Meanwhile...
Hubbard Avenue

As Akula was just arriving at the Baseball Stadium, Twilight and Viral were proceeding towards the next Burning Route. Viral knew that Twilight was too big of a target to be left alone, so the pegasus would travel with Twilight until they reached the starting location, where they would then split up.

But as they were on their way to the start, they didn't notice an green-and-orange XS12 approaching fast from behind...

The two were approaching the 2nd Street intersection, when Viral chose to speak with Twilight, 'You feeling nervous, Twilight?' She asked over the radio.

"A bit, yes. With what just happened the last time and that Road Rage that brought us all together, I can't help it," Twilight replied.

'Don't be. The Mesquite Burning Route is nothing compared to some of the later Routes that you'll face sooner or later. Believe me, I've had to claw my way through all of them and much more to get by Criterion Elite Licence,'

Twilight giggled, "Okay, I believe you. But as long as we all work together, we can accomplish anything,"

'True that,' Viral agreed, but before she could say more, gunfire then rang out. 5.7mm rounds impacted against the rear windshield of the GT Concept, catching both Twilight and Viral by surprise. 'WHAT THE FUCK?!' Viral cried out, 'Twilight, get to the Route's intersection! I'll draw the heat!'

With that, Viral gunned it. The GT Concept raced away, as Twilight did the same and turned onto 2nd. As she looked behind, she was relieved that the XS12 that was attacking had decided that Viral was more important that her and raced after V. Twilight reached the next intersection in record time and she turned left onto Lambert Parkway. And (once again) within moments, he had arrived at the starting location for the Mesquite Burning Route. Twilight yanked on the handbrake and spun the car around 180o, until it stopped in the middle of the intersection.

Twilight spun her wheels and then reversed to line up with the street lights behind her. Once she was lined up, she revved her engine, ready to go.

A map appeared on her dashboard GPS, but this time, instead of Vinyl's voice greeting her, an unidentified male voice spoke instead. Ready for the Burning Route? You are here. Race South to the Naval Yard,

This statement was followed by DJ-P0N3 then saying, Time is not on your side, so get going!

The lights went green and Twilight blasted down Lambert, 1 minute and 45 seconds was the time to beat. And the moment the lights went, the beacon was sent out and quite soon, any and all enslaved ponies would be on the scene.

But the first responders didn't take long. In fact, they were quickly on the scene.

As Twilight took off, a loud screeching was heard behind them. Twilight looked in her mirrors and saw Trixie's Mesquite Custom in hot pursuit!

'You may have bested the old Trixie, but you will NEVER beat this Trixie! Why don't you just give in and join your friends?' Trixie told her, starting to give chase. While both Mesquite versions still maintained the same speed and strength, the Custom had more boost power. Twilight had no chance of outrunning Trixie, but she could fight back. For a while, the two Mesquites kept up with each other and Twilight and Trixie started to beat the crap out of each other.

Scratches ran the length of both cars. Their windshields were cracked. Some small parts (like rear-view mirrors and bumpers) had come off and dents of various sizes decorated the cars. Both would not be able to keep up the fight much longer. But then, the odds stacked in Trixie's favour.

As the group passed by the Obelisk Triangle plaza, that connects Lambert with 1st, another car turned off of 1st. Dash had decided to join in the chase!

Now, Twilight had no chance in Tartarus in outrunning her pursuers. The Jansen P12 was waaaaaaay faster than the Mesquite and Dash was an expert driver behind the wheel. And Twilight didn't want to hurt Dash. The only thing that Twilight could do, was pray that she could hold out.

However, the hypnotised Dash and Trixie made a costly error. As the group approached the three-street intersection, Dash suddenly backed off and let Trixie take over the chase. As Twilight stayed on Lambert, which turned to the right, Dash just continued onto Parr Avenue, leaving Trixie to stay with Twilight.

The alicorn saw this fault and exploited it to its extent. Twilight raced away from Trixie, for the magician had run out of boost. And as she tried to regain it as quickly as she could, Twilight boosted away at full speed. Twilight pulled away and then turned left onto Hall Avenue, the final street before the finish line. And Twilight had only 15 seconds left to reach the finish. But now, Twilight had run out of boost and Trixie was gaining fast.

But Twilight was too far ahead. And she easily reached the Naval Yard, drifting to the left and stopping on the open sidewalk near the entrance to the Naval Yard.

Trixie couldn't believe it and she immediately felt her body lose control and Sombra's spell clear from her mind. The unicorn then lost consciousness and threw the wheel, causing her Mesquite Custom to flip and roll multiple times.

The unidentified male then came over Twilight's radio again, as another win was added to her licence. You nailed that Burning Route! Your reward is waiting for you in the Junkyard.

Twilight silently celebrated her victory, but was soon cut short when the sound of a vehicle approaching fast snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked in its direction and saw Dash approaching fast! Twilight immediately stop her celebration and gunned it, heading for the Junkyard via the South Bay Expressway Bridge. But Dash was too fast and immediately caught up.

'Oh, no you don't, Twilight! You are not getting away from me!' Dash taunted, beginning to slam her P12 against the Mesquite. Twilight did her best to fight back, but her consciousness told her not to.

She didn't have to worry, as once the two were half-way across the bridge, Dash's P12 was suddenly hit from behind. Her 'Pocket Rocket' bucked violently and spun out, before colliding with a Gillette Fusion© Van and wrecking.

As it turns out, the pony who had shunted Dash was none other than Akula, who had just arrived at the scene, having not received any response from Twilight. Once Akula had reached Twilight, he then raced ahead, heading for the Junkyard, possibly clearing the way for Twilight. She then proceeded back to the Junkyard, following Akula's wake, with another pony free from the vice-like grip of Sombra.

Author's Note

Looks like the Free Ponies are getting on a roll! Thanks very much for reading and if you want to have some more Burnout action, be sure to check out both RDgamer321 and DangerDean. They have some really amazing stories that I think you guys should read!

Anyway, stay tuned...
...Two adversaries will meet on neutral ground.