Outrun The Lightning
Start Line
The scene was Mondstadt. The whole city now crowded outside the gates to cheer on the intrepid participants.
"Welcome! Welcome ladies and gentleman's to the first Lander Prototype Grand Prix! My name is Paimon and I shall be your host for the day!" The mascot of the event announced.
The public cheered loudly as the host moved on to the commentators board.
"And here we introduce our first commentary man of the hour. The man that's made all this possible thanks to his Alchemy research. Captain of the Research division of the Knights of Favonius. Albedo!"
"Thank you everyone for coming here today. We stand here to witness progress in both alchemy and technology as we conquer the land with this new and innovative experiment." He gave his heartfelt speech.
"Actually Albedo, will this be alright? This event looks more like a recipe for disaster. Will everyone be fine riding this junk?" The host asked of the commentator.
"Of course, I made safety my top priority when readjusting the models. However, safety in this case… will depend largely on the participants of the race." Albedo pointed out with a hint of worry.
"Safety is not an issue. The testing and durability of the vehicles is the only reason I even bothered to finance this event in the first place." A well endowed woman of blonde hair spat.
"Oh, this has been a word from our sponsor and second commentator of the event. Everyone give me a big booo for the 8 of the Fatui Harbingers, La Signora!"
"BOOOOOO!"
"I'll freeze those tongues and build me a carpet with them if you imbeciles don't shut it!" The public was made to shut it.
"Shia hahahaha! Don't take it to heart sweetie. Nobody knows what they had until they lose it, as they say." An old hag told before sipping from a tea cup of vodka.
"And everyone, please welcome our third and last commentator of the event. The grand mastermind that directs everyone roles in the grand scheme of fate, the great Mona's-hag-master… because we don't really know her name yet."
"Shia ha ha ha ha! Dearie, if you say it like that people are going to start thinking I'm the final antagonist or something. I'm just here to have fun and get paid. Shia hahahahaha!" The hag guffaws heartily.
The Fatui had come up with the blueprints for a new kind of carriage that ran on Ley Lines energy, and to some extent, Vision holders power too.
A Lander.
And as such, it was necessary to put them to the test post haste.
They enlisted the help of the captain of the Research division of the Knights of Favonius and sponsored what is a test-dummy crash-course under the guise of a race.
Then they put fort a cup of solid gold as the first prize and a recompense of 1 Billion Mora to compliment it.
That got people to sign up for the race alright.
The only conditions where needing a lander, a partner and a Vision to participate.
For this the competitors where allowed to pick a lander of their own choosing from the Fatui lineup. However, the rules also allowed them to make modifications and even bring a lander of their own engineering, which is why most models became custom made for the participants and some weren't even Fatui models to begin with.
"And now is time to meet our participants for the events and their vehicles. Everyone, let's give another round of booing for the Liyurker girls and their Red Rex!" Paimon hyped the crowd.
"BOOOOOOO!" And booing they did.
"Hey! This is clearly slandering from the host of the event and I can sue you for that!"
"Yeah! Just because we where the villains last time it doesn't means we're up to no good all the time!" The Liyurker girls got defensive.
Serving as team number 1 of the event and riding a purple buggy with cat motif. Where Yanfei and Keqing.
"Hmm, no villainous schemes or dirty tricks this time, are we sure about that?"
"But of course, we were just playing the role we got and nothing else."
"So stop looking at us like we're going to turn up the bad guys again! Or else I'll sue everyone and their mothers here!" The Liyurker girls remained on the defensive.
"Well, only time will tell if that's true or not. Still, will this be okay? You two sure made lots of enemies from the last game, Paimon is just saying."
The purple cat and the red deer felt shills running through their backs as nearly half of the competition had some serious bones to pick with them.
"W-we'll manage…! I'm sure everyone here understand it wasn't anything personal but just the circumstances we where dealt with!"
"… Paimon ain't too sure about that, Keqing. You two sure went scummy as all heck back there. Well, don't blame Paimon if karma comes back for a bite… So, will your lineup be? Whose driving and whose getting the supporter role?"
"Since the finish line is at The Chasm and I'm most familiar with terrain around Liyue, I shall be the driver." Keqing said.
"And I'll be the assist… Tch!" Yanfei clicked her tongue in annoyance.
The reason the competition requires partners is so one can drive around while the other can sabotage with the power of their Vision.
The Fatui didn't really cared much for the idiots who signed their lives away, so much as they cared to see the vehicles tested in hostile environment.
Thought to make the race more balanced. Only the assistant role is allowed to attack other players, and while the driver can use it's Vision for stuff like a speed buffs and such, the rules state it cannot bring harm to other vehicles and their participants with their powers unlike the supporter.
"Aha, so you'll be the one attacking because of your long range and homing fireballs… Gotcha, you two really have zero intention to redeem yourselves do you? Well, Paimon needs to introduce the rest of the participants now so she'll leave you two to your evil schemes and try not to get eliminated by someone looking for revenge."
With that ominous declaration, Paimon left the very intimidated girls to go introduce the next participants in the starting line.
"Second in line we have the ones, the only's, the poor and rich kid combo. Everyone a round of applause for the two shamurais of Inuzuma and their Honor Jeep!"
Contestants number 2, riding atop a tall jeep with golden paint and maple leaves tribal's. Where the two samurais know as Simp Bad and Kaedehara Kazuha.
"Huh? Did this floating mascot refer to us as shamurais just now?"
"Maybe is because of the naming we chosen for our vehicle. I told you a more poetic and better thought out name would earn us the respect of the public."
"Shut up hobo-wallet. I paid for the upgrades we'll use to win the race, which means I get to name this lander however I want." The contestants seemed to disagree over the names of their lander.
"Hey you two, stop fighting and work with Paimon here! So which one of you will be the driver and which will be the assistant?"
"I'm driving and Kazu is stuck in the support role. Most of my offensive skills are just push's anyways which he can do just fine with his Anemo Vision, and I actually tried one of these landers before so I got practice. Now go bother someone else and Kazu, pass me that wrench will you." Simp said as he finished the installing nitrous oxide for the lander.
"Well there you have it folks. You can tell how confident some contestants are in their chances to win the race based on the amount of Mora they're willing to invest in upgrades, because otherwise that'll be a tremendous waste! And speaking of with." The host moves on the the next contestants.
The third team lander appeared as a convertible in blue colors and constellations drawn upon it.
"Everyone please give a big round of applause for team number three and contestants Eula and Mona in their Final Destination!"
The public booed instead of clapping for some reason.
"The opinion of the masses doesn't matters, what matters is that a certain someone left our previous game whiteout paying the bills. Why that delinquent little princess will not escape this time, mark my words." Eula shot a devouring glance at a certain contestant from team one.
The contestant shivers as many glances and glares now rested upon her and her partner.
"With miss Mona using her skills at the wheel and me bringing penance upon our enemies. Yessss, vengeance will surely be ours!"
"Having an unfavorable welcome is irrelevant, everything hinges in what destiny has to say about this race, and it says we win that Mora!" The Astrologer was practically drooling in excitement.
The price was indeed a hefty sum for someone who couldn't even afford to pay her own bills.
"Huh? Wait is that true? Then if Mona says so, doesn't it means this race has been decided already? Hey, Mona master-hag, is what your disciple said true?"
"Shia ha ha ha! It is only the most likely scenario that can be foreseen in this race. Not accounting any divine intervention of course. Which speaking of witch." The hag pointed in the direction of team number four.
"Huh… h-hey!!!" The host freaked out at the sight of the contestants.
Coming around a brownish stone lander of golden lines and caveman like designs…
"Cheaters! These two are cheaters! Somebody disqualify them immediately before they ruin the event!" The host flied alarmed before team number four.
A funeral worker and a bard took offense to her accusations.
"Your words wound me, Paimon. I'm just a simple funeral worker hoping to pay the bills."
"Cheaters, where? But not to worry, so long as I'm here I promise there'll be no foul play involved!"
"It is you I'm talking about you tone deaf bard! Are you two insane!? This is supposed to be a fair race! With you two here this will be like watching adults bullying children!"
"Those are just unfounded accusations, we are none but mere citizens of our respective nations, am I right?"
"Ehe, he's right of course. Nothing out the ordinary here. Just a bard and a funeral worker about to strike gold and live like gods!" The gold lusting bard spoke.
Poor be the host of the event. She knew how full of it these two where, but she could not reveal their secrets whiteout causing them some serious trouble.
"Don't worry about it, we are here to play by the rules of course, otherwise we'd be disqualified. See, we even brought our own handcrafted lander with us." The bard points in the direction of the caveman vehicle.
"It isn't exactly classy nor does it has a mean's of mechanic motion, but with my partner help it can certainly move."
The funeral worker then proceeded to explain and demonstrate the four exhaust ending at the back and front of the lander, two each side. By which connects to the pedals under the driver seat. Making the lander an efficient and echo friendly vehicle that runs completely on Anemo energy.
"And of course, given the nature of races, Geo users like me have a clear advantage when it comes to sabotaging, which is why I will be the support and my partner the driver." Zonghli explains.
Paimon floated in silence, giving each one of the special contestants a look.
They clearly where desperate to win if they had planned their roles so carefully.
"And besides Paimon, when it comes to the participants of this race, it isn't us you should be worried about. Is those two ladies over there." Zonghli pointed the host in the direction of team number five.
"Eeeek!!" The host cried.
Exuding astounding quantities of murder energy and lightning energy too.
"E-everyone please give me a huge shoutout to the Rai— to Ei the hermit, her partner Yae Miko and their lander the Fox of Eternity!"
Accompanied by a lander of fox like features and samurai armor. More than anyone else in the competition, these two girls stood glaring daggers and the occasional lightning bolt at the girls from team number one.
"This race can't start fast enough, right Miko?"
"Did you know Ei, foxes eat deers and house cats too." The murderous girls traded small talk.
Out in the distance a cat and a deer cowered as they tried to pretend everything would be alright, once the race began.
"Eh…" The host was feeling very threatened coming near them. "A-any chance our esteemed competitors would like to share a word about their lineup for the public!"
"Yes, I will open up the race with Musou no Hitotachi. For the reminder I will support myself and my partner via Musou no Hitotachi, and then end this race by Musou no Hitotachi!" Musou no Hitota— Raiden Ei explained.
She was feeling incredibly insulted from the results of the last game and thus, everyone was getting Musou no Hitotachied to oblivion.
"And I'll take front row from the driver's seat. I want to burn this moment in my memory."
"Eek! T-this has been a word from our contestants, now next team please!" The host rushed over to the next participants.
Team number six rides atop a heavily tuned sport car with monster truck wheels.
"Few… finally a more normal team for once. Everyone please a big round of applause for Childe and Lumine!"
Loud clapping ensued.
"Only the best for you, as always. Our Lux Legacy comes equipped with convertible roof and can reach numbers of up to five hundred horse power. The tires have drills installed on the sides for the occasional whoopsie lander accident and of course, it can run on two out the three terrains including but not limited to, other participants and their landers." A man of ginger hair humorously presented his ride to the girl before him.
Since time Immemorial and even before the Archon war. The ritual of bad boy picks up the bad girl continues in all its normy glory.
"Hmm… but does it has a soda dispenser?"
"Of course, Lumine. I also ordered some burgers so we could share a nice meal as we make mince meat of the competition."
"And do I need to do anything here?"
"Of course not cutie, your efforts are encouraged but not at all demanded of you. Just sit tight on the passenger seat and let me take care of everything."
"Good enough, you sure know how to get a girl attention, Childe. Very well, you may hold my hand for the time being." The traveler extended a delicate hand to her knight in Fatui armor.
"Ah… those two are stuck on their own world as usual. Didn't even let Paimon get a word edgewise." The host felt dejected.
She soon moved on to the next team to be participating in the event.
"What have we here! If it isn't master Diluc and Kaeya of all people!"
Team number seven ride consisted of a lean and mean black sport car of black windows and futuristic appeal.
"The Dawn Mobile! Comes with leather seats and dark as the night tinted glass. High performance tires and an energy radar to detect elemental sight in large distance and audio capture for intercepting those inefficient Favonius knights reports…" The owner of the wine industry went on.
The host couldn't help but edge away from him and ask his to be partner for the race.
"And what's up with him?" Paimon asked.
"I just was out one day patrolling and investigating these 'landers' the Fatui had brought into our city. Next thing I know my brother had bought one model in exchange for a hefty sum and his participation on the race, along with a partner whose signature he had no qualms forging."
"I hold the rights to this particular model so nobody can make a second one whiteout my permission." Diluc commented for himself.
"Ah gotcha, so you just got roped in this against your will."
"You could say, but I'm actually looking forward to this now that I'm here. And who knows, with the price they're paying I could even buy myself a cooler one."
"In your dreams! . No one can compare. Together we'll light the night and make it shine brighter than any day has ever been." Diluc was awe struck with his new toy.
Paimon decided is best to let him be and introduce the final team of the event.
"And now everyone, serving as team eight and final members of our exhilarating race. Riding atop the war lander know as the Frozen Tengu.
The two girls that make everyone hearts electro-charge. Miss Kamisato Ayaka and Madame Kujo Sara!" The host introduced the final participants of the race.
Glaring daggers and aiming arrows at a certain participant from team two, one of them said.
"Death to all of her excellency enemies. And especially die to death for the traitor—" Madame Kujo Sara was shoved aside forcibly by her partner.
"Sen-pai~!" Ayaka ran straight at one of the participants.
The participant in an act of desperation, summoned his origamis and creates an illusion around him, causing light to reflect in a small dome and make him invisible.
With the clink of a sword guard, all origamis where immediately cut to pieces, the illusion fell and the samurai was caught.
"Ahm! Senpai you're so mean. Making your escape all the way outside the country when you know you always had a place besides me, where you belong." Ayaka affectionately buried her forehead in Simp chest.
Over the distance a participant from team one shot murderous aura at Simp and his junior.
"Hehe, but fear not senpai. I know life must've been harsh for you living in exile, but not anymore. First we'll shave your head clean till you become unrecognizable. Then we'll get you some illegal papers and a fake vision to hide your real nature and later we'll beat brother into submission till he'd give us his blessings... Ah but don't worry about your looks alright! You know I love you unconditionally and would never stop finding you attractive even if your turned into a big-round-bald-bastard…" The junior ramble's on.
"Dear friend, do pray tell. What does the cupid sees with you and possessive girls?" Kazuha asked.
"I wish I knew… Ehm, Ayaka… think we could continue this after the race is over…?"
"But of course senpai! Anything for my dear senpai! Senpai is virtue, senpai is life! Now that I've found my senpai I will never let him go again! Ayaka will end this race right as it begins and then senpai and I can consummate our vows to the first priest we can find!" Ayaka left running to pick up her partner and begin preparations.
Sara took to the driver seat and Ayaka the demolition— support position. Where she could swiftly demolish the competition.
The host of the event was left mouth open but soon recovered.
"A-and these have been all our teams everybody. But before we begin this competition, a big shoutout to our recovery agent Razor and our nurse Sangonomiya Kokomi!"
"Everyone be safe. Razor will watch over."
"Everyone, please try not to kill each other's. The statues of the seven are still recovering and if you die you will stay dead for a while." With a cute smile, the priest of Sangonomiya informed the participants.
"And that's it from our personal everybody… And would our commentators like to say something about our lineup?"
"I wish everyone safety in their endeavors."
"I wish they make this worth my while."
"Shia ha ha! I wish everyone would step away from the bridge of the city before they get blown away with it." Albedo, Signora and Mona's master all commented.
Following the later advice, everyone started vacating for inside the city gates.
Once from a safe position the host of the event gave the ready.
"Everyone on your marks!"
Engines roared and Visions flared.
"Set!"
Oppressive power began to concentrate. Sweat rolled down the public as they felt like the world was about to end.
The host in slight panic, lights up a firework before it shoots up to the sky.
Seconds later it reaches the top and then…
"GO!!!"
" Now, you shall perish!"
"Order guide you!"
"This moment will be frozen in time."
"Clouds hide… the birds call!"
"Freeze to the core!"
"Kamisato art: Soumetsu!"
"Bellowing thunder!"
In a scenario that was all too obvious. The bridge was blown to pieces as soon as the race started.