A/N: If you're not Bladeisheroic1, you can skip ahead to the chapter. Bladeisheroic1, while I am not bothered by your reviews, I am bothered by the fact that I have to delete them every time. The times they get posted are because I'm away from the computer for several days. If you don't want a review posted to the site, don't write one. As for your name, I think it's okay. Your username/fake name should be whatever you want. It's certainly not offensive to anyone. Hopefully you get more confident on this site. Best of luck.

On to the story!

Chapter Fourteen – Paths Chosen

Everyone from the pits to the audience burst into cheers and applause. The other racers congratulated Brenna and Cruz for their win. Storm drove off in a huff, furious. Cruz spun a few donuts on the track, blowing smoke and then gagging on it.

Lightning and I approached the pair. "You guys will get used to it." Lightning assured as the girls coughed on the smoke.

"Well done." I said.

"We were pretty great, huh?" Brenna said, bouncing on her toes. "And did you see that Soul Connect?!"

"I have never felt anything like that." Cruz said. "That was amazing!"

"You guys killed it out there." I smiled at Cruz. "You made yourselves great in your own right."

Cruz beamed, and she looked to Brenna. "We make a good team. Maybe we should do this again sometime."

"Totally!" Brenna hopped in place. "Soul Connect Partners got to stick together, right?"

"Right." Cruz agreed. "I hereby name you my permanent racing partner!"

"Great! I hereby name you my permanent racing partner!" Brenna declared. She and Cruz laughed.

"Cruz!" Sterling had a fake smile plastered on his lips. "What a race! I knew you had it in you! Your little friend was quite the show-stealer herself. I think we've found the next new faces of Rust-eze."

Cruz and Brenna shared a look. "Brenna, would you ever race with Sterling?"

"Not a chance." Brenna said.

"That settles it, Mr. Sterling. I quit." Cruz said.

Sterling jolted, obviously not expecting that answer. Someone honked their horn, and Tex Dinoco and Strip "The King" Weathers drove up through the crowd. "How'd you like to race with us, then?" Tex offered. "Dinoco has quite the history of great racers. I'd be tickled pink to have you on our team."

"Only if Brenna races with me." Cruz said. "She and I are a package deal."

Tex laughed. "I would be the dumbest billionaire in the country if I didn't sign her on too! Miss Brenna, you've got a lot of skill for someone your age. It'd be an honor to have you both."

"Thanks!" Brenna said. "That'd be awesome!"

"Team Dinoco!" Lightning said, nudging Cruz excitedly. "You can't get much better than that!"

"Oh, Mr. McQueen." Sterling piped up. "Now that you're retired, I'll need you first thing Monday morning for a photoshoot. Eight a.m. sharp."

Lightning deflated a bit in resignation. "All right, sure." He smiled at me. "I guess being Cruz and Brenna's crew chief won't be so bad."

"If they don't mind me." I shrugged.

Brenna frowned. "But, Harley…."

"Hold your horsepower." Smokey gestured to one of the display boards above the track. We all looked to see the winner announcements still flashing brightly. Then, the word "updating" appeared under Cruz and Brenna's image, and Lightning's picture appeared.

Lightning looked surprised. "Wait, why am I up there, too?"

"Because you started the race. That's how it works." Smokey said.

"But that…..how can…he didn't even finish the race!" Sterling protested.

"Cruz finished for him. The Lightning McQueen Team won." I pointed out.

"So Lightning McQueen can choose when he gets to retire." Sally added.

"Meet our lawyer, Sterling." I introduced.

Tex cleared his throat and began herding Sterling away. "Come on, Sterling. Let's you and me have a talk, billionaire to billionaire."

With all that settled, the press began to swarm Cruz and Brenna, cameras flashing and questions flying. The girls soaked it all in, not at all overwhelmed. In fact, they seemed to be enjoying it.

Lightning grinned and murmured, "They got a lot of stuff, eh Doc?"

I smiled. I bet Dad would agree.

"Hey Harley!"

I turned and saw Sky and Katherine making their way over. I skated up to them so we could hug. "So, you get to be a crew chief for McQueen's team." Katherine noted.

"If that's still what you want." Sky added.

I looked to Cruz and Brenna. They were about to start their dream jobs. They were real racers at last. Lightning was going to keep racing, like he wanted. What did I want to do?

"I think I know what path I want to take." I said. "I just need to figure out a few things." I played with a lock of my hair. "Make a few changes."

A few weeks later, everyone gathered at Radiator Springs to celebrate Lightning continuing his racing like he wanted, and Cruz and Brenna signing on with Dinoco. Part of the party was a celebratory lap around Historic Willie's Butte.

Quite a few changes in looks happened in those short weeks. Cruz had blue decals on her paintjob and blue rims on her wheels. She also had a 51 and the Dinoco logo painted on her flanks. Brenna wore a custom-made racing outfit, colored yellow and blue with a 51 and the Dinoco logo on her back. She still had the bandana Sky gave her, which she used to keep her hair from her face. Lightning got a new paintjob as well: cobalt blue, like Dad, with the words "Fabulous Lightning McQueen" on his sides and "For Doc Hudson" printed across his back. I dyed all my hair cobalt blue, and it perfectly matched the blazer I wore over a red-and-blue, sleeveless plaid shirt. I also wore skinny jeans, which I tucked into my skates.

Everyone from Radiator Springs gathered for the party. Also attending were Smokey, Louise, Junior, Wendell, River, Tex, The King, Leland, and even Finn and Holley. They all looked quite impressed by our new looks.

"Git-R-Done, 51!" Mater cheered, wearing a large foam Dinoco hat with a 51 on it.

"McQueen figured Hud would want you to have the number." Smokey told Cruz and Brenna.

"It is classic. Really old-school." I agreed.

"We love it!" Cruz and Brenna said simultaneously.

"And we'll wear it proudly." Brenna added. "Of course, our look can't compete with McQueen's new paintjob."

"Or Harley's hair. Real subtle." Cruz joked.

I brushed the blue hair from my face and shrugged. "Go big or go home."

"Besides, if I'm going to be your crew chief," Lightning said. "I better look like it."

"And Tex is okay with that? Considering he bought Rust-eze?" I asked.

"Apparently so." Lightning shrugged. "Thanks, Tex!"

"So, if Lightning is our crew chief, what are you doing, Harley?" Cruz asked.

"I'm taking a break from full-time racing." I glanced to Finn. "I think I've found my calling, and I want to spend more time on it. But I'll come back now and then to co-chief with Lightning."

"You promise you'll come back?" Brenna asked. "You'll come to races and teach me how to be a good psych-man racer? I could use all the help I can get."

"Don't worry, Brenna." I assured. "I'll teach you all I can, and I will make time to come back for races and training. I promise." Brenna hugged me, and I held her close. For once, I felt confident that I could keep this promise.

"All right, let's do this!" Lightning called. He, Cruz, and Brenna took their places at the starting line, and Luigi sent them off. I skated off to stand next to Leland. He put an arm around my shoulders, and I leaned into the hug. Leland leaned in to kiss my head, but stopped when he heard Sheriff clear his throat. At the sight of Sheriff, Sarge, and even Red glaring, Leland removed his arm and took a step away from me. I gave my family an exasperated look.

"They'll get used to you." I reassured him.

"Of course, you'll also have to get through me." Finn added as he parked next to me.

"Finn, I already said I wanted to start going out with Leland." I reminded him. "Besides, of all the guys I could have for a boyfriend, at least it's someone you already know."

"It is because I know him that I'll be keeping an extra close eye on him." Finn said.

I laughed. "As long as he can still go on missions."

"Oh yes." Finn nodded. "In fact, Katherine is doing some research for an undercover operation in Italy, dealing with a local mob boss in Florence."

"Ooh, Florence. Home of the Renaissance. Me like-y." I said.

"Undercover in a mob." Leland sighed blissfully. "Can't wait!"

"You'll be working the desk with Katherine." Finn said.

Leland groaned, and then sighed. "Baby steps, I suppose."

Finn and I laughed. I looked to Cruz, Brenna, and Lightning as they ran around the dirt track a few times. They all smiled broadly, filled with joy and following their dreams. I didn't feel left out, like I thought I would. I was just happy for them, and they made it clear they were happy for me. My family was sad to see me go, but glad to see me making my way in the world. My path was clear, and all my worries melted away. For once, I felt confident in myself.

Finn nudged me. "Ready for a new adventure, Partner?"

I grinned. "Yeah. I'm ready."

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed the story! This was long-overdue and promised some time ago. Cars stories will be taking a backseat until I get inspired again. Thanks for hanging in there!