On Wednesday, July 21, Emerald City became the world's biggest tourist destination as people from all nations travelled here to see the latest Summer Olympics. Not only were many of the city's shops and restaurants flooded with tourists, but the streets were dotted with various stands where merchants hawked souvenirs, signs that took people away. Considering the sheer population of the city, and considering the weather was hot but not scorchingly so, all this hustle and bustle was sure to bring a healthy cash flow to Mobius' coffers.
However, the main action was down at the Mobius Royal Coliseum, located in the Brighton Heights neighborhood in the City Center borough, just a few blocks south of the Royal Palace and Parliamentary Hall. The Coliseum – as it was popularly known amongst Emeraldians – was packed to its full 78,225 seating capacity. Also in attendance were the 8,960 athletes representing 173 of the world's nations, ready to take part in the opening ceremony. Among others, Reginald "Reg" Grindle of Channel Seven News – a black cat – was here to report on the ceremony with Channel Seven News' sports guy Leonard Denman – a dark gray squirrel.
"Good afternoon, everyone, I'm Reg Grindle of Channel Seven News reporting live from the Royal Coliseum, and I am quite honored to have the privilege to cover the Games of the 32nd Olympiad. While this isn't my first time covering the Olympic Games, I still have butterflies in my stomach as I report on such a monumental event for all of you loyal viewers today. Here with me to comment on the opening ceremony is Channel Seven News' top sportscaster Leonard Denman. Leonard, what are your thoughts on this latest edition of the Olympics?"
"Well, it's like you said, Reg: this is a huge honor. I may not have covered as many Olympics as you, but the excitement is very palpable to me right now. One particular item of note for me is that this marks the fourth appearance of athletes from the Mushroom Kingdom in the Summer Olympics and their sixth appearance in the Olympics overall, and I think it's quite nice that the Mario Brothers and their friends can put aside their differences with the Kingdom of Mobius to take part in what is perhaps the world's greatest sporting spectacle. I also have a warm feeling in my heart as I think about how poor some of the participating nations are and yet they still spend the time and resources to train athletes to take part in these games. It just adds to the excitement, you know?"
"It certainly does. Ladies, gentlemen, and folks who identify as neither, we encourage you to sit tight and get comfortable for the next few hours as we cover the opening ceremony of this latest round of the Summer Olympics."
For a time, the crowd sat in complete silence as they anticipated the commencement of the opening ceremony. Then, at 4:00 PM in the local time, church bells all around the city rang out in near-perfect harmony, and when a countdown on two of the Coliseum's scoreboards hit "0", members of the 23rd Royal Fusiliers of the Mobian Army fired off blanks from various artillery pieces to signal the start of the ceremony. Commencing the festivities was the Royal Mobian Symphony Orchestra, who played a brief rendition of John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare and Theme", more precisely the 1996 variant that kicked off with part of Leo Arnaud's "Bugler's Dream", thereby underscoring the majesty of the Olympics.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said the Coliseum's announcer, "welcome to the opening ceremony of the Games of the 32nd Olympiad at Emerald City!"
The crowd cheered with wild abandon as they hotly anticipated what was to come next. Many of them had saved and sacrificed just so they could be here today. The announcer continued:
"For the second time in the same century, in the same arena that played host to the Summer Olympics prior to the Great War, Emerald City is once again proud to host the Games! To the visitors assembled here today: welcome to our city! To the athletes from the 173 participating nations who are competing this year: welcome to the Kingdom of Mobius! And to the viewing audience of 4.2 billion that stretches around the world: a warm welcome from all Mobian citizens!"
With that, a group of people in the center of the arena who'd been holding gold balloons and forming the famous Olympic "five rings" symbol changed their formation to spell out "Welcome". In this moment, the RMSO and the Royal Chorus played the song "Welcome", written by Marvin Hamlisch and Dean Pitchford. During this spectacle, skywriters also wrote out "Welcome" in various languages across the sky, while flower girls walked up and down the stadium's steps handing out flowers to spectators. As the song reached its end, a crowd of people forming a ring around the field released 1,000 white balloons into the air, each one carrying a banner that had "Welcome" in all the languages of the participating nations. The people holding the gold balloons did likewise. Overall, the athletes who'd come from far and wide to participate in this grand spectacle of sport did indeed feel welcome, no matter whether they'd visited Mobius before, as did the eager fans.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said the Coliseum announcer. "King and Queen Acorn, accompanied by His Excellency, Mr. Walter Samuel Rapallino, President of the International Olympic Committee, and Mrs. Adele G. Klaasen, President of the Emerald City Olympic Organizing Committee."
All four dignitaries got a healthy round of applause, and the RMSO played "God Save the King". After this, the announcer continued:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the national anthem of the Kingdom of Mobius."
It was at this moment that another tradition came into full force as the RMSO and Royal Chorus played the first stanza and chorus of "Mobius, Our Homeland", which was set to the music of "Der Hohenfriedberger":
Oh, Mobius, our homeland,
Rise to meet the day!
Let opportunity
Shine like the sun's gold rays!
King Acorn, give your blessings
To all our hearts,
Keep us in unity even
When we're apart!
Long live Liberty,
And Fairness, keep us true.
Rise, our excellent Flag,
The white, red and blue!
Long live Liberty,
And Fairness, keep us true.
Rise, our excellent Flag,
The white, red and blue!
During the national anthem, not one Mobian didn't stand with their fist over their heart or – in the case of active-duty military members and veterans – salute. Though not ordinarily ones to show patriotism, Sonic and Tails nevertheless had more than enough respect for their homeland that they too rose for the anthem, which made them feel proud to be born in Mobius. After this, the RMSO did a rendition of "Fanfare For the Common Man" while the skywriters drew the Olympic rings in the sky, and then the announcer chimed in again:
"Olympic tradition calls for the host country to demonstrate to the world its traditional music set to historical, modern and contemporary scenes."
The next few segments depicted the history of the Kingdom of Mobius, all set to period-appropriate music, kicked off with a demonstration by perhaps the largest and most well-coordinated marching band in the world. Of all people, Silver the Hedgehog was probably getting the most enjoyment out of this presentation. Having experienced a future of death and destruction, it warmed his heart to see a reenactment of how Mobius had fought valiantly through so many struggles and nevertheless emerged as one of the most prosperous – if not the most prosperous – nations on the planet.
With this short recreation of Mobius' history out of the way, the people in the stands were instructed to reach under their seats, and on the count of three, they all drew large colored cards and performed a card stunt that showed off all the flags of the participating nations. This portion impressed Tails, mainly because of all the coordination required to pull this off. Next, a volunteer marching troupe dressed in white and carrying small Olympic flags marched out into the Coliseum. Among this crowd were two Olympic athletes who'd participated in the Games of the 19th Olympiad in various diving competitions: Miriam Feldt-Langyel and Margaret MacFarland. Devan Ecclestone – mayor of the city of Lisbury, which had hosted the previous Summer Olympics – handed off a larger Olympic flag to Ashley Lestrange, mayor of Emerald City. She then handed the flag to Klaasen, who carried it out of the stadium, after which the announcer chimed in again:
"Ladies and gentlemen, to conduct the Royal Mobian Symphony Orchestra in honor of the great John Williams and his composition of a fanfare and theme for the Olympic Games, Mr. Anthony Grebleips!"
Grebleips – a gray bear – proceeded to conduct the RMSO in performing John Williams' 1996 rendition of the "Olympic Fanfare and Theme", while the performers with the white flags spread out in various formations and twirled the flags around in various positions before finally coming together in the formation of the logo for the Emerald City Olympics, a trio of stars forming a trail behind them from a distant horizon. After the performers cleared off the field, the announcer came back again:
"Ladies and gentlemen, from 173 nations, presenting the athletes of the Games of the 32nd Olympiad!"
It was here that the athletes participating in the games came out to march around the track and to the center of the field to various marching tunes, starting with the Kingdom of Romath, who had originated the modern Olympic Games. The rest of the athletes then marched out in the alphabetical order of the countries' names, barring the Hadrian Kingdom, which marched second-to-last being the previous hosts of the Summer Olympics, and the Kingdom of Mobius, who went last in accordance with Olympic tradition stating that the host nation always marched last.
Aside from the fact that they were the host nation, the Mobian athletes got a good portion of the applause, mainly because Sonic was among them and because he was so well-known. Being connected to the Blue Blur, Tails felt as though he was being applauded as well. Granted, he was a bit nervous about it, but as somebody who endeavored to prove himself, he also welcomed it, as did a number of the other Mobian athletes. In contrast, Shadow – who ordinarily would've been unfazed by such adoration – shook nervously a bit, as though he felt all the eyes of the world were upon him, fearing they would cast him down in judgment if he failed in his quest to woo Sonic. Maria had told him to give people a chance to be happy, and he would be damned if he failed to get together with him. That aside, once all the athletes were gathered in the middle of the field, the announcer spoke up again:
"Ladies and gentlemen, assembled before you are the finest athletes in the world, the competitors in the Games of the 32nd Olympiad!"
The crowd cheered wildly for all the participating nations. Then, Klaasen – a pink walrus – stepped up to make a speech:
"For the first time in nearly half a century, the Olympic torch will once again enter this stadium, and the Games of the 32nd Olympiad will begin. In reverence of our Royal Family, we of the Emerald City Olympic Organizing Committee have elected to have the torch carried from a sacred spot all the way here to Emerald City. While it may not be the longest route, it nevertheless is near and dear to us Mobians.
It began in the Royal retreat of Knothole Village and crossed through this country to this historic landmark, which hosted the Games of the 19th Olympiad. However, in lieu of taking a straight line, we felt it best if the torch were to cross through numerous villages, towns, cities and Zones, that the people who populate this great nation would get a glimpse of the commencement of the Games. Thus far, it has been a successful journey, with millions of Mobians standing by the country's interzone highways to witness it, and we eagerly await the appearance of the torch in the Coliseum.
All our citizens who have witnessed it have but two messages for the world: Firstly, we wish to rekindle the flame of pride in our own country. Secondly, we wish to reiterate our kinship, love and unity with all nations of the world. This was the people's expression of pride and love for the idea that through the participation in sport, we can not only bring the values of Liberty, Integrity, Fairness and Excellence, but also those of Peace, Love, Unity, Respect and Responsibility.
As we commence these Games, we would like to give a hearty thanks to the thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people in Emerald City who sacrificed their time and effort for this historic event, and to the team of athletes who came from around this great nation to sacrifice more time and effort over the next two weeks to make these the greatest Games yet. We do not intend to make any political statement by this, but only one of hospitality and camaraderie, and in doing so, to make this world a better world for all no matter who we are."
Klaasen's speech got a good round of applause from audience members and athletes alike.
"It is now my honor to introduce His Excellency, Mr. Walter Samuel Rapallino, President of the International Olympic Committee, to whom I extend the warmest welcome," said Klaasen.
And thus, amidst a cheering crowd, Rapallino – a dark green falcon – stepped up to the podium.
"Once again, we come together in Emerald City," said Rapallino. "It was almost fifty years ago that we held the Games of the 19th Olympiad. Since then, the people who have come to these events do so in larger numbers than ever before. It is here that a record 173 National Olympic Committees are taking part in these Games. It is with great pride that I announce that many young people around the world have come to join us here in the Mobius Royal Coliseum, and it is with great pride that I extend the warmest of welcomes to all the athletes and officials taking part. I have only the most absolute of faith that they will compete and participate in the true Olympic spirit of cooperation, understanding and friendship, casting aside all shreds of political influence.
On behalf of the Olympic movement, I want to give thanks to Emerald City and the entire nation of the Kingdom of Mobius for welcoming us with open arms and open hearts. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Organizing Committee, especially President Adele Klaasen and the more than 75,000 volunteers who have given so much to ensure that these Games are an unparalleled success. Finally, it is with the greatest of honors that I invite the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Mobius…Maximillian Acorn and Alicia Acorn…to proclaim the Games of the 32nd Olympiad in Emerald City open! God Bless Mobius!"
The crowd cheered wildly. Meanwhile, King Maximillian Acorn and Queen Alicia Acorn – who were seated in the Royal Box high above the stands – did their bit:
"In honor of the nations of the world…" said King Max.
"…And in honor of Olympic tradition…" said Queen Alicia.
"…We declare the Olympic Games of Emerald City open!" said King Max and Queen Alicia simultaneously.
As Klaasen and Rapallino had been met with cheering, so too did King Max and Queen Alicia receive their fair share of applause. At this moment, the RMSO played an instrumental version of the "Olympic Hymn", while a large Olympic flag was carried into the Coliseum by athletes of Olympics past, which the announcer pointed out:
"Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the entrance of the Olympic Flag. The flag is escorted by distinguished Mobians: Eugene Santos, gold medalist, Track and Field. Daria Blanchard, gold and bronze medalist, Swimming. Myrtle Dragow, gold and silver medalist, Gymnastics. Hermione Peters, gold and silver medalist, Sailing. Alphonse Smedley, gold medalist, Shooting. Bartholomew Hubert, gold and silver medalist, Cycling. Vladimir Powell, gold medal, Boxing. Michael Ilic, four-time gold medalist, Basketball. Deanna Whittemore, silver medalist, Swimming. Joni Duncan, gold medalist, Volleyball. And finally, Cornelius Ljungman Jr., grandson of gold medalist Ulysses Ljungman."
Like the others who'd come before them, these folks got a good round of applause and waved back at the crowd accordingly. Partway through the act of the flag being carried, the Royal Chorus began singing an English version of the "Olympic Hymn", and soon, the flagbearers came to a flagpole near the orchestra stands, where it was attached to the flagpole and raised. Once the flag was all the way up, a group of homing pigeons was released, 3,000 to be precise. When the Hymn concluded, everyone in attendance gave yet another round of applause.
By this time, Sonic's, Amy Rose's, Shadow's and Silver's Hedgehog Senses were all tingling, in this case signalling that something very interesting was about to occur, which the announcer alluded to:
"Lit directly by the rays of the sun on the steps of the temple cauldron, the Olympic torch brings flames from Romath. Emerald City is once again proud to accept this ancient and sacred symbol."
With the RMSO playing Philip Glass' "The Olympian", Susan Saunders – granddaughter of gold medalist James Meyers, who swept the Games of the 20th Olympiad at Nakagrad – entered the Coliseum carrying the Olympic Torch. Thus far, of all the things that had been seen during this opening ceremony, the sight of Saunders carrying the torch got perhaps the biggest round of applause, not only because of the torch itself and the symbolism it possessed, but also because of Meyers' battles against non-human discrimination to get to where he'd gotten to. As Saunders neared the steps where one would go up to light the Olympic Cauldron, she passed by and did a lap around the track, a bunch of athletes stepping onto the track to greet her and take pictures of her. Eventually, a volunteer in a blue tracksuit had to step out in front of her to clear the way for her, though Saunders would not be deterred regardless. As she completed her lap, the announcer made the grand reveal:
"The flame will be lit by one of Mobius' greatest athletes: Track & Field gold medalist Chris Jackson!"
Jackson – a dark red raccoon who'd swept the Track & Field events at the Games of the 26th Olympiad – awaited Saunders as she came around with the torch. She handed it off to him, and he carried it the rest of the way, all the while trying to navigate the crowds of athletes. Soon enough, he made it to the 100 steps leading up to the Olympic Cauldron, the last 25 being hydraulically raised. Upon alighting on that last step, Jackson held the torch high and touched it to what resembled a waterspout. This ignited, and the trail of flames lit up the Olympic logo on the Coliseum before getting higher like a Johnny Cash song and finally setting fire to the Olympic Cauldron. Not only did this draw massive applause from everybody, but some people engaged in affectionate behaviors such as hugging and kissing when the flame was lit again. Meanwhile, Jackson stood proudly, thinking about how happy he was that he was able to overcome a childhood of abject poverty and accomplish so much since then. By now, the sun was setting below the horizon.
Amidst more marching music, Knuckles the Echidna, who'd been carrying a Mobian flag, exchanged his flag for an Olympic flag and carried it up to the podium while the announcer spoke up with this:
"To take the Oath on behalf of the athletes, representing the Mobian Olympic Team, Mr. Sonic the Hedgehog!"
The crowd went wild, and Sonic stepped up to the podium, grabbed the flag with one hand and faced the crowd to deliver the Oath:
"In the name of the athletes, I promise that we shall take part in the Olympic Games, respectin' and abidin' by the rules that govern 'em, in the spirit of true sportsmanship, for the glory of the sport, and the honor of our team."
Once again, everyone cheered for Sonic, while the announcer struck up again:
"To take the Oath on behalf of the judges and officials for the Mobian Olympic Team, Mrs. Petunia Rose."
Amy's mom – who bore a good resemblance to her daughter barring her white coloration and longer spines on her head – took her turn at the podium next:
"In the name of all the judges and officials, I promise that we shall officiate in these Olympic Games with complete impartiality, respecting and abiding by the rules with which they govern them in the true spirit of sportsmanship."
Petunia got a good round of applause as well. After this, the announcer made known another portion of the ceremony:
"Emerald City has one of the most diverse ethnic origins of all the world's cities. To honor the athletes of the world who are participating in the Games of the 32nd Olympiad, 2,000 citizens are entering in the dress of their native origin, representing the people of five continents. Gathered here are athletes of 173 nations, here to compete before the eyes of the world. The Games, however, celebrate more than the spirit of competition; they celebrate the spirit of international brotherhood, the simple humanity that unites all of mankind."
The RMSO and Royal Chorus played "Ode to Joy" while representatives of the many ethnic communities in Emerald City – each dressed up in native costumes – paraded around the track. Eventually, they all came to a stop as the final strains of "Ode to Joy" rang out, and the announcer chimed in again:
"Forever diverse, citizens of a planet growing ever smaller, an island in the endless expanse of the universe, we are still bound in common destiny. Like Ancient Olympia, let us celebrate Man, and in peaceful contest unlock their infinite possibilities. Here again we find truce. Close the distance between all, and join hands, each to each."
Everyone did so, while Mina Mongoose led the crowd in a rendition of Diana Ross' "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)". Sonic liked this part because he got to hold Tails' hand. However, this part proved very awkward for Shadow, who ended up holding Sonic's hand during the song. Nevertheless, he was willing to put up with it not only in the interest of the Olympic spirit, but also because he didn't want to let down Rouge and Maria, not to mention his crush on the Blue Blur. One of the Coliseum's scoreboards also showed video clips of various people around the world holding hands and singing along. Towards the end of the song, a bunch of little tiny parachutes came down into the Coliseum, each one carrying a random flag and a message from a random citizen of the world.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Opening of the Games of the 32nd Olympiad!" said the announcer.
As per usual, everyone gave a round of applause, and the announcer had yet another announcement:
"Ladies and gentlemen, as the athletes of the 32nd Olympiad leave the stadium, let's all give them a rousing cheer as we wish them a most successful Olympics!"
The athletes proceeded to dance to Stan Bush's "The Touch", plus other popular tunes like "Run Runaway" by Slade before finally exiting the Coliseum, after which a huge fireworks display kicked off to the tune of the theme from O'Hara, U.S. Treasury.
The Games had begun.
After this, the athletes headed to the Olympic Village, a formerly disused apartment complex in the Morgan Park West neighborhood specifically refurbished for this purpose. Each room varied somewhat, but contained necessities such as a living room, a kitchen/dining area, a bedroom and a bathroom. Shadow shared his room with Rouge.
"So Shaddy, are you excited for the Games?" asked Rouge.
Shadow crossed his arms. "Hmph, I'll be excited when I beat that Faker and his little fox friend."
Rouge frowned and put a hand on Shadow's shoulder. "Look, I can understand if you're still mad at Big Blue, but this is the Olympic Games! Please promise me you'll put aside your differences with him until they're over?"
Shadow turned and looked Rouge in the eyes. Upon doing so, familiar words echoed in his head:
"…give them a chance to be happy!"
Knowing that he couldn't let down Maria, either, Shadow sighed.
"All right, I'll put up with him…for now."
"Awww…thank you!" said Rouge. "You're such a good Shaddy!"
Rouge spun Shadow around and gave him a big hug, which he returned. No matter how tough he thought he was, he just couldn't resist giving himself to her whenever she hugged him. Every time she did this to him, he felt like a much better person, not to mention he enjoyed how soft, warm and cuddly she was. Eventually, they let go.
"You're welcome, Rouge."
"Awww, you're so sweet!"
Later that night, while Shadow was sleeping, he dreamed he was in Station Square at night. Somehow, the whole scene looked familiar, though he just couldn't place it, that is, until his Hedgehog Sense alerted him to something…
"It all starts with this…" Sonic was perched atop an apartment building, holding the red Chaos Emerald. "…a jewel containing the ultimate power!"
"Sonic…!?" Shadow jumped back somewhat. "What are you…?"
Sonic raised his Chaos Emerald. "Time Stop!"
With that, Sonic appeared to teleport, ending up right in front of Shadow.
"Sonic, what's going on here!?"
Sonic put away his Chaos Emerald and approached Shadow. "Nothin' personal, Shad; I'm just comin' down to pay ya back for some old unkindnesses!"
Shadow backed away, trembling a bit. "S-Sonic, I understand if you're angry…b-but…"
Sonic wrapped his hands around Shadow's neck, an evil smile on his face. "Understand this: there ain't no jive turkeys on this planet that'll mess with Tails and get away with it! Any last words, Shadow the Hedgehog?"
Before Shadow could say anything, and before Sonic did anything, Shadow woke up, panting and sweating, but nevertheless grateful that he was still here, in his bed, cuddling with Rouge.
(I have to make things right with Sonic somehow…but HOW?)
Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.