I don't own Cars.


"You nervous?" McQueen asked as Mack drove him and Marina to the first official race of the season. He'd gotten a bigger trailer so the two racers could ride together without it being awkward. They shared a pit crew, since McQueen's crew members sponsored Marina.

"A little," she admitted, "Weren't you at your first time?" McQueen laughed.

"Me? Nervous? Now THAT'S an understatement. I couldn't even sit still my first time."

"Wow. That bad?"

"Yeah. But you're a natural. You're gonna do great today, Marina. And this time, I'll be out there with you. So if you need help, I can be there."

"Thanks, Lightning." She smiled and looked out the window, "Looks like we're here."

McQueen looked out the window on the other side and mentally cursed when he saw a green trailer with a big 86 on it, along with the name 'Hostile Takeover Bank'. The one racecar he couldn't stand. They felt the slight lurch as Mack parked the trailer.

"We're here, guys." the semi announced.

"Let's roll out." Marina said as she pressed the button to open the door.

They were greeted by a horde of reporters and flashing cameras. Marina looked out in awe at the enormous stadium that surrounded the track. Every seat was full, and all those cameras were flashing. The roar of the crowd was almost deafening. Marina looked toward one end of the track and saw herself exiting the trailer on the huge jumbotron, her lugnuts the size of the spectators in front of the giant screen. The camera flashes glittered off her paint, . Loud music boomed from the track's loudspeakers, interrupted only by the commentators.

"And there's the pre-season phenomenon herself, Marina Stryder." Bob Cutlass announced.

"Oh man, nobody even saw her comin'! She was like Wonder Woman or somethin'! I can't wait to see what she's got planned for today, Bob!" Darrell Cartrip added in his usual overenthusiastic way.

"Neither can I, Darrell, but today she arrives with and races against training partner Lightning McQueen, who's been credited with bringing back racing legend The Hudson Hornet."

"Not only that, Bob, but he gave up the Piston Cup just so he could help Strip 'The King" Weathers finish his last career race. Ain't nobody gonna forget that!" The two went on to announce the arrival of some of the other racers. Marina followed McQueen to the check-in tent. A green car greeted them. Or rather, he greeted McQueen.

"Hey McQueen! Come to finish second again?"

"Beat it, Chick." McQueen said. Marina flinched. So this was the infamous Chick Hicks, whom Lightning couldn't stand. From what she was seeing already, Marina didn't like him either.

"I'm already gonna beat YOU." Chick bragged, "You and whoever that new rookie princess is. She'll be cryin' speedin' home when I beat her."

That's it, Marina thought, You do NOT call ME a cryin' princess.

"That 'new rookie' happens to be right behind you, idiot," Marina growled, making Chick jump around to face her, "And I am anything BUT a princess, Chickie." She smirked as she saw that get to him, "Oh, and I hope you like my rear bumper, 'cause that's all you're gonna be seein' of me. Come on Lightning." With that, she hurried McQueen away from the green car.

"I see why you can't stand him." she said

"That's it," McQueen said, "You are coming with me any time I have to be near him."

"Green punk." Doc added, having caught up with them after escaping a mob of reporters.

"You said it," McQueen agreed.

"Not to worry guys," Marina said, "Somebody's gonna be cryin' at the end of this race, and it won't be me." The other two cars chuckled.

"Normally, I don't like this kind of behavior," Doc said, "But today, I want you both to put him in his place."

"Yes sir!" McQueen and Marina said in unison.


This time, Marina started in the middle of the field. She looked down the line of cars in front of her and saw McQueen up at the very front.

"McQueen to Marina. Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear, McQueen." She'd been fitted with a wireless earpiece and microphone like McQueen's so she could talk to him and Doc.

"Are you both getting me?" Doc asked, adjusting his crew chief's headset.

"Gotcha, Doc." Marina said

"Same." answered McQueen. She could hear the other racers testing out their comm systems too. Except for Chick, who was busy flirting with his fangirls in the stands. As an official approached the start line, McQueen nudge the green car.

"Pay attention." he hissed. Marina laughed to herself. Chick was SUCH a moron. He even missed the "Start your engines" call. When the green flag waved, he scrambled to get going before he got run over ans everyone surged forward, Marina included. She couldn't wait to beat him.


"This is it, folks, we're into the final laps of the race." Bob Cutlass announced, "Favorites Lightning McQueen and Chick Hicks are fighting for the lead, and newcomer Marina Stryder is right up there in the front quarter of the field."

"Aw man, this is what she did in the preseason!" Darrell Cartrip added, "I love it. She makes 'em think she's not a threat, but then she makes a move at the end that they never see comin'!"

"And we're coming up on that point in this race, Darrell. We can tell Marina has the leaders in her sights. It's just a question of when will she strike, and how."

"Wait a little longer." Doc instructed. Marina did, until she saw McQueen get spun out by Chick.

"Marina!" he called over their comms, "I can't get back up there in time. He's all yours!" She saw McQueen shoot back onto the track behind her. She started blocking other cars so McQueen could get back up until he was even with her. Then she set off after Chick, with McQueen right behind her.

"And there she goes! Marina takes off after Chick, with McQueen right behind her!" Darrell exclaimed.

"Oh hey, McQueen! Sorry you're about to lose!" Chick yelled as they entered the final lap and he put on an extra burst of speed to get away from them. Marina glanced back at McQueen.

"Now?" she asked.

"Now." Lightning answered. Marina surged forward after Chick, McQueen right behind her. Chick was already dancing as they came out of the final turn and headed for the finish.

"GUESS WHAT-" Marina called as she came even with Chick, McQueen even with her door. Chick stared at them in shock.

"-CHICK-EN BUTT!" Marina yelled as she and McQueen shot across the finish line with her in first and McQueen in second. All Chick could do was stare openmouthed at them.


I know, it's short, but I wanted her to troll Chick a little.

Next one will be better. I promise.