Thanks for the reviews.
Warning: Sorry for the lack of writing talent in this one. I'm struggling with writer's block. Be gentle please.
Chapter 30-Battle of the Legends
No POV
Brian and Dominic were lined up on the starting line. Vince, Leon, and Rome were leaning against their cars behind the racers while Jesse and Jimmy were off talking to some of their co-workers. Diana sat with Elijah on top of the Jetta. Everyone were nervous. No one was prepared to see Brian lose on his own turf, but then again, Team Toretto would die if Dom's reign was blown off the map by the Buster. Everyone was walking on pins and needles.
In the Mazda, Dom was strapping on his harness. He turned on some loud techno music, blaring it through the speakers. He pulled up the passenger seat and turned on his NOS tanks. Dom sat up and gripped the steering wheel with one hand, trying not to think too much of the race. He knew there was a lot at stake and whatever happened, someone's rep was getting ruined tonight.
Tej walked over to Dominic's car and bent his head down.
"Look man, y'all are both some bad ass racers. These people came out here cuz they wanted to see a show. Give them a battle man. May the best man win," Tej spoke as Dominic handed him two grand. Dom let the words run threw his mind as Tej walked away.
In the new and improved Skyline, Brian was strapping on his harness. He turned to the passenger seat and turned on his tanks. He turned up his radio, the song 'Act A Fool' blaring out the speakers. He smiled, the song matched perfect with the night's activities. He looked straight ahead of him, memorizing the straight and turns of the course. He was focused. He gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles were white.
"Yo Bullet chill out man. You got this. Like I told him, y'all are the best racers around, show these people that. You want this just as much as he does, so show him that," Tej said, holding his hand out. Brian pulled out a rolled two grand and dropped it in Tej's hand. Brian let Tej's words process threw his mind.
He looked over at Dominic.
Dom turned to him.
They stared at each long and hard, trying to read each other's minds. Brian had the same nervous look in his eyes that night ten years ago. Dom had the same cocky, confident look he had. Behind their eyes, the emotions were switched. Brian FELT confident, cocky. Dom FELT nervous. They turned away at the same time.
Tej stood in between the cars.
"This is the battle of the legends y'all. These two men came tonight to prove who's the better racer. Toretto from Cali, Bullet from the Miami streets. Y'all better have ya eyes open at the end to see who pulls threw," he announced to the crowd.
He asked both racers if they were ready, they revved their cars in answer. He rose his arms, three seconds later dropping them. The cars were off, leaving a smoke cloud behind.
On the straight stretch, Dom was half a cars length in front of Brian. He shifted gears, his speedometer reading 89 mph. He felt his body relax as he saw nothing but straight road in front of him. I got this Bri, I'm sorry man.
Brian shifted and kept his eyes focused on the road. He knew a turn was coming up soon, but he pushed that thought to the side. He knew Dom was going too fast to make that turn perfectly. He'd be too wide. Brian smashed the gas down and steered his car into the adjacent lane. Slow it down and pace yourself Dominic. There are plenty more of those bro.
Before Dominic knew it, the turn was visible. He knew he was going to fast to make this turn slim. Slowing down would be dangerous. He smashed the gas and held the emergency break gear in between the seats, sending his car drifting into the turn widely.
Brian could see the turn coming up. He sat up in his seat. He was going a perfect 70 mph. Brian smiled and shifted, turning his steering wheel left, beating Dominic into the turn. He came out of the turn ahead of Dom, flying down the road.
Dom regained control of his car and shifted again, sending his car flying off the turn. Brian was at least two cars length ahead of him. Dom didn't want to use his NOS just yet, so he continued shifting until the perfect moment. He sat up, gripping the steering wheel until his tan hands turned pale. Dominic pulled into the lane next to Brian's car as he approached it slowly. He pressed his NOS, sending his car in frenzy flying by Brian. He looked out the road, the town was nothing but a blur. C'mon O'Conner, one turn isn't gonna end this.
Brian was so focused on the road ahead of him, he completely tuned out the skipping of his CD player. He also tuned out the sound of Dominic's car zipping past him. Brian looked over and saw the Mazda pulling in front of him. Brian shifted hard and looked at his speedometer. He was pulling up to 105 mph. He knew it'd be okay to speed into the upcoming turn. Dom didn't know that though. Sorry I gotta do this Dom, I need this win.
Back at the starting line, Team Toretto was starting to get worried.
"Why is this taking so long? L.A races are at least ten seconds," Vince said to Tej, crossing his tatted arms over his bulky chest.
"There are turns here. Takes a lot longer to get around all of them. It'll be probably another 30 to 45 seconds," Tej said, turning his back to Vince.
Vince turned him around swiftly and lifted Tej from the ground by his collar.
"Don't fuck with me Tej. Why didn't you mention the turns before? Dominic doesn't do turns!" Vince snapped. Leon grabbed Vince, trying to get him to let their friend go. He couldn't let Vince kill Tej after all he had done to save Jesse.
Tej fixed his coveralls and glared at Vince. "Ask any racer, any real racer. If you call yourself the best, you can do anything. Turns or straight stretch. You don't bitch and moan about the track, you just do it," Tej growled at Vince. The crowd cheered. This scene was all too familiar for V.
Back on the road, Dominic and Brian were coming up to the third turn. Brian was once again ahead because Dom thought to slow down before the second turn. Brian sped right threw it, jumping ahead of Dominic once more. Dom got control of his car and hit the NOS, sending his car flying forward. He and Brian were neck and neck at the third turn. Dom looked over at Brian, surprised by the look of arrogance on his face. Brian just smirked at Dom. He was going about 115 mph, the same as Brian. He knew whatever the outcome of the turn would be, it'd affect both of them. Dom and Brian went through with it easily, coming out side by side.
The two continued their cat and mouse chase, Brian getting the upper hand on Dominic most of the time. It was starting to frustrate Dominic. He had beating O'Conner so easily once before, so why was it so hard to do it now? Was it because of the turns? Was it Brian's new car? No, Dom knew that was neither. He didn't often do turns, but he knew his way around one. Dominic also knew Brian's car wasn't altered much. Maybe you're just washed up Toretto. Maybe Brian O'Conner IS better than you.
Dominic was pulled from his thoughts by the sight of the next and final turn. He put on his roughest, toughest grim and pulled out all the energy he had left for this race. He sat up and gripped the steering wheel tightly. He let out a lioness roar as he punched on the gas and shifted into the next turn, Brian right at his side. Dominic saw the finish line coming into view and he began to panic. He looked over at Brian, who's fingers were aimed for both NOS buttons. Dom quickly engaged his. Both cars took off into the midnight blur. Time felt like as if it stopped.
Rome stretched his neck from his place on his car to see who was coming in first. He could hear both engines, hell, people in the next state could hear both engines. Only no one knew who was in first. He saw both cars fly around a corner. The looks on the racers' face showed nothing but pure emotion and love for this sport. This was more then a sport to them. It was a lifestyle. Brian's face was determined and confident, but one glance over at Dominic and his heart sank.
Dom was crying. He was hunched back in his seat, eyes straight ahead, tears slowly running down them. Dominic had never lost a race before. He had a few close encounters, but never lost. He feared he was about to lose now, and that broke him. Dominic had a feeling that losing this race, he'd let Mr. Toretto down. He wanted nothing but to make his Dad proud. And he had. But he made a promise to Anthony that he would conquer every challenge put in front of him. He had. Except this one. He was about to lose to Brian and he hated it. He had let down his father once more.
Brian knew what this match meant to Dominic. Dom never mentioned it, but Brian could tell from the look in his eyes what it meant. He knew that getting that Detective badge back in L.A was his father's, a former FBI agent, dream. He was one job away from accomplishing in, but he killed himself on the job. Couldn't take the pressure anymore. Brian then made a promise to his father that he would obtain that badge and make him proud.
He never had the chance.
Brian thought over his decision once more in his head, then slowed his car down from 160 to 98 mph. He unstrapped himself with one hand as they continued to drive into the finish.
Dom looked over at Brian and noticed his car slow down. Dom furrowed his brows in confusion. Why was O'Conner letting him win? Why was he looking at Dom like he just ran over his new bicycle? Dom did something he didn't want too, but something he knew his dad would want him too. He slowed his car down to Brian's speed. They both wheeled into the finish at the exact same time.
The crowd began to cheer, no one exactly sure what had happened. Vince, Leon, and Jesse ran over to the Mazda, still baffled at what had taken place. Dom got out the car, his eyes still glazed over. His face was wet from the tears that hadn't dried up. Vince pulled Dominic into a hug, getting very little response. Leon tapped him on the shoulder.
"Yo dawg you alright?" he asked, trying to wake Dominic. Dom finally blinked, letting the tears that weld up in his eyes fall.
He just nodded and hugged the guys. He turned to find Brian getting the same treatment from Rome and Tej. Brian's face was red and tear-stricken also. Dom didn't bother wiping his tears as he approached Brian. The crowd went to silence.
"Why'd you do that?" Dominic asked him, his voice void of emotion.
"You deserved it more than me. You were racing for your old man," Brian replied, shrugging slightly.
"So were you..." Dominic said, looking Brian in his eyes. They stood staring at each other, not sure what to say. They didn't need to speak. Their eyes spoke of everything their mouths couldn't.
Brian held his hand out. Dom looked at it, then back at Brian. He grabbed Brian's hand firmly and pulled him to his chest for a hug.
"You got the respect now O'Conner. You got the respect," Dominic said in Brian's ear.
"I'd hate to break up this little moment, but who won?" Diana asked, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Anthony Toretto and James O'Conner," Brian said proudly, looking at Dom. Dom nodded and turned to his team.
"How 'bout a party for old times sake?" Dominic said with a lopsided smile.
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There's 30. I know, probably not how you saw it happening, but it's how it ended in my mind. Please read&review.
-Kita