Fair Game

**Fair Game** is the tenth episode of the second season of Rimba Racer.

## Summary

Onboard the Ark, King discloses Pike's intent to seize control of the RGP to the Tag Team and Axle before asking the former if they'll help him stop the conniving wolf. Tag and his friends are understandably less than thrilled at his proposal, and despite their recent sponsorship troubles refuse to accept financial help from him. However, Tag makes a counteroffer: they'll work with King if he tells them the true identities of the Ringmasters. Flabbergasted, King refuses but is interrupted by a call from Torres, who informs him that he has a visitor.

Meika questions whether they are really going to consider working with King, only for Meelo to blow up at her over her involvement with the Ringmasters. He then questions whether the group should even be spending time together while they're facing an investigation, prompting a comment from the-until then-silent Axle. King then arrives in the Ark's hangar to greet his guest: Inspector Hart of the Sports and Gaming Commission, whose appearance soon cows the previously irritated King. Becks and Beaks soon appear to announce Hart's arrival and his role in the ongoing case, and King advises Tag not to take him lightly, as Hart previously had a grudge against Tag's father Riq.

In the lounge, Tag and his friends observe Hart being waited on, while Sonny questions the fact that they've been keeping Riq's survival secret from her. All the racers are then called to begin interviews with Hart, during which they learn that Cuckoo, OoAa, and Wrecks were all interviewed regarding the situation. After interviewing the other competitors, Hart brings Tag in, and soon makes it clear that he doesn't trust the young tiger any more than he once trusted his father. After a tense exchange, Tag leaves; soon enough, he is joining the others for a race at the RGP Big Top, a new carnival/circus-themed track.

The group soon find themselves on a rollercoaster-like launchpad, which carries them through a lighted tunnel before dropping them off in a room where they are targeted by massive mechanical claws, forcing them to dodge around interspersed walls and awnings. Pike takes out one arm with the Triple Threat, only for one of them to grab Xeno as the other racers proceed to the next area: a giant-sized pinball machine. Axle is soon knocked out by the giant pinball and bumpers, while the remaining racers proceed into another tunnel that leaves them disoriented.

The racers then proceed through a watery area with tilting platforms in the shape of playing cards, where Meika intervenes to prevent Meelo from falling off the track. Tag employs the Thunder Strike to launch ahead, but all the racers are then forced to confront a monstrous mechanical clown that pursues them along the track, knocking cars off one at a time. Displaying an apparent terror of clowns, Tamira races ahead, and despite losing control manages to take first place. The next day, King calls for a press conference, and at King's request the entire Tag Team is present.

Meelo takes the opportunity to apologize to Meika for their rough spot, before King takes the podium to make an announcement. As a large TV audience, including Riq, watches, King claims that Inspector Hart has concluded his investigation having found no evidence of cheating. Hart then calls him away from a conversation with Tag, revealing that he has in fact not concluded his investigation and is outraged at King for saying otherwise. King is able to persuade him that the RGP needs to continue, and Hart concedes, with a warning that King is being watched.

Meika and Pike report to the Ringmasters, with Pike angrily protesting King's actions due to how it makes him look, only for the Ringmasters to retort that it's his own fault for making the accusation in the first place. Pike then turns on Meika, questioning her conduct on the track, while Meika contends that she's doing her job and advises Pike to do the same. After Meika is dismissed, Pike is surprised when the Ringmasters express agreement with his suspicions of both her and King. Pike is tasked with keeping an eye on his former partner, while Vyxx is assigned to watch King and if necessary...eliminate him.