Beyond the Nightmares: Reloaded

by RhythmChimera7793

This is an updated version of a co-written story with Klingonfox150 on Deviantart simply titled "Beyond The Nightmares" WARNING: This story contains EXPLICIT chapters and events. Read at your own risk.

16. Chapter 11

Chapter 11: 0 to Parents in Sixty Seconds

Sheila, Erron, Drago, Sirena, and Kurama were walking around Care-A-Lot, busy looking for Rodney, until they got the tip that Rodney might have been in the basement of MKND HQ. Leica was with Jenny babysitting, as it turned out to be good for her on rougher days like today. They'd noticed how Leica had good and bad days since the whole mess that brought her to them, but they always found a way to help her, and caring for the babies seemed to be a very good way to do that. As for Kurama and them now, well, searching for Rodney was the first thing. They went down there and looked, while calling his name.

Kurama: YO RODNEY! WHERE ARE YOU?!

Rodney was startled awake upon hearing the shout. He was sleeping in the rafters of the basement ceiling, and he ended up falling all the way down to the ground. He would not have any problems if he had had his wings out, but he did not, which is why he fell. He also attempted to grab one of his biggest guns that he had built long before meeting Kurama, and it fell with him.

Rodney (While falling): OH, *?￢ﾀﾍ? ﾟﾘﾲ? ﾟﾘﾲ? ﾟﾘﾲ? ﾟﾘﾱ? ﾟﾥﾵ? ﾟﾤﾬ? ﾟﾤﾖ ? ﾟﾙﾀ? ﾟﾙﾀ? ﾟﾐﾔ? ﾟﾐﾲ? ﾟﾕﾸ?ￂﾠ

*Translation: Frakking heck!

Kurama, Arteza, and Sheila looked up and saw Rodney falling down from the rafters in his pajamas. Sheila manages to catch the boy before he could hit the ground, and when she stood back up, she got conked on the head with the gun that Rodney was trying to grab onto when he heard the shouting. While still holding Rodney with one arm, she took her other hand and rubbed the spot where the gun bonked her on the head.

Rodney (Sheepish): Sorry.

She set Rodney on the ground, and he was conked on the head with another of his heavier weapons. This actually made Kurama and Arteza move, as they didn't wanna get hit.

Rodney (rubbing the lump on head where the gun hit him): oh, frak. That was painful. Thanks for catching me Diesel.

Sheila knelt down to look at Rodney's head. As she did, Kurama and Arteza grabbed the two guns that fell, placing them on the workbench.

Sheila: It's ok, sweetie.

She reached into her medkit and pulled out a small jar of medicine that Skadi had added to the Gamma 13 medkits. She put some of it on the lump on Rodney's head.

Kurama and Arteza knelt down beside them, Erron and them questioning the whole thing. .

Kurama: You ok, little buddy?

Arteza: That was a pretty nasty hit.

Rodney: Yeah, I'm ok, Kurama, Arteza.. Thank you, Diesel.

Kurama: Now, What the friggin' heck were you doing in the rafters in your pajamas?

Arteza: Wait a minute, better question. What the frak are you doing here in your pajamas in the first place?

Rodney (picking up another of his guns that fell at one point): I live down here. I sleep in the rafters, just take a look from where I fell. Next time you are looking for me, could you please call me on my phone rather than shouting?

Sheila, Arteza, and Kurama look up into the rafters and see Rodney's blanket, pillow, and alarm clock sitting on the rafters, and they also notice the many weapons Rodney has on the ceiling. While they were doing that, Rodney took the time to get some fresh clothes for himself, and went behind his changing screen. When he came out, he was wearing jeans and a pink Rainbow Monkey T-Shirt.

Kurama(Seeing Rodney's T-Shirt with his mouth hanging open): Where in the world did you get a shirt like that?!

Kurama was surprised, but not at all in the way that Rodney thought. Erron actually knew about Kurama and Arteza's softer sides, really, Erron knew more than Rodney and them did, but then again, Erron was with them much more often, and he'd heard Kurama once say something about wishing he could find his plushies. Rodney though, really hadn't seen all of that, only what he saw in those first nights and all.

Rodney (Clearly embarrassed): My friend, Kuki, gave it to me as a present. She really likes the Rainbow Monkey stuffed animal toy franchise, so she gave me this as a Christmas present last year. I couldn't bring myself to tell her that I wasn't into Rainbow Monkeys, so I kept the shirt. And actually I like this one since it is surprisingly comfortable and soft. If anything, Kuki certainly knows how to pick out a shirt that is comfortable at least. (In thought) I am so not going to let them know about the Rainbow Monkey stuffed animal that she gave me for Frozatana last year. I sleep with that thing, and I would appreciate it to keep my best friend, rather than lose him because of me not wanting somebody who keeps laughing at me.

Kurama felt like an absolute piece of crap, and so did Arteza. Everything seemed to go across wrong right then.

Kurama: aw, man. I'm sorry. It just surprised me. I mean, when you picked out what t-shirts you wanted me to replicate from my stuff, you picked like Gears of War, Halo, and Call of Duty.(quietly) Had I known you liked that, I'd've found you some stuff like it ...(aloud again) And, I'm sorry about freaking you out. (In thought) He's got a soft side just like me, Tezzie, and Saami. He really is a wonderful kid. and that means he's an even better Gamma than I thought. Maybe I'll wear my favorite pair of shorts tomorrow, the dusty rose one's with the shuriken on them. and I think I'll wear the shirt Jade gave me from her "Caustic" tour last month.

Arteza wasn't sure what to say, so he'd just nodded, trying to let Rodney know that he and Kurama weren't trying to make him feel bad. It took a moment for him to figure out what to say.

Arteza: Rodney, we're so sorry, we really would have made you anything you wanted, we're not like that. We're not really macho kinda guys, so we, y'know, I mean, we think it's perfectly fine.

Rodney looked up at them, giving them a soft smile.

Rodney: It's ok. I really do like those shirts.

Sheila: (in thought) I'll bet this kid sleeps with a stuffed animal like Kurama, Arteza, and Saami do. Awww, he's so much like my sweet husbands. And the shirt; it's like Kurama and those pink cargo shorts Saami bought him. Not even surprised Tezzie has a pair.I ought to get them to wear them tomorrow. They're his favorite. (Aloud) Clothing choices aside, why do you live down here Rodney? Don't you have any proper living quarters, or a home you could go to? I mean, you lived with my husbands here for a good while.

Rodney: Not really. I'm an orphan, so I don't really have a place to call "home," other than here and Care-A-Lot. Though, your condo was the most like a home I've had so far.

Kurama: You know what; look, you're one of us, a Gamma. And if you're a Gamma, you're not an orphan anymore. and just like Barrett, you deserve to live with us. I mean, in this case, at our condo, cause you're used to living there, so, let's get your stuff and go.

Rodney: Really?

Arteza: Really, I have to say it again? Yes. Now since there's a good bit of stuff here, I wanna try something me and Aggro picked up that we've been working with Saami for months.

Rodney: What is it?

Kurama: A void style area teleportation spell. Do you have some paint and a small paint brush?

Rodney: Sure. What color?

Kurama and Arteza looked at each other, telepathically conferring with each other and then with Sheila.

Arteza: um, how about red?

Rodney takes out a bucket of red paint.

Rodney: Got it!

Sheila: Oh, before we start, we need to box up anything you don't want paint on.

They all worked together, putting Rodney's stuff into boxes. Erron was happy to help, as he loved Rodney, Drago, and Sirena, and really hoped that they'd get adopted like he was. While they were putting Rodney's stuff away, Sheila finds Rodney's Rainbow Monkey stuffed animal. she quickly puts it away before Rodney notices.

Sheila: (in thought) I was right. He is just like them. man, when the carrier gets here, I need to get their stuffed animals. Maybe then they'll stop with tossing and turning and all that crap. CRAP! I forgot that they packed some more of their stuffed animals in the armory system. Tonight, I'll remind him. man, I hope Tara was right about seeing the carrier. At least we've got the Ramses IV protecting the airspace. Plus, with the radar coverage on that thing, no way we'll miss anything coming at us. Taylor's mom will blow the crap outta them. Captain Keyes is something else.

By now, Kurama and Arteza were done with figuring out how to set the spell up, since they were working on that while packing.

Kurama: This is perfect.

Arteza: Watch this.

Kurama took the paintbrush and painted a Kitseili spell on the floor along with a short spell on Rodney's stuff.

Rodney: (in thought) Huh. Those words seem familiar. How do I know what that says?

Kurama: Alright. stand right here with us and hold my hand. This is gonna be cool. Ready, Tezzie?

Arteza: Ready, honey.

Kurama and Arteza: Void style: Slipspace Transfer.

Suddenly, Kurama,Arteza, Rodney, Drago, Sirena, Erron, and Sheila were transported to the armory of Camp Care-A-Lot. Kurama and Arteza stumbled over themselves, but they luckily caught themselves against each other and sat down on an ammo crate.

Erron: Daddy, Poppa, are you alright?

Erron started checking their pulses and all, worried, as they seemed burned out.

Rodney: Are you ok, Kurama, Arteza?

Kurama: I'm ok; I'm just hungry now. that spell wore the crap outta me.

Arteza: Yeah, kinda feel sleepy.

Erron: Oh, your sugar is low; Poppa, Daddy, you can't go without eating if you're gonna do stuff like this.

Sheila: Well, you wanted to get Rodney, Sirena, and Drago, and go get breakfast. I said eat first, then go see Rodney. And now you used a level three void spell on an empty stomach.

Sheila sighed, and instead of her curse trying to start a fight, she shoved it down and just petted her husbands on their heads

Rodney: Well, speaking of that, I'm hungry too.

Drago: Then let's get something.

Sirena: Yeah. Erron?

Erron: Yep!

And so, with the kids in tow, they headed out and got some breakfast, spending the day with the four kids. It really made Rodney and them happy, and a little later, they got anything in Rodney's stuff that needed to go to the base there, and whatever he wanted to keep in his room at their condo, they got set up. Originally, the condo had three rooms, but Sheila's expansion of it, well, that gave them several more that they furnished.

Later that night, with kurama and Sheila…

Sheila: Aggro, Tezzie, honeys, could you open up the armory system for me?

The two guys looked at each other and shrugged.

Kurama: Sure. What do you need?

Sheila: Not me. For you two. Look under your personal items.

As the guys rummaged around their inventories, they had no idea what she meant, not until they found it.

Kurama: Ok. I don't know what you want us to get out…of…here…HOLY FRAK! I thought I lost this! I looked everywhere in my bags since we got here.

Arteza: How? Where were these?

Kurama and Arteza typed in a few commands and a pair of medium sized forest camo stuffed Tiger-Foxes appeared in their arms, one in a digital pattern and one in a traditional pattern. They hugged them tightly, nuzzling them.

Sheila: Now you can stop with that restless crap.

They sat down on the bed on either side of her, and turned on the TV.

Kurama: yeah. I feel a lot better now.

Arteza: Me too. So, where were they?

Sheila: In my stuff, apparently. I found it while restoring my armory link like about the second night here. I slept in the bed of the truck. I didn't have a blanket, so I used a tarp. And for a pillow, my backpack.

Arteza: Yeesh.

Kurama: Bet that was a s**tty night's sleep.

Sheila made a gesture for 'more or less'.

Sheila: Eh, not as s**tty as sometimes. I set up the tarp frame over the bed and put another tarp over that. Kept the creepy crawlies out. It was hard to sleep though, considering I was worried about you two.

Kurama: I know that feeling. Honestly, that night I spent on the roof alone, I wished you were there.

Arteza: Yeah, cause like, I was scared to get caught. So, I had to stay in his head. But that second night, we weren't alone. We had our babies Celadon and Sienna there, and then Rodney, our baby, right there.

Sheila put her forehead to Kurama's, then to Arteza's.

Sheila: Yes; Rodney is our baby. I can feel it. Just as much as Erron, Celadon, Sienna, Aiden, Peach, Chern, and Goji.

Kurama: I feel it too; deep within my bones, within my blood; Rodney is our child, alongside Drago and Sirena.

Arteza: So can i. They're our babies.

When they laid down, everything seemed peaceful….until Erron had a nightmare that scared the absolute s**t outta him, and the thing was, well, Erron was actually Kurama and Arteza's son for real. He was actually a chimera who passed for an ibex, though, Skadi noticed stuff, like that Erron loved to eat meat, and that he had sharp teeth, and he had those same kind of tendencies….the ones Skadi would recognize later in Kurama and Arteza as autistic, but the thing was, Skadi had so much on her mind that trying to figure out Erron's parentage and all really escaped her. But tonight, the truth would be known. As Erron laid there with his favorite plushie, an adorable anthro nine-tailed fox-ibex hybrid that Kurama and Arteza made him, he tossed and turned, and just about went crazy. In his dream, Kurama and Arteza were captured by the DEL and were tortured and strung up, then murdered right in front of him, and he was crying and screaming and cursing at the DEL soldiers, threatening to kill and torture them in payback for that. Erron was going berserk in his nightmare, trying to attack and kill the DEL soldiers, but he was chained up too, and the more he struggled, he more scared and angry he was, and he got so wrapped up in the covers that he felt like he was suffocating, making him freak out more and scream his head off, waking everyone up. Kurama, Sheila, and Arteza rushed in, seeing Erron trying to untangle himself, still crying out for the three of them, they immediately rescued him from his nightmare, and when Erron opened his eyes to look up at them…..his right eye was glowing super bright fuschia with the first stage of the dojutsu in it.

Erron: Momma….Poppa…..Daddy….what's happening to me?

Erron felt the oddest energy flow through him, pure fear, but…..he was terribly scared and perfectly calm at the same time, and he could see the worried looks on their faces. They knew exactly what was going on - Erron had unlocked his power, the start of being able to induce fear in someone, and have access to immense strength of mind and body. But unfortunately, he'd have to be scared again for it to evolve further. So, they just picked their son up and comforted him, Leica and the others taking care of the babies for them. When Erron calmed down, Kurama, Arteza, and Sheila brought him to bed with them. Erron was still freaked out a good bit, and Kurama wrapped his arms around him, holding him tight as he hugged Kurama.

Kurama: Erron, baby, don't worry, we're here.

Sheila: Nothing is gonna happen to you, Erron.

Arteza: That's right, Erron.

Eventually, they were able to calm Erron down, and he slept mostly well, but it really took a lot out of him.

The next day…

Kurama, Erron, Arteza, Drago, Sirena, and Sheila, plus Leica, Celadon, and Sienna are eating breakfast in the war room, having gone down to the base early to see Farid, Jenny, Kai, and Tara and eat with them as well. They decided to not bother and wore their pajamas there. Rodney came in dressed in a Breaking Benjamin t-shirt that Kurama gave him along with camo shorts, having gone and showered and dressed before he ate.. He noticed Kurama's shorts and shirt, as well as the similar outfit Arteza was dressed in. Right now, it was just them, as everyone else was off doing stuff.

Rodney: Kurama, where'd you get that shirt and those shorts? And Arteza, you have the same shorts.

Kurama: Oh, these; Samantha bought me the shorts and Kai Shin's little sister Jade gave me the shirt.

Arteza: And well, I mostly just wear what Kurama has, as we are the same guy.

Kurama stood up and fixed his shirt, Arteza moving so his could be seen better. .

Kurama: See, this shirt was from Jade's rock tour a few weeks ago, before we came here. It's my favorite camo pattern. It's called caustic camo. I have a pink version too. if you want, I'll get you one of each. and the shorts, pretty cool, huh? shuriken all over. Saami and me tend to wear matching outfits. She knows I like this shade of pink and only very few shades, cause it's the only shade she likes. Though, well, i do like many more shades of pink, as well, oddly i'm more of an artist than Saami. Never figured that out.

Arteza: Same here.

Kurama: so, do you like them?

Rodney: Yeah, they look really good. And yeah, I would like that. (in thought) So Kurama and Arteza really don't care about the Rainbow Monkey shirt; they couldn't if he's wearing pink shorts with a shuriken print. They must have been embarrassed to wear them around me. I mean, with what they said the other day.

A little later…

Kurama, Arteza, Erron, and Rodney went to see Melody, while Sheila called Skadi and set up an appointment to talk with her about Erron, while Drago, Sirena, and Leica watched the twins.. Kurama looks into Melody's office and sees her at her desk filling out paperwork. He notices that she is also wearing her reading glasses.

Kurama: Hey, Melody. Me, Tezzie, Erron, and Rodney are gonna go take some time off from training and go hiking. Do you want to come with us?

Melody noticed that Erron was wearing sunglasses indoors, as he was peeking around the corner, and she was curious as to why. Kurama and Arteza walked into her office, with Rodney and Erron beside them. Melody noticed Kurama and Arteza's outfits.

Melody (Looking up and taking off the glasses): Cool shirt. 'Jade Reed: Caustic Tour 2599' That's Kai Shin's little sister, right? What kind of music does she play?

Kurama looks down at his shirt. He looks back up and smiles at Melody. Arteza did the same, his shirt being a different camo pattern. Melody knew Jade, but it'd been a long time since she'd seen Jade or heard her music.

Kurama: Oh, yeah. Jade's really cool. She's only 19, but she's a big star. and as to her music, she has albums in pop, hip-hop, and rock. Right now, she's into grunge and alternative metal. 'Caustic' is her first grunge album. Her alt. metal album is 'Star Crash'.

Rodney: Word of warning though; Jade's grunge and alt. metal is not for the rest of the kids around here. like, I wouldn't let Shard hear it.

Arteza: Not until he's way older.

Erron: Yeah, but it's amazing!

Melody: so, I'm guessing you listen to it.

Rodney smiles, along with Erron.

Rodney: Frak yes. It's good. so, do you want to come with us?

Melody: Yeah. It sounds fun. Hey, Kurama, Arteza, I like those shorts.

Kurama: Thanks, Melody. Samantha bought them for me.

Arteza: And Aggro bought these for me.

Melody: That reminds me. You guys can meet Carnation if you want. I need to take her out so that she can stretch her legs anyways. This hiking trip sounds like the exact thing she needs.

Kurama, Arteza, Erron, and Rodney look at each other, nodding.

Kurama: That's fine with us. Carnation sounds interesting from what you already told me about her.

Arteza: Yeah. This is gonna be really fun!

When they actually see Carnation for the first time...;

Kurama and Arteza (Mouth hanging open): What. The. Frak! CARNATION IS A FRAKING TRICERATOPS?!

Erron and Rodney were as shocked as they were.

Melody (laughing at their reactions while hugging Carnation's head): HA! I told you Chern could not hold a candle to Carnation! Carnation is the best steed/pet/friend a girl could ask for!

Rodney: Okay, I'll be the first to admit it. I was not expecting Carnation to be a dinosaur. I thought Carnation would be a dog or something else that's small!

Erron: Yeah, I never even knew about her!

Arteza: Never expected this at all!

Kurama: Same here, guys. Same here.

Carnation then just walked over to them, and gave each of them a friendly lick to their faces, and the slobber accidentally dripped onto their shirts. And well, with the two boys, they ended up covered nearly.

Rodney, Erron, Arteza, and Kurama together, grossed out: EEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW! DINO DROOL!

Melody: Awwwwww. She likes you two! I'm sure the five of you are going to be best friends!

The six then go hiking, Melody letting Kurama, Arteza, Erron, and Rodney take turns riding Carnation's back. Carnation did not really mind when Kurama or Arteza got on her back, as she was used to helping pull heavier objects and wagons when helping out in Care-A-Lot. In fact, Carnation did not really notice the difference in his weight and Erron and Rodney's weight. Though Erron was 6 years older than Rodney and big for his age, somewhat. While they were hiking, they saw a squadron of Eggman's flying fleet.

Kurama: I'll call Tara. She'll love dealing with these a**holes!

Arteza: Oh, this is gonna be good!

Melody: Don't call her. Me and Carnation can handle these bozos. You don't have to ruin Tara's day off. Carnation, are you ready girl?

Carnation's tail started wagging excitedly and she nodded her head. Melody smiled and pulled out a stone in the shape of Carnation's head on a necklace out from her shirt around her neck. She took off her necklace, and grasped the stone in her hand.

Melody: Stand back you two. Things the show's about to start.

Rodney, Arteza, Erron, and Kurama back up, giving the two some space.

Melody (putting her fist with the stone in the air): Okay Carnation! ULTIMATE DINO FORM!

At her shout, large beams of light shot out from the stone in her hand and Carnation at the same time. The beams met in the middle and in a bright flash of light, Rodney, Arteza, Erron, and Kurama saw Carnation's ultimate form. The four of them were amazed and surprised at the same time. This feeling only increased when Melody ran and jumped onto Carnation's back, and the two of them flew off into the sky to take care of the enemy planes. They saw her and Carnation get the attention of the entire squadron, and promptly flying straight up into the stratosphere. The planes follow her stalling out. Carnation and Melody suddenly dove straight down, and all the enemy aircrafts destroyed each other as they fired. Kurama, Arteza, Erron, and Rodney heard Melody whooping and hollering in excitement, and what they would discover later as her happy adrenaline rush screams.

Only four managed to survive, but Carnation turned her head and blasted a strong beam of laser energy at them, promptly disintegrating the airplanes. Melody then steered Carnation back to the ground in a clearing behind the Gamma 13 base. Rodney, Erron, Arteza, and Kurama ran to where they saw Melody and Carnation land, and the four of them found both Melody and Carnation taking a nap in the clearing. Sheila, Leica, Mark, Vintorez, and Malcom walked out of the base to meet Kurama, Erron, Arteza,and Rodney. All of them saw Carnation and Melody asleep, and they were wondering exactly why there was a dinosaur there in the first place.

Sheila: Okay, Aggro, Tezzie, Erron, Rodney, what the f**k is a F***ING triceratops doing here behind the base? And why is Melody snuggling with it in her sleep?

Kurama: You know that "Carnation" Melody is always talking about?

Sheila: Yeah. What brings that up?

Rodney: Well, the triceratops is that "Carnation."

Erron and Arteza nodded, pointing to her.

Kurama: Not only that, but Carnation has some sort of "ultimate transformation" thing. Think of it like ancestor mode, but Carnation can only use that transformation when Melody somehow uses a weird triceratops head shaped stone on her. Melody used that transformation to deal with a squadron of Eggman's aircrafts.

Sheila: After everything that I know and saw about Melody by now, I believe that she did something that crazy. Man, things around here are really somethin'. Oh, by the way-

At that moment, Carnation woke up, and saw Sheila, Leica, Mark, Vintorez, and Malcolm. Carnation also saw that Melody was still asleep, so the triceratops used her tail and put Melody on her back. Melody just cuddled more into Carnation's back, still deeply in dreamland. Carnation then proceeded to walk away, before getting stopped by Sheila.

Sheila: Okay, where are you going with our friend?

Carnation just got defensive, used her tail to put Melody on the ground, underneath her legs. Carnation was defensive over Melody, as if Melody was her own child, ready to attack anybody who got too close. Vintorez tried to get close, and pull Melody out from under Carnation, but was smacked away by Carnation's tail. Vintorez smacked into the base, and was knocked out cold.

Mark and Malcolm: BROTHER!

The two ran over to Vintorez, and checked to make sure that he was okay. Fearing the worst, they picked up their brother, and ran him to the hospital.

Mark: Sheila, Kurama, Rodney, we are taking Vintorez to Skadi at the hospital.

Sheila: Go! Leica, go with them!

Leica: Yes, Ma'am!

They then ran as fast as they could to the hospital, passing Amadeus and Wolfgang. Both hedgehogs look at each other, giving worried looks.

Wolfgang: We better see what caused Vintorez to be knocked out.

Amadeus: Yeah. From what Skadi told me, Vintorez has a very thick skull. Whatever happened to him, must have been strong as crud.

The two then ran over to the Gamma 13 base, and heard the sounds of Carnation roaring and protecting Melody, who somehow miraculously stayed deep in dreamland. (Using the stone for Carnation's transformation always drained Melody completely. Her internal chaos energy deposits (her source of her ice powers and super speed, and all of her stamina, that is why she is deeply asleep. She won't wake up until somebody gets a chaos emerald or diamond near her.) Wolfgang and Amadeus ran to where they heard Carnation roaring. They saw Sheila, Arteza, Erron, Drago, Sirena, Kurama, and Rodney busy trying to restrain Carnation. The triceratops was having none of that, and was busy fighting back as hard as she could. Somehow, Melody remained uninjured throughout all that.

Wolfgang and Amadeus: EVERYBODY STOP IT RIGHT NOW!

At the shout, everybody suddenly froze, looking at Amadeus and Wolfgang.

Wolfgang: Carnation! That's enough! Rodney, Drago, Sirena, Erron, Kurama, his clone, and Sheila are our friends. You do not attack them! It's already bad enough that you potentially gave Vintorez a concussion! You should be ashamed of yourself! I can understand you are protective over Melody, but you do not, I repeat, you do not attack others that are our friends!

While Wolfgang was scolding Carnation, Amadeus had gone over and pulled Melody away. He tried to wake her up, but nothing worked. Carnation meanwhile just laid down like a sad dog, clearly ashamed and upset. Kurama, and them went over and comforted Carnation.

Kurama: It's okay Carnation. We understand you were just trying to protect Melody. All three of us can tell just from the way that you fought, that you really do love Melody a lot. (In thought) Woah. I was not expecting Wolfgang to defend us like that. Not only that, but that was the first time he called me, Rodney, and Sheila his friends. Maybe he is not as bad as I originally thought.

Amadeus and Wolfgang meanwhile had done everything that they could have thought of to wake Melody.

Wolfgang: Wait a minute. She would have woken up long before this if...

He suddenly had a realization, snapping his fingers.

Wolfgang: THAT'S IT! Yo, Kurama! Did Melody use a triceratops head shaped stone that was on a necklace that she wore?

Kurama: Yeah. Why do you ask?

Arteza looked at him, brushing a stray orange quill away, back under his hat.

Arteza: What's going on?

Wolfgang: Of course! That's why Melody is still asleep. Amadeus, stay here and keep an eye on Melody. I have to go and get something!

And with that he raced off to go grab Fists. He returned shortly later, with Fists, Shard, and Hermione, in tow. Fists went over to Melody and examined her.

Fists: Huh. This is serious. She must have forgotten that in too long a time period between using Carnation's transformation will drain her completely and put her into a chaos induced coma. Nothing that Tikal's prayer won't fix. Hermione, get everyone back, and here; find a way to enchant it so that an incident like this will never happen again.

Hermione did as she was asked as Fists picked up Melody and brought her to a relatively safer distance away from the Gamma 13 base and everybody that was outside. He set Melody down on the ground and backed up a few paces. He said a short prayer to Aurora as a reassurance that the spell would work perfectly. Kurama and Arteza stood with him as a precaution against an attack during the spell, Erron assisting Kurama and Arteza. By now, he had several airsoft guns of his own, and Kurama and Arteza had added magic to them to let him weaponize them for an actual fight, since he wasn't blooded yet.

Kurama: Good. cause I can only heal plasma and white phosphorus burns; and that ain't worth a crap in this case.

Arteza: Same.

Fists: so, you can use your medkit or…like, a spell?

Kurama: yeah. We have two healing spells: Medical Art: Transference Healing and Medical Art: Phoenix Rising. Transference healing transfers the injury to me, while Phoenix Rising is the spell to heal me. Phoenix Rising is pretty cool, or pretty scary, depending on how you feel about seeing us engulfed in white phosphorus and thermite.

Fists looked at Kurama and Arteza like they were crazy. Kurama rolled his eyes and pulled off his gloves, Arteza doing the same with one hand. He held his hands out so that Fists could see the pads on his palms and fingertips. They were scarred and discolored.

Fists: Why are your hands like that?

Kurama: years of using that transference spell. Mira had to remove the ones on my fingertips, because I couldn't hold a gun or anything with them hurting so bad. See how they're growing back a little? They don't hurt right now.

Fists: At least you have full control over your hands. Look at mine.

Fists then took off his gloves, and showed his battle wounds from the MKND war of 3390. Erron looked at them with a "WTF" look. He knew his history, but seeing was something else.

Kurama: Why are your hands two different colors?

Fists: Wounds from the end of the MKND War of 3390. I was leader of the resistance army, and I led the kids who followed me straight to victory against Sister and Brother.

Sheila: Wait a minute, your sister and brother were the evil dictators that started a war?

Fists: Not exactly. That was the war Barret started behind the scenes. I don't wanna talk about it and ruin our rekindled friendship. If you want to know about the war, ask Rodney, he got the best final test scores on the MKND cadet History exam. In fact, he scored 100 out of 100 on that test. Let me say, Hermione told me that she was so proud of you Rodney for getting the highest score in MKND history on that exam.

Rodney (slightly embarrassed): Thanks. Hermione was the greatest teacher that I had when I was a cadet. Too bad I didn't score very high on any of the final exams that had to deal with physical abilities when I was a cadet and ended up as an intern.

Kurama: Well, at least you ended up becoming the next in line leading all these kids.

Arteza: Yeah, you're awesome, Rodney, and so are you, Erron.

Rodney (hugging Kurama): Thanks, Kurama. It means a lot coming from you.

Erron: Thanks, Poppa, Thanks, Daddy!

Kurama and Arteza hugged Erron as well, the boys happy to have them.

Fists: I would like to talk to you guys some more, but I gotta wake Melody from her chaos coma.

Fists then returned to where he set Melody down and he said another prayer to Aurora in hopes that she would watch over him and Melody as he cast the spell.

Fists: THE SERVERS ARE THE SEVEN CHAOS! CHAOS IS POWER ENRICHED BY THE HEART! THE CONTROLLER EXISTS TO UNIFY THE CHAOS!

At his shout of Tikal's prayer, green orbs of energy rose from the ground and encased Melody. A bright flash of light came from the orbs, and when the light died away, Melody opened her eyes and sat up. Fists meanwhile fell to his knees in a kneeling position. Shard quickly squirmed his way out of Rodney's arms and quickly crawled over to Fists.

Shard: Dad, are you okay?

Fists (Panting): I'm okay son. I just forgot how wore out Tikal's Prayer makes me since I don't use that spell too much. As well as the fact of how much it takes out of my chaos energy reserves when I am not near a chaos diamond, emerald, or the Master Emerald.

Shard: Does that mean that you need one of those gems to feel better?

Fists (Chuckling a little, hearing Shard's new question and getting to his feet while picking Shard up): I don't really need one right now son. Now if we were busy in a battle and I had to use that spell, then, I would need it. But all I need right now to restore my reserves is to eat something. Were you hungry as well son?

Shard: Yeah! Oooooohh! Can we get Ultimate Cheeseys? PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?!

Fists (Giving Shard a big grin as he walks off): Only if you don't tell your mother! You know how she is going to be if she finds out!

Fists then speaks in a really bad and high-pitched imitation of Skadi's voice;

Fists: Roughs! You should know better than to feed Shard that stuff! It will curb his growth! Not only that, but you'll also give yourself a heart-attack from eating that big giganto burger that has giant blocks of cheese for buns with an order of extra-large chili cheese fries that you always order when you go there!

Both Shard and Fists start laughing really hard and loudly as they walk off to Ultimate Cheeseys. Kurama, Arteza, Erron, Drago, Sirena, Sheila, and Rodney look at the two then to each other with "What the F***" looks.

Kurama: I know he was making fun, but frak it! I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or mean when he said that! Even when I read his emotions!

Arteza: Me neither!

Sheila: In any case, Fists really needs to work on his vocal imitations. That did not even sound remotely close to Skadi!

Hermione (rolling her eyes): In any case though, Skadi is going to find out anyways.

Rodney: How is she going to find out?

Erron: Oh, believe me, he's gonna be in his own hell.

Melody (walking over): She'll find out the next time Shard has his diaper changed. That stuff always gives Shard diarrhea and really bad stomachaches when Fists lets him eat it. Not only that, but the stomachaches and the diarrhea happen late in the night, and Fists happens to be a very heavy sleeper. That means that Skadi is always the one who takes care of Shard when he wakes up at night! Let me tell you, Skadi is going to get uber pissed when she finds out!

Rodney: Oh yeah! Can you remind me just how many times Fists has fed Shard that stuff? Cause I remember that Skadi actually threatened to castrate Fists if he went to Ultimate Cheeseys with Shard again the last time Shard had diarrhea and stomachaches.

Hermione: Baring the first time, I think, twenty by now.

Sheila: Why would the first time be bared?

Horus (walking up): Skadi was there. She and Fists took Shard there for the grand opening as a special treat. The end result made Skadi end up not really liking to eat there since she got stuck with taking care of Shard when the diarrhea and stomachaches hit Shard that night. Fists had an emergency mission that night, which was why Skadi was stuck in the first place.

Kurama: If it happened twenty-one times total, then that dumba** deserves to get into trouble! He should have learned his lesson by now!

Erron: That's the truth. :

Melody: I agree with you! Fists deserves whatever Skadi does to him when she finds out!

Hermione: Well here's your stone back Mel. Now if you'll be needing me, I am off to go finish the work on my fruit tree harvest. You guys can come and help me if you want. See ya!

She then left Horus and Carnation following after her. Kurama looks at Melody tiredly.

Kurama: You sure know many ways to run me ragged.

Melody: Let me guess, Carnation attacked you all because she thought you were going to hurt me while I was in a coma, right?

Rodney: Yep.

Skadi, Mark, Malcom, and Vintorez then come walking up to the group. Skadi: Hey guys. Vintorez is okay, but be careful. He has a very minor concussion, but I took care of it. If he has signs of it turning out to be a major concussion, bring him immediately to the hospital. By the way, have any of you seen where Fists took Shard? I was thinking the three of us could go on a picnic today.

Melody: Um... Skadi... I don't know how to tell you this...

Skadi: Fists took my baby to Ultimate Cheeseys didn't he?

Kurama: He did. Are you gonna go and kill him?

Skadi: No. I promised him he could take Shard to Ultimate Cheeseys at some point, as long as he didn't tell me when he did so as well as promise me that he would take care of Shard when he has stomachaches and diarrhea later. And at least Fists always keeps his promises. Maybe this time he will finally learn his lesson and not take Shard there anymore until Shard has grown up a little bit.

Erron was about to comment about Fists clearly never learning that lesson when Fists then ran back to the group with Shard in his arms. Fists was panicking because he just got a distress call from the echidnas who were hiding in the ruins of Albion.

Fists: GUYS! EMERGENCY! ALL THE ECHIDNA KIDS HAVE BEEN CAPTURED BY EGGMAN! ESPECIALLY MY COUSIN KNEECAPS! WE HAVE TO GET TO THEM BEFORE EGGMAN ROBOTIZIZES THEM OR LEGIONIZES THEM!

Melody: Fists, bro, chill. We already took care of it. That emergency came in five hours ago. Me and the rest of the rescue squad took care of it. I guess Bill the Bat forgot to tell you the complete message. Again.

Fists: Yes, he did. Why haven't you fired him from delivering important messages yet if he keeps forgetting to tell the complete messages to those who were intended to receive them?!

Melody: Eh, he likes the job, and I don't have the heart to break his into pieces.

Fists: Okay. Excuse me while I go beat that batty bat to smithereens.

Fists hands Shard off to Skadi and then storms off and all of the group break up for the day. Or well, mostly, since Sheila finally got to tell Kurama and Arteza that they got Erron's appointment worked up, and well, Skadi could see him right then.

Skadi: You ok with that, Erron?

Erron: Yeah. This is important.

When they got to the hospital, with Drago and Sirena staying back with Shard, Celadon, and Sienna, Jenny and Farid watching them, Skadi led Erron and his parents to her office.

Skadi(shutting the door): Ok, so, what happened last night, Erron?

Erron took off his shades, and then Skadi saw it.

Erron: I have the same mark in my eye that Daddy and Poppa do. I have the Kyofugan.

Skadi didn't speak a moment, and well, when she did…..

Skadi:Erron…..if you have this, i need to tell you something- i think they're your real parents.

They were all silent then, and Skadi went over and got Erron's records out, as she kept her certain medical records there if she felt she had a reason, and this was one of those times.

Skadi: Guys, look….

She showed them his file, and Kurama and them sat down and went over it together, through the course of it…..

Erron: I'm not pure ibex…..then i'm….a chimera….but this here….

Kurama: "Likely autistic; not sure yet" No, Erron, you definitely have Aspergers like me and Tezzie. We already figured that out. But this….

Skadi: Erron, can I test your blood?

Erron: Do it. I wanna know.

Of course, they did so, and when the results came back, only Kurama and Arteza's DNA lined up with Erron's.

Skadi: You're the miracle child of two guys. That's super new….

Kurama: Oh my word…..

Arteza: He's our baby, we had a baby together!

Sheila: Oh my word, this is awesome!

Erron's face lit up, and he immediately hugged Kurama and Arteza, and of course, Sheila, as no matter what, she'd always be his mom. It didn't matter that Sheila was his mom cause she was married to Kurama and Arteza. No, she was his mom cause he loved her, and she wanted him as her son. And this just made it even better,

Skadi: Ok wow…..so…then ... ..if i'm right…..Erron, take the next two or so weeks off, figure your new powers out. If you have Kurama and Arteza's blood in you, then you need to understand what powers they have as well as your own.

Erron: You sure, ma'am?

Skadi: I'm sure, and Erron, call me Skadi from now on. Look, you're a year older than me anyways. I may be your boss, but I'm your friend too. And Erron, I'm happy that you're a Gamma too. It's what you want, right?

Erron: Yeah. I wanna be more than a doctor. I finally get why I did so well when it came to any of history and combat stuff back in the academy. And now, I can really expand my skills.

Kurama: That's right, baby. And now, you have a lot more to learn, including how to move through slip-space like us.

Erron: Yeah. I really wanna learn that.

Arteza: You can, and Erron, this opens up an entirely new world for you.

Skadi:It does, Erron, as you have flame and electric magic in you, and the void too, and I'm sure you can use plasma as well.

Erron smiled broadly, envisioning his powers, and for a moment, a spark flickered between his ears, and it seemed for a second like his tail was igniting….it was. Erron's tail was actually igniting, and there was a small burst of flame and it took hold.

Kurama: It happened….you tail flame ignited. You got the first stage and your tail fame ignited.

Arteza: This is very momentous, Erron.

It certainly was, as it symbolized that Erron was coming into his powers.

Early that evening…;

Fists found Drago just sitting in Care-A-Lot's park by himself, sad and depressed, and decided to go over and talk/spar with him.

Fists: Hey Drago. Wanna spar while talking?

Drago nodded and got himself ready to spar with Fists.

Fists: No weapons. I wanna see how good you are. And besides, Haven't had a good fight in ages.

Drago: Won't Skadi be mad if you're hurt when you go home to her?

Fists: No. She knows that I'm a fighter, and that's the boy she loves. Me coming home injured from a fight is nothing new. (Showing Drago his back, where he had the scar from where Fang stabbed him with a shard of broken window glass) See this scar? Got that one from being stabbed in the back by an a**hole elk kid by the name of Fang. Wanna know what that f**ker was up to and where I got this scar?

Drago (beginning to spar with Fists): Sure.

Fists (sparing with Fists): Got it back in my apartment that I shared with Skadi back when we first adopted Shard. Fang and his gang of a**holes broke into the nursery we had for Shard when I wasn't home, and was threatening to do something terrible to my son if Skadi didn't give him all of our money and valuable items. Naturally, Skadi didn't give into his demands and managed to call me and the rest of our team, while trying to save Shard. Fang somehow managed to get away from Skadi with Shard in his arms, and that sent me over the edge with rage. I got Fang into my friend Abby's arms and proceeded to beat the f**king crap out of Fang and broke that f**ker's horns off and tossed him through the wall to the nursery, disrupting Fang's goons who were beating the crap out of Skadi, as they managed to gang up on her and were beating her up. While me and the rest of Sector S were handling Fang and his goons, Fang stabbed me in the back with a broken shard of the window. And after that, we managed to defeat Fang and his goons, wiped their memories via our decommissioning chambers and left them somewhere where they wouldn't be able to rediscover Care-A-Lot again.

Drago: Why didn't you kill Fang when you had the chance?

Fists: I am many things in the MKND, but a killer and murderer is not one of them. I know that killing is necessary, but I don't wanna give into my past and become the terrorist that I used to be when I served the Legion.

Drago: Wait a minute. YOU were in the Dark Egg Legion?

Fists: No. I was born into the Dark Legion long before they teamed up with Eggman. I was supposed to be the next one in charge of the Legion. And part of my training, when I was younger, was to execute many people that the Legion didn't like using the techniques I was taught. I can literally kill you instantly with a single punch if I wanted to. But I am not that kind of guy. I know the burden that Kurama holds on his shoulders, and I want to shield Shard from that world for as long as possible.

Drago: Can you teach me those killing techniques?

Fists (managing to pin Drago down for a minute, before Drago turning the tables and managing to pin Fists down): Only if you let me teach Kurama and the rest of the Gamma 13 adults first. Once they know the techniques, I am sure they will be able to teach you even more than I could, as they could make even more techniques based off of the ones I know.

The two didn't realize that Kurama, Arteza, and Sheila were watching the two of them spar while talking. After Drago won the sparring match, and helped Fists back to his feet, Kurama, Arteza, and Sheila walked over to the two and checked the two for injuries.

Kurama: So what was that about teaching us about deadly assassination techniques and this "Dark Legion"?

Fists: About the Dark Legion, it's a long, sad, sad, sad, story that I would like to tell you, and I have a lot of assassination techniques that I learned while in the Dark Legion. I wanted to teach you and the other adults in Gamma 13 first before teaching anyone else.

Sheila: That sounds good. And Drago, you did really well in that sparring match just now. You've been taking what we taught you to heart.

Drago (smiling): Thank you Sheila!

Sheila (gently picking Drago up and cradling him): You're welcome sweetie. Now let's get back to the base for dinner sweetheart.

Drago: Okay.

Fists: I gotta get home to Skadi and Shard. See you guys tomorrow?

Kurama: Sure. You gotta teach us those techniques after all.

Fists nodded and the four parted ways. While this was going on, Mark, Vintorez and Malcolm were going and setting their rooms up so that they could live with Gamma 13. After dinner, Kurama and Arteza went to see if Rodney wanted to watch a movie and saw Rodney with his Rainbow Monkey stuffed animal. Rodney got embarrassed while shyly putting the Rainbow Monkey behind his back, blushing profusely.

Rodney: You're going to laugh at me now, right Kurama, Arteza?

Kurama and Arteza just looked at each other and shook their heads.

Kurama: Frak no. if I did that, I'd be a frakking a-hole. Rodney, it's nothing to be embarrassed about, least of all around me and Diesel. you know what, I admit it. I sleep with a stuffed animal.

Arteza:Yeah, and so do i. This is what we were trying to tell you yesterday. We're not ever gonna laugh at you and tell you all macho bulls**t. We hate that stuff. I mean really, what good is that load of crap?

Rodney: Really? you're not making it up?

Kurama: Wait right here.

Kurama and Arteza leave and go to their bedroom. They come back a moment later holding their stuffed animals.

Kurama: See, Rodney? We always sleep with our stuffed animals.

Rodney: Your stuffed animals? More than one, like you have a bunch?

Kurama: Rodney, We have a whole collection back at our house. Samantha and I have always collected stuffed animals and both of us sleep with one, and of course, Arteza is me, so he does too.

see, Samantha gave him this one. She gave it to him before we went to Dravia. even there, he slept with it.

Kurama: My whole team knew about it, just not anyone outside of was because we all grew up together. When me and Jian fought for the first time he made fun of me for it. He didn't do that before. Back when he was my friend, he gave me a caustic camo stuffed hedgehog for my thirteenth birthday.

Sheila came in with Erron and they sat down with Rodney. Erron had his kyuubi-ibex plushie with him.

Erron: Rodney, I even love plushies. You never even knew that I have dolls and plushies at my house.

Kurama: None of my real friends ever cared about the stuffed animals, and Rodney, me and Tezzi even have baby dolls, lots of them. Even Farid knows. That's one thing he never brought up when he retaliated. He never did that cause he knew I had been mocked for it when I was a kid. And now that we're back to the way we used to be, he reminds me that it's a good thing. look, no one on my team is gonna care that you have a stuffed animal. Although, let's avoid you-know-who, cause he's gonna be mean as fire about anything he can find to be mean about. Speaking of which, the plushie not the currently locked up a**hole, where did you get that? I kinda want one and I know Samantha would. maybe get one for the baby too. That would be the perfect gift, right?

Arteza: I want one too!

Erron: And I want the other colors, cause I only have the green one!

Sheila: And I'd love one as well!

Rodney smiled broadly, excited to tell them.

Rodney: Kuki gave it to me for Frozatana last year.

Sheila: Now that's such an adorable stuffed animal, Rodney; So, Tezzie and Aggro showed you their stuffed animals, as well as Erron showed you his new one.. I hope with this will make both of you stop being embarrassed about having stuffed animals. I remember when Aggro and Saami would get a new one and they would be so proud of it; then one day, some a-holes made fun of them. and then I beat the crap out of them.

Kurama smiled.

Kurama: I remember that. you really scared them. It was the first time you called me your boyfriend.

Rodney: Really?

Sheila: Yep, and the stuffed animal he had when that happened is the one he's carrying right now. He has another one that he left on the carrier. Here, Aggro. I just brought it back.

Sheila hands kurama the stuffed animal that Jian gave him.

Kurama: Thanks Diesel.

Kurama took the stuffed animal from Sheila, and with that, they all went off to watch a movie with Drago and Sirena, and Celadon and Sienna, with Kurama, Arteza, Erron, and Rodney still holding their stuffed animals. Drago was also holding his stuffed animals that Shard and Sirena gave him. At this point, Kurama, Arteza, and Sheila felt that the only way it could be perfect was if the rest of their babies were with them. After the movie was over, they heard the somewhat muffled cries of a baby chao. Sheila got up and went over to an open ammo box on the table. She carefully picked up and cradled the thing that was in the box in her arms.

Sheila: There there, Panzer. It's okay. I'm here. You can stop crying.

Panzer still continued to cry, and Sheila checked the diaper it was wearing, finding that the chao had soiled itself.

Sheila: So that's why you were crying. Don't worry sweetheart, I'll change you.

Sheila gently laid the chao on the table and changed it using the supplies Skadi had given her when she took Panzer from the hospital. As soon as she was finished, Sheila gently swaddled the tiny chao baby with a baby blanket. She also put a pacifier in the chao's mouth, which the chao happily sucked on. Panzer gave Sheila the biggest smile it could give her with the pacifier in its mouth. Sheila picked up the chao in her arms again and brought it over to the couch, where she sat down between Kurama and Rodney. Kurama and Arteza looked at it skeptically, wondering exactly where Sheila got it from. Kurama hadn't seen a Chao in years, so this was something. And this was the very first time Arteza saw a living Chao.

Kurama: Um where did you get that…Chao, a Chao?…., took me a sec,... sorry, Diesel…..

Sheila:S'okay, honey. It's been a long time since we've seen Chao. I got her from Skadi's hospital here. I named this one Panzer, and I thought we could adopt this cutie.I mean, guys, that's ok, right? Like, she's just a baby.

Arteza: Works for me!

Kurama: I have no problem with adopting Panzer, but why was she in the hospital in the first place?

Kurama sat up stiff, feeling worried about his new daughter, as did Arteza.

Sheila: According to Skadi; this little girl was hatched very prematurely. Skadi found her when on a mission seven months ago, and quickly scooped her up and brought her here. She did everything she could to save Panzer, and before today, she was in a coma and on life support. Weird thing is that Panzer woke up when I put my hand on the glass dome covering of her bassinet. Skadi was very surprised at this, and you would not believe it, but she fainted from relief that Panzer was okay and awake. It took her twenty minutes to recover from the shock. When Skadi woke up, she told me that it was probably meant for me to keep Panzer. And I agree with her. And besides, Panzer needs us, I can feel it.

The guys relaxed when Sheila told them all that, as it meant that Panzer was ok.

Rodney: Can I hold Panzer?

Sheila: Of course Rodney. Just be careful. She is a baby after all.

Sheila then handed Panzer to Rodney. Rodney took Panzer and tickled her under her chin, resulting in happy giggles.

Kurama: By the way, how could you tell what gender Panzer is?

Sheila: Skadi told me that chao are unisex, so Panzer technically does not have a gender. Skadi also told me that it is rare to find a person who can understand what chao are saying. But luckily I can understand chao. To be honest, Panzer called me "Mommy," as the first thing she said when she woke up.

Arteza: How could you even tell that Panzer is a girl though? Like, I mean, y'know, was there a consistent response to being called a girl or a boy?

Sheila: Yep That's what she responded to when she woke up. She hates being referred to as a boy. Psychologically, therefore, yes, she's our daughter, based on this. Well, looks like we know more about Chao than we used to.

Kurama and Arteza smiled at each other and nodded, glad to hear that it was confirmed. If there was one thing about Kurama, Sheila, and Arteza, it was their love of science and the way it showed through even in a tender family moment. What might have seemed cold to an outsider, it was just their way. Panzer then wiggled her arms free and took the pacifier out of her mouth.

Panzer: Chao, chao chao chao? (Mommy, are these six my daddies and my big siblings?)

Kurama, Arteza, Erron, Sheila, Rodney, Drago, and Sirena looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Sheila then took Panzer from Rodney and handed her to Kurama.

Kurama: Sure, baby. We'd be happy to be your family.

The little chao smiled a big smile and tried to hug Kurama, who in turn hugged her back.

Kurama: Panzer…I love that name. German for armor. Perfect. hmmm…

Sheila: Whatcha thinkin', Aggro?

Arteza: Oh, I know that look….You got a hypothesis!

Kurama: well, I'm just gonna put this idea out there, but remember that any psychology crap other than fear is foreign territory to me and Tezzie: what if the whole 'chao are unisex, but seem to respond by being referred to using words like he or she and so forth' is a result of imprinting. Panzer first responded to a female Tigrahn, you. That raises the question: would Panzer have responded in the opposite way if Tezzie or I had been there instead? Does each Chao imprint in some way, either with someone or opposite to them? Like, could a Panzer have been our son because of reverse imprinting? Like, y'know, not so much a mirror, but genderbent imprinting.

Sheila: huh. not a bad theory. we'll have to tell Mira and Sophie. they might have some insight.

Arteza: But we'll need more data. We need to see if there are kids who are raising Chao as their own babies. They could help us.

Kurama(nodding): hmm...

Sheila: What now? New hypothesis?

Arteza: Conclusion?

Kurama leaned back and put his back paws up on the coffee table edge, letting Panzer cuddle with him. Of course, Celadon and Sienna loved Panzer, and cuddled up with Kurama as well after Arteza handed him the twins.

Kurama: Realization: we're 24/25 and we have 11 children. Already, we had Aiden, Peach, Chern, and Goji, and my mom raised five kids of her own, plus in a way she raised you and the rest of Alpha Squad.

Rodney: You're not wrong. you are the closest thing we've had to a mom and dad, er well, dads.

Erron: And you are my real dads….

Rodney: Dude….wait….

Erron: I'm my Poppa and Daddy's miracle baby!

That surprised the kids and they all hugged Erron, happy to hear that.

Kurama: Yeah, see, I've been saying that me and Diesel should try to have kids…

Sheila: But then we said "this isn't the best time with the living hell we're fighting our way through. we have time, more than enough since we'll live like at least two hundred years." and then, well, we got Aiden and Peach and then Chern and Goji.

Rodney: That makes sen…wait! two hundred?! Hang on! You guys can live to be like two hundred?!

Erron laughed while Rodney, Drago, and Sirena tried to process that.

Sheila: Yes sweetheart. Both Kitseili and Tigrahn have lifespans of at least two hundred years. so, do Kaurnck and Drach.

Rodney: Okay, I really need to process that. By the way, did you guys want to take a family picture?

Kurama: Sure, why not? I'll go get the camera.

Arteza: It got it, honey.

Arteza stopped him and got up and quickly returned with a camera. He set it up and set the timer. He sat back down, and the picture was taken. As soon as they checked the photo, they heard Melody angrily shouting outside.

Melody: GET BACK HERE WITH THAT COOKIE JAR, HERO! THAT WAS MY FAVORITE ONE! YOU KNOW MOM GAVE THAT TO ME WHEN I MADE MY FIRST SUCCESSFUL BATCH OF COOKIES! I DON'T WANT IT BROKEN!

Kurama, Arteza, holding Celadon and Sienna, Erron, Drago, Sirena, Sheila, holding Panzer, and Rodney go to the window and see Melody running after an albino chao that was holding a decorative cookie jar. They also heard Melody cussing the chao out several ways till Sunday as she gave chase.

Arteza: The f**k did we just see?

Kurama: What is that white chao doing with that jar, and why is Melody chasing and cussing it out?

Erron: Ok…..that was f**king weird.

Rodney: Well that albino chao is Melody's pet/friend. And from what Melody has told me, Hero used to be sweet and nice like you and Arteza, Kurama. But something happened to her chao, and now he is a total d**k.

Sheila: How long has Melody had that chao?

Rodney: Well, technically, Melody has known Hero ever since she was a baby. Although, she did tell me that when her family moved to that other dimension, and made a chao garden, all the chaos disappeared a few months afterwards. Melody always wondered where they went during that time.

Kurama: If Hero, and the other chaos that were with her family, disappeared, how did Melody reunite with them?

Rodney: She told me that they just showed up one day. It was a little bit afterwards that Melody noticed that her chao had turned into a jerk. She also said that she noticed that Hero keeps putting two particular creepy songs that he likes to listen to now on her music player. She keeps deleting them and telling Hero not to touch her music player. But Hero keeps disobeying her and continuously keeps putting those creepy songs on there. I mean seriously, they sound really creepy!

Sheila: Let me guess, Hero played his two favorite songs around you, didn't he?

Rodney: Yes, yes he did.

Hearing about the music unnerved Kurama and Arteza, as they knew about the use of music in torture and interrogation as well as brainwashing. It was a complex thing, and they were worried about the implications.

Arteza: Hmmmmm... Rodney, does Hero do anything strange in particular that is considered odd behavior for a chao?

Rodney: Now that you mention it, Hero always seems to hold his right arm for some odd reason.

Kurama: Okay. Let's just monitor Hero to find out just how off he truly is.

Sheila: Okay. But let's keep it to ourselves. Melody does not need to know right now.

Kurama, Arteza, Erron, Sirena, Drago, and Rodney: Got it.

Erron: Damn, really gonna need monitor that little d*ck. I don't want him hurting Panzer, y'know?

Arteza: Yeah. We gotta make sure he doesn't hurt anyone if he's so screwed up in the head.

Sheila (looking at Panzer in her arms): Panzer, baby, if Melody's chao ever plays any music that creeps you out, come and tell me or your fathers immediately okay?

Panzer (nodding): Chao chao. (Okay Mommy.)

Sheila: That's a good girl.

Rodney: By the way, talking about your life-spans earlier, reminded me of somebody that I had the misfortune of meeting on a mission shortly before you guys arrived here.

Kurama: Who was it?

Rodney: A hedgehog who, ironically, has the same name as the color of his fur, Silver. He is a time traveler 200 years from the future here.

Sheila, Arteza, and Kurama: WHAT?!

Rodney: I am not fooling around! Silver the Hedgehog is really 200 years from the future. Want to know something else? Silver is technically Melody's super great-great-great-great-great grandson!

Kurama, Arteza, and Sheila: AGAIN, WHAT?!

Rodney: I'm serious. Silver came here a few months ago, and he tried to kill Melody, thinking she is going to be the cause of just about all life on Mobius to go extinct. We managed to settle the dilemma before he killed her, by beating him senseless. As he was healing in Care-A-Lot Memorial Hospital, Melody constantly visited him and gave him earfuls about how he had screwed up time for himself. That was also when we figured out his relationship with Melody, and we all decided to not tell Silver. We thought the truth would have broken Silver into an unrepairable mess. He was already broken by the time he left here. Nobody has heard from him in a long time.

Kurama (getting pissed off): Okay, if I ever meet this "Silver," I am going to have a thorough talk with him about time travel. It is a frakkng rule for us Avros to never mess with time, or with anything else that we do not understand.

Arteza: Yeah, Silver needs to understand that, especially since he is Melody's descendant. I mean, really, there's a reason Avros were clearly entrusted with knowledge of time-space like we have.

Sheila: I agree with you. But let's get off of that topic for now before you boys blow a gasket from being so angry at Silver. Did you guys want to watch a movie?

Rodney: I do. I know the perfect one to watch as well.

Kurama: Which one is it?

Rodney: It's a movie called "How to train your Dragon." I watched it before and it is really good. I like how the people who made it, turned the movie into its own story, rather than a bad interpretation of the original book it was based upon.

Sheila: Sounds good to me.

Kurama: Sounds good to me as well. Let's take care of the family picture first, and hang it up before we forget.

Arteza: Oh yeah, just about forgot

That made them all giggle, as that meant Kurama had too.

Rodney: Okay. You can do that while I go get the movie.

Sheila: And I'll get a bottle for Panzer. It's about time she was fed her dinner.

They then temporarily part to do their respective tasks before settling down to watch How to Train Your Dragon. Farid, Jenny, and the rest of the current Gamma 13 members, except Folsom, came in before they started the movie, and they all watched it together as one big family. By now, yeah, they still didn't know Areza really, and he was wrapped in a blanket with Kurama and Sheila and Erron, so all they thought was that he was just Kurama's new special clone, Kurama was the only one who noticed that Rodney was one of the happiest ones there, as he could sense Rodney was happy because he had finally found his true family. Naturally, Erron was the other one, because he not only had a family, but they were both his found family and real family.

Meanwhile...;

Melody had gotten her cookie jar back from Hero, and she had locked her chao in solitary confinement in order to teach him a lesson and to punish him for stealing the cookie jar in the first place. Melody then went and baked several sweet desserts to calm down. She was listening to the Sound of Music soundtrack, and she was busy listening and singing along to Do-Re-Mi. Since she had the window open to let her baked goods cool down, her voice carried all the way over to the Gamma 13 base. They didn't really notice her singing until the movie was over, and they heard Melody's beautiful singing voice.

Kurama: Who is that singing?

Arteza: So pretty….

Vintorez: Oh, that's Melody. She won't admit it openly, but she loves to sing and dance.

Jenny: She is a beautiful singer. I never would have thought Mel could sing like that. She gives Jade a run for her money.

Kai: I don't doubt that for a second. Maybe I will bring Jade here so she can meet Melody at some point.

Kai knew the truth, and like Kurama and Sheila, he missed Melody's singing. Jenny only knew secondhand like Arteza.

Mark: That sound's good. By the way, Melody, Wolfgang, and Amadeus don't like to admit it that much, but the three of them have their own band that they call, "The Turbulence Riders."

Arteza: That's an awesome name for a band. Do they perform often?

Malcom: No, they don't. They keep to themselves, playing in private and generally keeping to their garage, thereby making The Turbulence Riders a garage band. We and the rest of Sector S keep telling them that they should start performing or at least perform in a Battle Of the Bands competition. But they always refuse to.

Kurama(to Sheil telepathically): Huh, Mel started a band with Wolfgang and Amadeus ... .clearly it was in recent years. I remember me and you singing along with Mel back in the day, when Aunt Hannah would play the piano, and we'd play our instruments.I miss that….

Sheila(telepathically with Kurama: I miss it too ...hey, we have my bass, and you and Tezzie's guitars….

Arteza:(Telepathically with them): Oh, i know what yer thinkin,...you wanna get out our stuff and rock this place, huh?

Kurama and Sheila(Telepathically to Arteza): Hell yeah!

Sheila: Well, maybe those three will perform their own concert at some point. I know I would want to see them perform. By the way, what is that wonderful smell?

Rodney: Smells like Melody's banana nut chocolate surprise cake. She made it for the whole feast that celebrated me becoming her successor to the MKND. It was one of the tastiest cakes I have ever eaten. In fact it was the first cake I have ever eaten in my life.

They all then hear Melody shout very loudly and angrily again.

Farid: Oh no. What pissed her off this time?

Melody: HERO! I TOLD YOU YOU ARE IN TROUBLE! YOU ARE GONNA GET IT NOW! THAT BANANA NUT CHOCOLATE SURPRISE CAKE WAS FOR GAMMA 13 AND NOT FOR YOU! YOU UNBELIEVABLE A**HOLE JERK THIEF! THAT'S IT! NO MORE TREATS FOR YOU FOR A MONTH! GET BACK HERE NOW!

Arteza: Oh my word…..back to this bulls**t again?

Kurama (getting up): I'll go handle that dilemma. I am sure I can scare the living daylights out of Hero so that he learns his lesson and stops stealing things that are not his.

Arteza: Want some backup?

Kurama: By all means, honey, thanks.

Arteza got up, obscuring his face as usual.

Rodney: Good luck Kuramas!.

Panzer: Chao chao chao! (Good luck Daddies!)

All the kids did the same, including Leica who'd been working with Farid helping him do some simple recon tasks to help her with patience.

Kurama: Thanks, you guys. (Kissing Sheila) We'll be back soon.

Arteza gave her a discrete kiss on the lips like Kurama did, Kurama actually helping to deflect from that for the rest of Gamma 13.

Sheila: I'll be waiting for you.

Kurama and Arteza then went and alleviated the problem with Melody and Hero.

Melody: Thanks, Kurama, Arteza. Hero has been a real pain in the butt recently. At least since this was the first time he ever stole something like that, and you scared him, he will never ever steal things that are not his ever again. And come with me, I have some other baked goods that you can take back to the others.

Kurama: Sure. But how will we be able to carry all the baked goods?

Melody: I already packed the goods up in boxes and bags.

Kurama: Well that's convenient. Thanks Mel!

Arteza: Yeah, Thanks, Mel!

Melody: Don't mention it.

Kurama, Arteza, and Melody then went to Melody's cottage and Melody gave Kurama and Arteza all the baked goods he could carry, and helped bring the rest of them to the Gamma 13 base. They all then ate the sweet treats that Melody had made, and nobody noticed that Mark had markings that changed color. Vintorez reminded Mark about his markings, and Mark quickly repressed them before anybody noticed. Later that night...;

Mark, Vintorez and Malcom were in Mark's new bedroom. Vintorez and Malcom were worried about Mark.

Mark: Guys, I'm fine. Really. You two don't have to worry about me.

Vintorez: We know that, but we are still concerned for you brother. All three of us know you can't hide your marks when you are sleeping.

Malcom: Yeah. What if any of these Gamma 13 members come in while you are sleeping and decide to use you as some sort of freak test subject? We barely know any of these people other than Rodney and Barrett, but I don't trust any of them. I don't want to see you hurt in any way if I could prevent it.

Mark: Guys, for the last time, I will be fine! If Queen Melody trusts them, then we should too. I trust our queen's judgment. She has never steered us wrong in our lives, and she won't ever start. I mean, look, they're not normal, no one is. I have those markings….Erron's got all these powers now, and I mean, they really can't be bad if Kurama, Arteza, and Sheila adopted him. Plus, he's Kurama and Arteza's real son, not sure how that works with two guys…..but still, I mean, look, if Kurama, Arteza, and Sheila are sweet and nice, why would that hurt us?

Vintorez: Okay little brother. We'll leave you alone about this. But if for one instance they want to hurt you, we are leaving and going back to the life we had before. Understand?

Mark: Understood.

Underneath, well, Mark was annoyed a little. He loved his brothers, but well, in this, he was really adamant and convicted that Gamma 13 was good in every way. Folsom seemed to be a bi of a wrench in that, but still, Mark really hoped that Malcom and Vinorez would see his side and leave behind that stuff. Even being the youngest, he still saw himself as having the same weight as they did about stuff, that his gut feelings about this were more important than their arguments, and all he wanted was for them to be a family, and to not be alone, and Gamma 13 was key to it, he just knew it.

Vintorez: Okay then. Goodnight brother. And sweet dreams.

Mark: Goodnight big brothers.

Malcom: Don't forget you promised that we would have an Extreme Gear race tomorrow.

Mark: Don't worry big bro. I didn't forget. You are going to eat my dust when I win the race.

Malcom: Don't bet on it. Goodnight brother.

Mark: Goodnight bro.

The next day, Kurama and them were really getting into Erron's training with his powers. Erron had never thought he'd be able to control magic, but now, with his tail on fire, and all the energy in him, and his eye having that mark in it, Erron was thrust into a new world and he was loving it. They were out in the forest, a little ways away from town. They hoped that out there, they'd be safe and not have to worry about causing damage training near the base or town. Problem was, Erron would have a mishap, very much like his father Kurama.

Erron: Ok, so, what element do I start with?

Kurama: I'd say lightning. This is simple. We're going to start you on learning Chidori, and we think that you'll be able to learn it quickly.

Erron: Chidori?

Kurama and Arteza looked at each other, nodding and grinning. Rodney and them were wondering what was about to happen, but Sheila? Oh, she knew. She knew very well.

Sheila: Watch, Erron baby. This is what you'll be able to do.

Kurama and Arteza gathered their lightning chakra, forming it as they wove the seals, and as Erron and the kids watched, they were amazed by what they saw. And then, fast as the lighting in their hands, Kurama and Arteza surged forward, and the two targets that they had set up were destroyed in an instant. It was amazing for the kids, and the fact that Erron was just told he could do that? Oh, Erron wanted to try it now. And so, when the two walked back over, the first thing was that Erron had to focus, get it in his head that lightning was what needed to flow, not fire, not anything else. Just lightning. They'd go one element at a time, then teach him how to switch fast.

Erron: Ok, just focus….

Erron stood there, and when he wove the seals, after messing up twice, he got it. But he opened his eyes and lost focus, the lightning dissipating.

Erron: Awww….

Kurama: Baby, it's ok. Just try again. You had it.

Erron looked at Arteza and them, who nodded, encouraging him. He smiled, and then he tried again, only opening his eyes when he was focused on the target. At its peak, when Kurama told him to release it, Erron flew forward faster than he'd ever gone in his whole life and he could feel himself bracing for impact, just knowing that his hand and arm were gonna hurt the next day, or so he thought. When Erron's hand hit the target, he didn't feel a thing. It was like the target just opened up down the middle for him, and he passed right through. He didn't stop for about 50 feet, and when he did, he looked back to see the target just suddenly pop apart. He had only seen a straight line, and he was really shocked to see how far he'd gone.

Erron: Holy s**t…..talk about tunnel vision….

Arteza: Erron, baby, came back! You did awesome!

They were all praising him and calling him back, and it took a moment for him to respond, still thinking of what just happened. But when he did and came running back, he was all excited. They spent a while more on that, then taught him some fire attacks, yet, well, he had a harder time controlling the Ground Bloom Flower Jutsu. When he tried it for real, well, the flames burst and they went out of control. Erron couldn't stop them, only being able to devour a little of the flames before he got sick from partial overload and staggered back, falling to the ground and throwing up burning phosphorus. It didn't hurt him, but his throat was gonna be a bit sore, since it was the first time, but they were glad about his flame resistance being pretty high.

Erron: Oh man….i….ugh….

Arteza and Kurama quickly put out the fire, Sheila gently rubbing Erron's back. He couldn't get up yet, and she didn't want to pull on him. As they were dealing with that, Melody and them came running, worried.

Melody: Guys, what happened?

Erron: My powers….ugh…

Erron had thrown up most of the phosphorus now, a burning puddle in front of him, and he rocked back onto his butt, trying to catch his breath.

Sheila: Mel, guys, stay back, his fire went out of control and he got sick from trying to eat the flames like those two can. He may be sick again.

And she was right. Erron threw up some more of the burning material, but thankfully it was the last, and Sheila gave him something to drink. By now, Kurama and Arteza were done, having had to cut down the trees that were set alight and burn them out. Melody and them stayed while Erron caught his breath and rested in the clearing, and as they talked about it, Melody realized that her special dimension was just the place for Erron to let loose with his powers. She could tell Erron was so upset, sitting in Kurama's lap with his head on Kurama's chest. He was apologizing over and over again, worried about making another fire that might endanger the town, though he really didn't have to worry about that.

Melody: Guys, I have an idea for a way to let Erron train safely!

Erron: Where?

Melody grinned.

Melody: You'll love it, you can be as destructive as you want with no consequences!

Erron: For real?

Arteza: Mel, you serious?

Melody: I am!

Kurama: Then lead the way!

And she did, cause when she showed them that special zone, it was exactly what Erron needed, as it allowed him to completely go wild with now worries. And of course, it let Kurama and Arteza really show off too, since they couldn't do that before there. There had been a limit to what they could do near the base, but here, they could teach Erron all sorts of highly destructive techniques, though teaching him fear based skills was going to be tricky without actual use against a living target, and well, that was only going to be possible if they had him go up against some of the DEL in a contained situation.

Erron: So, as to how to use my Kyofugan…..

Kurama: Yeah, that's gonna need the most training. There's ways it can go bad, and if we're not careful, you could end up with it turning itself on you. Basically, there are cases where users who used it improperly and didn't really train and mediate right ended up so scared of everything, especially themselves that they just ended up losing their minds. But look, I know that won't happen because you're our baby.

Arteza: That's right. You're strong enough to handle this, and when you're even stronger, you see that. We aren't gonna let you fall, no matter what.

Erron looked up at them, his heart renewed, and he felt his strength and confidence rising. Over the next couple of days, Erron would ask for a unique weapon - a Chokuto. He'd seen Kurama and Arteza carrying them, and he wanted one too.

Erron: Can I, Poppa, Daddy, Momma?

Sheila: I don't see why not. I mean, it's a handy blade, and your fathers have proved that it's a reliable starter sword for really anyone.

Kurama: Yeah, I mean, as long as we can get the materials, we can forge you one. We just need wood, steel, and a few other metals to melt into the steel to make it stronger.

Melody: Well, if you need help and a place to work, you can come to my forge, Ironheart Forge. I don't mind. In fact, I'm really curious about those swords too.

Kurama, Arteza, and Sheila looked at each other, deciding that it was a good idea, since they didn't really have their machine shop and labs really set up still.

Kurama: Sounds good to me,

Arteza: Yeah.

Sheila: I'm in.

Erron: Me too.

And so, Melody took them to the forge, and on the way, they picked Rodney, Drago, and Sirena up, and they wanted swords of their own anyways, although Leica, she was still not allowed to handle any kind of weapons, not even a kitchen knife, so she was willing to babysit so as no to tempt herself. Though Kurama and them would make her one to give her later when she was better. But as for Erron and them, they were all excited about it, and they were really amazed to look around Melody's forge.

Sheila: Wow, you have the ultimate setup here, Mel!

Kurama: Yeah, like, I've never seen one like it!

Arteza: Me neither, this is incredible, Mel!

Melody: Thanks, like, I really enjoy this sort of thing, and since you're an engineer, I really had a feeling you'd love it, Sheila. And I knew you two would as well, cause I also work on making custom barrels for my machine guns too. Kinda have to, cause of the designs.

Kurama: Can't get good barrel blanks?

Melody: No really. I used to have to modify existing ones, but I haven't had good blanks for a while. So, I started forging them from the ground up.

Arteza: Nice.

Melody: Thanks, so, do you have the wood you need, or where do we get it?

Kurama: Well, traditionally, the best are rosewood, ebony, zebrawood, ash, and hickory.

Melody: Ah, I know where to get those. If you want zebrawood….which, i think there's more than one kind. Skadi told me once a good while back. One kind is from Efrika and is really super strong. Mico….bernlin? Crap. Micro…Micoberlinia! Micoberlinia, Zebrano! That's it!

Kurama: Micoberlinia! That's the kind! It's found in Paralla too! Same genus name!

Areza: Heh, that's gonna look great! Zebrano is such pretty wood, looks great wherever it's used!

Sheila: Though, let's go shopping and look at the kinds of wood. You kids might want a different one than Zebrawood.

The kids agreed, and they went and checked out some the wood they'd need, with the kids picking what they liked best, and once they had it, it was a matter of getting the wood cut and shaped into the handles and scabbards, and then Melody and Sheila could get to work on forging the blades. That wasn't hard, and by the end of the day, they had five new swords, as Melody wanted one too, and Kurama and Arteza helped her make it. It was a really special thing for the three of them to do that together, and Melody loved her new sword.

Melody: This is perfect, guys! Thanks for helping me make this.

Kurama: You're welcome, Mel. And hey, thanks for letting us use your forge.

Sheila, Erron, Arteza, Rodney, Drago, and Sirena: Yeah, thank you Melody!

Melody: You're welcome, guys. This really was a good day.

Kurama: We're glad, Mel. It was a really good day for us too.

Erron: Yeah. So, guess my training is really gonna be stepped up now, huh?

Arteza: Yep. Once you learn to use your sword as part of it, you'll be even more powerful.

And he certainly would be. This a very good start for Erron, and from here, he'd just get better. Erron found himself with more than he ever thought he'd have in his life, and it would only get better. Just as well, before they left, Kurama let the others go, staying back to talk to Melody.

Kurama: Hey, Mel, can I ask a favor?

Melody: Sure, what is it, Kurama?

Kurama: Well, this september 13 is me and Diesel's anniversary, and before that is me and Tezzie's, on July 13.

Melody: Ah, I see, you'd like me to forge something special for him and her, right?

Kurama: Exactly!

Melody: Kurama, just tell me exactly what you want, and I'll have it.

Kurama nodded and did just that, and as he left, Melody told him that all of them had full access to her blacksmith's shop anytime they wanted, and to tell the others as well. Kurama nodded and smiled, and he most certainly did so. Just as well, he wasn't the only one of them asking the same, and both Sheila and Arteza came by over the next two days with similar requests, and everytime, just as when Kurama had asked her, she was giggling about it. Melody wasn't gonna say a thing, so not one of the three would know what the other two had asked about, and Melody had all the info she needed for each set, that way she'd have exactly what they wanted.