This has been completed since Friday. I have the next chapter already in the works, which may - or may not - be uploaded with the next chapter of "Starting Over".

Theme 2: Beautiful Things

He sat against one of the trees, fixated on the tangerine backdrop of the sporadic and faded clouds. The sun was preparing to fall into its temporary slumber as the moon prepared to take its place. Reddish-brown leaves rustled within the cool evening breeze, one falling from the tree onto the ground beside him.

Espio sighed. The events from earlier that day were proved to be all too close for comfort. By his own fault his cover was almost blown. Were he had not been quick enough to escape, he may have been killed. That hedgehog was something else… and he wasn't at all careful.

He stared at his right hand, and tightened it into a fist. 'I will not make the same mistake twice.' With that, something else came to mind. He picked up his communicator and held the button as he spoke into the device.

"This is Espio…"

"Oh, thank god!" He was cut off by a relieved Vector. "I wasn't sure if you were okay or not. I swear to god, I was about to go over there myself… What happened anyway?"

The chameleon took a deep breath, taking in the fairly crisp air. "He attacked me. However, I managed to give him the slip."

"Do you need any backup?"

"I'm fine. But are you absolutely sure on this, Vector?"

"You heard 'im yourself! Why else would he ask you about Chao? Unless he's another spy himself, which I highly doubt, he's definitely the guy we're looking for!"

"But we still don't have enough evidence…" His sentence faded once he heard faint sounds of crunching footsteps on fallen leaves. Peeking his head from behind the tree he spotted Silver, this time unarmed.

The hedgehog walked in a composed pace. However, he searched behind each tree he passed, within each bush that caught his eye. He wore a weary and annoyed expression, as if on the verge of admitting defeat – or performing something completely impetuous. Espio covered his mouth, and turned his attention back to the communicator.

"Vector, I have to go." he said in a low and urgent tone. "The suspect is nearby, and he appears to be searching for something…"

"Alright. Watch him closely, and report back anything you see that's suspicious… And be careful this time!"

Espio faintly flush, his cheeks almost resembling the twilight. "Roger." He quickly hung up as he watched Silver approaching the tree he hid behind. Standing up, he pressed against the tree while disappearing within the background.

The hedgehog stopped right in front of his tree and gaze around the forest area once more. With an exasperated sigh, he propped against the tree and covered his face with his hand. The chameleon warily leaned sideways to see around the tree.

'Is he… giving up?'

Silver was staring at the sky, as if he was in some sort of trance. It was a bit of a mystery as to why he would suddenly be so interested in the sky. Or… maybe it wasn't, as it is always fascinating to watch the sky change into beautiful colors. Perhaps, Espio thought, Silver is one who simply finds delight in scrutinizing the beauty of nature.

He also noticed how the radiance of the sunset made the hedgehog's fur stand out – akin to an angelic glow. Staring out into the sunset he sighed, in which Silver had done at the exact same time. Another leaf tumbled off the tree from the swift breeze directly into Silver's standing quills. He pulled it out and studied it for a brief moment, before finally releasing it into the wind.

For a moment they both remained still, wrapped within a state of tranquil.

With another sigh, Silver pushed away from the tree. He spoke softly, a faint hint of bitterness traced within his tone. "Okay, I give up. I have no idea where you could of slithered off to, chameleon, but it doesn't matter. It's not like I need your help anyway…" Solemnly he marched away, without even glancing at the trail behind him.

Espio got off the tree, and turned to watch the hedgehog leave. He released his own sigh – a sigh that lifted a great weight from him as he exhaled, and his shoulders now light with relief.

'That was a close one…'

That is... until he saw Silver stop dead in his tracks. Quickly, he pressed his body against the tree once more. 'Now what is he doing?'

For some reason he was crouched down, as if approaching the height of something small. Unable to tell from his current position, Espio moved to a different tree that was closer to the hedgehog. This time he was able to see what the hedgehog was looking at. It was definitely small, and a pale blue…

'A… a Chao?' He held his breath as he watched carefully. Whatever happens next should prove whether or not he's actually innocent.

Silver… He was smiling, and it was a kind smile. He held one of his hands in front of him… which lacked in dead objects – or any sort of item. In fact, he was simply greeting the Chao. When he spoke, the tone of his voice was warm and friendly.

"Hey there, little fella. Where did you come from? Are you lost?"

The Chao slowly approached his hand, grabbing it with its small arms. It looked up at him – rather cutely – with its large eyes. He smiled. "You're safe with me, li'l guy. I promise." It smiled, ever so slightly, and Silver pulled it into a tight embrace. "There, there…" Espio, at an utter lost for words, made a soft gasp as he stared at the sight.

But the scene, however, also managed to bring a small smile to his muzzle. He was now beginning to feel more at ease.

'At least I now know he isn't hurting the Chao… Maybe he's not such a bad guy after all.' Once again he stared at the sunset, the sky was starting to change into a rosy hue. 'But surely…' his gaze switched back to the now standing hedgehog. 'he must have some relation to the Chao fiasco.' Although, something else had caught his attention once his eyes traveled somewhere else.

To be particular on what it was that caught his attention; a spiky blue hedgehog and a yellow twin-tailed fox. As it appeared, they stumbled on something rather interesting, in which the fox concluded to be a possession of Eggman's. A page that was torn from a certain book. The fox read the words aloud: The all-powerful Ifrit…

"I wonder if this has something to do with the Chao…"

The chameleon's eyes widened. 'I wonder if they have any idea on what they've just uncovered. I should report this…'

After the duo sped off, Espio picked up the communicator, and turned it on just as he returned to watching the hedgehog in question... whom was no longer at the spot where he saw him last. In mild annoyance he rubbed his forehead and groaned.

"This is Vector, talk to me."

As he was about to answer, he spotted Silver running in the same direction that the pair had went. He stared after him for a moment longer, completely put on paused.

"Vector, I'll call you back."