Chapter 02: Meeting at Castle Acorn

It was a beautiful morning on the Planet Mobius. The sky and the water were never clearer, and the buildings in the city of Mobotropolis looked quite serene and one with nature, with many plants and trees growing on the edges of them. The planet, after almost 10 years of living under the tyrannical Dr. Robotnik, had healed from the pollution that he'd brought upon it. The planet was now a full-fledged member of the New Republic, and was a place of environmental preservation, research, and of serene beauty that had once been lost to Dr. Robotnik.

But the most well known resident was Sonic the Hedgehog, who was now in his early twenties, and was a New Republic war hero, along with his friends, the Freedom Fighters. They had fought alongside the Heroes of Yavin, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3P0, and R2-D2, as well as working alongside Lando Calrissian. But for Sonic, his life of adventure had slowed down ever since the Battle of Endor. Aside from missions against the Empire, he craved some real action.

Sonic was running from Knothole Base towards the city, since a good run was what he needed in order to grant temporary satisfaction to his cravings. He was recently called upon to the Castle by his close friend Sally Acorn. She didn't say why, but said that it was of utmost importance. Sonic ran past the guards of the castle, and entered the banquet hall, which was dark. When to doors closed, the lights went on, and there was a whole lot of food prepared. "SURPRISE!!" shouted the Freedom Fighters who appeared from behind.

"Happy 21st Birthday, Sonic!" said Tails.

"Thanks guys! I didn't think you remembered!!" said Sonic.

"We never forget, Sonic! We figured it would take your mind of the action for a while." said Sally, who walked over to hug him.

"I'm glad Sal. You guys are as good friends as I ever had." said Sonic.

"Glad to hear that, Sonic." said Kaylor Raeglan. Kaylor was now around 30 years old, was the Freedom Fighters attaché to the New Republic, and has served with them ever since. "Now c'mon, let's eat. Just watching that food made my mouth water." And soon, the Freedom Fighters sat at the table and began eating the food that was carefully prepared by the castle chefs. Among of which were Chili Dogs.

"Those better not be what I think they are…" said Sonic drooling in amazement.

"Sure are, Sonic. Your Uncle provided the chefs with the proper recipe for this food item that will soon be introduced into the Galactic food market." said Kaylor.

Sonic was so excited, and began eating straightaway. He hadn't had Chili Dogs in a long time, not since Mobius ended up in this Galaxy. After almost an hour passed, they had moved onto another course, when Sonic suddenly had two hands covering his face. "Guess who!" said a high-pitched female voice.

"Amy? What are you doing here?" asked Sonic.

"Wishing you a happy birthday silly." she said winking at him.

"Is that all, Amy Rose?" asked Kaylor.

"Or is there more?" asked Sally.

"Yes, Princess. The Air Controller wanted me to tell you that the Millennium Falcon is arriving soon, with General Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3P0 aboard." said Amy.

"Good, I've been expecting them." said Sally.

"Wait, what about Luke and R2?" asked Tails.

"I don't know." asked Amy. "They didn't mention Luke or R2."

"Let's go to meet them then." said Bunnie, as the Freedom Fighters walked to the castle hangar, where the Falcon prepared to make its landing. Within minutes, they heard the Falcon approach and then come in for a landing in the hangar. Exiting the ship was Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3P0.

"Hey Sonic!" shouted Han. "Happy Birthday, kid!" Chewbacca roared in agreement.

"Glad you guys came! Life's just never been the same since the destruction of the Death Star II." said Sonic. "But where's Luke and R2?"

"Luke had to take care of some things, but said he'd show up later." said Leia. Sally then began to lead the Rebels back to the banquet hall.

"I must commemorate you on the day of your birth, Master Sonic." said 3P0.

"Thanks 3P0. But just call me Sonic! You don't have to call me that you know!" said Sonic.

When they returned to the banquet hall, they began the formal dance portions. Sonic danced with Sally, Bunnie danced with Antoine, Knuckles danced with Julie-Su, Han danced with Leia, and Tails, unwillingly, danced with Amy. They danced to various tunes for almost an hour, and then, they heard a voice: "I hope I'm not too late."

Everyone turned to the sight of Luke Skywalker and R2-D2. Luke, a 25 year old Jedi Master, was standing at the entrance to the banquet hall with R2-D2 at his side, and walked into the hall. "No, Luke. You're not late at all." said Sally.

"Good to see you showed up Luke." said Han.

"Wouldn't want to miss the birthday of one of my most trusted allies." said Luke.

The Freedom Fighters and their friends continued to enjoy the social event for many more hours, until later that day, when a Rebel Officer walked into the hall with a serious look on his face. "Your highness! Something happened!"

"What's happened trooper?" asked Luke.

"There has been a theft at a local high-security storehouse!" said the Officer.

"What?! What was stolen?" asked Leia.

"A gem known as a Chaos Emerald, Princess." said the Officer.

"A Chaos Emerald?!" gasped Knuckles. "We must go there at once to investigate!"

"You are quite right, Knuckles. A Chaos Emerald in the wrong hands is a definite security concern. We must head for that storehouse at once!" said Sally.

"Alright! Some real action!" said Sonic.

"Rotor, ready the Star Tornado for takeoff!" said Sally.

"Right away, Sally!" said Rotor as he and Tails ran for the hangar.

"I gotta get back to Angel Island and check up on things there." said Knuckles as he left with Julie-Su.

The Freedom Fighters along with the Heroes made their way to the hangar, where they climbed aboard the Star Tornado and the Millennium Falcon, and they blasted off for the storehouse immediately.

Meanwhile, aboard the Apocalypse, Captain Danko and Admiral Forell were on the bridge when Shadow contacted them. "Admiral, I have retrieved the 1st Chaos Emerald. I am beginning to search for the 2nd one."

"Excellent Shadow. Keep going, the Republic will be onto you soon, so be on your toes." said Admiral Forell.

"Admiral." said an officer. "We think we've located the ARK. It's in disguise as a small moon, but its jamming devices prevent our scanners from picking it up."

"Good work. Prepare the ship for the jump to hyperspace." said Forell.

"Yes sir." said the officer as the Apocalypse left the fleet and headed for Mobius at once.