Ignition Episode 4 The Distant Finish Line -- Two Racing Hearts As One By Ewen "Blackbird" Cluney EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, SUMMIT KENJI starts the engine and pulls up alongside the Skyline, and KEIICHI stands between them. KYOSUKE is idly strumming his guitar as he leans against the side of his car (now more sensibly parked), with TOASTY and KIMIKO standing next to him. Toasty offers him a slice of toast, which he takes and takes a bite out of. TOASTY Kyosuke-san, why'd you do it this way? KYOSUKE Kenji-kun still doesn't understand his car. Whether or not he wins or loses isn't the real contest here; if he can see through all the metal and plastic and come to a new understanding, he will have won a more important victory. KIMIKO You're being melodramatic again. KYOSUKE (grins) I'm seeing what's really in front of me. INT. CAR Cut to Kenji sitting in the car, looking out the windshield. NOKIA Civiko and I... KEIICHI Three! KENJI Huh? KEIICHI Two! NOKIA We were-- KEIICHI One! Kenji puts the pedal to the metal. Both cars speed out of their starting places, flying past Keiichi. EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, SUMMIT KYOSUKE (grins) It's begun, little bro. Keiichi wearily walks up to Kyosuke. KEIICHI I... I sure hope you know what you're doing. KYOSUKE I'm pretty sure. KEIICHI You're sending your own little brother up against Takashi the Demon, on a downhill race at that, and in a *stock* EG6. KIMIKO EG6? KYOSUKE Honda Civic. (to Keiichi) That's no ordinary EG6. KEIICHI What're you talking about? I looked under the hood -- it can't have been more than a week out of the factory! KYOSUKE (grin) Maybe we'll show you after the race. Kyosuke pulls out his cell phone. CUT TO: INT. CIVIC Kenji is keeping pace with Takashi's 32. Nokia pulls out a handset, plugs it into a tiny jack behind her ear, and puts in on Kenji. KENJI What the...? KYOSUKE (heard over the phone) Hey there little bro! Can you hear me? KENJI I hear you. KYOSUKE All RIGHT. You remember how to drift, right? KENJI Drift? You mean that crap where you make the car slide around? KYOSUKE Er... yeah. I taught you how to do that, if you'll recall. KENJI No one else would teach me how to drive, so naturally you had to add in all this extra crazy shit. KYOSUKE Well, you'd better remember how if you want to have any chance of winning. The two cars come up on a turn; the Skyline does a skilled drift and keeps going, while the Civic slows down. KYOSUKE (CONT'D) He'll overpower you at every last corner if you don't. At the next one steer into the curve and brake a little and down shift so that the car starts skidding. Then -- and this is important -- steer the *other* way so that your car straightens itself out as you come out of the drift. You should be coming on the next corner in a few seconds, so get ready. Kenji gulps, and sees a sharp turn coming up. He downshifts, and enters a drift, and the hand-brake jumps up by itself for a moment. The rear bumper taps the guard rail, but the car keeps going and Kenji shifts up again as the car exits the curve. Cut to Kyosuke and the others by the car. KYOSUKE (CONT'D) Sounds like you did it! EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, SUMMIT TOASTY & KIMIKO YAY! TOASTY You can do it, Kenji-sama! KIMIKO Give em hell, 'niichan! EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, ROAD Kenji comes up on another curve and drifts again, coming closer to the Skyline, and this time manages not to hit anything. Cut to a view of the front of the Civic. CIVIKO (V.O.) I'm so happy! Kenji-sama, can you feel it too? This excitement? Look out Miss Skyline -- I'm gonna beat you! EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, SUMMIT Kyosuke is taking into the cell phone. KYOSUKE What'd I tell you! You *are* my little bro! KAORU That's impressive, pulling off a drift without any problems on his second try, but can he really improve enough to survive against Takashi, much less beat that asshole? KYOSUKE I wouldn't have let him go near this place if I didn't think he could. KAORU You *are* a madman. KYOSUKE (into the phone) Watch out, little bro; there's a set of five sharp curves up ahead -- that's your best chance to pull ahead. They start on right and alternate, and you have to be ready for the next turn as you're coming out of the current one. INT. TAKASHI'S SKYLINE Takashi glances at the Civic in his rear-view mirror and rolls his eyes. TAKASHI (V.O.) This little punk has potential, but right now that's all. I'll end this at the curves ahead. INT. CIVIC A profile view of Kenji as he sits in the Civic. KENJI (V.O.) I've driven cars before -- when I got my license Mom and Dad were always having me run errands -- but this is so much different... It's like before I was fighting with the car to get it do what I wanted and now... now we're working together. KENJI (CONT'D) Here it comes. EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, ROAD The Civic drifts into the first curve. CIVIKO (V.O.) Kenji-sama... Do you know that I'm helping you? The Civic comes out of the drift and begins drifting the other way, getting very close to the Skyline. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) It's really hard for me to drive by myself, but you're better than you think you are, and when I help you steer and brake just a little bit, you're even better than that! The Civic drifts right again, this time doing the drift so that it's parallel with the Skyline. KENJI I'm... I'm right next to him in the drift! KYOSUKE YES! Now's your chance! You'll have the inside! If you can power out of the curve just right you can pull ahead of him!!! As the two cars come out of the drift, the Civic accelerates. CIVIKO (V.O.) I don't care if my engine has to work extra hard if I'm with you. We can win this together! INT. TAKASHI'S SKYLINE Takashi watches the Civic pull ahead of him through his windshield. TAKASHI This is where your little joyride ends, you little brat. INT. CIVIC KENJI I pulled ahead! I did it! EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, ROAD The Civic drifts through the next curve. As that's happening, the Skyline suddenly accelerates a bit more, and taps the side of the Civic's rear end. In slow motion the Civic begins to go into a spin. Kenji watches in shock as the Civic moves towards the edge of the road. As it does, Takashi's Skyline drives past, and Takashi regards Kenji with a malicious grin. KENJI (V.O.) That... ASSHOLE! Can't he win without playing dirty?! CIVIKO (V.O.) NO! It can't end like this! I don't care what happens to me, but Kenji-sama... I'll protect you! Kenji sees the gear shift suddenly move on its own -- into reverse. There's an awful sound of grinding gears. The hand brake jumps up for just a moment, and as the car's spin has it backwards, it suddenly pulls back on its own power, drifting into place so that it faces forward. KENJI What the...?! CAR Kenji blinks and realizes that the car has recovered and is facing forward; he shifts into first gear and slams on the accelerator. KENJI (V.O.) I... I could've been killed, but... CIVIKO (V.O.) Owwww... Shift up soon; my first gear's gonna hurt for a while. CUT TO: Takashi driving along. TAKASHI Too easy. I'll pull up to the finish line an hour before he crawls out of his wreck. I am unbeatab-- Takashi stops short and looks at his rear-view in shock as he sees the Civic's headlights coming up from behind; for some reason the headlights seem to be gleaming a predatory red. TAKASHI (CONT'D) Impossible!!! EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, SUMMIT Kyosuke is listening to his cell phone. KYOSUKE (to those around him) The Demon tried to run him off the road. KAORU What'd I tell you? KYOSUKE But it didn't work. KEIICHI WHAT? _HOW_? KYOSUKE (grins) Pure audacity. INT. CIVIC Kenji behind the wheel; he's coming up behind the rear of the Skyline again. KENJI Now I know where he got that nickname; by being a cheating bastard. The Civic suddenly accelerates. KENJI (CONT'D) What're you doing?! INT. TAKASHI'S SKYLINE Cut to Takashi as he drives; his car suddenly jerks forward. TAKASHI You want to try to beat me at my own game?! INT. CIVIC KENJI Damnit! Don't provoke him! We barely survived one of his side-swipes! CAR (dejected) The Civic jerks backwards. KENJI What'd I tell you!? He's gonna try and kill us again! KYOSUKE I know his type -- his kind give street racing a bad name. KENJI Since when did street racing have a good name? KYOSUKE Never mind that; the road is pretty wide up ahead so you'll have more room to avoid if he attacks. Try to take that opportunity to pull ahead again and stay ahead. EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, ROAD OVERHEAD VIEW As the two cars pull onto a wide, straight section of road. The two cars jockey for position, the Skyline trying to block the Civic from pulling ahead whenever possible. INT. CIVIC KENJI Damnit! No matter what I do he blocks me! KYOSUKE Think outside the box. KENJI This is no time for stupid cliches! KYOSUKE You *have* an opportunity; you need to capitalize as soon as possible. EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, ROAD MEDIUM SHOT, FRONT OF THE CIVIC CIVIKO (V.O.) I'm sorry, Kenji-sama... I lost my temper... If only we could pull ahead... Wait! I know what to do! LONG SHOT, BEHIND THE TWO CARS. The Civic starts moving to the left and the Skyline moves to block, but the Civic suddenly veers right. INT. CIVIC Kenji looks at the wheel, which seems to be moving by itself. EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, ROAD The Skyline moves right again, but by that time the Civic is already pulling up alongside the Skyline -- by driving with two wheels going onto the shoulder of the road. Takashi can be seen through his car's window, scowling as he tries to shove the Civic off the road completely. The two cars clash against each other with an unpleasant scraping sound.] CIVIKO (V.O.) No you don't! I won't lose now! The Civic pushes back, and with more scraping pulls ahead. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) OW OW OW OW OW! The Skyline's stability is thrown off and Takashi struggles for control as Kenji pulls ahead. CIVIKO (CONT'D) YAHOO! INT. CIVIC KENJI That was insane... but it worked. KYOSUKE I knew you'd find a way. If you can stay ahead and keep him from bumping you then you'll have this won. KENJI Right. But you're helping me pay for the repairs. KYOSUKE Repairs? KENJI A new paint job _and_ some body work at the very least. INT. TAKASHI'S SKYLINE TAKASHI (fuming) IMPOSSIBLE! That little PUNK is going to DIE!!!!!! Takashi guns the engine, gradually coming closer and closer to the Civic. TAKASHI (CONT'D) End of the road, little brat! EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, ROAD OVERHEAD VIEW. The Skyline closes in on the Civic, but the Civic suddenly goes into a drift. The Skyline makes a feeble attempt to turn, but it's going far to fast. INT. CIVIC Kenji is startled by a terrible sound of scraping metal and screeching tires. KYOSUKE What was that?! KENJI (sigh) I think that was the Skyline. KYOSUKE Pft. That idiot lost his temper. You'll be able to take it easy from here. Kenji heaves a sigh of relief. EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, ROAD The Civic drives along at a more leisurely pace. CIVIKO (V.O.) Kenji-sama... we did it! We won! Together! EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS, SUMMIT THE Civic pulls up at the finish line. The street racers and spectators look on in awe as Kenji climbs out of his car. A cheer goes up from the crowd -- except for a small contingent that grumbles as they get into their cars and drive off. Kenji finds himself surrounded by all sorts of people. KAORU You actually beat Takashi the Demon! If you want a place with the Black Thunders, it's yours. Kenji looks at Kaoru, pats the hood of the Civic, and shakes his head. KENJI I think she's had more than enough excitement. KAORU When word gets out that you beat him you'll have challengers coming out of the woodwork. KENJI You think I care? KEIICHI Come on Kaoru; he isn't a street racer. He'd never have come here if not for us. Kyosuke & co. come up behind them. KYOSUKE Very true. TOASTY It's all your fault that Civiko got so dented up. Kaoru and Keiichi turn around and in unison. KIMIKO Don't think we'll let you get away with this. KEIICHI Now, I'm sure we can settle this peaceful - eep! Keiichi stops short as he sees Kyosuke, Kimiko, Toasty, and Nokia looming over him. KENJI I can call them off -- _if_ you pay for the damages to my car. KAORU I'm not sure we can-- KENJI Think of a way. Fast. CUT TO: Kaoru and Keiichi lashed to the hood of Kyosuke's car. Kyosuke and Kimiko dust off their hands and nod in satisfaction. CUT TO: Kenji looking at the Civic. KENJI (CONT'D) I never thought driving could be like that. The Civic suddenly glows red, transforming into Civiko. KEIICHI Kaoru, look, over there! KAORU (annoyed) I can't! At least not without breaking my own neck! KEIICHI His car... turned into a girl?! KAORU Pft. Now you're seeing things. KEIICHI I'm serious! KYOSUKE (smacking Keiichi) Shut up; they need to be left alone right now. Civiko stands before Keiichi, looking a little scraped up. She looks into his eyes and smiles. CIVIKO Kenji-sama...? KENJI ... Hm? CIVIKO Thank you. KENJI For what? CIVIKO I always wanted to be able to drive like that. I've never had so much fun before. KENJI Hm. CIVIKO Did... did you have fun too? KENJI (deep breath) I was about to crap my pants a lot of the time there. CIVIKO Aww... KENJI But... I guess... I did enjoy it sort of. You... you were helping me drive, weren't you? CIVIKO (blushes) Y-yeah... Please don't be mad! I only wanted to help you, Kenji-sama... KENJI (deep breath) ... Th... CIVIKO Hm? KENJI Thanks. Civiko looks up at him, smiling and crying, and throws her arms around him. He looks at her for a long moment. His fists gradually un-clench, and he very slowly puts his arms around her. CIVIKO (V.O.) I never ever imagined it was possible to be so happy! Kenji-sama, thank you! CUT TO: Kimiko and Nokia climbing into the car. Kyosuke looks around and sees Toasty serving toast to the spectators. TOASTY Anyone else want some fresh toast? I brought a whole loaf of bread along just in case! SPECTATOR #1 What's with her and _toast_? SPECTATOR #2 Who cares? She's _really_ cute. CUT TO: Takashi's battered car pulling up in front of Kenji and Civiko. Civiko pauses for a moment, and rests a hand on the Skyline's hood. She then walks over to Takashi's window. TAKASHI What the hell do you want? CIVIKO I didn't appreciate what you tried to do, and neither does she. TAKASHI ... "She"? CIVIKO You used to take good care of her -- so much so that I was jealous when I first saw her -- but now you hurt her so much and I don't think you even know why. TAKASHI You mean my car. CIVIKO (nods) She still wants to be there for you, but if you want that to happen you have to treat her right. Takashi pauses, looking at his car, and then at the scrapes on Civiko. Momentarily flash to the image of the scraped Civic. TAKASHI Who... _what_ are you? CIVIKO (smiles) I think you already guessed. (to the Skyline) I don't think I like racing too much, but I had to try it out at least once, but maybe we'll meet again some time anyway. EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD Kyosuke IS driving along; Toasty is riding shotgun and Kimiko and Nokia are in the back, and Kaoru and Keiichi are still tied to the trunk. KIMIKO Wow. That was an amazing night, even for you. KYOSUKE (smiles) Hopefully the first of many. NOKIA Do you think... Kenji-sama...? KYOSUKE Don't expect him to change overnight. KIMIKO But he and Civiko-- KYOSUKE Tonight he took his first step down the road he needs to travel. NOKIA Then... we'll do whatever we can to help. TOASTY That's right! KYOSUKE Neither of you would want to have him to yourselves? NOKIA (blushes) I... it might be nice. But I'm not human - that's not what I really want. KYOSUKE Oh? NOKIA (smiles) I'm a cell phone; I want to be useful to him. TOASTY Me too! (holds a pair of slices of toast in each hand) By making toast! KIMIKO T-toasty-chan... TOASTY Well... well I wanna' get lots of practice in for tomorrow morning... KIMIKO What's there to practice? TOASTY Hey, making toast just right takes very careful control of the heating duration and the type and consistency of spread relative to the heat of the toast-- INT. CIVIC Kenji is driving the Civic; he sighs, and then smiles. INT. KENJI'S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM Civiko is sitting on the couch. Kyosuke walks up behind her. KYOSUKE Hey. How're you doing? CIVIKO I... I've never been so happy. ... I just hope Kenji-sama can feel the same way. KYOSUKE Why don't you go check on him? CIVIKO (blushes) B-but... I mean... I couldn't and besides he usually locks his room. KYOSUKE Are you sure he did tonight? CIVIKO Huh? Well... I didn't check or anything, but... KYOSUKE Better be sure before you give up. CIVIKO Uh... (smiles, stands up) Thank you, Kyosuke-san. I will. INT. KENJI'S HOUSE, TOP OF THE STAIRS Civiko up to a door, rests her hand on the doorknob, and takes a deep breath. Very slowly, she turns the knob; as the knob turns and the door opens, she smiles and slips into the room. INT. DARK HALLWAY A MYSTERIOUS walking through a dark hallway. The figure opens a door and walks into a room lit by occult-looking candles and with a pentagram inscribed on the floor. In the dim light we can see RICHMOND, a tall man in a tacky brown suit. A smaller figure -- his MISTRESS -- in a dark robe slowly turns from its study of an ancient grimoire. RICHMOND Mistress, I've found out about something you might find-- MISTRESS You again. Just go _away_. RICHMOND But-- MISTRESS Iya-da. RICHMOND My lady-- RICHMOND (CONT'D) Iya-da. RICHMOND (CONT'D) Please, I want to tell you abou-- MISTRESS Iya-da! RICHMOND There may be a-- MISTRESS Iya-da! RICHMOND You'll want to hear abou-- MISTRESS Iya-da! RICHMOND (sigh) MISTRESS Iya-da. RICHMOND But I didn't-- MISTRESS That one was pre-emptive. RICHMOND A VALKYRIE STONE! MISTRESS ... RICHMOND There's a rumor going around among the street racers; I may be able to find out the source of it. MISTRESS (sigh) If you bring me the Stone I'll take you back and let you serve me. Otherwise get out of my sight and *don't* come back; if you do, there won't even be enough to make a book end out of. INT. KENJI'S ROOM, MORNING. Kenji lies in his bed; he smiles as he stirs. He slowly opens his eyes and turns on his side to see... the Civic parked next to his bed. His eyes open wide as he sits up. KENJI Civiko? CAR ... KENJI We're gonna have to have a talk. CAR (apprehensively) KENJI (glances at the clock) _After_ I get some more sleep. Kenji flops back onto the bed and closes his eyes. FADE TO WHITE.