Chapter 16: A Visit From Mephiles
Shadow and Wave had done a good job taking care of their eggs, and now they were hatching. The two eggs that Wave had laid hatched, and two baby birds, one dove and one swallow, came out, chirping happily. They nuzzled their parents, who smiled.
I love them, Shadow said. They're so cute.
They are, Wave said. What should we name them?
Shadow looked at his sons. How about...Shade and Jet?
Wave looked at them as well. Those are fine names, she said. It will he fun raising them.
They probably want something to eat.
The female swallow nodded and flew out of the nest. A few minutes passed and she brought some worms back, giving them to her kids. They ate happily. Shadow watched them and looked at Wave. We look after them in the best for a while, right?
Wave smiled and nodded. Of course. I'm not going to die for five years, anyway.
Shadow hesitated and lowered his head. He wasn't going to die at all. Those five years are going to be happy ones, he said.
They are, she said, and looked at him. What's wrong, Shadow?
It's nothing. Shadow gave her a smile.
Shadow, I see you're concerned. Tell me.
The black dove sighed and nodded. I can't die.
What do you mean by that? Wave asked.
I was cursed to be immortal. Shadow shook his head. I've never tried anything out, but I believe him. Wave's eyes widened in fear. Why are you frightened?
I'm just...shocked. What will you do when we die?
Shadow sighed. I don't know yet. I'll figure it out when the time comes. Let's just focus on our babies for now. Shadow nuzzled Wave.
The swallow nuzzled him back and nodded. She looked at her children, who nuzzled their parents. This was going to be a great five years.
Five years later, Shadow was trying not to think about what was bound to happen soon. His children had grown wonderfully, and Wave was getting old. He knew that she would soon die. Shadow flew back into the nest as saw Wave. His eyes widened in shock. Wave was lying in the nest, unmoving.
Wave? he asked, nuzzling her. She didn't move. Shadow gasped and tears came to his eyes. He looked at his children and was happy to see they were alive, but were mourning the loss of their mother. Going over to them, Shadow nuzzled both of his children. Are you okay? He chirped. Where shall we go now?
His two children flew into the air, landing on another tree far away in another forest. Shadow followed them. Jet looked at his father with sad eyes. Shadow nuzzled him again, sighing. We'll be all right, he told his son.
Can we become immortal like you? they asked.
Shadow thought about it; there was a possibility. Possibly. I'm not sure how Mephiles did it, though.
The two birds nodded. Shadow pecked his feathers with his beak until they were wounded, but they healed instantly. The black dove smirked; he had a theory. perhaps his immortality had been passed down to his children.
It might have been passed down to you, he told them. His sons looked at him in shock. The dove nodded, and wounded them. Their wounds healed on their own. They watched in amazement as their wounds healed.
Shadow smiled. It looks like you do have immortality, he said, flapping his wings. We'll be here on Earth forever.
They nodded. The three birds landed on a branch and looked at the view. Shadow thought about his deal. Since had had found someone to love, did that mean he could see Sonic again? Eagerness and guilt filled him at the thought. Wave had just died, and he was worried about whether or not he could see Sonic again. Looking around, he waited to see Sonic. The dove waited, but Sonic did not appear. He sighed and shook his head in disappointment, turning back into a hedgehog.
"Maybe he forgot?" Shadow asked himself.
A bright glow appeared and Mephiles stood there. "I did not forget," he said. "You will find someone to love...but when you do, you must make them immortal."
"Shadow felt himself growing angry. "That isn't what you said!"
The other hedgehog chuckled. "I must have left it out," he said with a slight smirk. "And I predict that will be a long time from now...besides, Sonic and I are in love. We have a child as well."
"What?" Shadow stared at the other hedgehog in disbelief. "But I..."
Mephiles chuckled. "Sonic doesn't love you, Shadow. She never has. Now, she and I are together...forever. We are immortal too. Unless you find a person to love and make them immortal, you will never see her again."
He sent out a bolt of magic, hitting Jet and Shade. They yelled in pain and became anthro hedgehogs permanently.
"How am I supposed to make someone immortal if I don't even know how?" Shadow glared up at Mephiles, yelling despite the tears in his eyes.
"Your blood," Mephiles said. "If you transfer some of your blood to their body, they will become immortal."
Shadow nodded. "Are you sure Sonic never loved me?"
"I am. I'll be going now." Mephiles smirked. "Good luck, Shadow."
Jet and Shade looked at their father in confusion. "Dad?" Jet asked. "Who was that? What happened?"
Shadow turned towards them, tears in his eyes. "That was Mephiles," he said. "He's the one who gave me my immortality."
Their eyes widened in shock. "Is he immortal too?" Shadow nodded. "What do you have to do?"
"I have to find someone, fall in love with them, and make them immortal like we are.."
Jet's eyes widened, as did Shade's. "Good luck," Jet told him.
Shadow nodded. They had to get to Tails.