Chapter 32

The final race of Heat Three culminates in a chaotic multi-vehicle crash at the finish line. Carl's food truck, the Lady Dominators' GTO, and Dwight's vine-vehicle all cross simultaneously after being struck by Dwight's cannon, resulting in massive collateral damage and injuries to all participants. Despite the carnage, Carl's team finishes first.

As the teams rush down a steep road toward the finish line marked by a massive beetle skull, a third wave of sugar hermits attacks from above, raining down like projectiles. The shield on the GTO fails, and the ghoul mercenary in Carl's truck is killed. Gluteus, the mantaur driver, becomes increasingly erratic and eventually loses consciousness. Donut casts chained Temporary Macaroni spells to create a pasta tunnel protecting them from falling skulls, while Carl defends against creatures that breach the cabin. Multiple teams are eliminated: the Wild Hunt and the Jugglers die in the chaos. As the vehicles approach the finish line, the Lady Dominators begin to overtake Carl's truck. Carl climbs onto the hood to activate his Daughter's Kiss ability to ram the beetle skull, but Dwight the unicorn fires his cannon at that moment. The blast causes all three vehicles—the food truck, GTO, and vine—to flip and spin violently across the finish line simultaneously. The crash causes severe injuries to Carl (broken arms, legs, and pelvis; flayed kangaroo skin), though Donut emerges unharmed. Gluteus remains unconscious, Corky survives but is damaged, and Genesis is badly hurt. The Lady Dominators are thrown from their vehicle. After using healing potions, Carl's team is declared first place, Dwight's Team Sparkles second, and the Lady Dominators third, with Free Love fourth and One Fine Pig fifth. Two teams have been eliminated entirely.