Disclaimer: Sonic and co. don't belong to me. They belong to the dudes and dudettes at SEGA.

Author: And here comes chapter 10. Okay, let's start things off with a very special thank you to all you faithful readers! I don't want to call out names, lest I hurt someone's feelings unintentionally. But I'm pretty sure you guys already know who you are. (Sol looks over a list of names). Anywho, let's not delay any longer. Read on!

Brief Note:
"_" indicates a character's speech
*_* indicates that the character is speaking through thought
(_) indicates an action between a speech or thought

Nocturnus Reborn

by Sol

Chapter 10: What is Yours

Somewhere, within a massive metallic room covered with inlays and runic symbols, was a large extravagant bed covered in gold and purple sheets made of fine smooth silk. And on this bed lay a certain blue hedgehog, sleeping soundly with his mouth agape as he looks incredibly tired from the events of last night. After dinner, Sonic took the spare time he had to converse more with his friends. But as time went on, Amy and Rouge once again started their bickering. Their chosen subject: Him.

He wasn't all too surprised about Amy. He knows well enough how protective she is of her self-given title of 'Sonic's Girlfriend'. What really surprised Sonic was Rouge's participation. He knows all too well how Rouge loves to flirt and tease. But if Sonic didn't know any better, Rouge might actually be taking her flirting with him on a much more serious level...

After putting up with all the bickering, Sonic was just begging to go to sleep. But the two girls were being very stubborn about it. Luckily for him, he was able to persuade the two girls to leave for the night. Although, Rouge did try to argue her way into sleeping over. Fortunately she was distracted by Amy's protests long enough for Sonic to slip into bed. And Shade provided a very powerful defensive position in front of Sonic's door until the girls left.

All in all, Sonic had a very relaxing night's sleep.

As Sonic continued to drift away in dreamland, the giant doors of his room creaked open.

"My lord? Are you awake?" A voice from the door said, the person's head popping out from the opening. It was Shade, Sonic's Procurator. "It's already nine o' clock. You're breakfast was prepared an hour ago, my lord."

Unfortunately, Shade's only reply was silence. Save for Sonic's breathing. Sighing to herself, Shade walked up to the left side of the bed as she looked at her lord's sleeping form. Thinking to herself, Shade wondered how she should go about waking her lord. She knew of many ways to accomplish this, though many of which are considered rude.

Shaking her head as she grinned deviously, she raised her right hand and placed a gentle finger on the temple of Sonic's head. Shade readied a small electrical charge on the tip of her finger, her Leech Blade flickered briefly as a small jolt surged right into Sonic's head.

"Da-WHOA!" Sonic shouted, as he sat up in one sudden motion as Shade pulled her hand away quickly.

"Good. You're awake." Shade said calmly, bowing to Sonic. "I apologize for rudely awakening you, but breakfast was ready an hour ago."

"Oh..." Sonic mumbled, his eyes half-open as he still looked fairly sleepy. "I'm, (yawn), sorry, Shade."

"No need, my lord." Shade replied, placing her hands behind her back as she made her way towards a table at the left corner of the room.

"Should I help you into your battle-suit, my lord?" Shade said, motioning to Sonic's Imperator attire that was placed on the table.

"Sure." Sonic said, hopping off his bed as he stretched out. "So, Shade, how have you been?"

"Why do you ask, my lord?" Shade replied, genuinely confused by the question.

"Well, you told me that you've been tired lately." Sonic said, as he stood beside Shade.

"Oh... that... Do not worry about it, my lord. I'm quite fine." Shade replied, remembering the excuses she made whenever she was caught blushing.

Setting those thoughts aside, Shade then picked up the giant metal collar of the suit and unclasped the lock as she approached Sonic.

"But I appreciate the concern, my lord." She said, providing a comforting reply.

"Hey, I'm always concerned whenever my friends are in any trouble or stressed." Sonic said, smiling a bit as he tilted his head up to let Shade put the collar on. "My ego can often get the best of me sometimes. But I'm always genuinely caring."

"That is..." Shade began, pausing slightly as she reached behind Sonic's neck and locked the collar in place. "...a comforting thought, my lord."

"Thanks, Shade." Sonic said, bringing his hands up to adjust the collar a bit.

"You are welcome, my lord." Shade said, smiling a bit to herself as she picked up the gauntlets.

"Hey now, are you smiling?" Sonic asked, taking one of the gauntlets as he too began to smile a little.

"A little, yes." Shade replied, still smiling as she watched Sonic put the gauntlet on and chuckling a bit.

"It's good to see a genuine smile on your face, Shade." Sonic said, adjusting the clasp on the gauntlet and moved his fingers to test the leather and steel around his hand.

"I have changed quite a bit ever since I met you..." Shade replied, looking away and not realizing that her words implied something more than she intended. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily for her, Sonic didn't pay too much heed to the implications of Shade's words. Save for taking it as it is.

"I know. I mean, when we first met, you were always so serious and cold." Sonic said, taking the other gauntlet from Shade and doing the same on his other hand.

"I still am." Shade said, picking up the boots and handing them over to Sonic. "I just find myself a little more... different, when I'm around you. Lord Sonic."

"Really? Just me?" Sonic asked, lifting an eyebrow at Shade before he took the boots and walked back to his bed and sat on the edge.

"Yes. You are... Important to me... My lord..." Shade said, finding it difficult to say the words.

"Thanks. That means a lot to me, Shade." Sonic said, smiling a bit broader as he put on one of the boots.

"You are..." Shade began, but paused as she thought about her words carefully. Is this it? Could this be the moment she was waiting for? Should she tell him right here and now about her love for him?

*Should I...?* Shade thought, hesitating a bit as she listed down her choices and possible reactions that Sonic may have. But truth be told, she wasn't sure how Sonic would react if she should tell him... Her knowledge on this subject was still sketchy, at best...

But as she continued to think of what to do at this point, she didn't realize that Sonic has already finished putting his battle-suit on.

"Right then. Shade, could you hand me my robes?" Sonic said, standing up as he jogged in place to even out the metal boots.

"Huh? Oh! Ah, of course." Shade replied quickly, her mind still drifting around a bit. She turned around as she picked up Sonic's runic purple robes from the table. Shade then made her way to her lord.

"What's the matter, Shade? Thinking about something?" Sonic said, taking the robes from Shade and clasping the necessary ends underneath the giant collar.

"You could say that, yes..." Shade answered, her eyebrows drooping a bit in embarrassment.

"I'm sure it's a personal matter. So I won't ask." Sonic said, as the runes on his robes began to glow lightly. "Well then, how about that breakfast!"

Shade simply replied with a nod, as she gestured to the door.

With Sonic dressed and ready, Shade led her lord to the dining hall. All the while, thinking perhaps she had missed her chance to tell him of her secret affections for him.

*There will be other chances, perhaps. Till then, I shall prepare accordingly.*

As Sonic was eating his breakfast, many of his people, mostly soldiers since it was the citadel, stayed within the dining hall to try and converse with him. Many of them simply wished to congratulate his new position, others praised him for his skills and amazing speed, while some simply thanked him. Thanked him for what he did for them. And although he appreciated everything his people said, the thanks that he got were the ones that he liked the most.

After breakfast, Shade took Sonic to the throne room. Along the trip, and entering the room itself, the two were accompanied by four Decurion soldiers. Sonic asked Shade as to why the need for security, but Shade simply said that they were not for simple security reasons. But that they were here to provide a sense of... authority.

"And why is that?" Sonic asked, as he took his seat on his throne.

"Because we'll be meeting with someone today, my lord. Someone with horrible manners and respect." Shade answered, moving to stand at her Imperator's right hand.

Turning her wrist communicator on, Shade asked that the 'guest' be taken to the throne room now. Sonic then raised a brow and asked who this 'guest' was. Shade simply replied with a sly smile, and a short; "You'll see."

As a few minutes passed, the doors to the throne room swung open, as the 'guest' came in, holding a briefcase, and being escorted by two Equites.

"Imperator Sonic, I-" The guest began, but was cut off by Sonic.

"Shadow! Dude! What are you doing here!" Sonic exclaimed rather loudly, leaning forward on his throne as he grinned.

"Well, lord Sonic, I came here-" Shadow began again, but was cut off once more by Sonic.

"Lord Sonic? You don't have to call me that, you know." Sonic said, leaning back against his. "Although I must admit, It's awfully satisfying to hear it from you."

"Yes, well... I don't really have much of a choice... I'm required by law to do so." Shadow said, clenching a fist as he tilted his vision at a corner on the floor.

"And it's good to know that your paying your respects properly." Shade said, crossing her arms smugly. Shadow looked up at her with a glare.

"Yes... But I didn't come here to talk about that." Shadow said, as he thrust the briefcase forward. "GUN has finished the research you requested, Procurator Shade."

"Good. And what did you find?" Shade asked, nodding as she uncrossed her arms.

"Research? What research, Shade?" Sonic asked, leaning to the side near Shade.

"Your Procurator asked GUN to do research on whether or not the Nocturnus clan still held property, despite being gone for centuries." Shadow explained.

"Really? And, um... what did you find out?" Sonic asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Surprisingly, there are records that show that the Nocturnus clan STILL owns property." Shadow said, opening the briefcase and pulling out a piece of paper and looking over it.

"And they are all in that briefcase?" Shade asked.

"Yes. Aside from being given the entire Green Hill Zone by the President-" Shadow said, before being cut off once more, but by Shade.

"That reminds me. Thank you again for talking to your President before and giving us the Green Hill Zone, lord Sonic." Shade said, bowing lightly to Sonic.

"Yeah. Don't worry about it. The guy owes me a few favors after all." Sonic replied with a grin, before turning his attention back to Shadow, who was looking really pissed off.

"(Clearing his throat roughly), Right, as I was saying... the Nocturnus clan still has ownership over the Mystic Ruins and everything within that area." Shadow said, putting the paper down and turning serious. "Including Angel Island..."

Sonic looked stunned for a minute, leaning forward on his throne again.

"Did you just say; Angel Island?" Sonic said, with calm surprise.

"Indeed. Before the Argus Event, the Knuckles clan lost the last war against your clan and relinquished everything they owned to the Nocturnus clan. Proof of this is written on some ancient scrolls that were found preserved until it came under the ownership of several museums. Which GUN requested for." Shadow continued, pausing a bit as he looked at Sonic.

Sonic leaned back on his throne again, bringing his hand to his chin as he thought deeply. Shadow knew exactly what he was thinking about.

"Yes, lord Sonic. That also includes all of the Chaos Emeralds and the Master Emerald itself." Shadow said calmly, catching Sonic's attention as the black hedgehog seems to hit the nail right on the about Sonic's thoughts.

"Here. By law, I'm no longer allowed to carry this around." Shadow said, putting the piece of paper back into the briefcase as he pulled out the green Chaos Emerald and tossed it to Sonic.

Sonic caught the Emerald with ease, looking at it before turning back to Shadow with a grin.

"Thanks, Shadow." Sonic said, and Shadow merely waved his hand dismissively.

"(Hmph), Don't worry about it." Shadow said, as he thrust the briefcase forward again. "Here. All the necessary documents are in the briefcase."

"Yes. Thank you again, Shadow." Shade said, making her tone sound like it wasn't even a real thank you. She then ordered the two Equites from earlier to take the briefcase. "Now, report back to GUN. And tell them that we'll send the payment in later."

"Right." Shadow said, turning around as he readied himself to leave. But before he did, he turned around to look at Sonic once more.

"Sonic... I mean, lord Sonic. Now that you know that you own the Mystic Ruins and everything there. What will you do?" Shadow asked, turning serious once more.

Sonic listened and pause, thinking carefully of what Shadow was asking him. Sonic wasn't truly sure what Shadow was trying to say. But Sonic knew that Shadow was asking something different underneath his initial question.

*I wonder what angle he's getting at...* Sonic thought, squinting his eyes at Shadow. Sonic readied himself to answer, although not really sure what he was going to say. But before he could, Shade cut in ahead of him.

"We'll take an excavation team to venture in and retrieve anything that is of value within the ruins." Shade explained, her tone sounding a little annoyed as she seemingly scowled at Shadow.

"As for Angel Island, well, seeing that it's a pile of rubble after falling over Metropolis, we might consider its restoration." Shade continued, pausing when she felt Sonic's hand hold her forearm.

"Hold on, Shade." Sonic said, looking up at her. "I've been meaning to ask about something important."

"What might that be, my lord?" Shade asked, turning to her lord calmly as she eased her tone properly for him.

"Where has Knuckles and the Master Emerald been staying for the past few days?" Sonic asked, sounding rather concerned. Truth be told, since their return from the Twilight Cage a few days ago, Sonic has wondered where Knuckles had been staying.

"I recall Tails mentioning that he has been staying in Central City. Living with his old companions' home. Team Chaotix I believe." Shade said, and Sonic nodded in reply.

"That's another thing. What will you do about the Master Emerald?" Shadow asked, now completely turned and looking at the two again.

"We'll take it from him, of course. By law, his clan should no longer have right to guard it." Shade said sternly, looking very serious at Shadow as if angered by his questioning.

"Are you sure about that, Shade?" Sonic said, getting the attention of his Procurator again as she softened her expression. "I wouldn't want to take the only thing that gives Knuckles purpose in his life..."

"Nonsense. Knuckles needs to move on and find a new purpose. Living in complete isolation is bad for anyone, even if it's for the right reasons." Shade said, which caught Sonic by surprise before making a small smile and nodding in agreement.

"You're right, Shade." Sonic said brightly, making Shade smile as well. "Still. It'll be hard to tell him though."

"Do not worry, my lord. You are his friend, I'm sure he'll understand." Shade said, reassuring Sonic about the matter.

"Well then, I'm guessing my welcome here has already dragged on for too long." Shadow said, turning away again as he left for the door.

As he did, one of the Equites from earlier followed him out, while the other went to Shade and handed her the briefcase. She gave him a stern "Thank you.", as the Equite bowed and left to catch up with the other.

"I'll go and file these documents in our database." Shade said, as she turned to Sonic. "Would you like to come with me, my lord? Or stay here till I return?"

"I'll go with you, Shade. Being Imperator and all, I gotta know my own citadel properly." Sonic said, as he stood up and stretched a little.

As the two left to file in the new documents they received, Sonic looked about the many things that they passed by to the database room. From the throne room, by the dining area, and several corridors and hallways where there are many rooms where his people live in. He guesses not everyone wants to live out at the small houses outside, and chose to live within the citadel.

But as Sonic continued to look at his surroundings, he began to wonder to himself about everything in New Nocturne. And that he was the Imperator... Lord and master of his domain and the people who lived here.

"Shade, can I ask you something?" Sonic asked, his eyes not really focused on her as she was walking ahead of him.

"What is it, my lord?" Shade replied, turning her head a little as she looked at her lord in the corner of her eye.

"I wanted to ask... Is everything here, the citadel, the small town, the Mystic Ruins, and the Emeralds..." Sonic began, then looked at Shade. "...Are they really all mine?"

Shade was a little perplexed at first, but she quickly softened her features as she smiled gently. "Of course, my lord. You are the Imperator of New Nocturne. Why do you ask?"

"Well... All my life, I've never really owned anything. I didn't even had a home... At least, a home for myself... It's always been just..." Sonic said, wanting to continue but for some reason he began to feel sad. And just then, a small tear came to his right eye.

*What's... wrong with me?* Sonic thought, wiping the tear with a finger as he sniffled a little, and stopping in the middle of the empty hallway.

Surprised to hear her lord speak so emotionally, Shade turned to look at Sonic, seeing him stand there with his head down as he wiped away a few more tears.

"My lord..." Shade said, almost a murmur as she placed the briefcase to the ground and approached Sonic. "I don't wish to see you saddened..."

"I'm not... At least, not in that way. I guess... I guess despite everything that I am, despite how many people there are in my life... I've never experienced what it felt to have a..." Sonic said, still saddened. But as he wanted to finish, Shade stood in front of him and held his shoulder comfortingly.

"Home..." Shade said, finishing Sonic's words. To which the blue hedgehog nodded with a small smile.

"Yeah... That's it... Heh heh heh, I'm guessing all those years of being homeless has caught up with me..." Sonic said, running a finger over his nose as he sniffed one last time and wiped his tears.

"You don't have to worry about that anymore. You have us, your people. Your family..." Shade said, surprised a little as to where those words came from. But that didn't matter right now.

"Family..." Sonic said, tilting his head down again. "I've never really had one of those..."

As Shade heard him say that, she couldn't help feel saddened as well. In a way, she had a similar life... being all alone, with no one to care for you but yourself... But she had her Noctunus training. She wasn't really alone, just... left alone... But thinking about Sonic, and knowing that he's always been a wanderer... It almost seemed like she was much more well off compared to him...

"You know, my lord... In a way, our lives weren't all that different..." Shade said, looking down towards the side as her eyelids drooped sadly.

"I'm guessing you know how it felt to be alone for most of your life... Having to survive all on your own, with no one to really care for you..." Sonic said, also looking towards the same spot where Shade was looking.

"Yes..." Shade replied, somehow feeling like tearing up herself. But she held it back as best she could, reminding herself not to allow certain emotions to take over her.

"Then let's make a little promise here, Shade." Sonic said, bringing his hand up to hold Shade's shoulder as well. "Let's promise to make sure that no one among our people will have to live like that ever again."

Shade listened to his words, and felt a veritable surge of admiration as she turned to look at her lord. And although she still felt her tears well up, they were no longer of sadness... but of joy. She didn't really know what happened next, but Shade felt like her body, her mind, and her heart needed to express something to Sonic to show how much she appreciated everything that he had done for her and her people.

She pushed herself against the hold of her lord's grip, driven with emotion as she embraced him strongly. And for the first time in her life, with her emotions shown out in the open, as she allowed herself to experience them fully. She felt like she wasn't just who she was. Not a soldier... but someone... someone real...

She wasn't sure what exactly her lord was feeling about the situation, but she was sure that he was in shock. And she wondered when he was going to ask that awkward question of what she was doing. At least, that's what she thought he would do. Instead, she felt his arms reach around her, as he returned the embrace. She wasn't sure why he did so, nor did she care either. Shade simply smiled, and listened more to his words.

"Thanks, Shade..."

To be Continued...