Ch.4: A Dark Deal
Mater couldn't have been any happier to start the day, for tonight was going to be his first date with Holley!
"I should go get her something!" thought Mater, stopping in the middle of his excitement " Maybe one of the others will have some ideas. This is going to be the best day of my life!"
Rolling out his cone, Bubba watched Mater drive off with narrowed eyes. He couldn't believe all the dumb, rusty tow truck's luck. Years ago Mater could barely even talk with Doreen, and now he was a part-time spy, a knight, and had a pretty girlfriend to boot. Not to mention all the towing rights to Radiator Springs.
"Why was he stuck with all the luck?" thought Bubba, driving around.
"Jealous my friend?" asked a eerie voice, instantly catching the tow truck's attention.
"Who are you?" asked Bubba, looking back at a black car with red eyes.
"Call me Gear" said Gear " and I can help remedy your unfortunate situation, for the right price,"
"What price is that?" asked Bubba.
"Nothing" said Gear " 'cept your service,"
"I'm listening," said Bubba.
"Your tow truck friend is looking for a gift for this Holley yes?" said Gear, pulling out the Hope Diamond " deliveir this to him, and I'll make sure the cops take notice. In reward, all your towing dreams will come true,"
"As simple as that huh?" said Bubba, taking the diamond " but why should I trust you?"
"If you don't" said Gear, his red eyes glaring at Bubba " I can personally make sure you're never around again,"
With that said black fog appeared around Gear, and when it vanished the black car had disappeared. Bubba lookedat the empty space confused for a moment, and then back down on the blue diamond in his hand, an evil grin spreading on his face.
"Revenge is mine," said Bubba, and with that thought drove into town to catch up with Mater.
It was nearing late in the afternoon before Bubba finally spotted Mater coming back to his shack in order to get ready for his date with Holley. The rusty, old truck had not found quite the gift he wanted for Holley yet, and was muttering about it as he washed his face.
Sneakingly, Bubba drove up the front of Mater's garage, while his back was turned, and disposited the Hope Diamond on the driveway where Mater was sure to see it. Hearing Mater finish up his clean up, Bubba quickly skittered to the safety of the shadows, and watched as Mater started to leave the shack.
"Here I go" said Mater, then stopped as his tire hit something " Hey, what's that?"
Backing up, Mater could see a beautiful blue diamond sitting there in the dirt, sparkling like a midnight sun.
"Wow" said Mater, carefully picking up the gem with his tow hook " I bet Miss Holley would like this!"
Putting the diamond in the back for storage, Mater drove all the way to Wheel Well with a big smile on his face. Standing atop of a nearby cliff, Gear was smiling too.
"The bait has been set" said Gear, looking after the speeding tow truck " and like that, the game begins,"
It was a peaceful evening to be dining at Wheel Well. The stars and moon sparkled brillantly in the sky. A nice warm breeze drifted in the wind. And the air was filled with joy as Mater and Holley discussed many thrilling stories that made them want to laugh their fenders right off.
"No way!" said Mater, looking at Holley " Finn really did not do that!"
"Oh yes he did" said Holley, still laughing hard " I was an eye witness to everything,"
Laughter soared through the air for another few seconds, before being consumed by silence. Mater looked away from Holley, blushing slightly, as Holley looked back with a confused gaze.
"I got ya something," said Mater shyly.
"Oh Mater" said Holley, touched " you really didn't have to,"
"But I wanted to" said Mater, pulling out the Hope Diamond and placing it down on the table " for you Holley,"
Holley was in total shock the moment she saw Mater's gift. It couldn't be! The Hope Diamond! Sitting right in front of her! Unaware of Holley's shocked expression, Mater began to explian.
"I found the thing sitting in my driveway" said Mater " do you like it?"
"Mater I...," started Holley, but she never got the chance to finish as the resturant was suddenly invaded by Raptor and group of British Intellgence agents.
"Arrest that truck!" commanded Raptor.
"Hey watch it!" said Mater as three BI agents suddenly surrounded him and started attaching the boot " what's going on?"
"Commander Raptor what's the meaning of this?" demanded Holley, driving forward to confront her director, but was stopped by two more agent cars.
"That's none of your concern Miss Shiftwell" said Raptor, fiercely " British Intellegence got an anomious tip that this chap right here stole the Hope Diamond, and here's the gem to prove it!"
"But Mater wasn't even in London at the time of theft!" said Holley.
"Tell it to the judge!" said Raptor, then shouted " get this flith aboard Rex,"
With that said, a bronze colored spy jet hovered near Wheel Well and opened his cargo bay doors near Raptor as he and the other spies roughly pushed Mater aboard.
"Oh by the way Miss Shiftwell" said Raptor, as Rex's cargo doors began to close " you and Finn are fired,"
With that last statement, Rex soared off into the skies with an imprisioned Mater aboard, while Holley instantly tore off towards Raidaitor Springs with tears in her eyes. Lightning and the others were busy at Flo's talking to Finn, when they noticed an uspet Holley speeding towards them.
"Holley, what's wrong?" asked Finn, instantly worried.
"They took him" said Holley, her frame stained with tears " they took Mater!"
"What!" said Lightning shocked.
"Who took him Holley?" asked Finn.
"Raptor" said Holley " Finn, they're going to put him jail!"
"Not if I got anything to say about" said Finn instantly turning on his communicator " Siddeley it's Finn. I need you to come here and take us back to London A.S.A.P! Mater is in trouble, and we don't have that much time to lose!"
"No my friend" whispered a dark voice, watching Finn from his own priavte viewing screen " no time at all,"