Shadow's POV:

"Okay. Explain to me how the death of the entire planet hardly fazes you, yet one guy invades your personal space, and you hold a grudge for kingdom come."

Sonic wouldn't look at me. He hadn't looked me in the eye since I'd agreed to let Mephiles help us get Silver home.
He was being rather childish, but I wasn't going to say it.

A few days had passed since then, and Tails, Knuckles and Amy had flown in to assist, supposedly. I thought it was more that Amy got worried and forced Tails to fly her here.

As I looked around the room, I realized that if Princess Elise and Omega were here, then the entire company of that day would be in assembly.

"That was more than my personal space invaded." Sonic murmured. "I still feel the heat...the pain that was only there for a few seconds, but was worse than anything I've ever felt before..."

Amy wrapped her arms around him. "That doesn't mean you have to be a grouch...what happened to that confident smile I'm so used to?"

For the first time in a few days, Sonic smiled, hugging Amy back. "Thanks, Ames... I needed that."

I saw a twinge of sadness on Silver's face, there for only a moment before it vanished. Did he have someone he cared for? Was that sadness because he was trapped here, away from her?

I decided not to ask.

My attention was caught by Mephiles walking towards us, wearing a green hoodie and a girl close behind him. Who was she? "You finally return..." I greeted.

"Sorry. It took me a little bit to regain the nerve to see you again." Mephiles replied, looking at Sonic as he spoke. "And as you can see, I've brought my own support."

Sonic scoffed. "Of course you'd make friends with a skunk."

The girl's ears pulled back. "Why must everyone mistake me for a skunk? I'm a striped possum, for your information." She held out her hand towards me. "My name is Abbie, I'm Mephiles' fiance."

"Really?" Rouge smirked. "Congrats."

"Thank you..." Mephiles squeezed Abbie's hand. "Now. You...people wouldn't happen to have a plan, would you?"

"...People?" Knuckles asked. "Why the pause?"

"Sorry. I'm still working on not calling others 'mortals.'"

"At least progress is being made." Amy said, though she seemed confused. "And yes, we have a plan. We spy on Eggman and figure out what weapons he's gotten his hands on, so when he shows up, we're ready for him."

"Well...it's better than running blind, which was your previous plan."

I could practically feel the tension building between Sonic and Mephiles. "Mephiles, before we start on any of this, I wanna know how you're still alive even after Sonic destroyed Solaris."

"The simple answer, Solaris was my father, not me." He shrugged. "It is a bit complicated, but... I can't thank you enough for freeing me from his control, Sonic."

My eyes widened a little, looking to Sonic whose own face was a mixture of confusion and shock.

"Freed you...? How?" Sonic asked.

"I was forced by Solaris to help him destroy time. To kill you. By destroying him, you freed me from his control and I was free to live my own life..."
He smiled as Abbie hugged him. "I have much that I am responsible for, but at the least, allow me to try to make it up to you...to the world."

Sonic's gaze softened, and I could see all the hatred shrink a little. "...alright, I'll give you a chance, Mephiles... But I will be watching you."

"Fair enough." The two shook hands, then he turned to me. "Where do you need me, sir?"

I grinned. "Glad you asked..."