JML Ranch: O.o The last time I updated this thing was in the summer...
TFP Optimus: Apparently so.
JML Ranch: I feel so bad for making the readers wait so long... but life got in the way, and my brain went off on a few tangents.
Gunstorm Prime: How many stories have you started and never finished?
JML Ranch: I will not disclose that information, thank you very much. Besides, you're in the wrong story.
Gunstorm: I know. *smug grin*
JML Ranch: -_- Gunny... just go back.
Gunstorm: Fine... *goes back to the correct story*
Dodge: Do I need to leave as well?
JML Ranch: Nah, you're fine. You're the only OC that is in multiple universes. *looks out of screen* OH! Sorry, I forgot to introduce Gunny and Dodge... Gunny was the stray OC that went back to where she belongs, which is in the story called Almost Hopeless. She's also in another story titled The Fire Down Below that I plan on starting to upload sometime in the near future. It's already on my deviantArt, you can find the link on my profile. Dodge is a OC with two forms- y'all already know his Cars form, and he has a Transformers Prime form now. Sadly, his TFP form won't be in any of my stories in the near future, but don't fret! He will be in my artwork for sure-I already have one of me standing on his shoulder. I've rambled long enough... Let's get the story back up and running!


"Uhh! There, now that's secure," Tightening the last bolt, I finished replacing the manual transmission. A month had passed by already, and it was now early July. I had been working from sunrise to sunset every day, and all of Lightning's major repairs had been completed. He had brand-new front axle, drive shaft, disc brakes, exhaust system, and manual transmission. Also, I had taken his engine apart, rebuilt it, and put it back in. Before, his engine had only put out 750 horsepower. I had rebuilt it so it was even more powerful than before- it now put out a whopping 850 horsepower! To counteract the horsepower, I had put in a temperature sensor that would limit the horsepower to 810 until his engine reached optimal running temperature, and it would turn off at that point. The new transmission also had a temperature sensor, also limiting the horsepower to 810.

"Alright, let's look at the list…" I muttered, standing at my workbench and flipping through the notepad. "Yep… did that… and that… well, it looks like the only thing left is to put in the new battery and he's ready for some fresh paint."

Closing the notepad, I picked up a battery that was designed to withstand the temperatures it would encounter in a race. I lowered the battery into the holder, and then secured it in place with a piece of flat metal that was designed to hold the battery down. With great care, I connected the red wire to the postitive terminal first.

"Here we go. Let's see if he wakes up," Connecting the black wire to the negative terminal, I finished connecting the battery. I took a few steps back, crossing my fingers behind my back and praying that he would come out of his coma.

Time seemed to pass slowly. Suddenly, a front tire twitched. I kept watching, antipication building up rapidly. Finally, he started to open his eyes.

"Wha-Where am I?" he asked softly, his voice rough from lack of use.

"In my garage. You've been in a coma for over a month. You're lucky that the damage was as bad as it was. I was able to repair all of it, however."

"Oh, thank goodness…" Sighing, he looked at me. "Whoa! Who are you?!"

"I'm Julia."

"Okay… I've never seen anything like you before. What are you exactly?"

"A human being."

"I-I thought that was just a legend."

"Actually… You somehow ended up in a parallel universe where you're not supposed to exist in real life. You only exist in a movie here."

"Woah, you mean I'm in an alternate universe where I only exist in a movie?"

"Correct. I know it sounds crazy, but it's the truth."

"Okay," Noticing his hood leaning on the wall, his eyes widened in surprise. "What happened to me? The last thing I remember is crashing into another car in a race."

"Most of your paint got burnt. I'll have to sandblast it all off, and then repaint. Speaking of painting, what would you like?" I grinned, walking over to a rack that contained all the paints. He noticed my old Dodge, which was sitting next to him.

"Like the colors?" I asked, smiling when he stared at the truck.

"Very much. Is that stripe maroon?"

"Yes." He looked at the truck, lost in thought for a few minutes.

"Would that look okay on me?" he finally asked, looking at me.

"Hmm…" I hummed, thinking. Picturing Lightning in my mind, I played around with different sizes of stripes, trying to determine what would look the best on him. "Do you want the stripe just on the sides or do you want the stripe to cross your trunk lid as well?"

"Just on the sides. And maybe have it fade to white as it gets close to the back?"

"Now that would look awesome. First, let's get the old paint off," I grinned, picking up a dust mask and protective glasses. I walked over to the workbench, reached under the counter, and pulled out the sandblaster. Adding more sand, I topped off the vessel that contained the sand. I turned the air compressor on, and while I was waiting for it to pressurize fully, I covered various areas in the garage with plastic. I did not want sand everywhere. Picking up the charred hood, I set it over Lightning's engine and fastened it.

"You ready?" Pulling the dust mask down and picking up the sandblasting gun, I turned the sandblaster on. I walked over to Lightning's side.

"Does it hurt?" I asked as I adjusted the settings, trying to find the right ones that would allow me to blast the paint off without any damage to the metal.

"No. Actually, it feels pretty good," Lightning replied, relaxing. I paused for a moment, pulling out my phone.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm plugging in my phone so I can play some music. I like to listen to music as I work," Plugging in my phone, I picked a song and hit 'play.'

Whooo umm yeah...
Life's like a road that you travel on
When there's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind
There's a world outside ev'ry darkened door
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
Where brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore
We won't hesitate
To break down the garden gate
There's not much time left today

"What song is that?" Lightning asked me.

"Life Is a Highway by Rascal Flatts," I replied as I worked.

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long

Through all these cities and all these towns
It's in my blood and it's all around
I love you now like I loved you then
This is the road and these are the hands
From Mozambique to those Memphis nights
The Khyber Pass to Vancouver's lights

Knock me down get back up again
You're in my blood
I'm not a lonely man
There's no load I can't hold
Road so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Just tell 'em we're survivors

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long

Gimme gimme gimme gimme yeah

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long

There was a distance between you and I (between you and I)
A misunderstanding once
But now we look it in the eye

Ooooo...Yeah!

There ain't no load that I can't hold
Road so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Just tell 'em we're survivors

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I wanna drive it all night long

Gimme gimme gimme gimme yeah

By the time the song finished, I had gotten about a quarter done on one side. Sighing, I wiped sweat off my face and kept going. Two hours went by before I knew it, and I was now halfway done with his roof, which was the last thing left.

"Do you know anyone else who came from another universe?" Lightning asked, looking up at me.

"Yep, two others. One is from the same universe you are."

"There's someone from the same universe as me?"

"Correct."

"Any chance I may know him or her?"

"Maybe."

"Wonder who it could be."

"You will have to wait and see."

"Aw, man," he pouted slightly.

"I'm done now," I chuckled, putting the sandblaster away quickly. Pulling the wooden blocks out, I tossed them to the side and opened the garage door. I walked back in, standing in front of Lightning and placing my hands on his hood. "Alright, I'll push ya out."

Lightning rolled backwards easily, his bare metal shining in the afternoon sun. When he had backed up far enough, I quit pushing him and he stopped. I raised an eyebrow at him, noticing the mischievious glint in his eyes.

"LIGHTNING!" I squealed, moving quickly out of the dust cloud. He had shaken himself like a dog, sending an enormous dust cloud into the air. The smug expression on his face told me that he had done this on purpose. "You stinker!"

"What's going on? Is everything alright?" Doc hollered, skidding to a stop in front of us.

"Everything's fine, Doc. He was just being silly," I replied.

"Who?" I just nodded my head towards Lightning. Doc looked at him in slight confusion.

"Doc?!" Lightning spluttered in surprise.

"No way…" Doc blinked in shock. "Rookie, is that you?"

"Yep," I nodded my head. "I just finished removing the charred paint. That's why he looks so different."

"You sure do know how to hide some things," Doc shook his front end, sighing. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I wanted to surprise you. Plus, he was in a coma. He woke up this morning," I explained. Lightning was looking around, checking out the surroundings. Noticing a vehicle resting under a large tree next to the garage, he nudged me with a tire. I looked at him, and he pointed to the red Peterbilt.

"How did that truck end up here?" he asked, curious.

"He's not exactly a truck," I replied, a lopsided grin making its way onto my face. "You'll see why in a minute. Optimus? You awake?"

Optimus flashed his headlights, indicating he was awake. Engine turning over with a loud rev, he rolled over to where Doc, Lightning, and I were.

"Lightning, this is Optimus Prime. He's from another universe," I introduced Lightning to Optimus. "Optimus, this is Lightning McQueen. He's from the same universe Doc is."

"Hi. Nice to meet you," Lightning nodded at Optimus.

"Likewise," Optimus rumbled.

"Alright, go ahead and show him."


SO SO SORRY about the long wait! I am trying to get some of the stories on here updated, provided that I am not overwhelmed by schoolwork.

That's all for now! Until next time, this is JML Ranch transforming and rolling out!