Stranded on Route 66

Chapter 1

Grays POV
The final lap was won. I didn't take my eyes off the road as the stands erupted in cheers.

Once again, I was first.

I did my victory lap. The roar of the engine drowned out by the roar of the crowd. Even through my helmet I could hear their cries of praise. I soaked it all in.

The announcers repeated their praises through their mics, telling the crowd that what they've just witnessed is true. Gray Fullbuster has won another race.

I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My heart beat was quick as I whirled around the track again, sticking my hand out the netted window to wave at the crowd.

They erupted in yet another boastful cheer, one section starting a wave to trail behind me as I drove. It was never able to catch up.

The voices from the stands began to die out as I drove my car into the bay. I took a moment to breathe before shutting the engine off. As freeing as it was to be able to ride, the demanding presence of the people made the job harder.

I peeled myself out of the drivers seat and shucked off my helmet, quickly roughing up my hair that tried to plaster itself to my face.

My team greeted me with smiles, clapping me on the back and rejoicing for all their hard work. I thank each and every one of them with a put upon smile.

I won again.

"Good job, Gray." As always, my manager Ur greets me without a hint of emotion. She types away on her tablet, the screen glinting across her glasses as her nails tapped against the glass.

"Another win under the belt, and all you've got is 'good job'?" I shrug off my racing suit, almost missing the weight as a cooling breeze hits my undershirt, cooling the sweat clinging to my body. Much like the end of every race, I find myself wishing it wasn't over. I watch as my team rushes about, preparing the main car for transport. "At least I didn't need to use the spare." My eyes drift over to the other car that waits patiently in its bay. It was all ready for the hauler.

"You're getting a head of yourself." Ur drags him on back out of the noise of the cockpit, and into the mosh pit of vultures. The stands are still in a haze of celebration, each jump for joy being echoed through the track.

With a smirk I popped off my gloves and threw them into the crowd. Squeals of joy pierced my ears as some people began to shove others out of the way to get hold of The Gray Fullbusters memorabilia.

"Fullbuster! Fullbuster! Please, can we get a word on your recent victory?" I internally groaned. I was never good in front of the camera, and hated giving interviews. All the same questions, all the same vague threats of being dethroned. Every reporter wanted to know one thing:

"With this new win, you are once again tied with Natsu Dragneel. Do you find yourself threatened by this for your upcoming race against him?"

"What are your thoughts on Natsu's claim to win 'The Triple Crown' of endurance racing?"

"You both debut in the same race, having tied. With the progress you have both shown over your early career, do you believe yourself or Natsu to be the next contenders to become the faces of Fairy Tail once Erza retires?"

That stops me. I had almost forgotten the announcement of Erza's retirement from racing, and her predecessor to be found. I wanted nothing more then to claim that title.

"Fairy Tail strives for the best." I turned to the reporter. The woman stood tall, her suit jacket pulled taut over her chest, the buttons straining against the plushness of her breasts. She stood with her legs crossed over the other, the point of her heels and the shortness of her pencil skirt making her legs stretch on in a span of tan skin.

I bite my lip as she bends forwards, pushing her chest out. My eyes were quick to flicker over her body before I bent down into the microphone. I look up at her through my dark lashes with a steely gaze.

"And I am the best." I send her a wink that has her faltering. Ur taps me on the shoulder and I bid my final goodbyes to the crowd screaming my name.

"Your drivers ready to take you to the airport." Ur taps away, her fake nails clicking against glass. 'Click lick click'. "You'll have about a week before the next race; the Magnolia 500."

It was the first race I'd have against Natsu this season.

I watch as the crew secure my car onto the tray, before a hiss of air releases and the tray lifts it upwards. I watch the scene again like it's my first time seeing it. The cars getting loaded into the top of the truck, crew members packing out the bottom to make sure they've planned for every possible outcome.

An extra engine, spare tires, batteries, water bottles.

The truck slowly fills with everything I'd ever need to make my next win.

"I want to go with the truck." The words leave my lips before I think them through.

I'd only ever travelled with my truck on the first race I was a part of. The excitement forbid me from leaving its side. Since then, Ur became my manager, and we'd travel plane, helicopter, car. Never with the rest of the crew.

"Gray-" I held up my hand to stop her rebuttal. This next race could be the one to make or break my growing career. I didn't want to let my car out of my sight.

"An idiot." She mumbled as her typing grew more intense. I ignored her.

A few hauler trucks were already on the move, pulling out and driving off with my past opponents. I tried not to stand too tall as I watched each hauler filled with the losers of this race. I was excited for the challenge Natsu would bring.

"I guess it's too much to ask for a shower?" I looked back at Ur with a hopeful smile.

"We can't fit on the cab with the rest of the crew, and the trailers already fitted with all the additional tools and pieces needed for the next race." Ur wasn't big on cars, but she was on business. She didn't know how or what kept the cars going, but she knew how to work the operation. She was his Puppet Master.

"The rest of the crew are going to take the plane over to Magnolia city. Have a few days off as the cars travel. If you are certain-" her eyes finally lift from the tablet, the piercing grey almost cutting through me. I almost faulted, to tell her to take the plane, but I just shook my head. "Then we can follow behind in a tour bus."

I've never ridden in a tour bus before.

"How exciting."

Hi!
This is a fic I've had in my drafts for a looonnggg time so please enjoy ^-^

Okay so originally Gray and Natsu were competing idols but then I was like, "omg Edolas Fairytail is a thing (which it wasn't when I wrote the first draft), why would I make a cars au and make them idols and not racers?" So I reposted with the correct stuff.

I know nothing about races so please inform me if I make a mistake Xx

Look forward for chapter two in 5 more years  ^_^'

Love you all my butterfrees Xx

-pokemon1oadvanced <3