Shadow feared the worst as he approached the bed, afraid that he was too late. He could smell Sonic from somewhere behind where the bed had dumped him onto the floor when it tipped over. But Shadow’s heart soared when eh peaked around and saw an aroused Sonic laying on his side, eyes fixated upon Shadow as he came into view. His breathing was faster than normal, a combination of his condition, and pure adrenaline surging through his body because of the earthquake. He murmured softly as he looked up to Shadow. “Sh…Shadow…”
	Shadow knelt down to scoop Sonic up into his arms. “Shh…it’s okay Sonic…” He nuzzled at his cheek. “You’re safe now.”
	Sonic couldn’t help the purr that arose from his throat at the nuzzle he received. Thoughts forgotten for now on the tragedy that just occurred, Sonic’s hazy mind was fixated only on Shadow. He reached up and wrapped his arms around Shadow’s neck, and pressed his head up to kiss at Shadow’s lips in a grateful kiss.
	Shadow was unable to help but to respond to Sonic’s advances, easily kissing him back as he carried him through the destroyed medical center and out into the daylight of the village.
	The earthquake was unforgiving, as most of the village was wiped out, with a few survivors barely able to get out. Shadow and Sonic looked to each other, before looking to the other villagers. They heeded no mind to the fact that they were exposed indecently in public, but those who were alive didn’t care…many of them were in the same situation as the hedgehogs, if slightly varied.
	That night, the survivors had gathered around a large campfire, with Shadow at the head, as he sat on a log, holding a relaxing Sonic in his lap. His hand was wrapped firmly around Sonic’s cock, and was working it up and down casually. Some watched this, but didn’t mind…in fact this was almost normal, as several others were either doing similar or making out with one other. Others still were paying attention to Shadow as he spoke with them, a face flushed as he spoke. 
	“Changes are happening all across this planet. Mother Nature herself is rearranging the natural order of things…the Virus…the ecological disasters. We survived both. Perhaps we are meant to act upon our instincts and rebuild our lands….”
	Many nodded and murmured in agreement, mostly to comfort themselves, lost as to why things were happening. What Shadow said made sense.
	Shadow looked down to Sonic, shifting him more in his lap. Sonic could feel Shadow’s cock rubbing against his tail and his face reddened. He made another soft moan as Shadow squeezed his cock. “Look around you…and what we’re doing… Not long ago, we would have been shunned for showing such affections publically. But out here…right now…this all feels right…we need to stick together.”
	Again, many nodded and agreed to what Shadow had to say. They watched as Shadow grasped at Sonic’s hips, and the hedgehog cried out as he felt his newfound mate burying his cock into his ass. Shadow gently guided Sonic down until he was fully hilted, his cheeks flushing as he let out a groan from the tightness of Sonic’s ass.  “Ah….ah…..” Shadow panted as he started to shift Sonic up and down upon his cock, causing the blue hedgehog to cry out softly with every thrust. “No…there’s nothing wrong with being able to show love to another…if nature wants us like this…who are we to deny her wishes?”
	“We should start anew,” someone nearby murmured.
	“The Acorn Family was killed. We have no leader,” someone else mentioned.
	“That…that can be remedied,” Shadow panted, giving Sonic another thrust. “I can lead our people into a new frontier…a new life full of acceptance for all like us…”
	“That would be great, Shadow,” Bunnie murmured from nearby, folding her arms, saddened by the loss of her husband and friends. “Ah been feelin strange myself…am ah changing to be like…the rest of you?”
	“It’s possible…” Shadow grunted, thrusting into Sonic again. “I know it’s hard to think about it right now, but soon you’ll be able to find happiness again.”
	“Ah donno, Shadow, I loved Antoine and he’s gone now-“
	“It’s okay, Bunnie,” Sonic suddenly said, speaking for the first time since the meeting. “It’s…it’s a good feeling to know you won’t be alone…if you open yourself to the possibility of more than one…” Sonic inhaled sharply as he closed his eyes. “I opened myself to Shadow…I’ll never be alone again.”
	“The forest has changed,” Shadow said. “Winter no longer touches this land. Mother Nature has changed the forest, and we should change as well. We should be able to rebuild this land into a paradise for all like us…a land of sexuality and love.”
	“And I vote for Shadow to be our king,” Sonic suddenly said, panting and turning his head towards his mate, love and lust in his eyes. “I want to be the love slave of the King.”
	Shadow blushed, knowing Sonic was speaking out on instinct now, knowing that a few days ago, Sonic wouldn’t have made such a ludicrous offer. He leaned in and kissed Sonic’s lips. “If that is what you want…I would do so….for you.”
	Others nodded. “If Sonic says Shadow is a good leader, then I believe him.”
	“As do I.”
	“And me!”
	“Well then,” Bunnie said, picking up her canteen of water and holding it up. “Ah say…long live the King of the Great Forest.”
	“AYE!”
	Sonic shook his head. “Not King of the Great Forest…King of Summerland.”
	Shadow looked to Sonic, smiling. Summerland. Shadow was the King of Summerland.