A/N: Prepare yourselves for this wonderful Racing AU I came up with for the beloved Junkers. I can just see them being a kick-butt racing team and had to write a fan fiction with them doing just that. Hope someone else besides me enjoys this -.-
Screams and shouts filled the air, muffling the speedway's advertisements and boisterous music. The stands were packed to the max and people were still filing in from the admission booths. It was the hottest day of the summer but that hadn't stopped people from coming down to see the races. Who would want to miss the biggest race of the year, the 15th Annual Junkyard Jam? While that may be one reason, there was another one that was more likely. Team Junker was in town for the race and I could tell by the number of attendees wearing their merchandise that they were the reason for people braving the unforgiving sun.
Team Junker was a two-man team that had won so many races people who weren't hardcore fans had stopped counting. They were a fearless duo who didn't let anyone get the jump on them. In their sidecar motorcycle, they took the competition to a completely new level. When Mako Rutledge and Jamison Fawkes were in town to race, everyone showed up to compete. No racer in history had gotten the amount of fame they had earned themselves, which is why racers were so eager to beat them. The driver that beat them would forever be known as the racer that beat Team Junker.
Pulling my hat down over my face, I made my way down to the gate to the garage where the races waited. Flashing my badge at the guards posted outside, I entered the crowded room. It was air conditioned in here and I breathed in the cool air that smelled of gasoline, oil, and rubber. It was just as loud in here as it was outside. Drivers and their teams looked over their cars one last time before the first race began. Some had already finished and were blasting music from their home cooked rides. Every driver's anticipation to get out on the course was palpable. It was ten minutes until it was time to leave the garage and line up at the start line.
I walked past everyone to where my baby waited for me. The electric green Hoverscooter was where I had left it. I had come across the hunk of junk in my grandpa's scrap shop. He had stolen a couple parts from it and left the rest of it to rust in a corner. I was shocked when I realized it was a Model 1, the very first of its kind. They were a rare thing and I couldn't let my grandpa use the rest of it for his projects, so I asked him if I could have it. He gave it to me and I started to fix it up. Finding all the parts I needed took about a year and a half. Most of my credits went into buying those parts and I was thankful my grandpa gave me the use of his workshop.
"Oi! That is one sweet ride you got!" Looking up from the gravity modules, I found one-half of the Junker team standing there. Jamison Fawkes walked over with his authentic peg-leg swagger and squatted down next to me. "Mind if I take a look?" Before I could answer, the man was poking his nose into the gravity module compartment.
"Hey!" I barked. "I didn't say..."
"You got this piece of scrap fixed up good." Shutting the panel, he turned to me with an ear-to-ear grin. "Not every day that you see a Model 1 Hoverscooter in better than tip-top condition, sheila. Where's your hot-shot boyfriend driving it?"
Clenching my fists, I glared at the Aussie. "I don't have a boyfriend. I'm..."
"Where's the driver then?" he interrupted and glanced around the room. Pointing at some rugged-looking racer with his bionic hand, he looked to me. "Is it him?"
Grabbing his hand, feeling the cold metal on my palm, I pulled it until he was pointing at me. "I am the driver. Now, if you'd kindly leave me alone.”
"Wait just a second, sheila." he said, letting out a short chuckle. "They're letting a pretty little thing like you race?"
"Yep." I said, putting my hands on my hips. "And I am going to win."
Jamison laughed the longest and most obnoxious laugh I had ever heard in my life. He sounded crazy and looked just as much. "You... hahaha... racing..." Clutching at his stomach, he keeled over and kept laughing. Anger boiled up inside me and I clenched my fists at my side. I wanted to pick up the nearest tool and knock him over the head with it, but didn't get the chance. His teammate showed up at just the right time and pushed his counterpart to the side with ease.
Mako Rutledge was not a person you wanted to mess with. He was the most intimidating driver in the room despite being the quietest. Very few had heard him speak, but he was capable of speaking his mind when he wished to. Those who had heard the man's voice said they had walked away with at least two broken bones, not to mention countless bruises and missing teeth. His silence wasn't even the most unnerving thing about him. The guy's appearance was the most intimidating thing about him. His large size combined with his iconic gas mask and rugged fashion made him the scariest person in the room.
"Hog, this sheila..." Jamison giggled, leaning against his partner. "She thinks she's got a chance to beat us." The beanpole of a man continued to lose it while Mako looked down at me, or so I thought. I tried not to look at him, but did just that when he motioned to my scooter then pointed at me.
"Uh, yeah. It's mine." I said, hoping that I had guessed what his non-verbal question was. Mako grunted in acknowledgement, but I hadn't the faintest idea what he meant by it. I noticed that the other racers were starting to be directed to leave the garage to go to the starting line. "Well, I better get going. It was nice... uh, talking to the two of you."
"Thanks, haha, for the laugh." Jamison wheezed, finally ending his bout of laughter. He returned to his upright, yet hunched, position and wiped an invisible tear from his eye. Mako had already started for their ride and Jamison followed, tossing a few last words over his shoulder. "Hope to see you at the end of the race after we've won, sheila. Maybe I will buy your Mod. 1 off of you with my winnings."
Anger boiled in my veins. I’d show that good for nothing Aussie that I meant business. He would learn quite quickly that he underestimated my abilities. The many months I spent preparing for this race would not be all for naught. When I had decided to race, I promised myself I would do everything in my ability to win. I was not going to let these big time racers be the reason for losing. I would win or my name wasn't Daisy Dawson. I grabbed my helmet and put it on, pulling the visor down. After I hopped onto my Mod 1., I made my way out to the track with the other racers.
The crowd was as rowdy as ever at the sight of the racers lining up. Not to mention the wickedness of the racecourse. This wasn't called the Junkyard Jam for no reason. The course was covered with obstacles, from mud pits to flaming oil puddles. Rusted vehicles that had been crushed lined the course. Any one of these hazards could mean the end of the race for its victim. If the course wasn't ruthless enough, then the rules sure were. There were no rules. The only real rule was that the first racer to complete all 150 laps or be the last one standing was the winner. The race's motto was 'Anything Goes' because that's how it was. Anything was allowed, no matter how devious or illegal. I could tell just by looking at some of the other contestant's vehicles that it would be a brutal race.
Everyone was finishing lining up and I looked around, feeling the anticipation build. My heart hammered in my chest and I was so much aware of everything around me. Exhaust filled the air with its acrid scent, a scent that only fueled my heightened senses. I wanted nothing more than for the race to start so I would really get a good dose of adrenaline. Team Junker was lined up not very far from where I was and I eyed the two of them. Jamison 'Junkrat' Fawkes eyed the other racers around them, that somewhat insane grin on his face. While his partner, Mako 'Roadhog' Rutledge, remained stoic and focused. The two were polar opposites and I wondered how it was they had become partners.
It wasn't too much later that the announcer's voice echoed out over the sound system. "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the 15th Annual Junkyard Jam!" The crowd roared with excitement. "We are so glad you could make it out here for the biggest event of the summer. The racers have lined up and here in a moment, they'll be starting. We have a great variety of racers, from experts to newbies. I hope you all enjoy the excitement we've got for you this year."
The announcer continued to speak, but the blood rushing in my ears drowned out the sound. My eyes focused on the starting lights and I revved my scooter, feeling it rumble harder beneath me. Any moment now, I told myself. Before I knew it, the first light came on and I could feel the energy of every other racer and vehicle roar to life. Here we go. The lights lit up one by one and seemed to take forever. When they all turned bright green, I smirked under my helmet and turned the throttle. Shooting forward, the race had begun and I was determined to do my best to win.
I was passed by an Omnic on a wicked fast dirt bike before the first mud pit hazard, but managed to pass two racers who had gotten stuck in the mud. I briefly heard the announcer say that someone other than Team Junker was in the lead, but not for long. A sharp turn in the course was coming up and I prepared myself for it. Just before reaching it, I turned and drifted right around the inside of it and drifted. I laughed as I passed another opponent that was caught off guard by me and almost ran off the course. This was only the first lap, but I could easily see myself making it to the head of the pack by the last lap.
"We have newbie Daisy Dawson creeping up on the top 10 slowly but surely." the announcer commented. "That Mod. One Hoverscooter is something we have never seen before. It will be interesting to see how she handles what the competition throws her way."
As I came around another corner, an explosion a ways ahead of me startled me. Startled by the commotion, I slowed and allowed two people to pass me. I knew that there were no rules in this race, but using explosives? Was killing the contestants something racers were actually willing to do? I gulped nervously and sped back up, hoping to get back to where I was. The announcer provided explanation for the explosion. "It was just confirmed that the explosion on the course was caused by Team Junker. It seems their clever trick has knocked two racers out, dropping the number of racers to eighteen."
Of course, those two caused the explosion. I knew I had to buckle down and push forwards. Lap by lap, I made ground and lost it. About halfway through the race, I had to make a pit stop to change the battery in the Hoverscooter. It was something I had practiced so many times that I could do it in less than thirty seconds. It was blistering hot and sweat drenched my body. I took a quick drink of water from one of the bottles provided to all the racers. With the battery changed and some water in my body, I made my way quickly back onto the course. I was only a few places behind where I had been and knew I could get back with ease.
The Omnic on the zippy dirt bike had taken my place, but I caught up to him after two more laps. Just as I started to pass him, he veered towards me, forcing me close to a burning puddle of oil. I slowed down to avoid it and growled under my breath. Speeding up, I moved closer so that I could try to pass again. This time I was ready for the move he pulled. I sped up suddenly and he went off the course, missing a burning puddle of oil but hitting the edge of the course. He flew off his bike and landed a little ways in front of a stand of spectators. It wasn't like me to play a dirty move like that, but at least he was out of my way now. "Daisy Dawson, ladies and gentlemen! She has just run Zion Prince right out of the race, putting her at the number ten spot." the announcer called out.
Before I knew it, there were only ten laps left. I had made it all the way to the third spot and was catching up to the racer in second and the Junkers. The two-man team had set off about a dozen other explosions. Last I had heard, there were only 14 racers left. Being this close to those two made me a little nervous, but I could only hope that they were out of their explosives. The end was coming up and I wanted to finish this race regardless of whether I came in first or not. An explosion ahead of the Junkers went off and the crowd roared.
"What's this? Team Junker seems to have set of an explosion in front of themselves and stopped completely." Boos could be heard from a great number of the spectators. "No. It seems Cal Maverick had some explosives as well. He very well may have been responsible for some of the other explosions. His hidden trick has placed him in the top position."
This was my chance to pass Team Junker. I sped my way towards them as they struggled to catch back up to Cal Maverick. Jamison looked back over his shoulder at me, his wild looking eyes widening. He turned back and said something inaudible to Mako. More and more, I gained ground on them until I was going to make a pass. I turned the throttle and sped up, coming up next to them. We were neck and neck when something unexpected happened. I was grabbed by Mako and pulled off my Hoverscooter. A scream pushed itself past my lips and I was surprised to hear the cackling laughter of Jamison. Mako had set me in the sidecar onto of his partner, focusing once again on the course ahead. “What the heck?!" I shouted. "What is going on?!"
"We need your help, sheila". Jamison answered, letting out a short giggle. "Can't win otherwise."
"You just ruined my chance of winning, you stupid man!" I seethed, wanting nothing more than to punch his lights out. "Not to mention what may have happened to my Mod. 1!"
"She'll be right." Mako said, catching me off guard. His voice was gruff and was a definite reflection of his character. "We'll pay for any damages."
"Exactly! We'll... Oi!" Jamison smacked his partner. "What do you mean 'We'll pay for damages' mate? Are you saying we're going to give a share of our winnings to her?" Mako shrugged and Jamison groaned in annoyance. "Whatever. Thing is, we're needing your help.”
“Why should I help you?” I snapped. “You’ve done nothing to convince me I should. Any chance I had at winning is shot thanks to the two of you.” Jamison was moving around beneath me and it made me want to turn around and hit him. I opened my mouth to tell him to stop moving around and something pressed against my back at the exact moment. "Stop... What is pressing into my back, rat?"
"Just some C4." Jamison said with such nonchalance that you would think it wasn't dangerous. I was relieved that it wasn't something else, but still found it just as frightening. Maybe even more frightened. The stupid man chuckled, probably noticing how tense I had become. "You're going to need to drive for Roadie when we get close enough to this guy. We gotta blow this guy right out of the race."
"Uh... Okay." I said, not really sure I could do as he asked. "What exactly are you two going to do?"
"I'm glad you asked!" Jamison responded. He patted the nasty looking hook at Mako's hip. "Roadie here is going to hook this Maverick guy and I'm going to leave a little present once he's behind us. You're going to drive until Hog here can take back over. Got it?"
"Good." Jamison chuckled. "It looks like we're catching up. Soon, Roadie?"
"Soon." he grunted back. He seemed to glance down at me and I gulped nervously. Was I really willing to help them with this plan? It wouldn't matter in the end. I wasn't going to accomplish what I had come here for. They had promised me part of their winnings, but I hadn't wanted the money in the first place. I suppose I would have had a hard time making it past this Maverick guy with his explosives. Not to mention these two.
I yelped as dirt flew into the air and I was flung to one side of the sidecar violently as Mako swerved to dodge the blast. Jamison cackled then shouted excitedly. "This guy knows his stuff!" I wasn't sure that was something to laugh about. "He doesn't know what we've got in store for him though."
We made another lap before we were close enough to pull off the plan. There was about fifteen to twenty feet between us when Jamison nodded to his partner. "Here we go, sheila. Let's do this!" Mako picked me up once again and plopped me down in front of him, allowing me to replace his hands on the bike's handles where his once were. Focusing on driving now, I allowed the announcer to tell me all that was going on.
"Daisy Dawson has taken over driving for Team Junker while the two-man team seems to be doing something else." I gained some more ground on Maverick and hoped it would help these two with their plan. I heard the clanking of metal as well as the whoosh as something went around over the top of all three of us. "What is this? Mako 'Roadhog' Rutledge is wielding a hook. It looks like he's going to try and..." Before the announcer could say what was happening, the hook shot over the top of me and flew towards Cal Maverick. It curled around the guy and was pulled taught, yanking him clean off his bulky quad. The hulk slipped away from him and he tumbled on the ground. "They've pulled Cal Maverick right off his quad, folks!"
"Get as close to his ride, sheila!" Jamison yelled. "We're going to make sure he can't recover."
I dodged out of the way of the vehicle-less Maverick and turned the throttle to catch up with his runaway quad. It had crashed into the siding at the one sharp turn in the course. The bike was different from my scooter, but I was going to try my best to get Jamison as close to Maverick's ride as I could. We were approaching the turn fast and I readied myself to turn.
"They're going pretty fast, ladies and gentlemen." the announcer commented. "Let's see if Daisy Dawson can make this turn like she did on her own ride."
"Here we go!" I shouted as we came up on the turn. My hands directed the vehicle into a drift, swinging us around towards Maverick's vehicle and into the turn. The world seemed to slow around us and I glanced back for the few seconds it took for Jamison to toss the C4 at the quad. As it flew through the air towards its target, I pushed the Junkers' bike to the limits and sped away from where the blast would go off. A sudden wave of intense heat hit my back and my ears rang from the loud explosion.
"They've blown Maverick's quad to bits!" the announcer shouted, his voice almost inaudible because of the audiences reaction. Jamison was also celebrating the victory by hollering at the top of his lungs. "He is out of the race!"
Mako settled back into place behind me and I moved my hands so he could take over. "Good job." he said, with a hint of cockiness in his voice. Maybe he is more alike to Jamison than I thought he was.
"Thanks." I responded, smiling unbeknownst to the other two. I would not admit it to them, but I had thoroughly enjoyed being a part of their plan. It made me understand why they were a team instead of going solo. The way they worked so well together and enjoyed what they did made me wish I could have a partner of my own. "Not so bad yourselves. Not bad at all."
Finishing first was a given after knocking Cal Maverick out of the race. The crowd went crazy as we crossed the finish line and the announcer blasted off about our victory. Jamison cheered for both him and his racing partner. As they pulled into the winner's circle and parked, I hopped off the bike and started for where my scooter had been abandoned. Before I knew what was happening, I was picked up off the ground and hoisted onto the broad shoulder of Mako. On his other sat Jamison, beaming over at me. "Thought you could sneak away, eh Sheila?" Jamison laughed. "We weren't going to take all the glory, ya know."
"But..." I started, only to be cut off.
"Pish-posh!" Jamison flicked his hand back and forth. "We wouldn't have been able to win without you. Besides, Roadie here thought you'd make a great addition to the team."
"Really?" I asked, glancing down at the masked man. He nodded and I smiled down at him. "Thank you?"
Jamison chuckled and punched my shoulder. "Welcome to the team, sheila."
A/N: And that’s that! Hope you enjoyed it!
