Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to Pixar. All OCs belong to me, and I have nothing whatsoever to do with the V8 Supercars, although I have altered some of the driver's names to make them fit into the Cars world. The altered names also belong to me.

Chapter 33

Five days later, it was all over. The Piston Cup officials pled guilty to corruption, and they agreed to pay out-of-court settlements of a hundred thousand dollars each. They were also banned from ever being associated with the Piston Cup again. Tex was banned from owning or sponsoring a team for a period of five years, and he also had to pay a fine. Chick was stripped of his 2006 Championship, and the trophy was awarded to The King at a private function held for all the past and present Piston Cup racers, their teams, and closest friends and family members. The new officials were also introduced at the same function. Lightning wasn't at all surprised when Strip was named as the new Chief official.

"Guess this means I'll have to find someone else to be my new crew chief next year," he muttered to himself during the dinner. He turned to Sally. "Whatever happened to Marcus?"

"Last I heard, he was quietly disciplined. I don't know any more than that, sorry. Oh, but your restraining order against him went through, so he shouldn't bully you ever again."

"Serves him right, the jerk," Lightning mumbled.

Rusty and Dusty drove over.

"Hey, Lightnin'!" Dusty greeted him.

"Hey guys."

"We just thought we'd remind you that you haven't yet signed your contract for next year," Rusty said.

Lightning hesitated. He'd been avoiding his bosses because of this. "Can we talk somewhere private?"

"Da back room's free," Mater whispered to them.

"Thanks, Mater."

Lightning led the way to the back room. Once he and his bosses were inside, he closed the door. Rusty and Dusty immediately began checking the room for listening devices.

"I think it's safe to talk," Dusty finally said. "So, why haven't you signed on for next year?"

Lightning sighed. "It's because I've been doing a lot of thinking while I was in Australia. Leyland suggested that maybe I should try other racing codes. I'm not sure yet what I want to do, and with the Piston Cup the way that it is at the moment…"

"Lightning, without you, the Piston Cup will fall apart," Rusty said seriously.

"Oh, I don't think so. I mean, yeah, this has been a low point for the series, but it'll bounce back. I don't like the new ruling much either."

"What? That all racers who have Jaguar Syndrome must have speed limiters installed?" Dusty asked.

"Yeah."

"It's fair," Rusty added.

"I HATE speed limiters!"

"You had one in Australia."

"I know, but that was for safety reasons. I learned very quickly that without it, I would've gone flying off the racetrack! Literally!"

Someone knocked on the door. "Who's in there?"

"We'll discuss this later," Lightning said. "We've got several months before next season starts, but I think you should start looking for another racer."

Lightning didn't wait to see what Rusty and Dusty thought about that! He returned to his place just in time for Strip's speech.

"Ladies and gentlecars! May I have your attention please? I know we've already seen one trophy presentation tonight, but now it's time for another. Owing to the decision to end the Piston Cup series early this year, we need to present this year's trophy to our winner by default. I know we all know who that is, but just to confirm…"

Strip paused to wait for a slide to come up on the blank wall beside him.

"…As you can all see, our winner by a clear margin is, Lightning McQueen. Lightning? Come up here to get your trophy."

Lightning drove over to the dais amidst loud applause. He graciously accepted his seventh Piston Cup before going over to the microphone.

"I guess I've still got one more Championship to win before I equal your new record of eight Piston Cup, right Strip?" Lightning said teasingly, making everyone laugh. "Thanks guys for your support throughout the past few weeks. I know we were all under stress during that inquiry, but now it's time for us to move on. Let's make the next season one to remember, and I'm looking forward to some more competition!"

A general murmur of agreement rang through the audience, followed by another round of applause. Lightning then returned to his table, with his Piston Cup. He let out a small sigh.

"Something wrong?" Sally asked.

"Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it now."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

…

The following day, Lightning, Sally, Mater, Holley and Elinor finally returned to Radiator Springs. While everyone else was settling back down, Lightning went into the racing museum. He respectfully placed his Piston Cup alongside the others he had in his collection. Sighing, he looked at his Piston Cups for a moment, before noticing a different trophy amongst them. Looking closer, he saw that it was the Enduro Cup.

Lightning looked again at his Piston Cups. Then he looked at Doc's three Piston Cups on the other side of the room. He then looked back at the Enduro Cup. In his mind's eye, he relived all of the experiences he'd had in Australia – all the highs and the lows. His first V8 Supercars race at Sandown… Winning Bathurst and nearly killing himself in the process… Injuring himself at the Gold Coast 600… Proposing to Sally… Surfing with Jaime… Having Leyland shouting at him over the radio…

Sighing again, Lightning left the museum. He was immediately mobbed by fans, all begging for his autograph. But when they saw how tired Lightning appeared, the fans gave him some room. Lightning quickly thanked them, before he drove away slowly up the road. He had a lot to think about.

Sally found Lightning overlooking Willy's Butte a short time later. She parked quietly beside him.

"How come you're not practicing?"

"I can't, remember? I fractured my anti-roll bar."

"Oh, yes. Sorry, I forgot." Sally paused, and then she looked at Lightning again. "You're slipping back into that despondent phase you were in before you went to Australia, aren't you?"

"Yes," Lightning sighed. "I can't believe how much I actually miss it. There was something…I don't know… Special about it, I guess. I felt accepted. Like I was one of the team. Like I'd been racing with them for years. I'm sorry. This is difficult to explain."

"I think I understand," Sally said softly as she snuggled closer to him.

At that moment, Lightning's phone rang. "Sorry," he apologised to Sally before he answered it. "Hello, yes?"

"Hey, Speedster."

Lightning grinned. "Leyland! It's good to hear from you again. The Enduro Cup arrived safely."

"That's good. Look, I heard about what happened with the Piston Cup inquiry. Bit of a kerfuffle, wasn't it?"

"What?" Lightning was confused.

"Whoops! Sorry. Forgot you were American. I know I have an Aussie accent now, but I'm originally from England, so I sometimes use British words. I meant, it was a bit crazy, wasn't it?"

"Uh… Yeah, I guess."

"How's your side healing up?"

"It doesn't hurt me quite as much as it used to. I probably should have it x-rayed again to make sure it's healing correctly."

"Well, I sure hope it is. Listen, I don't know what you're planning to do next year, but I've got a proposal to put to you."

"I'm listening."

"How would you like to come and race in the V8 Supercars? Permanently?"

"What? Permanently?"

"Well, for the next two years at least. You see, in the V8s, we have a preliminary series known as the Development Series. It's for racers who are looking to race with the V8s full-time. Nearly all of the current V8 Supercar racers competed in it before they were picked up by a team. That's how we found Jamie. Craig raced overseas before he started in the V8s. The series is also used to let us test out new parts and gadgets that might help us improve your racing. If the new parts do well in the Development Series, they're picked up by the full-time V8 racers. Anyway, our current Development Series racer has decided not to continue racing next year, which leaves us with a vacant spot on the team. You did so well for us during the Enduro Cup, that I thought I'd give you the first refusal. If you do well in the Development Series, you might be able to join the V8s full-time the following year. Sorry, I know I'm going on a bit."

"It's okay," Lightning sighed. "Look, I honestly don't know what I'm going to do next year. I haven't yet signed on for another year with Rust-Eze, so I'm currently available for anything that comes up. I loved my time in Australia, but…"

"But?"

"But I should keep racing in the Piston Cup. To help keep it going, you know."

"Lightning," Leyland said warmly. "I can respect that this won't be an easy decision for you to make. Go and do some research. I'll hold your spot in the Development Series until the end of November. If I don't hear from you by then, I'll offer it to someone else. Just so you know, it'll be an honour to have you on our team for a while, and I know it'll do you a lot of good to. I saw a big change in you while you were racing in the Enduro Cup. At Sandown, you were a bit unsure of yourself, but at Bathurst I saw the change starting to show. Then at the Gold Coast, you were a hundred percent focussed on racing, and you were clearly enjoying yourself."

"Yeah, I guess I did really enjoy it."

"Do you want to spend the rest of your life racing in a bowl? Because that's all the Piston Cup really in. One large bowl after another, going around and round in endless circles. Just think about it, okay? I look forward to hearing from you soon. Bye."

"Bye, Leyland." Lightning hung up his phone.

"What did he want?" Sally asked.

"He wants me to race in Australia… Full-time."

"And… Do you want to?"

Lightning turned to face Sally. He smiled slightly. "I do, actually. I'm really starting to miss it. But I won't go without you."

"We're engaged, Lightning. Where you go, I'll go."

"But… What about your business? What about Radiator Springs?"

"They'll still be here when we get back."

"But… Leyland wants me to race in Australia for the next two years!"

"Sounds nice."

"Sal! I'm gonna need more time to think about this."

"You were so happy in Australia. And if that's the only place where you can enjoy racing again, then we should go. Elinor can look after the Cozy Cone. I've been teaching her."

"And that's another thing! How can I leave my mother? Or Mater? Or…everyone!"

"Lightning Blaze McQueen," Sally said firmly, but kindly. "You've already done so much for everyone here. It's time you did something for yourself. Otherwise, when you eventually retire from racing, you'll end up grumpy and sour because you weren't satisfied with your achievements."

Lightning sighed with frustration. "Why does it have to be so hard?"

"You're making it hard, that's why. As far as I can see, it's easy. Phone Harv and tell him about Leyland's offer. If he genuinely cares about you like an agent should, he'll understand. And, if not, then it's his problem to deal with."

"Yeah."

"Call him."

Exhaling deeply, Lightning dialled Harv's number.

…

A few weeks later, Lightning found himself back at the Piston Cup headquarters in Nashville. This time, only Sally had come with him. Mater and Elinor had also wanted to come with him, but Lightning had insisted that they remain in Radiator Springs. His friends had been both sad and excited when he'd informed them of his decision, and he was glad to have their support. Now, all he had to do was tell the world.

Harv drove over to him. "They're ready when you are."

Lightning took a deep breath as he turned to face Sally. "I couldn't do this without you by my side."

"Speaking of sides, how is it?"

"It's healing correctly," Lightning smiled. "I should be right to race again after Christmas."

They kissed passionately. Harv coughed deliberately.

"Let's go," Lightning whispered.

Together, Lightning and Sally drove into the large press room. Inside, the room was full to the brim with reporters and camera cars. Lightning drove to the centre of the dais. Sally parked on his right, and Harv parked on his left. The room fell silent. None of the reporters knew what Lightning was about to say, but since Lightning very rarely did press releases, they knew it was something big. Lightning knew that what he was about to say would be broadcast live on several TV networks. He drew in a deep breath.

"Thank you all for coming. I have called for this press release today to inform you that, after much consideration, I have decided to spend the next two years racing with the Redbulldozer Racing Team in the V8 Supercar Series in Australia."

He paused as some of the reporters started murmuring, but they quickly fell silent again.

"This has not been an easy decision for me to make, but I enjoyed myself so much while I was there that returning to the Piston Cup was almost like driving in reverse. I learned a lot about myself while I was racing in the Enduro Cup, and after I returned home, I realised just how much I would miss it." Lightning paused, unable to remember what else he'd been intending to say.

"Are there any questions?" Harv asked.

"Will you live in Australia?"

"Yes," Lightning replied. "Like the rest of the team, I intend to be based out of Brisbane."

"Do you intend to return to the Piston Cup after the two years?"

"I don't see why not. By then it should, hopefully, be much more of a challenge for me."

"Are you just using this to escape the new Piston Cup ruling for racers who have Jaguar Syndrome?"

"Actually, I'd forgotten all about that new ruling," Lightning chuckled. "But in the V8s, we all have to race with speed limiters. Otherwise, we'd literally go flying down Conrod Straight at Bathurst! I nearly did, and I was only pushing a hundred and eighty six miles an hour! Just imagine what we'd be like racing without a speed limiter!"

The reporters chuckled quietly.

"Three more questions," Harv said firmly.

"How have your bosses reacted to this decision?"

"They're disappointed, of course, but I did warn them a few weeks ago that I might not return to the Piston Cup. They've already found another racer for next year."

"Can we ask who?"

"It's no secret. Jimmy."

The reporters were clearly surprised. Lightning quickly explained.

"He was manipulated by Tex to drive recklessly on the racetrack. I don't blame him at all. He's still young and naïve, but he deserves another chance. I hope you'll all give him one."

"One last question," Harv said.

"When will you leave for Australia?"

"In the New Year. I'll attend the team's training camp in Abu Dhabi, then we'll go to Sydney for a weekend of testing. After that, the racing season will begin. I can't deny I'm really looking forward to it."

"That's enough questions for now," Harv said firmly. "Thank you all for coming."

Taking the hint, Lightning started to leave the dais, followed by Sally and then Harv. But he was stopped by Kori.

"Lightning. I hope you'll grant me an interview before you leave."

"One interview," Lightning told her firmly. "I've had enough of having my private life invaded by the press."

"I promise, I-I won't ask you any personal questions."

"I'm sorry, Kori. I didn't mean to sound so harsh. I'll be happy to do an interview with you just as soon as you wish."

"Next Monday? Two o'clock?"

"Sure. Where?"

"How about Radiator Springs?"

"Sounds good. I'll see you there."

Nodding happily in agreement, Kori drove away. Sally planted a kiss on Lightning's fender.

"So, are you ready for your next adventure, Stickers?"

Lightning gave Sally a passionate kiss on the lips. "I'm always ready for a new adventure."

The End

I'd just like to thank those who wished me good luck with my degree. Stay tuned for my next sequel, Lightning's Aussie Adventures! I will write this after I've written some other FanFiction stories I've had planned for awhile now. Thank you to those who reviewed this story. Your reviews helped keep me motivated.