Okay, here's just a little heads up. This fanfic takes place during the AcceleRacer series, meaning it deals with the Teku and Metal Maniacs. I've added one new character, just to give it a little bit of a twist. Once the new character is added it no longer runs with the AcceleRacer timeline. Live with it.
Even though this is during AcceleRacers, I do, however, make references to the World Race. So if you aren't familiar with the teams and drivers I'll give you a little heads up later!
Well enjoy the fanfic! Oh yes, I don't own any of AcceleRacers or Hotwheels, or any Mattel products, I'm just a simple writer who is trying to have fun!
One last thing, no, I do not call Markie, Markie. I call him by what the Maniacs call him, Wylde, though Kurt will call him Markie at times. Cheers!
NOTE I revised the part about Flathead Fury! I'd made an error! OOPSIE!
Wait! Wait! Before you go! It starts off in-between The Speed of Silence and Breaking Point, right before the Cliffside Realm! Later!

AcceleRacers: Third Wheel
Chapter One: Pairing Up

It started like any other morning, Wylde and Kurt arguing, Porkchop yelling at Shirako to turn his 'blasted music off', Monkey making eyes at Lani, Nolo scowling as he passed Tork, and Taro and Karma talking civilly towards each other. Yes, everything was normal, except for one thing, Doctor Tezla seemed to be in a rather anxious mood, almost as if he were waiting for something to happen.

"Yo, what's up with Doctor Tezla this beautiful morning?" Monkey asked Lani, jumping over to her as she sat down to eat breakfast with Nolo and the other Teku.

Lani sighed, "I don't know Monkey. Why don't you go ask him?"

"Oh, alright, if you wanna know, I'll find out for ya." Monkey said as he jumped away from Lani and went off to find Doctor Tezla.

Nolo laughed, "I see why he's called 'Monkey'. Quite the jumpy one, wouldn't you say?"

Lani smiled in return and continued to eat her breakfast. Shirako on the other hand, held his spoon out in front of him and bounced it up and down as he bobbed his head to the beat of his music. He hadn't even touched his cereal. Kurt was staring down at his breakfast, glaring at it with a look reserved for Wylde.

Nolo put a hand on Kurt's shoulder, "Don't let him get to you. He's not worth loosing your breakfast over."

Kurt sighed and shook his head, "I know, but it's just so frustrating. Every time we get near each other, it's like a fight has to break out."

"It's alright man. You've done nothing wrong. He's the one who's got the problem." Nolo said, encouraging Kurt to eat.

Kurt took a bite of his cold cereal, glanced over at his brother, and then returned to glaring at his food.

Meanwhile Wylde was eating, no troubled expression on his face. He was cold and he liked being cold. As he continued to eat his breakfast, Porkchop sat down next to him, hands over his ears.

"Can't that Teku turn that annoying music down? Can't even hear myself think," Porkchop said as he began to fill his plate with food, "It's a shame that Doctor Tezla won't let me break that sound system of his."

Wylde laughed, "No, that would be doing us too much of a favor."

Tork looked at Wylde and then turned quickly back to his plate. He wasn't sure what it was, but something about Wylde seemed different, and he didn't think it was a good thing either.

Karma and Taro both entered the mess hall and parted, going to each of their team's tables, Karma to the Teku and Taro to the Metal Maniacs.

"Morning Karma," Kurt said as Karma sat down next to him.

"Morning everyone." Karma replied, looking around the table in greetings.

As Taro sat down Wylde looked over at him, "What were you saying to her?" he asked rudely.

"I wanted to know more about that racing drone that she's been working on. Seems she's found some unique patterns in their driving style." Taro replied, filling his plate up with food.

"As long as she stays away from me and my car I'm cool with it." Wylde said.

Taro shrugged, "So anyone know what's with Doctor Tezla this morning? He seems anxious this morning."

"Nope. He just told me nothing." Monkey said, causing Taro to jump a little.

"Whoa, didn't know you were there Monkey." Taro said.

Tork nodded his head, "Can't believe you even―"

"Will all drivers please report to their cars and then gather together. I have an important announcement to make." Said Doctor Tezla over the system.

Kurt was the first to stand. He walked silently away from his almost full bowl of cereal and slowly drug himself out of the mess hall and to his car, Battle Spec.

Shortly after, he was joined by fellow Teku, Nolo, Shirako, and Karma, each at his or her own car. Kurt sat in Battle Spec and watched as the Metal Maniacs passed by them, heading towards their own garage.

Wylde walked past his brother with a smirk on his face.

"I wonder what he's up to." Kurt said to himself.

Soon everyone was with their own team. The Teku with Teku and the Metal Maniacs with the Metal Maniacs, no one was out of place. After a short wait, Doctor Tezla showed up, and with a smile said, "We are going into the city today."

"What?" was the reply he received from all his drivers.

"Like Doctor Tezla said, we're going into the city." Lani said, looking around the room, eyeing each of the drivers.

"Yeah, we heard. What we wanna know is why?" Wylde said, stepping up out of the clump of Metal Maniacs.

"Good question. The answer is that we need to pick something up. Something that is very important, something that we need, but I don't want it to come as a surprise to any of you. That is why all of you must come with me." Doctor Tezla said.

"When are we going?" Kurt asked, he too stepping out of his group of Teku.

"At sun down. I don't want to risk anyone seeing us. Oh and that reminds me, so we aren't driving ten cars around the city I'm going to say that only six cars are going. I will be taking mine, so that leaves you all to decide which other five to take. A simple reminder, you'll want to fit at least two people in each, and I suggest that you stay comfortable, it's a long drive into the city." Doctor Tezla smiled, "That's all. Have fun choosing." He turned and started to walk off, "Oh yes, one last thing, someone will need to ride with me. I don't care who, just someone." He walked away and disappeared around a corner.

Suddenly the room was filled with, "I'm taking my car," The noise was worse than anything Shirako could have created.

"Quiet!" Lani shouted, silencing the room, "How about each team choose two cars and then the rest of you who didn't get their car chosen, you all can race for the spot. How's that sound?"

"Great, but how about we all just race for the places." Nolo suggested.

"Because it'd be too noticeable. Just chose your cars." Lani replied, turning away from the drivers and following after Tezla.

"I say each of the leaders get to take their car." Tork said.

"I agree," Nolo replied, glaring at Tork as he spoke.

"Well I don't. I think we should vote on it, top two from each get to go. The others race. Fair?" Taro said.

"Alright, that sounds like a good plan," Porkchop said.

"Right then, Teku, you go first." Taro said, nodding to Nolo.

"Okay, if you're going to vote for your own car, raise your hand." Nolo said, raising his, as he watched all of the Teku raised their hands, "Thought so, so every car has one vote, now if you vote for Chicane raise your hand. No double votes either." No one raised their hand and Karma didn't seem too upset about it.

"Now for Battle Spec." Nolo said as he raised his hand, "Okay, Battle Spec has two votes. We've got two cars left and three votes… this could get ugly."

Kurt laughed, "No, I don't think so."

Nolo sighed, "Without Vert here this is difficult. So, umm, the next car, how about Bassline?" Karma and Kurt both raised their hands.

"Okay, Bassline has three votes. Finally, High Voltage…" Nolo said and Shirako raised his hand, "Well, High Voltage has two votes as well. I guess a tie breaker is in order?"

Shirako nodded his head, but Nolo couldn't tell if it was in agreement to his statement or if he just was listening to his music.

"Fine, lets see… Battle Spec?" Nolo again raised his hand, but was the only one who did so, "High Voltage?" Kurt, Karma, and Shirako all raised their hands, "Okay, looks like our two cars are going to be High Voltage and Bassline. Your turn Metal Maniacs."

Tork nodded his head, "Alright we do it different. No being a wimp and vote'n for your own car. We're all men, so act like it!"

Wylde looked over at Kurt and smirked. Kurt turned away quickly.

"First up is Rivited." Tork said, and four hands were raised, everyone's except Taro's.

"Next is Flathead Fury, mind you, there is only room for one." Said Tork. No one raised their hands, and surprisingly, Wylde didn't seem to mind.

"Umm, I don't wanna take my car. I'd prefer not to drive." Monkey said.

"Okay then, all that's left is Hollowback because Piledriver is gone." Tork smiled, "So I guess me and Taro are taking our cars. And we've already decided Flathead Fury is meant for only one, but it doesn't really matter if there is only room for one because as it is, one driver is gonna be by themselves."

"I say we take Kurt's car, even though it only seats one it still has room for another, and let Doctor Tezla ride by himself." Nolo said.

"And I say we take my car and let Kurt ride with Tezla." Wylde said.

"Vote on it," Taro said, "Kurt's car?" Everyone except Wylde raised their hand, "Seems we have our winner… no need for a race anymore. Kind of disappointing."

"Yeah, because I'd be take'n my car instead of that loser." Wylde growled.

"Wait a moment? Is Flathead Fury even finished yet?" Tork asked Wylde.

Wylde seemed to be a little embarrassed, but it didn't really show, "I'd still have a car if someone hadn't told someone else to take my car into a realm."

Tork growled at Wylde, "Watch what you say punk."

"I told you already that I ain't take'n orders from you anymore Tork." Wylde growled in return.

"Enough already. We need to pair up drivers." Karma said, rolling her eyes and walking over to Taro, "How do you suppose we decide that?"

Taro shrugged, "I'm not sure."

Karma smiled, "Well, it seems as though I'm the only Teku here not driving, so how about I just ride with―"

"You should ride with me." Taro said, cutting her off mid-sentence.

"Oh, um, alright. But who's going to ride with them?" She motioned her hand towards Kurt and the others.

"I dunno, let them decide." Taro replied.

"I'm riding with Tork. No way you're gonna stick me in there with that noise." Porkchop said as he glanced over at Shirako.

"Fine with me." Tork said.

"I think I'll go ask Lani if she wants to ride with me." Nolo said as he walked away from the group.

"I guess I'll ride with Shirako, if it's okay with you." Monkey said looking hopefully at Shirako.

Shirako shrugged and kept bouncing his head to the beat of his music, "Cool."

"So that leaves―" Taro started to say, but then fell silent. Everyone was silent, even Wylde and Kurt.

"No way! There's no way I'm gonna ride with him!" Wylde said glaring at Kurt.

"What makes you think I'd let you in my car?" Kurt retorted.

"That's enough," Lani said as she returned with Nolo, "it seems as though there is no where else, unless you want to ride with Doctor Tezla. I'm sure he'd be glad to have you ride with him."

"No thanks, I'm not going." Wylde said, walking away from everyone.

"I said I ain't going!" Wylde said as he folded his arms and stared out of the windshield of Battle Spec, "I said I ain't going!'

"Shut up, I wish you weren't." Kurt said as he revved his engine up.

"Wylde, Kurt, will you both please start acting your ages? I don't want to have to listen to both of you the whole trip!" Lani said over the communicator, sounding annoyed.

"Hey Lani, maybe you should ride with Shirako! I don't think you'd hear much!" Monkey shouted over Shirako's booming music.

"What did you say?" Shirako shouted over the music.

Monkey just shrugged and looked forward.

"Okay, let's go!" Doctor Tezla said as he pulled out of the AcceleDrome in his black car, not a race car, just a normal one, "All drivers will stay behind me if they ever want to go into the realms again."

A groan came from all of the drivers and their passengers.

"Man this is gonna take forever!" Wylde groaned.

Kurt sighed and rolled his eyes, just because he had to ride with his brother, didn't mean he had to listen to him. He turned his music up to a level even Shirako would be proud of.

"Turn that music off!" Wylde yelled as he reached for the sound system controls.

Kurt grabbed his hand, "No, it's my car, I make the decisions in it. If you don't like it you can walk to town little brother."

"Argh!" Wylde yelled hold his hands over his ears, "What's with you Teku?"

Kurt pulled out after Doctor Tezla, following the line of cars.

"Thanks for letting me ride with you, but don't you think I should have ridden with Kurt, and then Wylde could have ridden with you? " Karma asked Taro.

Taro laughed, "No, I'd much rather ride with you than that arrogant Wylde."

"You don't seem to like him very much." Karma said.

"It's not that I don't like him, it's just that I think he goes over board with trying to show Kurt up. I mean they are both good drivers, but he can't just be happy with that… he has to be the best." Taro replied.

"Well can you really blame him? He's had a hard life." Karma said.

"Haven't we all?" Taro said as he shook his head, "The rest of us deal with it okay."

Karma nodded her head and silently gazed forward.

Meanwhile, in High Voltage, Nolo and Lani were having quite the irregular conversation.

"So you like spaghetti? I wouldn't have thought that." Lani said.

Nolo glanced over at Lani, "Really? Why is that?"

Lani laughed, "I just didn't picture you as a pasta type of guy. More like spicy foods guy, like tamales or something."

Nolo grinned, "I like those too."

Lani laughed again, "Is there anything you don't like to eat?"

"Anchovies. Yuck, I hate Anchovies." Nolo replied.

"Anchovies? I'll make sure to remember that if I ever order pizza." Lani said.

"Mmm, pizza sounds good right now." Nolo's grinned widened, "When we get into the city, you want to get some with me?"

"I'm not sure Doctor Tezla will let us go off on our own." Lani said, biting her bottom lip softly.

"Hmm, well then why don't we all go get pizza?" Nolo said as his stomach growled, "We haven't eaten dinner yet."

"I'll bring it up with Doctor Tezla, maybe he'll say yes." Lani said trying to sound hopeful.

"Alright!" Nolo gave the car a little more gas and zipped past Hollowback.

"So what do you think it is that we are going to pick up?" Porkchop asked Tork.

"I dunno, whatever it is, it's got to be important though, or he wouldn't have had us all come." Tork replied.

Shirako in the Bassline zipped past Hollowback, its base shoving Hollowback over a little.

"I wish that Teku would blow out his speakers, I can't even hear myself think!" Porkchop shouted over the music.

Tork nodded his head in agreement, and it just so happened that it went to the beat.

"Turn it down will ya Shirako?" Monkey shouted.

"What?" Shirako shouted back.

"I said turn it down!" Monkey yelled.

"What? You want to download a new song? Go ahead! Let me just turn it up a little!" Shirako said as he cranked the volume up.

Monkey shook his head and buried it in his hands.

Please feel free to leave comments! I can't wait until the next chapter! Later!