Locke stared at Mimic with a look of utter disgust. He raised his hand and conjured multiple ropes that bound Mimic to the chair "Echo, could I ask you to stand guard here while I take Silver upstairs" "Of course". Echo looked quite nauseous but when she raised her bident she was very steady. Locke put and arm around Silver and headed for the door "Infinite, please go back down to the grounds and find Max, he will undoubtedly want to question Mimic himself. Tell him I will be in the hospital wing in half an hour's time if he needs me". Mimic laughed "Are you gonna send me back to Prison Island? I'll be welcomed back like a hero!" "Perhaps. Personally, I've never had much time for heroes" Locke said before leaving the room. Silver's leg was sore again, he hadn't noticed since he was brought into the office but there wasn't anything to distract him now. Locke put Silver's arm over his shoulders to support him "I want you to come to my office, Silver. Elias is waiting for us there". Silver nodded, a kind of numbness and a sense of complete unreality was upon him, but he did not care; he was even glad of it. He didn't want to have to think about anything that had happened since he had first touched the Emerald Cup. He didn't want to have to examine the memories, fresh and sharp as photographs, which kept flashing across his mind. Striker, inside the trunk. Mordred, slumped on the ground, cradling his stump of an arm. Finitevus, forming out of a bloody ball of flesh. Sonic dead…Sonic, asking to be returned to his parents "Sir, where are Sonic's parents?" "They are with Professor Chrysan".
Locke's voice which was steady all through out Mimic's interrogation shook a little "She was head of Sonic's house and knew him best". Locke took Silver up the steps of his office and opened the door inside. Elias was their, pale white, he ran over immediately "Silver, are you alright?". He helped Silver sit down in a chair. His face was white at seeing the state Silver was in "What happened?". While Locke filled Elias in on everything Mimic told them while Silver just sat in the chair. He wanted nothing more than to just sit their undisturbed for hours and hours, until he fell asleep and didn't have to think or feel anymore. There was a small breeze and Burst the Wisp was resting on his knee "Hello, Burst" Silver said quietly. He stroked Burst's head; he gave off a comforting heat. Locke had stopped talking and sat down opposite Silver at his desk. Silver didn't look at him, he was going to question Silver, make him relive everything "I need to know what happened after you touched the Warp Gate, Silver". Elias stepped forward and put a hand on Silver's shoulder "We can leave that till morning, Locke. Let him get some rest". Silver felt a great deal of gratitude towards Elias, but Locke ignored him. He leaned forward in his chair. Very unwillingly, Silver raised his head and looked into Locke's eyes. Locke spoke gently and kindly "If I thought I could help you, by putting you into an enchanted sleep and allowing you to postpone the moment when you would have to think about what has happened tonight, I would do it. But I know better. Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it. You have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you. I ask you to demonstrate your courage one more time. I ask you to tell us what happened". After a few moments Silver took a deep breath and told them everything. As he spoke, visions of everything that had passed that night seemed to rise before his eyes; he saw the sparkling surface of the potion that had revived Finitevus; he saw the Nocturnus Chaos Controlling between the graves around them; he saw Sonic's body, lying on the ground beside the cup.
Once or twice, Elias made a sound like he was about to speak but Locke held up his hand to stop him. Silver was thankful for this; it was easier to continue now that he started. It was even a relief; he felt almost as though something poisonous were being extracted from him. It was costing him every bit of determination he had to keep talking, yet he sensed that once he had finished, he would feel better. When Silver told them about Mordred restraining him and cutting his arm, he heard Elias "Bastard!" he spat. Silver kept looking at Locke "He said my blood would make him stronger than if he'd used someone else's. He said the protection my-my mother left in me-he'd have it too. And he was right-he could touch me without hurting himself, he touched my face". Locke gave a weary look "Very well. Finitevus has overcome that particular barrier. Please, continue, Silver". Silver went on to tell them about the potion bringing Finitevus back and then the short fight they had. But when he made it to their Talismans connecting through the spells he couldn't go on. There was a lump in his throat every time he tried to remember seeing Sonic, Agnes and his parents. He was glad when Elias broke the silence "Your Talismans connected? Why?" "Priori Incantatem" Locke said. Elias stared at him "The reverse spell effect? But what triggered it?" "Finitevus and Silver's Talismans share the same source. The Hyper energy of a Wisp. This Wisp, in fact". He gestured to Burst who was still resting on Silver's knees "My source came from Burst?" "Oh, yes. Mr Merlin sent me a letter telling me the second vial had been sold right after you left his shop". Elias looked between Locke and Silver "So what happens when the brothers meet" "They can't work properly against each other. If, however, the owners of the Talismans force them to do battle a very rare effect will take place. One of the Talismans will force the other to regurgitate spells it has performed in reverse. The most recent first and then those which preceded it". Locke stared at Silver curiously "You saw people appear, didn't you?". Silver nodded "There was Sonic, Agnes Hopkins, an old human man and then…My parents" Silver started shaking again.
Elias kneeled down next to him "Shadow and Tikal…Came back?" "No spell can bring back the dead, Elias" Locke said. Silver looked up. No, no, Locke can't take that away from him "But, sir, they spoke to me. They helped me escape!" "I'm sorry, Silver, but they were echoes. Imitations". Silver looked to Elias hoping he had some kind of argument, but he now had his face in his hands. Silver stared down at the floor not wanting to talk about anything else when he noticed Burst resting against his leg crying. The pain in his leg had suddenly ceased, his leg had mended. Silver then looked at his arm, it to had been healed and he didn't even notice. Locke gave a comforting smile "I will say it again. You have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you tonight, Silver. You have shown bravery equal to those who died fighting Finitevus at the height of his powers. You have shouldered a grown wizard's burden and found yourself equal to it and you have now given us all that we have a right to expect. You will come with me to the hospital wing. I do not want you returning to the dormitory tonight. A Sleeping Potion, and some peace. Elias, would you like to stay with him?". Elias nodded, turned back into Chomps and went with Silver and Locke to the hospital wing. When Locke had pushed the door open Silver saw Razor, Coral, Blaze, Mari-An, Ash, Mighty and Ray all around a harassed looking Vanilla. They appeared to be demanding to know where Silver was. They all whipped around when Locke opened the door and Mari-An let out a kind of muffled scream "Silver! Oh, Silver!".
She ran towards him, but Locke got between them "Mari, please listen to me for a moment. Silver has been through a terrible ordeal tonight. He has just had to relive it for me. What he needs now is sleep, and peace, and quiet. If he would like you all to stay with him, you may do so. But I do not want you questioning him until he is ready to answer, and certainly not this evening". Mari-An was very white, nodded and then turned on the others like they were being nosey "Did you hear!? He needs quiet?" she hissed at them. Vanilla was looking at Chomps "Headmaster, may I ask what-" "This lizard will be staying with Silver for a while. I assure you, he is extremely well trained". Silver felt much gratitude to Locke for telling everyone not to question him. It wasn't as though he didn't want them there; but the thought of explaining it all over again, the idea of reliving it one more time, was more than he could stand. Vanilla led him to one of the beds, he took off his shoes and Talismans and got under the covers. Locke patted his shoulder "I will be back to see you as soon as I have met with Max, Silver. I would like you to remain here tomorrow until I have spoken to the school" he left. Silver looked over and saw Striker lying peacefully asleep on one of the other beds "Is he alright?" "He'll be fine. Just a little weak" Vanilla assured him. Once Vanilla went to her office the others sat around Silver bed. Razor and Coral were looking at him almost cautiously, as though scared of him "I'm fine. Just tired" Silver said bluntly. Mari-An had tears in her eyes as she smoothed the bed covers unnecessarily. Vanilla returned with a goblet of purple liquid "Drink as much as you can. It'll give you a dreamless sleep". Silver took the goblet and gulped down two mouthfuls before he started to feel drowsy. He managed another gulp before someone took the goblet from him. Everything around him became hazy; the lamps around the hospital wing seemed to be winking at him in a friendly way through the screen around his bed; his body felt as though it was sinking deeper into the warmth of the feather mattress. Before he could finish the potion, before he could say another word, his exhaustion had carried him off to sleep.
Silver woke up, so warm, so very sleepy, that he didn't open his eyes, wanting to drop off again. The room was still dimly lit; he was sure it was still nighttime and had a feeling that he couldn't have been asleep very long. Then he heard whispering "They'll wake him if they don't shut up!" "What are they shouting about? Nothing else can have happened, can it?" "That's Max's voice…And Echo's. What're they arguing about?". Silver slightly opened his eyes. He started to hear voices and running towards the Hospital Wing "Regrettable, Echo, but all the same-" "You should never have brought it inside the castle. When Locke finds out…". The doors burst open, Ash pulled back the screens hiding Silver's bed and everyone watched Max, Echo, and Infinite. Everyone around Silver's bed were watching them and so hadn't noticed Silver was awake. "Where is Locke!?" Max demanded of Mari-An who despite talking to the Minister of Magic did not hide her anger "He's not here! This is a Hospital Wing, Minister! Don't you think-". The doors opened again, and Locke swept in "What's going on here? Why are you disturbing these people? Echo, I'm surprised at you. I asked you to stand guard over Mimic" "There is no need to stand guard over him anymore, Locke! The Minister has seen to that" Echo shrieked. Silver had never seen Echo so angry. Infinite explained "When we had told Max that we had discovered the Nocturnus responsible for tonight's events he seemed to feel his personal safety was in question. He insisted on summoning a Prelate to accompany him into the castle. He brought it up to the office where Mimic-".
Echo shook with fury "I told him you would not agree, Locke! I told him you would never allow a Prelate to set foot inside the castle, but-" "MY DEAR WOMAN!" Max roared. He like Echo looked angrier than Silver had ever seen him "As Minister of Magic it is my decision whether I wish to bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous-". But Echo's voice drowned out Max's "The moment that-that thing entered the room…". She was trembling "It grabbed Mimic and…And…". Silver felt a chill in his stomach, he didn't need Echo to finish the sentence. He knew what the Prelate must have done. It had administered its horrible kiss to Mimic. It had sucked his soul out through his mouth. He was worse than dead. Max waved dismissively "Not much of a loss. It seems he has been responsible for several deaths!" "But now he can't give testimony, Max. He can't tell you why he killed those people" Locke was staring at Max as if properly seeing him plainly for the first time. Max scoffed "Why he killed them? Well, that's no mystery, is it? From what I've been told by Echo and Infinite he seems to have thought he was doing it all on You-Know-Who's instructions!" "Lord Finitevus was giving him instructions, Max. Those people's deaths were mere by-products of a plan to restore Finitevus to full strength again. The plan succeeded. Finitevus has been restored to his body". Max looked like he had just been hit over the head with a hammer "You-Know-Who…Returned? Preposterous! Come now, Locke" "As Echo and Infinite have no doubt told you we heard Mimic confess under the influence of UT Serum. He told us how he was smuggled off of Prison Island, and how Finitevus, learning of his continued existence from Agnes Hopkins, went to free him from his father and used him to capture Silver. The plan worked, I tell you. Mimic has helped Finitevus to return". Max stared at him for a moment and then Silver was astonished to see him smile "Now, see here, Locke. You can't seriously believe that. Come now, come now. Certainly, Mimic may have believed himself to be acting upon You-Know-Who's orders, but to take the word of a lunatic like that" "When Silver touched the Emerald Cup tonight, he was transported straight to Finitevus. He witnessed his rebirth. I will explain it all to you if you will step up to my office".
Locke glanced at Silver noticing he was awake. He looked back at Max "I am afraid I cannot permit you to question Silver tonight". Max's smile lingered as he glanced back at Silver "You're…Uh, prepared to take Silver's word, are you, Locke?". There was a moment of silence that was broken by Chomps who was growling at Max. Locke began to have a similar expression he had when facing Mimic "Of course I believe Silver. I heard Mimic's confession, and I heard Silver's account of what happened after he touched the Emerald Cup; the two stories make sense, they explain everything that has happened since Agnes Hopkins' disappeared last summer" "You are prepared to believe the word of a lunatic and a boy who…Well…". He shot Silver another look and he realised "You've been reading Breezie's articles, Minister". Coral and the O'Hedges all jumped as none of them had realised Silver was awake. Max reddened slightly but then he had a defiant and obstinate look "And if I have?". He looked back to Locke "If I have discovered that you've been keeping certain facts about the boy very quiet? A Parseltongue, eh? And having funny turns all over the place?" "I assume that you are referring to the pains Silver has been experiencing in his head?" "You admit that he has been having these pains, then? Headaches? Nightmares? Possibly hallucinations?". Locke took a step closer to Max "Listen to me, Max! Silver is as sane as you or I. I believe the Dark Magic hiding behind his eyes connects him to Lord Finitevus and hurts him when Finitevus is close by or feeling particularly murderous". Max took a step back from Locke but looked no less stubborn "You'll forgive me, Locke, but I've never heard of a curse acting as an alarm bell before" "I saw him!" Silver shouted. He tried to get out of bed but Mari-An pushed him back down "Silver, calm down" "I saw the Nocturnus who came. I know their names". Silver glanced at Infinite for a moment but then said "Clutch the Opossum!". Max looked visibly affronted "Clutch was cleared. A very old family. Donated to excellent causes" "Tundra the Walrus!" "Also cleared. Now works for the Ministry".
Silver was getting angry now "Sleet! Falke! Rough! Tumble!". Max rolled his eyes "You are merely repeating the names of those who were acquitted of being Nocturnus thirteen years ago! You could have found those names in old reports of the trials! For heaven's sake, Locke! The boy was full of some crackpot story at the end of last year too. His tales are getting taller, and you're still swallowing them. The boy can talk to dark creatures, Locke, and you still think he's trustworthy?" "YOU FOOL!". Echo had yelled so loud even Locke flinched "Sonic! Puff! These deaths were not the random work of a lunatic!" "I see no evidence to the contrary!". Max matched her anger, his face was purpling "It seems to me that you are all determined to start a panic that will destabilize everything we have worked for these last thirteen years!". Silver couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had always thought of Max as a kindly figure, a little blustering, a little pompous, but essentially good-natured. But now a short, angry wizard stood before him, refusing, point-blank, to accept the prospect of disruption in his comfortable and ordered world. To believe that Finitevus could have risen. Amazingly Locke still had not lost his temper "Finitevus has returned, Max. If you accept that fact straightaway and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to save the situation. The first and most essential step is to remove Prison Island from the control of the Prelates" "That's absurd! Remove the Prelates? I'd be kicked out of office for suggesting it! Half of us only feel safe in our beds at night because we know the Prelates are standing guard at Prison Island!". Locke again stepped closer to Max. He had the same cold fury as he had in Striker's office "The rest of us sleep less soundly in our beds, Max, knowing that you have put Lord Finitevus' most dangerous supporters in the care of creatures who will join him the instant he asks them! They will not remain loyal to you! Finitevus can offer them much more scope for their powers and their pleasures than you can! With the Prelates behind him, and his old supporters returned to him, you will be hard-pressed to stop him regaining the sort of power he had thirteen years ago". Max opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.
Locke continued "The second step you must take at once is to send envoys to the Yetis". Max found his tongue again "Envoys to the Yetis!? What?" "Extend them a hand of friendship, now, before it's too late. Or Finitevus will persuade them, as he did before, that he alone among wizards will give them their rights and their freedom!". Max retreated from Locke frantically shaking his head "You can't be serious! If the magical community got wind that I had approached the Yetis! People hate them, Locke. End of my career!". Locke raised his voice "You are blinded by the love of the office you hold, Max. You place too much importance, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be! Your Prelate has just destroyed the last remaining member of a pure-blood family as old as any and see what that man chose to make of his life! I tell you now take the steps I have suggested, and you will be remembered, in office or out, as one of the bravest and greatest Ministers of Magic we have ever known. Fail to act and history will remember you as the man who stepped aside and allowed Finitevus a second chance to destroy the world we have tried to rebuild!". Silence as Max considered. Silver begged in his head that he would say yes but "Insane". Everyone in the room stared at him in disbelief. Locke finally broke the silence "If your determination to shut your eyes will carry you as far as this, Max. We have reached a parting of the ways. You must act as you see fit. And I…I shall act as I see fit". His voice carried no hint of threat, it seemed like a simple statement. However, Max still stepped back "Now, see here, Locke, I've given you free rein, always. I've had a lot of respect for you. I might not have agreed with some of your decisions, but I've kept quiet. There aren't many who'd have let you hire Zillas or keep Big or decide what to teach your students without reference to the Ministry. But if you're going to work against me-" "The only one against whom I intend to work is Lord Finitevus. If you are against him, then we remain, Max, on the same side". It seemed as if Max could think of no answer to this He simply stood there for a while until saying with a hint of plea in his voice "He can't be back, Locke, he just can't be". Infinite strode past Locke, removed his right glove, and opened his hand in front of Max.
He spoke in a harsh tone "There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burned black, but you can still see it. Every Nocturnus had the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one another, and his means of summoning us to him. When he touched the Mark of any Nocturnus, we were to Chaos Control instantly, at his side. This Mark has been growing clearer all year. Benedict's too. Why do you think Benedict fled tonight? We both felt the Mark burn. We both knew he had returned. Benedict fears the Dark Lord's vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Nocturnus to be sure of a welcome back into the fold". Max stepped back from Infinite too. He was shaking his head. He did not seem to have taken in a word Infinite had said. He stared, apparently repelled by the ugly mark on Infinite's palm, then looked up at Locke and whispered "I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Locke, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Locke, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry". He turned to leave but then stopped and walked over to Silver's bed "Your winnings". He dropped a small bag of Gold Rings onto Silver's bedside table "One thousand Gold Rings. There should have been a presentation ceremony, but under the circumstances…" he turned and strode out of the Hospital Wing. The moment he was gone Locke turned to the group around Silver's bed "There is work to be done. Mari, am I right in thinking I can count on you and Rob?". Mari-An was white but looked resolute "Of course. We know what Max is. It's Rob's fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Max thinks he lacks proper wizarding pride" "Then I need to send a message to Rob. All those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately, and he is well placed to contact those at the Ministry who are not as shortsighted as Max".
Ash stood up "I'll go to Dad" "Thank you, Ash. Tell him what has happened. Tell him I will be in direct contact with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, however. If Max thinks I am interfering at the Ministry…" "Leave it to me". Ash clapped his hand on Silver's shoulder, kissed his mother on the cheek and strode out of the room. Locke turned to his staff "Echo, could you please tell Big I need to speak with him in my office. And also Windermere if she's willing. Vanilla, I need you to go back to Striker's office where you'll find a Marmolim called Momo in considerable distress. Do what you can for her and take her back to the kitchens. Lue will take care of her from there". Echo and Vanilla both nodded and left the room. Infinite waited for his instruction but instead "And now it's time for two of our number to recognise each other for what they are. Elias, if you could take your original form". Chomps stared at Locke for a moment before taking his Mobian form. Mari-An screamed and leapt back from the bed "Elias Acorn!" "Mum, shut up!" Razor yelled trying to stop her yelling. Mighty, Ray and Blaze had got between Elias and Silver. Coral stopped them going for their Talismans "He's okay! He's okay!" What?" the three of them said. Infinite didn't scream or jump but he had an expression of horror and fury "What is he doing here?" "He is here on my invitation, Infinite, as are you. I trust you both. It is time for you to lay aside your old differences and trust each other". Silver thought Locke was asking for a miracle. Infinite and Elias were looking at each other with the utmost loathing. Locke then spoke with a hint of impatience "I will settle, in the short term for a lack of open hostility. You will shake hands. You are on the same side now. Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth do not stand united, there is no hope for any of us".
Very slowly but still glaring at each other as though each wished the other nothing but ill, Elias and Infinite moved toward each other and shook hands. They let go extremely quickly. Locke moved between them "That will do for now. I have work for each of you. Max's attitude, though not unexpected, changes everything. Elias, I need you to set off at once. You are to alert Knuckles, Rosie, Farrell, the old crowd. Lie low at Knuckles' for a while; I will contact you there". "But…" Silver said, he wanted Elias to stay, he did not want to have to say goodbye again so quickly. Elias smiled and grasped his hand "You'll see me again soon. I promise you. But I must do what I can, you understand, don't you?" "…Yeah…Yeah, of course I do". Elias looked to Locke, transformed back into Chomps and left the room. Locke then had a grave expression "Infinite, you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready…If you are prepared…". Infinite looked slightly pale, he put on his mask "I am" "Then good luck". Infinite nodded and strode after Elias. It was several minutes before Locke spoke again "I must go speak to Jules and Bernadette. Silver, take the rest of your potion, you need rest. I will see you all later". Now Silver was alone with the O'Hedges and Coral. They were all staring at him. It was silent for a long time until Mari-An picked up the goblet "You should drink the rest of it, Silver. You have a good long sleep. Try and think about something else for a while…Think about what you're going to buy with your winnings". Silver's face was expressionless "I don't want it. I shouldn't have won it. It should've been Sonic's". The thing against which he had been fighting on and off ever since he had come out of the maze was threatening to overpower him. He could feel a burning, prickling feeling in the inner corners of his eyes. He blinked and stared up at the ceiling. Mari-An took his hand "It wasn't your fault, Silver" "I told him to take the cup with me. If I'd...If I'd just...". The burning feeling was in his throat now, he wished Coral and Razor would stop looking at him. Mari-An put the goblet down on the bedside cabinet, bent down and put her arms around Silver. He had no memory of ever being hugged like this, as though by a mother. The full weight of everything he had seen that night seemed to fall in upon him as Mari-An held him to her. His mother's face, his father's voice, the sight of Sonic, dead on the ground all started spinning in his head until he could hardly bear it, until he was screwing up his face against the howl of misery fighting to get out of him. Eventually they broke apart, Mari-An wiped her eyes and gave Silver the goblet. Blaze fluffed his pillows as he gulped the rest of the potion down quickly. The effect was instantaneous. Heavy, irresistible waves of dreamless sleep broke over him; he fell back onto his pillows and thought no more.