Gridlock Gremlin's Arc

Chapter 2 of 6

Gridlock opened his notebook and stared at the blank page. He needed to learn the basics before touching real engines. His claws traced over the carburetor from yesterday. He knew it needed fixing, but he didn't know how yet. He flipped through a torn manual he'd found under the workbench. The pages showed diagrams of fuel systems and spark plugs. His eyes narrowed as he studied each drawing. This was different from breaking things apart. This required understanding what each piece did and why it mattered. He grabbed a pencil and started copying the diagrams into his notebook. His hand moved slowly, carefully marking each line. For the first time, he wasn't rushing to see what would happen if he yanked something loose. He was learning the right way. But the manual only showed him pictures. He needed someone to teach him what the parts actually did. His ears twitched as he remembered seeing an old repair shop down the road. The sign said Riddley's Repair. Gridlock tucked his notebook under his arm and headed out. The shop smelled like oil and old metal when he stepped inside. A dusty 1950s car sat on a lift in the center. Tools covered every surface of the cluttered workbench. His yellow eyes went wide. This place had everything he needed. An older gremlin looked up from the engine bay. Gridlock held up his notebook. He asked if he could watch and learn. The mechanic nodded toward the workbench. Gridlock set down his things and paid attention to every wrench turn and every connection test. Today he would learn from someone who knew how engines really worked. The mechanic pointed to a compressor outside near the garage door. The vintage machine looked like it came from the 1950s, covered in dusty metal with a sturdy frame. He showed Gridlock how to connect the air hose and adjust the pressure gauge. The compressor coughed to life with a rattling hum. Air hissed through the line as the mechanic demonstrated how to use it on tire work. Gridlock watched the tire inflate steadily and evenly. No yanking, no forcing, just patience and the right tool for the job. The mechanic let him try next. Gridlock gripped the air chuck and pressed it against the valve stem. The tire filled with a satisfying whoosh. His troublemaking fingers wanted to crank the pressure higher just to see what would happen. But he kept the gauge steady. He was here to learn control, not cause chaos. When the tire reached the right pressure, he pulled the chuck away clean. The mechanic nodded approval. Gridlock grinned. He was finally learning how real mechanics worked.