Chapter 18

Carl's team waits at the starting line of the race in heavy hail, executing their plan to eliminate the Lady Dominators (womantaurs). However, Team Sparkles (Dwight the unicorn and Lucienne) unexpectedly fires a tank cannon at Girth the Trouble (the guck elementals), destroying them completely and taking off before Carl can act. The bugbears also depart, leaving Carl's team stranded at the start.

Carl coaches Bucket Boy through operating the truck at a rainy, covered rest stop before the race begins. Eight vehicles are lined up in formation, including Team Sparkles (Dwight and Lucienne in a vine-covered mass), Girth the Trouble (a yellow Chevy Bel Air driven by guck elementals), the Lady Dominators (womantaurs in a convertible), the bugbears' van, and others. A shouting match erupts between Dwight and the guck elemental Masterplan over perceived insults. Carl's team has planned to use Donut's magical Danforth bolt to root the Lady Dominators' driver (Rapture) in place, followed by Chiyome's bear mount smashing their car to eliminate them. As the light turns green and heavy hail begins falling so intensely it destroys the awning overhead, Carl throws his banger sphere to shatter the windshield and prepares for the attack. However, Team Sparkles suddenly deploys a hidden tank cannon turret and fires directly at Girth the Trouble's vehicle, launching it into flames into a nearby ditch. Dwight celebrates the elimination and Team Sparkles speeds away. The bugbears also depart, leaving Carl's team stationary at the starting line as the race begins.