Chapter 2 – The Latest Briefing

At the dragon village, Sonic and his friends were saying their goodbyes to Team Chaotix. They had a splendid time the previous night performing with the Nightriders at Koka City, and they all agree that it was one of the most enjoyable experiences of their lives.

"Boy, oh boy, wasn't that a rockin' concert, or what, my brothers?" asked Vector.

"I can say that it was," said Torden. "The Nightriders are a very cool bunch!"

"You could say that again," smiled Draco. "It feels great to have some fun with them again, especially Lonnie and Axl, at least for me."

Espio nodded. "We also like to thank you for helping us in putting a stop to Fang's jewel scam," he said.

"Not a problem," replied Cynder. "At least we have the Chaos Emeralds again, which we would really need when we confront Eggman, and we also like to thank you for your help."

"I was wondering if you three would be interested in taking part of the Anthro League," said Jeremy. "You have such great potential in being excellent fighters."

"Much as we'd love to, son, I'm afraid we have to decline the offer," said Vector. "As we're the Chaotix Detective Agency, we have a very busy schedule. Besides, Fang is only one smuggler out of many affiliated with the Tokyo underworld, and maintainin' law and order around the world ain't an easy task, since we're only givin' our services to those in need."

"I understand," replied Jeremy.

"Well, it's time that we head off," said Vector. "Thank ya for bustin' Fang, and all the best of luck in takin' down Eggman."

"Not a problem, and we'll do our best," promised the team.

"Expect the pictures I've taken to come within a week or two!" buzzed Charmy.

"That's totally awesome!" said Torden. "See you all next time!"

"Peace out, bros!" said Vector and he with Espio and Charmy left the village and disappeared into the forest while music blared from the crocodile's headphones.

Silver smiled at how things have turned out as he always loved to see peace and happiness wherever he went. Then his expression turned serious as he remembered the current threat. "I think it's about time we start trying to track down Eggman and end his evil schemes," he said. "We can't let this world fall into ruin!"

"Hold on a second, Silver," said Viper. "Before we confront Eggman, we're going to need Sonic and his pals to lead us the way since we don't know where he could be."

"That reminds me," said Cynder. "Blaze and General Viper told us that you are from the future, is that true?"

"Why, yes, I am," confirmed Silver. "I am from the future, and it had been ravaged by Eggman's descendant, Eggman Nega. Fortunately, after his eventual fall, my world is in the progress of being rebuilt, though there are times when I would be brought back to the past in order to help out my friends and allies, and from what I'm seeing here, this world is in great peril."

"That is an understatement, my friend," said Sonic. "The Death Egg has to be destroyed as soon as possible before it gets fully completed, as there's no telling what destructive power it possesses."

Blaze could only nod in silence. She then felt a sudden kick from inside her belly.

"Are you alright, honey?" asked Tails.

"Yeah, I'm fine," replied Blaze. "It's just our unborn child being active again."

"Wow, so even you and Blaze are expecting kids as well," said Silver. "That's really great."

"It really is," said Tails. "Blaze and I couldn't be any happier and I'm doing what I can to make sure our baby is well nourished before birth."

"One thing for sure, buddy, you're going to make the best father," said Sonic. "And same to you, Blaze, you'll be a wonderful mother."

Blaze smiled in agreement. Suddenly, her phone started to ring, and when she took it out to check, the caller was Jimmy Lionheart. "Hello, Jimmy?" she answered.

"Hello, Blaze," replied Jimmy. "I'm calling you as we need you and your dragons at the conference immediately for a very important meeting. The Anthro League is preparing to start its attack on the Death Egg and Empress Celeste is going to explain everything in the briefing session."

"Okay, I'll have everyone ready to go," said Blaze. "We'll be there as soon as we can."

"I have other news as well," added Jimmy. "I've been promoted to the rank of General."

"Well, congratulations!" smiled Blaze. "So that means you have the same rank as Klump."

"Absolutely right," said Jimmy. "Okay, you and your group better get to Kyoto right away!"

"Sure thing, see you then," said Blaze as she ended the call so she could focus on her friends. "We're needed at the Anthro League, so let's get going, pronto!"

"Blaze, what is the Anthro League?" asked Silver.

"Oh, yeah, you haven't heard of them," said Blaze. "You see we are part of a group of anthropomorphic animals dedicated to keeping peace on this world."

"They sound a lot like the Freedom Fighters in the world Viper and I came from," replied Silver. "Still, your cause sounds very interesting."

"If you want, we can show you the ropes," said Tails. "Jimmy Lionheart, one of closest friends, is one of the leaders of the Anthro League, and he'll be glad to accept your assistance."

Silver smiled. "That's very good to hear."

"Well, come on, then!" urged Blaze. "We don't have time to waste!"

Soon afterwards, the team returned to Kyoto where they could see yet another large gathering of anthropomorphic animals at the entrance to the Anthro League. Sonic and Viper stayed outside while the rest of the team including Silver made their way inside the building. As they travelled the hallways through the crowd, the team spotted Jimmy Lionheart who smiled the moment he saw his friends. Klump and Krusha were standing with him too.

"It's about you guys showed up!" exclaimed Jimmy.

Bowser took a look at Jimmy's brand new badge indicating his rank of general and was very impressed. "So, they have made you a general, I see," he said.

"Yes, indeed," smiled Jimmy. "They decided that since I've served them for so long and accomplished a lot of assessments, I was eligible to advance in the ranks and to lead the upcoming attack."

"That makes you in league with me now, soldier," beamed Klump. "I'm still amazed that even though my rank as general was from King K. Rool's empire, they allowed me to keep the title when they accepted me, Krusha, Kalypso, Kip and Kass."

"Better than starting from scratch, I guess," laughed Torden.

"Follow me, everyone," said Jimmy. "Empress Celeste is about to start the briefing, and some of our fellow allies in America have come with some of the plans and a code of importance which would allow us to destroy the shield generator protecting the Death Egg."

The team entered the conference room, and Charonus was astonished when he saw a squad of Charizards and Blastoises standing at the centre next to Empress Celeste and Hero. "Where did they come from?" he asked.

"They are from the United States Marine Corps," replied Jimmy. "Admiral Shelly, the Blastoise down there standing next to Empress Celeste has the location of the shield generator including the password required to gain access to its interior."

Charonus nodded. "Those guys look very well-trained and prepared to take on such formidable opposition," he said.

"They sure are," said Jimmy. "Anyway, we need to stop chatting as the briefing is about to start."

Everyone quieted down as Empress Celeste prepares her speech. A hologram lighted up showing the Earth and the orbiting Death Egg.

"Ladies and gentleman, the Eggman Empire's time has come," she began. "As we have recently discovered thanks to information relayed to us by the Polar Bear agents, the Death Egg's weapon systems are not yet operational, but it is protected by an energy shield generated by a facility deep in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil. Importantly, we learned Doctor Eggman is foreseeing the ultimate completion of his powerful superweapon. The Polar Bears were brave to deliver the information as only a few out of covert party survived the ordeal. Many have perished or been roboticised. In order for the space armada to carry out the attack on the Death Egg, deactivating the shield is a requisite, and once the shield is down, the fighters shall fly inside the superstructure and attempt to disable the reactor which should cause the station to collapse and be destroyed. For the attack, I would like to nominate our most recently promoted general, Jimmy Lionheart."

Jimmy stood up and bowed respectfully as acceptance of the mission. "I shall do my best in succeeding the attack, Your Excellency," he said.

"Good luck, my mammalian friend," said Klump. "This is really going to be one risky assignment."

"Admiral Shelly," continued Empress Celeste. "I believe you have information on the access to the shield generator?"

"Of course," replied Admiral Shelly. "Our troops were able to decipher and copy the secret password. A strike team shall use the password to gain access to the shield generator and disable it from within by any means necessary."

"I know just the strike team for that," said Jimmy. "General Klump would be suitable for the task."

"Sounds fine by me," smiled Klump. "But aside from my loyal soldier Krusha, I would need more members for the strike team."

"We'll help you out, general!" said Torden. "The six of us, including Jeremy, Charonus and Bowser are ready to go!"

"If you insist, Torden, then that's great," said Klump. "So now we have a strike team of eleven members."

Empress Celeste nodded in approval. "We and the rest of anthrokind wish all of your fighters the best of luck and godspeed as well," she said. "This meeting is adjourned."

Author's Note: It is all set. Everyone is getting ready to end Eggman's reign of terror! And the Star Wars references come rolling in! Yet again I took my time with this chapter, but more chapters are coming up!