Chương 5: Chapter 5: Meeting the Legend
The night after Michael's victory on the streets was quiet, but a sense of anticipation buzzed through the air. His first win had marked him as someone to watch, and Letty's words echoed in his mind: "Dom's gonna want to meet you."
It wasn't just a win—it was his ticket into the world he had been preparing for. And it all led to one man: Dominic Toretto.
The next evening, Michael found himself driving to one of the more secluded parts of Los Angeles, where Dom's crew frequently gathered. The system had been quiet since his victory, but it felt almost intentional. Like it was waiting for something big.
As his GT-R rumbled down the street, a familiar ding echoed in his head.
Sign-in available: Echo Park.
He smirked as he accepted the sign-in. Echo Park was one of the places where Dom's crew often met up. Maybe this time, the system would give him something useful for his upcoming encounter.
Sign-in complete. Congratulations! You have received: 1970 Dodge Charger R/T.
Michael's eyes widened as the knowledge flowed into his mind. The 1970 Dodge Charger wasn't just any car—it was a beast. A classic, American muscle car, built for raw power and speed. A deep part of him immediately recognized it as the same model Dom himself was known to drive.
This was no coincidence.
Michael shook his head, smiling to himself. The system had a strange way of guiding him, giving him what he needed when he least expected it. He wondered how long it would take Dom to notice that he had the same car—maybe even to question it.
He pulled up to the spot Letty had told him about, the GT-R gliding smoothly into a row of parked cars. His new Charger was waiting at a nearby garage, ready to be tuned and unleashed, but tonight, he was sticking with the GT-R.
The place was buzzing with energy. A small crowd had gathered around a handful of cars, engines revving, and music blasting from a nearby sound system. In the middle of it all, he saw him: Dominic Toretto.
Dom was a presence. His broad shoulders and calm, commanding demeanor made him stand out, even among the chaos of the race scene. Michael could feel the weight of his gaze as he approached, but he stayed relaxed. This was what he had been preparing for, and nothing would shake him.
Letty spotted him first, giving him a nod as he made his way over. "You're early," she said, a smirk playing on her lips.
Michael shrugged. "I figured I'd check out the scene before things got started."
Dom, who had been talking to a few people near one of the cars, looked up as Michael approached. There was a brief pause in the conversation as the two men locked eyes for the first time. Michael could see the curiosity there, but also the confidence—Dom wasn't a man easily impressed.
"You're the guy who took down Rafe last night," Dom said, his voice low but steady.
Michael nodded. "That's right. Name's Michael."
Dom didn't say anything for a moment, just studied him, as if trying to figure out what kind of man he was. Then he extended his hand. "Dominic Toretto."
Michael shook it firmly. "I've heard a lot about you."
"Same here," Dom replied, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Not many people beat Rafe their first time out. He's been running those streets for a while."
Michael shrugged casually. "I had a good teacher."
Dom's grin widened slightly. "We'll see about that."
A Test of Skill
It wasn't long before Dom had Michael in front of a car. But this wasn't just any car—it was one of Dom's personal builds, a 1971 Plymouth GTX, sleek and powerful, with a roar that could be heard from blocks away. Dom popped the hood, giving Michael a clear look at the engine.
"I'm guessing you know your way around a car," Dom said, stepping back to let Michael take a look.
Michael leaned in, inspecting the engine. It was immaculate, every part finely tuned for performance. But there were a few things that stood out—small tweaks he could make to improve the power output. He glanced at Dom, who was watching him closely, waiting to see what he would do.
Without a word, Michael grabbed a wrench from a nearby tool kit and went to work. He made a few quick adjustments, tweaking the fuel injection system and the turbocharger to maximize the car's performance. When he was done, he stepped back and nodded at Dom.
"Try it now," he said.
Dom raised an eyebrow but didn't hesitate. He slid into the driver's seat, turning the key and revving the engine. The GTX roared to life, the sound even more powerful than before. Dom glanced back at Michael, a glint of approval in his eyes.
"Not bad," he said, stepping out of the car. "Most people wouldn't touch my engine without asking first."
Michael smirked. "I figured you'd appreciate the improvement."
Dom chuckled. "You've got balls, I'll give you that."
Letty, who had been watching the whole exchange from the side, grinned. "Looks like you passed the test."
Life in the Fast Lane
Over the next few weeks, Michael became a regular at the races. He earned a reputation quickly, not just for his driving skills but for his knowledge of cars. The system had rewarded him with a number of car-related skills, each one elevating his status in the underground racing scene.
In addition to his 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, Michael had also received a Harley-Davidson V-Rod motorcycle through a sign-in at one of the local biker bars. The sleek, chrome-finished bike became his second favorite ride, perfect for quick getaways or nights when he wanted to feel the wind in his face.
The system seemed to anticipate his needs. Whether it was advanced tuning skills or mechanical upgrades, it made sure he was always one step ahead of the competition.
But the most surprising part was how quickly Dom's crew accepted him. Letty, who had been wary at first, grew to trust him after seeing his skills firsthand. Mia Toretto, Dom's sister, also took a liking to him, often inviting him over for family dinners at their modest home. There was something about their family dynamic that reminded Michael of what he had lost—what he had left behind when he died on Earth.
Despite his hardened exterior, Michael found himself drawn to the warmth of the Toretto family. It was a strange feeling for someone who had spent so many years in the cold world of mercenary work. But here, among the fast cars and late-night races, he felt a sense of belonging that he hadn't experienced in years.
A Quiet Moment
One evening, after a particularly intense race, Michael found himself sitting on the hood of his Charger, watching the sunset over the city. He had come a long way since his rebirth, and while he still had a lot to accomplish, there was a part of him that felt at peace.
The system had been quiet for a while now, but that didn't bother him. It had already given him everything he needed for this stage of his life. And as he stared out at the horizon, he couldn't help but wonder what was next.
Would Dom ever learn the truth about who he really was? About the system that had brought him here and shaped him into the man he was becoming?
For now, it didn't matter. He was exactly where he needed to be.
End of Chapter 5
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