Paricia was born just a few minutes before Kilya, yet it was that small window of time that would cause the large rift between them.
The elder brother was destined for greatness – while no star shone particularly brightly in the younger sister's future.
Despite this, there was no bitterness between them. Not at first.
Paricia revelled in the attention bestowed upon him by the clan. He was always eager to train and show off the latest moves he'd learned, putting him leagues above the other young warriors. While Paricia hogged all the spotlight, Kilya was content to always linger behind in the shadows – sheltered and waiting in the wings away from everyone else's eyes.
While they may have led very different lives, he never forgot about her.
"Are you sure you can reach that?" Paricia asked sceptically from the ground – gazing up at his sister with an increasing concern.
She was high up in the palm tree, and her arm couldn't possibly stretch any further in her attempt to reach the top where the fruit hung.
"It's fine." She assured him quietly, so quietly that Paricia could barely make out what she had said.
Something snapped.
Kilya let out a startled scream, her body suddenly falling and making its way rapidly to the ground.
The other echidna was quick to act, sliding close to the tree and intercepting her contact with the ground – instead allowing Kilya to fall into his arms.
"You okay?" Paricia asked slightly worriedly.
"I'm fine… thanks." Kilya said, her typically expressionless face replaced with a small grateful smile.
"When I become the Guardian – I'll make sure we never have to worry about gathering and hunting ever again!" Parica proclaimed proudly, hands on his hips. "I'll figure out how to use my powers so that all the fruit can be harvested with just the snap of my fingers!"
"Is that even possible?" Kilya asked him, unphased by his bold claims.
"Of course, it is! Guardians can do anything!" Paricia insisted.
"Right…" Kilya rolled her eyes. "That's why we're all still stuck on a floating island away from the rest of the world."
"Why would we want anything different?" Paricia asked. "We've got everything we need here! And besides, the other species below are stinky… they kidnapped grandpa, you know!"
"No, he chose another guy from the surface over his clan – so the story goes." Kilya corrected him.
"Only because that mouse had mind control!" Paricia spoke with so much conviction that it was hard to argue, despite Kilya being certain he was wrong.
"Hm. If you say so." She rolled her eyes yet again.
"By the way… I've been meaning to say, but… there's been a massive change of plans regarding my Guardianship." Paricia said, twisting his hands. "And I mean massive."
"What's happened?" Kilya asked, brows raised.
"Everyone is desperate for me to get the powers at this point." Paricia began. "Even dad himself just wants them taken away – and honestly? It's for the best. Dad hasn't been a good condition to lead the clan for years now."
"So? What are you saying?"
"The high officials have come to an agreement – I'm to become the Guardian when I turn 13."
"What?" Her eyes widened, her fists clenching at her side in a sudden display of anger that Paricia hadn't expected. "You're a kid! We're kids! It's not fair for them to thrust all that responsibility on you already."
"You sound like Mother…" Paricia groaned. "It's the best way forward for the Clan to ensure its survival. Father and Grandfather both left things in bad shape… we need someone strong to at last take control."
"And they think making a kid a leader is the way to go?" Kilya wondered just what exactly went through the adults' heads sometimes.
"There are no other options." Paricia said. "And if father were to die, then I'd be getting the powers early anyway. It's not like it hasn't happened before."
Kilya shook her head. "It still doesn't feel right…"
"What's there to worry about?" He pressed her. "I can win in a fight against most of the adults already! I've researched everything there is to know about the responsibilities of Guardianship – and I've basically overtaken half of father's duties anyway. I'm well equipped for it."
He then averted his eyes towards the ground. "Honestly? I thought you were going to be happier than you are…"
"Of course, I'm happy for you… you've wanted this since the beginning. But I'm worried for you too… it's a big job to take on at this point, everyone in the Clan is going to be looking to you for guidance…"
"And I'm more than willing to give it." Paricia said with a firm nod. "And besides – I'm going to have my sister by my side, right? I know that you'll be willing to help when I need it." He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "There's no way I'm going to allow my job to tear us apart. We'll be side by side, always."
She glanced at his hand and then made eye contact with him – and his gaze was filled with an unrelentless determination. He definitely had the qualities of a leader, but it all felt much too soon for her to be content with it.
Still, it was hard to voice that when he smiled so brightly.
She held a breath and nodded. "If you're certain you're happy with it… then I'm happy with it."
"Good…" Paricia smiled. "I'm glad."
Metal Sonic hadn't needed to run for long until he encountered the echidna. She was already exhausted. Perhaps she had been sprinting along the coastline before but was now walking – in need of a break as she tried to regain her breath.
The robot immediately intercepted her path, dashing in front of her – blocking the way.
"AH!" Tikal jumped backwards. "Metal?!"
He suddenly grabbed hold of her arm and gave it a harsh tug, turning her around so they could both make their way back again.
"W-what are you doing-?" She asked in a flustered panic.
"ORDER FROM SILVER THE HEDGEHOG: RETRIEVE TIKAL AND RETURN HER TO THE TRAIN." Metal recited.
"No, no-!" Tikal exclaimed. "I cannot do that… I cannot-!"
Predictably, he didn't listen – continuing to drag her.
"Can I… can I change that command? Override? Is that the word?" Tikal's voice shook.
Metal Sonic stopped, letting go of her arm and then turning around to face her. "STATE NEW ORDERS."
Tikal couldn't believe that it was actually possible, and thus didn't speak right away. However, she shook her head and made her wants clear.
"Leave me alone, please. This is a fight that I must endure alone." Tikal begged. "I can't have anyone else getting hurt because of my mistakes…"
"ORDERS DENIED."
"Huh-? Why?"
"NEW ORDERS CONTRADICT PRIORITY 1: AID TIKAL AND SILVER IN RESTORING THE TIMELINE."
She bit her lip anxiously. "Then… will you permiss me to change that priority?" Tikal asked.
"STATE PASSCODE."
"Um," she gulped, "I do not know that…"
"NEW ORDERS DENIED."
Metal Sonic reached for her arm again, but the echidna quickly backed away with her hand out to create a distance between them. "Hold on a moment-! Please-!"
He listened.
"Lend me your ear… if you will." Tikal clasped her hands together. "If you wish to ensure Silver and his friends' safety… then you must keep him far from me. This is not their fight, it is mine. It is my actions that have set all this in motion…"
The robot tapped his food against the sand impatiently.
"At the start of this all, I wanted Silver's help. Now I realize to want such a thing is cruel, for what I have done has caused all this pain that they now endure." She frowned. "I thought there was a way to deal with this without… confronting him… but I see now that such an event is unavoidable."
Metal Sonic placed a hand on his hip, tilting his head to the side.
Tikal closed her eyes. "I have made sense of the pieces. Knuckles was barred from gaining his powers in the old timeline… but in the new one, he earned them – but that does not make sense either. Not with the doctor's goals…" She began. "That man had every reason to end his life there… but he left him and the emerald. For what other reason – than to ensure Knuckles lived to gain those powers?"
The robot showed no reaction to what she was saying, making her grow a little frustrated despite knowing he couldn't be that expressive.
Yet it was this frustration that it allowed it to all tumble out.
"But there is no way he could have known about the Guardian powers… unless someone had told him." She winced, feeling her stomach twist into knots. "My father - it has to be. I'm sure of it..." Her voice shook, and she hugged herself in an attempt to feel any semblance of warmth. "The doctor is being used as a tool in my father's game - one that has been ongoing for many centuries-"
As soon as she paused, Metal Sonic's annoyance seemed to reach its peak. He beeped aggressively, and in a jerky movement - spread his arms out in front of him.
It was a command easily understood - even without words. The robot wanted her to come out with the truth.
Tears brimmed in her eyes, and she finally snapped - bringing her hand to her chest. "It is all my fault! I bestowed the power of the Master Emerald upon Guardians to ensure the protection and logevity of what remained of the Clan - because I wanted to set things right after the gruesome massacre... it wasn't supposed to be anything more than that!"
She wasn't sure if Metal Sonic's expressionless face was making it easier for her to confess, or if it was her volatile emotions that had taken the reins - rather than rational thought.
"But then... Pachacamac, from beyond the grave, found a way to influence Guardians - corrupting them with their power, hoping that one day - he'd be able to control a Guardian - making them set him and his disciples free from the shackles of the afterlife... and create the reality they had always dreamed of."
Despite pouring her heart out and laying everything bear - the only sound she was met with were the waves that lapped softly against the shore.
"I never thought that... anything like this would have come out of it, but I cannot wipe away the blame. I started the awful cycle that plagues the echidna heritage, and I am responsible for breeding the curse that threatens the safety of the world. Don't you see now, Metal?" She asked him desperately. "I cannot get the others involved in my battle! I need to talk to my father alone, so that I may set things right! Those heroes do not deserve to get hurt for my failures!"
"Please, Metal." She hung her head low in defeat. "Find it within your heart... to lead the others away from the fight, and ensure their safety..."
Her pleads didn't fall on deaf ears. Metal Sonic brought his finger to his chin as he considered the possibilities. Tikal searched his eyes for any sort of sign of what thoughts were running through his head - but found herself more confused than ever.
Suddenly, the robot walked past her. Tikal turned her head to see where he was headed, her dreadlocks flowing in the wind.
He beckoned her to follow. "NEW ORDER: AID TIKAL IN LOCATING AND TALKING WITH HER FATHER."
"That's not-" she was bewildered, "I never said for you to - I do not want you getting hurt either!"
"ALTERNATIVE: RETRIEVE TIKAL AND RETURN HER TO THE TRAIN."
"No!"
"ORDER 1 SELECTED: AID TIKAL IN LOCATING AND TALKING WITH HER FATHER."
Despite his words, she definitely hadn't been given a choice. "I-" As much as she wanted to protest, she wondered if there truly were any alternatives. If just her and Metal were to journey in search for Pachacamac, at least the others would be safe - away from harm.
She'd just have to find a way to protect Metal too.
"I... see." She said at last, her voice like a breath. "Okay. We'll move forward - as just you and me."
Despite the desperate demand for a new Guardian coming from every clan member, Paricia's ceremony was kept small - away from the prying eyes of their clanmates due to the nature of his age, keeping the ritual sacred.
Kilya stood to the side of the Master Emerald alongside her mother. "Remember to smile, dear."
The young girl could not bring herself to do so. Kilya peered around the side of the Emerald and could just about see her father standing on the other side of the gem.
She watched as Paricia stood opposite the emerald - his smile wide.
"I-it's time n-now." Their father said, his voice trembling - as it always did. "S-say the ritual."
"Hear me, Master Emerald!" Paricia held up his head eagerly, announcing out his words with a puffed chest. "I come to you... ready to claim my title as the Guardian of the Master Emerald! I will use all my power to defend the emerald and my clanmates!"
Kilya twisted one of the rings on her finger.
"The servers are the seven chaos... chaos is power... power enriched by the heart. The heart is the controller. The contoller is the one that unifies the chaos... Chaos... grant me the strength I need to lead!"
Nothing happened at first.
"AAAARGH-!" Paricia screamed, collapsing to the ground as the Master Emerald shot out its energy towards him like a lightning bolt. Kilya saw his body glow, and saw his veins were lighting up inside him.
"Mother-!" She tugged at her hand.
"No, dear." Her mother said. "This is all part of the process... but it is difficult for someone so young, such as he."
Kilya watched on with gritted teeth as her brother cried and grunted through the pain - gasping for breath as he feebly attempted to stand. His knees gave way, and he was kneeled down on the ground again - yelling.
But he wasn't backing down.
Eventually, his body almost seemed to adapt to it - and he was able to stop himself screaming by just clenching his teeth. He stared down the Master Emerald in a rage - until suddenly all the energy that had been crackling out of it had decided to fizzle out.
"Our Guardian..." Mother smiled down upon him proudly as he choked, struggling to get air back into his lungs.
For the first time in years, their father smiled. His own powers were now gone - passed down to his son to carry the burden that had been far too heavy for him to bear.
"Hey, Knuckles."
Knuckles looked to his side, seeing Silver take the seat next to him. Knuckles still had his face slumped against the palm of his hand, leaning against the window.
"Do you... need to talk about anything?" Silver asked, his smile gentle.
"What's there to say?" Knuckles said. "You know the truth now." His gaze returned to staring out the window at the empty cliffside.
"And that truth has changed nothing." Silver said firmly. "I don't see you any differently than I did before, neither does Shadow - nor does anyone else! In fact, I think this makes you cooler! Look at all you've accomplished without fancy powers to your name-"
"Silver." Knuckles cut in. "Don't patronize me... please." He added with exhaustion. "It's not like anything can be done about it, so there's no need to talk about it anymore than we have to."
The hedgehog shook his head. "It's obvious you're upset about it, Knuckles. And I want to help."
"It's not about that." Knuckles said quickly, immediately giving away that he was lying. In truth, his insecurities and guilt were eating him up inside. He could no longer hide away from the reality of it all - that he was a failure. He didn't deserve to have his job, yet he was the one stuck in the role - like the fraud he was, trying to convince everyone it was his right.
All he wanted to do was to live up to the legacies his ancestors had left behind, but now he had failed - what was left?
"Then what is this about?" Silver asked skeptically.
Knuckles sighed. "I miss everyone... it's been a year. For me, anyway."
While not a lie, Knuckles was much more comfortable admitting to that vulnerability. Unlike the issue of his Guardianship - this problem was solveable.
As he was trapped in the past within Viracocha's mind, the past echidna had given into his grief after the loss of Kon. He had shut himself down, living in isolation away from his clanmates. Viracocha continued to suffer the pain of loss, but for Knuckles - he was exposed once again to the feeling of complete and utter loneliness.
Knuckles should have been used to it by now - considering just how much of his youth had been spent alone. Yet, it had been so much worse. The world had constantly felt as though it was closing in, choking him in an empty darkness. Despite any pleas for help he made, no one was there to save or even listen to him.
He was just... alone.
He really had gotten too used to his friends being around, huh? He supposed it was another sign of his selfish indulgence.
"We're going to find everyone as soon as we can. As soon as Metal gets back, we plan to go after Tails." Silver told him. "Then we're going to find everyone else after. We aren't going to waste any time on that, I assure you."
"I know you wouldn't." Knuckles said, standing up at last - despite the fact he couldn't make eye contact. Instead, he walked down to the aisle. "I'm fine, really. I've had my moment to think about it, and all I want to do is find our friends... and fix this world."
Silver stood up slowly, Knuckles could feel his eyes burning into the back of his neck. "If you're sure." The hedgehog said.
Knuckles forced himself to give a grin. "Of course. Now let's see what Shadow is up to."
Even if he was a failure in all other departments, he could still be a pillar of strength for the others though - right?
Maybe? ... Did he deserve to be?
Did he deserve...?
Knuckles shook his head, and made his way down to the carriage door - unable to look back at Silver, fearing the emotion he might see in the hedgehog's eyes.
"Hi, Kilya!"
A group of women gathered in a circle around her - blocking her attempts to get deeper within the jungle. Kilya stopped and sighed. "Yes...?" She groaned, making her tiredness plain.
"So, you're Paricia's sister - right?"
"It's kind of obvious." Kilya remarked, as their black furs and red eyes were entirely matching - the only difference was that she had a fringe on top of her head, but her dreads were the same.
Even now as an adult, Kilya had struggled to make friends within her clan. She wasn't every sociable, and often came off as too stoic for anyone else's liking.
"Do you know what types of flowers he likes?" One of them asked.
"What's his favourite fruit? I'll gather a whole bunch!" Another said.
"What would be his most ideal gift?" Another added.
The only real scenario where her clanmates ever willingly approached her... it was always about Paricia. Whether they were seeking his companionship or his hand in marriage - it was always about him.
"Go ask him." She told the ladies, barging throough the group huddle - leaving them to murmer and whisper behind her.
The echidna found Shadow in the last train carriage before the driving cab at the front of the train. The dark hedgehog was stood in the middle with folded his arms as he observed his surroundings.
Shadow seemed to sense Knuckles' presence - so turned around. The sight was actually a little amusing. Shadow's fur had yet to dry, and was still wet through - causing Shadow's quills to be heavy. His quills that were usually pointed up were being dragged down - so he looked even more like Sonic than he usually did.
"Are you going to be useful now?" Shadow asked.
Knuckles nodded slowly.
Shadow looked him over a couple of times before speaking. "Good." He said. "The loss of those powers is not something worth crying about." Shadow told him. "They brought about more pain than they ever did anything else."
Knuckles felt his throat dry up, but Silver at last stepped in with them from behind. "So, what'd you find on your search? Nothing? Like I already said?" He pouted at Shadow. "Because I already searched the train?"
"I had to make sure. You're not very observant." Shadow said with an irritated sigh. "But in this case, you are correct - there is nothing of note here."
Silver got over the initial offensive comment and looked on smugly as Shadow admitted he was right. Silver looked to his echidna companion and gave him a wink, as they both knew - victories against Shadow were rare. Knuckles managed to give a small smile back.
Bleep-Bleep
Everyone's ears perked up.
Shadow reached into his quills, and miraculously pulled out a small device.
"You had a communicator this whole time?!" Silver exclaimed in exasperation.
"No." Shadow responded. "At least, not with our allies."
Silver's brows furrowed. "Then who are you talking to?" He asked with genuine curiosity - did he even know anyone outside of their main group? Other than the commander, perhaps?
The silver furred hedgehog floated over, landing down behind so he could look over Shadow's shoulder at the screen. Knuckles followed at his own pace soon after.
I've made a choice.
NEW COMMAND: AID TIKAL IN LOCATING AND TALKING WITH HER FATHER.
"Hold on..." Silver stared at the message. "You have a communicator line open with Metal Sonic?! Why-?"
"Irrelevant." Shadow said, his voice monotone.
"How is it-?"
"It's a conversation more productive to have later - than it is to have right now."
"Ugh!" Silver huffed, folding his arms and holding his nose in the air like a child that had been refused the ice cream that he wanted. "Fine."
"Surely Tikal's father is dead..." Shadow brought up in confusion.
"She wants to speak with PACHACAMAC?!" Knuckles suddenly yelled. "War-mongering, genocida dictator PACHACAMAC?! What for?!"
Silver addressed Shadow's question first. "Yeah, uh - funny thing about this realm, timeline, place... whatever-" Silver began, "- we're kind of living in this realm with dead people. As Tikal put it - the realms of life and death have merged - or something like that- So yeah, how she's gonna talk to him isn't the problem. It's the why."
Shadow and Knuckles stared at him blankly.
"The hell do you mean?" Knuckles growled. "Dead people are just chilling among us now?!"
"Apparrently!" Silver said. "Look, I'm just as confused..."
"This is giving me a headache..." Shadow groaned. Even as the Ultimate Life Form, they were pretty frequent ever since his amnesia - especially when he was stressed. "Pushing all questions aside - I'll simply ask Metal for details later. It's clear now that he isn't coming back, but rather helping her - so let's find Tails already."
With a swift turn, he made his way towards the front cab.
"Hang on a sec, Shadow!" Silver called, running after him. "As soon as you put in a name the train blasts ahead-!"
Knuckles watched after them, a heavy pit growing at the bottom of his stomach. Pachacamac...
He had never wanted to see his face again.
It was all becoming ridiculous now. Kilya marched up the steps to the altar, laying eyes upon her brother. He was sat upon a bamboo throne, two of their clanmates fanning him with palm tree leaves.
"Hello, dear sister!" Paricia greeted her. "Have you come bearing gifts?" He asked.
"No. I want to talk." She said quickly. "Privately." She glanced at the other echidnas.
When she said this, Paricia frowned - not really wanting his fanning session to end, however - he decided to tend to his sister's needs. "That's it for now." He told the other echidnas. "You two can have a break."
"Thank you, my Guardian." They bowed in unison before marching past Kilya down the stairs.
"Go on then, speak."
"You are abusing your power." Kilya told him.
"Ha!" Paricia laughed. "Excuse me? Do you have any idea what you're talking about?"
"Yes, I do." She told him sternly. "You barely do anything for yourself these days - you have your clanmates feed you your grapes as if you can't eat it yourself. You've even started getting carried around on a palanquin! If that continues, I'm worried you'll start forgetting how to walk." She scoffed.
"And what is wrong with any of this?" He leaned back in his seat. "I'm the Guardian - the most powerful being in the world, isn't it right - after all I do - that I deserve some love and appreciation from my Clan?"
"You are turning your Clan into your own personal slaves." She glared.
"So what? They are powerless beings." Paricia smiled and shrugged.
Kilya stepped backwards in shock, refusing to believe the words that had just come out of her brother's mouth. "You do not seriously believe that."
"I'm a God among mortals - is it so wrong to want a little worship?"
"Stop-"
"There has been no Guardian such as I..."
"You've always been full of yourself - but you've never been this arrogant!" She snapped at him. "Everything - your title, these powers - it's turned you into a brat!"
"Ugh-" Paricia rolled his eyes. "You sound just like mother. If you're here to try to stand and lecture to me, then I am afraid that we're going to have a problem. I'm not going to sit and listen to it."
"Why not? Because you think you're better than me?"
"Oh Kilya, I know I'm better than you. I have more power than you could ever dream of."
"Power this! Power that! You're so-!"
With a snap of his fingers, Kilya suddenly disappeared. She repappeared within Lava Reef - far away from Paricia and the rest of her clan, forcing her to make a long trek back home - muttering under her breath the whole way through.
They ended up in the middle of nowhere - the land covered in a thick blanket of white.
Silver hopped off the train and sighed with disappointment. "More snow… I swear – everything in this place is water themed – one moment you're walking through the snowy landscape, the next minute you're saving your friend from drowning-"
"I saved myself." Shadow corrected him, walking ahead. "You just found me on the shore."
Silver stuck his tongue out at Shadow's back – a petty move he wouldn't have done if Shadow were able to see him.
"At least there's some trees around this time." Silver remarked, looking for the bright side – at least the hints of green among the leaves were interesting to look at rather than a white plain.
Silver looked between the other two and then let out a quiet sigh. He knew that they both weren't very talkative individuals, but it did feel like he was talking to a wall sometimes.
The hedgehog's gaze flitted around himself for entertainment – only for his mouth to hang open slightly at an unusual sight. "Hold up, are those apples purple?" He pointed upwards up at the trees. All of their gazes followed as they squinted up. Sure enough, Silver was right – there were purple apples hanging from the tree branches.
"Huh." Knuckles' mind seemed to be elsewhere.
Shadow, surprisingly, seemed to be a bit more curious. He reached up for a particularly low hanging branch – picking off one of the fruits.
To Knuckles and Silver's surprise, Shadow took a bite. There wasn't even a moment of hesitation.
As Shadow chewed slowly, they both watched as his face twisted into a grimace. Although, to give him credit, he committed and swallowed what he had in his mouth.
"Uhhhh…?" Silver raised a brow. "Are you sure that's safe?"
"Ultimate Life Form." Shadow replied, and it was all the explanation that was needed.
"Did it... taste good?" Silver asked hesitantly.
"No. Sour." Shadow threw the remains of the apple back over his head.
"Shame." Silver said, although anyone looking at him could tell that his mind was definitely debating whether he should try one himself. Thankfully, he decided not to.
Upon closer inspection, they weren't just in any random forest - but were rather walking upon a perfectly set path that was lined with trees that were neat in a row, almost planted like an organised orchard.
Silver only realised he had gotten lost in his thoughts when he heard Shadow call out from ahead. "I think we've found him."
Silver and Knuckles jogged over, both confused about how the guy with the shortest legs had managed to walk so far in front - but their train of thought was quickly disrupted.
Beyond, there was a large empty garden - but in the centre of it all there was a grand manor house. It loomed over them, and unusually - the entiere building seemed to have been painted in a matte black - with white paint highlighting any ridges and outline the doors and windows.
"Goth house..." Silver let out in wonder.
"Are we sure Tails is in there?" Knuckles asked.
"This is where the train took us." Shasow said. That train had yet to let them down, so what could change now?
"For too long - we have allowed those monsters from the surface to tramp all over us. For too long - they have had the entire planet to themselves, while we have sheltered away on our island above..." Paricia began to the Clan, standing on a podium in the middle of camp. Fires burned from the torches, lighting up the night sky.
"We are the most powerful species on Mobius!"
"AYE!" They chanted.
"We must take back the land that we've lost!"
"AYE!"
"We must make them fear us!"
"AYE!"
"We must make them understand... that only WE can be the true leaders of the world!"
"AYE, AYE, AYE!"
"You're idiots! All idiots!" Someone chanted from the crowd, an echidna - large in stature, his voice loud enough to boom over the cheers. "We were given this island as a means to protect oiur Clan - to ensure its safety as we live high above everyone else! Agreeing with this is going against our ancestors' will!"
"No." Paricia's eyes glowed green as he raised up his hands. "To defy me... is to defy our ancestors."
He snapped his fingers, and the echidna's body dropped to the ground - lifeless.
Kilya stared at the lifeless echidnas from the back of the crowd, a silence descending upon everyone. She knew she was going to be the only one that would bother to bury the body.
When Silver knocked on the door, he waited with bated breath.
It didn't take long until they all heard a click, and the door opened up – revealing a small crack that had a face peering through.
Silver's eyes immediately lit up.
"Blaze!"
The feline opened the door wider, surprised as she looked over the three. Her wary expression quickly faded away into a smile. "Silver." She greeted him. "It's so good to see you all… we were getting worried." She told them all.
Silver interrupted her with an abrupt hug as he threw his arms around her. She grunted in shock before returning the gesture and holding her friend close.
"You mentioned a 'we'?" Shadow questioned, despite reuniting with an ally – his frown was the same.
"Most of us are here." Blaze told him, pulling away from Silver's embrace. "Tails, Amy, Rouge, Omega, and I to be specific. We have yet to find the Chaotix or the rabbits… and, well – we have no idea what's happened to Sonic-" She began regretfully, ears drooped.
"He's fine, but we won't be seeing him for a while." Silver explained to her calmly. "We'll explain everything once everyone is in the same room, yeah?"
She broke into a smile of relief. "As long as you are certain he is okay."
"Providing he isn't being stupid." Shadow remarked dryly. He reached to the side of the two best friends – pushing the door open wider so he could squeeze past them. "Is everyone okay?" He asked her.
"Yes, we are all well… confused, but well. Rouge and Omega had gotten tired of waiting and were just ready to search for you… it would seem they needn't bother now. They're in the first room when you go up the stairs."
"Hm. Thank you." He at least acknowledged her help in giving the information he needed – but he was now quickly gone from the rest of the group.
"Let's get you two inside." Blaze said, stepping back and allowing Silver and Knuckles inside. The echidna was the last one in, and thus closed the door behind them.
"So, how long have you guys been here?"
"Basically, as soon as the Time Eater was used." Blaze explained. "Did you see all those paths leading to the mansion in the centre? We all find ourselves on a different one and simply met up in the middle. It is all rather strange…"
"I didn't notice all those paths actually, but... Hoo boy, you don't even know half of the weird stuff going on now." Silver told her. "This timeline is all crazy and broken…"
"Yet we all found ourselves so easily… I'm surprised it took you three so long."
Silver shrugged. "I'm not sure – all I know is that the other two guys have been kind of put through the wringer."
"Oh?" That remark caused Blaze to turn her head to Knuckles. "What happened?"
"It's a long story to get into…" Knuckles began, rubbing the back of his head.
Silver jumped in and nodded rapidly in agreement. "We'll talk about it later!" He assured her.
"I see... I hope you're all okay now..." Blaze said with some uncertainty, but she was largely grateful that her friends were just safe. "I believe Amy and Tails were in the dining hall last I checked." She mentioned, leading the way down the halls.
Silver gave a brief smile in Knuckles' direction, and Knuckles returned it. It would certainly be nice to see his friends again. He missed them.
"Blaze? Did you get to see who was at the-?"
Amy's head was peered around one of the doorways. She cut herself off, and her eyes twinkled as she made eye contact with the boys. She immediately darted out, gasping excitedly. "Knuckles! Silver!"
Knuckles froze while Silver waved. "Amy!" The hedgehog beamed.
Amy shot towards them like a bullet. She rammed herself straight into Knuckles, making both of them fall to the ground as she wrapped her arms around him in a tight bear hug. "I've missed yoouuu! Where have you been?!"
Even if the wind hadn't been knocked out of him, he would have been speechless regardless. He could only bring himself to return her embrace with shaky arms.
Silver smiled down at their reunion. "As we said to Blaze... it's a long story." Silver answered for him.
"Guys!" They heard Tails call out from the same place. He spun his tails, hovering quickly over to his friends. "We were getting worried! So glad you're both okay!" Since Knuckles was already occupied by a certain pink hedgehog, Tails opened his arms wide for Silver - and the two exchanged a warm hug that both of them had been in need of.
"Same to you! I mean, you guys are lucky - you've been chilling in a mansion this whole time!" Silver laughed.
"Eh, it kind of loses its charm after a while." The fox admitted with a soft chuckle, breaking away to allow them both to breathe. "But I'm sure things are about to get a whole lot more interesting with you two here."
"Has Silver been taking care of you?" Amy asked Knuckles, somehow squeezing the echidna even tighter.
"Uh... yeah, I guess-"
"Have you been looking after yourself?"
"Yeah-?"
"Would you like me to make you a cup of tea or coffee?"
"Um... don't worry about it." Knuckles.
"TEA OR COFFEE?!"
"TEA-!" Knuckles exclaimed in slight terror. Amy could truly be scary when she wanted to be...
Amy suddenly jumped up, letting go of Knuckles at last. "Tea it is!" She happily hummed.
Knuckles slowly stood up, and Tails was shaking his head slowly with amusement. When Knuckles had regained his breath, Tails skipped up to him and launched his own arms around him. Thankfully, he had considerably less strength than Amy.
Knuckles held him close - tight enough so that Tails would feel warm, but gentle enough as not to harm him. The echidna bit his lip to fight back a tear that threatened to escape. "You okay, kiddo?" Knuckles asked.
"All the better that you're here." Tails said genuinely, nuzzling his head into the echidna's chest. "I've missed having my bros around." He admitted with a slightly embarrassed laugh.
"I've missed you too." If Knuckles could, he would have liked to hold onto him forever.
Tails pulled away first, gazing into Knuckles' eyes. He watched the fox's eyes soften in worry. "Knuckles... are you okay?"
"Huh? Why wouldn't I be-?"
They both turned their heads, distracted by Amy's sudden loud, excited shouting. "Don't think I've forgotten about you, Silver!"
Silver gulped. "Hoo boy- ACK-!" He choked as Amy squeezed him. "My spine- My spiiiiine-!" Silver wheezed.
"I don't understand it, Kilya. I don't-" Paricia sobbed into her chest.
"I know."
"I'm trying to restore glory to the Clan... but in turn they start rebellions, coups! Is it even worth trying anymore-?" He asked her shakily.
"What do you think?" She rubbed his back slowly.
The two of them were sat on Paricia's bed, the older sibling for once turning to the younger one for comfort. Even though he thought of himself as some God, it certainly wasnt stopping him from feeling sorry for himself and crying into his sister's arms.
"I must erase... the tainted blood within our Clan, make it pure - no traitors!" He choked.
"I understand."
"That's what the voices want me to do..." He sniffed.
It was always them.
"It's okay... how about you get some rest, now?"
"W-will you watch over me?"
"Of course." She whispered, lowering her bother's body down so that he may rest his head on the flower bed. "It's okay."
"Don't let the traitors get to me-" He begged her.
"I won't."
"Please-"
"It's okay-"
His eyelids fluttered shut in the company of the one person he hoped he could trust. She was his younger sister, the inferior sibling - she would have no reason not to look up to all his accomplishments.
"Shhhhhh."
Paricia fell asleep quickly, he was certainly in need of some - she couldn't remember the last time she had seen him sleep.
Kilya watched the rise and fall of his chest.
Her eyes were dry when she pulled out her stone dagger, her emotions was steeled when she plunged it within her sleeping brother's heart, and her face betrayed no sign of grief nor pain.
It was simply... what had to be done.
Shadow knocked. "Can I come in?"
"Oh, now you show up." Rouge's voice could clearly be heard on the other side. Her tone was light and teasing - a familiar sound to once again hear after everything he had been through in the recent days.
He opened the door, stepping inside. There, he found Rouge sat on the large king-sized bed, Omega stood at the ready right by her. "Missed us?" Rouge grinned.
Shadow smirked. "Nope."
"Right back at ya." She winked at him.
"HAVE YOU COME TO TELL ME THERE IS AN ENEMY I CAN DESTROY?" Even with Omega's lack of tone, it was clear he was desperate to have some sort of fight.
"It's hard to say what or who exacly we're up against." Shadow said. "But I imagine there is likely a confronation to be had down the road."
"BUT I AM IMPATIENT."
"Tough."
Omega's shoulders slumped.
"Why are you all wet?" Rouge then asked, struggling to hide back her laughter as she looked at the dripping hedgehog. "Did you go for a swim, or-?"
"I drowned."
"How sad."
"Although there is more to it than that..." Shadow said. "But I believe that is a discussion to be had with everyone else as well."
"Saves you telling the same story over and over again." Rouge agreed with a nod. "Although in seriousness, I'm glad to have you back. I was kind of worried when everyone else all met up at the same time, but you weren't there."
"I don't even know why I ended up in my own predicament - but I am learning quickly that little makes sense here."
"You said it..." Rouge looked to the side. "The good thing is that you found your way here, though. We were just about to go out and look for you."
"So I heard."
"You know, your whole 'can't-waste-time attitude' must be wearing off on me or something..." Rouge said with amusment, until her expression quickly twisted into horrified. "Oh no - you? Wearing off on me?" She faked a gag. "That sucks..."
Shadow's face brimmed with smugness. "You're learning good habits."
"But I don't want to..." She whined.
"I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO LEAVING THIS PRISON." Omega interrupted.
"I don't think we'll be staying much longer." Shadow told him. "Just while we figure things out."
"Good luck with that one - even Tails has been stumped by this place. Everytime he thinks about it too hard, the poor kid is on the verge of a mental breakdown." Rouge said.
"You're exaggerating."
"Wait til you see it."
"Hmph." Shadow folded his arms. "Well, I pray that we may provide some useful information for him."
"We? Who's we?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Knuckles and Silver. We encountered each other before we arrived here." Shadow informed her.
Rouge's grin was wide, almost like a cheshire cat. "I get to poke fun at you, Knuckles, and Silver all in the same day? What a treat."
The hedgehog rolled his eyes, resisting the urge to smile. "Don't be a nuisance." He told her.
"BUT SHE IS ALWAYS A NUISANCE." Omega pointed out.
Rouge gasped, pretending to be offended. "Omega! How rude..."
"Hm. You have a point." Shadow achknowledged Omega's statement, humoring the two. "Now, let's get to being productive - shall we?" Shadow said, turning around without another word - leaving his two teammates to follow him back down the stairs.
There was a long meeting to be had.
Bet you weren't expecting the focus to be on the OG cast - but here we are with the beginning of arc 3! We learn of Kilya and how she was forced to kill her Guardian brother - the guy from last chapter - Paricia. Tikal has confessed the truth to Metal - and at last, the friends have reunited!
The structure for this arc is going to see things flipping and flopping - for example, Chapter A being out the OG cast, Chapter B being about new timeline alt cast, etc. It alternates each chapter. Although sometimes - you might get a couple of chapters focusing on the same group in a row, but generally you won't see both in the same chapter anymore - just letting ya'll know!It's great to be back - hope you all enjoyed this one! A lot of surprised in store for the arc to come that I hope you will enjoy and it's home to some of my favourite chapters in the whole fic!
As always, let me know your thoughts in a review! I always love to hear from ya'll. But for now, I'll see ya'll later ;)