UPDATE!!! R&R!

Sonic the Hedgehog:

Tournament of the Stars

Chapter 36

Last time, Round 3 ended and the fighters began to make new alliances with one another. Also, Starbright got second thoughts about killing Shadow, resulting in her being stopped by Dusk, Amelia and Ozone.

It was the next morning and everyone was making their way to the arena. Sonic was certainly in higher spirits than before and had even begun to accept Gale. Axel and Sally had done the same but Strike still remained distant.

"What's wrong with him?" Amy asked Aqua.

The watery hedgehog shook her head. "I have no idea. He's been like that for two days."

"What? Since we found out Gale was Sonic's dad?" Amy pondered. "Must be a family issue."

It wasn't long until everyone was in the arena. The woman who handed out the leaflets wasn't there and they got them from a young man with fair hair but no one paid much attention. Sonic glanced at his. Only eight of them were left. He then noticed that he was in the second fight against number 37.

"I'd better get going" he said to the others.

"Good luck, Sonic" said Gale.

Sonic gave his traditional smirk. "I know who's left so I'll know how to fight. You worry too much, dad."

Normally Gale would've been annoyed but he couldn't help but smile at the sound of being called 'dad'. His smile grew when he saw Amy trying to give Sonic a good luck hug. However, this was interrupted when Shadow arrived, his wounds healed.

"Hey, Shad. How are ya feeling?" Sonic asked.

"Better. And don't call me Shad" Sonic's look-a-like replied. As Sonic took off, Shadow saw Dusk approach. She looked worried.

"Dusk, what's wrong?" he asked.

"I thought I should tell you. Last night, that Starbright girl snuck into the arena. Some friends and I managed to send her packing but we think she was after you" the umber hedgehog explained.

Shadow stiffened slightly. Mephiles really wanted him out of the way. "OK, thanks Dusk."

Meanwhile, outside the arena, Starbright was standing in the shadows. She was fidgeting slightly. That's when Mephiles appeared.

"OK, Starbright. We're halfway there. Three more obstacles and this will be ours" he declared, clenching his fist dramatically.

Starbright nodded quickly. "Sure, no problem."

"Good," Mephiles replied. "We don't want you having another fit of conscience like last night!" He growled slightly as he said it.

Starbright nodded again and behind her helmet, her eyes were filled with fear and sadness.

Back in the arena, the commentator had just finished introducing the next round.

"Our first fight is Crisis VS Blaze!"

Silver nearly fell out of his seat when he saw Blaze walking in opposite Crisis.

"What the heck? Blaze was nearly beaten to a pulp by Chrono, and she's fighting already?" he gasped.

"Calm down, Silver" said Amy. "Blaze is a tough fighter. I'm sure she will do fine."

Back in the arena, Crisis had a smirk on his face. "This should be interesting" he said, as black flames licked around his wrists.

Blaze was smirking as well, and summoned two fireballs in her hands. "I've always wanted to fight fire with fire."

Quick as a flash, Blaze threw both fireballs forward but Crisis easily rolled out of the way. He drew his sword and charged at the lavender cat. He swung but Blaze dropped to the ground and tripped him over. She jumped and tried to dive on him but he shot his legs up, kicking her away.

He then flipped back up and surrounded his wrists with black flames before swiping at Blaze. She effortlessly dodged every attack before flinging another fireball at Crisis but the tanuki blocked it with his sword.

"Heh. It looks like we're in a bit of a stalemate" Crisis stated.

"Indeed" Blaze agreed. "But it won't last!"

The cat began to spin, creating a fiery tornado around her before shooting out at Crisis. Raising an eyebrow, the tanuki flipped away but the tornado followed. Crisis knew he couldn't attack Blaze whilst she was in that state so he had no option but to run.

The tornado followed him everywhere he went. It looked liked it wouldn't stop until Blaze emerged from it. Crisis saw this opportunity, turned and jabbed his sword forward. But Blaze jumped and landed on it.

"What's the matter, Crisis? I thought you were good with a sword" she mocked before running down it and kicking Crisis across the face. He stumbled back, holding his face while Blaze ran forward and punched him in the gut. He fell to the floor but quickly got back up, snarling.

"Alright, kitty cat! No more games!" he growled.

Suddenly, black flames surrounded Crisis' wrists again and he charged. Blaze got ready to counter but Crisis jumped over her and attacked from behind. Blaze was badly hurt by the flames but Crisis followed up with a jab using the hilt of his sword. Blaze tried to get back up but Crisis slammed the hilt on her again. Blaze could've sworn she heard a few bones crack.

"Give up?" Crisis snarled.

"I've never given up and I'm not gonna start now!" she retorted.

"Then maybe you need to learn when you've lost!"

"Or you need to learn to realise when you're being distracted?"

Before he knew it, Blaze threw a fireball into the tanuki's stomach. Crisis was knocked back, losing his hold on Blaze. She jumped back up and swung her leg round Crisis' face, before jabbing her elbow into his gut. He fell back and before he could retaliate, Blaze had grabbed his sword and was holding it to his face.

"Give up?" she asked, smirking.

Crisis' snarl subsided and nodded. "Good work. I never should've underestimated you."

As Blaze helped him up, the commentator's voice blared. "Crisis has conceded defeat, making Blaze the winner!"

While Crisis left, Blaze was taken back to the medical wing, with Silver accompanying her.

"Hospitalized twice in two days. That's a feat in its own" the white hedgehog stated.

Blaze rolled her eyes. "It's not as bad as last time. So, I shouldn't be gone for long." She gave Silver a quick kiss on the cheek before they parted.

Back with Crisis, he was leaving the arena to get some rest at the hotel when someone called to him from the shadows.

"Psst. You, Crisis or whatever your name is."

Startled, Crisis approached and saw the owner f the voice. It was Zero, and Havoc and Chrono were with him. Next to them was a strange bundle but Crisis didn't pay it much attention.

"We take it you lost?" Zero asked.

"Why do you care?" Crisis responded, his hand on his sword hilt.

Havoc held up his hands. "We're not here to start a fight. We have a proposition for you." He tilted his head to Chrono who stepped forward.

"We think there's more to this tournament than meets the eye" he explained. "For starters, have you ever heard of the Emerald Sky Park?"

"Um, no?" Crisis answered, more confused.

"My point exactly. This place just popped out of nowhere. And whoever's behind it has all the Chaos Emeralds. A tad suspicious don't you think?" Chrono asked.

Crisis began to think. This other tanuki had a point. "OK, I'm with you. But why would someone who has all the emeralds want to attract a bunch of fighters here?"

"A test?" Havoc suggested, pulling the bundle up to reveal an unconscious human. Crisis recognized her as the woman who normally handed the leaflets out. Crisis jumped slightly.

"Is she unconscious?" he asked.

Havoc shook his head. "Only broken" he said, taking the face off to reveal a robot, with two video cameras for eyes.

While all this was going on, the commentator had announced the next fight.

"Our next fight is Sonic VS…" he began but Sonic had already run out, circling the arena whilst waving to the crowd. Lots of cheers followed, especially since he beat Kyira.

"Ahem, as I was saying" the commentator said. "It's Sonic VS Larcen!"

Sonic stopped and his eyes widened as he turned to see Larcen strolling in. Sonic hadn't forgotten how he acted when they first met and didn't want to get on the wrong side of him. He met up with Larcen in the centre of the arena.

"Uh, best of luck?" he said but Larcen gave him a cold look.

"You're the one who'll need the best of luck, blue boy" he threatened.

Then, without warning, Larcen launched his fist at Sonic. But Sonic swayed his head to the side to dodge it before kicking out. His foot connected with Larcen's stomach, knocking him back. The dark blue hedgehog landed on his back but quickly got back up. Sonic had taken up a fighting stance. It seemed like he had decided to stop playing around.

Larcen gritted his teeth and pulled out his dagger. The necklace round his neck began to glow and Larcen suddenly rushed forward at high speeds. But Sonic knew about the necklace and jumped over the speeding hedgehog. Larcen managed to skid to a stop and spin round, intent on punching Sonic but he blocked with his wrist and threw his own punch. He nailed Larcen across the face. Larcen grasped his mouth in pain, collapsing to one knee.

Sonic looked slightly worried. "Hey, are you OK?" he asked.

He then noticed Larcen grinning slightly. Before he knew it, Larcen had spun round with his leg, knocking Sonic off his feet. Before he hit the ground, Larcen's necklace began to glow again and his speed went up again. He rapidly punched the mid-air Sonic, not giving him the chance to hit the ground before slamming his palm out. The force sent Sonic sprawling across the arena floor. He pushed himself back up, determination in his eyes.

"Oh, you've asked for it now!"

Sonic began to spin but Larcen already caught on and, using his new found speed, rushed forward and booted Sonic up into the air. Sonic managed to uncurl as he flew up and aimed downward to descend faster. He landed and suddenly dashed forward, landing a well placed kick in Larcen's stomach. The dark blue hedgehog was knocked back and couldn't block Sonic's following punch.

"Ugh, you're tough. I'll give you that" Larcen complimented. "But I'm still gonna kick your blue butt all over this arena."

"You're blue too, ya know" Sonic responded. Larcen sweat-dropped slightly at the bad comeback and launched forward, dagger outstretched. Sonic managed to grab his wrist. Larcen tried throwing a punch with his other fist but Sonic grabbed it. It was now a struggle to see who could attack first. Both hedgehogs were gritting their teeth, determined not to lose. Suddenly, as quick as a flash, Larcen's dagger was knocked out of his hand. He tried to get it but Sonic punched him across the face. Larcen twisted round and prepared to make his necklace glow again. But it didn't. With a look of horror, he saw Sonic holding it.

"Looking for this?" he mocked.

Enraged, Larcen jumped for his adversary but Sonic easily dodged it before swinging his leg round, connecting with the back of Larcen's head. Sonic then picked up Larcen's dagger.

"You're only means of attack are gone, pal" he pointed out. "Sorry, but I think I've won."

Larcen growled before looking down in defeat. Sonic went up to him as the commentator began to speak.

"Larcen is unable to battle, making Sonic the winner!"

The crowd burst into applaud but somehow, Marisa's cries of disappointment could be heard. As Sonic gave back Larcen's things he said "No hard feelings?"

Larcen didn't respond. Instead, he took back the dagger and necklace, put said necklace round his neck, and punched Sonic round the face before leaving. Sonic rubbed his chin whilst looking quite shocked.

"What was that about?" he asked himself. As he walked back, he noticed Marisa coming towards him.

"I saw what happened. Sorry about that. That necklace was given to him by his deceased mother" she explained.

"Oh, I see" Sonic said. "I'll apologise to him when I see him."

Marisa nodded before taking off. Apparently, she must be fighting in the final match. Sonic took his seat and looked out to see who would fight next.

"Our next fight is…"