Hello, everyone!
Well, this journey is coming to an end. This is for real, the last chapter. I'm not going to lie to you, I feel a little bit sad. This story is longer than I expected, and I have learnt a lot while writing this. Maybe, in a future, I'll make some minor changes to the story, you know, spelling or grammar mistakes that I had made and never noticed.
Anyway, thank you very much to your kind reviews, your follows and all the support you had given me these months. There are more Shadouges to come in the future.
So, enjoy your reading :D
It was a rainy afternoon, one of those days when you can sit and stare through the window and get lost with the sight of the droplets running down the window. Those were the days Shadow enjoyed the most. It was when he felt the best. However, that day he was bored. Rouge was out of town because of a mission (or that was what she has told him, she could be stealing some jewels). He had read all the books at home, watched some TV, played with Maria and put her to sleep a nap.
There he was, thinking of something to distract himself when Maria cried. He wondered why, because she had just been fallen asleep. The hedgehog walked to her room and froze in his tracks. There he was, the person that kept both parents wondering when he would return, the only Dr. Eggman himself.
The man looked at Shadow with Maria in his arms. She was sobbing, since she didn't like strangers to hold her. Her father had to do something, but he didn't want to put her in danger by doing something risky.
"I'm not here to fight" Eggman said giving the baby back to her father. Shadow held her baby and tried to remain calm. The last thing he wanted to do was a display of his anger in front of his child.
"How did you get here?" He said, gritting his teeth.
"I entered through the window, isn't it obvious?" the doctor remarked with a scoff. "It is interesting that you named your child after my cousin" he continued looking at the six-month old baby in Shadow's arms. "Technically speaking, she is somehow my niece"
"What do you want?"
"I came here to see her, to talk to you and, leave" The man said and Shadow gave a step back, not sure if he was true to his words. "I was working on something these days, but… things are not the same anymore. So" he shrugged. "I'm out of the game. Let the young evil minds make my work."
"This means you're retiring?" The hedgehog said not sure if it was right to believe him or not. "This cannot be true, this is part of your plan, isn't it? You want us to believe you're retiring and then you're going to kill us all" He said angrily. Maria complained whimpering and Shadow rocked her.
"Listen, edgy-boy. I'm not here to kill you or your child. I'm here to say my farewell and I really wanted to see your kid. It's not like everyday there's an offspring of the Ultimate Life Form. Remember, you were created by my grandfather, and, top to that, you named her after the most beloved member of the Robotnink family" Eggman wasn't even blinking while talking. Instead of looking angry or furious, he seemed frustrated, as if he was pouring his heart into his words. "And, if you're wondering, yes, I'm tired of everything. There is a point in life when you are done with sh… shameful lost battles" he corrected himself, he wasn't going to swear in front of the infant and less in front of her father. "That's all. I'm old and I need a break."
"And what do you plan to do?" Shadow was being the most patient he could ever be.
"What else? Write my biography and inspire the world" there was a grin on Eggman's face, which unsettled the hedgehog. "I know it's going to be a best seller. Also, I want to write some novels. I've seen teenagers reading a lot these days, I think I can do that too. If the world cannot be mine by force, at least I could be millionaire by filling them with some crappy stories"
"You are…"
"An evil genius? Of course I am" he said with arrogance. "Well, Shadow, it was quite a nice visit, but it's time for me to go" he said and puffed his chest. "There's a little present for baby Maria in that box" Shadow held her daughter tighter. "No, it's not a bomb or anything dangerous" he opened the box. "You see? It's an Eggman plushie!" he shook it in front of the hedgehog and Maria giggled. "She loves it, don't you, baby?" he said babbling. "You're so sweet, baby Maria"
"Don't get close" he said trying to keep calm.
"Oh, come on" he said with his raspy voice. Maria stretched out her little arms trying to grab the plush. "I can assure you it's safe." They looked at each other, part of Shadow believed that he was saying the truth, and other part of him was sure the doctor was lying. "Well, well, I need to go. I'll leave the Eggman plushie on the counter and you'll decide what to do. So long, Shadow the Hedgehog. Send Rouge my regards" He said and step outside of the window.
Maria looked at her father, she was calmed by then. The whole situation was confusing: Eggman was retiring and had snuck in the flat. Shadow sighed frustrated and knew it was the time to finally pick one of the houses he had been looking in the last months. It wasn't one of his fondest ideas, he really loved the flat. It was the first home he had in the planet and was the place he had shared with Rouge and Omega for several years. It was also where his daughter was conceived and was growing up. It had so many memories that it was difficult just to leave.
However, safety was first. He had to notify Rouge about the change in their plans, as they were to wait until Maria was a year old to move.
"So, he got into the bedroom and took our child in his arms?" Rouge said when Shadow was telling her what had happened. She had just arrived and the hedgehog was in the living room with the baby in his arms. He couldn't sleep nor leave Maria on her own, not after what had happened.
"Indeed. He said he was just visiting and left a present for her. He says he is retiring and changing his job from evil genius to evil teenage-novel writer" He scoffed and Maria mumbled. Rouge extended her arms to carry her daughter, but the hedgehog looked at her as if trying to let her know that he needed to hold her a little bit more, reassuring himself that no one was going to take her out from him.
"I see. I wonder what kind of novels he's going to write. Vampires are so used these days" she simply said and waited for Shadow's reaction.
"Really? That's all you have to say?"
"Well, I have told you before that he was retiring. You should start believing in what your hot and dear wife has to say" she mocked and tried not to laugh at the scowl on his face. "Come on, Shads, I'm just teasing you".
"This is serious, Rouge. What if he wasn't just visiting" he said upset, she knew he was right, but kept her teasing smile.
"I know you would do the right thing"
"And that's why we're moving in two weeks" he stated and Rouge's smile disappeared.
"Wait, what? We cannot just move like that. We have to pick one of the houses, see what we're going to do with the apartment, what I'm going to do with the club. That's a lot of planning and that's not something you do in two weeks"
"I know that, but I cannot leave anyone to get in here again. He just did it, someone else certainly will." His words were sharp, the bat was getting upset too. "I'll help with anything you need as for the club and the apartment."
"No, you hear me, mister I-can-do-anything-as-it-pleases-me" she was raising her voice. "We are staying here until we really know what to do and then we'll move. If you don't want, just leave."
"I will, but I'm taking Maria with me" he said trying to keep his voice low enough to prevent the baby from waking.
"You cannot take my child away!"
"Watch me" he sneered and got up, walking to Maria's bedroom.
"Don't you dare, Shadow the Hedgehog! You know I will find you…" she said flying behind him.
"And then what, huh?" he said turning around, Rouge saw his hand covering the baby's ears. She landed and growled. "Don't think I want to leave this place. It means a lot to me. But as I promised, I'm going to keep you safe, no matter what I have to do, as long as you are far from danger."
"I know you don't want to" she just said and sighed. "I know that you mean well. But it is so sudden… can I hold our baby?" she murmured and extended her arms. "Please?" He knew he couldn't keep Maria just for himself, or stay mad at Rouge. She had her reasons to want to stay there and he understood. He gave her the baby and she rocked her daughter, placing kisses on her head. "As I said, this is going to take us more than just two weeks, but we can do it within a month."
"It's ok then" he said giving her a peck on the cheek. He really couldn't stay mad at his wife. Not after what they had been through. She just gave him a kiss back and sighed, then saw Maria in her arms. "I think she should sleep with us, at least just for tonight"
Rouge nodded and they headed to Shadow and Rouge's room.
The month passed faster than they thought. The flat was rented almost immediately, to Rouge's despair. Shadow and Rouge thought it was a good idea to keep the club running, so nothing changed with it; she just had to check and manage the accounts from home.
The house they bought was big. It had four rooms and a big yard, where Maria could play all she wanted. It wasn't in the middle of nowhere, but the neighbors where far enough to avoid unnecessary chit-chatting. It was perfect, in some ways. Just the three of them, enjoying life as it came.
Maria was two years old. She was an active toddler who played with anything she found. Rouge and Shadow kept their jobs as agents, taking turns to take care of the girl and having the weekends free to stay with her. Also, to Shadow's annoyance, Sonic and Amy had a baby a year before, and the little hedgehog was a current guest in their house.
One day, when it was sunny and little Dash (Sonic and Amy's girl) wasn't at home, Rouge was playing with Maria in the yard. The little hedgebat was learning to fly, which made the bat nervous most of the time. Especially when the toddler decided that climbing trees was a fun thing to do.
"Maria, come down" Rouge said annoyed and Maria shook her head. She was tired since her last mission had been long and exhausting. "Please, honey, come with mama" the mother looked around to see what she could use as bait, and found Maria's favorite toy. "Look, look, it's Eggy-pooh!" she said shaking the plushie.
"Eggy-pooh!" the toddler said extending her arms but refused to come down. She sat on the tree and watched her mother become red in anger.
"Maria, don't make me go for you" Rouge said losing her temper.
"No" Maria answered and turned her back. The woman had enough and spread her wings out. The kid heard the sound and moved farther.
"I told you to come with me!" Rouge yelled and flew to where Maria was. The girl flew away from her mother, smiling, but her little wings failed and fell. "Maria!"
The girl was rescued by her father, just in time. Rouge landed and ran towards them.
"I told you to do as I say, you could be hurt!"
"Rouge, don't yell like that, you're scaring the baby" Shadow said and Maria whimpered.
"She scared me first! What if you weren't here?!" Her voice was loud and she started to cry.
"Easy, Rouge, I know that sometimes…"
"You don't understand" some sobs escaped her lips and Shadow tried to hug her, but she refused the contact and went inside the house.
"Mom is a little bit weird today, isn't she?" Shadow said to Maria and she looked at him with wide open eyes "Come, let's go inside."
After leaving Maria in the living room watching a movie, he went to their bedroom and found Rouge lying on the bed. She was no longer sobbing and had an arm covering her eyes.
"Hello. Is everything ok?" He said with monotone voice.
"To be honest, no. I'm having a terrible headache and I'm exhausted." She answered not looking at him. Shadow sat beside her and held her free hand. "Sorry for the fuss"
"Actually, I think you were right. If that had happened to me, I would have reacted the same way… or worse. Remember when Eggman got into the flat?"
"Of course I do" she smiled, but didn't uncover her eyes. Her head was throbbing and the last thing she wanted was light in her eyes. "That explains why she never obeys. She just like the two of us" Suddenly, she faced Shadow and sat, grabbing the side of her head because of the pain. She looked at her husband and pulled him towards her, kissing him with passion. When they parted, she noticed that everything was really quiet "Where's Maria?"
"Watching some TV. She's going to be fine, she's in her playpen" he answered and hugged her. "Are you going to be ok?"
"Yes, it's just a headache. I'm tired and I've been having some dizziness…" she trailed off and looked at Shadow, pure horror in her eyes. He rose an eyebrow. "Damn" she muttered.
"What?"
"I need to go. I'll be back in a few minutes" Rouge said and ran out of the house.
15 minutes later, the back entered the house with a plastic bag in her hands and ran into the restroom. Shadow was in the living room seeing his wife rant something and lock herself. Maria was playing with her father's chest hair when everything happened.
"Mama?" the little girl said confused.
"She's… she'll come in a few minutes, honey" he simply said, not knowing what was going on.
After 10 minutes, Rouge came out of the restroom looking perplexed.
"Is everything ok?" Shadow said worried. Maria spread out her little wings and tried to fly towards her mother, but her father stopped. "Wait, baby". He stood and walked with Maria in his arms. "Rouge, please".
"Look at this" she said and showed him a plastic stick with two lines marked. He looked at her and tried hard not to smile. "We're having a baby" She finally said.
He didn't say anything. He just pressed his lips against hers and smiled in the kiss. Maria giggled and her parents looked at her lovingly.
"You're going to be a big sister, honey" Rouge said and held her. "By the way, sorry for yelling at you. But you must obey mama, she knows better" The bat said hugging her tight.
"How far you think you are?" Shadow asked hugging them. Rouge looked at him with gleaming eyes.
"Not sure, it could be a month, two months… we need to go to the doctor. But it could wait" she said and give him a peck on the lips.
As much as Shadow wanted to be calm about the new baby, the same thoughts loomed over his head: if it was going to be a hybrid, if the baby was going to be ok, or if it was going to have the same powers. Maria was a miracle, he knew very well, but he wasn't sure if the miracle could repeat itself.
"So, do we have powers like dad?" A gray bat, with gray fur and big red eyes, said amazed by the words of the robot that was taking care of them.
"Affirmative"
"Then why we can't be agents?" The female hedgehog with silver fur, blue eyes and black hair, said pouting.
"Duh, Lyra, because we are too awesome to be tied to an agency" the bathog with silver fur, white hair and red eyes, said and posed triumphant.
"Uncle Omega, what kind of missions were you and our parents involved in?" the bat said.
"That's classified Izar" the robot answered in his monotone robotic voice. "Besides, you cannot be agents, since you're mere prepubescent beings"
"Who's a prepubescent being?" Rouge said entering into the room. She was holding a book called "Robotic Love" and smiled looking at her children.
"Your offspring. They want to be part of the G.U.N." Omega answered and she frowned.
"We already had that talk, guys. Now, time for lunch. Omega, you're staying?"
"I don't eat food"
"I know that, big guy. I just asked if you're staying, you know we love to have you around"
"I stay"
"Ok, so, everyone go wash their hands"
The kids groaned and exited the room. Rouge looked at them happily.
Izar and Lyra were twins, both named after constellations. They arrived in a rainy night, when Shadow was coming back from a mission. He almost missed the birth of his twins, but made it in time. Since then, their lives were more chaotic than it was before. Having three kids running around the house was insane must of the time.
The agreement of splitting their schedules wasn't enough to take care of the children. Hiring a nanny was an option, but they knew that their little bundles of joy were too much to handle for one single person, a mortal person. Commander Tower, however, didn't want to lose his two best agents. He decided to create a nursery for the agents. That way, the parents could see their children, someone would watch over them and everyone would be happy (at least in the soldier's mind).
Life was good. Evil still was there. As Eggman told Shadow, there were evil young minds in the world. He had defeated some plans, Rouge had stopped several "master minds"; but none of them compared to the doctor, who became a successful writer as he had foretold. Life was good, indeed.
When Rouge told Shadow that she was pregnant the first time, the last thing that crossed his mind was that he would be able to see his kids growing up. His two girls were beautiful and cunning as their mother, Maria looking like her in personality (and she had some resemblance in hedgehog form), and Lyra having her aquamarine eyes that he adored. His two girls were both kind and making him think of his beloved friend after he had named his eldest daughter. Izar was similar to Shadow, if he were a bat, of course. He was quiet, but a trouble maker. Just as anyone would expect a son of him to be.
Rouge, when she suspected she was pregnant, imagined how life would be. She knew Shadow won't ditch her, but she wasn't expecting him to be a father. He had suffered enough in his life to attach himself to someone in that way. She was terrified. But after what had happened, she was happy. He had stick to his promise and made her immortal like him. They had an eternity to spend together, with their children.
And that's what they had planned to do, no matter what.
So, this is the end. Thank you very much for reading.
I'm thankful with all of you.
See you next time! Love you all!
