CROSS THE FINISH LINE WE GO

Rune watched as Adam and the male security guard zombie struggled against Ewan's magic, dying and being revived over and over. Adam fights to break free from the magic, but the security guard zombie grabbed onto his ankle, holding him in place. Desperate, Adam reached down and grabbed hold of the zombie, their eyes locking in an intense stare.

In that moment, a spark of magic connected them. Massive bursts of white magic erupted from their eyes, pushing back against Ewan's dark magic. As the power surged between them, Adam was drawn into the security guard zombie's memories.

In this vision, Adam sees the male and female security guards fighting valiantly to keep the zombies outside the mall. Their faces were strained, but their resolve never wavered. They stood together, hand in hand, as the zombies finally overwhelmed them.

"Stay with me," the male guard said, gripping her hand tightly as the horde closed in.

"I'm not going anywhere," the female guard replied, locking eyes with him. The zombies began to bite into them, but they didn't flinch.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice filled with both sorrow and determination. 

"I love you too," she answered, just as the magic burst from their final kiss. In a flash, they transformed into zombies, their appearance changed, but their bond unbroken. They embraced, holding each other close.

"Now we can live our dreams together," the male security guard said softly, "as one."

The memory shattered suddenly as Rune grabbed Adam, pulling him away from the connection. Rune hoisted Adam onto his back, rushing him to safety while the security guard zombie was left behind, still tangled in Ewan's magic.

Back on the city track, Adam coughed violently, blood splattering on the ground.

"Ewan's magic," Adam gasped, clutching his chest. "It's draining me... my strength... my magic. It's going to keep going until I die."

Rune scanned the track behind them, his eyes widening as he spotted the tendrils of Ewan's magic creeping toward them. It was still coming for Adam. Seeing Adam's condition worsening, Rune tightened his grip and began to run, carrying Adam ahead of the track, trying to outrun the deadly magic chasing after them.

Meanwhile, in the stadium, the zombie car came to a stop, its white magic eyes flickering, a result of Adam's magic. Grace gets off from the car, her focus sharp as Mai's voice crackled through her earpiece.

She explains to Grace how Adam's magic works and urgently says. "You need to get that car off course to ensure it doesn't stop you from winning the race."

Grace nodded, determination in her eyes. She shoved the zombie car toward the edge of the track. As she did, she noticed the magic in the female security zombie's eyes flickering more intensely. Without hesitation, Grace kicked the car, sending it flipping off course.

Just as Grace began to jog ahead, a massive explosion erupted off course. She turned to see the hoverboard zombie, having fired a magic blast at the zombie car. The explosion sent the female security zombie stumbling, then rising back to life. The 30 second rules is almost up as the hoverboard zombie pounces in, pinning the female security zombie down. Ewan's magic appeared and enveloped her, taking her away.

Both of the security guard zombies then finally dies to Ewan's magic as both of their bodies needed to be destroyed at the same time in order for them both to be killed. 

The hoverboard zombie then reoriented itself and got back on track, chasing after Grace. Channeling magic from his hand, he shoots magic beams at her. Grace barely managed to dodge the incoming attacks.

"Grace, you need to keep running!" Mai's voice came through the earpiece, urgent. "You're near the finish line!"

Mr. Direct's voice joined in, encouraging her. "This is your number one dream, Grace. You need to give it everything you've got to win this race!"

Then Rune's voice came in, filled with admiration. "Grace, you're the best racer I've ever seen. You could even beat the best racers in Nemura City and I would love to see that one day in the future!"

Fueled by their support, Grace pushed herself harder, running faster. The hoverboard zombie roared and shot numerous energy beams into the air, creating a storm of magic that rained down in front of Grace. With a fierce roar, Grace leaped into the chaos. She emerged on the other side, blood dripping down her face, but she doesn't stop.

As the smoke began to clear, the hoverboard zombie stood still, focusing all his remaining magic into a concentrated beam. He aimed at Grace, and the beam struck her back, piercing through her stomach. Blood splattered as she collapsed.

The hoverboard zombie laughed cruelly, catching up with her slowly. "I want to win Ewan's race again," he taunted. "It'll grant me even more power than before."

With the zombie walking away towards the finish line, Grace summoned her remaining strength and grabbed the zombie's ankle. "I won't let you win," she declared through gritted teeth.

The zombie attempted to charge up another beam attack but found he was out of magic. In frustration, he began to stomp on her, but Grace held on, determined not to let go.

Suddenly, Adam's scaled bat was hurled with precision, striking the hoverboard zombie in the chest. The impact stunned the zombie, causing it to stagger and fall to the ground. Grace, hearing Rune's frantic voice, turned to see him fighting off Ewan's magic with his weapon. Behind Rune, Adam is on his knees, struggling but determined.

"Grace, go!" Adam shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

With a shaky breath, Grace pushed herself up and began to jog forward, each step a challenge. The hoverboard zombie, struggling in agony, vomited blood as the bat's poison coursed through its body. It managed to extract the bat from its chest and began crawling toward the finish line.

Grace was only a few feet away from victory when the hoverboard zombie gathered its remaining magic. Shooting a small energy beam that struck Grace's back, slicing the side of her heart and causing heavy bleeding. Grace collapsed, her body falling just inches from the finish line.

The hoverboard zombie, laughing wickedly, crawled toward her. Grace could hear Rune and Adam's desperate screams as they battled against the overwhelming magic of Ewan. This desperate sound ignited a spark of determination in Grace. She clawed forward, inch by agonizing inch.

As both Grace and the hoverboard zombie reached and crosses the finish line simultaneously, magic exploded around the stadium in a dazzling display. The crowd of zombies erupted in celebration, marking the end of the race. Ewan's magic began to fade from Rune and Adam, who collapsed onto the track, exhausted and gravely injured.

Ewan appeared, surveying the scene with a calculating gaze. "We'll need to review the replay to determine the winner," he declared.

With a flick of his hand, Ewan summoned a massive replay screen, which began playing the race in slow motion. His voice echoed as he explained, "For the winner to be officially declared, the racer must pass the finish line with their torso."

The screen showed the dramatic moment of both Grace and the hoverboard zombie crossing the line. The tension in the stadium mounted as everyone awaited the final decision, the outcome hanging on the precise details captured in the replay.

The replay screen zoomed in, showing the finish line in excruciating detail. Grace's torso had crossed the line just a centimeter ahead of the hoverboard zombie's. The difference was minuscule, but it was enough.

Ewan's magic enveloped Grace, lifting her up into the air. As she looked around, she see the entire crowd of zombies cheering for her, their cheers echoing through the stadium. Overwhelmed by the moment, Grace closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face as she spread her arms out, embracing the cheers.

Ewan's voice rang out, triumphant and resonant. "This race was the best in the world. May it be remembered forever in the history of all races. A promise is a promise, and it's time for Ewan's race to end forever. The winner of this race is a human!"

As Ewan's magic began to fade from around the stadium, he walked towards Grace. She fell to her knees, emotionally spent, the weight of victory and exhaustion crashing over her.

"Well done, human racer," Ewan said, his tone almost respectful before he disappeared in a swirl of magic.

Mr. Direct hurried to Grace, finally catching up. Vesper, her motorcycle damaged but still functional, maneuvered it closely behind Mr. Direct. Panda is also seen carrying Rune and Adam, their conditions still critical but hopeful.

The scene is filled with a mix of relief, celebration, and camaraderie as the intense race came to a dramatic and emotional end.

Mr. Direct fell to his knees, pulling Grace into a tight embrace. His voice trembled with pride and relief. "I'm so proud of you, Grace. We finally won the race. We can get rid of this city's burden and return home to Nemura City."

Vesper and Panda, their faces etched with emotions, as Rune also sees Grace, tears streaming down his face, he screams out in anguish, "No!"

Mai, watching through her drone's feed, was also overcome with sorrow. Her screen showed Grace's face resting on Mr. Direct's shoulder, a peaceful smile frozen on her lips. Grace had died from her injuries, and Mr. Direct, confused by Grace's silence, pulled her back and saw the truth. His heart shattered as he realized Grace was gone. He clung to her tighter, tears streaming down his face.

The rest of the group, except Adam, cried openly for the loss of Grace. Rune, wiping his tears, noticed the cheering from the crowd turning into angry roars. The zombies, now free from Ewan's magic, began to surge toward the track.

Thousands of zombies hopped over their seats, ravenous and ready to attack. Rune summoned his weapon, standing firm beside Vesper and Panda. Together, they charged into the fray, preparing to battle the horde.

Adam, looking at the heart-wrenching scene of Mr. Direct and Grace, was reminded of the moment he saw his daughter, Leona, dead before him. Understanding the depth of Mr. Direct's pain, he spoke with a voice heavy with empathy, "I understand what you're going through, Mr. Direct. I know the pain of losing someone dear."

Determined to protect the fallen Grace and the grieving Mr. Direct, Adam joined the battle. With renewed resolve, he fight alongside Rune, Vesper, and Panda, defending them from the relentless onslaught of zombies as the confrontation unfolded.

Moments later, Michael emerged from a sewer hole, stepping onto the city streets. The silence of the city was eerie. Huey, the slime monster, follows, carefully carrying everyone else from the sewer and placing them gently on the streets. Michael patted Huey's slimy head gratefully.

"Thanks, Huey," Michael said, his voice filled with relief.

Suddenly, the sound of an approaching vehicle catches Michael's attention. He spotted the RV making its way toward them. Mai, who had been in the RV, comes out and sees everyone sleeping peacefully within Huey's slimy body.

"What's going on here?" Mai asked, confusion evident in her voice.

Michael explained, "Huey is a slime monster, but he's with us. He helped me to get everyone out."

Huey then carried the sleeping figures into the RV, where Megan is first to wake. As she groggily looked around, she sees Mai and Michael in the driver's seats. She noted that everyone else is still asleep and safe.

Megan turned to Mai with concern. "What happened to everyone else?"

Mai looked out the RV window, and she sees that they are in the stadium, littered with countless dead zombies scattered across the race track. The sight was somber.

Stepping out of the RV, Megan and Mai approached the scene. They see Panda, holding Vesper tightly, with their faces etched with deep emotions. Rune is nearby, on his knees, visibly distraught. Adam was sitting on top of a pile of dead zombies, close to Mr. Direct and the lifeless body of Grace.

Megan's heart ached as she takes in the sight of Grace's still form and Mr. Direct's anguished cries. She looked at her own hand, noticing her magic was barely flickering.

As she absorbed the gravity of the situation, she whispered to herself, "We may have saved the city, but at what cost?"

As the night passes to morning at the underground base, the scene was filled with a mix of emotions and activity. Jean is seen hugging Ezzy and Nakao tightly, clearly affected by the events. Rune is checking on Simbad's health, concern etched on his face. Megan conversed with Huey, while Nhia, who is cooking, accidentally burned the food, prompting Kiren to yell at him in frustration.

Adam and Mai approached Mr. Direct, Panda, and Vesper. Vesper, holding up a glowing magic crystal, asked, "Are you all coming with us to Nemura City?" She explained that the crystal could transport them to a location near Nemura City, typically reserved for heroes, but they could use it as an exception.

Mai shakes her head, her expression serious. "We still have another mission to complete."

Vesper nodded, understanding. "I wish you all luck." With a flash of light, the magic crystal activated, and Vesper, Mr. Direct, and Panda were teleported away.

The remaining survivors of the base gathers to say their goodbyes. As Mai and the others boarded the RV and prepared to leave Ribbon City.

As Rune rides on his motorcycle and leading the RV behind him, comes to a stop at the center of the city, they see Michael standing in the middle of the street, surrounded by arcs of crackling electricity. His magic is visibly absorbing the electrical energy from the surroundings.

Michael, looking invigorated and charged up, descended from the electric storm and approached the RV with a confident smile. "I'm finally all charged up," he announced, his energy visibly renewed.

As they leave the city, Mai is sitting in her chair, takes a deep breath. "What we did was for the greater good," she reflected aloud, "but it feels like we've been defeated."

The RV drives off into the distance, the sun high in the sky, casting a bright light on the road ahead. Megan looked back at the receding city and made a silent vow. "I'll be back stronger, for Iris's sake."

Nhia, brimming with excitement, pointed toward the front of the RV and announced, "We're finally getting to the airport to save my girlfriend!" His joyful declaration lifted everyone's spirits, bringing a much-needed burst of positivity to the group.

Adam, seated on his throne chair above the RV, looked ahead with a renewed sense of purpose as the vehicle continued its journey on the roads. 

As Rune drives ahead of the RV, the wind brushed against his face, bringing back memories of Ewan's race and his fierce competition with Grace. He takes a deep, proudful breath, letting the wind fill his lungs. Reflecting on the events, he speaks to himself with determination, "I need to get back to my prime strength. So no one else will have to die."

The wind carried his resolve forward, fueling his commitment to ensure that their journey would lead to safer, brighter days ahead.