Who's the Enemy

#8: Not a Good Start

Zak looked around. "Please tell me that the crash is a good thing." "What do you think, we are in an ice cave and the walls are collapsing. What's good about that, please???!!!" Zak activated his thrusters and dodged the falling ice blocks. "Up front! I see the exit!" "You don't want to fly through it just like that?! You would never do that in one piece! Are you still in control?" "No, not really," Calabrass got as an answer. 

While Zak did his best, the others were already far ahead of him, and Calabrass had nothing better to do than complain. "Whose idea was this? Couldn't we have just flown outside?" They came closer to the exit, which threatened to be buried more and more. 

C: "Summon an Eye! Let's go!" 

Z: "No, Calabrass, I am not allowed to use magic except for self-defence." 

C: "Well, what are you waiting for?!?!" 

Z: "We're already getting through, trust me! I know what I'm doing!" 

C: "Yes, that's exactly what scares me!" 

Before the cave finally collapsed, Zak and Calabrass had made it out. "Well, that was half wild." "Can I open my eyes again? Am I dead?" asked Calabrass, and Zak rolled his eyes with a grin. "We have a lot of catching up to do!" 

In front of him were his competitors, and only a few miles away was already the first base. Zak rushed past Carla, and approached Zara. "How do I get past her without her seeing me coming?" Zak thought half-aloud. A ray of sunshine swept through the dense clouds. "Surely I'll be allowed to...?" He took out Calabrass, and held the shiny ring of the sword against the sunlight. The beam bounced off the ring and reflected in Zara's face. She slowed down and Zak zoomed past her. "Sorry, Zara, but it was either you or me." 

In front of him were Jex and Turo Van-Rewio again. "Now how do I get past them?" Zak pondered and moved down. He flew close to them, and the brothers had not yet noticed him. 

On Marituga, the mood was more than tense. Cece swallowed while staring at the screen. She was following Zak's maneuvers when she noticed Jex Van-Rewio's grinning face. "Oh no!" 

Jex had noticed Zak after all. "Look at that! Zak Storm wants to get past us." Jex pulled a lever again and the ship began to go deeper. Zak swerved upwards, and was rammed by the ship into an iceberg. Somewhat dazed, he held his arm. "Come on, don't get tired now! We've got it right away!" 

He passed the finish line right behind the brothers. While they were being congratulated, Zak was just angry and dropped his flag. Without another word, they went to the body check. "Are you okay, Zak?" "Of course I am. Dazzling," Zak replied snappily. If it started like this, he could say goodbye to the victory right away.