(Eclipse's POV) Set in the future, requested by 

I peer down at the white creature before me, baffled by it.

It looks like a hedgehog, I think, confused. But, it cannot be. The being is practicing some form of levitation, similar to what my masters could do before me and what I can do now. Objects swirl around what I guess to be a him--even with my eyes, it is hard to tell from this distance. He manipulates them into rings, obviously attempting to hone his skills in multiple control, with which I would surmise he is greatly inexperienced.

It is blatant to me because he keeps failing. Dropping objects frequently, losing the orbit on one or another and flinging it off on its own trajectory. I wince at the mistakes, but he does not seem bothered, instead continuing with greater focus.

I did the same, once, I realize, chuckling softly at the memories. I had to learn to levitate myself and other things, and, before that, I worked on my abilities with Negative Chaos. The white creature interrupts my thoughts by dropping a large hunk of metal on its head and yelping, and I wince again. But, then, I learned faster.

Unable to stand the curiosity anymore, I take a running start and leap over the crested hill, sliding easily down the embankment. I seem to startle the Mobian, who immediately rises off the ground several feet and raises his metal projectiles.

Grinning, I jump into my own form of levitation, balancing myself above the ground with the ease of centuries of experience. His eyes widen--it is a male--and he hastily retreats backwards slightly.

"Hullo!" I greet him, not really feeling overly cheery but knowing this is normal behavior for Mobians, even in these dangerous times.

"W-Who are you? And what do you want with me?" He asks shakily, still wary. I cock my head slightly; in older times, a friendly greeting could dispel almost any fears. I have not found many people to interact with, though, in the last few decades, so maybe that changed. No matter.

"My name is Eclipse. I noticed your Chaos signal some miles away, so I came to investigate. Are you a hedgehog, mind-lifter?" Having failed at becoming friendly, I go for weird. I tend to be pretty good at being 'weird,' especially to Mobians who are so often confused by me. It will make him assume I am less of a threat, hopefully. Then, maybe I can eat him.

It sounds evil, I know. But, there is precious little food out here, in these remnants of old civilizations. Even with his powers, I am far stronger. I do not need the responsibility of lugging along a Mobian, and I have a suspicion this boy will bring trouble to my territory here.

Hence, eating him. But, first, I want to talk.

"Yes, I'm a hedgehog." he replies at last, unnerved by the change in tone. "Did you use a Chaos detector to find me?"

"No, of course not," I laugh in the way a Mobian does, different from my natural humor but much less suspicious. "I can feel your powers from miles away."

I can also smell you, hear you, see you, and otherwise notice you in all sorts of ways, but sure. This is how I first came upon you.

"Really? And you're a telekinetic, too?" He is starting to sound excited--good. That will make him less on guard.

"Not strictly. I achieve my abilities through precise manipulation of ambient concentrations of Chaos." His stare is blank, and I inwardly roll my eyes. "Yes," I add, smiling at him with skill that can dispel most any worry. "I noticed your practicing. You are very talented."

You are also naive enough that this sort of empty praise will land me inside your defenses.

"Really? Wow, thank you. But, I didn't know that there was anyone else like me. And, for that matter..." He floats back a tiny bit, obviously wary. I am not concerned to see him back on guard again--if he is this easy to read, then battling against him will be far too easy. "...who--what--are you?"

"Well, I did tell you my name. I am a rare breed, so it is understandable if you cannot recognize me. But, telekinesis runs in my family. It is really not that surprising, after all." I speak easily and a bit offhandedly, continuing my cover with unconcern. No matter his suspicions, this boy is mine. It is entirely up to me how much information I get out of him before striking, so I am unbothered.

"Well, okay. But, what are you?" He questions again, sounding suspicious.

Keh. Fine. If you want what is so bad for your health, then so be it.

"In truth? I am what is known to Mobians as a Black Arm," I reply, readying myself. I will attack when the recognition hits, as the fear renders him off-balance and ill-prepared.

To my surprise, the look that flashes across his face is not one of terror. I barely stop my muscles from leaping forward, suddenly curious about this Mobian who is so unafraid of my kind.

"You are? I've heard about those! My dad, he was part Black Arm, but he modified my DNA to cut that part out. He and Mom couldn't have had me otherwise. Or, so I've heard..." The boy trails off, oblivious to my sudden stiffness. "I never really met either of them. He was arrested before I was born, and Mom died in some sort of disaster shortly after. I only know the rumors..."

"You are Shadow's offspring?" I snap, not having expected this at all. With his alien genetics missing, I failed to recognize his scent's familiarity.

"Yes? Mom told me his name was Shadow, at least." He seems a little nervous at my sudden hostility, but I can tell he is not lying. Nor is my nose, and I sigh heavily.

"Oh, fantastic. Now I am duty bound to take care of you," I grumble, feeling my promise of a good meal slip away.

"Take care of me? Did you know my dad?"

"Yes, unfortunately for me. But, even for him, I need to uphold the family ties."

"O-Oh," he says, sounding shaken. I realize that, to him, my mood has shifted a large degree rather quickly, though there is nothing I can do about the blunder now. "Did you...not like him?"

"We had a rather rough relationship." I try not to be too short, knowing that I really do have some affection for Shadow. Enough, at least, that I will not let my dislike for him color my interactions with his son. "Nothing you need to be concerned about."

"Um, okay," he fumbles, obviously uncomfortable. I watch him dispassionately, unimpressed. For Shadow's child, this boy seems to be quite the disappointment, and I inwardly growl at the thought that I am now expected to be his guardian. Someone with such powerful blood should hardly be a burden, but I have the feeling that is exactly what will happen.

"Do your powers lie only in telekinesis?" I ask, lowering myself to the ground and watching him hurry to do the same.

"Um, yeah, as far as I know," he replies, and I have to restrain the urge to roll my eyes at his mumblings. "Uh, you're acting pretty differently than you were a minute ago..."

"I have different intentions than I did before, so, yes, I am. I also now know I am saddled with an underage child who I must protect against the many dangers of this world, which is not the most encouraging news."

"Wha--I'm not a child!" He protests, and I merely hold eye contact, watching as he shrinks back under the power of my gaze. "I-I'm fifteen," he adds, quiet now that I have put him in his place.

"I am several centuries old. You are barely a hatchling."

"You're--seriously?" He asks, gaping. "I heard my dad was from that era, but I never believed it! Are you really?"

"Yes," I growl, glaring. He flinches, and I turn around, hunching my shoulders as I scan the landscape.

"I can handle myself, you know," he ventures, peeking around me. "I've been practicing. And, I've lived this long without help. I--"

"You have been lucky," I interrupt, turning back to him and watching his cheeks flush startledly. "There are many enemies out in these lands who would make short work of you, especially with how gullible you are."

"Gullible? I'm no--hey! You were going to kill me!" He sounds very accusatory, and I finally indulge myself in an eye roll.

"Well, of course. You came out into these territories expecting to be welcomed? These are the 'badlands,' you might say. I live here because I do not want to have to deal with the remnants of society trying to kill me. This is where the most dangerous creatures lurk. I have a large area to call my own, and my source of food is fools like you wandering in, as well as the occasional optimistic predator who underestimates me."

"And you're acting like this is normal?" He splutters, backpedaling several feet. "I think the fact you were planning to kill me is something you shouldn't just move on from! It's just wrong! That's not how my father would have behaved! I'm sure of it!"

"Are you done?" I ask impatiently, crossing my arms. His eyes widen at being disregarded, and I hold up a hand to silence him. "Look, boy--you are lucky to even have the offer of my protection. It is miraculous you survived this long, no matter your abilities. Mark my words that your luck will not hold out forever. If you wish to stay alive, come with me back to my den. If you wish to die over a matter of worthless morals and pride, then stay." Turning, I begin trotting up the hill slowly enough that he can follow if he chooses.

"My dad used to say that morals were worth the actions people took to protect them," he says quietly from behind me. I pause, glancing back. "I never got to meet him, but I'm sure he wouldn't want me to kill unless it was necessary. So, tell me," he demands, finally raising his eyes, which hold far more fire than they did a moment ago, "do you go out of your way to hunt those you don't need to? Because, I can't accept working with someone like that, whether for my own safety or not."

Oh, great, I think, holding his fierce stare easily. He's naive and idealistic. That will definitely ensure his demise. I suppose I really ought to bring him with me.

"I only hunt those who enter my clearly marked domain, and I always consume them. No life is wasted here." He flinches slightly at that answer, though he nods.

"Alright." He lifts off the ground, abnormally long quills waving slightly with a barren breeze. "Then, I'll go with you."

So glad it took you that long to make that decision, I deadpan internally, but I incline my head.

"Good. Follow as you can."

With that, I take off. I abstain from going full tilt, heading along at several hundred kilometers an hour. The young hedgehog strains to keep up, though I notice approvingly that he does not complain about the pace.

We quickly come upon my main dwelling, which lies in a large cave system I had to scour the land to come across, and a quick check with my various senses--enhanced far beyond that of a Mobian's--reveal no one has passed here. Dropping to the dirt, I manually move the massive rock I use in lieu of a door and step inside, letting the child in before I replace it. He gapes at my physical strength, though this is but a small fragment of my ability.

A quick glance at the main wooden torch I use gives me the focus to light it, and ghostly pale light flickers from the white fire Negative Chaos produces. In the eerie wash of paleness, the hedgehog seems even more colorless than before, though that is partly due to the blood draining from his cheeks.

"Oh, relax," I huff, shaking my head at his wide eyes. "Electricity is difficult to come by out here, in case you have not noticed. The fire is perfectly controlled." To prove my point, I reach out and snuff it, relighting it a moment later. "I sometimes use charcoal for softer glows, but it is harder to collect."

"You live here?" The question is incredulous enough that I feel my previous guess is confirmed. This hedgehog is not only new to these lands; he is a previous city-dweller.

"It is far safer than whatever community you were in before. Every entrance to this cavern system is marked as my own, and any creature with enough guile to be a threat avoids it. I have stayed here for over fifty years--I have had no notable problems as yet."

"H-How did you know I was from a community?" He asks, nervous. "I've heard Black Arms are telepathic, but I thought I didn't have any of that blood in me..."

"You do not. It is just that obvious," I reply, heading down the tunnel and lighting the occasional torch for his benefit. I have no need of them, with my infrared vision and external senses, but I installed them in case I might one day have a visitor. This foresight pays off now.

"Wow, this is huge," he gasps, following me. We emerge into one of the larger caverns, where I sleep and prepare food. Stomachs reminding me of my missed meal earlier, I pull some plant cuttings from a shelf I carved into the rock years ago, feeling the hedgehog would be unwilling to eat any meat I could provide. Carrying them to a flat, waist high platform where I had broken a stalagmite to make a hard, convenient surface, I use my tail to quickly chop the stalks with a practiced motion.

As much as I disapprove of Mobian society, I do appreciate its cooking utensils. Crossing the room to the main fire pit, I infuse the standing water in my battered kettle with energy, a neat trick I made up a few decades ago. The previously cold liquid now boiling excitedly, I light the fire underneath to maintain the temperature and throw the plants in, adding several herbs as well.

All the while, the hedgehog continues to gape at me. Finally, I stop in the middle of stirring and sigh, looking back to see his wide eyes shimmering as he watches me.

"Yes?" I ask, vaguely wondering how he has amber irides when Shadow's crimson color should have trumped any Mobian genetics. It occurs to me to wonder if he truly did remove all traces of Black Arms influence--golden eyes, as I can attest to, are the most prevalent in my species' genetic make-up--as this boy is so far from him in appearance that I figure he must have taken at least some liberties with his DNA.

"I--I just can't believe how powerful you are. You make all of this seem so easy," he stumbles, flustered. "I always assumed the stories about my dad were exaggerated, but you're like a living legend. Was he really as incredible as everyone says?"

"Probably more so," I reply, turning back to the soup. I ignore that ever-present twinge of annoyance at talking about my half-brother, feeling I ought to try just a bit harder to be nice about him, since I am conferring with his son. "He often held back himself to avoid causing damage or hurting others. I can think of only a few instances where he used his full strength without reserve, and he was essentially unstoppable. But, I did overcome him several times when he was actively trying to beat me."

"How?" The boy asks, amazed, and it occurs to me I have yet to learn his name. "I thought he was the Ultimate Lifeform."

"Yes, he was. And I, the Ultimate Alien, was created specifically to destroy him," I add casually, looking back to see his reaction.

"What?!" He squawks, every fur on his body flying straight up. Unable to help myself, I burst out laughing, my real laugh coming through.

"Hukhukhuk!" I nearly double over, slumping on the wall to keep myself standing. "Your face! Hukhuk!" It takes me almost thirty seconds to compose myself, not having laughed in ages, and he stands frozen, mortified.

"I obviously did not destroy your father, so I do not know why you seem so worried," I respond, still snickering slightly. "Chaos, you are such an open book. I can hardly believe you are related to Shadow, stoic as he was."

"Er, thanks?" He says, obviously taken aback.

"Hrm, right," I cough, trying to find my serious side again. "I never got your name."

"Oh!" He exclaims, just realizing it as well. "Silver. Silver the Hedgehog."

"Silver? That is...different," I observe, stirring the pot again.

"Yeah, I know... Mom named me," he says, embarrassed. "I wish I had something cooler."

"As in, Icicle, for your light fur? Maybe Arctic?" I question, leaning against the wall to continue the conversation.

"What? No, not literally cooler. As in, you know, awesome."

"Oh. Either way, it seems a missed opportunity."

"Yeah..." He sighs, running a hand through the odd smattering of quills on his forehead. To my surprise, he neglects to say more, instead opting to sit down, lost in thought. I try to shove down the thought that he is rapidly growing on me, though I cannot seem to completely get rid of the rising investment in this child. Thankfully, in just a few minutes the soup is ready, and I am halfway through the gratefully distracting meal before he looks up from his bowl.

"Um, Eclipse?" He asks, sounding uncertain but determined. I swallow my mouthful, glancing up to tell him I am listening as I take another one. "I was wondering..."

"Er, yes?" I ask, a little tired of how nervous he keeps getting.

"My dad was arrested by G.U.N., right?"

"Mmh."

"And he's powerful? Next to you, kind of?"

"Mmh-hmm..." I peer suspiciously at him, wondering where this is going.

"Then, wouldn't it make sense to, you know..." He trails off again.

"No, I do not. That is why I am listening," I sigh, wishing he would just get on with this already.

"Wouldn't it make sense to rescue him?"

I nearly choke on the soup, forcing it down and coughing explosively.

"Silver," I warn sternly, coughing again. "You have no idea how bad of an idea that is. G.U.N. is dangerous."

Not to mention Shadow and I would hardly get ten feet without degenerating into combat.

"But--"

"Shadow chose to be arrested by G.U.N. rather than battle it out. He knew people needed someone to blame for how bad a turn the world had taken, and he hoped to be the scapegoat so no one else had to," I say with an exasperated sigh, never having understood this decision. Then, something occurs to me, and I frown. "Come to think of it, your existence probably influenced that decision, since he would have had trouble keeping a newborn and its mother safe from the military, who would hunt them to lure Shadow out from hiding."

"It was partially my fault?" Silver asks, alarmed. "No..." He looks close to tears, biting his lip.

"It just is not feasible to accomplish," I tell him, trying to be gentle. "I understand how you must feel. I lost my father when I was only a few months old."

"But--" He says helplessly, and I cut him off by reaching over and softly placing a finger over his lips.

"Silver, I know how much you want to see your father. But, he would want me to keep you safe. And, I cannot do that if you go running off to try and rescue him. Maybe one day, but you are simply not strong enough to match me right now. I would be burdened if you tried to help in an attempt, and I am not sure even I could make it through all of the energy defenses alone." I look at him sincerely, the honesty coming through my golden eyes. It does not escape me how the glow from my irides lights his own, and I suppress a sudden flush to my cheeks at the pure intention I see in them. I have never been so transparent, but, for the first time, I see the sadness in that.

"If I train, if I get strong enough, would you help me?" He asks, hoping, searching for a shred of his dream.

"Yes," I murmur, wondering when my hand moved from his mouth to his cheek. "I will."

"Then I'll work harder," he swears, clenching his fist and raising it with sudden energy. "I'll do it. I will save him!" He declares, then looks back at me with those wide eyes. "Please, teach me," he begs, pleading. "I'll listen. I'll do anything."

"Of course," I respond, and it catches me by surprise that I really mean it. Those begging eyes, so full of sincerity and hope, pierce right through me and latch onto my soul.

"Really?" I nod solemnly, swallowing as I reach out and carefully brush the tears from his eyes.

"Yes," I promise, feeling my hearts swell with an emotion I have not felt in several hundred years.

"Thank you," he says, and I feel my arms start forward before I can stop to think. I wrap him in a hug, something I have never done before but now feels so natural. He flinches in surprise, but he returns it after a moment, tentatively.

"You know," he starts to say, squeezing me a bit tighter, "I've never known anyone like you. Is..." He trails off; I will have to have him work on that. "Is this what having a dad feels like?" He asks, and the question is so genuine that I feel myself melt, just a little.

"Yes," I tell him simply, unsure how else to respond. "It is."

"Oh." He looks down thoughtfully, smiling as he glances back up. "Because... I rather like this." I smile at him, quirking my lips a little.

"I do, too, Silver."

"Can I call you dad? Just until we get him out?" He asks, so hopeful and nervous at the same time.

"Yes, if you want. Really, though, I am more of an uncle," I reply, unable to look away from those pleading eyes.

"Thanks, um, dad," he says, testing the word out. I try unsuccessfully to stifle a grin at his unsurety.

"You are welcome...

"...son."

Author's Note: This one was actually supposed to be a romance (I could write another version if this proves unsatisfactory, Hans), but I couldn't ignore the more paternal dynamic. I actually briefly considered making this into a small story (3-5 chapters), and I still might. I would like to see Shadow be rescued by Eclipse and Silver, as it would certainly prove a challenge, and I could explore Silver's world a bit, which I never have. So, if anyone is interested in this getting a continue, tell me, and I'll make it official. For that matter, I'm open to a continue on any one of these one-shots, so, if you really like one, tell me.

Next up is a Shadonia, set in normal Sonic canon. I've never considered this pairing before (that's the beauty of this book--I wanted to be challenged in my shipping habits), but I think it'll prove to be an enjoyable, flirtatious one with a healthy dose of badassery. So, I hope you come check it out! Don't forget to leave a request and maybe drop a vote or follow. I'd appreciate it!