//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Hotter Than Hell // by totallynotabrony //------------------------------// Between everything that had happened the night before - fighting a crowd of bikers, stealing a motorcycle, and staying up even later trying to figure out the apparent power she had gained - Sunset woke up still exhausted.  She groggily got out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. There, in front of the mirror, she glanced at herself and blinked, slowly frowning in confusion.  Something had changed, though it wasn’t immediately clear what it was. She wasn’t sure if her shoulders were actually straighter and stronger, or if she was imagining it.  She didn’t want to admit her self-confidence was tied to power, or that she’d come by it externally. Glancing down, she noticed that the cut on her palm from the previous night was nearly gone, only a thin red line remaining.  That was definitely a significant boost to human healing ability. During limited experimentation in her apartment the previous night, Sunset had discovered that she was definitely stronger and faster than before, though perhaps not as much as during the fight with the bikers.  Maybe she only got the full effect when she really needed it.  At any rate, there were only so many experiments she could run in her bedroom. Sunset got ready for the morning but was nearly nodding off again when a timid knock at her door jolted her up.  She grabbed her backpack and left the apartment. Silver Spoon had learned from experience not to stand directly in front of the door.  Sunset glanced at her, and she offered up a blueberry muffin. Sunset took it, biting in.  It was good.  Not as good at beating up half a dozen bikers, but really, what could top that?   She turned away, asking, “What’s first?” Silver hastily shuffled her scheduling papers as she followed Sunset.  “Before school, if there was time, you were going to start a feud between the cheerleaders and the drama club and then mediate a resolution, thereby ingratiating yourself with both groups.” “There’ll be time.”  Sunset walked out to the curb, where the motorcycle was parked.  She pointed at the sidecar. Silver gulped.  “Where did you get this?” Sunset threw her a look and Silver hastened to get in. Not that Sunset lived very far from school, but she recognized the status symbol of having wheels.  Plus, a vehicle would let her go places and do things she hadn’t been able to before.  She knew that there were things like registration and insurance to deal with, not to mention the issue of this bike being stolen, but mentally added it to Silver’s list of tasking. Arriving at school, Sunset left the motorcycle in student parking.  The engine had begun to sputter before she shut it off, which didn’t seem right, but it wasn’t as if it belonged to her. The school day went well.  Not only did Sunset enjoy the boost to her self-confidence, but it felt as if a load had been taken off her mind, allowing her to focus on other things.  Like how to translate this new power into continued and further dominance. She knew that just being physically stronger wasn’t what she needed back in Equestria.  She didn’t even know the full extent of the power she’d been granted, and would have to do additional testing and research.  But it was a step, both tangible and mental.  This was what Sunset had needed to get her groove back. Though, she was still cautious about what Lucifer might ask of her.  The deal he'd offered her had been struck less than twenty four hours prior.  But from Sunset’s perspective, she was already ahead, even as much as she hated to admit taking a favor. Though, she was also in a position to grant favors today.  Principal Celestia stopped her in the hallway.  “Sunset, I hope I could have a moment of your time.” Sunset fantasized about what would happen if she said no.  She probably could, in fact: Sorry, I’m kind of busy with a class right now.  But for the moment, she was still riding the power trip and oh-so graciously granted Celestia an audience, with a saccharine smile.  “Sure, what is it?” “We will have a few new students joining us next week,” Celestia explained.  “You know everyone, so I hoped you would be able to show them around.” A perfect opportunity for Sunset to influence them first, whoever they were.  “No problem!” Speaking of influence, that afternoon Sunset encountered Rainbow Dash, who was as colorful and easy to spot as her name.  Today, though, it was Rainbow that had noticed Sunset and came over.  “Hey, I heard you got a motorcycle.” “Are you thinking about getting one?” Sunset asked. “Totally,” Rainbow said, head bobbing.   “Would Applejack like it?” Sunset asked innocently.   There was no one else in earshot at the time, but Rainbow still cast a hurried glance over both shoulders.  “We...we can’t be seen together.” Sunset put a hand on her shoulder.  “You don’t have to rush things.  I know men didn’t work out for you, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you.” “I just…”  Rainbow closed her eyes and hung her head.  “I just feel like I’m settling, like I failed.” Good.  Sunset had covertly broken Rainbow up with so many guys that she had turned to girls out of desperation.  Applejack was embarrassed to admit she was a lesbian.  Rainbow wasn’t - she was embarrassed to admit that she was apparently undesirable to boys.  It had worked out great for Sunset; two idiots like Applejack and Rainbow practically deserved each other and the irony was delicious.  Moreover, after Sunset had “accidentally” discovered their secret, she’d managed to get some leverage on both of them. “You’re not a failure, you’re still good at sports,” said Sunset.  “Even if someone keeps leaving those nasty notes in your locker.” “I guess,” said Rainbow. “Hey, speaking of sports, I heard a rumor about the football team the other day...” Rainbow was Sunset’s in with the sporty kids, a useful contact and a witless pawn.  They talked for a few more minutes before parting ways. Sunset breezed through the rest of the school day, and afterwards went out to the parking lot to her commandeered motorcycle.  She’d already told Silver to walk home.  Sunset had plans. She’d taken a box of hand tools from shop class and dropped it in the motorcycle sidecar.  Glancing at the bike, it appeared to be leaking oil.  As Sunset looked around, she caught sight of someone standing outside school grounds, looking at her.  She thought it might have been one of the bikers from the night before.  It was hard to tell in the different setting and in the daylight, though he had a bandage on his nose. A confident smile came easily to her lips, and she walked over.  The man was leaning on an old car, just as much of a beater as the bike Sunset had taken, and stiffened at her approach. Sunset rested her arms on the low fence at the edge of the school grounds, leaning forward.  “Didn’t think I’d see you again.”  She set aside the thought of how he’d found her.  Probably saw the bike.  Maybe that also meant they knew where she lived. “We can’t just let something like that go,” he said, mostly succeeding at matching her level of coolness.  “In fact, our boss is involved now, and she won’t have any problem hitting a girl.  Her name is Blair Beltdrive, and she’ll be seeing you soon.” Sunset straightened up.  “Well, tell her to hurry.  I can’t believe I missed one of you.” She walked to the bike and started it, leaving the parking lot.  She did watch her back as she rode, though surreptitiously.   Sunset had previously explored an old train yard on the south side of town.  Humans seemed to be moving post-train in favor of road vehicles, though Sunset only paid attention to technology to see how it could benefit her.  The move seemed to be backwards to her, but humans were stupid.  Either way, it left the railyard mostly abandoned. On arrival, Sunset again made sure she was alone and then set to work unbolting the sidecar.  It added weight and meant the bike couldn’t lean over.  If she was going to really learn how to ride, it had to go. That done, she practiced riding for the rest of the afternoon.  The bike weighed a few hundred pounds, but she seemed to be able to handle it fairly well since gaining the so-called Spirit of Vengeance.  That didn’t mean she was perfect, though, and dropped the bike on its side a few times, gaining scratches and dents. Maybe because the tires were weird.  That was another reason she had come to a place where no one was around to see. The handful of spills reminded Sunset that motorcyclists were supposed to wear protective gear.  Well, that was only if she made a mistake, and Sunset Shimmer was not in the business of error, not where anyone could see. The bike seemed to be running worse now, and Sunset saw the fuel was getting low.  The sun was starting to set, so she left the trainyard and headed back for her apartment, feeling more confident on the bike now.  Going from zero to expert wasn’t going to happen in one afternoon, but Sunset was nothing if not a fast learner. It was a good thing she was such a quick study, because as she pulled up to the curb, a glint in the rearview mirror was the only warning she had before a car plowed straight through the parking spot. Sunset’s reflexes were almost too fast for her to keep up, and she had leapt into the air, watching the crash happen below her as if in slow motion.  She vaguely noted that it was the same car she’d seen the man leaning on earlier in the day. She hit the pavement in a crouch, not even noticing the impact.  Had she really just done a backflip off a motorcycle over a car while running on instinct alone?  She stood up as the car ground to a halt down the block.  The man had promised a fight, but not with him.  Sunset turned. A motorcycle, black with orange and silver accents, pulled up.  It looked well-kept, and rumbled powerfully until the rider shut off the engine.  She stepped off the bike, removing her helmet to release a cascade of long dark hair. Her eyes stayed on Sunset as she peeled off her leather gloves and jacket.  Underneath was yet more leather, slim trousers and also apparently an emblem vest of the local biker group.  Blair was stitched to the chest. “I thought you were going to fight me,” Sunset said, crossing her arms.  “Not send one of your lackeys to kill me in traffic.” “Honey,” Blair said, voice not angry but instead rather scolding, “I don’t think you realize the gravity of your situation.” Sunset sneered.  “It’s not like I go around beating your people up because it’s fun.  Are you sure you’re getting the whole story here?” “It’s not about truth,” Blair said, patiently uncoiling a whip from around her bike’s seat.  “It’s about teaching you a lesson.” The weapon changed things.  Sunset figured that if they weren’t above a sneak attack, then she shouldn’t be either. Though perhaps Blair’s deliberate movements had lulled Sunset into a false sense of superiority, even as she prepared to strike first.  Without any further hesitation, Sunset put her full effort into her enhanced ability and shot across the distance between before the whip came to bear - yet Blair still managed to sidestep.  And in return, as Sunset’s momentum carried her past, the whip came up, whizzing through the air even faster.  Sunset started to turn after overshooting, but was already wrapped up before she even realized it. Her reflexes might have quickened, but Sunset was still learning to think that fast.  Her strength might have improved, but she wasn’t stronger than an inch-thick braided leather cord that was wrapped several times around her arms, pinning them to her sides. Blair kicked Sunset in the gut, but held her fast with the whip in her hand.  The heel of her boot knocked the wind from Sunset’s lungs, but then it didn’t let up, still pressing harder even as the whip tightened around Sunset because of her deflating diaphragm. Sunset gasped - both in pain and because the air had been involuntarily forced out. She struggled, but the whip held fast. She had been in tough situations before, but nothing quite like this.  What made it worse, though, was the expression on Blair’s face.  Not angry, disappointed. It reminded Sunset so much of Princess Celestia’s overpowering dominance that she saw red in a way quite unlike she ever had before. “I want to know that you’re learning the lesson,” Blair said.  “Kneel in front of me.” Despite her pain, Sunset snarled with what breath she had left. But she did kneel, only to contort herself forward at the waist over Blair’s boot, ignoring the abrasion against her abdomen, and sank her teeth into Blair’s thigh just above the knee.  She didn’t quite get through the leather pants, but her bite was more than powerful enough to pull a cry of pain out of Blair, who brought her fist down on top Sunset’s head. Stars burst in front of Sunset’s eyes, but despite the pain she hung on as Blair stumbled back, her foot pulling back from Sunset’s gut.  Blair fell backwards and Sunset shook loose of her stunning and let go with her teeth, kicking to gain position atop Blair as they fell to the pavement.  Sunset headbutted Blair in the jaw, knocking her head back against the pavement, and then bit Blair on the unprotected upper arm, this time drawing blood. In the melee, Blair had lost control of the whip and Sunset got her arms free.  She hit Blair in the jaw again, with her fist this time, and used the movement to get up.  She grabbed for the whip. Blair was on her hands and knees trying to get up.  Sunset got Blair’s throat in the crook of her elbow from behind and hauled her up, even as she used the whip to bind Blair’s hands behind her back. Somewhere during the fight, the driver of the car had approached, along with a few other people who’d arrived on motorcycles.  Sunset faced the half-circle of them and jerked Blair by the throat to make her point.  “You want her in one piece, don’t you?” She glanced at Blair, and said quietly, just for her to hear.  “Well mostly.  What was it you said?  Kneel?”  Sunset kicked the back of Blair’s legs to force her, and she hit the ground. Sunset put one of her own knees in Blair’s back to tighten the chokehold.  Blair struggled to speak.  Not only was she short of breath, but her jaw may have been broken.  Sunset cut her off.  “I could just squeeze the life out of you right now.  But I’m not going to.  You’re going to be useful to me.  Starting with, I need a replacement bike.” Sunset glanced at the motorcycle Blair had arrived on, seeing that the keys were still in the ignition.  As she looked around, one of the men had started to approach, but she menaced Blair again. Sunset took another turn of the whip around Blair’s hands and stood once more, dragging Blair over to the motorcycle on her face.  Blair had left her jacket on the seat.  Sunset picked it up, nose wrinkling at the smell of sweat and grease.  Shame, it looked cool, constructed of black leather and metal studs, and even seemed to have built-in armor. She kicked Blair over, so she could watch Sunset pluck the cell phone off its mount on the handlebars.  The phone was unlocked, the GPS still set to Sunset’s address. She glanced at the contacts, memorized the phone number, and then tucked the phone in the pocket of the jacket, dropping it on top Blair’s face as Sunset loosened the whip. “Wash that nasty thing,” Sunset said, coiling the whip in her hands as she leaned against the motorcycle.  Blair was slow to rise, pulling the jacket from her face.  Her annoyed disciplinarian expression from before was gone, shattered.  She was trying for rage, but it was overridden by pain.  If Sunset guessed correctly, the pain of losing at least as much as physical. “You’re going to come when I call,” Sunset said.  “And I had better not see you again if I don’t call.  That applies to any of your friends.  You tracked me down at home?  Good, now you know where to stay away from.”   Sunset looked pointedly at the motorcycle.  The logo read Buell Lightning.  She would have to learn more, but it already looked like quite an upgrade.  She touched the handlebar and glanced back at Blair.  “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of it.” Blair managed to fit a look of spite through her pain, and then turned to limp away, back to her crew.  Sunset leaned on the motorcycle and watched them all go. She didn’t even try to keep the smile off her face, and decided that she could really get used to this. When the street was empty, Sunset stood up from the motorcycle.  A couple of neighbors were looking out at what had occurred of the commotion.  Sunset waved.  Since she had been living there, she’d made sure they knew her, and that they thought was a good neighbor. She went back to her apartment, saving Blair’s number in her phone.  Unlocking her door, she went inside. Lucifer was sitting at the kitchen table and Sunset nearly jumped out of her skin in surprise.