AN: Hey guys, I hope you enjoy the update. I am located in South Florida so this might be the last update for awhile because of Hurricane Irma, especially when power goes out. It might be weeks before I get electricity again, so that sucks. Anyway, peace!

•~•

The next day, Gala-Na sauntered back into the mausoleum and looked at her son still hunched over with his eyes closed. "Still sleeping, I see," she spoke as she approached him. Gala-Na reached out and cupped his chin, lifting his head to get a look at him. Surprisingly and annoyingly enough, Silver looked quite peaceful in his current state. "You still look strong—so full of life, too willful to take my offer," she said with displeasure. She walked back down the steps and over to a table where an assortment of dark objects was laid out. As her eyes scanned her options, she reached for a sharp knife and clutched it in her hand, before looking over her shoulder at Silver's slumped figure.

"I remember you as a child, so kind and innocent." She walked back towards him with the knife in hand. "If that boy had known the creature he would one day grow up to be, he'd have leaped into my arms and begged me to save him." Gala-Na took her position behind him and reached down, caressing the back of his neck. "I'd do anything for that little boy." With her final words, she grabbed Silver by the quills and yanked his head upright to expose his neck. With her other hand, she used the knife and carved a symbol into the side of his neck.

•~•

Meanwhile that morning back at Shadow's estate, Amy finished putting a fresh diaper on Faith. While Amy finished redressing her, her keen hearing picked up on a male scream from down the hall. Becoming alarmed, Amy picked up Faith and placed her in her crib before going to investigate. As she wandered into Shadow's study, she found Shadow stood by a bowl of water, washing his bloodied hands. Amy frowned by his appearance—his face and clothing were splattered with blood. "I see your interrogation went well," she said with disapproval.

Shadow didn't bother to look at her after hearing her objective tone. "It turns out these witches are delicate creatures," he retorted with a shrug. "No matter."

Amy crossed her arms over her chest, still not on board with his methods. "Is this really necessary?"

"—Yes," another voice answered. Amy turned and spotted Blaze come out from around a sectioned off part of the study that had been draped off. It was clear that was where Shadow was holding his hostage to pry information out of them, but she hadn't realized Blaze was a part of the interrogation too. "I've been searching for Silver for almost 48 hours now and I still haven't been able to connect to him. I'm desperate."

Amy empathized with the cat but then frowned. "I can't imagine what you're going through right now, Blaze, but I just don't know if torturing someone is the right answer to solving our problems."

"You're right, you can't imagine," she snapped, making Amy cringe in response. "Shadow was able to find you," she gestured, "But Silver could be dead for all I know!"

Seeing how distraught and tense the situation was getting, Shadow walked over to the feline and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Blaze, we'll find him, I promise," he assured.

Feeling overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions, Blaze finally broke down and hid her face in her hands, sobbing. Looking crestfallen by her response, Shadow embraced her as she cried trying his best to console her. Amy came over timidly, feeling heartbroken by Blaze's current state. "Blaze, I'm so sorry if I upset you. I want to find Silver just as badly as you do, trust me."

Blaze pulled her hands away from her face, wiping away her teary eyes. "No, I realize that. I'm sorry I snapped at you. It wasn't right, but I just feel so frustrated with not being able to find him."

"You have barely gotten a wink of sleep in hours, why don't you stay home and get some rest," Shadow recommended. "With what I got out of that witch, I think I know where he is," he smiled confidently.

"I-I shouldn't, Silver is depending on me. He wouldn't be sleeping if it was me out there," the distraught feline countered.

"Blaze, I promise you. I will find and bring Silver back in one piece. Now, get some rest. You're in no condition to go back out there and look for him."

"He's right," Amy seconded.

Blaze sighed in defeat. "Very well."

Shadow left the room, but Amy quickly followed after him, wanting to speak to him on an important matter. "Shadow," she called.

He stopped in his tracks in the hallway and watched as she caught up to him. "What is it?"

"We never really talked much about what happened last night, but there's something you need to know about Faith…"

He raised a brow. "Such as?"

"Well, before your father kidnapped me, he mentioned that Faith tried to use some sort of magic against him," Amy explained. Just by looking at Shadow's expression, she could already tell he was a bit skeptic by her words. She groaned by his facial features. "I know it sounds crazy, Shadow, but he's not the first one to tell me that Faith is special."

"Faith is a quarter witch but she's just an infant. There's no way she'd be able to perform magic at this age," Shadow dismissed.

"Even your mother told me that Faith is incredibly gifted!" she countered.

"Have you seen her do anything special in particular?" he challenged with a playful grin.

She stumbled for a counter-argument, only growing more flustered. "Well, no, but…I have no reason to believe your father was lying to me."

Shadow chuckled lowly. "No need to get defensive, love. You know I enjoy messing with you, after all, you are infectiously attractive when you get rattled."

Her ears perked up with hope. "So, you believe me then?"

"I have no doubt that Faith is gifted. Remember, she is begat from me," he humble-bragged.

Amy punched him in the arm for his immature response and made him grunt. "Ouch! What was that for?" he grumbled.

"You are such a pain in the ass sometimes," she huffed, placing her hands on her hips, "And so arrogant!"

He rubbed his sore arm. "Isn't that why you fell for me in the first place?" he teased with a smirk. "Females love a guy that exudes confidence."

She turned on her heel and walked back towards Faith's bedroom. "Oh, shut up and get out of here." Shadow chuckled at her retreating form; he absolutely loved the banter they shared.

•~•

Later that day, Shadow visited an old manor that had been badly burned and damaged from a fire a few miles away from home. The house was decrepit, but the witch he had tortured had told him he would find answers here. Shadow walked around the outside of the home, looking for clues, but stopped when he felt the hair on the back of his neck rise up warning him of danger. "Shadow," a feminine voice called.

He shook his head slowly before fully turning around after hearing the familiar voice. Standing on the front porch of the manor was Gala-Na herself. His expression hardened as he stared at his mother. "Where is Silver?"

"He's preoccupied at the moment," she answered simply. "I'm helping him find his way, but you don't need to be concerned, I intend to return him to you once I'm finished."

Shadow made his way towards her. "And when exactly will that be?"

"All I ask is for you to hear me out and I promise I'll return him," she replied.

"You expect me to sit through a sermon of your lies?" he scoffed.

"I have lied in the past, to my shame, but I'm going to tell you the truth. I'm in the process of making Silver into the person he was meant to be," she started. "And I intend to do the same for you," she smiled before turning around and heading inside the home. Shadow followed after her, watching her intently as she ambled through the ruined rooms with no urgency. He made sure to keep a cautious distance as he listened. "This home was ruined by fire many years ago. It's sad yet symbolic."

"You've lost me on your point," he droned, already finding himself growing bored.

"What I'm saying is, you never intended to build a true home here in this city. Even as Amy carried your child, or when Silver sought to defend you, your thoughts were only focused on your conquest of claiming this city as your own," she pointed.

He huffed in annoyance. "You're talking out of your ass. Yes, my main focus may have been to take back the city that was once mine, but all of that changed when I learned that I had a child on the way. My main priority quickly shifted to surrounding myself with strong allies to hold in place for situations just like they have presented themselves. Amy and Faith are the apples of my eye and I will do whatever it takes to fortify their safety from people like you," he spat with malice.

"Yet, you've endured several lifetimes of misery, never mind the suffering you've caused others, even to your own blood," she countered in reminisce. "Anyway, I have come to offer you a means to escape the cycle that will ultimately repeat itself."

Shadow walked up, stopping inches away from her face, intimidatingly. "I suggest you give me my brother back before I get too angry, mother," he seethed.

Gala-Na did not even flinch as she stared back into his cardinal eyes. She shook her head in disappointment and turned away. "Such hatred in your eyes. It breaks my heart to see you like this—the boy I loved-"

"—Your love was a curse, an effect you feigned," Shadow cut off. "The truth is you're no better than Coal," he growled before turning his back on her. "And like him, you seem to have crawled back from the grave simply to ruin your own children."

"Coal is back?" she repeated in befuddlement, causing Shadow to grow intrigued. Slowly, he turned around looking delighted to inform her on what she had been ignorant to. "Oh, you didn't realize? Yes, the destroyer had risen, brought back to kill me by your beloved first born son Mephiles."

Gala-Na looked anxious by the reveal. "I-I didn't realize-"

"Surely, Mephiles has revealed everything to you. He is your favorite after all," he mentioned quite passive aggressively. Gala-Na remained silent, pondering over the thought, only making Shadow smirk and chuckle. "By the look on your face, it seems like Mother's loyal bootlicker is not quite so loyal after all," he tsked.

Gala-Na's expression grew serious. "Please, if Coal has returned then we need to-"

"—We?" Shadow repeated in amusement. "Hold on second, we, don't need to do anything because he's already been taken care of," he stated proudly.

"So, he's dead?" she questioned.

Shadow nodded. "Yes, he was put down once again. It's like I was alluding to, I don't need your help. I've learned how to take care of things on my own accord."

"Please Shadow, I don't want to fight with you. If you join me now, I can give you peace, and if Coal is ever to return, I will strike him down myself," she spoke with determination.

Shadow approached her again, but leaned in close, hovering his mouth just a few inches away from her right ear. "That's quite an offer, but you know, I've never needed any help when it comes to killing my parents," he said in a hushed whisper, making her shudder slightly. Shadow did seem to take thrill in the idea of killing his parents and seeing that sickened her.

The two walked outside to continue their talk, but Gala-Na stopped by a small stream behind the abandoned house and watched the water take its course. Shadow took his position and stood by her side as he looked at their reflection in the water. "A thousand years ago in a fit of rage, you wrapped your bare hands around my throat and squeezed until I no longer breathed," Gala-Na reminded.
"Do you even remember why?"

Shadow tapped his chin in feigned thought as he tried to recall the time. "Let's see," he began. "You turned us all into monsters, cursed me, and lied about my father," he listed as he paced around her.

She kept her eyes on him. "Actually, you killed me because I kept you from ever knowing your true father," she corrected.

He shrugged. "My hatred for you runs so deep that it's difficult to pinpoint its origin." He continued to pace behind her until he came to another conclusion. "Maybe I hate that I am the product of a whore's lechery," he opined.

Furrowing her brows by his answer, Gala-Na viciously slapped Shadow across the face out of disgust. "Watch your mouth! You would do well to remember that you are still my son," she scolded.

Shadow rubbed the sore spot on his cheek. "You judge me evil, yet it was your lust that made me what I am," he evoked.

"Not once have I ever regretted the love I had for your real father," she defended.

"Then why didn't you allow my real father to raise me among the wolves?" he countered.

"Because if Coal had ever found out about my infidelity he would have killed us both and I couldn't allow that," she defended. "When I learned I was with child, I went back to Coal after we had grown apart. I told him I was with child a few months later after we had made love and he showed no joy, but neither did he suspect the truth."

Shadow stared at her skeptically. "I don't understand how that could do any good."

"Well it did. When you were born, it renewed his faith. Because of you, we were a family again," she smiled.

Shadow crossed his arms over his chest. "A family built on secrets and lies…"

"Well, you were my secret joy and to protect your secret, I denied you a life with your father. I know you think you can never forgive me, but what if I could cure you of this sickness that's infected your soul. I put Mephiles into the body of a witch, what if I gave you what you destined for as a child? I could place you into the body of a werewolf where you can live out your days as what you were always meant to be."

He raised a questionable brow. "What could possibly make you think I would agree to such a thing? I am one of the strongest supernatural beings on this planet. People grow fear in their hearts just by the mention of my name."

"Power does not mean everything," she argued. "With mortality, you could start over. You could have more children with Amy, with happiness, peace, all the things you've been denied—a clean slate!"

"Enough!" he barked. "Tell me where Silver is or I will kill you," he growled.

Gala-Na stuck her hand out putting Shadow in a freeze hold. "I had hoped there was some part of you that yearned for good, but I think I need to put you in a time out." She clenched her fist and in an instant, Shadow's neck snapped, killing him temporarily. Shadow's body was released and he fell to the floor, unconscious for the time being.

•~•

Hearing the oven ding, Amy put on a pair of oven mitts and bent down pulling out a hot casserole. Admiring her cooking skills, Amy placed the dish on some hot pads on the counter, just when she heard someone making their way downstairs. Coming down the staircase, Blaze yawned tiredly, now in her PJ's, and made her way towards the kitchen. "Hey," she said softly.

"Hey," Amy smiled in her direction. "Get any sleep?"

Blaze nodded as she pulled out a seat at the kitchen table. "Yes, I think I got about five hours or so." Her eyes wandered over to the piping hot dish on the counter. "Oh, what did you make?"

"Oh this?" Amy gestured. "I made my classic chicken noodle casserole. I figured you might be a bit hungry when you woke up."

Blaze shook her head solemnly. "Thanks, Amy, I appreciate the kind gesture, but I'm not very hungry at the moment. Any chance you've heard any updates from Shadow, though?"

Amy's ears fell at the question. "Uh, no, I'm sorry. I haven't heard anything, but I'm sure he'll be back by tonight!" she said, trying to sound optimistic.

Blaze rested her head in the palm of her hand. "So, this is off topic, but Shadow told me that when he rescued you from Coal, he had help from Sonic. What was that like?"

Amy took off her oven mitts placing them on the counter by the sink. "I'm not going to lie, it was an odd feeling. I still miss Jax dearly, so seeing him brought up old wounds, but at the same time, I saw a completely different hedgehog. Sonic has changed and he's changed himself for the better."

"Perhaps his journey of redemption has paid off then. It's been what, three months since you last saw him?"

Amy nodded. "Yes, I never would have thought I'd see him coming to my aid anytime soon. I mean, this time last year he had kidnapped me, remember?"

"That's right," Blaze reminisced. "So, do you think you'll see him again?"

"Shadow made it very clear that he'd like to keep the door open to seeing each other. I have this feeling that I'm going to be seeing a lot more of him, but I'm not mad about it," she smiled.

•~•

Back at the abandoned house, Shadow began to stir. Opening his eyes, he looked around, realizing the afternoon had come and gone and night had fallen. He sat upright looking to his left where he spotted his mother standing and looking at him. "You woke up slower than I expected." She shrugged. "No matter, it is time anyway."

Shadow stood upright. "Time for what?"

"You said you wanted Silver back. Well, he's chained up to the wall of a tomb in the cemetery. I've lifted the spell that cloaks him and you are free to take him home now."

Shadow dusted off the dirt on his sleeves. "That seemed easy enough. What did you do to him? I feel a catch coming."

"His own mind will work out his choice for him. When he wakes up, he'll make his own decision," she replied.

Shadow glared at her with scrutiny. "I feel you have another trick up your sleeve."

"Every single thing I've said to you tonight is the truth, Shadow. Whether you choose to believe it, is up to you."

Shadow said no words and instead zipped off with his vampire agility to locate his brother.

•~•

After searching all over, Shadow finally stumbled across the mausoleum holding his brother captive. As Shadow entered the tomb, he looked horrified when he saw the state Silver was in. His clothes were bloody, his quills were frazzled, and he looked weak from being deprived from feeding. Shadow rushed over, broke the chains keeping him restrained, and Silver's body immediately buckled into his arms. Shadow held his sleeping brother close. "Wake up, brother," he begged. "Silver?"

"—He won't wake," Gala-Na spoke from the entrance. "At least not yet." Shadow turned his head to the entrance and watched as his mother walked inside. "This gives you one last chance to discuss my offer," she reminded.

Groaning in irritation, Shadow lowered Silver onto the floor on his back. "You promised me Silver's safe return."

"And I did. Please, this is your last chance for salvation," she begged. "Reject me now and you will live out your endless days miserable and alone."

"I refuse to accept your offer," he replied.

"Why?" she asked, coming closer. "Why after everything I've explained to you?"

Shadow bared his teeth and used his speed to force her against one of the walls. She gasped as she was held by the throat and stared back at Shadow's eyes, burning with hatred. "Because you came for my child!" he bellowed. "My daughter! Your own blood," he leered.

"—You, you don't understand," she gasped.

"My child!" he growled loudly, trying to put on emphasis.

Her eyes grew wide. "Shadow, we had to. The coven-"

His face inched closer to hers as he continued to hold her by the throat. "You declared war when you came after my family, and for that, I will make you suffer as only I can." His expression turned dark as a sinister smirk crossed his muzzle. "After all, I am my mother's son." He released his hold and tossed her to the side, before resuming and picking up Silver's body. Gala-Na watched as Shadow walked out carrying Silver and leaving in a blink of the eye.

•~•

Back at home, Blaze and Amy sat on the couch drinking tea as they eagerly waited for Shadow's return. Amy took a sip of her tea before glancing over to the other side of the couch. Blaze was huddled up into a curled ball as she leaned on the armrest staring off into space. "Blaze, you haven't touched your tea…"

Blaze kept her eyes focused on the wooden floor beneath her as she remained in her position. "I'm not very hungry at the moment, not even thirsty if I'm honest."

"Well, you need to eat something," she advised softly.

"I'm too worried to eat," she spoke as she closed her eyes. "I just want Silver back."

As if on cue, the front doors opened and Shadow walked inside carrying Silver's unconscious body in his arms. Amy and Blaze rose from their seats with widened eyes at the sight. "Silver!" Blaze exclaimed as she rushed over. Shadow held onto his brother tightly as Blaze ran over to examine him.

As Amy watched from the living room entrance, she was happy to see Blaze reunited with her fiancé, but she couldn't help but feel concerned by Silver's state. "Why isn't he awake?" she asked.

Shadow looked in her direction. "My mother put some sort of spell over him. He won't wake up until he's made some sort of decision apparently," he explained.

Blaze ran her hand through his quills gingerly as determination set in. "I'll find a way to crack the spell. In the meantime, let's get him upstairs to his bedroom and change him out of these dirty clothes."