Who's the Enemy

#12: Happiness on his Side

The doctor did not say anything at first. "They wanted me to help them sabotage the race," he stammered. "Very much like them. How?" "By incapacitating a participant with a particular herbal plant. But then I'll lose my job!" Ria looked at the doctor insistently. "Which participant?" 

Ria returned to the Chaos and briefly told Cece how the observation had gone. Cece swallowed. "There was nothing unusual about Zak, fortunately. But in Aeria, we have to be extremely careful! But I do have an idea how we could teach the Van-Rewios a little lesson." Ria grinned. "Oh, yes? Well, then, tell me!" 

Next Morning 

The race started very early. Zak had finally found his spirit and was determined to maintain the lead. Neither Jex nor Turo didn't like that at all. The flag was in his pocket when Calabrass turned around and saw their biggest competitors getting closer. "Uhh... Captain! We have a visitor!" "Let them come calmly. I already have a plan on how to shake them off!" "Do I really want to know that?" Zak did not answer and left the Sea of Stars through the portal. 

Shortly after reaching Aeria, the participants had to fight with fierce attitudes. Carla tried to meander past Zak, but Zak always flew right in front of her. "Would you stop it?!" Zak grinned. "With what? With that?" He did it again, and Carla hit her steering wheel with her fist. Shortly thereafter, her engine failed and she threatened to crash. 

Zak looked down and flew after her. "What are you doing?" "Saving Carla, Calabrass." Zak caught Carla and brought her back to her ship. 

C: "Why did you save me?" 

Z: "Where I come from, you help other people in need." 

C: "Yes, but now you risk your victory." 

Z: "Don't worry. I'll still get it." 

(Zak flew on) 

C: "Thank you, Zak Storm." 

Zak had maintained the lead. Between them was only a huge tornado, between the victory stage and Zak. Calabrass knew immediately what Zak was thinking. "Forget it! I'm not going along with this!" Zak used his puppy eyes. "We've done this before! That's a shortcut. Come on!" Calabrass rolled his eyes. 

Zak flew into the tornado. Zara had seen it, but put on a grin. "Show it to the brothers, Storm!" Zak fought his way through the wind currents and realised how much power the tornado brought against him. "This... is... impossible!" shouted Calabrass. 

When they reached the eye, Zak took a breather. "And how do you plan on getting out now? You don't have the strength to fight your way through it again." "Who said we couldn't make it through?" The Captain ignited the thrusters and fought his way up the tornado and came out. The headwind threw him forward and he would actually have had time for a leisurely round. "You really have a screw loose!" Zak grinned. 

He crossed the finish line without any further incidents, and his competitors also arrived. Carla and Zara approached Zak. 

C: "You really deserved the win. I didn't realise how hard it is with the brothers on your neck." 

Za: "I knew right away that you would make it and finally someone could stand up to Jex and Turo. I hope you win." 

Zak smiled, his competitors had become his friends. Except for two...