A/N :: sighs:: Finals… cruel and unusual punishment

A/N :: sighs:: Finals… cruel and unusual punishment. Hate the darn things. Anyway, You know the drill, Carmen and her mum belong to moi, and the rest belong to Sega, Archie Comics, and whomever else I can't remember. Here it goes, the final chapter. Have fun and thanks.

It took them a while to reach Knothole Village again. Tails' back was burnt pretty badly, and everyone was exhausted from fighting otherwise. They all walked tiredly into Rotor's hut to get some bandages.

" Yikes! What happened to you guys?" Rotor asked as the worn out group arrived. Everyone groaned in response and flopped down in various places around the room.

" We got ambushed," Sonic said wearily. " Sally was right. Robuttnik was probably planning that for days." Sally suddenly smiled after hearing what Sonic said.

" You must really be out of it Sonic. You just admitted to me being right for once." Sonic glared at her, but let the comment pass.

" There were so many SWATbots out there," he continued. "We were totally outnumbered."

He flopped down on a chair and paused for a moment. Rotor looked like he was going to explode.

"Well!? What happened? You're obviously all okay, save for Tail's back, so how did you get out?"

Sonic looked at Carmen and said " I think I should let the person responsible for helping us answer that question." Carmen seemed slightly nervous, but she stepped forward.

"I was the one that helped everyone. You see, I have the power to shoot ice energy out of my hands." She raised her hands gently and let a blue light begin to glow between them. Rotor looked both shocked and amazed, and Tails, who had been knocked out during the fight simply stared on in admiration. Sonic looked a bit confused.

" You're faster now. When we were fighting it took you a while to do it. Why?" Carmen sighed slightly and continued.

" I had to keep my powers hidden. I wasn't sure who I could trust yet. It took me a few seconds to pull my powers out of hiding, but now I can do it easily." She bounced the blue energy on her hand like a ball and shot it out the open door. It glided out at top speed and nearly hit Antoine, who was on his way to see what had taken them so long in coming back. Antoine rushed into the hut, a crystal frost glazing his tail.

" Everyone! We are under attack! I-" he stopped short, seeing Carmen with slightly glowing blue eyes staring at him. " Could someone please explain all 'zis?"

After they finished explaining things one more time, Tails finally asked the question that was probably on everyone's minds by now.

" Can Carmen be a Freedom Fighter?" The older ones stopped and looked at each other.

" I don't know Tails, I think we need to discuss it," Sally answered. Everyone else nodded in more or less agreement. Tails sighed and asked another question. " Can I help decide?" Sally shook her head and smiled. "We already know what your answer is, and we appreciate the offer, but how about you go wait outside with Carmen while we talk, ok?" Tails grumbled begrudgingly and walked out with her, closing the door behind him.

"She's too young to be a Freedom Fighter." Sally pointed out. She was afraid to let a girl who was still a child on to the team. But this was a weak statement, everyone knew.

" So what? Tails is young, and he does just fine most of the time." Sonic retorted. He was sticking up for the younger two, who he believed could learn with time.

" Touché." murmured Antoine. He was still trying to de-ice the tip of his tail.

" And they can learn from each others mistakes." added Rotor.

" And the girl can whoop some Bot-nik be-hind!" Bunnie said enthusiastically. At this point, Sally sighed, knowing when she was losing an argument. "Well…"

Carmen was pacing outside the hut, waiting to hear her fate. Tails was watching her walk back and forth until he couldn't stand it anymore. He jumped up and stood in her path.

" Quit worrying Carmen, they'll be out soon." As if on cue, the door opened, and the older Freedom Fighters stepped out. Sally stepped forward and faked a stern face.

" I only have one thing to say, and that's to Tails." She said in her most commanding voice. Tails stepped forward, fearing the worst. " You're not the youngest Freedom Fighter anymore." Tails didn't have a chance to cheer before he was nearly knocked over by an overjoyed otter giving him a fierce hug.

Tails walked Carmen over quietly to the hut where she was staying with Bunnie and Sally. Carmen yawned; it had been a long day for everyone.

"You're going to like being a Freedom Fighter, I know you will." Tails said somewhat drowsily. Carmen yawned and nodded, too tired to speak.

"Well, good night," Tails said, and quickly kissed Carmen on the cheek. Her eyes widened in surprise and she giggled. " Good night," she said, still laughing, and returned the kiss. They both blushed wildly and rushed away in opposite directions. As the two went to bed for the night, they were both thinking of each other. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Tails thought to himself. Carmen smiled sleepily as she went to bed for the night. I think I'm going to like Knothole Village…

Unknown to the others, a pair of violet eyes watched the young children from the shadows. She smiled as she watched Tails kiss Carmen, and chuckled as she did the same. She'll be all right, especially if she stays with that young fox kit. I like his looks. Carmen's mother looked at her child one final time before turning away. Yes, she will be safe here. Safer than with me… I must let her go. She wiped a tear from her eye and began to walk away softly. Farewell, my Carmen.

"Goodbye, and good luck."

A/N: Well, my dedicated readers, that is my story. Tell me whatcha think! Got any questions, comments, or suggestions for other stories? Just email me: PowerIcePrincess@yahoo.com. Carmen will douse all flames. Although I have many of my own, I can accept new ideas. And don't forget to review!