Author's Note: Realizing how long the previous chapter was, I had to cut the ending part out to put into this chapter instead, but now the ending is finally here! Though we still have the Epilogue to go after this and then it's really the end of the story!
I do not own Sonic The Hedgehog. All rights belong to Sega. I only own the OCs.
Chapter 27: Home At Last.
Sonic's Prime Universe: One second after the Time Eater's attack...
As soon as Sonic's vision cleared and the brightness faded, he felt as if the whole adventure in the White Space never even happened. In fact, the moment he opened his eyes, he found himself back in the picnic spot where, surprisingly enough, his surprise birthday party set wasn't ruined at all. Like the Time Eater never came.
Blinking in surprise that the party didn't need to be rescheduled, Sonic then noticed his Chili-Dog present Tails gave him about to land on the ground and swiftly and easily caught it in his right hand, smiling before taking a second bite out of it.
"Mmmmm...Still warm." Sonic moaned in delight, swallowing the bite and smiled happily, grinning. "Heh, time-travel!"
"Hey, Sonic!"
"Huh?" The birthday hedgehog looked to his left, and smiled in surprise and happiness when Young Sonic, who also returned to normal, came running towards him, waving before skidding to a stop. "Hey! You're alright and you're here! I was really worried!"
"Me too!" Young Sonic exclaimed happily, laughing. "One minute, everything exploded when you and me stopped Cormain, and the next thing I knew, I was over there near this birthday picnic party. Then I saw you appear!"
Sonic just smiled and happily hugged his younger, alternate-self who returned it, and then the blue hedgehog ruffled the youngster's head which made the eleven year old giggle, as not a micro second later, Tails, Young Tails, Amy, Young Amy, Cream and Cheese, Big, Froggy, Knuckles, the Chaotix, Sun, Star, Rouge, Chris, and even Shadow appeared out of thin air. Then six more familiar faces appeared to Sonic's right and more happiness filed the hero of Mobius.
Red, Kintobor, Blaze, Silver, a newly revived Fiona Fox, and even Scourge were all here, all looking around in surprise.
Seeing this made almost everybody cheer happily that they were finally free from the White Space, and the heroes of Mobius were finally back home where they belonged. Everything was back to normal! Tails and Young Tails along with Amy, Young Amy, Chris, Cream and Cheese, even Sun, Star and Chris hurried over the two Sonics who hugged him happily, all of them laughing cheerfully while careful for not causing Sonic to accidentally drop his present his little brother gave him.
"We did it, Sonic! We're finally back home!" Tails cheered happily.
"You bet, little buddy! It's great to be back." Sonic agreed, gently nuzzling his head on top of his little brother's and softly kissed it. He was so happy that not only everybody was safe and sound, but also that everything was back to normal. They were all safe. They were finally home.
The Moebians and the kindly scientist smiled happily at the scene, while Scourge, sighing, noticed to his confusion, that his jacket was not only fixed up, but his fur...it was cobalt blue, just like how he used to be before he tried to take control of the Superior Emerald, and his sunglasses were fixed up like they'd never been broken.
"Okay, what's going on?" Scourge asked in utter confusion, looking at himself as he couldn't understand what just happened. "What happened to my green fur and-"
"Scourge? Is that-is that you?"
Hearing the voice of a girl, one he didn't think he would ever hear again, speak to him, made his heart leap as it also got everybody else's attentions, and they too were shocked to see not just Scourge's colour change to make him exactly like a mirror image of Sonic, but also the female beautiful fox's presence as her attire was less gothic and more...casual. Yet to the former Terror of Moebius, she was the same as she had ever been. Alive, revived, and...smiling emotionally at her hedgehog boyfriend who began to tear up. Unable to believe what and who he was seeing.
Was he having a dream?
"F-Fiona? Fi? Is it..is it really you?" Scourge whispered, tearing up as he slowly approached his revived lover, as she approached him just as tearful. She slowly reached over and gently caressed his right cheek and he returned the gesture. "Is this real?"
"It is...I'm here..." Fiona nodded, smiling tearfully. "I'm back..."
Feeling so many emotions, tears falling freely as he never thought this day would come, guilt, sorrow, happiness, all emotions mixing up inside him, Scourge then wailed out his girlfriend's name and hugged her desperately, holding her against his chest as he wept and cried on her shoulder as she did the same for him.
"Fi, oh Fi! I'm so sorry! I messed up too many times...! Please forgive me...!" Scourge sobbed, not wanting to let go, fearing that if he even loosened his grip she would just disappear on him.
"Shhh...I-It's alright, Scourge. Oh, Scourge...I'm sorry I left you...! I didn't want-I didn't want to leave you...I love you...!" Fiona wept, relieved to be back to life, though she strangely felt she never died to begin with, and Scourge in turn felt the same.
"I love you too, Fi...So, so much..." The former green hedgehog responded.
As the two lovers were finally reunited and wept in each other's arms, Sonic and everybody else, relieved and smiled to see that both Silver and Red were save and sound as well which made the hero of Mobius quite happy, something strange seemed to be going on.
"But, I don't get it. I mean, I can understand Silver being here due to the whole dual memories thing, and I saved Red, but why is Scourge back to his blue colour? I thought you guys said he changed to green when he tried to take over the Superior Emerald." Sonic shrugged cluelessly to Kintobor and the Moebians.
"Yeah, I thought so too, only...Something's funny with my head." Red said, blinking in confusion as he rubbed his head, puzzled. "I remember everything we've been through in that weird White Space, but now I'm starting to remember new memories like they're a dream only real. I think I see myself going to school, and...Mom and Dad actually being there, with my big brother Scourge who went to high school and...met Fiona there, and we met...Tails who has a different name and became another friend of ours?"
"I'm starting to see new images of memories myself, meeting you all differently and...you and Scourge both attempting to become my friends with an...Armadillo who is black and red?" Blaze blinked in confusion herself, rubbing her face gently.
"Yeah, I'm starting to get new memories too...Everything's not on fire, the world's in peace and...and I...got...parents. A family...?" Silver was confused himself.
"Yes, and I remember now going to the hospital where I...helped to save Scourge and Red's parents and they were all so grateful that we all became friends as well." Even Kintobor was experience the confusion of memories as well.
At that moment, both Scourge and Fiona, attempting to calm down, looked up and wiped away their tears as the former green hedgehog blinked, shrugging. "Okay, I give. I'm starting to remember new crazy memories that make no sense too. Like I've never became the Terror of Moebius at all, but a hero instead, especially with that crazy Kaiser the Metal-Changer's concerned and like Red said, I met Fiona at a high-school."
"Why are they talking like this?" Chris asked, puzzled.
"You're expecting us to answer that question, kid?" Sun raised an eye ridge, skeptically.
"I think something must've happened to Moebius that changed history completely, while both our world and the other Mobius haven't changed at all." Tails theorized, beginning to understand the situation. "Scourge must've made a wish somehow that not only cancelled his first wish, but also created a brand new timeline in Moebius."
"Right, and because of that, history in Moebius changed not only in Silver's future, but also in the present as well." Young Tails nodded in agreement.
While Young Sonic blinked in confusion, at first even Sonic was clueless over this, before he then remembered what Soloman and Tikal told him a short time ago and finally understood the meaning of it. History has changed completely in Moebius and from the looks of it, for the better.
"It's like a what-if scenario, but more real. Nobody would even know it because they're meant to keep following the path they choose. Not go back in time and hope that they wouldn't experience the same terror over and over again. If that makes sense." Sonic realized, blinking.
"Yes, and it is the same now for Scourge, because he has not only cancelled his first wish twice, he also made two wishes which leads him into the same situation and he and everyone in Moebius will have dual memories. His prayers also gave you and your young self the needed power to destroy the Destroyer of Time and Cormain." Soloman nodded.
"You're right, guys. He did do that, and from what I can tell, a little bit of history in our two worlds sorta changed too, but only just a little. Other than that, everything's okay now." Sonic agreed, confusing everybody else as he explained. "Before we came back here, I met up with Tikal and Soloman who told me things that, well, some were sorta confusing, but the Chaos Emeralds are back here spread out in Mobius, and the Sol Emeralds had gone back to Moebius. Like what happened in the world where history completely changed, Moebius ended up in the same way, but much better."
"What's that supposed to mean, bro?" Sun asked, dumbfounded.
"Yeah, I know, it's really confusing. Let's just say that our friends from Moebius here now live in a world where everything's okay and they remember both their new pasts and their old ones. Without Cormain messing things up, new and old timelines had been created or recreated, and returned with new futures. Like a messed up map with many ways to go with a crossroad." The hero of Mobius tried to explain as he still struggled with that detail himself.
"I see. So what has happened in the one world where history has changed the same has happened to us now, because the timelines had briefly linked before de-linking themselves once Cormain and the Time Eater had been destroyed." Kintobor, being the scientist that he was, understood what Sonic was trying to say.
"...Ugh...I don't like Space-Time traveling. It's making my brain hurt here, man." Young Sonic groaned, face-palming himself as he, like Sonic earlier, felt a headache coming on.
"No kidding. To think that I caused all of this in the first place..." Scourge sighed, scratching the top of his head as he felt everybody else's gaze turned to him and he lowered his own. "I...I know that I have a lot to make up for putting all of you into this mess, I just wanna say...that I...I'm really sorry."
While most of Sonic's friends did give the former Terror of Moebius heated glares for putting them all into the mess which nearly costed them their whole lives, their world and all of Space and Time, the look from Sonic, Young Sonic, Tails, Young Tails, and Red, and even from Amy and Young Amy told them that since he had redeemed himself to at least help out in spirit and cancelled his wish, plus having inadvertently done a few good things during the whole adventure, they all shared hesitant glances before deciding that there was no point in being furious with him now given that they were all home.
"Well, I'm not happy with what you put us through, but considering how you did kinda had Sonic and his other self save all of us from Cormain who had been behind everything, I think I'm willing to forgive you on this one." Knuckles grudgingly conceded.
"Me too, especially how you had been upset. Sadness and grief can get to all of us." Amy agreed, which surprised the former green hedgehog. "The fact that you're sorry and you actually helped made things even better now."
"We forgive you, Mr. Scourge." Cream sweetly added, with Cheese chirping in agreement.
"Not only that, even though I'll have to wait for a week or a bit more to see my Uncle Chuck again here in Mobius, same with Sonic to see his parents, if you hadn't, they still woulda been trapped in the Prison of Evil, and through you, I saved your little bro', meaning that you saved him." Sonic reassured, smiling. "Sometimes good things happen during bad situations. As far as things go, Scourge, you're a hero now. The hero of Moebius."
Even though it didn't feel right to be called a hero given what he has done, in his old time-line, Scourge found himself amazed that these people, who had had dragged into his troubles for his now discarded dream to become King of Moebius, weren't that mad at him at all. Through right and wrong, he actually helped to make a difference, inadvertently reunited Sonic with his long-lost uncle who had been thought dead, having had his counterpart to save Red, to destroy Cormain and the Time Eater, whom Scourge felt guilty for not keeping to his promise to the time-eating monster, not apologizing to it or even saying goodbye, and now...not only was everything back to normal, he realized that he had prevented Finitevus from entering the three worlds outside his own, and erased Snively because both were absent in his new memories.
His family...whom he lost in the old timeline were never lost in the new one he created, they were alive, they were all still so happy, living a normal life, and he had become a hero in new circumstances with Red, Fiona, and a kid identical to Tails and Young Tails by his side, no one even hated him. Scourge had made such a difference with Sonic and Young Sonic, Blaze was now among the friends as well along with someone he was starting to remember, and Silver had a new bright future as well.
And Scourge the Hedgehog no longer wanted to rule the world. This new feeling, he wanted to protect it, and cherish his family and friends he had now at long last...and he liked it. Maybe the new timeline will be much better after all.
"Thanks, Sonic. Though I think you and the squirt here are the real heroes. You both did all the work in fixing things up." Scourge smiled back, this time warmly which seemed out of character for Blaze, Silver and Kintobor, but for Red...it was something he deeply missed and was so happy to see again. So much so that the eight year old hedgehog boy happily raced over and hugged his older brother who laughed and hugged him back, joined by Fiona and everyone else, despite some of them still holding a bit of a grudge against the former green hedgehog, smiled happily at this heart-warming scene.
Finally things were looking up.
"Hey, now that everything's back to normal, whaddya say we get back to enjoying the party, and our new friends can hang out with us before they go back home?" Sonic suggested happily, and everyone including his former evil self all cheered on, except for Shadow who rolled his eyes, but ultimately decided that now that he was here, he might as well indulge the birthday boy.
The party resumed without anymore problems, this time bigger than when it started. Sonic had told everyone that Tikal gave her thanks to them, which relieved both Young Sonic and especially Knuckles who had been worried about her, despite that she was now back inside the Master Emerald, and Soloman was alright as well. The group felt sorry for the High-Guard and his people, but as the hero of Mobius had pointed out with sadness, there was nothing they could do, except make sure that everything would be alright.
Vector and Big resumed the eating contest, Charmy, Cream and Cheese, Young Amy, and Red all played together with laughter and fun, Shadow just stood under a tree with his arms crossed, Chris was chatting with Espio and Rouge, Kintobor was having a casual chat with Silver and even Scourge who again apologized for his actions, yet was forgiven and he promised to never go down the dark path ever again, everyone was simply enjoying themselves. Star was getting aqcuinted with Blaze and Fiona, even telling them how she too had a past she didn't know of in the Twilight Cage, how Sun saved her and she made her decision to stay in Mobius.
"I'll admit it to Sonic, he wasn't half bad at all." Knuckles remarked, smirking at another hero's job well done. Sonic had apologized to him about what happened and that Tikal sends her regards, which the Guardian of the Master Emerald was grateful for as he had been worried about his ancestor.
"Half bad? Are you kidding? He was ALL GREAT!" Amy pointed out, being so happy that things turned out wonderful again that she accidentally punched the red echidna where he was sent crashing into a tree as he screamed, before sliding down and was dazed.
Shadow just rolled his eyes, only to notice Sun approach him with the younger hedgehog leaning next to him with his arms folded as well. "I'll admit it, big parties aren't really my kind of thing, but it is Sonic's birthday."
"I didn't even want to come here to begin with. But I suppose given the circumstances, I had no choice. Still, it is a bit more pleasent then what we have been through." Shadow responded.
"Yeah, no kidding. We haven't had such a party since Sonic and Chip stopped Dark Gaia. All things considered, at least we didn't have to deal with our Ro-butt-nik this time around. Well, except for Sonic in that Prison of Evil place." The tangerine hedgehog agreed, smirking as he chuckled. "After today, I could sure use a cheeseburger right about now."
The black hedgehog scoffed before shaking his head in amusement. "You really are your own being, Sun. Because Sonic is more into chili dogs rather than cheeseburgers."
The orange hedgehog just laughed, knowing that friendly-rival was right, while nearby, Tails and Young Tails were having a conversation of the adventures their respective Sonics had gone through.
"Sonic actually did that? Wow!" Young Tails exclaimed after his older, alternate-self explained one part of Sonic's adventures. "How did the Dinosaurs survive and lived underground on Seaside Island?"
Tails paused for a moment after he explained the adventures involving in meeting a dinosaur mother and her baby daughter, before he sheepishly replied while rubbing the back of his head. "Y'know what? I don't know. I keep forgetting to ask."
As everyone was having a great time in celebrating both Sonic's sixteenth birthday as well as celebrating his and Young Sonic's success in destroying both Cormain and the Time Eater once and for all, the two blue heroic hedgehogs were off to the side having a private chat of their own as they felt that their time together was almost over now that everything was finally back to the way they were in most cases.
"Sure has been crazy for both of us, huh?" Sonic asked, his arms folded to his chest as he and his younger, alternate-self thought back to their space-time adventure they had.
"No kidding. To think that we both found out there's more than just one or two of us out there in the world. I don't think I'll be able to meet the other us without losing my head." Young Sonic nodded in agreement, sighing a little as he rubbed his arms.
"You okay?" The sixteen year old asked, worriedly when he noticed how the eleven year old looked a little bit unsettled.
"I'm fine. It's just..." The hero of Alternate-Mobius smiled a little sadly as he gazed up at his older, alternate-self. "I still have a lot to learn, ya' know? I had fun teaming up with you, Sonic, and this adventure was really crazy."
"Hey, we have still have a lot to learn. But we'd better make sure we keep this as a secret, 'cause I don't wanna go through the whole mess of space and time again. It was already bad enough with the Little Planet." Sonic reassured, gently rubbing his younger friend's back.
"That's true."
"Besides, you were really brave, and did a great job today. It was great teaming up with ya'. Hope you learned a few things that'll help you in the future." The cobalt hedgehog continued. "In fact, you learned some already."
"Yeah...you're right. I learned a few things from you. I think I even mastered the boost. Watch this!" The young blue hedgehog agreed, starting to feel a whole lot better already.
He then ran really fast and jumped while attempting to use boost of his own...though he did glow a little bit, Young Sonic didn't get far and yelped while flailing in mid-air before falling and landed on his head, groaning as he flopped onto his back. Though as he moaned in disappointment, he heard Sonic clap happily in approval and turned to see the older blue hedgehog having a look of being really proud of him.
"Dude, sweet! And you're only going to get better!" Sonic praised as he approached his younger friend and held out a hand to help him up. "Keep on practicing and you'll use your own boost in no time."
Young Sonic blinked before he smiled happily and took hold of Sonic's hand and helped to his feet. The two blue hedgehogs laughed before they and everybody else heard a noise which made them all look to see two portals appear out of nowhere, which made the Alternate-Mobians, the Moebians and Kintobor realize where they were heading; one lead to another version of Green Hill, while the other lead to a much brighter city that Red, his brother and his friends recognized; their home world of Moebius.
"There's our rides!" Young Tails announced, though he and everyone else quickly felt their chests ache as they all realized that it was time to go home for him, Young Sonic, Young Amy, Scourge, Red, Fiona, Blaze, Silver and Kintobor.
While sad that it was time to say goodbye, they all knew that it was for the best. Sonic's group, Young Sonic's group, and Red's group all shared final farewells and speeches, with Amy and Young Amy sharing a hug with the older pink hedgehog gently giving her younger, alternate-self, who had in a short time been like a little sister to her, a kiss on her head.
"I'm gonna miss you, Amy." Young Amy sniffled, trying hard not to cry.
"I'm gonna miss you too, Amy. But know that you'll be fine." Amy replied back, tearful herself, before whispering to the eight year old girl. "Maybe you'll be lucky enough to finally win Sonic's heart someday soon."
Cheered up and encouraged by this, the younger Amy nodded with a giggle as she and the older Amy shared one final hug.
"It was great being able to hang out with you. I hope everything will be okay now in your world." Young Tails, with silent tears falling of his own, shared a final goodbye to Tails who gently ruffled him on the head, which made the four year old fox cub giggle.
"Thanks, Tails, and I know that someday everything will be alright in your world as well. Always believe in Sonic, and in yourself." The nine year old fox cub replied, which made his younger, alternate-self smile brightly.
"Thanks for all of your help, Sonic. Without you, I never would have known much at all about Nega, or that the future would really chance for the better." Silver remarked to the hero of Mobius, smiling brightly as he now knew, without a doubt, that everything will be alright.
"It's thanks to you and Scourge that space and time and Moebius will have brighter days ahead." Blaze nodded in agreement.
"You're welcome. It was great meeting you all too." Sonic replied, sharing a handshake with Silver, saddened that they would never see each other again, but knowing that the silver-white hedgehog was still alive and going to live in a much better future, that was more than enough for him.
Especially when Kintobor would forever be a good man and nothing like Dr. Eggman and Dr. Robotnik.
"I'm gonna miss you guys. It was so much fun meeting you." Red, tearful and not wanting to say goodbye, sniffled. He wished he could either stay with everybody, or Sonic's group to come live with them in Moebius, so that way they would never have to say goodbye at all, and they could be together forever.
Sonic and the others felt the similar thing, and the blue hedgehog, sensing where this was going, smiled in sympathy and knelt before the red-brown hedgehog, saying. "We'll miss you too, Red. But don't forget, no matter how far away we are, we'll always be friends. Scourge, me, and all of us, are all in the same place your parents always have been and always will be, especially in both timelines; right here."
The sixteen year old gently tapped the eight year old's chest which surprised him, and when Red looked up at Sonic, the cobalt teenager gave him a wink. Seeing this made the youngest Moebian not only understand, but also made him feel better too and he smiled emotionally.
"And Ovi," Sonic began at the kind human scientist who gazed curiously at him. "Thanks for helping us out. We couldn't have done it without you."
"You're very welcome, my young friends. Thank you for helping me open my eyes and stopping me from making a catastrophic mistake. I owe you my life." Kintobor smiled warmly in return.
Sonic smiled back as he stood up, before Scourge spoke up to him, saying while a little sheepish as he wasn't one for being mushy for goodbyes. "Hey, Sonic? Sorry for being a grade-A jerk to you, everybody else, and for trying to turn you and your mini-self into robots. And...thanks for saving my little brother...and for saving me and Fiona too."
"Always happy to help out, Scourge, and all is forgiven." Sonic replied, before saying with a hint of seriousness in his voice. "Take care of them, alright?"
"I will, and this time, I'll make sure of it." The former Terror of Moebius vowed, determined to this time set things right and to really be there for his family and friends.
That was more than good enough for Sonic to hear, as he and his counterpart shook hands, before they, Young Sonic, Red, Kintobor, Tails, and Young Tails shared a final hug of goodbye with each other and Scourge, joined by Amy and Young Amy, and even Silver who couldn't help himself which made everyone, even Shadow, smile at the heart-warming emotional scene that Big sniffle, Froggy croaked, and both Charmy and even Vector bawled their eyes out.
'Oh, brother.' Espio thought to himself as he shook his head in expasperation over his two friends' emotional breakdown.
After a moment, Sonic and the others, knowing that the portals won't stay open forever, reluctantly moved away before Scourge's group waved a final goodbye after Sonic ruffled Red's quills for the final time, and then the Moebians and Kintobor all jumped and leaped into their portal leading back to Moebius, while Young Sonic's group, waving goodbye as well, hurried over to their portal back to Alternate-Mobius.
Though Young Sonic paused for a moment, tears in his eyes, before he glanced over his shoulder at Sonic who gave him a sad but warm smile in return. It was the moment that they both knew was coming, and had tried to prepare themselves for it. Still, unable to help himself, the younger blue hedgehog raced back to the older blue hedgehog and hugged him tightly as he tried hard not to cry. The cobalt teenager smiled with tears in his eyes beginning to form, and hugged him back.
"I love you, big bro..." Young Sonic whispered, nuzzling his head into his older, alternate-self's chest.
"I love you too, li'l bro." Sonic whispered back, gently stroking his younger, alternate-self's quills. "Take good care of your Tails and Amy, alright?"
"I promise." The eleven year old vowed with a nod, before he heard Young Tails call out to him.
"Sonic! C'mon, we gotta go before the portal closes!" Young Tails called up as he and Young Amy waited.
"Right! Be right there, li'l bro!" The hero of Alternate-Mobius responded, reluctantly moving away from the hero of Mobius who nodded, and the younger hedgehog, with a final nod and high-five, hurried towards his friends and the portal.
"Hey, Sonic!" Sonic called out to his younger, alternate-self who paused and looked over his shoulder. The teenage hedgehog gave him a thumbs up and wink. "Enjoy your future, I bet it's gonna be great!"
"Thanks, Sonic! I'll miss you!" Young Sonic replied, mirroring his older, alternate-self's gesture.
"I'll miss you too, buddy! But remember, keep moving forward..." The cobalt hedgehog began.
"And don't ever look back." The young blue hedgehog finished with a nod, before hopping into the portal after Young Tails and Young Amy, vanishing as the two portals closed for the final time, and thus the link between worlds was severed and everything was finally back to normal, leaving Sonic's group behind.
As all of Sonic's friends waved a goodbye to their new friends, the hero of Mobius sighed, feeling tears still forming in his eyes before he wiped them away, then noticed that Tails, Amy, Chris, Cream and Cheese were just as tearful. Being the best friend and big brother that he is, Sonic brought his younger friends close to cheer them up.
"Hey, no matter where they are, they'll always be with us in our hearts, and in our memories." Sonic softly reassured them, knowing that he spoke only the truth. He felt sad like they did, but they were all still together and their new friends were safe back in their own universes.
Knowing that he was right, Tails and the others nodded, sniffling and sharing another big hug as the rest of their friends smiled and wished Sonic happy birthday once again.
Their moment of happiness was slightly interrupted when they heard a familiar male voice call out to them, "Hey, sorry we're late. You wouldn't believe the crazy traffic we had to go through just to get here!"
"Huh?" Sonic murmured as he, his little brother, self-proclaimed girlfriend, and their friends looked over their shoulders and unbeknownst to him, he was the only one who widened his eyes as they all spun around to see, to his surprise for the umpenth time today, his parents, Jules and Bernadette Hedgehogs, his own parents and not Young Sonic's parents he met in the Prison of Evil.
"Ah! It's Dad and Mom! They're here!" Tails cheered happily, in emotional relief as he hurried over to his adoptive parents who along with his big brother took him in almost five years ago into the family as the youngest son.
Sonic smiled brightly, and while he knew they didn't know what really happened, seeing them again after what felt like weeks while trapped in the White Space made him even more happy, cried out. "Mom! Dad!"
"Hey, guys!" Sun exclaimed in relief as he joined his brothers when Sonic hurried and the trio happily embraced their parents who, slightly surprised they were all just as emotionally happy than they expected, hugged them in return.
"Hey there, kiddos!" Jules greeted, chuckling before ruffling his oldest son's quills which made the teenager laugh. "Happy Birthday, son."
"How's my brave, heroic birthday boy?" Bernadette greeted happily, kissing her now sixteen year old son's forehead, before kissing the foreheads of Tails and Sun who blushed in embarrassment.
"Great! I guess Tails and everybody else really got me this time. I wasn't expecting the party, or even Sun, Chris, Star or even you guys comin' today." Sonic replied.
"We wouldn't miss it for a living. Right, Bernie?" Jules smiled warmly.
"Of course! It is our baby's sixteenth birthday." Bernadette beamed, hugging her son once again and nuzzled him which made Sonic laugh in somewhat embarrassment.
"M-mom! I'm not a little kid anymore!" The hero of Mobius chuckled, having missed being home and was utterly relieved that his mother and father were safe and sound, unaware of what just happened moments ago as they both greeted the rest of Sonic's friends.
Yet it was the reminder that, despite having done his best, that his uncle wasn't here. He would have to wait for hopefully at least a week to finally see him again, back home in Mobius. He missed Uncle Chuck so much, but given that he had at least seen him again for real after ten years of separation and believing that Sir Charles had died by the hands of Kaiser the Myth Hunter, at least Sonic did see him and on his birthday. That was more than enough for him for the time being.
"What's wrong sweetheart?" His mother asked, noticing his slightly somber look which made the blue hedgehog blink back into reality, and that she looked concerned.
"Oh, nothing. Don't worry, Mom. I'm fine. I was just...thinking about Uncle Chuck again." Sonic replied, despite that it was only half the truth, before he sighed as he scratched the top of his had while admitting. "I still wish he was here, though. I miss him."
Yet it wasn't just his uncle he missed a whole lot, it was many others he missed now; Shahra, Chip, Yacker, the Wisps, and he missed the Alternate-Mobians, the Moebians and Kintobor already too.
"Sonic..." Tails, Amy and Chris all murmured with sympathy.
Sighing and realizing that he was dampening the mood on his own birthday, Sonic quickly perked up knowing that everything was alright now, and having his parents just added to the greatest day of his life. "But hey, let's not talk about or think about sad times. We still have the whole party to enjoy with all of us here!"
"Well, if you think this is surprising son, you'll be shocked and happy to hear that you won't be missing your uncle anymore." Jules unexpectedly said, which the only one not surprised was Bernadette while his three sons and their friends looked up at him in confusion, wondering what the older hedgehog was talking about. "I wanted to tell you as soon as we meet up last week, but...we decided to save it for a special birthday gift for you."
"Say what?" Sonic blinked, not sure what to make on what his father was saying, and shrugged cluelessly. "Dad, what're you talking about?"
"Not sure if you heard about the mysterious island that appeared, but I think the mystery of what happened ten years ago has finally been solved." The older hedgehog explained and surprisingly seemed to be a little more better than he had ever been for the first time in ten years since Uncle Chuck's disappearance.
"The Island that appeared a week ago...I remember that." Tails murmured thoughtfully, before softly gasping as he turned to Sonic. "Sonic, could that mean...?"
Sonic wasn't sure what to make of it, even though he felt an inkling of hope despite this seemed to be too good to be true. Could it really be?
"Hey, you want to say hello, or are you too overwhelmed you can't talk right now?" Jules looked over his shoulder, speaking to the unseen third and final visitor/guest of the party, confusing Sonic yet giving the teenage hedgehog even more hope.
When his parents then moved aside a little with knowing and warm smiles as though to show the group something really important, everyone all gasped in shock and disbelief when they found that one more person has arrived to celebrate the teenage hero's birthday. But none of them were more shocked and emotional than Sonic the Hedgehog himself as standing right there...
Was Sir Charles "Chuck" Hedgehog, alive, back on Mobius, and now wearing a different green sleeveless shirt with his brown boots, smiling warmly as Sonic had seen him back in Mobodoon. The grey-mustached hedgehog smiled warmly upon seeing his nephew again. At first Sonic thought he was dreaming a vivid dream, that maybe he was still trapped in the White Space and this moment was just an illusion. But now, the winds were real, his friends and family was real...Time was still moving. Everything was back to normal...even better. It was perfect. He could feel his lips tremble, tears swelling up in his eyes once more.
"U-Uncle...Chuck?" Sonic spoke slowly, his eyes widened, unable to believe just how lucky he was right about now. Was this a hallucination, or was this whole thing been a long dream after all?
"Hello, Sonny boy. It's been too long." Uncle Chuck greeted warmly. Though for him it had only been a week, it was agreed that he wouldn't say anything until today, and upon seeing his nephew, he had a feeling the younger hedgehog thought of the same thing and wasn't expecting to see him this soon.
Sonic couldn't believe it. He thought they would both have to wait for a week, but now he understood that a week for his uncle was only just non-existant hours for him ever since their first emotional reunion. Now, at long last, his beloved uncle, who had been a second father to him from the day of his birth up until ten years, and still thought of every single day, was finally here. He was finally home. The cobalt teenager smiled in tearful happiness, finding that everything was just perfect now.
"UNCLE CHUCK!" Sonic exclaimed happily, racing over to the elder hedgehog and nearly knocked the latter over as he gave him a great big hug, laughing with tears falling while Uncle Chuck nearly toppled over, but kept his balance and hugged his dear nephew in return. "You're here! You're really here! I can't believe it! Oh, man! I missed ya'!"
"I missed you too, Sonny." Sir Charles responded, silent tears forming his eyes, soaking his face and mustache as he gently gave a kiss on his nephew's head, before whispering. "I knew you could do it. Thank goodness you're safe. I'm so proud of you."
Sonic sniffled as he nuzzled on his uncle's shoulder and chest, cherishing this moment he waited for a decade, whispering back. "This is a dream come true. I've waited for so long. Welcome home, Unc'."
"Happy Birthday, Sonic." Uncle Chuck replied, carefully swaying Sonic side to side, while the latter's parents and friends all smiled, most of the group surprised and amazed to see that the cobalt teenager's uncle really was here. They all beamed happily while Shadow, feeling a little bit jealous, smiled a little in relief. He had never seen Sonic so happy in months.
'You're one lucky hedgehog, faker. Congratulations.' The Ultimate Lifeform thought to himself, smirking.
By then, Sonic and Uncle Chuck reluctantly moved away as they shared emotional smiles, before the former then remembered something and reached into his quills and found, to his relief, that the Compass the latter made and gave him was still there and held it in his hand as the cover shone and reflected the sunlight in a slight movement. The teenager's smile grew as he slipped it around his neck, allowing the beautiful and precious item hang before sharing another happy glance with his uncle who gently stroked his quills which made the younger hedgehog chuckle.
"Hey, that reminds me. I gotta introduce ya'." Sonic remembered, placing an arm around his uncle's shoulders and had him walk alongside him as they both approached everybody else, introducing the rest of the group. "Uncle Chuck, let me introduce you to my friends and new additions to the family: This is Miles "Tails" Prower, my little brother Mom, Dad and I adopted five years ago. He's a great little kid, very smart, kind, brave and fun, and he even builds and invents things just like you. He can even fly airplanes!"
Tails giggled, a little sheepish.
"This here is Sun the Hedgehog; we met five months ago who used to be my clone, but now he's a real Mobian and our brother, and also a hero who saved the world four months ago too." Sonic continued, gesturing at each of his friends and the rest of the family who gave our their waves, smirks and greetings. "This is Amy Rose, she's an awesome friend too, kind, caring, and powerful with her Hammer. This guy here is Knuckles the Echidna, and even though he's the last of his kind and kinda a knucklehead, he's really loyal and powerful in strength. This is sweet Cream and her Chao Cheese, who are loyal and brave. Chris is our human friend who helped us out a lot and saved my life from drowning. This is Star, she helped us five months ago with the whole Dark Gaia crisis and Sun's best friend. The Chaotix as the detectives; Vector's the strong leader, Espio's the skilled ninja expert, and Charmy's...the brains of the team."
"Hey!" Vector and Espio both protested while Charmy held up his chest proudly over the compliment.
Sonic ignored them while continuing. "Big's a cool friend and a great fisherman, and that's his best buddy Froggy. Rouge is a GUN agent and, uh...a Jewel thief but her heart's in the right place. She's loyal to all of us. And last but not least, is Shadow the Hedgehog, the Ultimate Lifeform. Kinda a grouch and is more my rival than anything else, but he's cool. He even beat an evil alien named Black Doom a long time ago."
"It's so great to finally meet you, Mr. Charles Hedgehog. I've heard a lot about you!" Tails greeted excitedly, as everyone else gave out their own greetings even though Shadow just muttered a 'pleasure' before looking away, seemingly not interested.
"It's nice to meet you all too, Tails, and please, call me Uncle Chuck. Mr. Hedgehog was my father." Uncle Chuck greeted back cheerfully, feeling comfortable in meeting his two new nephews and Sonic's friends.
That made the two-tailed fox cub even more happy and comfortable, knowing that his surrogate big brother had been right about his-no, their uncle all along. He really is nice. The nine year old smiled cutely and brightly, responding back. "Okay, Uncle Chuck."
"So, how's this for a birthday surprise?" Jules asked his teenage son, smirking as he latched his arm around his newly found brother's shoulders.
"You guys totally got me! I really had no idea at all!" Sonic laughed, as he placed an arm around Tails' shoulders to bring him closer while saying to his youngest sibling. "And Tails, thanks for keeping this a secret. This is the best birthday I've ever had!"
"You're welcome, big bro. Though, I had no idea that Mom and Dad would bring Uncle Chuck here, for obvious reasons." The two-tailed kit giggled as he hugged his brother and family back as the teenage blue hedgehog gave him another gentle kiss on the head.
Everyone all smiled as most of them cheered on, before Sonic announced. "Let's get this party really rockin'!"
While Shadow and Espio simply smirked, everyone else cheered in agreement as they all wished Sonic happy birthday once more before they all went back to have fun at the party, now joined by his parents and newly returned uncle.
From ten years of not seeing his uncle, to two months of going through an endless guilt-trip, to three months of making full recovery after Eggman's death, now everything was finally looking up. His uncle was back, most of his friends were here, his other friends remained in his heart, Mobius was at long last free from the evils and horrors of worldly threats even though he knew that there could be more, but that's okay, because the hero of Mobius would always be there to save the world, both on his own and with his friends and family by his side, and space and time were saved.
Sonic was now just as happy and cheerful as he had been before the Dark Gaia crisis. Better than he ever was, because life was perfect.
Thanks to his experience of his Space-Time Adventure, and the people he grew up with, met throughout the years and shared every moment with all of his heart. He couldn't ask for anything better.
A/N: To avoid in making this chapter's ending twice as long, I've decided to make a separate Epilogue which will be the next and final chapter of this story. Sorry for that in the advance but we're almost done!
See you later!
