A few days later things had settled down again. Amy had returned from Little Planet and had been reunited with Lavender. She had been shocked at her colour change and tails but relieved to see her again. Sonic, Sally and Alicia had spent the time virtually mauling Miles. Alicia was the biggest culprit though. T2 and Petya had been totally intrigued by Lavenders story. They still couldn't believe such a place as the vault actually existed. Life had just about returned to normal.
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"Is it me, or does Lavender seem a lot more grown up?" said Sally.
"I think you're right Sally." replied Petya, "She does seem much more grown up."
"Some of the words she was coming out with a few days back were impressive. Even I had trouble following her at times."
"Yes. I don't know what really happened to her but her mental age if nothing else has increased substantially."
"Hold old would you say she is mentally now?"
"Difficult to tell. She is certainly older than Miles or Alicia but not as old as T2 and myself."
"Around twenty then?"
"Possible."
Sally and Petya walked out into the gardens. Miles and Alicia were playing in the background and Sonic was talking to Sonia on a bench. They looked up and waved as Sally and Petya walked up.
"So how you doing?" asked Sonia.
"Very well." said Sally, "You?"
"Terrible. I've been entertaining those two all afternoon." replied Sonia indicating towards Miles and Alicia, "Right now I need facial, a pedicure but most of all I need a massage."
Sonic gave a chuckle.
"Don't you always." he said.
"Oh give me a break!" moaned Sonia.
Petya sniggered.
"I would be delighted to join you." she said.
"Thanks Petya. That'd be great. Let's go."
Sonia suddenly stood up and walked off. Petya looked at Sonic and Sally with a bemused expression. She quickly spun and followed the pink hedgehog. Sally sat down next to Sonic.
"She's quite a case." said Sally.
"You're telling me?" replied Sonic, "So how's everyone else."
"Not bad I think. Manic went out early this morning. Said something like having to catch some waves?"
Sonic chuckled.
"Aah Manic. He never could resist a little surfing."
"Surfing?"
Sonic blinked at Sally. She hadn't just said that had she?
"Sal? You don't know what surfing is?"
"Well no."
Sonic sighed.
"I'll tell you later. Where did T2 go? I haven't seen him in a while."
"He went out."
"Out?"
"That's all he said. I saw him a few days ago. He was carrying a huge pack and smiling broadly. He said he was going out. Petya isn't giving anything away either."
"How odd. But then that's T2."
"Most odd."
They sat for a few moments in thought over what T2 could be doing.
"Well that covers everyone but Tails and co."
"They went to the Aquatic Ruins. Tails said Lavender had an urge to go there."
"I see."
Sonic leaned back and stretched.
"Can't we just have a few years of peace?!" he said.
"We never do seem to get a break do we." said Sally, "But we come through each time and that is what counts."
"You're right Sal. I fancy a chilli dog."
Sally groaned. Just then a glowing voice filled the air.
"Hello there sugah hog!"
Sonic turned to look over his shoulder. Bunnie was walking towards them with Knuckles beside her. Sonic still couldn't believe they had finally gotten together. Bunnie had made her feeling clear ages ago in Sonic's mind but then Knuckles was a bit slow and……no better not go any further he thought to himself. Miles and Alicia had seen them coming and had come running up.
"Aunt Bunnie!" cried Alicia as they both ploughed into her and almost knocked her over.
Bunnie was quite taken aback by this sudden embrace. She returned it as best she could.
"Oh ma stars. Aren't you two just the sweetest thing? Knuckles be a darling and see to these two." said Bunnie pulling herself away from Miles and Alicia.
Knuckles groaned. Bunnie walked over to Sonic and Sally.
"Hi there Bun!" said Sonic cheerfully.
"Hi sugah. How you both doing?"
"Pretty well." said Sally.
"Well that's good." replied Bunnie.
Sonic was looking over at Knuckles. Miles and Alicia had decided to use him as some sort of tickle experiment. He was rolling around on the ground howling with Miles and Alicia on top of him tickling him. Sonic rose an eyebrow.
"Kiiiiiiiiiiiids." he moaned to himself.
Bunnie turned round and caught a giggle.
"Oh ma stars." she sniggered.
Bunnie turned back to Sonic and Sally.
"Have either of you seen Sonia recently? She asked me to get her some things and I haven't seen her since." she said.
"She went down to Mobotropolis to get a facial……" said Sonic.
"…. a pedicure…." said Sally.
"….and a massage." finished Sonic.
"That girl will be the death of me." said Bunnie with a moan, "Well I better go and see if I can find her. Tell Knuckles I'll see him later."
Bunnie turned and walked off. Sonic and Sally looked back at Knuckles who was still in fits of laughter.
"I really need a chilli dog." said Sonic to himself.
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Lavender sighed as she looked out over the Aquatic Ruins. It had taken a while but she had eventually found the small ridge she had been standing on during her talk to the Mobian voice. She now sat on a rock holding her head in her hands. Tails came up behind her.
"Lavender? You ok?" he asked.
"Yes father. I mean I think so. This place used to be so beautiful and now it's like this." replied Lavender.
"Nothing is gone as long as you remember it."
"I know but I still feel sad."
"I've got something to cheer you up then." said Amy voice.
Tails and Lavender turned as Amy walked towards them. She was carrying a large picnic hamper on one arm. Lavender smiled.
"Thanks mom." she said as Amy put the hamper down.
The mark on Lavenders head glowed softly. Amy almost grimaced but stopped herself. She now knew the truth about the Order of Pholon and the Acolytes role in things. She still found it hard to accept that Tails was actually a part of it and the mark Lavender had disgusted her. She was also disgusted at her own ancestors too for what they did to the poor girl Lavender had described. Amy started to unpack the hamper. Lavender was looking at herself again. She had been doing this a lot recently.
"Will I stay white forever?" she said.
"I don't know Lavender." replied Tails.
"I don't like white." she replied.
Tails put an arm around her. She looked up and smiled at him.
"You'll learn to live with it." said Tails.
Lavender nodded. Even thought her mental age had increased she still felt like a child and Tails' comforting words made her feel much better.
"I love you dad." she said.
"I love you too Lavender." replied Tails.
Tails embraced Lavender with a gentle hug. Amy stopped what she was doing and went over to them. She put an arm round both of their shoulders. Even with all the changes they were together again and that is what counted thought Amy. That is what really mattered.