As Twilight. Spike and Princess Celestia sat in her chambers having tea. Shining Armor went back to his duties. Twilight and Princess Celestia spoke as Spike eat a sandwhich and drank his tea.

Princess Celestia said, "I still don't understand Twilight. Why you and Spike are riding to Ponyville. Instead of taking the train. I'm sure the train is faster and easier."

Twilight replied,"Well I wanted to spend a few days on the trail,camping before we get to Ponyville.Besides. Spike and I are going to be busy in our work."

Spike then said,"And I get to do some campfire cooking."

Princess Celestia giggled and said,"And I'm sure you'll have fun at it Spike."

After Twilight. Spike and Princess Celestia talked for about an hour anf a half. Princess Celestia said "And now. I have to get readyu for afternoon court."

Twilight said, "Yeah. And we need to get on the trail."

The three walked out to the entrance of the castle and walked down to where Solaris and Nacho were put.Twilight and Spike remounted there horses and looked at both The Princess and Shining armor whom just finshed one of his duties.

Shining took his sisters hand and said,"OK Twily.You be carefull down in Ponyville."

Twilight smiled and said,"I will BBBFF. And say hello to Cadence for me,next time she comes to town."

Shining said," I sure will Twily."

Twilight then reached out to Princess Celestia and said,"Princess. I want to thank you for everything you taught me. I remember the lessons you instilled in me."

Princess Celestia replied,"I know you will Twilight. And please yake care of yourself."

Twilight nodded and said," I will.And I'll see you when I can."

Then both Twilight and Spike turned their horses and trotted to the main gate and soon left the castle and headed to the city limits. After while. Both were just outside the city limits. Bot Twilight and Spike turned and looked at the city they were both born and raised in.

Spike asked,"Hey Twilight. You OK?"

Twilight replied,"Yeah. It's just I'm actually leaving home."

Spike replied,"Yeah. i know what you mean, but this day was coming.I mean. You can't live at home forever.At least That's what I heard."

Twilight replied,"Yeah. Thats true. Come on. I wanna get some distance before sundown."

Spike replied,"I like tha idea."

Twilight and Spike then rode most of the afternoon on The Trail. In the late aternoon they found a spot along the river to stop and camp for the night. After tying Solaris and Nacho to a tree.Twilight and Spike set up camp. They laid down their bed rolls and blankets. And would use their saddles as headrests.

Spike gatherd the rocks and the firewood and kindling. After making a circle with the rocks and placing the firewood and getting the fire started. Spike put the grill and spit.

Twilight grabbed her rifle and said,"I'll be back Spike.I'm going to find some dinner."

Spike nodded and went about making a pot of coffee and began preparing the beans as a side dish. Even if Twilight came back empty handed. They had some salted beef to eat.

As Spike continued to about his work.he heard a rifle shot. He knew it was Twilight's Winchester and he hoped she got something.Twilight returned soon after with a good size rabbit in tow.

Spike said,"Whoa Twilight. You got a big one."

Twilight replied, "Yep. I got when I found this guy. And I know you ganna make him taste good."

Spike said," I'll do my best. And I got some beans cooking, and coffee's ready."

Twilight handed Spike the rabbit and said,"Thanks Spike. I could use some."

Twilight grabbed a cup and poured herself a cup of hot coffee and sat and watched Spike skin,clean and gut the rabbit that Twilight shot and then after preparing it,placed the animal on the spit and placed it over the fire. While the meat and beans were cooking Spike aslo too some Hardtack a biscuit mad with flour water and salt Althought it was hard to chew on. Spike broke some apart, putting it in another plate and adding water to soften it up. Placing it in the fire to make it more eatable.

As Twilight and Spike were eating roasted rabbit,beans and hardtack biscuts and coffee.Spike asked,"So what do you think Ponyville is gonna be like??"

Twilight answerd," I dunno. Just like any other town I suppose."

Spike said," Yeah. I'll we'll deal all kinds of bad people."

Twlight said," Yeah, but we also deal with good people too."

Spike replied,"True, but putting desperados away is why I signed on."

Twilight said,"We'll I won't fault you there."

When they were finished with dinner. The two Rangers went to their bed rolls to get some sleep.The next morning Twilight woke up feeling refreashed. She got up and walked over to Spike as he opened his eyes. He was about to say good morning when Twilight noticed something moving under Spikes blanket.

Twilight said, Spike.Don't move."

Twilight grabbed her rifle and used it to slowly move the balnket away and sure enough. There was a huge Rattlesnake coiled next to Spike.One wrong move and the snake could strike Spike right in his leg and deliver a potent amount of venom.The venomous pit viper saw Twilight and slightly vibrated it's rattle as a warning

Spike asked,"What do I do?"

Twilight replied,"You don't move.The snake crawled in for the heat.So it's gonna crawl out for the same reason."

Twilight took a burnt log from the fire that was still hot and put it in front of the snake. The snake sensed the heat with it's heat sensing pits and silithered away from Spike.When the snake was far enough away.Twilight drew her Colt Peacemaker and fired.

"BLAM!!"

A 44-40 round put a good size hole in the snakes head,killing him.Twilight then took out her Bowie Knife and cut the snakes head off past the neck.Then burying it.Spike breathed a sigh of relief know he was safe.

Twilight looked at Spike and asked,"You OK?"

Spike replied,"Yeah. I'm not bit."

Twilight said."If you dont want to. I'll make breakfest."

Spike said,"No.I'll do it. It'll get my mind off nearly being bit."

Twilight nodded and went down to the river to bathe.Spike stayed in camp.And startred cooking.After Twilight returned finished her bath and got dressed, she returned to the smell of bacon,leftover beans,more hardtack,coffee and something else.Spike had gutted,cleaned and cooked the rattlesnake Twilight killed.

Twilight pored herself a cup of coffee and said,"Mmmmm,everything smells good Spike.Spike then handed Twilight a plate and said,"Help your self."

Twilight looked on the grill and got herself some breakfest. Later after they both ate. Twilight and Spike put out the fire and broke camp. And fed and watered their horses. And then rode off.3 days later. They reached their destination...Ponyville.

Author's Note

Twilight and Spike chat with Princess Celestia. and hit the trail.And head for Ponyville.