Eva jumped onto her rocket seat and sped towards the arena. She came to a screeching halt as she remembered Rick's crash. "Oh no…the star racer!" She gasped, racing off."Canaletto caused Rick to crash once, I'm not going to let that monster ruin his career again!' Eva came to the hangar and ran up to the doors, banging on them. She pressed her ear against the thick door and could faintly hear something clatter onto the ground. She growled and pulled on the doors, trying to open them. "Come on, budge!" she shouted. "It's no use! They won't open!" Eva growled and picked up her rocket seat. "I better get to the arena and give Stan the fuel. I can tell him that I heard something in there."
Eva ran down the steps of the arena, looking around for her team. She gasped as she ran into something. "Not again…" she thought as she fell. An arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against a lean body.
"I apologize for not watching where I was going," a familiar voice told her. "Are you alright." Eva pulled back, looking up at the red skinned Nourasian in shock. "Aikka…" Her cheeks became pink.
"I-I'm fine…" She blushed. Aikka nodded and let go of her waist.
"Aren't you a little young to be walking around without parental supervision?" Aikka asked.
"I was running an errand for my parents. I was just looking for my team," Eva huffed, crossing her arms. "Anyway, where are your parents? You're no older than I am!"
"In Earth years, perhaps," Aikka smiled.
"Prince! Prince Aikka!" Canaan called. "Come here!" Aikka looked over at Canaan and nodded.
"Better go, your dad's calling," Eva smirked. "Wait…prince…?"
"I shall see you again," Aikka bowed.
"Is that a promise?" Eva asked, blushing slightly. Aikka opened his mouth to answer when he was cut off by a yell.
"Eva!" Maya called, waving her over. Eva and Aikka looked over at the pink haired woman.
"Looks like your mother is calling you," Aikka said, returning her smirk.
"Well, I was running an errand for her," Eva replied.
"Come on Sissy!" Molly shouted, waving her over.
"Hold your horses, I'm coming!" Eva shouted back. Molly glared at her and stuck her tongue out. Eva stuck out her tongue as well. Aikka laughed, grabbing her attention. The Earth girl laughed as well. She winked and walked off. "See ya." Aikka grabbed her wrist and smiled at her.
"And yes it is a promise." Aikka let go of her and ran off to meet Canaan. Eva's cheeks were red and she looked at her wrist before smiling and running to her team.
"Who were you talking to?" Molly asked.
"No one," Eva answered.
"Hey, did you get it?" Koji asked.
"Right here," Eva nodded, taking off the rope around her waist. She handed the bottle of green liquid to Stan.
"Seems good," Stan nodded in approval.
"Oh, by the way, I stopped by the hangar-!"
"What did I tell you about where you were to go?" Don scolded.
"I had a bad feeling. So, anyway, I went to the hangar and I thought I heard something inside," Eva told them.
"Heard what, sweetie?" Maya asked.
"It sounded like a wrench hitting the ground," Eva informed them. "I heard metal hitting ground, so I think it was the wrench."
"Are you sure lit-?" Jordan gulped as Eva's foot was positioned in front of his face, and Rick's hand was gripping the back of his head.
"You're in trouble," Molly said with a laugh.
"Only Rick is allowed to call me 'little mouse'. He's called me that since I was 7. No one else can call me that. Rick has special, honorary big brother rights to that nickname. Got it, gunner boy?" Eva growled.
"You try to call little mouse that again, and I'll make sure she kicks you in the face," Rick agreed.
"Alright, sorry!" Jordan shouted. Rick let go of his head and Eva lowered her foot.
"We declare the races of Alwas officially open!" the three judges cheered. Dark clouds slowly covered the skies of the arena, and thunder rolled. A beam of light shot out of the sky and the Avatar emerged in all his glory.
"Well, you can't say the guy doesn't know how to make an entrance," Rick muttered.
"That's for sure," Eva nodded.
"So cool," Molly whispered in awe.
"You are so easy to impress," Eva said, ruffling her hair.
"Proud pilots!" The Avatar's loud voice boomed. "The Truce of Oban has allowed you to prepare for this day in peace! Now, your wait is finally over!"
"How long has this truce been in effect? We only got 13 hours to prepare," Eva huffed.
"Here, on Alwas, you will race each other one-on-one, until only three remain," The celestial entity announced. "You may achieve victory by any means, except taking the life of another racer. Race towards the victory pilots, towards the finals on Oban, and towards the Ultimate Prize!" The Avatar disappeared, pushing the black clouds away. The spectators were quiet until they all began to cheer.
"YEAH!" Jordan hollered. Koji and Stan joined in on the cheering and Eva smiled.
"Alright!" She cheered.
"Yeah!" Molly cheered, throwing her hands up. "Rick is going to win it all!"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, little bug," Rick smiled, holding out his hand. Molly smiled and slapped it with hers.
"The first race is Nourasia versus Portlum!"
"We'll stick around for this one. We need to learn all we can about our adversaries. Keep your eyes open," Don ordered.
"Eva, are you excited?" Maya asked.
"Totally!" Eva smiled.
"I don't doubt that for a second," Rick smirked, leaning back. Eva watched the entrance, where she knew Aikka would come from. Slowly, a blue and white beetle strolled out, Aikka on his back.
"That's the guy sis was talking too!" Molly exclaimed.
"It's the prince!" Eva gasped, standing up.
"Wha-? Prince?" Jordan asked, looking at Aikka. "Nourasia, huh? I heard those scum were friends with the Crogs. I hope he crash and burns."
"Wow! He's riding a giant bug!" Molly said with awe. Maya looked at the smile on Eva's face before directing her attention to Aikka. The prince scanned the crowds, his eyes meeting Eva's instantly. He smiled up at her and Maya glanced at her daughter to see her smiling back happily.
"I think he's kinda cute," Eva confessed, her cheeks turning pink. She giggled slightly and pressed her fingertips together.
"What?" Jordan gasped.
"Young lady, what are you thinking?" Don shouted.
"How adorable!" Maya cooed, clasping her hands together. "My little girl has a crush!"
"Mom!" Eva blushed harder, looking at her mother in shock.
"Maya, he is the competition!" Don sputtered.
"That doesn't matter in love," Maya smiled, kissing his cheek.
"Are you gonna marry him?" Molly asked innocently.
"Molly!" Eva shouted, her face turning red.
"Absolutely not!" Don shouted.
Aikka's opponent hovered next to him. Jordan smirked at the sight of the huge spiked ship.
"Take a good look, Prince Charming is toast," Jordan smirked.
"Careful Jordan, don't judge a book by its cover," Eva smirked. "How about a bet, if Prince Aikka wins, you have to do all the cleaning at the pit the rest of our time here. If he loses, I'll do it. And you can't get help from anyone."
"Deal," Jordan smirked. They both shook on it and turned back to the race. The race started and Aikka and the Portlum racer took off. Portlum pulled ahead, not allowing Aikka to pass. G'dar turned on his side and flew past his opponent. The Portlum racer slammed its spikes onto the wall, trapping Aikka as the race continued on.
"That's gotta hurt," Jordan hissed. G'dar's shell collapsed and he fell backwards before flying once more. Aikka took out an arrow and pointed it at the sky as the tip glowed a bright blue. Blue ribbons with white symbols twirled and danced around the arrow before wrapping around it completely. Aikka shot the weapon and part of the Portlum ship blew up, causing the star racer to crash and tumble into the ground. Aikka turned G'dar around to face the racer and bowed before flying off.
"I knew it!" Eva blushed, clapping. "I knew he could do it!"
"You traitor," Jordan grumbled.
"Hope you enjoy cleaning the pit all by yourself," Eva smirked.
"I hate you," Jordan huffed.
"Eva, you are not allowed anywhere near this boy, understand," Don growled.
"What, but dad?" Eva protested, sitting down.
"But he has a giant beetle!" Molly said.
"Don, don't you think that's a bit unfair?" Maya asked. "It wouldn't kill you for her to have a friend."
"No. We didn't come here to make friends, we came here to win," Don stated unwaveringly. "I will not have my daughter fraternizing with the competition."
"But dad, why can't I have a few friends?" Eva huffed, crossing her arms.
"You can have friends, just not with the competition," Don told her.
"Stubborn mule," Eva huffed, slouching back.
"Where do you think you get it from?" Don smirked.
"Fluid levels back at 100%," Koji announced.
"Great," Stan smiled.
"Did you check it over?" Eva asked.
"Yeah, and I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. The star racer seems perfectly fine," Stan answered. "Maybe you're just nervous."
"Y-Yeah," Eva muttered. "I mean, my mom's star racer exploded during her last race, so I might just be a little nervous."
"Don't worry, everything will be fine," Koji smiled.
"I hope so," Eva sighed, walking off.
"You fired me three years ago, Don," Rick grumbled as Eva entered the room. The teen quietly walked over to the dividing wall and looked at Rick, Don, and Maya.
"I know we've had some bad times, but I hope we can put all that behind us," Don sighed.
"Don't try to con me Don, I know you to well to fall for your tricks," Rick huffed, tightening his boots.
"Rick, we're not trying to con you. We're just counting on you," Maya smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "That's all Don's trying to say."
"And what are you trying to say?" Rick asked, standing up.
"I'm here to make sure you two don't have another falling out," Maya answered sternly, crossing her arms.
"Don't worry; I'll win this stupid tin cup for you guys. Don't I always?" Rick huffed.
"Alright," Don sighed, leaving. Eva gasped and quickly hid herself from her father's view.
"Rick, care to tell me why you two had a falling out?" Maya asked. Eva's ears perked. Just like her mother, she hadn't gotten the full reason for why Don fired Rick.
"You'll have to ask Don," Rick sighed. "He made me swear that if I brought it up-well, you don't want to know. But don't worry; it has nothing to do with your marriage. I didn't find out some horrible relationship-destroying secret. That's perfectly intact. You're the only one he's ever looked at."
"I wasn't wondering that," Maya smiled. "But thank you for telling me that. I'll leave you to finish preparing." The pinkette strolled out of the room and Eva sighed, hanging her head.
"What are you doing?" Rick smirked; leaning against the Eva's hiding spot.
"Rick!" she gasped.
"You eavesdropping, little mouse?" Rick asked.
"No I…why did he?" Eva asked. "Fire you, I mean. Why did my dad fire you? You were the best racer he had."
"Maya was the best racer he had," Rick corrected. "I was the second best. But don't worry about it, little mouse. Things happen for a reason."
"Mom was supposed to die but that didn't happen," Eva whispered.
"What?" Rick muttered in shock.
"Nothing," Eva said quickly. Rick stared at her before softening his look
"Hey, don't be so scared." Rick smiled, ruffling her hair. "Come on little mouse, perk up. A frown doesn't suit you one bit."
"You're going to explode too," Eva whispered.
"What?" Rick gasped lightly, his eyebrows rising in shock. "What are you talking about?"
"Your star racer will explode," Eva repeated. Rick took a deep breath before smiling.
"Come on, little mouse. Don't think of the worse that can happen, think of the best," Rick told her. He brushed his thumb over his eyes, gently closing them. "Picture it," he whispered. "The Whizzing Arrow I will cross the finish line, taking first place. And I'll be safe and unharmed. Just keep picturing that," Rick told her.
"Alright," Eva nodded, opening her eyes. She looked up at Rick and smiled.
"That's my little mouse. Now come on," Rick smiled, leading her into the main part of the hangar.
Eva stood on at the top of the stands, watching as Rick and Groor took off. Rick was quickly in the lead and dodging each shot that Groor attempted to make. Eva flinched every time Groor's ship hit Rick's. "Come on Rick, cross the finish line in one piece this time," Eva muttered, imagining victory. She opened her eyes and watched the race on the screen. Groor pinned the Whizzing Arrow I against the wall. Eva gasped and closed her eyes, images of the Whizzing Arrow exploding rushed through her mind. "No…it's going to happen again!"
"Are you okay?" Molly asked, looking up at her.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Eva nodded, turning back to the race. Her grip on Molly's hand tightened. They watched Rick and Groor approach the finish line. "Come on Rick," Eva muttered, clasping a hand over her heart.
"Do you see that Eva? He's winning! He's winning!" Molly cheered, jumping in place.
"Yes, I can see that," Eva said. Her eyes widened as the left reactor exploded and the Whizzing Arrow I skid past the finish line.
"Rick!" Molly screamed, trying to run towards him, but Eva gripped her hand tightly.
"No…" Eva whispered. She fell down to her knees, staring at the fire in shock.
"Sissy!" Molly shouted, pulling on Eva's shirt. "We have to see Rick! We have to see if he made it! Sissy!" Eva let go of her hand, and Molly shook her shoulders. "Snap out of it sis! We have to check on him!"
"I knew it! I knew it would happen again!" Eva thought, ignoring her sister. "Damnit Canaletto, can't you find a way for me to not race? I'm still with the Earth team! Why can't you spare Rick?"
"Rick! Jordan! Where are you two?" Maya called, approaching the scene.
"I'm okay," Jordan groaned, limping over to them, clutching his side.
"Where's Rick?" Don asked.
"Over there," Maya answered, pointing to a stretcher. "I'm glad you're safe Jordan," she said quickly before rushing over to Rick.
"Rick, don't worry, you'll be okay," Don assured him.
"Very touching," Rick groaned. "But it's only because you need me. Don't worry. I didn't come all this way to blow it in the first race. I came to win." Rick groaned in pain, clutching his stomach before passing out.
"Rick!" Maya cried, taking his hand.
"I knew it…" Eva whispered.
"Sis, get up, we have to see Rick!" Molly said, shaking her again. Eva looked up at her and grabbed her, pulling her into a hug. Molly wrapped her arms around her sister and cried out, tears running down her face.
