Christine tore into the front of Cooter's Garage, honking her horn and flashing her lights. She began to blast her radio, and the sound of the Beatles singing Help! quickly filled the air. As Herbie jolted awake, the lights inside of the garage illuminated the area. Christine's radio died down as Cooter himself walked out of the garage. He waved to her as Stripes and Trigger rolled up beside her, Trigger placing himself between the feuding cars.
Cooter? What're you doing here, I thought you were in Chickasaw. Christine rumbled.
"Herbie called me and told me what was all goin' down. He picked me up at the landin' along with Luke and Rosco." Cooter explained.
Luke and Rosco? Luke I can understand, but why Rosco?
"He insisted. I guess Rosco's got quite the grudge against Hughie, said he didn't wanna miss out on the chance to get rid of him once and for all. Anywho, what're y'all doin' here?"
Just then, Thunder came around the corner with General Lee in tow. The smile on Cooter's face faded, and his eyes narrowed.
"What happened?" He asked angrily.
Thunder let General down and turned to him. It was my fault, I was irresponsible. I left Bo thinking that Christine had called me for an emergency when really she just wanted help recruiting more cars to the team. Unfortunately, Hughie Hogg and his men got ahold of him while I was with the others. Trigger and I went to go get him, but we messed up. General came in at the last minute, and the building fell on him. He got burned up pretty bad.
"Pretty bad? Thunder, in this state General could need an entirely new body! When you pushed him down that ravine," Cooter pointed to Trigger. "I needed to replace nearly every part of him! Doors, fenders, top, the works!"
Christine pulled forward, standing in front of Thunder and Trigger. You did it once before, you can do it again. Replace every part of him if you have to, I don't care how long it takes.
You guys need to figure out how to get along better. A weak engine rumbled.
They all turned to see General sitting tall and proud as if there wasn't a scratch on him. Just then, he sputtered and coughed, sinking back down on his suspension.
It doesn't matter who's to blame. What matters is what's going on right now. If we're going to bring Hughie down, we have to do it fast. When he looks at us, all he sees is a bunch of washed-up, rusty cars whose value ain't worth the shell off a snail's back. But he's got us dead wrong. We're an army, you're my army. Now, are we going to stand here bickering over who we should blame for all this or should we put out the fire altogether and get rid of Hughie Hogg? General asked.
Trigger rolled towards him. General, with all due respect, you're in no condition to fight, much less drive anywhere.
Then either put me back into condition or settle it amongst yourselves and come up with a plan.
The other cars all looked to Cooter, who sighed. He took his cap off and itched the back of his head. "I've got some spare parts from an old Charger in my barn for obvious reasons. I'll see what I can work with, but we're gonna need to get my weldin' gear and some tools from here out to the farm."
I can carry the welding supplies. Thunder stated.
And I can carry the tools! Christine and Stripes said in unison.
The two of them glared at each other, headlights flickering violently.
For the sake of all that's good and holy on God's green Earth, I'll be the one carrying the tools just to keep you two canvas-heads from each others' throats. Trigger intervened. No offense Herbie.
None taken. The little car beeped.
Cooter loaded his welding equipment into Thunder's bed and the tools he needed into Trigger's trunk. After hooking General up to his tow truck, Cooter led the cars out to his farm, where they began working on General. They managed to get most of his bodywork done, however, his decals would need to be repainted, and unfortunately, Cooter had no red or blue paint.
We'll deal with it in the morning. General ordered, having become tired and no longer wanting anymore work done on him.
But your windshield is still messed up, how're you going to see? Trigger asked.
I don't need to see while I'm sleeping.
Trigger sighed. Fine, suit yourself.
Cooter and General Lee's Army were sitting outside his barn around a campfire. General Lee was in the barn, sticking his nose and front tires out. Cooter was sitting in front of him, leaning up against the push-bar. Stripes was on his right, Trigger on his left. Christine sat across from General and Cooter. Herbie was on her right, and Thunder was on her left.
"So," Cooter said, drumming his fingers on his knees, "anyone up for a good ghost story?"
I guess. General rumbled quietly.
I think that'd be nice. You got anything, Stripes? Christine asked.
Stripes perked up, realizing that Christine was talking to him. Timidly, he answered. N-no, I don't.
Oh c'mon Zebra, give us something! Trigger rumbled persuasively, gesturing to Stripes' license plate which read Zebra III
I seriously don't have any stories. And only my friends can call me Zebra Three.
Fine then, I'll pick something. I got three stories, which one do you guys want to hear?
Ooh! I want to hear something funny. Not too scary because I'll have nightmares. Herbie explained.
Nah, I want to be freaked out. I'm partial to gore and jumpscares. How about something horrific? Christine asked.
"A really scary story's good for a bonfire. You got one Trigger?" Cooter asked.
Trigger nodded to Christine for some creepy music which she obliged in providing. Years ago, in the rage of the Civil War, two soldiers found themselves lost in the Ozarks. As they wandered aimlessly, their horses grew tired, and themselves hungry. Before they knew it, a storm began to roll in, thunder rolled and lightning flashed.
Thunder quickly added the effects to the sky, and the sound of thunder and the flash of lightning pierced the clouds. Then, quickly, he released them before it could start to rain.
Their horses, having been spooked by the noises, began to gallop. However, as the two soldiers moved swiftly through the trees, a large, dark figure could be seen before them. Its lean figure and disgruntled face horrified them. Nevertheless, their horses kept galloping towards it. As they reached the monster, they saw it. It was nothing but a giant skeleton. It was covered with thin, rotting skin, and its head was that of a deer. As it reached down with its long, gnarled claws, it grabbed the men, horses and all. It then proceeded to tear all of them limb from limb, blood spewed over the forest floor, gushing from the near lifeless bodies of the soldiers and horses. As they died, the horses and the men screamed bloody murder. Then, all was quiet. The monster disappeared into the depths of the forest, never to be seen again, leaving the mangled bodies on the ground, blood still spurting from the detached limbs. Trigger straightened himself. How was that?
The cars and Cooter were silent.
I'm going to have nightmares for sure. Herbie whimpered quietly.
That… wasn't the worst story I've ever heard. Thunder rumbled awkwardly.
That was great Trigger! I loved the ending! You know, I don't think I would have been able to do it better myself. Where'd you come up with that one? Christine asked.
It was all off the bat. Trigger replied.
No way, really? Stripes asked incredulously.
Yeah.
Very impressive Trigger. General commented wearily.
"Anyone else got a story they wanna tell?" Cooter asked.
They were all silent.
I… I sort of have one. General rumbled, breaking the silence. But… it's more of a confession than a story.
Well, what is it, General? Christine asked.
Cooter, you remember the day you first found out that I was a Defect?
"Yeah, course I do!" Cooter exclaimed.
The reason I was all messed up that day… well… was because I… I tried to kill somebody.
They all were silent for a moment
Who was it? Stripes asked.
It… it was Russel. I tried to kill Russel. General explained.
"I woulda done the same thing, General." Cooter shook his head. "What he did… it just ain't right."
The important thing is that you stood up for what you believed in, and that makes you a hero. Well… my hero anyway. Christine blushed.
General sighed. I wish I was, but I'm not, especially after what I did to Russel. Two wrongs don't make a right.
General Lee backed into the barn and the lights went off. Christine gave Cooter a disappointed rumble.
"Don't you worry, Christine, I've got an idea that'll turn 'im into the ol' General again." Cooter reassured her.
After General was fast asleep, Cooter, Christine, and Trigger went to work. When it was morning, they all waited outside patiently for General to wake up and come out of the barn. They waited a long while until finally, General came out. His engine rumbled like it never had before, orange paint glinted brightly in the sun, chrome sparkling, and the six of them gawking at him.
What're you all staring at? General asked them.
Why don't you see for yourself? Thunder rumbled.
He stood up a large piece of reflective metal for General to see himself in. General slowly moved towards it.
You… you finished while I was asleep? He turned to Cooter and Christine. The burns, my windshield, I-I feel like new!
The white-walled tires were my idea. I can take them off if you don't like them, though. Christine explained.
I love them.
And I redid your ones. Pretty good for a car if I do say so myself. Trigger beamed.
"Not to mention that we had to strap a paint gun to your hood in order to do it. And since your ol' flag was burned off in the fire and we didn't have any red or blue paint, I found one and bolted it to your roof. Yeah, it's pretty tattered and ragged, but it'll do. Besides, if anyone asks just say that it symbolizes you bein' a fighter and that you don't give up no matter what." Cooter explained.
Here, here! Stripes exclaimed.
Russel deserved what was coming to him, I'm sure. Believe me, we've all been there. I ran down the murderer of my first owner. Thunder added.
I've spent the last five years of my life running down criminals in the streets of Bay City. Stripes rumbled.
I rammed you down the side of a ravine. Don't think that I don't feel guilty about that. Trigger chimed in.
I used to pull pranks on the people I didn't like. I also destroyed a non-living car that Jim was trying to replace me with. Herbie explained.
"I'm talkin' to cars right now. If word of this got around I'd be sent to a psych ward." Cooter chuckled.
They could all feel General's confidence coming back as he turned in front of the metal sheet, admiring the work Trigger had done on his ones. He turned back to the others, bringing them all in close.
Alright, now here's how we're going to show them fools what we're really made of. General started.
Stripes revved his engine. That's what I'm talking about!
At that, General began to prepare his army for all-out war against Hughie Hogg with one old cop car, a retired runner, a powerful old car, a racer small but strong, an intuitive pick-up truck, and one car-whispering mechanic. All of which would be the first to strike a blow in the final battle against Hughie Hogg.