For the first time in a long time, the kingdom of Emerald Hills was thriving in peace. No one had to look over their backs, even Dr Eggman had vanished. Team Dark knew where he was and when asked about him, they ignored them all.
Even Kaze ordered his son-in-law to tell him and Shadow only gave him a look to say 'try better'. Kaze was stunned at his eldest son's mate, it would seem Kaze and Shadow would have a unique relationship. As much as Sonic shook his head, he enjoyed watching his father being stumped by Shadows comments or facial expressions.
"Shadow, a word please" Queen Alena spoke up from where the hedgehog family were lounging around the room. Manic and Sonia instantly shared a look and then grinned at Sonic who could only roll his eyes allowing Shadow to leave his lap. The ultimate lifeform ignored their faces and made his way over to Alena, passing Kaze who sat on the ground with his great grandchildren. Blaze smiled watching her now two year olds tackling their grandfather over.
Shadow, being his natural charmer, kissed Alena's hand just to annoy Kaze who shook his head. "I have a question for you" Alena said in a soft whisper, Shadow only raised an eyebrow. As much as he had tried to be nice, his non-verbal communications were more effective rather than risking what he could say.
"Two long years have passed since that last battle, correct?" Shadow could only nod wondering where the Queen was going with this. Alena placed a hand on his arm to calm him down, "Then, why haven't we had an attack from Eggman or a clan?" Shadow could only grit his teeth, looking out the nearby window. Alena smiled softly at him knowing there was an answer whether Shadow would share it, is the question.
Shadow could only sigh, he rubbed his wrist where his inhibitor ring sat.
"Team Dark disposed of him"
"Meaning?" Kaze spoke up, Sonic moved over to his partner who hung his head.
"Dr Eggman is dead" Rouge's voice broke through the room, she stood looking worried at Shadow who had his back to the whole room. All attention turned to the bat who entered with Knuckles following in behind her. The guardian didn't look very happy but he made himself comfortable against the sofa.
"Are you positive?" Tails spoke up from the floor, he had been there the whole time tinkering with a device.
"We are. Shadow made sure" Rouge spoke up, her worry was shown through her tone. All heads turned towards the black and red male hedgehog. Shadow turned to face the room, in his hand was the gun he had used to take out the one and only Dr Eggman.
"Shadow, please tell me you didn't" Sonic placed a hand on Shadow's arm, "No, his daughter is still alive. She actually moved to the human world" Shadow muttered, Sonic could only nod moving to wrap an arm around his mate.
"Oh well, there will probably be another enemy turn up soon. Emerald Hills isn't one for staying quiet" Sonic said without a care in the world. Shadow could only smirk at the shocked faces looking at the blue hero.
"Well since we have that off our chests. Can someone explain to me what happened to the armadillo and his family?" Queen Alena asked the room. It went silent, Mighty and Espio weren't a topic brought up often.
"Simple, they left for freedom and peace" Shade spoke up, looking down at her ring. Violet visited the most out of the family but never gave anything away. She protected her family with her life.
"But…we never even got to honour them" Sonia said, looking at Manic who could only nod.
"I think Mighty and Espio have had enough of honour to last a lifetime" Knuckles grunted out.
Alena could only nod turning to Kaze, "Well now that the morbid topic is out of the way. I think now would be the time to celebrate a certain set of birthdays".
All heads whipped around in confusion to the king who could point at the twins on the floor.
"They turned three an hour ago and by tradition. Royal members are to celebrate their birthdays with a huge party or picnic" Kaze said with a smile, clapping his hands and leading the way out towards the twins. Kaiser and Daisy smile at their silly grandfather. Kaze had accepted that name when Shadow was called Paps while Sonic was called gramps by the twins. So Kaze went with grandfather, making him sound much older.
Out in the garden was the rest of their family waiting on the surprise including Amy, Rose, the Chaotix, Omega, Vanilla, Vector Junior a.k.a VJ. Also, the Babylon Rogues were there due to an agreement by Alena followed by Sally, Cream and any kids. It was like their family was whole. Violet was even there, she hugged Shade when her wife came over to her.
Silver and Blaze were in shock at all the decorations; the two thanked the royal parents who just nodded out of respect and then decided to spoil the newer parents with some gifts. Shade smirked holding Violet close, they had a good gift for Silver, one that he has wanted for a long time. Something Violet's mother gifted her. Kaiser and Daisy destroyed their wrapped presents with smiles of pure delight.
"They definitely have your temper" Silver whispered to Blaze who smacked him. Leaving Dash and Shade chuckling, they all knew where the anger and impatience actually came from. The siblings couldn't help but look at their father.
"Woah! Why are you looking at me? I'm not impatient" Sonic exclaimed, "Sure sure, that's the biggest understatement of the century, bro" Manic patted his back. Sonic could only whine and turn to his partner, "Shads, back me up. I'm not impatient" Shadow could only roll his eyes.
"No you're the definition of annoying" Shadow muttered, Sonic could only shake head going back to pestering his husband knowing it brought happiness into the two of them.
Rose smirked watching the kids run around without a care in the world, she couldn't help but watch the way her mother and Sally danced to the music playing.
"Shads, come on. One dance, please" Sonic turned to his partner who ignored him again, instead opting to continue talking to Omega. While Knuckles was dragged across the floor by Rouge.
"You got room for one more?" A voice broke through them all, attention turned to the garden doorway, basically a hedge maze.
"Mighty!" Charmy cried out flying to hug the armadillo who could only hug him as Ray darted over to hug his brother having been exploring with Charmy and living with the chaotix. He hardly ever saw his brother.
The others were in shock to see the armadillo who stood beside a smiling salmon chameleon, Crystal waved from her spot. She was quick to greet Violet who hugged her. Mighty could only smile, greeting the others while allowing Griffin down, his toddler of a son running over to join the others.
No one asked where Espio was and Mighty was quite thankful, he handed over a few gifts to the kids and spoke with Knuckles about something. The guardian nodded along, understanding perfectly whatever it was until two squeals of pure delight had all heads turning to see two more tiny armadillos running towards all of them.
"Woah! Mighty, are these yours?" Vector asked as he was shoved to the floor by the two one year olds who thought to have conquered the monster.
"Yeah, even though they were a triplet! Wonder where she is?" Mighty rubbed his head sheepishly when everyone let out a gasp.
"Are you saying I have more cousins, ones you haven't introduced me to!" Silver exclaimed, Mighty could only nod while Rouge slapped his head.
"There was a very good reason why they remained off radar" A calm tone had all heads whipping around to see a smirking chameleon leaning against the tree with a tiny chameleon on his hip.
"Espio!" Charmy shouted running over to the ninja who smiled, he lifted an arm to hug the bee who was buzzing that his older brother was here.
Knuckles greeted his brother instantly, noticing the way Espio avoided the older echidna's eyes beside Rouge. Locke the echidna only ignored the chameleon who was hugging his son. Knuckles instantly noticed a big difference in the chameleon bar, the fact of the new kids. Espio's right eye was faded into a navy colour, the other was yellow.
"You okay?" Knuckles asked, Espio could only nod remaining silent as Mighty appeared beside his partner wrapping an arm around him.
"Espio, a word please" Kaze spoke up from beside a smiling Alena. The ninja sighed holding his daughter closer to his chest, Mighty tapped his shoulder taking the smaller chameleon who shivered slightly in her father's hold. Espio was the one currently keeping her body temperature in check.
Espio walked past the hedgehog family connecting eyes with Shadow who only rolled his eyes ready for anything.
"We received your proposal and will only accept on certain terms" Alena spoke up confusing them all. Espio remained silent, ready for anything. Kaze sent him a gentle smile as two armadillos ran over to Espio clinging to his legs while Griffin giggled from Omegas shoulder. Espio placed a hand on both of his kids' heads, on edge.
"What terms?" Espio spoke in a calm tone. He was well aware of Mighty shifting behind him watching with protective eyes. Kaze and Alena shared a look as they turned to Sonic who forgot to inform the others that he had his crown on. Well Manic had pinched it and the cobalt hero could only scold him.
"For you to return home, Prince Espionage" Sonia spoke up wearing a gentle smile. Espio froze on the spot hearing his name, Mighty moved on instinct placing their youngest in his arms. Espio held his youngest daughter close to his chest, blinking back growing tears. Mighty wrapped his arms around his middle to comfort him.
"Espio?" Mighty muttered his name, breaking him out of his thoughts. Both Kaze and Alena were watching with concerned eyes.
"So, for the kids sworn protection. You want me to return to the Kingdom that I corrupted all those years ago?" Espio questioned, he pulled out a small blade from his belt.
"No, we want you to return to your home in Emerald Hills. We never intended on driving you out of your home. You didn't deserve it after everything you did. We don't blame you for what happened to all of them years ago. Yes, you may be dangerous but so is Shadow and if he can be trusted so can you. So we are asking that as the new leader of the Navade Clan, you combine efforts with the Echidna Tribe in protecting this Kingdom from others who threaten it. The Navade Clan is lucky to have you and the Shinobi Clan shouldn't have tried to destroy you from the inside. Sonia quickly worked out where you and Mighty had gone, for hiding purposes. Shadow didn't deny or confirm it but we gathered you were safe. So, we ask. Will you as the leader of the Navade Clan protect our kingdom with Locke the leader of the Echidna Tribe. To work in sync would protect us from anything" Alena spoke up in her calming tone.
Espio could only turn to Mighty taking in his opinion which confused the others especially since their question had been directed at the chameleon. Mighty muttered something, holding Espio tightly by the hips, Espio nodded, pressing a hand to Mighty's chest to calm him.
"We accept. But understand if you go back on those terms I wrote. The Navade Clan will pull back into hiding. On top of that Mephiles is not to be harmed nor is Arlo. The two have proved themselves to me as having done punishment for their crimes" Espio said, shifting his youngest who was waking up from her place in her mother's arms.
"Understood but I must ask, we ask your opinion but you turned to Mighty, why?" Kaze asked, taking a seat at a nearby table.
Espio could only grin, "Mighty runs the clan equally with me due to the combined efforts of both the Navade and Armida Clans conjoining via their sons. I can't handle it myself anymore. It left me vulnerable so Mighty stepped up" Espio spoke with pride in his tone. Alena and Kaze could only nod. Mighty smiled thinking back to when he had joined Espio's side, helping guide the one he loved through new techniques, the joining of the Armida Clan with the Navade was actually suggested by Zanic the hedgehog. The one who was wrongly raised and now was being raised by Mephiles and Arlo, after the three connected. Shadow had originally suggested it and thanks to his good instinct, Mephiles now had a son and an equal troublemaker to deal with. Karma did like to mess with any hedgehog kind, so Shadow was left smiling when Zanic caused trouble.
"Mama! Down!" His youngest cried out, Espio could only sigh, placing the small chameleon on her own feet as she joined her brothers who held her close. Griffin had climbed down from Omega's shoulder and was standing over the triplets.
"Hey, I thought you couldn't have any more?" Violet said, turning towards Mighty who could only smile.
"Espio, said it was something to do with the last gift before he…" Mighty cut himself off as Espio walked over to Shade and passed something to the black and red female hedgehog who nodded in thanks. Together the two came over.
"Mother, Shade. Dare I ask what you conversed?" Violet questioned watching the way Shade looked at the ninja of them all. Espio could only smirk, laying his head against Mighty's chest. "I can't have anymore kids due to the way the triplets came into the world. They were an unexpected gift but on top of that I received something that I wish to pass onto you two" Espio answered with a soft smile.
Mighty smiled wrapping his arms around Espio as Shade passed over a crystal to Violet who gasped when it connected with her inner arm.
"No way! Are you sure?"
"I am" Espio spoke with utter calmness.
"You have the ability to have two. I spoke with the spirits and in a gift for a return of your protection detail over both Silver and Dash. This is for you" Espio spoke up as footsteps to the side of them revealed to be Shadow who nodded when Shade asked her silent question.
"But, how does it work? We are both female" Shade asked out-loud when she didn't get a response from her own mother.
"It's a bit different but…" Espio cut himself off as his vision spun while a white crystal fell off his arm into his own hands. He passed it to Violet who took it. Connecting it to her own only to gasp at the immense power.
"Shade, it doesn't matter. I know how. We must visit the Willow Tree when we are ready" Violet smiled, pulling Espio into a hug as she thanked him for the gift. She then hugged Shadow who had to refrain himself from grimacing. His face twitched slightly which confused them all as he wrapped his arms around Violet who felt something alien to her.
"Uncle Shadow? Is there something you need to tell us?" Violet teased, Shadow only crossed his arms looking highly unamused as Sonic walked over looking a little pale. He smirked at the face of his partner, Shadow just shoved him walking away with a furious expression.
"Sonic, what did you do?" Knuckles asked walking over to the small group holding a squealing Armadillo while the other two followed. Espio smirked at the triplets who soon all clung to his knees.
"What makes you think I did something?!" Sonic exclaimed only to receive pointed looks from them all.
"DAD!" Silver's voice made him turn around only to be tackled by Dash who kept hitting his head while Silver's toddlers attacked their grandpa.
"Ow! Oh god! What did I do!?" Sonic shouted as Knuckles helped Silver remove the kids plus Dash off him.
"Maurice! The truth now!" Hearing his real name, Sonic frowned, turning to his parents. He was utterly confused until he caught Shadows' eyes. His husband had been very moody lately and Shadow got angry easily. The ultimate lifeform looked furious as he was speaking to Vanilla and Cream.
Hanging his head Sonic could only sigh, "Shadows pregnant" he muttered out. Alena and Kaze gasped in shock, turning to the Ultimate Lifeform only to notice he had disappeared. Rouge smirked knowing Shadow wasn't sticking around.
Stay Tuned! Very few chapters left of this book!
I hope you have enjoyed it so far, drop is a comment below, on your thoughts?