Chapter 6

Daniel made a finishing stroke on his sketch pad. He looked at the paper and up at his room with an approving nod. His drawing was a perfect copy of the space he had lived in since he was a small child. Daniel, or Sonic as his mother sometimes called him, was now 17 years old. Ever since he had unintentionally killed a dove when he was 3, he had been confined to this room. No, this isn't a room. This is a prison. thought Daniel as he looked around. How he longed to go out in the world and explore. He wanted to see the sky; he wanted to feel grass beneath his feet. He wanted to see the Middle Realm and what the people there looked like. But more than anything, he wanted to fly. Daniel flipped through his sketchbook until he found his favorite picture. It was a detailed and fully colored portrait of Daniel flying through clear blue skies and scattering the clouds. Daniel closed his eyes and imagined soaring through the air, free as a bird. His powerful wings beat the air and made him ascend to heights never before achieved by any angel. With a sigh of despair, the young dreamer leaned against a wall and let his fantasies carry him away, completely unaware that his world was about to be turned upside down.

Miles Prower was now 18 years old with a thirst for knowledge. He was a slightly handsome young man with soft orange and white fur. Miles generally wore red shoes with white on the tips, blue jeans, a t-shirt, and a gray beanie that pushed his large ears and bangs downward. Miles knew he had a special gift that allowed him to see and hear supernatural beings. Now old enough to understand, Miles also knew that because of his gift, demons would forever hunt him. As a result, Miles never left the orphanage once dusk set in, he skirted dark alleys and heavily shadowed places, and he always stayed in crowded areas. Despite all this, Miles was fairly happy. He knew that his guardian angel, Christine, would protect him and keep him safe from harm.

Miles now sat in his favorite tree located in a park near the orphanage. The sun was shining bright, the park had a decent amount of people in it, and sundown was hours away. Miles sighed happily as he leaned back in the boughs of the tree. Suddenly an explosion sounded along with a scream as a store-front close by burst into flames. Debris flew in every direction, striking by-standers and set things alight. Miles jumped down from his tree as a chunk of burning wood struck the leaves and started a blaze. Miles landed lightly on his feet and turned toward the burning store. Everyone appeared to be mesmerized by the fire and the firefighters arriving on the scene. Miles turned away to leave when a flaming branch from his tree broke off and fell towards him. Unware, Miles was caught completely caught off guard when he was suddenly tackled aside by Christine.

Christine pulled Miles to his feet, "Are you alright?"

Miles replied, "Yes, I believe so. Thanks, I should have seen that coming." The crowd began to disperse as the firefighters doused the last of the fire.

After a suspicious glance, Christine said, "I don't believe that fire was a coincidence. I'll walk you back to the orphanage."

As the two walked Miles asked, "So how is your son?"

"Oh Daniel? He is well. I just wish I could give him a better life. Everyone views him as a threat and they fail to see the good in him."

Miles hung his head, "I can't help but feel responsible." Christine appeared puzzled so Miles went on to explain, "It was me you were protecting that night when Umbra… you know. So it's my fault that Daniel has to live like he does."

Christine put a hand on Miles' shoulder, "Miles, you mustn't blame yourself. If you want to blame anyone, blame Umbra or blame all of those who are so stuck in old ways of thinking that they can't open their eyes and see what's right in front of them."

Miles sighed, "If only things played out differently." Christine looked up to see that they had arrived at the steps of the orphanage.

She took Miles' hands in hers, "Listen honey, what happened, happened. We can't change the past, only shape the future. Now, I'd like you to stay inside for the rest of the day aright? Stay near the other children and away from dark places."

"What children? Most of us are adults looking for jobs! Hahahaha!" ,laughed Miles

Christine smiled, "You know what I mean! Keep this up and you'll be a bigger smart aleck than Daniel! Speaking of whom, I must return to him. Remember what I said, Miles."

"Yes Mother!" Miles called back as he entered the orphanage. Christine shook her head and smiled as she left for the nearest Heaven Gate, one of many special portals hidden throughout the Middle Realm.

Christine came through the Heaven Gate and let out a gasp. Fire was ravaging Heaven's gardens and numerous dwellings. Immediately, Christine thought of Daniel. If the flames neared his cell, no one would think to let him out so he could be safe. She took off at a sprint, using her water-casting to extinguish any fires that she came across. She quickly reached the door Daniel's cell. As she fumbled to undo the locks, Christine cried, "Daniel? Daniel answer me!"

A cough and a raspy voice came as her reply, "Mother? Mother what's going on? *cough cough* My room is filling up with smoke. I can't breathe!" Christine's maternal instincts were nagging her to undo the last padlock and get to her child. Ironically, her haste made the task all the more difficult as she tried to shove the key in its hole. Forcing herself to calm down, she slid the key in with ease and undid the lock. She tossed it aside and flung open the door.

Daniel was curled up on the ground with his oversized wings draped over him like a cocoon in an attempt to escape the smoke coming in through his small barred window. Christine ran to him and pulled Daniel to his feet. He was conscious but greatly weakened by smoke-inhalation. Christine dragged him into the open air. After a few breaths, Daniel was able to stand, this relieved his mother greatly. Christine ushered him away from the gathering smoke cloud and back the way she had come. Daniel stuck close to his mother's side as she dashed about, assisting other angels in putting out the flames. Feeling useless, Daniel looked about for a way to be helpful. Unlike his mother, he didn't know how to water, wind, or light-cast. Darn! thought Daniel as he trailed after Christine, Mother can cast but all I have are these big clumsy wings! Just then, Daniel was struck with an idea. He spotted a small fire burning away at a shrub. Wasting no time, Daniel took off toward the fire. Once he reached it, Daniel summoned his strength to lift his huge wings and flapped them forward once, creating a sudden gust that snuffed out the bushfire like a candle. A grin spread across Daniel's face as he ran off to find another fire. As Christine and her fellow angels put out the flames destroying their home with their casting skills, her son put his large wings to good use.

Daniel was battling a rather large fire on his own. It was roaring away at a chunk of the gardens and Daniel was determined to put it out. He managed to separate a piece of the fire from the blaze and extinguished it. He continued to do this until he was ready to tackle the last bit of the fire. With a heave of his wings, Daniel put out the last of the fire. Revealing, something that made him leap backward. Standing amounst the ashes and embers was Umbra Diaboli. He grinned wickedly, showing sharp teeth, "Hello, Daniel." Daniel stared into red eyes so similar to his own and froze. Umbra took a step toward Daniel, "Do you know who I am?" Daniel was frightened by Umbra's large black, leathery bat wings, imposing stature. But what disturbed him was how many things he had in common with the demon. The same long thick tail, hell-fire red eyes, and crimson demon stripes. He took a step back and shook his head. Umbra threw back his head and released a cold laugh that sent shivers up Daniel's spine. Umbra took another step forward, "I'm your father." Daniel stopped his retreat and his ears perked. In his older years, he had often wondered about his father, whom his mother never mentioned.

Now presented with a chance to meet him, Daniel found his curiosity make him take a step toward Umbra, "How do I know you're my father?"

Umbra laughed again but somehow, it sounded gentler. He took two steps closer and extended a clawed hand, "Isn't it obvious? Surely in just the few moments of this meeting you can see the resemblance between us?" Daniel nodded and took another hesitant step towards his father. Umbra smiled once more, "You have nothing to fear. I simply want to get to know the son kept away from me all these years." Daniel looked into Umbra's eyes and something held his gaze. Barley aware of it, Daniel walked closer, his own hand extended to take his father's.

Christine had just finished dousing a fire. She turned to see Daniel walking toward an all too familiar figure. Acting on instinct, Christine cast a huge ball of light and flung it at Umbra. It was a direct hit on the side of Umbra's head that sent him toppling over. Christine dashed to Daniel who was coming out of a sort of stupor. She grabbed Daniel and yanked him away as Umbra began to recover from his blow. "Daniel, Daniel sweetheart, speak to me are you ok?" said Christine as she looked him over. He was a little rattled but fine.

Umbra got to his feet with a growl, "You're starting to irritate me, Christine. One would think you would learn not to interfere with my affairs after the lesson I gave you 17 years ago."

Christine stepped in front of Daniel, "You are irritating me as well. First your kin terrorize my mortal, and now you come after my son. What exactly do you hope to gain?"

Umbra chuckled, "Wouldn't you like to know. But I suppose you'll find out soon enough if you're clever." With a wink, Umbra took off and disappeared in a flash of flame.

Miles was relaxing in the rec room of the orphanage he called home as a decent-sized rainstorm soaked the neighborhood. Most of the children he grew up with had already moved out to start their lives leaving only a few stranglers, such as Miles, behind. However, Helga, the owner of the orphanage, had recently taken in a few youngsters that now ran happily around playing the childish games Miles outgrew years before. He was quite surprised to see Christine appear in the corner of the rec room and beckon him to the backyard. Miles grabbed his jacket, gave shout to Helga that he was going outside and went without waiting for a reply. Once out, Christine pulled him aside, "Miles there's someone here I want you to meet." The two went to the area where Miles was attacked by the Shapeshifter Demon ten years ago. Despite the incident being a decade into the past, Miles couldn't help but feel paranoid. Miles stopped dead in his tracks as he saw something that turned his unease into wonder.

A curious creature stood hunched over slightly while using wings that appeared too big for his body, to shelter himself from the rain. He appeared to be a hedgehog with the same blue quills as Christine and similar wings except the feathers on his were streaked with crimson stripes. More stripes encircled his head and eyes that were red as fire. A thick tail was curled up around his legs. His expression was an odd mix of confusion, fear, and curiosity. Yet, when the two locked gazes, both couldn't help but smile.

Christine, who Miles noticed seemed slightly on edge, hurriedly introduced the two. Daniel's smile grew into a grin revealing shining, sharp teeth. He stepped forward, extended one of his huge wings over Miles, and held out his hand. Miles, surprised yet accepting of Daniel's immediate friendly reaction, stepped further under the protection of the wing and shook the queer looking hedgehog's hand, taking notice of the cross-engraved shackle on his wrist. Daniel also sensed his mother's jumpy behavior but was quickly distracted when he noticed Miles two tails and his mis-matched eyes.

However, Christine quickly drew the two's attention back to her, "Ok, listen you two. I need you to focus. Daniel, my Sonic sweetheart, I have to go away for a while. I don't know if I will be able to come back. Miles, honey, this means that I'll be leaving you too. Now I want you two to stick together no matter what and protect each other ok?" Daniel and Miles were shocked to hear this and could give no reply. Christine appeared to become desperate as tears start to form in her eyes, "Please boys! I need you both to be strong. I need to be able to walk away from here know that I can on the two of you will be safe! Promise me that I can count on that!" Daniel and Miles, two strangers who only knew each other through brief mentionings by the one person connecting them, were eager to please Christine and calm her fears.

Together they answered, "We promise." Christine sighed and managed a smile. She wrapped both boys, one being an angel-demon hybrid of 17 years of age and yet had no knowledge of the world and the other being the gifted mortal of 18 years that she was assigned to protect and knew all too well how dangerous the world was, in a hug. Both took on the role of sons in her eyes. And as she turned and flew away, Christine knew that they would have to act like brothers in order to survive this ordeal. Daniel and Miles huddled together under Daniel's wings and watched the most important person in their lives disappear, and in doing so, received the similar feeling that a long road was ahead; a road that they would have to travel together.

Author's Note: In this note I want to say first, and foremost, thank you so much for all of your supporting reviews on Lost Past, New Friends. Its reviews like that, which motivates me to type. Thank you so much once again! I hope you enjoy this chapter and please review to let me know what you think. Thanks again.