The prospect of talking to Elias was the only thing that sustained Silver over the next two weeks. The initial shock was finally wearing off which meant his nerves over the first task was growing. It worse than he's ever felt, even than the Sky Chase final last year. He told Elias that he'd meet him at the suggested time, and he made plans with Coral to remove any stragglers that were still in the Common Room. If worst come to worse, they'd drop a few Ring Bombs. They hoped it wouldn't come to that, Rykor would skin them alive. In the meantime, Silver's life at Soleanna had gotten worse. Ten days ago, Breezie's article came out and Silver still felt burning shame in his stomach whenever he thought about it. It was supposed to be an article about the Tournament but instead it was a very colourful life story of him. The front page was taken up by a picture of him, only the last few lines of the article referenced Sylvania and Grimm and it misspelled them. Worst of all was Sonic because he wasn't referenced at all. Silver also couldn't help but notice that he didn't remember saying any of the things Breezie quoted him as saying.

I suppose I get my strength from my parents. I

know they'd be very proud of me if they could see

me now. Yes, sometimes at night I still cry

about them, I'm not ashamed to admit it. I

know nothing will hurt me during the tournament,

because they're watching over me

Silver was amazed at how much she seemed to have gotten out of him just saying "Uh…". But that wasn't the end of it. Breezie seems to have also interviewed other people about him.

Silver has at last found love at Soleanna. His close

friend, Skye the Fox, says that Silver is rarely seen

out of the company of one Coral the Betta, a

stunningly pretty Muggle-born girl who, like Silver,

is one of the top students in the school

Silver and Coral had to endure people (Mainly Raijus) quoting the article. This would then be followed by ingenious insults like asking if he wanted a hanky, pointing out all the lessons he was terrible at (Coral didn't have to face that one, obviously). The worst was when he was walking out of Charms one day. Silver had had just about enough of everyone's teasing "Hey, Silver" "What!?" he yelled spinning around. It was Amy who jumped in fright at his raised voice. Silver went red "Uh...Sorry" "I just wanted to say your left one of your books behind". She held out the book which Silver quickly took it "Right, thank you. Sorry, I…". She still looked a bit startled "Er… Good luck on Tuesday… I hope you do well". Silver walked away feeling very stupid. He met Coral during Lunch and couldn't help but admire how she was handling this. The main thing she was getting was Raiju girls bringing up one particular line in the article "Stunningly pretty? What's she comparing to, the Plasmas?" Cassia said once. Coral always held her head high at this and ignored them and suggested Silver did the same. Silver found it a lot more difficult to control his temper. Razor hadn't spoken to him since he got Elais' letter. He held out some hope that they might make things up during Infinte's detention, but it was the same day the article came out which just seemed to rejuvenate Razor's frustration. They spent two hours picking Micky brains in silence. Coral was furious with both of them, she would go back and forth tyring to get them both to talk. Silver refused, at this point he was starting to hate Razor and would only talk to him if he apologised for calling him a liar "I didn't start this! It's his problem!" "You miss him. I know you do" "No I don't!". That was a lie, Coral was a good friend, but she wasn't the same as Razor. There was a lot less laughter and a lot more silent reading when it was just him and Coral. They would go to library a lot because Coral was adamant Silver had to learn the Summoning Charm. This got more difficult because Reynard started showing up to study for the Task. He never bothered him but his presence always bothered Coral because not long after he appeared there would be a group giggling girls spying on him from behind the bookshelves. The noise irritated Coral to no end "Honestly, he's not even that good looking. They only like him because he's famous! They wouldn't look twice at him if he couldn't do that Wonky Faint thing" "Wronski Faint" Silver corrected through gritted teeth.

The days before the First Task seemed to slip by as if the clocks were going at double speed. As each day past Silver's panic was growing. Coral decided he needed something to calm his nerves so insisted they go down to Spiral Hill on the visit. Silver could tell something was up "What about Razor? Don't you want to go with him" "Well, I thought of asking him to meet us there" "No. I'm not meeting Razor". Coral sighed "Oh, come on, Silver, this is stupid!" "I'll go but I'm not meeting Razor. And I'm taking the Chaos Emerald" "Fine. But I hate talking to you when you're invisible. I never know where to look".

Silver felt a great deal of relief walking through Spiral Hill invisable. It was the first time in a while he could walk past people without any snide remarks being made. Coral wasn't enjoying it "People keep looking at me. They think I'm talking to myself" "Then stop moving your lips" "Come on, please, just turn the emerald off. No one will care". Silver was tempted but then spotted Breezie coming out of the Piston Pit. She thankfully didn't recognise Coral as they passed "She's probably staying to watch the First Task" Silver whispered. As he said it his stomach filled with a new wave of panic. He and Coral didn't talk about the task much, neither of them wanted to think about it. They entered the crowded Piston Pit and made their way through the crowd to a free table. Silver spotted Razor with Mighty, Ray and Manic and he had to resist the urge to hit him over the head. They sat down and Coral brought him a drink. Coral put a book around Silver's glass, and he picked it up turning it invisible as well. Coral then took the book back "I look so stupid here on my own". Silver then noticed the title of the book "History of Wizards and Marmolims Relations" "You managed to get into the kitchens yet?" "No, ever since your name came out of the Flame Locke's been increasing security. I haven't had the chance" "You could borrow the Chaotix Map if you want". Coral considered "No, if I get caught with that…". She shivered at the thought "Thanks but I'll manage". Silver looked around again, a lot of students had the Support Sonic the Hedgehog badges. He saw Amy with a few other Gossamers, and she wasn't wearing one, that cheered him up a bit. At this point Silver would have given anything to stop him being a Champion.

He'd be visible, Razor would be here and he'd be happily supporting Sonic and theorizing what he'd be facing on Tuesday. He wondered what Sonic and the other Champions were feeling right now. Whenever he saw Sonic, he looked excited but nervous, the crowds of admirers were probably helping him. Mina looked as she always did haughty and unruffled. The only time they saw Reynard was in the library where he poured over books. The only thing getting Silver through the day was the knowledge that he'd be speaking to Elias in twelve hours "Look, it's Big" Coral said breaking Silver out of his self pity. Silver looked over, Big as easily making his way through the crowd with Striker behind him. They got their own table and Tatiana brought them glasses. Striker didn't drink his, he drank form a flask. Tatiana seemed to think this was an insult to the mead, but Silver knew better. Striker told them in their last lesson that he only drinks and eats things he prepared himself as people have attempted to poison him more than once. Silver waved over to Big before remembering that he was invisible. Striker glanced in his direction and smirked. He tapped Big's shoulder and whispered something in his ear. Big nodded and made his way over to their table "Hello, Coral" "Hi, Big". Striker moved around the table and leaned down as if looking at something on the table "Nice Emerald, Silver". Silver jumped and stared at him in amazement. Striker grinned and tapped his eye patch "Can spot people using Chaos Emeralds. It's been very useful, I'll tell you". Big was beaming in his direction, Striker had clearly told him he was there. Striker moved out of the way so Big could get closer. He whispered "Meet me tonight at midnight at me cabin. Bring the Emerald". He straightened up "Well, nice ter see yah, Coral" he walked away.

Silver knew that going down to see Big could cut his meeting with Elias very close, but he knew it must be something important, Big had never asked him to come down so late. At half past eleven he went up to bed saying he was tired and then crept back down invisible. Then Coral would open the portrait hole from the outside as planned so he could get out without raising suspicion "Thanks" he whispered as he went past her. He made it down without getting spotted and knocked on Big's door "That you, Silver?" "Yeah, what's this about?" "Got summat ter show yeh". Big opened the door, he was back to sorting his hair and whiskers and he even had a flower on the left side of his chest. Silver was thankful he was invisible so Big couldn't see the look of shocked confusion. Big walked on without explaining so Silver ran after him "Big, what's going on? I can't stay long". Big was barely listening and Silver was starting to worry that Big had bought some new terrifying creature. Silver then realised they were going to the Sylvania carriage "Big, why-" "Shh. Yah'll see". He knocked on the carriage door and Windermere opened it "Ah, Big, it is time?" "Bong-sewer" Big said as he helped her down the golden steps. Silver was totally bewildered and Big again seemed to forget he was their as he had to run after the both of them as they entered the Deep Woods. It seemed Windermere knew as little as him as she laughed and said "Wair is it you are taking me, Big?" "Yah'll enjoy it. Trust me. Don' go tellin' anyone I showed yeh, right? Yeh're not s'posed ter know" "Of course not".

Silver decided that watching the two of them going on a moonlit stroll was not worth missing Elias over, if they didn't get there soon, he'd be turning back. But then suddenly he heard shouting. Multiple voices yelling over each other and then an ear-splitting roar. Big and Windermere stopped at a clearing allowing Silver to catch up. Silver's mouth fell open when he saw them, dragons. Four enormous, vicious looking dragons were in cages shooting fire in all directions, Silver could feel the heat from where he was. About eight wizards to each dragon were trying to restrain them "Don't get too close, Big!". Silver recognised the voice, it was Rotor the Walrus. The nearby dragon shot a fireball his way which he just casually dodged "It's no good! Stun them!". Forty wizards in unison all yelled "Stupefy!" the dragons all went down. Big was grinning "Is'n' it beautiful?" now that the dragons were unconscious, he and Windermere moved closer. Rotor walked over to him "All right, Big. They should be okay now. We put them out with a Sleeping Draft on the way here, thought it might be better for them to wake up in the dark and the quiet but, like you saw, they weren't happy, not happy at all" "What breeds are they?" Big asked watching the four dragons with reverence. Rotor pointed at the closest one, it was red with a long neck that had a trail of spikes on the top "That's a Stringer. That one over there is a Sabina" he pointed at a dark green Dragon with short arms which made Silver think it must stand on only two legs. Rotor then pointed to a blue dragon which scales resembled armour "That's a Mist and that last one over there…". He pointed at a long thin red serpent like dragon "That's a Zan". Rotor then noticed Windermere walking around the Zan's cage "What's she doing here? The champions aren't supposed to know what's coming. She's bound to tell her student, isn't she?" "Jus' thought she'd like ter see 'em" "Oh, yeah, really romantic, Big".

Big tilted his head as he stared at the Dragons "One fer each o' the champions, is it? What've they gotta do, fight 'em" "Just get past them, I think. We'll be on hand if it gets nasty, Extinguishing Spells at the ready. They wanted nesting parents, I don't why. But I tell you this, I don't envy the one who gets the Stringer. Vicious thing". He crossed his arms and let out a sigh "So how is Silver?" "Fine" "Couldn't believe it when we heard. I didn't dare tell Mum he was going to fight a Dragon; she's worrying herself to death already". He imitated Mari-An's anxious voice "How could they let him enter that tournament, he's much too young! I thought they were all safe, I thought there was going to be an age limit!'. She was in floods after that Daily Prophet article about him. 'He still cries about his parents! Oh, bless him, I never knew!'". Silver's shock finally wore off enough to realise he had to get back to the Common Room. He ran off knowing that Big wouldn't mind, he had four dragons and Windermere to keep him occupied. He was glad Big showed him this, he knew that if he saw a fully grown dragon on the day of the Task without warning he would have probably passed out. He suddenly ran into something, and he fell back dropping the Emerald "Who's there!?" a voice yelled. Silver grabbed the Emerald again, part of his head did appear, but it was too dark to be seen. He looked up, it was Benidict. He looked around for a moment before deciding he must have hit an animal and continued in the direction of the dragons. Silver kept running, so now Sylvania and Grimm knew what the first Task was and so did he. That meant Sonic was the only one who didn't.

Silver made it back to the Common Room, it was empty, Coral succeeded in getting everyone out. This was good, Silver only had five minutes and doubted he would have had time to remove anyone himself. He turned off the Emerald and sat in the armchair by the fire. The room was very quiet without anyone else. He looked around wondering if maybe Elias was already here hiding when "Hello, Silver". Silver jumped and his eyes widened, Elais' head was in the fire exactly like Jules the Hedgehog did back at Deerwood. Silver crouched down in front of the fire "Elias" he was happy to see that Elias looked much better than he last saw him. His face was fuller, and his fur looked healthier, he looked closer to how he did in the old photos "How are you?" "Never mind me. How are you?". Silver wanted to say I'm fine but instead be burst into a tirade letting out all the frustrations over the past two weeks. People not believing him, Breezie lying in her article, Razor avoiding him and finally "And now Big's shown me what I'm up against. It's dragons. Dragons! Elias, I'm a goner". Elias eyes were full of concern, not saying a thing until Silver finished "Dragons we can deal with. I doubt Locke would allow Dragons on the grounds if he didn't know for sure you were all safe". He looked backward "I haven't got long. The wizards in this house are out and I don't know when they'll be back. I've come to warn you. What's Benedict been doing?". Silver was surprised "Benedict? I saw him near the Dragons. What's he got to with this?" "Benedict was one of the Nocturnus" "What?".

Elais nodded "He was on Prison Island when I was there, but he made a deal with the Ministry to get released. I'll bet anything that's why Locke wanted Striker at the school. He's the one who originally caught him". Silver couldn't believe it "How did he get released?" "Named names. Put a lot of people on Prison Island in his place. He's not very popular in there" "If he's the one who put my name in the Flame, he's a really good actor. He's been furious ever since I was chosen". Elias shook his head "No one stops being Nocturnus. There's something else as well. I've been reading the Daily Prophet. Striker was attacked just before the school year started. Now Breezie says it was a false alarm, but I don't think so, somehow. I think someone tried to stop him from getting to Soleanna. I think someone knew their job would be a lot more difficult with him around. And no one's going to look into it too closely. Striker's heard intruders a bit too often. But that doesn't mean he can't still spot the real thing. Striker was the best Diamond Cutter the Ministry ever had". Silver tried to think "But if the other Nocturnus hate Benedict what does he get out of killing me" "Something's going on. The Nocturnus have been a lot more active recently. The Sky Chase Cup, the Mark and Agnes Hopkins disappearing at Poloy Forest which is where Finitevus was rumoured to be. And she is works for the Ministry so she would know about the Championship". The last thing Silver wanted was to think Finitevus was involved "But she isn't going to just stumble onto Finitevus" "Silver, I knew her from school. She was a year above your Dad and me. She was an idiot, very nosy and no brains. Very easy to lure into a trap" "So you think Benedict put my name in on Finitevus' orders".

Elias shook his head "I don't know. From what little I know about Benedict; he strikes me as the same as Mordred. I can't see him going back to Finitevus when he's still so weak. But whoever put your name in that Flame did it for a reason, and I can't help thinking the tournament would be a very good way to attack you and make it look like an accident" "Shouldn't be too hard. They just have to sit back and let the Dragons do their stuff" "I don't know enough about Dragon hunting. But you'll be safe, Locke will make sure of that". Silver suddenly heard footsteps "Someone's coming. Go! Go!" "Keep your friends close, Silver" Elias said before his head disappeared. Silver spun around to see Razor coming down the stairs "Who are you talking to?" "What's that got to do with you?" "I was wondering where… Never mind. I'm going back to bed". Silver knew Razor didn't mean to interrupt, to make Elias leave but he didn't care. At this moment he hated Razor "Good, no one asked you to come down anyway" "Sorry, should've realized you didn't want to be disturbed. I'll let you get on with practicing for your next interview in peace". Razor turned to leave when something was suddenly thrown at the back of his head. He turned back around and saw Silver breathing heavily with his fists clenched. Silver then stormed passed him almost wanting Razor to throw a punch, but he didn't. Silver went back up to the dormitory and lied fuming in bed. Razor didn't come back up.