A.I. Tech Racing - The Wattpad Series

Prelude: "Crash and Burn"

Race Announcer: Aaaand here they go on the final lap! Yoneno Hasumi and her Red Magnum and Nomi Ekiken and his Hawk Z neck to neck!

It was the final lap of the 2031 AI Grand Prix, and, just as the announcer said, Hasumi and Ekiken's AI cars were both neck to neck.

Race Announcer: After a miserable last season of crushing defeat, the Tomy Racing Club, the top AI racing team in the series, is looking to regain the victory from Team No Limits!

The Hawk Z started to go faster than the Red Magnum, but the latter car just kept catching up!

Hasumi: I'm not losing this time!

Ekiken: We shall, in fact, see about that.

Hasumi: Grrrrrrrr! *raises fist in anger*

Hasumi pressed the turbo boost button, causing the Red Magnum to pass the Hawk Z!

Race Announcer: OMG! Did you see that! Hasumi managed to get ahead of Ekiken!

Umm, are you stealing my job?

Race Announcer: Uhhhhhh... no?

OK then. Back to the plot.

Tomy Crew Chief: Good going, Hasumi. Keep the lead and we'll have the trophy in no time!

Hasumi: You got it!

Ekiken: I'm staying in second.

No Limits Crew Chief: Uhh why?

Ekiken: I just know she's gonna... crash and burn.

(TITLE DROP OHHHHHHHHHH)

The Red Magnum still kept its lead.

Hasumi: Alright Magnum, we've gone this far, we can win this! Just keep up the pace and we'll be good!

The Red Magnum kept up its pace when...

Hasumi's AI computer brought something up.

Hasumi: Huh?

In her car's way was a barrel.

Hasumi: No biggy. These cars are known to detect and dodge, right?

Then the AI computer brought up something... off.

"UNABLE TO AVOID - AI ERROR"

Hasumi: Shit!

Hasumi tried pressing the "slow" button, then the "stop" button on her controller, but both buttons were jammed.

Hasumi: Nooooooo!!!

The Magnum hit the barrel, and somehow, flew into the air on contact. The crowd gasped! Hasumi looked terrified as the Magnum flew through the air. She thought it would land on its wheels. But no. The Magnum landed on its front bumper and began tumbling. It flew off a cliff that was there for some reason and fell into the water.

Hasumi: Not the Magnum!

Hasumi watched as her car drifted away, then looked at the big screen.

"YONENO HASUMI, TOMY RACING - RED MAGNUM #64 - DNF"

Hasumi kneeled on the ground in pure embarrassment.

Hasumi: I-I failed my team...

The Hawk Z crossed the finish line first, followed by Tony Byrne's AI car Jadeite Triceratops, and Sean Murray's AI car Echo Burst.

Ekiken: Just as predicted.

The screen flashed, "2031 WINNER - NOMI EKIKEN, NO LIMITS - HAWK Z"

Race Announcer: Ekiken brings home another trophy for the No Limits team!

The top 3 racers were teleported to the podium. Hasumi sighed. Just then, an executive for Tomy Racing tapped on her back.

Tomy Racing Executive: Mr. Konno would like to have a word with you.

Hasumi: Awww man.

Hasumi was walked over to the office of Konno Shunsen, head of the Tomy Racing Club.

Hasumi: *sets her arm down on the desk* Ah, Mr. Konno. Why did you call me here?

Mr. Konno: I'm aware of your... disappointing performance.

Hasumi: What?! How did you know?

Mr. Konno: I witnessed it on the screen. *points to a television screen playing the race*

Hasumi: Oh.

Mr. Konno: I hate to tell you this but... YOU ARE FIRED!!!!

Hasumi: What?! Fired? You-you've gotta be pulling my leg! I'm your best girl! Why are you firing me?

Mr. Konno: Your incompetence cost Tomy Racing the win.

Hasumi: MY incompetence? The Red Magnum failed to decect an--

Mr. Konno: Listen, I'm too old for this BS. Let me say it before, but less angry. You have been fired from Tomy Racing.

Tears started to form in Hasumi's eye.

Mr. Konno: Hand in your control.

Hasumi did just that, and was walked out of the building by a security guard.

Hasumi: Umm, aren't you gonna kick me out like they do in the cartoons?

Security Guard: My kicking leg is tired.

Hasumi: Ok...

Hasumi walked out of the building and into the forest.

Hasumi: I can't believe it. I cost my team the championship. All because of one undetected obstacle. If only there was some way I could re-enter the WAC...

???: I can help.

Hasumi: Guh?!

A mysterious figure walked towards Hasumi. He had a black trenchcoat and a black hat, you couldn't even see his eyes.

Hasumi: Who are you?

???: Not important. Take this.

The stranger put out his hand, and a car materialized from it. It was blue and black and had a Japanese symbol on its hood.

Hasumi: Oh? *takes the car from the stranger's hand* Ummm, thanks.

Without warning, the stranger formed a dark purple, transculent sphere from his mouth. It grew bigger and bigger until it enveloped Hasumi.

Hasumi: Gah! What's going on?

???: Welcome to the Monster Racing Team... Penumbra.