Now It Really IS A Competition!
When the two hedgehogs got to the center of Station Square, the workers were still busy building the stage. The media was walking around, checking out the place and speaking to potential dance teams. Over to the side, there was a stand with a pink female shrew sitting behind it, a signup sheet sat in front of her, the sign above her reading Sign Up Here.
"She's still here." Sonic pointed out. "I guess we're not too late after all."
"Come on then, let's go sign up." Shadow nodded.
Nodding in agreement, Sonic walked up to the signup stand with Shadow following behind. As they approached, the shrew looked up at them and smiled.
"I was wondering when you would show up, Sonic the Hedgehog." She giggled.
"You were expecting me?" Sonic frowned in question.
"Of course. I knew for sure once you saw what the prize was you would come compete for it. Everybody else here are too dense to realize what exactly it is, but I'm smart enough to know that it's a Chaos Emerald."
"And you know that it rightfully belongs to Sonic?" Shadow questioned.
"Yes, of course. However I can't really say anything about it. It's the grand prize and I must treat it as so."
"Are there any spots left for Shadow and I to sign up to compete for it?" Sonic asked.
"Yes, you're in luck. I just so happen to have spots left for three more teams."
"Oh goody, that means my team can sign up as well."
Both Sonic and Shadow growled at the familiar voice, turning to see Eggman and Metal Sonic standing behind them.
"Eggman, why am I not surprised to see you here?" Sonic sneered.
"I could say the same for you and Shadow." Eggman retorted back. "I didn't know you two could dance."
"Oh, we can dance alright." Sonic nodded. "The question is, can you?"
"Of course I can dance, why else would I be here?"
"To steal the Chaos Emerald instead of competing for it fairly like the rest of us." Shadow remarked.
"Oh I can be fair, Shadow." Eggman sneered. "I'll show you how fair I can be when Metal and I compete for that Chaos Emerald!"
"You'll have to compete against us first!" Sonic shouted back.
"And you both will have to compete against me, with both of you losing in the end if you even want a chance for that powerful jewel, which you won't get."
At the new voice, all three living beings felt chills go up their spines, recognizing that voice all too well.
"It can't be!" Shadow gasped.
"It's too soon!" Sonic added.
Everyone turned to the voice and couldn't help but squeak in fear when they saw their newest enemy. Infinite the Jackal. What shocked them even most, was that he had a Rookie fearfully standing beside him. A Rookie that the Sonic Team knew well.
"Gadget?!" The two hedgehogs gasped.
"Sorry guys," The glasses wearing red wolf whimpered sadly, his eyes filled with guilt. "He's making me do this."
"Be glad I don't just kill you now." Infinite hissed at him.
"Isn't there anything you can do?" Sonic asked the shrew.
"I'm sorry Sonic, but the Terms and Conditions are clear." The shrew shook her head. "All competitors are equal… that includes villains."
Sonic and Shadow couldn't believe it. Not only did they have to compete against innocent citizens, but now Eggman and Infinite too?!
Now this really was a competition.