Sir Swift (A Sonic the Hedgehog story)

Chapter 21 - Rainbow Lily

A familiar blue streak dashed across the grasslands, causing the flowers and grass to move rapidly from the wind created by the swordhog. With the discussion of how to confront Lee-ana's forces over, all the guests left to prepare their warriors for the upcoming assault. The sisters however were offered by Nimu a place to sleep for a couple days and food meant for nobles.

Swift had a random thought during this time, which involved his grandfather. It has been two years since he last saw him, and the M.A.-Sonic thought with everything going on it's time to pay the elderly Hedgehog a visit.

When Swift brought this up, Calasear declined the idea believing the Hedgehog should continue with his training for what's to come. But Swift wasn't backing down, and the two most-wanted criminals bickered non-stop. All of it quickly ended when Nimu intervened as she told Wise Steel he would bicker with Swift if he himself had the chance to see Leo. She also reminded him they wouldn't start the attack for another four weeks.

This being enough for the living sword to relent, the duo left for the white woodlands before Swift gave Nimu a hug. This caused the pink Spirit to smile quite brightly.

White Woodlands

When Swift reached the house he knew for his whole life, he stopped to reflect on the things he had experienced. From making friends like Tailsmith, Mari and Wnorash to clashing with the Knights of Order. He was excited to meet his grandfather after so long, grasping the handle of the door and turning it as he walked in.

"It's good to be home." He thought to himself as walked through the room. "Guess who's here to visit!" Swift called out, but there was no reply.

This was strange for the M.A.-Sonic as he knew his grandfather always answered when he came back from his daily runs in the forest. So he tried the kitchen first but the old Hedgehog wasn't there, then came his room, it looked clean but still no grandfather. Swift then came to the third and last room in the house.

"What's going on here? Grandpa didn't respond or come to see me, he always responds - wait... could Lee-ana's monsters have found-!?" The sight before the M.A.-Sonic instantly cut him off from his thoughts.

There, laying on the bed, covered in brown fury blankets was Ellimaf, still as a statue and as quiet as one too.

"Grandpa?"

The worried tone in Swift's voice caused the elderly Hedgehog to open his eyes, but only half-way. When Ellimaf saw his Grandson, a smile grazed his bushy features as he tiredly spoke. "Swift? Is that you, my child? Come a little closer."

The M.A.-Sonic did just that as he came closer to the elderly Hedgehog's right side. They then gripped each other's hands for a little while without speaking a word. The silence was soon broken once more by Ellimaf. "It's been two whole years since I last saw you, and look how much you've grown."

"You wouldn't believe the people I've met across Galotum, some of them even became my friends. Heck, two of the Knights of Order decided to help me de-throne Lee-ana."

"What!?-huff huff huff huff!!"

Ellimaf's sudden dumbfounded coughing of purple smoke surprised and worried Swift. The swordhog knew he wasn't a healer but he knew this wasn't a normal sickness. Good thing he had someone who may be able to lend him some insight.

"This is called Tardusmors, a sickness one can recognize by three things. First comes decreased hearing, second coughing up purple smoke and..." The living sword looked back at Ellimaf in his bed. "Need for more sleep, but that's not the strangest part." Calasear finished his explanation in hushed tones.