The beautiful sound of The BMW's 414 hp, 4 liter V8 engine could satisfy the need of any pony looking for a moderately priced luxury sports car. For Lightning Dust, hearing the sound of the M3's legendary legacy was enough to bring joy to her heart. The rear-wheel drive of the modern coupe fit well with her driving style she had acquired using the Supra.

With Aqua following her, she brought the M3 the short distance to the track and began laps. The Subaru BRZ may have been able to keep pace with the Supra on a good day but it stood no chance against the M3's speed. It wasn't leagues above what the Supra could do, but it was enough for Lightning to feel the difference in power between the vehicles. Something was missing though.

Even with the BMW being faster than her Supra, it was still a street stock ride. It needed a nitrous kit, some new tires, and some better parts. Lightning had talked with McClare about this. He had the parts ready, but he would need time to fit them all in.

This left Lightning with no rides to race in. She found herself in the passenger seat of Aqua's BRZ. They were riding due north through Sandpiper Forest at a brisk pace. Aqua was meeting up with her former mate. Lightning had heard Aqua speak about this pony, a unicorn nicknamed Sidewinder. She drove a black/green Nissan 370z tuned exclusively for drifting. Aqua was fully expecting her friend to be throwing smoke somewhere in the hills today.

Lightning was quite surprised in the difference in elevation between the city and the hills on the outskirst of Wing City. The bridges stretching through the gaps in the hills providing wondrous sights of the city below. Aqua turned right as they passed by a gas station and crept onto a bridge. That was when they spotted it.

Sidewinder's Nissan was coming hard out of the tunnel up the road. As it exited the back end shifted out to the left as she turned right kicking up the green smoke as it did so. As Aqua's BRZ came onto the bridge on the opposite end the Nissan held its line. Sidewinder kept the car at just enough of an angle to keep giving off smoke as Aqua pulled her Subaru off to the shoulder. As she did The 370z blazed pass as the driver kicked the end out once again to make the corner. As the car sped past Lightning and Aqua, the green smoke engulfed their windshield for a few seconds.

Lightning was impressed by the maneuver for sure. The Nissan had been sideways for several hundred meters. Surely only a pony with years of skill could pull off such a stunt without any mistakes. The Nissan 370z circled around and parked on the adjacent side of the road. Aqua rolled down her window.

"Just as flashy as ever Emerald. how's the car."

"Oh, just brilliant sweetheart. It think I finally figured out the setup for it. I'm just about to head home, you want to stop by?"

"I was just about to ask, i'll follow you."

Just going off of the mare's voice alone, Lightning figured Emerald, or Sidewinder, was from Canterlot or somewhere nearby. She seemed to be the high class type and her car was meticulously detailed right down to the stickers on the windows and the camber of the tires on her Nissan.

"I have no idea how you became friends with a pony from Canterlot."

"Try first cousin, I was born in Canterlot but I have lived here since I was a teenager."

"You were born in Canterlot?!"

"I only lived there until I was four, that's when my family moved out. Emerald lived there for about 17 years before she moved out. For a high class pony she sure does like cars. She just moved into Wing City last year but she is a little shy with locals. Don't be surprised if she looks at you funny, especially since your a pegasus."

"She wouldn't be the first one."

"I don't tell many ponies this. Think you can guess what my name is?"

"I've only known you as Aqua Streak. So, I really don't have anything else to call you."

"Aquamarine Stream, and Sidewinder's real name is Emerald Moon. We come from a family of ponies with talents related to gems. As far as I know i'm the only member of the family to have a vehicle related cutie mark. I mean, I have a distant relative that lives in Ponyville of all places and she has a specialty in diamonds. Diamonds!"

Aqua's rambling was interrupted by a buzz coming from Lightning's tablet. Another notification, likely a message. Lightning opened it, giving Aqua an apologetic glance.

Members of the Perfect Shift league, welcome to the second stage of events. First off I must mention that Head Organizer Vitality is currently away on a business trip. She has asked me to keep you all informed of what to expect. You may call me Flash.

Class B races are now under way, but we also have a unique opportunity for those who want to get ahead of their competitors. We are now opening drift events, and these events do not hold any restrictions. You may bring any car you wish to drive. In drift events you are to beat a predetermined score set by the league. Beat the score and you will be rewarded accordingly.

Best of luck to you all, I will be making sure Vitality is informed on progress. In the mean time. Race hard, and don't get caught.

"Well... what a coincidence."

"What?"

"The league is opening up drift events, with no restrictions. I can bring any car I want regardless of performance."

"Huh, that's good news for sure. Oh, we're here."

Sidewinder pulled her 370z behind a gas station and into a garage. This was the farthest north Lightning had ever gone in the city. Before she started racing she rarely left Eden Shores unless she was flying out of town. Aqua parked her Subaru outside of the garage and the pair exited the vehicle.

"So then, you're thinking about learning to drift?"

"I already know how though, I do it all the time in races."

"Trust me, don't say stuff like that around Emerald. To her there is a major difference between the art of drifting and power-sliding, which is what you are talking about. You can't just bring a car set up for racing and expect to show off, ponies like her build their rides from the ground up."

"And we work hard to make sure they are the best at what they do."

Lightning finally was able to get a good look at the mare she now knew as Emerald Moon. A unicorn mare with a coat as black as the night. Her mane was a triple tone of green and shone bright just like her name implied. She also bore a green shade of eyeliner that contrasted heavily with her coat, and her eyes were giving Lightning a stare that would have made you think she just told a bad joke.

"You're not the first to give me that look."

"You're not the first pegasus I've had the pleasure to talk about cars with. What is it going to be? Bragging that your wings allow you to fly faster than any car I own, or are you just going to shun me for needing a means of travel other than my own hooves."

Lightning stared into the black unicorn's eyes and gave her a cold look that would make any normal pony bow in fear.

"You talk about my wings again and you won't be able to walk on your own hooves anymore. We'll see how far you get when I shove my M3's front bumper into your tailpipe at mach 3."

"Both of you cut it out! Dear Celestia it's like raising children."

"Aqua, don't you dare pin this on me. She started it by bringing up my disability." Aqua stared directly at Lightning Dust

"She doesn't even know yet! I've told her nothing, this is the first time she has heard of you."

"Modern or Retro?"

The pair of bickering crew mates returned their attention to Emerald. Lightning was slightly bewildered by the sudden question.

"Uh... wait what."

"Is it Modern, or Retro?" Emerald repeated. Aqua seemed to finally catch on.

"Modern, she just bought it."

"With her own bank?"

"Yep"

"Is it her first car sweetheart?"

"Second, she also owns a Toyota Supra."

Emerald took another glance at Lightning, who had seemed to calm down after the heated argument. She walked up to the pegasus... and extended a hoof. Lightning took it with grace.

"So, disability huh? Something with your wings I presume?"

"Yeah, bad accident. the short version is my wings are paralyzed."

"My apologies dear. If I had known I wouldn't have been so rude. I've had a few scuffles with others about these kind of opinions and I get defensive easily."

"No worries, you're not the first and you won't be the last."

"Finally, now that we know each other and are not mouthing off let's get down to business. I'm heading inside."

"So, you want to learn the art of drifting dear? Well i'm honored to give you the opportunity to learn such an art."

Lightning had asked the question as soon as the trio had entered the garage. Emerald was simply flattered. The thought of being able to teach her skills to others was a genuine positive to the mare. Aqua wanted to get in on the action as well. She recently replaced her street tires on her BRZ with drift tires. Not much else had changed on her ride though. Lightning, however, was still without a car.

"Well, of course. I've heard a lot of good things about it and from what Aqua has told me you're the best around."

"I appreciate the complement. There is one problem, you don't have any of your cars with you. From what you'vr told me your M3 is tuned for racing so that won't do at the moment. Where is your Supra?"

"Back in the shop at the moment. Suspension took a beating when I got spun last night. It's out of action for the time being."

"You crashed? are you at all hurt dear?"

"It's nothing serious. I dislocated my shoulder but I know how to deal with those types of injuries."

"Hold on, Lightning you never told me you got hurt in that race, let alone dislocating your shoulder."

"Aqua, I'm fine. Look." Lightning rolled her shoulder around in a circular motion. She hid the grimace that was appearing, her shoulder definitely wasn't fully healed. The two ponies with her were satisfied enough.

"Alright fair enough."

"Back to business. If you don't have any vehicles available I can do something for you. The only thing is you're going to have to earn the right to keep it."

Emerald Moon trotted over to another side of the garage. In the corner a drape was covering another vehicle. When she pulled off the covering it revealed a fully kitted vehicle. Specifically a Nissan Silvia S13, tuned for drifting. It sported a Showcase suspension and differential making it suited for road drifting. The tires were still in good shape. It sported a black finish with green detailing similar to that of Emerald's 370z. The entire engine had been upgraded as well, giving the normally sluggish street vehicle a top speed of 185 and a 0 to 60 of 5.6 seconds. Lightning was definitely impressed.

"My first car, a gift from home that I built myself. For now it's yours. Here's the keys." Emerald tossed the ignition keys to Lightning who swiped them up with her hoof. Just as she got into the car she received a direct message. McClare was finished putting all the parts on the M3. He had worked fast to get Lightning on the road again.

"Just got word Aqua, M3's ready to go."

"Sounds good, let's hit the road."

"Good luck keeping up in the corners dear. I'll lead the way so you can watch and learn."

Each of the ponies got into their respective vehicles. Sidewinder was off like a missile as she exited the garage heading for Lightning's place. She had directions from Aqua so she knew where to go. Lightning was out second, the Silvia racing out to keep pace with the 370z. Aqua had to race outside to get back to her BRZ. As she did so The two Nissan's drove off into the forest, neither one of them bothering to wait for her.

"I'm genuinely surprised they got along so well. Here goes nothing."

She fired up her Subaru, knowing well enough she was going to have to catch up.

Author's Note

I took a lot of extra time to make both Emerald's 370z as well as the Nissan Silvia for Lightning. originally I had a different car in mind for her new drfit ride but them I changed my mind in order to give it to a different pony instead.

Regardless, thanks for being patient. The M3 is getting a brand new look next chapter. The storm is picking up. it's time to shift up once again.