At the school, Miriam, Priya, and Abby took Mei into the restroom for safety.

Once inside, Miriam, Priya, and Abby tried to calm Mei down.

Miriam: Calm down, Mei.

Priya: Dude, keep it together.

Mei: I can't. We need to go to this concert. Why doesn't my mom get that? I never ask for anything. My whole life, I've been her perfect little Mei-Mei. And now there's a mad scientist who wants to steal my power and the panda from me. I've done temple duties, grades...

Abby: Violin!

Priya: Tap dancing.

Mei: Yeah. We've been so good. If they don't trust us anyway, then what's the point?

Miriam: Wow! Who are you? I love it!

Abby: Fight the power!

Mei: Yeah. Yeah. This isn't just our first concert. This is our first step into womanhood.

Mei, Miriam, Priya, and Abby hold hands together, forming a circle.

Mei: And we have to do it together.

Miriam: I'm in, girl. We'll say it's a sleepover at my house.

Abby: (Gasps) The perfect crime.

Mei: Yes! My mom will never know.

Sonic: But we do.

Mei and her friends looked behind and saw Peke and Sonic standing against the wall with their arms folded.

Mei: Sonic!

Mei got too excited that she released the panda and ran towards Sonic and hugged him.

Sonic: Ok Mei. Don't squeeze me too hard, huh.

(Inside Sonic's head)

Sonic was in green hill zone and saw Amy.

Sonic: Hey Amy.

Amy ran towards Sonic and hugged him.

Amy: Sonic, I'm so glad I found you.

Sonic: It's good to be home.

Amy: Yes, it is.

(Back to the real world)

Sonic: Wow, Mei. I didn't know you could do that.

Mei: Huh, do what?

Sonic: I feel like a new man.

Peke: Sonic, that's not what we're here for.

Mei looked at her friends with both eyebrows raised three times and hugged Peke next.

Peke: Hey, what are you doing?

(Inside Peke's head)

Peke: Wow, where am I?

Sonic: Hey, Peke.

Peke: Sonic, what's going on?

Peke looks ahead and sees Eggman.

Sonic: Let's take down Eggman and save this world.

Peke: (Chuckle) You know it.

(Back to the real world)

Peke: Wow, that was amazing.

Mei: So, how do you guys feel?

Sonic: I think you just cleared up our minds after that panda hug.

Peke: Yeah, for a soft panda, you really are cute.

Mei reverts back to her human form.

Mei: Alright, girls, now we just have to raise the money for tickets. (Sighs) Come on, girls, think!

Mei, Miriam, Priya, and Abby were thinking but had nothing.

Abby: Know what'll help me think? A little panda.

Mei: Abby...

Abby: Come on, Mei. How come you gave a hug to them and not me. It'll clear my mind. Just a little hit! It's so cute!

Sonic: You know if it cleared our mind up, it can work on her too.

Peke: Yeah, go on Mei, give your friend a panda hug.

Mei: Ugh. Fine.

Abby hugs Mei. Mei inhales deeply.

(Inside Abby's head)

(Dreamy Music Playing)

Robaire from 4-Town appeared as a mermaid.

Robaire: Mon amour.

(Back to the real world)

Mei squealed and released the panda while still hugging Abby.

Mei: Happy?

Abby: Oh, yeah. That's the stuff

A girl gasped along with two more girls as she saw Mei in her panda form.

Peke: (Gasp) Hide!

He grabs Sonic and hides inside a restroom stall.

Stacy: O-M-G.

Mei hides inside a restroom stall as well.

Mei: Aah! Go away!

Miriam, Priya, and Abby got in front of the bathroom stall door to protect Mei.

Stacy: It was you in the bathroom! I didn't imagine it!

Miriam: Yeah, you did.

Priya: Get lost, Stacy!

Girl: But she's like a magical bear?

All: Red panda!

Mei stood up so they could see her but went back down. Stacy and the two girls had shocking faces upon seeing the panda. There looks changed to cute faces.

Stacy: You are the cutest thing ever!

Girl: Come on out.

Girl 2: Yeah, yeah, yeah! Please!

Sonic, Peke, and Mei came out of the restroom stalls.

Mei: Wait. So, you like the panda?

Sonic: So, you guys are not afraid of the panda?

Peke: Or fear it?

Girl 2: We don't fear it? I love it! I'll give you anything! Money?

Girl: My kidney!

Stacy: My soul.

Girl: Yeah!

Stacy: Adorable! You're so cute!

Stacy and the two girls presented money to them.

Mei, Miriam, Priya, and Abby had money eyes while Sonic and Peke looked at each other with I don't know look.

(U KNOW WHAT'S UP BY 4-TOWN PLAYING)

Mei grabs a video camera, then takes off the cap and gives it to Peke. Miriam inspected the camera from the front to make sure it was on.

Miriam: Is it on?

Mei and Miriam posed while Priya was carrying a backpack full of composition books, pens, and crayons, and Abby was drinking a slushy.

Miriam: (Chuckles) Let's go! Yeah, Panda!

The whole gang enters an empty classroom.

Priya: Fuel for domination.

Miriam: Money, money, money!

Priya emptys the pack into a desk.

Abby: Stop hogging and give me some!

Miriam: Pass that over.

Miriam was chowing some gum while Abby was drinking her slushy.

Miriam: 4-Town, here we come!

Abby spits out the slushy flavor she was drinking and chuckled at how gross Miriam was chowing that gum. She grabs the camera from the front to see how gross she is chowing the gum in front of the camera.

Priya: Stop! That's so gross.

Abby: Do it again.

Mei: Peke face the camera at me.

Peke turns the camera to her.

Mei: All right, troops, listen up.

Sonic turns on a projector.

Mei: Operation 4-Town Shake Down is about to commence.

Miriam, Priya, and Abby had their pens and books ready to take notes. Mei pointed out the calendar that showed up on the projector with a ruler.

Mei: The boys are coming to the SkyDome May 18th. Our goal, four tickets. That's 800 buck! Step one, neutralize the empress.

Mei was on the phone with her mom on the line.

Ming: Mathletes? Isn't it a little dangerous to join an after-school club now?

Mei: What's dangerous is an academic record with a lack of extracurriculars.

Ming: Hmm... Huh.

Mei: Step two... Spread the word.

During class, Abby gives Stacy a small piece of paper that says room 202 with a picture of a camera and a red panda. Stacy texted, "OMG !!! PANDA PICS ROOM 202" and sent it to everyone. Multiple people opened their phones and saw the text.

There was a large line of students, and Peke was waiting outside the classroom. All the students in the line gave him the money.

Peke signals them with his thumb to head inside.

All the students entered the room.

Mei: And step three... hustle this panda and squeeze every last loonie outta those kids.

Mei released the panda, and all the kids hugged her.

Abby and Priya set up some lamps. Sonic puts up a Canada flag on the wall.

A boy poses with Mei, and Miriam takes the picture.

The next picture was with Stacy and her friend.

The next picture was with the boys' basketball team.

The next picture was with Carter Murphy Mayhew and his friends.

Mei and her friends placed the money inside a box.

Miriam drew a red panda on a large paper and colored the tail with a red marker up to 200.

The next picture was with three girls. After taking the picture with them, Mei tripped and fell on top of Carter Murphy Mayhew and left her paw mark on his shirt.

Carter gives her a thumbs up.

Sonic placed a bunch of red panda decorations around the classroom.

Stacy enters the restroom and gets surprised by Mei and her friends with a bunch of red panda accessories.

Everyone gets surprised when Stacy walks out of the restroom wearing a red panda tail and ears.

Everyone ran inside the restroom to buy accessories.

Miriam fills up the red panda tail to 300.

The gang stashed the money into the box.

Miriam marks X on May 8th.

Peke takes the money from a girl and lets her enter. The next person in line was Tyler. Before Peke could receive the money from Tyler, Abby swipes his hand away, then snaps her fingers 3 times and points at the sign right behind him.

(No Tyler's)

Tyler was disappointed, and the person behind him shoved him aside and gave the money to Peke.

The gang was receiving money and giving away red pand accessories to other students left and right.

Miriam placed some more money in the box and filled up the red panda tail to 400.

A bunch of students wearing red panda accessories and shirts that say "FUR BABY" burst out of the door as Peke was counting the money outside the classroom.

Peke sees Ming with a tray of dumplings.

Ming waves at Peke. Peke waves back at Ming.

He knocks rapidly at the door to alert Mei and the others.

Mei poofs back to her human form, and with the help of Sonic, he and the girls hide all the evidence of what they were doing.

Ming opens the door halfway to see Mei Miriam and Priya doing math. Sonic waves at her. Ming waves back at Sonic.

Ming leaves the tray of dumplings on a desk right next to the door. The police officer surprises her by standing right behind her.

Ming's smile dropped as she saw the officer behind her and walked away. Before the officer could walk away as well, he took a dumpling from the tray.

Sonic and the gang sigh in relief.

Miriam fills up the red panda tail to 500.

Peke and Miriam stack and wrap the money in rubber bands. Mei marks an X on May 10th. Abby makes the money rain.

Miriam: Yeah!

Peke places the video camera on a tripod and records Mei and her friends' dancing. Mei poofs into the panda and accidentally knocks the camera into the air.

Mei: Oh no.

Sonic jumps and catches the camera in mid-air.

Sonic: Got it.

Peke: Nice catch.

Moments later...

Mei, Sonic, and Peke arrived at the temple. Mei faded her panda ears away, took off her star earrings, and buttoned her red cardigan before going inside the temple.

Before heading into her room, she hugged Tails, Ming, and Jin. While Sonic and Peke waved at them.

Mei goes into her room and hides the box of money and calendar with the day listed of 4-Town and the ritual.

(Music ends)

The next day...

Sonic and Peke paid another visit to the temple to show Tails a video proof of Mei not being a terror to anyone.

Sonic: Hey Tails.

Tails: Hey guys. What's up?

Peke: We have something that you might want to see.

Tails: Oh...

Peke gives the video camera to Tails and turns it on. Tails sees the footage of Mei in panda form, taking pictures with other kids and dancing with her friends. He also sees that no one was afraid of her while in panda form.

(Tails finished watching the whole footage)

Sonic: So... what do you think?

Tails: Guys... this... is... Incredible!

Peke: Does this mean we don't have to worry about Mei going Panda mode in public?

Tails gave them a thumbs up.

Tails: Yep.

Sonic: Then come on, we should go tell her the good news.

Peke: Then what are we waiting for? Let's go.

Sonic and Peke run to the door.

Tails: Wait, guys.

Sonic and Peke stop. Tails stood up and said.

Tails: I'm coming with you guys.

Sonic: Attaboy Tails, let's go.

The three of them go out the door.

Sonic: Last one there pays for chili dogs.

Sonic runs at an incredible speed.

Peke: Oh, I don't plan to lose.

Peke transforms into six-arm serpent and flies at an incredible speed as well, leaving Tails behind.

Tails: Well, now we all know who's gonna lose.

Tails flies at a good speed but not as close as Sonic and Peke.

Tails: Guys, wait up.

Meanwhile with Mei and her friends...

Mei and her friends were sitting on the bleachers outside the school, making some red panda key chains while the boys' basketball team was practicing and other students wearing red panda shirts and accessories.

Miriam set her eyes on one of the boys of the basketball team wearing a Number 12 shirt.

Miriam: Check out Number 12. He's got delts for days.

Abby: Forget that. I need lunch. I'm starting to black out!

Abby lay down sideways on the bleachers.

Priya: I think I'm getting carpal tunnel.

Mei was counting money.

Mei: No pain, no gain, Priya. Come on, chop-chop! Five, 10...

Miriam: Girl, relax.

Abby sat back up.

Abby: Yeah. We're doing our best.

Mei's poofed into her panda form, but it was only the hands, the ears, and the tail.

Mei: It's not enough! The concerts this Saturday and we're still a hundred short! (Growls) I knew we should have charged more for photos! Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Miriam: Mei, breathe. It's in the bag.

Mei: But...

Miriam: (TUTTING) What's the point of getting to the concert if you're too exhausted to enjoy it?

Miriam takes the money off her hands.

Miriam: Now, take a break and help me appreciate some boys.

Mei:(Chuckles) Okay, okay, okay.

Mei was relaxed, and her parts of red panda form faded away.

(BOTH SIGH HEAVILY)

Mei and Miriam looked at the boy wearing the Number 12 shirt.

Boy: Hey, what's up?

Boy 2: Mei!

Boy 3: Hey, Mei, what up?

The boys were flexing to impress Mei and her friends.

(PRIYA AND MIRIAM WHOOPING)

Miriam: Looking good!

Abby: Nice calves!

Mei: Are you a triangle? Cause you acute!

(ALL GIGGLE)

Tyler: You guys are so weird.

The group turn around and see Tyler spying on them behind the bleachers.

Miriam: Hey!

Mei: Are you spying on us?

Tyler: I wanna talk to you, Lee.

Mei: Forget it.

The group turns their attention back to the basketball team.

Tyler: Fine. Wonder if your mom knows her precious little Mei-Mei has been flaunting the panda all over school.

The girls turn their attention back to Tyler.

(GIRLS GASPING)

Mei walked to the side of the bleachers and poofed into the red panda.

Mei: That's none of your business!

Mei approached the collapsed Tyler while trying to crawl away while on his back.

Tails: Mei stand down!

Mei looks to her right and sees Sonic, Tails, and Peke. Mei goes back to her human form and said.

Mei: Tails. This isn't what it looks like.

Tails: Oh really Mei, cause it looked like you were gonna hurt Tyler.

Mei: I can explain.

Tails: And I can ask you why you are using the red panda at school to get money and to go to a concert.

Mei falls to her knees and begs.

Mei: Please don't tell my mom. I worked so hard to get all this money. I really wanna go to this concert.

Tails helps Mei up on her feet.

Tails: Don't worry, Mei. Now that we know that the red panda is not a threat or terror to anyone. You don't have to hide it anymore.

Mei hugs Tails. Tails hugs her back.

Mei: You're a true friend, Tails. Thank you.

Tyler: Well, now that that's settled. I want you to hear me out.

Mei: What do you want?

Tyler shows her a party flyer.

Tyler: I wanna throw a sick birthday party. An epic one.

Mei takes the flyer and turns to her friends for help. Miriam, Priya, and Abby give her the idk look.

Tyler: It's this Friday. If you're there, everyone will come. Simple as that.

Mei: A party?

Tyler: (SIGHS) Look I've done you a favor keeping my mouth shut. All I'm asking for is one back.

Mei: Hmm... I'll do it. But it'll cost you one... No. Two hundred bucks.

Tyler: Okay.

Mei's panda tail poof.

Mei: Uh, hold, please.

Mei and her friends bring it in to discuss a plan.

Miriam: Are you serious? You can't trust him.

Abby: It's a trap!

Priya: This sounds like a boy-girl party. Are we allowed to boy-girl parties?

Mei: Guys! Two hundred bucks will put us over the top! We have to do this. We'll meet at Tyler's, I'll do my thing, and then we'll bounce. Easy-peasy.

Miriam: Dude, what about your mom?

Mei: Forget my mom. I'll be back before she even knows I'm gone.

Miriam: But...

Mei: Hey, dorkbag. We're in. But you only get the panda for an hour. And we are not bringing any presents.

Tyler: Deal.

Mei and Tyler shake hands.

Peke: Well, now that you two agreed on something. I think it's time for Sonic and me to agree on something too.

Sonic: Oh?

Peke: Remember the last two weeks when we that octopus bot and said which one of use is the strongest.

Sonic: Oh yeah. I forgot about that.

Peke: Yeah. And I got the perfect place to do it.

Sonic: Where exactly?

Peke: Right there.

Peke points at the basketball court.

Sonic: In the basketball court?

Peke: Ugh... It's not just the basketball court. Here in the school. I mean, think about how many people didn't see us fight that octopus bot. This is the perfect place to do it.

Tails: I don't know, Peke, it's up to you guys.

Mei: I mean, you guys were really impressive against that octopus bot.

Miriam: Yeah, you guys were really kicking octopus butt.

Priya: Not to mention that you saved our lives.

Abby: I wanna see some more of that!

Peke: So what do you say?

Sonic: Hmm... Ok, you win.

Sonic and Peke shake hands.

Peke: Not yet. We're just about to begin.

Sonic and Peke took their positions in the basketball court to battle.

Tails: Alright, guys, let's make this a good fight, and the rules are no rules.

Tails went to the bleachers and sat right next to Mei. The crowd looked on as Sonic and Peke prepared to fight.

Peke: You're going down.

Sonic: (CHUCKLES) Will see about that.

Tails: Ready.

Sonic and Peke stare at each other.

Tails: Begin!

Peke: King Cobra: Serpent Barrage!

Giant Serpents came out of his back and charged at Sonic, attempting to crush him but runs to avoid them.

Miriam: It seems like Sonic is really quick on his feet.

Mei: Yeah. But doesn't he realize that he's never going to win if he keeps up that pace.

Tails: Sonic's had his fair and share of battles over the years. Of course, he always comes out on top.

Miriam: Has Sonic ever faced anyone stronger than him?

Tails: Many times, yeah. But not to worry, it's obvious that he's quick to attack.

Peke blocks a diving kick from Sonic. Peke throws a roundhouse kick only for Sonic to dodge it and returns it with a front punch, but Peke blocks it by crossing his arms like an X.

Peke: (CHUCKLED) Is that all you got.

Sonic: Not quite.

Sonic performs a series of homing attacks.

Peke: Oh yeah.

Peke forms a shield with his snakes blocking his attacks.

Miriam: Peke is very creative with his snakes.

Mei: Yeah. Sonic can't even get near him.

Abby: Come on, Sonic, you can do it!

Sonic continues to homing attacks.

Sonic: I'll destroy that shield with this next attack.

A serpent pops out of the shield and grabs Sonic with its mouth. Everyone, including Tails, Mei, and her friends, didn't see that one coming. Peke sends the serpent back down, crashing Sonic to the ground.

(Sonic sighs while trying to get back on his feet)

Peke: Come on, Sonic, don't tell me that's the best you can do. You know you're never gonna beat me if you don't give me your best.

Sonic supercharges himself with lightning and prepares for his next attack.

Sonic: You wanted my best here it comes!

Peke: That's what I wanted to hear. Yaaaaa!

Peke runs towards him and attempts to punch Sonic but disappears.

Peke: What? Where did he go?

Peke looked confused and looked around him but couldn't find Sonic.

Peke: Sonic, you're never gonna beat me if you hide.

Sonic reappears at an incredible speed and lands a direct hit on Peke.

Peke: What the heck!? How did you do that?

Sonic: You're just too slow.

Tails, Mei, Miriam, Priya, Abby, and everyone had shocking faces.

Sonic dashed at full speed and landed multiple attacks that Peke could barely block any. Peke attempts to land a hit, but Sonic was way too fast for him.

Mei: So close.

Miriam: So fast.

Priya: Amazing.

Sonic continues on the offensive.

Tails: He activated his lighting mode.

Abby: His what now?

Tails: His lighting mode it let's him generate lightning from his body for a massive power up, making him faster and stronger.

Sonic continues to land blows on Peke.

Mei: He's just way too fast. Peke can't even compete.

Abby: Sonic, you rule!

Peke: I can't take this anymore. Take this!

Snakes pop out of his body in every direction and ricochet of the wall at an incredible speed. Sonic manages to dodge them but gets hit by one, sending him into a wall.

Peke: Don't get me wrong, but it seems I underestimated you. But since you showed me what you are capable of, allow me to show you mine.

Transforms into six-arm serpent.

Sonic: You already showed me that one.

Peke: But I haven't shown you this.

Peke touches the ground with his hand, and two snakes made of energy pop out of the ground and wrap around Sonic's feet and legs.

Sonic: Huh!?

Peke: Now I got you!

Peke flew to the sky preparing for his next attack.

Mei: What? The snakes came out of the ground.

Tails: Impressive, he summoned the snakes from the ground using his energy.

Priya: I hate to say it, but it looks like Sonic is done for.

Abby: No, he can't lose. Sonic never loses. Come on, Sonic, you have to break free!

Peke: I'll beat you with this next attack. King Cobra: Final Cobra!

Sonic charges his fist with electricity. Peke shoots a giant cobra from his fist.

Sonic: I don't know if this is gonna work, but I've got to try.

Sonic punchs the ground with his electric fist, freeing himself and dodging the attack.

Peke: Huh!?

Peke flies back to the ground.

Tails: He charged his fist with lightning to free himself.

Miriam: This is intense.

Priya: Yeah. Their powers counter each other.

Mei: At this rate, we will never know how this fight will end.

Abby: Or who the victor will be.

(Both Sonic and Peke sigh from tiredness)

Peke: This battle will not end in a draw. One of us has to win.

Sonic: Then what are we waiting for? Let's end this.

Peke: One more, and we're finished.

(LIVE AND LEARN BY CRASH 40 PLAYING)

Sonic jumps in the air and spins to supercharge himself with lightning. Peke draws his hands back and charges energy into his hands.

Sonic: I won't lose to you, Peke.

Peke: I was gonna say the same thing.

Sonic: But it's like you said one of us is gonna win.

Peke: I'm glad you're paying attention.

Both of them finished charging their attacks. Sonic dashed with a homing attack. Peke brought his hands together and shot a giant beam of energy.

Peke: King Cobra: Final Snake Fang Cannon!

Both attacks clashed, causing a massive wind.

Sonic: Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Peke: I won't lose!

Peke gives the beam more power overpowering Sonic's.

(Sonic grunted as he struggled)

Sonic gave his attack more power to overpower Peke's.

Sonic and Peke: Raaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

They continued the clash.

Peke: We both know how this is gonna end!

Sonic: Oh... me beating you.

Peke: Don't be so sure.

Mei: Are they insane!

Tails: Most likely!

Priya: They're gonna destroy us all if one of their attacks win.

Abby: Honestly, there both focused on winning.

Peke put a lot of strength into the blast that his six-arm serpent transformation expired.

Miriam: Guys, look!

Miriam pointed at Peke to let the group know that his transformation expired.

Peke: Crap, I must've put a lot of my power into it. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna give up.

Sonic continued to put pressure on himself as his power grew more.

Sonic: I'm ending this now!

Sonic burst into the beam and had an electric punch ready to strike.

Peke: So am I.

Peke also burst into the beam and had an energy punch ready to strike.

Sonic and Peke: Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

They clashed their attacks in the air, causing a massive electric-beam explosion. A lot of smoke covered a large area in the sky.

Tails: I didn't think it would come to that, but those two are equally matched.

The smoke cleared up and can be seen that Sonic and Peke punched each other.

Both Sonic and Peke chuckled before falling to the ground and landing on their feet. They stared at each other, sighing.

Everyone in the crowd looked at them with frozen faces. Tails signaled Peke to get his attention and used his hands to do hand signs, telling him to make a microphone with his snakes. Peke transforms a snake into a microphone and throws it to Tails. Tails catches it and uses it.

Tails: This match is here by over. The winners of this fight are Sonic and Peke.

(The crowd, including Mei, Miriam, Priya, and Abby, applause and cheered)

Priya: That was a good fight.

Mei: They both did very well.

Both Sonic and Peke raised their fist up in victory.

Sonic was thinking, and Peke was concerned.

Peke: Hey, what's on your mind?

Sonic: I think we're both evenly matched.

They shook hands as a sign of respect.

(Music ends)


What a blast I had making this chapter!

How will Sonic and Peke manage to keep their head in the game as Mei and the rest of her family arrives with the same power as her as she decides the fate of getting rid of or keeping the red panda for good?

Stay tuned for the next chapter in a couple of days.