Race 8: CHS and Crystal Prep, the truth of the Multiverse Grand Prix
"Am I showing good sportsmanship here? I want to believe I am, but…" David said.
"I'm not sure about myself either, I'm only competing in this race so that we would have fun and enjoy ourselves, but instead its…" Ace trailed off before crying a bit.
"Don't think about it too hard. We don't want them to think we're being suspicious about this. Let's just go the motions and see what the others can dig up." David said.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about yesterday. I didn't really mean what I did. I just wanted us to bond closer together." Ace said.
"That's what you're all about, Ace." Hope said.
"It's still strange...why is it that only the Dimensional Heroes are effected? As far as I can tell, no one else is feeling different." Yoko said.
"That's the weird part. Being an athlete, I'm usually the competitive type, but I don't feel any different at all." David said.
"It's obvious that something's up here. Is ARIA really trying to be the changed android she is… or does she still want you, Ace?" Hope said.
"If you ask me, I think there's something even deeper going on. Like an outside force is pulling something behind the scenes." David said.
"Whatever it is. It's effecting members of the Dimensional Heroes competing, I mean would Amy be the type of person to hurt one of her friends by throwing a car on top of them?" Ace said.
"Throwing? No. But hitting her hammer with a car, yeah...if the conditions are right." Hope said. "Yeah...it is weird though."
"Another weird thing… Everyone in our five groups were praising and supporting each other in these races, but...the Dimensional Heroes didn't." Francisca said.
"Not only that, but at Sekigahara, when I was pulling behind because of my concerns for Mitsunari, Chalcedony and Zephyr were motivating me to keep going." David said. "Anyone only focused on winning wouldn't do something like that."
"And then there's Dreamland. If Sectonia was solely focused on winning, she wouldn't have told me of her plan and would've left me in the dust." Francisca said. "I can't bring myself to think that ARIA is behind this. If she was, she would've gone after Ace's group, not Jexi's."
"The signs are all there. Something else is going on here. I think I'm going to conduct an investigation of my own." Shuichi said.
"You sure, Shuichi?" David asked.
"Of course I am. Vector may be solely focused on money, but he wouldn't subject himself to this kind of brutality. Not willingly, anyway. If there's really someone else pulling the strings, I intend to find out what.
"Let me go with you, then. I still need to repay you for saving me, after all." Kaede said.
"Kaede…" Shuichi said.
"You can count me in this, too." Kaito said.
"Kaito… Alright, I'll be counting on you guys." Shuichi said as the three of them left.
"And...about yesterday, we really are trying to enjoy this as much as we could. Or at least, we would've if we didn't have such a tough crowd." David said.
"You're still gonna keep going, are you?" Hope asked.
"Of course I am. It may be the only way to know what's really going on here." David said.
"Besides Shuichi and the others investigating, Jexi and Spade will investigate too right?" Ace asked.
"Yeah. Although, I have a feeling they won't be investigating the same thing." David said. "Just to be safe, you and Hope should stay in the bleachers in case the other Dimensional Heroes reps start acting up."
"Alright." Ace said.
With Jexi and Spade…
"Okay...the next race should be starting soon. Should be enough time for us to take a look into things." Jexi said. "Something about this whole race fiasco has been nagging at me since it started."
"When did you first suspect it?" Spade asked.
"Since you guys told us ARIA was in charge. It doesn't make sense. Why would someone who was your enemy go and start a racing tournament?" Jexi said.
"I've never actually met her back then, but she seemed like a changed person when we met her at the start of this." Spade said. "She said this would be the start of redeeming herself for what she did."
"You never saw her back in Valentia. No one changes that fast. But we can't call her on it without proof." Jexi said.
"Right. Let's see what we can find out." Spade said.
"ARIA mentioned she would be watching the races from the nearby building. That seems a good place to start as any." Jexi said.
"Then it must be the Pinnacle. Let's go." Spade said.
As the two headed inside, Shuichi and his group were conducting their own investigation at the same place.
"Why are we headed to the Pinnacle?" Kaito said.
"These races...since they started, the Dimensional Heroes members have been acting more aggressive and savage, almost heartless. It doesn't seem to be affecting the others, but I'm not sure how long that can stay true." Shuichi said. "We need information on these races. No matter what."
(Cue- Submerged Memory- MegaMan Zero 3)
Commence the Investigation
Carefully making their way into the building, they headed to the offices where they saw footages from the Canterlot race where they saw Rainbow going double time against Jet and David.
"Rainbow may be a loose cannon but even she isn't this savage." Shuichi said.
"Hey, Shuichi. Any idea what this is?" Kaede asked finding a strange vial with a red powder in it.
"Hmm. This powder...it's plant based." Shuichi said looking it over. "What could they be doing with this?"
"Maybe it's something related to inducing rage?" Kaito asked.
"That's definitely a possibility." Shuichi said seeing testing files near it. "Hmm. These are test logs for different subjects. All are within a 12 day limit."
As they talked about it, they heard the doorknob shake. "Someone's coming." Kaede said.
"Hide." Shuichi said as they ran into the broom closet just as a strange man entered with grass like hair and in a white lab coat.
"Wait...that guy. I recognize him. He's one of the escaped criminals." Kaito said.
"He is? So why is he working for ARIA?" Kaede said.
"First off, his name is Wyatt Wheat aka Apo. He was arrested for causing mass poisoning and confusion using rare plants and concoctions." Kaito said.
"Everything is going according to plan, Despair. Soon the Dimensional Heroes will wipe their friends out, including themselves." Wyatt said.
"Excellent. But keep doing as ARIA says. I need to keep silent until I can escape. And the powder…" Despair said.
"It's being dispersed during each race as planned. The way the courses are planned, we should be seeing twelve different worlds causing havoc and chaos. Nothing but complete despair." Wyatt said.
"So that's what's going on…" Kaede whispered.
"It seems Despair hopes to tear us apart with Wyatt's concoctions." Shuichi said.
"And when the plan is finally complete, bring that researcher, nephilim, and Hopeless to me." Despair said.
"Mari? I get why he would want Hope but why would he need Ace and Mari?" Shuichi wondered.
"Also...you should know...Amadeus Flux has been spotted with ARIA." Wyatt said.
"What?" Despair said.
"Apparently the two have been meeting to discuss a business of some kind." Wyatt said. "Should I get rid of him?"
"No. Just keep on task and don't draw suspicion to yourself." Despair said. "We'll deal with him soon enough."
"Right." Wyatt said getting off the comm as he collected a box of the vials before heading out.
"Flux...with ARIA? Why does that sound so wrong?" Shuichi wondered.
"I don't think it matters much. We already know the real reason behind it." Kaito said. "Besides, if her reformation is true, she might not even go through with his deal."
"Let's just wait until Wyatt leaves so we can sneak out and warn the others." Kaede whispered.
Meanwhile with Jexi and Spade, they had slowly made their way up to the top while watching the races at the same time. "So much savagery. Something is definitely going on here." Jexi said.
"Yeah, we need to find out the cause quickly before it's too late. We're almost to the top." Spade said.
They slowly approached the door as they creaked it open to see ARIA in front of a table with hooded figures and a familiar one.
"Flux? And...complete strangers?" Jexi wondered.
"Those cloaked figures...they're emitting darkness." Spade whispered.
"Yeah...I feel it too." Jexi said.
"So...shall we begin discussion?" ARIA asked.
"Of course. After all. We all have gathered here because we have something in common...complete hatred for those heroes down there." Flux said. "Course, that's not the only reason." He said turning the screen on. "Thanks to the efforts of Apo, we are not only slowly breaking apart the bonds of the heroes, but also several other worlds as well."
"True...it was you who recommended that man...but are we certain he won't betray us? After all, he and those criminals that tried to kill you do work for Despair...he who usurped most of your forces." A figure said.
"I'll be honest...for a long while...I've acted like an idiot, an annoying idiot. I fought with cartoonish mechs and machine...but...those days are over." Flux said firing a gun as it killed one of the figures. "The days of the happy idiot are over. We will break apart those groups. But I want the Ice Devil alive...so I can put a bullet through his head. Then I'll have Jexi all to myself."
"I must decline the killing of Jexi." a figure said rising removing their hood to reveal a man with long blond hair and black marks on his face.
"That man...I recognize him. That's Basil Hawkins." Jexi said.
"Who is he?" Spade asked.
"A pirate like Luffy. He's one of the Supernovas. Recently, I heard he had become one of Kaido's subordinates and is currently capturing beasts and monsters for him." Jexi said.
"Why would one of the four emperors need monsters and beasts?" Spade asked.
"He is called the king of beasts for a reason." Jexi said.
"Now...as much as you would enjoy that boy dead...a current alliance with someone in the Beast Universe wants him and only him alive." Hawkins said.
"Enough! All of you!" ARIA said.
"Our apologies." They all said.
"The only reason we've formed this Axis of Evil is for one reason...elimination of all of those groups. I had to play nice with that idiot Ace, and it made me sick. It'll all be worth it in the end. Flux, how long does it take for the powder to run full course on a human?" ARIA asked.
"From the tests...it takes 12 days. Which is the reason why we made them last that long. But strange enough, the other groups are being affected less." Flux said.
"Hmm. We'll up the dosage being spread. As of now...all of you are dismissed." ARIA said as the figures were leaving one after another. "And Flux...get off this world. I'm done with you. You've served your purpose."
"Excuse…" Flux said before being shot with a tranq dart before security marched in. "You...bitch." He said before passing out.
"Take him out and deliver him to the Universal Police. Tell them he was trying to steal from us. A prison cell is just right for this loser." ARIA said as they dragged him out.
"Hopefully that's one less problem to deal with." Spade said. "We gotta go tell the others what we found out."
"An Axis of Evil...made just to go after us. And...who would be after me?" Jexi wondered.
"It's hard to say, come on let's get out of here." Spade said as the two quickly fled the scene.
Back at the Stadium…
"How'd the race go?" Hope asked.
"Yoko pulled off the win this time with David in second and Rainbow in third." Tails said.
"How's she taking it?" Hope asked.
"A question you're better keeping to yourself." Shuichi said as he and his group arrived. "There's something all of you should know."
"What is it?" Ace asked.
"This race has been nothing but a sham. The racers have been unknowingly spreading this across the worlds they race on." Kaito said showing the vial.
"What is this?" Mari asked as she was handed the vial.
"It's a powder that seems to increase the rage and hatred within a person." Shuichi said.
"That actually explains a lot with what's going on with the others." Al said. "But how come we aren't affected like them?"
"It's only targeting Jexi's group for some reason. It's affecting us, but not as much." Kaede said.
"Tails, I know I shouldn't be asking this, but...have you noticed your teammates acting...weird lately?" David asked.
"Some of the members have been acting a bit more agro lately. This could explain things." Tails said.
"We have to expose this, but how? We're deep into the race as it is already." Hope said.
"Hmm. Apo is a pro criminal but even he makes mistakes. It's possible he might have an antidote in case he was exposed to it." Kaito said.
"That might be the case. Good thinking, Kaito." Sectonia said.
"For now, we have to push onward. It might be the only way we can make it out of this." David said.
"That isn't the only thing we need to concern over." Jexi said arriving.
"What do you mean?" Hope said.
"Apparently there's some sort of Axis of Evil out for our heads and ARIA is part of it." Jexi said.
"Not only that but we saw one of the Supernovas there." Spade said.
"And for some reason, someone is after me." Jexi said.
"Well it isn't Flux, that's for sure. I saw him getting carted off the Universal Prison by Ultratech security." Akane said.
"Look...we can focus on that another time. For now, we need to get that antidote and see about spreading the cure to all the infected worlds." Shuichi said.
"But how are we gonna get it away from Apo when he's so heavily guarded?" Hope said.
"The only time security is lax is during the races. We just wait for the next race and see about taking it." Kaito said.
"Speaking of which…" David said as the results came up.
1st- Yoko Tachibana- 15
2nd- David Ishihara- 12
3rd- Rainbow Dash- 10
4th- Jet- 9
5th- Camilla- 8
6th- Nagi- 7
7th- Titanica- 6
8th- Zephyr- 5
9th- Tenko- 4
10th- Knuckles- 3
11th- Leviathan- 2
12th- Francisca- 1
Team Rankings
1st- Brave Adventurers- 133
2nd- Dimensional Heroes- 117
3rd- Spirit Force- 114
4th- SEALED- 108
5th- Shining Hope Squadron- 102
6th- Babylon Rogues- 82
"Those are the current rankings after today's race. Tomorrow we'll be racing through the Aensland Manor! See you all tomorrow racers!" Omochao said.
"Aensland? We haven't seen Morrigan since the Ultron Sigma incident. I wonder how she's doing." Mayumi said.
"Oh yeah, you have powers similar to hers, due to being an enhanced. Maybe you'll see her when we race tomorrow." Ace said.
"Careful, Morrigan's a succubus. She can charm you if you let your guard down." David said.
"Ooh boy." Ace said as he sweatdropped a bit before hearing someone singing from the ship.
"Is that… singing?" Hope said.
"It sounds like Azura. Should we check it out?" Roy said.
Inside the Galaxy King…
Azura was seen standing in the center of an open space as music started playing as she began singing.
(Cue- Massive Explosion- Final Fantasy Dissidia NT)
"~Unbroken silence. In jewel of an island. Chasing the light & found a big shadow. Standing in the darkness. Bear my loneliness. Light and shadow stare me for eternity. I'm dreaming over time clearly to understand a calling given by the everlasting.~" Azura sang as she danced and waved strands of light and water as a silhouette of an Azure Dragon floated above her.
"Wow….." Hope said. "Bravo!"
"! Everyone...I guess you all watched the whole time?" Azura said as she blushed a bit.
"What are you so nervous about, you got a great singing voice. Heck, you're probably the only one I know who has pipes like that." Hope said. "You know… I think you can play a part in undoing everything the Axis of Evil is doing on our friends."
"Perhaps you're right. This is the first time I've sang this song and this was only half of it. But if I sing the full version, it may just work." Azura said.
"What do you think, Jexi, David? You think Azura and the antidote can save our friends from falling apart?" Hope said.
"Worth a shot." David said.
"In the meantime, all we can do is push onward." Hope said.
"Yeah, screw first place, I'm more worried about coming out with my sanity intact." Mayumi said.
"Yeah, we'll race for our friends sake!" Ace said. "Who's with me?"
"I'm in! Let's rock and roll!" Hope said.
