The city of Soleanna hardly looked any different than it did over 200 years ago.
The beautiful island-city-state still kept settled upon the shallow lagoon that its ancestors settled upon centuries before. Beautiful limestone architecture reached into the heavens, untouched by humanity's growing technology. A warm summer breeze swept through the kingdom and the touch of salty water blew through the narrow canals and passageways of the kingdom as delicious aromatic food wafted through the air with it. Through the narrow canals, gondolas drifted through the calm waters as tourists sat upon the traditional boats that carried them aimlessly through the waters. Their eyes sparkling up at the traditional buildings and snapping photographs as the gondolier pushed them through the shallow waters.
Jeckt stopped upon one of the arching bridges, taking a moment to stare down at a gondola that passed below. A shy hand waving down at the tourists as they waved back at him. A small smile kept.
Silver couldn't help but pause over the bridge, staring down with Jeckt. He waved as well down at them, and couldn't help but feel a sense of dejavu wash over him at the action. An ill expression crossed over his face as he pushed himself away from the bridge's edge, a frown over his face.
"Sea sick just looking at it?" Sonic quipped as he trotted up to the two of them. He held in his hand some gelato, offering the cups in his hands to Jeckt and Silver. "Didn't think you'd get sea sick of all people. With your powers and all."
Silver rolled his eyes, taking the cup from Sonic's hands. "I've ridden them before."
"Sure, sure." Sonic waved his hand. "Just that look on your face." He gave a bit of a laugh as he pointed a finger towards Silver. "Kind of just reminds me of the look I'd make if someone told me go swim."
Silver gave a sigh as he used his powers to pick up one of the spoons that Sonic held. There was no point in hiding what he could do, now especially that everyone already knew who he was (or, best of all, most people didn't really care). Jeckt couldn't help but still stare wide eyed at the movement, curious as to how his powers manifested.
"It's so cool that you can do that!" he turned on his heel to stare at Silver, mouth full of gelato. "Could you teach me?"
Sonic gave a chuckle, "Not sure if it's something that could be taught." He turned to look at Silver, a hand rubbing over his chin. "You were born with them, right?"
Silver nodded his head slowly, spoon in his mouth. He took it out with his hand, scooping another chunk of gelato. "Honestly, I'm a bit surprised you weren't as shocked when you saw my powers."
There was a shrug in response. "Once you've seen Blaze and Shadow, nothing really shocks me anymore."
He couldn't argue with that response.
Silver's gaze took from Sonic and Jeckt, staring back out through the narrow canal. So much had changed in those 200 years, yet the old city of Soleanna seemed to have kept exactly the same. The people, the buildings, the atmosphere. It was strange that this place had seemed to have a perpetual time bubble around it that made everything seem almost unaffected to time. It was if almost stuck in some sort of trance between spaces.
Between the buildings, a vista of the sea opened before them. The sun glimmered gentle against the ocean, and the coolness of the ocean breeze flowed through the group. Much cooler than the desert of Shamar, even as the dead Summer's sun beat against their brow.
Yet through the illusion of peace between the old buildings laid a sinister shadow. Within the mirage of the waves lay a G.U.N. naval ship. Large and foreboding. An unmistakable shadow within the ocean, and over Soleanna.
It was obvious to the group when they arrived in the old city of Soleanna. But their eyes attempted to shy from it. Jeckt was unsuspecting of the ship, whilst Sonic, Tails, and Silver kept a hard stare on it. Suspiciously, no G.U.N. soldier was in sight. And most police or soldiers of Soleanna left the four of them alone. Perhaps they knew and did nothing to stop them. The uncertainty of the situation created an air of tension.
"Does Tails need help with moving any supplies?" Silver turned back to Sonic. His gaze breaking away from the naval ship.
Sonic gave a shrug. "He hasn't called yet." Sonic's hand went for the phone that Tails had provided him. A yellow brick of technology. "I'm sure he'll give us a ring once he's ready."
The three of them began to walk, enjoying the peace whilst it lasted. Jeckt stared wide eyed at his new surroundings, peering into every shop he could to spy at the people within. Though a prince, there was a comfort in watching a child be a child in the dire situation that they had landed the boy in.
"Any sign of the Chaos Emerald here?" They stopped beside Jeckt as he peered down another bridge. Watching the murky water.
Sonic shook his head. "Nada."
"Hm-m-m-m-m." Jeckt hummed with the spoon in his mouth. "It's probably hidden like ours was. You know, they're supposed to have this huge festival this time of year."
Both Sonic and Silver turned to stare at Jeckt quizzically. "A festival?" Sonic stared with sudden interest. "Tell me more!"
"It's supposed to give homage to their god. It has to do with the Summer Solstice. I don't think we missed it." Jeckt tipped his head back and forth, watching a gondola pass by. "They use their Chaos Emerald in the festival. I've always watched it on the television!" The bobbing of his head slowed, and his expression became sorrowful as memories of his parents wafted through his mind. "I always wanted to go with mom and dad…"
It was typical on the trip. The happiness would be bright and beautiful, to be so quickly replaced with sorrow—and sometimes rage.
Silver placed a hand on Jeckt's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Don't worry. There will be plenty of time to make those memories with them."
A smile broke through the sadness. But Silver was unsure if it was only made to reassure him instead.
"Guess they'll show their Chaos Emerald and that will be the best time to strike and steal it." Sonic punched his hand with a determined look on his face, quickly changing the subject before the sorrow seeped further. "We'll swoop in, snatch it, then get outta dodge.
"Adding theft onto the list of crimes?" Silver gave a smile.
"Got a better idea?"
Silver paused, thinking for a moment. "Kidnapping an important official?"
Jeckt stared at the two of them, shocked. "That's even worse!" he blurted.
There was a silence as the two of them as they turned to stare at Jeckt. A smirk was plain on Sonic's face as he turned back to Silver, speaking almost nonchalantly he stated: "Well…. We could just trade him for the Chaos Emerald. I guess he is like a political prisoner."
Silver gave a laugh, but Jeckt stamped his foot taking the comment much too seriously. He shook his head vehemently upon hearing this.
"No way!" Quickly, he broke from the bridge's railings. "You gotta catch me first!"
With a swift motion, Jeckt threw the Extreme Gear tucked in his arm onto the ground, and hopped upon it. Before the two could stop him, he sped between the buildings with shouts from annoyed tourists and citizens following.
Sonic shot Silver a look, before giving him a shrug and sped off towards the youth. And Silver was left alone as a rush of wind swept through his quills generated by the speed of the two that departed much too quickly. Silver gave a sigh, then a smile, before he broke into a run of his own, chasing down the two of them.
There was a strange sense of familiarity as he ran through the cobbled stones of Soleanna. The people and buildings seem so much similar to a time he could hardly grasp in his hands. People passed him by, and though the faces were different, the atmosphere of it held the same. But something about it felt empty.
It did not take long for Silver to catch up to Jeckt. The boy had stopped to stare into one of the shops, lost in thought at what his eyes had gleamed. Feathered fingers pressed against the glass, as near-sparkled eyes stared absent mindlessly into the store hardly giving Silver any second look. Silver slowed his pace as he slid beside the restless child, and his gaze followed Jeckt's enamored stare into the glass. He half expected to see some sort of toy or radiant object in the store front, but was shocked to see a leather jacket emblazed with fire.
"Wo-o-o-o-o-w." Jeckt gasped as he stared at the jacket.
It was obvious that the jacket was well made, most likely handmade by the shop owner himself whom gave a smile from further in the shop. An older fellow native to Soleanna.
A gust of wind past them, and before long Sonic halted just beside the two of them that stared into the shop.
"Found ya!" Sonic gave a smile. "Oh? What's that?" his eyes trailed to stare at the same jacket they all gawked at. "Hah, found yourself a souvenir?"
"It's so cool~!" Jeckt murmured as he pressed his face closer to the glass. "It even has the same type of flames Jet tattooed on himself!" He turned back to the two of them, a finger pointed towards the sleeves. "Could I have it? Ple-e-e-e-e-e-e-ase? Pretty please!?"
Sonic gave a glance towards Silver. Already handing the baggage of denial off to the other hedgehog.
Silver peered into the store shop again. It was with a gentle tug of his powers that he flung the price tag into a more viewable position. And the price made his heart nearly fall to his stomach. Sonic gave a low whistle at the price, and he even cringed at the price. Both could only hope that Jeckt was already tempered enough with denials from his parents.
"We really can't afford it," Silver began as he stared back to Jeckt. The cheer to his face became saddened. But strangely, this very moment gave him a nauseating sense of dejavu once more. "Maybe another time—"
"Please?" Jeckt said again, his hands clasped together in a begging fashion. "I promise I'll be on my best behavior for the rest of the trip. For… For forever even!"
"I think I gotta agree with Silver on this," Sonic nodded his head. "Wa-a-a-a-a-y out of our budget range. I think we'd be broke for years if we took a loan on this."
There was another silence as Jeckt stared between both Sonic and Silver, then hung his head in defeat. But the two could see tears brim at the edge of his eyes. Then more came spiraling down as the child burst into a sobbing fit of wails. The two hedgehogs stared at one another, confused, and poorly equipped to handle the situation that was developing.
"H-Hey!" Sonic tried to provide a smile, kneeling down at Jeckt's level. "We can get you the jacket, but maybe not right now. Maybe some other time?"
But Jeckt had become inconsolable. He rubbed at his eyes, a sob blubbering from his lips. "If my mom or dad were here, they'd be able to get this for me!"
At once the situation had become clear to the two of them. It wasn't about the jacket. It was his parents. A difficult pill to swallow for the two of them.
"You'll be back with them soon!" Silver perked up, joining Sonic as he knelt beside Jeckt. "And then you guys will come back to Soleanna and watch the festival together with them!" There was an awkward smile, unsure if he was making this all better or worse.
The commotion had drawn eyes to them, and the two 'adults' tried their best to console the boy. They padded him, tried to say anything they could to calm his nerves, but all was deaf as Jeckt continued to sob.
Neither had realized how much time had passed as they continued to console the weeping child. Unbeknownst to them, a stranger had approached the three. "Excuse me…" An older man, the very same that had sat within the shop, stood at the store's door staring down at the three of them.
Silver perked his head up, assuming the worst out of the situation he exclaimed: "Sorry! We'll move out of the way!" He ushered Jeckt upward, but was stopped as the storekeeper shook his head.
"No. No. Please, stay." He held a hand up, beckoning the three inside. His accent was thick, hardly discernable, but still communicative. "Come in."
The two hedgehogs shot each other a confused stare, before they managed to gather Jeckt together and pull him gently inside the building. A feat only manageable thanks to the allure of the jacket within. Inside, the interior of the store looked old and had the smell of a workshop. Strips of leather was strewn about behind the counter, and further back an open door revealed the workshop proper. Strewn over the walls were bags and coats of all different types. A pungent smell of fresh leather wafted through the air, with a hint of espresso and the ocean salt.
"Your boy is in love with the jacket," the man joked as he went around the counter. "Let him try it on." He made a motion with his hand towards it.
Both Sonic and Silver gawked at the offer, and before either could reply, Jeckt's face lit up like a match.
"Huh!?" he squawked. The tears had quickly disappeared. "Really?"
The man nodded his head. And before anyone was able to protest, the boy scrambled towards the jacket. Silver was the first to react, turning towards Jeckt in a rush before the boy was able to hurt himself on the mannequin. Before long, Silver's help was drafted and he went about helping the boy into the fine leather.
Whilst the two busied themselves, Sonic approached the counter the man lounged against, a smile tight against worn features.
"Appreciate the help. But we really can't afford it." Sonic glanced towards Silver who spread the jacket apart, assisting Jeckt's arms through the sleeves.
The man shook his head. "Do not worry about that."
"We can't afford a loan either." Sonic smiled dryly.
The man shook his head again.
Before Sonic was able to reply, the man clapped his hands together as his eyes sparkled. He turned behind him, and watched as Jeckt spun around with the jacket on. The fit was somewhat loose, and undoubtably the child would grow into it, but the style matched with something that Sonic could see Jet himself wear. Silently, he had to thank the unseen forces that Jeckt didn't inherit the personality of his great-great-great-and-something-grandfather.
"I love it!" Jeckt exclaimed as he spun around with his arms out.
The man kept the smile. "You can have it."
Both Sonic and Silver stared confused. But Jeckt had already burst into a jump, nearly looking as if the boy was going to explode with emotions. "Are you serious!?" His smile was wide, and if he could, it would have spread even further across his face.
The man nodded once more.
Silver approached, shocked and not quite convinced of the man's charity. "Wait, wait, wait." He waved his hands in front of him, shaking his head as if not hearing the man clearly the first time. "You're going to give this to us for free?"
The man nodded again. The smile still there.
"Why?" Silver raised a brow.
The man paused for a moment. His hands rubbing the worn wooden countertop. Thoughts wandering. "Everyone here knows who you are. You were the ones that escaped Halyceon and Babylon. We know what the international news says about you, but we know from the stories who you really are. Many of us do not have much to give, and I want to pay you all for your good deeds to come by giving you something. You saved the boy from that fire, and I can see the sadness in his eyes. If this helps make the pain go away, I want him to have it."
All of them turned to stare at Jeckt who's attention still kept to the jacket.
"But are you sure?" Silver pressed in a low voice. "We can hardly repay you."
"Saving a boy's life is a good deed done. No matter what the news says."
Sonic approached the conversation, his voice low as well. "What do they say?"
The owner rolled his eyes as he pulled back from the counter, a sigh. "All the same. They tell us you caused such fire. But no one here in Soleanna is an idiot. Babylonia are good people. Good friends. We know a lie when we hear it." He tapped on his ear as if to make a point. There was a pause as he pressed his hands back to the counter, narrowing his eyes to the uncertainty of the two hedgehogs that stood before him. "I see you still do not believe me. Then do this to repay me: Take the boy to the festival in a few days. Every child enjoys it!"
"That shouldn't be too hard," Sonic shrugged with a smile as he pulled away from the counter.
"You're really sure?" Silver pressed again.
"Ah, now I know you do good deeds." The man gave a hearty laughter. "I could pick pocket you a gift and you'd still try to return it."
A blush crossed Silver's face as Sonic gave a laugh with him. He waved his hand to the side, embarrassment reaching the tip of his ears. "Alright, alright. I get it." He stepped down from the counter, turning his gaze towards Jeckt that posed in front of a mirror now. "I guess I'm not used to being treated so nice like this in the future. I expected a bit more hostility with how G.U.N. has been acting towards us."
The old man leaned further against the counter, staring at the boy who seemed to fall deeper in love with the jacket. "I do not know the situation that you have all landed yourselves in. But my wish is that you may be able to pave the way for a better tomorrow for all of us."
There was a familiarity in those words as Silver listened to them. The dejavu returned, and his head almost begun to spin. He watched Jeckt pose in front of the mirror. But the reflection in it was not what he expected to be. There were flames in that mirror, and burning inside was a girl draped in black leather. Her stare hardened as she looked straight at Silver.
But the illusion was broken as Jeckt hurriedly ran towards the man. His face brimming as he tried to lift himself up on the counter to get a better look at the man. "Oh-h-h-h. Thank you! Thank you! I'll love this forever! I'll be sure to come back with mom and dad!"
Stuck in a trance for a second too long, Silver pushed himself away from the counter. He took several steps forward to the center of the shop before turning on his heel to face the man again. A smile. "Thank you, for all your help."
The shopkeeper waved his hand side to side. "Think nothing of it. You are friends. I know this. We all think of you as friends here. Remember that."
"So long as Team Sonic is in town, you'll all be in no better hands." Sonic gave a smile as he gave the man a thumbs up.
As the three of them exited the shop with a smile, Silver could not help but stare down at Jeckt who already begun to flaunt the jacket he was gifted.
It was merely a glance that his vision glazed over reality.
Sol stood, staring up at him. The smile on her face was bright and happy as she tugged on the leather jacket. Her face filled with mirth as she twirled her body around wearing the beautiful leather.
A phone rang. A murmur from Sonic. But Silver still stared at Jeckt, who still looked like Sol.
"Looks like Tails got the supplies." Sonic's muffled voice came through. "We should meet up with him."
Silver watched as Sol ran off ahead. His body stuck in this fugue state.
"Silver?"
"Huh?" He snapped away from the memory as he turned to look at Sonic, then back to Sol. But she no longer was there, and it was only Jeckt who ran between the narrow streets.
"You alright?" Sonic slowly circled Silver to stand in front of him. "You look like you've just seen a ghost!"
"Ah—Ahaha." Silver gave a smile. A shake of his head before motioning towards the sun that hung high in the air. "It's just the heat. You said Tails is ready?"
Sonic nodded his head.
"Then let's go."
As they departed, Silver could not help but look back. In the mirage of the heat, Silver could see her standing at the storefront staring through the glass. And beside her was him. In a blink the vision faded, and there was nothing there but the reflections of the past in the window.