Chapter 9

Hush Up and Drive

A sparkling blue crystal, that's what Neo was looking for. She refused to use the silly acronym; she didn't even want to be a part of this charade any more. But the lamp, now hanging off her belt, was sufficient payment for her cooperation.

Could it really bring him back though?

The roar of engines and pungent vapors of gasoline flooded her senses as Neo emerged in her destination world. It was night, but one could hardly tell from the sheer number of neon signs and flashing lights taking up their view. This was unlike any place she had seen on Remnant before, but it was par for the course at this point.

Neo followed the sounds of the engines and eventually came upon a small lot filled with stylishly dressed people and even more stylish rides. Bass heavy music pumped through the air while a DJ high up on a platform worked the tables.

"I love the half and half look," some woman began speaking to her. "That cabaret chic is so fresh. Are you a driver or just here to spectate?"

Driver? Neo glanced around at the vehicles in the lot. She had enough knowledge of Remnant's machines to know these were souped up racers, and apparently there was an event beginning soon.

"Hey, I know you," A drunken man interrupted them. "You're Torchwick's girl, right?"

His girl?

"I thought he said he was ridin' solo tonight?" the woman asked.

Neo stepped away from the two strangers. Roman was here, a different Roman, she already knew that much, but if anybody knew where to find the valuable fuel crystals, it would be him.

Peering over to the back of the lot, she saw him, orange mop and all, poring over the engine of what she assumed was his vehicle. She took a deep breath and approached him.

"Neo!" Roman turned just in time to see her coming. He closed the engine bay and leaned on his prized racer. "So I guess you changed your mind?"

Neo nodded. Apparently this world's version of her had more sense.

"Well don't just stand there," Roman beckoned. "We're getting ready to line up." He shuffled into the driver's seat and Neo followed suit, taking up the passenger slot. The engine roared to life at Roman's command and they began cruising out of the lot, people staggering out of the way as they rolled.

"No prize money tonight," Roman explained, "Instead it's a rare crystal gem. Nobody knows what it does, but it could be worth millions to the right person."

How convenient; this had to be the fuel she was looking for.

Twelve vehicles in total were lined up for the evening's main event. Each driver drew straws for their qualifying position. Roman's awful luck landed them in the back row.

Neo recognized some of the other contestants as doppelgangers from her own world. A rowdy looking Yang Xiao Long was straddling a sleek yellow bike, while a poorly disguised Weiss Schnee had apparently borrowed her daddy's luxury machine for an evening out.

"Bunch'a chumps," Roman muttered. "Stick us in last all you want, we'll be on the podium in no time flat."

Neo wasn't so sure. She gestured at the field of powerful looking vehicles in front of them.

"Yes, I know," Roman replied through gritted teeth. "Just sit there and be cute, I'l handle the driving."

That was the wrong answer.

Neo opened her door and stepped out of the car, much to Roman's dismay.

"One your marks," the announcer's voice rang out over the starting grid. "Get set…"

"Neo what are you doing!?" Roman screamed. "Get your ass back in the car!"

"GO!" With that cue the fleet of racers took off in a cloud of dust.

Neo casually walked over to the driver's side where Roman's face was beginning to turn red with anger. She opened his door and delivered a quick blow to his temple, knocking him out.

Much better.

Removing him from the driver's seat, Neo strapped in and hit the accelerator, speeding off towards the other drivers.

The race course was displayed on the vehicle's dashboard navigation system, allowing Neo to effortlessly navigate this foreign city with ease. Her driving proficiency was a boon as well, as the back racers were easily caught and passed.

Two turns later and she had moved up to 6th place, just behind Weiss. Neo put the pressure on the girl, riding her bumper as close as she could without making contact. Weiss' nerves were not strong enough to handle it, and she turned early into the following corner, allowing for an easy pass.

5th place didn't last for long, as Neo passed two more racers, putting her in 3rd. Just ahead of her she could see Yang on her bike in a close battle with a low slung black roadster. With her superior agility, Yang was clearly outclassing every other challenger in the field.

Neo glanced at the race route and didn't like what she saw. The race was headed into the final sprint: a lengthy section of highway. Neo had the speed to overtake her, but Yang's agility would allow her to weave through traffic a larger vehicle couldn't.

As the field approached the on-ramp to the highway, Neo made the final pass, placing her right behind Yang. The crafty blonde was pulling away, but Neo shifted into top gear and began to gain on her.

As the two were neck and neck, they hit a small section of pedestrian traffic; just what Neo had feared. Yang began to swiftly make her way through, but Neo had a more daring idea. Steering hard to the left, she crashed through the highway barrier and into the much more open oncoming lanes.

The honking of horns screeched by her as Neo kept the accelerator glued to the floor, her engine screaming all the way. Yang was falling behind.

With another daring lane change, Neo made her way back to the proper side of the highway, now in front of Yang. The finish line was in sight, but Neo could see Yang was up to something.

Using her gauntlets, Yang was propelling her bike forward much faster than normal. Her bike reared up on it's back wheel; she wasn't going to risk a pass, she was going over.

Neo took out Hush and jammed it between the accelerator pedal and center console, allowing her to slip out the driver's side window. She flipped up onto the roof of the vehicle just in time to meet Yang with a swift roundhouse kick, sending the cocky blonde and her bike back to the road.

Sliding back into the driver's seat, Neo cruised to the finish line.

The grand prize was, indeed, the shining blue crystals Neo had expected. She accepted her price unceremoniously and made a quick escape before Yang or Roman could complicate things. Her adrenaline still high, she activated her warp bracelet and embraced the engulfing light.