Looks like I was able to get some replies on whether or not you want to see Part 2, and here it is! From what you recalled in Part 1, Sonic had gotten pregnant after his terrifying encounter with Shadow, and soon gave birth to Shion. His friends are very protective of both Sonic and Shion, not wanting Sonic to relive the trauma again. Sadly, Sonic re-encountered Shadow, and was forced to reveal that Shion is his son.
To see what Shadow's reaction will be, then you'll be reading it in this chapter. Enjoy! And remember, this is a human Sonic Boom AU so everyone is a human with animal features.
A mixture of emotions ran through Shadow's head: disbelief, appalled, startled, outrage, doubt, fury, and the list goes on. What his rival told him sounded insane. It couldn't be possible, even if this baby shares his appearance. But most of all, Sonic is a male. There's no way he could've gotten pregnant.
Shadow wanted to punch something, feeling anger coarse through him. But one look from Sonic's terrified expression and the whimper escaping from his baby made him reconsider, which is odd because Shadow usually doesn't care about someone else. However, the only excuse he can use is that he won't inflict violence in front of an innocent child.
Now, all Shadow wanted is answers, and he will get them. Giving Sonic the most spine-chilling glare as he kept a firm grip on his wrist, he opened his mouth to speak. "Explain."
Sonic shook his head. "Y-You already know why."
Shadow snarled, slamming his fist on the tree trunk above Sonic's head. "Enough of this foolishness, Sonic! I want the whole entire truth right now!"
"I already told you! Shion shares your blood and mine! He is your son!" Sonic comforted Shion, who was still whimpering.
"But how!? Was he made by our own DNA's as an experiment!?"
"W-What!? N-No! Nothing like that!"
"It's not possible for him to be carried in someone's womb! We're both males, and I've never mated with anyone!"
"He did grew in someone's womb! My womb!"
"That can't be possible! There's no way I would've slept with you and-
"YOU DIDN'T SLEEP WITH ME, SHADOW!"
"THEN HOW-
"YOU RAPED ME!"
Shadow froze, stunned at the revelation. What the hell is his enemy talking about!? Why did he assume something like that!? But one look from Sonic's face showed that there's more to the story than what he was told. Even the tears escaping from Sonic's eyes caused a minor ache in his chest, which he had no clue on why he felt that way.
"What are you saying, Sonic!? I would never commit something heinous like that towards you!" Shadow viciously snarled at him. "I'm a villain, not a monster!"
Sonic covered Shion's ears, getting his wrist out of Shadow's grip as he glared at him. "YES YOU DID! YOU RAPED ME OUT IN THE LAVENDER FIELD WHERE I FOUND YOU! YOU FORCED YOURSELF ON ME AND WOULDN'T STOP!" He sobbed, still trying to glare at his rival. "I BEGGED AND PLEADED FOR YOU TO LET ME GO, BUT YOU WOULDN'T LISTEN! YOU KEPT ON HAVING ME FOR HOURS UNTIL YOU FINALLY PASSED OUT! THAT'S HOW SHION WAS CONCEIVED!"
Sonic cradled Shion protectively, crying as he looked down with his eyes closed. "I-It was so painful to stand or sit on my bottom, a-and I had to take multiple showers just to forget about the feeling of what happened to me. I-I didn't want my friends nor anyone to touch me, w-which lasted for days until I was brave enough to be able to hold my little brother's hand."
He sniffed, wiping his eyes. "T-They had no idea about what happened to me until they learned of my pregnancy, a-and connected the dots when Shion was born."
Sonic hiccupped, and opened his eyes as he raised his head up to gaze at Shadow. "C-Congratulations, Shadow. Y-You're a father to a healthy little boy."
Shadow felt so many emotions running through him as he processed the words Sonic had told him. Sonic encountered him months ago, had his virginity forcefully taken by Shadow, and carried his son for 9 months. He gave life to his flesh and blood, and is now raising him as a loving parent.
How could this happen? If what Sonic said is true, then how come Shadow doesn't remember it well? He did recall being at the lavender field, then woke up with a disheveled appearance and the flowers crushed by something. Shadow remembered the scent of sweat and blood, but he didn't stay to investigate because he wanted to return to his cave before nightfall.
Shadow clenched his fists tightly, staring at Sonic with a stoic expression to hide his true emotions. His eyes were filled with dark fury, wanting to know how any of this is possible. He then glanced at Shion, who was now asleep in Sonic's arms. Thankfully, the little hoglet won't feel frightened nor witness today's events.
He glanced over at Sonic, who was still a sobbing mess. Frowning, Shadow reached his hand out to wipe his tears away. "Sonic-
A loud war cry caused him to use his chaos spear to destroy the boomerang aimed at him. Shadow turned his head, glaring daggers at the intruders as he viciously snarled. "Is that the best you got?"
"We're just getting started!" Amy had her hammer out, glaring at Shadow. "Step away from them right now!"
"Or you'll see just how scary we really are!" Sticks threatened.
Shadow scoffed, deciding not to deal with them any longer. He looked back at Sonic, leaned in close to whisper something in his ear, then vanished. Team Sonic rushed over to Sonic, who was still a crying mess as his friends comforted him. Tails gently took Shion from Sonic's arms, making sure he wasn't hurt.
As they continued to comfort them, Sonic trembled at what Shadow told him before he disappeared.
"I'll be back for you and our pup, so don't even think about escaping from me."
"Chaos Spear!"
Shadow launched some energy bolts at a tree, destroying it.
"Chaos Blast!"
He destroyed a giant boulder with an explosion of energy.
"Out of my way!" Shadow roared, launching a Spin Attack at another boulder.
As the boulder crumbled into pieces, Shadow uncurled and landed on his feet with grace, panting heavily as a bead of sweat ran down his forehead. Moving the strands of hair away from his eyes, Shadow tsked and ran with his hover skates, letting them glide him around at a fast pace that can rival Sonic's speed.
He needed to let out some steam after his earlier encounter with Sonic and his team, especially with what he saw and learned today. Now, he needed more answers on how this all happened. And he might get them once he reaches to his destination.
Shadow stopped, eyeing the lavender field where he first encountered it months ago. This place is his own sacred territory, where he can feel at peace with no imbeciles harassing him. But now, he must find some clues here, so he must be cautious.
He went over to the area where he recalled being at, bent down to pluck a lavender flower out, then stood up to examine it closely, held in his fingertips. He brought it close to his nose and sniffed it. "What exactly happened here?"
When he blinked, his surroundings changed. He was still at the lavender field, but the sky darkened. Shadow sensed something was amiss, believing that someone or something is trying to mess with him. Before he could do something, his ears picked up on a loud screech, causing him to turn his head.
"S-Stop, Shadow! T-This isn't right!" Sonic pounded on his chest.
Shadow sucked on his neck, as his hands roamed Sonic's bare chest. "You taste so sweet~"
"D-Don't touch me there! I don't consent!"
"I want to taste more of you~"
Shadow rushed over to kick his doppelganger off of Sonic, but his leg went through. He tried again, and the results were the same. Glancing down at his see-through appearance, Shadow realized that he's reliving a memory of the past.
The memory of what he did to Sonic.
"Don't look, Shadow! You're not supposed to see it!" Sonic closed his legs, hiding his modesty.
Shadow chuckled, using his strength to forcefully open Sonic's legs, and ignored his protests as he licked his lips at his private region. "How cute~ You're actually a herm?~ This means you've never been touched here before, right?~"
"W-What are you doing! S-Stop!" Sonic threw his head back, holding back a moan.
Shadow continued to lick and taste his pussy, savoring the flavor while caressing Sonic's legs. He also left some love bites at Sonic's inner thighs, wanting to mark these places as his.
"Stop what you're doing right now!" Shadow covered his mouth, horrified at what he saw. "Snap out of it! That's your rival! You're a villain, not a monster!"
"P-Please don't do this, Shadow! I-I really don't want this!"
"No need to be frightened, my sweet uke~ I'll only give you pleasure~ No pain at all~"
"I-I beg of you! C-Can't we make a deal instead!?"
"There's no need for a deal~ All I want is to be with you forever~"
Shadow closed his eyes and looked away, ignoring the painful screams coming from Sonic. He covered his ears, not wanting to listen the loud screams and moans emitting from them. He wished this is a nightmare, but its real. What he is seeing is real.
Shadow the Hedgehog did raped Sonic, and the evidence is right in front of him.
He closed his eyes shut, blocking the sounds and hoping it will all go away soon. Everything turned quiet after he did that, and he opened his eyes to see the sky is now blue and the lavender field is the same as before. The lavender flower remained in his hand after he moved his hands away from his ears.
As Shadow stared at the flower, his eyes darkened with rage as he used chaos control to teleport at a certain base, frightening a couple of robots and the idiot of a doctor as he shoved the lavender flower at his face. "Check this right now! Use whatever dumb equipment you have to give me answers on what this lavender flower really is!"
Dr. Eggman obeyed, not wanting to incur Shadow's wrath. Cubot & Orbot hurried to assist their leader, wanting to avoid Shadow as much as possible. As Shadow stood in his usual posture – arms folded over his chest, broody expression, and looking cool and edgy – he watched as Dr. Eggman pulled up his results on the giant monitor.
"What you found is truly incredible," Dr. Eggman replied. "It may appear as an ordinary lavender flower with the same appearance and scent, but it's actually quite different."
He pulled up a screen to show the lavender flower at close range. "As you can see, the purple shade darkens no matter how much sunlight it gets. Even the roots and stem change in various shapes," Dr. Eggman gestured to the lavender's unique pattern. "What you found is actually a Lavandin, and its cross-typed with another flower to act as a stimulant."
"A stimulant?" Shadow narrowed his eyes.
"Both lavender and lavandin are great for relaxation. However, the stronger the scent can make it an aphrodisiac. Too much of it can drive your hormones wild," Dr. Eggman explained.
"Including intimacy?"
"Oh yes. I did remember reading somewhere in a novel about how couples would use lavender to-
Shadow disappeared using Chaos Control, preventing Dr. Eggman from explaining his story. Before the doctor could utter out a reply, he and his robots winced when they heard a loud roar echoing from outside, along with something exploding.
Sonic ran his fingers through his long blue hair. "Are you sure we can stay here?"
Amy handed him a cup of herbal tea. "Of course! You and Shion can stay here as long as you like!"
"Same with my place, since our homes are stable," Tails implied, holding Shion as he let him play with his fluffy tails.
"My burrow isn't big enough, so that's out of the question," Sticks replied.
"And I still live on that mountain," Knuckles added.
Sonic blew on his tea, then took a small sip. "What am I gonna do if Shadow comes back? I'm not ready to face him again."
Amy sat next to him, and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "You're not alone, Sonic. All of us are here to protect you and Shion."
Sonic shook his head. "Thanks, but I can't let you guys protect us forever. Shadow won't stop until he gets what he wants, and we all know what he's after."
"You and Shion," Tails frowned, distracting Shion with his tails. "I won't let him do that."
"I still want him to taste my fists!" Knuckles pounded his fists together.
"And get him to confess that he's working for the evil government!" Sticks hissed in fury.
"We're not afraid of him, Sonic. He should be afraid of us," Amy eerily smiled. "If he dare tries to go after you and Shion again, we'll be ready to take him down."
Sonic chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "Guess he'll have to watch his back then."
Soon, nighttime appeared, and they all spent the night at Amy's home. Everyone was asleep, but Sonic couldn't sleep after everything that happened today. Luckily, Shion woke up for his usual feeding time and diaper change. Once he finished those tasks, Sonic held Shion in his arms as they both stood outside of Amy's home, admiring the stars scattered across the sky.
"Look how pretty the stars are, Shion," Sonic pointed out.
Shion giggled, reaching towards the sky with his tiny hands.
Sonic held him up. "Can you touch them?"
Shion giggled more, as the stars reflect on his eyes.
Sonic lowered him back in his arms and kissed his cheeks. "You're my special shooting star, Shion. I love you so much."
He hugged his baby, stroking his head and back as he felt his little one snuggle against him. Even though the circumstances of how he was made is different from what he imagined, Sonic considered Shion as his miracle and blessing. He's a part of Sonic, and he'll never let anyone hurt his flesh and blood.
"Sonic," he heard someone say behind him.
Sonic spun around; eyes widened to see Shadow the Hedgehog standing in front of him. He took a step back, which was his fatal mistake when he slipped and fell backwards, missing the railing. Before he could fall into the lake, Shadow grabbed his arm and pulled him forward, resulting in Sonic and Shion to be held in Shadow's arms.
As for Shadow, he had no idea why he did that. All he wanted is to talk to Sonic, not frighten him. The thought of seeing him and his pup falling into the lake didn't feel right, and it was instinct that made him do that. Shadow is an anti-hero, not a goody goody.
He looked down to speak, but no words came out. Shadow was busy staring at Sonic's emerald eyes glittering in the night. Since when did his eyes resemble emerald jewels? Were they always like this? If they were, how come Shadow never noticed them before?
"S-Shadow?"
"Hmm?"
"Y-You can let go now."
Shadow shook his head, using chaos control to teleport them at the small garden located next to Amy's home. He then released his hold on Sonic and took a step back. "We need to talk."
Sonic trembled, holding Shion protectively in his arms. "A-About what?"
"About what happened on that day."
"I-I don't want to remember it!"
"I need to tell you my side of the story."
"T-Then why did you do that!?"
"Sit on the bench, and I will tell you. It's better to hear it sitting than standing."
Sonic wanted to argue, but decided against it. Whatever Shadow will tell him could cause Sonic to act irrationally, and he can't do that while holding his baby. Making sure Shion is still calm, he hurried to the wooden bench and sat on it. Surprisingly, Shadow sat down next to him, but at a far distance with plenty of space between them.
"I know a simple sorry won't take back the crime I had committed towards you, but I wanted to tell you that what I did wasn't intentional," Shadow started to explain, running his fingers through his hair as he stared in front of him. "Before you found me at the lavender field, I was getting some to create an elixir for unknown purposes. However, I had no idea that it was no ordinary lavender flower."
Shadow closed his eyes, clenching his fists tightly as they rested on his lap. "I remembered my mind feeling foggy, my vision hazy, and my entire body feeling warm. It felt like I drank so much alcohol, even though I wasn't drunk. However, it felt like I was."
His eyes scrunched as he lowered his head down in shame. "The scent from the lavender never made me feel like this before. It usually calms me, but it did quite the opposite. It felt like all my senses were awakened, and nothing else mattered to me." Shadow's breath hitched, taking small deep breaths. "When I heard your voice and saw you approaching me, some type of urge begged me to get closer to you. To hold you. To unleash everything that I felt."
Shadow covered his face, clutching his hair in a tight grip. "All I could remember is waking up alone on that field confused and irritated with my clothes messed up. I didn't remember anything else until I saw you again months later with a baby, and what you told me made me get the answers I needed."
Shadow uncovered his face, eyes filled with shame and anger not at Sonic, but at himself. He then turned to look at Sonic. "Sonic, the lavender field was filled with Lavandin. They're cross-typed with a different flower that acted as an aphrodisiac stimulant. Because I was in the field longer than you, the scent became too powerful for me, causing me to act like a feral beast towards you."
Sonic covered his mouth in shock. "W-What are you saying?!"
"Those flowers made me commit that heinous sin towards you, and no amount of apologies can ever fix what I had done to you," Shadow looked away. "If you wish to no longer see me again, I'll comply to your wishes. I won't bother you, your friends, this idiotic village, or anyone else ever again. Go ahead and hate me all you want, because I know I deserve it."
Sonic was appalled, because this is the first time he had ever heard Shadow admit his misdeeds. Not only that, he wanted to apologize, but believed that Sonic would never forgive him. The person in front of him is definitely Shadow the Hedgehog, and obviously not a phony copy because no one else can teleport like Shadow did earlier when they were in front of Amy's porch.
Shadow stood up. "I'll take your silence as a yes on not wanting to see me again. Then I shall-
"Wait!" Sonic stood up and grabbed his arm.
Shadow was surprised at his action. "What exactly are you-
"Did you really mean what you said!?" Sonic asked, wanting to know the truth.
"Everything I said is true," Shadow answered.
"You really didn't want to rape me, but those flowers made you!?"
"I don't know how those flowers were able to affect me, but that's right. Even as enemies, I would never commit something atrocious such as sexual assault."
"Because you're a villain and not a monster?"
"Precisely."
"What if I forgave you?"
"Don't be foolish, Sonic. You can't forgive someone like me!"
"I already did!" Sonic tightened his grip on Shadow. "I forgave you months ago when I was pregnant with Shion!"
Shadow stared at Sonic in disbelief. "Y-You what!?"
"I know it sounds crazy, but I couldn't let that memory traumatize me anymore or it would've caused problems for me and our baby," Sonic explained, hearing Shion coo in his arms. "Amy became my therapist to help me with my nightmares, and I realized that I can't live in the past forever. I need to move forward and think of the future."
Sonic moved his hand down to grab Shadow's hand, lifted his hand up, and placed his gloved hand on Shion's head. "I never regretted giving birth to your baby, Shadow. Shion shares our blood, and he's not responsible for our sins. He's an innocent baby who shouldn't be afraid of this world."
Shion cooed, grabbing Shadow's hand and playing with his fingers.
Sonic smiled at the sight, then looked back at Shadow. "I know I sounded insane from what I just said, but everything I say is true. I'm still recovering from the ordeal, but I'll be able to heal one step at a time. What happened on that day was neither of our faults."
Shadow shook his head. "It's still my fault, hedgehog. I took your innocence by force and nearly broke your spirit. I don't deserve to be your rival after what I did."
"Shadow-
"It's for the best," Shadow gazed down at Shion, who held onto Shadow's fingers. "The pup will be better off with you and your friends. He'll be raised in a good environment without being tainted by me."
"Don't you dare, Shadow!" Sonic grabbed onto his coat. "You deserve to be in Shion's life! He's also your son!"
"How when he's probably scared of me when I first met him!? Would he want someone like me as his father!?"
"Not every parent is perfect! Even I had doubts on whether or not I'll be able to raise him! But thanks to the support of my friends, I was able to overcome those doubts and became a good parent at the best of my abilities!"
Sonic took a step closer, showing Shion to Shadow. "Shadow, I want Shion to know that he is loved and cherished by both of his parents. For his sake, please be in his life. I want him to be proud of his background."
Shion cooed, reaching out to Shadow. Shadow was hesitant at first, but Sonic showed Shadow how to hold his baby as he carefully placed Shion in Shadow's arms. When Sonic adjusted Shadow's arms for Shion to be held in a comforting manner, Sonic smiled when he saw Shion snuggle in Shadow's arms. "See? He already likes you. He knows that you're his father."
Shadow didn't know what to say, seeing his son happily coo while resting in his arms. Shion didn't feel frightened of Shadow, but rather cozy. The man holding him has the same energy as him, feels warm, and is soft like his mama. Shion can tell this person is his papa, since they both share the same appearance.
A small giggle escaped from Shion's lips when he felt Shadow resting his forehead against his own, holding him in a protective manner as a soft rumble escaped from his chest. Shion's ears happily wiggled, and he felt his tail wagging in glee.
Shadow closed his eyes for a minute, letting his chaos energy intertwine with his son's. This caused Shion to giggle more, as he accepted the green energy surrounding him. It lasted for a while until it faded, and Shadow lifted his head up to gaze at Sonic. "Are you sure I can be part of his life?"
Sonic smiled and nodded his head. "You have the right to be in it. He has your blood, and I want him to know that he has so many people loving him."
"But what if he learns about the truth once he's old enough to understand about this world?"
"He'll never know the circumstances of his birth. I won't let that happen."
"And what if-
"My friends won't tell him either. I don't want Shion to think he's a curse. He is a blessing, and I would never trade him for anything."
"Really?"
"Really! I love my son, and I'll give up my own life for him!"
Shadow looked down at Shion, chuckling a little. "You truly have changed. What happened to the cocky, annoying blue hedgehog whom I always battle with?"
"He's still there," Sonic mischievously grinned. "But no more battles until I'm fully recovered from childbirth. I'm still recovering my full strength."
"I'll keep that in mind," Shadow watched Shion yawn cutely, rubbing his eyes. "Looks like the little pup is tired."
"It is nighttime. He'll be sleeping more until he wakes me up for another feeding, diaper change, or anything," Sonic scratches Shion's ear, which lulled him to sleep. "You're more than welcome to spend the night at my shack."
"I'll manage with the cave," Shadow carefully handed Shion back to Sonic without waking him up. "I will come back tomorrow to see him as long as I don't see your foolish friends around."
"Good luck with that," Sonic chuckled. "Hey Shadow?"
"What is it?"
Sonic took a deep breath, quickly rushed forward to hug Shadow, then took a step back. "T-Thank you for telling me the truth on what really happened on that day."
Shadow was nearly surprised at what Sonic did, then sighed. "I should be thanking you for giving me another chance. You are way too selfless for your own good, even towards your own enemies."
"What can I say? I see the good in people no matter who they are."
"Don't hesitate to be selfish though. You mustn't let anyone take advantage of your kindness."
Shadow teleported using Chaos Control to return to his cave, leaving Sonic alone in the garden while holding a slumbering Shion in his arms. What Sonic didn't realize is that he actually got close to Shadow and touched him, without feeling any fear even during the time Shadow held him in his arms.
Shion sucked on his tiny fist, while his other hand is clutching Shadow's finger. They were both laying down on the huge bed at Sonic's shack, which surprised Shadow that Sonic actually updated it to resemble a modern home. Plus, the furniture didn't look too bad, but Shadow won't admit it.
Sonic and Shion returned to their shack this morning after informing the others that he is now doing fine. They didn't believe it at first, but after constant reassurance, they complied and reminded Sonic to contact them if there's anything wrong. Sonic kept his word, but didn't tell them about his meeting with Shadow. He had a feeling they wouldn't react well with their friend interacting with the person who got him pregnant.
However, Sonic could tell Shadow never wanted to do that. Even though he can't fix the past, he's doing his best to fix the present so Shion can have a good future. Right now, he's learning more about Shion and how to be a proper parent to him. Surprisingly, Shadow is doing well on his first try.
"I can tell you inherited my strength, little one," Shadow replied, laying on his side with one arm propped up for his face to rest against the palm of his hand. "It's obvious your powers are growing little by little."
Shion wiggled his ears in response, distracted by his papa's fingers tickling him.
"Once you learn how to talk and walk, I'll train you on how to control your chaos energy."
Sonic, who was busy making a meal for them, arched his eyebrow in confusion. "Chaos energy?"
"My superior abilities, which is something you're already aware of."
"Yeah, you need to elaborate more on that."
"In due time, blue boy. Right now, I must learn more about Shion."
"Well, he really enjoys seeing the stars at night."
"As do I."
"His favorite bedtime stories are 'Goodnight Moon', 'Corduroy', & 'Life of a Gothic Baby'."
"Excellent choices, pup."
"His favorite toy is a huge star plush Amy got him before his birth."
"Related to his love of stargazing?"
"Yup! He also likes to play with his uncle Tails' fluffy tails."
"I'll consider it since the fox is a small kid."
"He loves to cuddle with me."
"You are his mother."
"And he prefers my milk over formula."
Shadow looked at Sonic in disbelief. "You can produce milk for him?"
Sonic finished cooking, placing the food on the table. "Due to my condition as a herm, it gave me the ability to create milk for him. My doctor told me that a mother's milk can strengthen the baby's immunity, initiate growth and development, and it keeps the baby healthy."
He blushed a little, looking away. "I kept some stored in the fridge so I can reheat it and feed it to him so I can give my nipples a break. Before you ask, this is normal for new parents so don't judge me."
Shadow rolled his eyes. "I won't judge since you've been a decent parent towards our pup."
"Was that a compliment?"
"Pretend you didn't hear it."
"Too late," Sonic smirked, placing both hands on his hips. "Also, lunch is ready. I hope you don't mind eating chicken and rice with veggies."
"Can you really cook?" Shadow got up, picking up Shion and held him close to his chest.
"Are you really Shadow the Hedgehog? He usually comments on the furniture."
"Surprisingly, not all of it is shoddy."
Sonic shrugged, glad it wasn't an insult as he and Shadow sat at the table and ate. Sonic already got Shion's bottle prepared, checked to make sure it was the right temperature, and started feeding him while Shion is held on Sonic's lap. As for Shadow, he chose to watch Sonic feed their pup while occasionally eating.
"Is the food to your liking?" Sonic asked.
"Not bad at all. I'm surprised it didn't taste like poison," Shadow answered.
"Then you obviously hadn't tried Meh Burger. Their food makes you wonder how you're still alive."
"That god awful place is still standing?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Remind me to perish it the next time I step foot at that dumb village."
"Murder is illegal, Shadow."
"I prefer scarring my victims."
"Good luck scaring Dave because he's usually mindless and indifferent about everything."
"Dave?"
"Dave the Intern? Works at Meh Burger as a part-time cook until he got promoted to manager? Always gets the wrong orders and doesn't care about customer service?"
"A lousy fool for me to destroy?"
"Shadow, I think you should take a nap."
"I don't need sleep, hedgehog."
"Along with some bonding moments with Shion."
"What bonding moments do you have in mind?"
Days have passed by after Sonic allowed Shadow to be part of Shion's life, and Shadow was able to slowly adjust his routine as a new father. Sonic taught him how to properly hold Shion while feeding him, how to change his diaper, how to bathe him, what he likes, dislikes, and everything he needed to know related to Shion's growth.
Shadow was able to pick up on everything quickly, and his personality slowly started to change around Sonic. However, Sonic still felt iffy from being touched, especially by Shadow. Thankfully, Shadow picked up on it and made sure not to get too close so he wouldn't scare Sonic. For now, Sonic is still trying to overcome his fear bit by bit.
As for Tails and the others, they have no idea Shadow had been secretly meeting with Sonic and Shion at the shack. Shadow would only come over during the evening time after Sonic's team would leave for their respective homes, and there's no way they would ever know about Shadow's presence since they can't forgive him for what he did to Sonic.
"If we tell them what really happened, they'll realize you're not fully responsible for it and they'll be able to trust you," Sonic suggested.
Shadow shook his head. "It won't work. Remember, they still see me as the aloof, aggressive, and uncaring hedgehog who will eliminate anyone standing in my way."
"Not anymore you're not. You're slowly changing into the person you truly want to be."
"Even if I am, they know what I did to you, and I don't blame them. I still hate myself for my past actions towards you."
"But you weren't yourself because of the Lavandin! You were under its spell and-
"I couldn't fight it off because the scent of it overwhelmed me, resulting in me committing that horrible crime towards you!"
"Shadow-
"I appreciate that you trust me around Shion, but your friends won't. Its best I don't reveal myself to them and still remain in our pup's life."
Before Sonic could say anything, Shion's cries caught their attention. Shadow was the first to rush over to his crib and carefully picked him, cradling him in his arms. "Don't be upset, little one. You must calm yourself."
Shadow used his own chaos energy to connect with Shion's, resulting in his cries to fade into whimpers as he snuggled against his father, whining a little as Shadow comforted his son. Sonic found the scene endearing, glad that Shadow accepted his role as a father and wanting to be in Shion's life forever. It's like they're all one big happy family.
"Shion, I'm afraid you cannot eat my nose," Shadow chuckled, feeling Shion's tiny hands touching his face.
Sonic snickered. "Go ahead and eat his nose, sweetie. Your daddy can never say no to you."
"Eat your mother's nose. His is bigger than mine."
"Hey!"
"Hey Sonic?"
"Yeah, Tails?"
"How is your body feeling right now?"
"A whole lot better. I'm able to run, but not too much so I wouldn't overdo it."
"That's good to hear."
"Plus, Shion gets really excited whenever I run fast while holding him. I know he'll become fast like me once his superspeed kicks in."
"Then you better keep on your toes so he doesn't outrun you."
Sonic chuckled, playfully punching his little brother's shoulders while holding Shion in a baby carrier wrap. Right now, all of Team Sonic are on a nature walk enjoying the fresh air and nice weather. Surprisingly, Eggman didn't show up for his usual antics towards them and the village, so Amy suggested to the whole group to take this day as a chance to relax.
"See? A nature walk is just what we need on this glorious day!" Amy spread her arms out towards the sky.
Sticks sniffed the air. "I don't know. We should've taken the other route."
"You mean the bridge leading to a spooky forest instead of the bridge that brought us near a flower patch?" Sonic inquired. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is the safer route."
"This is what they want you to think. On the outside, it may seem harmless. But on the inside, it's obviously a trap set by the evil government!" Sticks clenched her fist high in the air.
"The last time you went through the spooky forest, you had a bunch of spiders stuck to your back," Tails shivered at the thought.
"Good thing my arachnophobia went away. I can never eat gummy spiders ever again after that day!" Knuckles quivered.
Shion cooed, sucking on his pacifier while resting against Sonic's chest. Sonic stroked his head, making sure his baby is comfortable. He did wish Shadow would go on this walk with them, but he knew Shadow isn't a fan of his friends so he'll have to figure out a day when they can go out, as long as it's away from the village and villagers.
Amy slowed down so she could walk next to Sonic. "Sonic, are you starting to feel comfortable with touch?"
Sonic nodded. "A little bit. I'm able to get close to Tails, and I don't mind you guys holding my hands. It's a work in progress, but I no longer have those nightmares."
Amy smiled in relief. "I'm glad to hear that. We'll make sure it progresses smoothly."
Knuckles scratched his hair. "I've never heard of that type of smoothie before. Does it have pomegranates in it?"
Tails sighs. "It's not a smoothie, Knuckles. Amy is clarifying about Sonic recovering from his past ordeal."
"Aw, now I get it," Knuckles sheepishly had an apologetic look. "Sorry about that, man."
Sonic waved it off. "Don't worry about it, Knux. Right now, I want to focus on raising Shion."
"I still think you should have him wear an amulet to ward off evil spirits," Sticks suggested. "It can also ward off evil conspiracies, pod people, aliens, and anything that can get to you."
"Last time you tried to give us an amulet, it ended up making Knuckles believe he's a ballerina."
"How was I supposed to know that it was a cursed amulet that hypnotizes rocks?"
"He wouldn't stop spinning around."
"And he had to go to the clinic after his failed attempt in performing the splits," Tails winced at the memory.
"But I still did it!" Knuckles grinned triumphantly.
Amy loudly cleared her throat. "Ignoring that painful memory, there is something else we need to discuss that's extremely important!"
"Which is?" Sonic asked.
"Sonic, has Shadow ever came in contact with you or Shion after our last encounter?"
Sonic stopped walking, including his friends as he gulped. "W-Why do you ask?"
"Now that he knows about Shion being his son, there's a chance he would try to kidnap him or use him to lure you in for a battle."
"N-No! T-There's no way he would do that!"
"She has a point, bro," Tails replied. "Shadow doesn't care about anything except destroying everything in his path. Him forcing himself on you must've been his plan to break you physically and mentally."
"It's obvious he's an evil government agent sent to destroy us all!" Sticks scowled at the thought. "He cannot be trusted!"
"I still can't forgive him for throwing me into a wall!" Knuckles frowned.
"Guys, I haven't seen Shadow after our last encounter," Sonic looked away, wishing he didn't have to lie. "I spooked him when I told him about Shion having his blood. It's obvious he doesn't want to cross paths with us anymore."
"Really?" Amy arched her eyebrow. "Even though he's responsible for getting you pregnant? He should at least have the decency to get to know his own child!"
"Except it's a good thing he won't be coming back. Shion won't be influenced on the side of evil, and will only be influenced on the side of good," Tails informed the group.
"Does this mean I'll be able to teach him how to become buff like me?" Knuckles flexed his biceps.
Sticks rolled her eyes. "Obviously, he'll learn about how the government is trying to ruin us all!"
Sonic shook his head at them. "How about we continue our nature walk? Shion is still too little for workouts or conspiracies."
"One final question, Sonic," Amy held one finger up.
"Which is?"
"What would you say if Shion asks about who his father is?"
"W-What!?"
"He'll know that he inherited his looks from someone else. Plus, he has your eye color while the rest came from his dad."
"I-I can't do that!"
"Then what about-
Sonic ran off, ignoring their shouts as he let himself run as far as he could go. He held Shion protectively in his arms, making sure nothing would hit him. Sonic couldn't answer Amy's question because what he said to them is false. Shadow already came in contact with both Sonic and Shion when they spent the night at Amy's house.
He and Shadow had a proper talk without fighting, reached an agreement on having Shadow become part of Shion's life, and showed that he is becoming a good father towards their hoglet. Shadow would never kidnap Shion nor use him for nefarious purposes.
He's changed, and Sonic believes in Shadow.
"Shadow is now on our side," Sonic muttered. "He isn't evil anymore."
Sonic stopped, realizing he ran to an area unfamiliar to him. He remembered this place is near the excavation site where Cliff and the other archaeologists reside. If memory serves, they were searching for the ruins home to the Ancients. Usually, they would find a clue by discovering a cave.
Sonic rubbed Shion's back, who was starting to whine. "It's okay, baby. We just need to turn around and head back home. Maybe your papa is waiting for us there."
Before Sonic could turn around, something hit him at the back of his neck, causing him to black out.
Tails cupped his hands around his mouth, flying around with his tails spinning. "Sonic! Shion!"
Amy scanned the trees. "Tell us where you are!"
Sticks hopped on each tree branch, climbing up high as she searched all the way up. "If the evil draconian overlord is trying to kidnap you, just yell!"
Knuckles searched under some rocks. "They're not underground!"
Tails continued his search, and his eyes spotted something at the distance. "Wait! I see something over there!"
He pointed at a particular direction, and they all hurried over to follow Tails as he sped over to the area. Tails recognized this place as Shadow Canyons, which isn't far from the excavation site where Cliff and the archaeologists are. But what he saw caused him to land on the ground at his feet, glaring at the person in front of him. "Shadow!?"
Shadow, who heard him, turned halfway to glare at him. "What do you want, fox?"
Amy stopped near Tails, giving Shadow a mean look. "What are you doing here, Shadow!?" She saw him holding something in his hand, causing her to gasp as she glared at him. "What did you do to Sonic and Shion!?"
"Do you think I'm heartless enough to attack my pup and the mother to my son!?" Shadow sneered at her.
"Why do you have my brother's neckerchief!?" Tails questioned.
Shadow rolled his eyes. "I was busy exploring this area when I spotted it not far from the cliffs." He inspected the brown neckerchief in his hand. "I'm surprised the blue hedgehog would misplace it since he always wore this horrendous cloth."
"Not cool to diss his style!" Knuckles frowned.
Sticks growled. "Spill it, evil alien! Where are Sonic and Shion!?"
"That's what I want to know!" Shadow viciously snarled.
His crimson eyes spotted something else, causing them to narrow in suspicion as he picked it up. "A pacifier?"
Tails gasped. "That's Shion's! He loves that pacifier!"
Amy noticed some marks on the ground. "What about those tracks?"
Sticks got on her hands and knees, sniffing them as a scowl formed on her face. "It reeks of rotten eggs and snakes!" She closely inspected them. "It's either that giant snake who wants a rematch or that slimy rotten reptile and his evil robot army!"
Knuckles scratched the side of his head. "The giant snake in the forest has an evil robot army?"
Shadow rolled his eyes at them, but then recalled what the badger girl had said. Knowing a certain lousy snake who tried to use him with a mind control device, he activated his air shoes and skated away, placing the brown neckerchief and red pacifier in his pockets.
Right now, he's going on a snake hunt. And if that foolish Lyric is responsible for the disappearance of Sonic and their pup, there'll be hell to pay.
Sonic banged on the forcefield with his fists. "Let us out now!" He used a spin dash, but nothing budged. "I'm not joking, snake breath!"
An evil laugh echoed in the lair as a figure stepped out from the shadows. He was tall with ghostly pale skin, long spiky green hair with yellow hues, glowing green eyes, brown robotic chest armor, robotic claws, and the lower half of his body is a long snake tail with green scales and brown spots. He also has a rattle-like object on the tip of his tail that is a great claw.
"What's so funny!?" Sonic glared at him. "And where's my baby!?"
"Simmer down, foolish hedgehog," Lyric hissed. "Your pup is right there."
Pressing a button, lights were turned on to reveal a spherical forcefield placed at the center. Inside the forcefield floating is Shion, who was scared and wailing loudly, but his cries were muffled. Sonic's eyes widened in horror, as he furiously pounded at the forcefield. "What the hell do you want, Lyric!? Didn't my team and I defeated you before!?"
Lyric glared at him with a fierce stare. "I've never forgotten what you and those rats had done to me. Thankfully, I figured out a solution to not only destroy you, but also this pathetic world."
He slithered over to where Shion is, holding up a device that was beeping. "I noticed your son has a large amount of energy reserves. By transferring all of his energy into my new weapon, I'll be able to restore my former empire and conquer this weak planet."
"Stay away from my son, Lyric!"
"Now now. Do not fret, you rat. You'll both be reunited once he finishes his part."
"Shion is not a weapon!"
"Be thankful he inherited all of his powers from that father of his. Who was it? The dark hedgehog known as Shadow?"
"It's none of your business!" Sonic launched a spin attack. "Leave my son alone! He has nothing to do with your evil plan!"
"On the contrary, he is part of my nefarious plan," Lyric chuckled, gliding over to a large army of robots. "In order for my plan to commence, the baby's powers will be transferred over to my robots. They'll inherit the same power as Shadow the Hedgehog, assist me in destroying everything in their path, and annihilate anyone who is deemed a threat."
Lyric checked his device. "If he's anything like his father, he'll survive the extraction."
Sonic continued to do everything he can to break out of the forcefield. He could still hear his pup's cries, wanting to be held and comforted. Sonic used his anger to unleash his full strength, hoping to make a dent. He cannot stop until he saves his pup, stop Lyric, and destroy those robots.
"I'm coming, Shion! Don't be scared!" Sonic shouted, punching and kicking the forcefield.
Lyric tilted his head back and cackled. "Nothing can break that forcefield. The only way out is to destroy my device, which is deemed impossible because you're trapped in here and no one will come to save you. They have no clue that I took you!"
Suddenly, loud explosions were heard at the background, causing the ground to shake. Lyric looked over to see his giant robots guarding the lair destroyed, blasted into smithereens. He spotted the enemy responsible for obliterating his creations, causing Lyric to smirk. "Looks like your mate has arrived to rescue you."
Sonic silently gasped when he saw Shadow land on the platform, seething with rage as he glared daggers at Lyric. His fists were clenched tightly, lips pulled back into a vicious snarl to reveal his sharp white fangs, and his eyes were glowing a bloody red. This was the first time Sonic had witnessed Shadow's true anger, and it's not aimed at Team Sonic. Instead, its directly towards Lyric.
Shadow saw Sonic trapped in the forcefield, then his eyes spotted Shion, who was still wailing. Eyes filled with fury, Shadow dashed over and punched the spherical forcefield. However, it repelled his attack. He used his attacks to break it, but nothing worked. Not even his teleportation would let him get inside the forcefield to rescue his son.
Lyric chuckled at his futile attempts. "My forcefield is immune to all types of attacks… especially yours."
"RELEASE MY SON AND HIS MOTHER RIGHT NOW!" Shadow roared.
"Foolish boy. Why would I do that when I need them to help conquer this puny planet," Lyric pressed a button on his device. "However, you are considered useful to me since I need your large energy reserves."
Shadow used a chaos spear to slice a robot charging at him. More robots designed by Lyric started attacking Shadow, who fought back. He saw a boomerang destroy a robot, recognizing the loud war cry and the voices that came from a certain idiotic team.
"You'll never get my soul!"
"Release Sonic and Shion at once!"
"No one hurts my brother and nephew!"
"Prepare to taste my fists of fury!"
Lyric floated upwards, growling as he pressed a button on his chest. "None of you will win!"
The forcefield trapping Sonic vanished, but the spherical forcefield trapping Shion began to glow brightly in a red color, as sparks appeared on the surface that made Shion cry louder. Sonic rushed over, launching his attacks to destroy the forcefield, but it was no use. His heart broke as he saw Shion's energy being transferred into the robot army, hearing his baby wail in pain.
"LEAVE MY PUP ALONE, LYRIC! HE'S NOT A WEAPON!" Sonic screamed, enraged as he launched his most powerful attacks at Lyric. "TURN OFF THAT DEVICE NOW!"
"HOW DARE YOU LAY HARM ON MY FAMILY!" Shadow roared, unleashing his most powerful attack.
Their attacks caused a lot of damage to Lyric, as his robotic suit started to malfunction and crackle with sparks. Shadow shot a chaos spear to destroy the circle button on Lyric's robotic suit, causing him to fall and land on the ground hard. Sonic quickly tied up Lyric with his blue enerbeam, making sure he was tied up tightly with no chances of escaping.
Then, the ground shook rapidly, and the forcefield that held Shion glowed brighter in a darker red color. Cracks erupted from the forcefield, as Shion's loud wails made more cracks. His green and red aura surrounding him, enveloping his form protectively as the glow brightened and started to blind the others.
Tails backed away, checking his scanner. "Shion's power levels are increasing rapidly! He can't control them because of his emotions!"
Shadow's eyes widened, realizing what Shion is about to do. "Everyone get back! He's about to release a huge Chaos Blast with all that energy!"
It was too late as the forcefield shattered, and a giant energy blast was released from Shion's body. The others didn't realize that Sonic dashed towards Shion, reaching out to him until he caught Shion and held him protectively in his arms, enveloped in the giant energy blast as everyone was blown away by it.
"COME ON, SONIC! WAKE UP RIGHT NOW!" Shadow shook him, holding back his emotions. "THIS ISN'T TIME FOR YOU TO SLEEP RIGHT NOW!"
He looked down at Shion, who was held in his arms. "OPEN YOUR EYES FOR ME, SHION! DO THIS FOR YOUR PAPA!"
Shadow ignored what the rest of Team Sonic are saying, fully focusing on his pup and mother of his child. They shouldn't be sleeping right now. They must leave Lyric's lair right away and get back to the shack. The place will collapse soon, and they must get out of here before Lyric wakes up.
"WHY ARE YOU NOT DOING ANYTHING!?" Shadow glared at the others. "HELP ME WAKE THEM UP!"
"We can't, Shadow!" Tails shouted, as tears started to drip from his eyelids.
"WHY THE HELL NOT!?"
"I did a full body scan on them! They're not breathing, and it's already been an hour-
"SHUT UP! DON'T YOU DARE SAY IT!"
"They were in close proximity of that blast!" Amy hiccupped, wiping her eyes. "There's no way-
"ALL OF YOU SHUT UP! THEY'RE STILL ALIVE!"
"How!? Nothing worked to wake them up!" Knuckles shouted in anger.
"I'LL WAKE THEM UP! THEY TRUST ME MORE!"
"Why should they trust you!?" Sticks glared at him. "You're our worst enemy!"
"NOT TO THEM I'M NOT! NOW QUIT STALLING AND HELP ME AWAKEN THEM!"
"We don't trust you! You raped my brother and got him pregnant!" Tails glared daggers at him. "I'll never forgive you for that!"
Shadow viciously growled. "YOU THINK I WANTED TO DO THAT TO HIM!? I NEVER WANTED TO PERFORM A HEINOUS SIN LIKE THAT ON SONIC! I STILL HATE MYSELF FOR WHAT I HAD DONE!" He continued to shake Sonic & Shion. "I ORDER YOU BOTH TO OPEN YOUR EYES! DO YOU HEAR ME!?"
Shadow continued to shake them, feeling his eyes and cheeks becoming wet. He had no idea they were his tears, but chose to ignore it as he pleaded for his baby and rival to rise from their slumber. He didn't want to believe that they're not sleeping. It can't be the other reason they're not waking up.
"DAMN IT, BLUE BOY! JUST OPEN YOUR EYES ALREADY! WAKE UP AND HELP ME WAKE UP SHION!"
No answer.
"WAKE UP FOR PAPA, SHION! PLEASE OPEN YOUR EYES FOR ME!"
Still no answer.
"DON'T DO THIS TO ME, YOU TWO! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!"
Shadow pulled Sonic and Shion's lifeless bodies in his arms, cradling them both as he violently sobbed. It's happening again. He could remember the time when he saw her die in front of him. Shielding him from the gunshot as she pulled the lever to help him escape. Hearing her breathe out her last words.
"Bring hope to humanity."
A loud painful roar escaped from Shadow's mouth, echoing the destroyed lair as he held his deceased family in his arms. He didn't care that his tears dribbled down his face. He ignored the fox and the nitwits watching him cry. His attention is focused mostly on Sonic and Shion, who were still held in his arms protectively.
"Wake up, dammit!" Shadow choked on his words. "Don't leave me…"
Teardrops landed on their faces, as Shadow cradled his family protectively in his arms. He didn't hear the rest of Team Sonic crying. He is still refusing to believe that Sonic & Shion are gone. They can't be dead. Shadow won't allow it.
As he saw Sonic, an image of a girl with long blonde hair and a blue dress appeared in his mind. More tears escaped from his eyes as he hugged both Sonic and Shion, wishing this was all a nightmare and everything would return back to normal once he wakes up. Shadow can't go through this again. It was hard for him when he first lost his sister. And now, he's losing his pup and the mother of his child.
Shadow stroked their cheeks, then cried on Sonic's chest. As he continued to sob, he felt a hand caressing his hair, and the sound of a baby crying. Pulling himself back, Shadow gasped when he saw Shion wailing loudly and clutching onto his jacket, while Sonic stroked his cheek, wiping his tears away with his thumb.
"Why are you crying, Shadow?..." Sonic whispered in a soft tone.
This caused Shadow to hug them both tightly, sobbing uncontrollably as he held them close to his chest. He ignored the fox and the others joining the hug, crying loudly that their friend and nephew are alive. All Shadow could think about is that Sonic and Shion are alive. He didn't lose them to death. He wouldn't be alone again.
Amy covered her mouth in shock. "Are you saying those flowers caused you to commit that horrible deed towards Sonic!?"
Tails frowned, folding his arms over his chest. "Lavandin flowers that were cross-typed with a stimulant? You expect us to believe that!?"
Shadow sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I had to confirm with the foolish doctor on what they really are. Surprisingly, he was able to figure it out thanks to the evidence I brought for him."
He glanced over at Sonic, who was seated next to him on the couch and holding Shion in his arms, who was busy sucking on his pacifier. "I don't know how those flowers could affect me, but I knew that Sonic must know the truth in order to lessen his trauma."
Sonic nodded. "It's true. He told me everything on what happened and regretted doing that to me." He softly gazed down at Shion. "I wanted Shadow to at least be a part of Shion's life. And before you guys say anything, I could tell that Shadow was truly remorseful for what he did on that day. I gave him a chance to show me that he changed, and he proved it by being a good father to Shion."
"I still thank you for letting me be part of his life," Shadow's eyes softened when he gazed at Sonic.
Sonic smiled at him. "You're welcome, Shads."
Shion squeaked as part of his answer.
Knuckles looked back and forth between them. "Is it just me, or do those two remind me of that book I saw at the library?"
Amy gave him a deadpan expression. "Knuckles, that book wasn't at the library."
Sticks was busy giving Shadow a petrifying expression, but he didn't budge from it. She looked at Sonic, then Shion, and back to Shadow. "I still don't trust this evil alien."
"The feeling's mutual," Shadow scoffed.
"Ah ha! So you are an evil alien!" Sticks pointed her finger at him.
Shadow rolled his eyes at her. "I never implied on whether or not I am an alien."
"You have the appearance, personality, and abilities of an evil alien!"
"And you belong in a nuthouse."
"I live in a burrow!"
"Hey! No fighting in my house!" Amy stood up, placing both her hands on her hips with a stern expression.
Tails looked at his brother. "Sonic, are you sure about this? Don't forget about what he did to all of us before Shion was conceived."
Sonic frowned a little at the memory, then shook his head as he glanced at Tails. "I know you guys have mixed feelings about our most dangerous opponent, but he's not our enemy anymore. Sure he tried to wipe the floor with us due to Eggman tricking him and wanting to destroy the world."
"That foolish doctor manipulated me. I eliminate anyone who dare threaten me," Shadow seethed.
"We get it, Shadow. No one is allowed to insult you."
"I'll even unleash my rage on this planet if any harm comes to our son."
"Yes, we know. You love Shion."
"This time, you and the pup must never leave my sight."
"Does this mean you'll be staying here with us permanently?"
"As long as you're comfortable with me being here, then I shall."
"Wait! He was here before!?" Tails gaped in astonishment. "Why didn't you tell us Shadow had been stalking you!?"
Sonic shook his head. "It's not like that, Tails. I invited Shadow over so he could spend time with Shion."
"But he-
"He told me the truth on what happened on that day. I didn't believe it at first, but I can tell Shadow was truly remorseful on what he had done on that day."
His green eyes flickered over to Shadow's, then back to Tails'. "He respected my boundaries and did not touch me without my consent. He was so good to Shion and learned on how to be a loving parent towards him."
Shion reached out to Shadow, who carefully took Shion from Sonic's arms and held him close to his heart. Sonic smiled at the sight, then held his hand out to show his team. "See? He loves and adores Shion so much."
Knuckles sniffed. "What a beautiful moment."
Sticks furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Won't the little tyke turn into an alien like Shadow?"
"That's not possible, Sticks," Amy sighs, then looked at Shadow. "Shadow, I want you to be honest with us. Were you truly remorseful on what you did to Sonic?"
Shadow glared at her. "Of course I was! I may be a villain, but I'm not a heartless monster!" His eyes softened when he gazed down at Shion. "Even though Sonic and I are enemies, I would never commit something so heinous towards him! What I did to him can never erase the trauma I caused him, and I told myself that whatever decision he has involving me, I would accept it no matter what!"
He hugged Shion, feeling him snuggle against his chest. "In order to make up for my past actions and earn Sonic's forgiveness the proper way, the both of us decided to remain neutral without scaring Shion. I'm glad that he trusts me around our pup, trusts me to be in his shack, and let me be in his and Shion's lives."
Shadow closed his eyes. "But most of all, I'm glad that he and Shion are alive."
Everyone is astonished at Shadow's reply, but the person most shocked is Sonic. It's the first time he had seen his rival declare something that he never thought would be true. Not only was Shadow thankful to Sonic for trusting him to let him in his and Shion's lives, but he's glad that both he and their pup are alive.
To Sonic, he's seeing Shadow in a whole different light. Even the others are starting to see it, though it might take some time since they barely know Shadow.
The only sound being heard in the shack is Shion sucking on his pacifier. However, the silence was broken when Tails was the first to speak. "I don't know how my brother found it in his heart to forgive you, but it will take some time for me to process on what I just learned."
He glared at Shadow. "Do not hurt my brother or nephew, Shadow. I won't hesitate to commit a felony towards you."
Shadow nodded. "I'll accept that answer. Thanks, fox."
"Wait, did you just say-
"Now it's time for Shion's feeding. He's feeling hungry."
"Shadow, you-
"We're returning to the shack. No further questions."
"H-Hey! At least let me finish!"
"Hey Shadow?"
"Hmm?"
"Did you really mean all that?"
Shadow glanced over at Sonic, then back to Shion who was sleeping in his bassinet. "About what I told your friends earlier?"
"Yeah…" Sonic rubbed his left arm. "W-Were you really grateful about me trusting you?"
"Your trust is very valuable to me. You gave me a chance to prove myself, and I used it to redeem myself for you."
"R-Really?"
"Really," Shadow folded his arms, then turned his head to gaze at him. "And I had no regrets on what I did to Lyric when I believed you and Shion had died."
"Shadow-
"That coward wanted to use our pup as a weapon by extracting his powers for his robots, which nearly killed him!"
A vicious growl escaped from Shadow's lips; eyes darkened with rage. "I didn't hold back on my wrath, and I would gladly do it all over again as long as my family is safe."
Sonic felt warmth blooming in his chest, then smiled a little. "That's right. We're your family, Shadow. And we'll always be there for you." Taking a deep breath and releasing it, he took a big step forward, and lightly touched Shadow's cheek, gazing into his ruby-colored eyes. "You'll never be alone. Shion and I won't let you suffer."
Shadow's eyes widened a bit, then they softened as he carefully placed his hand over Sonic's. "You promise?"
"With all my heart."
Seeing the truth behind Sonic's emerald green eyes, Shadow leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Sonic's, closing his eyes as he felt a sudden wave of calmness washing over him. Their neutral relationship is at a good starting point, and they're talking like civilized people without arguing or fighting.
Maybe, just maybe. This type of peace is what Shadow is searching for this whole time. He isn't alone because he has a baby son, the mother of his child, his pesky friends, and a place to call home. Faith is giving him a chance to finally be happy, and he wants this moment to last forever.
Right now, the road ahead of him will be bumpy, but he'll overcome it. Shadow the Hedgehog is the ultimate lifeform. Nothing can stop him. He'll embrace anything heading his way, especially fatherhood. But one thing he does know is that if anything happened to his family, this world will not survive his rage.
I am so sorry that it took forever for me to update! Back at the end of April, a tornado came in my area and hit my neighborhood, which messed up everything. My family and I are safe, but our home, items, and cars got messed up. My laptop got damaged, and it took me a while to buy a new one while trying to get all the data from the old laptop.
Right now, we're staying with family and getting everything covered by our insurance, so I'm hoping the situation would return back to normal. Remember, no one likes tornado season, especially if they're near your area.
I have a couple of ideas for the next one-shot, so I need you guys to tell me which one you want to see:
Sonic Prime: Sonic dreaming about meeting the Shatter Variants of Shadow
Post-Frontier: Sonic disappearing after his friends did not hear any message or call from him for months after they all separated for their own journeys. Soon, they learned of a popular rising band called Star Underground, and were shocked to see who the famous idol singers are
Sonadow Pirates sequel: Sonic, Silver, Manic, & Gadget snuck away from their captains and ended up on an uncharted island rumored to be the home of the mystical Goddess of the Sea, where Sonic & Manic learned more about their family bloodline
Let me know in the reviews which one you want to see! The letter that is picked the most will be the winner, so please vote in the comment section! Thank you!