THE RACE BEGINS!
Sora gasped when he saw the huge crowd filled dome that held the racers. There were fifty racers, but each had a team, and those teams occupied one large circus like tent. Sora saw Cloud, Auron, Cid, and happily, Leon and Yuffie off to the side. He grinned at the sight; Leon waved with a smile, which was a bit out of character.
Parking their bikes, Roxas and Sora ran up to join the group.
With that, the announcer in the center of the group began to speak. Surprisingly, the announcer wasn't some bright and brilliant man with an annoying voice. It was an older woman, a warrior definitely, who was strong despite gray hair and old age. Her face was flawless, though a bit tighter than a young person's.
"The race begins in less than an hour. After my speech, all mechanics shall set up whatever mechanical material is needed for each team, if any is being used." The woman's voice was strong and deep. "Each racer will begin in one hour, and from then on, will travel about the universe. Here are the rules:"
"On each planet there is a checkpoint. These checkpoints must be crossed, and if they aren't your victory will not count. Also, there is a time limit. You have an hour to complete one circuit, and when you begin your second circuit, you have forty five minutes. The second circuit is different than the first, and travels in different worlds."
"If you break down, you must teleport off the field immediately, and return back to the race as soon as possible."
"Killing one another is not allowed." Many groans came from the crowd. "Any injuries sustained that would be life threatening, the person who would have received the blow will be teleported away before hand, and disqualified from the race. Understood?" The woman implored, her intimidating gaze scanning the crowd.
"I also have reason to believe a powerful weapon is going to be used during this race. I will not name the being, but whoever is fighting with the keyblade must know that the keyblades worldly abilities are off limits." Sora grumbled along with Roxas. Leon chuckled. Many murmurs came from the crowd at the mention of the keyblade.
"Now that all the rules have been stated, mechanics may commence preparations." Cid grinned, flexed his arm and punched his open palm and then headed down to the bikes. Many others in the crowd left. Across the way, Sora's eyes fell on the man in red, Alucard. He didn't have a mechanic.
"What's vampire dude using, I wonder?" Sora whispered to Roxas.
"Not an onion, that's for sure." Roxas stifled a laugh, remembering Cid and the "garlic". Sora guffawed.
"And now we wait." Cloud muttered. Auron chuckled.
"Do the kids know you're participating?" Cloud shook his head.
"They will soon enough." He laughed.
Demyx happily munched on his popcorn. This was great.
He had front row seats in the boxes next to the Shadow Realm World racetrack. In only a matter of hours, Sora and Roxas and their competitors would zoom past, and before and after Demyx could watch the screen.
By his side Mokuba walked, fiddling with his new whistle around his neck. He had a bag of M&M's (I DON'T OWN! DON'T KILL ME) and was munching away.
Mokuba grinned when the two came to their box.
"Come on! I want you to meet some friends of mine!" Mokuba smiled, tugging Demyx by the hand behind him.
Holding his popcorn to his chest, Demyx followed Mokuba into the box and looked the new people over.
"That over there is Otogi." Mokuba introduced. He pointed to the back corner. A man with bright vivid green eyes and black hair smiled at him. He was the type women would swoon over. His hair hung in a tight ponytail under his headband, and his clothing said: Womanizer! But he seemed kind really.
"This is Anzu, Yuugi's friend." Mokuba pointed to a girl with kind brown eyes and short brown hair. Really, she wasn't overly anything, but was intimidating in a weird kind of way…
"You know Mai, Jounouchi, Yuugi, and them." Mokuba said. "That's Shizuka, Jounouchi's little sister, and Honda, his buddy." Shizuka had long auburn hair and shy eyes, and seemed very gentle. Honda had spiky (lol) brown hair, and seemed rough, intimidating, and brotherly. "And of course", Mokuba continued. "That's Marasu-chan, my baby sister." Mokuba smiled.
"You mean babysitter?" Marasu chimed playfully. Mokuba grinned.
"Nope." He responded happily. Marasu sighed sarcastically when Demyx and Mokuba sat down beside her. Seto was on Marasu's other side, ignoring everyone.
"So, we know Roxas, but what about this Sora guy?" Marasu asked Demyx. The others sitting ahead of them turned to them, which included Mai, Jounouchi and Otogi.
"Sora and Roxas…" Demyx grinned reverently.
"Are practically the same person."
"Well, now we wait." Sora sighed, sliding down in his seat. Roxas sighed with him, both staring at the ceiling. Cloud had stalked off, Leon was down talking with some people, and Auron was no where to be seen.
"This is so boring." Roxas yelled, not to loudly, but full of annoyance.
Someone near them laughed.
Sora looked up and screeched, latching onto Roxas' arm. The man near them laughed.
It was the man in red; Alucard.
"Where's Cid's onion?" Sora joked. Roxas smacked him.
Now that they were near him, they could get a better look at him. He was quite beautiful, inhumanly, with perfect facial features on his pale skin. Beneath his wide brim red hat and beneath pale yellow glasses were glowing red eyes that pierced the soul and shone with amusement. His clothing, under the red jacket, was a suit, with a red bowtie about his strong neck. Slim and muscular, he was the epitome of what would be called "dark beauty". His fanged, amused grin was pearly white.
"Hello there." He chimed voice deep and sexual. Sora gulped.
"Hi." Both boys said, both quite quietly. Alucard motioned to the empty seat next to them.
"May I join you?" His eyes were glinting with some foreign emotion. Sora nodded fearfully as the man gracefully sat down.
"So your one of our opponents?" Roxas asked, trying to calm himself. The man nodded.
"And who are you children?" Sora was calm now, and he smiled slightly.
"Sora. And this is…"
"His brother." Roxas started. He and Sora looked at each other, and Sora nodded.
"My brother, Roxas." Sora continued.
"A brother who just happens to have an anagram of your name?" Alucard implied curiously.
"We had odd parents." Roxas covered. Though he didn't show it on his face, Sora cheered in his mind.
Way to go, "brother"!
"Well, my name just happens to be an anagram of the name of an ancient vampire who is known as the king of his kind." Every one of Alucard's words where filled with taunting. He was playing with them. Sora shuddered.
"Wait a minute…" Roxas looked stunned, and gulped. "Dracula?" Alucard nodded reverently and grinned vilely. He seemed glad he had freaked the kids out.
Roxas turned face forward with Sora and neither attempted to say anything for the rest of the waiting period.
Finally, the loudspeaker came on, and beckoned all racers to the track. Anxious and excited, Roxas and Sora forgot the vampire by their side for the moment. Until the vampire moved. He most definitely could have moved without a sound, but it seemed he tried to make a sound to catch their attention.
"Good luck, boys." He smirked.
For the first time, Sora looked Alucard in the eyes. He found the man had kindness deep, deep down in those red eyes. He smiled.
"We'll see you at the finish line!" Sora cheered. Alucard laughed.
"I think we'll meet before then!" Roxas smiled a little, and both Alucard and Sora laughed. When Alucard left, Roxas looked back to Sora apprehensively. Sora shrugged, chuckling.
"Not so bad, huh?"
The lights were blinding, the screams deafening, but it was truly enthralling. Sora was thrilled to be a part of this, even if he wasn't truly there for the race. Roxas looked awed, silent, but his eyes glittering as he scanned the area.
All the people from the tent were sauntering down the inclined and large path between two tall stands of onlookers. The fans cheered, waving, screaming, holding signs, and waving banners. The spotlights shone through the brilliance of the stars.
"Still doubt yourself?" Roxas muttered over the screams. A surge of energy flowed through Sora.
"Not in the least." He cried. Roxas grinned slightly.
The track was formidable, enormous, and giving wide berth between the stands on one side and the stands on the other. The stands themselves seemed to go on for miles, twisting with the track, but after a while the long road was all that was there. It seemed to lift off the planet Monde Race and disappear into the stars. Sora figured it led to the next planet.
Looking below, Sora saw that the track was full of people, mechanics, and teammates rushing to and fro to prepare for the race. Cid was working with Leon animatedly on the bikes, yelling and screaming over the crowd. Also, Auron was helping work on a third bike, and Sora had no clue who owned it.
"Who owns that third bike?" Sora implored to Roxas as they neared the track.
"You don't think… Cloud…?" Roxas left his sentence in the air as the two boys stared blankly at one another. Then, at once, they spoke.
"We're screwed."
Cloud, only feet ahead of them but unseen by the kids, laughed.
Now all the racers were on the track. Sora could see the odd array of racing vehicles. Some were bikes, some were cars, some were flying machines of some sort, but most seemed to be using magic of some kind to fly. With a chuckle, Sora acknowledged a green and yellow flying carpet that could only barely fit through Merlin's front door it was so large.
Once the group began separating and Sora, Roxas, and Cloud went to their bikes did all three boys finally feel the true rush of what was about to happen. They were racing across the entire universe against some of the universe's best. Sora leapt into the air over his bike, whooping, and with a grin Roxas did the same.
"Do it for luck, Cloud!" Sora pressed. Cloud's eyes twitched.
"I think I'll pass." Roxas grinned. Auron was behind Cloud, inching closer.
Discreetly, Auron pushed Cloud's back – hard. Cloud toppled over the bike, flipping to land on his feet, but still hitting his head when he had tripped into the bike. The boys cheered as the older men laughed.
"See, Cloud!" Roxas yelled. "Not so hard!" Cloud chuckled, glaring half heartedly at Auron. The older man had a smug grin on his face.
Suddenly, an enormous boom erupted into the air, feeding the crowd as they grew louder. When that boom occurred, Auron and Cid leapt up, along with all the other teammates on the track, all rushing to the large bar behind the racers that housed the equipment. Leon stayed behind momentarily.
"Here." He handed both boys helmets that were small and slick, with no Velcro, but so tight they wouldn't budge. Then he threw the two gloves and the keys to their bikes.
"Good luck." As he left, he ruffled both boy's hair, and when he passed Cloud, the two clapped hands. Cloud looked funny with a helmet on. So did Sora.
Taking the boom as the signal to get ready, Sora slid onto his enormous bike, Enlightened Lost Soul. Roxas was already on his Angel that Flies on Wings of Death. Sora laughed when he heard Roxas call it The Death Angel. It reminded him of Sephiroth, and Roxas knew what he was thinking. He laughed too.
Behind them, Cloud found no irony in the bike being named in Sephiroth's likeness. But then, he knew what the children didn't.
Sephiroth was in the race.
Pulling the goggles on their helmets over their eyes, Sora and Roxas looked to each other. Sora held out his fists.
"Where I come from, when you're close friends, you do something like this." Sora instructed, keeping his fist out. "You have a sort of secret handshake." Roxas blinked, examining Sora's hand like it was a foreign object. Sora laughed.
Finally, Roxas stuck his fist out. Using their weird little "I am your other" connection in their minds, Sora showed Roxas what to do. The boy grinned.
The two hit their fists on the top, and then the bottom, then against the fingers, broke their fists and wiggled their fingers against one another's laughing all the way.
Suddenly, the gigantic boards above the stands began flashing. The number that it was flashing was 60. It was counting down the seconds until the race.
"So. We're about to race around the universe. Against him –" Roxas nodded towards Cloud. "Him –" he nodded in the opposite direction towards Alucard. "And who knows who else."
"Not to mention Sephiroth." Both boys spun around in fright. Cloud smirked. The color drained from their faces. Both turned around blandly.
"We are going to race against a guy named after Dracula, the Angel of Death, and Cloud Strife." Sora murmured. Roxas sighed terribly heavily.
"We are dead." He mumbled. The countdown was to 45.
Sora smiled.
"We'll lose with laughter. We'll kick their asses – all of them." Sora cheered grinning. Roxas smiled.
"You contradicted yourself –"
"No, I did not." Sora quickly interrupted. "We will win." He nodded determined.
"Remember, it won't be us at the finish line." Roxas smiled. "It will be one of us." Sora grinned challengingly.
"Definitely."
The seconds were down to 34. The crowd was counting down as well.
"SORA!" A female voice called. A couple male voices were behind hers. "ROXAS!" A man called. "KIDDOS!" The same man called. "THAT MEANS YOU, CLOUD!"
Both boys turned, and Cloud did as well.
Far behind them under the safety of the belt that held the teams was the largest team on the line. It consisted of the Radiant Garden Restoration Committee and its special members. Demyx and Axel were the only ones not present, but down in his soaring heart Sora knew they were watching.
The group was making such noise that the other racers were asking things, like "Who are they?" "What team are they on?" "What are they doing?" "What losers." "Who do they think they are?" With conviction from seeing her, Kairi, at the front cheering for him, Sora stood up on the bike.
"'They' are the Radiant Garden Restoration Committee!" Leon beamed with pride behind his cold façade. "And you can shut up about insulting them! You have no idea what they've done for everyone! They'll beat anyone here!" At the belt, Leon shook his head. But the rest of the members seemed to agree with Sora. Kairi whooped.
Roxas stood as well.
"The Radiant Garden Restoration Committee! Boo-yah!" Roxas looked to Cloud. "Come on, Cloud!" The blonde smirked, and surprisingly stood on his bike. He yelled to the crowd as the countdown became 15.
"THE RADIANT GARDEN RESTORATION COMMITTEE WILL LEAVE WITH THE GLORY!" Cloud cheered, thrusting his fist in the air. Sora and Roxas cheered, and the group behind them grew louder. When the countdown began at nine, the three leapt down and prepared themselves.
In the sky, hidden, a man with silver hair chuckled. Down below, a certain vampire was cackling in amusement.
The crowd shouted even louder. Far away, on a distant planet, a certain mullet boy was yelling with his friends from a foreign world.
"8… 7… 6…"
Even farther away, a redhead, in his mind's eye, watched the race. And he cheered as loud as he could.
"5… 4…"
Hidden in the crowd, a man unknown smiled.
"2… 1!"
The race began.
Sora's engine burst into life as the noise of the other racers became deafening. The lights were a blur when he burst forward like a rocket screaming in excitement. The first bend was bliss when he realized he had to turn – if Roxas hadn't told him, he would have flew off the end. With a screech, he turned back to the track.
The three boys were in the middle of the race – Alucard was in the very back. As for Sephiroth, he couldn't be seen.
Sora couldn't believe the rush, the bliss – he had expected it, but it was purely amazing. Swirling in his blood like wildfire, lighting fire in his mind. This was enthralling.
All of a sudden, Sora was thrown from his reverie as another race smashed into his bike and threw him against Roxas. The racer was burst into the air by whatever magic had hit him, and his bike slammed into the track, screeching and taking down other bikes with him. While the riders were immediately teleported back to the stands, the bikes exploded into a brilliant tribute of the might of flame.
"Seven down." Cloud's analytical look at the race didn't surprise Sora in the least. What surprised him was Sora found he was thinking in the same way.
Roxas pushed Sora's bike so that the two were apart again, and Sora thanked him. Soon enough, the two looked ahead, and past the flames of two more riders disappearing –
"Nine down." Cloud stated.
- was a bright light of brilliant style that had to be the first portal to the next world.
"Here it comes!" Roxas cheered as the roar of engines and a burst of energy blocked the sound out. The light blinded him, and Sora had to close his eyes.
Once the sound of the tires slamming the pavement came to his ears, and he felt his bike hit, Sora opened his eyes to the world around him.
A name came across his mind.
(Peoples, the worlds don't matter. I'll use some from KH, but really I'll use anime and stuff. It doesn't matter if you know it; the race is all that matters.)
Cybertron.
(Transformers Nerd! Sorry!)
Tall buildings, terribly tall, stood everywhere, breaking the skyline that was star filled. Auron was right; the track was invisible, and the only way Sora knew where to go was by following the crowd. Amongst the amazing technology were tall robotic beings who didn't seem able to see the race.
Suddenly the people ahead of him curved upward as the track bent, and Sora felt gravity send his stomach far down. He screamed as the curve spun about and twisted, and somehow the gravity bending accelerated his speeding bike, and he almost ran into people. Someone behind him flew off of the track.
"Ten gone." Cloud shrugged.