A/N: This is a sequel based off of the 'official' ending to Living Pains. I would like to re-emphasize the fact that this is AU. There are no people, and no ARK. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Living Pains 2: Next Gen.
Theme: I get Knocked Down, by Chumbawamba
Chapter 1: New Generation
"Karin I-" He was cut off by her lips on his. He gave himself to the kiss after a few confused seconds. As she pulled away he took a moment to regain his trail of thought. "I-I came here to tell you something." He looked into her eyes. "Karin…we haven't been dating for a very long time. And beside a moment of pain on my part, we haven't known each other for much longer than that. But still I…" She placed a finger on his lips, quieting him.
"I love you Shadow the Hedgehog."
Ten Years Later…
"Venice, get back here!" Karin yelled at the small, golden hedgehog. "Where are your brother and sister?"
"I dunno mom!" He giggled, hiding from her. His mother shook her head in annoyance.
"Don't make me count to three." She commanded. Her son came out from behind the couch with his head hanging. "There, now go get Tim and Maria. It's almost dinner time." Her oldest nodded and ran off to find his younger siblings. She sighed wearily, ready for her husband to get home. With only three days to Christmas, she needed all the help she could get. Luckily he had convinced Rouge to hold another Christmas party at the club. He had been helping get the place ready like every year. It was almost canceled due to the fire the previous year. Shadow was able to convince her to keep the tradition alive. Such is the power of a part owner. She mused thoughtfully. She brightened when she heard the front door open.
"Karin!? Could you give me a hand?" Shadow called to her, his hands full of boxes. The yellow hedgehog grabbed a few of the smaller boxes and carried them to their bedroom. "Where are the kids?" He asked, placing the boxes on their bed.
"Venice is looking for them."
"Really, just fantastic parenting there sweetheart."
"Shut up." She said, pushing him playfully. He fell and grabbed her arm so that she fell on top of him. He grinned up at her when he saw how they had fallen.
"Well this brings back memories." He said, wrapping his arms around her waist. She smirked and kissed him on the lips quickly. "I remember it being longer than that."
"And I remember slapping you right after. Are we really going for the authentic experience?" She asked dryly.
"…no?" Shadow grinned again.
"Dad! Sonic is a girl!" Tim, their youngest son called from the living room.
"Am not!" Two voices rang out, one an adult, the other a child's. Shadow and Karin went out into the living room to find Sonic, Amy, and Sonic Jr. along with their own children.
"Which Sonic?" Shadow asked his youngest son.
"Junior!" He announced, earning a kick from the hedgehog in question.
"Well then I would have to disagree." Shadow said smugly.
"Jerk." Sonic muttered, receiving a smack from Amy.
"Be nice you two." Amy said, hugging Shadow and Karin in turn. "We don't see each other often enough."
"We live next door." Sonic said incredulously.
"I'm bored, let's go play in the snow Junior." Venice called to his best friend.
"Can we come?" Maria asked her older brother.
"Whatever." The four children ran outside, pulling their coats on.
"Holy crap you cloned yourself." Sonic remarked to Shadow. "He's as crazy as you are and he can't resist cuteness."
"I can resist cuteness." Shadow defended himself.
"No, no you cannot." Karin said while Amy giggled. Shadow shot Sonic a suspicious look.
"You've turned my own wife against me. That's just low."
"Right, Amy would you guys like to stay for dinner?" Karin asked ignoring the two males as they began arguing.
"We'd love to."
"And you face is-wait we would?"
Christmas Day…
"Dad! Mom! Wake up!" Maria yelled while sitting atop her parents' bed. Shadow opened his eyes to see her equally crimson orbs a few inches from his face.
"What?" He asked, trying not to growl at her.
"It's Christmas!" Tim yelled from the doorway. "Come on, let's open our presents!" The children finally managed to drag their parents into the living room where the rather large tree stood proudly. Under it were several presents for the children. They all stood a small ways away from the tree, waiting for their parents to give the word. Shadow grabbed his camera from the couch and focused it on the tree.
"And three, two, one…"
"Go!" Karin sang out. At that the children attacked the presents. What followed was a massacre of presents. Boxes and paper flew every which way as the three siblings destroyed everything that stood in the way of their gifts. Once they were done Shadow hit the stop button on his camera and glanced at the clock.
"Okay guys, we have to go to Club Rouge soon so I want everyone to get ready." The children scampered off to their rooms, leaving the parents to deal with the mess. "We'll clean this up later. Now," he grabbed Karin by the waist and pulled her to him, "we need to get ready don't we?"
"Yes, what's you're point?"
"We both need to shower. What do you say? Cut the time in half?" She laughed and slapped his hands away from herself.
"Maybe, but somehow I think that would double the shower time."
"True." He chuckled as she went into their bathroom. After an hour of bathing and getting everyone dressed, it was finally time to go. Shadow had everyone pile into their SUV, with a few presents in the back. Once they were all settled, they set off to Club Rouge. "I can't help feeling like we forgot something." Shadow mused to himself as he turned onto the street. "All, well. It'll come to me."
