Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply, blah blah blah..
A/N Hope you all enjoyed the journey so far, but hold your breath because it only gets weirder from here. The suspense is killing me as I wait for any reader response. Enough of my gabbing! We now come back to see what exactly E.S. is doing to our poor hero . . . and if Speed will survive it. Read On and Review!
Falling in the black
Slipping through the cracks
Falling to the depths
Can I ever go back?
Trembling at the way we used to be
Can you hear me?
Falling inside the black.
-Skillet-
As Racer X watched in frustration and silent rage, a sickly pale began creeping over Speed's limp form. The Masked Racer realized with horror that the Alternate was sucking the life out of his little brother and had somehow paralyzed Speed so he wouldn't be able to fight his own creeping death. X grit his teeth. Maybe I can't save Speed physically, but maybe he just needs something to snap him out of that trance so he'll have the will to fight again! The Masked Racer looked again at the horror in front of him. The Alternate was obviously taking its time—relishing its kill. Speed clung to life with an iron grip but was unable to fight off what was killing him, so he gave up on fighting and just clung. X knew his brother couldn't hold on much longer. He needs an anchor—something to cling to! Racer X knew exactly what to do. Dashing to the Mach 5, he used the radio and made a call; hoping with his whole being that his idea would work. Hang in there, Speed, help is coming! Hang on. Please hang on!
GOSPEEDGOSPEEDGOSPEEDGO
Got to hang on! The darkness was beckoning, the Voice was hypnotizing—yet Speed knew that if he let go the evil side of him would win. He wasn't about to let that happen! He was Speed Racer. He was pretty much undefeated and he wasn't going to start a losing streak now, at the peak of his carrier! He was a winner. He couldn't afford to lose! Besides, what would Trixie say?!
The dark was beckoning. If he let go the pain would end. The Dark would swallow the pain. NO! Can't let it touch me! The Voice kept at him, telling him that the Darkness was his only release from the pain. The Voice insisted that letting go was his only chance and for one, terrible instant, the young racer actually considered giving in.
Trixie, help me!!
"Speed! Speed, wake up!" He knew that voice! When he had pleaded he wasn't really expecting an answer. Suddenly, the young driver tensed in fear as the implications of him hearing that particular voice hit home. TRIXIE?! No, oh no! I told you not to come! Too weak to save you. . .
"Speed, come on! Don't you leave me! Don't you dare give in to it, Speed Racer!"
I don't plan on going anywhere. The Darkness! It's got me! NO! Gotta save Trixie! Gotta get away from the Darkness and face the pain!
"Fight it, Speed! Fight it and pay attention to my voice!"
Speed grit his teeth and began climbing upward, towards the pain.
GOSPEEDGOSPEEDGOSPEEDGO
Evil Speed laughed. Racer X had put Speed's girlfriend on the radio speakers hoping that his little brother would latch on to her for support. I've already won, fool! Speed is mine!
*Don't be so sure. He's not dead yet.*
You realize that after I'm done with Speed, you and that pretty thing are mine?
*Don't let him hear you say that. His feelings for Trixie run deep.*
Won't matter. Don't you get it, Racer X?! Even now, my tendrils are feeding on him; giving me the life he has and draining him dry. Soon, there will be nothing left to draw from and I'll be in control. Oh, I'm not killing him, X. I was going to but then I figured I'd make him suffer the same way I did. You have no idea how much the mind can be a prison!
Racer X felt sick to his stomach. If Speed could not regain control, he would be trapped in his own mind, forced to watch his dark side take over his life using his body-and Speed would be powerless to stop it. The Masked Racer would die before he let that happen! He took a few steps towards E.S., doubling his fists. The Alternate saw him and waggled a finger, digging clawlike fingertips deeper into Speed's exposed throat. The color drained a little faster from the young Racer's face and X reluctantly backed off. He turned back to the radio and hissed,
"His face flushed for a split second. He hears you and is coming back slowly, but we're running out of time. Call again, more urgently this time."
GOSPEEDGOSPEEDGOSPEEDGO
"Speed!" the Good Voice was in trouble! This was too much for Speed. His negative could torment him all it wanted—he would bear it or succumb. Speed Racer would die before he let the monster that held him in its grip touch the girl he loved. With a burst of willpower, the young driver broke the surface—only to find that the pain was coming in waves. One of those waves pushed him back under.
"SPEED!! Hurry!"
He struggled for the surface again, determined not to lose. Again, victory was denied him. Come on! Just a little further! One more try and I'll be there!
Speed tapped into a deep part of himself he used only for emergencies and pushed, knowing that whatever was holding him back was about to relent against the tremendous amount of will being forced against it. He was not going to lose again!
GOSPEEDGOSPEEDGOSPEEDGO
Evil speed felt life returning to the limp form he drew from and growled. No you don't! I've got you and I'm not letting up. You. . .Are. . .MINE!! The dark Driver drew slower, knowing that it caused Speed more pain. He dug deeper and grinned in satisfaction when the spark of life was extinguished, driven away by the pain. E.S. frowned, however, when the spark returned, stronger than before. Why do you fight me, Speed? It's a losing battle! He extinguished the spark again only to have it turn into a blaze. His victim began to physically struggle against him, spittle flying out of a foaming mouth. The Negative could not keep his hold and he dropped Speed—who fell on the ground spasming and gasping for air. E.S. enjoyed the writhing until Speed stood up and faced him. "NO!!" Not fear. "You can't do this!" Not pain. "You're MINE! I had control! You were in MY power!" Rage. Cold, consuming rage burned in the bright blue eyes of Speed Racer as he stared down his tormentor. An animalistic snarl in his voice and pent-up fury making itself known, the young driver had only one thing to say.
"This ends. NOW!!"
