Racing is one of the greatest feelings in the world. The feeling of the air going past you, the feeling of going faster & faster. When you feel the adrenaline rush through your veins.

It makes you feel alive.

There's a point where everything fades. The machine becomes weightless. All that's left is a body moving through space & time. That's where you meet it. You feel it coming. It creeps up near you, & it asks you a question.

The only question that matters......

Who are you?

As the racing car sped around the course, they switched gears managing the most modern nitro in their automobile. As they neared the fourth gear, they had to slow down to perform a switch or they'd smash. But quickly finished the turn.

The car drove into one last lap before completing an aileron roll & closing next to the stands.

They got out of the vehicle to present a figure with a helmet & the original practice gear, they jerked off their helmet to reveal a girl with magenta eyes, rainbow hair, & a cocky smirk to match.

The girl is...

Rainbow Silver Dash...

A Black Devil......

She remembers the days of being a girl, her father, Spectrum was a veteran who passed away & her mother, Firefly, was a retired Black Devil who passed away from watching a movie with the family. Before Scootaloo was adopted, her older brother took over, it was a struggle for a 17-year-old to take custody of the pair, being he was in high school. But he managed, he was always there for the two, sick days, events, anything he was there.

The reason the two adopted Scootaloo was that they found the little girl in the streets, & they grew a bond with her. Even though Scootaloo doesn't look like her siblings or is the same age as them, she does not care either way.

As for Clear Skies, our cousin visits, but she lives in her apartment. Also, she offers to babysit Scootaloo, but another thing about her is. She has too many boyfriends for anyone to keep up with.

& they also have a half-sister, Lightning Flames, whose mother is Crystal Rose, & she moved out when she was younger & so she was a sour subject to talk about

Her brother, Blitz is the reason she loves racing because he was a retired racer, who lost his title to some Bluebird rookie. When he retired, he taught her everything she knew. The explanation why till this day. & on her first race, she races some Bluebird who she lost to, forgets he did he never confessed, even his name.

She remembered the day when Scoots almost died of a sickness. Blitz was nineteen, Dash was fifteen, & Scoots was seven

The three siblings had a wonderful bond, so much so that Dash became the right age for guys to like her.

Blitz wouldn't have it.

Can you blame him...

Dash's beauty caused men to lose their words, & everywhere they went, guys would flirt with her.

But, it never ends well.....

When Dash turned 15, the Black Devils saw Dash's skills. They couldn't ask her brother to let her in fast enough, & he warmed up to the idea.

Sitting in the stands were her only family left, Blitz, her older brother, & Scootaloo's adopted little sister, the thing about her was she was handicapped when Scoots first came to live with them, she tried Dash's motorcycle when they weren't looking & she got thrown off, she stays in the hospital for 7 weeks.

The two tried to visit her every day, whenever they could, & they stayed the night because Scoots was still too young to be by herself. When it was okay for her to come home, the oldest siblings were there to pick her up. When they got home, Scoots lost feeling in her legs, so Blitz became protective over Scoots, & wouldn't let her do anything. Dash had to step in, to let the little girl have freedom, she taught her everything she knew. After a while, Blitz quieted down, he was still protective over her, & the two didn't mind their little sister's handicap. They still loved her.

Blitz was the first to come over "That was okay, but you could have gone at it a different way, like your front-wheel-drive configuration basic fundamental understanding of strengths & weaknesses is required to exploit the front-wheel-drive benefits & use them to your advantage. You're asking your front tires to do all the work & you only have so much available grip, so under-steer is common coming out of corners when you're turning hard & applying power. Balancing these forces is critical. Use the car's weight distribution to your advantage; all your weight is on the front axle, & everything else is just "along for the ride" so to speak. The handling characteristics of a front-wheel drive will allow you to treat it differently due to this dynamic between weight & thrust. Exploit it!" Blitz stated as he got closer, & patted her head, "But a good job never the least." Then he smirked, "How about race, hotshot."

She smirked, "You're on." As put her helmet on while Scootaloo watched the two.

"You & your ego," Blitz stated while rolling his eyes. He came closer to her, & picked her up suddenly, putting her on his shoulder. Dash was just hitting her brother's shoulder, not hard, he teased "But remember who's stronger." He dropped her on her feet, but not hard,

Dash just glared playfully & in a friendly manner "Oh yeah."

Blitz just smirked in triumph but responded with a playful tone "Yeah I can take you anytime & anywhere." The two went back & forth with insults, but the one watching knew they didn't mean it.

Until a thought came to her mind, everything in her stopped, her eyes were trying to hide tears, and she just wiped them away...

Her brain kept thinking of .....

What day it is......

"What's wrong?" her brother asked with worry.

"Don't you remember what day it is?"

As soon as those words left her mouth, her brother's eyes widened with realization & tears started to fall from his very eyes. At that moment, things changed for the two. That one moment when he whispered her name, looked her over for the time with liquid pride in his eyes & wrapped his arms around her as he pulled her into an embrace. As she pulled her mouth away from her brother's chest, the first tear found its way from her face down to the male that raised her. From there it did not stop. He didn't even try to bottle the tears as he had done; he no longer had anyone to stay strong in front of. He just let them roll while she stared at the male.

Dash stood there watching her brother, cautious whether to move closer or not. Dash was grateful to Blitz for all he had done for her. She would also stay with him until the end.

Cherished all this extra time she had thanks to the care her brother had managed to provide; that was all Dash had wanted in return. She had been warned by Blitz to leave no regrets or loose threads & she had taken the advice to heart. There were confessions & recollections of things long since considered trivial.

Blitz's legs were shaking. He
felt as though the ground beneath her was starting to disappear. All attempts to calm himself came to nothing. She kissed her brother on the cheek for the first time in a long time, but also the last in her life. She then turned & walked out from the, leaving a great male behind.

Though her pride wouldn't let her admit it, she was grateful for such a brother. Dash knew though; part of the magic in brothership is that you don't need to say anything to make each other feel better.

Besides, sometimes words just don't seem like enough. Scootaloo watches her siblings with confusion. The two didn't care they were causing a scene, as everyone watched the two rainbow-haired siblings not knowing how to approach them.

It was the anniversary of their parent's death......

For a while, the two said nothing until Dash wiped away her tears, "Come on, let's get out here before we make a river of tears." Trying to light the mood, but was lying to herself. As soon as those words left Blitz snapped out of it, she continued, "Let's stop at the house, so I can change, & go to the flower shop." He just nodded Blitz walked to his car & got in the driver's seat. She put Scootaloo in her car seat, she climbed in the passenger seat. As Blitz drove off, he soon made it home, "Wait here." I said to my brother, & he just nodded, the rainbow-haired woman stepped into the home, then she got knocked down by her male Border Collie, Orion, "Hey buddy."

As Blitz took off.

They made it to the flower shop.

The older siblings unbuckled their seatbelts & got out of the car. Dash went to the door behind her & undid Scootaloo's car seat, helping her high down, I felt a hand grab mine, and looked down to see Scootaloo, "What is it, Scoots?" She gestured her hands to the flower shop, "Why are we at a flower shop?" she asked.

Deciding to answer her question truthfully, "Because this is the day our parents died." She just went oh, as they walked into the flower shop. Dash admired everything, 'What did we get last time?' she thought.

An employee asked, "Need any help?" alarming Dash a bit, "I'm just trying to remember what we had last time." She awkwardly said with her right hand, behind her back but her brother thought for a moment, & said, "I think a few roses," he said to her.

The employee nodded his head to go retrieve the flowers as Dash gave her brother a surprised look.

"You remember what we bought the last time we came here?" Dash asked

Blitz just smirked. "Of course I do, it was a few days after my darling sister came to visit & you knocked everything over."

Rainbow Dash blushed in embarrassment, "Right."

"We should get going now."

Soon we got into the vehicle to go visit our parents, Dash turned on the radio but unexpectedly turned it to the news before she could change it. Something came on it interested her brother, "Keep it on," & she kept on to see what with her brother

'This is just in the famous Bluebird racer, Night Sky passed away this morning in his sleep, every Bluebird mourns the death of their leader, not as much as his children he left, His oldest, his son, Soarin' Skies, his second-oldest, his daughter, Midnight Harmony, his third oldest, his daughter, Static Speed, his fourth oldest, his son, Comet Flash, his fifth oldest, his daughter, Sky Burst, the baby, his son, Arctic Cloud, there will be a funeral today at 4:56 p.m., at Bluebirds HQ, the question everyone asks is who will take charge?' looking over to see my brother's reaction, his face turned serious, which was a rare look on him.

You see, he & Night were rivals in racing.

Back when I was 11 years old, back when my parents were alive, my brother & Night were racing against each other. Blitz had a bet on the race saying that he could drive any racing car around the track about 10 times faster than any Bluebird. She was young to understand that Blitz challenged Night to a race, she was young to understand the feud has not affected her yet. She guesses her parents & Blitz thought she was too young to go racing or things to make the Bluebirds hurt. Before the race that changed my view on the Bluebirds.

So anyway, Blitz was representing the Black Devils, & Night was representing the Bluebirds. He & Blitz had gotten into another argument which turned into a very nasty fight & then turned into a bet on a race.

It was very important, Blitz said because if he were to lose, he would be letting the whole Headquarters down, & bring shame to them. Blitz had been teaching me the basics of how to drive a racecar before the race changed the way I viewed things between the Headquarters forever & was promising to give me a real lesson after the race was over. Back to the story, they were just racing down the racetrack, & my Blitz shoved his racecar into Night's & he increased the speed to higher than my Blitz taught me it had to go. He said that if you went past the limit, it could be deadly for you. That's why he was the master racer & why Night was not. Because when he increased the speed, he smashed hard into Blitz's race car, sending them both off course & into the fences that blocked the Headquarters from one another. They crashed, & then the next thing I knew was that I saw my brother's chest got glass into it, so he had to go to the hospital to get surgery. But he survived the surgery.

But I learned something very important that day, Bluebirds are the evilest & most murderous creatures in the entire world. Whenever I looked at any of them or my rival Lighting Dust, I would just see blood, dirty blood, & that was it. I hated them for hurting my brother, making him get headaches later on in life causing him to be unable to race.

The person I looked up to more than anyone in the Black Devils Headquarters, even though I was very little. Now, I don't remember the race as well as I wished I did, or as my brother did. The hate I had most was now a part of my body & soul like an arm or a heart. I hated them so much, & that's why I trained as much as with Blitz, so I could make sure that the Black Devils were a million times better than any Bluebirds in the world. Race Car racing was what my brother loved more than anything in the world, & I loved it as well. I wanted to make sure that I resembled my brother in that. He loved his Headquarters & was willing to do anything for it.

Bluebirds, the word to me was like swearing.

So obviously, I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I could go on for hours about my hatred of Bluebirds, but then the sun would go down & I wouldn't be able to see that & then where would I be? Not only would you think I'm crazy, but you also wouldn't be able to hear my story. My story, of the thing in my life that came to me & changed me forever, & honestly I never expected it, but now I know that it happened. & I'm glad it did.

Dash managed to nod her head woozily as the two walked over to the cemetery. It was already relatively late into the afternoon & not many people were around except for an elderly couple a few sections down.

"I'm sorry we haven't visited you in a while Mom & Dad, I've lost track of time with all the new changes that happened in my life over this past year," Dash whispered at their grave.

Blitz took the roses out from their pots & quietly arranged them neatly around his tomb. "Heh, it looks a lot better now, doesn't it?"

Dash beamed at Blitz's work as he bent down next to her. "Mom & Dad I'm sorry, we haven't visited you in years, but things have been hectic, between getting Scootaloo & all. At this point in my life, I would be considered an adult, from what Blitz told me about you two, you were always there for him, I will never forget those little things, parents. You have provided all the luxuries to him You never said no to anything. I will never forget the way you gave me lessons about life. You taught me how to live life gracefully. You are my first teacher, my parents & I am proud to have you in my life. I may not know you as well as Blitz, but I still I love you so much. I want to tell you that I am always there for you. Thank you always!"

Blitz chuckled as he patted the soft ground beneath them. "Mom & Dad, these past few years without you, have been hard on me, at first, but I had Dash helping me get through the hard times. Then Scoots came into my life & brought me so much happiness through gloomy times. I wouldn't ever trade the two, that is why I never got a girlfriend.
Ain't it funny, how much your life can change like how when you are thrown into the world of taking care of a little sister & with that new addition to your life, you retire from your career. I truly get what you mean by kids can be a handful, but there are some bright moments when it comes to taking care of a kid, like when Scoots came into our lives, if it wasn't for my two sisters I would be lost. So, mom & dad, thank you. For everything. I promise I will work hard to make you proud."

Dash smiled gently as a cool wind passed by. "Is there anything else we forgot to mention?"

Blitz stood back up to properly stretch out his arms & legs. "I don't think so. Dash & I are both working hard for Dash into the big league of racing. It won't be easy, but that's what makes the challenge worth it."

Dash nodded her head as she moved to stand also. 'I still miss you, mum & dad, though I'm glad that you're at peace here...'

"Are you ready to go Dash or do you want to stick around a bit longer?" Blitz asked lightly.

Dash turned to give one final look over mum & dad's grave & smiled at how much nicer it looked in appearance after they had polished their stone marker & placed new flowers around it.

"No, that's okay. I'm sure mum & dad wouldn't want us dwelling here all depressed." Dash mused.

"True, I don't like feeling all mopey like this either." Blitz considered with a frown.

Dash moved to grab Scootaloo & Blitz's hands & gave them a gentle squeeze. "I'm sure getting started on that race you challenge me to will provide a good distraction then! Come let's go see sissy"

Blitz's frown deepened, but he squeezed her hand in return. "That's not what I meant, but okay."

Then they left the cemetery to see a familiar old tow truck pull up in front of her car. 'The Husband For Rent' was printed on the red truck.

"Well, well, look who is it? My buddy" An old man met them right outside of her car. The man was balding with a long beard & a kind smile. His overalls were covered in dark stains they assumed to be oil & grease. Blitz asked him "Hey, uncle, where is Lightning?"

"You know where she is in her favorite place in the world." The siblings all nodded, they knew. Scootaloo got excited, "Can we go see her!" The elder siblings nodded. "Sure, why not."

"Well, then how about I get you to ride? Come on, it's chilly out here. You can sit in the warm truck." The siblings said yes, getting Scootaloo's wheelchair & putting it in the little department store.

The man walked beside them back to the truck & opened the old rickety door. He leaned in & began pushing things into the already dirty floorboard. He apologized again & again. "Let me help you up & then I'll get your car up & we'll be on our way."

Rainbow sent texts to her cousin about being home later than planned & gave updates. She quickly texted her friend asking for her to send prayers that she makes it out alive. She jumped when the truck started shaking. She turned & looked to see her car being chained up & the old truck groaned as it pulled it up onto the truck.

There were a few more clans before the driver's side door opened with a wheezing Dusk, "Alright, here we go."

They loved the sound of the motor. There were no seat belts & Rainbow sent her thoughts to anything

"Going somewhere or coming home?" Dusk pulled out onto the highway & Rainbow clutched onto the handle on the door.

"Coming home. Well, I tried anyway." Rainbow clasped onto her bag as the truck puttered to get into a higher gear.

"Oh, don't worry," Dusk said with a smile. "We'll have you on your way no problem."

The rest of the car ride was much in the same light talk. Rainbow talks about her small trip to visit family & Dusk brags about his nephew.

"We got this new worker. He's got this whole racing thing too. Works on that car non-stop." Dusk gave a loud laugh. Rainbow's eyes got wide as saucers & she pressed her hand to the window & the back of the seat as the wheels squealed when Dusk slammed on the brakes. "Oh! Ha! Ha! Ha! All these new stoplights on the way into town get me every time."

The truck pulled up into a large gray building made of metal. A young man rose through a garage door & stood there wiping his hands on a dark red towel. Navy blue bangs shagged into his eyes & even from here, could tell the emerald eyes were sharp. "There he is the prodigy of 'Husband For Rent." Dusk chuckled. He leaned out his window & yelled to the young woman. "Soarin', come help out my nieces & nephews & get bay four open!"

Soarin's eyes shot to them. When tossed his bangs to the side. Dash bit her lip as he stepped closer. Soarin' opened her door & held out a hand. Dash swallowed & took his hand as she had to practically hop down from the truck. The gravel crunched under her feet as she whispered 'Thank you.'

"Yeah in your dreams. We both know who's the Prodigy. & Casanova hands off my little sister." All of them turn their heads to the side, to see a woman with a well-known girl reassembled a 19-year-old with one white & red bang went in between her eyes then the back of her white & red hair was swept back & spiked manners. In front of her hair is white & red hair on both sides of her face, a Hazel coloring to her irises, Tan skin, Lightning has an athletic build, with a slender but toned physique, & visible abdominals. Her bust-waist-hip measures are 92-60-88 cm, & her bust size American 32 C, A short leather jacket that was white on the chest, upper, & shoulders, & black on the lower arms, except for flames with sapphire blue thread outlines on the sleeves & black on the torso with blue curves to show the pockets. The pants were blue on the waistline, black from the waistline to the bottom of the calves, where the white & blue flames were present. On her shirt is a red u shape with a red lightning bolt going from it. Then the two looked at each other, Soarin' froze suddenly like he was in a trance but he was.

Soarin walked to his love, "Yes, I'll be in your dreams."

Soarin' looked at her into her eyes, looking into Lightning's eyes for a moment before leaning forward & slowly licking over Lightning's lips with his tongue.

Lightning lets her lover kiss her before moving her head forward & pressing her soft lips against Soarin's lips. Soarin' didn't pull away but instead, slipped the tip of his tongue into his lover's mouth.

They kissed for a few good minutes before breaking away for air, Lightning looked into Soarin's gentled smile, placing a gentle kiss on his nose "Thank you for worrying about me Soarin'."

The person closed his eyes, blowing small, harmful poofs of warm air into Lightning's face, & smiled.

Soarin thought about something, then let Lightning "hear" it. "I'm the winner."

"How so?" Lightning smiled already knowing the answer.

"Because I have you."

"& I have you." Soarin' kissed her, & she returned it.

When she stops, she hears a voice, calling her from a distance.

"Sissy!" Called the voice, excitedly.

Lightning turns around & then smiles. It was a short young woman; she was much shorter and Hibbert than Lightning or any of the workers. She is her adopted sister. She was wearing a dirty white shirt with a dirty blue overall & broken shoes. The young child was 12 years old but had the mind of a young child like 6. In town, she was known for being goofy & silly but she gets teased for being in a wheelchair. Lightning not long ago took her in as her own, she was like family to her. & like the rest of the town, she adores Lightning too. Her name is Scootaloo.

"Sissy! She has returned! Sissy has returned!" She exclaims, excited as she raced toward her in her wheelchair.

"Ay, Scoots!" Lightning smiled as she hugged her with tenderness. "How is my favorite fool?" She asks, laughing a little. She didn't mind being called a fool by her because she knew she was joking & she knew she was foolish.

"Good, Sissy. I was starting to think that you weren't going to come to deliver the toys to the children at my old school house" She said, excited.

"No... You're wrong, Scoots. & I brought you a gift" She smiled.

"What is it?" She cried excitedly.

"No, first you have to close your little eyes," She says

Scootaloo closes her eyes, jumping with excitement in her wheelchair.

Lightning reaches into her bag, & pulls out a wide white box, & puts it on Myra's hands.

"Ok, open them," She says, smiling.

She opens her eyes & gasps & jumps in happiness. She opens the box & finds fresh new clothes for her with new boots & everything she needs.

"Thank you very much, thank you!" She hugs her, excited.

"You deserve it, my fool. It was about time you wore new clothes & new shoes. That's why I asked Emerald to sew them for you & she's making you all new clothes"

"Tell your Emerald that I thanks her & you"

"Well, I'm glad you liked them. But now I have to go. She pats her shoulder, playfully & nods.

"Yes, bye!"

"Bye, Scootaloo!"

Scootaloo begin rolling back to Dash who gave Lightning a glare as Lightning laughs softly at her foolishness but she adores her like crazy & with tenderness and the white and red haired adult glared back at Dash

"I hope Uncle didn't talk your ear off." The looked over her shoulder to where his uncle was unloading the car.

"Oh no," Rainbow shook her head & tucked her hair behind her ear. "Mostly about his pride & joy nephew who just happened to be the best mechanic in all of County." Rainbow put on her best southern drawl.

"Funny." He said in the flattest tones, giving Rainbow a half-hearted glare, & turned to finish his Uncle's instructions. "That way is the cafe," Lightning yelled over his shoulder & pointed next door to the small storefront attached to the garage.

Rainbow looked between her car & the cafe. She walked through the door with a windchime letting the slightly busy cafe know she had walked in. A 'Sit where'd you like!' came from the kitchen & Rainbow sat in a booth near the window.

"Welcome to the Stream Room." A girl stood there with a notebook flipped open. 'Asyira' is written on her name tag "What would you like?"

"Um," Rainbow flipped the menu back & forth. "I heard there was tea?"

"Dusk sent you, eh?" Asyira tapped her pen on the notebook

"Yes?" Rainbow looked around the diner afraid she was giving her order wrong

"I'll be back." Asyira walked back to back & began complaining loudly about tea.

Rainbow pulled out her phone & answered the few texts she had received. She was in the middle of texting her dad what she remembers happening when a teapot, cup, & Asyira sat down across from hr.

"So, where are you headed?" Asyira leaned on her hands that were propped on the table

Rainbow looked at the diner & then placed her phone down so she could pour her tea, "Nowhere."

Rainbow blew into her steaming mug before taking a sip. She practically moaned at the taste of the jasmine tea. "Spirits! This is soooo good."

Asyira nodded with a small smile

Rainbow took another drink from her cup. "Where do you get this tea?"

"I don't know. You'd have to ask Uncle Dusk or his nephew. I think they grow jasmine or something?"

Asyira bow shrugged & took another sip.

"Right," Asyira eyes lit up. nodded & looked around. "I have to get back to work."

Rainbow bit her lip & shrugged. "Bye?" She whispered into her cup.

Hours went by as Rainbow texted back & forth between Yue & her dad & then played a game she hadn't opened since she got her phone. She watched people enter & exit the diner. The soft rock playing overhead & Rina's voice calling out orders.

"Miss Rainbow."

Rainbow jumped slightly & her hand skated across her phone causing her to lose the level again. She pouted & then looked up to see a gorgeous mechanic sitting in front of her. "Yes?"

"We have your car-," Rina sat down in a large cup in front of Lightning. "Thanks, Rina." Rina hummed & walked away. "Your car is kind of finished. You are lucky Uncle had the big part we needed." He took a drink & continued. "One of the gaskets was already cracked & then just blew up really." Rainbow nodded like she understood what he was saying. Lightning practically rolled his eyes as he pushed the paper over in front of her, "Well there's a few things we have to run a test on." Lightning tapped on the paper. "Uncle says he can have it here tomorrow by noon so the car will be ready by one-."

"Wait," Rainbow held up her hand & looked over the page. "That sounds super expensive." She looked over the page well, calculating it all in her head. The tow truck, the parts, the labor, plus the hotel she'll have to stay in tonight. Then there was gas she would have to put in & at least another three meals she would have to pay for. Because no way is Blitz going to drive 8 plus hours to pick her up at -Rainbow glanced down to her watch- six-thirty at night.

Lightning rapped her knuckles on the table to get Rainbow's attention, "Uncle is willing to give discounts, which practically means free." Lightning took a drink. "& you're in luck. There's a carnival in town for 'Avatar Day. So, you won't be bored."

"Oh," Rainbow sat there for a minute still looking over what was being done to her car & what still needed to be tested. It was after hours & Rainbow could tell that the mechanic looked like he worked the full ten-hour shift. "Are you going?"

"Nah," Lightning leaned back & began fishing for his wallet. "The beer is cheaper at the grocery mart than the carnival."

"Oh," Rainbow felt pathetic with only being able to say that word. "Then um, where's the closest hotel?"

"Motel," Lightning corrected & placed down a five-dollar bill. "& unless you like to cuddle with bugs, I'd find a way to get back into the city." Lightning drank what was left in his glass & stood up.

Rainbow quickly stood up too, placing a few bills on the table before jogging after Lightning. The gravel crunched under her feet & she saw Lightning peek over his shoulder at her with a smirk. "& can you do that?" She called out to him.

"Probably, let me get my car." Lightning called back lifting his keys & she heard a 'beep beep' from around the corner of the building.

Rainbow looked over to her car that was sitting inside one of the bays when she saw Dusk walk out, wiping off his hands on a dirty red cloth. "I need to get my bags out of my car. Lightning is going to take me into the city to get a hotel room for the night."

"He's what?" Dusk gave her a raised eyebrow & a skeptical look & dug out her keys. "No need to spend all that money on a hotel."

There was a roar of a car engine & Rainbow turned to see the most beautiful car she had ever laid eyes on and turned the corner of the building. It was sleek & burnt orange & she didn't know a lot (read: anything) about cars, but she knew that cars cost a very, very pretty penny.

"That boy & that car," Dusk muttered, well said over the roar.

Rainbow's teeth clinked when she realized that her jaw had dropped. Rainbow thought Lightning couldn't get any more handsome. She is sure as hell was wrong. She turned away from the pretty car to hers & began pulling out bags.

Dusk had walked over & began arguing with the driver. There were multiple huffs & Rainbow could hear an 'I don't want to' from the younger mechanic. Rainbow began stepping to the car with her duffle thrown over her shoulder & the small bag with wheels. It didn't go over the gravel too well so Rainbow lifted it.

"I've got a big race tonight." Lightning's eyebrow was furrowed with his non-existing one. "& since she needs a ride, I'll just drop her off on the way."

"Come on, Lightning." Rainbow could hear the slight urge in Dusk's voice. "Take her with you at least. She'll have nothing to do in the city."

"She's got her cell phone I'm sure that will keep her busy," Lightning growled out.

Rainbow could only assume that she wasn't supposed to hear any of the conversations, but it was kind of hard to have a quiet talk over the deep rumble of the car. "He can just drop me off..." Rainbow hitched the bag higher onto her shoulder.

Dusk cleared his throat & shot his nephew a look. Lightning was already halfway out of his car & taking the bags from Rainbow. He placed it into the small back seat & turned for Rainbow's other bag. Rainbow handed it over before walking around to the other side where Dusk held open her door. "Be safe."

"Thank you," Rainbow climbed in & practically sank into black leather the bucket seats. She closed her eyes & was soaked in the smell of leather & spicy cologne. Rainbow barely withheld herself from moaning at the soft rumble of the car.

"Yeah, I get that a lot." Lightning chuckled as he slid into the driver's seat.

"Buckle up & I'll see you in the morning." Dusk patted the hood as he closed Rainbow's door. Rainbow quickly did as she was told, earning another quick chuckle from Lightning.

"Ready?" Lightning's smile should have been illegal. Rainbow nodded & braced herself as Lightning slowly drove out of the gravel parking lot & onto the worn concrete. "Relax," Lightning laughed as he pressed a few buttons & the car was filled with electric guitars. He continued his speed through the small town & jarringly braked at the same light his uncle had. "Ha. Sorry. New useless light in the town."

Rainbow watched in shock as Lightning saluted the police officer who had pulled up next to them. The officer smiled & gave a wave back. She sat back quickly as the light turned green. She ran her fingers down the soft leather of the door & gripped the handle. She just knew that Lightning would take off any minute as they made their way out of town.

Lightning looked over to her & took the fist she had clenched in her lap. He placed it on the armrest & petted her fingers. "You can relax."

"Wa-what?" Rainbow looked to where her hand was being coaxed to a loose fist than to relax completely. She looked up those long fingers to the man attached to them. He was smirking & watching the road & then checked his mirrors before looking at her briefly.

"As much as I want to," Lightning turned on his blinker & got into the other lane. He sped up just a tad & caused Rainbow to go rigged again. "I won't speed with you in the car."

Rainbow looked over to his dash, "You're going five over right now."

Lightning smirked & gave her a shrug as he continued to pet her fingers, finally prying them to lay flat with his fingers over hers. "The cops won't do anything about that. Now if I-," Lightning swerved left & right, left & right quickly before laughing so deeply at the look on Rainbow's face. She was pale & gripping onto the soft leather interior. "That might get us in trouble."

Rainbow didn't relax but she did let go of the door long enough to hit the driver, causing Lightning to swerve again & let out a new round of laughter.

"Oh, come on Rainbow, lighten up." Lightning laughed & returned to running his rough padded fingers over her knuckles. "I'll stop joking around. Promise." Rainbow looked over at him to see if he was serious or not. Lightning took his hand off the wheel & his fingers drew an 'x's over his heart. "Cross my heart."

"Spirits! Just!" Rainbow removed her hand from under Lightning's & grabbed the wheel. Lightning began laughing again & took the wheel properly. Rainbow ran her fingers through her hair. He continued laughing & straightened the car out on the road. Rainbow did her best to smile. But it was highly contagious.

"Alright, do you know which hotel you'd want to stay at?" Lightning asked after a moment of silence. He again stepped a little harder on the gas. He peeked over to see if Rainbow had noticed. But she still seemed very rigged.

"Oh, probably somewhere close to the edge, right?" Rainbow opened her phone to search for a place to stay.

They were still another twenty minutes out & Lightning was pressing the gas down harder again. He smiled as the speedometer reached twenty-five over the limit & climbed.

"Do you have any suggestions?" Rainbow scrolled through page after page of hotels.

"I always stay at 'The Phoenix'." Lightning relaxed a bit & rested his arm back on the armrest.

"Okay. Let me just pull that up & get an-,"

Lightning grabbed Rainbow's phone & shoved it under his leg, "No reason. You can just walk in & get a room."

"It's not one of those hotels. Right?" Rainbow looked incredibly innocent & Lightning could see the blush bloom across her cheeks in the fading sunlight.

He laughed & shook his head. Lightning couldn't remember the last time he laughed this much. Not even with his friends. "You are a funny girl, Rainbow." Lightning pressed on the gas a little harder & pressed forty over the speed limit.

"How fast are we going?" Rainbow asked as she looked out the window to the quickly blurring shapes.

"It's fine to sit back & relax." Lightning pressed harder on the gas. Rainbow slid back a little more & was again clutching to her seat. They were going fast. "So, what are you going to do when you get to the hotel?"

"I have my phone. I'm sure that will keep me busy." Rainbow quoted Lightning with a raised eyebrow.

Lightning chuckled, "Well, I'm a little behind for meeting up for a race." Lightning kept the car steady at double the speed limit. They were approaching the city & Lightning would need Rainbow to decide if she could take the speed. "So, if you're not too busy. I kind of need to stop there first."

"W-well, I don't-."

"Great! Hang on!" Lightning took a sharp turn & off onto a gravel road on the side of the highway. Rainbow screamed & grabbed onto Lightning's arm & the handle in the door. They sped down the gravel road not as fast as they were on the highway. There was a row of cars not too far off into the pasture.

Lightning slowed as he reached the cars & nodded to a guy as a flashlight was shown into the car. The guy flicked his wrist to signal for them to go on. Rainbow looked to see a giant hole & Lightning drove his car down a ramp.

"Miss. Rainbow," Lightning smirked as he drove underground. "Welcome to the Tunnels."

Turns out the Tunnels were an old underground train station that hadn't been finished. The Tunnels ran twenty straight miles from here through part of the city before making a curve & running another ten miles out & towards another suburb. The tunnel had multiple other tunnels that branched out from it. Only a few had actual exits. The races took place on a cattle farm. The track that they were drag racing on was a two-and-a-half-mile stretch tonight.

Further in there were street lights & cars were parked along both sides of the tunnel still leaving a good amount of space for two cars to get through side by side. Then there was a larger opening with what looked like a platform.

"Lightning!" A bald kid called out with a wave as Lightning pulled up & parked the car. He tossed something down & ran to the car. "Hey, hey stay inside we got you already lined up! You're two races from this one! You are cutting it kind of close..." The bright-eyed male looked into the passenger seat. "Oh! & Who do we have here?"

Rainbow all but jumped back as he leaned into the car with his arm stretched out. "Rainbow." She shook his hand & looked over to Lightning.

"Aang," Aang smiled. "I didn't know you had a girlfriend Lightning."

"She is not my girlfriend."

"I am not his girlfriend."

Aang began laughing & shook his head. "Right, well go get lined up. We only have another hour before Old Man Bumi catches us out here again." Aang tapped the hood & Lightning pulled his car up into an unmarked lane.

"What does he mean by catching us? Are we not allowed to be here?" Rainbow asked as she looked around the tunnels. There were roars of engines in front of them & Rainbow watched as a girl dropped a flag & the tires squealed as the cars in front of them took off.

"It's not really that we aren't allowed to be here. It's just frowned upon." Lightning shrugged as pulled up to the invisible line.

"By the police? Oh, my spirits I'm going to go to jail!" Rainbow put a hand up to her forehead.

Lightning began laughing. "Only if they catch us." He began laughing harder at Rainbow's face. "It will be okay. We've been doing this for years & only once did the police get called. & it wasn't for racing." Lightning reached over & patted her knee. "Alright, now is the time to decide. Are you going to stay in here or chicken out & sit on the sidelines?"

"I-I'm not a chicken." Rainbow crossed her arms over her chest.

"So glad to hear you say that." Lightning smiled & pulled his hand away from her knee. "We'll do this race & then I can take you back up & to the hotel. I'll have time before I need to back down here for my next race."

"Okay." Rainbow was a little nervous about this whole racing thing. & what worried her, even more, as if something were to happen... There was nowhere to go. Underground & in a concrete tube. She swallowed back her nerves. She was not a chicken. "W-who do you race next?"

"Whoever won the race before us." Lightning began rolling down his window as the girl walked up to the line.

"So, it's a tournament?" Rainbow asked & Lightning nodded. "Then that means you think you are going to win this race?" Rainbow looked past Lightning to the car sitting next to them. It looked way junkier, but the rumble was so much deeper & louder than Lightning's car, she was afraid the frame of the other car would shiver right off its foundation.

"I'm so going to win this race," Lightning smirked & gave the girl a thumbs up. "You might want to sit back." Rainbow did so with a thunk & braced herself. She watched the girl with the flag raise them & yell over the engines if they were ready. Lightning nodded & revved the engine. Rainbow squealed & tightened her grip on the seat beneath her.

When the flag went down Lightning floored the gas pedal, Rainbow let out a short scream as she was pushed back against the seat & closed her eyes tight. But only for a second when she opened them again, they were racing through the tunnel. She could see where people were waiting in another line. Lightning was laughing & clicked something to make them race faster to the line. Rainbow couldn't help but feel the tingles run through her & a smile came onto her face. It was so fast & the lights were blurred by. It was like someone had hit fast-forward & it felt so freeing.

They raced over the line & Lightning let out an over-excited "Woo!". Rainbow was laughing & finally, let go of the leather seat. She pushed her hair back & looked over to Lightning as he slowed down. His golden eyes were sparkling, & he had the brightest smile Rainbow had ever seen. He pulled off down a side tunnel to do a U-turn.

"Can we do that again?" Rainbow whispered out through her inner mantra of 'Oh my spirits!'.

Lightning laughed & nodded. "Yeah, we can do that again."

Rainbow felt weightless as they arrived at the hotel & Lightning helped her out of the car. Rainbow looked up to the huge, expensive-looking building. "Uh, Lightning. I don't think I can afford this."

Lightning looked up to the hotel too with another classic smirk, "I wouldn't worry about that." Lightning reached into the back seat for her things & began making his way into the building.

They were immediately greeted with a "Mr. Lightning, sir! So glad you could join us tonight!" The girl behind the desk said with the biggest smile. "Your room is all ready for you. It's like it knew you were coming."

"Thanks, Joo Dee." Lightning smiled & took the key from her.

"You have your room? How often do you stay here?" Rainbow gasped as she was handed the golden key card.

"Well, my family owns the hotel so I would hope I have my own." Lightning smiled & walked her to the elevator. "Don't worry about paying for it. Even order room service in the morning if you want." He pressed the up button for her. "Uncle or I will be back here to pick you up tomorrow, probably closer to noon. Since that's when we close up on Saturdays." When the elevator arrived Lightning stepped in, placed her bags down, & pressed a button before stepping back out & holding the door open. "So, I'll probably see you tomorrow."

"You mean you're not-?" Rainbow looked into the elevator up to the ceiling above them & then back to Lightning.

Lightning shook his head, "Probably best to get home. I have a five-hour shift in the morning. Some girl had the nerve to break gaskets in her car."

Rainbow bit her lip & stepped into the elevator, "Oh the nerve." She looked back with a small smile.

They stood there for a minute, Lightning holding open the elevator until the elevator let out a loud buzz causing them both to jump. Lightning chuckled & let his hand fall to his side. "Good night Rainbow."

Rainbow stuck her arm out just as the elevator doors began to close. They reopened quickly & Rainbow stepped halfway out & grabbed Lightning pulling him in for a kiss. Rainbow would blame her adrenaline-ridden brain for the action later. But as Lightning answered her kiss softly & tilted her head slightly with one hand & placed the other on the elevator door to keep it open, she couldn't care less. She felt weightless & amazing & Lightning was a really good kisser.

The elevator began to buzz again & kept buzzing for a long moment. Lightning finally pulled away & let his hand drop away from her & the elevator. Rainbow stepped back into the elevator with a soft, "Good night, Lightning."

Rainbow wished she could have kept that image of him burnt in her mind forever. His golden eyes sparkled, & his lips were a dark redrum kiss, & blush was rising on his neck. His black strands looked windswept & his t-shirt was slightly wrinkled where she had clutched it to bring him down for a kiss.

Rainbow woke up from the most peaceful night's sleep she ever had to date. Her body was completely relaxed in the feather-topped mattress & cool sheets. & she smiled. Which seemed like the weirdest thing to do first thing in the morning. But here she was.

She was lazy about getting up & moving around. She even opened the menu that sat on the kitchen bar. Yes, kitchen bar. The hotel room had a kitchen. It wasn't very big, but it was still a kitchen. Once she had ordered room service, she decided that she should get ready for the day. She opened the only closed door in the loft space to find the most beautiful bathroom she had ever seen. It had a glass shower, a huge clawfoot tub, a double sink, & a vanity, plus a whole shelf of products & towels.

Rainbow wanted to live here. Forever preferably.

By noon, Rainbow had a full breakfast, a shower (she would have to beg Lightning to let her stay again just so she could try out the tub), used a face mask from the shelf, dressed in clean clothes, & sat on the couch with a mug of coffee just to look out the super, ginormous windows.

Rainbow got a call from downstairs to let her know that her ride was here. Rainbow prayed it was Lightning & not Dusk. She didn't know if she could handle that truck again.

She was pleasantly surprised to see her car & Lightning leaning against the passenger side of her car. Rainbow smiled as Lightning looked up at her between his bangs. He held up her keys, "She's all fixed. I even test-drove it for you."

"In the Tunnels?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

Lightning shrugged with a short laugh, "Come on. I need you to drop me back off."

Rainbow took the keys & settled back into her car. She took a deep breath at the smell of spicy cologne & leather. "I already miss the comfy seats in your car."

Lightning laughed & buckled up, "Next time you break down you should ask for that upgrade."

"Definitely will be." Rainbow began driving back to the shop.

The drive was mostly silent but not all that uncomfortable. Both dread the fact that once Lightning was dropped off, that was probably it. Eight hours was a long distance. & really what would that relationship give? They barely knew each other. Hell, they had only known each other for 24 hours. & yet the hollow feeling in her chest made her long for more than just this.

"It practically drives like new," Rainbow said in a weak voice into the quiet car.

"Well, we went ahead & changed your oil too & realigned the axis & wheels." Lightning rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh," Rainbow began to slow down for the first light into town. She almost died twice yesterday. "Thank you."

"It's no problem. It's practically routine now to do those." Lightning shrugged & looked over to Rainbow as the light turned green.

Rainbow chewed on her lip as they made it into town. She pulled off & into the gravel driveway. Lightning hopped out & Rainbow followed. They made their way into the office & Lightning handed the finished ticket to her. It had different parts & the labor price was scratched out. Rainbow bit her lip as she looked at the extremely low total.

"I know it cost more than this," Rainbow said as she reached for her wallet.

"Well, there is a special going on & the college discount & the um," Lightning paused & looked out to where her car was set. "The alignment came with the oil change." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"What about the town & the hotel?" Rainbow asked as she handed over the card.

"Uncle waived the tow since we were the ones to fix your car." Lightning took the card & began putting the amount into the card reader machine. "The hotel is on me. Well, my family. So, it was free." Lightning handed over her card & the receipt for her to sign.

Rainbow signed it with another, "Thank you." She lingered for a second longer than needed once she put her wallet away. She wasn't sure what to say but felt like she should say something other than thank you. Maybe offer him something. But what?

"It was great to meet you, Rainbow. If you ever need another tune-up on the car or maybe looking into drag racing."

Lightning held out a white card with black inked numbers. "You can give me a call."

Rainbow blushed & took the card. "I might need an upgrade on my seats soon."

Lightning laughed, "I think I could do that for you."

Rainbow walked out with the card clutched in her hand & a large smile, the aftermath of kissing Lightning again. She said bye & promised to call when she got home or if she needed a tow back.