Choice of Friends

Chapter 1

Good News?

"Who do you think should get to be in the next set?" Red asked. When Master Hand had announced that they were going to begin getting things ready for the fourth Smash Bros tournament, everyone all wanted to know one thing: who would be a part of the next roster?

"I think Louie will get in," Olimar said.

"Just because your game is now represented, doesn't mean you're going to get a friend soon," Marth said. "Samus and Captain Falcon still don't have another person from their worlds, and they're originals."

"Then we bring Goroh and Ridley in," Olimar responded. "Then we also add Louie."

"This is your-a first tournament," Mario said. "You may not be able to get a friend so soon."

"Says the mushroom head that was the only one with a friend in the original, has four people straight from his world, and has another four representatives from spinoff games."

"Hey, I'm a big deal."

"I think they should bring Roy back."

"Shut up Roy," Falco said.

"Come on," Roy said. "I'm more of a fighter than most."

"You had your chance," Ike said. "Your lucky Master Hand still lets you come here. Speaking of fighters, I think Little Mac could be an interesting addition."

"Too bad there aren't that many here who would petition for him," Wolf said.

Ike was about to say something, but a gust of wind made them all turn and see the plate of chili dogs had been taken. Sonic had run down the hall, up the stairs, and up onto the roof by the time the others had turned to see the missing plate of chili dogs. "Ah, nothing quite like a chili dog," Sonic said.

"Master Hand won't like what you did," Sonic looked up to see Pit leaning against a nearby wall.

Sonic shrugged, "I see you fly off with steak all the time."

"Yeah but I wasn't just about to receive some special gift."

Sonic swallowed a chili dog. He picked another one up. "Is it a chili dog?"

"No."

"Then I don't care."

Pit sighed. "Master Hand is allowing you to choose one person from your world."

Sonic started coughing and eventually pulled the chili dog out. "Seriously? Me."

"Yeah, apparently you're a big deal here."

"Well, I guess they know a video game star when they see one."

"Sure, whatever."

"I mean, my games are about ten times more successful than yours."

"That was mean."

"I guess I should tell my friends." Sonic dashed off the roof. Pit was about to go as well, but the door leading to the stairs suddenly shot open. Sonic ran over to his plate of chili dogs. "Don't want to leave these here." Sonic jumped off the roof again and left.

Sonic dashed all the way back to his world. He ran into a nearby store and got some more chili dogs. He ran to Tails house. "Hey Tails, I got some great news."

"Wait a bit Sonic." Tails was working on a large computer.

"What are you doing?" Sonic said.

"I am trying to ruin Dr. Eggman's plans."

Sonic looked at the computer. From what he saw, it looked like a Metal Sonic. He saw something in the corner of his eye. "Wait what's that." Sonic jumped in front of Tails, blocking his view. He turned towards a picture on the wall. "AAHHH." Sonic turned the robot away.

"What?" Tails got control of the robot and started turning it to where Sonic had looked.

"No, shield your eyes." Sonic held his hand in front of Tails face and turned the robots back. "You don't want to see."

Tails shook Sonic's hands away. He guided the robot into a room full of other robots. Dr. Eggman was maniacally laughing as he stared at his robot army. He turned and saw the Sonic robot. He sighed and said, "I guess you beat me again." He went over to a control panel and hit a large red button. Every single one of the robots automatically exploded.

Sonic looked at Tails. "Is that really all it has taken to defeat him since I've been gone?"

"The original robot was supposed to perform exactly like you. I sent it to Dr. Eggman before he had nearly succeeded in whatever his plan was. He immediately gave up. The one I sent today looks like you and can move." Tails issued a few commands, and sent the robot home.

"Huh. Well you know how I have been off at the Smash place."

"Yeah."

"They gave me permission to invite one more person to be a part in the next tournament."

"That's amazing!"

"I know, right." Sonic sat down on a couch in the room. "I wonder who I should invite."

Tails stared at Sonic confused. "You should invite me?"

Sonic seemed startled as he looked up at Tails. "Huh."

"Come on Sonic, I'd be a perfect fighter."

"You aren't much of a fighter."

"Neither is Olimar."

"Olimar is unique and has his own game."

"I could be so unique. I mean, who else would fly on an airplane for their final smash."

"Olimar takes off in his spaceship."

"Besides him."

"Snake leaves on a ladder that descended from a helicopter and goes."

"Helicopters aren't airplanes."

"Tails, you're my best friend, but I'm not sure you could handle it."

Tails smiled. "I understand. I don't have to fight."

"Thank you."

"I could just get my robots to fight for me. I'll be like another version of Red."

"That's not what I meant."

"I could control them from the side and just be an observer. I would remote control him"

"How do you know so much about the Smash World? You only went there about five times."

"It shows you how quickly I'll be able to integrate myself into the group."

"We already have an anthro fox."

"I know about Fox, but does that mean Krystal won't join the next tournament."

"She won't…well she might…you know what. I'm leaving. I forgot that Shadow is still at the Smash Mansion. I should have told him first." He went to leave, but he stopped and turned back toward Tails. "Just to be safe, I would prefer it if you didn't let anyone else know about me getting to choose someone for the next tournament." Tails nodded. "Good. I guess I'll see ya later."

Sonic dashed out of the house. He nearly ran over Amy, who knew Sonic had returned when the chili dog population had decreased. Amy ran after Sonic shouting, "Sonic the Hedgehog, you get back here right now. I haven't seen you for weeks, and before I get the chance to talk to you."

Tails sighed and went back to work on his computer. He looked at a few of the "prizes" he had gotten while he covered for Sonic. Most of them were robot parts, but what do you expect from a man obsessed with robots. He didn't know that one of the robots was bugged. Dr. Eggman laughed as he replayed the entire conversation. "Ho ho ho ho ho. Sonic is distracted because of this major battle tournament." He turned to one of his robots. "Do you know what that means?"

"It means we take advantage of Sonic's current vulnerability and use it to finally succeed in executing one of your plans despite the fact that every attempt fails, even when you are extremely close in succeeding."

"No. It means that I need to tell Sonic that I am the only one worthy to be a part of the tournament with him. Robots, get to work. I need you to create signs that are so glorious that everyone can see why I would be the best choice for becoming a member of the next tournament."