Chapter 7

Meanwhile, Back at the Academy…

"It's a beautiful day out here in Aeropolis! The mayor got the main computer fixed up in time, and what a sight it is! The new beige finish is gleaming in the sun like a big… beige… um… never mind. The racers are coming up to the presentation platform… Oh! You would not believe it, Bill! The legendary Captain Falcon is standing before my very eyes, looking as brilliant as ever…" The TV murmured quietly to the two young boys huddled around it, seated in the corner of an Einstein Academy common room. The boys went unnoticed as the other students in that dorm went about their business.

"D'you think Terry's doing okay?" whispered Smith.

"If'n I know Terry, he's doin' fine," whispered Mickey. "By the way, why are we whisperin'?" A dark shadow loomed menacingly over the two students.

"That's why," whispered Smith.

"Hello, boys," the owner of the shadow said. "What might we be watching, hmmm?" The tall, skinny man leaned over Mickey's head and picked up the small TV.

"Headmaster Klogg! We weren't doing anything wrong-" Smith was interrupted by the headmaster.

"My, my, my… rotting your brains on this F-Zero nonsense… but as long as we have this TV out, we might as well see who's racing today," Klogg muttered in a voice that sounded straight out of a James Bond movie. The TV announcer came on again.

"Well, Bill, all but one of the racers have been revealed. So far we've seen Captain Falcon, the two Gorohs, Jody Summer, and a plethora of other racers! The only question now is, who is the final racer?"

"Umm… Headmaster, wouldn't you rather watch, um, the Spanish Channel?" Smith made a grab for the channel control switch, but Klogg quickly moved the TV out of Smith's reach.

"Quiet, Smithton, the final racer is about to be announced…" Klogg smirked. "And I think I know who he is…"

"Oh! This is a shock! The final racer appears to be a young boy, never seen in the F-Zero Grand Prix before! Just a moment, Bill, I believe his name is Digi-Boy… And that's that! The F-Zero Grand Prix, AX Cup, is about to begin! Let's send it over to-" Klogg pressed a long, spindly finger to a button on the TV and it crackled into silence.

"Hmm… a child named Digi-Boy was the last racer, huh? I guess Terry didn't sign up for the races after all… we will have to search elsewhere…" Klogg walked off muttering things about his guesses being really far off, his bald head gleaming in the glare of the fluorescent lights.

Smith and Mickey looked at each other. "Man, Mick, I think our headmaster is a great deal dumber than we originally gave him credit for." Mickey nodded in agreement. "But hey! He left the TV here! We can watch the race!" He and Mickey sat down around the TV and turned it back on.

"Well, Bill, the race has just gotten underway! The racers have just gone around the first curve of the course, and they should be hitting that long jump about… OOH! Doctors, you've got your first patient! The robot QQQ failed to make the jump and plowed the Rolling Turtle straight into the ground! That's several hundred feet, folks! As of now, though, it appears that Jody Summer is in the lead, followed closely by Don Genie… they've rounded the 180 degree turn and now they're on the dirt path…Here comes another jump; I'll be surprised if they all make it. Aaand… I'm not disappointed! John Tanaka swerved out of the jump and plowed through one of Aeropolis' famous skyscrapers! I can see the wreckage, folks, the city's not going to be happy about that…"

"Do you see Terry?" Smith asked.

"I caught a glimpse a' him a moment ago…" Mickey replied. "He's been trading places with Princia Ramode as well as Daigoroh, but he's still at the back a' the pack."

"C'mon, Terry…"

"Folks, we've got some action at the back of the pack today! It seems that Digi-Boy just ran Daigoroh into a wall! That's our third accident today! Anyway, we move now to the slippery slope section of the course! These roads are covered entirely with ice! Folks, although it is a beautiful sight, seeing these sparkling swaths of roadway, it doesn't look good for our racers! Some of them have already begun to rebound off of each other!" The camera zoomed in on the Cosmic Dolphin bouncing off of the Pink Spider. "Aaaand… KABOOM! We've got our fourth wreck today! Folks, we've got one exciting race here today! So far, we've eliminated QQQ, John Tanaka, Daigoroh, and now…"

Smith and Mickey leaned closer to the TV.

"Digi-Boy! But it now looks like we have a new leader…" The TV continued to babble quietly as Smith and Mickey sat back.

"I can't believe it…" Smith said softly, eyes wide.

"Terry… lost…" Mickey put his head between his knees. "It can't be…"

The other students gathered around. "Guys, what's wrong?" one piped up, a short kid with jet-black hair.

Smith said nothing but merely pointed at the TV screen. The results were posted. Down at the bottom of the list sat the name 'Digi-Boy,' with a large 'DISQUALIFIED – 0 POINTS' sign next to it.

- - - - - - - - -

Moonlight fell over a darkened room. Two figures, shrouded by darkness, sat on opposite sides of a table. "So, we've got a deal?"

"Yes. I find this… Terry Getter… and when I do, I bring him here. In return, you'll fund my… projects?"

"Yes. You've got it right."

"May I ask what you need this boy for?"

"Let's just say… I need his brainpower."

"I take it I shouldn't inquire further?"

"Should I inquire about your 'activities'?"

"Touché. Well, fear not. Before the next F-Zero race, Terry will be here… signed, sealed, and delivered, as they say." The man stood up and began to cackle wildly. "EyahahaHAHAHA!" He left the room.

The other man remained seated. "Tick-tock, Terry… you hear it? It's the clock… counting you down!"

- - - - - - - - - -

"This just in… Reports are coming in that over Mute City, several children, all male and between the ages of 13 and 16, have been confirmed missing. In their places, a single note has been found, reading, 'Tick-tock, your time is up!' Mute City police have yet to find the culprit behind these mysterious disappearances, but rumors are flying that the Galactic Space Federation's top task force leaders will be scouring Mute City for any and all leads. This has been Mute News at 11; please join us tomorrow when we discuss how to lose weight by eating less food. Good night."

End Chapter Seven