Chapter 8: Brotherly Reunion

That night, Silver began to change back. The stone on his body cracked and fell off. He shook when half of it was gone, trying to get the rest off of him. The gargoyle stretched as the rest of it fell off. Silver flapped his wings and flew into the air. Stretching felt good, getting rid of the tiredness he felt. The wolf he had seen earlier was back, looking up at him. He smiled and descended.

"Hey," he said. "Anything interesting happen during the day?"

The wolf shook its head. "Not really, no," it told Silver telepathically. "I mostly stayed in the forest, and occasionally left my den to hunt."

The gargoyle smiled. "What's your den like?"

"Large; fit for at least two wolves. I have been wanting a mate but there are no wolves around except me. Being immortal, and the only wolf in the forest, has made me long for companionship."

"There's nothing you can do about it?"

The wolf cocked its head. "What do you mean?"

"Well, if you want companionship, you could go out and try to find some. Might not be able to find a wolf, but..."

"I will try, but being a wolf has caused me to gain wolfish instincts and nature. I fell like I should be with others of my kind."

"Dogs are canines, so they're pretty close."

The wolf shrugged. It yawned, showing its sharp fangs. "It's nice to talk to a fellow immortal. I will see you later, Silver."

Silver watched Mephiles walk back into the forest. He smiled and went inside the castle. Sonic looked up when he saw the gargoyle, and smiled. "How are you feeling?"

"I got a good sleep but I'm fine now."

"That's a relief."

The gargoyle smiled. "What did you and Shadow do today?"

"Found out someone - probably Fiona - stole all the Divine weapons from the armory. And we found a hidden passage leading to a statue of a dragon."

"Sounds interesting...have you met Mephiles yet? He's the wolf we've been seeing."

"Did you say his name was Mephiles?" Shadow asked the gargoyle.

"Do you know him?"

"He's my brother..."

"Brother? So, he's been with you all this time and you never knew?"

"Apparently...he's also Sonic's direct ancestor...if he's been a wolf, why has he not come to see me?"

"Maybe he doesn't know you're still here?" Sonic suggested.

"Can you tell him that I want to speak to him? I would go to the forest but I can't leave the castle."

"Sure."

Sonic walked out of the castle towards the forest. He looked around and saw the black furred wolf he had seen that morning. It was dragging the carcass of a dead deer, most likely going back to its den to eat. Sonic hesitated, then decided to follow. When the wolf walked inside its den, it lay down and started to eat its meal. Sonic walked inside and the wolf's head snapped up when it saw him, its amber eyes gleaming in the dark. Its ears flattened back as the canine started growling ferociously. The anthro hedgehog gulped and started to back away; was this animal really Mephiles? It was acting like any normal wolf would. Sonic was about to speak when he heard a voice in his head.

"Who are you, and why are you disturbing my meal?" The wolf asked telepathically.

"Sonic, and I was looking for a wolf named Mephiles."

"I am Mephiles. Why are you looking for me?"

"Shadow wants to see you."

The wolf's eyes widened and its tail started wagging. "Shadow? He's still alive?"

"Kinda? But not really. He's a ghost in the castle."

"Take me to him, please. I had no idea."

"Do you want to finish that first?"

The wolf nodded and finished its meal. Sonic watched, feeling a little uncomfortable. Once Mephiles was finished, they went to the castle. When the canine tried to walk in, it found that it couldn't enter the castle. The wolf growled.

Sonic turned to look at Mephiles. "What's wrong?"

"I can't enter the castle for some reason."

"Okay. I'll get Shadow to come here then."

The wolf sat on its haunches and waited. A few minutes later, Shadow flew up to the front door.

"Mephiles?" Shadow asked. "Is that you?"

"Brother," the wolf said, startling Shadow with its telepathy. "It has been a long time."

"Too long," Shadow said. "Have you been in the forest outside all these years?"

"I have. Fiona transformed me into a wolf, so I've been living in the forest. I had no idea you were still here."

"Did that happen after I died?"

"I believe so."

"What else happened after I was killed?"

"The last thing I saw before I was exiled was father going to fight Fiona. After that I found myself in the form of a wolf."

"Huh. So, father would be our only chance of knowing what happened."

"Unfortunately, I don't know what happened to him," Mephiles said. "Do you?"

Shadow shook his head. "If he died, he didn't stay here like I did."

"How did you die, anyway? You're immortal too."

"I was murdered. They likely knew they would need a certain type of weapon and used that."

"I see. By the way, who's that blue hedgehog who's been living here?"

"Sonic," Shadow told him. "He's your descendant. Mine too, albeit slightly removed."

"So another member of the family joins us here again," Mephiles said. "After all these years, I'm not sure that's a good or a bad thing."

"What do you mean?" Shadow asked.

"It's been centuries since anyone has lived here. Now, the next person to buy the castle is a descendant. It's... I just get the feeling that is is more than mere coincidence. Something is going to happen. Something big."

The ghost smiled at the wolf. "I think something already is. Sonic and I found a secret passage leading to a large room underneath the castle. There was a statue of a dragon."

"A dragon statue? How big?"

"As big as a regular dragon."

"Under the castle?"

"Yeah," Shadow said. "It's pretty impressive."

"That's... odd. How did it get down there?"

"Honestly, I have no idea. Someone probably sculpted it."

"Weird place to make a life-size dragon statue."

"Would you like to see it?" Shadow asked.

"Of course I would. But I can't go in the castle."

"I can't leave the castle, myself. Wonder if it has to do with Fiona's magic."

"Probably. The bitch."

"She recently tried to murder Sonic, and stole all the divine weapons."

"All of them?" Shadow nodded, and the wolf growled angrily. "Are you devising a plan to get them back?"

"Not yet. We have no idea where they are."

Mephiles was about to speak when Silver landed next to them. The ghost and wolf looked at the gargoyle.

"Hello, Silver," Shadow said.

"Shadow, Mephiles," the gargoyle greeted. "How are you two doing?"

"Splendidly," the two of them answered at once.

"It looks like the both of you are happy to be reunited."

"We are," Mephiles said, and yawned.

Shadow looked at his brother. "You're tired already?"

"A little," the wolf said. "I think I'll head back soon."

"Oh. Well... See you later?"

"I can stay longer if you want me to."

"No, if you're tired you should go rest."

The wolf nodded. "I will be back soon, brother."

He turned and walked back into the forest. As Mephiles went into his den, he stopped. The wolf sniffed, picking up another scent. He moved to the back of the den and saw an injured, orange colored wolf sleeping on the ground. Mephiles moved closer and sniffed the sleeping wolf. It was badly injured, that much he could tell. Blood and bite marks were on its fur and it was whining. The black wolf started licking one of the wounds and the wolf jumped awake, growling.

Mephiles moved back.

Calm down, he barked. I'm just trying to help.

Who are you? The red wolf asked.

Mephiles.

My name is Gadget.

What happened to you?

Got banished by my pack...lost the right as Alpha...is this your den? When Mephiles nodded, Gadget looked down. I'm sorry...I thought a wolf wasn't using it. It was empty but there was a half eaten deer carcass that I helped myself to. I'm guessing it's your kill?

It was.

Oh...sorry. If you want me to leave, I understand...

It's fine. You are free to stay as long as you need.

Gadget smiled, and his tail started to wag. Thank you, Mephiles.

He tried to stand, but winced at his injuries.

Stay down and rest for now, Mephiles said. Your body needs it.

The red wolf lay down and whined. He started licking his wounds, and Mephiles lay down next to him.

So, how'd you find my den?

I was looking for somewhere to rest, and saw the entrance.

You said you got banished from your pack? How did that happen?

One of the others challenged me.

Challenged you for the role of Alpha? I see. Well, you're welcome to stay here.

Gadget looked at the other wolf, feeling happy. Mephiles yawned, putting his head on his front paws.

How long have you been living here? Gadget asked.

A very long time, the black wolf told him. I wasn't aware wolves had been living in the forest.

I see a lot of us around where I live. Used to live.

I haven't seen many wolves around here lately, except for you. Where does your former pack live?

About halfway across the forest, North from here.

I haven't been that way in a while, the black wolf said. How long have they been living there?

A few years.

Mephiles nodded. He stretched, then curled up as Gadget did the same. Before long, both wolves were asleep.