AN: It may seem out of character for Knuckles to defend Robotnik but he had to be Bartleby's voice. In Sonic's eyes, Bartleby has very little credibility and none of it is in Robotnik's favor. Knuckles saw his friend hurting from his loss and so, for Bartleby's sake, he stood up for him.

Epilogue

Robotnik was buried in a quiet, private ceremony on the Montclair lands. Sadly, his life and death would be swiftly forgotten by most of the populace. But such is the fate of those who give in to the anger and bitterness and give way to wickedness.

Slowly, Robotropolis was reconverted back to Mobotropolis. Grudgingly, the aristocracy accepted Aleena back as queen, after she took responsibility for her late husband's actions that all but caused the war to begin with.

Sonic, Manic, and Sonia were formally named Princes and Princess. Sonic, being the first son, was named Crown Prince, heir apparent to the throne. Sonic, as heir to the throne, was put through a mess of tutoring to try and make up for his lack of classical education. He had to take courses in politics, etiquette, literature, fine arts, horse riding, and various others. He always had to look "dignified" and "cultured." Bartleby felt a sense of satisfaction as Sonic was put through the same education that he had as a child. Before, Manic and Sonia might have been put out at the inequality but the torture their brother was put through precluded any arguments.

Manic was put in charge of the royal treasury and made the speaker for the lower classes. Having grown up as a thief, in extreme poverty, he understood what they needed most. He went to work setting up orphanages for the children orphaned by the war. He set up trusts for those children from the treasury with his mother's encouragement so that the ones that were not adopted would at least enter adulthood with something. Instead of punishing thieves, he set up a program to get those caught back on track. They would no longer need to steal to survive. Of course there would always be those who insisted on crime as a way of life that he was forced to deal with in spite of his misgivings.

Sleet and Dingo were pardoned for their crimes in return for helping to save Sonia's children. They had feared that they would return to a business that was no longer needed now that Robotnik was gone. However, Aleena named Sleet "Captain of the Guards." She was ready to name Dingo his deputy but Bartleby had already offered him the well-paying job of bodyguard to their children (after Sonia told him about his kindness to her during the ordeal). Doing good had its advantages after all, Sleet couldn't help thinking.

Knuckles was also offered employment and a home in the palace but he graciously turned it down. He was more than willing and eager to help Mobotropolis get back on track but eventually he would have to get back to his role of Chaos Guardian. He did, however, accept Sonia and Bartleby's offer to be the twin's godfather. Sonic and Manic had been hurt that they weren't offered the position but they knew they had been less than supportive of their sister's relationship.

For the time being, Sonia and Bartleby lived at the palace under the supervision of Dingo to prevent any further hanky-panky (on Aleena's suggestion since Robotnik's death meant they didn't need to sneak around and could marry). Bartleby was given his own room and the twins given a nursery in which to sleep just off of Sonia's. The first night, he was surprised to discover that he couldn't sleep on the beautifully soft bed. He tossed and turned but just could not get to sleep. Could it be that his body had really gotten used to the sleeping bags and leaves of their island bed?

Their engagement was formally announced and celebrated with a lavish party as was the birth of their children. Sonic and Manic had conspired with the rest of the former Freedom Fighters (now the official defense force of Mobotropolis under Sleet's command) to throw Sonia a belated baby shower. Mindy's boss gladly made them a beautiful cake shaped like a diaper bag which Mindy paid for as a gift for her friends.

The aristocracy had originally pushed for Aleena to give the role of heir to Sonia but she declined. She was a mother now, her days were too busy to really go through the training that Sonic was.

With everything else that needed to be done for Mobotropolis and its people, the wedding plans were initially low on the list of priorities. However, as things were worked out in the city, Sonia and Bartleby somehow found a little time each day to plan the ceremony with the aid of her mother and brothers, and Knuckles of course.

So it was that the day finally came. On a lovely, summer morn, Sonia was laying out her gown of white with pink and blue silk roses trimming the hem of the ball gown-style skirt and the bodice with its sweetheart neckline. She was about to start combing her hair when the boys fussed for their breakfast from the nursery. As she fed them, she thought about her life. She wondered how it would have been if her mother had not given her to Lady Wyndemere? Would she still have met Bartleby? Would they still have fallen in love and had their precious children? She wanted to think "yes" but in her heart she ended up thanking Robotnik for forcing her mother to separate them. She didn't want to think of a life where she would never have known Bartleby.

"Knock, knock," her mother called as she entered.

"In the nursery, Mother." Sonia called from the rocking chair.

Aleena went into the nursery and placed a hand over her heart. She still couldn't get over the sight of her baby girl with her grandbabies. She'd missed so much of her daughter's life but she could make up for that with her grandchildren.

"Good morning my dear. I see these two are up early." Aleena said running her hand through the fur that was starting to grow on their heads.

"Yeah, I think they'd heard me up. I'll need to be getting ready shortly." Sonia said. "There's just a few hours before the wedding."

Aleena smiled. "Are you nervous?"

Sonia thought about it and shook her head. "You know, I thought I would be but I know I want to be with Bartleby for the rest of my life. There's no reason to be nervous."

"The Oracle is getting the chapel ready. He's having a lot of fun with this."

"I'm sure. He likes to use his magic."

Finally, the boys were done eating. "Well, I should start getting ready."

Aleena nodded. "The servants will take care of any other tasks."

A few days before the wedding, Bartleby had gone back to his mansion. It was bad luck to see the bride for 24 hours before the ceremony. He was getting ready in a newly made pink tuxedo. His hair, no longer in dreads, was pulled back into a neat ponytail. He looked in the mirror as he marveled at the blessings in his life. He had two beautiful baby boys and now he would publicly proclaim his love for Sonia and swear his life to her.

Knuckles, his best man, helped him to get ready. "So it'll be official after today. You'll be a legally married mink."

Bartleby smiled. "Yes, married to the most beautiful hedgehog on Mobius."

"Will you guys live in the palace, I guess?" Knuckles asked. He was returning to the island that evening. "The island will be lonely without you and Sonia."

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that..."

Sonia put on her dress with help from her mother and Maid-of-Honor Mindy.

"Oh Sonia, I got you this," Mindy held out a blue beaded bracelet. "This was mine but you can borrow it. That covers your 'something old, borrowed and blue.' You just need something new and a sixpence for your shoe."

Aleena held out her own gift for her daughter's special day. "This is your 'something new'."

Sonia took the pretty box and opened it. A pair of diamond earrings sparkled up at her. "Oh Mother, they're gorgeous." She took them from the box and immediately put them in her ears.

"Lastly, the sixpence." Aleena placed a coin in the bottom of her daughter's shoe.

"Come on, Sonia, we need to do your hair." Mindy pulled her best friend over to a chair so she could style her hair.

"The servants are preparing a private apartment for you and Bartleby." Aleena told her.

Sonia bit her lip. "Thank you Mother...but um, I needed to talk to you about that. I think Bartleby and I are going back to the island."

"Why dear?" Aleena asked.

"Well, we really liked the peace and quiet. The city's wonderful but after four months of living in the peace of the jungle, we got used to it. And Bartleby and Knuckles got to be good friends despite some tension in the beginning that I still don't quite understand." Sonia tried to explain her reasoning. "I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner but we discussed it and if Knuckles will allow it, I think it's for the best."

Aleena sighed. "Well, I had hoped you would stay. After all, we have 18 years to catch up on. And you'll be so far away."

"Mother, not too far. With Sonic's speed, you could be at the island in ten minutes. You can come visit anytime." Sonia reassured her mother. "On the island, we'll be able to live as we please. Dingo will be enough of a guard for the kids. They'll be able to grow and play without the pressures of being little princes."

"But it won't be very sanitary, living in a cave." Aleena tried.

"We'll build a house. Bartleby insists on indoor plumbing, he doesn't want dreads again." Sonia laughed.

Mindy giggled. "He did look ridiculous with that hair but the goatee was a nice touch."

"Yeah, I need to talk him into regrowing that, it was sexy." Sonia admitted. "Please Mother?" She returned to the topic at hand.

Aleena sighed with defeat. "Well, you are an adult, I guess I can't stop you if this is what you really want. But you have to promise that you'll keep at least the one bodyguard and you'll take lots of pictures."

A knock at the door preceded Sonic and Manic's entry.

"Five minutes sis..." Sonic gasped when he saw her. "Wow sis..."

Sonia smiled. "Do I look alright?"

"You look great!" Manic stated with exuberance. "Beautiful."

Sonia looked at Sonic who was suspiciously wiping at his eyes. "You okay there Sonic?

"Yeah," he said in a hurry. "I'm fine, I'm fine." He turned away. Sonia hugged her brother. "Now, you're sure this is what you want? You'll be happy with him? He is a noble."

Gently, Sonia slugged his shoulder. "Yes, Sonic. I love him and he loves me. We've wanted this from the beginning. Please, be happy for me."

He sighed. "I am. It was hard but I can see that he cares for you. You promise that if he ever does anything stupid, you'll kick his sorry ass?"

Sonia laughed at her brother. "Yes but I don't think I'll ever have to. Now you and Manic get to hold the kids during the ceremony. Their bottles have been filled and are in the diaper bag which is by the nursery door. There's also fresh diapers. Sit in the door closest into the door up front in case they cry and need to be fed or changed. There's also a pair of spit rags, extra binkies, let's see is there anything I've forgotten?"

Sonic took Basil while Manic took Brose and the diaper bag. "We got it sis. Don't worry, we can handle it. There's two of them and two of us, we're well matched." Manic said. "Come on kiddoes. Come sit with your Uncle Manic and Sonic."

Sonia rolled her eyes at her brothers' backs as they went to their seats. "Well, Mother, Mindy, I think it's time."

Sonic and Manic went into the chapel. Before going to his seat, Sonic stopped at Bartleby.

"Fair warning buddy, you hurt my sister and I will kill you." He whispered the groom.

Bartleby chuckled at the thought that he would ever hurt Sonia. "Don't worry Sonic. Keep your uncle in line, won't you sweetie? Bartleby stroked his son's cheek.

Sonic sat down but not before giving Bartleby a gesture that said "I'm keeping my eyes on you"

The organist played the traditional wedding processional as first came two young children. One little kitty-girl rose petals all over the floor and a little puppy-boy carrying a pillow upon which lay two rings. Behind them came Knuckles and on his arm was Mindy. Knuckles was dressed in a tuxedo of white as pink would have looked really bad on his red fur. Mindy wore a long, chiffon and charmeuse dress, cap sleeves covering her shoulders. In her hands she held a small bouquet of pink roses.

Outside the chapel, Sleet and Dingo stood in the outfits of royal guards on either side of the entrance. As Sonia approached the chapel, Dingo's jaw nearly hit the floor. He had always thought Sonia to be very pretty but now here came this goddess.

"Wow!" He breathed just loud enough for Sleet to hear. The wolf only rolled his eyes at his friend. Genteelly they both bowed as she walked past them.

Everyone stood as the intro chords to "Here Comes the Bride" played. Mr. LaTour offered her his arm as she entered. She had asked him to walk her down the aisle in place of the father she never knew or even met before she joined the Underground. As often as she saw Mindy as a child, the fox had been as much a father to her as he was to Mindy. She had made the request again while planning is ceremony and he graciously accepted. Her mother was already wanting just to be the Mother-of-the-Bride. There was plenty of time to be queen after.

Bartleby watched with wonder as Sonia was led down to him. His heart entered his throat. His mind replayed the trials had gone through. Their initial breakup when she joined the Resistance. Doing anything she asked of him in hopes that she would see that he didn't care about the danger, if he could only be with her, including sneaking her into the fake wedding Robotnik had staged and outright lying to him when necessity called for it. He remembered the night of the ball, when he had finally been successful in winning her back. He grinned as he thought of the many times they were together after that, particularly the night that had led to them creating his two miracles. What exactly had he done to deserve her? He didn't know but he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

At the pulpit behind Bartleby, the Oracle sighed with reminiscence. He had always secretly watched the hedgehogs grow. Tears filled as his eyes as he struggled to attach his memory of the little girl who liked to climb on her adopted mother's stone walls and do gymnastics and play piano with the young woman coming down the aisle.

Finally after several moments, Mr. LaTour and Sonia reached the pulpit. The Oracle raised his hand, giving the motion for everyone to sit. Sleet and Dingo entered the room and closed both doors behind them. Two Freedom Fighters took their places outside.

"Marriage, the ultimate commitment of love. The promise that two people will love each other for as long as they live. When two units essentially join as one. It is a sacred union, one not to be taken lightly. Today we witness the commitment, promise and union of Sir Bartleby Montclair and Princess Sonia Hedgehog. Who gives this young woman to this young man?"

"I and her mother do," Mr. LaTour answered. He offered Sonia's arm to Bartleby and went to his seat beside Aleena.

"What is love?" The Oracle asked rhetorically of the crowd. "Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy or boast and is not vain. Love does not dishonor others and is not selfish. Love is not quick to anger and holds no grudges. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. Love never fails." The Oracle looked at Bartleby. "Sir Bartleby Montclair, please repeat after me."

"I, Sir Bartleby Montclair, take thee, Sonia Hedgehog, as my lawful wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forth. For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer. In sickness and in health. To love and to cherish till death do us part."

The Oracle smiled and looked to Sonia. "And Princess Sonia..."

"I, Princess Sonia Hedgehog, take thee, Sir Bartleby Montclair, as my lawful wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forth. For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer. In sickness and in health. To love and to cherish till death do us part."

The Oracle wiped away a tear from his eye as he grinned and looked out upon the crowd. "If there is any among us with a reason as to why these ought not to be married, speak now or forever hold your peace." A few moments of silence went by. "May we have the rings please." The puppy brought the pink satin pillow over. "Sir Bartleby Montclair, place the ring about her finger and say..."

Bartleby took the simple gold band and placed it on her left ring finger with her diamond engagement ring that he had given to her at the engagement party. "With this ring, I thee wed." He recited, looking into those sparkling dark eyes that he loved so much.

The Oracle instructed Sonia to do the same. "With this ring, I thee wed."

The Oracle had to look away for a few seconds to wipe away a few more tears. "By the power vested in me, by the city of Mobotropolis, I hereby name you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." His lips trembled dangerously when Bartleby put his arms around Sonia and kissed her lovingly, passionately on the lips for everyone to witness. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Lord and Lady Bartleby Montclair. May you have a long and happy life together." As the chords for the recessional began, he began full on crying.

Sonia smiled sympathetically and put a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you Oracle, for everything."

She and Bartleby began their walk back up the aisle, this time together as mink and wife. The guests threw rice that had been given to them as they entered the palace in preparation for this moment.

That afternoon, the reception was still going strong. They had danced every dance together. Dinner had been served.

"Sis, Mom told us you and Bartleby were going back to the island. Are you sure?" Sonic asked. "Because if you wanted to stay with us, really we're okay with Bartleby now.

"Sonic, yes. Knuckles has said it's okay. We liked it there, it's a great place to raise our family. You, Manic, and Mom can come see us whenever you like. After the first week that is." Sonia said.

A tinkling sound got their attention. Knuckles was standing, a glass of champagne in his hand. "I would like to propose a toast. I only met Bartleby a few months ago but I've known Sonia a good deal longer. They are great friends. I had the blessing of watching the evidence of their love, both in her pregnancy and his willingness to give up a life of comfort in order to protect the ones he loved most. After only those few months, I know that he loves her with every fiber of his being and he is the only man she has ever loved at this magnitude. I know they will have a long, happy life filled with many more children and later grandchildren as they grow old together. A toast to the happy couple. Long may you love."

All around, the rest offered up their glasses. "Long may you love."

Everyone sipped from their champagne and a large 7-tiered wedding cake was wheeled out to the couple. Bartleby lovingly placed his right hand over Sonia's as they carefully cut together into the bottom tier of the cake. After placing the slice of the white cake, covered in white fondant and filled with chocolate and raspberry ganache, they fed each other from the slice. They placed the slice down and proceeded to cut slices for Aleena and Mr. LaTour before Mindy was passed the cart and knife to cut pieces for the rest of the guests.

As the afternoon got later, the party drew to a close. Sonia, who was now breastfeeding in a private corner of the room, yawned. Bartleby came over from where he'd been socializing with a few of the other lords.

"You getting tired my darling?" He asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, very."

"Well, maybe after they're done eating, you should throw the bouquet and we can leave." He suggested. "We have our honeymoon to get to."

She smiled. "And Knuckles was alright with playing babysitter for a week?"

"Yeah, he was more than alright with it. He offered. We just need to pack the safety seats and the twins' things in his ship." He knelt beside her and rubbed the twins' foreheads. He loved the feeling of being a father and couldn't get enough of looking at the two of them. He had made these.

"Tell you what, it was no trick packing enough milk for them for a week." She laughed. "Good thing they know how to eat from a bottle."

She replace the top of her dress and stood up. "Come on, lets go give them to Knuckles and get ready." She kissed her husband. The kiss lasted for several moments until they needed to come up for air.

"Hmm, maybe we should go ahead and get started on a baby sister for these two," he suggested with a husky chuckle.

Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "Perhaps..."

Together they returned to the crowd. Knuckles, who was talking animatedly with Manic, took the twins with delight.

Mindy called out to the crowd at the signal that she and Sonia had prepared earlier. "Alright, can I have all the eligible young ladies stand in a group up front here?"

The young ladies gathered around Sonia who turned around. She heaved her bouquet of pink and white roses behind her. The bouquet sailed over the crowd of ladies and landed at the foot of her younger brother.

Confused, Manic bent down and picked it up. "Um, who wants it?"

"Not how it works, Manic. It's all yours." Mindy giggled.

Everyone laughed as the single men took the place of the disappointed but amused ladies. Bartleby gracefully removed the white garter from his wife's leg and turned around, putting his back to the men, before throwing the garter over his shoulder.

Knuckles, who was still laughing at Manic, was startled when the garter went around his glass of champagne and around his wrist. "Um..." He hadn't entered the crowd. He doubted he would ever find someone to love, like he had Sonia and hadn't planned on trying.

Manic returned the laughter his friend had given him tenfold. "Well, if the superstitions are correct this means you and I are the next to get married big boy." Jokingly, Manic kissed Knuckles on the cheek, earning him a not-too gentle, yet not too rough punch from the echidna. But the look Knuckles gave him was one of bewilderment.

Applause alerted the two that the couple was getting ready to leave. Aleena had promised to get everything the kids needed into Knuckles plane when he was ready to take them to their new home. She resolved to ask Knuckles to stay an extra week, until Sonia and Bartleby came back. He shouldn't be alone on an island with two children, even with Dingo there to help if needed. Neither knew how to care for a baby.

Sonia and Bartleby went outside where waited the plane that Mr. LaTour had given them as a wedding and baby shower gift. Tied to the bumper were bells and streamers and a banner saying "Just Married."

"Bye Mother, Sonic, Manic," she hugged each of them in turn, followed by Mindy and Mr. LaTour. "We'll see you back on the island in a week, Knuckles."

Bartleby shook hands with a more civil Sonic and a friendly Manic. "Don't you two boys worry about a thing. Your sister is well in-hand, I promise." He was surprised when Aleena hugged him, already accepting him as a third son. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

She clicked her tongue at him. "Call me Mother, dear. We're family now. Now, you two have a good time, be safe."

"We will Mother," Sonia promised before turning the key in the ignition and taking off into the sky before them.

Sonia Hedgehog had many titles. "Daughter of Queen Aleena," "triplet sister of Sonic and Manic Hedgehog," "freedom fighter." However, if you asked her which title she liked best she would give you two. "Lady Montclair, wife of Lord Bartleby Montclair" and "Mother."

Fin

AN: Finally, after five months, and 18 chapters, this story is at an end. Yes, I was implying a possible relationship between Manic and Knuckles. However, since they are not main characters in this, I didn't go into detail. A relationship between them would have brought nothing to the table in this story since it was not about them. Sonic was named crown prince because no matter what the show tried to say in an earlier episode, multiple heirs is not how a monarchy works. In the case of multiples, an heir is chosen from the multiples and it's typically the first son out of the womb. That would be Sonic. The aristocrats wanted Sonia because a) she was raised with culture and thus wouldn't need as much training as Sonic, b) she was with Bartleby and c) she already had children and thus securing the family line. She declined for the reasons stated above. I like using Mr. LaTour as an almost adopted father for Sonia because well, he seems like the only other older male figure in her life besides the Oracle (and he was officiating). I also envision that Queen Aleena and Mr. LaTour might start up a middle-aged romance.

If I was to do a sequel to this, what would you hope to see?

Thank you so much for reading over the last several months. I think this is a record. 5 months. Normally it would take me a few years minimum but I did it in five months. Wow.