A/N: Welcome back. First, I apologize for the late update. Hopefully, I will be able to write frequently again. Enjoy the chapter!

Previously happened:

After Sanctum the Hedgehog was revealed as Mephiles the Dark, he could not remember anything from his past regarding Soleanna, Solaris or Iblis. So, his captors, the evil blonde half-hedgehog girl Bliss Blackhole and her sidekick Venice the Hedgehog inquired him, omitting the fact that they had faced Iblis before. At first, Mephiles was suspicious and put a fight against the two, but Bliss finally managed to convince him to join her by promising to help regain his past memories by going at Soleanna. Meanwhile at the opera theater, Sierra Star and Silver the Hedgehog started to fight against Sierra's archenemy Regina and her insect gang, but in a while, Silver got immobilized by Regina's spider web and the arachne attempted to kill him. But just before that, Sierra got angry and her anger activated the power of her phantom ruby inside her, causing both Regina and Silver disappear in a portal. When Sierra got upset thinking that she had killed Silver, Shadow reached there and comforted her saying that she did not kill him, but saved him by teleporting elsewhere.

Silver's Return

"There's only one way you can be resurrected!" Sonic growled at Nazo. "If someone awakens the dark power of Master Emerald...! Did Regina do that?"

"You're right. Since she is a great devil, so she was capable to do that." The sky colored hedgehog replied.

"Great devil? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Wow Sonic!" Nazo mockingly snickered, "You fought and defeated Materix, Dark Gaia, Solaris and blah blah blah, and now guarding another great devil herself...you don't know about underworld, where they all came from?!"

Both Sonic and Scourge were stunned, Nazo kept saying though, "Well, devil creatures rule the underworld, and great devils are the most superior over them. But, in order to become a great devil, a devil must obtain a sacred devil gem. There could be only four great devils because there're four sacred devil gems of different powers- A green emerald, a magenta ruby, a yellow sapphire and a black amethyst. Apparently the emerald lost its status as a devil gem...since it has turned into Master Emerald."

"...What?"

"Yes, Master Emerald was a devil gem before. But, there's still devil energy inside, which created me.

"Does Regina possess one of those gems?"

"Yes, she owns the amethyst one which is called 'Dark Amethyst'. And that's how she was able to control the Master Emerald."

"And...the ruby is...Phantom Ruby?"

Nazo chuckled, "They should've let you know when you guys started to keep that girl."

"We know from the beginning that Sierra's father is a demon, okay?" Scourge firmly said, "It's not her fault."

"Exactly," Sonic agreed, "And we don't care what she is or what power she possesses."

"Well, many care about that though. After all, 'Phantom Ruby' is the strongest kind of the four gems. And we can't imagine, what might happen if someone is able to achieve all the devil gems including Master Emerald..." Nazo's voice dramatically changed signaling the potentials.

"So, that's your plan, huh?" Sonic retorted, "Just as I thought, you didn't actually befriend with Regina, you're just assisting her so that you steal her amethyst at first, then go after Sierra, won't you?"

"That's none of your business." Nazo just shrugged.

"Well, if it's about Sierra then it is our business." Sonic narrowed his eyes. "And it's not like she is weak. So, before you step to her, watch your feet."

"I might not be able to surpass her right now. But someone else will." Nazo was not fazed much, "The location of the last devil gem 'Specter Sapphire' is still unknown. Regina mentioned Phantom Ruby and Specter Sapphire neutralize each other because their former owners, Crimson Devil and Amber Devil were generated from same source with opposite effects. Now, both of the devils are destroyed, so the yellow sapphire is possessed by someone else. Although Regina assumes that someone is Amber's relative, but it's unknown who or where they are. For now...since we know about Phantom Ruby and its owner, so first we'll finish our business with...Sierra Star the hog-girl."

"Let's see how you can touch her, freak!" Scourge growled before dash spinning to Nazo in super speed, but he was easily whacked away by him. Sonic also did not stand quietly as he also started attacking from other side. But Nazo easily dodged both of their attacks, surprisingly he was not making any move.

"I hate to say this Blue, but I guess we need to get him together!" Scourge scowled after making a number of failed attempts.

"Heh...finally you learned something, Scourge." Sonic smiled, "And yes, Nazo is a strong one. We couldn't defeat him separately before."

"Then what're we waiting for? Let's attack him from two sides!"

With that, both super speedy hedgehogs rushed to the third hedgehog from both sides, not wanting to give him any chance to evade. But with a bit of effort now, Nazo still kept disappointing them.

"Dang! Hey Stripes! Can't you use your chaos control?!" Scourge yelled in frustration.

"Wait...where's Shadow?!" Finally Sonic was aware that their black companion was not there.

Nazo also looked around, before getting pissed. "Tch! That black asshole ruined it by running ahead! Anyway, I don't need to waste my time on two Sonics. I have done what I had to do." With that, the sky blue furred hedgehog disappeared. Sonic was dumbfounded, but Scourge got it,

"He probably was here to slow us down, Blue."

"Hmph...then let's go to the main hall." Sonic assumed the same. "Hope Shads is there."

The blue and green hedgehogs hastily ran to the main hallroom. Just as they expected, the room was total a mess. And there stood only two figures...

Sierra's P.O.V:

I had no idea how long I was like that, actually I came in my full sense when I discovered that I was being hugged by someone. Even though, the person was wearing something, their body felt unusually soft and warm. And my face was buried into something like soft white hair. However, when I backed away, I got pretty sure that this was the most embarrassing moment in my life. As the person with plushy body turned out to be none other that...Shadow the Hedgehog. I slowly remembered the events that happened a while ago. I tried hard to keep my face straight...as I was blushing crazily. Because I was having trouble to control myself from hugging the black hedgehog again. His soft fur felt so good. While I was hugging him, I had felt his large hand going under my hair and rubbing undersides along with my back. Mom was the only one who uses to soothe me like this. I have a few pet hedgehogs (real ones) who I usually tame by scratching under their thorny quills in similar way. So you can tell, it is a hedgehog thing. Mom mentioned that, this is one of the passionate forms of touching for hedgehog instincts...and in some points, a good starter for seducing. And there I was being caressed by a tall anthropomorphic intelligent... male hedgehog.

Shit! What was I thinking...?! I cursed myself for bringing such type of thoughts in this situation. But, then I got concerned...mating season was about to start during mid summer and would last at least two months. I always had hots for human guys. Now am I being that desperate to consider those things about an alien furry talking hedgehog, which only a woman can think about a man? Scourge's words hunted down my head, the more days passed, the more I had started thinking the four hedgehogs as 'guys' rather than some furry aliens only. I swallowed and cleared my throat.

"Uh...tha-thanks Shadow...for helping me calm down."

I finally managed to mumble a gratitude, hoping to ease up. But when he just replied with a 'Hmm'...I turned only to see the same glowing blush as mine on his tan muzzle. He was looking away at first, but suddenly I met his red eyes again. I froze, and he did not look away this time. The more I kept staring, the more I wanted him to touch me again. I probably had the stupid longing look on my face, because I saw him stepping towards me again.

"Star... I..."

"Whoof! You two are there!"

We were cut off as the two remaining hedgehogs entered. I tried to get over the awkward situation as fast as possible.

"Oh you two took longer than Shadow."

"What the hell happened here?!" Scourge looked around.

"This opera show was arranged by Rebel Riders." I directly said it. "The main opera artist was Regina, the spider-woman."

"Wow...makes sense now about those liminals."

"What happened?" I inquired.

"While we were chilling out there, Shadow suddenly asked us to come back inside." Sonic said, "Then we faced that Rook, Nancy and their insects team at the hallway...along with Nazo the Hedgehog, an old enemy of ours. Looks like, Regina had involved the Mobians in her team way before than your mother involved us with you."

I was not much surprised to hear that. "No wonder mom was always cautious about her."

"And Shads!" The blue growled at the black, "You should've let us know before sneaking here alone!"

"I couldn't waste my time on that moronic hedgehog." Shadow was reluctant...not so surprisingly.

"Technically he did the right thing, Blue." Scourge said, "Nazo and that gang of pests were distracting us from coming here. But Stripes..." Now he also glared Shadow, "That was not nice of you for trying to impress the princess alone, while we were dealing with that smug ass."

"I didn't do anything here, Silver did." Shadow replied. "When I reached, both Silver and Regina disappeared in a portal that was formed by Star."

"Wait...you mean...!" Sonic turned to me, "Sierra has used Phantom Ruby?! That's cool!"

"I still don't understand how it happened." I said monotonously, "Regina was about to kill Silver and I was so angry and upset. Then I saw the portal appearing from nowhere."

"It's your mind that controlled the ruby." Shadow explained, "That's how we use chaos emeralds...by our minds. And you had rage in your feelings, the more emotion you put, the more powerful the impact will be. That's how it worked. But you still need to learn to use the ruby properly."

"So, where might be that Potleaf-head now?" Scourge asked.

"Not far. Because, Star did not think of any place while summoning the portal. Besides, Silver has a chaos emerald so he can come back."

"Now now...can I have a chaos emerald this time?" The green hedgehog suddenly was irritated, "Let's face it, Anarchy Beryls are pretty much useless compared to Chaos Emeralds."

"I told you before, Scourgey, you had stash of your beryls where we use only seven."

"Yeah yeah advantage of being the Prime Sonic. And...did you just call me 'Scourgey'?" He narrowed his eyes at his blue counterpart.

"Problem? Then would you rather like to be called 'Green idiot'?" Sonic instantly replied.

"Like you Blue idiot...?!"

"Before you two kill each other," Shadow 'interrupted', "Have you known how Nazo returned?"

"He said that Regina helped in that using Master Emerald and...an amethyst-"

"Dark Amethyst- one of the devil gems." I sighed, remembering that Regina was trying to resist my power.

"Regina used...Master Emerald?!" Shadow was shocked. "Means...she went to Mobius!"

"Seems like that. But she came back to the earth, probably because only Sierra is her business, not us." Sonic remarked.

"That makes me remember something about your O'Knux...which I forgot to tell. Rouge called at our home number and I picked her call on the other day." I could see the sheepish look on the green hedgehog's muzzle. "Let's just say...If Regina has brought back Nazo by using Master Emerald, then...you better not mention about this incident next time you meet Knuckles."

"What...?! Wasn't he at Angel Island to guard the Master Emerald...?!"

"According to Rouge...Knuckles somehow got to know about the deal between us and the liminals before he left with your other friends. Then he decided to stay to back us up." Scourge informed.

"Fuck...!" Sonic facepalmed in dismay. "Hope he hadn't told Tails about this...!"

"I guess, that bimbo bat shut him up. Or else, that fox kiddo would have crushed our house using his plane by now, wouldn't he?"

"Umm...I get that we had been caught by one of your Mobian friends, but..." I had to interrupt, "Could we continue this conversation at home? I'm pretty exhausted because I had to fight Jess and some more liminals here." I actually was not that tired though, but all these events just went through over my head. So, I needed to calm down for sorting out things.

After coming back, I just isolated myself in my room. I did not even have dinner, just showered and changed into my sleeping clothes. My mind was filled with different issues, among them Silver was the one who consumed my thoughts mostly. The other three hedgehogs seemed to be mostly worried by their friend, who got to know our secret. But I could not stop my tension until I saw Silver again. I tossed and turned in my bed, before getting up. I went to the small balcony adjacent to my bedroom and leaned on the railings. I could see the city lights and the people, how happy and relax they were comparing to us, comparing to me.

Then I was startled by a sound. I looked at the source of the sound...before gasping. In the faint light from outside, I could see a figure standing just directly on the railings, and it was carrying something on its shoulder. It did not seem to be anything human like as it stood a few inch taller than me and I saw a pair of tiny red rings glowing where its eyeballs were supposed to be.

"Who-who's there?!"

"Princess...Sierra Star." I heard a deep male voice, but it was not normal, it seemed to be something like...machine. And its body was shining in the faint lights and seemed to have a few long spikes on head.

Is that a robot?

"Who're you?" I tried to stay calm.

"My name is..." A pause, "...Omega."

"Omega...? How do you know me?" I charged.

"I'm associated with G.U.N, so I've been informed about you." It said in monotone. "I'm here because Silver the Hedgehog was teleported to our base. I've brought him back."

Now I noticed the thing on its shoulder was like a white figure, I hoped with all my heart for the robotic thing saying the truth. But then I noticed it was still standing over the edge.

"Can you please put him down here?"

It obliged me by putting the whitish figure on the balcony floor. I rushed and sat to check whether it was Silver or not. I nearly cried in happiness when I identified and touched his trademark quills and soft white chest fur under the shirt he was wearing. I quickly pressed my head on his chest and checked his mouth to find out if he was breathing. Fortunately he was alive but senseless.

"Silver..." I was finally relieved, before remembering something. "And Omega-..." When I looked up, I was surprised to find no one where that robot was just now. I sighed before hoisting Silver's one arm around my shoulder, pulling him up carefully. I managed to bring him inside before laying him on my bed. I switched on the bed lamps. Silver might be alive but did not seem to be fully okay, as I noticed a red thin wound mark around his neck, which I assumed to be the mark from Regina's web string. That spider bitch also wrapped Silver's hands and legs. So, I decided to take off his clothes, despite of being embarrassed. It's true that I'm habituated to see them without clothing. Yet, taking off clothes from someone from opposite gender, is completely different. Next thing happened that, after taking his pants off, I wondered for the first time...

If they don't wear pants then why did I never see their 'manhoods'?!

Ugh! I was thinking weird stuffs again...

I did not call out the other three hedgehogs because, Silver was in this state because of me, and the other three were also pretty tired. So, I wanted to take care of Silver myself. After I took off the clothing, gloves, shoes and bracelets from the albino hedgehog, I saw numerous red marks on his hands, arms, legs and some in quills too. They seemed deep, I shivered to think what would have happened if my ruby did not work. At first I cleaned his wound by lukewarm water and a piece of cloth, then finally applied band-aids on his all wounds. I was sleepy myself so I switched off the bedside lamps and decided to crash on the couch at the living room. But before I opened my door, I heard Shadow talking to someone over phone. By his conversation, I realized that he was talking, or rather arguing with Rouge...probably about their Mobian friend they referred earlier. Now, if they see Silver in my room out of nowhere, they might create a fuss about it. So, I decided to stay in my room and to explain about it tomorrow.

Unfortunately, there was no coach in my room where I could sleep. I sighed and sat down on the floor beside my bed. I was too tired that, the moment I rested my head on the edge of the bed, I drifted into deep sleep.

Sometime later: (General P.O.V)

Silver the Hedgehog opened his eyes, feeling cool gentle breeze. He found himself in a bedroom, which seemed pretty familiar. But he could tell it was not his own and could not remember right away which it belonged to. Then he noticed a few band-aids on himself. Silver did not get up, as he was taking time to remember whatever happened on previous day...he was almost being killed by Sierra's enemy Rebel Riders boss half-spider-half-woman Regina at the opera. Silver tried to remember what happened afterwards...before golden pair of eyes widened to notice something. He instantly got up to straighten himself, so that he could be sure whatever he saw...was real or not.

Beside the albino hedgehog, a person had her head resting on the bed. By her luxurious crimson red hair, Silver had no trouble to assume who it might be. Yet, he slowly came down from bed to check. He finally let out a sigh of relief...Sierra was okay, he was in her bedroom. The hedgehog wondered, if the hog girl had applied those band-aids on him. At first he began to figure out how exactly he ended up in her room. Well, it did not matter to him much, as long as they both were back home safely. He felt bad for taking her bed like this, where she was on the ground. So, he cautiously lifted her on the air using psychokinesis, not wanting to get her up. Then he gently put her on the bed.

Silver blushed madly, as his eyes caught her white sleeping suit. He realized that Sierra never came out of her bedroom during sleeping time. So, none of the four hedgehogs had any idea that...their stubborn egoist half-hedgehog-half-human housemate would be wearing something like...lingerie dress. Even in the darkness, Silver figured out her glorious curves underneath the sheer white fabric through his telekinetic cyan glow. Swallowing a lump, the ivory hedgehog dared to lit a lamp for clearer view. Her perky full breasts and well-proportioned hips made her small body look incredibly sexy in that sleeping gown. He cursed himself for thinking such at this time. But he mostly wondered...why he was finding a human like creature attractive, when he was in love with Blaze. Silver was awed to think that he did not miss the purple cat for a single moment ever since he started to live this new life with a half-hedgehog princess who he barely knew.

"Silver...would you forgive me?"

The ivory hedgehog was startled. Was she awake? But her eyes were closed. So, she must be talking in sleep. But...why about begging his pardon? Silver soon remembered, Sierra yelled at him for getting her caught by Regina, and then he chose to give up his own life for the sake of her. Did that make Sierra feel horrible? But it was never Silver's intention. The hedgehog started to feel guilty to think that.

Silver slowly leaned on her, and was shocked. Sierra seemed to be sleeping, but she was slightly shaking from...crying? He was sure on his assumption, as he saw her cheeks were red.

"Did you cry for me, Sierra...?" Silver whispered. Without realizing...he slowly leaned down on her. The more he got closer, the more he started to admire the small redhead beauty. The way her crimson hair was fallen on her buttery skin and long dark eyelashes covered her closed eyes, made her face look like an angel. When his eyes fell on her pink lips, the hedgehog suddenly felt the strong urge to kiss her. Part of him, wanted to refuse because he would never take someone's advantage. Then again, Silver found himself convincing that...it's just a small kiss...as a gratitude and curiosity for feeling different kind of lips. Nothing more than that...and she did not need to know. His brain was telling him to stop, reminded his love for Blaze, morals not to take advantage of someone who was sleeping. Then again, his mind and body were pushing him to continue...Silver might know Sierra not for long, but the redhead hog girl from the planet earth, raised a feeling inside him, which no one ever did. While debating with himself, Silver did not realize that by then, his lips were less than an inch from Sierra's. Feeling her soft breaths on his muzzle, made the ivory hedgehog lose his control.

So...there is no turning back now.

A/N: Did that leave you excited? And was that really Omega who brought back Silver? Answers will be found at next chapter.