It took a while for it to set in that the famous blue speedster was back and alive, Sonic ignored the looks from the rest of the freedom fighters who all had questions yet no answers came. The speedster had a few things on his mind and one was his famous partner who was still missing. It had been a week since he had returned and within that week he had learned a lot of things especially about his children, Shade was a little funny around him but then again she always had a deep connection with Shadow. She would choose her mother over her father anyday and that may be because of a time when she was little and Sonic made a huge mistake.
Past Memory…
It was Shade’s 10th birthday and she had woken up to find her mother in tears in his room, she rushed in wondering what was wrong? Although not many spoke the truth, Shadow made sure to never lie to his kids, so he always told the truth.
“Mama, what’s wrong?” Shadow looked up in shock at his eldest daughter's voice, wiping his eyes. Then he picked her up into his arms.
“I…your father and I have just had a fight. But, don’t worry about it” Shadow smiled down at her reaching across to the desk where her present sat. “Happy Birthday Shade”. His beautiful daughter gave him a peck on the cheek.
“Is, baby okay?” Shade whispered, Shadow rolled his eyes. His daughter somehow could feel the small hoglet in Shadow’s aura even before it had developed. Shadow could only nod as he watched her open her presents. It was early stages and the unborn hoglet was the sole subject of why he and Sonic had argued in the first place.
Trudging footsteps from the doorway revealed Silver his more quiet child.
“Morning, happy birthday Shady,” Silver muttered, climbing onto the bed to snuggle close to Shadow’s side. “Morning Silvy”. Her reply was cut off by a squeal from Silver as Sonic made an appearance in the room with a smiling Knuckles, the guardian picking up his nephew to help wake him up.
Shadow smirked accepting the hug from the smiling bat, his best-friend was staring back at him in concern, he sent a look to say ‘later’. Rouge only nodded, passing out Shade’s presents with her famous smile. Shade sent her own quirky smile back as she snuggled into Shadow’s side while opening her presents. She gasped at the necklace charm it was inscribed by the guardian himself. Knuckles claimed it was part of the master emerald while Rouge just shook her head, Shade launched herself at the two and thanked them. Even though she was her mother’s daughter it didn't mean she could get away with what Shadow did which was not use manners or say ‘thanks’. It had been drilled into her from birth but she was also a kind mobian anyway.
A small kick to Shadow’s side had the ultimate lifeform shifting slightly which led to Shade and Silver moving back to his sides, although it happened many times. Shadow smiled down at them. The two were growing up quickly and wise, a sigh left his mouth. Due to Shadow’s dna the two would age quicker than the average mobian. Thankfully when they hit the age 16, they would age normally, it was one of the losses of Shadow’s dna. Another thing that got brought up in arguments.
“How are you feeling, hun?” Rouge asked her partner in crime as the kids directed them all downstairs where Tails and Cream sat waiting on them as did a few others. Sonic had a big house and the fox lived with them.
Shadow turned to look at her, “Still sore. I…” Shadow cut himself off as he stumbled against the side of the wall, hands shot up to steady him. Pain spread through his lower half but it was normal according to the ultimate lifeform himself. It would seem the hoglet would be a runner at this rate.
“Shadz?!!” Sonic’s voice broke through his unsteady breathing, “I’m good” Shadow’s blunt reply was met by ‘looks’ from all around including Shade who directed him to a nearby chair. Shadow smiled at his daughter, “One of these days, you will have to let us take care of you, mama” Shade spoke words beyond her age. Shadow only smirked, “The day that happens will be the day, I give up” Shadow joked which earned him a punch from both his daughter and son.
For the next hour, Shade opened presents and had fun under the careful eyes of her parents. Silver remained snuggled against either Shadow’s or Knuckle’s sides.
“Hey Shadz, can we talk?” Sonic’s voice snapped him away from his thoughts. Shadow looked up and nodded, with some energy he pushed himself off the sofa. Under the watchful gaze of his brother, yes Uncle Eclipse had appeared with the biggest gift ever and despite Shadow warning him, the alien managed to get it into Tail’s garage. Shade had opened it and screamed, she had a bike that she would have to wait until Shadow could teach how to ride in a couple of months. She couldn’t wait, she thanked Eclipse but couldn’t save him from her mothers wrath.
The two hedgehogs left the room moving upstairs to where it was more quiet. Shadow couldn’t be bothered to beat around the bush so he made sure to get straight to the point.
“Shadz?”
“Tell me, right now. The truth. Did you or did you not have a child with Amy Rose?”
Silence filled the room, this argument had been going on for a couple of days now and Shadow needed to know the truth.
“Not really…?”
“What do you mean?” Shadow raised an eyebrow which led to Sonic glaring at him.
“Well the child is mine but it's not, you get me?”
“No”
Sonic turned to look at Shadow who glared at him with anger.
“Amy said the child is mine but it couldn’t have been. At the time, I was with you and oh…”
Shadow crossed his arms across his chest. A week ago, Amy turned up to the door with a baby hedgehog in her arms, the hoglet was pink with blue streaks in her hair. Shadow had allowed Amy in out of the cold out of respect but when he heard the story behind the child. It took both Shade and Silver to calm their mother down. Espio ended up appearing with his own daughter and helping the kids with the famous black and red hedgehog. Shadow wasn’t happy but he agreed for Espio to take the kids so he could get to the bottom of this.
Everytime the child was brought up, Sonic would just yell at him and an argument would form.
Sonic turned to look at Shadow and sheepishly smiled which earned him a punch to the face. Since having kids, Shadow and Sonic hardly ever fought with their fists and the closest they got was when Shadow and Eclipse had a huge argument and Sonic had to step in.
“What the hell, Shadow?!” Sonic yelled.
“You cheated on me!”
“I did not, at the time we had a fight and you said you didn’t want anything to do with me!”
“I was angry! Sonic! We just lost a hoglet at the time!” Shadow roared, “It didn’t help you willingly abandon a hoglet because of happy families!” Shadow punched him, the speedster backed away. Their yelling must have been loud because the door slammed open revealing Rouge and Knuckles, the two looked confused until Shadow turned on the two. His eyes glowing crimson, “I…I…I can’t do this right now!” Shadow yelled, walking past his two wide eyed friends.
The three were quick to follow the angry hedgehog who calmed down slightly to where Shade and Silver were playing in the front garden beside the garage which stored now two motorbikes. Shade looked up at her mother’s appearance and her smile dropped, Shade grabbed Silver’s hand and ran for Shadow who sunk down to his knees. All of them watched as the two threw themselves into his arms just as Sonic and the others came around the corner.
A green light covered the three hedgehogs and they disappeared with it. Sonic gasped, looking at where his partner and kids just were. He groaned, feeling all eyes on him especially Rouge’s accusing ones. Amy was glaring at him too, she and Shadow were on civil terms but that didn’t mean Amy was happy about the situation.
Elsewhere…
Shade gasped as they teleported to the willow tree, Shadow sat with his back against it while he pulled his children close.
“I’m sorry Shade. Silver. I just…your father is impossible….It seems you have a half-sibling…out there…” Shadow mumbled pulling the two close, Silver snuggled into his mother’s warmth while Shade could only smile. “I’m sorry, Shade. I have ruined your…birthday”. Tears slipped down the once cold-blooded Ultimate Lifeform’s face, small hands wiped them away.
“You didn’t mama”
Shadow raised an eyebrow at her, “How so?” Silver perked up in interest at their conversation.
“You stayed. I remember when I was a little pup and you promised that you would stay and if Silvy killed you. You would always be here” Shade explained pointing at her chest, “You stayed, mama. Aunty Maria would be proud of you” Shadow could only smile looking up at the dark sky to see stars shining down on them.
“Mama, can we go to the Ark?” Silver asked, Shadow groaned, climbing to his feet while holding them both on his hips.
“No but we can go somewhere special”
“Where’s that?”
“You will see” Shadow smiled teleporting with special words, ‘Chaos Crystal!’ Shade smirked hearing the words.
They disappeared in a stream of purple until they landed in what looked like a forest, the only difference was the palm trees had crystals hanging off them. Shadow put the two of them down as he held their hands while they walked through the crystalised world. Silver let off happy giggles as creatures unknown to the universe danced in his vision. The three continued to walk until they came across an old cave which housed a small hut.
“Mama, what’s this?” Shade asked, knowing they weren’t in Emerald Hills anymore.
“Home, Shade. This is Home away from Home” Shadow answered bluntly leading the way to what looked like a huge emerald.
“Mama!”
Shadow turned only to gasp, he grabbed Silver's arm and pulled the white hedgehog onto his back while Shade clung to his legs. The white hedgehog hid his face while Shade remained watching with curious eyes.
They were surrounded by what looked like silver crystalised chameleons.
“Who are you?” A voice of a melody rang out, Shadow held his ears as the sound went straight through him. Both of his children whimpered. His blood roared in his ears, the black arms blood glowed effectively lighting up his red stripes.
“Are you here to destroy us?” The voice rang out again, squeezing his eyes shut, Shadow reached for both of his kids but before he could say ‘Chaos Control’.
“ENOUGH!”
Shadow’s head swung around quickly only to gasp,
“Espio?”
“Hey Shadow” The purple chameleon helped the confused hedgehog back to his feet. “What are you doing here?” Espio asked, Shadow noticed the different attire the chameleon had on, Espio wore a hood over his head and silver straps rather than his normal leather.
“I normally come here to relax,” Shadow answered, raising an eyebrow at the chameleon.
Espio gave him a look almost to say ‘Yeah right’. With a sigh, Shadow shifted so the kids came into view. “You brought them?” Shadow only nodded. Shade looked confused while Silver had fallen asleep, “You know they won’t remember this place” Espio said while directing them to a huge room within the cave that held an altar of somesort. “I know, but I needed time away”. “I know” Espio quickly replied, helping Shadow over a piece of spiked crystal.
“What is this place?” Shadow questioned his brother, “It’s called Crystal Haven”. Shade and Silver were wandering just in front of the two of them. Shadow watched them with tired eyes.
“Mama look at the bed!” Silver cried out running over to what looked like a coffin.
“Silver no!” Espio yelled running after the little white hedgehog who fell into the coffin, Shadow scrambled for his son only for the lid to clamp shut.
“ESPIO! What’s going on?!” Shadow yelled trying to pry apart the coffin to get to his son, Shade whimpered beside her mother. Espio looked back at his brother with sad eyes.
“Shadow, this is Crystal Haven. We need to get Silver out of there but you must understand, one can only take the place of the trapped via sacrifice. Silver is trapped via the curse of the beauty of this place. You have to understand what this means…”
“Enough, let me trade places” Shadow interrupted. Just as he said that the room glowed with lights shining from the crystals, Shadow didn’t care much about his surroundings; all he cared about was his son's life. Silver cried on the other side banging his tiny little fists against the crystalised glass.
“Shadow, you have to understand. Remember everything we have discussed” Espio urged as an individual appeared in front of them. It was a jackal.
“Are you willing to trade places with the silver hoglet?” the jackal asked, wearing a mask which hid their expression. Espio groaned, he glared at the creature in front of them.
“I am” Shadow’s two words caught the jackal off guard.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes”
“Are…”
“I don’t care, let me swap with my son!” Shadow roared, his eyes glowed with his power. The crystals surrounding them all turned crimson. The jackal only nodded, lifting the coffin lid unaware of the small eyes watching them all.
Silver was quickly scrambling out of the coffin and towards his mother, Shadow dropped down to his knee to comfort his son. “Shh, I’m here. I’ve got you” Shadow murmured, aware of the eyes on him.
“Step into the coffin”
Shadow glared at the jackal while passing over his distraught son to Espio who remained silent looking at the ground. Shade wrapped herself around Espio’s legs while Shadow smiled down at them.
“Any last words?” the Jackal asked, removing their hood to reveal a silver mask and a red eye. Espio glared at the jackal who only smiled, putting them all on edge.
Shadow shook his head knowing Espio understood what would happen next. He hoped Sonic would forgive him? All that mattered was his children. Silence followed the question as Shade turned to Silver and nodded. The Jackal was in the process of closing the lid when he was suddenly knocked back by a powerful wave.
“Infinite!”
Turning his head, Infinite noticed a furious looking chameleon had broken from his spell, Espio glared at his long-time rival and sent a blast of chaos power at him. The jackal cried out, Shadow glared, shoving the roof of the coffin off him.
He picked up his children just as words spoke out to him,
“Death is just around the corner but it isn’t the end. Let the gems go and you will be home”
Shade looked at Shadow in confusion, her mother ignored her as he helped Espio trap the jackal back in his own coffin. Espio glared at the one who caused him pain. Together the two managed to trap him and Shadow turned to demand an explanation when a searing amount of pain spread across his stomach. No! He inwardly cried out, he dropped the green chaos emerald he had in his quills and collapsed to the floor. Espio was by his side, “Shadow! Hang on!” Espio called out as he searched for something to help the ebony hedgehog.
“Shade? Silver?”
Once their names were out, Espio gasped, the room was glowing with a power like no other. “Look after Dash, promise me” Shadow exclaimed as he rolled over in pain. “We promise mama!” the two called out, stroking Shadow’s head. The ultimate lifeform groaned as Espio came into view.
“Shadow! Are you sure?!”
“I am! Do it Espio. Promise me, you won’t tell anyone!” Shadow grunted out as he screamed in pain. His youngest was coming early and he didn’t have much time left. The fuschia chameleon could only nod as he spoke an old ritual. Shade and Silver watched mesmerised as the green chaos emerald called on the other six before it disappeared. Shadow groaned one last time, he pushed. Within moments, Dash was born his little blue hedgehog.
“Baby?” Silver’s small voice turned Shadow’s attention to his middle son.
“Shade?” Looking at her mother’s voice, the oldest nodded, “Dash”. Shadow smiled, turning to Espio who grimaced as he lifted a small crystal up. Shadow reached out with the last of his powers and all of them watched as it connected with the small crystal.
“What’s it called?” Shadow grunted out, his vision swimming as he pulled his three children close. Espio kneeled beside him, “The Crimson Fire Crystal. It's the eighth chaos emerald, it's rare” Espio explained while stroking Shadow’s head. “I’m sorry brother, this isn’t how it should have gone” Espio said with regret, all this time Espio knew he was the one who was supposed to sacrifice himself since he and Infinite went way back.
Shadow only reached for the chameleon’s hand, something in his eyes told Espio ‘that everything would be alright’. “Love you Esp”. The ninja could only nod as he scooped up Shadow in his arms, Dash was in the ultimate lifeform’s arms while Shade and Silver clung to Espio’s legs.
The ninja muttered something and the next thing Shade knew she was back at the willow tree. Espio glared at the horizon watching as the sun rose in the distance.
“Everything will be alright, my son. Trust Shadow, he knows what he is doing”
Espio smiled to himself before putting on an act, Shade and Silver looked worried at him.
“Shade. Silver! Go find your father!” Espio shouted in fake fright, the two hoglets looked confused but continued to do as instructed.
Not even a minute later, a blurring speedster appeared beside the exhausted chameleon who muttered one last thing, wiping Shade and Silver’s mind as he collapsed into the arms of Mighty.
A month later, Shadow passed on or so they thought. A particular little hoglet remembered everything and hopefully one day it would make sense to her.
End of Memory…
Shade sat up with a startling gasp, she had been dozing against her mother’s tree when the sudden memory popped in her head.
“Shade, what’s wrong?” Violet’s soothing calm voice snapped her attention towards her girlfriend. Shade couldn’t help but glare, “Where’s your mother?” there was more anger than normal in her tone so much it made Violet jump. The chameleon quickly directed Shade to her father’s home where the rest of the freedom fighters were trying to make a plan.
Espio was leaning against a nearby wall when he suddenly found himself unable to feel the ground anymore.
Wide startled golden eyes met furious yellow/red eyes belonging to none other than Shade.
Okay! I couldn't help but post the next chapter! ENJOY! :-)
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