Taking a deep breath, Vanda steered into the alley. It was a tight squeeze; he could hear the scrape of metal on brick walls as he pushed through. Emerging unscathed, he had gained several positions, now just behind the lead racer as they approached the final stretch around the clocktower. The lead, a seasoned racer named Gearshift, noticed Vanda’s approach and increased her speed. Vanda pedalled harder, the effort sending puffs of steam into the cool air. The crowd’s cheers grew louder, a cacophony of excitement and anticipation. As they neared the finish line, Vanda took a risk, using a burst of speed he had reserved for just this moment. He pulled ahead of Gearshift, crossing the finish line a mere second before her. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Vanda, breathless and exhilarated, slowed his racer to a stop. Gearshift rolled up beside him, a broad grin on her pixelated face. “Well raced, newcomer! You’ve got guts and gears,” she complimented, offering a handshake which Vanda gladly accepted. For his victory, Vanda was awarded the rare gear—a shimmering golden cog, intricate and light as a feather. The grand marshal announced, “This gear is said to be part of the Chronolabe, a device capable of manipulating short bursts of time. Use it wisely, young racer.” As the celebration continued, Vanda pocketed the golden gear, his mind racing with possibilities. What was the Chronolabe? How would this gear help him in his ongoing adventure? He thanked Gearshift for the race and, with Pip still perched on his shoulder, made his way out of the city, the key to time itself tucked safely in his backpack.
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