9

Epilogue: “A Birthday Party”

The princesses were entirely excited. It was their fifth birthday at last. The whole gang had gotten back together for the party, including some old friends from the war with Robotnik. The private residence in the palace was filled with colorful decoration, blue, pink, and white for the girls’ favorite colors. And it was just getting started.

Sally laughed as Maximilian danced around with both girls like a little boy himself, Sonic zipping around to get some last-minute party supplies out and about. Lupe, Cat, and Garas were helping finish up some decorations, while Tail flitted around with streamers, going a little crazy, but no one wanted to stop him having his fun. Sir Charles and Rotor had set up a small entertainment system to one side of the room so the girls could do whatever they liked, be it movies, games, or music (the music blasting happily that very minute).

Dulcy giggled as the girls blurred up to her, and asked for rides around the palace. Sally gave the go-ahead cheerfully, and so the dragon took the girls zipping around through the air with all her tricks and speed.

Antoine had invited his fox-woman lady-friend to get her properly introduced to everyone. Janet by name, she was tall and elegant, but also very warm and friendly. Sally thought she was adorable, especially flushed at being around the Queen and her family of heroes. The Queen made sure to give Antoine a little nudge and wink for the ‘catch’, which made him blush and laugh.

Max clapped, rolling back in his chair with laughter as Sonic did an impromptu break-dance near the music-center. Sally came over, intending to tickle him and make him fall over. She did… and then he pulled her into a childish dance, the woman laughing the whole time. Max was glad to see them so happy together.

Dulcy returned with the girls, who decided that ‘big brother Tails’ was their next target. Lita dove into him, wrestling with him as the poor young man tried to stop Cathy from putting bows on his tails.

Lupe giggled in good humor when Rotor asked her for a dance to the childish music, and she obliged him with put-on airs, the two having a lovely time. Garas felt anxious at first, then yelped when Dulcy tickled him with her tail to get him to ‘lighten up’. He smirked at her, and then bobbed his head to the music.

Cat seemed surprisingly ready for a party. Since the war he’d been acting as part of the covert-operations and intelligence system in the new government, working closely with Lupe, who coordinated much of the government for Sally. He was being stone-faced and completely silly at the same time, doing a jerking, stepping dance around the edge of the big room. Sir Charles gave him a few calls of encore whenever the poor feline tried to take a break, and finally Cat just gave the old genius a dry wave to be quiet from across the room. The old hedgehog plopped down beside Max, the two sharing a light laugh, happy to see their younger friends and family having such a wonderful time.

Max tilted his head back with a content sigh despite the loud music. “I’m surprised Bunnie and Metic aren’t here yet, I must say. Do you know what’s keeping them?”

Sir Charles chuckled. “Oh, probably just preparing a surprise of their own.”

“Oh?”

The elder hedgehog just winked.

Finally the door-signal gave a light jingle. Cathy lit up, leaving Tails’ tails be at last, “Aunt Bunnie!”

Lita gasped, and then both girls blurred for the door. Sally tried to step out to go get the door for them, but her husband playfully twirled her around into his arms, and she smirked at him before giving him a little kiss. “Naughty little hedgehog’s don’t get their cake, you know?”

He winked. “I can live without cake. I get something better,” and he kissed her again.

She blushed, but smiled, and finally got back on her feet, giving him a playful swat.

The door opened for Lita, and Bunnie grinned. “My little darlin’s!” and she immediately got down to grab them both in a huge hug, lifting them off the ground so she could walk further in. The girls giggled and cuddled close to her.

“You’re late!” Lita promptly reminded her, putting on a playful act of indignation.

Bunnie winked. “Sorry, Lita. I had ta help Metic get ready.”

“Mr. Metic came too!?” Cathy asked excitedly.

“Did you think I wouldn’t?”

It was the change in his voice that drew most everyone’s attention. Sally froze where she was walking to greet Bunnie, the others stopping short and staring.

There Metic stood, flesh and blood, in his new clothes. His smile became a bit shy, and he waved idly. “Sorry we’re late. It’s entirely my fault.” He lifted up two presents in his arms. “Didn’t want to mess up, and all that.”

Bunnie stood up with a grin for everyone.

The girls broke the stunned silence as only they could. “Mr. Metic!” and they shot over, clamping onto his legs.

Metic laughed, and put the presents down, quickly wrapping the girls up in a tight hug of his own at last.

“Wagh!” Cathy giggled. “You’re all soft now!”

Metic chuckled. “You noticed! I thought I was keeping it a secret so well, too!”

Lita laughed, and snuggled closer. Metic’s smile turned soft and fond. Now he understood a part of why Bunnie thought so happily about children. It was delightful to have these little creatures close against him, safe and sound.

Quickly, the whole group moved over, hugging and welcoming Bunnie as they came to congratulate them both on the change. Sally specifically pulled Metic into a warm hug, whispering, “You make her so happy… thank you.”

He had no response, she knew, and as they pulled apart, he just smiled gratefully for her words.

Sonic shook his hand with a wink, Rotor lightly pulling the newly organic hedgehog into a side-hug, congratulating him directly.

Then Lita noticed the data-back-up on Bunnie’s hand as the rabbit-woman gently patted her while hugging Lupe in greetings. “Aunt Bunnie! You have a new ring! It’s pretty!”

Bunnie blushed, but smiled.

Rotor laughed, “Whoa, is there another surprise you two want to share with us or something?”

Bunnie turned red, hiding her hands in her face. “J-just the back-ups for all the data. Uncle Chuck thought it… might be…”

Metic pulled her into a comforting hug to let her hide, and grinned up at the group, Dulcy sharing a warm smile with him. “Just gifts from Uncle, but treasured ones, yes.”

Sonic shrugged. “Eh! Not like it’ll take ya long to get her another one, anyway, right?”

Bunnie squeaked in Metic’s shoulder, and the black hedgehog laughed, blushing himself. “We’ll see, yes. Now we didn’t mean to take the focus away from the princesses!” His topic change helped Bunnie relax, and she pecked his cheek in thanks before they both crouched down to hug the girls afresh. “Happy birthday!”

The girls glowed, and hugged them tight.

(Later…)

Dancing and silliness was the call of the day. The girls had everyone dancing to their favorite music before long. Antoine and Janet laughed as they danced together to the ridiculous music. Lupe went into a play-dance with Rotor and Cat, each trying to dance with her, and the wolf-woman wryly playing coy as the three of them danced around. They were laughing the whole time.

Sonic and Sally danced with their daughters happily, then each other as Lita grabbed Max, and Cathy pulled Tails over to dance with them.

Bunnie found that Metic was an able dancer in his new body. The only time they had danced in the past was the celebration after Robotnik’s defeat, and this time the hedgehog had no fear of accidentally hurting her. They spun around each other and laughed.

Dulcy happily danced in place, not wanting to shake the whole room. She caught Garas smiling at her, and smirked back, tapping his head with her tail. He blushed, and focused anywhere else.

By the time everyone was breathing hard, even the girls, they agreed to take a break from dancing and play games. Experts at their own video-games, they promptly slaughtered all opposition (though Tails managed to fend them off the best).

It was getting near time for the cake-party, so Sally recruited Bunnie to help her. Unfortunately, the girls ambushed them.

“Where are you taking Aunt Bunnie, Mama?” Cathy challenged with put-on authority, arms akimbo.

“Yeah! She’s not supposed to vanish yet!” Lita declared with her.

Charmed, but a bit caught, the two women shared a glance, nervously laughing.

Then Metic hopped down behind the girls. “Ah-hah! I see challengers for my wrestling title… I suppose you’re too busy to try and take it from me, eh?”

The girls spun around, shared a grin, and then tackled him back to the ground, shouting and giggling as Metic played with them.

Sally and Bunnie shared an adoring laugh, quickly hurrying out of sight to prepare the cakes. It was part of the tradition for the girls to each get a small cake instead of one big cake. The others still in the room with the girls either chatted happily, or watched in amusement as Metic played at begging for mercy as the girls held one of his arms and legs up over his back.

When he sagged with defeat at last, the girls leaned over his head, giggling at him. His eyes peeked open, and he smirked before they frazzled his spines, and took off, letting him chase them around the room to get revenge on their hair.

Sir Charles chuckled as he tried to clean up a little bit while the girls were busy. “He’s been waiting for this…”

Max heard him, and nodded. “So it would seem, old friend. I must say, I know him little, but he makes an excellent first impression. I think Bunnie chose wisely, despite the risks implied by his original nature.”

“Agreed on that, sire,” Sir Charles replied with a wink at the retired monarch.

They clapped each other’s backs and took seats to relax.

(In the Kitchen…)

Preparing the cakes, Sally and Bunnie were both smiling brightly. Sally loved days like this, where she could really be a mother to her children, and do nice things for them. Bunnie felt similarly happy, but had the added treasure of seeing Metic so light and happy in his own manner as well.

“He’s wonderful with the girls,” Sally said abruptly, giving Bunnie a knowing smile.

Bunnie blushed softly, giggling. “Ain’t he though? He’s jus’ the sweetest man, Sally-girl.”

Sally winked. “And he doesn’t look half-bad either.”

“Sally-girl!” Bunnie protested, almost squeaking as she swatted Sally’s shoulder. “Don’t you go gettin’ any funny ideas now…”

The squirrel laughed as she finished placing the candles on Lita’s blue-ice-cream cake. “Oh relax. I’m sure he’s still the perfect gentleman you adored, right?”

Bunnie smiled warmly as she finished the candles on Cathy’s light, white fluffy cake. “Every ounce of ‘im, yeah. Aw, it’s jus’ so nice ta be able ta give ‘im a real hug, ya know?”

“And I’m sure he enjoys them.”

The poor rabbit blushed fiercely again, but her little smile remained.

“So when are you two getting hitched, anyway?” Sally asked, knowing full-well the reaction she would get with her mischievous tone.

“SALLY!” Bunnie wailed, and grabbed the squirrel in a playful headlock as they both laughed.

“…Uh… need help, you two?” Sonic asked from the doorway.

They both froze, blinking at him, rapidly blushing. They quickly split apart, stifling giggles, and Sally gestured to the cakes. “Sure! You want to grab Cathy’s? I’ll carry Lita’s.”

Sonic winked, picking his cake up, and smirked at Bunnie. “He’s a keeper!”

Bunnie moaned, flailing her hands in helpless frustration. “Would y’all stop makin’ fun a-me!?”

“But you’re so cute when you’re blushing!” Sally protested, and then joined her husband outside before Bunnie could protest further.

Alone for a moment, Bunnie huffed at the kitchen, and marched out, nose high.

(Cake…)

Cuing the whole group, Sally and Sonic started the happy-birthday song, and the girls squealed with excitement and happiness, running over to the table and wagging their legs from their chairs rapidly. Metic found Bunnie, and they shared a soft hug as they joined everyone at the table, a side of it near the open space of the balcony to make sure Dulcy and Garas could join everyone comfortably.

With the two cakes on the table in front of the girls, everyone clapped at the end of the song, and Sally quickly reminded them, “Don’t forget to make a wish!”

The girls shared a look, and then smiled up at her. “But we got everything already!”

A coo of adoration ran around the whole table, even Lupe controlling a pouting giggle at the wonderful sentiment from the twin girls. Sally and Sonic came around to hug them in their chairs, kissing them and patting them. “Then we’re so glad,” Sally whispered for them both.

Sonic winked. “But getting all the candles in one go is still a bit of fun, right?”

Giggling, the girls nodded, puffed up, and blasted the candles out together. Everyone clapped again, and the cake-party got under way.

(Later…)

The girls would remember their fifth birthday party as one of their favorites for many years. They got to stay up late, have fun with all of their big ‘family’, and everyone was so happy with them as well. They fell asleep playing games as the party began to wind down anyway, and their parents took them to tuck them in.

The whole group shared fond farewells, promising to get together again soon.

(Elsewhere…)

Later that night, Bunnie was walking up the steps of her house with Metic, and she turned to him with a gentle smile. “It was really precious seein’ you with the girls, darlin’… You’ll be an amazin’ daddy when the time comes.”

He blushed gently, but smiled for her words. “Thank you… I hoped I might be as good a father as you would be a mother. Children adore you so.”

She glanced away with a blush and shy smile of her own. “Metic… I know it’s a little late already, but… would ya like ta come inside for a bit? Just a bit.”

Metic smiled gently for her. “I would love to, but I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable in your own home, Bunnie. We can spend time together tomorrow.”

Bunnie giggled softly, nodding to her door. “Please?”

Metic tipped his head, and followed her into her home.

In the living room, Bunnie flopped down on the couch with a wink at him. “Would ya like some tea or somethin’?”

Her boyfriend shrugged easily, and started to sit down in the chair across from her.

Bunnie smirked, and patted the cushion beside her. “Now don’t be silly, Metic. Come ‘ere.”

He blushed softly, but stood back up, and gently sat down beside her. Bunnie smiled at him fondly, her eyes soft with a wistful happiness that he was close and safe with her. “…I wanted ta share somethin’ with ya… now that we can share it properly.”

She saw a bit of fear creep into his handsome eyes. “W-what is it you wished to share?”

Bunnie gently leaned closer to him, and whispered to his ear. “Put yer arms around me, sugar-bot…”

His face melted with soft shock, and he gently tilted his head to hers as his arms wrapped around her supportively, strong and warm. Bunnie rested her head on his shoulder, and pressed her hand to his strong heart. He leaned back with her push, and in just a moment, they were lying together, nestled in their shared warmth.

Metic breathed out from the beauty of the sensation, his cheek resting against her ears along the top of her head. Bunnie smiled softly, her hand caressing his chest as his hands gently stroked her back. She gave a soft moan of contentment. “See now? …This feels so nice, Metic.”

Tears were dripping from his eyes softly. Her breath, her heartbeat, her warmth around him… he had dreamed of this, and never could dreams compare to the reality of it. “…You feel so beautiful, Bunnie…”

With her face nestled near his neck, she smiled sleepily, and reached up, patting his cheek. “Ya always say the right thing, darlin’…”

Drowsy himself, he whispered, “Just being honest.”

Her hand sank softly into the other side of his neck, and she nestled a little closer to him. “That’s what makes it so perfect, Metic… Thank you.” Gentle tears of happiness were trickling from her eyes as well.

His arms gave her a warm, bracing squeeze, and she gave a sigh of appreciation.

They fell asleep that way together. They would both be a bit flushed and embarrassed in the morning, but it would be a fond memory they treasured for the rest of their lives together. Neither could imagine sharing such wonderful warmth with anyone else… it just wouldn’t fit.

…They were happy.

The Beginning.

(Author’s Note)

And there we go! Made of Metal is complete. I’m quite happy with this story. I adore Bunnie, Metic was a very fun “OC” spin on Metal Sonic for me, and overall I feel this story turned out as well as I hoped it would.

Thanks everyone for reading, and for all the reviews! I appreciate every one!

Your writer,

Cyrex