Epilogue: Homeward Bound

"Sonic, it is nice to see you alive and well."

The night was young. Tails had just fallen asleep, and stardust danced across the sky in the knowing with of the cloudless night. The moon, a mere crescent, shone brightly outside of his window, the curtains stirring like a spirit. Up for the first time in weeks today, Sonic lifted his head off his pillows and turned his gaze towards the glowing fire-colored phoenix standing in the doorway, her brown eyes calm and serene. His left hand did not cease stroking the young fox, asleep in his lap and curled under the covers with him.

"Inferna." Sonic couldn't help but shiver. "Thank you for saving me." His fear and caution were evident. Sonic's eyes were darting from the doorway to the open window, fingers trembling as his right hand moved towards Tails, ready to lift his love to safety.

"You got one wish when you returned, didn't you?"

Sonic gave her an odd look.

"Yes, I know of how it works. My crystal ball tells me you wished to stay the age you are until Tails turned sixteen, yes?"

Sonic nodded, his guard still on 100% strength.

"And you are…?" Inferna invited him to continue.

"Nineteen."

"Ah. So there is a long time to wait. Your friends' ages will pass you by, and you will not grow older in body. Do you mind?"

"No." Sonic looked lovingly down at the fox, cuddling close to his chest. "Oddly enough, no, I don't. I kinda thought about that, when the genie of reincarnation visited me, but I realized that nothing else mattered. Tails is my life, and I don't want to be too old for him, even though it might hurt me in the long run."

"Your body will grow, so you will look twenty four." Inferna continued. "But your age will stay the same until the allotted time. You were not quite specific."

"What does it matter? As long as I can be with Tails," Sonic kissed his lover on the top of his head as he spoke, "nothing else matters."

Inferna began to sob. "Sonic! I'm sorry! I never wanted to be cruel! I…" She paused. "I…didn't know anything! I was entranced by power! Forgive me!"

"Inferna," the soft tone in which he said her name caused her attention to touch him. "I already forgave you." He smiled sweetly.

Inferna breathed deeply. "Oh, thank you, Sonic!" She bowed low. "Truly, you are worthy to run this kingdom."

Sonic sighed. "Tails and I will entrust the care of the kingdom to my friends Aero, Amy, and Ryo. The three have grown quite close, and Amy and Aero will be married in five years."

Inferna nodded. "It is his birthright, to do away with, if he so chooses."

"You don't get to be queen, but you might find a husband in Ryo when the time comes." Sonic leaned back against his pillows. It was his body that was tired now, his spirit well rested, especially when it was filled with love.

"Sonic, I do not deserve a husband."

"I believe you are a good person, Inferna." Sonic yawned. "Your father was tricked by Eggman's mother, it wasn't all your fault."

"But I did things…to him…" Inferna insisted. "Why don't you have me scourged?"

"Why should I be mad?" Sonic closed his eyes slowly, his whole body relaxing. "You were entranced by an ancient curse set by Ivona. Not your fault." He smiled, before taking a long breath and falling asleep.

Inferna turned her back on the young prince and his blue-furred destiny. "Sayonara, Sonic the Hedgehog." She whispered, disappearing into thin air.