"Go!"

Lightning put the petal to the medal and the red car leaved Mater in a dusty cloud. He laughed and cheered at his friend. The last week Lightning trained everyday from dawn to sunset. And Mater couldn't be more proud. His guilty feelings were still there and he had sworn himself to tell Lightning the truth. But till now there hasn't been a good opportunity. But today. Today he would tell him!

"Mater!"

The tall man got ripped out of his dayfreams. "What?"

"How fast was it?" Lightning sat in his car which was right next to Mater. When did McQueen stop? Mater shook his head and looked onto the stopwatch. It still ticked. "Ehhrr..."

Lightning groaned. "This was the best lap sonce days! And you're not stopping? What is wrong with you!?" He got out of his car. Mater was taken aback. He knew, the pressure and the heat made Lightning act like that, but why did he yelled at him? He just forgot to stop the time.

Lightning gazed at him in rage. "You're acting weird for days! What happened!? I just aked you to help me. But you... You're..." He shook his head in frustration. Maybe that was a bud harsh but it was true. Since a week or so Mater behaved different. He didn't tried to help him anymore. Instead he found ways to delay the training. Sometimes almost stopping it completely. Like as Mater didn't want him to win and get his friends back...

"I tried to help ya", Mater answered. His voice was faltering. He took a breath but Lightning interrupted him. "Don't you want me to win the race? Do you not wnt our friends back?"

"Yes of course, but-"

"So why do you... Do all this but help me!? This is the only chance to get our friends back and I am not waiting it with tractor tripping! Sorry, but this is more important!"

Mater was tight-lipped. He didn't reply.

"I know you just meant it good, Mater but we haven't time for that!"

Mater had enough. His friend jsut didn't get it. He grumbled. "Everything ya care for is just the race! Yer not even trying to find out more. Ya could've already known who called ya if ya investigate or something."

Lightning couldn't believe his ears. "This isn't a game Mater!"

His best friend looked at him. His green eyes were sad and filled with guilt.

"No it's not." With that Mater got in his truck and slammed the door close. With a rattle the engine came to life and Mater smoked away.

"Mater wait!" Lightning feeled disappointed. He just wanted to know. The racer blinked. This was their first argument ever and it felt not great at all.