"Hello citizens of Japeron! Welcome to the race of the year!" an announcer greeted the humongous crowds. Roars of excitement and the loud booms of fireworks filled the stadium.

     "What a great crowd!" another announcer exclaimed after the thunderous applause.

    "Agreed, now stepping up to the starting line, the champion for four years straight, Ty Liverstarch!"

    Sylvie watched on the grand holographic screen as Ty took his place at the front of the finish line, soaking in all the attention and waving at the the crowd, which cheered back in excitement.

    "And coming up behind him, Ajax Steelclaw, a one time winner."

    Weak cheering and applause came from the crowd as Ajax took his place at the starting line. How rude, Sylvie thought, he did win once, and just because he is a human doesn't mean you need to be ***** because of it. After all the racers were announced and lined up at the starting line, the countdown for the start of the race began. The revving of engines and the screaming of the crowd echoed throughout the stadium.

    "Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Take off!"

    The racers went from a dead stop to a hundred miles per hour in a split second.

    Sylvie felt the thrill of the race and it was mixed with, worry? "You worry too much Sylv." She placed her hand where Ajax patted it. Wait, why am I worried about that trouble-maker? I never cared about him. He's like an annoying brother that always gets himself into trouble. He is the only reason I am still alive, and I will not be alive if I leave him. I have no choice but to stay with him for protection, that's all. Right?

    She brushed those thoughts aside as Jinx handed her a headset and put one on himself.

    "Ajax, can you read me?" he asked.

    "I copy."

    "Sylvie, can you hear all this?" Jinx looked at her.

    "I hear you."

    "Good, now Ajax, it'll take me a second to get a good readout of this course, so you'll have to fend for yourself till then."

    "Sounds like a plan."

    Sylvie just listened to the conversations between the two through the com, enjoying the sounds of their voices above the muffled noise of the crowd. She noticed she was holding her breath and her heart beat rapidly as the race went on. Lap after lap after lap, Ajax gained a new position in the race. On the third to the last lap, he caught up to Ty, who was far ahead. He barely passed him when the back booster on his bike began sparking. He still kept up with Ty, refusing to back down.

    "Damn it! Why now?!" Ajax yelled through the com set.

    "I suggest you watch your language Ajax," Jinx ordered with a cold tone in his voice. "Calm down. Being mad won't help-"

    "You would be mad if your booster wasn't working!" Ajax retorted.

    "You have to abort this race-"

    "No, I'm finishing this thing!" Ajax growled.

    "Ajax! Ajax!" Jinx pinched his nose. "That idiot! He ditched his com."

    Sylvie frowned, "Looks like he's having a hard time steering that thing." She saw his bike violently swerving from the path.

    Jinx's black eyes flashed with, anger? Since when did this cool-headed alien ever become angry? Sylvie wondered as Jinx mounted an emergency hoverbike.

    "I'm going out, you stay here," he commanded before he zoomed off.

    Sylvie watched on the grand screen as sparks and oil streamed out of the back of Ajax's bike, though he continued to pursue Ty. Why won't that stubborn ass turn around? He's going to get himself killed! Sylvie thought as she covered her face with her hands, parting her fingers so she could see.

    "Oh no! Looks like Steelclaw is spinning out of control!" an announcer cried in surprise.

    "This might very well be the last race for this young human!" the other announcer added without hesitation or emotion.

    "Those idiot announcers better shut their traps before I shut them for them," Sylvie muttered.

    "Whoa, easy there Sylvie, they're just doing their job," Jinx told her through the coms.

    "Oh, sorry," Sylvie had completely forgotten that they were linked by a com.

    "I don't blame you, this is the first time in years these idiots have ever ticked me off," Jinx assured her.

    "Who knew you would even speak with that kind of tongue?" Sylvie smirked.

    Jinx chuckled.

    The moment was short lived as Ajax's bike began spinning out of control, and plummeted toward the ground. Sylvie watched as Ajax jumped from the bike and landed roughly behind Jinx on the emergency bike. She squealed with excitement and relief as they managed to pass Ty and win the race. As they made the victory laps around the course, Sylvie heard whooping and cheering from the boys through the coms and joined in.

    "Hey Sylv," she heard Ajax say.

    "What you stubborn mule?"

    "Would you like to take some of the prize money and see if you get a ride to Earth?"

    Tears formed in Sylvie's eyes. Before she could reply, a crushing force hit the side of her neck. She crumpled to the ground, breathing hard and seeing booted feet before her vision blurred and went dark.