Prologue

McQueen

The five stars shone bright at the midnight sky. Cruz's brakes squealed on the track, but we lost track of time. Adelaide was on my hood until she slid off to the dirt on all four tires. She attempted to drive to Cruz, but Cruz drove to her instead. They gazed at the stars.

Adelaide cooed and flailed her tires around while gazing at the stars.

Adelaide had been my actual daughter, but my training with Cruz considered her as another daughter of mine. It reminded me of Doc before he passed away.

I established the Hudson Hornet Legacy, and I owe it to Doc Hudson. I owe this to Cruz as well. I took over Doc Hudson's place.

Doc Hudson and I used to train for every race at Willy's Butte for three years until he passed away. He taught me a few tricks, but it was Cruz's turn.

At the Rusteze Racing Center, we trained and used the racing simulator. That unbearable machine was fixed after the Florida 500, no more problems guaranteed. At Willy's Butte, Cruz raced along its track. Adelaide joined in on the fun with us as well.

Adelaide was named after Cruz, and it endeared her. She reminded me of Cruz too much. Hey, Adelaide's name was my idea.

I steered away from the stars, a tragedy through a letter. However, Adelaide and Cruz were still star gazing, and I joined in.

"Look at all those stars…," Cruz said as she looked at the stars with Adelaide, "They're so beautiful! They're watching over all of us from above! What else do you like?"

"Adelaide likes the sound of music boxes," I chimed in, "Well, she always wants her parents around."

"She does?"

"Yeah," I chuckled.

Everything remained silent. Adelaide tried to reach for my hood and hopped on, crying wasn't heard from her. Cruz yawned and tried to keep her eyes open, but they couldn't.

Cruz smiled and asked when another season would take place, but she yawned as we trained late by mistake. Adelaide slept for a while. Well, for an infant who hasn't turned one, she hasn't been upset. She must've had a sweet dream.

We all steer away from the stars as we turn on our headlights. Tires crunched on the dirt, and Adelaide snored. Cruz begged and begged, but she drew the line. Never drag my daughter into this mess. There's so much out there.

Perhaps, a racer with the will of racing can race with you. Doc met me, but it wasn't a pleasant meeting. I destroyed the town road. We hated each other as well, and our selfishness and pride tore us apart. When I met Cruz, It looked like Cruz had potential, but Sterling said she was just a trainer. Cruz was supposed to train me, right? I yelled at her after the Crazy Eight Derby. When Cruz told me she wanted to become a racer, it hurt to see her like that. Good thing I gave Cruz a chance to race at the Florida Five Hundred and win against Storm.

"How's Sally?" Cruz asked.

"She's fine," I said.

"Also, what will happen to The Hudson Hornet Legacy? Can Adelaide race?"

"No."

Cruz's eyes narrowed and glared at me. She held that face for a while, and we traveled a few miles to town. Instead of a succeeding legacy, it would just become a miserable state of lies. Adelaide's misery is on Cruz.

I made it clear to Cruz. I made it clear. Adelaide just needs what's best for her. The racing world doesn't matter anymore. I'm retired. Cruz deserved it. She can beat Storm.

Cruz's persuasion wanted to continue the Legacy, but Adelaide wats my priority. Adelaide was my priority to take care of, and it was no one's business except for mine and Sally's.

Sally took care of Adelaide whenever I trained Cruz. She and I always took care of our little Adelaide. At least Adelaide's calmer around us.

"Why?" Cruz said.

"Let her decide first!" I said.

"What if I retire?! Racing doesn't last forever!"

"It's been three years! Three years!"

"But what happens when my racing career ends?! When Storm took over, you couldn't beat him! You eventually gave up, and it's gonna be the same with me!"

I back away from Cruz's conviction. You've been racing for three years, Cruz. I've changed! I already have a daughter to take care of! She's my new priority! My family and friends are my new priority!

Racing's far behind me! Doc is gone! It's all over! I'm just Lightning McQueen, a crew chief to Cruz Ramirez, a husband to Sally, and a father of one. Racing's over, and that's that! Racing isn't everything!

"I don't know! There aren't any new racers taking over! It's been three years, and I could say that again! I only gave up because you deserved to race, and I couldn't keep up anymore!"

"What's gonna happen after I retire?! I'm gonna train someone! Who do I train? The daughter of Lightning McQueen?!"

"Calm down. We could find a racing enthusiast who's willing to race, but you can't drag my daughter into this mess! She's not obligated to race! Is that clear?!"

"But it has to be her! She reminds me of you!"

We stopped the conversation as Adelaide's scream grew louder. What have we done? Adelaide probably couldn't sleep anymore. My poor little Adelaide didn't deserve it. I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I never meant to hurt you.

"Sh, sh, sh. It's alright," I whispered.

"I'm so sorry about that," Cruz said.

"It's alright."

We drove a few miles further into the main road and town, almost no longer on the dirt. The lights in the town have turned off, and the blinking traffic lights guided me home.

"But what about the Fabulous Hudson Hornet's legacy?" Cruz said.

"We'll see, but let's let Adelaide decide. Good night," I said.

"Good night."

I was back at the Cozy Cone with Adelaide on my hood, and she fell asleep. I promise you'll be alright, my little darling, Adelaide. I'll do the best I can for you. You're safe and sound.