Mossmask: Okay, I'll start this off with responses to reviews. I usually do that, right...?
*it's been so long I can't remember. crai.*

Ghostkid33 - Heh, kidding or not, it has been a while. It feels like forever to me, but, I'm glad to say, that I've gotten my writing muse back full force. More like, I woke up one morning and it turned into a metaphorical sledgehammer which soonafter whacked me head on. And then a metaphorical tsunami. And then a metaphorical 18-wheeler. And so on. So I'm quite ready to say that I think I'm going to have an awful lot of writing to do in the coming days. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Although I thought it was rather short, it was still a good test-run, sort of, of my semi-new writing style. (Though I STILL don't think I've quite outgrown that excessive comma splicing. My sworn enemy, ugh). I did decide to follow through and write up a final final chapter. I actually think I would have done this regardless of comments, because soon after posting I realized that there was no way I could just leave the FFs hangin' like that. So I really hope you do enjoy this final, final chapter. ^^

sagapaga: Alrighty, more it is. I really hope you like this last chapter. I don't know what the general recepton will be, but hey. I hope you enjoy.

CaptainPiika: I realize this story had a lot more potential then I really took advantage of. I think that's mainly because, for starters, it was one of the first stories I'd ever plotted out from beginning to end the whole way through. And it wasn't planned out very well. The entire premise for this story was scribbled out in Greek on a piece of notebook paper late at night, and when I got around to writing it out as a story, I was so scared that I would never finish it if I tried to change it, so I never let myself deviate from that one, scrawled note, even to improve.

I've also been disappointed throughout most of the story in how I've been characterizing Scorch. I think I had a hard time with this whole story for a bunch of reasons. I'm not so much trying to justify my mistakes and say that makes them okay, as I am trying to... I don't know, really. I suppose I'm just trying to say that I'm starting to understand my weak points a lot better now then I did when I started this. I took a few long hiatuses throughout the duration of this story, and each time I returned, I came back a little changed.

The whole thing seemed disconnected in general to me, because I myself kept forgetting what was going on at points, due to being away so long, and I think I ended up actually making a huge mess of this story, when it could have turned out pretty well if I'd put more effort and devotion into it. I'm a lot more confident in my abilities now, at the end, then I was when I started it. I do plan on starting a new Sonic fic in the near future, and I'm hoping on taking what I've learned from the long process... journey, almost, that was Kaos, and using it to make my next story something that lives up to mine, and anyone elses, expectations of a well-thought-through story.

I really appreciate your input, and it's comments like that that help me to improve. Thanks, a lot. I hope to hear from you in the future, if you do choose to follow me and any other stories I might undertake. =3

~Cya on the other side

The assembled Freedom Fighters stood a few minutes longer, simply watching the space where the red hedgehog had been, before Knuckles woke them from their revere by reminded them of the still present urgency of their situation.

"This isn't over just yet, you guys. You still need to get out of here, and you still need to make sure that he's okay." He added, nodding slightly towards the crumpled ball of fur still lying limp in Sonic's arms. "You guys get out, go back to wherever you belong. I'll stay here, in case Metal Sonic comes back. I can buy you guys some time if that is the case.

Sally hesitated, as the others collected themselves to leave. "Are you sure you'll be alright here?"

The echidna nodded briskly. "I'll be fine. Now you guys should really hurry and leave." Sally nodded slowly, before finally turning around. Her hesitation was caused from both worry about the echidna's safety, staying behind to fight, but also because she knew this was probably the last time she'd see him for a long while.

"Goodbye, Knuckles." She murmured quietly, before quickly leading the Freedom Fighter's out of the room, Knuckles watching from behind as they left, standing guard over the room to slow down any trouble that might follow.

If he heard her, then he didn't show it.

Tails woke up to find himself wrapped in blankets, with his own two tails bundled around him, and a hedgehog draped over his chest. He grinned to himself slightly, and tried to shake his head to clear his headache. The headache persisted, but, the motion did help to wake the sleeping hedgehog. Not all the way, but enough for the fox to hear him mutter something about chilidogs in his sleep.

He giggled slightly, before reaching over and nudging the hedgehog, trying to wake him. It took a few tries and a few minutes, but eventually the hedgehog was sitting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and muttering grumpily about being woken up. Tails waited patiently for the hedgehog to come to.

A few moments later, the hedgehog finally blinked at him. "What's the idea, wa- hey! You're up!" A large grin suddenly broke out across the blue hedgehog's face. "Hey there big guy, how ya feelin'?" He asked, still grinning.

The fox returned the grin gladly. "Ah, well, I gotta a bit of a headache, and I am reeeaally hungry..." He paused. Sonic laughed, but Tails continued talking. "And boy am I achey! I feel like I haven't been outta bed in forevver." He suddenly rolled himself out of bed, almost knocking Sonic over on the way, and laned on the floor with an "umph!"

He stretched out his arms and legs, in turn, before standing back up, and fluffing up his tails. He grabbed Sonic's hand and added, conspiratorially, "that means we're s'pposta go outside. Y'know?" He nodded encouragingly, trying to coax the hedgehog into the right answer, like a teacher would address a particularly dull student.

Sonic crossed his arms defensively, or at least tried to best he could with his hand still firmly in the fox's grasp, before suddenly pulling him into a tight hug. "Y'know what?" He whispered back, "I think you're exactly right."

It was a solemn mood when the Freedom Fighters returned to Knothole. Over the next few days, things were slowly sorted out. Sally had decided it was probably best if they layed low for a while, while they waited for things to get back to normal. Tails spent his first week back laying in bed, and Sonic spent most of that time sitting with him. While Sally still had certain responsibilities she had to take care of, Bunnie had recommended that she too try and get a bit of rest, if only for a while, to which Sally had, for once, obliged.

Not only was she physically and emotionally drained from the Freedom Fighter's most recent outing, but she was also worried about Knuckles. She was sure he'd be alright though... she was also surprised at having seen him there. But when the Chaos Emeralds were involved, she supposed she shouldn't have been too surprised by his presence.

Bunnie and Rotor had been back down to the outskirts of Robotropolis, and had begun bringing back the roboticizer that they had found. It was too large for any of them to carry, even with help, so in the end, it had needed to be dismantled and brought back piece by piece, but it was being put back together almost as quickly as the pieces were being brought back in. The would have the whole thing back in working condition in no time. And hopefully, then, they would finally have enough of the needed information to reverse the process permanently.

So, Sally was surprised when just over a week since their return, she saw Sonic and Tails waking their way out of the village, apparently trying - and failing – to not be seen. It was the first time she had seen Tails out of his bed since they'd gotten back from Robotropolis, so she held herself back when she got the urge to confront them.

She knew that sometimes they could be a bit irresponsible, but she still trusted them. She knew that Sonic wouldn't let Tails do anything that might get him hurt, and a little fresh air would probably be good for the both of them. So, instead of going after them, or telling Tails to get back into bed, she simply turned the other way, and went back to her own hut to get some well-deserved rest.

Sonic and Tails sat side by side at the edge of the ring pool. Tails hadn't mentioned his previous experience in Robotropolis since they'd gotten back – though Sonic didn't blame him. However, Sonic had to wonder how much of it was from just not wanting to talk about it, and how much of it was from the possibility that Tails himself wasn't really sure what had gone on... Sonic couldn't help but hope it was more of the latter. The less of it Tails could remember, the better, in his opinion.

It was good to be back here again. And now, sitting side by side by the water, a gentle breeze ruffling the fox's fur, and neither really talking much, he was almost able to pretend it had never happened. Sonic wondered if he'd really be able to do that. Just ignore everything that had happened recently and fill their time with new, better adventures. Maybe they really could move on without having to think about it again. Though somehow, he felt like they'd all have to face the consequences eventually, regardless of how much they all wanted to avoid it.

But, although Sonic had resigned himself to the fact that he wouldn't be able to forget about recent events for good, he'd made a firm decision to put the memory to the back of his mind until someone, or something else dug it back up again. Whoever it was, he knew it wouldn't be him.

"Sonic...?" Tails asked after a moment. His voice was quiet. He sounded timid,as if he expected to be in trouble for something.

"What is it, big guy?" Sonic asked, turning to look at him. He noted the worried look in the fox's blue eyes, and put a comforting hand on his shoulders.

The fox smiled appreciatively, but continued on. "I... I'm not in trouble, am I?" He paused, and bit his bottom lip nervously. "I'm still gonna be allowed to be a Freedom Fighter, aren't I?"

Sonic looked startled. He was genuinely surprised by the fox's question. "Eh? Whaddaya mean? Of course you will. Why wouldn't you be?"

"Because I... because I messed up! I got all caught an' stuff, an' I just though, that maybe 'cause I messed up, I wouldn't be allowed to be a Freedom Fighter no more. 'Cause, ya know everyone else thinks I'm too young, and I shouldn't be, but then you gotta convince everyone that I could do good too. But then I screwed up and thought that maybe, this means I won't be allowed anymore. 'Cause I'm just a kid and can't do nothin' right..." he trailed off and rubbed his gloved fists against his eyes, not wanting to cry in front of his idol and big brother. And, aside from that, feeling a bit ashamed as well, now that he'd voiced his fears.

"What? No way! I mean, come on, everyone... messes up... sometimes..." he paused. "And you didn't do anything wrong, bro. In fact, you did real good. I kinda though it was, well... my fault. You know, letting you get caught... I mean, I was s'pposed to be watching out for you." Even the hedgehog looked glum now. That wasn't what Tails had meant to do at all.

"Yeah, well. I should be able to watch out for myself." He snapped.

Sonic frowned. "You can, really well. Just 'cause something bad happened... Well anyway, no one's mad at you. Not one of us. We're all just glad that you're safe. Trust me, I'm always doing dumb stuff, messing up plans... and I'm still a Freedom Fighter." He grinned. "If they're still dealing with me, no way'll they have a problem with you."

Tails smiled vaguely, before continuing. "I wanna be a good fighter, like you. You're fast like that. And Sally's always comin' up with plans, an' stuff. An' Rotor's always makin' things, and Bunnie's got those robot arms and legs... not saying I want those, but still. You see what I mean, right? Everyone else's got all these amazing skills or somethin' that makes them a really great Freedom Fighter. And they've all got their own way of helpin' out, right, 's what they do. But I don't do anything... I just follow you around, and get to do the jobs that no one else really wants. I don't feel like a Freedom Fighter. I just feel like a tagalong. 'Cause I'm just a kid without any real talents that'll really help anyone."

Sonic was silent for a moment, and the fox folded his ears against his head, looking down at his feet. Finally, the hedgehog spoke, quietly. "Is that really how you feel?"

Tails gave a tiny nod, not looking up from his feet. And then suddenly found himself enveloped in a hug. This, apparently, was the last thing it took to finally unleash the well of tears that had been building, and he found himself clinging to Sonic and crying into the hedgehog's chest.

"I just wanna do good, y'know. T' help. I just wanna be able to do something on my own, for once..."

Sonic didn't pull away, just let the fox cry against him, both arms wrapped firmly around the tiny body. "You know Tails, you don't need to prove yourself to anyone. We all believe in you. We know what you can do. We know you're clever, and brave, and you may not realize but it was you who's saved the day an awful lot of times. And I don't know why you're so crazy about this working alone thing. Because all us other Freedom Fighters?"

"Y-yeah...?"

"I don't think any of us would be very strong on our own either. It's being a team that makes us strong. It's working together, y'know? We all help each other... we've all got something to give."

The fox nodded a tiny bit. "I know... I understand, Sonic..." he sat up and rubbed at his eyes again, before looking up at the blue hedgehog. "It's just, whenever something really important, or really dangerous goes on, I'm always left out. So, I think that everyone else doesn't trust me. Or maybe they're all just worried about me. I don't know, but I don't wanna be treated like a kid anymore. I wanna be treated just like everyone else. If I'm really parta th' team... I wanna be a real Freedom Fighter. Just like you an' Sally."

"Okay."

"...What?" The fox blinked in surprise.

"I said okay. You want to be treated just like the rest of us, yeah? Not like a little kid. Well I trust you, so if Sal's got a problem with you coming along on a particularly important or dangerous mission, then maybe I'll just sit out as well. But for some reason, I don't think she'll have a problem with it."

"R-really?"

Sonic nodded. "Yup. Because you're part of the team, whatever anyone else says. So we're gonna go tell Sally exactly what you just told me."

"Right now?"

"Right now." Sonic nodded.

"And I'll be a real, proper, Freedom Fighter," Tails nodded firmly, "even if it means, y'know.. gettin' hurt, an' stuff. 'Cause that's what you do all the time. An' I don' wanna be left behind any more."

Sonic didn't know why, of all things, getting captured had made Tails want to take more risks, but if that was what the fox really wanted, then that was what he would get. And even though Sonic still found that he blamed himself - at least partially - for the fox's getting caught in the first place, he also determined that he would trust him to make his own decisions. Although, he doubted he'd even stop keeping a watchful eye out, no matter how old either of them were. But that wasn't because he didn't trust the fox,that was just because the were brothers. And he had a feeling that Tails would always watch out for him, too. Because no matter what, the were a team.

Mossmask: Well, there we go. Finished. Finally. Phew. and, I've got a long-winded authors note to make at the end of all this. Hopefully I've still got enough of your attention to hear me through to the end...

Okay guys, so this is it. The end. Finally. I know this story has been pretty disconnected, with some pretty long hiatuses thrown in between. I started this little project back in grade 9 one night when i suddenly decided I wanted to write fanfiction. It wasn't well thought through, I'll admit. I lost direction near the beginning. And throughout the course of this story, i myself was struggling with finding my own personal style, learning how to characterize for everyone properly, and, a lot of it was also me learning basics of writing. Grammer, style, form, the works. So as much as this story was fun to write for me, and hopefully, fun to read for you, it was also a bit of a learning experience.

Now, I'm hoping that I'll be able to take what I've learned from this, and put it all into practice in a new story. I'm planning on starting a new fanfiction soon, and hopefully, this next one will have a more naturally flowing plot, be more in character, and quite frankly, just be better. However, I'm always trying to improve. So any advice and criticism along the way is always appreciated, probably far more then you realize.

Now that I'm done this story, which has always been somewhere on my mind for the past... what, two years? Around that? I feel a little lost. I'm gonna take some time to sort of figure out where I want to go from here. I know I'm going to write another fanfiction. And hopefully I'll see some of the same people over there, too. A lot of you I've come to consider really good friends, just through the reviews you leaveon my stories, because it's those reviews that keep me going. And they make me feel amazing, just to hear feedback. Knowing you guys are enjoying this really means a lot to me.

Anyway, like I said. I'm sort of looking for new inspiration now, soI can begin another story. Perhaps I'll plan it all out, perhaps I'll just start writing and see where that takes me.

One other note I'd like to make. You can all blame the return of my writing muse on NaNoWriMo, something I started on November first and plan to see through to the end. National Novel Writing Month. It's actually really cool, and something I suggest you all take a look at. It may be too late to start this year, (but maybe not, plenty of people haven't begun their novels yet xD), but any other year in the future, you could still join.

In any case, that's what I plan on spending most of my time on this month, my novel. So until I come back with a new fic, I suppose this is sort of like a goodbye, really. So, goodbye, until next time~!

~Mossmask out