Disclaimer: The Hot Wheels series is owned by Mattel. Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 is owned by Mattel and Nerd Corps Entertainment.
New Year's Sunrise
"Rise and shine, everybody! Something's waiting for us outside!"
A few groans came from some once sleeping members of the Battle Force 5 lying on the floor of the Rec room, blankets draped over their bodies. Sage was also there, but on the table in hibernation mode. "Come on, up and at 'em!" an already awake and standing Spinner ordered, clapping his hands. "Hurry up or we're going to miss it!"
It had been a wild party thrown in the garage for New Year's Eve, and none of the other members were feeling particularly ship shape, much less want to wake up with the rising sun, which was making its way to Handler's Corners. "Going to miss what?" Agura asked sleepily while the others sat up.
"Where are we...?" a half awake Stanford asked.
"What time is it?" Vert asked, rubbing his eyes.
"Time for us to head outside for the big event!" Spinner answered, while Stanford lay back down.
"Too tired," a groggy Zoom countered. "I think I'll pass..."
"How can you say that at this hour?" Spinner begged while grabbing the Scout's undershirt.
"Look who's talking," Sherman countered with a chuckle.
Now fully dressed and cleaned up, the seven of them arrived at the Flats and got out of their vehicles right at the peak of a canyon. Vert took a moment to inhale the surprisingly crisp air once he got out, helping his senses out greatly and fully waking him up.
"Are you sure it was okay to leave Stanford behind?" Sherman asked.
"He's with Sage, who should be waking up pretty soon," Vert answered.
"I still don't understand why you brought us out here before sunrise," Tezz wondered.
"Exactly!" Spinner exclaimed, getting out his video camera. "The first sunrise of the New Year is coming! And we'll all be the first ones to see it!"
"All of us?" Agura asked.
Just then, the Reverb pulled up to join the other cars. The hood opened up and Stanford stuck his head out from the hatch. "You could have waited for us! Don't you know the old saying 'royalty first'?" he complained.
"Next time, don't fall back asleep when I try to wake you up!" Spinner retorted while the Brit helped Sage out of the Reverb to join them.
"So the two of you planned it out, eh?" A.J. asked.
"Yep! The plan came about sometime before the party," Spinner explained. "I figured if any of us fell asleep before midnight struck, I figured I could give them something else to smile about."
"Guys, here it comes!" Zoom exclaimed, pointing to the sky.
Everyone else turned and became wide eyed with delight when they saw a gorgeous sunrise painting the skies, mountains, and desert with shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold, all the colors warm to reflect the warmth of the sun.
"It is much more beautiful than I had believed," Sage said with awe.
"I know, right?" Spinner asked, filming the spectacle. "When I was little, I was up earlier than most of my family did and couldn't get back to sleep. I looked out the window of my living room to find the sun rising and shining in. I found it amazing, and I always wanted to recreate that moment."
"It is amazing, Spinner," Stanford agreed.
Everyone else murmured with agreement, too caught up in the sight to look at him. All was silent until...
"Stanford?" Agura asked with a chuckle.
"Yes?" Stanford asked back.
"Your gel. It's lost its hold."