The hedgehog woke up the following morning to the sounds of Pikachu running all around their room excited about the race. They did have an entire day for training after all. After breakfast, the duo decided to head just outside the tracks to check it out.

After taking the transporter that took them there, Sonic realized his first problem. Looking at the screens, they announced each racer and the car on which they'd be riding.

"That vendor didn't mention that the racers would be using vehicles to race. But now that I think about it, it does make sense. It's not like anybody could come near my speed on foot."

Pikachu looked through all the names and pictures for Captain Falcon but was disappointed to not see his portrait when the cycle started again. He wondered where the captain would be, but also how he and Sonic were going to get a car to participate.

Sonic could do 1 of 2 things. 1 he could just sit down and observe the race. Which was the boring option. Or he could find someone that could help get him in the race.

I'm definitely not about to sit this one out, Sonic thought excitedly. "Pikachu I'm going to go look around to see if I can get in this race, I really don't feel like sitting around and waiting."

Sonic made his way to the stand looking around for someone who could help.

Pikachu jumped on top of Sonic, then onto the stand and started ringing the bell until the clerk came out. "What? What is it?" He pointed at the stadium and indicated with two fingers that they both wanted to join the race.

"I apologize for the trouble" Sonic casually said. "We were just wondering how we could join this race that's apparently happening tomorrow".

The clerk stared at him for a bit.

"I'm afraid we aren't accepting any more racers, as the application deadline has been met." she said with a bit of sass in her voice. "I could offer one of the remaining seats to watch it if you wish."

"Hm, I don't think it'd be a problem if you just added one more racer" Sonic added, ignoring her sass.

"Unfortunately, it will, so I'd appreciate it you would stop asking me questions and be on your way."

Sonic frowned. There was no way he was going to miss such an opportunity. Just before he could protest, a tall man that had on a fancy turquoise suit and bow tie come up behind the clerk at the counter.

"IS THERE ANY ISSUE HERE" he boomed rather loudly. Sonic quickly noticed that his face was half organic and half machine, which caused him to be wary of him. He'd had too many bad experiences with machines.

Pikachu was startled off the counter. "Sorry about that little mouse… thing. ANYWAY, I AM MR. ZERO, ANNOUNCER FOR ALL F-ZERO...". He gasped. "HOLD ON?! DO I SEE ONE THE SONIC THE HEDGEHOG?"

"Pika?"

I'VE HEARD STORIES ABOUT YOU AND YOUR LIGHTNING SPEED SAID TO RIVAL THAT OF AN F-ZERO MACHINE ITSELF. CLERK, GET THIS SPEED DEMON A SLOT."

"But...!" she complained.

He grabbed ahold of Pikachu. "THIS COULD BE A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY (AND A CHANCE TO SETTLE THAT BET I MADE)!"

Now Sonic was starting to get a little antsy. "Nice to know that you've heard about me, Mr. Zero, but what is this bet you mentioned? And how did you even hear about me in the first place?"

"WERE YOU PAYING ATTENTION AT ALL, KIDDO? EVERYONE WHO'S SPENT THIRTY MINUTES AROUND HERE HAS HEARD OF YOU. SHORTLY BEFORE THIS TOURNAMENT, I MADE A BET WITH MY OLD MAN WHETHER OR NOT YOU COULD WIN A GRAND PRIX ON FOOT!"

Sonic didn't really have time to think about why he even placed that bet in the first place. Although it was very weird that this cyborg, he'd never met in his life has heard of him, he brushed it off. Of course, someone who's whole livelihood was about speed would be interested in someone who could do it without the need of a transport. Wait a second…

"Let me get this straight." He said, eyeing the announcer. "You're actually willing to give me a spot in the race?"

"Of course!" replied Mr. Zero without hesitation, finally lowering his voice after receiving several glares by some passers-by. "Haven't you been listening?"

"I don't have a vehicle, though." Countered Sonic. "Will that be a problem?"

"My clerk over here can certainly take care of that…. Isn't that right Ms.? Like I said, there's no way we're missing this opportunity!"

"N-…. Yes Mr. Zero, I'll register Sonic as a racer and settle his vehicle situation as well" she said with a very visible fake smile.

"This is sure to blow our ratings TO THE ROOF!" yelled out Mr. Zero, grinning wildly to himself. "Just be sure to be back here by 10 AM sharp tomorrow, or else it would lead to immediate disqualification. We can't keep the other racers or the audience waiting, you know!"

"Sure thing, Mr. Zero" Sonic said with a thumbs up.

And with that, they were able to get Sonic cleared and registered for the race. But Sonic still felt that something was odd about him.

Pikachu had wanted to race too, but the vendors just laughed. 'You? Race? You can't even reach a wheel; you're so small!"

Pikachu got angry and needed a way to blow off some steam.

All the yelling attracted a shady figure who hid from their sight. "So, 10 AM sharp tomorrow." He cackled subtly, yet sinisterly.

"What is this supposed to be?" shouted the hedgehog with his arms crossed, not looking pleased. "You really expect me to wear this while running in a race?!"

Sonic and Pikachu stared at Sonic's given vehicle. It was a smaller version of Captain Falcon's F-Zero machine but made entirely of a lightweight material. "Is this cardboard?" he said, feeling it.

"Oh, no! It's far more durable! We can't have it falling apart in the middle of the race, after all!"

"Okay… What am I even supposed to do with it?"

"Ahem." The clerk cleared her throat. "In order to compete in the race, you have to be in some form of vehicle or any similar contraption. In your case, while we're willing to make some exceptions, some adjustments needed to be made. While we'll be willing to allow you to race on foot, we still need you to be a bigger target. The other racers and the audience need to be able to spot you much more easily. Otherwise, there'd be an unfair advantage." Said the clerk. She couldn't hide the smugness on her face.

She's really having fun with this Sonic said in his head, he turned his attention to Mr. Zero who was just calmly watching the ongoing situation. "You agreed with this?"

"Of course!" he started, "I honestly don't see the problem, and we get our money's worth…. ahem I mean we get a free and fair contest! Otherwise, the audience might feel cheated if you were to win!"

Sonic sighed. "Let's just get this over with. Let's go, Pikachu." He said rolling his eyes. He grabbed the cardboard Blue Falcon and the special magnetic shoes and walked off, with Pikachu trudging close behind him.

Unbeknownst to the hedgehog, Pikachu thought he looked hilarious and could barely contain his laughter. He'd seen Yoshi wear a similar thing once and couldn't help but imagine Sonic in some of the more creative, gaudy varieties.