Parenthood for villains

Chapter 4: new responsibilities

The next morning he woke up to the sound of a screaming crying pair of babies, he looked back at the crib to see the hoglet was trying to crawl out. Quickly he got up and walked over to pick up the kid by his scruff, grinning as the little guy relaxed a little and looked up at him. "You are an odd one," He mused quietly, "you had a bad experience with being held as such but yet you enjoy me doing it?"

As if to answer him the hoglet giggled as he covered his smiling face with his tiny hands, his ears lowered a bit making him look too adorable for Mephiles who 'blehed' the sight before setting the kid on the floor. With his new found freedom the hoglet crawled around exploring all the mysteries of the rug. "I need to name you," Mephiles muttered as he materialized a bottle of milk that he offered to the adventurous hoglet who quickly took it and started to drink the contents. "I know, how about Sonic after the way you're able to run quicker than lightning."

The hoglet looked up at him at the mention of his new name as if he liked it and continued to drink the milk. When he was finished he dropped the bottle and got up on his unsteady feet and waddled over to Mephiles' foot where he tapped his hands against the dark fur. "Dada." He proclaimed matter of factly as he looked up at the green and red eyes that were watching him.

Mephiles stared at the hoglet with shock, not expecting him to say such a word so suddenly. He looked around as if expecting to find an eavesdropper before kneeling down, setting his hand on the kid's head. The touch made Sonic push into the hand and wrap his hand around the big arm seeking support for his weak legs.

Miles' wailing snapped Mephiles out of his stupor and he straightened to pick up the kit and carry him to the center of the living room where he laid the kit on the floor. He then proceeded to change the dirty diaper before giving him a bottle and turning back to Sonic who had followed him. He laid the little hoglet down next to the kit and changed the diaper on him too since the one he had been wearing was so full it had been sagging lower than his knees.

He then checked the injuries the hoglet bore only to find they had begun to get infected, so he quickly got up and carried the kid into the bathroom where he cleaned the wounds the best he could without hurting him. But he knew more than anyone else that infections had to be hurt to get better, so he took up his rubbing alcohol and glanced at the hoglet who laid there watching him as he kicked his tiny legs about.

"This is going to hurt," Mephiles warned as he took the cap off the bottle and set the kid in the tub. He then poured the contents of the bottle all over Sonic's body making the poor thing scream with the pain. But his screams oddly twisted the villain's heart with guilt instead of pleasure.

Once the poor thing stopped screaming it cried and cowered thinking he had done something wrong. Mephiles carefully dried him off feeling his guilt grow as the poor thing yelped with every touch he made. He then carefully took the hoglet back to the living room and set him on the floor where he hurried for the safety he desired under the couch. But just as he got close enough to the refuge he was again lifted by his scruff and brought face to face with Mephiles.

"You aren't allowed under there." Mephiles growled before bringing the kid into his arms letting the small form rest on his chest. But what he didn't expect was how desperately Sonic clawed into the fur, bringing himself up to Mephiles' neck and latching himself there as his sobs started to slowly fade. The villain stood there shocked as his fur got pulled in the kid's desperate climb.

But slowly his hand rested on the small shivering form feeling it relax and shutter a sigh, and his cold dark heart began to melt on its own. He glanced at Miles who had finished his bottle and had tossed it aside before beginning to suck on the tips of his tails. Carefully Mephiles picked up the fox kit and held it next to Sonic who had moved over to allow the little neighbor. Both then curled into his fur with contentment as they yawned and slowly fell asleep.

"How did I become this?!" He wondered in disgust as he watched the two babies snore peacefully void of any fears. He groaned in irritation before laying both the sleeping babies on the couch. He then went into the kitchen and found some meat that he cooked up for himself. He then sat on the other end of the couch and turned on the tv to watch the news.

'Just in, a murder has happened two times yesterday, both were mothers. One was a mother of three while the other a new mother who had only barely given birth. Investigations are under way and we'll be hearing the conclusions soon, but in the meantime keep a lookout for the suspect who is at least fifty years old and has dark grayish blue fur. His eyes are one of a kind color with green irises in red sclera. Beware he is a dangerous killer with unnatural powers.'

"Nice to know I'm unforgettable, though it'll prove difficult with these two if I ever go out. But what is this about you having siblings Sonic?" He glanced at the sleeping hoglet before returning his gaze to the screen leaning forward a bit.

'Now a statement from the father of the three, sir how do you feel about all this?' The screen then turned to reveal a father hedgehog with two hoglets who were barely five and thirteen. But both hoglets seemed terrified as they stood rigidly in front of their father. The older one was black with red stripes along his head quills and on his wrists and ankles. His shoes were too small and his gloves didn't fit right. His brother was a silvery white color with messy quills that needed a desperate combing, his feet were bare and his hands fidgeted with a small bear he seemed to favor.

"I'm very angry with that !^#* and am willing to (@$&%*$*#@ his hide." The father sneered angrily. "Thanks to him I'm now single and have to care for these two alone. Not to mention my baby boy is still missing and may be dying as well."

'And what do you say young man?" The microphone was then shoved in the thirteen year old's face and he shrunk back a bit.

"Um....Well I'm most worried about our brother, he has certain needs that have to be taken care of, and he can't live without his brothers." The kid mumbled timidly. "Oh I'd like to say something to the guy that possibly has our brother captive; if you favor his happiness please promise me you will come take us away!"

He was secretly kicked but Mephiles noticed it and frowned as he turned his gaze to the hoglet who was still sleeping every now and then though he would flinch or jerk about as if in a nightmare. "What do you think Sonic should I bother with your brothers?" He asked quietly as he scratched his chin. "I mean if it were me I'd kill them all and not give it a second thought, but do you really need your brothers that badly?"

As if to answer his query Sonic woke up with a scream and looked around frantically as he backed into the corner disturbing Miles as he did so. The reporter seemed to chuckle and try to hide the last remark as he panned the camera back to him before closing the report. Mephiles sighed in defeat as he got up and approached the hoglet who still looked around in fear. He carefully put his hand on Sonic's forehead and used his powers to force the kid into slumber before doing the same with Miles to make sure neither of them woke up while he was gone. Then without a backward glance he turned and flew out of the house, heading for the direction of the reporter.