CHAPTER 2

THE RIVER STICKY

The next day, Hercules and Theseus meet in front of a large cave. A neon sign above the door flashes the word “Underworld.”

A stream of trucks rolls through the gate. They are run-down rust buckets. Some putter along. Others sputter and cough out puffs of smoke. Some are all dented up. Others limp along on broken axles and flat tires. None look repairable.

The black MonsterTruck rolls up to Hercules and Theseus.

“Many enter the Underworld,” the MonsterTruck says. “None have returned.”

Theseus and Hercules look at each other.

“That’s about to change,” Hercules rumbles.

“Yeah, because I will be the first!” Theseus shouts.

“Then get ready,” the dark truck says.

Theseus and Hercules roll up to the edge of the cave. Both look determined.

“Get set!”

The two ThunderTrucks rev their engines. VROOM! VROOM!

“Go!”

Tires spin and dirt flies as Hercules and Theseus take off.

ZOOM! They dart into the cave and enter the Underworld. Inside is a dark and rocky tunnel. It twists and turns as it slopes down into blackness.

Both of the ThunderTrucks flick on their headlights.

They weave in and out of the rust buckets. They speed through the tunnel.

First, Theseus takes the lead. “Ha! I’m winning,” he honks.

Then, Hercules darts in front. “I’m gonna win!” he beeps.

Suddenly, the tunnel opens up into a large cavern. Hundreds of beat-up and dented trucks sputter and putter along. They head toward a bridge that crosses a dark, oily river.

Theseus and Hercules try to weave through the other trucks. But there are too many of them. They come screeching to a halt in the world’s largest traffic jam. The dark MonsterTruck rolls up to them.

“This is your first challenge,” he says.

“Whoa, you scared me,” Hercules beeps in surprise.

“Where did you come from?” Theseus asks.

The MonsterTruck does not answer. Instead, he says, “That is the River Sticky. The only way across is the toll bridge.”

All the trucks head toward a narrow, rickety bridge. One at a time, they roll up to a gate and put a coin in the slot. The gate rises, and then they slowly cross.

“It will take years to get through this traffic jam,” Hercules grumbles.

“There has to be another way around,” Theseus says. “Come on.”

The two trucks turn away from the bridge. They race along the banks of the River Sticky.

“It’s too far to jump across,” Hercules says. “Even for Perseus.”

Every ThunderTruck has a special ability. Perseus can jump father than any other truck. Theseus is one of the smartest trucks around. He has an idea.

“Follow me,” he beeps.

Up ahead is a steep cliff. The River Sticky flows from a dark tunnel in its rocky wall.

Theseus sees a rusty van stuck in the muck at the edge of the river. He races up to it and uses the rust bucket as a ramp.

Theseus sails into the air. He twists and lands with all four tires on the wall. He races across the cliff and leaps.

When he reaches the other side of the river, he turns to see if Hercules followed him.

THUD!

The mighty ThunderTruck lands next to Theseus.

“Good thinking,” Hercules says. “But now the race is back on!” He darts off, leaving Theseus in a cloud of dust.

Theseus speeds after him.