I'm Alone at Night Without You: A Shady Oaks SMP Story

Chapter 7: Papa

“I don’t understand…” James breathed. “How are you my father? And why am I a SilverWolf instead of an Owl Elf if you are? A-and why did Mum and Da-u-uh, I just-”

“Deep breath, James…” Phoenix said softly, patting his head with a smile. “It’s a long story. But...I need to ask...have you ever heard of what LightCreatures like us are special for?”

“W-well...I know females and males carry their babies, and since I’ve been away from the magic of Songlight so long, I’ve lost the ability myself…” James said. “Wait...are you saying...you were the one who brought me into the world?!”

Phoenix nodded. “Neither your mother or Digitice can safely carry and birth a child...your mother...my dear friend...asked me to help her and her husband give LifeLight his next in the bloodline.”

“So...I was made in a lab...then given to you...right?”

“Yes. There were several failed attempts…” Phoenix said, cupping his hands to James’ face. “Then Experiment 23 came into my life...and became you, my little sunflower. And you were born beautiful and perfect and were my most greatest treasure in the world...until Digitice decided to steal you from your crib that one dark night, taking your mother with him against her wishes. He hated how he wasn’t truly your father...so he decided he’d make himself your father and cut me off from you.”

“So that’s why he broke the portal to the Multiverse Network…” James said, almost sounding in disbelief. “So he had time to escape and avoid being tracked down…”

“I searched over 2,000 worlds for you, James…” Phoenix whispered shakily. “2,000 worlds in 4 years...hoping I’d find you...but after searching that 2,000th world...I just couldn’t keep searching anymore...I was in so much pain at the fact that I lost you...that I just couldn’t go on. It felt sick to eat, my heart hurt, and I could barely sleep...because I lost you...but look…”

He pulled James back into a hug. “You came back...you’re home at last...with me...just like I’ve dreamt of for years...oh my sweet little boy...I’ve missed you so much!”

Hearing how joyous and relieved his father was made James feel weird. This was his real father...yet his whole remembered life, he’d had a father that wasn’t really his own. This felt unreal and untrue...but yet…

It also felt like it was meant to be, and that he was where he belonged.

“Hold up.” James wriggled out of Phoenix’s hug as he realized. “You’re a king.”

“Yes, what’s that have to do with anything, James?” Phoenix asked.

“D-Doesn’t that make me...a PRINCE?!” James was sure his eyes had bugged out of his head in shock.

Phoenix chuckled. “Yes, James...you are the Prince of Topaz Claw...and the heir to my throne.”

James’ jaw dropped in shock. “Mother of LifeLight…”

Phoenix chuckled again, pulling something out of his pocket and holding it up for James to see.

It was a locket. It was made of pale gold and silver, and the front of the locket looked like a spiraling sunflower.

“Is...is this for me?” James asked.

Phoenix smiled. “Yes. Your grandfather Alder made this for you before you were born. He was going to give it to you for your 4th birthday...but he never got to do that. He was so heartbroken that he threw it away...but I held onto it all these years in hope that you’d come back some day.”

He put it around James’ neck. “And it looks beautiful on you, little sunflower.”

James smiled. “It is very nice...is...is my grandfather still around?”

“Yes…” Phoenix sighed. “But his health hasn’t really been well since you disappeared. He’s been bedridden for years. I think his grief for you had an effect on his health. But…” Phoenix began to smile again. “But now that you’re back, I’m sure he’ll start to get better! And maybe he’ll smile again!”

James smiled nervously. “Yeah...maybe...but...you think he’d wanna see me with one less arm than he last did?”

“Hmm...yes, we do need to contact the lab in Diamond Moon about your arm…” Phoenix touched James’ shoulder. “I asked Yoshi to text his nephew to come over and take measurements for a prosthetic.”

“Yoshi was here?” James asked.

“He is here.” Phoenix smiled. “He’s keeping your two friends company until you wake up. Well...you’re awake now, I guess.”

“Are you two good friends?”

“Yes. He’s been visiting the castle more often...ever since Amber died…”

“Amber?” James asked.

“She was my wife and my queen.” Phoenix said, rubbing his arm. “She died not long after our little one was born. Complications and infection.”

“Oh…” James breathed, feeling a stab of pain in his heart for his father. “I-I’m sorry, Papa.”

Phoenix smiled, looking back up at James. “It’s okay, James. She wouldn’t want me to hold onto her forever. She’d...want me to be happy and find love again. She always put my feelings before her own, so I know she’d want me to move on.”

“You make grief sound easy…” James mumbled, looking down.

“It’s not...but it helps to think positively to help numb how much it can hurt. At least for me, it helps.” Phoenix said.

James looked back up at him. “Can I see my friends?”

Phoenix smiled, nodding. “Of course, James. I’ll go get them.”

Phoenix then left the room, leaving James sitting in bed, wondering… 

Would he ever be able to move past the pain of losing Pigeon? And would he ever truly see Phoenix as his true father after this sudden discovery? 

He looks so overjoyed to finally have me back…I…I couldn't bear hurting his feelings by not seeing him as my father…