It had been years since anyone set foot in the Mystic Ruins together. Time had passed quickly, and the lives of your friends had shifted in ways you never thought you’d see. Knuckles was the one who suggested the gathering, a reunion of sorts—something to remind them all of where it began, and how far they’d come.

The warm glow of lanterns lit the old clearing near the ruins, casting soft light on the group. Sonic stood near the bar that Knuckles had arranged, his arm snug around Amy’s waist. Their little blue hedgehog—bright-eyed and restless—played in the grass nearby, laughter echoing in the night air. Knuckles and Rouge weren’t far behind, their hybrid child perched on Rouge’s hip, the tiny bat-like wings twitching as the child pointed toward the stars. Silver and Blaze stood hand-in-hand, a quiet but unmistakable comfort radiating between them, even without children of their own just yet.

You—Tikal—watched them all with a serene smile, feeling both nostalgia and peace. Though so much had changed, the essence of friendship remained.

Sonic turned to you with his trademark grin, his eyes brimming with a confidence that hadn’t dulled with age. “So, how’s it going, Tikal? Life treating you as well as mine has?”

His words carried no arrogance, only genuine warmth. To punctuate the sentiment, he drew Amy closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. Amy’s laughter bubbled up softly, the sound light and full of affection.