As they approached, they noticed the apprentice guardian sitting on the pedestal. A watery figure sat beside her, regarding her with curiosity. She held her hand out to him and he lightly returned the touch with a finger.

Sensing a disturbance, the beast suddenly went on the defensive. His eyes widened, then narrowed fiercely. He stood up tall and shielded the young echidna with his hands.

The girl got to her feet, putting her hands up as if she were trying to hold him back. She spoke to him in soothing tones and he slowly relaxed.

She turned to the visitors. "Holly? Blur? And…ah, you must be Silver."

"Millie! Long time no see!" Holly held her hands out to the guardian-in-training, prompting the echidna to run down to greet her.

The vermillion guardian called to the creature perched by the Master Emerald, who had begun to burble with agitation. "Easy, Chaos. They're friends."

Chaos only flattened himself to the ground and slipped away into the pools around the shrine.

"He's either protective or shy." Millie explained. "Don't mind him. He doesn't like people. He only just got used to me." She invited the hedgehogs to sit and talk. "What brings you here?"

The siblings looked at Silver, clearly expecting him to answer. But Silver had a question of his own, "How do you know my name?"

Millie smiled slightly, "You're the son of Shadow the hedgehog. I've met him before. I don't easily forget someone so attuned to chaos energy. He mentioned you. And I can sense the chaos energy in you."

"In me? I have my dad's emerald. Is that what you mean?"

"No. I can tell you have an emerald, but what I'm talking about is different. Certain people just have a knack for chaos control. A connection to chaos energy. Often echidnas and hedgehogs. You are one of those individuals."

"I-I am?"

"Likely. You must have got it from your father. He was especially skilled. With training, you might be able to match his proficiency."

"That's what we're here for a-actually. I need to learn chaos control. We thought you'd be able to help us. Since you're a guardian and you know so much about chaos energy."

"Guardian in training. But I'll do my best to help. What's happening?"

Taking a moment to get his thoughts together, Silver began to describe the situation, "My dad was taken by the Chaos Contingency. We're planning a rescue mission. I want to learn chaos control so I can save him. Do you know anything that could help us?"

"I'm sure I could teach you at least a little about chaos control. As for the Chaos Contingency, I'm familiar with them. They're one of the ones we guardians have to keep an eye on." Her expression suddenly turned gravely serious, "But you need to know that this is pretty high stakes. You've got a lot to learn if you want to even stand a chance."

Silver looked at Millie with fear in his eyes, but he quickly swallowed his doubts and pressed on. "If that's what it takes, then that's what I'll do. I'm not giving up."

Millie only nodded, but it was clear from the look on her face that her mind was racing. "Then let's get started." She held her hand out, "May I see the emerald?"

Silver took his father's chaos emerald from his bag and showed it to the young guardian. She picked it up and questioned Silver as she examined it. "How much do you know already?"

"I managed to float for a few seconds a couple times. And I teleported once."

"That's all?"

"My dad's taught me a little bit, but that's all I've managed to do."

Millie exhaled nervously. "Well, we better get started as soon as possible. Show me how you float."

Silver took the emerald back and focused on it in his hand. With a deep breath in, he steadied himself and yelled, "Chaos Control!" The green energy enveloped him, and he lifted off the ground.

Focus. Focus. Focus!

He remained balanced, holding himself in the air.

Excitement made his heart race. He held back a thrilled grin, trying not to disrupt his concentration. As he opened his eyes, he saw the impressed look on Millie's face. But he didn't dwell on it. As overjoyed as he was, he had to keep himself controlled.

And then he saw someone new.

As the stranger approached, Silver's focus diverted. She looked at him. He grinned. And immediately tumbled to the ground.

The girl stopped in her tracks, hand to her mouth, then rushed over to help him up. But Holly got to Silver first and pulled him to his feet. Silver was still distracted. It was impressive how fast that girl could run in heels.

He stumbled slightly as he took a step, and the girl caught him. Silver finally got a good look at her face. His heart stopped.

"Y-you're the princess!"

The girl looked outright taken aback. Her eyes widened with alarm and her ears flattened. "I-don't-I'm…Please just call me Blaze."

"…Blaze." Silver repeated breathlessly.

They stared at each other for a moment. Then Blaze snatched her hands away from Silver and he hurriedly stepped back. Their apologies ran together.

Holly cleared her throat, taking a place at Silver's side. She dipped her head politely, but she couldn't hide the slight annoyance on her face. "It's nice to meet you."

Blaze curtsied. "Likewise."

Millie, thankfully, still had the bearings to salvage the situation. "Blaze, this is Holly and Blur. Sonic's kids. And this is Silver. Shadow's son."

Blaze nodded. "My mother knows their parents. As a matter of fact," She looked to Silver, "I believe she met your mother just recently. Miriam, was it?"

"Yes." Absently, Silver added, "Same day my father disappeared."

"Shadow?" Blaze pressed her hand to her mouth, thinking. "Disappeared? How?"

"I-it's a long story…"

"No, no! I don't mean to press. Just concerned, is all."

"Oh. Well, thanks. For the concern."

Blur suddenly spoke up, "Hey! Didn't dad say the Chaos whatsit mighta gone after Shadow because the royal family was here!?"

"Blur! Shush!" Holly pulled him to her side frantically.

If that statement had startled her, Blaze masked it well, "Pardon?"

Silver cautiously explained, "There's a group here. The Chaos Contingency. They want to lock the chaos emeralds away. They took my dad because he has some sort of link to chaos energy. Maybe they were using your family's visit as a diversion."

"And," Blur added, "I heard my dad say they might be interested in the sol emeralds."

Blaze's posture stiffened. "The sol emeralds…If they intend to take them, I will not let that happen! As the emeralds' guardian it is my duty to protect them. They will never succeed. I will make sure of that."

Holly was quick to run damage control, "I-I'm sure they're more concerned about Shadow to worry about the Sol Emeralds right now!" She saw Silver's anxious expression, "And I'm sure Shadow's doing fine right now! He is the Ultimate Lifeform after all!"

It wasn't the most convincing she had ever been, but it was enough to get everyone back on track.

Calming himself, Silver said, "Whatever they're trying to do, we'll make sure they don't get away with it."

Blaze smoothed her bristling fur. "I would like to offer my talents to your mission. My family owes a debt to your father." She looked at Holly, "And yours as well. My world would have collapsed without their help."

Silver looked at her, surprised, "Are you sure? Aren't you worried about what might happen?"

"I'm a guardian. Taking risks to protect the world is my job. This may not be my world, but it is worth my concern nonetheless."

Silver could only incredulously say, "Thank you!"

Millie cautiously pointed out, "I know you're eager to get your dad home safe. We need to get started. Are you ready to start training?"

Silver smiled nervously, "Ready as I'll ever be." He picked the emerald up from the ground.

"Try to teleport," The guardian instructed. "See if you can land on the steps to the Master Emerald."

Silver looked at his goal. Seemed easy enough. He had teleported farther on his first try. He took a moment to memorize the spot, then shut his eyes to focus. "Chaos Control!"

He felt himself vanish and reappear. Opening his eyes, he found that he had overshot slightly. He was on the pedestal rather than the steps. "Was that good enough?"

"Only a step away. Not precision, but not a failing grade by any means. Good work. There's just one thing we need to adjust."

"My skills? My technique?"

"Yeah. All that too, but I meant the emerald." Millie started walking, gesturing for Blaze and the hedgehogs to follow. She led them into the nearby sanctuary and down into the Hidden Palace.

"What about the emerald?" Silver questioned, catching up to her as she stopped at the emerald pillars, "It worked just fine for my dad for years!"

"There's nothing wrong with the emerald," Millie held her hand out and Silver gave the emerald to her. "I just think the green doesn't suit you." She walked away and returned with the cyan emerald. "Try this."

Silver took the new emerald and used it to float for a moment. Turquoise energy surrounded him.

Millie nodded approvingly, "Much better."

Notes: Her name has been hanging in the character list for a while, but here she is. Princess Blaze the Cat of the Sol Empire, Guardian of the Sol Emeralds. Oh, and Millie's here too. But at least Silver is finally getting some training. He needs it.