While we probably stayed up for most of the night we finally got the car finished and ready to go. Since it was so late we decided to let Paint Streak sleep with us for this night, the others, Brian and Rodrick wanted to sleep in the garage, they said they wanted to do something first so the garage was all theirs for the night.
The next day...
While we were heading back to the garage, Paint Streak said she hadn’t had this much of a collaboration since her and Vinyl Scratch. Turns out back then, both of them had a partner relationship. However due to the both of them having different views on life, they both had to seperate from the partnership.
As we opened the door there I saw the guys on the floor sleeping. Walking up to the car and seeing how much we did on the visual end, it looked amazing on my eyes. Checking underneath the hood to make sure nothing is wrong or loose, the car seems to be in fine condition. Just then, the two woke up.
“Ugh, what time is it?” Rodrick said
“Time for us to get going that's what.” I said
“Ooh, that reminds me.” Brain said running and grabbing two objects “Arthur, Mike would like me to install you these hoods? Arthur, this one for you a speedline hood, it goes well with your headlights, along with the included stock hood I added with it. And Mike I known you wanted the tri-slot hood to go with your rx8 so I made you one.”
“Ah sweet, thanks man but, will it take long to install? The competition is going to start.” I said
“Might take a while so, how about I install it after the race?” he said
“That’s if we last that long.” Mike said, putting emphasis on the “if” “ I still believe we won’t win this.”
“Ey, come on man. Put a little optimistic feeling to yourself. Rodrick said
“Well whatever happens we gave it all.” I said opening the door to my car
Starting up the engine, the others said they will get to the stadium to get something prepared. Once the engine has warmed up we opened the garage door, driving out, we set a course to the stadium. Once we got there I hear a lot of commotion in the stadium, I mean that was to be expected, it is a tourney after all. We’ll have to wait a bit, the other competitors are about to make their entrance. Just then, Rodrick and Brain came along, they told us that everything is set for our entrance. All we need to do is, make a lot of skids and act cool, though I’m a little confused on the “act cool” part. What do I do to “look cool”? Use a lot of nitrous? Or attempt to do some donuts?
Well whatever that means it’s time for us to do this entry.
Alright Mares and Stallions, it’s time for our next contender, two wandering racers from another world! The two brothers, we give you Arthur and Mikekirby!
A familiar beat started to play.
As I hear the music starts, I pinched the bridge of my nose and started to chuckle, softly banging my head on the steering wheel. That song was more of a joke than anything but, the tune’s really nice. Both us know at what time would be the best to make our entrance, at the fortieth second. Both us them revved up our engines as we then bursted out of the door. The crowd surprisingly cheered for us as we drove to the field. I stopped as I did burnouts as my brother in his rear-wheeled car did donuts around me. As the next beat drops me and my brother accelerated off leaving behind smoke and rubber marks on the road. Speeding off, we soon found a barrel at the end of the road. So we then braked to turn the corner, while I did a somewhat boxy turn my brother did a perfect U-turn. Afterwards, we then raced to the starting line, as we got there we braked ahead of time and made a turn, with my brother as the first to turn followed by me.
As we stepped out of our cars and giving a little wave to the crowd as I checked to see where the others were. After a quick skim view through the crowd I saw that Brain and Rodrick are in the same booth with the other six ponies. Giving a little wave in their direction, I checked my opponents. There I saw two ponies; one, who was a stallion, had a blue coat with a spiky black mane and tail with a red streak in the middle. One, who was a mare, had a blush red coat with a sapphire blue main and tail. I then approached them giving a little wave.
“Hey,” I said, starting up the conversation “so you’re our opponents are you? So what’s your name?”
“Hi,” said the mare “my name is Racing heart, and the stallion next to me is called Racing Streak.”
“I’m Arthur and the other person over there is Mikekirby, my brother.” I said pointing to my brother
“It’s very nice to meet you Arthur.” she said with a warm smile.
“Well it’s been nice knowing you Racing Heart but, it’s time for us to race. See ya.” I said giving a little wave goodbye. She returns the action with a little wave as well. Walking back to my car, I can’t help but feel a little weird when next to that pegasus. Meh whatever, I can’t think about it for now. Right now, I got a race to win. As I got to my car Mike gives me a face of disapproval, like he doesn’t agree with talking to them or something.
Alright stallions and mares, it’s time for the race to start. Now let me explain the rules: this is a team tag drag race. One pony from each team goes to the barrel and U-turns around it. Then, they race back to the start, once the racer crosses the finish line the next racer will start. The first team to cross the finish line wins. So, each team, choose your racer to start the race!
“I’ll start this.” I said to Mike looking towards him. He gives me a nod as I entered inside the car, driving it to the starting line I saw that Racing Heart chose to go first. Doing burnouts, I revved up my engine to anticipating the race to start
Alright racers, get ready!!
3...2...1...GO!!!
Pressing on the gas and using some Nitrous Express, I sped out from the finish line. Shifting to 3rd gear, I saw that Racing Heart is a little far away. Shifting into 4th gear, I was slowly gaining up on Racing Heart. As Racing Heart saw me she then increased her speed using more of her energy to get ahead.
“She’s being reckless.” I said “She’s not saving her energy for the last push.”
Keeping this in mind, I shift into 5th gear further closing the distance. Once she again noticed me she sped up as predicted. Soon enough I saw that the barrel is in the distance, looking at my RPM range I saw that I’m near the range to shift up however, I didn’t shift up but instead, lowered down the throttle to keep myself at the same speed. As the turn came up, I immediately pressed the brake waiting for the speed to lower down. Not before Racing Heart made the turn, I shifted down to 2nd gear and made an awkward turn.
“Ugh, that was more of a pentagon then a turn.” I said
Pressing down on the throttle along with some Nitrous Express, I went back the opposite direction. Looking in the distance Racing Heart was a short distance away however, due to her using most of her energy during first distance she won’t be able to go much faster. Shifting up to 3rd gear I’m starting to catch up to Racing Heart.
Meanwhile at the starting line….
While Arthur was making his way to the finish line. Mike was continuously revving up his engine, doing burnouts, ready to burst right out when the time comes. While from time-to-time looking at his opponent. He seems to do the pony equivalent, body leaned in, while occasionally pushing dust back with his right hoof. Both racers were getting restless.
Back at the race….
Shifting up, the distance was getting between me and Racing Heart was getting closer. As Racing Heart saw me she forced herself to go much faster with all the strength she had left. However, that only backfired on her as she fell back a bit. Shifting up, I started to pull ahead of her. Looking back on my side mirror she’s only about a feet behind the driver’s seat. Shifting up the last gear, I pressed both buttons on the steering wheel to let both valves holding two Nitrous Oxide bottles release. Feeling the big boost of torque, I was pushed back into my seat a bit as the car pulled ahead placed a greater distance between me and Racing Heart as I was near the finish.
Mike upon seeing Arthur nearing the finish line revved his engine to prepare for a launch. As soon as Arthur crossed the finish line first, Mike launched off with some Nitrous Express. A second later, Racing Heart then crosses the finish line as Racing Streak flew off to catch up to Mike. After a while I come to a complete stop, I stepped out of the car, the crowd roared with cheer and excitement over the race. There I saw Racing Streak on the floor panting as all her energy was gone. Walking towards her I offered her a hand to get up. She happily takes the offer at the same time giving me a little handshake or hoofshake in this case.
Meanwhile…[3rd person]
While Arthur was at the finish line Mike was at his way towards the barrel, with a pretty stable lead. Racing Streak wasn’t trying to catch up towards Mike, but mostly keeping a steady pace. While Mike shifts up to 5th gear his eyes lit up with anticipation, the barrel was near and he was ready to take the turn. Mike then shifts down to third, letting the engine brake to decrease his traction, with the loss of traction Mike took the turn dangerously close to the barrel. The car then retook it’s traction speeding off. At the same time, Racing Streak took the turn and used his conserved energy to get ahead of Mike. Mike then full throttled to catch up to Racing Streak, shortly Shifting up. Now it was only a matter of time, Mike just needs to get into his last gear to activate his nitrous oxide at the best time. Mike then shifts up, closing the distance, one step closer, just a bit farther. With some time Mike then shift up to his final gear, Racing Streak then did what Mike hoped he would; he sped up prematurely wanting to get ahead first. Mike then pressed one Nitrous button, accelerating quickly he passed Racing Streak in the matter of a few seconds. Mike then crossed the finish line first, the two “underdogs” won.
And it Looks Like Mikekirby and Arthur won! They’ll be moving onto the next stem [1st person]
Once Mike and Racing Streak came to a complete stop, Mike stepped out of his car. The crowd roared on the race that they saw. Mike then gave me a little high five.
“Phew, that was a good race.” I said
“It was nice I guess.” Mike said
“come one, don’t be so sarcastic. You were smiling during that race, admit it.” I said, he just shrugged and kept his poker face, unhinged and no reaction, classic Mike.
The two other ponies then came towards us as they gave us a little wave, “that was a great race you two, I didn’t know those little machines you got there would go that fast” Racing Heart said, “like I wow were those two cars fast”
“I wouldn’t say fast, they are up to our speed, with a little practice I think we could out speed it.” Racing Streak responded
“And with a bit more modding I think we can improve the speed of these cars” I commented
“Don’t get cocky Arthur, these are machines not actual beings, we’re at a disadvantage, a machine has a limit, especially the engine on how much it can be pushed past its limits. There’s only so much you can do before you have to change the entire car itself. We struggled to get this win now, but the next race is going to more difficult.” Mike Added in walking in the conversation
He might be right....Considering on how much of a veteran driver Mike is, having a couple more years under his hood then me, We might have a slim to none chance of winning this tournament. But considering what we have to lose which is nothing. It’s all more about putting on a show for the audience. Still though, I do miss home, even if we are on the run from the police constantly. But for Now, it's time for us to see what the next day has in store for us.