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Chapter Eleven: Intersection

Finn groaned as he woke up. His eyes opened ever so slightly as memories came back to him. He recalled waking up and trying to escape, but the Pacer used some kind of gas on him and also caused himself to pass out as well. And after that, he could recall nothing else.

The Pacer woke up and grumbled about knocking himself out before he cursed and began to leak. He muttered something about a toilet and drove off to find one. Then Finn blacked out once more.

-----
A small groan escaped him as he opened his eyes. Why did his side hurt, and why was he inside what looked like some kind of tower? And what tower had gears inside. His mind was fuzzy, and his vision blurry.

He blinked his eyes a few times before things became clear once more. And when that happened, memories came rushing back to him. Mater had been taken captive with two other cars and taken to Big Bentley to be killed. He had followed the tow truck to the clock tower and had been about to rescue him when the Lemon had sprayed some kind of gas and knocked him out as well as the three spies.

Looking around, he saw no sign of the Lemon, which meant the Pacer had woken up and was now elsewhere. This was perfect for him, he realized with a smirk. As he made his way towards the three spies, his side seared with pain. Now he remembered. He had a burn on his side from another Lemon.

He looked around, but the Lemon was nowhere to be seen. All that was there was a camera…! He stopped and turned to face it. Why was there a camera here, and what did it have to do with the engine blow-outs? He took off the cover and peered at it. Something about this camera seemed sinister to him, and he tensed. A feeling of dread forming in his tank, he opened the side, only to stare in shock at the wires inside. This was no camera! It was a weapon! Then it clicked for him.

The camera was used to make the Allinoil explode, damaging the racers’ engines! That must have been what had happened to Lightning! Rage began to flow through him as he began to rip the wires out. There was no way that he would allow that to happen! Not while he still breathed!

Putting the cover back on, he covered up the camera and his work on it. It was just in time too, as the Pacer was returning with another Lemon beside him. “…idiot! You knocked yourself out for eighteen hours?! I can’t trust you with anything!” The Gremlin shouted at the Pacer.

“It was a mistake, alright? Just don’t tell the professor!” The Pacer pleaded as the two reached the camera. He swore in his mind as he realized he was still out in the open. He had to get back to the shadows, and fast! Looking around, he saw no way for him to try and get away from the two Lemons until the Gremlin stopped and smacked the Pacer.

Using that, he managed to back up into the shadows, unseen and unheard.

The two Lemons moved the camera over to where the three spies were still unconscious. “Okay, they should be awake in a few minutes, and then the show can get started.” One of the Lemons said as they went down an elevator.

He waited for a minute before he was sure that he was safe. A sigh escaped him, allowing him to relax somewhat. Then, his side flared up and the pain made him pass out again.

-----
The race began at once, but no one knew of the race inside as well, a race for life and survival going on at the same time.

Things didn’t look good for all, and it was only known to a select few, including one U.S. Navy Squadron…

The Wrenches, on their ship, the USS Flysenhower, were more than aware of what was going on. The silver and black warplane growled as he tried to remain calm. “I can’t stand this! Why can’t we go to England and stop this whole race?!” He growled as his commander looked back at him.

“If we could, it still wouldn’t make much of a difference. We don’t have clearance to try and get a race stopped. Even you, as a racer, can’t just appeal to the Racing Commission. You have to go through all sorts of red tape, and that could take weeks, if not months, and that is time we do not have.” The Corsair snapped back.

The jets and prop-planes all growled or groaned at the response. So much for helping out…

-----
Mater groaned as he woke up. “Finn, Holley! Where are we?” He asked as he looked around.

“We’re in London, inside Big Bentley.” Finn replied as the gears started to turn.

Mater felt guilt come on suddenly and realized he had made a big mistake. “Dis…dis is all mah fault!” he moaned as Finn looked back at him.

“Don’t be a fool, Mater.” Finn countered.

“But Ah am one.” Mater called back. “You said so, remember?”

Now Finn remembered. “When did I- Oh, Mater. I was just complimenting you on what a great spy you are.” Finn replied gently.

“But Ah’m not a spy!” Mater finally shouted.

Finn’s eyes grew wide slightly at what he had just done. “Ah’ve been trying to tell ya dat da whole time! Ah really am just a tow truck!”

“Finn, he’s not joking.” Holley replied at last. Now Finn felt guilty at what he had done. He had gotten an innocent civilian involved in a dangerous mission! And he was supposed to be CHROME’s best spy! He felt sick at his actions. He then sighed. “I know…” He replied softly.

“You were right, Finn. Ah’m a fool, and what’s happenin’ to McQueen is cause Ah’m such a big one.” Mater added. So much for him being a big help…

-----
The first sound he heard when he woke up was the sound of the elevator rising again. His blue eyes snapped open as his gaze was pulled towards the elevator platform that was coming up.

The two Lemons came off it and one sneered up at the three captive cars. “Good, you’re up.”

“And just in time.” The second added with an equal sneer.

“Professor Z wanted you to have a front row seat for the death of Lightning McQueen.” The first sneered as he rolled over to the camera. The words though, made fury rise up from dormancy within him. He tried to keep it under control, but it was getting harder to do so.

“He’s still alive?” Mater asked. He winced a bit. That had not been the right thing to say.

“Not for much longer…” The first Lemon sneered as then he almost lost it. He shook his front, trying to remain in control of his emotions.

“Neither will you…” He growled, ever so softly.

-----
Finn looked around before his gear turned again. This time, he could see something he had never seen before. He blinked in confusion. Why was there a car in the shadows? He narrowed his eyes a bit, trying to make out the hidden car’s features. That was almost impossible to do though, as the car seemed to blend in with the shadows. But what he could see was the outline of the car. It looked like a Hudson Hornet, but he wasn’t too sure. Or it could be a Mercury car from the 1940s.

The car’s colors were impossible to tell, but he had to either be a dark blue, or a grey or black color. But what stood out to the spy were the car’s blue eyes. They were narrowed a bit, and as hard as ice.

His own eyes widened a bit before he caught a glimpse of something on the side of the car. It was a small chrome part, but he couldn’t tell what it was. As the gear turned and lowered him even more, he could see the car in a clearer form. The car hidden in the shadows was now revealed to have the outline of a Hudson Hornet for sure, but as to what year, he didn’t know.

The spy just hoped he wasn’t on the Lemons’ side…

-----
He growled as his fury continued to build. The camera was now aimed at the race-track, and as Lightning came into view, that was the last strand of reality lost to him. Red filled his vision as he growled loudly, making the Lemons in the room jump in fright.

“What was that?!” One asked as the other began to head in his direction. Perfect…that was just what he had hoped for.

The second Lemon reached his spot before looking around. “I don’t see anything…wait!” The Lemon spun around to face in his direction directly. He was now seen.

“Who’s there?!” The Lemon demanded as he narrowed his blue eyes at the messed-up car.

“You’re worst nightmare…” he hissed as he emerged ever so slightly. The fact that he never left the shadows wasn’t what bothered the Lemon. It was his form and voice.

Almost at once, the Lemon’s eyes went wide with fear. He began to tremble as his frame shook from fear of seeing the toned, midnight blue form.

Then, he let loose. His guns roared as the sound of bullets being fired buzzed through the room. He sped out and opened fire on the next Lemon, the one manning the camera. Both Lemons never stood a chance.

He backed into the shadows, his guns still smoking. But by then, more Lemons began to emerge. He tensed as he heard one yelp at seeing the bodies of their comrade shot full of holes.

They left however, leaving him with the spies again, save for two Lemons.

Now was his chance to move...

But he never got the chance, as he passed out once more when his side flared up in a sharp, searing pain…

-----
One Lemon looked back, an angry sneer on his face. “Heh. McQueen will still die. We have a bomb in his pit, and when he stops, instead of going Ka-chow he will go Ka-boom!”

“You couldn’t have saved him. Don’t feel bad tow truck.” The other purred, before laughing loudly.

“*** *** Lemons!” Mater exclaimed angrily as he swung above his gear.

“What, you didn’t think we’d take out your bullets?” The first Lemon hissed as they laughed again. “Who’s the Lemon now?”

“Yeah, you’ve got nothing!”

The two Lemons laughed again before descending down on the elevator once more.

Mater soon found the strength and the perfect moment to escape, but he was stopped by Finn’s voice. “You have to stop this, Mater.” He exclaimed as Mater looked back up at him.

“But, Ah’m just a tow truck!” Mater protested.

“It’s up to you. Go to the pits and get everyone out. You can do that.” Finn assured him as Mater pursed his lips before he spoke again.

“But what about you guys?” Mater asked.

“We’ll get out. Don’t worry.” Finn assured him.

“Go and get some more dents, Mater.” Holley said, most likely to get him to go. Mater nodded and left.

-----
He woke up again as he saw Mater leaving. Somehow, Mater had gotten free it appeared. He was relieved before panic set in. Lightning! He was still in danger! He groaned as he got up onto his tires again, but he nearly fell back to the ground due to his energy levels being very low.

He managed to stay up on his tires though, and he left, leaving the two spies behind. He knew that they could get out on their own. There was no need to worry about them. But getting Lightning out of danger was his main priority.

A hiss of pain escaped him as his side throbbed again. He knew that he had to get his burn looked at, but it wasn’t the time to do that. Not now, not when Lightning was in danger.

He left the clock and soon found himself outside the building near the race-track. And much to his surprise, everyone from town was there.

Lightning was there as well, but he didn’t pay much attention because at that point, Mater zipped in. “Everybody, get out! Get out now! Y’all gotta get out of da pits!” He exclaimed. His form tensed. Why did Mater want everyone out?

Mater then noticed Flo, Sally, and those from town who could make it. “Hey, what are you guys doin’ here?”

“We’re here because of you!” Sally exclaimed as she looked Mater over to see if he was unharmed

“Is everything okay?” Flo asked before Mater shook his front.

“No! Everythin’ is not okay! Dere’s a bomb in here! Y’all gotta get out now!” Mater exclaimed as his form tensed. There was a bomb in the pit area?!

Then he heard the spy’s voice over Mater’s radio.

“Mater!”

“Finn! Yer okay!” Mater exclaimed as the spy spoke again.

“Mater, listen to me. The bomb is on you! They knew you’d try to help McQueen. When we were knocked out, they planted it in your air filter!” At once, he swore he stopped breathing. This…it was too much. First the Lemons threatened his son, and now they had the nerve to blow up Mater?!

A low growl escaped him, sounding almost primal. It surprised him, and yet at the same time, it was expected of the Lemons to pull such a thing.

He saw Mater blow off his air filter cover, revealing the bomb. He looked at the container that held the Allinoil and knew what was to happen. “Uh oh…”

Then, he heard Finn speak again. “Meet us somewhere so we can get it off of you.”

Mater followed the order, but much to his shock and horror, Lightning followed suit. The kid was hurt-looking, but that didn’t mean he had to go after Mater who had a live bomb attached to him!

He growled before he revved his engine and sped after. He didn’t care anymore. Seeing Lightning doing something so risky was more than he could handle. His mission was to protect the kid, and he would do just that!

But before he could reach the red racecar, Lightning was grabbed by Mater’s tow hook and yanked away from his line of sight. He couldn’t help but yell out the kid’s name, even if he wasn’t heard.

He knew he had to follow the kid, but that would be easier said than done. He could easily see the red paint of the red racer though, so he would be able to find them at least.

He zipped after, just as the rest of the Radiator Springs crew followed suit. But when he reached the intersection where Mater was landing with Lightning, his side flared up again and he passed out…

-----
Finn and Holley soon met up, but then Finn spotted Professor Z speeding away, just as Holley followed him in hot pursuit. “Holley! I’ll get Professor Zundapp! You help Mater!” Holley nodded as Finn sped after the little Lemon.

“Got it.” Holley replied as she followed Mater.

The next thing she knew, she found Mater in an intersection with Lightning. He looked shocked as she came down and landed.

Just off to her right though, a certain dark colored car arrived as well, but remaining in the shadows.

The spy caught sight of his form, but didn’t say anything.

“What the heck is going on here?!” Lighting asked, somewhat freaked out.

“Mater, we’ve got to get that bomb off you.” Holley replied in determination.

“Bomb?!” Lightning’s mouth fell open in a perfect ‘O’.

“Yeah..dey strapped a bomb ta me ta kill you as a back-up plan…” Mater replied sadly as his best friend’s eyes went wide with horror and confusion.

“Back-up plan? Mater, who put a bomb on you?!” Lightning asked.

Holley was about to explain when someone else did. “It was him.” Finn explained as he rolled up with a certain bluish-greenish lemon wrapped up in his grappling line. Professor Z sneered before he caught sight of Lightning.

“YOU!” At this point. Finn was shocked as he tried to pull Professor Z away from the shocked racecar. “Why didn’t my death ray kill you?!”

At this point in the night, Lightning was never more confused than at that moment. “Death-ray?” he asked before something else happened.

“Turn off the bomb, Zundapp!” Finn ordered. But the Lemon just smirked.

“Are you all so dense? It’s voice-activated. Everything is voice-activated these days.” The professor replied in a casual manner.

Lightning felt something inside him bristle with anger at the way this car spoke so casually about a bomb on his best friend. How cruel could this car be?

“Deactivate! Deactivate!” Mater yelled, but the bomb didn’t.

“Voice denied.” The computer replied in its robotic tone.

Then, the bomb began to beep faster. It was now a time-bomb with five minutes left on it before it blew up all of them. Mater looked at Finn in a panic.

“Oops. Did I forget to mention that it can only be deactivated by the one who activated it?” Zundapp sneered. Holley growled and shoved her tazer in the Lemon’s face.

“Say it!” She ordered. But Zundapp just smiled sickeningly.

“Deactivate.”

“Voice denied.” The bomb then moved up a minute, and Zundapp sneered.

“I’m not the one who activated it. Would anyone else care to try?”

Holley then tazed him, and he was knocked out.

“You read my mind.” Finn purred as Holley smiled at him.

“He was getting on my nerves.” She replied.

“What do we do now?” Lightning asked. But no one knew…

-----
Fear…

It ran rampant through his mind as he passed through that day. Seeing what had happened, and what he had committed. He could never forget the day he caused all those deaths for the Lemons. But at the same time, he was now wondering why he felt bad about killing such bad cars. He knew he had done so for a reason, and that reason was to protect his son.

At the same time though, he was now beginning to understand why he felt bad. He had been a doctor at the time. And as such, he was bound to never harm patients. However, the Lemons had never been patients. They were criminals, and gang leaders who had wanted his son for their sick business.

He then passed through to the day he had left his wife and family. He felt bad about leaving them. He had never even given his youngest a good-bye. He refused to be seen as a killer, and he had been concerned about his wife thinking of him as such. He had never considered he had done a good thing for his son’s safety.

Then, it passed to what could have happened had he not committed his actions that day. His son would have been in the illegal trades, and therefore, a criminal in his own right. Never knowing freedom or the life he could have had.

Now he was beginning to understand. Things then faded back to blackness as he woke up. He could hear something going on, but as to what, it wasn’t clear.

He could hear the shouts of certain cars, but it was muddled. He opened his blue eyes and saw before him, Professor Z, tied up in Finn’s grappler lines. Now he knew he couldn’t be feeling bad about his decisions that day. The Lemons didn’t deserve his pity at all, not after what they did to him, his son, and Mater.

Now he could begin to forgive himself for that day. Now he could start again, and rebuild his relationship with his son. Today was when this ended for good. He found himself facing the intersection, but he had an idea too, one that would work to free Mater from the bomb, and keep his son alive…