“Announcing King Sonic!”
Sonic frowned, he was actually sick of that title, he nodded at the guards, dismissing them as he went. He entered the room where all his friends waited for him. He couldn’t help but smile at his kids, especially one little amusing one. A little ball of energy, a red hedgehog with blue stripes was rolling around on the floor with her cousins. His youngest ran up to him claiming she wanted up, her red colour fur made no sense until Espio explained that he had used the red chaos emerald to help with her birth and she had fed off it. She got the red from Shadow, speaking of his mate. Sonic looked around the room only to frown.
“He’s asleep, my king”
“Not you too” Sonic shoved Manic away from him as he hugged Tails, the young fox loving every moment of the hug from his older brother.
“Yep, we get to tease you especially when mr grumpy is not around” Sonia exclaimed, Rouge grinned, Shadow had been oddly grumpy the past week. Alena blamed Kaze for it who blamed Mephiles, the hedgehog only pointed at Manic and that set disputes.
“Is he okay?” Sonic questioned.
“Let me check….hmmm, it would seem I’m not a mind reader” Rouge exclaimed only to be whacked up the head by Amy, the pink hedgehog having just been upstairs with Rose. The hedgehog who had a strict word with Shadow when she had been left out but the ultimate lifeform had explained they needed a private one especially since he spoke to both her and Zanic. The red male hedgehog had caused a time disruption but thankfully Knuckles, Espio and Shadow managed to fix that. So, Zanic could stay with his adoptive family.
“Rouge, never change. I repeat never change” Sonic mumbled, shaking his head. He excused himself and zipped up the stairs holding onto his crown. He arrived at his bedroom within seconds as he opened the door quietly and placed his crown and robe down. Heading over to the bed, he couldn’t help but smile at his sleeping mate. With some skill he lay a hand on his husband’s forehead only to frown at the heat coming off it.
“Shads? You okay?” Sonic whispered only for crimson eyes to appear looking more faded than normal. Shadow managed a tiny nod only to wince.
“What’s wrong?” Sonic whispered, passing over some water. Shadow took it and sat up with Sonic’s help.
“Sick, head hurts” Shadow grumbled, leaning into Sonic who held him up. A knock on the door alerted Sonic to his mother, Alena walked into the room with concern in her features.
“Oh dear has he caught Emeralds bug. I told Shade to keep her away but it seems your daughter doesn’t like rules and neither does your granddaughter” Alena whispered, keeping her voice soft and low as she passed over a herbal remedy to Shadow who drank it. He knew it was a sleeping drink to help him fight the fever that his mortal body was stuck with after having his youngest. Speaking of which, he wondered where she was.
“Wheres…?”
“She’s downstairs, terrorising her grandfather and the others” Alena answered as Sonic hadn’t managed to configure some words together.
“Now you rest dearest, I will make sure the rest of your duties are covered…”
“Mother, he doesn’t do any…”
“Shush Sonic, the grownups are talking. Shadow, get some rest and if you feel up to it. You can join us later on, by lighting up the lanterns of Emerald Hills” Alena smiled, kissing Shadow’s head, she wouldn’t normally but with him being ill, give her the chance to be a mother again. Especially one who is looking after her sick children.
Once Alena left, Sonic helped Shadow out of bed and towards the shower where they shared one to help relax Shadow. All through it, Sonic talked about his boring day and how much he hated the word ‘king’. Shadow only half-listened as he drifted off in an endless sleep, Sonic smiled down at him, he kissed his lips ensuring he would be back later as he walked out of the room with his robe and crown. Shadow had been fighting this bug for a couple of days now and they were all quite worried but Kaze ensured the ultimate lifeform would pull through, he always did. Espio wasn’t allowed anywhere near him with his bad immune system so the chameleon remained downstairs.
“Daddy! Where’s mama?”
Sonic looked down at his youngest who rolled towards him, ever since Shade and Dash had been trying to teach how to spin dash, all she did was roll rather than crawling or walking. Lifting the little red hedgehog into his arms, Sonic pulled his daughter close.
“Mama is asleep, he isn’t feeling well but has asked you to make his lantern in return” Sonic was met with a mirrored worried look before it took his daughter a few minutes to nod and drop out of his arms only to roll away.
“Dash, I am so going to kill you for teaching her to roll” Sonic muttered to his laughing 17 year old. Yes, it had been three peaceful years since that day at the willow tree. In that time, Shadow had given birth to their last child, the red hedgehog who had been named after a very special person in Shadow’s life.
“How’s Maria doing?”
Sally Acorn appeared beside the hero in blue who welcomed his old friend into a friendly hug.
“She’s doing good, really needs to learn how to use her legs”
“Technically, Maria only rolls when Shadows, not around knowing her mother tells her off. It would seem she likes to just annoy you dad”
Sonic turned his head to see Rose standing there with a smile, she had her arm wrapped around Dash who nodded, the two siblings causing trouble for the chaotix per usual. They teamed up with the 14 year old twin foxes, Zanic who had nicknamed himself Zane not to get mixed up with Zanic the hedgehog. So Zane and Retro hung around Rose and Dash which wasn’t the best idea. An 18, 17 and two 14 year olds weren’t a good mix. Thankfully, Shade and Silver could still haul them in if their parents needed help or more in particular Sonic needed help.
“Thank you for that, well I’m certainly not getting father of the year or…”
“DASH!”
Sonic turned to see his son fly through a portal at the last second, almost smacking straight into the wall only to tuck it a ball and hit the sofa. He groaned in pain, Sonic only shook his head seeing Silver’s daughter, his granddaughter Daisy floating. She had her fathers powers and liked to torture her uncle Dash.
Sonic only turned his back on them all as the chimes rang out, signalling the time of the day. All the kids ran off to their parents or where they were meant to be.
“Rose, want to join me this time or would you…”
“Really?” Rose asked in excitement only for her father to nod. Sonic only grinned when she took his hand and headed for the balcony. Before they reached it, Rose was handed her tiara, Dash appeared on her other side with Maria while Shade and Silver went over to their own balconies with their family members. Any of the former freedom fighters plus any new ones joined their families in lighting up the lanterns which would hang in the skies above Emerald Hills, strings attached so they would not cause harm to the nature of Mobius.
Maria had her little lantern ready, she watched her dad sign it followed by her siblings while she had a handprint on it, she looked around for her mother only to frown.
“Maria, are you ready to let it go?” Sonic turned to his daughter who giggled in Dash’s arms, she nodded. Shade and Silver followed their dad’s lead followed by Alena, Kaze and many more. All of them watched as the lanterns lit up a pathway into the darkening sky. Lights full of prayers and hope filled the darkness while stars peeked through the lights of the lanterns. Dash and Rose held each other as Maria was mesmerised at the tradition of the Kingdom of Emerald Hills. Sonic could only smile, his hands holding tightly to the balcony as he watched the villagers light their own after the royals. He caught sight of the distant few from the chaotix house and beyond the walls, a few floated above angel island which could be visibly seen from it being lit up by the master emerald.
“What are you thinking about, my king?”
Sonic visibly jumped hearing the soothing soft tone of his partner, Shadow had made it down the stairs but was leaning against the doorframe. He was wearing the small headpiece he had been given from Alena as it was only right. This would be Shadow’s first public appearance in the past week, Sonic could only smile pulling his unsteady partner into his side. Sonic didn’t mind Shadow saying ‘king’ because it sounded just right coming out of the black and red hedgehog’s mouth. Almost like when he called Shadow hsi prince, ever since Manic had joked that Shadow was technically a prince, Sonic referred Shadow to it. At first, it annoyed him majorly but overtime he enjoyed it especially when Sonic called him it, for some odd reason it just felt right.
“My family,” Sonic whispered, kissing Shadow’s head. The ultimate lifeform only grinned. “My prince, it would seem it's time to go to bed” Sonic stated as their children yawned in front of them. Shadow only nodded watching the lanterns in the sky. Rose and Dash passed them intending on putting Maria to bed for them, leaving the king and prince to watch the lanterns light up the darkness.
“Indeed it is” Shadow whispered back, he moved to walk away when gentle hands grabbed his chin and dipped him, before he could retaliate. Soft lips connected with his own and emerald eyes connected with his crimson ones.
“I love you Shads, don’t ever forget that” Sonic spoke with nothing but love in his tone as he scooped his partner into his arms, nodded at the guards to lock everything down just to protect the kingdom. He smiled at Locke, the older echidna ran the security with Mighty since Espio was a bit busy with other necessities.
Carefully Sonic placed Shadow down, he removed the snoozing hedgehog's shoes and gloves plus any more accessories. Sonic couldn’t help but peck Shadow’s lips as he tucked the smaller hedgehog under his chin. Yep, turning mortal. Shadow had dropped in height by a little amount, no one could tell the difference unless you were an expert like Rouge or Sonic.
“Love you too, faker” Shadow whispered in his sleep leading to Sonic to pull him close.
The hero in blue was just about to fall asleep when the door opened and six sets of footsteps entered, the door was shut quietly as six bodies joined the bed. Sonic opened his eyes only to spot different body parts of all his kids including his adopted child. He smirked connecting eyes with Shade who confirmed that the others were Silver, Rose, Zanic, Dash and Maria. The hero in blue was a little shocked that Zanic was here but then again Mephiles had mentioned Zanic had been worried about Shadow’s health since the older hedgehog had looked sick the past week. Everyone was concerned, so Sonic didn’t ask any questions instead he wrapped a tight arm around Shade who snuggled closer.
Even though they may say they are too old, both Sonic and Shadow knew their kids would always be there in times of need and it worked vice versa as the hedgehog family who had gone through so much snuggled together in one of the most peaceful nights of Emerald Hills. Even if pictures were taken by some of their missing worried partners or parents. For once, neither Shadow or Sonic cared, they just knew their lights were safe and in the arms of love.
The End… Done!
Thats it! The End of the books!
Thank you to all who joined me on this journey! I hope you have all enjoyed every inch of this book as I have while writing it.
Thank you to all the reads, votes and comments - I never expected for this book to go so far!
I don't know if I plan to work on another book for the Sonic Franchise, we will see! I have a few ideas but I'm unsure!
Please feel free to read my other books! I have a few new books on the way very soon!
Please feel free to drop an opinion in the comment section - share your thoughts - I'm always interested!
Well, until next time! :)