Disclaimer: I don't own Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mesdames et Monsieurs, it is my great honour to welcome you all to the 2024 Olympic Games - right here in the heart of Paris!"

The words which the French announcer bellowed enthusiastically into his microphone boomed around the entire stadium. They made the crowd go wild. They cheered in their great elation over the games which were about to unfold. It was always such a thrilling occasion whenever such events took place - as they only ever happened every four years.

The time had finally come for these games to be played again. This year, they were to be carried out in paradise - which meant a lengthy trip to France for the legendary competitors who were to take part.

All of the contestants were gathered in the stadium grounds. Most of them were listening to the applauding of the crowd and watching the fireworks that were being set off, lighting up the night sky above them in blue, white and red.

Two of the contenders, however, were facing off one another. They were exchanging flares made from their determination to beat each other in these games. Their rivalry was as strong in Paris as it was in any other part of the world which held this tournament they competed in.

"Well, here-a we are!" Mario remarked. "Paris!"

"Yeah - and I don't expect you'll have many fans supporting you out here!" Sonic jeered. "The people of France will be cheering for me over you!"

Mario raised an eyebrow. "And just what-a makes you say-a that, Sonic?"

"Isn't it obvious why they'll like me more than you?!" Sonic nodded towards where a flag symbolising the country they were in was flapping away. "Blue is the colour of the French flag!"

"Just a minute!" Mario pointed to the flag, then to his overalls and cap. "Red is-a on the French a-flag, too, y'know!"

"True, but I don't think anyone in France will be rooting for an Italian to be champion!" Sonic sneered. "After all, they don't like seeing Italy beat them in regular other sports! They wouldn't be happy to see you take any gold medals home!"

"I can get the people of France to like me!" Mario smirked. "After all, my French is as good as my Italian!"

"You? Mario? Speaking French?! Ha! I'll believe that when I see it!"

Sonic threw his blue head back and laughed before speeding off in search of the one thing related to France he knew anything about.

"Where's the food stall in this stadium?" he asked himself. "I wanna get me some French fries. I hope Tails brought plenty of euros to pay for them."

Mario watched Sonic speeding off, glaring in his direction. Who did that hedgehog think he was? He was getting too big for his sneakers! There was no way he could let him win at these events they were about to take part in!

"I'mma sure I can-a get the French to a-like me!" Mario declared. "After all, I'mma just as good with their language as my own!"

"Oui, Mario, oui!"

Mario swung around upon hearing Luigi's voice. He found his little brother looking at him with a wide grin. Having heard his older sibling declare he was good at French, the younger of the Mario Brothers wanted to share how knowledgable he was of the same language.

Not impressed with what he had heard Luigi say to him, Mario frowned and shook his head.

"Mamma Mia, Luigi," he sighed. "I thought I tell you to a-go before the ceremony a-started!"

THE END