Nimbus' Destined

It's All Over...Right?

Everything seemed to fall into slow motion. The soldiers saw the reversed attack and everyone stopped in their tracks. Was their leader dead? Was it all over?

The princes were lowered back down to the ground, then the smoke cleared, and they saw Lazla lying there, alive, but unconscious.

At this, the soldiers dropped their weapons. They were beaten. Some ran, others got onto their knees, awaiting punishment.

Silver finally broke out of his stare when Sonic pulled him, Shadow and Venice into a tight hug. "We did it!" He announced. "With minimal injuries!"

"Don't we always?" Shadow asked with a smirk. He even smiled when Mephiles joined the hug. "Come on in, little guy..."

"Boys!" The girls ran over and hugged them tightly, everyone dirty and tired, but happy that they'd won.

Then Chaos arrived. Lazla gave a soft moan, then looked up at him with an angry glare. "You...!"

"Yes. Me." Chaos clamped cuffs around her wrists and a collar around her neck. "You're beaten, Lazainiar. After 34 generations of royals, you're finally beaten."

"What are you going to do with her?" Quetzal asked. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Lazla. "Mother."

"You useless waste of time...!" Lazla growled.

"No." They all stood behind Quetzal. "She's a very special young woman." Amy replied.

"As for your punishment..." Chaos snapped. "We'll start by having you undo everything you've ever done."

"You wouldn't dare...!"

"I would."

Lazla screamed as energy shot out of her, streaks flying off in all directions.

Amanda gasped. "Tarenel will be restored...!" She whispered.

One of the streaks wrapped around the ghost girl as she lingered close, and she gasped as she was once again physical. She had pale purple quills and blue eyes, and she began to cry as she looked over herself. "I...I'm real again...!"

Mephiles looked at her, and he gave a sharp gasp before running to her. "SPIRAL!!!!!" He hugged her tightly, sobbing into her shoulder as she did the same. "You're alive...! You're alive!"

"Yes, Phil!...I'm here now...!"

Silver smiled. "Isn't it beautiful when family is reunited?"

Shadow wrapped his arms around them all. "Yes it is, little brother...yes it is."
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The city was in a great rejoicing. Not only for Lazla's defeat, but the return of their princes.
The celebrating was to go an entire week, and though the princes weren't sure if they could handle that much partying, they were just happy it was all over.

Venice especially. He'd finally felt like he belonged, like a hero.

One night, their parents told them that they were having a dinner, and to dress nicely.

Venice had chosen a white top, blue trousers and black boots, and once he was dressed, he went down to the entryway with the rest of his family. "So who exactly is attending this dinner?" He asked.

Queen Minerva grinned. "Your aunt and uncles and cousins, and your father's parents."

"Oh joy." King Titan mumbled. "But inviting my parents was polite."

Then the doors opened and familiar faces stepped in. "Hey, boys!" Lord Pierre waved.

"Hi." Venice replied, then gasped as Spiral hugged him. "Oof! Heh, hi to you too..."

"Sorry, Ven. I didn't get to thank you for everything the other day."

"You're welcome..."

Spiral then smiled as her mother came over. "This is my mother, Lady Jewella."

Their aunt grinned widely. "Oh...! You were all in diapers the last time I saw you boys...!"

Venice blushed, along with the rest of his siblings, then his attention was caught by two more hedgehogs stepping into the entry.

"Charlie!" Minerva hugged the older hedgehog, who indeed looked like Sonic, only lighter and with a mustache. "It's so good to see you."

The teenager hiding behind their uncle must be his son, Shard. He looked around nervously, and Venice saw his left arm was in a sling. "Hi." Venice greeted.

Shard nodded, but remained hiding his father.

His father noticed this, and nudged him forward. "Go on, Shard. Be social. They're just your cousins, after all."

"Cousins that are royalty...!" Shard mumbled, then stepped towards his cousins, looking down at the floor. "Hi..."

"Relax, kid!" Sonic announced. "We're not gonna hurt ya!"

Shard nodded. "I know..." He looked up to their faces. "I'm sorry, it's just hearing about you guys is one thing, but getting to finally meet you... It's a little startling."

"Believe me, we know."

"What happened to your arm, Shard?" Silver asked.

"Lazla's men shot me in the shoulder when we were running here for security. I'll be fine in a few weeks, but until then, I gotta keep it in a sling."

"Sheesh. Good thing they're gone now."

Shard shook his head. "Lazla may be imprisoned, but her followers are still out there in scattered pockets. You may have turned off the faucet, but the mess is still on the floor."

"Oh hey!" Sonic grinned. "Bet you can't tell which one of us is which!"

Shard smirked, then pointed to each of them. "Shadow, Sonic, Silver and Venice."

"Dang it."

"I hope everything goes well." Shard then turned as trumpets sounded outside. "Oh joy...here comes Grandfather...!"