The group was driving down the remains of Main Street in what was once Canterlot City in their modified Hummer H1, each one of them having undergone experiences no person should ever face... the end of civilization.
Crimson Lionheart understood the horrors of this new world. He'd seen things that nobody should have ever witness, felt emotions and injury's that would have broken a normal man. Crimson's willpower however, was incredible. And as a result, his personality changed considerably and he became something else. He can be dark, obtuse, and violent in one moment and then in the next he's kind, laughing, and more noble than anybody. He can kill children one day and saves them the next. Nobody knew why sometimes he was like this, but nobody understood how the world worked anymore.
Circuit Breaker, the driver of the vehicle and leader of the team, remained mostly the same, as did Applejack. Rainbow Dash became violent, vengeful, and tempermental. Pinkie Pie totally snapped, becoming trigger-happy. Rarity suffered major PTSD and depression. Twilight Sparkle no longer restricted her studies to what would be considered "moral." Sunset had practically reverted back to her old, wicked self, but feeling she owes the others, and out of convenience, she stayed with them. And Fluttershy, who had a greyhound named Shredder, was now a very feisty sociopath. The experience had taken its toll on all of them. "Where we headed?" asked Applejack. "The remains of Canterlot High," said Circuit, "We'll set up camp there."
Crimson didn't say anything on the trip to his old school, he only remembered the times before everything died. He shouldn't even be alive, but he was nonetheless. He wasn't the same person he used to be, and that was sometimes a mixed blessing when his life was in danger.
"Hurry up," said Pinkie, "I wanna pop a cap in somebody..." "What a surprise," snarked Fluttershy. As they arrived, they noticed the area was occupied.
The school looked completely run down, but the new occupants looked like they were nothing more then a typical bandit gang. Things were interesting, especially with some of the gangbangers being visible through some of the broken windows. They looked like your typical gang of post-apocalyptic bandits, although they looked surprisingly young. "Pinkie" Twilight said as she sat in her spot. "How's your trigger finger?" "Itching..." Pinkie only responded, her hand already on her sidearm. Crimson didn't say anything however, he was too busy trying to inspect some of the finer details of the gang that now occupied their former school, their second home.
"Oh goodness," said Rarity, "Not more bandits! Anything but-" But she was interrupted by Sunset. "Stop your whining, it could be worse," she sneered.
Just as Sunset finished her sentence, Gilda was on the roof essentially executing a local, kicking a man, who had been gagged and tied up, from the top of the school's room. Her appearance didn't really change, although she wore a brown leather jacket with a large gang emblem on the back. "Sunset, you just had to ask." Crimson finally spoke.
"What do you want, Gilda?" asked Circuit sternly, as Rainbow Dash simply glared at Gilda furiously. "And don't think we're here to help because we aren't," taunted Fluttershy, one hand holding Shredder's leash and the other toting a machine gun.
"The bigger question is, what do you want?" Gilda told the group. "You've just rudely made your way into territory that belongs to the Rainbow Killers, and I'm afraid that threatening me won't work very well. You see....more then half of Canterlot is mine. So....why are you here?"
"We need shelter..." said Applejack. "But it seems we came to the wrong place..." "Applejack, let me handle this," said Circuit. Then he turned to Gilda. "Perhaps you don't realize," he said, "that we can make good on our threats?"
"You're threatening me?" Gilda spoke simply, her voice full of power and authority. "I wouldn't consider even touching me the wrong way, and I can name a couple hundred reasons on why you shouldn't."
"Suit yourself," said Circuit, as he and the others walked back to the Hummer. "We'll be back, and we won't be screwing around when we are."
Gilda just had an evil grin on her face. "If you come back here, we're gonna kill each and everyone of you. So...do everyone a favour and get out of here. Your not welcome here." "You aren't either..." Crimson said, adjusting his jacket before heading back to the Hummer
As they drove off, Pinkie Pie said sadly, "Why didn't you let me shoot her?" "Because that would make things too easy," Circuit replied. "And besides," Rainbow Dash finally said, "If anyone's gonna kill her, it'll be me. She killed Scootaloo in cold blood... and I won't rest until I return the favor."
Gilda watched as the Hummer went out of sight, looking as Lightning Dust stood next to her. Lightning Dust's hair has grown out considerably, but she was in remarkable physical shape. Aside from being her 2nd command, she was very influential in the Rainbow Killers as their hand. "Should we kill them?" She asked. "We have them within artillery range" "No, Let them learn their lesson. I suppose a warning is fair enough." Gilda said before turning to her. "Although, our next encounter should be interesting. We haven't gotten our hands dirty for a while."
As the Hummer went down the street, Rarity sighed and said, "Why can't things go back to the way they were?" "I think you know why," said Fluttershy, "Live with it." Circuit simply drove on as the Hummer approached the city limits.
Crimson looked out the window during the car-trip, wondering what the hell went wrong with the world. All he remembered was the collapse of civilisation at the hands of humanity's miscalculated attempt to build a better life. As a result, the environment collapsed after centuries of abuse and one by one, entire nations collapsed by fighting until only global anarchy remained. Crimson wished to survive, but also wished for peace to return in some form. He just sighed as he watched Canterlot vanish into the distance
After a while of driving, they took a turnoff into the desert. "If we can't set up shelter in Canterlot," said Circuit, "the next best thing is out here."
