Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Life Bestowed ❯ Epilogue ( Chapter 13 )

Legal Stuff:

I don't own any of the characters in this story. They are the properties of their respective owners.

Author's Notes:

The following takes place after the climax, and is the ending of this story…

Epilogue

Several days had passed since the fall of Robotnik's fortress. Everyone had returned safely, and things were finally quiet. Poor Metal-2 had hardly gotten a chance to experience life as he was caught up in yet another adventure with the others. He was now a robot once more, and had regained confidence in the decision. Amy had since convinced herself that it was for the best. Robotnik had made it back to his base under Liberty Island, and Metal Sonic had followed him. Chaos and the little chao he found were now on the edge of the island, headed for the secret entrance under the moonlit sky. He held the chao in his arms, petting it as he walked along.

Chaos: I think I'll keep you…But what should I name you? Fuzzball?

Chao: Blah!

Chaos: Um…Moondog?

Chao: Nyah!

Chaos: How about…Hat-fu?

Chao: Grr…

Chaos: Okay, okay, calm down! Uh…Hey! I've got it! I'll call you-

Chao: NA NA NA!!

Chaos: Okay, fine…let's see…What do say about…Freddie?

Chao: Hmm…dah! <nods>

Chaos: Okay…your name will be Freddie.

Chaos entered the base, carrying his new chao, Freddie, in his arms. He entered one of the rooms and was surprised to find Robotnik and Metal Sonic arguing with each other over a small little black robot near their feet.

Robotnik: We're NOT keeping it! And what right do you have voicing your opinion after you wrecked my plan anyway?!

Metal Sonic: That thing is your responsibility! I'm not gonna waste MY time getting rid of it!!

Chaos: Hey, you two…What are you arguing about?

They pointed to the roboticized chao at their feet.

Robotnik & Metal Sonic: THAT!!

Chaos: Huh?

He looked down at the machine, wondering about it.

Chaos: What is that thing? It kinda looks like a chao…

Robotnik: It is! I roboticized that chao, and now Metal refuses to destroy the worthless thing!

Chaos: <eye twitching> …Roboticized?…Worthless?…

Robotnik: I'm through arguing! I'll just get rid of it myself!

He reached down and pressed a button on the robotic chao. The machine glowed for a moment, and then exploded in a small cloud of fire and smoke. When it cleared, Chaos was practically boiling with rage…okay, so he was literally boiling.

Chaos: YOU WILL NOT ATTACK THE CHAO!!!!!!!

He ran up to Robotnik and slammed into him with a devastating super punch. Robotnik was impacted, and the tremendous force sent him through the wall, and out across the ocean. Chaos calmed down after that as Metal Sonic slowly backed away, secretly afraid. Freddie could care less. Back at the refuge base, Tails was helping Billy make some more permanent repairs to the Freedom Eagle. It had served them well, and now they were rewarding it. The fox was teaching Scruffy and Keylo some of the finer points of such modifications.

Tails was sitting on top of the Eagle, near a square hole that led down into the cabin of the machine. That's where Scruffy was. He sat on his knees, holding a screwdriver in his teeth as he drilled a hole with a power drill. Tails realized he needed a tool, and poked his head down through the hole. Tails's hair hung toward the ground, giving him an unusual appearance.

Tails: Hey, Uncle Scruffy!

Scruffy looked up, speaking with the screwdriver still in his mouth.

Scruffy: Yeah?

Tails: Can you hand me that socket wrench? One-and-a-half inch?

Scruffy: Sure…

Scruffy reached over to the toolbox, and picked up the wrench. He handed it to Tails, who disappeared back upwards through the hole. Outside, Billy was having some trouble with the rear-left landing gear. The hydraulics were malfunctioning, and he had removed the armor plating around them, exposing them in an attempt to figure out what was wrong.

Billy: I just don't see the problem…Everything's set up correctly; but they won't extend fully…

Keylo overheard the echidna talking to himself, and walked over to him.

Keylo: You know, I find that sometimes when advanced techniques don't work, the answer is simple.

Billy: Simple? How so?

Keylo raised a foot back behind her, and kicked the hydraulic system with full force. It rumbled, and then came online. The gear extended fully, locking into the down position. Keylo crossed her arms and looked happily at a very shocked and confused Billy.

Billy: But…how?! It just doesn't make sense!

Keylo: Yeah, well, that's life. <chuckles>

Billy: I…need some time to think this over…

He turned around and hobbled out of the room, looking ready to collapse at any moment from the confusion of it all. In another part of the base, Amy and Metal-2 sat alone together next to each other on a couch. The room was dark, and they were watching TV-a documentary on the inner workings of a space shuttle. Metal-2 found it quite interesting, and Amy pretended to do so as well. The robot had his arm around Amy, and thanks to his nerve sensor grid, he could feel her warmth next to him.

Metal-2: Amy, you have very helpful to me…

Amy: Huh?

Metal-2: Without you, I would never have lasted. I know you've made a lot of sacrifices for me, and I wish there was some way for me to repay you.

Amy: Don't worry about that…just be yourself; that's enough for me.

Metal-2 reached over and played with the fluff of quills on Amy's forehead as he continued.

Metal-2: I thought you might say something like that. …But I still feel I owe you. So, to try and start paying you back, I got you something…

He reached into the storage compartment on his right leg, and pulled out a small, blue velvet box. The robot handed it to her, and she took it, wondering what could possibly be inside.

Amy: What…what is this?

Metal-2: Open it.

A few thoughts of what might be inside rushed through Amy's mind in the few milliseconds before she opened the box. A necklace…a bracelet…the thought of an engagement ring even flashed through her mind. But in reality, she discovered it to be a golden locket. There was a blue butterfly engraved in it. The jewelry, and the thoughts behind it, were very special to Amy. She looked back and forth between the locket and Metal-2 as tears welled up in her eyes. Metal-2 saw them, and wondered…

Metal-2: Is…something wrong?

Her voice was very soft as she spoke.

Amy: No, not at all. I…I don't know what to say…

Metal-2: It's okay; I understand.

Amy nuzzled her face into the side of Metal-2's head. They hugged each other for a moment, and then Amy backed away a bit to put the locket on. She did so, and faced Metal-2.

Amy: So how do I look?

Metal-2: Beautiful.

Amy closed her eyes, and they fell into each other's arms once again. Out in the city, Scotty the crime fighter stood atop a skyscraper, looking out across the harbor. He needed to be alone for a while, and found this to be a good thinking spot. He remembered different parts of the adventure he had just completed, and how Metal-2 had been treated to a rather cruel version of being alive.

Scotty: <thinking> Perhaps that is what caused him to turn against life…

Scotty wished that Metal-2 had been given the chance to enjoy his brief sojourn into the realm of mortality. But it was over now, and nothing could be done. Scotty spoke quietly to himself, thinking out loud.

Scotty: Oh, Metal…I hope you don't think of living as being so cruel all the time…

A cool breeze blew past, and continued to do so. Scotty sensed something behind him, and turned to face it. It wasn't a dark presence; but rather a mysterious one. All Scotty saw behind him was the radio tower that rose several yards into the sky. It had always been there, and it seemed to be all that was there now. But Scotty knew someone else was here. He looked up, all the way to the top of the tower. Directly in front of the moon was the silhouette of something unusual. The top was steady and unmoving, and everything below flapped in the wind. Someone was up there, but Scotty couldn't make out whom. The head turned, revealing two glowing red eyes. They stared into him, piercing his heart. Whoever it was spoke to him, responding to the last thing Scotty had said.

Voice: Isn't it, though?

Scotty recognized the voice, and then everything else about the figure fell into place. The hedgehog smiled as shadowy character leapt into the air, and landed in front of him a few seconds later.

Scotty: Rokusho…

Rokusho: <nods>

The silvery medabot was now clearly visible, wearing a newer tan, silk cloak.

Scotty: What did you mean when you said that?

Rokusho: You and your friends have chosen to lead a cruel life, so how could Metal see it as being any different?

Scotty: You mean crime fighting, don't you?

Rokusho: It's a very difficult and risky job. All it takes is one attack; one bullet; one slice; in the right place, and it's all over.

Scotty: It's something I try not to think about…

Rokusho: Probably for the best.

Scotty: You know, sometimes I wonder how different my life would be if I had never turned against crime, or even if I had never become involved with it in the first place. I wonder how different the lives of everyone in the city would be, perhaps even the world.

Rokusho: It wouldn't be as good as it is now. I know sometimes things seem terrible, but you must remember, it can always be worse.

Scotty: It can also always be better. That's what we crime-fighters strive for…to make things better.

Rokusho: Your ultimate goal is perfection. You know it can't possibly be reached, but still you try. That is the commitment you have made; to reach for what you can't have. Your friend Metal has seen that, in more ways than one.

Scotty: He's usually pretty logical…Perhaps that means he thinks there's no point in trying to do the impossible.

Rokusho: I wouldn't say that. He's still one of you, after all.

Scotty: I guess so… Do you think it could be that maybe he's willing to go for it, but sees being a robot as a better way of doing so?

Rokusho: It's not my place to tell you what you really want to know. I suggest you ask Metal yourself.

Rokusho leaned forward slightly, looking straight into Scotty's eyes.

Rokusho: There is no shame in seeking help when you need it.

The robot took a few steps back, and Scotty knew he was about to leave.

Scotty: Leaving so soon?

Rokusho: We didn't get to have much of a conversation last time, so I wanted to make up for it.

Scotty: Goodbye, Rokusho.

Rokusho nodded, and shot into the sky, disappearing from sight. Scotty took one last look at the harbor before heading home. When he arrived, he found Tails standing outside the door with his relatives.

Tails: So you're going, then?

Scruffy: I'll be around. I have to keep an eye on you two after all; gotta make sure you don't die or anything.

Scotty: Hey, guys…what's going on?

Scruffy: I'm heading out.

Scotty: What about Keylo?

Keylo: My training's not entirely finished, but I'd like to hang out here for a while, if it's okay with you.

Scotty: Of course you can stay. You're welcome to join us, too, Scruffy.

Scruffy: No thanks. Maybe someday, but right now, I feel the need to return to my environment.

Scruffy knelt down in front of Tails, and put a hand on his shoulder.

Scruffy: I'm very proud of you. Don't ever lose sight of your talents, Tails. Understand?

Tails: Of course I do.

He turned to Keylo, facing her.

Scruffy: Well, Keylo, I hope you never have to use what you learned, but it will be unavoidable at some point. So, use it well.

Keylo: Yes, sir.

The three foxes hugged one another, and Scruffy stood up to leave.

Scruffy: Hey, Scotty…

Scotty: Yeah?

Scruffy: Take care of these two for me, would you?

Scotty: You know I will.

Scruffy looked at the two foxes one last time, and turned around as he backed away. He dashed into the distance, and was no longer anywhere to be seen. Tails sighed, and led the other two into the base. Everyone else already knew that Keylo was staying, and Sonya soon greeted Scotty as he entered the door.

Sonya: Hi, Scott… So, did you come up with any great, world-changing ideas this time?

Scruffy: Heh, I wish…But I did meet someone incredible.

Sonya: Really? Who?

Scotty explained his encounter with Rokusho to her. Meanwhile, in another room, Amy had since fallen asleep in the protective arms of Metal-2. She knew she had nothing to fear from him, and trusted the robot very much. Amy rested, leaning against him as they sat with each other. Metal-2 was incapable of sleep, but wished that he could do so now. So, he did what he could to try and imitate sleep by first closing his optical overshields, which were tough panels of metal that were tucked under the armor above his visor. They looked much like eyelids, and served a similar purpose. Next, he let gravity pull his parts down, trying to relax. He made sure not to crush Amy in the process, though, as his head came to partially rest on hers. Lastly, he replayed memories of the past in his mind. There they stayed for the rest of the night; Amy asleep, Metal-2 trying to do so as well. Everyone else went to bed at some time or another, even Billy. The night went on, providing a much-needed vacation before the crew's next adventure…

THE END

And, that's it. So, what did you think of this little story of mine? Okay, so it's not entirely my story; and here's why:

Scotty CF has written a book style version of this story. It centers around the same basic idea of Metal-2 becoming real, but is otherwise a completely different story. If you haven't already read it, then I STRONGLY suggest you do so.

I would also like to thank Scotty CF for letting me use her characters, setups, backgrounds, and ideas.

That said, we move on to the next little bit of info:

I'd like to say that we didn't hurt anyone when making this story, but sadly this is not the case. Philbert the stuntman was maimed in a horrible pyrotechnics accident. And Bud the janitor is believed to have been squashed in deadly wet floor incident. (don't ask…) Other than that, everyone was fine. At least, we're pretty sure of that…

And now, having read the story, it would be very helpful to me and possibly others if you would take a moment to review this story. I use such comments to make better stories in the future, so your review might have an influence…

Thanks for reading!