Radiator Springs
“I KNEW it,” yelled Xigbar, slamming his fist into a table. “Axel was always against us. Now we’ve lost Zexion…”
“Xigbar, settle,” said Xemnas.
“How can you be calm at a time like this?” demanded Xigbar. “We’re five men down…”
“There are seven of us left,” said Xemnas calmly. “Not to mention we have over half the children we need. What we need to do is…”
“Find one of the keyblade wielders and get them to side with you?” asked a voice from the door. “Yeah, yeah, heard it several times before.”
Xemnas and Xigbar looked up, and found a familiar silver-haired boy standing in the doorway. Riku stepped forward, carrying a battered figure in a black coat. He threw the Nobody on the floor, revealing it to be Xaldin.
“You?” said Xemnas, looking surprised. “What do you want?”
“Power,” said Riku. “Power over darkness. And you’re going to train me.”
“Or else what?” demanded Xigbar.
“Or else I keep doing this to your members,” said Riku, raising his keyblade and stabbing Xaldin through the chest. The master of wind gasped in pain, then vanished from sight.
Xemnas and Xigbar looked at each other, impressed. “Very well,” said Xemnas. “You shall be my student. But only if you can lead me to the other keyblade wielders.”
Riku seemed thoughtful for a moment. “Deal,” he said, a dark aura surrounding him.
“So, do you think we can trust what Axel told me?” asked Sora.
“I don’t know,” said Elsa. “Why would he want to help us?”
“I wonder…” started Hiro. “You said Joy and Bing Bong were killing the Heartless with almost no effort?”
“Yeah,” said Sora. “And Sadness made them stronger.”
“Hmm…do you think negative emotions are what power the Heartless?” asked Hiro. “Joy is the very incarnation of happiness, and Bing Bong was obviously made for Riley to have fun and be happy, whereas Sadness is the opposite of all that.”
“Happiness?” asked Elsa. “Just like…”
“Yes,” said Hiro. “The points when our times were destroyed were when we were at our darkest. Emotionally, at least.”
“That makes sense,” said Ace. “Heartless are creatures of darkness, so it makes sense that they get stronger around negativity.”
“Unfortunately, that doesn’t help us find and stop the Organization,” interrupted Edna. At that moment, one of the computers started beeping. “That, on the other hand, might.”
“Where is it this time?” asked Sora.
“It’s sometime in the future,” said Lewis, tapping away at the keyboard. “Between humans leaving and when they came back. Looks like the Organization is there, though I don’t know why.”
“Ah, another chance for me to show off my skills,” said Edna, rubbing her hands together in an almost evil way.
“Wha…what do you…” started Sora, backing away slowly before being grabbed Edna.
“This might be my crowning achievement,” said Edna as the time machine emerged from the timestream.
“This feels really weird,” said Sora, wheeling himself into view. “Why did I have to be a Mini Cooper?”
“Well, I’d make you a smart car, but…well, let’s just say one of those words doesn’t apply to you,” said Edna, polishing Sora’s hood.
“This is ridiculous. I’m not even old enough to drive,” said Sora. “And what do you mean one of those words doesn’t apply…”
“Well, you’ll have to learn to drive fast,” said Edna nonchalantly. “Now, your keyblade pops out of the hood, and I’ve given you hydraulics so you can jump around to fight if you have to. Bye-bye, good luck.” Edna opened the time machine door and pushed him out the door while they were still in the air.
“You better have packed a parachute Edna,” Sora yelled back at the disappearing time machine.
“Parachute, activated,” said an automated voice, and suddenly Sora’s descent was slowed.
“Oh…okay then,” said Sora, who had actually expected Edna to leave him to fall. A few minutes later, he landed in a desert next to a small road. Ahead of him there was a sign saying ‘Welcome to Radiator Springs’. “Well, I guess that’s as good a place as any to start looking,” said Sora, pulling onto the road carefully and driving towards what looked like a small town in the distance.
Unfortunately, Sora was still getting used to his new form, and swerved around a bit more than he meant to. He tried to stay straight, but kept swerving to the side. That’s when he heard the sirens.
“Alright mister, take it easy,” said a police car pulling up beside him. “You been drinking some of that funny oil?” The sheriff looked at Sora and narrowed his eyes. “How old are you boy?”
“Fourteen,” replied Sora honestly.
The sheriff sighed heavily. “These kids keep getting younger,” said the police car. “Well, come on kiddo. Better get you to the impound lot until you dry out.”
“Hey, leave the kid alone man,” said a minibus that drove up to them. “I was his age when I first tried organic fuel, and look how I turned out.”
“That’s exactly what I’m concerned about Fillmore,” said the sheriff. “He should…”
“Come on Sheriff, the kid probably just came to see the race, and some older car slipped him something,” said a lowrider, pulling up beside Fillmore.
“Yeah, Sheriff, you just let me and Ramone take care of him,” said a show car.
“Wha..what race is this?” asked Sora.
“Aww, the poor thing. So out of it he doesn’t even remember the race that’s on,” said the show car. “Surely you remember the Radiator Springs Grand Prix, right? That’s gotta be the reason you’re all the way out here.”
“Yeah, organised in part by our buddy Lightning McQueen,” said Ramone. “Speaking of which, here he is.” Sora looked up to see a red sports car drive up to the group.
“Guys, have you guys seen Mater around anywhere?” asked McQueen.
“Nope, can’t say I have,” said Fillmore. “How about you guys?” The other cars confirmed they hadn’t seen anything.
“What’s wrong? Is one of the racers missing?” asked Sora.
“Hey, who’s the kid?” asked McQueen.
“Oh, I’m Sora,” replied Sora.
“Hi Sora, I’m Lightning McQueen,” said McQueen. “I’m trying to find my friend Mater. He’s not one of the racers, though. He’s an old rusty tow truck, and my best friend. You haven’t seen him, have you?”
“No, but I can go look for him if you want,” said Sora. “That’s why I came here. There’s supposed to be some kind of trouble here. Maybe this is it.”
“Could you? That’d be great,” said McQueen. “He’s always got a front row seat at my races, but I can’t find him anywhere.”
“Now hold on there,” said Sheriff. “This kid is still intoxicated with something, and…”
“Actually, I’m here on a mission,” said Sora quickly. “And I’m still getting used to this new form.”
“Wow, a mission?” said Ramone. “You mean like a secret agent?”
“Don’t be silly Ramone,” said Flo. “Why would there be secret agents around here?”
“Well, whatever you’re doing, could you keep an eye out for Mater?” asked McQueen.
“Will do,” said Sora. “Where do you think he’d be?”
“Last I saw him was at the Wheel Well Motel. Just keep following the road to get there,” said McQueen, indicating the road through town. As he said it, there was a loud buzzing sound, followed by an announcement over a P. A. system.
“Attention racers. The Radiator Springs Grand Prix, brought to you by Allinol, is about to begin,” said the announcer. “Please be at the designated start area in five minutes.”
“Well, I’ve gotta go,” said McQueen. “Good luck finding Mater.”
“Thanks,” said Sora, driving away.
“He’s here, just as I thought he would,” said Lexaeus, watching Sora leave. He didn’t like his new form as a black Lexus, but he needed to blend in somehow.
“He’s not going to be a problem, is he?” asked the green land rover beside him.
“Probably not,” said Lexaeus. “As I mentioned, we intend to try out our new recruit. It just so happens that helping your cause is the best way to draw him out.”
The land rover frowned at this comment. “I’m not sure I appreciate being used like this, but I’ll take all the help I can get,” said Axlerod. “So, where is your friend?”
“Right here,” said a yellow Plymouth Barracuda, driving up from behind them.
“Hello? Anyone here?” called Sora as he exited the large restaurant on a cliffside. Inside he’d found a zucchini for Linguini, which he’d managed (with some difficulty) to get into his front seat. “Is there someone here by the name of Mater?”
“Did somebody call me?” said someone with a thick Southern accent, and suddenly an old, rusty tow truck appeared from around a corner. “Name’s Tow Mater. What can I do for ya? I should just mention, I’m in the middle of a date, so…”
“You’re on a date?” asked Sora. “Oh, sorry to interrupt. It’s just that your friend Lightning McQueen was worried about you, and…”
“Aww, shoot, his race is about to start,” said Mater. “Holley, we need to…”
“Mater, we don’t have time for the race,” said a magenta coloured Jaguar. “We have to…”
“Continue our date. I know, I know,” said Mater. “It’s just that it doesn’t feel like a real date with…”
“Is there a problem?” asked a blue Aston Martin, turning to face Holley. “Miss Shiftwell, we really need to find out what Professor Zündapp is up to.”
“But the race is on,” said Mater. “Come on, there’s a great place to watch it from over here.” Without waiting for a response, Mater drove off down the road.
“Come on, we need him,” said the Aston Martin, just as he noticed Sora. “Hey, who’s this?”
“I’m Sora. I was sent by Lightning McQueen to find Mater,” explained Sora. “So, who are you guys?”
“Well, I’m Holley Shiftwell, and this is my partner Finn McMissile,” said Holley. “And we’re here to…”
“Miss Shiftwell, we don’t know anything about this kid,” said Finn, covering Holley’s mouth before speaking in a low whisper. “He could be working with the enemy for all we know…”
“Hey, you guys haven’t seen any guys completely in black, have you?” asked Sora.
“Somebody in black?” asked Finn, suddenly perking up. “Holley, show him the picture.” Holley projected a picture against the side of the cliff, showing a small green car with a monocle next to a fancy looking black car. “The green one is definitely Professor Zündapp, but we can’t identify the black one. Do you know him?”
Sora stared at him for a moment. There was something familiar about him, and suddenly it clicked. “That’s Lexaeus,” said Sora. “He’s with Organization XIII, and very bad news.”
“A Lexus? Why would a Lexus be working with lemons?” asked Holley.
“I don’t know, but at least we have a name now,” said Finn. “Come on, we need to find out what they’re up to.” Finn started to drive off, when there was a loud bang from below them. “What was that?”
“It came from the direction of the race,” said Holley. “Maybe Mater saw something. Come on.” Holley quickly drove off down the road, Finn and Sora right behind her.
“Dad gum, that’s horrible,” said Mater as Holley, Finn, and Sora pulled up behind him.
“What happened?” asked Holley.
“One of the racer’s wheels blew out,” said Mater, just as another explosion sounded below them. “Dad gum, there goes another one.”
“In the same place?” asked Finn. “Is there something sharp on the track?”
“Nothing I can see,” said Mater as another car suddenly blew up and start skidding out of control. “What’s goin’ on down there?”
Sora started looking around, then spotted something. “Hey, that camera crew is filming the car there,” said Sora, just as the car he was talking about burned out. “It’s like they know the cars are going to explode at that point.”
“They don’t appear to be with any television company,” said Finn. “Come on, they must be with Professor Zündapp.” The group followed Finn towards the camera crew.
“They’re coming your way,” came a voice over a walkie-talkie. “Grem, Acer, be on your guard, and remember, leave the kid for the Plymouth.”
“Yes boss,” said Grem, focusing on another car.
“You really gonna trust the new kid?” asked Acer.
“Hey, we’ll have our hands full with the others,” said Grem. “This will make things much easier.”
“Heh, guess you’re right,” said Acer, firing up the weaponised camera.
“Stop right there,” said Finn, driving straight at the camera and knocking it over. “What is Professor Zündapp up to?”
“Who said we was here for Professor Z?” asked Acer, ramming into Finn’s side.
“Hey sweetie, how you going?” asked Grem, approaching Holley. He started to get close, then suddenly flew backwards and hung in the air.
“Sorry buddy, but that’s my girlfriend,” said Mater, pulling on his tow cable. Suddenly, the ground started to rumble, throwing off Mater’s balance and causing him to release Grem.
“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to hurt my allies,” said a black Lexus entering the room.
“Lexaeus,” said Sora, revealing his keyblade. “Stand back guys, he’s mine.”
“And you’re mine,” said a voice Sora wasn’t expecting to hear. Sora just barely managed to back away before a yellow Plymouth hit the ground where he’s been sitting.
“Ri…Riku?” asked Sora. “What are you doing? Have you joined the Organization?”
In response, Riku began to radiate with a dark aura. “You don’t understand Sora,” said Riku. “The power of darkness. It feels so good. There’s just nothing like it.”
“Stop it Riku,” snapped Sora. “If you give in to the darkness, I’ll have to fight you.”
Riku drew his keyblade. “Then fight me,” said Riku. “But just remember, you won’t beat me without the power of darkness.” Riku jumped up and swung his weapon at Sora, who blocked it but was forced back.
“Fine. You forced me to do this,” said Sora, swinging at Riku as hard as he could. Riku casually blocked the attack, and knocked Sora aside with a single easy swipe of his keyblade. Sora recovered quickly, charging at Riku, but was again knocked aside with ease.
“Face it Sora, you’re nothing compared to me,” said Riku. “Unless you let the darkness consume you, there’s no way you will win.”
“I will never surrender to the darkness,” said Sora, getting back up. “I’ll fight you to the very end if I have to…”
“Oh really?” said Riku, rolling up to Sora and pinning him against a wall. “Because your friends aren’t doing too good without you.”
Sora looked past Riku in horror to see Holley, Finn, and Mater trying to fight Lexaeus together, but even with three of them, including Holley and Finn loaded with weapons, Lexaeus was able to keep pushing them back towards the side of a cliff. “No…” said Sora, glaring at Riku. “NOOO!” he screamed more forcefully, knocking Riku aside.
“That’s more like it,” said Riku, preparing to strike Sora, just as Sora slammed into him head-on. Riku blinked in surprise, but recovered quickly and tried to fight back. However, nothing he did seemed to affect him, be it his keyblade, his magic, or even just ramming into him.
“Do what you want with me,” growled Sora, sparks flying off of him. “But you leave my friends out of it. THUNDAGA!” A burst of lightning shot out from Sora, zapping Riku and causing him to start smoking.
Lexaeus, who was about to finish off the other three cars, turned to see Riku smouldering, and Sora raising his keyblade to finish him off. “Oh no you don’t,” said Lexaeus, driving up and grabbing Riku before opening a dark portal and disappearing through it.
“Hey, what about us?” yelled Grem as the portal closed.
“Forget them, get back to the camera,” said someone with a German accent. The cars present turned to see a green Zündapp Janus wearing a monocle approaching. “We must have all those racers injured before…” Suddenly, Professor Zündapp flew up into the air and hung above the group.
“Ya know, I never got why those guys in the movies always talked about their plans when they think they’re winning,” said Mater, pulling his tow cable back.
“You’re too late anyway,” yelled Professor Zündapp, hanging from the tow cable which was slung over an outcrop of rock above them. “Even as we speak, my employer is convincing the world that all-natural fuels are harmful…”
“Your employer? You mean Sir Miles Axlerod?” asked Finn.
Professor Zündapp gasped. “How did you know?” demanded the professor.
“I didn’t. You just admitted it for me,” said Finn, revealing a tape player. “On tape, no less. Thanks to Mater for pointing out that Axlerod was once a lemon, just like his minions.”
“Aww, shoot, it was nothing,” said Mater modestly.
“The thing I’m most concerned about though is Sora,” said Holley, looking over at him. “He’s got this weird purple smoke coming off of him.”
“Sora? Are you okay?” asked Finn, cautiously rolling up to him. Sora turned to him suddenly, fury in his eyes, but as quickly as it had appeared it vanished, as did the dark aura, leaving an exhausted Sora on the ground. “Sora?! What happened?”
“I…I don’t know…” said Sora. “I just…lost control…and I let the darkness free.” Sora paused to take a few deep breaths. “So much power…so good…”
“Sora?” called a voice above him. The cars looked up to see the time machine lowering itself to them. “It’s time to go.”
“Who are you?” asked Finn.
“Let’s just say I’m a commanding officer of sorts,” said Lewis’s voice over the speaker system. A magnet began lowering itself to attach itself to Sora’s roof. “And we need to get Sora back to base for…repairs. And questioning.” The time machine started rising again, and soon disappeared from sight.