Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Welcome back to RC Radio. The best channel for music to race your car.”

He chuckled, “Did you hear about Trestle's mayor's cat having a pure gold chained collar?” 

She gasped, “No! That is so crazy!” 

“Yep. Twenty-four carrot collar. Worth fifteen thousand dollars. I now know where my tax dollars are going.” 

She laughed, “Choking a kitty cat's neck. The next song is a good one by Emin Nilsen. It's Beamer, Benz, or Bentley.” 

<>

“Go on his left, Blarg.” Kryoz ordered, “Grizzy and Puffer, try to keep the cops off us.”

The three sports cars got into positions around a silver Mazda RX7. The windows were tinted black so that they couldn't see the racer inside. This racer had been giving them trouble for the past few days. He wasn't listening to the rules. The day before, he caused three wrecks, with cops hitting civilian cars while trying to catch him. 

He was racing during rush hours and ignoring the crew's attempts to stop him. He never stopped at the bunker to pick up claims, so the crew decided to stop him for disobeying the code. Kryoz closed in on the Mazda's right, trying to box him in. The Mazda downshifted and dodged his pit maneuver. 

“Fuck!” He snapped. 

“We might need Smii7y’s help with this one.” Blarg said as he downshifted to follow after the Mazda. 

“I bet we can get this fucker.” Puffer responded. 

“Eleven-fifty-four. Weather conditions are picking up. All units return for storm preparations. Racers will be heading in soon.” The police scanner ordered. 

“Or not. Where the fuck is Smii7y anyway?” Grizzy asked. The Mazda sped away as the crew slowed down. Rain started to pelt their windshields. 

“Last I saw him, he was with Pezzy. They are probably back at the bunker already.” Blarg replied. He zipped past Kryoz in the other lane. He got a Porsche Cayman after his BMW was totaled by the pursuit team. Its dark blue paint reflected the dark clouds above. 

Kryoz shifted to follow him down a dirt road. A turquoise Camaro ZL1 followed behind, and the black and orange transitioning Challenger Hellcat was behind Puffer. The bunker was an abandoned shipping port. A shipping container ship was beached in the docks. It was left to rot, but now the racers of Trestle used it as a car meet. 

Kryoz and the others pulled their cars into the warehouse of the dock. Other racers waved as they drove through the crowds. 

Grizzy sighed dramatically, “I love our life.” They got out of their vehicles, parking them out of the rain. Blarg was short. He kept his dark blond hair cut short. His eyes were a hazle-blue. Puffer was the tallest of the crew. He had black hair and dark brown eyes behind round glasses. 

Grizzy had dark skin and black curled locks. His body was well built, and his eyes were as dark as his hair. Kryoz matched Blarg's height. His eyes were a bright blue, and his hair was a light brown. He kept the sides behind his ears cut short. 

They evaded the crowd that challenged them to races and bets. The four of them disappeared into a private repair shop. Blarg's repair shop was where Kryoz's crew spent most of their time when they weren't on the streets. 

That's where the last two members of the crew were talking. They were both similar heights. One was a dark blond, and the other was a brunette. Pezzy smiled as they came in, his eyes crinkling around his blue eyes. He was excellent on a dark purple sports bike. 

“Hey, guys. Did you catch that guy?” Pezzy asked. 

Smii7y slipped his hands into his hoodie pocket. He had a pure white strip of hair that fell in front of his bright green eyes. He was the fastest street racer in Trestle, and Kryoz would be convinced that he was the fastest in the world. His white Porsche GT3 RS was untouchable by any racer or law enforcement. 

“Missed him again. We will get him after the storm passes.” Puffer explained. He plopped down comfortably in the sitting area in the workshop. 

Smii7y arched a brow, “Do you guys need help?” 

“Nah. We can get his ass. I want to put him in his place.” Blarg emphasized the “I”, implying that he wanted to take out the rogue racer. 

Smii7y shrugged, “Alright. I wanted to–” Smii7y was cut off by the door opening to the workshop. A man poked his head in. 

“Uh… Smii7y. You may want to come out here.” He said. He had black hair and oddly bright golden eyes. 

“What is it, Daukey?” Smii7y asked. 

“Uh…” He glanced back into the warehouse as a loud engine revved and people shouted, “You may want to see for yourself.” 

The crew all looked at each other before heading to the door to follow Daukey. A crowd of people surrounded a silver Mazda. The troublesome racer. 

“What the fuck?” Grizzy asked.

“What the fuck is he doing here?” Blarg seethed. 

“It just pulled in like they owned the place.” Daukey explained. 

Smii7y’s eyes narrowed, “We will deal with it.” Smii7y pushed through the crowd to the space between them and the car. His crew stood behind him. 

“Get out of here!” Someone in the crowd shouted. 

“Disgusting racer!” Another one shouted. 

“Knock it off!” Smii7y demanded. Instantly, the crowd went dead silent. The only sound was the engine of the Mazda. It revved again and then turned off. The driver's side door opened. A woman stepped out. Kryoz wasn't expecting a she to be driving that car and that well.

“So, you're the fastest guy on this island, huh?” She asked, looking Smii7y up and down. She closed her car door. She had light blond hair braided over her shoulder and light green irises. Her eyes scanned over the crew as well. Kryoz took a step forward to stand beside Smii7y, crossing his arms over his chest. 

“That depends on who you are.” Smii7y returned. His hands found their way back to his hoodie pocket. 

She hummed, “I thought you would be a little more intimidating.” Puffer, Pezzy, Grizzy, and Blarg made disgruntled noises behind. 

She nodded at Kryoz, “Now he's intimidating. Driving is pretty good, too. Especially in a little four banger.” She gave him a smirk. 

“You come here just to insult us or apologize for your reckless driving?” Kryoz asked harshly. 

“Comedian too? Pretty cute. I'm Pyra. I'm new around these parts. I like what I see.” She said, “The cops are fun, and the racers are even better to mess with.” She shot a gleeful smile at Kryoz. 

“What are you here for?” Blarg asked with a rough tone. He stood on Smii7y’s other side. 

“To challenge the biggest, baddest guy on this little island.”  She said simply, “Well, I guess the littlest guy.” Lots of eyes fell onto Smii7y, including his crew's eyes. 

“No.” Smii7y said flatly. Puzzled and surprised looks went around the whole crowd. Even Pyra looked shocked. 

She quickly gathered her confidence back, “Why? Scared?”

“No. I don't race people who think they're above the code. Gain some respect for the roads and the people who drive on them, and then we'll talk.” Smii7y said coldly. Mutters and nods went around the crowd. She glared at Smii7y. 

“I think I was asking the wrong racer.” She looked at Kryoz, “Tell me you have some pride.” 

“I do. It's in the code. Follow it before you end up in jail.” Kryoz retorted. 

“Get out of here before the storm gets any worse.” Smii7y ordered. He turned to head back to the workshop. Kryoz glared at the cocky racer. 

“Race me, and I'll consider your code.” She called to Smii7y, causing him to pause, “Walk away, and I'll keep breaking your little rules. Purposely.” 

“Who the fuck are you to come in here, insult us, and then threaten us?!” Grizzy snapped. 

“A girl who wants a challenge. Your goons couldn't catch me, so I'm not worried about you trying to get me caught or whatever. It won't work. I'll make accidents like the ones yesterday every hour. All night. All day. Your streets won't be safe with me around.” She grinned sadistically. 

“Smii7y. Don't give this bitch what she wants. We can let the pursuit team have her.” Blarg shot her a glare. 

“Oh. Them? In the sports cars? They are fun. They chased me around all day yesterday. One hit another car.” She smiled when Smii7y turned to glower at her. 

“Fine. You want to fucking race, let's race. I win, you leave the fucking island and never come back. You win, you can stay.” Smii7y said with lines between his brows. 

“Smii7y.” Kryoz muttered, getting his attention. Kryoz had warning in his gaze. This was not a good idea. They could handle her without her ego inflating. 

She hummed, “How about we up the stakes. You win, I leave the island for good. I win, you leave the island for good.” Gasps and sharp breaths traveled around the crowd. 

“What?! No! You're the challenger! Smii7y is not leaving!” Puffer spat. 

“Alright. Deal.” Smii7y replied. 

“What?!” The crew all exclaimed at once.

Pyra grinned, “Wonderful. I hope you're as good as everyone says you are.” 

“Smii7y! This is stupid! Think for two seconds with your head and not your ego!” Kryoz spat. He didn't doubt Smii7y’s skill behind the wheel. It was the unknown behind the Mazda's wheel that scared him to be putting that much on the line. 

“I am.” Smii7y responded and turned to the woman, “Cow Tongue Pass tomorrow at midnight.” 

“Oh, no. I know your reputation with that road. Since I’d hate for anyone else to get hurt, I get to decide the track and the time.” She thought for a moment, “Coastline Road, and I feel like we've wasted enough time. We race right now.” Even Smii7y’s eyes flared with surprise. Kryoz was getting the sense of deja vu. That was the same road another racer had wrecked on, taking his life during a hurricane. Now, they were risking it taking another. 

“Deal.” Smii7y proclaimed. 

“Smii7y!” Blarg, Grizzy, Kryoz, and Puffer all shouted at once. 

Pyra grinned, “I'll give you fifteen minutes. See you at Coastline, Ghost Porsche.” She opened her car door. She started her car and peeled the tires on the concrete. The crowd and crew backed up as she drifted around a hundred and eighty degrees to drift through the opening garage door. She nearly scraped the roof of her car and wing on the bottom of the door but missed it by a hair. Her exhaust was lost in the severity of the storm. Smii7y walked towards his car, it beeping as he unlocked it. 

“Smii7y!” Kryoz snapped, catching his shoulder, “What the fuck are you doing?” 

“My job.” He replied. 

“Smii7y. You can't take this bitch seriously!” Puffer spat. 

“On Coastline Road, too? During a storm? This is familiar.” Pezzy said. Smii7y glanced over his shoulder, pulling away from Kryoz. 

“Figured you guys would have a bit more faith in me.” He grumbled. 

“We do, but this is fucking stupid! You're going to get yourself killed!” Blarg retaliated. 

“Smii7y. Don't do this.” Kryoz said. Smii7y’s eyes flicked over his. He didn't show anger or concern like Kryoz was expecting. He had a glint in his eye, showing confidence. 

“It will be fine. Trust me.” He opened his car door and started it. 

“He's going to get himself killed.” Grizzy muttered. 

Kryoz exhaled, “Let's go make sure that doesn't happen.” 

Chapter Text

“Hello, race fans! Welcome back to RC Radio. I read an article the other day about strawberries.” 

“Strawberries? Like the fruit?” He asked. 

“Funny you say that. They aren't fruit. They aren't berries either.” She chuckled. 

“That's false advertising. What are they?” He asked. 

“They are an accessory fruit, made up of a bunch of tiny little fruits.” She replied. 

“So, technically still a fruit. That's like saying dirty blond hair isn't blond because it's darker. It's still blond.” They both laughed.

“Anyway, this song is called ICY by Trearz! One of my personal favorites!”

<>

Kryoz pulled into the wide shoulder of Coastline Road. The sea crashed against the cliffside. A few waves reached the road, adding to the danger. Rain and ocean water pelted his windshield, making what was ahead barely visible. It was almost pitch black out, thanks to the night and clouds. A Camaro, Challenger, and Cayman all pulled in behind him. Pezzy was riding with Puffer since he couldn't ride his bike in the rain. 

“Are we actually letting him do this?” Grizzy asked through Kryoz's phone. The white Porsche sat in the right lane, waiting for his challenger. Coastline Road was closed for good reason. There wouldn't be any cops or civilians on the road. Racers shouldn't be either. Smii7y had turned off his phone after Kryoz and the others tried to talk him out of it again.

Kryoz exhaled and got out of his car. The rain and ocean spray instantly soaked him. He walked towards the Porsche. Thankfully, the door was unlocked, allowing him to get into Smii7y’s passenger seat. 

Smii7y sighed when Kryoz closed the door, “Kryoz. I'm not changing my mind.”

“I know. You're more stubborn than I am.” Kryoz replied. Lightning flashed, lighting up a wave that crashed over the road a few yards in front of them.  

“Why the hell are you doing this? I know damn well it's not because of your ego.” Kryoz asked. 

“She needs to get off our streets.” Smii7y replied flatly. 

“So, this is the best way to do that? Racing on this road in these conditions? The same conditions that took another friend's life?” Kryoz asked bitterly, “You can't do that to the others. They lost enough.” 

“She killed someone yesterday, Kryoz!” Smii7y snapped. 

Kryoz took a sharp breath, “Who?” 

“A civilian. Pyra challenged another racer and caused him to wreck into a civilian car. She caused Flom to wreck and injured another person and him. That's just the start. She could hurt or kill more innocents or one of you.” Smii7y explained, “I'm getting her off my roads before she targets any more racers or cops and kills innocents.”

Kryoz tapped his finger in the door of the Porsche, thinking, “If she's targeting racers, she will be trying something this race. Take out the top racer, and you become the top.” 

“I know.” 

“Then why the fuck are you falling into her plan?” Kryoz asked. 

Smii7y glanced at him; that malicious glint in his eye from earlier was followed by a smirk, “Because she's falling into mine.” 

Kryoz's brows furrowed, “What are you planning?” 

Smii7y smiled, “I told you. Have some faith in me. I'm not that arrogant to have a murder trick me into signing my own death. Now get out of my car.” 

“No. If you're risking your life, then I am too.” Kryoz stated. He took the seat belt and buckled it across his chest. 

“Seriously, Kryoz?” Smii7y asked with a sigh. 

“Yup. More instinctive not to kill yourself. ” Kryoz grinned at the glare Smii7y gave him, “What's your plan?”

“Fine. You're washing my car for getting water in it. Up ahead is–” He was cut off by a loud engine pulling up next to them. A silver RX7. She rolled down her passenger-side window. Smii7y rolled down his window.

“It would be a lot easier if you download the app!” He shouted over the storm, making Kryoz laugh. 

“I hope you're ready. That cutie racing, too?” She asked over a crashing wave, “If you want to ride with the winner, you're in the wrong car.” 

“Fuck off! He's my passenger princess. Let's get this started before my car starts smelling like fish!” Smii7y snapped, and Kryoz laughed again. 

“Damn right.” Kryoz smirked as Smii7y rolled up his window.

“Already smells like a fish in here.” He grumbled while looking at all the water that made it into his car. 

“She is really good. You know that, right, milkbag?” Kryoz said, watching his friend. 

“So I've been told.” Smii7y put his clutch in as a woman stepped in between the two cars. She looked miserable, standing out on a slick road in the middle of a hurricane.  

“What's your plan to keep her from killing us?” Kryoz asked. 

Smii7y huffed, “You'll see.” The two cars revved, anxious to be released. 

“I fucking hate you.” Kryoz spat. Smii7y just snickered. The woman waved around a closed umbrella. She held up three fingers. Lightning flashed as she put one down. She pointed the umbrella out in front of her as she put down the second finger. 

The umbrella opened, and the Porsche and Mazda took off down the winding road. Smii7y pulled ahead thanks to his car's speed, but he stayed in the right lane, refusing to drift into the left lane around sharp turns. 

“Keeping her on the outside.” Kryoz noticed. 

“Can't push me off a cliff if she can't get on my right.” He downshifted so fast after getting out of a s-curve that Kryoz only felt the car gain more speed. Smii7y was terrifying behind the wheel. Kryoz checked for the Mazda in the side mirror. Pyra's headlights were nearly in the Porsche's bumper. 

When Kryoz looked ahead, there was a sharp bend and a massive wave about to crash into the road in front of the two speeding cars. Smii7y acted before Kryoz's brain did. The wave hit the right lane first, arching over the left. Lightning flashed through the wave as the Porsche drifted around the bend under hundreds of gallons of water. Pyra had to hit the brakes to avoid being wiped out by the wave while Smii7y continued at his wicked speed. 

“Holy shit!” Kryoz breathed. 

“Going to take me a month to get all the salt off this thing.” Smii7y said, driving around another bend, using the wet roads to his advantage. 

“You just barreled a wave in a fucking Porsche and that's your main concern?” Kryoz asked, making Smii7y laugh. Smii7y swerved to avoid a pit maneuver from Pyra. 

“She caught up faster than I thought she would.” He mumbled. He moved back to the inside lane, nearly hydroplaning off the road. 

“Fuck.” He muttered as he got the car back up to speed, “Roads are worse than I expected too.” Pyra was ahead now. She stayed in front of Smii7y to keep him from passing. 

“That's not a great thing to hear right now.” Kryoz returned. 

“Just means they're just as bad for her.” Smii7y replied. He zipped over to the outside lane, and she did the same. Smii7y then jumped back over to the right lane. She attempted to do the same, but her car severely fishtailed from a shallow wave crashing over the road. She sideswiped the guardrail.  Smii7y raced away as she got the Mazda back on track. 

“Smart.” Kryoz acknowledged. 

“She expected our downfall on this road, but it will be her own.” Smii7y rounded a corner with a perfect drift and lights up ahead shined down on the wet road. A tunnel. The Irene tunnel. The longest tunnel on Trestle. Smii7y checked his rear view mirror and let off the accelerator.

“What are you doing?” Kryoz asked. 

“My plan.” 

The Mazda's headlights caught up almost instantly. Smii7y stayed ahead, avoiding another few fender bumps Pyra tried. They neared the tunnel, and the lights were almost blinding. 

“This is going to get a little narrow.” Smii7y warned as they approached the tunnel rapidly. Pyra tried to get him to crash into the side of the tunnel as they entered. She went wide in the narrow space, pulling up beside Smii7y. She jerked right to pin the Porsche into the wall, but Smii7y dropped several gears and hit the brakes, causing him to pull back. She smashed into the wall of the tunnel and bounced off of it, going into another fishtail. 

Smii7y threw the car back into high gear and bumped her right fender, causing her to spin out completely. Kryoz heard several loud pops like explosions. Smii7y pulled the parking brake, hauling the car around a hundred and eighty degrees, missing the wall of the tunnel and his bumper by millimeters and coming to a stop. 

“Fuck! I'm never riding with you again!” Kryoz exclaimed. Smii7y chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. Smii7y got out of his car, and Kryoz's brows furrowed. They were in the middle of a race, no? He got out too, seeing what happened. Tire marks were left on the dry pavement from Smii7y’s Porsche after he hit Pyra. He had drifted around before a collection of spike strips. 

On the other side of the spike strips, with flat tires, was the Mazda. The Mazda's front end was completely smashed in from hitting the wall of the tunnel at high speeds. Police sirens blared down the other end of the tunnel. Four black pursuit vehicles screeched to a halt on the other side of the wreck, followed by a few police cruisers. Tucker and Eli quickly rushed Pyra's vehicle. 

“Out of the car!” Tucker ordered. Nogla and Vanoss got out of their cars. Eli and Tucker pulled Pyra from her vehicle. She had a bleeding nose, but that looked like the worst of her injuries. 

“You son of a bitch! How the fuck are you that good?! You were supposed to die!” She screamed. She fought against Tucker and Eli with everything she had. Tooth and nail included. Vanoss and Nogla had to run over and help restrain her. 

“No! That's not possible!” Her screams were blood-curdling as they wrestled her into a cop car. Nogla, the chief, glanced at the Ghost Porsche. Smii7y slipped his hands into his pockets, watching the pursuit team closely. Nogla nodded once at Smii7y. Smii7y returned it.

“Get this cleaned up!” He ordered his men. 

“What about Smii7y?” Eli asked. 

“As far as the press knows, he got away from us again.” Nogla smiled as he met Smii7y’s eyes again. 

Smii7y huffed, “Let's get out of here before they change their minds. I have something to tell you and the boys.” Smii7y and Kryoz got into the Porsche, and it screeched away, back down the tunnel and into the storm. 

“What was that all about?” Kryoz asked. 

“Nogla reached out to me when Flom got hurt. He warned me that she was purposely taking out racers and pursuit team members. He wanted to lure her into a trap and needed me to be the bait.” Smii7y explained. 

“And you weren't worried about falling into the same trap?” Kryoz asked. Smii7y waited for a wave to crash over the road again before picking up speed again.

Smii7y shrugged, “Nogla has some humility. We both wanted her off the streets, so I agreed to help him.” 

“For no returns?” Kryoz asked. 

“He let me go, right?” Smii7y asked. 

“I guess. Just seems like something they would do to ground you. Two birds with one stone.” Kryoz admitted. 

“Don't worry. I kept that in mind. I watched them set up the trap before the storm. I knew what I was driving into.” He pulled up to the parked sport cars waiting for his return, “Have the guys head back to the bunker. I'll meet you guys there. I want to tell you something.” Kryoz noticed his excitement about it. 

“Where are you going?” Kryoz asked as he grabbed the door handle.

“Just going to visit an old friend.” He looked longingly down the road. Kryoz had been with the crew for almost a year now, and every hurricane was the same. Smii7y would vanish during the storms. All the guys still hadn't gotten over Droid's death, but Smii7y still carried his death on his shoulders. Kryoz believed he went to the crash site during the storms. 

Kryoz nodded, “See you at the bunker. Good race.” He got out of the fastest car on the island and headed for his own. Smii7y drove away into the night. He didn't want to get in the way of his friend's grief.

“Glad you and Smii7y are okay, Kryoz–” Puffer started.

Grizzy cut him off, “What happened?!” 

“Did Smii7y win?” Blarg asked.

“Where's Pyra?” Pezzy asked.

Kryoz chuckled, “I'll tell you guys what happened while we wait for Smii7y at the bunker. He wants to talk to us about something.” They drove back to the bunker, which was mostly empty from people heading out for the night. 

Grizzy slumped on the sofa when they walked into Blarg's workshop, “I hope Smii7y doesn't take too long. I'm fucking tired.” 

“Smii7y working with the TPD is concerning to me.” Puffer said. 

“Why? They just caught that crazy ass bitch?” Blarg asked. 

“Uh, I don't know. Traps maybe. They are desperate.” Puffer retorted. 

Kryoz shook his head, “Not this time. Putting Flom in the hospital made Nogla worried, so the deal was that Smii7y helped them catch Pyra, and he could get away. If they wanted to catch us, it would've been easy to block us in the tunnel.” 

“Yeah. Smii7y wouldn't be stupid enough to trap himself in the tunnel if he didn't trust Nogla.” Pezzy agreed. 

“Maybe. It just has me worried. They could take advantage of us, and this could be the start.” Puffer countered. 

“We'll be careful, Puffer. I trust the TPD as far as I can throw them.” Blarg said. They heard an engine rev in the garage. Smii7y walked in a few seconds later. 

“Did you tell them?” He asked, joining them around the seating area. 

“The race? Yeah! You drifted under a wave?! That's wild! The lightning struck at that same moment too!” Grizzy exclaimed, sitting up. 

Kryoz smirked, “It was surreal.” 

Smii7y chuckled, “Definitely one of the coolest things I've done.” 

“What's so important that you have to tell us at two AM?” Puffer asked with a yawn.

Smii7y’s face lit up, “It's good news! The Superior reached out to me!” 

Pezzy gasped, “No way!” Smii7y nodded. 

“Wait. Wait. The who now? Or what?” Kryoz asked. 

“Ever wonder where our claims come from?” Blarg asked, “They come from The Superior. He funds racers to escape pursuits.” 

Smii7y put his hands in his hoodie pocket, “He heard about my skill and wanted to see for himself! If he likes what he sees, he could double, maybe even triple claims for Trestle!” 

“I like the sound of that!” Grizzy smirked. 

“He's coming here?” Kryoz asked. Smii7y glanced away and bit his lip. A sign that he was pondering the consequences of his next words. 

“No. I have to go to the mainland.” Smii7y muttered sheepishly. 

“Fuck no! Then we are all going.” Puffer demanded. 

“You can't. He specifically asked for me. You guys need to stay here to catch heat.” Smii7y agreed. 

“You're not going alone! We just talked about this. Back me up, Kryoz,” Puffer glanced at Kryoz, “This could be a trap! The TPD is getting desperate and could be setting up a trap for you!” 

“How long are you going to be gone?” Kryoz asked. 

“A week at most. I don't want the pursuit team to rip the racers apart. I want to be back before they even realize I'm gone.” Smii7y answered. 

“Damn. Didn't know we were that insignificant to you, Smii7y.” Grizzy teased, earning him a glare from Smii7y. 

“No! Smii7y! You're going to drive me crazy! The moment you land, they are probably going to jump you or something, and we won't be there to help you!” Puffer retaliated. 

“Puffer. This is huge. If The Superior likes what I can do, this will benefit us! Maybe we could be more than just an island out in the middle of nowhere with pesky racers.” Smii7y’s arms crossed over his chest. Kryoz saw his mental walls go up as he turned away slightly, saying more than he probably intended to. 

“You want to do this to get famous?” Kryoz asked. 

Smii7y closed his eyes, “I– I… Yeah… I know that sounds selfish but… I don’t know…” Smii7y had done more for this island than anyone else had. He found a way for racers to do what they loved safely. People on the island respected him. Even the pursuit team. It wasn't wrong for someone to want to be famous for their skill. Even if it was illegal. And Smii7y deserved a little bit of fame. 

“You should go.” Kryoz said. Everyone's eyes turned to the size of golf balls when they looked at him. 

“Was not expecting that.” Blarg muttered. 

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's also improving our claims, so it would be dumb not to take it.” Kryoz explained. Smii7y gave him a smile. 

Puffer sighed, “Okay. But you should at least take someone with you. Just in case.” 

Smii7y nodded, “Pezzy?” 

Pezzy nearly jumped out of his shoes, “What? Why me? Why not Kryoz or Blarg?” 

“Like I said, they need to stay and catch heat. You also deal with claims, so I'm sure you can work out a deal with The Superior.” Smii7y explained. 

Pezzy smiled, “Okay! That sounds awesome!” 

“Just be careful. The police on the mainland are way worse. There're no dirt roads to slip away on either.” Kryoz warned. 

Smii7y scoffed, “I can do more than drive up mountains fast and drift on dirt.” 

“Bro says that like we can all drive up the pass going over a hundred.” Grizzy mumbled, making Blarg chuckle. 

“When are you leaving?” Puffer asked. 

“Tomorrow.” Smii7y said. 

“What?! Like tomorrow when the sun rises, or tomorrow?” Pezzy yelped.

Smii7y laughed, “Tomorrow. Give you time to pack. I want to leave soon before the pursuit team catches wind and sets up a trap.” 

“Good idea.” Kryoz agreed. Blarg and Kryoz met Pezzy at the docks the day they were leaving. Smii7y was nowhere to be found. The sun was rising in the east. 

Kryoz yawned, “For being the fastest mother fucker on this island, he sure is late a lot.” Blarg laughed. 

“You look nervous, Pezzy.” Blarg noticed. 

“Uh. Sort of. I'm nervous about the cops on the mainland. I don't think I could escape the cops.” Pezzy admitted nervously. 

“Just let Smii7y handle it. It's what he does best, after all. And if you're meeting The Superior, I'm sure his crew will make sure you don't get busted.” Blarg replied. 

“Does The Superior have a crew?” Kryoz asked. 

“I'd assume so. He'd get caught before too long without one. You and Smii7y better not join him. You're ours, Pezzy.” Blarg warned with a smile. 

Pezzy laughed, “We won't. I love Trestle.” 

“Just Trestle?” Kryoz asked with a raised brow. An engine roared as it pulled up next to Pezzy's bike. Smii7y got out of his car. 

“Was starting to think I was going to the mainland alone.” Pezzy teased. 

“Can't let you have all the fun, Pezzy.” Smii7y returned, “You ready?” 

“Ready as I'll ever be.” Pezzy nodded. 

“I'm serious about the cops over there. They are ruthless.” Kryoz warned. 

“I'm sure we'll be fine. Don't break my island while I'm gone.” Smii7y returned. 

Blarg chuckled, “No promises.” Smii7y got into his car, and Pezzy drove his bike onto the ferry. A lot of tourists pointed in awe at the sports car and bike. 

“I feel like a teenager who got left with the house while my parents are gone for the weekend.” Kryoz smirked. 

Blarg snickered, “Let's not let the island fall into a high-school frat party.” 

Chapter Text

“Welcome to RC Radio, where we don't even know what the R or the C stands for.” They both laughed. 

“Okay, okay. We need to address the elephant in the room. As residents of Trestle, we all know that we have racers, and good ones at that. The Ghost Porsche, specifically.” He said. 

“Oh yeah! Saw him zip by the other day! Absolute beast behind the wheel! Respect for that guy!” She replied.

“I heard he helped the pursuit team stop that dangerous racer that put three people in the hospital and killed one person.” He explained. 

She gasped, “That's so horrible. I'm glad he could help keep our streets safe by keeping his racers in line. The next song is Land of Fire by Kordhell. Be sure to wave at the Ghost Porsche and Lightning Rex if you see them! They are heroes of the streets!” 

<>

Two months later.  

“Pick up the speed, Grizzy!” Kryoz demanded. Sirens blared behind Kryoz as he tried to keep the pursuit team behind him and not let them spin him out at the same time. Puffer and Grizzy were trying to save another racer from the pursuit team, and now they were all in danger of going to prison. Grizzy pulled up next to Puffer, allowing Kryoz to put some distance between his bumper and Flom's battering ram.

“On your left, Kryoz!” Puffer warned. He swerved into the shoulder of the road to avoid Vanoss's Viper SRT smashing into him. 

“Get out of here!” Kryoz ordered. 

“We can't leave you! They will rip you apart!” Grizzy retorted. 

“Blarg is on his way! We just have to hold out until then!” Puffer exclaimed. 

“ Roadblock in place .” The police scanner said. 

“Roadblock ahead. Follow me.” Kryoz ordered. The Challenger and Camaro parted so he could race by. They were racing through one of the small towns on the southern side of the island. Kryoz pulled the parking brake to drift through a narrow alleyway and onto the dirt road. Grizzy followed, and there was a bang from his car. 

“Shit! That's not good!” He yelped. 

“Are you okay?!” Kryoz asked, seeing the Challenger follow him. 

“Yeah. I think I blew a hose, though. It's heating up.” Grizzy replied. 

“Stay close, Grizzy. You can't drive that with a blown radiator hose.” Kryoz said. 

“I'll bring these guys to Blarg. We can get the Challenger tomorrow.” Puffer replied. The Camaro and pursuit team raced by the alleyway. 

“Over here, Grizzy. Hide it and then get in.” Kryoz said, driving towards an old abandoned barn. 

“This shit better not collapse on my car.” He grumbled as he pulled it into the leaning structure. 

“Just don't hit anything. Hurry. Puffer and Blarg need help.” Kryoz instructed. Grizzy was grabbing his things, and Kryoz's head snapped up when he heard sirens. A black BMW M2 followed them up the alley and was rapidly approaching. 

“Shit! Grizzy, let's go!” Kryoz shouted. He ran for Kryoz's passenger door. Kryoz sped away before Grizzy got the door closed. 

“Fuck! How did he know?” Grizzy asked, looking out the back window at Nogla’s car. Kryoz threw the car into a drift to avoid the beamer from hitting his flank. He was glad he was in his element. He drifted the car around and headed down a hidden road behind a cluster of trees that Smii7y had showed him.

This road was difficult without all-wheel-drive since it wound up a mountain. Nogla managed to find the road and pursue, but he was much farther behind. Kryoz had a plan once they got to the top. 

He was very glad Blarg talked him into switching his car to the rally car side instead of drifting, which made it more efficient on dirt roads. Handy for ninety percent of Trestle's roads that were dirt. Better suspension and tires cost him speed on pavement, but made up for it on rocky terrain. Kryoz reached the top. There were dozens of roads off the mountain, but Kryoz wanted to lose Nogla and catch up with the others. 

“What's your plan?” Grizzy asked, looking down a sketchy road that was covered in rocks. That was a little too intense for Kryoz's car. 

“Hold on to something.” Kryoz's hand gripped the wheel tightly. Nogla reached the top, facing Kryoz. He didn't wait for the standoff, speeding at Kryoz. 

Kryoz threw the car into gear, heading straight for the BMW. Grizzy yelped and grabbed the handle above his head. Kryoz downshifted and pulled the parking brake, putting the car into a drift on the dirt around Nogla. Nogla attempted to clip his quarter panel but missed by millimeters. Nogla spun out from his lack of traction. Kryoz drifted down the road they took up the mountain, using gravity to help with speed. 

“Holy shit! Don't fuck with the Soobies.” Grizzy said, glancing back but just seeing a wall of dust from the car. 

“Can you see where Puffer and Blarg are?” Kryoz asked as he raced around a narrow but straight road after reaching the base of the mountain. Nogla was nowhere to be seen. Grizzy called Puffer. 

“Where are you?!” Puffer shouted into the phone so loud, Kryoz thought he put Puffer on speakerphone. 

“Ow. We had to lose Nogla. Where are you? Are you okay?” Grizzy asked, putting his phone up to his ear. Grizzy nodded while Puffer talked to him. 

“Duncan Road, Kryoz. They are getting pummeled by the pursuit team.” Grizzy said. Kryoz took a sharp turn down a dirt road that would take him right to Duncan Road. He was glad he and Smii7y took the time to learn all the back roads. 

“Be there in a minute. What's his heading, east or westbound?” Kryoz asked. 

“East.” Grizzy answered, “Blarg is with him.” Kryoz drifted around some scrap heaps from an old scrapyard. It led him right to Duncan Road. He screeched down the road. He weaved around traffic, racing to catch up with 

Puffer and Blarg. He soon saw the flashing lights of the pursuit team. They were chasing two blue sports cars. 

“Blarg. Puffer. Split.” Kryoz ordered, zipping past Eli's mustang. Kryoz noticed smoke coming out of Puffer's exhaust as he swerved in front of Vanoss, making him back off from Puffer. 

“What happened? Your clutch is burning, Puffer.” Kryoz asked. 

“They pitted me, and something is wearing on the clutch.” Puffer explained.

“You need to leave before your car doesn't accelerate anymore.” Blarg said. 

“Man, got both of our cars. I miss Smii7y.” Grizzy sighed.

“Blarg and I will block the pursuit team. Head to the bunker, Puffer.” Kryoz ordered. Puffer raced ahead, and Blarg blocked Tucker from following. Puffer vanished over a hill. 

“Let's shake these guys, Blarg.” Kryoz said. 

“Good idea. Sounds like I have a lot of repairs to do. Replacing Puffer's clutch is going to be a bitch.” Blarg agreed. They both accelerated, creating space between them and the pursuit team. 

“This way, Blarg. Single file.” Kryoz said. He drifted between a narrow gap between a tree and a building. The pursuit team would have to slow down to go through one at a time, allowing Kryoz and Blarg to slip away. 

The bunker reminded Kryoz that this was an abandoned warehouse. What was once a bustling race headquarters was now a barren warehouse with no more than six race cars at a time, including theirs. Claims were rare since the pursuit team had turned up the heat. 

They discovered that Smii7y was gone after he didn't return for a week and went on a rampage to catch racers. Racers that didn't go underground or leave the island were quickly captured by the pursuit team. Kryoz had no idea how much Smii7y had kept the pursuit team at bay until he disappeared. 

Puffer watched them come into the workshop, arms crossed, “I don't know how much longer we can keep this up, Kryoz.”

“Sooner or later, one of us or more are going to get caught. They are targeting us.” Blarg held his elbows, looking concerned. All of their vehicles had body damage from pit maneuvers and battering rams. Kryoz ran his hand through his hair stressfully. The racers were done on Trestle. They were four of the last few racers on the island. 

“I don't know what to do. We may have to stop or leave Trestle.” Kryoz said distastefully. The three looked at each other with worried glances.

“Is Smii7y and Pezzy still out there, or did they get caught?” Grizzy asked softly. 

“I've been checking police reports for the mainland. I haven't seen anything on them.” Puffer assured him.

“Maybe we can go look them.” Blarg offered.

“We can't leave the island.” Kryoz countered, “The racers need us.” 

“No. They need Smii7y. He keeps the pursuit team busy and carries the weight of the target.” Grizzy stated. 

Kryoz exhaled, “Maybe they will be back tomorrow.” That's what Kryoz had been saying daily for a month, trying to hold on to hope that his friends were all all alright and they would fix this mess he had made. 

He walked away from his friends, heading to the contacts in his phone. He tried Pezzy first. Straight to voice mail. He hung up and tried Smii7y, getting the same result. He felt stuck and out of options. They were losing this battle, and the pursuit team knew it too.

His phone rang, and his excitement spiked when he looked at the screen. “Daukey”. Not Smii7y or Pezzy, but still important. 

“Daukey? What's up?” Kryoz asked. Kryoz heard sirens in the distance from the phone call.

“So, I might have fucked up and had a run in with the pursuit team.” Daukey explained. 

“Shit. Can you get away?” Kryoz asked, walking back to the other three. Kryoz heard metal meet metal and tires screech. 

Daukey yelped, “Not before they show me what the bottom of the ditch looks like!”

“Where are you?” Kryoz asked. 

“Ken Pratt Parkway. I'm cutting across to get to Cobalt Avenue.” Daukey explained. 

“We will meet you there! Saddle up, Blarg.” Kryoz ordered. He nodded, and they both ran for their cars. They peeled out of the bunker. Kryoz took a dirt road to cut across most of the island to get to Cobalt Avenue. 

The two cars zipped down the dirt roads to get to Daukey's aid as fast as possible. Rain started to pelt Kryoz's windshield as he picked up speed. He couldn't lose any friends to the pursuit team. Not again. They drifted into asphalt on Cobalt Avenue. 

“Kryoz! Blarg! Thank God you're here! Get these guys off!” Daukey raced by in a bright yellow Supra MK5. Kryoz and Blarg gained on the Supra, putting themselves between Daukey and the high-powered cop cars. 

“Get out of here, Daukey! Before the storm gets worse!” Kryoz demanded. Kryoz avoided a pit maneuver from Flom in his new Mercedes-Benz GT. 

“Will you guys be okay?” He asked. 

“We will. Go!” Blarg shouted. Daukey's car downshifted and raced down the road. Kryoz and Blarg gave him plenty of space to get away. 

“Now it's our turn to get away.” Kryoz muttered. 

“Just like any other day.” Blarg replied. They both accelerated and drifted around a sharp turn. Tucker took that opportunity to nick Kryoz's quarter panel, which caused him to fishtail on the wet roads. 

“We need to get off the streets!” Kryoz said urgently, barely keeping his car on track. He glanced back in his rearview mirror and only saw three pursuit vehicles behind him. 

“This way!” Blarg shouted. Kryoz followed him onto a dirt road through an old shed. Kryoz instantly felt his car lose traction on the mud. 

“Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.” Blarg grimaced, his wheels starting to spin in the mess that was supposed to be a road. 

“Tucker, Eli, and Flom will slip too. Just keep going.” Kryoz urged. Mud was difficult for an all-wheel-drive car. A two-wheel-drive car like Blarg's Cayman was very alarming to Kryoz. If he got stuck or spun out into the ditch, it would be game over for him. 

“Shit! Kryoz! They are ahead!” Blarg exclaimed. There was Vanoss and Nogla. Charging down the other direction. They were being too predictable. Thankfully, there was a narrow road to the left that they could take. 

“Stay on your left, Blarg! Follow me!” Kryoz demanded. The Cayman was having a hard time getting speed in the mud. If Blarg stopped for a second, he wouldn't move again. Blarg tried to move over to let Kryoz pass, but he lost all control in the mud. He spun out and hit a soft spot in the silt, instantly trapping his wheels. 

“Blarg!” Kryoz drifted around, sliding a little too well on the mud.

“No! Get away, Kryoz!” Blarg ordered. That was one thing Kryoz was not going to do. The pursuit team surrounded them, blocking all exits. Escape was no longer an option. 

“Out of the cars!” Eli and Tucker rushed to their driver doors. Kryoz turned off his car and got out, hands raised. Flom restrained him as the rain soaked him down to the bone. It was only a matter of time before they were caught. Maybe Puffer, Daukey, and Grizzy would leave to the mainland and make lives there. 

Police cruisers followed the pursuit team up the dirt road, so Blarg and Kryoz were escorted to them after their belongings were confiscated. 

“Get their cars moved to the impound. I want the island on lockdown before the storm fully hits.” Nogla ordered as Tucker pushed Kryoz into the back of a police car. The drive to the police station was miserable. 

Kryoz was in his head, pondering his options. He'd go to trial on the mainland, be convicted of several injustices, and be thrown into prison for who knows how long. He wouldn't see Grizzy, Puffer, or Daukey again since criminals could come visit inmates. He hoped they would at least find Smii7y and Pezzy. 

Kryoz was escorted inside the police station, but instead of being brought to criminal records, he was put in one of the interrogation rooms. His handcuffs were removed, and the officer left without a word. This was very unusual since he knew how racers were handled when they were caught. He had dealt with plenty. 

The door opened, and Blarg was brought in, looking just as puzzled as Kryoz. The officer took off his cuffs and left again.

“What the fuck is happening?” Blarg asked. 

“I have no idea.” Kryoz glanced around the room. There was a table bolted to the floor. No chairs. There was a one-way window on one of the walls and a camera in the corner. It was a pretty typical interrogation room. Blarg backed away from the door in case someone came in. 

“They aren't going to use us to catch the others, right?” Blarg asked. 

“Don't give them any ideas. Just don't say anything, and we will just go to trial like normal.” Kryoz said. Blag grimaced and nodded. Their racing days were over. They were at the law's mercy. 

The door opened, making Blarg jump. Nogla, Vanoss, and Tucker walked in, giving the racers nasty regards. 

Blarg returned the looks, “Where's Fitz? Finally fire his ass?” 

“That's none of your concern.” Vanoss replied, crossing his arms over his chest. 

“Where's Smii7y? He finally get tired of carrying you?” Tucker retorted, adding to the growing tension in the room. Blarg balled his fists and took a step towards the pursuit team. Kryoz caught his shoulder since the team was armed. Nogla gave Tucker a warning gaze. 

“Listen. We want to make a deal with you.” Nogla said.

“A deal?” Kryoz asked. 

Nogla nodded, “We are helping with a case on the mainland. We need some insight from inside the racers since there's too many to get close.” Kryoz and Blarg looked at each other, thinking the same thing. They were after someone. Smii7y or The Superior.

“Why would we help? What's in it for us?” Blarg asked harshly. 

“We don't ship you to the mainland for other reasons. Ones you won't like.” Vanoss answered. 

Kryoz's eyes narrowed, “This isn't a deal! It's fucking blackmail!” 

Nogla shrugged, “So, are you helping or not? We have enough dirt on you to lock you away for the rest of your lives.”

“This is fucking illegal!” Blarg hissed. 

“So is running from the cops and driving over the speed limit, but here we are.” Tucker returned. 

“What do you want us to do? Lure The Superior and Smii7y into a trap?” Kryoz asked coldly.

“So, Smii7y is on the mainland.” Tucker concluded. Kryoz's eyes flared. 

“We aren't after Smii7y. Not right now, at the very least. We just want you to get inside the racer ranks and get us intel.” Nogla explained. 

“The thing you used to do.” Vanoss commented.

“And be your little spy?! Fuck that! I'll let you haul me off in chains before helping you to catch Smii7y!” Blarg snapped. 

“What's the conditions?” Kryoz asked, placing a hand on Blarg's shoulder to get him to back down. He was being weary, but this might be his only opportunity to find his friends.

“You report to us when we ask. Your vehicles and phones will be monitored.” Nogla stated. Blarg scoffed disapprovingly. Kryoz thought for a moment. 

“If you bug our cars, you have to repair them too.” Kryoz reasoned. 

“What?!” Blarg yelped. 

Nogla nodded, “That can be done.” 

“Grizzy and Puffer are going too.” Kryoz added. 

“Kryoz!” Blarg snapped. 

A smirk pulled at Nogla’s lips as he nodded, “Sounds like you two need to talk. I'll allow Grizzy and Puffer to go, but they need to be monitored as well. I'll be expecting a decision by tomorrow morning.” 

He signaled at the one-way glass, and a few seconds later, the door opened for them. They left the two racers in the room. Kryoz knew they were still being watched from the camera. 

“What the hell are you doing?” Blarg asked. 

“You have another idea or want to go to prison, Blarg?” Kryoz retorted. Blarg opened his mouth to argue but didn't have a response, so he bit his tongue angrily.

“They will try to get Smii7y and Pezzy.” Blarg said softly, eyeing the one-way window and then the camera in the corner. 

“I know, but I'm worried about them. We both know something is seriously wrong. Even the TPD knows.” Kryoz gestured to the window where he knew they were watching, “We won't know if they are okay from prison.” Blarg exhaled. He looked away from Kryoz, letting his mind work. 

“If we do this, they will keep taking advantage of us.” He said quietly. 

“Beats prison.” Kryoz replied in the same tone. Blarg gripped his arms as he looked at the floor.

He sighed, “Okay. As long as they repair my car. I need to know if Smii7y and Pezzy are okay too.” 

Kryoz nodded, “Me too.” 

Chapter Text

“Welcome back, racers. Hope you enjoyed that last song.” He said excitedly. 

“I heard that Angie Meredith, the mayor's son, stole a purse on Wednesday.” She stated. 

“A purse? What would a boy need a purse for?” He asked. 

She laughed, “Okay. Okay. I'm kind of on his side and understand why he did it. This purse was a designer purse. It was priced at six hundred dollars, and he wanted to get it for his mom. Super sweet.” 

“Not the right way to go about it, though. That's still shoplifting. Gotta earn money, kid.” He replied.

“I agree, but he's fourteen. He doesn't have a job yet. Doubt you'll see Meredith working at the fast food joint down the street either. He was just trying to get something nice for his mom. He didn't get anything more than a slap on the wrist from the TPD.” She said. 

He exhaled, “Fame does keep you out of trouble and get you a better first job. Next up is Get Wild by Prismo and Ohana Bam.” 

<>

Kryoz was pacing back and forth, thinking. Blarg was laying on his back on the table. They had been in the interrogation room for a few hours, and Kryoz was going to go crazy in his own head. They had kept quiet to keep the TPD from listening in on their conversations. The pursuit team was using them to go after the heart of racers. 

The door clicked, and Blarg sat up. Sunlight streaked through the door from a window outside the interrogation room. Nogla walked in, crossing his arms over his chest. He prevented the door from locking with his foot. 

“So?” He asked. Kryoz glanced at Blarg, who stood up. 

Blarg sighed, “We're in.” 

Nogla nodded for them to follow, “Don't do anything dumb. You're on thin ice.” They followed Nogla out of the interrogation room, where Vanoss and Flom were waiting. They walked with the racers outside, where their keys and phones were returned to them. Their vehicles were parked in the rising sun, newly waxed and repaired from dents and scratches. 

“Holy shit.” Blarg breathed. 

“We did you a favor. Do us one and don't remove the devices. They will alert us if they are tampered with. Phones, too.” Nogla said. 

“Have Puffer and Grizzy stop by today. Be at the docks at o’seven hundred tomorrow. Don't be late.” Vanoss ordered. 

“Once I get their bricks on wheels moving.” Blarg grumbled. Kryoz turned to leave the pursuit team. Blarg followed.

“Kryoz,” Nogla called as Kryoz opened his car door. Kryoz stopped to look at him. 

“I'm serious. Don't try anything, or your entire crew is going to prison. We aren't after Smii7y, so don't do something you'll regret.” Nogla warned. Kryoz glared at him.

Blarg scoffed, “Like we trust you.” He got into his car and started it. Kryoz did the same. They both sped out of the parking lot. 

“I bet Puffer can make it. They can replace his clutch.” Blarg chuckled through the phone.

“Need to repair Grizzy’s radiator hose, though.” Kryoz said. 

“I can do that with my eyes closed. I bet they are freaking out.” Blarg responded. 

“I'm sure. Hopefully, they haven't left the island yet.” Kryoz agreed. They raced back to the bunker. They both pulled into Blarg's workshop. Blarg parked his car above the car lift. Kryoz parked next to Puffer's Camaro. Arms wrapped around him immediately when he got out. 

“You're okay! What the fuck happened?” Grizzy asked. 

“If you let go, I'll explain.” Kryoz breathed since Grizzy was squeezing the air out of him. Blarg was looking under the hood of his car. Puffer gave Kryoz a questioning look. Daukey stood beside Blarg, asking him some questions quietly. 

“We were caught.” Kryoz admitted. 

“What?! How?” Puffer exclaimed.

“The fucking storm last night. I was being dumb and went on a muddy road with a Porsche.” Blarg hissed. He checked his fuse box for any tampering. 

“So, uh– shouldn't you be on your way to prison?” Grizzy asked, “Not back here with clean cars?” 

“We had to make a deal with the pursuit team.” Kryoz said. 

“It was fucking blackmail. We help them, or we go to prison, and you guys follow behind.” Blarg spat as he lifted his car to inspect the underside. 

“What are we helping them with?” Puffer asked. He watched Blarg tinker with his car. 

“They want us to get them intel about the racers on the mainland. I think they are after The Superior.” Kryoz answered. 

“And we are just helping them catch the guy who gives us our paychecks?” Grizzy asked. 

“We have no choice. It would only take them a day to catch us again. Less without your cars.” Blarg's fingers brushed against a black box under his car, “They installed a manual override. They can shut down our electrical systems whenever they please. If I try to remove them, I could risk frying the car's entire wiring harness, and then it's about as useful as a rock.” The wires from the box reached deep within the car like a parasite. 

“They fucking buged your cars?” Daukey asked. 

“And phones.” Kryoz added. 

Blarg lowered his car back down, “Let's go fix that hose, Grizzy. Then you can get the same treatment.” 

“Wait, what? Grizzy too?” Puffer asked. 

“You as well. I could only bargain that we all go.” Kryoz said. 

“Why do you want us all to go?” Grizzy asked. 

“We are going to try and find Smii7y and Pezzy too. Something happened to them.” Blarg closed his hood. 

“Then we're in.” Puffer stated. 

“Woah, wait. We are? Just like that?” Grizzy asked, surprised by Puffer's boldness. 

“Yeah. Don't you want to find them?” Puffer asked. 

“Absolutely. But under the pursuit team's thumb?” He countered. 

“We don't have any other choice. It's this or prison. Doing this will allow us to find Pezzy and Smii7y.” Kryoz replied. 

“Okay then. Let's do this.” Grizzy agreed. 

“I'll stay here and attempt to keep things going for you while you guys are over there. I don't think I can handle the mainland cops.” Daukey said. 

Kryoz nodded, “Thank you, Daukey.” Grizzy went with Blarg to repair his car, and Kryoz followed Puffer to the police station. It didn't take long for Grizzy and Blarg to get there with Grizzy’s Challenger. The officers gave them nasty looks as they waited for Grizzy’s and Puffer's vehicles by Kryoz's and Blarg's. 

“The mainland racers aren't anything like the racers here. They are like Pyra. They will try to get you caught or wreck you if they don't like you.” Kryoz leaned on his car. 

“So, be defensive. Got it.” Puffer glowered as Nogla approached. He handed Puffer and Grizzy their phones and keys. 

“If you get caught on the mainland, we don't know you.” Nogla said coldly. 

“Definitely fucking backmail.” Blarg hissed under his breath.

“We will see you tomorrow.” Nogla walked away from them. 

“I can't believe we are fucking doing this.” Grizzy said. 

“I can. It's for Smii7y and Pezzy.” Puffer countered. 

“If we can find them.” Blarg grumbled. 

“We will. Let's go before they make us do side quests.” Kryoz said. They got into the newly refurbished cars. They sped out of the police parking lot for their last night on Trestle. 

The sun rose over the ocean the next morning as Kryoz and his crew pulled up to the ferry docks. The five pursuit team members were already loading onto the boat. 

“For being the fastest bastards on the island, you like to show up at the last minute.” Tucker remarked. 

“We're just punctual when our freedom is on the line.” Kryoz returned, “You never said early.” Puffer and Grizzy chuckled. 

“Will you just load up, so we don't have to deal with you anymore?” Eli retorted. Kryoz smirked and got into his car. The crew pulled onto the ferry, and soon it was heading across the sea. The mainland was two hours from Trestle, so when they approached the coastline, the skyscrapers glittered in the sun. 

“Woah…” Grizzy breathed in awe. Skyscrapers and buildings made up a large city. The skyscrapers had screens on the sides that played ads and news reports. Floating advertisements floated in the skyline like balloons. Boats and ships littered the shoreline. 

“You guys haven't been to the mainland before?” Kryoz asked. 

“No. We've had no reason to. It's massive.” Puffer replied. 

“Well, welcome to Pokitoki City. The largest hot spot in the world for illegal street racing.” Kryoz said, gesturing at the city. This place was not for the faint of heart. It wasn't racer versus law enforcement here. It was you against everyone. No one was your friend. No one could be trusted. 

“It's fucking beautiful. Hard to believe it's cutthroat here.” Blarg said. Nogla walked up to them with Vanoss. Kryoz's smile vanished, reminded that he was still under the TPD’s control. 

“You can go once we land. If we call, answer, or we will find you, and we won't be so pleasant.” Nogla ordered. 

Kryoz rolled his eyes, “Yeah. Yeah. Any more threats?” 

“Not unless there needs to be. Don't let it come to that.” Vanoss returned. 

“We get it. You have the reins. Can we go?” Blarg snapped. Nogla nodded. They got into their cars as the ferry landed. 

“So, where do we start?” Blarg asked through the phone. 

“Police scanners? The Ghost Porsche usually gets the scanners going.” Puffer offered. 

“Remember. We have ears.” Kryoz pulled ahead in his car, “We have to get the racers' attention to get information. Just follow my lead.” 

Chapter Text

“Hello, racers. Can we talk about the weather for a second?” He asked. 

“The weather? Why? That's like an icebreaker topic.” She replied. They chuckled. 

“Yes. I know. I'm just trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that we've had three hurricanes hit in two months. Maybe the entity that owns our universe hates us.” He replied. 

“Or likes sports cars in the rain.” She added, and they both laughed, “Next song is Back of My Mind by Alex LeMirage and Farley.” 

<>

Kryoz led his crew through the city. It was hectic with traffic. They drove past three cars parked on the side of the road. A metallic green BMW M3, a black and white Nissan 370Z, and a powder pink Audi R8. Kryoz couldn't see inside since their tint was so dark, but he had a feeling he had found some racers. More like they found him. 

“There's Mainstreet a few blocks down. I'll meet you guys over there.” Kryoz said as they pulled up to a stop light. There was a cop on the other side. 

“Why? What are you doing?” Puffer asked. 

“Stirring up the pot a little. Stay together.” Kryoz ordered. He pulled around the car in front of him and into the intersection before the opposing traffic crossed. He did a donut in the middle of the intersection, causing the police officer to turn on his lights and sirens. Kryoz drifted away in a cloud of smoke with the officer behind him. 

He dodged around traffic, which cost him speed. He needed an open place to gain speed, and that was nearly impossible with traffic. He weaved through traffic, having several close calls. He was impressed the cop kept pace with him. 

He was on the mainland now. The mainland had highways. Wide and long ones. He drifted around a sharp corner, nearly sideswiping a civilian vehicle. 

“Shit!” He exclaimed. He needed to be more careful in the city. More obstacles here. Another cop joined the pursuit, sirens blaring behind him. He drifted up an on ramp for the highway, serving around several cars also getting onto the highway. 

Traffic was light since it was after rush hour, so Kryoz shifted, and his car picked up speed. On a long straight road with plenty of space, his car could reach speeds he could never reach on Trestle. Otherwise, you'd end up off the road. It felt good to be back at these speeds. Untouchable by police as they faded behind. 

He lost the officers after a few miles and got off the highway. He headed back down the main street to find his crew. They were parked on the side of the road, waiting for his return. Tall skyscrapers shrouded them in neon lights from screen billboards. 

“Kryoz. There you are. What happened?” Puffer asked as Kryoz pulled in behind Grizzy. 

“I got us an audience.” Kryoz said. 

“With who?” Blarg asked. Three sports cars drove by in the traffic. A BMW, an Audi, and a 370Z. 

“Looks like the big dogs. Follow me.” Kryoz pulled into traffic. He drove down the main street, avoiding J-walkers and crosswalks. If he was trying to box someone in, where would he do it? 

“What the fuck are you doing? You're freaking me out, Kryoz.” Grizzy said. 

“Things work a little differently here. We aren't the biggest cars here. We have to either make it or beat it. The big racers will chase us out before we get any leads.” Kryoz explained.

Puffer chuckled, “There he goes, talking like a cop again.” Kryoz rolled his eyes while the others chuckled. He pulled into a narrow alleyway filled with old cargo pallets and dumpsters. Graffiti from taggers littered the brick walls. He was about to pull through the alley when a green and pink sports car pulled in front of him, blocking his path. His assumption was correct. The black and white Z pulled in behind Puffer, blocking their only exit. 

“What the fuck?” Blarg exclaimed. The drivers of the Audi and BMW got out. 

“Get out and let me do the talking. Leave your phones in the car.” Kryoz ordered as he pulled his parking break up. He got out and closed his car door. 

“Is there an issue?” Kryoz asked the two. The driver of the BMW was a tall man. He had a baseball cap over brown hair with a beard. He wore glasses on his nose. The driver of the Audi was a beautiful blond woman with bright blue eyes. 

“You tell me. You just got here and are already causing problems.” The man retaliated, “Who are you?” He eyed Kryoz's crew like he was sizing up Grizzy and Puffer. 

“I needed an audience. It worked, didn't it?” Kryoz smirked as they both glared at him, “I'm Kryoz. This is my crew. We are just looking for some friends.” 

“Are you from that island?” The woman asked. 

“We are. Have you seen two people from there? They drive a Porsche GT3 RS and purple sports bike?” Blarg asked eagerly. Kryoz noticed the man and woman exchange glances. He also noticed a gold band on his finger and a glittering stone on her finger. 

“He said this would happen.” She muttered. 

“Who? You have seen them?” Kryoz asked. 

The man sighed, “Come with us.” 

“What? We're not going anywhere with you.” Kryoz snapped. 

The woman lifted a brow, “I thought you were looking for your friends?”

“We are. We just don't know you. You could be cops for all we know.” Blarg retaliated. The BMW driver looked at his wife, and she shrugged, which made Kryoz skeptical. Something was off about these two. They were hiding something. 

“Come with us, or get out of town.” The man ordered. His threat didn't sound very threatening. It almost sounded as if he didn’t want them to follow. Kryoz glanced back at his crew. Blarg, Grizzy, and Puffer were all looking at him for his decision. This was his plan after all. 

“Where are we going?” Grizzy asked. 

“You want to find your friends, no?” The woman asked. The crew's eyes went wide.

“Let's go.” The man got in his car and his wife did the same. 

“Who the fuck are these guys? Should we trust them?” Puffer asked. The BMW and Audi pulled away and zipped down the road. Kryoz and his crew followed. 

“No. Keep your distance and stay on guard.” Kryoz ordered. They knew Smii7y and Pezzy, though. 

“Are we going to The Superior? I should've worn a better shirt.” Grizzy grumbled. 

“We have ears, Grizzy.” Blarg returned. 

“Let's just see where we go.” Kryoz said. They followed the couple. With the Z behind them like an escort. They took multiple backways to avoid traffic and cops. The BMW pulled into a hotel parking garage. Kryoz thought it was a bit of a weird place for racers to go since there was only one way out, and there was no space to gain speed. Especially when it was full. 

The BMW and Audi drove up to the top floor, which had the rest of the skyscraper on top. The top floor was guarded by another security gate with a bored guard in the guard house. He opened the wire gate for the BMW. The upper level was heavily guarded because the floor was filled with dozens of very expensive and fast cars. 

Porsches, Mercedes-Benz, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and more. This place was a car enthusiast's dream garage. The Audi and BMW parked at the end of the level near an elevator. 

“Oh my God, they are here.” Puffer breathed. Kryoz glanced around the cars again and spotted a familiar Porsche GT3 RS and a purple sports bike. Kryoz, Blarg, Grizzy, and Puffer parked. 

“Phones stay here?” Puffer asked as they started to get out. Kryoz nodded and threw his phone back on the seat. The 370Z parked next to the Audi and BMW. He was short and round. He had orangey hair and a beard. He stood beside the other two unknown drivers. The other three came to stand at Kryoz's sides. 

The BMW driver looked at them with blank eyes, “Come on.” His friend and wife followed him towards the elevator. Kryoz exhaled and followed them. If it was a trap, it was a really good one. 

“If you know Smii7y and Pezzy, what have they been doing for the past two months?” Puffer asked. The couple shared another glance. They definitely knew something about Smii7y’s and Pezzy's disappearance. 

“The Superior will explain.” The woman finally answered. 

“Wait! We actually are meeting The Superior?!” Grizzy yelped. The divers stepped into the elevator. 

“Yeah.” The 370Z driver answered, “Are you coming or what?” He noticed that these three seemed defeated. Almost like they lost every race they've been in.

Kryoz stepped into the elevator, and his crew followed his example. The doors dinged closed, and there was no going back now. They were meeting The Superior and finding out what happened to Smii7y and Pezzy.

Chapter Text

“Hello, racers! Welcome back! I personally love that one!” She exclaimed. 

“Okay. So, I was thinking while driving.” He chuckled. 

“You can think?” She asked. 

He scoffed, “I see how it is. Well, we know the stereotype of blue-eyed people being more sensitive to light than darker-eyed people, right?” 

“Yes. As a person who suffers from this herself, the sun and headlights are too (beep) bright.” They both laughed. 

“Well, wouldn't that mean you and other blue-eyed people can see in the dark better?” He asked. 

She gasped, “Oh my gosh! I can see in the dark better than my brother who has brown!” They laughed again. 

“Here's How You Love Me by 3LAU.” 

<> 

The elevator dinged to a stop on the highest floor of the skyscraper. It was a penthouse suite on the tallest building in the city. The furniture was modern and clean. The place almost looked unused. 

“Goddamn. This is one hell of a pad.” Grizzy awed. 

“Wait here with them, Kels. Anthony, go find The Superior.” The BMW driver ordered. Anthony and the BMW driver walked into a large kitchen and parted down two of the many hallways.

“I can't believe we are about to meet The Superior!” Puffer said excitedly. 

“I know, right?” Grizzy giggled. Kryoz wasn't so thrilled. He had always been an expert at reading the room, and with the weary yet nasty glares the racers were giving them, it gave Kryoz an uneasy feeling. 

“These are them. The ones he talked about.” Anthony said while coming back into the kitchen, dining, and living room area of the suite. A tall man followed behind Anthony. He was taller than Puffer. He wore a leather jacket with pins in the collar. His pants were baggy and ripped. His face was hidden by a motorcycle helmet. The silver chromed visor mirrored them.

“How interesting. Welcome to Poiktoki. I've heard so much about you four. My apologies for not sending my crew to come collect you at the pier. If I had known you were coming, we would've been waiting for you.” The tall man said. 

“Oh, man. Hi! I'm Grizzy!” Grizzy was excited as a fan. 

“Ah. Yes. Grizzy. The heart and soul of the team. It's a pleasure to meet you.” The Superior held out his hand for Grizzy to shake. Grizzy’s mouth fell open, and he gladly took The Superior's hand. 

“Smii7y and Pezzy have both spoken very highly of you all. I'm so glad we have the pleasure of meeting.” The Superior cooed. 

“Where are Smii7y and Pezzy?” Kryoz asked, “We are looking for them.” 

The helmet twisted to face Kryoz, “And you must be Kryoz. Smii7y spoke very highly of you. A loyal and honest friend.” Kryoz didn't need the flattery. He needed to know where his friends were. 

“Thanks,” Kryoz bit out, “Now where the fuck are they?” Blarg stepped in front of him quickly. 

“I'm sorry! He's new to the racing gig.” Blarg chuckled nervously. He shot a glare back at Kryoz. Kryoz returned it and then glared up at The Superior. He was losing his patience. The crew's eyes widened when they heard familiar laughter. Three people walked into the kitchen and were laughing with the BMW driver. It was the first time he had seen another emotion from the driver aside from his blank face. 

“Smii7y! Pezzy!” Grizzy exclaimed. It instantly fell away, back to his emotionless features when he glanced at Kryoz and the others. It almost looked sympathetic. Pezzy's and Smii7y’s faces were filled with pure shock when they saw the rest of their crew. Puffer, Grizzy, and Blarg surged forward with questions. 

“What in the hell are you guys doing–” Smii7y was cut off by Blarg and Grizzy embracing him. 

“We are so glad you're okay! We were worried something happened to you!” Grizzy said. Puffer gave Pezzy a hug around the shoulders.

He chuckled with furrowed brows, “Why would something happen to us?” Blarg and Girizzy let go of Smii7y. The BMW driver walked away to join his wife and Anthony. 

Kryoz lifted a brow, “You guys have been missing for two months!” Both of their eyes flared. That's when Kryoz noticed something off about them. Their eyes were dull. Almost gray. Their irises showed fading color. Smii7y’s eyes squinted like he was trying to remember something. They both had drinks in their hands. A black can with gold cursive on the side. 

“No… it's only been a week.” Pezzy said skeptically. Their mouths all fell open.

“No! You left two months ago! It's been–” Puffer replied, but he stopped because The Superior walked up behind Smii7y and Pezzy. He towered above them ominously and placed his hands on either of their shoulders. 

“How strange. Smii7y. You should be preparing for your race in a few hours.” The Superior said calmly. Smii7y's brows furrowed like that was never brought up to him before. 

“Remember? That big race tonight through town? Maybe your friends can join. If they are as skilled as you say they are, I would certainly love to see it tonight.” He pressured. 

“Oh, right! You guys should come! Racing here is nothing like on Trestle!” Smii7y said excitedly. 

“Smii7y. We need to figu–” Kryoz started, but he was cut off by The Superior. 

“Go on, you two. I need you to organize the racers.” 

Smii7y nodded, “We'll talk, okay. I'll see you guys tonight.” He nodded for Pezzy to follow him. 

“Smii7y! Wait!” Blarg called. He caught Smii7y's wrist before Smii7y could walk away. 

“Something is not right. This is important.” Blarg said softly. Smii7y glanced down at Blarg’s hand blankly. It was so out of character for Smii7y to look so blank. Normally, his green eyes were always so calculating and observant. Now, he just looked tired and confused. 

The Superior watched them, “Smii7y. I need that done.” 

Smii7y glanced at The Superior, “I'm on it. We will talk later.” Smii7y twisted his wrist from Blarg's grip. Smii7y and Pezzy both headed for the elevator. 

“Uh. What the fuck just happened?” Puffer asked. 

“They have helped me so much over this past week. I don't know how I ever managed without them.” The Superior chuckled, “I hope to see you all at the race tonight. Wildcat, Kelly, and Anthony will show you where you'll be staying.”

He walked through their group, causing them to part a path for him. He walked down a hallway in the apartment. Kryoz glowered down the hallway. He was not very happy with the entire situation. He had been ignored, talked over, and left in the dark. He was pissed. 

“Are you staying?” Wildcat asked. Kryoz glanced at him, his wife, and Anthony. They knew something. They knew what was happening. They also didn't have blank stares or gray eyes. Whatever was happening to Smii7y and Pezzy was not happening to them. 

“We're not leaving without them.” Kryoz spat. The BMW driver, named Wildcat, exhaled deeply and closed his eyes. 

“Come on.” He said. He led them back to the elevator. They all piled back into the small space. 

“What in the hell is going on? It has not been a week.” Kryoz said harshly. There was that look again. Kelly gave it to Wildcat. It was quick, and Kryoz barely caught it, but it was a knowing look. They knew it hadn't been a week. 

“Couldn't tell you.” Wildcat finally answered, “Race will be on Mainstreet at ten.” 

“Bullshit. What is happening to them?” Blarg snapped. 

“Don’t know. Maybe they aren't the ones who are acting weird.” Anthony retaliated. 

The elevator dinged, and Wildcat handed Kryoz four room keys, “Sixteenth floor.” Kelly and Anthony followed him to their cars. The three sports cars peeled out of the garage. 

“What the fuck is going on? Smii7y and Pezzy seemed so weird.” Grizzy asked. 

“And it's not been a week! They are gaslighting us! What did they do to Smii7y and Pezzy?” Puffer shouted. 

Kryoz exhaled, “I don't know.” They found Smii7y and Pezzy, but they seemed so far away. Kryoz walked to his car and checked his phone. Seven missed calls from the TPD. 

He groaned, “Great. The cops are probably on their way.” Puffer, Grizzy, and Blarg stood around his car door as he sat down and called the TPD. He put it on speakerphone so they could hear, too.

“You have some nerve, Kryoz. We were just about to come find your ass.” Vanoss's voice grumbled through the phone. 

“Sue me. The fuck do you want? I'm busy.” Kryoz returned. He was already pissed off and didn't need the cops butting in. 

“We need to talk. Go to the location I'm sending you. Don't waste any time.” He ordered. Vanoss ended the call, and Kryoz scoffed. A map launched on his phone showing the directions to the location the TPD wanted them to go. He couldn't exit out of the application. 

“This just went from bad, to worse, to awful. What the hell do they want?” Puffer asked. 

“Nothing good, I'm sure.” Blarg seethed. 

“Let's just go before they ship us off to prison.” Kryoz grumbled. He started his car and followed the GPS. It led Kryoz and the crew through town. 

“What do you think happened to them?” Blarg asked.

Grizzy exhaled, “I don't know. It's not good whatever it was. I've never seen Smii7y that distant before.” 

“Me either. Even after Droid's death. He's like a different person.” Puffer agreed. 

“We have ears, guys. Maybe this fucking race might give us a clue. I'm not a big fan of that Superior fuck.” Kryoz hissed. 

“Me either. He was so pushy and interrupted a lot.” Grizzy said. 

“You were all about him earlier.” Blarg chuckled. 

“That was earlier, Blarg. After meeting him, he's a fucking ass. So full of himself, and yet I think I could beat him at a race.” Grizzy retorted. 

“And that's really saying something.” Puffer added, making Blarg laugh. 

“Fuck you, Puffer! I could fucking beat you in a race right now–” Kryoz cut Grizzy’s arguement off. 

“Guys! We are here.” Kryoz pulled down a dry riverbed. The soil was dusty and had been driven on a few times from the tire marks in the dirt. They pulled up to a massive storm drain. The grove was a patch of green in the cement jungle. Two black sports cars were waiting in the tunnel. Nogla and Vanoss were glaring at them as they drove up. The sun was turning the sky orange as it set. Kryoz was the first to get out. He leaned on his car, staying plenty far from the cops and by his friends. 

“The hell is this all about? We didn't do anything.” Kryoz snapped. 

“Exactly.” Vanoss shot back. He placed his arms over his chest. 

“You need to quit leaving your phones in your cars.” Nogla demanded. 

“We don't want you listening in on our conversations.” Puffer snapped. 

“You don't get a choice.” Vanoss returned. Nogla signaled for Vanoss to ease off with a flattened hand.  

“We are trying to help. We can't do that if we don't know what's going on.” Nogla said a lot more calmly. Kryoz looked at him quizzically. Nogla was off and on with the trust game. Sometimes he could be trusted, other times he couldn't. He was still the enemy, after all.

Kryoz breathed out an exasperated sigh, “Fine. Anything else?” 

Nogla shook his head, “No. That's it.” 

Blarg glared at them, “What are you trying to find out?” 

“What The Superior is up to. You said it yourself. The Superior is suspicious. Get us some inside information, and we can figure out why.” Nogla reasoned. 

Kryoz pushed himself up, “Let's go.” 

“We are serious, Kryoz. Miss any more of our calls, and you're not going to like us.” Nogla warned, his gaze hardening. Kryoz's eyes narrowed, but he didn't argue. The cops had him wrapped around their fingers. A toy for them to control. He got into his car and waited for his friends to drift back down the creek bed. He made sure to kick up a bunch of dust as he followed them back to the city streets. 

“So, what's it like racing here?” Grizzy asked skeptically. 

“More difficult. Narrower roads, tight turns, and lots of innocent people.” Kryoz replied. He shifted a bit hard, taking his anger out on the throttle. 

“Just don't hit anything.” Puffer added unhelpfully. 

“Oh, thanks for the fucking tip, Puffer.” Grizzy sneered, “A lot easier said than done.” 

“At least the roads are nicer. Wider too. How do they race through all the traffic?” Blarg asked. He pulled in front of Kryoz. 

“They stop it. They have people who specifically block off the roads. Races are a big thing. If you're fast enough to keep up with the leaders, you can race in the big races. If not, you become a roadblocker.” Kryoz explained, “Roadblockers were more likely to get caught.”

“Shit. It's literally kill or be killed out here.” Puffer muttered, “Nobody become a roadblocker tonight. I expect second, third, and fourth placements tonight.”

Blarg scoffed with a laugh, “What? You think you're going to be in first?” 

“No. Don't forget that Smii7y is racing too.” Puffer replied. 

“Oh shit. Yeah. He's gone before the race even fucking starts. I'm a hundred percent sure he's better than The Superior.” Grizzy snickered. He swerved in front of a civilian car to get around Kryoz and Blarg in opposing traffic. Kryoz thought about that for a second. Smii7y was untouchable by anyone. He could take out any racer, beat any cop, and do it without a scratch on his car. He was a valuable racer. His absence on Trestle proved that. 

“Goddamn this place is packed already.” Grizzy said. They were driving down Mainstreet. Sports cars lined either side of the street. There had to be hundreds of racers here. Music balated from speaker systems. Cars revved and backfired, clearing the sidewalks of pedestrians. 

“Find out what you can about this race. Try and look for Smii7y and Pezzy, too. We need to talk to them without The Superior supervising.” Kryoz said. They pulled into four spaces along the jammed-up road. 

“Roger that. What about phones?” Grizzy asked. Kryoz glowered at his phone like it had just insulted him. 

He groaned irritably, “Bring ‘em.” He grabbed it and got out. Grizzy saluted to Kryoz with two fingers as he passed by. Puffer and Blarg walked in the other direction, talking. Kryoz leaned on his car, watching the crowd. He saw a large group of bikers parked on the sidewalk but didn't see Pezzy's bike. He was also looking for Smii7y’s Porsche, but if there wasn't a crowd around the V6, it wasn't there. 

He put his hands in his pockets, watching as a few people pointed at his car and chuckled. Kryoz rolled his eyes. He'd show them that the engine type didn't make the driver.

“Ah. Kryoz. Glad you could make it.” A deep voice said to his left. The Superior stood there. His helmet hid his face and reflected Kryoz. Kryoz's eyes narrowed, and he stood up. 

“I don't know what shit you're playing. It has not been a fucking week.” Kryoz snapped. 

The helmet shook side to side with a laugh, “Smii7y was right. You are very attentive. I like that. I'm curious to see how well you perform tonight.” 

“What the hell are you doing to them?” Kryoz growled. 

The Superior chuckled, “Smii7y is by far the best racer I've ever seen. Obviously, you know that as his best friend and all. Nearly escaped that trap you set for him a while back, right?” Kryoz's eyes widened. What else had Smii7y told him? Smii7y wasn't normally this open. 

“Yes. He told me everything about you, Kryoz.” The Superior lowered his voice, “Undercover cops aren't very appreciated here.”  

“You're doing something to him and Pezzy.” Kryoz seethed, ignoring his threat.

The Superior shrugged, “They are doing it to themselves. I'm just here to guide them. Get in my way, Kryoz. Well, let's just say, Smii7y and Pezzy are in a very vulnerable state right now.” 

Kryoz took a step back, “What the fuck are you doing?” 

“You'll see. See you at the finish line, Kryoz.” He turned to leave, and Kryoz was about to argue for him to stop. 

“Kryoz!” Puffer shouted to get his attention. Kryoz acknowledged him and then looked back at The Superior. He was gone. How did a man that tall vanish that quickly? Puffer and Blarg came up to him. 

“What's wrong?” Blarg asked, reading Kryoz's expression. 

“Nothing. What did you find out?” Kryoz asked, pushing that conversation with The Superior to the side. Smii7y and Pezzy were in a much riskier situation than he thought. He needed to get more information before telling the others. They could act recklessly to try and protect Smii7y and Pezzy. 

“This race is through town, down to the Southern docks, and around the old cemetery.” Puffer responded. 

Kryoz nodded, “Let's show them why we are a part of Smii7y’s crew.” Blarg and Puffer sneered at each other. 

“Hey. Trestle crew.” Anthony said, walking up to them, “The race is about to start. We gotta get into positions. Fall in behind me, Kelly, and Wildcat.” 

Kryoz nodded, “Get Grizzy.” Puffer started dialing his number while walking to his car. Blarg headed for his. Anthony started to walk away.

“What is he doing to them?” Kryoz asked, making Anthony stop walking. He was a lot softer with his question. He seemed less cold than Wildcat or Kelly. 

“I don't know.” He muttered. 

“They are good people. They just want to keep people safe.” Kryoz tried the guilt method to get Anthony to talk. 

“I know. Good luck out there.” Anthony said deflatedly. Kryoz exhaled. It was worth a try. Kryoz got into his car as Grizzy arrived. Kryoz waited until he saw The Superior's crew. The sun set, making the city glitter with lights and screens. The light at the end of Mainstreet turned green. Cars revved and roared as roadblockers blocked the traffic from crossing onto the street. Anthony, Wildcat, and Kelly passed by them. Kryoz pulled out behind them. The other three followed. 

“Kick some ass, boys.” Blarg said. 

“When do I not?” Grizzy sighed dramatically. 

“Uh. Constantly.” Puffer teased. Two people ran across the road, spray painting a white starting line on the asphalt. Wildcat, Kelly, and Anthony stopped a few yards from the starting line. 

“This is some wild shit.” Grizzy said as he watched a few other racers pull in behind him. People cheered from the side of the street by their cars. 

“Where's Smii7y and The Superior? Does he race?” Puffer asked. There was a loud grumble of engines as two white sports cars drove down a side street. Smii7y’s Porsche was tailed by a white Lexus LFA. 

“To answer your question, Puffer; yes, he does race. He races in a fucking rare ass a car!” Blarg exclaimed. Gold chrome lined the LFA’s trim and accessories. Smii7y and The Superior pulled into the space between The Superior's crew and the starting line. 

“They get to start in the lead? Smii7y is going to be gone in two seconds!” Grizzy exclaimed. 

“Well, we already knew that.” Kryoz replied. 

“I'm more excited to get to race with The Superior. I bet he's fucking awful.” Puffer sneered. A woman stood between the cars with a green bandana. Kryoz heard sirens in the distance. People started rushing to their cars. The racers revved their cars anxiously. The woman twirled the bandana above her head and swung down. The cars were thrown into gear and sped down the cleared road. 

Chapter Text

“Hello, RC fans!” He shouted. 

“Since we are a racers’ radio station, I have to know. What's your favorite car?” She asked. 

“Oh, man. That's a good question. Can I choose only one?” He asked.

“For our times’ sake; yes.” She answered. 

“I don't know if that will save time.” They burst into laughter. 

“Favorite car?” He snapped his fingers, “Porsche GT3 RS.” 

“That's what the Ghost Porsche drives.” She noticed. 

“Duh. Have you seen how fast that car is? Don't blink, or you'll miss him.” He said. They laughed. 

“Totally fair. I was going to say whatever car the Lightning Rex drives.” She chuckled. 

“True. Lightning Rex puts the speed in Subaru. Next is No Glory by Skan, Drama B, M.I.M.E, and Krale. A pure masterpiece.” 

<>

Kryoz sped up behind Wildcat. He had passed Kelly and Anthony right when the flag dropped. He was going to win this. The Superior wanted to know what he could do? He'd show him. The Ghost Porsche was already way too far ahead to think about catching. 

A lot of other racers were on the road, but they weren't racing. They were blocking traffic. They would block the roads with their vehicles, and when the ones racing would zip by, they would flee. Red and blue lights reflected in Kryoz's rear view mirror. Several cops were now following. Blarg's Cayman swerved around Kryoz and Wildcat, taking third place. 

“Not cool, Blarg.” Kryoz smirked. Blarg laughed menacingly. They raced downtown, drifting around tight corners and through narrow streets. They even drove down a one-way street going the wrong way. Didn't matter since the whole road was closed. Kryoz followed the leaders around a circular ramp for the highway. He was able to take the inner circle and drift past Wildcat and Blarg.

The Superior's LFA was further ahead on the highway. They served around traffic since traffic wasn't too bad, and roadblockers weren't needed. On this Highway, the racers could reach much higher speeds. Cars with pure speed had the advantage here. That was one thing Kryoz's car did not have. He dropped down to sixth place. He'd have to make up the distance. 

The highway stretched over a sea gate. The massive bridge stood tall and was covered in lights that changed color. He followed Anthony's 370Z off the highway. They sped down a two-lane road with lots of trees around it. Kryoz drifted around Anthony and Kelly, going wide on a hairpin bend. The police sirens faded away since their cars couldn't drift as well. 

“I was wondering when you were going to catch up.” Grizzy teased from ahead of him. 

“Shut the hell up and let me pass you.” Kryoz returned. 

Grizzy laughed, “In your dreams.” The road ended at a dock. Shipping containers were stacked high. The other cars had gone through a gate that had been cut open by two roadblockers. They cheered as the racers sped by them and into the shipping yard. Kryoz passed Grizzy, going around a stack of containers. He did the same with Puffer. Now, he was back behind Wildcat and Blarg. 

The racers had gone through another gate and back into the woods. A low fog settled into the trees and obscured the road. Kryoz tried to pass Wildcat, but he blocked him. Kryoz tried the other side, but Wildcat did the same. Kryoz faked a swerve to the left and went right when Wildcat tried to block him. He passed Wildcat and got behind Blarg. The fog made it difficult to see where the road was.

“Why does Smii7y even race? He's so far ahead, he might as well not even be in the race anymore.” Blarg joked. 

“Because he's a fucking show off.” Kryoz replied, making Blarg laugh. Kryoz and Blarg raced past an iron gate that had been opened by more roadblockers. Gravestones littered the fog on either side of the road. 

“This is creepy as hell, bro.” Grizzy said. The road through the graveyard was only large enough for one car. Kryoz saw a mausoleum under a large tree. Mausoleums were normally on their own piece of land. He took the risk of hidden tombstones in the grass. Kryoz drove off the road and around the mausoleum and tree, drifting past Blarg and back onto the road. No tombstones were hit. Sorry about the grass. 

“Bitch move there, Kryoz, but smooth.” Blarg snickered. Kryoz laughed and sped after The Superior. He wasn't that far ahead. They exited the cemetery and headed back towards the city. Kryoz downshifted and sped past The Superior. That was really easy. Blarg did the same. Cops were waiting for them when they got back into the city. A dozen police cars joined the race, trying to stop the racers. Kryoz and Blarg swerved to either side of the road to avoid a cop speeding at them. 

“Where the hell are we going?” Blarg asked. 

“Uh… great question. Just follow the roadblockers.” Kryoz replied. They both raced down a narrow street where bystanders were cheering on the sides of the streets. Another spray-painted line was drawn across the road.

“What now?” Blarg asked as they drifted around a bend to lose the cops that were chasing them. 

“The Superior is heading back to the garage with Wildcat.” Puffer informed them. 

“That's probably where Smii7y is.” Kryoz said. He took the lead back to The Superior's garage. 

“Was it just me, or did that race feel really easy?” Blarg asked. It was easy. Even the cops relented after a while. Kryoz remembered races in town being a lot more difficult. They pulled into the garage. Kryoz saw Smii7y and Pezzy already parked with The Superior. 

Pezzy's face lit up as they parked in the open spots, “You guys did amazing!” He hugged Blarg as he got out. Kryoz glanced at his phone. He sighed and grabbed it.

“Smii7y? We need to talk.” Kryoz said, giving The Superior a side glance. The silver visor reflected his glare back at him. Puffer and Grizzy joined them. 

“Okay. You guys are acting weird.” Smii7y responded. 

Blarg scoffed, “We're acting weird? It hasn't been a week, Smii7y! It's been–” Blarg was cut off by loud, slow claps that echoed around the parking garage. 

“You were right, Smit. You have a very impressive crew. They are much better than I was expecting.” The Superior said after his interruptive claps. 

“Smit?” Kryoz asked himself distastefully. 

Smii7y nodded fondly, “I know, right? You should see them on Trestle.” 

“Smii7y!” Kryoz snapped, sick of his friend ignoring him a The Superior interrupting, “I'm being fucking serious! We need to talk.” 

Smii7y’s brows furrowed, and he was about to speak when a loud engine revved. A very expensive car pulled through the gate. A Nissan GTR R35 was tailed by Wildcat, Kelly, and Anthony. 

“I'd like you guys to meet the last of my crew members.” The Superior gestured to the blue-to-green transitioning car. The GTR pulled into an empty space by The Superior. The other three parked next to him. The driver of the GTR got out, and Kryoz's crew gasped.

He had black hair and eyes. He was short with a broad frame. He had a crooked scar along his temple, slightly obscured by his hair. Kryoz had never seen him before, but the other five had. 

“Droid?” Grizzy breathed. Kryoz stiffened. There was no way Droid was alive. 

The GTR driver hesitated, “How do you know me?” 

The Superior tilted his helmet, “You know Droid?” 

“H–how? You–” Blarg tried, but he got choked up. Kryoz placed a hand on his shoulder as a source of comfort. Droid's death had eaten at his crew to this very day. Smii7y never forgave himself for his death. 

“How interesting. You see, Droid lost his memories.” The Superior cooed, “There was a terrible accident that resulted in a head injury at sea.”

Droid nodded, “I was lucky. I'm sorry if I don't recognize you.” The others were frozen in shock, trying to believe their eyes. 

“Droid. You used to be a part of their crew on Trestle.” Kryoz explained. Kryoz glanced at Smii7y. He had taken Droid's death the hardest and blamed himself for the accident. Smii7y’s jaw was open, and his eyes were wide, looking at Droid with disbelief. 

“Wow. Really? I was friends with you guys?” He hesitated, “Shit. That sounded mean. I meant that in a good way. Like, I can't believe I was friends with the best racers I've seen.” 

Pezzy smiled, “We are just so happy you're alive!” His eyes were watery, and he quickly wiped them away.  

Droid chuckled, “Me too. I must've had it really good to be rolling with you guys. I’m really sorry that I don't know you anymore.” Smii7y walked up to him. Smii7y had tears in his eyes, too, but he was smiling. 

“I can't believe you're okay.” He embraced Droid. Droid looked a little surprised at first but smiled and returned it. Blarg, Puffer, Grizzy, and Pezzy all surrounded him, asking him questions. Kryoz shook his head slightly with a smile. It was good to see them all whole again. 

Kryoz glanced at the rest of The Superior's crew. They were muttering to each other. Wildcat stopped talking to Kelly when he saw Kryoz looking at him. His blue eyes glared at Kryoz. They were hiding something. Kryoz then looked at The Superior. His helmet was tilted down like he was sneering under that damn helmet. He was looking at Kryoz's crew. The six of them were oblivious to their surroundings. The mumbling crew that were suspicious, and the mysterious Superior. Kryoz was going to get to the bottom of it and protect his crew. 

“It's been a long day, yeah? Your crew has been traveling, and they dominated that race. Why don't we call it a night?” The Superior hummed. 

Smii7y looked back at Kryoz. He was smiling bigger than Kryoz had ever seen before. His eyes looked more green as well. More green than when they first met. He always had abnormally green eyes, but there was always a dimness to them, like he had lost something. He did. He lost one of his best friends. Seeing that light was something Kryoz couldn't suppress. Not right now, at least. Smii7y and the others needed this. They needed their friend back. 

“We will talk tomorrow. Promise.” Smii7y smiled. Kryoz nodded. Tomorrow, he would talk about it. At least Smii7y was listening to him. Smii7y turned back as Droid laughed at something Puffer said. 

Kryoz's phone buzzed. He checked the screen to see a message from the TPD: “Same spot tomorrow. O’nine hundred. Bring Blarg, Puffer, and Grizzy. We found something.”  

“I left something in your rooms. My own personal recipe. I hope you like it. Pezzy, Smii7y, Droid? Shall we?” The Superior purred. He started walking to the elevator.

“We'll talk to you guys tomorrow. We have so much to catch you up on, Droid!” Pezzy said excitedly while the three of them followed The Superior. Wildcat, Kelly, and Anthony followed them. 

“Can you catch me up on my whole life?” He asked with a laugh. They laughed as the elevator closed. 

“I– I can't believe he's alive. After all this time, we thought…” Blarg ran his hand through his hair. 

Grizzy placed a hand on his shoulder, “It's a fucking mericle.” 

“The loss of his memories isn't good, though,” Puffer muttered.

“He's alive, and that's what matters. You guys can build your friendships again.” Kryoz offered. He handed them the three room keycards that Wildcat had given him. They each walked to their cars to get their things. 

Blarg smiled, “I haven't seen Smii7y like that since before the accident.” 

Puffer chuckled, “We get Droid and Smii7y back. Some weird shit is going on, but it might be worth it.” 

“For Droid, it is.” Grizzy yawned, “I'm fucking beat. I wanna see how nice these hotel rooms are.” 

“We have a date with the TPD tomorrow at nine AM. They said they found something.” Kryoz said as they headed for the elevator. 

Puffer scoffed with an eye roll, “What did we do now? We have our phones.” Kryoz scanned the room key on the elevator, and it instantly closed and took them to the room floor. 

“Maybe it's about Pezzy and Smii7y. Droid may be looped into this too.” Blarg said. 

“One way to find out.” Kryoz responded. They were split into two rooms. Blarg was with Kryoz. Grizzy and Puffer were in the other room next to them. It was a simple room. Two king-sized beds with white linen covers, a bathroom, and a small living room area. 

“Fucking hell. How does someone like The Superior make all this dough?” Blarg asked. 

“Especially enough to pay hundreds, maybe even thousands of racers to run from cops.” Kryoz agreed.

“True. Is this the recipe he was talking about?” Blarg walked up to a coffee table where two cans were sitting. They had a black print on a gold can. Gold cursive was written on the side. 

“Nirvana. There's no ingredients list.” Blarg said, spinning the energy drink can around. 

“I wouldn't drink it.” Kryoz said, putting his bag down on one of the beds. 

“I don't trust a word that comes out of his mouth, let alone a drink without an ingredients list on it.” 

“Good idea.” Kryoz agreed. 

Chapter Text

“Welcome RC fans to the radio for racing!” She exclaimed. He laughed.

“What?” She asked. 

“Oh, nothing. I just thought of something funny.” He replied with another snicker.

“Care to share?” She asked. 

He giggled again, “Okay, okay. You know the phrase, we raise a toast to blah blah blah?” 

“Yeah? What about it?” She asked. 

“So, I read from an article that the Ancient Romans invented it. They used to think that putting their bread into their wine was more nutritious. So, when they raised their glasses, they'd say, we raise a toast .” They both burst into laughter. 

“What do you read online? That is wild! Almost as wild as this next song. Burn It Up by Rynx.” She said. 

“Smooth transition.” He admired. 

“Thanks!” 

<>

Kryoz and Blarg took their car keys as they exited the hotel room. Puffer and Grizzy exited at the same time. 

Grizzy yawned and stretched out, “They better meet the cop stereotype and bring fucking donuts.” 

“Come on, we are running late.” Kryoz urged. 

“Oh, no. Whatever shall we do if we aren't punctual to meet the people who are fucking blackmailing us?” Puffer said sarcastically. 

“You can ask them that. I'm sure they will give you plenty of reasons. Not going to prison for one.” Kryoz returned. When they got to the parking garage, Kryoz noticed that all the cars were gone except theirs. Smii7y’s Porsche and Pezzy's bike were both gone. 

“So much for promises.” Kryoz muttered to himself. Four sports cars peeled out of the garage. Kryoz led his crew back to the storm drains. The cops were waiting for them when they got there, only this time, there were four. Tucker and Eli were waiting with Nogla and Vanoss. 

“Have you guys ever been on time before?” Vanoss asked coldly as Kryoz got out of his car. 

“Want me to answer that honestly, or the answer you want to hear?” Kryoz asked and crossed his arms over his chest, “What did you find?” Grizzy, Blarg, and Puffer stood beside Kryoz.

“I think I've discovered what's going on with Smii7y and Pezzy.” Tucker said. He leaned on the hood of his corvette. The racer’s eyes flared. 

Vanoss smirked, “Wish you showed up on time now?”

“What's happening?” Kryoz asked. 

“About ten years ago, scientists developed a drug called amnesien. It was supposed to cure leukemia, but it started having side effects.” Tucker started. 

“Patients were losing their memories. Their most recent ones.” Eil finished, “Tucker and I have dealt with this drug in another case.” 

“It was discontinued in the medical field but exploded on the black market. Nasty people with bad intentions wanted this stuff. This shit is super powerful and super expensive. Three million an ounce.” Tucker said. 

“Holy shit!” Puffer exclaimed. 

“That's because an ounce will kill the person who's taking it.” Eli said. Their mouths all fell open in pure horror. 

“You mean Smii7y and Pezzy are going to die?” Grizzy asked. 

“If an ounce or more is taken at one time. Over some time, say two months, they slowly lose their memories. That's clearly what The Superior is trying to do.” Tucker explained. 

Puffer swallowed, “How do you know this is what they are using on Smii7y and Pezzy?” 

“Every symptom has been the same. Dull irises and a blank stare when you mention something they are supposed to remember. Like their brain is trying to remember something that's not there.” Tucker answered. Kryoz paled. He recognized both of those symptoms on Smii7y and Pezzy. Kryoz ran a hand through his hair worriedly. Pezzy and Smii7y were in a lot more danger than he thought. Their lives were on the line. 

“Is there a cure?” Blarg asked hopefully. 

Eli grimaced, “No. There's not.” 

“We can stop it before it gets out of hand and Smii7y and Pezzy lose their memories completely.” Tucker added quickly. The racers glanced at each other. 

“What are we waiting for, then?” Kryoz asked, making his crew chuckle. 

Vanoss scoffed, “Now they're cooperative.”

“The Superior has to be getting them to take the amnesien somehow.” Nogla said. 

“I've known Smii7y for over fifteen years. Never once has he ever thought about taking a drug. Especially one he doesn't know.” Blarg stated confidently. 

“Injection is the most common way to take it, but it can also be ingested.” Tucker replied. 

“Oh, my God! Those fucking drinks!” Kryoz exclaimed. 

Blarg's eyes widened, “That's why they didn't have an ingredients list!” 

“What drinks?” Nogla asked. 

“There's this energy drink The Superior made. I saw both Smii7y and Pezzy drinking it. It's probably what has the amnesien in it.” Kryoz said, “And that asshole tried to get us to drink it.” 

“Do you have any with you? I can take it to a lab to see what is in it.” Tucker offered. 

“Not with us, but I can get you some.” Puffer offered. Nogla nodded appreciatively. 

“We need to find his stash. Find that, and we can bust him.” Vanoss said. 

“How do we find a stash of illegal mind wiping drugs that only The Superior knows?” Grizzy asked. 

“The same way I tricked Smii7y into a trap.” Kryoz replied with a smirk. 

“Lying and backstabbing?” Puffer asked with a grin. 

Kryoz rolled his eyes, “That and gaining trust. I'll get The Superior's trust and learn where his stash is.” 

Nogla’s eyes narrowed, “He threatened you. How are you going to gain his trust?” 

“Wait! He did?! Why?! When?!” Puffer asked. 

“Just before the race last night. That's what he fucking meant.” Kryoz seethed. He had completely forgotten about The Superior's threat. He was going to kill Smii7y and Pezzy if he tried to stop him. 

“The good news is that he just incriminated himself. That was evidence, so if you find the stash, he's going to prison for a very long time.” Nogla said. Kryoz thought for a moment. The Superior wanted him in the state that Smii7y and Pezzy were in from the drink. 

A devilish smile appeared on Kryoz's lips, “I'll let him win.” 

“What? Like drink that drink?” Grizzy asked. 

“Then you'll be like Smii7y and Pezzy.” Blarg said. 

“I'm not actually going to drink the shit. I'll make The Superior think I am. Get close and find his amnesien.” Kryoz replied. 

“You can trick him like that?” Tucker asked.

“Pfft.” Blarg threw an arm over Kryoz's shoulders, “Kryoz tricked the most cautious guy on Trestle. The Superior would be a walk in the park with that ego of his, right?” 

Kryoz nodded, “Like tricking a baby.” 

“Do what you have to, but I need phones monitoring at all times. The more evidence we gather, the easier he'll be to lock up.”

Puffer rolled his eyes with a groan, “Fine, mom. I'll bring that drink.” Tucker nodded and got into his car. The racers and pursuit team parted ways. The racers sped down the creek bed and back onto the road. Three cars were parked on the side of the road. Anthony, Wildcat, and Kelly had followed them. 

“Shit! Scatter!” Kryoz exclaimed. They all sped off in different directions. Wildcat took off after Blarg and Puffer. Kelly and Anthony followed Kryoz. He drifted around an s-curve, trying to shake them. He glanced back in his rearview mirror and only saw the pink R8. One down, one to go. 

Kryoz drifted down a narrow alleyway to try and get to the highway. Anthony's 370Z pulled into the alley in front of him, blocking his path. Kelly's R8 closed in from behind. Well, shit. Looks like he's talking his way out. He got out of his car as Kelly and Anthony did. Kryoz grabbed his phone and put it in his pocket. 

“You a cop?” Anthony spat. 

“No. I used to be, but I'm not anymore.” He answered. Kelly's eyes narrowed on him. Her blue irises were like daggers. 

“Why are you talking to the police then? Don't even think about lying.” She asked coldly. 

Kryoz chose his next words very carefully, “They are helping us save our friends.” It wasn't a lie. It just wasn't the full truth. Kelly's eyes softened a bit. 

“Save your friends from what?” Her tone was much softer now. 

“We aren't sure yet. I think they are in a lot of danger.” Kryoz kept it very vague. These two were a part of The Superior's crew. 

“They are.” She stated. Kryoz blinked. He wasn't expecting that. 

Neither was Anthony, “Kelly!” 

“What do you mean? What's happening?” Kryoz asked.

“The Superior. He's using them.” She answered. 

“Kelly! What are you doing?!” Anthony exclaimed. 

“I'm sick of it, Anthony! I'm not standing by while he destroys people!” She snapped. 

Kryoz’s brows furrowed, “What is happening?” 

“The Superior. He's a monster. It hasn't been a week. Smii7y and Pezzy have been his little toys since they got here two months ago.” She explained. 

“Kelly. We can't trust him. He’s talking to the cops.” Anthony retaliated. 

“I don't care. This could be our chance to get out and stop him.” She returned. So, there was a lot more to The Superior's crew than Kryoz thought. 

“Wait. Wait. He's doing this to Smii7y and Pezzy?” Kryoz asked innocently. He was trying to milk them of information. 

“And Droid.” She added, making Kryoz's eyes widen. He knew that Droid may have had a role in this, but he wasn't expecting it to be that. 

Anthony sighed, “We are committed now.” 

“What do you mean? What did he do to Droid?” Kryoz asked. 

“Droid didn't hit his head to cause his memory loss. He washed up on shore, and The Superior found him.” She started. 

“Droid was incredible. The best racer we had ever seen.” Anthony said, “Then we found out he was with a crew of incredibly talented racers on Trestle.” 

“He wanted to go back to tell his friends he was okay and alive. The Superior didn't like that. He wanted Droid in his crew. To stay and race for him.” Kelly said. She leaned on the hood of her car and ran her fingers through her blond hair. 

“He found a drug called amnesien that wipes people's memories. It is powerful shit that almost killed Droid. Droid didn't even remember his own name after.” She closed her eyes remorsefully.

“And then Smii7y’s name hit the mainland. I thought Droid was incredible. Smii7y was something else entirely. The Superior couldn't keep his filthy talons away.” Anthony said.

“He's doing the same thing to Smii7y and Pezzy. He plans to do the same to you and the other three.” Kelly grimaced. Kryoz kind of already had a feeling about that. 

“How are you looped into this? It sounds to me like you don't like The Superior even though you're in his crew.” Kryoz asked. 

“He forced us.” Anthony answered. 

Kelly nodded, “He told Wildcat that if he didn't listen, he'd do to us what he did to Droid.” 

“Or worse.” Anthony mumbled. Kryoz exhaled. These three were in the exact same situation as him. Trapped by The Superior's boot.

“Alright. I wasn't sure I could trust you guys, but you seem just as trapped as Smii7y and Pezzy. The cops told us about the amnesien, what it does, and how bad it can get. I think we can help each other.” Kryoz said, dropping his persona. 

Kelly's eyes widened like Kryoz had suddenly changed into a different person, “You knew?” 

“Not as much as you just told me, but we had the idea. We also understand how much danger you're all in. This shit kills people.” Kryoz said. Both Kelly’s and Anthony's jaws fell open. 

“I was not expecting that.” Anthony mumbled, “How long have you known?” 

“Just learned about amnesien. It's in that Nirvana drink. We are trying to find his stash.” Kryoz replied. 

“Fuck. You guys are ten steps ahead. You're way smarter than you let on. The Superior thought you'd be easy to trick with how Smii7y talked about you and the others.” Anthony replied. Kryoz smirked. Smii7y was still being his cautious self. Even if his mind was being wiped. 

“That couldn't be more perfect.” Kryoz smiled and crossed his arms. 

“Why? What are you going to do? We don't know where it is.” Kelly asked. 

“I'm going to get close. He's bound to slip up if I ask the right questions.” Kryoz said. 

“The Superior is super attentive. He'll see right through you.” Kelly said. 

“Doubtful. I'm pretty good at playing people. I fooled you.” Kryoz huffed. 

Kelly looked skeptical, “Okay. Say you do gain his trust. What then? Hope he magically reveals where he's keeping a very deadly drug?” 

“I wish it was that simple. I'll get him to talk. He's got a big ego. All it takes is one little slip, and you're free again. We already have enough evidence that he has the drug and now know that he used it on Droid. His clock is ticking.” Kryoz stated confidently. 

“I– I really hope you're right.” She rubbed her arms anxiously. Anthony walked up to her, giving her a gentle hug. 

“We'd owe everything to you if you can stop The Superior. We'd have our freedom back.” Anthony said softly while looking at Kryoz. 

“I won't let some piece of shit take my friends. If I can help you too, I'm going to.” Kryoz replied. 

Kelly rubbed the water out of her eyes and put on a determined face, “How can we help?” 

Kryoz smirked, “Tell me everything you know about The Superior. Like as to why the hell he's wiping people's memories.” 

“He's building the best racing crew in the world.” Anthony said, “With Smii7y alone, I think he will achieve that.” 

“What for? I understand that he's a shitty driver, but what does a crew do with that?” Kryoz leaned on the back of his car. 

“He's not the only sponsor for racing out here. He's the biggest here and for Trestle, but not for other places. Sponsors work with each other to cash out racers. Skilled ones. If you have a good racer, like Droid, other Sponsors will pay to have them heatcatch or end pursuits if that area has high heat.” Kelly explained. 

“So, like a rent-a-cop, but for racers.” Kryoz concluded.

Anthony nodded, “And with Smii7y, he could make millions off him alone. Especially if Smii7y doesn't remember who he is and The Superior can manipulate him into whoever he wants.” 

Kryoz brushed his upper lip as he thought, “The Superior is making money somehow to pay for claims. Is it from that hotel?” 

Kelly shook her head, “No. He owns another company. A CEO or something. That's why he hides his face.” Her phone rang. She quickly answered. 

“Hun?” She asked, addressing her husband, “No. Kryoz got away. You saw how good he was last night.” She connected eyes with Kryoz. Kryoz lifted his brow questionably. She lied to Wildcat?

“We will talk at the garage. I don't know what we saw. They didn't look like cops. Cops don't drive sports cars.” She said into the phone, “I love you.” Kelly removed the phone from her ear. 

“Why did you not tell him?” Anthony asked. 

“Wildcat is great at a lot of things. Keeping secrets is not one of them. The Superior also has him wrapped around his finger. I'll tell him eventually. Just while you work, he should think you're still the enemy.” She responded. 

Kryoz nodded, “I'll let my team know. Either of you guys wouldn't happen to have one of those Nirvana drinks, would you?” 

“I do. Why? You're not actually going to drink it, are you?” Anthony asked, walking past Kryoz to get to his car. 

“Fuck no, but The Superior is going to think I am.” Anthony placed the gold and black can in Kryoz's hand. He popped the top and poured about half of the contents of the can onto the asphalt. 

“There goes one point three million dollars.” Kryoz said as he lifted the can. Anthony laughed, and Kelly smiled. 

“I'm beginning to like you, Kryoz.” She said. 

“Just beginning? That seems like a backhanded compliment.” He teased. 

She rolled her eyes, “We have to go meet Wildcat. Good luck, Kryoz.” 

“Thanks.” Kryoz replied. He got into his car and put the can in a cup holder, careful not to spill a deadly drug all over his car. He called Puffer while Anthony backed out to let him go. 

“Kryoz! What happened?! Where are you?” Puffer asked immediately. 

“We need to talk. Meet me at The Superior's garage.” Kryoz said. 

Chapter Text

“Heeeello, racers and people of cars!” She sang. 

“People of cars?” He asked. 

“Don't judge me. Judge the bear that broke into the Chocolate Factory last week.” She replied. 

He laughed, “What? Was it a chocolate bear?” 

“No.” She chuckled, “It was really a live bear. Broke a window and ate like five pounds of chocolate.” 

“Wow! I wish I could stomach five pounds of chocolate in one sitting. Was it a brown bear?” He asked. 

“I'm not sure, but I'm sure he had the browns after all that sugar. The next song isn't necessarily a racing song, but it's nice to play while driving at night. It's called Tokyo Nights by Digital Farm Animals.” 

“I love that one!” He exclaimed. 

<>

Kryoz explained their situation with Kelly, Wildcat, and Anthony to his crew in the garage. A loud Bugatti Chiron pulled into the private parking. The Superior got out after parking his car. 

“I was wondering where you four went.” His helmet traveled down to Kryoz, partially sitting on his car's hood with the opened Nirvana right next to him.

“We like to go on little drives in the mornings.” Blarg replied. 

“Little friendly competition keeps us from wanting to strangle each other.” Puffer agreed, leaning on the roof of his car since he was tall enough to do so. 

“Ah. Yes. Pezzy mentioned those. Very good bonding. How do you like those, Kryoz?” The Superior asked with a smooth tone. 

Kryoz looked down at the can next to him, “It's great!” 

The Superior nodded appreciatively, “It is. You three should try it.”

Kryoz nodded, “It's pretty damn good.” 

“On a diet.” Grizzy winced. 

“Not an energy drink fan. Sorry.” Puffer replied. Blarg rolled his eyes and scoffed. Kryoz was glad he was keeping the untrustworthy mask towards The Superior. It made them look less suspicious.  

“Kryoz. May I speak with you?” The Superior asked. The motorcycle helmet watched him closely. 

“Sure.” Kryoz got off his car. 

Blarg caught his wrist, “Kryoz.” 

“What?” Kryoz asked. He saw concern in his sandy-blue eyes. 

“Can we just think for a second?” He muttered, glancing at the tall Superior. 

“It's fine, Blarg. I'll be right back.” Kryoz pulled from him and joined The Superior, heading to the elevator. 

“Your crew is quite cautious, aren't they?” The Superior asked when the elevator doors shut. 

“They've been hurt before. Twice. They don't trust easily, but they will be the most loyal people to you when you do gain it.” Kryoz swirled the Nirvana around. 

“That is something I greatly admire about you and them. I've noticed that you often exclude yourself, however.” 

Kryoz furrowed his brows, “What?” The elevator dinged to a stop in The Superior's penthouse. The Superior sat down comfortably in one of the white cushioned chairs.

“You say they instead of we . Do you not consider yourself to be in their crew?” He asked. 

“Of course I do.” Kryoz returned. 

The Superior hummed, “Then why do such a thing? It's like you try to stay back on the sidelines. Scared to step into the field.” Kryoz realized what The Superior was doing almost a little too late. He was testing Kryoz. Seeing where he stood among the others. If he didn't play this right, The Superior might get suspicious. Kelly was right about him being attentive. 

Kryoz glanced away, “Does it matter?” 

“Of course. I noticed it. When the others saw Droid, they were all so excited to see him. Greeting him and hugging him. But not you. You stayed back and watched. Now, I know that you don't know Droid, but to me, it looked like you shunned yourself.” The Superior crossed his legs, lounging back in the chair. Kryoz could play this one of two ways. He stays stand-offish and denies The Superior's claims of insecurity, or he opens up a bit to The Superior to begin the trust building. If he was too trusting too soon, it may have the opposite effect. 

He tapped the Nirvana can with his index finger, “I remind myself that I have hurt them before, and I'm still finding my place.” His reply was blunt and vague. He needed to keep that balance of not trusting The Superior one hundred percent but also loosening up because of the amnesien. 

“But I see how they follow you. They stand beside you as one of them. Yet, you still refuse to consider yourself one of them. Is it lack of trust, or are you afraid to break their trust again?” He replied. This guy was good. Kryoz would have to be better. 

Kryoz set the can down on a coffee table, “I know I can trust them, and they can trust me. I will not lose it again.” The Superior tilted his head back, fond of that answer. 

“I see. My apologies for having doubts. I hope that our conversation before the race hasn't put strain on a possible relationship with us.” He said. That silver visor never peeled from Kryoz. Another test. This one for the amnesien. Kryoz glanced at one of the chairs, letting his vision go foggy like he spaced out. 

“What conversation?” Kryoz asked. He could almost hear the smile under that helmet. 

“Oh, maybe I was talking to someone else who reminded me of you. I'm so forgetful sometimes.” The Superior cooed. Kryoz shrugged. Kryoz took the can, lifting it to his lips. He didn't quite let the liquid touch him. Stopping just shy of his mouth. It looked like he took a drink. 

“I wanted to ask you to lunch today, Kryoz.” The Superior said. 

“Lunch?” Kryoz asked.

“Yes. Myself, Wildcat, Smii7y, and Droid will be there.” He responded. 

“Why not the others?” Kryoz asked. It was a logical question. Amnesien or not.

“I have something very exciting to talk about with you and Smii7y. New opportunities for your island.” The Superior bounced his foot up and down on his knee. 

“Alright.” Kryoz agreed. 

“Great! I'll have Wildcat tell you the details.” The Superior said. Kryoz walked up to the window overseeing the city. Traffic was stopped up hundreds of feet below. 

The Superior stood up, “See you at lunch, Kryoz.” He walked down a hallway. Kryoz watched the hallway for a few seconds, making sure he didn't return. Kryoz walked around the room quickly and silently. He scoped out locations to hide drugs while he spoke with The Superior. He dealt with hidden illegal shit in other cases before he went to Trestle. He had a good idea of where people hide things. 

He didn't find anything, so he headed back down the garage to talk with the others. They were in the same place when Kryoz returned. 

Kryoz smiled, “Good acting, Blarg.” 

Blarg's serious persona dropped, and he smiled, “Did it help?” 

Kryoz nodded, “Like a charm. I have lunch with the big dogs in town.” 

“What the fuck? And we weren't invited?” Grizzy retaliated. 

“You're not drinking the death drug, remember?” Kryoz returned. He poured the rest of the Nirvana drink on the ground. 

“Oh, yeah…” Grizzy mumbled.

“What's this for?” Puffer asked. 

“Something about propositions for Trestle or something. I think, while I'm out at lunch, you guys should meet up with Anthony and Kelly. Catch them up to speed.” Kryoz answered.

Grizzy nodded, “Having some help with this will be useful.” 

“Kryoz. I wanna talk to you after your date. It's important.” Blarg held up his phone and then waved his hand at his neck, signaling not to bring his phone. Even the pursuit team couldn't know this. Kryoz nodded. The elevator dinged, and Wildcat walked out. 

“We are heading out.” He said bluntly. 

“Lemme guess. Everyone is already there.” Kryoz said sarcastically as he unlocked his car. 

“Just about.” He replied. Wildcat and Kryoz got into their vehicles. They both left the parking garage. Kryoz followed Wildcat through town.  They pulled into a restaurant parking lot. Kryoz recognized a white Porsche and a blue GTR parked next to each other. Wildcat and Kryoz parked next to them. 

They walked towards an outdoor patio with tables. Kryoz recognized his best friend and Droid. Smii7y and Droid were talking and laughing like they've known each other their whole lives. Smii7y smiled when he saw Kryoz and Wildcat walking towards them. Smii7y’s eyes were as bright as the tree leaves. 

“This is Kryoz.” Smii7y introduced. 

“I know. You told me before, remember?” Droid replied. Smii7y spaced out with furrowed brows. Kryoz basically watched his eyes dim to a dull gray. Kryoz and Wildcat took two of the three seats that were open. 

“Know what The Superior had us come here for?” Kryoz asked. 

“He wanted to talk about something.” Wildcat answered. So, Wildcat didn't even know. Wildcat seemed to be a little less hostile around Droid and Smii7y. 

“I don't know, bro. Hopefully, we aren't getting demodemoted or something.” Droid replied with a smile. 

“It's like going to the principal's office during school when your boss asks to talk to you.” Wildcat replied.

Droid gasped, “That's exactly what it's like!” They laughed. 

It almost felt like all the masks had fallen off when Kryoz was in the company of people he trusted. He may not have known Droid, but his crew trusted him, and he trusted them. Wildcat was forced to be secretive and lie. It was nice to see his real side. 

The loud squeal of a V12 made the restaurant guests go silent. A yellow Lamborghini Aventador pulled into the parking lot, parking with the other sports cars. 

“Fucking show off.” Wildcat grumbled. The Superior got out and approached them. Wildcat's friendly image dropped. Even Droid seemed to close himself off a bit more. Smii7y was the only one who smiled at seeing The Superior. 

“Look at that. The fastest racers in the world all at one table. What a rare sight.” The Superior chuckled and sat down in the last chair.

Kryoz leaned back in his seat, “What's this all about?” 

The Superior chuckled, “I have a business meeting tomorrow. I want you all to be there. There will be very important people there that I want you to meet.” 

“A business meeting?” Smii7y asked. 

“Yes. A function for my business that is also a great gathering of sponsors.” The Superior said. Kryoz blinked. It was so he could sell them as heatcatchers. A show and tell for his future crew. Kryoz was very glad he had decided to bring his phone. 

“I would like your crew to come as well, Kryoz. It wouldn't be any fun without them.” The Superior added. Kryoz saw Smii7y physically flinch from The Superior. They were a team. There was no leader or someone in charge, but the others closely followed Smii7y because of his skill level.

Smii7y sank back in his chair, thinking. The Superior had done well in physically and mentally isolating him. It was a classic manipulation move. Sunder out your victim so all they have is you to turn to. Smii7y just had to hold out a bit longer. Wildcat exhaled and closed his eyes pitifully 

“Sounds fun. I'll let the guys know.” Kryoz replied. 

“Splendid. Dress your best. Now, who's hungry?” The Superior asked and waved down a waiter. 

After lunch, Kryoz finally got a few moments to speak with Smii7y without anyone listening in. Aside from the TPD. 

“Smii7y.” Kryoz called. Smii7y paused with his hand on the door handle of his car. 

“Can we just go for a drive? There's something I want to tell you.” Kryoz asked. Kryoz got a glimpse of his gray eyes. Lifeless and lost. It was almost like Kryoz was talking to a different person. 

“I have to catch heat. You should go tell the others.” He muttered, and got into his car. Kryoz exhaled as Smii7y pulled away. He was losing his best friend by the second. If they didn't act soon, Smii7y and Pezzy would be completely gone. Kryoz got into his car. He called Blarg as he exited the parking lot. 

“Hey, Kryoz. How'd that go?” Blarg asked when he answered.

“Alright, I guess. Where are we meeting?” Kryoz asked. 

“I'll send you the address. Anthony and Kelly are here too.” Blarg replied. 

“I'll be there in three minutes.” Kryoz stated and shifted into the next gear. 

Blarg giggled, “You don't even know where it's at.” 

“I know. It will still be three minutes.” Kryoz returned. 

Blarg laughed, “Okay. See you in three minutes.” Kryoz followed the address to an abandoned strip mall. They had parked in the old parking lot in the back. Grizzy, Blarg, and Puffer were all talking with Anthony and Kelly. 

“What's up, Blarg?” Kryoz asked as he got out of his car. 

“Have your phone on you?” He asked. 

“No?” Kryoz replied skeptically. 

“Good. Puffer and I made these.” He placed a small clip device and remote in Kryoz's hand, “It's a shutdown for the TPD’S manual overrides in our cars.” 

Kryoz's eyes widened, “Are you sure these will work?” 

“Yep. The only issue is that they will know. It's a one-time use. We figured it would be important to deactivate those when we save the others.” Puffer explained. 

“I had no idea you guys were being blackmailed that bad. Listening devices in your phones and manual overrides in your cars? That's wild.” Anthony said.

Grizzy scoffed, “Tell me about it.” Kryoz opened the hood on his car. Blarg took the clip device and clipped it around one of the override wires. 

“It will shut down the car. Once you turn it over, it will start right back up.” Blarg said. 

“You've tested it?” Kryoz asked. 

“Nothing to test it on without the cops knowing.” Puffer responded. 

“So, hopefully, it will work.” Kryoz concluded. 

“It will.” Blarg stated.

“What was the lunch all about?” Puffer asked. 

“A party.” Kryoz said while closing the hood to his car. 

“A party?” Grizzy asked, “I didn't take The Superior as a party guy.” 

“It's a function. A get-together for businessmen.” Kryoz explained.

“There will be other sponsors there.” Kelly said. 

“Exactly.” Kryoz agreed, “He's showing off his new merchandise.” 

“Like Smii7y and Pezzy?” Blarg asked. 

“No. All of us.” Kryoz's eyes flicked over to Kelly and Anthony, “You guys too.” 

“We kind of knew that. The Superior has been profiting off of us for years.” Kelly replied. 

“How do you plan on saving Smii7y and Pezzy? The Superior won't risk what Smii7y alone could provide for him.” Anthony said. 

“They don't have much time left.” Kelly said. 

“I know. We will talk to the TPD. We could very much turn this function into a trap for sponsors.” Kryoz said, “We need to dress up, so you three should go shopping for tomorrow. I'll talk to the TPD.” 

“Oh! Yes! I get to feel bonita!” Grizzy exclaimed. They all laughed. 

“Roger that, captain.” Puffer joked, “Let's save our stupid ass friends.” 

Chapter Text

“Hey, ya'll racers! This is RC Radio!” He exclaimed. 

“Did you see the dog walker who got arrested for walking twenty dogs at once?” She asked. 

“What? Why is that an arrestable offence?” He asked. 

“No idea. I think it's just too many dogs to be walking at once. Like, what if a squirrel runs in front of you? Screw horsepower. That's dogpower.” She said. They laughed. 

“That's pretty impressive to walk twenty dogs at once. I couldn't do something like that. What happened to the dogs?” He asked. 

“I think they took the dogs home or to some daycare. I think the TPD should be more pressed about street racing and not just someone making a few extra bucks. Do better TPD. The next song is Visions by AC13.” 

<>

Kryoz drove up to a beautiful building in the city. Marble columns, grand staircases, and crystal chandeliers. The valet requested his keys when he pulled up to the entrance. He handed him his keys and walked up to three familiar faces standing at the top of the stairs by the front door. 

“God damn, we clean up nicely for a bunch of racers.” Grizzy giggled as Kryoz walked up to them. They all dressed the same as per The Superior's request. Black lapels and ties. Grizzy wore a white shirt with an orange tie. Blarg had a dark blue shirt and tie. Puffer’s shirt was a teal blue with a pink tie. Kryoz was in a blue shirt with a golden tie. 

“Pezzy and Smii7y here?” Kryoz asked. 

“Not yet. We were waiting for them.” Blarg answered. Their heads all turned as a Porsche pulled up to the valet. Smii7y got out of the Porsche. Pezzy pulled up on his bike. He took off his helmet and put it on his bike. They both had white ties and black lapels. Pezzy's shirt was powder pink, and Smii7y’s shirt was a deep red. A Maserati GranCabrio pulled up behind them. 

“Fuck. is there any car The Superior doesn't own?” Blarg mumbled. The Superior got out of his car, and their mouths all fell open. He wasn't wearing the motorcycle helmet. His hair was bright blond, and he had light blue eyes. He wore an all black tuxedo. 

“Holy shit. It feels more weird to see his face now.” Puffer mumbled. He joined Pezzy and Smii7y, standing tall between them. 

He smiled as he saw Kryoz and the others standing at the top of the stairs, “Wonderful. Glad you're all here. Come on in.” They walked inside with The Superior. Classical music played inside the ballroom. Food portions sat on circular tables around the room. There were hundreds of nicely dressed people. 

“This place is crazy!” Grizzy exclaimed.

“I know, right?” Smii7y agreed. 

“Enjoy yourselves. Have Droid and Wildcat come find me if they run into you.” The Superior ordered. 

“I was thinking when we get back home, we could–” Smii7y started, but The Superior cut him off. 

“Smii7y. I want you to meet some people. Come on.” He was regarding Smii7y greedily as if he were a trophy to be won. 

Smii7y grimaced, “I'll come find you.” The Superior's eyes narrowed, and Kryoz was just about to blow his cover to defend Smii7y. It was the first time Kryoz had seen Smii7y defy The Superior. 

“I need this from you, Smii7y. This will help us immensely.” The Superior said flatly, like just that once of insubordination was enough to piss him off. 

The green of Smii7y’s eyes faded to gray, “Alright.” Kryoz gave his crew a quick glance and a small nod. Their plan was a go now. Kryoz had until the cops got there to figure out where The Superior's amnesien stash was. Smii7y walked towards The Superior, and Kryoz followed. The Superior looked at him skeptically. 

“What? Am I not allowed to meet them?” Kryoz asked, “We kind of do this kind of stuff together.” Smii7y eyed him out of the corner of his eye with a small smile. 

“Of course not. I want them to meet you as well.” The Superior said. He led them through the crowds of people. The Superior talked to a few people that seemed very conceited to Kryoz. Lifted chins, and overly expensive clothing and jewelry. 

“I'm not looking for any more catchers, Esmond.” A plump lady in a blue dress gurgled. The TPD were going to have a field day with that new information. 

“These two are nothing like you've ever seen before.” The Superior said. 

Kryoz sighed dramatically, “Not to toot my own horn, but I am the best.” 

Smii7y snorted, “No, you're not.” 

“I have been since you've been gone.” Kryoz returned. He noticed that green came back into his irises as Smii7y laughed. Maybe there was a cure if they hadn't completely forgotten who they were. The woman scoffed and walked away like their banter had offended her.

“Kryoz. I ask that you simply let me do the talking. These people are very standard tradition.” The Superior said. 

“Kryoz, stop talking? That would be the day.” Smii7y teased. 

“You'd love that, wouldn't you?” Kryoz returned. 

“Fuck yeah!” Smii7y smirked. Kryoz smiled. There was his best friend. He was still there. They talked to more people. Some had already heard of Kryoz's and Smii7y’s skills and were quite interested in hearing more. 

“What's all this bragging for, anyway? I know we are good and all, but aren't we going home soon?” Kryoz asked. Smii7y looked at Esmond The Superior, curious about the same thing.

“Smii7y has told me he would like to get a name for himself. These people will help you both to do that.” He responded. Smii7y winced with regret. 

“Interesting.” Kryoz replied, “If you came across five hundred thousand dollars, where would you hide it?” 

Smii7y lifted a brow, “That was really fucking random.” 

Kryoz shrugged, “I asked all the guys, and I feel like I haven't seen you in months, so you and Pezzy are the last two I need to ask.” The Superior was watching and listening to them.

“Why? Did you stumble across five hundred thousand dollars I don't know about?” Smii7y asked. 

“No. I was just wondering. Didn't think the reason of the question would be that fucking important.” Kryoz retorted.

Smii7y giggled, “Okay, okay. Is the money hot, or can I just put it in a bank and call it a day?” 

“Like the cops are searching high and low for this money.” Kryoz answered. 

“My car. No one would find it. Can't search a car you can't catch.” Smii7y grinned. 

“That's what I would do as well.” The Superior agreed. Kryoz almost verbally gasped. Why didn't he think of that? 

Kryoz chuckled, “Good point.” The amnesien was in one of the Superior's cars. One of his many, many cars. 

Kryoz pulled out his phone to type to the TPD while The Superior introduced them to someone else, “His cars.”.   Wildcat's crew, Kryoz's crew, and Droid all walked up to The Superior. 

Anthony was in a black and white shirt with a black tie. Wildcat had a white shirt and green tie. Droid had a green shirt and a blue tie. Kelly was wearing a green dress to match Wildcat's tie. She had her arm looped through Wildcat's. They were all laughing. 

“What a treat to have all the fastest racers in the world right here.” The Superior cooed. 

Kryoz's phone buzzed with a message from Nogla: “We found it.” Kryoz almost dropped his phone like it was hot. That was it. The Superior was done. Kryoz never knew the full extent of the TPD's plan, however. 

Windows shattered as masked men in black swung in on cables. The rich screamed as officers commanded people to get down. Officers stormed through the door and secured the exits. Blarg was the first to be grabbed by two officers and handcuffed. Grizzy, Wildcat, Kelly, and Droid had their hands wrestled behind their backs. 

“No! We helped!” Kryoz spat. 

“Hands behind your back, racer!” An officer ordered. 

“What?!” Kryoz yelled. This wasn't just a trap for The Superior. It was for all of them. Kryoz wrestled with two officers, but they got his hands behind his back and placed cuffs on him. Anthony, Grizzy, Puffer, and Pezzy were fighting with the officers, too. Kryoz's eyes narrowed as Nogla, Vanoss, and Eli walked into the ballroom. Nogla connected his blank eyes with Kryoz. 

There was a yelp from Smii7y as he was secured, but it wasn't from the police. It was from Superior. He had Smii7y’s upper arm clasped tightly and a syringe in the other hand, the needle pointed right at Smii7y’s neck. He hid behind Smii7y, using him as a shield from any bullets.

“No!” Kelly shrieked. 

“Let go!” An officer demanded. 

“This is enough to kill him instantly!” Esmond hissed. It was amnesien. 

“Stop!” Nogla ordered his men, “It's over, Esmond. Let go and drop the amnesien before you kill someone.” 

“No. We are leaving. Unless you want a hostage death on your record, Cheif Nogla. I should've known you were working with this ex-cop to try and stop me.” Esmond spat. He glowered at Kryoz. Vanoss and Eli had their hands on their weapons. 

“You'll kill your best racer!” Wildcat tried. 

“Worth it to ruin all of you. No more racing on Trestle, and the pursuit team is done for letting too many people die.” Esmond grinned. Smii7y connected eyes with Kryoz. Kryoz hated what Smii7y was trying to tell him. The acceptance he was showing was sickening to Kryoz. He couldn't watch his friend die. 

“Walk.” The Superior demanded. Weapons pointed at them. The Superior put the tip of the needle on Smii7y’s skin, and he almost flinched, driving the point into his body.  

“No! You fucking bitch!” Kryoz fought with the officer who was holding onto his cuffs. 

Nogla sighed, “Stand down.” 

The Superior smiled, “Pleasure doing business with you, Nogla. You're driving, kid.” He shoved Smii7y forward. 

“Nogla, we can't just… let him go…” Eli muttered. 

“And get someone killed who's been a victim of his game for months?” Nogla replied. Smii7y’s eyes flared. Nogla, Vanoss, and Eli stepped aside to let Smii7y and Esmond pass. 

“Fuck. Why did it have to be Smii7y? That's the one person we can't catch.” Eli muttered as Smii7y and Esmond walked out the door freely. 

Kryoz got an idea, “Nogla. Let us go. We are the only ones that can catch them.” Nogla’s eyes landed on his. 

“You're just trying to get out.” Eli returned. 

“You're never going to catch them if we don't go now!” Blarg exclaimed. Nogla and Vanoss connected eyes. 

“The moment they are both far away, he's going to do the same thing to Smii7y, he did to Droid! You said that you were going to help keep that from happening!” Puffer seethed. 

“What?! What did he do to me?!” Droid exclaimed. 

Vanoss shrugged, “They still have the devices in their cars.” 

“Fine.” Nogla nodded for officers to take off the handcuffs. 

“Them too.” Kryoz said as he looked at Wildcat, Kelly, Anthony, and Droid.

“No. They don't have the overrides.” Vanoss stated. 

“Then kiss The Superior goodbye because if Smii7y gets away, you're never finding him again. We need their help.” Kryoz rubbed his wrists after the cuffs were taken off. 

“Fine. Them too. You better be able to stop him.” Nogla warned. 

“Of course. He's my best friend. Just let me do my job.” Kryoz nodded for the racers to follow him. 

“Puffer. Get the app on their phones. Grizzy, you're with me.” Kryoz ordered as they raided the valet box for their keys. 

“What? Why?” Grizzy asked.

“Because your car never works when you're in a pinch, and I need you to track Smii7y's phone.” Kryoz said. 

“Fair.” Grizzy said. Tires squealed as the Ghost Porsche raced out of the parking lot. 

“We have to go now!” Blarg shouted. They ran for their vehicles. Kryoz took off his tie and lapel to drive. 

“This app lets us talk? That's so cool and smart!” Anthony said as they raced out of the parking lot. 

“What's going on?” Pezzy asked as he rode next to Kryoz's car on his bike, “The Superior said months.” 

“You and Smii7y have been tricked into a drug that causes you to lose your memories. You and Smii7y left Trestle two months ago.” Kryoz shifted. 

“Oh, my fucking God. You're joking.” Pezzy breathed. 

“I wish we were.” Puffer said. 

“You guys knew about us?” Wildcat asked. He got behind Kryoz and Grizzy. He had Kelly with him. Grizzy was on his phone, trying to find Smii7y.

“I told them. We needed help before they all became pawns like we were.” Kelly said, “Thank you for getting us out. We will do everything we can to help get Smii7y out.” 

“What happened to me? You said that The Superior is going to do to Smii7y what he did to me.” Droid recalled. 

“You didn't lose your memories at sea, Droid. The Superior used a drug called amnesien to wipe your memories when you wanted to go home.” Kelly said. 

“Shhhh!” Grizzy demanded. He held his phone up to his ear. They all went quiet, aside from the engines. 

“Where are we going?” Smii7y’s voice came through the phones. 

“Smii7y, you smart son of a bitch.” Kryoz muttered. He had downloaded the app and allowed full connection so they could hear him no matter how far he was. 

“That's our milkbag.” Puffer chuckled. 

“Just fucking drive.” The Superior demanded, “Put this on your wrist and steering wheel.” His voice was cold and rough. Completely different from the sweet and friendly persona he normally had. 

“You want me to handcuff myself to my wheel while I'm driving?” Smii7y asked. 

“Figure it out while you still remember who you are.” Esmond threatened. 

“Just let me stop and do it. I'm good but not good enough to drive no handed and we are fucked if I blow up my motor because I can't shift.” Smii7y said. 

“Fine. Pull in here. Try anything, and you'll remember as much as Droid.” He snapped. Kryoz heard Droid gasp.

“The supermarket lot?” Smii7y inquired. 

“Yes! I thought you were supposed to be good!” The Superior shouted. 

“I know where that is!” Wildcat exclaimed. 

“Lead the way.” Kryoz said, moving over to the right to let Wildcat pass. 

“Happy?” Smii7y asked. 

“Just fucking drive.” Esmond ordered. 

“I see them!” Pezzy said. He sped ahead around Wildcat. 

“Keep your distance, Pezzy. I feel like this is about to get physical.” Kryoz said. 

“How are we doing this? If Smii7y doesn't give his best, it may put him in danger.” Grizzy said. 

“I– I don't know.” Kryoz muttered. He was drawing a blank. The Superior could kill him or completely wipe his memories at any second. 

“Shit. The TPD are using your fucking friends again.” Esmond seethed. They had caught up to the Porsche. 

“Persistent, aren't they?” Smii7y replied fondly.

“You better get away. I know how Droid's death fucked up your crew. Would hate to actually kill you.” He threatened. 

“Alright.” Smii7y said flatly. The Porsche sped ahead.

“Fuck, dude. I knew there was something wrong with this guy, but I never thought this bad. I'm so sorry, guys.” Droid said. 

“It's not your fault, Droid.” Grizzy said, “It was an accident.” 

Blarg gasped, “Kryoz! Remember when the TPD caught us on Trestle?” 

“How could I forget?” Kryoz asked. 

“Two-wheel-drive cars don't do well on mud!” Blarg said. Lightning flashed in the distance like it was paid to strike after Blarg said that. 

“Good timing, Blarg.” Grizzy chuckled. 

“Even Smii7y can't avoid getting stuck in mud.” Pezzy smirked. 

Kryoz smiled, “Then let's get our wheels dirty.” 

“Where are we going to find mud in a city?” Droid asked. 

“We have to chase him out. Wildcat, Droid, and Anthony know the city the best. We need to direct him out towards the old shipping yard. I saw dirt roads out there. Hopefully, it will start to rain by then.” Kryoz said. 

“Sounds good. Let's box him in, Anthony.” Wildcat said. They both accelerated and drifted down another street. 

“Pezzy. Try and keep up with them and let Wildcat and Anthony know where they are at. The rest of us will keep the heat on.” Kryoz said. 

“On it.” Pezzy zipped ahead. 

“Where are we going?” Smii7y asked. 

“Since you won't remember, a safe house. Allow the heat to die down and for your annoying ass friends to give up on you. Then you will make me quite a bit of money catching heat for other sponsors.” The Superior said. 

“That's all we were for you? Toys to make money off of?” Smii7y hissed.

“Yes. You, Droid, Wildcat, and eventually your other friends. You forgot to mention Kryoz was that good at lying.” Esmond spat. 

Smii7y chuckled, “Whoops.”

“Go faster. Pezzy is here.” The Superior ordered. 

“Pezzy is on a bike. He's not easy to lose.” Smii7y returned. 

“You better figure it out then.” Esmond hissed. Smii7y remained silent. He drifted down a road through a narrow gap of cars that quickly closed so even Pezzy couldn't follow. 

“Fuck, Smii7y.” Pezzy grumbled as he had to go around the two cars, “He's heading down Saint Cape Road, Wildcat.” 

“Got it. I need someone to block Henry Drive.” Wildcat replied. 

“On it!” Puffer said. Kryoz and Blarg caught up to Pezzy, who was only a few yards behind Smii7y. Raindrops started to hit the windshield. 

“Pezzy. We've got this. I don't want you slipping on wet asphalt.” Blarg said. 

“What? I can't leave you guys.” Pezzy retorted. 

“I'll come get you.” Puffer offered. 

“Okay then. I want to help put this fucker in handcuffs.” Pezzy pulled away from the cars. 

“They are blocking the roads.” Smii7y said. 

“I fucking see that. Don't let them box you in!” The Superior snapped. Anthony tried to block an entire four-lane road with his car. Smii7y easily slipped by after fainting to drive in front of him and then drifting behind him. 

“God damn, he's fucking good! Sorry, guys.” Anthony apologized.

“It's okay. We will have another shot to force him to head for the docks. Puffer, you and Pezzy need to speed to Elmer's Street and block it off. Blarg may need to help.” Kelly said. 

“I'll keep the heat. Go.” Kryoz agreed. He was just following The Porsche's taillights from further back. Neither of them could get very much speed from traffic and narrow roads. Blarg raced ahead and disappeared down another street. 

“We are on our way.” Puffer replied. 

“Just Kryoz now? Should be easy for you to lose him in that four-cylinder.” The Superior chuckled. 

“It's not always the car that makes a racer fast.” Smii7y returned. 

Blarg scoffed, “That race proved that. V12 and sixth place is just disappointing.” 

Grizzy giggled, “He's a terrible driver. That's why he needed others to race for him.” 

“He just passed us, Wildcat.” Pezzy said, “At stupid speeds.” 

“Thanks, Pezzy. We just blocked off the road.” Wildcat said. 

“Here he comes.” Droid warned, “And there he goes.” 

“What the hell are they doing?!” Esmond snapped. 

“If I knew where we were going, I could get past them.” Smii7y retorted. 

“Just get away from them. That's all you need to do.” The Superior demanded. 

“He's almost out of the city.” Anthony stated. 

“Make sure he doesn't go down Murphy Lane.” Wildcat said. 

“Shit! Uh– how bad is it if he goes down Murphy Lane?” Blarg said. Kryoz and Grizzy raced past Blarg, who was blocking one street, but not the one that Smii7y escaped through. 

Wildcat sighed, “It's okay. We have one more shot. Anthony, Droid, Puffer, and Blarg. I need you guys to block off Mainstreet as best as you can.”

“Roger.” Puffer said. The rain started to pour down now, making it hard to see at such high speeds. 

“Take Mainstreet. We need to get out of town.” Esmond ordered, “They can't block off that street.” Smii7y remained silent. 

“He's getting out of town. Get in front of him to block the street. We need to get him on dirt.” Kryoz said. With the amount of water raining down, the dirt roads would be a sticky mess. Kryoz looked behind him and saw three black sports cars following him. The pursuit team. 

“What if we get stuck?” Grizzy asked quietly. 

Kryoz swallowed, “Then we lose Smii7y for good.”

“That won't fucking happen. Don't fucking get stuck, Kryoz.” Blarg demanded. 

“I won't.” He downshifted to gain speed. They neared the busy street and grand bridge. They raced down the colorful bridge to the surrounding forest. 

“Go to the shipping yard.” Esmond said. 

“Why?” Smii7y asked, “Isn't it abandoned?”

“No. Some friends of mine are going to make sure you're taken care of, along with your car.” Esmond responded. Kryoz didn't want to find out what that meant. 

“We blocked off the road. Only one place for him to go now.” Puffer said. 

“Let's finish this.” Droid smirked. 

“They blocked the whole road.” Smii7y said. 

“How tell fuck did they know?! Take that one!” Esmond shouted. 

“That's a dirt road.” Smii7y said. 

“You scared to get your car a little dirty?” The Superior snapped. 

“No, it's just–” He stopped, “Okay. fine.” 

“Your lack of cooperation is going to get you killed, kid.” The Superior warned. Kryoz dropped a gear and caught up to the Ghost Porsche. Kryoz saw the others blocking the road up ahead. Smii7y drifted past them and onto a dirt road hidden in the trees. 

“Think he realized what we are doing?” Grizzy asked. 

“I'm sure.” Kryoz agreed. He saw Nogla’s BMW follow behind. His lights were off, so he was nearly invisible in the dark and rain. Kryoz started to feel his car slipping in the sludge that was supposed to be a road. 

“What do we do when they get stuck? What if he kills Smii7y for getting stuck?” Grizzy asked. 

“We have to pray that he was just bluffing about killing Smii7y, and Nogla can act fast enough.” Kryoz replied. 

“Nogla?” Grizzy glanced behind them, finally seeing the black BMW behind them, “Damn. Good eye.” 

“Kryoz. There should be a creek up there that runs by the road on the right side. It normally runs over the road when it rains. Make sure he drives into it.” Wildcat said. 

“Easy.” Kryoz replied. 

“Go faster!” Esmond snapped. 

“I'm going to get stuck or spin out if I go any faster. You want to drive?” Smii7y returned. 

“You're not going to do any of those things. You're going to be so much easier when I can control who you are.” The Superior said. Kryoz moved over to the left side of Smii7y’s car. Nogla stayed on the right side and in the shadows. 

“There's the creek. If he doesn't get stuck in this, I don't know if anything will.” Grizzy said. Smii7y was forced to drive through the creek since Kryoz had moved next to Smii7y. He bumped Smii7y’s quarter panel with his car at the same time. Smii7y fishtailed on the silt and spun out. 

Smii7y knew how to avoid a spinout, but he wanted to spin out. The Porsche sank into the mud, getting stuck. Nogla drifted around to the passenger side, instantly getting out to aim a gun at the window. 

“Get out now!” Nogla shouted. Kryoz and Grizzy both got out to get to Smii7y before the worst happened. Smii7y jumped out as they opened the door. He couldn't go very far because of the handcuffs, but he was far enough to avoid being injected with a mind-wiping drug. Vanoss and Eli raced up to them as Nogla pulled Esmond from the car. 

“Are you okay?!” Kryoz asked urgently, “Did he get you?” His eyes scanned over Smii7y, looking for injuries. 

“No. I'm okay.” Smii7y replied. He yelped when Grizzy embraced him tightly. 

“You dumb fucking milkbag!” Grizzy scolded. 

The Superior came whipping around with a syringe at Nogla’s body. Nogla caught his wrist just in time to avoid the death liquid. He twisted Esmond's wrist to drop the needle. It fell to the ground, and the glass capsule shattered on a stone, releasing the liquid. Vanoss and Eli ran over to help him restrain The Superior. 

“I would've made you something better, Smii7y!” He shouted over the pounding rain. 

Smii7y glared at him, “Being your money pig is not better. Do your worst, Nogla.” 

“I plan to. Good thing you have a lot of money from your side gig, huh, Esmond Wan? You are about to have a shit ton of charges pressed against you.” Nogla threw something through the rain, and Kryoz caught it. It was a handcuff key. Kryoz looked at him skeptically. 

“Go. Before I change my mind. I know you probably already have deactivators for your bugged cars. Go home. The island is a mess.” Nogla said with a smile. 

“I thought I told someone not to break my island.” Smii7y said with a smile as Kryoz unlocked the handcuffs on his wrist. 

“It's not my fault you went missing for two months.” Kryoz said, “We can get the Porsche tomorrow.” 

Smii7y scoffed, “You think I'm actually stuck?” He rubbed his wrist.

Kryoz rolled his eyes, “Then let's go.” 

“You're just letting them go?!” The Superior spat. 

“You're staying away from them or any other racer for a very long time.” Nogla retorted. Grizzy and Kryoz headed for the WRX and the Ghost Porsche wiggled out of the mud.

“Activated those deactivators, guys.” Kryoz said. He pressed the button on the remote to shut down the manual override. His car turned off. He then turned the key, and the car started right back up. Kryoz drifted around and raced back down the dirt road. 

“Did you save him?”Puffer asked as they neared the road. 

“Technically, the TPD did.” Smii7y replied. 

“Smii7y!” Pezzy, Blarg, and Puffer all exclaimed at once. Smii7y laughed. 

“Go ride with the TPD then, Smii7y. Seeing as we didn't help or anything.” Grizzy replied. 

“I'll only ride with them when I'm making money off of them.” Smii7y said. They drifted onto the road, and five more sports cars followed Kryoz.

“Can someone catch me up to speed as to what the fuck just happened?” Smii7y asked.

“Yeah. Me too.” Pezzy agreed. A bunch of laughter spread through the cars. 

They stood at the docks the next morning to head back to Trestle. Kryoz couldn't be more excited to be returning home with all of his friends. 

“We always need more racers at Trestle.” Smii7y offered. 

Wildcat scoffed, “No, you don't. You guys are plenty. We are going to stay here. I'm going to take over what The Superior did and not mind wipe people. Trestle still needs funding.” 

Smii7y smiled, “We'd appreciate that.” 

“You guys be careful out there. There's some fucked up people out there that would love to get their hands on your skill. Stay together.” Kelly said. 

“We always will.” Blarg said, throwing arms over Smii7y’s and Pezzy's shoulders. Droid was standing by Wildcat and Anthony, looking miserable. He had taken it hard when he found out what The Superior had done to him. He hadn't decided if he would stay a part of Wildcat's crew or go back to Trestle. 

“You need to go with them, Droid.” Anthony said. 

Droid's eyes widened, “What about you guys. All I know is what's here.” 

“That's not true, Droid. You belong with them. That was immediate when you met them.” Kelly said. 

“What if The Superior comes back? What if he does something else? There's only three of you.” Droid countered. 

“He won't. I'm going to contact some old friends to see if they are curious about coming back to racing now that The Superior is gone to help out. You need to be with them. They need you, and you need them.” Wildcat said. 

Droid's eyes squinted as he smiled, “Okay. I did want to go home anyways.” The crew cheered and quickly surrounded Droid to hug him, everyone except Smii7y and Kryoz.

“Ah! At least let me get my car before you kill me!” He exclaimed. Smii7y and Kryoz watched as they said their goodbyes. 

“Thank you.” Smii7y said softly.

Kryoz blinked, “What?” 

“I'm not repeating it. One is all you get.” Smii7y chuckled. 

Kryoz rolled his eyes, “You egotistical bastard.” 

“The biggest. That's why you're here. Keep me out of trouble.” Smii7y responded. 

Kryoz sighed, “It's what I'm good at.” Smii7y chuckled. The ferry horn blared, signaling the last call to get aboard. 

“Time to go home guys. Call if you need anything, Wildcat.” Smii7y said. 

“Call me. He won't answer.” Kryoz teased, putting Smii7y into a headlock. 

Wildcat laughed as Smii7y struggled, “Sounds good. Later, guys.” Droid drove his GTR onto the ferry with the other sports cars and motorcycle. They were going home.