Chapter 5 – Birth of the Twins
"They did it! The Death Egg is destroyed!"
As everyone awed at the gigantic fireball in the sky where the Death Egg used to be, there was great rejoicing for peace was finally restored. Zippy, Salem, Darky, the Kremlings and the Nightriders were happily revelling on the victory of the Anthro League while Bowser, Blaze, Knuckles, Rouge, Viper, Moonracer, Dark and Starfire just watched the spectacle silently, content that the war against the Eggman Empire was over.
Just then, a thought struck Starfire as she remembered that Cynder and her team were still in space. "I hope Cynder's group escaped that thing before it blew up," she said.
"Yes, Starfire, they did," said Blaze as she could sense Tails, Silver, Shadow and the dragons flying in a shuttle on their way to Brazil.
"Still, I'm wondering who's going to let Amy in the news about what happened to Sonic," said Knuckles.
Earlier on, Blaze had Klump to escort Amy back to Australia as she did not want her to know that Sonic died trying to stop Metal Sonic until the time was right. In her absence, she informed the team of the sad news, including the news that Metal Sonic was destroyed thanks to Tails, the dragons, and especially Shadow when he distracted the evil robot.
"I think it will be best that Tails delivers the message to her," said Blaze. "After all, Sonic asked him to give her his regard before he sacrificed himself."
"Sounds about the right thing to do," said Knuckles.
Blaze nodded and continued to wait for the team's return with everyone else.
Well, Sonic, you have died a hero, thought Knuckles. I'm really sorry for letting Eggman dupe me into believing you wanted the Chaos Emeralds for power. Somehow, I feel partly responsible for your death as none of that would have ever happened if the Master Emerald wasn't stolen by Eggman. I'm also really sorry for the way I treated you, Tails, Amy and Blaze over the years. From now on, I promise not to be fooled by anyone ever again…
"Look up there!" exclaimed Viper.
Everyone looked, and they saw a shuttle about to land at a clearing in the distance. They hurried into the jungle to the shuttle's location and when the hatch opened, there emerged Shadow and the dragons. Draco carried Tails in his arms while Cynder carried Silver. Percival held the sack of Chaos Emeralds and Torden carried the Master Emerald.
"Anybody missed us?" the team asked.
"You're back!" everyone cheered.
Bowser, Lonnie and Darky hugged Draco, while Cynder exchanged the story of what happened in the stars with Blaze and Starfire.
"Tails and Silver are okay, aren't they?" asked Viper.
"They're fine," said Percival. "They just took quite a beating during the fight with Metal Sonic. Right now, they're in need of medical attention."
"I agree with you," said Blaze, but just when she was about to examine Tails, she felt her body getting weak.
"Blaze, are you alright?" asked Draco.
"Guys, it's coming," said Blaze as she started to pant heavily.
"You mean…" said Viper. "Wow, this is happening! You're about to have a baby!"
"There's no time to waste!" urged Bowser. "We better get the three to a hospital quickly! Where's the nearest one?"
"I don't think there's any that's very close to the area," said Jeremy. "However, if we hurry, we can get them in time to a hospital in Rio."
"Then let's get going as quickly as we can," said Viper.
"Hey, are you Kremlings going to come along?" asked Bowser.
"Um, no thanks, our work here is done," said Kalypso. "We're going to return to your castle. Klump will be notified of where we are."
"We have to go someplace else too," said Starfire. "It's great to have you guys back again, though, especially after so many of these battles against Eggman's robots."
"In that case, you Dynamos can go ahead and take the Kremlings home," said Bowser.
"Alright, we'll do that," said Starfire. "See you around, everyone!"
The Daring Dragon Dynamos and the Kremlings disappeared into the jungle.
"How about you, Knuckles, Rouge and Shadow?" Cynder asked. "Want to see the birth?"
"Sorry, not my kind of thing," said Shadow.
"Mine neither," said Knuckles. "Besides, I've got to get the Master Emerald back to my island and have Chaos Emeralds hidden so no one can try to find them."
"Don't forget that you guys need one to help Silver and Viper back to where they came from," reminded Shadow.
"You're right, Shadow," said Percival, and he took a Chaos Emerald out of the sack.
"When you're done, bring it back to me so I can hide it like the rest," said Knuckles. "You can find me on the island floating in the sky."
"Thanks for the hint, Knuckles," said Torden. "For such a hot-tempered and rude echidna, you're a pretty cool dude."
Knuckles said nothing. Although he was flattered, he smiled at the compliment.
"I'm gonna stay here with Shadow and Knuckles as well," said Rouge.
"We'd better be goin' too, I'm afraid," said Vector.
"Yeah, it's great that we finally put an end to that rotten Eggman," said Espio.
"Okay, then," said Viper. "See you around, Team Chaotix."
"Bye, everybody!" buzzed Charmy, and the trio went away.
"Tell you what, guys," said Axl. "Since we don't have anything on our itinerary at the moment, perhaps we can come accompany you and check out the arrival of the baby."
"That will be most appreciated," said Draco. "Please, come with us."
"I can hardly wait to see the child of Tails and Blaze," said Selena excitedly. "I wonder if it will be a fox or a cat."
"Maybe it will come out as a hybrid, you never know," said Axl.
"By the way, we might as well do a small concert just for you afterwards, where we'll feature some hits by Journey," said Lucinda. "If you're interested, then we shall have everything set up."
"Did you say Journey?" asked Jeremy excitedly. "Yes, I'd love it!"
"Then it's all settled," said Brutus.
Viper checked the time. "I think we should hurry now," he said. "The baby will be here at any minute."
"Right," said Cynder. "Okay, everyone, let's go! And to you, Knuckles, Shadow, and Rouge, thanks for all your help."
"Humph, don't mention it," said Knuckles proudly, and as the team separated from them, he and Rouge looked at Shadow who also looked at them.
"Well, Shadow," said Rouge. "That was very brave of you to help Tails defeat Metal Sonic. I'm quite surprised you didn't take all the credit, like we thought you would."
"Please, spare me your applause," said Shadow loftily. "Now, you two may leave. I want to do some solitary thinking."
Knuckles smiled and nodded. "As you wish, old friend," he said. "I better take these Emeralds back to the island."
"Not if I take them for myself," laughed Rouge as she picked up the Master Emerald.
"Hey, no fair!" exclaimed Knuckles and he grabbed the sack of Chaos Emeralds before playfully chasing after Rouge. "You come back here with the Emerald, Rouge!"
The two dashed off into the rainforest while Shadow remained brooding over Sonic and the chain of events that happened recently.
He has beaten me completely, he thought. First through his actions, and then through his fox buddy, and all he has left for me was nothing. How could you die like this, Sonic? You died without showing any fear, and I'll never be able to prove my strength against you!
"Maybe there's more to being the ultimate lifeform," he spoke at last, and he looked up to the sky. "It is time I continue my training. Soon, I'll be the next in line to achieve the Ascended Super form before you, Sonic. You just wait and see!"
With that, Shadow started to drift up and fly away out of the rainforest.
Tails slowly opened his eyes and found himself not in the Death Egg, but in a completely different room with the sunlight beaming from outside.
"Can you hear me, Tails?" asked Draco.
"Yes, I can hear you," said Tails. "But where am I?"
"We're back at Brazil," replied Jakkin. "And we brought you to a hospital in Rio."
As Tails got up, recovered from his battle wounds, he could only see Draco, Jakkin, Percival, Torden, Charonus, Jeremy and Bowser. "Where's the rest of the team?" he asked in confusion.
"They're at Blaze's ward next door," said Draco. "Now that you're recovered, you should come see the babies for yourself."
"Ah, so Blaze is finally having her…" Tails paused for a moment. "…did you say babies?"
"Yes, I did," smiled Draco. "The doctor has confirmed that she's carrying twins."
Tails was at first shocked. Then his expression turned to delight. "Twins!" he chortled. "Unbelievable! I'm so happy!"
"Come on, let's go see Blaze," said Bowser happily. "They're doing the delivery right now!"
Tails made his way out of his ward and into the next one where Cynder, Lily, Ash, Axl, Lonnie, Selena, Viper and a horse doctor and nurse surrounded Blaze's bed. Silver, who had also recovered from his injuries, was also present. All of them were pleased to see Tails fully healed.
"Good to see you up again, Tails," said Cynder. "You have arrived just in time for the miracle you're about to witness."
"Congratulations on becoming a daddy, Tails," smiled Axl. "All your valiant efforts at the Death Egg are about to be rewarded."
Blaze smiled when she saw Tails at her bed. "Welcome back, Tails," she said softly. "Very soon, you're about to meet your newborn children, and as Axl said, this is pretty much your reward for defeating Metal Sonic and saving the world."
"Ah, shucks, it was nothing," giggled Tails as he placed his arm behind his back.
Seeing Tails being so shy and modest made Blaze happy as it was what she always loved about him. All at once, she started to moan in pain. The pressure beneath her belly was getting more intense.
"The babies are coming," said the doctor. "Tails, will you be close to Blaze? Your support will really do a lot for her while we try to finish the delivery."
"I'm right by her," said Tails, and he held on Blaze's hand. "Give it a push, Blaze!"
"You're getting there, Blaze!" said Viper. "Don't give up!"
Blaze groaned and grunted while she gave her strength to release the pressure within her. Then, the sound of new life was born as the first of the babies was delivered. Recovering for a brief moment, Blaze tried to take a look. "Is it a girl?" she asked.
"I'm not sure," said Tails. "The doctor will tell us in a minute."
"It's a boy," said the doctor as he held him up. Although the baby was a hybrid of a cat and fox, he was a purple kitten with orange-yellow strips on his bangs and his eyes were squeezed shut. Blaze smiled and reached for him, noticing how he beared a close resemblance to her. "Firnen," she said while she gently brushed his forehead.
"And the next one is a girl," said the nurse. In contrast to her brother, this baby was an orange yellow fox pup with faint purple patches on the tip of her ears. Her eyes were also wide open revealed her light blue irises, and she stared in Blaze's direction, trying to get a good look at her face.
"Saphira," said Blaze.
"Our twin son and daughter are born," said Tails, feeling overjoyed.
"Behold the cat-fox children," said Viper as he beckoned everyone to gather closer.
"Congratulations, Tails," said the doctor. "You have two beautiful healthy babies."
Everyone cooed and applauded. Lonnie, Jeremy, Lily and Draco were so happy that they nearly cried.
"They're so adorable," said Draco.
"Very beautiful kids indeed," said Lily.
Tails looked at Blaze, and they both could not resist smiling at each other. "Blaze, I really want to say congratulations on making it through the birth," he said. "This really is the happiest moment of my life, and I feel complete to have you by my side."
"Me too, Tails," said Blaze. "You mean everything to me, and I will do anything to keep you safe, as will it be with our children."
"Hey, Tails," said Silver. "Sorry about Sonic…"
"Yeah, it's really hard to lose a very best friend," said Percival.
"I know," replied Tails as he felt somewhat down from the reminder. "But there's nothing we could do, and at least he died trying to save our world."
"That was a great job you did back there, Tails," said Jakkin. "Without you, none of us would have made it."
"Of course, it was Shadow who also played part in destroying Metal Sonic," said Cynder. "So even he deserves a bit of recognition."
Tails sighed. "If only he was still alive," he said. "I would have liked him to see my newborn twins. He would have been like an awesome uncle for them."
"Let's not delve too deeply on this, Tails," soothed Blaze. "We all wish he would still be here. All the same, Amy and Cream are still here, and they could be like their honorary aunts."
"Hey everybody," called Sonic's voice. "I'm not late for the occasion, am I?"
Author's Note: Yes, as anyone who is familiar with Christopher Paolini's The Inheritance Cycle trilogy would have guessed, Tails and Blaze's twins are named after the dragons Firnen and Saphira from the novel Eragon. Let's just say it goes with Blaze being a Dragon Master and her fascination for dragons. Final chapter is coming where we'll soon find out what Sonic wanted to say to his friends.