My first Oban Star Racers fanfic! Please review, I really, REALLY, love reviews. This story is written first person from Rick Thunderbolt's point of view after finding out he will never be a pilot again. It's pretty short, though I hope you'll enjoy it anyway. Thank you, and please review!
TundraPhoenix
The deafening applause of thousands rings for a final time in my ears. Or, at least in my mind's ears. After all, I could never hear such a thing in my present state. It stings to remember that this is most likely the state I'll spend the rest of my life in. I painfully open my eyes from my daydream to see the night sky around me. The streets are empty,the race trackdeserted... certainly different from the scene I had been remembering just now. I guess I'd betterget used to it. My whole life had been building up to a competition as big as the finals on Oban... and now it was over. Whenever I lost, I got frustrated, but this time I had lost more than a match. I had lost my hopes and my dreams, all my plans for someday. What was the back-up plan? I didn't have one.
I stand there, still for just a moment, then I leave the Earth Team pit behind me as I walk away. I don't know what I'm doing. After a while, I see the practice track nearby and quicken my pace. I don't want to be near it. What now? That question won't stop playing in my head. It's there no matter how hard I try to rid myself of it. I shake my head violently in frustration. It's still there.
I try to get my thoughts off that question. I'm instead barraged by different questions; I feel I'm being interrogated by my own mind. What would our team do now? Did Molly have the skill and stamina to keep racing throughout the preliminaries, and then through the Oban finals? What would Don Wei think of that plan?
I think of Molly suddenly, feeling bad for snapping at her previously. I wonder how much pressure she feels right now? She always tried to act strong and optimistic. I wonder if she felt more nervous than excited now?
I still didn't feel like turning back. I felt useless. I couldn't be a pilot or gunner, I was no mechanic... What was I but dead weight to our team? I was experiencing a horrible feeling that in all of my years of fame and glory I had never once endured. I wondered if it's how Molly felt when our manager offers her round after round of his seemingly endless criticism. Maybe she deserved to be in the spotlight for a while.
I didn't feel like giving up the attention I so enjoyed. I now lacked choice in the matter, however. I supposed I was a bit selfish to think that way. Perhaps it was time I handed the celebrity life over to some new blood. With a sigh, I give a last forlorn look at the race track, quickly escaping into the distance as my steps carry me further and further from it.
I could, if nothing else, offer some encouragement to Molly. Not now, though. I wasn't ready to turn back and face the team I was suddenly nothing to. I was in shock, really. I had been ready to get back to the way my life had been...and then it was over in the blink of an eye.
The End
