A black armored car drove through a wide valley. Inside the vehicle was a unicorn mare who's doing the driving and on the passenger seat is a dog, an Australian Cattle Dog to be more precise. In appearance, the mare had moderate Persian blue eyes, a pale, light grayish heliotrope colored coat, and her mane was moderate purple with lighter purple and pale light grayish aquamarine highlights with a single curl. For attire, she wore a black sleeveless jacket over a pale light, grayish aquamarine colored belly shirt, blackish grey jeans that had some tears in them and a pair of black cleats. Her curvaceous figure and bust were similar to Twilight's.

The unicorn was listening to some tunes on her radio before taking a brief look at the fuel meter and there was one third left. If she didn't find a gas station soon or at least another vehicle to extract from she's going to have push the damn car around.

Her dog then noticed the meter as well and began to bark, "I know, Jack, don't worry. We got enough for a day or so," The unicorn reassured her dog. "Still, we got to figure out where we are." She finished before finding a spot to park her car.

She got out of the car and brought out a map out of one of her pockets and examined it. She then brought out her compass and it pointed at a certain direction. The unicorn smiled at this, "Welp good news, boy, we should be arriving at a town by nightfall." She said to Jack who was still in the car. She then put the map and compass back in her pockets. However, she felt something else in one of them and her happy expression turned into a sad one as she knew what it was. Bringing it out, it was a pair of glasses with a single crack on the left side.

"Even after all this time, I still can't believe that you're gone. I really miss you, Sunburst..." The mare said in a sad tone, as she put the glasses back in her pocket. She heard Jack whimpering and turned to him, "Don't worry, boy. I'll be fine." She said as she gave her dog a pat on the head.

She then brought a large bottle of water from under the seat and took a swig from it before pouring some in Jack's mouth. She then noticed a flower near the car. Looking at her water bottle, there wasn't much left. She shrugged, walked over to the flower, and poured the bottle's remaining contents onto the plant until it was completely empty.

Just as she was heading back to the car, her ears perk up and her dog growled intensely, "I hear 'em too boy. Go hide and stay quiet." The mare said to her dog. Doing what his owner said, Jack went all the way back to the vehicle and didn't make a sound.

Meanwhile, not too from where the mare and her dog were, a group of earth pony stallions were eying her.

"What do you think, boys?" One of them asked.

"Ooh, this one's definitely a keeper." Another said with lust in his eyes.

"I can't wait to hear how she screams." Said another.

"I wonder if she's a virgin." Another said.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get her." The ringleader said.

The stallions quietly moved up to the car and just as they were about to get the jump on the mare, they realized that she's nowhere in sight.

"Hey! Assholes!" Said a voice above them. They all looked up and see that it was the mare floating midair with a turquoise aura surrounding her. She the disabled her magic and dives towards them. A fight broke out and the mare proved she was a lot more capable than she looked.

Jack was still in his hiding spot and can hear a nasty fight breaking out were cries of pain can be heard but only from the stallions. After a while, the fighting stopped and the dog heard, "Alright, boy, you can come out now." He heard his owner say. Jack came out of his hiding spot and saw his owner looking through the downed stallions.

After getting some stuff off of them like food, bullets, and such, the mare went back to the car and said, "Let's get out of here in case more show up." She then drove off.

As the vehicle left, one of the stallions with a knife sticking out of his head slowly looked on to the car, "B-Bitch..." Was all he could say before dropping dead.

Meanwhile, Spike and the girls were on the road themselves heading for the nearest town. Applejack checked the gas meter and spoke, “Soon as we get to the next town we need to refill the gas.”

Pinkie who had her head in a bag pulled it out to reveal she had chip crumbs in her hair, “And replenish snacks.”

“And hopefully find a working washing machine.” Rarity said while looking through her clothes.

“Well, we'll make sure to do all of those things.” Twilight promised them.

“Let's just also hope we make it fast,” Spike added, “Sooner we get back on the road the further we get out of dodge.”

“I think we're pretty much out of dodge already.” Rainbow reminded him.

“Maybe, but who knows for how long.” Luster replied.

“Yeah. Knowing mom, she sent the guards out to look for us.” Sunset said.

“Which would include my brother,” Twilight added, “Which is why we keep moving. Because if they catch up to us they'll take us back to Canterlot.”

“And I'll be publicly executed for destruction of property, blowing up two vehicles, and assaulting four pegasi ponies, and breaking the wing of three of them.” Spike finished.

The girls looked at Spike in shock, as Luster spoke, “I don't think mom would do that.”

“Maybe not, but I committed those crimes back in the city, and knowing the ponies there they'll all agree for my punishment to be execution.” Spike replied.

“Nopony is executing anybody, especially not you.” Twilight calmed Spike.

“Yeah, anybody want to get to you, Spike. They got to go through us first.” Rainbow smirked.

“That's right,” Fluttershy agreed, before looking meek, “As long as it's not a big crowd.”

Soon they pulled into the town like all other places was deserted. Applejack drove their ride to the nearest gas station.

As Applejack started filling up their ride, Twilight spoke, “Alright, we'll split up. Rainbow go with Pinkie and replenish our food supplies. And try not to eat everything before you get back.”

“Roger Coger.” Pinkie saluted, as she and Rainbow headed for the nearest convenience mart.

Rarity after gathering her bag of clothes looked over at Spike, “Oh, Spike. Would you be so kind as to accompany me to the laundromat?”

Spike smiled, “Sure thing.” he quickly dawned his battle gear and walked with Rarity.

After walking through the ghost town, they found the laundromat, “I hope it still works.” Rarity said, as they went inside.

As they walked up to one of the washing machine's Spike inspected, “Looks like it's still good.”

Rarity looked relieved, as she put her clothes in the wash, added some detergent, and closed the lid, “And it's good I brought coins just in case.” Rarity said as she pulled out a coin purse and put some change in the slot.

The two waited on a bench as the clothes were being washed. Spike sat patiently, until he felt something lean on him. He looked to see Rarity leaning her head right on his shoulder.

“Rarity?”

“Oh, forgive me, Spike. I was just relaxing.”

“It's ok.”

“It is rather relaxing though, just us two alone here.” Rarity said, as she looked at Spike with bedroom eyes.

Spike blushed, before answering, “Well, It has been awhile since you and I had any alone time.”

“I know,” Rarity agreed, “But I'm glad it's just us right now. Gives us a chance to be closer if you know what I mean.” she said lustfully.

“Whoa.” Spike gasped, as Rarity cupped Spike's face and pulled him in for a kiss.

As they kissed on the bench, Spike wrapped his arms around Rarity keeping her close. When they parted the two gazed lovingly at each other.

“Wow, that was...” Spike began sounding dreamily.

“Wonderful,” Rarity finished feeling equally happy, “Oh, Spikey-Wikey, I love you.”

Spike smiled with tears of joy in his eyes, as the two kissed some more, until they heard the washing machine end.

“Wash is done, now they need to be dried. Spike, could you help me?” Rarity asked.

“Sure thing.” Spike said, as they began taking the clothes out of the washing machine.

As they picked up Rarity's wet clothes out of the wash, Spike realized he was holding a purple bra which made him blush, and look embarrassed when he saw Rarity looking at him.

“Oh, Spike.” Rarity giggled.

“Uh, here you can take it.” Spike offered.

“Nonsense, darling. Just grab what's left.” Rarity insisted.

Spike smiled sheepishly, as he picked up the rest of Rarity's clothes still eyeballing the bra resting on top of the pile he carried. They put the clothes in the dryer and let them dry. Soon enough the dryer stopped, and the two checked the clothes.

“All dry.” Rarity confirmed, as she and Spike folded her laundry, and Rarity put them in her bag.

“Well, let's get back to the gas station. Hopefully Pinkie and Rainbow are done getting more snacks.” Spike said.

“Hopefully.” Rarity repeated in emphasis.

They walked out of the laundromat noticing it was starting to get late, and began trekking back to their friends. As they walked they continued to look around the desolate town.

“Even if this is expected, I still can't believe this is what happened.” Rarity said in sorrow.

“Same,” Spike agreed, “But once we get to the Garden all this will just feel like a dream.”

Rarity smiled at Spike who smiled back. The mood was interrupted, as they heard growling all around them. Coming out from all around them was a pack of regular ferals.

“Oh, great. A welcoming committee.” Spike said sarcastically.

Rarity and Spike got into defense position, as Rarity readied her horn and Spike activated his gauntlets, “I am not going to make another trip to the laundromat if they end up getting my clothes dirty.” Rarity scowled at the beasts.

“Don't worry, we got this.” Spike assured her.

Rarity smiled, “You're right.”

The ferals started charging for them, as Spike started blasting some with energy, while Rarity was firing blasts of magic from her horn.

Spike turned all around blasting any feral that tried to jump him and Rarity. Rarity was able to project magic shields to protect her and Spike, until the boy was able to blast away at them.

“We got get back to the Rainboom and warn the girls.” Spike said, as he and Rarity ran for it while still attacking the ferals that chased after them.

As they ran the ferals pursued them, but one broke away from the pack and took off. The two being too distracted by the pack didn't realize it, as they blasted at the ferals following them.

Spike aimed his gauntlet at the last one and shot at it, destroying it, “That's the last one.”

“Thank goodness,” Rarity said in relief, “I really need to rest my horn.”

The two were about to walk back, until the feral who broke off from the pack jumped for them at their side so fast they weren't fast enough to defend. Fortunately for them, the feral never made contact as it was blasted by another magical aura nailing it to a wall killing it.

“Where'd that come from?” Spike asked in shock, until Rarity looked and gasped.

“From her.” she gasped, as Spike looked in the direction Rarity was facing.

They saw the unicorn that was riding through the valley standing by her car with jack peeking out the window barking. The unicorn girl smiled and spoke, “Gotta be careful. Ferals may be mindless beasts but they still have the cleverness of all predators.”

“Thank you, uh...” Rarity began.

“Who're you?” Spike asked.

The unicorn girl answered, “I'm Starlight Glimmer.”

Author's Note

Opening scene with Starlight courtesy of Mechazilla88