Nimbus' Destined

Home

Rouge wandered the streets with the boys for a few more miles, until the castle was in view. Amanda paused at a large building, what looked to be a hospital, and started towards the door. "My mom on duty?"

"She's probably just on call in case, but we should be prepared for her to not be available immediately."

They stepped into the buildings, finding the hospital somewhat quiet, clean and organized. A few people sat in the front room, but they didn't say anything if they noticed the princes entering.

"Amanda Hawkings." The receptionist looked up at the fae with a raised eyebrow. "What did you do now?"

"N-Nothing, ma'am...Is Ginger Nook free to speak to?"

"She should be checking in on a patient right now, but I'll let her know you want to speak with her when she's finished."

"Thank you..." Rouge said, then she took a seat.

Shadow sat down by her, taking her hand. "Something's bothering you."

"...I have no memory of my birth mom...what if she wants to know what I've done all this time...? Can I really tell her I was...was a-"

"Hey. If my mom can accept me for my flaws, I think your mom can do the same..."

Rouge nodded, then sat in silence until finally, she saw a bat enter the room.

"Back so soon, Amanda?" She asked, brushing creamy bangs out of her face. "What is it this time...?"

"Mom." Rouge stood up, catching Ginger's attention. "...I'm what's up."

Ginger looked shocked for a second, then it quickly turned into a smirk. "Hmm. I'd know that face anywhere..." She held out her hand. "It's good to see you again, Roxanne."

Rouge blinked. "...you're not gonna smother me in a hug? No tears all over my shirt?"

Ginger grinned. "Well, after fourteen years of being separated, I don't think you'd be comfortable with that, now would you?"

Rouge grinned, shaking her head. "Not yet."

Ginger looked to the princes, grinning. "Wow. Time sure flies, don't it? I still remember helping your mother bring you four into the world."

Rouge gasped, though giggling behind her hands as Shadow's cheeks burned. "Okay mom, don't humiliate them. They've been through a lot already."

"Oh, yes...I know." She placed a hand on Rouge's shoulder. "Do you mind hanging out in the lobby for a few minutes? Then we can go home and reintroduce you to it."

Rouge shrugged, "sure." Then she kissed Shadow's cheek. "Come visit soon, handsome...!"

"One last stop...!" Amanda whispered.
______________________________________

The castle gates were tightly guarded, and the elaborate gate spiraled up into the sky like black ivy.
The castle behind it was just as majestic, with tall towers and front walls that opened to a wide courtyard.

Sonic shivered with excitement as he got near it, "You guys ready for this...!?" He whispered.

"No." The others said in unison.

"Who comes near?" Called a soldier in the tower above, sounding very bored. How often did he have to say that every day?

"...The Princes of Nimbus, sir!" Sonic called.

"Oh, yes, of course it- WHAT!?" the soldier poked his head out, a grin on his face. "Well what do you know...One moment, boys!"

Sonic smirked as the gates creaked open, then they stepped past the walls of the castle, and paused.

"Home...!" Venice murmured.

Queen Minerva stood on the steps, now dressed in a regal blue dress and looking more like a queen. "That's right, boys..."
She accepted the tight hugs from her sons, then took Silver and Venice's hands. "Follow me, boys. Your father's in the garden."

"Does he even know we're back in this dimension?" Shadow asked.

Minerva grinned. "Nope...!"

She led the four around the castle, then through another large gate that led them into the garden.

Sonic knew this garden, the same one he played in as a child. Roses, lillies and other brightly colored flowers grew around the pathways, and ivy wrapped around arches and fences.

But then the flowers broke off into something less visually appealing, but just as interesting to look at.

Mushrooms.

Hundreds of fungi grew in carefully designed patterns. Spirals and curves, and geometrical shapes twisted about in organized patterns and colors, from red to purple, white to black, and even some with spots that resembled pairs of eyes watching them.

The queen paused and the boys did too. Standing with his back turned was their father. "Titanic, darling." She greeted.

The king waved a hand and more eye-looking mushrooms grew up at his command. "Not now, Minnie." He complained. "I'm in the middle of a very important work of agricultural art."

Sonic snickered. "Art made of mushrooms, Dad?"

King Titanic stood up straight, then turned to face them.
His eyes were crimson like Shadow's, and his pale blue quills poked out the same way. He also had three quills branching out from his forehead like Silver and Venice's, one going between his ears and one curling down beside each of his eyes.

The king looked shocked for a moment, then he crossed his arms with a pout. "Well, what took you so long!?"

Sonic was uncertain whether or not his father was truly angry, until suddenly his father had an arm around his neck, rubbing his knuckles on his head. "Hey!"

"Ha ha! I finally caught you! You're it, Sonic!"

Sonic grinned, he liked his father already. "You cheater!"

As the king released Sonic, he adjusted his quills again. "You look just like your uncle Charles, only minus the bushy eyebrows and mustache."

Sonic blushed. "O...Kay?"

"Alright, boys. Let's go inside. Jayza's making chili dogs, as I instructed."

Sonic grinned. "You had me at chili dogs!"