Chapter Text
It was a few moths after the battle with the Genesis pod and everything seems to be in a lull phase.
Kane was still recovering from his most recent defeat while the gangs of Motorcity were trying to enjoy the truce while it lasted. Which is never long.
Of course the Burners where practically heroes among Motoricty for being the spearhead to victory. And with popularity comes new opportunities.
And Texas was first to be met with a opportunity.
Dutch was the first one notice.
He was use to the guy's loud outbursts, but he hadn't been hearing the usually 'TEXAS' shouts. In fact, he hadn't been seeing Texas around lately either.
He would usually be hanging around, telling Dutch to build some sort of contraption that could never work or just ordering him to put lasers on everything. But he wasn't there.
Not that he wasn't appreciating the silence but it was still kind of weird to not have the big lung over his shoulders.
Julie and Chuck started to catch wind of Texas's change of attitude, not through his absence, but through his attitude.
Texas was starting to remember not only Julie's name but Claire's as well. Julie was so shocked that almost though of asking what was up. But she decided to just take the action at face value and not question it.
Chuck was no stranger to Texas' teasing. So when Chuck had a video of him screaming falling down a ten story building into Mutt, he only replayed the video two times.
Compared to the 'laughing-at-the-same-screaming-video-all-day' attitude before, Texas just moved to saint hood. But Chuck didn't want to question, just in case it would make Texas go back to laughing at him all day.
Now individually these actions might not have mean much but when put together it was a caused for concern.
Mike was the one to ask.
"So, uh, Texas, you doing okay?"
It was a normal enough question, the gangs was hanging around Jacob's, eating a pizza. Mike thought it was best to ask now while everyone was around than one no one.
"Kashaw. Texas is doing GREAT. You know, like always." Texas flexes his arms to prove his point.
"Right." Mike did't miss the way Texas swallowed his food before answering that.
Julie spoke up, "Well, it's just you have been acting a little bit... different."
Dutch nodded, "Yeah man, you sure you okay? You've been taking more breaks than I have."
Texas gave them a look and sheepishly looked away, trying to put more attention back to his pizza, "Texas has no idea what you guys are talking about."
"Come on, man," Mike laughed, "What's going on? We're just wondering?"
Texas stands up, "TEXAS IS NOT HIDING ANYTHING. TEXAS NEVER HIDES THINGS!"
Mike held his arms as a sign of peace, "Woah, no one said you where hiding anything Texas."
Texas sits back down and looks thoughtful for a second. It was just a second because Texas looking thoughtful of any kind was a rare sight to see. He leaned forward and spoke in a loud whisper, "Hey, can you guys keep a secret."
The rest of the Burners nodded, even though they were the only one's there in their secret Burners' base but played along with Texas anyway.
"Then follow Texas. Ha-yah!" Texas jumped up and start kicking his way to his car outside. Chuck look to Mike.
"So uh, we're not finishing the pizza?"
Mike shrugged and started following Texas. Chuck sighed and he, Dutch, and Julie left the pizza and started heading outside as well.
Texas walked straight to Stronghorn and paused till he saw everyone was waiting for him.
"Is there something wrong with Stronghorn dude?" Dutch asked, "Cause if there is, you gotta tell me that."
Texas shook his head, "No. What Texas is showing you is super top secret and cannot leave this room."
"Uh, technically we are outside." Chuck supplied.
"No time for small talk, Blondie," Texas opened the hood, "Now look at this awesomeness."
The Burners gasped. Right there under Stronghorn's hood was a custom made engine.
Julie leaned in for a closer look, "It that real? I've never seen an engine like that before."
"Dude! This is amazing!" Mike was in awe. It was a work of art.
And is was. A new engine, make to the specifications of Stronghorn's shape and handler. A new set of pipes and even a few artist touches to match the red and black theme of the car. Also helps the fact that it will be protected if the handler ever uses his car as a battering ram. Which for Texas is not that out there.
Chuck lifted his hair out of his eyes, "How did you even get that?"
"Texas has his ways." Texas puffed with pride in his usual Texas fashion.
"Nuh huh. No. You are not getting out if this one Texas," Dutch turned serious, "This is- That looks- I don't even know were to begin with this!" Dutch was at a lost of words.
"It's awesome right."
"Awesome? More like impossible! It should have taken two months to gut out a car and replace it will a CUSTON MADE ENGINE. Really dude, where did you get this?"
Texas squares up, "That's the sup top secret secret Texas was about to explain."
Texas took a dramatic pause to gather his awesomeness, "I found the Smith."
This brought on blank faces from everyone except Dutch.
"Woah, wait, what? You found them! And they gave you stuff?"
"Yeah, they found out I was me, Texas, and knew they had to give me awesome things." Texas shrugged, "No big deal."
Chuck raised his voice, "Uh, who is the Smith?"
"Yeah, I haven't heard of this guy." Julie spoke up as well.
"Only the best metal worker in Motorcity!" Dutch looked like he was trying to contain his excitement. "They can make everything from metal! They're old school, melting it down and hand crafting it from scratch. This guy does not play around though, they hate communicating with people on any level." He turns to Texas, "So how did YOU get them to make you a whole engine?"
Texas rolled his eye, "Duh. They looked at Texas and knew he needed a engine to match his awesomeness."
Mike spoke before Dutch could smack Texas, "So, can we met them?"
At this Texas sputtered, "Uh, yeah, well, Texas...is not sure about that."
Mike smiled a this, here we go, "Come on Texas, they've been making you this engine for a while now. That's is where you have been sneaking off too, right?"
Texas colored a bit when he saw he was caught. "Well yeah! Texas knew you knew that!"
"Then what 's the hold up?"
"There is no hold up. Texas is ready whenever."
"Then let's go."
Texas turned to Dutch. "Like, now?"
Dutch smiled at this, "Yeah, man no time like the present." He started heading toward his car.
"Oh yeah, let's go meet the guy who avoids everyone. Great idea." Chuck murmured but started walking with Mike towards Mutt anyway.
Texas panicked. "Wait!"
Everyone turned back and waited patiently.
Texas cleared his throat, "They... don't like rude people."
That was all he said before he got into his car and turned on the engine.
The Burners stood there, shell shocked to be hearing anything about manner from Texas.
"What kind of monster are they." Chuck whimpered to Mike as they headed towards Mutt again. For only a monster could make someone like Texas think about etiquette.
Mike got into Mutt, "I don't know," he smiled, "but I can't wait to find out." He turned on his car and drove.