Doc watched as the memorial race began, in honor of the late Lightening McQueen every car had been painted red, though they still wore their respective branding. Doc felt his heart full, the love for McQueen was evident. He looked to his left and right, everyone from Radiator Springs was there, with the exception of Mater who despite Holleys persistence remained in his depressed state.

"Trials next Sunday."

Sheriff sighed at those words, he looked at Doc.

"I don't think you are going to get Mater to go... Holley either."

Doc's eyes tracked with the racers as they flew by, their engines rumbling the ground beneath them. He knew what Sheriff said was true and it was probably for the best, Finn McMissile would be there and that would certianly not play out well.

...

Holley drove around the tow truck in a circle, she had been driving in circle in more ways then one for days now. She came to a halt in front of him, the tow trucks eyes sagged, they were blood shot. His tow hook laid flat against his tail, his body sagged on his axles.

"MaterI have tried everything with you, I have tried talking, being quiet, understanding, putting myself in your tires and you continue to shut me out...shut everyone out! You need to snap out of this now! You have cars who love you and care about you and you continue to shove them away, waiting for McQueen to come back... Hes not coming back Mater! You hear me! He's not coming back!"

Holley held her breathe, all that pent up frustration had just released itself. She waited and watched Maters reaction. Mater's body began to heave up and down, his eyes blinked faster and faster.

"NO!"

He shouted, Holley skidded backwards, startled by his action. Holley swallowed slightly pulling forward.

"Mater...?"

Mater's eyes drifted over to her, his body still heaving.

"Where's Fin?"

Holley shook her hood,

"I...I can't tell you that."

Mater narrowed his eyes and for the first time in weeks move, his axles squeaked and his brakes whined. Holley backed up, Mater was scaring her.

"I said where is he Holley, you can't protect him."

Holley was shocked by Maters dark voice, his sounded almost...educated in form.

"Mater, its not Finns fault you have to know that."

Mater pinned her into a corner,

"Holley...

"MATER!"

Mater glanced in his rearview mirror, Sherriff sat behind him. Mater didn't move as the others all rolled in back from the race.

"I want Finn, and I am gonna get him."

Mater backed up, blasting his engine as black smoke poured from his tailpipes. Sheriff followed in pursuit,

"Mater stop!"

Holley took in a deep breath, she blinked as Doc drove over to her.

"You okay?"

Holley nodded,

"I have never seen him like that..."

Doc glanced in his mirror, he had never seen Mater act that way either, revenge wasn't normally Maters first reaction to anything, although that wasn't Mater, it was shell that looked like Mater sounded like Mater, but it wasn't him. Doc sighed sadly, perhaps Mater too had died that night... perhaps.

...

Finn looked out the window of the airplane, the trial was being held in the states due to McQueen having been killed. He sighed, he dreaded coming face to face again with Mater, the hurt, the anger, ... that hate in the tow trucks eyes had haunted him since that night. It wasn't long before the plane was landing, Finn disembarked and headed down the ramp. The trial wasn't for a few more days but he felt he had to see the town, make another formmal apology.

...

Sheriff had failed in catching up to Mater, and two days later no one had heard nor seen from him when Finn rolled into town.

"Welcome Fin."

Doc smiled warmly, Finn looked at him. Remorse filling him as he looked at the town smiling at him.

"Look i needed to come here before the trial to say..."

"You have nothing to apologies for...you didn't kill McQueen."

Finn looked at Doc, his eyes scanning the rest of the town whose hoods all nodded in agreement.

"Thank you...but i still feel guilty."

"FINN!"

Everyone looked up the street, Mater was revving his engine his eyes narrowed.

"I knowd youd come here!"

Finn pulled around, he sat facing Mater. Sheriff rolled down next to him.

"Get behind us, in his state i don't know what he will do."

Finn shook his hood,

"Let him go, whatever he does to me I deserve it."

Mater floored it, aiming his body right for Finn. Finn sat firm, he stared at Mater as he came closer and closer, everyone gasped as Mater slammed on his breaks, his tires leaving skid marks on the road.

Finn felt the wind from Maters stop, their bumpers inches from touching.

"How could you?! You killed him! You drug me into it and now McQueen is dead becuase of it! If it weren't for you Miles would have never brainwashed me and I would never have been apart of taking McQueen to him..."

Mater stopped talking, his eyes softening,

"Oh my lord, i took McQueen to him... Im the reason he's dead."

Finn sat quiet,

"Mater...it was Miles...he pulled the strings."

Mater shook his hood backing up,

"Finn.. i am so sor..."

The tow truck broke down, the tears spilling over his hood. He couldn't speak as the town rallied around him.

...

The court was bustling with cars, media, press, and looky lous came from everywhere to catch a glimpse of the trail about to take place. Everyone knew Miles was guilty, the main event was seeing the convict get thrown away for life, the former Sir and highly respected, even by the Queen, be convicted to federal prison for the rest of his life. The residents of Radiator Springs, with the exception of Doc and Mater, lined the seats in the court room. Doc, Mater, Holley, and Finn all had to sit in the front of the court room. Doc leaned slightly to Mater.

"You sure you are up for this? They are going to ask you to re count everything."

Mater nodded,

"I'll be okay, now that i got my thinking straight..."

Mater looked over to Finn, though he felt guilty for what happened to McQueen a part of him still blamed Finn.

"Court will come into order!"

The officer at the front announced to the room as it fell silent. Doc had to smirk, it was fitting. He first saw McQueen in his own courtroom.

"The honorable Judge Wheeler presiding."

A black jaguar pulled out,

"Be seated."

Doc barely listened as the Judge began his inquiry of how the proceedings would work. Miles was sitting horizontal to them, his four tires in chained boots. A smug look on his face, a look that didn't seem to care what happened to him.

"Is there a Granger in the courtroom?"

The judge looked around, a murmur rose as no Granger pulled forward.

"Granger? Are you present?"

The doors to the court room suddenly flew open,

"Your honor a apologize for being late/"

"All well Mr. Granger?"

Granger nodded,

"Yes sir."

The court began, calling each one of them to come up at as a witness each recounting their versions of the story. After a few hours of recounting and evidence Granger drove up,

"Your honor i offer you one last... two last evidence submissions..."

He looked to the back and nodded as the court doors flew open and two grey cars in primer drove down the aisle, everyone was shocked into silence as the two reached the front of the court room.

"come on boys. May i present to the court the two victims of Miles Axelrod, Rod Redline and Lightening McQueen."

The court room erupted with conversation and the clicks of camera. Docs mouth fell open, Mater looked like he was gonna pass out.

"McQueen?"

Doc whispered, turning back around to look at Sheriff who was just as stunned.

"Order! Order in the court!"

The court once again died down, McQueen glanced over at everyone. He hated the fact that he had, had to lie to them by pretending to be dead for a few weeks but according to Granger it was necessary and from seeing Miles shocked face Granger had been right. McQueen looked at Mater and Granger prattled on about legal stuff. Mater looked at McQueen with intensity, almost like he didn't believe what he was seeing.

After about another hour of debate the court sentenced Miles to life in federal prison. The court erupted again as the judge dismissed the court and Miles was hauled off. McQueen rolled over to Doc. McQueen, looked down, he wasn't sure how to explain it.

"Doc... I'm sorry...Mater...I really wanted to tell you but Granger wouldn't let me."

Mater and Doc, along with the rest of the town rushed for him, forming a circle all of them nudging him talking all at once excited. Sally came right for him, kissing him.

"I thought i had lost you forever."

McQueen pressed into her, their fenders side by side. McQueen looked at Mater.

"Mater?"

Mater smiled,

"I really missed ya buddy... but i knowd the whole time you was alive."

McQueen smiled,

"Guys meet Rod Redline."

Rod rolled over,

"Mater...remember me? I was painted blue before."

Mater narrowed his eyes in thought.

"Wait a minute... you was that car in the bathroom in Japan! The one with that pacer and gremlin!"

Finn's eyes went wide,

"You are the American agent?"

Rod chuckled,

"Was..an American agent. My Family doesn't even know i am alive."

Mater raised an eye,

"So you was the one that planted that picture on me."

Rod nodded,

"Sorry, i had to ditch it so the bad guys wouldn't get it, you were my only option."

Mater chuckled,

"Well Finn guess you wasn't the only one who got me pulled into the spy business."

Holley smiled, this was Mater... her Mater. He was coming back.