It's been one year since Leo and Lariel's wedding. All was at peace and everyone lived happily.

In the small clinic among the village in the Leone Kingdom, there lived Leo and Lariel, who were having a checkup with a doctor. More specifically, Lariel was having a checkup.

The doctor was a male brown bear mobian with light brown muzzle and green eyes. He also wore a white coat with a small pocket on his left chest. The pocket held one red ballpen, one blue ballpen and one black ballpen. He also had a stethoscope wrapped around his neck. His headlight was wrapped around his forehead. His footwear contained his black rubber shoes with gray soles under them.

After the doctor laid the end of the stethoscope on Lariel's abdomen with its plugs in his ears for a few moments, a smile appeared on his face.

The doctor pulled the end of the stethoscope close to him and removed its plugs from his ears. Then, he turned to Lariel and Leo.

Lariel was sitting on the red comfy chair with Leo standing beside her. Behind the doctor was the beige desk with a white computer at the center and a stack of a few essential medical-related files on the right. Behind the desk was a black office chair with wheels at the bottom. The walls and ceiling were beige, the floor was white and the door was wooden brown.

"Good job, your highness. Your baby is well and healthy. Remember, eat a balanced diet and sleep well," the doctor told Lariel.

Lariel nodded. "Yes, of course." She raised her right hand and moved it side to side. A nervous smile appeared on her face. "And please, there's no need for formalities. Just Lariel is fine."

"Ah, yes. Of course, I should," the doctor said as he walked back to his office chair. "But I couldn't keep myself from being casual around the royals of the Leone Kingdom."

"I... see. Very well, doctor," Lariel said.

Leo and Lariel turned to each other and held hands as the former spoke, "It's been eight months since you started becoming pregnant, Lariel."

"Yes, Leo. One more month and we'll give birth to our first child. Hopefully, it's a girl. We planned the name for her from the start," Lariel said.

"Yes, I know. When we have time, we'll work on the name for the boy," Leo said.

Lariel nodded. "Of course."

—————————————————————

Meanwhile...
Outside Sara's Safe House

Runa, Shadow, Rouge, Omega, Lucy, Bubbles and the five chao — Rosy, Mystico, Bearace, Juniper and Shania — stood outside as the G.U.N. Troopers investigated the interiors of Sara's safe house. So far, no clue had been found.

Just about half a year ago, Sara disappeared when a group of men were going after her for her chaotic, extraordinary powers. It was demonstrated a few times, but it was out of control.

Junior was held in Shadow's arms. He was seen burying his face in his chest fur. Originally, Runa carried Junior in her arms, but then, she saw Junior reaching out his arms to Shadow. By the body language, Runa could tell that Junior wanted Shadow to carry him. Shadow was a bit perplexed at first, but with Runa's reassurance, Shadow carried Junior in his arms.

As Team Dark, Runa, the five chao, Bubbles and Lucy continued watching the investigation, it was Bubbles who spoke first.

"Oh, I hope she's okay," she said with a worried expression.

Lucy let out a sigh. "Me, too." Her eyes were filled with concern as she looked straight ahead. "Still, we have to pray that Sara is still alive and well. Once the investigation is finished, Team Dark and Runa will discuss important matters with Commander Tower."

Bubbles turned to Lucy. "Yeah, I guess so."

Lucy and Bubbles looked down.

Runa and Shadow continued to stare at the investigation with determination in their eyes. Both kept silent.

Rouge and Omega took notice of this. Concern filled Rouge’s eyes as she witnessed Runa and Shadow's actions. She wondered what she would do with them while reassuring them that Sara will come back safely.

Rouge let out a sigh.

"What is wrong?" Omega asked.

"Every time I look at Runa and Shadow, I feel like I want to do something with them, but at the same time, I want to give them space," Rouge said. She turned to Omega. "Sara's disappearance affected them the most. Especially Runa. Sara seems close with them, Lucy, Bubbles and Junior."

"Sara is strong. She can make it here safely and well," Omega said.

With that, Rouge and Omega turned to the investigation scene. "I hope you're right, Omega," Rouge said.

Soon after, Lucy felt a tug on her pants and Bubbles felt a tug on her skirt.

"Choo-choo-choo."

Lucy's eyes glanced beside her to see Shania, Bearace and Juniper looking up at her. At the same time, Bubbles glanced beside her to see Rosy and Mystico, looking up at her as well.

All five chao were filled with sadness as tears filled their eyes. "Choo-choo-choo."

Lucy and Bubbles knelt down and wrapped the chao who tugged their clothing in comforting hugs. Neither Lucy nor Bubbles knew what the chao were saying, but they knew they needed comfort.

Runa turned to her right just as she heard sounds from her chao friends. She witnessed the scene where Lucy was hugging Bearace and Juniper, and the scene where Bubbles was hugging Rosy and Mystico.

Concern filled Runa's eyes, but she decided to let them be because she didn't want to ruin the moment. Runa closed her eyes and turned away with a sad sigh. She understood why she had to let this moment slide.

Shadow's eyes glanced at Runa as he heard her sigh. His determination turned into concern. A few moments later, he felt a tug on his chest fur. He turned to see Junior, gripping on him. As he did, he could feel his body slightly shaking. But no heat occurred on his skin. Then, he heard his sniffs.

It took a few moments before Junior let out a word. "Sawa."

Shadow's eyes widened in surprise as he gasped.

"Shaddy..." Junior said. He looked up at Shadow with tears in his eyes. "Will Sawa... come back?"

Shadow slightly turned to the ground and went in deep thought. After a few moments, he turned to Junior and pulled him closer.

"Yes," Shadow answered. His left hand stroke Junior's back for comfort. "She will. We just have to be patient."

Just then, Shadow saw another hand laying on Junior's back. The hand stroke it as a female, croaky voice said, "Shadow's right, Junior."

Shadow and turned to see Runa. A close-eyed reassuring smile appeared on her face, but her cheeks were stained with tears.

"I'm sure Sara will come back anytime soon," Runa said.

Shadow's eyes widened as he noticed the tears that were stained on her cheeks. Concern filled his heart and all he wanted was to wrap his arms around Runa and comfort her. But because he's carrying Junior, he couldn't do it.

It took a few moments until Junior pointed at Runa's tears with concern. "Woona. You're kwaying."

Runa opened her eyes as tears continued to fill her eyes. "It's okay... Junior."

Junior laid his hand down. "Woona. Please, don't kway. We are here."

"Junior is right, Runa," Shadow said with a nod. "No matter what happens, we'll always be beside you. Once the investigation is done, we'll discuss important matters with the Commander. Then, once we find a way to get Sara back, we'll do that."

Runa wiped her tears. Then, she nodded with a warm smile. "Right. Thank you, Shadow and Junior."

"W... Welcome," Junior said.

"It's no problem, Runa," Shadow said. At that moment, the corner of his lips curled up to a small smile.

With that, Shadow turned to Junior and continued to stroke his back for comfort, along with Runa.

As it happened, a new feeling struck through Shadow and Runa again. This time, they didn't question what their feeling was because the feeling they've been feeling around each other was romantic love. An urge grabbed their hearts, but Runa decided to wait for Shadow to confess his feelings for her first. Shadow, on the other hand...

I wonder if Runa feels the same way, he thought. Ever since Leo told me that the feeling I've been feeling is romantic love, I've been urging to express my feelings towards Runa.

Then, something popped into Shadow’s head. Right. I should focus on the mission first. Then, I'll ask Runa if we can talk in private. After that, I'll express my feelings towards her.

—————————————————————

In the Sky Patrol...

It was a normal day in the Sky Patrol. The Freedom Fighters did their usual duties. The only incident they encountered was Eggman attacking the city, but they managed to stop him.

As the Freedom Fighters did their usual duties, Sonic took glances at Amy from time to time. He didn't know why, but whenever she's beside him or interacts with him, he felt butterflies in his stomach.

One time, Sonic was walking outside the Sky Patrol when he noticed Amy training with her Piko Piko hammer. Amazement occurred in him, but he still felt butterflies in his stomach.

Sonic let out a mental sigh as he held his abdomen. I wonder what I'm feeling right now. It feels tingly.

"You like her, don't you?" a certain female voice asked.

Sonic was spooked out as he was snapped back to reality. He turned to his left to see Sally with her fist on her hips and a teasing smirk on her face.

Sonic slightly leaned backwards and smiled sheepishly. He raised his hands and moved them side to side. As he did so, a blush appeared on his face.

"What? As in like like? No-no. Why would I? She's my friend," he said.

"If you say so," Sally said.

—————————————————————

The Chaotix Detective Agency

Vector was sitting back on his office chair, relaxing. His hands were on his back and his feet were on the table. He also wore a small, brown cowboy hat with a black band on it.

Nearby, Espio, Destinee and sometimes, Charmy organized the files and reports from their last case. That happened during the second Underworlder War. The Chaotix had to find missing people and mobians all over Mobius. Being a small team it was, it was hard for them to find everyone.

Vector closed his eyes and started reflecting in himself.

It's been a year since the Second Underworlder War, Vector thought. Well, back then, we actually didn't know what to call it until Destinee mentioned it to us. We asked her how she knew and she said that there's a topic called "The Underworlder War." She learned it back in her destroyed home.

Right now, we have to find people that disappeared after the Second Underworlder War. If we ever had a lot more help, things will be way—

Vector's thoughts were cut short when he suddenly felt an earthquake. A really big one. Vector yelped. Everything, even himself and the Chaotix, was shaking.

Espio, Charmy and Destinee were also spooked out by the earthquake.

—————————————————————

On the path to the Leone Kingdom Castle...

Leo and Lariel had just finished the checkup in the Leone Kingdom village. Right now, they walked together back to the castle.

As they walked, a really big earthquake suddenly occurred. This caused Leo's and Lariel's bodies to go wobbly.

"Whoa!" Leo exclaimed.

Lariel let out a yelp. "WAAH!"

Once they regained their composures, Leo gently and protectively wrapped his arms around Lariel from behind. Lariel's hands laid on her abdomen to protect hers and Leo's baby from being affected by the earthquake.

—————————————————————

Outside Sara's Safe House

As Shadow, Runa, Junior, Bubbles, Lucy, Rosy, Mystico, Bearace, Juniper and Shania waited for the investigation to be finished, a really big earthquake occurred in their area.

Everyone was taken by surprise, but yelps, and screams were heard from Runa, Rosy, Shania and Bubbles. A few seconds later, Runa managed to compose herself.

Runa wrapped her arms around Shadow. At the same time, Shadow pulled Junior close to him protectively. Beside them, Rouge and Omega managed to balance themselves during the shake. On the other hand, Bubbles, Sara and the five chao huddled and wrapped their arms around each other protectively.

As the shake went on, Runa said in a voice that was loud enough for the group to hear. "Everyone, stay close! And watch out for falling trees!"

"Got it, Runa!" Lucy and Bubbles replied.

"Affirmative," Omega replied.

"Of course, honey," Rouge said.

Junior hummed as he nodded.

"Right," Shadow replied. Then, he let out a chuckle as a small smile appeared on his face. I didn't expect someone to give them a reminder, like I was about to do.

—————————————————————

Sky Patrol

When a really big earthquake suddenly occurred in the Sky Patrol, all the Freedom Fighters were caught off-guard. Their bodies wiggled, but they managed to maintain their balances. Although, Antoine did fall backwards, but he was caught by Bunnie from behind.

Antoine glanced at Bunnie with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Ma'cherie."

"No problem, Sugar," Bunnie said with a wink.

Sally glanced at everyone who was present in the Sky Patrol. "Everyone, stay close! We might not know what happens next!"

Everyone else nodded. "Right!"

With that, the Freedom Fighters compressed towards each other. Once they're close enough, they stayed as they readied themselves for what happened next.

—————————————————————

The Chaotix Detective Agency

The Chaotix turned to their surroundings as panic began to occur in them, but they managed to regain their composure. Well, all except one.

"IT'S AN EARTHQUAKE!!!!!" Charmy exclaimed while panicking.

For some reason, a weird feeling struck through Destinee, but not in a good way. She didn't know why she's feeling this weird feeling, but whatever it was, she knew it wouldn't be good. "I got a bad feeling about this, guys. Somehow, I think it's more than just an earthquake."

Just then, a few seconds later, a portal appeared on the ground. But it's not just any portal. And it's not a Genesis Portal either.

This portal was slightly shaped like a person's eye. The outline was white. Inside was a mix of purple, fuchsia, white and pink shades. The portal opened like the way you ripped a cloth.

Everyone was spooked out by the sight of the portal.

"GAH!" Charmy exclaimed.

Then, a few moments later, the Chaotix, plus Destinee, were dragged towards the portal.

Vector desperately grasped the wooden floor. Espio grasped the office desk while holding Destinee close to him. Charmy was grasping on one of Vector's spikes on the back of his head.

"Oh no! We're gonna get sucked in!" Vector exclaimed.

"We have to do something or else we'll end up in the middle of nowhere!" Charmy exclaimed.

Before anyone else could say anything, the Chaotix were already sucked into the portal. They let out a scream.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

—————————————————————

On the path to the Leone Kingdom Castle...

Was that... an earthquake? Leo thought.

Then suddenly, the same portal from the Chaotix Detective Agency appeared under Leo's and Lariel's feet. They glanced at it in shock.

"Leo, what is thaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!" Lariel asked.

As Lariel screamed the last part, she and Leo were already sucked into the portal.