This Scratch project is a part of a story series. You can read the story down below in the "Notes and Credits".
{Setting: Crisis City} The joy falls from Silver’s face. His head shakes in dismay, then his ears perk up at a sound. He turns, and in the distance, in the center of the crater…faint wisps of fire swirl around, then weave together and grow, to recreate the giant flame. The large fire weaves through the air. Lava runs back into the crater, then the flame dips down into the shallow pool, vanishing from sight. Silver:… *his ears droop, then his head jerks as his Mother drops from his arms back to the ground* Florence: Ven…Venice… ! *sobs* VENICE! *barely lifts her shuddering fist to slam it to the ground. Her head is pressed hard to the cement as tears drip from her face.* Her weeping intensifies the painful ache in Silver’s heart, but…the young hedgehog now stares with blank gaze at his Mother, before he wraps his arms around her comfortingly. His cheek rests against her head, feeling her shake and listening to her choke on her cries. They sit alone together in the quiet city. Sometime Later… Silver carries Florence with determination as he searches the nearby intact buildings. He maintains the band around her waist while he opens drawers and cabinets. He finds food and water, but ignores it to hurry off. His feet trot quickly from building to building, and across the street to another structure, with the second pair of cuffs loosely hanging on his ankles. Steadily, his psychic energy drains from his body to hold up Florence and wrap her injury, and it’s starting to waver. Silver’s quills are beginning to droop. Barely able to hold her anymore, Silver stumbles over to a couch in an old room and lies her down on it to focus on keeping the band of energy going. His brow is tightening as he focuses, but he attempts to glance around. The room is in shambles, and the kitchen area has been crushed by ceiling debris. The cracked door to his other side leads only to a broken floor and a view of the city. Silver: Mmh… *still looks around, but sees no sign of what he’s searching for* Florence: *her face is almost completely pale, and her breaths are shallow as her hand rests on her stomach* … *her nearly glazed over eyes glance in Silver’s direction. She feels the energy wrapped around her loosening.* …Sil…Silver… Silver: *ignores her and tries to think as he peers about* Florence: Silver…it…it’s okay— Silver: *firm tone* No it’s not. I need to find bandages. Florence: Rest…please. Silver: I can’t, Mother! If I stop then…! Then you’ll…! *his lip quivers then he shakes his head* There has to be some around here!! Florence: It won’t m-matter… Silver: Father said not to lose hope— and he said to take care of you! I’m going to find some bandages— I HAVE TO! Florence: Ple-please…come here…and li-lie down with me. *there’s a fading appearance to her gaze* Silver: ! *grits his teeth* M-Mother…I ne…I need you— I… *sees the band lighten and tries to strengthen it again, but only a trickle of energy comes from his body* . . . Florence: *gives him a soft melancholy smile* … The little hedgehog slowly lowers his hands. He lets out a sputtered breath, then crawls onto Florence to snuggle himself under her arm. His head rests on her chest to listen to her heartbeat. Silver: I…I don’t know what to d-do, Mother… *grips the fabric of her dress* …I don’t w-want to give up— bu-but…! Florence: Shh…you…you’ve done ev-everything…you could do. Silver: I ca-can’t… I can’t lose you too— I…I don’t know what to do…wit-without you and Father!! Florence: *leans her chin on her head as she tears up again* I’m s-so sorry. Silver I’d give…anything to stay here wi-with you…and not leave you…in this world a-alone. Silver: … *his quills raise angrily. His grip on her dress tightens.* …why— Mother why shou-should I still have hope?! What did we do all of this for?! IT WAS A WASTE! FATHER DIED FOR NOTHING! Fa-Father was stronger than anyone! If he couldn’t d-do it then…! Then it…it is hopeless!! Florence: . . . *deeply sighs* …do you remember…the book we u-used to read? The…the one about the trees. Silver: Yeah…why? Florence: Re-remember…that one tree… *lets out a strained chuckle* …it…took three hundred ye-years to mature. What does…that mean, S-silver? Silver: *puzzled look as he rubs his eyes* I…I don’t know. Why are you…? Florence: It means…the person who pl-planted it…and that p-person’s children…maybe even their grand ch-children…would never get to s-see it…fully grown. That doesn’t mean it…it was a waste to plant it. Silver: … *peers at his Mother with an unsure expression* Florence: Silver, you-your Father & I…may not have defeated Iblis, but we…I to have hope that maybe…we planted the t-tree…or helped it g-grow…somehow. That…something we did…w-will help bring Iblis t-to it’s end…even if we won’t get t-to…see it.
