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Espio walked attentively through lush green forests, hearing nothing but the chirping wildlife and a distant waterfall that rang out through the clearing. He studied each path as he jumped and climbed through the branches of the tall, green trees that supported him in his search for a specific silver-furred hedgehog. Silver had run off earlier that day after he had been discussing his troubles with being stuck in the past and pondering with the others why he could be there with no clear direction. That was until Tangle chimed in with her own possible theory.
"Maybe you're here because the future doesn't need you anymore!" She exclaimed, unknowingly, at the dreaded implications. Silver had stared at her with a look of horror spread across his face. Tangle, confused, asked what she had said. Until Whisper pulled her aside. After muttering something in her ear, Tangle's expression turned from one of perplexity to embarrassment. She apologized to Silver profusely. Silver, knowing she didn't mean harm by her impulsivity, of course forgave her; however, that didn't stop the obvious worry from staining his golden eyes as he walked away.
Espio had caught wind of this, being a Ninja. He could tell someone's thoughts just by looking at them, and Silver wasn't very hard of a character to read. If he were playing cards, his poker face -or the lack thereof- would give him away almost immediately.
Espio knew Silver had anxiety about the future and confusion as to why he was sent to the past with no instructions given to him.
They had discussed things in Silver's garden a few months ago, where they shared a brief but cherished moment of comfort and understanding. Silver had even given him a hug, to Espio's surprise. He wasn't much of a physically affectionate person, but with Silver, it felt somehow ...different.
Espio shook his thoughts away, feeling his scales flush with a brighter hue than normal. This wasn't the time to get flustered over something as insignificant as a simple hug! He had to find Silver and see if he was okay.
Espio scanned the grounds, noting only the vines and moss that covered the rocks below. Espio sighed as he leaped down from the branches and landed on the grassy floor. His tail twitched as he heard strange sounds coming from behind a curtain of loosely hanging vines. He peered through the vines as his eyes landed on beautiful, fluffy, light gray fur. Espio relaxed in relief that he had finally found his futuristic friend.
Espio walked through the garden, which was inhabited by dozens of cheerful chao playing and napping in beds of sweet-smelling lavender flowers. The waterfall had made a large pool, which some rambunctious chao had begun swimming and jumping into with glee. The chameleon walked over to the hedgehog, who was sitting on a large moss-covered rock, caressing a small white and light blue chao that had a golden halo and wings. Espio sat next to his companion cautiously so as not to startle him. Instead of greeting him like he normally would, Silver flicked his ears in response, acknowledging his presence without words.
Eyes still closed, Silver sadly petted the chao in his arms. Espio looked at him with a slight worry. He didn't even say hello to him like usual.
"Silver," Espio began. "Are you still upset with Tangle?" I'm sure she didn't mean to cause you any grief."
"I know she didn't," Silver replied. "It's just—" he let out a frustrated sigh. "She's right. About the future not needing me any longer. Why else could I possibly be here? Nothing world-ending is happening, neither here nor at home." Silver looked at the ground, his eyes clouding with pain. "I'm no use to my own time." He quietly murmured, only loud enough for Espio to hear.
"Silver, don't say that." You are very useful. You've done so much already to protect the future and the past." Espio said reassuringly, placing his hand gently on Silver's shoulder.
"Have I?" Silver groaned. "No matter how hard I try, the future always seems to be in shambles." Not only that, but the only time I ever get to come back to the past and see you all is when a major threat of impending doom is looming over us." "I'm always seen as some bad omen; maybe that's all I am." Silver said exasperatedly,
The chao he was holding gave him a tiny chirp, as if trying to tell him it was all going to be okay. Silver ruffled the chao's head fluff and put them down so they could rejoin their friends in the flowers. "All my life, all I've ever wanted was peace in my world, for people to be safe and as happy as these little guys." "And it is—it is now anyway, but I'm not." "I just don't know what I'm doing wrong." "And if the future truly doesn't need me anymore and is finally safe from harm, why do I feel so empty?" "I should be happy, but I'm not." Silver's voice cracked as he spoke. "I'm so frustrated and confused!" "I don't know what I'm doing or where I belong." Tears pricking at his eyes. He flicked them away with a spark of cyan.
Silver sniffled, "I'm lost."
Espio remained silent, unsure of what to say. For a moment, they sat like that. No words of comfort or encouragement were shared; nothing could make this situation lighter with any amount of wisdom and reassurance. They were simply stumped. Espio's heart felt heavy; he hated seeing his friends upset. Especially Silver, who was usually the silver lining of hope in the darkest of cloudy days.
The sound of the rushing waterfall and the light breeze of wind that soughed through the canopy of leaves and vines that hung above them filled the air, failing to mask the tension that drifted between them. Espio breathed in, unsure of himself at the moment.
"When I was younger..." he started. "Before I joined the Chaotix, I lived with my clan." "I loved my clan dearly, and I would have done anything to protect it, but my responsibilities controlled my every waking moment to the point I was always miserable."
Silver looked up at Espio with pale eyes as he told his tale.
"It was tradition for the offspring of two leaders from different clans to bewed one another." However, I was greatly against the idea of marrying someone I didn't love or even know. So on the night of our arranged marriage, I called off the wedding, much to my mother's dismay. The leader of the other clan was greatly offended by my refusal, and instead of having to marry his daughter, he insisted that I were to duel her to reclaim my clan's honor." Espio glanced to the ground with a shadow of guilt across his face before he continued. "I lost the fight, and my clan disowned me right then and there."
Silver gave a small wince as he reached out, but reluctantly pulled back, unclear of how to comfort him. "Epsio I—then what happened?"
"I did the only thing I could do; I ran away and never looked back." Espio breathed a heavy sigh, returning Silver's sorrowful gaze. "For a long time, I felt lost." "I had no where to go, no one to turn to." "I couldn't go back home, and I was scared and unsure what to do." "I gave my entire life to my clan, but it was simply never enough."
"Life is full of confusion and frustration." The path I was following was frightening and unclear. But then- I met people I never expected to meet. And it wasn't until I had lost what I held dear most that I realized that everything I'd ever wanted I had finally found." Espio gave a small smile, remembering how he felt when he had been reunited with his team after the horrible metal virus had been vanquished.
"I know what it's like to feel like your all is never enough and how much it hurts to travel unfamiliar paths with no clue where to turn." "But do you want to know the good part?" The chameleon asked. His golden eyes meeting Silver's.
"...what?" Silver whispered.
"The good part is, you don't have to walk alone." "Sonic, Blaze, and I—all of us—are here for you. We wouldn't let you face any trouble you have by yourself. I can promise you that."
For the first time in a while, Silver smiled a genuine smile. "Thank you, Espio; you always know what to say to make me feel at ease." Silver replied, wiping away the left-over tears.
Espio returned the smile as he placed his hand on top of his. "Of course." And even though things are uncertain at the moment, I'm quite glad you're here."
Silver's golden gaze met his once more.
"Yeah, I am too."
The pair sat comfortably hand in hand as they watched the chao play and lazed about in the hazy setting sun. Even with no guarantee that things would stay as peaceful as they were, as long as they were together, everything felt alright.