Cars 3: The Crash That Never Happened

Chapter 11:

A few months later, Rust-eze went under. The building they were in was put up for auction. Mr. Sterling was not just arrested for assaulting Cruz. There were multiple lawsuits stacked against him, too. One of them was embezzlement. Cruz was parked at the front door.

" Good-bye, Rust-eze," Cruz sighed and drove away, while dragging her luggage behind her.

She heard keys jingling. The CRS stopped and turned around. An old Cadillac was unlocking the door. He turned to her. It was Mr. Tex.

" Howdy," he greeted.

" Mr. Tex, what are you doing here," the yellow car questioned.

" I own this here building, now," the Cadillac retorted, approaching her." Thinking about bringing Rust-eze back. Only Ford knows how many cars need it…Cruz, right?"

" Uh-huh," she nodded.

" How would you like to keep racing," Mr. Tex offered. " But with your own pit crew, of course."

Cruz's face lit up.

" You also won't have to blow through all of your savings, unlike last season," the old car added with a wink.

The yellow car had to drop out about a month into her first season, because she ran out of money. Lightning volunteered to step down, but he was already bound by contract. Dinoco also could not have two cars with the same Sponsor name out on the track at the same time. So, it was back to practicing on dirt and doing odd jobs to get by.

" What do you say," Mr. Tex chimed.

Cruz hugged the CEO, squealing.

" Oh, thank-you," she beamed. " Thank-you! Thank-you!"

Cruz hastily pulled back, blushing.

" Heh, sorry," the CRS stuttered.

Meanwhile, in Radiator Springs, Lightning was hanging out in the racing museum, admiring all of the displays. His eyes landed on a picture of him and Doc. His smile turned into a frown. The red car sighed. Sally's reflection appeared next to the picture. Lightning grinned then turned to his wife.

" Hey, Stickers," she chimed. " What are you doing?"

" Just taking a trip down Memory Lane," Lightning replied. " I still can't believe it's been seven years."

" Tell me about it," Sally commented then changed the subject. " So, you ready for our date?"

" Do I look ready," the red car gestured to his paint job.

He was sporting the same one he wore during his first week back in Radiator Springs, all those years ago, except the Rust-eze decals were replaced with Dinoco decals.

" I'll take that as a yes," Sally tweeted.

Lightning's phone started ringing. He answered it, only to be deafened by Cruz's shrill screaming.

" I get to race next season," Cruz squealed. " Mr. Tex just bought Rust-eze!"

" Cruz, that's great," he winked knowingly at Sally.

" Means you'll be seeing me more," the yellow car buzzed. " Bring on the competition!"

" Ooo, do I sense a hint of cockiness," Lightning teased.

" Do I sense I hint of pride," Cruz taunted back.

The cars busted up laughing.

" Look, Cruz," the red car uttered." I gotta go. Sally and I have dinner reservations. See you tomorrow. Okay?"

" Okay," the CRS chirped then hung up.

" Aww, she's so adorable," Sally peeped. " Let's keep her."

" Oh, were we supposed to discuss that," her husband snarked, earning a tire bump. " Ow!"

The couple went to leave for the restaurant. Before they left, Lightning looked back at the photos. Next to them was a picture of him and Cruz, racing at Willy's Butte. He turned off the lights then closed the door, locking it behind him. Next, he and his wife headed toward Wheel Well, adding more to their adventure.

The End!

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Thanks for reading and reviewing, Everyone! I had a lot of fun writing this. Unfortunately, I had to cut out the Thomasville gang. As much as I love the characters, there was just no spot to put them. If I can come up with another good story idea that corresponds with this, I will include them more. Maybe do a one-shot of Lightning taking Cruz to Thomasville, just for the sake of history. I don't know, yet. I'm tied between, like, 3 ideas. 1) Lightning goes to Dallas to make amends with his mom and learns the truth about his father( Takes place after he wins his first Piston Cup.), 2) A Doc and Louise romance fanfic (Would be rated T for alcohol use and minor sexual references. Doc realizes he has feelings for Louise, but won't admit it, not even to himself. This eventually drives a wedge in their friendship and is part of the reason Doc leaves.) and 3) Lightning takes Cruz to Thomasville for fun and they find the Thomasville gang. Again, I don't know, yet. All I can say is, we'll see. Hasta!