Props: My thanks this week go to Hedgehogwriter07, ZeroPhoenix230, and Wafflesbelike-NYANCAT for the OCs and opinions. You guys mean literally everything to this, remember!
Reason for lateness: Late start.
"'Bout to make the FIRST judgements of the day!" Rachel beamed to the audience. "Welcome back to Thoughts of the Unknown!"
From that intro, the entire audience was smiling and applauding.
"This week, we're discussing an actually threatening pair," Rachel said. "One couldn't give two craps about how others feel… and the other does, but wants to see them all CRY. Scourge and Mephiles, everyone. Now, first off… Weren't Scourge and an alternate version of Mephiles in prison together? I thought I read something like that. I feel like if these two met, Scourge would be immediately captivated (if not attracted) by Mephiles's relentless evil and disregard for others. And Mephiles would see Scourge, in all his relentless evil and strategy skills, as a beautiful pawn (if not tempted into companionship by shared values). If they actually were looking for love and were definitely gay or bisexual, I totally see it. I… wow… This is really visual to me! I could totally picture these two taking over the world! Anyway, I have a few guests here to give their pitches! Welcome back to the stage… Sarah, Obsidian Prime, and Thorn!"
The audience gave their usual excited applause as the stage was occupied with the three eager guests.
Finding her own seat, Rachel said "Hi, guys! So what do we think of this pair?"
"Uhh…" Sarah vocalized, looking absolutely confused. "I… don't think this could work out. Yes, they're both evil. Yes, they both hate Sonic with everything they've got and then some. And yes, they both desire to see Mobius fall under their hands. But still, being Sonic's opposite, Scourge's got a cocky attitude. Mephiles, as an evil planner, wouldn't be able to handle that, I think. Period."
"Ah, I see," said Rachel. "That's understandable. So Obsidian Prime, what do you think? Water and salt or water and oil?"
"I gotta agree, both of them would make excellent partners," Obsidian replied. "Even with no powers, Scourge is quite the mastermind. Mephiles is more like his powerful friend that has magic powers and time-travel, but he's sorta glitched by being Shadow's clone and distorted by his own power. It all works out well despite the power differences."
"So you see it?" Rachel asked. "Huh. Alright, Thorn… We've got a half-and-half response here. Break the tie."
"Your comment last meeting is very agreeable," Thorn responded. "The world has a good chance of being done for if those two ever team up. Mephiles is… basically just a bunch of goopy darkness that has a crystalline and physical form."
Rachel couldn't help but laugh a bit at "goopy darkness."
"Scourge is a hedgehog with tons of ambition and such, always striving for power," said Thorn. "He's stubborn, reckless, and defiant. Mephy is smart, cunning, and parent to some extent. Personally, I think he'd only kill Scourge out of annoyance the same way he killed Sonic… if not in a more morbid manner."
"That makes sense," Rachel nodded. "Do you think that'd be at, like, the very first second, though?"
She stood.
Impersonating Mephiles, she lowered her voice's pitch and said "Oh, Scourge, you're so evil. I love you." She hugged the air.
Then, she said "Oh yeah, you've got that stupid ego. I hate you!" She then stabbed the air several times with an invisible knife, earning the audience's plentiful laugh.
"So we all agree, while it's not definite, there's something there," she smiled. "Next week… I have NEVER heard of this chick, and actually had to check to make sure she was canon, but she's shipped with Sonic. We're discussing the blue blur's shipping with Breezie the Hedgehog. Hmm. Anyway, see you all then!"
The cameras shut off, everyone went on their merry way… and Rachel took one step backstage to have the breath knocked out of her by the sight of Silver the Hedgehog sitting on the couch and biting a chocolate bar.
Immediately, he locked eyes on her and smiled "Hi! Seems I got here just in time!"
Rachel had several mindsets running through her mind. She wasn't sure whether to let herself slip back into the fangirl state she once had, give him the necessary greetings and walk off… or meet the perfect middle ground, and just be a great friend. Third option's the charm.
"Did you just walk in the door?" Rachel laughed.
"Literally five seconds ago," Silver laughed back.
"Why…" Rachel began, before stopping herself. This sounded much better in her head. That certain arrangement of words would NOT work… Oh, geez…
Before she knew it, a few seconds had gone by, and Silver's complexion had become one of worry.
"What?" he asked, cocking his head slightly.
"N-Nothing important," Rachel replied. "Just a question that sounded better in my head."
"…Ask it anyway," Silver said, standing up and completely facing her. "You can tell me anything, you know?"
Even if it was only by that much, he was closer to her. Her heart picked up more than it should have.
"It's… just…" Rachel responded. "…This might be my inferiority complex talking, but I find it hard to believe that you, one of the most famous of the Sonic cast… would make the time to come out here and associate yourself with me."
After fully grasping the words that came out of her mouth, she sighed.
"It's alright," she continued. "I just… really appreciate it. That's all. I just really appreciate you being my friend. Thank you."
Meanwhile, it didn't take a second thought for Silver to set his chocolate bar down and grasp Rachel in a tight hug. It might not have been like a book that she needed the hug… but he heard it in the breaths of her voice and saw it in the effort of her smile.
And especially with the mindset that she'd taken up, Rachel found herself giving a small gasp of surprise before she was able to hug back and take in the warmth.
"Of course," he said. "I gotta thank you for being a friend to me, too. Trust me when I say it: You're worth every minute."
Silver's eyes widened a bit when he realized that final part had been vocalized. Well… It was the truth. She needed that, too…
In response, Rachel asked "Really?"
"Yes, really," Silver nodded.
He suddenly realized that he'd rested his head on her shoulder. He quickly stood back up straight, even if only for the sake of not making the moment uncomfortable.
Letting go of her, but looking right into her eyes, he stated "Don't let yourself think you're not worth my time, because I love coming out here and spending time with you. Remember that, no matter what."
Meanwhile, Rachel could not help herself from smiling as wide as her face would allow her to.
"T-Thank you," she said. "I… really appreciate hearing that."
She was near to being unsure of what to do at all. She was so happy… but happier than she should have been… right?
"Well," said Silver. "Everyone sometimes just needs to know just how much others care for them. I'm putting this out there officially… If you ever need me, whether your car is broken down, or whether you just need someone to talk to… whether the sun is atop Mobius or below it… whether I'm free as a bird or in the middle of an interview… just let me know, okay?"
Everyone always called him the sweetheart of the group, Rachel supposed. She sighed. She couldn't be too surprised.
"Alright," she nodded. "I'll remember that. And I make you the same promise. I'm here for you, too."
"…Thank you," Silver smiled.
Rachel watched him for another second before going to walk toward her bag.
Right before she could put her hand on it, though, Silver said "And you know what I realized, too?"
Picking up her bag, Rachel turned around to face him, asking "Oh? What would that be?"
"I've never gotten a picture with you," said Silver.
At this, fear was stricken into Rachel's gut. Strangely.
"It might sound strange for what I do," Rachel replied. "But I don't like seeing or hearing myself in photos or videos. It's a fear I'm tackling, what with being a freaking TV show host and everything."
"I had that too, at first," said Silver, working with his phone. "Really badly, actually. But you learn to tackle it."
And within a few seconds, he has his phone in the air and his arm around Rachel. Seeing their faces on the screen, Rachel instinctively smiled.
"I need one of these pictures of us," Silver explained.
And within hours after they parted ways that night, they each had the ultimate selfie to look back on. And for the internet to take as it will.
Author's note: I know the one-year anniversary of this was almost two months ago... but I've officially published enough episodes of this that it equals the number of weeks in a year! Thank you all, though, for sticking with me, no matter how long!
