Tloj: And now, the final chapter. Enjoy this, and if you like this story, please review it!
Hero's POV
I walk down the sidewalk lazily, autumn leaves blowing by in the wind. It's almost the end of September, and already the trees were giving up their leaves. Must be the cold air we've been having recently.
I walk up to Antonio's house and knock on the door.
Millie opens for me, and smirks, "Hey Hero."
"Hey." I smile. "How's our resident Batman?"
She rolls her eyes, and steps aside, "Come on in."
I walk in. "So, no little Tony's or Millia's?" I smile.
She raps a knuckle on the side of my head, "You'll get nieces, and nephews when we're ready for them. You've got your hands full as it is, no?"
"Heh... yeah..." I rub my head with a nervous chuckle. "That's actually why I'm here. I came by to see if Antonio's managed to come up with some toys that won't break."
Millie shakes with suppressed laughter, and waves me onwards.
I walk down the stairs and call, "Hey Bro! Got any non-lethal toys that won't break?"
Antonio looks from behind a huge tank. "Uh... maybe? Where's Millie? I told her to fetch me my screwdriver, and she Batmanned on me!"
I dodge my head sideways as the required tool soars by me like a throwing knife at him.
He catches it easily with a smile. "Thanks dear!"
"You're welcome," she calls, and I can hear her messing around in the kitchen.
He chuckles and disappears behind the tank. "And... done! The DollTank is ready to go!"
I look at it. "It doesn't look that impressive..."
"Meh, when has anything of mine looked awesome on the outside when I don't want it to?" He smiles. He walks up to a corners and picks up a 3DS. "Here, it's virtually anything-proof."
Millie comes down with a tray of brownies, "Kinda reminds me of that Norse myth about mistletoe though."
"Uh... Thor's Christmas Carol?" Antonio blinks.
Millie blinks, "Not sure what you mean... But essentially one of the goddesses, I think Odin's wife, had a beautiful child everyone loved, except Loki. So she put protective enchantments on this child to protect him, spells against fire, water, earth, air, iron, and so on. Then in exhibition all the deities were challenged to try to kill him, but the spells protected him... Until Loki's turn."
She passes me a brownie, "He took a branch of mistletoe, a shrub so small that the boy's mother had overlooked it when placing her spells. Loki made a dart from the mistletoe, and killed the beautiful boy. That's why at Christmas when you acknowledge mistletoe the mother goddess is supposed to reward you with a kiss."
She shrugs, "Pretty much what I'm getting at is there may be something we overlooked."
"...So we overlooked something in a tank?" I blink slowly.
"I meant the toy," she explains. "Remember he said it was almost-anything proof?"
"Oh." I smile and nod.
"I actually meant if you leave the game port open accidentally when you put the game in, the game could break, or water could get into the system. And of course, don't charge it in or around water." He sticks his tongue out.
Millie gives him an odd look, "I helped you test that thing to see if it could take getting run over by a M2 Abram AIV, and you couldn't make it waterproof?"
In the back of my head I wonder where he got a tank that big.
"I did, but it still needs the delicate circuitry inside. So keep the game cover closed." He hands the device to me.
I nod. "Thanks bro."
"Ahem," Millie crosses her arms.
"Oh, you too Millie." I smile at her.
Millie smiles, and hugs me, "Tell my sis I said hi, and we'll stop by sometime soon, okay?"
"Okay." I smile. "Are the brownies for me or Antonio?"
"Oh I brought them for us all. You can take some with you."
"Thanks! Kiddo will love them!" I pull a napkin from my hair and grab some, eating one myself.
Millie smiles, and looks through the muzzle of the tank, "You cleaned this out, right?"
"Of course!" Antonio smiles.
"Good, one less thing for me to clean..."
"I clean everything down here!" He pouts.
"I know, just teasing," she says as she drops back to the floor. "But would it kill you to leave your socks in the hamper?"
"I told you, if they're dirty, I put them in the hamper. If they're not dirty, then I'm leaving them in plain view so I can pull them on as I make my way to the Dollcave!" He scowls.
"I still say that sounds too cuddly for a scary superhero's hideout," she says, walking up to him.
"Maybe, but the Tailscave sounds like an egotistical house of Tails." He sticks his tongue out.
"Well, I'd better get going. Thanks guys!" I wave and turn to leave.
Millie waves, holding my brother's tongue between her fingers.
I chuckle, and turn into Chaos (Shadow) Hero, Chaos Controlling away.
I land in the Tundra, walking through the village and saluting villagers that salute first. I walk up to the biggest igloo, and walk in. "Guess who's home!"
Sarah looks up, and smiles, "Hero! Gabriel, daddy's home!"
Gabriel, our baby, coos at me, shaking his rattle.
I chuckle and set the 3DS aside. "Has Gabe missed Daddy? Has he?"
Sarah giggles, "Yes he did." She passes the baby to me, "Shade is out entertaining kids right now. At least three first-born sons barely past their eighth winter have sworn to win her from you so watch your back." She winks jokingly.
I smile. "Maybe I should give them a challenge?"
We both look to the Super Emerald Belt, which I have displayed over our fireplace.
She shakes her head with a snort, "Dear, they're children. Boys will be boys. Let them dream, they'll soon be distracted by their own arrangements, and girls their own age."
"Speaking of, how's my First Wife this afternoon?" I wrap her in a hug and kiss her cheek.
Just fine," she replies, eyeing the enchanted fire nearby. The Tundra spell casters made it unable to melt the ice of our home, or produce smoke, yet we can feel the heat just fine.
I smile happily. "I can't believe how lucky I am to have you and Shade in my life."
She smiles, and leans into me, "Me neither. Hard to think that in a year's time my concerns changed from my next meal to our son's next meal. I'm grateful for the charm on the fire, when we moved up here I was worried with the idea of feeding Gabriel... Milkshakes."
I laugh and hug her. "It's fall in Westopolis. It'll be time to switch to our winter home with Mom and Dad soon."
She smiles, "That's a nice thought. You know, Luna is looking into motherhood as well. And Sonic sort of adopted... After a fashion..."
"Oh dear, Sonic with a kid? Call the officials." I chuckle.
"Wait, it gets better," she chuckles. "What happened is he got tossed in the past, and stopped Scourge from killing his father. According to Tails that split the timeline so while the evil Scourge we know is off in an alternate timeline, his younger self is here being mothered over by Amy."
I blink slowly. "...Uh..."
She cuddles into me, "Looks like he'll be a part of the next generation of heroes..."
"Well, that's gonna be interesting. Right Gabe?" I smile at our child.
He makes some mouth noises at me, and swings his rattle like a mace on my chest.
I laugh. "Y'know... moments like these make me wonder what everyone else is doing right now..."
Normal POV
Cinder meditates quietly in front of the Master Emerald shrine, letting the Chi in her surroundings just flow through her.
Chaos comes from the forest, feeding a Chaos Chao some fruit.
"How was your stroll?" She doesn't move, or open her eyes.
"Place is secure, boss'n." He tosses the Chao, and it coos and flies away.
She smirks, and opens her eyes to look at him.
He walks up and sits next to her. "Feeling fine?"
She nods, "Of course, I'm simply learning to use my Chi to influence my surroundings. I felt myself move a branch like a hand earlier."
"Amazing." He smiles. "Have you been working on your water manipulation?"
She nods, "Yes, the less substantial elements are harder to manipulate."
"It'll help though." He nuzzles her.
She smiles, "So it will, already I can think of many instances where I may need it."
He smiles. "So have you talked to Spike and Smoke recently? How are they?"
She sighs, "The same... But I have news for you concerning a rather urgent matter."
"What is it? I can handle anything you throw at me." He smiles.
She smiles brightly, and takes his hand, "We are going to have a child."
"...Wha?" He seems to shrink a little.
Jane walks into Smoke's new bar in Downtown Station Square, spotting Counterpunch at a table. She passes Seis at a table where he sits with Spike, a beer in each of their hands.
"...And then he flipped the damn table! Damn spoilsport, that's what Atom Smasher is." Seis drawls, swigging his beer.
Spike nods, not looking very happy at all. "Ah you got it easy.." He swigs his beer, "Me... I'd just break the damn table over his head, show him not to fuck with me... But Sonia... Dude, she said she's "not comfortable dating me until she's had a chance to talk to Bart..." It doesn't help that he avoids her like the plague... At least that's what it feels like he's doing..."
"Maybe he's avoiding her because he's afraid of you. You'd cleave his head if you had the chance." He grunts.
"Nah, that'd upset Sonia," Spike replies. "Now if he hurt her THEN I would. He must be planning to..."
"Dump her? Good, then you can be the prince in shiny armor. Win win to me." He smirks.
"Well she's gotta FIND him first! Reave told me that he's gone WAAAAAAY into hiding with both clans of assassins after him..."
"Have you ever tried using Facebook? People post everything these days." Seis says
Spike blinks, "Used what now?"
"Facebook?" Seis blinks and reaches into his pocket, pulling out an Iphone and pulling up Facebook. "It's a community website. I can't believe I know about it and you don't."
"Oh, yeah that... Dude, what the Hell makes you think I know how to work a computer?"
Jane keeps walking into she gets to the bar where Smoke is laughing with Counterpunch.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Smoke says while holding up a finger. "Okay, this one time I went to the grocery store, and bought a banana. Then I broke the stem to the side, and walk into a phone store. I told the guy, 'I came in here last week and bought this, and already the antenna is broken. Can I upgrade to an Apple?'"
Counterpunch laughs, "you should've brought me. I would've guaranteed the phone."
"Nah, I just wanted to mess with people. I was recording the whole time so it's probably a vine on YouTube someplace." He nods to Jane, "Hey there. You guys wanna try out my new recipe?"
"Sure." Counterpunch smirks and kisses Jane's cheek. "How are you?"
"Been good," she says as she takes her seat.
Smoke puts a pair of black cups with spooky smoke coming out of the tops. "This year I tossed some strawberries, some grapes, and cherries into a blender, then mixed in a shot of vodka, topping off with a piece or two of dry ice. I call it the Witch's Brew."
"Yum." Counterpunch smiles and takes one, giving it a taste.
Smoke shrugs, "So how is it?"
Jane picks her up, "I think ya just invented the alcoholic smoothie, Sugah."
Counterpunch sips his. "Mm, smooth."
Smoke shrugs, "Just thought I'd experiment a bit. I'm open to ideas."
"You need to make alcoholic chocolate malts next." Counterpunch smiles.
"Working on it," Smoke assures him.
Counterpunch looks at his watch. "Well, if we don't step on it, me and cowgirl here will miss the matinee. Coming hotness?" He stands and offers his arm with a smile.
She hugs it to her chest, pecking him on the cheek.
He purrs happily and leads her out of the bar. "I'm one of the luckiest guys in the world, aren't I?"
"Yeah, but don't push it," she teases.
"When have I ever?" He smiles, pulling her close.
"I can think of one DISTINCT time, but we were almost all involved."
"Heh, had to start it off somehow." He smiles at her.
She giggles, and kisses him.
June peeks from the back of the bar. "Smoke?"
Smoke looks back, "Hey Sweetie, what's up?"
"I got you the location of your next assignment." She smiles. "Also... the toilet's acting up again."
"Spike, bathroom," Smoke calls as he heads for June. "Alright, what's the job?"
"Your personal mission." She leads him to her little computer room, turning her computer to face him.
On screen was report snippets of people describing a demon hedgehog attacking people that entered empty places, as well as a few disappearances around abandoned places.
She looks slightly less thrilled now that she was alone with him. "Cinder told you to drop this... why are we still tracking this... thing?"
"Because I hate not knowing," Smoke replies. "And I just don't know for certain what this thing is."
"Just don't disappear on me like these poor people, okay?" She kisses him gently.
He kisses her back, "Please, you know me. If I run into trouble I can charm a cobra out of its fangs before I have to resort to force."
"Not if that thing doesn't have a soul." She whimpers
He kisses her, "c'mon, smile for me sweetheart."
She sighs and smiles gently. "So what do we do about this thing?"
"Keep tracking it. Find a pattern, and when you find one, I'll bring a group to check it out." I say.
She nods and kisses him again. "I'd better get some good food out of this. I've been in and out of here for months, you know."
"I'll buy Golden Corral so you can gorge yourself," I promise with a laugh, and then head out the door.
Amy charges through the house, hands raised, "Sonic Junior Hedgehog you get down here RIGHT now!"
A tiny blue blur races over the ceiling, coming to a stop on top of the refrigerator. He look just like a younger Sonic with black boots, and a matching leather jacket. Sticking out of his pocket are a pair of sunglasses.
Sonic chews a chili dog at the table amusedly.
Sonic Jr, aka Scourge as he was quickly being nicknamed, eyes the chilidog, and dashes over with a hopeful expression.
Scourge licks his lips, "Can I have one too?"
"Duck." Sonic smiles, tossing him a chili dog.
Scourge jumps, catching it in his mouth, eating in one bite before taking off again. Amy barely misses the grab for him. She huffs, "Scourge, you are NOT getting out of this bath!"
Sonic chuckles and takes another chili dog.
The doorbell rings, followed by a specific knocking Sonic recognizes.
Sonic blinks before zipping up to the door and opening it.
Luna, dressed in black jeans with a matching tank top throws her arms around him, "Hey Sonic! Is Shadow here?"
"Hey Luna!" He smiles. "I don't think so, did he say he was coming?"
She sighs, "No, but I got some pretty big news to drop on him so maybe you wanna come with...?"
"Okay!" He smiles. He zips back into the kitchen and grabs his plate of chili dogs, pecking Amy on the cheek. "See ya later Ames!" He zips out the door.
She touches a hand to her cheek with a happy sigh, and doesn't even notice as Scourge zooms out past her.
Luna puts her hands behind her head, "Now if I were Shadow where would I go...?"
"To blow up Eggy's robots, duh." Sonic smiles.
Her watch lights up as it talks to her, "I am receiving no such transmissions from the Legion."
Luna thinks, "Well if he's not there, or at some military surplus store then maybe he's having lunch at home?"
Sonic smiles. "Well then, let's go!" He shoots away.
Luna, and Scourge shoot after him, and he notices Luna is trying as hard as usual.
Sonic smirks, and shoots past her again, making a Sonic boom.
With a roll of her eyes she just Chaos Controls the rest of the way.
Sonic is already waiting for her with a smile. "What took you so long?"
She socks him in the arm, and walks right into Shadow's house, "Big bro?"
"Yes?" Both Midnight and Shadow peek in from the kitchen.
She walks over, and hugs them, "Would the both of you mind lending me an ear for a minute? I got some exciting news!"
"What, you're holding an Olympics?" Midnight smirks.
"Not until next year," she says, leaning in, and whispering in their ears...
"YOU'RE WHAT?!" Shadow roars angrily.
"Congratulations!" Midnight smiles. "That's four kids this chapter! Any more?"
Luna hugs Midnight, "I already got names picked out too! If it's a girl I'm naming her Stelluna, and if it's a boy I'm naming him Wrath."
"Wait, how did you even get a kid anyways? Aren't you married to Conquering Storm?" Sonic blinks.
Luna nods, "Yup! But Ivo found me a hormone supplement that let my ovaries let one egg out, and I got artificially inseminated. Not sure who the biological father is, but it won't matter."
"What if it's a bad guy though? Like Sleet or Bartleby?" Midnight shudders.
"Still my child," Luna insists firmly. "Storm, and I are the only parents he/she will need. Right Shadow?"
Shadow grumbles to himself, but nods.
Luna turns to him, "What... Aren't you happy for me? Don't you want to be an uncle?"
"I suppose... I just don't like that you're having a child, and working for Eggman." He frowns.
Luna waves hand, "don't worry, he's given me the maternity leave."
Sonic whistles. "Wow, I didn't know he would do that."
"And what about growing up, hm?"
Luna crosses her arms, "Shadow the Hedgehog, are you implying that I am not capable of raising my child correctly?"
"Luna Robotnik, are you seriously thinking about raising your child in the presence of Dr. Eggman, one of THE worst influences known to mankind?!" He growls.
"Like anyone in this house is any better?" She looks pointedly at him, then apologetically at Midnight.
"Oy, I know I'm a bad influence. That's why I stay away from Star and other kids." He smiles.
"Maybe it isn't. But I think you should consider keeping work and house separate on this one." Shadow says.
"Shadow, my work is my entire life," she says reasonably. "And you know how I feel about free will. I intend to show my child both sides of this world. But essentially it's up to them, no one can force a child to do with you don't want. Once you realize that then you come down… I think. That's what Vanilla told me anyways."
Shadow sighs. "Very well. But if Eggman dares to try to use him or her as an excuse to take over the world, we're taking the doctor down. No excuses."
"Trust me," she says in a totally serious tone. "You won't even have time to."
"Hmph. As long as we understand each other."
Midnight claps his hands together. "Weeeell, now that that's over, how about something pertaining to the plot now?"
Luna scratches her head, "Hm... Yeah I'm done, let's see what the authors can pull out of their asses."
Hmph. Ungrateful heathen. HTK owns you! Haha!
Luna stares at Midnight, "I thought Crazy spoke in I dented speech while Smart was the Bold text?"
"He's not here 'cuz this isn't our story." Midnight shrugs.
Yeah, anyways...
Shade waits outside the secret palace in the mountain near the Tundra Tride. She puts a hand to the gate, and waits patiently for her father to summon her.
The gate opens. "Come in, child." Enerjak says from within. "It is chilly out there."
Shade smiles at her father's attempt at humor, walks inside, and kneels. "Forgive me if I overstep, but the presence of the Hero seems to have mellowed you somewhat."
"Indeed. At last, a male can carry on this line." He smiles. "Why did you wish to be summoned, child?"
She smiles, and dares to raise her head, "Royalty or no, need a lady have a reason to wish her father's company?"
"I suppose not." He smiles and stands. "Rise my daughter, Princess of the Tundra clan."
She stands, and walks towards him. "From what I have seen of the modern culture... It saddens me that in over seventy-five years we never developed a relationship between parent, and child. Only one of royal standards."
"I do not know much about modern culture, daughter." He says, not meanly but matter-of-factly.
She walks to a window concealed from the outside by magic, and watches the village, "Tradition is there, but not enforced as firmly as it is for us. Because of this the people I have met are able to more freely express who they really are... Not constantly hiding behind a mask persona."
He thinks about this. "Perhaps... if you could teach me, I could learn things that could be beneficial to our tribe."
She nods, and turns to him, "The world has much to offer us, just as we have much to offer them Father."
He smiles, and looks at his hand. "I would like very much to see my predecessor. Will I scare him with my appearance?"
She extends her hands with a reassuring smile.
He stares at it for a minute before hesitantly taking it.
She runs her thumbs over his knuckles, and then steps closer resting her head on his chest in a show of affection.
He blinks and slowly places his free arm around her back.
She closes her eyes, "I love you Father."
"I... love you too?" He replies, unsure of his response.
Shade begins to purr, "...I've waited so long to hear you say that..."
"I'll say it more often, then." He smiled gently.
She nuzzles his chest, and sighs happily. "And father... I am trying hard to give you a grandchild of strong bloodline."
"And succeeding, I see." He smiles gently.
She opens her eyes, looking up at him, "...Truly?"
"Yes. A very strong one, at that." He nods slowly.
"...Please catch me," she says, her legs giving out as the realization of impending motherhood hits her.
He quickly catches her and supports her.
"I'm going to be a mother... I'm really to be a mother..."
He gives her silence respectfully.
She takes a moment to catch her breath, and regains her footing, "I-I-I apologize Father, I just... I... I can scarcely believe it..."
"I can see that." He states with a nod.
"I...I hope that I will be a good mother..."
"You will do great." He assures her.
"I...I must tell Hero, yes, right away," she decides.
"Then let us take our leave." He says, taking her hand.
She nods, holding onto his arm for support because her legs are in a rebellious mood.
He nods and leads her out of the hall and into the cold, ignoring the salutes as he purposefully strides to Hero's igloo.
When the door opens Shade sees Sarah sitting by the fire, feeding little Gabriel. She looks startled to see Enerjak, and looks down in a frenzy, unsure of what to do.
Hero walks in from behind them with some firewood. He blinks. "Enerjak? Why are you here?"
"I would like to see my daughter's family. Is that so much to ask?" Enerjak smiles.
Shade opens her mouth, and closes it a few times, feeling much like a fish out of water.
Hero studies Enerjak closely. "If you hurt him, I will kill you with your own powers."
"Very well." Enerjak nods solemnly.
Shade clears her throat, and takes a quick, deep breath, "I... Have something to say..."
"What is it?" Hero looks at her with a gentle smile.
"I... We..." She looks down, putting a hand on her stomach.
He blinks and pales. "You're... pregnant?"
Ever so slowly she smiles, and nods.
He stares off into space before sitting on the ground slowly. "I... need a minute..."
Sarah stands, and hugs Shade, "Congratulations!"
After a minute, Hero takes a deep breath before smiling weakly. "That's great, Shade."
Sarah kisses Hero on the cheek, "Hey, it's okay. It just means the world has one more hero in the making."
"Yeah... it is." He smiles, standing up straighter. He hugs Shade and gives her a kiss.
Shade purrs, "Our happily ever after..."
Hero's phone rings, and he blinks, answering it. "Hello?"
"Bro, Robert's back, and he's coming for a fight!" Antonio says.
"I'm coming." He nods and hangs up. "We'll celebrate that happily ever after when I come back, okay?"
Both his wives kiss him with wishes of good luck.
"I'll protect them for you." Enerjak nods.
"You'd better." Hero smiles and walks to the fireplace, grabbing the Super Belt and putting it on before warping away.
Hero lands and rolls out of the way of eye lasers, landing on his feet.
"Ah, the guest of honor has arrived! I will avenge Father for what you've done to him!" Robert growls.
"Avenge this!" Millie fires a blue ball of energy at him that explodes into ice.
He dodges and shoots laser vision at her.
She blocks with a laser sword, "Any day now Sweetheart!"
Antonio throws Fear knives at Robert, a weapon he had added to his arsenal.
Robert stumbles back and pulls them out with a hiss.
Hero's POV
Here we go again.
Robert shoots forward and throws a punch at Millie.
She deflects, punching him I to the air before punching him to the ground with concussive blows.
He hisses and kicks her away, turning to me and flying with a fist aimed at me.
Heroes versus villains.
I swipe my hands across the belt with a snap, turning Hyper just as he hits my face.
There's something to be said about the tenacity of both sides.
I blast him away with a palm to the chest.
He corrects himself with flight before flying at me again, roaring.
But, tenacity can only get you so far.
I fade out and reappear next to him, blasting him to Antonio, who kicks him to Millie.
No, villains fight for themselves. Heroes fight for everyone but themselves.
Millie white with energy blades drawn, and slices Robert into... Well... Slices before freezing them with ice blasts.
In the end, heroes may fall. But they don't stay gone. Heroes will always come back, one way or another.
The pieces fly together and shatter, regenerating Robert. "I'll kill you all!" He roars.
Antonio decks him with a punch. "Imma go with nope."
"And I concur," Millie says, punching him full of napalm.
So to all you villains out there, here is your warning. Back off, before you ultimately sow your path of destruction. We WILL get in your way. We WILL stop you. And that's a promise.
He roars and punches her across the room, regenerating.
I rush in, activating my C.E.A.
Superchaos Shadow!
I grab him and yell, "Chaos... BLAST!"
He roars as he gets incinerated.
Once Millie drops her light shields that protected her from my attack she nudges the charred body of Robert with a foot. "You dead yet?"
"No..." he hisses weakly, struggling to grab her.
She turns a gauntlet to shotgun mode, and blasts his head, "How about now?"
He lays there, smoldering.
"We're done here. Let's go." I turn back to normal and head for the exit.
Millie heads over to her husband, and slips an arm behind his back, "I feel so much better."
"Me too. We got to blow the shit outta someone!" He smiles and walks for the exit.
"Yeah..." She wraps her other arm around my back. "Now let's go home."
"Go on ahead, you two. I'll catch up." I smile.
Antonio shrugs. "Good luck talking to a burnt body." He walks out with Millie in tow. "I'm hungry, where do you feel like eating?"
"Oh that's a little open-ended..." She giggles flirtatiously.
He purrs happily. "Well, I want something filling, and then something awesome for dessert."
I turn back and duck under a punch.
Robert staggers, catching himself before throwing himself at me again with a roar.
My name is Hero Slogluiganoff.
I turn Hyper again, and charge at him, throwing a punch.
Our fists connect, creating a white explosion.
This my world, my home. I WILL defend it.