[TheSpatialWeeg]

Velo wasn't kidding when he said his stadium was big. It appeared to be at least twice as big as the Sunshine Stadium! As for the stadium itself...there wasn't much in terms of appearance aside from a large grandstand, housing several of the Life Sphere citizens. What could be seen from the track itself was a large curve connecting to its start/finish line before the track seemingly going underground. The cheers and chatter of an accumulated audience could be heard lightly from a distance.

As the racers approached the entrance to an expansive garage with their karts, a group of small green aliens went toward them. "So sorry for the tall order, but we're going to inspect your vehicles for a small moment, just for a check-up sake! Our lord Velo wishes to speak with you! It won't take long, I promise!" One of them said.

Once all of the contestants would allow the team of aliens to take their karts, one of the aliens would guide them to...a wall? It doesn't take long until a hologram of Velo pops out from a projector hidden on the ground. The guiding alien takes a moment to bow before moving to help his team.

"I'm sorry I can't be here in person, I had to prepare myself for an in-person announcement that will happen shortly. First and foremost, let it be known that I appreciate your enthusiasm to participate." Velo explained himself, looking at all the drivers with a smile. "An ensemble of different persons from various planets that even I wasn't aware of...this should be an interesting Nitro Challenge for all of us." He spoke. "As the one who has organized this event, I have a few humble requests to make: Be good sports to each other, put on a good show, and have a good time. My subjects will warn you when it is time to race. I'll be watching you race!"

With nothing else to say, Velo's holographic image flickered off. Now everyone just had to wait a while...

[Crash Bandicoot]

Crash had dashed towards the stadium with his kart, fur and tongue feeling the wind as he cruised towards the stadium. He had hit the breaks as he approached the garage, the little group of aliens came along and explained why they were looking at his kart. With little to no hesitation, Crash pulls out a Wumpa and leaves his vehicle to the aliens, before moving to follow the lone one to...somewhere. Strange, hadn't he seen those fellows before...?

An audible "Whoa!" came from the bandicoot as the holographic Velo suddenly appeared. Waaaaaaait, that was the guy that tried destroying his planet unless he raced, wasn't he? ...Though, judging by how nice he sounded, it seemed like he learned a lesson in humility. The bandicoot made a thumbs-up to the Velo hologram as he finished speaking, before it flickered off.

The bandicoot took a bite out of the Wumpa in his hands before turning to his soon-to-be racing rivals. He waves at them with a smile on his face, and then pointed to himself. "Crash!" he said, trying to introduce himself to the best of his ability. He wasn't as smart as his sister, but had been trying to vocalize his name, so that he wouldn't have to make people guess his name. The orange marsupial spouts some giddy gibberish before taking another bite of his Wumpa fruit.

[Amitie, Sorceress Trainee!]

Amitie had shown up to the stadium not only with her pipe-framed kart, but she was also wearing a set of new duds. She had fashioned herself a racing attire using a pink tracksuit, some fingerless gloves, a scarf and some goggles resting on her neck. Her Puyo Cap had also seen a change, now having some flaps made to cover her ears, and something that resembled...cat ears?

As she approached the garage, she met up with a group of aliens, who wished to have a look at her kart. "Well...uh...okay~! Just..be careful, please??" She gently asked, begin rather protective of her new ride. She watched the little guys go before she noticed everyone moving, at which she rushed to catch up in mild alarm.

WHen she caught up, she looked quite surprised at the hologram. "Hehe, well...thank you for having us~!" Amitie spoke up. She'd then listen intently to the rest of Velo's spiel, before waving at him as his holographic visage turned off. She looked at the other racers for a moment in silence, before one of them introduced himself.

...Well, it'd be rude not to say hi. "Heya, everyone~! My name's Amitie! My dream's to become a wonderful sorceress!" she announced. She would then take a moment to acknowledge Daisy with a quick wave towards her, accompanied by a bright smile.

[TartoonHand94]

With the soulful hum of a motorcycle engine where fanfare would be, an orange motorcycle in uncanny resemblance to a dolphin breached its way toward the stadium. Its rider, awed from behind her helmet at the newly installed stadium. Mass renovation of infrastructure was par the course for a Mario Kart
Grand Prix, but it never ceased to impress her even back then. With such a first impression, she had a good feeling about this.
Drifting and snaking her way toward the garage, the dolphin-shaped cycle spun 360 degrees and glided sideways to a stop. Not one to be satisfied with a mere entrance, the driver gracefully crossed her knee-high booted leg over to the opposite side of the cycle and stood off it, modeling her white jumpsuit, with a heart graphic on the back in a secondary yellow color with a matching scarf. Using her elbow length gloves, she removed her helmet and shook her hair free to resume its form.
It was none other than veteran Mario Kart racer, Princess Daisy, who crowned herself as she sauntered over to join the group.

The little aliens weren’t Daisy’s first choice for a pit crew, but between Toads, Shy Guys, Koopas and Lumas, how bad could they be? “…Just don’t scratch the new paintjob. Had her waxed this morning.” She warned with a bemused sigh, tossing them her helmet with the keys bowled inside.

This Velo guy was just another new thing Daisy had to adjust to. She was accustomed to being joined by the namesake organizers and her fellow sponsors in the races. Just sitting back and watching felt like something someone who feared for their safety more than their fun would do. Even Luigi had the guts to race at Bowser’s Castle, though admittedly, he looked like a different person when he passed you by…

Daisy snapped out of her flashback when the holographic message ended. Time to leave the past behind and race toward making some new memories!
“Hi, I’m Daisy!” She peppily introduced herself, pleased to see that Amitie and Pac-Man were here.
“Princess of Sarasaland and namesake of the Daisy Cruiser, which docks at the famed Daisy Circuit.”

It had been so long since she had participated in one of these and while it was weird to not see the Mario Bros., Peach, Rosalina, the Koopas or even Wario or Waluigi in attendance, it was nice to be racing alongside a few familiar faces at the least.
“And I supposed It’s only fair to warn you:” She casually stretched, making sure to crack her knuckles without breaking her gloved nails. “I’ve been around the bend quite a few many times~. And Daisy doesn’t yield for student drivers.”

[heirtothemonado]

The vroom of a small engine grew closer and closer before none other then Bowser Koopa Jr raced into the garage at full speed, before spinning a doughnut and squealing to a stop just before blowing through the gathering crowd. "Wahoo!" Jr cried, clearly enjoying himself before twirling around in the cockpit as he spun out. "The Koopa prince is here to make you all eat dust!" he challenged, patting the rim of the Junior Clown Car affectionately. It was clear that it was his pride and joy. Though his self-confident attitude quickly turned to unsureness as the weird alien people wanted to take a look at the Clown Car. That seemed to strike a nerve with the young Koopa.

".......Fine." Jr said after a long pause. "But be careful with it. If I find anything wrong with it, I'll roast you." With that threat hanging in the air, Jr climbed out of the Clown Car and went to join the other racers. Of course, the first person he picked out of the crowd was also the only one he recognized. "Why am I not surprised that you showed up?" Jr asked, knowing Daisy's competitive streak wouldn't let her pass up this race. Before he could get any farther then that, a holographic picture blinked into existence. showing the very person who had set up this race in the first place.

Velo's message didn't really say anything important, and Jr kinda just...tuned it out for the most part, snapping out of it once the message was over. Turning back toward's Daisy, Jr rolled his eyes at her boasting. "Yeah yeah, I've been around the track just as much as you have and then some, so don't expect to be winning this thing too easily!"

[PacAttack]

Surprisingly, Pac-Man was able to find a vehicle that looked suspiciously like one back home. He took a good long look at it to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Maybe a similar build. Either way, Pac took it and made a few adjustments to it to fix it up right for racing conditions. Align the wheels, check the engine, a touch of paint... annnd wallah! Good enough to eat. He hopped on and rode his four-wheeler down to the track.

Slowing down his ride, Pac-Man looked up at the racetrack. Where were they getting the things to build this behemoth anyway? It put some of the buildings here to shame but hey, he'd be one of the handful to give it a spin. Perhaps it wasn't best to dwell on things like that. He gave his ride some gas and headed on down to the shop where these green alien-looking guys were taking rides. He didn't have anything special on it. A carton of strawberries would've been installed in there if he had the tools. He was craving those red seed-speckled beauties the past few days and had emptied maybe four, five, or six of them back at his place. Oh well! Pac swept himself off his wheeler and handing over the key.

"Waka waka waka, wakka!" He commented as he shot the mechanics a wink and patted the seat.

The yellow ball followed the solo alien back to the meeting room. A few others were already here and Pac looked up this Velo guy being projected before them. Shooting him a thumbs up, Pac nodded and watched as the image disappeared and turned to his soon-to-be opponents.

He beamed his usual smile and gave a hearty wave to the group, giving off the best impression he could. This orange furred guy gave him a kick. He gave the bandicoot an amused look before responding, "Wakka? Wakka, waka waka waka." A hand was placed in front of his mouth as he chuckled and shut his eyes. Heh, it didn't really matter what he said. They wouldn't get it. He let out a breathe composing himself and placed his hands on his sides. One of the ladies here looked the faintest bit familiar but that didn't go far as he became focused on the strange fruit Crash was eating.

[Jade Callisto]

Blues had been gearing up for this race for a while now as he made sure to tune up his Red Striker. Using a wrench to keep everything in tiptop shape for his kart Protoman would keep every bolt tightened as all the parts would stay together. Sliding across the hood would be him washing it with a small cloth.

Blues was whistling his usual tune as he got his Red Striker all tuned up. "Alright I think that should be enough." he said as he hopped into the car and drove to the site of the race track.

Upon arriving at the location of the race Blues swerved into the garage with style and parked it. "Be careful with that, I just polished it and tuned it up." he would say to the green aliens as they needed to check his kart. Pacing over toward the wall where one of the aliens led him Blues would whistle on the way there.

As the screen popped up and their host did his introductory speech Blues would just listen in then introduce himself. "So I am known as ProtoMan but my friends call me Blues. I have been around the race track a few times so don't think I'll go easy on you guys and gals." Blues said as he awaited for the show to quite literally get on the road.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Tifa rode into the Stadium on her Hardy Daytona before getting off of it with a jump. A fairly standard looking motorcycle that she was lucky to find. It wasn't exactly flashy like the vehicles of most of the participants but it served it's job well enough. Probably would of been easier to find a Chocobo these days though... Then there was the pit shop. "Alright, I'll be back for it when you're done then," Tifa nodded. It made some sense they'd want to check their vehicles and stuff so she just let it be before she moved to the wall with the others.

The announcement was... pretty standard. The emperor guy seemed decent at the very least, maybe she did not have much to worry about. "My name's Tifa, I run a bar named the Seventh Heaven. I'll be sure to give it my all as well," she smiled at the introductions... there was some strange monsters but she was growing used to the diversity of this city and it's population some. Some did not seem as verbally communicative but that should not be a problem for now. "We are doing this for the entertainment of the Life Sphere after all, right? Wouldn't be much of a show if we didn't try our best."

[Cream the Rabbit and Cheese]

Cream and her partner chao, Cheese, came driving in in an... rather unorthodox looking vehicle. Cheese was seeming to give her driving tips along the way as they pulled in to the Stadium. The two were kind of in awe a bit. Their friends have raced quite a few times, but this is the first time Cream got to participate in a race personally. As they parked, the glass covering of the vehicle popped open so Cream could jump out with Cheese floating after her.

"Okay! Just be careful with it. Cheese said his friends got it from some guy that made super advanced engines," Cream advised before hopping over to the wall of holo-velo. "What's the point of playing if we don't have fun doing it!" Cream acknowledged as if what the head said was obvious.

"I'm Cream the Rabbit and this is my friend, Cheese! It's nice to meet you all! Let's all have fun, okay?" Cream introduced herself with a warm smile as Cheese gave a happy wave to add to his friend's statement.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

It wouldn't take too long after the introductions and challenging remarks that one of the small aliens from before came towards them. "Sorry it took a while, b-but we finished the checkup! No changes needed! We placed them on the track f-for you." the guy stuttered out. "The race's gonna start soon! We should get going! Come, I'll guide you!" He said, beginning to taken them to the entrance to the track...

As the racers were shown to the start line, they could see a large, floating podium in the center of the stadium. As the alien had told them beforehand, their karts were positioned in the track, in two lines of four: Amitie, Tifa, Daisy and Jr's karts on the front line; with PAC-MAN, Protoman, Cream and Crash's karts on the back line.

Sudden loud mic poking would be heard coming from the podium, followed by someone clearing their throat. "Is this on?" Came the voice. Velo was back at it again, this time in person, rather than a hologram. "Sorry about that. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Velo's Nitro Challenge! Hopefully, the first of many to come. The track we have in display right now is quite simple in design, but with these drivers, it should prove entertaining nonetheless." Velo says, taking a moment to acknowledge the racers in the track. "Now, allow me to quickly introduce them!" At that moment, some drones would focus on an individual racer as Velo went through with introductions. "Please welcome to the racetrack:"

"Crash Bandicoot!
Amitie!
Protoman!
Tifa Lockhart!
Cream the Rabbit and her companion Cheese!
PAC-MAN!
Bowser Junior!
And last, but certainly not least, Daisy!"

"Now, I will not hold you or these racers any longer. Let the Nitro Challenge...BEGIN!" With that yell, the crowd erupted into cheers. Once every racer was on their kart, the start line's lights would soon...well, light up, one by one, as a horn would sound for each of them...

3...

2...

1...

GO!

At the final, longer sound, it was time to burn some rubber! The track seemed to start at a straight line before going into a tunnel that wasn't so far away...

Let the race begin! In case you need a refresher on the rules or your kart stats, click here to go to the signups! It's all there!

---

Laps: 1/3	Positions
	Amitie: 0 Tifa: 0 Daisy: 0 Bowser Jr: 0 PAC-MAN: 0 Protoman: 0 Cream: 0 Crash: 0

[Crash Bandicoot]

Crash would say some more gibberish, glancing curiously at PAC-MAN. That yellow guy couldn't talk either? Huh...interesting. Well, actually, all of these guys were interesting at first glance, since they were going to be his racing rivals in a few minutes or so. Crash puffed out his chest and spoke some more good-natured gibberish, trying to retort to these veterans that they should be careful, because he was no slouch either.

As the little alien called them to the racetrack, Crash tried to kick the finished Wumpa in a trashcan...and failed. The bandicoot stared at the fruity remains on the ground for a bit before chuckling awkwardly and placing them on the trash normally before returning to following the alien.

Crash initially looked around the place, scratching the back of his head as he had his eyes everywhere and nowhere, not really paying attention to what Velo was trying to say. It probably wasn't all that important, right? As the little cameras focused on him, Crash looked surprised for a bit before trying to touch one of them...only for them to shift their focus to another racer before he could do so. Bummer.

With public introductions over and done with, Crash rushed and leapt to his kart the moment Velo yelled 'BEGIN'. The bandicoot looked to the other racers as they entered their own racing vehicles, before his attention was grabbed by the lights on the starting light. The orange marsupial put on his race face as he focused on the lights, tapping his foot on the gas pedal repeatedly...

17vCBdAWp_1d20+1 (Distance roll!)

"Wowee!" Crash vocalized, as his kart blazed off the starting line, the wind brushing up against his fur and exposed tongue...oop, better put that back in his mouth. The marsupial remembered the rush of a good start as he drove forward, the tunnel getting closer by the moment...
1d20+1

[Amitie, Sorceress Trainee!]

Amitie looked as she listened to the back and forth between the other racers. The good-sporty yet very competitive atmosphere was...kinda new for the Puyo-capped girl. Slightly overwhelming, too. Regardless, she took a quick breath and puffed out my chest. "Right! I'm gonna do my best and try my hardest to win!" She said to herself, pumping one of her fists upwards as she started to get psyched. She might've been new to the racetrack, but it was clear that she was going for the gold, just like most of the others.

This time, she tried to not get distracted with anything as she followed the alien to the racetrack. As she entered the racetrack, Amitie was taking in the massive stadium, the amount of spectators and-- "Wow...those karts are so cool!" she suddenly commented out loud, taking a proper look at the other's karts (and bikes). That moment was interrupted as Velo started to talk again.

As the cameras focused on her, Amitie would smile and... "Pose~!" ...do exactly as she said, making a pose before the cameras shifted focus to another racer. As Velo said the word 'Begin', the sorceress-in-training moved towards her kart, preparing herself to race as the lights activated one by one...

d41Z1T2rp_1d20 (Distance roll!)

Amitie would zoom off the starting line, only lagging behind the orange bandicoot slightly in front of her. Not a bad start for someone who was new to this kind of stuff, huh? Amitie silently gave her thanks to her honorary uncle Mario for the quick driving lessons before the race, before she focused on the track ahead. Now was definitely no time to get distracted.
1d20

[Jade Callisto]

Hearing the alien call out to them mentioning the karts did not need any change relieved Blues as he didn't want all that hard work to go to waste. Taking in the huge stadium and all the people would make most nervous about this whole thing but for Blues? It excited him to no end and he was pumped to get this thing started. 

Seeing Velo on top of the floating podium announcing things was amusing but that did not need to matter as he focused his attention on the race. Right now he was in the back line and ready as he got into his Red Striker and revved up the engines. Helmet already on and visor sparkling with a brilliant sheen, Protoman was ready to race once more. 

As the race started he hit the gas and readied to go onto the race track!

slb2is2sp_1d20+1 (Distance Roll)

Zooming past Amite then Crash, Protoman had taken the lead so far and smirked the whole way. "Let's take off!" He cried out as he passed them and headed toward the tunnel. His yellow scarf billowed in the wind as it stayed firmly attached to his neck while the race had finally begun. "Woohoo! I'm in the lead!" Blues said as he then whistled a little to celebrate. 1d20+1

[PacAttack]

Pac-Man smiled and stood around, waiting for the go on the race.  He bobbed a bit onto his heels then to the tip-toes of his boots.  A feeling of awkwardness crossed him as he couldn't really say anything of much use and it was only heightened here.  Crash was sort of like looking into a mirror.  Only into an orange, much furrier one.

Attention was brought back and Pac followed along to the starting line.  He happily hopped over hit bike and kicked his legs out onto both sides before plopping down onto the seat.  Going ahead and keying up the engine,  he took a moment to look around the raceway again now that he was inside.  Crowds of others along the outside, cheering and making noise.  Lights and cameras.  Subterranean track.  It was something to take in.

Giving his best, Pac turned towards the drone as it zipped by.  He flashed a wink at it, emitting a small 'blonk'. 

Pac stretched out his hands and fastened them around the wheel.  Time to see if he still had what it takes to get the gold.  He rested his boot on the gas and watched the lights count down...

lg5McaNXp_1d20+1

He let the engine have it when the green lit up.  It made a loud humming, giving its rider a sudden and short-lived boost before falling into a coughing fit.  Pac-Man's pointed brows heightened up into the size of mountains.  He quickly switched hands on the wheel, holding it steady with one and spinning to look back the rear of the kart.  A bit of arcade speech escaped as waved a hand off in the air in a mix of confusion and frustration for the award-winning performance his kart just gave.

1d20+1

[TartoonHand94]

It wasn’t long enough before the familiar vroom that always sounded like trouble pattered into the garage. Koopas. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

“Why am I surprised to see you standing Outside of your kart for a change.” Daisy smugly filed her nails. “What’s with you and that one anyway? Doesn’t daddy have like 64 better ones collecting soot in his shed?” She questioned his choice of kart as well. “Speaking of whom…Where Is your dad?” She used her nail filer as a mirror to inspect the world behind her. “It’s not like him to miss out on crashing parties like these...” She squinted suspiciously. There seemed to be no sign of Bowser yet, even still the idea excited her more than scared. “…Tee hee! Just kidding. Good to see you again, Prince Junior~!” Daisy dropped her snobbish demeanor and pinched the prince’s chubby cheek. Might as well be nice to him now. If she has her way, he’ll be crying by the time he crossed the finish line, where she’ll be long kept waiting.

He and all the other new friends she was hoping to make out of the other racers, y’know if any of them want anything to do with her once the race was over, of course.
“Can’t help but wonder who’s idea was ‘Ladies First’…” Daisy flashed her eyebrows at her fellow female racers at her side as she mounted her bike.

“(Wow he’s even…Greener in person.)” Daisy gasped and censored herself between her teeth as Velo presented himself.

“Hi, I’m Daisy!” She chirped as she waved to the crowd upon her turn in the roll call.

And on cue with the lights, Daisy got into position and revved up her engine. It even sounded different than Lakitu, but she wasn’t about to let that mess with her timing. Combining gas and breaks to spin her tire in place as if sharpening her tire on the track.

wKSlxRG6p_1d20+3 (Distance Roll)

And on go she released the breaks and took off like a dolphin-shaped torpedo!
“Yahoo!”1d20+3