Full Throttle Heart — 4 — A Big World

[Theme Song — “Hātofurusurottoru” by Gunpowder Audition — Full Throttle Heart, season 1]

[Montage of Truck-kun fighting the Undead Legions of Liquid Shadow]

We spend our days dreaming

Stirring in our sleep

Driving through our lives!

Full of octane gas

Open throttle (we’re gonna crash!)

Can’t stop this feeling (in my heart)

Fiercest, only, auto-kun… Truck-kun (Truck-kun!)

Fiercest, only, auto-kun… Truck-kun (Truck-kun!)

Full of octane gas

Open throttle (we’re gonna last!)

Can’t stop this feeling (in my heart)

Approaching certain victory

Fight the power (unleash the power!)

Drown out all the cheering fans

Defeat evil that controls the land

~

[A beautiful sunrise trickles through the ancient forest. The calm rumble of Truck-kun’s engine grows louder. A truck emerges valiantly from the treeline.]

Truck-kun drove along at a leisurely pace, navigating through towering trees and long-forgotten meadows. It had traveled for three days, searching not just for the edge of the forest, but for a way home.

A way back to Joe and the real world.

High atop Truck-kun’s cab, Al the bluebird rustled his feathers. “I’m telling you, kid—I’ve lived in this forest for three years, and I’ve never heard of anyone named Joe.”

So far, Al had served both as a guide and as Truck-kun’s only friend in this strange world. It was thankful for the company, even if Al’s voice was as rough as sandpaper and broken glass.

Truck-kun rumbled and changed the subject. “How much longer until we reach the next ruins?”

Al coughed, not bothering to cover its beak. “Not long now.”

For the last two days and two nights, they’d been searching for ruins in the ancient forest. There were rumors of fey and demons that granted wishes. Al thought the ruins would be the best place to look for them.

Al’s singing voice was even more horrible than his speaking voice, and magic was his only hope of getting better. With any luck, a fey or a demon could help him.

But if they could help Al, then maybe they could also help Truck-kun get back home.

[A few minutes later, the pair find the ruins. A stone step pyramid sits in the middle of crumbling obelisks. Vines thread through cracks in the stone.

[When Truck-kun stops in front of the pyramid and its engine quiets, the world becomes absolutely still.]

Truck-kun said reverently, “This place is ancient and holy. Do you see the trees?”

“Yeah,” Al whispered.

“The stones are even older. Do you see how the bark has grown around the stones?”

Al whistled in awe—it sounded like radio static. “So, uh, what do we do?”

Truck-kun called out, “Is there anyone here? We come in peace.”

Al flitted over to the nearest branch and pooped down the side of the tree. Truck-kun nearly reprimanded the bluebird for desecrating a holy site, but it was better the tree than on Truck-kun’s cab again.

A moment later, a large red woman with ornate horns and giant bat wings stepped out from behind the pyramid. Her skin glistened and her outfit was far too tight, reminding Truck-kun of a scandalous billboard ad or a woman dressed up as a demon on Halloween.

Though she wasn’t as imposing as the dire bear, a different kind of threat radiated from the demon… Truck-kun kept its parking brake on, ready to transform at a moment’s notice. Meanwhile, Al’s beak dropped open and drool dripped from the corner of his mouth—probably out of fear for his life.

“Who dares disturb—” She stopped short when she laid eyes on Truck-kun. “Who and what are you?”

“I am Truck-kun.” As it spoke, its deep voice sent a rumble through the ruins that traveled into the surrounding forest.

The demon sauntered closer, leaning on a broken column for support. “And just where are you from Truck-kun? You don’t look like you belong in this hallowed forest, and you don’t look like any demon I’ve ever seen.”

“I’m from Earth.”

“Earth…” she said, her eyes wandering over Truck-kun’s prodigious frame. “Do all Earth men have such impressive stature?”

“No. Most Earth men are many times smaller than I. I can transport twenty in my cargo compartment.”

The demon pouted. “That’s too bad. My sisters and I are always looking for mortals to tempt and torment, and a select few to—”

“SIGN ME UP!” Al croaked.

The demon recoiled from the excited and gratingly voiced bluebird. At first, she seemed merely startled, but as Al continued speaking, she recoiled further from him.

“I’ve searched all of my short life for a demon like you. My soul may be small and shriveled, but every centimeter of it is yours.”

Al fluttered over eagerly, but the demon rebuked him with a wave of her hand. Something invisible bound Al’s wings and he floated harmlessly back to his branch.

He wriggled against the restraints and whistled an excited note. “Alright, a little faster than I wanted, but you’re not scaring me!”

Truck-kun watched the exchange intently. There was something more to how quickly the demon turned Al away. It seemed like she wasn’t just annoyed or repulsed by his advances… It was almost like she was afraid.

Like Al’s voice held an intrinsic and mystical power against demonkind.

The demon shuddered and turned back to Truck-kun. “Now that’s over with, you and I can get better acquainted. My name is Lilithandra Ozoth Gallmokas Mol’gok Giglanach Beezelbub, but my friends call me Lilith.”

Her final words became a purr that was completely lost on Truck-kun, for he was pure, single-minded, and dense as steel.

“Lilith, we’ve journeyed night and day to find your ruins. We need your help.”

The demon waited, hanging on Truck-kun’s every word.

“Can you help restore Al’s voice to its former glory?”

Lilith paused, clearing expecting something different. She looked at the bound bluebird, her face twitching with uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Al shook against his restraints eagerly. “What do you say, sugar wings?”

Lilith glanced back to Truck-kun and sighed. When she looked at Al again, her eyes flashed red with fire. Soon her entire body was covered in billowing flames that threatened to catch the canopy above. Lilith’s voice deepened and echoed like she was speaking from within a cave.

“You who shall turn to fading memories and dust seek a blessing of voice. You ask this of the tainted and undying. This dark goddess has seen the depths of your soul and found you wanting. You shall receive no blessing, and you should give thanks that you will leave with your lives!”

As Lilith spoke, Truth-kun felt a stirring deep within its engine—within its heart. Truck-kun shifted form.

[Cue stylized view of Truck-kun transforming from its normal truck form to its truck warrior form.]

Truck-kun’s frame and wheelbase shifted, its wheels rearranging beneath him like feet and legs. Its cab rose up, turning into a torso. Its storage box unfolded, sheathing its limbs in armor plates. In moments, Truck-kun towered over the demon and was girded for battle.

Lilith turned and took in the sight of Truck-kun’s new form. Immediately, the flames around her faded, and she walked over to the warrior.

Again, Truck-kun felt something… but it wasn’t sure that she was dangerous. Truck-kun stayed transformed, but lowered its guard.

Al grumbled hoarsely, “So, is that a no?”

“I apologize,” Lilith said, cautiously approaching Truck-kun. She ran her fingertips over the steel plates of its arm. “I get carried away when dealing with unworthy mortals. I’m afraid I can’t help your friend, but… Are you sure there’s nothing that I can’t do for you, Truck-kun?”

“I’m sorry, Lilith, but if you cannot help Al, then we must be going. I have a feeling that our journey is only just beginning, and I cannot linger.”

Al croaked, “Lilith, baby, before we go—Truck-dude is spoken for, but you can bring all that over here.”

Lilith’s eyes widened in surprise and she stepped backward. “Is this true, Truck-kun? Does this mistake of nature speak the truth?”

“I have to get back home to Earth. Back to Joe.”

Her eyes moistened. “I should’ve known that a warrior such as yourself would have a betrothed waiting for them.”

Truck-kun grumbled in confusion. Joe wasn’t Truck-kun’s betrothed—theirs was a far deeper commitment. It wasn’t important, but Truck-kun felt the need to correct her.

“Lilith—”

“Say no more Truck-kun,” Lilith replied, bringing her hand to her forehead as if she might faint. “I cannot bear to think of it any longer. Merely hearing your voice tugs at the empty space where my heart should be.”

“Very well.” Truck-kun transformed back into its truck form. “Al, come with me.”

Lilith flicked her wrist, and the invisible bonds released.

Al ruffled shivered, ruffling his feathers. “Thanks Lilith, baby. I’ll be back, just you wait. I’ll have a brand-spanking new voice that’ll knock you off your feet!”

Lilith rolled her eyes, but Al was already flying over to his ally.

The pair turned, ready to drive off into the forest and continue their search for someone who could mend Al’s dreadful voice.

Lilith called after them, “Truck-kun… have you always had that package?”

Truck-kun slammed on its brakes and turned to face the demon.

Lilith smirked and put her hands on her hips. “That box in your cargo compartment… You haven’t even opened it. You completely forgot about it, didn’t you?”

Al asked, “What’s she talking about, Truck-dude?”

Carefully, Truck-kun opened its cargo compartment and raised the bed so that the container would slide out gently onto the ground. Then it turned around to examine it.

The box hummed with power.

~

[Commercial Break]

“Are you ready to GET ISEKAI’D?!”

[Quick Montage of people getting hit by trucks.]

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[Intense Montage of people tapping their phones while a symphony of truck horns plays the Full Throttle Heart theme from season one, “Hātofurusurottoru” by Gunpowder Audition.]

“Don’t get left behind on Earth! Join the full throttle revolution today!”

~ ~ ~