Graduation Night, November 2026...
The four rolled out to the main courtyard and stopped in their tracks. The place was filled with not only students, proud parents, and friends, but notable Piston Cup alumni. It was near daunting for them.
"Look at this place. There must be at least a thousand cars here." Dash gasped.
"Look! It's Jackson Storm! Bobby Swift! Chick Hicks!" El admired excitedly.
"Chick Hicks? Pfft, talk about ego." Rush scoffed.
"That's rich coming from you." Del teased jokingly.
"Oh, I'll get you back for that!" Rush retorted.
"You can't catch me, 'cuz I'm riding this graduation high already!" Del exclaimed.
The four rolled over to the large ceremony entrance, accompanied by some security guards.
"Halt! What's your business here?" a security guard questioned.
"Uhh... graduates? We're graduating if you haven't noticed by the racing stripes..." Dash said.
"Or the decals..." El added.
"Or the bodies..." Del added.
"Or the engines," Rush added once more, letting out a loud rev.
"So can you let us in, please?" Dash said.
"Alpha Jag, this is Iron Cobra. I need a quick clearance check on four so-called 'racers'." the guard said over his radio.
"You've got to be kidding me." Dash sighed.
"Alpha Jag? Iron Cobra? Since when did these guards get cooler nicknames than us?" Rush asked.
"They're code-names, air-hood," Del said, scoffing.
"You oaf, these are the best racers in the whole academy. Let them through!" an interjecting teacher exclaimed.
The four were quickly pulled through the security gate and into the massive crowd.
"Mr. Thessels?" Rush recognized.
"What was that about?" Dash asked.
"Sorry, security is really tight tonight. With all the celebrities present, they have to be." Mr. Thessels said.
"Wait... celebrities?" Dash asked.
"Indeed! Jackson Storm is in attendance, Cal Weathers, Bobby Swift, Chick Hicks, the king, they're all here tonight. Oh, and-"
"Lightning McQueen?!" Rush whimpered.
"Good evening. I'm guessing these are the four academy stars I've heard so much about." Lightning interjected, greeting himself.
The girls let out massive smiles in admiration of the racing legend, but nowhere near as much as Dash and Rush, who were visibly fanboying in their spots unable to speak a word.
"Nice to meet you, I'm-" Lightning said.
"Lightning McQueen. You're the Lightning McQueen!" Dash mumbled.
"Big fans, man!" Rush added.
"I can say the same. 40-second lap times?! Better than I was at your age." Lightning said, smirking.
"Oh, well, I... I, uhh-" Dash stuttered.
"Yes, one of the academy's best. If not, the academy's best." Mr. Thessels chimed in.
YOU ARE READING
The Principles of a Grand Hunt // Part 1 - A Cars Story
Fiksi PenggemarWelcome to the Grand Hunt! For the third part of 'The Dash to Victory' series, our favorite gang of talking cars are tasked with hunting down the elusive principal-turned-evil, Helmut Nettes. He doesn't make it easy for them, contorting their minds...
