Part I: The Crimson Curse

Chapter 1: Deyfros & Ashorus

No cloud dared block the sky above the majestic castle that sparkled in the sun's light. The stone-layered walls surrounding the gigantic rock castle stretched upwards from the earth, shining its radiance and exuding its dominance across the wide expanse of the western dominance of Deyfros. It was the heart of the empire, central to the country's dominion; and today was no exception.

King Mephiles stood on his bedroom balcony that overlooked the courtyard, his hands leaning on the sun-kissed pale railings. His claw-like fingers tickled a wooden balustrade. Breathing deeply the afternoon spring air, Mephiles' old, tired eyes were fixated on the guards training and sparring with each other below.

"Like the look of the new battalion?" Rouge asked as she strode up to join the king. She was a robust bat, strong and built, far stronger than she was in her youth. In her ferverence to serve the king, she'd traded a slender body for that more akin to a body-builder. Her shoulders were square, and loose rays of the sun reflected from her perfectly polished silver breastplate and threatened to blind any who stared at it.

"They look quite competent, though I'd expect nothing less from you, general," Mephiles complimented his head advisor. "However, I hope the need to use them never arrives."

"As do I, your majesty," Rouge bowed.

"At ease, soldier," Mephiles laughed, clapping his arm across Rouge's shoulder. A small smirk broke her lips as she stood at ease and relaxed her bulging muscles. "I've told you a dozen times, you don't need to act so formal when it's just us, dear friend."

"I know, but I like to keep up appearances for my men. I wouldn't want them to think I've grown soft and complacent."

"I doubt any man worth his salt would think that – or any man who has ever met you for that matter."

"No man could ever handle me, my king," Rouge replied with a smirk.

"That I don't doubt for a second," Mephiles leant his head back as a hearty laugh escaped his throat. The chuckles turned to a hacking cough as sickness stole his breath.

"Mephiles, are you alright? You should go lie down," Rouge offered him her hand but he swatted it away indignantly, choosing instead to steady himself by gripping the railing.

Age had been kind to Mephiles, but after twenty-five long years of his peaceful rule following his victory against Frelia in the great war, time took its toll. His bones had waned, his teeth yellowed, and a thick, grey beard had sprouted from his face and fell low across his chest juxtaposing starkly against the royal cerulean of his robes – Deyfros' colour.

"I'm fine, Rouge. Thank you for your concern, but I wish to stay here a little longer to watch my son spar. His birthday is coming up – the day he finally becomes a proper man – and I wish to see his skills myself. He'll soon become king."

"Don't say such things, Mephiles. You've still got many long years in you yet."

"That may be true, but once he passes this final threshold I'll be at peace knowing that whatever happens, he can lead the kingdom that I pass down to him," a small smile tugged at Mephiles' lips as his eyes glazed down at a particular duo sparring together with dulled, wooden swords carved from the sturdy branches of the garden birch trees.

One of the two, clad in a verdant leather tunic, sidestepped a heavy-handed strike from his companion and, with swift feet, danced around and delivered a swift kick with the sole of his boot into the black fur of the back of his knee. The other boy fell to his knee, his head hung and his fist pressed against the ground. He ground his teeth together in frustration after another loss.

"Two in a row!" Prince Shadow cheered in victory as he threw his hands skyward. He looked down at his companion and offered him a hand. Eclipse hesitated for only the briefest of moments before his scowl was replaced with an endearing smile and he clasped his childhood-friend's hand and was hauled to his feet.

"C'mon, let's go one more round. Best of five?" Eclipse offered as he hopped from foot to foot, shaking off his soreness as he challenged Shadow with daring eyes that peered through his brown fringe that fell like a curtain across his forehead.

"Are you sure you can handle another one, Eclipse?" Shadow asked, noticing the tiredness creep across his companion's body.

"Scared you can't win? It's okay if you don't have the stamina. I totally understand and, hey, I'll even forfeit so you can look strong in front of the soldiers and your father," Eclipse shrugged with a wink. He giggled when he noticed a flash of frustration in Shadow's crimson eyes and knew he had tugged at a nerve – a task that came easier to Eclipse than most. Spending almost every day with somebody since you were young aided in understanding what made them tick; and spending everyday with the prince of Deyfros brought with it other perks, too.

"You're so on!" Shadow accepted the challenge without question and charged at Eclipse with his wooden sword again. Eclipse was expecting this callous head-long rush to begin, as Shadow so often did when his pride was challenged, and easily stepped out of the way. With one hand he twisted his wrist and brought the wood crashing against Shadow's side.

Shadow was knocked to his knees for a second as a wave of pain exploded in his side and the wind was stolen from his breath. He grit his teeth together, tightened his grip around his sword and jumped back to his feet as a few of the sparring soldiers nearby stopped to watch the display.

Shadow and Eclipse began to circle each other, feet dragging through the dirt pushing up dirt as they locked eyes in an intense stare, both daring the other one to make a move. Finally, as Eclipse knew he would, Shadow made the first move again, darting forward. As Eclipse readied to dodge, Shadow pulled back at the last second, faking a swing and taking Eclipse off guard. In that split second of uncertainty, Shadow took his moment and span around, bringing his sword crashing against Eclipse's right hip. Shadow followed this up quickly by raising it and bringing it down over Eclipse's shoulder, forcing him down to his knees. However, as Shadow readied for a finishing blow Eclipse rolled backwards, somersaulting across the dirt – muddy stains coating his blue attire – and pushing off the ground with his hands to mount himself upright again, sword in hand.

Surprise coated Shadow's face, but he quickly shook it off and focused, surged forward by the surprised gapes from their onlookers. He couldn't be shown up by his best friend in front of his men. He wouldn't.

"Your turn," Shadow dared as he flexed his fingers at Eclipse. His companion obliged the request, leading another assault. Wood clacked against wood as their two blades clashed against each other. Again and again the two reeled back and swung at the other, and each time their blades met each other. As Eclipse swung right, Shadow blocked it, and when Shadow went left, Eclipse's reflexes were quick enough to block that, too.

"You've gotten stronger, my lord," Eclipse mocked a regal tone as he tried to over-raw Shadow by pushing his blade against Shadow's.

"Couldn't let you show me up," Shadow replied, their faces inches apart. Shadow's muscles bugled against his clothing as he pushed against the ground and found some strength in the recesses of his energy reserves and pushed back against Eclipse. For a few moment's they were locked blade-to-blade until Shadow managed to gain some ground on Eclipse and his eyes flashed with panic. It was that small spark of weakness that gave Shadow the strength he needed to slide his blade along Eclipse's, hook his hilt and in a spinning motion drag the sword out of Eclipse's grasp and fling it across the courtyard. Now defenceless, Shadow pushed his left palm against Eclipse's sternum and pushed him to the ground, his body falling with a thud as a cloud of dust plumed around them and Shadow found himself, as usual, the victor.

"Three in a row!" Shadow whooped as some of his soldiers around him gave him their appreciation. A cockiness and sense of pride bloomed within Shadow as he turned and gazed skywards at his father and his mentor studying him from above.

"Stop staring at Prince Shadow and get back to sparring," Rouge roared from the balcony. "If I see any of you stopping to watch another's fight against before training is over then I will personally march down there and fight you myself."

A wave of panic passed through the soldiers as they quickly gathered their swords, shields and spears and got right back to sparring. Shadow's smile was instantly wiped from his face as he turned away from them and stormed away like a frustrated child. Eclipse scrambled to his feet and chased after Shadow, the two disappearing into a tower.

"You're too hard on the boy sometimes, I think," Mephiles aired his uncertainty at Rouge's methods.

"I'm his general and his mentor. I have to be," Rouge responded. "You're his father, you can give him love and affection. I need to train him to fight in case war breaks out."

"I think you take yourself too seriously sometimes," Mephiles laughed, earning a snort from his general. "We've had peace for twenty-five long years, and I don't see that changing anytime soon."

"I'm not so sure, my king," Rouge said, adopting her more official mannerisms again despite Mephiles' request of informality between the two old friends. "I've heard whispers of Frelia's disgruntled prince building up quite an army. Apparently one the continent hasn't ever seen before."

"That's what they said all those years ago when I first became king, but my general and I defeated that threat all those years ago and I know my new general will be just as competent," Mephiles said firmly.

"I've often heard tales of the mighty general that lead us through the great war. I was just a young teenager back then, but I heard he could take on ten men by himself and win," Rouge recounted enthusiastically like a schoolgirl.

"He wasn't immortal Rouge," Mephiles chuckled. "And some of those rumours are quite exaggerated. I've only ever seen him take on eight at once. But he was a great general, and an even greater man. You'd do well to strive to be like him."

"That I do, and I'll prove it to you one day, Mephiles," Rouge vowed.

"I hope the day you might be able to never comes. I've worked hard to maintain this peace with our neighbours. But, my dear Rouge, you have nothing to prove to me. I'm quite aware of your strengths, and I sleep well at night knowing I have you in charge of my armies."

"You're too kind," Rouge bowed.

"Don't be so modest! Now, leave me be, for I must rest before Shadow's transitioning tomorrow," Mephiles dismissed Rouge.

"Of course, my King."

"Rouge!" Mephiles hissed.

"My apologies my K – Mephiles." Mephiles smiled.

"You're just like he was," Mephiles mentioned offhandedly as Rouge reached for the door.

"Excuse me?"

"General Jet. He, too, struggled to call me Mephiles upon my request. He never could stop calling me his majesty."

"He sounds like a wise man. I wish I could have met him."

"You might yet." A chill of excitement ran up Rouge's spine as she heard those three words.

"How so? I thought he was dead?"

"Not dead, no. While it's true that he disappeared after the great war, he didn't die. He went to travel the continent. I saw him once or twice since then, but never in Deyfros."

"Then why do you think I might yet meet him if it's been so many moons since you've last spoken with him?"

"He knows tomorrow marks the twenty-first birthday of my first-born. I'd imagine he'd want to bear witness to Shadow's transitioning. I sometimes feel him watching over me and my kingdom, helping keep the peace he aided me in attaining," Mephiles mused.

"That's a nice thought, Mephiles. I will send a prayer tonight for his appearance. Until then, however, as you said you must get your rest. I'll continue to oversee the soldiers. We will be ready in case anything happens tomorrow," Rouge promised.

"Calm yourself, Rouge. You work too hard. This week is one of celebration. You would do well to take some time to relax and celebrate yourself."

"I will relax after the ceremony has concluded successfully. Until then I will stay vigilant and on guard. Of that I promise you," Rouge clenched her fist and knocked her chest-plate over her heart twice before raising it upwards in the Deyfros formal salute.

"As you wish," Mephiles yawned, waving Rouge away as he readied himself for an afternoon nap to rest his tired bones. Rouge shook her head as she departed his room, nodding to the two men who stood guard outside his bed chambers at all hours. She would never understand his disregard and relaxed attitude, but he was her king and the one man she respected more than any other. If he thought nothing would happen at the transitioning then she would trust him – and he was right. But Rouge would rue putting more of her focus on protecting the young prince instead of guarding the old king.

A day's ride south-west of Castle Deyfros, situated on the mouth of a small bay on the great western ocean, stood the mercantile village of Ashorus. Village was an understatement, though. It was the second biggest settlement in all of Deyfros, second only to Castletown itself. Ashorus had the largest dock in the country, and was home to many of the country's richest merchants who specialized in sea trade. Until recently, the village had remained rather small like that of the local fishing villages dotting the western coast of Deyfros' dominance, but after the long sustained period of peace King Mephiles brought with him, Ashorus had grown, thrived and prospered. Now it was the cultural capital of Deyfros.

Hundreds of boats dotted it's criss-crossing network of wooden docks and piers that stretched out into the bay. The docks were protected from the prevailing ocean winds by a large cliff that sprung out of the ground beside the docks – the old, white lighthouse perched atop the cliff to provide a great source of light to boats and ships alike struggling to find their way home in the darkest of nights. However, on the other side of the mountain, nestled in the shade of the great Ashen Cliff sat the main village of Ashorus home to a healthy population, and home to one particular wide-eyed teenager.

Sonic wasn't like most of the other boys his age. He was taller and lankier, with arms and legs like noodles and a torso that appeared twice as long as it should be. He always wore baggy clothes that never quite fit, and no pants that would cling to his waist stretched far enough to his ankles. He didn't mind, however. He preferred wearing shorts anyway.

A thin ray of golden sunshine shone through a slit in Sonic's curtain and lay across his face, irritating the sleeping boy. Sonic rolled over, groaning as he sat up from his straw mattress and yawned with a stretch.

"Sonic!" a voice called from downstairs. "You'd better not still be asleep!" The voice snapped Sonic's eyes awake as he threw open his window and looked out at the rising sun. He swore beneath his breath, realizing he had slept in. He quickly threw on a pair of worn brown shorts held up to his bony hips with a piece of rope he tied with a knot, and his bright red shirt. He tried to comb a bony finger through his wild, sapphire quills but he'd long since given up on trying to tame them. Slipping into shoes, he bounded down the stairs three at a time.

"Sorry I slept in," Sonic apologized with a shrug.

"That's three mornings this week," his father, Silver, shook his head as he pulled his gaze from the book he was engrossed in. "You'd do well to be more pertinent in the mornings like your brother." The older Armadillo sitting beside Silver poked out his tongue, his eyes alight with delight at the praise.

"Whatever," Sonic rolled his emerald eyes and took a seat. "I don't even know what that means. Either way, what's for breakfast?"

"I'm glad you asked," Silver closed his leather-bound book and set it on the table, addressing both his sons. "I know you probably weren't listening when I brought it up last night," Silver first addressed his eldest son – Knuckles, who snorted indignantly in response. "And I know you've probably forgotten," he turned to face Sonic – the look on his face answering Silver's question. "What am I going to do with you two?"

"Love us unconditionally?" Sonic asked.

"Give us some peace and quiet?" Knuckles grunted.

"I'm going to get you both to go down to get some fresh bread from the bakery and pick up some meat from the butcher." Silver was met with groans from both his sons.

"That's not fair," Knuckles complained. "Sonic was the one who keeps sleeping in. Why am I getting punished too?"

"This isn't a punishment. It's just a task. You're twenty year's old for Chaos' sake Knuckles, you can accompany your brother on simple tasks. It's a wonder I haven't kicked you out already."

"You always take his side! Why don't you threaten to kick Sonic out, too!"

"Because he's younger than you."

"He's sixteen! You always go on and on about how you and mum had me when you were only seventeen," Knuckles complained.

"Exactly, but he's only sixteen, not seventeen," Silver pointed out with a didactic and uncaring flare in his voice. Knuckles let out another groan of frustration and stood up from the table.

"Whatever, I'm busy today. I've got things planned. I'll see you tonight," Knuckles said without letting his father argue and stormed out of the room, avoiding Sonic's stare as he slammed the door behind him.

"Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Sonic mused aloud, but only earned a look from his father that said more than any word could. "Sorry," he apologized.

"It's not your fault, Sonic," Silver sighed, his anger dissipating. "Come on, let's get going. I don't want to miss out on today's bread."

"You won't. We both know Blaze always keeps a loaf spare for you," Sonic nudged his father.

"What on Mobius are you insinuating?"

"What am I what?" Sonic asked in confusion, earning another sigh from his father.

"What do you mean?" Silver dumbed it down for his son.

"Oh, why didn't you just ask that? We both know Blaze likes you." Silver did little to hide the blush that crept across his cheeks, but ignored the snickers from his boy, snatched his hat and coat and stepped out into the mid-morning air.

Their walk to the bakery was a brisk one, their long legs easily making ground effortlessly. Strolling down the twisting cobblestone path the passed by the rows of stone houses with red piqued roofs that slotted together to form a wall of accommodation. Their path snaked it's way along the Horus River – the city's namesake and was named as the waters of the river were said to bring fertility and strength. The sun's top began to peak over the top of Ashen Cliff, and bathed the central city square in its harmonious light.

"Morning Mighty," Silver sang out in the sing-song voice he was famous for. The blacksmith turned builder waved a free hand as he ordered a group of his stonemasters to continue construction of the great wall that King Mephiles had allowed them to begin construction of many moons ago.

The wall was coming along nicely – a revolutionary marvel of stone and rock. It stretched out from the west side of Ashen Cliff and snaked it's way around the southern and eastern boarders of Ashorus, bridging over the Horus River until it forged its way up to meet the ocean beside the great docklands in the city's north-eastern most point. It was an ambitious task, one that consumed Mighty's every waking moment, but the mad ambition of the former blacksmith pushed him further. Silver knew he wouldn't rest until construction was completed, and he'd long since given up on trying to convince his friend to cease his crazy project.

"Silver, Sonic, a beautiful morning, isn't it?" Mighty smiled warmly, his bulging muscles pressing firmly against his cream-coloured shirt. "No Knuckles this morning?"

"Says he has other business," Silver shrugged. "You know how he can be."

"Give the boy my best regardless," Mighty said as construction once again stole his attention and he marched off to mitigate a forming argument between two of his workers. Silver shook his head as he watched Mighty leave. His project was preposterous. The country had been in decades of peace, and he didn't understand why King Mephiles would allow such nonsense. Although he'd only met the King on less than a handful of occasions, his adoration knew no bounds. Silver was certain of his King's reign, and he would obey his King's wishes with a trusting understanding. Mephiles had proved he knew what was best for their country after the great war, and he would swear by his king. However, he could see the cracks forming. Their country had grown weak in its contentedness, and Silver had begun to worry that Mephiles was too old to see it. His son, Prince Shadow, didn't fill Silver with ease. If the prince were to ascend to the throne, Silver was sure the country would fall back into its war-torn way of the past. That was why he spent so many hours locked in his study writing essays of his ideas of the future with the sound knowledge that they would make their way to the king.

His son on the other hand didn't share Silver's sentiments of the king. He was bored of peace, but only those who've never experienced true war would be unable to appreciate peace, Silver thought. He hoped Sonic would never truly understand.

"Silver, good morning," a beaming woman called from the window of her shack positioned near the town square. An apron was tied neatly around her waist and she was covered head to toe in a layer of white flower. Silver smiled back beneath his circular spectacles, as he always did. "Here for your daily bread?"

"My good for nothing son was supposed to retrieve it for me today but he seems to think he has more pressing issues to attend to," Silver greeted the baker, Blaze, with a bow of his head as he let out another complain about his absent son.

"At least you've got Sonic to help you," Blaze winked, adding, "and my goodness how tall he is becoming." Sonic corrected his posture, standing a little taller as he eliminated his hunch and puffed out his chest at the compliment. Blaze covered her mouth to giggle as Sonic beamed an air of pride.

"Somebody has to be the man of the house," Sonic remarked snidely, earning a swift smack as Silver clapped him behind the ear. "Ouch! Sorry," Sonic rolled his eyes.

"Silver, don't hit the boy. He did nothing wrong," Blaze scolded the wordsmith, and Silver instantly melted beneath her admonishment and shrank down inside himself.

"I'm sorry. It was by habit. I'll make sure to rein in my responses in future," Silver apologized, and Sonic only snickered. It was evident even to him how smitten Silver had become with the baker over the years. Initially he had hated the idea; the thought his father was betraying the memory of his late mother, but lately he began to understand the happiness that Blaze brought his father. These days he often pushed his clueless father to ask her out, and equally as often Silver made up some excuse about how it would be improper.

"How's the business going?" Silver tried to make small talk as Blaze called to somebody in the back to collect them a few loafs of bread.

"Not great, honestly," Blaze admitted solemnly. "As you know, trade has dried up a lot recently, and less visitors means less customers. More and more these days we have left overs that we need to get rid of. I've started getting Tails to go around at night to some of those less fortunate to hand out the hard loafs."

"That's very thoughtful of you."

"It's nothing, really. We'd just throw it away otherwise. It's the least we can do," Blaze smiled as she wiped some flour off of her face. Lines ran beneath her sunken eyes, thick bags clinging to them. The tiredness stung her face. Morning after morning she'd wake up long before the sun and get to baking her bread just to make end's meat.

"Visitors wouldn't be so scared to come visit if it wasn't for the monarchy," Sonic muttered under his breath, earning another scolding from his father, and this time not even Blaze's scolding cause him doubts.

"We've had this discussion before," Silver lectured his son with a didactic tone. "The King does his best and has brought us a long reign of peace and prosperity. You weren't alive in the before times, but we used to be a war-torn country before he became king."

"He's a selfish king. He taxes us too heavily, and his no-good son is as pompous and selfish as he is. The kid thinks he is Chaos's gift to us mere mortals," Sonic mocked in a regal tone.

"It's those taxes that help him maintain the country and keep us safe. Now, how he uses that money leaves something to be desired, but I'm sure once he reads my ideas and I can get an audience with him, things will change."

"It's those taxes that keep trade away from our shores. Our things are too expensive, and people are taking notice!" Sonic called louder. Silver would have been proud of his impassioned speech if it wasn't so antimonarchist. Some of the townsfolk began to take notice of the rising action and stopped to view the argument.

"Sonic, don't you dare –" Silver was cut off by another young boy of no more than seventeen pushing open the door carrying a basket of baked bread.

"Here's your bread," the teenager – Tails – said, a smile stretching across his freckled face. He had big, round, innocent eyes and a small button-nose that had finally stopped glowing red from winter's harsh cold. He'd been stuck inside a lot, wracked by a terrible illness that winter, but now he was starting to get his strength back and Sonic was more than happy to have his best friend back playing with him again.

"Tails!" Sonic cheered as he jumped at his friend and wrapped his gangly arms around the boy's smaller frame. Although Tails was one year Sonic's senior, one wouldn't be able to guess it from looks alone. He was shorter, smaller and weaker, most likely a by-product from his constant maladies.

"Greetings Miles," Silver nodded at the fox.

"Here's your bread," Tails handed him the basket. Silver went to get out some coins to give to Blaze but she vehemently refused them.

"Blaze, please, you can't keep offering me this bread for free. You were just saying how tight money had become," Silver protested.

"It's quite alright, Silver. I couldn't dream of charging you."

"But how could I repay you?"

"How about dinner?" Blaze asked rather forthcoming. Sonic laughed so hard his sides hurt when he saw how beet red his father's cheeks had suddenly grown.

"C'mon Tails, let's get out of here," Sonic said as he grabbed Tails's hand and hauled him away. "I don't think I can take their flirting much longer."

"But I –"

"It's okay, Tails," Blaze called as the two teenagers ran off. "Just make sure to be back by sundown."

"I will. Thanks mum. Love you!" Tails called as he turned to follow his best friend freely.

"Same goes for you Sonic!" Silver called.

"Yeah whatever," Sonic showed his father the back of his hand as he ran off down the street.

Silver let an audible groan escape his lips, pinching the bridge of his nose, massaging with his thumb and forefinger. Sonic had always been a handful, and Silver dreaded the day he'd become an adult.

"Now why can't he be as well behaved as your boy," Silver rolled his eyes as he turned his attention back to the beautiful baker, pushing thoughts of his son aside.

"Because that's not who Sonic is, and we both know you wouldn't want him to be anything but himself," Blaze responded motherly.

"I hate how right you always are," Silver sighed, but as the two got back to talking they were interrupted by somebody clearing their throat behind them. Flustered, Silver willed the faint hint of blush that still decorated his cheeks away and turned to face the intruder. It was a tall, strange man that didn't dress like anybody he had seen before.

"Pardon me, madam, but could I trouble you for a loaf of bread," the man asked courteously, removing his hat and bowing his head as he spoke.

"Well of course you can, stranger," Blaze smiled white, showing her teeth. "What's your name?" she asked as she went to grab a loaf.

"Scourge. I'm a trader from out of town," Scourge explained as Blaze returned.

"That will be one bronze piece," she handed him the bread. The man took it with gratitude and handed her three bronze pieces. Blaze did little to hide her surprise, and as the man turned to walk away she called out his mistake.

"It was no mistake, madam," Scourge nodded. "Consider the rest extra for your politeness and beaming smile. You're the first person to treat me with such warming kindness since I arrived here yesterday."

"I'm sure our town treated you just as warmly."

"I'm not so sure, Blaze, things have been getting tight for a few people recently," Silver sighed. "While I hate to admit it, and still vehemently deny most of what Sonic said, he did have a small point; Trade has dried up recently and poor people make angry people."

"Trade has dried up around here? I'm sure things will get better soon," he assured them.

"And how can you be so certain?"

"Because, my dear, some things I can feel, and this is one of those things. Take my word for it – change is coming," Scourge's tone turned more serious as he narrowed his eyes. As quickly as it had enveloped him, the seriousness lifted and a broad smile filled his face again. "Regardless, it was a pleasure to meet you, madam. And you, kind sir. I'm sure I will meet you both again. Goodbye."

With that final farewell, Scourge turned his back on them and strolled off, his eyes wandering to each and every building as if he was studying the small town.

Silver looked at him with intrigue. He was a strange individual to be sure, but there was something about him that struck something within Silver. He didn't have the words to describe it, but he was sure Scourge did. He seemed to have a way with words. The way he carried himself; the way he talked. He was a sophisticated man. Silver wouldn't admit it outwardly, but he was starving for more culture and intrigue. While it was true his town was growing, trade and travellers were becoming more sparse and he found himself challenged less with new ideas. There was nothing he wanted more than to have a spirited debate with one of his equal. While other men in the town like Mighty worked on their tools, their buildings, and their muscles, Silver did not. He spent more time reading books, practicing his music, and building knowledge – and cleaning up Sonic's messes.

There was something different about Scourge, however. And Silver wanted to know more.