Meanwhile, back in the Kingdom of Mobius, Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower were hanging out at the latter's cabin, located on the southern shore of Azure Lake Zone. Having defeated Dr. Robotnik and liberated the Kingdom of Mobius from his iron grip, what they really needed was some rest and relaxation, and today, they were resting and relaxing by playing GoldenEye for N64. At this moment, Sonic mowed down Tails with an RC-P90.

"No fair!" Tails ruffled the quills on top of Sonic's head. "How come you get that super-powered machine gun and all I get is the little pistol that shoots peanuts!?"

Sonic smirked. "That's 'cause you're TICKLISH!"

"SONIC! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

And so, Sonic and Tails got into another tickle war, which ended up with both parties lying down on the couch huffing and puffing, but nevertheless snuggling with each other.

"Sonic, even if you are a rotten joker, you're still my favorite person!"

"You're still my favorite, too!"

Sonic and Tails continued to snuggle with one another. Sonic liked snuggling with Tails because, aside from the fact that the little fox was so fluffy, it meant a lot to him that he had somebody whom he genuinely cared about and who cared about him in return. As for Tails, having never had any friends in his life, having somebody to hang out with him made him feel that much better about himself.

"Tails?"

"Yeah?"

"I gotta be honest about somethin'…"

"What?"

"As much as I enjoy hangin' out here with ya, I kinda wanna get out and see the world, too."

"Really? Why?"

"I mean, I been hangin' around in Mobius all my life and I just wanna spread my wings and see what else the world has to offer, ya know?"

Tails nodded. "Now that you mention it, I'm also curious to see what the rest of the world is like. Question is, where will we go?"

"I've actually been thinkin' about that, and after doin' my own research, I wanna go to the Federal Republic of Columbia. There's this city on the west coast called Station Square, and I heard it's supposed to be a real friendly place."

"OK, if it's as friendly as you say it is, I'm going with you."

"Groovy! Let's pack!"

Aside from packing a few things for the trip, Sonic also headed for an apartment building in the Lower East Side neighborhood of Emerald City. After going up a couple of floors, he knocked on a particular door. Shortly thereafter, Charles T. Hedgehog – better known as his Uncle Chuck – answered the door.

"Ah, good morning, Sonny! Come on in!"

Sonic entered Chuck's apartment.

"So, what's on your mind?" asked Chuck.

"Unc, Tails and I are gonna be goin' away for a little bit."

"Oh? Why?"

Sonic brushed his hand off to the side. "Oh, nothin' big. We're just takin' a little vacation, that's all."

"May I ask where?"

"We're goin' to the Federal Republic of Columbia…Station Square, actually."

Chuck stroked his chin. "Now that you mention it, I've been there before. I enjoyed my first visit to the city, and I hope you enjoy it as well. Just know that I'll miss you."

Sonic put a hand on Chuck's shoulder. "I'm gonna miss ya too. I promise I'll try to stay in contact, though."

"Please do. It's been so long since I'd seen you, and you're like my only child."

"Unc, stop!"

"What's the matter, Sonny?"

"It's just…you're gonna make me cry if ya keep bein' so gushy to me!"

Chuck said nothing else to Sonic; he just gave him a big hug, which the Blue Blur gladly returned. Even if they had been separated for years, they felt closer than ever now that they'd been reunited. After what seemed like an equally long time, they let go.

"You and Tails have fun!" Chuck waved at Sonic. "I'll be thinking of you!"

"Same here!"

Having visited his Uncle Chuck, Sonic headed over to the Royal Palace, where a couple of guards were standing watch at the front gate.

"State your business," said one of the gate guards.

"It's me, Sonic the Hedgehog. I'm here to see Princess Sally Acorn."

"You may enter, then."

The guard pressed a button on the wall, and the gate opened, thereby letting Sonic onto the grounds of the Royal Palace. The palace still bore a few scars from Robotnik's invasion, but was largely intact otherwise. Despite having been here before, Sonic wasn't entirely sure where Sally Acorn's room was, but there was a directory in the foyer that showed him the way. As he strode throughout the halls, various palace guards and servants said "hi" to Sonic, and he greeted them back. On one occasion, though, a palace guard stopped him.

"What is your business here?" asked the guard.

"I'm Sonic the Hedgehog. I'm here to see Princess Sally Acorn."

"Allow me to accompany you, then."

The guard led Sonic to Sally's room, where he knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" said Sally.

"Your Majesty, it's Corporal Wickham. A Sonic the Hedgehog is here to see you."

"Send him in."

Corporal Scott Wickham opened the door for Sonic, who stepped into Sally's room.

"Sonic!"

Upon seeing Sonic, Sally rushed over to him and gave him a big hug and kiss, which he gladly returned.

"So, what brings you here, boy?"

"Well, first of all, I wanted to see how ya were doin'."

"I've been doing better ever since you helped me liberate this country! How about you?"

Sonic gave a thumbs up. "Oh, I've been groovy! Havin' a roof over my head and a best bro to share life with makes everything that much better!"

"Glad to hear it! So, what else brought you here?"

"I just wanted to let ya know that Tails and I are goin' on an overseas trip. We shouldn't be gone too long, but I figured I'd tell ya anyways since you're my favorite mama, ya dig?"

"Well, I hope you and Tails have a fun time! Where are you going, anyways?"

"We're flyin' to Station Square!"

"Oh, nice! I've taken at least one trip to the Federal Republic of Columbia before, but I haven't been to Station Square yet! You'll have to tell me all about it when you get back!"

"Definitely!"

"Best of luck to you both!"

Sally gave Sonic another hug and kiss. Despite this not being the first time she kissed him, it never got any less good for him. In fact, he felt like this was even better than that first kiss. Granted, it didn't last for an eternity, but for him, it lasted long enough.

"Bye, Sonic!" Sally waved at Sonic. "See you soon!"

"You too!" Sonic waved back as he exited her room, pumped for his trip.

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.