Blaze cheered as he and AJ zoomed towards the Monster Dome. There was a big race that day, and they were ready to zoom through the track with the rest of their friends for the trophy.

"Hey, guys!" he greeted as soon as they were inside, where Darington, Zeg, Starla and Stripes were waiting for him.

"Hey, B!" Darington greeted, pecking his cheek.

Blaze giggled then he turned to the rest of their friends. "You all ready for the race today?"

"You betcha!" Stripes grinned.

"Hey, fellas, Watts and Gabby told me that there's gonna be new racers com in' to join us for the big race!" Starla announced.

"Ooh! New friends?!" Zeg excitedly squealed.

"Does Gabby know them, Starla?" Darington asked.

"No, but Watts told me that they came to the garage yesterday for a tune up for the race," Starla replied.

"Well, we can't wait to meet him!" AJ said.

"Maybe they're already at Gabby's pit!" Stripes suggested. "Let's go and meet them!"

The others agreed in unison before they all zoomed off. They headed to the pits and found Watts standing outside. She waved at the sight of them.

"Hey, guys!" she greeted. "Hey, Starship!"

"Hey, beauty!" Starla pecked her cheek.

"Hey, Watts!" Blaze greeted. "Are the new racers here already?"

"No, not yet," Watts shook her head. "Gabby's just fixing up Crusher after he... complained that there's dirt on his window,"

"Let me guess, just a speck?" Darington guessed.

"Yep, but it was enough to burst him into tears," Watts grumbled. "I seriously wish he acted different, you know?"

"Zeg wish that too," Zeg agreed.

"We can try all we can, but if he doesn't wanna change, we can't just force a change," Blaze sighed.

"WAHOO!" A cheer from the pit made them turn to see Crusher drive out with Pickle and Gabby following behind him. "I'm clean!"

"It was only a speck, Crusher..." Gabby let out a sigh.

"Clean nonetheless!" Crusher huffed.

"Hey, Gabby!" Blaze waved over to the mechanic. "Heard there were new racers. They here yet?"

"Not yet, but they said that they'd be here before the race to meet everyone," Gabby replied.

"New racers, huh?" Crusher grumbled. "Fantastic,"

"Oh, quite a compliment," a familiar yet unfamiliar voice spoke from behind them.

The group turned to see a male truck looking similar to Blaze but purple with an icy blue flame at his sides. He had a smirk on his face, his red eyes flashing as he approached the group.

"Um, hi there," Blaze went forward to face him. "My name is Blaze. You are?"

"Zoom," the truck spoke, his voice similar to Blaze's but more sinister sounding as he grinned and scanned the group. "The name's Zoom,"

"Nice to meet you," AJ dismounted and smiled. "I'm AJ, Blaze's driver,"

"Psh, you need a driver to race?" Zoom scoffed. "Are you THAT slow, Blaze?"

"What?" Blaze stared at the newcomer in disbelief.

"Um, I race with a driver too," Watts told him with a frown.

"Yeah," Gabby agreed. "I drive Watts,"

"Oh boy, you trucks and your drivers," Zoom huffed and grinned. "You know, I used to have a driver. His name is DJ, but he and I split up since I was better on my own anyway,"

"I've gotta admit that you act pretty different from yesterday," Watts growled.

"Of course I was," Zoom rolled his eyes. "Cobra wanted me to behave,"

"And I still do,"

A voice from behind Zoom spoke, and they turned over to see a larger truck looking and sounding similar to Crusher, but he was yellow with a bright red sun at his sides while he wore yellow glasses on his face. Zoom groaned.

"Cobra, can you leave me be?"

"No," the other truck sighed. "I told you to behave while here in Axle City,"

"I don't want to," Zoom growled before smirking. "And I won't for this race. I WILL race exactly like how I want to,"

With that, he turned to leave with a huff. Cobra sighed again before turning to the group with a smile.

"I'm so sorry about that," he spoke. "He's... just not friendly. It was a miracle I manage to make him behave yesterday,"

"It's okay," Blaze assured him, returning the smile. "My name is Blaze, and this is my driver AJ. You're name is... Cobra, right?"

"Yes, my name is Cobra," Cobra nodded. "Nice to meet you all,"

"It's nice to meet you too!" Darington beamed. "My name is Darington, and this is Zeg, Starla, and Stripes!"

"Howdy!" Starla greeted.

"Hello!" Zeg waved.

"Nice to meet you!" Stripes grinned.

"Um, ahem!" Crusher cleared his throat for attention.

"Oh and this is Crusher and Pickle," Blaze introduced.

"Nice to meet you both," Cobra turned to them with a smile only to tense up at the sight of Crusher.

"Hi there!" Pickle jumped happily.

"Um, hi," Crusher too tensed up as he glanced at the other, eyeing him from head to toe with discomfort. "You... You look... familiar..."

"Oh don't worry, you do too," Cobra hissed and forced a grin. "A-Anyway, you must be the resident cheater that I heard so much about,"

"Yes, and very much proud of it," Crusher held his head up proudly.

"Even when he shouldn't be..." Starla grumbled.

"Well, consider you all lucky that Crusher is cheating mildly," Cobra spoke up.

"Mildly? HE has kicked me out of my own stunt before!" Darington cried out.

"Still lucky since you're still alive," Cobra sighed. "I'm giving you all a word of advice; DO NOT try outracing Zoom unless you've signed your death wills,"

"Does he cheat too?" Blaze asked.

"Cheating is an understatement," Cobra shuddered. "He'll do anything to kill anyone out of the race,"

"Kill?" Stripes's eyes widened. "Like, kill-kill?"

"Eh, who cares?" Crusher rolled his eyes. "A cheat's a cheat,"

"And what if he uses his cheats on YOU?" Gabby challenged.

"Meh, I've done and seen all kinds of cheats," Crusher huffed. "His won't be any different,"

Cobra grimaced. "Like... the Double Kill Cheat?"

Crusher froze up at the mention. Pickle did too, blinking at Cobra in disbelief. The others looked so confused.

"The what?" Blaze questioned.

"The Double Kill Cheat," Cobra sighed.

"H-How do you know that...?" Crusher stammered.

"Same way you know, I guess..." Cobra winced. "Only... I wasn't at the other end of the cheat,"

Crusher paled before driving off in fear. Pickle gulped and zoomed away too. Everyone were taken back.

"Cobra, what's... going on?" Blaze asked.

"Nothing... yet," Cobra sighed. "Just... be careful out there, all of you. Especially you, Blaze,"

With that, he left and headed to the starting line. Evryone looked confused and concerned as he left.

"What do you think he means?" Darington asked.

"I don't know..." Blaze sighed. "but we'll have to keep our guards up, just in case,"