Isaac was climbing the stairs to the main door of the castle, his right arm around Knuckles, using him as support. Isaac's legs were burning, his legs' capacity for physical activity still limited. As they approached the door, two new guards hanging outside quickly noticed Isaac, walking to him.
"Halt! We have a few questions for you!" One of them said. Knuckles stopped, Isaac stopping as well. Isaac groaned, his muscles burning the longer he continued to move.
"And that would be?" Isaac asked. The guard reached behind himself, before pulling out a piece of paper.
"Can we get an autograph?" He asked, handing the paper to Isaac. Isaac was confused, never before being asked for one.
"You want an autograph… from me?" Isaac asked. The guards excitedly nodded their heads, a large smile on their faces.
"Not every day you meet the Ranger! We've heard stories, man! Hey, is it true you took down an Overlander with your bare hands?" One of them asked.
"Well, yes, but…" Isaac began to answer before the other guard interrupted.
"Is it true you can actually forge weapons of legend that never break and can cut through anything?!" The other guard asked.
"That is correct, but I must really…" Isaac began to say, before he was bombarded with more questions.
"Was your father actually a demon?!" One of them asked.
"Are you actually part Angel?!" The other asked.
"Can you really fly?!" The other guard asked.
"Have you ever fought the Devil?!" The other asked.
Knuckled growled, before pushing the two guards back, sending them stumbling!
"Leave him alone! He's been through a lot already!" Knuckles yelled. The other guards straightened themselves out, before noticing Isaac was signing the piece of paper with an old pen, before handing it to them. They quickly snatched it out of his hands, holding it as if it were a holy relic!
"Just, please… if you could open the door for me, it would be greatly appreciated." Isaac requested. The two guards quickly complied, running to the door, and opening it. Isaac walked through, before leaning against the doorframe, winded. Knuckles walked to him, handing him his staff. Isaac gratefully took it, then walked into the castle.
"Where's Sally?" Isaac asked.
"In the Common Room. Do you want us to surprise her?" Amy asked. Isaac shook his head, not wanting to prolong his reunion with her.
"I'll just walk in. I'm not going to bother with surprise." Isaac answered.
Isaac soon walked into the hallway where the Common Room was, the sound of his staff hitting the floor echoing. As he approached the door to the Common Room, his ears picked up noise from inside of the Common Room.
"How long is it going to take for them to get here?" Sally asked, sounding impatient.
"Shouldn't be too long. Remember, it's the Tornado X. They'll be here before you know it!" Sonic answered.
"It hasn't even been ten minutes since they called in. Your mind is creating the illusion of large tracts of time passing because of expectance… meaning expecting Isaac to arrive, not about you expecting children, I mean." Shadow said, clarifying.
"Child, you mean. There's only one." Sally said.
Isaac sighed a bit, himself not wanting to start out being a father with twins. Taking a deep breath, Isaac pushed the door open, Sonic, Shadow, and Sally turning their heads to the opening door. Isaac stepped in, revealing himself to them. Isaac dropped his staff, forcing through the pain to get to Sally! Sally quickly ran to Isaac, the both of them embracing. Sally was crying, in disbelief that Isaac was actually here!
"I… I can't believe you're here! They told me you were probably dead!" Sally cried, holding onto Isaac tighter.
"Takes a lot to kill me, Sally." Isaac responded, before a sharp pain began shooting in his legs. Grunting, Isaac hobbled to the nearest couch, still holding onto Sally. They sat down, Isaac sighing in relief.
"What happened to you?" Sally asked, before finally noticing Isaac's physical state. She had her arm around his body, feeling he was much thinner than last they had seen each other. Isaac, who once had a well-developed frame, was now probably twenty-five pounds lighter.
"I cannot remember how… but I was in a coma. Someone found me and took care of me while I was unconcious. They told me I was out since I went after the 'Archangel'. I've only been awake for a few days." Isaac explained.
Sally didn't know what to say, not knowing what exactly Isaac had experienced to have himself put into a coma. But she quickly kissed Isaac, holding onto him tightly. Isaac returned the gesture, his hands moving her to face, holding her cheeks gently. As they kissed, Isaac heard a faint heartbeat. This caused him to break the kiss, his attention focusing on Sally's stomach, finally noticing it was larger. He slowly moved his hand to it, able to feel the faint fetal movements of his unborn child.
"I'm sorry for running off like I did, Sally. And I apologize to you as well, my child." Isaac said, speaking to her stomach.
Sally grabbed his hand, holding onto it tightly. Isaac looked up, making eye-contact with Sally.
"Never apologize for doing the right thing, Isaac. And… I have something to tell you." She said, before leaning to Isaac's ear. She whispered into his ear, Isaac's expression going from curiosity to one of realization. She drew back from his ear, seeing his reaction, taking some amount of joy in it.
"By Elohim… you're serious?" Isaac asked, beginning to believe he was dreaming. Sally nodded, letting him know this was all actually happening.
"Well, spill it! Is it a boy or a girl?!" Rouge asked, Isaac and Sally turning their heads to her voice. They saw the entire Sonic Team had gathered, Isaac and Sally having been oblivious to their presence during their reunion.
"Do you want to tell them?" Sally asked. Isaac shook his head, feeling it was something Sally should do. Taking a deep breath, Sally stood up.
"Guys, I just want you all to know, before we say anything, all of you will have a role as we prepare for our child. All of you will be Uncles and Aunts, and I just want you all to know… none of this would be possible without any of you." Sally announced.
"Alright, enough of the sentimental stuff! Just tell us already!" Knuckles yelled out. Knuckles quickly received a slap to the back of his head by Rouge, who was shaking her head.
"Guys… we're having a girl!" Sally announced, followed by everyone else cheering! Isaac wrapped an arm around Sally, kissing her on the cheek. As they celebrated, King Nigel and Queen Alicia walked into the Common Room, having heard the cheering from the throne room. They saw Isaac kissing Sally, hugging her tightly.
"Glad to see you have made it back, Isaac! When we saw what had happened in Central City, we feared the worst." King Nigel said. Isaac broke his embrace, keeping a hand on Sally's shoulder, bowing. King Nigel and Queen Alicia bowed in response.
"So, do we finally get to hear what our grandchild will be?" Queen Alicia asked.
"Mom, Dad, we're going to be having a baby girl!" Sally revealed to them, the two responding positively.
"Congratulations, you two! Sally, you'll be a great mother, I just know it!" Queen Alicia said. Sally felt flattered by this, not quite knowing how things were going to work out, her soon having a daughter.
"And Isaac, I know for a fact you will be a great father! Lily is proof of that!" Queen Alicia complimented.
"Thank you for such a compliment, your Highness." Isaac responded, bowing. Queen Alicia laughed a bit at Isaac's penchant for bowing to show respect, not quite remembering the last time someone bowed to her so many times as Isaac had done before.
"No need to bow, Isaac! You are part of our family, legally married or not!" Queen Alicia said, King Nigel showing some physical resistance to that statement.
"Well, it would be preferred they have a legally binding marriage instead of some kind of… impromptu ceremony. I have the papers all ready, we just need a few signatures!" King Nigel said, pulling out a few folded papers from his pocket.
"Dad, I thought you wanted a ceremony, with the Kingdom in attendance and a reception." Sally replied.
"I have thought of that, but considering what had happened last time, what with that… interdimensional imposter, I'd rather not have resources used up when we had done so in the past." King Nigel explained.
"Interdimensional imposter?" Isaac questioned, not understanding what they were talking about.
"It's a long story. I'll explain later." Sally said, before taking the papers from her father, signing her spot. After doing so, she handed them to Isaac. Isaac looked over the papers, making sure King Nigel wasn't going to do something, knowing he felt some resentment towards Isaac. After ensuring that nothing was in the papers that would negatively affect him, Isaac signed them.
"And we are married, just like that?" Isaac asked, handing him the papers.
"The world of legal documentation is a true wonder, isn't it?" King Nigel jokingly responded, before putting them back into his pocket. Isaac didn't feel any different than when had privately married Sally in the early days of March.
"Oh, I guess just for the sake of it… you may now kiss the bride." King Nigel said. Sally quickly turned Isaac towards herself, planting her lips onto his. Isaac was quick to respond, holding her close. The Sonic Team clapped at witnessing the union, seeing their longtime friend and their newfound friend come together. Soon, they broke the kiss, still holding each other close.
"Sally… I need you to know… I can't be your personal protector anymore." Isaac revealed. Sally slightly nodded, knowing that Isaac's current physical state would make it extremely difficult for him to fight.
"I know, Isaac. But the Order is gone! Now, we only have to worry about Eggman! And Sonic and the others have got that down to a 'T'!" Sally said, hugging Isaac tightly. Isaac sighed greatly in relief, knowing that he could finally let his guard down, something he had never had the privilege to do in eight years!
"Isaac… you're hugging me a little too tight." Sally said, Isaac releasing his hold on her in response.
"Sorry… I guess this broken body still has some strength, huh?" Isaac responded.
"We'll make sure you receive physical therapy, Isaac. You'll be back to your old self in no time." King Nigel commented.
"Alright, everyone! Right now, Isaac and Sally are married… and we're going to celebrate all hours of the day!" Sonic yelled out!
A Few Hours Later:
The entire team were in the Wine Room, large amounts of food being brought down from the kitchen. A few of the guards were there, celebrating with the team. Harold Yurani was there, having recovered from his near-death a few months ago. He and Isaac were talking, as the others were celebrating.
"You don't know how relieved I was when I heard you had survived the attack! For the longest time, I thought you were killed by the Order!" Isaac exclaimed.
"I was bleeding pretty bad, but a few tricks I learned from this hunter saved my life! He taught me how to control my heart rate to slow down internal bleeding. He's the one I owe my life." Yurani explained.
"I have an idea who the hunter was. A bit of a running theme, but it wouldn't by chance be a blind, maroon hedgehog about my height, would it be?" Isaac asked, feeling he was talking about his father.
"Nah, it was this old dude from Europe. Told me he learned it from monks over in the Himalayan Mountain Range. Apparently, you only get to learn it if you stay with them for a few years." Yurani answered.
"Eh, it was just a hunch. Anyway, I'm sorry our absence caused you to be attacked so viciously." Isaac said.
"Don't be! I would've gladly died if it would've meant you two wouldn't have been found by them! And since they've been wiped out, we got the last laugh!" Yurani laughed, before taking a large swig of beer.
"Yep… my bloodline gets to continue… yet so much has been sacrificed to get to this point." Isaac responded.
"Yeah, it sucks, but on the bright side, the Mobian Trading Company got taken over and Lester Harris, the former CEO, is now serving three consecutive life sentences. That bastard won't be getting out in this lifetime, friend!" Yurani revealed, setting down his mug.
"Oy, Isaac! Get over here! No way you're leaving this room sober!" One of the guards yelled out, pouring a large glass of brown liquor. Isaac walked over, sitting down. The guard slid the large glass to him, Isaac catching it.
"Pour some of that down your throat!" He said. Isaac lifted the glass to his eye, barely able to see through it.
"What is it?" Isaac asked, not sure he wanted to drink it.
"Samogon. Russian moonshine. This'll knock you on your ass faster than you can blink!" He said.
"In that case, I'd rather not. I don't have a good track record with alcohol." Isaac said, sliding it back to the guard. The guard slid it back to Isaac, adamant in having him have a drink.
"At least a sip!" He requested. Mulling it over a bit, Isaac brought the glass to his lips, taking a small sip. The flavor of the Samogon was very familiar to Isaac, though he himself never had it before. He could taste it was made from barley, a common wheat. Enjoying the taste, Isaac quickly tilted it back, the Russian moonshine quickly draining down his gullet! Isaac slammed it down, somehow not yet feeling the immediate inebriation he would usually experience.
"This can't end well." Tails observed, knowing that Samogon is a higher-proof liquor. Isaac wiped his mouth with his sleeve, not even experiencing a buzz yet!
"I'll take another!" Isaac said, the guard quickly refilling the large glass. Isaac quickly gulped it down, feeling himself begin to get full. Isaac slammed the glass down, feeling himself to be full.
"Will you take another one?" The guard asked. Isaac shook his head, patting his stomach.
"Wish I could, but I'm already pretty full." Isaac answered, not even close to slurring his words.
"What the heck, Isaac? You just drank down twenty-four ounces of Russian Moonshine, and you're not even drunk!" Knuckles commented, knowing full well that a single shot of vodka used to knock Isaac out cold!
"I don't know what to tell you! I guess I built up a tolerance!" Isaac responded; his voice laden with a Russian accent. The others looked at him strangely, before thinking Isaac was just being a joker, as if the Russian moonshine made Isaac speak with a Russian accent.
"Humorous. Now, if you're done joking around, we need another for darts." Shadow said. Isaac got out of his seat, walking over to the others. He kept a hand on the tables, keeping himself supported as he walked.
A Few Hours Later:
Isaac was helping with polishing off the large bottle of Samogon, drinking down another glass of the Russian moonshine. Isaac was confused as to how he was not getting as drunk with a few sips of it, let alone an entire glass of it. Isaac slammed it down, keeping up with the guard that introduced the liquor to him. The guard was heavily drunk, struggling to keep his hand straight while he brought his glass to his lips.
The entire Sonic Team were watching in awe, entertained by this impromptu drinking contest. The two guards that had gotten an autograph from Isaac were watching as well, rushing down the moment they heard Isaac was drinking against Desmond, who was the guard that introduced him to the moonshine.
"HoW'Re yOu KeEpInG uP?" Desmond asked, his speech slurring heavily. Isaac only shrugged his shoulders, pouring another glass of the liquor. Desmond groaned, never once meeting anyone that could outdrink him! Desmond grabbed the bottle, shakily pouring himself another glass.
"i'M TaKiNg YoU dOwN!" Desmond drunkenly declared, before taking the glass off the table. He and Isaac clinked them together, before going to drink them down.
"How many glasses so far?" Sally asked, never seeing Isaac drink this much before without collapsing drunk.
"Thirteen. So far, he's drank more than a gallon of 80-proof liquor." Tails analyzed.
"And here I thought my son-in-law was going to be a lightweight his whole life." King Nigel commented.
Isaac slammed down the glass, clearing his throat. The alcohol was drying out his throat, of course, drinking down a gallon Russian moonshine over the course of a few hours. Desmond grabbed the bottle of liquor, ready to drink down another glass to take Isaac down! But instead of pouring a glass, Desmond quickly brought the glass bottle to his lips, drinking straight from it! As Desmond tilted it back, Desmond leaned back, before falling out of his chair! The bottle smashed after hitting the floor, Desmond passing out from his inebriation.
"Alright Rob, grab an arm and help me drag him back to the garrison." One of the guards said, the both of them grabbing an arm and dragging Desmond out of the wine room. Isaac got out of his seat, showing that Isaac was beginning to show signs of being drunk.
"More than a gallon of liquor, and you're standing as if you've been drinking beer." Yurani observed.
Isaac shrugged his shoulders, beginning to walk from the table. Isaac immediately tripped over his own feet, before collapsing onto the floor. Isaac was already snoring, the alcohol hitting him all at once.
"Well… more than a gallon liquor. Gotta admit, we live in the age of miracles, do we not?" Yurani said, bending down and hoisting Isaac over his shoulder. Sally sighed, walking with Yurani out of the wine room. She wasn't angry at Isaac or anything like that, but she felt this was a running theme in the time she had known him.
"So, where am I dropping him off? His quarters?" Yurani asked. Sally shook her head, leading Harold Yurani towards the staircase.
"I married him; you know. He's sleeping in my room from now on." Sally answered. Harold nodded, carrying Isaac up the staircase towards Sally's chambers. Sally soon opened the chamber door, Yurani walking in and setting Isaac down on the bed.
"Thanks, Yurani. I'll be seeing you, huh?" Sally said, letting Yurani out. Harold nodded, leaving the two newlyweds alone. Sally closed the door before walking over to the unconcious Isaac, lying down next to him. She reached out her hand, holding onto his. Sally breathed in, and then out, closing her eyes.