EPILOGUE:

  CRACK, CRACK, CRACK.
  The sound of the judge's gavel echoed through the courtroom.
  "Professor Ivo Julian Robotnik." the Judge called.
  "Just 'doctor' will be fine, your honor." Robotnik replied.
  "Doctor.." the judge acknowledged. "You have quite a case, here! 
  You are charged, Robotnik, with seven hundred thousand documented 
  cases of murder of the first degree, COUNTLESS undocumented cases, 
  several counts of illegal production of artificial intelligence, 
  complete defience of the government, including the MURDER of His 
  Magesty King Acorn and his wife the Queen, and the attempted 
  GENOCIDE of the entire population of this planet. Before you 
  plead, doctor, might I ALSO remind you that the evidence against 
  you is overwhelming, there are MILLIONS of witnesses, INCLUDING 
  myself and every member of the jury, and the only reason you are
   here at ALL is due to the Mobian Legislation that you must be 
  trialled! Now, Doctor Robotnik... how do you plead?"
  Robotnik looked around the courtroom.. he was not the slightest 
  bit sorry about any of the charges laid on him. He turned back to 
  the judge and smirked.
  "Guilty as sin." he announced.
  "Well, that finishes it." the judge said, banging his gavel on the 
  bench. "Robotnik, your crimes outweigh even the death penalty. I 
  have studied my law books, and, adding up everything you have done 
  into a single sentance, I'm going to have to commit you to forty 
  thousand years banishment in the Crux Desert. I can assure you, 
  doctor, that is quite significantly longer than you will be 
  alive. Congratulations, you are officially the biggest criminal 
  in the recorded history of Mobius."
  "And I don't regret a thing." Robotnik added. The police arrived, and 
  he was carted away...

  Knuckles stared at the Master Emerald, as the Floating Islang 
  lifted into the sky. The emerald now sat on an altar above ground.. 
  modelled after the altar he had seen in his dreams, housing the Havoc 
  Gem.
  He had his own private celebration.. he had made peace with Sonic 
  and everybody once again. His island was safe from at least one 
  threat. He sang to himself.
  "As hard as nails, it ain't hard to tell, I break 'em down whether 
  they're solid or frail, unlike the rest, I'm independent, it's my 
  first breath, First Test, feel the right, then the worst's left."
  "First Test." he repeated. "It's over. Tikal would be proud."

  The Freedom Fighters celebrated that night. They held a massive party.. 
  Stringybark, Station Square and New Knothole, the three remaining 
  Freedom Fighter bands. They partied well into the night. They were 
  finally free. Amy Rose held a paper plate stocked with food. She 
  mixed the vegetables around with her fork. "This is Sonic.." she 
  announced, moving a piece of parsley to the middle of her plate. She 
  put six peas around him, symbolizing the other members of the circle.
  "Oh great, I remind her of parsley!" Sonic joked.
  Sagittarius stared at the stars. "You beat it." he announced. "The 
  three tests came around again, and you beat them all! Now peace 
  rules again! Like I always said, 'Freedom will be waiting when 
  serenity is restored!'"
  "Did you ever actually say that?" Sonic asked with a laugh.
  "Maybe not, but it sounded good!" Sage replied, grinning.
  Sally laughed and sighed. "Oh Sonic... this is our last night as 
  Freedom Fighters!" she announced. "There is no freedom left to 
  fight for! We're free at last, and I can reclaim my place as ruler 
  of my people... and make sure nothing like this ever happens again!"
  "Sure thing, Sal, sure thing." Sonic replied. "You'll be the 
  best ruler this country's ever had."
  "Thanks Sonic." Sally replied with a smile. "And thanks for sticking 
  by me."
  "No prob... 'twas a worthy cause."
  And the Freedom Fighters danced by the moonlight until morning. All 
  was well once again.
  Can't hold on much longer, but I'll never let go; I know it's a one 
  way track, can you tell me how long it will last? I'm not gonna 
  think this way, nor will I count on others; Close my eyes and feel it 
  burn, now I see what I've got to do.
  Open your heart.
  It's gonna be alright...