Over in the Mach 6 garage, Conor and Speed were both struggling to get the Mach 6's gasless engine to work. They've been struggling to make heads or tails in how to get it working, but now, they weren't sure. On top of them dealing with schoolwork, and keeping the Mach 6 away from those like Zazic, it was definitely a headache for them all.
"I just don't get it. Why can't we get the Mach 6's gasless engine working?" Speed finally asked out in frustration.
"I don't know! I really thought that I got it." Conor said back to Speed.
"Hey, fellas." The two now look over to see Braedey leaning his back against the nearby wall of the garage, his arms crossed over his chest. "Something up?"
"Oh, Braedey. Hey." Speed greeted with a smile, the two shaking hands. "Well, there is something going on with the Mach 6." He explained.
"Really? Mind if I take a look?" Braedey offered. He was rather curious about what's under the hood of this car, and to know what makes this car so unique.
"Wait, he can't look!" Conor insisted to Speed, his arms out and blocking their path from looking at the engine bay. "It's all top-secret! Classified! No way! Nobody is to know about the Mach 6's engine!"
Speed, however, has a smile on his face. "Don't you have that homework assignment that is due in by about tomorrow?" He asked to Conor.
Conor's face immediately turned pale in realisation. "Oh, god... I almost forgot! Chim-Chim! We've got work to do!" He sprinted out of the garage to get to work.
"Nice move there, Speed." Braedey whispered.
"It's not even due in until the end of the week." Speed added in with a chuckle, then he gestured to the engine bay. "Well, there it is."
Braedey takes a good look at the Mach 6's gasless engine. The engine has a streamlined and symmetrical shape to it, possibly set up as a V12, while having what looks to be a dual-fuel intake system, coloured cables and wiring set up around the engine bay, no sign of any turbos at all, so it being naturally-aspirated. Overall, the engine looks like a work of art.
Braedey gives a low whistle in curiosity as he looks at the engine. "Neat work. An impressive machine, Speed." He complimented. "But you say you're having issues with it?" Unbeknownst to Speed, the Transformatrix was taking a schematic scan of the engine, scanning from timing belt to crankcase.
"Well, to be honest, we haven't been able to get the engine to function properly. Yes, it runs perfectly fine on gasoline, but the gasless engine component doesn't seem to work." Speed clarified to Braedey. "If it were to work, this engine could revolutionise everything, and nobody would ever have to worry about gasoline again."
"Really? That's a bold move." Braedey mused, looking on at the engine. "No wonder anyone would want to get their hands on this engine back in the day. If this engine was known worldwide, it could definitely put a lot of oil companies in jeopardy." He added.
"That might explain why everyone was after my father." Speed said solemnly.
Braedey gently patted Speed's shoulder. "I'm sure he's still out there, Speed. He's just waiting for the right time to reveal himself from the shadows." He reassured to his new friend. "I'd better get going. I imagine Rin has something new to show off in the garage."
"You too. Take care." Speed smiled. "Oh, and Braedey?" The Transformatrix bearer turned to Speed. "Thank you. It means a lot to me." Speed thanked.
Braedey smiled softly and nodded. "Anytime." He replied before he left Team Speed's garage.
Braedey made his way over to his garage, just in time to see Rin about to take out a section from under the Transformer, the car sitting up on its jump jacks. She managed to get the part out, but fell to the floor as it began to fall towards her. Braedey leaps in and grabbed her with a sweeping move, the two sliding out from under the car as the part hits the floor with a thud.
"Whoa... too close..." Rin looked over to Braedey. "Nice move there. Thanks for these save." She thanked.
"Anytime." Braedey nodded before he stood up, then held a hand out to Rin, who took his hand and he helped her up. "You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm good." Rin nodded. "Talk about a slide. Did you do baseball anytime?" She asked in surprise.
"A bit here and there, as well as soccer." Braedey answered. "I mostly did martial arts."
"Neat." Rin nodded back. "Guess you get that from fighting all those bad guys and Decepticons." She took a guess.
"Yeah. And to keep in top shape." Braedey added in, then he goes to check on the piece that fell out. "By the way, what were you doing under the car?" He asked.
"Just thought I saw something was loose and I thought to take it out and see what's what." Rin answered as Braedey picks up the piece. Turns out it was just an oil heat exchanger.
"This shouldn't be too hard to replace." Braedey said before he goes to find a spare part.
"How did you know that was an oil heat exchanger just by looking at it?" Rin questioned.
"I've spent the better part of 8 years being around Transformers, so I'd can tell an oil heat exchanger from a Hexa-Lateral Scapula." Braedey clarified, then he saw Rin's confused expression. "It means a shoulder blade, in Cybertronian terms." He added for clarification.
"Oh..." Was all Rin could answer. She then shook her head as she recalled something. "Oh, right. I forgot to tell you. Some driver is coming over as a spokesperson for the next lesson." She informed to Braedey.
"Really? Who is this person?" Braedey asked, now fitting the oil heart exchanger back into the car.
"Well, she is apparently a new rookie driver from the WRL." Rin explained. "Her name is Rosey Blaze. She's part of the Three Roses racing team."
"I see." Braedey acknowledged back, then gets out from under his car as it lowers itself down back into its wheels. "Well, let's make a good impression on her while out on the track today."
"I'm with you." Rin nodded back with a smile.
A little later, the two friends met up with Speed and the others, and they assembled up in the classroom, all in their seats and ready for the lesson. However, standing up front happened to be Headmaster Spritle with both Professors Winn and Aniskov standing alongside him.
Braedey and Rin both got themselves settled and ready, all the while with Speed and the others quietly speculating on what might be happening. Braedey's eyes then tracked over to Blaze, who gave a simple nod to him. The brunette then looks to see Annalise giving him a darkened glare, so he gave one back that was even darker, making Annalise shrink in her seat out of fear.
"Everyone. Glad you all could make it." Headmaster Spritle began to say to everyone, the students all now sitting silently as they look on. "Now, this race will be an exhibition event. You all will be racing along and against our spokesperson here today." That definitely got everyone's attention as they look in curiosity. "Now, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Miss Rosey Blaze, driver for the Three Roses team and WRL racer." He announced, just as someone walked up on stage, everyone clapping excitedly in response to this.
Rosey Blaze looks to be a woman in her late 20's or even early 30's, her sporting brownish eyes, her auburn red hair done up in a straight fashion and reaching down to her shoulders, and she has fair skin. She looks slim yet curvy in places, while she stands at a healthy height of six feet. She has on a yellow racing suit with blue highlights at the leg holes and around the neck, while what look like thorn and roses are seen on her racing helmet and her racing suit, yellow matching boots and racing gloves, the gloves having roses on them.
"That's Rosey Blaze." Rin said to Braedey in a hushed whisper to him. "She's the spokesperson I told you about."
"Definitely did not expect that." Braedey whispered. "She looks rather young to be a WRL driver."
"Like I said, she's a new rookie to the sport." Ron said back.
"Hey, all!" Rosey greeted with a smile. She was clearly chipper and enthusiastic about being here. "Have to say, it's good to be here. This place has got to be one of the best places to learn how to race. Yeah, the big tracks of the WRL are pretty wild, but out in the Virtual Track, anything can happen and we can have any track of any kind set up." She holds her helmet. "You kids are gonna be racing against me to see if you've got what it takes to race against and beat me. That's all you fellas have to do." She finished up, the crowds now cheering for her. "Time to kick it into high gear!" Rosey announced.
"Well, she definitely got the crowd excited." Braedey said to Rin.
"She may by a WRL rookie, but she can get the crowd going." Rin commented. "Guess she'd be a crowd pleaser and favourite."
"Let's get the Transformer down to the track and ready to go." Braedey said firmly to Rin, who nodded back. They get to their feet and they made their way off to the garage. As they do so, Rosey Blaze takes note of both Speed and X, but also the Transformatrix bearer.
"Miss Blaze, we like to thank you for coming over for this racing exhibition." Headmaster Spritle said to Rosey Blaze.
"Of course, Spritle. Besides, gotta see what the next generation has to show." Rosey Blaze said back with smile. "Besides, I've got to see how those two Racer brothers are out on the track, not to mention about the Transformatrix bearer."
"Oh, yes. Braedey Martin." Headmaster Spritle nodded. "He's a good man. Smart and adaptable. Takes after his grandfather, mind you."
"He also excels at the track." Professor Winn added. "In fact, he has performed on par with both Speed and X."
"Although he is rather unorthodox." Professor Aniskov countered with a disgruntled expression. "I've read a lot about his so-called exploits and to be honest, he is a hazard to be out there on the track."
"Professor Aniskov, that is a rather unfair assessment of Mr. Martin." Headmaster Spritle said back with a stern expression. "Most of those reports are false, especially those written by Malcolm."
"Well, we should go to the track and see what happens out there." Rosey announced, the teachers agreeing and they go on their way.
Down by the Grand Prix garage, Braedey and Rin both get the Transformer out of the garage, with the Mach 6 and Shooting Star also leaving their garages. As they do so, they could see Rosey Blaze standing by her car.
Rosey's racecar definitely looks unique with its gorgeous space age design. It even looks like a space ship from behind, especially with the three engines in triangular formation at the rear. This vehicle is painted red with yellow details, plus has a rose or thorn-theme livery, with the name "3 Roses" on the nose, a number 33 on the hood, the text "Simple Dark Chocolate" on the back, and various Preetz Candy sponsors all over.
"Neat..." Braedey mused.
"Have to say, that's a nice car." Speed added.
"But not as cool as the Mach 6." Conor interjected.
"See you fellas out there on the track." Rosey Blaze said before she heads off, her pit crew now moving her car down to the track alongisde her.
"Let's go." Blaze suggested, he walking past with his Howlin' Heat rolling up behind him.
"Right behind you." Braedey acknowledged before climbing into the car and starts it up, Rin sitting up on the side of the car as they drive down to the track.
A few moments later, the cars were lined up down at the track. Speed's and X's cars, the Mach 6 and the Shooting Star, sat up front on the line, while Braedey's car, the Transformer, is parked up just behind both Racer brothers. Rosey's car, known as the Thistle, is right up the middle, between the two Racer brothers. Blaze's car, the Howlin' Heat, is parked up alongside. Annalise's car, the Spoiled Brat, is just behind the two brothers and alongside Braedey and Blaze's car, while the twin's car, the Double Deuce, is behind them. Among them were a few other students with their cars, and there was Mitch with his ugly orange boxy hatchback, the Mitchmobile.
"Alright. Keep an eye out on the twins and Annalise, and do whatever you can to get ahead." Rin said to Braedey. "Also, watch out for Rosey Blaze. Whatever she has under the hood of that car, it must be good."
"Gotcha." Braedey acknowledged back.
"Good luck out there." Blaze walked up and shares a bro-fist with Braedey. "I'll be by your side if you need me."
"You too, Blaze." Braedey nodded back. "Good luck."
Braedey climbs into his car, strapping himself in as the cockpit canopy closes down and seals itself in, Blaze getting onboard his wheels. Speed and X both get into their cars and get ready to race. Annalise got into her car, the twins both getting into theirs. Blaze rolled his shoulders as he revved his alt-mode's engine. Rosey Blaze gets into her car and straps in, a smile present on her face. Up above the track, the holographic countdown of lights flash up and begin to countdown. The drivers rev their engines, the ground shaking under their wheels. Inside his car, Braedey rolled his shoulders and grips the wheel. Sure enough, the horn sounds off as the lights go green, and all the cars launch off the line with the roar of their engines echoing out.
The Mach 6 and Shooting Star first take the lead, the Spoiled Brat car struggling to find a path around the rest of the pack, with the Howlin' Heat lurking behind the three cars. The rest of the pack bunch themselves around the track. With the Transformer, Braedey turns hard left, his car sliding its back end out while going on straight at speed, all wheels rotating in the process, spinning without total loss of control. Blaze rockets along at speed, flames spitting from his exhaust. Rosey Blaze keeps up with the boys as she and her car skates about the track as if the car was riding on rails. As this goes on, the Double Deuce falls back a bit with some of the other students also jostling for position. As they drive along, the section on the track opens up to reveal some sophisticated technology and computer operating systems below. A moment goes by, then the pair of large metallic arches rise up before forming up together with a metallic clank. A moment later, within the interior of the arch, the blue portal energises within, almost like that of a Cybertronian Groundbridge.
"Virtual Track activated." An automated voice reported.
The cars make their turn around the track once more, the Mach 6 and Shooting Star both taking the lead, the Spoiled Brat car struggling to move, the Transformer and Howlin' Heat just behind as well as the Thistle, the rest of the pack behind them. They soon began to approach the portal, and once they go through, they find themselves now in a tropical archipelago, set against the glittering sea, with the exciting racetrack weaving in and out of the tropical landscape, spanning an entire archipelago. The features as diverse as a volcano, a coral reef, and an overhanging granite cliff.
"The Helexicon Circuit. Definitely didn't see that one coming." Rin commented on the Comms. "Keep your foot down to make those corkscrews and the jumps, especially the volcano section." She advised.
"Time to crank up the speed." Braedey smirked.
Braedey immediately stomped his foot down on the accelerator as his car rockets ahead, blue flames now shooting out of the rear jet exhaust as he rockets after the Mach 6 and Shooting Star, now making his way along the multi-loop corkscrew section. Braedey could only wince from going round and round, unaware that he had just gotten passed by the Thistle and the Howlin' Heat.
"You okay out there, Braedey?" Rin asked over the Comms.
"Just a little bit-" Braedey was cut off when he was knocked in the back and the side, no thanks to two annoying twins and an angry redhead. "Hey! You lousy little-"
The Double Deuce had split in two and had blocked the Transformer from the side and the front, with the Spoiled Brat rocketing ahead in the process, Annalise smirking under her mask as she goes off to chase after the boys and Rosey Blaze.
"Eat this, robo-boy!" Jesse said.
"You ain't gonna make it!" James added.
"You're gonna lose!" Jesse included.
"No way to go!" James emphasised.
Braedey grunted before he narrowed his eyes, his car grinding against the side of the track, then he pushes one set of buttons on the steering wheel. A split second later, the set of jumpjacks on the right deploy from under the right side of the Transformer, making it perform a left roll overhead of Jesse's car, the latter nearly slamming into the guardrail, the Transformer landing beside them on all four wheels. Once clear, Braedey stomped down on the accelerator and his car rockets away with a blast of blue flames shooting out of the jet exhaust as he launched at over 250 miles per hour, leaving the two twins to watch on.
"Nice work there, Braedey." Rin called on the Comms, her currently looking up at the track schematics. "Now, I've just taken notice of this next part of the track - it's up the ramp towards the volcano. You need to get this aim right or you'll end up right in the lava. The tunnel is right in the heart of the volcano's throat with a central spire before heading off out the other side." Rin advised to Braedey.
"Gotcha. Thanks for the heads-up, Gearhead." Braedey replied back. That made Rin raise an eyebrow. What did he mean by 'gearhead'?
Braedey has a determined expression on his face as he kept racing on ahead, snaking up the track, now charging on towards the ramp that leads up to the volcano, the cloud of ash and smoke rising up from the towering mountain ahead. Fortunately, thanks to his sealed cockpit, he'll be protected against any and all toxic and hazardous substances. He first flips a switch to reveal a green grid screen appears on the cockpit canopy, which has a targeting feature, allowing him to track his position. He picks up on the other cars up ahead as they leap off the ramp for the volcano, then he hits the button to deploy the jumpjacks and sends the Transformer into the air before he adjusted his position, and he ends up down the throat of the volcano, the howling of his car's engine being heard, with the luminous light of the lava inside the volcano lighting up the tunnel.
"Nice move, Braedey!" Ron called out. "Perfect shot!"
"Pedal to the metal!" Braedey stomped down his foot on the accelerator as the Transformer rockets on down the tunnel, like a bullet shooting down the barrel of a gun, riding around the tunnel like it was a slide.
At the end of the tunnel, the Mach 6 and Shooting Star now exit the tunnel at the bottom of the volcano, the Spoiled Brat now driving on and struggling to chase, with the Howlin' Heat lurking behind the three cars. The Thistle is closing in fast on the four cars up ahead. Rosey couldn't help but smirk to herself, but she then heard what could've been the sound of a sonic boom, making her look at the mirrors to see the Transformer shoot out the tunnel like a cannonball out of a cannon, landing down on the track before sliding about and regains control.
"Whoo! What a ride!" Braedey chuckled to himself as he rockets along down the track. "Now I know what a cannonball feels like after being fired out of a cannon!" He keeps charging onward as he spots the other cars further up ahead. "I got them. Mach 6, Shooting Star, Spoiled Brat, Howlin' Heat and Thistle are dead ahead."
"Be careful up ahead." Rin spoke up on the Comms. "There is the big loop further ahead. This one goes up 70 degrees before looping down on a -70 degrees before getting down to ground level."
Braedey looks on ahead and he could see that loop. It looks to be just suspended mid-air. The brunette now narrowed his eyes before he stomps his foot down on the accelerator and began to race after the Mach 6, Shooting Star, Spoiled Brat, Howlin' Heat and Thistle. The white racecar rockets right past the red/black monster-theme racecar, Blaze taken aback by how fast he's going.
The cars now race upwards towards the top section of the loop and go upside down, all of them keeping their feet down on the accelerator so they don't fall off the track. As the Transformer and Spoiled Brat are side-by-side, Annalise turns her head and gritted her teeth before she goes to slam against the white racecar. However, Braedey immediately saw this and he hits the brakes, slowing his car with screeching tyres and spins around, making Annalise slam into the railing before she ends up flying off the track, making her scream out as she disappears from the Virtual Track, just as the Mach 6, Shooting Star, Howlin' Heat and Thistle exit the loop, the Transformer closing in fast.
Rosey Blaze looks back to see the Transformer closing in on her while utilising the slipstream. "Hey! Get outta my slipstream!" She then looks on ahead.
The Transformer drafts behind Thistle, the latter car now swerving left and right to get the white racecar off its tail, but the Transformer was locked right onto her slipstream like it's riding on rails. After a few seconds of Thistle trying to shake of the Transformer, the white racecar executes a slingshot manoeuvre to shoot past Rosey Blaze and does a spinning motion, Braedey smiling as he does so as he passes by the Thistle and straightens his car out after passing the Thistle, just as he looks at his rear-view camera and saw the Howlin' Heat closing in fast. At the last second, Braedey pushes the set of buttons on the steering wheel. A split second later, the four jumpjacks on the underside deploy from under the Transformer, making it perform a jump overhead of Blaze's car, making him look on, the Transformer landing behind them on all four wheels.
"Sneaky move there." Blaze commented after that.
With both the Howlin' Heat and Thistle up ahead of him and blocking his path, as well as both the Mach 6 and the Shooting Star, all the while as they leap over jumps they pass over reefs and shoot on through the forests and go over two banking jumps in the process, Braedey opted to take an unorthodox approach to find a way to get past the four cars at once, especially with the end of the race coming up. He raised his left hand and placed it into the hole, just as the clamp forms over the Transformatrix, the watch beeping in confirmation, Braedey pulling his hand back. He taps the faceplate, the core popping up, which brought up the blue, hologram image of Bumblebee. He scrolls through the playlist as he spins the dial, then he found what he's looking for and pushes down the core.
Outside the car, a blue flash that washes over the car like a wave, the white colour scheme giving way to reveal a series of black cracks forming across the bodywork. At the same time, the headlights change colour to a dark purple, as well as the engine giving off an ominous purple glow in the process.
"Cloaker Mode... here we go." Braedey muttered out softly and hesitation. Rin also heard something in her teammate's tone that she'd never heard before. Fear. Was there something about this Cloaker mode that Braedey hesitant?
With the vehicle now transformed, it looked like it was emitting some kind of ghostly aura, and someone could see right through the car like it wasn't there. Braedey puts his foot down and the car began to roll ahead, but there didn't seem to be any sound coming from the engine or the tyres, as if the car wasn't even there. With the Mach 6, Shooting Star, Howlin' Heat and Thistle all jostling about for the lead, the Transformer closes in fast and phased right through them, much to their surprise as the Transformer now takes the lead from them.
"No way..." Blaze shuddered as he looks on. "He really DID use Cloaker..." He had heard stories about that paranormal spectral Cybertronian ghost, but seeing this was definitely something.
A moment later, a red flash washed over the car like the blue flash did beforehand, the black cracks across the bodywork now fading away. With that, Braedey kept his foot down on the accelerator and rocketed on with the Mach 6, Shooting Star, Howlin' Heat and Thistle all trailing behind, just as the exit portal to the track revealed itself in the final turn. The cars exit the Virtual Track via the exit portal, the Transformer leading with Mach 6 and Shooting Star tied for 2nd, the Howlin' Heat and Thistle taking 3rd and 4th. The cars drive across the finish line and come to a stop to cheering crowds and fanfare.
Braedey panted and smiled to himself as he unstraps himself from his seat and opens the cockpit canopy. While he was climbing out of the car, Rin ran up to greet him with a smile on her face, with Speed and X both sharing brotherly hugs and handshakes, Blaze smiling to himself as Rosey Blaze got out of her racer. Annalise threw her helmet down at the ground in anger after she had lost yet again, the twins trying to calm her down before she stormed off in a huff, with Speed being greeted by Lucy and Conor, and their mechanical monkey Chim-Chim.
"That was just awesome." Rin finally panted out. She looked pretty excited. "You just did that without hesitation!"
"Hey, thanks." Braedey shrugged back. "But I couldn't have done it without a good set of eyes watching out for me."
"Thanks for that." Rin smiled.
Rosey Blaze walked over to Braedey. "Gotta admit, you've got some serious skills out there, kid. Whether as a hero or a racer." She shook hands with Braedey.
"Thanks so much, and I wish you the best of luck in the World Racing League, Miss Blaze." Braedey thanked and wishes good luck.
"Hey, thanks a lot." Rosey Blaze now pulls out what looks to be an autograph book. "Oh. By the way, if it's not too much trouble, could I get your autograph?" She asked.
Braedey couldn't help but chuckle softly to himself. "Of course." He gets a pen from Rin, opens a clear page in Rosey's autograph book, and he signs inside of it. "Not everyday I get asked to sign their books or something else." He commented.
"Being a celebrity has its perks and downfalls." Rosey Blaze shrugged.
"That, I cannot argue with." Braedey finished with his signature, then hands the autograph book back to Rosey Blaze. "And great race out there today."
"Same to you." Rosey Blaze smiled with a nod before she goes over to Speed and X, no doubt to ask for their autographs.
"Guess she's just as big a racer as she's a fan." Blaze commented as he walked over to Braedey and Rin. "That Helexicon track was definitely something."
"Yeah. I felt dizzy just watching all those loops." Rin laughed.
"I'm gonna have to do better on that one too." Braedey agreed. He then recalled his talk with Speed revolving the Mach 6's gasless engine, which got him thinking.
'What is the secret behind the Mach 6's engine?' Braedey thought to himself.