21
Land Before Time Captions / Littlefoot Loves Fire
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:35:04 PM »
Littlefoot: You Spike and your pyro friends are the cause of this. Don't hide it!
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This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
22
Land Before Time Captions / Sharptooth hug 4
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:33:30 PM »
Michael: Ani't this a happy ending? 
23
Land Before Time Captions / Thud has a dilemma
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:31:54 PM »
Thud: This is so hard to choose, either I help those Multiverse saving good guys and get in big trouble with Red Claw, my partner Screech, and my raptor boss Victor Veloci. Or stay hear until my game is over. What to choose!
24
Land Before Time Captions / Don Bluth and the Gang
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:28:50 PM »
What's that Almighty creator?
25
Land Before Time Captions / The Gang and Red Claw
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:27:22 PM »Quote from: Pangaea,Feb 27 2011 on 11:18 PM
While chasing the gang, Red Claw suddenly spots a bigger, more appetizing meal……the audience.Their eyesight is based on movement. Stay Still!
26
Land Before Time Captions / The Gang of Five!
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:25:40 PM »
Wait, there are people who made a forum about us? And what the heck is a forum?
27
Land Before Time Captions / Diabolical Littlefoot
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:23:41 PM »
Veloci 'In Littlefoot disguise': That little fool doesn't know who I am until I give him the back-stab he deserves!
28
Land Before Time Captions / the gang see something HORRIBLE!
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:21:27 PM »
They found out that the animation studio that made the modern movies and tv series shut down, meaning they are gone forever... but I'm planning to bring back the series.
29
Land Before Time Captions / Chomper being chased by longnecks
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:15:56 PM »
Chomper: STAMPEDE!
Michael: No Crap Stupid.
Michael: No Crap Stupid.
30
Land Before Time Captions / Petrie's turned into a melon!
« on: September 24, 2014, 10:13:09 PM »
Spy: Mel-on!
Petrie: Oh Noes, not a a Melon spy!
Petrie: Oh Noes, not a a Melon spy!
31
LBT Fanart / Human OC's meet the LBT
« on: July 10, 2014, 02:02:13 PM »Quote from: CeraTheRed,Jul 8 2014 on 05:35 PM
Thanks, but the credit should go to Gloverboy23. He made these for me.Quote from: LBTComeback,Jul 8 2014 on 05:18 PMI have the same idea with humans and LBT dinosaurs together. But in my world, humans and dinosaurs work together to protect the multiverse and to keep the LBT dimension strong and alive.Ah. I thought so, and was right, I've seen these before. I love these...especially the Pterano picture. These are really cute and creative.
Here's the link: http://susenm74.deviantart.com/gallery/440...nization-Series
Also, imagine Initial D in the LBT world, and that's where The Land Before Time: Initial Dino is born: http://susenm74.deviantart.com/gallery/45725065/Inital-Dino
32
LBT Fanart / Human OC's meet the LBT
« on: July 08, 2014, 06:18:33 PM »
I have the same idea with humans and LBT dinosaurs together. But in my world, humans and dinosaurs work together to protect the multiverse and to keep the LBT dimension strong and alive.
Here's the link: http://susenm74.deviantart.com/gallery/440...nization-Series
Here's the link: http://susenm74.deviantart.com/gallery/440...nization-Series
33
LBT Fanfiction / The Land Before Time-Inital Dino!! Ep: 4
« on: January 04, 2014, 09:18:01 PM »
“This story is fiction. All names of characters, places and organizations in the story are fictional. Follow the traffic rules and drive safely.”
The FD3S speeds down the Great Valley Interstate's roads at full speed, drifting sharply across a corner and then another as onlookers from all around watch Keisuke as he performs his talent with precise movement.
I know you’re out here somewhere, Christine, Keisuke thinks to himself. Come out and play!
Act 4: Christine Arrives!
A while later, back at the meeting spot, Project D was making adjustments to their cars, including the FD3S.
“How about the booster?”
“Ah, looking good.”
“Don’t forget to check the air pressure too.”
“I’m on it. But we’re got another easy win on our hands today. Won’t even be close –”
“Shut up and focus, man. You’ve got a job to do.”
The sound of drilling can be heard.
“What you need?”
“Uh, the lug wrench. Can you hand it to me?”
From over the road, two of the Great Valley Speed-Riders are watching Project D. Ben walks over to them.
“What’s it look like they’re up to over there?” he asks.
“Looks like they’re tweaking the FD’s engine and changing the tyres. That van seems to be loaded with spares.”
“Must be changing them to suit the conditions of the road,” Ben guessed, his face showing annoyance. “The guys move around like a professional pick crew. Drat.”
A Project D member closed the bonnet on Keisuke’s car. “She’s ready when you are, Keisuke.”
“What’s that? Oh, okay thanks,” Keisuke had been watching the road from far-off and seemed a little distracted. “Hey, do you have any idea what time it is…it after 10 yet?”
“Nah, it’s like 9:40,” the member checked his watch.
Another car took off and barrelled down the road. Keisuke watched it and silently cursed. He walked over towards Ryosuke nearby. “It hasn’t shown up yet. Where could that Fury be? It’s getting under my skin. I figure if anybody would have the guts to represent Great Valley it’d be that Fury. Sometimes I get real sick of being wrong all the time…I’m gonna get out there and slaughter their time record, leave them licking my tracks…they’re all gonna look like total idiots when I’m through with them! And I can't wait to get back to our real time, this prehistoric world is making me concerned that we would be come dino chow."
Ryosuke remained silent, hardly impressed with his brother’s words.
Ben and the Speed-Riders continued to watch the road. One of them walked up to Ben. “Hey, just so you know, it’s getting real close to 10.”
“Yeah, I’m watching the clock,” Ben spoke with a moody tone. He looked up again, and then…
“Huh?” In the distance, something appeared to be approaching. Was it the…wait a minute…?
It was a bike, or more preferably, a scooter.
“You wanna tell me what that is?” the Speed-Riders member asked Ben.
It was Zachary, determined not to miss out on the showdown. “Hey, Ben!”
“Great,” Ben sighed. “It’s Zach.”
Zach pulled up to them. “What about the time? Did I miss it?”
“No, we’ll be going soon,” Ben told him.
“Oh sweet, I’m not late!” Zach sighed as he took off his helmet and noticed Jeremy beside Ben. “So is he gonna go out and represent the Speed-Riders…he better than you?”
Ben sighed again and turned to Jeremy. “Well, all right, man…this might happen. I think you need to start prepping mentally.”
Jeremy sighed, without much confidence. Zach quickly ran up to him. “You really are gonna be representing the team? Good luck, man…I’ll be cheering you on the whole way! I’m here for ya, whatever you need.” Jeremy nervously smiled.
Close by, a Project D member that had been organizing the rules walked up to the middle of the road with a radio. He flicked it on. “This is the starting line calling…we’re all ready to go whenever you are.”
Elsewhere, the radio crackled. “Finish line here…everybody’s in position, ready to rock and roll. Go ahead and call when you’re ready.”
“Roger that,” the starting member flicked off the radio. He turned towards Ben. “So, seems like we’re good to go. Is your team ready to start?”
“I guess the old man decided to stay home tonight,” Ben replied glumly. “Jeremy, looks like you’re up.”
The FD3S and the 180 slowly pulled up to the starting line. Keisuke watched Jeremy suspiciously from across cars. “You’re kidding me!” he complained. “You actually expect me to race against this loser?”
Jeremy remained silent, but his confidence was wavering.
Ben came over with Zach behind him and put his hand on Jeremy shoulder. “Jeremy, come on man, you’re as white as a ghost and you’re sweating like a pig…you’re making me feel sick just looking at you.”
“Dude, that was the worst pep-talk ever,” Jeremy muttered silently.
“You gotta toughen up! Get mean, bro!” Zach yelled at him.
“Right, attention DRIVERS! We’re starting the countdown!” the starting member yelled out. From the FD3S, Keisuke pulled a face. Zach quickly dodged off the road, but Ben held back a moment and patted Jeremy's shoulder before running back.
“Here we go…ten seconds!”
“Hold on, guys…” the radio suddenly crackled. “Finish line here…we got a regular street car running up your way, just passed us.”
From over at the line, a familiar car could be seen taking off into the distance. “You don’t want to have to pass this guy during the race,” the guy spoke into the radio. “Should we wait until it reaches the top?”
“It’s a Interstate! What’s he think is gonna happen?” Keisuke start complaining again. “People are gonna use it, so who cares? Come on…let’s start this frigging show and we’ll blow right pass this yokel!”
Just then, Ben ran up. “Not yet. Can you call back down there and ask him what the make of that car was?” Keisuke shot him a disarrayed look.
The starting member flicked the radio. “Hey, what was the make of the car that just passed you?”
“Not sure, it went by pretty fast but it kind of looked like it had an old retro design, like from the late 50’s…maybe a Fury or something.”
Ben’s eyes widened, and Keisuke’s narrowed. “Give me that!” he demanded, and took the radio from the starting member. “That Fury you saw…what colour was it?”
“What colour? I don’t know why it matters so much to you guys but it was red and pearl white.”
Ben’s confident smile came back onto his face. “That’s him and her.”
Keisuke chuckled. “Like a lamb to the slaughter, I can’t believe she showed up.”
The starting member asked, “What do you want us to do? Should we start anyway?”
“Let’s just hold off for a minute and wait until that Fury finally gets here,” Keisuke replied. “If I race tonight it won’t be against the dumb 180 with the sweating moron behind the wheel. Make sense to you?” he glanced at Ben, who smiled. “It does. I totally understand.”
He turned towards Jeremy. “You’re off the hook, dude…you can move your car.”
“Oh, thank god,” Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s about time!”
“What’s your deal, dude? You look like you’re about to cry!” Ben protested.
“Don’t tell me you’re not relieved too!” Jeremy squeaked.
“Of course I’m relieved! This guy actually came through for us so we’ll be able to protect the PRIDE of the Great Valley Speed-Riders tonight…which is more than I could hope for! I almost don’t even care who wins or loses, just as long as the fight’s a good one!”
From around the roads, people watched as the car in question, the Plymouth Fury, came throttling at high speed towards the top of the interstate. From the driver’s seat, Michael watched as he drove past the people watching him.
“Man, there sure are a lot of people out here tonight,” he muttered. “Weird. They’re packed in on every turn of the mountain. Wonder what they’re all doing here…this might not be the kind of thing I’m used to, but it doesn’t matter. All I care about is if I win I’ll get my full tank of gas, then I can get to the beach for my date with no worries!”
From nearby at another turn, Takumi Fujuwara, the downhill king from Akina, watched silently as the Plymouth Fury shot past him and his car. The other members watched from behind him as well.
“He looks serious, Takumi,” Iketani spoke up. “What’s going on, man?”
“I was just thinking,” Takumi replied. “He’s got good technique…the way the back-end moved when he pulled it out of the corner was a pretty nice touch.”
Itsuki looked surprised.
“What? Didn’t you see that?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Iketani replied, before looking at Kenji who simply said, “To me, it looked like any other dumb Plymouth Fury out on the road with an idiot behind the wall, nothing special at all.”
Takumi just looked back at the road. “It’s not every day you see a driver who works his ride better than his own feet, but from Takeshi's advice, when you do look, you can tell by the aura coming off the car. Ryosuke’s driving…his car, it’s got that kind of aura. His kid brother Keisuke’s aura isn’t as strong by a long shot. But that Fury has something fierce coming off it…if he’s up here representing the Great Valley, then I don’t know…I’d say the winners are crapshoot at this point.”
Back up at the starting point, everybody waited for the Fury to arrive.
Almost here, Ben thought to himself. The fastest man to ever run Great Valley's downhill and he’s backing us tonight. The man who invented technique… He glanced over at Keisuke and Ryosuke nearby. Time to show those Takahashi brothers the real strength what this prehistoric world is packing.
Keisuke, too, was thinking. Hurry up, Fury. I wanna see the goon that gets out of the driver’s seat. Man, I haven’t been this excited to race again since my brother wanted me to return to street-racing and Project D!
Ryosuke had his own thoughts as well. You’ve kept us waiting for a while, but don’t think I’ll fall for a rookie tactic like that. I’ve got my eye on you.
Lights lit up in the far distance, and finally the Fury could be seen coming in. “Here it comes!” someone yelled. “Come on, give the guy some room. He can’t race unless he can find the starting line!”
The Fury came speeding up and eventually began to SLOW down as it approached the starting area. Everybody’s face glowed white as the headlights shone upon them.
“What’s that car doing here?” the people watching behind the lines began to utter.
“That’s the car they’ve been waiting on?”
“It’s just some crappy Fury. Takumi’s 86 is way more modern than that; that kind of car lags everything from acceleration to cornering.”
Then Zachary began to push through the crowd. “This sucks! Where did all these people swarm in from? This is why I don’t go to concerts!”
Ben and Keisuke simply watched as the starting member signalled the Fury to slowly turn around and line up with the FD3S at the line.
“Do you mind? I’m trying to get through!” Zach complained as he pushed through the last layer of the crowd and saw the Fury. “Hey, that looks…just like Michael’s Plymouth Fury!”
Then…the door of the Fury opened…
Michael the Dino Ranger stepped out.
Ben was taken aback. “Michael?”
“No! It is him!” Zach gasped.
Michael simply looked around at everybody, wondering secretly why everybody seemed to be so surprised. Aside from one single person…
The person that had been planning on challenging the Plymouth Fury.
“This is the guy,” Keisuke smirked.
The Fury’s driver door closed behind Michael.
“Michael!” Ben ran up to him. “What’s going on? Where’s Bunta? Why are you here?”
“Well, that’s a lot of questions, but he’s back at the mansion,” Michael replied.
“Gee, thanks for bringing the car up the mountain,” Ben told him, “but without Bunta, it’s useless!”
Michael look at him with a confused look.
“You said I didn’t have to drive anymore!” Jeremy asked from over Ben’s shoulder. “You aren’t gonna go back on your word, are you?”
Geez, I knew I shouldn’t have come up here, Michael thought to himself as he heard Keisuke’s complaining from nearby. Bunta can really get on my nerves sometimes.
“Did Bunta say anything to you, man?” Ben pleaded. “Did he give you any advice at all?”
“No,” Michael shook his head. “I pretty much know Takumi's tricks off by heart, after all the secrets and downhill techniques that Bunta taught me a few weeks back. All Bunta told me was to come up to the Interstate tonight, find some punk who drove an FD and claims to be the fastest uphiller in Project D and beat him on the downhill,” Michael explained.
Everyone was stunned. Michael had been told to beat Keisuke on the downhill?
“He said you were supposed to drive against this guy in the FD?” Ben couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Yeah,” Michael agreed.
“Can you beat him?” Ben then turned his head. “Uh…it’s that guy, Keisuke Takahashi.”
“I dunno,” Michael replied. “Won’t be able to say until he and I get on the road together. But if it matters I have already beaten him once before.”
“YOU raced Keisuke Takahashi!? But –”
“A full tank is gas is writing on this so,” Michael interrupted. “If you let me out there I’ll guarantee I’ll beat this guy's tiny posterior.”
Everyone was speechless. The sound of footsteps approaching could be heard in the silence. “Excuse me…pardon me…coming through,” suddenly Zachary pushed his way past Ben and stood in front of Michael.
“All right guys…MIKE! You dummkopf!” Without warning he punched Michael hard in the head.
“Dude, what on earth was that for?”
“I’m used to you acting nuts but this takes the cake! You know, I hate to say it but I actually feel really embarrassed for you right now! Move your car off the starting line; don’t screw this up. Get that Fury and move it!”
“Zach…calm down and get off his case!” Ben insisted. Zachary immediately spun around to face him. “Ben…I’m sorry, but you know Michael…he can just be so dumb sometimes. Don’t blame him for being slow; it’s not his fault, he’s just like that. Please forgive him.” He hung his head and shoulders in shame.
But Ben had a suspicion. “Michael,” he asked, “by any chance when you worked with Bunta did you run around delivering tofu in this car like in the mornings to the hotels?”
“Nowadays I do all the delivery of Donuts and Tofu,” Michael replied. “I have been doing it before I got my license.” "You have been driving that Fury without a license?!"
Zach looked between both him and Ben, completely oblivious to what was going on. Christine's engine revved louder and louder as eagerness to start her first real street race, this gave Ben’s confident smile back on to his face.
“I think I know what’s going on here,” he finally said. “All right.” He put his hand on Michael’s shoulder. “Mike, I’m gonna go out on a limit and put you in the lead on the downhill –”
“That knock on the head must have busted your brain, Ben!” Zach interrupted and pushed his hand off Michael’s shoulder. “If you go and put a rookie driver like Michael to battle on the downhill, we’ll be lucky if he doesn’t flip right into the crowd!”
“Don’t worry, Zach, just get out of the way and watch this bad boy and devil auto drive!” Ben took hold of Zach and shoved him back into the crowd, before turning back towards Michael. “I wanna thank you for coming up here; it means a lot. We’re counting on you.”
“Cool,” Michael nodded.
Ben then turned to face Keisuke. “Sorry for the delay. We’re ready.”
“Good,” Keisuke’s stern face softened. “I’m not a big fan of waiting.” He stared at Michael. “You seem kind of young…real young. What’s your name?”
“It’s Michael…Michael the Dino Ranger. Hero of the Multiverse”
“Aah, So you're the Michael I heard of from the locals, I can't believe that you're actually the driver of Christine the killer fury. I'll remember that easily.” Keisuke stood up from leaning back on his car. “I’m Keisuke Takahashi…and I am not gonna make that same mistake twice.”
Their eyes locked together…
And the duel was on.
A moment later, everybody was in position.
“You really think this is the right thing to do?” one of the Speed-Riders spoke up. “It’s stupid to race a Plymouth Fury against an RX-7!”
“The difference in horse-power is huge!” another member pointed out. “Not to mention the FD3S was the best domestic cornering car in the market! The Fury is out-classed in the straightaways and the corners. We’re screwed any way you look at it.”
“We’re just gonna have to have faith in our friend,” was all Ben said.
Everybody watched…and waited for the moment of the start to commence. Michael kept his eyes firmly upon the start of the road, but he could feel Keisuke’s cold glare all the way over from the FD3S, before the Takahashi brother turned to face the road as the radio crackled in the starting member’s hand.
“Okay, starting for real this time,” he spoke.
“Roger, roger,” the finishing line member replied.
“Okay! We’re gonna start at the count of ten!” the starting member shouted out.
The cars revved up. “Nine…eight…seven…”
The gears were put into place. “Six…five…four…three…two…one…”
And then…
”GO!”
The cars began to roll. It was noticed immediately that the FD was pulling in front of the Fury. A confident smile formed on Keisuke’s lips as they throttled down the road, slowly picking up gears as they went faster and faster, out of sight. A crowd formed up around the starting line, listening as the sound of tires screeching in the distance grew fainter and fainter.
“Keisuke’s FD is one fast machine,” somebody said. “350 horses and a Rotary are no joke. And his shifting is perfect!”
“I wouldn’t even call a comparison against that piece of junk!” another spoke up. “At full speed, the Fury looks like it’s treading water!”
Ben groaned. Ryosuke began thinking to himself. The Furies had a 305 horsepower V8 engines on the high-end. However the sound isn't that 305 HP V8 though, sounds like a V8 that's been tuned. It doesn’t quite seem to be the monster Keisuke claimed. The reason why it can shift so fast is that it was designed to be a Muscle car. That’s perfectly suited for the highways and dragstrips, but not sure about tight corners on the Great Valley Interstate. Still, there’s no reason I can think of that Keisuke’s FD would be out-beat by it.
Then his eyes narrowed. Unless the monster isn’t under the hood of the Fury, or the driver, it could be both!
Meanwhile, Michael sat with a rather bored look, his arm holding up his head from the car door as he watched the FD slowly disappear out of his vision.
It’s go time! Keisuke thought to himself as he watched the Plymouth Fury behind him. I don’t like using the straightaways to pull ahead, but this is a time to run. After this, I won’t see that Fury in my rear-view again!
The FD’s exhaust pipe spurted flames as the throttle increased dramatically. Keisuke sent the car drifting neatly across the first bend. People watched from the safety lines as the FD disappeared, before the Fury appeared in the distance.
Michael watched as the bend came up.
Then he softly smiled. “Okay Christine,” he muttered quietly. “Let’s do this!”
He quickly changed gears and pushed the pedals down. Christine the Plymouth Fury slid into a straight sideways drift as it slid around the bend, coming so close to the guard-rail but not connecting. Acceleration increased and Michael watched with pure intent as he shot the Fury further down the road. People behind the lines were astonished at the movement.
“What’s going on?” one of the people’s radios crackled.
“This is the first corner,” the man spoke up. “This is unbelievable. The Fury’s slide is unreal! Couldn't have been more than a couple of centimeters off the guard-rail…it reminds me of back when Takumi raced Keisuke! I’ve never seen anyone ever corner at that speed before other than that 86!”
Up ahead, Keisuke drifted the FD madly across turn to turn. He continued to pound forward with the accelerator, looking back in his rear-view mirror, looking back…
And then… “Huh?”
The lights from Christine suddenly shone up in the distance.
“What the? It's closing the gap!” Sweat began to trickle down Keisuke’s face as he watched the Fury approach steadily. “So, I was right all along, that really is Christine!” Determined not to lose his ground, Keisuke began to throttle even harder, but kept his eye steadily on the Fury in his mirror…
Before suddenly…
His eyes widened the moment he looked back. He quickly slammed on the brakes and changed gears the moment he noticed the sudden turn he had been ignoring. That had been almost entirely too close! One second more and he would have totalled the FD before even getting too far on the course.
Christine continued to pound around the road, maintaining incredible drifting tactics and keeping up the momentum to chase after Keisuke’s FD. Now it was coming within a moment of tailgating the lead…just like it had done the previous time before. Keisuke gritted his teeth as he felt the pressure building up. But Michael simply stayed calm, keeping a steady grip on both Christine’s speed and control, with his expression showing hardly any clues as to what he was thinking.
“Whoa! Are you serious?” Zachary demanded from Ben. “I had no idea that Mr. Fujiwara was a street-racer, much less like the best one ever in the Multiverse!”
“Yeah.” Ben nodded.
“I only met the guy a couple of times in the Initial D dimension, but he seemed pretty normal,” Zach continued, with a strangely quiet tone for once. “Well, for an old guy who runs a tofu shop, I guess.”
“Just shows you really can’t tell much about someone by how they look,” Ben admitted. “Mr. Everfree told me that he’s still the fastest on the downhill in Akina, although he drives a Subaru Impreza Coupe now.”
Zach went pale, as he realized the weight of what it meant.
“But I say that if Michael was sent down here by Mr. Fujiwara we just need to trust that he knows what he’s doing,” Ben told everyone. “Besides, he’s our hero and he needs our support.”
“Look, anything’s better than if I was out there on the black top,” Jeremy replied.
“Maybe not,” Zach spoke up again. “Just because Mr. Fujiwara’s fast, it doesn’t mean Michael will be.” Everyone seemed dismayed at that.
But Ben remained confident. “Let's just say that since Michael tamed her, so I think we are good.”
“WHAT!?” everyone gasped. “You gotta be kidding me!” Zach had the widest eyes of the whole gang. “I thought you were joking about that!”
The sound of those words attracted the nearby Project D members with the radio. The Speed-Riders glanced at them for a moment, and then quickly crowded around Ben.
“I can’t believe it!” Zach continued. “Last I knew Michael told me he didn’t know his car any different from an 86! Seriously, how can he tame a car that kills people including her driver?!”
Back on the road, the FD squealed around another very sharp drift. Christine wasn’t very far behind it. It raced past the crowd with by the sound of it's exhaust like a roaring T-rex running after it's prey.
“Holy crap! I don’t believe what I’m seeing!” another radio guy yelled out nearby. “That Dino Ranger is moving faster than I’ve ever seen a car move before! I wouldn’t blink if that car went airborne!”
Everybody listened from the other end as the guy kept on yelling into the radio. Nearby, Ryosuke was expressionless.
Christine was now very close to running right up the FD3S as another bend on the road brought the Plymouth Fury very close.
“He caught up to me! What’s going on with this race?” Keisuke’s eyes flickered. “I’ve gotta be going insane!” He frowned as he tried desperately to lose the Fury, but it didn’t seem to be doing any good as Michael was simply remaining calm, familiar with every single technique he was using to bolt Christine in hot pursuit.
Then as the road straightened again, Michael noticed something. “Up to second gear both cars are running about the same but on a stretch it’s different. If the straightaway’s even a little long, he’s gonna pull ahead.”
Another turn came up, and as the FD simply rolled around it the Fury came sliding in with much more momentum, giving it the chance to simply catch up again. More people watched in astonishment as the two cars shot past.
“Okay guys, this is a straightaway in front of Corner 4,” yet another radio guy spoke up. “They just flew by…he’s chewing on Keisuke’s bumper! That Fury is crazy fast! Keisuke’s FD has never had anyone keep up with him this far or this tight…it’s like the 86 VS RX-7 battle all over again!”
The Speed-Riders, listening at the other end, were all utterly astonished, even Zachary and Ben themselves, as they seemed to believe a new light had shone into their lives. Ben shuddered. “Oh man… he might pull it off!”
“From this long straightaway Keisuke pulled away, but after there’s just more hairpins! We might have a problem here!” the radio crackled as Ryosuke came walking up to the starting member with his radio. “You just hear what he was saying, Ryosuke?” the guy asked him.
“We underestimated this guy!” Ryosuke replied. “Never figured that the hero of the Multiverse had such skills behind the wheel in a iconic movie car!”
Again the FD pulled away from Christine, but Michael still remained calm, looking completely relaxed, even as he looked down at Christine’s dash and saw that the speed was ticking up to about 100mph. His eye narrowed as he saw the FD slide round another bend. He kicked the Fury into a sharp slide and brought them so close to the FD that at that moment, if their windows had been open, the two drivers might have shaken hands.
Not that the driver behind the wheel of the FD would have wanted to, anyway…
“Dude, that was a killer attack!” another radio guy called in as the cars continued to pound around. “That Fury’s like pulling off some kind of kamikaze technique, and I’m seeing flames coming of it's exhaust pipe even though it doesn't have a Supercharger or Turbo! This guy’s got some serious racing skills!”
Further ahead, Keisuke continued to try and analyse what was going on. He too had noticed the difference in their driving. “In the straights I’m obviously a heck of a lot faster. But he keeps catching up, which can only mean I’m losing ground in the corners. Man, getting caught by such a weak old clunker is the ultimate shame for a street-racer, including a American car! And I’ll won't ruin my reputation like when I was defeated by Takumi's 86!”
He throttled again, struggling to keep ahead and stop losing ground to Christine.
Michael thought to himself as he watched. I know I made an agreement with Takumi to help Bunta out at the tofu shop and I know Bunta too well. Unless I pass that car he won’t admit that I won this race, which means I don’t have a whole lot of choice. Guess I’m gonna have to do it…I have got a full tank of gas depending on this! The setup for the overtake is gonna be somewhere in the Super Drift section!
The Plymouth Fury, Christine, pummeled down the road, with a confident rev as it shot after its target.
To be continued…
The FD3S speeds down the Great Valley Interstate's roads at full speed, drifting sharply across a corner and then another as onlookers from all around watch Keisuke as he performs his talent with precise movement.
I know you’re out here somewhere, Christine, Keisuke thinks to himself. Come out and play!
Act 4: Christine Arrives!
A while later, back at the meeting spot, Project D was making adjustments to their cars, including the FD3S.
“How about the booster?”
“Ah, looking good.”
“Don’t forget to check the air pressure too.”
“I’m on it. But we’re got another easy win on our hands today. Won’t even be close –”
“Shut up and focus, man. You’ve got a job to do.”
The sound of drilling can be heard.
“What you need?”
“Uh, the lug wrench. Can you hand it to me?”
From over the road, two of the Great Valley Speed-Riders are watching Project D. Ben walks over to them.
“What’s it look like they’re up to over there?” he asks.
“Looks like they’re tweaking the FD’s engine and changing the tyres. That van seems to be loaded with spares.”
“Must be changing them to suit the conditions of the road,” Ben guessed, his face showing annoyance. “The guys move around like a professional pick crew. Drat.”
A Project D member closed the bonnet on Keisuke’s car. “She’s ready when you are, Keisuke.”
“What’s that? Oh, okay thanks,” Keisuke had been watching the road from far-off and seemed a little distracted. “Hey, do you have any idea what time it is…it after 10 yet?”
“Nah, it’s like 9:40,” the member checked his watch.
Another car took off and barrelled down the road. Keisuke watched it and silently cursed. He walked over towards Ryosuke nearby. “It hasn’t shown up yet. Where could that Fury be? It’s getting under my skin. I figure if anybody would have the guts to represent Great Valley it’d be that Fury. Sometimes I get real sick of being wrong all the time…I’m gonna get out there and slaughter their time record, leave them licking my tracks…they’re all gonna look like total idiots when I’m through with them! And I can't wait to get back to our real time, this prehistoric world is making me concerned that we would be come dino chow."
Ryosuke remained silent, hardly impressed with his brother’s words.
Ben and the Speed-Riders continued to watch the road. One of them walked up to Ben. “Hey, just so you know, it’s getting real close to 10.”
“Yeah, I’m watching the clock,” Ben spoke with a moody tone. He looked up again, and then…
“Huh?” In the distance, something appeared to be approaching. Was it the…wait a minute…?
It was a bike, or more preferably, a scooter.
“You wanna tell me what that is?” the Speed-Riders member asked Ben.
It was Zachary, determined not to miss out on the showdown. “Hey, Ben!”
“Great,” Ben sighed. “It’s Zach.”
Zach pulled up to them. “What about the time? Did I miss it?”
“No, we’ll be going soon,” Ben told him.
“Oh sweet, I’m not late!” Zach sighed as he took off his helmet and noticed Jeremy beside Ben. “So is he gonna go out and represent the Speed-Riders…he better than you?”
Ben sighed again and turned to Jeremy. “Well, all right, man…this might happen. I think you need to start prepping mentally.”
Jeremy sighed, without much confidence. Zach quickly ran up to him. “You really are gonna be representing the team? Good luck, man…I’ll be cheering you on the whole way! I’m here for ya, whatever you need.” Jeremy nervously smiled.
Close by, a Project D member that had been organizing the rules walked up to the middle of the road with a radio. He flicked it on. “This is the starting line calling…we’re all ready to go whenever you are.”
Elsewhere, the radio crackled. “Finish line here…everybody’s in position, ready to rock and roll. Go ahead and call when you’re ready.”
“Roger that,” the starting member flicked off the radio. He turned towards Ben. “So, seems like we’re good to go. Is your team ready to start?”
“I guess the old man decided to stay home tonight,” Ben replied glumly. “Jeremy, looks like you’re up.”
The FD3S and the 180 slowly pulled up to the starting line. Keisuke watched Jeremy suspiciously from across cars. “You’re kidding me!” he complained. “You actually expect me to race against this loser?”
Jeremy remained silent, but his confidence was wavering.
Ben came over with Zach behind him and put his hand on Jeremy shoulder. “Jeremy, come on man, you’re as white as a ghost and you’re sweating like a pig…you’re making me feel sick just looking at you.”
“Dude, that was the worst pep-talk ever,” Jeremy muttered silently.
“You gotta toughen up! Get mean, bro!” Zach yelled at him.
“Right, attention DRIVERS! We’re starting the countdown!” the starting member yelled out. From the FD3S, Keisuke pulled a face. Zach quickly dodged off the road, but Ben held back a moment and patted Jeremy's shoulder before running back.
“Here we go…ten seconds!”
“Hold on, guys…” the radio suddenly crackled. “Finish line here…we got a regular street car running up your way, just passed us.”
From over at the line, a familiar car could be seen taking off into the distance. “You don’t want to have to pass this guy during the race,” the guy spoke into the radio. “Should we wait until it reaches the top?”
“It’s a Interstate! What’s he think is gonna happen?” Keisuke start complaining again. “People are gonna use it, so who cares? Come on…let’s start this frigging show and we’ll blow right pass this yokel!”
Just then, Ben ran up. “Not yet. Can you call back down there and ask him what the make of that car was?” Keisuke shot him a disarrayed look.
The starting member flicked the radio. “Hey, what was the make of the car that just passed you?”
“Not sure, it went by pretty fast but it kind of looked like it had an old retro design, like from the late 50’s…maybe a Fury or something.”
Ben’s eyes widened, and Keisuke’s narrowed. “Give me that!” he demanded, and took the radio from the starting member. “That Fury you saw…what colour was it?”
“What colour? I don’t know why it matters so much to you guys but it was red and pearl white.”
Ben’s confident smile came back onto his face. “That’s him and her.”
Keisuke chuckled. “Like a lamb to the slaughter, I can’t believe she showed up.”
The starting member asked, “What do you want us to do? Should we start anyway?”
“Let’s just hold off for a minute and wait until that Fury finally gets here,” Keisuke replied. “If I race tonight it won’t be against the dumb 180 with the sweating moron behind the wheel. Make sense to you?” he glanced at Ben, who smiled. “It does. I totally understand.”
He turned towards Jeremy. “You’re off the hook, dude…you can move your car.”
“Oh, thank god,” Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s about time!”
“What’s your deal, dude? You look like you’re about to cry!” Ben protested.
“Don’t tell me you’re not relieved too!” Jeremy squeaked.
“Of course I’m relieved! This guy actually came through for us so we’ll be able to protect the PRIDE of the Great Valley Speed-Riders tonight…which is more than I could hope for! I almost don’t even care who wins or loses, just as long as the fight’s a good one!”
From around the roads, people watched as the car in question, the Plymouth Fury, came throttling at high speed towards the top of the interstate. From the driver’s seat, Michael watched as he drove past the people watching him.
“Man, there sure are a lot of people out here tonight,” he muttered. “Weird. They’re packed in on every turn of the mountain. Wonder what they’re all doing here…this might not be the kind of thing I’m used to, but it doesn’t matter. All I care about is if I win I’ll get my full tank of gas, then I can get to the beach for my date with no worries!”
From nearby at another turn, Takumi Fujuwara, the downhill king from Akina, watched silently as the Plymouth Fury shot past him and his car. The other members watched from behind him as well.
“He looks serious, Takumi,” Iketani spoke up. “What’s going on, man?”
“I was just thinking,” Takumi replied. “He’s got good technique…the way the back-end moved when he pulled it out of the corner was a pretty nice touch.”
Itsuki looked surprised.
“What? Didn’t you see that?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Iketani replied, before looking at Kenji who simply said, “To me, it looked like any other dumb Plymouth Fury out on the road with an idiot behind the wall, nothing special at all.”
Takumi just looked back at the road. “It’s not every day you see a driver who works his ride better than his own feet, but from Takeshi's advice, when you do look, you can tell by the aura coming off the car. Ryosuke’s driving…his car, it’s got that kind of aura. His kid brother Keisuke’s aura isn’t as strong by a long shot. But that Fury has something fierce coming off it…if he’s up here representing the Great Valley, then I don’t know…I’d say the winners are crapshoot at this point.”
Back up at the starting point, everybody waited for the Fury to arrive.
Almost here, Ben thought to himself. The fastest man to ever run Great Valley's downhill and he’s backing us tonight. The man who invented technique… He glanced over at Keisuke and Ryosuke nearby. Time to show those Takahashi brothers the real strength what this prehistoric world is packing.
Keisuke, too, was thinking. Hurry up, Fury. I wanna see the goon that gets out of the driver’s seat. Man, I haven’t been this excited to race again since my brother wanted me to return to street-racing and Project D!
Ryosuke had his own thoughts as well. You’ve kept us waiting for a while, but don’t think I’ll fall for a rookie tactic like that. I’ve got my eye on you.
Lights lit up in the far distance, and finally the Fury could be seen coming in. “Here it comes!” someone yelled. “Come on, give the guy some room. He can’t race unless he can find the starting line!”
The Fury came speeding up and eventually began to SLOW down as it approached the starting area. Everybody’s face glowed white as the headlights shone upon them.
“What’s that car doing here?” the people watching behind the lines began to utter.
“That’s the car they’ve been waiting on?”
“It’s just some crappy Fury. Takumi’s 86 is way more modern than that; that kind of car lags everything from acceleration to cornering.”
Then Zachary began to push through the crowd. “This sucks! Where did all these people swarm in from? This is why I don’t go to concerts!”
Ben and Keisuke simply watched as the starting member signalled the Fury to slowly turn around and line up with the FD3S at the line.
“Do you mind? I’m trying to get through!” Zach complained as he pushed through the last layer of the crowd and saw the Fury. “Hey, that looks…just like Michael’s Plymouth Fury!”
Then…the door of the Fury opened…
Michael the Dino Ranger stepped out.
Ben was taken aback. “Michael?”
“No! It is him!” Zach gasped.
Michael simply looked around at everybody, wondering secretly why everybody seemed to be so surprised. Aside from one single person…
The person that had been planning on challenging the Plymouth Fury.
“This is the guy,” Keisuke smirked.
The Fury’s driver door closed behind Michael.
“Michael!” Ben ran up to him. “What’s going on? Where’s Bunta? Why are you here?”
“Well, that’s a lot of questions, but he’s back at the mansion,” Michael replied.
“Gee, thanks for bringing the car up the mountain,” Ben told him, “but without Bunta, it’s useless!”
Michael look at him with a confused look.
“You said I didn’t have to drive anymore!” Jeremy asked from over Ben’s shoulder. “You aren’t gonna go back on your word, are you?”
Geez, I knew I shouldn’t have come up here, Michael thought to himself as he heard Keisuke’s complaining from nearby. Bunta can really get on my nerves sometimes.
“Did Bunta say anything to you, man?” Ben pleaded. “Did he give you any advice at all?”
“No,” Michael shook his head. “I pretty much know Takumi's tricks off by heart, after all the secrets and downhill techniques that Bunta taught me a few weeks back. All Bunta told me was to come up to the Interstate tonight, find some punk who drove an FD and claims to be the fastest uphiller in Project D and beat him on the downhill,” Michael explained.
Everyone was stunned. Michael had been told to beat Keisuke on the downhill?
“He said you were supposed to drive against this guy in the FD?” Ben couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Yeah,” Michael agreed.
“Can you beat him?” Ben then turned his head. “Uh…it’s that guy, Keisuke Takahashi.”
“I dunno,” Michael replied. “Won’t be able to say until he and I get on the road together. But if it matters I have already beaten him once before.”
“YOU raced Keisuke Takahashi!? But –”
“A full tank is gas is writing on this so,” Michael interrupted. “If you let me out there I’ll guarantee I’ll beat this guy's tiny posterior.”
Everyone was speechless. The sound of footsteps approaching could be heard in the silence. “Excuse me…pardon me…coming through,” suddenly Zachary pushed his way past Ben and stood in front of Michael.
“All right guys…MIKE! You dummkopf!” Without warning he punched Michael hard in the head.
“Dude, what on earth was that for?”
“I’m used to you acting nuts but this takes the cake! You know, I hate to say it but I actually feel really embarrassed for you right now! Move your car off the starting line; don’t screw this up. Get that Fury and move it!”
“Zach…calm down and get off his case!” Ben insisted. Zachary immediately spun around to face him. “Ben…I’m sorry, but you know Michael…he can just be so dumb sometimes. Don’t blame him for being slow; it’s not his fault, he’s just like that. Please forgive him.” He hung his head and shoulders in shame.
But Ben had a suspicion. “Michael,” he asked, “by any chance when you worked with Bunta did you run around delivering tofu in this car like in the mornings to the hotels?”
“Nowadays I do all the delivery of Donuts and Tofu,” Michael replied. “I have been doing it before I got my license.” "You have been driving that Fury without a license?!"
Zach looked between both him and Ben, completely oblivious to what was going on. Christine's engine revved louder and louder as eagerness to start her first real street race, this gave Ben’s confident smile back on to his face.
“I think I know what’s going on here,” he finally said. “All right.” He put his hand on Michael’s shoulder. “Mike, I’m gonna go out on a limit and put you in the lead on the downhill –”
“That knock on the head must have busted your brain, Ben!” Zach interrupted and pushed his hand off Michael’s shoulder. “If you go and put a rookie driver like Michael to battle on the downhill, we’ll be lucky if he doesn’t flip right into the crowd!”
“Don’t worry, Zach, just get out of the way and watch this bad boy and devil auto drive!” Ben took hold of Zach and shoved him back into the crowd, before turning back towards Michael. “I wanna thank you for coming up here; it means a lot. We’re counting on you.”
“Cool,” Michael nodded.
Ben then turned to face Keisuke. “Sorry for the delay. We’re ready.”
“Good,” Keisuke’s stern face softened. “I’m not a big fan of waiting.” He stared at Michael. “You seem kind of young…real young. What’s your name?”
“It’s Michael…Michael the Dino Ranger. Hero of the Multiverse”
“Aah, So you're the Michael I heard of from the locals, I can't believe that you're actually the driver of Christine the killer fury. I'll remember that easily.” Keisuke stood up from leaning back on his car. “I’m Keisuke Takahashi…and I am not gonna make that same mistake twice.”
Their eyes locked together…
And the duel was on.
A moment later, everybody was in position.
“You really think this is the right thing to do?” one of the Speed-Riders spoke up. “It’s stupid to race a Plymouth Fury against an RX-7!”
“The difference in horse-power is huge!” another member pointed out. “Not to mention the FD3S was the best domestic cornering car in the market! The Fury is out-classed in the straightaways and the corners. We’re screwed any way you look at it.”
“We’re just gonna have to have faith in our friend,” was all Ben said.
Everybody watched…and waited for the moment of the start to commence. Michael kept his eyes firmly upon the start of the road, but he could feel Keisuke’s cold glare all the way over from the FD3S, before the Takahashi brother turned to face the road as the radio crackled in the starting member’s hand.
“Okay, starting for real this time,” he spoke.
“Roger, roger,” the finishing line member replied.
“Okay! We’re gonna start at the count of ten!” the starting member shouted out.
The cars revved up. “Nine…eight…seven…”
The gears were put into place. “Six…five…four…three…two…one…”
And then…
”GO!”
The cars began to roll. It was noticed immediately that the FD was pulling in front of the Fury. A confident smile formed on Keisuke’s lips as they throttled down the road, slowly picking up gears as they went faster and faster, out of sight. A crowd formed up around the starting line, listening as the sound of tires screeching in the distance grew fainter and fainter.
“Keisuke’s FD is one fast machine,” somebody said. “350 horses and a Rotary are no joke. And his shifting is perfect!”
“I wouldn’t even call a comparison against that piece of junk!” another spoke up. “At full speed, the Fury looks like it’s treading water!”
Ben groaned. Ryosuke began thinking to himself. The Furies had a 305 horsepower V8 engines on the high-end. However the sound isn't that 305 HP V8 though, sounds like a V8 that's been tuned. It doesn’t quite seem to be the monster Keisuke claimed. The reason why it can shift so fast is that it was designed to be a Muscle car. That’s perfectly suited for the highways and dragstrips, but not sure about tight corners on the Great Valley Interstate. Still, there’s no reason I can think of that Keisuke’s FD would be out-beat by it.
Then his eyes narrowed. Unless the monster isn’t under the hood of the Fury, or the driver, it could be both!
Meanwhile, Michael sat with a rather bored look, his arm holding up his head from the car door as he watched the FD slowly disappear out of his vision.
It’s go time! Keisuke thought to himself as he watched the Plymouth Fury behind him. I don’t like using the straightaways to pull ahead, but this is a time to run. After this, I won’t see that Fury in my rear-view again!
The FD’s exhaust pipe spurted flames as the throttle increased dramatically. Keisuke sent the car drifting neatly across the first bend. People watched from the safety lines as the FD disappeared, before the Fury appeared in the distance.
Michael watched as the bend came up.
Then he softly smiled. “Okay Christine,” he muttered quietly. “Let’s do this!”
He quickly changed gears and pushed the pedals down. Christine the Plymouth Fury slid into a straight sideways drift as it slid around the bend, coming so close to the guard-rail but not connecting. Acceleration increased and Michael watched with pure intent as he shot the Fury further down the road. People behind the lines were astonished at the movement.
“What’s going on?” one of the people’s radios crackled.
“This is the first corner,” the man spoke up. “This is unbelievable. The Fury’s slide is unreal! Couldn't have been more than a couple of centimeters off the guard-rail…it reminds me of back when Takumi raced Keisuke! I’ve never seen anyone ever corner at that speed before other than that 86!”
Up ahead, Keisuke drifted the FD madly across turn to turn. He continued to pound forward with the accelerator, looking back in his rear-view mirror, looking back…
And then… “Huh?”
The lights from Christine suddenly shone up in the distance.
“What the? It's closing the gap!” Sweat began to trickle down Keisuke’s face as he watched the Fury approach steadily. “So, I was right all along, that really is Christine!” Determined not to lose his ground, Keisuke began to throttle even harder, but kept his eye steadily on the Fury in his mirror…
Before suddenly…
His eyes widened the moment he looked back. He quickly slammed on the brakes and changed gears the moment he noticed the sudden turn he had been ignoring. That had been almost entirely too close! One second more and he would have totalled the FD before even getting too far on the course.
Christine continued to pound around the road, maintaining incredible drifting tactics and keeping up the momentum to chase after Keisuke’s FD. Now it was coming within a moment of tailgating the lead…just like it had done the previous time before. Keisuke gritted his teeth as he felt the pressure building up. But Michael simply stayed calm, keeping a steady grip on both Christine’s speed and control, with his expression showing hardly any clues as to what he was thinking.
“Whoa! Are you serious?” Zachary demanded from Ben. “I had no idea that Mr. Fujiwara was a street-racer, much less like the best one ever in the Multiverse!”
“Yeah.” Ben nodded.
“I only met the guy a couple of times in the Initial D dimension, but he seemed pretty normal,” Zach continued, with a strangely quiet tone for once. “Well, for an old guy who runs a tofu shop, I guess.”
“Just shows you really can’t tell much about someone by how they look,” Ben admitted. “Mr. Everfree told me that he’s still the fastest on the downhill in Akina, although he drives a Subaru Impreza Coupe now.”
Zach went pale, as he realized the weight of what it meant.
“But I say that if Michael was sent down here by Mr. Fujiwara we just need to trust that he knows what he’s doing,” Ben told everyone. “Besides, he’s our hero and he needs our support.”
“Look, anything’s better than if I was out there on the black top,” Jeremy replied.
“Maybe not,” Zach spoke up again. “Just because Mr. Fujiwara’s fast, it doesn’t mean Michael will be.” Everyone seemed dismayed at that.
But Ben remained confident. “Let's just say that since Michael tamed her, so I think we are good.”
“WHAT!?” everyone gasped. “You gotta be kidding me!” Zach had the widest eyes of the whole gang. “I thought you were joking about that!”
The sound of those words attracted the nearby Project D members with the radio. The Speed-Riders glanced at them for a moment, and then quickly crowded around Ben.
“I can’t believe it!” Zach continued. “Last I knew Michael told me he didn’t know his car any different from an 86! Seriously, how can he tame a car that kills people including her driver?!”
Back on the road, the FD squealed around another very sharp drift. Christine wasn’t very far behind it. It raced past the crowd with by the sound of it's exhaust like a roaring T-rex running after it's prey.
“Holy crap! I don’t believe what I’m seeing!” another radio guy yelled out nearby. “That Dino Ranger is moving faster than I’ve ever seen a car move before! I wouldn’t blink if that car went airborne!”
Everybody listened from the other end as the guy kept on yelling into the radio. Nearby, Ryosuke was expressionless.
Christine was now very close to running right up the FD3S as another bend on the road brought the Plymouth Fury very close.
“He caught up to me! What’s going on with this race?” Keisuke’s eyes flickered. “I’ve gotta be going insane!” He frowned as he tried desperately to lose the Fury, but it didn’t seem to be doing any good as Michael was simply remaining calm, familiar with every single technique he was using to bolt Christine in hot pursuit.
Then as the road straightened again, Michael noticed something. “Up to second gear both cars are running about the same but on a stretch it’s different. If the straightaway’s even a little long, he’s gonna pull ahead.”
Another turn came up, and as the FD simply rolled around it the Fury came sliding in with much more momentum, giving it the chance to simply catch up again. More people watched in astonishment as the two cars shot past.
“Okay guys, this is a straightaway in front of Corner 4,” yet another radio guy spoke up. “They just flew by…he’s chewing on Keisuke’s bumper! That Fury is crazy fast! Keisuke’s FD has never had anyone keep up with him this far or this tight…it’s like the 86 VS RX-7 battle all over again!”
The Speed-Riders, listening at the other end, were all utterly astonished, even Zachary and Ben themselves, as they seemed to believe a new light had shone into their lives. Ben shuddered. “Oh man… he might pull it off!”
“From this long straightaway Keisuke pulled away, but after there’s just more hairpins! We might have a problem here!” the radio crackled as Ryosuke came walking up to the starting member with his radio. “You just hear what he was saying, Ryosuke?” the guy asked him.
“We underestimated this guy!” Ryosuke replied. “Never figured that the hero of the Multiverse had such skills behind the wheel in a iconic movie car!”
Again the FD pulled away from Christine, but Michael still remained calm, looking completely relaxed, even as he looked down at Christine’s dash and saw that the speed was ticking up to about 100mph. His eye narrowed as he saw the FD slide round another bend. He kicked the Fury into a sharp slide and brought them so close to the FD that at that moment, if their windows had been open, the two drivers might have shaken hands.
Not that the driver behind the wheel of the FD would have wanted to, anyway…
“Dude, that was a killer attack!” another radio guy called in as the cars continued to pound around. “That Fury’s like pulling off some kind of kamikaze technique, and I’m seeing flames coming of it's exhaust pipe even though it doesn't have a Supercharger or Turbo! This guy’s got some serious racing skills!”
Further ahead, Keisuke continued to try and analyse what was going on. He too had noticed the difference in their driving. “In the straights I’m obviously a heck of a lot faster. But he keeps catching up, which can only mean I’m losing ground in the corners. Man, getting caught by such a weak old clunker is the ultimate shame for a street-racer, including a American car! And I’ll won't ruin my reputation like when I was defeated by Takumi's 86!”
He throttled again, struggling to keep ahead and stop losing ground to Christine.
Michael thought to himself as he watched. I know I made an agreement with Takumi to help Bunta out at the tofu shop and I know Bunta too well. Unless I pass that car he won’t admit that I won this race, which means I don’t have a whole lot of choice. Guess I’m gonna have to do it…I have got a full tank of gas depending on this! The setup for the overtake is gonna be somewhere in the Super Drift section!
The Plymouth Fury, Christine, pummeled down the road, with a confident rev as it shot after its target.
To be continued…
34
Land Before Time Captions / The Gang of Evil
« on: November 01, 2013, 03:02:19 PM »
Me: Umm... Guys? Why are you looking at me like that?
35
LBT Fanfiction / The Land Before Time-Inital Dino!! Ep: 3
« on: October 27, 2013, 12:13:03 AM »
“This story is fiction. All names of characters, places and organizations in the story are fictional. Follow the traffic rules and drive safely.”
The S13 drifted around a corner, just as a 18-wheeler coming from the other direction appeared from around the bend. Ben jolted as he realized they were going to collide!
Crap! Go into the inside!
Both Ben and the other driver gasped as they came so close, but barely managed to avoid colliding. Ben held his breath for a moment, and then looked ahead…
“NOOOO!" The incoming guard-rail was coming straight at him, and he was too late to stop or turn…
The sound of metal creaking hinted the evident crash that could be heard across the hills of Great Valley Interstate #74. The S13 lay in a smouldering wreck amongst the bushes. From up above, the sound of an angry truck driver could be heard. “That’s the craziest driving I’ve ever seen! What the heck is wrong with you?”
A moment later, another person came running up to the car. The first thing he saw immediately was the blood leaking down Ben’s head. “Oh no! Kid! Are you alright? Just hang in there…I’ll get you some help!”
Ben weakly looked up. “I’m…sorry…” he muttered. “It was all my fault…I’m…so…” Then his head dropped upon the dashboard.
“Just keep it together, alright?!” the man shouted. “Okay!? I’m calling an ambulance right now!” The sound of the man’s voice faded into darkness as the world slowly closed around Ben’s consciousness…
Act 3: The Downhill Hero Arrives!
Down at the diner, both Michael and Zachary were shocked…well, to be honest, Michael was shocked, while Zachary was traumatised. “WHAAAAT!!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BEN WRECKED HIS CAR!? When did that happen?”
“Last night, he slammed into a guard-rail during a downhill run,” one of the Great Valley Speed-riders drivers who had stopped by told Zach. Michael listened from nearby.
“That sucks! Was he hurt?” Zach asked.
“Yeah, but he’ll pull through. Cuts and bruises, minor case of whiplash, you know, the usual. But mainly, he’s just annoyed about the whole thing. I haven’t seen it, but I heard his car got pretty jacked up.”
“But what about the battle on Saturday?” Zach whined. “He’s supposed to anchor the race!”
“Well, I guess that’s in the toilet,” the driver sighed. “We’ve gotta find a subordinate for him now. I just don’t know who.”
Both Zachary and Michael stared.
Meanwhile, down at a car dealership, “Welcome, sir! Oh, Ben! Hey, are you sure you should be walking up and about?”
“Yeah, the doctor said it’s okay,” the injured driver replied. “So how’s my car doing?”
“Still in the back garage. We haven’t done anything to her yet, but our hands are tied until all the parts from Nissan are shipped.”
Ben was escorted over to the garage. There, the S13 lay in one piece, but in bad shape. Ben just looked at it gloomily, before walking over to it and kneeling down to inspect it further.
How had this come to happen, he thought to himself. The meeting with Project D on Saturday, and now I, the leader of the Great Valley Speed-riders, just suffered a nasty accident and my car is in need of repair. Now what am I going to do?
A short while later, a motorcycle pulled up at the Great Valley Donut Shop. It was Ben, having borrowed the bike for the time being. He walked into the shop calling, “Excuse me! Can I get some Dounts please?”
“Sure, be right there,” Bunta came walking out from behind the curtain, and saw Ben bandaged up.
“What happened to you?” he asked.
“Just a little accident,” Ben replied.
“I thought you were supposed to battle here pretty soon but what do you plan on doing?” Bunta walked up to the counter.
“That’s why I’m here,” Ben told him. “I wanted to ask you for a favour.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. The battle’s on Saturday. I’d like for you and Christine to drive in my place.”
Bunta was taken aback. :blink:
“I’m begging you…I need your help!” Ben leant forward but unexpectedly pulled a muscle in his neck, causing him to cringe and kneel down in pain. “Ow, that hurts, man!”
“Don’t die here,” Bunta simply said.
“Mr. Fujiwara, you remember what it feels like to be a street racer,” Ben asked him. “You know I can’t let those outsiders beat us here.”
“Course I understand,” Bunta replied. “But if some old geezer like me showed up with all those kids they’d think I was senile.”
Ben’s eyes focused on Bunta, showing how serious he was. “I spent my racing life driving those curves on those mountains! Right now Project D is making all of our drivers look like unlicensed school kids! It’s annoying me to the bone. I can’t let this go on! I wanna show them that this prehistoric world has a gem that can never be sold, that we’ve got drivers up here with skills like they’ve never seen!” Bunta looked down as Ben continued. “You can do that! You’ve already defeated their fastest, the younger Takahashi brother before on Akina. This would be nothing for you!”
Bunta’s eyelids lifted slightly.
“I don’t have anyone else to turn to!” Ben yelled.
All Bunta did was look at him.
All was quiet later that night, as back down at the diner, the lights blinked off.
But suddenly, a car came driving straight up to the station, honking loudly. Oskau Everfree, the boss of the diner, came walking out of the door. “Can’t you see the lights are off? We’re already closed!”
But the car simply came driving up as Oskau approached. “Ah, shut up grease-monkey, fill Christine up with high octane!” the driver replied.
With a slight smirk, Yuichi leaned down to the window. “You’re crazy if you think I’ll dump high octane into this old Fury.” Suddenly, Christine roared it's engine in anger, and this made Oskau change his mind.
A moment later, a lighter flicked. Both friends simply enjoyed their cigarettes.
“Had to be you!” Bunta finally spoke.
“Who else would have told that kid all those stories about me? Yeah, that was me. But it’s not like I was lying about it. I just couldn’t see the harm in telling him." Oskau replied.
“He came into my temporary store today with a bandage around his head and a neck-brace on asking me to drive in his place on a battle Saturday night. Gotta say, I was actually a little flattered.”
“If you were flattered, then go for it. It’s not like you’ve got other plans. I know the kid, he’s got good people.”
“No thanks. Sticking your nose into these kiddie fights is a good way to get it knocked off. Anyway, that’s not my style.”
“So, then it wouldn’t be a problem if another kid showed up for the kiddie fight?”
Bunta’s eyes widened at that. “What? You mean Michael?”
“That’s right,” Oskau smirked. “He's developing some real skill.”
“Yeah, but he’s still got a ways to go. If it’s Great Valley Interstate #74's downhill, he’s racing on then it’s for sure he wouldn’t lose to anyone…well, anyone except me and my son Takumi, if he was around.”
“Always the competitive spirit,” Oskau smirked. "Besides, he and Takumi are fast drivers."
“Michael’s the same way but he won’t get out there and race unless he wants to do it for himself, and he sure won’t go if I say I want him to. But seeing Ben all beat up made me feel bad for some reason. Might be worth trying.” He dropped his cigarette and snuffed it out with his shoe.
A little while later, Bunta had returned back up to the manor where he was staying. The sound of the door opening and closing hinted that Michael had just returned. The ranger walked past the lounge where Bunta was watching the TV, and was about to walk up the stairs to his room when he suddenly remembered.
“This counts as a verbal contract so I hope you realize,” Ruby told him. “If there’s anything I hate more than smokers, and I hate smokers, it’s people that can’t keep their word.”
Michael turned back into the lounge. “Hey, Bunta, I was thinking I’d take Christine out this Sunday if that’s cool by you?”
“Nope, not this Sunday you can’t,” the reply came.
Michael was surprised. “Why not? I’ll take care of the morning delivery of dounts and everything just like I always do.”
“Oh, I know you will,” Bunta agreed. “But that’s not the issue. I gotta use the car to go to a town meeting in my home diemension on Sunday.”
“You’re kidding me,” Michael was bewildered. “That timing sucks. You have no idea how much I needed the car this weekend.”
“Hmm?” Bunta started to get suspicious. “Must be about a dinosaur girl, huh?”
Michael jumped, his cheeks going red. “That’s none of your business! Come on! Don’t be such a pain and let me take it out! It’s my private car after all anyway! You can take another car from my garage if you want to!” He turned and went up the stairs to his room.
“For your infomation, I modified Christine so she won't start her engine on her own unless the key is in the ingtion, and that key isn’t going anywhere and it's gonna be on a string around my neck!” Bunta simply spoke calmly, causing Michael to shoot down the stairs again with an annoyed look.
“What’s your deal?”
“Fine. You want it that bad I’ll think about it.”
Michael brightened at that. “Thanks, Bunta-san.”
“On just one condition…” Bunta continued, however.
“What’s that?”
“On that mountain range this Saturday, find some punk in an FD people say is one of the fastest on Project D. And beat the crap out of him!”
It was Michael’s turn to become suspicious. “Hold on, you want me to…why?”
“Do that, and I’ll let you take the car out. No questions asked. I’ll even put in a full tank of High Octane gas for you.”
Michael just stared. “A full tank of High Octane? Hmm…” he put his hand up to his chin, lost in deep thought. Wow, a full tank. That’s too good an offer to walk away from. After all, gas isn't cheap these days!
“So, what’s the predict?” Bunta asked.
“I’m gonna need a few minutes to think about it,” Michael replied.
“You take all the time you need to, buddy, after all, you helped me with the tofu when Takumi was here.” Bunta simply said as Michael trotted up the stairs.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, the Takahashi brothers’ cars were parked outside the hotel. Within the hotel, Ryosuke Takahashi was looking upon a graph on his laptop. He let out a sigh.
Just then a knock on the door distracted him. “I’m coming in,” the voice of his brother spoke as the door opened. There stood Keisuke.
“Perfect timing,” Ryosuke smiled as Keisuke sat down upon the nearby bunk. “I had a question I wanted to ask you.”
“Yeah, sure. What’s on your mind?” Keisuke asked.
“The Fury that you ran into when you were driving on the Great Valley Mountain Range; do you think you could describe the speed of the car, theoretically speaking?”
Keisuke flinched at the question. “Seriously? C’mon, give me a break, bro! I’m not like you; I can’t rattle that kind of info off the top of my head!”
“Like I’ve always said,” Ryosuke continued, “the most important instrument when it comes to driving technique is right here.”
“All I know is that whenever you’re battling someone you can learn pretty much whatever you need by driving behind them,” Keisuke told him. “You can get a good gauge on their habits, their weaknesses, even how their suspension is set up. How you get all that stuff out of your computer simulations I’ll never know.”
Ryosuke smirked. “In my opinion, the fact you can get out there and drive the way you do without thinking about it and still keep up with me makes you the scary one. If you could just apply theories to your skills, you’d be the perfect driver.”
“I only lost because I was careless and I didn’t know the road. That’s all it was!” Keisuke raised his voice as his mind reflected back to the moment he saw the Plymouth Fury perform the inertia-drift. “I’ve never been embarrassed like that before. I’m telling you that Fury has got to be Christine and it had her license plate CQB 241!"
“Christine, you say?” Ryosuke calmly spoke. “This gets more interesting by the second!” He turned back to his laptop. “Maybe I actually should show up and see how the battle goes.”
* * *
The next morning, at the school, Michael just sat at the window looking bored. Suddenly…
“MICHAEL!” the voice of Zachary hollered towards him, followed by Zachary himself running up. “It’s Saturday, the big day is here!”
Michael just looked at him in a bored way. “Okay, what’s today?”
Zach almost fell over. “What do you mean, what’s today? It’s the day of the battle between Project D and the Great Valley Speed-riders! You said you were gonna borrow the Fury so we could watch and go down, REMEMBER!?”
“Well, I…I wanted to talk to you about that. It’s just…well, it’s just a little more complicated.”
“What do you mean? You’d better not be telling me that you’re gonna bail out on me just because you don’t have time.”
“Time doesn’t have anything to do with it! Like I said, it’s complicated.”
“You back out on me and I’m stuck here tonight, you can kiss our friendship goodbye!” Zach turned away and crossed his arms. “I’ve counted the days I was committed to this race! I can’t wait! I’m falling into bits here!”
Michael just shot him an un-amused look. “Really? Well, I couldn’t tell!”
Meanwhile, back at the donut shop… “Shop owner! Box of dounts!”
“Well, whaddya know? It’s the return of the mummy!” Bunta turned towards the bandaged Ben. “You sure are a persistent one, aren’t you?”
“I still haven’t given up on trying to convince you to race for me tonight!” Ben clenched his fist.
Bunta lit his cigarette. “I’ve thought it over and spoke to Christine. And we might race for you.” Ben immediately jolted at the sound of those words. “You heard me say might,” continued Bunta, “and that’s all you heard me say. We might race for you.”
Ben looked as if he was about to explode. “You’re not gonna regret this! AHHHHHHHHH!!!” another pained muscle in his neck forced him down to his knees again in the excitement. “Ow! My neck…again!”
“Remember what I said about dying in my dount shop…” Bunta sneered.
“Wait, so you’re really gonna show up tonight?” Ben asked as he got back up to his feet.
“I’m not making you a pinky-swear. But you can count on about a fifty-fifty chance of me showing up. What time does the party kick off?”
“Everybody shows up about eight, but the time attack starts at ten on the dot!”
“Ten o’clock sharp? If you haven’t seen the Fury show by ten, you can stop waiting. Any later than that and it’ll be up to you to clench the weight for Great Valley.” He turned his back to Ben.
“Until then I’ll be waiting on you sir!” Ben felt his spirits renewed. “I got all the faith in the world that you’ll show up!”
“It’s not for sure, kid. I said fifty-fifty.”
“That’s wrong. I can tell you’ve already decided you’ll be there and our team will be there to cheer you on the whole way! So Mr. Fujiwara, guess we’ll be seeing you at the top of the Great Valley Mountains at ten o’clock sharp!” He turned and immediately ran out the donut shop door. Bunta turned slightly as he heard the loaned motorbike take off.
Then, Bunta smiled as he took the cigarette out of his mouth. I can’t find it in me to being mean to such an eager kid, he thought to himself. I wonder if I should go up there if Michael won’t. Nah, I’ll stay here…I’m just excited for him.
The sound of honking echoed out upon the road as a car drove down with gentle music playing on the radio.
“You have a good day today, sweetheart?” the driver asked.
“Huh?” Ruby looked at him, obviously not paying attention as she had been staring out of the window.
“You seem…different, brighter.”
“Really…I do? I thought I was always this cheerful around you.”
“There’s something more…I can tell.”
Ruby chuckled. “Actually I’m supposed to take a road trip up to the beach with a friend of mine tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Friend, eh?” her father rolled the word around his mouth. “Is it a boy?”
“What? No, uh…it’s just a girlfriend of mine. I’ve known her for a long time.”
“Ah…well, in that case why don’t we go to the mall? We can get you a new bathing suit to show you off.”
“Oh no, that’s alright,” Ruby told her father. “I already have one bathing suit. I can’t imagine why I would need two of them.”
“But I’d like to see you try a few of them on at least,” her father insisted.
“You’re funny, you know? You’ve seen me in a bathing suit before. You’ve got a one-check mind, don’t you?”
All her father did was chuckle as their car passed underneath a bridge…
And at the same time, who else but Michael and Zachary were passing over the bridge?
“What do you think, Zach? Is it gonna be sunny tomorrow?”
“What do I look like, the weather man? Don’t ask me stupid stuff like that. The weather’s great this time of year. Why…you planning on going somewhere?”
“Yeah, heading out to Oceanside beach,” Michael told him.
Zach turned towards Michael. “Hmm…the beach?”
Suddenly, Michael was pounced on by a desperate Zachary. “WWWHHHHHAAAATTTTTT????? Oh, I wanted to go to the beach! Why didn’t you ask me to go with you!?” He began wailing his head off again. “Wait, you’re going with a chick, aren’t you? You jerk!”
“Yeah, kinda,” Michael kept his cool.
“Who is it? Do I know her? Is she cute? Does she have big knockers or maybe a hot available sister?”
“She has sisters, but they are living with their Mom. But, the girl is cute.”
Zach suddenly twigged. “No, not Ruby!” Michael simply traced his cheek with his finger.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” Zach moped.
“Sorry, but it’s not exactly the kind of situation where I could have invited a friend if you know what I mean, Michael spoke with a slight smile on his lips. “Maybe next time, okay?”
Zach now looked as if he was going to mentally break down anime style. “You don’t have to cry about it,” Michael pointed out.
Eventually, the sun was just starting to set over the horizon. Over at a dine-in restaurant…
“So, what do you think’s gonna happen tonight?” one person spoke up. “I’ve heard Project D have never lost battles on the road. Doesn’t sound so good for those Speed-rider characters.”
“Not too much of a big mystery what’s gonna happen tonight,” another replied, by surprize, it was Takumi Fujuwara, the famous 86 driver. “Great Valley going down. It’s pretty much common knowledge that the fastest racing team in the multiverse is none other that Project D, we never lost a battle and we never will!”
“It’s about that time, Takumi,” the first person told him as the sound of a horn beeping echoed outside.
"I actually was thinking, it's been a while since we last saw them." The others who were Iketani and Itsuki were confused. "Pack your bags boys, we are heading back in time!" said Takumi and he was serious about it.
They all departed out of the restaurant and headed to their cars. Takumi took a good look at his car, which was a Toyota AE86, with a Panda bear colour.
This car was designed for pure speed, he thought to himself, it was were I began the feeling for racing. A real thoroughbred that can't be copied. Gunma's AE86. Project D's secret dowhill weapon!
Dozens of cars drove up the road, and passed by a familiar diner. Oskau simply watched them from the window as they drove past. Would you look at that, he thought. The mountain’s lit up like New Year’s tonight. Rumours about this battle between Ben’s team and the team that’s calling themselves the fastest in the Inital D diemension has seem to have spread from coast to coast.
He stepped away from the window and sat down on the couch, lighting his cigarette. As if I didn’t wonder who’s taking home the gold…I mean, Michael’s Plymouth Fury can’t actually lose. Guess it feels good to be excited about a race again.
The roads of the Great Valley Interstate #74 were lit up by cars speeding past corners everywhere.
Over at the meeting spot, the Speed-riders cars had gotten together on one side.
“Wow, there’s so many people up here!” somebody commented.
One driver, called Jeremy Skyline, looked unfascinated. “I’ve never seen the size of that group here in my life. What’s up with that?” he asked.
“Project D must have brought them out here to show off,” Ben snorted. “Intimidate us, force us into a mistake. We lose tonight; we’ll look like the biggest bunch of boneheads.” They looked past their cars to where Project D was parked over on the other side.
“So, uh…Ben…that Fury you were telling us about…” one Speed-riders asked him. “Do you really think it’s gonna show up?”
“Yes,” Ben turned towards him, with determination in his eyes.
“All I know is if I was that Fury I’d stay as far away from this place as I could,” Kenji complained. “I heard Keisuke’s FD3S is only lightly-tuned for mountain-driving, not like it matters from what I’ve heard, cause everyone says it’s kicking out like 350 HP. And there’s too much of a power difference.”
“Even on the downhill, the Fury can never compete with that kind of power,” another driver commented. “How hard did you smack your head when you wrecked anyway, man?” he asked Ben.
“A Fury is just a Fury, yes,” Ben replied. “But this one’s not normal. Keisuke said it himself. On the outside, the thing’s a normal car, but on the inside it’s a beast like you’ve never seen! Trust me guys, he’ll show!”
There was a hiatus. Silence befell the Speed-riders for a few seconds.
“And if he doesn’t, what are we gonna do then?” Jeremy asked Ben.
“There are more people up here watching than I’ve ever seen watching anything,” Ben sighed. “I can’t have them saying we backed out. But if he doesn’t show…”
“That’s what I asked.”
“I want you to represent us and drive like your life depended on it. Got me?”
Jeremy was stunned. “You gotta be out of your freakin’ mind, dude!”
Another moment of silence passed down through the group, until suddenly…
The sound of a car in the distance could be heard.
“Hey, I think I hear ëem coming now!” one of the drivers spoke. Everyone turned, even Ben. “Yeah, those roaderies are really kicking hard, aren’t they?”
Far off in the distance, a group of cars appeared and began to approach. "Project D is here!” Jeremy began to panic.
“This night’s about to get pretty wild, man!”
“Took ëem long enough!”
The crowd was eager to see the new challengers arrive. But Ben and the Speed-riders just plainly stared, not liking one bit what they were about to face. Both Ryosuke and Keisuke climbed out of their cars.
“I never realized how popular the Takahashi brothers are,” somebody in the crowd muttered.
“Yeah, I heard their dad owns a big hospital in Takasaki so you know they got cash to burn,” somebody else agreed.
“We don’t stand a chance against rich guys,” Jeremy complained. “Other than time spent behind the wheel, driving skill is based on nothing more than how much dough you can drop on gasoline and tyres.” Ben tried to cheer them up "Relax, the DPF has loads of money to spare, but it's important to spend it on important things" The other Speed-riders gave a huge groan.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Great Valley, Zachary tapped his foot annoyingly upon the road as he waited at the meeting point. He was expecting Michael to appear at any moment with the Plymouth Fury. The sound of a dog barking in the distance could be heard as he looked over at an electrical digital clock. It read 20:25.
“What’s taking Michael so long? The battle’s probably starting as we speak! He knows where to pick me up at what time I’d be here! I hate that guy! I’m gonna kick him square in the nuts when I see him!” He angrily kicked the nearby post which resulted in him getting an injured foot. He grabbed his foot and hopped around annoyed. “I can’t wait anymore…I gotta go! I’ll just take my stupid scooter if I have to!”
Back over at the meeting spot, Project D and the Speed-riders had begun to converse. One of the Project D members from the first meeting was going over their plan. “Let’s begin the time attack at ten o’clock according to the schedule. It’ll be late enough so there should be fewer convictional cars on the road. We’ll use radios at the start and at the finish line so we can coordinate and time the runs. Also in order to allow the drivers to cope loose and go as fast as they want, we’ll put officials at all the blind corners. In the event of any incoming traffic, we’ll use lights to signal the drivers. Sound like a plan?”
“Works for me,” Ben replied.
“I’m getting the feeling they’ve done this before,” Jeremy muttered to a nearby driver.
“No joke. They’ve probably run this time attack game all over their home diemension,” was the reply.
“Now that we’ve gotten the protocol all out of the way let’s take advantage of the time and enjoy some free runs until ten o’clock hits,” the Project D member suggested. “The galleries are packed.”
Everybody immediately began dashing to their vehicles. Engines fired up, lights flashed up, tyres screeched, and the cars all took off one by one. However, the Takahashi brothers still appeared to be waiting beside their cars.
“Where’s Christine?” Keisuke muttered. “I figured it’d be here.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they were trying to keep their secret weapon under wraps until the big reveal at the start,” Ryosuke replied.
Back at the Mansion, Michael walked into the lounge and stared at the clock. It read: 20:50.
“What’s up?” Bunta asked. “Thinking about heading up there?”
“Nah, I’m thinking I don’t really wanna go,” Michael replied.
“Why not? Think you’ll lose? Cause if so, just loosen up. Drive like my son Takumi usually does. You’ll do fine.”
Michael put his hand to his head, thinking deeply.
The RX-7 throttled down the road, catching the attention of fans all around the racetrack.
“Hey guys! It’s here! Keisuke’s FD3S!” a voice yelled out. The crowd watched as the FD drifted neatly around the corner, passing dozens of people sideways along the lanes.
“Sweet! You see how fast he went around that corner?” a witness pointed out. “Ryosuke is coming up right behind him!” Ryosuke’s Savanna RX-7, the FC3S, came shooting up towards the guard-rail, and much to the crowd’s astonishment and fright, it looked as if he was about to plow right into them! But right before the gap was closed, the FC3S quickly drifted and shot past, narrowly missing the guard-rail.
Amongst the crowd, Takumi Fujuwara watched the performance. “Well, that’s Ryosuke’s game for you. A real showoff with skills to back it up.”
The two RX-7s came alongside each other and drifted together without even a care. “I can’t believe they can get their cars that close to each other without touching!” another viewer noted. "That's their famous Parallel Drift!"
Takumi just smirked. “Approaching the other car in full tilt is the toughest part because if you don’t have the driving skills to change your speed and your line during the drift there’s no way you’re gonna be able to pull it off! But what those guys are doing now is just for show…you’re competing for time, it’s just an entirely different story!”
The Takahashi brothers continued to throttle on down the road, seeming as if they didn’t have a care in the entire world. But still, Keisuke was hoping deep down. Come on out, Ghost of Great Valley! I’ve got a race tonight and you’re the other half! Show yourself, Christine!
At that very moment, a car fired up inside a garage. The lights flicked on as the door opened. The car revved a few times before pulling out, coming to a stop outside the front of the house where Bunta was waiting.
“Do you want me to take the paper cup with me tonight?” Michael asked from the driver’s seat.
“You don’t need it. There’s not any donuts in the back and you’re off the clock until the morning,” Bunta told him. “This isn’t a regular delivery so drive your old girl as fast as you can.”
“Well, don’t forget, it’s a full tank of gas when I win,” Michael pointed out.
“We’ll talk when you earn it,” was the reply.
“Fine. I’ll see you when I get back.” Michael pushed the gear down, and the Plymouth Fury began to roll and headed toward the distant mountains.
To be continued…
The S13 drifted around a corner, just as a 18-wheeler coming from the other direction appeared from around the bend. Ben jolted as he realized they were going to collide!
Crap! Go into the inside!
Both Ben and the other driver gasped as they came so close, but barely managed to avoid colliding. Ben held his breath for a moment, and then looked ahead…
“NOOOO!" The incoming guard-rail was coming straight at him, and he was too late to stop or turn…
The sound of metal creaking hinted the evident crash that could be heard across the hills of Great Valley Interstate #74. The S13 lay in a smouldering wreck amongst the bushes. From up above, the sound of an angry truck driver could be heard. “That’s the craziest driving I’ve ever seen! What the heck is wrong with you?”
A moment later, another person came running up to the car. The first thing he saw immediately was the blood leaking down Ben’s head. “Oh no! Kid! Are you alright? Just hang in there…I’ll get you some help!”
Ben weakly looked up. “I’m…sorry…” he muttered. “It was all my fault…I’m…so…” Then his head dropped upon the dashboard.
“Just keep it together, alright?!” the man shouted. “Okay!? I’m calling an ambulance right now!” The sound of the man’s voice faded into darkness as the world slowly closed around Ben’s consciousness…
Act 3: The Downhill Hero Arrives!
Down at the diner, both Michael and Zachary were shocked…well, to be honest, Michael was shocked, while Zachary was traumatised. “WHAAAAT!!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BEN WRECKED HIS CAR!? When did that happen?”
“Last night, he slammed into a guard-rail during a downhill run,” one of the Great Valley Speed-riders drivers who had stopped by told Zach. Michael listened from nearby.
“That sucks! Was he hurt?” Zach asked.
“Yeah, but he’ll pull through. Cuts and bruises, minor case of whiplash, you know, the usual. But mainly, he’s just annoyed about the whole thing. I haven’t seen it, but I heard his car got pretty jacked up.”
“But what about the battle on Saturday?” Zach whined. “He’s supposed to anchor the race!”
“Well, I guess that’s in the toilet,” the driver sighed. “We’ve gotta find a subordinate for him now. I just don’t know who.”
Both Zachary and Michael stared.
Meanwhile, down at a car dealership, “Welcome, sir! Oh, Ben! Hey, are you sure you should be walking up and about?”
“Yeah, the doctor said it’s okay,” the injured driver replied. “So how’s my car doing?”
“Still in the back garage. We haven’t done anything to her yet, but our hands are tied until all the parts from Nissan are shipped.”
Ben was escorted over to the garage. There, the S13 lay in one piece, but in bad shape. Ben just looked at it gloomily, before walking over to it and kneeling down to inspect it further.
How had this come to happen, he thought to himself. The meeting with Project D on Saturday, and now I, the leader of the Great Valley Speed-riders, just suffered a nasty accident and my car is in need of repair. Now what am I going to do?
A short while later, a motorcycle pulled up at the Great Valley Donut Shop. It was Ben, having borrowed the bike for the time being. He walked into the shop calling, “Excuse me! Can I get some Dounts please?”
“Sure, be right there,” Bunta came walking out from behind the curtain, and saw Ben bandaged up.
“What happened to you?” he asked.
“Just a little accident,” Ben replied.
“I thought you were supposed to battle here pretty soon but what do you plan on doing?” Bunta walked up to the counter.
“That’s why I’m here,” Ben told him. “I wanted to ask you for a favour.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. The battle’s on Saturday. I’d like for you and Christine to drive in my place.”
Bunta was taken aback. :blink:
“I’m begging you…I need your help!” Ben leant forward but unexpectedly pulled a muscle in his neck, causing him to cringe and kneel down in pain. “Ow, that hurts, man!”
“Don’t die here,” Bunta simply said.
“Mr. Fujiwara, you remember what it feels like to be a street racer,” Ben asked him. “You know I can’t let those outsiders beat us here.”
“Course I understand,” Bunta replied. “But if some old geezer like me showed up with all those kids they’d think I was senile.”
Ben’s eyes focused on Bunta, showing how serious he was. “I spent my racing life driving those curves on those mountains! Right now Project D is making all of our drivers look like unlicensed school kids! It’s annoying me to the bone. I can’t let this go on! I wanna show them that this prehistoric world has a gem that can never be sold, that we’ve got drivers up here with skills like they’ve never seen!” Bunta looked down as Ben continued. “You can do that! You’ve already defeated their fastest, the younger Takahashi brother before on Akina. This would be nothing for you!”
Bunta’s eyelids lifted slightly.
“I don’t have anyone else to turn to!” Ben yelled.
All Bunta did was look at him.
All was quiet later that night, as back down at the diner, the lights blinked off.
But suddenly, a car came driving straight up to the station, honking loudly. Oskau Everfree, the boss of the diner, came walking out of the door. “Can’t you see the lights are off? We’re already closed!”
But the car simply came driving up as Oskau approached. “Ah, shut up grease-monkey, fill Christine up with high octane!” the driver replied.
With a slight smirk, Yuichi leaned down to the window. “You’re crazy if you think I’ll dump high octane into this old Fury.” Suddenly, Christine roared it's engine in anger, and this made Oskau change his mind.
A moment later, a lighter flicked. Both friends simply enjoyed their cigarettes.
“Had to be you!” Bunta finally spoke.
“Who else would have told that kid all those stories about me? Yeah, that was me. But it’s not like I was lying about it. I just couldn’t see the harm in telling him." Oskau replied.
“He came into my temporary store today with a bandage around his head and a neck-brace on asking me to drive in his place on a battle Saturday night. Gotta say, I was actually a little flattered.”
“If you were flattered, then go for it. It’s not like you’ve got other plans. I know the kid, he’s got good people.”
“No thanks. Sticking your nose into these kiddie fights is a good way to get it knocked off. Anyway, that’s not my style.”
“So, then it wouldn’t be a problem if another kid showed up for the kiddie fight?”
Bunta’s eyes widened at that. “What? You mean Michael?”
“That’s right,” Oskau smirked. “He's developing some real skill.”
“Yeah, but he’s still got a ways to go. If it’s Great Valley Interstate #74's downhill, he’s racing on then it’s for sure he wouldn’t lose to anyone…well, anyone except me and my son Takumi, if he was around.”
“Always the competitive spirit,” Oskau smirked. "Besides, he and Takumi are fast drivers."
“Michael’s the same way but he won’t get out there and race unless he wants to do it for himself, and he sure won’t go if I say I want him to. But seeing Ben all beat up made me feel bad for some reason. Might be worth trying.” He dropped his cigarette and snuffed it out with his shoe.
A little while later, Bunta had returned back up to the manor where he was staying. The sound of the door opening and closing hinted that Michael had just returned. The ranger walked past the lounge where Bunta was watching the TV, and was about to walk up the stairs to his room when he suddenly remembered.
“This counts as a verbal contract so I hope you realize,” Ruby told him. “If there’s anything I hate more than smokers, and I hate smokers, it’s people that can’t keep their word.”
Michael turned back into the lounge. “Hey, Bunta, I was thinking I’d take Christine out this Sunday if that’s cool by you?”
“Nope, not this Sunday you can’t,” the reply came.
Michael was surprised. “Why not? I’ll take care of the morning delivery of dounts and everything just like I always do.”
“Oh, I know you will,” Bunta agreed. “But that’s not the issue. I gotta use the car to go to a town meeting in my home diemension on Sunday.”
“You’re kidding me,” Michael was bewildered. “That timing sucks. You have no idea how much I needed the car this weekend.”
“Hmm?” Bunta started to get suspicious. “Must be about a dinosaur girl, huh?”
Michael jumped, his cheeks going red. “That’s none of your business! Come on! Don’t be such a pain and let me take it out! It’s my private car after all anyway! You can take another car from my garage if you want to!” He turned and went up the stairs to his room.
“For your infomation, I modified Christine so she won't start her engine on her own unless the key is in the ingtion, and that key isn’t going anywhere and it's gonna be on a string around my neck!” Bunta simply spoke calmly, causing Michael to shoot down the stairs again with an annoyed look.
“What’s your deal?”
“Fine. You want it that bad I’ll think about it.”
Michael brightened at that. “Thanks, Bunta-san.”
“On just one condition…” Bunta continued, however.
“What’s that?”
“On that mountain range this Saturday, find some punk in an FD people say is one of the fastest on Project D. And beat the crap out of him!”
It was Michael’s turn to become suspicious. “Hold on, you want me to…why?”
“Do that, and I’ll let you take the car out. No questions asked. I’ll even put in a full tank of High Octane gas for you.”
Michael just stared. “A full tank of High Octane? Hmm…” he put his hand up to his chin, lost in deep thought. Wow, a full tank. That’s too good an offer to walk away from. After all, gas isn't cheap these days!
“So, what’s the predict?” Bunta asked.
“I’m gonna need a few minutes to think about it,” Michael replied.
“You take all the time you need to, buddy, after all, you helped me with the tofu when Takumi was here.” Bunta simply said as Michael trotted up the stairs.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, the Takahashi brothers’ cars were parked outside the hotel. Within the hotel, Ryosuke Takahashi was looking upon a graph on his laptop. He let out a sigh.
Just then a knock on the door distracted him. “I’m coming in,” the voice of his brother spoke as the door opened. There stood Keisuke.
“Perfect timing,” Ryosuke smiled as Keisuke sat down upon the nearby bunk. “I had a question I wanted to ask you.”
“Yeah, sure. What’s on your mind?” Keisuke asked.
“The Fury that you ran into when you were driving on the Great Valley Mountain Range; do you think you could describe the speed of the car, theoretically speaking?”
Keisuke flinched at the question. “Seriously? C’mon, give me a break, bro! I’m not like you; I can’t rattle that kind of info off the top of my head!”
“Like I’ve always said,” Ryosuke continued, “the most important instrument when it comes to driving technique is right here.”
“All I know is that whenever you’re battling someone you can learn pretty much whatever you need by driving behind them,” Keisuke told him. “You can get a good gauge on their habits, their weaknesses, even how their suspension is set up. How you get all that stuff out of your computer simulations I’ll never know.”
Ryosuke smirked. “In my opinion, the fact you can get out there and drive the way you do without thinking about it and still keep up with me makes you the scary one. If you could just apply theories to your skills, you’d be the perfect driver.”
“I only lost because I was careless and I didn’t know the road. That’s all it was!” Keisuke raised his voice as his mind reflected back to the moment he saw the Plymouth Fury perform the inertia-drift. “I’ve never been embarrassed like that before. I’m telling you that Fury has got to be Christine and it had her license plate CQB 241!"
“Christine, you say?” Ryosuke calmly spoke. “This gets more interesting by the second!” He turned back to his laptop. “Maybe I actually should show up and see how the battle goes.”
* * *
The next morning, at the school, Michael just sat at the window looking bored. Suddenly…
“MICHAEL!” the voice of Zachary hollered towards him, followed by Zachary himself running up. “It’s Saturday, the big day is here!”
Michael just looked at him in a bored way. “Okay, what’s today?”
Zach almost fell over. “What do you mean, what’s today? It’s the day of the battle between Project D and the Great Valley Speed-riders! You said you were gonna borrow the Fury so we could watch and go down, REMEMBER!?”
“Well, I…I wanted to talk to you about that. It’s just…well, it’s just a little more complicated.”
“What do you mean? You’d better not be telling me that you’re gonna bail out on me just because you don’t have time.”
“Time doesn’t have anything to do with it! Like I said, it’s complicated.”
“You back out on me and I’m stuck here tonight, you can kiss our friendship goodbye!” Zach turned away and crossed his arms. “I’ve counted the days I was committed to this race! I can’t wait! I’m falling into bits here!”
Michael just shot him an un-amused look. “Really? Well, I couldn’t tell!”
Meanwhile, back at the donut shop… “Shop owner! Box of dounts!”
“Well, whaddya know? It’s the return of the mummy!” Bunta turned towards the bandaged Ben. “You sure are a persistent one, aren’t you?”
“I still haven’t given up on trying to convince you to race for me tonight!” Ben clenched his fist.
Bunta lit his cigarette. “I’ve thought it over and spoke to Christine. And we might race for you.” Ben immediately jolted at the sound of those words. “You heard me say might,” continued Bunta, “and that’s all you heard me say. We might race for you.”
Ben looked as if he was about to explode. “You’re not gonna regret this! AHHHHHHHHH!!!” another pained muscle in his neck forced him down to his knees again in the excitement. “Ow! My neck…again!”
“Remember what I said about dying in my dount shop…” Bunta sneered.
“Wait, so you’re really gonna show up tonight?” Ben asked as he got back up to his feet.
“I’m not making you a pinky-swear. But you can count on about a fifty-fifty chance of me showing up. What time does the party kick off?”
“Everybody shows up about eight, but the time attack starts at ten on the dot!”
“Ten o’clock sharp? If you haven’t seen the Fury show by ten, you can stop waiting. Any later than that and it’ll be up to you to clench the weight for Great Valley.” He turned his back to Ben.
“Until then I’ll be waiting on you sir!” Ben felt his spirits renewed. “I got all the faith in the world that you’ll show up!”
“It’s not for sure, kid. I said fifty-fifty.”
“That’s wrong. I can tell you’ve already decided you’ll be there and our team will be there to cheer you on the whole way! So Mr. Fujiwara, guess we’ll be seeing you at the top of the Great Valley Mountains at ten o’clock sharp!” He turned and immediately ran out the donut shop door. Bunta turned slightly as he heard the loaned motorbike take off.
Then, Bunta smiled as he took the cigarette out of his mouth. I can’t find it in me to being mean to such an eager kid, he thought to himself. I wonder if I should go up there if Michael won’t. Nah, I’ll stay here…I’m just excited for him.
The sound of honking echoed out upon the road as a car drove down with gentle music playing on the radio.
“You have a good day today, sweetheart?” the driver asked.
“Huh?” Ruby looked at him, obviously not paying attention as she had been staring out of the window.
“You seem…different, brighter.”
“Really…I do? I thought I was always this cheerful around you.”
“There’s something more…I can tell.”
Ruby chuckled. “Actually I’m supposed to take a road trip up to the beach with a friend of mine tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Friend, eh?” her father rolled the word around his mouth. “Is it a boy?”
“What? No, uh…it’s just a girlfriend of mine. I’ve known her for a long time.”
“Ah…well, in that case why don’t we go to the mall? We can get you a new bathing suit to show you off.”
“Oh no, that’s alright,” Ruby told her father. “I already have one bathing suit. I can’t imagine why I would need two of them.”
“But I’d like to see you try a few of them on at least,” her father insisted.
“You’re funny, you know? You’ve seen me in a bathing suit before. You’ve got a one-check mind, don’t you?”
All her father did was chuckle as their car passed underneath a bridge…
And at the same time, who else but Michael and Zachary were passing over the bridge?
“What do you think, Zach? Is it gonna be sunny tomorrow?”
“What do I look like, the weather man? Don’t ask me stupid stuff like that. The weather’s great this time of year. Why…you planning on going somewhere?”
“Yeah, heading out to Oceanside beach,” Michael told him.
Zach turned towards Michael. “Hmm…the beach?”
Suddenly, Michael was pounced on by a desperate Zachary. “WWWHHHHHAAAATTTTTT????? Oh, I wanted to go to the beach! Why didn’t you ask me to go with you!?” He began wailing his head off again. “Wait, you’re going with a chick, aren’t you? You jerk!”
“Yeah, kinda,” Michael kept his cool.
“Who is it? Do I know her? Is she cute? Does she have big knockers or maybe a hot available sister?”
“She has sisters, but they are living with their Mom. But, the girl is cute.”
Zach suddenly twigged. “No, not Ruby!” Michael simply traced his cheek with his finger.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” Zach moped.
“Sorry, but it’s not exactly the kind of situation where I could have invited a friend if you know what I mean, Michael spoke with a slight smile on his lips. “Maybe next time, okay?”
Zach now looked as if he was going to mentally break down anime style. “You don’t have to cry about it,” Michael pointed out.
Eventually, the sun was just starting to set over the horizon. Over at a dine-in restaurant…
“So, what do you think’s gonna happen tonight?” one person spoke up. “I’ve heard Project D have never lost battles on the road. Doesn’t sound so good for those Speed-rider characters.”
“Not too much of a big mystery what’s gonna happen tonight,” another replied, by surprize, it was Takumi Fujuwara, the famous 86 driver. “Great Valley going down. It’s pretty much common knowledge that the fastest racing team in the multiverse is none other that Project D, we never lost a battle and we never will!”
“It’s about that time, Takumi,” the first person told him as the sound of a horn beeping echoed outside.
"I actually was thinking, it's been a while since we last saw them." The others who were Iketani and Itsuki were confused. "Pack your bags boys, we are heading back in time!" said Takumi and he was serious about it.
They all departed out of the restaurant and headed to their cars. Takumi took a good look at his car, which was a Toyota AE86, with a Panda bear colour.
This car was designed for pure speed, he thought to himself, it was were I began the feeling for racing. A real thoroughbred that can't be copied. Gunma's AE86. Project D's secret dowhill weapon!
Dozens of cars drove up the road, and passed by a familiar diner. Oskau simply watched them from the window as they drove past. Would you look at that, he thought. The mountain’s lit up like New Year’s tonight. Rumours about this battle between Ben’s team and the team that’s calling themselves the fastest in the Inital D diemension has seem to have spread from coast to coast.
He stepped away from the window and sat down on the couch, lighting his cigarette. As if I didn’t wonder who’s taking home the gold…I mean, Michael’s Plymouth Fury can’t actually lose. Guess it feels good to be excited about a race again.
The roads of the Great Valley Interstate #74 were lit up by cars speeding past corners everywhere.
Over at the meeting spot, the Speed-riders cars had gotten together on one side.
“Wow, there’s so many people up here!” somebody commented.
One driver, called Jeremy Skyline, looked unfascinated. “I’ve never seen the size of that group here in my life. What’s up with that?” he asked.
“Project D must have brought them out here to show off,” Ben snorted. “Intimidate us, force us into a mistake. We lose tonight; we’ll look like the biggest bunch of boneheads.” They looked past their cars to where Project D was parked over on the other side.
“So, uh…Ben…that Fury you were telling us about…” one Speed-riders asked him. “Do you really think it’s gonna show up?”
“Yes,” Ben turned towards him, with determination in his eyes.
“All I know is if I was that Fury I’d stay as far away from this place as I could,” Kenji complained. “I heard Keisuke’s FD3S is only lightly-tuned for mountain-driving, not like it matters from what I’ve heard, cause everyone says it’s kicking out like 350 HP. And there’s too much of a power difference.”
“Even on the downhill, the Fury can never compete with that kind of power,” another driver commented. “How hard did you smack your head when you wrecked anyway, man?” he asked Ben.
“A Fury is just a Fury, yes,” Ben replied. “But this one’s not normal. Keisuke said it himself. On the outside, the thing’s a normal car, but on the inside it’s a beast like you’ve never seen! Trust me guys, he’ll show!”
There was a hiatus. Silence befell the Speed-riders for a few seconds.
“And if he doesn’t, what are we gonna do then?” Jeremy asked Ben.
“There are more people up here watching than I’ve ever seen watching anything,” Ben sighed. “I can’t have them saying we backed out. But if he doesn’t show…”
“That’s what I asked.”
“I want you to represent us and drive like your life depended on it. Got me?”
Jeremy was stunned. “You gotta be out of your freakin’ mind, dude!”
Another moment of silence passed down through the group, until suddenly…
The sound of a car in the distance could be heard.
“Hey, I think I hear ëem coming now!” one of the drivers spoke. Everyone turned, even Ben. “Yeah, those roaderies are really kicking hard, aren’t they?”
Far off in the distance, a group of cars appeared and began to approach. "Project D is here!” Jeremy began to panic.
“This night’s about to get pretty wild, man!”
“Took ëem long enough!”
The crowd was eager to see the new challengers arrive. But Ben and the Speed-riders just plainly stared, not liking one bit what they were about to face. Both Ryosuke and Keisuke climbed out of their cars.
“I never realized how popular the Takahashi brothers are,” somebody in the crowd muttered.
“Yeah, I heard their dad owns a big hospital in Takasaki so you know they got cash to burn,” somebody else agreed.
“We don’t stand a chance against rich guys,” Jeremy complained. “Other than time spent behind the wheel, driving skill is based on nothing more than how much dough you can drop on gasoline and tyres.” Ben tried to cheer them up "Relax, the DPF has loads of money to spare, but it's important to spend it on important things" The other Speed-riders gave a huge groan.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Great Valley, Zachary tapped his foot annoyingly upon the road as he waited at the meeting point. He was expecting Michael to appear at any moment with the Plymouth Fury. The sound of a dog barking in the distance could be heard as he looked over at an electrical digital clock. It read 20:25.
“What’s taking Michael so long? The battle’s probably starting as we speak! He knows where to pick me up at what time I’d be here! I hate that guy! I’m gonna kick him square in the nuts when I see him!” He angrily kicked the nearby post which resulted in him getting an injured foot. He grabbed his foot and hopped around annoyed. “I can’t wait anymore…I gotta go! I’ll just take my stupid scooter if I have to!”
Back over at the meeting spot, Project D and the Speed-riders had begun to converse. One of the Project D members from the first meeting was going over their plan. “Let’s begin the time attack at ten o’clock according to the schedule. It’ll be late enough so there should be fewer convictional cars on the road. We’ll use radios at the start and at the finish line so we can coordinate and time the runs. Also in order to allow the drivers to cope loose and go as fast as they want, we’ll put officials at all the blind corners. In the event of any incoming traffic, we’ll use lights to signal the drivers. Sound like a plan?”
“Works for me,” Ben replied.
“I’m getting the feeling they’ve done this before,” Jeremy muttered to a nearby driver.
“No joke. They’ve probably run this time attack game all over their home diemension,” was the reply.
“Now that we’ve gotten the protocol all out of the way let’s take advantage of the time and enjoy some free runs until ten o’clock hits,” the Project D member suggested. “The galleries are packed.”
Everybody immediately began dashing to their vehicles. Engines fired up, lights flashed up, tyres screeched, and the cars all took off one by one. However, the Takahashi brothers still appeared to be waiting beside their cars.
“Where’s Christine?” Keisuke muttered. “I figured it’d be here.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they were trying to keep their secret weapon under wraps until the big reveal at the start,” Ryosuke replied.
Back at the Mansion, Michael walked into the lounge and stared at the clock. It read: 20:50.
“What’s up?” Bunta asked. “Thinking about heading up there?”
“Nah, I’m thinking I don’t really wanna go,” Michael replied.
“Why not? Think you’ll lose? Cause if so, just loosen up. Drive like my son Takumi usually does. You’ll do fine.”
Michael put his hand to his head, thinking deeply.
The RX-7 throttled down the road, catching the attention of fans all around the racetrack.
“Hey guys! It’s here! Keisuke’s FD3S!” a voice yelled out. The crowd watched as the FD drifted neatly around the corner, passing dozens of people sideways along the lanes.
“Sweet! You see how fast he went around that corner?” a witness pointed out. “Ryosuke is coming up right behind him!” Ryosuke’s Savanna RX-7, the FC3S, came shooting up towards the guard-rail, and much to the crowd’s astonishment and fright, it looked as if he was about to plow right into them! But right before the gap was closed, the FC3S quickly drifted and shot past, narrowly missing the guard-rail.
Amongst the crowd, Takumi Fujuwara watched the performance. “Well, that’s Ryosuke’s game for you. A real showoff with skills to back it up.”
The two RX-7s came alongside each other and drifted together without even a care. “I can’t believe they can get their cars that close to each other without touching!” another viewer noted. "That's their famous Parallel Drift!"
Takumi just smirked. “Approaching the other car in full tilt is the toughest part because if you don’t have the driving skills to change your speed and your line during the drift there’s no way you’re gonna be able to pull it off! But what those guys are doing now is just for show…you’re competing for time, it’s just an entirely different story!”
The Takahashi brothers continued to throttle on down the road, seeming as if they didn’t have a care in the entire world. But still, Keisuke was hoping deep down. Come on out, Ghost of Great Valley! I’ve got a race tonight and you’re the other half! Show yourself, Christine!
At that very moment, a car fired up inside a garage. The lights flicked on as the door opened. The car revved a few times before pulling out, coming to a stop outside the front of the house where Bunta was waiting.
“Do you want me to take the paper cup with me tonight?” Michael asked from the driver’s seat.
“You don’t need it. There’s not any donuts in the back and you’re off the clock until the morning,” Bunta told him. “This isn’t a regular delivery so drive your old girl as fast as you can.”
“Well, don’t forget, it’s a full tank of gas when I win,” Michael pointed out.
“We’ll talk when you earn it,” was the reply.
“Fine. I’ll see you when I get back.” Michael pushed the gear down, and the Plymouth Fury began to roll and headed toward the distant mountains.
To be continued…
36
LBT Fanfiction / The Land Before Time-Inital Dino!! Ep: 2
« on: October 22, 2013, 10:12:56 PM »Quote from: Nahla,Oct 22 2013 on 07:20 PM
Allow me to be your first comment.Thanks, you should see episode one first to get the real story.
This is...interesting but I must say not my kind of story,but I am interested in what happens next.
37
LBT Fanfiction / The Land Before Time-Inital Dino!! Ep: 2
« on: October 21, 2013, 10:31:54 PM »
“This story is fiction. All names of characters, places and organizations in the story are fictional. Follow the traffic rules and drive safely.”
Reflecting back, we see the Plymouth Fury performing an ëinertia-drift’ right in front of an astonished Keisuke Takahashi in his RX-7. The Fury whips round the corner fast, and Keisuke grits his teeth as he cuts round the corner, pulling his car to a stop. The Fury throttles madly and disappears around the next bend, out of sight.
“I don’t believe it!” Keisuke crosses his arms in front of his face. “The first counter-steer to the right was actually a feint setup for the next left corner. Did I just see the ghost of a racer who died here?"
He reflects on the ëinertia-drift’ again, seeing how the back of the car swerved to the left and then drifted right to execute the drift. “That drift was flawless. Only someone with ultimate knowledge of this mountain pass can do that!”
Keisuke climbed out of the RX-7 and waited for a moment. From the distance, he heard tyres screeching from the road behind. Then after a moment, more of the Project D cars pulled up alongside Keisuke’s car.
The two guys that Keisuke had talked to earlier came up to him, absolutely stunned. “Keisuke! Did you see that Fury?”
“Yeah.” Keisuke just turned away, staring out across the mountain-side towards the Great Valley, not wanting to converse. <_< My pride has been shattered like glass, he thought. To think that my own car, the latest Touge Spec-tuned FD, could be beaten by some clapped-out beat-up Plymouth Fury. And not just any Fury either…that had to be ëChristine’, the possessed Fury that had a mind of its own!
His eyes narrowed. What the heck is in that Fury? I’ve got to find out who the driver of that Fury is…and beat that driver! I’ll never be the same if I don’t, knowing that there’s someone out there…better than me!
Act 2: Revenge! The Rumbling Iron!
The next day, the weather is calm. The phone rings from a familiar building. “Hello, Dino Ranger Protection Services,” the man spoke. There was a moment’s pause.
From inside, someone was sleeping upon the bed when the voice called out, “Hey, Michael! Michael! How late are you going to sleep? Wake up and get the phone!”
Michael the Dino Ranger slowly lifted his head up from the pillow, and ran his hand through his hair. “It’s Molly, isn’t it?”
“Just pick it up!”
Michael just sighed, and then let out a big yawn.
Then when he had managed to drag himself out of bed, he walked over to the phone. “Hey, what’s up?” A pause, and then…Michael’s eyes widened.
A little later, everyone was minding their own personal lives as they bustled and hustled up and down the steps of a walkway. But somewhere around the area, a lone figure was seen leaning against a letterbox. It was Ruby, and she was waiting for someone.
After a few seconds, that someone appeared from around the corner.
“Hey, Michael! Over here!” Ruby called to him, attracting Michael’s attention. “Did I surprise you?”
Michael blinked as they began walking down the street. “Yes. I answered the phone thinking it was my human girlfriend Molly, asking me out for another date in the 3rd diemension.” 'The 3rd Diemension is the real world'
“Well, I’ve been wondering if it’s all right that maybe you and I could be friends again,” Ruby asked him.
Michael blankly looked at her. “I didn’t know we weren’t…we never had a fight, right?”
“You guys were talking about cars at school yesterday, right?” Ruby simply changed the subject. “Can you drive, Michael?”
“Yeah, I just got my license,” Michael nodded.
“Okay,” Ruby smiled. “Then let’s go for a drive during summer vacation. You do the driving, and I’ll make lunch for us.”
Michael looked thoughtful. “Well, that’s all right, but…the car I’ve got is used for business, so it is pretty sad-looking.”
“I don’t care about that,” Ruby giggled. “It has a stereo, doesn’t it? I don’t care what kind of car it is. I don’t mind at all.”
“Really?” Michael was speechless.
Ruby nodded. “It’ll definitely be fun. I’m so excited about it.” She began running off with her arms waving up above her head. Michael just watched her go with a suspicious look, and followed.
“If possible,” Ruby continued, “let’s drive somewhere far. Oh, I know! Let’s go to the ocean! It’ll be summer, so we can swim!”
Meanwhile, near the Dino Ranger Manor, a familiar S13 was pulling down the drive, when suddenly it halted, and backed up towards a car parked nearby a huge garage with many cars from diffrent designs from all over the world. It turned out to be Ben behind the wheel.
He eyed the car suspiciously. “No doubt about it…it must be that Plymouth Fury.” He reflected back on the words the boss of the diner had told him.
“I'm telling you, Ben, the fastest downhill cars on Mt. Akina is a 86 and a Plymouth Fury from the fujuwara tofu shop.”
Ben climbed out and stood in front of the car. "This one? This is the same car?
But…it looks like any ordinary Plymouth." He looked at the nameplate on both sides that said 'Christine' and the license plate saying CQB 241. "An late 1950s model, with total stocks except the Whitewall tires. There’s no way this kind of car can be faster than the latest machines."
He turned away. “What am I thinking, searching all over for this car?”
Suddenly, the Fury lit up and the engine sputtered into life. Ben jumped…and quickly dodged out of the way with a yell as the Plymouth Fury suddenly lunged forward, missing him by inches, and spinning to a quick stop close to the S13.
Ben looked over his shoulder and gaped. "Whoa…what was that all about?"
Its engine revved, almost as if it was ready to lunge at him again. But just then, a figure came running up. "Whoa, Christine..." he yelled. "Cool it...Ben's not dangerous. He's a friend of mine." It was Michael.
Ben just watched, stunned, as the car hesitated for a moment, and then simply rolled past Ben, and parked back in its original position. The motor turned off and the car went still.
Ben turned to face Michael, who asked, “Sorry, she's senstive about people thinking that she's out of date. So? What are you doing around here, Ben?”
“Um, just getting something?” Ben asked him, looking up at the sign on the roof that said 'Dino Ranger Manor.
“Well, It's our house after all,” Michael replied.
The S13 took back down the road as Ben took Michael down to the diner.
“What were you doing over at the Manor, Ben?” Michael asked.
“Uh, well…” Ben began, “I had some things to do, and I was just passing by. But that’s not really important, Mike. Do you know much about cars, anyway?”
Michael looked surprised. Just then, the lights ahead went red. The S13 pulled to a stop.
“Well, yesterday, you said you didn’t like the 86, but the car at our house reminded me of that possesed plymouth fury,” Ben told him.
“What? Hold on a minute,” Michael retorted. “That isn’t a Plymouth Fury. I’m pretty sure it said, ëChristine’ on the nameplates on it's sides.”
“Right,” Ben smirked. “ëChristine’ happens to be one of the Fury models made by Plymouth. How did you managed to tame that car, don't you know that she's a killing machine?”
“...How can I explain it..."
Down at the Diner…
“WHAT? Michael owns freaking who??!! You must be joking me man!"
“Yes, I’m serious.”
“Mike, you idiot!” Zach lunged at him. “Why did you keep it a secret?!”
“What could I do?” Michael retaliated. “I didn’t even know. I’d just say it’s called 'Christine; that's all I could know. You said it’s a Plymouth Fury, but normal people don’t call it that.”
Zach gritted his teeth. “Why, you…!” But then he softened. “By the way, let’s have a little talk. Next Saturday, maybe you could borrow the Fury for a bit?”
“Why?”
“Isn’t it obvious? To go watch the Speed-riders and Project D meet, of course! Since yesterday’s incident, I’m really into the street racing scene! Don’t you want to see Akagi’s fastest drivers, the Takahashi brothers? And why did you buy Christine in the first place?"
Michael’s face remained uninterested. “Um, she was being sold at $50 at the local scrapyard."
“WHAT?!” Zachary suddenly began choking him. “You Idioit, Don't you what happened in the movie named after her?! She even killed her driver!” Michael wrestled him off, and Zach got down to his knees and begged. “I beg you…get rid of that Fury or tame it for carring passengers for Saturday, please?”
Just then the boss walked out. “Hey, you boys, what are you standing around for? Customers is waiting.” At that moment, a car pulling up honked at them.
“Yes! Yes! I’m sorry!” Zach wailed, and rushed to the car, with Michael following him. “Welcome!”
Later that night, Ben was still at the gas-station, fixing up one of the wheels to his S13. Behind him, some of the Speed-riders came up. “You’re putting on brand-new tyres?” one of them spoke. “You must have spent a lot.”
“It’s only the tyres,” Ben replied, “but I need higher grip to reduce my times. I’m also replacing the brake pads. On the downhill, braking’s crucial.”
“Are you really gonna run the downhill, Ben?” the other Speed-riders asked.
“Yes. I’ll attack that downhill as if I’ve got a T-rex behind me.”
“Well, don’t overdo it, man. One mistake on the downhill can be fatal.”
“I understand,” Ben nodded. “But I have to overdo it just a little bit, for the pride of our diemension.” He couldn’t bear to think what would happen if he would let Project D win the clash against the Speed-riders.
At the same moment, Keisuke’s RX-7 was throttling down the dark roads again at high speed, before drifting around some corners sharply. Keisuke picked up the gears, and the car howled harder than before.
That Plymouth Fury hasn’t appeared yet…Keisuke was thinking. It didn’t appear today, either. Maybe the driver wasn’t a local? That’s impossible…he was totally familiar with this mountain. I’ve got to face him again. If I don’t get my revenge, then I won’t calm down!
The car’s exhaust pipe flamed up with anger reflecting off Keisuke’s temper. Show yourself…Ghost of Great Valley! His mind growled. I don’t give a hoot about the Speed-riders…I came here to face you!
Yet again back at the Diner, Ben, Zachary and Michael were watching another car on the TV drifting around the sharp turns. “Wow!” Zach gasped. “The one and only Drift King, Keiichi Tsuchiya! I can’t believe it!”
“It looks like he can control it just by using the gas pedal,” Ben commented.
“Mike,” Zach started up excitedly again, “don’t you wish we could go out right now and drift just like this? Check out this drift! Awesome!”
“Yeah, sure. Sure,” was all Michael said as the boss approached from behind smoking his cigar.
“Mike…”
“Sure. Huh?”
“Hey!” Zach snapped. “You just keep saying, ëSure, sure.’ Do you even know what a drift is?”
“Sure, I know what drift is,” Michael calmly replied.
“Well then, can you tell us what it is?” Zach snorted, crossing his arms. Ben turned to look at Mike as well.
“Uh, in a curve…” Mike began.
“Don’t say, ëcurve’. Dude,” Zach interrupted him. “Street racers call it a ëcorner’!”
“Okay, in a ëcorner’…” Mike started again. “You make the front tyres slide so that the car won’t be facing the inside, otherwise you're toast.”
“What?!” Ben and Zach just stared with bewildered faces. They looked at each other, before bursting out with laughter. “Ah, that’s a good one, Mikey!” Zach put his hand over his face. “If the front tyres are sliding, that’s called ëundersteer’, which is totally uncool and for people with no skill and that will make you eat guardrail!”
Ben wiped a tear from his eye. “A true drift isn’t in the front, Mike…it’s in the rear. You’re really funny.”
“That was great, Michael!”
“It definitely was!”
But from behind Michael, the boss just remained silent, thinking about what Michael had said a moment ago. Though he didn’t show it, he was impressed. Ben, you’re the one who doesn’t understand. While in the middle of a drift, the car is basically understeering. That was the highly advanced answer of those who have mastered the four-wheel drift. I’m impressed.
Just then a honk came from outside. The boss shouted, “Right, Customers. Boys, Earn your keep!”
“Yes sir!” Michael was instantly first out the door, and hailing “Good Afternoon!”
But as Ben rushed out putting his hat on, he got a surprise. “Wha…”
It was a yellow RX-7 with the Redsuns logo on the rear, pulling into the diner's parking lot. An FD, he thought. Could it be Keisuke Takahashi?
The window wound down, showing it was indeed Keisuke. Michael approached.
“Fill it up, High Octane, and I'll take a Dino burger with large fries, and a large soda.” Keisuke told him in a glum voice.
“Sure.” Michael nodded.
As the car was being filled by Zach, Ben took the liberty of wiping down the car’s windows down, and Michael was preparing the food. But as Ben passed by the driver window, he took the moment to say to Keisuke, “You’re a real enthusiast.”
Keisuke looked up, but noticed Ben’s car first. “I see. I thought I’d seen that Slivia S13 somewhere before…the Speed-riders. Can I ask you one thing?”
Ben looked over.
“You’d be the one who’d know…” Keisuke went on, “Is there a ghost in this Prehistoric world…the ghost of a super-fast Plymouth Fury?”
Ben just looked at him uncertainly, but didn’t reply. Zachary just stared at the car. “Wow. He even has a spoiler!”
“Don’t joke around with me,” Ben told Keisuke.
Keisuke just smirked. “The part about the ghost was a joke, but it’s Christine. On the outside, it looks like a normal Fury…but inside, she's the devil's killing tool. There’s no way that a local like you doesn’t know about it.
Ben just shot him a stern ëdon’t think about it’ look.
Keisuke just shrugged. “Fine, play dumb then. If that’s your secret weapon for this Saturday’s meet, then I just got my wish. Tell the driver of that Fury that I won’t lose to the same guy twice. The reason I lost last time is because I didn’t know the course and got careless.” Soon, he was filled up with gas and recived his food. "Get ready to be defeated in this prehistoric world!" He then fired up the engine and drove the RX-7 out of sight. Ben just watched as it faded, transfixed with deep thoughts.
Keisuke Takahashi…lost? What did he mean? I don’t know anything about such a Fury.
Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned and saw Michael, who looked at him at the same time. Ben’s eyes widened a bit as he felt like a puzzle piece had just fit into place inside his mind. The Fury I saw at the Manor, when Michael showed up…he said Christine. Was the boss telling the truth? The fastest on the downhill here and in Akina…is still that Fury?
Sometime later that night, back at the Manor, an alarm went off inside. The clock read 3:45am. A hand reached over and landed on the clock, deactivating the alarm.
Michael pulled the clock towards him, took a look, and sighed. He got up and walked to the bathroom, turning on the water and splashing his face to get the sleep out. He looked up at himself for a moment in the mirror.
Time seemed to slip by as he dressed and went outside to do his errand for the night. He unlocked the Christine and slipped slowly into the driver seat. Turning the key in the ignition, the music jived up as he flicked the lights on.
Nearby, Bunta Fujiwara, a friend of Michael and the owner of the Fujuwara Tofu shop, was just filling up a cup with water attached to a hose on a tap. “All right, time to kick it up a notch,” he muttered.
The Plymouth Fury revved up, and Bunta walked up to where Michael the Dino Ranger sat ready to go. Bunta handed him the cup.
Michael looked at it. “Isn’t this a lot more than usual sir?”
“Maybe, but just don’t spill any,” Bunta replied.
“I know sir,” Michael nodded, placing the cup in the holder. Bunta watched as he slowly drove the Fury out of the garage, and out onto the streets. Gradually picking up speed as he moved, soon Michael was shooting downtown and onto the open highway like a lightning bolt as the Manor faded behind him.
While ëChristine’ shot down the dark streets, Michael made sure to keep a firm check upon his movements. As much as speed was necessary he also had to take care when going around corners, as too much momentum could cause the water to overspill. It sloshed around in the cup, and Michael kept a steady eye on it while flicking his eyes back to the road every few seconds. At corners that he couldn't drive around on his own, Christine knew what to do, as she shifted gears and drifted flawlessly. Pretty soon, they had reached the top.
* * *
The next morning, Zachary was complaining as usual when he and Michael met up at high-school. “Your face is sleepy as usual, Mike.”
“Sorry, Zach, but it’s like I was born with this face,” Michael retorted. “Don’t forget the Fury on Saturday, Mikey…”
But when Zachary pulled a disgruntled face, Mike shook his head. “I know, I know. You’re so persistent, Zach.”
“Well, if I don’t make sure about it, you might back out on me! Please, Saturday, come quickly! I’m totally excited!” Zach answered with a dreamy face, making himself look ridiculous amongst all the other students. “Hey, if both of us aim to become street racers, maybe someday we’ll be known as the fastest in Great Valley.”
“I don’t really care either way,” Michael’s face still didn’t change.
“Well, even if you tried, it’d be hopeless for you,” this time Zach didn’t falter. “After seeing you scream in the back seat of Ben’s car, it’s obvious you don’t have an ounce of talent. But I’m different! I was a little bit scared…but I was able to look at the corner exit with my teeth clenched! Even Ben has faith in me! He must think Mike is hopeless, but I have a bright future! Eh…huh? Mike!?”
Unfortunately in his moment of pride, Zach had failed to notice that Michael had walked away, disinterested in what he had to say, and was nowhere in sight.
Zach whizzed all around the school until he finally caught of Michael walking up the stairs. “Wait a second!” Zach wailed. “What’s wrong with you? I know you’re jealous of my talent, but aren’t you being a bit cold?”
“I’m not…” Michael began, but suddenly the boys’ attention was drawn to the approaching of two girls coming down the stairs.
“And then Rumiko told my boyfriend all about it. He got really mad!” The girls giggled as they walked past.
Out of the corner of his eye, Michael looked at Zachary. “Jackpot baby!”
“You like that kind of stuff?” Zachary inquired.
Mike flinched. “Oh heck no! It must be a crime to let them make their skirts that short. The school should make a new rule…” Then looking up, he nudged Zachary as suddenly, another girl came down the stairs. “Sunshine @ 12:00!"
But this time, the girl turned out to be Ruby. “Good morning, Michael!”
“Uhhhh…” :blink: Michael and Zachary stuttered.
“Oh, that’s right,” Ruby suddenly remembered. “I have to talk to you about something. Come along, quickly!” She quickly dragged Michael up the stairs, leaving Zachary bewildered. “I HATE MY LIFE, I HATE MY LIFE, I HATE MY LIFE, I HATE MY LIFE!!!"
A moment later, Michael was alone with Ruby. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Well…I…there’s something I want to tell you, Michael,” Ruby looked worried, holding her hands behind her back.
“What is it?”
“Well…I…I bought a new bathing suit! It’s totally cute that you'll die!” she squealed, holding up two fingers as a ëpeace’ sign.
“Is that what you wanted to tell me?” Michael hung his head.
“Bingo,” Ruby held her hands together in an excited way. “I was so happy that I just had to tell somebody about it. Wanna see it? Are you wondering what colour it is? You want to see it soon, right?”
“Well, I’d want to, but…” Michael began, but was cut off by Ruby. “I’ll let you see as much as you like when we go to the ocean, okay? Until then, just you wait and see! How about this Sunday? Are you free?”
“Yes. I have a break from work.”
“Okay, it’s decided. This counts as a verbal contract so I hope you realize, if there’s anything I hate more than smokers, and I hate smokers, it’s people that can’t keep their word.”
That night, the Great Valley Speed-rider's S13 was revving madly across the roads of Great Valley. Ben kept a steady grip on the gears as he changed them to keep his momentum. On the dashboard, a clock-timer read upwards and counted up slowly.
The S13 shot down the road, and Ben changed gears again as he drifted across another bend, the back-end of the car dragging slightly as the drift was executed.
Sweat trickled down his brow as Ben concentrated. This is too tough, he thought. The corners that I never thought of as corners are becoming more and more dreadful. These corners that I’m so familiar with…they’re beginning to show their fangs!
The clock continued to count upwards. The S13 continued to barrel down the roads. Then a sharp right loomed up. Ben drifted, but came so close to the guard-rail that for a moment he thought he was going to hit it. But the S13 barely missed, and wobbled on the road before straightening up again.
Then the timer on the clock stopped.
Ben pulled the S13 to a halt on a nearby bend, and sat outside the driver’s seat, looking very discomforted.
It’s no use, he thought. Even if I push myself to the limit, I just can’t cut my times down. I thought that if I gave it more throttle I could cut them down. But it isn’t that simple. Is this really, the ëlimit’ of my technique? There’s no way I can compete with them! He shut his eyes, regretting ever having taken up the challenge in the first place.
* * *
Another day had come. At the local donut shop, Ben entered through the front door.
“Hello! Excuse me! Hello?!” he called out.
At first, nobody answered.
“Excuse me…”
But just then, a curtain was drawn, and Bunta Fujiwara revealed himself. “I can hear you. Just give me a minute,” he replied.
“Sure,” Ben nodded.
Eventually, Bunta emerged. “Welcome.”
Ben just stared at Bunta for a moment. Is this really the Plymouth Fury driver and the fastest on Akina and Great Valley? Is this the guy who defeated Keisuke Takahashi’s RX-7?
“What do you want? Sir?” Bunta asked.
Ben, finding himself distracted, tried to think up of a quick excuse. “Uh, some Green Valley Dounts, please.”
“Coming right up.” Bunta stepped away for a second.
What am I doing?! Ben thought to himself. “Um…I…my name’s Ben, and I’m the president driver to a street racing team called the Great Valley Speed-riders.”
No reaction came to Bunta after Ben finished speaking. Feeling uncertain, he decided to take it up a notch. “The truth is sir, I’ve heard this strange rumour that the fastest downhill driver on Mount Akina and Great Valley is a Plymouth Fury driven by the owner of the Fujuwara tofu shop. I assume of course that means you must be the same person.”
Bunta turned to face him. “I don’t know who told you that, but it’s not me.”
“Don’t play dumb,” Ben began to get impatient. “I’ve searched the whole city, and this happens to be the only place where a Plymouth Fury is sitting outside!”
Bunta just ignored him and held up the bag with the donuts. “Here you are…140 coins.”
Not wanting to seem like a jerk, Ben reached into his pocket to pay.
“Thank you.”
“Well…I’m kind of in a tough situation,” Ben continued. “Can you please listen to what I have to say?”
“What a bother,” Bunta sighed. “Right in the middle of my work…”
“But you’re not doing anything! I’m the only customer here!” Ben demanded, making Bunta grimace. :blink:
“That was rude, saying something like that…”
“I’m sorry,” Ben apologized, “but I’m desperate. The truth is, a team called the Project D challenged us to a time attack battle. Project D have some drivers with outstanding technique, and nobody on our team can compete with them. But since this is our terrtiory, we definitely don’t want to lose!”
Bunta turned inquiringly to him. “So what do you want me to do?”
Ben looked right at him. “Mr. Fujiwara…please teach me how to tackle the Great Valley Mountain Range.”
Bunta just stared at him, before puffing out a bit of his cigarette before speaking. “That’s an impossible request.”
“Please!” Ben insisted. “Even just enough to make me a tenth of a second faster! I beg you!”
“I know how you feel,” Bunta muttered, much to Ben’s dismay, “but driving technique can’t be improved in two or three days. In order to make your car do what you want, you have to think continuously and practice on your own. When I was actively racing, I was tackling Akina even in my dreams. Technique isn’t something that can be taught. It’s something you find on your own.”
Ben was left without another word to say.
Back outside, Ben just stared at his S13. “I’m sorry I can’t help you,” Bunta remarked from behind him.
Ben just looked at him with a firm look. “Mr. Fujiwara, I’ll be back again…and it won’t be just for sweets, you understand,” he spoke with a promising tone.
All Bunta did was watch Ben as he took off with his S13.
Later that night, Ben continued to throttle his S13 down the roads. The Speed-riders favorite spot to race is along Great Valley Interstate #74, because there's sharp corners and a tight hair pin called 'Dead Dino Curve' His mind was reflecting on Bunta’s words…“Think continuously and practice on your own…” I’ve done that, but my times haven’t improved a bit. Why don’t they!? No matter how hard I try, I just can’t get it the way I want it!
Then as he angrily drifted around a corner, a trailer truck carring steel beams was coming from the steelworks bound for a Great Valley Railroad warehouse in the other direction and appeared from around the bend. Ben jolted as he realized they were going to collide!
Crap! Go into the inside!
Both Ben and the other driver gasped as they came so close, but barely managed to avoid colliding. Ben held his breath for a moment, and then looked ahead…
“NOOOO!" The incoming guard-rail was coming straight at him, and he was too late to stop or turn…
The sound of metal creaking hinted the evident crash that could be heard across the hills of Great Valley Interstate #74.
To be continued…
Reflecting back, we see the Plymouth Fury performing an ëinertia-drift’ right in front of an astonished Keisuke Takahashi in his RX-7. The Fury whips round the corner fast, and Keisuke grits his teeth as he cuts round the corner, pulling his car to a stop. The Fury throttles madly and disappears around the next bend, out of sight.
“I don’t believe it!” Keisuke crosses his arms in front of his face. “The first counter-steer to the right was actually a feint setup for the next left corner. Did I just see the ghost of a racer who died here?"
He reflects on the ëinertia-drift’ again, seeing how the back of the car swerved to the left and then drifted right to execute the drift. “That drift was flawless. Only someone with ultimate knowledge of this mountain pass can do that!”
Keisuke climbed out of the RX-7 and waited for a moment. From the distance, he heard tyres screeching from the road behind. Then after a moment, more of the Project D cars pulled up alongside Keisuke’s car.
The two guys that Keisuke had talked to earlier came up to him, absolutely stunned. “Keisuke! Did you see that Fury?”
“Yeah.” Keisuke just turned away, staring out across the mountain-side towards the Great Valley, not wanting to converse. <_< My pride has been shattered like glass, he thought. To think that my own car, the latest Touge Spec-tuned FD, could be beaten by some clapped-out beat-up Plymouth Fury. And not just any Fury either…that had to be ëChristine’, the possessed Fury that had a mind of its own!
His eyes narrowed. What the heck is in that Fury? I’ve got to find out who the driver of that Fury is…and beat that driver! I’ll never be the same if I don’t, knowing that there’s someone out there…better than me!
Act 2: Revenge! The Rumbling Iron!
The next day, the weather is calm. The phone rings from a familiar building. “Hello, Dino Ranger Protection Services,” the man spoke. There was a moment’s pause.
From inside, someone was sleeping upon the bed when the voice called out, “Hey, Michael! Michael! How late are you going to sleep? Wake up and get the phone!”
Michael the Dino Ranger slowly lifted his head up from the pillow, and ran his hand through his hair. “It’s Molly, isn’t it?”
“Just pick it up!”
Michael just sighed, and then let out a big yawn.
Then when he had managed to drag himself out of bed, he walked over to the phone. “Hey, what’s up?” A pause, and then…Michael’s eyes widened.
A little later, everyone was minding their own personal lives as they bustled and hustled up and down the steps of a walkway. But somewhere around the area, a lone figure was seen leaning against a letterbox. It was Ruby, and she was waiting for someone.
After a few seconds, that someone appeared from around the corner.
“Hey, Michael! Over here!” Ruby called to him, attracting Michael’s attention. “Did I surprise you?”
Michael blinked as they began walking down the street. “Yes. I answered the phone thinking it was my human girlfriend Molly, asking me out for another date in the 3rd diemension.” 'The 3rd Diemension is the real world'
“Well, I’ve been wondering if it’s all right that maybe you and I could be friends again,” Ruby asked him.
Michael blankly looked at her. “I didn’t know we weren’t…we never had a fight, right?”
“You guys were talking about cars at school yesterday, right?” Ruby simply changed the subject. “Can you drive, Michael?”
“Yeah, I just got my license,” Michael nodded.
“Okay,” Ruby smiled. “Then let’s go for a drive during summer vacation. You do the driving, and I’ll make lunch for us.”
Michael looked thoughtful. “Well, that’s all right, but…the car I’ve got is used for business, so it is pretty sad-looking.”
“I don’t care about that,” Ruby giggled. “It has a stereo, doesn’t it? I don’t care what kind of car it is. I don’t mind at all.”
“Really?” Michael was speechless.
Ruby nodded. “It’ll definitely be fun. I’m so excited about it.” She began running off with her arms waving up above her head. Michael just watched her go with a suspicious look, and followed.
“If possible,” Ruby continued, “let’s drive somewhere far. Oh, I know! Let’s go to the ocean! It’ll be summer, so we can swim!”
Meanwhile, near the Dino Ranger Manor, a familiar S13 was pulling down the drive, when suddenly it halted, and backed up towards a car parked nearby a huge garage with many cars from diffrent designs from all over the world. It turned out to be Ben behind the wheel.
He eyed the car suspiciously. “No doubt about it…it must be that Plymouth Fury.” He reflected back on the words the boss of the diner had told him.
“I'm telling you, Ben, the fastest downhill cars on Mt. Akina is a 86 and a Plymouth Fury from the fujuwara tofu shop.”
Ben climbed out and stood in front of the car. "This one? This is the same car?
But…it looks like any ordinary Plymouth." He looked at the nameplate on both sides that said 'Christine' and the license plate saying CQB 241. "An late 1950s model, with total stocks except the Whitewall tires. There’s no way this kind of car can be faster than the latest machines."
He turned away. “What am I thinking, searching all over for this car?”
Suddenly, the Fury lit up and the engine sputtered into life. Ben jumped…and quickly dodged out of the way with a yell as the Plymouth Fury suddenly lunged forward, missing him by inches, and spinning to a quick stop close to the S13.
Ben looked over his shoulder and gaped. "Whoa…what was that all about?"
Its engine revved, almost as if it was ready to lunge at him again. But just then, a figure came running up. "Whoa, Christine..." he yelled. "Cool it...Ben's not dangerous. He's a friend of mine." It was Michael.
Ben just watched, stunned, as the car hesitated for a moment, and then simply rolled past Ben, and parked back in its original position. The motor turned off and the car went still.
Ben turned to face Michael, who asked, “Sorry, she's senstive about people thinking that she's out of date. So? What are you doing around here, Ben?”
“Um, just getting something?” Ben asked him, looking up at the sign on the roof that said 'Dino Ranger Manor.
“Well, It's our house after all,” Michael replied.
The S13 took back down the road as Ben took Michael down to the diner.
“What were you doing over at the Manor, Ben?” Michael asked.
“Uh, well…” Ben began, “I had some things to do, and I was just passing by. But that’s not really important, Mike. Do you know much about cars, anyway?”
Michael looked surprised. Just then, the lights ahead went red. The S13 pulled to a stop.
“Well, yesterday, you said you didn’t like the 86, but the car at our house reminded me of that possesed plymouth fury,” Ben told him.
“What? Hold on a minute,” Michael retorted. “That isn’t a Plymouth Fury. I’m pretty sure it said, ëChristine’ on the nameplates on it's sides.”
“Right,” Ben smirked. “ëChristine’ happens to be one of the Fury models made by Plymouth. How did you managed to tame that car, don't you know that she's a killing machine?”
“...How can I explain it..."
Down at the Diner…
“WHAT? Michael owns freaking who??!! You must be joking me man!"
“Yes, I’m serious.”
“Mike, you idiot!” Zach lunged at him. “Why did you keep it a secret?!”
“What could I do?” Michael retaliated. “I didn’t even know. I’d just say it’s called 'Christine; that's all I could know. You said it’s a Plymouth Fury, but normal people don’t call it that.”
Zach gritted his teeth. “Why, you…!” But then he softened. “By the way, let’s have a little talk. Next Saturday, maybe you could borrow the Fury for a bit?”
“Why?”
“Isn’t it obvious? To go watch the Speed-riders and Project D meet, of course! Since yesterday’s incident, I’m really into the street racing scene! Don’t you want to see Akagi’s fastest drivers, the Takahashi brothers? And why did you buy Christine in the first place?"
Michael’s face remained uninterested. “Um, she was being sold at $50 at the local scrapyard."
“WHAT?!” Zachary suddenly began choking him. “You Idioit, Don't you what happened in the movie named after her?! She even killed her driver!” Michael wrestled him off, and Zach got down to his knees and begged. “I beg you…get rid of that Fury or tame it for carring passengers for Saturday, please?”
Just then the boss walked out. “Hey, you boys, what are you standing around for? Customers is waiting.” At that moment, a car pulling up honked at them.
“Yes! Yes! I’m sorry!” Zach wailed, and rushed to the car, with Michael following him. “Welcome!”
Later that night, Ben was still at the gas-station, fixing up one of the wheels to his S13. Behind him, some of the Speed-riders came up. “You’re putting on brand-new tyres?” one of them spoke. “You must have spent a lot.”
“It’s only the tyres,” Ben replied, “but I need higher grip to reduce my times. I’m also replacing the brake pads. On the downhill, braking’s crucial.”
“Are you really gonna run the downhill, Ben?” the other Speed-riders asked.
“Yes. I’ll attack that downhill as if I’ve got a T-rex behind me.”
“Well, don’t overdo it, man. One mistake on the downhill can be fatal.”
“I understand,” Ben nodded. “But I have to overdo it just a little bit, for the pride of our diemension.” He couldn’t bear to think what would happen if he would let Project D win the clash against the Speed-riders.
At the same moment, Keisuke’s RX-7 was throttling down the dark roads again at high speed, before drifting around some corners sharply. Keisuke picked up the gears, and the car howled harder than before.
That Plymouth Fury hasn’t appeared yet…Keisuke was thinking. It didn’t appear today, either. Maybe the driver wasn’t a local? That’s impossible…he was totally familiar with this mountain. I’ve got to face him again. If I don’t get my revenge, then I won’t calm down!
The car’s exhaust pipe flamed up with anger reflecting off Keisuke’s temper. Show yourself…Ghost of Great Valley! His mind growled. I don’t give a hoot about the Speed-riders…I came here to face you!
Yet again back at the Diner, Ben, Zachary and Michael were watching another car on the TV drifting around the sharp turns. “Wow!” Zach gasped. “The one and only Drift King, Keiichi Tsuchiya! I can’t believe it!”
“It looks like he can control it just by using the gas pedal,” Ben commented.
“Mike,” Zach started up excitedly again, “don’t you wish we could go out right now and drift just like this? Check out this drift! Awesome!”
“Yeah, sure. Sure,” was all Michael said as the boss approached from behind smoking his cigar.
“Mike…”
“Sure. Huh?”
“Hey!” Zach snapped. “You just keep saying, ëSure, sure.’ Do you even know what a drift is?”
“Sure, I know what drift is,” Michael calmly replied.
“Well then, can you tell us what it is?” Zach snorted, crossing his arms. Ben turned to look at Mike as well.
“Uh, in a curve…” Mike began.
“Don’t say, ëcurve’. Dude,” Zach interrupted him. “Street racers call it a ëcorner’!”
“Okay, in a ëcorner’…” Mike started again. “You make the front tyres slide so that the car won’t be facing the inside, otherwise you're toast.”
“What?!” Ben and Zach just stared with bewildered faces. They looked at each other, before bursting out with laughter. “Ah, that’s a good one, Mikey!” Zach put his hand over his face. “If the front tyres are sliding, that’s called ëundersteer’, which is totally uncool and for people with no skill and that will make you eat guardrail!”
Ben wiped a tear from his eye. “A true drift isn’t in the front, Mike…it’s in the rear. You’re really funny.”
“That was great, Michael!”
“It definitely was!”
But from behind Michael, the boss just remained silent, thinking about what Michael had said a moment ago. Though he didn’t show it, he was impressed. Ben, you’re the one who doesn’t understand. While in the middle of a drift, the car is basically understeering. That was the highly advanced answer of those who have mastered the four-wheel drift. I’m impressed.
Just then a honk came from outside. The boss shouted, “Right, Customers. Boys, Earn your keep!”
“Yes sir!” Michael was instantly first out the door, and hailing “Good Afternoon!”
But as Ben rushed out putting his hat on, he got a surprise. “Wha…”
It was a yellow RX-7 with the Redsuns logo on the rear, pulling into the diner's parking lot. An FD, he thought. Could it be Keisuke Takahashi?
The window wound down, showing it was indeed Keisuke. Michael approached.
“Fill it up, High Octane, and I'll take a Dino burger with large fries, and a large soda.” Keisuke told him in a glum voice.
“Sure.” Michael nodded.
As the car was being filled by Zach, Ben took the liberty of wiping down the car’s windows down, and Michael was preparing the food. But as Ben passed by the driver window, he took the moment to say to Keisuke, “You’re a real enthusiast.”
Keisuke looked up, but noticed Ben’s car first. “I see. I thought I’d seen that Slivia S13 somewhere before…the Speed-riders. Can I ask you one thing?”
Ben looked over.
“You’d be the one who’d know…” Keisuke went on, “Is there a ghost in this Prehistoric world…the ghost of a super-fast Plymouth Fury?”
Ben just looked at him uncertainly, but didn’t reply. Zachary just stared at the car. “Wow. He even has a spoiler!”
“Don’t joke around with me,” Ben told Keisuke.
Keisuke just smirked. “The part about the ghost was a joke, but it’s Christine. On the outside, it looks like a normal Fury…but inside, she's the devil's killing tool. There’s no way that a local like you doesn’t know about it.
Ben just shot him a stern ëdon’t think about it’ look.
Keisuke just shrugged. “Fine, play dumb then. If that’s your secret weapon for this Saturday’s meet, then I just got my wish. Tell the driver of that Fury that I won’t lose to the same guy twice. The reason I lost last time is because I didn’t know the course and got careless.” Soon, he was filled up with gas and recived his food. "Get ready to be defeated in this prehistoric world!" He then fired up the engine and drove the RX-7 out of sight. Ben just watched as it faded, transfixed with deep thoughts.
Keisuke Takahashi…lost? What did he mean? I don’t know anything about such a Fury.
Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned and saw Michael, who looked at him at the same time. Ben’s eyes widened a bit as he felt like a puzzle piece had just fit into place inside his mind. The Fury I saw at the Manor, when Michael showed up…he said Christine. Was the boss telling the truth? The fastest on the downhill here and in Akina…is still that Fury?
Sometime later that night, back at the Manor, an alarm went off inside. The clock read 3:45am. A hand reached over and landed on the clock, deactivating the alarm.
Michael pulled the clock towards him, took a look, and sighed. He got up and walked to the bathroom, turning on the water and splashing his face to get the sleep out. He looked up at himself for a moment in the mirror.
Time seemed to slip by as he dressed and went outside to do his errand for the night. He unlocked the Christine and slipped slowly into the driver seat. Turning the key in the ignition, the music jived up as he flicked the lights on.
Nearby, Bunta Fujiwara, a friend of Michael and the owner of the Fujuwara Tofu shop, was just filling up a cup with water attached to a hose on a tap. “All right, time to kick it up a notch,” he muttered.
The Plymouth Fury revved up, and Bunta walked up to where Michael the Dino Ranger sat ready to go. Bunta handed him the cup.
Michael looked at it. “Isn’t this a lot more than usual sir?”
“Maybe, but just don’t spill any,” Bunta replied.
“I know sir,” Michael nodded, placing the cup in the holder. Bunta watched as he slowly drove the Fury out of the garage, and out onto the streets. Gradually picking up speed as he moved, soon Michael was shooting downtown and onto the open highway like a lightning bolt as the Manor faded behind him.
While ëChristine’ shot down the dark streets, Michael made sure to keep a firm check upon his movements. As much as speed was necessary he also had to take care when going around corners, as too much momentum could cause the water to overspill. It sloshed around in the cup, and Michael kept a steady eye on it while flicking his eyes back to the road every few seconds. At corners that he couldn't drive around on his own, Christine knew what to do, as she shifted gears and drifted flawlessly. Pretty soon, they had reached the top.
* * *
The next morning, Zachary was complaining as usual when he and Michael met up at high-school. “Your face is sleepy as usual, Mike.”
“Sorry, Zach, but it’s like I was born with this face,” Michael retorted. “Don’t forget the Fury on Saturday, Mikey…”
But when Zachary pulled a disgruntled face, Mike shook his head. “I know, I know. You’re so persistent, Zach.”
“Well, if I don’t make sure about it, you might back out on me! Please, Saturday, come quickly! I’m totally excited!” Zach answered with a dreamy face, making himself look ridiculous amongst all the other students. “Hey, if both of us aim to become street racers, maybe someday we’ll be known as the fastest in Great Valley.”
“I don’t really care either way,” Michael’s face still didn’t change.
“Well, even if you tried, it’d be hopeless for you,” this time Zach didn’t falter. “After seeing you scream in the back seat of Ben’s car, it’s obvious you don’t have an ounce of talent. But I’m different! I was a little bit scared…but I was able to look at the corner exit with my teeth clenched! Even Ben has faith in me! He must think Mike is hopeless, but I have a bright future! Eh…huh? Mike!?”
Unfortunately in his moment of pride, Zach had failed to notice that Michael had walked away, disinterested in what he had to say, and was nowhere in sight.
Zach whizzed all around the school until he finally caught of Michael walking up the stairs. “Wait a second!” Zach wailed. “What’s wrong with you? I know you’re jealous of my talent, but aren’t you being a bit cold?”
“I’m not…” Michael began, but suddenly the boys’ attention was drawn to the approaching of two girls coming down the stairs.
“And then Rumiko told my boyfriend all about it. He got really mad!” The girls giggled as they walked past.
Out of the corner of his eye, Michael looked at Zachary. “Jackpot baby!”
“You like that kind of stuff?” Zachary inquired.
Mike flinched. “Oh heck no! It must be a crime to let them make their skirts that short. The school should make a new rule…” Then looking up, he nudged Zachary as suddenly, another girl came down the stairs. “Sunshine @ 12:00!"
But this time, the girl turned out to be Ruby. “Good morning, Michael!”
“Uhhhh…” :blink: Michael and Zachary stuttered.
“Oh, that’s right,” Ruby suddenly remembered. “I have to talk to you about something. Come along, quickly!” She quickly dragged Michael up the stairs, leaving Zachary bewildered. “I HATE MY LIFE, I HATE MY LIFE, I HATE MY LIFE, I HATE MY LIFE!!!"
A moment later, Michael was alone with Ruby. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Well…I…there’s something I want to tell you, Michael,” Ruby looked worried, holding her hands behind her back.
“What is it?”
“Well…I…I bought a new bathing suit! It’s totally cute that you'll die!” she squealed, holding up two fingers as a ëpeace’ sign.
“Is that what you wanted to tell me?” Michael hung his head.
“Bingo,” Ruby held her hands together in an excited way. “I was so happy that I just had to tell somebody about it. Wanna see it? Are you wondering what colour it is? You want to see it soon, right?”
“Well, I’d want to, but…” Michael began, but was cut off by Ruby. “I’ll let you see as much as you like when we go to the ocean, okay? Until then, just you wait and see! How about this Sunday? Are you free?”
“Yes. I have a break from work.”
“Okay, it’s decided. This counts as a verbal contract so I hope you realize, if there’s anything I hate more than smokers, and I hate smokers, it’s people that can’t keep their word.”
That night, the Great Valley Speed-rider's S13 was revving madly across the roads of Great Valley. Ben kept a steady grip on the gears as he changed them to keep his momentum. On the dashboard, a clock-timer read upwards and counted up slowly.
The S13 shot down the road, and Ben changed gears again as he drifted across another bend, the back-end of the car dragging slightly as the drift was executed.
Sweat trickled down his brow as Ben concentrated. This is too tough, he thought. The corners that I never thought of as corners are becoming more and more dreadful. These corners that I’m so familiar with…they’re beginning to show their fangs!
The clock continued to count upwards. The S13 continued to barrel down the roads. Then a sharp right loomed up. Ben drifted, but came so close to the guard-rail that for a moment he thought he was going to hit it. But the S13 barely missed, and wobbled on the road before straightening up again.
Then the timer on the clock stopped.
Ben pulled the S13 to a halt on a nearby bend, and sat outside the driver’s seat, looking very discomforted.
It’s no use, he thought. Even if I push myself to the limit, I just can’t cut my times down. I thought that if I gave it more throttle I could cut them down. But it isn’t that simple. Is this really, the ëlimit’ of my technique? There’s no way I can compete with them! He shut his eyes, regretting ever having taken up the challenge in the first place.
* * *
Another day had come. At the local donut shop, Ben entered through the front door.
“Hello! Excuse me! Hello?!” he called out.
At first, nobody answered.
“Excuse me…”
But just then, a curtain was drawn, and Bunta Fujiwara revealed himself. “I can hear you. Just give me a minute,” he replied.
“Sure,” Ben nodded.
Eventually, Bunta emerged. “Welcome.”
Ben just stared at Bunta for a moment. Is this really the Plymouth Fury driver and the fastest on Akina and Great Valley? Is this the guy who defeated Keisuke Takahashi’s RX-7?
“What do you want? Sir?” Bunta asked.
Ben, finding himself distracted, tried to think up of a quick excuse. “Uh, some Green Valley Dounts, please.”
“Coming right up.” Bunta stepped away for a second.
What am I doing?! Ben thought to himself. “Um…I…my name’s Ben, and I’m the president driver to a street racing team called the Great Valley Speed-riders.”
No reaction came to Bunta after Ben finished speaking. Feeling uncertain, he decided to take it up a notch. “The truth is sir, I’ve heard this strange rumour that the fastest downhill driver on Mount Akina and Great Valley is a Plymouth Fury driven by the owner of the Fujuwara tofu shop. I assume of course that means you must be the same person.”
Bunta turned to face him. “I don’t know who told you that, but it’s not me.”
“Don’t play dumb,” Ben began to get impatient. “I’ve searched the whole city, and this happens to be the only place where a Plymouth Fury is sitting outside!”
Bunta just ignored him and held up the bag with the donuts. “Here you are…140 coins.”
Not wanting to seem like a jerk, Ben reached into his pocket to pay.
“Thank you.”
“Well…I’m kind of in a tough situation,” Ben continued. “Can you please listen to what I have to say?”
“What a bother,” Bunta sighed. “Right in the middle of my work…”
“But you’re not doing anything! I’m the only customer here!” Ben demanded, making Bunta grimace. :blink:
“That was rude, saying something like that…”
“I’m sorry,” Ben apologized, “but I’m desperate. The truth is, a team called the Project D challenged us to a time attack battle. Project D have some drivers with outstanding technique, and nobody on our team can compete with them. But since this is our terrtiory, we definitely don’t want to lose!”
Bunta turned inquiringly to him. “So what do you want me to do?”
Ben looked right at him. “Mr. Fujiwara…please teach me how to tackle the Great Valley Mountain Range.”
Bunta just stared at him, before puffing out a bit of his cigarette before speaking. “That’s an impossible request.”
“Please!” Ben insisted. “Even just enough to make me a tenth of a second faster! I beg you!”
“I know how you feel,” Bunta muttered, much to Ben’s dismay, “but driving technique can’t be improved in two or three days. In order to make your car do what you want, you have to think continuously and practice on your own. When I was actively racing, I was tackling Akina even in my dreams. Technique isn’t something that can be taught. It’s something you find on your own.”
Ben was left without another word to say.
Back outside, Ben just stared at his S13. “I’m sorry I can’t help you,” Bunta remarked from behind him.
Ben just looked at him with a firm look. “Mr. Fujiwara, I’ll be back again…and it won’t be just for sweets, you understand,” he spoke with a promising tone.
All Bunta did was watch Ben as he took off with his S13.
Later that night, Ben continued to throttle his S13 down the roads. The Speed-riders favorite spot to race is along Great Valley Interstate #74, because there's sharp corners and a tight hair pin called 'Dead Dino Curve' His mind was reflecting on Bunta’s words…“Think continuously and practice on your own…” I’ve done that, but my times haven’t improved a bit. Why don’t they!? No matter how hard I try, I just can’t get it the way I want it!
Then as he angrily drifted around a corner, a trailer truck carring steel beams was coming from the steelworks bound for a Great Valley Railroad warehouse in the other direction and appeared from around the bend. Ben jolted as he realized they were going to collide!
Crap! Go into the inside!
Both Ben and the other driver gasped as they came so close, but barely managed to avoid colliding. Ben held his breath for a moment, and then looked ahead…
“NOOOO!" The incoming guard-rail was coming straight at him, and he was too late to stop or turn…
The sound of metal creaking hinted the evident crash that could be heard across the hills of Great Valley Interstate #74.
To be continued…
38
LBT Fanfiction / The Land Before Time-Inital Dino!! Ep: 1
« on: October 20, 2013, 01:54:15 PM »
“This story is fiction. All names of characters, places and organizations in the story are fictional. Follow the traffic rules and drive safely.”
The night is quiet, aside from the sound of crickets chirping silently around the poorly-lightened roads of the Great Valley Mountains. From the distance, the sound of something screeching far in the distance can be heard. A music track called “Space Boy” starts to play as eventually the sound of a car starts to increase in volume, approaching closer and closer, until it finally zooms past with a tremendous velocity.
The car turns out to be a Plymouth Fury, and it is proving its worth this night in top gear as it blasts down the twisting roads, stirring up surrounding branches and grass around the road; even causing a nearby aluminium drinking can to come flying out of its hiding place on the side of the road.
The Plymouth drifts madly across some very sharp turns, almost literally sliding sideways across both lanes of the narrow road but safely sliding back without a worry. It is clearly obvious that the person behind the wheel is an incredibly-skilled driver.
Meanwhile, further down the road, a car parked alongside the road dwells. A man sitting in the driver’s seat is running an electric razor alongside his cheek before he sees the car approaching. He flashes his lights to get the car’s attention, but the Plymouth just shoots past him faster than lightning.
Looking over his shoulder, before looking in his rear-view mirror, the man smiles. “That guy never changes.”
The car continues to pound down the road.
Act 1: The Ultimate Super Drift!
It is the next day. Everything seems to be peaceful down in the valley.
Aside from the look on a young man’s face, rather bored, staring outwardly into the distance leaning on his elbows upon the rail of a road-bypass bridge. The man turns out to be Michael, known as the Dino Ranger.
“Even the 91 model runs 1.3 million coins,” a voice spoke nearby. “Geez, this S13 is too expensive!”
Michael’s friend, Zachary, is sitting nearby, flicking through an automotive magazine. “Like I figured, I’m gonna have to go with a 86. That baby’s the only real possibility, ëcause no matter what it’s gotta be an FR. Right, Mike? Mike!”
Zachary pulls a face as he turns to his friend. “ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME!?”
“Of course I’m listening to you, Zach,” Michael replied in a bored tone. “You’re about to tell me how much it’s gonna cost to get that 86 you’ve been staring at.”
Zachary went straight back to looking at the mag. “This one’s marked to 300,000 but it hasn’t passed inspection.”
“And how much money do you have stuffed away so far?” Michael reluctantly asked.
Zachary’s shoulders and head drooped. “Like 50,000,” he groaned. From behind, a high school student passes by.
“Long way to go.”
“I know. It’s depressing.” Zachary put his arms up above his head in annoyance, thus bringing the magazine up behind his head. “There’s gotta be a way to make a quick buck around here! Even if we kicked it up to full-time at the Great Valley Diner during the summer break we’d still only make like about 120,000 coins at most!”
Unnoticed from behind, another student stops to hear the conversation.
“There’s gotta be a better job around here,” Zachary continued to complain.
“I didn’t know you guys had part-time jobs,” the student asked from behind him. Both Zach and Mike turned, rather surprised, to see their dino friend. “Ruby!”
“Well, you don’t have to act so shocked,” Ruby continued. “Is it that weird that I talk to you?”
Michael leaned back on the rail again. “No, not really.”
Ruby turned to Zachary. “So, you were saying you’d only make about 120,000 coins working full-time this summer? How many hours a day is that?”
“Like, twelve or more!” Zach complained.
Ruby was stunned. “HUH? A full month’s worth of work and that’s all you’re working away with!?”
“And it could be worse,” Michael sighed. “At least we’ve got jobs.”
“We’re high school students,” Zachary added. “We get paid terribly because they can get away with it.”
Ruby looked doubtful. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never worked a part-time job before and never had to.”
Presently, the bell rang over the school building. It was time to return to the next class.
“Hey, good luck with your summer jobs, you guys,” Ruby held up her fist in an effort to brighten the boys up. “All of us should really get together and hang out once school is over.”
Zachary really brightened up at that as Ruby walked off. “Dude, did you hear that?” he told Michael. “She wants to get together! Me out on a date with Ruby! SW-WEEEET! That’d be so cool!”
But Michael simply remained uninterested. Zachary turned back towards him. “Hey, why didn’t you tell me she dug me so hard? You never even bothered to mention to me that the –”
“Probably because she and I haven’t talked to each other in about in a while or so,” Michael spoke over him, getting Zach’s attention. “We both used to belong in the same after-school club. Up until sometime last summer we were pretty much still friends, I thought.”
“What are you babbling on about, buddy?” Zachary smirked as Michael looked back out into the distance. “I mean really, no one cares. Oh Natsuki the hottie, I’ve had my eye on you for as long as you’ve been strutting your stuffing. Baby, Zackie’s ready for ya!”
A few images of something that occurred in the past flash in Michael’s mind for a moment…
“Michael! Back to planet Earth, man! We’re gonna get busted if we don’t get to grammar fast! The test is in like two minutes!” Zachary bolted.
“Oh geez! Wait up!” Michael followed him.
Later on that day, Michael and Zachary were heading towards the Diner on foot. They were waiting at a railroad crossing for a freight train to pass on it's way west. “I’ve got an idea,” Zachary piped up. “Why don’t you and I go in on the 86 together? We pull our money; we’ll be able to afford the loan payments easily.”
“That’s a terrible idea,” Michael disagreed. “Why do you want a car that much anyway? Doesn’t your family already have one? Just use theirs if you need it so bad.”
“That piece is no frickin’ good!” Zach complained again. “My old man’s been driving that automatic front-wheel drive into the ground for a decade-plus, not to mention it’s diesel. The thing sucks out loud! Calling it a car is an insult to cars everywhere! You know what I mean?”
Michael just looked blank. “If it has all four tyres and it gets you from Point A to Point B then it’s a car.”
“You don’t get it, man!” Zach replied. “I wouldn’t consider anything a car that doesn’t deliver a good time on the mountain!”
“What’s so much fun about driving on the mountain?” Michael asked, causing Zachary to turn and stare at him as if he was looking at a total stranger. “Watch your fig, doofus! You drive as fast as you can, challenging the corners!”
“The corners, huh? That’s really the kind of thing you do for fun?” Michael questioned. Once again, Zachary was stunned. “I wouldn’t be doing it if it was boring! Look, you’re a dude, right, and you’re telling me you don’t feel the unquenchable desire to tackle those raging hair-pins?”
Soon the caboose passed, and the gates lifted, it meant to proceed. “I don’t know,” Michael spoke boredly as they started to walk. “Maybe I’m just burned out on that kind of stuff.”
“How could you be burned out?” Zach demanded. “We just got our licences a while ago…we’re babies in the driving world!”
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Ruby was waiting patiently on the side of the road. A nearby car pulled up. She opened the door and sat down in the passenger seat, buckling the seat-belt.
“Looking cute, sweetheart,” the driver, who turned out to be her long lost father, commented. “I always love the way you wear that outfit.”
“Thanks,” Ruby chuckled. “It’s just my school uniform.”
The car took off down the street. “I was talking with this friend of mine at school and he was telling me a little bit about the job he’s got lined up for the summer break,” Ruby continued as she stared out the window. “He said after working the entire summer sometimes with shifts that are over twelve hours a day, he’s probably only gonna end up bringing in like 120,000 coins.”
Her father chuckled. “Yes, that sounds about right.”
“Guess it’s a lot harder to earn money than I thought. I should be more considerate,” Ruby agreed. “I’ve seen you spend more than that on me in a month without even blinking an eye. It makes me feel kind of bad.”
She looked over at her father. “Are you really okay with spending that much on me?”
“Of course I am, sweetheart,” was the reply. “You’re worth it.”
“I am? Maybe I just don’t get it.”
* * *
Down at the Diner…
“Thank you and come again soon!” two voices yelled out to the customer walking out of the building, before walking back to the kitchen.
“Michael, I really want you to put a little more thought into going in the 86 with me,” Zachary grabbed hold of his friend’s arm and shook him. “Dude, I’m telling you, it would be seriously awesome!”
Michael pulled away from him. “Let the 86 go!”
Just then, somebody chuckling walked up to them. “Didn’t realize you guys had such good taste! The 86 is a truly decent ride!” It was their colleague Ben, the third member of the dino ranger trio.
“See, listen to Ben. He knows what he’s talking about and he says I’m a genius!” Zach grinned.
“I didn’t say that!” Ben shot back. “I said the 86 is a good car.”
“Yeah, hear that?” Zach shot at Michael.
“Yeah, I heard it,” Michael pulled an innocent look, "but if I'm being completely honest, I don't think an 86 is that good! Who even owns that thing?"
Both Zach and Ben just stared with expressionless looks. The next thing Michael knew, he was held tight by Zach and forced to one of the diner's gas pumps.
Ben pulled the pump out. “Why don’t you drink some of this high octane…put some car power in your head?” he offered.
“How can you work here and not know what an 86 is? Don’t you ever open your eyes at work?” Zach shouted.
"Cut it out, I have seen an 86 before," Michael pulled free. "Don't you guys remember that Takumi, Itsuki and Iketani came to our dimension?"
Ben shrugged. "Yeah, that's true. I guess I’m not surprised. They were in…what, second or third grade when the 92 model came out?”
"Well," Michael thought. “Only car I knew was the old one I used for deliveries and patroling.”
Ben and Zach couldn’t believe what they were hearing. Zach retorted saying, “That which is a junker! Even if an 86 is old it’s not really old! It’s a vintage!” He turned back to Ben. “So, Ben, when we buy our 86 do you think you’d let us join your team? I’ve always dreamed of being on the Great Valley Speed-riders!”
“Well, ok. I'm pretty sure the others wouldn't mind. Oh…speaking of, it’s Saturday so the team’s gonna meet up at the mountains tonight for a couple practice runs! You guys should come along too!”
“You mean we’re actually invited?!” Zach now looked like he was going to melt down, but suddenly remembered something and drooped his head and shoulders again. “But we don’t have a car to get us there, and the bus doesn't run after our shift!”
“I can give you a ride, stupid,” Ben just replied, causing Zach to immediately perk up again. Ben showed them to the car.
“You’ll let us ride in your Nissian Slivia S13!?” Zach burst out. “I’m in! I am in! I am so totally frickin’ in!” He jumped on Michael. “And you’re going too, Mikey! I mean this kind of thing just doesn’t – ”
But while he was talking, Michael just stared at Zach going off his rocker. “I don’t know why he’s so excited,” he said to himself. “I never said anything about wanting to go.”
A little while later, Ben was pulling up a truck to the diner when Michael and Zachary came out, ready to head off for the day. “We’re outta here, Ben!” Zach squealed in excitement and jumped on Michael, who simply said, “We’ll catch you later, man!”
“Cool, pick you dudes up at the bus stop around eight,” Ben told them.
“See ya there!” a distant scream came from Zach.
Ben climbed up out of the truck and walked up to the building. The door opened and the boss of the diner walked up to him. “You’re taking them, huh? Which mountain you going to?”
“Come on, boss, you know the mountains near the mysterious beyond are the only mountains around here worth racing on!” Ben remarked. “And the Speed-riders are the fastest team in the Great Valley region anyway! We gotta defend our territory!”
“Well, you’re not the only guys I’ve heard around here saying that, you know,” the boss smirked. “Back when I was visiting Akina, there was this one fella. Everyone knew that he was the fastest, undisputed, couldn’t be beat. And after all these years, he still drives Mount Akina.”
“You’re kidding me,” Ben raised an eyebrow. “I know every last driver who goes up and down that course, and no offense but not a single one of them is an old-timer.”
“He just drives during a different time of the day than you and all your buddies,” the boss crossed his arms smugly. “And he’s got a good reason…he happens to work at the fujuwara tofu shop.”
Ben was stunned.
“At around 4am, he always leaves on his deliveries. He has to make his rounds taking tofu to all the hotels at Lake Akina. That guy’s downhill speed is something out of this world, and because this is his business the guy’s out there every day, rain or snow, it doesn’t matter…he knows the smaller stain of the asphalt of that road! Mark my words, Ben, the fastest downhill cars in Akina now a-days happens to be a 86 and 58 Plymouth Fury that deliver tofu.”
“A Tofu Shop 86 and Plymouth Fury!?” Ben was totally speechless.
Down at the Dino Ranger Mansion, a man stood on the side-street with a cigarette in his mouth while reading a newspaper. Footsteps nearby indicated someone was about to leave. “What do you think you’re doing?” the man asked. “Sneaking out?”
The man turned. It was Michael. “I got plans with Zachary. We’re just gonna hang out and stuff.”
“Don’t care what you do, just don’t make me drag your butt out of bed in the morning.”
“After the last time, I don’t think you need to remind me. See you in the morning, yeah?” Michael began walking off.
“Yeah.”
After a little while, the S13 and a few other fancy sports cars could be seen drifting neatly across the roads leading up to Great Valley Summit. Unfortunately, for one rider, not all was pleasant…
“Ahhhhhhhhhhh,” Michael cried from the S13’s backseat as the cars sped and drifted dangerously across the road.
Across the seat from Ben’s driver spot, Zach turned towards Michael. “Just slap a cork in it, Mike! You’re totally fine! Ben’s got the traits on!”
“YOU THINK I CARE?” Michael shot back at him. “I’ll scream all I want…I’m scared for my frickin’ life!”
“I’m used to it, man,” Ben just said coolly. “People tend to get scared first time they ride with a real street racer. Here goes a hairpin turn in second!”
Michael continued to wail as the turn came and Zach shouted, “Michael, will you please give it a rest!?”
A little later, the cars had all pulled over for a break. “Tonight, I’m gonna cut loose out there,” one of the drivers was saying. “For real, man. I’m sick of keeping everything slow.”
Michael was at the side, panting and relieved that the mayhem had stopped for the time being.
“You okay, buddy?” Ben asked him. “You look kind of sick…I didn’t think you’d freak like that. I was just in the mood to push the car so I may have done it a little hard for your taste.”
Zach came over, complaining as usual. “You’re such a frickin’ baby, Michael. What’s wrong with you? I thought you’d scream for your life on a roller coaster at the park!”
“I like roller coasters, Zachary…you know that,” Michael retorted. “This is something completely different…something I don’t think you could possibly understand. And even if I could explain it, you couldn’t wrap your head around it on this crazy fear I have inside. I don’t get it myself.”
Zach couldn’t reply to that.
Meanwhile, way back at the diner, it was shutting down for the night. The boss walked up to his car and was just about to unlock it when he turned at the sound of engines. Some completely different cars were speeding past the diner in the direction of the nearby Great Valley Mountain Range.
Woah! Who would have thought Project D would come all the way out here, the boss thought to himself. And if they’re heading up to the mountains at this time of night, something must be going down on the mountain.
Back where the Speed-riders were chilling, the cars finally turned up, pulling up at the side.
“Looks like we’ve got some company, boys,” Ben told his team-members. But as the cars pulled in, Ben’s face became concerned the moment he saw the logo “RedSuns” upon the lead ëThird-Generation’ RX-7 with vans behind it saying "Project D".
Why is Project D here? Ben thought. I’ve heard those guys have the fastest drivers in Gunma.
The drivers stepped out of the cars and turned to stare at the Speed-riders. Two of the drivers turned out to be both Ryosuke and Keisuke, the Takahashi brothers, leaders of the RedSuns and Project D. The brothers exchanged a glance for a moment before turning back.
“All right, listen up,” Keisuke shouted. “We’re Project D. Maybe you’ve heard about us. I don’t wanna start on sounding like a idiot, but the only thing I wanna know is who the fastest team or the fastest driver is on this prehistoric mountain range. Anybody wanna claim that?”
The Speed-riders started chattered amongst themselves. Ben spoke up finally. “We’re the Great Valley Speed-riders. I'm the President of the team and if you came up here looking for the fastest drivers on these mountains, well, you’re looking at ëem, hotshot!”
The Takahashi brothers shared another look at each other. “That was easier than I thought it’d be,” Keisuke smirked. “How about we hold a practice between our teams? We could do it between this mountain summit to the big city in the prehistoric valley. It could be fun.”
Ben, who hadn’t been expecting the challenge, looked a bit nervous.
“This is nuts,” one of the Speed-riders said. “They have no idea what they’re in for.” One of the other members agreed. "They even have no rights to disrepect this diemension!"
Behind them, Zachary beamed. “I knew this would be a sweet Friday night.” Michael just looked uninterested.
“What do you say, guys?” one of the Project D members spoke up. “We’ve been going up against the same people over and over…it’s gotten to be a little too routine for our taste. We wanna mix it up. Running against new teams will give us the chance to face a new challenge. We could exchange some ideas…maybe even make some friends. Sure, we’ll probably let a few team secrets slip here and there, but in the long run, I think we’ll all be able to improve. First, let’s do this along together. After that, each team sends one driver head-to-head in both uphill and downhill. Doesn’t matter who wins…let’s just build some solidarity between teams.”
“If he’s gonna put it politely how are we supposed to say no?” Ben had to run the question across the Speed-riders. One of the nearby drivers just crossed his arms.
“All right,” the Project D member continued. “What do you say we meet up next Saturday right here at ten o’clock?”
“Sure, you can count on it, pal,” Ben accepted.
“I think we’re just gonna take it easy on the runs tonight if that’s cool with you guys,” Keisuke said with a small hint of slyness in his voice.
“I told you this was gonna be awesome, didn’t I?” Zach told Michael.
Keisuke’s car immediately fired up and started to roll forward. Then with a sharp screech, the RX-7 spun a 180 and throttled down the road. The other Redsun and Project D cars followed in hot pursuit.
The Speed-riders member close to Ben grimaced. “If those punks think they can intimidate us, they got another thing coming!” “Yeah!” the other members agreed.
Within moments, the Speed-riders had rushed to their cars and were legging it in hot pursuit of Project D. “What are you gonna do, Ben?” Zachary demanded.
“I’m gonna keep my eye on the Takahashi brothers, see why people call them the fastest drivers in Akagi,” Ben replied.
Zach was stunned. “The Takahashi brothers? You mean the dudes who have been in all the magazines with all the pictures and all the crazy hot chicks?”
“Yeah, those are the ones,” Ben nodded. “They’re also known as the Rotary brothers.”
Then without another word, Ben rushed to his car and revved it up, ready to catch up to the teams. Zach quickly rushed up to the window. “What about us? Can we come with you?”
Ben’s face sagged a little. “Sorry, Zach, when I make a serious run I don’t like to go at it with passengers in the car. You two wait here. I’ll pick you up in a little bit.” He pushed his foot down and slammed the gear into place. The car vanished out of sight, leaving Michael and Zachary standing on the platform. Zach started to complain again. “Oooooohhhhhhhh, this is so frickin’ embarrassing, man! Why are we the only two losers up here without a car?”
Michael just stared into the distance. “Hey, Zach, is it really as much fun as you say it is to be a street racer? I don’t understand. Everybody seems so excited about it, but what’s the big deal?”
“No, I’m the one who doesn’t understand,” Zach spoke up. “You can’t hear those cars squealing around the corners, right? Trying desperately to catch up with each other! Pushing the limits! And that doesn’t get you worked up at all?”
Michael stared at him. “That should get me worked up?”
Meanwhile, somewhere upon the Great Valley, the phone could be heard ringing inside a building. “Dino Ranger Protection Services. How can I help you?” the receiver picked up the phone. A pause, and then, “Well, what a surprise. Yours was about the last voice I expected to hear.”
The person on the other end of the line turned out to be the boss from the diner. “It’s good to talk to you too. Is that how you greet an old friend you haven’t talked to in ages? You know, the other day, you passed me on your way back from a inspection and patrol of the Great Valley. I signalled you but you blew right by me like I was nobody.”
“Real sorry to disappoint you,” the man replied, “but that wasn’t me.”
“Had to be. It was your Plymouth.”
The man chuckled. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. I do own a Plymouth but I rarely drive it, and besides, I wasn’t the one driving last night. My friend Michael was doing the inpections.”
The boss was at that moment drinking out of his can when he heard the words. He immediately coughed up. “Wait, what did you say? Since when?”
“I guess Michael's been driving for me since two weeks,” came the curt reply. "You mean your son Takumi is running your Tofu shop as we speak?!" cried the Diner's manager, he was beyond words.
At the same time, the Speed-riders continued to pound around the wavy roads of the mountains beyond the Great Valley, intending to catch up to the rivalry team. But something appeared to be wrong. The majority of the drivers were gritting their teeth while they changed gears and spun their wheels.
“Dang…can’t keep up with these guys at all,” one driver complained as the sweat trickled down his face.
Ben grimaced from his own car as Project D shot by one by one in their own cars and faded into the distance. “Project D is faster than I thought! I’m pushing my limits here! And I still can’t keep up!”
As the cars continued to throttle around the roads, from high above on a road curve, the Takahashi brothers simply watched with disappointed faces.
“So brother, what are you thinking?” Keisuke asked.
“I think if that’s the best competition they can offer we can beat them without a practice run,” Ryosuke replied. “We’ll leave our top drivers at home next week. I’m even gonna pass on the race.”
“Well, if you’re not racing than I’m not gonna bother either,” Keisuke shrugged.
“No, you need to do it,” Ryosuke told him firmly. “I want you to set a record for this course…something these locals will never be able to break, not even on their best day. If we don’t do that, the return of Project D will never become extremely legendary.”
“Gotcha.”
“First thing we do is set new records for every single course in this prefecture.” Ryosuke then went on to name four other locations that would need for new records for Project D to set. “After that, we’ll have every record in this Prehistoric world. When we do, we’ll be legends. Then we can basically kick back and retire. That’s my plan for Project D. I call it the ëFastest in Universe’ project.”
And without another word, the Takahashi brothers jumped back in their cars, and took off like lightning.
Back over at the hangout, the Speed-riders were all feeling let-down.
“They’re pretty awesome,” one driver said. “And their style is completely different from ours. I just can’t believe how badly we got beaten on our own home-turf. It’s embarrassing.”
“They put some cash into their suspensions,” another spoke. “And their horse-power. No way we can compete with Project D…I’m telling ya!”
“But we can’t just say no either,” a third groaned.
“He’s right. We’ll look like total cowards if we walk now.”
“I get what you’re saying, but guts alone aren’t gonna beat these guys!”
“I know that. We need something more.”
Ben sighed and turned to the team. “It’s getting late, guys. Let’s go ahead and bail. We’ll get together tomorrow and figure this mess out.”
Not another word was said.
As the S13 drove down the road, all was solemn inside. “If you didn’t know, street racers don’t like losing,” Ben told Michael and Zachary. “Sometimes we get way too serious about our challenges. And the absolute worst thing that can happen is to lose to an outsider on your home course. It’s an unwritten law of street-racing.”
The car disappeared down the road.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the mountain, most of Project D had taken off. The remaining cars were just about to take off, leaving only Keisuke’s RX-7 behind.
“Hey Keisuke, where’s your brother?” one of the drivers asked him.
“Ah, he went back to the hotel; been gone a while. We’re the only ones still left up here,” Keisuke told them. The tone of his voice hinted something like boredom.
“Looks like the sun is about to start coming up,” the driver looked out over the mountain.
“Maybe it’s time for us to start heading back to the hotel too,” Keisuke agreed.
As the RX-7 throttled down the roads of the mountain, Keisuke was having absolutely no trouble at all getting round the curves and changing the gears like a natural. He was totally bored; getting through this course was nothing to him. What he needed right about now was a good challenge, something to get him back into the force of concentration and buckling down for serious business…
But then, just for a moment, something caught his attention in the mirror. He looked, but he couldn’t see anything, nor hear anything compared to the sound of his own engine.
Keisuke dismissed it. “If I just stay on top of my game I’ll be driving the Project D anchor position and finally beat Takumi Fujuwara before they know it.” He pushed down on the accelerator.
But then, just as he whipped another bend, a light flickered in his mirror, and suddenly from way behind, a car came throttling into sight right behind the RX-7.
“Ah, they’re finally catching up,” Keisuke smirked.
But as the car came straight up towards the RX-7, his eyes widened as he noticed something. “That isn’t one of our guys! Is that a old Corvette or Impala? I can't tell with its beam on that bright!”
His eyes narrowed as the gap between their cars was now closing tightly. The mystery car attempted to overtake, but Keisuke kept the momentum as he lightly swerved to keep in front. “Nice driving, chief, but after two corners you won’t even be a speck in my rear-view mirror!” And he slammed down harder upon the throttle.
But as fast as he could go, it was obvious he couldn’t lose the car.
Then a bend appeared up ahead. Keisuke grinded and sent the RX-7 spinning sideways across the bend. But amazingly, so did the mystery car. In fact, it was now grinding right in line with the RX-7, as if they were sitting side-by-side in a parking lot.
“WHAT, is that a Plymouth Fury? You’re kidding me!” Keisuke gasped with a hint of worry as he now recognized the shape of the car. As the bend finished, he slammed on the accelerator to top gear. The Plymouth started to drop back a little, but quickly picked up the momentum as another bend approached, and once again, they slid sideways across it without even a problem.
Keisuke was now starting to panic. “It shouldn’t be this hard for my RX-7 to outrun a 50's era automoblie! This has gotta be some kind of nightmare and just hope I wake up soon! And I was the number two driver of the Akagi RedSuns, darn it!”
Another bend loomed up. Keisuke started to turn, but suddenly, as quick as a flash, the Plymouth shot past and overtook him as they shot past the bend.
Doesn’t that idiot even know this road? Keisuke thought. After this slow ride there’s a sharp left. There’s a ravine on the other side…he’s gotta hit the brakes!
The Plymouth continued to spin its rear wheels as it spun down the road with the RX-7 in hot pursuit. Keisuke’s teeth gritted. “I knew it…that freaking idiot’s going way too fast! There’s no room to slow down…he’s going in to that guard-rail!”
Then suddenly, much to Keisuke’s astonishment, the Plymouth seemed to jerk as if it was turning to the right, and then sharply spun left, moving sideways towards the guard-rail before shooting forwards and barely missing it by inches, staying in perfect line with the road.
“Whoa! What the heck??” Keisuke’s mind unravelled that moment in slow-motion. “Inertia drift!?”
Time seems to stop short as the Plymouth Fury is seen performing the drift with the RX-7 behind it.
To be continued...
The night is quiet, aside from the sound of crickets chirping silently around the poorly-lightened roads of the Great Valley Mountains. From the distance, the sound of something screeching far in the distance can be heard. A music track called “Space Boy” starts to play as eventually the sound of a car starts to increase in volume, approaching closer and closer, until it finally zooms past with a tremendous velocity.
The car turns out to be a Plymouth Fury, and it is proving its worth this night in top gear as it blasts down the twisting roads, stirring up surrounding branches and grass around the road; even causing a nearby aluminium drinking can to come flying out of its hiding place on the side of the road.
The Plymouth drifts madly across some very sharp turns, almost literally sliding sideways across both lanes of the narrow road but safely sliding back without a worry. It is clearly obvious that the person behind the wheel is an incredibly-skilled driver.
Meanwhile, further down the road, a car parked alongside the road dwells. A man sitting in the driver’s seat is running an electric razor alongside his cheek before he sees the car approaching. He flashes his lights to get the car’s attention, but the Plymouth just shoots past him faster than lightning.
Looking over his shoulder, before looking in his rear-view mirror, the man smiles. “That guy never changes.”
The car continues to pound down the road.
Act 1: The Ultimate Super Drift!
It is the next day. Everything seems to be peaceful down in the valley.
Aside from the look on a young man’s face, rather bored, staring outwardly into the distance leaning on his elbows upon the rail of a road-bypass bridge. The man turns out to be Michael, known as the Dino Ranger.
“Even the 91 model runs 1.3 million coins,” a voice spoke nearby. “Geez, this S13 is too expensive!”
Michael’s friend, Zachary, is sitting nearby, flicking through an automotive magazine. “Like I figured, I’m gonna have to go with a 86. That baby’s the only real possibility, ëcause no matter what it’s gotta be an FR. Right, Mike? Mike!”
Zachary pulls a face as he turns to his friend. “ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME!?”
“Of course I’m listening to you, Zach,” Michael replied in a bored tone. “You’re about to tell me how much it’s gonna cost to get that 86 you’ve been staring at.”
Zachary went straight back to looking at the mag. “This one’s marked to 300,000 but it hasn’t passed inspection.”
“And how much money do you have stuffed away so far?” Michael reluctantly asked.
Zachary’s shoulders and head drooped. “Like 50,000,” he groaned. From behind, a high school student passes by.
“Long way to go.”
“I know. It’s depressing.” Zachary put his arms up above his head in annoyance, thus bringing the magazine up behind his head. “There’s gotta be a way to make a quick buck around here! Even if we kicked it up to full-time at the Great Valley Diner during the summer break we’d still only make like about 120,000 coins at most!”
Unnoticed from behind, another student stops to hear the conversation.
“There’s gotta be a better job around here,” Zachary continued to complain.
“I didn’t know you guys had part-time jobs,” the student asked from behind him. Both Zach and Mike turned, rather surprised, to see their dino friend. “Ruby!”
“Well, you don’t have to act so shocked,” Ruby continued. “Is it that weird that I talk to you?”
Michael leaned back on the rail again. “No, not really.”
Ruby turned to Zachary. “So, you were saying you’d only make about 120,000 coins working full-time this summer? How many hours a day is that?”
“Like, twelve or more!” Zach complained.
Ruby was stunned. “HUH? A full month’s worth of work and that’s all you’re working away with!?”
“And it could be worse,” Michael sighed. “At least we’ve got jobs.”
“We’re high school students,” Zachary added. “We get paid terribly because they can get away with it.”
Ruby looked doubtful. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never worked a part-time job before and never had to.”
Presently, the bell rang over the school building. It was time to return to the next class.
“Hey, good luck with your summer jobs, you guys,” Ruby held up her fist in an effort to brighten the boys up. “All of us should really get together and hang out once school is over.”
Zachary really brightened up at that as Ruby walked off. “Dude, did you hear that?” he told Michael. “She wants to get together! Me out on a date with Ruby! SW-WEEEET! That’d be so cool!”
But Michael simply remained uninterested. Zachary turned back towards him. “Hey, why didn’t you tell me she dug me so hard? You never even bothered to mention to me that the –”
“Probably because she and I haven’t talked to each other in about in a while or so,” Michael spoke over him, getting Zach’s attention. “We both used to belong in the same after-school club. Up until sometime last summer we were pretty much still friends, I thought.”
“What are you babbling on about, buddy?” Zachary smirked as Michael looked back out into the distance. “I mean really, no one cares. Oh Natsuki the hottie, I’ve had my eye on you for as long as you’ve been strutting your stuffing. Baby, Zackie’s ready for ya!”
A few images of something that occurred in the past flash in Michael’s mind for a moment…
“Michael! Back to planet Earth, man! We’re gonna get busted if we don’t get to grammar fast! The test is in like two minutes!” Zachary bolted.
“Oh geez! Wait up!” Michael followed him.
Later on that day, Michael and Zachary were heading towards the Diner on foot. They were waiting at a railroad crossing for a freight train to pass on it's way west. “I’ve got an idea,” Zachary piped up. “Why don’t you and I go in on the 86 together? We pull our money; we’ll be able to afford the loan payments easily.”
“That’s a terrible idea,” Michael disagreed. “Why do you want a car that much anyway? Doesn’t your family already have one? Just use theirs if you need it so bad.”
“That piece is no frickin’ good!” Zach complained again. “My old man’s been driving that automatic front-wheel drive into the ground for a decade-plus, not to mention it’s diesel. The thing sucks out loud! Calling it a car is an insult to cars everywhere! You know what I mean?”
Michael just looked blank. “If it has all four tyres and it gets you from Point A to Point B then it’s a car.”
“You don’t get it, man!” Zach replied. “I wouldn’t consider anything a car that doesn’t deliver a good time on the mountain!”
“What’s so much fun about driving on the mountain?” Michael asked, causing Zachary to turn and stare at him as if he was looking at a total stranger. “Watch your fig, doofus! You drive as fast as you can, challenging the corners!”
“The corners, huh? That’s really the kind of thing you do for fun?” Michael questioned. Once again, Zachary was stunned. “I wouldn’t be doing it if it was boring! Look, you’re a dude, right, and you’re telling me you don’t feel the unquenchable desire to tackle those raging hair-pins?”
Soon the caboose passed, and the gates lifted, it meant to proceed. “I don’t know,” Michael spoke boredly as they started to walk. “Maybe I’m just burned out on that kind of stuff.”
“How could you be burned out?” Zach demanded. “We just got our licences a while ago…we’re babies in the driving world!”
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Ruby was waiting patiently on the side of the road. A nearby car pulled up. She opened the door and sat down in the passenger seat, buckling the seat-belt.
“Looking cute, sweetheart,” the driver, who turned out to be her long lost father, commented. “I always love the way you wear that outfit.”
“Thanks,” Ruby chuckled. “It’s just my school uniform.”
The car took off down the street. “I was talking with this friend of mine at school and he was telling me a little bit about the job he’s got lined up for the summer break,” Ruby continued as she stared out the window. “He said after working the entire summer sometimes with shifts that are over twelve hours a day, he’s probably only gonna end up bringing in like 120,000 coins.”
Her father chuckled. “Yes, that sounds about right.”
“Guess it’s a lot harder to earn money than I thought. I should be more considerate,” Ruby agreed. “I’ve seen you spend more than that on me in a month without even blinking an eye. It makes me feel kind of bad.”
She looked over at her father. “Are you really okay with spending that much on me?”
“Of course I am, sweetheart,” was the reply. “You’re worth it.”
“I am? Maybe I just don’t get it.”
* * *
Down at the Diner…
“Thank you and come again soon!” two voices yelled out to the customer walking out of the building, before walking back to the kitchen.
“Michael, I really want you to put a little more thought into going in the 86 with me,” Zachary grabbed hold of his friend’s arm and shook him. “Dude, I’m telling you, it would be seriously awesome!”
Michael pulled away from him. “Let the 86 go!”
Just then, somebody chuckling walked up to them. “Didn’t realize you guys had such good taste! The 86 is a truly decent ride!” It was their colleague Ben, the third member of the dino ranger trio.
“See, listen to Ben. He knows what he’s talking about and he says I’m a genius!” Zach grinned.
“I didn’t say that!” Ben shot back. “I said the 86 is a good car.”
“Yeah, hear that?” Zach shot at Michael.
“Yeah, I heard it,” Michael pulled an innocent look, "but if I'm being completely honest, I don't think an 86 is that good! Who even owns that thing?"
Both Zach and Ben just stared with expressionless looks. The next thing Michael knew, he was held tight by Zach and forced to one of the diner's gas pumps.
Ben pulled the pump out. “Why don’t you drink some of this high octane…put some car power in your head?” he offered.
“How can you work here and not know what an 86 is? Don’t you ever open your eyes at work?” Zach shouted.
"Cut it out, I have seen an 86 before," Michael pulled free. "Don't you guys remember that Takumi, Itsuki and Iketani came to our dimension?"
Ben shrugged. "Yeah, that's true. I guess I’m not surprised. They were in…what, second or third grade when the 92 model came out?”
"Well," Michael thought. “Only car I knew was the old one I used for deliveries and patroling.”
Ben and Zach couldn’t believe what they were hearing. Zach retorted saying, “That which is a junker! Even if an 86 is old it’s not really old! It’s a vintage!” He turned back to Ben. “So, Ben, when we buy our 86 do you think you’d let us join your team? I’ve always dreamed of being on the Great Valley Speed-riders!”
“Well, ok. I'm pretty sure the others wouldn't mind. Oh…speaking of, it’s Saturday so the team’s gonna meet up at the mountains tonight for a couple practice runs! You guys should come along too!”
“You mean we’re actually invited?!” Zach now looked like he was going to melt down, but suddenly remembered something and drooped his head and shoulders again. “But we don’t have a car to get us there, and the bus doesn't run after our shift!”
“I can give you a ride, stupid,” Ben just replied, causing Zach to immediately perk up again. Ben showed them to the car.
“You’ll let us ride in your Nissian Slivia S13!?” Zach burst out. “I’m in! I am in! I am so totally frickin’ in!” He jumped on Michael. “And you’re going too, Mikey! I mean this kind of thing just doesn’t – ”
But while he was talking, Michael just stared at Zach going off his rocker. “I don’t know why he’s so excited,” he said to himself. “I never said anything about wanting to go.”
A little while later, Ben was pulling up a truck to the diner when Michael and Zachary came out, ready to head off for the day. “We’re outta here, Ben!” Zach squealed in excitement and jumped on Michael, who simply said, “We’ll catch you later, man!”
“Cool, pick you dudes up at the bus stop around eight,” Ben told them.
“See ya there!” a distant scream came from Zach.
Ben climbed up out of the truck and walked up to the building. The door opened and the boss of the diner walked up to him. “You’re taking them, huh? Which mountain you going to?”
“Come on, boss, you know the mountains near the mysterious beyond are the only mountains around here worth racing on!” Ben remarked. “And the Speed-riders are the fastest team in the Great Valley region anyway! We gotta defend our territory!”
“Well, you’re not the only guys I’ve heard around here saying that, you know,” the boss smirked. “Back when I was visiting Akina, there was this one fella. Everyone knew that he was the fastest, undisputed, couldn’t be beat. And after all these years, he still drives Mount Akina.”
“You’re kidding me,” Ben raised an eyebrow. “I know every last driver who goes up and down that course, and no offense but not a single one of them is an old-timer.”
“He just drives during a different time of the day than you and all your buddies,” the boss crossed his arms smugly. “And he’s got a good reason…he happens to work at the fujuwara tofu shop.”
Ben was stunned.
“At around 4am, he always leaves on his deliveries. He has to make his rounds taking tofu to all the hotels at Lake Akina. That guy’s downhill speed is something out of this world, and because this is his business the guy’s out there every day, rain or snow, it doesn’t matter…he knows the smaller stain of the asphalt of that road! Mark my words, Ben, the fastest downhill cars in Akina now a-days happens to be a 86 and 58 Plymouth Fury that deliver tofu.”
“A Tofu Shop 86 and Plymouth Fury!?” Ben was totally speechless.
Down at the Dino Ranger Mansion, a man stood on the side-street with a cigarette in his mouth while reading a newspaper. Footsteps nearby indicated someone was about to leave. “What do you think you’re doing?” the man asked. “Sneaking out?”
The man turned. It was Michael. “I got plans with Zachary. We’re just gonna hang out and stuff.”
“Don’t care what you do, just don’t make me drag your butt out of bed in the morning.”
“After the last time, I don’t think you need to remind me. See you in the morning, yeah?” Michael began walking off.
“Yeah.”
After a little while, the S13 and a few other fancy sports cars could be seen drifting neatly across the roads leading up to Great Valley Summit. Unfortunately, for one rider, not all was pleasant…
“Ahhhhhhhhhhh,” Michael cried from the S13’s backseat as the cars sped and drifted dangerously across the road.
Across the seat from Ben’s driver spot, Zach turned towards Michael. “Just slap a cork in it, Mike! You’re totally fine! Ben’s got the traits on!”
“YOU THINK I CARE?” Michael shot back at him. “I’ll scream all I want…I’m scared for my frickin’ life!”
“I’m used to it, man,” Ben just said coolly. “People tend to get scared first time they ride with a real street racer. Here goes a hairpin turn in second!”
Michael continued to wail as the turn came and Zach shouted, “Michael, will you please give it a rest!?”
A little later, the cars had all pulled over for a break. “Tonight, I’m gonna cut loose out there,” one of the drivers was saying. “For real, man. I’m sick of keeping everything slow.”
Michael was at the side, panting and relieved that the mayhem had stopped for the time being.
“You okay, buddy?” Ben asked him. “You look kind of sick…I didn’t think you’d freak like that. I was just in the mood to push the car so I may have done it a little hard for your taste.”
Zach came over, complaining as usual. “You’re such a frickin’ baby, Michael. What’s wrong with you? I thought you’d scream for your life on a roller coaster at the park!”
“I like roller coasters, Zachary…you know that,” Michael retorted. “This is something completely different…something I don’t think you could possibly understand. And even if I could explain it, you couldn’t wrap your head around it on this crazy fear I have inside. I don’t get it myself.”
Zach couldn’t reply to that.
Meanwhile, way back at the diner, it was shutting down for the night. The boss walked up to his car and was just about to unlock it when he turned at the sound of engines. Some completely different cars were speeding past the diner in the direction of the nearby Great Valley Mountain Range.
Woah! Who would have thought Project D would come all the way out here, the boss thought to himself. And if they’re heading up to the mountains at this time of night, something must be going down on the mountain.
Back where the Speed-riders were chilling, the cars finally turned up, pulling up at the side.
“Looks like we’ve got some company, boys,” Ben told his team-members. But as the cars pulled in, Ben’s face became concerned the moment he saw the logo “RedSuns” upon the lead ëThird-Generation’ RX-7 with vans behind it saying "Project D".
Why is Project D here? Ben thought. I’ve heard those guys have the fastest drivers in Gunma.
The drivers stepped out of the cars and turned to stare at the Speed-riders. Two of the drivers turned out to be both Ryosuke and Keisuke, the Takahashi brothers, leaders of the RedSuns and Project D. The brothers exchanged a glance for a moment before turning back.
“All right, listen up,” Keisuke shouted. “We’re Project D. Maybe you’ve heard about us. I don’t wanna start on sounding like a idiot, but the only thing I wanna know is who the fastest team or the fastest driver is on this prehistoric mountain range. Anybody wanna claim that?”
The Speed-riders started chattered amongst themselves. Ben spoke up finally. “We’re the Great Valley Speed-riders. I'm the President of the team and if you came up here looking for the fastest drivers on these mountains, well, you’re looking at ëem, hotshot!”
The Takahashi brothers shared another look at each other. “That was easier than I thought it’d be,” Keisuke smirked. “How about we hold a practice between our teams? We could do it between this mountain summit to the big city in the prehistoric valley. It could be fun.”
Ben, who hadn’t been expecting the challenge, looked a bit nervous.
“This is nuts,” one of the Speed-riders said. “They have no idea what they’re in for.” One of the other members agreed. "They even have no rights to disrepect this diemension!"
Behind them, Zachary beamed. “I knew this would be a sweet Friday night.” Michael just looked uninterested.
“What do you say, guys?” one of the Project D members spoke up. “We’ve been going up against the same people over and over…it’s gotten to be a little too routine for our taste. We wanna mix it up. Running against new teams will give us the chance to face a new challenge. We could exchange some ideas…maybe even make some friends. Sure, we’ll probably let a few team secrets slip here and there, but in the long run, I think we’ll all be able to improve. First, let’s do this along together. After that, each team sends one driver head-to-head in both uphill and downhill. Doesn’t matter who wins…let’s just build some solidarity between teams.”
“If he’s gonna put it politely how are we supposed to say no?” Ben had to run the question across the Speed-riders. One of the nearby drivers just crossed his arms.
“All right,” the Project D member continued. “What do you say we meet up next Saturday right here at ten o’clock?”
“Sure, you can count on it, pal,” Ben accepted.
“I think we’re just gonna take it easy on the runs tonight if that’s cool with you guys,” Keisuke said with a small hint of slyness in his voice.
“I told you this was gonna be awesome, didn’t I?” Zach told Michael.
Keisuke’s car immediately fired up and started to roll forward. Then with a sharp screech, the RX-7 spun a 180 and throttled down the road. The other Redsun and Project D cars followed in hot pursuit.
The Speed-riders member close to Ben grimaced. “If those punks think they can intimidate us, they got another thing coming!” “Yeah!” the other members agreed.
Within moments, the Speed-riders had rushed to their cars and were legging it in hot pursuit of Project D. “What are you gonna do, Ben?” Zachary demanded.
“I’m gonna keep my eye on the Takahashi brothers, see why people call them the fastest drivers in Akagi,” Ben replied.
Zach was stunned. “The Takahashi brothers? You mean the dudes who have been in all the magazines with all the pictures and all the crazy hot chicks?”
“Yeah, those are the ones,” Ben nodded. “They’re also known as the Rotary brothers.”
Then without another word, Ben rushed to his car and revved it up, ready to catch up to the teams. Zach quickly rushed up to the window. “What about us? Can we come with you?”
Ben’s face sagged a little. “Sorry, Zach, when I make a serious run I don’t like to go at it with passengers in the car. You two wait here. I’ll pick you up in a little bit.” He pushed his foot down and slammed the gear into place. The car vanished out of sight, leaving Michael and Zachary standing on the platform. Zach started to complain again. “Oooooohhhhhhhh, this is so frickin’ embarrassing, man! Why are we the only two losers up here without a car?”
Michael just stared into the distance. “Hey, Zach, is it really as much fun as you say it is to be a street racer? I don’t understand. Everybody seems so excited about it, but what’s the big deal?”
“No, I’m the one who doesn’t understand,” Zach spoke up. “You can’t hear those cars squealing around the corners, right? Trying desperately to catch up with each other! Pushing the limits! And that doesn’t get you worked up at all?”
Michael stared at him. “That should get me worked up?”
Meanwhile, somewhere upon the Great Valley, the phone could be heard ringing inside a building. “Dino Ranger Protection Services. How can I help you?” the receiver picked up the phone. A pause, and then, “Well, what a surprise. Yours was about the last voice I expected to hear.”
The person on the other end of the line turned out to be the boss from the diner. “It’s good to talk to you too. Is that how you greet an old friend you haven’t talked to in ages? You know, the other day, you passed me on your way back from a inspection and patrol of the Great Valley. I signalled you but you blew right by me like I was nobody.”
“Real sorry to disappoint you,” the man replied, “but that wasn’t me.”
“Had to be. It was your Plymouth.”
The man chuckled. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. I do own a Plymouth but I rarely drive it, and besides, I wasn’t the one driving last night. My friend Michael was doing the inpections.”
The boss was at that moment drinking out of his can when he heard the words. He immediately coughed up. “Wait, what did you say? Since when?”
“I guess Michael's been driving for me since two weeks,” came the curt reply. "You mean your son Takumi is running your Tofu shop as we speak?!" cried the Diner's manager, he was beyond words.
At the same time, the Speed-riders continued to pound around the wavy roads of the mountains beyond the Great Valley, intending to catch up to the rivalry team. But something appeared to be wrong. The majority of the drivers were gritting their teeth while they changed gears and spun their wheels.
“Dang…can’t keep up with these guys at all,” one driver complained as the sweat trickled down his face.
Ben grimaced from his own car as Project D shot by one by one in their own cars and faded into the distance. “Project D is faster than I thought! I’m pushing my limits here! And I still can’t keep up!”
As the cars continued to throttle around the roads, from high above on a road curve, the Takahashi brothers simply watched with disappointed faces.
“So brother, what are you thinking?” Keisuke asked.
“I think if that’s the best competition they can offer we can beat them without a practice run,” Ryosuke replied. “We’ll leave our top drivers at home next week. I’m even gonna pass on the race.”
“Well, if you’re not racing than I’m not gonna bother either,” Keisuke shrugged.
“No, you need to do it,” Ryosuke told him firmly. “I want you to set a record for this course…something these locals will never be able to break, not even on their best day. If we don’t do that, the return of Project D will never become extremely legendary.”
“Gotcha.”
“First thing we do is set new records for every single course in this prefecture.” Ryosuke then went on to name four other locations that would need for new records for Project D to set. “After that, we’ll have every record in this Prehistoric world. When we do, we’ll be legends. Then we can basically kick back and retire. That’s my plan for Project D. I call it the ëFastest in Universe’ project.”
And without another word, the Takahashi brothers jumped back in their cars, and took off like lightning.
Back over at the hangout, the Speed-riders were all feeling let-down.
“They’re pretty awesome,” one driver said. “And their style is completely different from ours. I just can’t believe how badly we got beaten on our own home-turf. It’s embarrassing.”
“They put some cash into their suspensions,” another spoke. “And their horse-power. No way we can compete with Project D…I’m telling ya!”
“But we can’t just say no either,” a third groaned.
“He’s right. We’ll look like total cowards if we walk now.”
“I get what you’re saying, but guts alone aren’t gonna beat these guys!”
“I know that. We need something more.”
Ben sighed and turned to the team. “It’s getting late, guys. Let’s go ahead and bail. We’ll get together tomorrow and figure this mess out.”
Not another word was said.
As the S13 drove down the road, all was solemn inside. “If you didn’t know, street racers don’t like losing,” Ben told Michael and Zachary. “Sometimes we get way too serious about our challenges. And the absolute worst thing that can happen is to lose to an outsider on your home course. It’s an unwritten law of street-racing.”
The car disappeared down the road.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the mountain, most of Project D had taken off. The remaining cars were just about to take off, leaving only Keisuke’s RX-7 behind.
“Hey Keisuke, where’s your brother?” one of the drivers asked him.
“Ah, he went back to the hotel; been gone a while. We’re the only ones still left up here,” Keisuke told them. The tone of his voice hinted something like boredom.
“Looks like the sun is about to start coming up,” the driver looked out over the mountain.
“Maybe it’s time for us to start heading back to the hotel too,” Keisuke agreed.
As the RX-7 throttled down the roads of the mountain, Keisuke was having absolutely no trouble at all getting round the curves and changing the gears like a natural. He was totally bored; getting through this course was nothing to him. What he needed right about now was a good challenge, something to get him back into the force of concentration and buckling down for serious business…
But then, just for a moment, something caught his attention in the mirror. He looked, but he couldn’t see anything, nor hear anything compared to the sound of his own engine.
Keisuke dismissed it. “If I just stay on top of my game I’ll be driving the Project D anchor position and finally beat Takumi Fujuwara before they know it.” He pushed down on the accelerator.
But then, just as he whipped another bend, a light flickered in his mirror, and suddenly from way behind, a car came throttling into sight right behind the RX-7.
“Ah, they’re finally catching up,” Keisuke smirked.
But as the car came straight up towards the RX-7, his eyes widened as he noticed something. “That isn’t one of our guys! Is that a old Corvette or Impala? I can't tell with its beam on that bright!”
His eyes narrowed as the gap between their cars was now closing tightly. The mystery car attempted to overtake, but Keisuke kept the momentum as he lightly swerved to keep in front. “Nice driving, chief, but after two corners you won’t even be a speck in my rear-view mirror!” And he slammed down harder upon the throttle.
But as fast as he could go, it was obvious he couldn’t lose the car.
Then a bend appeared up ahead. Keisuke grinded and sent the RX-7 spinning sideways across the bend. But amazingly, so did the mystery car. In fact, it was now grinding right in line with the RX-7, as if they were sitting side-by-side in a parking lot.
“WHAT, is that a Plymouth Fury? You’re kidding me!” Keisuke gasped with a hint of worry as he now recognized the shape of the car. As the bend finished, he slammed on the accelerator to top gear. The Plymouth started to drop back a little, but quickly picked up the momentum as another bend approached, and once again, they slid sideways across it without even a problem.
Keisuke was now starting to panic. “It shouldn’t be this hard for my RX-7 to outrun a 50's era automoblie! This has gotta be some kind of nightmare and just hope I wake up soon! And I was the number two driver of the Akagi RedSuns, darn it!”
Another bend loomed up. Keisuke started to turn, but suddenly, as quick as a flash, the Plymouth shot past and overtook him as they shot past the bend.
Doesn’t that idiot even know this road? Keisuke thought. After this slow ride there’s a sharp left. There’s a ravine on the other side…he’s gotta hit the brakes!
The Plymouth continued to spin its rear wheels as it spun down the road with the RX-7 in hot pursuit. Keisuke’s teeth gritted. “I knew it…that freaking idiot’s going way too fast! There’s no room to slow down…he’s going in to that guard-rail!”
Then suddenly, much to Keisuke’s astonishment, the Plymouth seemed to jerk as if it was turning to the right, and then sharply spun left, moving sideways towards the guard-rail before shooting forwards and barely missing it by inches, staying in perfect line with the road.
“Whoa! What the heck??” Keisuke’s mind unravelled that moment in slow-motion. “Inertia drift!?”
Time seems to stop short as the Plymouth Fury is seen performing the drift with the RX-7 behind it.
To be continued...
40
Land Before Time Captions / Flying Littlefoot-2
« on: July 17, 2013, 11:05:12 PM »
Mario: Mama Mia! Littlefoot broke rainbow road!