Episode 11: Vertigo Rush

Location: Unmarked Garage

Event: Tory

So warm, whatever I was under, I just didn't want to leave. So calm as well, but the smell was a bit off...

My eyes cracked open revealing that my world had been turned sideways.

Or I'm lying in a bed, which probably makes a bit more sense...aw fuck.

The feeling of another person's arm draped across my body was becoming more apparent by the second. But even in the dim morning light, I could tell it was Raven's.

"Oh man" I moaned, a headache was beginning to punch a hole in my skull. What happened last night? I mean, hell yeah I got KR in bed, but...oh shit I got KR in bed. And we're spooning?

"You fainted." came a tired voice from right behind my head.

I seized up. Hard.

I looked straight ahead trying to focus on some unseen spot on the wall.

"It was probably just fatigue, you were doing a lot of running." Raven continued.

As my grogginess began to fade, I realized that I was indeed not being embraced by KR. He was actually keeping a respectable distance, though that didn't change the fact that we were under the same set of sheets.

I let a twinge of disappointment fly away before speaking again.

"I...um...sorry, about that K'" I squirmed a bit as the events from late night began to play back.

"Trust me, it's no big deal. Though I am surprised at how much you like to scratch." KR chuckled.

Fuck.

"Listen Raven, I -"

He put a hand on my shoulder stopping me.

"Look Tenma, don't worry about it, I am however gonna have to cut this moment short."

"Wha?"

"None of us are outta dodge yet."

Right, goddamnit.

"We've got about 3 weeks left to hold back Tyson. It should be just enough time for Carter to make his play."

"Yeah ya lost me on that, can't we just make out or something?"

"Tenma" Raven replied sternly.

"Kidding, kidding...sort of. I've obliviously been gone a little while."

"I'll grant you that."

"So Carter's Company is going to sign the Split/Second deal." I stated.

"Yeah, how'd you find out about that?"

"I do watch the news sometimes Raven."

"Ah...right."

"Well, you still gonna be shy about sharing a bed?" I purred as I edge closer to him.

KR let loose a hilariously exasperated sigh before rolling out of the bed. I craned my neck around and found, much to my disproval, that his supple form was covered by a simple t-shirt and boxers.

Man, life is unfair.

As I walked into the main area that was some unmarked garage, I found that said garage was way better than what we we're used to.

It was roughly the same size lot, roomy enough to house 8 cars comfortably. But the quality, the equipment, the lighting, it far surpassed our little home away from home that sat deep within Second City.

It was also currently hosting a few guests. Close to the far end, Tommi and Carter were knee deep into a suspension problem on Tommi's 440. Beyond that was a car that bore a resemblance to a Corvette, but I couldn't be sure since it was covered by a large protective sheet. Towards the middle of the garage sitting on workbench sat Ghost, idling bobbing her head to the stream of tunes being pumped out of her headphones.

Monroe lounged beside her, his face hidden beneath his dreads. Xingyuag sat perched in his lap, presenting her usual intensity even as her tinkered with a custom steering wheel. Monroe's arms lay possessively across the Xingyuag's waist, making their size difference even more apparent.

Curiously, Tory and her Titan were nowhere to be found. Though in the moments it took me to figure that out, I had to fight back a tearful bear hug from Bonnie.

"I was so worried about you!" she sobbed.

"I missed you too Bon'" I said, while completing the embrace.

Unfortunately the smell of grease began to assault my nostrils as the reigning champ of moment killing arrived.

"Tenma!" Carter said, giving me a pat on the shoulder, "how was life on the dark side?"

"It sucked." I replied, easing out of Bonnie's reluctant hug.

"Ya fight any bad guys?" Lyn joked as she joined our little circle.

"Hell no!" I laughed, "Everybody who knows that dickweed Tyson seems to own a gun."

"Yeah, tell me about it." KR complained.

"So what happened?" the junior Elite asked KR

"When I followed the truck that was taking Konani's S.A.F.E., I was this close to getting blasted." KR exclaimed while pinching the air with his fingers.

"This is the only thing we could retrieve." Bonnie added, handing me a black box.

The weighted package sent a massive chill down my spine. It was little dusty and worn already, but the box was unmistakable.

It was the case for my Colt.

My mind began to whirl with a million thoughts as once. KR had almost gotten shot pursuing me right. Yet here was handgun gifted to me by none other than Tyson. The weapon that they said they picked up while following me. The gun that I DEFINITLY didn't have in the car with me during the event.

I had been driving for Tyson and avoiding my friends for almost a week, not once has this thing been anywhere near me...

"Have you guys opened this at all?" I asked hesitantly.

"No, figured it was yours so no one wanted to open it." Bonnie asked.

I clawed the box open and removed the polished steel, a few gasped as everyone took a step back. The container twirled in my hands as I frantically searched for what I hoped wasn't there.

"Ah, Konani-" KR started

"Yeah I know, I'm holding a gun. It ain't loaded..." I replied without looking up. At that point my query had been answered, attached to the bottom was a the design of a chip for what I assumed was solely meant for tracking.

Motherfucker, did Trel let me...no...

"When did you guys find this box?" I quickly asked.

When no answered me immediately.

"Seriously guys!" I barked.

"Four days ago." KR replied taking the weapon from my hand in one smooth motion, proceeding to examine it for himself.

That lying little fuck, Tyson planted it hoping I'd somehow take it back to base camp. He didn't count on me not leaving it in the car. A stupid plan that back fired when I, a. wouldn't carry the gun with me and, b. didn't try to seek out my friends. When he realized this he tried to plant it on KR, but broke the transmitter, unknowingly, in the process.

Trel's concern was genuine otherwise he would have let me escape sooner, but Tyson...he probably had no intention of keeping any deal I made.

What a douchebag.

Why the hell should I have believed him anyway?

"Hey, why is-"

Within in that moment, I'm not sure who was asking the question. Within that moment, I'm sure the only thing on my mind, and everyone else's for that matter was a Ryback Titan spinning into the garage. It took two doors and a toolbox along for the ride before a brick wall halted its journey.

Time resumed normal flow as I gagged on the dust left in the crash's wake.

"COCKSUCKERS!" Tory screamed, her handgun barked causing everyone to duck again.

"Tory! what the hell is-?" KR yelled before the screech of tires stopped him.

An F-250 propped up on huge off-road tires squealed to a stop about half way in our garage. A stout yet muscular man hopped from the truck bed onto the hood, he held some sort of machine gun in his right hand.

"Damn, I woulda' charged more If I'd known you'd be this much trouble." the man laughed.

The driver side door to the Titan fell to ground as Tory stumbled out.

"Well joke's on you now motherfucker." Tory coughed, she was struggling to keep even a hand over the large wound on her leg.

"How's that girly?" the hit man snarled, aiming down the sights of his weapon.

But Tory was at her rope's end, she gaged out a bit of blood and fell to onto her good knee.

I think I've sat here scared long enough, I slammed the magazine into the Colt and tossed it KR who immediat released the safety and took aim.

"Welcome to the garage, asshole." Tory laughed before Raven fired.

The bullets tear through his arm forcing the rifle out of hand.

"What the fuc-!" is all he got out before Xingyuag left her cover, vaulting over a car she promptly connected her knee with the gunner's throat.

"Monty!" the truck's driver yelled in desperation.

Though to everyone's surprise, Ghost apparently wanted a little action. There was a horrifing sound of metal tearing as she plunged her artificial arm through the pick-up truck's hood and into the engine block.

For hot second "Holy shit." was only sound heard as the Elite held her warrior like pose. The instant she retracted her arm the vehicle burst into flames. The Korean driver fell backward off the hood, her prosthetic screaming bloody murder as it's small vents glowed trying to dispel the heat.

I never noticed the engine start as Evans kicked the Centaur in reverse, slamming the pick-up. It skidded back several yards before catching something and flipping sideways.

Everyone froze, as if expecting the downed truck to do something outrageous. It instead was handed the rest of the Colt's clip.

A small flame seeped out of the hood as the driver began to frantically limp away, only to be engulfed in the fiery blast moments later.

Why is it that death is so...

"Hey, douchebags, I'd like to go a hospital now!" Troy barked.

And just like that, it was over.

Location: Auxiliary Junkyard

Event: Monroe, Xingyuag

A flash of sparks shot from my Severus's bodywork for the umpteenth time this run as I followed the tail lights of a red FX350.

"Is this really necessary?" I complained.

But before anyone could answer, the Hanzo wobbled from an intentional lock up. Its Oriental driver pitched the car sideways out of the alley, flames spewing from the exhaust.

I could barely match Xingyuag's move as my car once again clipped wall as I entered the road. My eyes flashed to my mirrors just into to see 600 houses of Cobretti...or I guess 600 centaurs barreled sideways out of the alleyway.

We been driving tandem like this for about 20 minutes now, drifting in and around the tightest fucking back roads and alleys this fake city had to offer. I barely had time to catch my breath before we were sliding in between two building again.

"Does this "other" scrapyard even exist or are we just driving for the hell of it?" I griped.

"Ai, you're bitchy today, hm?" Ying laughed.

I only groaned in response.

It was only moments later that we came to small opening, the auxiliary junkyard. Why an auxiliary? Don't know, don't care. It was the only option I had at this moment. 'Cause it's clearly a coincidence that all Severus production has been suspended.

There was very little space to park 3 cars but we found a way regardless, the sun light drilled into my eyes as I stepped out of my Cobretti.

We climbed over mounts of scrap and rusted car bodies for a several minutes, scanning the wreckage. The yard was nowhere near as colossal as the primary S/S junkyard but it was still an impressive size. There were even a few helicopter parts lying here and there, to which I thought about an impossible engine swap for only a spilt second, I swear.

"Evans, boost me" Xingyuag commands after 10 minutes of fruitless searching.

"Ugh, I don't think that's a good idea." Monroe hesitantly replied.

"It's fine, do it or I do it myself." Ying glared back her towering boyfriend.

"But we don't know how stable these-" Monroe started before his partially outstretched arm was vaulted off of. Within seconds Xingyuag was gone, taking part in her own search for anything that looked like a Severus.

"Gee, I'm sure glad I'm not whipped by an angry Chinese woman." I scoffed.

Evans released a defeated sigh before lumbering onward. We pushed forward searching for anything that vaguely resembled a Cobretti until I came upon exactly what we were looking for.

"Gah." Monroe gasped as I started the 6 and half foot climb up his back.

"Really? Am I just everyone's favorite climbing tree?" he complained in that low voice that bore no malice.

"Well yeah, you're tall, warm, and submissive." I huffed has I heaved myself past his shoulders.

"I just wish people would ask." Monroe sighed.

"Why are you complaining anyway? I know people how'd kill to have cute girls climbing them."

"You don't scale anyone else Konani."

"How do you know?"

"You'd probably be better at it." he replied just in time for me to slip. He caught me in his arms, and wasted no time putting me on his shoulders.

"What did you see anyway?" Monroe asked, heading towards where he thought I saw something.

I yanked at his dreads indicating a slight change in direction, then pointed.

"Up there, you see that drive shaft?"

"Oh yeah, hold on." Monroe steadied himself as I began to dig. The further I when the more I found. Not just Severus stuff, Nero, 435's, Slipstream; this whole heap was nothing but Cobrettis, hell yeah.

Only a part way through my excavation I found something of extreme importance, an almost new brake caliper. In fact the brake rotor it was still stuck to looked almost new as well, but first things first. This entire wheel was gonna have to go if I wanted that part.

I snaked my hand behind the rim to see if it would budge the easy way, but before I could pulled some landed above us.

"Xingyuag" Monroe said without even looking up. The world sort of flew in all sorts of directions as I was pulled from my perch and placed on the ground.

"Good'day" Andre said as my vision was filled, once again, with firearms.

"Motherfucker! If I ever get out of this city, I never wanna see another gun for as long as I live!" I screamed at no one in particular.

"That makes two of us." said a voice I very clearly recognized.

"So this is where you guys where headed." Tommi growled while climbing down from her hiding spot.

Mason looked infuriated as he put away his pistol, Trel and Andre followed suit. With Lyn here no shots would be fired.

"Konani..." Trel started.

"Save it Rigg." I fired backed.

The Elite's face was stern as I walked up to him, much to everyone else's horror. Trel met me half way as I had to crane my neck to look up at him.

"So that's it huh?" I spoke, my eye's never leaving his.

"Yeah Konani, this is just how the cards were dealt this round."

"The hell are you doin' Money?" Mason barked.

But not another sound was uttered as Trel and I continued to stare each other down. The seconds ticked by as I stood fast, gathering my words. I was just about to open my mouth when he decided to speak for me.

"Tyson, he made this something different. Something between you and him..." the ebony Elite took a large breath before starting again. "Same as last time, I'm not going to get in your way."

"Fuck, Trel! That was you mate?" Andre asked in bewilderment.

"Good, because I'm going to handle Tyson in a way he'll understand, not like this," I groped my own breast, "but like this." I jingled the keys to my car in front of Trel's face.

"Good to know, but I can't do the same for them." Rigg answered.

I felt a strong hand grasp my shoulder and pulled me aside.

"That won't be problem, Trel." Xingyuag snarled, but with a frightening smile across her face.

Trel's eyes widen, he knew of the Ying, what she was capable of. His side step was panicked but solid as a left hook was launched. Xingyuag never missed a beat, she swiveled and contorted, connecting a heel with the side of the Elite's face.

All hell broke loose.

I had to stop myself from watching was looked like a scene torn from a new age kung fu movie were no one had a set style.

"KONANI!" Trel shouted barely missing a lethal elbow from Monroe

"LEAVE!"

Location: Dead Man's Peak

Event: KR

It's astounding how the first time I actually want to ride out here it decides to snows. And when I mean astounding, I mean bullshit.

This iced over roads were merciless, how does KR make it seem so easy?

The rear of the Cyclone taunted me as it slid through corner after corner effortlessly. No slip ups, no over correcting, it was infuriating.

Unfortunately I had no time to initiate some sort of immature revenge, as the next corner dropped us right on our destination. Dead Man's Peak.

"Wow, even with a slow snow fall this place still gives me the creeps." Raven's voice spouted from within my helmet.

"Amen." I replied.

"Okay so, explain to me what were doing again?"

"I want to see if the MK1 can move other cars." I answered like it had been the 100th time he'd asked.

"So we came to Dead Man's, this place has more cliff sides than Canyon."

"HEY, I was trying to think of something a little further off the grid."

I could hear KR rolling his eyes.

Blackened, muddy snow kicked up as KR sped away, my Severus in hot pursuit. We took lazy lines around each corner as we navigated the track.

It felt kind of odd, no Power Plays exploding, no frantic shoving for position. Just flurries everywhere and the symphonic roar of high revving engines.

I weaved in and out of KR's draft, nudging my car's nose into his sights every chance I could. We switched places every so often during our mock race, always kicking up as much slush as we could when we passed.

"Alright let's see what the limit of the MK is." KR said as we dove into the first cave for the fourth time.

"On the back straight?" I asked, giving the gadget Carter had managed to get his hands on a quick pat.

"Yeah, let's take it a step at a time until we know for sure." he replied as his Cyclone ceased it's playful sliding.

We roared side by side on the track, making sure to stay a little closer to the wall this time.

"Alright Kona-" there was a clap of thunder.

The Ryback slammed into me as it careened out of control.

Another clap of thunder.

My windshield exploded, blinding me. I panicked, locking my brakes. I trying to let my adrenaline surge, something, anything to give me the sight beyond what I could typically see. But everything was happening so fast...too fast.

"ARRRRGHH!" I screamed as my Severus spun and stalled.

My stomach shot into my throat as everything went black.

'S.A.F.E Error, S.A.F.E Error, S.A.F.E Error.' My eyes fluttered open to my helmet's HUD flashing bright yellow. 'S.A.F.E Error, S.A.F.E Error.'

Yeah no kidding. I groaned, what the hell happened?

I was too sore to react as I heard footsteps stomp around to my door. They yanked the door open with prejudice, wasting no time undoing my buckles and pulling me out by my shoulder.

Something jerked my helmet off and pressed something to my lips.

Now I'm awake.

"No hard feelings girl, but if you were that easy to kill I'd done it ages ago."

TYSON.

I reeled, but my world was spinning again as he threw me to the ground. Something metallic hit my chest causing me to wheeze.

"Ah, ah, don't move or I'll blow your head off." Tyson snarled, "I gotta go check on someone."

KR.

"Stay away from him you bastard!" I screamed, scrambling to my feet.

I got two steps in before the girth of my neck was inside his a hand.

Gaging, he slammed me back to the ground.

"Ya know I'm not too happy with you right now 'ither, I mean really, running away?" he scoffed.

"Fuck you." I spat.

The bastard only rolled his, he gripped my hair and pulled. My head light up as I screamed in pain, he grumbled as he dragged me toward the upside down Cyclone.

"See look, this asshole looks fine to me." Blitz laughed, his retarded maniacal laugh.

I could only watch as Raven crawled from out of the car, blood trickling from his head. He dragged himself out, struggling to pick himself up, he leaning against his overturned car.

Tyson sucking in a large breath, "I've been waiting a long time for this Kamau."

I cringed as the rifle landed on my legs.

Tyson lunged, his strike was wide and fast but KR slid away just in time moving into a wobbly boxing stance.

Tyson pressed on like a rabid animal, bent completely and totally on killing Raven with only his bare hands.

I pulled the Barrett off my legs, its clip fell out in the process. Empty. Of course it's empty, why would Tyson give me a loaded weapon.

There was sickening smack as I turned to see KR reeling from another punch. I have to do something, I can't let this keep going. I need something, anything...

I nearly threw up as I stood but I pressed on, grasping the .50 caliber by the rifle by the barrel I tossed it as close to the cliff side of the race track as I could.

Then slowly by surely I limped back toward the one weapon I had, perhaps the best weapon you could give anyone like me.

Once, twice, three times, the Severus cranked on.

Tyson stopped mid-swing, letting KR get one good punch to the stomach. But Tyson shook it off and tackled Raven to the ground.

I threw the Cobretti in first and move toward the brawl. I barely had time to swerve as Tyson produced a hand gun, firing it blindly in my direction.

My car slid to a stop on the other side of them. Tyson let a primal growl as his gun emptied.

"KR!" I yelled through my broken windshield, the MK1 only hummed for a brief moment before sending a cascading wave on orange ripples toward them.

They both flew along with enormous amount of snow and ice across the track. But Tyson had grabbed KR just before the blast rendering my efforts fruitless.

"SO THAT'S HOW IT'S GONNA BE HUH, TENMA!" Tyson screamed at me.

I flipped my car in reverse just as the deranged Elite reloaded his gun. The bullets screamed by as I ducked slamming the pedal down.

But it sounded like he only got a few shots off, I stopped.

"Tenma..." Tyson said as I peered up to why he stopped.

His gun was turned towards KR, but something else was in his other hand.

"We coulda' been something girl. Maybe next time if won't have to be like this."

The gun flashed, and I screamed, I screamed the only thing that's been on my mind, probably since I got to this stupid city.

"RAVEN!"

KR belted out his own scream of pain as his coiled up, seizing his leg.

Tyson missed?

It started in low, I didn't know because the lights and sirens weren't going. The mountain face at the end of the straight exploded, the level two Power Play had been detonated.

Tyson only stood there laughing, his arms thrown wide...just laughing.

Raven...

"SHIT!" I screamed as a bullet tore across my arm. I ducked as another volley of them peppered my car. GODDAMNIT, STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP...

I peered over dash when the firing abruptly stopped again.

What the fuck? Where'd Tyson go?

"Raven!"

As soon as I put the Severus in gear my vision went white as snow flooded into the cockpit. I could feel an explosive clap of air as my hands forced the MK1 to keep my car on the track without my consent.

Fulh..acck...cantf...breathe...BOOM.

I gasped a breath of fresh air as the next MK1 blast was directed back at the car forcing most of the snow and debris out.

My heart stopped when I saw the track.

No Cyclone.

No Raven.

"Nonono." I cried as I struggled to get out of the vehicle.

I sprinted to the edge of the track nearly slipping off.

"RAAAVEN!"

I was only answered by howl of icy wind and snow pelted my face. Snow I could no longer feel. I stared blankly into the abyss below me, as if something miraculous would happen.

But it never does, and it never will.

The ground hit my face I as I fell to track...I curled my knees up to chest and sobbed.

I was the only I could do...that all can fucking do when I've lost...is runaway and cry. There was nothing to complain about, nothing to remember or reminisce. No inner monologue about how I just wanted to play Split/Second with no confrontation. Couldn't blame Tory, or Bonnie, or Monroe, or some random Elite, or KR...NO, we will never blame Raven. This wasn't the fault of another racing team. I can't blame anyone but Tyson.

Tyson.

Tyson's finally done it. He's won. Tory's in the hospital, Monroe and Xingyuag are injured out for the season. Carter's company had to wait 2 more weeks for any deals to be signed.

That's it...KR's dead, nothing will bring him back...the only person I may have lo...he's gone, he's gone, he's gone.

What's left for me? What would I even do from here, I put most of cards on the stupid game. And I lost, I...I don't what else to do...why even move.

I should just lay here, let the hyperthermia kill me. Why move? It's the end of this story...no fuck you guys, it's the end of this fan fiction.

The game is OVER, the season is done, the players have quit.

I'll gladly lay and wait, wait to for me to freeze to death next to KR...what really is there left to do, what else could I possibly-

"Get even."

I nearly choked on a mouthful of snow, and then flailed idiotically for a moment before sitting up. I rubbed the dirt from my eyes and squinted.

Something was sitting on a car, so I rubbed my eyes again when the image didn't clear.

"What?"

"You heard me Konani, get even." It was Bonnie.

"Yeah Bonnie, I just can't believe where the advice is coming from. And where the fuck did you get that?" I replied gesturing at the car the she was sitting on. It bore a striking resemblance to a Corvette.

"Oh this? This is a Ryback Javelin, far as I'm aware it's the only one in existence."

I plopped back into the snow.

"Go away." I whined.

"Well there's that trademark maturity." Bonnie laughed.

"Shut up."

"Konani, look I'm not even going to begin to try and relate what you're going through, but I do know what it's like to lose a fellow driver." she told me sternly.

Yeah, cause you should be fucking crying too.

"Yeah...what happened with that?"

"I was coaching a team, a husband and wife. They...they were trying a pass damaged car on fast corner. When, I forget which one, they knew they had cut it too wide...one tried to save the other but it was too late. They both hit the wall."

I didn't dare say word, as Bonnie wiped a tear from her eye.

"One died first on the operating table...the other...it was the husband, I remember. What he told me was that it wasn't my fault, he wanted to reassure me that it wasn't my fault. He told that is was okay, that she didn't blame me either."

I couldn't hold my tongue, "You were the coach, how would have been you-"

"Daddy told me that it was okay."

...

"That they went out doing what they loved, I'd didn't matter that I was on the track, in that car..."

I didn't hear the rest, and I didn't want to. I stopped her with the biggest hug I could manage.

I cried, she cried, we both cried. We both sat on her ridiculous rare car and cried. We cried for those we lost, those we loved, we cried until our bodies refused to produce tears.

After some time she pulled me off.

"Look Konani, I'm not telling to go and waste Tyson. I WILL stop you if comes to that."

"Then what-"

"Konani." she cut me off, "I can't give you answer, there's a lot of thing here I don't know, Tyson is doing, saying, and claiming different things. If it were my choice I would ship you out right now. But it's not my choice, it's yours."

"What am I supposed to do then Bonnie?"

"I don't know, but I know exactly how you can find out." she pointed to my snow logged Severus.

"You are gonna clean out the car and drive."

"Huh?"

"Konani, look at me." she grabbed the sides on my head, directing my eyes straight into hers.

"I've never seen a driver like you, your ability is beyond anything I've ever seen."

"Um, thanks?"

"I also know there hasn't been a problem here that you haven't been able to solve behind the wheel of a car."

"You really think that's all it takes?"

"Honey, I know that's all it takes. All you need to do is drive and I know the answer will come to you."

"That easy huh?"

"You need to start driving for you again Konani, why else do you think people started playing Split/Second? It's certainly not because they thought they'd be good at it, it's because they thought it'd be fun."