Author Note: Yay update! Have not much else to say, hope you enjoy it.
Shadow POV
It's so cold, why am I freezing? I open my eyes only to realize I am laying on the ground. My tunnel narrow vision unable to pick up the surroundings. Major headache, aching limbs, paining throat, burning lungs and what not. It's so much pain at the same time, that I can't even judge of which part is worse.
I am not sure how long I been out but it appears to be somewhat dark. Night perhaps? Or am I confined somewhere? I didn't like that last thought. The ultimate life form kidnapped...front page for sure.
I try to move my limbs but they don't respond. If I didn't feel my whole body trembling due to whatever reason I would think I am paralyzed. Not that it would be a permanent injury thanks to my alien DNA...Something about that bugged me, I recollect my memory.
"Eclipse..." it comes out as a whisper. Vision get clearer but no signs of the alien. I am in some sort of cave, it's pitch black with no visual exit. I am on my side against the solid wall.
I need to move! Better yet teleport but I don't have any spare energy to use a minor chaos control. If only I had a chaos emerald.
A cold breeze enter the cave sending shivers down my spine. It's so cold...My body tense up and I would curl if I could. Fur completely useless against this wind. At least I know the direction to the exit.
That however serve little use if I can't even move. Why can't I!? I am not tied or injured. Not visually at least, so what is preventing me?
I flinch as quick footsteps heading my way. I close my eyes pretending to be unconscious. It echoes throughout the cave as it gets closer. I never felt this helpless, so vulnerable! How did I get reduced into this pathetic state!?
Eclipse stop right in front of me. "I know you are awake." I snap my eyes open with burning hatred. It's so dark yet I can see those amber eyes fixate on me.
"What have you done to me..." I rasp lowly not capable to make it louder than that. He ignores my question and place down an object. No... not an object.
The egg! Of course, he spent the time I was out to recollect it. That meant he barged into my house! Eclipse in silence settle down beside me. Close enough to share some warmth to my muzzle.
The amber eyes observe me with a glint of curiosity. It was unnerving, being this close to the enemy in mercy.
"You are cold. "I look away. I refuse to acknowledge this nightmare as reality. I sense his hand reaching down to me.
"Don't..." I couldn't muster the rest sentence. His palm gently press against my forehead. A weird sensation of peace flicker inside, it's nice… But so wrong, he is playing tricks on me. The hand withdraws to my relief, but he doesn't leave me alone for long.
His arm sneak under me. "Stop..." I groan in dismay as it wraps around my abdomen. Eclipse shift my position, allowing him to settle down behind me. He gets comfortable before he pulls me up. The other arm quickly joins in to stabilize me, I am seated between his legs with his arms embracing my shivering body.
To make it worse, forced to lean on him. I growl loudly in disapproval ignoring the comfortable soothing feeling in my chest.
"Calm down brother..." I am dead set on being anything but that! I don't tolerate nor approve to this false enjoyment whirling in my gut. Undeniably fake!
"I am just warming you." He assured but the position was no less awkward! When I regain the ability to move I will make him suffer! Eclipse suddenly chuckle amused. Don't tell me he read my thoughts again!
"Why yes I did." Arms tighten around me and the claws gently dig into my fur. I stiff up uncomfortably while the link insists me to enjoy it.
I growl. "Get your hands off me!" The fact that I can't move an inch to do it myself is embarrassing.
"You should cease this tedious and not to mention ungrateful behavior." Is he...is he scolding me? I think he is scolding me. But why do I get that impression?
Anger rising. "What do you want from me."
"You need to help me repopulate our race." He said in a matter of fact. So plain and simple, like it was my duty. I am not interested in making a family, let alone relationship.
I snort "Not happening." His claws dig into my skin painfully but not enough to draw blood. My gut soon filled with guilt that almost consume my conscious.
"Stop using that link against me!" I snarl but it doesn't fade. His claws however relax and stop bugging my pelt. I am not going to follow a path of animalistic creatures! My past is more than proof of that.
"You should rest." He suggests as if my outburst never occurred. I am unwilling to sleep, I just woke up and alert as ever. I flinch as his body structure increase in size.
"Damn...it." Eclipse now fully shifted into his monster form. It efficiently drains my stamina along with the chaos energy in a rapid speed. Vision turn disorient and I begin to involuntary spasms now and then. He keeps me in place with little trouble. Eclipse is trying to tire me out...and it's working.
"Just..stop..." I groan when the weight of exhaustion get to much.
"I will, when you fall asleep." I don't like the sound of that. I was fighting a losing battle. Eyelids drop and before I know it everything turn black.
Eclipse POV
I look down at the sleeping hedgehog in my arms. Shadow so peacefully rest on my chest. His conscious further pulled into the depths of sleep. Admittedly nice to see my brother so at ease and the feeling of a family reunion is comforting. No matter what Shadow has to say about it. The future on earth might not be so bad after all. But we are far from safe. Sure, I removed Shadow communicator and didn't spot any possible tracker on him. But his companions will notice his sudden disappearance. Question is when they begin the search. They won't find us I am sure. I left no signs of my whereabouts. Plus, the mortals think I am dead. However, his memory share certain information of individuals that might be troublesome. Especially that red echidna, he can possibly track Shadows chaos energy. My real loose end is that rabbit, but I can let that slide for now.
I am still too overjoyed that Shadows alien DNA finally made the next step of advancement. The egg contributed a vast influence on this procedure. Shadow will see our way, he just need time...
I gaze over to the egg, not matured enough to hatch it seems. But looks more than ready to. It doesn't feel content, I know exactly why.
I gently take the egg and place it on Shadows lap. Not only to satisfy its desire to grow faster, but to also support Shadow own growth. I smile, it's like killing two birds with one stone.
I revert to my original form without losing grasp on Shadow. I allow him to regain his energy to eventually share with the egg. They have developed a strong bond something I am envious of.
I smile when the egg finally make a move to steal the chaos energy coming from the hedgehog.
I know I shouldn't abuse Shadow in his sleeping state but it's for a good cause. Plus, the egg doesn't simply drain him, it also rewards him with an extreme emotion of bliss. It doesn't take long before a loud purr erupts from him.
My smile widened and I tighten the embrace. Shadow is enjoying it, perhaps I can take more advantage of the situation. I wanted him to know to some extent, the cause of this enjoyment. He belongs to our race and not some pity human. We share a stronger bond and it's about time he realizes that.
I tap into his defenseless mind and was far from pleased. The dream he is experiencing plays out on the ark. With the human girl! I know her name, Maria…I snarl in distaste, she is hugging him.
I quickly manipulate the dream to something more appealing. The girl fade away and Shadow stumble forward when her body is fully gone. His expression shift to confused. I haven't decided to what exactly I will replace it with. For now, let him roam alone in the empty ark until I do. I can't focus with that human in view.
"Maria?" He calls out, but get no response. Ears drop, and a whimper leave his lips. How can he be sad!? The egg stimulates his emotions to be joyful. I can't stand it, the guilt of taking his dream from him. So I quickly replace scenery to the comet, or more specific the nest of unhatched eggs.
His expression turn sour. The ruby eyes not even once glance to their direction. Instead begin to search for a way out.
"Sit down!" I command, the words make him jump surprised. He doesn't make a move to follow my command. Instead turn those ruby eyes to locate me. Those knowing orbs, it's just a matter of time before his mind put the puzzle together and retaliate.
I hate his defiant nature, I use an invisible force to sweep his feet off the ground.
"GAH" He land on his back, Shadow sit up with a grimace. I quickly materialize the egg to his lap, I almost burst out in laughter when he stares at it bewildered. No time to fool around. I must make a strong emotional effect to gain full control of his emotions. I pierce the joyful emotion into his chest tenfold. Shadow clench his chest fur with a gasp. His body trembling and soon forced to reveal a bright smile. Shadow purrs lovingly and embrace the egg voluntarily.
Good, now I just need to keep his dream focused on that. There is a chance it reverts to that human girl. Something I don't want! It might encourage him to reject us.
Besides in the end he will thank me for all my effort. I smirk satisfied. I am not sure if the egg could see this dream as well. But judging on how it leaps in joy I could assume so.
"Don't worry brother...I will make sure you are happy in the end. Both of you..." I don't let him hear that though. It's odd how I find myself responsible of him as well. He is the very reason our race is near extinct.
I lock the dream to assure it won't revert before I leave his mind. I am somewhat troubled though.
How can we safely increase our numbers? I know for a fact that I can reproduce with Shadow. However, that resort doesn't appeal me. Plus I am not entirely confident his hedgehog side will allow us to do it my way. Which leaves us with option two and that will put us in great risk. If we only inherited the Black trait...then we could create our own, if only...
But there is a chance our little brother fill that gap. I can only pray he earn the ability of a Black. Because I really don't want Shadow to seek relationship with a mortal. He is half alien and mixing it further could make the spawn weaker.
I shake my head, I am thinking far too ahead. But I need to assure our legacy to pass on. It's my duty, I must convince Shadow. This is important and I know it will take a lot of time and patience. Especially with his mortal vision. We don't have same limitations as them. Shadow is raised with facts that doesn't apply to him. Another thing I need to work on... educate him...great.
But for now, force him to accept us. I rest my head on the cave wall. Let's see what tomorrow brings us.
Shadow POV
Waking up is always a slow process. Still is but I have never slept this well in my entire life. I open my eyes, there right in front of me is the egg. I am laying on my side curled around it. Heat rise my muzzle, I spent the entire night warming it up!? Not to mention my chaos energy now so naturally pulled towards it like a magnet. Here I thought it was only a dream. That non-stopping dream felt amazing. In fact, the emotion is still lingering.
The egg trading it for the energy. It was the reason I slept so well. I manage to sit up straight. It took a lot of effort and trembling throughout the process.
I don't spot Eclipse, and to my disappointment can't use that to my advantage. I can barely move and control the balance is downright a task at hand. But for now, put some space between me and the egg. I manage to get a few inches away, enough to break the connection.
A sudden green light flash in front of me. Eclipse phase into view with a chaos control. I stare at the thing he is carrying. A deer, or I think it is. The skin gone head removed blood dripping from its corpse. It's in a disturbing shape.
He smile. "Oh, you are awake. I brought some food." He drops it, the smell of blood sting my nose. Not in a bad way like it should! On the contrary smells appetizing. My eyes fixated on it. I didn't notice I was drooling until I hear it drip down to the floor. It was enough to release me from the staring state.
But I couldn't wipe that liquid off my muzzle. Arms still too weak to cooperate, forced into this shameful display. Eclipse observe me in silence. I hated it, I hate his calculating eyes on me.
"If you think I am going to eat that you surely mistaking." Eclipse grin smugly and sit down in front of me. His long tail wagging slightly distracting. If he was anything like a dog then he was happy right now.
"You are hungry." Right on que, stomach groan confirming his statement. Great every piece of my body is betraying me.
I growl "I am NOT eating that! Especially not raw!" Eclipse roll his eyes. The tail make a swift turn and pierce through the deer's flesh. I tense up at the sight, I didn't know it was that sharp. It cut a piece from its chest, thereafter stabs the center of it. The tail make a U turn with the piece stuck to it. Eclipse grab it without taking his eyes off me.
"Our race don't need it prepared. In fact taste better raw." I snort in disbelief. I am not going to put that to test.
"You are going to be here for a while. And I don't want you to starve." He sounded concern, like he cares for my health.
"I don't care what you want." It's not like I can die in the first place. Starving hurts but it's better than eating that disgusting flesh of meat. Especially coming from the likes of him.
"I will force you." His voice turn dark. It makes uneasy, he couldn't possibly mean that. Did he?
"You can't do that..." I grit my teeth in fury.
"In a matter of fact I can. " Eclipse slam me into the cave wall using his weight. I grit my teeth in pain. The meat is brought to my muzzle but I turn my head to the side. I am not going to allow him to shove that down my throat!
"Stop being so persistent! I am just helping you. "His free hand wrap around my throat and clench it tightly. He is shutting my open airway. I can't stop it, he is suffocating me!
I get desperate for oxygen and involuntary open my mouth to inhale. He take the opportunity to shove the slice into my mouth. I try to spit it out but he prevents me from doing it. The grip on my throat lessen, giving me access to breathe.
I refuse to swallow but the temptation is there, it's so delicious, and I am not exaggerating. I want to deny it, but I can't. Every second harder to resist. I tense as he tilts my head upwards and gently rub my throat. I can't stop it. I am forced to swallow. I gulp it down and tremble as it slide down. Not in a bad way, but as if I enter euphoria. Nice tingling sense of accomplishment.
Eclipse pull my head down to quickly inspect me. I growl at the harsh treatment. He wanted to make sure I swallowed it.
"Good." His tail make another slice. I struggle against the wall with the little energy I have. Just because I like it doesn't mean I want to eat it!
"This will help your recovery."
"I don't care!" The taste still lingering in my mouth send a pleasant tremble down my spine. His hand gently wrap around my throat again.
"I will continue this method until you willingly cooperate."
I death glare. "You wouldn't dare." he smugly grin.
"I do." Hand clench my throat and soon enough that slice is in my mouth. Forced to swallow it yet again.
I am not sure how long this went on. But I was finding it impossible to resist. The taste is just that good. But This method didn't allow me to chew. That was very unsatisfying.
"Just...give me it." I mutter in defeat. Eclipse beam up, his hand leave my throat alone. It's sore after all that repeatedly pressure. This is downright humiliating, I can't believe I am doing this. I look away shamefully before in take the offering piece with my mouth and start chewing.
"See it's not that bad."
I cast an angry glare at him. "Shut up." Eclipse only smile excited. I honestly can't pinpoint why he is acting so caring. We have barley exchanged words. I stare at him in silence, the tail swiftly cut a new piece.
"This doesn't change anything." I mutter, heat spread my muzzle.
Eclipse give me a smug grin. "If that's what you want to believe." I snort, he is a fool to think this assistance will change my views. I take a few more slices before I feel content.
I turn my head aside. "I am full."
Eclipse nod, in silence turn away from me to get his own meal. But he show no table manners doing so. He leans down and rip the flesh with his fangs. Sickening chewing noise echo in the cave. Is that how I sounded too? I shudder at the sight. He is eating it the very same way an animal would. Bone cracks and pulled out from its sockets. Blood spill that soon reach my legs.
I stare down at the thick red liquid that sink into my fur. I don't get disgusted, on the contrary like it.
"What have you done to me?" This isn't normal, I shouldn't enjoy this! Eclipse swallow his food.
"The alien DNA is beginning to dominate that hedgehog side of yours. And before you blame me for this." Eclipse turn his head to get eye-contact, blood seeping out from the corners of his lips.
"This is meant to happen sooner or later. I can assure you that if I didn't speed this up. You would eventually experience heavy shockwaves of alien symptoms." I don't believe him.
"I am the only hybrid in Alien history. So how can you know that?" I point out, something Black Doom explained to me early encounter.
"We are not naturally able to breed with other species so yes, you are the only hybrid. But you have infected signatures that pulse irregular symptoms throughout your DNA. It's a temporary disorder that wary from spawn to spawn. However, yours is far more unbalanced. "I wasn't sure what to make out of it. I haven't noticed any changes until recently thanks to certain events.
"So, it's happening right now?"
"To put it blunt, yes. But it's not that bad." That was far from reassuring, that is if I decide to believe him.
"I am not lying." There he does it again, mind reading.
"Look…The bright side is that its steady for now. It will burst out in heavy doses yes. But it would otherwise be a lot worse. "I scowl, he put me in an unwanted situation far earlier than needed.
"So that pain before…my state right now-"
"Is paining you because I broke the fragile barrier that separated your alien and hedgehog DNA from fusing." I growl, how could I have let this happen?!
"Why did you do this!?" I wanted to leap over to my so-called brother and strangle him.
"Because you showed mercy to our little brother. "His claw turn to rest on the charcoal egg.
He smiles. "You saved him from a horrible fate. So in return, saved you from one too." He removes his hand from it.
"I didn't need saving!" Me- the ultimate life form rescued from some future events that I most likely could face single- handedly!
"You say that now but- "A crack noise cut him off. We both turn to look where it came from. The egg is shaking.
"It's hatching!"
Author Note again!: Alright so I haven't planned on making this a ShadowXEclipse story. The only reason Eclipse explained his capability to reproduce with Shadow is because it was hinted in the comic. But I want to hear your opinion. Would you rather have with or without that pairing in the story.