The Gift of the Shanazarians

 

Synopsis: The queen of a distant planet called Shanazar, Queen Kupaci, wants to send King Sonic and Queen Amy gifts of gold, silks, gems, pearls, robot horses and carriages as an offering of peace. At the same time, a Battle of the Bands is organized to welcome her and her people to Mobius.  The gifts appease her and unlike the IDW version, she isn’t transformed into Sonic’s pet frog, but one of the contestants for the Battle of the Bands almost turns Kupaci against him with her hypnotic music until Sonic discovers music, ironically, is the key to defeating her.  

 

Chapter 1—An Interesting Invitation

            It had been a typical school night, like any other night of the week during the academic year.  Matters had been extremely ordered but chaotic as they would be any time when school was in session.    Each kid had their own pursuits and passions and all of them were excelling at mostly everything.   There were a few exceptions but, with tutoring from Miles in subjects they needed some extra time in, so-called ‘troubles’ became opportunities to gain experience.

            Sonic was playing a game of table tennis with Amy until a hologram of Cyril interrupted their fun and enjoyment.

            ‘You’ll have to forgive the intrusion, but this is important.’, he said.    The message that was relayed concerned Mobius and an alliance between them and a planet called Shanazar.   The ruler of that planet, Queen Kupaci wanted to deliver numerous gifts to Sonic and his court as brokerage to cement an agreement that Shanazar and Mobius would work together in the future.   Sonic wanted to pay the generous queen back in turn, so he asked if she could be reached immediately to accept his proposition.

            ‘I see you accepted my handsome offers, Eminence.’, the queen said.

            ‘Please, call me Sonic.  Everyone else does.  Titles are simply a formality, and although we need them for business and commerce, what I have to offer is something I have been wanting to accomplish for years.  I was wondering if it would be acceptable for Shanazar to host a battle of the bands.  I had never been to your world, or even knew it existed until now.’, Sonic stated.    The corpulent Queen agreed.

            ‘Much like Mim, we are a magical realm, but we also are the galaxy’s bazaar.’, the Queen crowed a bit.   Sonic could see the planet attracted all sorts of merchants and businesspeople but drew in the affluent.   A lot of trade occurred in their marketplace, especially with treasures and spices.   Their chocolate, in fact, was the most requested and finest in the galaxy.   The chocoholics in Mobius wanted to see if this theory was actually true and quietly crossed their fingers where Kupaci couldn’t see. 

            ‘I have had many entertaining groups grace my planet before, but never have I ever hosted a battle of the bands.   This should prove interesting.  Be at the port of Mirari Bay at 4:00 pm sharp.  It will give you and the others plenty of time to prepare for the concert.  Curtains go up at 6:00 pm., Kupaci said.    With that, Sonic grinned and pumped his fist up to the sky.

            ‘Looks like we have another ally in the fight against evil.   We could always use more sorcerers.’, he said, with a brilliant grin.   While he and the others prepared to step through the stargate to Asteroid 826, Isabelle and Monica would send them in a sail ship to Shanazar, fully equipped with jump drive and the trip would be instantaneous.    

 

Chapter 2—Villainous Intent

            Every band and performer had been screened and scanned before entering the Twila Arena.   Everything on Shanazar was arrayed as if it had come straight out of an Arabian fairytale, with the richest of colors and the most delightful smells.   The scent of sandalwood could be smelled lingering in the air and the aroma of curry was emanating from every restaurant the planet had to offer.   Of course, there were other intergalactic foods, but curry, masala, tandoori, naan, and chai were indigenous offerings as well as cool high-sugar soft drinks to reboot one’s core temperature in the oppressive heat.  

            One performer named Trill had her zunaphone readily in her hand.   She couldn’t’ believe she had escaped her prison back in her home world of Vanderloo and evaded Shanazar’s security.   Trill adjusted her holo projector which made her appear as a normal human versus her Vanderloonian self.    

            ‘I was foiled once before, but with a new audience, my probability of success goes up.’, she thought.   Her bandmates had been summoned together again, naïve enough to follow her wherever she went.  She didn’t’ need obedience orbs to transform her instrument into one of pure, unadulterated devotion.   All she wanted was an unrelenting army of fans who would overcome the music industry, usurp that planet’s entertainment, and eventually dominate the Universe with her music alone.   No one would ever think of being better than her, upstaging her, or bogarting the limelight, which was clearly her’s.    No.  Never again, not if she had anything to say about it.   She would enter the Battle of the Bands and hijack the signal, putting the whole Universe in a trance.   No one back on Vanderloon would ever criticize her music ever again.    

 

Chapter 3—Time to Rock

            ‘Did you see the other groups we’re goin’ up against ?   This contest is gonna be SICK !’, Mighty said, excitedly.   

            ‘If you’re tryin’ to psych me up, Mighty, I think it might be working.’, Vector said, in a sense of disbelief.   They were about to go up against some of the best bands in the Universe, and Trill had already discreetly hacked into the event using a signal redirector she had invented herself.   It was tiny enough to go undetected and powerful enough to make certain that everyone in the galaxy heard her latest siren song, Obey.   Sonic and the others didn’t know this would be her opening number, but as soon as he heard it, he realized what was going on.

            ‘Don’t get distracted by that glam punk rocker’s music !   She’s done something to augment it to hypnotize the audience.’, he whispered to his bandmates.   Fortunately, they had been wise enough to be wearing earpieces to block anything Trill and her bandmates played.  Unfortunately, however, it seemed that everyone else had been put under Trill’s mesmerizing music.

            ‘As you can see, everyone’s on my side now, and they all love me.   Try as you might but I doubt you can shift their attention to anyone else but me.   Finally, all that merchandizing I did is about to make bank !’, Trill said, overconfidently.

            ‘Toots, I don’t know who you are or where you come from, but cheating isn’t allowed.’, Sonic said.   Espio had found Trill’s device in the broadcasting backrooms but didn’t know how to disable it.   He quickly slithered himself back to the stage and grumbled.

            ‘Trying to disable my signal disruptor ?   Cute, but impossible.   It’s over for you and your Chaotix.  In fact, it’s over for the whole galaxy, since everyone is on my side now.’, Trill said with a self-satisfied, narcissistic grin.   

 

Chapter 4—Fighting Back Through Song

            'We can't let her beat us !', Sonic exclaimed. 

            ‘It’s our time to shine, then.’, Sonia chimed in.   Trill went back to performing, turning her trillions of adoring fans on Sonic, the Underground and the Chaotix, but they remained calm and started playing their latest song.

            Don’t let them mute your song

            Let your voice be heard among the crowd

            You can’t be silent any longer

            Feel free to shout out loud !

            The music makes us stronger

            Each and every day

            Oh, even if the night comes rollin’ in, yeah

            Transform it back into the day…

 

            The song was a punk metal mash up that used synthesizer samples and a huge orchestral sound so that it became something of a motivational melody.    One by one, though, Trill’s followers were reverting to their normal state.    Even when she continued playing her latest songs, nothing could sway her typical followers.

            Increasingly, other singers that came to the battle began to join in.   First it was the Star Darlings, then Space Pop, K-On, Hatsune Miku, Scott Pilgrim and Sex Bomb-Omb and so many others, too many to be named.  

            ‘Stop !  Cease !  Desist !  SHUT UP !’, Trill bellowed.   It was too late though.  Her freak out and tantrum had been broadcast Universe wide.   Her latest blow up was about to go down in viral history and she would never again grace any albums or Billboards.   In fact, she was about to be prosecuted for endangering her own fans among a great extensive list of many other crimes that would send her back to the prison she came from.   This time, however, security would be intelligent enough not to allow her any time with her zunaphone nor with anything that could be tinkered with to mess around with radio signals or broadcasting.   

 

Chapter 5—The Battle Continues

            One by one the bands competed, and it came down to The Chaotix versus Space Pop.  The princesses were exceptionally talented, so the band had to try hard if they wanted to win this competition.    They finished their last number and went behind stage to rehydrate and have some food to replenish themselves.   The competition was definitely taking a lot longer than they originally thought, but everyone knew that anything worthwhile was worth waiting for. 

            'Wow ! They were incredible !', Amy commented behind stage after hearing Space Pop’s latest single.   It was no wonder they were still among the top Billboard toppers even in the modern day and age.   They were still superstars, but when greeted by their fans, the lovely ladies were some of the humblest aliens that the Chaotix or anyone had ever met. 

            ‘It’s going to be interesting to see who wins the competition.   It was a rigorous one this year !’, Juno said, smiling broadly.   The rest of the girls came around to chat, talking about how spectacular all the bands were and how relieved none of them were judges.  

            ‘I think I can see the Princess opening the golden envelope !  This is it !    I can taste the tension in the air !’, Athena said, her nails close enough to bite off, but she nearly bit the tips in anxiousness. 

 

Chapter 6—And the Winner Is…

            After an hour and a half of deliberation, Sonic and the Chaotix were the clear fan favorites, but Space Pop and the Star Darlings tied in second place.   Hatsune Miku and the Equestria Girls also tied for third place, but everyone was delighted with the results.   Even those who didn’t win would be treated to a massive feast and be spoiled with Shanazarian delicacies.

            All the winners had their photos snapped and shared Universe wide.   Each team who won sent their trophies back home via teleportation or other means.   Sonic wasn’t certain where he would put his trophy since he had amassed so many over time, but this one was clearly special.   This one would be encased behind tamperproof glass. 

             

Epilogue

            After the winners enjoyed the accommodations on the planet, all but Sonic and his court were sent back to where they came from.

            ‘I wanted to thank you for that sensational performance.   Your harmonies are astronomical.  Do you sell copies of your music ?’, Kupachi inquired. 

            ‘We do, although music, in my opinion, should be free and enjoyed by all.   Yet, it’s not a bad venture to have a little side hustle here and there.   I use the funds to support a musician’s school back on Mobius for aspiring songsters.   Other funds go into other projects that Amy and I run, and our cousins have joined in with our philanthropic efforts.’, Sonic stated.

            ‘That’s so inspiring.  I chose correctly when seeking Mobius.  You are exactly who I thought you were.’, Kupachi praised.   She thanked them all again and sent him home.  Once back home, they were welcomed with fanfare and compliments.   It was late, so the comments were kept to a bare minimum and each Mobian said their goodnights before heading to a much-needed convalescence.  

            That evening, Sonic and Amy stared up at their ceiling at the stars above.  It was September, so another meteor shower had begun raining in its majesty.

            ‘No matter how many times I see it, it never gets old.’, she said, romantically, looking at him.    He drew her into his arms, spooning her before they drifted off to sleep.   Tomorrow was another day, and anything could happen, but for the present, the two danced together in the realm of dreams as they slumbered.

 

To Be Continued…