Piston cup

Lightnings at his very first after race party. he's done it. the very first rookie in history to win a Piston Cup. he can't wait for this party! his very first Piston Cup! he wonders what kinds of legends he'll meet at the party. hopefully his idol the legendary Fabulous Hudson Hornet. the racing legend hard retired after a big win in right after his 40th birthday, about 20 some odd years go. Lightning was surprised his big wreck of '54 didn't keep him down long, the man had only been 21 at the time of the wreck. he was 60 something now but Lightning had heard rumors that people had seen him at the race when Lightning won the Piston Cup. though, he knows he's going to need a new crew chief again, he had to fire the last one quit right after he won.

"hey kid." Rusty says coming up behind him. "want you to meet your new crew chief." Rusty adds. Lightning turns around and freezes in his tracks. the Fabulous Hudson Hornet is standing right behind him.

"so, you're the first rookie in history to win a Piston Cup." he mutters. Lightning stares at him, so he reaches a hand out. "Doc Hudson." Doc says. Lightning swallows hard and reaches to shake his hand.

"uh Lightning." he mutters.

"that your real name boy?" Doc ask, amused.

"is Doc yours?" Lightning asks. Doc smirks a little.

"m'guessin' you already know the answer to that." Doc mutters, motioning to a pin on the youngers suit. Lightning looks confused the looks down. there's a Fabulous Hudson Hornet, Hornet shaped pin on his suit.

"huh, guess thats what Mack put on my suit earlier." Lightning mutters, looking at the pin.

"folks these days call me Doc." Doc assures gently.

"well Doc everyone calls me Lightning." Lightning says firmly.

"even your parents?" Doc snorts. Lightning freezes and stares at him silently. the old watches something flash in the younger mans eyes, then Lightning is abruptly walking off.

"uh, kid doesn't talk about them. like ever. Mack might have some information on him, he was the kids legal guardian until he was 18." Rusty shrugs a little.

"yeah, introduce me to Mack. I should meet the team I'm working with." Doc says.

"s'not really a team. just Lightning and Mack. kids run off every crew with his insistance he can do it all himself." Rusty frowns.

"I'll make a couple calls to some friends back home. he'll have a pit crew by the end of the night." Doc assures, following Rust off.

"hey Mack!" Rusty calls. Mack whips around quickly.

"Rusty, whats up?" Mack smiles.

"this is Doc, kids new crew chief." Rusty smiles. Mack immediately reaches to shake his hand, which Doc does, looking up at him.

"I got a few questions for you." Doc says. Mack smiles and leads him off to a quietier spot so they can talk.

Lightning runs out of the party, slamming himself against the wall outside the doors in an alleyway. his chest is heaving and he's doing his best to fight off the anxiety attack.

"hey kid, you okay?" Strip asks, walking over worriedly. Lightning looks up at him and steps back quickly, tripping and landing on his ass with a grunt. "hey, Lightning, whats going on?" Strip frowns. Lightning shakes his head, refusing to answer, not that he can. he's wheezing and desperately trying to get air into his lungs.

"you run inside and get someone, I'll stay with him." Lynda murmurs to her husband before kneeling beside Lightning. Strip nods and heads inside. he heads straight for Mack.