With the intuition of a psychic, a sacred guardian, a techno demon, and a robot combined, the team agreed the source of the aberrations lay on the side of a peak nearby. It was the same spot Zeena had seen earlier, a cliffside cradling an ornate yet desolate mansion. A wonder the ancient thing still stood.

The wind had died down somewhat, leaving a singing chill through the air as they exited the rickety train car (left in the middle of the track, a spot where there was normally no station or stop). Cold was unavoidable in such a mountain range, but Blaze insisted on trying to keep the party warm with a ring of fire. This forced them all to move in an awkward cluster around her, almost like penguins huddling, but the warmth was worth it.

"Can you feel cold, Mecha?" inquired Blaze.

"I can detect low temperatures, but I don't feel cold." He was bad at making eye contact. "Nevertheless, it's dark out and I lack solar power, so I must keep my battery from freezing."

"It's remarkable how much Dr. Eggman put into your design," Silver commented, totally oblivious of how to make a robot. "You're an impressive machine."

He huffed. "Hopefully the Doctor thinks so too."

Suddenly the whole mountain shook, but not in an explosive way. It was more like a steady tremor, as if some giant was shifting. A hint of red light escaped a window in the mansion, marking their target. Dread filled Silver. "That must be the Ruby."

As they approached the citadel, the group began noticing remains of more EggRobos strewn about the snow. Some had been crushed or mangled, while others were completely disassembled. Silver knew the gem could act on its own to some extent, but such targeted effects implied a master. He wondered…

"Wow, it turned these Badniks into modern art," Zeena smirked. Silver wanted to correct her enthusiasm.

Before they reached the front steps, he reached out an arm. "Guys, I should warn you. The Phantom Ruby's not a battery like a Chaos Emerald, or a controller like the Master Emerald. It's more like a projector, it summons illusions and warps space." He remembered its army of clones and artificial sun that once threatened to incinerate them all, but he also remembered how quickly it came to an end. "But its changes aren't permanent. They feel real, but then vanish just like that." He snapped his fingers for emphasis.

Zeena regarded the mechanical carnage behind them. "What are you saying? These Badniks are toast - seems pretty real to me."

"Yeah it can hurt you, but…" He struggled to find the words. "Its summons can only twist the truth, not outright lie. Like a funhouse mirror." His explanation fell flat as the others continued to stare him down; they still didn't fully understand the danger. "Sonic and I almost lost because of it. It's no joke."

Before he could go on rambling, bright searchlights appeared on the hill behind them. There was no mistaking it; Silver groaned. "More already?"

The team watched as more and more robots emerged over the slope; it was no less than an army! Silver thought he even saw Metal Sonic in the crowd. There was no way they could take this many at once, not even with Zeena's powers. One could only imagine how seriously Redd was taking the mission.

Zeena rapped on Silver's shoulder. "This isn't the Ruby's work, is it?"

"Don't think so." He had no idea, admittedly.

"Regardless, we should get inside," Blaze commanded. She dissipated the ring of fire and started up the front steps, forcing the rest to follow her into the darkness of the open doors.

The jackal knelt in his den, gasping for air. By tapping back into the Ruby he'd let it take control again… it made him sick. To make matters worse, reinforcement Badniks were on the way. He peered out the window to take in the army - no, these were not merely reinforcements, they were the main course. He wondered what the Ruby would do next.

Even so, he couldn't wipe the crazed grin from his face. The high lingered, and he wasn't getting nauseated yet.

Then, he noticed five new intruders. They weren't robots - not all of them anyways. He hadn't closed the door. Whatever. He would let the Ruby have its way with them.

The group stepped into the mansion's massive foyer, laced with bits of snow along the cracked marble floors and frozen, torn rugs. Broken dressers and light fixtures sat in one corner, as if someone was ready to move them at some point. Red torches lined the walls, providing light and some semblance of warmth. It did not feel like a home, but rather a former home. One that once provided opulence and security, now reduced to junk.

Silver approached the ornate grand staircase, absentmindedly running his finger along the banister. He didn't know where to start, but already had bad vibes from the place.

"We should split up to better cover the area," Mecha commanded. It was not a suggestion.

Zeena tutted. "I'm not exploring this place alone; that's how we get picked off by a serial killer."

"Well we must hurry, lest we are overrun by robots." The footsteps outside were growing louder and louder.

To Silver, a serial killer or a robot army seemed preferable to whatever - or whoever - was in control of the Phantom Ruby. He began peering into the darkness under the stairs, only for it to be suddenly illuminated by a gale of fire unleashed by Blaze. Her voice failed to sound sweet. "You're welcome."

But with the flash of light, a familiar sneer emerged from the shadows. It was followed by a tattered robe, with metal shoes dragging across the floor. Its eyes shone.

"You!" Silver spat, skipping backwards.

It was Redd. He hovered to meet the group, extending his claw in an almost welcoming manner. "We really ought to stop meeting like this."

Without hesitation, Silver snagged a dilapidated chandelier and threw it at him, only for Redd to effortlessly vanish it into crystals. "Stay out of my way this time and no one gets hurt." The Badniks were beginning to breach the front door; he snickered. "My crew is finally here. They're going to tear this place apart until we find that Ruby."

Blaze appeared at Silver's side. "Not if we find it first!" she shot back.

"Oh yeah?" Redd's condescending tone had some truth to it. They were hopelessly surrounded, but that didn't mean the four would go down without a fight.

Suddenly, an orange light filled the chamber, and a warbling bass rumbled out; Silver instantly knew what was at hand. "The Ruby!" His body illuminated with cyan energy, reaching out to hold each of the group close. He didn't know what was going to happen. "Remember what I said!"

The others didn't quite understand what he meant, but had no time to ask. The foyer shifted, its shattered floor rolling and rippling as if it were made of fabric. Silver's psychokinesis fizzled out in its overwhelming aura as dark holes opened to swallow them from below; he tried to catch his companions as he fell, but it was all a blur. It seemed each was thrust down a stony tunnel into the cold earth.

Blaze picked herself up off the stone floor, thoroughly discombobulated. She noticed Mecha had arrived in the same room somehow, and he already stood - she briefly wondered if he too was a projection. But as his feet clunked along the murky stone floor, his voice groaned with a hint of confusion. "Where have we been placed?"

Blaze peered at the high ceiling, noticing an intricate metal door above her head. It was locked. She thought she'd seen a similar door in her own castle, though it hadn't been used in years. "This may be an oubliette," she explained.

"Define," Mecha ordered.

"It's a kind of dungeon, but it's not explicitly for criminals. It's a place where one can lock an enemy away forever, forgetting about them entirely."

"Sounds familiar."

Blaze paused at Mecha's depressing remark. "It's needlessly cruel, in my opinion… and I'm not sure why there would be one in a mansion."

The robot held his other arm. "An effect of the Ruby." Rearing back, he threw a solid punch into the stone wall, finding nothing but more intricate stone behind it. It was layers upon layers of rock, impossibly deep.

"Silver said the Ruby cannot form reality, it can only change it. What does that mean for us?" Mecha's question was sincere.

On cue, the Phantom Ruby's power again swept over the room. Mecha and Blaze watched as their dungeon morphed, warping into a long tunnel. After a moment, Mecha gave her a glance before launching into the deep shadows, disappearing.

Where does he think he's going? At first Blaze hesitated, well aware it was an illusion. As she waited, however, a dark feeling came over her: loneliness. She rushed after Mecha, surprised by how easily she caught up with him. Did he slow down for her? Then a voice called out before them. The two looked at each other, speaking simultaneously.

"Silver?"

"The Doctor?"

No, it couldn't be. Those voices sounded nothing alike. It must have been part of the illusion - but even as an illusion, the voices had a potent as she did to fight it, Blaze couldn't help but remember the word oubliette: a place where people are forgotten. Her mind wandered into previously eased fears. How long would these memories of hers - and Silver's - last? She shook her head at the doubts.

Despite fighting her fears, Blaze noticed her speed had increased. She was barely in control of her legs anymore, kicking up fire as she went. Her heart raced. Where would they go if not forward?

Meanwhile, Mecha snarled. His boosters sputtered as he pushed further and further, trying with all his might to overcome the tunnel with sheer speed. He gradually pulled ahead of Blaze, and she couldn't bear to watch - he was just as deluded as herself. "Mecha, stop! It won't let us out! There's no point!"

In response, Mecha dug one arm into the tunnel wall, kicking up bricks and debris. He let out a furious roar, slowing down as he took his anger out on the stone. Shielding her eyes from debris, Blaze slowed to a stop with her robot companion. He fell to one knee, defeated. "So we are at the whim of the Phantom Ruby..."

Blaze had no counterargument. She slumped against the other wall, sliding to a seat on the cold floor. There was little they could do but think, and wait.

Zeena struck a Motobug with her claws, spilling its mechanical brains. Somehow she was the only one to avoid being snatched by the Phantom Ruby - even Redd was gone. Where was her invitation? While she was glad to not be trapped in a hole, it left her alone with an angry mob at the door. She peered out a foggy window, watching the storm of Badniks approach. All of them bore Zavok's electromagnetic signature - that meant he could see her with every pair of beady eyes on the horizon. At least it was only Zavok; maybe she could get through to him.

Exhausted, she leaned against the freezing wooden banister, hoping to form a ceasefire. Two Egg Pawns approached her and immediately halted. Metal Sonic burst through a nearby window, landing to confront Zeena. He raised his hand, but no attack came - instead, a holographic monitor emerged.

"Zeena."

She startled at Zavok's voice, despite knowing he was doing this. Somehow, she'd expected to be happier for this reunion. "Zavok, are you okay?"

"Apologies. I had to make some sacrifices in order to make do."

Sacrifices? Zeena noticed the docile Badniks had formed a semi-circle in the foyer, surrounding her and blocking the exits. She stumbled backwards, tripping to her butt at the base of the grand staircase. The pieces were coming together, but they didn't quite fit. "Hold on, you chose to work for Redd? What's the deal?"

Zavok's image warped in the hologram. "It was the only way to rescue the Deadly Six. Redd plans on giving us the world once he's done with it, as long as I serve him." He chuckled. "And even then, we may be able to take it from him early. He weakens every day, Zeena. This is a golden opportunity!"

It was rare for Zeena to hear her boss so pumped for a plot, but she still felt little more than confusion. "Ohhh," she feigned interest. "Well, I've been kind of working to rescue you this whole time. What now?"

"Join me," Zavok hastily replied. "Your powers with mine will conduct the Eggman Empire with ease, and you'll have a prime spot to help squish Redd when the time comes."

Still, her heart failed to stir. Zeena sighed: decades of work with Zavok began weighing down on her. She thought back to her meetings with Tikal, Mecha, Blaze, Silver - she'd learned more from them in three days than any time with the Deadly Six. Her fellow Zeti were great and all, but was this really all there was to life? Was this their whole purpose?

Zavok noticed her reluctance, changing gears. "Zeena. You're the smartest, prettiest of us all. I truly require your help to make my plan work."

His flattery sure felt good, like a massage on a spot she hadn't treated in a while, but Zeena remained hesitant. "Thanks… I…" Her words escaped her.

The holographic Zeti sighed, growing impatient. His tone soured. "This isn't a request. These robots will escort you to my location."

Zeena looked around, noticing the Badniks closing in. Even Metal Sonic's eyes flared, alive and ready.

"Zavok, I… I can't do this."

Another deep sigh came from the hologram, as if he'd feared this answer would come. "Listen to me: those children are fools. They are the only thing standing between us and all we've ever wanted!"

Something snapped in Zeena, and she snarled. "We've wanted? I never wanted to rule the world! I don't even know what I'm ruling! Now I'm so close to figuring myself out, and I'm not gonna let you ruin it!"

Zavok was taken back by her comment. He took a while to respond, ignoring her protest. "Zeena, don't do this."

She still boiled. "Talk to me in person next time." She spat defiantly on Metal Sonic's hand for emphasis. But as the adrenaline left Zeena, panic took its place. What the hell did I just do? What an outburst - not that anything she said was false, but the spitting might've been overboard. Her boss did not stand disrespect.

Silently, Zavok's unamused eyes disappeared with the hologram, and Metal shook the Zeti saliva from his hand in disgust. Suddenly, all the Badniks in the room shut down, and the Sonic copy was cloaked in red and cyan energy.

Oh shi-

Metal threw a series of punches, which Zeena ungracefully blocked with her arms. She tried to tune into his electromagnetic field, but found it impossible. He's focusing solely on Metal to keep me out.

The Sonic copy grabbed her by the horn, attempting to hold her still; in response she leapt above him, twisting out of his grasp and landing with both feet on his shoulders. Attaching tethers to him, she jumped again, flicking him through the high ceiling to expose the night sky. He quickly returned, barely missing her with a dive kick.

He was like a steel wall, and Zeena wasn't sure how to hurt him. Her energy tethers could only swing him around, and his armor was much too tough for her claws - not to mention he was being piloted by a master combatant. He would pose a much bigger problem than the horde of flimsy Badniks.

Wait, that was it! Her eyes flashed green, awakening the dormant Badniks and sicking them on Metal. Zavok had no qualms with making his avatar tear its compatriots to shreds, but they at least slowed him down. It was a start; she'd have to figure something else out fast.

Silver's breath sharpened.

He was in a pristine white city. Hover cars, brilliant lights, green spaces and installations with a bright blue sky: the future. His future. A proper utopia, lacking any of the destruction and chaos he was so used to. His legs almost gave out at the sight - it was so beautiful, even better than he remembered. Better than he ever could have dreamed. His prize, what he'd been working towards this whole time. He reached out a hand, desperate to touch it…

"Silver."

Redd loomed behind him. Silver whipped around, feeling the futuristic illusion fade as quickly as it came. The two were now alone in a stone cell. The armored being hummed, seemingly unbothered by the dungeon - in fact, he seemed pleased by the privacy. "Tell me what it is you want, hedgehog."

Silver didn't hesitate, snapping back so fast he surprised himself. "To save the world." His hands shimmered with light. This clown was trying to get to him while he was disoriented, but he wouldn't let that happen.

Redd remained unimpressed. "Really?" Suddenly Silver felt his limbs go numb, and he dropped to his knees. His legs were bound in what looked like dark lightning - no longer the work of the Ruby, but rather Redd.

"What do you expect me to say?" Silver sneered. "I want you to bring everyone back and leave this world alone."

"You're in denial." Redd paced. "I saw the fire in your eyes on Angel Island. That was personal, not some lofty altruism."

The bound hero scoffed. "What would you know about altruism?"

The specter stopped, taking a moment to ponder. "Trust me, I'm well-versed in the subject." He approached the immobilized hedgehog, kneeling to look him in the eye. His armor smelled musty, like a cellar. "Let me put it this way: what were you doing with those Chaos Emeralds when we first met? Where do you want to go?"

Silver gulped, reluctant to divulge this information but doing it anyway for some reason. "I was going home, back to my time in the future."

"Yes, like we saw just now." Redd glanced his armored claw along Silver's bicep - he wanted to flinch away, but couldn't. "What if I told you, Silver, that I want to go home too?"

Another ripple of the Phantom Ruby bathed the chamber, and Silver was thrust into a second vision. This time Redd looked just as confused, turning as they were engulfed in the blackness of outer space. "What…?"

Silver saw Redd himself, but it wasn't the same dingy Redd. His armor was bright, he bore no cloak, and clearly retained both of those gangly arms. He faced some sort of massive black hole, which threatened to swallow a brilliant blue planet behind him. Redd bellowed, his body tearing and exploding into light in the void before it dissipated. Then the vision faded.

Redd hummed again, amused by the effect. "The Ruby is listening." His voice trembled. He parted his robe on the side, exposing his wrapped stub of a right arm.

It made sense now. "You too..." murmured Silver.

"I have people who know how to fix me. But I am running out of time; I cannot waste away playing with your friends. I must leave you with this final request…" A gasp of dark smoke escaped his helmet, almost like an inverted teardrop. "Help me obtain the Phantom Ruby. I am so close. The faster I leave this dump, the faster you do too."

Surprisingly, Silver found himself touched by this monster's heartfelt plea. He couldn't help but put himself in Redd's shoes - he was dying, he had a strict time limit. Silver didn't. Did this guy just need some help?

Then he remembered Redd's choice of words, and the bitter callousness that lay beneath the crocodile tears. He remembered the cries of the farewell party as they were swallowed by light, and the haunting emptiness he had induced. Silver needed to clarify something. "You want to travel through time?"

Redd laughed, his sincerity draining. "No no, through space. Away from this world. Don't tell me you actually enjoy it here. It's so primitive, so banal." He stood up again, looming over Silver. "The one man who's even attempted to revolutionize it has been constantly beaten down by luddites. But as we've seen, it does have a future."

Defending Eggman? Silver' earlier summation was right: this guy knew nothing of good or evil. "Okay, no, you've totally ruined this place! You can't just get away with that."

"Come now, Silver." He hissed from on high, speaking much too intimately. "These are not your people. Princesses, demons, robots - you just want normal. You want peace. You will never find that in this time."

Silver felt his heart shrivel.

"And the world won't reward you for fighting me. Just let me win and I'll put everything back to the status quo." He raised his voice. "You think they'll remember you once you leave? I bet half of those party guests had no idea who you were!"

The insult was precise, and the hedgehog found himself finally lashing back. "Shut up! You don't actually want to help me! You're just a selfish monster!" He fought with all his might to move his body against the restraints, even managing to raise a finger.

"Oh I'm selfish?" He peered down, making himself huge. "I'm dying, hedgehog!" Redd's composure was cracking. His large claw violently clenched around Silver's face, nearly covering him entirely. "What would you have me do? Hide and crumble?"

Silver didn't let the determination leave his eyes, peering between the metal fingers. "I don't know, Redd, but there must be another way."

"Bah!" The claw cast Silver down, bashing his head on the stone; he sat up, rattled but free from his bonds. Then Redd lifted off the ground. "I don't want to hear it! I'm going back home, even if I must tear this planet into dust!"

Silver jolted. What?

Almost embarrassed by his outburst, Redd stopped to serenely crane his head. "Sorry hedgehog, but you can't win. And you never could. It's wiser you begin looking for another home rather than risk perishing along with this one."

Silver didn't even know what to say. He scrambled to his feet, still numb and tingling, and cast his arms out to direct his psychokinesis. Redd didn't flinch at the weak force, instead levitating towards the gate of the oubliette. "I'm going to claim that Ruby now. Farewell..."

But as he approached the gate, he froze. His entire body burst with red and purple energy, accompanied by a deep, warping bass. He cried out, more frustrated than harmed. The same energy grasped Silver - by the sensation alone, he could tell it was the Phantom Ruby again.

In a crimson flash, Silver found himself free, back at the foyer with more Badnik scraps about the hall. He noticed the others: Blaze and Mecha seated together, Zeena catching her breath, even Redd. And atop the grand staircase stood an indiscernible figure, garbed in a pitch black parka. Silver noted the pointed ears and long tail protruding from within, tipped with white like frost.

Redd roared at the figure. "How dare-!" But he was cut off, vanishing in another burst of light. Silver caught a sigh of relief.

Mecha's arm formed a missile launcher, aiming up the staircase. "Enough games. Identify yourself."

The character kept his back turned and responded with naught but a deep sigh - it sounded oddly pleased. "I'm no one. But I recognized that they were far too dangerous to let linger in my sanctuary. Now I must ask who you are."

Silver recognized the voice, ignoring the request. "I know you."

The figure flinched, as if he didn't notice the hedgehog until now. "Wait…" His voice cracked.

Silver stepped forward, gesturing with his hand. "You must be...?" Lacking permission, he pushed the figure's hood back.

It was a jackal, charcoal in color with a wild mane of white hair. His fangs were left agape, and his eyes showed fear, anger, and hurt all at once. He tried to speak. "I…"

Silver stepped forwards. He wasn't sure what to feel, proclaiming: "Infinite!"