Frostbitten

Chapter 11 - Return

Meanwhile, as silver flew around the castle to gather his wit, he spotted what appeared to be a large puddle that suddenly appeared nearby.

"Thats...interesting. It hasn't rained in days."

SIlver curiously made his way to the strange body of water and carefully inched closer. He took a cautious look into the water, but could only see his own reflection...For a moment.

As if the entity could feel Silver losing interest, his reflection suddenly turned to that of someone far more sinister. An old foe...One he would have never dreamed to have seen ever again.

It was Mephiles.

"WHAT!?" Silver jumped back, shock and despair swirling through his eyes.

"I...I watched you die!!"

The gruesome dark purple hedgehog smirked and let himself shift from the puddle onto solid ground. He seemed to possess a body, but it was translucent somehow. As if he and the water were one.

"You watched my body die. But...perhaps fortunately for you, my spirit lived on."

Silver threw various psychic blasts his way, only to have them run through the watery figure. Mephiles groaned and inched closer.

"You can't hurt what isn't physically there. But enough pleasantries...I want to talk to you, Silver. I want to talk about Blaze."

"Blaze?" Silver scoffed, his battle stance at the ready. He wasn't sure what kind of sick game his old enemy was playing, but he wasn't having it.

"It must be unbearable, seeing your beloved in the arms of your enemy," Mephiles goaded, circling Silver like a shark. "I can help you eliminate the obstacle to reclaiming her."

Silver trembled, hatred and jealousy swirling dangerously inside him. The vivid image of Shadow and Blaze fueled his fury.

Sensing Silver's rage ready to boil over, Mephiles pressed closer. "He's taken what is yours. Will you let this stand, Silver?"

"No!" Silver bursts out, quills bristling with anger. "I'll make him pay!"

"Yes, give in to your hate! Only together can we destroy him," Mephiles urged, eyes glinting.

Blinded by possessive fury, Silver strode forward with hands outstretched, not thinking of anything but that image. He attacked Mephiles with all that he had.

Before Silver realized what was happening, Mephiles' darkness poured into him, seizing control of his body and mind. Silver screamed as inky shadows flooded his senses, Mephiles' laughter echoing in his head.

Struggling was futile - at the height of Silver's rage, Mephiles effortlessly overpowered his will. Now possessing Silver's body and psychic abilities, Mephiles flexed his new gloved hand with malevolent glee.

"Perfect. What a wonderfully volatile host," Mephiles purred in Silver's voice. "Now, to make Shadow pay..." Wicked schemes already forming, he strode off to set the plan in motion.

As the morning sun rose, Silver wandered off into the woods, his mind and body now under Mephiles' control. Back at the castle, the others were beginning to stir.

&&&&&&&&&

Shadow lingered anxiously in his room, dreading facing Blaze after their intimate night. But duty called, so reluctantly he made his way to the great hall where the team was gathering.

Blaze was already there, poring over maps and battle plans. She glanced up and gave Shadow a small, warm smile as he entered. Though she seemed composed, Shadow still feared she regretted last night.