Lightning woke up. He checked his phone he checked the time and it read six in the morning, at the bottom of his phone, in black. were Notifications he saw some texts from Mack, some from his mom, and a text from Jordyn. He went to Mack's first, he sent some pictures of his Discord server.

Isn't he a mod?

Lightning texted him to ban this person, he was a mod too, after all. He got up and went to the bathroom. He started the show and put some music on his phone. He put on some Green Day.

Lightning got out of the shower. He changed into his clothes. He threw on a pair of basketball shorts, and a NASCAR T-shirt with his Nintendo car on it that Dale got him for his birthday, he went into his closet and picked out a pair of vans and a black beanie.

He slipped on his Vans and put on his beanie. Lightning opened the door to his bedroom and went downstairs to make himself some breakfast.

He sat down in the living room and turned on the TV. SpongeBob was playing. He posted it to X with the caption 'Good Morning' People started responding to this post saying; 'I love this show!' and 'You still watch SpongeBob?' with three fire emojis at the end. Some of the comments were mean like; 'your what? thirty-four and you still watch SpongeBob?' Lightning sighed and hid their comments. He takes the time to reply to his fans. and hide all of the nasty ones.

Lightning went into Spark's room, the ten-year-old was still asleep. Lightning walked to his bedside. "Spark?" he said softly. His eyes opened, and his vision cleared. he saw Lightning

"Dad?" he asked, sitting up. Lightning nodded.

"Come on, I'll drive you to school. get dressed, man."

"Okay," he said, getting up and getting a Tails T-Shirt the shirt had two outlines of Sonic and Knuckles. Tails was in the front and going across the shirt was a praise saying 'I CAN DO IT' in all caps, a pair of black shorts with a black Nintendo SnapBack. Lightning walked out of the room to let him change.

"Hey, Dad?" Spark asked as he put his seatbelt on.

"What's up?"

"Can we go surfing this weekend, like in Chigao? or, we can wait until we get to Los Angeles Motor Speedway."

"How about both? we can go surfing in Chicago and LA."

"Really?! thanks, dad!"

"And tell you what, I can ask Ty to come too, he likes to surf." Lightning said.

"Cool!" he said. Lightning smiled. "It is cool, right? Dale can't do it. because his hand is still healing."

Spark nodded. He understood why. "When will he get his cast off?"

"In a few days. On.. Friday I believe." Lightning said. Spark nods.

Lightning's car parked at the school and Spark got out, Lightning saw him take his Mario backpack. "Bye Spark!"

"Bye, Dad!" he said, walking into the building. Lightning drove off.

Lightning and Jordyn were both at the mall, Lightning went to Hot Topic, and Jorydn followed him inside.

"What are we doing in here?"

"I want to get a shirt for Chanler. He likes Pokémon and his favorite is Squirtle."

"Is it his Birthday?"

"No, it passed. But why not get him the shirt you know? I wanna be a good friend." he said, as he walked to the front desk with the shirt "What did you get him for his birthday, anyway?"

"He wanted a drawing with him and his starter Pokémon, Squrtile. But he elvolved him into Blastoise." Lightning said.

"You know what size he is?"

"I think he's large, but I can extange it for him." Lightning said.

"Why won't you text him?" Jordyn asked.

"I can. I'll do that now," he said As he took out his phone tapped Chanler's name and texted him.

Chanler texted him back saying that it was perfect. So, Lightning went to the front. Jordyn came back with two checkerboard bracelets in her hands.

"Oh, those are so cool!" Lightning said. "I'll probably buy something for Spark too," he said, taking the shirt and finding something for his son. "You said that he likes Sonic too, right?"

Lightning nodded. "Yeah, I think I'm going to get him a Sonic shirt. I saw one with Classic Sonic on it." Lightning said, as he walked to the shirts and found them.

It was a black T-shirt with a red checkered flag on it at the top of said SONIC and in blue fated to white on the bottom, on the bottom left-hand side, it said Sonic The Hedgehog in white with the classic Genesis font, and on the bottom right-hand side in yellow it said the number 91 and on the right sleeve, it also had the number, Lightning decided to get one for himself also.

He went to pay for all the shirts, and Jordyn paid for the bracelets.

"Hey, Lightning, can I come over?" Jordyn asked.

"Yeah, wait. Didn't you take your car?"

"Yeah," she said.

"I'll text you my address," he said, grabbing his iPhone and texting her the address to his house. "Okay, I'll follow you then," she said. They both left the mall, Jordyn went into her red Camaro ZL1 and they went to his place together.

Jordyn saw his house and gasped. It was a large and beautiful Manson with a long driveway leading up to the entrance, Lightning's Viper was already driving up to his house it was also surrounded by trees and a lush green lawn.

Wow….. She thought as she killed the engine of her Camaro. Lightning saw her step out of her car and walk up to him.

"I love your house, Lightning," she said.

Lightning smiled as she said that. "Thanks, I moved here back in 2013. So, I had this house for a long time."

"Where did you live before then?"

"Arizona."

"Oh, so you were born there?"

"No, I was born in Florida, my parents live here too, I got lost while going to Miami. And something happened, I didn't let my friend stop so he could rest, he fell asleep behind the wheel and… The rest is history."

"Oh, I saw a movie on that. But you and everyone were cars, it was weird."

"I did too, I thought it was good. I saw the new movie, that's where my crash originated from."

"Wait you were in a crash?"

Lightning nodded. "It took forever for me to even climb into a stock car again. I had nightmares for months after getting back on my feet."

"I-I'm so sorry that happened… I saw it, I think the movie made it more dramatic." Jordyn said, Lightning nodded.

"Thankfully I was okay, I had some cuts on my face from it, but I'm okay. I continued racing for NASCAR since then, so I'm now racing for seventeen years.

"Wait, how old are you?"

"Thirty-two."

"Thirty-two?!" Jordyn asked in shock.

Lightning nodded.

"You look so young, thought you were at least twenty-four," she said.

"Nope, and I do. It's my genetics." Lightning smiled

Jordyn smiled. "Okay, it makes you look more cute, then."

Lightning blushed at that. "Thanks, Jordyn."

Lightning opened the door to his house, Jordyn saw how large it waas from the inside.

"Your house is so beautiful."

"Thanks, I thought it was nice too when we moved in." Lightning said.

"Oh…" Jordyn trailed off. "Your wife?"

"Yeah…. Let's go upstairs, I want to show you my music and game room.' he said, walking up the stairs, Jordyn followed him. Lightning opened a door and turned on the lights.

Jordyn saw the room, his red and white electric guitar sat on a stand next to his amplifier. He had posters of Sonic The Hedgehog on the walls. An L-shaped couch sat in the middle of the room, Jordyn saw a big screen TV hanging on the wall. Jordyn saw a PlayStation 5 sitting upright on one side, and on the other, she saw a dock for a Nintendo Switch, and two switches sat on the TV stand with games such as Team Sonic Racing, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Pokémon, Let's go, Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Legends Arceus, Pokémon Scarlet, Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing and Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, he also has Super Mario Bros Wonder that Nintendo gave him for free because he sponsors them now.

Jordyn looked next to the TV and saw his Racing suit framed with a pair of gloves of his old sponsor that he had back in 2006 to 2017 — Rust-eze. Then, he got a call from Nintendo, that they could give him a sponsor with them for a year, but he's going to renew with Nintendo next year. below that was his helmet for it. And he had a model stock car of his Rust-eze Cheviot SS and his new car. With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the back of it like his current sponsor.

Jordyn was amazed by this. "Woah! Lightning, this room is amazing!"

Lightning smiled. "Yeah, it is. Isn't it cool?"

Jordyn nodded. "It's cool. And I like how your old racing suit is hung up on the wall. But, why isn't it in Team McQueen?"

"Why should it be? This is my first ever racing suit, I want to keep it. The older one is at Team McQueen Racing, but this one isn't." Lightning said.

"Oh, okay. cool. So wanna play Pokémon Scarlet?" she asked.

Lightning grabbed the switch and took out Mario Kart, then he opened the game and put in Pokémon Scarlet. Lightning grabbed the joy cons and put it in the holder with the box. Lightning played first, then Jordyn.

A few hours passed, and Lightning had to pick up Spark from school, but he got a text from Dale that he was going to pick up Spark, Liam, and Matt. Lightning texted him back that he was fine with that idea, Jordyn saw that Lightning was texting someone.

"Texting your friend?"

"Yeah, Dale asked me if Spark can ride with him because his boys go to the same school."

"Okay, so. you let him"

"Yeah, he wants to, maybe they can go go-karting at his house. He has an outdoor go-kart track."

"That's awesome! maybe we can visit him one day, I've seen him race, and I've watched some of his old races when his father was still alive."

"It's unfortunate what happened to his father you know… My dad raced with Dale Earnhardt Sr. He seemed like a cool guy. I met him before his accident."

"You met him?" Jordyn asked. Lightning fixed his hair and nodded.

"That's cool! You know, I met Jackson Storm."

"Ugh, every time I hear his name I wish I had a hot honey bun and throw it at him."

"I saw there were fights between you guys on Pit Road."

"Yeah! crash into me and you'll get CLAPPED!"

"Have you fought with any of the other guys? Like Cal Weathers or your friend?"

"Oh no. Me and Dale? never! we only called each other names, but that's us joking around. we never fought on or off the track."

"Wow, you two must have a strong friendship."

"When you knew and raced with someone for seventeen years, you have that unbroken bond. And I went to his place after I raced in Charlotte, So that's that."

"What do you guys do?"

"We played a lot of Guitar Hero Two. Like, a lot. Of Gtiar Hero. And Bully."

"Oh! I loved that game! That game was fun!"

"Yeah, then in 2010 when I got the Wii, Dale was in Phenix, so I invited him over to Raidadir Springs one day and we played the crap outta Sonic Colors! we stayed up until three in the morning! Doc was so done with us."

Jordyn laughed. "I bet." Lightning nodded

Lightning was on the road with Mack going to Chigao. The drive was going to take eleven hours and thirty minutes. Mack was driving while Lightning was on his iPad drawing that piece for Ross sitting next to him, Lightning heard his phone go off, he put his iPad down and picked up his phone, James was calling him on Discord.

"Yooooo! James, what's up my dude?"

"Hey, Lightning! I think a mod made a mistake and I got banned off your server, can you send me an invite or unban me?"

"Um, sure. but what happened?"

"Someone said something, and they took MY NAME! they framed me! and my profile picture too."

"Mack sent me screenshots, he's a mod. Call him on Discord."

"I don't have his profile, is he there with you?"

"Yeah, he is. I'll put it on speaker." He put the phone on speaker.

"Hey, Mack, I think you made a mistake."

"What Mistake?" he asked.

"You banned someone by the name of James, right? And the profile picture had a picture of Sonic The Hedgehog on it."

"Oh, that was you?!"

"Yes! And the account name is called SonicFan1535."

"Yeah I- Oh, crap! I made a mistake. I did talk to you before you got banned. You did mention that someone stole your name and profile."

Dude! What the frick?! Lightning thought, as he facepalmed.

"Can you unban me?"

"Sure, I'm sorry for that, I'll have a mod bot or something so It won't happen again, I am human after all. I make mistakes too, dude."

"Thanks, man." James ended the call, Mack grabbed his iPhone and did that, He went on the faker's profile first, banned him then went to James' profile and unbanned him.

Lightning continued to draw his fan art. He drew Chanler's car first, then Mario racing in his Kart. Chanler also said that he wants the track to be on the Mario Circuit. So he did that.

A few hours passed and they were at a truck stop. Mack stepped out to get gas, Lightning stepped out to stretch his legs. He went to the back and opened the hauler, he walked inside and saw Spark and Jordyn at the table, about to play the Pokémon TCG.

Lightning saw both of their skateboards and surfboards propped up, Lightning grabbed his backpack and grabbed his laptop. He grabbed his AirPods and put them on, logged on, and continued watching Slugterra.

They made it to the Chicago Street Course. Mack parked the Nintendo hauler next to Cruz's hauler.

He texted Cruz. Cruz's driver stepped out of the truck, Lightning stepped out also. "Hey, Max!"

"Hey, bro! what's up?"

"Yo, where's Cruz?"

"She had an intense streaming session last night, so she's in the back sleeping it off."

"Oh, okay, hopefully she'll be okay to race."

"She'll be fine, It's only Friday, we have tomorrow to Qualify."

Lightning nodded. "That's true, hopefully she'll get better. Okay, I'm gonna change and get an Uber."

"Where are you going?" Max asked, adjusting his glasses.

"Surfing with Spark and Ty I'll see you later." Lightning went to the hauler and grabbed his suitcase, he opened it and grabbed a pair of Sonic The Hedgehog swim shorts. Spark changed into him, and Jordyn changed into a bikini and wore short shorts and flip-flops, Lightning and Spark both wore slides. Lightning then texted Ty.

Lightning, Spark, Ty, and Jordyn all went in an Uber. The driver put their surfboards in the back, went to the driver's side, and closed the door, the Uber driver and Ty both put on their seatbelts.

"You guys headed to the beach?"

"Yeah," Ty said, The woman nodded, the car fit all five of them Lightning grabbed his phone and put on Infinite by NateWantsToBattle.

"Excuse me?" Lightning said.

"Yes?" the driver asked.

"Can you plug my phone into CarPlay? I and my friends want to listen to some music." he said.

"Sure, " the woman said, handing the cable to the Sprint Cup driver. Lightning plugged it in and played the song.

They arrived at the beach, they all got out and they all went to the beach to surf.

They had their surfboards propped up in the sand as they took off their shirts, Spark took off his shirt last and grabbed his surfboard. Jordyn took off her shirt, Lightning stared at her.

Wow.. Lightning couldn't stop looking at her body, It looked perfect. Lightning wanted to grab her and pick her up.

She's so pretty… Spark thought he hoped that he was getting a new mom soon.

They were all surfing now. Spark was surfing a wave, Lightning was doing the same thing, Jordyn was riding her board, and Ty was sitting on his surfboard.

"That was so much fun! you wanna go back?" Lightning asked his friends.

"Dad, can we stay? I want to eat something, and they're probably hungry too." his son said.

"Guys, do you want something to eat?" Lightning asked.

"Sure, we can eat," Ty said.

"Then let's go."

They all went to a restaurant on the beach, They all sat down, and Jordyn sat next to Lightning, He didn't seem to mind. Spark sat next to Ty. Ty was playing Pokémon GO. Spark saw it.

"Found any good ones?"

"No, they're just ones I have already, this game is like…. Why?"

"Can I have your friend code? I can trade you Pokémon."

"Okay," he said, pressing his profile and going to friends. he scanned Spark's QR code, Ty sent the friend request.

"Thanks, Ty," he said as he accepted it.

Lightning was back at the track now, and Jordyn was with him in his trailer, Jordyn was on her laptop, and Lightning was next to her, finishing the art piece that he had to do.

He heard the hauler doors open, Lightning saw Mater walk in with a headset in his hand. "Hey." Lightning said.

"Hey!" he said cheerfully. "What's up, why didn't you come surfing with us?"

"Y'all went surfin' who was with you?"

"Ty, my son and Jordyn."

"Who's Jordyn?"

"Mater, I'm sitting next to her, dude."

"Hi! My name is Mater, like tuh mater, but without the tuh."

"Nice to meet you, Mater." he shook the man's hand, and she took her hand back.

"Your hand is… Warm."

"I was at the Pit Box. And I touched the metal, it was hot."

"Well, at least you didn't burn your hand." Lightning said.

"True," he said,

Lightning nods.

Lightning was tossing and turning, he was having the same dream he'd thought he'd never have again.

Sally was in the hospital, they were doing everything in their power to save her, but nothing was working. Then, Lightning came running in, he was wearing his Nintendo Fire suit, and the doctors were doing everything they could to save her. Lightning saw her, he saw the heart monitor was still flat-lining as they were doing everything they could.

"How did this happen?" he asked a doctor. Lightning saw the man turn around, and it was….

"Doc?! you're alive? No matter, Is Sally okay? tell me!"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry, kid…. She's gone…"

Lightning's hands started to shake uncontrollably. Then he started to cry.

"Dad?" Spark said Lightning wasn't walking up, Spark went to get Dale, luckily for him, Dale was in the room next to theirs. He walked out of the room and knocked on his door.

Dale opened the door and rubbed his eye with his good hand. "Spark, hey. why aren't you back in your room, bud?" he asked, kneeling to the Ten-year-old's level.

"Something's wrong with my dad!" he said.

Dale knew….

"Okay, let me in."

Spark nodded and went into the room with Dale. Dale walked over to Lightning and knelt to his bedside.

"Dude," he said. Lightning didn't budge. The tears kept coming. Dale didn't know how to help him. He tried to shake him again to wake him up.

"Lightning."

Lightning jolted up and screamed Sally's name. Dale grabbed and pulled him into a hug, Lightning felt his best friend's warmth and heartbeat the calmed down a little bit. Dale hugged for a little bit longer to get him to calm down.

"You okay?"

"No…" Lightning said.

"That dream again"

Lightning nods his head. "I get it…. I couldn't sleep after seeing… you know…" he said, not wanting to bring back old memories. Lightning nodded, he understands completely.

"I want them to stop…" he sobbed. Dale comforted his friend by rubbing his back.

"All you have to do is give it time… There was nothing you could've done to prevent it…." Dale said.

Lightning nodded.

"Look." Dale pulled out his phone and switched off silent mode. "I'll keep my phone on the ringer and you can call or text me any time you need something, even in the booth. Okay?"

He nodded again.

"Do you want me to stay with you? it'll be better for you," he said.

"No thanks, I can shoot you a text or give you a call, thanks for checking in on me, dude."

"No problem, anything for a friend," Dale said, getting up and leaving the room.

Lightning felt better after that, he could finally go back to sleep.

A/N:Done with chapter five. this was a fun chapter to make. Let me know what Ya'll think and thanks a lot for the support, it means so much to me, I'll see you guys in the next one.