Disclaimer: I own nothing of Nintendo
Nintendo released the most anticipating news to the world. The masterminds have decided to stage a Mario Kart challenge to participating teams around the world in an effort to restart the phenomenon. Create a team of eight, based off the characters available in the latest DS version of the classic game, and race your way through the brackets to win. The top two teams from each participating country will fly to Japan to compete for the grand prize of creating their own racetrack for the upcoming version of Mario Kart. Does your team have what it takes?
*PB*
"Good job! That was quite a backhand!" Jackie exclaimed as one of her students won another point in her tennis match. Her opponent, a young man close to her age of fourteen, yelled out clean threats, preparing to set the score at 15-15 as soon as she served. Jackie smiled before checking on her four other students.
She'd been offered the job as a tennis coach a few months ago, but it wasn't until September when she'd been allowed to begin. Jackie walked behind the courts, nodding to each of her pairs as they volleyed the ball as best they could. Most were naturals, although they hit the ball too softly to do any damage to their opponent. However, she decided to focus on their accuracy in hitting before teaching them any techniques. After all, they were beginners regardless of their age.
Suddenly the She-Devil coordinator stepped into the courts. She cradled her clipboard in her left arm as she wrote down notes. Jackie scowled, calling out to her students to take a break. She personally praised her worst student and approached the blonde-haired woman.
"May I help you?" she inquired while the coordinator continued scribbling on the paper.
"No, I'm just making my rounds. The department wants to see how the players are holding up." She grinned impishly as she tucked her pen into the hole at the top of her brown clipboard.
"These aren't players for the department. They're my students and their progress has nothing to do with anyone but me. I'm their coach and I'll monitor them in the fashion I see best fit," she concluded, folding her arms defensively. If the coordinator caught the hint to leave, she didn't act on it.
"My apologies, Jacqueline. But, if I may say so myself—"
"You may not say anything in regard to my students," Jackie hissed.
The coordinator raised her left eyebrow. "They are paying our tennis department for lessons, and therefore we possess the authority to… judgetheir skill in the courts to determine who we should recruit for our rec team. I took some notes, but it's obvious to see that these misfits will never amount to the skill of the Holly Brindle Tigers tennis team. This recreational center has seen more talent in a group of ten year-olds. You must acknowledge that at the very least, Jacqueline."
Jackie could hear the silence in the courts as her students ceased conversing. "Let's get one thing straight. My students will learn and discover their talent for this sport on their own. They didn't sign up to become the next Maria Sharapova. I am the couch for them, and I can already see their potential as great tennis players, both in playing and in sportsmanship. I love the sport, but I hated my coach and I refuse to let these guys feel the way I did. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a sport to coach." She turned sharply, paused, and faced the coordinator again. "And another thing: My name is Jackie." With that, she smirked at the woman's bewildered expression and returned to her students.
"Is everyone ready to demonstrate the backhand in a match?" she asked, making the gesture while she spoke.
The students remained quiet, unsure of what to say. Finally, the young girl from the first match smiled. "I am! I can't wait to pulverize George with it in the next game!"
Soon all six students nodded and discussed their signature backhands, the boys throwing in their grunts for extra measure. Jackie called them to the courts and waited for them to assemble in their positions. George remained back, leaning in close to Jackie.
"I've never seen anyone stand up to her like that. You're like the Queen now, huh?" he whispered. Jackie smiled, shooing him along. She held up her whistle, her mind debating over the titles of Princess Peach and Queen Peach as her students served the tennis balls.
*PB*
The B Dasher sat in the first place marker of Airship Fortress. Jason adjusted his position on his love seat before the countdown started. So far, he'd received immense luck in the Star Cup. Although for most of the races Mario sat in fourth or fifth place, some stream of luck managed to save him and send him to first place in the previous three tracks. First a blue shell, then a bomb, and finally a gift of three mushrooms to speed his way to the top. Jason smiled as the movie for Airship Fortress ended. He had always liked this particular track.
He pressed and held 'A' and took off with a boost. Unfortunately, so did four other races: Bowser, R.O.B., Peach, and Waluigi. Mario avoided the Bullet Bills and turned sharply to the left, missing an item box as he slipped into third place. Jason no longer grew worried as he weaved through the moles, although he never did understand what they were doing in a fort, and drifted around the u-turn. Bowser drove extremely close, and Jason concentrated on not being flung into the lines of fire as he watched Peach and Waluigi drive out of sight. Mario quickly flew through the air and started to drift down the tower. R.O.B. managed to overtake him, but Mario shot a red shell in his direction. He narrowly dodged a shove off the cliff from Bowser before completing the first lap and driving straight into the Bullet Bills yet again.
Peach slipped into second as Waluigi remained out of Jason's sight. He snagged an item box and groaned at the banana peel. He pressed the 'X' button and prepared to drop it when a red shell collided with the peel and cancelled out the attack. Jason smiled, continuing down the u-turn and into the room of boxes. He could see Peach pass through the fire as he dodged the crates. Mario remained close behind as he flew through the sky and landed back in the tower.
The B Dasher clung to the wall as Jason drifted. He soon reached Peach and managed to drive beside her for a brief moment before slamming into her and sending her falling over the edge. Jason smirked, while hoping Jackie wouldn't see this particular scene.
R.O.B. and Bowser arrived to the scene again but with only one lap left, Jason let the charade drop and focused on reaching Waluigi. Mario drove through another item box and fired the red shell as soon as the reel ceased. He tried to increase his speed as he avoided the crates. Jason smiled as Mario cheered; hopefully indicating that Waluigi had been hit. The power boost performed its trick a final time as the B Dasher drifted. He landed one last item, a mushroom, and was about to utilize it when a blue shell flew past his head. Jason hadn't even heard the zoom. He decided to hold onto the shell and immediately accepted the mushroom as the blue explosion remained just outside the finish line.
Mario finished the Star Cup a few milli-seconds after Waluigi. However, he still took first overall, and Jason sighed as he relaxed in his sofa. He checked to make sure his scores uploaded before shutting off the bulky, red DS. First a new job and now thirty-eight points for Only One. It was the first great day he'd seen in a while.
*PB*
Elliot packed his final piece of clothing, a teal polo he'd never worn after receiving it as a Christmas gift from his mother two years prior, and zipped the large forest green suitcase. Mitchell swore he'd get him out of his mess, but his mother planned on leaving shortly. Courtney assured him of the plane tickets and the time out, but he knew if she could be distracted long enough then they might miss the first flight. If so, he'd be able to race in the Special Cup the following day… or later today, as he saw the clock on his cell. In approximately ten hours he'd be sitting in a dirty airplane waiting to take off for his grandparent's academic camp. His race started at noon, which meant he'd miss it by a mere half hour.
He needed help sooner than later.
His phone rang, and he raced to answer his cell. "Hello?"
"Elliot! It's Danny. Have you left yet?" his caller inquired.
The youngest teammate paused before replying, "No, I'm still at home. Did Mitchell contact you?"
"Yeah, and I'm going to need to Skype your computer. Mitchell will join us as well. A group call should do the trick."
"Skype me? How will that help my situation?"
"Don't fret, dinosaur boy. Mitchell and I have this all worked out, oh, but we will need your mom during the Skype call."
Elliot frowned. "She won't listen to me! I told Mitchell that!"
"That's our point. She may not believe you, but she should believe your teammates need you as much as any racer on Only One. Just get to a computer and Skype call me, got it?" Danny hung up without another word.
Elliot vacillated between following orders and trying his own thing before running downstairs and turning on the family computer. His sister watched his moves, entering the study as he logged in.
"She'll be coming out shortly," Courtney stated a matter-of-factly.
"I know," Elliot murmured. "But Mitchell and Danny have a plan, and what do I have to lose by letting them try?"
Courtney nodded. "They must really like you if they'll willing to keep you so badly."
Elliot smiled grimly at her innocence. "Mitchell may feel that way, but with Danny…" He paused, opening up Skype and logging on. "With Danny, this is strictly business. They can't replace me at this point, and he wouldn't risk his opportunity for Tokyo for anything." His sister listened intently, doubt etched across her face. A door opened and closed, and the click-clack of heels echoed through the loft.
"Want me to distract her?" Courtney asked, heading for the door.
"No, bring her in here."
His sister stopped. "In here? Are you sure?"
"Surprisingly, yes. It's part of Danny's plan," he affirmed before answering a call from the Dry Bones racer. "Is Mitchell linked yet?"
"Not yet, let me call him," Danny answered, and within seconds all three racers were joined. "Now the plan is for us to speak with your mother privately. We'll try and make her understand how vital for the team it is for you to race today. Jason just finished his cup, and after you race we'll know how we fare for the City Cup," Danny presented.
"And if this doesn't work, we'll kidnap you and take you back to the west side of the country with us," Mitchell concluded. Just as Elliot opened his mouth to speak, he head the heels of his mother and turned to find her standing in the entry way.
"Elliot Braun, what is going on?" she demanded, her hands distinctly on her hips.
"Mom, this is Danny and Mitchell. I've got them on a three-way call, and they both want to speak with you," he replied, standing up from the desk chair. "Please, hear them out. They've got a few points they'd like to make before we leave."
"Good morning, Ms. Braun," Danny started. "I'm Danny, and the other is Mitchell. If we could speak privately with you for just a brief moment, we'll let you return to your original engagements." Elliot gawked at the formalities but they managed to win over his mother.
"Fine, but make it brief. We have to leave shortly for the airport. Elliot, leave us be." Her son nodded and exited the room, closing the door.
About five minutes passed before Ms. Braun walked out of the study and faced Elliot in the kitchen. He jumped up, worry and nervousness swelling inside him. "Well?"
Ms. Braun smoothed out her blouse, as though speaking had wrinkled the work she'd ironed. "I have come to the conclusion that you will stay home and remain focused on your schoolwork while Courtney and I check on your grandparents." Elliot stood unmoving as he processed not only her words, but Mitchell and Danny's success. Finally, he stepped over and hugged her, surprising her as she now fussed with her necklace.
"Thanks, mom," he whispered. She smiled back, hugging him before shooing him away as she still had to make sure Courtney was ready. Elliot watched her frantic ensue as she checked the luggage. His sister appeared at his side, smiling as well.
"You were wrong," she stated a matter-of-factly.
"And why is that?" he questioned, elation filling his body as he realized he'd be able to race.
"Because Danny said so," she replied, skipping off to her mother as she tried to calm her down when she couldn't locate her keys. Elliot's mind began to race as he contemplated the meaning of his sister's words. Perhaps Danny was coming around. He pulled out his white DS from his pocket and hurried into the study. He needed to review the Special Cup before his race came around.
*PB*
The waves slowly rose and fell across the gulf. The sand scrunched under her bare feet, and she knelt down to embrace the water brushing across her toes. She smiled under the clouds, hiding the sun from her face. She then remembered her captain's interview and dried her hands on her shirt before pulling out her cell phone.
"I must say, your grandfather is quite eccentric," Jason answered suddenly.
"And why is that?" Charlotte replied, kicking the water with her sandy feet.
"He asked if I would be wearing stilettos for the first day of work, which I start tomorrow."
"Oh good, you got the job!" she exclaimed.
"Did you have any doubts?"
"About the interview or you in general?" she fired back, grinning.
Jason scoffed. "Nice to know you've got faith in me. I do appreciate that."
She shrugged absently. "We're siblings, we're not supposed to be supportive 24/7. We'd then be more eccentric than my grandpa." Their Mario laughed in agreement. "But I am glad you got the job. You'll need it the way your racers have been competing. I'll give it to Danny, but when Connor wants to win he doesn't show mercy."
"I've noticed that. I haven't spoken with either in a while it seems like, but as long as Danny's showing up I won't complain." He searched through his fridge and pulled out ham and cheese slices, excited that he finally had food to fix.
"It feels like it's been a while since we've had a group meeting. I hope we're not drifting apart," Charlotte mused jokingly.
"We're already spread out over 3,000 miles. I don't think we can distant ourselves any further. Should we get together tonight? Just to give a pep talk?"
Charlotte smiled, splashing again. "Yes, the team definitely needs to hear your hollow words of encouragement before we discover how we fared for the City Cup."
"Hollow my ass. I mean the words I say," he argued as he prepared his sandwich. Charlotte laughed wholeheartedly as Jason spoke again. "I'll arrange a meeting tonight. Thanks for the job, by the way. There's no way I could've gotten through a thirty second interview without some persuasion. See you soon." He hung up shortly after.
She slowly tucked her phone away, her lips tugging slightly. "Thirty seconds? That's the longest interview he's ever given, Captain." She returned to the water, kicking up more sand with her toes.
