~Chapter 4~

The following Spring brought new life to the Green Hills Zone. Fresh and lively green grass was stretching from the ground, colorful flowers blossomed out from ladies along with fruits and berries and little baby birds popping out of their eggs.

Sonic stood by the entrance of his den, guarding it while Shadow went out to forage for food. Since they both got together with Amy, they all moved into a much larger den to accommodate them all. Including...their new arrivals. Inside the den and in the far corner, lying in a nice soft leaf and flower bed, was Amy. She was curled up and grooming two small bundles in her arms. They were a pair of hogletts, one male and the other female. They were both Sonic and Shadow's children. How? Neither one of them were completely sure. The male hoglett had lavender fur, sported bangs, and had eyes that were hybrids of Sonic's and Amy's. The female had pale pink fur with black fur gracing the tips of her quills and bangs. She had Shadow's ruby-red eyes. They were named Dash and Luna by Amy and they were pretty much left to her care. They both snuggled up to mom for warmth and contact as she groomed them.

Sonic meanwhile, continued to keep a look out for Shadow and any potential intruders. Then, the tiny bundles in Amy's arms began to squeak and whine.

"I hope Shadow comes back soon." she said. "The little ones are getting hungry."

"Don't worry, Ames." Sonic assured her. "He'll be back."

Frankly, the blue blur thought he was going too slow. But then he thought that of everyone because he was so used to speed. Amy let out a sigh and nuzzled Luna while Dash let a grumpy but small growl. Then Shadow finally came back with a load of tree and bush branches filled with ripe and colorful fruits and berries. Amy's head perked up and the sight of nice juicy peaches. Truthfully, she was the one who had to eat, so she could supply milk to her babies. Shadow's arrival was also convenient. A thunder storm was brewing outside and rain began to pour just as he made it inside the den. Both the ebony hedgehog and his cerulean counterpart gathered around their sakura mate while she tucked into the fresh peaches and apples. The little hogletts remained curled up against her form but continued to squirm around and emit cute sounding squeaks. They got quiet when thunder rumbled into the sky. As soon as the cherry-pink female felt she had enough food, she gathered up her little ones and started nursing them beginning with Dash.

After being nursed, the hogletts fell fast asleep. Amy rested on her flower and leaf bed was kept awake by the storm outside. Both Sonic and Shadow knew she had a slight phobia of thunder, so they snuggled up next to her so she wouldn't feel afraid. And with them continuously nipping and nuzzling at her fur, neck and quills, they became the main focus of her attention rather than the outdoor elements. Even though Amy sometimes thought them to be annoying jerks, they could be nice annoying jerks.

'What an interesting family this'll turn out to be.' she thought as the two males continue to cuddle her.

=THE END=