Elsewhere…
Three mobians landed with a grunt into the freezing crystal caves. Violet shivered leading to Shadow to create a chaos flame lighting the way through the dark tunnels. The ultimate lifeform also spawned in a jacket belonging to Shade which Violet took with a smile. Mighty on the other hand remained silent moving closer to his daughter to keep her safe.
"Shadow, why do you have Griffin?" Violet pointed out noticing the small armadillo in the ultimate lifeform's arms.
With a sigh, Shadow passed the armadillo over to Violet who took him. "Espio won't wake without all three of you. It's something to do with his powers. I didn't tell the others because I didn't want to worry them but Espio is dying" Shadow muttered, quickening his pace. Mighty and Violet shared a look keeping up with the ebony hedgehog only to gasp when they all entered the cave which held the crystallised coffin in it.
Once given the all clear from Shadow, Mighty moved on the double over to the coffin and gasped seeing his lifeless partner within it.
"Espio?" Mighty's whisper echoed across the crystals. Shadow could only frown, taking Griffin off Violet who had rushed over to the coffin holding her mother. The one who sacrificed everything for them all only to suffer in the consequences.
"Shadow, what do we do?" Mighty turned to the Ultimate Lifeform like he had a clue on what to do.
"I don't know. I can't do anything. I'm the darkness" Shadow winced as Griffin pulled on the fur on his chest. Mighty and Violet shared a look as they felt a connection like no other. The crystals around Espio were turning purple, red and orange.
"Dad, grab Griffin! Shadow you need to leave the cave unless you want to feel pain" Violet commanded. Shadow could only nod passing Griffin over and disappearing in a small green stream showing them all, he was still nearby.
"What now?" Mighty asked, having full trust in his oldest child. Violet could only smile, "Griffin needs to be placed on the glass coffin. He is pure light which means we need to focus our thoughts into nearby crystals, our own powers will activate and in theory Griffin should wake Espio, destroying this curse" Violet explained, placing down a small orange crystal in Griffin's fist, Mighty nodded knowing it was some Shinobi Clan secret. Griffin held it still looking at it in wonder from his place on his stomach.
"Dad, do you trust me?"
"Always, V"
"Good, close your eyes and if you hear screams of pain. Ignore them, trust me. We are all safe" Violet spoke in a soothing tone while Griffin babbled to himself just as the room glowed red, purple, orange and yellow.
Mighty complied, connecting eyes with both his children. Griffin just clapped his small paws where his claws would be in the future.
All around them crystals chimed with pure energy, Griffin glowed an orange glow, him clapping away without a care in the world. Mighty ignored his son, focusing on his memories with his partner, Espio.
Memory one…
"Hey, thanks for the save"
The purple chameleon ignored him walking off towards Knuckles.
"What's with him?" Mighty asked, turning to Vector who could only sigh, "Espio, doesn't really talk much. None of us have been able to get him to utter more than two words bar Charmy. For years, he has been silent. Don't take it personally" Vector explained looking at the purple chameleon who walked over to the small carrier picking up the small bee who giggled in his arms.
Mighty could only nod, helping his younger brother out of the tree. Knuckles gestured for him to come over, "How would you like to join the chaotix?" Mighty looked at Ray who could only nod. "Sure, we have nothing else to do" Knuckles could only smirk.
A week later…
For some odd reason, Mighty couldn't sleep whether it was the new place they stayed at or Vectors snoring, he would never know. But, for some odd reason, he had to get up and leave the house.
Frowning to himself, something caught his eye in the back garden. With careful steps he walked around the back of the house only to gasp at what he saw, Espio the chameleon, the one who remained out of discussions and followed orders without a second thought. Was sitting on the back step with his head in his hands and blood running down his right leg.
Mighty tried to be silent but ended up standing on a twig snapping the chameleon's attention to him. Espio looked up at him with fear in his eyes, Mighty recognised that emotion anywhere. It would seem the chameleon had been too caught up in his thoughts and didn't know how to react.
"Espio? Look I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up or startle you. All I'm going to ask is, are you alright?" Mighty said in a calm tone, his body language relaxing to help settle the startled ninja.
Espio frowned and then shook his head.
"Want to talk about it?"
With a shake of the head, Espio moved over, inviting Mighty to sit down. The armadillo did so leaving a small space in between them.
The two sat in silence, Mighty never pressed for any answers or asked any questions. Instead he sat being a solid form for the chameleon who would seem so far away yet he sat right beside him.
Overtime, the two would find each other sitting on the backstep every Friday night. Mighty would sometimes talk, leaving Espio to choose to listen to him. The armadillo wasn't too bothered if the chameleon wasn't listening, it just felt good to tell someone all his inner thoughts. This continued for weeks until one night, Mighty came out only to frown. Espio wasn't there. He moved to turn back around when someone caught his shoulder.
Whipping back around Mighty gasped coming face to face with Knuckles, the chaotix leader.
"He's in his room, the cold makes him ill. He wants to see you, code is:5-0-6-7. Don't tell anyone that. Oh and you break his heart, I will murder you" Knuckles threatened, disappearing into the house.
Mighty could only shiver, entering the house. He silently walked past Vector's room and typed in the code to the chameleon's room where he found quite a sight. Espio was wrapped up in a blanket beside a heater. The ninja looked sick. Mighty was quick to close the door.
"Hey"
Not expecting a reply, Mighty moved to sit opposite him ready for their daily storytime with Mighty. He was in shock when Espio lifted the blanket to allow the armadillo to sit right beside him. Mighty moved into that spot not wanting to waste the opportunity to get close with the one he couldn't help but keep thinking about.
"When Knuckles told me, you were sick. I never expected this" Mighty said. Espio could only nod as he usually did.
Silence filled the room.
"Are you not going to tell a story?"
Mighty whipped around in surprise hearing the chameleons' calming smooth tone. Espio could only chuckle at his expression, it brought happiness to Mighty's eyes.
"I can if you want" Mighty said with a smile, Espio could only nod. Halfway through the story, Mighty felt a weight against his arm. He stopped speaking, turning to see Espio had rested his head on the armadillo's shoulder, his eyes closed with his face being peaceful. Mighty could only smile, lifting his arm to allow Espio to snuggle closer. He continued his story knowing farewell that the ninja was only half asleep.
Mighty couldn't help but stroke Espio's side as he spoke in his baritone voice, which seemed to soothe the ninja into a sleep. Mighty couldn't help but lift Espio into his lap bringing him into more warmth, wrapping the blanket tightly around them as he nodded off to the sound of the chameleon's soft breathing.
It was the start of something that grew into a strong relationship. Knuckles couldn't help but smile looking at his orb in his room at his adoptive younger brother finally finding some type of safety that wasn't in the form of a weapon.
A month later…
The chaotix were out on a mission and the weather had turned disastrous. Vector, Espio, Mighty and Knuckles headed for shelter in the mountains when the weather went from rain to snow. Knuckles frowned as Vector slowed down. The crocodile struggled to stay awake. His reptile body was trying to send him to sleep. Espio was having the same problem as he lagged behind not on purpose as he usually would do.
Espio collapsed to his knees, "Mighty!"
The armadillo twisted around in shock hearing his name, he ran over to his close friend. "Espio, what is it?" Mighty asked, shielding his friend from the wind.
"I…I…need your help…I can't…" Espio shivered violently, Mighty managed to get the picture, he hadn't felt much of the cold as he bridal lifted Espio into his arms and hurried after Knuckles who gestured to a nearby cave they had found. The echidna had managed to make a fire to keep their reptile teammates warm. Mighty sat close to the fire with Espio in his lap surprising Knuckles and Vector at the two of them. Espio snuggled in for warmth. They all huddled closer together. Vector warmed up quickly but Espio struggled which only made Mighty frown wrapping him up tighter.
After a couple of hours, the storm passed but the ground was like ice. Mighty opted to carry the sleeping chameleon in his arms as they continued for the freedom fighter HQ. They would be meeting Sally Acorn to deliver her the data.
The closer they got to the village, the more warmer the weather got. They were about thirty minutes away when Espio shifted in Mighty's arms making the armadillo look down at him with concern. Mighty stopped allowing Espio to stand on his own feet.
"Thank you, love" Espio whispered, kissing Mighty's lips catching the armadillo off guard. Mighty smirked, Espio went to pull away when Mighty had other ideas, he pulled Espio close to him aware that Knuckles and Vector had stopped in wonder. Mighty kissed Espio deeply, the chameleon smiled accepting it. Only for the two to pull away as Knuckles made an 'ahem' noise to alert them to newcomers.
Mighty and Espio gently pulled away from each other turning to face the other direction only to wince when they saw a young blue speedster running in their direction followed by a squealing pink hedgehog and a yellow fox.
"Hey! Knuckles! Are you going to the party too!"
"Sonic, no we are on a mission"
"God man, you need to chill!! Put your feet up Knucks!"
"Don't call me that"
"Sure sure, Vector nice to see you too and it would seem you have two new additions. Names Sonic"
"Mighty, this is Espio"
Sonic gave Espio a funny look, the purple chameleon remained silent.
"Nice to meet you. This is Amy and Tails. We are off to Sally's party. You coming? Miss Vanilla, Charmy and Cream are coming. I said I would meet them with…oh scrap, got to dash!" Sonic then took off in the opposite direction, having forgotten something yet again.
Soon the two groups split ways, one unhappy since the blue speedster had left while the other feeling good about a new development.
End of Memory…
Violet gasped as Mighty somehow transferred a memory over to her as she felt raw chaos energy join together. Griffin only giggled as her powers flowed around her baby brother.
Last memory…
Little Violet ran around the living room being chased by her smiling mother who was expecting another child soon. Mighty watched with careful eyes, he was busy speaking to Vector on the phone when the door went.
Mighty moved to open it only to be knocked to the ground by some gas. Espio looked up in shock seeing two navy chameleon's enter. Espio was quick to hide Violet under a table where she wouldn't be able to be caught. He made a silent signal, she nodded.
"Prince Espionage, you are to return to the Navade Clan and comply by the leaders rules on handing over the coordinates to the Shinobi Clan"
"That's not happening"
"It wasn't a request"
"I can assure you, I'm not going anywhere"
"Fine, then you will suffer the consequences of your failures"
The navy chameleon then struck forward aiming for Espio, who dived out of the way. Thankfully he didn't show during pregnancy but he did have to be careful. Violet watched with wide eyes as her mother protected them all.
At one point another chameleon appeared, they were a black colour. Espio gasped when the black chameleon snatched Violet out of her hidden compartment and a navy one grabbed Mighty.
"Let them go! They have nothing to do with this!" Espio yelled, he caught the eyes of his worried family.
"Oh but they do. You have a decision to make: You start a war with the Navade Clan or you save your pathetic family" A dark Navy chameleon spoke up from the doorway. Espio could only frown; he looked back at Mighty who now had Violet in his arms. Knives at their throats.
"I choose, my family" Espio gritted his teeth as he spoke as he unleashed four shurikens which all hit their marks, slicing the eyes of the chameleons.
"Now leave this place, run back to your master and tell him, Claudius is alive and he challenges him in honour of the SHINOBI CLAN!"
The four chameleons looked at one another through their blurred vision and vanished only to throw gas into the room. Mighty scrambled to get out holding Violet tightly only for her to slip from his grasp. Mighty found himself shoved outside by some force, he landed hard on his front only to gasp.
"Oh god Mighty! Vector! Give me a hand"
Mighty looked up in shock hearing Knuckle's voice, he looked up only to see some of the freedom fighters looking down at him in shock. Knuckles helped him to his feet.
"Oh my god! What happened!" Sonic shouted out, trying to run forward only for Vector to stop him as a crashing sound made Mighty turn his focus to his house which was roaring with flames. He gasped, looking around he noticed the lack of Espio and Violet. No! He cried inwardly.
"Shadow!" Mighty cried out as the ultimate life form appeared in his vision, Shadow passed over the sleeping Silver to Sonic and headed for the building. The Ultimate Lifeform hardly got two steps in when a figure smashed through the window, landing in a heap on the ground.
"ESPIO!" Mighty's yell was louder than them all, taking in his crumbled partner.
Knuckles was quick to kneel beside his younger brother as did Shadow, the two managed to pry Espio's arms apart revealing the coughing half-awake Violet who instantly reached for Mighty. She continued to cry and cough, Vanilla was quick to take the youngster while Omega offered oxygen. Cream helped her mother with Tails keeping an eye on the vitals of the chameleon with Ray's help.
Mighty frowned when Espio didn't even blink or move, not even when Shadow healed him with help from the chaos emerald which looked ready to break. The Ultimate Lifeform looked exhausted.
A week passed, Mighty was giving up on hope. Ray had scanned Espio only to discover something. Mighty hung his head, they had potentially lost their daughter. Espio would need to confirm since it was his body. The ritual he would need to perform when he did so with Violet. A groan from the said silent chameleon had Mighty moving to the side of the bed where his partner rested.
"Espio?"
Purple eyelids cracked open revealing golden eyes.
"M-ighty?"
"Oh thank god!" Mighty cried out, wrapping Espio up in his arms. The fuschia chameleon could only frown not feeling the connection he normally did with his unborn. He gasped out loud alerting Mighty when pain spread through his lower half.
"Mighty! Where's Violet! Violet?!"
"Shh, calm down. She's sleeping in Knuckles room" Mighty tried to calm his distraught partner down when Espio cried out in pain. The armadillo suddenly understood, Espio was in labour.
Mighty scooped Espio up into his arms, "Shh, I will get you to your mother. Deep breaths"
"No…not this time. Mother didn't know. Please just get Violet. I need to see her" Espio pressed, Mighty could only nod, "After the birth, Esp. We can't…"
"MIGHTY! NOW!" Espio's eyes glowed red, confusing Mighty until Espio let out a loud cry. The armadillo could only hold his partner when a door behind him opened revealing a very worried Knuckles, it wasn't often Espio yelled. The guardian rushed over noticing his brother was in labour.
"Espio, deep breaths. Knuckles is here. You will see Violet very soon but first deliver our daughter" Mighty whispered only to receive a "I'm sorry, I didn't…urgh!" Espio rolled over, Mighty held him reassuring him it wasn't his fault.
Twenty antagonising minutes passed before Knuckles returned to the room with an excited Violet who slammed into her mother's chest. Mighty smiled from where he was holding their newborn in his arms who was sadly a stillborn. Espio clung to Violet who cried in his arms claiming the flames didn't get her because of her saviour.
Once that was dealt with Violet soon learned that her new baby sister had joined the angels. Violet was in shock at the peaceful tiny orange-pink chameleon in her arms. Espio watched with sad eyes, he felt like a failure but deep down he knew, he had saved not only Mighty's life, Violets but the Shinobi Clan and all the freedom fighters. They weren't aware of it but their happiness would come at some point in the near future.
"Espio?"
The fuschia chameleon looked up to meet the eyes of his partner. Mighty could only reach for him and allow him to cry for the first time in years. Violet watched with curious eyes as her mother sunk into her father.
"Thank you, Espio. I promise to protect you as much as you have for us two" Mighty promised, kissing Espio's head as Espio held their unnamed daughter in his arms while Violet snuggled close.
"V, would you like to name her?" Espio turned to his eldest who could only nod.
"Her name will be…"
Mighty and Espio shared a 'look'.
"Crystal"
End of Memory…
Stay Tuned for more chapters on the way very soon! :)
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