A Strong Family Chapter 12: Racer X, The Actor, a speed racer fanfic

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Chapter 12: Racer X the Actor

On the narrow street in the woods, Racer X was in the Shooting Star following close behind Ben who was in his car. The Masked Racer's gut instinct was that Zain did have both Speed and Trixie now in the cabin that Ben was bringing him to.

It had been easy for Racer X to convince Ben to bring him to meet Zain because Ben had been quite pleased about being second in the race. He had been so happy in fact that he had barely been able think straight.

It wasn't long till Ben pulled up to the cabin that the Masked Racer would have eventually found on his own. However, following Ben would definitely get Racer X invited into the cabin.

The Shooting Star was now parked in front of the cabin and once out of his car, Racer X looked at the cabin and saw Zain standing by the door. Zain had been waiting for Ben and was quite surprised when he saw Racer X.

"The Masked Racer," Zain said impressed that he would show up to his cabin. He wasn't worried at all about Racer X and his prisoners being in the same place. He thought Racer X really caused a lot of accidents in races and because of this, Zain figured that the Masked Racer thought dangerously like he did.

Racer X walked over to Zain with Ben not needing to say anything.

"To what do I owe this honor?" Zain asked holding out his hand to shake Racer X's.

The Masked Racer shook hands with Zain thinking about the grip he had on the wicked man's hand. He knew his strength was greater than Zain's so he knew he could over power him. His mind changed about over powering Zain because he caught sight of a gun that a man was holding directly behind Zain. The man was the Conrad.

Happily, Ben began to speak for Racer X. "Zain how you must appreciate me. First I do great in the race and now I bring the best possible new member to our team."

"I don't know about that," the Masked Racer said wanting them to feel the need to convince him to be on their team. That would surely make them try to convince him to stay.

Zain turned his head and whispered to Conrad, "They're locked away. Right?"

Conrad shook his head yes knowing he had carefully locked Speed and Trixie into the room.

Racer X made out what they had whispered and didn't have to wonder who was locked away. He knew it was his little brother and his sister-in-law.

"Won't you come in?" Zain asked cheerfully. "You obviously came here for a reason."

"That I did. That I did," Racer X repeated as he followed Zain into the cabin. Without turning his head too much the Masked Racer let his eyes scan the room for any clues as he thought, How funny it is that Zain doesn't really know why I'm here.

Zain lead Racer X to a bar that was in the corner of the den with Conrad and Ben following.

"Would you like a drink?" Zain asked as he walked around to the back of the bar to be the bar tender.

"No, thank you," Racer X said. "I didn't come here to socialize."

Zain knew it would be tough to convince the Masked Racer to be on his team as he fixed a drink for himself. "I insist that you at least sit down."

Seconds later the four of them were sitting down around the bar.

Ben was preparing to gloat about his place in the race that day. He looked at Racer X as if they were good friends and said, "You still didn't congratulate me."

"Oh the race? That was easy for you," Racer X said plainly.

Zain was surprised to hear Racer X's unimpressed reply. "How do you mean?" Zain asked just before taking a zip of his drink.

The Masked Racer smiled as he said, "I already told Ben that the other day."

Zain then moved his eyes to Ben expecting an answer. Ben looked defensively at Racer X and said, "You said Speed Racer was the only real competition, and I beat him."

"Quite the contrary," Racer X said with a smile. "I'm sure you all heard by now that someone else had been driving the Mach 5 today."

"Yes. We did," Zain said finding that quite funny as he let out a laugh.

Racer X's smile faded; surprised that it hadn't bothered Zain in the least.

"So how do you feel about Speed Racer?" Zain asked looking at his guest.

Racer X thought carefully before he said anything. "The competition that he gives me is my worst nightmare. I hate him."

"Oh, how I love this," Zain said putting his glass down with an unmistakable smile on his face. "When you say you hate him, how much do you hate him?" Zain asked with an even wider grin on his face.

The Masked Racer knew that if he acted like he couldn't stand Speed that Zain might be stupid enough to let him see Speed. Racer X had a desperate need to see that his brother and Trixie were all right, and then he could think clearer about how they were going to get out of this. "How much do I hate Speed Racer?" Racer X asked folding his arms. "Between us, I'd love to wipe him off the face of the earth."

"Really," Zain said enthusiastically. "There is something else I need to ask you."

Racer X just looked at Zain waiting for the question.

"It is known that you have caused many accidents in races. Is it true?"

Racer X hated people thinking that rumor was true, but in this case he was glad that Zain believed it. "Most definitely," the Masked Racer said arrogantly.

"Good. So you don't deny it. Just the kind of driver I like," Zain said making a toast with Ben who was already on his second very strong drink.

Conrad just continued to watch skeptically.

"I do whatever I have to do to win," Racer X said trying to sound very serious.

"Then please bare with me as I ask you one more thing," Zain said putting the glass down very hard. "Why haven't you tried to kill Speed Racer in a race?"

"Who says I haven't," the Masked Racer stated angrily as he pounded his fist on to the top of the bar.

"What happened?" Zain asked curiously.

Shaking his head as if he was disgusted, the Masked Racer said, "Unfortunately he is always able to dodge me very easily. If I could help it, he'd never be in any race again." Racer X knew his plan was working because Zain, Ben and even Conrad looked overly happy about his answer.

"He won't be in any more races," Conrad said smiling for the first time since Racer X had been there.

Zain didn't deny it. "How would you like it if I told you that Speed will never race again?"

"I'd be on your team in a minute," Racer X said loving how easy this was.

"I'm going to get rid of Speed Racer for good," Zain said proudly.

"How are you going to...get rid of him?" the Masked Racer asked. "I need some kind of proof of a plan you might have."

"Let's show Racer X what's in the room," Ben said a little tipsy after drinking a bit too much too fast.

Conrad on the other hand wasn't too sure about letting the secret out. "I don't know, Zain," he said trying to get all of Zain's attention.

"Conrad," Zain said reading his mind. "We're talking about the Masked Racer. It's obvious that he doesn't care about Speed Racer or anyone else for the matter. He caused major accidents in major races." Zain then leaned and whispered to Conrad, "Anyway we'll just kill him if he has a problem with who's in the room." Zain backed away from Conrad and then they both burst out laughing. Ben soon joined in with the laughing even though he didn't know why they were laughing in the first place.

"Show me what's in this room," Racer X said standing up from the bar stool.

"Allow me to show him," Ben said standing up as well.

"Okay, Ben," Zain said making Ben very happy. "You can show Racer X…what's in the room. After all, you did very well today."

Zain stayed sitting down not looking worried at all. Conrad obeyed Zain and let Ben leave the bar to show Racer X what was in the room. Ben led the Masked Racer down the hall to a door that needed to be unlocked from the outside. After unlocking it, Ben was about to push it open. "Wait a minute," Ben said smiling at Racer X before he pushed the door open. "Hide. I want to go in first by myself."

Racer X stayed in the hall doing as Ben wished. He was just too close to possibly seeing Speed and Trixie to disagree with Ben now.

Inside the room, Speed and Trixie were already standing up from hearing Ben unlocking the door.

"Speed," Ben said gloating again as he walked into the room. "I placed second today."

Both Speed and Trixie looked angry but Speed let it out first. "You're luck I wasn't in the race today, Jerk off," Speed said heatedly not scared of Ben in the least. Speed then looked at Trixie knowing she was thinking he could have found a better name to call Ben.

Racer X was still hiding outside of the door so glad to hear his brother's voice even though it sounded very displeased.

Ben didn't even care about Speed's insult as he went on to insult Trixie. "Trixie, baby. You're huge!"

Before Speed could defend her, Trixie said very angrily, "Speed's right. You are a jerk off!"

Speed looked at Trixie with an I can't believe you just said that look on his face. However, he secretly enjoyed it.

Trixie then said to Speed, "Look. I know I told you before to calm down and that now I'm not doing a good job of it, okay."

Speed smiled and actually sounded happy as he said, "I was thinking that I liked what you said to Ben. At least we both agree he's a jerk off."

Both Speed and Trixie then let out a laugh.

"Hey!" Ben said aggravated. "You two are not suppose to be having a good time."

Racer X had to hold back a laugh himself. Speed's confidence was definitely back since he had his wife back at his side.

"Have you been drinking?" Speed asked looking more closely at Ben.

"Hey," Ben said unhappily. "I don't have to answer you. You are the ones handcuffed together?"

"Yeah…but we like it," Speed said not caring how badly he upset Ben.

"That's right," Trixie said moving closer to her husband's side.

Racer X decided he had to break this little fight up because things were starting to get crazy. "Ben," Racer X just barely whispered.

"Oh, yeah. Right," Ben said looking at Racer X and then back at the prisoners. "Speed, Trixie. I want you to meet one of the new possible Zodiac drivers."

Both Speed and especially Trixie couldn't believe their eyes when they saw who, but Racer X walk into the room. Ben was too tipsy to notice Racer X holding a finger to his lips signaling to Speed and Trixie to just go along with it.

Next Racer X noticed that Speed and Trixie seemed to be okay. He also noticed that their wrist were indeed handcuffed together.

"I hope you enjoy being on the Zodiac team," Speed said trying to sound upset. His heart was really pounding with relief as he looked back at the Masked Racer.

"Yes. The Zodiac's need someone to come in first," Trixie said trying to hide her surprise at seeing Racer X.

Ben was about to say something back but Racer X pushed him out of the room. "Hey! Wait a minute," Ben said aggravated.

"No," Racer X said. "Speed and his wife are the last ones I want to see right now." The Masked Racer then smiled back at his brother and pregnant sister-in-law before closing the door.

After the door was shut, Speed and Trixie hugged as Speed whispered by his wife's ear, "I knew he would show up."

"He always does," Trixie whispered back just incase Zain had bugged the room. "I wonder what he has planned."

"I don't know," Speed whispered. "But I'm sure we're going to find out soon."

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Meanwhile about an hour away, Sparky was sitting on the sofa at Pops and Mom Racer's house being drilled by Pops. "Let me get this straight," an angry Pops said pacing in front of Sparky. "Do you mean to tell me you agreed to cover for Speed in a race not knowing why!"

Sparky was too scared to speak.

"Answer me when I'm asking you something!" Pops yelled as if Sparky was one of his own sons. However, Pops raged on, "I can't believe what is happening!"

Sparky figured that he better answer Pops. Being brave he let his mouth open and he began to speak. "Pops, I ..."

"Don't you talk back to me!" Pops yelled interrupting Sparky and sounding as if he was going out of his mind.

Sparky closed his mouth as he trembled from Pop's loud voice.

"I said tell me why you were driving the Mach 5!" Pops demanded.

Okay. This is tricky, Sparky thought. Does Pops want me to answer him or not?

Suddenly, Mom Racer walked in through the front door.

"Where have you been?" Pops yelled angrily.

"Look, Buddy. We already have enough problems without your mouth," she said making Pops cool down fast. Only her son being in danger could make her speak in such a way.

Pops knew he better be quiet. "Sorry, Honey," he said as Sparky watched in shock.

Wanting to tell her husband what she had found out, Mom Racer said, "I just came from Speed and Trixie's house. Trixie wouldn't open the door so I used the spare key that they had given me. Trixie really wasn't home but her purse was still there and so was her car. I know something isn't right and…I sensed it this morning with Speed."

"Hey," Pops said suddenly thinking he figured things out. "Remember when they eloped? Maybe they're out on a little escapade."

"Not in Trixie's condition," Mom Racer said as she shook her head no. She then turned her attention to Sparky. "Sparky," she said calmly. "What exactly did Speed tell you?"

Sparky let out a breath and then said, "Speed just asked me to drive the Mach 5 today saying he'd explain everything after the race."

"And you agreed to that without a reason?" Pops asked about to get upset all over again.

Mom Racer looked at Pops and said, "He agreed without a reason because they are the best of friends."

Pops realized his wife was right. "I'm sorry, Sparky. But do you have any idea why Speed would ask you to do that?"

"No," Sparky said innocently. "But for some reason I have a feeling it has something to do with Trixie."

Back at the cabin, Racer X was now sitting at the bar with only Zain since the wicked man expressed to Conrad and Ben that he wanted to speak to Racer X, alone.

"So what did you think about who you saw in the room?" Zain asked with a smile.

"Now I know it's possible for you to get rid of Speed Racer since you've got him as a prisoner," the Masked Racer said putting a fake smile on his face.

Zain placed a drink on the bar in front of Racer X even though he didn't ask for one. "We have something to celebrate," Zain said pushing the drink closer to Racer X. "You said you'd be on the Zodiac Team if I got rid of Speed and getting rid of Speed is what I intend to do."

"What about his wife?" the Masked Racer asked concerned for Trixie who was carrying his niece or nephew. He then pretended to take a sip of his drink hoping Zain wasn't sick enough to want to hurt a pregnant woman.

"The girl is mine and so is the baby," Zain said bluntly.

Racer X almost dropped his glass but managed not to as he put the drink back down on the bar.

"Don't look so shocked. After Speed is gone, she'll be lonely and the baby will need a father."

Racer X hoped that Zain couldn't tell that he thought that he was beyond sick. "You know…she and Speed Racer have been together for a long time."

"Don't sit here and tell me you think they're soul mates or something stupid like that," Zain said not believing in things like that.

"I wasn't going to say that," Racer X said even though he couldn't imagine either one of them with someone else. "I just know from the press writing about them that they're a very rare couple."

"So they really love each other. Big deal," Zain said unimpressed.

"You're right," Racer X said not wanting to upset Zain further.

In the room, Speed and Trixie were both sitting on the bed in silence. They were each lost in their own thoughts of how Racer X might get them home safely.

Speed soon felt his wife's head fall onto his shoulder. Without aggravating his sore stomach, he gently eased her to where she was lying down on the bed; on her side. He then laid behind her on his side as well but with his elbow on the bed and his hand holding his head up. Kissing Trixie softly behind her ear, he whispered, "We're going to get out of this, Baby. I promise."

I know it was a bit extreme for me to use "jerk-off" in this but I typed it as a joke. As I laughed at it, I decided to keep it in the story. I know…shame on me. Sorry!