Chapter 12: Tragedy…
Candy laid Miles down in the corner using her jacket she wore to cover him from the cold temperatures in the cell. Patch had recovered from his apparent beat down and was sitting down thinking of a plan to get him and the others out. Alicia was also thinking of a plan. They hadn't seen or heard from Million in days. They did notice a great change though. Many and many citizens were being thrown in the dungeons children, adults, male and female, even the elderly and in every person they saw a fear that they had never seen before. The dungeons were filling up so much that people were overcrowding the place. The guards were almost none existent. They barely showed up and barely feed anyone. There happened to be a lone child in the cell with Candy and from Patch and Alicia's knowledge he had lost his mother and father in the take over of the city. From what the queen and king could see many people had lost someone.
Candy looked around seeing families close together not letting the each other go. She searched day and night for her parents. Praying the mad man that separated her from her birth mother wouldn't find them and if he did hoping and praying that he wouldn't hurt them. Then again that only made her think about her mother, her real mother. She was probably being tortured by him…Just the thought brought tears to her eyes. She hoped to meet her real mother but not in such a way. She looked back to her father sighing and going back to him. From the little medical knowledge she had, she was able to help him stay alive and heal. So far he was doing okay but not good enough if she wanted them to get out of there.
Alicia made her way closer to the glass so she could talk with Candy. "Candy…Come closer to the glass."
Candy settled Miles back down making him groan lightly. She apologized to him getting closer to the cell glass.
"Yes, Queen Alicia…"
The queen sighed saying, "We need to work a way to get out and get these people out. Do you have ANY kind of communicator on you?"
Candy hadn't thought of that. She quickly went over to Miles softly but quickly checking her jacket and finding that it wasn't in there. Her ears fell as she turned back to Alicia shaking her head.
"Dammit…" Alicia said as Candy came back close to the glass. "There has to be something."
"There isn't going to be too much." Patch said getting the females attention. "Remember Miles built these things to be almost non-destroyable. He's the only one that can disable anything if he can. Roma probably fucked that up too."
Alicia rolled her eyes looking back at the ground in thought. "I don't want to think about her right now…" She was partly angry but partly sad for the child. She was still happy that they got out either way. "We gotta think of something. This glass isn't going to break no matter how hard you hit it."
"I'm sure someone will come…" Candy said getting the adults to look at her. "But either way we will get out of here. I'm his daughter right?...Then getting an understanding of the wires and stuff shouldn't be too hard. Roma did it, Rome can do it…So should I be able to." Candy walked over to the wall looking for a panel somewhere and anywhere…"
Patch and Alicia looked to one another until Patch made Alicia look to Miles getting her seeing he was trying to get Candy's attention but couldn't speak loud enough.
"Candy look!"
The sakura kitsune looked back to see Miles was looking right at her. She stopped everything she was doing before walking over to him. She leaned over to hear what he had to say.
"There is a fault switch in this cell…but….it leads you directly out of the castle and away from the city…Please…get out…tell them I'm sorry they…will have to stay behind…Get help…Find…Scrouge….And…I'm sorry…" Candy placed her hand on his to get him to stop talking, for as he tried to keep going it was getting hard for him to speak and form words.
The teen looked back to Patch and Alicia before nodding to them turning back to Miles and kissing his forehead, "Thank you…father…"
Patch and Alicia only watched her as she stared at them with a sad look telling them all they need to know.
"He wasn't so dense after all…" Patch said shaking his head and chuckling lowly. "Go…" Alicia placed herself right back beside him cuddling up to him. They both knew it would be a while before she would get help, if she found any.
Candy followed Miles instruction. If he hadn't had said anything the passage would have never been shown to her. She looked back to Miles then to Patch and Alicia. She was more worried about Miles not healing like he should more than anything. She was tapped on the shoulder of the small child that was sharing the cell with her.
"I'll watch over him…I won't let him get hurt like my daddy…" He said looking down. Candy hugged him and gave him her locket. It had a picture of her parents, the people who raised her.
"If you have a picture of your parents then you can put it in here but save my picture for me…okay?"
The child nodded before hugging Candy and letting her go down the hole. She landed in a dark hall way but from what she could tell it was a straight way so she ran for her life. She had to get away. She had to find help.
X
The sakura vixen quietly grabbed out of a tree trunk. It looked nothing like a secret exit place but as soon as she climbed out she heard laughter nearby. She quickly hid behind another tree hearing footsteps as well.
"Did you hear they lost the kids again?"
"I'm not surprised, Scourge is the fastest thing in Moebius plus Prime Sonic is here and his kids gotta took after him just like Scourge's."
"But either way we're going to be able to find them again. From what I heard they have trackers on the kids that escaped the castle and their with them so their just get found again."
"Damn…"
Candy began to shake in fear and anger. Apparently, that porcupine has been busy with trying to go after her friends and her siblings. She had to get to them. The sakura vixen watched the two mobians walk back towards the city. She was confused on what she should do. Obviously, the children wasn't with the parents, but the porcupine knew where they were and if he's after her brother and sister, he'll take an army to get them. But hopefully the children could get in touch in with parents therefore getting help she desired. Candy, then, got her idea. Pretend to be a soldier be able to get a ride to the children and help them. She took a deep breath and quietly followed the soldiers.
It took a little while with it being night and the first night of fall it was a little chilly but the vixen didn't regret leaving her jacket with her dad. She watched the two mobians go through a make shift gate now she had to figure out how to get back into a place she just escaped. She looked out for tower post and they were there so flying in wasn't going to be an option or an easy one. She had to think of something else.
Candy thought it about how most of the men were criminals, not engineers, so there had to be a flaw in this wall somewhere. She decided to find another way around. She slowly scaled it trying to find something, anything that would get her in undetected. She finally came to what seemed like a old house. For years no one lived in the house and many of her classmates believed it was haunted. Candy looked around making sure there were no patrols and no towers nearby before flying up and landing lightly on top of the house. She was glad she didn't go inside because she heard laughter and crying, sadly. She took a chance by going to a window and seeing a young girl almost her age inside crying there were other girls, all the rest of the other girls were older than her but didn't seemed fazed by the men playing cards, smoking, drinking. They were soldiers from what the vixen could see and she was happy to know that they were completely drunk. If she did it right, she could get one of the suits.
Candy watched as one of the older girls made the other younger girl go into another room to which she quickly did. Candy followed her, but careful not to be seen by anyone in or outside the house. She quietly came to another window into a room with the young girl by herself with an even smaller girl and boy, seemed to be in his early teens.
The young girl Candy followed was a purple and black raccoon with thick glasses and heavy set body but her hips were popped out more, giving her a thick shape. Candy recognized her from seeing her in the halls of her school plus she was graduating with her, her name was Sydney; she was 17. The vixen also knew, the small girl was her daughter, she had the baby girl last year and of course rumors were all over the school about how she got the child but no one really knew and she didn't talk about it. The baby girl was going to turn 2 from Candy's understanding and was also a purple and black raccoon. The boy was her brother, Chaze, she knew he was 13 but what were they doing there was her question.
Candy took a chance by tapping on the window hoping that they wouldn't tell on her. The 3 jumped looking at the window before Sydney breathed a sigh of relief and looked back nervously before walking over to the window and opening it for Candy.
"Candy, right?" the young mother asked as Candy stepped in.
Candy looked around the decrepit room before looking back at Sydney as she picked up her baby girl. "Yeah, your Sydney and that's…"
"Savanna, say hey, she's nice." Sydney said as Savanna only waved a little at Candy to which she only smiled.
Chaze looked to the door before getting closer to the girls. "How did you find us?" He asked. Candy knew the boy wasn't really a talkative person which is why he got bullied so much by others. He was shy and nerdy, the only person Candy knew talked to him was Giz and Razor. Razor being his bestfriend.
Candy shrugged also watching the door. "I just happened to. I escaped the castle a few hours ago. I was locked up there."
The 3 jumped hearing that. "Did you see our parents?" Sydney asked her eyes full of hope.
Candy's ears fell as she looked away. "I've seen so many people be put in the dungeon I wouldn't remember….I'm sorry."
Sydney's ears fell but she sighed saying, "It's okay…I'm just glad you actually got out…"
Chaze walked over to the door listening for anything before turning back and looking to Candy confused. "But how did you get out and no one else?" he asked before they all got quiet hearing the guards.
Candy once again felt sad. "King…Miles showed me a fault switch he built just in case something like this might happen…we happened to be in the cell he built it in…I'm trying to find help by getting to Felix and his siblings."
Sydney gasped saying, "No no no, you should stay away from them. Their fugitive and that's who they say their going after."
"I know." Candy said, she was going to stick to her plan. "But Felix's father beat that evil man before. Prime Sonic, Sally and Amy are here so I'm sure if they can get back to their home world we can get help but I gotta get to them..."
Sydney and Chaze looked at each other nervously before Candy looked to them confused on why they were even here. "Wait….why are you here?"
Sydney looked down, "This is Savanna's father's family…her father forced me to come here and I brought Chaze with me. He's family joined in the fight willingly, I'm just doing this for Savanna's safety. I didn't want to go to the dungeons…" She finished looking down.
Candy sighed, "Well, I don't know how I would help you guys but I need one of those suits…Rome and Roma escaped and are with Felix. Daisy and Dillon are the mad man's daughter and son. Their with Felix and the others…he's after them."
Sydney and Chaze gasped. "No way…"
Candy nodded. "I overheard that he knows where they are and is going after them, if I can get in with soldiers going I can get to Felix and the others and then get to Scourge and Prime Sonic."
Chaze and Sydney looked to one another nervously. "I don't know…" Sydney said looking down. "Their pretty drunk and…I really don't feel like dealing with Savanna's father or his sisters…."
Candy looked to Chaze with a pleading look. "We gotta stop that man or he's going to make things FAR worse than what they already are..."
Sydney sighed looking to Chaze and then Savanna. "I'll chill with them till they pass out. It'll probably be morning so go in the closet just in case."
Candy nodded as Sydney left and Savanna was now in Chaze's arms.
"I'll keep watch…"Chaze sitting where he was before and letting Savanna play now that she was comfortable with Candy being there.
"Thank you…" Candy whispered hiding in the closet and cuddling in the corner. She didn't know how exhausted she really was till she settled herself there. She just hoped things would go as planned.
X
"ROSY!"
The pink hedgehog only shivered, he was back but grateful he didn't have her children. The mother crawled up in a ball trying to escape in anyway possible. It was morning, last night was the only peace she got because he wasn't even in the castle from her understanding but it didn't matter. Rosy tried to escape in so many ways, the window, the sewers, sneaking at night when he seemed to be gone…She failed every time. It came to the point where he locked her in his room whenever he left like she was a true prisoner. Whatever she endured before, she endured ten times worse. There wasn't a place on her body that didn't have a bruise. She was so happy that she couldn't get pregnant anymore because Million would try by any means. Suddenly, she was facing him and she knew he was deathly anger.
"Where…is she?" He asked almost growling it.
18 years ago…
Rosy was pushing but it seemed like nothing was coming. She was in pain and her bump had grown and was causing her so much grieve. She didn't even think her feature with Miles worked but here she was and her 'boyfriend' didn't like it. He had tried beating her, knocking her down, sexually abusing to make her lose this bump but it seemed to survive everything he did so here she was trying to get the bump to go away finally. She began to cry from the shear pain her 'boyfriend' hit her enough for screaming but what else could she do? It hurt like hell. Suddenly, she seen Mari-An come in and pause as Rob'O and Million walked up beside her.
Mari-An quickly turned to Million glaring, "What have you done?" She asked quickly walking over to Rosy and wiping her forehead.
Million only narrowed his eyes at the echidna, "It's not mine…I've tried everything to get rid of it…"
Mari-An only shook her head refusing to even look at the porcupine. "Rosy…I want you to calm down and breathe okay?"
Rosy nodded. "Please make the pain stop…" The sakura hedgehog pleaded as Mari-An looked to her sadly.
Mari-An then turned to the men in the room only watching, "Well…aren't we going to take her to the hospital?"
Million and Rob'O glanced at each other before Rob'O looked down shaking his head. "No…" He said. "If we do that we're going to jail…Despite her physical age she's still a early teen…"
Mari-An sighed in frustration as Rosy began to yell then quickly take it back before Million could attack her. Mari-An was shocked at this. Here was Rosy…an uncontrollable, psychopath afraid of someone. The echidna never believed it could happen because Rosy couldn't be controlled by anyone. She was a wild card doing whatever she pleased, when and where. But ever since Million picked her up from their home, Rosy had changed. Mari-An believed she met her match.
Rosy began to sob bring Mari-An back to present day. She checked Rosy seeing how far she was. It was time but Mari-An didn't believe that either men should be in there.
"Can you leave…." She asked politely getting towels ready.
"If she dies so do you…" Million said before he and Rob'O left.
Mari-An paid it no mind as she instructed Rosy to push and breathe. After what seemed like hours to Rosy, a cry was heard and Million quickly came back in to see that child. Mari-An knew it wasn't going to be good. The baby was girl fox with pink fur, and white muzzle but what made it worse was…she had two tails…
Mari-An let Rosy hold the child as Million came in. Rosy could only stare at the little being that seemed to calm down in her arms. Her tiny ears pressed against her head, the sakura hedgehog fell in love. Her tears turned from pain to happiness as she kissed her forehead but as she began to speak to her Million snatched the child from her and sadly Rosy was in too much pain to get up fast enough and get the child back.
"She's a freak…like our so called king…" The porcupine glared at Rosy as Mari-An hugged her too her.
"Give her back!" Rosy yelled crying tears as she fought the pain to stand up.
Million chuckled as the infant began to cry again. "No…You really think I'm gonna raise this freak?" Million threw the towel aside before stomping his way out the door, Rob'O didn't stop him which infuriated Rosy.
"ROB'O DO SOMETHING! GIVE HER BACK!" She hollered as Mari-An tried her best to help the girl. Just like that, Rosy's joy was taken. She listened to the infants cries till she couldn't hear them anymore. She prayed the first prayer that she would ever pray, that her daughter would survive. And that she did…
Rosy knew exactly who he meant and she couldn't help but smile. "She escaped…Even after you've tried so hard to get rid of her she's survived…" was her only response and that got her a beaten but she didn't care. Her lost daughter made it.
Million was about to go into a rage till a knock come to the door. He kept it locked at all times rather he was there or not.
"WHAT!"
"We're ready your majesty….we've got a direct line of where they are and troops have already surrounded the area and we have more ready to go..."
As Million's smile grew Rosy's eye went wider. Her babies, were in danger ONCE again. She went to attack Million but he caught and pinned her down to the bed chuckling and then going into a full blown laughter.
"We'll have our family again soon my Rose…I'll make sure they won't get hurt…" He forced a kiss on her before pulling back saying, "I promise." He then punched Rosy so hard that she was out cold. He laid her down in the bed properly before leaving.
X
Candy was doing her best not to scratch and gag in the suit. It smelled sweaty and drunk just like the owner of it. Sydney did her best and she did great in Candy's eyes. The soldiers didn't pass out till dawn and the generals was getting ready to go. She was sitting in the helicopter crowded around other soldiers who were only rambling about how one of them was going to beat Scourge's ass before the others. It almost caused an argument till the general leading them made everyone shut up. Candy wasn't surprised that they didn't ask her anything, she tucked in her tails so no one would see them, her ears were pressed down by her helmet. She just couldn't wait to get to everyone.
After what seemed like hours of travel which it was now early morning the helicopter landed letting everyone out. Candy was really getting ready to throw up from the smell but she was finally able to get some fresh air without other noticing her.
"Alright gather up…." The general said as the others got into formation.
"You all know what we're here for…after we get this done, we're going to Mobius Prime and starting operations there…DO. NOT. Harm his children." The general said taking out a picture and showing everyone what Dillon and Daisy looked like. Candy began to get nervous but she held it together.
"Let's move!" He said going forward with everyone following.
Felix and Daisy woke up when the communicator started ringing in the computer room. They got up very tiredly but got to the computer before the call was transferred to a kinda voicemail system.
Felix answered knowing it was no one but their parents. Scourge appeared on the screen looking at them smirking.
"What's up?" The father asked as everyone was getting things ready in the background.
Felix smiled back as Daisy went back to lay down after saying good morning to everyone. "Everyone is okay. The twins are actually sleeping in so no spidey song this morning." He said chuckling as Scourge narrowed his eyes at him.
"Just send me a copy of the map."
Felix chuckled some more before leaving the computer room and going to the room Razor and Seth were in. Both boys were still sleeping as Felix lightly tapped Razor making him groan.
"What…" The emerald kitsune growled. Everyone knew Razor hated being woke up in the morning and the only people that could do it without being growled at was Scourge and Fiona.
Felix only shook his head saying, "I need the map. Dad and the others need a copy of it." Felix chuckled when Razor almost threw it at him before turning his head and going back to sleep.
The teen went back to the computer room placing it in a type of copy machine and pressing some buttons, it screened the map then gave it back to Felix. Scourge waited with no patience as the map was printed out to him. He looked it over shaking his head.
"This damn place is at the end of island…It'll take us hours to get there."
"Not with a Sonic boom…"
Felix shook his head as Scourge rolled his eyes at Sonic. "Anyways, we'll be there as fast as possible…"
Felix nodded saying, "We'll be waiting-" He was cut off before he could finish as the power was shut off and everything went dark.
"Felix…" Daisy said jumping up in a sitting position. She was looking around listening for anything being startled by the sudden power shut down.
"Princess…"
Daisy's eyes went wide but before she could scream her mouth was covered and she was unconscious. Felix hurried to the power box seeing that someone cut the power off and he quickly cut it back on seeing that the couch was empty and everyone had crowded up in the hallway. Dillon followed Felix's eyes looking to the couch, his eyes going wide.
Felix and the others looked at the entrance that took you to the surface, which was wide open. Felix went straight for it with Julia yelling his name wanting him to wait but it was too late. Julia gave Fang to Rome as she went after Felix making the others follow her.
Felix flew out of the water landing on the sand of the beach as he looked up, Million was a few feet away from him holding Daisy over his shoulders and only looking at Felix with no emotions. Felix glared at him, balling up his fist the two had a stare down as the other children gathered up beside him.
Million then looked from Felix to Dillon. Dillon stopped staring at Felix the same time his father started to stare at him. It was almost like looking in a mirror only he had his mother's green eyes. Million loved that but not more than the fact his son looked exactly like him. A spitting image. Ruby took Dillon's hand in her own, praying that he wouldn't go to his father.
"Come with me Dillon…" Million said putting his hand out. "Your mother is waiting don't you want to see her?"
"Don't play mind games with him…" Felix said getting Million to look to him. "You're going to kill us as soon as you get away…"
Alex and Aron hugged up against Sonia with Fuchsia hugging Emerald closer to her. Million chuckled shaking his head as Dillon only walked up a little with Ruby following.
"I'll go…" He said getting everyone to look to him
Candy's group arrived not to long after that surrounding the children completely with soldiers. And they all knew that they couldn't take on that many people. Candy began to get nervous she didn't believe that this many soldiers would be here. Candy quietly began to undo the suit she was wearing. The only thing she could have under it was a pair of boy shorts that barely went close enough to her mid-thigh and crop top that stopped a little under her breast, Sydney also stole that from Savanna's aunts.
Million looked to Dillon a little surprised but happy neither the less his smile wasn't as big when his son turned back to Ruby looking her right in the eyes before turning away from her. He couldn't look at her after seeing her tear up.
"Dill please…" She pleaded lowly as he turned around letting her hands go before Felix stepped in front of him placing his hands on his shoulders.
"You don't have to do this…" He said as Dillon only looked him eyes right then and there Felix understood. Dillon moved around him going towards his father.
Giz walked up with a pleading look tears streaming down. "Dillon please don't go…please don't go…" She begged as Ruby tried to pull her back but she snatched away from her.
Dillon almost turned around fully but he only glanced sadly before looking straight at his father.
"Dillon PLEASE!" Giz begged once again. She couldn't do it. She couldn't watch him and Daisy be taken from her. He had her mother, her father might be dead because of this man and now he's taking the rest of her family. The peach vixen couldn't allow it but Julia and Rome went up to her holding her back.
"Gizzy, it'll be alright…right…father…" Dillon said looking Million in the eyes as the porcupine smiled fully nodding but his smile fell a little when Dillon glared at him. "No…I want them to hear it from your mouth…because if you don't keep your promise I won't every call you that again."
Million almost growled but he kept his smile. "I promise…" He said giving a hand signal to the general as Candy came to know as the killing symbol. He wasn't going to keep his promise.
Candy quickly jumped into the air getting everyone's attention as flew quickly up to Million making him turn around and look right into the gun all the soldiers had been given.
"Keep the promise or I'll kill you...just like you tried to kill me…" She said glaring at Million as he glared right back at her. They stayed that way for a minute because no one knew what to do and what not to do. "Tell them to go…NOW!" She said making Million growl as he signaled for the generals to make the soldiers leave. One general walked up taking Daisy from him and another signaled for Dillon to follow him.
Dillon took one last look at his friends and his baby sister leaving his eyes on Ruby as he turned around and walked off with the soldiers and his sister. Million could careless, the porcupine had what he wanted. Candy was just upset she couldn't stop them from taking Daisy and Dillon she knew the porcupine wasn't going to allow that.
"I knew I should have smothered you…" He growled as Candy's glare got worse.
Felix took the opportunity to spin dash at Million but Million quickly turned around and kicked him back making the teen land back on his feet near the others before the porcupine turned around grabbing Candy's wrist and twist it quickly to make her drop the gun. He didn't just stop there. He snapped her wrist causing Candy to scream out in pain and Razor then spin dashed Million causing the porcupine to lose focus on the sakura vixen as she fell to the floor. Million blocked Razor with his arms pushing him back but Razor hit the ground. Razor quickly got back up as everyone else got ready.
Fuchsia went after him with her hammer, jumping in the air and bring it down with a force that caused wind to blow a circle around them. Million blocked that as well taking it and throwing her back. Seth caught her as Giz ran to Candy helping her up. Million turned around to the two, two tailed vixen about to bring his fist down as the two sisters flinched seeing Felix had stopped him with his hands.
"MOVE!" The emerald hedgehog yelled making them get up and run quickly as Million quickly over powered him and punched him in the face making him stumble back.
"Your weak…just like you father…" Million said cracking his knuckles and smirking.
Felix chuckled himself spitting out the blood in his mouth before saying, "Says a man who beats on women and children…"
Million smirked fully going at the teen with everything. He was going to kill all the children himself if he had to. Razor, Ruby, Seth, Fuchsia, Aron, Alex, Rome, Julia, Sonia and Kevin went at him as Giz, Candy, Pearl, Roma, Fang, and Emerald went to hide. The porcupine knew that he had to give everyone time to leave and he got his confirmation when he seen almost all the helicopters fly over them. Million took Fuchsia's hammer and began using it knocking the ones that did spin dash at him back.
Razor tried to kick the hammer out of his hands but the porcupine only knocked his legs down before taking the hammer and knocking Razor in the air. The teen landed back down on his back knocking the air out of him, almost taking him out. Million blocked Julia's kicks as well with the hammer and Felix's punches with his foot. Aron tried to take the little distraction by going for a punch to Million's stomach, sadly the porcupine seen him coming and knocked him back into ground. Aron was now out.
"ARON!" Fuchsia yelled before glaring daggers at Million.
Fuchsia growled loudly before giving it all she got to get her hammer and bash Million's brains in. Million chuckled as the fuchsia hedgehog tried everything to get the hammer from him.
"Want it….HERE!" He said throwing it at Fuchsia who dodged it and it hit Razor in the stomach causing him to spit up blood.
Felix spin dashed Million in the head before he kicked Fuchsia into Julia causing them to hit the ground hard. They were now out. He got a direct hit making the porcupine stumble and growl as Felix only kept going. Punching Million with everything he had. Alex came for him with a spin kick from the air but Million grabbed him by the ankle throwing him at the ground hard enough to get rid of him as well while still fighting Felix.
Seth came at him as while Felix was fighting him, hoping to overwhelm the evil porcupine. Million punched both boys making them stumble before punching Seth once more in the stomach kicking him back, taking him out. Felix blocked his next move. He wasn't going out easily, even if he hurt all over he was going to get Daisy back. Ruby waited till Felix seemed to be getting the upper hand again and went after Million landing a kick in the back of his head making him have to block brother and sister before landing a punch at side of both their heads hard enough to knock Ruby out, taking her out. Rome tried to attack him from the air sadly Million seen this one coming as well, grabbing his foot and slamming him into the ground hard enough to make blood came out his mouth and finally taking everyone out but Felix.
"Why do you still fight?" The porcupine said taunting the teen. Felix was trying his best but he knew that Million could see he was wearing him down. "You've already lost…"
Felix growled knocking Million back a couple of feet as Pearl took her chance going after Million with Kevin. Million, despite how tired he was himself knocked them both out quickly leaving him and Felix again. Felix rushed at him again but Million calmed down chuckling at him. Felix was slowing down as much as he didn't want to. He had to fight to get to that helicopter and get Daisy. Million blocked the teen hedgehog till he got an opening and punched Felix so hard he stumbled, falling. Felix tried but he couldn't get back up and Million towered over him smirking.
"She's mine once again…And I won't let you get in the way of that…" He said picking up the gun that Candy dropped and pointing it at him as Felix closed his eyes praying that he would live to rescue Daisy. The shot went off but he felt nothing. He opened his eyes to see his father and Million struggling with the gun in the air.
Felix had never seen such an emotionless look in his father's face but he did know it was dangerous. Felix jumped seeing as his mother grabbed his arm pulling him up into her own. Amy, Acelin, Sally and Sonic rushed to the children waking up who they could and making sure the others were close to them as Roma, Giz, Candy and the twins came out of hiding.
Felix looked up at his mother as tears of anger and sadness began forming as she rubbed the ones that fell away before pulling him back into a hug. The mother looked to her emerald green hedgehog as he was finally able to knock the gun from the porcupine's hands.
Scourge then punched the porcupine with such power that it knocked Million back but he didn't stop there. He kept going delivering punches that rivaled the porcupine himself. Daisy finally had awaken seeing she was in a room that was most likely built for the king and ran up to the door seeing it was locked. She didn't see Dillon and she could only hope that her father didn't get him too. She ran up to the window when she heard cheering going on from somewhere below. The hybrid gasped seeing her father and Scourge fighting but Scourge had the upper hand. She began to cry seeing her friends knocked out and their parents trying to help them. Her eyes landed on Felix but she continued watching Scourge fight her father praying he would win and come rescue her.
Scourge went to kick Million in the head but the porcupine caught it throwing it down and landed a punch in the father's face. Scourge didn't let that stop him. The emerald hedgehog was a mission to kill Million for putting his hands on his children even if his children were watching. Scourge landed more punches and as did Million. They eventually kicked each other with such force that it knocked them both back. Million knew he couldn't keep going he was alone and even if he did defeat Scourge he had to worry about the other parents. Scourge wiped the blood from his mouth as he looked to Million. Million looked right back at him as he gave a signal that Sonic knew all too well.
"EVERYONE TAKE COVER!"
No sooner than he said that, missiles went flying towards them. Everyone didn't have enough time to escape the area but Scourge made sure he was with Fiona and Felix as he continued to look at Million before he couldn't see him anymore from the smoke, sand and fire going everywhere.
"NOOOO!" Daisy yelled as she heard louder cheers and fell to the ground as the helicopter then flew away. The mission was accomplished. Million climbed in the another copter that was waiting on him; with soldiers crowding around him and celebrating but he only continued to the cockpit. He knew they weren't dead but he could careless they weren't going to come after him for a while and neither was he going after them. He passed out when he got to the cockpit, he had accomplished one mission and now on to the next one.
Sally took down the force field as the smoke cleared up and everyone looked around to see Million gone and Scourge watching the helicopters fly away into the horizon. Fiona looked to Felix who refused to look at her now as he was watching the same thing his father was watching. She sighed getting up and walking over to Scourge.
"I'm going to kill him…" He said as Fiona stopped him from running across the water after the copters by placing her hand on his chest. He moved away from her violently shocking everyone but her. "You're going to stop me after what he's done to the kids…"
Fiona only looked to him saying, "They need us, Scourge…" She said as they glanced at Ruby, who walked over to Felix hugging him as she began to sob but he was now looking at the ground refusing to look up at anyone. Emerald and Fang were wailing for Scourge to get them as Giz walked up to them with the twins.
Scourge's fist shook but he knew she was right. He sighed un-balling his fist and turning to Giz, who anyone could see was emotionally distressed more than anything. Scourge gentle took both of them from her cuddling them as they cuddled against him. Scourge then walked over to Ruby and Felix, who now had Razor and Julia with them. The father sat down with them hugging all his children to him showing everyone, but Fiona, a side no one had never seen before. Acelin and Amy hugged their children plus Giz and Candy to them; and Sally hugged her children plus Pearl, Kevin, Rome and Roma. Sonic's communicator went off, it was Kintobor. Sonic turned his back to everyone.
"Sonic…You need to get back here it's Tails I don't think it can wait a couple of hours…"
Sadly everyone heard it and was now looking to Sonic as he only let his shoulders and ears fall as Giz walked over to him.
Kintobor sighed seeing the chaos that had surrounded them. "I think that computer had a teleportation system."
"I can get it going…" Giz said getting Kintobor to smile a small smile at her.
"Good. Now hurry, please." He said cutting the communicator off.
Sonic patted Giz on the shoulder as she and the others found a way to the hideout without going into the water.
Daisy had cried herself to sleep but it didn't take long for them to get back to the castle it seemed and when she woke up she seen her mother sitting by the bed looking at her with a look Daisy remembered all too well. The mother and daughter hugged one another tightly as Dillon walked in getting their attention before he ran over and the three hugged one another. Rosy couldn't stop her tears of joy to have at least two of her children but she would be more stressed trying to find a way to get them all a way out.
"He killed everyone mom…" Daisy whimpered as Rosy only shushed her. Rosy sighed, she was hoping that her daughter saw wrong because if not, they had almost no other help from the outside.
"Don't worry Daisy we're going to get out of here." Rosy said Million walked in making them all look to him.
Rosy got up almost shielding her children from their father. "Why…"
Million smirked chuckling lowly. "That's a good question…and I've already answered it before." He said growling almost making Rosy shake visibly but she had to stay strong for her children's sake. "This is my family. That is my son and my daughter but yet someone else had the chance to raise them and be called their father…I don't believe that's fair."
Dillon only looked to Daisy as she kept watching her father. Rosy growled lowly, "I think it was fair for them to go through seeing me beaten everyday and night…"
Million walked over to the window overlooking the city that he was changing in his own image and his followers were gathering by the day.
"You were born evil my Rose but for some reason you've let the Primes change you…"
Rosy only shook her head, "No I changed for my children…"
Million glanced to her saying, "You only had two to worry about…"
"I HAVE 4!" She yelled making Daisy and Dillon jump. "And you've tried to kill two of them but I know their still alive."
Million chuckled lowly again. "And if they aren't dead, I'll make sure that they are." Million walked over to Dillon as Rosy tried to step in his way but Dillon touched her arm making her look to him. "It's okay mom…I'll be fine." He said getting off the bed and follow Million before taking one last look at his sister and mother. Rosy's fear was coming to the surface, her son was going to become his father.
X
Everyone got back to the base within minutes thanks to Giz. Sonic was the only one that walked into the room with her as Tails lay dying in the bed. Giz only let the tears fall as Sonic let her sit beside the bed as she took her father's hands holding then with her small ones.
"They got Daisy and Dill daddy…" She said choking up but she continued on. "But we're going to get them back I promise you that…That…He isn't going to win…" The peach vixen only got sadder as Tails didn't respond. Her ears fell but she continued to smile even if it wasn't a big one.
"I remember when you would let me go into your workshop and watch you build stuff. You helped me build my first toy…then helped me fix it after me and Dillon broke it…" The tears began to fall more and more. "I always watched you because I wanted to be like you. I had my own gear for school because we could build it, what was the use of buying it? I'll remember all those things…"
…."Daddy, please don't go…" She said breaking completely. "PLEASE DON'T GO! I love you so much dad..." She began sobbing so hard her words couldn't be understood, making Sonic walk up to her and hug her to him as she squeezed Tails' hand.
Sonic watched as Tails' heartbeat came to a stop not realizing Giz had watched it too, wailing even louder. She felt like she no longer had anyone and she was truly alone. She lost her mother, her brother and sister…And now her father. Hope slowly but surely slipped from the girl. What was there to hope for now? That mad man was going to kill them and wasn't going to let her mother or siblings go so what else was there to hope for?
It took a little bit of convincing but Sonic finally got Giz to let her father's hand go before it lost its warm. Giz continued to wail in despair as Sonic quietly walked her out of the room the others were in the living area listening but everyone stayed where they were not knowing if they should go to the poor child or leave her be, Sally had to almost argue with Sonia to stay in the living area. The blue speed demon was walking her to a room to talk with her before he stopped seeing Candy in front of them, looking at them. Sonic watched as she slowly walked up to Giz getting her to look at the sakura vixen. Candy only pulled Giz into a tight hug letting the girl sob onto her chest, ignoring the pain in her, now bandaged, wrist.
"I'm so sorry…" Candy said quietly rubbing Giz's back and letting her own tears fall. "I was right there…I could have done something to prevent this…"
Sonic walked over, hugging both girls to him. "No…because then he would have done the same to you." He said walking both girls to the room he and Sally were sharing. He helped them sit down on the bed, watching as Giz's wailing didn't let down but Candy didn't let her go. After a few more minutes, Sonic left leaving the sisters to bond and praying that Candy could get Giz together.
When he walked out everyone, excluding the children, was at the door with Amy walking up determined to go inside but he blocked her making her glare at him.
"Sonic, get out of the way, she needs me!"
Sonic shook his head saying, "Candy is in there with her. She'll be fine."
Amy groaned before saying, "Obviously they both need someone to comfort them…"
Sonic growled, "They need to be alone together so that they can know that they have one another…"
Sally finally stepped in front of the two hedgehogs who only glared at each other. "Stop it… WE need to be together for Tails and them at least." She said wiping her tears away as Sonic took her in his arms.
Amy walked away going to go check on Aron and Fuchsia as Candy quietly came out the room making the sakura hedgehog stop and walk over to her.
"She's asleep…" The teen vixen said getting a sigh of relieve from the adults. "I'll stay in this room with her…"
Amy nodded wiping any tears that tried to escape. "That's fine with us…We're just glad your safe with us…"
Candy smiled lightly looking down at the ground. "Thanks…I'm sorry I couldn't get to my mother as well…"
Sonic chuckled lightly getting the teen to look at him. "Your sorry for a lot of things you have no control over…"
Candy blushed out of embarrassment and looked down. "I just feel like there was more I could have tried to do. I was the only one that could escape the dungeon but it's filling up quickly..."
Scourge patted her on the shoulder getting her attention. "We're not going to think about that right now…Let's get some rest and then get a plan going…"
"Scourge is right for once." Acelin said getting a glare from said hedgehog. "Just go back in and get some rest for us. We're all gonna need it."
Candy nodded slowly before turning around and going back in the room with Giz looking at the adults one last time before closing the door.
Sonic groaned loudly rubbing his face as Sally rubbed his back. "Lets go check on the kids." She said getting Sonic to walk away with her.
Amy watched the door before Acelin finally got her to walk away to go check on the children as well and Scourge did the same hearing Emerald start whining because he was gone. Everyone knew that night was going to be a long night.
It was confirmed more when night time had fallen quickly and it was a hassle but most of the children were able to go to sleep. Rome, Roma, Pearl and Kevin shared a room while Amy and Acelin's family had their own room, Scourge and his family had their own room, as well as Sonic, Sally and their children.
Fiona listened as Felix got up and left out and Scourge quietly picked up Emerald, kissed Fiona on the cheek and followed their son quietly. She waited a while before tapping Razor on the nose making him open his eyes and sigh. The children had made a pallet on the floor on both sides of the room, Julia and Felix on Scourge's side with Razor and Ruby on her side. The twins slept in the bed with them as Fang was cuddled up under her.
"Can't sleep huh?" The ruby vixen asked as Razor only nodded making her smile lightly. "It's Giz isn't it…"
He nodded again. "I wanna go check on her but I know Uncle Sonic is going to make sure I don't get in there…
"At least Ruby is asleep…." Fiona said getting Ruby to open her eyes letting her tears escape.
"No I'm not…"
Fiona sighed, she hated seeing her children in so much stress. She really wished she would have let Scourge kill that bastard but their children needed them more.
"Why did he go with him?" Ruby asked as more tears formed. "And poor Giz…" Fiona got up slowly not to wake Fang carrying him close to her chest.
The mother slowly got down in between her two teens careful not to wake up Fang. Julia, also being awake, got up and made room for herself right beside Ruby hugging her sister to her. Fiona laid Fang on her chest pulling Razor, Julia, and Ruby to her.
"I want you guys to rest. Dillon did what he believed would be best for his friends and the girl that he loves…" She said getting Ruby to look down as tears continued to fall. "And Giz…Well…She needs us more than ever now. Daisy and Dillon are now with their father and she can't rely on them but she does have Candy. And even though we want to be right there by her, we have to give Candy a chance to bond with her…" She finished looking to Razor.
Ruby cleaned her face looking to her mother confused, "How do you know Dillon loves me?"
Fiona chuckled lightly saying, "I figured that out years ago Ru… All you guys do is hang with each other. Just like Felix and Daisy. That's why your brother walked out…He needed to be alone and I'm sure your dad knows what to say to him."
Ruby, Razor, and Julia smiled lightly with Ruby saying, "Somehow you and dad always know what to say…"
Felix was sitting on a cliff that over looked the forest, it was a full moon and stars covered the sky along with it but Felix was looking at the light in the distance. The city he called home, he wanted to save Daisy right then and there; just speed into it and through it to the castle and get her out but he knew that wasn't going to be easy. He sighed balling up his fist in anger. His whole body hurt and fought for him to sleep but he refused to, he almost couldn't. He didn't even flinch as he father walked up with Emerald in his arms. Ever since she got to him she refused to let him go and the father didn't mind. Everyone decided the chaos' would be better off left at the chao garden in Anti-Knuckles' hideout for now. Bringing them with them is more dangerous now than ever.
"I have to save her dad…" The teen said continuing to look at the light in the distance.
Scourge only continued to look at the light in the distance as well as Emerald touched Felix's arm getting Felix to take her hand and play with it.
"I was right there but I couldn't get her back from him…I couldn't beat him…" He said letting his hand fall and Emerald began to bite on her own hand.
Scourge looked to his son, his twin watching as Felix's let the tears form but Scourge wiped them away before they could fall. Scourge had seen Felix cry before, when Scourge's mother died all his children cried, in the privacy of his own room, Scourge did too. It was his mother, he would always love her no matter what.
Felix looked to his father before more tears formed as Scourge was looking back at him. Emerald whined seeing her big brother crying and feeling the upset feeling her father had from it.
"No…I haven't seen you cry in years and I won't watch it now…" The father said looking back at the horizon. "Before you were born I was arrested and Sonic helped me get arrested, this you know…but do you know that your mother was one that helped me get busted out? I thought that your mother had abandoned me truly. I believed that I was left behind and no one would come for me. I was bullied so much there I was the one fearing everyone else and when your mother came I was in that funk but she brought me out. I dated many girls before meeting your mother but after meeting her it was different. You started off right and that's with Daisy just at the wrong time. Million is getting so many followers because people here are evil counterparts to the good ones in Sonic's world. We've always hated his world so, of course, people in this world are going to attack that world and want to take it over. Bonus is they have a leader now. Your mother is from that world by the way…"
Felix looked to Scourge surprisingly. "So…where is her counterpart in this world? And how did you guys meet?"
Scourge chuckled calming Emerald down. "Don't know but I met your mother the first time I went to Mobius, out of all the girls there I flirted with her the most and then we got into a relationship. She stuck out more because she choose to be evil while girls in my world were born that way so I found that hot."
Felix cringed making Scourge laugh. "How do you think you got here? By chance?"
Felix groaned saying, "I would like to think so."
Scourge laughed again patting Felix on the back and hugging him to him. "Either way…I know you love Daisy…And she knows that you're going to come for her. And I saw how you were holding your own against that bastard…I'm proud of you more than anything." He said hugging Felix tightly to him. "I love you, Lix… I've learned in my years of parenting more than anything that failure is a part of success. So things may seem pretty fucked up now but we always bounce back…Remember that…"
Felix wrapped his arm around Scourge's shoulder hugging him back. "I love you too, dad. And I know…hey…Tell me how you guys got into a fight the day you guys found out about the twins."
Scourge chuckled and groaned before rolling his eyes saying, "Well…"
16 months ago…
"HEY DOC HURRY UP I WANNA KNOW IF FIONA IS GAINNING EXTRA WEIGHT THIS TIME!"
Fiona did well not to snap as others looked at them because of Scourge's outburst. Kintobor's veterinary grew into a good business. Bunz, and other mobians worked there and helped out with other patients even though he didn't get many.
Bunz rolled her eyes as she walked over to them to bring them back to the ultrasound room. "How do you live with this ass?"
Fiona shrugged getting up saying, "Usually when it's feed it acts better. I don't know what happened." Everyone laughed but Scourge.
Scourge glared at Bunz, who only returned the glare as they made their way to the back. Kintobor was in the room getting the things ready as Bunz let Fiona walk in and almost slammed the door on Scourge's tail. Kintobor shook his head motioning for Fiona to get onto the table and pull her shirt up to show her stomach.
Scourge raised an eyebrow. "I think that's too high."
"Shut up Scourge…"
Kintobor got the gel ready shaking his head at them both. "Alright, let's see what's going on here. You are growing bigger than usual."
"Tell me about it." Scourge said getting a glare from Fiona. "What?"
"ANYWAY, yes. I'm 7 months. I wasn't even big when I was pregnant with the others."
Kintobor chuckled. "Yeah I know. Well, we're about to find out what's going on. After this I'm going to take you to a room and get the picture ready for you."
"Another ultrasound picture to add to the wall…" Scourge said feeling excited. After Felix, he was always excited about this part, very excited.
Kintobor started his work letting the parents hear the child's heart beat but something was strange this time. Scourge and Fiona looked at one another before looking to Kintobor who was focused on the screen.
"Doc…that don't sound right?"
Kintobor hummed before taking some pictures. He didn't want to tell them what he found or show them till they got in the room with the pictures. "I know that." He took a towel and cleaned Fiona up.
"Let's go the room and I'll explain there."
Scourge sighed with annoyance as Fiona only got up and pushed him towards the room Kintobor was leading them to. They got inside and Fiona got on the bed as Scourge paced the floor before Kintobor even left.
"Scourge sit down…"
"Something didn't sound right Fi… It sound like it was off or something…"
Fiona sighed in exhaustion. That was another thing. They had come before but she wasn't this far along and she still had plenty of energy but now she barely had any and all she wanted to do was sleep and eat. Scourge did most of the cleaning and taking care of the kids, even though they didn't want him to cook. After some time Kintobor came back in the room with a picture.
"Finally! You did that on purpose, you know I don't like waiting and something didn't sound right on that ultrasound."
Kintobor only smiled saying, "Your right and your wrong…It sounded right but not to you." He took the picture putting it up pointing at it. "There were two heart beats and as you see here, there is baby A and baby B…"
Fiona stared at the pictures before smiling. "Twins….Their heartbeats were off synch which means the first ultrasound meant they were on beat!"
Kintobor chuckled saying, "Right. Congratulations! You're both having a boy and girl."
Fiona laughed along with Kintobor. "Scourge can you believe it."
Scourge just looked at her and then back to Kintobor. "What….No no no. We're having a boy or a girl right?…."
Fiona narrowed her eyes at the green hedgehog. "No you fool we're having twins. A boy and a girl."
"It's a fox and hedgehog. The boy is a fox and the girl is a hedgehog." Kintobor explained.
"YOU'RE FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" Scourge yelled getting Fiona to glare at him.
"What the hell is your problem!?" She asked climbing down and walking up in front him her hands on her hip. "Aren't you happy?"
Scourge looked to her confused. "Yes…but why twins…"
Fiona gasped then growled harshly before stomping out with Kintobor shaking his head. "Scourge what have you done?"
Scourge quickly went after Fiona, who had already made her way out of the hospital and on the way home.
"Fi wait!"
Fiona kept going even though she was getting tired quickly. "You're an ass Scourge!"
Scourge sped up in front of her making her stop and glare at him. "Fi, you know what I meant when I said that…I meant one is bad enough but two…That's double EVERYTHING. Especially the crying…" He said almost in a whine that made Fiona narrow her eyes at him.
"Scourge, you've acted this way before…"
Scourge frowned saying, "That was with Felix I wasn't ready then hell these are twins."
"YEAH! Just twice of what we had to deal with before, you act like its gonna be harder or something."
Scourge rubbed his face. "YES- I mean no!"
Fiona pushed Scourge aside and began walking home despite how tired she was getting and how bad her legs were hurting. Scourge shook his head walking up behind Fiona, picking her up and going home to get ready for the kids to come.
Fiona, as best she could, quickly climbed out his arms and went inside going to their room and shutting the door. She couldn't believe he was doing this again. She began crying, damn her hormones. After Felix and Julia she knew that Scourge for anything. Being a father, she thought, had changed him.
Scourge sighed standing outside the room, he didn't want her to attack him if he went in. "Fiona come on. You know I love my kids. Just…This doesn't make sense. Don't come out here and hit me…."
Fiona stomped out the room and got his face best way she could. "How does it not make sense!? We had sex, I got pregnant and we're having two babies!"
"HOW?!"
"GO ASK THE DOCTOR DUMBASS!" She yelled walking down the stairs to start dinner. The children all had things they did after school so they wouldn't be home till past noon. Scourge and Fiona didn't mind because it was always something that wouldn't get them in trouble.
Scourge followed her, he had to get her calmed down before she hurt herself and he had to cook dinner.
"Fiona I just think it too much right now."
Fiona started slamming things saying, "Well that's too bad because their coming…."
Scourge growled before leaving the house. Fiona didn't say a word just let the tears fall. She couldn't wait to get rid of these hormones and get her body back to kick Scourge's ass.
X
Scourge was back before the children did but Fiona was asleep on the couch with Dinner already done. He sighed kissing her on the forehead and taking what he had to the baby's room. He had a lot of work to do and so little time to do it.
Felix, Julia, Ruby and Razor got home only to find their parents waiting at the dinner table for them and not talking to each other. The children didn't ask questions because they would get their answer soon enough even though they did want to know more about their baby sibling that was coming soon. They placed their things down and went down stairs finding their plates already made so they took their seats.
They began to eat in silence which was unusual. Felix coughed getting Fiona's attention. "Mom, why didn't you add some more salt to this."
Scourge did his best not to make sounds but he did roll his eyes. Fiona smirked giving the salt to Felix.
"I thought it would be too much for your father…" She said looking at Scourge who only rolled his eyes again.
"You know your mother is very tired so she can't do too much…especially not now." He said getting a glare from Fiona as he only looked back at her.
The children just looked back at their mother and father. Neither knew what they should say or shouldn't say because they didn't know what their parents were throwing slick shots at each other for this time.
"Um….well how is the baby?" Julia asked glancing at her siblings before Fiona looked to her smiling.
"You mean babies…I'm going to have twins." Fiona said getting Julia and Ruby to clap and Felix to cringe, Razor smiled but continued to eat.
"What are they?" The green kitsune asked getting an even bigger smile from his mother.
"Boy fox and girl hedgehog."
"OOOOOOH!" Ruby exclaimed. "I hope the girl has my fur!"
Julia rolled her eyes saying, "Ugh no…they should look completely like me."
Ruby rolled her eyes. "Yeah no, they don't need that curse."
Razor and Felix narrowed their eyes at their sisters saying in unison, "You both have the same color hair and fur…"
Julia put her hands in the both their faces saying, " Anyways, mom, when are we going shopping for the clothes? I wanna pick out some nice girl stuff, Ruby can handle the boy stuff."
Ruby glared at Julia. "I can't wait to embarrass you…"
Fiona chuckled. "We'll go this weekend while you're out of school. We gotta get other things too…"
"You don't need to…."
Everyone looked to Scourge who only continued eating. "I've gotten the crib and all that…and clothes you just get the girly stuff." Felix raised one eye brow, as Razor only stared at their father while Julia looked back at her mother for confirmation.
A small smile formed on Fiona's face as a tear slide down getting Julia to get up and walk over to her. "What's wrong mom?" She asked hugging her.
Fiona took a deep breathe cleaning her face as the other children looked to her. "No….just these hormones again."
Scourge smirked scoffing, "Yeah…right…"
Fiona glared at him with a smile. "Shut up Scourge."
Scourge and Fiona looked at one another glaring but smiling to which the children were confused. The couple could only think how many times had they gone through this mess? Fighting to the point they lost belief in the other only to realize they had each other's back no matter what.
Felix shook his head chuckling, "Wow, you sure do have a way with words…"
Scourge rolled his eyes as placed Emerald in front of him making her giggle and smile. The emerald hedgehog couldn't have been happier that the small hedgie looked like him completely but was a beautiful, sweet baby girl. Only Fiona knew he was jealous of the fact that Sonic had Sonia, his female counterpart, while he didn't have one. When Emerald and Fang came along the father felt more complete with his family.
Felix chuckled as Emerald kicked her legs in excitement reaching for Scourge's face. Scourge brought her back to him hugging her to him.
"I love you Emerald…" Scourge said rubbing his nose against hers.
Emerald grabbed Scourge's face giggling, "I wuve you…" She song getting Felix and Scourge to smile at her but was more proud than Felix knew. Fang was talking but Emerald barely said anything. The father tossed her up in the air chuckling with pride before catching her and hugging her tighter to him. It was so amazing how such a small being could shine light in such a dark time.