Chapter Text
“King wants me to join the Rimba Grand Prix? Heck yeah, where do I sign?” The tiger excitedly asked as the brakes were quickly pulled on him by the hare’s outstretched hand. Once her hand is lowered, she pushes her specs up the bridge of her nose. “I never said you could join, only asked if you’d like to.” Her words confused Tag, he couldn’t wrap his head around what she’s getting at.
“But you said-” Ms Torres stopped him in his tracks again with a simple raised hand.
“I never said you couldn’t either. That decision will be left up to your examiner.” Her words leave him with more questions than answers. Though he couldn’t think about it for long, as he hears a revving engine before seeing a speeding white and red car come up the hill’s road. The driver performing a donut next to them, parking as their headlights blind Tag but Torres and her men seem uneffected. Luckily for the tiger, the driver shuts them off along with his car before hopping out. Revealing the two year RGP racing Veteran and rival to the three year champ, Pike the lone wolf.
“Alright, I’m here like you asked Torres. This the rookie?” The canine asks as he walks over to them and points to the stunned tiger. The street racer trying to process the fact he’s in the presence of the number two RGP racer while at the same time admiring their car. “Doesn’t look like much if you ask me.” He states his opinion but the hare does not care.
“Pike, this is Tag. The rookie you’ll be trying out.” This gets the tiger to snap out of his stupor and wave with a nervous smile. “The test will be simple, the two of you will race without using either of your cars special features and will only end when Pike deems it. Do those terms sound agreeable?” The two both just nod. “Great, now let's get started.” The hare then walks away with her guards, leaving the two alone as the tiger builds up his courage to speak.
“Hi…so I’m Tag b-but you already knew that. Well anyways, I just want to let you know how much of an honor it is for you to give me this opportunity and to meet you Pike.” He holds his hand out with excitement to the canine in hopes he’ll shake it.
The racer simply glances at the hand and then back to Tag. “Right… just keep up, rookie. I don’t play nice with amateurs.” He gives the street racer the cold shoulder before heading back to his car. The tiger disappointed by the response as he goes to the Ripper, mumbling under his breath.
“Well nice to meet you too…” Tag gets in and turns the ignition, the engine coming to life. Then driving besides the Cerberus to the starting line with Ms Torres between their cars with a raised hand. So he takes the moment to take a deep breath and close his eyes, the tiger’s heart throbbing as he gets a firm grip on the Ripper’s steering wheel. “Not freaking out… Not freaking out…” Both racers revving their engines before Tag opens his eyes with a smirk. “Freaking out a little.”
With those words, Torres swung her hand downward. Pike quickly taking the lead up the hill as Tag closely follows, hot on his tail. The two worked their way up the winding road before soon zooming into the red illuminated tunnel. The tiger trying his best to overtake him when an opening presents itself but Pike is quick to stop him, making sure to stay in front. When the street racer finally manages to get beside the canine half way through the tunnel, he’s quick to pin Tag against the wall. Sparks flying as the concrete grinds against the Ripper. Once the Cerberus relents, the rookie falls a little ways behind his examiner but is quick to catch up.
The next time the Rookie tries overtaking him, Pike hits him with the tail end of his car which causes the Ripper to spin out. The wolf is rather proud of himself as he thinks he’s finally got rid of the tiger only to find them beside him again, driving backwards no less as they exit the tunnel. Before the race could continue any further, the canine slams the brakes on the Cerberus which surprises Tag but also does the same. “Something wrong?”
The wolf gets out of his car and looks at Tag. “You got skill, I can tell that much.” Hearing those words made the tiger’s face brighten.
“Wait, does that mean-”
“Yeah, you pass.”
“Awesome, wait til Miles hears about this!”
“I wouldn’t celebrate just yet. This was just a test, the RGP is no game and personally I don’t think you have what it takes.” Pike leans on the hood of his car, smirking at the tiger across from him.
“We’ll see about that because ‘you’ve just been tagged’!”