Hey guys, thanks for the reviews and support. It was mentioned that my chapters were short, and I will not deny that. It's just that, when I write, I tend to mediate and want to make it as good as I can. And "as good as I can", tends to take a while.

What you are about to read is a little under 700 words worth of material, but it took me 3-4 condensed hours to write. Because I went back… and back… and back. If I were working with more material at one time, this would have taken me twice or triple times longer, and I probably would have put more content into this chapter. But I still think I found a good place for this chapter to end.

Thanks for reading,

PJ141991 (fictionfreak)

Chapter 2.

Sega of America, California

Matt Presley rocked in his overly comfortable leather chair. It was a chair, he soon realized, not well suited for 3 sleepless days. And somehow he managed to stay awake; the thirtieth mug of coffee shaking in his hands. He just ended a conversation with his most profitable character through a mouth piece.

Two seconds should be more than enough time for the hedgehog. He traced his tired eyes outside the office window. San Francisco was like looking at a giant post card. Everything looked nice, all the time. Palm trees… ocean. At night, the city lights looked spectacular. Even the weather seemed to compliment the area. The smell of barbeque leaked from a steak place across the street.

Lunchtime would arrive within minutes, but he'd ignored his stomach so much already, he'd long lost the urge to eat. Talking, persuading, and pleading on the phone line endlessly will do that.

Swoosh. A quick wind rushed past him. It picked up his papers and sent them tumbling into the air. Presley knew almost instantly who it was. He smiled big before swiveling around to face his desk. To face Sonic the hedgehog.

"Five seconds?" He glanced at his watch. "I thought I said two."

Sonic gave one of those irritating smirks. "Sorry, but even a hedgehog has his limits."

Something came over Matt, like countless times before, he felt fire. The world loved Sonic. That cocky, arrogant, adventuresome, optimistic little blue devil who's always keeping his cool. The character that many believe is holding Sega together by a thread. As much as he hated to admit it, he was growing more and more dependent on Sonic, which made him feel oddly… subordinate.

"Of course. Three wasted seconds is not too costly." He paused, taking a moment to soak in his authority "I've been on and off the phone with Nintendo reps. long past my appetite. Not the easiest bunch to persuade, but in the end, green always does it's justice. I've finally struck a deal, which should have been mentioned in today's news?"

Sonic knew what the article read, and it definitely packed in more than a deal with Nintendo. The hedgehog remained silent. His words left him. Sega Plummets.

Matt re-adjusted. The man looked like hell; with a face that drooped like a Saint Bernard, a dozen coffee mugs cluttered around his computer, and a scratchy voice. "I haven't seen it either. Quite frankly, I've been too busy saving this company."

"Oh," he hedgehog sighed, and sat in a cushioned chair. He almost felt bad for his manager.

"Anyway, down to the pressing matter. I assume you'll take the good news rather well. As of last night, Nintendo has agreed to allow you into the Smash Brothers Tournament."

Sonic winced. His green eyes traced the floor as he pondered the information. Up until now, he had hoped the article was false. Was Sega really this weak? Plummeting? He stood up defiantly and pointed a finger at his manager, "we don't need Nintendo."

But his manager said nothing in reply. Instead, he wove his fingers together and pressed them to his lip. His eyes looked distant, deep in thought. Coffee steamed from his mug, which now rested on the desk.

"I'm not doing this one for you Matt." Sonic reiterated, "I won't sign anything. We can make it without'em."

So many things rushed by Presley's mind as the blue devil protested. Meetings with Nintendo reps. at one-thirty, four, and eight o clock… finish sales estimate on Sonic Riders Zero Gravity… demonstrate Condemned Two at a press conference… he had no time for games. But yet the character continued, taking what little hopes he had left, and squashing them.

"You know I hate you right?" he gave a twisted frown.

"I do," the blue devil admitted.

Matt groaned and lightly whimpered. The character's decision was so unexpected. "Well, if you change your mind…" he held out some papers. "… this is where you sign."