Crank had been holed up in his trailer for quite some time, it was true. He would certainly object to the word "sulking" but maybe it wasn't too far off from true. He had indeed felt zero interest in talking to the media, and he had mostly ignored the first banging on his trailer; when he checked that out, all that was there was a torn piece of paper and an empty drink bottle. Boomer certainly knew how to command attention, however.
Take the Arctic Compensator! Slap it in and have it start Compensating for Cold Start!
Crank and Boomer oversee the delivery and installation of both a tiny, yet brave blue and white DADE2021 flag, and a large device that looks something like a refrigerator with a lot more whirly bits and antennae.
[4][8]CompensatorIce Sparks: When drafting, Crank take one Chill. Any opponents drafting Crank take one Chill. Chill applied after the draft is resolved. If compensated for, replaces Chill with Incendiary.Module: Arctic Compensator
As far as the team can understand, the AC siphons cold gas into his Luck Circuits directly.This modifies the usual Luck Sparks produced by the kart from the air, and also collects them-storing them in a 'Luck Bucket' in a solid frozen state. The Luck Sparks are then thawed and the 'Liquid Fortune' is something Crank can then direct to the system of his choosing for spot repairs. There's a polite note saying under no circumstances should this liquid be drunk. Unfortunately this has an odd side effect...Boomer theorizes this device will be used by the expedition as a way to use the cold air in the Arctic Wastes to their advantage, using the liquidized fortune to help keep their vehicles and machines running.
"Could have used this in the war!"...
After a few test spins around the trailer, he can't find anything obviously wrong with it...it's when Boomer challenges him to a test race that they do.
The canny Bom-omb (no slouch on the track, himself) finds out that as soon as he attempts to draft Crank, it excites the frozen Luck Sparks trailing behind the Kart-the wind tunnel begins super icy, and Boomer begins to freeze solid-his kart slows down momentarily, and suffers a bit of damage as the ice melts.
Crank finds that when he attempts to draft Boomer, it has the same effect-his kart seems to draw in the cold air like a vacuum.
...
"...Well, Drafting is going to be slightly dangerous, but it shouldn't ordinarily be a problem as long as you maintain high speed-MKL just sent us rules on this new newfangled elemental mechanic...it seems to affect the racer following you as well, so there's at least some benefit...
Alright, the basic rules are-heat is more dangerous if you're at high speeds, and chill is more dangerous at low speeds. It seems whenever your Karts speed moseys up or down during the cleanup phase, it could get seriously damaged..."His team spends the rest of the day theory crafting and come to the conclusion the best possible outcome is for either party to maintain high speed during a draft attempt, so to minimize the chance of cold damage to the kart. The worst possible outcome is a hit from a heavy weapon like a POW block, or a succession of rams, shells, or hazards, which leave a kart crippled.
One of his team notes Cranks High Acceleration system is potentially an amplifier of this damage, and implements a quick fix.
Yet another (the oldest member of his team) points out something that should be obvious.
"I may be 8-bits old, but it seems to me you could just use the compensator to compensate for the Ice Sparks, right? Use the system to fix the system?"...
While this is a good idea, it seems to have the
inverse effects during a draft-causing either kart to rapidly heat up to the point of combustion. But it should be safer for Crank at lower speeds-and consequently, more of a risk for anyone attempting to draft by you at high speed.
None of the team can agree which one is better, or when it should be used. As usual, Crank will have to balance these decisions during the race.
It's something of a relief when MKL sends the cloud-barge to pick everyone up for the trip to Chocoland.
Crank (Toaster)
Points- 0+4=4
Fame- 0
Coin- 2
Backstory: A veteran from the original MKL, Crank has returned to find more fame. He is still obsessed with the idea of fame, perfection of his skills, and proof that he is capable of success. It may be starting to catch up with him...
Kart
Name: Grotto Greased Lightning
Paint Job: Purple with Dark Blue Accents
Module Installed: High Accel (GRLR Kit), Compensator (Arctic Compensator)
Module Hiccups: Low Loot, Ice Sparks (Arctic Compensator)
Compensated: Cold Start (GRLR Kit)
Permanent Hiccups: None
Races: 1
Placement
Mushroom Cup/Luigis Waterway (Summer)/5th Place
Credits: To Freeform for original Crank art
”Uggghhh…fine. Just don’t make me look stupid or anything.”
Fork over the coin, inaudibly grumbling.
-1 CoinBowser grumbles as he pays the stylist with the coin team flare just paid him, leaving him at a net of zero unless you count the annoying re-decorators...
...
As it turns out, Abreezio (a whimsical toad with a blue and white cap who refuses to speak to his clients), does seem to have the vaguest idea of what he is doing.
Using the ancient style of MarioPaint, Abreezio remakes Bowser into a high resolution, crimson hue! The purple shell is a bit weird, but eh, artists...
One of his assistant toads holds up a mirror after the 'operation' is complete.
"Do you like it? We can undo it not, but there's no refunds! Sorry! Please don't burn down the studio!"Hmm...
Bowser figures he'll have to decide quickly. The cloud-car is set to take him to the docks where the can get a ride to the next race soon. In Choco-land, of all places.
He'll be flying 1st class, of course. No need to stow away with the 'baggage'!
?
?
Bowser (SuperDino85)
Points- 0+3=3
Fame- 0
Coin- 5+1-1=5
Backstory: King of the Koopas and don't you forget it.
Kart
Name: BW Standard
Paint Job: Villainous Reptile Orange
Module Installed: Firebreath Ignition Sparker (High Acceleration)
Module Hiccups: None
Permanent Hiccups: None
Races: 1
Placement
Mushroom Cup/Luigis Waterway (Summer)/7th Place
Special: Keyholder
Sponsor: Racing for Team Flare Vision
"Jack Frost, more like Jack LOST...! After my racer defeated him! Which is like, future tense."
Sign on Bonus: 1 Coins Paid
Terms: 1 coin per race. Increase pay by 1 per race.
Stipulations: Must always finish AHEAD of Burger-Kuns racer, or contract terminated! Will require a uniform change (if we can fit one)
Length of Deal: Three races
| Agree to fund them! Provided they'll invite me to that dinner. |
+1 Fame-1 Coin (4 left)Milky makes the coin disappear like it was never there!
"How could we not invite our own cousin to dinner! Now when he's sooooo generous! We'll just have to wait til everyone gets here, though!"Blue Hawaii Frost shows up a few days later, and he and Milky promptly paint the town Blue and Brown by performing a citizens arrest on Lanky Kong when they catch him trying to sneak into the next Donkey Kong game. A heroic action, to be sure.
Jack Frost feels his fame rising! His sponsor will probably like that.
...
Jack looks out the window and notices his entire extended family is forming a disorderly line outside of his garage. Most of the are cutting ahead when the other ones aren't looking, which means sooner or later it's just going to be a huge mob at the front, and all of them are going to want money!
He figures it's a good time to get on the cloud-bus to chocoland!
Jack Frost (Egan_BW)
Points- 0+7=7
Fame- 0+1+1=2
Coin- 4+2+1-2-1=4
Backstory: hee ho! I didn't read all the rules! hee, I'll just manage without...
Kart
Name: Hi-Ho Speedster
Module Installed: Dirty Weapons (Zorro's Rapier EX), Ramming Speed (Jack's Iced Coconut Morningstar), Removed Crank-Strictor Plate (Guilty Gear)
Module Hiccups: Featherweight (Zorro's Rapier EX), Signal interference (Jack's Iced Coconut Morningstar), Faulty Weapons (Guilty Gear)
Permanent Hiccups: None
!!Illegal Mods detected!!
Hacked: Zorros Rapier EX
Tweaked: Guilty Gear
Races: 1
Placement
Mushroom Cup/Luigis Waterway (Summer)/3rd Place
Sponsor: Racing for Burger-Kun
"If I act with resolve and believe in my actions, I know I'll be able to achieve anything."
Contract (Active)]Sign on Bonus: 1 Coins (Paid)
Terms: 1 coin per race
Win Bonus: 1 coins for 3rd, 2 coins for 2nd place win, 3 coins for a 1st place win
Stipulations: Must maintain current image bonus or contract may be cancelled. Publicity tours to adjust image mandatory! (Jacks current bonus is +0!) +1 Coin bonus to perfecting image rank, once per rank. 1 time 1 coin bonus to finish AHEAD of Team Flare Visions racer. Negotiations can only performed at the end of the every season. Free Burgers for Jack!
Length of Deal: Three races
Events:
-1 coin per race (4 more in total): Funding the Frost Five