Chapter Seventeen – Epilogue – Beginnings
Soon it was time for the visitors to be leaving, as some of Sonic's friends were returning to Mobius, such as Vanilla, Cream, the Choatix and Knuckles. Silver was indeed leaving having had a vision of the future and wanted to go home. Knuckles, during his test visit, had managed to track down Amy. She was fine, but had no memory of Sonic at all, and was now settling down with her new boyfriend. That was why the Rabbits were keen to go home. To be with her. Tails was staying, as his job was quickly becoming keeping the mad house of a Blue Blur in check, and Shadow and Rouge were still undecided, but had asked for a little more time in the Sol Empire to make arrangements, which Blaze granted.
Regardless, everyone was going their separate ways, and the Sol Empire was to threw a party, to say goodbye, which also coincidentally landed on Blaze's birthday. The day long celebrations were in full swing, and everyone got dressed up, even Shadow. But the Sol Empire was a little tight for money, so Blaze had lent out her wardrobe to the local ladies so they could join in. Very generous, but she knew her dresses would be taken care of. She'd done it before. Unfortunately, this left nothing for her, but she'd didn't really care. On the morning of her birthday, she was sat in the centre of a long table at one end of the Great Hall, the others either side, enjoying a simple breakfast, the last for those going back to Mobius. Almost everyone was there, all of Sonic's friends, except the Blue Blur himself.
The doors of the Great Hall, were thrown open, and a long line of visitors, snaking it way across the Palace grounds, all with gift for their Princess. Blaze had out her foot down, strictly asking on handmade gifts only. There wasn't a lot of money around. The net result was the smell in the Great Hall was immense, from the huge quantities of amazing baked goods she was given. She loved it, wanting to sample all of it. Finally, the line died away, leaving a terrified Wolf pup stood centre stage, in front of the top table, Everglade encouraging him forwards. Blaze smiled.
"Morning Arthur." She smiled. "How has your training been? Do you having anything to demonstrate today." She asked. She saw how scared he was, as decided to keep it simple. She had been following his training and was keen to see what he'd learned. A birthday gift hopefully. Something from what Sukko had taught him.
He nodded, holding out his hands ahead of him, and concentrated hard. Suddenly his eyes glowed green, and a ball of emerald light appeared between them. He gritted his teeth and pushed his Magic further, and a very unusual item appeared from the ball. It was long, and thin, and with strange liniments sticking out either end. He finished, panting catching his creation, to confused looks from everyone. What was the bright green item? Suddenly a voice, came out of nowhere, making the Wolf pup jump a mile.
"Hi, Arthur." He giggled. The Wolf pup jumped so hard, that that he dropped his creation of which the Blue Blur caught easily, with his high-speed reflexes, before it smashed on the floor. Sonic was giggling, wearing something that made absolutely everyone stare. He wore a black t-shirt, black jeans and black shoes, which were actually his famous red and white shoes, sprayed with shoe paint. Over the top of it all, he wore a three-quarter length black leather coat, and over his shoulder, on a strap, dangling down across his back was a exquisite blue, black and red flying V electric guitar. If it wasn't for the bright royal Blue fur and quills, and the big green eyes, no one would have recognised him. Blaze raised an eyebrow.
"Nice outfit, Sonic." She smirked, of which he whirled round at her. He frowned.
"Of which your not wearing one." He puzzled, as she was there in her usual attire. He sighed. "We'll have to do something about that." He grinned. Suddenly he was cut across by Tails, who was gobsmacked and somewhat angry. He growled.
"Sonic!" He gasped. "I thought you hanging around with your brother was to soften him down, not for you to join him, the complete opposite." He snarled. But Sonic just giggled, he rolled his eyes.
"What I forgot to tell you and what Sukko didn't tell you, is that I'm the real Goth in the family. I was the one who got him into heavy metal music, in the first place, while I was learning to play it as a child." He grinned, turning around, showing off the guitar. Everyone stared. Tails eyes widened. He blinked.
"I didn't know you could play." He admitted. But Sonic just rolled his eyes again. He sniggered.
"Do you honestly think that Amy would have ever left me alone, if she knew I could play." He giggled, and then he unhooked the guitar off his back, rounded it to the front and then played the obviously Magical electric guitar, not requiring any power or amplifier. He threw out a few rifts. He was good, really good. Blaze raised an eyebrow, as Sonic then stopped and rounded back on her. He grinned. "We are rocking this place tonight, and we're not taking no for an answer. I have been wanting to do it since I arrived here. To blow the place, creator pending." He smiled. "Though I'm not entirely sure what Sukko had planned for tonight. We do both sides of the Gothic culture. He does the black and I do the music." He frowned and then heaved, looking all around the Great Hall. "Sukko." He called. "Sukko." He spat.
No answer.
Absolutely everyone looked up and stared at the mention of the mighty Sorcerer's name. But Tails just heaved, staring at the Blue Blur in utter amazement.
"You and Sukko. You really are two halves of the same person." He gasped. But Sonic just smiled.
"We actually were once, at one point. But our embryo had inherited so much Chaos Power from our parents that it couldn't cope and started dying. So it did the only thing it could do to save itself." He sighed, only to be cut across by Tails. He grinned.
"It divided." He bounced. Sonic smiled and nodded.
"Yes, and so did the powers." He added, everyone looking at Arthur again and his Magic as a Sorcerer. Blaze noticed and heaved.
"Will your brother be joining us for the celebrations this morning?" She asked, desperately hopeful. Sonic looked back at her and grinned. He smiled.
"Yes." He sighed. "But I don't know long he'll stay for, until tonight." He smirked. But Blaze was surprised. She gasped.
"But he hates parties." She stammered. But Sonic giggled.
"Yes, but one, this is Goth stuff, and two, do you honestly think he'd miss out on the birthday of the love of his life." He giggled. Several people stared. Blaze raised an eyebrow. She wasn't surprised Sonic knew. But that the Blue Blur huffed. He called his brother again, still no answer. He growled. "Oh, where is he? He's giving me the silent treatment again." Then he rounded on Blaze. "By the way, I hope you like black. He's gone full on Gothic, way more then me, and its making me seriously look bad." He huffed "No, it's not a rebellion. There's no new tattoos or anything. It's all temporary, just for today." He added, and with that he bounced, very quickly, out of the Great Hall. He was gone. He left silence behind them.
Suddenly, a deep, extremely calm voice, sounding uncannily like the Blue Blur himself sounded right across the Great Hall. He was warm and somewhat huffed. He smirked.
"Arthur, your flower is upside down." He informed. Everyone looked around but nothing could be seen. The Wolf pup bowed.
"Master Sukko." He giggled, but Blaze grabbed his hand containing the green flower that he'd just conjured, and righted it. Now the proper way round, the flower was beautiful, with a head full of petals and roots at the bottom, made of very delicate emerald-green glass. It was impressive. Still behind his Cloak of Invisibility, the Sorcerer giggled.
"Conjuring upside down. Well, that's one way to do it." He sniggered. But Blaze just huffed.
"Are you avoiding Sonic?" She spat, of which Sukko just smirked, somewhat slyly.
"I might be." He giggled, and suddenly he appeared, to gasps from everyone. He was stood there, tall, strong, his arms folded, his long black coat, hitting the floor behind him. Beneath it, he wore a stunning completely jet black silken suit, with black rock boots. His long quills, which were now all the way to his tail, were down, the bottom halves of which were dyed black, as well as the tips of his ears. His gloves, now dark gray, shining. He stood there with an air of sophistication that could only have come from the Sorcerer himself.
He looked incredible, seriously giving Shadow, who always looked very dashing in a suit, a run for his money. But Blaze was delighted, even if he didn't stay long. He showed his face, right now, that was enough. He beamed.
"Hi." She giggled. But Sukko's smirk just broadened in response, though the somewhat numb tone didn't. He heaved.
"Hi." He smiled, respectfully nodding. But Blaze just giggled.
"Welcome back." She announced, but Sukko just sighed, the heart fell. The look across his face was very clear to see, and it was obvious that he felt he just didn't deserve the credit he'd been getting the last few months. He deeply sighed.
"Thank you." He smiled, answering again, out of respect. But Blaze frowned, sighing.
"Still guilt-ridden?" She asked. "You did save Mobius." she praised, but Sukko just stared at the floor. He heaved.
"Blaze. It wasn't the fact that I saved Mobius, but it was how I did it. Who in the entire universe has the right to rewrite a planet's entire history?" He spat, but Blaze just shrugged.
"But Sukko, it worked." She smiled, but the Sorcerer just turned from her, walking away. He growled.
"Yes, but it still doesn't make it right." He grilled, but Blaze just smiled. She giggled.
"This is what I like about you. Your as humble as your brother." He grinned, but Sukko just heaved deeply.
"Yes." He admitted. "But he's significantly better at it then me. There is a reason why he's the Hero of Mobius and I'm not." He stuttered and then his gave a droning sigh, turning back to the table. "Fox, Echidna, you have my deepest respect. I have no idea how you two keep up. Sonikku just doesn't stop. He doesn't sleep, and just he goes from one world ending battle to the next without barely a scratch. He can practically start a world war entirely on his own. I know, I was healing him for years, not that those skills were ever needed. I tried the whole 'all powerful' thing. Back on Mobius, where Chaos Sorcery was still illegal, because of corruption, I couldn't. It was too dangerous. I would have been caught and killed. Sonikku too. So, still wanting to help, I trained and became a Doctor, hiding my Magic. But here, there was a real need of my skills as a Sorcerer, and to be honest, it 'kind-of' went straight to my head, as I have never had the chance to do it before." He sighed. "All it successfully left me, was me desperately fighting for my life, twice, forcing my own twin brother to run in and save me, at the potentially cost of his own." He heaved, and then looked at Blaze who just giggled at him. He smiled. "Let me guess, he told you the same thing about me." He sniggered, rolling his eyes. That summed up the twins perfectly. Couldn't live with each other, couldn't live without. They both made up the mighty hero.
Sukko heaved as he looked at Arthur, and then smirked. His eyes the glowed bright blue and then taking one singular hand out of the pocket of his coat, he flicked it, as easy as anything. Arthur then felt streams of Magic suddenly appear in his free hand, as the bright blue luminescent vapour-like hue formed into the exact replica of the flower, this time in blue. What the Wolf pup had been aiming for. Made of the same beautiful delicate glass. Arthur gasped in wondrous amazement. Sukko made conjuring look so simple. It wasn't. The Sorcerer then nodded at him, pleased with his achievement, as the two flowers almost looked exact, and Arthur jumped for joy.
He was total awe of his Master, knowing that one day, he would as good, if not better, then mighty Sorcerer himself. Suddenly, Sukko heaved, groaning slightly, stretching, looking like he'd not had much sleep. He deeply rubbed his eyes, and then stared at Blaze. But not at her, more the drink, on the table on front of her. He deeply sighed.
"I need tea!" He spat, and promptly held up a hand and snapped his finger, of which pearly white Orbs surrounded it as, from out of nowhere, a large white mug appeared, brimmed high with streaming hot tea. He sipped it. It was bliss, as he body relaxing in the utter pleasure of it. It had been far too long since he'd properly enjoyed his favourite beverage. Everglade walked forwards, utterly amazed. He frowned.
"Sukko, where did..." He asked, only to be cut across by intense giggling. He looked up to see the mighty Sorcerer proceed to down the entire mug of tea in one very large gulp. He grinned. "Sukko?" He sniggered, as the Sorcerer put a finger up with the other hand to stop him. He gave an enormous gasp, when done, and a stupid smile to Everglade.
"Yeah." He giggled, slightly dazed. Everglade just laughed along with everyone else. It showed Sukko's sense of humour perfectly, and it was a complete delight to see, especially after what the Sorcerer had been through. Now fully recovered, the mighty Blue Hedgehog was back. Everglade smiled.
"Ok." He spat. "Where's the tea coming from?" He demanded. But Sukko just smirked.
"I'd built a tea and coffee machine in my apartment, back on Mobius, and because of Sonikku's insistence, I have rebuilt it in my bedroom here in the Palace." He smiled. "Here." He giggled, throwing the empty mug at Everglade, who he just about caught it. "Have a coffee." He smirked, snapping his finger again, and the contents of the mug refilling. He sipped it. His eyes widened. It was good, really good. He beamed.
Everglade now felt so privileged to have such an incredible a friend as Sukko. The Sorcerer had given him a second chance. A chance he'd grasped with both hands, and never looked back. He knew the Sorcerer was deeply proud of him. Everglade was the type of Wizard that the Order of Elden used to stand for before it collapsed, and now with the Sorcerer's Guild, it could do so again. He was still a powerful Wizard but opposite Sukko, truthfully, he got nothing, the mighty Sorcerer was just too strong, but that didn't matter. Everglade was learning new tricks from the Sorcerer, and the Hedgehog from him. Together, along with Arthur, they had a chance to make Magic in the Sol Empire great again. He smiled.
Suddenly, someone snuck up on Sukko and wrapped his arms around him from behind. The Sorcerer didn't move a muscle. The super hyperactive Blue Blur giggled.
"Boo, made you look." He giggled. But Sukko just rolled his eyes. He sighed.
"Not even close, Sonikku." He sniggered. Sneaking up on a Telepath, was a complete waste of time. They always see you first. Suddenly, Sonic frowned, still with his arms around Sukko's torso, he felt something hard and circular in the top inside pocket of his coat. He let go and walked round. His frowned deepened.
"Hey, what's that?" He asked, pointing the pocket. Sukko's heart fell, as he heaved and putting his hand into the pocket, he pulled out the still badly charred Bronze medal, completely unaffected by his Magic. He gave it to the brother. Sonic looked at it, then as the colour draining from him, he turned back at his twin. He gulped.
"The Penthouse?" He gasped. But Sukko shook his head. He sighed.
"Gone, I'm afraid. This was all that was left. It had been torched by the time I got there, and now after..." He heaved, letting the sentence hang. His cast on Mobius now meant everything to do with the either of them was now no longer there. Sonic wailed.
"Our entire lives were in that apartment. Your certificates, my medals, the photos." He sniffed. "I know things have changed now, but there was no need for the Mobian Authorities to torch the place beforehand." He growled. But Sukko just sighed.
"Well, apparently, being the Hero of Mobius counts for nothing when Magic is involved." He hissed. It was very clear in the tone of the Sorcerer's voice the extremely high price they had paid, simply because they were born with the wrong powers. It just wasn't fair. But Sonic's eyes filled with tears as he cuddled the medal.
"So me fighting Eggman was all for nothing." He cried, but Sukko rounded on him, horrified. He blinked as his twin.
"Whoa. I wouldn't go that far. Your still the hero, Sonikku, even if the people don't remember anymore. You did fight Eggman, you did win. Those events did happen, and as for the medal." He smiled, indicating the circular disc in his brother's hands. Then he wipes his beloved Blue Blur's eyes. "Let that be a reminder of good times, and the fact that you have a opportunity now to forge a new path and destiny, right here in the Sol Empire." He smirked. Sonic sniffed and nodded, turning over the Bronze medal, seeing his name and the event. He giggled.
"I remember that." He beamed with the extremely fond memories, mainly to himself and pocketed the medal inside his own black coat. He smiled, giving a nod of thanks to his brother. That was what Sonic loved so much about Sukko, he was always there when he needed him. Always protected him, even if Sonic didn't want it. Getting left behind for the Mobius mission did hurt, but in hindsight, after hearing what happened, he was indeed better off staying here. He sighed.
The thought of knowing he'll never be able to set foot on Mobius again was tough. He gave his life for that planet, and now he'd been forced to leave. It wasn't fair. But thanks to his brother, he'd survived. If he'd have stayed, he would have been killed. He heaved. He did like the Sol Empire, though the dimension had far too much water for his liking, but Captain Whiskers was fun to play with. With his ability to teleport, he didn't really need to swim, though the Bronze medal proved he could. He looked back at Sukko, and smiled. They were living in a new dimension now, time to move on.
Suddenly, his super giggly, child-like side, got the better of him, as he thought of something. He rounded on his twin. He glared at him.
"Hey, have you made your mind up about tonight?" He asked, very quickly, of which Sukko just nodded and then twins just stared each other for several minutes, obviously discussing the details, straight down the Psychic Link. Finally, Sonic giggled.
"Cool." He giggled, then his put his hands behind his back and looked at his brother like a child asking for something he knew he couldn't have. The big eyes, the pouty mouth, said it all. It was rather funny. Sukko saw him, and droned again.
"What do you want?" He growled. The Sonic giggled, pulling out toasting folks and marshmallows from behind his back. He giggled with complete and utter glee, and leaned right into his brother. He whined.
"Please!" He pleaded, with Sukko looking throughly unimpressed. He heaved, rubbing his face.
"Sonikku. Sugar for breakfast. Come on. How old are you?" He exclaimed. "Four and a half." He scowled. Of which Sonic looked utterly offended. He huffed.
"No." He exclaimed. "Five." He added, to much laughter around the Great Hall. Regardless, it completely broke his brother. Sukko just giggled. He just couldn't say no after that.
"Fine." He spat, to much cheering from his twin. "But you'll need a goblet." He added. But Sonic frowned.
"I think I going to need something bigger then a goblet." He sighed, pointing to the floor. "Arthur's coming and most the kids from the town." He added. But Sukko just growled, realising the scale of what Sonic was asking. He wanted a massive camp fire on the floor of Great Hall. He scowled.
"Did you ask permission, before asking me? It's not my Palace." He hissed, to Blaze's utter amazement. Sukko's intense loyalty to her was still there, even if it meant reigning in his own brother. She raised her hands, cutting across them both. She smiled.
"Hey, it alright. It's fine. I trust you, Sukko." She smiled, to the deep astonishment on the Sorcerer's face. To still have her trust, even after everything that's happened, right there and then, meant the absolute world to him. Finally, he was alright. He could still be the mighty Sorcerer again, he just needed the confidence.
But did he still want to be? He wasn't sure, but there was something he was extremely keen on doing after this party was over. To renew his licence. To be a Doctor again, but this time, here in the Sol Empire. He doubted Blaze would object. There was definitely a need here. With the Sol Empire being prominently a vast ocean scattered with thousands of islands, apart from the cluster of which the Palace was part of, everything here was entirely dependent on boats. Most of the islands were inhabited, but not all had access to a Doctor, let alone a hospital. There were many cruise liners that has been refitted as floating hospitals, that traveled between the islands, but occasionally, in dire emergencies, they just weren't fast enough, and quite often tragedy happened.
Sukko had applied to the Southern Isles, a small group islands in the deep south of the Sol Empire, and home of the dimension's Medical School. With his ability to fly and more importantly, teleport, meant he could travel between the islands at the speeds required to save lives. He didn't have to renew his licence, he doubted anyone would care with his reputation, as they didn't with the Serpent Sickness, but he did. If he was going to practice medicine, he wanted his knowledge to be as up-to-date as possible, plus he suspected there were different techniques here. So he was going back to school.
As for the Sorcerer's Guild. They didn't need him. They already had a Sorcerer, in Arthur, and Everglade, wow, he'd worked wonders with the boy. The Wizard had completely turned himself around since they first met, and a significantly better person for it. Now the School of Magic was thriving. But Sukko wasn't going to abandon the place, he'd still show up, teach Arthur on a evenings between shifts, but teach full time, as Everglade had wanted him to, no. His heart was elsewhere. A Doctor.
He panted, breathing deeply. He nodded, and bowed slightly. Suddenly, his eyes glowed blue and he threw out his hands ahead of him. A deep rich blue ball of light appeared between them, that rapidly expanded. As soon as it touched his fingertips, Sukko then concentrated the Magic ahead of him, sending powerful streams bright blue vapour-like luminescent hue, from the ball, towards the floor. However, it didn't harm the Palace as the Magic swirled into a miniature tornado. Everyone watch in absolute awe at the Master at work, as suddenly from the tornado of Magic turned into a large metallic low lying basin which now stood on the Palace floor. It was a beautiful pale blue, as glistened in the morning sun. Sukko left panting rather heavily. That conjure was rather hefty, just like his brother's guitar which was across his back. Sonic was seriously struggling to contain his pure excitement, absolutely bouncing by his side. He giggled.
"Can I do it? Can I do it?" He pleaded on Sukko's arm. The Sorcerer just grinned and nodded. Sonic obviously wanted to his brother to cast straight down the Psychic Link, so he could start the fire. Sukko folded his arms and his eyes glowed a vivid blue, as he send the Magic, which made Sonic fidget and wriggle slightly, him giggling intensely. Suddenly, the Blue Blur's own eyes glowed blue and then he held up both his hands and snapped them together. Suddenly, the basin exploded in large bright blue flames, making everyone jump. They flickered beautifully in the Great Hall, dancing in the morning sun. They were very hot.
Sonic jumped on his brother in absolute joy, hugging him intensely. He squealed.
"I love Magic. Thank you." He giggled, and then his suddenly grabbed the basin and pushed it to the other end of the Great Hall. "Come on, kids." He yelled, as he was immediately followed by Arthur, who left the flowers behind, Tails, Cream and Charmy. Soon, they were gathered around the fire, laughing and joking, roasting marshmallows and toasting bread. But Sukko growled.
"Yes, Magic can be fun, in the right hands. But it is still incredibly dangerous, Sonikku." He grilled, of which Sonic just glared at him the other end of the hall, flapped his hand at him, and went back to the fire. He then deeply sighed, rolling his eyes. "Yep, definitely four and a half." He sniggered, to intense giggling. Suddenly, Sonic signalled from the other end of the Great Hall, causing Sukko to snap his fingers, yet again, and another white mug appearing right into the extremely excited Blue Blur's hands. He squealed, drinking the beverage with delight, again thanking his brother. Sukko just rolled his eyes. He heaved. "Sugar and coffee for breakfast. I'm not chasing him this afternoon." He grumbled, more to himself then anything. Sukko's infinite patience with Sonic was incredible, that was clear to see he deeply loved him. Suddenly he sighed, and turned to everyone's surprise, to Shadow. He blinked at him. "I take it with all the Hero worship, your not going back to Mobius." He sniggered. But Shadow, less then impressed, just narrowed his eyes and growled at the Sorcerer. Sukko gulped and put up both his hands. "Hey, look, I'm sorry, but I didn't have a choice. That's how Telepathy works. I couldn't just remove Sonikku and leave a void in key events in history. The cast would have collapsed, most likely killing. You share similar powers, so you had to fill the gaps." He shrugged. But Shadow folded his arms, and hissed. He understood but still wasn't happy about it. Then Sukko just smiled, showing the first time, some of his brother's bounce. "Hey, Stripes. Do you want the Ark?" He giggled.
Suddenly, Everyone stared in utter silence, for it only to be broken, by Sonic immediately teleporting, with a singular flash of blue light, as if it was nothing, straight back to his brother's side, having obviously been overhearing. His jaw dropped.
"What?" He gasped. But Sukko just sighed, looking at his twin.
"I know I've driving you spare these last few weeks, with my brain being elsewhere, but I have been desperately trying to work out how the get the space colony here. Now for me going back and land on the Ark, will not affect the cast I did on the planet. The two are entirely separate and so long as no one sees me, it'll be fine. It's entirely dependant on a Wizard cast called 'Featherlight', which I witnessed Everglade teach the students at the school." He smiled. "He's going to have to convert for me, to use as a Sorcerer. It works by temporally but significantly reducing the weight of an item. Now, I can Orb anything. But's its entire dependant on mass. That pirate ship Sonikku asked me to do a couple of months back, was my upper limit. But the Ark is much heavier then that. So if I can reduce it's weight enough to fit it into an Orb, and shove that teleport through one of Blaze's Fire Tornado's, then, in theory, I should get it here. Then landing it on one of the islands, all we have to it get the thing back into orbit." He shrugged. "Which I believe, Sonikku, you've done before." He added. But Sonic's jaw just dropped.
"Sukko. Your crazy." He gasped. But Sukko just laughed, rounding on his brother.
"Who am I related to? Your the King of Crazy." He giggled. But Sonic's face fell, whimpering slightly. He sniffed.
"But Sukko, it was pushing yourself like this, that got you into trouble." He stammered, others looking worried to but the Sorcerer just sighed, grabbing his brother by the shoulders. He smiled.
"This is nowhere near as powerful as cast as the one I did on Mobius. I'll be fine. The Ark, however, might not be. I can't guarantee it will be in one piece when it gets here." He admitted, but then Shadow suddenly stood up, immediately cutting across the both of them. He smirked.
"Do it, please." He asked. "I will repair any damage." He added, desperately thanking the Sorcerer, now extremely keen to have his home back, of which Sukko nodded.
"Alright but after the party." He added, but then the mention of the word 'party' caused his liking of standing in front of crowds to suddenly break, and he was now extremely keen to leave. Sonic immediately saw this and nodding, allowed his brother to teleport away from the Great Hall, so somewhere quiet. He exploded into beautiful bright white Orbs, and as the rose up, they vanished, taking the mighty Sorcerer with it.
Sonic smiled, watching him go. He beamed.
"He was getting better. He's back to normal now, but I'm surprised he lasted, in front of you guys, as long as he did. But I don't think he'll ever be truly comfortable." He grinned. "Trust me. He'll be back tonight." He added.
But that afternoon, it was time to leave. The morning party had been huge fun, and even the showing of the Sorcerer himself was a highlight, but now it was time to go. Knuckles had calculated Angel Islands movements across Mobius, and found a point of which the island tendered to linger longer then usual. He suspected, and Blaze agreed, that all transportations between Mobius and the Sol Empire should, from now on, always land on Angel Island. The less the planet knew the better. However, he needed to Island to stay put in one place long enough for Blaze to have time to do multiply Fire Tornados, to transport everyone home. Unfortunately, that landed on afternoon of her birthday, and now, having gotten changed, they were ready to go. But there was a lot of somber looks. But Sonic just giggled.
"Guys. This isn't permanent. Knuckles will be looking after you on Mobius and as for here." He smiled. "One, we have a powerful Sorcerer in out midst, and two, Arthur and Tails have been working together, like mad, combining Engineering and Magic. I'm sure we'll see each other again." He smirked, of which the Blue Blur, still in his three-quarter length black coat, immediately disappeared beneath all his friends hugging him to death. He purred deeply at them. Mobius was going to be very strange without him, but knowing that he was safe, and well cared for, in his retirement, made all the difference.
Finally, Blaze's smiled as she activated the Fire Tornados and one by one, they went home, to frantic waving from Sonic. Knuckles went first, followed then by Vanilla and Cream, then the Chaotix, Vector, Espio and Charmy, Silver, looking very sorrowful at Blaze, but who just kissed him on the nose and shooed him away, and finally, Rouge. She had finally came to a decision, and wanted to go home. She giggled.
"Well, someone's got to wind up that Echidna." She smiled, as then threw her arms around a very surprised Shadow. The two ex-special agents embraced, both agreeing with Sonic that this wasn't the end. She kisses him on the cheek. "Bye bye, Big Boy." She giggled, and throwing another kiss, she walked threw the Fire Tornado, and was gone. Shadow heaved. But Sonic just laughed, but the Ultimate Lifeform just scowled straight at him, causing him to back off. He shrugged. Then he threw up his arms and squealed.
"Let's Party!"
The Sol Empire exploded in celebrations, with good homemade food, drink and incredible music, and Sonic strung up his electric guitar and played all night. So much so, that Sukko was back, completely unable to resist the heavy metal music. They danced and sung most the night away, but as Sonic could keep going all evening, Sukko, not so much, and had quietly slide away, to somewhere more sedate. A Palace balcony. He leant on the wall, and looked out on the cool, clear night, deeply reflecting on the journey he'd gone through to get here. He sighed, it was incredible, unable to quite believe it, mainly by the fact that he was still here, and his brother's total stubborn unwillingness to let him go.
He was grateful. He really was, and vowed to always look after his brother, no matter how much of a pain he was. Suddenly, someone slide quietly onto the balcony behind him, having successfully tracking him down. She was getting good at it now. She smiled.
"A penny for your thoughts, Sorcerer." She grinned. Sukko just smirked.
"I'll take two hundred of them, Princess." He beamed, his heart leaping at her presence. He panted slightly. He did now deeply love her, but frowned as he stared at her. She was still wearing her usual attire. A purple tailcoat with rose trim at the bottom with a gold collar, white leggings and rose, high-heeled shoes. Then he remembered what his brother had said earlier. This was her birthday party, and yet, her generosity had left her without a dress. Time, indeed, to do something about it. He rounded on her. Blaze raised an eyebrow.
"What?" She frowned, but Sukko just smirked.
"I owe you a gift, Princess." He smiled. But Blaze gasped, throwing up both her hands. She heaved.
"No, no." She stammered. "Just you being here is enough. I genuinely didn't think you come. I know you don't like parties." She stuttered, but Sukko just walked up to her, and put a finger out to shush her. She frowned, now very confused. Suddenly, the Sorcerer's eye glowed a deep blue and he waved his hands all around her head, arms and body. Streams of bright blue luminescent vapour-like hue exploded out of his gloves and wrapped themselves delicately around her.
She frowned, looking down to immediately be absolutely gobsmacked as the lines of Magic materialised out of thin air, the most beautiful dress she ever seen in her life. It was a gorgeous pale blue, with long sleeves and high neck. The gown stretched out ahead of her, to the floor with a long, wide train out the back. Then with one final flick of the wrist, something landed on her head. A magnificent silver tiara, with beautiful diamonds and sapphires. Real, properly not. Sukko had just conjured them up out of thin air.
But Blaze didn't care as she admired herself in the Palace window's from the balcony. She looked incredible. An outfit truly fit for an Imperial Princess. She fell in love with it. She fell in love with...him. Sukko just beamed at her, his arms folded, panting heavily, as usual, after a cast like that. She didn't know how to thank him, but the cheeky Sorcerer didn't give her the chance as she grabbed her and pulled her in for a kiss.
She was stunned, but did she stop him? Which she had the power to do, as she was in charge, no. She kissed him back, their bodies locked in a deep embraced, as though nothing in the world mattered. Suddenly, Sukko's emotions got the better of him, and his complete and utter joy, casted all on its own, sending up deep blue illusionary fireworks high in the sky, right across the Palace grounds. It summed up how he felt perfectly, never believing that she'd actually accept him. This immediately caused a fuss, as everyone moved to the windows and balconies to see the fireworks.
Suddenly, Sonic popped up at the side of them just as they broke apart. He giggled.
"Whoa! Er, guys, you are aware that this can't last." He sniggered, indicating the kissing. He was knew of the rules of the Sol Empire. Blaze giggled, still the Sorcerer in her arms, purring at her. She grinned.
"I know." She smiled. She could have changed the rules. She was Imperial Princess and marry either Sukko or Silver. But because of the compatibility, neither Hedgehog could father her child, which would mean leaving the Sol Empire without an heir. Her people were so good to her, that she couldn't do that to them. It was her royal duty, to produce an heir. Hopefully, she'd find a male Feline worthy of her. She giggled. She felt sorry for him. She had high standards, but Sukko's were off the charts. Maybe her potential husband could get up there. It would be fun to watch him try.
Sukko gave Sonic a silent look of which the Blue Blur giggled, and immediately turned around and hollowed at the top of his voice. He giggled.
"Come on, everyone, more music." He grinned, and suddenly, his electric guitar was struck up, pulling everyone back inside. Very quickly, Blaze and Sukko were alone again. As idiotic and child-like Sonic was, he could take a hint down the Psychic Link when he needed to. Blaze sighed, looking back. She smiled.
"He's incredible, isn't he." She beamed. Sukko nodded, extremely proud
Yes, he was.
The Sorcerer held out his hand out for the Princess. He smiled.
"May I?" He asked, to be her escort for the evening. She smiled and took it, and the both of them together went back inside the Palace, to whatever life had in store for them.
As for the Ark. Sukko succeeded.
The Hero of Might and Magic did indeed bring the space colony home.