Chapter 3: A Scheme Hatched

Silver was gripping his gut and and coughing from the blow that Ventuss had delivered. He didn't dare fight back, especially since it was his own mother that had shown, what she calls, tough love. He did love his mother, but she can be so harsh with everything. He looked up to find that almost every Nazonian was watching his mother beat him. It was bad enough that he was being assaulted by his mother, but did everyone have to watch.

"Silver, what were you doing out there with the daughter of the one who made us what we are? She could have been a spy or worse!" She had said this with more hate than concern.

After coughing a little, Silver rose to his feet in an attempt to justify his actions, but was quickly kicked down onto the ground. He didn't know how much more he could take before losing consciousness. That was when his sister came in to block the next blow. Okay, so it was his older step sister. She was a black echidna, about 23 years of age, with jingling pieces of metal hanging from her dreadlocks. Because of the noise that the made everyone called her Tambourine. Ever since Silver was born, she was there to make sure that he was safe. They were so close that many did think that they were brother and sister.

"Move out of my way Tambourine or you'll be next to feel my wrath!" she shouted at the echidna.

"He suffered enough. You shouldn't put your own son through this every time he does something wrong. And I won't allow you to do this to him." she gave a cold stare to Ventuss that suggested that it was final.

Ventuss only gave her own cold stare at the ebony echidna and the white hedgehog that was her son, and walked off. She wouldn't want to look like a complete idiot in front of everyone. Tambourine helped Silver to his feet and walked him to the medical hut. Silver was having his wounds dressed by his step sister when he said, "I just wanted to make a new friend. Besides she didn't seem as bad mother said. I really don't see why she hates them. Ow!"

"Hold still. And she doesn't hate them, only Sonic. And she doesn't want you to get killed, after all you were chosen by Nazo to carry on his mission."

He hated being reminded of that. His real father died and Nazo was there to comfort his mom. When Nazo noticed that he looked so much like him, he took him in. Silver was only a baby when the rebellion took place, like Blaze … can you say coincidence. He was surprised that she brought this up, after all, she wasn't a strong supporter of either side. She said that she only wanted piece and wasn't banished. She just followed them to see if piece could be made between the sides.

"Please don't remind me of that monster. I can't stand being thought of as the chosen one, it makes me feel like... like..."

"Him. Don't worry Silver, you are nothing like him. He was a snake who only knew how to betray others. You have the one thing that he didn't, a heart."

"Hey, there's something that I need to get off my chest. You are more of a mother to me than my real mother."

"Now now, you really shouldn't think of me as a mother. I take care of you, but whether you hate Ventuss or not, she will always be your mother. Now you need your rest." she said in a comforting voice.

"Can you sing that song, please. It always makes me feel much better when I'm feeling down."

"Alright, but that means you will fall asleep when I'm done. Deal?"

"Deal!"

With Silver laying down, the echidna rose up and and began stroking the hedgehog's quills and sang:

In the nightlight do you see what you dream

All your troubles are they all what they seem

Look around you then you may realize

All these preachers all with their lies

And I might know of our future

But then you still control the past

Only you know if we'll be together

Only you know if we shall last

In the nightlight do you still feel your pain

For the valor you waited never came

If you were able would you go change the past

To mend a faux paux with one last chance

And I might know of our future

But then you still control the past

Only you know if we'll be together tonight

Cause every night I will save your life

And every night I will be with you

But every night I just lay awake and I dream of an absolution

Cause every night I will make it right

And every night I will come to you

But every night it just stays the same in my dream of an absolution

After singing that, Silver asked, "What does absolution mean?".

"No, we had a deal.".

"Please, just that one answer and I'll go to sleep."

"Alright, it means freedom from sin. So, the song means that I will dream of the freedom from sin. Now, go to sleep."

After getting his answer, he closed his eyes and thought of the bond that he had made with Blaze. The flame that was in their hand shake felt like a little heart beat. He knew that he wouldn't see her tomorrow, or even months from now but he was comforted by what he believed, that he would see her again and have a proper friendship.

Meanwhile, Ventuss was in her own hut, pacing, and wasn't very happy for her own flesh and blood going off with the daughter of the enemy. Oh, if Nazo didn't make it his final wish to have him live and finish what he started she would have already killed Silver. Trying to make friends with her and then what? Get welcomed into the kingdom with open arms! What an idea!

She stops for a moment to let the sudden thought sink in. After much thought, she smiles a wicked smile and begins a small chuckle. As the gears of thoughts continue to turn in her head, her chuckle grows into a hysterical laugh.