A Fitting Start to Summer

 

Synopsis: Summer is here on Mobius, and like always King Sonic and Queen Amy are planning the celebratory feast. Many from all over Mobius and other planets in many galaxies are invited.

 

 

Chapter 1—School's Out for Summer

           

            The kingdom was all abustle as everyone prepared for the annual summer feast.    All humans and anthropomorphs did their part to make certain that the Crystal Castle was looking pristine, impeccable, spic and span.    

           

            The hallways of the castle glistened and gleamed in the sunlight as decorations were strung from the rafters.   Although it was hard, laborious work, each person or anthro seemed incredibly happy to complete another errand for the day.   Everything had to look absolutely perfect since it was one of the few times a year that everyone was welcome in the hallowed halls of the Castle.   Of course, Iridina, Dashiel’s girlfriend, would be coming to visit as she had often in the past, but she would be dressing to the nines for this incredibly special occasion.   Being a tomboy, she wasn’t the hedgehog to doll herself up, but she wanted to look good for her beau.   Dashiel was all dreamy when it came to thinking about her, wondering how he would approach her, and what song he would sing for her when she came to the Castle with her friends from camp.

 

            ‘Dashiel’s acting a whole lot mushier than usual.  It’s grossing me out.’, Maverick said to Amethystia.   Amethystia spun around, placing her hand atop her heart.

            ‘Oh, Mav, you silly goose.   One day, you’re going to feel that way for a special someone and you’ll understand why big brother Dash feels this way.  I personally think it’s exquisitely romantic.’, Amethystia said, as she helped the other hedgehogs put the final additions on the grand hall.   Inner and outer rooms had been fully decorated, but not overly so.   Each decoration was done very tastefully, and the entirety of the Castle looked incredibly festive.    Outside, there were plenty of small hints and accents of summer, but the focus was more so on the entertainment that Sonic had in mind.   He and his entire band would be playing, not just the Underground, but the Chaotix.   It would be exactly as it had been in their heyday, and they all sounded superb.  

 

            ‘I don’t know if I’m ready to ask Iridina if she wants to join the family or not.  It is a heavy responsibility, and she doesn’t know our rules and regulations.’, Dashiel said, a hint of worry in his otherwise confident timbre.

            ‘Dash, mom, and dad love her.   We all love her.   She’s proven herself a valuable asset repeatedly.’, Amethystia reassured her elder brother, drawing him closer with her arm and pulling him into a generous hug.   

            ‘I think he’s more concerned with Iridina’s parents.   They’ve never been here, although they know you’re dating her.’, Maverick said, astutely.    Dashiel took a sharp breath. 

            ‘Tomorrow will be my crucible then.’, Dashiel retorted, exhaling a steady, gentle breath.   There was no time to run from his destiny now.   He was the first born and it was his right to succeed his dad someday.  Of course, marriage would come later in his life, but Iridina was the only woman that Dash wanted ruling by his side.   No other maiden would do.   

 

            With school being officially over for the summer, the kids still learned full time although they weren’t in the classroom.   Today was considered a learning activity because each and every person or animal worked in tandem setting up every last detail to give outsiders the best possible impression that the Castle could give.   Of course, everyone would be on their best behavior, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed once the Castle was open to the public.    For now, though, the tables had been set, the games had been established, the music venues provided with the best woofers and tweeters Mobian credits could afford.    Standing back, admiring all their work, everyone sighed in satisfaction and gathered for dinner before heading for a much-needed rest.  

 

 

 

Chapter 2—The Drawbridge is Lowered

            Easily, Knuckles and his family lowered the drawbridge to allow participants entry to the Castle.   People and animals from all levels of society were awed as they walked down the hallowed halls of Crystal Castle, making faces at themselves from the shiny reflections from the floor.

            ‘Look, we can see ourselves !’, a racoon named Booster exclaimed, admiring herself for a moment.    Like Rotor, she was an inventrix and adored all manner of technology and gadgets.  She was more interested in the synergy of tech and organic matter that veined throughout the Castle and easily made friends with all the scientists, engineers, and geniuses around her.    Being new to the area, she had come from Wildvania and always felt a bit of an outcast although her ability was extremely necessary.    She wondered if there was a roster for techie-types much like herself.   She didn’t have to linger in inquisition long, because Cyrus found her, taken aback by their immense security system.  

            ‘If you were wondering about employment, the answer is yes.  I’m Cyrus, Sally’s husband, and aviator of the Sweet Freedom.’, Cyrus said, offering a leather-gloved paw to the welding-glove pawed racoon.    She grinned and immediately started excitedly shaking his paws as well.

            ‘I can already tell our Senior Tech Officer position would be perfect for you.  So, where are you from ?’, Cyrus began, already striking a rapport with the delightfully friendly and enthusiastic racoon girl.

 

            Elsewhere…

            A tuxedoed Dash waited on the dance floor for Iridina.   When she appeared, she was wearing a spellbinding silver sequined dress and shoes to match.   Her quills were bedazzled, and she wore a hint of scarlet lipstick and a little rouge to accent her cheeks.    A silver rose set off her look and had he known no better, she had the look of regality about her.   It was obvious she had to teach herself how to walk in heels, but she held herself proudly and her poise was perfect.   Iridina introduced her parents, Obsidian and Opal, both dressed magnificently.

            ‘We had heard so many good things about Crystal Castle, but we never thought it would be so…well, gargantuan !’, Opal said, finding it hard to produce an adjective that described the Castle to a T.    Obsidian nodded.  Obsidian was the strong and silent type, speaking only when the moment required him to, or when he had pearls of wisdom to share.   It wasn’t that he didn’t like speaking or engaging in small talk, he just preferred that his words were few and meaningful.   

            ‘I know that Obsidian works directly with the mines, which probably keeps him very busy.’, Dash said, remembering what Iridina had told him.

            ‘I oversee them.  My droids work on them now.  Before it was staffed by all sorts of Mobian labor, but it became too dangerous for them to drill, so hence the droid substitution.’, Obsidian corrected him, but smiled at the young hedgehog and his sharp memory.   The two parents already loved their daughter’s lover and friend, but they didn’t know why they had been asked to the Castle today.    Prayerfully, Dash hoped that everyone would conclude that Iridina would one day be the new regent of the Celleritas legacy.    She was more than fit to reign, and she would learn of her duties, but for the current moment, she and Dash would continue being teens while they could, and the responsibilities surrounding the court would come when the time was right. 

 

 

Chapter 3—Blessing of the Parents

           

            While everyone else was having a blast playing all manner of games, feasting until overly full, or dancing to the live music Sonic and the Chaotix played, Booster was employed as the Castle’s first Senior Tech Officer in years.   Their last officer had retired and helped with minor technological issues, but it was clear that Booster was an expert in building and repair.   She would live in her own quarters in the Castle, far roomier than what she had been used to back in Wildvania.    Truthfully, she missed Amon and the hospitality he had shown her, but opportunities were rife here.

           

            At the concert, there stood a knightly cat rocking out to the beat of the drums.

            ‘Hey, Peanut !  Long time, no see !   Sporting your best armor, I see.’, Dash said, complimenting the Calico.   The Calico puffed out his chest proudly and grinned while stroking a manly mustache to impress Booster, who not only enjoyed the music but the flirting from the chivalrous warrior.

            ‘Who’s the newcomer ?’, he asked, curiously, his golden eyes surveying her and admiring her cyberpunk fashion sensibility.

            ‘I’m Booster.  I’m from Wildvania.  You know King Amon.  He speaks highly of the Mobian court and his brethren Sonic, Sonia and Manic.’, Booster responded, still blushing as the calico and she started to get to know each other better.

            ‘Iridina !   I’m so happy we get to meet your parents finally.’, Sonic said, telling the band to ‘take 5’.   Manic and Sonia came to the side of the stage and led Opal, Obsidian and Iridina up to them, Dashiel following right behind her.  

            ‘Pop, I know you’re busy, but I need your blessing.’, Dash said, seriously.  Iridina turned the brightest red she had ever experienced, her entire face getting hot under her embarrassment.  

            ‘We’ve already agreed that you’re ready for this, angel.   It’s up to Sonic and the others to bless you as well, since we’ve known this time was coming for a while.’, Opal said, her eyes starting to fog over with happy tears.   

 

            There was no question in Sonic and Amy’s minds as to why Iridina would not deserve the role of queen one day.  She had proven herself on more than one occasion, and she had many accolades from her counselling days at the camp where she and Dash had reconnected.    It was just like old times, he could recall.  Ever since then, he had an affinity for her and enjoyed playing with her.   More often than not she would stand up for littler animals and use her intellect over her fists to deescalate situations.   He learned that she was an impressive archer and knew how to use a tactical rifle.    Perhaps it had been because her Uncle Onyx had been in the military and she wanted to honor him, but Obsidian disallowed her because he felt she was better suited for social work, and luckily, Iridina never hated him for that.   She also inherited her mother’s angelic voice and could use her reflective quills to blind an enemy, if need be, or entrance people at a disco-themed party, which always seemed to go over quite well with everyone that she encountered.   

           

            ‘Someday we’ll be one big happy family.   For now, we can continue our lives and support the Celerita’s empire.   I know we all run steadily from renewable crystal power, and we will continue doing so.  The remainder of our family and our employees will continue our proud tradition of being your main suppliers.’, Obsidian stated, proudly.   Opal bowed politely to the king, queen, and the rest of the royal subjects.     Dash looked back at his dad and whispered,

            ‘Thanks, you’re the best.’, which brought a joyful tear to his eye.   With that, Vector and the gang started playing again and the revelers partook in dancing once more.   

           

 

Chapter 4—Reunited

 

            Trevante, a young buffalo kid, was going absolutely ape in one of the bounce houses when he lost track of time.   All of a sudden, the pressure started to lower, and the trampoline became flatter and flatter.  Luckily, Trevante exited in a calm, cool manner and started looking around for his parents.

            ‘Mom !  Dad !  Jamila !’, he exclaimed at the top of his lungs.    The young pre-adolescent bison became a little apprehensive when he couldn’t find his family, but he bumped into Maverick, who had started cleaning up with his siblings.

            ‘Prince Maverick, boy am I glad to see you.’, the bison began.

            ‘Maverick’s good enough, or just Mav.’, Maverick said, lowering his shades and acting confident and cocky.   He placed the shades atop his head and got down to the kid’s level.

            ‘So, what can I help you with ?’, he asked.         

            ‘Firstly, I’m Trevante.   Secondly, I’ve lost my parents and big sis, Jamila.’, Trevante said, with a tremor in his voice.

            ‘Don’t worry, Amethystia and I will help reunite you.   Come on, they couldn’t have gone far.’, Maverick said, finding his middle sister and beginning the search.

            At the ‘lost and found’ booth, Raul, Lurlene, and Jamila were looking everywhere for Trevante and were relieved that Trevante was unharmed. 

            ‘I didn’t mean to lose track of time like that.  I was just having so much fun.’, Trevante admitted.

            ‘Actually, it was my fault.  I went off to do a bit of jousting against a self-assured ringtail named Lenny and boy did I ever own him !’, Jamila said.   Her parents frowned and shook their heads.

            ‘We’re just happy you’re all fine.’, Raul said, hugging his kids close to him.

            ‘Dad, come on !  You’re embarrassing me !’, Jamila whined.    Ignoring Jamila’s complaint, the family was happy to be together once more, and they left the recreational area.  Lenny, Jamila’s new friend, waved energetically to her from a distance, saying,

            ‘You were the goat girl !’,

            ‘Goat ?’, Lurlene questioned, raising a very confused eyebrow.

            ‘It’s just an acronym for greatest of all time, not the actual animal, mom.  Kind of like back in the day akin to being ‘fly’’., Jamila educated her mom, giving her little brother a wink.    Trevante laughed, and the whole family broke into a collective giggle as they headed across the drawbridge, back to their own town and home for the evening.  

 

 

 

Chapter 5—Winding Down

 

            ‘Whoo !  That was intense !’, Vector exclaimed while Charmy handed him a chilled towel to cool down.  Espio was quickly untacking decorations from the flying buttresses when he landed on the ground from a full midair somersault.    Impressed, Mighty and the group applauded Espio’s acrobatics.

            ‘Most of you don’t know, but for a time, I did tightrope walking and the like in the circus before I became a member of the Chaotix.’, Espio recalled.   That had been long before Robtonik’s seizure of Mobius when everything changed, but it was still incredible that his muscle memory was still intact.

           

            ‘I hope we get to see each other sooner rather than later.’, Dash said, idly running his hand through Iridina’s quills.    She blushed lightly and kissed him softly on the lips.

            ‘Don’t worry, Dash.  You will.   I’m eager to see what the future brings, but living in the present is even better.’, she said, wisely.    Obsidian called for her, and she quickly kicked up her heels and left as the sun set on the horizon.  Opal looked back and waved at her new friends, Obsidian following his wife’s lead.

 

            ‘I couldn’t be any prouder of you than I am today, Dashiel.’, Sonic said, ruffling his eldest boy’s quills.   Dashiel acted embarrassed, but hearing his dad say that made him feel like a million rings.

As he went off to his room to listen to music as he fell asleep, Amy caught him off guard with a side hug.

            ‘They’re growing up so quickly.’, she said, wistfully as she lightly nuzzled the nape of Sonic’s neck.

            ‘No doubt, Aims.  I can remember when Dash was first starting to walk !’, he quipped, getting slightly emotional.   Blinking the errant tears away, he saw that all the decorations were put away and the castle was sparkling.          

            ‘The festival was immensely successful. As usual.’, she said.

            ‘We’ve got a new IT professional too, so all in all, it was a terrific day.’, Sonic concurred. 

 

 

 

Epilogue

 

            As the stars dotted the horizon, the Crystal Castle had gone quiet.  The only sound that could be heard outside was the gentle patter of a pop-up summer shower.   Everyone was sleeping quietly, pondering what tomorrow would bring. 

 

 

To Be Continued…