Drive To Survive

Towards the end of the summer, when most schools were starting to run classes again, he'd built up enough rapport with some of the parents that he’d landed a few babysitting gigs to hold him over for the rest of the season. He’d usually end up finishing up right before the Teku would be heading out for a race or a car meet. Tonight was no different except for the fact that he was running late.

The parents had gotten so caught up in all the banquet politics that they had completely missed their pick-up time. Vert was just about to send a courtesy text to Nolo when he heard loud and familiar music pulling up to his house.

The girls he was watching over that night were psyched about the colorful flashing lights coming from outside the windows, but Vert was horrified. He hadn’t told the crew he had started a babysitting gig, and worse than that, the girls, Tina and Laurie, had stuffed him into a WAY too small princess dress and had plopped a comically extravagant tiara on his head so that he could play princesses more accurately.

When the knocking at the door started, Vert momentarily thought about just hiding and waiting them out, but before he had a chance to slink away, Tina had sprinted to the door and swung it open with all the enthusiasm in the world. They would have to have a talk about opening up the door for strangers later… again.

“Vert, come on- we’re going to be… um…. Hello?” To say Kurt looked confused would be an understatement.

“Tina! C’mon, we talked about this!” Vert chidded as he scoped the giggling girl up into his arms. Laurie was right behind him, gazing curiously up at Kurt from behind Vert’s leg.

“He’s got funny glasses!” Tina shouted pointing up at Kurt. Kurt could only blink in surprise as Vert finally met his dumbfounded gaze.

“Yeah. He does, doesn’t he,” Vert snorted.

“Says the man in a tiara,” Kurt was quick to snap back, folding his arms over his chest defensively.

“He’s a princess!” Tina shouted, and Vert quietly reminded her about the existence of inside voices.

Nervous about having the door open for too long, Vert stepped aside and gestured for Kurt to come in. Hesitantly, he did, shutting the door behind him. For a moment, he just took in the scene in front of him. There were various Barbies and stuffed animals set up around a little table in the living room. A tea set, which he determined was thankfully full of water, lay abandoned in the middle of the table.

“I didn’t know you had sisters,” Kurt said finally, locking eyes with Laurie who was still silently staring up at him like she didn't know what to make of him.

“I don’t. These are my neigbor’s kids.” Vert playfully tossed Tina down on the couch which only made her laugh and squeal louder. “They’re stuck at some banquet. I’ve been watching them since six. Tina. Laurie. Say hi to Kurt.”

Tina waved wildly, while Laurie went to silently hide behind Vert’s leg again.

“Laurie’s a little shy, but she warms up fast, isn’t that right, little dude?” Vert prompted, patting the girl gently on the head.

“I’m not a little dude… I’m a princess.” Laurie gently reminded Vert.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Vert had been so caught up explaining himself that he hadn't even heard the other car roll up. Hoping that it was Tina and Laurie’s parents, he made a beeline for the door and swung it open. No such luck.

Shirako, Karma, and Nolo all stood on his front porch looking just as confused as Kurt had been a minute ago.

“What the hell-“

“HECK am I wearing?” Vert worked fast to censor Nolo. The last thing he needed was for the girls to go home saying swear words.

“He’s a princess!” Kurt cackled from inside.

Karma raised an eyebrow at him.

“Look, I’m babysitting my neighbor’s kids, okay? Now come in before one of them decides to bolt out the door.” Vert said, ushering the rest of the Teku into his home.

Like Kurt, the three of them entered the living room with a reasonable level of caution. There were toys strewn out everywhere, and they also didn’t know how these kids would react to having three other people in the house. Positively apparently, because it didn't take but two seconds for Tina to drag Nolo and Karma over to the tea party table. Kurt had already been served a tiny teacup full of water by the time they were seated.

“Princess Vert!!!” Tina shouted, aggressively waving him over. “Your guests are here- they are ready for your royal speech!”

The Teku couldn’t contain their laughter as Vert straightened out the tiny princess dress he had squeezed into. Tina, of course, violently shushed them.

“Uh… Welcome to the tea party…?” Vert spoke hesitantly, and even Laurie shook her head.

“No!!! Use your princess voice!” Tina complained dramatically, pouring Shirako a cup of water, to which he thanked her quietly.

He was never going to live this down…

With all the poise and elegance he could muster, Vert sucked in a deep breath and pitched his voice up a couple of octaves. The speech, all things considered, was pretty good. Good enough to satisfy Tina at least. The Teku on the other hand…

Kurt had a hand clasped tightly over his mouth and was shaking with the effort it took not to laugh again. Shirako and Nolo were in literally tears as they listened to Vert’s beautiful tea party speech, and Karma was recording the whole thing.

Yup… He was never living this down.

About twenty minutes after Vert’s tea party speech, Tina and Laurie’s parents finally showed up. They were extremely apologetic for the late pickup, and tipped well because of it, but not enough to cover the damage to his ego he had suffered that night.

All the way to the race, that was all the Teku talked about. Not to mention the fact that they called him Princess Vert for a full week after the incident.

Nope. Never living it down.

Vert Wheeler - I feel like I don't need to say it, but I’m gonna… Vert’s a Waterbender! Water is the element of change and Vert is all about adapting to the different tracks. He’s also a surfer- so… yeah I feel like this one is pretty self-explanatory. I swear this dude would become one with the ocean if it was possible. I can’t get the image of him making a surf board out of ice and just using the full moon to make the biggest waves possible for himself.

Shirako Takamoto - Shirako is so chill all the time I can’t help but see him as an Airbender. I also feel like he’d use his bending in the most creative and chaotic ways possible like manipulating the air around his speakers to make them sound louder or clearer. Not to mention that he’d use his bending to mildly annoy the Metal Maniacs. Think blowing their tools just slightly out of reach or speeding by them on an air scooter.

Kurt Wylde - Kurt has such strong Firebending vibes that it literally inspired this post lol. He just seems like such a hothead. He’s got the sass and air of superiority that comes with most Firebenders. It doesn't help that he and Mark have a sibling rivalry that reminds me of Zuko & Azula. Kurt also seems like he’d be able to manipulate lightning, and I’m not just saying that cause he looks like Mako.

Karma Eiss - Karma also gives off Firebending vibes. Her drive for perfection fits the precision a Firebender needs in order to safely manipulate their element. One wrong move and it could mean trouble. Karma would have her element fully mastered. She would have the wisdom to take skills from other bending disciplines and apply them to her own style. She can bend both fire and lightning, and I feel like she’d be skilled enough to turn up the heat for those blue flames!

———

Metal Maniacs

Taro Kitano - Oh, look at that. Another Firebender. I mean come on! He’s the leader of the Scorchers in World Race. His car has a classic flame paint job!! The Fire Nation was literally modeled after Imperial Japan!! There are so many connections I could make here, but what really convinces me is his overall attitude. He follows a strict honor code, and just like Karma, he’s got the control a Firebender needs to be successful. I feel like he’d make a great Lavabender too.

Tork Maddox - I’m getting strong Earthbender vibes from Tork. He’s built as sturdy as a rock, and his personality is just as solid. He stands his ground a lot in the Acceleracer movies, and although he’s got some fire behind his eyes, it’s usually only in response to being antagonized by one of the other racers. He’s the very foundation of the Metal Maniacs and like any good Earthbender, he seems to listen before he reacts. I also love the idea of Tork being a Metalbender.

Monkey McClurg - Monkey strikes me as a Nonbender, but if I had to give him an element, he would be an Earthbender. Mainly because I feel like he could make a great Metalbender. That being said, at my core, I really think he would end up not being able to bend, but he would make up for it by being an extremely creative inventor. He just reminds me of Sokka so much with how resourceful he is.

Porkchop Riggs - Porkchop is a full on Earthbender, baby! In fact, If Monkey ended up not being able to bend, he’d be who Monkey goes to for all of his Metalbending needs. He is one with the dirt. Especially since he's terrified of water.

Markie Wylde - Markie is 100% a Firebender as well. Like his older brother, he’s hot-headed and cocky. He gives off those Book One Zuko vibes in most of the Acceleracer movies. I don’t think he’d have the precision to be able to produce blue flames, but I do feel like he could pick up combustion. Could you imagine Markie with combustion tattoos up his arm instead of the stuff he's got now?

———

Bonus Round

Brian Kadeem - Okay, I wanted to put Kadeem in the Earthbender category due to Sandbending, but Kadeem’s personality SCREAMS Airbender. He’s got too many pacifistic tendencies and is just so damn loveable I can’t not associate him with Aang. Not only that but due to the scenes in World Race where his mentor comes to him in visions, I feel like he would be able to connect to the Spirit World quite easily.

Banjee Castillo - Surprisingly, I feel like Banjee would be an Airbender too. If not an Airbender, then probably an Earthbender. He’s just so quick-witted and has such a lighthearted view on life that I can't help but stick him with the Airbenders. Also, the way he teases people (like when he waves at Kurt as he passes him in World Race) reminds me of when Aang is being mischievous.

Whatever the reason, Vert’s very soul resonated with the ocean. So, unsurprisingly, when they pulled into the parking lot, Vert was chomping at the bit to get everyone in the water. It was early. Like…Sunrise early. He’d claimed that that was the best time to show up if they wanted to avoid the crowds, but really he was just in it for the tidal movements.

“We’re going to miss all the good waves!” Vert whined as the group took their time gathering up all the beach gear. They’d brought everything. Towels, chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and it wouldn’t be a Teku beach day without a couple of good speakers to get some tunes going. Not to mention every spare board that Vert had. He didn’t want anyone feeling left out on the sand.

“We couldn’t miss the waves if we tried. Calm down, surf rat.” Kurt groaned as he stretched out from the drive. “There’s barely any cars in this parking lot. I thought you said it would be crowded?” There was a fatigued annoyance that laced his tone as his eyes caught the surfers.

“That's why we’re here early,” Vert replied dubiously. He was going to busy himself with grabbing the rest of the chairs, but Karma beat him to it. That left him with the boards.

He gathered up as many as he could and left the rest to Shirako and Nolo. They knew to handle them with care.

Getting down to the beach and set up wasn’t a long process, but to Vert, it felt like forever. Obviously, he helped without complaint, dutifully setting up chairs and umbrellas alike, but by the time they finished, he could have sworn the ocean was calling his name.

After haphazardly slapping on some sunscreen, Vert picked up his board and quickly made his way to the water. It was definitely cold. Any lingering sleepiness faded away as he waded out up to his waist. He didn’t care though. In fact, the feeling was something he’d grown quite fond of.

Goosebumps pricked at his flesh as he switched to paddling and managed to catch his first wave. He couldn’t have been out there for more than ten minutes before Nolo joined him with a shivering smile.

“You’re crazy, Vert. It’s freezing out here!” Nolo exclaimed in that ‘my body is fighting to keep warm so I’m running on pure adrenaline’ type of way. Vert laughed.

“It gets better the more you’re in it, man. Trust me!” And eventually, it did. By the time the sun had fully stretched itself up and into the sky, Nolo was finished shivering and actually starting to sort of get the hand of things. Well, it was more like boogie boarding, but that was one of the first steps. Besides, Vert was just happy to have someone out there trying.

Eventually, Shirako and Karma came to tag Nolo out so that he could take a rest. He’d almost been able to stand up on the board by the time he swam back to shore, which had Vert smiling ear to ear. The only one that seemed to be enjoying Vert’s surf lessons more than Vert, was Kurt. Every time someone went down, he’d let out an entertained laugh from the sidelines. Nolo was quick to get him back though, practically tackling the older racer into the sand the moment he emerged from the cold water, leaving them both scrambling for a sun-warmed towel.

Karma took Vert’s coaching like a champ. Hell, she was a natural. By lunch time she was grabbing almost as many waves as Vert was. Shirako on the other hand was having a harder time keeping up. That didn’t stifle his fun, however. No, as long as he had some music, he was fine. No matter how many times he wiped out.

Kurt was last to get in the water, and after laughing at everyone all day, the gang was eager to give him the same treatment.

“Surprised you actually made it out here. I was starting to think you couldn’t swim,” Vert teased as he pulled himself up to sit on his board. After surfing for almost the entire day, he needed a small break to catch his breath, and picking on Kurt was the perfect excuse.

“Oh, please. I’ve been swimming longer than you could walk.” Kurt shot back, rolling his eyes.

“Show us how it's done then,” Vert nodded at the board that Kurt was currently clinging on to. Their relationship had been a bit rocky during the World Race, but after Kurt had come to his senses and helped return the Wheel, a quick friendship had developed between the two. Kurt, although he’d never admit it, was happy to take Vert under his wing. It was sort of like having another younger brother, only this time, he’d make sure not to mess it up.

When the next wave came through, Vert was able to ride it with ease while Kurt was left struggling to keep up. A few wipeouts later, and the former Grand Prix racer was returning to the shore with his tail tucked between his legs. Fortunately, the rest of the Teku didn’t give him too much shit for it, despite him definitely deserving it. They all came to the conclusion that the ocean had humbled him enough for the day.

As the sun began to slowly sink its way back under the horizon, Vert finally made his way back in. Karma, like she had planned, was lounging on one of the foldable chairs, book in hand. Nolo and Kurt had taken to tossing a frisky back and forth, and Shirako was simply soaking up the sun and gently nodding his head along to the playlist he had curated for the occasion. All in all, it had been a fairly successful beach day, and Vert couldn’t wait for the next one.