When Silver woke up on Sunday morning, it took him a moment to remember why he felt so miserable and worried. Then the memory of the previous night rolled over him. He sat up and ripped back the curtains of his own four-poster, intending to talk to Razor, to force him to believe him only to find that Razor's bed was empty; he had obviously gone down to breakfast. Silver went down to the Common Room and found himself receiving applause from the people that were already back up from breakfast. The idea of having to face the rest of the Shinobi in the Great Hall was not encouraging but he knew staying here wasn't much better. He climbed through the portrait hole and was now face to face with Coral. She held out a napkin with some toast wrapped inside "Thought you might not want to go down to the Hall" "Thanks" "Want to go for a walk?". They went down the stairs, ran past the door to the Great Hall and went outside into the sun. They walked around the lake moving fast because it was chilly. Silver told Coral everything that happened in the side chamber. To his relief Coral believed him "Well, of course I knew you hadn't entered yourself. The look on your face when Locke read out your name! But the question is, who did put it in? Because Striker's right, Silver. I don't think any student could have done it. They'd never be able to fool the Flame, or get over Locke's-" "Have you seen Razor?" Silver interrupted. Coral hesitated "Erm… Yes… He was at breakfast" "Does he still think I entered myself?" "Well… No… Not really". Silver stopped "What does that mean? Not really?" "Oh, Silver, isn't it obvious? He's jealous" "Jealous? Jealous of what? He wants to make a prat of himself in front of the whole school, does he?".

Coral kept her patience "Look, it's always you who gets all the attention, you know it is. I know it's not your fault" she added quickly, seeing Silver open his mouth furiously "I know you don't ask for it but… well, you know, Razor's got all those brothers to compete against at home, and you're his best friend, and you're really famous. He's always shunted to one side whenever people see you, and he puts up with it, and he never mentions it, but I suppose this is just one time too many". If she thought this would make Silver forgive Razor, she was dead wrong "Great! Really great. Tell him from me I'll swap any time he wants. Tell him from me he's welcome to it. Getting gawked at wherever I go" "I'm not telling him anything, Silver. Tell him yourself, it's the only way to sort this out" "I'm not running after Razor. Maybe he'll grow up once I've broken my neck". Coral hit his arm "Don't say that. Silver, I've been thinking, you know what we've got to do, don't you? Straight away, the moment we get back to the castle?" "Yeah, give Razor a kick in the-" "Write to Elais! You've got to tell him what's happened. He asked you to keep him posted on everything that's going on at Soleanna. It's almost as if he expected something like this to happen. I brought some parchment and a quill out with me". Silver looked around making sure no one heard her "Come off it. He came back to the country just because my head hurt. He'll probably come bursting right into the castle if I tell him someone's entered me in the Emerald Championship" "Silver, he's going to find out regardless. This isn't going to keep quiet. It's better he hears it from you". Silver had no retort so he just shrugged, and they headed back up to the castle "I can't use Lily" "You could borrow Razor's-" "I'm not borrowing anything from Razor". They headed up to the aviary and Silver wrote the letter.

Dear Elias,

You told me to keep you posted on what's happening at Soleanna, so here goes. I don't know if you've heard, but the Emerald Championship is happening this year and on Saturday night I got picked as a fourth champion. I don't know who put my name in the Flame of Solaris because I didn't. The other Soleanna champion is Sonic the Hedgehog, he's from Yagyu.

Hope you're okay, and Volt as well,

Silver

He was tempted to write about the large weight of anxiety that he had but he didn't know how to write it. The moment he finished Lily fluttered down to take the letter "I can't use you. I've got to use one of them" Silver pointed at one of the school Flickys. Lily gave a very loud hoot and flew up onto the rafters with her back to Silver "Oh, for God's Sake! First Razor and now you!? It's not my fault!".

When lessons returned the next day Silver could no longer avoid the rest of the school. It seemed the other houses like Shinobi believed he had entered himself into the Tournament but unlike Shinobi they were not impressed. The Yagyu who were usually on good terms with the Shinobi had turned very cold to them. It seemed they thought Silver had stolen their Champions' glory. In Herbology Smokey and Void who were usually very friendly with Silver didn't say a word to him. Razor wasn't much better, Coral sat between the two of them trying to make awkward conversation. Both answered her normally but refused to make eye contact with one another. Even Chrysan seemed a bit distant than normal as she was head of Yagyu house. Silver dreaded Care of Magical Creatures, if this was how the Yagyu were treating him he couldn't bare what the Raiju could possibly have in store.

As predicted Rutan was already at Big's cabin with Rough and Tumble "Oh, look, boys, it's the Champion. Got your autograph books? Better get a signature now, because I doubt he's going to be around much longer. Half the Emerald champions have died. How long d'you reckon you're going to last, Hedgehog? Ten minutes into the first task's my bet". Thankfully Big then arrived before Rutan could take any more shots. Apparently because the Plasmas were killing each other there was now only one for every student which meant everyone was separated to their own box. Big took advantage of this to talk to Silver in private "So, yer competin', Silver. In the tournament. School champion?" "One of" "No idea who put yeh in fer it, Silver". Silver tried to hide his smile "You believe me then?" "Course I do. Yeh say it wasn' you, an' I believe yeh an' Locke believes yer, an' all" "Wish I knew who did do it".

The next few days were some of the worst Silver ever had at Soleanna even when half the school thought he was a murderer. At least then most of them were too scared to show their animosity and he had Razor been on his side. Silver had never felt so alone, he understood the Raiju mocking him, they always did. To an extent he could understand the Yagyu, they had their own champion to support him. But even Gossamer had turned on him, they seemed to think this was Silver's desperate attempt to gain more fame. Then there was the fact that Sonic looked the part of a champion so much more than he did. Exceptionally handsome, confident attitude and his quills were sleeked back, it was hard to say who was receiving more admiration these days, Sonic or Reynard. Silver actually saw the same sixth-year girls who had been so keen to get Reynard's autograph begging Sonic to sign their school bags one lunchtime. Meanwhile there was no reply from Elias, Lily was refusing to come anywhere near him, Professor Pyjamas was predicting his death with even more certainty than usual, and he did so badly at Summoning Charms in Chuck's class that he was given extra homework, the only person to get any, apart from Antione. As they left the class Coral, who was making objects zoom across the classroom the whole time, reassured him "It's not that difficult, Silver. You just aren't focusing" "Wonder why that is?" Silver said as the Gossamers gave him piercing glares.

Potions had somehow gotten worse, Infinite and the Raiju seemed to be determined to punish him for daring to become School Champion. Today they had something new to show him. The Raiju were all line outside the class and were wearing badges that all said "Support Sonic the Hedgehog. The real Soleanna Champion". Rutan then pressed his badge and the words changed "Silver Stinks" "Like them, Hedgehog?". The other Raiju pressed their badged and Coral pulled Silver away "Just ignore them". They met with Razor who wasn't laughing but wasn't sticking up for Silver either. Rutan then yelled across the line "Want one, Coral? I've got loads. I'll throw it to you though, I don't want a Mudblood touching my hand". The anger that had been building up over the last few days seemed to finally burst in Silver. He raised his hand, everyone scattered. Rutan saw what he was doing and raised his own hand. They both yelled a spell and fired but they ricocheted off one another. Silver's hit Rough and Rutan's hit Coral. Rough's face was growing painful looking boils while Coral covered hers whimpering. Razor helped her up "Coral, what is it? What'd it do?". He moved her hands out of the way, it wasn't a nice sight, her front teeth were growing to the point that she now resembled a beaver. She felt her teeth and then let out a terrified cry, "What is all this noise" Infinite said at the door of his class. People talked over each other until Infinite pointed at Rutan "Explain" "The Hedgehog attacked me, sir. He hit Rough with a spell". Silver pushed passed some people "He attacked me! He hit Coral".

Infinite looked at Rough first "Hospital Wing" Rough ran up the stairs. Razor brought Coral forward and Infinite stared at her teeth coldly. Behind him Cassia and some other Raiju girls were giggling. Infinite dismissively waved his hand "I see no difference". Coral whimpered with her eyes full of tears and ran up the stairs. It was lucky, perhaps, that both silver and Razor started shouting at Infinite at the same time; lucky their voices echoed so much in the stone corridor, for in the confused din, it was impossible for him to hear exactly what they were calling him. He got the gist, however "Let me see, fifty points from Shinobi and a detention for each of you. Now get inside, or it'll be a week's worth of detentions". The two boys entered the class shaking with anger. For a moment it felt like things were back to normal. Silver and Razor seething at Infinite but then Razor turned and sat with Marcos and Larry. Silver sat alone at his table imagining using the Cruciatus Curse on Infinite. The door suddenly opened and standing in the there was Skye smiling eagerly. Infinite looked annoyed by the interruption "Yes?" "Please, sir, I'm supposed to take Silver the Hedgehog upstairs". Infinite stared him down "He has another hour of Potions. He can go once it is done". Skye's face went pink "Uh, Mr Barker wanted him now, sir. All the Champions have to. I think they want to take photographs". Silver would have given anything to stop Skye saying that. He glanced at Razor who was staring at the ceiling. The words seemed to anger Infinite as well "Very well. Hedgehog, get out of my sight". Silver threw his bag over his shoulder and rush out of the class before the Raiju had a chance to flash their Silver Stinks badges at him again. Skye led him upstairs to a part of the castle he hadn't been before "It's amazing, isn't it, Silver. Being a Champion" "Yeah, really amazing. Who wants to take pictures?" "The Daily Prophet I think". Silver sighed "Great".

They reached a door at the end of a corridor "Good luck" Skye said before running back down to get to class. Silver opened the door. He was in a fairly small classroom; most of the desks had been pushed away to the back of the room, leaving a large space in the middle; three of them, however, had been placed end-to-end in front of the blackboard and covered with a long length of velvet. Five chairs had been set behind the velvet-covered desks, and Barker was sitting in one of them, talking to a teal female hedgehog in a red suit. Reynard sat not talking to anyone while Sonic and Mina were deep in conversation. Nearby a man was leaning against the window smoking. Barker finally noticed Silver and got up to shake his hand "Ah, Silver, good to see you. Nothing to worry about. Just the Talisman Weighing ceremony" "The what?" "Talisman Weighing. We need to know your Talismans are in good condition. They're your most important tool. After that it's just a photoshoot". Barker brought Silver over to the female hedgehog "This is Breezie the Hedgehog. She's doing a small piece on the tournament for the Daily Prophet" "Maybe not so small, Barker". She had a smile that didn't bode well "I wonder if I could have a word with Silver before we start. The youngest Champion could add some colour". Barker saw no issue with this "Certainly, that is if Silver has no objection" "Uh…" "Excellent" Breezie grabbed Silver's arm and led him back out of the classroom. She took him to a small door which was definitely not a class "This should be fine" "It's a broom cupboard" "Then you should feel right at home". There was a table already set up and they sat opposite one another "You won't mind, Silver, if I use a Quick-Quotes Quill? It leaves me free to talk to you normally" "A what?". Breezie's smile widened "Testing". Her bag opened and an acid-coloured quill flew out and moved to a notepad "My name is Breezie the Hedgehog, Daily Prophet reporter". Silver watched the quill quickly write down on the notepad "Attractive Hedgehog Breezie, forty-three, whose savage quill has punctured many inflated reputations" "Excellent".

She tore the top page off the pad to start again "Now, Silver, what made you decide to enter the Emerald Championship?" "Uh…". Silver couldn't help but notice that despite not speaking the quill was writing "His eyes turn to a ugly yellow, a magical souvenir of a tragic past, tainting the otherwise charming face of Silver the Hedgehog" "Ignore the quill, Silver. Now, why did you decide to enter the" "I didn't. I didn't put my name in". Breezie raised one of her eyebrows "Come now, Silver, there's no need to be scared of getting into trouble. We all know you shouldn't really have entered at all. But don't worry about that. Our readers love a rebel" "But I didn't" "How do you feel about the tasks ahead. Excited, worried? Champions have died in the past, have you thought about that". The scraping of the quill was getting louder "They said it's going to be safer this year but… Nervous, I suppose" "Of course, you've looked death in the face before, haven't you? Do you think that the trauma in your past might have made you keen to prove yourself? To live up to your name? Do you think that is perhaps why you were tempted to enter the Emerald Championship". Silver was getting angry now "I didn't enter" "How do you think your parents would feel if they knew you were competing? Proud? Worried? Angry?".

Silver had to stop himself from shouting, how was he supposed to know what his parents would think. He glanced down at the quill "Tears fill those eyes as our conversation turns to the parents he can barely remember" "I don't have tears in my eyes". Before Breezie could ask anything else the door opened revealing Locke. Breezie looked delighted "Locke!" but Silver noticed her quill had disappeared. Breezie shook his hand "How are you? I hope you saw my piece over the summer about the International Confederation of Wizards' Conference". Locke had a pleasant smile as he said "Enchantingly nasty. I particularly enjoyed your description of me as an obsolete dingbat". Breezie wasn't abashed at all "I was just making the point that some of your ideas are a little old-fashioned, Locke, and that many wizards in the street-" "I will be delighted to hear the reasoning behind the rudeness, Breezie but I'm afraid we will have to discuss the matter later. The Weighing of the Talismans is about to start, and it cannot take place if one of our champions is hidden in a broom cupboard". He bowed her out and Silver, in a hurry to get away from Breezie, walked out with Locke. The Champions were now sitting in a row with the four judges in front of them. Silver sat next to Sonic and they watched Locke join the judges "May I introduce Mr Merlin. He will be the one inspecting your Talismans".

Silver was surprised, he hasn't seen Merlin since he first bought his own Talismans. Breezie sat by the wall and was taking notes as Merlin called Mina forward. She handed him her hairband and what looked like a microphone. Merlin examined them "Hmm. Interesting, the spell is activated by singing. I've never attempted that one myself. And the source is… Dear me". Mina smiled proudly "An 'air from ze 'ead of a Illumina. One of my grandmuzzer's". Razor was right, Mina was part Illumina. Silver made a mental note to tell Razor… but then he remembered Razor wasn't speaking to him. Merlin nodded "Yes, family bound sources are known to work better". He moved the microphone to his mouth as if to use it but then stopped "Actually my singing is quite poor. May you demonstrate?". Mina smiled smugly and took back the microphone. She sang a single word "Orchideous" one word, not even that nice sounding a word and yet from the microphone it sounded mesmerizingly beautiful. A bunch of flowers appeared in Mina's free hand. Merlin smiled "Very well. Seems in order. Mr Sonic, you next". Sonic handed Merlin his Soap Shoes and a crystal ring. Merlin was much more enthusiastic "Ah, these are mine. Has the essence or a very healthy Sprite. Nearly killed me after I extracted the energy. You treat them well" "Polished them just last night". Silver looked down at his Talismans, his bracelets had finger marks and his gloves had a few faint stains. He tried to casually cross his arms and rubbed the Talismans against his sides to try and get some of it off. A few sparks shot out of his fingers; Mina gave him a patronizing look. Reynard was up next, he held out his hand and a small orange jewel appeared in it. Merlin took it "This is a Madden creation, isn't it? A fine Talisman maker. Although, persoanlly, I don't think he cuts the jewels enough. I always make them a bit smaller".

He absorbed the jewel "Avis" a piece of paper on the table turned into a paper bird and flew around the room "Yes, still works". He gave the jewel back to Reynard "Finally, Mr Silver". Silver gave him his bracelets and gloves "Ah, yes, I remember this quite well". Silver did as well, it was one of the best days of his life but then he realised something. The source of his Talisman was Hyper energy from a Wisp which also supplies the energy for Finitevus' Talismans. He had never told anyone this, he was very fond of his Talismans and as far as he was concerned its relation to Finitevus was no more it's fault than I was Silver's fault he was related to Cynthia. Silver however really hoped Merlin would bring this up, he suspected Breezy's quill might just explode with excitement. Merlin put on the gloves and shot a fountain of water out of the finger "Good condition". Locke rose from his feet "Thank you all. I would tell you to go back to class but considering the time you might as well go down to dinner before the rest of the school crowds the halls" "Wait, Locke, we just have to do photos first. All the judges with their Champions".

The photographs took a long time. Lady Windermere cast everyone else into shadow wherever she stood, and the photographer couldn't stand far enough back to get her into the frame; eventually she had to sit while everyone else stood around her. Benedict kept twirling his goatee around his finger to give it an extra curl. Reynard, whom Silver would have thought would have been used to this sort of thing, skulked, half-hidden, at the back of the group. Breezy kept hurrying forward and dragging Silver into greater prominence. Then she insisted on separate shots of all the champions. At last, they were free to go. Silver went down to dinner and ate fast. He didn't want to meet the rest of the school right now. He just managed to make it back to the Common Room before the classes emptied for everyone else to go to dinner. He found Razor in the Common Room "Oh, hey". Razor had a book in his hand "Coral's still in the hospital wing. She wanted me to bring her a book" he said bluntly. He headed for the door "Oh, and you have a letter up in the dormitory" he walked out. Silver thought of going after him, he didn't know if it was to talk to him or to hit him, both seemed quite appealing. He chose not to; he knew what the letter was and he had to read it fast. Silver ran up to the dormitory where a Flicky was waiting on his bed. He thanked it and took the letter allowing it to leave.

Silver,

I can't say everything I would like to in a letter, it's too risky in case the Flicky is intercepted. We need to talk face-to-face. Can you ensure that you are alone by the fire in Shinobi Tower at one o'clock in the morning on the 22nd of November? I know better than anyone that you can look after yourself and while you're around Locke and Striker I don't think anyone will be able to hurt you. However, someone seems to be having a good try. Entering you in that tournament would have been very risky, especially right under Locke's nose. Be on the watch, Silver. I still want to hear about anything unusual. Let me know about the 22nd of November as quickly as you can

Elias