Shadow of a Doubt

Pure Confusion

Once practice had finished up, everyone left until there was only the hedgehogs and Blaze left. The six of them chatted, with Blaze and Amy still floored by how powerful Maria was.

Maria left them talking outside to make lunch.

Once Maria was inside and decidedly far enough away to hear them, the girls turned on Silver.

"Why didn't you tell us Maria was so powerful!?" Amy asked.

"Considering we already knew she can run faster than any of us, I thought you guys could just guess." Silver defended.

"Wait. She can run faster than us?" Sonic still wasn't looking too great.

"Yeah. How do you think she ran out of the room so fast back when she got her memories back?"

"I don't know! Maybe she teleported out of there! I couldn't see her!"

"Sonic, maybe you should go lay down." Amy gave him a side hug. "Anxiety is not a good look on you."

"Yeah, good idea. I'm gonna go inside." Sonic walked off , rubbing his face.

"So Maria is somehow more powerful than any of us and faster, and yet you didn't think it was relevant to tell us earlier?" Shadow asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"She isn't a threat to us. I swear she is a true ally no matter what happens. I didn't think it would be a problem." Silver pushed. "Plus, I thought it would be funny to watch."

Shadow punched him lightly in the arm.

"While I agree, it was hilarious; it would have been nice to know." Blaze took Silver's arm.

"She'll reveal things about herself as she feels comfortable. Though, it might take her a while."

"Is it really that bad? Like, I can't imagine what kind of past would lead to powers like that." Amy asked.

"Honestly? I think it's both better and worse than anything any of us could imagine."

The four of them got quiet.

They all heard the back door open and looked to see Maria pop her head out. "Lunch in ready!"

"I never said anything." Silver looked at each of them pointedly, before heading inside.

~!~

After they ate, the six of them sat outside in the sun, lounging in chairs and on the grass. Sonic was a lot better, having taken a little stress nap.

It was during a lull in the conversation, when they were all so rudely interrupted.

"MARIA! Time to come home!" A familiar voice came over a speaker, as a decent sized robot air craft rose over the trees.

Maria stood up, an angry expression on her face. The others also stood, instantly recognizing Eggman's voice.

"I think you've had enough time playing with the locals. Time to return home." They could see the shape of Robotnik standing in the front window of the ship.

"Home?" Sonic asked, as they all looked to Maria.

"Guys, this is my problem. Don't get involved." Maria said, turning to Silver.

"You heard her. Stay out of it. This is a family matter." Eggman interjected.

"A family matter?" Sonic echoed.

"Silver, if he takes me with him, wait 20 minutes. If I'm not back, tell them who I am."

"What!? You're gonna dump that task on me?" Silver protested.

"I trust you." She turned to the others. "Let me handle this."

With that, she created a giant wave below her feet, pushing her up to be level with Robotnik. A hatch opened in the front of the ship, revealing him and the cockpit.

"Come along."

"No, Ivo. I won't be doing that."

"That's a shame. I thought we could do this nicely. Oh, well."

A mechanical arm emerged, palm up, under her.

"KRA!" he yelled.

Instantly, Maria fell like a rag doll into the hand; water disappearing bellow her. It closed around her and the ship turned to leave.

"Ta ta, hedgehogs!"

The ship disappeared into the distance.

Everyone spun on Silver.

"What the hell was that!?" Blaze glares at him.

"He must have seen her using her powers somehow." He said softly, partially to himself.

Silver looked down at the watch under his glove edge, making note of the time. "I can't say anything for 20 minutes. God, I hope she comes back before then."

Silver ignored they're questions and began pacing anxiously.