TCB: Ride or Die

"It's not how you stand by your car, it's how you race your car."

~ Fast and Furious

"I live my life a quarter mile at a time, nothing else matters. For those ten seconds or less, I'm free."

~ Fast and Furious

The sun was low, just starting to rise over the desert horizon outside of the city of Monclova. What people remained in the city were still inside their homes, hiding, waiting... for what? No one knows exactly, maybe death from the HLF forces, or being conscripted into their ranks. PER preachers bringing promise of salvation if they take the potion, willingly or not. or just starvation and disease. The city was not populated as heavily as it once was, only a few hundred people remained, most of them being children, elderly, and what few people that stayed behind because they weren't going to give up their town.

Two of those people, were sitting outside of an abandoned bar. Well, not so abandoned in the sense no one lived there, more abandoned in the sense it looked that way. the windows broken and boarded up, the doors replaced with a security fence fashioned into a door. The two who were sitting outside were smoking of course, mostly to pass the time.

The first was a man with a shaved head, donning a wife beater tank top, a pair of camo pants and hiking boots. he was tall, about as tall as his comrade, with dark brown eyes and a scar on his lip going down his chin. By his side was a Mossberg 500 Homeland Defender that went with the shell bandoleer that wrapped around his chest. The man leaned against a car, like his friend, a black 1970 Dodge Charger, his ride. Tinted black windows and dusty wheels, its gotten him out of more then a few scraps.

In front of him was the other man, donning a leather jacket, jeans and beaten runners. He had unwashed dark blonde hair under a baseball cap, and green eyes. Gloved hands fiddled with a firearm, one of two that he possessed which were a pair of Nickel Plated Colt M1911A1s chambered for .45 ACP rounds. He was also leaning on a vehicle, his own ride he had procured later in the war, which was a Nissan 370Z with a rusty silver coloration.

Both of these men were street racers, in the old days at least. Now they were the owners of a not so lovable bar called Rusty's Tavern. The first man with the tank top was Luis, and the other was Jacobs.

"Annnnd this just in from the loveable state of Washington," A voice on the radio said from inside, loud enough to be heard from outside. "That's right ladies and gentlemen, and ponies~ I'm back! It was rough getting over here to the states, but I made it damn it! And I just heard word that a few PER scumbags got their asses handed to them by the Washington Sniper, our lovable hero who's done quite a bit since he popped up a week ago and started tearing a path across the west heading this way."

"Washington Sniper eh?" Luis hacked, spitting on the ground. "He another one of those gringos the Radioman is hyping up to be a hero?"

Jacobs nodded his head, tilting his cap so the sun wouldn't get into his eyes. "Yep," He sighed, taking his cigarette out and flicking it, sending a few ashes falling to the ground. "Guy's a marine or something, taking out PER positions left and right heading east for some reason, don't know why though."

Luis shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe he's to New York," he looked out into the desert, "radio boy said to meet up there. Who knows how many people the kid's gathering."

Jacobs snorted. "I find it hard to believe a kid is rallying a bunch of humans to fight with him... then again we are at war with cartoonish ponies... ah hell, never mind." The man shook his head as the door to the bar opened up, and out came a pony. One of the many who sided with Earth's remaining human population in hopes of saving mankind. She was a pegasus with a moderate azure colored coat, a snow white mane and tail and cerulean eyes.

"We are not cartoonish," the pony said, flapping her wings and landing on the hood of the Nissan. "We're just really colorful."

Jacobs snorted again as Luis laughed. "Colorful as fuck Night Glider." He said, tapping his car's door.

Night Glider looked between the two humans, asking, "Do you two have something against Dusty?"

"Who?"

"The guy on the radio." She said, sighing as she hopped onto the ground.

Jacobs tapped his chin, "No, not really." He said, standing up and sliding his pistol back into his holster. "I'm just wondering what the kid is up to is all."

Luis stood up as well, taking out his cigarette and tossing it away. "I don't got nothing against him." He told the pony as she cracked her neck. "Why are you askin'?"

Night Glider looked up into the sky, saying, "I think what he's doing is pretty good." She looked at the two humans, "he's keeping everyone's spirits alive with his stories, telling everyone there's someone out there fighting back, groups of people risking their lives and saving both humans and ponies." She smiled softly. "He's giving us all something to believe in."

Luis chuckled. "That's some cheesy shit." He laughed.

"Its true though!" She yelled. "He may just be a voice on the radio, but everytime I see people listening to him, I can see them believing in his words that someday this war will end."

"You believe what you want to believe, Nighty." Jacobs told her, stomping out his cigarette. "Good on the radio kid for trying to help people, but words can only do so much."

Night Glider huffed, turning around and swatting Jacobs with her tail, trotted away back into the bar.

"Hehehehe," Luis chuckled again, picking up his shotgun and saying, "She's got the hots for you white boy." He said, cackling while Jacobs shot him a look.

"She doesn't like me Luis," He told him, opening the door to his car and getting inside. "I'm going for a drive, I'll see you in a bit." He said, getting into the seat and closing the door. He pulled out his key, and inserted it into the ignition before turning it, sparking the car to life. Putting it into drive he drove forward, moving around Luis' car and driving off down the road, leaving his friend behind.

Luis sighed before going over to the bar's door and opening it, going inside. Inside of the bar there were tables, a jukebox that was playing an old song. Luis found himself bobbing his head to the beat as he walked into the bar. Night Glider was behind the bar, working one of the taps and filling up a mug for one of the few patrons inside.

"Hey Luis," she greeted, nodding her head to him before sliding the mug to the man who nodded with a smile. "Where's Jacobs?"

Luis jerked his head back, gesturing to the car disappearing over the horzion. "White boy left to get his tampons," He laughed, sitting down and putting his shotgun down on the bar.

"Did..." Night Glider started, but stopped before sighing and shaking her head.

"Nope, he did not ask about you Chica." He said, reaching behind the bar and pulling out one of the beers she kept there before popping the top off by hitting it against the bar. "He's as obilivious as a bat." He chuckled, taking a swig of his beer.

Night Glider huffed, smacking her head against bar with a heavy sigh. "I swear." She mumbled, her mane flopping down and covering her head. "He is just so... ugh!" She slammed her hooves down, growling under her breath as Luis patted her on the head twice making her look up and glare.

"I don't know what you see in him," He told her, smiling despite the death glare she was sending him. "But you gotta try harder, subtle hints ain't gunna do it, ya know."

Night only banged her head against the bar again, sighing heavily as she pushed Luis' hand away. "He's so damn clueless..."

"That's the whiteboy way."

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Jacobs was driving along the road, engine roaring as he listened in to the radio playing some old tunes. It was the same radio feed that Dusty used for his Freedom Broadcast. Jacobs didn't listen to it often, but he wanted something new to listen to, and he decided on Dusty's Freedom Broadcast.

"Annnnnd this just in folks, I just got word from my girl Raindrops that a bunch of PER, along with a small contingent of Newfoals are making a move north in Mexico. I also heard tale a small PER force destroyed a Cartel holdout and ponified everyone there, and are looking to do the same with the rest." Dusty spoke into the radio, any humor in his voice left and replaced with a serious tone as he relayed the information. "While I'm not a big fan of what's left of the cartels, I don't want them ponified, so if you guys are listening to this, I suggest arming yourselves and either fighting back, or getting the hell outta dodge!"

Jacobs cursed, "damn it," he knew of the PER camps to the far south from refugees who settled in their town, the scared faces of people as they recalled tales of the PER and Newfoals storming the towns and cities they were and turning whoever they found into Newfoals, adding onto their number. So far they had managed to keep safe, but with the word the PER were making a move north... he wondered if they were south of Monclova. I hope not.

"To any PHL out there, I suggest steering clear of the following towns. Las Potrancas, Santa Teresa, Gloria."

All of those are along the 57 roadway... heading to Monclova. Jacobs thought.

"Castaños, and finally... Monclova. PER and their scumbag buddies within the Empire are moving along those roadways. So anyone out there, I suggest packing up and heading out! There's too many for you t-*BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ-SKREEEEEEEE*"

The radio cut out... and the driver was left with that chilling realization...

Monclova wasn't safe anymore.

"Fuck!" He yelled, slamming on the breaks and stopping his car. The tires protested and screeched against the asphalt, eentually coming to a stop. Jacobs sat there, his mind racing as those words played over in his head. Monclova was going to be attacked by PER, cursing under his breath once more he slammed the wheel. A stray thought made itself known, contemplating just driving away, going towards the horizon towards Austin in Texas. It was a straight shot, all he had to do was keep driving.

I'm not like that. He told himself, he couldn't run away... not again. As a matter of fact, why was he thinking of running anyway? He smacked his head a few times, slamming his feet onto the accelorator and break and spinning the car, as he peeled out he sped back to the town. He had fought plenty of PER before, the damned traitors who betrayed humanity in favor of the Empire and their sadistic Manifest Dynasty to turn the entire world's population - what was left of it anyway - into mindless ponies.

His mind wandered as he sped down the desert highway, his car revving its engines to max. Suddenly he heard a noise coming from the engine, and he patted the dashboard. "Just hold on a while longer girl," he whispered to it, "just a little longer."

As if the car had heard him, the engine smooth itself out and was smoothly running once more. He grinned as he gunned the car, making it go faster.

The town eventually became an outline up ahead, a faint outline that he had to reach.

Elsewhere in Meh-hee-co

Else in the country, just south of where Dusty had spoken of sat a large group of people. To anyone else, they might have mistaken them for bandits, given their worn and torn attire and choice of vehicles. At least fifty or so people stood around, talking to each other as happy ponies pranced to and fro, thanking them for their services and such. One of those ponies stood out from the rest, a charcoal grey unicorn with green eyes and a black mane and tail.

"So what are we doing?" One man asked, eyeballing the unicorn.

She turned his way, smiling. "We are going to liberate the towns north of here, and give unto them the gift that we have given others." She held up the potion. "We are going to rid them of their burdens, and bring to them happiness!" She cheered, putting the potion away as her pony companions added to her cheers.

The man only nodded. "So when do we get moving?"

"... Why, now of course." She told them, gesturing to the town on the horizon. "They are the first ones."

The man nodded. "Alright people, let's roll out!" He yelled, getting a few yells and cheers as everyone mounted their vehicles and started driving off into the town.

The mare calmly walked over to one of the cars, a simple looking dune buggy where her human driver sat. She hopped into the vehicle, allowing the human to strap her in before saying. "Follow, please."

"Yes ma'am." Without a moment to loose, the buggy sped off down the road, heading towards the town.

Back at the Bar, a few minutes later

Back at the bar, Luis was not happy... not happy at all. He was sitting at the bar, having a nice drink and talking to another patron about some of the newcomers that had taken refuge within the city when all of a suddenly, several men came into the bar armed with rifles. Cartel men from the looks of their tattoos and clothing. Luis sat on his stool, the men watching him like a hawk. One of them eventually stepped forward as Night Glider tapped the counter. "How can I help you gentemen today? Care for a drink or two?"

The man stabbed the bar where her hooves were, elicting a yelp from her as she fell back. "I'm not talking to you horse." The man growled, looking at Luis. "Don't I know you?" He asked, his eyes told Luis he did know... and unfortunately for Luis, he knew the man as well.

Luis shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not." He stood up, leveling his gaze at the man. "But what I do know, is if you pull that stunt again with my pal, things are going to get a bit messy in here... ya dig?"

"Please don't start trouble!" Night pleaded, getting back up and glaring at the two. The bar had been subject to a few fights since she had tarted running it, wither it was from Luis' taunts to the cartel coming in, Jacobs drunken brawls with Luis, or just a massive bar fight... started by both street racers. No matter when a fight was going down, both street racers were responsible for it. Jeez. She thought as she watched Luis and pleaded with him, with her eyes, begging him not to start another fight.

Luis caught the look, and sat back down much to her relief. "What do you want, ese?"

The man smirked. "I heard that a douple of racers were hanging out at this bar," He looked around, most of the patrons were looking away, knowing full well to stay out of whatever was about to happen. "And that one of them, was one of Diago's boys from up north." He chuckled. "So tell me, what're you doing here?"

Luis frowned, he left his shotgun by the bar, but he knew if he tried to make a grab for it, he'd put Night Glider, among the others in danger. He crossed his arms, eyeing the man in front of him. "That was a long time ago, things change man." Luis informed him as Night Glider watched the exchange. "I ain't with those putos anymore, not after they joined the HLF."

"You tellin' me, you'd rather associate with these"