AN: Whoa, hey guys, long time no see. Sorry about the long period without an update, I've been busy teaching and have not had much time to edit/upload. Hope you guys are all doing well out there. As always, let me take time to thank my readers/reviewers: CrimsonDestroyer, risingzero1984, MissMJS, aliciathewolf45, and Janttun3n for leaving your reviews. Majorly appreciated! I have some exciting things for this story's future, time jumps, new enemies, etc. I just hope you guys will have patience as I continue writing. Enjoy the chapter!

•~•

An hour later, Shadow helped Blaze get Silver home safely. The feline came into Silver's bedroom with a glass of wine in hand now that he was home. As she looked around, she spotted Silver standing by their large bedroom window, staring out with his arms tucked behind his back. "Oh, you're awake," she smiled. She walked over to the coffee table and laid the glass down. "I thought you might like something to help you unwind."

Silver refrained from moving his position and instead kept his eyes straight ahead. "I appreciate the sentiment, Blaze, but I am aware when I'm being handled with delicacy."

Blaze swallowed uncomfortably hearing the disfavor in his tone. It was clear he was still upset with what happened at the diner. "Uh, how are you feeling?"

"Patronized," he replied flatly. "What I did back there was justified. It was to protect Faith, you, and myself."

She raised a brow, not buying his claim. "By killing all those innocent and random people? They were not a threat to us, Silver." She approached him cautiously. "Now, I know you meant well-"

"—Yet, you found it necessary to render me unconscious before bringing me home?" he snapped, finally turning around to face her.

She put her hands up defensively. "Silver, you weren't yourself and I needed to get us out of that diner. Someone could have seen the crime scene and we'd get into even more trouble," she defended. "But besides that, what happened back there anyway? What made it justified to slaughter all those diners?"

There was a pause as Silver reflected on her question. Why had he acted like that, back there? He truly didn't have a reason if he thought about it. "I…I don't know, but all I know is in that moment, those diners were a threat and I needed to take action. They were looking at me, at us, and they were whispering—so much whispering…"

Blaze's ears lowered sadly as the pieces started to come together. "Silver, I think you may be suffering from PTSD. Having to relieve all these locked away memories seems to have given you some trauma."

Silver scoffed at her diagnosis and walked away from her. "Blaze, don't even joke about something like that."

She turned around and watched him walk to another part of the room, feeling even more confident in her verdict. "You know…before I met you, I was studying psychology to become a therapist. I even researched and wrote a thesis on oppression of past trauma and how it can manifest into violent behavior. I've done plenty of research on studies and other cases."

Silver started pulling out books from one of the shelves in their room, idly glancing at them in hopes to ignore her. "Doesn't mean that you're correct in your analysis."

Blaze walked over and took a seat on the edge of their bed and continued to observe him. "Please, I just want you to open up and talk to me. I can only imagine what it's like when someone takes away your deepest, darkest, and ugliest pain without your consent. It must be both a blessed relief and a complete violation." Silver's expression sagged as her words hit the nail on the head. Seeing his demeanor change from her last statement, Blaze tilted her head. "Does that sound familiar to you?"

He placed the book he was holding back on the shelf. "Yes…"

"Would you like to talk more about it? You know I won't let anything said leave this room. Everything will remain confidential," she pledged.

Silver mulled over the idea for a moment before nodding in agreement. Blaze smiled by his approval. "So, let's go back to something you were telling me earlier. Let's talk more about this red door you referred to earlier. You said it was where you witnessed slaughter, is there any other significance?"

Silver took a position against one of the walls closest to her as he contemplated on how to elaborate on it. "Back in the day, there was this girl in my village that I fell in love with. In fact, she was my first love before I was turned. We were star-crossed lovers, unfortunately, so our encounters together were a challenge for us."

Blaze wasn't jealous in the slightest by his tale. Of course, Silver had fallen in love with other girls in his past, but she was interested to see how this story connected to the red door. "Go on."

"My first love told me she loved me near that door. We even shared our first kiss there, but sadly, it was also where I laid her body when I accidentally took her life." Blaze looked stunned by the reveal and found it hard to find the right words. Seeing her shocked expression, Silver continued his explanation. "It happened when I was still new to my vampirism. I was unable to control myself and I asked for my mother's assistance in cleaning up my mistakes…" Seeing her expression, Silver walked closer towards her. "Shadow is still unaware of this truth," he admitted quietly. "My brother was to wed that girl. She and I would hold secret rendezvous' to hold our affairs, but Shadow still believes that our mother killed her. Not only is this a lie but this is a lie of my creation and my brother does not forgive easily."

Blaze rose from her seat. "Silver, you know I won't tell him anything." She reached out and hugged him. "You can trust me."

Silver remained stiff in her embrace. "Thank you…"

She rubbed his back reassuringly. "You'll get through this and make progress, I promise."

•~•

Downstairs, in the dining room, Amy placed a platter of finger sandwiches and a pot of fresh tea down onto the table. As Amy finished making sure everything was in prim and proper condition, she frowned when she felt an unwanted presence looming behind her. "Do you need something?" she asked without bothering to turn around.

In the background, Shadow leaned against the entryway as he watched Amy put some plates down. "What are you doing?" he asked.

She continued her tasks not looking at him since she was still a little frustrated from earlier. "Setting up tea for Mephiles and myself," she answered as she smoothed out the tablecloth.

His eyes widened. "Are you insane? I'm not letting him anywhere near you."

"You've tried your methods, I think it's only fair I get my chance," she countered.

Shadow softened slightly. "Fair enough, what do you need me to do?"

"Bring your brother upstairs and have him sit down with me. I'll get information from him with a different approach."

"I'll do it, only if I can stay here, not to control you, but to protect you," he clarified.

Amy placed her hands on her hips. "He won't talk to me unless we're alone, besides, he's not here to pick a fight. He's here to talk. Now, help me bring him up here," she demanded.

•~•

A few moments later, Shadow and Amy wandered into the basement to retrieve Mephiles. As they walked down the stairs, more and more paranoia crept into Shadow's mind. What if Mephiles tried to hurt, brainwash, or even kill her? "You realize, I'm only doing this because it means something to you. But if he hurts you, I'll kill him," he warned.

Amy came down to the bottom and smiled at him for being so concerned for her wellbeing. "Shadow, I promise you, I will be fine."

Shadow sighed in defeat. "All right, let's get this over with." He walked over to the back wall where the coffin was laid up against vertically. Amy watched as he opened the coffin lid where Mighty practically crumbled to his knees if it wasn't for Shadow to catch his fall. Amy hustled over and carefully helped Shadow carry Mighty back upstairs and towards the dining room.

Once they were there, the two eased him down into one of the seats as he mumbled and looked around nearly spaced out. "What…what's happening?"

Amy placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "I wanted to speak with you one on one," she smiled sweetly.

Mighty eyed his brother standing to his left. "And him?"

Shadow rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms. "I'll be outside." The warlock watched as his brother walked out of the room.

Knowing they were finally alone, Amy wandered over to her seat across from him and sat down. "Come on, eat," she advised, gesturing to the plentiful finger sandwiches. "You must be starving."

Mighty eyed the sandwiches for a moment, but leaned back in his chair, turning his nose up at it. "I will not be tempted by your beauty or blinded by your empathy."

Amy reached for the pot and poured herself a cup of tea. "You don't leave a girl much wiggle room, do you?"

He crossed his arms over his chest, to his best ability, despite still being chained by the magical handcuffs. "There is nothing you can say or do to appeal to me."

Amy took a sip of her tea, before placing it down into its saucer. "I would appeal to your morals but those appear to be all over the map."

He glared at her by her passive statement. "I'm not the one who abandoned her doting, longtime boyfriend, to run off with a psychopath hybrid who endangers her life with his dark history," Mighty noted, causing Amy to freeze up. Seeing he had hit a soft point, he chuckled lowly as an arrogant grin plastered his muzzle. "Your morality is a moving target, mine is not."

"Mephiles, I don't-"

"—Stop," he snapped. "You think you can persuade me with your kindness, your beauty, and your food, but I won't let you break me!" He stood from his seat, leaning across the table holding his chain slack out before her. "Once I get out of these chains I will do everything in my power to rid every vampire in the world. If you choose to not come to our side, I won't hesitate in taking you down either, wench," he leered.

Amy gulped nervously and watched as he slunk back down into his chair, clearly finished with having any further conversation. Amy cautiously stood from her seat, keeping her eyes locked on him. "Shadow!" she called.

In an instant, Shadow reappeared back inside the room. "Are you-"

"—Lock him back up," she ordered. "I'm done talking to him."

•~•

After her failed attempt to persuade him, Amy took a breather outside, only to spot Silver out in the backyard, piling up firewood. As she watched him gather wood and pile it accordingly, she couldn't help but notice he looked quite dazed and out of it as he chopped away.

The white hedgehog placed a log down onto a large pile and then stared at it longingly as his mind proceeded to plague him with awful past events. Memories of females he had killed in the past, rang in his memory, voices, screams, and begs of mercy all clouded his mind to the point that Silver had to shut his eyes and place a hand over his face. Amy came over after seeing his distress and softly cleared her throat to get his attention. Silver broke from his hauntings and turned to stare at her. "Oh, Amy, I didn't hear you sneak up on me."

"I didn't mean to," she apologized. "But what is it you see when you go away like that?"

His ears drooped, feeling embarrassed. "Things I've done and images of whom I was," he explained as he organized the pile. "It's a lovely gift from my mother. I can't turn it off, so I suppose it's her way of demonstrating I'd be better off taking her offer."

"You mean, to leave your body behind?" she surmised.

He nodded. "Yes, I know what my mother is capable of, but I do wonder if she would relent and leave us be if I took the deal. What if all she needs is one victory?" he theorized.

Amy thought about what he had said and took it into consideration. Perhaps he was right, maybe it would take one small victory to lower Ivy's guard enough to strike. "Maybe you're right…"

"What am I right about?" Silver asked.

She tapped her chin. "I think I know how to take down your mother," Amy grinned.

•~•

Once finishing her discussion with Silver, Amy burst into Shadow's study with a plan in sight. Startled by her sudden entrance and confident smile, Shadow stood from his seat behind his desk and approached her. "What's going on?"

Amy crossed her arms over her chest and kept her head held high. "I've decided that I'm going to take your mother's deal!"

Right as the words left her mouth, Shadow's expression turned from intrigue to concern. "What the hell are you talking about?"

She walked further into the room. "It's simple, Shadow. I'm going to meet your mother and take her up on her offer to place me into a mortal body."

"Are you barking mad? What makes you think I'd let you go through with this ludicrous decision?!" he barked, making her flinch slightly.

Amy placed her hands up, trying to calm his anger. "Shadow, please-"

He shook his head. "Absolutely not, I forbid it!"

Just as things started to get heated, both Blaze and Silver entered the room after overhearing the commotion. "Um, is everything alright in here?" Blaze asked meekly.

"No, everything is not alright," Shadow growled irately. "Amy is trying to convince me to let her go through with my mother's offer."

Amy groaned in frustration. "—If you'd just let me explain!" she shouted, stomping her right foot.

Blaze raised a cocked brow. "Explain then."

Amy turned to Blaze. "I think the only way we can take down their mother is if we can make her believe that she persuaded one of us to her side."

"I see…and how exactly do you plan to stop her?" Blaze inquired curiously.

"First, we'll compel Mephiles to forget that we held him hostage and have him aid us in convincing your mother that I've turned to their side," she explained. "I'll tell her that I've had a falling out with Shadow and that I want to be mortal again. During the spell, she'll be distracted and vulnerable, which is when Shadow will strike!"

Shadow sighed. "That's a very lovely thought, Rose, but I think you're forgetting one very important detail. How the hell am I suppose to take my mother down?"

"Easy," she grinned. "You're going to kill her."

He looked at her dumbfounded. "…Amy if we kill her, she'll just jump into another body!"

"I realize that, but how do we know she'll be able to jump once she's been killed with vampire blood in her system?" Amy smiled slyly. Shadow went quiet as he processed the theory.

"…You're insane," Silver muttered.

"Hardly," she countered with a huff. "You were the one that gave me the idea for the plan in the first place," Amy reminded. "Anyway, I'm hopeful we'll get lucky and stop the spell before I jump."

Silver raised a brow. "Yes, but if we're wrong with your theory, you're no longer in your body."

She shrugged. "Would that be the worst thing? You were ready to do it yourself a few minutes ago," she gestured.

Blaze blinked in surprise by the allegation. "Silver, is this true?"

Silver bowed his head as all eyes locked on him for confirmation. "It was a foolish moment of weakness and hopelessness."

Shadow crossed his arms over his chest, still brooding over the idea. "I just don't think I can agree with risking such an experiment."

Amy reached for him with a soft smile. "Shadow, it'll work!"

Shadow flinched at her touch and glared in her direction. "And if we're not, you'll get what you always wanted," he passively noted. Amy shot him a glower that he continued off from. "That is what you're saying, aren't you? You're willing to lose!"

Her ears lowered submissively. "I am willing to risk losing, yes."

He walked closer and reached out, holding her face in his hands. "Rose," his voice softened. "We've only been in a relationship for a couple of months now. I-I don't want to lose all this progress we've made. I don't want to lose you."

She moved his hands away from her face gently and instead held them. "You're not going to lose me no matter what happens," she assured. "Even if I do end up in a mortal body, I'm not leaving you. I love you, Shadow. I'm not going anywhere," she promised.

Blaze stepped forward, feeling her confidence build. "If Amy is willing to give this a shot. I'm willing to help out where I can."

"I think this is an insane plan, but I'm out for some revenge myself with mother dearest," Silver grumbled. "I'm in."

Amy looked up at Shadow with pleading eyes. "What about you, Shadow?"

He squeezed her hands softly as he contemplated the idea. "I'm putting a lot of my trust in you. Don't make me regret agreeing to this…"

She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "You won't. Now, let's start phase one of the plan."

•~•

Downstairs, Shadow re-opened the casket finding the armadillo looking quite irritated. "What the bloody hell do you want now?"

"There's been a change of plans," Shadow answered, gripping him by the collar and yanking him out. Mighty gasped as he was drawn out of his prison and held before his brother.

"What…have you found me of no use?"

"On the contrary, we've actually discovered the perfect use for you," he hinted as his eyes began to dilate. Realizing what he was about to commit, Mighty tried to look away but found himself unable to pull his gaze away. "You are going to take Amy to Mother and convince her that you were able to persuade Amy to take up her offer. If our mother questions where you have been for the past two days, you will tell her that you took that amount of time to manipulate Amy to your side. Do you understand?" he finished.

Mighty's eyes remained in a lucid state before he bobbed his head up and down, complying with his mission.

Shadow looked over to Amy and gave her a simple nod. Step one was complete and now it was time for phase two.

•~•

In the car, Shadow sat in the driver's seat, while Amy sat in the passenger's seat. Mighty sat in the back of the car, still under compulsion as they drove to their destination in the city. During the quiet drive, Shadow glanced to his right as Amy stared out her car window into the dark night. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Amy turned away from looking out the window to look at him. "Yes, but if it doesn't go to plan, will you handle my body with care, please? I may miss the old model," she joked lightly.

Unfortunately, Shadow didn't see the quip to be funny at all. "I won't need to because if everything goes south, I'll be there to pull you out," he pledged. "We just have to take my mother down before she body jumps. I don't want all of this to have been for nothing."

"…Are you scared?"

"Terrified," he replied, taking another quick glance at her.

She rested her hand on the armrest by his side. "Like you said, you're going to have to trust me."

Shadow laid his right hand and rested it on top of hers reassuringly. "I do," he replied.

•~•

Once they got into the city, Shadow hopped out of the driver's side of the car and walked over and opened the passenger door, allowing Amy out of the vehicle. Afterwards, Amy watched as he opened up Mighty's door allowing his brother out. Still completely under Shadow's control, Mighty stood there with a blank expression waiting for further instructions. Shadow turned to look at Amy and sighed. "You ready for this?"

She nodded with confidence. "Yes."

"Before you get going, there's just one more thing."

Amy faltered slightly. "What?"

Shadow reached for her and wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her in for one long passionate smooch. Amy kissed him back, moaning slightly from the passion before he pulled away. She stared at him, feeling a blush form on her cheeks. "Good luck," he said as he stuck his hands in his jacket pockets.

Amy backed away and reached for Mighty's hand, taking it in hers. "Thanks…" She looked at the compelled witch. "C'mon, let's go."

•~•

In one of the mausoleums, Gala-Na swept the floors of her new home with a broom, but just as she bent down to collect the dust in her dustpan, she spotted Mighty and Amy walk in. "Well, what do we have here?"

"I brought you a new friend," the armadillo smirked. "My apologies for not remaining in contact with you for the past few days, I've been busy talking with this one," he said gesturing to Amy.

Gala-Na leaned her broomstick against one of the walls. "When I didn't hear from you for awhile, I thought you might be in trouble. I was getting ready to send help."

He shook his head, still under the compulsion. "No, no trouble. It's just a bit difficult to do my work when you're calling mother all the time."

Amy played up her fake nervous demeanor, as she rubbed her left arm uncomfortably. "Um, Mephiles said you could help me?"

Gala-Na smiled, showing a hint of darkness. "For the body swap spell?"

She nodded, walking further into the room. "Yes, that is, if the offer still stands?"

Gala-Na opened her arms, beckoning for her to come. "Of course, my dear, now, come give me a nice hug."

•~•

At that same time, back at the estate, both Blaze and Silver were prepping to block the spell that was to take place. In the dining room, Silver finished lighting all the candles around the room before blowing out his match. He turned and watched as Blaze brought in an antique looking hourglass and set it down in the middle of the table. "What is that for?"

"This hourglass will be linked to your mother's spell, mirroring hers. When the sand finishes falling, Ivy will try to jump Amy's body into its new host. That's when I'll re-direct the spell from Amy and stop it from taking place. My spell is meant to jam the signal long enough to keep that kind of magic from working."

"If it works," Silver noted with skepticism.

"It'll work," Blaze spoke confidently. "When Shadow attacks, Ivy won't be able to jump Amy into anyone or herself anywhere else."

•~•

Meanwhile, at the cemetery, Gala-Na rummaged through her refrigerator, while Amy and Mighty sat at the table. "Amy, is there anything you'd like to drink before we get started?"

She rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, some red wine would be nice?"

Gala-Na nodded. "Of course, I think I have a bottle in the back."

Mighty in the meantime, wandered over to a cabinet and pulled out three wine glasses and brought them over to their small dining table and set them down.

"So," Amy hummed. "How do you intend to turn the rest of your family? I've tried my best to convince Shadow, but he does not want to hear anything of it."

Gala-Na wandered back over with the bottle of wine in hand. "Don't worry, I believe once we're finished getting you into your new body, it'll be no time before Shadow is begging for me to help him be by your side." She poured them all a glass. "He's in love with you after all, and he likes to feel in control. As for Silver, I think it's only a matter of days."

Amy accepted the glass of wine from her. "I don't like arguing with Shadow, but if this is what it takes to get him to join me for a mortal existence, then so be it."

"You won't regret it," Mighty said before taking a sip of his own wine.

"He's right, you won't," she concurred, before handing Mighty the bottle of wine. "Put this back in the fridge, would you?" Mighty nodded, taking the bottle and walking off. Right as the two of them looked away, Amy pricked her thumb with one of her canines and squeezed a few drops of her blood into Gala-Na's glass of wine while she wasn't looking.

Once Mighty came back over to join the two, Gala-Na smirked in content and raised her glass of wine. Mighty and Amy mimicked her actions, raising their own glasses. "Then let us begin." The three clinked their glasses and drank in cheers.

•~•