Chapter 1: Birth

It was night, the moon full and shining bright on the forest kingdom that existed just beyond Emerald Hills. The night was calm, but it was also filled with tension. The kingdom all knew what was happening, and it's people eagerly waited outside of castle. The thousands of Mobians that waited outside had enough tension that it could cause an end to a world. All of this paled in comparison to the tension that was within the castle.

Inside, there were maids and servants running everywhere, all trying to occupy their time, and do as they were commanded by the king and queen. The king, was waiting just outside of the delivery room, anxious, alone, and oh so very scared.

The ivory hedgehog was pacing back and forth, feeling his heart race faster and faster with each passing second. His boots clanked on the marble floor, his cape he removed and hung over a chair, he even removed his crown so he could feel a little more at ease. A kitsune walked up to the hedgehog and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Are you alright, my lord?", the fox asked, his two tails resting on the floor.

The hedgehog shook his head, the top five quills on his head swaying with his shake, and he said, "No... I'm worried... I mean, I just... you were there..."

"My king, you really shouldn't worry. The odds of having a daughter are the same as having a son. Just relax, and just worry about what you will name the child.", the fox said, and he pulled a clip board from out of no where to look over his notes.

"I know the odds, Tails, but you were there when we made the deal... how am I to deal with this?", the hedgehog asked, his quills, even the long ones on the back of his head, drooping.

Tails sighed and shook his head, "If you need to ask, then you may need to actually worry, King Silver."

The hedgehog called Silver sat down on a chair and prayed as hard as he could that his child would be a boy. He prayed that he would make the kingdom more prosperous, that the stupid deal he made wouldn't have to pass. He prayed with all his might, but in the end, he knew that fate was a hard thing to change, especially when it was foretold by the Master Emerald. As if on cue, a peach colored echidna female walked with a bundle of wraps in her arms. The cooing in those wraps made Silver smile a little.

"My king, I heard the glorious news and came as quickly as I could.", the echidna said, her dread locks swaying happily as she nuzzled the wraps.

"Thank you, Tikal. It's been so stressful these past months. It's good to see you hear too.", Silver said, taking smiling up at her, then offering her a chair.

Tikal looked at Silver with her cobalt eyes and asked, "What's the matter?"

Silver kept quiet for a moment, as he tried to ask the question with out it sounding so strange, "Would it be possible to change destiny?"

"Of course, but it is not possible to change something like this, if that is what you are implying.", Tikal said softly, and the wraps began to move a little with a bit of golden fur sticking out.

"Hehe, right... did you name your baby yet?", Silver asked, looking into the wraps where a cute little echidna baby looked back at him with a smile.

If the baby knew he was smiling, or what it meant, Silver would have asked why he was smiling. Instead, he rubbed the cheek of the echidna with a finger and smiled. The baby grabbed Silver's finger and squeezed rather hard for a baby.

"Got his father's strength.", Silver said, chuckling a little.

Tikal nodded proudly, "Yes. And to answer your previous question, we named him Jasper."

"That's a nice name, Tikal.", Silver noted, and took a deep breath.

"You aren't worried about it being a girl or boy, are you?", Tikal asked, knowing why it was such a problem tonight.

"No... I just don't know what to do... if it's a boy, the king will leave us all alone. If it's a girl, I'll have to watch her grow, knowing her fate...", Silver said, gripping the arms of the chair in frustration.

Tikal rocked Jasper gently, knowing that he was going to cry from all the negative vibes that Silver was giving off. She then put a hand on Silver's shoulder and said, "I know... I was there, but remember. Nothing will change unless you take action. You of all people know that."

Silver slowly nodded, knowing it was rather true. His past experiences were proof enough, but he felt in his heart that his only motivation was his wife, and she was giving birth this very minute. The thought that she was there for him through thick and thin was all he needed. A small smile came across his face and he said, "You're right, Tikal... I will change things. Blaze and I will think of something. We always did."

"Remember, you have your friends too. Shadow, Jet, Knuckles, and me too.", Tikal said with a smile.

"And Tambourine. The closest thing to a mother that I ever had.", Silver said with a large smile of nostalgia coming over him.

Tikal giggled and nodded, "Of course. I could never forget her. Just keep that smile up when you see your wife and child. Okay?"

"I will. Thank you, Tikal.", Silver said and he heard the doors open to the delivery room.

Tails had returned, and had a smile on his face, "My lord. Your child and wife awaits you. Come with me."

Silver nodded and hopped to his feet. Tikal got up and followed. Tails was about to stop her, but Silver said, "It's okay. She's a friend of the family."

Tails nodded and lead them both into the room, where drapes were hung around a bed that contained the queen. Silver opened the drapes and smiled when he saw her. A beautiful lavender feline with eyes as gold as his. She was holding a few wraps that were similar to the ones that Tikal had around Jasper. His heart beat quickly with every step he took to the feline that was holding their offspring.

"Silver, she's beautiful. Come see her.", Blaze said, beckoning her husband to her.

Silver gulped nervously and walked to his wife, and gasped at what he saw. There was another feline. Small, and with fur like his own. Her eyes were still closed, but he knew that they must have been as golden as the sun. They had to be. She was sleeping peacefully, not making a single sound except for her breathing as she slept. Her little tail was curled and she was wrapped to keep from the cold.

"Blaze... she's wonderful...", Silver said, and Tikal was standing next to him, looking down at the beautiful baby that lay in the queen's arms.

"Oh, if only Knuckles were here to see this.", Tikal said, lost in the sight of the shimmering fur.

When the light of the moon leaked into the room, it hit the kitten's fur, and did something rather unexpected. The light was absorbed in the fur and began to emit an amazing glow. The glow was more of a shine. It was just so bright that Silver had to half shut his eyes to keep an eye on his daughter. Blaze had to do the same.

"It's blinding... did she do this before I got inside?", Silver asked wanting to hold the kitten.

Blaze nodded and held her to Silver, hoping for her to be taken in his arms, "She did that the minute any light hit her. It was so beautiful. I wanted you in here so we could name her together."

Silver took her in his arms. Her light weight and the shining fur made a smile crawl on his face. Then the thought of the way the light hit her fur made him smile even more. He looked to Blaze and said, "Shall we call her Light?"

"I was thinking more of Shine.", Blaze said, stroking the kitten's little cheek.

Silver thought it over and nodded, "Shine it is."

The two smiled at each other and gave a peck on the cheek to Shine. Shine seemed to turn a little and then return to being restful. Silver looked to Blaze and said, "He's not getting his hands on her."

Blaze nodded," I wouldn't have even if you thought other wise."

"Tails... mark the baby as a still born. She never made it.", Silver said with a smile.

Tails looked at him with some curiosity before asking, "Why? She's healthy."

Silver gave a small wink and said, "Just do it. She died in the womb, but my wife is still able to have children."

Blaze caught on and smiled, "Yes, Tails. Please mark it under still born."

Tails just didn't get it until Tikal whispered something in his ear, "It's for the child's safety."

Tails blinked, then understood. He began writing on the chart. Female cat. Still Born. Date of death was December 1st. Mother is still fertile. After writing that, he sneaked a true birth certificate and wrote Female, born December first. Name is Shine the Cat. He passed the certificate to Silver and Blaze, and they both signed. Their family had started and Silver looked to Blaze, knowing she was thinking the same thing.

Blaze began to feel sleepy, and so Tails took Shine and put her in a basket for sleeping. As Blaze's eye shut, she promised herself and Silver that she would fight to her last breath to keep her family safe.

Author's Note

Well, it's finally here. The story that ends the trilogy. Why are they so hell bent on keeping her existence a secret? What king are they speaking of? What will happen next? Find out on the next Chapter. Have fun, live life, and reach for the stars tonight.