Nimbus' Destined

Settling In

The castle was in a state of rejoicing as they entered, maids and guards welcoming them into the castle excitedly.

Despite waiting for this moment his whole life, Venice didn't feel as content as he wanted to be.
As he saw the tapestries on the walls, he started to understand his feelings. Images of brave knights, perilous battles, his family was one of heroes...not mechanics.

He stopped as he saw the family portraits hanging from the walls. Solemn, serious expressions were on the faces of his ancestors, even up to his grandparents, then his own parents broke that mold...
Their picture looked like one that would come out of a photo booth, with his father kissing his mother's cheek and holding her close with one hand around her shoulder. His mother grinned, but was clearly unprepared for the action.

So relaxed compared to the others...

"Dude, the guy that painted you guys must've been faster than Sonic!" Silver exclaimed.

"Actually, it's called 'take a picture and then have the painter paint us based off of that.'" King Titan replied. "Less tiring."

"Come on, Venice!" Sonic called. "Those chili dogs aren't getting any warmer!"

Venice sighed. "You guys...go ahead, I'll be there in a few minutes..."

They shrugged, and continued on, but his mother remained with him. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Venice, what's the matter?" She asked.

"I...I don't feel like I belong here, mom...I was excited at the beginning, but...now I just feel... I don't know." He sat down on the floor and she sat down with him. "...why did you make me the only one of us not a hero?"

"You think I wanted you to feel left out? No." She took his hand. "Venice, I wanted you to be sane."

Venice raised an eyebrow. "What...?"

"You've seen Sonic. The years of fighting evil has left him cocky and overconfident.
Shadow has faced the loss of someone close to him and it's left him a little cold and distant.
Silver has grown up in a nightmare and now expects everything to fall apart at any moment."

She placed a hand on his cheek, brushing it gently. "You...you've grown up about as normal as you could with Light Gaia being your guardian. You didn't have to fight monsters, or be in stasis for fifty years, or struggle to survive every day...You think you're the oddball, but really... You're the most normal out of us all."

Venice felt tears slip down his cheeks, but he didn't bother to brush them away as he hugged his mother tightly. "Thanks mom...I needed that...!"

"I know...mothers always know." She helped him up. "Now, I believe the others are waiting for us."
______________________________________

"Now, before you boys go exploring," King Titan explained. "There are a few rules. No super speed running through the halls, the bannisters are for holding onto, not a slide, and if you go down that hall, last door on the left is big, and made of metal, like a vault. That goes to the dungeon. Don't go down there unless your mother or I are with you."

"Also, the hall up those stairs is where your bedrooms are. They are marked with pieces of paper for now, but you'll figure out which one is yours after a few days." Minerva added.

"I'll explore later." Venice murmured, "Right now, bed sounds really good."

Queen Minerva giggled, then kissed his forehead. "You all could use some much needed rest..."

Venice wandered up the stairs, looking at each of the doors until he found one with his name on it.
The handle was made of a milky crystal, and as he turned it and peered in, his jaw dropped.
"I think this room is bigger than the average apartment...!" He whispered.
______________________________________

Amy sat on the window seat in her bedroom, watching the city go by beyond the fence. It was so peaceful, and she could smell the bread her mother was baking downstairs.

Yup. This was home.

Her attention was suddenly caught by a pale hedgehog pausing at the end of the driveway, collecting the mail, then stepping through the gate.
Was that her dad?

She dashed out of her room, peeking around the corner of the stairs as he came up to the door and opened it.

"Mels? I'm home." He called. "Mmm...you making fresh bread in here?"

"Yes, Martin." Her mother replied. "And you're not the only one home..."

Amy grinned, then started down the stairs. "Hi, daddy..."

Mr. Rose turned, grinning wide. "Amelia Lianne Rose, you stinker!"

Amy giggled, overlooking his dusty appearance. "I think I'll let you shower before I hug you."

He grinned. "Yeah... Quarry work can do that to ya. I'll only be a few minutes!"

"So you say..." Mrs. Rose muttered with a smirk.

Amy smiled as her father passed, "I think I'll take mom's word for it...!"

Mrs. Rose wiped flour from the counter. "So, do you like your room?"

"Oh yeah! It's got a beautiful view of the city. So...how'd you know the king and queen?"

Mrs. Rose laughed. "Now that is an interesting story...! You see, your father's great-aunt worked at the castle as King Titan's nurse. Also, your father got pulled into Titan's kidnapping conspiracy, but that's a whole other story. Now go get washed into the upstairs bathroom for dinner, alright?"

Amy nodded, then hurried up the steps.

It sure was nice to be home...