After putting it off for so long because of college and finals at my first semester, I finally finished the chapter and ready to share it!
This one was less chaotic than I envisioned it to be, not helped by the delays because of having to focus on final projects, but I still feel proud of the final product.
Enjoy!
The sounds of cheering roared throughout a race track that was specifically built for an important event in the lives of the students.
"Welcome everyone!" Sensei's voice rang from a megaphone pole. "We are gathered today for the first ever Kivotos Grand Prix!"
In response, the cheering from both students and civilians alike grew louder, with some even raising banners.
"My name is Fujimaru Ritsuka, the Sensei of SCHALE, and I'll be one of the commentators of this fine event!" Sensei continued, adding more hype as he spoke. "Joining me today is Nanagami Rin of the General Student Council and her servant Lancelot!"
"Thank you for inviting me for this special occasion, Sensei." Rin said calmly.
"Indeed, it will be a pleasure to witness these aspiring students show off their skill on the track." Lancelot added.
"Now then, we will be selecting twelve participants through a lottery!" Sensei announced. "Ichinose Asuna and Kakudate Karin will be the lovely race queens that would help in the selection, guarded by their respective servants!"
Ichinose Asuna and Kakudate Karin waved at the people surrounding them, as both were dressed in light blue race queen outfits that showed a decent amount of skin.
Beside Karin was a dark-skinned man with black hair in a white outfit and carrying a large bow, and beside Asuna was a girl with short blonde hair in silver armor with golden accents and a skirt, carrying a fairly large spear.
Both girls were standing next to a large glass box with cards of the names of the various student and servant pairs.
"Kakudate, will you do the honors?" Rin asked, her tone more professional compared to Sensei.
Karin nodded and reached out to pick up the first card.
"The first team is Hayase Yuuka of Millennium Science School's Seminar and her Archer-class servant EMIYA!" Sensei announced. "Represented by their cool and sleek car, the Unit Calculator!"
The vehicle was a light blue-painted Cadillac Series 62 convertible, complete with various buttons that activate shields from various sides.
"Hmph, we will emerge victorious over our gaudy competitors!" Yuuka huffed, crossing her arms. "Logic and practicality will triumph!"
She was wearing a dark blue windbreaker jacket over a black tight shirt, while retaining her usual school skirt and shoes.
"I would suggest not stroking your ego before the race begins, Yuuka." EMIYA dryly remarked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the vehicle.
"Q-Quiet you!"
"The second team is Urawa Hanako of Trinity General School's Make-Up Work Club and her Caster-class servant Hans Christian Andersen!" Sensei announced. "Represented by their over-the-top ride, the Swimsuit Wagon!"
The vehicle was gaudy-looking TVR Cerbera Speed 12 that's painted pink with green accents, complete with a school swimsuit as its "flag".
"We will show everyone that swimsuits are the best~!" Hanako declared, waving enthusiastically at the cheering audience.
She was wearing a two piece pink bikini with a green scarf and dark red sandals, further emphasizing the theme of her own vehicle.
Andersen looked up from the book he was reading and glanced at his master with a critical eye.
"… Degeneracy potentially winning this event is the last thing I wish to contemplate…" He muttered under his breath.
"The third team is Rikuhachima Aru, the leader of Gehenna Academy's Problem Solver 68, and her Lancer-class servant Elizabeth Bathory!" Sensei announced. "Represented by their grand dekotora truck, the PS68 Travelling Stage!"
The vehicle was a dekotora truck like the announcement had described it, with a large makeshift stage at the back.
Aru smirked and placed a hand over her chest. "Problem Solver 68 will be on top, I swear this as an out-"
"Hi everyone~!" Elizabeth cut her off, waving at the audience with a cheerful grin. "Don't forget to send your love to the adorable Eli-chan~!"
"E-Eli! I was in the middle of introducing myself!" She stammered.
Both girls were wearing white shirts with dark pink overalls, complete with white head bands tied over their heads.
"The fourth team is Takanashi Hoshino of Abydos High School's Foreclosure Task Force and her Rider-class servant Astolfo!" Sensei announced. "Represented by their humble camper van, the Abydos Dreamer!"
The vehicle was a mere pink painted 1970 VW Hightop camper bus with blue and yellow accents and the Abydos flag on top.
"Uhee, why did it have to be me…?" Hoshino said with a sigh, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly.
She was only wearing her usual Abydos school uniform, emphasizing her current feelings about being chosen.
"Hey, don't look so down, Master~!" Astolfo chirped, wrapping an arm around the shorter girl's shoulder. "This van will be more than enough to get us to victory, just believe in yourself!"
"Right…"
"The fifth team is Kasumizawa Miyu of SRT Academy's RABBIT Squad, and her elegant Caster-class servant Miyu Edelfelt!" Sensei announced. "Represented by their completely normal car, the Unit Prisma!"
True to the announcer's words, the vehicle was simply a beige-colored Toyota Corolla II, with no visible modifications or accessories.
"Master, have faith in yourself." Miyu E. looked at her master.
Both girls were wearing simple dark purple jackets over a white shirt, black shorts, and brown boots.
K. Miyu fidgeted on the spot as she twiddled her fingers. "I-I'll try my-"
"Moving on! The sixth team is Mikamo Neru, the leader of Millennium Science School's C&C and her Lancer-class servant Cu Chulainn!" Sensei announced, unintentionally cutting off the shy girl. "Represented by their extreme dragster machine, Gal-BolCar!"
The vehicle was a long red and blue dragster car that resembled the Lancer servant's Gae Bolg.
"Hah, we'll win this race for sure!" Neru declared, crossing her arms with a confident grin.
She and her servant were wearing matching racing suits and helmets, but with different colors as Neru's was orange while Cu Chulainn's was blue.
Cu grinned at her and added. "Of course, lass! We'll come in first for su-"
"The seventh team is Misono Mika of Trinity General School's Tea Party, and her Lancer-class servant Karna!" Sensei announced, unintentionally cutting off the Lancer. "Represented by their larger machine, the Unit Princess!"
The vehicle in question was larger than the others, as it was a hybrid of the Raminator monster truck and the Land rover defender L315 that's colored pink and decorated with glitter, complete with a tiara on the hood.
"Let's beat everyone and show what Trinity is made of, Lancer-kun~!" Mika cheered, closing her eyes as she pumped her fist with a grin.
She was wearing a pink racing jumpsuit, with a long white scarf and a glitter-covered helmet.
"I would advise against using all your cards too soon, master." Karna said simply.
"The eighth team is Kurodate Haruna, the leader of Gehenna Academy's Gourmet Research Society, and her Saber-class servant Nero Claudius!" Sensei announced. "Represented by their modernized take on a chariot, the Golden Cuisine!"
The representing "vehicle" was a gold-painted Volkswagen car that's vertically sliced in half with an Eisenberg V8 motorcycle in the center and two Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycles on the sides, forming the "modernized" chariot as said.
"In the pursuit of ultimate cuisine, I shall use the prize to expand my ambitions!" Haruna declared, smiling confidently.
"Umu! The glory of Rome will be known throughout Kivotos!" Nero added, grinning as she placed her hands over her hips.
Both girls were wearing exotic-colored racing suits and helmets, with Haruna's being colored silver and Nero's being colored gold.
"The ninth team is Sorai Saki, also from SRT Academy's RABBIT Squad, and her Rider-class servant Achilles!" Sensei announced. "Represented by their overly prepared mobile, the Unit RABBIT!"
The vehicle was a blue-painted Oshkosh JLTV vehicle with a 25mm bushmaster that looked formidable on the outside, especially with the added bronze plates on the sides. However, if one were to take a look inside, it was a complete mess and barely held together.
"It took all day to get it close to being functional." Saki grunted, closing her eyes. "However, obeying the rules and sticking to the plan will-"
"Master-chan, you really need to lighten up some more!" Achilles grinned, using his master's head as an armrest.
"G-Get off me!"
Both student and servant were wearing forest green fatigue jumpsuits, with olive green helmets decorated with leaves.
"The tenth team is Kyoyama Kazusa of Trinity General School's After School Sweets Club and her boisterous Saber-class servant Mordred!" Sensei announced. "Represented by their self-proclaimed wild animal, the Leo Clarent!"
The vehicle was a Jaguar XJR-15 LM painted with a mix of black and pink, with various compartments inside to assist them.
Kazusa took a bite out of a cookie and said, "I hope this race will be fun at least."
Like Hoshino, Kazusa was simply wearing her usual modified Trinity school uniform, but unlike the Abydos student, she simply didn't bother to wear anything for the occasion.
"Heh, with me on the wheel, we're unstoppable!" Mordred boasted with a toothy grin.
The servant was wearing her usual garb of a red jacket over a tube top, short shorts, and brown shoes.
"The eleventh team is Hanuma Makoto, the leader of Gehenna Academy's Pandemonium Society, and her proud Archer-class servant Gilgamesh!" Sensei announced. "Represented by their expensive-looking car, the Great Pandemonium Unit!"
The vehicle was a Porsche 911 (991.2) RSR-19, with the 9FF's stage 11 engine and modified seats that resemble thrones, with a black and gold paintjob.
"Kikiki, citizens of Kivotos!" Makoto announced, raising her arms dramatically. "Gehenna shall leave a great mark as I, the great Hanuma Makoto, will be the victor!"
She was wearing a more regal-looking black racing suit, with a modified helmet to fit her horns.
"Hmph, such confidence coming from you, mongrel." Gilgamesh huffed, smirking in amusement. "You better back up those words, or they will be nothing but mindless drivel."
The servant was content with his civilian attire, consisting of a black leather jacket over a white shirt, black jeans, and brown shoes, complete with his blonde hair down.
"The twelfth and final team is Konuri Maki from Millennium Science School's Veritas, and her Berserker-class servant Heracles!" Sensei announced. "Represented by-"
"Where's your car?" Yuuka asked, noticing the lack of a vehicle on the spot.
"Oh right!" Maki giggled and then snapped her finger.
Heracles was quickly alerted to that, and then… transformed into a tank-like truck that towered over every other vehicle!?
"-Berser-Car!" Sensei finished with a particular enthusiasm.
"W-Wait, how is that fair!?" Yuuka stammered.
"There's no rules against servants themselves as a car, senpai~." Maki replied in a sing-song tone.
This only annoyed the Seminar Treasurer as she opened her mouth to speak.
"Is this really-"
"Yuuka, I'd suggest getting into the car now." EMIYA called out, already in Unit Calculator's passenger seat. "The race will start any minute."
Yuuka huffed at that and briefly turned her gaze back towards her grinning junior, before yelling. "I'll beat you fair and square, you'll see!"
"To give everyone an idea of how the race will go, the first leg will take place in the city where SCHALE is situated," Sensei began to explain the parts of the Grand Prix. "The second leg will take place in a deep forest filled with cliffs and sharp turns, the third leg will be in a village that serves as a bridge between them and SCHALE itself, and the last leg will bring them back to the city where the finish line awaits!"
"… Did he just say cliffs…?" Hoshino muttered.
The twelve racers prepared themselves at the starting line, as the audience anticipated the beginning of the very first Kivotos Grand Prix.
"Alright, all the competitors are in position." Sensei spoke. "Rinny, I'm sensing something huge with this. What do you think?"
"Sensei, I told you not to call me that." Rin lightly chastised, before answering the question. "I can only hope that collateral damage is kept to a minimum."
"Okay, it's almost time! The very first Kivotos Grand Prix." Sensei was hyping the event as much as he could. "Which student and servant will emerge as the winners? The race will begin in three, two…"
Asuna stood in front of the starting line, as she cheerfully raised a checkered flag while waiting for the signal.
Vroom! Vroom!
"… One! GOOOO!"
She giggled and waved the flag, with the racers driving past her afterwards, while the audience cheered as a result.
"And the competitors are off!" Sensei announced.
Several racers seemed to be neck-and-neck, each trying to get ahead of one another and be in first.
VROOM!
"Who just took the lead with such incredible speed?" Sensei asked no one in particular.
"What the-!?" Yuuka widened her eyes.
Hoshino narrowed her eyes from behind the wheel. "Who just drove past…?"
"It's Team Neru and Cu's Gae-BolCar!" Sensei revealed.
The red and blue dragster drove far ahead of every other racer, with some being left in smoke.
"Sorry!" Neru grinned from inside the vehicle.
"We're settling this right here!" Cu continued with a matching grin.
"Damn it!" Saki cursed, being one of the racers left in the smoke.
"This Gae-BolCar is awesome." The blue-clad Lancer boasted, even revving the engines in emphasis. "The speed is just incredible!"
Hanako was more entertained than anything as she watched the dragster drive further, her lips forming a cheeky grin.
"Hm, is there anything you found particularly amusing?" Andersen asked, briefly glancing at her from his book.
"Hey Caster, did you know?" She spoke, casually driving as the vehicle was approaching its first turn. "Dragsters… can't turn."
KABOOM!
"Lancer and Neru died!" EMIYA yelled out from Unit Calculator.
"You aren't human!" Sensei followed.
Gae-BolCar had crashed into a wall that indicated a sharp turn, before being engulfed in a fiery explosion that could be seen from a few meters away.
"I didn't think something like this would happen early on, hehe." Sensei chuckled.
"The potential payments from this damage…" Rin muttered.
"Milady, I am certain that they are fine… somehow." Lancelot attempted to reassure his master.
"And that was just the start of the race!" Sensei added in an energetic tone.
The accident itself didn't go unnoticed by some of the other racers.
"What the hell!?" Saki exclaimed, having noticed it firsthand before turning. "It wasn't even a full minute!"
"Hehe, this feels right at home." Achilles chuckled, casually leaning back on his seat.
"… Is this really gonna happen to any of us?" Hoshino muttered, adjusting her rearview mirrors to see the wreckage.
"I'm sure we'll make it in one piece, trust me on this!" Astolfo was quick to reassure her as he laughed.
"At the lead we have…"
"Hah! I told you all not to underestimate the might of the Pandemonium Society!"
"At the very least, you are not making a fool of yourself."
"The Great Pandemonium Unit, followed by Unit Calculator and Leo Clarent!"
"It seems that her boasting wasn't entirely unfounded." EMIYA observed. "I suspect that Gilgamesh had something to do with it."
In response, Yuuka narrowed her eyes and said, "I'll get them at the next turn!"
VROOM! VROOM!
However, as soon as the words left her mouth, a pink blur zipped past them and was already trailing The Great Pandemonium Unit from behind.
"What the-!?" She widened her eyes in shock.
"Unit Princess is right behind the Great Pandemonium Unit, and it even looks like Misono is attempting to crush her fellow competitor!"
"I should've known…" Rin muttered.
"Hold still, you Gehenna meanie~!" Mika chirped, doing everything in her power to run over the vehicle in front of her.
"Calm yourself, master." Karna reminded her.
A lightbulb seemed to appear above her head as she suddenly perked and reached out to the shift gear.
"Prepare yourself, Gehenna scum~!" Mika's tone was eerily cheerful.
VROOOOOM!
The Unit Princess had a sudden boost of speed as it rapidly approached the Great Pandemonium Unit.
However, to her surprise, their fellow competitor decided to get out of the way, leaving the Trinity team in first place.
"In a surprising turn of events, Team Makoto and Gilgamesh are allowing Team Mika and Karna to take the lead!"
"Hmmm, I believe that there is more to that in just a few minutes."
"Well," Mika blinked for a few seconds, before giggling to herself. "I didn't crush her, but hey, it looks like we're winning!"
As soon as she said it, she let out a small hiss as she released one of her hands from the steering wheel.
"What's happening?" Mika asked, beginning to sweat as the monster truck began to heat up. "Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?"
"I believe I know what will happen." Karna said, unbuckling his seatbelt to prepare for something.
KABOOM!
"Kyaaaaah~!"
"Oh wow, after taking the lead for a brief time, Unit Princess suddenly exploded mid-drive!"
"More potential costs…"
"Hmph, the divine aura could not be contained in such a barbaric mode of transportation." Gilgamesh remarked with a smirk.
"We're in the lead again!" Makoto celebrated, before stepping on the gas.
The drivers of The Great Pandemonium Unit weren't the only ones to witness the explosion of Unit Princess.
"Did that just happen!?" Yuuka exclaimed in utter shock.
"It seems that Karna's divine nature was too much to handle for that particular vehicle." EMIYA remarked.
"It hasn't even been five minutes." Kazusa muttered, taking a bite of her lollipop.
"Hah! Amateurs!" Mordred smirked, gripping the steering wheel. "Let's show these bastards some real speed!"
BRRRRRRRRTTTTT!
"A turret!?" Yuuka yelled with a mix of shock and anger.
"Damn!" Mordred cursed, scowling.
A large golden-painted turret appeared on top of the Great Pandemonium Unit, and immediately began to fire.
"Hah!" Makoto grinned as she glanced at the racers behind her. "I have no intention of giving up my first place spot, losers!"
"I would suggest taunting your opponents for when you do claim victory, mongrel." Gilgamesh rolled his eyes, but had a hidden smirk.
Vroom! Vroom!
Yuuka gritted her teeth and said, "Tch, I won't let someone like that win the race!"
"I wouldn't be surprised if the other racers followed Hanuma's example." EMIYA dryly remarked.
"Hang on, master!" Mordred called out. "We'll wipe the floor with her!"
Pausing from her snacking, Kazusa narrowed her eyes. "Wait, what are you-AAAAHHHHHHH!"
"With Team Makoto and Gilgamesh unexpectedly pulling out a turret, will the other racers hope to catch up!?" Sensei commentated, with clear excitement in his tone.
"… As long as no other accidents happen, I suppose I can begrudgingly accept this…" Rin muttered.
Meanwhile, as the three teams ahead were about to approach the second leg of the race, some were taking longer than others.
"This damn car!" Saki grunted, stepping on the gas in an attempt to go faster. "At this rate, we'll be dead last!"
"Are you sure you don't want me to enhance it?" Achilles asked, leaning casually against his seat. "It would make our lives much easier."
"No!" The RABBIT Squad member glared at him. "I aim to win this race fair and square without the need for Heroic Spirit assistance."
"Heh, I can respect that, master-chan." The Rider servant chuckled.
"I thought I told you not to call me that!"
Inside another racer team's vehicle, Aru bit her lip as she realized they were going slower than they intended.
With a huff, she turned to her servant and yelled, "I told you the stage would slow us down!"
"Nonsense, master~!" Eli playfully tutted. "An idol must have a stage with her at all times!"
"Not when it will cost us the race!" Aru exclaimed.
Bang!
"What the-!?"
She quickly checked on her rearview and saw the Golden Cuisine right at their tails, with Haruna holding up her signature H&K PSG-1 sniper rifle.
"W-Why are they shooting at us!?" Aru stammered, sweating intensely.
"The promise of a gourmet meal prepared by Sensei is one that I cannot miss!" Haruna declared, smiling. "Thus, I must do everything in my power to ensure that!"
"Umu! That's the spirit, master!" Nero encouraged her master, having control of the chariot.
"Hey, watch the stage, jerks!" Eli had also noticed the racers behind the dekotora truck.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Eeeek!" Aru squeaked, trying her hardest to avoid the gunshots.
"I see that this will be a challenge," Haruna said, lowering her sniper file. "No matter, I shall- Is that a taiyaki stand?"
The silver-haired girl interrupted herself as she caught sight of several food stands, some of which sell taiyaki and okonomiyaki.
"Saber, let's make a quick stop!" She was quick to try and take control of the reins.
"Eh, what are you doing? Nero was confused by her master's sudden actions. "You do realize that-"
She didn't get to finish her sentence as Haruna's attempt at steering the chariot has caused them to begin spiraling out of control.
"Watch out!"
Haruna realized too late that the chariot was heading towards the food stands, in which she could only brace for impact.
CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
KABOOOOOOOOM!
Golden Cuisine didn't just crash through not one but three food stands, but it also ended up crashing into a building, causing it to be engulfed in a fiery explosion.
"Umu! This was all part of the performance!" Nero stood tall from the wreckage, attempting to save face from the unceremonious loss. "An action of artistic value that leaves our opponents in sheer awe!"
"The taiyaki…"
Haruna, in a rare moment of sadness and regret, let out a comedic stream of tears as she mourned the destroyed taiyaki stand.
The whole thing didn't go unnoticed by the other racers passing through.
"D-Did they really just take themselves out!?" Aru exclaimed, her eyes widened in shock.
"Doesn't matter!" Eli grinned at her master. "We finally got them off our backs, and I think it's time to go faster!"
She reached out for a red button covered by a glass cube, much to her master's alarm.
"Wait, Eli!" Aru yelled, eyes white with fear. "Don't press-"
VROOOOOMMMMM!
"AAAAHHHHHHH!"
"WOOHOOOOO!"
From inside the Abydos Dreamer, Hoshino let out a whistle as she saw everything that went down, keeping the van at a steady speed.
"Uhee, I can't tell if this will keep being a race or turn into a demolition derby." She remarked, smiling wryly.
"Hahaha, that means it'll be more fun than before!" Astolfo said with a laugh.
"With all that went down, three racers have been eliminated in the first leg, while the others all managed to reach the second leg!" Sensei announced.
"Surely the cliffs and sharp turns wouldn't lead to more messes…" Rin remarked sarcastically.
"On another note, by sheer will, Team Yuuka and EMIYA in Unit Calculator managed to overtake Team Makoto and Gilgamesh in The Great Pandemonium Unit, currently in first place!"
"Tch, I'll get you for this!" Makoto clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Hmph, I would much prefer that you defeat that faker." Gilgamesh frowned, narrowing his eyes at EMIYA inside the car driving in front.
Yuuka suddenly felt a chill go down her spine, prompting her to look around nervously.
"What was that just now!?" She asked loudly.
"I believe that was Gilgamesh glaring at the back of my head." EMIYA answered smoothly. "It looks like he still hasn't gotten over me shooting at his head back then."
"You did what now?" Yuuka widened her eyes at that.
Honk! Honk!
"What the!?" She was surprised by what she saw in the rearview mirror.
"It seems the dekotora truck has managed to catch up." EMIYA observed.
"Hey! Get out of my way!" Makoto protested with a fierce glare.
From inside Leo Clarent, Kazusa was taking a bite out of her chocolate bar, looking at the three vehicles ahead of her and said, "Huh, didn't think we'd see her catch up."
"Where the hell did they come from?" Mordred said with a frown.
The PS68 Travelling Stage had indeed somehow managed to catch up and was currently even driving in front of the Great Pandemonium Unit.
"Wow! In a surprising turn of events, Team Aru and Eli went fast enough to take 2nd Place!" Sensei commented.
Honk! Honk!
"See! I told you going faster would help!" Eli said with a smug smirk.
"You used up a huge portion of our fuel!" Aru yelled, her eyes still white with shock.
"We caught up with them, didn't we?" The Lancer-class servant shrugged, still smirking as she leaned against the seat.
The pink-haired girl rolled her eyes and focused on the road, gripping the steering wheel. "Well, as long as keep up this pace, we should be able to-"
BOOM!
The dekotora truck suddenly shook, as if struck by something hard, causing the PS68 to snap her head around in complete alarm, her eyes turning white again.
"W-What was that!?" She stammered. "And why do I smell something burning?!"
"My beautiful stage!" Eli screamed, having noticed that the stage at the back of the truck was on fire.
"We're on fire!" Aru squeaked, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
Without warning, the pink-haired dragon-themed servant proceeded to unbuckle her seat belt and stood up, much to her master's dismay.
"Eli, what are you doing!?" She shrieked.
Eli turned back to her master with a look of determination, and said, "I have to save the stage, it's part of my plans as an idol!"
Not waiting for a reply, she proceeded to try and climb out of the window, causing Aru to turn her eyes away from the road.
"ELI, GET BACK INSIDE!" She yelled in panic.
BOOM!
However, this proved to be a great mistake as another strike to the truck, combined with its driver taking their eyes off the road, has caused it to begin running towards a cliff.
CRASH!
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Aru screamed as the truck began to nosedive towards the ground below.
"I REGRET NOTHING!" Eli yelled, futilely hanging onto the stage.
KABOOOOOM!
"What was that!?" Yuuka widened her eyes at the sight of the dekotora truck's explosion.
EMIYA narrowed his eyes and looked around. "What could've caused this? Where was it fired from?"
The red-clad Archer's eyes scanned the surroundings, before spotting a large tank-like vehicle at the edge of another cliff.
"Do it, Berser-Car!" Maki ordered, grinning mischievously.
BANG!
BOOM!
"The turret!" Makoto cried out in disbelief, as the turret of her vehicle had been shot off.
"Maki!" Yuuka said in surprise.
"I was wondering why we haven't seen her since the race started." EMIYA remarked calmly. "She must have taken a shortcut."
"Since this car is slower than everyone else's, I just gotta blow 'em up!" Maki said, crossing her arms with a grin.
"Damn her!" Makoto gritted her teeth.
The red-haired girl raised her arm and ordered, "Panzer IV! Fire!"
BANG!
BOOM!
The next shot from Berser-Car came close to hitting Leo Clarent, which they avoided at the last second as the block of road in front of them was destroyed.
"Whoa!" Kazusa held onto her seat, clutching her bag of biscuits.
Mordred turned to glare at the one responsible. "Oi! That's cheating!"
Vroom!
The engine of Berser-Car started to run, before it drove off the cliff it was standing on and into the road where the three racers were competing in.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Yuuka yelped as she maneuvered around the tank shots while trying to focus on the road.
Afterwards, the twin-tailed girl twisted her expression into a glare and turned to look at her junior with a growl.
"That's not fair at all!" She yelled. "Stop shooting at us!"
"I will once everyone is out." Maki replied in a mocking tone.
Not helping matters was that Berser-Car was directly behind Unit Calculator, further adding to the current situation.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
"How did things turn out like this!?" Yuuka exclaimed, gritting her teeth.
"This is so much fun!" Maki chirped with a smile.
"Hmph, you dare to sully this competition with that farce, mongrel!"
Before Berser-Car could fire off another round, golden chains suddenly stopped it in its tracks, wrapping tightly around it to ensure it was bound.
"What!? Hey!" Maki glared at the Great Pandemonium Unit as it passed by.
"This is what you get for messing with the Great Makoto!" Makoto called out to her competitor with a smug smirk.
This got the Veritas member to narrow her eyes before she pointed at Team Makoto and Gilgamesh's vehicle.
"Grrr! Shoot them, Berser-Car!" She ordered at first, before her eyes widened upon seeing that the cannon was pointed at the ground where they were trapped. "Wait! Not here-"
BOOOOM!
"AAAAAHHHHH!"
"Hah, she took herself out!" Gilgamesh threw his head back and laughed. "A fitting end for a pair of uncivilized brutes. How amusing!"
"Why did you…!?" Yuuka glared at the vehicle behind her.
The golden-clad king smirked at her and said. "A foolish question."
Maki and Berser-Car's explosive elimination from the race didn't go unnoticed by the racers inside Leo Clarent.
"Saber, how would you rate that out of ten?" Kazusa asked, eating a strawberry scone.
"Six, they don't deserve a higher score after what they almost did to us." Mordred grunted, her eyes more focused than before.
"And thus, Maki and Berser-Car have been taken out of the race as well!" Sensei announced. "Will there be any racers left standing by the time we reach the last leg?"
"I surely hope so, it would be a waste of time if there wasn't." Rin remarked.
"Well, the same racers currently on top are- What's this!?" Sensei stopped himself mid-sentence. "It seems that we have two more teams about to catch up!"
True to Sensei's words, the Abydos Dreamer and the Swimsuit Wagon were steadily approaching behind the three racers in the lead.
"Hehe, this race is more fun than I thought it would be~!" Hanako giggled, her green eyes darting around her surroundings in amusement.
"By fun, you mean sheer idiocy and utter incompetence." Andersen muttered, shaking his head. "Quite frankly, I'm almost impressed that you haven't done anything outrageous besides your choice in race attire."
"Awww, are you having fun too, Caster~?" The pink-haired girl teased.
The blue-haired Caster snorted and replied, "Far from it."
"Hey master, you want me to go faster?" Astolfo asked, grinning as he slowly picked up speed.
"Uhee, do what you want, Rider." Hoshino said with a yawn.
The student and servant pair representing Abydos had swapped places ever since entering the second leg, leading to their vehicle going much faster than before.
"Alrighty then!" Astolfo's grin widened as he stepped on the gas.
VRROOOOOOOM!
The Abydos Dreamer suddenly gained a burst of speed, causing Hoshino to be thrown back slightly against her seat.
She blinked and turned to her servant. "Uhmm, aren't you going a bit too-"
CRASH!
By some absurd chance, the camper van's speed exceeded the other racers… only to go through a cliff railing and into the sky.
Astolfo couldn't help but laugh when he realized where they currently were. "Looks like I went too fast~."
"You shot us into the stratosphere." Hoshino deadpanned, masking her anxiety.
"I'm sure we'll be fine!" The pink-haired Rider patted his master's shoulder. "Look! The race track looks like a tiny speck from where we are!"
"… Why did I agree to this…?" Hoshino muttered, her face turning blue.
From the race track, several of the racers watched on in disbelief from what they had just seen.
From inside Unit RABBIT, which was currently lagging behind the other racers, Saki gripped the steering wheel as she tried to process what she saw.
"How… how is that even possible!?" She yelled, gritting her teeth.
"Anything is possible when it comes to Astolfo, master-chan." Achille replied with a chuckle.
"Silence, you!"
"Oh my, I wonder if I can do that too~?" Hanako mused with a grin.
"Please don't, the laws of physics have been broken enough as is." Andersen groused, shaking his head.
"Archer, what was… that…?" Yuuka muttered, as one of her eyes twitched.
"Just a race course fairy, nothing to get worked up over." EMIYA answered smoothly.
"With the departure of three more racers, everyone else has reached the third leg!" Sensei announced. "Although, they would have to be careful around the village houses, since they've been a great help to SCHALE."
"I wish that would be the case…" Rin muttered.
"Compared to the last leg, it's now four racers neck and neck for the position of first place, though Unit RABBIT has been slowly catching up!"
BRRRRRRRTTTT!
"She has another turret!?" Yuuka yelled, narrowing her eyes. "Damn her, she must be desperate to take us out to take back her spot!"
"Give it up, Seminar-chan!" Makoto taunted. "Just step aside and allow me to claim my rightful victory!"
"What did she call me?!" The Millennium student growled, before turning towards her servant. "Archer, forget everything I said about playing fair, I want you to take them out. Now!"
"Are you sure about that?" EMIYA asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We need to maintain our lead at all costs!" Yuuka said sternly. "I won't let those two ruin it all!"
The red-clad Archer nodded and replied. "Understood."
He swiftly jumped to the back of Unit Calculator, holding a long black bow on his left hand, and a long sword-like arrow on the right.
"You've had your fun, King of Heroes," EMIYA said, aiming his bow at the Great Pandemonium Unit, while smaller blades appeared around him. "However, under my master's orders, I will stop you here!"
Shoot!
"Tch, you underestimate my driving skills!" Makoto clicked her tongue as she maneuvered the vehicle to avoid the arrows and blades.
Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
"I hate it when someone's not all talk…" Yuuka muttered, glancing behind her to see her opponent dodging her servant's attacks.
Shoot! Clang!
"We're hit!" Hanako widened her eyes for the first time since the race started.
The same couldn't be said for the Swimsuit Wagon, as the front and hood were struck by the arrows in the process.
"I suppose it was about time that this nonsensical race caught up with us." Andersen said nonchalantly.
The pink-haired girl proceeded to lose control of her vehicle as it skidded towards a small comfortable-looking house.
CRASH!
"Ugh…"
Hanako groaned as she felt dazed from the sudden crash, but quickly regained her vision and senses after a few seconds.
She moved to open the door to leave her car, moving to inspect what her vehicle had crashed into.
"Oh dear, what just happened- Young lady, do you have any shame!?"
"Children these days…"
Hanako blinked as she turned to see an elderly couple looking at her with disapproving stares, with the old woman in particular being especially offended.
"Master, I believe you have lost this."
The pink-haired girl turned to see Andersen holding her loose bikini top, fixing her with a disapproving glare of his own.
"You have not only crashed into this couple's house, but subjected them to your sheer degeneracy." He continued, his tone completely flat.
Hanako looked down and finally noticed that her large breasts were completely bare, her pink nipples in full view.
For once, she felt a sense of self-consciousness and quickly covered her chest, before turning back towards the couple.
"I-I'm so sorry!" She squeaked out an apology. "I have no excuse for destroying your fine home and exposing myself like this!"
The elderly woman simply sighed and said. "At least you're admitting to it, child."
"Do you realize how much it will cost to fix that wall?" The elderly man asked, crossing his arms.
Andersen couldn't help but place a hand over his face as he watched his master continue to apologize over and over, while desperately covering up her lost modesty.
"Well, at least she's better company than her…" He muttered under his breath.
Meanwhile, Leo Clarent dodged the arrows and blades with ease, thanks to Mordred's skillful driving.
"Looks like another racer is out." Kazusa mused, having noticed the Swimsuit Wagon crash into the elderly couple's house. "That's one less racer in our way."
"Hah, at this rate, we'll see those two ahead take each other out!" Mordred said with a grin.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
As if on cue, both student and servant inside the car heard a loud beeping noise blaring from somewhere.
"What's making that noise?" Mordred asked, furrowing her brows.
In response, Kazusa looked around briefly and then saw a red light flashing around a small hatch next to the glove compartment.
"Huh?"
Feeling confused, she reached out and opened the hatch, only to discover a coin deposit of all things.
"Insert coin. Insert coin. Insert coin." A robotic female voice spoke.
"It runs on coins!?" Kazusa exclaimed in disbelief.
To make matters worse, Mordred could feel Leo Clarent beginning to slow down, much to her shock and frustration.
"Oi, master, you got some coins on you!?" She yelled, gritting her teeth.
In response, Kazusa reached into every pocket of her clothing, only to realize that she had absolutely no coins on her person at all.
"Are you kidding me?!" Mordred widened her eyes at that.
"Who even uses coins these days!?" Her master fired back at her.
At that point, Leo Clarent let out one last engine sound and then stopped completely, much to the dismay of the two racers inside.
"Crap! We're gonna crash!"
"Hang on, master!"
CRASH!
After losing its "fuel", Leo Clarent spun around uncontrollably before crashing into a lamp post.
"Ugh…" Kazusa groaned as she held her head, her halo having protected her from the brunt of the crash. "Why did we end up with a coin-powered car of all things…?"
"Tch, that doesn't matter right now." Mordred clicked her tongue in annoyance, before letting out a resigned sigh. "Since we're now out, can I have a cookie?"
Kazusa let out a small smile and handed the small bag over to her servant. "Knock yourself out."
"In another turn of events, Teams Hanako and Andersen and Kazusa and Mordred are out of the race!" Sensei announced. "Will another racer be taken out before the final leg?"
"I wouldn't be surprised whatsoever." Rin said with a huff.
From inside Unit RABBIT, Saki and Achilles passed by the eliminated vehicles of The Swimsuit Wagon and Leo Clarent, along with their respective racers.
"Again with the crashes…" Saki muttered with a shake of her head. "Does the term 'safe driving' mean nothing to them?"
"It hasn't been ever since this race started." Achilles remarked with a smirk.
The RABBIT Squad member shook her head and said, "Well, since we're one of the only racers left, I think it's time to take things up a notch."
"Heh, finally letting loose?" The Rider-class servant asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Far from it." Saki scoffed. "I just need to-"
CRASH!
"Sorry about that~!"
Unit RABBIT had suddenly been crushed from the rooftop, followed by the hood of the vehicle, thus taking out yet another racer team.
"Wha…?" Saki voiced her disbelief, slightly dazed by the unexpected crash.
Achilles rubbed his eyes and saw the ones responsible for the sudden destruction of Unit RABBIT, in which he let out a loud chuckle.
"Astolfo, I should've known that his luck would play a role."
Saki followed her servant's gaze and saw The Abydos Dreamer driving away from where they were crushed. Miraculously, it had been unharmed and functional, as if it had never entered the stratosphere to begin with.
"How…?" She ground out, trying to keep a grip on her sanity.
"Nothing we can do about it." Achilles shrugged, leaning back against the torn seat.
"Not helping, Rider!"
"We have now reached the final leg of the race, and it's Unit Calculator and The Great Pandemonium Unit neck-and-neck against each other!" Sensei announced, his tone more excited than before.
"Thank goodness it's about to come to an end…" Rin sighed in relief.
"Shall I massage your shoulders to ease the pain?" Lancelot asked, having been quiet the entire time.
"I wouldn't mind, Saber."
Unit Calculator and The Great Pandemonium Unit in question were racing very close to each other, both fighting for the spot as the finish line was on the horizon.
"We're this close, Archer, I can feel it!" Yuuka said, narrowing her eyes.
"Come on, victory is getting close!" Makoto said, stepping on the gas like her life depended on it.
"This race has certainly had its ups and down," EMIYA remarked, crossing his arms. "Although some were more amusing than others."
"Hmph, this race has provided sufficient entertainment." Gilgamesh smirked, closing his eyes. "The outcome of this event means very little in the end."
"Come on!" Yuuka and Makoto yelled simultaneously.
Honk! Honk! Honk!
"Huh?"
"What's this!? The Abydos Dreamer is fine and well, not even showing any damage from atmospheric reentry!" Sensei conveyed his feelings of growing excitement. "Will they turn up as the dark horse?"
"No way!" Yuuka exclaimed in disbelief. "We saw them shoot into the sky!"
"Why now of all times!?" Makoto growled.
From inside the Abydos Dreamer, Astolfo laughed as he drove the camper van with all his might, as if he was riding his precious Hippogriff.
"Master, I can see the finish line right ahead~!" He said, pointing at the road ahead.
"Uhee…" Hoshino's face was green as she held a paper bag. "All this crashing gave me motion sickness…"
His master's condition didn't deter Astolfo from raising his leg and slamming it into the gas pedal.
"Hang on tight, master!"
VROOOOOMMM!
Much to Yuuka and Makoto's shock, the camper van suddenly zoomed past them and straight towards the finish line.
"No!" Yuuka yelled.
"Impossible!" Makoto screamed.
"The Abydos Dreamer has crossed the finish line!"
In response, the camper van finally stopped in its tracks, with Hoshino wasting no time stepping out of the van as she clutched her stomach.
"Hahaha, we won, master!" Astolfo cheered, wrapping an arm around his master's shoulder. "We actually won!"
Despite everything she had gone through, the pink-haired heterochromatic girl flashed a shaky smile as she nodded in agreement.
"Y-Yeah, we actually beat the odds…"
VROOM! VROOM!
Meanwhile, Unit Calculator was the next vehicle to cross the finish line, followed by the Great Pandemonium Unit.
Turning off the engine as soon as she crossed, Yuuka let out a sigh and covered her face in her hands.
"If it means anything, master." EMIYA attempted to reassure his master. "At least we made it to second place."
"Right…" The twin-tailed girl muttered.
"Tch, third place!" Makoto groused, crossing her arms with a childish pout. "That's just losing a second time!"
"Hahaha, show some sportsmanship, mongrel." Gilgamesh laughed. "The race turned out very decently in the end, did it not?"
"Congratulations to Team Hoshino and Astolfo for reaching second place!"
"Wait what!?" Yuuka and Makoto exclaimed at once, springing up from their previous positions.
Sensei let out a sheepish chuckle and continued. "Oh yeah, I forgot to keep track of them the entire time, but the team in first place was none other than Team Miyu and… Miyu, with their surprisingly effective Unit Prisma!"
Standing near the podium was Kasumizawa Miyu and Miyu Edelfelt, with the former shyly twiddling her fingers and the latter smiling serenely, all while their vehicle Unit Prisma was parked next to him, completely unscathed.
"I-I was wondering where everyone else was…?" K. Miyu said with a slight stutter.
"I believe several of them were too focused on each other, master." Miyu E. remarked, letting out a soft laugh of amusement.
Hoshino stared at the first place racers, before letting out a laugh of her own.
"Heh, they got us good." She said, smiling. "I'm not even mad, just pure respect for winning the race without any trouble."
"Well, second place isn't bad at all, hehe." Astolfo agreed, before pulling his master closer to him. "When we get picked for the next race, we'll definitely come in first!"
"… I wouldn't mind that." Hoshino slowly nodded. "Crashing into another vehicle aside, I actually kinda had fun."
"That's the spirit, Hoshino-chan~!"
"As for third place, congratulations to Team Yuuka and EMIYA!"
Yuuka sighed and leaned against her seat. "At this point, I'm just glad we made it out in one piece."
"Will you look forward to the next one?" EMIYA asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"… I shudder to imagine that…" Yuuka shook her head.
"Fourth… Fourth!?" Makoto growled, clenching her fists. "That means we didn't even make it to the podium!"
"Hmph, throwing a tantrum like that will not increase your chances, should you get chosen for the next race." Gilgamesh scolded, but the smirk on his face showed that he was clearly amused.
Makoto suddenly lost her energy and slumped against the steering wheel. "Shut up, Archer…"
"Now then, will the winning racers take their place on the podium?" Sensei requested.
K. Miyu and Miyu E. stood on the first place podium, Hoshino and Astolfo stood on the second place podium, and Yuuka and EMIYA stood on the third place podium, with various paparazzi surrounding them as the audience celebrated the event.
"I will have to sign various papers tonight…" Rin muttered with a sigh.
Students from various schools were clapping for the relative success of the very first Kivotos Grand Prix, along with some of the eliminated racers.
"Miyu, you made us proud." Saki said with a small smile, while Achilles grinned and flashed a thumbs up.
"Are you feeling better now?" Nero asked, patting her master's back.
Haruna mumbled and nodded, her mouth filled with taiyaki while holding various bags of them.
"Thank you everyone for coming here to gather for the very first Grand Prix!" Sensei thanked the students and citizens. "This wouldn't have been possible without all your support!"
"Sensei, I will have to dump half of my workload over at SCHALE." Rin said in a stern tone.
"Heh, no problem, Rinny."
"Why do I even bother…?"
Rankings:
First Leg (City)
12th - Neru and Cu Chulainn
11th - Mika and Karna
10th - Haruna and Nero Claudius
Second Leg (Forest)
9th - Aru and Elizabeth Bathory
8th - Maki and Heracles
Third Leg (Village)
7th - Hanako and Hans Christian Andersen
6th - Kazusa and Mordred
5th - Saki and Achilles
Final Leg (Back in City)
4th - Makoto and Gilgamesh
3rd - Yuuka and EMIYA
2nd - Hoshino and Astolfo
1st - Miyu and Miyu Edelfelt
NEXT CHAPTER: Hoshino and Astolfo (Abydos)
With that, the first omake of Fate/Archive comes to a close.
When the next omake comes up, which Carnival Phantasm would you recommend next, especially with a Kivotos twist?
Regarding the main story, Hoshino and Astolfo will be an interesting one, and I can't wait for the character exploration for Hoshino especially, considering the, uh, "less than kind" words I've seen people say about V1C3.
Happy reading~!