Viral had been given the word from Akula to escort Twilight on her next burning route, the Mesquite. Much like the Hunter Cavalry Burning Route it was a very simple race and Viral knew it well. Get to the Naval Yard in a Hunter Mesquite in one minute and fourty-nine seconds or less. She had treated it like a baby step, but that was years ago and now it was Twilight's turn. With the threat of possible enslaved ponies turning this into a marked mare event with a time limit having some backup was almost necessary for the alicorn that was only now just getting her bearings.

As they approached the 2nd street intersection, Lightning Dust just so happened to be returning to the Country Club from her impromptu interaction with Oscura. The fact that she had managed to run into the exact pony she had been looking for was a mere coincidence but one that was indeed to her liking. While still holding the wheel with her left, she reached over to grab the P90. 51 rounds of 5.7 at a ludicrous speed, with Full Metal Jacket capable of extreme penetration on metal surfaces. It would do nicely.

Gripping the trigger, she let loose a dozen rounds into the rear window of the red GT Concept. Viral, caught off guard by the sudden unwelcome spray, regained control of her car and began to punch it. Twilight split ways with her to make way for the burning route, leaving Lightning with only one pony in mind. She payed the purple car no mind as she chased Viral further up Hubbard.

Viral retrieved her MP7, as much as she didn't wish to use it in such a situation. She pointed it out her shattered back window and fired a series of her own 5.7 in return. With a much worse line of view, as she was blind firing while driving, only a few rounds impacted the windshield of the XS12. None of them a threat to the driver. It had been a warning, but between Lightning's stubborn temper and the mind control there was no way she would back off.

Viral took her mind off the car behind her as she took the wide corner onto Lambert Parkway, before turning the car around and turning onto 7th. She ducked under another hail of gunfire which singed her mane and penetrated the seat where her headrest was, though her quick maneuver saved her life and forced Lightning to turn back around. It was at this time a Cyan Jansen P12 race by both of them on route to chasing Twilight.

Viral continued on, sending another short burst of fire out her left window, which hit its mark on both the left front fender and bumper of the XS12. This did not faze Lightning who returned by hitting the left rear and separating the sheet metal from the wheel. The wheel surprisingly and luckily was intact. Viral made a turn onto Franke in hopes of leaving her pursuer in the tall skyscrapers of Downtown Paradise.

They crested the hill, passing through the multi-lane intersection. Viral cut through the park entrance to lose the ever lasting presence of Lightning and give herself some breathing room. It did not work, Lightning followed her through the park and all the way into the construction site. As they hit the Super Jump there was an exchange of suppressive fire that neither mare made use of. But, it was incredibly cinematic. This was when Viral heard the distinct click of an empty mag. She had not brought any extra, for she did not expect to need it.

They landed on Anderson before cutting through Waterfront Plaza and rolling through a small garage, ending up the opposite direction on 4th. Lightning continued firing and gave the Concept a shunt. A light tap, but enough to send Viral through the market off to the left side.

Now hot on her targets tail, Lightning sent one more burst from the P90 in Viral's general direction. Still no contact, but the GT Concept was well on it's last breath. The market led into the park, across a jump and as they entered the building Dust have the GT Concept a strong hit that sent it into the wall under a low clearnence sign off 1st Street.

Soon, with the driver far too exhausted to continue, the lights of the battered muscle car shut off with the XS12 pinning it in.

Viral climbed out the back window of her car, but Lightning met her in the middle. Viral had no ammo, but Lightning had also made a mistake. As she went to take her final shot, she too heard a distinct click.

Viral recognized this immediately. As Lightning dropped her gun to charge her she dodged and grabbed hold of her from behind. Lightning backed her into the cars, separating her grip. Viral dodged a kick from the pegasus, instead rolling her over and attempting one of her own. This was caught by Lightning's hooves as she grabbed hold of Viral's hind leg and tightened her grip.

"You gonna stop running now?"

"Only when I'm dead."

Viral kicked Lightning with her other hind leg and broke the hold. She then grabbed Lightning by her left foreleg and brought her to the asphalt before wrapping the leg around her head to keep it out of the way. She followed this by wrapping both her front legs around Lightning's neck and began to pull, attempting to suffocate her as she fought to break the grip. It took about 45 seconds for Lightning's struggle to settle as she slowly lost consciousness.

Viral checked her pulse, still alive. She released her grip allowing the mare to breath again. The Concept started without argument and while battered beyond recognition still managed to pull away leaving Lightning passed out next to her XS12.

Viral began humming a little bit to get her mind off the fact that she was one bullet short of being dead. It was the chorus to a Nine Black Alps song.

Author's Note

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ke_jzz1v1AI