AN: Before I begin, I am sad to say that legendary voice actress, Christine Cavanaugh is no longer with us. She was known for providing the voice of Chuckie Finster in Rugrats, but most especially, Sonic fans know her for portraying Bunnie Rabbot on Sonic the Hedgehog SatAM. Rest in Peace you lovely lady.

I also wish to say that I do hope that everyone has a very safe and happy new year!

Christine Cavanaugh

(1963-2014)

RIP

=Chapter 23=

*Two Months Later*

Alicia had moved the 'family compound' to a much larger mansion that was somewhat closer to the city of Soleanna on the border of Kingdom Valley rather than being deep in the forest. It was a three-story house that resembled the structure style of the Old Castle which was also situated in the borders of Kingdom Valley. But since the palace had been vacant for many a decade, Alicia needn't worry about being evicted from the area. It also happened to be a gift from the Governor after she had given her 'helpful services'. Now she had a firm grip and standing within the government.

Since the fall of the Red Griffin Syndicate HQ, the organization appeared to either gone underground or disbanded altogether. Whatever the situation or reason, they were no longer as dire a threat as before. Of course, Shadow was still unaccounted for, and he hadn't been seen for several weeks. This brought intense worry from the Syndicate while Alicia would keep a cautious eye out for him. She did not believe that he was dead. And besides she was facing a more troublesome problem. Mina had also gone missing. She disappeared 2 weeks from the present time without warning nor any other word. This lowered their defenses by just having Alicia herself, Fiona, and Rosy. A most inopportune time for it to happen too.

In a small den inside the mansion on the third floor, furnished with soft couches, chairs, and a small fire place currently lit and making the room nice and warm. Lying on the couch, sort of lounging, was Mephiles and across from him sort of sitting upside down in a chair reading a women's magazine was Rosy. In Mephiles arms, half asleep, and in a plain and somewhat loose dress was Amy Rose. She was almost curled into a ball and in a strange sort of apprehension, but the pale ebony hedgehog lovingly stroked her quills and her back.

Truth be told, Amy had been sick these past winter days. Very sick. She had been vomiting and too weak to walk around on her own and her appetite had been on and off. As such, Mephiles had been extremely protective of her, sometimes not even letting Rosy near her. It was only yesterday that Alicia managed to convince him to allow Dr. Finitevus to examine her.

At the present moment, Amy wasn't quite feeling horrid, but clung to Mephiles with all of her strength. She developed a sort of trust in him but she still feared for her life every day. But this fear was not because of him. At this point, the sakura hedgehog realized what kind of person he truly was. Yes, he did have murderous tendencies, but when he was at calm and peace like this, and not under the influence of Alicia, he was almost like Shadow in a way. The ones Amy truly feared, was the bluish-grey male's Bride's. With the exception of Rosy, the cherry-pink female could sense a raging hostility emanating from both Alicia and Fiona. Not so much Alicia as everything was business to her. Rosy on the other hand was fiercely loyal to Mephiles, so for some strange reason she was genuinely nice to Amy. Her crazed sense of humor put Amy off a lot in the past, but like her master, Rosy was highly protective of Amy.

Back in the present, Mephiles continued to lovingly cuddle Amy, while Rosy was still looking through the magazine in her hand. More like looking at the pictures rather than actually reading. Then she came to a picture that seemed to interest her.

"Hey, Mephy?" she called out as she snaked around the chair. "Who do think this is? The man with a bunch of stars on his chest..."

Both Amy and Mephiles looked up. Amy recognized him as the King of Soleanna. But Mephiles gave a rather blank and uninterested look.

"Hmmm, I don't know, Rosy. He does seem interesting." the vampiric hedgehog said in reply.

Feeling another cramp strike her harshly, Amy buried her face into Mephiles' tuft of fur. The events of that first night in his house were still fresh in her mind...

"I want a real family..."

"A...a what?"

"A real family. It's not fair that big brother had one while I was locked in that dumb tower. I don't care about anything else."

"Then...you really don't want to fill the world with Chiroptera?"

"Hmph, that's Alicia's business. You remember what I told you?"

"...Yes, I do. But..."

"Please Amy? I've spent a long time trying to find something that'll make me happy and I like you. I really really like you. I don't know how much more I can describe it..."

Amy's voice became smaller as her whole body tensed with shock.

"...you mean love?"

"Is that what it is? I hear it a lot from Mina, Rosy, and Alicia. But it never felt like this."

For the first time since they met, Amy could see that Mephiles wasn't quite the vicious creature he was before. He was only that way because of his upbringing and of course Alicia's influence-which appeared to be waning now. Perhaps he was seeking what anyone, mortal or chiroptera wished to have. To love and be loved. And Amy felt horrible if she were deny Mephiles that when he never had the chance to experience it for the joy it was.

"Yes..." the young flower said softly.

Mephiles' face brightened in a way she had never seen before.

"But I must ask, why me?" Amy continued.

"Because you're special..." Mephiles whispered. "And if you're scared of Alicia, Rosy, or even Fiona, don't be afraid. I said wouldn't let them bully you, and I meant it."

Before Amy could reply, he captured her in a kiss. The sakura hedgehog let out a gasp before the pale ebony male proceeded to undress her and make her his...

The morning after, Amy remembered how shaken she felt, having her virginity taken away. But nevertheless, Mephiles nurtured her as if she were his child. The young flower was quite relieved when Mephiles agreed to have her checked out by a doctor. Then she became a little dismayed when she found that it was going to be Dr. Finitevus. However there was precious little she could do about it.

Soon, Amy was sound asleep in the bluish-grey splashed King's arms again. Mephiles quickly noticed and made a warm smile before gently nuzzling her.

XXXXXXX

The next day, Dr. Finitevus arrived at the castle-like mansion. At first, he was almost completely uninterested in examining Amy thinking it was a waste of time if they weren't going to give her Cell 64. That was until he was informed by Alicia that Amy had mated with Mephiles. That alone piqued his interests. Like Alicia, he was greatly curious about the possibilities of Mephiles procreating and bringing the next generation of Kings. But as Amy was still mortal, the outcome might be very different.

They would have gone to the albino echidna's lab, but unfortunately, Amy was a little too weak to walk that morning. Despite Mephiles and Rosy being practically glued to her side, the sakura hedgehog was quite nervous. But she needn't worry about the crazed doctor hurting her because neither Mephiles nor Rosy would hesitate to tear him to pieces if he even tried.

"Good morning, Miss Rose. I understand that you are...unwell." Dr. Finitevus greeted.

"Y-yes, sir." Amy squeaked.

"Describe to me your symptoms then..."

"Well...I feel tired all the time. I feel weak and nauseous almost every day, and my stomach feels horrid..."

"I see. Well then, we must get down to business."

XXXXXXX

In the city of Station Square, two cloaked figures were stalking about in the night. They were heavily armed and walking very cautiously about. When they came to a secluded area, they unhooded themselves. It was Rouge and Sonic. The cerulean hedgehog had since made a full recovery from his last encounter with Mephiles. He and his ivory partner were investigating an alleged sighting of a chiroptera. Since the collapse of the HQ, the Red Griffin Syndicate had indeed fallen into disarray and Robotnik was having enough problems merely trying to keep everything together. Shadow was still M.I.A. which sent the obese professor further on the edge. The sightings and appearances of chiroptera had been spontaneous, almost at random. But each time they did actually appear, the artificial chiroptera, now dubbed the Deathdealer Corps, had them dispatched before Robotnik's forces could. And the Corps was there to further allow Alicia to have a standing with the government.

It was the Syndicate's job to dispatch chiroptera and not draw attention to themselves. It was a top priority to keep the blood sucking creatures' existence a vital secret.

"What do you think?" Sonic asked. "Another false alarm?"

"Perhaps." Rouge replied. "Let's make another round just to be safe."

The royal blue male gave a nod. As they walked down an alley. Snow began to fall. Sonic could not help but think of a certain young sakura hedgehog who along with Shadow was missing. He missed hearing her voice and laughter. But not once did he give up believing she was still alive. As well as Shadow. The cerulean speedster still carried the guilt of not being able to protect Amy. His blood burned at the thought of what sick actions the creatures' sole creator had in store for her.

"Hey! Did you fall asleep back there?" Rouge's voice called out, snapping Sonic back into reality.

"I'm coming..."

XXXXXXX

"...Wonderful!"

Alicia's dead blue eyes sparkled for once in her eternal life. Despite all serious doubts they had, Amy actually conceived a pair of twin Chiroptera Kings in her womb.

"At least now we know that we don't necessarily need a Bride for Mephiles to reproduce." Dr. Finitevus said.

Then a little storm cloud seemed to rain on Alicia's parade.

"Well, they may not turn out to be true chiroptera Kings, but it's a start." she replied.

"Indeed. The twins might also develop an immunity to their incompatible blood, but that remains to be seen. And I don't wish to sound blunt, but there will be risks during this gestation period." the albino echidna explained.

"Of course. And that's why we'll make every effort to keep Miss Rose alive, at least until the Twins are ready to be born."

"Perhaps. But I'm not quite sure if your charge will be inclined to give her up so easily. I see that he's grown quite attached to her."

The auburn squirrel shot him a sort of glare as if she were greatly offended.

"Begging you pardon, my dear. I was only observing." Dr. Finitevus said.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom where Amy was resting. Mephiles was now alone with her. After hearing the news, he was beyond happy. It seemed now his dreams were finally coming to fruition. The pale ebony hedgehog was in bed with her and had the cherry-pink female all wrapped up in his arms. He paid no mind to the fact that she was fast asleep again. He wanted her to be as healthy as possible. He enjoyed the fact that she would have color in her face, the warmth she provided, the glow in her eyes. He nuzzled her face with such care to not wake her. Nearby, Rosy let out a rather contented sigh. She was so happy for her master. However her fellow Brides didn't seem to share Rosy's feelings but the pale pink hedgehog didn't care. Ingrateful killjoys.

Making Mephiles content, and abiding by his wishes was a Bride's sole purpose, other than protecting and serving their King. Fiona came passing by in one of the halls and came by Rosy who was dancing like a ballerina again.

"Isn't it just wonderful, Fiona?" the near crazed female squealed. "Mephy's having babies!"

"Ecstatic." the vixen droned, almost uninterested.

"Oooo aren't we moody today? You should be all smiles!"

"Get away from me, you brat!"

The brown furred female attempted to strike out at her 'sister' but Rosy easily dodged it.

"Tsk, tsk. You shouldn't be so up tight, Fiona!" Rosy teased.

"Get out of my sight!" Fiona hissed.

Rosy simply smiled as the vixen stomped away.

"Really, Fiona." the pale pink hedgehog purred. Then her voice turned demonic. "Why don't you lighten up for a change?"