Lightning Dust was once again in the garage with McClare and Neon, the former checking the underside of the Supra, the ladder propped upright next to her GT-R. Lightning wasn’t completely confident with her driving ability, but she at least knew she could handle the Supra’s power. It felt like a perfect car for her to start off with, not quite a high power sports car, but just fast enough to not be boring. It’s rear-wheel drive setup also gave Lightning the ability to slide through corners if she was losing excitement.

It had been just over 24 hours since she last drove the Supra, McClare wanted to make sure it was all ready for the night ahead. They had just about two hours before they had to make it for the qualifier. Neon had informed Lightning of how it would work out. To make it fair each participant would have their vehicles ranked by class, those being classes A, B, and C. This was based on performance with faster cars being classed as A and slower at C. Neon’s Nissan GT-R was a mid-class A while Lightning’s Toyota Supra was a high C class, meaning she would be racing other C class vehicles.

Neon was planning on setting up a staged course for Lightning to see how fast she could push the Supra on the streets, since Lightning’s only practice had been on a private track. It was obviously going to be kept low so they wouldn’t attract and authorities, so only two times around was the limit. They were just waiting on McClare to finish up with his check. She and Lightning were in the middle of discussing the layout when said stallion retreated from under the vehicle.

“Alright, should be good to go. I’ll meet you both outside in a second while I clean up.” He said, then proceeded to lower the Toyota back to ground level.

Lightning hopped in and rolled the Supra outside with Neon trotting out behind her, radios in her magic aura. She hoofed one over to Lightning through her window for check, then waited for her to go out to the area she would start at.

“Alright remember, two blocks down then one across. Like a rectangle really. Only do what you can handle, I don’t want you scratching the paint.” She ordered, speaking into the radio.

“Got it, but this is technically my car so i’ll do whatever with it.” Lightning responded.

“Actually it belongs to McClare until he says otherwise, but that doesn’t matter. Just do the course as fast as you can the first time, we’ll try some drifting on the second lap if I feel your up for it.”

Lightning rolled up to the indicated point in the road and shifted into neutral to rev her engine, waiting on Neon’s signal to go. She remembered to keep as close to redline as possible for the best shift. Neon gave the signal and Lightning shifted into drive. Neon had noted it wasn’t perfect but still a decent launch. The automatic gears in the Supra made it to 4th at 125 mph before Lightning had to slow into the first corner as she eased her way into the second half of the temporary circuit. Flooring it down the next two blocks she barely made it to 155 mph before the incoming corner forced her to slow again. Neon came on the radio as she rounded back to the start.

“Pretty good for a rookie, in class C no less. You can do better though, try drifting into the next turn. Use the E-brake and remember to counter steer once you rotate, those rear wheels are going to spin wildly.”

Lightning focused in on her words as she clocked at 140 on the line, readying her right hoof for the E-brake. As she entered the turn she pulled up and throttled the gas, however she didn’t have enough counter steer and she spun out on the exit. She cursed aloud into the radio, though Neon didn’t respond. She knew it would happen at first, she remembered the first time she tried sliding a corner with rear-wheel. After a second though she decided to remind the rookie of her mistake.

“Not enough counter steer Dust, though I figured you knew that.”

“I did! I’ll get it this time.” Dust furiously responded.

“You sure? It took me hours of practice to get it right with half as much power in the wheels.” Neon questioned.

“Watch me.” was all Lightning said before going silent.

Neon was about to start laughing at Lightning’s blunt stubbornness when she overheard the distinct sound of rubber on pavement and looked over to see a white Supra rounding the corner sideways with a determined Lightning Dust in the driver’s seat. Said Supra straightened out before coming to a halt in front of the garage. Lightning Dust parked it and shut it off, it would likely need new tires. Neon approached her.

“What was that exactly, you not telling me something?” She questioned.

“I guess i’m just that good.” Lightning added, with a smirk.

“I think your just a fast learner, fits your personality anyways.” She glanced at the Supra “Might want to ask McClare to put a new set on, you might have already burned the rubber.” Neon added.

“Probably, don’t want one going off during the heats.”

“Precisely, maybe you do have a brain in there.” Neon remarked.

“Of course I do!” Lightning retorted, only to glance down at her completely motionless wings, folded onto either side of her body. “Doesn’t mean I think most of the time. These wings used to be the best things I had. Now they’re just a reminder of my past mistakes.”

“The accident that McClare told me about, I know.”

“It goes back farther than that. I used to be proud of who I was. I had a chance to be something better and I messed up because I was caught up in the moment. I put ponies in danger because I wanted personal gain, and ended up losing my dream, I got so worked up over it that I even lost my job and eventually just started flying whenever I felt like it. Turns out I lost that now too.”

Neon took Lightning’s face and forced it up, looking into her eyes.

“Look, i’m not the type of pony that will tell you the easy way to make your life better. I have taken the difficult road my entire life, that includes my street racing career. I’m sure McClare already told you the risks that this type of life has, I know them too. Do you know why I do this Lightning, it’s because it’s fun, it keeps my blood pumping. I don’t do this as a competition, that’s not me, and I can tell that’s not you either. You had a life that you liked, and piece by piece it was stripped from you, I’m in the same boat to an extent. So here’s what i’m going to tell you, just go with what your heart tells you. I won’t blame you if you feel that this isn’t for you in the end, but pouting on the sidewalk about your mistakes isn’t going to get you anywhere right now. You have two hours to make up your mind, either get in the Supra and come with me to the heats or you continue the road to a bitter life of sadness.”

And with that Neon left Lightning outside the garage as she went to let McClare know that the Supra needed new tires. She knew what Lightning’s answer would be she just needed to get Lightning back to the mare she knew Lightning was. She reminded her of when she was just getting into the scene.

“Who knows, maybe someday I’ll race her in her own supercar. Wouldn’t that be cool.” She smiled at the thought.

(Later that Night, Undisclosed Location in Downtown Wing City)

Night time in the city, a perfect place and time for a classic street race, or many in this case. The Heats for the Perfect Shift League, a tournament attracting racers of all kinds of skill from across Equestria. Many vehicles of different manufacturer, model, and speed. Everything from Mazda’s and Subaru’s to exotics such as Lamborghini, Mercedes, Aston Martin, and highly sought after Ferrari's. Even a wannabe hotshot in his beat up Golf GTI. Everything is here and ready to be pushed to the limit.

“Here we are girl, looks like it’s going to be a wild night.”

Neon Shock and Lightning Dust had just arrived in their respective cars, after signing up in their respective heat races. Just as expected, Lightning would be racing C-class with her Toyota Supra while Neon and her Nissan GT-R would be in A-class and race much later. Lightning saw many recognizable models. BMW, Porsche, and Audi all had multiple cars everywhere, all personalized to some extent. Lightning felt like her plain white Supra looked out of place in the sea of colors. They found side-by-side spaces and parked, with Neon’s Nissan getting some looks from passerby. She was no stranger to attention, she had made a name for herself in the area for some time now.

“Heavy crowd…” Lightning noted. “You sure are popular around here.”

“I’ve done some special things with this thing Lightning, you ever heard the saying “Super car's for breakfast”? This thing lives by that name.”

“Hey Spark, nice seeing you here!” Came an unknown voice.

“Window up! We don’t want you to draw any unwanted attention yet.” Neon ordered to Lightning before facing the newcomer. Lightning wanted to object but just rolled up her tinted windows that were being used as cover to who she really was. The voice belonged to an earth pony stallion with a black coat as well as a blue and red mane. “Shockwave, long time no see. Still driving that RS4?”

“Always, what’s with the Supra? I see you still have the Nissan so what’s this doing here?”

“New blood, wants to learn how to live the dangerous life.” Neon cocked a grin, which the stallion followed.

“Always welcome to have new faces on the scene, anything you know about ‘em?”

“Mare, likes to go by the name Lightning, though she is thinking about going by “Superstorm” once she really starts getting into racing. Young, not much older than I was and she really learns fast, it feels like she just learned how to drive yesterday.” She laughed, even though she knew it wasn’t a joke. The stallion didn’t pick up though as he chuckled a bit himself. “She is racing tonight actually, C-class. She’s got a lot of potential, maybe check it out yourself.”

“Why not, I’m not racing until B-class so it wouldn’t hurt. I’ll see you around.”

With that the stallion walked off towards the crowd, Neon motioned to Lightning Dust that she could roll the window down again.
“Why was that necessary again?” Lightning questioned.

“Remember how I reacted to you when I realized you were a pegasus? Yeah pegasi aren’t exactly accepted around here since they are against the idea of needing automobiles. I’m just keeping that part of your identity tucked away until further notice.” Neon confirmed. There was still one thing on Lightning’s mind.

“What’s with whole ‘Superstorm’ thing, I don’t get it?”

“Codename, almost every pony in here has one to keep their identity a secret from authorities that try to spy on us. Mine’s ‘Spark’, it’s simple and I like it. I came up with yours on the fly based on your personality.”

“You know, I like it.”

“Good then it’s settled, your Superstorm now. That means you call me Spark from now on, unless it’s just us and McClare. Good?”

“All good”

Just as they were finishing up, a voice came over an announcement speaker

“C-class races will be starting in ten minutes, all racers participating meet at the track as soon as possible. We will now be posting the race schedule on the live feed above the parking area. Check them to find out when and with whom your racing.”

Every one of the racers currently at the parking lot including Neon and Lightning looked up at the screen above them as the first race lineup was showed.

Lifeline- Honda S2000
Sledgehammer- Dodge Charger SRT8
Aqua Streak- Subaru BRZ
Lightning- Toyota Supra

Neon took a glance at Lightning, smiling.

“That’s you Superstorm, looks like it’s time to get down to business.”

They both rode in the Supra towards the starting line at the heat track just down the road. What Neon forgot to check was her race, which happened to be the last one on the screen. The final race of the night.

Stunner- Mclaren MP4-12C
Firewall- Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Spark- Nissan GT-R
Rogue Rush- Dodge Viper SRT10

As they arrived at the line, they found that one of the competitors had already arrived. The Subaru BRZ was already lined up and ready to go, it was the classic Subaru blue, although the rims were painted a slight teal color to match the ocean. It had a wing, though it was not quite mighty.

“Aqua Streak, she is somewhat new around here. Young earth pony mare, but has lots of heart. She races clean, but she knows every shortcut in the city from experience and will use it. She is probably you’re biggest threat today.” Neon informed Lightning.

“Where did you get that from?” Lightning questioned.

“I’m a veteran, and when you become that level, you start to realize what others are good and bad at, and what they tend to do. Like him.”
A grey Dodge Charger SRT8 rolled up beside Lightning on the opposite side of the Subaru, inside was an earth pony stallion.

“That’s Sledgehammer, he’s aggressive and that’s obvious. What isn’t obvious is that he over drives corners when he is behind. You can use that if your lined up behind him and another driver to get inside of him.”

Soon after a yellow Honda S2000 pulled up alongside the Subaru. Inside is a unicorn mare.

“Lifeline, she has a good launch but she can’t power-slide well, she takes corners slower than most so that’s where you can get past her. If possible you can line up behind her and Sledgehammer and take care of both at once. Then it’s just the Subaru.”

Lightning was so dumbfounded that she couldn’t speak, she was thankful that she at least understood what Neon had said. Neon opened the door to exit as Lightning needed to be alone inside to concentrate. With all of the racer lined up the light’s above turned red as they started to rev their engines to get the perfect launch. To Lightning, it had felt like forever until the light turned yellow as she and all around her continued revving. She waited just a fraction of a second to compensate for the redline and just as it made it all the way there… the light turned green.

The squeaking sound of tires spinning engulfed the surrounding area as each car launched off the grid heading northwest. Just as Neon suspected, Lifeline had gotten a great jump off the line with Sledgehammer not to far off. Lightning had got a decent jump but she had shifted late putting her in 3rd just ahead of Aqua’s Subaru. However that had put her in great position for the first turn, a 90 degree left coming quickly. The S2000 in the front slowed early as the driver took the easy way into the corner. The Charger behind reacted just in time but went towards the outside giving it a bad line into the corner as Lightning took her Supra towards the inside. Getting the preferred line was key and she took the lead coming out with the Subaru following her at neck and neck pace with the S2000, pulling ahead thanks to her superior top speed. The Dodge Charger would overshoot the corner and drop to fourth. Lightning soon came up to the 90 degree left heading south across another bridge on the west side of the city and took an easy line through to conserve speed. She glanced in her mirror to see the Subaru doing an overtake on the outside of the S2000 which surprised her a bit even though she was aware of how slow the Honda was. No time to dwell on it, she was getting ready for right that would bring her towards the city outskirts up into a long straight towards the freeway exit. As she was setting up she noticed the Subaru cut into the parking lot she had just passed, it took allowed the BRZ to cut onto the road in front of her. She had to adjust to this and quickly decided to power-slide the corner to save time. It payed off but she had lost the lead for the moment.

She gained some distance thanks to her top speed before a quick left followed by another, the freeway was just off to her right. Her top speed advantage regained her the lead as the passed the south port. Lightning took no chances heading towards the wheel corner on the southeast corner. The Subaru took a back road and cut the right turn in half again cutting off her momentum.

They were dead even now on the east beach another left turn and once again the Subaru cut the corner early taking another back road that cut the corner in half. Dust could not risk the time she would give up from this with the finish line across the bridge. She had to slide the corners to keep pace. The first left came quick, first e-brake then counter steer. The first turn worked well enough. Ahead of her the Subaru made its exit and took a slow turn to enter the bridge but Lightning was right on it. In a move only some pony as reckless as her would do she did another slide this time around the outside of the car taking the corner. It put her in neck and neck with the driver next to her, only one thing left to do.

Full throttle.

The pedal went to the floor as the Supra fought with the slower Subaru struggling to keep pace. Lightning pulled pulled in front once she cleared as she closed the distance to the finish. She could see it no more than 500 feet from her and she focused everything she had on keeping the car straight, as everything slowed to a crawl around her. Just as the finish was coming close she dared to glance at the vehicle behind her. She was ahead, she had it won. She crossed the line and while the finish was close it was clear to the crowd outside. Every pony there knew that Lightning had been one. She had done it, she qualified for the league. She did donuts to celebrate as The Dodge and Honda caught up to the line.

The crowd mobbed her Supra, everyone there wanting to know who the new hotshot was on the scene. Lightning wasn’t up for it though, she knew what Neon had told her and she wasn’t going to show her face yet. As they all cleared she searched for Neon, which wasn’t too hard to do as the Nissan GT-R was parked alongside the finish. She rolled down her window and motioned for Lightning to follow her. She led her back to the parking lot where she finally let her speak again.

“Oh my! You don’t how alive I feel right now. I could do this for the rest of my life!”

“Precisely how I felt after my first race, and I didn’t even come close to winning. Who knows, maybe you can set up a winning streak thing or something.”

“Unlikely, besides you helped me out with those tips, thanks.”

“You didn’t get those from me.” Neon said in a serious tone. Lightning wasn’t buying it and eventually they had a laugh, but it was short lived as a familiar Dodge Viper pulled up to them. Neon quickly motioned for Lightning to roll her window up again as Rogue Rush pulled up alongside Neon’s Nissan.

“So, your teaching a new blood? Not too bad for a first race considering the odds. She staying to watch me smoke you?” He spoke with a mischievous grin.

“Yes she is staying, but not to watch me lose to someone as inconsiderate as yourself. May I remind you this isn’t the first time i’ll be showing you my rear bumper, and I was taking it easy that time.” Neon smirked. Lightning was watching through the tinted windows on her Supra.

“You better watch where you put those words, or my tail lights won’t be the only thing your seeing by the end of the night.” He warned before driving off to spectate the other current races. Lightning didn’t wait to roll down her window again.

“Who bit into his rotten apple?” She asked Neon.

“He is, was, and always will be a sore loser. He knows i’m better than him but he won’t admit it, even though he races dirty no matter who he is up against. I pride myself on clean racing and he makes me sick, i’ll put him in his place eventually. You should go watch some of the other races, get some eyes on who is making it in while I get ready. It’s going to be a long night.”

Lightning decided there was no better option than that and made her way to the spectator area. She arrived just in time to watch the last C-class race finish. A Ford Mustang Boss 302 was the first to cross the line with a huge lead over the RX-8, Eclipse, and Focus RS. Lightning had a soft spot for the older muscles that she knew of, her favorite being the Camaro SS.

“I might get one as a bonus after i’m done here, might be nice to drive.” She thought.

She was interrupted by a tap on her tinted windows, through which she could see a unicorn stallion with dark shades on which fully covered her eyes. He was motioning for her to roll down her window. She complied, remembering to conceal her wings as to not give them away.

“Lightning, am I right?” the stallion said in monotone.

“Yes, that’s me.” Lightning replied nervously.

“I wasn’t able to get you this after the heats, we’re giving them out to those who qualify.” He handed her a hoof held device through the window. “This will help you stay in touch with the league, as well as monitor the rules and what races are scheduled. You’ll put your code name, gender, and car in and it will keep you up to date with everything the league has. Go ahead and fill in the info now.”

She went ahead and opened the info tab on the tablet and filled in the respective info boxes.

Codename: Superstorm
Gender: Mare
Vehicle in use: Toyota Supra Color: White

She tapped the confirm button and looked back towards the stallion who checked a tablet of his own.

“You’re in, good luck out there. Authorities are starting to crack down a lot and it’s hard for new drivers to make any moves around here. Welcome to Perfect Shift, Superstorm.”

*2 hours later*

Lightning felt like she had been watching the heats for days. It was one race after another with so many different cars and just as many different faces. She knew that the street racing scene was big but she had no idea that there were this many ponies that would be there.

“There all unicorns and earth ponies too, Neon wasn’t kidding about the lack of pegasi.” She thought.

She was fully aware of how much pegasi were against the thought of motorized vehicles, being one herself. They had completely boycotted the use and production of them in Cloudsdale and they never used them personally anywhere else. They didn’t really need them, they could fly great distances by themselves without the need for assistance. Lightning had been in the same boat for the longest time with her pride of her superior speed and acrobatics towering over everything else. She had been so prideful she made an attempt at living off of it. She glanced at her wings, folded behind her against the seat of the Supra and out of sight of any pony not looking for them. They had been in that position for nearly a week, with no movement whatsoever. The doctors had surgically positioned them there while Lightning was asleep so they wouldn’t be hanging loosely at her sides and become a hindrance to her new routine. She did not want to relive that day any longer. She had a new life that was just as exciting as any other she had lived before, and she had to focus on that life only.

She watched from her position as a bright yellow Mclaren 12C and an orange Aston Martin V12 Vantage rolled up to the line, they were followed closely behind by a distinctly familiar black and blood red Dodge Viper. She recognized it almost immediately.

“Rogue Rush, if he’s here that means…” Her thoughts were cut off by another familiar sound, this one coming from a Nissan GT-R that pulled up alongside the Viper in between the Mclaren and the Aston Martin. Neon had been waiting all night for her moment in the spotlight and she wasn’t going to let anyone take it away from her, Lightning knew that very well. She dare not distract her as she lined up with the other racers. Lightning had her moment of the night, this was Neon’s. Lightning could swear she saw Neon look with a genuine smile through her side window in her direction just before the lights came on to signal the start.

Red, Yellow, Green…

Neon probably had the best launch of the night as she pulled ahead very quickly in front of Rogue who wasn’t far behind. They had both gained distance on the other two long before they made it to the first left. It was all Lightning saw for the next few minutes or so as she waited for them to come back around. She managed to glance in her rear mirror just in time to see two flashes, one white then one black, come down the street behind her. Neon was still leading, but Rogue wasn’t far behind. It wasn’t long before Lightning heard the sound of tires screaming from her left as Neon came into view followed closely by Rogue’s Viper, lined up behind her. Lightning was aware of drafting and she knew that Rogue’s car had higher top speed but Lightning believed that Neon knew what she was doing. They were about a thousand feet from the line when Rogue pulled alongside Neon’s right side…. And turned left, into her rear bumper.

The contact sent the Nissan into a violent roll down the side of the road at high speed. It rolled no less than five times before coming to a halt on the side of the road as Rogue’s Viper crossed the line to win. Lightning was in shock, panic, and disbelief all at once, but something was for certain, she needed to make sure Neon was alright.

Without a moment to think she opened the door of her Supra and galloped from the other side of the crowded finish line all the way down towards the wrecked GT-R. As she was making her way there she recognized a smell of gas. the thought that the fuel tank had ruptured caused an increase in adrenaline in her system that she hadn’t had in weeks, but it was already too late. The Nissan caught fire in front of her eyes and she was forced to shield them from the light as a small explosion sent her backwards. She was too late, she had lost the one pony she actually trusted as a friend as long as she could remember. Neon was gone, along with her GT-R.

Then the sirens sounded.

Panic started everywhere as ponies got into their cars and fled the scene as police cruisers swarmed the area around. Lightning had no time to mourn Neon, she had to get out before she was caught. She ran back to her Supra and quickly restarted it, pulling off and heading south. If she could get to the garage she could hide out the night. She looked in her mirror to see if she was being followed, only to see the Mustang she saw earlier pull off to the left behind her heading the opposite way. It was followed by two cruisers one of which followed it, the other heading towards Lightning’s Supra. She floored it heading out of the city only to find her fastest route back to the garage blocked. No exit there so she took another hard right. Once again she crossed the west bridge now heading north .She could out speed her pursuer for sure, but she needed space and the city was far too narrow. Another right and she passed the north exit, also blocked. Head on traffic from an unrelated chase forced her left and towards Westside. She knew about a bridge that went through Edin Shores and took it since it wasn't blocked off. She changed into the right lane heading down what would have been considered the main street heading south. She gained distance throughout but the pursuer kept eyes on her at all times. She was fresh out of ideas when suddenly the Subaru that she had raced earlier suddenly appeared coming from the west bridge. It clipped the squad car tailing her getting its attention away from Lightning and her Supra. Lightning had no chance to react to the unwanted assistance before the Subaru turned hard right and drove off as Lightning exited the city through the south bridge. This connected to the freeway heading back towards McClare’s garage.

Author's Note

Yes that just happened, that is why I had the death tag. Regardless, Lightning will not let that go without retaliation.

Next time, Lightning imfroms McClare about Neon's fate, the beginning of the league races, and Lightnings first of many unlikely allies.