King Max recovered slowly over the next few weeks. Having been in the Void so long, his body had to get used to supporting itself again. Things all Mobians took for granted like eating, sleeping, and doing one's business as they say - all had to be slowly reintroduced to Max's body. But recovered he did, progressing through a bland liquid diet of broths and diluted dairy, to gruel, and finally to solid foods, though rich foods still gave his reactivated bowels some trouble. After nearly a month of doting by his daughter, Rosie, and Bunnie, King Max was well enough to take short strolls through Knothole. It was late summer - the leaves were no longer vibrant green nor was the brush as verdant as the rains began to wane this time of year and the nights grew a bit cooler. Soon would come harvest and the chills of autumn, but Max enjoyed this time of year. The air was warm and dry, very comfortable for a recovering Mobian to be out and about in the Great Forest. Being in Knothole for the first time in so long flooded him with memories of happy times. It had been a Royal Family retreat, and he remembered Knothole not only from when he was a child, but also when he had brought Sally here, back when his wife had been alive.

Knothole had changed somewhat, though, from the images he had in his heart. It was much more rustic than before, and spartan. Following the Coup, of course, times had been tough, and many of the niceties of Knothole had fallen into disrepair or were dismantled and scavenged for supplies. Wood and thatch huts replaced the humble but aesthetically pleasing stucco cottages that had been here. A bit of his heart ached at the changes, but he found comfort in that his people and his child had found refuge here and made it their own. As he wandered around, he also marveled at what they had been able to accomplish in such a rough setting. Rotor's laboratory with its derobotacizer and the hydroelectric plant impressed him greatly. They had found ways to adapt to their harsh life of refuge and then improve it, both for their comfort and for the good of those who remained in robotic slavery.

What King Max found most difficult during this recovery was being among other Mobians again. He was once a king, with courtly protocols and etiquette that needed to be observed. Then he had been banished suddenly to the Void, his only other companion being Naugus. Naugus - his mind wandered when he thought about the wizard. How could he do this treacherous deed to side with Snively? For the short time that Naugus had been helping Snively but remained tied to the Void, Max never knew of the wizard's new alliance, for the King had no magic to see outside the confines of that jail. But now that he did know how Naugus had sided with the traitor's nephew, left him to die in the Void, and sought to enslave the remainder of his people, Max seethed. Curses for the wizard darkened his mind, until he was pulled out of it by a Mobian he had nearly collided with coming around the corner of the granary. And once again, King Max was faced with that challenge he found most difficult in his new life - how to behave as a deposed monarch around subjects would had long lived without one. And he could tell that they, despite their joy at his return, were finding it awkward around him as well. The Mobian, a woodpecker with fiery plumage, stumbled all over himself, "I - I - I, er, your Majesty, or, I mean, your H-highness - what I mean is, I'm sorry, very sorry, my apologies, King, er Sire."

Max quickly waved with his hand and replied, "No, no, my good Mobian. No need for apologies. Honest mistake." He reached out to put a reassuring hand on the nervous bird's shoulder, but found himself unsure. Would it be appropriate? Should he still act regal, or were such things trivial even absurd in their current state of refuge? In the end, he dropped his hand back to his side, gave the Mobian a polite nod, and went his way - straight back to his new home, with his daughter, one of the few he felt somewhat comfortable around.

He entered the hut, poured himself a cool cup of water, and sat in the sun by an open window. He breathed deeply. The thatch of the cottage had been replaced recently, and it smelled sweet. He relaxed in the chair, basking in the sun's glow and feeling the gently breeze rustle his fur. He sighed. Just before he could drift into a nap, he started awake when he heard the door to the hut shut. Sally had finished up on some task or another. She was always busy, dealing with big troubles like the war against Robotnik or resolving a dispute between Mobians or even small one like giving that young fox, what was his name? - ah, Tails, some motherly attention.

Sally saw her father sitting by the window and rushed over to him, giving him an enthusiastic hug. "Good evening, Daddy. How are you feeling today? Were you able to to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather?" Max hugged his teenage daughter back, with no less enthusiasm.

"Afternoon, my little Bean," replied the King. "Yes," he nodded, "I was able to make my way throughout the village today without any problems." As he said that, a look of uncertainty flashed across his face as he remembered his encounter with the woodpecker. And Sally caught it.

"Still feeling a bit out of place, aren't you?" she asked with concern. She remembered how awkward it was for her, even as a child, to adapt to being both a princess but also just another refugee. She did have a role of leadership in Knothole, but it was more due to her role as a strategist than her heritage. And they all knew that Sonic really had the final say around here. But children are adaptable, and at the tender age of five, she never really had the opportunity to exercise the role and responsibilities of a princess.

Max sighed slow and heavy. "I am afraid so. It has been a strange journey these years. The Void felt like an eternity of exile, but the Coup feels like it happened mere days ago. The bitter sting of Julian's betrayal still lingers in my soul. And yet, here I am now, far from anything I remember of Mobius." Max's voice trailed off. Sally had no words of comfort for her aching father. He was a king, but still a Mobian; he had pride, but still a vulnerable heart. They sat in silence for who knows how long, when Sonic crashed through the door, making Sally squeak a bit in surprise. He skidded to a halt on the wooden floor, charring some of the boards from the friction.

"Yo, Sal, I know we just got back and all but - hey, you guys all right, or what?" Sonic asked as he looked back and forth between the two sullen faces. Sally was used to Sonic's explosive entries and quickly regained her composure.

"Yes, Sonic, we're fine. We were just talking," she responded.

"Yeah, 'bout what?" Sonic pried. He tapped his foot impatiently.

"Just stuff about our day," Sally replied a bit brusquely. Sonic had known Sally for as long as he had known himself. He knew something was getting to her, and she did not want to share it. And Sally hated it when he dug into such things. But Sally knew Sonic just as long and well, and she knew he had caught on to her. She knew he would not let it go until she shared it.

Sure enough, he crossed his arms, tapped his foot a bit faster, and asked again, "So, what stuff?"

Sally could feel her temper rising. It was one thing for Sonic to pester her to reveal things about herself and her feelings, but she was not about to let him do the same to her father. She stomped her foot, locked he eyes on Sonic's. He didn't flinch a bit. Two more stubborn Mobians there never were. But before the fur could fly, Max stood up and separated the quarrelsome couple.

"Now, now," he began, "this is nothing to get worked up over. Sonic, Sally and I were just discussing some personal issues I am having right now. Sally, Sonic is just showing care and concern in his own, er, unique way. You have both grown up two fine Mobians, two fine leaders of our people. There is no reason to lose composure over these kinds of things." Sally hung her head down; she knew he was right. She looked up at Sonic to apologize but stopped. She could see it his eyes. He was going to try a different angle.

"Well, your majesty, you're in luck," he said as he snapped his fingers. "It just so happens that this hedgehog," he quickly dragged a couch over and pushed it under Max, knocking him down so he was lying on it, "is an amateur professional of psychocology." Sonic blasted out of the hut and was back with a very fake, very bushy mustache and argyle sweater vest. He sat on a stool and asked in a German accent, "So, your Majesty, what seemz to be und problem, jah?" He twitched his very coarse mustache. Sally and Max couldn't be mad at Sonic's antics - they completely lost it in laughter. Sonic creased his brow and huffed, "I must say, young vomen, you must to be quiet. Da patient's mental health es und paramount." His feigned irritation only made them laugh even more. After a few moments, even Sonic could not retain a straight face and finally joined in the mirth.

Once they calmed down and wiped the tears from their eyes, Sonic asked, "But seriously, guys, what's the prob? It can't be too of a biggie."

Max, who now felt much more relaxed than before, decided to share his dilemma and vulnerability with this young Mobian. After he was done, Sonic didn't see phased a bit. "Your Majesty, Sal' used to talk about that stuff all the time. Ya know what finally got her out of the ol' shell?" Sonic twirled his index fingers in the air with a certain Sonic-esque flair, and then pointed emphatically back at himself. "This guy! And," Sonic began talking again in his awful German impression, "za doctor es prescribing za best medicine, ja!" Sally and Max just looked at him, waiting for him to come to the point. Sonic dropped the the German tone.

"We're gonna have one jelly 'n' jammin' party!"

A week later, every Freedom Fighter group was in Knothole to celebrate the return of King Max. Food and drink were plentiful. Sonic prepared a mountain of chilidogs, but no one seemed to really want that many. Sally and her father each had one to be polite. "Oh well, more for us. Eh, Big Guy?"

"You got it, Sonic!" exclaimed Tails.

The different groups each brought food that was special to them and their culture. The Wolfpack, coming from the relatively dry climate of the Great Unknown, brought breads made from the hearty grains that grew well there. Those from the Great Jungle brought exotic fruits and drinks. The Knothole group supplied the greatest variety - nuts, berries, and all sorts of vegetables and game. Rosie was happily busy keeping up the supply of food and drink for everyone.

There were dances and games and prizes. A few games in particular are worth mentioning. First was the three-legged race. Everyone had found their partners early on, so Sonic was stuck with Antoine. "Well, Ant, it looks like it's you and me."

"I will do my utmost, Sonic. After all, I am zee master of coordination and king-fu." He bent down to tie their ankles together but got his finger caught in the knot. Sonic helped pull it loose.

"Yeah, Ant, with your mad skills, how can we lose?" Sonic sarcastically asked. Everyone lined up. A rocket was fired to start the race. The dynamic duo of Sonic and Antoine fell flat at the starting line. Others were moving ahead, but not without problems. Sally and Bunnie were by far in the lead. Sonic pulled himself up. "C'mon, Ant, move it! We're gonna be last!" Sonic grumbled. "And you know this hedgehog hates to lose."

Antoine was more worried about the grass stains on his uniform. "Oh, this will never come out," he moaned. The on-lookers couldn't help but laugh at the unbalanced pair. Sonic took matters into his own hands, or legs rather. He dashed ahead at sonic speed as the helpless Antoine dangled behind. Everyone burst out laughing at the sight. But Sonic could not cover the ground in time, so they came in second place to Sally and Bunnie. The poor Antoine got a silver ribbon and a mouthful of earth.

Another event allowed Antoine to get his revenge, though it was not on purpose. It was another race. The object was to hold a torkasduil, a fruit of the kasduil tree, in one's mouth without piercing the skin as he ran to the finishing line. Now the torkasduil is a very tender fruit, somewhat like an overripe tomato in appearance and consistency but filled with a very bitter and staining red juice. So Sonic, Antoine, Ari, and a few others who were willing to brave the evil-tasting fruit lined up to begin the race. All things were equal in this race because Sonic could not use his speed with the fragile package he was carrying. A rocket was launched and the race began. Ari pulled ahead quickly, but Sonic and Antoine were slowly gaining. Just as Sonic was about to pull ahead, Antoine tripped and fell into Sonic. Both tumbled over with their fruits. Antoine spat his out with a loud pooi! and landed on it, staining his already stained jacket. "Thank goodness to me, no harm dones. Are you okay, Sonic?"

Sonic let out a loud, "Blah!" as he turned to glare at Antoine. "Smooth, blech, move, gah!, Ant! gack!" His face was completely red from the fruit's juice!

Everyone just lost it, even Sonic could not help laughing, between the times he was trying to rinse the taste out of his mouth. Ari won that race.

There were many other games of skill and luck. Everyone was enjoying the festivities. Finally, Max was asked to make a speech. All looked on him with admiration. Most of those present only knew him from before the Void as children. Having been able to see all these good folks having fun with him had finally put him at ease with his people. He cleared his throat and began.

"I will not make this long, for you are all enjoying yourselves. It has been a long eleven years for all of you, but you have remained loyal and true to your king and to a free Mobius. For greater patriots and friends, for better Mobians, no one can ask. You all deserve a great thanks. Generations to come will look back on these dark times and your names will be remembered as those of heroes. I am proud of you all." The King slowly looked over the crowd. "Four among us have done something very special in that they freed me from my long imprisonment in the Void." All the Mobians cheered. "I would like these four to please come forward. Sonic Hedgehog, Princess Sally, Bunnie Rabbot, and Tails." The four heroes stood before King Max. He looked at them tenderly - thankful and proud of these young folks. Most he knew as mere babes before his exile. Now they were in a deadly conflict, and they lived and fought with dignity. "May the bravery of these four shine like beacons for you to follow." The King knelt before them. Gasps and murmurs coursed through the crowd, and the four were unsure how to respond, looking at each other nervously. "For all of us to follow," Max reiterated before he rose back to his feet. "Especially that of this one," declared the King as he pulled Tails to himself. "This little one has lived his whole life in war, ten years of it. How many of us would be bitter and without hope if we had not the memory of a former and happier time, a time that is but something in his imagination." Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. "During this time of exile, I have no medals or laurels to give to you as reward of your deeds. But just the same, hold your heads high. Your king, and all of Mobius, thanks you!" All the Freedom Fighters cheered, but the King held up his hand for silence. "And to this special young friend, Tails, I give the only precious possession I own. In his haste to banish me, the traitor Julian left it with me when he sent me to the Void." He removed from a pocket a silver medallion. It seemed well-worn. On once side was a shield, and on the other the words, Stand Firm. "It was given to me by my father the day he transferred the throne to me. I must admit that many times in the Void I lost hope and mocked those words as senseless platitude. But you, my little friend, live them. May you never tire of righting the wrongs around you." The Mobians exploded. All the Knothole Freedom Fighters were teary. The little child they had raised and cared for was the recipient of such an honor. Sonic came over and lifted Tails up on his shoulders.

"Way to go, Big Guy!"

Sally gave him a "funny" kiss, "I'm so proud of you, Tails."

"Thanks, Sonic. Thanks, Aunt Sally." Tails was blushing with embarrassment from all the attention. "Thank you, your Majesty."

"You're most welcome, little friend." The Freedom Fighters were chanting Tails' name. The King held up his hand for silence again. "There is yet another order of business that we must attend to. I would ask that Tails and Bunnie would please return to the rest of the assembly and for Sonic and Sally to stay by me." Sally looked to Sonic to see if he knew what was going on. He did not return her look. Max stepped between them, putting his hands on their shoulders. Sally scanned the crowd; everyone was focusing raptly on the three of them at the front. King Max looked down at Sally, love and tenderness in his eyes. "My beautiful Sally, in my time in the Void with Sonic, he discussed some things with me and asked me a very important question. Now, I am thinking that he wants to share with you what we were discussing." The whole forest was deadly silent. No one was even clearing his throat - like the whole world was holding its breath. Time seemed to pass very slowly for Sally as she turned to face Sonic. Everything else faded from view except him. She saw something in his eyes. *Love, yes but something else. Some . . . thing . . . else . . . . . FEAR!? Sonic afraid? Oh my . . .!* Sonic knelt down before her. Her heart was pounding and she trembled nervously. "Sally," Sonic asked in an unsteady - un-Sonic! - voice, "I'm no good with serious stuff. And I can't talk like a drippy sap like Ant. But just the same, Sal, I love ya. Will you be way, way passed cool, and marry me?" She could barely speak being so choked up. Time seemed to stop before them. Everyone could have left and they would never had noticed. In a barely audible voice she declared, "Oh, Sonic, I will!" The whole forest erupted with cheers. Sonic placed the traditional golden bracelet of engagement on her right wrist. He rose up and kissed Sally. The day Sally never thought could come came to her.

Max smiled. He was no longer nervous. He knew he - everyone - was going to be fine. Sure, the war was far from over. Sure, they didn't have much. (Sonic shared the story with him how many scrap circuits he and Rotor has to melt down to come up with the gold for the bracelet.) But life was still good. They were still free. And one day, so would the rest of Mobius.

Max declared, "Let us celebrate this happy time!" Sally looked up in the twilight sky. The moon was full and bright.