(Cars AU. they're humans.)

Lightning pressed forward with Chick and the King in front of him he didn't have time for all the day dreaming crap he'd been doing, especially not with the Fabulous Hudson Hornet as his crew chief.

"this is it kiddo. you got four turns left, one at a time. drive it in deep, and hope it sticks. go!" Doc encouraged. Lightning grinned and sped up. he tried passing Chick, but the man cut him off, the grin never left Lightnings face though, he had the best person on the planet as his crew chief. he didn't give up, he tried again, but was once again cut off. trying again he duped Chick, driving up beside him.

"no you don't!" Chick hissed. Lightning quickly slammed on his breaks, ducking around the green car, causing him to slam into the wall. he smirked and sped up.

"Mcqueen's going inside!

"I don't think so." Chick hissed. he growled and slammed hard into Lightning, sending him off the track and into the dirt, before accidentally slamming against the Kings bumper as he tried to correct himself. sending both of their cars swerving all over the track.

"Chick and the King are loose!"

"I think Mcqueen is outta the race!

Lightning panicked as he slide across the dirt, before remembering something. immediately his slung his steering wheel to the right and held on for dear life, clinging to the hope he could pull of the move just like he'd seen Doc do. drifting across the dirt like he'd done it a million times, he quickly found himself turning back onto the track and nearly taking out the Kings front bumper when he found himself back in position, this time in front of his competitors. he missed the impressed look from the older racer as he did so. no one had expected that.

"Mcqueen saved it!"

"he's back on the track!"

"float like a Cadillac"

"sting like a Beemer." Lightning grinned. he could hear the pride in Docs voice, just as loud as he could hear the croud cheering for him.

"Lightning Mcqueen is gonna win the Piston cup!"

Lightning grinned. this was it! he was finally going to be the first rookie in history to win the Piston cup! he almost paused hearing a loud crashing behind him, but paid it no mind, maybe the King had finally managed to get Chick out of his way. suddenly the croud went quiet. Lightning looked around with a grin on his face, before he saw it. there on the big screen, the Kings car beat to hell in the center of the arena. the King was busted up and looking out of it in the driver seat, blood splattered everywhere and his windshield cracked. he stared, thinking about Doc. he couldn't get the picture of the mans last race out of his mind. how they'd forced him out after his wreck. how they'd given up on him, threw him out like yesterday's news. suddenly the piston cup didn't matter anymore, it wouldn't be right for him to win like this. the crowd was murmuring, staring in horror and Lightning did the only thing he could think of. he slammed on his breaks, pulling his E-break as hard and fast as he could. his tired screeched, skidding across the track and leaving thick black marks behind him as he desperately tried to remain in control and keep himself from wrecking. he came to a stop, mere inches before the finish line and sat there, thinking. Chick zoomed past him without a second thought, cheering to himself, but the crowd was watching the little red 95 car.

"yeah! woohoo! I won baby! yeah!" Chick cheered happily. the crowd was sitting on the edges of their seats, watching Mcqueen and the King. in horror and shock. immediately Lightning put his car in reverse and backed up until he was behind the King. he jumped out of his car and ran over to the King. his breathing was heavy and painful. he was busted up and bleeding, barely able to look up when Lightning ran over. the younger racer did a quick look over.

"wh-what are ya doin' kid?" he ask.

"I think the King should finish his last race." Lightning smiled. he reached forward, putting the car into neutral, before he started pushing. the King was confused, there was no way his car could drive, not that he could drive it even if he wanted to. after flipping seven times, he just didn't have the strength. Lightning put every ounce of strength he had into pushing the car back towards the track. it wasn't easy with the car having so much damage not to mention four flats, but he managed on pure determination. he was sweating more than he had pulling Bessie to repave the road in Radiator Springs, but he kept going. he wasn't going to let this end like this, he couldn't. it had destroyed Doc back in the day and Lightning wouldn't let it happen to anyone else if he could stop it.

"you just gave up the Piston cup, ya know that?" he ask. Lightning chuckled, pushing him onto the track, just enough to get behind him with his car.

"this grumpy old race car I know, once told me something, it's just an empty cup." Lightning murmured. he could hear Doc chuckle some. "hold the steering wheel straight and just keep it in neutral." Lightning said, running back to his car. he wasn't sure this would work but he had to try. he pulled his car up behind the Kings, pressing gently on the gas pedal. he saw the injured man wince at the bump, but immediately grab the steering wheel and hold it. Lightning got back out of his own car, just to double check that the cars were connected. he winced a little seeing the back end of the damaged car almost laying on his hood, he'd hit the other car a little harder than he meant to, but that wasn't going to stop him. "you okay?" he calls gently, just to double check before he started pushing.

"I-I think." the King winced, looking back at him weakly. Lightning nodded, jumping into his car and gently pressed the gas. the crowd gasp in union, cheering as they made their way slowly to the finish line. Lightning didn't want to gas it and hurt the man any more than he already was. 5 miles an hour was barely pushing the car, but he couldn't risk it, he couldn't risk losing control of the car in front of him and possibly injuring the other man even more.

"Darrel, is pushing on the last lap legal?"

"he's not really pushing him, he's just given 'im a little bump draft."

the crowd was cheering louder than Lightning had ever heard, as he pushed him over the finish line. immediately medics came running as Lightning climbed out of his car, running over to the King to help him out. the man was bleeding profusely everywhere, but nothing appeared to be broken. he leaned on the younger man heavily, as they headed to meet the paramedics and the Kings wife. she ran over to Lightning as he handed the injured man off, hugging him tightly.

"thank you Lightning." she smiled. he nodded once at her before heading back to his crew. Mater immediately ran over cheering and picked up the smaller man, holding him up on his shoulder as he was surrounded by not only his crew/friends, but also the Kings crew. congratulating him on his loss and cheering like he'd won the Piston cup. Lightning laughed, catching Docs eye. he looked at the retired racer. he had a sour look on his face, before he broke out in a grin nodded once at younger.

"good job kid." Doc murmured quietly. Lightning didn't hear him, but he knew the Hornet was proud of him and thats what mattered. that was real racing.