“Dunk me in cream cheese and whack me with celery sticks! It’s you again.”
Ran chuckled weakly in response. Somehow happy to see you again was definitely the last thing on Nympha’s mind. He wondered if a second apology would help soothe her. He cleared his throat, and mouth wordlessly. That glare was so intense that he looked away.
“I swear if you bump into me again, I’ll fry you like a donut.”
“Err… good luck!”
“Hmmmph.”
“Don’t mind her. She’s worst than a tart apple.”
“Oh?” Ran turned to look at the old man who was balancing expertly on his other side.
Nympha’s face turned bright red as she pumped her arms so violently that she almost fell off her hoverboard. “Shut up, gramps!”
“That’s
Grandpa Ellie to you, young lady.” The old man snapped as he pulled down his lower right eye lid and stuck out his tongue.
Niran tried to keep poker-faced as the two competitors yelled at each other. He wished he could scoot over to a different location, but he was locked in position because all the riders were packed side by side. There was hardly any wiggle room in between. He merely waved and grinned briefly when Liv greeted them. He daren’t say a word in case he found himself pulled into the childish squabble. The loud speakers let out an ear piercing screech which silenced everyone in the stadium. A voice boomed out shortly after. The unfortunate riders who were to closer to any of the loud speakers were all covering their ears with their hands.
Announcer Goomba said
"Ladies and gentlemen! Watermelons and potatoes, the moment you've all been waiting for is here! Riders, make sure you have your helmets on and get into position."
The poor human continued clutching his head with his hands clamped over his ears.
Potato pommes maximus or whatever Nobodies say when they get mad! His ears won’t stop ringing. He looked around furtively.
Where? Who? What? Ran was still twisting and turning stupidly when suddenly the sky light up with neon colored fireworks. He stared at the pretty lights; he was completely oblivious that everyone was taking off, and the riders behind him kept pushing him forward closer and closer towards the edge of the platform.
“Ooof!”
The leather straps securing Ran’s feet snapped. He slid forward onto Riley’s board as his own hoverboard flew behind; it tripped over half a dozen competitors. The laughter began tapering off as the audience watched in horror at what happened next.
The riders further behind smashed into the fallen competitors at high speed. In the end there was a mountain of bodies and smashed hovercrafts blocking the way.
Sirens sounded as the field medics rushed to the scene.
Announcer said
“Oooo that looks bad! A third of our competitors are grounded till further notice. Not too late to go and grab some chocolate tarts. All refreshments are proudly sponsored by our official caterers - Mr. Cuddles and the Gingerbread Men.”
There was some wiggling and then a voice cried out from somewhere below the heap. “We’re good!”
Announcer said
“That’s our racers for you! Sturdy as a brick with a head more stubborn than steel. Every lung is still moving and every heart is still pumping. Let’s get the ramp so the rest can jump over the block!”
The crowd roared their approval. Ran gaped as a huge ramp was brought out. His arms began lowering slowly till they stop around Riley’s waist. He watched as racer after racer jumped overhead.
Each jump more stylish than the next. The audience was literally jumping to their feet.
A chirp issued from the loud speakers. The screens around the stadium flickered. Nympha was on screen. Clasped in her hand was
a shining box.
A set of slot machine reels were spinning wildly within it.
Announcer said
“The first power up has been retrieved. It… it’s … it’s a thunderbolt!”
Ran’s eyes bulged as he saw black clouds gathered overhead. A huge bull’s eye was forming underneath the hovercraft. “RILEY! Speed boost. SPEED BOOST!”