Epilogue

Tails held Amy's hand tightly. This one moment in his life was the sweetest one he had ever known. A surge of energy pasted though his body. He looked Amy directly in the eyes. Another surge of energy passes through him and he felt an odd sensation in his legs. He didn't bother looking down, he knew what it was and his gaze remained fixed on Amy. The odd feeling slowly spread across his whole body until only his head didn't feel the same. Just then the metallic head of Amy gave a shimmer and in a blink of an eye changed. The metal changed to flesh and the loving eyes of his wife returned. Tails sniffed, it was unreal. There was a hiss and the glass capsule around them rose upwards. Tails and Amy looked at each other for a moment and then fell into each others arms. They hugged tightly neither of them speaking. Standing nearby was Sonic, Sally and Links. Next to Links stood Lavender. She was still a little weak on her feet but had insisted on being here. At the sight of her parents she seemed to develop a new strength. She pulled away from Links' grasp, stumbled across the room and flung her arms around Tails and Amy. The three of them stood in silence, cherishing this moment. The moment they were finally together again.

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Miles and Alicia sat by the shore of Knotlake lake. Miles was practicing skimming stones and Alicia was reading. Slowly Alicia looked up from her book.

"Hey Miles." she said.

Miles stopped and looked at her for a moment.

"Yeah sis." he replied throwing another stone and getting it to do four skips before sinking.

"Do you think Chalk is acting differently now?" asked Alicia.

Miles stopped and looked at her. He nodded.

"Yeah I've noticed that. You think it's something to do with all that happened?"

"Yes. She kept saying that she'd keep going until she had corrected all of her mistakes and now..."

"…and now with Robotnik gone, the Chaos Zone gone and everyone rescued..."

"…she hasn't got anything to do. It's sad."

"Sure is sis." said Miles throwing another stone.

"I hope she's ok." said Alicia going back to her book.

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T2 knocked on Chalk hut. He waited but got no response. He knocked again. This time there was a sliding of a bolt and the door opened. Chalk stood there with her eyes closed.

"Hi T2." she said still with her eyes closed.

"Hi Chalk. Just came by to see how you were doing." replied T2.

"Fine."

"You should be better than fine Chalk. Everyone in Knotlake, and I'll bet everyone who has so far heard, is calling you a hero. You killed Robotnik."

"Yeah." replied the rabbit unenthusiastically turning away.

"Chalk?" asked T2 stepping through the door after her, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

"Come on. I know you better than that Chalk."

"It's just……look T2. Ever since Robotnik captured me and made me do all those things my sole purpose in life has been to correct my mistakes. Now it's all done."

T2 could see where this is going.

"Chalk…"

"No T2. I've made up my mind. I'm leaving. I have to get out on my own. I have to find a new reason to live. A new way, a brighter way. I've already packed. I'm leaving tonight."

T2 hung his head. He had been afraid of this.

"Are you sure you won't change your mind Chalk? There are people here who need you." he said.

"The children…yes. But now that everyone is back to normal I am no longer needed as a baby sitter. No T2. My mind is made up. I have to go."

"Very well Chalk." said T2 holding out his hand, "It's been a pleasure knowing and working with you and I hope you come back to us all someday."

"Thank you." replied Chalk taking T2's hand and shaking it.

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Bunnie slowly propped herself up and rested her back against the head rest of her bed. Sonia smiled and handed her a bowl of soup. Bunnie took it and smiled at her.

"Thanks sugah." she said.

"You're welcome Bunnie." replied the pink hedgehog.

Bunnie was lying in a bed in the medical hut in Knotlake. In a bed next to her was Knuckles. He still hadn't woken up yet and Bunnie was worried about him. She looked at him.

"Don't worry Bunnie. He'll be ok." said Sonia.

"I can't help it sugah. I just can't." replied Bunnie.

"Bunnie look. He might not have woken up…but he is here and he is alive! You gotta be strong."

"I know sugah…it's just hard."

Sonia nodded. She knew how hard it was to be strong in difficult situations.

"Don't worry. Things will be fine."

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It was later that evening when Links and Lavender were walking side by side along the edge of the lake.

"Links." said Lavender.;

"Yes." replied Links.

"When you went off on your own to the Chaos Zone….why did you do it?"

Links sighed.

"Lavender the one thing I can't stand in life is seeing other suffer. I've been through too much suffering and I don't like to see it happen to others. When I learned that it was the Chaos Zone that was causing your pain….I went to see if I could help."

Lavender blinked. She had known that Links cared for her but never this much.

"You risked you life for me?" she asked.

"Yes my dear great niece."

Lavender smiled. Tonight was a sad night but she knew she had people who cared for her. The two of them walked on and soon reached the edge of the village. There was a small crowd gathered and at the centre of it stood Chalk. She had her eyes closed and was looking at the ground. A large rucksack was strapped to her back and her hands held the shoulder straps. She looked as determined as the first day she had been freed from Robotnik's control. People were bombarding questions off her.

"Are you sure Chalk?" asked Sally.

"Sure you don't want some time to think things over?" asked Sonic.

"Why do you have to go?" said Amy.

Chalk just ignored every question she was asked. As Lavender approached she could see the frustration swelling on Chalk's face. She was about to say something when another voice yelled out.

"Good luck Chalk!" it cried.

Everyone stopped and looked. Standing on a rock to the side of the group was Miles and Alicia. They were looking edgeways at Chalk with a broad smile on there faces.

"Good luck Chalk." said Miles again.

"Yes good luck and come back to us soon." put in Alicia.

Chalk slowly raised her head and opened her eyes. She looked at the two children and smiles at them. If only everyone was this mature.

"Thank you." she said slowly.

There was a moment of silence and then Chalk spoke again.

"I am going now. I don't know when I'll return. I have to get out and find my way again. I will remember you all as friends and I promise to return if I ever can. Thank you all for your support and I bid you farewell."

Chalk turned and took a few steps. She slowly turned and looked back at the group. Miles, Alicia and Lavender all waved. She gave them a single wave in return, wiped away a tear and walked away.

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The group had dispersed and all had returned to their huts. Manic slowly pushed open the door to his hut. Sonia hadn't been in the group and she was also not at the hospital looking after Bunnie so he expected her to be inside. The room was dark though. He flicked on the light and looked around. The room was a mess, very unlike Sonia thought Manic. He walked into the room and then noticed an envelope on a desk. He picked it up, it was marked 'Manic'. He opened the envelope and removed a sheet of paper. He unfolded it and read the note on it. When he was done he looked up at the ceiling and sighed.

"Sonia." he said to himself.

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Chalk walked on. The night was closing in fast but she didn't care. She had to get as far from Knotlake as she could tonight. She had to get out on her own and….

"Hey wait up a second Chalk!" cried a voice.

Chalk turned to see a pink hedgehog running up to her. A large backpack was strapped to her back and she looked a bit exhausted. She stopped next to Chalk and took a moment to catch her breath. Finally she raised her head.

"I was afraid I wouldn't catch up with you." said Sonia with a smile.

"Sonia! What are you doing?" asked Chalk rather surprised.

"I'm coming with you."

"No you're not. I need to do this by myself. Go back to Knotla…."

"No!"

"No?"

"No Chalk. I'm not going back. This is my decision."

"And this is mine! I'm doing this alone, just me, no-one else."

"Chalk. Do you remember when your control was first broken?"

"Yes."

"And do you remember how I was lumbered with looking after you? When I was given that job I cringed. You had caused so much pain the thought of healing you was repulsive. But I did it and during that time your story came out while you were dreaming. From virtually that moment I understood you and considered you a friend."

Chalk was just staring at Sonia. She had never told her this before.

"So I have decided to accompany you. As a true friend should. You can't go out on your own. You need someone to help you along. I'm that someone. And like it or not Chalk I'm going with you."

Chalk just stared at Sonia. Slowly a tear formed in her eye. She took a step towards Sonia and threw her arms around her as best she could with her pack on.

"Thank you Sonia. Thank you so much."

She let go smiled at Sonia. Neither of them said any more as they turned and walked away into the night together.