A/N RWBY and all the characters and settings within are the intellectual property of Rooster Teeth and the late, great Monty Oum. This is a work of fiction. Please always wear your seatbelt and follow the road laws.

Chapter 1

Cinder was angry.

Granted, Cinder was always angry.

But today had been different. She had had a fight with her most recent boyfriend over his...faithfulness...and they had broken up. She had spent the morning crying, but now she was just angry.

And she was taking it out on her car.

Tsssshuuuuuuuu

The car's waste-gate fluttered open as Cinder angrily shifted up, mashing the accelerator into the floorboards. Boost pressure was quick to return as the heavy Vacuan sports car hurled forward. With little regard for the speed limit, she effortlessly weaved in and out of the mid-day traffic, the car's complex four-wheel-steering system working overtime to keep the not-unsubstantial bulk in check.

She was approaching a group of cars ahead, and couldn't see an opening. Cinder braked lightly, blipping the throttle pedal with her heel as she clicked the transmission down into second. Tailgating the light blue van in front of her, she impatiently waited for an opening. When it appeared, the car's gas pedal was given a new home deep in the firewall. All four tires chirped aggressively as the white coupe weaved into the tight opening, and plowed forward.

Cinder smiled softly as she relished in the smooth power delivery of her favourite car. Cinder liked cars. Cars were her passion. And this white Vacuan coupe was her baby. In her youth, she had been a street-racer, slipping out at night and humiliating the local kids on the mountain pass with her white weapon of speed. No one could touch the mighty Hunter Terminal GT-S, its all-wheel-drive and twin-turbos made it the most effective way of separating boys from their egos. Cinder had never lost to anybody, although a certain quiet and surprisingly polite black-haired boy had come close. She would always remember how close that silver XR Coupe had stuck to her rear bumper...

...much the same way a certain black XR Coupe was to her now, its flip-up headlights taunting her as it seamlessly followed her anger-fuelled drive through the city.

'Alright, little man' she thought to herself 'let's see if you can play with the big girls.' Cinder matted the accelerator.

The Terminal was a very clever car in its own right. Built in Vacuo some 20 years prior, it was blessed with banks of computers and sensors that could always keep it's tonne-and-a-half mass going around any corner at any speed. Speaking of speed, it also had that in spades. The two-and-a-half litre inline six under the bonnet was fed by two turbochargers, which worked in sequence to provide the wheels with over three hundred horsepower. The first turbo was small, creating boost enough to pull the car away. Then, when enough engine speed was achieved, the watermelon-sized secondary turbo kicked in to rocket the machine forward with relentless force. Cinder was currently enjoying this almost left-right hook power delivery as the speedometer climbed dangerously past the legal limit. Third gear, boost. Fourth gear, boost.

"What the hell?" Cinder wondered out loud as the black coupe stayed glued to her bumper, as if being towed by her. 'That's not possible' She said to her self. Cinder's Terminal could easily blitz two-hundred-fifty kilometres per hour, how was this little car keeping up?

Cinder had little time to sit and wonder as very suddenly she would be in the rear cargo area of a dark grey minivan. She slammed on the brakes, slowing down to tailgate the van. The road had recently switched to one lane, making it perilous for her to attempt an overtake. She also couldn't see past the van, as her car, and no doubt the one behind her as well, was right-hand-drive. 'Why couldn't they have exported these with left-hand-drive' she cursed to herself. Cinder dogged left and right to try and get a glimpse of traffic beyond the bumbling grey blob, and confident (or rather, blindly convinced) there was no oncoming cars, she dove into the oncoming lane and pushed the throttle.

There was nothing. No power. What? Cinder looked down at the gear lever and realized that in her haste to not collide with the van, she had forgotten to shift down from fourth and all of her precious compressed power had been lost. Shooting a quick glance to her mirror, she realized that she couldn't lift off to change down as the relentless black XR would likely rear end her. She held the pedal down as the primary turbo whined its displeasure. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the secondary turbo kicked in. And there was much boost.

For once, the space between the Terminal and the XR was increasing, as whoever was in the black coupe hadn't expected the sudden burst of power from the white car. Cinder smiled to herself as she watched the annoying black car become smaller in her mirror. She was approaching an intersection. The light was red. Cinder hadn't seen it yet, she was too busy gloating at her mirror. Why was he stopping?

She looked forward.

"Shit!" she cried, and with all her might she mashed the middle pedal into the floor with both feet. The car's ABS struggled hard against the enormous speed and weight of the machine, but it did come to a stop, right behind the line with mere millimetres to spare. She took a moment to compose herself, left hand gingerly putting the gear stick back into first position. The XR had slowly rolled up next to her, it's passenger side window rolling down. Cinder hit the button and her window dropped as well. She looked over, and the last person on Remnant she expected to see that day was smiling back at her.

"Ren?" she said, with a look of relief, concern, and excitement flashing across her face.

"Hey Cindy." He called back.

Chapter 2

"What are you doing here?" Cinder half-yelled over the noise from the two cars.

"I was in town visiting family, I saw your car go by, and I followed you. Might you be up for another round?" he replied, smiling joyfully. Cinder herself smiled, reminiscing on the times 8 years prior when the two of them stormed the mountain passes, desperately trying to beat the other. Cinder had always won, of course, she was always the better driver.

She smiled coyly at him. "Buy me a drink first, you cheeky boy?" she question, a sultry eyebrow raised.

Ren laughed. "Of course, Cindy. Follow me I know a place." The light went green, and Ren pulled away calmly. Cinder pulled in behind him as he led her through the city.

A few minutes later, they had parked in front of Winchester's House of Coffee, and were sitting on the patio. Ren smiled at the rabbit-eared faunus girl who placed the two coffees in front of them. Cinder was sure she recognized the girl, but couldn't quite remember from were. "Thank you, Vel. If you could tell your husband to ease up on the handshakes for when he inevitably comes out of his kitchen to see me, that would be lovely. My hand is still healing from the last time I visited you two." Ren said with a chuckle. Their server giggled at him, and responded with a hint of an accent "Of course, Renny, I'll make sure he's on his best behaviour. We wouldnt want your guys' date to be disturbed by his antics, would we?" She turned to Cinder, who blushed lightly. A date? With Ren? Worst things had happened to her today, so she played along. "No we certainly wouldn't want any harm to come to Renny's hands." she said as she threw a sultry glance towards the now-blushing man's face.

Velvet, of course, that was her name! Cinder said to herself in a moment of clarity. She had gone to school with the faunus girl, all of ten years ago. She remembered her being a wallflower, never really foraying past the comfort of her team. She was also bullied a lot, Cinder recalled. By an orange-haired boy with blue eyes. Or were they more purple? She wondered to herself. What was his name again? Calvin?

"Afternoon, Cardin" Ren stood to greet the man who had arrived at they table, extending his hand tentatively. Cinder looked upon the large man with a shocked expression. "Mister Lie Freaking Ren" the orange-haired man said as he crushed Ren's hand within his own. "Won't you introduce me to your lovely lady, old friend?" he said, an honest and comforting smile falling upon his face.

"But of course!" the usually quiet man piped "This beautiful woman would be Miss Cinder Fall, an old friend of mine, and my number one rival on the streets." Cinder couldn't help but blush at Ren's sudden comment, hiding her smile with her hand. "She was the best racer in Mistral back in the day. The word 'Terminal' still strikes fear in the heart of any of the young drivers today." Ren turned his gaze to Cinder and met her eyes "They fear the Black Queen will one day return to collect their souls". Cinder couldn't help but laugh at hearing her old moniker used.

"Always a pleasure to meet a friend of Ren's" Cardin said as he bowed his head respectfully towards the champion driver. "But alas, I must return to my kitchen. Until next time, Ren." he said as he departed, smiling at the odd couple.

The smile had vanished from Cinder's face, replaced with a look of concern and confusion. "That was Cardin Winchester!" she shot at Ren. "Indeed it was" replied the black-haired man, calm as ever.

"But..." she paused, cocking her head slightly "he was her bully! He tormented her!" she whisper-yelled. Ren looked directly into her eyes, deadly serious "He also saved her life during the attacks on Beacon. He was a bully, but he could never stand those who were physically violent." Cinder paused for a minute or so, recounting the Fall of Beacon. It had been a deliberate terrorist attack that had resulted in severe civilian casualties. Cinder had fought during the Fall, and had helped push the terrorist cell out of the city and back into hiding. The memories still haunted her, and taking up racing was the only way she could repress them.

"Cardin's a good man at heart. Lots changed after the Fall, Cinder" Ren reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. She briefly flinched at his touch, but quickly relaxed. She smiled up at him through the mess of black bangs that had fallen in front of her eyes. "I suppose you're right, Ren" she said, brushing her hair back behind her ear.

"I like your shirt. It's quite humorous" Ren said in his more usual way, pointing down at the white shirt adorning her torso. Cinder looked down and giggled. She had forgotten what she was even wearing today. "heh, thanks!" she responded, almost automatically "I actually got it at a car show, if you can believe it." Cinder was wearing a high-necked white t-shirt with the words 'I'm Missing A Car Show Right Now' written across the front, just above a little cartoon drawing of a bespectacled boy with his arms crossed and his mouth in a humorously large frown. "You know you've improved my day tenfold. I was having probably the worst morning in a long time. This..." she paused "...is a significant improvement"

"Would it be made even better with a real race?" Ren questioned, leaning forward and raising an eyebrow. Cinder leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, grinning devilishly at him.

"Yes. I think it would."

Chapter 3

"I'm digging the new car, Ren" Cinder said as she looked over the black XR Coupe that sat before her. The two drivers had made it to the top of the mountain pass with no issue, and they were taking the time to ogle each other's cars. It had been eight years, after all. "same car, new paint and new engine" replied the quiet man. "I had to get away from the old rotary motor, it was costing me an arm and a leg in apex seals." She reminiced for a moment. Ah, yes. Rotary motors. Hunter made some fantastic cars over the years, the Terminal and the XR being likely the top two, and while the XR's rotary motor was brilliantly innovative and high-revving, it ate through apex seals like they were going out of style.

"What's she packing now?" Cinder asked, pointing to the car's carbon bonnet. Ren responded by removing the pins holding it down and effortlessly raising it. Cinder looked at the red cam cover in wonderment. Yet she couldn't identify it as it had no lettering or branding on it anywhere. Suddenly it dawned on her. "Is that a..." she trailed off. Ren looked at her with a sly smile. "Is that a what, Cindy?"

"Is that a Group A motor?" she questioned, looking at him with surpise and excitement. "Why yes it is, my dear girl" Ren said, spreading his arms and grinning victoriously. "That is in fact a Hunter Racing RRS touring car motor, complete with red cam cover and velocity stack intakes." he said, gesturing to the four chrome trumpets adorning the right side of the engine block. Cinder looked amazed. "Where did you get one of these? I would kill for a real racing engine!" she almost shouted. Ren looked at her, still grinning at her child-like amusement. "I know a guy who used to race professionally. Sold me his old test motor." Cinder could only look on, amazed.

"How much power?"

"380, give or take"

"Weight?"

"Just over one thousand kilos"

"Gear ratios? Redline? Spring rates?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

Cinder pouted and turned her back in a mocking fashion "it's like you don't want me to win!" she exclaimed, accusingly.

"That's sort of the point of street racing, Cindy" Ren replied coyly.

The odd couple laughed together and leaned against the side of Cinder's car. She looked down at her shoes, smile fading quietly. Ren was quick to notice this, and piped up his concern. "Whats the matter, Cin? You're about to have a race, one that's long overdue, what could possibly make you frown?"

"There's a reason I stopped racing, Lie." Ren stiffened at the use of his first name. "The same reason I couldn't be a huntress, either."

She fumbled in her pocket for a moment before pulling out her scroll and opening up the image gallery. She pulled up an image of a young child, about eight years old, Ren reckoned. "And who would this be?" He questioned.

"My daughter, Amber" Cinder whispered. "Street racing became too dangerous. My opponents were getting better, their cars getting faster. And I kept getting more reckless. I was destined to crash, and I couldn't leave my newborn daughter alone without her mother."

"What about her father?" Ren questioned, before remembering her words from earlier "wait, you mentioned something about a breakup this morning?"

"Different guy. No, actually you knew her father..." Ren looked down at the picture again. Amber, true to her name had amber-coloured eyes that seemed almost to glow, much like her mother's. She also had long, and fairly messy blond hair. The realization hit Ren like a train. "You don't mean..."

"It was just after the Fall, we were scared and alone. We needed comfort from each other. It was a one-time thing that became my life-time thing, Ren" she looked apologetically at the black-haired man.

"I feel like he should know he has an eight-year old child, Cinder" Ren responded, temper rising within him. Cinder looked away, a sorrowful look crossing her face. "I can't. He left. Moved away to Atlas. Eight years ago. He became a hunter." Her voice breaking up a little with silent tears. Ren sighed, defeated, and put his arm around her shoulders. "I understand, it must be difficult." he paused "Woah, hang on a moment" he stepped away "where is your child now?" his voice rising in real concern.

Cinder looked at him with sad eyes, but upon meeting his frightened gaze, her face brightened and she laughed. "Oh Ren, you're being so dramatic! She's with her babysitter, who happens to be the most capable ginger robot i've ever had the pleasure of meeting!" Cinder looked genuinely pleased. Ren stared blankly for a moment, then dropped his furrowed brow into his hands.

"You don't mean..."

"Oh but I do."

"Not Penny"

"Yes Penny. She was engineered by Atlas Tech to be The friendliest most charming and helpful person in the world. And, if you recall, she was a champion fighter. No harm will be coming to my child, Ren"

"But she's so annoying"

"I think she's pleasant"

Ren looked at her, being unable to say anything else to the subject. "Alright" he conceded "So we still going to race this one last time?" he asked, gesturing to the cars and to the road. Cinder smiled villainously at him. "You bet you're ass we're gonna race. And i'm going to win" she said, walking over to her right door.

"Street rules?" Ren called, as he himself walked over to the driver's door of his car. "Sounds fair. Third honk?" Cinder called back. "You know it, girl."

The two rivals lined their cars up parallel on a makeshift starting line, and prepared for the race. Ren flipped his lights up, found first gear, and made the first honk.

Honk

Cinder put her car's transmission into first gear, left foot down on the clutch. She pulled up on the car's parking brake and began feeding the accelerator pedal slowly to the floor.

Honk

She watched anxiously as the revs slowly climbed, building boost as exhaust gasses were forced through the two turbines. Ren had no need to build boost, as his car's new four-cylinder breathed fresh air. He need only press the throttle and he would be gone instantly.

Honk

And the race was on.