It was a good day so far.

Though the sun beamed down on the academy ever so slightly more than usual in autumn, it was accompanied by a soft and gentle breeze. It was just one of those Saturdays that nobody seemed to be able to sit through, cooped up in a dorm all day. It was a perfect day for a drive.

It was only characteristic that when offered the opportunity to get on the open road, Speed had been unable to resist. That's where Speed and his brother X were now. The Mach 6 and the Shooting Star were both shooting across the desert; the yin and yang of racing, the perfect pair, the unbeatable two.

Grayish beige dust was flying up behind the two cars as the roared over the sandy road, matched in both speed and skill as they raced each other. They passed the academy several times as they looped around the same winding course they had mapped out, soaring by the grand school as fast as they could go. The track wasn't big enough to hold the pair for too long, and a lazy weekend was a golden opportunity to escape the virtual track for the real road.

Speed glanced over as the Shooting Star pulled forward on his right. His brow furrowed determinedly as X even further ahead and over in front of him, preventing him from passing him. X looked at the glossy white Mach 6 in his rear view mirror and chuckled triumphantly. When he looked back at the road, he jumped and slammed on his brakes, skidding to an abrupt halt.

A large dark shape had bounded to the middle of the road before leaping away. There was a jolt as the Mach 6 slammed into X's bumper as Speed desperately tried to avoid ramming his brother. However, the maneuver cost him as he lost control. Despite his efforts, he cried out as the car slid from the desert road and barreled sideways into a ditch. The hood was emitting a generous amount of smoke and there were dark streaks along the gravel marking where the tires had slipped.

Cautiously, X stepped out of his car and approached his brother's slowly. Almost afraid of what he might see, he peered in through the window at Speed's limp form. Pulling his eyes away from the sight, he pulled his cell phone from his pocket, dialed 911 and waited for the operator to pick up.

"I need some paramedics out at Racer Academy. Yeah… Oh no-" he spared a glance at the beat up car "take your time. I don't think he's gonna make it." He hung up without waiting for a response and pulled his brother from the wreckage. It didn't look too much like the Mach 6 anymore, and doubted anyone would recognize it. Grunting with the effort, he heaved his brother into the back seat of the Shooting Star and drove back to the academy.

Ignoring the few horrified stares he met along the way, X made his way up to Speed's dorm with his brother hefted over his shoulder. He was panting by the time he made it there and rested his brother's limp form on the bed. Connor was playing with his 'action figures' and when he finally looked up, he shrieked. X winced and put his hands over his ears to muffle the cry. Relief only came when he raced out the room, his cries fading as he dashed down the hall. Surprisingly, as he stood there looking at his brother, he felt no remorse in seeing the lack of movement in Speed's chest. His fists clenched at his sides and he turned to look at Connor's posters instead.

It wasn't long before Connor had returned, cowering behind Headmaster Spritle's shoulder, tears in his eyes. The headmaster's eyes were glazed over with grief at the sight of his nephew. Lucy looked just as if not more stricken than he did at his side. She gasped. "Speed?"

X had his back to them as Spritle examined Speed hopefully. They all held their breath as Spritle rose to his feet. He shook his bowed head and sighed. Connor instantly broke down and nearly knocked Lucy off her feet. Her lip quivered and she tried to blink back tears. Spritle pulled his attention to X, his back still turned on the scene and his fists clenched at his sides. "X, how did this happen?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly. X's eyes narrowed. "He wrecked. The Mach 6 is nearly totaled in a ditch within a mile of here. Somebody should go get it," he said flatly and left the room. Spritle frowned and stared after him.

After all they had been through, it was finally done.

Speed Racer junior was dead.

~MumblePhantomFox collab