AN: CHAPTER XXIX IS HERE! I just noticed I have 69 reviews already...hehe...69. Okay, my dirty mind aside, I got news for you guys; I won't sugarcoat it nor will I beat around the bush but by the end of the Future Arc, I MIGHT (note the big Might) start the Finale Arc and yes, the three alternate endings are already drafted. However, what I don't know is if I'll be able to formulate a sequel or a prequel for this. Anyways, this is part 7 of I-have-no-fucking-idea-how-many of the Future Arc and the start of this chapter is a (hopefully sweet) family moment. With any luck, this would be a long chapter. I hope you guys enjoy this and thanks to those who reviewed, favourited and followed this story. I love you all!

CHAPTER XXIX:

BRAWL RACE

When Celeste drove Levi and Petra home, she immediately fell asleep on the wheel. She was still pretty tired considering her sleep has always been plagued by nightmares lately. Levi immediately got off the car and helped Petra out before pulling Celeste out of her side of the car and carrying her inside.

"Did you guys use a tranquilizer on her?" Andrew jokingly asked.

"She's just pretty tired, buddy. Celeste hasn't been sleeping well lately." Rex answered as he patted the boy's head. "Her room is upstairs. 2nd door down the hallway when you get off the stairs."

Levi nodded and brought her up to her room and settled her on her bed after taking her boots off. He pulled the covers over her and sat beside her, holding her hand. Then, he heard someone knock on the door.

"Levi?"

He turned around and saw Petra leaning by the doorway.

"Dinner's ready. Is she tuckered out?" She asked as she sat beside Celeste. Levi simply nodded in response. Petra was worried for Celeste. She was too reckless on the battlefield and Petra feared it'll be the death of her. This dangerous race she was about to participate in isn't helping her worries either.

"You think we should have Irvin transfer her? To the Garrison? Or better yet the Military Police? She is in the Top Ten." Petra suggested.

"Why?" Levi asked her as he ran his fingers through Celeste's hair.

"I'm worried for her. She's too reckless in the field." She answered as she patted Celeste's head to calm the fidgeting 19 year old down.

"I know she is. But Celeste is old enough to make her own decisions and we both know her pride would demand that she stay in the Legion." Levi answered. Petra could see his point. One thing that Celeste never inherited from either of them was being prideful. She knew that Celeste would never leave them to be with the Garrison or the 'Bitch Brigade' as she calls the Military Police. Just then, they sensed Celeste moving around again. They immediately sensed that she's having a nightmare.

"Celeste, calm down. It's just a dream. Mommy's here. Calm down." Petra whispered to the girl, who thankfully calmed down.

"One of us should stay with her. Stay alert so she doesn't wake up and lose sleep." Levi suggested.

"I'll stay." Petra volunteered. "Now, let's have some dinner."

They kissed Celeste's forehead and went downstairs. Once they were done, Petra immediately accompanied Celeste to bed. Celeste opened her eyes a bit and snuggled up to Petra.

"Good Night, Celeste." She greeted the sleeping girl as she hugged her and falling asleep.

3 DAYS LATER

3 days since their arrival in Santa Monica, it was now the time of the big race. Celeste was doing some last minute preparations in the backyard that morning. For 3 days, Levi, Petra and Uncle Damon taught her how to improve her hand to hand combat skills should she lose her weapon during the battle in the race. Those were also the days that Celeste learned that her mother, while petite and smaller than her, can pack quite a punch. As of now, Celeste was doing some knuckle ups (1) in the backyard. The race takes place at 6:30 PM but she'd have to get there by 12 for examinations to see if she's physically fit to race and to explain how the race would go. What makes the knuckle ups difficult? Well, aside from the fact that Celeste is pushing herself up with her knuckles, there's an 11 year old sitting on her back, reading a book.

"What's the count?" She asked as she momentarily took her an earphone off.

"234." Janine deadpanned while she read. 234? That's a long way to go from beating her previous record of 300. She stuck the earphone back and kept going but it didn't take too long before Janine poked her head.

"What?" Celeste asked.

"Dad said hit the showers." Janine answered as she walked in the house. Celeste headed inside almost immediately.

"Whoa, what did you do that got you sweating so badly?" Andrea asked her.

"Treadmill, Pull ups, Sit Ups and Knuckle ups." She answered as she grabbed a can of Red Bull and headed upstairs. When she got to her room, she saw that Aunt Natalie already packed a bag with her helmet, gloves and leather jacket. She had her Aunt modify the leather jacket. It now bears the Wings of Freedom on the back and the right shoulder as well as the right breast pocket. Taking a shower, she wore half of her outfit already which consists of black pants, black boots and black shirt. She wasn't called the Black Knight of North Dakota for nothing. Heading downstairs with her things, she saw that everyone was dressed casually, including her parents.

"Let's go." She said as she walked past them and to the car. Her parents and Rex were riding with her while the others take the other car and as usual, her hover car would be on Auto drive mode to the tracks. They got in their cars and drove to the venue. When they got there, there weren't a lot of reporters. Yet. The moment they were about to enter her locker room, shit hit the fan.

"Well, well, well, look who's back on the tracks after 4 years." A familiar voice said. Celeste opened the door and the kids rushed in. Celeste turned around only to see Lewis Gardener. Her sworn rival.

"Oh, Gardener, still having fun being 2nd fiddle to us Knights?" She taunted him. Petra sensed that a fight was coming so she immediately held Celeste's wrist. That cocky smirk on Gardener's face fell immediately.

"Why does it sound like there's someone growling?" Petra asked curiously.

"They're releasing what people like to call the Two Dogs Aura." Natalie answered. Lewis and Celeste have been rivals ever since Celeste started racing when she was 12. Before Celeste, Lewis dominated the race tracks so having a girl 4 years your junior beat you in every single race you both participate in is a tad bit frustrating. They get at each other's throats like two vicious dogs.

"So, who are the two short stuffs behind you?" He asked. Celeste's eyes immediately turned murderous.

"Said short stuffs are my biological parents for your information." Celeste deadpanned as she blocked Levi from attacking Gardener.

"Oh, so I guess your whore mother and dead beat father finally came back for you." He taunted with a sadistic smile. Oh, if Gardener is a sadist, Celeste is worse. With an angry yell, she immediately tackled him outside to the locker rooms. Reporters flocked them immediately. Celeste kept throwing punches in Gardener's body.

"Don't…you…fucking…dare…insult…my…parents…like…tha t!" She yelled angrily at him. She punctuated every remark with a punch.

"Celeste, no!" Petra yelled as she yanked the girl away from Lewis. He was basically bleeding all over his face. Petra immediately led her away from the other people and pushed her to the safety of her locker room.

"Oh dear God, no. What happened?" Rex asked as he tended to Celeste's bloody knuckles.

"Gardener insulted Petra and Levi. If you ask me, he had it coming." Uncle Damon answered.

"Damn right, he did. Nobody insults this family or anyone we treat as a part of it." Natalie said. Celeste cringed in pain at the stinging alcohol that hit her knuckles as Rex applied some alcohol to it. Just then, they heard someone knock and Duncan moved to open it. On the other side is a brunette woman with grey eyes, holding a bag with her. She had a badge on her shirt that said 'Doctor'.

"Doctor Michelle Sterling. I'm here to examine if Cassandra Knight is fit to race today." She said. Uncle Damon made a gesture for her to come in. She did so while she pulled a portable X-Ray from her bag. Nowadays, the Doctors who examine the racing participants carry an X-Ray the size of an iPad with them to examine the racer if they refuse to leave their locker rooms.

"Lie down." She ordered. Celeste immediately lied down on the bench while Doctor Sterling ran the X-ray over her body.

"Quite the spectacle you caused out there, Miss Knight." The Doctor pointed out. "Judging from what you did, Gardener would be lucky if he can still race."

"He had coming. And I'm not even through with him yet." She answered.

"How's that?" She asked.

"Let's just say he's going to be my next toy when the Final Lap's battle comes." She answered with a sadistic glint in her eyes.

"As expected from the Black Knight of North Dakota. Sit up." Doctor Sterling ordered as she pulled out a stethoscope from her bag and stuck it underneath Celeste's shirt. The usual breathe in, breathe out procedure was done and the examinations were over. After a while, another knock came to their door. This time, Celeste walked up to the door and opened it. It was the Racing Official that handed them their invitation.

"Yes, what do you want, Mr. Man-in-the-blue-suit?" Celeste asked quite rudely which resulted in a whack in the head from Petra.

"Be nice." She scolded her daughter. Celeste stepped aside and let the 'Man-in-the-blue-suit' in.

"I suppose that's my fault. You have a knack for naming things, Miss Knight. I'm David Winchester. I'm here to explain to you the track and how this race would go."

"Oh, that. Well, get on with it then." Celeste said. Winchester immediately showed them a holomap of the Santa Monica track. It was quite long. At first you'd have to go through a stretch, then the zone called 'Spiral to heaven', then the zigzag zone called 'Drift Lane', then the 'Spiral to Hell', after that comes the 'Water Zone' where you'd have little to Zero visibility and you'll only be guided by GPS thanks to the long artificial waterfall before another stretch that would take you back to the starting point. There was a stop zone in between the 'Spiral to Hell' and the 'Water Zone' though. No doubt the arena where she has to battle other people.

"So, the Santa Monica track; first you'll obviously go through the stretch which would lead you to the 'Spiral to Heaven'. You'd have to keep your speed or faster or else it would be hard to recover from if something happens to you. It could cost you your position. Once you're out there, it'll take you to 'Drift Lane'. You'd have to be mindful or it could result in a crash. We suggest slowing down at drift points." Winchester explained and Celeste snorted.

"Been there." She muttered. Her first crash happened in Drift Lane at the 2nd lap. The glass shard from her car's windshield gave her the scar in her collarbone. Petra and Levi looked at her with questioning looks in their faces. Celeste only pointed at the area where the collarbone scar was.

"After 'Drift Lane' is the 'Spiral to Hell'. Again, you'd have to keep your speed for this one. After that is the Arena. You'd have to take down 8 people in the first lap, 8 in the second and 7 in third to keep the race going but since the rules have changed, you can take down the last 8 in the third lap for a guaranteed win. After fighting, you and other racers would have to go through the 'Water Zone'. Please, be careful and follow the GPS. We don't want a repeat of what happened when you were 12." Winchester said. When Celeste was 12, she almost fell off the 'Water Zone' in the 1st lap for not following the GPS. How the hell was she supposed to know that the area didn't have any railings whatsoever?

"After that is another stretch that would take you back to the starting point. And…I guess that's it. After that, you'd just have to repeat the process twice." He added.

"Yeah, got it; Race like there's no tomorrow, get to first place, take down 8 people before anyone else and get back to the starting point while still in first place. Rinse and Repeat, got it." Celeste said with a poker face. With a nod, Winchester left the room with the holomap. They remained in the Locker room, watching TV until the bells rang.

"Uh-oh…the bells are ringing. It's a signal to get your shit done. Duncan, Rex, help me get the hover car to Celeste's area." Uncle Damon said. The three boys left while Celeste donned her gloves and her black leather jacket and zipped it up.

"You actually went through with putting the Legion emblem on it." Levi pointed out.

"Of course. I'd proudly bear this wherever I go." She said as she grabbed her helmet. Aunt Natalie was waiting outside with the kids.

"Be careful out there, Celeste." Petra said as she patted her head.

"I will. Don't worry about me. I haven't gone this far to die now." She said with a small smile.

"Show them the power of the Scouting Legion." Levi said and Celeste nodded.

"Listen, stay close to the others alright. No one should bother you as long as you guys are with them." Celeste said and they nodded before hugging her.

"I'll be back, mom. Don't worry." She said as they separated. After that, they walked out of the room and went their separate ways.

Celeste walked up to her Uncle and cousins just as they finished final preparations on her car. It was a bit overwhelming; the people were cheering for her. Millions were expecting her to win.

"Hey, everything alright?" She asked them.

"Yeah. Be careful, Celeste. This is your first Brawl Race. Don't cock it up." Uncle Damon warned her. Celeste chuckled and nodded. The three boys pulled her into a hug before walking away and heading up to the Knight Family's booth. Celeste donned her helmet and got on the car. From where she was sitting, she can see the nervous look on her mother's face.

"Celeste?" She heard Uncle Damon call for her. Her helmet had a built in headset so she can speak to her Uncle when he has to give her warnings.

"Yeah?" She replied as she started her engine.

"You doing okay? You seem nervous." Damon said.

"I'm fine. I'm sure this'll be just like riding a bike." She replied. She had every reason to be nervous. It's her first time back in the tracks after nearly 4 years.

"START YOUR ENGINES!" The commentator announced just as a floating traffic light appeared in front of them. When it turned green, Celeste immediately stepped on it, gaining 2nd place almost immediately.

"And they're off. Michael Bennett of Bennett Motors is on the lead, followed by Cassandra Knight and Lewis Gardener!" The commentator announced. Celeste focused all that she's got on overtaking Bennett.

'This guy must be new. I've never heard of a Michael Bennett before.' She thought.

"Uncle, what do you got on Michael Bennett?" She asked as she was neck and neck with the guy.

"Well, he's new. He's Rex's rival. The Blue Lion of New York." He answered.

"New guy, huh? Should be easy to beat." She decided. While you can't take out people on the tracks if you're on a Brawl Race, it is possible to slow them down. With that said, Celeste immediately bumped him hard against the wall and overtook him just as they got to the Spiral to Heaven.

"Cassandra Knight just overtook Michael Bennett and is now dominating the 'Spiral to Heaven'." The commentator announced. Once she was a bit far off from them, she turned around and put her car on Reverse. That way, she was still going up the Spiral to Heaven. Just in backwards.

"It seems like Cassandra Knight is taunting the other racers. Look at her go even on Reverse." A commentator said.

"Celeste, what the fuck are you doing?" Damon asked her.

"Oh…you know, showing the people something new." She replied with a smirk.

"Well, you might want to cut that out because you're approaching 'Drift Lane'." He answered. Celeste put her car back to normal and faced front just as she got to 'Drift Lane'.

"Now, we all know what happened to Cassandra Knight at 'Drift Lane' when she was 12, right?" One of the Commentators said.

"That's right. She crashed and was hospitalized for a week and gained an ugly scar on her collarbone. Let's see how she fares now." The other commentator answered. Celeste went through 'Drift Lane' in a breeze. She almost crashed at one point but pulled through, nonetheless.

"Cassandra Knight makes it past the 'Drift Lane'! That's pretty impressive for someone who never went near the Santa Monica tracks for 7 years after their crash." One of the Commentators yelled.

"Oh, ye of little faith!" She commented as she was entered 'Spiral to Hell'.

"Cassandra Knight is still in first place as she goes through the 'Spiral to Hell'. Even though Michael Bennett is pretty far from her, he's still in 2nd place and that leaves a huge possibility of him catching up to her." A commentator announced. Just then, Celeste stopped at the arena and parked her car.

"Oh, Cassandra Knight is in the Arena. Let's see what tricks she has on her sleeve."

"Celeste, I've put two Beam Sabres under your seat. Use it. I had a feeling you're not used to fighting with one sword." Uncle Damon said. Celeste grabbed it. They had the handles of a normal sword but no blades.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" She asked as she got off her car, not even bothering to take off her helmet. The arena had Pillars around them. She created an ice ladder on one of them and melted it once she perched herself atop of the pillar.

"Press the red button in the middle of the handle." Uncle Damon answered. She did so and they sprouted blue and red blades. Just then, the other racers came and they'd have to wait 30 seconds before fighting can commence. She stood up and saw that none of them even noticed her. They heard a gunshot, signalling that they can make the first move. They were too slow, however, because Celeste used an Ice Slide and did an own variation of her and her father's attack against the Titans. Without a 3DMG to execute it, she had to improvise. 8 fell to her blades. They have special padding that, once torn, would signify their elimination from the race.

"OH! DID YOU PEOPLE SEE THAT? Cassandra Knight moved so fast you can barely see her! It's to be expected from the Black Knight of North Dakota after all!" A commentator yelled out.

"I'll deal with you guys later." She threatened. She saw that Bennett fell to her blade but not Gardener, which is good. Otherwise, she'll lose her toy. She got back in her car and continued driving as fast as she could. She was approaching the 'Water Zone' fast.

"Turn your GPS on, Celeste." Damon warned her. She flipped the switch and the screen by the side showed up.

"I'm ready." She said. "GP, I need a guide to the Santa Monica track's 'Water Zone'."

Once she entered the Water Zone, GP started talking.

"LEFT!" It yelled. Celeste almost shat bricks; her GPS' voice sounded like Rajesh Koothrapali from the Big Bang Theory instructing an aerobics class. She can hear Damon and Duncan snickering from the other side while GP was yelling out directions.

"OH, COME ON! What did you guys do to GP?" She questioned angrily which only made them laugh more.

"Never mind." She replied as she got out of the 'Water Zone'. She turned GP off immediately as she passed the first lap. She went through the previous areas in a breeze. This time, however, Gardener is hot on her heels. Finally, she stopped at the arena once more and like before, she climbed a pillar just as the others stopped. Unfortunately, that didn't leave her any time to melt the ice ladder. 30 seconds wouldn't do it.

"KNIGHT!" Gardener yelled out as he tried to shoot her foot. Celeste created another Ice Slide and started going past them, hitting their paddings. As usual, she left Gardener alive and kept going her way. Rinse and Repeat. Eventually, she got to the third lap but Gardener was catching up on her. Eventually, they all stopped at the arena yet again and waited for the 30 second count to end.

"I got to say, it's an honour to battle the Black Knight of North Dakota." A young racer said as he pulled his machete out. Celeste's face was still covered by her helmet.

"Pleasure to battle all of you as well. Leave Gardener to me, though. I'm still not done with him for insulting my real parents." She warned other 6 racers. Finally the count ended and Celeste immediately moved and slashed their paddings until only she and Gardener were left.

"You know, if I wasn't so pissed at you right now, I'd let you go and let our race continue. But unfortunately for you, you get to be my new toy." Celeste said as she rushed at him. Unfortunately, Gardener had good reflexes because he was able to block her attack.

"Oh, it seems like the outcast of the Knight Family knows some moves." Gardener taunted. With an angry cry, she attacked them.

"Geez, you never learn do you? Anger never gets you anywhere, Knight."

"I never was a fast learner." Celeste answered as she threw him back, forcing him to the ground. She immediately jumped and brought her sabre down on him but he blocked her. Celeste, however, forced her sword down which in turn was forcing his sword down. He, however, kicked her and did the same thing. One of Celeste's sabres was knocked away from her. So, she had to settle for using one. He forced her sabre down on him. She flailed her hand for her other sabre and when she grabbed it, she punched him in the face. When Celeste stood up, he jumped at her. She retaliated by slicing the padding in his right shoulder and both thighs. That signified his elimination.

"Just so you know, beat me or no. Wouldn't have made a difference. I'd still win because of point accumulation." She reminded him before punching him in the face again and again. Once she'd had her fill, she stood up and got back in her car. Once she sped to the finish line, the people were cheering and chanting her name. Taking deep breaths, she took her helmet off. An official helped her to the stage since she was too much in shock to walk up there on her own.

"Cassandra Knight, we proudly hand you this trophy and this invitation to the Semi Finals." Winchester said as he handed her the trophy and the invitation.

"HEY!" She heard someone yell. Turning around, she saw the kids running up to her. With a wide smile, Celeste kneeled down and hugged them.

"That was awesome, Celeste!" Andrew praised her. She stood up and hugged Uncle Damon and Aunt Natalie.

"Raphael and Clara would be proud of you, Celeste. Federico would be too." Aunt Natalie said as they separated. Rex and Duncan hugged her as well. Behind them were Levi and Petra. She approached them and hugged them immediately.

"I told you I'd come back, didn't I?" She told them.

"We never doubted you for a second." Levi answered as they separated.

"Just don't get too much close calls like that next time, alright?" Petra requested and she simply nodded in reply. Cameras flashed and took pictures of the big, happy family.

AN: HOLY SHIT ON HIGH TOILET FITTING FOR A TITAN'S ASS! 4000 FUCKING WORDS? That is the longest I have ever written in my pathetic life! Anyways, here is what the number means:

1 – Knuckle Ups are a type of push ups that…well…obviously, requires you to use your knuckles instead of your hands.

Anyways, that is Chapter XXIX! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and Thanks to those who reviewed and will review!