The trip back to the city was uneventful, although the mysterious feeling of being watched hung over the group the entire way. Once they reached the outskirts of town, they realized how late it was getting. Spot, in particular, was worried about walking around the large city after dark. “Don’t you think we should head back to our dorm? I don’t want to walk back in the dark…” Her voice trailed off as she glanced down an already pitch black alleyway.
Grand Prix trotted over to Spot and gave her a reassuring look. “We could stay at the Raceway. The place is full of rooms that are used to house the racers that come from all over the kingdom.” She then winked at Spot. “There’s even a spa. I can totally get the both of us in.”
“What about us?” Shadowstorm blurted, referring to himself and Copper Head.
“Psh,” Grand Prix rolled her eyes. “Stallions don’t go to spas. Besides, we need some mare time. Right, Spot?”
“Um, of course.” Spot muttered. “I’m still not sure about spending the night there.”
Unfortunately, no one else heard Spot’s last comment and so the unicorn was forced to follow them anyway. The sun was slowly making its way under the horizon by the time the four made their way to the Raceway. It was an impressive sight. The last rays of the sun outline the sleek curves of the large modernist complex. As they got closer, a logo on the sign of the building became visible. It said “The Raceway”, in black, red, and white letters. The ‘R’ curved under the rest of word so that it formed an underline. Around the logo, a large amount of posters were posted with the names of different sponsors. Among them were some that Copper Head recognized from other advertisements around town.
Grand Prix meandered up to the wall and pointed at a poster hanging close to the Raceway logo. It read “Rainbow Factory Apparel”. She gently placed her hoof on it while speaking, “This was my old sponsor. Back when I used to race.” Grand Prix sighed. “Even though I haven’t been away for long, it feels like an eternity since I last saw the team.”
“Yeah, yeah ‘grandma’.” Shadowstorm teased. “Let’s just get inside. It’s getting a little cold.”
The group walked through the automatic doors and into a stark white interior offset by hundreds of thousands of racing memorabilia, plaques, info counters, furniture, and other ponies. “This place looks like a museum!” Spot jumped up excitedly. She immediately went over to a display and started reading information on a large golden trophy on display.
Grand Prix stood next to her and smiled, “That’s the champion’s trophy for the Cloudwalker Grand Prix. Every winner has their name etched into it.”
“Intriguing.” Spot paused for a moment to read before asking, “The Cloudwalker Grand Prix is what you’re named after right?”
“That’s right.” A voice answered from behind the both of them. They both turned and saw F1, Grand Prix’s father, standing over them. “Grand Prix, you should have told me that you were coming by. I would have forced everyone else to leave.” He smiled a mischievous smile as he gave his daughter a hug.
“C’mon dad. You don’t have to do that. I’m just here to show everyone around… and probably spend the night.”
Her father twitched at the words ‘spend the night’ and glanced in Shadowstorm’s direction before saying through clenched teeth. “Um, that’s not a good idea. Especially with that… hooligan… around.”
“What’s your problem with him? He’s been my friend for forever!”
“My problem is not with him.” F1 coughed, “If you’re going to be resolute on his staying here, he can sleep in one of the rooms on the opposite end of the Raceway as yours. And I’m not going to change my mind.”
“Fine.” Grand Prix audibly sighed. “Not like we already technically live together…”
“What was that?”
“Nothing! Nothing!” Grand Prix put on her best innocent face.
“Of course…” F1 said with suspicion. “Well, I better get back to meeting all the racers. This year’s semi-pro racing season is starting tomorrow and I have to scout them out. Might find a replacement for Swallowtail. Sometimes I wish this place wasn’t part hotel.” He gave his daughter a pat on the head before heading off into a crowd.
Copper Head and Shadowstorm, who had been purposefully avoiding contact with F1, rejoined their female companions. “Does he still hate me?” Shadowstorm wondered.
“Sure does.” Grand Prix jabbed him in the ribs. “Of course, who doesn’t hate you?”
“Haha,” Shadowstorm rubbed his side, “So whatcha got planned for us now?”
“Well,” Grand Prix pulled Spot close to herself, “Me and Spot here are going to the hotel spa. It’s sort of a mares only thing.”
“You’re telling us that you dragged us all up here just so you could go to the spa?” Copper Head interjected.
Grand Prix blushed, “It’s been a while. You don’t know what you have until you lose it right?”
The guys simultaneously shook their heads. “I guess it doesn’t really matter.” Copper Head replied. “I sort of don’t care about going to a spa, anyway. I’d rather take a look around.”
“Yeah! That sounds like a great plan. Let’s get going buddy.” Shadowstorm said while shoving Copper Head towards a doorway leading out of the room. “We’ll have our own… stallions only… adventure!”
Spot and Grand Prix giggled. “Well, that was awkward.” Grand Prix continued to chuckle, “Anyways, let’s get going. The spa awaits!” Grand Prix ushered her friend down a different corridor than Copper Head and Shadowstorm had taken.
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Copper Head wandered around another section of the racing museum observing the plethora of “artifacts” while Shadowstorm intently swept his gaze over the crowd.
“Ya think Grand Prix knew there was a racing thing going on today? Couldn’t have been coincidence.”
“I honestly don’t know Shadowstorm,” Copper Head replied while gazing at photos of past racers and teams, “I didn’t even know racing was so big in Cloudwalker Kingdom.”
“It’s like the only sport we have. Pretty much every citizen has a favorite racer or team. Heck, even I think Beco Boost is the best racer alive… or was. The only race he ever lost was his very last one.”
“What happened to him?”
“Heh,” Shadowstorm walked a few feet away, “Let Grand Prix tell you. She was there.” Shadowstorm continued to walk off. Copper Head quickly turned and trailed behind him.
“Why can’t you tell me?”
“You’ll understand, once… if she tells you.”
Copper Head sighed and gave up the pursuit.
“Don’t worry about it.” Shadowstorm reassured him, “Why don’t we get something to eat? I see some free food over there and I’m starting to feel a bit peckish.”
Copper Head looked around and spotted what Shadowstorm was referring to. A long table was set up with all kinds of sweets and confectionary creations. Hanging from the front of the table was a sign that read “Food for Racers Only”. “Uh,” Copper Head muttered, “I think the food is for racers only.”
Too late, Shadowstorm was already scarfing down a large piece of carrot cake. No one seemed to notice, but Copper Head looked around warily as he crept up to the table. Shadowstorm was already on his third cupcake when he finally got there. He eyed the table and then glanced at his friend who had frosting covering most of his face. Copper Head spotted a tiny morsel of cake. He supposed that no one would miss such a miniscule clump of frosting so he popped it in his mouth.
“Are you racer?” A voice called out behind Copper Head that made him jump. He swallowed the piece of cake and turned around slowly, thinking up some sort of excuse as he went. When he came face to face with his assailant, he was slightly underwhelmed. Standing before him was a mare that he dwarfed in size. Even Shadowstorm, who was a little small for a stallion, seemed tall next to her. “Why you eat? Racers only!” Her broken sentences, strange accent, and harsh demeanor gave her away as a mare not native to Cloudwalker Kingdom, or at least, not the capitol.
“I thought that I…”
“NO!” She harshly replied before Copper Head could finish his sentence. “Dirtwalkers, don’t think! You,” Before she could spout more racist remarks, a stallion put a hoof over her mouth.
“I’m deeply sorry.” The stallion apologized, “My cousin isn’t from around here…” He stopped as the mare struggled harder under his grasp. “She’s from another part of the empire, where… ponies like you, aren’t very common.”
The mare wiggled free and bit down on his leg, causing the stallion to yelp in pain. “You defend him?” She questioned her cousin, “He breaks rule!”
“It’s fine Anna. Please, we don’t want you to get deported… again…” With that, the mare, Anna, stayed quiet but never ceased glaring at Copper Head. “I’m so sorry about that, I wish I could make it up to you, though I’m just a lowly journalist. Name’s Otto Bahn by the way. The loud-mouth’s name is Anna Bahn. What’s yours?”
“Copper Head,” Copper Head replied, “And this is my friend Shadowstorm.” He turned to look for Shadowstorm, but he was still stuffing his face; completely unaware that anything happened.
“Good to meet you, Copper Head. I wish it would have been under better circumstances. Anyway, what brings you to the The Raceway?”
“I just came here with three of my friends. Grand Prix and Spot are off at the spa or something.”
Otto’s ears perked up, “Did you say ‘Grand Prix’. As in the heir of this very building we’re standing in? The up and coming rookie who quit so suddenly?”
“Um, I suppose.”
“No way!” Anna Bahn broke her silence with an outburst that startled everyone nearby. “The mongrel cannot be friends with her! She is too famous to be with trash!”
“Anna! This might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Do NOT take this chance away from me!” Anna backed off after the harsh scolding. “Do you mind if I ask you some questions about Miss Grand Prix? In private of course.”
“Why wouldn’t you just interview her?”
Otto shook his head fervently, “Everyone knows that Grand Prix never, and I mean NEVER, takes interviews. Mostly because everyone wants to ask her the same questions about that day. The day she quit. It’ll just take a minute and we’ll need to find a place a bit more quiet.”
“A place more quiet? Why not just right over there?” Copper Head pointed to a part of the room where the crowd was scarce.
“NO! I mean. No, there are way too many ears… Wouldn’t want the story to come out before I’m ready to publish it of course.”
“I guess I could,” Copper Head shrugged, “Shadowstorm, you coming?”
Shadowstorm looked up from his plate with frosting all over his face, “Nah,” he said with bits of food spewing out of his mouth. “No one else is eating this stuff. Don’t want it to go to waste.”
“Ok then… Lead the way.” Copper Head followed Otto and Anna to another part of the museum that was void of any other visitors. A large window on one of the walls provided a view of the actual racetrack that The Raceway housed.
“Anna, could you wait just around the corner?” Otto asked his cousin while he took out a pencil and notebook.
“Why? Can I not stand here?”
“Professionalism, Anna. Please understand.” Anna hesitated before grudgingly going around the corner, but still well within earshot. “Thank you for taking the time for this interview.” He spoke in a professional tone while turning to Copper Head. “How long have you known Miss Grand Prix?”
“Well, I guess it’s been a little under a year. I’ve known her ever since I came here.”
“Mmhm, and where do you know her from?”
“The academy. We’re in the same class.”
“I suppose you mean Cliffside. Very good. Now, on to the more… substantial questions.” He flipped over a page in his notebook before continuing, “Does Miss Prix have any cloudwalker magic?”
Copper Head was a little shocked by this question. Not really something that a racing journalist would ask. But he felt there would be no harm in telling him, “She has a magic that causes people to become dizzy and blind.”
“Blind? For how long?”
Copper Head scratched his head, “A minute maybe? I’m not entirely too sure. Why exactly are you asking me these types of questions? Aren’t you a racing journalist?”
“She’s practically a celebrity,” Otto said without missing a beat, “A lot of people want to know everything about her. If you want to stop, we can just end it here.”
“No… it’s fine.” Copper Head didn’t feel like everything was fine, but Otto seemed like a nice guy. “What’s the next question?”
“Does Grand Prix have a love interest? Readers love celebrity couples.”
“If there would be anypony it would probably be,” Copper Head abruptly stopped mid-sentence after he saw something flash by the window behind Otto, “What was that?”
“What was what?” Otto replied with a slightly annoyed tone.
“The window behind you. Something just passed by it really fast.”
Otto sighed and trotted up to the window and looked out, “ I don’t see any…”
A sudden crash sounded and shards of glass permeated the air. Otto fell down backwards, in his head, a large vicious looking wound. Something passed by the window once again.
Anna poked her head around the corner, “What is that noise?” She gasped when she saw her cousin on the floor in a pool of his own blood. She walked closer, staring wide-eyed at Otto’s body and then at Copper Head. “You!” She screamed.
“No, you’ve got it all wrong! It was the…”
Anna sprinted towards him mid-sentence yelling, “I’ll kill you!”
In a hurry, Copper Head lept through the window. He stumbled over something that was just under the windowsill. He picked himself up off the ground and saw what it was. A unicorn dressed in all black was crouched under the windowsill, trying to stay hidden, but he wasn’t expecting somepony to jump out of the window.
“Ack!” The pony blurted as he took off down one side of the racetrack.
Copper Head was slightly dumbfounded, but quickly realized that that pony must have been the murderer. He took off after him, trying his best to keep up. It was already pitch black outside, but small lights located around the edge of the race track provided enough light for Copper Head to keep track of the assailant. Although he wasn’t very fast, Copper Head was able to close the distance between him and the killer. With a final burst of strength, Copper Head lept towards the unicorn. There was a flash of light, and Copper Head was met with the jarring sensation of slamming into metal. Dazed and confused, Copper Head rubbed his head for a while, until he heard somepony walk up behind him.
“I caught you, dirtwalker!”
Copper Head caught a glimpse of her before he felt a sharp pain in his side. He yelped and jumped away from his attacker. Standing before him was Anna, wielding a large piece of broken glass that was now slick with Copper Head’s blood. “I didn’t kill him! It was some other pony. I was chasing him down when he just disappeared through this wall!”
“Lies!” Anna took another swing at Copper Head but the stallion, now aware of his surroundings, was easily able to dodge out of the way. “Stop moving!” Anna said through gritted teeth. She changed her stance to lunge at him, but she stopped. Her eyes widened and she turned pale. She dropped the glass she was holding in her mouth which shattered into smaller pieces upon hitting the ground.
Copper Head was about to ask what was wrong when the mare suddenly started to cough up blood. Copper Head was shocked by the development and wondered what to do.
“What…” Anna gasped sounding incredibly confused. She continued to cough up more blood. Copper Head sprang into action by picking her up and carrying her on his back. She was so small that her weight barely hindered Copper Head as he headed to find help for her. A sudden shiver ran up his spine as something wet splashed against his sides. He didn’t have to look to guess what it possibly was.
Back at the broken window, there were palace guards and shocked onlookers already massed around the dead body. The guards were more than surprised when Copper Head suddenly appeared on the other side of the window carrying a sickly Anna. The guards called for paramedics who carried off Anna Bahn for treatment. Copper Head saw her off at the door, all the while wondering about everything that happened in just the past few minutes.
Shadowstorm casually sidled up beside Copper Head with sugar all around his mouth. “What happened?” he said smacking his lips, “That part of the interview?”
“Uh, no.” Copper Head glanced at Shadowstorm, “Have you been eating this whole time?”
Shadowstorm looked surprised, “Of course! That’s what I told you I would be doing. Silly.”
Copper Head sighed, “Come on Shadowstorm. We have to find Grand Prix and Spot. We need to warn them that there is a killer around here.”
“Killer?” Shadowstorm furrowed his brow, “Is that what the dead body was about?”
Copper Head face hoofed before walking in the direction of the spa.
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“Mmmmm, that feels so good.” Grand Prix cooed as she relaxed in one of the spas many hot tubs. She closed her eyes and soaked in the warmth of the water before addressing her friend. “Spot? You getting in?”
Spot stood beside the hot tub, suspiciously eyeing the bubbling water. “How hot is it?” She questioned. “Not… not too hot I hope?”
“It’s pretty hot, but it feels good! You just have to try it!”
“I’m not sure…” Spot started to shy away.
“Just dip a hoof in! You’ll see.”
Upon her friend’s suggestion, Spot gingerly dipped her hoof into the water. “Wow!” She exclaimed, “It doesn’t feel that bad at all.”
“See? I told ya.”
Spot slowly stepped into the hot tub, allowing the warmth to envelope her bit by bit. “You know, we have something like this back in Neigh Jing. High in the mountains, there are hot spring resorts where ponies will relax and bathe in steaming water. I’ve never been to one before, and I always thought that the water would boil me.” She giggled at that last thought.
The two sat there in silence, allowing the water to soothe away the stress of having walked around all day. “So, you mentioned that you were once a racer?” Spot said to break the silence. “Mind telling me that story?”
“Sure. Sure.” Grand Prix closed her eyes, leaned her head back, and smiled, “I can remember it like it was yesterday. The feeling of air brushing past my skin, the roaring cheers of the spectators, the straining of my muscles as I pushed myself faster… Those are a lot of things I miss.”
“Why don’t you go back?”
Grand Prix opened one of her eyes and peered at Spot before closing her eyes again, “I left for a reason. I can’t go back… I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Well, why don’t you tell me how you got started?”
“Yeah sure. My dad always pushed me to be a racer. So I was racing ever since I was old enough. I’ve met a lot of friends and had a lot of rivals since then. Some of them have even gone on to be professional racers. Blue Angel, Saurus, Anna Bahn are all pro’s that I’ve been friends with for years.” Grand Prix stopped speaking for a moment to take a long glance at her scarf which was set in a neat pile in the corner away from the hot tub. “After winning a few small races, my dad hooked me up with a sponsor: Rainbow Factory Apparel. They make really nice, and really expensive, clothes. I never actually owned anything from them except the scarf.”
“Oh wow.” Spot sat back and contemplated what Grand Prix had just told her in her head. “Were you really good?”
“I was alright.” Grand Prix shrugged, “Never got first. Of course, no one could ever hope to get first while Beco Boost was around.”
“Beco Boost? What happened to him?”
Grand Prix flinched, “N-nothing.” Grand Prix looked away. “Let’s talk about something else…”
“Oh, did I saw something wrong?”
“No, it’s just.” She cut off shortly and bolted upright. “Did you see that.”
Spot whipped around. The door to the room was open and something ran across the hall. “Is someone there?” She squeaked.
“I’ll check it out.” Grand Prix said while she was already getting out of the water. She grabbed a towel and began drying herself off as she made her way to the door. Peering her head out of the door, Grand Prix looked in the direction that the figure went. She couldn’t see anything. She turned her head to the right and was surprised to find Copper Head trudging down the hall. He was panting heavily and was he himself surprised to see Grand Prix poking her head of the doorway.
“Hey!” Copper Head exclaimed, “Me and Shadowstorm were just looking for you!”
“Shadowstorm huh. Did he just run by?”
The stallion nodded, “Yeah, he’s chasing somepony. C’mon, I’ll explain on the way. I don’t want to leave Shadowstorm alone with a murderer.”
At the mention of ‘murderer’, Grand Prix’s eyes widened. She turned and commanded Spot to get out of the tub.
Spot reluctantly rolled out of the tub. She didn’t bother with getting a towel, instead she used her magic to collect all of the water off of her body and put the orb of water back into the tub.
The three set off in the direction that Shadowstorm was heading.
“So, what exactly happened?” Spot asked.
“There was a murder inside The Raceway not too long ago. Some pony just popped up out of nowhere and killed this stallion named Otto Bahn. We were on our way to make sure you two were alright when we ran into him again.”
“Poor Anna. She was always so close to her cousin.” Grand Prix whispered after Copper Head had finished his story, “I’ll have to go visit her in the hospital. But for now… We should go tell my dad. He can let security know to be on the lookout.” Copper Head and Spot nodded in agreement.
After a few more twists and turns with Grand Prix leading the way, they reached her father’s office. The door was already open and shadows danced across the light streaming from the doorway. Suddenly, F1’s voice could be heard from inside, “It wouldn’t be so hard to kill you, you know. All, I have to say is that you’re one of them. Then no one would ask any questions.”
Grand Prix, curious as to who her dad was talking to, immediately barged in. “Daddy, who are you talking…” She gasped when she saw the scene before her.
Shadowstorm was bloodied and bruised. There was a knife being held to his throat. In front of him stood a blue unicorn mare wearing a black cloak with the hood drawn back. She was using her magic to hold the knife against Shadowstorm’s throat. Behind the unicorn stood F1. ‘S-sweetie.” F1 stuttered as he noticed his daughter in the doorway.
Grand Prix was speechless. She could only stare at the knife that was so close to ending Shadowstorm’s life. She couldn’t even move. Copper Head and Spot had to jump into action.
“Stop!” Everyone stopped in their tracks, even the pony in the cloak was surprised by the outburst. “Put the knife down, Panic.” F1 said through his teeth.
“Yessir.” The unicorn lower the knife from Shadowstorm’s throat and concealed it somewhere within her cloak.
“What is she doing here?” Copper Head questioned. “She murdered Otto Bahn.”
“On the King’s orders,” F1 added.
Copper Head, and the rest of the group, had no response to this revelation.
F1 sighed, “I can see you’re confused. Let me explain.” He walked over to his desk, which was a cluttered mess of letters upon letters. He rustled through the stack of letters, but eventually gave up. “Well, I was going to show you the actual letter…” He sighed, “Anyway, there is a group of… conspiracy theorists, who believe that our King disposed of his older brother. Otto Bahn was a confirmed member of this group, and has been publishing materials to rile up the citizens to start an uprising of sorts. This of course has not gone unnoticed, and Panic was summoned to dispose of him. However,” he glared at the unicorn apparently named Panic, “She was unable to do so quietly.”
“Forgive me.” Panic replied in a monotone voice.
F1 furrowed his brow before sputtering, “Just go. I’ll speak with you later.”
The unicorn did as she was told and was gone in a flash of light.
“Dad,” Grand Prix walked up to her father. “Why… he was Anna’s cousin. You’ve known Anna ever since…”
“Quiet!” F1 silenced his daughter. “Leave my office. You can stay the night, but you will return to the academy in the morning.
Copper Head, Shadowstorm, and Spot started to back out of the room. Grand Prix on the other hand stood her ground, “Dad, I want more answers.”
“You won’t be getting them from me. Now leave.”
“I’m not moving.”
F1 smiled, “You alway were my stubborn little princess.” F1’s cutie mark glowed and a sudden gust of wind carried Grand Prix against her will out of the room. Before she could leap up, F1 slammed his door shut and locked it.
There was a moment of silence as the rest of the group stared anxiously at Grand Prix. “Let’s just go.” She sullenly trotted off, leaving the others to follow her. She led them to the part of the building where the hotel rooms were located. She picked up two keys from the front desk. “If you all don’t mind. I want to be alone.”
The three were about to nod their head in agreement when Grand Prix continued, “With Shadowstorm.” The three froze in place and gave her a strange look.
“Uh, why’s that?” Shadowstorm said hesitantly.
Grand Prix said nothing. She unlocked the room with her key and entered, leaving the door slightly open.
Shadowstorm glanced at Copper Head and Spot, “She’s probably pretty upset…” He looked at the door. “I’ll just uh… go.” He opened the door and went inside.
“Hey wait about about the…” Shadowstorm closed the door behind him, “key.” Copper Head frowned. “I guess he didn’t hear me.” Copper Head head glanced at Spot who shrugged. Copper Head knocked on the door, but nopony answered. “You gotta be kidding me…”
Shadowstorm didn’t hear the knocks on the door behind him. He couldn’t hear much except the sound of his blood pumping. His heart racing. “Grand Prix?” He called out. She didn’t answer. What’s her deal? Shadowstorm thought. He did his best to navigate the small hotel room in the dark. Eventually he found her lying on the bed curled up in a ball. “You alright?” Shadowstorm questioned.
“No.” She shifted in the bed in order to look at him. Her eyes were wet, as if she was about to cry.
Shadowstorm walked up to the edge of the bed that Grand Prix was closest to and looked into her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
Without saying a word, Grand Prix grabbed Shadowstorm and dragged him into the bed. She wrapped her hooves around him and buried her face in his mane. She mumbled something that Shadowstorm was unable to hear.
“Come again?”
“I thought I was going to watch you die.” She sobbed.
“Hey, hey. It’ll be alright. I’m alive aren’t I?” He rolled over to face Grand Prix and returned her embrace.
“I know, but.” She pulled him closer, “I was so scared. I don’t want you to…” She trailed off.
“Don’t want me to what?”
“To leave me.”
“I won’t.” The two continued to embrace each other until they eventually fell asleep.
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The next morning, Shadowstorm was the first to wake up. He was almost surprised to find Grand Prix so close to him, as if he had forgotten what transpired last night. He pulled himself away from her and walked out into the kitchen. He let his eyes wander around the room. They finally settled upon a key card that he set on the table last night. “Hey isn’t that they key to the other room… oh.” He picked up the key and scurried to the door.. He started snickering when he saw where Copper Head and Spot had to sleep.
On the ground next to the wall opposite the door, Copper Head and Spot were sound asleep. Spot was curled up on top of Copper Head, but their difference in size looked funny to Shadowstorm.
“Shadowstorm? What’s going on?” Grand Prix had woken up and was now getting to the door. “What… Pfft.” Grand Prix suppressed a laugh when she saw her two friends sleeping out in the hallway. “You didn’t give them the key?”
Shadowstorm blushed, “I guess I forgot. Heh…”
“There you two are.”
The suddenness of the new voice made Shadowstorm and Grand Prix jump. The source of the voice was none other than Copper Head, who was glaring at the two of them from under Spot.
“I’ve been awake like this for like an hour waiting for you two to wake up. If I could move, I would get both of you.
“You’ve been up for an hour already? And what do you mean you can’t move?”
Copper Head growled, “I have… bad dreams. So I don’t sleep very much. And I can’t move because of this.” Copper Head attempted to get up, but at the slightest movement, Spot whimpered and pushed her head against Copper Head’s side.
“That’s so adorable!” Grand Prix squee’d. “Anyway, let’s go get breakfast Shadowstorm.”
“What about me?”
“We’ll bring you back something.” Grand Prix smiled. The two of them walked away laughing, leaving Copper Head trapped under a yellow bundle of cuteness.