Three friends were having a mock race in the woods surrounding their little town. "Come on, Daniel! I know you can move faster than that!" the only girl yelled. A small 2017 Dodge Charger groaned as he tried to make his engine rev more. "You know I have a speed limiter! I can't go above 90!" he yelled as he finally had to stop. The girl, a 2018 Dodge GT, grinned as she drifted to a stop. Their other friend, a 2016 Ford Fusion, slowed to a stop beside them. "You alright, Daniel?" he asked. "No, I'm not alright! I hate that I have a speed limiter and you two don't! It's not fair!" Daniel yelled, slamming his tire into the dirt. The GT sighed. "Sorry, Danny. I will agree with you that it's unfair. Your parents are so overprotective of you. I'm the one with Jaguar Syndrome. I should have a speed limiter, by rights, but my parents can't afford it," she said. Daniel grumbled. The Fusion looked at the GT. "I didn't know you had Jaguar Syndrome. You need the limiter, or your engine won't be able to handle the high speeds as you grow," he said. "Yeah, the doctor explained this all to us. It's just too expensive. We can't afford it with the current money my parents are making. We're the poorest family in the town," she said. "You'd think with you being a Dodge and all you would have more money," he said. "Well, even with that fact, my folks just can't work very much. That accident nearly put them out of work completely," she said. She looked down at her hood, sighing. When she had been around 3, her parents had been on their way back from their jobs when a huge 16 wheeler semi truck blew four rear tires at the same time and swerved into them. They had gone over the edge of a ravine into a gully. The accident left them barely able to start their engines. They couldn't go very far anymore. They were stuck with getting jobs in town that didn't require a lot of horsepower. The Fusion winced. "Sorry, Tyra. I forgot about that," he said. "It's alright, Bubba. It happened years ago now," Tyra said. She was now 13. "Well, for someone with Jaguar Syndrome, you don't have very many attacks," Daniel said. "I've been fortunate. The doctor thinks I'm growing out of it," she said. "Hey, maybe you are," Bubba said. The GT smiled. "I sure hope I am. I know I can go at least 220, but I don't want to go that fast without reason. My engine could blow," she said. "Wait, at least 220?! You mean you could go faster?!" the Charger exclaimed. "Maybe? I'm too scared to find out," she said. "Well, let's hope you never have to find out," Bubba said. Tyra nodded her hood as thunder rumbled overhead. "We should head back before the rain strikes," she said. The three friends went at a slow speed towards their town.
Tyra said goodbye to Bubba as they entered town. He lived the opposite street of Daniel and her. Daniel was two houses down from her. "Tyra, you going to watch the season opening ceremony for the Piston Cup?" he asked her as they cruised down the main strip of the town. "Yep. Mom and Dad don't get off work until 10, so I got time," she said. "Want to watch it at my place? We have better reception than you," he said. "Sure. Let me just fill my tank. I'm almost out of gas," she said. Her parents worked at the gas station so her family got free gas twice a day. "You were going pretty fast. What was your MPH?" Daniel asked as they pulled in. Tyra thought about it. "I think I was going about 125, maybe a little faster," she said. "125?! That's way too fast for someone our age!" he exclaimed. She laughed. "I'll be fine, Daniel," she said. He groaned as she filled up her tank and they got back on the road towards his house.
His parents were home when they drove in. "Hello, Tyra. How was your race?" his mother asked. "Fun. I beat both the boys," Tyra said. "Please tell me you were going under 70," his father said. "Dad, you can't have a race under 70. That's just highway speed. We were going like 80," Daniel said. "Daniel Swervez, you know you aren't allowed to go over 70 unless on a highway," his father said. Daniel grumbled. "We're going to watch the Piston Cup opening ceremony on the tv," he said and they headed into the living room. He turned on the tv and switched it to RSN. Right now it was showing reruns of old races between Lightning McQueen and Strip 'the King' Weathers. Tyra winced as she saw the '06 race where Chick Hicks used the PIT maneuver on Strip. "Welcome back to the opening ceremony for this season of the Piston Cup. I'm here with my fellow announcer and race enthusiast, Darrel Cartrip," Bob Cutless said. "This is my favorite part of the season! Well, besides the races," Darrel said, bringing his usual funny humor to the announcing. "We have an exciting roster of racers this year. We, of course, have our returning champion Lightning McQueen followed by a surprising amount of rookies this year," Bob said. "With all the new racers this year, this season will be one of the most exciting yet!" Darrel said. The camera cut to the opening ceremony.
A few hours later, Tyra got ready to head home. "That was awesome. I'll see you tomorrow, Daniel," she said. "Later, gator!" Daniel said, waving his tire as she drove down the street. Tyra hummed her favorite song as she turned on her headlights. She put her key in the keyhole of her front door and went inside. Closing the door, she stopped humming as she noticed broken glass on the floor. Raising a brow, she went to find the broom. She had her trunk turned towards the dark guest room behind her as she dug in the closet for the broom and dustpan. She reversed and swept up the glass. Depositing it in the bin, Tyra returned the broom and dustpan to the closet. She then went to turn on the hall light. She frowned as the switch did nothing. "Ugh, breaker blew again," she muttered, heading for the basement. She went through the living room and squinted as headlights hit her eyes. She reversed a bit and suddenly heard someone banging on the door. She opened it and her engine revved loudly before she let out a piercing scream. She was pushed from behind into the car in front of her and her headlights were smashed. The front car reversed and smashed into her siding, knocking her unconscious.
The next day, Daniel drove over to Tyra's house to hang. He knocked on the front door, but wasn't answered. He was confused. He heard crying from inside. He pushed the button to open the door and gasped. Two police cars were talking with her parents. Her mother was crying while her father tried to console her. "It's okay, honey. We'll find her," he said. Daniel immediately knew what happened. She had been carnapped. "Where were you two at 9:44 last night?" one officer asked. "We were finishing up our shifts at the gas station so we could head home," her father said. "Do you have any enemies who could do this?" they asked. "Not that we know of. We're just poor cars. Who would want to steal from us?" he said. The officer sighed. "I'm very sorry Tyra was carnapped. We will do everything in our power to locate her. We'll track her down, I promise you," the other officer said. "Please, just bring my Ty home," her mother begged. "Hold on. I just got a call from the station saying you two aren't her biological parents," the first officer said. "We aren't. She was left on our doorstep when she was only 2 months old. We've raised her ever since," her father said. "Okay. We're going to talk with her biological parents to see why they gave her up," the officer said. Her father nodded and the officers left. Daniel didn't know what to say or think. Tyra's father noticed him. "Oh, Daniel. I didn't see you there," he said. "Um, Sorry. I didn't want to interrupt anything," Daniel said. "It's alright. I guess you know now what happened to Tyra," her father said. "Do you think the officers will find her?" Daniel asked. Her father sighed. He looked like he hadn't slept at all. "I honestly don't know. I just hope she doesn't have any attacks," he said. Daniel looked down at his hood. "Is there anything I can do to help you guys?" he asked. "No, it's okay. We'll be fine. I'll make sure you and Bubba know when we get news," her father said. "Thanks, Mr. Johnson," Daniel said. He left to head towards Bubba's house.
Tyra knew something was wrong the minute she woke up. Her tires were clamped down and she had a horrible hoodache. "Where am I is the question," she muttered, looking around the small room she was in. There was one door that was closed and a table with what she knew were torture tools. There was a bunch of crashing around and the door opened. A badly beaten up race car was roughly shoved inside. Tyra noticed his rear tire was booted to keep him immobile. His eyes widened at seeing her. She blinked in surprise. She felt like she knew the race car, but that was impossible. A third car drove in, grinning evilly. "Well, it seems you two have been reunited," they said. "Why did you take her? She was in a safe place for her own protection," the race car said. The new car laughed. "She's insurance. You will make Lightning McQueen crash, or so help me, your daughter turns into scrap metal," they said. Tyra suddenly recognized the race car. He was Jackson Storm. He was a rookie that year. Tyra was scared. She didn't know what was going on. "Um, why is Storm here and why do you want McQueen to crash so bad?" she asked. "Shut up, kid. McQueen has been a thorn in my door for years! He was always second while I was third!" they yelled, slamming their front tire across her bumper. She cried out at the pain. "Don't hurt her!" Storm yelled. "If you don't want her hurt, then don't anger me," they said. He scowled. "Chick, what is this even about? Why do you want Lightning out of the racing scene so bad?" he asked. Tyra's eyes widened. The green car was none other than Chick Hicks, who almost killed the King in his final race against Lightning McQueen a few years prior. "Because he has won far more Piston Cups than I have. He doesn't deserve them. He's not a good racer. He's just an arrogant cocky racer who needs to be knocked down a few pegs. Crashing is the perfect way to teach him a lesson," he said. "If I do this, you'll leave Tyra alone?" Storm asked. "She won't be harmed," Chick said. Storm looked at Tyra. "For now, I'll just leave you two here to be reacquainted," Chick said, reversing out of the room and locking the door behind him.
Storm sighed. "Ty, I'm sorry you got caught up in this. I don't know how he found you," he said. "Okay, I'm seriously confused. How do you know me?" she asked. "I'm not surprised you don't know. I specifically asked your foster parents not to mention you were adopted until I felt it necessary to reveal it to you," he said. Tyra frowned. "Seriously, who are you to me?" she asked. "I'm... your father," he said. Tyra's jaw dropped. Her engine shut off in surprise. "Y-You're m-my f-father?" she asked. He nodded his hood. "Yes," he said. "What happened to my mother?" she asked. He looked down at his hood, a sad look in his eyes. "She sadly died shortly after you were born. Something went wrong with her engine and it turned fatal. You were only two weeks old at the time. Because of my racing schedule, I couldn't raise you as I wanted to. I knew I had to leave you with a family who could raise you properly. I wanted to keep in touch, but because of threats, I couldn't. I was so scared that if I tried to contact you, those who were after me would come after you and try to kill you," he explained. Tyra was quiet. She looked down at her hood, a few tears slipping down her windshield. "Tyra... I'm sorry you had to find out this way. I would have preferred to find you myself. I don't even know how Chick found you or why he's targeting me to end McQueen's racing career," Storm said. "I-It's okay. I'm just glad I know," she said, looking at him. He scooted as close as he could with the boot on his rear tire and put a tire against hers. "Hey, at least we're sort of together," he said. "Yeah, that's true. But what did Chick do to you? You're all beaten up," she asked. "Oh... He tortured me, but it's nothing," he said. "Torture?! How is that nothing?!" she exclaimed. "Tyra, he wants McQueen dead or out of racing. I have to make him crash or you'll be hurt or worse," he said. "Storm, don't worry about me. You can't do what Chick wants," Tyra said. Storm just looked at her horrified. "But if I don't, you'll be hurt or killed!" he said. Tyra smiled at him. "I'll be fine. You have to warn McQueen about this," she said. Storm looked down at his hood. He had a plan, but didn't know if it would work. He seriously hoped it did and didn't backfire on Tyra. It was seriously risky since it put both of them at risk.
A day passed and Chick came back. "Alright. It's time for you to put my plan in action. I will be watching you on the TV to make sure you don't mess up," he said, glaring at Storm. "If I do this, Tyra will be released, correct?" Storm asked. "No. She's mine for life," Chick said. "What?! Then why even take her?!" Storm exclaimed. Chick laughed. "I see you failed mention who her mother was," he said. Storm growled, glaring daggers at Chick. "Storm, who was my mother?" Tyra asked. Storm gritted his teeth. "Tyra... What I told you was mostly correct. The only thing I failed to mention was that she didn't actually die. I only found out after the fact. Your mother is still alive, but I don't know where she is," he said. "W-Who was she?" she asked, slightly afraid now. Storm looked at her with a sad expression. "She was a racer, like you want to be. She also had Jaguar Syndrome, like you do. Her name was... Saphira," he said. "Saphira Swervez?!" Tyra exclaimed. "Y-Yes," Storm said, looking at the ground. She couldn't believe it! Her best friend was actually her cousin! "Oh, this is rich! You are so unfit to be her father," Chick said, laughing. Storm turned to him. "So what if I am?! I at least care about her well being! You didn't with your son and look where he is!" he yelled. Chick stopped laughing and rammed into Storm, hard. He slammed into the wall. Tyra cried out as she saw a piece fall off Storm. "Leave him alone!" she cried. "Shut up!" Chick yelled. He reversed and slammed into Storm again. "Stop it! Please!" she yelled, tears falling down her hood. She revved her engine as hard as she could and somehow break the clamps on her tires. She slammed into Chick, who hit the wall behind him. The impact knocked him silly and he wasn't moving for a few seconds. Tyra used these precious seconds to free her father's rear tire. She shoved him out the door and they both raced to the door at the end of the giant hallway. Storm lagged behind. Tyra got behind him and pushed him to the door. She could hear Chick racing towards them but she got Storm through the door and slammed the doors shut, the metal locking bar falling in place. Chick slammed into the doors and, while they bent, they held. "I can't imagine how much that just hurt," she said as they raced away. "Probably a lot," Storm said, wincing. They got to a safe distance and slowed down, only to be stopped by police. "Hold it, you two. Do you even realize how fast you were just going?" one officer asked. "Sorry, sir. We were trying to get away from the car who carnapped us," Tyra said. They blinked in surprise. "Wait, you're Jackson Storm. You were reported missing almost two weeks ago," they said, turning to the injured race car. "Please, he needs help. He was tortured and then slammed into multiple times," Tyra said. "Are you two related?" a second officer asked. "Yes, he's my father," Tyra said. She felt relieved she could admit she had a real father! "Do you know the name of the car who took you?" the first officer asked. "Chick Hicks," Storm said. Tyra could tell he was in a lot of pain by his voice. It was a miracle he could even drive. "Are you certain? We have video proof of him being at his studio, recording his TV show," a third officer said. "Yes. It was him. He hired two others to take me from my foster parents," Tyra said. "Wait, you're that missing kid from just outside Detroit," the first officer said. "Yes, I am," she said. "That's odd. How did you end up here in California, of all places?" the second officer asked. She gasped, her eyes widening. "We're in California?!" she exclaimed. "Yep. It's been almost a week since you were reported missing. If you were flown here, that could explain it," the third officer said.
As they were talking, Tyra noticed Storm seemed distant, as if he wasn't all there. "St-Dad?" she asked him. He blinked and looked at her. "Sorry, Tyra. It's getting hard to focus," he said. She was worried. "Are you alright?" she asked. "I'll be fine," he said, nudging her gently. "Oh, we're sorry, Storm. We were too caught up in having found you two that we didn't realize how badly hurt you were. Let's get you to a hospital pronto," the first officer said. He just nodded, his eyes half closed. "Please, Dad! Don't pass on out on me now!" Tyra yelled, putting her tire against his. The second officer's eyes went wide and they called for an ambulance. Tyra just drove behind it, hoping Storm would be okay.