A/N: I'm back! And (somewhat) on time! And now my updates will probably go back to being random….*sigh* Now for reviews!

MisakaMisaka0202: Thanks! Trust me, it'll get better.

SakuraDreamerz: Thanks! Yes, she is. Along with Avengers, and a long list of other things that wouldn't fit here.

KaguTheGreat: Thanks! Indeed she is. They knew where the keys were, but they don't have them.

Abinac: Thanks! That's the way Kai usually wins, though…

CHAPTER 26

"In which the race begins."

"We're all going to die." Leo said, banging his head on the table.

Emily raised an eyebrow. "All I said was you'd be riding with A- oh."

"What do you mean, oh? What's the matter with my driving skills?" Angel asked, infuriated.

"Do you want it in an alphabetical order or bulleted list?" Kai asked, giving her a skeptical look.

"Anyway, this is how the race will work. We're going on a treasure hunt. There are different flags scattered all over Japan. The winner is the one who finds their seven and gets to the finish line first. There is only one rule."

"What's that?" Galileo asked.

"Survive." Hiro replied, adjusting his glasses.

"Well, since we're riding with Angel…" Raphael started, ignoring her glare.

"You'll survive." Emily replied.

"Probably." Charlie muttered, causing Kai to giggle.

"Anyway, in order to increase our chances of winning, Hiro and I will be riding on our own vehicles, while everyone else will be in the van with Angel." Emily finished, standing up.

"Since speed is of the essence, Ms. Emily and I will focus on getting to the finish line while Ms. Angel and co. will keep any threats we have at bay." Hiro said, sipping some tea.

"Anyway, we leave in an hour. You could change, eat something-" Emily started.

"Finalize your will," Kai added, and had a few second head start before Angel started to chase her.

"I'll have you know my driving skills are excellent!"

"Excellent at making people's lives flash before their eyes!"

Lance then turned to everyone else as Angel continued to chase Kai.

"Is her driving that bad?" He asked.

"Eh…" Raphael replied, shrugging. "…Wait and see."

Kai, Galileo, Charlie, Leo, Raphael, and Marie sat in the back of the van, making small talk as the adults prepared.

"So…What's the weather like-" Raphael started to ask, but Kai cut him off.

"Weather is boring. Let's talk about something fun!" She said, smirking.

"What do you have in mind?" Leo asked, giving her a skeptical look.

"Love." Kai said, smirking.

"W-What do you mean?" Marie asked.

"Your opinion of it." Kai said. "Take me for example. I'm not one who believes in love at first sight…" She smiled in the direction of the three males. "But damn."

"Sounds like there's someone that you love." Leo said, giving her a look.

"There is. The person least likely to lock me up and throw away the key." She smiled, and then turned to Galileo. "Who's someone you like?"

Pink started to form on his cheeks. "Well, I don't really like anyone…"

"Are you sure?" Kai asked, moving her face closer to his, so that their eyes met.

"W-Well…" Galileo started.

"Kai! Stop harassing my brother!" Leo retorted, glaring at her.

Kai laughed. "I wasn't harassing him. I was simply being a good friend!" She said, hugging Galileo and resting her head on his shoulder. "So, Leo. Who do you like?"

Leo laughed, giving Charlie a peck on the cheek. "Isn't it obvious?"

"What? The sweet, perfectly law-abiding Charlie is having an affair? Raphael, you must be heartbroken!" Kai replied, making a fake gasp.

Raphael sighed. "It's true. My heart weeps that the beautiful Charlotte Vergier has found someone besides moi to love."

Charlie glared at the two of them. "I hate you both."

Then, all of them started laughing. Charlie resisted for a few seconds, and then laughed herself.

"What about you, Marie?" Kai asked, looking at her.

"Well…" She said, blushing. "I do like someone…A lot… He's loyal, and he's very nice…"

"Why don't you tell him?" Kai asked.

"W-Well…What if he doesn't feel the same way? I mean, I'm not that powerful or anything…" Marie said, looking at the ground.

"So? If he's as kind and loyal as you say, he shouldn't mind that at all." Kai replied. She then patted Marie on the back.

"Look. If you really, really do like him, talk to him. I probably do-don't know who this guy is, but if you really do, just do it. Go big or go home." Kai said, smiling and turning to Raphael.

"So, Raphael. Who besides Charlie has caught your eye?"

A small blush filled Raphael's cheeks. "Well….Oh, I think Emily's calling me. Bye." He said, dashing out.

"Raphael? I didn't hear anything…" Marie said, following him.

"They should kiss. Why haven't they kissed yet?" Kai asked.

Everyone else shrugged.

"Buckle up!" Angel said, getting in the driver's seat. Lance got in shotgun next to her, with Marie, Raphael, and Kai in the front row with Galileo, Charlie, and Leo in the back row.

"Is everyone ready?" Angel asked, turning the key in the ignition.

"Well, I worked on my insurance policy, so I think it's all good." Kai said. Angel glared at her through the rearview mirror.

"Ok. Emily, Hiro, you two good to go?" Angel asked. To separate screens appeared, showing Emily on one and Hiro on the other.

Emily nodded. "Yes." To the right of the van, a rider in a purple colored motorcycle pulled up, with Emily wearing a purple motorcycle jacket, along with lighter colored pants and boots. She pulled on a helmet and nodded.

"Hiro? Are you ready?" Lance asked. To the left, a white colored motorcycle with Hiro dressed in a manner similar to Emily's pulled up.

"Yes." Hiro replied, putting on his helmet.

"Ok. Let's get ready to rumble." Angel said, smirking.

"Welcome to the Tokyo 500 Grand Prix!" An announcer yelled, standing on the starting line with a large megaphone.

"This race is special. In fact, it's more like a treasure hunt. In order to win, you have to go all over Japan…Its seven largest cities, to be precise. You have to go through each of the seven major cities and find a special flag. The first vehicle with all seven flags to cross the finish line wins!" The announcer yelled.

"Wait…How do we know where to find each flag?" Kai asked.

"Now, this is where things get fun. You see, in order to prevent people from following and stealing others flags… Everyone registered will get an email leading to a different flag in a different city. Once you find that flag, there will be a clue to the next. You have five minutes to review your clues until the race starts!" The announcer said.

Emily pulled out her phone, along with Angel and Hiro.

"You two got emails as well?" She asked. Angel and Hiro nodded.

Angel looked at hers, and then frowned.

"Wait…If all of ours are different…How do we do this?" Angel asked.

Hiro thought for a moment. "Despite the safety in a group…It would be faster if we all split up…"

"Here's an idea. Hiro and I team up to find ours, and then Angel can find hers. We'll keep in touch to make sure we don't go after flags we already have." Emily said, adjusting her helmet.

"What does your riddle say, Angel?" Marie asked.

Angel looked at the email.

Above the skyline I rise,

My towers match the color of clouds in the skies.

What I am called is the result of sun and rain,

I'm a bridge in Tokyo; the key is my nickname.

"Hm…" Leo said, thinking deeply.

"Hmm…" Charlie said, silently staring out the window.

"Mmm." Kai said, eating some cherries.

"As perplexing as this is, we can figure it out. We know it's a bridge, and we know it's in Tokyo…" Angel said, thinking.

"That's a lot of bridges. We need to think this through…" Lance said.

"Em, what does your email say?" Angel asked.

Emily looked at her phone and began to read.

From me, you can see Fuji.

For lost ships I show the way.

If you want to find me,

Yokohama is where I stay.

"That isn't much help either…" Marie said, still pondering the first one.

"Hmm…" Emily said, thinking. She then looked over at Hiro.

"What do you think?" She asked.

"I think I know what it is... So, Emily and I will go together, then?" Hiro asked.

Angel nodded. "Watch your backs."

"ON YOUR MARK!" The announcer yelled, causing everyone to look up.

"GET SET….GO!" And with the screech of a whistle, everyone was off.

"Ok, we're looking for a bridge…In Tokyo…" Angel said, driving.

"That's a lot of bridges." Kai said, chewing some cherries.

"You two have been here longer than we have. Any ideas?" Raphael asked.

"Let's look at the riddle, and see what we can figure out." Lance said, looking at the email again.

"Hm… My tower matches the colors of the clouds in the skies…"

"Wouldn't that be white?" Galileo asked.

"So, we're looking for a bridge with white towers…Still not specific enough…" Kai said, thinking.

"What I am called is the combination of sun and rain….Does it have to do with weather?" Leo asked.

"Probably. Sun and rain…" Raphael said, looking out the window. "Sun….And….Rain…."

"Would it be a bridge where it's sunny and raining at the same time?" Angel asked.

"….I don't think that's it…" Galileo said. "Even though it says its name is the combination of sun and rain, I don't think any bridges have that name…"

"He's right….What would sun and rain make, anyway?" Kai asked.

"Rain plus sun….Rain plus sun…. I think I got it!" Lance exclaimed, smiling.

"That's a miracle in itself." Kai replied, resulting in a glare.

"What do you mean, Lance?" Marie asked.

"Think about it. A rainbow is when sunlight reflects off raindrops, in other words, a combination of rain and sun."

"That's nice, but what does a rainbow have to do with anything?" Charlie asked.

Kai's eyes brightened. "Oh! The rainbow bridge!"

"There's a rainbow bridge?" Leo asked in disbelief.

Lance nodded. "It's not too far. You'll understand the meaning when we get there."

"How do we get there?" Angel asked.

"Well, make a right turn at this light…"

"So, you know where this flag should be?" Emily asked, riding right next to Hiro.

Hiro nodded. "The Yokohama marine tower. I've been there with Kai and Lance a few times…" He then looked toward the sky, a look of longing in his eyes.

A young Kai stared at the large tower, her red eyes widened in awe.

"Whoa! It's huge!" She said, staring at it, with her red eyes widened in awe.

"It must be to you, small fry." Lance said, laughing at her.

"Hey! I'm not that short!" Kai said, turning to Lance and glaring.

"You're barley four feet and you're just past twelve. And I am exaggerating when I say barely."

"Hmph!" Kai replied, folding her arms.

"It's not nice to tease people, Lance." A purple haired woman said, picking up Kai with ease. She had purple eyes, and wore a pair of purple glasses as well. She wore a purple kimono that was covered in a flower design,

"I'm only being honest, Yukari." Lance said, laughing and scratching his head.

"Kari! Tell Lance to quit it!" Kai said, clinging to Yukari.

"You two, stop fighting." Hiro said, folding his arms and adjusting his glasses.

"Hiro, they're just having fun." Yukari said, smiling and kissing Hiro on the cheek.

"Come on! Let's go to the tower already!" Kai said, pulling Lance and Yukari toward it.

"Hiro?" Emily asked, looking at him.

"H-Huh?" Hiro replied, his eyes widening.

"You blanked out for a second." Emily replied, giving him a look.

"Oh…" He replied, looking away.

"So, which way is the tower?" Emily asked.

"Wait… Why is it called the rainbow bridge, anyway?" Leo asked.

"You see, the bridge is lit up in neon colors at night. That's why." Lance replied.

"Wait. The rainbow bridge is pretty long…How are we supposed to find it?" Kai asked.

"We'll figure that out when we get there." Angel said, turning the van.

"I think we're already there…" Galileo said, pointing out the window.

"Whoa…" Marie said, looking at the bridge in awe.

"It's so big….And the lights…" Charlie said, staring at the bridge.

"Amazing, ain't it?" Kai asked. "In the summer, it's an amazing place to walk. Same in winter, if you don't mind the cold…Hey! A flag!" She said, pointing at a billowing cloth.

"How can you be sure?" Charlie asked.

"Tsusnshine, it literally says 'Tokyo Grand Prix' on it. No wonder Phantom R hasn't been caught yet…" Kai said, face palming.

Charlie didn't reply, but decided to let her finger charge with electricity and then shock Kai.

"Ow! Angel! Charlie shocked me!" Kai said, pointing at Charlie accusingly.

"She started it…" Charlie replied, folding her arms.

Kai then took a deep breath of air, and then shot a full blast of air at Charlie.

"Oi! What the heck was that for?!" Charlie asked. Her hat had blown off, and her hair was now spread around her hair in a crazy fashion.

"For shocking me." Kai replied. "Then again, it's your hair that's shocking."

"Hmph!" I could take you down right now!" Charlie said, balling her hands into fists.

"Bring it, Lady hairrible!" Kai said, pulling out her wind fans.

"Don't make me come back there!" Angel warned.

"Ladies, ladies, there's no reason to fight…" Raphael said, trying to calm down the two.

"Hey, look! The flag!" Galileo said, trying to divert the girl's attention from each other.

"I'll get the flag. Kai, don't tear Charlie limb from limb while I'm gone." Lance said, hopping out the van and grabbing the flag.

"That was easy. The other flags should be a piece of cake." Lance said, folding his arms and sitting next to Angel. "Speaking of a piece of cake, want to grab a slice when this is over? Just you, me, a pot of coffee..."

Angel gave an 'Hmph' in response. "There's a note on the flag that leads to the next flag. Read it."

"Let's see…"

"Uh, guys?" Raphael asked, worried. "We may have a slight problem.

"Yeah. Tsunshine here won't stop bothering me." Kai said, growling.

"Not that…" Raphael said, his eyes widening. This caused everyone else to stop and look at what he was pointing at.

"What on earth-!?" Angel asked, her eyes widening.

"Giant robot at three 'o clock!" Kai yelled.

"Here we are. The tower." Emily said, looking up at the large tower.

Hiro nodded in agreement, taking off his helmet.

"Let's get that flag, shall we?" Emily said, walking inside.

The area had a small crowd of tourists, and none of them noticed the small flag that said Tokyo grand Prix taped onto the wall.

Emily picked up the flag and pocketed it. "Bingo. One down, seven to go."

"Sorry, but that flag belongs to us." Charles said, walking in with Isaac next to him.

"Hmph. I thought this was too easy." Hiro said, pulling out his sword.

"You could save us a fight and just give us the flag…" Isaac said, folding his arms.

"No thanks." Emily said, unsheathing her swords.

"Hm. A two on two battle…This could get interesting." Hiro said, unsheathing his sword.

"Tch. I'll make this quick so I can go after Charlie." Charles said, taking out his knives which glowed with purple electricity.

Isaac simply sighed, unsheathing his scythe.

And then, the four charged at each other.

END CHAPTER 26

Here's a sneak peek of the next chapter!

"It's gaining on us!" Galileo warned, his eyes widening in fear.

"Thanks a lot, Tsunshine! You just HAD to let lighting strike here and give him a target!"

"You're one to talk, Kai! If you hadn't decided to-"

"If you guys don't stop your fight I WILL GET OUT OF THIS CAR AND FINISH IT!" Angel yelled, causing complete silence.

"For the record, it's a va-"

"SHUT IT, LANCE!"