Chapter 14: Reunion and Truth

I appeared in a white room made of metal. I recognized it as Eggman's control room, but it was different and I couldn't hear engines running. This wasn't Eggman's aircraft… to my pleasure. At least I would be able to stay in one place for Sonic and the others to find me. Silver had a hold of my wrists behind my back, surprising me with how strong he was.

"Why are you doing?" I ask him. "He tried to take away your abilities, and he tried to hurt you. Why the heck would you go back to him?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out." Silver answered.

"Well, well, well," Said a voice I would never forget. I look up and scowl at the pompous Eggman as he strode in with his henchmen in tow. "How wonderful to have you back, my dear."

"I told you before," I snarled. "I hate being called 'My Dear!'"

I cry out in anguish as Silver squeezed my wrists. "Show some respect." Silver said.

"Take her away until I need her." Eggman said, leaning forward slightly, making me fight the ever so tempting urge to spit in his face. But I didn't, knowing that Silver would only hurt me more if I did.

Silver gripped my wrists harder anyway as he led me away. Tears came to my eyes from two pains. The pain in my wrists from Silver's grip, and the pain that Silver, whom I would have considered a close friend, had turned me over to Eggman. Once we reached our destination, he opened a cell with bars more like a wire fence so I couldn't escape like last time. He shoved me in and slammed the door shut before I could run out. I shook the bars, but Silver just left, laughing.

I sank to my knees, leaning my forehead against the bars. "Oh, God." I whispered, and that was all I could say. I just couldn't believe that Silver, of all people, had betrayed me.

"Honey?"

Lifted my head at the sound of that voice. I realized that I wasn't alone in the cell. I turn and see two figures that I thought I would never see again.

"Mom! Dad!" I said as I get up and run to them, scooping them up in a long awaited embrace. "Thank God!"

"Em, we told you to stay where you were!" My dad said, gripping my shoulders.

"I know, but I didn't come on my own." I reply. "I was captured by Silver and he brought me here."

"That's not possible." My mother said. "Silver had been captured long before you. And he never left his cell."

"What?" I asked.

My mom pointed to a cell across from ours. In it was the real Silver, battered and bruised and looked to be asleep. He was in chains with his arms outstretched and his hands in iron gloves.

"Silv!" I shout. Silver twitched but didn't wake. I look around and spot a pebble. I pick it up and toss it. It hit him square on the forehead, waking him with a start. "Silver, wake up!"

Silver seemed to be dazed for a second, but his eyes suddenly widened when they came into focus. "Oh no, tell me this is a bad dream." He said.

"I'm afraid it's not unless we're having the same nightmare, Silver." I said. "It wasn't you who…"

"No, it wasn't, I swear." Silver said, looking at me squarely in the eyes. "That same Silver that caught you caught me. He used my abilities against me and nearly choked me to death so I couldn't call for help. And I couldn't fight back because he pinned me down so I couldn't move."

I sigh and lean against the bars. "Thank you, God," I whisper before looking back at Silver. "But now what? There has to be a way to get help of some kind."

Silver was silent for a while, but then his eyes lit up. "Em," He said in a rather quiet voice. "Do you still have your Touch?"

"Yes," I reply, matching his tone and pull it out. "They never searched me. Shows how smart Egg-brain really is."

"Call Tails!" Silver said. "We aren't that far away from Angel Island. If you call him or give him something to trace, we can get back up."

"Silver you are a genius!" I smile and go to the back of the cell and opened my new app. My parents look over my shoulder at it, realizing how different it looked. I poke the picture of Tails and turn down the volume.

"What do you mean Silver's gone awall!" Tails shouted after hearing Sonic's story.

"Silver's gone to Eggman's side for some reason." Sonic replied. "He hurt Knuckles and captured Emily."

"There's no way that kid could take on Knuckles like that." Espio said. He had spent a lot of time with Silver to help him practice his abilities when Emily was off training. "And he doesn't have the heart to do such a thing."

"Guys it was like a totally different Silver in there." Sonic said, still mentally punching himself for not being fast enough to save Emily. "I can't explain it better than that. But Shadow has Knuckles back at the village fixing him up, Old Knux really cracked his head."

Suddenly, Tails' wrist chimed. He looked at it and realized it was Emily. "Guys! She's calling us!" Tails shouted as he picked up. "Tails here. Em, where are you? Are you alright?"

Emily's face appeared on the communicator. By the look of her background, she was in a cell. Her face was bruised and there was a cut above her left eye, but nothing looked serious. "I'm alright Tails, and I'm glad my Touch has a good signal." She relied, almost at a whisper.

"Em, what happened?" Sonic asked, moving closer so he could see her.

"I'll explain later," Emily replied. "Tails, can you trace my call to where I am?"

"I think I can, let me try." Tails said, quickly pushing buttons on him comlink. "Almost… I got it! You're in California."

"Thanks." Emily said. "Now hurry, I'll try and get my parents out of here."

"Em, wait!" Tails shouted, but she already hung up.

"What are we waiting for?" Sonic said. "Lets grab Shadow and get her!"

I hang up, knowing that the team would be here soon. I take off the backpack Sonic gave me and rummaged through my gifts.

"Em, how are you going to get us out of here?" My mom asked.

"Easy," I answer, pulling out the lock picking kit from Rouge. "Just like how I got out of here the first time."

"Emily, I think we should wait for your 'back up' to get here to get us out." My dad said.

I roll my eyes and go to the bars. "Dad, I've been on a hidden island since the day you two went missing, training to prepare myself to save you both. I'm very different from before Eggy caught you, if you haven't noticed."

My dad looked at me and did see some differences; my skin was tanner than before, and my muscles looked slightly larger and stronger.

I insert the pick and moved it around. I close my eyes, depending on my senses of hearing and feeling to get me out of here. After about two minutes, I felt the pick give away and gasped as the door opened from under me, letting me fall to the metal floor.

"Em," Silver called from his cell. "Are you alright?"

"My pride is bruised, but I'm just fine." I reply and look at my parents. They looked at me in shock. "How did…" My dad started asking but trailed off.

I shrug innocently. "Youtube," I reply. "You two stay in there while I get Silver out, just hold the door open so you're not locked in again."

My dad started to object, but I turned away before he could say anything and started on Silver's cell, opening it easily. I walk into his cell and first looked him over. He wasn't that badly beaten up, but my sixth sense told me he was still in trouble from the chains. "Hang in there, Silv." I tell him.

"I was hoping you and the others would see through the fake Silver," Silver said, almost sadly. "If it weren't for these chains, I would have freed your parents and got back to the island so you wouldn't-"

"Silver," I said, stopping him as I got to work on the chains. "This isn't your fault. Besides, I have a score to settle with both Eggman and the other Silver. Eggman for what he did to my parents, and Fake Silver for what he did to Knuckles."

Silver looked at me in shock. "What did he do to Knuckles?"

"Last I saw Knuckles he was out cold with his head bleeding." I reply.

I finally manage to unlock the chains and free Silver's hands. He collapsed into my arms from hanging there for nearly twenty-four hours. I held him until he regained his feet again. "Thanks," He whispered.

I smile and take his hand, leading him out of the cell and into where my parents were waiting. "Mom, Dad," I said. "Allow me to formally introduce Silver the Hedgehog. I met him last time Eggman had me."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both at last," Silver said, holding out a hand to shake. "Emily has told us a lot about you two."

My parents both took his hand in turn and shook it. "The pleasure is ours, Silver," My dad said. "Now how about we get out of here?"

"Right," I reply, pulling out my iTouch again. I turn on the map and turn on the homing device. A full blueprint came up on my touch and a red dot showed where we were. "There's a maintenance shaft here," I say pointing to a spot on the map. "If we hide there, all we'll run into will be service robots. From what Sonic told me, they're a piece of cake to take out."

"Lets go then," Silver said. "Before Eggman comes back."

"THIS IS NOT FAIR!" Amy shouted as Sonic confronted her. "WHY CAN'T I COME?"

"Because I need you to stay with Cream and Cheese and Knuckles." Sonic explained. "Knuckles needs someone to look after him until he heals. Other than Emily and Knuckles himself, you know medicine the best."

"It's still not fair, Sonic!" Amy said, turning away from her blue hero.

Then Sonic got a sly look on his face, lowing his eyelids slightly. "For me, Amy, at least?"

Amy turned and looked at him from over his shoulder. "What?"

"Watch Knuckles for me," Sonic repeated. "I may be the fastest thing alive, but I can't be in two places at once. Can you do this favor for me, Ames?"

Amy's eyes started to sparkle at what Sonic was saying before smiling. "Leave it to me, Sonic!" Amy said. "Knuckles will be back on his feet in no time flat."

"Thanks, Amy," Sonic said. "I appreciate it."

He left Knuckles hut and joined everyone else who was going. Shadow held his chaos emerald. Tails had his handheld computer that was similar to Sally's and his utility belt. Rouge (who refused to be left behind again) Stood next to Shadow, pulling up her boots and smoothing her body suit. The CDA would be coming, but they felt it was more important to watch the island to made sure Eggman's robots didn't invade.

"Ready guys?" Sonic asked, stretching out his legs slightly.

"More than ready, Sonic," Tails said, giving his adopted big brother a 'Thumbs up.'

Sonic returned the Thumbs up with his usual smile. "Lets get going then. Shadow, will you do the honors?"

Shadow grimaced and squeezed his emerald, making it brighten. "Chaos Control!"

Sonic closed his eyes to the bright flash of light. Next minute, they were on the roof of a tall building. Shadow leaned forward in exhaustion.

"Shadow, what is it?" Rouge asked.

"I'll be fine, just give me a minute." Shadow said. He again squeezed the emerald and breathed slowly, using the emeralds healing energy.

"Well Tails?" Sonic asked, looking at the kit. "Where to next?"

"There's a vent over there," Tails said, pointing to an opening. "According to my data, that should take us to the maintenance shafts, where we can slip in unnoticed."

"I'm not a fan of sneaking in there, pal," Sonic said. "But it would be fun to give Baldy a surprise. As soon as Shadow's recovered, we'll get going. Hehe, just like old times, eh Tails?"

"I was thinking the same thing," Tails answered.

Our heroes jumped as about three dozen robots appeared onto the roof. Shadow grimaced and raced to the vent. "We have no time to fool around with Eggman's robots, we have to Emily and her parents out of here! Hurry!"

My spine tightened for a second, but it went away almost immediately. I push the feeling away, knowing I had to get my parents to safety first.

I lead them through the passages, depending on my iTouch. Soon we make it to the nearest compartment. I try to open it, but it was locked tight. I look at Silver and smile.

He raised a hand to me and smiled back. "I got it," He said.

He held his hand to the door, allowing his blue mist to hover over it before he pried it open. He looked at me and bowed at the waist, gesturing with his hand for me to enter first. "Ladies first," He said.

"You're such a gentleman," I said in a teasing manner as I take my parents hands and go in.

"We'll be safe in here for now," I explain to them as Silver closed the door behind us. "At least until the rest of the party shows up. Didn't think it would take them this long though,"

"Em! Behind you!" Silver shouted.

I spin on my heals and face a maintenance-bot. Look back at Silver. "Hold it down, I'll take it out."

"Be careful." Silver said. He lifted his hands again, holding the bot in place with his abilities.

I, on the other hand, activate my shoes and charge it; leaping into the air and kicking it's chest in, then with my other foot kicked the head of the robot clean off. Silver released the robot and it crumbled to the floor in a shower of sparks.

I look at my parents and Silver. Silver nodded, silently saying well done. My parents however looked like they were seeing a talking snowman in front of them. This almost made me laugh. I would have laughed if I didn't know that too loud of a noise would alert Eggman. "Now I know why Sonic loves breaking these things," I said, deactivating my shoes and nudging the robot in front of me. "I never had so much fun in my life."

"I hope you don't get used to it," My dad said, coming over and inspecting my shoes. "Where did you get these?"

"Sonic and the others threw me a birthday party today." I explain. "These are from Shadow and Tails so I can keep up on them in this mission. That was the first robot I took out with them. The lock picking kit was from Rouge and the backpack was from Sonic."

We all sit down and relax. I open my bag and realize I had a bottle of water in it. I had forgotten that I packed it before Knuckles took me for that walk. Traveling with him had taught me to always pack a first aid kit and a water bottle and it had become a habit. I give it to my parents first. "Here," I tell them. "You two need it more than I do."

"Emily, don't worry about us," My dad started. "You're the one that-"

"Dad," I said interrupting him. "If you haven't noticed, you're kinda out of your element. I've been training for this for maybe a month, and you two have been here all that time. Trust me, you two need it more than I do, but this is my only bottle so spare some for later."

Reluctantly, my dad opened the bottle and drank about two swallows before passing it to my mom. "I miss a month of your life and you change entirely," He said wistfully.

"Not really," I told him, crawling to his side and leaning against him. I haven't done this in years. He wrapped his arm around me and held me close as if I would vanish if he let go. "I'm still the girl that jumps my horse bareback over a creek. I'm still the shortest nineteen-year-old in church, and I'm still your little girl. Nothing is ever going to change that for as long as I'm your daughter, or at least as long as you can hold a shot gun."

My dad looked at me with surprise. "You're even giving speeches now," He said.

"Yeah, and I spent a month getting it ready," I said, giving him a wink.

Silver watched me interact with my parents. He had known his parents only for a short time in his childhood, at least until he was nine years old. He lost them to the flames of Iblis when he turned ten years old. After that he had been searching for a way to destroy Iblis to avenge his parents. He managed to be rid of Iblis, but it cost him his friend, Blaze the Cat. He still dreamed about her, and he wished that he could go back and stop it from happening. But no matter what he did, she always took the fall. He had decided to find her after Iblis took her and bring her home where she belonged, but Eggman found him in his search and captured Silver. Silver had almost given up hope until Emily was captured by Eggman and helped him escape.

'Looks like I paid back what I owed her,' Silver thought. 'She gave me freedom, and I help her get her parents back. Wait she saved me twice. I still owe her.'

Suddenly, there was a clank, making Silver and me jump into a fighting position. My dad protectively got in front of my mom, but remained behind Silver and me. I think I finally got through to him that I knew what I was doing.

I signal Silver to stay behind me as we sneak up to a corner where several footsteps where approaching. I waited, my adrenalin beginning to climb. As soon as I saw movement, I pounced, attacking with my arm and aiming for a metallic face.

"WHOA!" Someone shouted as he dodged my arm, grabbed it and lifted it so I could see his face. "Take it easy, you could hurt someone like that."

I sight in relief. "Sonic!" I said. "You scared me."

"You startled me, kiddo." Sonic replied as Rouge, Shadow and Tails came into the light. "We'd be here sooner, but Knuckles needed to be taken care of,"

"How is he?" Silver asked.

Sonic's eyes widened as he noticed Silver behind me. "Em, get down!" Shadow shouted as he rushed Silver.

Luckily, my reflexes had improved while I was on the island and got in front of Silver to protect him. "Shadow, stop!" I said. "This isn't the Silver who caught me, this is the real Silver."

Shadow skidded to a stop and faced me. He looked angry, but I knew he wouldn't hurt me or Silver once he learned the truth.

"If that is the real Silver," Sonic said. "How can we tell?"

"Because I never gave Emily her birthday present," Silver said, quickly pulling a necklace out from his glove. The charm was an ocean pebble that was so polished is was a crystal blue with ribbons of sea green and gold.

"After I heard your birthday was coming up I went for a walk to think of something to give you," Silver explained. "I found this pebble and used my abilities to polish it, that's how it got those ribbons of green and gold. I then asked Knuckles and Sonic to see if I could put it on a necklace, so you would never forget this adventure."

Shocked, I gently took the necklace. It was warm in my palm from Silver's hand. I quickly put it on and smile at Silver. "Thank you," I said.

Silver blushed and smiled back.

Sonic sighed with relief and came to greet Silver. "You sure do know how to get in and out of trouble, Silv."

"Keeps me on my toes." Silver replied, thankful that was wasn't going to get beaten.

Rouge looked over at my parents and smiled. "So this is the famous Mr. and Mrs. Bridgestone." She said, stepping forward and held out a hand to shake. "I'm called Rouge the Bat. Emily here told us a lot about you two."

"So we've heard," My mom answered, shaking Rouge's hand.

I suddenly remember my manners and guide everyone over to meet my parents. "Mom, Dad." I said with a wide smile and hoping for the best. "I would like you to meet a few of my friends. This is Sonic the Hedgehog, the fastest thing alive."

"Pleasure," Sonic said, giving my parents a 'thumbs up.'

"This is his best friend and adopted brother, Miles Prower."

"But I like to be called Tails for short." Tails said, bowing gracefully.

"You've already met Rouge," I continue. "And this is Shadow the Hedgehog. He's helped me in my training for combat as well as Sonic, Espio and Knuckles… Wait a second! Where is Knuckles?"

"He'll be alright, hon," Rouge said. "Thank goodness that echidna has a hard head or he would be worse off. We think he'll be back to his grumpy old self in a matter of days if not hours."

"That's a relief," I said, very thankful that Knuckles would be alright.

"But the question now," My mom said, though still shocked by my friends but stayed quiet about it. "How do we get out of here?"

"There are Robots crawling all over where we entered," Shadow said. "We would have to find a better way out."

I look at my parents. I wished I were as strong at Knuckles so I could pick them up and carry them out of here. I open my Touch again for a map. "If we continue down this corridor," I said. "Then maybe we can slip out of the basement."

"Or," Tails said. "This hallway here has no surveillance. We can slip through there and walk out the front door."

"If I can get into an open area," Shadow said. "I'll be able to use Chaos Control to get your parents to safety."

"Sounds like a good plan," I reply. "So lets get somewhere where Shadow and get an evacuation going."

"Em, we can't and won't leave you." My dad said. "We've been worried sick for over a month, there's no way we're letting you do this."

I look at her and smile. "Don't worry, dad. Shadow will take you and mom to Angel Island wile the rest of us take out Egghead and his new toy. After that, we'll be able to go home. Just trust me,"

My dad was about to object when my mom gripped his shoulder. "Todd," She said.

My dad sighed and nodded. "Alright," He said. "Lets hurry though,"