Triple 7: Here I am! *salutes* My creative attention's been bouncing between fandoms, but here it is—the newest chpt! I'd like to note that the italicized narration is referring to the future, not the past. Writing in future tense would be personally cumbersome, so I just wanted to clarify. Now then: Onward, readers! R&R!

WARNING: Moderate depictions of violence/assault, heavy language, and sexual themes ahead.

CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Mon Coryphée

Book I, Mes Larmes

"Épisode XIV"

Chief Tallman's door was thrown open. The officer responsible was his deputy, Lieutenant-Chief Adam Colchester, and he seemed panicked.

"Sir! We're receiving an E911 signal—in Silberlicht Park…!"

Fuzzy eyebrows dipped sharply.

Shadow the Hedgehog ran and ran until he couldn't anymore. Huffing raggedly, he trotted towards a lone bench. Rolling clouds crept along. For some reason, everything felt like it was being fast-forwarded. Maybe it was the atmospheric turbulence? Whatever the case, perhaps the sky was preparing a flood. As unseasonable as it sounded, Shadow decided to take shelter underneath the bus stop's canopy. It was a tiny, albeit sturdy, roof. Just enough for two people to be shielded from falling phenomena.

In his tailored black coat, the seventeen-year-old didn't shiver very much. Or at all, after running so far. The Opera House's opulence was far out of view. He peered through the dreariness: The lampposts had changed. Some looked broken, no longer urns lit by bulb light. Even the bench he sat on was tempting to break. Compared to all he was used to seeing, everything seemed in terrible disrepair. He wondered why for a moment, but it was soon dismissed as he caught his breath.

Something more prominent stuck out in his mind. "Where am I?" he asked himself. No one else to see, to hear him.

With no droplets in sight yet, Shadow looked over the transport itinerary next to him. He studied the map. "At the corner of Akron and Eustinia? Is that where I am?" The nearby street signs matched that description. And according to that route's schedule, a bus was supposed to arrive at 8:45. Shadow checked his watch.

"Buses don't run here anymore."

Another person stood in the only entrance—and exit—to the canopy. Shadow whipped his head around. Only for his heart to sink into dread.

Under a clear umbrella, their shape was undeniably familiar.

Plip!—A fold.

Dulled to champagne, the white hedgehog's eyes leered over slowly. "So, there are no buses tonight…Mr. President."

Rain fell.

"We were so close…! Dammit!"

Sonic slammed a fist against the wall. Hot tears rushed down his cheeks. Espio couldn't think of any way to console his friend. All he could do was sit. Pondering, praying. Clutching his phone to his chest.

"Look, man. You gotta calm down," Knuckles tried to relax him. "Captain Sonia's workin' on it. You flarin' up like this ain't helpin' nobody."

"I have the right to flare up, Knuckles!"

The Chameleon flinched in his seat. His grip tightened slightly.

Other law enforcers—such as Sgt. Kerrison, Lt.-Sgt. Washburn, and joint Police Chiefs—had accompanied her into the strategy room. Lower-ranking officers kept watch over its access. The two present threw their sights down the hall. In one of the interrogation rooms, Officer Jung was keeping an eye on the remaining Tetrarch Chorus members.

"My boyfriend is missing again, damn it! He can't answer his phone—they took it! We were this—close—to following him, but now the signal's lost! And you expect me to not flare up?!"

Officer Jung's tail swished, catching the chameleon across the room shrinking in his chair.

"Well, yellin' at me sure ain't helpin'." Another darker tone floated between the two teens. Much like back in the Gym. Through gritted teeth, "Now, sit yo' ass down. We're leaving this situation in good hands. Don't fuck it up by rilin' yo'self up."

Sonic held his tongue this time. Because Knuckles' big-brotherly advice was actually something he needed to hear. Not wanting to bicker with him, he did as he was told. His face sunk into his palms.

"If it helps, I will continue to keep you all updated."

Knuckles lent an ear to the anxious marten. A sternness had entered his countenance, as if he were trying to keep up with an invisible conversation. He blinked, then figured it must be through a one-way communicator. With the receiver muted, Officer Jung made sure his updates didn't disrupt the meeting down the hall. A comradely jerk of the chin was caught and returned, coolly.

But Sonic's face was still in his hands. And Espio's eyes were glued to his wallpaper once more. That summer day was only an ephemeral paradise.

The anticipated flood came in intermittent sprinkles. Rolling clouds darkened further. The bus stop felt awfully cramped, awkward. Creepy, in a retrospective sense.

Silver was fidgeting on his side of the bench. No more raindrops had fallen onto the transparent umbrella. Impeccable timing. But his presence was unwanted by Shadow. In fact, Shadow fell into a cold, yet frightened, silence. Unwilling to respond to any of Silver's questions: "How are things at school?" "Have finals passed yet?" and "What did you score?". Menial, trivial, irrelevant things. It was no longer relevant because Silver had been expelled. Suddenly, he was caring. And it bothered Shadow terribly.

So he ignored him.

Even with that plan in mind, Silver resumed again in a morbidly droll cadence. "I have been thinking for these past few weeks…." His thumbs twiddled. The words rolled somewhat thickly, with heavy concentration. "A lot's happened, I know. But now, I wish…I c-could take it all back. I know…y-you hate me. You have to hate me. I made your life more difficult, didn't I? I'm always making other people's lives more difficult. That's why I didn't w-want my mom to deal with me…anymore."

A maddening dread crept over Shadow with Silver's every word. A hand snuck into his coat pocket.

"I'm a difficult guy, y'know? Agh…of course you know. You've dealt with me before. But…if you want, that is…maybe…?"

His hand froze in place. Everything froze in place.

Shadow's personal space had been violated. Nerve-wracking closeness; Silver's lips were too close. And Shadow didn't like it one bit. Shy fingers clung to the dove-gray scarf warming Shadow's neck. Blushing just as shyly, Silver hesitated. The black hedgehog couldn't help being unnerved by the short distance. He managed to keep his face straight, eyes frosty and threatening, scowl curling that upper lip.

"Maybe…you can deal with me some more. I know that came out weird, but please hear me out—?"

"I have no desire to hear what you have to say. Get away from me, Silver."

"You've gotta listen to me! I have to say this, or else—?"

"You had no reason to approach me in this manner." Shadow threw a palm against Silver's shoulder. Shoving him away, he went on, "Therefore, what you're about to tell me has something to do with that. I have no interest in you…I never did, and I never will!"

The swift motion shifted the balance of gravity between the two hedgehogs. The impact on the Plexiglas rattled the white one's skull. Suddenly, everything inside his body became very loud.

"Now, stay away from—?!"

Heavy hands clawed down on his shoulders, spun him, and slammed his back against the wall. "No…!" while a knee invaded his legs' in-between. "Deal with me…!" The Senior had dodged the ex-student's tongue, so voracious wetness dampened his cheek and jawline instead. Shaken a bit, Shadow couldn't escape the sixteen-year-old's overt advance. His face was being violated. Dove-gray fleece was yanked downward. Quivering breaths steamed into Shadow's ear. "You have to deal with me. Just one more time…one more time, please…!"

In the midst of trying to ignore it, something soft rested just under Shadow's cheek. An agitated flush took them over, little by little. The licking had moved up to his ear. Saliva slimed around inside. Tender nibbles pricked the edges. Angry grunts escaped as the nerve to shove Silver away built up.

"You refused to listen; now, you've gotta deal with me."

"Like hell. I want you off me, now."

"I don't think so. I want you, and Sonic's not here to protect you. So I can do what I want to you…without him ever knowing it."

"Unless I tell him, you bastard…!"

An unseen strength that had been miring in Shadow's muscles finally broke out. With a mighty push, Shadow locked his forearm under Silver's chin and pinned him against the opposite wall. A tiny choke went barely noticed by both teenagers.

"Keep your filthy mouth off me, litter trash."

"Mm-hmph…hee hee hee, so sexy, ha hah—!"

"Stop it! You stay away from me, bastard—got it?!"

"But that's impossible, Captain…because I love you."

A haunting lilt caused Silver's lips to twist upward. Champagnes were revived by sick fantasies invisible to Shadow. Eerie vibes coursed between them in that tiny space. Louder chuckles, a ravenous trail of saliva, those inky knotted pupils. Terror flooded back into Shadow's eyes. His strength yielded to an unfortunate fear, but his hold on his Smartphone didn't falter.

"I want you, Captain! I want y—!"

KA-THWACK!

Another unseen strength. Shadow hesitated afterwards, not predicting his own fist going into Silver's face. One-Hit Knockout: A personal accomplishment he couldn't bask in, at that moment. Because a quicker nerve told him to run. Very far, and very fast.

So he did.

Moments later, Silver reawakened. Left stunned and dazed, the boy held his chest. It was sore. Something had gone wrong with him earlier in the month, and he didn't know what it was. He had little time to investigate, and even littler time alone. It was a strange sensation: Painfully sensitive, but warm to the touch.

"It's heavy, and it hurts…." He felt the other side. "Dear God…dear God, what is this? It feels so weird…." He was alone again, somehow. "Shadow was just here…?" Still unsteady, he couldn't remember what hit him. "He's gone, oh no…where'd he go?"

Shaky hands clung to the Plexiglas frame. Bleared canaries were able to catch a glimpse of dove-gray in the distance. His knees knocked; Shadow was heading into the park.

And something in Silver sank. It plummeted into despair. "He didn't go in there, did he?" Guilt streaked. "He wasn't supposed to go in there, y'know…?! Oh no…! No, it's a trap!" Guilt burned. "Please, Shadow, wait! Come back!"

A signpost, further behind: "Welcome to the Hayden-Theodoric Quarter." Shadow didn't remember the Hayden-Theodoric Quarter. The City's Historians' District was rarely visited, but there was a day when his father signed a permission slip allowing Shadow to attend a fieldtrip there. At that time, Shadow's was ten years old, just entering the fifth grade. Sonic was a new transfer student, just entering that same age and grade level himself. It was an autumn time trip, when the leaves turned redder and the winds blew sharper. The bus ride was comfortable. Somehow, though, Shadow remembered winding up in the aisle seat adjacent to Sonic's window seat. From which he could catch Sonic shivering.

Not from cold, but from bad memories.

Silberlicht Park belonged to the Hayden-Theodoric Quarter, a garden city within the City. After the catastrophic civil war, the City's four historical Quarters were left in solitude and neglect. Silberlicht Park was a central battleground in the fray, and lost its original significance to it. Hence, prior to it, the park was named after the flowers that were cultivated there centuries ago, "Silver Light" bergenia. Multiple flowerbeds thrashed and reaped to the heaviest extents, Shadow wondered if it was merely the winter cold or the place's deadness that made them so. One detail in the park wasn't overlooked, however.

Shadow slowed to a winded trot towards the crest of one of many arch bridges. Like the Azure Dragon of the East coiling in the moonlight, silvery wood coursed around in a total of seven or eight bridges. Weather-beaten, chipping away, and attacked by graf artists, for sure. But the color suited the chilly atmosphere. The trees weren't too tall. Shaggy braches and bushes didn't look presentable. Flowerbeds and ornamental waters were ruined in more than one way. It completely confounded Shadow.

"This place looks terrible."

He never would've guessed Silberlicht Park's current state was due to a civil war's aftermath. Left over from the Smoke Bomb War.

Bzz-bzz—Bzzt!

A call? Atop the bridge now, Shadow stopped to take out his phone. A fumble, then a catch: Close call. Sonic's icon was shimmying. Without much thought, Shadow answered: "Sonic!"

"Oh, thank God, Shadow! You finally picked up—what the hell, man?! Where are you?!"

"I-I don't know. I was at the Opera House, but…I ran away. And now, I don't know where I am." He shot his eyes around for any clues. "I know…I'm in a park, and…its name is…gah, dammit—?"

A sigh reverberated the airways. "Shadow, don't panic. That's the last thing you need to do. You know that, right?"—He assumed Shadow had nodded.—"Okay, Babe, listen. I'm here with the police, and they're gonna help us find you. Is the GPS on your phone on?"

Shadow checked the screen for a target-shaped icon. It seemed to flash every couple seconds. "I think so? The icon's blinking…."

"Good. Whatever you do, please don't hang up. The police are trying to triangulate your position right now. Is there good reception in that area?"

"There are three bars on my phone…instead of five. But I can still hear you, Sonic. Please help me."

"Just stay where you are, Babe. I'm coming to get you…! Hang on, I think we found you!"

A glimmer of hope entered Shadow's eyes. "You did? Already? Oh God…please hurry, Sonic! It's cold, and I'm scared. I think Silver is here, too…."

"What the—?! Silver's there?! Is he near you?! Has he done anything to you—He better not have!"

"Sonic, it's okay! I'm alright…just please, don't yell. Stay calm…for me."

An audible snarl had gone indirectly into the microphone. "I'm sorry, Babe. It's been a month since we've talked, and I'm freaking out again." A timid blush graced the black hedgehog's cheeks as he talked. "I'm sure you saw all those voicemails I left. Jeez…Ya think your dad saw 'em?"

"God, I hope not. But I wouldn't put it past him if he did." One shaky hand clasped down on the wooden rail. "I couldn't perform tonight, so no Swan Lake for me. And…I ran away because…Father struck me." Shadow was reluctant to answer Sonic's "What for?". "I…was replaced by my understudy, so Father was fuming. And took it out on me. The stage director was doing out of consideration for me, but…?!"

"Hmm…well, that just means one less performance to worry about. Your dad makes such a big deal out of not showcasing you to the public. Talk about an upper-class prick…? Hey, Shadow, you still there?"

The Council President had frozen. Crimsons trembled from a dreadful intimidation. Shadow's snow-glossed phone mirrored Sonic's, yet the former's buttons and signature were red, instead. It barely clung to his hand.

"Shadow? Babe, answer me! Are you okay?"

Snickers. Chortles. Slow walking. Popping joints. They came from all around him. Shadow staggered backwards. With each dart, crimsons spotted a blonde cat pouncing up to the bridge railing. Perfectly perched there, a witchlike gleam sparkled at a fang. "What the hell? This is him—the weakling we're after?" she sneered with a nail picking between her teeth.

"Looks like it." Then, a blanching wolf came into view. Cresting the woodwork alongside him was a haunting Slender Mongoose. "Just where the Boss said, too. Pretty spot on. What were the odds…"—Both he and the wolf beside him stopped. Then came Sax's bold approach.—"…of me meeting the President again, ya think?"

Terrified, Shadow couldn't get out any words. His mind went back to seeing Sonic's unconscious body. To screaming. To blackness.

"Shadow! What's going on? Is someone there with you—Did Silver come back?!" Another snarl. "Shadow! Dammit, Shadow, run! Run away!"

Certain that his intimidation worked, Sax had plucked the cell phone gently out of Shadow's grasp. Clever fingers brought the device to his mouth, letting a, "Not a very smart move, bro…" escape before putting Sonic on hold. "Now then, Mr. Pres, we'd be happy to escort you off the premises. As it stands now, we highly recommend it." Their faces were too close. Coppers blazed into rubies. A sneer. "What's the matter? Ya scared?" Sliding the phone into his pocket, he smoothed a hand under Shadow's chin. The hedgehog flinched at the touch. Surely feeling violated, the mongoose surmised.

A flash of white appeared in the distance. "No! No, don't!"

Shadow caught sight of it. "Si-…Silver?!"

"Don't mind him."

Soon into his pleas, Silver tripped over an unseen rock. A yelp, but he caught himself. Tears were pouring from his eyes. His cries of "I'm sorry, Shadow!" and "Leave him alone!" floated into Shadow's consciousness. In tandem with Sax's command to take off his coat. Forced to a kneel, Shadow resisted the hands that tugged at his coat. Reflexive grunts and struggling ensued.

"No! No!"

Silver's pleas were going unheard. And a palm thrust to the chest made it all the more silent. The white hedgehog ran straight into it. His consequent tumble streamed like a river of film. Seamlessly, with Liang moving out of way. The boy had lost his breath.

"Ack! Silver!—Agh!"

"I dig this coat…huh. Bet it cost a pretty penny, too." As if it were made of fragile crystal, Sax donned the expensive leather item. Its collar was perfectly "pop"-able. Trailing tails made his look like an underworld commander. "Perfect fit! Thanks, Mr. Pres. I'll take good care of it. As for you…!" More snickering.

"Keep away from me!"

The white hedgehog, abandoned for a moment, managed to push himself up. Uneven vision couldn't keep its balance. But they knew what they were looking at: They could see Shadow being pulled back up. Struggling feet rumpled the dove-gray scarf. Guilt stung the sixteen-year-old's eyes all over again. "No, keep your hands off me! Get away from me!" the Senior's commands were left unanswered, ignored, as he fought against Sax's grip. "Chill out, baby-doll…I'm not gonna hurtcha—?"

"How dare you! Hands off me, now!"

"Pipe down. I wasn't gonna hurtcha…but now, you're gettin' loud." Sax's breath ghosted past Shadow's cheeks and nose. "Time to shut you up." Another peck at the phone's touch screen. A slide put Sonic off hold. "Hey? You still there?"

Nothing.

"Oops. Call dropped, I guess…?"

Bzz-bzz—Bzzt!

A casual stroke. "Yo?"

"What the hell? Who is this?!"

Despite Sonic's franticness, Sax played it down. In stark coolness. "Don't tell me you forgot? It's me, Sax…your wife-beater."

"What?! What have you done to Shadow?! I swear to God if he's hurt 'cause of you, I'll—!"

"Easy there, home-bro. Nothin' like that's happened…yet."

"Sax, you bastard! You're gonna pay—I swear!" Darkness had seeped into Sonic's raising voice. "Not just for last time, either. If you put one mark on him, you're dead."

"Is that a promise? 'Cause bitchin' at me all night ain't gonna get him back no sooner. He's in my hands, now, bro…and he's gonna be in our Boss's hands real soon, might I add."

Something was slammed onto a hard surface. It was assumed to be Sonic's hand or fist. "Who is this 'Boss' of yours? Where you punks stay at—I'll fuck you up before your 'Boss' even sees Shadow."

Coppers narrowed. "Like I'd tell you. Better come find us 'fore it's too late, son…'fore Shadow here winds up in some nasty hands." Sax's grin grew at the sound of Sonic's snarling. "Good luck…Sonic."

Click!

The air in the atmosphere changed slightly. Shadow had fallen still, listening in the midst of the phone conversation. Sonic sounded so angry, surely steaming, ready to trash the closest thing to him. He could only imagine the Blue Blur's reaction to being hung up on. His mind was already in an upheaval. Envisioning Sonic's reactions made him shiver. Uncontrollably and without pause.

"Sonic…please save me…!" Terror drooled from gaping eyes.

The mongoose snapped his tongue. "Not this shit again…!"

Silver clambered towards the scene next to unfold. At the sight of a burly shadow, Silver's yelp was muffled. By some strange means he found Shadow's scarf gagging him. Clever twists reeled his head upwards, and something thin and sharp waited at his throat.

"Don't move. Don't make another sound. Or die."

The Tibetan Wolf had rested a knee on Silver's spine, avoiding his shoulder needles, and threatened him into silence. His whisper bore an almost regretful quality. Unbeknownst to Silver, Liang had lowered his eyes.

Shadow's wild thrashing only forced him into Bark's huge arms. In every single way, the bear's embrace cinched Shadow's arms tighter to his waist. Shivering from the constriction and cold, Shadow could barely gasp. But was somehow still able to call for help.

"Sonic! Somebody, anybody! Please, please help me! Please help me! Save me!"

"Tsk! Bag him. All that frickin' panicking will shut him right up."

Wild, desperate cries were contained suddenly. Swift as the cat she was, Honey sacked Shadow with a small burlap bag. Its drawstring drew in, knotted, and everyone waited a moment. With a sense of accomplishment, Honey playfully meowed at Sax. Liang hauled Silver into a stand and dragged him closer to everyone. "Hoist 'im up," came the gentler command to the Polar Bear, "Fang's waitin' for us in the van. So let's get outta here."

Bark could hear Shadow hyperventilating inside the sack. The hedgehog still screamed, kicked, and wiggled after being displaced from the ground. He had to grit his teeth and bear it, until he either exhausted himself or succumbed to suffocation.

"Good job, Silver."

Remorseful tears blurred Shadow's figure. But Silver caught the sight of it falling limp suddenly. "Hah, finally!—He's quiet. Shoulda pulled that string tighter…" he heard Honey curse at herself. Empty champagnes showed no forgiveness for all that transpired. For these thugs. For himself for complying to their Boss's demands.

Scourge was painting a maniacal grin upon his face. Twitching with excitement. Widening with zeal. "You've proven yourself a very capable pawn, haven't you? The first Movement in my plans has been completed. I've captured his 'White Queen'…so now"—"Magnum Opus" was slung from its holster like a cowboy's expert draw. Cobalt venom paled his eyes. Menacing fangs gleamed just like the barrel upon his forehead.—"it's time to bring the 'White King' outta his stronghold."

For failing to save Shadow, his livelihood.

"Heh heh…time to bring that bastard back down to earth. Where he's supposed to be." An embittered grunt. "You can't escape your past, you miserable failure. Once a hood-brother, always a hood-brother."

His "Magnum Opus" gleamed once more.

"Seems you've forgotten that…my brother. Looks like I've gotta rehabilitate your ass…the hard way."

For failing. Everyone.

"Let's go! Movement II: 'Check the White King!"

Épisode XIV Set…