Cars 3: The Crash That Never Happened
Chapter 1:
Lightning was at the Los Angeles Speedway. He was trying to keep up with Storm, who was several car lengths ahead of him. The Rust-eze car floored it, ignoring his overheating engine.
"No," he shouted, growling. "No! No! No! No! No!"
The red car remained focused on the rookie until he was out of view. Soon, Storm crossed the finished line, taking first place. Lightning took third. Storm drove over to the veteran after the race was over, a smug look on his face.
" I gotta hand it to you, Champ," the black car stated, gesturing. " For an old timer, you still got it. I thought you were gonna beat me for a moment there."
" Is that supposed to be sarcasm," Lightning spat, trying to catch his breath.
" Whoa, you okay there, Champ," Storm raised a windshield, feigning concern. " You look winded."
" I'm fine," the red car huffed, collecting himself. " Thanks for asking."
" You know, there's no shame in slowing down," the IGNTR car uttered. " Why don't you take some time off?...Oh, I know. How about retiring and marrying your girlfriend?"
This caught Lightning off-guard a little bit. He had been meaning to propose to Sally for years, but their lives were so busy. The thought had gotten lost in the shuffle.
" Go on a romantic cruise," Storm circled around his opponent. " Travel the world with your sweetheart. That's something you've always wanted to do, right?"
" I have," Lightning admitted, his tank lurching at the thought of his regrets.
The IGNTR car smirked then decided to go in for the final blow. He leaned close to the Rust-eze car's door handles.
" Then why don't you do it, huh," Storm whispered then hissed, venom lacing his voice. " Face it, Champ. You're tired. You're washed up. You're history. Move over for the next rookie in line."
Lightning almost agreed, until he heard those last few sentences. He glared at the rookie, backing away from him.
" I don't think so," he stated firmly. " I decide when I'm done. You understand? And I'm not done, yet. See you next season, Rookie."
The Rust-eze car turned around, peeling out on take-off. Storm shouted after him.
" You will be when I beat you, again," the black car shook his hood then mumbled. " Stubborn, old grandpa car. What an idiot."