Jones Sandstrider the Heliolisk
Prankster Platoon
Lotus Den Slums
Affected RPers: @Morzone (Julia).
“Didn’t we just get rid of these kakos!?”

Jones looked in the rearview and let out an impatient sound that could probably be labeled a ‘screech’. That stupid fast car that shot electricity was back, and it was closing on the Talon. Being the fastest was actively backfiring in this stretch of the race; the Talon was now having to pave the way through the old, abandoned buildings.

“We’re gonna get rid of them now,” Cheshire said, fiery determination in his voice. He was sitting down in his gunner’s seat. “Push them left, hon. I just need one clear shot. Jones, follow them to pin them down.”

Neither Jones nor Tony replied - it would be kind of useless over the sound of Tony’s machine gun fire. The other vehicle was pushed toward the edge, and Jones did her best to keep pace -

BZAP! Jones was only a little ruffled by the lightning bolt that ripped through the car, but when the Pachirisu shocked the Talon, everyone felt it. The car wobbled and sputtered at the power surge; Tony screamed with pain; Jones frantically pushed at the buttons; Cheshire let out a battle yowl, flared his ears, and unleashed a volley of heavy bullets. The other car was in front of them now, but its wheels had been shredded. It was only a few seconds before it crashed to a halt.

The Talon was suffering, speedwise, but Jones was able to coax it back into motion. Cheshire moved over to Tony’s gun, fired a flaming grenade, and -

Sorton the Eelektross and Latchy the Pachirisu (Thundercrash Gang) have been eliminated

- blew the car to flaming smithereens.

“Jones, Tony’s unconscious!” Cheshire called. “The shock didn’t stop his heart, but it’s wounded him fairly badly. We need to go faster or the others will catch up.”

“Doing my best,” Jones snapped. She considered adding something about how incompetent Cheshire had been with not stopping that lightning bolt, but she didn’t bother. There wasn’t a point to saying anything about it when they needed to focus on just finishing this stupid race.

Mazer Pratten the Greninja
Prankster Platoon (De Facto Leader)
Liaocrack River
Affected RPers: Morzone (Theo).
Getting back to the boat was a bit arduous - Theo wasn’t overly heavy, but extra mass was extra mass - but with Waterfalls boosting his movement, it only took a moment. Once he set Theo down, Mazer said, “We’re a little bit south of Sabinal. We can get you to Sabinal, but the rest of my crew is a bit unhappy with the disruption, so I can take you the rest of the way to Westfel - and once we get to the city, I will go. No need to take me to your safehouse, Greninja’s honor.”

A low growl rumbled in Tatia’s throat. “Mazer, that’s a stupid idea and you know it. No way are we going to leave you alone with a stranger.”

Mazer gave her an unimpressed glance. “A stranger who is unarmed and against whom I have a type advantage. I’ll survive. Besides, you and Umber have your bets to get to, right?”

Meanwhile, Mellie had already turned the ship around and was already heading towards Sabinal, while Umber seemed to be coming out of a trance. The Dusknoir was grinning with her one eye. “Oh, you guys gotta hear this.”

“Hear hm, love?”

Umber flicked the gold antenna atop her head. “There’s only four cars left in the Dreadmetal Derby, and our Talon is one of them.”

Mellie snorted. “Thank our lucky stars that that idiot Incineroar hasn’t blown up his own car.”

“You’re just jealous because you’re into Cheshire and he’s taken.”

“Umber, shut up before I -”

“Umber!” Mazer pretended that he hadn’t heard Mellie starting a tirade. “Who else is still in? Do you think our brave men and woman have any chance of still winning?”

Umber shrugged, but there was still an impish look on her face. “Dunno,” she said, “but whoever it is, it won’t be Black Lotus. All of their cars have been destroyed. I think all that’s left is our Talon, a couple of Scavengers, and some -” she paused, then, in the voice of a radio announcer, “- has eliminated the Lightning Strider! No survivors! The Talon is still going, but it’s gotta compete with The Hornet and the new rider of Slayer’s Ride! This is gonna be a close finish, folks - hopefully with more fireworks to come!”

Mazer blinked as Tatia and Umbra began chatting about their bet. “Not bad,” he murmured, “not bad at all.” He paused, then turned to Theo, “Though, uh, my condolences if you had-slash-have anyone in the Dreadmetal, love.”