Sonic's POV:

Silver had lost consciousness again after he'd left, and he was recovering, but we'd missed getting the Time Stone because of...him.

We'd regrouped at Shadow's apartment, and I sat in a chair swinging my feet. "...how did he survive that...? Elise and I blew out the Flames of Hope!"

Shadow shrugged, sipping on some coffee. "Who knows? He didn't seem to be after us, though."

"Then what is he up to...?"

"Ugh...my head hurts...!" Silver whimpered as he sat up on the couch. "I...I thought I saw Mephiles again."

"We all saw him, Silver." I grumbled. "And we might have gotten your Time Stone back if it weren't for him."

"Or we might all be dead." Shadow replied. "We had no plan on how to deal with those weapons, if it weren't for Mephiles, Silver would most certainly be dead."

Silver shuddered. "So...he saved us?"

"By letting Eggman escape? No. He didn't." I replied. "Shadow just doesn't believe me."

"He fired a bolt of energy through your heart, I know." Shadow growled. "But we have no proof that he's like that in the new timeline."

"New timelines, old timelines, why can't everything just go one way!?" I got up.

"Where are you going?" Silver asked.

"To find him. Get some answers."

"We might've gotten answers if you hadn't beaten him up." Shadow replied.

I growled, then sat back down. "Got any other ideas?"

"I can search GUN's records for his file, everyone has one."

I rolled my eyes. "He's an immortal being of destruction! He's not gonna have a-"

"Found it."
I glared at the faker, then came over to the computer. "Born in Soleanna, came to Northamer eight months ago. Was involved in an accident and was deemed insane by medical personnel-"

"See? Now we're getting somewhere."

"Let me finish. 'Escaped the hospital, located in Timber Creek, Northamer, insanity changed to head injury. Has since then recovered and is currently settled in Timber Creek.'"

"Timber Creek? Isn't that a little tourist trap in the mountains?" I shrugged. "Just because GUN hasn't found anything on him doesn't mean he isn't still Mephiles the Dark."

"I dunno..." Silver limped over the screen. "Maybe he isn't, Sonic...Even if it was, though, none of us are in the condition to take him down right now."

"Let's deal with Eggman first. We can deal with Mephiles later." Shadow suggested.

I pouted, but I knew they were right. "...fine." Deep down, though, I was thinking... Unless he comes for us first.

........................................................................

Mephiles' POV:

I laid on the hotel bed, aching from Sonic's hits, but mostly just disappointed.

"...He didn't even give you a second to explain yourself." Alabaster broke the silence.

"Which is exactly what I was expecting...!" I groaned, rubbing my eyes. "I think Silver would be willing to listen, I was surprised Shadow let me leave, but Sonic...I killed him. He has a right to be mad."

"But that eager for revenge...what kind of a hero is that?"

I shrugged, my eyes closed. A grouchy one, I guess...
"Wait."

"What's up?"

I sat up. "...What's Silver doing here anyway? He's supposed to be in the future, so what's he doing here in the present?" I got up from the bed. "He never comes just to visit, it's always to prevent a catastrophe. So what's so important that he's coming here...? I need to figure this out."

"We come on vacation, and you get pulled into a mystery...typical."

I smirked, "Maybe our destinies are just intertwined... I'll be back later."

"Do you even know where they are?"

"Yes. I have a sense for these things." I kissed her cheek. "I won't get beaten up this time."

"You'd better not, you thrill-seeker. I might be a nurse, but I'm no miracle-worker."

I rolled my eyes, pulling her close for another kiss before vanishing from the room.