The trio carried their messy meal from the hotel kitchen to the dining room, bathed in gold lights and black wood that held a fancy, modern atmosphere. Silver still wasn't used to all the empty space - while he found it somewhat tranquil, there was always a tinge of horror to it too. This hall was designed to house trendy influencers and businessmen, not three freeloaders.

Zeena pouted, rubbing her onion-irritated eyes with a wrist. "Silver, I dunno how you stand cooking every meal yourself."

He had taken charge of prep, delegating tasks to his culinarily-challenged companions. He chuckled awkwardly. "I often don't have much of a choice. My future gets messy or I'm working alone, and I have no time to rely on someone else."

"Regardless," Blaze butted in. "You make a good chef de cuisine."

Sitting at a table, they noticed Mecha by a staircase. Silver called out and the robot explained himself. "Nothing to report in Station Square. My analysis of Eggman Empire databases is ongoing, so I've come to observe you." He remained at a distance.

Silver thought to offer him a plate, but quickly realized the impossibility of feeding a robot with no mouth. A shame. Using the excessive amount of ingredients all at once had resulted in a feast fit for seven or eight rather than a paltry three. Fortunately, Zeena's mad appetite came to the rescue, and she was able to eat fourths while Silver and Blaze were still on seconds. "So good~!" she squealed girlishly, her chin grazed in red sauce.

Blaze offered her a napkin, smiling. "Yes. Great job, Silver."

"Aw shucks," Silver chortled. "You guys did all the work for me."

"We're glad you let us." Blaze's knee brushed against his.

Mecha finally approached the table, his eye fixed on the pot of pasta at the center. "What is so special about this food?"

Silver stuffed a leaf in his mouth (he was eating the most salad). "Well, it… tastes good. Hard to explain." He laughed awkwardly, unwilling to rub the euphoria of a well-cooked supper in the machine's face.

"I am not equipped with taste receptors. I will take your word for it."

Zeena pulled out a chair. "Come on, sit!" He complied surprisingly quickly, resting his steel body in the cushioned wood chair. Resting was a strong word - his posture remained rigid as ever.

"Mecha, why do you like Dr. Eggman?" Blaze's forward question took Silver aback.

The robot moved only its head. "He is my creator. I have little opinion on the man besides the utmost respect."

Zeena smacked her lips. "Like a dad."

"Precisely. Zavok is a similar father figure."

Silver and Blaze traded worried glances. What did those two think fathers were supposed to be? No way two distant authority figures were cut out for it, not that wannabe villains would understand.

Zeena leaned over the table - she appeared more animated than usual with a belly of food. "What are your guys' families like?"

Blaze hesitantly went first. "Both my parents passed away when I was a child, so I don't remember. On the bright side, it's been so long I'm not sad about it anymore." She paused, contemplative. "It left me the sole ruler of the kingdom, which can be stressful."

Silver chuckled. "Hah, sole. Like the Sol Emeralds?"

She playfully thumped his shoulder. "Yes, silly." Realizing his pun could have been seen in bad taste, Silver felt a pang of guilt followed by instant relief. He was glad Blaze understood him, and that the rest of the table didn't care either. This was certainly an abnormal bunch, but maybe that wasn't a bad thing.

Zeena picked at her fang with a knife. "You, Silver?"

He reclined, lifting two feet of the chair. "I'm not much better. My parents sent me off to psychic school when I was young, and I've only seen them occasionally since. I love them though."

"Sounds like they kicked you out." Zeena failed to sugarcoat it.

"I guess," Silver mulled it over. "But I learned a lot, and it's not like I never see them. They just wanted to help me be strong." He nodded, now confident. "In the end, I'm grateful. I can't imagine having no powers."

Mecha cut in. "You would not have been sent here otherwise."

"True," Silver smiled, reminiscing. "I can't wait to go back and see everyone again."

Zeena's eyes bugged out. "You're leaving?"

"Uh, yeah." He forgot he hadn't told her yet, and couldn't blame her surprise. "As soon as I get this situation sorted out."

Zeena feigned subdued interest, but was clearly irked. "What's so good about the future, besides your folks?"

Suddenly, Silver felt Blaze's eyes piercing him through his periphery. He squirmed, wanting to humor Zeena without betraying his companion. "Not much, it's just…" He chose his words very carefully. "Fixing it is the reason I came back in time in the first place." That felt like such a simple answer, was he overdoing it? No idea. "It's home." Frantic, he had to alleviate the pressure. "Don't you miss the Lost Hex?"

Zeena hummed, considering. "It's only been a few days, so not really." She ran a finger along her plate, licking the sauce. "And it's nice down here. I have to visit more often."

Unexpectedly, Mecha spoke up too. "My home is the Eggman Empire. I fight for its freedom."

The Zeti laughed, tapping his metal head. "The Eggman Empire isn't a place. And whenever it is, it isn't for long!"

"Can't an imagined nation be a home?" protested Mecha. "What do you think, Blaze?"

The cat was caught off guard, sputtering awkwardly on water to buy time. "As a princess I have responsibilities that bind me to a politically-defined nation, so I am not the best to ask." She didn't pause. "Though I am confident loyalty may transcend space."

Silver was about to contribute to the conversation, but stopped when Blaze didn't return his gaze. She clearly felt he was staring, yet neither budged. This conversation was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. "So, where to next? What's tomorrow's target?" he stammered, desperate.

Fortunately, Mecha came to his rescue. "The Eggman Empire indicates an artifact called the Phantom Ruby has recently been detected, for the first time since its disappearance."

Now this was interesting; Silver felt the weight of social pressure instantly lift off his shoulders. "The Phantom Ruby? I remember that thing." He hadn't seen the gem since Sonic put a stop to Eggman's plans for it. "Any location?"

"No." Mecha didn't elaborate.

But another, softer voice spoke. "Hello?"

"Gah!" Silver fumbled with his fork, clattering dishes - it got giggles out of Blaze and Zeena at least. He looked above to see a familiar ball of orange light. "Tikal, you scared me so bad!"

Bright laughter sang out of the light. "I'm so sorry, Silver!" The echidna's image materialized next to his side of the table. "I see you're taking care of yourselves. What's the plan afterwards?"

Blaze took charge, staring past Silver to address their guest. "We now seek to secure the Phantom Ruby. Had the Master Emerald picked up any anomalies before we hid it?"

"Yes, that's why I'm here!" The spirit beamed at the coincidence. "I remembered it had been sensing powerful aberrations in the Icecap region. I know little about this Ruby, but if the Master Emerald reacted to it, then it must be worth investigating."

Mecha's body whirred, processing. "There is a railroad in Station Square. If we get a train car moving, we will spare ourselves traveling uphill through a snowstorm."

The whole table looked at Zeena. She smiled unenthusiastically, flashing green electricity across her pink nails. "On it."

"Perfect!" Tikal seemed excited by their progress, as if cheering on a sports team. "Is there anything else you need?"

Blaze leaned towards Tikal, laying a hand on Silver's shoulder in the process. "Thank you, your direction has been invaluable." He smelled her lingering royal perfume; she was being uncharacteristically touchy. Was she this excited to see Tikal? No...

Mecha gave a sincere question: "Tikal, are you capable of eating spaghetti?"

The table burst into laughter, leaving Mecha minorly confused. As Silver rocked, he found his shoe tapping Blaze's - she jolted at his touch, finally looking him in the eye. They didn't say anything besides giggles, smiles forced onto their faces. It melted Silver's heart, and made him believe for a second that she was okay again.

Blaze lay awake in her bed. The cool breeze in the cracked window was negated by her wrap of blankets. There were no insects or rations to worry about. She was no longer sleeping in a bag on the ground, but rather a five-star hotel in a silent metropolis. The mattress was so comfortable, swallowing her up like her own royal bed. And yet, she could not sleep.

Instead she stared at Silver. He slept in the bed parallel to hers, a chaotic mess of blankets, clearly confused by the presence of a top sheet and so many pillows. As far as she could tell, he was fast asleep.

That dance in the store terrified her. She was so close to him, possibly closer than ever before, standing in that empty aisle. She'd felt his hands and shoulders, she'd smelled his scent. She couldn't bear to let go, she wanted to stay like that forever… but she would have to.

Why did he have to go back home? What was so good about the future anyways? Blaze knew the answers to these questions - she'd already come to accept them a week ago - but they no longer made sense. That was before she'd started living with him every day, having mysterious visions of their companionship. It all filled her heart with so much love, and just as much dread.

Dinner had driven those nails further into the coffin - he was leaving for sure. Silver was simple. He spoke his mind, he did what he wanted, and that simplicity extended to his decision; he was sincerely set on returning to the future. He was set on... leaving her. Was there really no room for negotiation?

Every decision to stay with him felt more and more illogical as she succumbed to the hysteria of losing her beloved. Part of her hoped that Redd would somehow ruin the Chaos Emeralds, make it impossible for Silver to leave. That was so childish; she felt immense guilt as it crossed her mind.

A light on the balcony caught her eye. Blaze sat up, spotting that flashing orb again. Stepping onto the balcony, the world's stagnant air felt a little more refreshing at night. She leaned over the railing.

"I felt the need to speak with you, Blaze," Tikal explained, balancing atop the rail with ease.

Her mind was elsewhere. "About the Ruby?"

"No." She giggled awkwardly. "I couldn't help but notice the, uh… bond that you and Silver share. There is something special about it."

Did they share that bond? Blaze wasn't so sure anymore. "We're friends." She didn't know how to describe such inevitably temporary love, and so didn't even try. "He's going back home soon, so we're just friends." The words hurt coming out.

"Really?" Tikal seemed surprised. "I never guessed he'd leave your side, the way he looks at you."

She frowned. "Well I suppose his home time has things I can't offer…" Her flash of temper gave way to reason. "It's what he was promised. He has been fighting for those opportunities his whole life."

"I see…" Tikal didn't want to accept it either. "Have you spoken to him about staying?"

She didn't even entertain the thought. "Who am I to deny him his inheritance?"

"You're already denying him something, by hiding how you feel."

Blaze remained silent, pierced. She didn't have a counter for that.

Tikal's feet stopped swinging. "Was that too far? I'm sorry… I just want to help."

"Not at all…" She didn't want to tell Tikal about the burning light her comment ignited, instead deflecting to another development. "You know, I've been having odd dreams lately."

"How do you feel about them?"

Blaze was amused Tikal didn't ask about the contents. "Can't say. It's a scary world, but with him there, I…"

"Silver?"

She nodded, embarrassed. "Either he's helping me or vice versa, every time. It's so juvenile..." It felt ridiculous implying daydreams of a star-crossed romance, like a girl with a crush.

"He's a very special boy. As I said, you'd be wise to keep him around."

"I don't see how that's possible."

Tikal descended from the railing, gently taking Blaze's hands in her own. Her crystal eyes washed over her like an ocean, catching her off-guard. "I don't know you very well Blaze, but please. Silver will do what he will…" She sighed. "You needn't always be a martyr. Let yourself win for once."

Blaze felt her eyes sting with tears, fighting them back. Let herself win? She had won battles in the past, she knew the taste of victory, but this was not about her. It was never about her. It was always about her kingdom, or the Sol Emeralds, or her friends, or Silver. Her position was already so privileged, she couldn't imagine turning selfish now; so what if a sacred princess couldn't get what she wanted? She would hate to burden Silver with such trivial concerns at a time like this.

Noticing how affected she was, Tikal tenderly rubbed her hand. "You deserve this, you know. You must keep your own best interests in mind - no one else will do that for you."

Blaze choked back her sorrow, choosing to reveal some fears. "I am a peacekeeper, Tikal. I fight to bring disorder back to normal, not to make my own life better."

The echidna grunted, closing her eyes. "No, you're not getting it!" Tikal realized she raised her voice, cringing at the thought of the hedgehog in the hotel room, and covered her mouth. "You aren't selfish just because you desire, Blaze. It took me millennia to learn that," she whispered.

Try as she may, Blaze still couldn't process it. She looked back into the room through the sliding glass door, watching Silver sleep. His body remained tangled in bedding, but he slept with such peace. At this point he could make it through anything, she knew that, but she still felt an urge to fix the sheets for him - a task impossible without rousing him in the process.

A dreamy sigh escaped her chest. "...I love him."

Smiling, Tikal pulled her close for a hug. It was admittedly cold embracing a long-dead spirit, but the empathy made it almost tangible.

Zeena reclined at the front of the cheap passenger train, casually gliding it down the rails. Her talons perched upon the useless control panel, green energy working the dials and switches for her. There really wasn't much to driving a train, she'd learned - the tracks did half the work. She just needed to control speed as they went around turns, navigating an increasingly winding path into the mountains. She liked it.

Out of the corner of her eye, Zeena spotted a structure sat atop a peak. Squinting, she analyzed its shapes - some kind of fort. It wasn't Eggman's, featuring a high spire and sloped roofs and turrets, more like a castle. She was curious, but turned back to the tracks in front of her. She wondered if they would snake around at some point.

The rest of the crew sat in the middle of the train car: Mecha brooding in a far corner, and Silver and Blaze across from each other next to a window. The seats were old and worn fabric over plastic, offering little comfort. They'd slept in again, and it had been a quiet ride so far. Silver wondered how Blaze fared, as he always did.

"I wish there were mountains like this in my kingdom. They're beautiful," she cooed.

He followed her gaze out the window to the fearsome mountain range that swallowed them up. The yellow of the sky reflected off the white snow and dark trees and rocks, tinging it all with gold. He had no choice but to agree with her.

Blaze continued. "I would visit more often, but my kingdom… you know." She gave an amused exhale. "I like it here, but it's not for me." Then she turned to Silver, eyes just as gold as the world outside. "You spend more time here than I do, honestly. You must feel some belonging." There was hope in that voice, hope that he wished wasn't there.

Silver nodded. "Kinda. I do love it here. I guess it's the same place, just older" he smirked. "Sometimes it feels like I don't belong in the future either, you know? I spend so much time away. Makes me want to go back and find my place."

Blaze paused before responding. She looked wary. "Do you feel better in the future than you do here?"

He wanted to humor her while maintaining boundaries. "Can't say. There's more everything in the future: food, tech, all that jazz. Only fewer friends, I'd like to change that."

"What if a friend from this time accompanied you to the future?"

Now that was something he'd never considered before, and honestly, it scared him more than the notion of sticking around in the past. "Hmm, definitely a legal faux pas. And I wouldn't feel comfortable keeping someone from their own time for so long." He looked at his palms. "When you move through time, it all blurs together. You forget things from your old time… nothing is stable." His eyes locked onto her. "Have you ever felt that, crossing dimensions?"

"Maybe to some extent. For me it's like a trip to another country, just… further."

"Yeah, time is different. The way we mortals experience it is so flimsy. Just by traveling my memories are warped, and I see weird… visions, I guess."

"Is that so?"

Maybe it was time to tell her. "They've been weirder lately. Ever since we began this journey."

"Well Silver, I…"

She was cut off by a blast that rocked the train - instinctively, she grabbed Silver by the sleeves, throwing her body towards him and flaring with heat. He replied with an arm at her shoulder, his psychokinesis flashing. "What was that?"

From the front of the train, loud stumbling preceded the arrival of a crazed Zeena. "What the hell are you two doing!?" She pointed an accusatory finger.

Mecha burst through a seat, disregarding its plastic frame and ripping through like paper. "The train has suffered damage. We are under attack."

Gently sliding from Blaze's grasp, Silver pressed his face against the frosty window. He couldn't see anything, it was too dark out already. Why is the sun down so early? Had they really taken that long to get going?

His question was ignored as impacts struck the roof, denting the ceiling. The three bounded to the gangway, throwing the door open to investigate. It was like a blizzard behind the train but even worse atop it, snow whipping Silver in the face and cutting him like ice.

"More robots!" Blaze shouted above the howling wind. She formed a fireball in her paw, finding the gale difficult to control, before throwing it into the darkness. Two illuminated bodies waited in the snow: EggRobos, androids built in Eggman's own narcissistic image. Each wielded an impressive plasma blaster. Had Redd already detected the Phantom Ruby? Even if he hadn't, surely he would notice a single train in operation while the rest lay dormant. Another confrontation was inevitable.

Silver stepped to support Blaze, but Mecha's iron fist grabbed his shoulder like a vice. "Your powers are needed for the train. The wheels are compromised."

"What about Zeena?" Silver protested, desperate to accompany Blaze.

"She is driving."

On cue, three more of the red robots approached with boosters flaring, landing on the train car. One fired a blast, but Mecha intercepted it with a missile of his own. Annoyed, Silver lashed out with his mind, tearing the EggRobos off the train and shredding them into shrapnel. "Mecha, the train is fine, let me help Blaze!"

"No. The integrity of the car is in your hands. Do you not trust Blaze's strength?"

Silver peered past Mecha, watching Blaze kick the second EggRobo into pieces. The snow atop the car had melted from her attacks, though it would soon freeze again. Then more EggRobos arrived. Some perched on the train, but several went lower, smashing the windows and hoisting their bulbous frames indoors.

Silver saw a flash across Mecha's face. "Mind the wheels." Then he dove back into the train, no doubt to cover Zeena; Silver couldn't resist noting the hypocrisy.

An EggRobo shot at Silver, forcing him to duck. He flashed his wrist, stunning the bot and allowing the wind to carry it into the ditch. Trashing another robot, he made his way down to the back of the car - this time he saw the smoke and rattling wheels below. Bending a wheel back into shape, especially one that had lost so much matter and was currently spinning rapidly, was next to impossible. Mecha clearly didn't realize that, or more likely didn't care. Hopefully they were approaching their destination, so Silver deemed it a lost cause, returning to the top of the car.

There he found Blaze surrounded by scraps. She seemed to be handling herself fine, but he rushed to her anyway. As he opened his mouth to speak, shock spread over her face. "Look out!"

An EggRobo blaster was heard, and Silver turned too late - blue plasma headed straight for him. But another force hit him in the chest as Blaze pushed him out of the way, knocking him to his butt. The shot whizzed by his head, nearly singeing quills; his rescuer kept going too, carried by momentum. The train suddenly shook, no doubt thanks to its crippled wheel, and Blaze's heels scratched on the slippery ice, carrying her off the edge of the car.

"Blaze!" He cried out, releasing psychic energy that saved her. She sat suspended in the air, flying over the impressive mountain ravine to their side. Her eyes met his, full of fear.

She panicked again. "Hey!"

This time he didn't see it coming: electricity struck his side, stunning him. He screamed, but didn't let go. It must have been two simultaneous bolts judging by how much it hurt, and how much of his body it burned. Furious, he clenched his other fist, crushing the EggRobos like tinfoil.

Silver's mind carried Blaze back to the train, but it faltered, forcing her to grab onto a shattered window below. After she flipped back atop the train, she rushed to his side. "What is wrong with you!?" Her hands were cut by broken glass, but they gently grabbed him by the shoulders - her body betrayed her harsh language. "Take care of yourself!"

Silver looked up at her, wincing. He caught a whiff of burnt fabric and fur, but was too scared to examine the numb sensation on his side. "You don't have to do everything alone...!" His arm gave out, and he grunted as he fell into her hands. His body throbbed, and the cold was getting to his fingers and toes.

He didn't see, but felt Blaze's body tense as she swirled a fireball around herself to incinerate another robot. Her muscles felt powerful, spring-loaded. Then her muzzle returned to his forehead. "Honestly, you're hopelessly naive…"

Finally he looked, taking in the hole in his jacket and the scorched fur underneath. He didn't remember this era's artillery being so brutal. "They got me good…"

Silently, Blaze threw his arm over her shoulder and lifted him to his feet. The car shook as they hit another curve, making them stumble. He struggled to escape her grip, but recoiled at the pain down his side. "Are there any more robots?"

Mecha suddenly burst from within the car, circling to the roof. He still held an EggRobo leg in hand, implying terrible conflict. "Silver, that wheel is still causing trouble." He sounded annoyed until he noticed the injury.

The hedgehog scoffed. "No can do… we need Zeena. Tag out."

Mecha didn't sigh, but it sure felt like he did, flying back into the train. Moments later, Zeena appeared at the back via the gangway door, her hands still brimming with green energy. Silver wondered why she was able to leave the front of the train, or more importantly, why Mecha granted her that excuse in the first place.

"I really don't need this right now, hedgehog," she hissed.

"Sorry Zeena, it's spinning too fast. Do you have more precise control than me, since it's metal?"

Zeena looked down at the rattling wheel, apprehensive. "Not really. If I slow us down, you need to hold off any robots."

Blaze cut in. "No, Silver needs to patch up." Silver was about to protest when she interrupted him again. "He's hit."

The Zeti scowled. "What does that mean for me?"

"It means we're counting on you. You've done a fantastic job so far, we really wouldn't be this far without your skills. Thank you dearly." At first Silver thought it was more hollow flattery to butter up Zeena, but Blaze's voice was remarkably sincere. It was true appreciation - things had really changed since the two first met.

Zeena sighed, clearly torn between having her ego stroked and being forced to work harder. A smile appeared on her face, betraying her playful indecision. "Oh fine." She flicked her wrist and immediately the brakes kicked in, sliding Silver and Blaze towards the front of the car; Silver charitably assumed it was unintentional.

With the train decelerated, the wind wasn't nearly as fierce. Soon Mecha returned to the roof, and Blaze immediately barked orders at him. "Take Silver in, I'll stay out here and cover Zeena."

The robot complied, taking him from her side (with little care for his wound) and flying through the shattered window again. Silver gasped in pain as Mecha dumped him on the floor. He couldn't blame him for being so insensitive to organic bodies, but was still annoyed.

Mecha growled. "You didn't even try to fix it?"

"I did try!" He turned on Mecha, interrogative. "Why are you letting Zeena off so easily? She can drive this thing with her arms tied behind her back."

"Zeena has done far more for this trip than you. She doesn't need to be dragged into a fight." Mecha grabbed a first aid kit from the front of the car and carelessly tossed it to the floor at Silver's feet. "Fix yourself up." Then he blasted back out the open window.

Ugh. Silver was beginning to dislike Mecha's attitude and weird loyalty to Zeena. This trip was such a bother. He sought the first aid kit with his hand, but couldn't reach as pain stung at his side, forcing him to use his powers. Maybe it was just the injury, but he was in a bad mood. Mecha pushing him around, Blaze refusing his help, Zeena being uncooperative, it was all getting on his nerves. His mind wandered to a peaceful future again, but he pulled himself back to the present. He was being unreasonable and he knew it.

After a long silence lacking explosions, Blaze swung back into the car. Seeing Silver, she crouched near him. "Mecha's holding down the fort. Please, let me help."

Blaze summoned a torch, holding it close to his body in an attempt to warm him up. He saw the dry blood lingering on her gloves, which left a small red smudge on his forearm. Typical Blaze - always offering aid but never accepting it. But with the tiny warmth of the flame, the gentle touch of a princess, and the reduced number of robots pestering their slow train car, his mind began to relax.

"Your jacket is ruined…" Blaze sounded needlessly sad as she said it.

Silver pawed at the melted hole in the fabric. "It's whatever." He was bluffing - this was one of his favorite jackets, the one he planned on taking back to the future with him. He just wasn't in the mood for pity.

"Let me get a look at the spot."

Silver undid the buttons, exposing his white chest and gray stomach. He watched Blaze approach with a disinfectant wipe in hand, but she paused, staring for a second.

"What is it?" he asked.

She cleared her throat. "Nothing."

Carefully, she reached inside the jacket to dab at his side. He could feel her hand tremble, wrists almost glowing with heat. The wipe stung, but Silver stayed stoic. He tried to avoid looking her in the eye as she retrieved a long bandage, wrapping it around his stomach to cover the sore. He thought he saw her blushing.

This mixture of annoyance and adoration for Blaze was agonizing. He was glad to have rescued her, but even now she was still taking care of him. He knew she trusted him, but she was more self-sacrificing and protective than ever since they set out. Part of him wanted her to stop before she ran herself into the ground. But then again, it was clearly what she wanted… there would be no convincing her otherwise, would there?

Blaze pulled back, relieved. "It's not as bad as I thought, but you must treat it kindly." He didn't respond, for there was little else to be said. She still wanted to talk. "Silver, about your visions…"

"Yeah?" He kicked himself for sounding so impatient.

"I too have had such visions lately."

Silver cocked his head curiously. "Oh. Interesting…" He wasn't sure how to go about this. Upon asking her of their subject, he was surprised to hear she saw the same fiery apocalypse. "Do you think something triggers them?" he asked.

On cue, another vision hit him. This time the deja vu was more intense than ever, featuring himself and Blaze sitting similarly to how they sat now. Silver even felt the bandage around his waist, and she closed a first aid kit in exactly the same manner. Only rather than sitting on the floor of a dark and cold train car, icy wind breezing past them, they were in a rickety old office building surrounded by boiling lava. Rather than a dark yellow sky, the world was bathed in bright red. It was like the perfect opposite.

"I just had another one."

Blaze sighed. "Me too."

Neither inquired on the meaning of the visions - if there was any. There was little point in discussing them, lest they begin navel-gazing. Instead, they agreed to continue updating each other if they saw any more. Maybe deep down, Silver knew the visions wouldn't matter in a week or so. For now they had more pressing matters to tend to, and after that, nothing between them would matter anymore.

The jackal watched lights appearing on the dark, snowy mountains - search parties. Earlier he had heard explosions too, an uncommon occurrence in these peaceful mountains. He could tell they were Badnik scouts, no doubt Dr. Eggman hunting the Phantom Ruby. That fool had a knack for losing track of it.

The open window allowed snow into the observatory and racked him with cold, but he was used to it. What he wasn't used to was combat - he was quite rusty, in fact, and his old sword remained sunken into a floorboard, dull and sad. He wouldn't be able to fight the inevitable invaders.

He felt a throb in his chest. So badly he wanted to tap into the Ruby again; with it, the possibilities were endless. He could wipe out any Badniks in seconds, he could warp the mountains into an inescapable labyrinth, he could relocate the mansion entirely - whatever his imagination and willpower could muster to escape this scenario.

It had been a long clean streak, hadn't it? A relapse would be a momentary setback, he could work his way back up over time. Yes, he deserved a cheat day.

He rubbed his forehead thoughtfully, failing to hide a wicked grin. It was time to go all out again.