Speed Racer

Darkness Rising

Alya and Rafael were sitting at the drainage well by the highway racing their RC cars.

Rafael was imitating the sound of a car engine as he zoomed around.

Alya smirked when Rafael's cell phone rang "Let your mom know I'm kicking your butt again in racing," she continued moving her red vehicle around as Rafael picked up his cell.

"Hi, Mama." Rafael greeted. "Racing with Alya. Right up the street. Okay. Just five more minutes?" he hung up.

Alya looked at her watch and realized the time.

"Five more minutes?" Rafael asked his friend pleadingly.

Alya sighed as she looked away. "Five more minutes,"

Rafael smiled as he again began imitating car noises as the duo raced.

"Aaah!" A guy screamed as he fell down the drain riding his motorcycle.

Alya held out an arm to keep Rafael behind her as the motorcycle skidded to a stop.

Rafael dropped his controller in shock. "Whoa,"

"You have no idea," The boy said tiredly.

Alya turned as she heard more tires heading their way. Alya checked her phone, not recalling there being a race in that area. She froze when the two vehicles transformed into robots, turning as the boy's motorcycle also transformed.

"This ends here, 'cons," The motorcycle declared.

Alya was pulled from her thoughts as Rafael pulled on her hand to drag her away from the firefight.

"W-what are they?" Rafael asked Alya.

Alya was too focused on the fight to respond.

"Talking cars that turn into robots," The black-haired boy replied.

"Or the other way around," Alya muttered to herself.

The trio looked up when a black and yellow Camaro came revving off the bridge and joined the fight.

Alya gasped when the Camaro stepped back onto her and Raf's RC cars.

"I'm sorry," The Camaro said.

"No problem..." Rafael said.

"Really," Alya added. She turned and saw a Con aim their blaster toward the Camaro. "Look out!"

But it was too late, as the Camaro was blasted back.

"Leave him alone!" Rafael exclaimed, causing all bots to look towards the human trio. "Please?"

"Bad call," Alya told the boy as one of the cons began walking towards them.

The black-haired boy pushed Alya and Rafael forward. "Come on! Come on!"

The trio rushed into the overflow pipe, the Con reaching its claws to grab the humans.

Alya gasped when the Con brushed her leg. She glanced back to see the Con get pushed away.

"Are you ok?" The Camaro buzzed.

Alya nodded. "Thank you,"

"You're welcome,"

The black-haired boy grabbed Alya's hand. "Don't look back,"

"What did we just see?" Rafael asked.

"No idea and I'm not sure I want to find out,"

Alya glanced back towards where the robots were fighting and followed after the two boys.

***

After ensuring Rafael returned home safely and declining to stay for dinner, Sam raced over to the garage she was staying in, only to freeze when she noticed the door open.

"You're back late," A voice drawled, followed by the thundering metal steps. "Where've you been?"

"Guess I'm not the only one keeping secrets...." Alya glared up at the red robot "Knockout,"