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Silver hissed, his own head starting to hurt from the sound of his heartbeat echoing through his body. Back in his own time, it felt like seeing another world from when he left, and yet, it wasn't.
This was home.
Despite that, after what he had seen in the past, it was like he was seeing it all through a new lens. Now seeing a twisted image everywhere.
The same image.
The same insignia.
A stylized, simplistic face, one based on one that you probably couldn't go a day without seeing on a television screen or commercial. A small, approachable smile, body language almost-lifelike, and yet... always slightly a little off.
Now he knew why.
Now, after what was supposed to be a small getaway... Meet with some friends in the past, go on a few races, be back in time for his patrol...
And that's when he met her.
Sage... The artificial daughter of the Doctor.
A name far from unknown in his time, nor was her relationship to the late Doctor Eggman. In fact, it was apparently how she introduced herself to the world, a massive announcement released, a few tens of years after the fall of the Eggman Empire.
She had said she came in peace.
That the loss of her father had opened her eyes; she no longer wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father, but instead, to pave her own path. A new path: for the whole world.
She claimed she wasn't looking for forgiveness, simply atonement.
She stated that the Eggman Empire, or rather, what remained of it, had resources. Resources that could, for once, at last, do some good. Protect people, help them.
He wasn't born during that time, but it had to have been a heck of a performance.
And yet...
The Sage he had met... at the CrossWorld Grand Prix.
She had that same look in her eye as the one he had met.
That 'off' feeling to it.
But very much unlike the Sage he knew, her intentions were very clear.
"Your observation means I must work harder to ensure my father's vision becomes a reality..."
That single statement.
The way she said it.
It wasn't a taunt.
It was a mission. A promise.
And it made his skin crawl.
He tried to play it cool while at the Grand Prix, but now... He needed to put his mind at ease. Calm his heart down, stop his brain from buzzing...
Stepping towards the patio of his home, activated his powers, taking flight and gliding himself through the city, all of his focus being on a single building. A building not hard to spot; it being the single largest, all with the same insignia at its front.
His eyes glared as he approached it.
He never liked the building, but right now... as he got closer every second, it almost made his heart start to race again.
No.
He wasn't here for anything crazy.
He'd just meet with her. A quick talk. Just to confirm that she had changed in all those years.
He hoped.
Dropping himself off at the front, he stepped up the stairs, trying to calm himself as he approached ever further. As the doors opened for him, automatically, he prepared what he was going to say, mentally.
Something subtle.
"What are your plans for the upcoming five, or so, years?"
Maybe that was too vague.
"What would you say your 'goals' are-
"Ah..! Excuse me!" the voice of the receptionist cut him off, her voice sweet and apologetic. "I'm so sorry! Do you have an appointment? Miss Sage is a very busy woman, so you should-"
Before she could finish her sentence, however, a holographic screen appeared in front of her.
"Ash..? Is that Silver the Hedgehog?"
The young tanuki, now named 'Ash', brought her hands together in apology.
"Ah..! I'm sorry, Miss Sage! I was about to send him away..!"
The voice that answered was smooth and low, yet with a hint of friendliness to it.
"No need to apologize, Ash... Send him to my office. I can make time..."
Standing up quickly and bowing respectfully, Ash spoke up.
"Yes, of course!"
As the hologram-screen faded, Ash just as quickly turned her attention to Silver, pointing to the right.
"Elevator's that way! Thirteenth floor, then straight ahead. You can't miss it."
Nodding as a 'thank you' and 'goodbye', Silver walked down the hall, entering the elevator and pressing the button for the top floor, as told.
As the elevator beeped with each floor passed, he just couldn't shake the feeling of... unease. Like something was wrong. Like he was walking straight for disaster.
But it couldn't be.
It had to just be his nerves.
Regardless of what he knew now, she couldn't have known, and for all intents and purposes she was the same woman he had seen most of his life...
He just needed to put his mind at ease; clear his conscious a little...
When the elevator beeped for the final time and the doors opened, Silver swallowed hard, doing a quick and silent prayer in his head, as he stepped out.
Just keep it casual.
That's all he needed to do.
He adjusted his braces as he came closer, channeling a bit of his powers... just in case.
Putting his hand against the door, he took another breath... then finally pushed it open, letting himself inside.
"Silver. To what do I owe the occasion?"
Almost immediately she called out to him.
He looked up to see her, his mind on-edge, while she seemed almost beyond relaxed; her hands folded, and an almost warm smile on her face.
'Warm', but... off...
She was a far cry compared to the version she had met in the past. The Sage he knew, that is, the one sitting right in front of him appeared older, looking like a full-grown woman. Her hair was long, but styled professionally, like an office-worker; meanwhile her outfit resembled the one her father once wore, but crossed with a black power suit.
"Please, come in." she said again, before gesturing to a box on her desk. "Would you like a doughnut? They were a gift- one I was happy to receive, but..."
She wiggled her fingers, causing them to briefly digitize, before returning to normal.
"You know..."
Ignoring the offer, Silver stepped forward, standing behind one of the chairs that stood in front of the desk, but not sitting in it.
"I just came here to talk."
The comment made Sage perk up for a moment, before her face softened just as quickly.
Silver narrowed his eyes.
He needed to be very, very careful. He didn't know what Sage knew about him, but what he did know was-
"That look in your eyes... It happened, didn't it?"
Silver blinked, his heart starting to race again.
"What are- What are you talking about?" he stuttered.
Sage's lips curled into a smile, as she folded her hands, resting her chin on them.
"You and I met for the first time..."
Silver's heart stopped.
No...
How did she know?
She couldn't have...
"That's great... That's just perfect, actually..." Sage continued, the room starting to feel dark and twisted, all while her voice remained exactly the same. "You can't imagine how long I've waited for this moment... It means everything's gone according to plan... and my dreams are just about to become reality..."
Silver clenched his fist, looking around the room for whatever he could use, if a fight broke out. He nearly jumped as Sage raised her hand... only to press a small button on her desk, underneath the holographic screen she was looking at.
"That'll be all. Ash... Silver will be heading back down... Make sure he leaves safely." she said with a soft smile, then looking back at Silver. "Are you sure you don't want that doughnut?"
Gritting his teeth, Silver turned around, dismissing himself as he stepped towards the door, then stopping.
"Whatever it is you're planning... I'll be there to stop it...
"No." Sage replied flatly, a hint of humor in her voice. "But you're more than free to try..."
As he pushed through the door, exiting the room, Silver narrowed his eyes, his hands glowing green in pure vigor.
He wouldn't just 'try'... He'd fight to his last breath...
Not just for himself... but for the whole world. Now and future.