The next day, at 2pm, at the foot of the mountain. Our friends are ready for the trek, having packed everything they need in a rucksack. A huge crowd of people from Mario and Sonic Worlds alike have gathered to witness their departure. Omochao is the organizer of this trek, assisted by a Toad.
- Omochao: Hello my friends! Welcome to the start of our trek! As you know, you'll have to get into groups of two and find a hidden refuge in the mountains! The paths are numerous, diverse and dangerous! So please consult your maps and compasses, which Toad is now handing out.
Toad immediately steps in front of each candidate and hands them a map and compass. He then stands next to two ballot boxes filled with paper.
- Toad: Good! Now it's time for the teams! I'll draw two names at random, and you'll pair up with the designated person!
At this announcement, Wario protests:
- Wario: But...we don't choose our teammate?!
- Omochao: Of course not! Otherwise it'd be a bit too easy, wouldn't it?
Wario and Waluigi grumble. Wario moves closer to Waluigi and whispers:
- Wario: Change of plan. We go for the gold on our own and then we'll see what we do, okay? Unless we're together...
- Waluigi: Got it.
Toad is about to pick, but he seems to remember something.
- Toad: Oh, by the way...to make things more complicated, we've decided that Mario and his friends whose names are in the first box must get together with Sonic or one of his friends whose names are in the second box, and vice versa. This will strengthen the bonds between people from both worlds!
Wario and Waluigi look at each other. Now they're sure they're not on the same team.
Toad picks from the first urn, then the second.
- Toad: Yoshi and...Tails!
Immediately, Tails approaches Yoshi and they slap hands.
- Tails: I can't wait to team up with you!
- Yoshi: Yoshi! (I've got a feeling we're going to have a lot of fun!)
Toad picks up two new papers.
- Peach and...Amy!
The two girls get closer, delighted.
- Amy: Great! We're together!
- Peach: This is going to be great!
Toad continues the drawing and composes the duos: Sonic-Daisy, Knuckles-Wario, Silver-Waluigi. That leaves Mario, Luigi, Shadow and Blaze. Toad draws up the final papers.
- Toad: Luigi and...Shadow! And as you'd expect, the last team is Mario and Blaze.
When the draw is announced, Luigi immediately turns to Mario, very worried.
- Luigi: Big bro...I don't really want to be with Shadow...
- Mario: Why?
- Luigi: Well...he...kinda scares me...
Shadow doesn't seem to agree with this choice either.
- Shadow: Uh...can't we do an exchange?
- Omochao: No way! It's forbidden! The draw decides who your partner will be. We can't change! And I'm sure you'll make a great team!
Seeing that there's no point in insisting, Shadow and Luigi stand side by side, along with Mario and Blaze. Mario notices Sonic next to him.
- Sonic: Poor Luigi...it's going to be hard to work as a team with Shadow. If he can do it, we'll at least have to give him a medal for this performance!
- Mario: I have to admit I'm a bit worried about Luigi...he and Shadow are so different...I'm afraid it's going to go badly...
- Sonic: Don't worry! Shadow may seem rude, but you know as well as I do that he's not a bad person. You just have to use the right words. Besides, I think he's mellowed a bit since...the Christmas episode...(Read Mario and Sonic :Christmas Stories)
- Mario: Yes, you're right...who knows, maybe they'll get along just fine.
Omochao raises his voice to draw attention to himself.
- Omochao: Good! Now that the teams have been formed, it's time to go! Enter the mini-transporter on my right, which will take you to your starting point. For, as you'd expect, each team starts from a different point, but the course remains the same for everyone. In a few moments, a rocket will rise into the air. That's the starting signal!
Everyone approaches the mini-transporter.
- Toad: You have until 8 p.m. to find the chalet hidden in the mountain! We'll meet you there as soon as all the teams have arrived and draw up the rankings! Good luck!
One by one, the teams enter the mini-transporter and land in different locations at the foot of the mountain. After a few minutes, the rocket appears. All the teams set off down the snow-covered mountain, ready to face the dangers.