A/N: Thanks everyone who's been visiting my art account on insta @quint_doodles, meant a lot to me guys! So last Chapter I accidently called Tails a teenager confusing him with my other fic [Ready, Steady, Go!] So if that confused anyone I'm sorry ill go back and edit it later.
Everyone got the message on their communicators designed by Tails.
The beeping got their attention and they read the brief message with curiosity. It only read to meet up at Tails and Sonics house that weekend and they went about their schedules till the day rolled up on them and they gathered at the famous duos house for the meeting.
Silver and Amy were followed by Lily and Zero as they came up to the house. Rouge was standing next to Shadow further off who was leaning against a tree with crossed arms in front of the house. Cream walked over smiling talking with Amy and the kids quickly as they waited for the door to be answered. Knuckles showed up and he smiled at the group about to speak but the front door opened and Tails moved aside to let them in.
They walked into the garage, Tails make-shift Lab and got comfortable around the room. Cream finally spoke up from the group smiling at her boyfriend sweetly.
"Miles, what's this about, why'd you call us all here"
Before the fox could speak though Sonic finally walked into the garage closing the door behind him with his hands inside a baggy faded yellow sweater. Tails smiled at his brother and the hedgehog grinned back taking a seat on a rolling chair scooting closer to the group making the fox roll his eyes.
"Well, now that we're all here we can talk about that Cream."
He turned around pushing a button on a control to turn off the lights and a large screen came down from the ceiling and turned on. There were a bunch of open files and the group looked at it curiously with questions considering only a few out of the group could actually understand what the data was about. Tails looked around the room trying to read everyone's facial expressions and body language, he was curious mostly when he got to Shadow. The ultimate life form sat staring at the screen oddly, it was a mix of confusion, anger and awe.
Finally the fox cleared his throat coughing into his hand making Shadow look away from the screen in puzzlement.
"We-well… Umm this might sound a little strange but bear with me please…"
The fox started blushing and going nervous once he realized what it was he exactly had to explain and suddenly he wanted to shrink and leave the room. He could handle complex mathematical equations and he could fix and take on any advance robotics to engineering and development but genetics and about his brother? The thought sent his face fuming and he felt like he couldn't breath, how was this so embarrassing? Then he looked over to the other side of the room finding Shadow looking at his shoes in deep thought and it made him groan in dread.
Rouge smirked over at the fox, sure he had grown up but he was still a kid at heart and very much so innocent. She stood off her seat walking over to the front and patted the boys shoulder with an apologetic smile.
"I'll take it from here hun." Tails sighed in relief.
"Aahhh… Thanks Rouge…"
The fox took over organizing the scattered files and Rouge started speaking to the group.
"I'm sure some of you already can see what this is about, but if you don't get it I'll put it bluntly… Congratulations boys! You're going to be daddies!"
The fox fell from his seat at the computer making Cream rush forth to check on him.
"Oh! Miles are you alright?"
The rest of the group turned to each other in question. Silver was the only one to raise his hand awkwardly like a school boy daring to ask the obvious question.
"Wait, who's going to be a dad?"
Everyone stopped talking to look at Silver who instantly regretted asking the question. Tails looked over at Sonic from the floor and blushed looking away. Rouge glanced at Shadow with a smirk.
"I was going to keep it classified but since this might require a group rescue mission I might as well come out and say it. Eggman took Sonic and Shadows DNA to create his own powerful hedgehogs."
Sonic was scrolling through his phone apps when he heard the last part of what Rouge said and looked up with an open mouth and wide eyes.
"Woah, wait what? What is this about dads then? Wouldn't that mean Egghead just cloned us?"
"No, you moron… Look at the data. That last strain could only come from one place that I know of and it wasn't created down here on earth…"
Shadow Spoke up from his side of the room making the group go silent again. Sonic raised a curious brow in the dark hedgehogs direction.
"The Ark?"
The dark hedgehog nodded at Sonics guess and suddenly things seemed to become all the more serious. The blue hero looked down at his shoes thinking about the information. What did any of this really mean? He wondered and he bit his lip in concern before he spoke.
"Does that mean… He recreated… Project Shadow?" Sonics worry was genuine and the bat smiled softly in his direction.
"No… From what I can tell this is different. There's three DNA sets and It looks like he only used the female eggs to help produce the offspring." Shadow stared at her in awe and she giggled with a soft smile. "Don't worry, no scary doom blood here Shadow. Its all clear. Plus if they do happen to come up super strong, it'll be because of your awesome modified genes!"
Rouge was beaming and everyone else in the room seemed to be excited. There was going to be new additions to their ever growing family and if all went well with whatever abilities they ended up having they'd be a valuable asset to their team in future battles to come.
Amy nudged Sonic's shoulder with an evil grin.
"Looks like you're having kids whether you like or not."
She laughed and the blue hedgehog laughed nervously besides her because this was cool and all but overall frightening.
Kids...
He figured he'd just be in for a brief mission meeting and they'd be off like always but this wasn't what he was expecting to hear at all. Not by a long shot.
Rouge snapped her fingers taking back everyone's attention and they all looked up ready for the next set of details.
"Alright despite the good news, this is serious guys. I brought this to your attention hoping we could come to a decision. We can choose to save these little guys, or we can leave them until its too late and we all face a battle we might not be able to win…"
She looked around the room eyeing her friends almost afraid of the decision they might make but Sonic stood from his seat with an odd look on his face. Rouge could only describe it as determination and confliction.
"I want to save them… I- I mean if what you're saying is true… I gotta do something… right?"
Everyone looked at Sonic at that moment, understanding and knowing in their eyes because of course they knew what this meant for Sonic. Especially since he had never had a family.
Silver stood up putting a hand on Sonic shoulder offering a friendly smile.
"I get it Sonic, I'd do it for Lily and Zero if that's how they were created. Besides you've got all of us to help you out, you didn't think we'd let you go after them alone did you?"
Sonic chuckled blurry eyed from the tears threatening to fall. He loved how cool his friends where, their support meant everything to him. Everyone got up discussing ideas for the mission, putting their input where it was needed but Shadow stood leaning against a wall with his arms crossed.
He stared at the group excitedly chatting away, but he couldn't understand their excitement. Weren't they afraid? These children could be incredibly dangerous even at such a young age. What if they couldn't control their abilities? Shadows hand tightened on his arm till it hurt and he bit his lip to stop a hiss from escaping. Shadow sighed looking at Sonic talking to Tails excitedly across the room as he pointed at things on the screen. He focused on the blue of the hedgehogs quills, the color somehow bringing him back to a time on the ark and the comfort of a young blonde girl with blue eyes. The same blue as Sonics fur. He huffed looking away from the blue hero.
'He's not as pretty though… hmph!'
Shadow felt stupid for trying to compare the two and he drifted his thoughts back to the blonde girl remembering her soft smile and gentle soothing voice. A soft expression now adorned his face and his grip loosened on his arms and he sighed again shifting his weight to his left foot.
'Maria… I don't know if I can protect everyone the way you want me too… Especially if they continue being so optimistic about everything they encounter...'
The dark hedgehog watched everyone walk out of the garage, probably heading into the kitchen he thought. He looked over to the screen thinking the room was empty but Sonic was still there staring at the information. He couldn't see the hedgehogs face with his back turned but instead of saying anything he opted to leave. Shadow stepped off the wall turning to leave.
"What's going on in that head of yours Shads?" The said hedgehog stopped turning around to see his rival still turned around staring at the screen.
"I don't know what you mean hedgehog… Nor would you listen to anything I have to say on the matter."
Sonic chuckled his arms crossed as he turned to look at Shadow. He was smiling, but there was something off about it. It didn't quite fit his tone of voice.
"They're partly yours too you know? You get a say in this too. So I want to know what you think about all this."
"Tch! You're sadly mistaken if you think I'm going to sit around playing house with you Sonic. This isn't some kind of game or adoption service. Whatever the hell you think this is, regardless of what you guys try to show me from these files, I still think these things pose a threat!"
Red eyes rolled and the dark hedgehog moved to leave but Sonic reached out for Shadows arm holding onto the sleeve of his G.U.N jacket.
"Is that how you really feel or is this still how feel about yourself Shadow?"
For a moment they were silent then Shadow tore his sleeve from Sonics grip with a scowl.
"Don't assume you know things hedgehog. Do what you want, you always do so either way… But I'm telling you now I want no part in this. I won't be there to say I told you so when things get ugly…"
Shadow opened the garage door but Sonic followed after still needing one more answer.
"Wait, Shadow?" The hedgehog looked over his shoulder with a sigh, he seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
"What is it now hedgehog?"
Sonic missed his footing about to fall but Shadow moved forwards catching the hedgehog by the front of his sweater. Sonic chuckled sheepishly making Shadow frown pulling the hedgehog up roughly making Sonic smack into his chest face first. Green eyes blinked open coming into view with a soft tuft of white chest fur. A horrible blush spread across his face as he looked up seeing Shadows face so close. The other only raised a brow curiously holding onto the other against him.
"Well?" Sonic took a moment to collect his thoughts looking away nervously before he spoke.
"Will you help us? Save them… I mean?"
Shadow sighed releasing the blue hedgehog, from this angle he looked so much smaller with the insecurity of the question apparent from every little nervous tick and movement. He turned around opening the door once again but this time stepping into the house.
"I'll help you get them out… but after that, you're on your own…"
Shadow let the door close behind him and Sonic stood alone in front of the door with a sad smile. He scratched his ear and opened the door to go see where the rest of the gang had gone.
"Well, at least he said he'll help."
The group had moved out to the back yard since there was a table out there and extra chairs. Lily and Zero could be seen running after each other and every once in a while they'd hear a scream followed by a giant baby rattle being thrown creating huge holes in the once pretty green grass of Tails and Sonics house.
Tails brought out hot dogs and Cream followed after with drinks but of course no hot dog was truly ready without chili and cheese to Sonic. The hedgehog walked out with a hot ceramic container with his beloved chili.
As they sat down to eat they discussed the mission and brought up the hedgehogs in question. Since Rouge was the only one to have seen them in person they were all asking her all sorts of questions. Ranging from, What did they look like? To, what color was their fur and if she could make out genders. She leaned into Knuckles and sighed a little overwhelmed with all the questions but this was exciting after all. She looked over at Sonic who was happily eating away at his food, thinking those were probably questions Sonic should be asking.
"Well blue? Do you want me to tell you what they looked like?"
He paused mid bite, meaty spicy sauce falling to the side of his mouth and glopped down on the table with an audible drop. He put down the chilidog and wiped his cheek licking the sauce from his glove. Amy and Cream made a face making him grin at them.
"Hmm… I mean don't get me wrong I'm curious alright but… I want to see these guys for myself, you know?"
The group smiled in understanding and they all gave each other looks of encouragement. There was a pleasant silence within the group as they just sat enjoying each others company but suddenly the moment was ruined as Zero spewed his chewed up hotdog across the table looking at his blue hero from across the table with wide eyes.
"Uncle Sonic's having babies?" Lily heard her brother from her end of the table and she suddenly looked over at Sonic with tears in her eyes and a cute grumpy face. She slammed her hands on the table yelling at Sonic in a whiney voice.
"Noo Sonic! You were supposed to wait for me till I got old enough to marry you! Waahhh!"
Lily booked it from the table wailing into the house with the group looking after her trying to contain their laughs. Zero calmly put down the last of his lunch and got off his seat walking over to Sonic with no expression on his face. The boy tilted his head staring at the blue hedgehog curiously Sonic only blinked at him in question. Then the boy stepped closer reaching his hands out for the hem of Sonics yellow faded sweater and lifted it up along with the shirt to inspect Sonics peach belly with curiosity.
"But he doesn't have a big belly mom? Sonics not having babies, where are they?" Sonics fur raised and he blushed stuttering as he put his sweater back down.
"Ze-Zero! Th-they're n-not in there bud!"
Silver and Knuckles held onto each other trying to contain their awful cackles but Sonic looked over with an attempt at a glare. Except, with his deep blush and nervous scowl he looked more helpless than scary.
"Shut it guys I'll get you two later watch!"
Silver and knuckles continued to laugh but Tails sat next to Cream with a blush on his face. Sonic having kids was great but not only was Sonic having kids but with his greatest rival as well. The fox shook his head in disbelief and sighed. This was so confusing. Its not that he was apposed to it no. It was just strange to him is all. He looked up to the group with a smile, strange or not he'd do anything for Sonic. He started making plans in his head as he looked at his group of friends.
"Alright, if this is going to happen I need some time to reconstruct the capsule cells for them to continue development. In the mean time we should make preparations and living arrangements for the kids. This is serious though guys, everyone here has to swear to secrecy right now. If G.U.N or Eggman catch wind that we'll be holding a rescue mission the whole plans done for and a safe recovery could be nearly impossible…"
Everyone around the table gave nods with serious expressions. It was clear they were ready for a fight, no mission ever went smoothly or according to plan.
That night they all went home with a general idea of what would go down once the time came to get the kids. It was ultimately decided that Lily and Zero would stay behind with Vanilla as they were still too young to go out on a field mission. Cream and Amy would need to come due to their knowledge in the medical field. They were still technically in training but Amy could almost be qualified as a nurse so if anything happened, she'd know what to due with the babies.
As for the rest of the team, that would all fall into place when the day came. For now Sonic and Tails went around the house really looking at it for the first time and they both stood staring to the top floor of the house. The stair case a pretty decent flight of steps but they both looked at each other with equal expressions.
"We're gonna need a bigger house…"
They both laughed but deep down they knew, there was a lot of planning to be made.
Within the next few weeks Tails and Sonic decided it be best they relocate to Mystic ruins but it would be kept secret. The fox had a workshop there and he was already in the process of building an underground lab there. Silver and Knuckles gladly began to help and they set up a house near Tails work shop by the beach. Together the guys worked to set up the rooms in the house. They brought different colored paints and two different cribs. Oddly enough Amy made them stock up on diapers and wipes even though Tails insisted it wouldn't be necessary for very long anyways. Amy persisted though and they gave in, Tails figured they'd find out for themselves eventually.
The guys went to the store many times, because according to Amy they needed better furniture now that there was going to be kids in the house. Sonic and Tails shared a look before the fox dared to speak.
"B-but Amy, I was six and we've been living with the same furniture just fine for years?"
Amy gasped throwing her theatrics about ancient designs and needing to liven up the place. So again they found themselves visiting new stores of new appropriate designs suitable to Amy's taste that she deemed safe and suitable for children. Two more weeks later they stepped back looking at the baby blue house from the sandy beach by the house with pleased smiles on their faces.
"It looks good guys."
Knuckles snorted at Sonic nudging his side playfully.
"Ya cause we did all the work, lazy blue hedgehog."
Sonic laughed with Knuckles pushing him away with a grin. Silver stood besides Tails laughing at the two running around splashing in the water.
"So, you ready for this Tails?"
The fox looked up at Silver watching the way his chest fur blew in the wind. They were about the same height now and he huffed out a nervous laugh after the thought because really he knew he was avoiding the question. His whole world revolved around just being able to be along side Sonic in anyway possible and he realized he was scared that this was one adventure he wasn't meant to be a part of.
"We're getting older… Everyone's getting together and forming families… What if… What if Sonic just wants to set off on his own now? Maybe I should just move on and let him get on with his life…"
"Is that really such a bad thing though?"
Tails looked at Silver and the sad feeling he had originally felt suddenly turned to shame and guilt. Was he being selfish? Silver turned to look at Sonic wrestling Knuckles to the ground and smiled.
"Regardless if Sonic having these kids makes him spend less time with you, it doesn't mean he loves you any less. You'll always be his brother. No matter what…"
Tails brushed an unwanted tear from his cheek and smiled. Silver was right, he wasn't losing his family, it was getting bigger. That only meant there was more love to give. Sharing would definitely become a learning experience though.
"Thanks Silver… You're awesome you know that?"
The hedgehog turned around to the fox and smiled.
"Ya, I know I'm awesome." Tails snorted punching the hedgehogs arm playfully.
"Don't push it."
By the fourth week Thursday morning, Tails emerged from the underground lab excitedly covered in grease stains all over his clothes and fur.
"Its finished guys! Whenever you guys clear the okay we can proceed with the rescue!"
Sonic looked up from his phone on the couch, his legs sprawled out ungracefully on the head rest. he flipped over looking at Knuckles in concern. They had been planning this for weeks. Everything in preparation was already in order. Tails reinvention of the cells was the only thing they were waiting for and now that it was complete he suddenly felt himself feeling very conflicted.
"What's wrong Sonic?"
Knuckles asked his friend a little concerned and when green eyes looked at him with folded ears, he realized how uncertain the blue hedgehog must of really felt.
"What if… What if I'm not ready for this guys?" His best friends gave each other soft smiles before looking back at the blue hedgehog as he continued.
"Me being a dad? I-I don't know…"
Tails put a hand on Sonics shoulder with a smile.
"I turned out alright Sonic, I think you'll do great!" Knuckles smiled nudging Sonics side.
"Ya! Tails is right Sonic if you can handle Eggman and all those other crazy things we've encountered then this should be easy, no big sweat. Besides, you're too much of a hero. There's no way you'd leave those kids to fend for themselves with Eggman. Especially after Shadow… What with his easily being tricked an all…" Sonic glared at Knuckles.
"That wasn't his fault, he had amnesia Knux…"
The echidna rolled his eyes.
"Ya whatever… Where is your husband by the way? Is he coming with us on this one or what?" This time Sonic punched Knuckles side and stomped on his foot with an irritated face.
"Cut it out Knuckles, Shadows not my husband!"
"But you knew who I was talking about." Knuckles grinned as Sonic fumed and Tails frowned at the echidna punching his arm.
"Stop teasing Sonic Knuckles, this is serious."
When they were done glaring at each other Sonic sighed crossing his arms.
"Shadow said he'd be there to help… I think we can count on him to show up when we really need him." Sonic shrugged not really reading much into it but Knuckles and Tails looked at each other feeling there was more to it.
"Well I guess its set then, tomorrow night we move out guys."
The guys looked at Sonic staring out the open slide door of the balcony showing a view of the beach. They could tell he was deep in thought. Whatever Sonic and Shadow had talked about back at the mission briefing must have been serious to put Sonic this quiet and they wondered if it was such a good idea to involved the edgy hedgehog in the first place.
Shadow could be an amazing comrade. He used his strengths were need be and stealth when the situation called for a quick and easy get away. It was also well known the hedgehog had a horrible temper and if anything set him off during the mission, they could count an easy get escape out the window for sure.
They sent out the word that night and prepared. Tomorrow would be the day everything changed.
They only hoped everything would turn out alright.