Scenario:Sho and Tabina - A Violet Flash of Lightning

A Violet Flash of Lightning

One night, Sho witnesses Tabina speeding past him on her gearcycle with incredible speed. The next day, Sho challenges Tabina to a speed race. The competition starts off with Sho building up a huge lead. However, when Tabina hears about a rumor from Lyria of someone who looks like Attiyah being sighted in town, she overtakes Sho in no time and disappears into the distance.

---

An endless road in the countryside, lit only by the gentle moonlight from above.

All is calm, until suddenly.

The shrill sound of exhaust pipes and the glare of multiple headlights shatter the quiet darkness of the night.

Sho: Hyaaahahaha! Who would've thought we'd bump into each other like this all the way out here? Now this is destiny!

Destiny Nocturnes: Whooooo!

The members of the Destiny Nocturnes are thrilled to have a rally with their king again, in what could only be a fated coincidence.

Sho: Well, now that we've got our turbine reactors warmed up nicely...

Sho: Ready, my men? Then let's get our usual speed race started!

Destiny Nocturnes: ...

Sho: Haha. Just try and take this king's throne, I dare you! But that's only if you can outride me first!

Destiny Nocturnes: All riiight!

Sho: I'm not going easy on you guys! Ready... Go!

At Sho's call, their gearcycles roar to life in an intense speed chase.

Sho: Full throooottle!

Sho pedals his gearcycle like there's no tomorrow as he speeds ahead, leaving the other Destiny Nocturnes behind in the blink of an eye.

Sho: Hyaaahahaha! Let's see you catch up to me, boys!

Destiny Nocturnes: King!

Sho shoots a smug look back at his squad, challenging them to try harder.

Sho: Heh... Come on, you can do better than that. Show me the delinquent in y'all!

Sho: But, eh, I guess not everyone's got what it takes. You don't know real speed till you drift like I do!

Gloating to himself, he pumps his fists in the air, up at the full moon glowing overhead.

It is in that moment that he notices something from the corner of his eye.

???: Pant, pant...

Sho: Huh?

Sho: Wh-what the? Did I just see... something purple flash past me?

???: Attiyaaah!

Sho: Wait a minute... That was someone from our crew, wasn't it? Ms. Tabina!

Sho's eyes widen in shock as he watches Tabina move like lightning, speeding far into the distance until she is out of sight.

The very next day.

Unsure of whether what he saw the night before had been a dream, Sho decides to seek out Tabina on the Grandcypher.

Sho: (Hm? That's Ms. Tabina and the lizard talking on the deck.)

Sho: Hyahahaha! G'morning! Ms. Tabina—

Tabina: H-hngh...

Sho: (Ack! That was stupid of me... I stepped in at the wrong time!)

Vyrn: Hey, keep your head up. You don't know if it was really Attiyah, right?

Tabina: But if only I'd made it to the town faster... I might've gotten some clues!

Vyrn explains to Sho that Tabina had received news of someone who looked like Attiyah in town. But, in the end, she was unable to confirm whether he was there or not.

Sho: Haha... So it really was you speeding down that country road last night, Ms. Tabina.

Tabina: Oh dear, you mean... you saw me? How dreadfully embarrassing...

Sho: (I guess love really is blind. She didn't even notice I was there.)

Sho: Well, you know... Maybe it didn't work out this time, but I'm sure you'll find something again real soon. So...

Tabina: Hngh... Waaaah!

Sho: (Sigh... I can't deal with this.)

Perplexed, Sho nudges Vyrn with his elbow in a plea for help.

Vyrn: Uh... How about this! Sho and I'll help you find Attiyah, so cheer up! Whaddya say, Sho?

Sho: Wha? Er, yeah, of course! If my help's what you need, then it's yours.

Tabina: Oh! Are you really, really sure?

Sho: You betcha. I'm a man of my word.

Vyrn: Leave it to us!

Tabina: Thank you. Your kindness is much appreciated!

Wiping away her tears, Tabina cracks a smile at the two. Her eyes, however, remain listless.

Sho racks his brain for a way to assist his distressed crewmate.

Sho: Hyahahaha!

Vyrn: Whoa! What the heck was that for?

Sho: Heh. When you're down, there's only one thing to do.

Vyrn: Oh yeah? Wait, you don't mean...

Sho: You got it. You take your beast and go for a wild ride.

Vyrn: Haha, that's a pretty good idea! All right, Lovey-Dovey Girl. The three of us are takin' a trip!

And with that, Tabina follows the two out to a large, grassy field.

Tabina: Hehe. The wind certainly feels nice.

Sho: Looks like you've calmed down a bit.

Tabina: Yes. I went a little overboard earlier, making a fuss all by myself...

Sho: There we go. You've got the best smile. Clouds are gone and the sun's back.

Vyrn: Yeah! All that sniffling and wailing's not like you, Lovey-Dovey Girl.

Tabina: Hehe. Thank you, Vyrn. Sho.

Tabina: All right then. Shall we go for a ride and refresh ourselves?

Sho: I like the sound of that. Here's an idea...

Sho: What do you say to a race? Let's see who can win at speed—you or me.

Tabina: Huh? A race?

Vyrn: Whoa, whoa. You go as fast as Tsubasa—is there any point in even tryin' to win against ya?

Sho: Haha... Of course there is.

Tabina: Speed... Yes, that's it! Speed!

Vyrn: Wha? What's the matter?

Tabina: If only I had ridden faster last night...

A frustrated expression spreads across Tabina's face again as she grips the handle of her gearcycle tightly.

Sho: So how about it? You can only overcome your limits by testing them in a head-to-head battle. You get what I'm saying?

Tabina: Yes, you're right. If I want to ride faster... then I have to keep pushing myself!

Vyrn: Heheh, you sure are gettin' fired up. I'll be here cheering you on!

Tabina: Hehe. And of course, I'm doing it to win! Since Tsubasa and the others tuned up my Attiyah-Pooh for me, this is my chance to go all out!

Gearcycle: ...

Sho: What? Tsubasa did?

Sho: Heh, guess I really can't afford to lose now.

Sho: Then it's settled! We're in for a raaace!

And so, with Vyrn as the referee, the speed race between Sho and Tabina begins.

Vyrn: Rules are simple. First one to finish five laps around this field wins!

Vyrn: So, everyone good to go?

Sho: Yeah.

Tabina: Yes, I'm all set.

Vyrn: Let's get this started then. Ready... Go!

At Vyrn's signal, Sho and Tabina step on their pedals, both rotating them at incredible speeds.

Their gearcycles rocket across the field.

Sho: It's show time!

Tabina: Ugh... Unbelievable! How does he go so fast?

The difference is clear right from the beginning. Sho continues to gain speed, pummeling ahead and gradually widening the gap between him and Tabina.

Sho: Was I hallucinating last night? Nah... It's too early in the game to relax just yet!

With complete concentration, Sho hurtles on, almost lapping Tabina. Meanwhile, Vyrn is on the sidelines, his eyes are glued to the competition.

Vyrn: I guess it's pretty impossible to beat that...

Lyria: Oh, Vyrn!

Vyrn: Hm? Hey, Lyria. What's up?

Lyria: Actually, we just received news that Attiyah was spotted in town! So I came to...

Noticing Sho and Tabina's gearcycles streaking across the field, Lyria cocks her head quizzically.

Vyrn: Oh, some things happened and they're having a race right now. But it's pretty clear who's gonna win.

Vyrn: Anyway, guess we gotta tell Lovey-Dovey Girl about Attiyah!

Vyrn: Heeey!

Tabina is doing her best to close the distance between her and Sho when she hears Vyrn call out to her.

Tabina: Vyrn? Lyria's here too... I wonder if something's wrong.

Lyria: U-um, it seems someone's spotted Attiyah working in the warehouse district!

Tabina: What! Attiyah's in the warehouse district?

Tabina: Hahaha! Then I guess there's no time to spare! I need to go see him as fast as I can!

Sho: No problem, the race is just about over anyway. Don't worry about me. Just go to where your—

Sho looks over just in time to see Tabina flashing past him again like a streak of purple lightning.

Sho: What!

Tabina: Wait for me, Attiyah! I'm coming for you!

Tabina disappears before anyone can react, hurtling out of sight on her gearcycle.

Sho sits on his beast, stunned and failing to comprehend what had just happened.

Sho: You're kidding me...

Vyrn: Whoa... I never knew gearcycles could go that fast...

Lyria: Wow! That's what you call the power of love!

Sho: Haha... You telling me that something erratic like love gave Ms. Tabina the power to do that?

Lyria: Yep! Tabina and Attiyah even defeated a primal beast with the power of their love before, you know!

Sho: Seriously?

Vyrn: Heheh. Sounds pretty hard to believe, but it's true.

Sho: Hah. Who knew the power of love... could beat my speed? Color me impressed!

Sho barks a laugh. But the stiff expression on his face doesn't escape Vyrn.

Vyrn: Well, ya know... In times like these, there's only one thing to do, right? Whaddya say we go for a wild ride?

Sho: Heh...

Sho: Thank you... 'Preciate it.

Sho takes Vyrn up on the offer and the two of them speed away, shaking off the gloom.

Suppressing the tears in his eyes, Sho throws his head back and looks up into the clear, blue sky.