Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in so long, my teachers have been drowning me in tests and homework. (^_^*) Anyway, if you were wondering why the Crogs were so nice to Molly (Eva) in chapter 1, then YOU MUST READ THIS! Thank you lady dram-chan and Star Racer Eva for your reviews! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Oban Star Racers. OSR is (C) SAV! The World Productions.
Nor do I own +Anima. That belongs to Natsumi Mukai and Tokyopop.
Chapter 3
"I think we landed." Stan yawned. The rest of the Earth Team then woke up.
"Huh? How did I end up with such a headache?" the young girl mumbled. Her eyes fluttered open as she began to take in her new surroundings. "This isn't the Crog's Earth base."
"She can talk!" Jordan exclaimed.
"Of course I can talk you moron! I was passed out!"
Thump! The young Nourasian boy had awaken and tripped over one of the boxes. He had light brown hair and eyes. He was wearing a similar outfit as the girl.
"Oh, Kekke. I was wondering where you were." The girl grinned as she gave Kekke a helping hand.
"Don't mean to sound rude, but what's your name?" Rick asked.
"Huh? Oh, my name is Molly!" she then shut her eyes, "Well at least that's what it is now." She whispered.
"What do you mean now?" Koji questioned.
"Well, when the Crogs capture an anima, they give the anima a new name. It's not half bad though. The Crogs treat us as if we were born nobles. They're the only ones who do, everyone else only sees us as monsters since we're different from all the other alien races. Oh well, it doesn't, matter now, because you're my new master now."
"Is that what they taught you in that Crog's prison?!" Jordan scowled. "Listen up, others will only see you as a monster if you refuse to give them a reason to doubt it! And what's this nonsense of having a new master? You are free. It's as simple as that!" Jordan was furious, never had he has to deal with something like this before.
"Very well." Molly sighed, "I'll give this freedom thing a chance, but if the Crogs recapture me I'll know you were just bluffing and I'll never think back on it." She then took Kekke's hand and walked to the front door.
"Well I wasn't expecting the Avatar himself, but they could have at least sent a welcoming committee." Don said.
"Sir," Molly giggled, "I think the welcoming committee has arrived." Standing in the doorway was a short old alien.
"Oh great, another surprise. Some how I don't think this will be the last one today." Don muttered. (A/N: I'm just going to skip to the part when they're riding on the Alwas equivalent to an elephant.)
Molly and Kekke rode with the cargo. All of them took in the sights.
"It's a peaceful village." Molly grinned. "I bet you anything that they also have a great market place. Wouldn't you agree Kekke?" he nodded.
"Hey Molly." Jordan yelled, "You know we don't have the money for you to go on a shopping spree."
"I know that. It's a good thing I've been saving up." Molly then took out a small yet beautiful purse (A/N: like those silk Chinese purses) out of one of her sleeves. "I always bring me money with me wherever I go."
"Whatever. Anyway, why doesn't Kekke talk?"
"He's able to but he chooses not to. He stopped talking years ago." Molly closed her eyes and began to think about when she first met Kekke.
-Flashback-
Two Crogs were escorting an eight-year-old Molly. They were taking her to the palace to receive her first mission. It had been a year since Molly came to the city of
Toros (A/N: I thought was wondering where Toros got his name.) It was one of the cities specifically built for royalty, nobles, and animas. On most planets, teachers would tell their students that Kramm was a devastating planet with decapitated heads tied to every house, that the air was greatly polluted, and that the women were often abused.
These were all lies. The Crogs did use a lot of machinery, but the air was no more polluted than that of Earth. The women were treated equal to the men. The cities looked very similar to those that had reside in ancient Egypt.
"Will I be performing this mission alone?" Molly asked.
"No, you will have a partner." One of the crogs replied. The Crogs did not dare to insult any anima without a valid excuse. The Crogs needed the animas as their allies, but most importantly, they needed them as their weapons. If the animas choose to become allies with another planet, or decide to just separate themselves from the Crogs, the tide of the war would change and the Crogs would most likely fall.
"In here please." The other Crog requested. Molly walked into a large decorated room. In the center of the room stood three Crogs and a young Nourasian boy with dark brown hair and eyes that were a light shade of brown.
"Molly, anima number 587264," One of the Crogs directed at her, "this is Kekke, anima number 587629. He is a new addition here. He will be your partner on all missions unless stated otherwise." Molly observed the boy closely.
"Can I have a file on him?" Molly glared.
"Of course. I have it right here." The Crog handed her a folder. What Molly learned that night would bring her and Kekke very close to each other.
-End of Flashback-
"If you must know," Molly began, "his parents were killed when he was very young. He hasn't talked since, he also has an phobia of non anima Nourasians."
"Why is he afraid of Nourasians when he is a Nourasian?" Stan asked.
"Because his parents were killed by Nouasians. It was out of self defense of course, but Kekke was still marked because of it."
"And you little mouse?" this was Rick question.
"Huh. Well, before the Crogs brought me to Kramm I shorta lost my memories of my human life."
"Do you remember how you became an anima?" Rick continued questioning.
"I'm pretty sure that I was at the zoo with my class. Two men began pissing off the lions and since they were so smart, they broke the lock on the cage and the lions escape. There was mass panic as people started running in every direction. One of the men found one of the lioness limping to a nearby tree when he began beating it. I got mad and I hit the guy in the back of the head with a branch that broke of the tree. The guy was even more pissed now and pulled out a gun. He shot, his am was flawless. Right before the bullet hit its mark, I saw the lioness staring at me with admiroration. Then…then I dodge the bullet."
"What?" Jordan was shocked.
"Animas are either born with their power or they gain them in a near death circumstance. In my case, I saw the lioness right before the bullet hit; I was scared stiff but for that one moment my attention was on the lioness. My speed increased to that of a lion and I was able to dodge the bullet. I then went over to the lioness and helped her back to one of the vets in the zoo and I ran back to my class."
"That must have been some day little mouse." Rick grinned.
"Um, thanks." The creatures that they were riding on came to a sudden halt as they reached the Earth team pit.
"By the way," Satis began talking as everyone began unloading, "Molly, Kekke, you might want to consider descising your anima forms. There are a lot of aliens who would love to ether kill you or make you their slaves."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Molly sighed as her tail and ears disappeared into her head and body, the same thing happened to Kekke except he had plain Nourasian ears instead of anima ears. They then watched as Stan and Koji removed the tarp from the Arrow I.
"Okay Jordan, I want you to test the lazar torrents." Don commanded.
"Yes sir." Jordan replied as he ran inside. Jordan was testing the torrents when he saw Molly leaning against the door of the pit. He then started making gun-firing sound as he aimed at Molly.
"Jordan, if I didn't know better, I'll say that you were hitting on me."
"What?!" Jordan exclaimed. He was blushing furiously now, and having Rick, Stan and Koji chuckling at him didn't help.
"Alright Jordan, that's enough. Now try the other side." Don commanded.
"All clear." Koji said right before Jordan hopped out.
"It's a beaut!" Jordan exclaimed.
"Okay Rick, you're on." Don motioned to Rick as he seated himself in the pilot's seat. He then lifted the Arrow I off the ground. "Try the reactor, one at a time."
"Set her down. We have a leak." Koji motioned.
"So, what's the verdict?" Don was pissed.
"Looks like we lost a lead of engine liquid. It's not great, but there should be enough for one race." This was Stan.
"With the equipment we brought, it would take us hours to make the extra liquid." Koji said as he typed something.
"I saw a parts shop on the way here. They're sure to have some." Molly grinned. "It's a pretty common thing, isn't it? And besides, it would give me and Kekke the chance to get some new clothes."
"What's wrong with the ones you have?" Jordan asked.
"Well for one thing they're our only ones we have. Second of all, they're Crog's anima uniform. Any Crog here will recognize it a mile away."
"She has a point you know." Rick yawned.
"Very well. Koji, go with them." Don motioned to him.
"What?" Koji looked confused.
"Make sure they don't do anything that would jeopardized our chance of winning." And with that they were off.
"Hey Molly, the parts shop is just over there. You said you needed to buy new clothes, so you and Kekke can look around while I buy the liquid. I'll meet you back at the pit. Sounds good?"
"Sounds great! You're the best Koji! Hey, do like fish, sticky rice and tea?" Koji nodded. "Great, I'll buy some and make a nice dinner tonight! See yah then!"
-Half an hour Later-
Koji was just about to reach the Earth pit when some creature jumped on him.
"Sarabi, come here girl." Molly called out to the big creature as it got off of Koji. "Good girl." Molly complemented the creature as she began petting it's head. It was a giant fox about 2/3 the size of a horse. It had a silver crescent moon on its forehead, nine tails, long sharp claws, and its fur was white as snow.
"A spirit fox." Koji whispered.
"So you know of them. She defiantly is a beautiful one, a pure breed to. She can probably carry three possibly four people." Koji then looked at Molly and Kekke.
Molly was wearing a green sleeveless top and matching mini skirt, yellow arm sleeves, yellow pants under her skirt that went down to her knees, yellow sandals wrapped with a green wrap. She was also wearing a black cape where the shoulders went up. Kekke outfit consisted of brown baggy pants, a long sleeve dark blue shirt, and a pair of sandals. Both of them were carrying bags of clothes and food.
"Your shopping trip went well I see." Molly nodded.
"Is it alright if I put my stuff away before we meet with the others?"
"Sure, let me unlock the doors first. Molly, your room is second the right. Kekke, yours is second to the left, you'll be searing a room with Jordan. Is that alright?" Kekke nodded. Molly and Kekke then put everything where they belonged and were out the door.
"Here we are." Molly said after she whispered something in Sarabi's ear as Koji and Kekke jumped off. Kekke saw the others and began running towards them when he bumped into some large red alien. Kekke tried to bow as his way of apologizing but a bunch of little white green-eyed aliens began trampling over him. Someone grabbed his hand and helped him up.
"Are you alright?" the voice asked, Kekke nodded. "May I ask what another Nourasian might be doing here?" It was then when Kekke looked at the people who just save him. It was a young Nourasian male a bit older than Molly, judging by his crown, the crown prince. There was an older Nourasian standing next to him, probably his teacher or bodyguard. Kekke began shaking in fear.
"Huh, are you alright boy?" the older Nourasian asked.
"Kekke, there you are." Kekke turned to find Molly walking up to him. His fears got the better of him as he ran behind her legs for protection. "Huh" she looked at the two Nourasians and sighed. "Hey Koji, can you take Kekke to meet up with the others." Koji remembered what she had said earlier.
"No problem. Come on Kekke, it looks like they got us some pretty good seats." Kekke nodded and walked in front of Koji to Jordan.
"What is the boy doing with a human?" the older Nourasian asked in a serious tone.
"That boy name is Kekke! And he's with me because we treat each other like brother and sister!"
"What was he so afraid of?" this was the younger Nourasian. 'He's kinda cute." Molly thought.
"He was afraid of you." Both of the Nourasians were shocked. "His parents were killed by other Nourasians for private reasons and he's been afraid ever since. Well I got to go, good luck with the race."
"Wait," the younger Nourasian grabbed her hand, "What's your name?"
"It's Molly, and yours?"
"Aikka." He smiled, the older Nourasian couldn't believe his pupil, why hadn't he told the girl that he was a … "And this is my fencing teacher Canaan."
"I wasn't expecting to meet the crown prince here." They were both shock, she would speak to a prince, a crown prince no less, in such a casual tone. "Well see you later." Molly then ran up to her team with Sarabi close behind.
"What's that?" Jordan glared at the fox creature.
"A spirit fox idiot." Molly said while rubbing Sarabi's fur.
"We declare the races of Alwas officially open." Three Alwas aliens exclaimed. Then the Avatar appeared.
"Proud pilots, the truce of the great race of Oban has allowed you to prepare for this day in peace. Your wait is now over. On Alwas, you shall face one another, one on one, until only three remain. There is only one rule, you may achieve victory by any means as long as you do not attempt to take the life of your opponent. Race like the wind champions, towards the great finals on Oban and towards the ultimate prize." And with that the Avatar was gone, and cheers erupted from the crowd.
"For the first race," the three aliens began, "it's Nourasia verses Horthlum."
"We'll stay around for this one." Don stated, "Keep your eyes and ears open everyone. We need to learn all we can about our future adversaries." Prince Aikka then entered out from one of the two tunnels on a giant beetle.
"There's the prince."
"What do you mean the prince?" Jordan was shocked, "A Nourasian? I heard those low lives are friends with the Crogs. I really hope he flips his beetle." Aikka saw Molly and smiled at her.
"I think he's kinda cute." Molly blushed. (A/N: I'm just going to skip to the end, as I will with most of the races probably.) "Great!"
"You traitor." Jordan glared. Rick said something to Don and then walked away.
Molly watched Aikka and his beetle walk off. "Hey, I gotta go. I'll meet up with you guys later." Molly and Sarabi ran to Aikka. He had just gotten off his beetle when Sarabi jumped on him and began licking his face.
"Hey, he he. Stop, that tickles." Aikka couldn't stop laughing as he petted the spirit fox.
"Sarabi." She then ran back to Molly. "Sorry about that, I'm pretty sure it's a sign of affection." She then helped Aikka up. "So are you going to tell me your friend's name?"
"My friend? Oh, sorry, I was getting a bit confused. This is my mount G'dar." He then walked over to Molly and began whispering in her ear "Would you please tell me why you were wearing Crog clothing earlier?"
"Only if we can find a place not so crowded to talk" she sighed. Aikka told her about this small tavern in town and where to find it before he left to take G'dar back to his pit.
Molly and Sarabi were waiting outside the tavern when Aikka walked up. "Sorry to keep you waiting, princess," he bowed.
"Princess? Now if only Jordan had manners as well."
"Jordan?"
"The Earth team gunner. So are we going to go inside or just stand out here all day?" Aikka nodded. "How about that table over there, is not on the ground floor and is in the way back." She whispered, Aikka had almost forgot the purpose of this meeting. Molly began looking strangely at the menu, she had learned, Nourasian, Ram (Rush language), Philian (Spirit obviously), and Kratt (Crog), but she never thought she would ever go to Alwas. Aikka noticed.
"I've been here for a few days already, would you like me to order for you?" Molly nodded and he walked to the counter.
'He has a lot of good manners. I wonder if he knew what really is going on with the Crog's Royal family. Maybe I should tell him.' Molly thoughts were interrupted when Aikka came back with a tray with something that looked like crab and rice.
"If I'm correct, this should taste a lot like Earth's crab and rice. I hope you like it." He passed her one of the plates and poured her a glass of what looked like tea.
"So, ask me anything. I probably won't be able to answer all of your questions, but I'll answer honestly."
"How about what I ask you earlier, about your previous clothing."
"I was brought to Kramm when I was just a little bit older than seven. Have you heard about creatures called animas?" Aikka nodded, "Well each anima can be identified by the marks on them. Either a moon representing an anima of wisdom, star" Molly pointed to her cheek, "representing strength, or a sun representing both wisdom and strength."
"So then you're a…" Molly nodded.
"Since I have a star, I am a fighting type. Kekke also has a star but it's on his back. Anyway, the only animas without animal like appearance are the ones with a crescent moon; instead they have special heeling abilities and a bunch of other special powers."
"So you were taken to Kramm because you're an anima." Molly nodded, "So are you here because they order you to, well you know?"
"No, me and Kekke were tied up in the back of the van. We were being transported to our next mission when Jordan saves us. I'm not really sure what happened since we were unconscious, but I guessing from the looks of it that my mission was to stop the Earth team from competing."
"So what are you going to do now?"
"Nothing, at least nothing that the Crogs would order me to do."
"What if you're caught?"
"I'm not sure, fight back I guess. I short of promise the Earth team that I would do my best to remember I'm free." Aikka was now deep in thought. "You should remember that you're free as well prince." Aikka looked up, "I already know and their some stuff I need to tell you, but I think it can wait."
"Molly," Aikka then grinned, "I'm glad you told me that. I really needed it. Now come one, your team is about to race." He then grabbed her hand and Sarabi followed them out the door.
"Wait what about the bill?"
"I already took care of it. We better start running if we want to make it in time." Molly then rode up in front of Aikka on top of Sarabi.
"Who said we have to run. Hop on." Aikka got up and sat behind Molly. "Hold on tight." Aikka wrapped his arms around her waist and they both began to blush. Sarabi began running towards a hill that overlooked the track. Aikka hopped off and lifted Molly off Sarabi.
"Princess." He bowed, "The race is about to begin, care to sit." Aikka was already on the ground and gesturing Moll to come closer. 'What am I doing?! I shouldn't have these thoughts! She probably thinks that I'm a pervert now? Huh!" Apparently Molly had accepted Aikka gesture and was now sitting on his lap. Without thinking he wrapped his arms around her and they watched the race.
-In an Inn in Alwas-
There were two figures sitting in their room drinking tea. One was a human boy about thirteen years old; he had long bright blue hair which was tied up in a high ponytail and had long thin bangs covering his forehead, he had light purple eyes, and two blue stripes similar to Molly's on both sides of his face. The other was a Crog girl about seventeen; she had long red hair and yellow eyes.
"It seems our good friend Molly, or should I say Eva, is falling in love with the Nourasian crown prince." The boy grinned.
"Shima, when were you planning on telling me that she would fall in love with a prince not from Kramm." The girl laughed.
"Mura, I'm a crescent moon type, I cannot tell you the possibilities of the future. I am bounded by the marks on my face." Shima lifted his bangs reveling a blue crescent moon.
"As am I my friend. But unlike you, I'm a star type, so I'm the one who have to fight and save your ass in battle." Mura opened her cape and slid her hand over the star in the center of two red stripes on her chest.
-With Molly and Aikka-
"They're getting close to the finish line." Aikka said as he helped Molly up. Molly started feeling dizzy. "Are you alright?"
"Something is about to happen. I can feel it."
-With Stan and Koji-
"Surge of heat in the cooling system!" Koji shouted.
"What?! This is not good."
-With Molly and Aikka-
"Rick's about to win!" Aikka gaped. They both watched as the Arrow I caught fire and crashed into the ground right before Rick crossed the finish line. Memories of Molly, no of Eva's past flashed through her mind.
"Mommy." Eva whispered as she fell to the ground.
"Molly what's wrong!" Eva grabbed her side as a sudden pain burst through her body.
"It hurts! It hurts so much!" blood started dripping out of Eva's mouth.
"Molly, that's it! I'm taking you to the hospital!" Aikka then picked Eva up bridal style and sat down on Sarabi. "Sarabi, we need to get to town now!" she began sprinting realizing the danger that opposed Eva.
"It hurts." That was the last thing she said before she drifted off into a nightmare.
-With Shima and Mura-
"I feel sorry for her, having to go through that pain." Shima whispered.
"You gained your memories back last year Shima, so you know how it feels."
"This is how it has to be if she is to complete her destiny. If she doesn't, if something would happen, we will all be doom."
So what did you think? I just finished it right in time for Christmas morning. Before I post chapter 4, I want at least three more reviews, just because took me a while to write this chapter. Merry Christmas everyone!
