Disclaimer: I hereby disclaim all rights to all characters (save for those of my own creation) on this quiet night… especially for the one who has all the secrets (just as was once true in the very darkest arc of "Hero").

ALERT: Just a reminder that the stories in this series are M Rated for a reason. This one doesn't show anything graphic, but there is a decent chunk of dialogue about a subject that isn't suitable for younger audiences (nothing involving mature romance, for those of you with your heads in the gutter). So, yeah, you've all been warned.

~保護者~

REVIEW REPLIES:

Hello, MelGamingPlays! Nope, no reference to Sans. I've never played Undertale. XD Sans in this case just means "minus" or "except for", purely to highlight that Cadora wasn't there. :P And yep, Kaden is alive, and in danger at a bad time. Because of course he is. XD Anyway, yes, Analia did die at the same time as him. But as to whether or not she actually died or in fact survived... you'll just have to wait and see. ;)

~保護者~

"Reminiscence"

~保護者~

The Vault of Time

Twelve Thousand Years Ago

With a soft hiss, heavenly blue magical light split a clean line between one giant stone slab and another. The lines of magic spread from that seam, creating two perfect rectangles. Those rectangles then vanished. Slowly, the newly formed doors began to open, allowing in fierce wintry winds and thick billows of snow. Jet slipped inside the dark and cavernous space well before the doors were fully opened, then proceeded to immediately close the doors again with an idle wave of his hand.

Pulling his hood off, Jet strode across the vast space. As he walked, he flicked his hand several times, creating and spreading out several dim blue lights. He stopped in front of an icy rack holding seven swords. He lifted the most ornate and powerful of the blades in one hand. Voice scarcely a whisper, he said, "You know what your master has become. You know he seeks you out. Scatter. Let no one find you."

When the blade began to shake, he released his hold on it. In an instant, it shot up into the air and vanished in a flash of magic that was not his own. One by one, the other six swords began to do the same. However, he grabbed the largest of them before it could vanish. It shook in his grip, eager to follow its brethren, but he refused to relinquish it. "No, not you. You will be needed yet." Gradually, the struggling ceased. Humming a soft approval, he turned to leave.

~保護者~

Castle A'latria

Present Day

The time, Sonic decided, was getting too late. It had been hours since Jet had left, hours since the music box had ominously silenced itself. Shadow had long since dozed off on one of the couches in the front room. Tails had turned in for the night in a guest room nearby after having made sure that Cadora had also gone to bed. Espio sat on the floor near Shadow's improvised bed, meditating, while Wave did the same thing on the other side of the room. The only difference was that she was levitating. However, Sonic only noted these things vaguely.

Eyes shifting away from his comrades, Sonic gazed out the nearest window. A fierce storm raged in the dark cover of night, snowflakes and tiny bits of ice pelting the windows and walls with slightly concerning force. Definitely the sort of weather Jet would prefer, but… He glanced back over his shoulder to the table where the hawk's robe and sword had been earlier. He's hardly here to enjoy it. He looked back to the window. And neither is Dad. Jet left because Dad isn't here and he was apparently in trouble. So, it stands to reason that they're together. But… where in the hell are they? Stifling a sigh, he let his eyes fall shut. Dammit, Jet, why couldn't you have taken me with you or something...?

The sigh he'd been holding back escaped him. It sounded very loud in the silence of the room, though he suspected that was just his own ears overreacting to the noise. Still, the small sound apparently was enough to rouse Wave. She opened her eyes and turned her head to look at him. There was a question in her gaze. Unsure how to answer, he just shrugged. ...Which apparently was an invitation for her to get up and walk over. "What?" he found himself asking, voice low.

She arched a brow in a very Jet-like manner. "I was going to ask you that." Her hand made a slight movement, and with that a dimly shimmering barrier appeared around them. She explained why it was there before he could even question it. "Now we can speak normally without bothering the others."

"Oh." Sonic glanced at his half-brother, thinking about various things before murmuring, "You can go back to what you were doing, you know."

"Oh, I know." Wave took a seat in the nearest chair. "But I also know that you need someone to talk to. So, talk."

The corner of Sonic's mouth twitched up vaguely. Yeah, I guess I do. "...You sure you don't mind, Wave?"

Wave idly fiddled with a bracelet on her right wrist. He hadn't previously noticed that it was there. "Not at all."

Eventually, Sonic spoke again. "Tell me about them?" he asked softly, eyes again on his brother. "It's… been a really long time, and all. What have they been doing? How have they all been doing? Just…"

In spite of his lame explanation of his question, Wave seemed to understand. "Well, one person at a time," she said with a small smile. "Tails is the easiest, so we'll start with him. Fair enough?"

"Okay," Sonic agreed.

Not wasting any time, Wave jumped right in. "He's been doing well for himself, as you might expect. He's been as busy as ever inventing things, improving upon old designs, tending to Shadow's mechanical parts, and so on. He explores space now and then to work on his old starmap, too." Finally, she stopped fiddling with her bracelet. "Nothing terrible has happened to him since you last knew him. He's had some bad times just like everyone else, yes, but he's been fine. His life has been quiet and peaceful, overall." She shrugged. "But, then again, he could have easily had adventures without telling anyone, so who knows."

Satisfied, Sonic nodded to Shadow. "And him?"

Wave's own gaze shifted to the sleeping hedgehog. "He's… got a lot on his plate these days," she began. "It's why he's so tired." Her head canted a bit as though she was thinking. "Don't let him fool you into thinking he just runs the whole Mobian military, Sonic. He's practically leader of the entire planet at this point, and people treat him as such. It's been a long and hard journey for him to get to this point, but he's made it this far regardless. Somehow I doubt he'll be quitting now."

So that explained what he'd been doing, to a point. Sonic still wanted to know how his brother had been, though. If he's been through anything, I want to know. I need to know.

Once more, Wave thankfully seemed to understand. She continued without prompting. "Unlike Tails, Shadow has… seen some really dark times. And, no, I'm not just talking about battles and the like." Something in her blue eyes softened. "Don't expect him to ever admit it, but he's missed you. Your guys's parents and the rest of the family, too. All of you dying… that left him in a dark place. Probably in an effort to cope, he turned back to some old, self-destructive behaviors he apparently took part in before any of us knew him. Behaviors such as training himself nearly to death, for example."

Sonic's brows drew slowly downward. "...That's not all he did, though, is it?"

"No," Wave sighed. "It would seem that he also picked up on your father's unsavory fondness for smoking as well." He wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Unfortunately, he hasn't quit yet that I know of."

Though this news sucked, Sonic was more concerned about the fact that there seemed to be something she wasn't telling him. "There's something else, too, isn't there?"

Her eyes saddened but, though she didn't seem to want to, she relented. "During one of the wars he fought in on Mobius years ago… long before he was in charge of anyone besides himself… Shadow was captured by the enemy. He was still caught in that self-destructive spiral at the time, meaning he was left… vulnerable. Especially to unsavory… influences like the ones he was exposed to."

"What happened?" Sonic demanded, though he was suddenly wary of the answer. Something in her tone made him wary of it.

Wave shrugged, but answered. "Whoever captured him apparently realized the mindset he was in at the time and they opted to take advantage of it." He was about to get on her for being vague again, but she immediately elaborated. A part of him almost wished she hadn't. "He was… drugged. Repeatedly. I don't know with what, exactly." Her eyes closed. "Essentially, it was torture. I'm sure you've heard of this form of torment before. But, in case you haven't, here's the brief explanation. The goal is to get the victim addicted to something, then deny them whatever they get addicted to in order to extract information or whatever else the torturers want. Then when the victim does what was ordered, they're given the drug or drugs that they now crave, paving the way for future cooperation." She frowned slowly. "I'm not sure if that's why they did what they did to him, but at this point I suppose it doesn't matter anymore, anyway."

His heart had sunk so low that Sonic swore it would make him sick. "That happened to him?" he heard himself whisper.

A nod. "Yes. And before you ask, no I don't know how long he endured it. It wasn't very long, but long enough to be effective. And, unfortunately… the substances they injected him with were powerful. He was probably hooked after the first hit of each. And… they were ones he knew how to get ahold of once he was free again."

Understanding dawned and Sonic's ears dropped low. "...So he used them on his own."

"For years," Wave confirmed. "Many years. Like I said before, he was in a dark place back then. But… you have to understand, he did quit." The relief Sonic felt at hearing this confirmation was nearly debilitating. "He got clean of his own accord and of his own strength. He's over that part of his past now and he's moved beyond it. We all still keep an eye on him just in case, but… aside from some lasting symptoms of occasional depression and the like, he really is better now."

Sonic pursed his lips together. "Has he ever regressed?" Almost as if he somehow knew he was being discussed, Shadow turned over in his sleep, facing his back to them.

"During the process of cleaning up, he slid back multiple times," Wave answered carefully. "Most people do. But since then, no. From what I've heard, he nearly did a few times here and there, but… he hasn't actually done anything. He doesn't even own any needles or the like anymore." She met Sonic's gaze and told him quietly, "The risk of it happening is always there, yes, but he's okay now. He has been for a long time."

Relieved anew, Sonic questioned, "Did he start smoking because of that mess?"

"I think so, but I can't say for certain," Wave sighed. "However, the timing seems to suggest that he turned to smoking to help cope with his withdrawals. Trading one addiction for another, you know?"

Though troubled anew, Sonic chose to only ask one last question on the matter for now. "Jet and the others know?"

Wave actually smiled. "Yes. Believe it or not, Jet was really concerned about Shadow's recovery back then. He helped your brother a lot, right alongside Tails and Espio. It's part of why they get along so well now."

Somehow, Sonic managed to also smile. If only a bit. "Okay." He finally looked away from his sleeping brother. "So, what about Espio, then?"

"Oh, that's quite a story, though I can make it short," Wave laughed. "If it doesn't surprise you, then nothing will."

That made Sonic frown. "...Suddenly I'm afraid to ask."

In response, Wave shook her head. She was still smiling just a bit. "No, don't be," she told him. "It really is an interesting story."

"Is it bad?" Sonic asked.

Suddenly, she was serious again. He gave up trying to make sense of her constantly shifting moods. "It… could be," she answered slowly. "So far it's not been, but we'll see in due time."

Well, that cleared up a lot. Or not. "Okay… so, what happened?"

"Long story short," Wave smiled again, "our ever-neutral and formerly completely emotionless ninja friend here fell in love."

Sonic's eyebrows shot up and his mouth dropped open. "Wait, seriously? That's more unlikely to happen than Knuckles or Locke deciding that punching their enemies is a bad idea as opposed to a good one!"

She kept smiling. "Yep. Want to hear the tale now?" Stunned, Sonic just nodded. "I don't know the woman's name, but I do know that she and Espio met by chance a number of years ago. Apparently, they were enemies practically on sight, and they've been battling on and off for as long as they've known each other. Espio himself has said that she's 'violent, hostile, dark, and perhaps a bit sadistic', and yet somehow he apparently began to care for her over the course of all their battles. She's apparently aligned with various evil forces and, as you might guess, is evil herself. Predictably, she shows no signs of wanting to become 'good' or anything like that. But... he continues to love her regardless. I'm not sure if he's ever let onto it, unintentionally or not, around her."

Puzzled and also concerned, Sonic looked over at the silently meditating chameleon. Your emotions have all been lost to you since the Nocturnians did whatever they did to you, but somehow someone like that managed to get you to feel something again? And for it to be that feeling, no less… Bemused, he shook his head slightly and refocused on Wave. "Does… she love him back?"

Wave shook her head, "Somehow I doubt it, but who really knows?"

That somehow made Sonics protective instincts kick in. "Has she hurt him at all?" he found himself demanding. "In any way?"

She shook her head once more. "Aside from normal battle wounds now and then, no. Not that I've ever been able to tell." Sonic quickly relaxed. "And, honestly, I doubt he would let her, anyway. He may be in love with someone he's better off not caring for, but he's hardly the type to let that rule his actions and reactions toward her."

...True. But, still, the idea that Espio would end up falling for an apparent sworn enemy… And someone who's apparently evil, too… That's just… I don't even know. "So… he's okay, then?"

"Completely, somehow."

That answer was satisfactory, so Sonic let the matter go for now. He'd ask some more questions later, if they came up. "So, has anything else happened to him?"

"No, nothing of any particular note," Wave responded. "His life has been mostly calm and quiet, if also rather mysterious. But that last detail is mostly just because he's always been the reclusive, secretive type."

"That definitely sounds like him," Sonic agreed with an airy chuckle. It was quiet for a few moments, then he gestured to her. "So, what about you? What have you been up to?"

"Well, there isn't much to tell about me," was the mild reply. "After everyone passed away, I spent a long time just… you know, trying to move on with my life by doing what I always did. Racing, inventing, traveling, keeping an eye on Jet, that sort of thing." Her smile turned wistful. "My dad and Alec, my little brother in case you forgot, were traveling between realms in the meantime. Mostly, it was just back and forth between this realm and my dad's home."

Despite how long it had been, Sonic still recalled the travels Han had always done. He was pretty sure he remembered where the man had come from, too. "His home being the Lost Hex, right?"

"Right. So they kept doing this for years, mostly because Mom was long dead by that point and Alec enjoyed it anyway." Wave shrugged. "Eventually, I went with them. Only this time, we went to live in the Hex. We stayed there for years so that Dad could more easily teach us how to use the magic that we'd inherited from him. When we were strong enough, we began traveling to other realms to further our training. I worked hard and brought myself to the point where I could help Jet both keep and eye on and defend existence as much as possible. And… that's really it."

Sonic felt a smile tug at his lips. There were a lot of comments that he could have made here, but the one he settled on was a small joke. "Isn't that strictly an Immortal's job, missy?"

She grinned. "Bite me."

Laughing, he briefly flashed his fangs at her. "Don't tempt me."

"Aw, was that a threat?"

"It might've been."

With a small laugh of her own, Wave shifted in her seat and then asked, "So, on to the big fish in the sea. You have questions about Jet, too, right?"

For a moment, it surprised Sonic that she knew… until he decided it didn't. Guess it was probably pretty obvious. "Yeah, I guess I do," he admitted.

"Ask away, then," the swallow invited.

"...I think for now," he decided slowly, "I'll just stick with the same sort of questions as before. You know, what he's been doing, how he's been doing… that sort of thing." I can ask him some more specifics later. Assuming he'll tell me.

Accepting this, Wave settled back in her seat again. "It would take too long to tell you everything he's been up to over the years. The conversation would just go on and on for practically ever. But I can tell you some small things that he's done."

"Okay," Sonic agreed. Though, really, he would have greatly liked to have more information than he was likely about to get.

"It probably goes without saying," Wave began, "that he's fought in a lot of wars since you died. He also wiped out the entire Therian race, sans two individuals, and their planet. Though, that's a whole long story in and of itself." Sonic gaped at her. Wave just continued. "Alongside various others, he had a hand in raising just about every descendant of all of our friends and family up until… roughly a couple thousand years ago. That means your descendants, Cream's descendants, Locke's, Marthal's… you get the idea."

Well, Sonic thought wryly, someone's been busy.

"At one point," Wave continued on, "he scoured Mobius for important relics, artifacts, and so on that are better off guarded somewhere rather than left alone there. One of those relics was Caliburn, by the way."

Sonic straightened. "He has it?"

"Yeah, but you'll have to ask him exactly where. I don't know where he stashed it." They were both silent, Sonic because he was processing things again and Wave because she seemed to be thinking of what to say next. She settled on something before too long. "Oh, also, he underwent a lot of training like I did. Though, for obvious reasons he had to be his own teacher much of the time. Still, he's learned how to use a lot more of his Immortal abilities, though there's still a lot more he can't yet access. And he's trained under most of the Gods and Goddesses as well, so there's no telling what he learned from them."

"What about his normal powers?" Sonic asked, curious. "His storm powers and whatnot."

"He's basically perfected those," Wave answered. "Being the perfectionist that he tends to be." Sonic chuckled. "Anyway, like I said before, there's just way too much to tell. These were just a few interesting things I could remember off-hand."

"Okay," Sonic replied.

"As for how he's been… well, it's difficult to say. It depends on which part of his past you look at." Wave gained a faraway look. "There were times when he was doing really well and was even, dare I say it, rather happy. Then there were times when he was struggling with depression or he was angry at life. There were times when he was just quietly content with things overall. There were times like now when life has given something to stress over and be serious about, yet he's managing to find contentment the rest of the time, somehow." She shrugged. "I could go on."

Emerald eyes slowly blinked. So, in other words… his life is pretty much as complicated as ever. He contemplated this for a second, then a thought occurred to him. I wonder if that's just an Immortal thing. It was must be the norm for them or… something. He certainly never seems too fazed by it.

Wave chose that moment to stand. "Anyway," she said, "I'm gonna turn in." She stretched before adding, "You should probably do the same."

"Wait," Sonic said quickly. "I have one more question." Truthfully, he had more than one, but the rest could wait for the time being. He wanted to know this now.

"Okay," Wave invited. "What is it?"

Sighing, Sonic asked slowly, "You said that Dad thrives on danger now… but why? Why would he live like that?"

"If anything, you should know that people change," Wave told him, voice soft. "Your father…" She looked away. "He's no exception to that. As I'm sure you recall, he's always been drawn to the darker sides of life. He's always been drawn to combat and struggles and mortal danger and the like. Without your mother around to help keep him safe and away from such a lifestyle…" She shrugged and turned away fully. "Let's just say that that, among other things, had an impact on him."

Before Sonic could press for any further information, Wave dissolved her barrier and walked away.

~保護者~

Jet was in pain when he arrived back at his home. Yet, curiously, he wasn't. He found it strange how he could be so numb to his injuries and yet so completely aware of them at the same time. However, he figured it probably didn't matter, anyway, so long as he was able to heal himself soon. Not that he was suddenly a healer in this day and age. No, not at all. But, that was what the Sanctuary was for. Among other things.

A faint look of distaste crossed his face as he reached for a handle on one of the double doors leading into his isolated fortress of a home. Crimson streaked his feathers and the once white fabric of his robe. The metal decorations on said robe glinted deeply red in the half-light. A wash was definitely in order, he decided. After, that is, he dealt with Sonic. More specifically, Sonic's frankly noisy sword. It is just as brash as its forger once was… How Sonic bears it so well is beyond me.

Shaking his head, Jet grasped the handle and pulled the door open. A fresh layer of frost and thin ice fell away from the wood, shattering on the ground below. He ignored it and stepped inside, closing the door behind him before continuing on his way down the entrance hall. With the sheathed sword in his left hand, he stepped into the front room. His eyes scanned the remaining occupants quickly. Shadow lay asleep on the couch with Espio meditating nearby. Everyone else, it seemed, had retired to more private quarters.

Walking over, he lightly nudged Shadow with the hilt of the blade (if only because that, at least, wasn't bloody). The dark hedgehog woke with a sort of start and quickly sat up. Espio didn't even so much as twitch. Jet felt a stab of concern when he saw that Shadow's pupils were somewhat dilated, a reminder of those darker days in the hedgehog's past, then reminded himself that it was only because of the low lighting. He berated himself internally for his irrational concern. Then, before Shadow could even speak, Jet murmured to him in low tones, "Your father is alive. He was not injured - greatly. Whatever was threatening him was quite dead by the time I arrived."

This made Shadow frown, but he nodded. "Do you know what it was?"

Irrelevant, was Jet's immediate thought. However, despite that and the fact that he really didn't feel like talking, he answered the question regardless. "Some clone of Malevolence." He paused, then thought to add, "It was a weak clone. It only endangered his life for a moment due to it appearing by surprise." Judging by the feel of Shadow's aura, the hedgehog didn't know what to feel. Some part of him was relieved, however. Jet left it at that. "Go back to sleep. It's early yet."

Though he grumbled briefly, Shadow did as he was told and laid back down. Jet, meanwhile, turned away and followed the feeling of Sonic's aura to where the hedgehog was "resting". He should be asleep… so, naturally, he is not. At the very least, he was laying down. That was certainly better than nothing. No doubt he is worried about his father as well. With any luck, once he learned that Kaden was alive and relatively unharmed, Sonic would finally sleep. One could only hope.

He approached the door to the guest room that Sonic had claimed and knocked once, very lightly. Sonic opened the door less than a minute later, and his eyebrows shot up. "What happened to you?"

Jet arched a brow just slightly. "You recall what I said about how dangerous your father's home is, yes?" he returned.

Sonic pursed his lips together. "Yeah."

Satisfied, Jet held out Caliburn. "Here." His aura full of as-of-yet unspoken concern, Sonic reached out and took his sword. Then, before he could even ask, Jet said, "Kaden is alive. His injuries are mild at worst. He is fine."

Relief flooded Sonic's aura, but more concern soon filled it. "So how did you get so beat up, then?"

Before he could answer, Jet had to consider how to. "I was forced to aid the God of Demons, very briefly." A slight pause. Then, "He did not take kindly to the assistance."

"Why in the hell would you have to help him?" Sonic demanded, all mingling concern and confusion.

Honestly, Jet wanted to sigh. For now, he just spoke instead. "Doing so was the only way to help your father."

That did little to assuage Sonic's fears and concern, and he continued to frown. "You're not telling me why, Jet."

This was a conversation Jet did not want to be having. He wished for it to be over, and now. "Let's just say it's due to proximity," he eventually said.

"Proximity?" Sonic echoed in disbelief. "Are you telling me that Dad lives near that thing?"

"...Near enough." Enough to matter, at any rate. Turning, Jet started to leave.

"Wait," Sonic called, stopping him. "You can't seriously tell me that that's the only reason, Jet."

Leave it to the father of Silver to be so perceptive at the most inopportune times, Jet mused. He turned around slightly, looking at his old friend over his shoulder. "At times, Sonic, the only way to aid friends is to aid enemies. Especially in times like these, we seldom have the luxury of attempting to find other methods of dealing with such threats. The sooner you learn and remember that, the better."

Silence answered him. Jet started to turn away again, but Sonic stopped him one last time. "Jet?" Once more, Jet paused and looked back. "I know what you guys said about the trouble with going near where Dad is and all, but…" Ears lowering, Sonic looked away. His voice was so quiet now, his aura so full of pain… "Isn't there some way that I can see him?"

There were so many things Jet wanted to say in that moment, so many reassurances he wanted to offer… but he couldn't. He knew he couldn't. He just… wished that things could be different, for so many people's sakes. How he wished things had turned out differently. "In all likelihood…" he responded, a sigh in his voice, "you will see him again at some point, regardless of whether or not you yourself go to him. It may take time, but word will spread to him that you are alive now. He will seek you out." Somehow, something Jet said seemed to soothe the hedgehog. His ears weren't quite so low anymore, and the cloud of sadness in his aura lifted somewhat. Jet eyed Sonic cautiously, wary of his friend's pain. Too often, the pain of this man became his pain, one of the many burdens of their bond together. Truly, he had enough pain of his own to deal with as it was.

Eventually, Sonic spoke again. His eyes had shifted to his sheathed blade. "Where did you get this? ...My sword, I mean."

Jet glanced down at Caliburn. "It was stored in a vault. I retrieved it after the fight."

"Well… thanks." Emerald eyes shifted to look into blue ones. "And not just for this. All the talking, too, all the explaining and answering questions. I know you're not fond of it."

Shrugging, Jet turned away one last time. "Get some rest. Tomorrow will be busy."

As he started to walk away, Sonic called after him, "You gonna be alright?"

"Yes." With that simple assurance, Jet exited the room and shut the door. His hand lingered on the handle for just a moment when his vaguely tired mind chose to remind him that no, that wasn't going to be the case forever. But… that was a truth to face later, in a battle that was not yet due to take place. He had time… for now.

Shaking his head, he released the door and walked away.

~保護者~

5,114 words this time. Hope you all enjoyed, as always. Posted (at about 8:20 a.m.) 11-03-18.