Meeting Dimitri and Anastasia/Betting on the Grand Chawhee

*(Out at the horse track's entrance, the group were walking around a crowd of people, searching for money to help make their bet on the Grand Chawhee)*

Sonic: All right, what we need, right now, is a couple of bucks.

Popple: (To the group) You heard him.

Bushroot and Liquidator: Right!

Megavolt: A couple of bucks, it is.

Quackerjack: A couple of bucks.

Kairi: And possibly, even a really nice couple. As in a new mom and dad.

Knuckles: You got it, girl.

Tails: A couple of bucks for us, and a couple of new parents.

*(Then they proceed to also look for a perfect couple for Kairi besides some money)*

Fred: (Watching a nearby thin woman walk by) Nope, too thin.

Sonic: (Watching a nearby ugly-looking man walk by) Definitely too ugly.

*(Then Shaggy watched a nearby chubby man drinking some water from a nearby water fountain)*

Shaggy: (Chuckles goofily a bit) Like, too fat.

*(Then Kairi spots a nearby perfect-looking couple happily reading a French Quarter brochure after helping a little boy get his little sister's doll from being stuck in a nearby bush. The husband is a 34 year old man with short brown hair, brown eyes, and wearing a pale green long-sleeved collar-flapped, button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his biceps, a green sleeveless vest, a white long-sleeved undershirt, green pants, a brown belt with a gold buckle, grayish brown socks, and brown shoes. And the wife is a 32 year old woman with long hip-length auburn hair tied in a low ponytail, blue eyes, and wearing a blue ribbon in her hair, a blue short-sleeved dress with a white neck collar flap, buttons, and sleeve rims, black stockings, and light brown boots with dark brown laces. Spotting them with Kairi, the group got interested)*

Kairi: Wow, guys, look! I believe that that couple is perfect!

*(Seeing the husband and wife enjoying their brochure, Sonic immediately recognized the couple)*

Sonic: You know, kid. I think you're right. That couple is none other than Dimitri Sanchez and Anastasia Romanov-Sanchez.

Kairi: (Interested) Really?

Sonic: Yeah. And they....

*(Then they realized something in amazement)*

Sonic: Wait, their last names is Sanchez.

*(Kairi looked at the couple, now revealed to be Dimitri Sanchez and Anastasia Romanov-Sanchez, and gasped in realization, which then turned into happiness and amazement)*

Kairi: (Gasps, happily realizing) Now I remember! My late birth parents' names were Squall Leonhart and Rinoa Heartilly-Leonhart! And Anastasia is Rinoa's little sister twice removed, making her and Dimitri my aunt and uncle, twice removed! So that would mean my last name would be changed to Romanov-Sanchez!

Shaggy: (Happily) Like, talk about a small world!

Knuckles: "Talk about a small world," indeed, Shaggy.

Fred: You wanted new parents, we got you the potential new parents with the last name Romanov-Sanchez!

*(Then Kairi pondered on something)*

Kairi: So, do you think they could help me in betting on the Grand Chawhee? And possibly help me with new clothes?

Sonic's group: Yep!

*(Then Sonic turned to Bushroot)*

Sonic: Bushroot?

Bushroot: Yeah?

Sonic: (Points at Dimitri and Anastasia for Bushroot) Let's butter that couple up.

Bushroot: On number seventeen?

Sonic: Nope.

Fred: On number three.

Bushroot: (Getting it happily) Oh, number three. The lame plant/duck.

*(He, Megavolt, Quackerjack, Liquidator, and Popple chuckled a bit)*

Liquidator: Oh, Sonic.

Quackerjack: You clever teenage hedgehog, you.

Sonic: (Turns to Kairi) And you are gonna help with the lame plant/duck butter up.

Kairi: (Curiously, then confused) Me, why?

Sonic: Just to, ya know, win them over.

*(Getting it, Kairi happily agreed)*

Kairi: (Getting it) Ah, okay. The lame plant/duck as in....

*(Then getting closer to Dimitri and Anastasia, as in answering Kairi’s realization answer, Bushroot immediately puts on an act where his root-like foot is hurting)*

Bushroot: (Being dramatic, pretending to cry and be hurt by his root-like foot) My poor root-like foot is killing me!

*(Their attention caught, Dimitri and Anastasia noticed Bushroot whining a bit with his crocodile tears as he fell down and clutched his root-like foot, apparently falling for his charade)*

Anastasia: (Feeling sorry for Bushroot) Oh, Dimitri, the poor plant-like duck creature.

*(Also feeling sorry in agreement, Dimitri kneeled down to Bushroot to check on him)*

Dimitri: (To Anastasia) Yeah, I think he needs help. *(To Bushroot)* Hey, fella. Are you alright?

*(Then Kairi ran up to Bushroot, playing along by pretending to check on him)*

Kairi: Bushroot, you okay? Are you hurt?

*(Recognizing Kairi, Dimitri and Anastasia got amazed)*

Dimitri: (Amazed, then curiously) Kairi? What are you doing out here?

Anastasia: (Curiously) Is that plant-duck creature your friend?

Kairi: (While checking on Bushroot) To answer your questions.... I'm just looking around for loose money and new parents and changing my last name from Heartilly-Leonhart to Romanov-Sanchez because I'm an orphan with my parents dead, and yes, this talking plant-duck creature is my friend.

*(Hearing Kairi mention her parents being dead, Dimitri and Anastasia realized in sympathy)*

Anastasia: (Realizing with Dimitri) Oh, that's right! *(Reassuringly in comfort)* And our condolences for your parents' loss.

Kairi: (Nods) Thanks. So, could you help me with Bushroot while we talk about...?

Dimitri and Anastasia: (Nods) Of course.

*(Then they checked on Bushroot. Unknown to them, Sonic's group, Megavolt, Quackerjack, Liquidator, and Popple snuck up to behind Dimitri, with Sonic carefully reaching out to his rear pants pocket, for there is a wallet sticking out)*

Tails: (Whispering, to Sonic) I don't like the idea of steal....

Sonic: (Whispering reassuringly) Relax. We'll return it later.

*(Suddenly, something caught Sonic, Knuckles, and Megavolt's ankles. It was Bushroot, grabbing onto their ankles)*

Bushroot: (Whispering) What do I do now?

Megavolt: (Whispering) Keep hamming it up!

Sonic: (Whispering) Quickly!

Knuckles: (Whispering) We almost got it!

*(Then Bushroot resumed his acting as Kairi pulled him back to her, Dimitri, and Anastasia)*

Kairi: Let us see your root-like foot.

Bushroot: (Pretending to be in pain in a hammy way) Oh, please be careful when you touch it! It's been dislocated from the way it hurts!

Dimitri: (To Bushroot, reassuringly) You'll be fine.

*(Then Kairi, with Dimitri and Anastasia's help, proceeded to work on Bushroot's "Injured" foot, as if planning on fixing it by "Relocating" it. Then, Sonic successfully got the wallet out of Dimitri's pocket secretly and then he, Tails, Knuckles, Fred, Shaggy, Popple, Megavolt, Quackerjack, and Liquidator silently gestured to Bushroot and Kairi that they did it, and on cue, Kairi successfully "Relocated" Bushroot's root-like foot. Then Bushroot jumped to his root-like feet in pretend surprise at first)*

Bushroot: (Gasps in amazement at his "Fixed" root-like foot) My root-like foot...! *(Happily)* You relocated it! Hallelujah! Thank you!

Dimitri and Anastasia: (Nods a "You're welcome," with Anastasia happily chuckling a bit) No problem.

*(Then Bushroot ran off happily)*

Bushroot: (Calling out to Kairi) Come on!

Kairi: (To Bushroot) Hold on! Let me talk with them for a bit!

Bushroot: (Calling out upon stopping) We have an important bet to make!

*(Hearing him, Dimitri and Anastasia got interested with Kairi, who then explained away)*

Kairi: Sorry we have to leave in a hurry, but like he said, we have a horse race bet to make with some friends I made.

*(Understanding her and Bushroot surprisingly, especially since the girl they call their niece twice removed is in a hurry that they didn't want to keep her "Mystery friends" waiting, Dimitri then pulled another wallet out and hands Kairi a $100 bill, much to her surprise)*

Anastasia: We understand you're in a hurry with your friends.

Dimitri: It's for the Grand Chawhee's birthday, from what we read in the brochure, right?

Kairi: (Amazed) Yeah. *(Confused)* But are you sure you want to give me...?

Dimitri: (Reassuringly) We're sure.

Anastasia: We hope you make a win.

Dimitri: And should we meet again, we could consider adopting you.

Anastasia: And if you win, you could possibly buy....

Kairi: (Hopefully) New clothes?

Anastasia: (Nods, curtsies to Kairi in respect, to which Kairi reciprocated) Yes.

Dimitri: (Bows to Kairi in respect) And when you eventually do, come by our house later.

Anastasia: And you can tell us more about your friends.

*(Anastasia then hands Kairi a piece of paper after writing her and Dimitri's address on there that reads "402 Maple St")*

Kairi: (Flattered) Wow.... Thank you! And I will!

Bushroot: Kairi, come on!

Kairi: (To Bushroot, calling out) I'm coming! *(To Dimitri and Anastasia, bidding them goodbye while running off with the $100 bill and written address in tow)* See you later!

Dimitri and Anastasia: (Waving goodbye) Good luck!

*(Then upon meeting up with Sonic's group, Popple, and the Fearsome Four, Kairi then proceeded to disguise herself and themselves as normal citizens. Later, at the betting booths, the disguised group approached a betting booth as the announcer made his announcement)*

Announcer: (Voice-over) Last call. Last call for bets.

*(Upon taking their turn in line to make their bet, the disguised group disguised as men, then interacted with the male bet cashier)*

Kairi: (In a deep male voice) My friends and I wish to make a bet please.

Male bet cashier: And who would you and your friends like to bet on, sir?

*(Then each disguised group member passed on some cash, among them the $100 bill that Dimitri gave Kairi, passed it on to Kairi)*

Quackerjack: (In a German accent) Za Grand Chawhee to vin, pass it on, *ja*.

Megavolt: (In a German accent) Za Grand Chawhee to vin.

Bushroot: (In a deep male voice) The Grand Chawhee to win.

Popple: (In a deep male voice) The Grand Chawhee to win.

Liquidator: (In a French accent) *Oui*, ze Grand Chawhee to win.

Sonic’s main group: (In deep male voices) The Grand Chawhee to win.

Kairi: (In a deep male voice) The Grand Chawhee to win, please.

*(Suddenly, while the male bet cashier accepted the money and began to type away on making their betting ticket, Bushroot felt itchy that he began to scratch himself frantically. Noticing with the group, Kairi, Liquidator, and even Quackerjack quickly itched him, ending his itchiness, much to his relief. Then the male bet cashier looked up at them)*

Male bet cashier: (Looking at the disguised group) The Grand Chawhee, huh? *(Looks at his computer screen)* Is there something special on why you picked him?

Popple: (In a deep male voice) It's his birthday!

*(The male bet cashier looked up in confusion at the disguised Kairi and Popple)*

Male bet cashier: I beg your pardon?

Kairi: (Quickly answering in her deep male voice) He said it's his birthday, and we're definitely excited.

Male bet cashier: (Realizing, then happily) Oh! Congratulations to him. *(Then he hands the betting ticket to the disguised Kairi)* Enjoy the race.

Sonic's group: (In their disguised voices) Thank you. (*Danke schoen*!) (*Merci boucoup*!)

*(Then with that, Sonic's group, still in their disguises, entered the track's private seating section, now ready to watch the race from high above. And en route to the seating section, Kairi bought some ice cream cones with some of the cash she and the group have and upon seating at their secret spots as the trumpet made its announcement, indicating the race is about to begin, Sonic's group, still in their disguises, enjoyed their ice cream cones)*

Tails: (Licking his cone) This ice cream's good.

Fred: (Licks his cone) I'll say.

*(Suddenly, Shaggy's strawberry ice cream scoop fell from his cone and right onto Quackerjack's beak)*

Shaggy: (Sheepishly) Oops, like, sorry, Quackie.

Quackerjack: (Grabbing the dripping ice cream scoop off of his beak, feeling awkward) Ooh, so cold! But other than that, *(Licks some melted ice cream from his lip)* it's fine, Shaggy.

Shaggy: (Accepting his melting scoop back from Quackerjack and putting it back on his cone while Quackerjack licks the melted ice cream residue from his own hand) Thanks.

*(Then the race began as the horses and their riders raced on the main track. But the Grand Chawhee, at first, emerged from his start pen in reverse, only to then, by his rider's command, turn around and join in the race. In their secret private seating section, Sonic's group watched this in hope and anticipation)*

Kairi: (Cheering a bit) Come on, Chawhee, you can do it! It's your birthday!

Megavolt: (Jokingly) It wouldn't surprise me if it were his, well, bar mitzvah.

Popple: (Jokingly) Or initiation day.

Quackerjack: (Jokingly in agreement) He's just a living glue pot.

Knuckles: (To Popple, Megavolt, and Quackerjack) This isn't the time for jokes.

Sonic: (Cheering for the Grand Chawhee) Come on, Chawhee!

Tails: (Cheering a bit) Please, Chawhee! Please!

Knuckles: (Cheering a bit) Move those legs good!

*(Down at the main track, the horses were racing away when Stella Dallas, upon seeing the Grand Chawhee and then glancing at Sonic's group, immediately raced up to another male horse up ahead, for she is apparently deciding to do Sonic's group a favor for them, especially for Kairi. The second male horse, himself, is a male horse with thin brown fur, pink ear innards, a black tail and mane, white eyes with black pupils that lack visible irises, black hooves, and wearing a black roped ring around his nose and supporting his head, a white bandage-like band holding his tail, a red saddle on his back with a black band, a white scarf around his neck, and a turquoise blue lensed monocle over his right eye. He is Sir Reginald, another horse racer)*

Stella Dallas: Yoo-hoo! Reginald, excuse me.

*(Sir Reginald, upon seeing Stella Dallas, spoke with her)*

Sir Reginald: (Chuckles a bit like an aristocrat) Oh, splendid. Hello, Stella. Jolly good day for a race, what?

Stella Dallas: (Chuckles a bit, happily at first) Oh, yes. But Reginald, honey, I do hate to rain on your parade, but did you know? *(Then annoyed, hoping to get Sir Reginald to help her help the Grand Chawhee win as she gestured to Sonic's group for Sir Reginald to see)* It's the Grand Chawhee's birthday?!

Sir Reginald: (Cheerfully unaware at first) Oh, really? You don't....

*(Then he realized what Stella Dallas meant upon noticing Sonic's group rooting for the Grand Chawhee that his monocle slipped off of his right eye)*

Sir Reginald: (Realizes, then agreeing to help Stella Dallas help the Grand Chawhee win) Oh. Terribly sorry.

*(Then as soon as the Grand Chawhee charged in front of them and the other horses, Stella Dallas and even Sir Reginald then proceeded to purposely push the Grand Chawhee towards the finish line, given that their fellow horse racer is celebrating his birthday and they want it to be a good one, other than wanting to help Sonic's group win their bet on the Grand Chawhee. As he is being pushed towards the finish line in first place, the Grand Chawhee happily waved hello to the crowd and then, a miracle occurred; As soon as they reached the finish line, Stella Dallas and Sir Reginald allowed the Grand Chawhee to quickly cross the finish line in first place, and with Stella Dallas in second place and Sir Reginald in third place. Upon the race being over with the other horses crossing the finish line last, the Grand Chawhee then accepted from his proud human jockey a party blower and he blows it proudly, happy to have won first place on his birthday. Then he happily gave a "Thank you" nod to his two fellow horse racers, who proudly nod back a polite "You're welcome" nod. Seeing this at their secret private seating area as the entire crowd in the stadium cheered for the Grand Chawhee's victory, Sonic's group also cheered a bit, glad to see that they won their bet)*

Fearsome Four and Popple: Yay!

Popple: We won!

Sonic's group and Fearsome Four except Sonic: We did it!

Sonic: (Playfully ruffles Kairi's hair, much to her delight) More than us on "We!" Kairi helped it make it possible!

Liquidator: In other words, Kairi did it!

*(Sonic's group cheered a bit for Kairi, who feels proud and happy)*

Megavolt: And surprisingly, that was very nice of those two other horses to let their friend, the birthday boy, win first place.

Quackerjack: Only because it's his birthday and to help us, Sparky.

Megavolt: (Happily and softly, through gritted teeth) Don't call me "Sparky."

*(Then they watched the Grand Chawhee pose for his victory picture with a first place flower wreath around his neck as he is given a special birthday cake in the form of a carrot cake topped with a single lit candlestick that he blows out and then proceeded to eat the cake after the blown out candlestick is removed as everyone down there happily applauded a bit for him, with Stella Dallas and Sir Reginald happily wearing their respective second and third place flower wreaths while bowing to the Grand Chawhee in respect for his birthday)*

Kairi: Happy birthday, Chawhee!

Sonic's group except Kairi: Happy birthday!

Kairi: I knew you could do it! Happy birthday!

*(Then once they secretly left the track with the money they won from the bet in a huge bag, Sonic's group got happy and excited)*

Sonic: Just wait! We're gonna get our own casino and justice against Fat Cat!

Kairi: And me having Uncle Dimitri and Aunt Anastasia as my new parents and new clothes!

Popple: Don't forget about helping the poor and innocent rich!

Sonic's group except Popple: (Happily agreeing) Yep!

*(Then Kairi happily squeezed a huge hug on Sonic, much to his surprise. Then after that's over, Sonic then turned to us readers as a black iris-in closed in on his head)*

Sonic: (Shrugs happily) Yep, life is good.

*(Then the black iris-in closed to a black screen)*

***Coming up: After winning more money from more animal race bets thanks to Kairi’s animal talking gift, as well as giving her some new clothes to buy and helping out the poor and innocent rich people, Sonic’s group finally open their own new casino, which is booming with business. Then to make a headstart to help one last charity run for the local church, Sonic’s main group agree to invite Kairi to visit some old friends living there while the Fearsome Four and Popple continue to run the casino in Sonic’s group’s absense. But little did they know, a fellow spy belonging to Fat Cat’s goons will soon secretly find out along with the secretly searching Meps, Wart, Mole, and Snout, about what's really going on in the casino business world of Sonic’s group when they talk with the Fearsome Four and Popple, who claim that the casino is to honor the "Late" Sonic’s main group, and what will happen when Fat Cat finds out from Meps, Mole, Snout, Wart, and the spy later? Only time will tell.***