Ch.10

Icicle Creek

Yay for another chapter! Who do you think will make it to the finals? Please R&R!

Benji, Natasha, and Kurt sat on the couch in Benji's living room. A warm fire crackled in the fireplace as the three eat popcorn as they watched a movie on TV. Thinking that Benji could use a break from the competition, his two friends thought they'd just sit around and be lazy. However, none of the three could shake the thoughts of the upcoming race.

Natasha was the first to break the silence. "So, you psyched for tomorrow?"

"Totally" answered Benji. "But to be honest, I'm kinda nervous."

"Nervous about what?" asked Kurt. "All you have to do is beat ribbon girl tomorrow and you're in the finals!"

"Oh don't worry, I know Sandy's goin' down" said Benji. "It's just…" he sighed and slumped back on his place on the couch. "What if something goes wrong? Then the mountain's done for!"

"Hey, don't think like that!" said Kurt. "You're winnin' tomorrow and you're winnin' the finals, okay?"

Natasha nodded in agreement. "Yeah, just think of the hype when the media gets word that a local won the competition! Once they hear about our cause, we'll have enough momentum to kick that fat business ham off the mountain for good!"

The race course was alive with hamsters the following morning, all of them ready to witness the semifinals. Tom and Woody sat at the announcer's booth, displaying their usual enthusiasm.

"Good morning snowboard fans!" exclaimed Tom. "Welcome to Icicle Creek and the first race of the semifinals! Woody, can you tell us about the race course today?"

"I sure can Tom!" replied Woody. "As you said, today's race course is Icicle Creek. Unlike Treetop Trauma, there isn't really much of a designated track, so the racers will be at the mercy of the forest's rugged terrain. There's also a part of the course where there is some loose rock material, so the racers might have to dodge some boulders.

"Hey, is there actually a creek?" asked Tom.

"Um…uh…I'm not really sure Tom" answered Woody.

"Then why's the course call Icicle Creek if there's no creek?" asked Tom.

"Hey, I didn't make up the name!" Woody said in his defense.

"Okay then, back to the race" said Tom. "Our track reporter Meg is live at the starting line! Whatcha got for us Meg?"

"Good morning Tom!" exclaimed Meg. "I'm here live with Stan! So Stan…"

"Hey there gorgeous!" said Stan. "Where've you been all my life?"

"Um, Stan, I'm here to ask you some questions" answered Meg.

"Is one of them 'wanna go out some time?' 'cause the answer's yes!" said Stan.

"I'm actually here to ask you questions about your upcoming race" said Meg. "You're up against the hamster who won both the first race and the freestyle competition, feeling nervous?"

"Nervous?" repeated Stan. "Heck no! I'm pumped and ready to go! So, wanna go out after I win?"

"Er, next question!" said Meg. "When we asked Blaze to describe you in one word, he answered 'cocky'. What are your reactions to his statement?"

"Well, I think the dude's nuts" answered Stan. "And if you ask me, his hood's gotta come off! So, you, me, after the race?"

"Okay, I'm outta here!" said Meg as she hurried off. "Back to you Tom!"

"Um, that was interesting" said Tom.

"And Stan just got burned!" exclaimed Woody.

Sandy, who was in the stands at the finish line with the rest of the ham hams, buried her face in her paws. "Maxwell, remind me to beat the crap out of my brother."

Although Blaze's ears were covered by his hood, he could still here every word the tiger-striped hamster said. But he had no intention of revealing his identity to anyone, well, for now at least. Only after he won the finals would he remove his hood.

Blaze sighed as he thought about her. He wanted to tell her so badly who he was, but he already thought out the whole process. After he won the competition, he would go to the jewelry store and buy her something nice, like a bracelet or earrings. After that, he would go find her, reveal his identity, and give her his gift.

"So, you ready to go down?" asked Stan. Blaze wordlessly turned off his iPod, put it in the pocket of his vest, and went over to his place on the starting line.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'!" said Stan as he took his spot at the starting line.

"Well, take it as a 'no', 'cause I'm not gonna lose" said Blaze. Stan cocked his head to the side quizzically.

"Hamtaro's right" thought Stan. "He does sound sorta familiar!"

A track official took out his starting gun and held it in the air. "On your mark, get set…" He pulled the trigger, filling everyone's ears with its familiar bang.

Alright! The first race is underway! Who do you think will win? Please answer that in you reviews, along with suggestions, comments, and constructive criticism, just please remember to R&R! I really appreciate reviews!