F-Zero: The Rising Hero

Chapter 15: The Joker Cup

        After all the training, the day had finally come. The Joker Cup. The day Ace Winters would face off against Michael Chain. There were thirty machines registered to race here, that was counting Ace and Lily's. Jody Summer entered for support on Ace's part. John Tanaka insisted on racing too once he heard of Jody's registration. "Welcome to the Start of the Joker Cup Grand Prix!" Mr. Zero announced in his booth. "This will be a sure exciting race! The Joker Cup! It will be starting on Rainbow Road! This track was built out in space as a special course for all to race on! It's a sure treat! Look at the contestants now!" Ace Winters waved to everyone. Even though he was new, he was certain he had some fans out there. Ace's celebrating was interrupted as he saw a machine roll onto the track. It was the all too familiar Wild Boar. Michael Chain stepped out. He flashed a nasty look at Ace Winters, then flexed his muscles at the crowd. He didn't get the reaction he was expecting although. He just got a lot of boos. Lily Flyer now walked up to Ace. She was very worried. "He won't give us a chance," She told him. "You know that right?" Ace just calmly put his hands on her shoulders.

"I'm aware Lily," He said softly. He now gently began to smooth her hair. "We've trained too hard for any gangster to stop us. We took some beatings, but we're here. Look around. I'll bet you never imagined you'd be here. We've never raced in a Grand Prix cup before, this is the start of our new lives. I will beat Michael Chain. Then I can't wait to see what's next for both of us." He gently hugged Lily. Lily returned the hug, but squeezed him tight. Ace knew that this WAS a life changer, he was homeless before he met Jody and The Federation. He had nowhere to go and to stay. Now he had a family. He did not want to lose any of them. "It's time to get ready," Ace told Lily. Lily Flyer let him go and cradled his face, then she headed to her machine. Jody Summer now approached Ace Winters. She looked ready to race. "Are you ready?" She asked the rookie. "As ready as I'll ever be," Ace said determined. "This is officially the end of me and Michael Chain's battle. Thank you Jody." "For what?" Jody asked. "For giving me a chance," he replied. "I know if my parents were here, they would be proud of me." "They would," Jody agreed. Jody pulled Ace into a hug. It seemed so strange, how the universe worked. These two had only known each other for two months. Now they were family.

"I'll be right behind you every step of the way," Jody said. It was now race time. Since it was a cup Grand Prix, the true winner would be the one with the most points. There were six races in this cup. The points went like this:

First Place: 100 Points

Second Place: 93 Points

Third Place: 87 Points

Fourth Place: 81 Points

Fifth Place: 78 Points

Sixth Place: 71 Place

And so on, they would need to score the most points to beat Michael Chain. The federation officers were now in their machines, like every pilot. This would be the most grueling race Ace had experienced so far. He was very nervous, as his heart was pounding like crazy. But he took Jody's advice and calmed down. The countdown had started, it was now or never. 3...2...1..GO!! All machines took off! They streaked down the beginning hill of Rainbow Road. The Green Amazone did not hold first this time. Ace figured it would be better to stay at 24th for now and wait. That way he didn't get cocky. The Bunny Flash was currently in 14th and the White Cat in 20th. The Wonder Wasp was a D.N.F. Rainbow Road might've been an amazing track, but it was just as dangerous. The course did not have that much of guardrails, so there was a great chance of falling (Like John Tanaka did.) Instead, the trio focused on keeping their machines' power high. They didn't touch any other machine. This made it easier for Ace Winters to pass pilots. He sailed pass most of them and was on his way. Jody Summer was currently trying to outdrive the Star Piranha and its pilot Kate Alen. Lily Flyer now observed Michael Chain, the gangster was not boosting after them on the second lap. He boosted, but didn't give chase.