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Lightning grabbed his helmet from the table, sighing and then opening the door to the stadium. The racing area was as huge as ever, the booming cheers from people on the stands adding onto the exciting feeling that he felt deep within his heart.
He walked over to the pits, waving and smiling at fans, who were screaming and shouting, desperate to get even a single glance from the racer. He catches a glimpse of some familiar people near his area, Lightning's eyes brightened as he realized who it were.
“If it isn't our most handsome racer in all of history, Lightning McQueen.” A man with a deep voice teased. He had a neon purple suit, his helmet, matching the prior colors, resting in one of the man's arms.
“Haha, very funny Bobby. No one actually thinks of me that way.” The blonde rolled his eyes playfully, yet it bare no malice. He placed his helmet on a nearby table, Bobby following suit. The two heard a laugh from a distance, where no man needed to guess that it was a good friend of theirs, Cal Weathers.
Beside the relatively younger man, was one of Lightning McQueen's opponents on his very first piston cup race, that many respect even to this day: Strip “The King” Weathers. Who is also known as Cal’s uncle, and crew chief.
Strip sent them a friendly smile as they meet his eyes.
“Come on now, Lightning! Everyone thinks of you that way, hell— have you seen those articles written all about you?” Cal snickered in-between his sentences, as he leaned softly against his car.
“Mr. Strip, can you get your nephew a check-up? He might be seeing things he shouldn't.” Lightning shaked his head with dramatic effort, Bobby and Strip laughed in response. While Cal's smile turned into a frown as quick as he smiled.
“You should get a doctor from how oblivious you are of your surroundings!” The younger man shot back, the blonde gasped in fake surprise, mocking his junior.
“Rich coming from the same person who fell for his blinkers being on during a race.” Lightning recovered from his initial ‘shock’, and crossed his arms confidently.
Just when a fight was about to commence, they were interrupted by an unfamiliar car speeding away past them, practically surprising the veterans off their feet.
“Who– Who was that?” Lightning asked, turning his head away from the Group.
Bobby glanced towards the huge screen on the side of the stadium, the unfamiliar car replaying in the screen as it sped through the course. “Oh, that's…” He paused, racking his brain. He was trying to gather his thoughts to remember the racer’s name.
“That's Jackson Storm, a rookie in this current season.” Strip finished for him, Bobby nodded in appreciation. “A rookie, huh?” Lightning put a hand on his hip, observing the huge screen with interest.
“Makes me remember the good old times.” He sighed softly, reminiscing of the years where he only started racing.
His thoughts flicked from his first ever piston cup race, where two of his opponents, that are now retired in the present days of his career, Chick Hicks and Strip Weathers were up against him. He could feel as if it was a day ago.
He could remember the days where Guido shocked different pit stop crews with his speed, being the only person to change his car’s wheels, yet being as fast a 4-person pit stop crew. It was hilarious seeing Chick Hick’s crew’s faces, a priceless moment that he himself couldn't experience but a funny moment that was rehearsed to him in full force by his best friend.
Ah, his best friend. Mater, a very interesting figure in his life. He definitely didn't forget about how he met him in the first place. Truly an unforgettable experience, and he never regretted being his friend one bit. Maybe except for the time he was embarrassed in the starting ceremony for the Grand World Prix, which he'd rather not dwell in too much anymore.
Luigi, Filmore and Sarge were great figures in his life too. They were all greatly supportive of his career, even if one day they just popped into his life.
Sally, his girlfriend— ex girlfriend, he didn't doubt the fact that she was a great impact in his entire life as well. Even if things didn't work out in the end, he respects her.
Doc Hudson, his mentor. You could even say he was his father figure, especially with a lack of a parental figure in his life. He remembered the time where he volunteered to be his crew chief without knowing, hearing his voice on an important moment of his first piston cup race was a huge whiplash. Hearing the rest of his friends’ voices in his headset was an even bigger whiplash. He may have passed away shortly after a few more of his tournaments, yet he rests in his heart even up to this day.
He thanked the heavens that he accidentally found out about Radiator Springs, without those sequence of events in his life, there was no doubt he wouldn’t be as good as he was currently.
“You're making me think that you're 70 years old with the way you bring up the past, old man.” His thoughts were interrupted by Bobby, who slung his arm around Lightning’s shoulder. He earned himself a playful smack from the blonde veteran racer as a response.
Their banter continued from there, while the same car that they were just talking about parked into a pit stop beside Lightning’s. The blonde noticed in the corner of his eye, then contemplated whether he should greet the rookie or not. After a good minute of discussion and encouragement from Bobby, Cal and Strip, he pulled the arm resting on top of his shoulder off and bid the group farewell.
“Don't be too cocky, McQueen. You might give him a bad impression!” Cal shouted after him, laughing after.
“Good luck!” Bobby called out, as Strip gave him a reassuring nod. Lightning shook his head fondly. He'd be damned if he lost his friends, he treasured them too much.
Walking over, the rookie’s car door was opened gracefully as if he was a prince in disguise, revealing a young man with similarly dark skin as his friend, Bobby. He also had black locks in the shape of dreads, with a small amount of blue highlights. The veteran racer couldn't deny that he was a sight to behold, but he shook that thought off as quickly as he thought of it. Don't be weird now, McQueen. He's a rookie, and you're a veteran way older than him.
“Hey! Jackson Storm, right?” Lightning called out for the male’s attention, waving at him as he turned his head to look at Lightning.
Some of Jackson’s pit stop crew were shocked and excited off their heads as they realized who called for their racer. One even passed out in their co-worker’s arms, which was rather hilarious, but Lightning knew better than to comment on it.
Jackson’s eyes widened slightly, but it was easy to miss if you didn't pay much attention to his facial expressions. “What exactly does the racing legend of our generation want to do with someone like me?” The younger man scanned Lightning in front of him, as if he's making sure that this is the real deal.
Lightning gave him an easy smile. This kid has confidence, he likes that.
“Nothing out of the ordinary, just wanted to stop by and say hi.” Lightning pulls his hand out, a signal for a handshake. Jackson stared at the older man’s palm intensely.
A smile.
“No need for such formalities, Champ. Greet me when I beat you in the race.” Jackson walked past him, a visible smirk now on his face, while Lightning was left with his hand hanging in the air.
He dropped his hand carefully. He turned around to see Jackson’s figure growing smaller and smaller as he walked away.
He could hear whispers among Jackson’s crew, but he couldn't care less about that.
Bobby whistled, moving closer to him, “Now that's one hell of a rookie.”
Cal followed him closely, a frown on his face. Strip could be seen in the distance with a mixed expression. They witnessed exactly what happened a minute ago.
Lightning could do nothing but narrow his eyes, feeling the side of his lips quirk up. The challenge that Jackson brought to the atmosphere was clear and suffocating, yet the veteran welcomed it with open arms.
Even then, that guy surprised him.
Jackson has a bigger ego than him and Francesco combined.