Lap 6
Jody relaxed when she realized that Kamui was fine. Still, she carefully checked her for scratches and bruises, but there were none. Kamui was clearly unharmed.
Jody:
"It appears you have no serious injuries. But you need to drive more carefully next time."
Her voice carried a hint of concern.
Lucy stepped closer and examined Kamui as well, checking her arms, legs, torso, and head.
Lucy:
"Nothing… Ahhh, that's good. But how did you lose control of your machine?"
She looked confused. There was nothing obvious that should have caused the crash.
Kamui laughed, desperately trying to come up with an excuse. She crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and looked away.
Kamui:"There was a banana peel on the track. I couldn't dodge it in time, so I thought driving over it was a good idea. Then everything happened so fast hahahaha!"
She wiped sweat from her face.
Kuma grinned while the others shook their heads in disbelief. He stepped closer, looked her straight in the eyes, and bowed slightly.
Kuma:"You tried to drift, didn't you? And you did it on a straight section of the track. Why did you think that was a good idea?"
Kamui held her arm and looked down at the ground. Jody stepped in front of her and scolded her sharply.
Jody:"He's right! That was reckless. You could've been seriously injured. Look at your machine, it's completely destroyed."
She pointed at the damaged vehicle.
Lucy nodded in agreement.
Lucy:"That machine wasn't cheap, you know… Whew, it's so hot."
She waved her hand, trying to cool herself.
Jack laughed but stepped in to defend Kamui.
Jack:"Come on, guys. She just wanted to try something new. Kuma did something reckless too."
He poked Kuma teasingly in the side.
Dr. Clash, who stood near Kamui, immediately remembered Kuma's dangerous jump.
Dr. Clash:"That's true. Kuma, you could've killed yourself as well. Next time, don't do that. I might be able to repair your machine but repairing you isn't possible."
Kuma sighed.
Kuma:"Everything worked out. I even landed back on the track, didn't I?"
His face showed slight annoyance.
Ryu wasn't really paying attention. He stared at the sky, shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand.
Clank, who had been observing everything, formed a sly grin and nodded at Kuma and Kamui.
Clank:"So you wanted to make a name for yourselves. That's understandable but not in your first race."
Jody agreed with Clank and explained that they could develop signature moves later but not now. After that, everyone returned to their machines and drove back. Inside the vehicles, the air conditioners were running at full power; the Sand Ocean track was surprisingly hot.
On their way back to Mute City, they were suddenly stopped near the mountain pass.
Hidden above them were the Space Pirates, waiting patiently.
Samurai Goroh stood proudly beside his Fire Stingray, number 5. He wore a helmet painted like the Japanese flag, round sunglasses, a brown jacket, and a white shirt. A katana rested at his side.
Next to him stood his loyal crew and his close companion, Sasuke, a woman dressed in bright pink ninja attire.
Sasuke:"Boss, should we attack now?"
Samurai Goroh:"No. Let them enter the mountain pass first. Then we strike. Tell the others to prepare."
A cruel smile appeared on his lips.
As the Mobile Task Force approached the mountain entrance, the pirates triggered their ambush. A massive rock crashed down, blocking the road and cutting off their escape.
The Space Pirates rushed down the slopes. The Mobile Task Force exited their machines except for Kuma and Kamui, who stayed inside the King Falcon.
Lucy:
"Space Pirates? What are they doing here?"
Clank:
"It doesn't matter what they want. We need to defend ourselves!"
Dr. Clash:
"They're probably after our machines."
EAD:
"I don't want to lose mine!"
Jody:
"What do you want, Space Pirates? We're in a hurry!"
Jack:
"We'll defend ourselves, Samurai Goroh!"
Jack pointed up the hill where Goroh stood.
Samurai Goroh smiled and slid down gracefully. Beside him was Lisa Brilliantgreen haired, wearing flame shaped sunglasses and torn pirate clothes that screamed danger.
Samurai Goroh:"Don't be so hostile. I'm only here for the two sitting quietly in their machine."
He pointed at the King Falcon.
Lisa and the pirates surrounded the vehicle. She stepped closer, read the machine's name, and twitched her eyebrow in irritation.
Lisa:"You should look at the name of that machine, dear."
Goroh:
"Hm? Is there something interesting?"
As Goroh saw the name, he nearly snapped. His hand on his katana tightens, his eyebrow twitched violently.
Goroh:"What kind of stupid name is that?! Get out of the machine!"
Kuma gently stroked Kamui's back to calm her. She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. He opened the canopy, and they both climbed out.
Kuma stepped in front of Goroh.
Goroh:"Who came up with that name?"
Kuma:"I did. Why?"
Goroh's grip tightened around his katana much more he was in the blink of drawing it.
Goroh:"I hate the name 'Falcon'! Remove it or face my wrath!"
Kuma raised his hands defensively.
Kuma:"I can't remove it. The name was chosen together."
Kamui:"Yeah! And we won't change it just because some old guy...."
Kuma quickly covered her mouth.
Goroh snapped and drew his katana, the blade stopping inches from their faces.
Kuma:"Please calm down. She didn't mean it like that."
Goroh:
"You think talking to me like that has no consequences?!"
Kuma:"I know you don't take this lightly. But how about settling this with a race, just like old times. Like when you raced Captain Falcon in the mountains."
Goroh froze. His eyes widened.
How did he know that?
That race was something only he and Captain Falcon knew about.
Then Goroh started laughing.
Kuma blinked and laughed with him.