Are ready for the big one?
A tense quite settled in Greaseball’s shed as Rusty, Pearl, Greaseball and Dinah all started winding down. They could all sense the anxiety, they’d all be on the track with Sargent tomorrow. Admittedly Rusty and Pearl were more scared for their friends than themselves. For some reason Sargent really had it out for Greaseball, and Dinah by proxy. While he really see Rusty as a threat and acted like the coaches didn’t exist, and Pearl would only be racing if somehow he takes out Hydra. Which is pretty unlikely, he’s a lot tougher than he looks.
”This is it huh?” Pearl pipes up “I really wish I could be there.”
“Hey you will be.” Dinah countered “You’ll still be down on the track.”
”Hehe yeah you’ll be there to watch us beat your boyfriend.” Greaseball joked, it was met with a bit of awkward silence. “Uh sorry, just trying to lighten the mood.”
”I’m actually worried about you Greaseball!” Rusty said, genuine concern in his voice. “When he said he was going to kill you I doubt he was bluffing.”
“Awww don’t tell me you’re going soft on me now.” Greaseball gave Rusty a playful punch on the shoulder. “If everything goes to plan you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“Hopefully the tools the electrics gave us work the way they said they would.” Pearl quietly mutters. Dinah stood and clapped her hands loudly.
”Well sitting here fretting about it is only going to make us feel worse.” She announced rolling over to the closet. “Who’s up for a round or two of monopoly?”
“This game is BULLSHIT!!!” Greaseball groaned, her poor top hat had been stuck in jail the past three rounds. Rusty could barely contain his laughter.
“It’s not the games fault you apparently have shit luck” He wheezed.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice Pearl sneaking you money under the table!” Greaseball eyed the purple coach, who leaning back and fanning herself with a comically large handful of Monopoly money. “Ain’t no coincidence she’s the richest one in the game and the banker.”
”Hey, I do not appreciate these accusations.” Pearl said, crossing her arms.
”Yeah Greaseball! Friends don’t accuse friends of cheating.” Dinah shouted… also holding way more money than she should have. Greaseball laughed and threw her hands up.
“Alright I surrender! You win ya dirty cheaters!” She stood up and gave Dinah a quick peck in the cheek. “I’m going to bed, you guys should too, big day tomorrow.”
”She’s probably right.” Rusty mutter as they began putting the game away. “But we should do this again soon.”
”Yeah but I’ll be the banker next time.” Greaseball said as she and Dinah wished the others goodnight and rolled into their bedroom. As they laid down they held each other tightly. Neither speaking a words and just staring into each other’s eyes. Committing each detail within them to memory, every fleck of colour. Greaseball gently rubbed her thumb over Dinah’s cheek, Dinah leaned into the touch. They rested their faces against each other. Breathing in perfect unison as they slowly drifted off.
Greaseball’s shaking hand tightly clutched onto Dinah’s as they rolled up to the starting line. Rusty and Hydra were both there already, Hydra giving them an excited wave and Rusty gave them a node. They could tell he was fighting back a nervous grimace as he saw Sargent and Bedrock rolling up to the line. A sly grin on his slimy face. Greaseball unconsciously pulled Dinah closer, the feeling of her engine humming in her chest suddenly feeling sickening.
Electra was Racing with Volta today, Killerwatt would fill in as their alternate since Joule was still on bed rest. He gave Greaseball a knowing nod. Finally came Silver bullet with Lumber behind him. The pair was left completely unaware of what was in store, but Greaseball figured that was for the best. With any luck they’ll just fly right under Sargent’s radar.
As they reached the starting line Sargent set up right next to Greaseball. His green eyes filled with venom as he stared down at her. “I made you a promise a couple days ago, guess it’s time I deliver on it.”
”Heh that’s real cute Sarg, how ever will I see you coming.” Greaseball shot back. She really did think his paint job was ridiculous.
“THIS IS CONTROL! THIS IS CONTROL! Tonight is the big one, the final race of our tournament.” His excited voice boomed over the speakers. “Our five finalists will be zooming through our downhill track.”
Greaseball swallowed a wad of nerves as the starting countdown began. She flinched involuntarily when she felt a gentle hand on her back, but she relaxed when she realized it was Dinah. She spared a glance back at her partner and felt a small wave of calm. Dinah is her peace, and her strength. Together they can face anything.
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”GO!!!!” Control announced and the racers took off like a bullet. Greaseball and Dinah pulled ahead gaining an early lead. Sargent was less than thrilled. Rusty and Hydra were following close behind him. Electra’s position shifted throughout the race, pulling ahead and falling behind. Poor Silver wound getting stuck at the back of the pack.
While there was a bit of pushing and shoving things really didn’t pick up until the third lap. Sargent had closed the gap between him and Greaseball and decided to make his move. Pushing to the inside track and pulling right up next to Greaseball and Dinah.
“Oh hey Greaseball!” Sargent muttered now that he had her pressed up against the outside wall. “I didn’t mean what happened to your brother.” His smirk visible even through his helmet. “Though if he couldn’t handle a little fire, he shoulda stayed off the track.” Then he held up his right hand and snapped his fingers. As he did sparks flew from his hand. A vial rage rose up in her gut. A fire starter in his fingers? Likely flint and steel, he lit Flamestack’s diesel and that spark torn him apart!
“You killed him!” Greaseball responded, not a question. He treated it like one though.
”He was weak, an engine worth his metal wouldn’t have been that easy to pry open.” He was so nonchalant about it. He pried an innocent man’s tank open and set him on fire, and it seemed like he didn’t even care.
”How?” The only thing Greaseball could think to say. “How could you be so heartless?!” Sargent laughed at that.
”Don’t you act all high and mighty!” He sneered, pushing them even closer to the wall. “Trains talk Greasy, I heard about your own games last year.” The bitter reminder making Greaseball clench her fist. “We’re really not all that diff-“
”Shut it!” Greaseball was shocked out of her thoughts by Dinah from behind. “She’s nothing like you, she’ll never be anything like you!” Greaseball felt her stumble, a quick glance back helped her see that Bedrock was trying to trip her up.
“Do you coaches ever stop talking!?” The rock trucks voice echoed. “Useless and annoying.”
Greaseball Slammed all of her weight in Sargent, trying to put space between her and the wall. She heard Dinah shout something along the lines of “Fuck off jackass!” From behind her. Greaseball had to bite her tongue as she felt a sudden stabbing pain in her left leg. She jabbed her elbow into his gut and pushed. She felt Dinah give a tug in the direction of the wall knew what she was suggesting. She gave a nod a gritted her teeth. Together Dinah and Greaseball pressed their outside leg against the concrete barrier, using it as leverage Greaseball rammed hard into Sargent again. This was enough to get them some breathing room. As they started to pull ahead in the Greaseball’s corner of Greaseball’s vision she saw Sargent Reaching out to grab Dinah as they got out in front. She braced herself and tried to pull faster to get Dinah out of his reach.
She waited for an attack that never came. Glancing back she saw Rusty had caught up to them and shoved Sargent’s arm away. Rusty and Hydra flashed them a quick thumbs up that Greaseball and Dinah returned. The pain in Greaseball’s thigh was becoming a lot more noticeable. She spared a glance downward and what she saw made her gasp.
There was a small screwdriver tip jabbed in her leg. He stabbed her in the leg! With every push she felt the horrible pain. Feeling her muscles contract and expand around the tip of the tool was nauseating.
This brought back horrific memories for the diesel. In her old yard they’d been encouraged to hurt each other while they raced. Even if you crashed you were expected to get right back up and keep going. Greaseball has had her wheels jammed, axels broken, and arms snapped. She put her head down, the way she had to back then. Remembering what she’d tell herself to make it through.
That finish line is only getting closer, every step you take is one closer to safety. One step closer to the nightmare being over.
She could feel Dinah’s hands tightly squeezing her couplers. The same way she’d cling to Flamestack’s. For the longest time it had just been the two of them, alone and adrift. Trying desperately to save each other. Then Sargent stole him from her. After that all she could do was tread water. She’d probably had drown a long time ago if it wasn’t for Dinah. For this yard and everyone in it. Now she has to protect them.
Greaseball spared a glance back, saw Sargent coming up on Rusty and Hydra. Looked like he was gonna ram em. Dinah saw it too, she nodded and Greaseball smiled. They slowed their pace just enough that Rusty caught up with them. Just as Sargent charged Greaseball held her hand up, elbow out. Rusty caught on quick, and right when Sargent was about to slam into them Rusty and Greaseball drove right into him. Dinah and Hydra leaned all their body weight into the impact. It caused him to fall back.
”Haha team work makes the dream work!” Hydra called excitedly. It was pretty clear he didn’t get how serious this was… until Rusty noticed the screwdriver in Greaseball’s leg.
”Starlight! Greaseball are yo-“
“I’m fine!” Greaseball breathed out “It’s almost over!” She was right, they could see the finish line right ahead. Little did Sargent know, regardless of who crossed the line first he’d already lost. While they heard him growl in frustration behind them. They paid it no mind. Greaseball noticed Rusty was still looking down at her leg. “Hey Rusty, if you go easy on me I’ll throttle you!” She heard him laugh.
”Haha not a chance GB!!” He said as he began to pull ahead. It made Greaseball smile, she took a glance back at Dinah who rolled her eyes with a half smile on her face. This is what racing should be, fun and playful. It’s likely no one could tell who was going to win as the two neared the finish line. Anytime one engine pulled ahead the other would catch right back up. It wasn’t until they were right in front of the finish line, when Greaseball and Dinah pulled fully ahead. After one final push they crossed the line. She felt a small rush of relief ran through Greaseball as she carefully came to a stop. Shifting most of her weight off her bad leg. Turns out Sargent wasn’t as far behind them as she thought.
Suddenly the freight train drove right into her. She managed to uncoupled from Dinah before she got knocked away.
He pushed her a fair distance away from the others and punched her hard in the gut. “You fucking bitch!” Sargent screamed. “Your whole family is so pathetic!” He shouted, Greaseball punched him back. Hearing a crack under her fist as he stumbled back. “First it was Flamestack coddling those worthless sorry excuses for engines! Next thing you’re racing with a stupid coach!”
Greaseball laughed “Well hey, me and that stupid coach just beat your ass, in more ways than one.” Greaseball smiled clutching her aching abdomen.
”What do you mean?” He asked confused. Greaseball grinned and pointed up at the jumbotron that usually displayed the race. While normally it follows the racers from a camera set high above the track, this time the audience got a much more up close in personal perspective. Dinah and Rusty had small but surprisingly high definition cameras on their helmets, and Greaseball had a microphone hidden on her. Sargent slowly realized everyone watching had heard what he said, saw him stab Greaseball in the leg.
“Face it prick… you’re done!” Greaseball said with a satisfied smile. He charged at her again and they got into a fist fight. It started with trading blows until Sargent grabbed hold of the screwdriver in Greaseball’s thigh. He ripped it out and lunged at her with it, knocking them both to the ground. He tried to plunge it down at her, Greaseball was grasping at his hands as she struggled to get him off her. With enough force she was able push him back and sit up. While they were struggling her hand slipped, but she feel any pain. She heard Sargent bite back a yell as she managed to crawl out from under him, as they both forced themselves to their feet. When Greaseball looked back him she saw where the screwdriver had landed. Now there was a wound in his abdomen, fuel was leaking from it. Then Sargent grabbed hold of Greaseball’s arm with a vice like grip, he looked at her with a face Greaseball could only describe as deranged.
“Racing is all I got, all I ever had.” He sneered. “Now you’ve taken it from me!!!” He stared snapping the fingers on his free hand, sparks flying from his finger tips. “If I’m going down at least I can drag you down with me!!” He screamed. Greaseball tried to get away but his grip was like steel. Right as he ignited his own fuel a blur of pink and teal wrapped around Greaseball. Taking the brunt of the impact and flames. The shear force of it sent them both flying. Greaseball clung tightly to Dinah and tried to soften their landing as they hit the hard pavement.