Far away from Albion City, on a small island enclosed by raging waters and deep forest, stood a small church. Nuns ran it, taking care of sick agents of The Order. Many of them specialized in medicine, healing, and recovering circles of various sizes. The head sister acquired knowledge in barriers too.

This dragon woman established this church many years ago and was the head since for over one century. As a member of the dragon race, she was blessed with a long lifespan. Her wisdom helped during many crises, and whenever The Order needed special medical attention for their agents, they always called her.

This woman was now accompanying a cloaked figure out of the main building over the open space behind the tall walls. The late evening was approaching fast, and so the dragon sister worried, knitting her eyebrows.

"Are you sure leaving at this hour is wise, Mrs. Gold?"

The cloaked figure looked her way. Gold's eyes had circles under them, but the small smile still found its way to shine.

"Yes, I was here for far too long."

"I can assure you we can provide this..." her voice trailed off for a short while, "this person the best care. However, you--"

"I know. I'm not ready to leave." The tenrec looked at her hands. "But delaying my departure will only cause trouble. Silver needs me next to him."

The dragon snorted. "Somebody of his age should learn how to keep his temper in check."

Naturally, somebody like a head nun would know a lot about most of the top agents and with Gold, she deepened her knowledge about Silver. Yet, it didn't convince her to not call him a small brat from time to time since anger often drove his behavior.

Gold giggled. "I know. And I'm sure he got better a bit."

The dragon nun smirked. "If Mr. Nigel's reports pictured at least a half of his interactions with this Amy, I'm sure it was a blast."

Both women snickered. Mr. Nigel informed Gold about the inner status of Silver's missions and general affairs around the supernatural events. So she knew about Black Arms, and the rising danger urged her to return to active duty.

They reached the big gate that slowly opened in front of them as the circle on the ground identified them after they injected their energy pattern.

"I bid you farewell and have a pleasant journey." The dragon slightly bowed, a gesture Gold gladly returned.

"You too, take care of yourself. I'm happy that I visited this place."

With those words, Gold crossed the border, and the gate closed with a silent thud. The tenrec had to cross the forest, where a boat waited for her to take her back to the mainland.

Her steps were heavy and dragged. She constantly noticed her pace changed speed, where it seemed her legs would stop.

'Don't think about it!'

Her fists clenched.

'I can't return!'

She bit her lip.

'Not now!'

Her legs twitched with the urge to dash back and burst the door open.

'Wait for me, little one!'

Tears poured into her eyes, but her resolve remained unchanged. There was no coming back.

After a long walk, she finally reached the shore and got on the boat. She greeted the sailors and captain alike. With no delay, they departed, the waves hitting the wooden body. The wind was in their favor.

Gold left to her cabin, where one sailor brought her a small dinner. She ate it in silence. The meal was simple but filling, yet her brain refused to acknowledge it, returning to the nun's church.

Even meditation proved fruitless, as it was shattered with the slightest sound around her. A lot of nights turned long and tiring, but it was a long time since it was so lonely.

The coldness around her heart convinced her she didn't get used to being alone. It was all a lie she created for herself to live on. Gone were days where she was scared to breathe, but the fear remained.

Gold was born like any other child. There was nothing wrong or extraordinary. Many people complimented her about her looks, quills, or face. Her parents paid for tuition in the town school, so she, unlike many kids from her village, learned how to read, write, and count.

However, this privilege never made her prideful, and she gladly shared her knowledge with other children. Under her, more kinds got basic knowledge. It was in a time where all the children didn't need to attend school for a few years. Such a law came to fruition a few years later, till then Gold turned into a teacher.

But all happy times had to end. Gold saw her tenth winter when everything had fallen apart. Her mother fell ill, and so the doctor from the town was called. Her fewer was persistent, and the medic in the village had no idea what to do anymore.

At that time, Gold was like any other kid scared but managed to hide it. All adults thought she was more mature and lady-like, but in reality, she hid her telepathic ability.

Gold shook her head, shooing the distant memories.

'Not now!'

Her sleepy eyes squinted, trying to concentrate on the wall. The ring-lamp under the ceiling swayed with each wave, casting different shadows all the time.

'I should get some sleep first.'

She took her clothes down, leaving only the long underwear, and laid on her bed. At first, it seemed the dreamland closed its door in front of her, but soon she dived into the darkness.

Only for her haunting memories disrupting her sleep.

She was once there. Watching her mother moan in pain as the fewer burned her from inside. The town doctor was next to her, checking the blood pressure. His face wrinkled like he was deeply in thoughts, but Gold knew otherwise.

'This sucks! I was heading to Smithar's big party to make myself a name! Why did this low-life have to fall ill now!'

The young tenrec frowned, digging her fingers into the door frame. What a selfish person he was! However, she remained silent. It didn't matter as long as he could save her mother.

A slight pat on her shoulder interrupted her mind connection with the doctor. Her head shot up, her wide eyes seeing her father's encouraging smile.

"It will be alright," he silently said, but his mind was full of worries.

Gold only nodded and looked back at the doctor who stood up. The young telepath needed to watch somebody for a short while to establish the mind-link. Once it was severed, she needed to watch for a longer time to repair it.

The doctor noticed her stare and frowned at her. A lot of people reacted to her that way. Most of the villagers took it as her odd perk, nothing harmful, only strange. Gold learned to lie about it, saying she wanted to engrave their faces to her memory to never forget.

"I'm afraid there is nothing I can do," the doctor said with a sad smile.

"Are you sure?" Gold's father snapped.

The doctor only shook his head. 'Like the hell, I'm wasting my time here.' The man silently snorted. 'Getting back for medicine would only delay me more.'

His cold eyes glanced at Gold. The man bared his teeth, but the girl kept staring into his eyes. 'Pesky kid!'

The doctor walked out of the room.

"I don't have the needed medicine. That can be obtained only in big cities," the doctor continued.

"You are lying!" Gold shouted.

Both men looked at her, and before the doctor could frown, she added, "You only want to go to some stupid party at Smithars!" Tears rolled down her cheeks.

The doctor turned white. "I've never said that!"

"Gold, what are you..." Her father wanted to hug her.

"You thought that!" she shouted, not thinking about the consequences! "You want to kill my mom!"

Her father caught her, bringing her up.

"That's no way!" her father whispered. "You are just scared." He dragged Gold back to her room.

"It's true!" She refused to remain silent. "He is a bad doctor!"

Her father had no choice but to shut her in her room. Gold banged on the door until her tiny hands bled, but nobody came. The weather outside got worst. The clouds swallowed the moon and stars, dressing the world in black.

The young child sobbed through the whole night. With the dawn came voices and banging on the door.

"Witch!" shouted one voice after another.

"She tricked us!"

Gold spurted into the corner of her room. Her heart was beating widely. Her red eyes fixated on the hinges losing a grip over the door frame. Loud thoughts bombarded her mind. She yelled, but nobody heard her scream. She leaped toward the window, jumping from the second floor. At the same moment, the door burst open. Angry villagers with Forks and other tools filled her room, searching for her.

"There she is!"

Gold ran toward the field, and the golden corn masked her presence. She stumbled over stones and dirt. Her simple dress hindered her, getting caught by the branches. The screams didn't stop echoing in her ears.

All she could do was to run away. Every breath burned her. Every step turned her legs heavier and heavier. As she left the field, she dived into the forest.

The thunder roared, and the lighting spread across the dark sky.

The heavy clouds looming let the frozen water pummel her without mercy.

The hailstones cut her.

Not even the trees could protect her.

She tripped over a tree root, falling into the mud. She coughed, and tears blurred her vision. Her body refused to listen to her.

Yet, behind the storm, she heard the voices calling her, demanding her life. She stretched her hand, trying to grab something. Anything to help her stand.

A warm light enveloped her wrist.

"You can't die here," a voice she didn't recognize said.

She actually couldn't make a thing from that figure in front of her. It was like she was a ghost filled with bright light. Long fur or quills danced around her. She lifted Gold into her arms, and before the girl could ask, she had fallen asleep.

Gold of the present woke up with a jerk. Her fur was drenched, and her heartbeat sped up. 'What?' Her eyes scanned her surroundings. She wasn't chased by anybody.

"Who was that?" she whispered.

She turned on the side, getting up. Until now, she never understood how she got so far from her village. However, nobody could answer her. So she believed it was a miracle.

"Lady Gold," called her the captain.

"Yes?" She jerked her head.

"Would you like breakfast before we arrive?"

A loud growl sounded from her stomach. "Yes, that would be nice." She got up, dried her body as best as she could, and left her room. However, the sudden memory of a light woman followed her for the hours.

"Where have you learned to aim!" shouted Sonic, dashing around the gym walls. "At carnival?"

Silver stood in the middle, following the youngster with his eyes. His aura engulfed him as he concentrated on capturing the blue hedgehog. Sonic kept changing direction, jumping back and forth.

Silver closed his hand, and psionic fingers almost captured the speedster.

"Hey, is this all you've got?" Sonic teased, smirking.

The psychic returned the sentiment. "No, but thank you for asking."

Sonic's body suddenly stopped in the mid-air, engulfed by a blue aura. He gasped as the power captured him. He had lost his momentum.

"The winner is Silver!" announced Knuckles, standing by the wall.

Silver let go of Sonic, who fell on his butt.

"Ouch!" He rubbed his buttock. "I skinned my backside." He got up. "How did you do that? I kept moving." Sonic dashed to Silver.

"You are quite predictable. All I needed was to see you running for a couple of seconds to guess where you turn next."

"Still, both of you were impressive," added Knuckles. "Sonic, your fundamental problem is you keep goofing around. You don't concentrate on your surroundings."

The boy scratched behind his ears. "I just have so much fun running."

Silver didn't join their conversation, and was about to leave when Sonic called him, "Hey, wait up!"

The silver hedgehog growled. "I think we are finished for now."

"Yeah, yeah, Mr. Grumpy." Sonic nodded. "I just wanna ask what is with your noodles." He gently bumped Silver's arms. "I can't believe you punched Knux out off the ring."

The echidna blushed. "Lucky punch," he mumbled.

"Well, your legs are more like sticks," replied Silver. "It's a wonder you can run so fast." He eyed them. "I guess you are worthy of a few tests."

The blue hedgehog would say something, but his stomach rumbled. "Oops, the bell rung. Who is up for dinner?"

Silver opened the door. Only then they realized the deep night was upon them.

"More like a midnight lunch," Silver mumbled.

"Cool, I never had one! I always had to be in bed before eight!" Sonic's big smile turned contagious.

"Lucky for you." Silver grinned. "I know one restaurant that has open till two in the morning."

"Then lead the way! My stomach is eating me!" Sonic hugged himself, and two more rumbles escaped. But those two came from Silver and Knuckles.

"Let's go. It's my treat, but don't get used to it."

Sonic caught up to Silver and hooked his arm around him. "Aren't you a softie!"

The psychic didn't answer, neither pushed the youngster away. He, after all, provided the psychic a nice training.