Chapter 12- An Epilogue

"I don't believe it. They were in Lower Mobius all this time!?" The rays of sunlight greeted the group as they came up topside, and Leonard was quick to shield his eyes from the brightness of the outside world. His legs hung over the massive hole to a place he could not return to. Sonic crossed his arms as he brought his attention over to the beleaguered gecko.

"Yeah. I got a hold of them after my little adventure of being Snively's servant for a day." He cringed a little as he remembered the events that played out after rescuing the Underground Freedom Fighters from an early retirement. It was not one of his greatest moments. "Turns out they thought they lost you to Robotnik this whole time. Funny thing, ain't it..." Leonard never turned to face him the entire time he was talking and it was beginning to annoy the already seething Sonic.

Sally was quick to interject. "Perhaps a little reconciliation is in order. We'll get in touch with them. You can apologize to them directly." The words cut through the lizard like a knife and he shrunk into his ill-fitting outfit once more. A curious smile conflicted with her furrowed brow, and the hedgehog could tell she was cooking up something in that brain of hers. "Actually, I do remember you now. You were in Antoine's class."

"Y-you remember me? It was so long ago, I-" The chipmunk brought up her index finger and tutted.

"That's right. You flunked out because Julayla said you were distracted every time I walked into the room. Young love." She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. The gecko squirmed with high pitched noises emanating from his throat as Sally motioned at his 'uniform'. "I remember that too."
"Get to the point, Sal. Sun's going down." It was clear that Sonic was far less amused by the display.

"W-what are you going to do with me, princess?" Leonard was in no position to argue as he awaited judgment. Lupe sniffed the air and huffed loudly as her own patience was beginning to wear thin.

"After apologizing to your team-mates that you left behind, you're to begin training with Antoine immediately. Do I make myself clear?" The entire group gasped in unison save for the chipmunk.

"What!?" Sonic exclaimed as he raced up to Sally's side once more. "Tell me you're not serious about taking that traitor on board."

"S-sally...Princess Sally. Thank you... I will not let you down." The gecko rose up and gave a hasty bow. Flecks of tears dotted the concrete at his feet. "I was wrong. I look forward to regaining your trust." The chipmunk looked him over and nodded silently with a smile. Nothing more needed to be said. However, there was one who didn't feel that way.

"I don't believe this. C'mon Sal, let's head back before I lose my lunch."

–

Hours later...

The forest clearing just outside of Knothole was bathed in the light amber of lights glistened in the distance. A sharp, cool wind blew through as Sally moved to catch her hair before the gust took it in its embrace. It was much easier to manage when it was braided, but that was her childhood. A world she left behind, and yet... A harsh noise broke the relative silence as the young boy she spent so much time with raced to her once more.

"Sal. I gotta apologize for earlier. For-" She interrupted him with a peck on the cheek. The two blushed under the moon which was now rising above the treeline.

"Don't. I knew you were coming for me the entire time. You and Lupe." Suddenly, she felt the weight of something hit her shoulders. Something heavy and warm.

"Bet you weren't expecting this blanket? Huh?" Sonic's wide grin dispelled all tension at once as the two huddled underneath the thick wool fabric. Knowing looks were exchanged as their hands clasped together.

"Didn't expect you to be so romantic, hedgehog." She couldn't resist another jab; he kept leaving himself wide open.

"Didn't expect you to be so forgiving, Sal." That one hurt.

"Is this about Lenny? Sonic, I think he's jealous of what we have. The comfort and safety of the forest, the friendships, and..." She sighed and brought her fingers up to the bridge of her nose, anticipating his response.

"Us. Yeah, I know. It's just that people like him don't change easily. It's gonna be a long road for him. Just know that if he tries anything funny-" Laughter erupted from Sally as he continued, which only served to confuse the hedgehog.

"Sounds like Griff...and Ari...and a lot of others we know!" The two locked eyes with each other once more as he began to stifle his own mirth. "Despair can bring out the worst in people. All we can do is laugh and look toward the future. You of all people taught me that, Sonic!"

"I'll admit, you rubbed off on me a bit too. Gotta slow down and think once in awhile." Sally jabbed him playfully in the arm as she looked at him incredulously.

"Got you to slow down!? You've got to be kidding!" Another sharp wind pierced the blanket as she stifled a shiver. "Let's continue this wonderful discussion we're having... My hut?"

"It's a date then." Rolling her up in the blanket, Sonic picked her up in his arms and raced off towards Knothole once more. Sally couldn't find in herself to get in a last word this time as the exhaustion from the eventful day finally took hold.

You win this time, Sonic.

The End

Author's Note: Whew! Finally done! This set of stories took way longer due to unexpected burnout on my end. I'd like to thank my Twitter followers and the Team Sea3on and Knothole City discords for putting up with my BS during this period. Also, to all of you who stuck with me, THANK YOU! I'm going to try and wrap up the other stories I have left unfinished before soldiering on. As of this writing, Archie Sonic will be 30 years old on the 24th of November this year. Find a way to celebrate and be cool to one another this Thanksgiving! Ciao!