37. Knighting Ceremony

At the Queen's palace, Mater was trying to make the guards laugh; I had just walked up to him. These guards were trained not to laugh. Their huge black head piece looked silly but they were good. Finn had called me back to him when I was with Rod, the tuners, Sanderson, and Kurt. I was promoted as full agent.

Past

I had just glided down to Finn, Holley, Lightning, and Mater. "Where have you been?" Finn asked. "You were going to miss a big event I did not call."

"Sorry, Finn." I say as I changed my form.

"Come," the queen simply says as she drove away; everyone follows into the palace.

Present

"Mater, let's go. You and Silverwind are on." Lightning advised; I was glad that I chose my human form for I could not walk the way without whacking one of the crowds with my tail.

"Silverwind, you will do fine." Rod assured, feeling my anxiety.

The doors opened and the place was huge; I was in awe. I heard the shifting of guns and I looked back to see the guards had shifted. "You're Majesty, may I present," began a car as Lightning, Mater, Rod, and I drove down the red carpet; lightning to the right of Mater while Rod and I came up behind with Rod to my left, "for the investiture of honorary knighthood of the British Realm," the car moves aside and the queen appears from behind him, "Tow Mater and Silverwind Linebacker of Radiator Springs." I noticed the towns fold to my right, in the front rows. I noticed that King and Mrs. King were there as well, my eyes grew wide and I began to feel hot under my scales; both were smiling at me. I looked to my left to see Finn and Holley in the front, as well.

Lightning drove away from us, sitting with the others, "Go get 'em buddy."

Rod drove next to Finn. I only watched with anxiety; Rod dipped his head in encouragement and I returned it as a thank you.

Both Mater and I stopped at the base of the stairs, side by side. Mater bowed to the queen; I followed in step nervously. Slowly, the queen brought out her antennae. "I hereby dub thee," the queen dropped her antennae to one side of Mater then to the other, "Sir Tow Mater and," she moved to me, "Lady," she did the same as she did to Mater, "Silverwind Linebacker." As she rose her antennae, the crowd cheered loudly.

"Sir?" Mater began, "Shoot, you can just call me Mater, Your Majesty."

I nodded in agreement, "And me, Silverwind or Silver for short."

"I don't wanna hear none of this 'sir' business." Mater continued.

"Nor 'lady'," I added, with a smile.

"By the way, have all met each other?" Mater asked as he and I moved aside for Lightning and Finn to come in. "Queen, McQueen. McQueen, Queen." Mater quickly introduces the correspondingly. "McQueen, McMissile. McMissile, McQueen. Queen, McMissile." I chuckled at this.