Author's Note: Well this is it! Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, favorited, followed this story. I've really appreciated the encouragement.
It took a lot to faze Doc and seeing Lightning outside his garage with his own paint job made his eyes grow wide. Part of him felt flattered, part of him wanted to laugh, and part of him wanted to send Lightning straight back to Ramone's.
"What are you doing?" Doc asked, incredulous. "The 'Fabulous Lightning McQueen'?"
"Relax, Doc, it's only temporary," Lightning replied.
"Yeah? And how long is that?"
"Oh, who knows?" Lightning was clearly enjoying Doc's reaction. "Maybe just for today, maybe for as long as I'm Cruz's crew chief. Being 'old school' is trendy these days, you know."
"You realize that could be years," Doc said flatly, still not totally believing what he was looking at.
Lightning grew serious for a minute. "C'mon, Doc, I thought you'd be impressed."
"Oh I am. It just seems like red is more your color."
"Well I just thought I'd get a new look to go with my new job of 'bestowing wisdom on the next generation'" Lightning said with a wink.
"So, this is serious? It's not just some elaborate prank?"
"Not this time," Lightning said. Doc still looked skeptical. "Trust me, this isn't a repeat of April Fool's Day."
That was a small comfort to Doc, who still had flashbacks of that day. He realized Lightning was in earnest, despite the kid's humorous attitude. He honestly did feel flattered, but still found it unsettling. Doc wasn't sure how long he could handle Lightning literally being his own reflection.
Lightning spoke again, changing the subject. "C'mon, Doc, we gotta get to Willy's Butte. Cruz and I are gonna race, and you were gonna race the winner, remember?"
"I haven't forgotten, hot rod. I'll see you over there."
When Doc got to Willy's Butte, he ran into some familiar faces.
"You guys seem to have a talent for showin' up when I least expect it," Doc said when he saw Smokey, River, Junior, and Lou by the side of the track.
"Well you did give us an open invitation," said Junior.
"Your tow truck friend told us there was gonna be a race over here, so we thought we'd come watch. Figured we'd run into you at some point," added Smokey.
Doc parked next to Smokey. "Well I can't get too comfortable. Whoever wins this round goes up against me. But afterward, I'll show you the sights."
Cruz came by on her way down to the track and stopped near them. She had a brand-new paint job, with Dinoco logos, and sporting the number 51. "Mr. McQueen told me you were willing to share the 51, so I just wanted to say thanks."
Doc smiled. "It suits you, Cruz. And one more thing. You tell Lightning if he ever gives you any attitude, he'll have to answer to me."
She laughed. "I'll remember that." She left them and drove down to take her starting position.
It was then that Lightning chose to make his grand entrance, much to the delight of Doc's friends. After some teasing banter between Cruz and Lightning, Luigi waved the flag, and the two of them took off around the Butte.
"I reckon you'd probably want to see our racing museum," Doc said to Smokey later at Flo's.
"It's even got a whole wing dedicated to Doc!" Lightning said excitedly as he sat across from him. Doc inwardly cringed. He hadn't planned on them finding that out until they got there. River whistled appreciatively.
"A whole wing, just for you?" asked Junior.
"It's like they think you're some kind of racing legend or something," added Lou.
"Before we start questioning their judgement, we ought to see what Hud's wing is like. We can make sure they got their facts straight." Smokey chimed in. They started to leave, and Doc went to go with them until Lightning called out to him.
"Hey Doc, hold up!"
"What is it, son?"
Lightning was having trouble getting his words out. "Look, I, I wanted to let you know, I mean, I don't want you to think that I'm not gonna need you anymore."
"Why would I think that?"
"Well, you know, you're not going to be coaching me during races for a while." Obviously, Lightning was afraid that Doc was suffering from some insecurities.
"Listen Lightning, let me tell you something. You think winning multiple Piston Cups is hard? Try coaching someone else toward achieving that same thing. Or even surpassing you. I think you're going to need me more than ever, kid."
Lightning looked relieved. "So, if I wanted you to come to Cruz's races…"
"I wouldn't miss 'em," Doc said, "But you're gonna have to explain some of those things you were telling her. I still don't know what the heck you were talking about."
Lightning laughed. "It's kind of a long story." He then changed the subject. "Hey, how about we take a few laps later? I mean, unless you're too tired from racing with Cruz."
"You just say when. I'll be there. On one condition."
"What?"
"First thing tomorrow you go back to Ramone's," Doc said with a smirk.
"Sure thing, Doc," Lightning replied, chuckling.
A few days later, Doc found a flat package wrapped in brown paper sitting outside his garage. There was no indication of who it was from. In it were two framed photos. One was of Lightning and Cruz from their race around the Butte, the other was of himself and Cruz taken just a short time later. He had no idea someone had been taking photos. But no matter. He hung them on his garage wall right near an older photo of himself and Lightning. Looking at the photos, Doc realized that despite Lightning's worst fears, the kid really had followed his lead.