AN: No matter how old you get, you never stop needing family. Knuckles has not had real family in a long time.

Epilogue

Knuckles let Valerie hug him as he accepted their offer to adopt him. He wanted this so badly. Robotnik sighed. "If you'd had a parent to teach you better, Aleena could not have fooled you. Almost everyone in the resistance are orphans and Aleena made sure they saw her as a mother to them." He explained.

Knuckles nodded as he held back tears. "I never expected this to be my punishment. I kidnapped Sonia. If not for me… Aleena could not have…'

Robotnik chuckled darkly. "Oh… this is not your punishment but as much as I'd like to roboticize you, my son spoke up for you and you did realize your error. So… let me put it simply. You are grounded. But at your parents' discretion. You live here from now on."

Knuckles looked alarmed. "But Great Grandpa Athair said I had to guard the island. He said I cannot let the emerald fall into the wrong hands. He said it was my job."

Robotnik shook his head. "He gave the job to a six year old and left that six year old with nothing but a dinosaur for companionship."

Valerie stroked his red fur caringly. "Your great grandfather was wrong to put that burden on you. He should have done it himself if there was no one else."

"Listen son…" Arthur started. "You need to be aware that children are not meant to raise themselves. Bad things happen when they're called to. Such as manipulative witches being able to manipulate you into bringing a dear friend into a dangerous situation."

Knuckles realized they were right. "So what do I do? He's going to come looking for me here. What do I tell him? He'll be so disappointed in me."

Robotnik nodded. "You tell him to take it up with me. I'll gladly tell him what he can do with his disappointment." Knuckles found he had no problem believing that. "Now, I will go back to the island and make sure the generator is holding. So regardless, the work will get done. It's just not your job anymore. You can let go of that burden. Now, I think it is time for you to eat and get to bed." He gestured to the sunset.

Valerie smiled. "Thank you Julian. We will love this young boy with all of our hearts." She promised as they stood. "We can sign the paperwork in the morning. Let's go tell Sonic that he has a new brother." She said eagerly much to her husband's delight. Twenty years ago, they'd been struggling for just one precious child and now they had two. It was hard for her to contain her joy.


Bartleby pet his wife's forehead as he sat waiting for her to wake up. He had just spent the worst day of his life worrying for her. Now, because of Aleena, they couldn't have their honeymoon at his mansion at all. His father was not willing to take unnecessary chances.

Sonia moaned as she felt his hand. "Mmm Bartleby…" She opened her eyes and smiled up at him. "Hey… we're home?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Father saved the island and we are all home. We can't go back to the mansion. He's concerned that Aleena will use other flunkies to try and get a hold of you or something. I'm sorry my darling."

She sighed. "It is what it is. These rooms are private enough. At least we are together and we are both safe. What about Knuckles? I know Robotnik had to be pissed…"

Bartleby chuckled. "I don't know. He does plan to punish him but I don't think he'll be roboticized for it. He knows that Knuckles was just as much a victim. Aleena seems to have a mother complex and she uses it to her advantage. He knows that."

Sonia sat up and looked down. "Yes she does. Bartleby… I never expected her to… to really hurt us… but when she tortured Manic…" She began to weep, seeking out his arms for comfort.

Her husband gathered her lovingly. "It's okay my love. You're safe. You can cry and I will protect you while you do."


Ferrell held his son close while he slept. He cursed Aleena as he would tremble every so often with muscle spasms. How dare that woman harm his child. Once, he had wanted to worship the woman who had blessed him with Manic but now he knew she had only given him up because she was a hateful witch. He only wished he could give Manic a mother who really loved him. Oh he could turn to Valerie or Wyndemere but he knew Manic wanted one of his own. Maybe he could still give Manic that… He just needed to start dating. He would talk to Wyndemere the next morning to see if she couldn't help him in that area.


Sonic didn't sleep long after they arrived home. He usually recharged quickly. He was making chili dogs when his parents came in with Knuckles. "Mom! Dad! Knucks! You're here too! But I thought you weren't allowed to leave the island." He gasped with horror. "No! No don't tell me that after all that… we couldn't save it… please tell me I didn't fail…." He begged as Valerie rushed to his side and hugged him to her.

Knuckles shook his head. "No. We did it. You did it. You guys kept the island floating long enough for Robotnik to infuse a generator with the remnants of the Chaos Emerald. And he knows where a bunch of shards are that can do the same job when infused with a suitable energy."

Valerie crooned to her son as he calmed down. "Yes son, you did it. You succeeded. I'm so proud of you. But even if the island had fallen, you would have done your best and we would still be so proud of you."

Sonic nodded. "Well whatever you're doing here, I'm happy. You shouldn't be alone on that island. No one deserves that."

Knuckles nodded. "Well um… I did want to ask… are you in the market for another brother?" He couldn't say it fully yet without a hint as to the reaction.

Sonic considered the question. "I could be. Are you applying for the job?" He joked.

Knuckles nodded. "Well um… yes… but there's more…"

Arthur smiled. "He's trying to ask if you would have any objections to making him an official Canis?"

Sonic realized what was being asked. "Whoa! So you literally mean a brother! Well no I have no objections. That would be great. So does this mean you're here to stay?"

Knuckles nodded. "Yep. In fact… I'm grounded. Whatever that means. I've never been grounded before." Everyone laughed.


Robotnik went to check on the Oracle. He was sitting up and drinking a cup of oolong tea. "I was sure you'd sleep at least a few days."

The Oracle nodded. "Normally I would but… I think the emerald's energy also entered me… Giving me strength. How are the children?"

Robotnik nodded. "They're fine, just resting. Knuckles is now adopted and on restriction. Bartleby is finally calming down."

The Oracle nodded. "He is an empath… I finally figured it out. He is an empath. That's why he feels things so strongly. It's why his depression nearly proved fatal." Upon Robotnik's look of inquiry, he continued. "He is a mage of emotion. He feeds off of the emotions of others and he broadcasts it back. So he can feel the entire city. You thought you kept him protected behind the walls of the aristocracy, refusing to let him see anything wrong in the world. But instead he was feeling every single tear, laugh, and fear felt by every single person in Robotropolis. All at once… yet he could see, with his eyes, that the world was perfect. And he knew that Sonia did not want to break up with him. He could feel her heart breaking as his did the same. Except he broadcasted it to her and she felt even more sad which meant he felt the heart break four times." He saw the look of horror.

"Are you sure?" Robotnik asked. He hated magic and he didn't want his child cursed with such a terrible gift.

"When Sonia tired, he joined her at the keyboard to help her play so she didn't have to play so vigorously. But his love for her pulsed out slightly, giving us all a needed boost. If not for his efforts today… the island would have fallen. He bought us an extra twenty minutes and he doesn't even know it." The Oracle explained.

Robotnik thought. "By the source… So… what does this mean?" He considered his boy's youth. It explained so much. How the boy could refuse so easily to take sides and why he withdrew after Sonia left him.

The Oracle nodded. "He will need to be trained. If he isn't then it could get dangerous. He needs to learn how to only feel and broadcast what he wants to. His heart could burst if it gets too bad." Seeing the man terrified, he knew he made his point. "I know your concerns friend but just because you had a bad experience with magic doesn't mean you should write off the whole lot. This could prove a blessing. His power will come in handy."

Robotnik frowned. "What? With what? My son isn't being put in any kind danger!"

The Oracle nodded. "The Wind Master Emerald has been shattered into seven pieces. Sorceress Aleena is after the others and will need that one too. We have to find them first. If she brings them together… this world with fall… to chaos. Only he has a chance to stop her and if she succeeds, only he can save this world. He must learn." The Oracle looked with haunted eyes at the night sky. How he hated being able to see the future...


AN: So we have the plot of the following series laid out. Everyone has a solid goal they're working towards and they have their mentors. Please continue to follow me in the next episode of A Happy Beginning.