Golden Savior

"Things will get better, just give it a little more time!" As I walk along these broken roads On my face I wear a smile I can just pretend that I'm happy If only for a little while "The name's Ray. Nice to meetcha!" [Independent AU Ray the Squirrel RP blog]

[afracturedabsolution-blog]

adistantresolution replied to your post: "Why is everyone so riled up? What is this…

"It’s HallowEEEeeeeEEEEeeeeEEEeeeeNNNnnNNNnnnnNNNNnnnnn"

"I don’t know what that is though… Is it something important?" Celebrations and holidays were lost to Silver. He was someone who had lived his whole life without even celebrating a birthday. He didn’t have time for such things. That, and he had no idea what they were or what they meant.

[adistantresolution]

"You get free candy. Some people celebrate the dead. It really varies from person to person."

Ray knew better than to think Silver would comply if he simply asked, so instead of asking, Ray dug into his pocket, took out a rather large bar of chocolate, and crammed it into Silver's mouth. That way he could be sure the hedgehog would have at least a little candy before the night was over.

[afracturedabsolution-blog]

Silver shook his head and gazed out once more over the changing world before him. A small smile tugged at his lips. “It’s your brutal honesty that I find admirable, Ray. The fact that you don’t beat around the bush or lie about what it is you believe in, what you want, what you feel.”

"Maybe I’m just a little jealous. I don’t think I could be as open as you are about it…" But then again, he was someone who would sacrifice everything to make someone else’s life easier. 

"I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that. Sorry…" A leaf blew by, caught up in the wind, and Silver lifted his hand, catching it within his telekinetic grip and bringing it back. He twisted his hand slightly and the leaf flipped a few times, Silver’s golden eyes examining it. "So the trees are not actually dying. They are merely resting?" Then…maybe there was still hope for his homeland. He would be the one to reawaken it when this long and abusive winter had come to it’s end. When Shadow and Mephiles’ reign finally ended.

[adistantresolution]

"Lying is wrong. It hurts people more than if you told them a painful truth. A painful truth is something you can get over after a certain amount of time, but a lie is something that can shatter your entire sense of being." He stood up, brushing himself off, a frown still curled on his face. "I'm open because that's how I would want others to be for me. I show them who I am, so that maybe they'll show me who they are in return. I don't believe in being closed off. It hurts more to be alone than it does to risk being yourself around someone.

That's not to say I can't understand why people do it, and that's why I don't press them. Regardless of whether someone is as open with me as I am with them, I'll stick around. It's only when they actively try to hurt me that I leave. There's no need to be jealous. Choose carefully, and take the leap for someone you think is worth it. Push yourself to step out of your comfort zone. It's good for you to do that sometimes."

He turned, and walked a few steps away. "That's a good word for it. Resting." A couple more steps. There was a danger to brutal honesty, and that was feeling selfish when it was a selfish thought. He didn't feel like being around the hedgehog anymore, so he just continued walking, and didn't stop.

"I'll see you some other time."

[afracturedabsolution-blog]

Silver shifted on his feet, turning his body so that he could gaze back at Ray with his golden eyes. “I think my world would be at peace, had Shadow or Mephiles never existed.” Silver had never hated someone more. Even now, when meeting new alternates of Shadow the Hedgehog, he reacted violently. 

"It doesn’t matter though. What’s happened has happened. You are right. Nothing can be done to change what they’ve chosen to do. The only thing I can do is keep moving forward and hope I am strong enough to end them once and for all."

[adistantresolution]

His eyes lowered. Seeing that expression on the other's face, it made him feel terrible. Not only because of the suffering Silver had gone through, but because of the squirrel's only selfishness. "I'm glad it happened." He spoke quietly, staring at the ground. "I'm glad you are who you are, because I wouldn't want you any other way. I'm happy that I got the chance to meet you. If your world was at peace, that wouldn't have happened."

His arms folded loosely against his chest. "I know that makes me a terrible, selfish person, and I'm sorry about that, but it's how I feel, and I'm not gonna lie about it. I'll fight for those people with everything I have, but I'm not gonna pretend I'm not thankful things happened the way they did." His arms folded tighter, his hands clenching into fists. "I know they'll be stopped once and for all. I'll do it myself if I have to."

[afracturedabsolution-blog]

It had been a rather long while since Silver had been out and about like this. Just taking in the sun. Enjoying the pleasant breeze. This air was so fresh. He had no idea where he was, but this place was beautiful. It seemed the leaves were changing colors as well. A phenomena he had never seen before. 

"I wonder….if this is what my world would look like, had Mephiles and Shadow never existed…"

[adistantresolution]

"Maybe." Called a voice from behind. Autumn happened to be his favorite season, he wasn't about to let Silver experience it all by himself. There were a lot of things to show someone when it came to seasons, which could have honestly applied to any season. Apple cider, leaf piles, roasting marshmallows, starry nights, all qualities of autumn that he loved.

"Or maybe something else would have happened. They say you can't truly change the past. What happened was meant to happen, and all we can do is improve the future."

[afracturedabsolution-blog]

The off-white hedgehog struggled with his inner debate. Sleep, and risk coming under attack unawares, or stay awake and possible pose a stronger threat to his health. He was used to not sleeping. Not eating. Not having fresh water. In fact, having anything healthy actually sickened him for the first few days. His body was so in-tuned with the poison of this zone, that anything else would cause him bodily harm until he grew used to it.

But, this was Ray. Ray was the only one that had been able to get under his skin thus far. So he relented. 

Ah, but that embrace. That small comfort. He could feel it in his chest. The lightening of his mood. The willingness to give in.

"I’m only doing this for you, Ray. Food and then…rest." This all felt so foreign to him. To be clean. To get fed properly. And soon, he would be sleeping as well. This was almost like a dream, something of which rarely visited Silver since he rarely slept. 

White ears slowly lowered and honeyed eyes rested on the Ray quietly. “You know… You really are doing too much for us though. I’m glad. But after this, I want you to go home for a bit. You can come back. I’m not banning you or anything. But if you got sick from the poison in the air here…I’d never forgive myself.”

[adistantresolution]

He was ecstatic. While Silver really should have been doing all of this for his own health, he would accept the fact Silver was only doing it for him. That was worth it if it meant he would be healthy. In time, he was sure he could get Silver to do all of this for himself. Until then, he would just be happy that he could help someone else to be okay.

Ray didn't believe that for a second. He did everything he could, and then some for the residents of this world. He always would, until every last one of them was able to live just as wonderful a life as the squirrel himself had gotten to lead. To see the beauty the world had to offer, and to meet the wonderful people who inhabited it. His smile did fall at those words.

"I'll be fine! I won't get sick!" He really didn't want to go home, not if Silver was going to rest. The whole point of this was so that he could take watch instead. "I guess... if you really want me to go back, I'll make that compromise. I really don't want to leave you, but I can respect that." Silver didn't say how long. Ray could easily come back ten minutes later, and have technically been gone for a while, which was the only reason he seemingly agreed.

"I think I'll get sick at some point, but I'm okay with that. I'll just push through it, the way everyone else in this world has. But enough of worrying about things." He put on a crooked grin. "You have a lot of food to finish."

[adistantresolution]

[afracturedabsolution-blog]

Silver was still concerned. Ray’s face had only grown a deeper shade of red as they continued speaking, and it didn’t seem to be getting better. But when Ray insisted he was fine, Silver had no choice but to nod his head and accept it. It was hard to help some one who didn’t wish to be helped. “If you say so. I just don’t want you to fall ill. I worry for all the inhabitants here. That includes you for the time being.” He lightly tapped his index finger to the squirrels cheek and offered him a half smile, though it faltered when Ray mentioned he liked seeing him smile. Silver wasn’t used to receiving any sort of compliment, even if it was a bit odd. A light flush came to his cheeks, but no where near as pronounced as Ray’s cheeks had been. 

"I guess I should smile more often then?" He hadn’t even realized he’d been smiling. That Ray picked up on it was a bit of a shock to Silver. "I don’t completely understand why my smiling makes your face turn red. But if it means you like it, then I’ll try to make a habit out of smiling more."

Silver hesitated when Ray continued on though, and hesitantly nodded his head. All of his people were well fed, and resting. He still felt the protective urge to remain here to watch over them, but the gurgle that interrupted his train of thought urged otherwise. “Perhaps that would be best. But I don’t want to sleep for too long. I just…I worry for them. I want to be alert at all times.” Sleeping muddled his brain and slowed reaction times. He couldn’t afford to rest for fear that an enemy would rear its head in his time of unawares. 

"I’ll eat…and I can sleep for a short while. I’m only doing this because you pester me so much about it.” His tone wasn’t snarky or rude though when he spoke. The smile was still there, and his words held a tone of joking or mirth. “And…thank you Ray. For all of this. There’s no way I could repay you for everything you’ve done.”

[adistantresolution]

Seeing him smile more often, that was his driving motivation for work. Silver didn't seem to understand that his smile wasn't what turned his face red. It had been how close he had gotten. Getting so close made his face feel like it was burning, and he wasn't sure why. Then again, so did receiving compliments from him, and it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. The squirrel figured it was just an odd little quirk he had developed.

"I don't want you to feel like you need to smile." His head tilted. "I want you to want to smile. I want you to smile without realizing your smiling. I want you to be so happy that you just do it anyway." His head was bowed slightly, but his expression was serious. Ray wanted the same thing. He wanted everyone to be safe, and happy. That was why he stuck around, doing everything he could to improve the quality of life for these people.

"I know you're worried, but you just can't be alert at all times. You're a living person, Silver. You aren't an inanimate object. Just let yourself sleep tonight. It's only this once, and I'll protect everyone if something happens." Or at least, he would try. Ray may not have been much of a fighter, but he had a fighter's spirit. He never gave up, even if it would have meant his death. He couldn't help but smirk. He knew Silver really needed to eat, that sound from earlier only confirmed it.

"I'll never stop pestering you." His tone as just as light, and joking as Silver's had been. That thank you had been where his resolve broke. Whether Silver wanted it or not, he was pulled into a tight embrace, the squirrel nuzzling his face. He honestly couldn't help it. He had been overcome with an overwhelming sense of happiness. "You already repay me every day when you give me a smile. That's all I ever want."

[archiveforwingedmasterofcha-blog]

*Mismatched eyes slowly widened as Ray began to tear up. Feather had not thought about his words a head of time. He had spoken to several Silver alternates. They had not been this moved when hearing about the passing of one of their copies from another zone. Feather had told many people, now that he thought about it, but none had reacted as Ray was reacting at the moment.

The hedgehawk took a knee next to the distressed Mobian and gently put a hand on his shoulder, ears tilting back. Damn it damn it, he hadn’t meant for this to happen at all! Oh Chaos how was he suppose to make this better?!*

I….I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, but…. ……In body, he is very much gone, but not gone for good. In my world, the souls of heroes are embedded in Chaos emeralds. Do you know what a Chaos emerald is? Heroes that have one….they can communicate with other Chaos users. I have talked to him, even after his passing. It….it sounds crazy, I would understand if you thought me insane after saying this but…I speak the truth. He is dead, and has been, but communicating with him is still possible. He thrives in Paradise with the other past heroes. He’s happier there.

[adistantresolution]

His hands fidgeted around blindly, his vision blurred with tears. He had never been put up to the thought of Silver's death, as strange as it was given the circumstances that he now lived in. Death was common, it happened all the time, but not to him. He was the hero who would save the world one day, and then he would come back to a nicer time period and live out his life, and be happy. That's what Ray wanted, at least. He didn't want him to die. Was it really possible?

"I-I-I kn-kn-kn-know wh-what an e-e-e-e-emerald i-is..." In times of emotional distress, he had no control over his speech impediment. He couldn't help the constant stuttering. That did make things sound better. The idea that at least some Silver somewhere was happy. That he probably smiled, and laughed. But it didn't take away from the sheer terror he had been put up to.

Ray wiped his eyes in an attempt to stop from crying, something he didn't exactly like doing in front of other people. "I-I have o-o-o-one t-t-t-too, b-b-but it d-d-d-doesn't s-s-s-say anyth-thing."

[keepinganimmortalworld-deactiva]

The moment those hands starting sparking, Hark had a hand on Ray’s shoulder as a small soothing wave was sent in the squirrel’s direction.

"Relax. You’re in safe hands. Deep breaths, Ray, deep breaths. You can do this. Inhale and exhale. You have no reason to be nervous. Relax."

[adistantresolution]

He nearly flinched at the touch, but within a few moments, he found it easier to follow instruction. Direct warmth. It sounded easy enough, but doing it was another story. He just sat there for a little while trying to figure it out, although thankfully now in a more relaxed state of mind, but eventually, he had actually managed to do it on a much smaller scale.

...Not that he even realized it.

[archiveforwingedmasterofcha-blog]

I knew I wasn’t the only one, but this is ridiculous.

*How many worlds had a Mephiles destroyed now? It made Feather’s stomach flip just thinking about it. So many people had died, so many things ruined, the living had their lives destroyed…. How many alternates had to go through this? How many needed help? Were any bound to a contract, like he was?*

No, no I-I can’t have you do that. The Silver of my world was killed long ago, and the Mephiles of my world is stronger than you might think. He has gained rule over Iblis even. I can’t have anyone else getting in my mess. Thank you, but this is something I must handle.

[adistantresolution]

It didn't feel right, to know that another world had been destroyed by the same person. Why wasn't he stopped? Why was he allowed to continue making people miserable for no reason whatsoever? It didn't matter how physically weak he was. He wouldn't allow this to continue! If he just felt strong enough about it, it meant he would win, didn't it?

Ray was about to protest until he heard those words.

The Silver of my world was killed long ago

Killed. Killed. Silver had been killed, and was gone forever. Even if it wasn't who he had known, it was still someone who was, no doubt, similar.

"He can't be dead!" Those nine words were all he heard. He had no clue what an Iblis was, that monster had long since been sealed up before he came to that world. "I-I don't believe you! Even if there are other worlds, he couldn't die!" Ray dealt with death on a daily basis, but the thought of an alternate of the one hope there was dying? He couldn't handle it.

[keepinganimmortalworld-deactiva]

Hark slowly pulled his hand away, and cut the transfer of energy. Now, for the hardest part.

"That warmth, look inside yourself and find a similar one. If you need to take a seat and a breath, but I do suggest you keep your eyes closed for now. Once you have it, direct part of it, not all of it, to your hand. Then open your eyes," was instructed as Hark actually took a seat on the floor. If Ray was able to do that, then the squirrel could already do more than he thought.

[adistantresolution]

In all his years, that was a sensation he couldn't quite remember feeling, at least, not that strongly. He did as instructed, slowly lowering himself to the ground, a little awkwardly as he kept his eyes closed the entire time.

The more he tried to think, the harder his eyes clenched shut. Ray was an emotional person to begin with, he felt things in extremes. If he felt happy, he was jumping up and down in excitement. On the flip side, it wasn't overly difficult to make him cry, either. But right now, he was nervous, and it was making him anxious. Instead of successfully accomplishing what had been asked, his hands began sparking in distress, showing that he was both, feeling emotionally compromised, and that he had no control over what he was doing at the moment. It would have probably done him some good to try and relax over the whole situation.

[archiveforwingedmasterofcha-blog]

The new….trend? I don’t know about my other alternates but I don’t want to kill anyway.

*At least, not at that moment, and definitely not Ray. Feather was, in a way, lying through his teeth.*

Mephiles is my enemy, he’s been my enemy for hundreds of years. I hate him with everything I have. He destroyed my world.

[adistantresolution]

"He did that to your world too?"

So Shadow alternates weren't inherently evil, but by the sounds of things, Mephiles alternates were. Ray had never actually seen Mephiles more than once, it was usually Shadow who did the dirty work, unless it was a kidnapping. That was something he preferred not to think about.

"Then when we're finished with Silver's world we'll come and save your world! And then all the other worlds he might have ruined! I don't care how hard it is, I won't let him make people suffer!" Says the squirrel who would be killed in an instant if he actually tried to fight even a monster, let alone a demi god.

[greaterspeed-archive]

What’s up with you, dude?

[adistantresolution]

"He wasn't manipulated.

Shadow wanted that.

He wanted to see people suffer.

He wanted everyone to die, and he wanted to rule the world.

Don't glorify him."

[adistantresolution]

gottaguardfast replied to your post:  

"Are you alright—?"

"I'll be fine, don't worry about me!"

[adistantresolution]

soldimension replied to your post:  

((……do you guys still need a Mephi? Because Mio was gonna make a Mephi remember??))

((

it's up to Kandra adosihf it's her AU

I'll ask her next time she's on uwu

))

[adistantresolution]

 

[keepinganimmortalworld-deactiva]

The hesitation Ray displayed confirmed his thoughts. Instinct. Uncontrolled instinct if the information he was being given was anything to go by.

Time to see how well that instinct worked.

Hark crouched in front of the squirrel and took his hand so that the palms would be facing.

"Ray, I’m going to ask you to close your eyes and tell me what you feel."

And Hark closed his own eyes before gently pushing Chaos Energy against Ray’s palm.

[adistantresolution]

Nervousness. That's what he was feeling. Had he said the wrong thing? Normally he didn't care all that much about making mistakes. He'd learn from it and keep going until he got it right, but he couldn't help but feel a tinge of nervousness in front of this person. Kind or not, it was still an alternate of the face he had constantly seen hurting people.

His ears twitched madly as he stared at the palm that was now in contact with his own. The squirrel did as instructed, closing his eyes, attempting to focus on the sensation he was being given.

"...It feels warm... but not like fire. It's kinda different, but in a good way, I think."