Fatherhood - Shadow Story

Fatherhood - How to raise a child
Shadow story

Step 1 : Receive the Child

   "Commander Shadow!"
Shadow looked up from his paperwork to see a GUN agent saluting him. Shadow sighed, "Yes, Agent Alan?"
The agent stood at attention, "We thought you might like to know that a zone cop had been sighted in New Mobotroplis."
Shadow rubbed his chin, "Odd. What could they be looking for?" He turned to the agent, "Did you recognise which Zone Cop?"
The agent shook his head, "Sir, no sir!"
Shadow sighed, "Alright. Well, if they come looking for assistance or information, be sure to lend it to them. We will be fully cooperative. If there are any problems, report directly to me."
The agent saluted him, "Sir, yes sir!" With that, he turned and left the office.
Shadow leaned back in his chair, "I wonder what the Zone Cops could be looking for. Must be important to come all the way to Mobius." He sighed, "Probably nothing too serious. If it were, they would have told the King, and the King would have told me."
After a couple more hours, he put away the files and headed out. He used his speed to zoom home, where he stopped fast. He was surprised by what he found on his doorstep. It was a basket.
He walked over to it, cautious in case it was some kind of trap. He pulled back the blanket and gasped.
There laid a small baby. A black hedgehog with red and yellow stripes on his spines. The baby was sucking his thumb, fast asleep.
Shadow sat on the step next to the basket, looking for some sign of where it came from. He noticed a note signed to him and picked it up. He looked it over, "Strange. The handwriting looks familiar, but I can't think whose it is." He opened the note and read it.
Dear Shadow,
It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm not even sure exactly how long. I'm sure this zone's time is probably different than the time on Mobius. In case you haven't realised who I am, it's Darka.
Shadow gasped, "Darka? How is that possible? She's been trapped in the Meteor Zone for over five years now." He continued reading.
I know that's hard to believe, but I've just discovered a small rift that could lead right back to Mobius. I'm confident this will work.
You see, I had something very important to me that I wanted you to hold onto. The baby with you is actually my son.
Shadow was shocked, then he looked at the baby. He was sleeping peacefully. In truth, he really did look like Darka. He also looked like Shadow, but that was to be expected with Shadow and Darka's close resemblance. He looked back at the letter.
I can't keep him here in the Meteor Zone. It's just too dangerous for a child, and I refuse to raise an innocent life in a place like this. I knew I had to find a way to get him back to Mobius, and I did. And, of course, there was only one person I trusted to raise him the way I would want.
Shadow stared at the letter, just too shocked for words. He simply continued reading.
Shadow, you're my friend. You made that clear the last time I'd seen you. You're the only person I would trust my child to. If anyone can raise him to be the son I know he can be, it's you. I know you probably don't agree, but I know you better than that.
If you're even half the man I remember, you'll do fine.
Shadow sighed, "Darka." He closed the letter and looked at the baby. He slept soundly as Shadow thought to himself. He couldn't keep a baby. He didn't know anything about babies, let alone how to raise one. Alone, no less.
Then he noticed another note, this one being much smaller. He picked it up and was surprised to see an insignia. The insignia of the Zone Cops. He flipped it open and read it.
Package 309.354
If not received, must be returned to sender.
Shadow was silent. So it was the Zone Cops who'd brought it to him. That had to have been what they were up to that day. He looked over the few words. If he didn't keep the baby, it would be sent back to Darka? Back to the dangerous Meteor Zone she tried so hard to get him away from?
Shadow tapped his foot in thought. He couldn't do that to Darka. Not after everything she wrote. He still remembered how she had saved his life more than once since he'd first met her. She considered him her friend. The least he could do was take care of her child. After all, this was the first time she'd ever actually asked for anything.
He sighed and looked at the baby. He was surprised to see he awake, watching him with big red eyes. He just watched him, sucking his thumb. Shadow looked him over, then sighed, "He's just a baby. How hard could it be?"
He looked at the letter again, "Which reminds me, what's his name?" He looked at the back and front, but no name. He looked over the baby, who still watched him curiously, and found a little charm made by hand from metal pieces. On it was the name "Shaderon".
Shadow spoke, "Shaderon?" At that, the baby smiled a little. Shadow was surprised, then said it again, "Shaderon." The baby gave a little laugh this time, showing his toothless smile. He smirked, "Well, I guess that's your name."
Shadow stood up, "Alright, then I guess you're staying with me. Really, how hard could it be?" He picked up the basket and took it inside.


Step 2 : Learn the Child's Needs

    Shaderon cried loudly, making most of the agents in GUN cover their ears. Shadow groaned as he rocked Shaderon's crib in his office. Him and his big mouth.
He'd had Shaderon for only a week, and he was already slowly losing his mind. Shadow didn't even think it was possible for a child to cry so much. He groaned, trying to quiet him, "Please, just go to sleep, Shaderon." Shaderon only kept crying.
Shadow turned from his work and picked up the baby, careful of his head. He held Shaderon and walked around, "Come on, Shaderon, just fall asleep. I already fed you, I've changed you, I'm holding you, what else could you possibly want?"
Then someone knocked on the door. Shadow sighed, "Open."
A familiar head peeked in. Sonic smiled, "Wow, so the rumours are true." He walked in, his gold crown on his head and his red cape over his shoulder.
Shadow sighed, "Yes, your highness?"
Sonic chuckled, "Once again, you can just call me Sonic. Friends don't need to use titles."
Shadow sighed, a little impatient trying to talk with Sonic while tending to the crying baby in his arms, "Right, right. What can I do for you?"
Sonic looked at crying Shaderon, "I was just curious to see the little bundle of joy I've been hearing about."
Shadow groaned, "Check next door." Sonic laughed, which made Shaderon calm down a little bit.
Shadow was surprised, "How'd you do that?"
Sonic smiled, "Don't know. Maybe he just wants to play."
Shadow looked down at sobbing Shaderon, "Play? How do you play with an infant?"
Sonic smiled and accepted Shaderon, "Let's see." He smiled at Shaderon, "Hi, little guy! Who's a happy little guy?" He wiggled his fingers in front of Shaderon, which got Shaderon's attention. He finally stopped crying, watching the fingers moving around. He even reached from them, his big eyes full of curiosity.
Shadow sighed and sank into his chair, "Finally!"
Sonic chuckled, "See? He just wanted to play!" Seeing Sonic smiling made Shaderon smile too.
Shadow watched them, "Who was I trying to kid when I agreed to this? I can't raise a child. Darka must not remember me well to think I could do this."
Sonic smiled, letting Shaderon suck on his pinky finger, "Aw, don't beat yourself up, Shadow. You're doing the best you can. I think what you're doing is great! Taking care of your friend's child for her. That's really admirable."
Shadow scoffed, "Yeah right. You're the only one who even knew why he was crying and you just walked in the room."
Sonic smiled, "Well, even a parent needs help sometimes. That's usually why there are two. You're raising him yourself and you're working here as Commander. Juggling the two can be a real hassle, especially for someone who doesn't know much about raising a kid. Maybe what you need is some help."
Shadow sighed, "From who? Do you know he wakes up every two hours all night long?"
Sonic chuckled, "Yeah, that's normal. All babies do that."
Shadow gasped, "All of them do that?! How the heck do parents do this all the time!? Sometimes with more than one at a time!"
Sonic laughed, "It’s a learning process. Sal and I have kinda prepared ourselves for having kids one day, but not yet. For now, we're taking our time. I'm still just trying to get used to being a king."
Shadow sighed, rubbing his head, "Well, I never expected to have a kid, never wanted one, and one appeared out of nowhere at my front door."
Sonic chuckled, "Well, clearly you like having a kid, cause you still have him."
Shadow watched Shaderon sucking Sonic's finger, "Yeah, I guess. I mean, sure it’s hard, but..." He sighed, "In the end, he's Darka's kid. The least I can do is care for him until she returns."
Sonic smiled, "Are you sure you're doing it cause he's her kid? Or maybe, in a way, he's become your kid too?"
Shadow was surprised, then sighed, "I'm doing Darka a favor. I owe her that much."
Sonic shrugged with a smile, "Well, if you say so." He handed Shaderon back to Shadow. He winked, "I gotta be going, but good luck. I'm rooting for you!" With that, he left.
Shadow looked down at Shaderon. He felt worried Shaderon would start crying again since Sonic was gone, but instead he giggled to see Shadow. He was happy to be near him.
Shadow felt a wave of joy to see Shaderon so happy to see him. He watched as the little hedgehog started grabbing at his chest fur, enjoying to be close to him. Almost like he saw Shadow as his daddy after all. Shadow smiled and let Shaderon grab his finger instead.
Maybe Sonic wasn't so off base after all.


Step 3 : Find a Trustworthy Babysitter

A few days later…

    "Um, excuse me, Shadow."
Shadow opened his eyes to find he was in his office. He looked up from where his head laid in his arms on the desk to see a familiar pink hedgehog. He sat up, rubbing head, "Miss Rose."
Amy smiled, "Sorry, I didn't want to wake you, but I thought I'd ask where you keep the bottles."
He sighed, "The whats?" Then he realised the crib wasn't next to him. He immediately panicked as he jumped up from his seat, "Wait, where's Shaderon?"
Amy spoke up quickly, "Easy! Easy, Shadow. The baby is fine. He's right over there." She pointed over by the table.
Shadow walked over to see Shaderon fast asleep in the crib, which was moved to the other side of his office. He sighed, relieved. Amy noticed with a smile, "You really love him, huh?"
Shadow sighed, "Well, I'm responsible for him."
Amy smiled, "I think it's sweet that you've decided to adopt."
Shadow turned to her, "I didn't. He's Darka's son."
She was surprised, "Your female prototype?"
Shadow nodded, "She'd been trapped in another zone for the last few years. Just a few weeks ago, the zone cops brought him to me. I either kept him or he would be sent back to the Meteor Zone, where he could never survive."
Amy smiled, "That's so noble of you." She leaned in to look at Shaderon better, "And he's just so adorable. What's his name?"
Shadow laid a gentle hand on the baby's back, "His name is Shaderon." The baby smiled in his sleep.
Amy giggled, "Oh, he's just too precious." She turned to him, "Though, I was asking about the bottle because he'll wake up to eat soon. It's been almost two hours."
Shadow sighed, "Alright, I'll have it..." He looked at her, surprised, "How do you know? Just how long have you been here and why?"
She scratched her head, "Well, apparently someone decided to break into my home and steal a few of my personal items while I was out earlier today. I came to get a little help."
Shadow sighed, "Oh, sorry to hear that. I can have a few agents go over and..."
She giggled, "They already did. The report is on your desk. That's what brought me in; I offered to bring it for you. They investigated, caught the crook, and my things were returned. No worries!"
Shadow was surprised, "They did? But no one came to let me know. No one got any orders from me to launch an investigation. How did they know who to pull for the job or which proper files to fill out? Those forms are my job to fill out."
She giggled, "Seems they decided you could use a break. No one wanted to wake you. It wasn't any trouble though. They all were like clockwork! They knew what to do and how to do it. They worked together to keep things in proper order for you."
Shadow was surprised, then smirked, "They're a pretty dependable team then."
Just then, Shaderon started to wake up, getting fussy. Shadow sighed and opened a cabinet, "Though, that doesn't explain why you're still here."
She smiled and picked up the sobbing Shaderon as Shadow started making a bottle, "Well, I came in to deliver the report to your desk, but then I saw the baby. You looked so tired and Shaderon looked like he was ready to start crying for attention, so I stuck around and rocked him. It was the least I could do for you all taking care of my burglar problem so quickly and efficiently. Besides, he's just so cute! I couldn't take my eyes off of him!"
Shadow accepted Shaderon, "Well, thank you. I'll admit, it has been a bit difficult. I'm not quite cut out for parenting."
Amy spoke as she watched Shaderon drink his bottle, "That's only to be expected. Every parent feels that way at first, but after a while, you just grow to love them forever, no matter how hard it is. It becomes a true labor of love."
He noticed Amy watching Shaderon and sighed. He handed the baby to her carefully, which made her smile happily. She sat in a chair at the table and started feeding Shaderon. Shadow sat in the chair next to hers, "I suppose."
She smiled, "Why don't you hire a nanny?"
Shadow looked annoyed, "Tried that. She tried to rob me. I came home to find Shaderon all alone, crying to be fed, and every piece of silver in my house was missing. She was caught, but I don't care to attempt it again."
Amy looked sympathetic, "Can't catch a break, huh?"
Shadow rubbed his head, "Apparently not."
Amy saw that Shaderon was finished and handed him to Shadow, "Well, I'm sure the answer will appear to you soon enough. Not all nannies are bad."
Shadow accepted Shaderon, "Maybe. For now, I'll figure things out myself." He glanced at her as he started burping Shaderon, "Thanks again."
Amy smiled, "You know, I used to think you were this dark, cold guy, but now, you're... different. I think Shaderon brings out the best in you." Shaderon smiled at the mention of his name.
Shadow was a little surprised, but looked away, "Well, I'll do what I can until Darka returns. If she managed to send Shaderon here, she's bound to find her way back soon."
Amy shrugged, "If you say so." She looked at her watch, "Well, I guess I should be going. Thanks for letting me enjoy Shaderon a while. It was fun." Then she thought of an idea and smiled, "Hey, why don't I be his nanny?"
Shadow was surprised as he finished burping Shaderon, "You? Be his nanny?"
Amy smiled, "Yeah! I love the little guy! Plus, you and I know each other, so you know I'll do a good job and I won't rob you!"
Shadow thought about it, then glanced at Shaderon, who was trying to grab his chest fur. He sighed, "I guess it would help me out a lot. I would pay you, of course."
Amy waved it off, "Nonsense! What are a couple hours of babysitting between friends?" She smiled, "We are friends, aren't we?"
Shadow watched her, then sighed, "Sure. I suppose we are."
She smiled, "Good! Then what time would you like me to come by tomorrow?"
Shadow looked at the clock, "I start work at about 9 AM, so you could come by my house a half hour early so I can show you where everything is. Will that be alright?"
She smiled big, "No problem! 8:30 AM it is!" She smiled at Shaderon, "See you tomorrow, cutie!" With that, she left.
Shadow sighed and looked down at Shaderon, who was blowing bubbles with his saliva. Shadow smiled and sat in his chair as he held Shaderon. He immediately remembered what Sonic said about Shaderon becoming his own son.
He smirked, “Shadow the Hedgehog; ultimate life form, commander of GUN, and now dad. Who knew.” Shaderon gave a little giggle.