*Adam POV*

After we got back from the arena, me, Eva and Jordan got to work to salvage as many parts as we could. With their help I started the left reactor so we're somewhere on a good way to build Wheezing Arrow III. Better, faster, stronger and much safer than Arrow II. While I was in the process of getting the turret out, Koji and Stan showed up... with a lot of Scrub mechanics and a barge full of parts. We instantly got to work on the frame, engines and basic wiring. We spent all day and half of night, but Arrow III started to look like a star racer and not a mess of metal, wires and hoses.

Stan: "Add two welding points to that flap over there" he instructs one Scrub. Koji meanwhile stands on the reactor, checking wiring and systems

Koji: "We're okay here, check the other side" I'm working on new and improved hyper drive with booster drive to add some more speed

Adam: "Careful now, we can't drop this" I help one Scrub helping me out with it "Okay, thanks. I will wire this one, you wire the second one and then we install the rest" he nods and goes to work and so do I. Eva meanwhile installs the turbines in those boosters we already installed. Jordan and another Scrub gets the turbo for the reactors up, but when they got it in their hands, they stumble, only for Rick to help them out. Everyone runs from one place to another, carrying pipes, cables, tightening bolts or connecting hoses and doing diagnostics (*ekhm* Koji *ekhm*). Then Don shows up and looks at our work

Don: "You're not repairing the Wheezing Arrow. You're building a new one

Stan: "We designed those updates when we were still working at Miguel's. And then we forgot about it" Koji gets near them

Koji: "If we had known about these Scrub mechanics we would've done it right away"

Don: "You'd better be right. Our last chance to qualify for Oban starts in just a few hours"

Adam: "Don't worry boss. Everything is going the right way"

Koji: "Adam, have you checked the temp sensors on booster drive?"

Adam: "Yeah, I just have the last one to connect right here" I point to where... Satis and Don are talking. He gives Don a scroll. Our manager takes it and gets up to his office "Hey Satis, you're here to help too?" I joke

Satis: "OH, hello there young Adam. You're having a quite party here"

Adam: "You can say that again. So, what brings you here?"

Satis: "I had to deliver a document for your team. Everything you've to know is there"

Adam: "Don will tell us later. Sorry, but I already wasted too much time. As you can see" I point my thumb behind to the Wheezing Arrow III "We have some work to do. See yo-Satis?" he disappeared "Geez, I need to know how he did that" I shrug and get to work on our last booster drive. After that is done I got to work on the rest of the wiring, making me an electrician for the project. Good thing those Scrubs don't have bones and could easily pass some of the wires in some tight spots. Later, after testing each system, repairs if anything went faulty and filling the Arrow with fluids we started to install armor. We worked till sunrise, but she is finally here. The Wheezing Arrow III, with a brand new small pink angry rabbit's head on the left reactor, and a skull on the right one, the work of me and Eva. We all stand proudly before her

Stan: "Isn't she beautiful?" he pumps his fist "Stronger, faster, safer"

Koji: "The Wheezing Arrow III"

Adam: "*yawn* Yeah, it's another thing I can add to my CV in the future *yawn*"

Eva: "Why're you so sleepy?"

Adam: "Two hours of sleep last night and a sleepless night now"

Rick: "A brand new ship" he looks at me, Eva "For brand new champions" Koji and Stan go to thank the Scrubs for their help, while I sit near the wall, totally exhausted. Then Don walks down from his office.

Jordan: "Well sir, what's the verdict?" Don takes a look at Arrow III, but something more important is on his mind

Don: "Yeah, looks great" he stops in front of Arrow III and we all gather in front of him "I have the name of our next adversary. We're up against Colonel Toros" we get shocked by the news

Adam: "Great *yawn*"

Jordan: "But he's never lost a race! Ever..." Eva crosses her arms and looks at the ground

Eva: "And he nearly crushed us to a pancake last time"

Don: "This team has improved tremendously since we lost to Toros" He looks at us, as we don't believe his words and I yawn in the meanwhile "Check the tanks and run the final checks! We'll be called at any moment now!" he pointed at Stan and Koji, as they snap to attention

Stan: "Yes, sir!"

Koji: "We're on it" they run off and Jordan turns to me

Jordan: "Uhh, after you, teammate" I yawn and open my eyes

Adam: "Huh? What?"

Don: "Adam, what's wrong with you?"

Adam: "I will be fine, I need to take a na-zzz" Jordan elbows my side "Oh! Sorry, I spend two nights in search for parts" Don growls

Don: "Just great. Molly, you're up. Adam, go to sleep and when you wake up get to the control room. Move it, people"

Jordan: "Ladies first" he gestures to Arrow III and they walk towards it, soon boarding up

Adam: "Everything will be alright *yawn* Molly. Show him our ace in the sleeve" She nods and closes the cockpit "Jordan" He turns to me before entering the turret "Keep her safe or I will kick your *yawn* ass"

Jordan: "You got it bud" he gives me a thumbs up and gets inside the turret

Don: "Remember" he turns around "To rank among the top three teams and qualify for Oban, we must beat Toros, at all costs!"

'Heh, she will do everything she can to win. She set her goal on the Ultimate Prize to resurrect Maya. And nothing stands between her and her goal, not even a Crog' We get out of the way and Eva starts Arrow III. She flies out of the hangar and towards the arena

Adam: "Well. Better get some coffee. There is no *yawn* way I will miss it"

Rick: "You sure, kid? You look like you're gonna pass out"

Adam: "Yeah, I'm sure" Don leave us alone, going up to the control room "So, you're going back to Earth or are you staying with us *yawn* till the end?"

Rick: "My job here is done, Wolfie. I taught you and Eva everything I know" he ruffles my hair "Racing is over for me. It's time to think about my new life"

Adam: "Why don't you start a racing school? *yawn* You could always train future generation, someone for me and Eva to race against"

Rick: "Hehe. I see you decided about your future already, Adam" I nod

Adam: "Yeah. I will get a degree in engineering, and later become a pilot of a star racer. Maybe Don would give me a promotion to one"

Rick: "Heh, old fox Don. Using every occasion to get the best there are. Well, if you're really decided for it, then you got yourself your first fan" he smirks "I will be sure to cheer on you and Little Mouse then" he starts walking towards the control room "But right now, we need to get you all to Oban. Come on, Adam" On my way there, I get myself a cup of coffee, sit down on my seat and open up a new interface for Arrow III by Koji.

Adam: "Stan, Koji, in close, how fast is Arrow III?"

Koji: "With hyperdrive and booster drive?" I nod "About 1,5 - 1,7k km/h"

Adam: "Wow... So we win this... but is the booster drive ready?"

Stan: "We haven't tested it, so we can't say for sure"

'Hmm... I think it's fine. I will give Eva acces anyway' I smile and Eva enters the arena

Koji: "How's she feel?"

Eva: "The steering is a little stiff, but I'll get used to it"

Judge: "Now, we call forth Toros!" Toros' trident drifted into the arena to stop beside Arrow III. Its design changed, as those spikes appeared on its blades. Soon the gate drops and both Eva and Toros speed forward. They go around first turn with Eva taking it a little too wide, scraping the side of the track

Don: "Molly, what's wrong?"

Eva: "It's a new Star-racer. Let me get used to it"

Adam: "Get your time, Star"

Eva: "Why're you not asleep?!"

Adam: "I want to watch you beat Toros ass. Come on, you can do it!"

Eva: "Fine. But you'll go get proper sleep afterwards. I'll make sure of that. Love you"

Adam: "Love you too"

Toros pulls ahead, but Eva catches up to him. She tries to pass, but Toros slammed her into the wall. She growls and pulls Arrow back, swings to the other side of the track and tries to pass again. Jordan fires at Toros with everything he has, but Trident moves from side to side and spins around, making it impossible to hit. Not that it would help, its armor would just take it like nothing. Toros drops back, letting Eva and Jordan to take the lead. She instantly floors Arrow and tries to get as far ahead as they can. They come out onto a water channel.

Adam: "Am I the only one having deja-vu?"

Jordan: "Nope. Huh?" He notices a Trident catching up to them. Its blades glowing yellow and crackling "We need some speed, Molly!" He shoots at Toros, only for his lasers to bounce off. When Crog was about to cut Arrow in half again, Eva made it do a barrel roll over the Trident, scratching slightly the armor and doing a little damage. Toros pulls ahead

Eva: "I've learned my lesson, Toros. You can't trick me twice. Stan, Adam, the hyperdrive, is it fixed?"

Adam: "Yup. The same code like before. Better grab onto something. This baby... have more power now" I smirk and Eva meanwhile enters the code. Panels with engines come out of the reactors of Arrow III. Eva presses the last button and they shoot forward "Told ya" I hear grunting of both Eva and Jordan, holding for their dear life

Don: "How can we achieve such speed?"

Koji: "Oh, it was easy, really. We mounted the turbines and clusters. That was my idea. It nearly doubles the capacity"

Adam: "And it's still not everything we got for today"

Eva: "Stan, the fuel levels?"

Stan: "You're still okay. For a bit longer. We also increased the tank capacity" Eva catches up to Toros, but his Trident suddenly puts on a burst of speed and left them in the dust

Eva: "How did that happen? Guys, is there anyway to make this baby go faster?"

Me, Stan and Koji glance at each other

Don: "Well? Yes or no?"

Koji: "Stan, what about the-"

Stan: "Totally out of the question" he turns his chair "The Arrow's hull could break apart under the thrust" Don growls, while we try to think what to do

Eva: "Hello? Toros is getting away!" Stan shakes his head

Stan: "We haven't had a chance to test it. It's just not safe yet" Don puts his hand on Stan's shoulder

Don: "Stan, please do it. We have no other choice"

Rick: "But Don-"

Don: "I assume full responsibility"

Stan: "I do this under protest... Adam" I get near his console and enter the command for booster drive

Adam: "Booster drive enabled. Show him not to mess with you, Molly. The red button on your console"

Eva presses the button and the cockpit gets dimmed in red. Another pair of thrusters emerge from Arrow III reactors, only to soon start, making Arrow III to shoot forward faster than anytime in the past

Stan: "The hull is holding"

Adam: "They're gaining on Toros" I look at the monitor, only to see Arrow III zooms past Trident, leaving him far behind "And now they've taken the lead. Go Star!"

Eva: "How's the fuel now?"

Adam: "You still have plenty of it. Don't worry. Although you can disengage the hyperdrive and booster drive for now. It can overheat"

Eva: "Rodger" she disengages the both as she enters the city part of the track, where Toros could finally catch up a little. He starts firing at Arrow III. They enter the tunnel, where Jordan and Toros start to shoot at each other and when they exit the canyon, Toros hits the turret, filling it with smoke. Soon they exit the canyon and get down the final stretch. Toros shoots off as fast as he can while Eva proceeds to activate the hyperdrive and boosterdrive again.

Eva: "Here goes nothing"

Stan: "You're gonna crash against the temple's wall. You must stop NOW, Molly"

Eva: "I'm not stopping. I know Maya wouldn't have" She tries to overtake Toros, but he blocks her. Both of them are getting closer to the finish line

Rick: "Molly, it's Rick! Stop the booster drives, it's too risky! Molly, do it!"

Eva: "I can't stop yet..."

Adam: "Star... chicken game!"

Rick: "Adam, are you serious?! She'll crash!"

Adam: "No she won't" Toros soon chickened out, pulling back. Eva disengages the hyper and booster drive while crossing the finish line. She slightly turns Arrow to the left and activates brakes letting her to safely lose speed and avoid incoming Trident "Told you all she'll pull it off" I smirk

Stan and Koji: "Yeah, she did it!"

Rick: "Not even I could have pulled that stunt" Eva opens up the cockpit glass

Judge: "The winner is the Earth Team!" a cheering can be heard from the stands

Judge #2: "Toros has five victories, and is therefore qualified for Oban! The Earth Team has three victories, and must therefore wait for the results of the competition between Prince Aikka and Spirit" a sound of booing comes from the stands. I chuckle

Adam: "Seems we have fans"

Judge: "If Prince Aikka wins, the Earth Team will qualify for the finals. A victory for Spirit would create a tie in his favor, and disqualify the Earth Team from Oban"

Jordan: "You've gotta be kidding me"

Adam: "Eva, put me on a speaker" she pressed the button "IT'S A TOTAL BULLSHIT AND EVERYONE KNOWS IT!!!" I then hear Rush voice scream on the entire arena

Rush: "DAMN RIGHT! HUMANS BEAT THE BEST RACER!"

Don: "Now, now, Adam. Calm down. Spirit has beaten us before. In the event of a tie, Spirit would have the advantage over us. He would be the winner" He holds up the scroll "It's all clearly spelled out in these rules. We have to accept it" He walks out of the control room. I decided I should get some sleep before Aikka's race against Spirit. And so I did

*timeskip*

After a nice, refreshing nap, our team got to the arena and sit in the stands. Aikka's race with Spirit is about to start

Jordan: "You know that Aikka will lose this race on purpose so the Crog's can win. Anyway, everyone knows the Nourasians are in the Crog's pocket"

Adam: "Don't go there ever again, Jordan. Or do you want your face shoved into the sand the second time?"

Eva: "Aikka is not like that"

Jordan: "Believe whatever you two want. But I saw them together"

Judge: "We now call forth, Prince Aikka of Nourasia!" We look to the right entrance where G'dar walks in with Aikka on his back. He looks up the stands and look at me and Eva, before looking away"

Adam: "*tsk* And here I thought he would be smarter... Don't do this, Aikka. You're a Nourasian knight, you guys have honor" I glance at Don "Not like some people here"

Judge: "Challenged by Spirit, Ambassador of the Phils" I look around the stands, and see Canaan sitting with Toros

'He's gonna throw this race away! Aikka goddammit!'

Meanwhile, Spirit came and transformed. The gate drops and the race starts. Spirit easily takes the lead and Aikka falls further and further back

Jordan: "Will you look at that? The honest prince is not even pretending to race"

Eva: "It's impossible. Nourasian knights have honor. He won't let us down, right Adam?" she looks at my angry face

Adam: "That's... is still to see" Soon after the race started, Aikka is keeping G'dar, not letting him speed up

'Come on Aikka, we're friends. We stick together'

And then I think I got to him. Patterns on G'dar's shell glow in a bright blue like in my race against him. G'dar speeds up, faster and faster, catching up to Spirit. Eva stands up

Eva: "Huh?" I smirk

Adam: "The honor of Nourasian knight, alright" Aikka loads an arrow, aiming it ahead of Spirit. The tip of it glows in blue and he lets it go. It explodes in front of Spirit, blinding him and making him hit the side of the track and later he falls to the ground. Aikka passes him and crosses the finish line

Judge#3: "The winner is Prince Aikka!" Aikka lands G'dar in the center of the arena, while everyone cheers for him "Those going to Oban are Toros with five victories, Prince Aikka with four and Earth with three" Me and Eva hug each other in excitement

Eva: "We told you he won't let us down!" she points her finger at Jordan

Adam: "Never ever make us repeat ourselves" I smirk. Jordan closes his eyes and smiles

Jordan: "Right, right. You two were right about him. He's okay. And who knows, I may even start to hate him less"

Stan and Koji: "Yeah!"

Adam: "And you know what that means, Star!"

Eva: "We're going to Oban! And since I won our bet 2 to 1-" she smirks while I look away

Adam: "W-What bet? I don't know anything about any bet"

Eva: "Oh no! You won't get out so easily! You have to do what I say for a day"

Adam: "*sigh* Okay, what's your first wish, Princess Molly?"

Eva: "First, you have to stop calling me that. I'm not seven anymore"

Adam: "Okay"

Eva: "Second, since I'm so tired after racing today I demand a piggyback ride to the hangar"

Adam: "*sigh* Hop on" Eva jumps on my back and I start going towards the hangar "Anything else" she leans forward, resting her arms on my hand

Eva: "I have one thing in mind"

Adam: "SurMh" she quickly lean forward and we share a soft kiss

Eva: "This" she giggles. I smile and shake my head

Adam: "Heh, love makes you do stupid things"

Eva: "Like?"

Adam: "Like you, giggling and being all girly"

Eva: "You don't like it when I'm girly?"

Adam: "That's not what I said"

Eva: "But you mean it"

Adam: "We're not starting an argument"

Eva: "What, you wouldn't like to see me in a cute dress?"

Adam: "Eva, drop it"

Eva: "No. I demand you to tell me"

Adam: "*sigh* I would love to see you in a cute, summer dress"

Eva: "See, I knew you couldn't resist" she smirks at me

Adam: "Whatever. You always were a cute girl, Eva"

Eva: "Never ever forget that"

We get back to the hangar and I get her to her room, before going to mine and start packing my stuff. Last but not least I get Maya's poster from the wall and fold it carefully between my notebook and some of the books I got to read in my free time. I check one more time if I got everything

'Clothes, check. Books, check. Tools are in my drawer and they're going together with parts and the rest of the tools in crates. Arrow packed' I look out the windows to see Koji and Stan finishing wrapping her 'Check'

Adam: "I would miss this place, but I bet Oban is more beautiful" Then I hear a knock on my doors and hear Eva

Eva: "Are you busy, Adam? May I come in?" she opens the door "Looks like you're done too. Did you saw Rick?"

Adam: "Rick? No, since we get from the arena I haven't seen him anywhere. Why?"

Eva: "I want to talk with him about training. Since we're going to Oban we will need to train even more"

Adam: "Maybe Koji and Stan saw him. Go ask them, I will get my bags down" she smirks

Eva: "I orde-"

Adam: "And then we'll search for him together. I know our bet is still on until tomorrow, but you don't need to order me to go somewhere with you" she gets embarrassed

Eva: "R-Right. Okay, grab your bags and let's go!" She leaves my room and I grab my bags and walk after her. I get out of the hangar and put my bag near the rest before getting near Stan and Koji

Adam: "You guys packed everything?"

Stan: "Yeah. All we have left is Arrow and we're ready to leave" I nod and then Eva comes with her bag. She throws it to the pile and gets next to me

Eva: "Stan, Koji, have you seen Rick? I can't find him anywhere"

Koji: "Yeah, I think he walked out about a half an hour ago"

Stan: "He had his backpack with him"

Eva: "Um... thanks" she runs off

Adam: "Good thing she forgot about me. So, you need any-"

Eva: "Adam! Come on, slowpoke!"

Adam: "*sigh* I will help you when we get back"

We run towards the beach, where ships are taking eliminated guys back to their home planet. I think I saw Paradice walking around, as well as Rush and Spirit

Eva: "Rick! Rick, where are you?!"

???: "Great race" we look down to see Satis

Satis: "You've changed so much, Molly. I can hardly recognize you" he gently pulls his beard

Eva: "We're looking for Rick. Have you seen him?"

Satis: "Rick? Well, yes I have. He's heading back to Earth"

Eva: "To Earth?"

Adam: "And not even saying a single goodbye? What the heck?!" Satis points his cane at one ship

Satis: "He's right over there"

Eva: "Uh, Rick!" he runs past me and Satis

Satis: "These humans really are fascinating creatures"

Adam: "We have more surprises ready, Satis. Well, it's been nice meeting you. I guess you're not going to Oban"

Satis: "It's still a surprise for you. Due the time you will know" I nod and run towards Rick and Eva. She turns to me

Eva: "Why didn't you tell me Rick is going back?"

Adam: "You never asked" I turn to Rick "You could at least say a goodbye to me and Eva"

Rick: "I'm not the type of guy"

Scrub: "Ship's ready for takeoff!"

Rick: "You two will do just fine" He ruffles Eva's hair "I will wait for you two back on Earth. Show them how to win. In Thunderbolt style" he runs up the ram and boards the ship. Before entering he turns around, shoots us a salut and gets inside. The ship floats a small distance from the shore and then shots upwards. Me and Eva starts waving at it

Eva: "Goodbye Rick!"

Adam: "We'll see you soon back on Earth!"

Eva: "And thank you, for everything" We turn around, where our eyes meet with Don's. Eva gets an angry frown while I stare Don down

'The Ultimate Prize is in our reach. Like I said. Eva is closer than you think Don'

A/N Alwas Cycle has ended. Next stop: Oban! What awaits the trio of teenagers? Will Don finally find out? Will Stan and Koji get their hands busy repairing Wheezing Arrow III? Will Adam finally drink his coffee without anyone disturbing him? Find out in the next chapter! Until then, feel free to vote and comment. Stay safe!"

Punkie out!

Oban Star Racers belongs to Savin Yeatman-Eiffel

OCs belongs to me