Chapter 19: Republic Day
Location: Capitol City
Three days later…
Multicoloured fireworks shot into the night sky, reflecting off the pools of rainwater that had gathered in the streets. The celebrations were in full swing, with Overlanders, Terrans, and Mobians all in attendance. The boardwalk had been closed to all road traffic, allowing pedestrians to fill the streets. They were joined by Molly and Leon, although Sticks had remained behind at Government House. The Badger hated large gatherings, and the fireworks weren't doing much for her anxiety.
"There's s-so many people," Muttski said.
"It's like this every year," Molly explained, "People from all over the Terran Republic travel here to celebrate."
"All this food looks really good," Sonic commented, rubbing his gloved hands together.
He had stopped at one of the food stands, eyes having fallen upon a large chunk of meat that was rotating on a vertical spit.
"Try the Antigan Buffalo, it's delicious," Leon suggested.
"But not good for you," Molly stated, "It's why Andrea Tygore had a heart attack three months back."
"Think I'll just skip that."
"What can you tell me about the Old Families? Your father didn't really speak much about them."
"Ugh! You really want to discuss those degenerates?"
"Doesn't sound like you have a very high opinion of them," Chuck commented.
"Not many people do," she replied, "You'd be disgusted with them if you knew some of things they've done just to maintained their position of power. I'm surprised they weren't forced to disband when the Confederacy did."
"Who makes up the Old Families?" Amy asked.
"There are several families that hold membership. The most notable are the Bennets, the Brubakers, the Calabas, the d'Arbanvilles, the Dukes, the Falcos, the Holts, the Kusinis, the Terras, and the Tygores. Am I missing any?"
"Mengsk?" Leon replied.
"Oh...right. Guess the Mengsks aren't so bad compared to other members of the Old Families. Like Emmett Tygore, who murdered the children of a semi-prominent shop owner and got sent away to a rehab facility."
"That's despicable," Sally said.
"I can't imagine these oligarchs weren't exactly thrilled to losing so much of their power," Geoffrey stated.
"Talk to Andrea Tygore if you want to listen to her bitch and moan about how things were so much better under the Confederacy. On second thought, better you don't."
"She was alive back then?" Sally asked in surprise, "She must be in her eighties...nineties even."
"She's pushing a hundred and sixty," Molly said, nonchalantly.
"I'm sorry, What!?" Rotor asked, believing he had misheard.
"She's nearing two hundred years old. By the time of the Civil War, she was already a senior citizen."
"You much have some impressive medical technology," Tails said.
"She'd be able to afford top notch medical care," Molly stated, "Though it could be that she's too stubborn to die, or she's got no soul for the devil to take."
"I'm surprised your parents didn't come," Sally commented, desiring to get off the topic, "Although given your father's condition, I guess I can understand."
"Jorgensen will be giving the speech that Dad was gonna make to the crowd."
The group stopped at a corner café and took a seat at a table on the patio as they listened to the music, although it was a tad too loud for their taste. Sally happened to glance over at Molly when she noticed the circular pendent around the young lady's neck with a five-pointed star in the center.
"Is...is that a pentagram? Sally asked.
"Um...actually it's a pentacle," Molly said, hesitating as she grabbed the pendent with a hand.
"Well it looks like ze symbol of ze Devil," Antoine announced.
"That's because she's a witch," Leon said aloud.
"Hey! That's no way to talk to you sister!" Amy scolded.
"No, it's true. I'm a Wiccan; I am a practitioner of Witchcraft."
"Like…actual magic?" Muttski asked.
"I don't cast fireballs if that's what you're asking.
"Is there a story behind this?" Bunnie asked.
"Look, I was thirteen...I was going through a Goth phase and it was one of those things that I found I fitted in with during those awkward teen years."
"Guess it's better then some of the things you could've gotten involved in," Sonic commented.
The music suddenly stopped, causing everyone to turn their attention to the stage where Jorgensen had taken his place before the microphone.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Can I have your attention please," the Deputy Prime Minister began, "Over seventy years ago we were at war with one another, fighting for the heart and soul of our civilization. Today, we stand today united in celebration of the founding of our Republic. We must never forget the lives that were lost during the civil war, nor those who freely sacrificed themselves so that we could have this new beginning."