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The ice cream parlor was a refreshing spot within the Mirage Saloon Zone. With the blistering winds and sun beating down on the sand, it allowed for a moment of tranquility. Fruity and sweet bottles of syrup lined the shelves. Below them, coolers filled with ice cream tubs caught the attention of any tourist. On the back counter were various appliances in-between plastic containers of toppings and waffle cone dispensers.
Sitting at the bar, Mighty and Ray felt right at home. Ray spun on his stool, a bright smile on his face. Heavy King held the top of the blender in place as it whirred with a mixture of milk and vanilla ice cream. Mighty was already sipping his milkshake. He nibbled on the candy cane straw, the peppermint taste a nice contrast to the rich chocolate ice cream. He glanced at Ray, grinning as his little friend bounced in place, his eyes sparkling as Heavy King flicked the button to turn off the blender.
Heavy King garnished it with whipped cream, almonds, and a cherry on top. He whirled around, his cape fluttering as he presented Ray with the milkshake. Ray gasped, speechless, and Mighty thanked him on Ray’s behalf. Placing it on a coaster, Heavy King gave a flourished wave of his hand and beckoned him to enjoy.
Ray took a plastic spoon out of a utensil holder in the center of the bar. He spun it between his fingers before spearing through the whipped cream and scooping out the cherry. Stars twinkled in his eyes. The whipped cream nestled around the dark red cherry seemed like the epitome of saccharine perfection, and he clamped his lips around the spoon with a satisfied hum.
But before he could relish the taste, the wooden doors slammed into the walls. He yelped, dropping the spoon and choking on the cherry. Panicked, Mighty smacked him on the neck and launched him over the counter. Ray crashed into the coolers, bouncing off the rounded rims and landing face-first on the tiled floor, momentarily stiff.
Gasping, Mighty whipped his head over his shoulder. He glared at the newcomers sauntering into the parlor like they owned the joint. He hopped off his stool, Heavy King tending to Ray and patting his back, the squirrel coughing up the cherry lump in his throat.
Nack met Mighty’s glare with cool indifference. He twirled his popgun around his trigger finger and shoved it into his holster. With his partners in crime standing next to him, he hitched his thumb at the cash register, evidently wanting a clean robbery.
With a slow shake of his head, Mighty crouched and raised his fists. He gritted down on his molars, ready for a brawl. If they wanted to throw down in the middle of an ice cream parlor, then he was willing to indulge their gluttony for punishment.
Bean shot out in front of Nack, who yipped and fired off a cork into the ceiling. The duck dashed past Mighty and approached the counter, his eyes twinkling as Ray’s had. He bounced on the soles of his worn sneakers and pointed at the ice cream, rapidly listing off the flavors he wanted to the befuddled robot.
Nack threw his arms up, but Bark placed a hand on his shoulder. The polar bear shook his head, evidently deciding the fight was not worth it. Nack snarled at him, but the cork he had fired dislodged itself from the ceiling and landed squarely on his head. He clutched his skull, his face twisting in humiliation and pain, loudly complaining about their insubordination to the one member of their squad who refused to comment.
Mighty blinked and lowered his guard. Peering at Ray, he found his friend telling Bean which flavors he enjoyed. Inspired, Bean proclaimed he wanted three scoops of strawberry ice cream topped in caramel sauce and lit candles.
Bark stepped forward with Nack grumbling by his side. Nack elbowed Mighty, and Mighty lightly rapped his side, earning a shriek in return. Smirking, Mighty leaned into his stool and snatched his milkshake, munching on the straw while Bark pointed at the menu, gesturing at what they wanted to order.
As Heavy King worked on the Hooligans’ treats, Ray and Bean sampled brownies on a display tray near the end of the counter. Bean beamed, chewing with his beak open and exclaiming they were the best brownies he had ever tasted.
To Mighty, it was like looking into a mirror. The youngest members of their teams laughed and chatted like they were old friends. Even though they had fought on more than one occasion, Mighty smirked at the notion that delicious sweets had made them set aside their differences.
Heavy King placed three milkshakes down for the Hooligans. Mighty looked at Nack and Bark, grinning, hoping for a truce. Nack growled, reaching for his popgun, but Bark nodded and picked up Bean by the scruff of his neck. He placed Bean on the stool, offering a meek smile as Heavy King leered at them with glowing, scarlet eyes. Nack muttered under his breath, slurping his coffee milkshake, but Mighty noticed his lip curling upwards, and he sipped the rest of his milkshake, appreciating the calm atmosphere.
Ray sidled up next to him. He cupped his milkshake and grinned at Heavy King when he placed another cherry on top. Ray turned to Mighty and clinked his glass against Mighty’s half-full drink before digging in with enough enthusiasm to rival Bean, who chugged his milkshake and shouted for another one.
Mighty sighed, closing his eyes as he remembered enjoying the same treat with Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles after defeating Eggman and the Hard Boiled Heavies. If they were present, then the day would have been perfect.
But looking over to Bean whirling on his stool and Nack having a one-sided conversation with Bark, he felt the moment was also acceptable. So long as Ray was happy as he mimicked Bean, so was he.
And when Hooligans snatched the cash register in a mad dash to leave without paying, Mighty didn’t feel too terribly taking them down.