I don't know where this one came from. It almost seems like a filler.


He had never expected it to come to this; certainly the hedgehog's dealing with G.U.N. had given him a knowledge of the military, he never thought the small creature would have such a good grasp of strategy. Although Doom was deeply ashamed that anything creature of his blood, even the hybrid, had served under the humans, he was beginning to wonder if he had misjudged them.

"What are you thinking about?" The hedgehog's words were void of emotion but the ruby gaze on the alien held a flicker of wonder.

"Your abilities," all three of his eyes regarded his newest ally and soldier, "are beyond my expectations."

Hesitantly, Shadow's gaze fell to the table where he sat, "We are just play chess Doom."

Black Doom felt his lips twist in a smirk, "That's what the humans would have you believe Shadow; in truth this is a good way to teach militant tactics: the pawns are your foot soldiers, weak, expendable but vital to your army… you would get nowhere without foot soldiers."

Swiftly, the streaked hedgehog interrupted, "You must have your work cut out for you," the hybrid grinned "I recall destroying quite a few of them."

"Yes," unable to keep the bitter tone from his voice, Doom wondered, if not for the hibernation incident, if Gerald's pet project would be sitting across from him, "now stop interrupting me, I am trying to teach you!"

Smirking but silent, Shadow gestured for his biological father to continue.

Casting a wary eye over the hedgehog, Black Doom tried again "Your knights are more valuable, they have unique abilities which help you but, when in a crisis, they are also expendable; bishops and rooks are more valuable and should be used more selectively, their abilities are assets that you must only lose if essential, though they should never be saved over your king."

"Which is you." The weary tone of the other's voice informed Doom that the lesson may need repeating in future.

"No," the alien got a look of satisfaction as he watched the hedgehog's ears perk in surprise, "I am not the most important thing to the Black Arms survival, Shadow, and I would lay my life down for our home just as readily as the rest of my soldiers."

"That's why we fought away from the comet." The revelation shook the hedgehog; he had never thought Doom capable of caring for something more than himself.

"Yes Shadow it is." Pausing to gather his thoughts, the alien allowed himself a brief glimpse into the creation's mind; the thoughts, whilst disturbingly human, with such an odd idea of loyalty and affection, confirmed what he had suspected about the hybrid, "Without my race I am nothing, I would not exist as you know me… It is not in our natures to be alone."

Growling at the comparison, the artificial Lifeform narrowed his gaze, "Our? What would you know of my nature… aside from the fact you wish to oppress it?"

"Your actions tell me that I'm right Hybrid," Doom watched the other flinch at the title, "your devotion to that girl, your willingness to spend time with creatures that annoy you, even your work for that sorry excuse for an army are all proof that you and I are alike. Neither of us need our allies for strength; in that we differ from chess, but we need them for a purpose; mine to have something to rule over and yours to push away the isolation of belonging both nowhere and everywhere. It is a safe assumption Shadow that the idea of spending eternity alone is what drove you here."

"It's an interesting analysis Doom," Shadow's eyes were firmly back on the board, "however I believe this conversation is over."

The alien gazed at his offspring with curiosity, "Why is that Shadow?"

The hedgehog eyed up his master coldly, "I've won this game Doom."

As he watched the hybrid's retreating form, Black Doom frowned; it seemed his cast off may teach him yet.