The Speed Of The Stars

Days have passed since Beidou rode with Collei on the downhill. The scene at Lyney's gas station another slow day. Lyney heads out of the office and asks around where is Beidou. He then asks Collei And March the same question Collei responds to Lyney's question.

- She's out on a delivery at the moment. She took the Pickup Truck.

Lyney understands and hands Collei his keys to his Toyota Century and an envelope

- Well if Beidou is out on a delivery, Maybe you can help me Collei? Just give these papers to a nearby Yamada shop. You can take my Car

Collei looks at the keys and envelope for a second and later takes them from Lyney, She then Nods her head and heads to Lyney's Century, March looks on as the V12 engine starts and gently roars off into the distance. Leaving March and Lyney behind. As Lyney heads back to the office, He is then stopped by March, who is a tad bit annoyed that she wasn't tasked on driving his car.

-Hey Lyney? I got a question.

Lyney turns to March, he listens in.

- You do know i have a driver's license too right? Why do you always ask the others to do deliveries when you've got an awesome gal light me to do them for you?

Lyney smirks a little and crosses his arms.

- Since you asked, i'll tell you. Put your hand on your chest and tell me what do you feel.

March is confused but puts her hand on her chest, she tries to feel something but nothing.

- Umm. My Heart beat? 

Lyney Closes eyes.

- Do you get it?

March shakes her head.

- No?

Lyney then explains opening his eyes with a jokingly serious face.

- To put it simply, i can trust Beidou and Collei to bring my car back in one piece. But with you? There'd be a dent the side of your caved in chest

March back off with a strange pose, suddenly she's standing on one leg with a weird hand gesture. Dramatically Gasping

- How Dare You!?

Lyney then turns around and heads back to the office.

- Well that's the long and short of it.

March then straightens out fist being clenched.

- One day Lyney. When i have my own car, then you'll see!

Moments later a sleek Black Porsche 930 Turbo parks by a gas pump. March quickly looking around it. Admiring the sleek black machine

- Awesome!! A Porsche Turbo! You don't see these things everyday!

As March continues to gloss over the Porsche, Its owner steps out from the drivers seat. She then removes her Sunglasses. 

- Hey there kid. The name's Yelan. A buddy of mine from Inazuma City told me to come by this place. I'm looking for a member of the Yougou Speedsuns that drives around in an Eight Six. She said she works at this place, so figures i'd drop by.

March sees this as an opportunity to act like she's a member of Beidou's team. Where in reality. She's really not an official member as she doesn't own a car yet.

- Yes! of course! I in-fact know the driver! We are kind of a sister type relationship.

Yelan is shocked with this "Revelation" 

- Are you serious?

March nods. closing her eyes, Smugging up. Continuing to lie.

- That's right! Me and her are the fastest racers in Yougou after all!

Moments later she hears the startup sound of the twin turbocharged flat-six engine of the blackbird. Yelan moments later rolls her driver's side window down.

- Alright! Can you pass along a message for me? 10 on Saturday, tell her to look for the blackbird and its driver Yelan on the top of Yougou.

March understands the message. lightly squinting her eyes

- 10 on Saturday, on the top of Yougou. Sure I'll pass it along. But what are you planning on doing there anyways?

March's eyes suddenly go wide open realizing what she might have done. Yelan Lightly revs her Blackbird. Before driving off

- It'll be a race to the bottom!

Moments later. Yelan drives off into the distance. Headed for Yougou to scout the area. March tries to chase Yelan and the blackbird but to no avail. March has done something terrible

- Now I've really done it... That woman challenged Collei to a race. And i stood there like an idiot and accepted the challenge for her....

March suddenly panics yelling out loud. Echo's of her voice reverbing around

- OH WHAT AM I GONNA DO!? WHAT AM I GONNA TELL COLLEI!?

Right on queue Collei arrives from her delivery run. Parking Lyney's Century in front of March. March panics when she see's collei. Collei then rolls the window down. Wondering what March is doing.

- March, Why are you freaking out? I'm not gonna run you over ya know?

March straightens out. Trying to hide the fact of what she'd done.

- Uhh, Nothing? Say. Lets head up Yougou and do some practice runs. It might be fun!

Collei Shakes her head. In disagreement

- No can do. I don't drive as fast as i can in Yougou unless its really necessary.

Lyney then steps out to grab Collei attention

- Hey Collei! Perfect timing. I got some Freshly Brewed coffee here! Want to have some?

Colle looks at Lyney. And Replies to him

- Sure!

Collei backs up. Parking the Century the same spot where Lyney left it a couple minutes ago. March is sweating like pinballs. Wondering how will she tell Collei that she accepted a challenge for her.

The next day. Its another slow day at Lyney's gas station. March, Collei and Beidou Wiping down the Gas Pumps to keep it clean. March tries to have a conversation with Collei

- Be- Beautiful day today isn't it Collei?

Collei notices something odd with March. Looking at her weirdly.

- U huh. why are you acting strange today March?

March acts like its nothing. But then suddenly. The roar of a twin turbocharged 6 cylinder echo's around the streets. The Car in question was Seele's Nissan S30Z. She then enters the gas station. Its front wheels screeching to a halt. Seele then steps out and rushes to Beidou with a troubled Face.

- Beidou! What the hell!? Since when did you accept a challenge from the Blackbird!? This is huge dude! Why are you keeping something like this from me!?

March's eyes suddenly go wide open. Beidou with a face of confusion and wonder.

- What the hell are you talking about? I didn't do anything!

Seele is still doubtful

- Dont try do deny it! The Porsche Turbo that people call the Blackbird Versus the Eight Six on the Downhill on Saturday! Even the whole Town knows about it!

Beidou Defends herself. putting on a serious face

- Seele, Believe me. this is the first i've heard of it

March in the back trying to keep her composure. Collei is scratching her hair as she's confused about it. Seele then continues on.

- That's not possible. Yelan said she came by the gas station yesterday to issue the challenge herself. Who was she talking to? the phantom Speedsun!?

Beidou and Seele then turn to Collei and ask if she's heard anything about it. Collei shakes her head.

- This is all news to me fellas.

Seele is now confused.

- Am i seriously the only one that knows this race around here!? What in the hell is going on!?

March then looses it. She then speaks up. Trying to hold back tears.

- I'm S- Sorry....

Seele and Beidou then turn to March with a funny face of displeasure.

- March? You didn't did you?

March then Crouches and confesses

- I did... I accepted the challenge for you.

Collei, Seele, And Beidou Are Left Speechless with the current situation. March Explains everything

- Yesterday. Yelan came by the gas station, and i got nervous around her, i was alone and unfazed and then by the time it came to an end the challenge was already issued.

Beidou then looses her composure.

- WHY DIDN'T YOU OPEN THAT BIG DUMB MOUTH BEFORE YOU DUMBASS!?

Seele tries to calm Beidou down while March turns to Collei.

- Look Collei, I screwed up big time. Please forgive me! It wont happen again!

Collei sighs, with a hint of disappointment.

- Its alright March. But Jesus Christ man.

That night in Yougou. The Blackbird is practicing around the Mountain Pass to get herself familiar with the area and the course. At a nearby café at the base of Yougou. Beidou And seele are waiting on a contact to find out more about the Blackbird's Specifications. Beidou is worried as all hell.

- We are so screwed. Yelan and that Blackbird is well known in street racing.

Seele tries to calm down Beidou

- We might be but if we know its specifications and weakness then we might have a chance.

Beidou then take a sip of beer and asks Seele something.

- Anyway who did you call?

Seele smirks a little and looks at the window.

- Maybe you might want to look outside.

A familiar White RX7 FC pulls up into a parking spot. Two gals stepping out and heading inside.

- You called the Tianquan and the Yuheng?

Seele smiles at Beidou.

- Yep, We kept in contact after the race. Ya know. To keep a little bond as us street racers.

Beidou notices that Keqing's attitude has changed.

- Seemed that Keqing changed since the race. Seems more Calmer than when we first met her.

Moments later Keqing and Ningguang Arrive at their Table, They shake their hands and greet each other before taking a seat at their table

Keqing adjusts her Seating position

- We heard about the upcoming race. This is very massive. it reached all the way to Araumi ya know?

Ningguang Then opens up a document in her tablet about all the information relating to the Blackbird.

- That's right. But we are here now. Well. Shall we begin learning about the Blackbird.

They begin their conversation about the Blackbird and its specifications.

Beidou : So what do we know about the Blackbird?

Ningguang : For starters. The car is spec'd out to be a highway cruiser in the Inazuma City Highways. The city Racers call it the Wangan. Its former owner is a Doctor at a big hospital there. Her name is Natasha.

Keqing : She raced there every night until sun up with other racers around the highways.

Seele : What about its engine? Do we atleast know its output?

Ningguang : Yep. 3.6 Liter Flat-Six with Twin Turbo's. An estimation on power is around 700 Horsepower to the rear wheels. it uses a rear engine rear wheel drive layout.

Keqing then takes a sip of some coffee

Keqing : At one point its entire body was replaced with Carbon fiber. Making the damn thing even lighter than it was.

Beidou then slumps in her seat. slightly covering her face, Realizing Collei's opponent is a beast.

Beidou : We are in major trouble.

Seele then looks out at her S30Z. and asks a question unrelated to the Topic

Seele: Hey Ningguang. You said moments ago that it raced with other racers? Any idea who one of them might be?

Ningguang : There's a lot of them. But when i did my research. There was one that The blackbird always raced.

Keqing : The car in question is a Midnight Blue Nissan S30Z. People nicknamed. "The Devil Z"

Seele : The Devil Z?

Ningguang : That's right. Before being sold to someone. The car was formerly owned by Asta A Recent graduate of a well known high school in Inazuma city. She is also known as the Queen of the Wangan. Prior to her owning the car. It was owned by 3 previous people. One of them named similarly to Asta. But under a different last name. She was killed in a street racing accident in the Z.

Keqing : Yeah. The car was then restored by its 2nd owner which later wrecked it. It was then repaired and sold to the 3rd owner. Who also wrecked it. He then sold it to a scrapyard where it was supposed to be scrapped. Until Asta Came along and restored it back to its former glory.

Ningguang : Sounds about right there Keqing. 

Seele : One more thing... Do you know its License plate?

Ningguang : Umm... Inazuma 33, number 53-68. Why the sudden interest Seele?

Seele then looks outside at her S30Z : You might want to look at my S30Z Ningguang..

Ningguang and Keqing then looks outside the window and they are left in an Awe

Keqing and Ningguang : No Way...

Ningguang : You Bought The Devil Z!?

Seele; That's right. I remember its previous owner. Who sold it to me. Pink hair, Purple bluish eyes.

Keqing : That is definitely Asta, without a doubt.

They finish up and head outside to look at Seele's S30Z to confirm if it really is the Devil Z. And to all of their surprise. Really is Asta's Devil Z. Seele is speechless. She owns a Legend of the Inazuman Wangan. Seele then turns to Ningguang. Asking more about the Blackbird.

- Any weaknesses to the blackbird at all?

Ningguang crosses her arms and looks at Seele.

- Well there is one. That being Snap Oversteer.

Beidou then steps forward.

- What is snap oversteer.

Keqing explains. pointing at Seele's Devil Z as a reference

- Well you see, Snap oversteer is when the rear of the car suddenly lightens up. Typically on braking. In a rear engined car, It can sometimes spell bad news.

Keqing points at the back of the Devil Z and shifts it to the front.

- When braking, Its Rear weight Shifts forward. And that lightens the Rear. Cause of that, The Rear Of the car tens to slide around more. Disrupt its flow. It will spin around without warning.

Seele then has a eureka moment.

- That means. All Collei has to do, Is to disrupt its flow on corners?

Keqing Snaps her fingers and points them at Seele.

- Precisely! All she has to do is be as close as possible to the blackbird on the corners. If she finds a way to disrupt it. Then she may have a chance!

They finish up their conversation. They plan on meeting collei at the top of Yougou to inform her about the Blackbird's snap oversteer issue. They head for their respective cars and drive as a convoy up to Yougou. To wait and encounter Collei during her delivery runs.