The award ceremony had just began and thousands of cameras were directed at the three places at the podium.
Firework flashed through the dark sky and a taste of victory lied in the air.
Ryan stood at the highest position and grinned over his whole face. On his left, Lightning winked into the cameras and Danny Bush had the third position. The two moderators of the Piston Cup held a speech and then the trophy was brought. Ryan took it dignified. He held it into the camera and grinned. "Congrats!", Danny said and Ryan laughed. "Thank you, man." Cameras flashed and Lightning smirked over Ryan's joy. He knew how good this felt.
Suddenly, Ryan raised his hand. "I wanna say something!" The crowd of journalists got silent and Ryan cleared his throat. "You know... I am honoured. Thanks to everyone who supported me. My team, my family and friends. And thank you so much for this trophy, it's breathtaking." He licked his lips. "But I owe this one someone." He turned to Lightning, who was taken off guard.
"Thank you Lightning. For everything. You opened my eyes. You taught me that racing is more than just winning."
The journalist kept silent and an eager hush spreaded over the stadium.
Ryan took a deep breath.
"I did some horrible things, lately. I extorted Lightning to quit is racing career." The crowd gasped and someone took a picture. Lightning looked down to his feet.
"But that's not all", Ryan continued. "I kidnapped his friends and challenged him to a one-on-one race, in which I crashed." He sighed.
"Lightning, I did horrific things to you and your friends. And I don't know how to compensate that other than stepping back from my win and giving you this trophy. You earn it so much more than me." He placed the trophy in Lightnings hands. The moderators and journalists moved unsettled. The racer in his red firesuit swallowed. This was not what he expected. Ryan looked sincerely at him. Lightning bit his lip. "Ryan, I thank you very much. But I cannit accept it."
Ryan was caught off guard. "What?", he whispered.
Lightning smiled. "We share the pole position this season. Next year we try again. And we forget everything that happened in the last weeks."
Ryan smiled in relief. "Thank you Lightning. For everything.
The two racers smiled at each other.
"Okay then", one of the moderators murmured. "The winners of the Piston Cup this year are Ryan Harvick and Lightning McQueen!"
...
One week later the Radiator Springs Team sat outside around a campfire. It were the last days of summer and Mater had the idea to celebrate Lightning's win with a barbecue. Ryan was also there. Lightning invited him and his team to stay a few weeks in Radiator Springs. Ryan willingly accepted and came here some days ago. Lightning and him spend much time together. And they got to know each other more and more.
Lightning looked around at his friends and his heart swollen. He fire threw shadows on Mater's tanned face while he told a story. Ryan laughed about him and since a long time he seemed happy. Lightning looked at Doc who hided smirked under his moustache. He was so glad to have them back. The rookie sighed happily and layed an arm around Sally who snuggled up.
Yes, life was more about racing and winning. It was about losing, and failure. But also about being happy and making new friends. Crickets chirped in the dark and the stars shone brightly. That was all he needed now. Lightning was happy. He lost so many this this summer which he thought he would lose forever. But he didn't. He found new experiences and wisdom. He found love and happiness.
And even a new friend.