Chapter 17

Four Year Ago

Yang would be champion. At least that was the prevailing attitude in and around F1. With a 17 point lead and only two races left - Mountain Glenn and Atlas - the only way for Weiss to beat her would be to win both races with Yang failing to score. It was somewhat surprising that Yang had not already clinched. She had won fully half of the races prior to Mountain Glenn, but mechanical issues in other events had allowed Weiss to stay in the fight. The odds were slim, but Weiss was not going to give up. Yang had no intention of taking it easy either. She could win the title with a sixth place or better finish in either of the two remaining races, but Yang was determined to win the races. She was the kind of person who would rather strikeout swinging for the fences than get on base with a single.

Yang took the pole for Mountain Glenn for the second year in succession with Weiss sharing the front row. Neither wanted to have a repeat of the previous year's embarrassment, but neither was going to yield either. Yang got a good start, but so did Weiss. Yang knew that Weiss could not afford to take a big risk. If Weiss and Yang collided at turn 1 and took each other out, Yang would be champion. Yang drove into the corner hard, hard enough that it was clear to Weiss that she was planning to take her usual line. Weiss got the message, fall in line or it's all over. That was fine. Weiss knew she would have other opportunities, and it would not really matter unless Yang fell out of the race anyway.

The Beacon GP teammates ran nose-to-tail, pulling away from third place Pyrrha a little each lap until they were half a lap in front. Without having to worry about being passed, Weiss could throw everything into trying to get past Yang. She tried shooting up the inside into turn 1. Yang did not even try to block. She just watched as Weiss slid wide before retaking the spot. Weiss tried again the next lap, this time careful not to overdrive the corner. That was fine for Yang. Taking her normal line she was able to brake later and keep the lead.

Weiss tried to get past Yang by getting a run out of The Esses and up the backstretch into turn 5. Yang quickly figured out what her teammate was up to. Now she ran through The Esses intentionally slowly. The track was too narrow and the racing line too restrictive to allow Weiss to pass, and Yang's change of pace prevented Weiss from getting the run she needed. It she got anywhere close to getting a decent run, Yang just ran down the right side of the circuit and took away the preferred line for turn 5. There was no way Weiss could make the pass on the outside.

With ten laps remaining, Yang was done playing games. She put her foot down and started to pull away. All along she had been toying with Weiss, just getting her to wear out her equipment. Yang had saved her tires and brakes and now easily gapped her teammate. It was tremendously demoralizing to Weiss. She suspected that was the point of the exercise. Yang was demonstrating that she could beat Weiss at will. At least that was how Weiss saw it. What was actually going through Yang's head was anybody's guess. Yang cruised home to the victory, winning by a comfortable margin.

On the podium Yang looked fresh and perky. Weiss, on the other hand, was totally exhausted. She had given everything she had to try to beat Yang and Yang had barely broken a sweat. When the trophies were presented Weiss expected some gloating out of Yang. Yang was about to surprise her.

"That was a great race Weiss." Yang said. "You've been really great all year."

"Thanks." Weiss said, surprised and a little suspicious. "Congrats champ."

"Sorry for all the blocking." Yang continued. "After last year I really wanted this one."

"Don't worry about it." Weiss said, still not sure what Yang's angle was. "I would have done the same."

"You'll pick up a title of your own one of these years." Yang said.

"I want to accept this at face value, but I can't help but feel like you're messing with me." Weiss admitted.

"I'm not." Yang said. "You're talented, clinical and you never give up. That's the recipe for a champion. I had you beat on raw speed this year. That won't always be enough. I don't know how you drive at such a measured pace. Trying that today was agonizing."

"Why did you do that?" Weiss asked.

"Well, it works for you." Yang replied. "I figured I'd give it a shot. Now's as good a time as any to experiment. I don't think it's for me though."

"You be you." Weiss said. "Keep breaking cars. I'll be there to take home the trophies. I will beat you next year." They may have been teammates and friends, but they were still rivals.

"We'll see." Yang laughed. "We'll see."

Present Day

The pre-race drivers' meeting was a typically boring affair. Track and series officials gave their briefings, then some dignitaries got to say a few words that no one bothered to listen to. At the end, the floor was opened for questions and things got interesting. Pyrrha raised her hand. "Go ahead Ms. Nikos." The series official at the podium said.

"I propose that we leave grid positions four and five empty at the start." Pyrrha said. There was some grumbling amongst the assembled drivers. "Out of respect."

"I don't know if that's something we should do." The official said.

"Why not?" Pyrrha asked. "Because it will force us to remember what happened?" The room went silent. "This sport is dangerous. Too dangerous. We just keep lying to ourselves but that doesn't change the reality. We all know the truth. If we can't even show a little respect for someone who died out there because it makes us uncomfortable, what does that say about us? I don't care if you penalize me or disqualify me, I'm not lining up in the fifth grid spot today."

"Uh...Ms. Nikos…" The official said.

"Put it to a vote." Pyrrha cut him off.

"Fine." The official sighed. "All in favor of leaving grid spots four and five vacant?" Almost every driver raised his or her hand. "All opposed?" No one. "Very well."

"Thanks for coming." Ruby said to Penny. "It means a lot to have you here."

"I will try to watch the race." Penny said. "It will be hard, but I will do it for you." It was the first time Penny had returned to Mountain Glenn since Yang had secured the title four years before. She had spent that race an emotional wreck, crying and shaking as Ruby tried to console her. It had been too soon. The memories of her accident were still too fresh. Now at a few year's remove it was still difficult but the pain was somewhat dulled.

"I know that just coming here must have been really tough." Ruby said. "Don't push yourself too hard. Just you being here is all that matters."

"You're my best friend and I should watch you race." Penny said. "Even if it hurts."

"Thank you." Ruby said. She hugged Penny and Penny awkwardly hugged her back.

"Good luck." Penny said. "I hope you win."

All that remained before the cars rolled out to the grid were a few last minute checks. Pyrrha looked over her car. Everything seemed to be in order. "Pyrrha, got a minute?" Weiss asked.

"Sure." Pyrrha replied. She turned away from her car to face Weiss.

"Are you sure about the grid thing?" Weiss asked. "It hurts you most of all. You could be throwing away the championship."

"Do I look like I care about some stupid championship?" Pyrrha said. She did not.

"So why are you even racing today?" Weiss asked. "No one would blame you for sitting this one out."

"There are some things we have to do." Pyrrha said. "No matter the circumstances, I have to get in that car and race. I made a commitment. I can't just give up. That would be an insult."

"An insult to whom?" Weiss asked.

"To everyone counting on me." Pyrrha answered. "To all my fans. To the team. To the other drivers. To May. No, I can't just walk away."

"Well, if you're sure." Weiss said.

"I'm sure." Pyrrha said. It was about time to head out to the grid. "Good luck out there."

"You too." Weiss said.

Pyrrha sat behind the wheel of her car. She slipped on her balaclava and helmet. For just a moment there was a look in her eyes - something like a mix of doubt and regret - and then it was gone. She slapped her visor down. Now there was a fire in those eyes. Outside the car it was very easy to let the mind wander to places it should not, but once the helmet was on and the engine was fired, there was nothing but the race.

Pyrrha lined her car up in the seventh grid spot. She got out and sat on the pit wall. Members of her crew stood in a circle around her, keeping the press away as she had requested. On the way to the track she had also told Yang that she wanted to be alone. Yang did not think it was a good idea but was not about to argue. For her part Yang was not answering any questions either. She stood by her car, surrounded by members of the press. They snapped pictures and asked questions, but Yang just stood there in silence. Weiss was not sure what to do. Her former and current teammates were acting differently than they ever had before. Soon the questions directed at her got uncomfortable and she adopted Yang's silent approach.

No one really bothered Ruby. That was mostly down to the fact that though her car was on the grid, she was not. She was in the garage throwing up more than she had before any other F1 race. Nervousness was the cause as always, but this time was different. Even after what had happened to May, Ruby was not afraid. Her fear had been conquered, or at least repressed. No, this time it was the pressure that was getting to her. She was fourth in points but only two down from the lead. She was starting on pole and a win would make her champion. After an extraordinary season, expectations were sky-high. People were already starting to call her the greatest natural talent F1 had ever seen. She did not feel worthy of the praise. Though she had never been all that competitive, she wanted the championship badly. Not so she could prove anything to others, just to prove to herself that she was good enough.

It was time to go. The drivers returned to their cars and the mechanics fired them up. They rolled around for their parade lap and returned to the grid. Grid spots four and five remained vacant. The starter raised his flag and the drivers revved their engines. It was a long run to turn 1 and a lot could happen. Getting a good start was critical. The drivers focused their attention on the flagstand. With all the cars lined up the starter dropped his flag. The cars screamed off the line. At the end of 59 laps one driver would be champion.

Ruby's start was perfect. As she dove downhill and turned into the first corner she was clear of Yang. Weiss tried to hang on beside Yang but had to fall in line in third. Pyrrha got a great start and arrived at turn 1 beside Sun. They ran through the corner side-by-side. Pyrrha was not on the preferred line for that corner or the next but she held on. Sun recognized that she was faster. Not only that, she was fighting for the title and he was not. When they arrived at turn 2 Sun just barely lifted and allowed Pyrrha to shoot ahead in pursuit of her title rivals.

Ruby immediately began pulling out a gap over Yang. She was fast. She was so fast. Yang was proud of her sister but felt the title slipping away. Right behind Weiss was hanging on, but she was not quick enough to pass Yang. Not yet at least. Running alongside Sun had cost Pyrrha precious seconds and now she was playing catch-up. In fourth place she was running laps as fast as Ruby. For all Pyrrha's worry and despair, behind the wheel she was laser focused. It was just her, the track and the competition. The past, the future, the things she had seen, the things she had done, none of it mattered.

Attention was focused on the battle for the championship. The four title contenders ran in the top four spots and the one that came out on top would be champion. When Cardin spun and slapped the tire-fronted armco in the toe of The Boot, the accident was almost unnoticed. The same was true when Nolan blew a tire and had to pull off, and when Mercury's engine disintegrated in a cloud of smoke. When Francois Banesaw slid straight off turn 1 and smacked the barrier right in front of the grandstands it was hard to miss, but few paid much attention once it was clear that he was unhurt.

Ruby kept pulling away. Every lap the number on her pit board telling her how many seconds she had over Yang grew. On lap 23 it was over ten seconds. The car still felt great. The tires were in good shape, the brakes were healthy and the engine sounded and felt just right. She powered off turn 1, heading uphill through The Esses and out onto the backstretch, sweeping around a lap car just as the hill reached its crest. She hit the brakes in preparation for turn 5 and the car veered left. With only a narrow strip of grass between the track and the armco, there was nothing Ruby could do. The car hit the armco at a shallow angle, grinding against it until it slid head-on into the tire-fronted armco straight off the corner. It was not a hard hit, but it hurt all the same. Even before getting out to look at the car Ruby knew what had gone wrong. She had seen it happening as if it were in slow motion. One of the bolts in her left-front suspension had broken. Once that happened, she was just a passenger.

Ruby got out of the car as Yang, Weiss and Pyrrha drove past. There went the championship. She took off her helmet and tossed it into the cockpit before hopping over the armco. She stood beside the track watching the cars go round for a few laps. She had not felt such sadness since the day her mother died. She knew it was her own fault. She had built the car. The bolt that broke was one she had installed. Now she was afraid she had made a mistake on Yang's car. Costing herself the title was bad enough. If her sister crashed because of her it would be too much to bear.

Eventually a fan, noticing Ruby's sadness, offered her a ride back to the garage on his motor scooter. Ruby accepted and in minutes she was there. She thanked the fan, signed an autograph and sadly walked away, slowly making her way along the pit lane to the Beacon GP garage. Penny was there, waiting with a look of fear on her face. When she spotted Ruby it turned to relief.

"I heard about the crash." Penny said. She got up and rushed to hug Ruby. "I was very worried."

"I didn't hit that hard." Ruby sighed. "My suspension broke. I really blew it."

"Don't be so hard on yourself." Penny said. "We all make mistakes. The important thing is that you're not hurt."

"I guess." Ruby said.

"I'm sure you'll be champion soon." Penny encouraged. "I know you can do it."

"Thanks Penny." Ruby said. "I means a lot to hear you say that."

"Should we watch the race then?" Penny asked.

"I guess." Ruby said. "I really hope Yang's car holds up. It would kill me if I screwed up hers too."

"I'm sure you did a great job." Penny said. "You always do. The part that broke was probably defective. Everything will be fine."

After all she had been through, if Penny could be optimistic about something at the race track, Ruby could be optimistic too. "You're right." Ruby said, managing a smile. Penny smiled back. "Let's make the best of today."

Yang was shocked to see Ruby's car off track at turn 5. At least her sister was alright, already walking away from the car by the time Yang arrived at the scene. Suddenly it was Yang's championship to win or lose and she was certainly winning. Weiss was not fast enough to pass her and Yang was not even really pushing, just going fast enough to stay in front. That kind of measured approach was difficult for her, but she was getting used to doing it at Mountain Glenn. A bigger concern was Pyrrha. She had caught up to Weiss and clearly had more speed than her teammate.

Pyrrha knew she was faster than the cars ahead but not quite fast enough. She had put serious strain on her car making up the ground to catch the leaders and was starting to pay for it. Had she been there at the start she probably would have blown them away. Now she was still quick but not nearly so comfortable as her worn rear tires slipped and slid. Pyrrha could tell from Yang's driving that she was not giving it everything. It was also clear that Weiss was. Pyrrha needed to make the pass.

As it turned out, Pyrrha did not need to make the pass. On lap 42 Weiss hit the gas on exit of turn 1. With a rumble and a bang her transmission failed. The engine revved to the redline but none of that power made it to the wheels. Weiss knew she was in the way and hooked to the right to the inside edge of the track to let Pyrrha past. The least she could do was be a good teammate. She pulled to a stop at a gap in the armco just after the pit exit and got out. Her race, her championship, was over.

Now it was a heads-up battle, Yang versus Pyrrha. Yang knew Pyrrha would not be as easy to outrun as Weiss. She picked up the pace. Now she was turning laps that would have put her near Ruby's blistering pace. Pyrrha matched her. Corner after corner, straight after straight, the cars ran nose-to-tail with both drivers on the limit. No quarter was asked and none given. No matter their feelings for one another off the track, on it they were opponents. Neither was willing to accept anything but victory.

As the race neared its end Yang's tires began to wear out and her car began to slide around. That would have been an issue but Pyrrha's car was having the same problem. Their pace dropped but the intensity only rose. Pyrrha kept looking to pass but the opportunity never really presented itself. She could have pushed the issue, but she was not willing to risk a crash. Yang would probably forgive her but she would not forgive herself. She was going to win it clean or not win it at all.

Yang slung her car through the final corner at a harrowing angle and Pyrrha followed in an equally alarming slide. They managed to straighten out their cars for the frontstretch, powered off the corner and flashed under the flagstand to take the white flag. Just one lap to go. One lap to decide the championship. About halfway down the straightaway Yang moved her car to the right. She was going to take a defensive line but she was not going to throw a big block at the last second. Pyrrha took what was given to her and tried the left. As they braked for the corner Pyrrha pulled even, but she was off line and had to fall in behind Yang.

Pyrrha followed Yang up the hill toward The Esses. Yang entered The Esses normally but her car, tires hopelessly worn, began to oversteer. Pyrrha had a sickening sense of deja-vu. Yang kept her foot down and the wheel turned. She slid through turn 2 successfully before snapping the car back to the left for the next corner. She was nearly sideways but hit her apex perfectly. Pyrrha was amazed and relieved but unable to pass for now. She fell in line, following Yang out onto the backstretch. Yang took her defensive line again, moving to the right edge of the track. Pyrrha again pulled even as they arrived at turn 5. Yang slid into the corner, her back end stepping out with every slight tap of the throttle. Pyrrha began to edge ahead but when she tried to accelerate off the corner she suffered the same problem. Her tires were just as bare. She kept her foot down and slid to the outside edge of the track. There was a big bump as she hit the kerb then a rumbling as her left-rear dropped off into the grass. Still on the edge of out-of-control Yang held on and pulled back into the lead as Pyrrha somehow kept going, throwing up a cloud of dirt and dust behind her.

Pyrrha's little bit of off-roading dropped her back. Yang skidded through the shin of The Boot, not under pressure for the first time in several laps. She got a free run through the toe as well but by the exit Pyrrha was right back on her transmission. They raced up the hill, over the crest and toward the heel. Yang did not take a defensive line this time and Pyrrha dove to the right. Both braked, their cars sliding, trying to swap ends as the drivers desperately tried to keep them going straight. Pyrrha was not going to make the corner and she knew it. She simply had no grip left. She slid wide out into the grass and floored the throttle. Yang took the corner on track but slow, her grip gone as well. Spitting dirt and gravel Pyrrha powered through the grass and returned to the track on Yang's tail. The next two corners were not realistic places to pass and the cars ran line astern, sliding as if on ice.

The final turn was not a realistic passing opportunity either but it was Pyrrha's last shot. Yang took a defensive line, hugging the right edge of the track. She slowed a little extra, being careful not to have the same sort of lurid slide she had had in the preceding turns. Pyrrha had no time to be careful. She swung her car into the corner, almost completely sideways, kicking up a big cloud of smoke as her tires spun hopelessly. Yang hit her throttle too hard and the rear end stepped out. Her car slid left toward Pyrrha and they almost touched. Pyrrha got her car pointed in the right direction and mashed the gas, the engine revving to the redline and the tires screaming. Yang did as well, creating a cloud of smoke to match Pyrrha's. They drag raced off the corner and across the line side-by-side.

Yang pumped her fist in the air. She had won the race and the title. Pyrrha had gotten close, within a meter or so, but had come up just short. As Yang slowly rounded the track on her cooldown lap Pyrrha pulled up beside her. She smiled - Yang could tell just by looking at her eyes - and gave a quick nod. Yang matched the smile and waved. Pyrrha pulled away as Yang inched around, soaking in the cheering of the crowd and the feeling of being the champion again. The first time it had not really hit her until hours later, but now she had a full appreciation of what it meant to be World Champion. Mountain Glenn was quickly becoming her favorite place in the world.

Not that many people paid attention, but Sun finished third followed by Reese, Coco and Arslan to round out the points. Emerald, Sage, Dew and Fox completed the top 10. First across the line, Yang was the last of the remaining runners to return to the pits. She was taking her time, enjoying the moment. When she arrived her friends were waiting. Pyrrha, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Ren, Nora, Penny and even Winter were there. A few of them were no doubt disappointed, but they were still smiling and cheering her on.

As the podium ceremony wound down Yang put her trophy down and embraced Pyrrha. She was aware that Pyrrha did not much like public displays of affection, and she was prepared to leave it at that. Pyrrha refused to let go. "Are you going to kiss me?" Pyrrha asked. "Or would you prefer the trophy girls?"

"How could I say no to an offer like that?" Yang replied. To the gasps and then cheers of the crowd, Yang and Pyrrha passionately kissed.

Winter offered to buy dinner to celebrate but Yang had a better idea. Fancy restaurants were nice but not really Yang's forte. She took everyone to the Lake Lodge and drinks were on her. That way when the party got out of hand - and everyone knew it would - the setting would be a bit more appropriate. The first round was champagne for everyone. Pyrrha decided to put herself in the spotlight for once. She stood. "A toast!" She shouted. Everyone quieted down to hear her. "To Yang. You're not only a great driver, you're the best friend I could ask for."

Everyone drank but Yang did not down her glass. "I hate to be a downer, but…" Yang said. "A toast. To the fallen. And to those left behind. May their sacrifice make us safer." In solemn silence everyone finished their drinks. "Now have some fun." Yang ordered after a few somber moments. "They wouldn't want us to sit here crying. They'd be downright ashamed of us." The party picked up again.

"Thank you." Pyrrha said. "I'm glad you were there for me. I don't think I could have run that race without your support."

"I need to thank you too." Yang said. "I've never had so much fun on the racetrack, or off it for that matter." Yang laughed to herself. "You know, it's a real shame one of us had to lose."

"That's alright." Pyrrha said with a mischievous grin. "I'll get you next year."

Standings after eleven races:

Drivers:

1st - Yang Xiao-Long - 46

2nd - Pyrrha Nikos - 43

3rd - Weiss Schnee - 37

4th - Ruby Rose - 35

5th - Winter Schnee - 33

6th - May Zedong - 27

7th - Sun Wukong - 19

8th - Reese Chloris - 11

9th - Neptune Vasilias - 8

10th - Arslan Atlan - 5

11th - Scarlet David - 4

11th - Coco Adel - 4

13th - Fox Alistair - 1

13th - Gwen Darcy - 1

13th - Dew Gayl - 1

Constructors:

1st - Beacon GP - 100

2nd - Team Juniper - 61

3rd - Schnee Automotive - 50

4th - SeaMonkeys F1 - 27

5th - Auburn Racing Team - 16

6th - Bronze Car Company - 10

7th - Coffee Inc. - 5

8th - Team Haven - 4

9th - Indigo Motorsports - 2

Author's Note: There will be an epilogue on Friday to wrap things up. After that I'll be writing a new RWBY F1 story, a reboot taking place in the mid-to-late 80's called RWBY Turbo.

Inspirations

- The difference in post-race condition between Yang and Weiss is based on a few races involving Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell. Mansell would get out of the car looking like he'd just run a marathon and sharing the podium would be Prost looking like he was just getting started.

- Pyrrha's brief argument with series officials mirrors an incident between Ayrton Senna and FISA President (and former French Nazi, allegedly) Jean-Marie Balestre.

- As an end of championship as anti-climax, the finale to Ruby's season is based on Davey Allison's 1992 Winston Cup season. He arrived at the final race with the points lead after dominating the season only to be taken out in a crash with a lapped car early on. The title battle would go on to be an epic one, coming down to a single lap led and the bonus points thereby won, with Alan Kulwicki winning by 10 points over Bill Elliot. Sadly both Allison and Kulwicki would be dead by the end of the following year, both victims of aviation accidents.

- The Lake Lodge is based on the Seneca Lodge.

Inaccuracies and Anachronisms

- Watkins Glen as described is anachronistic for the flashback. The track was remodeled to its current configuration in 1971.

- The sort of memorial display proposed by Pyrrha would never go ahead in that day and age. Even with the nascent safety movement gaining momentum, the drivers did not want to be reminded of their mortality.

- The lack of grip from worn tires is massively exaggerated.

- I've never known drivers to make out on the podium, except occasionally with a trophy girl.