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Silver was a better liar than anyone ever gave him credit for. He knew most of his friends thought he couldn’t keep a secret to save his life. Or hide an emotion without it easily being picked apart with just a few words.
But his friends forgot he was a time traveller with the duty to protect and change time itself. That meant having to keep secrets.
“Thanks, you two!” Silver grinned at his teammates. He was part of the Diamond Cutters now.
The Chaos Emeralds had sent him back to the past after the Metal Virus was cleared for some unknown reason. Normally, it was pretty obvious why Silver had been sent back. However, this time there wasn't even a hint. Silver suspected the Emeralds sent him back to feel rooted. To make real, lasting connections and learn what it was like to stake a claim in a time rather than drift between the two.
Perhaps they were worried about him.
Silver waved as Tangle and Whisper headed off to go do girlfriend things. Or at least that's what Silver assumed they were doing. He also assumed they were girlfriends if he was being honest. He was just happy for them both.
But then he was left alone
Well... not alone.
“Your new companions are interesting.”
Silver looked down, knowing exactly where the deep voice was coming from. “I like them a lot!”
“Hmph.” Acid green eyes glowed within the swelling darkness of Silver’s shadow. “Yes, that wolf is... impressive. In her own way.”
“Don’t discount Tangle!” Silver waved his finger at the darkness below him. “I heard she stood her own with the Metal Virus.”
“I believe you were the most impressive.” The deep voice commented. “You held off whole areas by yourself, and pulled the virus from the world.”
“Sonic was there too!” Silver told the shadow.
“Hmph.” It repeated. “My disappointment in Shadow the Hedgehog cannot be overstated. His pride caused his downfall in such a pathetic manner.”
“And you would know all about that, wouldn't you, Mephiles?”
For a beat, Silver feared he had teased his permanent companion too much. However, a chuckle rolled from the ground.
“Perhaps.” Mephiles softly agreed. “And I did greatly enjoy watching Shadow the Hedgehog succumb.”
“Alright, alright, where are we going today?” Silver rolled his shoulders, then stretched out his legs. Limbering up for what was about to happen. It was part of their deal, their agreement to work together. To co-exist.
“... I wish to try lemon tart.” Mephiles told after some consideration. “From Spagonia.”
“You always want to go to Spagonia.”
“I like their food.” The god admitted.
“Want me to get us there or do you want to do it?” Silver asked his shadow.
“If it is acceptable, I wish to take us there. I wish to see more of this time- this world- through your eyes.” The inky blackness was already curling around Silver’s ankles, almost pleadingly.
Silver smiled. “Oh, alright then. Since you asked so nicely-”
The words had hardly left Silver’s mouth before that creeping cold sensation swamped him. Once, it had been unnerving, but now that Silver was fully adjusted, he welcomed it.
The black shadow shot from the ground, climbing up his legs. It spread black across his fur, every inch of his quills also. When Silver blinked, his eyes went from amber to acid green.
Mephiles always flexed their fingers first. It was what allowed the sensations of this body to filter through to his senses. As a god of darkness, his main body felt very different compared to a mortal’s. It felt... numb and cold. He had once hated to admit that to himself, but now, he welcomed the time he wasn't him.
The time when he was Silver instead.
One foot- then another- shuffling. If anyone saw this body right now, they might think he was a leftover Zombot. He knew that his darkness over Silver’s brilliant white fur looked like tar.
Another step, then another. Learning to pilot a mortal again. It had been a while since Silver had let him take control. With the War and then the Metal Virus- then of course, all the Diamond Cutter drama there had not been much time Mephiles could have of the hedgehog’s.
By the fifth and sixth step- and one twisted ankle he’d have to fix later- Mephiles had a handle on Silver’s body once again.
He floated up, Silver’s powers much easier to control compared to his legs. After all, Silver’s telekinesis was closer to a godly power than his feet were. Mortals had balance to worry about, and it always threw the god for a loop.
Silver’s powers were tinted more of a light blue than cyan. Sparks of acid green and purple sometimes swirled into the mix. As Mephiles floated across the Mobian countryside, he took in a few deep breaths through their nose.
Scent.
Every time, it was over stimulating but in the best way.
The natural scents of the world were fascinating, but not Mephiles’ favourite. No, he liked the artificial smells created by the society that plagued the Earth. Human or Mobian. Of peace or of war.
Sight.
Drifting high and fast above the world, he took in the sights. Everything looked so much brighter through Silver’s eyes. So vivid and full of life. Not the grey and shadows Mephiles saw.
Sensation
But the god couldn't help but close their eyes. The wind rustling through Silver’s quills felt amazing. The telekinesis powers blocked a lot of it, but there was still enough to send a wonderful tingle up their spine when Mephiles focused on the sensation.
Sound
Wind rustling gave way to the sounds of a busy city. Mephiles opened their eyes and cursed how fast Silver was. He hadn’t noticed they were going so fast, and the god was half tempted to take the hedgehog for a joyride. Maybe a couple laps around the world-
But alas, the urge to try more baked goods was too overwhelming. He slowly lowered their body in a less busy street and began walking. It was a good thing he practised, because there were a lot of people around. As part of their deal- which had evolved over the years as they navigated their relationship- Mephiles had to keep causing trouble to a minimum.
If he didn’t, the god’s pocket money would be reduced, and he had sworn not to steal unless absolutely necessary.
Walking into Baker Street, Mephiles fished inside Silver’s quills and pulled out his wallet. Mortals were strange in that they needed to exchange these pieces of paper or the rings of the world in order to get goods and services. When Mephiles was worshipped, he wanted for nothing. Everything came to him as offerings.
Mephiles the Dark- all powerful god of darkness- quickly counted his money and started to check the bakeries. It was difficult to know if he wanted to go for quality or quantity.
A lot of flavours, or a small number of really good ones.
Mulling it over, he decided on the latter. It had been so long since he had a chance to really enjoy Silver’s taste buds. It had just been quick snacks when Mephiles had complained at Silver for not holding up his half of their deal.
Mephiles got it. He saw how hard Silver worked. But he was a god, and offerings were important to him. He couldn't lend power to Silver without payment either.
During the War, Mephiles had lent Silver his powers when the white hedgehog was alone or when too much was going on for anyone to notice. He would often have Silver’s back, blocking incoming attacks while the mortal’s powers were being pushed to their limits.
Strangely, he missed those days. The days when someone he was joined to needed him.
Selecting a bakery Mephiles had greatly enjoyed in the past, the darkened hedgehog got into the small queue waiting to order. If he was lucky, he could get one of the little tables outside instead of being crammed inside with all the other mortals.
Inside the small but heavenly scented bakery, rows and rows of little pastries sat ready to be consumed. Their textures, shines, tastes and other artistry ready to be destroyed by gnashing teeth and undulating tongues before being dropped down into a bag of acid the mortals called a digestive system.
Perfect, pleasurable destruction.
The god ordered several little edible works of art, also ordering a simple drink to balance out the sweetness. He had learned the hard way that balance was important with flavours. And with that, he quickly swooped in and sat at the last external table. Staking his claim by putting down his drink with Silver’s powers.
Mephiles then floated their body, settling it down into one of the three chairs by that table. He then continued to use telekinesis, this time to float the little delicacies so as not to get their gloves sticky.
Taste
Mephiles felt their eyelids flutter as he took the first bite. The explosion across their tongue was worth it. Worth the waiting, worth having to behave. Worth standing in a line with other mortals bumping into him and eyeing up his table with their greedy eyes-
The god had started with a macaron. It was the least sweet thing he ordered, and it was heavenly. The way the shell cracked and gave way to soft, delicately flavoured cream made their heart beat with delight. It was raspberry-flavoured. The tartness had seeped into the shells from the cream, just like a macaron was supposed to be.
If Mephiles was ruling the world- or even this city- he would have this baker work just for him. Making macarons day in and day out for his pleasure.
Next, Choux pastry. This one was pistachio-flavoured. The smoothness of this green nut went so well with the unsweetened cream and the thin dough. The super sweet drizzle of chocolate over the top elevated the whole taste with little sparks of brightness.
Oh, how the lord of darkness could have moaned at the neurons firing off inside their currently shared brain.
Then, last but not least, the lemon tart. His whole reason for coming here. Mephiles downed the last of his drink he had been sipping through the experience.
Using Silver’s powers, he floated the little tart to level with their mouth. He then opened their jaw and closed their eyes to experience the flavour-
Only to bite down on nothing.
Confusion struck Mephiles, and he opened their eyes slowly, only to be met with a sight that made their blood boil.
Someone had stolen his tart and was eating it in front of him.
That someone was Sonic the Hedgehog.
“Oh wow, that tastes really good! Honestly, I thought you would just eat anything Silv-.... errrr....”
Sonic started at the hedgehog in front of him. Their acid green glare looked as if it could melt right through Sonic’s face.
The Blue Blur licked the thumb of his glove before giving an apologetic smile. “Ummm, woops? I thought you were a friend of mine. Sorry about that.”
“I get mistaken for other hedgehogs a lot.” Mephiles forced his deep voice through Silver’s vocal cords.
Sonic rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. Not sure what to say or why this stranger looked ready to rip Sonic’s head off over a simple slice of lemon tart.
“Sonic, there you are.”The second voice made Mephiles turn Silver’s eyes away from Sonic. He knew that second voice just as well as the blue hedgehog’s, if not better.
Blaze the Cat. The one who took Iblis away from him for forever. Erasing him from existence, not just time.
“Hey Blaze! Sorry about that. I saw Silver- well, I thought I saw Silver- and rushed over here to tease him just a little. But err....”
“Sonic, you shouldn't tease Silver. You know he’s...” Blaze then stopped when she rounded the corner, staring at the hedgehog who was so familiar and let foreign to her. Like an uncanny doppelganger
Mephiles turned Silver’s head away from Blaze once their eyes had met for a fraction of a second. He stared at Sonic instead. “You ate my lemon tart.” He growled. “You will pay for that.”
“Yeah sure, how much was it-” Sonic asked, fishing in his quills for his wallet.
“I don't want your money, I want you to go get me a new tart!” Mephiles snapped, slapping Sonic’s hand with the back of theirs when Sonic tried to offer some ring-notes.
“Alright! Alright! Geez-!” Sonic turned, quickly focusing on the bakery they were right outside of. It had a long line, making Sonic give a groan-sigh of exasperation. “Do I have to?”
“I think it’s only fair, Sonic.” Blaze agreed. “After all, a hero always tries to make things right.”
Sonic grumbled and joined the back of the queue.
Blaze sat uninvited at Mephiles' table. “Sorry about him. But in his defence, you look nearly identical to our friend Silver.”
“Is that so?” Mephiles shifted uncomfortably in their seat. He turned them away a little from Blaze. “I was just telling your... friend over there that that happens a lot. Me being mistaken for others, I mean.”
“It’s strange, my friend is a brilliant white, while you are an inky black. Other than that, you both look nearly identical. You’re even wearing the same gloves and... power-rings.” Blaze frowned.
Mephiles shifted. turning their back practically to the cat. “I am not your friend.”
“Then why do you have his wallet with Tangle’s friendship bracelet?”
Mephiles’ eyes darted to the wallet before stuffing it back in their quills. Attempting to hide it.
Before Blaze could react, Sonic had zipped back over. “So err- funny story my guy- they’re fresh out of lemon tarts. Turns out they go pretty fa-”
That was it. Mephiles had reached his limit.
Swinging out their arm and activating Silver’s powers with his own, Mephiles sent the Hero of Mobius flying out of Baker Street and into the courtyard nearby.
He raised their other hand, tossing Blaze high up into the air and away. She was scared of heights, Silver knew that.
Which meant Mephiles knew that.
Mephiles stomped over to Sonic, who was attempting to recover from the sudden and violent throw. “You will pay for this transgression against me, Iblis Trigger!” Mephiles snarled.
“I- huh?” Was all Sonic managed before Mephiles snatched him up with Silver and his powers again.
Into the fountain Sonic went, the powers keeping him under for a few seconds before bringing him up. Only to repeat the action.
Sneering with Silver’s mouth in enjoyment, Mephiles stalked over to Sonic. “This should teach you to stop interfering with my plans!”
Sonic scrabbled and flailed, but between the strong telekinesis grip and the water, Sonic was pathetically helpless. Much to Mephiles' delight.
“PUT HIM DOWN!”
Mephiles felt Iblis’ fire strike the side of his head. The force of it made him stumble, breaking their concentration on waterboarding Sonic. The Hero dropped hard and messily into the fountain.
For a brief moment, his darkness faltered on Silver’s form. Just where he had been struck. It had been so, so long since he felt Iblis’ fire. It made the god forget himself for a moment.
Mephiles turned their body sharply as another came his way. He held out their hand and caught the fireball in his blackness. Feeling it. Feeling its heat. Feeling for Iblis.
It was his fire, but not him.
Iblis really was truly and deeply gone.
Greif
Mephiles screwed their eyes shut as emotions crashed over him. So deep, so raw. So mortal. Silver’s mind was reacting to his, and it was amplifying the pain. He should separate them both before it gets too much.
But here in front of him were the two of those who held the most blame.
“I don’t know what you are, but you will let my friend go. You will let Silver go!” Blaze commanded with all her royal authority.
A laugh rolled through Mephiles. After all, what was a Princess to a God?
“Oh sweet little Blaze, look how far you’ve come!” He levelled her with his glowing green gaze. “Once a street rat in a world ruined by my other half, and now reincarnated as a Princess in another dimension. Is that what you wished for with my power? When we were split back apart and you took Iblis from me?!”
Anger
Mephiles couldn't stop them. Couldn't stop the fiery anger from rolling through their joined body. He really should separate, but the anger kept them steadfast.
Crystals of pale blue began to erupt across the inky fur of Silver’s body. Mephiles had never felt like this before. Or perhaps he had once had, but years of being captured inside The Sceptre of Darkness all alone had dulled him. His God body. The only thing he had felt back then was a perverse pleasure in destruction, and even that had never felt the way mortals did.
When they took Iblis from him, they took his fire. They took his passion. They took his feelings and sensations and left him as a shell. Empty and cold and dark.
Vengeance
The ground below Mephiles turned to inky blackness—sticky, swirling, and slow to move through. The civilians had all long since run from the large courtyard, and Mephiles set up a barrier. Trapping the two heroes inside. Keeping innocents out.
Even sleeping, Silver still influenced Mephiles’ actions.
Mephiles floated with his own powers, not Silver’s. He eyed the two heroes with his red and green eyes. He sneered with Silver’s mouth. “Pathetic.” He growled as the two struggled against his floor of darkness.
Sonic was unable to run or build up any speed. For the blue blur, it was like the ground itself was attempting to hold him down. “BLAZE!”
Blaze grunted with the effort, forcing herself up and out of the black sludge with her fire. She kept herself hovering and took aim.
Fireball after fireball were flung at the darkened hedgehog. It was like she was taunting Mephiles with the power that should have been a part of him. It was unacceptable.
“That’s a little rude, don’t you think, Princess?” Mephiles tilted his head, letting one soar past him. He raised his hand, sending out balls of darkness at her. Returning fire.
“I think it’s far- nh- ruder to control my- nh- Silver’s body!” Blaze taunted back.
Possessiveness
Danger flashed in Mephiles’ eyes. He dived down into his darkness and flung himself up and out right before Blaze. He grabbed her face. “HE IS MINE! NOT YOURS! MINE!”
Tentacles of darkness gripped at Blaze, even with her as high above the ground. They wrapped around her limbs and pinned her.
“BLAZE! HOLD ON!” Sonic called. He had nearly made it to the water fountain. He could use it to launch himself off of. To spindash.
Digging his clawed fingers into Blaze’s muzzle, Mephiles leaned closer with a burning intensity in his eyes. “None of you have ever appreciated him like I have. None of you have been there for him like I-”
Blood ran down Blaze’s white muzzle as she built up fire around her, attempting to burn her captor. But Mephiles was resistant to Iblis’ fire.
“THAT'S ENOUGH!”
Silver’s voice came from the same mouth that Mephiles’ had been speaking from just a moment ago. A sickening squelching sound filled the air, and their head split in two. Silver tilted his head one way, Mephiles the other.
“Mephiles, that’s enough. It’s okay.” Silver soothed. “It’s not too late to calm down and stop this. Just take a deep breath.”
Sorrow
Mephiles took a deep breath through Silver’s mouth, still connected despite their heads now separated. Big, fat tears gathered in both of their eyes. The anger was wearing off, leaving only sadness.
Sadness at being alone for so long. For being caught outside of time- for having to travel through time to fix everything all the time. For being separated from his other half- for growing up in a world destroyed by fire.
For no one remembering.
Mephiles pulled more away from Silver’s body, unable to deal with mortal emotions much longer. As their arms separated, Silver wrapped a hug around Mephiles.
“Shhh... It’s okay.”
“H-he ate my lemon tart-” Mephiles choked out, unable to vocalise any other rampant thought.
“I know.. I know... sleep.” Silver encouraged.
Mephiles sagged slowly, the ground becoming solid and light colour stone once again. The barrier dissolving. Mephiles lowered Blaze slowly onto the ground before slipping back into Silver’s shadow to sleep.
________________________________________________________________________________________
White Space was a strange place for everyone. Everyone felt like a puppet, performing for Sonic. Helping him to relive his and his smaller self’s past. But when Sonic wasn't around, they were free to move.
Silver did.
Fighting Sonic in his abandoned future helped Silver remember.
Silver was a time traveller. White Space was different for him compared to the others. He could feel all the pocket realities and times. He knew that Shadow was somewhere in his own White Space.
He could also feel someone calling him.
Silver opened a portal. It seemed Shadow had just left. Good, the dark hedgehog didn’t need to know what was about to happen.
The guilt was fresh. The guilt of letting Blaze take Iblis and vanish from reality- her original reality. He had been too cowardly to use Chaos Control when she had asked. She had taken the burden of Iblis on when it had rejected Silver.
But Iblis was one half of a whole.
Silver’s feet landed on the warm stone of the temple room. He made his way over to The Sceptre of Darkness. It rose, reacting to his presence. It spat out all the darkness it held, taking a shape.
Mephiles.
“Have you come to finish me off, Silver the Hedgehog?” Mephiles asked, weakened from Shadow’s attacks. “You know the moment I can, I will rise against the timeline. I will make you all suffer for the pain you have put me through. All of you.”
“... I know,” Silver said, before holding out a hand. “So instead, how about we make a deal?”
“A... deal?” The God of Darkness tilted his head. “Explain, Mortal.”
“I take you back to the timeline.” Silver offered. “You stick with me and behave, but you exist again. You won't be alone.”
Mephiles eyed Silver’s hand. “... I want to take control of your body, sometimes.”
Silver mulled that one over. “.... you can’t harm anyone innocent when you do.”
“Acceptable.” Mephiles took his hand. Darkness and light swirled around their connected fingers. The god then seemed to melt into the mortal and down to his shadow.
Their pact was sealed.
________________________________________________________________________________________
“SILVER!”
Both Blaze and Sonic exclaimed when Silver finished his story. Blaze had her hand pressed to her forehead. Sonic dragged his hand down his face.
The white hedgehog grinned sheepishly. “To be honest, he’s behaved really well up till today. Yeah, okay, it was a little rocky in the beginning. But now? He’s really helpful! He helped us with both the War and the Metal Virus when it came down to the wire.”
“Silver, buddy, you have a demon-god living in your shadow!” Sonic shouted.
Silver squinted at Sonic. “We could say the same thing about you in regards to Shadow the Hedgehog.”
Sonic hesitated at that. “Okay, you kinda got me there-”
“Shadow isn't literally attached to Sonic! Nor can he take control of his body!” Blaze cried with reason. “How do we know he won't do what he did today, but worse?!”
“Yeah, Silver, dude-” Sonic pointed. “By your story, that guy killed me once! Also sounds like he’s got real beef with Shadow.”
“The only reason he killed you, Sonic, was to make someone cry.” Silver shrugged. “He doesn't care that much about you.”
“... ouch.”
“As for Shadow, so long as we don't leave them alone together, it should be fine,” Silver told them.
“It sounds very risky, Silver.” Blaze then sighed. “I just.. wish you could have told me sooner.”
Silver smiled sadly and looked away. “Well, there’s always so much going on. It never felt like the right time to talk about it.”
With a pang of guilt, Blaze reached over and squeezed his hand. “Silver, you can always talk to me. I’m always here for you.”
“Thanks Blaze.” Silver’s smile became happier. “That means a lot.”
“Sooooo-” Sonic leaned back in his chair. “All I had to do to break this God’s ‘good boy’ streak was to eat a lemon tart?”
“His lemon tart, yes.” Silver used his powers to jolt Sonic’s chair forward. “Do you realise how long it took me to find something to bribe him with to behave?” He hissed, showing the blue hedgehog his serious ‘locked in’ side. “If you take one of his offerings ever again, I might just let him keep going next time.”
Sonic winced. “Okay, okay! No more teasing the Lord of Darkness. Got it.”
“And?”
“... and I’ll get him a new lemon tart.”
Silver’s face relaxed back into its normal, happy-go-lucky vibe. “Good talk, you guys.” He floated up. “I’ll leave you two to your holiday.”
“You could join us, Silver.” Blaze offered.
“I’d love to, but I’ve got some damage control to do.” Silver waved to them. “But I’ll be in the garden if you need me.”
With that, Silver floated up and away. With a streak of cyan, he was out of sight and far away from the city.
Sonic sucked on the straw of his Chaos Cola before speaking. “.... I’m so telling Shads about this.”