Next chapter is finally here! I said that I'd finish this story and I'm keeping that promise!
SonicStreak5344, yes, more cars will appear! Can't give you the entire list(bc I don't know myself atm) but I do plan to add more cars to the story.
Two days had passed. The Wheel of Power Hologram was finished. The Teku and Metal Maniacs were on their way to Tezla's headquarters.
"You said the Silencerz might have been on the right side of things. But Tezla wanted to use the wheel to help the world. Who do you think is right now?" Karma asked Kurt on the comms.
"I can't say. But with how secretive they've been and how Tezla described them, I can see where he gets the secrecy from." Kurt said. "Unfortunately, what he's doing with the wheel is one of the only things we can go off of to find Vert."
"Hey uh Karma." Monkey said.
"Yeah?"
"I've been meaning to ask, ever since we got out of the Drones' headquarters. How exactly did you know that cannon was about to shoot?" Monkey asked.
Karma took a moment to respond. "I don't know. A hunch I guess."
"We're almost there!" Nolo said.
They drove into a cave and continued going through twists and turns before reaching a secret entrance that sent them underground.
Tezla's 3rd Headquarters: The Ultimate Cube
Lani and Dr. Tezla were already waiting for them.
They all got out of their cars.
"It's done." Tezla said.
"Then what are we waitin' for? Let's go!" Wylde said.
Acceleracers: Storm Realm Opening Theme Plays
They all got back in their cars and started driving on the track towards the portal. The track had a similar layout to the one found in the Acceledrome. Though there were a few less twists, the height of the track and where the hologram of the wheel was higher. Kurt led the pack, with Nolo trailing close behind. Taro was third, followed by Karma in fourth. Behind her was Tork, Wylde, Porkchop, Monkey, and Shirako, in that order. All the drivers, except Monkey, had determined looks on their faces, prepared to get through whatever was in their way to get Vert.
"We'll keep in touch through the onboard camera and radio." Lani told them all via radio.
"Don't let this be the Drones. Don't let this be the Drones." Monkey repeated as he got closer and closer to the portal.
They all drove through, hitting 300 mph and entering the portal.
Music Stops
"I'm worried about them Tezla." Lani said, being sure that they didn't hear their conversation on the radio.
"They seem determined to get Vert back. I'd say there isn't much to be concerned about." Dr. Tezla said, not meaning this in a cold way. By this, he meant that their determination to find a friend would push them through any obstacles they faced.
"If the drivers go through Hot Wheels City again, who's to say there aren't still drones there? Even with Gelorum being gone, there's no guarantee that they'd just shut down and give up like they're hopeless, right? And the Silencerz headquarters. If they're there… we've seen what the Silencerz can do when it comes to cars and their technology in general. I just don't know if they'll be able to defend themselves enough." Lani said.
Before Tezla could react or respond, one of the drivers spoke. "Lani, you there? We're in." Tork said over the comm. Lani quickly looked back at the drivers' onboard cameras.
"Everything's quiet so far." Kurt said.
"Yeah. And I don't like it." Wylde said, suspicious.
Suddenly, static was heard on their radios.
Kurt was the first to react and try to reach out. "Lani? Lani can you hear me?" No response.
"We've lost connection on the radio comms." Kurt said.
"It ain't just the radio. Cam's out too." Monkey said, eyeing the dashboard. There was an alert informing him that there was no signal from his onboard camera before getting nervous. "Uh oh. This is some kinda trap." Monkey said.
"We've lost the signal on both the radios and the onboard cameras." Lani informed Tezla.
Tezla gave Lani a look of realization. "Then that means…." He trailed off.
"It means what? What is it? Are they in danger?" Lani asked.
"They're in one of the Silencerz bases." Tezla said to Lani.
Suddenly, alarms blared and large doors in front of them opened. The Teku and Maniacs looked on, ready to take on whatever was on the other side.
Moments Ago
The Silencerz scientists were performing a test with the circle and the wheel. But it all ended in another failure.
"What are we doing wrong?" Jack said aloud.
Just then, they heard something, or someone coming from the portal.
Jack looked towards the door and jogged over to one of the X-88 drones.
"What's going on?" Jack asked it.
"It appears that drivers have entered the base. We've cut their communications." The drone responded.
"Get the drivers. If they're drones, we need to be ready." Jack said.
It wasn't long before several drivers were deployed, coming in with their cars, including Jack himself.
The doors opened, and the drivers confronted one another. The first thing that was heard were the faint sounds of music, coming from Shirako's car. Though the interference from the Silencerz caused his radio to not work correctly. Or his music player. Shirako was forced to take off his headphones, much to his annoyance. The drones were prepared to immobilize their cars, but Jack ordered them not to do so, recognizing the Teku decals on some of the vehicles.
Jack exited his vehicle along with Nolo, Kurt and Tork. Kurt is the one that notices the Wheel and the ring that Vert had with him first. He nods to Nolo for confirmation that Vert's here.
"We know you've got Vert here! Where is he?" Nolo asked.
He was only given silence for a response.
"The hard way's fine too." Porkchop said, already itching for a fight.
Jack knew that he had no choice but to reveal himself. While fighting in the base was something he wanted to avoid, if push came to shove, he'd do whatever it took to not only protect himself, but the rest of his team. If it was against the drones that is. He didn't want any of the Teku or Maniacs to get hurt. Even if they were driving for Tezla. He meant what he told Vert.
"Well, at least we finally get to see one of their faces." Monkey said in a glass half-full attitude, believing them to not be as scary as they were before, seeing that there was an actual person under that helmet. They were so silent that at times, Monkey thought they were robots.
As much as his superiors would probably heavily disagree what he was about to do, Jack believed that what he was about to do would be the best decision for all parties involved.
He completely stepped out of the car.
"My name's Jack Wheeler. I'm Vert's father." Jack started.
Kurt and several others' jaw dropped.
Monkey laughed a little, not believing what he had just heard. "Wait, so you're tellin' me, that Vert's dad works for the bad guys?" Monkey said in disbelief.
"I'm actually the leader. Let me explain everything." Jack said.
"How do we know this isn't a trap?" Kurt asked.
Jack nodded over in the direction of two vehicles and drivers.
Banjee and the others revealed themselves after exiting their vehicles.
"Banjee? Dan?" Kurt said, in disbelief.
"Been a long time, Kurt." Dan said.
"Scrap the reunion party already. Where's Vert?" Wylde said.
Secrecy was not going to get Jack anywhere, he concluded to himself. So he answered Wylde's question.
"We've got him in a room. He's alright." Jack said.
"We wanna see for ourselves, with our own two eyes." Porkchop said, pointing to his eyes for extra emphasis.
"The only way we'll listen to you is if we see Vert." Tork said.
Jack nodded towards an X-88 drone to retrieve Vert.
When the drone came in, Vert was laid back on his bed, arms behind his head, looking up at the spinning ceiling fan.
He didn't even look to acknowledge the drone when it opened the door.
"You are needed near the entrance." The drone told Vert. He sighed a little, believing that this was another one of his dad's attempts to get him to help with the wheel.
He went to where he was instructed.
"Hey, I was told I needed to-" Vert said, walking before coming to a stop when he saw that the Teku and Maniacs were there, cars and all. He was at a loss for words. Sure, he was looking forward to the day they'd find him, but what he'd imagine it'd be like was nothing like the real thing happening.