Oban Star-Racers © Sav! The World Productions/ Jetix Europe.

Author Note: My first Oban fic. I fell in love with the series after only one episode. I hope everyone is in character, I can't stand when they're not. Anyway, hope you like it.

Mirror Images

Part 1: Earth

It's been a few years since the great race on Oban. I miss it all. I miss the different world, I miss racing everyday, I miss seeing all the different aliens. But most of all I miss the two boys who made the greatest impact on my life ever: Aikka and Jordan. I haven't seen Aikka at all since then. He said he wanted me to visit his planet, but I've received no word from him at all. Maybe he was so busy he ended up forgetting about me. I really wish I could have gotten to know the cute Prince better. Sure, I considered him my best friend during the races, but I didn't know all that much about him. Although surviving a few life-threatening experiences together can really bond people. I miss Aikka so much. I can still fell the last hug he gave me. I think he wanted a bit more, but everyone was watching us say goodbye.

And then there's my partner, Jordan. I never did explain the truth about me to him, even after I promised I would. I regret that almost everyday.

When I got back from Oban, I thought I got racing out of my system. I had experienced enough life-ending races to last me for a long time. I thought I was done with racing. Especially after we found out they implemented a new weapons rule, like on Oban. That's why I didn't want to race at first. I didn't have my gunner anymore, my partner. My Jordan.

After my return to Earth, I tried to stay away from everything that reminded me of him. I even kept my hair one color for awhile. But I woke up one morning and realized I was being stupid. I could almost see Jordan standing next to me, rolling his eyes. I didn't want to forget him. How could I ever have thought that? So I kept remembering Jordan. I knew he would want me to be happy, and racing was what made me happy. Racing helped me remember Jordan.

It's been a few years since the race ended. I look basically the same. I haven't grown much and my hair is still the same length, but I've changed how it's dyed a few times. Some time after I got back from Oban, I dyed it half red and half my natural black. It was a tribute to Jordan in a way.

Right now I have the ends dyed red, the opposite of my racing days. My bangs have grown out a bit and now keep floating through my field of vision. My dad doesn't really like it. Especially after I told him the only way I'd cut them is if I could race again.

Despite a few arguments, it's great to be a family again. My dad really cares about me, but he still won't let me race. He also doesn't talk about the great race at all; he says it's because we were told not to. But I can't help it. I'm starting to forget details already. We may be a family again, but it's really hard to change after being stubborn for so long. And when you put two eternally stubborn people together, well, let's just say I'm surprised we still have glass in all our windows.

He knows I'm too much like my mother. Racing's in my blood. I had a taste of it on Alwas and Oban, and now I was hooked. But my dad was set against me piloting again. It's been our continuing argument. But he'd crack soon enough though.

--

I was with my dad at the race track one day, but I was feeling restless. With nothing to do but homework, I jumped on my rocket seat and went for a ride. The wind blew my hair around as I headed away from the track, not sure where I was going.

I found myself at Miguel's shop. Inside I could hear banging and Stan and Koji arguing. I miss those guys, too. I wish they would finally take my dad's offer to join the team, but they keep refusing.

"Hey guys, how's the new racer?"

"Molly!"

No matter how many times I've told them my real name was Eva, they wouldn't call me that. They said Molly was my racer name and that's what they'd call me. I was glad they did. It was a piece of Oban I could hang on to. It's my nickname now.

"Hey Miguel," Stan called over his shoulder. "We're taking a break."

A grunt followed by more banging was the reply.

--

I sat between them, our backs resting on the outside wall of the shop. "Do you miss it?"

"Of course we I do," Stan answered.

"But I'm glad to be back on Earth," Koji added.

"Me too." Stan nodded.

"I know what you guys mean, but it's getting hard to remember some of the things that happened. Although the end is still pretty vivid."

"When Jordan became the Avatar?"

"Yeah." I had to blink back a few tears. "He said he loved me right before he..." I couldn't finish.

Stan put an arm around my shoulders. "We knew how he felt about you. He used to talk to us about it."

"He tried to tell you a few times, but kept getting interrupted. I guess he was finally able to tell you."

"Remember that one night we were watching the stars? He wanted to tell you then, that's why Koji and I left. But you didn't hear him. That was the same night as the flower fiasco."

"I never heard about that."

"Well, later that night he decided to suck it up and actually tell you. He brought you flowers and had a whole speech ready and everything. When he entered your room, he thought you were behind the curtain."

"But it turned out to be Don Wei back there."

"Jordan said it was the most awkward thing that ever happened to him."

"I wish I could have seen that." I had to stop to wipe a tear away. "He kissed me, you know, right before he disappeared."

"Wow, kissed by the Avatar. Way to go Jordan!"

"Now that's impressive."

"How many other girls can claim that?"

I had to chuckle about that. "This is Jordan we're talking about."

"So he's probably putting those Avatar powers to good use."

We were all laughing about that. But then I started crying and couldn't stop. "I never told him the truth about me. I promised him I would when we got back. I couldn't keep my promise to him." The boys let me cry, not saying anything.

"You know, he snored," I squeaked out a few minutes later, wiping my eyes. "And he talked in his sleep."

"He was always playing with those dog tags of his"

"And remember how excited he got over those blue rabbit creatures?"

"I miss him."

"We all do, Molly."

"Think we'll ever see him again?" Kogi asked, looking up at the sky.

"You know something? I bet we will."

--

"Where have you been, young lady?" My dad rounded on me when I entered the garage later that evening. He hadn't spoken to me in that tone since Oban. Unless we were arguing about racing or my hair. I didn't know what to think. Was he mad at me? What did I do now? But then his expression softened, and he smiled. "You have a visitor you've kept waiting."

Visitor? Who would visit me? He stepped aside and there was Aikka, looking at the latest ship model.

"Prince Aikka!" I ran over and stood in front of him, my hands clasped behind my back. He looked exactly the same, except he was now a bit taller and I had to look up at him.

He bowed to me. "Princess Molly."

"Aikka, knock it off." A lot of the guys working in the hanger were staring. It was kind of embarrassing. He stood up. "It's good to see you again," I told him.

He smiled and reached out to hug me. "It is great to see you again."

"So what are you doing here?"

"I came to see you, of course. I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Would you like to come see Nourasia?"

"Really?" I could feel my eyes grow wide. What an awesome vacation that would be.

His own eyes shone with laughter. "Yes really. That is why I came here, to get you. We have not seen each other in a long time. And my family is eager to meet you."

"I would love to go. But I have to make sure it's okay with my dad."

I ran across the hanger to where my father was waiting. "Dad, can I go to Aikka's planet with him?"

"Absolutely not."

"I'd be like an ambassador, the first human on Nourasia."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"C'mon, dad. Please?"

"No Molly. Besides, you have school."

"That is not a good reason, and you know it." A look at my dad's expression and I knew what he was really afraid of. "Dad, it won't be for long. I'll come back, I promise." He looked up at me. "Besides, I'm not done convincing you to let me race."