The next day…
Fireworks were going off as the competitors were gathered in the stadium ready to compete in the race of their lives.
"Ladies and gentlemen. It is with great honor that we begin the IG-3 tournament!" the announcer said. "Now...as for our competitors, we've split them into three separate brackets. In bracket 1: Valkyrie Maidens, Undead Party, Justice Men and Demon's Blight! Bracket 2: Eastern Warriors, Silent Blades, Reformed Society and Shining Ice! Bracket 3: Imperial Steam, Steam Machine, Rising Risks and Dark Emperors." he said.
"Wow… Getting the rivalries underway right off the bat." Mayumi said.
"No surprise. Quite the kicker for a first race." Harumi said. "By the way, David? Didn't you know Reformed Society from the Brainiac incident?" Harumi asked.
"That's right. I'm kind of surprised that they of all people would be participating in this." David said.
"Oh those guys. From what I heard, Diablo had paid their bail in order for them to compete. The hard part was finding Cheetah." Shinji said.
"Why would Diablo pay for Cold and Ivy to get out of prison?" Gemini
"I don't know… Something about that just seems fishy… I mean, after Grodd and everything, they wouldn't be too trusting of collaborators." David said.
"Oh I only agreed for one reason only. To end you." Cheetah said pointing to David.
"Hey, but out." Eijiro said. "Save it for the competition."
"Whatever grievance it might be about, taking it out on me here won't change anything." David said.
"Well I won't know until I try." Cheetah said.
"Still as classy as ever, I see. Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to this." David said.
A figure then approached them. They looked up to see an intimidating man in black with a horrifying face as he looked down at the two. "Get...lo…."
"Wah!" Chopper said.
"Who the heck are you?" Pinkie asked.
"Ah...there you are, Marx. Been looking for you." Ashe said walking to the man. "Can't compete without you." he said laughing as the man went over to Darkness Emperors.
"Thanks, i guess? I think that guy was about to murder us." Nami said.
"Looks can deceive you know." Ashe said walking away.
"So that guys name was Marx, huh? Wonder what his deal is?" Eijiro asked. "Either way...I gotta get going."
"Yes. Our first bout begins immediately." Heart said heading out.
"It's our race, too. We should get going." Rinea said.
"Alright. Good luck out there." David said as Leonora and her team heading for their mechs.
"It's time we began." Astaroth said entering his mech with his followers.
"Hehehe! You're gonna get rocked, little girl!" Bones said entering his mech.
"Okay. Match ups are Justice Men vs Demon's Blight and Valkyrie Maidens vs Undead Party!" the announcer said.
"Things are heating up already." Hope said.
"The first lap in the race is the strategy lap. That's where racers survey the course and come up with effective battle strategies. The second lap is where the action really begins." Mayumi said.
All the mechs took their starting positions.
"You guys ready to do this?" Sting said in his suit and piloted a white mech with dragon motifs resembling Weisslogia. Lector was in a suit built especially for him.
"I sure am, buddy! But… ow. Man, this suit is tight. Maybe I should have done the fitting." Sting said.
"I told you, didnt i?" Cache said. "They don't make Pet suits like yours, so i had to improvise."
"Now ya tell me." Sting said.
"Racers, please enter your courses." the announcer said.
The teams took their starting positions.
"Let's do this, Heart! With me as the Defender, nothing's gonna keep us from the most points!" Eijiro said in his red mech.
"Indeed! And Justice is on our side, so my Forward position shall lead us to victory!" Heart declared.
"Does he have a volume below scream?" Leonora asked.
"Pay him no mind, we have our own endeavors here." Rinea said.
"She's right. We cannot afford any slip-ups. We'll back you up however we can." Teresa said.
"Thanks, you two." Leonora said. "Alright. Let's do this!"
"The survey round has begun! Surveying for Valkyrie Maidens is Rinea and for Undead Party, the survey is Alec!" the announcer said.
"It's the first race, so nothing too crazy as of now. Just stay focused and we'll win this." Rinea said.
"I doubt that. You have no clue what we are capable of." Alec said.
"Don't let him unnerve you, Rinea. He's just trying to get under your skin." Leonora said.
"Right. Apologies if I seemed tense for a moment." Rinea said.
"Like you said, stay focused and don't let them get into your head." Teresa said.
"They'll most likely try something as soon as the battle lap starts. Best stay sharp." Rinea said.
"There are no guys here, so Graci won't try anything. We know that for a fact." Leonora said.
"My survey is almost complete. Returning soon." Rinea said.
"The first lap is almost complete! All racers, prepare to engage!" the announcer said. "Looks like the ones taking battle will be Bones and Graci vs Teresa and Leonora!"
"Hahahaha! You're going down, princess." Bones mocked.
"You will find I'm not so easily deterred." Leonora said.
:Don't worry about us, Rinea. Go!" Teresa said.
"The racers have reached the second lap, and the battle begins!" the announcer said.
The fighting immediately started as Bones took the first move, laying into Leonora like crazy.
"Hehehahahah! You're mine, little lady! I'm gonna rip you to pieces!" Bones said rushing Leonora down.
"Such ruthlessness." Leonora said as she blocked a strike and made a counter.
"Hahahah! I'm as ruthless as skeletons get, girly! I'm gonna rip ya a new one." Bones said.
"Try it if you can, if you can even catch me." Leonora said as she sped up ahead.
"Alec, Graci! Cut her off! We take her out, her servants will collapse." Bones said.
"Of course!" Alec and Graci said as they sped past him and sandwiched Leonora's mech.
"They're not… Urgh… Never mind. Teresa, Rinea. You two concentrate on the race while they're focused on me!" Leonora said.
"You sure about this?" Rinea asked.
"Of course. As long as she's still alive, we've got nothing to worry about, and I'm sure the officials won't let them go too far." Teresa said as the two of them went on ahead.
"Oh...they won't get far." Alec said launching two bat shaped objects as they chased the two of them.
"Did you really think a few drones will matter?" Rinea asked as the two took them out with ease.
"Damn it." Alec said. "I need to handle them."
"Very well. Go." Bones said as Alec gave chase.
"So much for that plan." Leonora said.
"Damn right. I was hoping to win this by taking you out. Looks like that plans in the crapper now." Bones said.
"No worries. We can make up for it by ripping you apart before your girls." Graci said.
"If you're so sure, why don't you come at me?" Leonora asked.
"Fine. Sorry Bones, but the bitch is going down." Graci said as her mech grew long claws as she charged.
"Here to hoping they'll pick up the slack." Leonora said. "En garde!"
Her mech then drew a long rapier like machine from its body and held it out.
"En garde indeed." Graci said as her mech's claws clashed with the rapier.
"Things are getting intense here, folks! I'm sure no one expected the first race to be an all-out war already." the announcer said. "And while Bones and Graci waste time whittling the leader, Leonora's teammates are in the lead with Alec only in pursuit."
"Seems like we won't shake him off easily." Teresa said.
"He's relentless for a vampire. But we've already reached the final lap. One of us just needs to reach the finish line before him." Rinea said.
"I will hold him back. Focus on the win." Teresa said as her mech produced a staff.
"Alright. I'll be counting on you." Rinea said as she went on ahead.
"Very well. We shall do battle." Alec said drawing a sword from his mech.
Alec and Teresa clashed with one another as they raced.
"Your swordsmanship is impressive. Almost as much as Oscar's" Teresa said.
"I am nobility. I have to be able to defend myself through any means. I cannot rely on my body's natural defenses." Alec said.
"It shows." Teresa said.
"I might not make it to first place, but I can at least claim second by slaying you." Alec said.
"You can try." Teresa said as she held her staff in a defensive stance.
"Uh sir, shouldn't we be going back in the race?" Graci asked.
"No way. This bitch needs to...ahh!" Bone said as Leonora diced his mech as it spun out of bounds and crashed.
"And Bones has crashed out! He is out of the race!" the announcer said.
"One down." Leonora said.
"Don't worry! I'll avenge you!" Graci said as she went back to the clash.
"And while we have two fights, we already have our first finish. Rinea of Team Valkyrie Maidens has crossed the finish!" the announcer said.
"Yes! They got 15 points!" Hope said.
"And with Bones out, no matter what they do, Team Valkyrie Maidens have already won." Berkut said. "Nice work, Rinea."
"Grr. Damn that bone head. I knew it was a mistake to agree to this." Graci said.
"Same here." Alec said. "We'll just have to get better at the next race."
"Now, since we're almost wrapped up here, let's check in on Demon's Blight and Justice Men and….oh my!" the announcer said showing all three of Justice Men's mechs have crashed out. "All three of them have crashed out, leaving Demon's Blight the victor in that battle!"
"Oh man… That was brutal." Ross said.
"Yes. Seems Demon's Blight is not a team to be taken lightly. Considering they have taken the top three positions." Iida said.
"Their style… As soon as the battle lap starts, they hammer on their opponents without any mercy. There has to be a way to get past that." Alvin said.
"Even if there is, it's pointless if they just pick them off one at a time." Zephyr said.
"Either way...this battle racing competition is going to be dangerous." Futaba said.
"We live for danger, so it's nothing new. But still…" Aoyama said. "This competition is just getting started."