Edit: oh my gosh...it's been a year since I published this story. I am so extremely sorry to everyone who has been waiting this long for the last chapter...! I don't know why but I haven't even written it down yet..but please forgive me! T-T As an apology gift, I shall offer two things. 1.) A box of apology cookies, their toll house chocolate chip! 2.) A complete remake of this story...I've improved a lot since this was published and honestly, I don't see how this is one of my most popular stories. But believe me when I tell you, I will finish it this time...! I promise, guys! Thanks for sticking with me for so long, hope this makes up for it!

This is also an anniversary present! That's right, it's my two year anniversary of joining Fanfiction! I won't get all sentimental like I did last year - but I still want to thank every single one of you who've supported me/read my stories over the past two years. It means a lot, it really does! You guys have helped me improve so much with my writing, and I can't put into words how thankful I am for that!

Hope you enjoy, I think you will! :)

Disclaimer: SEGA owns Sonic the Hedgehog and all that jazz, like that wasn't completely obvious.

Sorry, again! Enjoy!

"...and I dream. Of an Absolution..." He fell to the ground on his knees, uncaring of the dirt tainting his pure white fur. Shifting his legs so he was sitting cross-legged, he sighed heavily. He mumbled in tune to his song or so he called it.

This lone hedgehog ran his fingers across the colorless ground, finding interest in the smallest touch of green if there was any. He studied a wilted leaf, stroking it lightly, affectionately. "And every night I will save your life..."

The last of the bystanders had dissipated, going their separate ways and beginning a lifetime's work of rebuilding a society. They had gathered after the flames had gone, crawling out of their hiding places from which they had spent years calling home. At the sight of the clear blue sky, they rejoiced; quickly discovering it was he who had rid them of that awful curse.

Finally, they had left him alone. Silver the Hedgehog, his name was. Silver, alone. "And every night I will be with you..." His eyes moved to the sky above him. The sparkles, the last of his dearest friend, were disappearing before his very eyes.

"And every night I still lay awake, and I dream..." He shut his eyes tightly, feeling warm tears streaming down his cheeks. "...of an absolution."

He breathed deeply through his nose, opening his mouth and letting the air out with a deep sigh. His tears dropped to the ground, and he watched the Earth soke them up in its dry soil. The faint sound of shouts could be heard from the distance, the citizens were probably shocked at exactly how extensive the damage was.

Silver sighed again. "What do I do now...?" He ignored the voice in his head, he knew that he had to assist in rebuilding; he meant without Blaze. Without her in his life...how could he go on? She was his everything, his anything, his love.

"You'll never be alone, Silver. We promise." Those words were spoken to him so long ago, by two people he couldn't even remember their names. He racked his brain for the faintest image of their faces, anything to reassure himself that they weren't just figments of his imagination. "I'm alone...aren't I?"

"Are you?" He caught his breath sharply, pushing himself off the ground and whipping around in a fighting stance. His hands balled into fists instinctively, eyes narrowing suspiciously with a slight tilt of the head.

The voice came from an elderly, purple hedgehog. He wore withered, stained robes with no shoes or gloves. His eyes were warm, kind, ancient, experienced. Wrinkles lined his cheeks, his dark colored fur uneven in length.

He didn't seem like much of a threat, so Silver untensed and looked this new figure up and down. "...You startled me."

The elder chuckled, bringing his hand up to his chin in thought. "You startled me, young one. My how you've grown." Silver raised an eyebrow, confusion written all over his face.

"Huh? Who are you?" He seemed to lose his composure for a moment, shaking his head and acting as though he had never said anything. "Hello, Silver. I know you are confused in more ways than one right now."

Silver considered this, blinking at him. "Yeah," He looked away and wiped his eyes with his arm roughly. "I guess I am." The older hedgehog smiled warmly at him, resting his hands on his shoulders. "You long for the people who brought you into this world, the two who said you would never be lonely."

Eyes wide, he stepped away cautiously. "How did you...who are you?" "I can't tell you, all I can do is guide you."

He gestured towards the two chaos emeralds lying on the ground, earning a confused glance from Silver. "You have used chaos control before, I prosume?"

"How did you know that?" An amused chuckle escaped his lips, like a grandfather would do to his grandson. "Always so curious."

The emeralds glowed dimly, their reflections shining in Silver's eyes. "Speak to them, they will show you what you wish to know..." Silver shook his head, breaking the trance.

"Are you saying you know about my parents?" He simply nodded his head once, bending down and scooping the gems up in both hands. Silver gulped, still a bit shaken and bewildered by this whole ordeal. Did this hedgehog really know the answers to these questions previously thought never to be answered?

"I've always wondered about them...and missed them so much, even though I don't even remember what they looked like." Silver sighed deeply, coming to a decision and nodding his head. "Yes...I understand."

He walked over and took one of the emeralds in his hand, holding it up and closing his eyes. He felt the other emerald make contact with his wrist, and soon a blinding light surrounded them completely.

The mysterious Hedgehog's voice echoed in his ear drums, causing Silver to shudder slightly.

"Your prayers have been answered, Silver. Reunited you will soon be."