Speed Racer: The Monaco Conspiracy

[Intro Music]

Chapter I: Race of the Rich

"Welcome to a beautiful Friday afternoon for a very late, but still on the calendar Monaco Grand Prix Practice Session! Now, I know what you're thinking, 'hey, isn't this race in May?' Well, yes, it usually is. But after the massive scandal involving Mr. Diamond, the main sponsor, and donor to the race, The Monaco Grand Prix was postponed. Now we're at the beginning of fall and ready for a late Monaco race weekend!" An announcer's voice echoed through speakers lining the streets of the small country.

On a yacht docked by the track, Karat Goldminter stood and looked out as several open-wheelers flew by. Karat's hands were clasped behind his back, "Bronze, Silver, Diamond...idiots." he thought to himself as he lit a cigar that was wrapped in gold leaf, "I wouldn't be surprised if the CIB saw the pattern by now, I bet they're watching me already. But at the same time, I have to stay in the public eye for my daughter's career… how annoying. I should never have held that race around the world for her hand in marriage." His clasped hands tightened as the cars roar echoed through the famous Monaco tunnel nearby, "Now I seriously have to watch my back." He walked back into his yacht to a phone and pressed a button, "Operator, please connect me to the Three Roses Club." he said.

In the paddock, a phone rang, and the secretary picked up, "Three Roses Club, may I ask who is speaking? Oh? Okay, right away!" she said as she ran out to where Trick Idler was standing and watching the race, "Mr. Idler, you have an essential call in the paddock office!"

"Who is it?"

The secretary whispered, "Gold." in his ear.

"I see. Well, let's go see what the old man wants." Idler and his secretary walked back to the paddock where the phone was off the hook and waiting. Trick lifted it to his ear, "Three Roses Club, Trick Idler speaking."

"It's about time!"

"Sorry, sir, I was by the track watching my team's progress. I'm still the team owner, you know."

"Yes, yes. But I have a plan, Mr. Idler."

"Oh no...look, the Cuban failed me, failed us big time. I'm really not in the mood for any more crazy schemes."

"Just listen up! I've been thinking of ways to stop my daughter from racing once and for all. She's gotten in the way too many times!"

"Whoa, whoa, you want us to do somethin' to Lovelace? I'm sorry, pal, but that's gonna cost you extra."

"As long as you don't take it too far."

"Not gonna ice her, got it. Speaking of ice, this is pretty cold, especially for you."

"I just need it done."

"Sir, if I may ask you, what have you and the other big shots been up to this all year? The No Limit World Race, the Prague GP, The Trans-Africa race, The Race Against the Sun... all of it, why?"

Karat Goldminter's shoulder slumped, and he sighed, "If you must know, Trick. It's because last year, Speed Racer made me look like a fool, and so did Lovelace!"

"All because of some pride, huh? I guess I understand. Just don't let your plans get in the way of mine, and we're square."

"Your plans? What plans?"

"Behind the seats of my drivers, is a bag of two big diamonds worth $300,000 each."

"You mean to tell me you're carrying $1.2 million in diamonds inside of racing cars? Racing cars running in a race that takes utmost focus and precision where a big crash is guaranteed to happen? What in the world would inspire such a hair-brained scheme?"

"They're Mr. Diamond's stones, see. I was able to swipe 'em before the Diamond Super Prix, ever since I've had the CIB on my back. Now, they've gotten too close, they'd never expect the diamonds to be inside of the cars. Never!"

Karat stroked his mustache, "I suppose so. Good luck, Trick. We'll talk again later." Karat Goldminter said as he hung up and looked outside as the cars passed the dangerous high-speed chicane by the marina during the late stages of their practice session.

Chapter II: Family Business

"That's all for practice today, as all of the cars pull into the pits and the teams lock down their garages. We'll see you tomorrow for the all-important qualifying sessions that will decide the grid of the Monaco Grand Prix. We'll see you then!" The announcer signed off as the Mach 5-F1 pulled into the pits. Speed shut off the engine as Pops, Sparky, Rex, and Hank pushed it into the garage, Chim Chim pulling the garage door down as he stood atop Spritle's shoulders.

"How'd it go, Speed?" Sparky asked.

"It's good, but it pulls a little left too aggressively." Speed replied.

Pops put a large hand on his chin, "Hmmm, I assumed that might be a problem, we just have to tweak a little more so he can get through Grand Hotel Hairpin, but it doesn't cause problems, we don't want to torture our left front tires too much because the toe might be out too far. Let's get to work, Sparky."

"Can we help, Pops? There isn't anything for a kid to do around here." Spritle asked.

Realizing that Spritle could visit any of the casinos or parties happening around the circuit, Pops agreed, "Okay, Spritle! Just pay attention and do as you're told."

"Yes, sir." Spritle smiled as Speed got unbuckled and put his helmet on one of the workbenches in the garage.

"You boys have some fun out there, we'll have the car in top shape by qualifying. Eat well and get lots of sleep, I'll wake you tomorrow." Pops said as Speed grabbed a dark blue leather jacket from the coat hook next to the exit to their garage.

"I will. Thanks, Pops, and thank you, Sparky. We're finally gonna win this race." Speed smiled back as the three left. Rex chuckled to himself as he put his hands in his pockets.

"What's funny, Rex?" Speed stopped to ask as he looked over to Hank, who wasn't amused.

"I'm the one who denied him his Monaco wins when he got anywhere close. Now that I'm retired…"

"Oh, I see. Now he'll never be able to beat you, huh? Hah, I can see why he wouldn't be amused."

"Yeah, yeah. Keep laughin', Rex. Keep laughin'." Hank said as he put his arms out, "Alright, alright. We're outta the seat now. Why don't we hit up the casino and mingle?" the Racer cousin suggested.

"Sure, now I can teach him a lesson at the poker table." Rex chuckled, bumping Speed's arm with his elbow.

"You're on!" Speed accepted.

"Oh, boy, it never ends." Hank grins, sighing as they made their way to the casino.

Once they walked up, Speed looked down as he was still in his fire suit, just wearing his jacket, "Uhh, I think I'm a little underdressed for this place."

Hank placed a hand on Speed's back, "You're reigning WRL World Driver's Champion, Speed Racer. Who cares? They couldn't say no to you."

Once they walked up, the person at the door stopped the three from entering, "Sirs, you're not up to our dress code." he said.

Hank stepped in front and pointed to Speed over his shoulder, "You know who that is? That's Speed Racer, man. Ya know, reigning WRL World Driver's Champion, Speed Racer. Soon to be a 2-time Champ."

"Very well, and who's the other one?" he looked to Rex.

"Alright, I'll give you that one. But, ever heard of Rex Racer? Racer X? The Masked Racer? 4-Time WRL Champion? Yeah. That's him. He's even won this race 4 times, come on."

"...and...who are you then?"

"I'm Hank Racer." The man raised an eyebrow, and Hank got defensive, "Their cousin? Formula 1 Rookie of the Year a few years back? Drove the Mach 3...current driver of the Mach 4...you know?"

"Hmmm…" the man said.

"The Condor 500 tragedy where I crashed and lost the use of my legs for almost two years? That was me!"

"I...see. I suppose I can make this one exception. No funny business, if I get one complaint..."

"We're out, alright. Thank you, sir." Hank said as the three shuffled inside. Speed and Rex laughed as they got clear, "Alright, alright. Very funny, no one knows who I am."

"We're just messing with you, bud." Rex said, putting an arm around Hank's shoulder, "Come on, let's play some cards."

As they walked to the casino, Speed heard a familiar sound and looked over to the roulette wheel, his gaze became serious as he remembered one of the adventures that actually almost got him killed. In fact, it was prior to the Monte Carlo Rally when Speed and Trixie were taken by captive by Mr. Fastbucks, who frequented this very casino. The eccentric multi-millionaire ordered a hit on Speed after they got into a scuffle in Fastbucks's hotel room. Soon after Speed escaped the hotel, Fastbucks kidnapped him again and held him hostage, as he laid out his plan to destroy all oil refineries so he'd become richer off of the railroad business, of which Fastbucks bought all of the stocks for. It was an insane plan, which literally blew up in Fastbucks's face after Trixie, Sparky, Spritle, and Chim Chim came to Speed's rescue.

Speed became very uncomfortable as the white ball landed on 13-Red. Rex looked back to his brother, who had fallen behind to watch the roulette wheel spin, "Hmm? What's wrong, Speed?"

Speed looked to Rex, "Huh? Oh...nothing. It's nothing." Speed replied.

"We can always head back if you don't want to be here," Rex said.

"I-I'm fine. This was where Mr. Fastbucks used to frequent, and that was his game." Speed said, looking over to the roulette table.

"Ah, yes, I seem to remember hearing about that. I was on another assignment at the time. But you defeated him, didn't you?"

"Hah, Chim Chim was probably the one who actually defeated Mr. Fastbucks. But, of all of the adventures we've had, that one was where I came closest to...you know. Most of the time, I had an answer to every problem, but when I was strapped to that wall, I had nothing until everyone showed up. Almost as bad as the crash landing in the jungle last year." Speed sighed.

Rex patted Speed on the shoulder, "I see. I understand it's hard to get over something like that, Speed. Even for me. You're young, and you just want to race, but somehow peril is never far away, right?"

"Right. I can't explain it, honestly. I enter a race, and that's all I wanna do, but then something always happens to me. I don't know why."

"Well, Speed. I know I've apologized, and we're trying to make-up...but it all started with Pops. The GO-V12 engine he built that you raced at Sword Mountain in your debut."

"Ace Deucey and Mr. Van Ruffle…"

"Precisely. Speed, if you want my professional opinion, Mr. Van Ruffle was the beginning of all your troubles. He hated Pops, and he was threatened by the GO-V12 engine, so he forced Pops out of the company and hired hitmen and thieves to steal it. Who knows who else he talked to, the connections he had...and even the connections of those connections. That's why trouble always finds you, and who knows how long it will be before it ends. I'm not saying they all stem from Van Ruffle, but many of them do. So the only advice I have is to keep racing, Speed. You're a great driver who's capable of standing up for himself and his friends. I'm proud to have you as my little brother."

Speed smiled, "Thanks, Rex. But for Trixie and me, I definitely wouldn't have gotten out of trouble if it wasn't for you showing up in the nick of time." he said as his eyes fell on a shadowy figure watching them from the balcony, "Huh? Who's that?" Speed asked, looking up, the man quickly walking away.

Rex looked up, "Seems familiar." he thought to himself as he answered Speed, "Probably no one. Let's go to the restaurant and have a bite to eat, maybe we'll run into some of the other drivers who'll be competing tomorrow." Rex said as Hank walked back with a glass of gin and a wide grin.

"Did I hear 'eat?' Haha, food's on me, boys." Hank said as he held out a bag of chips he had won while he was at the blackjack table.

"Right on!" Speed said as they went over to cash Hank's chips and have dinner.

But as they ate, it finally came to Rex, "That was Trick Idler!" He thought as he remained calm, "What's a slimeball like him doing in Monaco? He has to be up to something." Rex thought, as he patted his lips with the cloth napkin, "I'm pretty stuffed, this was a good idea. Thanks, Hank."

"Yeah! Thanks, Hank!" Speed said.

"Oh, it's no problem, guys." Hank looked at the check, and his eyes widened, "That's way more than my winnings were!" he blurted as Rex and Speed laughed. Rex helped Hank pay the check, and the trio left the place, going to their hotel. It was further from the track, but the main one was where the shootout took place, and Speed didn't trust it anymore after all of the staff tried to kill him.

"Thanks, guys, don't forget about the others at the garage!" Speed said, waving goodbye to them as he stood in front of the hotel's door.

"We'll check, but I think Pops had the rental, they should be here. Goodnight, Speed!" Hank said.

"Goodnight, Speed. We'll be back in a few hours."

"Goodnight!" Speed said as he went into the hotel.

Hank looked confused to Rex, "A few hours? Are we goin' partying or something?" Hank asked.

"Yeah. You brought the Mach 4, right?"

"I did. I bring it with me everywhere."

"Then let's get cleaned up and head to the club. Speed's in trouble."

Chapter III: Nightshift

Not a long time later, Hank and Rex were cleaned up, and dressed in button-down shirts, jackets, and ties as the elevator doors opened to show the Mach 4 and Mach 5 parked next to each other in the underground parking lot. Rex was wearing all black with a white tie, and Hank wore a white suit with a red shirt and white tie, the two opened the doors to the rust-orange Mach 4 and sat inside, "Wanna tell me what this is all about yet, Rex?" Hank asked.

"While I was talking to Speed at the casino, I saw Trick Idler on the balcony. He scurried away quickly, which tells me he's up to something."

"Trick...who?"

"Trick Idler, the newest owner of the Three Roses Club after all of the others were killed by Flash Marker jr. and his remote-controlled X-3."

"X-3...oh yeah! 'Melange' right?"

"Right. So, what does this Idler guy have to do with anything?"

"Trick Idler was involved in this year's No Limit World Race, Prague Grand Prix, and I believe he had a hand in the Carrera Contra el Sol when Lovelace was kidnapped. I don't know what he's up to this time, it may not even have to do with Speed. But I'm not going to sit around and find out, I bet we could find him at Le Lounging Space, the most exclusive club in Monaco."

Hank looked over as something shiny in Rex's inner jacket pocket caught his attention, "Is...Is that?"

"It is. I may have come out of hiding, Hank, but I'm still Racer X. Now let's get to the club!" Rex said, Hank looked worried as he turned the key, the Mach 4's V10 engine roaring to life, and he peeled out of the garage and quickly drove to Monaco's most exclusive nightclub.

Theater lights danced across the dark sky as the Mach 4 pulled up, "Go on ahead, I'll join in a second, I don't trust valets to not press buttons." Hank said as Rex silently exited the car.

Rex showed the bouncer his ID, and he was allowed passage, he placed a hand in his pocket and observed. The lighting was very dim, the music was loud, and the brightest spot in the place was the bar. Rex made his way over and took a seat, "Vodka martini, please." Rex said as he looked around, "Where are you, Trick? No way you're gonna miss the grooviest party in Monte Carlo." Rex thought to himself, jumping as he felt a heavy hand pat his shoulder. He whipped his head around and saw Hank, "Jeez, Hank." he said, placing his fingers on the bridge of his nose.

"What? Relax, I'm here." Hank said as he ordered a fruity drink.

"You sure you need any more drinks today?" Rex asked.

"Well, you got one."

"I got one to look conspicuous. I'll probably just take a couple of sips." Rex spoke quietly to Hank as his vodka martini was placed in front of him, Rex lifting the fragile glass and taking a sip, "You, on the other hand, are gonna chug that entire pineapple whatever you got."

"Yeah, yeah. Suit yourself. What you got tastes like straight gasoline anyway."

"You had gin earlier!" Rex pointed out.

"For the first time!" Hank retorted.

Then Rex saw him, wearing a silver and black suit talking with a group of girls on the other side of the club, "Wait. There he is." Rex said.

"Then, let's go talk to him," Hank said, getting up from the bar. Rex grabbed Hank's suit coat and pulled him back on the barstool, "What?"

"Are you crazy? You can't just waltz up and start stuff! Just...stay here, your drink is ready." Rex said, taking his martini glass as Hank's large and fruity drink was set before him. Rex very casually made his way to Trick Idler and introduced himself, "Trick Idler?"

The skinny man looked up at Rex from under the bridge of his silver fedora, "That right, who's askin'?"

"The names...Lex. Lex Caper." Rex held out his hand, which Trick shook.

Trick tipped the brim of his hat to get a better look, "You look familiar. Haven't I seen you someplace before?"

"You might have, I was very mobile during the practice session today, I was walking all around the track."

"No...it was someplace else. Maybe not. Either way, what can I do for you?"

"I'm a very big motorsports fanatic, and I'd like to ask you something."

"A fan, eh?" Trick gestured at the ladies, "Give us some privacy, gals. I gotta talk to this…Lex Caper fella."

Rex took a seat, his eyes darted to Hank, who was talking to some girls and back to Trick. Rex took another sip of his martini, "So, I gotta ask. The Three Roses Club, how'd you guys bounce back after the Flash Marker jr. incident?" Rex asked.

A confident grin swept Trick's face, "Well, it's simple. All thanks to Speed Racer and his girlfriend, actually."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, that's right. The Marker kid took out almost all of our cars and all of our drivers and club owners, he went on a real tear with the X-3! But when Speed Racer saved that loon's sister and stopped him once and for all? Well, ownership of the Club fell onto me, and I only had the back-up cars to my name. No drivers, no investors or directors, nothin'. So, I hired a lot of young guns, ya know? They weren't impressed by the cars I had because, let's be real, the Three Roses Club's cars are ancient, they're backfield cars. But it was their only real shot. Speed Racer kick-started that journey, now look. We're climbing back up to the top, even have an F1 team!" Trick said.

"I guess that Racer kid ain't so bad," Rex said.

"No, not at all. I don't think he's a bad kid, personally. He's just a pain in the rear."'

"A pain in the rear?"

"Yeah, I mean. Kid's got this wild car, and he can't stop getting in everyone's way. Aggressive driving style, too."

Rex chuckles, "Heh, yeah. He drives like he's got a chip on his shoulder or something. Oh well, he's the champion, what can ya do?"

"I'll tell ya what," Trick takes a sip from a double-shot of whiskey, "We're gonna have a major upgrade for the WRL World Grand Prix or whatever it's called this year. I've got a plan to accrue some large funds for our cars. Mifune Motors won't know what hit em'."

"Why are you telling me this of all people? I'm just a random racing fan in a bar, what if I told the press?"

"Guy, look at my team. I mean, we're backfielders now. Using cars that are nearly a decade old, we ain't nothin'. So if you're a reporter or something, you can go ahead and tell all of the papers. But that's not gonna distract from the fact that The Three Roses Club is back!"

Rex kept a relaxed grin on his face as he sifted through the thoughts in his mind, "How could he get so much money that he could bump up his backfield team into winning shape? There's definitely something going on here."

But just then, one of the women came up behind Trick, putting her hands on his shoulders and whispering something in his ear. Trick nodded to her and got up and held his hand out, "Well. It was nice to talk with you, Mister Caper, but business calls."

Rex got up and returned the handshake, "Of course, Mr. Idler, it was an honor to chat with you." he replied. Trick chuckled, tipped his hat, and left the building with the woman. Rex returned to the bar with Hank, who was drowning in fruity drinks, "Hank?"

Hank looked up to Rex, "Well, look who it is! The super spy."

"It's only been 20-minutes!" He said, placing his martini glass on the bar.

"When you've won like me, you drink fast."

"Yeah, just don't go in your suit, hot-shot. Let's get you home." Rex replied, getting Hank off the barstool and paying the tab.

"Alright, who's drivin'?" Hank asked.

"Neither of us, we walk. I'll pick up the Mach 4 when I sober up, at least I only had one drink." Rex answered as he took Hank back to the hotel.

Back in the casino/hotel, Trick's footsteps clack against the wood flooring covered up by red carpeting, his steps accompanied by the woman who was with him. He takes out a golden key and unlocks his bedroom door and the two-step inside. He closes the heavy door behind him and locks it, "Love this place." he smiles as he looks at his 'assistant.'

"The hotel, Monaco, or me?" his assistant asks.

Trick chuckles, "All of it, obviously." he says, putting his hands on her waist until he immediately perks up in realization, "N-No way! That Lex Caper guy was a liar! A spy for Mifune Motors!"

"What do you mean?"

"I remember seeing them talking earlier in the casino! I was upstairs looking down at Racer and saw him talking to the kid! I ran off after Speed looked up at me!"

"What does this mean then, Trick?"

"It means I just happily gave information away to the enemy team! I-I have to find that Lex Caper character and stop him from telling the Racers!" Lex said, taking her hand and leading her out of the room.

"W-Wait!" She says, stopping Trick in his tracks, "Look, you've paid me a lot to stand around and act as your assistant/girlfriend, but this is a little outta my price range!" she says, wrists on her hips.

"Oh...right. Sorry about that, doll. Money's in the nightstand, see ya 'round!" Trick says as he rushes to the parking lot to get to his car. Trick stopped at a pay-phone, putting a couple of Monégasque Francs in as he spun the rotary as fast as he could.

"Hello?" A voice called.

"Hey, this is the boss. I need some men, this is an emergency." Trick whispered rapidly.

Meanwhile, at the other hotel, Rex opens the door to Hank's room and helps his cousin to his bed, "Get some rest, Hank. I'm gonna get the Mach 4...hopefully, you won't have a hangover because tomorrow is gonna be pretty loud with Qualifying going on." Rex smiles as he leaves Hank's room and goes back out, hands in his pockets as he walks back to the club.

"Huh? What's that?" Rex asks himself, and he looks up and sees three silver sedans pass him by, all were the same make/model, "Looks like trouble." He says, a stern expression befalling his face as he begins to walk faster to the club, where Rex picks up the Mach 4 and drives back to the hotel without incident, but with the thought of those cars in the back of his mind the entire drive back, and throughout the rest of the night.

Chapter IV: Hardwire Quali

*GRRR-GRRRR-WRRRR* The engine howls and growls as Speed reaches the Hotel Hairpin corner of the Monaco circuit, the tightest and slowest turn on the Formula 1 calendar, and the tightest turn on Speed's racing schedule. Trick Idler watches him go around the corner, standing behind the metal barrier, Speed was too focused to look for too long. Still, he got a glance at Trick out of the corner of his eye. That glance was enough of a distraction, as Speed hit the gas too hard on the exit of the corner, causing the Mach 5-F1's rear-end to swing outwards and knock against the wall.

"I'm coming into the pit." Speed said over the radio.

"What's wrong, Speed?" Sparky asked.

"I got it all wrong out of the hairpin, and I hit the barrier. There might be damage."

"Copy that, Speed. Bringer 'er in." Sparky replied as Speed went around a slow double-right turn and into the tunnel section of the track. He turned left through the treacherous Nouvelle chicane, and through the next tight couple of sections and into the pits.

Pops walked up to the car, "What happened, Speed?"

Speed took his helmet off and scratched his head, "I made a stupid mistake. This guy was watching me at the hairpin, I hit the gas too hard, and the back-end stepped out and hit the wall." he explained.

"Speed, you can't get distracted at things like that. What was so special about his guy that you took your focus off the lap?"

"I dunno, Pops. He looked familiar like I've had trouble with him before. But I'm not sure." Speed said as he watched Sparky push the F1 car into the garage.

"Well, don't worry about that right now, Speed. Qualifying is in an hour, we can't afford those mistakes on the tightest course of your schedule." Pops explained.

"I know, Pops. I'm sorry." Speed said as they walked up to Sparky.

"Any damage, Sparky?" Pops asked.

Sparky held his chin in his hand and looked closely at the right-rear, "Hmmm, well, it could be worse. No damage to the axles, wheels, motor, or header. I'm gonna have to replace the tie-rods, though."

"How long is that gonna take? Qualifying is in an hour." Speed asked.

"Hey, Speed, you can't rush stuff like this. But I can tell you it'd be a lot faster if the guy who broke it helped fix it." Sparky explained.

"Okay, I'll stay and help."

Pops smiled in approval, "I'll help too, then. I'm the one who built the car after all." Pops said as the three began replacing parts and tweaking what needed to be tweaked to maximize performance around the track.

As they worked, two silver and red cars blew by, Speed looked back and ran out to get a look at them, and then it clicked in his mind. The guy who was watching him was from the Three Roses! But before Speed was able to inform Pops and Sparky to start another one of his adventures, a firm hand grabbed his shoulder, stopping him, "Wait, Speed." Rex said.

"Huh? Rex?"

"I know what you're thinking, and you can't do it."

"I saw some guy watching me from the hairpin, I recognized him from yesterday when we were in the casino. I've got to see what's going on."

"No. I'll take care of it, just get your car fixed in time for Qualifying."

"What do you know about this?" Speed asked.

"The man who was watching you is named Trick Idler, he's the owner of the Three Roses Club. He's up to something, and I'm already investigating it."

"But…"

"I know its second nature by now for you to get involved in the action, but Hank and I are already keeping a close eye on him. Focus on winning the race, Speed."

"Okay. Okay, I will." Speed sighed as he went back to the garage.

Rex watched him walk back as Hank walked up behind him, "Rex, we gotta go." Rex agreed as they made their way to the Mach 4.

"What do you got, Hank?" Rex asked as they got in the car.

Hank produced a newspaper from his inside jacket pocket, "Take a look at this." Hank pointed to one of the articles.

["Fastbucks Heists Still Under Investigation! Police remain looking for new leads, Inspector Anton Dubious believes that a cache of stolen diamonds are still in Monaco, and is looking for anyone who may know the whereabouts of the jewels, or has seen any suspicious figures who may be in possession of the stolen goods."]

"Trick," Rex said.

"I think so. I remember what you told me this morning."

"Yeah. I'm starting to wonder if that large amount of money he's about to 'run into' are those diamonds. But how did he come into possession of them? Where is he hiding them?"

"Well, we can't break into his hotel room, Rex."

Rex's eyebrow raised as a grin crept up his face, "Hank, get me to a payphone right away."

"Huh?"

"There's no time to waste, let's go," Rex commanded as Hank hastily turned the engine and got Rex to the nearest payphone, stopping a couple of streets away.

Rex hopped out of the Mach 4 and took his wallet out, taking out his CIB License which had a number on the back. Rex dialed the number, and the phone rang a couple of times before a familiar voice greeted him, "This is Inspector Detector speaking."

"Inspector, its Rex."

"Rex? Is everything alright? You're still supposed to be on extended leave to spend time with your family."

"I know, sir. But please, listen, I have something important. I'm in Monaco with Speed, Pops, Sparky, and my cousin, Hank. Hank and I were just here to spectate, but when we took Speed to the casino, I saw Trick Idler."

"The owner of the Three Roses?"

"That's the one. I talked to him later that night while I was undercover, and he said he was about to run into a large sum of money."

"Rex, just what are you asking me?"

"Inspector, I need permission from the CIB to investigate him. I have reason to believe that Mr. Idler is smuggling diamonds that were stolen during the Fastbucks heists that happened last year."

"Hmmm…." Inspector Detector stroked his pointed beard, "...You're sure about this?"

"I feel like I could find some evidence, sir."

"You're reinstated effective immediately for 24 hours, and that's all you get before you're back on your scheduled leave. I'll get in contact with Inspector Dubious now, good luck, Racer X." Detector said before hanging up.

Rex grinned and got back into the Mach 4, "Get me back to the hotel. I need to get dressed." Rex ordered.

"Hey, what am I? Your taxi driver?!" Hank complained.

"If I had the Shooting Star, I'd do this without you. But I need you, Hank. We need to protect Speed, and if that means you're my driver for today, then yes. You're my taxi driver." Rex said, his demeanor changing to an icy and serious tone as he got into his Racer X mindset.

"R-Right, sorry," Hank said as he drove Rex to the hotel.

As Rex got into his room, he took his luggage out from under his bed and unlocked it. Buried under his regular clothing is a black suit with a giant white "X" across it. Rex sighed as he got it back on, remembering his battle at the Super Prix. But he pulled it on for his family, looking himself in the mirror as he pulled his black mask on, clipping it on under his chin. He walked out in the hallway, where Hank was waiting, "Whoa." Hank said in awe of Racer X.

"Let's go." Racer X said as they made their way to the hotel, where inspector Dubious was waiting.

"Inspector Dubious, I presume?" Racer X greeted, shaking the Monegasque Inspector's hand.

"That's race, Racer X. I understand that you have reason to believe that Trick Idler is smuggling the lost diamonds from the Fastbucks case?"

"I do. I'll explain on the way to Fastbucks's room." Racer X said, explaining everything he had done as they opened the door to Fastbucks's room.

Racer X's eyes scanned the premises, "But we've already checked this room up and down." Inspector Dubious said.

"I believe you, but Fastbucks was a genius...he was mad, but a genius none-the-less. He would find a hiding spot for something as precious as diamonds. How Trick Idler would know where they were is the only open question." Racer X explained as he began feeling smooth surfaces for hidden buttons or switches, "Was this room touched since his robberies and kidnapping last year?"

"No, Racer X. He was the last person to have stayed in this room, it has been virtually untouched aside from the obvious investigations, of course."

"Hmm…" Racer X picked up a deck of cards that was on the table, he dropped his hand and raised it again, "...this deck of cards is unnaturally heavy." he observes. He opens the pack and begins taking out the cards, "Of course." Racer X mutters as he pulls out the king of diamonds, the card is more substantial than every other card in the pack, he poked the corner of the card with his gloved finger, pulling it away, and grinning.

"What's that? What're you doing, Racer X?" Inspector Dubious asks.

"This card is heavier than all others in the pack. The king of diamonds, Fastbucks, was truly flamboyant to the end." Racer X walked over to the decorative knight's armor and ran the card all around it, but nothing happened.

"Racer X, what are you doing?"

Racer X looked around the room, the last sizeable metallic thing there was the gigantic gold rotary phone that sat on the mantel, "Aha!" he exclaimed as he walked towards it, "Well, where would you hide bags of diamonds hastily? Where would the police never think to check? Observe, Inspector." Racer X picked the phone up and pressed the card against the side of its box, and when he did something within the phone clicked, and the bottom of the phone fell out! "This is a false card, Inspector. Made of metal that could negate a magnetic lock that Fastbucks had installed within your hotel's phone, the perfect place to hide his stolen diamonds." Racer X threw the card against the wooden mantle, the sharp corner sticking in the surface, "I knew its purpose when I slipped it from the deck, and nearly pricked my finger on its sharp edge."

The Inspector, Hank, and the other officers stood in awe, "But how could he do such a thing?" An officer asked.

"Well, he knew what he was doing when he robbed that bank, and he knew what he was doing when he hitched a ride with Speed Racer and his girlfriend at gunpoint. He probably planned to create a magnetic lock somewhere within this room to hide the most valuable of his stash. He was bold, not stupid." Racer X said as he took a device from his pocket while the others turned their backs to talk among themselves. The device had a small button, speaker, and a volume wheel. The CIB superspy typed something onto the device, turned the volume way down, pressed the number to dial the operator, and put it inside of the phone. He then closed the bottom of the phone and left the receiver off the hook as he placed it back on the mantle.

"But where does Trick Idler factor into all of this?" Dubious asked.

"That's still the question. However, the diamonds would still be here if it was just Fastbucks involved in the scheme. Someone removed the diamonds from this phone, now we just need to figure out who."

"I bet it was that Idler guy!" Hank said, placing a fist in the palm of his hand.

"There's no proof, Hank. If Inspector Dubious gets a warrant, we could investigate his room and belongings, but that's about it." Racer X said as footsteps could be heard echoing down the hallway.

"Well, speak of the devil," Hank said as Inspector Dubious walked out.

"Halt, Trick Idler? We would like to speak with you," he said.

Trick stopped in his tracks, and became visibly worried, especially as Racer X stood in the doorway of Fastbucks's room, "W-Who are you?"

"I'm Inspector Dubious, and we have some questions for you relating to Mr. Fastbucks's stolen diamonds."

"Stolen diamonds? Wh-What are you talking about? Get a warrant, you Gestapo!" Trick said, getting very defensive as he made his way to his room that was next to Fastbucks's.

Inspector Dubious's expression became angry at the term Trick used but refrained from reacting, "He's right, Racer X. I'm sorry. But I'll get the warrant right away; no one gets away with calling us that."

"I understand, sir. I'll continue a search that still remains under legal lines."

"Very good. Thank you, Racer X."

Back in the pits, as night fell over Monte Carlo once again, the GO Team sat around a small table in the garage; qualifying hadn't gone the way they hoped after spending all day fixing the Mach 5-F1, "You can still win from fourth, Speed. It's just gonna be a very uphill battle." Pops said, trying to comfort his son.

"I know, Pops. But we can't just replace parts at the start of a race, this place is so narrow, there's really only two or three places you can overtake around here."

"Don't worry, Son. Monaco is a strategists' race, and I'm trying to cook up as many strategies as I can to get you on the top step tomorrow afternoon."

"I hope so, Pops. It's Speed's second-to-last year of the race, I want him to win!" Spritle added.

"Yeah, and Hank, Pops, Rex, and I will be getting those tires changed in no-time, Speed, you just gotta have faith!" Sparky added.

"I do have faith, Sparky. I just have to be careful. I can't be as aggressive as I usually am, especially on the Nouvelle chicane, that's throwing a wrench in things." Speed said.

"Don't worry about it! I'm gonna bring them the tires before you pit, Speedy!" Spritle cuts-in as the garage's side-door opened, and the three turned to face it as Hank and Racer X walked through.

"Hey guys, how'd it go?" Hank asked, but they were focused on Rex.

"It didn't go well, Hank. But Rex, what's with the get-up? I thought you were on a break from being Racer X." Speed got down to the heart of the matter quickly.

"I'm investigating Trick Idler. Something about him is suspicious to me, but that's all I can say."

"You're gonna be here tomorrow to help pit, right?" Sparky asked.

"I will, Sparky. That's why I was going to ask Hank if I could borrow the Mach 4."

Hank looked back at him, "Now wait a minute…"

"Hank, you know what's at stake." Racer X said, holding out his gloved hand.

Hank grumbled as he took out the key attached to a metal "4" keychain from his pocket and placed it in Rex's hand, "Don't scratch the paint. I waxed that thing even after I couldn't drive it anymore."

"I'll do my best." Racer X said, clenching the key in his hand.

Pops looked worried, "Rex, just...be careful, please."

"I will, Pops. I'll be back to change those tires tomorrow, don't you worry." Racer X said as he left the four in the garage, "I'm pretty sure those sedans I saw last night were Three Roses Club goons who have probably been on the lookout for me, and I can't get Hank that close to the action. This ends tonight, Trick." Racer X thought to himself as he hopped into the driver's seat and drove off to the hotel. Racer X once again made his way to his room and took out his luggage, he opened his own secret compartment and took out a 9mm pistol with an extra magazine and holster, loading it, and leaving again.

Chapter V: Silver Winds and Orange Fires

"I'm going to see if I can spy on him for the adjacent building. Inspector Dubious needs a warrant, but I have CIB clearance for a few hours more." Rex thought as he parked the Mach 4 in a lot across the street from his destination. He used the employee stairway entrance and hurried to the rooftop where he went to the edge of the building where he pulled out a monocular from one of his pockets and searched for Trick's room, Trick's window had a golden telescope pointed out the window, definitely not there to stargaze.

While Racer X watched their movements from afar, Trick was inside talking to his henchmen, "Boys, Racer X was in this hotel this afternoon, as was the Inspector. Even Hank Racer was there, that family can't seem to stay outta trouble."

"Why don't we teach 'em to stay in their lane, then?" A henchman asked, slamming his fist into his palm.

"That's too forceful, but we will if it comes to that." Trick said, "But, despite Racer X probably finding Fastbucks's trap door, he still has nothing to tie me to the diamonds."

"How did you come into those anyway?" Another asked.

Trick chuckled, "Well, apply Occam's Razor: 'the simplest solution is most likely the right one.' I was the secret second-hand of the late Mr. Fastbucks." Trick thinks back to when Fastbucks was alive, "Mr. Fastbucks picked me up off the street years ago after I sweet-talked him out of some cash, he couldn't believe it after the fact, and he took me under his wing. I remember the plane ride here, where he laid out his scheme. He told me everything, even revealed a second bag where he kept magnets, telling me where he would hide some of the valuables. So when the dam Racer kid got him killed, I know I had to have my revenge. I followed Speed's history and followed his career, learned of the Three Roses Club losing all of its member's thanks to Flash Marker jr. and I bought it. Now I'm back to where it ended, we all are. I got those diamonds as soon as I arrived, and now I'm going to use the money to fund the Three Roses Club and take out Speed Racer in the World Championship!"

Just then, a policeman pulled someone over, the bright light reflecting off of the monocular's lens, the repeated shine coming through the window, "Hey, boss...what's that?" a henchman asked.

"Huh?" Trick asked, rushing to the telescope.

"Crap!" Racer X exclaimed as he hastily put the monocular away and made his way out.

"It's someone on the roof…" then Racer X's white 'X' revealed itself when he turned to get away, "...it's Racer X, after him!" Trick Idler ordered as the men all grabbed their guns and packed into their sedans.

Racer X slammed out of the door he came in with his shoulder, "Gotta get to the Mach 4!" he panicked as Trick's men were already on him, blocking off the front of the hotel with their silver sedans. They didn't even stop to gloat as they opened fire on him! Bullets whizzed by Racer X as he took cover behind the building and unholstered his weapon, "They're blocking the main path…" he thought. Still, before he could come up with a strategy, one of the three sedans had moved, driving around the street, stopping as three henchmen go out! Racer X grunted loudly as he shoved a dumpster just far enough away from the wall for him to take cover as he peeked out from his cover and shot at them, "Unless bulletproof, those doors aren't thick enough to use for cover." Racer X thought, shooting one who was taking cover behind the door, taking him down. "If the doors aren't bulletproof…" Racer X then fired through the windows at another who was taking cover behind the car, also dropping him "...then neither are the windows."

"Trick, my crew is down over here, he's…" A henchman's call for help was stifled as Racer X took him out as well, hopping into the driver's seat and taking off towards Trick's blockade!

"What? What was that? You stopped talking? Come in!" Trick yelled as Racer X blew by in the sedan, smashing through a barricade and towards the Mach 4, "Wait, that's him! Come on, in the cars, let's go!" Trick ordered.

Racer X stamped in the breaks of the sedan as he arrived at the Mach 4, where he hopped inside and shot the sedan's engine, making sure no one could take it. Te looked up and saw the other two in the distance, he turned on the Mach 4, immediately pressing its D-Button, deploying the deflector shield! "If I remember correctly, the Mach 4 only has Auto Jacks, Belt Tires, Tire Shields, and Deflector Shield. We'll see what this thing can handle." Racer X made a note of the Mach 4's abilities as he launched from a standstill, but Monaco's tight roads made it hard for even the mighty Mach 4 to leave the sedans behind, "I have a plan, but I need to get one of them in front of me." Racer X thought as bullets pinged off of the car.

Racer X let his foot off the gas as he approached the blocked-off Monaco circuit, making sure he kept them close behind. Trick Idler was in the second car, behind the one immediately pursuing, "Keep close, and don't take the guns out unless Car 2 fails." Trick says.

"Right, there's the entrance that's in-between the final corner and the front straightaway! ...Now!" Racer X jammed the A-Button and jumped the metal barrier!

The henchmen in Car 2 screamed as the orange and black car left their view to be replaced by a big metal barrier, "Stop the car, idiot!" Trick yelled, causing Car 3 to slide to a halt! Racer X landed on the other side safe and sound as Car 2 smashed clear through the barrier, and set fire to the engine! The henchmen ran out, not even bothering to fight, "D-Damn it! Get us onto the course, we're getting this guy!" Trick yelled as the final car drove out onto the circuit.

Racer X grinned and stamped the gas, the Mach 4's rear tires screeching loudly and creating a cloud of white smoke as it pulled in front of the sedan and went down the front straight and into turn 1, "I need him in front of me, too. I know the perfect place to do it." Racer X said, looking in his rearview mirror as more bullets bounced off of the Mach 4's glass and body, "Sorry, Hank." Racer X winced as a shot scraped across the rear end as they raced up the hill and into Massenet and Casino corners, where he let off the gas, allowing Trick's car to catch up by the time they hit turn 5. "This is it." Racer X thought as they raced down the short straight to the Grand Hotel Hairpin, where Racer X pulled to the right side of the road and hit the brakes very early.

"Don't crash into him!" Trick shouted, the heavier sedan took longer to stop than the light race car with the big brakes. The silver sedan swerved to the left, bashing against the metal barrier, and screeching past Mach 4 as it nearly hit head-on into the hotel hairpin barrier! But the driver managed to get it slowed down just-in-time, turning the steering wheel hard to the left and scraping the right side of the car on the other end of the tight corner!

"I was hoping they'd smash into the barrier, but I guess it's time for Plan B." Racer X observed as he followed them out of the corner and through the two tight right turns, and onto the back straightaway as both cars pointed towards the tunnel section!

"H-Hey, he's behind us!" Trick yelled.

"We're all outta bullets, we've gotta get away!" his henchmen said.

"Get away from Racer X, are you crazy?" Trick shouted back.

"If we stop, he'll just beat the pulp outta us, we've got to try!" The driver retorted as they could hear the Mach 4's exhaust growl and crackle behind them, echoing through the tunnel. Racer X short-shifted from fourth and into fifth-gear so he wouldn't have to worry about shifting the car while he got ready to mount his attack.

Racer X pressed the D Button, lowering the deflector shield, and holding his 9mm in his left hand, he readied his shot, *Pow! Pow! Pow! Click!* the bullets lodged themselves in the sedan before running out. Racer X ejected the magazine, the metal bouncing and skidding across the road behind them as he hastily loaded his last magazine, "Okay, time is running out. Gotta hit a tire." Racer X gritted his teeth as both cars left the tunnel, luckily the ferocity of how hard the sedan bashed the walls on the hotel hairpin dented and pushed in the fenders, making his shot just easier as the very edge of the tires were exposed. Racer X shot once, twice, the second shot embedding the round in the gas tank, setting the sedan on fire. The third time was the charm, though, as the third shot just grazed the sedan's tire as they approached the extremely dangerous Nouvelle chicane!

"Watch out, you stone head!" Trick screeched.

"I-I can't turn the car, boss!" The henchmen and Trick screamed as the front-right of their car smashed the barrier of the chicane, flinging the silver sedan into the harbor, the water splashing onto the circuit as the fire of the vehicle was put out immediately!

Racer X took the chicane slowly as he stopped the Mach 4 by the wall separating land from the sea, he hopped out of the car and looked over the wall as what appeared to be every police car in all of Monte Carlo was driving to the scene, led by Inspector Dubious!

"Racer X, what is the meaning of all this!" Dubious said, storming up to the agent.

"Trick and his men, Inspector. They shot at me, so I led them here." Racer X pointed to the harbor where Trick and his men were swimming out to the waiting arms of the police.

"I was in the process of getting a warrant, now we may never get it!"

"Wrong, I had complete CIB clearance to investigate over a 24-hour time frame. I am the warrant, Inspector. They caught me spying on their meeting from the roof of the building adjacent to the hotel, and they came after me, that's how this all started."

"You were just watching them? How is that proof that they stole the diamonds?"

"I wasn't just watching, Inspector. Remember when I opened the phone in Fastbucks's room? I connected to the operator and left one of my gadgets inside that told the operator in Morse code to record this line. Then I left the phone off the hook with the receiver facing the wall where Trick's room was. Hopefully, the operators got the message and recorded everything." Racer X revealed.

"That's a lot of faith to put in some telephone operators."

"I know, but it was the only way. Now, time is of the essence, let's go." Racer X said as he got back into the Mach 4 and turned into the direction of the hotel.

"I'll… I'll make you pay, Racer X! I still have my secret weapon, I'll pay you back for this!" Trick shouted as Racer X drove by. When he and the Inspector got to the hotel, they rushed to the Fastbucks room, and Racer X picked up the phone, "Hello, operator? Did you…"

"We got it, Rex." Inspector Detector's voice came through.

"Inspector Detector?"

"That was a lot of faith you put in the operator there. Good thing they connected this line to the CIB Department in the US embassy over there. Our agents heard everything, Rex. But while we have audio proof of Trick stealing the diamonds, we still don't know where they are."

"I think I know, let me check Idler's room to confirm my suspicions."

Detector chuckled, "Go ahead, Racer X, and good luck in the race tomorrow." Inspector Detector said as he hung up the line, and Racer X put the golden phone back on the hook.

Racer X investigated Trick's room, even the telescope, and there was nothing, "Inspector Dubious. I need you to accompany me to the pits." Racer X said.

"Of course." Dubious agreed, getting into the Mach 4 and driving down the front straightaway of the circuit, stopping at the pit stall of the Three Roses Club, "Stand back." Dubious said, pulling his handgun out and shooting the lock out of the garage's side-door, kicking it open, "Clear, Racer X."

"Excellent." Racer X walked in and pulled out a pocket knife, flicking open the blade and walking to the #3 car. He stabbed into the seat and cut it open, ripping the leather apart with his hands and feeling around. His hands then contacted something substantial, Racer X grabbed it and pulled out a velvet bag, which he opened and smiled at Inspector Dubious, pouring diamonds into his hand. He did the same with the #33 and again, another velvet bag filled to the brim with diamonds, "He came here, took the diamonds from the phone, and hid them in the cars so when the race ended, they'd load up the cars and leave with the diamonds. Then, these rocks were going to fund his new racing team."

"I'm glad we found the jewels, but why go to these lengths to hide them? He could've hidden them in his pocket or his bags, why the cars?"

"Because he was trying to be like his mentor, Mr. Fastbucks. The difference is, Fastbucks's eccentric plans always had complex reasoning behind them, and he was truly only foiled by chance. So, following in his mentor's footsteps, Trick was trying to be just as creative. However, it's clear that Trick Idler isn't as smart as his mentor after all, because Fastbucks wouldn't have been acting so suspicious in the first place...that and Fastbucks would never let anyone get him drunk." Racer X chuckled as they formally arrested Trick Idler the next morning.

Chapter VI: The Monaco Grand Prix

"Ugh." Rex sighed as he sat outside of the hotel's cafe with a double-shot of espresso, the Monaco air was cold, he could smell the sea, as the cool breeze wafted through. He hadn't slept a wink for over a day now, having driven the Mach 4 to the hotel, dropping off the keys, going to his room to shower, and then staying up reading because he was afraid of oversleeping. He was peacefully reading the morning news talking of his exploits when the Mach 4 screeched up next to him, the metallic orange paint all scratched up, and the bodywork riddled with dents, Rex sighs, "Oh boy." as he gets up from his seat, putting the paper down on the table, "Look, Hank. I'm so-"

Rex was cut off as Hank hugged him. Rex was shocked at first before remembering that Hank was the one who saw Rex fake his death when Rex fully assumed the Racer X identity, "I saw my car, and I hoped that it didn't happen again." Hank said.

Rex patted his cousin on the back, "If it wasn't for the Mach 4's gadgets, it would've been a lot hairier, that's for sure." he chuckled.

Hank released Rex, "How can you joke?"

"Last night has been almost every night of my life for a long time, Hank. I'm just desensitized to it."

"I am still kinda mad about my car, you know." Hank grins.

"Yeah, I figured. I'll help repair and repaint it when we get back home." Rex said as the others drove up in the rental.

"Come on, you two, it's time to get ready for…" Pops stopped as he saw the poor state of the Mach 4, "What did you do to my beautiful car?!" Pops yells.

"Whoa, what happened, are you okay, Hank?" Speed asked.

"Read the news," Hank said, taking Rex's paper and tossing it to Speed.

"['Racer X and Inspector Anton Dubious Solve The Fastbucks Case. Owner of The Three Roses Club, Trick Idler, Arrested On Counts of Theft and Attempted Murder, Among Other Charges!'] Wow, Rex. You had an eventful night, don't tell me you've been up this whole time." Speed said.

"I knew those Three Roses guys were up to no good!" Spritle reacts.

"I see, so you used the Mach 4 to help you out, huh?" Pops said.

"I already told Hank I'd help repair and repaint the car," Rex said.

"Damn right, you will! Now come on, we've gotta get ready for this race!" Pops said, driving to the pits.

Hank lightly punched Rex's arm, "Come on, hop it." he laughs.

Rex chuckles and downs the rest of the black, bitter espresso, before hopping into the passenger side of the Mach 4, the two making their way down to the circuit.

"Welcome to this year's (rather late) running of the Monaco Grand Prix, the most historic of all Formula 1 venues. Now, you may have heard the news, but the Masked Racer himself, yes, Racer X caught a diamond thief last night! But you wouldn't believe that the drama thickens, it was none-other-than the owner of the Three Roses Club, Trick Idler himself! Once this was discovered, his cars and drivers were disqualified, and his team blacklisted from all Formula 1 events indefinitely!" The announcer said.

"Hopefully, we're done with Monaco conspiracies for many years to come!" The co-host adds.

"Indeed, James! Now, we focus on today's race, Sterling Moss lines up on pole position with the two Ferrari's lining up in 2 and 3. Behind the top three in 4th place is Speed Racer. My word, he has quite the uphill battle today!"

"That's right, Murray. But I have faith in Speed Racer's ability, despite this being his Monaco Grand Prix debut. Speed only races two F1 races per-season after all, thanks to his insanely packed schedule racing in the WRL. So it's always nice to see him join us for a race."

On the grid, Pops and Sparky start the car as Speed grips the wheel tightly, "No funny business into Sainte Devote, Speed. It's Turn 1, so it's always chaos, so don't get any ideas." Pops said as the engine fired up.

Speed held the 'OK' sign to Pops now that it was far too loud for Pops to hear him. Pops and Sparky shook Speed's hand as Pops rushed to the pits so he could strategize while watching TV, and Sparky went by the wall with Speed's blackboard where he could jot down Speed's times, and the pit strategy.

"All of the cars revving to their optimal RPM-range, waiting for the flag to drop," Murray said, hyping up the crowd who was cheering already as the green flag dropped! "And it's GO! GO! GO!" he shouts as he and James begin commentating over the race.

Speed was able to take third place into Turn 1, the Ferrari getting a poor start from the line! The three cars race up the hill and around the circuit. Later in the lap, Speed smirks, seeing a considerable scuff on the Nouvelle chicane's dividing wall from Trick's wreck.

Later in the hundred-lap race, the first and second pit stops went off without a hitch, and the team was relaxing and watching the race, Speed was up to second place, quickly gaining up on Sterling. But as Sterling and Speed ran through the Swimming Pool chicane, Speed's tire blew! Pops jumped from his seat, "Get the spare tires!" he shouted as Speed limped the car to the pit lane.

"Disaster! On lap 80 of 100, Speed Racer blows a tire!" Murray shouts.

"That's very unfortunate for the GO Team, hopefully, they can salvage this race. Speed and Sterling had a considerable lead, maybe Speed can break even." James noted.

Speed stopped in the pits, and every hand was on-deck, hurriedly replacing the tires, "GO ON!" Pops shouts, slapping his hand against the car's body, as Speed peeled out of the pit-lane!

"Speed Racer rejoins in 4th, just behind one of the Matras!" Murray says.

"Okay, here goes the fastest 19 laps of my life." Speed thinks, his heart beating as fast as his cylinders pumped. He pulled beside the dark blue car as they entered Casino corner, where he passed on the outside, the Matra's driver giving way.

"What a move! Next are the two Ferraris dead ahead!" Murray says.

"Impressive that he was able to pass on the outside of Casino like that, but there are nineteen laps to catch Sterling, he doesn't need to win it all on this lap," James added.

Speed stays behind the third-place Ferrari until they hit the tunnel section, the two cars roaring and screaming through the echoing tunnel, Speed pulls out, being able to pass by the chicane with the help of the slipstream! The crowd roars by the incredibly daring move, which actually made Pops nervous. Nervous enough to go to the wall and take the blackboard, he holds it out for when Speed passes by, "SLOW DOWN! 18 LAPS." it reads.

Speed agreed, the move around the chicane was a little too aggressive, even for him. Speed relaxed the anxious tightness that wound up his chest and just drove as he roared to the 2nd place Ferrari's rear. They battled around the tight corners of Monaco, a track that demanded perfection and precision. Awarding bravery if you're skilled and punishing you if you're not. The Ferrari was doing a great job of keeping Speed behind. Still, eventually, with some late-braking skill, Speed was able to pass the Ferrari at the Grand Hotel Hairpin! "Now for Moss." Speed said to himself as he left the Ferrari behind, defending his position for the next couple of corners before the red car backed off.

But, laps later, as the checkered flag waved, and it was upon the silver Mercedes of Sterling Moss, with Speed Racer a half a second behind, "Sterling Moss wins at Monaco again!" Murray said.

"I'd say Speed was definitely my driver of the race, his comeback was a stunning display of his skill, and we hope he comes back to try again soon!" James added.

The top three drivers stood on the podium, each receiving trophies and bottles of champagne from the King, Queen, and Prince of Monaco.

But, despite this happy ending, Trick Idler's threat still rang out in Rex's head. What was Trick's final grand scheme? Find out in the 3-PART CONCLUSION OF… SPEED RACER!

[Outro Music]

In Memory of Sir Sterling Moss - 17 September 1929 – 12 April 2020

[Author's Note]

Hey everyone, Josh here! Fun Fact before I plug everything, this story was inspired by the true story of the 2004 Monaco Grand Prix, where $600,000 worth of diamonds were placed externally on each of the Jaguar F1 Team's cars to advertise Ocean's 12. Both cars crashed during the race, and the $1.2 Million Dollars' worth of diamonds are still lost to this day. If you like my writing and want to read more, please message me if you want the link. It has a place where I post all of my updates about my superhero series, "Special Defense Unit," and my bookstore where you can buy my work! Thank you for reading and Stay Tuned for Part 1 of the 3-Part finale of Speed Racer Season 2!