Things couldn't have gone worse. Rykor had taken them to Echo's office where they sat and waited. Coral was trembling as Silver desperately tried to think of something, excuses, alibis and wild cover-up stories, each more feeble than the last. There was no reason that Echo would accept as to why they were at the top of that tower. Silver wondered how he could be so stupid as to leave the Emerald up there. Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse Echo arrived but not alone, she was with Antione. The moment he saw the two of them he burst out "Silver! Coral! I was trying to find you to warn you, I heard Rutan saying he was going to catch you, he said you had a drag-". Silver shook his head to stop him but Echo saw it. She looked more likely to breath fire than Dulcy as she towered over them "I would never have believed it of any of you. Mr Rykor says you were up the astronomy tower. It's one o'clock in the morning. Explain yourselves". Coral for once failed to answer a teacher, she just stared at her feet. Silver didn't speak either, they were both already in trouble, they weren't going to drag Big and Razor down with them. Echo crossed her arms "I think I've got a good idea of what's been going on. It doesn't take a genius to work it out. You fed Rutan some cock-and-bull story about a dragon, trying to get him out of bed and into trouble. I've already caught him. I suppose you think it's funny that D'Coolette here heard the story and believed it, too?".
Silver could see the stunned and hurt look on Antione's face. He tried desperately to tell him non verbally that it wasn't true but there wasn't any way. He felt so guilty, he knew what it must have taken Antione to go wondering in the dark to try and help them. Echo gave Silver a terrifying glare "I'm disgusted. Four students out of bed in one night! I've never heard of such a thing before! You, Miss Coral, I thought you had more sense. As for you, Mr Silver, I thought Shinobi meant more to you than this. All three of you will receive detentions, yes, you too, Mr D'Coolette, nothing gives you the right to walk around school at night, especially these days, it's very dangerous and fifty points will be taken from Shinobi each!". Silver and Coral both tried to talk over each other "Professor, please" "You can't" "Don't tell me what I can and can't do, Hedgehog. Now get back to bed, all of you. I've never been more ashamed of Shinobi students". A hundred and fifty points lost. That put Shinobi in last place. In one night, they'd ruined any chance Shinobi had for the House Cup. Silver felt as though the bottom had dropped out of his stomach. How could they ever make up for this? Silver didn't sleep all night. He could hear Antione sobbing into his pillow for what seemed like hours. Silver couldn't think of anything to say to comfort him. He knew Antione, like himself, was dreading the dawn. What would happen when the rest of Shinobi found out what they'd done?
The next morning the Shinobi all passed the hour glass that counted the house points. It didn't take long for them to notice that the Shinobi glass had lost so many sapphires. At first they thought it must have been a mistake, how could they lose so much in one night. And then the story started to spread: Silver the Hedgehog, the famous Silver the Hedgehog, their hero of two Sky Chase matches, had lost them all those points, him and a couple of other stupid first years. From being one of the most popular and admired people at the school, Silver was suddenly the most hated. Even Gossamer and Yagyu turned on him, because everyone had been longing to see Raiju lose the House Cup. Everywhere Silver went, people pointed and didn't trouble to lower their voices as they insulted him. Raiju, on the other hand, clapped as he walked past them, whistling and cheering, "Thanks Silver, we owe you one!". Razor stood by him but nothing he said helped. Even Mighty and Ray had turned a bit sour to him, even they had not lost anywhere near that many points. He knew it was too late to repair the damage but Silver swore he wouldn't meddle in things that didn't concern him anymore. He felt so ashamed of himself that even talked to Khan about resigning Sky Chase. Khan wasn't hearing any of it "What good'll that do? How are we going to get any points back if we can't win at Sky Chase?". He had a point but even Sky Chase had lost it's fun. The rest of the team wouldn't speak to Silver during practice, and if they had to speak about him, they called him 'the Seeker'". Coral and Antione were suffering as well, not as bad as Silver but no one was talking to them. Coral no longer drew attention to herself in class, she didn't answer questions and just quietly wrote down notes. Silver was glad the exams were close, it gave them an excuse to stay away from everyone else and study.
A week before the exams were set to start Silver's decree of not interfering was put to the test. On his way back from the library he could hear whimpering coming from a classroom. He then heard Sugun "No, no, no. Please, not again". Silver got closer "Okay, okay" the door opened and Suguna ran out looking a very pale red and close to crying. He didn't notice Silver as he passed. Silver was about to look in the classroom but he turned away, he was not getting involved. However he would absolutely bet ten Chaos Drives that Infinite was in there and had just learned how to get past Suguna's magic. He met up with Razor and Coral and told them "So, that's it then" "Not yet. He still doesn't know about Fluffy" Coral said. Silver didn't know what to do, if they investigated themselves they were bound to get in trouble but they had no proof that they could take to a teacher.
Tomorrow morning during breakfast Silver, Coral and Antione received the exact same letter
Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet
Mr Rykor in the Entrance Hall.
Professor Echo
Silver had forgotten they still had detentions to do in the anger over the points they'd lost. He half expected Coral to complain that this was a whole night of revision lost, but she didn't say a word. Like Silver, she felt they deserved what they'd got. At eleven they said goodbye to Razor and went down to the entrance hall to meet with Antione and Rykor. Rutan was there too, Silver was so distracted that he forgot that Rutan had detention as well. Rykor lit a lantern and led them outside "I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh? Oh yes, hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me. It's just a pity they let the old punishments die out, hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days. I've got the chains still in my office, keep 'em well oiled in case they're ever needed. Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do". Silver wondered what their punishment was but it must be something horrible for Rykor to sound so delighted. Silver realised they were heading to Big's house "Is that you, Rykor? Hurry up, I want ter get started". Silver gave a sigh of relief, if they were with Big it can't be too bad. Rykor noticed his sudden joy "I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf? Well, think again, boy. It's into the Forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece". At this Antione let out a little moan and Rutan stopped "The forest? We can't go in there at night, there's all sorts of things in there. Zillas, I heard". Antione clutched Silver's arm.
Rykor didn't have much sympathy "Should've thought of that before you got in trouble, shouldn't you". Big arrived with Froggy on his shoulder "Abou' time. I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right, Silver, Coral" "Shouldn't be too friendly to them, Big. They're here to be punished, after all" Rykor said coldly. Big glared at him "That's why yer late, is it? Bin lecturin' them, eh? 'Snot your place ter do that. Yeh've done yer bit, I'll take over from here". Rykor sneered and headed back to the castle. Rutan starting to panic "I'm not going in that Forest" "Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Soleanna. Yeh've done wrong an' now yeh've got ter pay fer it". He shook his head "But this is servant stuff, it's not for students to do. I thought we'd be writing lines or something. If my father knew I was doing this, he'd-" "He'd tell yer that's how it is at Soleanna. Writin' lines! What good's that ter anyone? Yeh'll do summat useful or yeh'll get out. If yeh think yer father'd rather you were expelled, then get back off ter the castle an' pack. Go on!". Rutan glared furiously at Big for a moment before dropping his gaze. Big spoke to the four of them "Right then. listen carefully, 'cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight an' I don' want no one takin' risks. Follow me over here a momen". Big led them to the edge the Deep Woods towards a path that led into the trees. He pointed at a puddle of a glowing blue substance "You see that stuff. That's sprite blood. There's a Sprite in there bin hurt badly by summat. This is the second time in a week. I found one dead last Wednesday. We're gonna try an' find the poor thing. We might have ter put it out of its misery". Rutan was having trouble hiding his fear at this point "And what if what hurt the Sprite finds us?" "There's nothin' that lives in the Forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Froggy keep ter the path. Right, now, we're gonna split inter two parties an' follow the trail in diff'rent directions. There's blood all over the place, it must've bin staggerin' around since last night at least. You can have froggy".
He gave Froggy to Rutan and then grinned "I warn ya though. He's a bleedin coward". He stood back and pointed at one of the trails "So me, Silver an' Coral'll go one way an' Rutan, Antione an' Froggy'll go the other. Now, if any of us finds the Sprite, we'll send up green sparks, right? Go practise now". The four of them did so "That's it an' if anyone gets in trouble, send up red sparks, an' we'll all come an' find yeh. So, be careful, let's go". The deeper they went into the woods they got the more worried Silver got. It was black and silent. A little way into it they reached a fork in the earth path and Silver, Coral and Big took the left path while Rutan, Antione and Froggy took the right. They walked in silence, their eyes on the ground. Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of blue blood on the fallen leaves. Silver saw that Big looked very worried "Could a Zilla be killing the Sprites?" "Not fast enough. It's not easy ter catch a Zilla, they're powerful magic creatures. I never knew one ter be hurt before". There was a rustling from tree in front of them and something was glowing "Get behind me" Big whispered. He raised his crossbow "Show yourself! I'm armed". Then out of the clearing came a glowing blue creature that Silver could only describe as a cross between a manta ray and a jellyfish. It had no face and was hovering above the ground using its wings. Big gave a sigh of relief "Oh, it's you, Riadne. How are yeh?" "Good evening, Big". It spoke in a sorrowful voice that sounded male "Were you going to shoot me?" "Can't be too careful. There's summat bad loose in this Forest. This is Silver the Hedgehog an' Coral the Betta, by the way. Students up at the school. An' this is Riadne, you two. He's a Voxai" "We noticed" Coral said faintly. Silver couldn't tell because he didn't have eyes but he assumed Riadne was now looking at them "Good evening. Students, are you? And do you learn much, up at the school?" "Um, a bit" Coral said. Riadne considered them for a moment "A bit. Well, that's something". He then looked upwards "Drak is bright tonight" "Listen, I'm glad we've run inter yeh, Riadne, 'cause there's a Sprite bin hurt. You seen anythin'?". Riadne continued to stare upwards "Always the innocents who suffer. So it has been for ages past, so it is now".
Big rolled his eyes "Yeah, but have you seen anythin?" "Drak is bright tonight" "Anythin a bit closer to home?" Big said. Riadne paused "The forest holds many secrets". There was another sound and Big raised his crossbow again but it was just another Voxai this time red "Hullo, Thelxe" "Good evening, Big, I hope you are well". Big was getting impatient "Well enough. Look, I've jus' bin askin' Riadne, you seen anythin' odd in here lately? Only there's a Sprite bin injured would yeh know anythin' about it?". Thelxe joined Riadne in looking up at the stars "Drak is bright tonight" "We've heard. Well, if either of you do see anythin', let me know, won't yeh? We'll be off, then". He led Silver and Coral further into the woods "Never try an' get a straight answer out of a Voxai. Ruddy star-gazers. Not interested in anythin' closer'n the moon". Coral was fascinated "Are there a lot of them here?" "Oh, a fair few. Keep themselves to themselves mostly, but they're good enough about turnin' up if ever I want a word. They're deep, mind, Voxai. They know things, jus' don' let on much".
They went deeper and deeper into the woods, Silver was getting the feeling they were being watched when "Big, look. The other's are in trouble!" Coral said pointing at a red light ahead of them. "Wait, here and stay o the path" Big told them before heading in the direction of the light "You don't think they'd been hurt, do you?" Coral asked. Silver hoped not, it was their fault Antione was here. After some time Big returned fuming with the other behind him. Apparently Rutan had snuck up on Antione and gave him a fright. The joke scared Antione so much that he sent up the red sparks. "We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket you two were makin'. Right, we're changin' groups. Antione, you stay with me an' Coral. Silver, you go with Froggy an' this idiot. I'm sorry" BIg added in a whisper to Silver "But he'll have a harder time frightenin' you, an' we've gotta get this done". So Silver set off into the heart of the Forest with Rutan and Froggy. They walked for nearly half an hour, deeper and deeper into the Forest, until the path became almost impossible to follow because the trees were so thick. Silver thought the blood seemed to be getting thicker. There were splashes on the roots of a tree, as though the poor creature had been thrashing around in pain close by. Silver could see a clearing ahead, through the tangled branches of an ancient oak "Look". They saw something small and blue on the ground. It was the Sprite alright and it was dead. Silver had never seen something so sad. It was so small and helpless and it's eyes were stuck clenched in a pained expression. A hissing sound could be heard and out of the bushes came a cloaked figure. Silver and Rutan froze, transfixed on the creature, it hadn't noticed them yet. It moved towards the dead Sprite, picked up its body and began feasting on the blood on its wounds. Rutan let out a terrible scream and ran for it which alerted the creature to their presence. It looked right at Silver, blood dripping from it's mouth. It swiftly moved towards them, Silver wanted to run but his legs didn't move. Then pain suddenly pierced his head, it felt like it was on fire. Half blinded he staggered backwards and tripped. Something flew over him and charged at the figure. Silver couldn't tell what was happening but after a minute or two the pain had stopped. He looked up, the figure was gone but there was now another Voxai in front of him, this one pink "Are you alright?".
He hovered low to the ground and let Silver lean on his as he got to his feet "Yes, thank you. What was that?". The Voxai looked around "My name is Thebes. And you are the Silver boy. You had better get back to Big. The Forest is not safe at this time, especially for you. Can you ride? It will be quicker this way". He let Silver climb on his back but before they went anywhere Riadne and Thelxe flew in front of them. Despite not having mouths the voice that came out of Thelxe echoed "Thebes, what're you doing!? You have a Mobian on your back! Have you no shame!?" "Do you not realise who this is? The sooner he leaves the forest the better!" "What have you been telling them? Thebes, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets!?". He was getting so angry that Riadne got between them facing Thelxe "I'm sure Thebes thought he was acting for the best" "For the best. What does that have to do with us? Voxai are concerned with what has been foretold! It is not our business to run around after stray Mobians in our Forest!". A noise came from Thebes that Silver assumed to be their version of a growl "Do you not see the Sprite!? Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I set myself against what is lurking in this Forest, Thelxe, yes, with Mobians alongside me if I must". Without another word he flew with Silver leaving the other two behind.
Silver didn't understand what was going on "Why was he so angry? And what was that thing?". It wasn't until they were in a safer part of the woods did he answer "Silver, , do you know what Sprite blood is used for?" "No. We've only used their salvia in potions" "That is because it is a monstrous thing, to slay a Sprite. Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain, would commit such a crime. The blood of a Sprite will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something pure and defenceless to save yourself and you will have but a half life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips". Silver thought out loud "But who'd be so desperate? If you're going to be curse forever death would be better, isn't it" "It is unless all you need is to stay alive long enough to drink something else, something that will bring you back to full strength and power, something that will mean you can never die. Mr Silver, do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?". Silver realised "The Chaos Drive. But who…?" "Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return to power, who has clung to life, awaiting their chance?". Silver felt like something just clenched around his heart. Something Big told him echoed in his head "Some say he died. Codswallop, in my opinion. Dunno if he had enough Mobian left in him to die" "Silver, you're alright!". Coral was running down a clearing with Big not far behind "I'm fine. The Sprite's dead, Big. It's in a clearing back that way". Big went to go examine the body. Thebes let Silver down "This is where I leave you, Silver. You're safe now" "Thank you so much" "Good luck. The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by Vixai. I hope this is one of those times" then he disappeared through the trees leaving Silver behind.
Razor was sleeping in the common room waiting for them. He shouted something about Sky Chase fouls when Silver woke him up. In a matter of seconds, though, he was wide-eyed as Silver began to tell him and Coral what had happened in the Forest. He was still shaking, he couldn't sit down, he just paced around the room talking "Infinite wants the Drive for Finitevus and Finitevus' waiting in the Forest and all this time we thought Infinite just wanted to get rich-" "Don't say his name" Razor whispered as if Finitevus could hear them. Silver ignored him "Thebes saved me, but he shouldn't have done. Thelxe was furious, he was talking about interfering with what the planets say is going to happen. They must show that Finitevus' coming back. Thelxe thinks Thebes should have let Finitevus kill me. I suppose that's written in the stars as well. So all I've got to wait for now is Inifnite to steal the Drive, then Finitevus will be able to come and finish me off. Well, I suppose Thelxe'll be happy". Coral looked frightened but had some words of comfort "Silver, everyone says Locke's the only one You-Know-Who was ever afraid of. With Locke around, You-Know- Who won't touch you. Anyway, who says the Voxai are right? It sounds like fortune-telling to me, and Professor Echo says that's a very imprecise branch of magic". The sky had turned light before they stopped talking. They went to bed exhausted, their throats sore. But the night's surprises weren't over. When Silver pulled back his sheets, he found his Emerald hidden underneath them. There was a note pinned to it: Just in case