A/N: Ok, we're back with the eighth chapter of my first story ever: Journey For Friendship!

Knuckles: We get it!

Me: Yeah, yeah, whatever! All right, we'll just get on with the story, and I'll talk at the end.

Marine: Shouldn't there be a disclaimer, mate?

Sonic: Yeah, and here it is! He does NOT own any of us Sonic characters, SEGA does! See, faster than the speed of sound! No sweat!

Cream: Um, that makes no sense…

Me: Well, that'll have to do. I guess…

Well, enjoy! I hope you like it!

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*Normal POV*

Once Ryan had helped his injured teammates back to their room, he put them to bed to rest. He had difficulty helping Shadow, since he wouldn't really let him.

Over the next week, nothing special happened. Seriously, NOTHING HAPPENED.

There were some interesting conversations at dinner time each evening, however.

After the battle, Shadow, Tails, Marine, Tikal, and Rouge stayed in their rooms to rest while the others went to dinner. This was actually the first time Ryan had gone to the dining area, so he got Manic and Sonia to lead him there.

Once they arrived, Ryan realized that the dining room was the room that he had first entered when he was brought to the IPIA. The one with the high ceilings and the two long tables that were now pushed together and decorated with candles, utensils, and fancy place settings.

The three of them were the last to arrive tonight. Ryan grabbed a seat between his cousin and Sonic. Amy was on Sonic's other side, and Shadow's empty seat on Blaze's other side. Knuckles was across from Ryan, and Sonia, Manic, and the rest of the empty spots were along the same side. Finally, Master Cream sat at the very end, to have a view of everyone.

"Dinner is served! Caesar salad and steak!" she said happily. "Wait, we can have 25 TVs in Tails' room, but no personal chefs to cook for us?" Ryan asked.

"We don't need chefs when we have Master Cream." Blaze pointed out. "Is that why she's our Master?" Ryan asked. "That, and she's wise, smart, educated in science and technology, and she treats us very well!" Sonia answered.

"Thank you, Sonia." Cream said. "I can see your point, Sonia." Ryan stated.

"Suck up." Knuckles whispered to Manic. He got no response, but he did get a smack upside the head from Sonia.

"So where exactly did those enemies go?" Ryan questioned. "After Blaze used the transporter ray, right?" Amy asked. "Yeah." Ryan confirmed.

"Duh." Knuckles whispered again. Manic chuckled at this, but both Sonia and Blaze also heard. So simultaneously, Knuckles got smacked-again-, and Manic got kicked by Blaze underneath the table. "Shut up!" she silently hissed.

"Hm? You say something?" Ryan asked. "Yes. They were transported back to their base. We don't harm them, nor do we kill. That is the law." Blaze replied confidently.

Knuckles rolled his eyes at her quick recovery. Sonia saw that, and well… you know what happened next. She smacked him.

"You're lucky you're already red, or people might start wondering what that giant, red mark on the back of your head was from!" Sonia said condescendingly.

Everyone stared at the two of them. Sonia had forgotten to whisper. "I think you both have some explaining to do." Cream said.

THE NEXT DAY AT DINNER…

"So, Ryan. I've been doing some more research on your DNA. And I must say, it's very different than the type we're used to seeing." Blaze said to her cousin before eating a mouthful of shrimp.

"Different how?" an intrigued Tails asked. "I'm not sure yet, but I can sense that I will find out soon. I'll let you know when I find out." she answered.

"Thanks, Blaze! That sounds very interesting!" Tails said. "I think that sounds great!" Ryan exclaimed. Everyone nodded in agreement-except Shadow.

"Right, Shadow?" Ryan asked. "Uh…yeah!" Shadow replied, looking up from his plate and going with the crowd and smiling. When Ryan looked away, however, he instantly stopped "smiling" and rolled his eyes.

Sonia was sitting beside him tonight, and she spotted that. So… he got smacked.

He growled in return. "Piss off, Sonia."

Everyone looked at them. Master Cream had been watching quietly as their situation unfolded. She sighed, "I think I'm starting to see a trend here…"

THE NEXT DAY AT DINNER…

"Hey, Shadow?" Tails asked. "What?" Shadow replied in an annoyed tone. "Weren't you going to explain some stuff about Silver's clan to Ryan the other day, but you never got to it?" Tails answered. "Yeah, he never did. Could you now, Shadow?" Ryan said. "Yeah, Shads! Come on!" Sonic exclaimed.

"Don't call me that, Sonic! But fine… I will." Shadow replied.

Tails, Ryan, Sonic, Rouge, Amy, Marine, and Manic listened in as the others were having separate conversations.

"Alright," Shadow started. "Silver, -the leader of his clan- used to be the third guardian here, along with Blaze and Knuckles. He betrayed us, and left to form his own clan. He says he doesn't kill, just like us. But we aren't sure…"

"He's that white hedgehog that had showed up, right?" Ryan asked. "He insists that he's silver, but yeah, that was him." Tails confirmed.

Shadow continued, "So he's been holding a big grudge against us ever since our… disagreement."

"Come on, tell 'em what the disagreement was!" Marine semi-begged.

"Back then, we had hypothesized that there were seven Elements. But the three guardians did some research and determined there was an eighth. However, we agreed that it was the Element of Light, but he refused. He was sure that he was right about it being the Element of Darkness instead. He has been determined to find someone that possesses the ability to control this 'new Element' ever since." Shadow explained.

"He keeps comin' at us, you know? And for what?" Manic questioned. "For nothing!" Amy exclaimed, clearly puzzled and slightly agitated.

"And they haven't given themselves a proper name, so we just call 'em Silver's clan." Tails interjected.

"I just wish he would come to his senses." Sonia said, from her isolated seat where Master Cream had put her for tonight's dinner.

"I think he should go shit out all the crap he's gotten from being away from reality all this time." Sonic said.

"Sonic, don't swear!" Amy exclaimed as she smacked him. "Good job, Amy!" Sonia praised. "Thanks!"

Master Cream facepalmed.

THE NEXT DAY AT DINNER…

Sonia AND Amy had isolated seats tonight.

"Good news, Ryan!" Blaze said to get her cousin's attention. "I've found how your DNA is different!"

"That's great! Tell us more!" Tikal said excitedly.

"Well…" Blaze began. "Ryan will be able to control an element, but not by himself. He would need to have someone else to absorb some of their Element Energy to power up."

"Who?" Rouge asked. "I don't know yet…" Blaze admitted.

"Are you sure? That idea seems a bit far-fetched." Tails said. "If someone heard of how you absorbed the Element of Nature from Cosmo when she passed, or the same for Shadow, the Element of Ice, and Maria, I think they'd say THAT sounds far-fetched!" Knuckles pointed out.

"You're right…" Tails admitted. "Is that really what happened? You two got your powers from Cosmo and Maria?" Ryan asked. "Yep, from our best friends." Tails replied, while looking at Shadow.

"What's up with him?" Ryan asked quietly. "This time of year he usually gets irritable and grumpy." Tails replied, keeping quiet."

"What exactly is 'this time of year'?" "His birthday." "Ohhh…" "But whatever ya do, DO NOT get him a gift." "Okay, understood."

Ryan ended their quiet conversation and started a louder one. "Alright, everybody!" What are we gonna do tomorrow?"

"Argh, he asks SO MANY QUESTIONS." Knuckles mumbled to himself. Marine heard him, and she smacked him.

"Like that?" she asked Sonia.

Master Cream simply got up and walked away.

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A/N: TA-DA! That's the eighth chapter!

Well it was a filler chapter, just trying to clear up some stuff and put out some info. But the next chapter will be Shadow's birthday party!

Shadow: Oh joy…

Me: Anyways, you can expect another update before the end of January, considering I have to work on more artwork, write the first chapter of my new and upcoming story: SSSX – Super Sonic Snowboard Cross: In stores January 30th!

Well this story is out on the third like I said. So what if it's 11:58pm, shoot me!

Cream: *Cocks gun*

Me: Not literally! And somebody get that gun away from the six-year-old!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, so please review!

Sonic: Please! We're desperate! We'll do anything!

Me: Good idea! The 25th reviewer will get to choose a dare for Sonic, Amy, Shadow, and Knuckles to do!

Shadow, Knuckles, Sonic, and Amy: WHAT?

Me: Well, this was fun, and I'll see you next time!

Thanks to my readers, you're the best!

Hope you liked it! And please, R&R!