Ch 6

Storm took the tape out of the player after watching the race. He had found the tape and watched it, thinking that was what Ramone had talked about. But after just a few minutes of watching it, he saw that it wasn't. There was a big wreck, but not like what Ramone described. He couldn't believe how bold the champ was, going through the wreckage instead of avoiding it? That was insane! Then making it a three-way tie with 2 back tires blown and gone! He was putting the tape back when he saw another tape with McQueen's name on it too, but this also had the words ' My first real race ' he thought that odd as he just watched him in another race.

So, he watched it and saw a change in him, he wasn't focused, he kept falling back behind Chick and an old car. Then he saw the older cars and the Hudson Hornet in the crew chief's spot, all smiles and cheering for him, supporting him, him smiling and being happy, actually happy. Then he saw the move that Ramirez had used on him when he, like Chick had spun her out, a cocky smirk in place, winked at Chick's dumbfounded face before righting himself.

Then he saw Chick hit the old car once, they went loose, McQueen went to the dirt, spinning out, almost loosing it, then he turned his wheels right and righted himself, taking the lead. Then he saw Chick hit the old car again, causing him to loose control and go sailing in the air, rolling as he hit the ground, he heard and saw everyone go still and silent, McQueen looked up at the screen then hit his brakes, just inches away from the finish line and just sat there while Chick went across it, cheering and being happy that he won without a care that he could have possibly killed the other car. While the champ got a determined look and reversed until he was behind the other racer, he could see that they were talking and looking at the Hudson Hornet, he saw a proud smile on his face as he watched the 2.

" Is pushing on the last lap legal Darrell? " he heard Bob ask.

" Ah he ain't really pushin' him Bob. He's just givin' him a little bump draft! " Darrell replied.

He then heard an RV say, " That's what I call racin' right there! "

And just like that, everyone was cheering again as the flag waved and dropped over the 2, the crowd going crazy while Chick looked around wondering why they were cheering for them.

Storm stopped the tape. He stayed that way for a long time, until he heard Sarge's horn playing, looking up at the clock, he was shocked to see the time, he quickly put the tapes back where he found them and snuck out quickly and quietly, hoping that the 2 squabbling down the road didn't see him coming out of the garage.

He then started down to Flo's, he stopped when he heard loud engines coming down the road, these were racing engines.

He turned around and, in the distance, he could just make out 3 next-gens coming his way, he quickly revved his engine and high-tailed it to Ramone's, getting inside and ducking down.

" Hey man! What's got you running scared? " he heard Ramone ask.

" Shh! There's some racers coming in. I can't let them see me. " he whispered as he heard the racers pull up to Flo's. " What's their colors? " he asked, not wanting to risk looking out and them seeing him.

" Uh, one's a light purple with some yellow. And looks like he rather be anywhere but here. "

" What's his number? "

" Uh, 19. "

" That's Swervez. What about the other 2? "

" One's a leaf green, his number's 24. "

" That would be Racelott. The last one? "

" Light blue, 31. "

" That's Spinner. What the hell are those three doing here? "

" Maybe to see Cruz or Lightning. "

" Racelott and Spinner I can understand being here. But Swervez? "

" Is he friends with those 2? "

" Yeah, but he doesn't like Ramirez. "

" Looks like their going to be staying here for a while. "

" What?! "

" Keep it down, they'll looking over here. "

" What am I going to do now. "

" Well…"

A few minutes later,

A loud rumble from the paint shop next to the gas station drew the 3 next-gens attention.

" What's happening over there? " Chase asked.

" Sounds like to me that new fella's getting a tune up. " Flo said, she had seen Storm go in there just before these 3 showed up, she ain't seen these boys before, but she knew that they were the next-gens and all 3 of them gave her a bad feeling. She thought that she'd get that from Storm seeing how that boy is, but it was these 3 that gave her that feeling.

" Thanks for the paint job Ramone! " they all looked over and saw an emerald green with metal flakes car, he had white dragons on his sides with a white dragon head on his hood, it's eyes were red, mouth open and showing sharp teeth, oil dripping from the teeth with a forked tongue in a wave pattern. Both the dragons, on the hood, and sides was surrounded by lightning strikes that was yellow. Though he sounded like a stock car, he didn't have a spoiler.

" No problem man, now you got something to go with that rumble! " Ramone replied just as cheerfully as the other car.

Flo knew who that other car was and was impressed with how good he was with acting. " Better than that gray color you had honey! " she called out to him, winking, making up the color he supposedly had.

" Thanks Flo! Hey! It's the next-gens! What are you guys doing all the way out here? Is there a race going on nearby? " Storm said rolling over to them, his engine rumbling a little loudly now that his muffler was gone as he came over to them.

" No man, we're just here to see a friend of ours, Cruz Ramirez. " Cam said this time, he was looking at the new comer with a suspicious eye.

" I think I saw her last night over at the Cozy Cone. "

" I'm sure. " Danny replied smirking at this guy's enthusiasm.

" Knock it off Dan. She ain't like that, besides, you didn't have to come along. " Chase said.

" Well I was bored. And whose to say she ain't? Didn't you see those pictures? " Danny replied just as they heard a cheerful cry behind them and a rush of air later, Cruz was there, nuzzling Cam and Chase's sides in a hug, they returned it.

" Hey Danny. " She said in greeting to him.

" Sup. " he returned uncaringly. Their conversion forgotten.

" What are you guys doing here? " Cruz asked.

" We wanted to see you and to tell you what happened with Storm. "

" What happened? " Cruz asked, playing dumb, she looked over at the green car for a moment before she turned back to the 3 racers, when he winked at her, while they were talking, Storm said good-bye to Flo and Ramone and went to the Cozy Cone to tell Lightning and Sally about the racers being there, he waited until he saw the 4 take off towards the Butte then went to find the champ and his girlfriend rounding a wall, he called out,

" Hey Champ! We got…ahhh I did not need to see that! " he quickly backed up and looked ready to throw up his breakfast, if had had breakfast that is. " That is more of you than I ever wanted to see! You guys are sick! " he continued as McQueen and Sally rushed around,

" How many times do I have to tell you to knock Cruz! "

" I ain't Ramirez Champ! " Storm said, keeping his back to the wall.

" Storm! What the hell are you doing here and….who are you? " Lightning asked when he saw Storm, not recognizing him.

" It's me. " Storm answered shortly, turning back to him.

" What's with the paint job? "

" 3 next-gen racers are here, and I had to get the paint job done or risk them seeing me. Ramirez and the other 3 went to the Butte. "

" Which ones? " Sally asked.

" Chase Racelott, Cam Spinner, and Danny Swervez. "

" I can understand Chase and Cam, but Danny? I thought he didn't like Cruz. "

" He doesn't. But he is friends with Racelott and Spinner. "

" Ok. So, what should we call you while their here? How long are they staying? "

" Not sure. We can't use Jack, it's too close to my name and Spinner's already suspicious of me. "

" How about Monte. Like in Monte Carlo. " Sally suggested.

" Monte Jacks? " Storm supplied.

" Sounds good to me. Now let's go tell the others and when Cruz gets back, I'll tell her. " Lightning said tilting his frame in a nod to the 2.

The 3 then left and called the others over to Flo's and tell them what's going on.

Time skip

Everyone was at Flo's, including the disguised Storm, who everyone now called Monte as the next-gens was there as well hanging out with Cruz, except for Danny, he was just there listening to the 3 talk, Lightning had managed to get Cruz to come to him and he told her about Storm, to which she said that she had suspected that was who that green car was and agreed to play along.

With the next-gens in hearing distance; Lightning and Sally were near the shop at the end of the pumps whispering to each other, the next-gens thought they were just whispering loving words to each other and ignored them.

" So, their staying a couple of days, huh? " Sally asked, making sure that the 3 didn't see her looking at them.

" Yeah, that's what Cruz said. Just to make sure that she's going to be ok. " Lightning replied.

" I think it's rather strange that they showed up just a few days after Storm did. And with that surveillance video out during the time that the bomb was planted? "

" I know. Think we should call McMissile in on that favor of his? "

" Well it has been awhile since Mater saw Holley. They rarely see each other as it is with her job. Just keeping in touch through the phone. "

" Yeah. But we'd have to tell Mater to keep it quiet as these 3 don't know them. Let's just wait a little longer. If nothing happens while these 4 are here, then we'll let the law handle it. And if they can't help, we'll do something ourselves. "

" Stickers, we can't do that. "

" I meant find out who it was and hand them over to the cops. I wasn't going to gather up a hunting party and go hunt the guy or guys down and beat the crap out of them until talked, calm down. "

" Stickers! " she exclaimed playfully hitting his side, before whispering again, " I'm starting to get jealous of Cruz. You'd gather up a hunting party just to save her reputation. "

" There's no need to be jealous. I'd also do the same for you. But instead of taking the guy to the cops after I beat him up, I'd roll him off a high cliff. "

" Stop it! You know I'm just joking. "

" I know. Besides, I'd much rather hunt you down. " he teased rubbing against her seductively, causing the young next-gens to whistle and catcall at them.

" Get a room! " ' Monte ' shouted in what he hoped sounded good-naturally while he tried not to be sick.

" Sounds like a good idea, Monte! Come on Babe, let's leave these kids alone. And go have some fun. " Lightning replied with a mischievous smile as he gently pulled Sally along with him heading towards the Cozy Cone's office but went passed it to the #1 Cone.

" Oh, that's just great! Now I'll have to go to Wheel Well tonight. " Cruz whined down-heartedly.

" Sucks to be you. " Danny muttered.

" Shut it Danny! Leave her alone. " Chase said hitting his side with a tire.

" What's Wheel Well? " ' Monte ' asked as he hadn't seen a place here with that name.

" It's another motel that Ms. Sally runs. But it's waayy up there! " Cruz answered, pointing up at the cliffs where they could just barely see a light.

" And your going to stay up there?! " Cam exclaimed as he saw how far it was.

" It's either that or listen to those 2! Though I think their a cute couple, even I have my limits and those Cones are not, I repeat, not soundproof. "

" Can't you just go to the last Cone? " Chase asked.

" No, because Monte has that one. "

" You staying here Bro? " Danny asked.

" For awhile yeah. Then I'm back out on the road again. " ' Monte ' answered.

" When did you get in? " Cam asked, wanting to know about this new guy.

" Late last night. I was so tired I went straight the Cone. " ' Monte ' lied.

" And the paint job? " Cam asked again.

" I've been known to be spontaneous at times. And besides, I needed a new coat of poly anyway, why not get a new paint job to go with it? " ' Monte ' answered.

" I thought you said that you seen Cruz last night at the Cone? " Cam asked once again.

" I was coming back from some late-night training and spotted him. He waved at me before going into his room. " Cruz answered this time.

Cam seemed satisfied with that, but he kept throwing suspicious looks at him.

" Alright everybody! It's getting late and I'm tired and I'm sure you kids are too, so let's go on to bed now. " Flo said after a few minutes when she saw the time.

" I'll get you boys a room over at the Cone and don't worry, I'll make sure you are well away from the first one! " she continued in a joking manner as they eyed the Motel warily.

" And I'm heading to the Wheel. Night everybody! " Cruz started to take off but ' Monte ' stopped her,

" Mind if I escort you there, Ms. Ramirez? " he asked.

" Uh… "

" She can take herself pale. " Chase said, going into protective mode.

" It's alright Chase. I trust him. "

" Well I don't. " Cam muttered.

" That's obvious. " ' Monte ' also muttered.

" What did you say? " Cam revved his engine.

" Hey! Hey! Easy fella's. No need to fight. I'll be fine. Besides if something happens, I can just outrun him. "

That seemed to ease the 2 as they glared once more at ' Monte ' in warning before all 3 followed Flo to the Motel.

" (Sigh) Come on ' Monte ' I'll race ya! " Cruz teased, revving her engine and taking off.

" Hey no fair! I can't go that fast! " ' Monte ' called out and drove after her.

When Storm saw that they were out of sight, he dropped the act and kicked it down to catch up with Cruz, passing her.

" Hey! Do you even know where your going?! " She called out to him, but he didn't answer.

He knew where the Wheel Well was, he saw it on the map when he looked at for the Butte. He was glad for the full moon to light his way, he saw Cruz's headlights coming up behind him, so he went faster. He slowed down just slightly when he came to a short overpass but sped up again for a short distance but then slowed again when he came to a tunnel, Cruz passed him, he glared at her as she did but stopped his glare when he saw what was at the end of the tunnel, a massive waterfall flowing behind a bridge. He hadn't known about the waterfall, it wasn't mentioned on the map. A flash of yellow caught his eye, he looked down from the waterfall to the bridge, it was Cruz, she had slowed to look at the waterfall as well, not paying attention to him,

Taking one last look at the waterfall, he revved his engine and shot passed her, surprising her, he smirked when he heard her cry,

" Hey no fair! I wasn't paying attention! "

" Maybe you should next time sweetheart! " he called back smiling before he realized what he was doing and quickly went back to smirking at the thought of winning.

" Quiet calling me that! I ain't your sweetheart! Or anybody else's sweetheart! " she called back as she caught up with him.

Wheel Well came into view and Storm won, sliding to a stop in front of the motel. " Yes! Ha! I beat you costume girl! " he called out, actually jumping up and down in circles in his excitement.

Cruz watched this with a thoughtful smile, this was the most she'd seen him move in any type of emotion and it was real and not acting, in an entire year of seeing him being indifferent and so static.

" Almost a week here and your acting like an actually kid. I guess this place really can do miracles. " she said with a laugh to her voice as she sat and watched him.

Hearing her voice reminded Storm that he wasn't alone and quickly went back to his usual emotionless self again, clearing his throat as he did.

" So, this is, (cough) uh Wheel Well huh? " he said.

Deciding to ignore his change, Cruz answered, " Yep. It has a bar too. But since Guido's down in town right now and this place is technically closed until the racing season and tourist season starts up again. "

" So, the forklift's a tire changer and a bartender? Ramone wasn't kidding about them doing multiple jobs. "

" Not everyone. Ms. Sally manages both motels and is the town attorney. Of course, she was an attorney first before coming here and running the Cone. "

" Oh really? Do tell. "

" She was. But then life in the fast lane got to be too much for her and she just took off one day and drove and drove until she broke down, Mater found her, and Doc fixed her up, Flo took her in, the whole town did. And she just never left. "

" But why? Why not just go back after she recharged her battery? "

" Because she fell in love. "

" McQueen's the reason why she didn't go back? "

" No! Weren't you listening? She was here when Mr. McQueen came to town, she was the one who got the town to agree to have him fix the road. This is what she fell in love with. Well, in love with first. " Cruz rolled over to the tables, going to the low stone wall and parked, waiting for him to follow, he had to move a table a bit, but he managed to get over to her.

His eyes widen at the scene below, he could see the town lite up along with the street lights until it was nothing but valley, cliffs, boulders, the road moving with the valley, not just going in a straight line like the interstate was doing just a few cliffs over where he could see the cars going up and down it.

" It's even more amazing during the day. " Cruz commented as she continued to look out at the valley.

Storm looked at her and then back out to the valley, " I don't get you. " he said quietly, though she heard him.

" Why? "

" Your always so…optimistic. Even when you lose a race to me or even to the occasional other winner. "

" Well I don't care if I win or lose. I just love racing. "

" As much as the Champ does. You sure you 2 aren't related? "

" He may act like dad to me sometimes, but he's not my dad. Though he was the reason I wanted to become a racecar. I grew up watching him. But I didn't know about how he was before he came here. My family would only let me watch his races, they wouldn't let me watch the interviews after the races. I didn't do that until after I got out on my own. "

" Why? You obviously love the race world. "

" My family told me to dream small. But for the longest time I didn't. I was the fastest kid in our town.(laugh) I even had Mr. McQueen's number painted on my sides when I'd race against the other kids. And I still had his number painted on my sides when I had saved up enough to go to my first race. Until one day when I was in a real race. But…I didn't win it, I didn't even go through it. "

" Wh… "

" I got scared. Their engines were louder then mine, they were bigger, stronger. I froze. I drove out of there as fast as I could, the crowd and the other racers laughing at me. But that didn't bother me really, it hurt yes, but what really hurt was my family saying they told me so and to just give up and go for a real job. Then them taking my racing posters down and packing up all the races I recorded of Mr. McQueen. Then they took me to get his number painted over and to forget him and the racing. But I didn't forget the racing or him, instead I got into the racing world another way. "

" What did you do? "

" I became a trainer for the next-gens. But I still held onto that hope that one day I'd get another chance to race. Every time I saw Mr. McQueen race I felt hope. Always felt that when I'd watch him race he was the reason why I wanted to be racer in the first place. "

" You told the Champ this? "

" Yes. I told him but only after he got angry at me. Saying that I wouldn't understand what he was going through because I wasn't racer. And that he couldn't get anywhere with his training because he was too busy taking care of his trainer. "

" Ouch. And cars say I'm mean. "

" Yeah. And don't get me started on how he apologized later when we were headed to Thomasville. "

" What did the Champ do? "

" Nope! Not telling! You can ask him tomorrow! Goodnight! " and with that she backed up all the way to the motel and into her room without even looking.

Storm looked at her door for a second with a raised eye before shaking his form and started for the town when the door opened again, and she said,

" Thanks for bringing me up here! " then quickly shut the door back before Storm could mutter a ' your welcome '.

Here's ch 6! Hope ya'll liked it!