now we are introduced to the concept that started this whole pic
"Shadow…?" Silver whined, growing increasingly anxious as more and more items began to lift off the forest floor.
"Whatever you do, don't panic." The adult instructed calmly. His leather glove was slipped back on, as he gingerly approached the struggling hoglet.
"It's not going away!" Silver shrieked as he lifted off the ground, floating aimlessly into the air. Shadow was quick to put out the fire.
"Do you know how to control it?" He asked, standing directly underneath the hovering hedgehog.
"No." Came the stressed reply.
"Hmm... I see..." The ranger muttered. "Hold out your palms."
Silver did as instructed, extending his hands. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to keep his arms out as his strength began to fade.
"Open your eyes."
"What? But Fliss-"
"Fliss is a different teacher." Shadow interrupted. "I am teaching you now. Open your eyes."
Silver pried his eyes open, anxiously looking around as he tumbled through the air. Unfazed, the adult walked underneath him, watching with a close eye for any sign of danger.
"Shadow! I can't do it!" Silver cried, trying and trying to set himself down. Rocks and leaves danced around him, bumping into trees and bouncing off of boulders. The ivory hedgehog tried again, reaching and reaching with all his might.
"You can do it." Came the calm response. "Trust me, I know."
A shallow whimper escaped the young hedgehog's throat as he crashed into a tree, bouncing off the bark as he floated on. His limbs flailed as he tried to flip himself upright, spinning through the dense woods as his height increased.
"Stop struggling." Shadow commanded, scaling a tree and catching him by the leg. "Use your hands, and don't worry about anything else."
"But Shadow-"
"Trust me."
With a fearful squeak, Silver did as he was told. He stopped flailing around and simply floated there, tethered to the treetops by Shadow's strong hand. Now he could think. Use your hands…
Extending his paws once again, Silver tried to focus. Golden eyes examined the cyan aura that held him captive. With a sniff, the young hedgehog scrunched his brow, focusing with all his might. Come on… come on…
"That's it, keep going." Shadow urged, tightening his grip on the small ankle.
With a grunt, Silver felt a pulse escape his palms, spreading around his body and into the surrounding trees. In a split second, the aura disappeared, releasing what had been held captive.
An alarmed cry echoed through the woods as Silver dropped, frightening birds and startling animals. Rocks and branches hit the ground with raining thuds, while Silver swung by his ankle. Boy was he happy Shadow had his foot. Thirty paces is a long way to fall.
"That's what I suspected." Shadow mumbled, deep in thought. "Good work."
"That was scary." Silver choked out, growing slightly dizzy from all the blood rushing to his head. "Please don't drop me."
"I am going to."
"What?!" Silver shouted, fur bristling. "But I'll fall!"
"It's much easier than hauling you down the tree." Shadow responded flatly. "I am going to let go of your ankle, and catch you at the bottom."
"Are you crazy?" Silver spat, flailing his limbs around once again. "You won't make it in time!"
"Don't worry; i've done this before."
"But Shadow-"
"One."
"Wait no i-"
"Two."
"Shadow i-"
"Three."
At the last count, the grip on Silver's ankle released, letting gravity carry him into a free fall. Screeching, he tumbled downwards - waving his arms around in a futile attempt to fly. Golden eyes squeezed shut as the ground grew closer and closer.
With a soft bounce, Silver felt strong arms break his fall. True to his word, Shadow had made it to the bottom before he did; gracefully preventing another injury. Silver stared up into the ruby irises with wide eyes. How did he -
"With every relationship, there is an element of trust." Shadow flatly stated. "Even more so from a student."
"What?" Silver coughed out.
"You did well." Shadow affirmed. "I knew there was much talent in you before, but only now do I see the full extent of it."
"When you are ready, I will teach you."
Wait what?
Silver's mind spun. The Hero was going to train… him? The kid who was small and weak for his age. The kid who was orphaned before he knew his parents. The kid who couldn't control his powers….?
"Are you sure?" Silver blurted, wincing slightly as Shadow placed him back into the bed.
"Yes."
"But why me?" Silver asked. "Why not someone like Branch?"
"Branch is foolish and weak." The ranger sighed. "He cares not for the thoughts of others, and only wishes for glory."
"Oh."
There was an element of truth to the elder's words. It was true that Branch didn't really care too much for other people. And he was kind of reckless sometimes...
"Would you like some more berries?" The quiet voice of the elder asked, holding out a pouch of red orbs.
Silver didn't even answer before snatching the fabric and inhaling the sweet, sweet plants. Oh gosh those were delicious. Sticky juices stuck to his muzzle as he ate, dribbling down his face and matting into his fur. Silver guessed this must be his new favorite food.
"You better gather your strength." Shadow announced, turning to head back into the woods. "We leave tomorrow."