The Labyrinth Realm

Drilling, screwing, welding, tire dropping, all were sounds that could be heard inside the Acceledrome as the driver prepared for their next encounter against the Racing Drones.

Surprisingly enough, the drivers who had wanted to leave had ended up staying for a chance of redemption and revenge, even Joseph although most of his decision came from peer pressure. Everyone who had a car was working on getting it up to scratch. Joel had already been given Hannah's Drift Tech so he decided to help Alex on his Piledriver.

Luke, not interested in racing, decided to take his services to the control room, examining the Wheel of Power hologram and trying to figure out the symbols of the realms. Caitlyn informs him, "It's been a challenge to try and decipher the Acceleron language. There is more information about what some symbols could mean but if you want a professional look at it, I'd talk to Dr. Tesla or GIG".

Luke nods, "It doesn't look like you race so what do you do around here?". "I do a lot of work in the infirmary if someone gets injured, but mostly I monitor the drivers in the realms and assist them when needed"

"I guess I'll be helping out a lot with you then. Nice to meet you", Luke's full beard easily complemented his warm brown eyes as he offered his hand out to Caitlyn. Feeling like he was trustworthy, she wore a smile and accepted Luke's hand.

Aside from the nice getting along between Luke and Caitlyn, the other Maniacs on the floor were intentionally waging a silent war against the TEKU. Drilling extra loudly, clashing metal against other metals on purpose, even having Alex use a hammer to bash the side of his car, the Maniacs wanted to let the TEKU know that they would be dominant in the next realm and the realms after that. The TEKU would end up having a counter to that.

Mark sat back in his newly assembled Battle Spec, hooking in a wire from his computer in his car to Sidney's computer. GIG floated by, seeing no physical updates he questions the drivers actions, "Are you customizing?"

Sidney corrects the robot, "Teku-izing". With a few clicks on his keyboard, a progress bar on Mark's computer quickly fills to 100%. Mark questions Sidney, "The tunes from Bassline got sent over right?". Sidney nods, then Mark disconnects the wire from Sidney's computer and connects a new wire linking to Battle Spec's sound systems, including the giant speakers in the passenger side. One click started the chaos.

[Teku-izing] The bass thundered through out the Acceledrome as Sidney and Mark groove to the beat. The rumbling startles many in the Acceledrome, especially the Metal Maniacs who only get infinitely more annoyed. The sudden music caused Joseph to bump his head on the open hood of Jackhammer, then he starts marching over to the TEKU side of the garage with Wylde shouting, "Scrap that noise stinku!".

Loving the heat he's getting, Sidney clicks a few buttons on the smartwatch on his wrist which activates the huge speakers on the back of Bassline playing the same tune. The stacked tires start bouncing as Joseph and Wylde try to block out the irritating music.

Trinity attempted to get the drivers attention, "Do you guys hear that?". Justin strains to hear, "Whaaatt?". Trinity reaches inside Bassline and switches the music off and Joseph falls over. The only sound heard now is the alarm blaring. Trinity points at the spinning Wheel of Power Hologram, "That".

The outer ring is the first one to stop with a grid-like symbol glowing. Dr. Tesla informs the drivers, "The next racing realm is opening! The Labyrinth Realm". With that, the available drivers rush to their cars.

Power Rage and Spinebuster are the first two cars to speed off onto the track. Mark winces as he shifts into gear and Caitlyn comments on his injured state, "You're in no condition to drive Mark, you can barely walk". Markus responds with, "Whos walking?", before speeding off. Caitlyn looks over to Jack who nods at her before joining the others.

Joel, who still has no interest in entering the realm, is trying to wire up something in Alex's Piledriver. "Okay, almost got this thing hooked up-", then Joel grunts as he's thrown back in the passenger seat of Piledriver. The car skids wildly as it makes its way to the track, shoving Chicane out of the way.

The car spins out as Trinity attempts to wrestle the car back into control, then it slams into a tire stack with one of the loose tires bouncing off of Chicane's windshield, cracking it. Trinity sighs and looks at the driver's cars entering the Acceledrome track, "Damn Maniacs".

[Racing Drones Headquarters]

The middle ring of a green hologram of the Wheel of Power stops as an army of Racing Drone soldiers line up in formation, prepared to wage war in the realm. At the head of the army are its commanding officers.

Drone Hybrids RD-G1, RD-J1, and RD-D1 from the Storm Realm are among the lead as well as RD-L1, but at the head of the fleet was a hybrid known as RD-C1, the 2nd in command of all Racing Drone forces. The high leader, Gelorum, sat on her throne and smiled gleefully for the carnage that would come.

[The Acceledrome]

The inner ring came to a stop as the Labyrinth Realm symbol glowed with a bright flash of light. After the light died down a portal appeared in the center as the human drivers roared through the track. Dr. Tesla gave the reminder, "You have 1 Hour". As the cameras for each of the 10 drivers pulled up on screens, Luke and Caitlyn looked over to the clock, 1:00:00, 59:59, 59:58, 59:57.

The cars enter the final stretch of track, Isaac grips the broken T-necklace as he gets ready for his next challenge. Bringing up the rear is Alex and Joel in Piledriver with Alex shouting and cheering in excitement for the realm, Joel was terrified, "Dude, you don't even have to stop. Just slow down, I'll jump!". Alex ignored his friends request with, "I love this job".

Piledriver speeds up as Joel both a bit angry and a lot terrified shouts, "Porkchooooooop". Power Rage leading the pack hits the final booster which propels him into the portal at 300 Miles per Hour.

Justin was first greeted by the sight of greenery and stone as he flew through the air before landing on a track, he was quickly followed by Spinebuster, Rivited, Battle Spec, Hollowback, Synkro, Flathead Fury, Jackhammer, Bassline, and Piledriver.

The human cars race on a higher track while a few feet below them was a lower track where the Racing Drones raced in perfect formation. The squad of 15 cars lead by RD-C1 as well as the 10 Human drivers migrated their way towards a spiral of track that leads into a Labyrinth covered with fog. Along the spiral were numerous forks and splits that went to certain sections of the structure.

A green drone camera floats close to the Labyrinth in attempts to draft a path for their army. As it attempts to transmit information it is suddenly smashed out of the air by something within the fog covering the top of the Labyrinth. As her screen goes to static, Gelorum contacts her minions, "There's something interfering with the Recon Drones. You'll have to find your own path".

As RD-C1 ends his contact with the Racing Drones Command, the Humans decide to contact theirs. Julian asks the obvious, "Hey! Which track are we supposed to take?". Luke makes a comment, "It's a Labyrinth, all of them could lead to the end but there's no telling".

"The last time, they lead to nowhere", GIG slips which catched the attention of a curious Luke and a slightly angry Caitlyn. Julian, not hearing clearly questions, "I didn't copy that, say again?". Dr. Tesla states, "It looks like they'll have to split up".

"But if they do they won't be able to help eachother", Caitlyn worries. Luke pitches in, "Not all of them have to stay alone, there could be a few pairs but its the best way to cover more ground". Dr. Tesla corrects him, "Its the only way, tell them Caitlyn".

Caitlyn looks away in disgust, "No, you tell them". Giving up on her, Dr. Tesla pitches in on the comms, "This is Dr. Tesla, we think it's best if you split up". Isaac nods, "Copy that, TEKU! We're splitting up, stay online!".

Mark's Battle Spec is the first to diverge off the main spiral as Julian starts barking orders, "Lets move some metal Maniacs!". The rest of the drivers split off from the main spiral as they descend into the mystical yet mysterious Labyrinth.

Author's Note: Song titles will be in brackets, underlined and in bold.