Shortly after they left for Soleanna...
"So long as it's safe huh?" Silver says as he pulls Sonic to the side. Behind him, Dale and Athea are absorbed in their own conversation.
Sonic shrugs. "Eh! Well, it doesn't seem like she really has a home there anyways. Sending her back seems a bit cruel."
Silver shakes his head. "This world is anything but safe. With Eggman and his mechs, , and my timeline. Let alone what happens in Blaze's world. I don't think-"
Sonic interrupts. "It's fine Silver. We can take care of it just like we always do." There's an uncharacteristic note of anger in his voice that brooks no argument.
Silver sighs and drops back.
After they get to the HQ, Silver leaves. "I'm gonna go take a nap."
He doesn't wait for a response. He goes to his room and shuts the door. Knowing he's alone in his room, he dials Shadow on his communicator.
Loud beeping sounds from machines, car engines, and soldiers yelling can be heard in the back ground. "I'm busy." Before the gruff voice can hang up, Silver quickly explains the situation.
"Shadow, wait! We need to talk. Sonic wants to keep Dani here, and I don't think that's a good idea. I don't want to go behind his back, but this world is dangerous for someone who doesn't know it."
The call goes silent, even the background sound is gone.
"We will take them home. Rouge will talk Knuckles into using the master emerald. Meanwhile I will try to find more information on Mephiles. You on the other hand, should keep an eye on faker. See if he changes his mind."
"Since when does he do that?" Silver mutters.
The background noise returns and Shadow hangs up. Silver sits on the foot of his bed and lies back, looking at the white ceiling of his room. Did I do the right thing?
He closes his eyes for a nap.
Present time.
Rouge lands on Angel Island, specifically right on top of the Master Emerald. She sighs as she draws one finger down the line of it.
"Get off!" Knuckles whirls around and jumps towards her.
Rouge nearly flips off the Master Emerald and hangs in the sky. "Oh relax Knuckie, I haven't come to steal your jewelry." She teases him.
"As if I can believe anything you say." Knuckles scoffs, standing on top of the Emerald. Contrary to his words however, he drops his fists, relaxing slightly. Only slightly.
"M-hm, it's true! I actually came to see you this time around." Rouge winks at him with a sly smile on her face. She just loves to tease boys like this! Especially Knuckles, he always makes it fun for her.
Knuckles scowls at her and crosses his arms. "What do you want Rouge?"
"Your help if you can believe it. You know those former human guests that have been staying with Sonic?"
"I vaguely recall hearing something about them over the comms." Knuckles says. He's been curious about them but every time he tried to intercom Tails or Amy, they said they were busy, and Sonic never picks up the phone.
Rouge continues. "Well, we need a way to send them to the dimension they came from, and this beautiful Master Emerald can do just that."
Knuckles thinks about this. "That should be possible, yeah. Did Sonic tell you to ask me? He's the one that's been hanging out with them right?"
Rouge smirks a little. "No, Shadow has requested it. Seems Sonic is reluctant because one of the former humans doesn't want to return."
"So what? Are you asking me to go behind Sonic's back?" Knuckles crosses his arms firmly. "Not happening, I'm no liar! Go use something else."
Rouge frowns. "If we don't send them home we may have bigger problems than betraying Blue's trust."
Knuckles looks at the bat skeptically. "What exactly do you mean by that?"
Rouge lands in front of him. "Some being called Mephiles has a fondness for one of them and has captured her. And from my understanding, he's not something to underestimate. If we don't rescue her and send them all home as soon as possible, I'm afraid the war we have with the doc will be a walk in the park compared to him."
Knuckles contemplates this silently. Several minutes later, Knuckles taps his intercom. "Vector, can you and the Chaotix watch the Master Emerald? I'm going on an important mission with Rouge."
A loud scratchy voice blares through the intercom. "Of course we can! We got nothing to do anyways since we finished helping Barricade town clean the rest of Rough and Tumble's mess! We also found some missing Cluckies from a farm and herded them for a farmer. Turns out, the flock was stolen by a far off neighbor. We'll head right over!" There's a click as Vector hangs up.
Rouge stares at Knuckles, intrigued. "We only need the Master Emerald. What are you coming with me for?"
"You're headed back to Soleanna right? That's what the last update on the comms was anyways. And if this guy is as tough as you say, you guys are gonna need more brawn than Omega." Knuckles says in a dutiful tone. "Plus, I hear the grape wines over there are great."
Rouge smirks at him. "Well then, glad you can accompany me. I was just about to go to one of the restaurants there anyways." She smiles flirtatiously.
Knuckles studiously ignores her, not wanting to get drawn into one of her silly games.
They head to the edge of the island and glide down just as the Chaotix fly up in a plane.
"Have fun on your DAAAaaaaaattttteee! Hahaha!" Charmy calls.
"Charmy, get off the comm. They are on a mission. Not a date." Espio scolds the child.
Knuckles yells in the mic. "Are you crazy? I'd never date that thief! I'll tell you all later what's up. Just guard the Master Emerald until I come back."
She giggles softly. "Well, now that that's settled, race you!" She glides in front of him as he gawks at her. "Ta ta! Last one there pays for dinner."
"I'm a glider, not a flier you cheater!" Knuckles yells.
With the Chaotix guarding the Master Emerald and Team dark allied with Silver and Knuckles against the wishes of Sonic and crew; Dale, Silver, Sonic, and Athea eat takeout at HQ.
Silver takes a bite of the pasta he ordered, while starting a conversation. "So about training, I can't come help tomorrow."
Sonic frowns. "I get that you're concerned about your timeline, but I need someone to help Athea with controlling her flames. You're the only one who can contain them if they get out of control."
"I'll be fine." Athea interrupts. "We can just work on my shield instead." She suggests.
"If you say so." Sonic looks over at Silver. "Try to get back as soon as you can anyways. I don't know what you do when you aren't with us, but you gotta do what you gotta do."
Silver feels a pang of guilt that he disguises by taking another bite of his food. "T-thanks..."
"I didn't take Silver as a secretive type." Dale notes with his mouth full of garlic bread.
"Eh, well I'm from the future, got to keep lots of secrets so I don't mess the past up." Silver says in a nervous tone.
"I get that, paradoxes and all, but you're really not that great with secrets Silver." Athea says, concern clear in her tone. "I hope you got someone you can talk to there in the future."
Silver jumps in his chair a little and gives her a weak smile. "Oh yeah, I've got a few friends I can count on." He takes another bite of his food, using the chance to break eye contact. And I'm about to betray most of them. Briefly, he wondered what Blaze would say if she was here. Would she agree with what he was going to do?
"-you guys don't eat Flickies then?" Athea asks, nearly melting with relief. Silver looks around the table as he realizes the conversation has moved on without him.
"Of course not! They might not be able to talk, but Flickies are nearly as smart as you or me, eating them would just be wrong!" Sonic says, staring at Athea as if she'd grown two heads.
"Then how come the soups earlier said Flickie noodle soup?" Dale asks.
"Yeah, Flickie. As in the brand? They make all sorts of soups like Tomato-Flick soup and Flickie Potato soup... oh. You guys probably don't have that company back on your world huh?" Sonic laughs. "Our bad."
Athea shakes her head. "Maaan, that's just bad product naming. Why would you name a food company after something you don't eat?" She chuckles and leans back in her chair.
"Because of course, we eat leprechauns with our Lucky Charms in the morning." Dale says dryly.
"You eat what?" Silver blurts out, wondering if he should get his ears checked.
The two former humans look at him, then at each other, before they both burst into laughter. Silver's cheeks redden in embarrassment and he looks away as the conversation continues on.
They finish their meal and clean up quickly, with everyone taking on different jobs. After clearing the table, Silver quietly excuses himself and returns to his room. Just as Sonic puts the last of the dishes away, Tails flies in.
"Clutch is back!" Tails announces without preamble.
Sonic turns around. "That chao abuser? What's he up to?"
"I'm not sure." Tails admits. "He's keeping a low profile right now, but earlier I caught some thieves who were robbing a bank with some Eggman tech, and they said Clutch gave the tech to them just the other day."
"Hey, why don't you two just head to bed for now?" Sonic suggests suddenly. "Gotta get a head start on training in the morning after all!"
"Seriously?" Dale says as he crosses his arms. "That's-"
"Actually a good idea!" Athea interrupts, lightly touching Dale's shoulder. "Clutch isn't really any of our business after all." She forces her mouth closed and exits the kitchen, with Dale sulkily following. As soon as they're gone, Sonic turns back to Tails.
"Any idea how long Clutch has been back in business?" He asks.
"A few months probably, the avalanche destroyed his collection before. Clutch would have had to put it back together, and that would have taken awhile. Why did you send those two away?" Tails asks.
"Clutch didn't just abuse chao in his races, or even just sell tech. He was also an information broker. Now I'm thinking, if Mephiles is breaking into G.U.N. bases to get information, he'll probably end up finding Clutch at some point."
"That makes sense, but that still doesn't answer my question."
"Those two are worried about their friend. If they thought they could get a lead on where Dani is, I bet they'll go running, and I don't want them putting themselves in danger." Sonic explains.
"Yeah, you gotta save that for yourself huh?" Tails sighs. "But I agree with you, it'd be better for us to go after him while those two wait. They're both too inexperienced, not to mention untrained."
"Right. Now knowing you, you scoped out where Clutch might be right?"
"Right! He's actually not far from here, he's hiding out at the harbor."
"Great! I'll drop by in the morning."
On the other side of the wall, Athea beckons Dale to the next room. "You heard all that, right?" She asks.
"Nooo, because I am totally deaf." Dale grumbles.
Athea backs off, raising her hands in the air. "Sorry, sorry, that was just...a bit to take in and it made me ask a dumb question."
Dale sighs. "Sorry. Yes I heard. That's why I'm sneaking out tonight, before Sonic can ambush this Clutch guy at the harbor."
Athea's eyes widen in shock. "Are you crazy!? If Sonic finds out we snuck out-"
"That's why you'll stay here. So no one suspects we're gone." Dale says.
Athea huffs. "No way! I'm not staying here while you go on a one man mission to rescue Dani. She's my friend too! And Clutch has an army of robots at his beck and call. How are you planning on dealing with all of them alone?"
Dale leans on the side of the wall by his room's door. "Eh, I can take them."
Sputtering, unable to give a proper response, Athea turns around and stomps to her bedroom. She slams the door closed and turns to the computer. "I'm coming whether you like it or not." She mutters as she quietly plays music.
Dale enters his room, takes a shower, and waits.