Silver fell, panting, onto grass and scrambled up at once. They seemed to have landed in the corner of a field at dusk; Coral was already running in a circle around them, playing her Flute "Protego Totalum…Salvio Hexia…". Razor dropped the Chaos Emerald and reappeared "That treacherous old bastard!". He took a deep breath "Coral, you're a genius, a total genius, I can't believe we got out of that!" "Didn't I say it was Fire Breath Fuel. Didn't I tell him? And now his house has been blown apart!" Coral said after finally finished the protective spells. Razor checked a cut he had gotten on his leg "Serves him right. Aguamenti". A small jet of water came out of his dagger and used it to clean his wound "What d'you reckon they'll do to him?" "Oh, I hope they don't kill him! That's why I wanted the Nocturnus to get a glimpse of Silver before we left, so they knew Finny hadn't been lying!". Silver saw Razor give an indifferent shrug "They have his daughter, Razor. He was just desperate". Razor slowly nodded, looking guilty at his previous attitude. He then smiled at Coral "You're a genius" "Yeah, you are, Coral. I don't know what we'd do without you" Silver agreed. She beamed at them, but became solemn at once "What about Marine?" "Well, if they're telling the truth and she's still alive-" "Don't say that, don't say it! She must be alive. She has to!". Silver couldn't bear to think the alternative "She's probably on Prison Island. She'll be fine. Probably teaching the Prelates about the Prismatic Titan" "I hope you're right" said Coral.
They put up the tent and retreated inside it, where Razor made them tea. After their narrow escape, the chilly, musty old place felt like home safe, familiar, and friendly. After a few minutes of silence Coral groaned "Oh, why did we go there? Silver, you were right, it was Vigil's Hollow all over again, a complete waste of time! The Ixis Emeralds, what rubbish". Then she made an expression as if a thought suddenly hit her "Although, he might have made it all up? He probably doesn't believe in them at all, he just wanted to keep us talking until the Nocturnus arrived!". Razor shook his way "No, way he made that up. Didn't you see him. He looked close to breaking down. He couldn't have been thinking that fast on his feet" "Well, I don't suppose it matters. Even if he was being honest, I never heard such a lot of nonsense in all my life". Razor looked surprised "Hang on, though. The Chamber of Secrets was supposed to be a myth, wasn't it?" "But these can't exist, Razor!" "You keep saying that, but one of them can. Silver's Chaos Emerald". Coral seemed to not believe she was having this conversation "The Tale of the Three Brothers is a story. A story about how people are frightened of death. If surviving was as simple as hiding with a Chaos Emerald, we'd have everything we need already!" "I don't know. We could do with an unbeatable Talisman" said Silver. Coral sighed "Okay, even if you want to kid yourself that Master Emerald, what about the Sol Emerald? No magic can raise the dead, and that's that!" "When I fought You-Know-Who's, it made my mum and dad appear and Sonic".
Coral's expression changed, she was now considering what she was about to say with much more care "But they weren't really back from the dead, Silver? Those kinds of pale imitations aren't the same as truly bringing someone back to life" "But the girl in the tale, didn't really come back, did she? The story says that once people are dead, they belong with the dead. But the second brother still got to see her and talk to her, didn't he? He even lived with her for a while" Silver could hear his voice getting louder. He noticed Razor and Coral now staring at him fearfully. He hastily changed the subject to sound sane "So that Galahad bloke who's buried in Vigil's Hollow, you don't know anything about him, then?". Coral looked relieved "No, I looked him up after I saw the mark on his grave; if he'd been anyone famous or done anything important, I'm sure he'd be in one of our books. The only place I've managed to find the name 'Galahad' is Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy. I borrowed it from Ghana. It lists the pure-blood families that are now extinct in the male line. Apparently Galahad was part of the Rapi family. They were one of the earliest families to vanish". And then it came to Silver in one shining piece, the memory that had stirred at the sound of the name "Rapi?". A filthy old man brandishing an ugly ring in the face of a Ministry official, and he cried aloud "Fajar!" "Sorry?" said Razor and Coral together. Silver was now on his feet "Fajar! You-Know-Who's grandfather! In the Phantom Gem! Fajar said he was descended from the Rapi family!". Razor and Coral looked bewildered "The ring, the ring that became the Core Shard, Fajar said it had the Rapi coat of arms on it! I saw him waving it in the bloke from the Ministry's face. But I couldn't get close enough to see it".
Coral and Razor both had sudden looks of comprehension "Blimey, you reckon it was this sign again?" "Why not? Fajar was an ignorant old git, all he cared about was his ancestry. If that ring had been passed down through the centuries, he might not have known what it really was. There were no books in that house, and trust me, he wasn't the type to read fairy tales to his kids. He'd have loved to think the scratches on the stone were a coat of arms, because as far as he was concerned, having pure blood made you practically royal". Coral looked less excited than Razor "Yes and that's all very interesting but Silver, if you're thinking what I think you're think-" "Well, why not? Why not? I saw the Emerald in the ring when Locke was wearing it. It was the same shape as the Sol Emerald in the symbol?". Razor's mouth fell open "Blimey, but would it still work if Locke broke-" "Work? Work? Razor, it never worked! There's no such thing as a Sol Emerald!". Coral had leapt to her feet, looking exasperated and angry "Silver, you're trying to fit everything into the story" "Fit everything in? Coral, it fits in on its own! I know the symbol was on that Emerald! Fajar said he was descended from the Rapi family!". Silver's imagination was racing ahead, far beyond Razor and Coral's. Three objects which, if united, will make the possessor master of Death. And he saw himself, possessor of them, facing Finitevus, whose Core Shards were no match. Neither can live while the other survives. Was this the answer? Was there a way, after all, to ensure that he was the one who triumphed? If he were the master of Death, would he be safe "Silver?" Coral said. But Silver scarcely heard her. He had pulled out his Emerald. He had never seen anything to equal it in his nearly seven years in the Wizarding world. The Emerald was exactly what Finny had described. An Emerald that really and truly renders the user completely invisible, and endures eternally, giving constant and impenetrable concealment, no matter what spells are cast at it. And then, with a gasp, he remembered "Locke had my Emerald the night my parents died!". His voice shook and he could feel the colour in his face, but he did not care "My mum told Elias that Locke borrowed it! This is why! He wanted to examine it, because he thought it was the true Chaos Emerald! Galahad is buried in Vigil's Hollow".
Silver was walking blindly around the tent, feeling as though great new vistas of truth were opening all around him "He's my ancestor! I'm descended from the third brother! It all makes sense!". He felt armed in certainty, in his belief in the Ixis Emeralds, as if the mere idea of possessing them was giving him protection, and he felt joyous as he turned back to the other two. Coral again tried to answer carefully "Silver-" "Coral, why else would he want it. Locke could create a Chaos Emerald easily, he wouldn't need to borrow one. And then there's…". He reached into the pouch Big had given him and took the Ga. He stared at it like it was pure gold and then shouted "IT'S IN HERE! He left me the Sol Emerald. It's in the Ga!" "You-You reckon?" Razor said. Silver could not understand why Razor looked taken aback. It was so obvious, so clear to Silver. Everything fit, everything. He has the Chaos Emerald, then when he discovered how to open the Ga he would have the Sol Emerald, and then all he needed to do was find the Master Emerald and then…. But it was as though a curtain fell on a lit stage. All his excitement, all his hope and happiness were extinguished at a stroke, and he stood alone in the darkness, and the glorious spell was broken "That's what he's after". The change in his voice made Razor and Coral look even more scared "You-Know-Who's after the Master Emerald". He turned his back on their strained, incredulous faces. He knew it was the truth. It all made sense. Finitevus must be looking for something very old if tracking it down was so difficult.
Silver walked to the entrance of the tent, forgetting about Razor and Coral as he looked out into the night, thinking. Finitevus had been raised in a Muggle orphanage. Nobody could have told him the story when he was a child, any more than Silver had heard them. Hardly any wizards believed in the story. Was it likely that Finitevus knew about them? Silver gazed into the darkness. If Finitevus had known about the Ixis Emeralds, surely he would have sought them, done anything to possess them. Three objects that made the possessor master of Ixis himself? If he had known about the them, he might not have needed Core Shards in the first place. Didn't the simple fact that he had taken the Sol Emerald, and turned it into a Core Shard, demonstrate that he did not know this last great Wizarding secret? Which meant that Finitevus sought the Master Emerald without realizing its full power, without understanding that it was one of three for it was the one that couldn't be hidden. Silver watched the cloudy sky, curves of smoke-grey and silver sliding over the face of the white moon. He felt lightheaded with amazement at his discoveries. He turned back into the tent. It was a shock to see Razor and Coral standing exactly where he had left them, Coral still holding Tikal's letter, Razor at her side looking slightly anxious. Didn't they realize how far they had travelled in the last few minutes "This is it. This explains everything". Coral looked to Razor "You don't believe in this, do you?". Razor hesitated and glanced at both of them "I dunno, I mean…Bits of it sort of fit together. But when you look at the whole thing…". He took a deep breath "I think we're supposed to get rid of the Core Shards, Silver. That's what Locke told us to do. Maybe…Maybe we should forget about this Ixis business" "Thank you, Razor. I'll take first watch" Coral said. She strode past Silver and sat down in the tent entrance, bringing the action to a fierce full stop. But Silver hardly slept that night. The idea of the Ixis Emeralds had taken possession of him, and he could not rest while agitating thoughts whirled through his mind.
The Master Emerald, the Sol Emerald and the Chaos Emerald, if he could just possess them all. "I open at the close". But what was 'the close'? Why couldn't he have the Sol Emerald now? If only he had it, he could ask Locke these questions in person and Silver murmured words to the Ga in the darkness, trying everything, even Parseltongue, but it would not open. And then there was the Master Emerald, where was that hidden? Where was Finitevus searching now? Silver wished his scar would burn and show him Finitevus' thoughts, because for the first time ever, he and Finitevus were united in wanting the very same thing. Coral would not like that idea, of course. But then, she did not believe. It was nearly dawn when he remembered Marine, alone in a cell on Prison Island, surrounded by Prelates, and he suddenly felt ashamed of himself. He had forgotten all about her in his feverish contemplation. If only they could rescue her; but Prelates in those numbers would be virtually unassailable. Now he came to think about it, he had not yet tried casting a Patronus with his new Talismans. He must try that in the morning. If only there was a way of getting a better one. And desire for the Master Emerald swallowed him once more.
They packed up the tent next morning and moved on through a dreary shower of rain. The downpour pursued them to the coast, where they pitched the tent that night, and persisted through the whole week, through sodden landscapes that Silver found bleak and depressing. He could think only of the Ixis Emeralds. It was as though a flame had been lit inside him that nothing, not Coral's flat disbelief nor Razor's persistent doubts, could extinguish. And yet the fiercer the longing for the Emeralds burned inside him, the less joyful it made him. He blamed Razor and Coral. Their determined indifference was as bad as the relentless rain for dampening his spirits, but neither could erode his certainty, which remained absolute. Silver's belief in and longing for the Ixis Emeralds consumed him so much that he felt quite isolated from the other two and their obsession with the Core Shards. One night when Silver was careless enough to use the word Coral had gotten quite fierce "Obsession!? We're not the ones with an obsession, Silver! We're the ones trying to do what Locke wanted us to do!". But he was impervious to the veiled criticism. Locke had left the sign of the Emeralds for Coral to decipher, and he had also, Silver remained convinced of it, left the Sol Emerald hidden in the Ga. Neither can live while the other survives. Master of Death. Why didn't Razor and Coral understand? "'The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death'" Silver quoted calmly. "I thought it was You-Know-Who we were supposed to be fighting?" Coral retorted, and Silver gave up on her. Even the mystery of the Chaos Patronus, which the other two insisted on discussing, seemed less important to Silver now, a vaguely interesting sideshow.
The only other thing that mattered to him was that his head had begun to prickle again, although he did all he could to hide this fact from the other two. He sought solitude whenever it happened, but was disappointed by what he saw. The visions he and Finitevus were sharing had changed in quality; they had become blurred, shifting as though they were moving in and out of focus. Silver was just able to make out the indistinct features of an object that looked like a skull, and something like a mountain that was more shadow than substance. Used to images sharp as reality, Silver was disconcerted by the change. He was worried that the connection between himself and Finitevus had been damaged, a connection that he both feared and, whatever he had told Coral, prized. As the weeks crept on, Silver could not help but notice, even through his new self-absorption, that Razor seemed to be taking charge. Perhaps because he was determined to make up for having walked out on them, perhaps because Silver's descent into listlessness galvanized his dormant leadership qualities, Razor was the one now encouraging and exhorting the other two into action. He kept saying "Three Shards left. We need a plan of action, come on! Where haven't we looked? Let's go through it again". The Orphanage, Avalon, Soleanna, the Tund House, Totem and Prank's, Poley Forest, every place that they knew Sam Tund had ever lived or worked, visited or murdered, Razor and Coral raked over them again, Silver joining in only to stop Coral pestering him.
He would have been happy to sit alone in silence, trying to read Finitevus' thoughts, to find out more about the Master Emerald, but Razor insisted on journeying to ever more unlikely places simply, Silver was aware, to keep them moving. These frequent forays into Wizarding territory brought them within occasional sight of Destructix "Some of them are supposed to be as bad as Nocturnus. The lot that got me were a bit pathetic, but Bill reckons some of them are really dangerous. They said on Hedgehog Watch-" "On what?" said Silver. Razor hit himself over the head "Oh, I forgot. Hedgehog watch, I didn't tell you that's what it was called? The program I keep trying to get on the radio, the only one that tells the truth about what's going on! Nearly all the programs are following You-Know-Who's line, all except Hedgehog Watch. I really want you to hear it, but it's tricky tuning in". Razor spent evening after evening using his dagger to beat out various rhythms on top of the wireless while the dials whirled. Occasionally they would catch snatches of advice on how to treat dragon pox, and once a few bars of a song. While he tapped, Razor continued to try to hit on the correct password, muttering strings of random words under his breath "They're normally something to do with the Order. Ash had a real knack for guessing them. I'm bound to get one in the end".
But not until March did luck favour Razor at last. Silver was sitting in the tent entrance, on guard duty, staring idly at a clump of grape hyacinths that had forced their way through the chilly ground, when Razor shouted excitedly from inside the tent "I've got it, I've got it! Password was 'Locke'! Get in here, Silver!". Roused for the first time in days from his contemplation of the Emeralds, Silver hurried back inside the tent to find Razor and Coral kneeling on the floor beside the little radio. Coral, who had been polishing Excalibur just for something to do, was sitting open-mouthed, staring at the tiny speaker, from which a most familiar voice was issuing "We apologize for our temporary absence from the airwaves, which was due to a number of house calls in our area by those charming Nocturnus". Coral smiled "Is that Manic?" "Yeah, cool, eh?" Razor said. Manic continued "We now found ourselves another secure location, and I'm pleased to tell you that two of our regular contributors have joined me here this evening. Evening, boys!" "Hi" "Evening, White" the two people said. "White's Manic. They've all got code names" Razor clarified. Manic then said "Before we hear from Wills and Dreier, let's take a moment to report those deaths that the Wizarding Wireless Network News and Daily Prophet don't think important enough to mention. It is with great regret that we inform our listeners of the murders of Simon the Echidna and Errol Blackthorn".
Silver felt a sick, swooping in his belly. He, Razor, and Coral gazed at one another in horror "A goblin by the name of Roubal was also killed. It is believed that Muggle-born Marcos the Wolf and a second goblin called Grack both believed to have been traveling with the three victims, may have escaped. If Marcos is listening, or if anyone has any knowledge of his whereabouts, his parents and sisters are desperate for news. Meanwhile, a Muggle family of five has been found dead in their home. Muggle authorities are attributing the deaths to a gas leak, but members of the Order of the Wisp inform me that it was the Killing Curse, more evidence, as if it were needed, of the fact that Muggle slaughter is becoming little more than a recreational sport under the new regime. Finally, we regret to inform our listeners that the remains of Siwa-Ra have been discovered in Vigil's Hollow. The evidence is that she died several months ago. The Order of the Wisp informs us that her body showed unmistakable signs of injuries inflicted by Dark Magic. Listeners, I'd like to invite you now to join us in a minute's silence in memory of Simon, Errol, Siwa, Roubal, and the unnamed, but no less regretted, Muggles murdered by the Nocturnus".
Silence fell, and Silver, Razor, and Coral did not speak. Half of Silver yearned to hear more, half of him was afraid of what might come next. It was the first time he had felt fully connected to the outside world for a long time "Thank you. And now we turn to regular contributor Will, for an update on how the new Wizarding order is affecting the Muggle world". The next voice was unmistakably Espio the Chameleon's "Thanks, White. Muggles remain ignorant of the source of their suffering as they continue to sustain heavy casualties. However, we continue to hear truly inspirational stories of wizards and witches risking their own safety to protect Muggle friends and neighbours, often without the Muggles' knowledge. I'd like to appeal to all our listeners to emulate their example, perhaps by casting a protective charm over any Muggle dwellings in your street. Many lives could be saved if such simple measures are taken" "And what would you say, Wills, to those listeners who reply that in these dangerous times, it should be Wizards first?" asked Manic. There was a pause as Espio considered his answer "I'd say that it's one short step from Wizards first to Purebloods first, and then to Nocturnus. Muggles, Wizards, Mobians and humans. Every life is worth saving" "Excellently put, Wills, and you've got my vote for Minister of Magic if ever we get out of this mess. And now, over to Dreier for our popular feature 'Pals of Silver'". The next voice, much to Silver's relief, was Knuckles the Echidna "Thanks, White" "Firstly, I'd like to ask is do you maintain, as you have every time you've appeared on our program, that Silver the Hedgehog is still alive?" "I do. There is no doubt at all in my mind that his death would be proclaimed as widely as possible by the Nocturnus if it had happened, because it would strike a deadly blow at the morale of those resisting the new regime. 'The Boy Who Lived' remains a symbol of everything we're fighting for. The triumph of good, the power of innocence, the need to keep resisting".
A mixture of gratitude and shame welled up in Silver. Had Knuckles forgiven him, then, for the terrible things he had said when they had last met "And what would you say to Silver if you knew he was listening, Knuckles?" "I'd tell him we're all with him in spirit. And I'd tell him to follow his instincts, which are good and nearly always right". Silver managed a small laugh and then had to wipe his eyes. Razor smiled at Coral who was also in tears "Su visited Ash's place when I was there. She's gotten quite big. Knuckles is staying with her". Silver smiled at patted Razor on the back. Manic then moved on to the next announcement "And our usual update on those friends of Silver the Hedgehog's who are suffering for their allegiance? Well, as regular listeners will know, several of the more outspoken supporters of Silver the Hedgehog have now been imprisoned, including Finny the Mongoose, erstwhile editor of The Lighthouse. We have also heard within the last few hours that Big the Cat…". All three of them gasped, and so nearly missed the rest of the sentence "Well-known gamekeeper at Soleanna School, has narrowly escaped arrest within the grounds, where he is rumoured to have hosted a 'Support Silver the Hedgehog' party in his house. However, Big was not taken into custody, and is, we believe, on the run. I suppose it helps, when escaping from Nocturnus, if you've got a sixteen-foot-high half brother" he joked. Knuckles then spoke "It would tend to give you an edge. May I just add that while we here at Hedgehog Watch applaud Big's spirit, we would urge even the most devoted of Silver's supporters against following Big's lead. 'Support Silver the Hedgehog' parties are unwise in the present climate" "Indeed they are, Drier, so we suggest that you continue to show your devotion to the man with the changing eyes by listening to Hedgehog watch! And now let's move to news concerning the wizard who is proving just as elusive as Silver the Hedgehog. We like to refer to him as the Chief Nocturnus, and here to give his views on some of the more insane rumours circulating about him, I'd like to introduce a new correspondent, Rodent". The next voice Silver was sure was Mighty the Armadillo's "I told you I'm not being Rodent. I wanna be Blockhead Bill".
Manic sighed "Fine, Bill, can you tell us about the Chief Nocturnus?" "Yes, White, I can. As our listeners will know, unless they've taken refuge at the bottom of a garden pond or somewhere similar, You-Know-Who's strategy of remaining in the shadows is creating a nice little climate of panic. Mind you, if all the alleged sightings of him are genuine, we must have a good nineteen You-Know-Who's running around the place". Espio then spoke "Which suits him, of course. The air of mystery is creating more terror than actually showing himself" "Agreed. So, people, let's try and calm down a bit. Things are bad enough without inventing stuff as well. For instance, this new idea that You-Know-Who can kill with a single glance from his eyes. That's an Iblis Snake, listeners. One simple test, check whether the thing that's glaring at you has got legs. If it has, it's safe to look into its eyes, although if it really is You-Know-Who, that's still likely to be the last thing you ever do". For the first time in weeks and weeks, Silver was laughing. He could feel the weight of tension leaving him "There's also been sightings of him abroad. Well, who wouldn't want a nice little holiday after all the hard work he's been putting in? Point is, people, don't get lulled into a false sense of security, thinking he's out of the country. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but the fact remains he can move faster than Infinite the Jackal confronted with shampoo when he wants to, so don't count on him being a long way away if you're planning on taking any risks. I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but safety first!".
Manic then returned "Thank you very much for those wise words, Bill, that brings us to the end of another Hedgehog watch. We don't know when it will be possible to broadcast again, but you can be sure we shall be back. Keep twiddling those dials. The next password will be Striker. Stay safe but stay strong. Good night". The radio's dial twirled and the lights behind the tuning panel went out. Silver, Razor, and Coral were still beaming. Hearing familiar, friendly voices was an extraordinary tonic; Silver had become so used to their isolation he had nearly forgotten that other people were resisting Finitevus. It was like waking from a long sleep. "Good, eh?" said Razor happily. Coral was staring at the radio admiringly "Brilliant. It's so brave of them. If they were found" "Well, they keep on the move, don't they? Like us". Silver stared at the radio too but for a different reason. Now that the broadcast was over his mind had returned to its obsession "But did you hear what Mighty said? He's abroad! He's still looking for the Master Emerald, I knew it!" "Silver-" "Come on, Coral, why are you so determined not to admit it? Finite-" "SILVER, NO!" Razor yelled. But before Silevr could stop himself "-Vus is after…". Silver's eyes widened with horror, what has he done? Razor jumped to his feet "Hurry! It takes down enchantments. We have to put them back around the tent!". But Razor stopped talking, and Silver knew why. The Chaos Ring on the table had lit up and begun to spin; they could hear voices coming nearer and nearer, rough, excited voices. Razor pulled the Onyx and their lamps went out. They heard a voice outside "Come out of there with your hands up! We know you're in there! You've got half a dozen Talismans pointing at you and we don't care who we curse!".