Silver POV 3rd person Location: Different Dimension A portal disappeared as boots clicked along a metallic floor. The steps approached the single light in the room which was a large monitor; replaying countless past battles and encounters, as if trying to find some hidden information perhaps in those videos. The current showing was paused as the one who had been watching it turned their chair to face who just entered the room, though already knowing it’d be him. “Silver.” “Hey Blaze,” Silver greeted as he sat in a chair beside hers, “Anything interesting happen while I was out?” “No,” she turned back to the screen and typed a few keys; bringing up another video feed to watch, “Ever since Infinite killed Eggman Nega, it has been very silent. It means we need to be more on guard than before.” “Yes,” he nodded in agreement, “But I don’t understand why. In the timeline I visited, Infinite still works under Eggman.” “Keep in mind that our timelines are very different,” the feline faced him again, “And, Infinite didn’t decide to do away with Eggman Nega until almost all of the world had been conquered. It sounds like that hasn’t quite happened yet in the timeline you’ve been visiting.” “It hasn’t, but it’s getting closer each day. Even with Sonic alive and free to help, Eggman is still taking over more everyday.” “Hmm…” “Oh! Did you find out anything on the gems?” Turning back to the computer, more typing sounded in the room before two windows were brought up. “From the information you brought me from the Tails of that timeline, it looks like the Phantom Ruby is very similar to the Phantom Amethyst that our Infinite here uses. They could be almost sister gems if you want to call it that I guess.” “Are there any differences?” “Not many. According to what the article says the Phantom Ruby can do, this stone might be stronger in creating realistic realities.” “Really?! Stronger than the Phantom Amethyst?” “Yes. Granted, it’s hard to say for sure since I have not witnessed it myself, but based on what information I have here, I would assume that to be correct.” “Then why does Infinite use the Phantom Amethyst here?” “Maybe the Phantom Ruby doesn’t exist in this timeline,” Blaze reminded him. “True…” “But, when it comes to actual other timelines and dimensions, I think the Phantom Amethyst might be more powerful.” “What do you mean?” “You remember how you told me the Phantom Ruby brought a Sonic from another generation there?” Blaze asked, which earned her a nod, “The Phantom Ruby can do some of that, but it’s not it’s most powerful trait, and when it does do anything with another time, it seems to be an accident.” “Okay?” “According to what I got when searching through one of Eggman Nega’s old laboratory databases, I found some tests done on the Phantom Amethyst and it was able to easily manipulate timeline and other dimension travel.” “Meaning?” “If Infinite wanted to go to every dimension and start a war like what he did here, he very well could, and he wouldn’t need chaos energy or anything to do it. He could also bring anything here that he pleased.” “Damn,” Silver muttered. “But the two are still very powerful and are not to be taken lightly.” “Ain’t that the truth.” “So,” she shifted gears in the conversation, “Did you find anything that could help us?” “Not really, but I did want to look into something.” He answered which earned him a questioning expression, “Could you look up something for me while we’re here on the computer? I’m not sure if we can find anything, but it doesn’t hurt to try.” “Alright,” a few clicks of the mouse and the internal database that led to what used to be the local internet was brought up, “What are we searching for?” “Well, it seems Infinite has been targeting someone on the Resistance team, kind of.” “Targeting someone?” “I’m guessing he found some information on Infinite, but I don’t know what. His name is Gadget Kola.” “Gadget Kola,” Blaze mumbled as she typed the name into the search engine. After hitting enter, it seemed there was a page for him on a wiki, and clicked on it. She read out loud. “Gadget Kola, one of the three adopted children of Nathaniel and Emily Kola, founders of Kola Corporation. He was a teen genius and there was talk about him taking over the company for his parents one day if not for his death at the age of sixteen?” “What?!” Silver leaned closer to the screen, very much closer to Blaze. “Personal space Silver.” “Oh! Sorry,” He backed away, “That’s crazy! He’s very much alive in the other timeline and works with the Resistance. How’d he die?” “Hm? Says here he graduated high school early and went on a summer vacation with friends according to his parents. They didn’t know who exactly he went with, but figured it was some friends from school. Though, finding out otherwise after the death of their son. In various locations around the country during the summer, he’d been seen traveling with a group of jackals.” “Wait,” Silver cut off, “Did you say jackals?” “Yes. According to this, many witnesses saw a red wolf accompanying some jackals. The exact amount varies as some people only thought it was one jackal while others thought it was three to five. The exact number is unclear, but this had not been discovered until after finding his corpse in an abandoned warehouse along with the corpses of multiple jackals; all dying from an explosion that took place there.” “...Dude,” Silver breathed out, “That’s fucked up.” “Indeed.” Blaze nodded. “When did this happen?” “Hmmm… looks like a couple years ago.” “Wait, wouldn’t that make him eighteen today then, if he was still alive I mean?” Silver asked. “Yes.” “He’s in his early twenties in the other timeline.” “But, it is a later year there than here.” “True, but why did the war start sooner here?” Silver mused. “It could be for any number of reasons. Both timelines are significantly different, if this information didn’t give that away.” “Yeah… I was hoping this would lead to some answers but I only have more questions.” “And it hasn’t given us any leverage to stop Infinite.” The feline pointed out, “I’m not sure if this ‘Gadget’ is our key to figuring out how to defeat him.” “But he does know something,” Silver reminded her, “Only, Infinite put some kind of mark on him to make him keep quiet.” “Sounds like you’ll need to go back and get that information then.” “Didn’t you hear what I just said Blaze?” “I did. So, before going back, we should see if there’s any information in our database that might help fight back against that mark.” “Oh, gotcha,” Silver nodded, “Do you mind researching it while I go do the normal rounds?” “I do mind,” she got to her feet, “I’ve been sitting in front of that screen for hours. I’m going to go do our rounds and see how the citizens are doing. You stay here and do some research. You might have a better chance of knowing what needs searched anyway since you’ve been to that timeline and have seen everything.” “Alright.” She took off a moment later as Silver sat in front of the monitor and typed away. --------- *Location unknown Unknown POV 3rd person Darkness was all that filled the space, except for a window view of the outside world that filled the room with distant screams and slight smoke from the burning flames that existed in the nearby city; painting the sky red and black. This was his favorite view. The entrance door creaked as it was slightly opened. A growl immediately formed in his chest as he looked away from the window to straight in front of him to see two robots. One was with a red color and was the more intelligent of the two, and the other was yellow. He hated the yellow one and his stupidity never ceases to amaze him. The only reason he hadn’t destroyed him yet was so that red one could have a ‘buddy’. He sure as hell didn’t want to spend his days with either of them. “What did I say about knocking before coming in?” “I’m sorry sir,” the red one replied, hoping to calm him, “I must have not knocked loud enough.” Somehow, he doubted that was true. That robot always made sure he was heard. The yellow one probably just opened the damn door before he could knock. Huffing out in annoyance, he fully faced them and leaned back in his seat. “Well, what the hell do you two want?” “The video feed from the spy bot is ready,” the red robot answered before lifting up a handheld device with a screen on it. The one who sat in the chair used his powers to make the electronic levitate to him; easily gripping it in his fingertips. “You two may leave.” Not needing to be told twice, the red bot dragged the yellow one quickly out of the room. Once the door was tightly shut, a non-visible smirk stretched on hidden lips before preparing the video feed. Though he ruled the world now, there were still resistance members out there, helping save ‘innocents’ from the disaster he created. So, he managed to find where the hedgehog known as Silver and the cat by the name of Blaze resided, and put a creation of his own in their base so he could finally learn where they’d been stashing away the citizens they’ve been saving. The one named Silver has been going on independent missions and would be gone for days at a time, as he learned a few weeks ago right after bugging the base, but somehow he hadn’t been able to figure out what those missions were or where he goes. Trying to track him down failed as its seemed he just up and disappears each time. Not giving that another thought, fingers pressed the play button to start the video and carefully listened in. For awhile it was just Blaze sitting in front of the computer. Every once in a while, she’d get up and stretch or get something to eat or drink, but mainly just sat. His patience began to grow thin before Silver appeared out of a portal and approached her. She didn’t seem surprised in the slightest, as if expecting him to appear like that. Hmm. Where did he need to go that required that much chaos energy? His senses hadn’t missed all the energy the hedgehog used to travel to, wherever he went. Blaze: “Silver.” Silver: “Hey Blaze. Anything interesting happen while I was out?” Blaze: “No. Ever since Infinite killed Eggman Nega, it has been very silent. It means we need to be more on guard than before.” He snickered. They had no idea how truly vulnerable they were. Sliver. “Yes. But I don’t understand why. In the timeline I visited, Infinite still works under Eggman.” Timeline? He’s been visiting other times and dimensions? That would explain the amount of chaos energy used in that portal he just came from. Blaze: “Keep in mind that our timelines are very different. And, Infinite didn’t decide to do away with Eggman Nega until almost all of the world had been conquered. It sounds like that hasn’t quite happened yet in the timeline you’ve been visiting.” Silver: “It hasn’t, but it’s getting closer each day. Even with Sonic alive and free to help, Eggman is still taking over more everyday.” Blaze: “Hmm…” Silver: “Oh! Did you find out anything on the gems?” Gems? This conversation was getting more and more fascinating. Blaze: “From the information you brought me from the Tails of that timeline, it looks like the Phantom Ruby is very similar to the Phantom Amethyst that our Infinite here uses. They could be almost sister gems if you want to call it that I guess.” …….. Infinite listened to the conversation shared between them about the two gems for the next several minutes as his interest was peaked. A sister stone to the Phantom Amethyst? Somehow, that was quite intriguing. Though he harnessed the ultimate power of the Phantom Amethyst that everyone feared so much, he never cared to go much to other dimensions. Of course he helped the Doctor test it when the gem had chosen him as his vessel, but after taking over the world and eliminating the stupid scientist, he didn’t have much ambition to travel elsewhere. What was the point when he already ruled one world? He didn’t need other worlds or universes. That sounded exhausting if he was to be perfectly honest with himself. But now he knew why Silver traveled. The two were trying to find a way to end this and stop him. Oh how disappointed they will be. He continued to listen after zoning out in his thoughts for a bit there. Silver: “Could you look up something for me while we’re here on the computer? I’m not sure if we can find anything, but it doesn’t hurt to try.” Blaze: “Alright, what are we searching for?” Silver: “Well, it seems Infinite has been targeting someone on the Resistance team, kind of.” Blaze: “Targeting someone?” Huh? Even he was curious, as he never targeted anyone specifically unless Eggman Nega requested it of him. Silver: “I’m guessing he found some information on Infinite, but I don’t know what. His name is Gadget Kola.” Pause. The video stopped at a tap of the finger as his breath hitched. Had he heard that right? Gadget Kola? Play. Blaze: “Gadget Kola...Gadget Kola, one of the three adopted children of Nathaniel and Emily Kola, founders of Kola Corporation. He was a teen genius and there was talk about him taking over the company for his parents one day if not for his death at the age of sixteen?” Silver: “What?!” Blaze: “Personal space Silver.” Silver: “Oh! Sorry...That’s crazy! He’s very much alive in the other dimension and works with the Resistance. How’d he die?” Gadget...alive? All sounds were tuned out as his mind went numb. He never ... even considered him possibly being alive somewhere else. Eggman Nega had mentioned that circumstances could be extremely different in other dimensions, but he never wanted to hope, in case they came crashing down. The thought of his precious wolf possibly living and breathing somewhere, and only have it crumbling down from lies, he couldn’t give into that hope. But… A shaky inhale was taken in through the mask that belonged to the Infinite of that dimension, or as only Gadget would know him as, Zero. His ears then perked. Silver: “When did this happen?” Blaze: “Hmmm… looks like a couple years ago.” Silver: “Wait, wouldn’t that make him eighteen then, if he were still alive I mean?” Blaze: “Yes.” Silver: “He’s in his early twenties in the other timeline.” Blaze: “But, it is a later year there than here.” An older Gadget? Not by much, as Gadget would have been eighteen here and Infinite is currently nineteen, but that kind of brought a dirty smirk to his lips. Younger or older Gadget, he didn’t care. He wanted him all the same… Silver: “I was hoping this would lead to some answers but I only have more questions.” Blaze: “And it hasn’t given us any leverage to stop Infinite. I’m not sure if this ‘Gadget’ is our key to figuring out how to defeat him.” Silver: “But he does know something. Only, Infinite put some kind of mark on him to make him keep quiet.” Blaze: “Sounds like you’ll need to go back and get that information then.” So, Silver would be returning to that dimension he’d been speaking of; the one where Gadget is alive. One hand extended out, and a gooey ball of purple goop formed in his hand before changing to black and forming the tiniest of bugs. A wicked grin grew underneath the mask as he spoke. “I have a job for you.”