Lightning and Mater sat in a dark training hall. Dodge turned on the light, as he began his speech.
"To beat these guys, you need speed. You don't have that, TM. That's where you come in, McQueen. And you know all there is to know about racing. But fighting's a different subject. But your body can't take the poundin', so that's where Mater comes in."
Lightning nodded to Sally, as Dodge added "we're working on all your weaknesses. Getting you past them. Mater, you gotta be fast. So hard drivin' is your job. Every morning, driving from the shack to Carburetor Canyon!"
Mater turned to Holly, who smiled at him. Dodge then turned to Lightning, saying "and as for you, what we'll be relying on, is good ol' blunt force trauma. Horsepower. Heavy-duty, cast iron attacks, that'll hurt so much they're gonna rattle the founders of Scotland. Every time you hit Daddy with a shot, he's gonna feel like he tried kissing a falling asteroid."
Lightning and Mater both nodded, as Dodge clicked his gears back and said "oh yeah. Now let's start building some hurtin' bombs!"
Lightning turned on the MP3 player, which featured the song "Heart's On Fire" by John Car-fferty. As he nodded to Sally, she hooked him up to Bessie, as Dodge said "remember. No pain!"
"Got it. They're gonna say kach-OW when they see me in that ring." Lightning said.
Silent darkness creeps into your soul
Lightning pulled the paving machine forward with all his strength as Dodge drove backwards in front of him.
And removes the light of self-control
"No pain!" Lightning said. "No pain! No pain! No pain!"
The cave that holds you captive has no doors
Mater watched McQueen, before finishing the assembly of his new racing tyres.
Burnin' with determination
To even up the score
Mater drove around the canyon at full speed, as Holly and Mia watched from a distance.
Hearts on fire
Strong desire
Rages deep within
He struggled slightly under the speed of the tyres. But then, Mater inhaled heavily and continued racing through the field and rock.
Hearts on fire
Fever's rising high
Mater finally reached the end of his destination, where Dodge was waiting with a stopwatch.
The moment of truth draws near
"Good. 7 minutes. Let's make it 3." Dodge chuckled.
Time will not allow you to stand still, no
Lightning continued to pull Bessie with all his might, his tyres grating on the road.
Silence breaks the heart and bends the will
He continued crawling along, before collapsing in exhaustion.
And things that give deep passions are your sword
Suddenly, he thought to himself as he closed his eyes, imagining Tia sitting unconscious in the hospital.
Rules and regulations have no meaning anymore
McQueen growled as he pulled himself up and revved his engine, pulling Bessie along at a faster pace than before as Sally cheered for him.
Hearts on fire
Strong desire
Rages deep within
McQueen finally collapsed as his exhaust popped out smoke and the machine was emptied.
Hearts on fire
Fever's rising high
"You did good, McQueen." Dodge said. "I got something else for you to do."
The moment of truth is here
Mater, Lightning and Mia sat in the ward, watching Tia as she lay hooked up to the machine.
"She's counting on you guys." Mia said with sorrow. Lightning sighed, saying to Mia "don't worry. We're gonna win this. Aren't we, Mater?"
"You're Dad gum right!" Mater scoffed.
Hearts on fire
Strong desire
Rages deep within
Mater and Lightning stood at the starting line, as Dodge said "alright McQueen. You're the target. As soon as Mater passes you, he'll be ready."
"Go on Mater! You can do it!" Holly yelled.
Hearts on fire
Fever's rising high
"Alright boys. On my signal!" Dodge said, before shouting "GO!" as Lightning and Mater both set off.
Hearts on fire
Strong desire
Rages deep within
Lightning sped ahead, shouting "I can't see you yet, Mater!"
Mater breathed heavily as he increased speed, his tyres leaving skid marks on the ground as dirt and stones scraped over his paint job. He growled as he increased even more, his exhaust breathing fire like a wyvern as he sped forward.
McQueen looked to his side, seeing Mater coming closer. And closer. And closer. Finally, Mater skidded past McQueen as he drove up the hill and stopped at the canyon.
Both cars cheered as they halted, McQueen saying "you did it, Mater! You did it! Woo-hoo!"
"Yeah! We did it! We did it!" Mater cheered as Holly, Sally and Dodge arrived. Dodge smiled, saying "congratulations, you two. You're ready to fight."
