Need For Speed Fortune Valley Stories

Chapter 12 - Open Skies Part 4

8:04 a.m. Mount Providence. "Jordan Douglas. Been some chatter about you. Hear word you're gunning for my crown?" Aki asked. "I'm not after your crown, Kimura. But I AM here to beat your score." Jordan answered. "We're crushing records across the country. You think you can stop us from taking Fortune Valley's top spot?" Aki asked. "Livin' the American Dream, eh? I dig it... But Fortune Valley's records are mine." Jordan answered. "This run's called the Whipsnake Loop. Let's see what you can do." Aki replied. Jordan started up his car and drifted into the first corner. "Alright, here we go." Jordan said as he braked and turned the wheel. He drifted into the corner with a braking drift. "Wow! This guy's good! I bet he can pull of a zero counter drift with an Inertia drift." A spectator exclaimed as he saw Jordan drifting into the corner with zero countersteer and he drifted again on the next corner with an Inertia Drift. "KANSEI DORIFTO??!! He's a amazing..." A spectator exclaimed as he saw Jordan drifting. "Man, I must look so good right now." Jordan said. "Oh, you passed the record... Well, that's a surprise." Aki replied. "If that's a surprise, get ready to be astonished." Jordan said as he yanked the e-brake and drifted on the corner with a side brake drift. He crossed the line and did donuts. "Hmm. You're good." Aki said. "Good enough to beat the king." Jordan replied. "Nobody beats the king." Aki said. "What about that girl... Ellie Yajima, she beat you once is what she told me." Jordan replied. "That was years ago. Ellie just lucky because I let her win but she didn't realize she couldn't beat me so I just went easy on her instead. Nobody else has done it ever since." Aki said. "Then let me have a shot. Your highness." Jordan suggested. "Soon. First, we hit the Observatory." Aki replied. "You want me to do this Jordan? I'll do the second race if you don't mind." Ellie asked. "Go ahead, Ellie. I think you should also prove him wrong which is why I also took you all the way out here instead just to support me. You're a great friend to me Ellie Yajima." Jordan answered. Hours later. 7:45 p.m. Marshall Observatory. "It's been a while, Aki." Ellie greeted. "It's been a long time, Ellie. You must've improved since you got lucky. But this time I am not gonna go easy on Jordan once you beat the Observatory record." Aki replied. "Heh, not a chance." Ellie said as she got in the car. "Welcome to the legendary Stargazer's Run, hotshot. Show us what you've got." Aki replied. "I guess it may require like coming up and back down. Just like the race and Ms.Lee did against that pro back in Palmont." Ellie said in her mind as she started off the line with a fast start. "She's not bad. But she has improved since we last met." Aki said in his mind as he saw her drifting into the corners. Meanwhile. Fortune Valley Resort & Casino. I was driving down the pass in my R34. "Man, I can't believe I felt the rush when I raced against Tony yesterday. At some point, I felt good when we raced again." I said in my mind. Flashback shows me passing him with a gutter run. Present. "But to be honest, I don't think I was even trying to beat him. I was doing the best I can. If mom, Cordelia or Jovanna could've taken on Tony. We would've had an upper hand. Wildcard or nothing I've gotta get better." I said in my mind as I looked at the rear view mirror while I heard an engine rev from behind and headlights were flashing. "Am I being chased...? That car's fast." I wondered in my mind. "I don't know if I should this or not but... should I let you pass or just dust your dumbass and teach you some manners? Well I hate to do this. But I am not gonna let you pass especially after yesterday. And it's sure as hell not gonna happen here!" I said in my mind as I shifted down to 2nd and I started racing. It was a 993 Carrera S behind me while we were racing. I drifted into the corner and it drifted in the corner as well. It was literally right behind me while I was taking the corners and the straightaways. "You've gotta be kidding me! Does this girl or guy have an info on me or what?! Who are you?!" I wondered in my mind as I felt an aura right behind me. Mount Providence. "You're doing good, just keep pushing it. You'll have to turn around at the end and you're going back down." Jordan commanded. "I got that." Ellie replied as she drifted to the top of the Observatory. As soon as she drifts to the top. She yanks the e-brake and turns around going the same route but in a downhill direction. "Wow! The legendary Ellie Yajima is one of the fastest drifters ever! She's so amazing!" The spectator exclaimed. She kept drifting and drifting without breaking a sweat. Ellie broke the score record and won. She performed donuts as her victory. "I gotta say... you owned the Stargazer's Run. People are noticing... you two are trending online." Aki said. "We are? Aces!" Jordan asked. "They connected the dots with your Shift Lock performance as well. Looks like you're getting in a local drifting legend." Aki answered. "I was always a legend. Fortune Valley is just catching up now." Jordan replied. "Anyway, you earned a shot of my score. I'll see you on the Silver Canyon All Star." Aki said. "Are you done talking yet? Let me hit the course." Jordan asked. Braxton. The Carrera was still on me and I can't shake it. "Damn it!" I exclaimed in my mind. "Mr or Mrs.Enigma might be the toughest opponent I've ever seen on Fortune Valley. This is insane!" I exclaimed in my mind. I saw the corner and I slammed on the brakes hard with a braking drift. I shifted down as well to regain speed. "Alright you tricky bastard. Time to show you a few things I've got on my sleeve." I said in my mind as I gripped the inside and performed the gutter run. The Carrera S did the same thing. "Holy shit!" I exclaimed in my mind as I felt shocked that we did the same move and it went side by side with me. It passed me and I started to feel a weight on my shoulders. I decided to let off the accelerator cause I couldn't catch up to it's speed. "It's no good, I can't beat an opponent I can outbreak. That son of a bitch got me." I said in my mind as I let off the accelerator.  I pulled over to the side of the road and I took out my phone. I called Jordan to check in with him. "Hey Jordan... How's it going with Noise Bomb?" I asked. "Awesome! Their stream is getting record views because of me." Jordan answered. "This isn't about views, Jordan. We're doing this to get into the Outlaw's Rush. Stay focused." I replied. "Branden, bro... This stuff is why I came to America. Just... let me savor it, alright?" Jordan asked. "Okay Jordan. Go kick some ass, you superstar." I answered as I hung up. Garage. "How did the car handle Adena?" Letty asked. "You know if you ask me, the car had some bad ass handling along with the stability kicking in. You can feel the power roaring on the straightaways as soon as you press the NOS while drifting or gripping the corners. There is one thing I also encountered..." Adena answered. Minutes later. "You raced your son?!" Letty asked. "It's a Red GT-R I encountered so yeah, I did race him. He wasn't letting me pass so I had no choice but to race him. He doesn't want anyone to pass him I guess it was probably cause of that race he had against Tony and he didn't want to be beaten by anyone. But I'm the one who beat him in that unofficial race." Adena answered. "Wow, I can't believe it was an unofficial race but I don't know whatever happened after that. What are the moves you saw that he did that made you bested him in that race on what you did when he was performing it?" Letty asked. "There is one thing I've witnessed..." Adena answered. Flashback. Tri City Bay. "I got the deliveries done mom." I said. "Good." Adena replied. "There is this technique I wanted to share with you. I hooked a tire into the edge of the road. Where the pavement drops off a bit." I explained. "I do not like that." Adena replied. "That made it easier to turn the car. I can now take em so easy now, that I like driving in the snow. Are you proud of me, mom? I came up with all of that myself!" I asked. "I am proud of you, but I've used that technique myself before. It's useful on snowy days. But it also allows you take it faster on dryer conditions. The other trick is tough. I guarantee you that you will figure it out yourself someday." Adena answered. "Damn it, why can't you tell me the other tip?" I asked. " *sighs* Pay attention closely." Adena answered. Present. "So that's what he was using?" Letty asked. "Apparently, that is he what he actually uses when it comes to a race like this. I know this as well cause we're mother and son which means we perform the same techniques, that's why he cannot beat me. He can beat one of you guys but he can't beat me." Adena answered. "I get it now. That's why Branden has tendency to lose momentum when it comes to racing against someone closer like her or Ellie. Those two are good that they can beat him. I don't think the others of this team or any of the other teams can beat Branden. Hope he can figure this out." Letty said in her mind. Silver Canyon. "Give it up, Jordan. There's no way you're touching my score on the Silver Canyon All-Star." Aki said. "We'll see about that!" Jordan replied. "3! 2! 1! GO!" Ellie exclaimed as she started the countdown. "Kiss the top spot goodbye, Drift King!" Jordan exclaimed as he drifted on the first corner. Ellie gets in her Z and drives to the end of finish line which is at Silver Dam. "Yeah!!! Who's the Drift King now!!!" Jordan exclaimed. "Don't know why I was worried. There's no way you'll ever beat my score." Aki replied. "Still a long way to the finish line. Your majesty." Jordan said. "So Aki... If I AM an artist and I like off-road." Jordan said. "Stop. I'm not trying off-road." Aki replied. "C'mon! It'll be fun!" Jordan exclaimed as he braked into the corner and shifted down while drifting. "I didn't actually think you'd do it. I am humbled, Jordan. Humbled." Aki said. "Ladies and gentlemen, there it is! The great Aki Kimura has been taken down by the former drift queen Ellie Yajima in the past and now the even greater Jordan Douglas!" Jordan replied. "Jordan! You're close to the finish line! Just a little bit further and you got it! Keep it up!" Ellie exclaimed as she saw the BRZ drifting. "Your record's long gone, Aki!" Jordan replied as he crossed the line and started doing donuts. "Yes! I knew he could do it!" Ellie exclaimed as she cheered. "You did it, Jordan. You took my crown fair and square." Aki said. "Just keep practicing, Aki, and maybe one day you can beat my score." Jordan replied. "You and Ellie should join Noise Bomb. Tour the country with us, make some art." Aki suggested. "That's be amazing, bro. But we already got a crew." Jordan replied. "Respect. I heard about your fight. Noise Bomb will be there when you need us. And Ellie, we'll have our rematch some day. You two are one of a kind." Aki said as he showed his hand to Ellie. "Thank you so much for the help and advice." Ellie replied as she gave Aki a handshake and a smile. He got in the car and left. "Mac here." Jordan called. "You bastard. You are racking up the hits!" HashTiger called. "Hushpuppy." Jordan replied. "It's HashTiger. How did you beat my subscriber count?" HashTiger asked. "I... I did?!" Jordan asked. "I'll train night and day, Jordan. And one day, I'll take you down." HashTiger answered. "Can't wait to see you try, Hushpuppy!" Jordan replied. "Wait, you have an YouTube account? What did he meant on subscriber count?" Ellie asked. "Something to do with YouTube maybe, I don't know. I don't even have a YouTube account as well." Jordan answered. "That's what I thought, to be honest. I keep thinking that you actually do but I understand you don't which is a understandable point. Maybe he wants to idk beat you or something." Ellie replied. Lakeside. "Lee. I got a job for you." The Broker said. "Not until you give me something I can use." Adena replied. "I'm after the Demon Lords boss... The Collector. He's bringing in more tech like they had on the Koenigsegg." The Broker commanded. "I'm listening." Adena replied. "You made Nova's list. It's your chance to go undercover and food what you're looking for. Just keep your eyes peeled, and keep your mouth shut. And congratulations, Lee... you work for the Demon Lords, now." The Broker said. "You're today's payroll driver?" The House Lieutenant asked. "Mmhmm." Adena answered. "Nova said you didn't talk much. Here's the payoffs and locations. Don't think you can run away with the money... I'm tracking you by GPS." The House Lieutenant replied. "Where's the trust, those days?" Adena wondered. "You got the payouts?" The Broker asked. "Yep. On my way." Adena answered. "Good, keep your eyes peeled. And make it quick." The Broker replied. Her phone was ringing. "Adena here." Adena called. "Hey. Where are you at on that Demon Lords tech?" I asked. "Working on it." Adena answered. "We gotta hurry. The Demon Lords are moving fast." I replied. "These things take time. You're gonna have to trust me here, son." Adena suggested. "I trust you mom. It's the Demon Lords I don't trust." I replied. "The donations for the orphanage in South Sudan are here, sir." Adena said as she pulled up to the GT-R. "You have quite the mouth on you. What's your name?" Gavin asked. "Uh I don't know what you're talking. My parents forgot to give me a name." Adena answered as she drove away. "That was Gavin Takayuki. High-ranking dignitary by day, street racer by night." The Broker called. "What's a foreign official doing taking bribes from the Demon Lords?" Adena asked. "He's runs a drag league called the Diamond Block. Those were kickbacks for rigging races." The Broker answered. "That's what you're after?" Adena asked. "Takayuki's a stooge. I'm after his boss... The Collector." The Broker answered. "I remember him. He's the one that lost to Ellie in Lookout Point and lost to Branden on Journeyman's Bane. He may go up against Gavin but I have a feeling he's gonna pull something that's gonna wipe out Branden. I hope my son realizes that." Adena said in her mind. "I'm here to bribe some rich jerk. That you?" Adena asked as she pulled up to a Chevy truck. "Where's the money, girl?" Joseph asked. "Don't "girl" me you prick." Adena answered as she drove away. "Who was that fine gentleman?" Adena asked. "I see you met Marco. He's a contractor on the Collector's big tower and the boss of an off-road racing league called Hazard Company." The Broker answered. "Charming." Adena replied. "At least now you know what your crew is up against. Having second thoughts?" The Broker asked. "God no." Adena answered. "That's what I like to hear." The Broker replied. "You got a nice car there." Adena said drove up to the Huarya. "Ew. You're talking?" Melayna asked. "Take it easy. A little gratitude would be nice." Adena answered. "Get out of my face." Melayna replied. Adena drove off and drove to the last location. "I see you met Melayna Lopez. She's the head of the racing league known as One Percent Club." The Broker said. "That was Supernova? Isn't she, like, filthy rich?" Adena asked. "That Demon Lords money is untraceable. That affords the likes of Lopez certain... liberties." The Broker answered. "So that's the league either Branden or Ellie may be going up against. Ik Ellie beat her for sure. I don't remember when though." Adena wondered in her mind as she drove up to a police car. "Good day to you, Officer Bradley!" Adena greeted. "Lose the smart mouth, lady. Where's the money for the customs agents?" The Corrupt Officer asked. "Here. Have some donuts on the Demon Lords." Adena answered as she handed him the donuts and drove off. "You're good, lady. We think you're ready for the big leagues. There's a VIP we'd like you to drive around. Just pay attention to what he's saying and report back. Got it?" House Lieutenant asked. "Now I'm an Uber driver." Adena answered. "Sending you the pick-up place." House Lieutenant replied. "It feels good to be the new Drift King." Jordan said as he gave a happy relief. "It sure feels good. Hey do you remember that chi- oh wait, you weren't with us during the times me and Branden were trying out professional racing." Ellie replied. A few hours later. Warehouse. "Who are you?" House Guard asked. "Doesn't matter. Kobashi or whatever gave us the go-ahead to move the car to the warehouse." Adena answered. "What? The Collector wants it on display at the Ryft VIP Terminal. He- Yeah... But... You sure?" House Guard asked. "Is something wrong?" Adena asked. "So, tell me about the warehouse..." House Guard answered. "Aw crap." Adena replied as she drove away fast. "Son of a bitch. Those cops called the cops on me." Adena said as she stepped on it fast. "She's getting away! Don't let the girl escape!" House guard exclaimed as she saw the Porsche boosting away. "Talk to me, Lee." The Broker called. "Kobashi blew my cover and the Demon Lords called the cops on me." Adena answered. "I told you not to do it." The Broker replied. "Good news is... I found where Kobashi's car is gonna be." Adena said. "The car doesn't matter." The Broker replied. "So you wouldn't mind if my crew snatches it?" Adena asked. "Go right ahead." The Broker answered. She hung up and called Dominic. "Dom." Dom called. "I found us the second car." Adena called. "You did?" Dom asked. "Call the boys and Letty. Tell them we gotta meet." Adena answered. "Where are you now?" Dom asked. "Ditching some cops the Demon Lords threw at me." Adena answered. "Lemme guess. Nova finally recognized you're driving like a maniac?" Dom guessed. "Hmph, something like that." Adena replied as she stepped on it. "Suspect is heading on the highway towards Silver Rock." The dispatcher said. "Visual contact's broken repeat visual contact's broken." The cop replied as he saw the Carrera pull away. "I see her. Uh back on the 6 and holding." The cop said as he saw the Carrera S pulling by him. "Damn it, gotta find a way to shake those cops. But how?" Adena wondered as she saw an open desert and drove there to hide from the cops. "I can't see her hold on." The cop said as he can't find the Carrera S hiding while it was on cooldown. "I ditched the cops. It's all good for now." Adena called as she took out her cellphone and called the Broker. "Your Demon Lords cover's blown, and we still have no idea who Kobashi really works for. That's not what I'd call "good."." The Broker called. "What do you need next?" Adena asked. "Lay low for a while. I'll be in touch once I figure out our next move. One more thing, I have a mechanic that'll transform your car into a race build. It'll be for the next mission that's a street race against the Lopez chick's crew. So we'll tune it later. I'll call you soon." The Broker answered as he hung up.