Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter Text
20 years ago, the world fell apart. It feels like both yesterday and ancient history at the same time. No one knows where it started, or who created it (and frankly, most people don’t care these days), but one day, a powerful virus was unleashed on the world’s networks, and within the hour, every computer on Earth was rendered inoperable, and the power grids completely failed in an instant.
Governments around the world desperately raced to get the networks back online as society crumbled around them. But, it was all for nothing. The old world was dead, and there was no bringing it back. The only thing that could be done now, was salvage and preserve what was left.
As scattered groups of raiders began to fight for whatever supplies they could, cities across the US began to erect massive walls around their perimeters. The criminals and other dissidents were tossed outside to fend for themselves, while everyone else got to stay inside. Some of the larger settlements were even able to get a limited amount of power working, albeit with an emphasis on ‘limited’.
Eventually, time passed as it always did, and the American people began to settle into a new sort of normalcy. Outsiders fight for scraps outside, insiders stay inside, except for the brave drivers they send out to trade with other settlements. It seemed like things were beginning to finally settle down.
And then, it happened.
One day, out of nowhere, black CDs began to rain down from the skies. It wasn’t limited to just one settlement, either. It was the whole country. No one could see any sort of plane, blimp, or balloon that these were being dropped from, so naturally, people started to freak out a little bit. More than a few people, however, were curious as to what was on the CDs, so they popped them into their radio, and heard a message:
“Ladies and gentlemen of the once United States of America, lend me your ears for but a moment, and heed my words. I am Calypso, and with this message, I extend to you an invitation. I invite you to come and claim your destiny. I am to host a contest, a gladitorial deathmatch inside the walls of various settlements across this once great land. There will be carnage, there will be death, and there will be destruction.
I will warn you now. The stakes for playing are rather high. The cost of losing will be nothing less than your immortal soul. But, if you win, if you survive, I will grant you the ultimate prize: 1 wish, anything you could possibly desire. There will be no limits on size, value, or even reality.
I care not where you come from, I care not what you want, I ask you only one simple question:
Will you drive?”
Chapter 2: Combatants
Chapter Text
- Sweet Tooth: Marcus “Needles” Kane
- A deranged entertainer on the hunt for the new material for his show.
- Reaper: Mr. Grimm
- A harbinger of souls seeking to finally his most elusive quarry yet.
- Stargazer: Krista “Dollface” Spars
- A disgraced supermodel on the hunt for the one who stole her beauty.
- Brimstone: Jebediah “Preacher” Slade
- A traveling evangelist on a divine mission to purge Calypso from this realm.
- Junkyard Dog: Bubba Jay
- A southern boy on a mission to make his family healthy again.
- Axel: Axel
- A wounded slave fighter representing his masters and their wishes.
- Outlaw: Agent Robert Stone
- A former security officer on a vigilante crusade across the country.
- Crimson Fury: Agent Nathaniel Shepard
- A European agent seeking to gain intel on Calypso’s powers.
- Spectre: Veronica Silver
- A disowned heiress desperately trying to get her life back.
- Roadkill: John Doe
- A nobody looking for information about his past, and his ominous tattoo.
- Pit Viper: Angela Fortin
- A hired gun sent to kill Calypso in exchange for a life of luxury.
- Death Warrant: XJ-39
- A prototype combat robot, seeking to become human.
- Talon: Cvatra Tiaelaena
- The captain of an exploration ship, hoping to return to his home planet.
- Kamikaze: Kiyomi Sato
- A Japanese daughter seeking a cure for her father’s illness.
- Twister: Amanda Watts
- An aging racing champion seeking to outrun her own clock.
- Thumper: Vincent “Vinnie” Burks
- A former street thug racing to clear his best friend’s name.
- Shadow: Bellatrix “Raven” Jasper
- A powerful mage seeking to reclaim a stolen artifact.
- 12-Pak: Samuel Boomer
- A former racing star seeking to shed the weight of his celebrity.
- Warthog: Morgan “Mr. President” Russells
- Once the president of a great land, fighting to rebuild his nation.
- Yellowjacket: Charlie “CJ” Kane Jr.
- A kindhearted mechanic looking for his long-lost twin brother.
- Hammerhead: Jason “Warlord” Griffon
- An egomaniac seeking total domination of the country.
- Vermin: Sparky
- A loyal companion on a rescue mission for his best friend.
- Minion: “Nine”
- A doomsday worshipper heeding the call of his twisted god.
- Road Boat: Evelyn “Quiet” Thompson
- An escaped slave hoping to rescue her brother and escape together.
- Tumbleweed: Pamela “Granny” Redd
- A doting grandma hoping to make a new life for her family.
- Meat Wagon: Dr. Julia Becker
- A disgraced former healer now on a quest to create the ultimate lifeform.
- Slammer: Simon Whittlebone
- A disgruntled architect who dreams of building his floating paradise.
- Crazy 8: Allister Hoffman
- A playboy gambler in a race against time to pay off his debts.
- Darkside: Lord Ash
- A mysterious figure who seems to have a score to settle with Calypso.
- Manslaughter: Black
- A rage-fueled monster looking to break his chains of servitude.
- Flower Power: Amber Rose
- A member of a hippy caravan hoping to reunite the people of America.
- Grasshopper: Navajo
- A young tribal warrior looking for a new home for his people.
- Firestarter: Damien Coles
- A pyromaniac cursed with eternal chill, dreaming of finally feeling warm again.
- Trapper: Wade “Catfish” Birch
- A hunter on the hunt for revenge against the beast who took his arm.
- Proudstar: Gene “Genie” Ruttish
- A daredevil who’s just looking for a good time.
- Snowsquatch: Jacqueline Frost
- A mad survivalist believing she is the reincarnation of an ancient spirit
- Scavenger: Gary “Vulture” Marks
- A depraved raider who just wants some shinies
- Roach Coach: Chester “Goggle Eyes” Winston
- A germaphobe seeking to cleanse the world