Ah, finally: Epilogue. We've come a long way, but the show's not over yet.
Epilogue
Remember that We're All in This Together song I wrote about in the very beginning of the story? Well, I take that back. It's a very inspiring song, you know, a go-getter type. Something I just happen to be, except when I'm too all tired from soda or candy.
A week had passed since I defeated Rodrigo, and I woke up the same week in a hospital bed down in Station Square. All of my friends were there, but the one that caught my surprise was Storm. With the little strength I had from just waking up, I leaped up to hug him tightly. Storm was alive! Alive, I say!
"Hey, buddy," Storm whispered, hugging me tightly. "Good job."
"I really thought Cannon killed you," I whimpered, tears welling up in my eyes.
"That's what I thought too, but Raine saved me at the last second," he explained, gesturing down to the butterfly.
Before I knew it, Raine's palm touched the side of my face gently...before slapping me. A gasp came out of everyone's mouth, and silenced dawned when I immediately shot up. Ready to yell at her for sudden smack, Raine kissed the spot where she hit.
"Good job, Charmy," she kindly said, smiling.
"...I-it was, uh, n-nothing," I stammered, blushing. Everybody gave in their two cents of 'oooohs'."Sh-shut up!"
"Just don't faint," Psycho warned. "I actually have business to take care of."
"You work?" Tomo questioned, cocking her head to one side. "Surprising."
"Excuse me, at least I'm not some wannabe ninja," Psycho jeered.
"Oh, that's it!" Tomo lunged at him, but Bark and Nack restrained her; Carnage and Rojok did the same for their wolf friend.
A good chuckle came from my friends. Mighty sighed, glancing over to Ray. I glanced about the group: Team Virtex composed of Rector; Raine and Howl (with Rector looking like he wanted to kill me), Aikara, Team Screw-Ups with Whip; Goby and Dawg, Carnage; Psycho, Rojok of the Wolf Tribe, Armand who was celebrating his newly found freedom by writing a little something about Carnage, Team Dynamite with Tomo; Bark and Nack, almost the entire crew of the Sonic Heroes, but no Shadow, and the Babylon Rogues.
The door suddenly opened, and in came a living, breathing Vector and Espio. Crawling through the television was Sadako with her coagulated blood splatters. Apparantly, she visited one of her "guests" before coming over. Everyone paled at the sight of her, except for the Babylon Rogues, Team Dynamite, Aikara, and I. Aikara was the one that gave her the alarm clock she obsessed over. Sadako waved, but stopped when Tails fainted. She sighed, glaring over at the fox.
"Don't kill him, Sadako! Please!" Vector shouted, suddenly snatching her arms. "You've already killed, like..." Vector paused, counting his fingers with a troubled expression. "Too many people last week."
Espio slapped his forehead before a fist suddenly wound up against the side of his face. Guy hasn't even been there a minute, and he's already getting beaten up. He glanced up to find Nack hovering over him, an angry expression vivid on his face.
"And why, pray tell, was that for?" Espio demanded, leaping to his feet. Nack pointed to the scar that ran across his white stomach fur that was inflicted by Espio during the Ex World Grand Prix II. "...Oh, that."
"Yes, that!" Knuckles suddenly barked in Nack's defense. "Do you realize that you pretty much unleashed hell on Earth?"
"Hey, he's apologized, already!" A streak of blue suddenly barged in, holding two birds: Sonic the Hedgehog arrived with Stream and Bean, looking ready to vomit. "Give Espio a break. He attempted to defeat Rodrigo by himself when the odds were against him. I say we should forgive him."
There was an instant silence. Probably from Sonic's rather awe-striking interference and appearance. Heh, I rthymed. A burst of pink and red suddenly tackled Sonic to the ground in an embrace. Amy had tears streaking down her face as she hugged him tighter.
"S-Sonic! You came back!" she cried, her emerald orbs growing larger from the tears. The pink hedgehog suddenly slapped him across the face. "You insensitive jerk! Dying on us like that!"
"Sorry, Ames, I should've been more careful," he replied, morbidly touching his cheek. Wincing from the stinging, Sonic felt a hand clutch down over his head. Gulping, he was met eye-to-eye with big brother Rector. "H-hi...Rector. Wh-what's up?"
"What's up?" he repeated sinisterly. "What's up?! You had everyone flipping out over your death, especially Amy! You're going to pay," Rector bent down to him, and I leaned closer on Storm's shoulder to listen in. "but later. This is a rather joyious moment that I'd rather not kill."
Frightened like a toddler facing a monstrous clown-can't trust those darn clowns-, Sonic bobbed his head curtly. We couldn't resist a chuckle at his fear. Amy glared daggers at her older brother, and he just pretended to ignore it.
"So, thanks for taking care of Charmy this entire time," Vector said, shaking Jet's hand.
"Don't thank me," Jet said. "Thank Storm. He saved the kid."
Vector stared over to his old friend and I. He blinked in confusion, rubbing his eyes. "Whoa, what? Run this by me again? Storm saved Charmy?" He burst into a heap of laughter, holding his the patch of rough scales over his heart.
"What's so funny?" Storm growled, glaring down at him.
"Nothing, nothing! It's just that in junior high, it was just that mostly you-" In a swift, fluent motion, Storm covered Vector's snout, preventing him form speaking. Paling at Storm's glower, the crocodile suddenly grew silent. Storm released his mouth, grimacing at the look of terror of his face.
Wave openly whined. "Oh, come on! What did Storm do?"
"None of your business what he did," Kiba remarked, glaring at her.
The swallow's cobalt eyes narrowed down on the panda's chocolate ones. Just when both were ready to strike, Armand intervened with his mighty lazer whip, tying both girls up together. On the other hand, Armand realized that wasn't exactly the smartest move in the book since both women began to glare hatefully at each other. Jet untied them, letting them go crazy on each other in the hallway.
Mighty cleared his throat. "Well, I suppose all's well that ends well, right?" He shook Espio's and Vector's hands before he, Ray, Knuckles, and Rouge left. However, Mighty came back a second later, glancing over to Aikara. Mouthing, Call me, he made the phone sign with his hands before Ray dragged him off in a slump. Aikara burst into laughter, chasing after him with a smile on her face.
"Fun as this is," Carnage said, "my fellow wolves and we have to go. Good luck, y'all. We won't miss you."
Psycho and Rojok both said their respective goodbyes. Being the wild one of the brothers, Psycho blew a kiss to Tomo just to piss her off.. Dodging a literal bullet from Nack, he dashed out of the room in a flash with his little brother behind. Nack fired a few more shots at them in the hallway, but Psycho used his brother as a shield until they were gone.
"Hey, tiger?" Armand turned around to find Carnage a few feet away from him. An unusual stoic, perverse expression tightened on his features. "Listen."
"What?" Armand snarled, still angry over the slavery.
"We want to apologize. We hope to start out on the right foot this time and to forget our past trifles," Carnage explained. Glancing behind him, I noticed that his fingers were crossed. He stretched out his other hand to their full extent, hoping to shake.
Pausing curiously, Armand stared over to Team Virtex before sighing. He accepted the hand, but a sudden jolt struck their his and Carnage's spines. Instantly, they let go, staring at their hands: They both had joy buzzers. Carnage nodded his head slowly, a wicked smirk on his muzzle; Armand couldn't resist a chuckle at their antics.
"Not bad," the tiger stated, smirking with his eyes narrowing down on the wolf.
"As too you worthy adversary. We are now bored, whatever," Carnage agreed with a nod of his head. His fangs gleamed brightly, giving off an intimidating opposition. "Sayanora, amigos! See you all in hell!" In a flash of red, the Wolf Pack leader, he swiftly ran off to follow his comrades.
Team Screw-Ups were in a little huddle before announcing their departure. Goby glanced over to Stream, wishing her luck. Stream was taken back by the statement, merely nodding. Dawg lifted Goby onto his shoulder before strutting off. Whip shook Howl's hand, being teammates during our Babylon Garden recon misson before saying his goodbyes.
"Hey, Charmy?" Nack said just as he and his team were ready to leave.
"Huh? What?" I asked, cocking my head to him.
Bark nudged him on his shoulder, making the weasel/wolf hybrid scowl. Rubbing his shoulder, he glanced down in embarassment. Tomo and Bark exchanged amused glances at their leader's dismay.
"Um, so, uh, thanks," Nack said, his face turning crimson.
"Why?" I asked, rather surprised that someone with a calibur like his would even dream of thanking me.
"You kept your promise." He shrugged. "See you guys around. Bark, put that goddamn camera away!" He glared at the polar bear who was holding a conventantly found camera that Bark probably stole from the janitor's office. The two burst out of the room with Tomo sighing. She waved back at us, not saying anything to us.
Before he knew it, Espio grabbed Tomo's shoulder, forcing her to turn around. Tomo, pertrubed at the action, pulled her katana out and stood in a battle position. Espio bowed his head in shame, apologizing for all the harm he had caused her. Aghast, Tomo lowered her weapon.
"What are you...?" She was cut off by Espio's raised hand and clenched eyes.
"I meant no harm for you or Nack," Espio solemnly said. He paused to recollect his thoughts and opened his eyes. "Well, at the time I did, but no I duly regret everything. All the pain I issued on you, him, and everyone. Your forgiveness would complete me, sister."
Tomo said nothing, but patted her brother's head. She turned around, walking towards her comrades. Espio remained still when she paused at the door. The chameleon siblings stared down at each other, but Tomo had the strangest expression on: she was smiling. Not smirking, not a half-smile, but a genuine, warm smile. Which was pretty rare from that emoish ninja chick, and I better go hide since she's probably going to go Fireball Jutsu on my stinger when she finds this out.
"Brother, you are forgiven," Tomo said, facing her friends, watching Nack desperately try to retrieve the camera from Bark. "but remember this: Only I can be the one to kill you."
"Of course," Espio jeered with a smirk. "If you can, that is."
"I always hated that smart-aleck mouth of yours," Tomo grumbled, walking away to her friends. "Morons, cut it out! Bark, just hide the camera in your stupid cap. Nack, just shut up or nothing for you tonight." Maybe friends is too far-fetched a word.
Howl turned to face his best friend and leader. "So, what now, Rector?" he questioned, glancing over to him.
The dark rose hedgehog paused, unsure. "Dunno, well, I guess maybe it's time to get going."
"I agree," Tails said, finally waking up from his little episode. "Hey, where'd everybody go?"
"Long story, Shorty," Wave stated, thumping him on the head. It was a sure-fire fact that she had won the duel with Kiba when the panda crawled inside with a large bump on her head.
"Don't call me that!" he whined, but than he caught sight of Sadako and fainted. Again.
Sadako shook her head, her morbid hair dragging across her face. Kiba commented that she should part it until Sadako threw her trusty alarm clock at her. Direct hit on the spot where Wave had smacked her with her wrench. Sadako took back her alarm clock, staring down at the time.
"Oh, no! I'll be late!" she...or he groaned...Let's just call her/him a she since she previously commented on her being a male, but looks like a female. She waved back to us before hoping into the television.
"Sadako, thanks for letting us stay!" Sonic and Vector called simultaniously frivolously. Sadako flipped them off, crawling back into her well.
The Sonic Heroes and Team Virtex wished me the best of luck in my recovery. Bean and Stream left with them. Bean mentioned something about trying to re-join Team Dynamite; Stream told him that it was impossible after his betrayal. Raine kissed my cheek once more until Rector was glowering down at her. Sonic whispered to me that he knew how I felt. I nodded at him with a disbelieving smirk. She waved me off, smiling cutely. I blushed uneasily, waving back. Cream thanked me for her rescue, hugging my waist. Hugging back, I noticed that inquiring stares from Tails and Raine. Tails grabbed Cream's hand in a rush, taking her away. Jealous fox.
And so, all that was left was me, the Babylon Rogues, and Team Chaotix. I slumped back onto my bed and sighed. Suddenly, Vector picked me up, giving me a noogie. Crying out in pain and shock, I stung Vector in the chest. The crocodile released me, clunking me over the head.
"Charmy, you're coming back to the Chaotix, right?" Espio questioned.
The question came swift and merciless. All patrons were staring at me now, awaiting my decision. To return to being a detective where we strived on adventures on several types of cases, or to stay a thief where I learned to ride Extreme Gear that helped in so many situations. I realized that the Babylon Rogues were like a replacement Chaotix for me. Vector was like a mix of Storm's playfulness and Jet's deduction skills while Espio was the male opposite of Wave. The Babylon Rogues and the Chaotix were the exact same to me, and I didn't want to lose eighter factions of my life.
"Hey, lay off, spawn of Rodrigo," Jet ordered, seeing the discomfort on my face. "Charmy doesn't have to answer if he doesn't want to."
"You guys may have helped him mature," Vector countered, throwing me of guard. "but you also turned him in a thief."
"Excuse me?" Storm stepped in, glaring at his former friend. "If you recall we saved him."
"You saved him, they didn't," Espio pointed out.
"Oh, for the love of God!" I cried, rolling my eyes. "How's about all of you shut up so I can talk!?"
All eyes faced me again, the fight forgotten. Gulping, I hesitantly fluttered up from my bed, standing on the the edge of my hospital bed. Wave's hand looped in Jet's in notable gesture of wonder. Jet tightened the grip, and a brow of sweat appeared on his forehead. Espio leaned against the side of the bed, his eyes never wavering from me. Pursing my lips, I took in a breathe, ready to make the decision that could alter my life forever.
"Babylon Rogues, you guys taught me so much: Riding Extreme Gear, learning to be a good thief, fixing Gears, and how to fight. Storm, you saved my life when I thought I had nothing else to lose or to give to society or the world, so thank you." Storm paused, beak a small gape. "Thanks to you, Wave, too. You're the one that was assigned by Jet to teach me how to ride Extreme Gear, and I hadn't learned the proper handling, I wouldn't be a very good thief, would I?" Wave a thoughtful smile on her face and nodded. "Kiba taught me how to read the feature through those odd Tarot Cards, and it helped me know if I was going to win or lose between the fight, so thank you." Kiba blushed, scratching her ear. "And Jet, you're probably one of the bravest guys I ever could've known, and I knew what's it's like to lose parents. I met my dad when I fought Rodrigo." Jet's eyes widened, but he didn't say anything. "But still, thank you for everything you guys, especially to you, Storm."
"...But I..." I paused, staring over to my former detective agency.
The Babylon Rogues paused, a look of dismay clearly vivid on their faces.
"But I know that I can't be with the people whose fathers murdered my family."
"...I understand," Jet softly jeered with a nod of his head. He smirked, eyes shut. Sniffling, he shook his head a few times and cleared his throat. "I understand the sentiment. The pain you probably felt from our fathers killing them, and Stream told me what was going down up there. You fought hard, Charmy, and you are now free from the Babylon Rogues. Come visit anytime you like, ya hear? You still bear those flames on your wrists, so don't think we won't track you down."
"Later, kid," Wave said, wiping a tear from her eye. She hugged me, and I embraced her back. "We know where you live, so we'll swing by after a heist or something."
"Hey, Wave? Remember when we first met, and I called you Mom?" She nodded. "Well, you look alot like her. I met her, well, I saw her in the past when Rodrigo and I visited via black hole."
The swallow slapped me over the head. "Are you calling me old?"
"What? No!" I cried, holding my head in pain.
Kiba patted my head, baseball bat held over her shoulder. "I guess all good things must come to an end, right?"
Meloncholy, Storm faced away. I fluttered over to him, hugging his thick neck. Patting my back, Storm hugged me with warmth that I felt from Vector. Storm was more to me that just a Vector replacement, he was my big brother. We had this bond that nobody could break, and we were always there for each other. Storm was always around when I was gloomy or had a fight with Jet. Storm was my messiah.
"Th-this isn't goodbye, Charmy," Storm said, choking back the tears in his eyes.
"It's the still the beginning," I finished, knowing exactly what he say. My eyes watered as the Babylon Rogues picked up their Gear and slowly left for the door. All four of them glanced back to look at me. Each one waved, and in a flash of rainbow colors, the Babylon Rogues were gone.
I burst into tears when their Gear couldn't be seen any longer. Espio and Vector sat down my bed, taking turns consoling me, but my tears didn't last long because I knew one thing:
The flames of the Babylon Rogues still run through my wrists and became my new blood. Nobody can take that pride away.
The End
...Or is it
---
You really think I'll end this baby on a sappy note like that? Hah! What a laugh! We got a reunion show to do with host Gemini! Now, get lost before I make you watch HSM 3 for three days in a row with Billy the Puppet.
One last little request: SEND IN QUESTIONS. We need them for a reunion. Anything you didn't understand or just random questions, throw them in. You can throw in questions for other characters in the story as well.