Chapter 10: Missing Pieces

Back to the Present…

"During the meeting, we decided to split up into groups." Espio explained. "We set up secret bases under New Metropolis, Blue Ridge, Green Hill, Mystic Ruin, and Central City."

"Each base has a variety members that specialize in different areas of expertise." Silver added. "The field agents do the spy, reconnaissance, and sabotage missions. The technicians study Eggman's weapons to find out how we can combat as well as constructing weapons for us to use. And the security agents monitor Eggman's movements as well as keeping us off of his radar."

"Some of the security agents are responsible for making sure that everyone receives day-to-day messages." Espio said. "And some of the field agents have the responsibility for shipping packages or equipment to the other bases depending on what which base needs and when they need it."

"Anyway," Silver leaned back in his chair, "after our positions were established, we immediately got to work on constructing the bases. Surprisingly, but fortunately, Marine is pretty good in technology so we managed to get off to a good start."

When Silver and Espio finished their story, Sonic and Tails were both amazed by it. While they were away, a group of individuals had organized this resistance force to make sure the two of them, as well as the others who accompanined the them into the Twilight Cage, would have a world to come back to that was worth saving.

That was pretty impressive to hear.

"So," Sonic finally shrugged, "Silver, you're the leader of this Resistance, huh?"

"Co-Leader of the Resistance," Silver stated. "The Commander leads the Resistance as a whole. He's at Central City's base due to safety reasons."

"Although he opposed to the idea," Espio shrugged, "we eventually we convinced him to stay at that base. Silver and I are the leaders of the field agents at this base, though."

"What about the others?" Tails asked. "Where are they?"

"Blaze is in the Mystic Ruin base." Silver explained. "She leads the field agents along with another agent named Ruth. Vector and Charmy are in the Green Hill base. Charmy works with the security agents."

"Oh, that can't be good." Sonic sarcastically smirked.

"Believe it or not," Espio glared slightly, "Charmy has proven to be responsible. He may still have his childish moments, but he does manage to get shipments delivered on time. Meanwhile, Vector works with the field agents. He mostly works in sabotage missions."

"As for Marine," Silver added, "she works as a techie at Blue Ridge base as well as a part-time field agent."

"Wow," Tails said, surprised, "sounds like she's come a long way."

"She has." Silver nodded. "Not only has her hydrokinesis improved, she's also become quite the mechanic. However, her field missions are still rather small, mostly reconnaissance. But no matter what task she's given, she always does her best."

"That sounds like Marine all right." Sonic casually shrugged.

"Anyway," Espio cleared his throat, "it took us a while to construct the bases. While we did what we could to prevent Eggman from expanding his power, he did manage to establish a stronghold in each area. Fortunately, while he does know about the Resistance now, he has yet to discover any of our locations."

"Not to mention he never suspected that we would have the sense to but a base right under his nose." Silver smirked.

"Okay, I think we get the picture." Sonic stretched. "Although I do have a question for you Silver: what were you doing when you found us? Was it some kind of retrieval mission?"

Silver looked down at his coffee.

"My mission was to retrieve a device that Eggman recently constructed known as the Shifter Core," the white hedgehog explained. "It would allow his robots to adapt to land, sea, and sky."

"So what your saying is that it would allow them to change into different robots depending on what kind of environment they are in." Tails concluded.

"Exactly." Silver nodded.

"However," Espio spoke up, "Eggman openly broadcasted the announcement. We were sure that it was a trap to lure the Resistance out since he blatantly told everyone where it was and demonstrated what it could do. While we were against the idea to even investigate, Silver was persistent about the mission."

"Eventually the Commander gave me the permission to go and investigate." Silver added. "He also told the techies at Blue Ridge to be on standby if I succeeded."

"Why the Blue Ridge base?" Sonic asked.

"Because Marine and the other technicians are working on a similar idea." Espio explained. "They are trying to construct a vehicle that would allow us to travel on land, sea, and sky."

"Once I infiltrated the base," Silver said, "I realized that Eggman had increased the security system. It was indeed a trap, but the core was real. I managed to get into the air vent system and I watched as he put the core into a robot. It shifted into three different shapes, each one suited for specific for land…"

" "Land, sea, and sky." " Sonic dryly repeated. "We get it."

"Anyway," Silver glared at the blue hedgehog for a moment, "when he left, I crept out of the vent and fought the robot to get it."

Silver looked at his hand as cyan energy swirled around it and smirked. "Fortunately, my telekinesis defies machinery. The core was mine in less than a minute."

"Anyway?" Sonic shrugged.

"Oh, right," Silver cleared his throat. "As I was sneaking out through the vents, I passed by his security room and saw your airship come out of the wormhole in sky. I watched until I saw it shot down. I managed to see you guys emerge from the wreckage. So when I got out, I searched the city so see if you landed somewhere in the area. Eggman no doubt discovered that I took a Shifter Core because while I was searching, his robots came out of nowhere pursued me. As I was escaping them, I found you two."

"Still," Tails frowned, "the others aren't in New Metropolis."

Silver dismally shook his head. "I searched everywhere. I'm sorry."

Tails looked at the cup in his hands.

"I just hope they're okay," he quietly mumbled.

For a moment, the group said nothing. The worry they were all feeling toward their friends was all they could think of.

It wasn't until Espio cleared his throat that the silence was broken.

"Now Sonic," the purple chameleon said, "do you care to tell us your story now that we've told you ours?"

Sonic looked at Tails. Tails nodded and the two began to tell their story. They began with how they found Knuckles. They then went to explain Angel Island moving over New Metropolis, how they found out that Eggman was still alive, Eggman allying with them, their first encounter with Shade and discovering that the Marauders were the Nocturnes Echidna Clan.

After that, they got to the part about the fight with Ix to get Angel Island back, Shade joining their side, Angel Island falling from the sky, and the gang leaving Eggman behind as they went to the Twilight Cage.

"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute." Silver forcefully interjected when he heard that part. "You're telling me that you sided with Eggman, and despite all the times he tried to take over the world, you just left him behind…by himself…without even informing G.U.N. or the Chaotix?"

"Uh yeah, pretty much." Sonic nervously grinned.

SMACK!

The next thing Sonic knew, he felt a sharp sting in his right cheek as he was knocked out of his chair and slammed to the floor. Tails and Espio jumped back in alarm as Silver lunged across the table and smacked Sonic across the face, leaving a red handprint on the blue hedgehog's cheek. Sonic winced and covered his cheek as the pain stung his the right side of his face. He then looked up to see Silver staring down at him with an angry expression.

"You idiot!" Silver shouted. "Where was your common sense?! Why would you even trust him like that?! You put the lives of many people in danger!"

Sonic glared angrily as he got to his feet.

"What was I suppose to do?!" he shouted back. "The Nocturnes would've destroyed everyone, too! I had to do something!"

"You could've left some of your team behind to keep Eggman in check instead of all of you rushing off like that!" Silver angrily pointed out.

"We needed everyone's help!" Sonic rebuked. "Plus you don't know what we had to do in that world!"

"Maybe not!" Silver glared. "But it was pretty stupid to trust Eggman so easily considering all the times he tried to defeat you! You never think these things out!"

"Oh, and I suppose YOU do?!" Sonic mockingly retorted.

"Being from the future I HAVE to be careful!" Silver shouted. "Do have any idea how many times I've had to go around cleaning up your messes because you fail to think of the consequences?!"

"Oh, yeah!" Sonic angrily scowled. "What about the time you tried to kill me, didn't YOU think of the consequences that would follow?!"

At the sound of that accusation, Silver's face turned to rage and he started to violently glow cyan.

"You did NOT just go there!" he threateningly growled.

Sonic nervously stepped back, realizing that he might have just hit a sore spot in the telekinetic hedgehog.

However, the violent whipping of Silver's aura didn't just get Sonic's attention, everyone in the base looked over to the group. Everyone nervously moved away as Silver's power began to increase. Even now, his golden irises had disappeared and his eyes were glowed completely cyan. His quills all began to stand up on end and move around with his psychic energy, making him look extremely intimidating. Not to mention, scary.

Upon seeing this, Espio quickly rushed forward and firmly placed a hand on the angry hedgehog's shoulder. "Silver!"

Silver sharply looked over at the chameleon.

"Don't let your temper get the best of you!" Espio warned. "Just let it go!"

At the sound of his friend's advice, the ivory hedgehog closed his eyes and took a deep breath, forcing his anger back. At the same time, his telekinesis faded away. When it had vanished completely, Silver opened his eyes to reveal his normal, golden colored irises

"Sorry," he mumbled before glaring at Sonic again.

Sonic returned the glance with a glare of his own.

After seeing that Silver had calm down, everyone quickly turned away and began to go about their regular business, still concerned about by situation that had taken place.

"Anyway," Silver harshly looked away, "continue."

"Oh, right," Tails nervously stuttered, "well…"

The little fox finished the story by explaining how they managed to unite the various clans of the Twilight Cage, defeat Ix, and return home.

"I see." Espio rubbed his chin. "This does explain a lot. The question is what to do now."

"Well," Tails shrugged, "shouldn't we contact the other bases?"

"Good idea." Silver sharply nodded. "I'll tell Nathan to send message to each of the bases telling them that we've found you. Meanwhile, you two get some rest. If there's any news about the others, I'll let you know."

"What?!" Sonic stamped his foot. "I can't rest now! We have to stop Eggman! And the sooner the better!"

"We all feel the same way, Sonic," Espio calmly stated, "but you won't be of use to anyone if you're exhausted. Right now, we have things under control so just take the time you have to rest."

Sonic scowled at Espio for a moment before letting out a frustrated sigh.

"Fine," the blue hedgehog gruffly answered.

As Sonic and Tails walked away, Sonic glanced over at Silver one last time with a sour glare. Silver returned it with a glare of his own before walking away.

"Who knew he could slap that hard?" Sonic mumbled resentfully as he rubbed his sore cheek.