Sonic the Hedgehog © Sega/Archie Comics
Planet Mobius in the year 3437 is a miserable place. with the worse example being Onyx City.
the people live in constant fear of the tyrannical regime that watches and rules over them.
Freedom in all It's forms in naught but a fantasy, with severe punishments dealt over the most minor of offenses.
This is NOT the Mobius that heroes like Sonic the Hedgehog fought and died for.
this dystopic world should NOT exist.
and, It WON'T, so long as a desperate few have anything to say about it.
[Prof. Von Schlemmer's Laboratory]
within an underground laboratory, a human man with light turquoise skin and bright orange hair was glued to a computer screen, going over hundreds of bytes of data.
and, he was just *mildly* frustrated at the results he was getting.
in the far side of the lab, was a male mobian hedgehog with pearl white fur who was apparently moving extremely large metal crates using telekinesis.
"Is this where you want them to go, Professor?!" called Silver.
"Hmm? o-oh, Yez. vight d'ere will do, mein friend." said Von Schlemmer, who spoke in a distinctive "Eurish" accent.
Silver gently laid the crates down, then approached his professor friend. "What are you working on?"
the blue skinned man returned to the computer screen. "Just going over zome data. azzezzing da' zituation."
Silver looked interested. "and?"
Von Schlemmer exhaled softly. "I won't know v'or zure until our "ally" returnz with her report."
As if on cue, the sliding door opened..and, in walked what appeared to be an Onyx City Council Member.
BUT, upon seeing the four dotted face mask, the Silver and Von Schlemmer calmed down.
"Welcome back, Fraulein." began Von Schlemmer. "and, vhat newz have you to report?"
the figure removed her mask and cloak..revealing herself to be a female mobian tenrec with golden fur, and a strange making upon her forehead.
she bore a solemn expression on her face. "their gone..their ALL gone." said Gold, her eyes staring off in absolute shock.
"What!?" exclaimed Silver.
"The rebels in the narrows region of the city." continued Gold, still shaken at what she saw recently. "I..I couldn't help them. I could only WATCH, when-"
Gold fell to her knees and began to weep. Silver rushed over to his fellow psychic, and tried to comfort her.
"I can still hear their psychic screams.." muttered Gold, holding her head as if she had a migraine. "so..much. PAIN." sobbed Gold.
as Silver stroked Gold's quills affectionately, Von Schlemmer rubbed the bridge of his nose stressfully. "mein gott.."
"It's over." said Gold, her voice monotoned. "those people were our Last, BEST hope for a Free and Equal world."
Von Schlemmer scowled darkly. "nein. zhey were NOT our "last" hope. vey ztill have one FINAL rezort."
Both Silver and Gold looked at Von Schlemmer. "what do you mean, Professor?"
Von Schlemmer didn't answer. he merely walked over to an old piano.
he then tapped certain keys in sequence..which made a wall open up, revealing a hidden door.
"v'ollow me, mein friendz." said Von Schlemmer, as he entered the secret doorway.
Silver and Gold looked at each other. Then, they finally stood up and followed the overlander scientist.
the three walked down a curved staircase in silence..until they finally reached a large, metal door.
"wait here." said Von Schlemmer, as he approached the giant door.
an orb began to glow, and shot a beam of light that slowly began to scan Von Schlemmer's body and facial features.
"IDENTITY CONFIRMED." said the computer voice. "DISABLING COUNTER-MEASURES."
with a low rumble, and loud hiss, the doors slowly began to open.
a glance from Von Schlemmer told the mobian psychics to follow him into the chamber.
inside..they nearly lost their breath upon seeing the mammoth size machine that lay inside.
and, at the center was a large platform that bore Von Schlemmer's family crest upon it.
"what..IS this thing?!" said Silver, awestruck.
Gold's blue eyes briefly flash gold and yellow..she then gasped. "a t-time machine. (looks to Von Schlemmer) you built a TIME MACHINE?!"
Von Schlemmer smiled. "juzt an old pet project that I have had since I waz a boy (stared darkly) an, It iz our abzolute final hope"
Von Schlemmer wiped his hand over the hardware of his invention. "In da' event dat' vee ever failed to defeat, an' overthrow the corrupt counzil..mein plan waz to use mein time machine to travel to zee distant past, an' STOP zee Onyx Regime from ever exzisting."
Gold widened her eyes at this. "and..undo everything that the council has done."
Von Schlemmer nodded. "ev'ry death..ev'ry loss. it will be az if It never happened."
Silver looked at the professor. "Why didn't you use this thing from the start?!"
"It wazn't ready." began Von Schlemmer. "an' bezides..zis machine takes ALOT of power to use, AND I alzo wanted to give zee rebelion a chance to bring peace HERE, in zee present."
Von Schlemmer then sighed. "but, az zee rebellion now only conzists of the THREE of us..I have no choice but to rezort to zhis dezperate plan under de' mozt DIRE of zircumztanzez."
Silver looked at Von Schlemmer. "You know how the regime first started, professor?"
Von Schlemmer exhaled sharply as he rubbed his temples. "I wish I did, mein friend. but dezpite de' assiztance of our good friend, Gold, de' spezifics on when an' how our enemies came to be remainz a myztery to us."
Gold looked down sadly. "I am sorry. I wish I could have done more, but the council, they-"
"It's okay, Gold." said Silver. "you did your best."
Gold's sorrowful expression didn't change. ("no, I didn't.") thought Gold.
Silver looked at Gold again. "YES, you DID."
Gold widened her eyes, blushing. ("crap. I projected my thoughts again, didn't I?")
"yep." said Silver, still hearing Gold's telepathic voice in his head.
("dammit, Gold!, It's a wonder you haven't gotten us all caught yet!")
as Gold continued to mentally scold herself, Silver turned back to Von Schlemmer. "So, what HAVE you uncovered, Professor?"
"Only zhat de' very best opportunity for us lies during Planet Mobiuz golden age. Exactly 200 yearz ago." replied Von Schlemmer.
"Two-Hundred Years? Wait..that's when Sonic the Hedgehog, and his Freedom Fighters were alive." said Silver.
"Yez. zhey were at war with Doctor Eggman, BUT at least de' planet was ztill free. (looks at Silver) an, I at least know for a fact that ze' regime DIDN'T exist during zhat time."
Silver eyed his good friend. "So..we just go into the distant past, with no idea When or How the Regime first formed, and try and find SOME way to stop them?!"
"Nobody zaid zhis would be eazy. mein friend. BUT, It's zee only option we have left..other zhan lay down, an' die."
Gold thought long and hard over this. "Assuming we DO succeed, and change alter history..what will happen to us? won't WE disappear from existance?!"
"Normally, Yez. but, mein machine has an unuzual zide-effect." began Von Schlemmer.
"De' zame temporal energies zhat will tranzport you will ALZO infuze your bodies with a permanant energy field zhat will shield you from any shifts in ze' timestream."
Silver looked confused. "huh?"
Von Schlemmer chuckled lightly. "It means, mein friend, you vill exizt outzide of time. zo, even if you were to prevent your own birth, you von't disappear, and vill remain unchanged."
"meaning if we DO succeed, and change the past..we will be the only ones who will remember to awful world." said Gold, figuring It out.
"Yez." said Von Schlemmer.
Gold stood in silence, her mind racing.
"You said your time machine take alot of energy to use.." began Silver. "How much, exactly?"
"Too much, mein friend." replied Von Schlemmer. "Vee will have to use ALL we have left."
Silver exhaled sharply. "well..after today, I guess we won't need to save It for anything."
"Yez, but as zoon az we zart de' machine, our enemies will detect us..meaning vee will have a limited time to use the machine before zhis place is raided."
Von Schlemmer then sighed sadly. "It alzo means ONE of uz vill have to stay behind, an' DESTROY the machine to prevent zhem from vollowing."
Silver widened his eyes in shock. "w-Wait, you don't mean-"
"Mein journey haz come to an end, Zilver." began Von Schlemmer, solemnly. "From here on out..all hope lies vith You, an' Gold."
Silver ran up to the scientist. "b-But, Professor! YOU CAN'T!"
Von Schlemmer looked down sadly, a tear in his eye. "I am zorry, mein friend. But zhis is bigger than any one of uz. vor de' future of Ev'ryone..vor all zhoze vee have lost. I musy make zhis zacrifice."
Gold teared up upon hearing the professor's words. Silver sighed sharply, not liking this at all.
"so..I'll just have to leave you to die?" said Silver, close to tears.
"If you Zucceed in your mission, Zilver..we will ALL ztill be alive in a world worth living in."
"but, we won't know each other. You said It yourself, only I would remember you."
Von Schlemmer knelt down, and looked into Silver's golden eyes. "yez. only YOU vill remember our forgotten friendship..but, vee vill ztill be friends. Given time, vee will be friends again."
"assuming I can figure out how to get back, that is." said Silver.
"I trust you vill find a way, mein friend."
Von Schlemmer rose up, and walked over to a console. "I vill begin diverting all power to the Chronal Sphere-"
"WAIT!"
Silver and Von Schlemmer looked to Gold. "wait..we c-can't leave yet. th-There is something at my house. s-Something that I need to take with me."
"Zhat is too risky, Gold. zee Regime's Civil Protection Robots may catch you-"
"I CAN'T LEAVE WITHOUT IT!" exclaimed Gold, frantic.
"Gold, CALM DOWN!" said Silver, as he gripped Gold's hand, and looked into her eyes. "Whatever It is that you're worried about, It won't matter after-"
"You don't understand, Silver. I *CAN'T* leave this behind to disappear..i can't."
Von Schlemmer looked at Gold. "Exactly vhat IS this thing that you can't leave behind?"
Gold looked up at the professor. "my most *precious* treasure."
Von Schlemmer stared at the Tenrec for a good long while..then, finally sighed softly. "go get vhat you need, and get back here quickly. ze' zooner you both leave, ze' better." Von Schlemmer looked to Silver. "Zilver, go with Gold, an' protect her."
Silver nodded, then followed Gold as she ran out of the chamber.
Von Schlemmer then returned to his console, and perform some diagnostics while he waited for his good friends to return.
[Somewhere in Onyx City]
Silver and Gold ran through the now empty city streets, trying to make their way to Gold's house undetected.
(("ATTENTION, CITIZENS OF ONYX CITY.")) began a computerized voice over various PA's. (("CITYWIDE BLACKOUT IS IN EFFECT. ANY CITIZENS CAUGHT BREAKING CURFEW WILL FACE EXTREME PUNISHMENT."))
as Gold began to rush forward, Silver stopped her, and kept them both against the wall of a building as an armored tank and some C.P.R. passed them by.
as Silver watched a patrol pass, he spoke softly: "I sure hope this is all worth It."
"It *IS*..trust me." said Gold, with an odd sternness in her voice.
Silver took Gold's hand, and the two continued on through the cold streets.
the two eventually reached what looked like a large estate of some kind.
Silver paused to whistle, in awe at the house that he'd never seen before.
"wow. I never pegged you for being "upper class", Gold."
Gold shrugged. "My place among the city council granted me certain perks. Frankly, none of them was worth the atrocities that I let them do."
Gold marched over, and kicked the iron gates open.
"WHOA!, now."
"After today, THIS won't be my home anymore." began Gold. "No point in being "gentle."
Silver followed Gold into the estate grounds, Gold then busted the front doors down, and entered the building.
inside, Silver paused to marvel at all the many expensive items that adorned the main lobby.
"so..which one of these is-"
"NONE of them. what I treasure most..I kept well hidden." said Gold, as she marched down the main hall.
Silver followed Gold, staying close to her as she entered a parlor.
she walked over to the mantle of a fireplace, grabbed a fixture..and, began to turn It in a certain way.
with a low rumble, the fireplace rotated around..revealing a secret passage.
as Gold entered the dimly lit, curved stairway, Silver stayed close behind.
he didn't say a word, though he REALLY wanted to know what secret GOLD was hiding like Von Schlemmer did.
the two soon reached the end, and found themselves in a small room of cold stone.
at the center of the room was a lone orb-shaped pod sitting atop a pedestal.
Gold slowly approached the pod..and, gently drew her hand over it's smooth surface.
"gold..what-"
"shh..just watch."
Gold pressed a button on the pod. and, with a beep, the pod hissed loudly as it opened up.
Silver looked inside..and, found a baby sleeping within.
the infant was human, male. and, had the same light turquoise skin and bright orange hair as Von Schlemmer.
(apparently, this child was of the same race as his friend.)
as the baby began to awake, Gold cooed softly at him.
"shhh..it's okay, baby. momma's here, now." whispered Gold, as she picked the baby up, and held him close.
Silver approached Gold, puzzled at this. "Gold..I think I deserve an explanation."
Gold looked at her "son', then back at Silver. "yes..I suppose I do."
Gold gently stroked the baby's hair as she spoke softly.
"very few people know how the rebellion against the regime began..but, I do.
It began with Axel and Nova. an overlander couple who were social activists that spoke out against the city council's oppressive authority."
a tear formed in Gold's eyes as she recalled the couple. "HE ran a hospital. a free clinic, and SHE was a teacher at an orphanage.
they spoke of freedom. Equality among the masses. a world where the people could choose their own destiny, and NOT have their fate's decided for them."
"they sound like Freedom Fighter..like Sonic and Princess Sally were." said Silver.
Gold nodded.
"yes..they were. and many believed in what they preached.
but, the council didn't wish to relinquish control over the citizenry.
so, they..d-denounced them as terrorists. and, by unanimous vote, had them publically executed in the town square."
Silver looked at Gold. "Unanimous vote?"
Gold shut her eyes tight as tears fell down her cheek. "I was a coward. I didn't want them to die..but, I was afraid of what the council might do to me if I voted in their favor.
and, so..to my eternal shame and regret. I lied, and condemned them to death as well."
Gold began to cry as a memory resurfaced. her telepathy then activated, and Silver's eyes glowed gold as Gold's memory was projected into his mind.
***Flashback***
"Have you come to gloat, now?" said Axel.
"because if you HAVE.." began Nova. "then you can just go to-"
"I didn't want this to happen." said Gold, solemnly
the jailed couple stared at the council member as she removed her mask, revealing her tear stained face to them. "I don't want you to die. You don't deserve this."
Nova eyed the Tenrec. "then, WHY did you vote-"
"I may be on the council, but I am no overlord..I am as much a "slave" as next citizen." explained Gold. "You don't know what they would have done to me if I went against them."
the pair finally looked at their "captor" with compassion, instead of disdain.
"oh, you poor, poor girl." said Nova.
Gold walked closer to the energy barrier dividing her from the prisoners. "It's not too late, I can still save you."
"How?" asked Axel.
"I can take an EMP Grenade from the armory. use It to shut down power, and open the jail cells. You can escape!"
"along with every other prisoner locked up with us." said Nova.
"and, there are SOME who actually *do* deserve to be here." added Axel.
"But-!"
"Miss. I know you mean well, but we can't accept this." began Axel. "such an escape attempt would endanger too many lives. and, we will NOT betray our just cause just to save ourselves."
"and, besides: We are Freedom Fighters, NOT Terrorists." said Nova. "we would rather die as innocents, than flee like guilty criminals."
Gold was shocked and puzzled at this. "but..But, you've done no wrong. You SHOULDN'T have to die!"
"That we agree." said Axel. "but, your council believes that by executing us, they will silence our voices, and preserve the hold that they have over the citizens."
"But, what they don't realize is that our unjustified deaths will only spread the fires of freedom, not snuff it out like a dim flame." said Nova.
Gold looked at the two with glossy wet eyes.
"We shall face our ends with our heads held high. confident freedom WILL prevail beyond our lifetime."
Gold looked away, sadly. "how can you be so brave in the face of death?! how can you be so..so FEARLESS!?"
"Courage isn't about being fearless..but, standing up to danger DESPITE one's fears." said Axel.
"we ARE afraid..but, not for ourselves." began Nova. "We are afraid for the people living in fear..and, we are prepared to die for them."
Gold looked at Axel and Nova. "If only I had your courage..Isn't there ANYTHING I can do for you?!"
Nova looked at her husband..then, smiled as she knelt down to Gold's level.
"what is your name. councilwoman?" asked Nova, softly.
"Gold."
"well, GOLD. as you must know, our personal belongings will be auctioned off following our executions.
before that happens, we want you to go to our home, and take something of ours that MUSTN'T fall into the council's hands."
"what is it?"
"there is a POD, and orb shaped pod. Inside lies that which me, and my husband cherish the most.
Take It. hide It away, keep It safe. Do this for us..and, all will be forgiven."
Gold stared into the woman's eyes. "what is in the pod?"
Nova smiled. "It's best if you see for yourself. You will understand."
Gold looked down. she exhaled sharply, then looked at them again. "o-Okay. I'll get the item TONIGHT. I promise."
Nova smiled at the Tenrec. "thank you, gold. Your heart truly does live up to your name."
Gold looked away, feeling even more regret and shame.
***End of Flashback***
"When I was able to get away, I snuck to their house late at night." continued Gold.
"I found the pod that they told me about, and took it back to my house..
when I opened It..I found a tiny baby inside. I weeped, understanding at last WHY they were fighting so passionately against the Regime.
and, that very soon..that sweet, innocent child would be an orphan."
Gold looked at the baby..and, cried as she held him closer.
Silver frowned, feeling bad for his friend..AND, the baby that she held in her arms.
"t-the following day..I had to observe their execution with the rest of the council." continued Gold.
"It was torture. I watched as those good people were led to the gallows.
It took all my will to resist breaking out in tears as they placed those horrible ropes around their necks.
then..wh-when they gave the signal, and released the trapdoor. I shut my eyes. I couldn't bear to watch them drop.
but, I still heard their psychic screams as their lives ended."
Gold clutched the baby as tears streamed down her cheeks like a waterfall.
"a-Axel's neck broke, so he died instantly. his wife wasn't so lucky.
Nova strangled, fought for what felt like an hour. but, she too eventually joined her husband in death.
I was silent through the whole thing, but inside I was screaming.
Two good people died, leaving behind an innocent child..and, I just stood there, and did NOTHING!"
"gold..It wasn't your fau-"
"YES, IT WAS!" shouted Gold, hysterical. "IT *WAS* My fault! I could have saved them, but I didn't!
I was too scared. and, BECAUSE of my cowardice, this..this sweet little boy will NEVER know his real parents!"
as Gold cried, the baby finally awoke fully and touched Gold's muzzle with his tiny hand.
Gold looked into his tiny blue eyes..and, shed even more tears as he looked at her innocently.
Gold then smiled weakly as she touched his tiny hand, gently squeezing it.
"I tried to do the right thing, and leave him in an orphanage. somewhere where he could have a better life.
but, after the deaths of his parents, I realized that he would NEVER have a "better life"..not so long as the regime remained in power."
Gold's eyes then welled up in tears again. "and, besides..I felt that I owed his parents something. So, against my better judgement: I kept him, raised him in secret.
and, in time..I grew to love him as if he were my own child."
Gold then held the baby close as she gently rocked him back-and-forth.
Silver finally smiled, finding this "motherly" side to Gold to be adorable.
"does he have a name?"
Gold shook her head. "no. I haven't brought myself to even THINK of a name for him."
"Well, I guess that is understandable. we've all been busy dodging the regime." said Silver. "I'm just amazed you've managed to hide him from the council all this time!"
"I have had some close calls..but, Yes: I have protected him." said Gold.
Silver looked at Gold. "so, WHY didn't you tell me, or the Professor about this?"
Gold stared off, a solemn look on her face. "It's *MY* burden to bear."
"It shouldn't have to be, Gold." said Silver. "raising a child should NEVER have to be a "solo mission."
"I know.." began Gold, sadly. "but who could I find, or even TRUST, to be this sweet child's father?!"
Silver looked at the baby in Gold's arms..who then began to look right back at him.
his soft, sky blue eyes just melted the Hedgehog's heart. and, he at last spoke: "I could."
Gold looked at Silver with wide eyes. "wa-what?!"
Silver blushed, feeling embarrassed. "i-I'm sorry I never said this before, but..I've always liked you, Gold.
I never knew my parents, and have felt alone through all my life.
but, I've always felt that you understood me. you know what It's like to be so..different."
Gold smiled as she faced the hedgehog. "I won't lie. I've also felt a kinship with you, too."
Silver smiled weakly, feeling a bit more comfortable now.
"well..after awhile, I've came to "LIKE you, like you." I mean..you're so beautiful. and..so kindhearted."
Gold smiled at Silver. "you also have a kind heart, Silver. Always thinking of others, and NEVER of yourself. I've always admired that about you."
Gold then approached Silver, her eyes fluttering a bit. "so, you..really love me?"
Silver blushed bright red, but smiled anyway. "given your powers, I always thought you already knew."
"Surprisingly I didn't." said Gold. "I mean..I knew you felt "something" about me, but you are a remarkably difficult man to read."
Silver chuckled lightly. "well..I do, Gold. we've been alone all our lives..I think It's time we were "alone TOGETHER."
Gold smiled at Silver. "you know..now that I think about. I think you WOULD make a good father. and, you ARE kinda cute..in a "dorky" sort of way."
the two mobians moved closer. their eyes half lidded, they slowly moved their muzzles closer, and closer..until.
CHA-CHIK!
(("HALT!"))
Gold and Silver gasped as the room suddenly filled with C.P.R., aiming their flashlight guns straight at them.
(("YOU ARE ALL UNDER ARREST FOR TREASON!"))
"Oh, no!" exclaimed Gold, frightened.
"oh, YES, "Councilwoman." began a male voice. Silver and Gold looked, and saw one of the Onyx City Council members emerge from the squad of C.P.R.
"As I've always said: "This is WAR. and, in War..nobody suffers more than "The Traitor."
[To Be Continued..]
[Author Note]
Because my friend, "EpicCrasher", on DeviantART has become such a "Silvold" fan,
I decided to make an effort, and write this story up for her.
I originally intended for this to be a single chapter story.
BUT, like so many of my other stories, It became too long, and I had to extend It into a multi-part story.
Despite being based on a Sonic Universe story arc that is STILL in production,
I wrote this as an AU that is similar to source material, but ISN'T canon with the comic.
the whole concept of this story is Gold Tenrec's "guilty conscious"
and, how she ended up the adoptive mother of a human infant.
while "Silver Age" was written as a dark story, I made my version much DARKER.
evident in the mention of death, and the practice of public executions.
much of this was influenced by Terminator, and X-Men: Days of Future Past.
as this is a DARK, and Terrible world that shouldn't exist, and MUST be changed.
the "Silvold" content in this isn't as typical as most people would do.
with the actual romance ONLY taking place at the very end of this chapter.
the prime motivation here (apart from Silver and Gold being kindred spirits)
is that "Gold's child NEEDS a father", and Silver's selflessness would compel him to take such a responsibility.
the title of the story also indicated Gold's motivations as a mother.
that she failed, and her failure led to the wrongful deaths of two innocence.
and, out of guilt, adopted their now orphan son, and raised him out of penance.
NOTE: I was tempted to write the execution scene in full.
BUT, I decided against this. both for time, AND that It'd be "too dark" to depict actual death in such detail.
"Axel" and "Nova" characters were based on Thomas and Martha Wayne from DC Comics Batman
(as both are social activists, who ended up killed, and left behind an orphan son.)
The next chapter will feature more "action", I promise.
One final note.
the most primary reason that I wrote this story was to show that despite preferring the "Old Sonic World"
I do not hate the revamped universe, and that there are some things about it (like Gold, here) that I like.
So, nobody can call me a "Gee-Whiner" who hates anything New, and Different.