The Sport of Kings: A Speed Racer AU
Disclaimer: I own nothing except made up characters, tracks, ect, and the plot. Speed apparently owns himself, and his own enterprises!
Note: My first Speed Racer fic. I usually write for Nightwing but after I saw the movie and several episodes of the Animated series I got hooked. This idea popped into my brain one sleepless night and has not left me alone since! It is obviously an AU-or is it an Elseworld?-but there are key elements that fans such as yourselves will recognize. Please review and tell me what you think. Should I continue or is this a failed fic? YOU decide!
The gates opened and the race began. Thousands watched as 14 racers jostled for first place, but a pair of bright blue eyes were transfixed on only one rider. "Rex is gonna come up from behind just like he did last time, aint he, Pops?" The eight-year-old looked briefly up at his large muscled father, then returned his attention to the track. The burly man shrugged,
"Augury never did well in mud. If Rex can pull a win out of her in non-favorable conditions I'll be more than impressed."
Speed Racer shook his head in amusement as he watched the dark chestnut mare that bore his older brother pull away from the pack and begin moving up from the outside. "He's making his move!" the boy squealed excitedly. Pops Racer nodded, his eyes on the other horses as well as on Rex. As the oldest Racer boy moved up, the rest of the pack moved out. Watch your peripherals Rex! Gagnon is gaining ground and fast. Pull away! Pull Away! "Why doesn't he pull away? That big bay is gonna pass him up!" Right as the pack passed the two furlong mark, Rex gave Augury the go. The mare and her rider became one and Speed watched in delight as they took the lead and left the others behind. WAY behind.
What happened next would haunt Speed and Pops for years to come.
Ten yards from victory, Augury tripped. Rex tumbled forward, hit the ground and lay still. The mare landed atop her rider, crushing him but saving him the humiliation of being trampled by the other horses as they thundered across the finish line.
The crowd was silent, as if everyone was holding their breath waiting the jockey to rise. Speed leaped to his feet. Before anyone could stop him, the eight-year-old was on the track, knees deep in the mud, holding his older brother's body up against his small chest. "REX! " he wailed in despair, "REX! Don't die, Rex! Say something, PLEASE!" Rex stirred weakly and whispered "Mahhago." Speed clutched his older brother harder, determined to keep Rex talking until the medical staff arrived, "But Mahhago's your horse, Rex!" The older Racer looked up at his younger brother with a tired expression and croaked, "Not anymore, Speedy." With a final sigh, Rex Racer went limp. Knowing what this could and probably did mean, Speed lifted his head and howled his sorrow. He did not stop voicing his anguish until the medics came and took his older brother away in an ambulance.
That was the last time Speed Racer ever saw Rex.
Or was it? Next chapter, should there be another: TEN YEARS LATER. Please review.