is not that bad of a person. He is a little full of himself sometimes, but he is quite the hero," SNT explained.

"I guess that is a benefit. At least Sonic is always there. But where is he now? We all have been trapped here for years. Where is he when you need him?" Pumpkin asked. "Let me answer that. There is no hope, he never comes for me because I don't really matter."