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Chapter 9: "De-Roboticized"

In the week immediately following the destruction of Doomsday and the fall of Robotnik, the resistance had moved into high gear. Snively helped Princess Acorn and Nicole to put Robotropolis in a state of stasis, all of the roboticized Mobians and swat-bots becoming inactive or receptive to commands from Sally and a few of the other resistance leaders to avoid any chaos. Uncle Chuck, of course, got to work as soon as he could on constructing a de-roboticizer. Rotor was his first volunteer, and when they had finalized the plans, a third joined their little team.

Metic analyzed the plans, led them to the old roboticizer, and used his unique powers over machinery to start ripping out the components they needed. Several different models were planned, to reverse the city-wide effect Robotnik had initiated when he first took-over, but a personal de-roboticizer was first on the agenda.

So, while Sally, Sonic, Bunnie, Antoine, Lupe and the others started to get the city organized again, the robot, roboticized hedgehog, and walrus got to work. A further three days later, they were near finished.

Sir Charles pulled himself out of a maintenance hatch. "How's the feed now, Rotor?"

The walrus was manning a console on the other side of the large device, with Metic standing in the middle, constructing interface systems and the de-roboticizing chamber itself. "Much better, Uncle Chuck. All the power feeds are reading green now."

Moving away from the machine, Uncle Chuck admired it for a moment. Rotor stood at the console on the left, which was set in a smoothly contoured frame of pale gray metal, which then arched up over the raised platform that would serve as the de-roboticizing chamber with the diamond-glass tube Metic was placing under the articulated arms in the arch itself. On the right side was the bulk of the machinery, in a large, contained 'engine' of sorts.

They had placed it in the old cell-block of Robotnik's fortress, which would be restored to the Mobotropolis palace, Sally's old home, as soon as possible, in order to start breaking the symbols of Robotnik's rule right from the foundation.

A moment later, the glow faded from around Metic, and he stepped down onto the floor. "According to the schematics, it is complete, Sir Charles."

The older hedgehog gave Metic a pat on the shoulder. "You saved us so much time, Metic. All of Mobius will be grateful for this."

Metic's optics shifted, as if awkward. "I only did it for one Mobian."

Rotor controlled a smile at his console, Uncle Chuck nodding. "Princess Sally then?"

In fact, Metic's mind was focused on a different Mobian woman, but he chose to answer, "I believe this will bring a smile to her face, yes."

At this, Rotor stepped back himself, looking to Sir Charles and the robot. "All that's left is to test this puppy. It's risky no matter who it is."

Uncle Chuck nodded. "I'd volunteer, but I don't want to seem so greedy after I designed the original roboticizer. And I don't want to drag Bunnie in here until we're sure it works. She's been through too much to torture her further."

Metic analyzed his memory banks for a moment. "Perhaps there is a roboticized individual who would be willing to accept the risk?"

His co-workers looked at him curiously…

(The same day…)

Some time later, a roboticized, tall, lanky Mobian was walked into the de-roboticizer room by Uncle Chuck and Rotor, Metic following behind. They stood the poor fellow in front of the machine first, and looked at him, his optics blankly staring at the floor.

Rotor patted the feline Mobian's shoulder. "Cat? We know you're still in there, and we need to hear from you. We've got a de-roboticizer here that might work, but it's risky. Do you want to take that risk?"

They waited for a moment more, and then Cat started shaking. Abruptly, his body re-animated, and he flared his optics up at them. "Risk? To get out of this hell?"

Though struck with sympathy, Rotor and Uncle Chuck laughed with the poor man. He strongly resembled his original form, even keeping the small beard and whiskers, though made of wire rather than hair, and had a similar gray, off-brown coloring to his metal plating as his original fur had. Cat nodded. "Happy to be a guinea pig if it might get me back to normal." Then he stretched. "Ugh! I wish I'd found a way to snap out of that while Robotnik was still around…"

Uncle Chuck smiled a bit. "It was much harder with him around. I figured Rotor would get through to you. Are you ready?"

Cat nodded, and Metic simply stood back, watching and waiting. Rotor helped Cat up onto the platform, into the small circle on it that indicated where the chamber would press down into place. Cat waited, and Uncle Chuck manned the console as Rotor stepped back, joining Metic. The machine whirred to life, a powerful hum filling the room. The diamond-glass chamber pressed down around Cat, who gave a wary thumbs up. Uncle Chuck pressed the main command button, and green energy sparked around the chamber as it suddenly filled with soft, white gas.

A groan sounded from inside, worrying Sir Charles and Rotor… but then Rotor saw a soft, furry hand press to the glass through the mist. He nodded to Uncle Charles, rushing up to the tube himself. The roboticized hedgehog vented the mist, and unlatched the chamber. The tube rose up from around a completely furred, normal Mobian man.

"Cat! It worked!"

The lanky man pushed himself up with a light grin. "I know." He suddenly hugged Rotor. "Oh thank the creator! You guys did it!"

Uncle Chuck stepped around, smiling. "Thank you for your help, Cat. This effect should be as permanent as the roboticizer itself, but don't panic if you revert. We'll keep tweaking it until it fixes the problem."

Cat smiled, shaking his head. "I can feel it, Uncle Chuck." He raised his fists on either side. "I'll be very surprised if I revert, but don't worry, I won't freak out."

Metic raised his head finally. "Do we wait and see, or begin de-roboticizing immediately?"

Uncle Chuck rubbed his chin. "Let's give it… twenty-four hours. Cat, mind keeping a low profile for a day?"

The feline shook his head. "Not at all, if it'll help the others."

Rotor grinned. "Come on, I'll get you to a real bed for a change."

Cat laughed, content and quite happy. "That sounds like Heaven."

(The next day…)

Twenty-four hours later, Sally, Sonic, Tails, Antoine, Dulcy, and Bunnie herself were being escorted into the de-roboticizer room by Rotor. The walrus had been too excited to spoil the surprise, and had only told them that a lot of progress had been made since they'd last checked in.

Sonic was getting impatient, of course. "Couldn't I just juice us all there already?"

Rotor waved him down, and Sally swatted his shoulder. "We're here, so relax." And he opened the door.

Waiting inside were Metic and Uncle Chuck, on either side of Cat, who was grinning with his hands on his hips. Dulcy had never seen the feline man, but as she ducked into the room, realized it was quite good to see him as Sally held her hands to her mouth, Sonic gave a shout of triumph, and Bunnie ran over, hugging the tall man. Tails was hollering and jumping with excitement, Antoine just clapping lightly.

Cat finally pulled back from Bunnie with a big smile. "Guess what, Bunnie?"

She blinked at him. "What…?"

Uncle Chuck nudged Metic in the side, and the robot's optics flickered at him for a heart-beat, then focused on Bunnie. "It is your turn, Bunnie."

The cyborg focused on Metic instantly, and then it hit her. Her eyes widened, watered, and focused over on the machine waiting at the back of the room, her mouth hanging slack from the disbelief of her long-time dream coming into the real world. "Y-you mean…?"

Uncle Chuck smiled fondly. "Step up there, Bunnie. We just let Cat go first because he was willing to take the risk if we'd miscalculated anything. It's real this time. All the parts are there, every scrap of them. Cat has shown no signs of reversion for a full twenty-four hour period.

Sally was actually crying herself, Sonic patting her shoulder. "Just get up there, Bunnie!" the poor woman finally blurted out in exasperated happiness.

The rabbit jerked, then giggled, and anxiously stepped up onto the platform, spotting the circle, and placing herself in it, facing everyone with a bit of a blush on her cheeks and a giddy smile on her lips.

Uncle Chuck nodded to the walrus. "Rotor, help her out, would you?"

He grinned, and ran over to the console, starting it up. "Hold on, Bunnie. Just a few more seconds."

Everyone gathered close, Dulcy staying on all-fours in the low-ceiling room. Bunnie looked up as the tube pressed down around her, and then fidgeted with her hands as she waited. The green energy sparked, and the white gas burst into the tube. Bunnie gave a light 'oof!', and Rotor vented the gas, the tube lifting away.

…And there sat Bunnie, on her soft, furry legs, staring down at her left arm, seamlessly flowing into her shoulder, all soft brown fur, and quite as lovely as her right always had been. Sally pressed her lips between her teeth to stop from sobbing, her eyes watering, as Bunnie had to start wiping her own with both hands, trying not to break down into sobs of joy in front of everyone. "M-my stars, y'all… T-they're… really… really back…"

Sally realized the perfect thing to do, and suddenly pushed Tails toward the floppy-eared woman. "Go Tails!" she whispered playfully.

The fox boy grinned up at the princess, and then ran over, diving into Bunnie's lap. The rabbit woman laughed, startled happily, and squeezed the little fox into her front with a tight hug. "Aunt Bunnie, you're so soft!" Tails giggled as he hugged her back.

She gasped with another laugh, giggling, blushing, and crying all at once. "I sure am! I can finally give you a real hug, darlin'!"

"You always gave the best hugs, Aunt Bunnie!"

The poor woman couldn't resist the tears anymore, half-sobbing as she patted his head, keeping him close on her lap. "Aw… ain't you just the sweetest little thing, Tails…"

Tails hopped up as Bunnie rose onto her own two feet for the first time in far too long. Though the bulky limbs had never detracted from her beauty before, she certainly had a lovely figure with her original three limbs back. Sonic cleared his throat into his fist, blushing a bit, but Sally just nudged him with a wry glance before running up to her friend herself. "Bunnie… I'm so happy for you…"

Her friend smiled powerfully at Sally, and then embraced her. "I know ya are, Sally-girl… I know ya are…" And she finally broke down sobbing completely, just hanging onto Sally's shoulders.

The squirrel woman held her up, sobbing herself, but both women were smiling so happily. For Bunnie, her shame was completely shattered, she felt like herself again, and for the others, her dear friends, it was the biggest single event that signaled the end of Robotnik's reign of cruelty.

Over the next few moments, Bunnie hugged and laughed with each of them there, even Antoine himself, and Uncle Chuck. Only one person remained, and he stood far back, never assuming he was included in their abundant joy. Bunnie, however, pulled away from Uncle Chuck, and smiled gently at Metic as he stood so far away in the small room, his head tilted down. Sally let Tails hug her leg, Sonic putting an arm around her shoulders, and she called the others back a bit as Bunnie walked up to the robotic hero that had been one of their most feared enemies. "Metic…?"

He looked up into her lovely green eyes, which were glowing with so much relief and gratitude. "Yes, ma'am?"

She coiled her arms around him, closing her eyes against fresh tears as she had to raise herself onto tip-toes on his larger frame. Metic was surprised, his optics flaring, but his arms came around to hold onto her, not wanting her to fall. The metal claws just rested against her back, however, never closing against her. Bunnie wasn't sure if it would mean anything to him, but she stroked the metal beside one of his razor-fins, and whispered, "You helped me get 'em back, Sugar-bot. I'll never forget it… I swear…"

He lowered his voice to a whisper as well. "…I only wanted you to smile… For what I did, you owe me nothing."

Bunnie held on. "I owe you as much as any a-my friends, Metic…" Then she smirked a bit. "'Sides… I thought you wanted Sally-girl to smile…"

"That also… but my priorities shifted after you embraced me the first time…"

At this she pulled back from him, his arms snapping away before they could resist her choice, and gently looked into his optics. "…You sayin' you did this just to see me smile, darlin'?"

"With all of the power at my disposal."

A softness came over her features, replacing the glowing joy for a meaningful affection for such a devoted friend. She smiled warmly, and then eased close, pressing her left hand to one of his cheeks, and lightly kissing the other.

His optics flared, Sonic making an 'uuu' sound (for which he was more powerfully nudged by Sally), and Bunnie pulled back with a playful wink. "I think ya earned one better 'an a smile, darlin'. Hope ya don't mind?"

Metic blinked rapidly at her, stunned. "O-oh… that… was…. most appreciated." The metal on his faceplate was actually starting to tone red under the effects of his unique power.

Dulcy giggled. "You made a robot blush, Bunnie!"

It let the rabbit woman blush, giggling herself as she held a hand near her mouth. "I guess you're right, Dulcy. And ain't he surprisingly cute for a big-bad war machine?" She recovered with an alluring wink over at her friends.

Everyone started laughing, Metic ducking his head down as a faint chuckle came from his calm voice. Sonic hopped into the middle of everything abruptly, striking a playful pose. "And, of course, you all know what this calls for, right?"

"What?" Sally and some of the others played along lightly.

"Just the biggest party on Mobius since the end of the great war."

Uncle Chuck laughed. "Let's try to get the city closer to normal and get our people de-roboticized before that party can take place, Sonic."

The fastest thing on Mobius stuck his tongue out at his uncle, and everyone laughed again. Sally smiled over at Uncle Chuck as they calmed down. "I'll contact Snively, and we'll start de-roboticizing the population first-thing."

Metic raised a claw. "I can begin working on the larger-scale devices, to restore the city."

Rotor trotted over. "I'll help ya out there."

So-decided, they got to work. Bunnie, for her part, picked Tails up in her arms, and walked out laughing as she tickled the poor boy mercilessly. Tails was so happy for her. He had never seen Aunt Bunnie smile in such a lovely way, and it just refused to leave her beautiful face.

(Time goes on…)

Over the course of the following month, Snively helped organize the de-roboticization of the population, while Metic, Rotor, and Uncle Chuck designed larger-scale devices to fix the city and landscapes around Mobius. The friend were gathered one more time, however, for Uncle Chuck's de-roboticization, which had been a long time coming.

He put the finishing touches on the city-repair system with his original hands, and Metic helped get it started. By the end of the month, Mobotropolis had been restored, and the smog was breaking apart thanks to air-cleaning facilities arranged around the borders of the city itself, again thanks to Rotor, Sir Charles, and Metic.

As the remaining member of the royal family, Princess Sally Acorn moved into the palace, though she volunteered it as the center of government, with her living quarters connected. Though everything remained very casual, she appointed the leaders of the other rebel groups as her chief ministers, with Sonic the hedgehog as the minister of defense.

With the swat-bots themselves being converted into the old service and order droids that had patrolled Mobotropolis in its hay-day, it became clear that Mobius was really returning to normal, and that meant a long-awaited celebration was absolutely necessary. The palace was opened while the sun still sent rays glistening across the cityscape of yellow stone, pale streets, and plentiful gardens. The entire population began to celebrate, with parades, dancing, and music in the streets, everyone welcome to join in the feast and dancing prepared inside the palace as well.

In the main hall of the palace, Cat and a group of his friends showed off their old talents for music, playing all sorts of instruments with lively, happy rhythms, perfect for celebration and dancing.

Sonic stood by one of the buffet tables, his shoe tapping the floor with his usual impatience. "Honestly, what is she up to anyway?"

A soft giggle came from behind him, and the hedgehog spun around, only to gawk and blush.

Sally smiled brightly at his shock. She was dressed in her old princess-attire, with a pale blue top, baggy, transparent sleeves bound at the wrists, and similar pants, bound at the waist and ankles. Her hair was tied back, with a lovely golden tiara on her forehead. "It's been a while, I thought I might try something…"

Trying to recover, Sonic began to smile. "It… looks great on you, Sal."

She blushed gently, tipping her head, and then winked, nodding out to the dancing. "So are you gonna show me how fast those feet really are?"

The hedgehog grinned, and then made a grand show of bowing with an offered hand. "My pleasah, madame." He was obviously making fun of Antoine's accent without falling into it himself.

His beloved squirrel giggled, took his hand, and pulled him out onto the dance floor. Even Sir Charles was laughing merrily as he danced little jigs over on the side, Antoine blushing as he asked a lovely fox-woman, recently de-roboticized, for her hand. She obliged him with a happy smile, and they spun around the dance-floor with the best of them.

Rotor stood by the doorway, smiling as he looked around. He was never sure what to do at parties like this, but he liked seeing everyone so happy after all the trauma of the fighting. Of course, there was still a lot left to do, but restoring the city was well worth celebrating to his view.

A soft voice cleared its throat behind him, and the walrus quickly spun around. Rather like Sonic with Sally, the poor man was stunned stiff, his mouth hanging open.

Bunnie smiled bashfully, blushing a bit, as she stood in a long dress of metallic pink, her ears quirked as ever, but her fur freshly washed and shining around her brilliant green eyes. She seemed a bit nervous herself, patting the bodice and upper part of her skirt self-consciously as she stood in front of him. "Hi there, Sugar. I'm just… not quite used to all this… dress business."

Finally finding his voice, Rotor smiled and managed, "Well you could've fooled me. You look amazing, Bunnie."

She smiled happily, and came closer to him. "Thank you kindly, Sugar." And then she leaned over, pecking his cheek. Not wanting to laugh at him as he blushed, she continued, "I think I owe ya a dance for all you've done for me during this big war and all… Wanna?"

Rotor was still blushing, scratching the back of his head. "I'm a really horrible dancer, Bunnie. Two left feet and all that…"

The rabbit woman just winked, and took his hands. "Then I'll show ya how it's done."

He gave a playful yelp as he was dragged onto the floor, but proved to be a perfectly adequate dancer, relaxing with a good friend and just having fun.

Lupe, surprising everyone, turned out to have an excellent singing voice, and joined in on Cat's band with her ad-libbed lyrics, half-laughing as everyone enjoyed her talent. Dulcy, comically enough, was dancing lightly with little Tails and the other children in the palace, their restored parents laughing and smiling as they watched.

It was all simply lovely to see, even for a robotic mind. Metic stood out from the dance-floor, waiting by one of the balcony doors, his hands behind his back. No one seemed bothered by his presence, which relieved him, but he didn't want to disturb anyone. He knew it wouldn't take much for anyone to remember his past rather than his most recent aid to their cause.

Of particular satisfaction to the robot, were the sincerely joyful smiles on Sally and Bunnie's faces as they danced with Sonic and Rotor. The princess and her blue hero simply belonged together, it was plain even to his synthetic eyes, and Bunnie had long been grateful for all of Rotor's aid. Had he a mouth, Metic would have been calmly smiling, but his lightened optics revealed as much over his vented faceplate.

Someone came up beside him, and the robot idly glanced to the side. "You seem more nervous than I, here, Snively."

The former subordinate of Robotnik gave a nervous smile in his new uniform, a Mobian official's white and gold regalia. Clearing his throat, Snively replied, "If I hadn't been assisting with the de-roboticizing, I think I would've been lynched already…"

Metic looked over the crowd again. "Likely, but you did help. They know that." His memory banks registered some old data, and he spoke again, "Are you not familiar with some musical instruments, Snively?"

The reformed man blinked up at the robot. "What…?"

Nodding up to the band, Metic replied, "Join in the fun."

Blinking, as if he'd simply not considered it before, Snively hurried over to the band, waited for their current song to finish as everyone danced happily, and then whispered to Cat and Lupe. They laughed, and brought him up onto the stage, where he took to one of the wind-instruments, and with the start of the next song, proved surprisingly adept with it, adding a nice flighty mood to the already free-form music.

Sally, Sonic, Bunnie, and Rotor found each other on the dance-floor, sharing laughs as they all took a break between songs. Realizing they were worn out for a moment, they all retreated to the side, the men fetching their ladies drinks. Coincidentally, Metic was standing not far off from where they took a break, and Sonic waved him over as he returned with Sally's drink. Rotor, Sally, and Bunnie all smiled when Metic blinked at being summoned, showing they didn't have a problem with it at all. So the robot came over, a bit awkward. "Yes, sir?" he asked quietly of Sonic first.

The hedgehog laughed. "You're calling me 'sir' now, Metic?"

"You'd prefer 'Minister'?"

Sonic blanched, but everyone else in their little group was laughing, especially when it was combined with Metic's dry humor.

Sally finally controlled her laughter enough to add, "I don't think Sonic will ever answer to that title."

"No way!" the hedgehog affirmed instantly, waving his hands out.

Bunnie smirked at Metic, and then whispered to Rotor. The walrus chuckled, nodding and waving to her to continue. So, the rabbit woman hopped in front of Metic, setting her cup down on the nearest table. "Now do you see the big problem with this party, Sugar-bot?" she playfully began, setting her furry hands on her hips.

Metic blinked at her, surprised she was so close anyway, and then looked around, scanning the room. "…Everyone seems to be enjoying the party…"

She knocked on his metal chest with one knuckle. "'Cept you! Now are you gonna dance with me, or is a lady gonna have to get forceful with ya?" She mock-threatened him, raising one fist.

The robot was completely thrown for a loop, and the princess, Sonic, and Rotor were all trying to avoid bursting out in laughing at their poor friend. Metic quickly glanced to the dance floor, and back to Bunnie. "I… am not comfortable to dance with… Being metal… and such…"

Bunnie smirked, and he knew his tactic had failed. "You forgettin' I was a cyborg for the last few years, Sugar-bot? A little bit of cold metal ain't gonna bother me while I'm dancin' with a friend who helped me get my old body back and trounce that nasty old rust-bucket Robotnik to boot!" She leaned over, and yanked his hands up with her own. "Now come dance!"

Metic gave a pitiful moan as she dragged him out onto the dance-floor, and Sally smiled happily as Bunnie rushed into a playful display in front of the robot, completely relaxed and cutting loose. Metic, for his part, took a few seconds to start moving, but started to mimic motions he'd seen others use… before seeing how freely Bunnie was hopping and spinning around with him. He started to blur and spin, catching her hands whenever she reached for him, and actually dancing quite well.

It was actually quite cute, and Sally found herself pouting over at them. "He's actually just a big softy around Bunnie, isn't he?"

Rotor chuckled. "Completely different person compared to what he came from. It's really amazing."

"Not to mention the amazing inspiration behind his design!" Sonic added in classic flare, striking a pose and stroking back some spines.

Rotor and Sally both rolled their eyes, laughing, and then Sally pulled Sonic into a warm hug. He melted in her arms, blushing and smiling. "Yeah, you're pretty amazing… for a brash, super-impatient hedgehog… But I wouldn't want you any other way."

They laughed together, Rotor grinning for them himself.

It was a grand party, with old freedom fighters enjoying the excitement and relaxation of freedom too long in coming. Families reunited, friends, and loved ones, all able to appreciate each other after a cruel time with all the more affection. Even a robotic ally knew it what it was like to feel happiness and joy with others, finding it so easily in the appreciation and strength of a young woman dancing with him.

It was a good day.

(That night…)

Glowing with silvery beauty high in the night sky, the Mobian moon was so much more welcome for the absence of the smog that had once hid it almost perpetually from view. Standing out on a high balcony of the palace, Sally Acorn sighed contentedly, resting her hands on the balustrade around the edge. Robotnik was gone, her people were saved from the horrors of roboticization, and the city itself had been restored. There was so much to be joyful about, but a lingering sorrow softened her smile from it's full expression.

Her dear father. Robotnik had banished him to the void, but she knew he was alive. If only she could hear his voice call her Bean again, or have him embrace her so affectionately. Sally lowered her face, looking down over the almost fully-restored city.

"Hey…"

A soft start caught her breath, but she turned to smile fondly at Sonic, the blue hedgehog toeing the ground behind her with an awkward smile.

"Mind if I join you out here?"

"Please," she invited, nodding.

Sonic walked up to her, and offered his arms. Sally exhaled, wrapped her arms around him, and letting him embrace her in his surprisingly tender, loving manner. He was so different when they were alone, but it fit so well with his playful bravado and impatience the rest of the time. She rested her head on his shoulder, and found it easy to smile again.

"We'll find your Dad, Sal."

Her sapphire eyes flared gently, and then turned gentle with sorrow and appreciation for Sonic's understanding. She pulled her right arm up, patting his cheek as she rested her watering eyes into his neck. "Thank you, Sonic… For saying that…"

"Hey, it was time for a big party today, but we're not done yet. We all know that, Sal. Bunnie, Unc… Heck, even Ant."

She giggled through her tears. "Of course… you're all such amazing friends…"

Sonic held her close, his eyes looking down over her arm, but they weren't really focused on anything. "So… am I just a good friend, Sal?"

The princess stiffened with surprise, easing her head up from his shoulder, letting him look back into her eyes with a gentle humor in his smile, as if it weren't important. She knew better. The squirrel smiled in her gentle, beautiful way, and caressed his cheek. "…I wouldn't mind if you were a little different than a friend, Sonic…"

Her speedy hero grinned. "Way past cool…"

Sally laughed, blushing with him as they huddled close again. "You have a way with words, Sonic…" she almost moaned at his lack of tact, but it just so like him she found it charming.

He pulled his head back a bit, and she looked up at his face softly. "We'll get everything back we can, Sal. Your Dad, any left-overs from Ro-butt-nik… If we can find it, we will."

It made her smile more, but Sally finally touched a finger to his lips, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Let your mouth stop running for a second… I want to kiss you."

He clamped his jaw shut, blushing. She giggled, and pressed her lips to his, her eyes falling shut. His followed suit, and they simply lingered together, happy in each other's arms. When they parted, smiling fondly, mutually grateful, Sonic added, "I'll always stop for you."

"And I believe it."

They held each other close in the moonlight, sharing their love over a beautiful city, an old home reborn. Many adventures lay ahead, but instead of fighting for survival, the future was bright with hope. They had peace.

Finé

(Author's Note)

And we're done. I sincerely hope the finish was satisfactory for you all. My arc was done, but I very much wanted to admit that there was more left to do. It's simply a change in the state of things, much to the better. I'd also be the first to admit that Snively's abrupt reformation is a stretch, but I really intend for him to just be 'surviving', which I tried to make more obvious with the 'lynched' remark he made at the party. If I ever write a sequal-fic to this one, I'll make a bigger deal out of Snively's development and consequences of his own evils under Robotnik.

In the end, Metic, the real arc of the story, is fully Mobian (human) in all ways except physically. He has a heart, feelings, and intelligence of his own, he's just very different from his friends by his nature. His programming drove him toward Sally, his experiences drew him toward Bunnie. I deliberately leave Bunnie's 'romantic' status vague here at the end, because I really liked how she and Rotor interacted, and didn't specifically need a romantic link with Metic for my own satisfaction. I think you could make a good argument, based on the fic, for either as a couple (or neither, and just keep the three very good friends). All that said, I did really enjoy having Bunnie kiss Metic on the cheek, and the response thereafter.

I'm happy with the fic. It is what it is. Not a great, ground-breaking work, but my own spin on things, with a reasonable level of quality to my own eyes. I hope you enjoyed it, thank you very much for all the reviews and critiques, and thank you for reading.

--Cy