The Gamer's Gambit

READY...SET...

Date: March 25th, 21XX

Location: Supper Shellie Resort

High Score: 942,240

Top High Score: 3,333,360

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The wake of the waves created the perfect white noise to awaken to. Boobies chilled out near the forestline. The sun, ever imposing, casted its light across the sky box and ushered in the morning.

Sonia stepped out of her hut in blue yoga pants and a tight-fitting sports top. Her pants had that snug fit that would make a truck driver crash. She stretched her arms like wet spaghetti noodles. She limbered up for her morning workout.

"Hooo, bózhé moy, it's been a while since I slept in the virtual world. It never ceases to amaze me how real they nailed all this down," Sonia stuck one arm across her body and pulled on it with the other. As she approached the shoreline, a foreign object lied on the sand. Baring her breasts and turtle cooch for all to see was Minnie. Sonia walked over, "Why are you naked?"

Minnie popped an eye open, "Ah, good morning! I'm getting my sunbathing in before our big race. I need to be charged and healthy to help Gamer."

"Look good, feel good, I guess," Sonia crossed her arms. "Where's Gamer now?"

Minnie stood up. Her supple breasts wobbled in her movement, and her cute bottom stole Sonia's attention. Minnie said, "Practicing his orgasm noises."

The out-of-left-field response bugged Sonia's eyes, and grossed her out, "I regret asking."

Minnie went on, "Yeah, after he splooged inside a bunch of moles the other day, he wasn't happy with the sounds he made."

"Yamete, kudasai."

"I mean I don't mind how his eyes cross and the whimpering, but I suppose he does."

"I want seppuku..."

"If you listen closely, you might hear him practicing," Minnie cupped a hand around her ear. Sonia immediately ragdolled herself into the beach water.

On cue, Gamer kicked open the hut door. He wore a white tank top and dark cargo shorts. He was in the middle of putting on a dark brown leather jacket with a green stripe on one sleeve.

"Good morning!" Minnie waved, her boobs doing the same. Sonia dragged herself from the sea.

Gamer joined Minnie's side and greeted Sonia, "Whaddup, Speedoru? Getting a morning swim in?"

Sonia used her clean up tool to dry off, "You have some really weird friends."

"Speak for yourself. Your twin needs to stop being such a creepy weirdo," Gamer disliked thinking about the guy.

"Shade? What do you mean?"

"The dude barged in on us last night."

Sonia huffed, "Nantekotta, please tell me you didn't do anything to that baka..."

Gamer nervously glanced away, and then back at Sonia, "...my gun did."

A weight of disappointment landed on Sonia and she stomped away. She mumbled something in russian. Gamer shrugged and turned to Minnie, "Shall we head to the kart building and find Asterion? I'd like to meet this friend of his."

"Sure!" Minnie put on her top first. She bent over to grab her pants, and Gamer took a thousand mental snapshots of her booty as she did.

"Ah, Minnie, would you mind not putting your pants on? And walking in front of me? So I can admire your cuteness?" Gamer practically pleaded. His bulge could easily be seen.

Minnie blushed, "Y-yeah, sure thing. Gamer. I could always use some more sun."

The shellie tucked her pants under an arm and led the way to the kart building. Gamer shadowed her and watched her cheeks jiggle and sway with each step. Her tail wagged side-to-side. He praised, "I'm so happy you're an exhibitionist."

Down the beach, Sonia sent a message to Talis pertaining to Shade. Her navigator wasn't on yet. This only worsened her anxiety -- so she did what any normal player would do and went live. The livestream started slow, but people poured in once the prestigious Marathon mascot used social media to promote it.

"Goooood morning, everybody! Who is ready? Who is set? Today we are..." Sonia started her usual sign-in, but the chat surged with Shade's name. They asked if she knew what happened, how Shade screwed up, and other ominous references. Sonia furrowed her brow, "Ah, it seems everybody already knows Shade went after Gamer again. Da, I have an idea what happened -- since Gamer's still here."

The chat darkened with more cryptic messages about how she didn't know what happened, how things are going to get worse, and how she should leave. Talis logged in, and his avatar appeared on Sonia's screen. His fox form seemed completely dejected.

"Dobroye utro, Talis. Hit me with the sitch, since everybody else is too busy being extra," Sonia cocked a hip and waited for the bad news about Shade.

"Shade killed the president of Marathon, Sonia," Talis informed. The news knocked Sonia out of her laidback posturing. Her navigator went on, "The association is panicking. They want you to step out of the game."

Near the center of the resort, Minnie strutted along the walkways. All the race contestants were out and about, but stopped what they were doing when Minnie passed by. Their ogling got to her, and she became bashful, "...they're staring at me..."

"To tease is to have power. Let's kick it up a notch," Gamer reached out to Minnie's tank top straps. He pulled them aside and down her arms, and her tank top lowered enough for her boobs to pop out. She let out a cute gasp, and quickly glanced about. All the present players went slack-jawed. Her nipples became erect, and the tank top tucked under the chesticles.

"Yes!" Vulcan hit them with a dynamic thumbs up.

"To let them breathe..." Chaffe tugged on his power armor's pauldrons.

Minnie continued to flaunt her goods. The degenerate behavior excited her, and Gamer ate her up with his eyes.

When they made it to the kart building, it was dwarfed by the raceway entrance. The track spanned a few lanes, and curved into the forested area. The second entrance, which led into the actual building, is where Gamer and Minnie entered.

The inside was massive. Wide floor space gave room for multiple karts, and other vehicles, to be stored on one side, and for maintenance or change outs to be done on the other. Offices and storage lined the right side of the building. Ceiling lamps showered sections of the building with low-hew light, but the spacious floor plan left some corners and sections in dim light. The offices provided the most amount of light.

"Why are there hovercrafts and planes in here?" Gamer closed in on the vehicle bay. The non-kart vehicles were in good condition, and appeared to be made in the same style as the karts.

"Gamer..." Minnie uttered. She remained near the door, but one of her hands worked between her legs. She pulled her fingers out and a string of juiciness connected them with her pussy, "I'm feeling hot..."

"Again? You're really giving the mollies a run for their money," Gamer chuckled.

"It's right here," Minnie pointed into her cleavage. At her heart, "Recently, when we wake up together, I get the same feeling when I see you sleeping next to me. With everything you and your sister are dealing with, and the dangers we face, it makes me happy knowing you can find peace by my side."

Gamer realized how serious Minnie was being. However, before he could respond, Samira's text box appeared, "I toldja things would get sussy! You're about to be boo'd up!"

Gamer nearly jumped out of his skin, but he was used to her popups by now, "Good morning to you, too. What are you talking about?"

"Minnie's code is changing ( ˶°ㅁ°)!! The way you're affecting the NPCs of the game is giving them sentience. No cap, you're like a goddamn virus, bro!" Samira was so excited.

"So she's developing emotions and self-awareness?" Gamer asked. Minnie was borderline about to say the four letter L-word.

"Bet! It's big lit! I wonder if you can do the same IRL, just with computer stuff ᕙ( •̀ ᗜ •́ )ᕗ We gotta try at some point!"

Gamer refocused on Minnie. The shellie corrected her clothes and nudity. She wasn't just a computer program anymore. The light in her eyes was the spark of life. Of love.

"We have a busy day ahead of us. I want to make sure you know I have your back!" Minnie jumped a little.

"Thanks, Minnie," Gamer genuinely smiled, and then received (,,>ヮ<,,)!

The entrance door opened, and the lumbering figure of Asterion entered. He was a little surprised to see his companions, "Why, hello there."

"Asterion!" Minnie hugged the guy, and he reciprocated.

"Perfect timing, Asterion. We just got here. Is your mechanic friend coming?" Gamer asked.

"He's right here," Asterion pushed into the building and made way for the character behind him. A slightly overweight man with nothing but burnt overalls and no shirt stepped in. He packed that fat muscle with dommy daddy aura. He wore a sinister clown mask with a perpetual smile, and flames ignited his scalp. The eyes behind the mask were wide and wild -- and a sizzling red. Asterion held a hand out to introduce, "This is Sweet Heart."

"Aw hell naw!! ໒(˵ •̀ □ •́ ˵)" Samira encapsulated Gamer's thoughts perfectly.

"Sweet Heart?" Gamer gawked. The clown mechanic had a tattoo on his left pectoral. It showed an anatomically correct heart being bitten into by cartoonish teeth. Gamer was disheartened, "He's a killer clown?"

Sweet Heart walked up to Gamer, face-to-face. Gamer leaned back, but the clown pressed in. He spoke with a muffled, psychotic growl, "Honk honk."

Sweet Heart shoulder checked Gamer and started to inspect the kart bay. Gamer turned to Asterion and Minnie with beads of sweat on his forehead. He whispered harshly, due to fear, "I get clowns and cars honk, and that's funny and all, but did anybody else PISS themselves?"

Asterion chuckled, "He's rough around the edges, but give him a chance. I met him in a fighting game once. We hit it off pretty well after he ran me over with his ice cream truck."

"My fear: intensified. My butthole: clenched!" Gamer hissed. "You're all about honor and stuff. Why the hell is somebody like that a friend of yours?"

"He's a rehabilitated mass murderer. He works as a vehicle technician for those in the racing genre. Especially when it comes to weapon's free races. He means well. Second chances are honorable, Gamer. You and I wouldn't be standing together if I didn't believe that."

"Touché, Asterion, touché!" Gamer relinquished his concerns. The trio glanced over to Sweet Heart. The mechanic examined and disassembled one of the karts. Without permission, he just took what he wanted.

Gamer walked over to Sweet Heart as he used an electric drill to unscrew a panel on one of the karts. It was time to break the ice, "So you like to work on cars, huh? That's cool, that's cool. Just so you know, most people who join my crew end up in bed with me. So...get that giggle ready."

Sweet Heart slowly turned his hellish eyes to Gamer. He spoke none and he moved none as the glare drilled harder than the tool in his hand.

"Or not...or not," Gamer retracted the initiation offer. "I can always make an exception."

Sweet Heart stood up and imposed over Gamer. His psychotic growl flared, "I like what I've seen so far with you, Gamer. You make the council writhe, and the masses run wild. Don't disappoint me in this upcoming race. Or I'll have your dental insurance really, really hate me."

Sweet Heart ran the hand drill for a second to emphasize his threat. Gamer intentionally misconstrued his words, "So you want oral? Is that how I get cumfetti?"

Asterion and Minnie awaited the murderous beatdown to come. However, Sweet Heart buckled in laughter, and went back to his dismantling. Gamer turned to Asterion, and sighed, "Okay, ice broken. Humor always works."

"Honestly, I figured you two would get along," Asterion flexed his foresight.

"What kind of weapons and defenses are we going to have on our kart?" Minnie asked, using her own foresight.

"It depends on the chassis and engine," Sweet Heart said while working. "I can grab us special parts for the design, but the more firepower you want, the slower you'll be."

"Speed or weight. If only we could utilize both, we'd be one hell of a fighter," Asterion crossed his arms and thought.

"Sonia is fast as fuck, boi. She's the blueprint of Marathon. We have a need (⌐■_■) for speed," Samira suggested.

"If we're going to survive Vulcan and Chaffe, we need defense," Minnie made a point.

"I'd prefer a balanced vehicle," Gamer said. He started to walk through the bay and see what they could play with. The rest of the crew followed to do the same, "It doesn't matter if you can bat a homerun if it means you can't hit the ball or read the pitcher."

The offerings of the kart building were varied. Plenty of different models, both for road, water, and air, but the group needed a dependable kart. There were some abstract ones, like a chariot, a pirate ship on wheels, and a real-life sports car more than likely added to the game as a sponsorship.

"I'm not sure we could find what you're looking for, Gamer. We may have to put all of our eggs into one basket," Asterion said.

The crew rounded the end of the bay and saw another section behind the offices. Gamer's eyes, and everybody's expressions, lit up at a specific find. The perfect vehicle with all that they needed to claim first place.

"It's beautiful..." Minnie sparkled.

"Classic," Asterion admired.

"Not my cup of whiskey, but I can definitely customize the shit out of it," Sweet Heart confirmed.

"Chill, I think we're going to win..." Samira could envision it now.

"Groovy," Gamer felt an immediate connection. "Now we just need ourselves some workshop montage music. Samira, let's rock it!"

And thus the crew rocked out to the 8-bit remix of Party Rock Anthem. The copyright strikes shuffled on in, and censored the montage. You can bet your bottom dollar though that the group had a good time and shaked that for all of Chanterelle.

Out by the beach, Sonia stood with her annoyance and impatience displayed. On her player screen, two webcam videos opened. They showed the portraits of two individuals in fancy, hexagonal-patterned business suits. Both probably used an entire can of hairspray to slick their hair back, but one had a receding hairline while the other wore glasses. Sonia knew the one with the receding hairline; the vice president of Marathon, Mr. Segan. The other was an unfamiliar face.

"Good day, Natsuki. Thank you for taking this conference call," Mr. Segan bowed out of courtesy.

"Nice to meet the number one player of Marathon. We've enjoyed watching your success throughout your career. I am Nathaniel, one of the Game Masters of Chanterelle," the one with glasses only nodded their head. Their glasses were the holo-styled ones; very futuristic.

"Make it quick. I have a race to prepare for," Sonia said, aloof.

"I'm sure you've heard by now, but we can't have you take that risk," Segan appeared worried. It made sense; he must be working hand-in-hand with PR. Segan spoke with a managerial tone, "We are doing this for your safety. You have a high score that shouldn't be stolen away by a serial cheater. Please, log out and delete the invite code."

Sonia's nerve was twanged by his phrasing, "You don't think I can beat him?"

Nathaniel interjected, "Gamer has surprised all of us, Sonia. We thought his two point five million high score before his eternal gamenation was fluffed by his cheating, but it appears his skills matched his rank. He is a danger to all players."

Sonia's heart skipped a beat, "Did you say...two point five?"

Segan went next, "Allow me to make ourselves clear; do not engage with Gamer. If you proceed, you will no longer be with the Marathon association. Your ad revenue, your views, your followers, and everything Marathon provides for you, will be forfeit. We hope to see you here at the headquarters soon. Stay safe, Natsuki."

Without another word, and without another option for Sonia, Game Master Nathaniel and Vice President Segan logged out.

***

The time of the race was upon the Supper Shellie Resort. The Vtubers signed in one after another and took charge in opening the racetrack. Shivervale and IronRat took to the entrance. They used VHolo resources and set up a stream link to the audience stands around the track. Tickets were sold, money was made, and anticipation filled the seats. Dedicated fans from VHolo were displayed on little screens upon the heads of low-polygon avatars. They could cheer and wave about, but could not leave their seats. Any remaining seats were then sold off to the broader video game community. The race, and Gamer's rise or fall, was turned into a global spectacle.

Aprilcock, ProjectMelonie, and Zenplaya worked together to check in the racers. They each changed their looks to have cute and sexy racetrack apparel. They lined the racers up on the track, first come-first serve rules.

The first to arrive was Captain Vulcan. He pulled in with his austentatious hovercraft. It functioned fine after the attack from Asterion the previous day. Captain Vulcan took the first spot, popped the cockpit hatch open, and then posed before the crowd. They showered him with cheers and admiration.

"Hello, and welcome," Melonie greeted the captain while holding a clipboard. As she wrote on the clipboard, video billboards along the track displayed Vulcan's placement and name. A third empty space next to these awaited entry. Melonie asked, "May I have the name of your car...jet...thingie, please? And thank you."

"The Red Roman!" Vulcan held a fist forward, his passion manifesting flames around it. It bedazzled the Vtubers and crowd, and the vehicle's name filled in the blank space.

The next to arrive were the nameless fodder from the previous day. They were sticking to their guns in hopes of being the dark horses of the race. One drove up with a purple hoverbike. The thrusters were near the front, which looked like it could ram a hole through a building. The other brought a giant bird. It was saddled, with yellow feathers and strong legs, and seemed well-behaved. The Vtubers gushed over it.

After them entered Master Chaffe with a military, all-terrain SUV. The vehicle could seat four, but Chaffe was a lone shark.

"May I have the name of your vehicle?" Melonie asked.

"Warthog," Chaffe kept it simple.

"Warthog? Like the mythical creature?"

Aprilcock nodded, "I've heard legends of such beasts..."

"No, it's a real creature," Chaffe argued.

"Nooo, I don't think so. Totally fake," Melonie reinforced.

Zenplaya nodded, "It looks more like a Chupathingie."

"Chupathingie?" Melonie asked.

"Chupathingie!" Aprilcock and Zenplaya unified. The name became official on the video boards. Chaffe sighed and grumbled his way to the starting point.

The garage door of the vehicle bay slowly opened. It surprised the Vtubers, as they did not know somebody was inside the kart building. As the door raised, the beams of a vehicle shined out. Anticipation built as all eyes were on the new arrival.

Minnie stepped out and used her boxing shells like guiding wands. The vehicle pulled out, and for the first time in a long time, saw the light of day. It was a rainbow-colored beetle, with a grey alien head decal on the sides. It drove up into the lineup. Gamer took the driver's seat. Asterion and Sweet Heart closed the garage door, and they joined Minnie on the passenger side of the adventurous racecar to greet the Vtubers.

"Dope! Those are some hot wheels," Melonie wiggled her eyebrows.

"I love the colour! So pretty!" Aprilcock admired.

"Tell us you have a good name for it," Zenplaya looked at Gamer.

"A name? I haven't really thought about that. It can't just be anything; it must carry importance," Gamer tapped a finger against his chin.

"How about Tiptup? That's the name of my cousin, who loves to race," Minnie suggested.