Before we start I just want to let people know I chose the fights at random. Some are interesting and no doubt will keep you entertained. I've already chosen the overall winner but during this story, I don't want any comments accusing me of favouritism. OK? Good. Let's get moving.

Sonic the Hedgehog:

Tournament of the Stars

Chapter 5: Round One Begins

As fighters and spectators alike entered the stadium, everyone was thinking the same thing. Who would fight who? Most of the fighters were nervous, especially Sonic. After all, several people had given him warnings.

As they entered, the spokesperson from the airport began to speak through a megaphone.

"All fighters are to pick up a leaflet so they know which fights they're in. The fighter number opposite yours belongs to your opponent. The first two fighters are to report immediately to the waiting area. They are numbers 34 and 21."

Sonic's eyes noticed Aqua looking extremely nervous. By the looks of it, she was fighting first. Strike was consoling her, no doubt telling her she would do fine. The watery hedgehog eventually got the nerve to follow the spokesperson's hand and prepare to fight while everybody else took their seats.

The inside of the stadium was just as big as the outside. Sonic and his friends managed to grab front seats. The arena itself was a simple square, with doors leading off to the left and right. That was where the fighters probably entered. The blue hedgehog opened the leaflet he grabbed and looked through it. He saw that his fight wouldn't begin for a while. He was going up against number 63. He had several people that he hoped weren't this number. His thoughts were interrupted when a voice was heard over an intercom. This one was sort of cheery and sounded like a sports commentator.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the first round of the Tournament of the Stars!" it cried, resulting in a huge cheer. "Before our first two fighters emerge, I'd just like to say that when your fight is about to begin, you are to report to the waiting area. My employees will show you the way."

Sonic noticed Chrono stand up and walk off. He must be next. He didn't see who else went. All he cared about was the fact he wouldn't have to fight him. Suddenly, the commentator was heard again.

"Now, let us meet our first two contenders! First off, she's a young girl with powers over water who will no doubt fight her way to the top. Give it up for Aqua Bubbles!"

Sonic and co. cheered as loud as they could for her, especially Strike. Aqua was clearly nervous from all the attention she was getting. She trudged on slowly, worrying about who she would be fighting.

The commentator spoke again, causing the cheers to stop. "And her opponent, the elusive ninja of the Chaotix Detective Agency, it's Espio the Chameleon!"

More cheers were heard as the ninja walked on. He didn't mind the attention but didn't wave. He was here to fight. Of course, he wasn't expecting Aqua. The girl was shaking as she glanced at Espio. After hearing he was a ninja, she was more nervous than before. She got into a fighting position, trying to fight her nervousness. Espio returned it.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you badly, but I won't be going easy on you" he said.

Aqua gulped. "I-I'm not nervous. I-it's not like you can go invisible or anything" she replied.

Espio smirked. "You'd be surprised." With those words, the chameleon did what he does best, disappear.

Aqua's eyes began to dart all over the place, trying to find out where the chameleon could be. She failed as she was kicked in the back and sent sprawling across the floor. She quickly jumped up but still no sign of Espio. She then saw some shuriken come out of nowhere. She used the athletic ability to avoid them but a kunai tripped her up in mid-air. As she crashed into the ground, she felt someone lift her up and punch her repeatedly in the stomach. She retaliated by shooting water out of her mouth. While the crowd found it disgusting, she managed to get Espio wet, revealing him.

She broke out of his hold on her and spin-kicked him in the gut. Even though he was still invisible, the water was still dripping off of him, rendering his camouflage useless. Deciding to fight face to face, Espio ditched his camouflage and made several jabs at Aqua. She tried dodging but Espio was too fast and hit several pressure points, quickly weakening her. She fell to the floor but Espio kicked her back up, jumping after her and swinging his leg down to send her crashing into the ground.

Aqua wasn't prepared to go down easily and weakly got back up. Espio was impressed with her being able to withstand that much damage. He was surprised though when she pulled out a canister of water. Focusing all her power on it, the water broke out of the canister and formed into several watery arrows that she fired at Espio. He was too taken aback to dodge them. They cut across his body which hurt him a lot but they splashed as they hit the side. Espio pulled out several kunai, thinking that her only powerful attack was gone. He was wrong. The water hadn't evaporated and formed into a watery drill which hit Espio from behind. It splashed with such force that Espio was flung towards Aqua who reeled back her leg and slammed her heel into Espio's gut, knocking him across the ground. He tried to stand back up but failed.

"Espio can no longer fight, making Aqua the winner!" the commentator blared. The crowd cheered, but Strike, Amy and Rouge completely drowned them out. Aqua was still surprised that she won. By the time she registered it, she quickly ran to help Espio up.

As she helped the chameleon stand, she said "Sorry about that."

Espio smirked. "No need. I'm impressed by your abilities and it takes a lot to do that. Perhaps you'd like some training. Being a ninja has qualities."

Aqua said she'd think about it. She had to admit, ninja like skills would increase her battle skills. As the two followed two employees to the medical ward, the commentator spoke again.

"Anyone is allowed to visit fighters in the ward but must report back here for their fight. Now, remember, if your fight is after this one, you need to head over to the waiting area" it reminded.

Amy noticed Dusk stand up and head off. She caught her eye and the two sisters exchanged waves. Thorn noticed this.

"Amy, who is that girl?" he asked his daughter.

"Oh, that's Dusk. She's, erm, kind of my sister" Amy said and explained to a surprised Thorn how Dusk came to be. Afterwards, Thorn said "Well, I suppose I should welcome her to the family next time I see her."

The commentator went back to introducing. "Now for our next fighters. First off, a time-travelling agent from GUE, it's Chrono the Tanuki!"

Chrono walked on, carrying his claymore, completely ignoring the cheers. He was too busy focused on who his opponent was.

"And his opponent, the muscle of the Babylon Rogues and one of the sturdiest Extreme Gear Riders out there, it's Storm the Albatross!"

Jet and Wave cheered for their friend as he walked into the arena. He seemed pretty cocky about winning.

The two fighters stared each other down before Chrono said "I hope you're a worthy opponent."

"Me too. It's been a long time since I've clobbered anyone not in a race. I've missed the sound of bones cracking" Storm replied.

"That could just be the sound of your brain breaking" Chrono mocked. Storm was easily angered by this and threw a punch that hit Chrono so hard, he was sent all the way into the wall, leaving a mark on it. As the tanuki peeled himself off the wall, Storm ran at him, preparing to swing his fist again. However Chrono stopped time, causing Storm to stand completely still. Using this, Chrono ran at his opponent and swung his claymore up. Time started again as Storm was thrown up into the air. But the albatross wasn't out yet. Turning in the air, he made himself fly straight down, ready to crush Chrono under his girth. But Chrono was smart. He rolled out of the way in time and used Time Booster to swipe past Storm with such speed that cuts and bruises appeared all over Storm's body.

The albatross was finding it hard to stay standing but so was Chrono. After all, using his time attacks took a lot out of the agent. Storm saw Chrono's moment of weakness and ran as fast as he could; ready to ram his head into him. But Chrono didn't even need to use Time Foresee to know that was coming. Bringing his claymore up, Chrono swung it into Storm's gut, sending him back across the ground, unconscious. Chrono smiled at his victory before collapsing from exhaustion.

"Chrono has won! Give it up for him ladies and gents!" the commentator announced. The crowd cheered for the tanuki as both he and Storm were taken to the medical ward. Sonic saw both Jet and Wave make their way through the crowd, no doubt wanting to see if their friend was alright.

"Well, that was certainly a most exiting battle!" the commentator continued. "But let's move on!"