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Chapter 1: Years

In Soren's Eyes

Three years. Three years since that crash. Three years since I met that woman. Three since I lost my right arm. Three years since I started drinking. Three years since I cut my hair and changed my name. Three years since I lost him. Three years since I smiled.

Two years. Two years since I realized the world won't stop spinning. Two years since I got back into a car. Two years since 'Soren' died. Two years since I became my distant cousin. Two years since I started my new reputation. Two years since I became even better known than my old self. Two years since I found out Ike had lived. Two years since I found out he was a cop.

One year. One year since I began looking for a new partner in the team races. One year since I realized Ike was a one of a kind. One year since I realized most men, and women, are asses. One year since I gave up hope.

One day. One day is all it took for this blond-haired, blue-eyed, nut case to come into my life and change everything. One day is all it took to regain my hope for happiness. That one day was today.

I stood beside master hand, a tall man wearing a black suit, a white mask and white gloves, waiting for this energetic man to state his name and his reasons for being here.

"Link," he finally told us as he bounced on his feet. He was about a foot and a half taller than me, but most people were taller, and he seemed to be in his early twenties, maybe only 19 or so. This isn't a place for children but then again, I was only about 26 and looked about 17. He finally started talking again while I was trying to do my calculations so I only caught the end of his reasoning, "for my wife and our unborn child."

Unborn child? I questioned his statement as I tried to tear my memory apart for his whole explanation and just as I was about to ask him to repeat, Master Hand had spoken.

"That's very noble but to win the money to support her, you have to win the race. Of course that shouldn't be too hard considering your partner here is Ren," his voice smiled as he positioned his hand in my direction, "The legendary Soren's cousin."

"Soren?" Link echoed, "Why's he so legendary? Is he so fast he's never seen or something?"

"He was a top racer until he got in a crash that killed him on impact," I told him sternly, "When I had found out about my cousin, I decided to carry out his legacy but I need a partner because as you can see I lost my arm to an accident when I was a child."

"Damn," he breathed as his eyes went a bit wide, "How fast was he going to meet such a devastating end?"

"I've heard over 200 mph and judging by the area and angle they hit, it would only make sense that they were going about 220," I told him quickly as I realized I had slipped the word 'they' in there on accident.

"They?" he echoed, that would serve as an annoyance quickly.

"Are you familiar with the name 'Ike'?" Master Hand asked.

"The policeman in the neighboring state 'Fire Emblem'?" he asked back to check if he did or not.

"That's the one; he used to be Soren's partner," Master Hand had explained to him, "He had lived through the crash, went to jail and then went to the legal side of the law."

"I see," Link breathed slowly, "I wonder if Soren would have continued racing or not if he had lived."

"He would," I answered quickly, "I knew him well. Unless Ike had come back for him, racing would have been the only thing he cared about."

I would have continued but the old clock tower in the center of town rang out in the evening air, signaling seven o'clock.

"Time for your first race boy!" Master Hand laughed, "Get going boys!"

"Boys?" Link echoed, again as Master Hand walked away to greet his rivals.

"Yeah," I answered, "Boys. We're boys. Would you prefer him to call us girls?"

He looked me over a couple times and then he opened his mouth as if to say something but then closed his full lips and looked me over again. His ignorance annoyed me deeply and I could feel myself losing control.

"I thought you were a woman," he confessed just after I looked away and almost dropped it.

Of course after such a comment, instincts take over. I grabbed his collar with my one hand and brought my knee into his stomach as I pulled him closer. I heard him cough and then struggle for air for a few moments after I pushed him to the ground.

"You'd be kept safer if you held your tongue in a silent state," I stated as I began walking away.

I could hear him groaning as he stood up to follow me but I made no move to help or wait for him.