Our New Life Together
Chapter 8: Calm Before The Storm
Silver hated the rain. It reminded me of the worst days of both lives. He much preferred sunshine and crystal clear skies. But the beautiful sun rays that gently basked the Sol Empire were no more, claimed by darkened skies. He watched the harsh rain pound vigorously against the window of his bedroom, demanding to be let inside the solace of the castle.
As much as Silver enjoyed the castle and everything it had to offer, he much preferred the outdoors. The comforting sun that bathed him in its warm light, the wonderful taste of pastries from his favourite bakery and even the fresh sea air from the ocean that surrounded the land. It took a storm for him to realise how much he had taken these things for granted.
A flash of lightning briefly illuminated the room, followed by a shockwave of strong thunder, as if Mother Nature herself was furious. Silver flinched, clutching his hands tightly to keep his psychokinesis under control. His powers tended to have a mind of their own when he felt threatened. He breathed a sigh of relief, finally pulling himself away from the window to search for a distraction.
His eyes fell upon another story book resting on the desk. At least he could catch up with his reading, or at the very least keep his mind distracted from the storm. Silver settled on his bed, back situated on the comforting mattress and head resting softly against the pillow. Silver's boots were safely tucked on a nearby shoe rack amongst several other footwear. The book rested within his palms, bringing the next page to his temple.
The rain continued to pound against the window, blocking out other noises that would bother him. The simple and repetitive sound of water induced a state of mild meditation. If he was going to be confined inside all day, at least he didn't have to endure silence. Silver was always an optimist, even during the worst days. The storm would eventually pass. Like the planet and the water, he would endure. A quick glance at the nearby clock revealed the main hand reaching the fourth mark. He spoke with Blaze earlier about her daily schedule. A meeting with her senior staff took up a chunk of her day. Offland visitors were set to arrive by the late afternoon for further discussions.
As he read through the first paragraph, Silver briefly lowered the book from his eyes to study his bedroom. It took a few days for him to settle in the castle, sometimes questioning if this was all a dream. The nightmares of Iblis were no more, pushed away to the deepest parts of his memories. He loved the room. It homed all the necessaries he needed. His single bed provided comfort like no other, the gentle fabric soothing him to sleep every night. The desk and the adjacent chair allowed him to take notes and study. The closet and shoe rack housed several clothing accessories Blaze had been kind enough to give him. Outside of his gloves and boots, he only wore excessive clothing during cold days or formal events. In the far corner of the room a single armchair pressed against the window overlooking the kingdom below. Others would crave more in such a luxurious castle. But for Silver, this was paradise.
Silver's ears perked up by a soft knock on the door enraptured his attention. Out of instinct, he shoved the book under his pillow and sprung to his feet, only questioning his own actions upon reaching the door. Why did he hide the book? It was his to keep for as long as he wanted to. Did the storm put him on edge this badly? With a gentle head shake, he opened the door, expecting to see one of the maids coming to clean his room.
Surprise settled onto his muzzle. The last person he expected to see today was his best friend. He quickly stood up right just to get his thoughts in order, greeting her with open arms. "Hey, Blaze!"
Her eyes were fierce, but still reflected compassion. She softly smiled and accepted the hug. Silver noted how quickly she returned the embrace, no hesitation at all. The tension she once held in her shoulders was no more. Blaze slowly grew more comfortable expressing herself. Time with others had certainly helped her grow out of that hardened shell.
She leaned back shortly after, stepping inside as Silver invited her in. "I came by to check on you. Are you okay?"
Silver closed the door with some unintended assertiveness, forcing an unconvincing smile to spread across his muzzle. "I'm great!"
A playful smirk gently flickered onto her lips. His smiling exterior contrasted with a lifetime of fear he barely kept under the surface. Silver could never conceal his emotions. Next to Marine, he was the worst liar she ever knew, as open as one of the books he loved to read. "Silver, you don't have to feel embarrassed if you're afraid of the storm."
Silver responded with a tense chuckle, his hand tugging at one of his head quills, a habit whenever he felt nervous. "Sorry. It's just silly."
Blaze invited herself onto the armchair in the corner of the room, leaning back with one leg crossed over the other. "You were never fond of storms, Silver. But it's okay to not like them. If you think this is bad, you should see Tails during a thunderstorm."
Curiosity mounted Silver's face as he sat down at the edge of the bed. "Tails? Really?"
She nodded. "When Sonic and Tails first visited my world, we were staying together at Marine's house. One night, a storm just like this one claimed the island. Tails was terrified. While I was on my way to get a glass of water, I caught Sonic comforting him. That was when I learned he had a phobia of lightning."
Never in a million years did Silver assume the intelligent and witty Tails suffered from such an abnormal fear. "I never knew."
"The point I am trying to make is we all have our rational fears," Blaze explained, softening her voice with care to mask her princess tone. "You don't like storms. I strongly dislike heights. Maybe we will one day learn to conquer our fears."
"Maybe," Silver muttered, forcing his false smile to shift into a genuine one. "But we have each other to help with that, right?"
Blaze smiled. "Right."
As the panic that once gripped his chest slowly faded away, Silver tilted his head. "Not that I don't want you here, but I thought you had meetings today?"
She shifted her gaze towards the window, watching as the thunderstorm continued to claim the land. "My visitors from other nations sent word that they do not wish to venture across the seas in this storm," she turned her attention back towards him, a hint of joy filling her eyes. "But this frees up the rest of my day."
Silver's expression lit up with joy. "That's great! What do you want to do?"
"You always leave it to me to decide," Blaze stated as a matter of fact. "Why don't you choose for today?"
Silver hummed, his eyes crinkled adorably as he thought long and hard. This decision brought him back to his earlier conflict. Everything he would love to do was well out of the castle's grounds. Going to the bakery? Outside. Visiting Marine? Outside. Improving his fencing skills? Outside. It frustrated him to be limited to so much, yet Silver knew he should be grateful for what he had. Not many people had the privilege of residing inside of a castle, let alone holding the title of a Knight and being best friends with the kingdom's ruler.
"Silver?"
Her voice brought him back to reality, uncertain on how long he had been pondering. His finger gently rested against his chin. "Um… Want to… Go to the library?"
He half-expected to see a familiar frown plaster her expression at the recommendation. For as much as he loved reading, he couldn't say with certainty if she felt the same. Silver never recalled seeing her read a story book. By chance, he got lucky with the suggestion.
"That sounds good," Blaze agreed. "I have been meaning to catch up with my studies. We could have lunch and catch up. It's been a few days since we got to have a full conversation."
Silver bounced forward, retrieving his boots with the aid of psychokinesis. Upon being slid over his feet, he jumped up and held the door open for Blaze. "After you."
She softly smiled and exited the hallway. As her heels met with the carpet, she glanced back to see Silver hastily retrieving a book from under his pillow. The odd gesture forced her eyebrows to raise curiously, but she pushed any desire to ask to the back of her mind. This was one of her rare free days, a privilege she didn't intend to waste. Without another word, the friends departed to their destination.
The royal library was nothing short of incredible. The large room held a few tall walls of ancient volumes, a great place to study. Silver loved this place. The library held a similar atmosphere to Blaze's favourite café, yet one can stay all day and feel good even if one buys nothing at all. That's the difference. It is a place of welcome for everyone rather than for customers.
Silver and Blaze took refuge in one of the lounge areas, the furniture also reminding the former of the café. The duo made themselves comfortable and became invested in their respective books. The knighted hedgehog opted to take up the couch, situated comfortable with his legs stretched out. The princess took position on the armchair, leaning back with one leg crossed over the other. Both held their books close to their faces, reading away to their heart's content. The table between them housed a platter filled with a few sandwiches.
The atmosphere was mostly silent, save for the heavy rainstorm pounding the walls outside. Their only form of company was the head librarian working away behind the desk and a handful of maids working away to maintain the castle's perfect interior. No royal guards occupied the library.
Silver brought his book down to briefly peek through one of several clerestory windows lined up across the walls. The storm's rage forced condensation, blocking his view. The weather grew more frightful since their arrival, threatening to drown the castle if Mother Nature had her way. With a disheartened sigh, he prepared to continue reading in an attempt to distract himself once more.
"What is it?"
Blaze's voice captivated Silver's attention. He dragged his confused eyes towards her. "Huh?"
The feline's gaze hadn't left her book, but her attention was focused on him. "If you're worried about the storm, don't be. The castle has survived much worse."
"It's not that," Silver reassured, his tone holding a hint of hesitation. "It's… Silly."
Blaze briefly lowered her book, the gesture letting Silver know he had her full attention. She softened her voice, hoping it would encourage her friend to share his concerns with her. "Silver, you know you can talk to me about anything."
Dropping the tone of a princess seemed to take effect as Silver leaned up, momentarily gazing towards the window once more. "It's just… Kind of funny, I guess."
Blaze tilted her head, a mixture of curiosity and confusion etching her features. "In what sense?"
"When we were in Crisis City, we wanted nothing more than for it to rain," Silver softly explained, his voice beginning to tremble as tragic memories resurfaced once more. "It was so hot. And now it looks like we finally got our wish."
Her expression briefly softened, forced to peer away. She almost saw the irony in their battle against Iblis. She herself, a wielder of pyrokinesis, faced several monsters of magma and lava every single day. The remark forced her usual confidence to be drowned out by a feeling of uneasiness. There were days where she constantly replayed memories of their old life, like her heart wanted to remind her of all the pain they went through. It hurt so much to remember, but she couldn't help herself. Her hands unknowingly gripped the book, hoping it would take some of the pain away.
"I'm sorry," Silver added, remorse mounting his expression. "I don't mean to keep bringing it up-"
With his gaze averted towards the window, he failed to catch Blaze slipping out of her armchair to join him on the couch. Her soft hand rested against his shoulder, bringing his attention back to his own.
"It's okay," Blaze softly reassured. "It's hard to forget, but the storm will pass, as all storms do. Before you know that, the sunshine will be back."
She reaffirmed her promise with a bright smile. His own smile briefly returned, warmth stirring in his chest as he glanced back to his own book. Rather than return to her own chair, Blaze opted to sit beside him instead, bringing her book to her gaze once more.
Silver welcomed her company, taking a moment to glance over and study the design of her book. "What are you reading?"
"Just some ancient history about the Vikings of Blizzard Peaks," Blaze replied. "I took an interest in this place during my first visit with Sonic. There is much to be learned."
Silver opened his mouth to ask further questions, only for a flash of blue to suddenly illuminate the room, followed by a shockwave of strong thunder. The lights around them died without warning, plunging the room and the rest of the castle in full darkness. Out of instinct, psychokinetic energy outlined Silver's person, providing some light. Blaze outstretched her own hand, allowing flames to gently dance around her wrist while standing up. Those who were hard at work suddenly froze in their duties, concerns for the storm filling their voices as they expressed confusion over the situation.
The princess jumped to her heels, holding the aura of calmness as she claimed authority once more. "Everyone, settle down. It's just a power cut. Stay here and listen to Sir Silver till I return."
Silver's brows gently knitted together at that final comment. She beat him to the punchline before he could speak, unwilling to waste time with pointless talk. "Silver, I need to stay here and keep everyone calm. I'll be back soon, don't worry."
She whirled on her heels and marched out of the library, using her flames as a provisional lantern. Silver watched her leave, longing to keep her safe. But he knew a darkened hallway stood no chance against the flames of her soul. She entrusted him with a responsibility. Those who cowered in fear slowly surrounded the knighted hedgehog, their features barely visible in the darkened room. They held their breaths, patiently waiting for an update.
Silver's expression softened, eyes alone holding so many ambivalent emotions. He never considered himself to be a leader, even with the powerful title he now wielded. Next to Blaze, Silver held the highest title and authority within the Sol Empire. The reassurances he wanted to give played around his thoughts. The gentle soul he was, Silver imagined they were his friends who sought comfort.
He spoke softly, his brows drawn together in a sympathetic concern. "It's okay, everyone. It's just a storm. Blaze will be back soon."
Even he didn't believe his own words, but they held enough weight to bring the small group some form of comfort. They were in need of a powerful leader, someone who could ensure their safety. Silver yearned to do so, but how he went about it. He could protect them against bad guys looking to bring harm, but a storm? Even he could do nothing to fight Mother Nature.
The head librarian politely raised his hand. "Sir Silver, would you like us to go about our duties?"
Silver's eyebrows drew together gently, mouth twisting to one side as he thought long and hard. "Uh, no, that's okay. You might get hurt working in the dark. Just, uh, relax! Have a chat with each other if you like! Talking's always good."
The small group exchanged glances, curiosity mounting their features. The outline of psychokinetic energy illuminated their faces to reveal minor details. While not the answer they expected, the group followed his orders and softly exchanged thoughts about the storm. His lips stretched into a thin smile. So far, so good. The staff often worked in complete silence, choosing to focus on their duties and leave any desire for social talk to the back of their minds.
Multiple sets of footsteps echoed from the entrance to the library, drawing everyone's attention to their ruler. Blaze returned, now accompanied with several of the royal guards holding candles to safely traverse through the darkened hallways. Silver exhaled with relief, stepping back and allowing Blaze to retake control of the situation.
"I'm afraid I have bad news," Blaze declared, her strong voice commanding their attention. "The storm has grown more powerful. The castle doors are not to be opened until safe clearance has been granted."
Her voice softened, but still held authority. "Please do not try to return to your homes. Stay here for your own safety. Captain Barkar and the rest of the royal guards will ensure you are taken care of."
The aforementioned polar bear emerged from the darkness, holding a small candle. "Let us make haste to ensure the castle is locked down."
The group, while worried for their own friends and family back home, appreciated the shelter. The castle was the best refuge in such a storm. The powerful walls were built to stop assembled hordes and its high position prevented such floods. While Gardon took control of the group, Blaze returned to Silver and gestured for him to follow. He did so without hesitation, still using his powers as a makeshift lantern. As they rounded a corner leading to the vast hallways, curiosity got the better of him and he halted to stare outside one of the windows overlooking the oceans.
He watched the waves roll in, each of them as strong and bold as the last. They come without fear of the beach, embracing their destiny upon the dawn sands. The storm showed no signs of quitting. He could hear objects crashing into the concrete walls that were his shelter. The powerful winds screamed at him more than howls. His eyes shut to keep out the violent sight, but even if he could open them he wouldn't. Silver's senses are already overloading his mind and one more wouldn't help. With his eyes shut tight, Silver failed to notice Blaze wrapping her fingers around his wrist, leading him away from the window.
As Blaze gingerly took his hand, Silver's eyebrows raised curiously. "Wh-where are we going?"
"To my room," Blaze explained, half-marching while keeping her hand locked around his own.
A twinge of curiosity mounted his features. "Huh?"
She left no explanation for actions, choosing to lead the two of them in silence through the vast hallways till they reached her bedroom. Silver allowed her to take him through, knowing there was nothing he could do to free herself from her grasp if he wanted to. The gesture didn't make him uneasy, just confused. Blaze opened the doors with her key and gently pulled him inside, before entering herself and closing the door behind. She sprinted forward and shut the curtains, blocking precious access to the outside storm and drowning out the noise of heavy raindrops ever so lightly. To compensate for the lack of light, Blaze moved her fire ignited finger over several candles, illuminating the room from total darkness.
Unsure what to do, Silver simply sat down at the foot of her bed. He watched her approach a small teapot set on her drawer, flicking on the battery-powered kettle while retrieving two cups. The outside storm continued to fill him with a sense of anxiety, but the confusion in her actions occupied the far corners of his mind.
"Do you want tea or coffee?" she offered.
"T-tea, please," Silver replied, silently cursing the worry in his voice.
The kettle burst with high pressure steam, shattering the silence around like a crystal, the shards flying into the walls and bursting in an invisible shower. Blaze poured the contents with the utmost care, ensuring not a single drop missed the cups. Everything was perfectly stacked on the tray, housing all the essentials for a refreshing beverage.
The question he so wanted to ask finally seeped through his voice. "B-Blaze, why am I here?"
She brought the tray over and set it down between them, using the opportunity to join him on the bed while kicking off her shoes. "Do you not want to be here?"
"No, no! Of course I do," Silver hastily replied. He battled with his words, or thoughts. Maybe both. "I'm just… Confused."
Blaze brought her own tea to her lips, the warm beverage soothing her own nerves. Her eyes failed to meet his own for a while, choosing to absently look forward. "I don't rightly know. Part of me says I didn't want our time together to be ruined. Another part says I wanted to protect you from the storm."
Silver soaked in her words like a sponge, eyes drawn to his own drink. He dropped three cubes of sugar within, prolonging the silence by stirring his spoon in soft circles till he was satisfied with the mixture. "Whatever the reason, I'm glad we're together."
She smiled at that comment, the answer bringing her attention to him. "Let's not dwell on the storm any longer. There is little we can do about the weather."
The knighted hedgehog dipped his head in agreement, willing to partake anything she wanted to take his mind off the storm. He took the opportunity to study the royal bedroom. It wasn't his first time being here. He came by during some evenings when they watched the stars together. It was only sometime ago he spent the full night with Blaze after her nightmares sought his company. This was perhaps his first time visiting in the day. With the added light, the details became more prominent. The bed itself was huge, easily allowing several people to squeeze on top. The glass doors to his right, now concealed by lavender curtains, offered access to her balcony overlooking the garden below. With such luxuries came her private bathroom. The royal bedroom housed everything she needed. It was her safe place, a shelter to escape from royal duties till another day. As a result, Blaze tended to keep the room locked when absent, only allowing her most trusted allies access if necessary. Silver was amongst that rare list, a privilege he greatly appreciated.
He decided to mirror her actions and removed his own boots to get comfortable, leaving the two of them in their socks. There was no telling how long she intended him to stay, but he cherished every moment. A rare opportunity for Blaze to have a free day was one he shouldn't let go to waste. If only that darn storm would worm its way out of his head.
"What were you reading?"
Her voice broke Silver from his inner turmoil once more. "Huh?"
"That book in the library," Blaze replied. "What was it?"
The memories came flooding back. "Oh, that. Um, it was another story book. It was called After the Dust Settles."
His expression switched in an instant. The heartfelt answer that followed took the edge off her reservations and she pried deeper. "What's it about?"
Silver's lips stretched into a thin smile. He adored stories so much and would happily share them with Blaze. His passion for reading once helped her trauma during another nightmare episode. Now it was Blaze's turn to use such a passion to comfort the knighted hedgehog. Happiness surged up inside him, burning through and igniting his spirit.
"It's about two parents who wanted to take care of three kids from far away homes," Silver explained, the carefree tone forcing the corner of her mouth into a smile. "But not everything was so easy. The kids had trouble adjusting to normal life. One of them even felt guilty over something his species did."
"Some things take time," Blaze added. "Not everything can be smooth sails."
Silver nodded in agreement. "The chapter I got to, one of the kids started fighting the other. I… hope they make up."
A hint of sadness entered that final remark. Blaze used the opportunity to sweep in. "I'm sure they'll understand the consequences of their actions and learn to make amends."
Her words were full of warmth and he wrapped them around himself like a blanket, shielding himself from the potential cold. The castle itself was designed with a mixture of modern and old-fashioned details. The lack of power meant they were without central heating, the fireplace within her bedroom offered a perfect alternate solution, at least for herself. With a simple thought, she ignited a flame at the tip of her finger and flicked it towards the fireplace. The wood burst into calm fires. The motion did not go unnoticed by Silver, whose raised eyebrow invited an explanation.
"I figured you might be a little bit cold," Blaze explained.
He smiled in gratitude, lowering his voice to a whisper so small the wind could carry it away. "Thank you."
Frantic pounding at her door forced the two friends into alert mode. Blaze sprung to her feet, ears and tail straightening out as she readied herself for battle. She opened her mouth to greet the visitor, but the innocent voice from the other side beat her to it.
"Open up, Blaze!"
"Marine?" Blaze replied, lowering her guard and rushing to open the door.
No sooner after her hand tugged at the door did the raccoon come bursting through, her shoes soaking her carpet with every step. Her teeth chattered, hands rubbing up and down her arms while she was soaked from head to toe.
"Don't go out there whatever you do!" Marine advised, shaking her head and unintentionally splashing the duo with water.
Blaze ignored any desire to scold Marine for damping her floors and making her maids' job harder. Right now, a wave of relief washed over her features. "Marine, what were you doing out in the storm? You should know better."
"You're soaking, Marine," Silver stated the obvious. "Did you walk in the rain?"
"No, I fancied a walk through a car wash on me way here!" Marine exclaimed drily. "I was on me way to see you cobblers when the weather decided to have a trauntrum!"
Blaze softly sighed, leaning down to place hands against the raccoon's shoulders. "You're lucky you don't have a cold, or worse. Come on, let's get you dry."
She escorted the two of them inside her bathroom, lightly kicking the door closed behind her. Silver watched her go with admiration, impressed with how Blaze cared for her friend like an older sister. Left to his loathsome for a short while, the raccoon's presence brought Silver's mind back to the harsh storm outside. There was a desire to escape; if his limbs were moving the anxiety may go, or at least he would be able to ignore it for a while. It coursed through his veins as if it hitched a ride on his blood cells. His brow furrowed, questioning why the storm unnerved him so much. The fear sat below his smile, his actions and his childish personality, all amped up with no escape.
The opening of the bathroom door grabbed his focus once more. Marine wandered out, now donning a plain white robe while her soaked clothes were ready for the laundry. Her hands were without gloves and her feet were bare, creating soft thumps on the carpet as she excitedly jumped onto the centre of the bed.
"Any cake knocking about?" Marine eagerly asked, eyes drawn to the tray resting on the edge of the bed. "Ooh, you fellas having a tea party? Gimme a cup!"
Before Silver's hand reached the kettle, Blaze returned and bore her powerful gaze towards her younger friend. "Marine, you should know better. Ask properly."
With a small eye roll, Marine amusingly lowered her voice. "Fine. May I please have tea?"
"That's better," Blaze said with approval, shifting her focus towards the knighted hedgehog to offer a curt nod.
He understood the gesture and moved to gently pour the warm contents into a spare mug he called over with the aid of psychokinesis. The cup was passed to Marine, who eagerly pressed it to her lips and slurped down the contents.
"Much better!" she happily chirmed. "Nothing a good old cuppa couldn't fix!"
Blaze reclaimed her seat, taking a moment to place her hand against the raccoon's forehead. Her pyrokinetic touch was naturally warm, soothing her younger friend with a sense of cosiness. From what she could tell, there was no hint of a fever. "Good. Marine, you are not to leave the castle until the storm has passed."
"Not a problem, mate," Marine reassured, happy to stay within the castle grounds with unlimited access to her favourite snacks.
Satisfied for now, Blaze retrieved her cup and took a small sip. The warm tea did wonders for her nerves, bringing a sense of relaxation. What was once an opportunity to be free of royal duties soon turned into a mission of keeping the castle safe. Silver's soft trembling caught her peripheral vision, concern for his well-being becoming apparent in her features.
Her eyes scanned the room, searching for something to further distract him from the outside world. Less he wanted to play dress up, there was nothing within her room to offer a diversion. For now, it was just the three of them surrounded by four walls and a rooftop.
"Ain't you got a TV or something in here, Blaze?" Marine asked, the boredom becoming evident within her tone.
"I don't exactly have the luxuries of downtime," Blaze replied. "Besides, it would do us no good anyway with the power off. I'm afraid the only entertainment you will find here are my books. You are welcome to read."
The mere suggestion forced a drawn out response from Marine. "Boooring!"
Her remark forced Blaze's expression to tighten, disapproval crossing her features. Before she could scold her, Silver butted in. "We could share stories!"
Marine's eyebrows drew together with curiosity. "What kind of stories?"
"We've all been on so many adventures," Silver began, his words chosen with the utmost caution. "I'm sure we all have so many stories to share!"
The suggestion grew lucky as Marine's eyes lit up with joy. "Ooh! Blaze gets to go first!"
The princess shot her a confused look. "Why me?"
"Because you're the awesome princess with fancy powers!" Marine excitedly said.
Blaze's eyebrows drew together, holding mixed feelings to the remark. The compliment was appreciated, but storytelling was not among her set of skills. Nevertheless, Marine's beaming eyes and Silver's hopeful smile reginited a sense of inspiration. "Very well."
"Yay!" Marine exclaimed, bouncing up and down on the large bed.
"Settle down, Marine," Blaze ordered.
The self-proclaimed captain obeyed and scooted forwards, hands eagerly pressed together with anticipation. Blaze spared a glance towards Silver, relieved to see the tension fade from his features. Perhaps Marine's unexpected arrival was a blessing in disguise, one that would keep Silver's nerves subdued till the storm passed.
"I shall tell you of the tale of how I first met Sonic," Blaze began, quickly correcting herself. "In this timeline, I mean."
Marine lay flat on her stomach, hands supporting her chin with excitement. "This ought to be good."
The princess began her story, telling the tale of how Doctor Eggman invaded her world to steal the Sol Dimensions and how she followed him through the barriers of their universes to reclaim the sacred gems. It was there she crossed paths with Sonic (unknowingly their second time). The blue hedgehog offered his help to her many times, but each one was met with rejection. It was then Blaze moved to tell them how she first met Cream and how it was the young rabbit's compassion that opened the clam of a shell she onced hid behind, revealing the rare pearl within. Silver and Marine hung onto her every word, the former happy to hear how she understood there was nothing wrong with asking for help at times. Marine paid more attention to the exciting parts, clearly cherishing her many tales of battling Eggman's robots.
"... And with that, Sonic and I shook hands before we parted ways back to our respective dimensions," Blaze concluded her story.
Marine was the first to heap praise, jumping up with both arms spread for dramatic effect. "That was great! There was action! Heroics! Bad guys getting the snot beat out of them!"
Blaze couldn't stop the smirk creeping its way onto her muzzle. Such praise was expected by her young friend, but the kind words were appreciated nonetheless.
"I loved it, too!" Silver agreed.
His cheerful and carefree tone strongly implied any fear of the storm was pushed to the back of his mind for now. She searched Silver's expression, but found not the slightest tinge of worry. Talking seemed to soothe his nerves.
Marine eagerly threw up her arm. "Me next! Me next!"
Blaze leaned back on her makeshift chair consisting of several pillows stacked against one of the bed's pillars. "Tell us your tale, Marine."
The raccoon happily snapped her fingers. "Let me tell you fellas the time Captain Marine beat the mean-old pirate Captain Whisker!"
Silver's eyes lit up and he drew closer to hear more. As for Blaze, she glanced away to conceal the amusement filling her features. "This should be interesting."
Marine went on to recall her first exciting adventure together with Blaze, Sonic, Tails and the rest of the Coconut Crew. Not to Blaze's surprise, Marine exaggerated some details here and there, claiming she was the one to have saved Sonic and Tails, as well as being the sole reason they won in the first place. Blaze decided to humour her younger friend's enthusiasm, holding her tongue as the raccoon spoke a mile a minute. Silver, oblivious to their adventure, believed every word leaving her lips. She occasionally jumped around on the bed, holding creative poses to empathise her point.
"Just like that, I gave those moustached meanies a good clubbing right to their robot's noggin!" Marine exclaimed, throwing her fist forward with conviction.
That final remark drew Silver's interest, unaware his younger friend carried such a power. "You have hydrokinesis?"
Confusion plastered her features. "Hydo-what-now?"
"It means to control water," Silver explained. "Like how Blaze can control fire and how I can move things with my mind!"
Marine's eyes lit up. "Ahh, that! Been having a crack at it here and there. Can't seem to get the darn thing to work when I want it to though."
"I've been trying to coach Marine into controlling her powers in my free time," Blaze added. "Unfortunately, progress has been slow."
"I bet I could have stopped this weather if I had control over me powers," Marine suggested, raising her naked hands while her fingers wiggled with excitement.
The idea forced an amused chuckle from the princess as she leaned over to gently lift one of Marine's wrists. "I wouldn't go that far. But I made a promise to you that I would teach you to control your powers."
"Maybe I could help," Silver offered. "I've been able to control my powers since I was a kid."
Excitement twinkled within Marine's eyes as she hurled her gaze towards him. "Really?!"
"Really," Silver reaffirmed. "Right, Blaze?"
The princess softly nodded in agreement. "Yes. Silver's experience may unlock the key to controlling your powers."
"Cool!" Marine exclaimed. "But it's your turn, Silver!"
The realisation hit the knighted hedgehog like a freight train. "Oh, right. Um… I could also tell you guys how I met Sonic in this timeline."
Marine beamed with excitement. "Oooh, another Sonic story! Lay it on us, Silver!"
"I am not familiar with this tale," Blaze admitted, intrigued to hear this story. "Please enlighten us, Silver."
He nodded and softly cleared his throat. "Okay, here goes. In my future, Eggman Nega stole this weird camera that turned people into cards-"
Blaze suddenly held up her hand. "Wait! Did you say Nega? As in Doctor Eggman Nega?"
Silver's brows drew together with confusion. "Yeah. Why?"
"Silver, we were just talking about Nega," Blaze stated, the certainty evident in her tone. "Do you mean to tell me Nega originated from your future?"
The realisation washed over Silver like a tidal wave. His finger tapped the corner of his mouth, eyes slid towards the ceiling as he thought long and hard. "Huh. I never thought about that. Guess he must have travelled here at some point."
The princess silently hummed, head tilting to one side. It was no secret Eggman Nega's origins were a mystery to her, but never did she expect him to have derived from Silver's future in their second timeline. The revelation died on her thoughts as Marine's loud voice trailed down her pointed ears.
"Blaze, let him finish!" Marine impatiently exclaimed. "I wanna hear the rest!"
Despite her usual overbearing tone, Blaze agreed with how impolite of her it was to interrupt. "My apologies. Continue with your story, Silver."
The knighted hedgehog eagerly nodded. "So, after Nega stole the camera, I used my cuffs to travel through time…"
He went on to break down his adventures in the past, how the events led to meeting Sonic and the others for the first time while he was in pursuit of Doctor Eggman, hoping it would lead a trail to Nega. As fate would have it, Eggman was revealed to be no other than Nega himself in disguise, a revelation Marine described as a "major plot twist!" With the aid of Shadow, Nega was imprisoned within one of his own cards and Silver eventually returned to his future once more. However, unforeseen circumstances brought him back to the past once more.
Through unknown means, Nega escaped imprisonment and unleashed a terrible monster named Ifrit. As if the universe tried to correct rewritten history by replacing Iblis, Ifrit threatened to bathe the world in his flames. Thanks to the aid of Espio and the others, the demon was defeated and Nega was defeated once more.
"But then Nega somehow ended up here!" Silver added, his eyes searching Blaze's for an explanation.
She lightly shrugged her shoulders. "Unfortunately, his time here has always been an enigma to me. All I know is he sought destruction. I would not allow him to do so."
Marine threw up her fist in agreement. "You ain't gotta worry that meanie anymore, Silver! Blaze gave him a good clobbering last time he was here!"
Silver's eyes lit up, turning towards the aforementioned princess for confirmation. "Really?"
Blaze softly nodded, though admittedly it was not her proudest moment. The flames of her soul urged her to purge the evil doctor from existence once and for all. The temptations were very strong indeed. The buzz from power was a lonely emotion when compared to the sense of responsibility that is born from one of a pure heart.
"Yes, I personally saw to it myself that Nega was imprisoned for the rest of his days," Blaze firmly confirmed. "I will not allow him to harm my world anymore."
"He'd have to be stupid try anything in this storm!" Marine added.
Before Blaze could comment, a flash of lightning seeped through the closed curtains, followed by another vicious clap of thunder that shook the silence. The storm let its full might be known as heavy downpour assaulted the castle. Something about the power and suddenness of the tempest disturbed Silver. His arms cradled around himself for gentle comfort, fear engraving his features once more. Silver's quills spiked up, threatening to pierce anyone in close proximity.
The loud snap briefly enlighted a startled yelp from Marine, but the young captain held her composure quite well. Blaze admired her courage and felt obligated to give praise, but Silver's well-being occupied the far corners of her mind. She leaned forward, softening her voice once more. "It's okay, Silver."
Marine held out her bare hand, tapping it delicately against his shoulder. "Cheer up, mate! Little bit of rain never hurts anyone!"
"I… I'm sorry," Silver muttered, peaking his eyes open once the weather shifted back to relatively calm.
"Have you more tales to share for us, Silver?" Blaze suddenly suggested, the remark earning her curiosity stares from the duo.
The knighted hedgehog hummed, searching through that creative mind. "I… Oh, there was the time we met up with Sonic and Tails in space!"
Intrigue etched Marine's features. "Wait, you fellas were in space?! This one I gotta hear!"
Silver continued with his next tale, painting descriptions so vividly that Marine couldn't take her eyes away. Blaze listened with a warm smile. The stories helped transpose them to places crafted words are the means of conjuring rather than the object or idea brought forth. When skillfully done they are like the frame of a tasteful mirror rather than the glass, sitting in the background, visible to all, yet their purpose is to enhance the beauty of the picture rather than to draw attention to themselves. Their storytelling lasted well into the evening. Before they were even aware of the time, darkness claimed the outside land. That friendly blackness allowed their eyes to rest and let their dreams take centre stage.
Despite Silver's amazing abilities to tell stories, Marine eventually lost her battle with sleep and drifted away to a peaceful slumber. Silver offered to take her to one of the guest rooms, but Blaze insisted on letting her stay. It wasn't the first time Marine stayed over in her room and likely not the last. Despite his own initial worries, Silver mustered the courage to return to his own bedroom, stopping just short to bid his best friend farewell.
"Goodnight, Blaze," Silver whispered, preparing to traverse the darkened hallways.
"You are welcome to return anytime, Silver," Blaze reassured, genuine in the offer. "I'm here for you."
Silver softly nodded. "Thank you."
With that, the knighted hedgehog retreated back to his bedroom, once more using his powers as a makeshift lantern. Blaze dawdled longer than necessary, ensuring he was safe in his return. With a somewhat disheartened sigh, she quietly closed the door and returned inside. Unfamiliar sadness filled her veins, longing for his company so soon. This rare free day of hers, despite the storm outside, was perhaps one of her most cherished moments yet with Silver. They had been passing time on the battlefield for so long. To have earned a time of relaxation and rebuilding felt surreal. But passing time with him, in the most humble of moments, that was how she got to feel that she was royalty in her soul.
Now alone to reflect on today's experience, Blaze allowed her mind to wonder. Her thoughts were her ballet steps, ever ready to leap and twirl. Moments of self-isolation reminded Blaze of how far she came in this new life, how she progressed from a stern princess to a caring friend. It was this progression that allowed today's events to play out. She wanted to take care of her friends, to keep them safe, to be the hero they deserved. Believe in nothing and that's what you become. Believing in being a hero, in a warrior for love and peace, doors to happiness opened. For her friends, she'd be there in a flash.
Her breathing softened and a smile formed. While Marine slept, Blaze tiptoed towards the candles illuminating the room. With a gentle puff, their source of light was eliminated and darkness claimed the bedroom. She spared one final moment to peek through the curtains, watching as rain poured down her windows. Confident the storm would pass by morning, Blaze took her eyes away and softly retreated to her bed for another good night's rest.
The next morning…
The storm had passed, as did the darkened skies. Gentle sun rays basked the Sol Empire once more, but what they revealed was not a welcoming sight. Surviving the night was step one. Surviving amid the storm debris was a longer term challenge. The heavy rainfall washed the town like it was no more substantial than an architect's scale model abandoned on the sands. It was the extinguishing of a dream, of a way of life, easier than wet fingers on a candle flame. Several buildings now lay in ruins, the sight making Doctor Eggman Nega's destruction more appealing to the eyes. Family and friends were scattered, royal guards doing their best to keep everyone calm while rescue workers moved to help others.
Within one such area, Silver the Hedgehog gently lifted debris to one side with the aid of psychokinesis, setting them down in a large dumpster to his side. He worked quietly, the occasional cry from a child or a gull wheeling above was the only break in an otherwise oppressive silence. The land now smelled just like the beach, all that salt seeping into the kingdom. All around were common household items: teapots, kettles, toasters, chairs and computers. Every one of them oozed sea-water, saturated and broken. The homes that still stood were beyond repair, the walls leaning and roofs gone.
The clean up was a task almost beyond the comprehension of mortal hearts. It was felt by the soul, expressed by the tears, and translated into action by the stoicism of compassionate logical action. Silver was an optimist, someone who always strived for greatness against all expectations. But even he couldn't shake away that feeling of despair. Seeing the destruction of homes and cries of the innocent forced his eyelids to tighten as he fought the sudden onslaught of memories. But in a way there was comfort. Acknowledging the pain of others reduced his own a little, for in that realisation there is a sense that they were all in this together.
"Sir Silver!"
The knighted hedgehog glanced over, eyes drawn to a few of the royal guards by what remained of another home. The same one who called him over gestured for him to approach. "Could you help us get inside?"
"On my way!" Silver exclaimed, racing over with no hesitation.
His hands outstretched, casting a gentle cyan glow over the debris and moving it to one side with consideration. This allowed the royal guards to break down the door and march inside in search of trapped residents. With a desponded sigh, Silver cast his gaze towards his closest friend nearby.
Her choice of outfit for today made it difficult to recognize Blaze from a single glance. A dark grey hoodie covered her upper body, black leggings replaced her white ones and in place of her heeled shoes were a pair of white sport shoes with white stripes and grey soles. Most noticeably was the absence of her usual golden necklace and gem in her forehead. The princess opted to dress casual today, feeling it would be insensitive and disrespectful to the people who lost everything. Of her original outfit, only her white fur gloves and the red binding in her hair remained.
Blaze oversaw the clean up herself, splitting up all those who came to help into small groups. While ensuring everything ran smoothly, she took advantage of her super strength to move several debris to one side. Silver admired her calm exterior, questioning how she held her composure so well with all that happened the previous night.
He had no time to dwell on the thought as another cry captured his focus, this one far closer and more painful. Silver threw his gaze to one side to see a small koala girl in distress, perhaps no older than six years old. A lost child is the greatest emergency and pain to the soul of a parent. Silver had his fair share of experiencing such heartaches in his previous life. Darn right he wasn't going to do nothing.
Without hesitation, Silver flew forward and scooped her into his arms. "Hey, it's okay. Shh, shh, it's okay. Don't cry."
"I can't find my mommy!" she wailed, burying her face into his chest fur.
Silver easily held her small frame with one arm, using the other to gently rub circles around her back. Her cries told of the pain within, confusion. She craved the comfort of mother, the movement of her body and the feeling of her feet leaving the ground for the safety of her arms.
"It's okay, we'll find her," Silver reassured, moving his arm back to softly rub the tears from her eyes. His kind smile briefly brought her sobs to a standstill. "I'm Silver. What's your name?"
She replied in a barely audible whisper. "Claudia."
"Claudia," he echoed. "We're gonna go find your mom, okay?"
Claudia slowly nodded in response, tears staining her muzzle.
Using his other arm to wrap around her body for extra comfort, Silver's feet left the ground as he ascended, taking advantage of his psychokinesis to see over the large crowd flooding the streets. Each person in the crowd moved as if unseeing hands dragged them this way and that, pulling their eyes to one thing and then another. He scanned the crowd for specific details, searching for anyone who matched species with Claudia. His eyes were drawn to one such koala frantically searching around.
Silver slowly spun to one side, allowing Claudia's eyes to meet with the crowd. "Is that your mom?"
Her swimming orbs lit up with joy, eagerly outstretching her arms. "Mommy!"
The declaration was matched with equal relief by Silver. He lowered down and allowed Claudia to jump out of his arms. Her mother scooped the young girl into her arms, holding her close and nuzzling the side of her head against her daughter's.
"Claudia, I was so worried!" she cried out, eyes threatening to leak waterfalls of relief.
The interaction brought a heartfelt smile to Silver, happy to know his good deed brightened the situation, even by a small margin. Without needing her thanks, Silver quietly slipped away and returned to his original position, knowing he and his powers were needed for the benefit of others. He reunited with Blaze, who heaved a large support beam over her head and set it down with both consideration and urgency.
Silver's eyes cast towards nearby refugees, sadness and guilt lacing his features. "Blaze, what's going to happen to them?"
She followed his finger, a wave of equal concern etching her face. Her people, the ones she swore to protect for so long, were now left with nothing more than each other. Blaze glanced towards Silver; his upset countenance pleaded to her to do something. While they were safely tucked behind the castle's walls all night, everyone present fell victim to the storm. A feeling of guilt settled in her stomach, even as a level of awareness told her there was nothing to feel guilty for. She was their princess, someone who needed to be protected at all costs. But if she could not return that same protection, could she claim the title as guardian?
Determined to turn her guilt into gold for others, Blaze marched forward and hopped on a nearby dumpster to stand above her people. Even with her casual attire, all eyes were drawn to the princess. Her emotionless eyes contrasted with charged words. "Everyone. I am terribly sorry for what has happened to your homes. We could not have foreseen such events. I cannot reverse what happened, but I promise to do everything within my power to provide care and shelter."
She reaffirmed her promise with further reassurances. "I am offering temporary housing within my castle. If none of you have nowhere to go, please follow Sir Silver and I back to the castle. You are welcome to stay until your homes have been restored."
Blaze fell silent, hopping down to rejoin Silver. The crowd expressed their gratitude in the form of applause and verbal thanks. Everyone didn't hesitate to grab what they could and made haste to follow their ruler. The two of them lead the way, staying ahead of the crowd to talk in private.
"I'm sorry, Blaze," Silver whispered.
Confusion and surprise claimed her demeanour. "Sorry? What for?"
"For being so scared of the storm," Silver elaborated, one clutching at his arm. "I should have been calmer last night."
"Silver, don't you dare apologise," Blaze gently scolded, moving closer to grab his full attention. However, a hint of amusement filled her tone. "I swear, I don't know what goes through that naïve mind of yours sometimes. What are you sorry for?"
"For being scared," Silver explained. "I shouldn't be scared of the storm."
She longed to pry inside that mind of his, desiring to know why the inner machinations of his mind were such an enigma. "Silver, being scared is normal. We can't tame our fear."
As expected, he argued the claim. "But you're always so calm, never afraid!"
"Who said I'm never afraid?" Blaze calmly replied, her voice lifting at the end to signify the question.
The question forced Silver's eyes to widen like saucers. There was a measure of anxiety scrawled all over his face and he tried to ease it by holding his arm. "B-B-but you're always so calm."
The princess glanced over her shoulder to check for prying eyes. The crowd following behind them were too far out of hearing range to take note of their conversation. With the assurnes no one could hear her upcoming confession, Blaze steadied her voice and continued. "Silver, everytime I go into battle, I'm afraid. I imagine every likely scenario I could be beaten. But with that fear comes confidence. That confidence gives me the strength to fight."
The cogs in Silver's head turned and turned, eventually clicking into place in his mind. The words broke through his thoughts like a knife, cutting a path where before there was none. Her calm expression and steady voice took the edge off his reservations and he pried deeper. "So, I should be scared when I fight?"
"Being scared is normal and natural, an appropriate response to a situation that feels threatening. I'd be more concerned if you weren't," Blaze replied, a hint of joy filling her otherwise neutral tone. "It's not the fear. It's what you do with the fear that matters. The aches and pains I earn are the ones I want to grow strong from."
She finally caught onto his last remark, drawing her eyebrows together. "But let's hope you don't have to fight anytime soon."
Silver hung onto her every word, blocking out the world around him as the realisation struck a chord. The more he considered her words, the more they were beginning to make sense. Being scared and hiding are different things. He could be scared and stand his ground. He could be scared and still think clearly - with logic, heart and self control. Silver was terrified of Iblis for so long, yet always battled that monster without a second thought. Fear can be good or bad. It's all situational, right? If he defends himself or others it's good, but if he cuts himself off from himself or others, to deny his vulnerable self the chance to breathe and cry, then it's bad. That's self wisdom, that's emotional intelligence.
The time for self-thinking came to an abrupt end as they crossed the cobbled bridge leading up towards the castle. The large crowd that followed forced initial concern to mount the royal guards' features, fearing an angry mob were looking to vent their frustrations. But upon noticing their ruler leading said crowd, their hands relaxed. Gardon was the first to race forward, the koala taking a moment to remember her choice of attire today. The transformation was surreal; she could easily pass for an average citizen if necessary.
He took a small bow in greeting. "Princess Blaze, Sir Silver."
"Gardon, I need you to round up everyone for an emergency meeting," Blaze explained, softening her voice so it did not come across as a stern command. "Several people are going to need shelter and we need to make haste to ensure construction is our number one priority."
The koala nodded with no hesitation. However, he spared a moment to look past her lithe frame towards the horde behind them. "Forgive my asking, Princess Blaze. But what are we to do with the citizens?"
"I have invited them here till housing can be arranged," Blaze explained, her tone suggesting there was no room for arguments. "See to it that they are taken care of."
"Of course, Princess Blaze," Gardon agreed. "I will see to it right away."
With that, Gardon raced ahead to arrange the crowd to enter the castle in an orderly fashion. The crowd passed their princess, taking the opportunity to unanimously thank her once more. Blaze simply wished them good fortune. Naomi and her team of maids welcomed the crowd as they entered, showing them to their rooms for now.
Blaze shifted her gaze towards Silver, who appeared to have brightened up since this morning. Happiness danced in those golden eyes, speaking the words she didn't need to say. "I will never grow tired of that kind heart of yours."
A semblance of a smile flickered onto Silver's lips. "I just wanted to help. It was so horrible seeing all that."
Knowing where he was leading towards their past lives again, Blaze beat him to the punchline. "It was like I told you last night. Storms passed, as did this one."
Her comforting words brought a sense of hope for the knighted hedgehog. He understood her words, learning the road to better things is challenging and full of effort. That's how this broken world of theirs will get fixed. He cast his eyes towards the horizon, knowing there was much to be done. "I better get back to the city and help out."
Blaze nodded with appreciation. "I have to go to my meeting as well. Stay safe, Silver."
"You too, Blaze."
With nothing further to exchange, the best friends departed and summoned their respective powers to make haste in their goals. Blaze rushed inside the castle, calling on her superior speed with anticipation. Silver outlined himself with psychokinetic energy and took to the skies once more. The return of the sunrays soothed his worried nerves, reigning that sense of aspiration once more.
Hope beaded his skin like dew on spring grass. He could feel it radiating in to soothe his blood. If formed such perfect spheres, each one is like a tiny world of its own. Hope is the light that forms a rope and anchors others to the chance of a better future. Silver couldn't know for sure that tomorrow will be better than today, but he was an optimist and that was the best he could be. For as long as he held that hope for a better future, a shiny new tomorrow was just on the horizon.
Well, this chapter certainly turned out longer than I expected. I hope everyone enjoyed it. If you haven't already, I recommend checking out After the Dust Settles by Mama-Qwerty. Great story! I shall see you all next week with Chapter 9: The Art Of Dance!