(A/N): I stayed up just to update for you guys! Feel special! School is a real bitch, sorry. Taking up a lot of my time. I really am trying to update as soon as possible.
Everybody was happy to be back, but the happiness was short lived because everybody threw themselves into their studies. Being gone five days put them behind their studying for finals. Alana and Rafael were in bed sleeping exhausted from finals. Well, Alana was. Rafael looked at his girlfriend before slowing getting out of bed. He threw a black shirt on and changed his sweatpants for black pants. He quickly made sure Alana was fast asleep before teleporting away.
He arrived inside the Avengers base in a dark hallway. He skulked around the dark hallways before slipping on a pair of glasses. The clear lenses flash green before showing a bunch of details. Rafael looked on the map of his glasses and located Ethan's room. He fazed away before appearing in his closet. He clicked a button on his glasses before he could see through the closet door. He could see Ethan sleeping his bed his body facing the wall. Rafael slowly opened the door and entered the room. He quickly hacked his computer and started looking through different files.
'Locations!' Rafael thought as he clicked the folder. He scanned all the names for something that would stick out. He growled silently as he couldn't see any file name that had anything to do what he was looking for.
'Aunty May's Kitchen.' He heard someone say. He whipped around and looked around the room. He didn't see anyone besides Ethan's sleeping form. He looked back confused at the computer and clicked on the file under the name "Aunty May's Kitchen". The information popped up the Rafael was looking for and his eyes widened. He plugged an USB in and extracted the file before fazing back into his apartment. He threw his shirt off and changed his pants before slipping next to Alana. Alana grumbled and shifted a little before snuggling into Rafael. Rafael sighed in relief as he put his arm around Alana.
"Mmm…where did you go?" Alana said as Rafael's eyes widened. Alana reached over and turned on the lamp that was by their bed. She looked up at Rafael with blue and light green eyes. A mixture of curiosity and worry. Mostly worry.
"Just for a walk." Rafael said smoothly.
"You're lying." Alana said as Rafael smacked his head remembering she can tell if someone lies.
"I went to the Avengers base." He said as Alana looked at him in shock. "Not to join or pick a fight. I wanted to find information on my mother." Rafael said as he sat up.
"And?" Alana asked holding his hand as Rafael sighed.
"She's is Mobius. Working as a waitress at a diner." Rafael said as Alana looked up at his face.
"What are you thinking?" Alana asked.
"I don't know…it's just for so long I've thought she was dead and now I know where she is and I…" He trailed off as Alana squeezed his hand reassuringly. "I don't know if she'll recognize me or if she'll even love me." Rafael said as Alana placed a hand on his face.
"A mother never stops loving her child, Rafael." Alana said as she placed a hand on her enlarged stomach. Rafael smiled softly as Alana looked back at him. "Your mother will remember you. This wasn't your fault and you have the right to see your mother." Alana said as Rafael smiled softly again.
"Thanks sunshine. Go back to sleep." He said as he laid back down with her next to him.
"Mobius?" Lazarus exclaimed looking at Rafael. After their finals Rafael told Goldeye, Lazarus, and Bolt about his mother.
"How are we going to get there?" Goldeye asked leaning against the wall. They were all standing in the hallway of their apartment complex.
"Tails has a portal." Bolt said as Lazarus sighed.
"Great, now we have to go to California. I'm a little tired of traveling frankly." Lazarus said as Rafael sighed.
"Then don't come. I'm going with or without you guys." Rafael said as they all looked at him.
"I'm in." Goldeye said as Bolt agreed. Lazarus sighed and caved.
"I guess one trip won't kill me." Lazarus said as Rafael smiled gratefully.
"Thanks guys. Now, hold on." He said sticking out his arms. They all grabbed his arms and fazed away. They appeared outside of the Prower home.
"That was less traumatizing than Roddy's way." Bolt said as Rafael rolled his eyes and rang the doorbell. Cream answered the door and looked up at the boys.
"Bolt, Lazarus, Goldeye, and…" Cream said looking at Rafael.
"Rafael Andrews. Sorry we haven't met." Rafael said shaking Cream's hand.
"Oh! You're Alana's boyfriend. Well, please come in boys. What do I owe this visit to?" Cream asked as all the guys entered.
"Cream, where's Tails?" Lazarus asked.
"In his lab. Why? What are you guys going to do?" Cream asked eyeing them suspiciously.
"We're reuniting this guy with his mom." Bolt said putting his arm around Rafael's shoulders. Cream looked at him sympathetically as she put her hands on her chest.
"That's so sweet. I hope you find her, Rafael." Cream said as Rafael smiled at her.
"Thank you, Cream. I hope to, too." Rafael said as Bolt grabbed him and pushed him into the coat closet. Bolt walked in as Rafael and Goldeye looked at him confused.
"Tails is a little protective of his lab." Bolt said as he pushed a button on the wall and a keypad popped out. He typed in a code and a door opened. They all climbed down a flight of stairs seeing a bunch of different scientific chemicals and engineering.
"Bolt? What are you doing here? I just saw you guys." Tails said walking towards them in a lab coat. In his "old age" he had to get glasses.
"We need to use the portal." Bolt said as Tails raised his eyebrow.
"For what?" He asked as he turned and started walking through his lab with the guys following.
"My mother is there and I want to find her." Rafael said as Tails turned his head to the side.
"Ok, but I should warn you. None of you been to Mobius and it's not like the human world. You can't go on a rampage with your powers. It's a wholesome place. Don't try to scare the locals." Tails said as he pushed a few buttons before a portal opened up.
"Thanks pops!" Bolt exclaimed as Tails gave him an annoyed look. "Not happening? Ok, Tails." Bolt said as the guys entered the portal. They entered a rural area with small buildings and Mobians everywhere!
"Wow, I've never seen so many Mobians." Lazarus said as he looked around at all the different animals.
"Yeah, yeah cool…let's just head for the diner." Rafael said as they all followed him.
"Do you even know where you're going?" Bolt asked.
"I've been here before. My dad's the ambassador." Rafael said as he walked through town.
"Little Rafael Andrews!" Someone exclaimed as all the guys turned around. A bat was running towards them. She had pale yellow fur and blue wings matching her eyes. She had two long braids and bangs hanging around her face. "I haven't seen you in twelve years!" She exclaimed running and hugging Rafael.
"Nice to see you too, Jessie." Rafael said as the bat fluttered her wings. "How's life been?" Rafael asked rubbing the back of his head.
"Great! I'm running my dad's shop now and…well hello, who are you?" Jessie asked as she fluttered over towards Goldeye.
"Oh! Sorry, these are my friends. That's Goldeye, next to him is Lazarus, and the other one is Bolt." Rafael said pointing to everybody.
"Hi, Goldeye. Do you know you're very cute?" She said as she bluntly flirted with him. Bolt and Lazarus snickered as Rafael smiled at him apologetically.
"Thanks, my girlfriend says the same thing." Goldeye said as Jessie pouted and walked back over to Rafael.
"Anyways, I was saying how I'm running my dad's shop now and its right by where is mom is working. I actually saw her today-"Rafael cut her off.
"Take her to me." Rafael said as Jessie looked at him confused. She shrugged her shoulders and led the guys to the diner.
"Here you are. I'll see you around Rafael. I have to get back. Bye!" She exclaimed before flying off. Rafael stood outside the diner and took a deep breath.
"You got this, man." Bolt said as Rafael nodded. He walked into the diner and heard the hustle and bustle of the diner as she scanned the restaurant for a familiar face. Suddenly all sound ceased after a plate smashed against the floor.
"Rafael?" A woman's voice said. Rafael turned to look at an off white fox. She had long wavy hair and was short. She had navy eyes that were wide and currently staring at Rafael.
"Mom?" He said as he turned his body to face her. The restaurant was in complete silence as they watched the exchange. The guys were looking between Rafael and his mom in anticipation. Rafael's mom ran and hugged her son as the restaurant erupted in applause and cheer.
"My baby." She said as tears pricked her eyes.
"I missed you so much, mom." Rafael said hugging her tightly. Back in the other world everybody was collapsed on their couches and beds from exhaustion, but they did it. They finished their finals.
"I'm done with college!" Garrett exclaimed falling through the door of Julian's apartment.
"Dude, get off my floor." Julian mumbled through the couch he was lying on.
"Dude! We're graduating in two weeks!" Garrett said collapsing on the arm chair.
"I know, just shut up for once so I can sleep." Julian said curling into his couch.
"Hey guys!" Luca exclaimed walking out of his room as Julian groaned. "Sorry…" He whispered as he went into the kitchen. "I'm done with school…" Luca said as Julian raised his eyebrow.
"What do you want?" Julian grumbled.
"Can I go visit grandpa and grandma?" Luca asked looking at his dad on the couch.
"What did your mom say?" Julian mumbled through the couch.
"She hasn't come home yet." Luca said as Garrett dragged himself over to the father and son.
"Just let the kid go. Might as well just go yourself. You're going to move back." Garrett said as Julian scratched his nose. "Aren't ya?" Garrett asked.
"I'm not so sure." Julian said as Garrett shot up on his feet.
"You're going to stay in New York?" Garrett exclaimed as Julian sighed and sat up.
"I'm not sure. I've been thinking about it." Julian said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Dude! We have to go back to California." Garrett said as Julian sighed.
"Not necessarily…" Julian said as Garrett threw his arms in the air.
"Luca! What do you think about this?" Garrett said as Luca shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know…" Luca said looking nervously between the two hedgehogs. "I'm just going to go…" Luca said before quickly running off to his room. Garrett crossed his arms as he looked at Julian.
"I'm just thinking about it, ok?" Julian said as Garrett sighed and sat down next to Julian.
"Can you really live away from your friends?" Garrett asked as Julian remained silent. Lilac collapsed in her bed and Roddy quickly joined her.
"Need sleep." Roddy said as he snuggled next Lilac. Lilac laughed silently before drifting off to sleep.
"Who's mommy's favorite girl? Who? Who?" A gray hedgehog said. She had white quills and gray eyes that sparkled. Lilac could see her bending over a baby-carrier talking baby talk. She didn't look anything over sixteen. Lilac crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. She was used to seeing dreams like these where she was an outside point of view. This dream was different though. She didn't see Rosa anywhere. The hedgehog picked up a white hedgehog baby and cooed her.
"My little girl." She whispered as she held the small child. The baby girl tried to reach out to grasp her mother's finger, but her hands were deformed and crippled. Lilac looked on confused as the mother's eyes started to tear up. "I regret everything I've done to you." She whispered rocking back and forth. Her hand started to glow as she held her baby's hands.
"I'd give anything to heal you." She said as tears streaked down her cheeks.
"Honey, they're here." An older hedgehog, who looked like her mother, said walking into the room.
"I can't do it, mom. It's too hard." The mother sobbed as Lilac's hands flew up to her chest in agony. She felt so much sympathy for the girl.
"Josie, this is the best for her. They can provide for her. They can help her." The other hedgehog said as the young girl sobbed.
"Mommy loves you. Never forget that. She'll always love you." Josie whispered towards the baby. Lilac followed the Josie and her mother as they went down the stairs of their home. Josie's mom walked over to the door and held the knob.
"Are you ready?" She asked as Josie looked down at her baby before back at her mom and nodding. Josie's mother opened the door revealing James and Nikki. Lilac gasped as she saw her parents behind the door.
"Josie, we understand that this is hard for you, but you don't have to. We're not forcing you." Nikki said as Josie gave them a watery smile.
"You know, some say we choose our parents. I believe Lilac chose me to be her birth mother, but she chose you two to be her parents." Josie said as Lilac's heart sunk into her stomach. The baby was…her? Nikki's eyes started to tear up as she held out her arms. Josie placed Lilac into her arms as James smiled warmly at her.
"I know how hard this is for you-"James began to say, but Josie stopped him.
"Yes, it's hard. But I love her so much that I'm able to give her the best." Josie said as both parents smiled at her. "Bye Lilac. Mommy will always love you." Josie whispered.
Lilac woke up and sat up quickly with sweat on her forehead. She looked to see Roddy still asleep before looking down at her hands. She moved her mechanical fingers to clench around her hands.
'I-I'm adopted?' She thought to herself. Back in Mobius Rafael and the guys were sitting in a booth with Rafael's mom.
"And now I'm in college with my girlfriend, Alana majoring in computer engineering." Rafael said as he finished his life story to his mother.
"I'm so proud of you." His mom – Grace – said as she patted his hand.
"Hey, what about me? I got him here." Bolt said as Lazarus flicked his ear. Grace laughed as she looked at the bickering Mobians.
"Thank you. I can never thank you enough for bringing back my son." Grace said smiling at Rafael.
"I think we should give you guys sometime." Goldeye said as he pushed Lazarus and Bolt out of the booth.
"Hey, don't shove!" Bolt whispered as Goldeye rolled his eyes.
"So…when are you coming back?" Rafael asked as his mom blinked in confusion.
"What?" She asked as Rafael looked at her confused.
"When are you going to come back to earth?" Rafael asked as Grace sighed and looked down at her hands.
"I don't think I can come back." Grace said as Rafael sat back in shock.
"Wh-Why?" He asked in confusion.
"Rafael…I've been here for so long…I just don't know if I can come back…I'm too use to being here." Grace said twiddling her fingers.
"Mom…it's going to be alright. I can find you a job, a home, anything." Rafael said as he looked at his mom.
"I…I don't know, Rafael…I've been here for more than ten years. It's going to be hard and I don't think I can adjust to that." Grace said as Rafael stood up.
"I come here and you tell me that you won't come back? I can't exactly come here all the time!" Rafael exclaimed as people started to stare. Grace pulled him down as he glared at her.
"Rafael sshh! Don't cause a scene." Grace whispered.
"No!" He roared shooting up again. "Twelve years I thought you were dead and now I find you alive and you refuse to come back to spend time with me. To see my friends and girlfriend. To see my soon-to-be son or daughter!" Rafael yelled as Grace gasped.
"Oo…she didn't know that didn't she?" Bolt said as Lazarus and Goldeye nodded.
"Rafael…" Grace started to say, but Rafael waved her off.
"Forget it. I can see you enjoy your new life much better than your old life. Please, don't let me stop you." Rafael said before storming out of the diner. Lazarus looked at Grace apologetically before following Rafael along with Bolt and Goldeye.
"Rafael! Wait up!" Bolt yelled as they ran up to their friend.
"Let's just go." Rafael said emotionlessly. They hopped through the portal and as soon as they entered Tails' lab Rafael fazed them back.
"Rafael…do you want to talk about this?" Goldeye asked as Rafael shook his head and walked into his apartment. Black was walking through the streets when he saw a familiar figure.
"Atticus!" Black exclaimed walking to the poor man.
"Ah, Black. How've you been?" Atticus asked before going into a coughing fit. Black cringed as he started to shuffle through his pockets. He pulled a huge wad of hundred bills out of his pocket.
"Here. This is for you." Black said handing him the money. "It's 300,000 dollars." Black said as Atticus' eyes widened.
"Why, this is a mighty donation. I can't accept it." Atticus said pushing the money away.
"No please, take it. You deserve it. My friend's a doctor and she'll see you. This money will serve you better than me." Black said as Atticus stood up.
"Thank you, Black. I'll never forget this." Atticus said as Black smiled.
"Don't mention it. You're good guy who deserves the money." Black said as Atticus shook Black's hand. Black led Atticus to the hospital and got him admitted into the hospital. Black walked out of the hospital and sighed happily. Suddenly a small beam whooshed into his stone making it glow yellow. Isaac appeared next to him smiling happily.
"Congratulations! You've completed your task!" Isaac exclaimed as Black smiled brightly.
"Really? Do I get to use special powers now?" Black asked enthusiastically.
"Not really…everybody has to complete theirs first." Isaac said as Black collapsed on the grass and groaned. Rafael laid in his bed staring up at his ceiling.
"Goldeye told me what happened." Alana's soft voice floated to his ears as he sighed. Alana laid down next to him as he wrapped his arm around her.
"She wouldn't come back." Rafael said as Alana nuzzled into his neck.
"Rafael…this is hard for her. It's like entering a whole new world all over again. Would you like to move to Mobius?" Alana asked as Rafael sighed.
"No…" He said in defeat. "I guess you're right…but it was just a shock. I thought she would happily run back home. Be here. Like everybody else's parents." Rafael said.
"Our parents are not here with us. They're all back in California. We have to travel too. You may have to go a little farther, but our parents not here with us." Alana said as Rafael shrugged his shoulders.
"You have to stop being right." Rafael said as Alana laughed and kissed his cheek. Lilac stared at her cell phone in front of her nervously. She picked up and placed it back down.
'You can do this. You can do this.' Lilac told herself as she picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Hi sweetie! Are you done with finals?" Nikki's voice called out as Lilac smiled softly to herself.
"Hi mom, no I'm not done, but I got to ask you something." Lilac said as she bit her lips nervously.
"Yes?" Nikki asked.
"Am I adopted?"
(A/N): Cliffhanger! Got to love them! Anyways, I have a poll on my profile pertaining to the story. So, please vote!