Rivals Turned Friends

Sonic the Hedgehog had just checked into the Olympic Villaige in Beijing, China, just in time for the 2008 Summer Games. He and all of his friends signed up to compete in various events, and he was the 1st one to check in. After signing himself in, he hoisted his belongings onto his back, and made his way to his designated cabin.

"Man, it sure does feel good to be here," Sonic said to himself out loud as he walked along. "Sunshine, blue skies, and competition in the air! I can't wait 'til that flame gets lit, I wanna get started right away!" Sonic was very anxious to compete in the Olympics. He knew for sure he was shoo-in to win the footrace events. But the only event that had him worried was the swimming events; considering he was never a good swimmer, this was really the only thing that made him nervous. Other than that, he was sure he'd go on a gold rush (no pun intended) in the games. But he knew that he and his friends were matched up against another group of friends. All the blue dude could think about were those glittering gold medals. And just when he was going to get lost in a daydream...

"OOF!!"

Something seemed to knock Sonic back on his bottom. He sat up and rubbed his head gingerly. Then he heard a light-hearted Italian voice say to him,

"Sorry about-a that."

"Ah, it's no big---" Sonic was cut off by the sight of who he bumped into. It was a pudgy 20-year-old man with brown hair, a black mustache, and blue eyes that shone with passion. He wore blue overalls, a red long-sleeve shirt, white gloves, brown shoes, and a red cap with an 'M' on the front. "...Mario?" Sonic asked in shock.

"That's-a me!" Mario said cheerfully as he helped Sonic up.

Sonic grinned widely. "What brings you here?" he asked.

"Oh, I'm-a gonna compete in the Olympics," Mario explained as he picked up his bags. "How about-a you, Sonic? What are you doing here?"

"The same thing as you," Sonic said. Then something dawned on Sonic's mind. "You know? This is probably gonna be the first time anybody's gonna see us in the same place at the same time!"

Mario rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You're right," he said. "It's-a gonna be pretty monumental, isn't it-a?"

Sonic shrugged. "I guess so," he said. "I mean, since we've been rivals for so long, it could be big!"

"Since-a you put it that-a way," Mario said. He then remembered something. "Oh, yes, uh...sorry you didn't complete that challenge in-a Donkey Kong-a Country 2."

"Aw, it's no problem," Sonic said casually. "There was too much water for me to complete the challenge, anyway!" The duo laughed heartily at this. Then Sonic snapped the conversation back to the Games as he asked Mario, "So, are you and your pals ready for the Games?"

"Mama mia, you bet-a they are!" Mario said. "Luigi's been-a talking about it ever since-a we got-a the invites!"

"Yeah, Tails has been psyched for this, too," Sonic said in agreement. "When he heard the news, he was bouncing off the walls!"

Mario laughed. "Ah, that-a Tails. Quite-a the energetic-a pasano," he sighed.

"Yup, that's Tails for ya," Sonic said with a grin. "Well, I better get to my cabin and get settled in."

"Me, too," Mario said as he heaved his stuff up a bit. Then he extended his hand to Sonic. "Good-a luck in the games, Sonic."

Sonic shook Mario's hand as he said with a grin, "You, too, pal." Then the hedgehog and plumber waved goodbye and went on their seperate ways to get to their places. They knew that this was going to be a contest to remember.