Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. They all belong to SEGA.

The story, however, belongs to me.

Story Beta Read by: Pepper1622

Hey guys! Just wanted to say a few things before this began. I put a lot of effort into this sequel. Went through some writer's block-not that I didn't know what I wanted to happen, more that I didn't know how to put it in the right words-pushed some boundaries with how dark things will get, and just... I really hope you all enjoy this! Things'll start off slowly, but it'll pick up after a few chapters. Trust me ;)

:: Part One: Life Goes On ::

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

-Lao Tzu

~1~

-Grin and Bear It-

I'd held Sonic securely in my arms as he cried tears of sorrow and loss until he promptly fainted from the overwhelming emotions. I then shifted him into a more comfortable position and subtly wiped the few tears that managed to gather in my eyes as I gazed into his troubled countenance even in sleep. My gaze had subsequently found the doctor still in the room, her eyes showing a deep sadness for our situation.

Not enjoying the feel of a stranger showing such pity at my and my mate's expense, I'd inquired in a frigid manner, "What are you still doing here?" Haven't you done enough?

"I just wanted to inform you that the operation to remove the placenta went well. Usually the baby and the placenta pass naturally, but Sonic was having some difficulties, which is why the operation was needed. He'll just need to take some antibiotics for a week and he'll be fine. You can take him and pick up the medicine as soon as he wakes. Again, I'm sorry for your loss," Dr. Flo explained before walking out of the room.

Looking down at the tile floor, I'd squeezed my eyes shut and clenched the fist that wasn't grasping Sonic's tightly in grief. Damn it! Why did this have to happen? Our baby… why was it taken away from us? I'd never really put much thought into kids—having not met many in life except Maria, Cosmo, and Tails—but the very idea of having one with my mate, with Sonic, and to have it ripped away so suddenly seemed like the cruelest injustice I've endured thus far.

After that I'd decided that sticking around in such a clinical place would no longer be beneficial for my sanity, so I'd gathered Sonic in my arms, his form lying limply in my grasp, and Chaos Controlled back to his home, where I now look at his slumbering form in the bed where our child was first conceived.

I slip into a daze for a while, just thinking of what it would have been like to have a child with him. What it would have looked like, what gender it would've been, how we would have been as parents together… Luckily, the commotion downstairs pulls me out of my thoughts before I do something I'll regret later.

I walk down the sturdy steps and see Cosmo and Tails embracing in the living room with the Echidna and Rouge talking quietly near the doorway of the house. They all seem so happy and relieved, like a disaster was averted. Honestly, I wish I was that oblivious to the truth as well.

"Tails, really, I'm just so happy you're okay," Cosmo murmurs in a comforted voice, her eyes locked onto the slightly battered form of her mate.

"I was worried about you, too. When you got captured, I didn't know what would happen… Eggman's changed," he admits in a solemn tone.

Just hearing that low-life's name makes my blood boil as rage consumes me. Death wouldn't be punishment enough for vile scum like him.

"Shadow?" My vision clears form the hazy red it was starting to be engulfed in, and I stare into four pairs of concerned eyes.

"What are you doing here? Is Sonic out of the hospital?" Tails, the one who spoke before, asks next.

I really don't wish to speak of it. The emotions that get involved are enough to destroy me on the inside several times over, but since his closest friends are all here, it seems a good enough time as any. I turn my attention to Cosmo when I start, wanting to ease everyone into the situation.

"Cosmo, do you recall earlier when you mentioned something different about Sonic's aura, that it was similar to that of certain plants? What were you referring to, exactly?"

Everyone seems confused by my choice of topic, but she answers earnestly, a hint of a smile growing on her face as she thinks about the beauty of the topic. "Oh, yes! His aura is similar to that of plants that are about to reproduce."

The three witnesses of our conversation go bug eyed while I simply sigh in defeat. If only we had known before going into battle, this could have all been averted. "That's what I thought you would say," I mutter in the end.

"Wait a second! Hold it! What do you mean by reproduce?" Knuckles asks in a flabbergasted tone. Rouge next to him starts to look a bit uneasy as she fidgets with her hands, the violet wings behind her fluttering a bit.

Tails takes a small step forward as his appearance gradually gains a pale tinge. "What… happened to my brother?"

My body sags in defeat as I turn to go back up the banister. "I'll explain it all in a moment. I just want to be sure of something first… Cosmo, would you come with me for a moment? Sonic is… resting, so we must be quiet."

The others seem edgy after my intro but are willing to wait while I bring Cosmo upstairs. She follows after me silently on her dainty feet and stops when I do outside of his door. I look into her concerned blue eyes and tell her gently, "I just wanted to know if you still felt that difference in his aura." Because I don't trust those white coats nearly as much as I do a friend.

She nods as I open the smooth wooden door to his room quietly, allowing her to peek in. I watch her as she seems to concentrate, her brows furrowing under her green bangs as she reaches an important conclusion. Her eyes lock with mine rimmed with little tears, and I finally accept his miscarriage as fact.

"What happened?" she asks, disheartened.

"Our baby is gone" is all I can say as I close the door behind us on what could have been.

Downstairs everyone has taken seats, Rouge and Knuckles on the love seat with Tails on the couch, their worry almost palpable in the air. Seeing Cosmo in tears doesn't help matters either.

"Okay, you've kept us all in suspense long enough. What's up with Sonic?" Knuckle demands once Cosmo takes comfort in the arms of her Bound.

I remain standing as if staying away from them will keep me detached from the situation, and then I just talk. "Sonic was pregnant."

"Pregnant? How is that—never mind. That hedgehog always does the impossible," Rouge responds candidly before her eyes suddenly widen and her hand grips the Echidna's, who seems pretty stunned by the news. My verb tense seems to have finally registered in her mind. "Wait—was?"

Tails seemed to have picked up that bit before I had even spoken based on Cosmo's earlier words and reaction, which is why he hasn't moved an inch since he gathered her in his arms.

"Yes, was. Apparently in a Dominate/Submissive pair, the Submissive can get pregnant, but only once. We had no clue that he was even carrying when he took a hit after our arrival to Metropolis Zone. That's when he… lost our baby," I explain quickly, feeling my fists tighten at my sides rigidly.

Tails' quiet gasp brings my red orbs up to his form. "When he was bleeding… that's when it happened, right?"

I'm slightly startled that he saw that, but I nod slowly anyway, feeling it wrong that such a young child witnessed such a thing.

"Shadow, I'm so sorry," the usually spirited albino bat tells me with utmost seriousness. "If there's anything I can do for you guys, just tell me," she adds with a small curve to her lips, although it doesn't reach her turquoise eyes.

I nod, appreciating the sentiment, although there's really nothing she can do, unless she can perform miracles. Knuckles' rising stature forces me to stand erect in preparation for a possible attack. He never did like me, for whatever reason.

He walks to me slowly, giving no signs of his intentions until his hand extends out in my direction as a symbol of a truce. "I may have misjudged you upon our first meeting, but I can see now that I was wrong. Sorry." I understand that he means for everything. I grasp his hand tightly as we shake, agreeing upon the truce.

This entire situation feels like it's drained me completely of energy, and I still have to collect Sonic's medicine, not to mention take care of him when he wakes up. Who knows what his reaction might be once the news has settled in.

Giving a heavy sigh, I turn to the exit in plans of heading back to the hospital when Tails calls out, "Where are you going?"

I tiredly give a curt answer, my mood for wanting to be around others completely gone—not that I really wanted company in the first place. "I need to pick up Sonic's antibiotics and hopefully get back before he awakens so that I can be here to help him."

"I'll do it for you. You seem exhausted. Plus I'm sure Sonic would want you beside him right now. Which hospital is it at?" Rouge asks while standing and stretching her wings casually, making me feel grateful to have her as a friend.

"The one in Hill Top Zone. It was the closest to where we were at the time," I tell her with slight teasing in my voice, comforted by the fact that I do have friends I can rely on.

"Damn it, Shadow. You should really feel lucky that I like you and Blue, otherwise I'd park my butt right on that couch and get some much-needed rest," she complains lightly while heading to the door.

"Thanks, Rouge," I say sincerely as she heads out, seeing her wave back sassily in reply.

I begin to walk up the stairs, leaving the others to their own devices, only turning back slightly when Cosmo comments, "We'll have dinner ready for whenever you guys want it."

Upon entering the room, I see Sonic curled up on his side, apparently still unconscious. I take off my shoes and place them next to the bed before climbing in behind him. I gently wrap my arms around him and hesitantly place my palms over the soft fawn fur of his stomach. It feels soft yet firm with muscle, like always.

Clenching my hands away from his stomach, I bury my face into his head quills, willing myself into a dreamless sleep so that the guilt I've suppressed doesn't try to overwhelm me, but the fact still remains true.

If I had just finished that book, I could have prevented this or at least known about it. Sonic losing our baby is no one's fault but my own.

~XxoOoxX~

The air around me is dry and stale, reminding me of abandoned buildings left to wither and decay, slowly and alone. My eyes can see nothing as the place is bathed in darkness. I'm about to take a step forward to see what's up with this weird situation I'm in when a soft spot light appears a distance in front of me.

A little girl—a hedgehog girl—sits in the center of attention, appearing absolutely helpless, maybe a few months old. I start to take in her features with a rising sense of disbelief and hope. Her fur and quills are just like that of my counterpart's; I stare into the big, childlike emerald eyes of what I believed to have lost.

An urge so great I don't even consider fighting it consumes me, commanding me to take her into my arms and never let her go. When I attempt to move, that's when it occurs to me that I can't. No matter how hard I try, my body stays motionless, in the perfect view of the little girl.

My heart rate picks up as uneasiness starts to settle into my mind. Why can't I move? I need to get to her. Just as that thought finishes, I see that her little face begins to scrunch up in discontent, and little cries and whimpers begin to leave her as her big emerald eyes become glossy with tears.

Worry surges through me, and the first thing I try to do is speak soothingly to comfort her. Not a sound escapes me. Oh, no… What's going on? Fear and concern engulf me as she begins to cry louder and hold her arms towards me in need.

That's when I see it. A very familiar silver robot heading straight towards my baby.

My heart plunges into my stomach, drowning me in the deepest fear and desperation I've ever experienced. NO! Completely oblivious to the danger heading straight for her, my little girl continues to cry for me, her face streaked in tears, covered in sadness and dejection.

The clanging of its metal feet as it moves ominously closer to the innocent little hoglet reverberates in my ears like a countdown to my world's shattering. I struggle relentlessly to move, scream so loud my voice would be ruined if I were allowed to speak, in my desperation to do something to save her.

Nothing works. It doesn't stop. And when it's upon her, my little girl finally takes notice, her little ears folding back in genuine fright. Just when he's about to attack, the lights go out, blinding me from seeing what's happening.

Unfortunately, I can still hear.

Her babyish cries cut off abruptly as I hear a dull thud; the sound of thick liquid splashing across the ground makes me genuinely sick as silent wails leave me. NO! N-no! YOU CAN'T DO T-THIS! You c-can't… My body is finally given the opportunity to move, and I sink to my knees, not wishing to go see what's left of her.

Just as everything slowly fades from my awareness, I hear laughter. Heinous laughter of one person sick enough to do something like this.

Eggman.

Cold sweat clings to my fur as I bolt upright, my stomach churning violently as I make haste to escape the confines of the bed. Rushing to my bathroom once I realize I'm back home, I fall onto my knees in front of the porcelain toilet and upchuck harshly, the lack of food in my stomach making it feel worse.

When the convulsions finally stop, my body sags in front of the toilet, a silent river of tears streaming over my flushed cheeks. As soon as I can breathe normally, I wipe my face clear of the salty liquid and stand shakily on my feet. My voice echoes gently off the acoustic walls of the bathroom as I come to a decision. "He killed my little girl. Took her away from me. I'll make you pay, Eggman. You won't get away with it this time."

I solemnly click off the lights, shutting the door behind me, and climb back into bed with a heavy heart, idly wishing for the comfort of Shadow's arms around me. I clutch the comforter near my face tightly in my despair. When Shadow does return sometime later, I don't acknowledge him. I just let him climb into bed and hold me tightly as he drifts into slumber. It is the warmth I was seeking, so I fall into it willingly, clutching at his hands over my stomach.

~XxX~

I don't know when I managed to fall back asleep. I just know that I spent maybe hours obsessing over how I would make Eggman pay. He's the cause of all the horrible things that have ever happened in my life. It's time to put an end to it. No matter what it takes.

The room is bright with golden sunlight, letting me know it's sometime in the morning. Shadow's no longer beside me, and I have to wonder what could possibly be so important that he's not here when I wake up. I feel like I haven't talked to him in ages, especially about…

I heave a sigh and get out of bed, wanting a shower before I set out to implement my plans. Upon entering my porcelain and light blue-highlighted bathroom, I immediately notice my reflection. My once-vibrant cobalt fur is now limp and dull, saturated with oily defeat. My eyes are practically lifeless, making it hard for me to even want to look at myself any longer in the reflective glass.

Hurrying to remove my articles of clothing, I hop in the shower, scrubbing vigorously to get all the dirt and grim and loss off of my skin. I don't even acknowledge the tears that mingle with the water that courses over my face.

Walking back in my room in search of clean clothing, I spot Shadow sitting on the bed, facing me with a consoling look. On the bedside table is a plate of food and a bottle of… pills?

Approaching him slowly, I greet him with a soft, "Morning."

He stands and wraps his arms around me in a gentle embrace, mumbling, "Morning," in my ear closest to his lips. I willingly accept his hold, allowing him to keep me together with the strength of his arms alone. When we finally part, he pulls me into place next to him on the bed, letting me lean against him if I need to, which I gladly do.

"I brought you fresh breakfast when I noticed you didn't eat anything last night," he explains while handing me a plate of Chili Dogs.

I take it thankfully, as I do feel a little hungry, but only so much. My appetite isn't really with me right now. My green eyes lock on the bottle of pills, which sit so innocently on my soft brown wooden table. "What's with the pills?"

He picks them up easily and shows them to me as he explains. "They're antibiotics. Dr. Flo said you would need to take them for a week to prevent infection after your surgery." Every word he says is so carefully spoken, as if, to him, thinking about the situation makes him volatile. I can even see his hand shaking as he grasps the bottle.

The very thought of taking those pills is repulsive to me. I don't want anything those doctors gave to me. They've done more than enough, in my opinion. "I'm not taking them," I tell him curtly, taking a bite of my chili-smothered hot dog right after.

He exhales and looks at me with exasperation, although I can see the understanding gleaming deeply in his eyes as well. "They're to help you, even if you don't think so. I don't want you to get sick or anything. Too bad you're not like me, who has the Ultimate defenses against such inferior things like infections and diseases," he adds to try and lighten my mood—which I highly appreciate and show by giving him a small curve of my lips—but it still doesn't change my mind, and he knows this.

I reach across him to get the drink that's also sitting on the table when he takes it and hands it to me simply, avoiding eye contact as he does so. Odd. I shrug it off and take a sip, my ears twitching in realization immediately afterwards. It's a strong soda, but nothing can really hide the slight chalky taste of a pill being dissolved into it.

He knows me too well. He already knew I wouldn't take the pill, so he slipped it into my drink. I have half a mind to yell at him about forcing this medicine on me, but… he's just doing this for me. If he didn't love me or if he were anyone else—besides Tails—I wouldn't let this slide. I finish my drink diligently then make sure to look into his eyes and note the guilt swimming in his crimson depths. I'm pretty certain he knows I know what he's done and it makes him feel horrible, which is why he stands abruptly to create a distance between us.

"I need to go do something, hedgehog. It won't be long. It's just… important that I know. I'll be back soon," he explains as his reason for leaving before his fingers grasp my chin, lifting it up so that he can connect our lips together gently as if to convey his regret for his actions.

I don't like that he left. I'm not really upset that he went behind my back like that. Honestly. But this does allow me an opportunity to enact my plans. Quickly finishing his hard-worked-on breakfast, I head downstairs in hopes of figuring out that madman's location.

His time left living is quickly running out.

Next chapter's on Monday :)