(Sonic's POV)

My eyes shot open as I sat up. What was that? Was that Exe? Who was that girl...?

"Her name was Meridith..."

'So... That was real...?'

"Yes..." A pause came from Exe. "She was everything to me..."

'I could tell...' I nodded my head. 'So... does that make you my-'

"Ancestor? Yes." Exe said. "We all are."

'What?' 

"Dark, Super, Hyper, we are all just your ancestors, not some crazy voices in your head or forms you can become."

I was frozen at this new claim. They are actually my family...

'Hey! Don't go silent on us!' Dark chuckled.

I stayed silent though. So many things started to click in my mind. So many things started to make sense...

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door opening.

"Hello Mr. Hedgehog." I put on my best fake smile as Julia walked through the door.

"Hi Julia." I replied before looking down at Shadow, his form still peaceful. I could stare at his face for hours, looking at every detail that made him so perfect. But I sure do miss those ruby eyes that held so much behind them. That stare that just melted my heart. I wonder what it'd be like to hold him tight, those ruby eyes staring into my own. I wonder what it'd be like to kiss him gently, to have him as mine...

I looked at Julia as she did her morning checkups on Shadow. I don't think I can thank her enough for helping Shadow. She actually volunteered to be his head nurse when I brought him in. She wanted to help so much, and she has done her best to make sure that he's in stable condition.

I watched as a plate with two chili dogs were placed on a table beside him. "Julia, I told you I-"

"Eat." She commanded before adding a "please" and walking out.

I sighed as I stared at my favorite food. I hadn't really eaten much since the incident, especially that food. Why should I enjoy them when Shadow wasn't able to enjoy the things that he loves?

'Just eat them! I'm starving!' Dark groaned, and my stomach rumbled in response.

I mumbled out a fine and took a small bite. Instantly, the flavors burst in my mouth and I let out a happy hum.

'That's better...' I could feel Dark smile as a took more bites, for once savoring the food.

My eyes drifted back to Shadow, and my happiness depleted. When I finished my last bite, I grabbed his hand and held it to my muzzle, placing a gentle kiss on the knuckles. I held it there, wishing that I could look at him and see those beautiful ruby eyes full with love and those wonderful cheeks dusted with a light pink blush. Instead I looked at the same peaceful sleeping expression. I sighed. "Please wake up soon, Shadow... Please... I don't think I can take this anymore..."

I could feel tears run down my cheeks as I buried my face into the mattress. Slowly, I felt myself cry back to sleep...

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[Dark's POV]

I sighed as, yet again, Sonic cried himself to sleep. I can't believe I let this happen...

"It's not your fault, you know." Exe said to me, his eyes closed in thought.

"Yes it is, Exe." I looked at him. For the first time in a long time, I was crying. "I'm the one who kept pushing him to this moment..."

Exe looked a bit shocked to actually see me crying. "They were going to fall in love eventually."

"Yeah, but he wouldn't have been in this condition if I hadn't butted in." I tried to wipe my tears away, but they just kept coming. Exe frowned, walking closer to me and pulling me into a tight and comforting hug. I wrapped my arms around him, crying into his shoulder. Despite not liking physical contact, Exe stayed there, gently rubbing my back as I let the tears roll out.

"W-We're supposed to protect Sonic, a-and I'm failing..." I cried out.

"You aren't failing, Dark. We are doing our best to protect him. We can't control every aspect of his life. He made the decisions that lead to this, we just suggested things."

I didn't say anything as tears kept sliding down my face. I knew Exe was right, but I just can't accept that. I ended up leading Sonic to the worst outcome, and now Shadow's life is at stake. I'm the one who messed everything up... It's all my fault...

Why do I always have to ruin everything...?

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[Knuckles' POV]

I stared in thought as I felt Rouge land beside me.

"What are you thinking so hard about, Red?"

I sighed deeply before closing my eyes. "Everything... Silver, Sonic's situation, Shadow's condition..."

"There's nothing you can do about that now." Rouge said sympathetically.

"I know, but I can't help but feel like this was all my fault..."

Rouge sat down beside me, crystal eyes suddenly filled with interest. "How so?"

"All of this started when Silver and I made a dare to Sonic to try to get him and Shadow together... Then, Mephiles appeared and took Silver..."

"That doesn't mean it's your fault." Rouge frowned. "You did something completely harmless. If anything, it's Mephiles' fault. He's the one who started it by taking Silver."

"But it's my fault that all of the drama between Sonic and Shadow started up..." I buried my head into my gloved hands, closing my eyes with a sigh.

Rouge laid a gentle hand on my shoulder as I stayed there. I wasn't crying, I was just thinking things over. How things could've gone... Maybe Silver could've stayed...

I felt Rouge stand up beside me and walk in front of me. I opened my eyes to see a gloved hand offered to me. I looked up to see Rouge waiting expectantly.

"How about we get off this island and get your mind off things? My treat."

"I don't know, Rouge..."

"Oh come on! I don't like seeing you like this."

I sighed and took her hand, standing up. "Fine, but I'm not going to enjoy it."

Rouge gave me a smirk before quickly flying off the island, still holding my hand. "Time to get you out there and dating!"

"Wait, What!?"

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[Unknown, totally not Silver's POV]

I stared into the dark abyss before me, my mind reeling. All I wanted to do was get back home, where I left a disaster.

Needless to say, my plan had failed. Maybe if I was a bit stronger, none of this could've happened. If only I could've resisted the spell...

I looked down to my glowing boots. My energy was still pretty low, but hopefully this suit would help me. It was black and my powers made light blue lines in the fabric light up, like they usually did with my gloves and shoes. Hopefully, my energy will grow and become stable quickly, so I can go back.

I miss him...

I miss my Knuckie...

I'm really worried about what had happened before I left. Sonic could be as good as dead now, even with that strange bloody version of him helping out. Poor Shadow was in tears when I left... I wonder what they're all doing now... I wonder how they're all dealing with everything...

I wonder if Shadow has already blamed me for what happened...

It is my fault anyways... I wasn't strong enough to beat Mephiles' spell. I just let him take me away... I'm such a weakling... I don't deserve someone as strong as Knuckles...

My thoughts drifted again to the red echidna who stole my heart... I wonder how he's doing... Has he given up on me yet...? I didn't tell him where I was going...

No, he couldn't have given up yet...

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My eyes opened to reveal something bright, making them instantly shut again. I tried again to open my eyes, but this time found a shadow loom above me. I tried to make out the features of the creature above me, but my eyes were doing a horrible job at adjusting. What happened...?

"Hey, are you okay?" The thing spoke, it's voice calm yet concerned. I just groaned in response. I felt arms wrap around my back and knees, lifting me up. My survival instincts kicked in as I started struggling in this creatures arms. "It's okay! Calm down; I'm not going to hurt you..."

My eyes finally adjusted to see a red... thing with amethyst eyes and a pointed nose. I've never seen this thing before... "Wh-Who... are you...?"

The thing looked surprised at my voice, but replied just as calm as before. "I'm Knuckles the Echidna."

"E-Echidna...? I th-thought those were extinct..."

"Well, I'm the last one."

"I thought the l-last one died over 100 years ago..." I'm not stupid. I knew my history.

"Eh, sorry buddy, but that's not really true."

"Put me down."

"What? No way! You're hurt!"

"I-I don't care."

The claimed echidna set me down on my feet. The ground felt... softer than usual... When I looked away from the thing, I immediately saw why. The place was full of life that I've only read about in old books. Lush green grass laid out a landscape before me that I had to gasp at. Actual trees lined in rows stood tall and strong before me, some having fruit with bright, vibrant colors. My eyes widened as I took in the breathtaking scenery. Where's the fire? The crumbled up buildings and glass shattered everywhere? Where's Iblis?

"Where am I...?"

"Angel Island." The other answered simply. "You took quite a fall there."

Things were starting to click in my mind. "And Iblis. Where is he? And Mephiles?"

"Uh... Who?"

I tried to recall my memory. How did I get to this paradise...? I remember fighting with Mephiles when we fell into some kind of portal... Wait...

"I'm in the past..."

"Excuse me?"

I finally turned to the echidna, my body seeming to shake in growing excitement. "I'm in the past!"

"Uh... Okay, how about we go to the hospital and get your head fixed up because you obviously hit it when you landed."

"What do you mean!? My head does not hurt, and my muscles just ache slightly."

I felt my arm get grabbed and the echidna that I forgot the name of dragged me to some alter thing with a gigantic, green gem on top. He led me up the steps before letting me go. He walked up to the gem and laid a gentle hand on it, closing his eyes and murmuring some words. The gem started glowing and the echidna opened his eyes and looked to me. His pupils were gone, his eyes glowing a bright white. The gloved hand that wasn't on the gem was outstretched to me. Confusion swarmed my mind as I took the offered hand, power rushing through my veins. A few more murmured words and suddenly a scene appeared in front of us. It was me standing on a weathered rock surrounded by a sea of fire. The vision quickly ended as fast as it had started. The echidna let go of me, but did not stop touching the gem.

"Is it true, Master Emerald? Is he really the one the ancient tale wrote of?"

He closed his eyes again before taking his hand off the gem and looking towards me. "What is your name?"

"Silver..." I answered simply as the echidna led me back down the alter.

"Well, Silver, you are welcome to stay here until you get a grasp on how to live in the past. You are going to be stuck here for a while, so I'll show you how things work here."

I nodded to him as he walked into a running river. I stared in awe at it, water not being a common thing in the future. I took small steps towards it, my heart beating quickly in anticipation. I slowly reached my hand out into the water. I squeaked a bit at the coolness of it, but kept my hand submerged, marveling at how it rippled at my touch. More ripples caused me to look towards the echidna, who was walking in it, hand holding a wriggling, slimy looking thing. I recalled my books and found that it was something called a fish.

As the echidna made his way out, my curiosity grew, but I shrugged it off, my attention turning back to the water as I moved my hand around in it.

"Yo, Silver! Stop playing in the water and get over here!" I jumped and quickly ran towards the sound of the echidna. I saw him sitting in front of the alter steps, a small flame lit with two fishes hanging over it by a stick.

I carefully sat down in front of the fire, across from him. Silence stayed between us as he cooked the fish. I just stared at him, observing every move.

"See something you like?" I jumped slightly with a small squeak, my muzzle heating up.

"I-I'm sorry!"

"Heh, it's fine. You must be really curious about all of this."

I nodded. "I've only read about these things in books... Are you sure that you would be able to teach me all this...?"

"I guess it'd be a bit hard, but don't worry." He looked to me and smiled. "I won't give up on ya."

______________________________

He won't give up on me... I know it...

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[Lava]

Here's a chapter full of various characters feeling guilty :p

You know it's a sad chapter when the comedic relief character starts crying and blaming themselves for everything.

Also, we see how Knuckles and Silver actually met, so yay!

Also, I would like to thank GabbyizFrozen again for the covers of both this and You Mean... Love