And I'm back! Hey everyone!

So I was sick today and I've been feeling pretty down recently, but I checked my emails and hey! People are still here! This one's a short one sorry XD

riverjocabed1: I'm glad you like it! I've got loads of ideas for Silver's powers (but you'll have to wait some more :P). And I strive to be consistent at the very least.

Guest: (Where's Sleet and Dingo?) Not here right now. They've not really come up in recent chapters, but who knows? Maybe they'll make a comeback.

SharpDragonKlaw: I spent a very long time deciding what they'd give each other. I'm really glad people enjoyed it!

jaybirdstar: (::) thanks for the follow ad favourite!

bajy: Thanks! Maria will have to do some real soul searching to find the answer though XD

Captain Shadow Blade: (::)

anime0528: (::)

Adidas804: (::)

A1phaOmega: (::)

JadeSachaHedgehog: (::)

Auralilly: (::)

Poetsong: (::)

Gokuu the Carrot (Guest): I'll be perfectly honest, it was your review that kicked me into action. I really want to thank you for writing it, because if you hadn't, I wouldn't have written this. Thanks to you I've got a new chapter and a bunch of ideas for future chapters.

.o0o.

And then there was one

Afterwards, I felt a persistent chill. It was in my capsule of glass, separated from the world outside that I waited, longing. My future was paved in front of me, a road with twists and turns that hold no real promise of challenge. It was so close, I could see it, smell it, hear it, taste it, feel it. But alas, I would be denied that which I hungered for so dearly. I was not… "ready". And so, I waited.

But no more. No longer.

.o0o.

"Just tell her," Sonic drawled as he flipped through Cyrus's resources report. It was a Sunday evening and Sonic was supposed to be taking a break, on Argus's orders. But Sonic's never been good at obeying orders unless he's giving them.

Knuckles was sitting at the end of his bed, trying to make sure that Sonic at least has a chat with somebody while he works. Which was turning out to be a terrible idea.

"There's nothing to tell," He grumbled, crossing his arms. Sonic glanced over the top of his pamphlet and raised an eyebrow. "There isn't!"

"Knuckles we've been friends for a long time, right?"

"Yes?"

"And you know I trust you."

"Obviously."

"You were the first person I told about me and Amy."

"…yes."

"So, you can come clean about your obvious infatuation with my sister?" Sonic finished, turning to the next page. Knuckles turned bright red.

"…no."

"Ha! So, you do have a crush on her!" Sonic threw the pamphlet down.

"I- what- I didn't-" Knuckles stammered. "Shut up Sonic."

Sonic laughed, falling flat on the mattress. Despite himself, Knuckles found himself smiling. It was nice to just chat with Sonic again. Without having to talk about Eggman, the Resistance or the many other issues that faced them head-on. To just be… teenagers.

"You know," Sonic said, sitting up again. "I'm doing this to tease. I want you two to be happy. You like her, she likes you. So, just tell her. Unless… is there something I'm missing?"

Knuckles stared at the coarse blanket, focusing in on the strands tangling together.

"Knuckles?"

"I'm just…" Knuckles sighed. "not ready."

Sonic nodded slowly. "I mean… I get it. But you should tell her."

"Yeah…"

.o0o.

Maria stood back, frowning at the array of blueprints and design ideas that she'd pinned up around her room. Lasers, flamethrowers, plasma swords. None of them were standing out.

"A part of me…" she muttered. But what does that mean? Amy is strong. Her hammer is perfect for her because she has anger. Blaze is controlled. Her powers can get out of control so easily; her control keeps it in check.

"So… who am I? I'm not controlled or strong… so none of these will work"

Maria bit her lip. She got lost in her thoughts, staring desperately trying to decipher what was wrong. What was missing?

"SONIC HEROES TO CARGO BAY ONE. REPEAT SONIC HEROES TO CARGO BAY ONE." Cyrus's voice echoed over the speakers, accompanied by a loud alarm. "THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. MANIC, YOU CAN'T SLACK OFF ON THIS ONE. IF YOU AREN'T HERE IN FIVE MINUTES, I WILL SHOVE YOU OUT OF A HELICARRIER."

Maria looked out into the corridor. She could hear Manic's groaning even from here. She glanced back at the blueprints. They'd have to wait.

She pulled on a jacket and ran out of her room, headed to cargo bay one behind the others.

.o0o.

The future is a fickle thing. There are those amongst their number who know the intricacies of our actions first-hand. But I know better. I know what my future holds. I have seen what is in store. I have seen what we all become. I have seen how it ends.

It is infinity, laid out in all its majesty. It is nothing. A desecrated world that holds everything and nothing.

And I am the one to bring this ecstasy onto this world.

Ok, that's it for now. Thank you all for staying with me (and your endless patience). Once again, I will finish this fic. That's a promise!

Cya next time!