Epilogue

Knuckles approached the alter in the palace on the Floating Island. In his hand he held the Master Emerald. He slowly placed it down and stepped back. The emerald glowed and then shone. The island gave a jolt and then slowly started to rise. Knuckles dropped his gaze and sighed happily. He turned and looked up. Behind him stood Espio and his mother and father. He walked over to them.

"Way to go Knuckles!" said Espio slapping his friend on the back.

"Thanks Espio." replied Knuckles with a smile.

"You have done well." said his father.

"We're so proud of you." smiled his mother.

Knuckles just smiled at his parents. The moment seemed to last forever.

-----------------------------------------

"Don't push me Miles!" cried Alicia.

She stepped to the side as Miles barged past.

"You two never cease to amaze me." said Sonic.

Sonic walked along in the field just north of Mobotropolis with Sally, Tails, Amy and the children. Since he had got back from the Floating Island a few days ago he had spent a lot of time here. Sally and the kids were feeling a lot better now although Sally still preferred to lean on something. Tails and Amy walked along arm in arm. They stopped as they reached the side of a small lake. Tails looked a bit jittery.

"Tails? What's wrong?" asked Amy.

Tails closed his eyes for a moment and then reached in his pocket and took out a small box. He opened his eyes and looked at Amy.

"Tails?" she asked again.

Tails held the small box in his hand and then spoke.

"I've had this for a while now Amy. I've just been waiting for the right time and place. After everything that's happened lately I think I should do this now."

Tails got down on one knee in front of Amy.

"Tails what are you doing?" she asked.

"Something I should have done a long time ago." he replied.

Tails flipped a clip on the side of the box. It opened to reveal a small ring with a diamond studded in the top. He turned the box towards Amy and spoke.

"Amy. Will you marry me?"

-----------------------------------------

"Alright drop it there!" cried Bunnie.

The racoon operating the crane released the grapple and dropped the load of rubble into a pile. Bunnie stood on a small wooden platform that had been constructed to the side of some rubble. She had taken personal responsibility for the rebuilding of Mobotropolis. She enjoyed a challenge and this was about a big a one as you could get. It would take a while but it would be done eventually. She smiled as a warm wind blew across her face.

-----------------------------------------

Knuckles and Espio walked along the lakeside on the Floating Island. Echidnapolis was a bustle of activity now and they wanted some quiet time.

"Hehe. I guess this means no more quiet night." said Espio.

"I guess not. It still hasn't fully sunk in yet." replied Knuckles.

"I know. It's pretty incredible. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"On the station when that mist stuff came out of Sarath. How did you know to use the Master Emerald on it?"

"Well it's was a bit of a shot in the dark but I had a few reasons why. Firstly the fact that the Master Emerald controls the power of the Chaos Emeralds. As the Chaos Emeralds have negative power it is safe to say the Master Emerald must have positive energy. Also my parents told me that long ago the Master Emerald was originally a negative energy emerald and an accident involving that space station turned it to positive. When Sarath drained the Master Emerald the Chaos Emeralds could use their full power and all the dark energies the Master Emerald controls were uncontrolled. This meant that that mist could grow and become more powerful. I figured that the power of the Master Emerald could destroy it."

"Lucky for you you were right." said Espio, "Now! How about something to eat?"

"Couldn't agree more. Let's go."

-----------------------------------------

A monitor blinked into life. A message appeared on the screen.

Scanning for dark force……error. Dark force no longer present. Initiating secondary protocols. Tanks online. Estimated time for completion 363 days, 14 hours and 36 minutes.

The monitor went blank and all fell silent again.