Sonic taps his foot, impatiently checking the intercom on his watch. "Man, how long is everyone gonna take?" Just as he says that, Shadow and Silver show up.
"We're sorry." Silver says guiltily.
Sonic frowns. "Knuckles told me what happened as soon as you sent them home, I don't appreciate you two going behind my back."
Shadow scoffs. "Your judgement has been off since you let Eggman live. I knew we would regret leaving him in that village, amnesiac or no, but you refused to see sense. I will not be taking anymore chances." Sonic steps back and flinches at the painful reminder, that not even a few weeks later Eggman unleashed the zombot virus on the world. Silver gets in between them, but Shadow is already turning around.
"Where do you think you're going?" Sonic asks frustratedly.
"I'm going to find out what's so special about that girl and her friends." Shadow says and walks away.
Silver looks at Sonic. "I have a feeling we will see them again. I don't think we've stopped whatever's going to happen from happening."
Sonic nods. "Let's talk about this over lunch, and you can tell me more about that future."
Silver nervously scratches his head. "You're not mad?"
"No, I'm pretty upset. You should never have done that to Dani and the others. But you've done it now, and I don't have the chaos emeralds to go get them. So we're going to talk about that future of yours instead." Sonic says. Silver frowns. "You don't have to hide secrets from everyone ya know?" Sonic shakes his head.
Silver sighs. "You're right. It's time I tell you everything."
Sonic and Silver run off to the nearest chili dog stand.
Elsewhere, Mephiles looks at Micheal impassively. "You showed them the way out. Why?"
Micheal shrugs, not looking up from his game. "They would've taken me with them if they'd found it on their own anyways. Since my world is gone, I'd rather stay here. I figured if I showed them the way out, I could push them through instead of being taken by surprise."
Micheal hears the sound of Mephiles warping away.
He starts gathering things in a book bag. He puts on some clothes. A Green hoodie, brown pants, and some black combat boots. He puts his hoodie up over his red hair and ears and heads out. He goes through the opening, leaving the place he once thought was home.
If what that lady said was right, then I gotta know myself. I have to find the truth. Videogames are cool, and this place is amazing, but it's also kinda lonely without my friends and family... and that crystal told me that I've been here for years now. I'm not 8 anymore. As much as Mephiles wants to keep me that way. Micheal thinks to himself.
He opens the portal using the crystal. "I've played the innocent little boy long enough haven't I?" He says to himself before smirking and walking through the portal.
Once again, Mephiles warps into the lab Starline has built for himself. The platypus winces at the sudden intrusion. "Mephiles, how nice it is to see you again. Unfortunately, I have some news for you that you won't like."
"Speak." Mephiles says neutrally.
"Using the chaos emeralds we still have, I was able to track the Master Emerald's activities. They sent the released subjects home some days ago and… It appears the three humans were sent home not an hour ago." Starline eyes Mephiles, expecting him to lash out at him, much like Eggman would have.
"I see." The figure turns away, studying one of Starline's computers.
"You're not upset?" Starline questions.
"No. It would have been easier had they stayed, but we still have several chaos emeralds. I can go back for her whenever I desire, particularly if our new friend helps."
"New...friend?" Starline glances behind him, as if expecting someone to materialize.
"Friends." If Mephiles had a mouth, he would have smiled. "You'll have to get in touch with a few of them for me. Be sure to warn Clutch that I won't tolerate another failure while you're at it."
"...Understood." Starline turns away and allows a flicker of anger to pass over his face. How much longer must I serve? I have plans of my own to accomplish!
Mephiles notices none of this as he turns on a screen to show Dani sleeping peacefully in her own room. "You and I have unfinished business...I'll see you again real soon." He laughs.
As soon as Mephiles leaves Starline takes a deep breath, and looks over at the screen. "Creep." Starline mumbles.
Far away, on top of the bell tower in the city of Soleanna, Infinite, unseen, watches the overlanders run off to work and school.
"How ironic that even the proclaimed strongest of mercenaries couldn't handle two measly mortals. Even ones that were once human." Mephiles taunts, quietly forming from his shades.
"Oh really? I thought the mortals being trapped in null space, withering away, would be much more fun than just ending them all quickly." Infinite taunts back. "For one who claims to be an immortal God, you seem to be losing this game of fetch yourself."
Mephiles looks at him, masking agitation with a calm demeanor. "Don't forget your place mortal, for I am the one who gave you the power you possess, and I can shatter it." Mephiles clenches his gloved fist. Infinite's Phantom Ruby glows making a crackling sound. He winces and Mephiles unclenches his fist.
"You have made your point. What it is it that you require?" Infinite asks, adjusting his mask.
"We must prepare for a new beginning. Dani will be our guest again, quite soon." Infinite nods, but Mephiles stares at him, oozing an aura of malice. "She must not be harmed, in any way. You understand?"
Infinite shakes his head chuckling. "I wouldn't even think of such nonsense. She would be far too easy for me to defeat." Infinite flies off. Mephiles watches him until he disappears into the distance. He melts away, back into the shadows.