The following day, Sally pulled up to the academy. Lightning's car was out front. Good. She pulled the helmet over her head and got out. Trying to push Lightning to race again. She walked into the academy. No sign of Lightning at first. She walked in further. Still no Lightning.

Sally walked through the bottom level, peeking in at each room to try and find him. She had a week.. Minus two.. Five days. She had five days to get Lightning back and the best way was through racing. Or at least so far, racing was the best and sort of only option.

She peeked into another room, still no Lightning. Then. "AHEM." LIGHTNING! Sally, the mystery racer here jumped and turned around. Lightning crossed his arms asking who he thought was some kid looking for trouble at this point. "What are you doing back here?" Lightning growled. Still, couldn't see who this kid was because of the suit and tinted helmet.

The mysterious racer stared up at Lightning and remained silent. If she spoke, Lightning would know it was her. Lightning tapped his foot saying "Well? What do I have to do to get rid of you and make my point? No one races around here anymore." The kid looked down at the ground. Panicking quietly and trying to think of something!

The kid looked back up at Lightning who pointed firmly towards the front door and ordered "Leave. Don't come back here kid." The kid stood there for a second when the front doors opened. Lightning and the kid looked over to see Cleo. Oh how Sally would love to give her a few choice of words.

Cleo tilted her head and asked "Who is that?.." Lightning sighed answering "No one. They were just leaving." Cleo snickered. Lightning then grabbed the racer's suit near the shoulder and pulled the kid to the door and threw him out. "Go home kid!" Shouted Lightning. Then he shut the doors and locked them. The racer got back into the vette and took off the helmet. Sally sighed and dusted herself a bit in the car. Lightning and Cleo? Was he working with her? This didn't make sense..

Four days left.. At least that's what Sally reminded herself. Four days to get that spark lit back up in Lightning. She pulled up to the academy in her mysterious racer suit and saw Lightning's car. Good. She put on the helmet and walked up to the door and pulled, but they were locked. "Dammit.." She mumbled. Looking around and trying to figure out a way in. Back door. She walked around back and was stopped by the sight of a few of the old race cars in the back lot. Why?

Sally walked further and found the rear door open. But.. Also found Cal's car in the lot. Crap. Crap, abort! Sally turned around and "Oomph!" She fell to the ground after bumping into someone. She looked up, in the race suit and helmet, to see Cal! She stared up, worried if she were going to be caught. Cal lent out his hand and helped the racer up saying "I haven't seen you round here before.." the kid was quiet then, "Oh no... I thought I told you to get lost!" Yelled Lightning. Cal and the kid looked that way as Lightning walked up. Cal frowned saying "Light.. I just got here.. I just wanted"-"Not you. You!" Pointing to the kid!

"GET LOST!" Lightning growled into the face of the helmet! The kid swallowed a bit nervously, Cal got between this asking "Who is this?" "Some kid wanting to race." Answered Lightning. Cal stared at the racer asking "Really?.. I told you this was gonna happen man. Maybe the drug news is already out?" "No, this kid just won't leave me alone. Wants to race me. Hey, you race him." Suggested Lightning. Cal and the kid glanced at each other. The kid shook his head. Cal snickered saying "Think he just wants to race you." Then asked the kid, "You are a he?.. Or she?.." the mysterious racer didn't answer.

Lightning rolled his eyes snarling "Whatever IT is, can leave!" The kid and Lightning staring at each other. Cal sighed then pulled Lightning aside saying "Have you called your doctor yet?" "No. I don't have time for it. Look, if the drug is bad, I'll just stop taking it." Replied Lightning. Cal's eyes widened. "No, no, no. You can't do that Lightnin. If you quit cold Turkey, you will have seizures, episodes, nightmares." "I already have those things." Growled Lightning as he swatted Cal away. The kid was listening in for sure.

Cal frowned continuing "Lightnin we are all worried about you.. I don't want anything to happen to you." Lightning sighed and nodded saying "Thanks Cal, but.. I'm fine, okay?.. You should worry about yourself and your family. I just have to get rid of Cleo so I can leave to.." "Why? What is she hanging on you now?" Asked Cal. Lightning glanced at the mysterious racer before answering "Nothing, don't worry about it... Just.. You wanna help me, get rid of wanna be here."

Cal looked at the racer and sighed. Lightning walked away. Leaving the racer with Cal. The kid reached out and began stepping to chase after Lightning, but Cal stopped him by holding out his arm. "Hey, now hold on.. Come on. Lightning McQueen is... Busy.." he lied. Sally heard that and lied about that herself so many times. The kid looked at Cal then without fuss, was walked out by Cal.

When Sally pulled into the place she was staying, she walked inside and took off the helmet and threw it to the ground before falling onto the bed and cried! She only had three more days.. Three! She was afraid she wouldn't get to him within that time frame. Not to mention, now she was worried that the medicine was hurting Lightning because he admitted to the nightmares and possibly meant more than that. She needed to break into his walls and get him back now!...

Lightning pulled up to the academy to find that stupid mystery racer there again! This immediately made him all frustrated and in a worse mood than he was already in. Lightning got out his car, slamming the door and walked up to the kid who was waiting at the front door of the building. "Why won't you just go!? Leave me alone! I will not help you and I will not race you! Stop showing up!" He yelled into the racer's helmet. The racer remained quiet like always. Honestly, the silence was pissing Lightning off more than anything right now.

BBBbbbzzz.. Lightning felt and heard his phone. He glared at the kid then picked up his phone answering. "Hello... Yeah, it's fine. Yeah, uh.. I don't.. Maybe.. How are you doing anyway? And the baby?"

It was Cruz..

"Good... Yeah, no, I'm..Happy..." lie.

"Are you still racing this weekend? I might. If Cleo will let me. Yea.. It's complicated Cruz... Believe me, at this point, I want to be with you.. Anything to get away from freaks in this town... yeah, I just can't... I.. I'll call before the race.. Maybe. Okay. Bye." He hung up and back to the mysterious racer, but... The kid was gone? "Where'd he go?" Muttered Lightning.

SLAM! A car door! Lightning turned and looked to see the kid in the vette speed off. Easier than usual. As the vette sped off, it suddenly stopped. Lightning stared a moment. What was the kid doing?

Sally was hurt a bit by even knowing that Lightning was talking to Cruz. She was reminded why she had pushed for another divorce. That even if she did break through to Lightning, would she want him? She looked back in the rear view. She had his attention right now, so this was a chance. How? He was being stubborn and wouldn't race at all. Sally swallowed nervously and took a deep breath. Thinking.

Lightning stood and watched for the vette to leave, but it just idled there. Lightning shook his head and was about to go on into the academy and ignore this, when the vette backed up and pulled back up. Lightning sighed and watched the kid get out of the car. "Seriously?..." Lightning growled. The kid walked up to Lightning and just stood there a moment. Oh how she wanted to wrap her arms around him. To love him and get him back. Not to herself so much, but to himself.

Another car pulled up. Cleo. Lightning and the kid stared. "You should go.." Lightning muttered. Cleo got out of her car and walked up to these two. She quickly stared at the kid asking "What are you doing back here?" The kid of course, didn't answer. Lightning spoke up answering "He just wants to race.." "You?" Cleo laughed. "Clearly doesn't know a washed out, dead beat driver when he sees one. Here," Cleo handed the kid a handful of posters. "If you're in town, make yourself useful and hang these up." The kid looked at the posters. Future site of the Radiator Springs shopping Mall.

That angered Sally deep down. How could Lightning let this be happening!? As Lightning began to follow Cleo inside, the kid grabbed his arm, stopping him and pointed at the poster with distress. Lightning sighed saying "Racing is over kid... I'm sorry.. I'm.. Just not the man I once was.. Go home." Then he walked in and followed Cleo inside the building. The kid got back into the vette. Sally had to do something. Push Lightning harder. She had.. Two days left... Two...

The next day, it was early morning and Sally stepped out of the room she was staying in the race suit. Another day of trying. She would not br easy and push Lightning hard today. She realized she forgot the keys to the other car as she shut her door. "Whoops.." she played with her keys and opened the room back up and rushing inside to get the correct keys real quick before heading out.

Cleo drove by and noticed.. Sally? In the race suit?.. The vette sitting there?.. SALLY WAS THE RACER!? Cleo giggled to herself as she drove. "Oh this is just too good.." she exclaimed to herself...

By the time this mysterious racer got to the academy. Cleo and Lightning's cars were there. So was Cal's again. That was interesting. With helmet on and identity hidden, the racer walked up to the doors, which were unlocked this time and went inside again. Inside, Cal and Lightning were arguing.

"This can be good!" Yelled Cal! "It means you can fix this! We can work together and fix racing for the better!" "FOR THE BETTER CAL!? Are you kidding me?! This is going to really damage the sport." Argued Lightning. Cal shrugged saying "The sport will heal in time. First we need this place back. Surely there is somethin you can work out with Cleo?" Lightning fell silent. Just staring at Cal. Then the two older racers noticed the kid. "Oh come on!..." Lightning snapped. So did Cleo though. Cleo walked out smiling "Well, well... Back again?" Cleo asked. Circling the kid before walking up to Lightning.

"Go Cal.. I'll talk to you later. This lawsuit has Sally written all over it." Lightning said. That made the racer curious. What could they be arguing about-the drug lawsuit.. Her Dad... Seriously Dad.. Sally thought to herself. Cal frowned. He didn't want to leave Lightning with Cleo it was clear. "Take the kid out with you." Lightning added. Cal sighed and began to approach the kid when Cleo stopped him saying "No, leave him.. He's come here this many times, might as well give him what he wants." Cal was surprised. "He wants to race Lightnin." Cal announced.

Cleo snickered and stared at the kid then up at Lightning and said. "Sounds good to me. Do it Lightning. You two can race tomorrow morning.. I'd like to see this race for myself honestly." Lightning was a little surprised now to. "What? No, I don't ra"-Cleo grabbed Lightning's collar and growled "You do what I say until I'm done with you." Lightning sighed, staring into her eyes with anger. Cleo straightened up Lightning's shirt then approached the kid. "You've been here a few days.. You know the pass?" The kid nodded. "Good. Race starts there at the bridge, ends down the pass into the entrance of Radiator Springs main street. Sound good?" The kid nodded once.

"Good. Go on and get prepared kid." Ordered Cleo. The kid hesitated, glancing at Lightning and Cal then leaving. Once the kid was gone, Lightning asked "Why do you want me to race some kid?.. I.. I don't race." Cleo smiled replying "Oh I don't want you to race him, I want you to destroy him." Cal's brows lowered as Cleo continued "You really want me to finally let you go? Destroying the tape and letting you walk out a free man? Never speaking to me or stepping foot in Radiator Springs again? Make sure that kid never wants to get behind the wheel of a car again." She ordered. Cal immediately snapping "What? No. You can't do that. That's not right and you know it."

"Shut up Cal! Or maybe I should start paying more attention to Megan and you!" She threatened. Cal stared at Lightning who shook his head. Cal fell silent. "Good. And about this stupid lawsuit the two of you are fussing over, look it's just a lawsuit. Everyone will get over it." Cleo then caressed Lightning's cheek saying "But I want to wish you luck still.. Leave us Cal." She snarled. Cal looked at Lightning, mumbling his name, "Light..." "Go Cal!" Shouted Cleo. Lightning was broken. "Just go Cal.." he muttered. Cal didn't want to, but did reluctantly.

The front doors shut and Cleo poked Lightning's nose saying "When's the last time you were balls deep into some woman's pussy baby?" Lightning looked away from her without answering. "Awe.. Are you really this broken now? Have I beat you to the ground this hard?" She asked. Lightning swallowed nervously. "Here.. Let me grab you a drink." Cleo offered. She stepped away and grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to Lightning. "Go on.. It's just water." She assured.

Lightning wasn't sure he believed that, but took the water and strared at it. Would the sex tape be worst than this? He began thinking about it getting out. Cruz.. His rep.. He did seem pretty drunk in that tape. "Can I make a quick call?" Asked Lightning. Cleo raised a brow asking "Right now?" Finding it a little funny, she giggled.

Lightning nodded. Cleo sighed and shrugged saying "Sure, I guess.. I shouldn't have anything to worry about. But I'll be right here the entire time." She warned. Lightning nodded and set down the water and grabbed out his phone, calling Cruz.

Hello.

"Hey Cruz.."

Hey! I.. I wasn't expecting you to call so soon.

"Yeah.. Me either.." he began thinking about asking Cruz if he could let the video out, but that would be awful. Every man alive would treat her like meat after that. Lightning covered the phone, muting it then asked Cleo. "If I get rid of this kid, you'll really let me go?.." Cleo smiled answering "You destroy this kid and I will most definitely let you go. It'll be the last thing you do and once you cross the finish line.. You've finished my game for good." "And the tape?" "Will be destroyed under your watch." Cleo assured.

Lightning sighed then back on the phone.

"I'll be at the race this weekend."

Really?

"Yea. I have something to take care of in the morning then I'll try to get the earliest flight I can."

Alright, great. Thank you. I'll get you room and some stuff.

"Alright.. Thanks Cruz, see you soon." Lightning said and hung up. Cleo smiled then rubbed Lightning's chest asking "We should celebrate really. This will be our last chance to have a little private fun." Lightning looked away saying "Please don't Cleo.." he sounded so pathetic for the great Lightning McQueen. Cleo snickered "Don't forget.. I still have the tape and until you crush that kid.. I could still upload the video." Lightning sighed with a frown pleading "I don't want to Cleo... Please stop.." "Please stop? I'm here giving you a freebie at my sex and you want to say please stop?" Lightning didn't reply.

SLAP! Across his cheek! Lightning rubbed his jaw as Cleo scolded "You are just lucky I'm pretty much over you asshole.. Be early to the bridge of the pass. If you fail, the tape goes up regardless of anything!" She snarled and stomped out. Leaving Lightning alone for a while. Lightning wasn't an aggressive driver. Being that this kid was a nobody, it would be easy enough to scare the kid out of one race...

Lightning parked his car at the bride. The rour from the falls was loud and making a fog and the air a little chilly near it. He walked over to the side where Cleo was waiting with some man. "Whose this guy?" Lightning asked rudely. Cleo shook her head answering "No one to you. Ready for your big race?" She asked. Lightning snickered replying "I'd hardly call this a race." Cleo grabbed Lightning's collar and threatened "Just remember what happens if you do not burn this kid. That tape goes up for the entire world to see.. I'm pretty sure it won't be just Cruz hurting from that, but your kids.. All of them will grow up seeing that as their Father. Do you want that Lightning?" She asked. Lightning sighed answering in a whisper, "..No..."

"Good. So make sure this kid's car is done." She warned then pushed Lightning away. Lightning was a little confused with Cleo. She knew Lightning could never actually hurt anyone so why was this the last thing she wanted him to do. Then an old mustang pulled up. Cleo, the man she was with, and Lightning all stared as the car parked. Cal got out and walked over. "You aren't really gonna do this for Cleo are you?" Cal asked fast.

"Well hello to you to Cal." Growled Cleo. Lightning glanced at the woman then to his friend answering "I have to. I do this and she finally let's me go.. I can leave town and everyone in it.." "Oh, like me? Bobby?" "Bobby won't stay here anyway Cal." Lightning snapped. Cal knew that was true more than likely. Cal only continued "Yeah, but..." "But nothing Cal!" Lightning yelled! "I have nothing for me here anymore! I already have a flight out of here after this stupid race.. Let me go." He pleaded. Cal sighed with a frown, but agreed silently. Then the other vette pulled up and parked next to Lightning's Camaro.

Cleo smiled with a "Good.. Looks like the kid is here." Cal then placed a hand on Lightning's shoulder saying "Go easy on the kid Light..." Cleo cleared her throat and called Lightning over. Lightning looked absolutely miserable. Cleo stepped close to his face, inches and softly spoke. "When I say destroy this kid... I mean make sure he has a permanent reminder of why you don't race anymore. And here." She handed him a helmet. "Why?" Asked Lightning. Cleo snickered answering "So i can tell you if your being to easy on him.." Lightning glanced back at the kid who was waiting and leaning on their vette. Lightning nodded and took the helmet and put it on.

Cleo looked to the man next to her who then reared back and suddenly punched Lightning in the stomach! Lightning fell to his knees! Cal jumped shouting "HEY! THERE WAS NO NEED FOR THAT!" "BACK OFF OR YOU'RE NEXT CAL!" Yelled Cleo. Cal looked at the man who was way to big for Cal to take on, so Cal stayed put.

Lightning took off the helmet just in time to throw up. Oh how Sally wanted to run to his aid!.. Cleo noticed it to. It was odd that Cleo was paying so much attention to the kid. The man next to Cleo handed her some water. Cleo knelt down and handed it to Lightning. "Drink this real quick. It'll help with the sickness." Lightning pushed the water away. Cleo's brows lowered as she put it in his hands by force. "Drink it or forget this entire thing and I upload the dam tape." Lightning panted a bit then drank the water. It did feel a little refreshing after getting sick like that.

Lightning put the helmet back on and stood up. Ready to race. Sort of. Lightning walked over to his car and stared at the kid. He stared and said "You won't make it out of this race kid.." Then got into his car, shutting the door and revving up the engine. The kid was nervous. Never been on that end of Lightning's banter in a race setting before.

The kid got into the vette, started it up and revved up gently once or twice really. "Okay Sally.. It's just Lightning.. You're just going for a drive." She nervously told herself. She took a few deep breaths as the man Cleo was with lifted up a flag. "Just a drive with Lightning.." She told herself again. She glanced over at Lightning. He wouldn't be all that aggressive would he? He wasn't an aggressive racer.. Not usually.

The flag dropped and the vette sped off! Lightning gave the kid a moment before he followed close behind. Now at first the race was normal as it could be. Two drivers, racing down the pass, following the bends and curves of the road. Being morning, it was safer, no traffic.

Lightning came on the passenger side of the vette. Cleo watching with her binoculars as much as she could and reminding Lightning through the helmet, "Rough him up Lightning!" Lightning looked over at the vette, driving side by side of it. The kid wasn't expecting this move. Lightning jerked the wheel toward the kids car, hitting it with his! Pinning the kid between his camaro and the guard rail over the cliff! Sally never felt fear like that before! Looking down out of her driver window to see the cliffs below! That was near death to her!

Lightning let up and gassed it! Darting ahead of the kid. The vette moved away from the rail and cliff side and shifted hard, trying to catch up quick. Lightning looked in the rear view mirror to see the vette nearing closer. He sighed and moved over a lane, away from the cliffs to see if the kid was stupid enough to want another taste of that. The kid only tailed him, moving with Lightning. Drafting.

Sally wasn't sure how to get Lightning to feel what she just did, except for to give him a taste of what he had just given her. She tailed him to the point of annoyance. If Lightning moved an inch left, she did to. If he sped up, she sped up. Lightning grew tired of that game and curved in with the turn, giving room to the kid.

The kid moved in on Lightning's passenger side and glanced over. "Okay.. You can do this.." She told herself before jerking the car into the side of the camaro and shoving, pinning Lightning between her car and the guard rail from the cliff below!

Lightning's car sparked over and over as it grazed hard against the metal railing. The Sally's eyes widened seeing a car ahead! She backed off of Lightning, giving him leverage there and Lightning gunned it ahead and passed around the oncoming vehicle easily. The vette followed, doing the same. Middle of the race.

Lightning and the racer were racing normal, but according to Cleo. Lightning needed to scare this kid out of racing. Lightning shifted the car as he tried thinking of something to scare the kid sense the cliff rail didn't work.

Sally shifted hard and sped up to the tail of Lightning's car. "See if this wakes you up." She said before ramming the rear of the camaro. Lightning felt the jult and looked back on the vette. The kid moved over slightly and bumped the rear wheel of Lightning's car, sending Lightning side ways. "NO!" Shouted Sally as she didn't mean for that! Lightning grabbed the brake and drifted close to perfect around the curve with Sally close behind! She gunned it and didn't realize another turn was right there.

She went in to fast and hit the side of Lightning's car again, quickly hitting her brakes some to back off! But Lightning's car was already spinning in circles, once, twice, third time, Lightning regained control only he was nose to nose literally with the vette and now racing backwards!

He and the kid stared at each other as Lightning managed to race alright in his backwards position. "There we go.. That's it Lightning." Sally cheered to herself. She let off the gas and Lightning used the break to whip the car back to the correct direction! Got to admit, that felt pretty good! "Alright... Time to really wake you up." Sally said as she was gaining confidence.

She gunned it hard, nearing the final turns of the race. But Lightning knew and couldn't forget what Cleo told him to do. He had to end this kid. He began looking at the surroundings. Finding something ahead to use to aid in this. Rocks.. More like a small boulder. That'll work. Lightning wasn't a dirty racer. Not usually. But this was his ticket to freedom! Or so he truly hoped!

The vette followed Lightning close behind. Lightning let up, getting the kid next to him. He glanced over at the mystery racer and hated what he was about to do to the kid. "Sorry kid.. This is gonna hurt a little.." He whispered to himself. Nearing a boulder on the kid's side of the road. Lightning waited as he drove for the perfect moment... Waiting and having no real choice, Lightning jerked his car into the kid's car, BAM! Making the vette swerve directly to the boulder in a BAMCRUNCHSHATTER! AS Lightning continued off and down to road to the finish line and left the kid on the wreck of smoke and broken metal.

Steam and smoke lifted from the car! The nose of it was all crunched in. The sounds of steam was like a hiss. Sally felt something running down her head. She grabbed the helmet and struggled a moment to come to realize what had just happened. Lightning wrecked her!

She took off the helmet and shoved the air bag out of her face then looked up in the mirror, it was broken to. She touched her forehead to find blood. It wasn't to bad. More than likely from the helmet. The door was trapped shut though. She unbuckled and tried getting the door to open. No luck.

She then saw the camaro coming back around at a slower speed. She quickly put the helmet back on! Lightning stopped the car and got out. One thing with racing. The racer was fine if they got out of the car. The kid hadn't gotten out yet. Lightning walked up to the window and asked "You okay?" As he took off his helmet. The kid gave a thumbs up to Lightning.

Lightning sighed and looked inside the car at the legs and feet of the kid and said. "Can you move your feet?" he asked. The kid looked down and moved his legs. "Good. You'll be fine. Shut off the engine. It's the next best thing to a kill switch in a street car." The kid did. "Take off the helmet and you'll be able to breathe better." The kid shook his head and made clear he didn't want the helmet off yet. "Alright, alright.. Let's try getting you out of this thing." Replied Lightning.

Lightning tried the door. Nothing. Passenger side next and it opened right up. Lightning crawled into the cab and explained. "I'm gonna grab you under your arms and pull.. I'll be gentle. You try getting your feet out of there, okay?" The kid nodded.

So Lightning grabbed under the kid's arms and pulled. Gentle and easy to not hurt him more. Lightning pulled the kid out and fell onto the ground with the kid in his lap. Little awkward there at first.

The kid stood up and seemed pretty okay Lightning stood up and dusted himself off. "Should go get yourself checked out to be safe probably." Lightning suggested. The kid stepped away, back turned to Lightning. "You.. Knew my moves. Were you a student before?' Asked Lightning. The kid put his hands on his helmet and asked "Tell me you felt something racing again.." That was no boy, no kid and she had Lightning's attention. She took off the helmet, still facing away. "Tell me you felt alive.." She added. She had choppy like pixie cut hair.. Platinum blonde.. That voice.. She turned around, staring at Lightning.

His jaw dropped slowly seeing Sally. Sally was this mystery kid!? "Sally..." He mumbled her name. Sally smiled a little and