Silver was half asleep on a very comfortable bed. He felt so weak and heavy he wished he could stay on the bed forever. But then he heard voices. He could only just understand Max's voice "Shocking business… Shocking. It was lucky you were there, Infinite. Order of Forelock Second Class. First Class if I can wrangle it" "Thank you, Minister". Max then made a concerned sound "Bad cut you've got there. Elias' doing" "As a matter of fact it was Silver and his friends". There was a moment of shocked silence "No?" "Elias had bewitched them. I could see it right away. They seemed to think there was a possibility he was innocent. They weren't responsible for their actions. On the other hand, their interference might have permitted Elias to escape. They obviously thought they were going to catch him single-handed. They've got away with a great deal before now. I'm afraid it's given them a rather high opinion of themselves. And of course Silver has always been allowed an extraordinary amount of license by the headmaster". Max gave a murmur of acknowledgement before seemingly brushing it off "Well, Infinite, when it comes to Silver, I'm afraid we all have a bit of a blind spot". Infinite seemed to be in too good a mood to push the matter further "Of course, Minister" "I will say that the boy has clearly been foolish. What surprises me was the behaviour of the Prelates. Any idea what sent them off" "No, Minister. By the time I reached the lake they were already in retreat". Silver's mind sped up and realised the situation. He opened his eyes, he was in the hospital wing, Coral was lying unconscious nearby and it was still night outside. Max and Infinite were speaking outside the closed doors to the hospital wing. Vanilla briskly moved to Silver's bed with the largest bit of chocolate he had ever seen "Ah, you're awake". She started breaking the chocolate with a small hammer as Silver then spotted Razor lying on a bed opposite him "How is he?" "He'll be fine. As for you two, I'm going to- Silver, what're you doing?". Silver sat up and put his gloves and bracelets on "I need to see the Headmaster!" "Silver, everything's okay. They have Elias. In a few moments it'll all be over" "What do you mean, over?".
He didn't need the answer, the image of that Prelate closing in on him was still fresh in his mind. Coral upon hearing this also shot awake and in that moment Max entered wondering what the sound was "Oh, Silver, you should be in bed. You've been through a horrible ordeal" "Minister, listen, Elias is innocent. Mordred the Snake faked his own death. We saw him. You can't let the Prelates do that to Elias". But Max just shook his head and gave what was intended as a comforting smile "Silver, you're very confused. You must rest and don't worry. We have everything under control". Coral jumped off her bed "Minister, please, he's telling the truth. I saw him too. Mordred is a Shifter. Disguised as Chao" "Confunded, Minister. Just like I said. Elias has done a very good job on them" Infinite said. Silver tried to argue but Vanilla had spoken first "Minister, Professor, I must insist that you leave. These children need care". Locke then entered making Vanilla sigh "Headmaster, please, I don't believe this is the time-" "I'm sorry, Vanilla. But I must speak to Mr Silver and Ms Coral. I've just been speaking to Elias Acorn". Infinite scoffed "I suppose he's told you the same fairy tale he's implanted in these children's head. Something about a Chao and Mordred being alive". Locke gave Infinite a stern look "That is the story" "And does my evidence mean nothing. Mordred the Snake was not in Terror Hall nor did I see any sign of him on the grounds" "That's because you were knocked out, Professor" Coral said earnestly. Infinite pointed at her "MS CORAL, HOLD YOUR TONGUE!". Max was startled "Now, Infinite, the young girl is disturbed. We must take some allowances. Now, we should go meet the Prelates. They should have arrived by now. I'll see you upstairs, Locke". Max went for the door but Infinite's eyes were fixed on Locke "You surely don't believe a word of Elias' story?" "I must speak to Silver and Coral".
Infinite took a step closer to Locke and whispered "Elias Acorn showed he was capable of murder at the age of sixteen. You haven't forgotten that, Headmaster? You haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me?" "My memory is as good as ever, Infinite". Infinite turned heel and left with Max. Vanilla was more hesitant to insist anything on Locke than she did to the Minister of Magic "Headmaster, can't this wait. I must insists that-" "This cannot wait, Vanilla. Please, leave us". Vanilla pursed her lips and strode into her office at the end of the wing. The moment they were alone Silver and Coral both exploded "Sir, Elias is telling the truth…" "He was a Chao. He cut off his finger!". Locke held up his hand to stem the flood of information "It is your turn to listen, and I beg you will not interrupt me, because there is very little time. There is not a shred of proof to support Elias' story, except your word and the word of two thirteen-year-old wizards will not convince anybody. A street full of eyewitnesses swore they saw him murder Mordred. I myself gave evidence to the Ministry that Elias had been the Secret-Keeper". Silver desperately tried to think "Knuckles. Knuckles will tell you-" "Knuckles is still in the woods unable to tell anyone anything. By the time he turns back it will be too late to save Elias. There's also the fact that Zilla's are so mistrusted by our kind his word will count for very little. Professor Infinte's detailing of events is far more convincing" "He hates Elias. All for some stupid trick he played on him" Coral said. Locke nodded "I'm aware. But Elias has not acted like an innocent man. Attacking Earthia. Entered Shinobi Common Room with a knife. Without Mordred alive or dead there is no chance of overturning Elias' sentence" "But you believe us?" "Yes but I do not have the power to make others believe". Silver couldn't believe it, Locke was their last hope. It was over, Elias was done for. Locke then gave Coral a knowing look "What we need… is more time". Coral's eyes became very round "Oh" "Now pay attention. Elias is locked inside Professor Charles' office. Thirteenth window from the right of the West Tower. If all goes well, you will be able to save more than one innocent life tonight. But remember this, both of you: you must not be seen. This will be a lot less menial than classes, Ms Coral. I only know you make it as far as the hut. After that I have no idea. Time itself can only help you so much".
Silver didn't know what the hell was going on and Locke didn't care to explain as he headed for the door "I'm going to lock you in. It is five minutes to midnight, Ms Coral. Three turns should do it. Good luck". "Good luck?" Silver repeated as Locke closed the door "Three turns? What's he talking about". But Coral was now fumbling for something in her pocket "Silver, come here quick". Coral took out a small metal rod with a black sign at the top. Silver tilted his head and tried to touch it but Coral hit his hand away "Ow" "Hold it". They both put their hands on the rod and Coral turned the sign anti-clockwise three times. The sign then started spinning on its own. Silver felt strange, like the whole room was vibrating. Shapes started to move around them at high speed. Finally it stopped and Silver couldn't help but notice the room was much brighter than it was a second go "What just happened?". He then noticed all the beds were empty "Where's Razor?" "Seven thirty. Where were we at seven thirty?" "I don't know, going to Big's". Coral put the sign back in her pocket "Come on, and we can't be seen". She ran out of the room without any further explanation "Coral?" Silver said chasing after her. They ran down to the entrance hall "Coral, what's going on?" "In here!". Coral dragged him into the broom cupboard and closed the door "Coral, what're we doing?" "Shh. Listen. We've gone back in time. About three hours". Silver stared at her for a moment trying to get the words out "But… How… What?" "Listen. Someone's coming. I think us". They heard footsteps, quiet slow footsteps tan only people not wanting to be found would make "We'll give them a few minutes then go after them" Coral said. Silver kept staring at her "Are you gonna tell me what that thing is?" "It's called a Time Warp Sign. I got it from Professor Echo on our first day back. I've been using it all year to get to all my lessons. Professor Echo made me swear I wouldn't tell anyone. She had to write all sorts of letters to the Ministry of Magic so I could have one. She had to tell them that I was a model student, and that I'd never, ever use it for anything except my studies... I've been turning it back so I could do hours over again, that's how I've been doing several lessons at once, see? But…".
She looked worried "I don't know what Locke expects us to do. This is too dangerous" "Why?" "Because you can't change time. If you try time fights back, it can even get you killed if you don't stop trying. That's why I could use it for classes. Echo told me, it's so menial that it would be close to impossible to change anything". Silver then realised "That's why you were upset when we told you weren't at charms" "Because once you told me it meant I couldn't go back". Silver tried to think, if they couldn't change anything then what did Locke want them to do? Then it hit him, Locke mentioned a hut "Coral… We didn't see Volt execution. Did we?" "But we heard it" "No, we heard an axe swing. Locke said more than one innocent life will be spared. What if he wants us to save Volt and we can fly up to the window to save Elias". Coral's looked terrified "If we manage all that it'd be a miracle" "You said it yourself, we can't change time and being caught would change it. So time's on our side" Silver said confidently. Coral shook her head "No, time will stop us being seen at any cost. Including killing us". She took a deep breath "We'll have to go through the forest, that should keep us out of sight. You ready". Silver hesitated, the idea of time killing him seemed to have killed his confidence. Coral opened the door "Okay, no one's here. Come on". They both sprinted out of the entrance hall, down the grounds and into the cover of the trees. They took the long way and made it to the edge of Big's pumpkin patch. They used the pumpkins for cover and could catch glimpses of themselves in the hut with Big "This is the weirdest thing we've ever done" Silver said. Volt was resting by the one of the pumpkins with a tether to a wooden post. Silver stood up but Coral pulled him back down "No. We can't free him yet" "But we went through the back. We wouldn't have seen him" "The Committee has to though. If they don't they'll think Big freed him". Silver thought back to when they were escaping Big's hut "But we'll only have around sixty seconds then" "I know". They then heard Past Coral's shriek from finding Wacky.
Silver had to hold himself back "Coral, can't we just grab Mordred?" "Silver, no. I told you can't change time" "But… We could just…". Coral grabbed his arm "Silver, if you try something will happen. It always does. Awful things have happened to Wizards who try. We know how this goes. We can't stop it. The best we can do is save what hasn't been set in stone". Silver sighed "Okay, fine. I get it". Coral poked her head out and she spotted the committee coming down the hill "We should be leaving about now". They waited but nothing happened "Why aren't we leaving?". Coral then realised, she looked down and picked up a small stone. She took a breath and threw it through the window smashing something inside. She then picked up a another stone "Sorry" she said to Silver before throwing another one. Silver rubbed the bump he had on his head "Ow. That hurt, you know?". They watched themselves go out the back, and turn invisible before running back up the hill. Big then answered the front door to let the committee and Locke inside. They heard the conversation inside "Where's the beast?" they heard Tundra ask. Big croaked "Outside". They then heard Max open a scroll "We have to read you the official notice of execution, Big. I'll make it quick. And then you and Tundra need to sign it. Tundra, you're supposed to listen too, that's procedure" "Now's our chance" Coral said. They ran out of cover, Silver got close to Volt first being sure not to blink. He bowed and Volt returned allowing them to approach. Silver undid the rope and tried to pull "Come on, Volt" but Volt was refusing to move. Coral then appeared holding a handful of dead animals "Come on, Volt. Come and get the nice dead Rocky" she shook one of the. Volt got up and started following them "Well, let's get this over with" "Wait, Tundra, you have to sign to" they heard Locke say inside. Coral threw one of the Rockys to Volt who ate it and happily followed them into the tress out of sight. They hid behind a fallen tree and watched the committee walk out "Where is it. It was tied just here". Locke smile "How extraordinary". Tundra in anger then swung his axe into one of the pumpkins slicing it in half. Silver and Coral both gave a sigh of relief, they were right. Tundra growled "We should search the grounds!" "Search the skies if you must search something. I on the other hand would welcome a cup of tea, Big" "Oh… Uh, o' course, Professor". Big was weak with joy as he beckoned Locke back into the cabin.
Silver and Coral with Volt arrived at the edge of the forest where the Granifer was in sight. Their past selves have already gone through so they had no option but to wait "There's Knuckles". Knuckles was indeed running down the hill and disappeared into the Granifer cave "If only he took the emerald. Infinite wouldn't have been able to get in". They then spotted Big drunkenly walking back up the castle clearly having been celebrating. Volt made an attempt to return to Big and they both had to hold him back. It wasn't until Big disappeared into the castle did he finally give up. Not long after they spotted Infinite striding down and he picked up the emerald "Take your hands off that" Silver growled. The idea of Inifnite holding his father's emerald was sickening. Infinte then turned invisable and presumably into the cave. Now everyone was inside Terror Hall which meant all they had to do was wait until they came back out. Coral tied Volt to the tree and they sat down to wait. Coral started to wonder "Silver, what I don't understand is what made the Prelates retreat at the lake". Silver explained to her what he saw and his best guess was that he saw a Patronus, a full Patronus "Did you see who it was? Maybe one of the teachers". Silver shook his head "No, they wouldn't have ran" "It must have been a really powerful wizard. Didn't you see anything?". Silver paused wondering if he should tell her "I saw them but… I think I was imagining it… it was bright then I passed out" "Who do you think it was?" "I think… I think it was my Dad". There was a awkward silence "Silver… Your Dad…" "He's dead, I know. I'm telling you what I saw… Look, I could barely make it out. I was just imagining things". The next hour was done in complete silence. Finally they watched themselves leave the Granifer. Silver scowled "I can't believe we're just gonna let him get away" "SILVER!" past Coral yelled. Knuckles was transforming, Coral suddenly hit Silver's arm "COME ON!" "What?" "I just realised". They ran down the edge of the forest towards the lake, they then watched the small clearing.
After a few minutes they saw Knuckles and Elais fighting and then past Silver and Coral distracting Knuckles. As Knuckles advanced on the two, present Coral took out her flute. She played but instead of a spell a screech came out. Silver stopped her "What're you doing?" "Saving our lives!". She played again and Silver realised Knuckles had left their past selves. That however now meant he was running toward them "That's not much better. Run!". The two sprinted deeper into the woods, they could hear Knuckles charging behind them getting louder. They knew they couldn't outrun him so they quickly moved behind a large tree. They held they breath as they heard Knuckles slowly lurking on the other side of the tree. They circled around trying to avoid his gaze as he searched. Suddenly there was a smash and the tree collapsed, Knuckles had punched right through it. Silver got in front of Coral as Knuckles was ready to pounce. But then Volt landed in front of them and screeched. Knuckles growled but Volt stood his ground and waved his wings high to make him look larger. Knuckles with another growl retreated. Coral held onto Silver "That was so scary" she started to cry. Silver hugged her but they didn't have long to calm down as a cold began to cross them "Elias" Silver said. The two ran through the woods and made it to the opposite end of the lake "Silver, we can't interfere!" "I just want to see!". He had to know, he had to know if it really was his father he saw. They hid behind the bushes and watched the Prelates begin closing on their past selves. Coral looked away, she didn't want to experience this event a second time. Silver didn't even blink "Come on. Come on, Dad". But no one came, one of the Prelates grabbed Past Silver and was about to perform the kiss. Silver without thinking charged out "Silver!?" Coral yelled. Silver ran to the edge of the lake and raised his right hand "EXPECTO PATRONUM!". What could almost be described as a cyan tidal wave burst out of his hand going in all directions. It hit the army of Prelates and they were all pushed back unable to advance further. Then out of Silver's hand came a glowing cyan creature that charged across the lake and right into the Prelates. They scattered, flew, ran, whatever they could do to get back into the darkness, they were gone. Silver watched himself fall unconscious and then saw the creature return to him. It stood in front of him triumphant. It had a horn and spikes across the back of its head and sharp teeth. It was a Gaia Deep Nightmare. Silver outstretched his hand to touch it but it disappeared. Silver, overwhelmed turned to see Coral half smiling with her mouth wide open at the sight she just witnessed.
The two were now flying on Volt over the castle. Coral had her eyes tightly shut and her arms around Silver "I don't like this! I don't like this!". Silver meanwhile was laughing, he couldn't believe he managed it. He counted the windows and made Volt come to a stop at the right one. Silver knocked on the door and a very confused Elias was now looking at him. Coral finally opened her eyes and performed a spell "Alohomora". The window opened "How… How?" Elias said laughing. They helped him onto Volt and they flew up "What happened to the other boy? Razor?" "He's fine. He's in the Hospital Wing". They flew to the top of the Astronomy Tower and got off Volt to have a breather. Elias was speechless "I… I don't know how to thank you" "I want to go with you" Silver said. Elias put a hand on his shoulder "One day, perhaps. For the moment my life's a bit to unpredictable. You're meant to be here" "But you're innocent". Elias made him sit down "And you know it. For now, that'll do". Coral smiled and moved to the other side of the tower with Volt. Elias stared at Silver for a moment and smiled "You're probably tired of hearing this but you have your father's face. But your mother's-" "Eyes, yeah" Silver replied. Elias nodded "It's cruel I got to spend so much time with them and you so little. But the ones that love us never really leave us. And you can always find them. In here" he put a hand over Silver's heart. Elias gave him one last look before going over and mounting Volt. He nodded to Coral "You really are the brightest Witch of your age". They watched as Volt took off and soar into the moonlit sky, they had done it.