Ms. Brannigan smiled awkwardly.

Ms. Brannigan: Oh, hello guys.

Coop looked at Kyle in disbelief. Then Ms. Brannigan handed Kyle a pink, glittery bracelet.

Ms. Brannigan: You always wear this before the big competitions, you say it brings you luck.

Laughter from the other competitors could be heard. Though Coop wanted to laugh as well, he was too shocked to manage it.

Kyle: Alright, give it to me! – he snatched the bracelet from his mom's hand and stuffed it into his pocket.

Coop stared at them in astonishment.

Coop: Your mom is Ms. Brannigan?

Kyle: Yeah, and my dad is Matthew Dustin, the movie producer. Why, what's up?

Coop's mind was racing to process it.

Coop: (in his thoughts) This is too much. First, I find out he partied with Fiona, then he brought Millie and Mr. Kat onto his team. And now this? Could we really become step-siblings in the future? Oh no! Please, no! I don't need Kyle Dustin in the family on top of Mr. Kat!

Coop: But… but Ms. Brannigan is dating my dad.

Kyle: What? Mom, is that true?

Ms. Brannigan looked at them awkwardly.

Ms. Brannigan: I'm sorry, son. You know, after your father cheated on me, it was hard to start dating again. I didn't want to say anything until I was sure.

Kyle: And the fact that Dad cheated gives you the right to keep secrets from me? First the bracelet, now this. What's next? Are you going to tell me you secretly adopted a monkey?

Coop, Dennis, and Fiona stepped aside to avoid standing in the middle of the unfolding drama. As they watched the scene, Dennis quietly whispered to Coop.

Dennis: No wonder she's got nerve with us. Looks like she's got problems at home, too.

Coop nodded, though he was still staring at Kyle and Ms. Brannigan in shock. He never thought his life could get more tangled than it already was.

Ms. Brannigan awkwardly tried to continue, sensing the situation was becoming more tense.

Ms. Brannigan: Look, son, I wanted to tell you... I just needed time to be sure about this relationship.

Kyle, still glaring at his mother in anger, let out a sigh and raised his hand, signaling that he didn't want to hear more.

Kyle: Whatever, we'll talk about it after the competition.

He said sharply, then turned away to rejoin his teammates. Ms. Brannigan's face tightened with pain; it was clear she wanted to say more but respected her son's request. She cast a confused glance at the trio.

Ms. Brannigan: Well, good luck with the competition!

As Coop's mind raced, a crazy idea suddenly hit him: he needed to bring his mom back into their lives. It was the only way to stop him and Kyle from becoming step brothers. Coop quickly made up his mind and started to head toward his dad, but Dennis stepped in front of him, stopping him.

Dennis: Coop, where are you going?

Coop looked at his friend with determination.

Coop: I have to tell my dad.

Dennis and Fiona furrowed their brows.

Dennis: Tell him what?

Coop glanced around, then lowered his voice so only Dennis and Fiona could hear him.

Coop: The truth, you know... about my mom. Maybe that way I can stop Kyle and me from becoming step brothers.

Fiona: Yeah, Coop, he does need to know eventually, but this isn't the right time. You should be focusing on the competition now.

Dennis: What? And you think telling him will fix everything?

Coop sighed, feeling like his friends didn't fully understand.

Coop: I don't know, guys. But if Dad knew Mom was still alive and that she's a secret agent, he might think differently about things. He might not keep dating Ms. Brannigan if he knew the truth.

Dennis, now speaking in a stricter tone but still trying to reason calmly, responded.

Dennis: Look, Coop, I get that this is a lot of pressure, but there's no need to worry yet. They're not even married, and your dad hasn't even proposed to Ms. Brannigan.

Coop: Exactly, Dennis! That's why he has to know before he does. I can't let things get more serious without Dad knowing about Mom!

With that, Coop hurriedly skated off toward his dad. He spotted his father among the spectators, chatting with some acquaintances, but as soon as Coop approached, Burt's attention immediately shifted to him, and he turned toward his son with a smile.

Coop: Dad!

Burt: What's up, Sport? You look nervous. It's totally normal.

Coop hesitated for a moment, but he knew he had to say it.

Coop: Dad, I need to tell you something. That secret agent woman who kidnapped Mr. Kat once she's actually…

Burt's eyes narrowed in curiosity as he looked at his son, waiting for Coop to finish, but just then, the loudspeaker came on.

Announcer: Attention, attention! All competitors, please make your way to the starting line. The race is about to begin!

Burt patted Coop on the shoulder.

Burt: Looks like we don't have time for this talk right now, son! The race is starting. But don't worry, whatever it is, we'll talk about it later, okay?

Coop: But Dad, this is important! You might not believe it either, but you need to know!

Burt: I know it's important, Sport, and we'll talk, but right now, focus on the race, and afterward, I'll listen to you, alright?

Coop sighed deeply but finally nodded.

Coop: Okay, Dad.

The crowd of competitors started moving toward the starting line, and Coop followed, though the thought of telling his dad the truth still weighed heavily on him.

As he returned to the starting line, Coop tried to push the thoughts aside and focus on the raAfter Coop left, Burt reflected on what his son had said. Although he knew Coop had a vivid imagination, something felt different this time.

Burt: Why mention this now?
He pondered to himself. Just then, Ms. Brannigan approached and gently touched his arm, looking deeply into his eyes.

Ms. Brannigan: Is everything okay?

Burt wavered in his thoughts for a moment but quickly regained his usual positive attitude and smiled.

Burt: Yeah, yeah, everything's fine. Coop just seems a bit nervous, but you know how he is—he tends to over-focus.

Ms. Brannigan nodded, raising an eyebrow.

Ms. Brannigan: Yes, Coop has always been very determined.

Burt: And how are things with you and Kyle? Did you give him the lucky bracelet?

Ms. Brannigan: Yes, I gave it to him, but he wasn't too excited about it. I guess it's just teenage pride.

Burt: Yeah, as teenagers, they think they know everything. But you know what? I think deep down, he appreciates it. He might not show it now, but I'm sure that bracelet means something to him.

Ms. Brannigan felt a bit relieved as Burt's words put her more at ease.

Ms. Brannigan: I hope you're right. Sometimes I feel like he's drifting away from me, but maybe that's just part of growing up.

Burt smiled at Ms. Brannigan.

Burt: Teenagers are like that, but I believe they always come back to us eventually it just takes patience.

Ms. Brannigan nodded gratefully and then asked,

Ms. Brannigan: And what about Coop? What did he want to tell you?

Burt paused for a moment before answering.

Burt: I'm not sure. Something about a secret agent... maybe another adventure with Mr. Kat. But I'm sure he'll tell me once he calms down after the race.

Ms. Brannigan laughed lightly, then remarked,

Ms. Brannigan: That boy is full of surprises, isn't he?

Burt smiled, but deep down he still felt that Coop might have had something more serious on his mind.


When Coop returned, Fiona and Dennis tried to read his expression to see how the conversation with Burt had gone, but Coop's face gave nothing away. Fiona gently asked,

Fiona: Did everything go okay?

Coop shook his head.

Coop: No, I didn't get to tell him.

As the race started in the square in front of City Hall, the night's darkness settled in, and every competitor waited in tense anticipation to begin the long and challenging course. The grand façade of City Hall loomed above them, and the racers were prepared for a quick start. However, before they could begin, they were faced with a puzzle.

A large, antique-style column stood in the middle of the square, featuring a glowing display with the following text flashing on it:

Dennis: "The key lies in the history of City Hall. Choose the correct date, and the path will open."

Below the display were three buttons, each labeled with a different year.

Dennis: A: 1887, B: 1920, C: 1954.

The racers all paused in front of the display, discussing the puzzle.

Fiona: Okay, guys, this is the first challenge. We probably need to figure out when City Hall was built.

Dennis pulled out a flashlight and shone it on the façade of City Hall, where a small inscription was hidden.

Dennis: (excitedly) Look, there's something here!

They moved closer to read the inscription.

Coop: This is it! 1887 is the correct answer.

Fiona quickly stepped up to the display and pressed the "A" button. For a moment, there was silence, and then faint lights illuminated the column, indicating they had answered correctly. The column rose, revealing the first path, which led toward Main Street.

The team quickly jumped onto their skateboards and headed down Main Street, where their next challenge awaited: navigating the traffic.

As they turned out from the square behind City Hall, Main Street stretched wide and straight but was packed with slowly moving cars in the evening traffic. Coop quickly assessed the situation.

Coop: Remember what we talked about! Let's use the 'carve' technique to dodge the cars quickly and safely.

Coop expertly weaved around the first car. Fiona followed smoothly, shifting direction from one side to the other as her board glided effortlessly between the vehicles. Dennis, though a bit slower, carefully mirrored their movements and successfully made his way through the busy street.

As Coop, Fiona, and Dennis continued to race through the congested streets, Coop couldn't shake what he had just learned about Kyle. After rounding a corner, Coop leaned in closer to Fiona while they skillfully dodged a parked car.

Coop: Hey, Fiona, did you know Kyle is Ms. Brannigan's son?

Fiona: No, I had no idea. I only know his dad, but I really didn't know Ms. Brannigan was his mom. Kyle's parents split up a long time ago, and… he never mentioned his mom.

Coop tried to piece things together in his mind.

Coop: And how do you know Kyle and his dad?