*Narrating*

Rick: The Earth Team made it to the playoffs, but lost their first two races. Basically, they were headed out the door. So Don Wei called in the cavalry... me, Rick Thunderbolt, former champion star-racer pilot, and now, the new coach for the Earth Team. Everything went smoothly after that. We won the next race. But Molly's holding something back. I can feel it. I hope she'll open up, otherwise I'll have to question Adam what's bothering her

*Adam POV*

As for today's training, Rick decided for us to take Whizzing Arrow for a spin, with Jordan training his aim to get used to both mine and Eva's piloting style. Let's say... good thing Jordan ate lightly before flying with me. Now it's Eva's turn, as me and Rick observe them flying around the pound. I cover my microphone

Adam: "Bet she'll not beat my time?" Rick covers his microphone too

Rick: "You, of all the people, are betting against her?" he chuckles. "Better not let her know about it" Arrow flies past us "Okay, Molly. Now, give me the edge"

Eva: "Check" she turns Arrow sideways

Rick: "Triple spin clockwise" Arrow does three spins to the right, while I hear unpleasant sounds from Jordan

Jordan: "You're even worse than Adam. Good thing I ate lightly..."

Adam: "Instead of whining, why don't you make something about it, Wilde"

Rick: "Switch the turret and aim towards the rear"

Jordan: "Uh, sorry. I'm on it" Turret retracts and appears on top of tilted Arrow II

I look at still speeding Arrow, before Rick taps my shoulder

Rick: "How about we encourage her to go faster, huh? Wolfie?"

Adam: "Sure"

Rick: "Is that the best you can do, Molly? Come on, give me the same, counterclockwise" Eva gets Arrow to spin three times to the left this time "Come on, keep doing your best!"

*timeskip*

After the last training lap for Eva, Rick called it a day and she got the Arrow back to the hangar. I get to the cockpit, getting ready for today's race

Eva: "Just be careful with the throttle, it started to get sensitive"

Adam: "Okay"

Eva: "Oh, and don't worry about the brake handle being loose. It works fine"

Adam: "Okay..."

Eva: "If anything-" I cut her off

Adam: "Star, I already did pilot with rocket seat, right before your training. And if I remember, you didn't beat my time in time trail..."

Eva: "Only because Jordan started complaining! Yet, you're one race behind" She smirks "Molly:1, Adam:0"

Adam: "It will change soon enough" I smirk

Don: "Okay people. Let's get it together. It's almost time!" We look at him "I'm counting on all of you to do your very best and win today's race" Eva gets irritated

Eva: "Me, me, me. A simple 'good luck' would be nice, just once"

Adam: "Heh, I don't need his luck. Just be sure to not let him do anything, Star, and everything will be alright" I offer a fistbump "Go to the control room and enjoy the show" Eva accepts the gesture

Eva: "Just don't kill yourself, okay?" Then Rick gets up the ladder to the cockpit

Rick: "I hope I'm not destroying your moments, lovebirds. Molly, are you still worried about your dad?"

Eva: "My dad? But how did you-"

Rick: "You told me he was your reason for racing, didn't you?"

Eva: "Yes, I did, of course. Um, my dad"

Rick: "Well, you already show him what you're made of, Little Mouse"

Stan: "Refueling complete" Rick jumps down, and Eva slowly goes down the ladder

Rick: "It's your turn to show the world, Adam. Even if your parents and Molly's dad can't see you two, I'm sure they feel your victories"

Stan: "System's okay. It's a go"

Eva: "Thank you Rick"

Rick: "Anytime, Little Mouse" Rick walks towards control room

Adam: "Too bad your dad is an asshole, Molls. See you at the finish line!" I salute to her and observe her glaring at Don while going up to the control room. I close the cockpit and start Arrow II "Jordan, are you ready to win?"

Jordan: "Heck yeah I'm! Just... don't lock me up this time, okay?" I laugh a little

Adam: "Okay, sorry. It won't happen again. Let's do this, partner" he nods and I get Arrow II to the arena

Judge: "For the fourth round of the playoffs, we now call forth the Earth Team!" I land Arrow in the center of the Arena and look back, waiting for my opponent "And from Planet Byrus, Rush aboard the Stone Crusher!" A massive mining aircraft lands beside Arrow two, on top of it stands Rush, the colossal viking-like pilot from the ceremony

Adam: "Take a look at that, Jordan. We're like a fly to it"

Jordan: "That fat Santa doesn't scare me" Rush spins his massive pickaxe before slamming it on the ground and laughing "Well... not really"

Adam: "There's no way something this massive can have neither speed or agility"

Rick: "I'm with Adam on this. If you find anything, let us know"

Don: "Koji?"

Koji: "Fused magma for propulsion. Extremely resistant exterior. There's no telling how much thrust he has"

Don: "Keep digging. Remember, I hate surprises"

Eva: "Adam, didn't you once write a paper about those magma fueled engines back in school?"

Don: "Molly, what does it have to-"

Adam: "Yeah, things are extremely fast. Better be careful then"

Judge: "Today's playoff will have a special rule. Target race"

Jordan: "A target race? I like the sound of that"

Adam: "Did any of you guys know what it is? Are the targets somewhere in view or hidden?"

Koji: "Not yet, Adam. But I'm working on it"

Adam: "Keep me updated"

Don: "There're hidden targets, no doubt. Be careful with speed, Adam. Let Jordan take down as much targets as he can"

Adam: "Sure. Jordan, search for anything resembling a target... and destroy it to pieces!"

Jordan: "Okay!" Soon the gate drops and me and Rush get head to head

Rush: "Out of my way! I need this victory!" Jordan tries to shoot him, as Rush tries to squeeze us

Jordan: "Adam! I can't hold him off!" he hides the turret inside

Adam: "Working on it!" I get Arrow into the barrel roll under Rush's ship and shoot forward "Damn, that was close" I shoot forward, keeping the speed in check. Eva meanwhile called us

Eva: "Jordan! Those balls! Shoot at them!" Jordan hits them, as it erupts orange smoke

Judge: "1 point for the Earth Team! And an extra bonus point for being the first to score"

Adam: "Heck yeah! Good eye, Star! Jordan, think I can speed up a little?"

Jordan: "Sure!" I speed Arrow up, while Jordan destroys another target to our left

Don: "Keep it steady, you two. We're on the lead by 2 points only" Rush gets to our left. Jordan shoots one target, but when he tries to shoot the second one, Rush blocks our shots and destroy it

Jordan: "Huh?"

Judge: "Earth Team 4, Rush 2"

Don: "Faster, Adam! Our lead is shrinking and we need this win or we're finished!" I can hear Eva huff in the background

'I need to overtake him or he'll get all our targets'

I get near Rush's ship, but he blocks my way. I then turn to the right and enter the tunnel

Adam: "Jordan, infrared, now!"

Jordan: "Got it!" We both turn our 'night vision' and Jordan proceeds to shoot targets in our tunnel. "Bingo!"

Adam: "Haha, let's show them the Earth Team is the best!"

Jordan shoots a few mores targets, as we get near the end of the tunnel

Adam: "Wilde, infrared off. We're getting out"

Jordan: "Huh? AAAAA!"

Adam: "You okay?"

Jordan: "I'm... fine"

Judge: "The Earth Team has destroyed 6 targets"

Jordan: "Good thing we're in the lead"

Judge: "Rush has destroyed 8. Revised score is 10 for both racers!" I try to overtake him, but with no succeed

Adam: "Fuck..." Don appears on my right

Don: "Adam, what're you doing?! Don't let him control the race!"

Adam: "I'm trying to overtake him! Let me tell you, it's not easy with some old guy shouting at you!" I end the call and get to Jordan "How're your eyes, Wilde?"

Jordan: "Could be better... Adam, do me a favor and give me an edge"

Adam: "Sure thing bud" I turn Arrow sideways and Jordan proceeds to shoot hidden targets on both sides "I can't believe to say this, but you're a genius Jordan!"

Jordan: "Thanks"

Eva: "Good job you two! Keep it up!" Rush extends his ship's arms and proceed to destroy hidden targets too

Judge: "The new score is 24 to 24" We enter the tunnel, only to soon exit in the canyon

Adam: "This is my playground" I smirk and speed up Arrow II "Buckle up, Wilde, cause I'm not holding back with speed now" I get next to Rush through the whole canyon. When we exit it and go for the last straight, where the last target sits on a pole right before the finish line "This is the last one" I open my link with Jordan "I hope your eyes are okay now, Jordan. This is the last one, better keep it worth!"

Jordan: "You bet I will!" he gives me a thumbs up and we end our call. Jordan goes to aim at the last target, but Rush gets in our way. I turn under him with a barrel roll to his other side, allowing Jordan to take a clean shot

Rush: "It's mine!" he tilts his ship to the left, hitting Arrow from the bottom, making me lose control of it

Adam and Jordan: "AAAAA!" We cut down the target as it gets into the air. I get Arrow under control, take a sharp turn and fly right at it while Rush does the same. However, his chainsaw cuts only the pole it was sitting on, letting Jordan to shoot it down as we pass each other. Target soon explodes in yellow smoke

Jordan: "Yahoo!"

Adam: "Haha, we did it!" I land the Arrow, and Rush lands beside me, looking at me

'Geez, I hope he can take the loss, not like Groor'

*timeskip*

I get Arrow back to the hangar. Jordan exits through the turret entrance while I jump down, only to be met with Rick and Eva. She jumps onto my neck and we spin a little before I put her down. I look at Rick, giving me a thumbs up

Adam: "Really good eye, Star. Thanks to you we got the bonus" Eva smiles brightly

Eva: "Thanks, you were good too"

Adam: "Y'know what that win means? It's 1-1 now" I smirk "You're loosing-" Don cuts me off

Don: "Bravo, Jordan! You saved the day, my boy" we look at him and Jordan

Adam: "Not only him..."

Don: "That was excellent shooting"

Jordan: "It was nothing, sir" he rubs his eyes while Don puts his hand on his shoulder. He then turns to me

Don: "Adam, my boy! I knew you would pull this off!" he gets near me and also puts a hand on my shoulder "You presented an excellent show of piloting and you didn't lose your concentration under stress. Great job, both of you"

Adam: "Well, I mean-"

Don: "Now, now, young man, there is no need for modesty. You and Jordan better rest, we still have more races to win" I look at Eva, as she gets her head down and to the left. Rick glances between me, Don and Eva

Adam: "Sir, I'm not the only pilot of this team" I gesture my hand to Eva "Molly helped so much during the race, recognizing first target and allowing us to get in the lead. And in the last race she shined too. I would NOT risk squeezing between those boulders like she did" Don turns to Eva

Don: "Molly, I must congratulate you too. Even if you didn't pilot today, you read the surroundings and helped both Adam and Jordan to win. And your last race was... tough and you fared there, er, beautifully" Eva slumps forward

Eva: "Thank you, sir"

Adam: "Tsk. He won't praise you even if it meant for him to die. Y'know Star, how about we go for a ride?"

Eva: "Sure, a change of scenery would do us good... but our rocket seat is in the cockpit"

Adam: "That's why" I get to the back and drag a second rocket seat "I created this, a second rocket seat from some parts I found on the market and the wreck of Arrow I" Eva looks at it shiny paint, seeing her reflection

Eva: "It's all sparkly and brand new. Adam, when did you do this?"

Adam: "When I was staying overnight repairing Arrow II. I got bored and put it all together" Jordan gets some eye drops in his eyes and turns to us

Jordan: "Hey, where are you two going?"

Eva: "For a ride, we'll be back soon"

Adam: "Want to tag along, Wilde?" Eva looks at me

Jordan: "Sure"

Eva: "But, there are only two seats here"

Adam: "Wrong" I press a button on the side and soon a another seat appears behind the pilot seat "Alien technology, sure, it's strange but quite handy" Eva smirks and sits on the pilot seat

Eva: "I'm driving!"

Adam: "Okay" I get behind her and put my arms around her waist "Jordan, hop on. Grab my shoulders and let's go on an adventure" Me and Eva get our goggles down. Jordan hop on the back and grabbed my shoulders before putting a pair of welding glasses on

Eva: "Everyone on? Then let's go!" We speed up from the hangar and towards the town

*timeskip*

We've get to the edge of the city near the outskirts

Adam: "This is the place you've told me about, Molly?"

Eva: "Yup!"

Jordan: "I'm not sure if I'm up for a long ride" Eva stops the rocket seat and we look at the fields "Besides, these fields all look the same to me"

Eva: "You really have no sense of adventure, Jordan. You knew coming with us will result in a long trip"

Adam: "Molly wanted to visit those temples since we got here, and now we've an occasion"

Eva: "Hang on!" she revs the rocket seat and we shot forward

*3rd POV, Don's office*

In his office, Don Wei told Rick, who is sitting on his desk, that he once had a family

Rick: "You had a family? How come you never told me?"

Don: "You remember when we first met?"

Rick: "Yeah, sure. I thought that you're just some crazy drifter, but you told me not to shift so early before you started that race"

Don: "You won that race and every one after it"

Rick: "Thanks to your great coaching"

Don: "From the moment we worked together, it was the beginning of a new life for me. But I didn't say much about my previous life"

Rick: "Huh?" an image of him, Maya and Eva flashes before Don's eyes

Don: "You see, I've been a manager before. A married man with a young daughter. The death of my first champion turned my world upside down. I lost the desire to carry on. I cut all links to my past in order to survive" Rick looks shocked at him

Rick: "I can't believe that you managed to keep this from me all these years"

*Adam POV,near the ruins*

Eva: "There are a lot of those ruins, but they don't look like anything the Scrub would build, do they?"

Adam: "Maybe an old civilization lived on Alwas, like Aztecs on Earth?"

Jordan: "I never thought about it"

We turn the corner, and before us stands a nice looking temple, with a pillar lying on it side, making a ramp to enter

Eva: "Whoa"

Adam: "Well, that's nice. I think?" Eva stops the rocket seat and looks up at the temple

Eva: "I'm gonna check this one out" she turns to us with a smile

Jordan: "What?" Eva begins climbing up the pillar "Hey, em, Molly? I think we should head back. It'll be dark soon"

Adam: "I'm with Jordan on this. Besides, this place looks like it's gonna collapse any moment" Eva climbs up near the temple's windows and looks at me and Jordan

Eva: "Oh, come on! Don't tell me you chicken out, Adam! Don Wei is not going to worry about us, did he?"

Adam: "*sigh* She'll be the death of me..." I climb up the pillar and join Eva. Jordan crawls up on his four. Eva looks inside

Eva: "Look! There's an opening up there!"

Jordan: "Molly!" Eva turns on her flashlight and looks inside one of the tunnels on the wall

Eva: "Guys, take a look at this place. It's totally amazing!"

Adam: "Eva, be careful. It really can collapse any moment"

Eva: "It won't. Come on, let's go inside!"

Jordan: "I think we should get out of here. This place gives me the creeps" Eva however didn't listen to us and crawls forward into the tunnel. Soon the floor under her collapses. Me and Jordan grab both her feet

Jordan/Adam: "Molly!/Eva!" Eva's screams get fainter and fainter. Me and Jordan look at our hands, only to see Eva's shoes. Our eyes widen "MOLLY!/EVA!"

Adam: "Eva, are you okay there?!" I shout down the tunnel

Eva: "I'm fine! I'm going to check if I can find an exit!"

Adam: "Be careful!" I turn to Jordan "She'll give me a heart attack one day..."

Jordan: "Not only for you... So, as we're alone, I can finally ask you Adam" we exit the temple and sit on the platform

Adam: "Yeah, what's on your mind?"

Jordan: "How long have you and Molly known each other?"

Adam: "Ten years, plus minus. We're from the same boarding school"

Jordan: "Say, any reason she and Don... are acting towards each other the way they do?"

'Oh man...'

Adam: "I dunno. Guess it's just a battle of characters" I lie "So, Wilde, the same surname as the guy who was first on Crogs' planet. Your grandpa or it's just a coincidence?"

Jordan: "It was my grandfather William. Those dog tags were his, and he was taken prisoner by Crogs, but he escaped and got back on Earth. And because of Crogs he got problems later. Anyway, about your family..."

Adam: "My parents are dead, they died in an accident eleven years ago. They were testing some engine for Don at the time, but it exploded and they both died. Since then my aunt has taken care of me, but she sent me to the Stern where I met Molly"

Jordan: "So... you and her..."

Adam: "*sigh* Jordan, swear on your grandfather's name you won't tell anyone"

Jordan: "I mean, some people already know" I look at him with a cold glare

Adam: "Who?"

Jordan: "...Our entire team... remember, don't shoot the messenger"

Adam: "..."

Jordan: "Um... Adam?"

Adam: "I'm giving you a ten second head start before I become brutal. I suggest you use the-" I was cut off by temple shaking and going down "What the fu- EVA!" I quickly ran towards the tunnel she fell down, only to see it blocked by rubble "Eva!"

Jordan: "Molly! Adam, what do we-" I start kicking the boulder in my way, but it didn't even budge

Adam: "I'm coming Eva! Hold on!" Jordan grabs my under my arms and get me out of the temple "What the fuck are you doing, Wilde?! She's gonna die if we won't do something!" A shadow gets on our face, me and Jordan turn around to see Rush's ship above us and it's pilot jumps to us. He swings his pickaxe, creating a hole in the floor. I was about to jump in, but Rush stops me with a hand on my shoulder

Rush: "There is nothing you can do for her now. Head for dry land you two! I will get her out" Rush jumps down the hole while I observe him going down, Jordan jumps into the water

Jordan: "Come on Adam!" I jump into the water after him and swim to the shore. We observe the place where the temple was, waiting for Rush to get out, hopefully with Eva

'If she dies I'm killing Don'

Adam: "Come on... Please... God please let her be alright..."

Jordan: "She'll be Adam. She must be..." We look at the rope and the winch on Rush ship. It soon tenses as the winch begins to roll the rope on. Soon, Rush emerges from the water, holding Eva in his arms "Molly!"

Adam: "Eva!" Rush gets his ship near the shore and loosen up the rope, allowing him to land next to us. He puts Eva down to our level and me and Jordan squat by his side. Rush was gently hitting Eva's back, allowing all the water to go out of her lungs. She coughs a little and opens her eyes. She looks around "Star..." she looks at me

Eva: "Adam... what... happened...?"

Adam: "The temple started sinking and Rush saved you"

Eva: "Rush?" She looks to her left, only to see the red bearded giant "Why?"

Rush: "I was following you three" Me and Jordan get in front of Eva "I wanted to congratulate you on your victory"

Us three: "Huh?" he smiled

Rush: "It was truly a splendid race!" he starts laughing, making me smile too

Adam: "Oh, if only we had more pilots like you, Rush"

Eva: "And... you're happy for us? But you lost against Adam" Rush holds out both of his hands for me and Eva to help us up. We take it and he lifts up to our feet

Rush: "On my planet, our people pride themselves in seeing the bright side of life. I lost the race today, but I'll surely win tomorrow. My ram's horn is always half-full!" he laughs again and jumps up on his ship before swinging his arm for us to come with him "Come, I'll drive you back to your pit. You three had enough excitement for one day"

We boarded Rush's ship, where he gave us some blankets to keep us warm. We later sit in front of him, I'm in the middle, Jordan on my left and Eva on my right. Right now, Jordan is snoring soundly, long gone to the land of nod, leaning on my shoulder

Adam: "Hey, Eva, I found out the new way to mess with Jordan"

Eva: "Huh? I wonder what it is?"

Adam: "*ekhm* 'Jordan, sweetie, how was your day in school?'" I say in high pitched tone

Jordan: "Mommy, I need a big hug" we laugh and later Eva looks up the sky while I'm busy poking Jordan's cheek. Eva gasps scared

Adam: "Something's wrong Star?" she looks at me

Eva: "I must be seeing things. I swear I saw-"

Adam: "Spirit. We already raced with everyone else, he's the only one left... Star, don't try anything too reckless tomorrow, okay?" Eva looks away

Eva: "Okay"

Adam: "I want you to look me in the eyes and say that again"

Eva: "Why? You're saying you don't trust me?"

Adam: "Against that monster, yes. Eva, please be careful, it's not worth it"

Eva: "I will, don't *yawn* worry" She lean on my left shoulder, slowly closing her eyes "Goodnight" I smile at her and look forward, while Rush continue to hum

*3rd POV*

Don Wei sits in his office in front of his desk. On it stands a single box, with the most prized possession to him. He puts a hand on top of it and opens it up, revealing a photo of him, Maya and little Eva

Don's thought: 'I really hope Adam was lying about Eva. He was at Stern, so he must've met her' He took the photo out and look at it 'There is no way Molly is Eva' He puts the photo down, closes the box and hide it in his desk

A/N: Okay, next is... a race against Spirit, and Eva is piloting. That won't end well, for both Eva and Adam. Also Don starts to get a clue... and it's 1-1 in the bet. Feel free to vote and comment. Stay safe and I will see you next time

Punkie out!

Oban Star Racers belong to Savin Yeatman-Eiffel

OCs belongs to me