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Changing Lanes 01

By Autopony
Created: 2020-12-18 09:41:16
Updated: 2021-11-02 01:30:29
Expiry: Never
romanceanonymous/aie/nightmare moondramaprincess luna

  1. >Day 13 in Equestria.
  2. >It was closing in on two weeks since you landed in this weird-ass place.
  3. >Though the first week and a half was essentially a blur in your mind.
  4. >Jolted out of sleep, you had assumed it had been an earthquake, or some sort of cataclysmic event.
  5. >Things tumbling off shelves, clattering to the ground in a heap.
  6. >But your first reaction was to haul ass to the garage, worried about your baby.
  7. >As soon as the shaking stopped, you were out of the house and headed toward the garage.
  8. >Not even noticing the multi-colored talking “p0nies,” as they introduced themselves later.
  9. >Heaving the sliding door open, your fears were realized.
  10. >Shit was piled all over your pride and joy.
  11. >Her metallic purple paint dented and chipped in areas.
  12. >Windshield scarred with an ugly spider web.
  13. >And the massive spoiler that took two years to find bent in the middle.
  14. >You had spent years piecing together the Plymouth Superbird that was your baby.
  15. >And it took only 45 seconds to undo all that hard work.
  16.  
  17.  
  18.  
  19. >To say the p0nies gathered around were confused as to what was going on was an understatement.
  20. >Startled and nervous when you started screaming and throwing out swear words left and right.
  21. >But two or your soon-to-be closest friends approached you anyways, albeit cautiously.
  22. >A blue pegasus with wild rainbow-striped mane and tail who was fittingly named Rainbow Dash.
  23. >And a purple “alicorn,” as you soon found the term to be, named Twilight Sparkle.
  24. >Introductions didn’t go well, to say the least.
  25. >Between the nonstop screaming and relentless circling of your car, Twilight couldn’t get a word in at all.
  26. >That was when you found out this world had magic.
  27. >You felt like someone was holding your lips together, and holding your feet in one place.
  28. >It was then you realized you weren’t on Earth anymore.
  29. >And promptly passed out.
  30.  
  31. >“….Twilight, did you shut him up or suffocate him?”
  32. >You could hear voices again, and slowly woke back up, still in a bit of a haze.
  33. >“Rainbow, if I had suffocated him, he wouldn’t be waking back u - he’s coming to!”
  34. >Getting your bearings, you could see you were still in front of your garage, on the ground.
  35. >With these two….. things looking at you, cracking nervous smiles.
  36. >“Now that you aren’t screaming anymore, I’m Twilight Sparkle and this is Rainbow Dash, and since you clearly are from…. I don’t know where, let me formally introduce you to Equestria!”
  37. >You rubbed your eyes and took a hard look around at all the talking things that had gathered around.
  38. “Yeah, this doesn’t look much like Earth, unless I woke up drugged in Japan. God damn the Japanese are weird.”
  39. >The two in front of you exchanged confused glances.
  40. >“I can’t say I’ve ever heard of Earth before, nor Japan,” Twilight said.
  41. >“That’s a first, I would have figured one of your thousands of books you bury yourself in would have something about this,” Rainbow chipped in.
  42. >Twilight shot the other mare an angry glare, then turned back to you with a softer expression.
  43. >“So, why were you screaming nonstop, and what is that….. thing in the building?”
  44. >You had an urge to go through all the details of your Superbird, but these p0nies wouldn’t have a clue >what you were rambling on about.
  45. “It’s a car, we use them for transportation where I’m from, humans - which is what species I am - aren’t all that quick on our feet, so it helps us get places faster. And landing here damaged it some, which is why I was flipping out.”
  46. >Twilight perked up,
  47. >“So how does it work, can you show me? I mean, if you want, you don’t have to if you aren’t >comfortable..”
  48. >Holy shit those puppy dog eyes she was giving you were killer.
  49. “If you can help me get all this shit off her, I will gladly show you.”
  50. >Twilight jumped into a frenzy of levitating all the junk out of the garage.
  51. >This time Rainbow Dash’s interest was caught.
  52. >“Wait, that “car” is a she? It doesn’t look alive to me.”
  53. >Well, this is awkward.
  54. “No, it’s a machine, people where I am from tend to refer to things like this with gender pronouns when we have grown attached to them.”
  55. >Rainbow looked a little puzzled at that answer.
  56. >“Uh, okay then…. So how fast does this thing go?”
  57. >You grinned. You were hoping for a question like that.
  58. >Twilight was just finishing up the last of the garage clearing.
  59. “You’re about to find out.”
  60.  
  61. >It was about then a blinding white flash appeared out of nowhere, scaring the crap out of you.
  62. >Took a while to finally get your sight back, and where the flash has been stood two p0nies much larger than any of the others gathered around.
  63. >One was stark white, with an odd, pastel-colored flowing mane.
  64. >The other, a bit smaller, was deep blue with a mane that seemed to be a piece of the night sky.
  65. >Both alicorns, just like Twilight, you’d find out later. But in the meantime, both obviously were of some sort of royalty, judging by the crowns and the fancy jewelry.
  66. >Twilight made a beeline for the white alicorn, completely ecstatic.
  67. >“Princess Celestia, I didn’t expect to see you today, we haven’t prepared for a visit! Nor you Princess Luna, also good to see you!”
  68. >Celestia looked up from Twilight, right at you.
  69. >OH SHIII-
  70. >“I understand there was some sort of an odd visitor already today, I can see.”
  71. >You grinned and waved sheepishly. This wasn’t pants-shittingly nerve-wracking at all.
  72. >You glanced at the other alicorn, Luna. She cracked a sly smile, making you even more uncomfortable.
  73. >Twilight gasped as the white alicorn slowly strode towards you.
  74. >“I was going to send a letter, I just got so caught up introducing him to our world and - wait, how did you know this happened?”
  75. >Celestia smiled at the nervous purple p0ne. Then at you again.
  76. >“I could hear the screaming all the way to Canterlot.”
  77. “Um, sorry about that, I was kinda a bit in a daze.”
  78. >Surprisingly, no one here seemed incredibly suspicious of you, mainly just curious.
  79. >That was more than a relief, you didn’t see living in a prison as a good time. Especially not the rape.
  80. >Luna cracked her silence as well as your daze.
  81. >“We are curious as to what you are, in addition to your name.”
  82. >Huh. You just realized you hadn’t even mentioned to anyone your name yet.
  83. “Oh yeah, I forgot. Name’s Anonymous, but I prefer Anon. And I‘m a human.”
  84. >You felt an odd tingling sensation in your head and chest at that point, which quickly disappeared. The two royals turned around and had a quiet conversation.
  85. >Well, this is it. Time to get the soap on a rope ready, you figured.
  86. >Celestia turned around, sporting a warm smile that broke your feeling of dread.
  87. >“Allow my sister, Princess Luna, and I, Princess Celestia, to formally welcome you to Equestria. Our home is your home.”
  88. >You realized you hadn’t taken a breath since the two had turned around. You found yourself letting out a long exhale.
  89. >Everyone else gathered broke their silence to voice their approval, as well as undoubtedly release any tension they felt.
  90. “Um, thanks. You all seem very open to strangers, I’m rather flattered. Can’t say I was expecting that.”
  91. >“Let us or Princess Twilight know if you need anything, we will be in contact for further questions and study about your fascinating world and people.”
  92. >Twilight blushed heavily at the mention of her apparent title. Apparently, all alicorns were royalty.
  93. >You’d eventually catch up on the history of this place at a later date.
  94.  
  95. >“We do have to ask, what is it you were, as you say “flipping out” about? You seem quite calm about being here, we believe it must have been something else.
  96. >Damn, Luna seemed to be good at reading people.
  97. >And her odd style of dialect was kind of funny.
  98. >You quickly made a recap of what you had told everyone else, up to the point where you had planned to show off the Superbird.
  99. >Luna seemingly let it all sink in, keeping a straight emotionless face, before cracking that sly smile again.
  100. >“We would be most interested in seeing this piece of technology in action.”
  101.  
  102.  
  103. >With that, you slowly rolled the ‘Bird out into the light, everyone giving you space, albeit barely.
  104. >She wasn’t quite as bad as she had looked in the garage, but it didn’t matter. Not like you had all the tools you needed to fix it.
  105. >You popped the hood to make sure everything was situated underneath.
  106. >While from the outside the Superbird looked stock, you had taken “liberties” on many other items.
  107. >She was in fact, a bit more race-bred; a cross between street, and what she had been built for, the high bank ovals.
  108. >Heavy duty suspension, tubed frame, and that orange beast topped with a NASCAR style intake and 4 barrel carb.”
  109. >Yup, that thing’s got a Hemi.
  110. “Alright everyone, this thing is going to be a bit loud, so be prepared. And make a bit more room so I can actually drive it.”
  111. >Everyone cleared the dirt road that ran through the area.
  112. >Everyone except Twilight, Rainbow, and oddly enough, Luna.
  113. “Are you sure you want to be this close, guys?”
  114. >Rainbow scoffed at your inquisition.
  115. >“Hey, you seem to be pretty sure this thing is quick, I wanna see what you got!”
  116. >The other two rolled their eyes with a smile. Apparently, Rainbow was known for her competitive side.
  117. >Twilight was the next to pipe up with her reasoning.
  118. >I want to understand how it works, I’m not going to be able to study it well unless I’m up close to it.”
  119. >Figures she’d be in nerd mode, from what you had experienced so far.
  120. >But Luna was quiet, you weren’t sure what to make of her.
  121. “Alright then, suit yourself.”
  122. >You hopped in and twisted the key.
  123. >After a bit of her bitching and whining which was beginning to embarrass you, the ‘Bird roared to life.
  124. >Despite your warnings, you still scared the shit out of everyone, the throaty growl sounding like a mad predator to them, no doubt.
  125. >Before the three nearest to you could take to the sky, you jammed the shifter into first and matted it.
  126. “Try to keep up!”
  127.  
  128. -----
  129.  
  130. >Thinking back now from the present day, you aren’t sure why that day had made you four close friends.
  131. >Everyone was amused by your impromptu race with Rainbow Dash. It took you and her around the outskirts of P0nyville and ended where you had started.
  132. >Rainbow was impressed there was something that could beat her in a race.
  133. >Maybe. It had honestly been too close to call.
  134. >Dash tried to argue she had won anyway.
  135. >Twilight just plain loved to learn about anything, so having so much from your world she could never have dreamed of made for a lot of new studies.
  136. >But Luna, well she was a bit hard to read. Still today even.
  137. >She showed up whenever she could, after all her royalty political shit was taken care of for the day.
  138. >Having to do that for even one day would drive you mad.
  139. >Maybe it was just a nice escape for her to hang with you, something new to experience.
  140. >After all, from what you understood, she was nearing two millennia in age.
  141. >Still sounded absurd, but this wasn’t Earth.
  142. >But there was something else. While she wasn’t near as quick of a flyer as Dash, she enjoyed watching you two duke it out, and tried joining in from time to time before work started on the car.
  143. >When it came to talking to her about her past, she clammed up on you. And neither Twilight nor Rainbow would tell you anything, either.
  144. >Eventually you figure she would come out about whatever she was hiding. No need to push.
  145.  
  146.  
  147. >The past week was spent showing the three p0nes diagrams, pictures, and text from your massive library of automotive information.
  148. >Needless to say, Twilight was ecstatic. Not just to learn, but to help you in any way possible to bring the Superbird back to mint condition.
  149. >Luna and Rainbow wanted to help too, they just weren’t as enthralled in the technicals as Twilight.
  150. >Fortunately, the purple p0ne broke through on something that concerned you early on - fuel.
  151. >Twilight tried explaining how she was able to analyze what was in the tank and make a substitute that was just as good made of….
  152. >Well, you kinda missed the rest of it, and Twilight wasn’t pleased to find you asleep after her long monologue.
  153. >Note to self: these p0nies’ hooves look soft like the rest of their body, but they still hurt like hell.
  154. >Anyway, the next step was getting rid of all the unsightly dents on the Superbird, something you weren’t looking forward to. Bodywork wasn’t exactly fun.
  155. >Then again, back on Earth, you didn’t have two friends with magic at their disposal.
  156. >Under the work of their glowing auras, sheet metal seemed like putty. Luna was a pro at straightening things out; you assumed with age came experience.
  157. >Twilight struggled with it, then decided to focus her energy elsewhere - the windshield.
  158. >The purple alicorn left for a bit, then came back with one of her friends, a white unicorn with an elegant deep purple mane.
  159. >Rarity, you remembered. Twilight had introduced you to damn near everyone in this place the first week, especially her closest friends.
  160. >They were a good group, but you didn’t have the same bond with them as Twilight and Rainbow.
  161. >Fluttershy, a yellow pegasus with a pink mane, seemed frightened of anything that moved.
  162. >Applejack, an orange p0ny with blonde mane, she just seemed to get lost in the background a lot.
  163. >Pinkie Pie, a pink p0ny with a poofy pink mane, was fun to hang around. But she would never shut up.
  164. >And Rarity had come up with ideas in that first week to make the ‘Bird more “fashionable.”
  165. >She wasn’t thrilled when you dry heaved at her sketches of the interior.
  166. >But honestly, why would encrusting the seats and door panels with jewels seem like a good idea?
  167. >That day, Rarity was here to make sketches of the windshield - the curvature, length, width, thickness - so local glass-makers could make you a proper new one.
  168. >You were grateful everyone here was willing to help you get situated and comfortable in this new world.
  169. >It was obvious no one had a clue how you got here. Or how to get you home.
  170.  
  171.  
  172. >Now, work was about done on the sleek machine, and the glass-makers were just about finished with your new windshield.
  173. >Rainbow lands next to you, gallon cans of paint in hooves.
  174. “Dash, I thought you said the paint wasn’t gonna be ready till next week.”
  175. >The pegasus smirks at you.
  176. >“Hey, I do everything fast, whether it’s flying or getting work done. Sometimes I’m faster than I can predict though.”
  177. >RD was a great pal, but damn did she have a big ego at times.
  178. “I seem to recall you overestimated yourself in our first race. And that was with the Hemi not tuned quite right.”
  179. >“Hey, I was taking it easy so I didn’t completely embarrass you and the car. And why do you keep calling the engine thingy a Hemi?”
  180. “Rainbow, I’ve explained that to you twice now, it has to do with the shape of the combustion chamber.”
  181. >“Right. I forgot, I normally fall asleep when you go into Twilight mode and ramble.”
  182. >Well, time to find the ice for that burn.
  183. >“I heard that, Rainbow Dash.”
  184. >Twilight lands behind you two. She was getting better and quieter with those wings, even in the time since you’ve been here.
  185. “Haha, you got in trouble.”
  186. >Dash sticks her tongue out at you in mock frustration.
  187. >You look around, noticing the sun is getting low in the sky.
  188. >Has it really been a full day already? Seems with the final prep going along at a brisk pace, you lost track of time.
  189. >Luna would probably be around soon before her nightly duties. She made sure to pop in before nightfall when she could.
  190. >“We are most impressed with how far work has gone on the Superb Bird today.”
  191. >Goddammit Luna, are you part ninja?
  192. “Well, you scared the shit out of me again, Luna. Thanks for the cardiac workout.”
  193. >Luna cracked her sly smile again. From what you had experienced and Twilight had told you, she enjoyed scaring people and pulling pranks.
  194. >Surprising how down to earth royalty was in this place.
  195. “And Luna, it’s Superbird. Super. Bird.”
  196. >“We apologize, it is something we have not quite grasped onto yet.”
  197. “It’s not a big deal, I’m nit-picky. So how long till you have your duties to attend to? Rainbow got the paint, with your help we should be able to be finished, aside from the windshield.”
  198. >Luna glances at the horizon, trying to come up with a good guestimate.
  199. >“We could most likely be here an hour, but that would be really stretching it.”
  200. “That’s plenty of time. Twilight, you said you had an idea on how to get this thing painted without a spray gun?”
  201. >Twilight perks up at the mention of her name.
  202. >“Yes! Well, sort of. You see, the paint you had from Earth is different from what Rainbow brought. Almost everything in Equestria has some sort of latent magic in it, all we need to do is find the correct frequency to agitate and atomize it to-”
  203. “Twilight, I’m already lost. You may as well show me.”
  204. >Luna and RD giggle behind you while Twilight lightly blushes.
  205. “Alright Rainbow, let’s see how the paint looks. Pop ‘em open.”
  206. >Dash grasps the handled lid and pops it open with her teeth.
  207. >A gorgeous metallic purple sheen gleams from the inside of the can. If it isn’t a perfect match, it is damn close.
  208. “Good work, Dash. It’s a bit closer to Plum Crazy Metallic than In-Violet Metallic, but Dodge and Plymouth didn’t change much when they shared hues, mainly ju-”
  209. >“Now you’re the one losing everyone else, Anon.”
  210. >Well, Twilight just got you back for your smartass comment earlier.
  211. >The other two just giggle again, a bit harder this time.
  212. “Alright, let’s get on with it. There’s still a bit of masking off to be done.”
  213.  
  214.  
  215. >Just as painting is about to get underway, Luna goes still and quiet.
  216. >You have seen this before, apparently being alicorn sisters gave Luna and Celestia the ability to speak telepathically or something.
  217. >It is still a little creepy to you, but you’ve gotten used to it.
  218. >She snaps out of her trance as Twilight readies her spell to get painting underway.
  219. >“We are free to stay here the rest of the night, it seems.”
  220. “Why, what’s going on in Canterlot that you’re suddenly free from that shit for a night?”
  221. >Luna just shakes her head and laughs at your rather harshly put question.
  222. >“Our sister believes it would be of benefit to stay with her friends for a night. To take a night off, so to speak.”
  223. “Awesome. Once Twilight gets done with the car, the three of us were going to go in my house and hang, maybe watch some movies. Or in Sparkle’s case, probably read and play Twenty Questions.”
  224. >“You know, I don’t have to make sure this paint job is perfect, it’s not my car.”
  225. >Point for Twilight, again.
  226. “Okay, I’m done with the wisecracks, let’s see you flaunt your artistic side, Picasso.”
  227. >All three of the p0nes look at you funny.
  228. “Nevermind.”
  229.  
  230.  
  231. >Rainbow, Luna, and you put some distance between yourselves and Twilight and the Superbird.
  232. >Partly because she needed room to work.
  233. >And because you all weren’t sure how well this would go.
  234. >The purple alicorn grasps the open gallon of paint and instantly heaves it so the paint flies out.
  235. “Really? This is her plan?”
  236. >You and Rainbow look at each other after saying the exact same thing.
  237. >Luna quickly hushed the both of you. She apparently knew there was more to it than this.
  238. >Sure enough, Twilight’s horn lights up with a brighter aura, as the flying globs of paint begin to shimmer and get smaller.
  239. >Soon, it looks as if the paint had been ejected from a professional spray gun, and mists the whole car.
  240. >The mist spins and twirls around the ‘Bird, covering every square inch.
  241. >Once the mist has dissipated, Twilight approaches the three of you, a content grin on her face.
  242. >“That should about do it, Anon. Now it just needs to dry. Told you I had a plan.”
  243. “Thanks, Twi, I didn’t doubt you. You just made me a bit uneasy with the initial toss.”
  244. >Rainbow Dash chimes in trying to cover her own ass as Twilight smirks at you.
  245. >“Twilight, that was awesome! You could make some serious money with that kind of painting!”
  246. >“Dash, I could hear you, too.”
  247. >“….Oh. But what I said, I still mean it!”
  248. >You look over the horizon, just above P0nyville. The sun has finally set, and night is beginning to take hold.
  249. “Alright you three, why don’t we go in and relax? I already have planned what we’re watching.”
  250. >This would be about the 44th time you had watched John Carpenter’s Christine.
  251.  
  252. -----
  253.  
  254. >“Wait, so why was the car all pissed off? How can it come possessed straight from the factory?”
  255. “Wow Rainbow, I wasn’t expecting you to actually think while watching the movie. I’m impressed.”
  256. >Dash popped you in the back of the head while Luna laughed.
  257. “Ow, I kid. It just came like that, I guess. The book made a bit more sense on that aspect, but it’s been a while since I read it.”
  258. >You look over at Twilight. You were expecting her to cut in, since she had already been through close to half of your reading material.
  259. “Watcha reading Twily?”
  260. >She really hated that name, but she is so immersed in her reading, she doesn’t notice.
  261. “Oookay then, while bookworm is in her own fantasy land, you guys want to watch another movie?”
  262. >“We were actually curious as to why you have such a passion for these ‘cars.’”
  263. “Well Luna, I just sort of grew up around people that worked on cars, so I was around them at an early age.”
  264. >“But what is the significance of your Superbird? It seems not all of your species is this attached to transportation. Especially something that old.”
  265. >Well that was easy enough to answer. You point to the massive poster above your TV.
  266. “Richard Petty. He drove one of those in 1970 during his long racing career. Picked up 200 wins, 7 championships, and 7 Daytona 500 victories, which was a crown jewel race.”
  267. >“Holy crap, that makes what Spitfire has accomplished with the Wonderbolts seem like nothing.”
  268. >You figured Dash would be impressed, racing was in her blood, a lot like you.
  269. >“Most impressive. We can see why one would want to have something that helped a person reach such an astounding achievement. It is amazing how one person can have an effect on how others go about their lives.”
  270. >You see this as a chance to take a shot at uncovering Luna’s past.
  271. “On that note Luna, I’ve shared an intimate part of my past, I think it’s only fair you share something, as well.”
  272. >Dash and Twilight both look at you, then to Luna.
  273. >Luna drops her head to avoid eye contact with everyone.
  274. >Twilight breaks the awkward silence that has settled upon the room.
  275. >“Come on Luna, everyp0ny else has made peace with what happened in the past, don’t feel ashamed.”
  276. >“We all have things we aren’t proud of. Like me secretly talking to my Wonderbolt plushies as if they were real!”
  277. “Rainbow? I don’t think that’s a secret anymore.”
  278. >Dash gets a horrified look on her face.
  279. >“……..er, I used to, I should say. Not anymore, of course!”
  280. “….Right. Anyways, what are you so afraid of Luna? I like you for who you are right now. What has happened in the past has made you the way you are, for better or for worse.”
  281. >Luna was still silent. You expect her to teleport out at any moment.
  282. >“We will not tell you what haunts us from our past. We will show you.”
  283. >The blue alicorn raises her head, eyes emitting a blinding white light. For a moment, you can’t see a thing.
  284.  
  285.  
  286. >Slowly, a scene begins to take form and play out.
  287. >Two younger versions of the Royal sisters are holding open court together in the castle.
  288. >But instead of Celestia and Luna getting equal attention, everyone seems to be focused on the white alicorn.
  289. >By Luna’s bored and frustrated expression, this isn’t a freak occurrence.
  290. >Suddenly, you begin to feel as if you are there.
  291. >Colors become crisper, and you can hear the sounds and applause of the crowd as Celestia finishes some sort of speech.
  292. >Judging by the crowd’s movements, court has just finished up, and the sun is beginning to set.
  293. >But suddenly, the six doors at the opposite end of the room slam shut.
  294. >“We are not finished here. Since you all seem to have little interest in us, we shall make you stay!”
  295. >Luna gets up from the throne she had been sitting on to continue.
  296. >Meanwhile, Celestia finally breaks out of her apparent state of shock and rises from her throne as well.
  297. >“Sister, this behavior is most unbecoming of a Princess! We ask you immediately silence your tongue!”
  298. >“SILENCE! We no longer care what is expected of royalty! We are tired of being ignored, left by the wayside while everyp0ny gathers and kisses your hooves!”
  299. >“What are you saying, sister?”
  300. >The younger alicorn suddenly seems to lose consciousness, before another voice breaks the sudden quiet that has fallen upon the room.
  301. >“We are no longer your sister. Luna is no more!”
  302. >The shadows in the room suddenly begin to twist and stretch, moving toward the princess of the night.
  303. >P0nies are running towards the closed doors, trying to kick them open as screams and gasps erupt from others.
  304. >As the shadows begin to converge on the blue alicorn, darkening her coat to onyx, she lifts her head and opens her eyes, revealing strikingly feral turquoise eyes.
  305. >“We shall be known as Nightmare Moon from this day forth, and night shall be eternal!”
  306.  
  307. >Numerous duels between the former sisters flash past you, not unlike a highlight reel.
  308. >All throughout, the battles are fought under the light of the moon.
  309. >Apparently the fallen princess wasn’t kidding about the night being eternal.
  310. >It is hard to tell how long this went on, but the conclusion is crystal clear.
  311. >Celestia and Nightmare Moon find each other facing off in the castle, which is now in a state of disrepair.
  312. >They are wearing pieces of armor now, notably breastplates and helmets.
  313. >While Celestia’s armor is a gleaming gold with inlaid jewels, Nightmare Moon’s is a more sinister shimmering blue.
  314. >Almost as if on cue, both lower their heads, horns thrusting forward in anticipation of attack.
  315. >Slowly, they begin to move toward each other, building into full-on gallop.
  316. >A jousting match, last p0ny standing the winner.
  317. >Just before they clash together, a blinding flash erupts from Celestia, along with a pained whisper.
  318. >“I’m so sorry, sister.”
  319.  
  320.  
  321. >Slowly, everything dims around you, and your room in present day began to reappear as Luna speaks.
  322. >“We were banished in the moon, atoning for our actions for nearly a millennia in solitude. Our return to Equestria is quite recent, only two years ago were we freed.”
  323. >That explains the outdated dialect.
  324. >“Luna, you forgot the whole part where you escaped as Nightmare Moon and tried to bring eternal night again, before we wielded the Elements of Harmony and beat you. Er, her.”
  325. >Twilight pops Dash in the shoulder.
  326. >“Ow! I was just saying…..”
  327. >Luna has her head hung low again. You do the only thing you can think of at this point.
  328. >Pulling her close, you wrap your arms around her neck and embrace her. She flinches a bit in surprise.
  329. “Luna, it’s alright. We’ve all made mistakes, I don’t think any less of you.”
  330. >“We understand, and are thankful for your support and concern. Everyone else seems to have forgiven us, but it is still hard to look back upon the past without feeling pain.”
  331. >Luna unfurls her wings, returning the embrace.
  332. >“Well, at least all this made sense and had a happy ending, unlike that movie we just watched. Who names an inanimate object, anyways?”
  333. >It was Luna’s turn to pop Rainbow, this time in the back of the head.
  334. >“Ow! Dammit, stop hitting me!”
  335.  
  336. -----
  337.  
  338. “Twily, you wanna hand me a flat blade screwdriver?”
  339. >“A what?”
  340. “Second drawer from the top, yellow handle, end of it is wedge shaped.”
  341. >“Oh, here.”
  342. >It’s just you and Twilight spending time this afternoon, tinkering on the Superbird.
  343. >Rainbow Dash was busy with weather duty the next two days, and Luna was no doubt sleeping after a night of royal duties.
  344. >It had been a few days since you finally cracked Luna’s shell and got her to tell you what bothered her so much about her past.
  345. >She had been a lot happier the past couple days, though maybe that was because of the good laugh she had gotten later that night when you had fallen asleep.
  346. >Saran wrap on the living room doorway, that will get your attention when you have to get up and take a piss in the wee hours of the morning.
  347. >At least she didn’t saran wrap the toilet.
  348. >“What are you doing anyways, Anon?”
  349. “Tuning the carburetor, the engine feels like it bogs when I get on the throttle."
  350. >“What does the ‘carburetor’ do?”
  351. “It meters the fuel and air mixture so when it goes into the combustion chambers, it burns properly. Too much or too little fuel compared to air, and the car will respond sluggish or run like shit.”
  352. >“Oh. So how many of these particular cars are left in your world?”
  353. >Here we go, twenty questions.
  354. “I don’t really know, not many. Plymouth only made about 1,920 of them, I guarantee less than half survive.”
  355. >“What was with the odd number of production? Seems to me they could have rounded it off at 2,000.”
  356. >You finish up what you are doing, and get up from your bent position.
  357. >And promptly bang your head on the hood.
  358. “Dammit, I need to stop doing that. Anyway, Plymouth only needed to build the equivalent of half their dealerships at that time, of which they had 3,840.”
  359. >“Oh.”
  360. >You expect another question, but it stops there. Thank god.
  361. “So Luna’s been in a lot better mood lately, huh?”
  362. >“Yes, Luna told me she wished she hadn’t hid her past from you for so long, she felt a huge weight lift off of her.”
  363. “I can imagine. But why is she so interested in me? Sure, I’m some weird ass freak from another world, but she doesn’t ask me about every minute detail about my world till the sun goes down like you do.”
  364. >Twi rolls her eyes and tosses a rag at you. You catch it and wipe off your hands.
  365. >“I don’t really know, Anon. She just really likes your company, I guess. And she has a fascination with your style of racing, too.”
  366. >That was pretty obvious, since every day she came over , she hoped to see you out on the little road course you had set up out back.
  367. >It was a crude setup, being hard packed dirt, but sufficient.
  368. >At least you weren’t endangering p0nies by being a speed demon on public pathways.
  369. “Yeah, what is with that? I asked Rainbow, and she said Luna never showed much interest in any form of racing till I popped up here. Apparently she’d show up at Wonderbolt Derbies from time to time, but didn’t seem to enjoy it, more there as a guest of honor.”
  370. >“I just don’t know, Anon. Luna has been around for a long time, and has seen and experienced a lot of things in two millennia. Something just piqued her interest, I guess. Does it bother you she enjoys being around you?”
  371. “No, she’s a lot of fun, I like hanging out with her just as much as I do with you and Dash. It’s just odd to me. Still feels like she isn’t being open with me, hiding something, but I don’t know why.”
  372. >“Even me being part of royalty now, I don’t know even a quarter of the things Luna and Celestia have been through. There’s a lot of history there, both good and bad. You‘ve seen the worst.”
  373. “Yeah, that was pretty fucking trippy. Would have been nice to have a warning I was going to be thrown into a movie.”
  374. >Twilight just laughs.
  375. >“You wanted movie night, Luna obliged you.”
  376.  
  377.  
  378. >Twilight left not long afterwards that afternoon to spend time with her other friends.
  379. >Meanwhile, you spent much of the afternoon running laps around the track.
  380. >The carburetor tuning definitely helped throttle response, especially out of slower turns and going from a stop.
  381. >Eventually, you pull the old girl into the garage, and head inside for some rest.
  382. >You always found it difficult to take naps, but since your bedroom was in the middle of the house with no windows, it made it much easier.
  383. >After a few hours of slumber, a tickling sensation slowly brings you out of sleep.
  384. >You open your eyes, and scream.
  385. >Smoky tendrils darker than even the blackest of nights begin to seep into the room from underneath the closed door and gather in the center.
  386. >Slowly, as they take a familiar form, a sinister laugh echoes through the room.
  387. >“The Queen of the Night has returned! And this time, we will not be defeated!”
  388. >She finally is whole, and strides toward you, turquoise eyes and ethereal, starry mane piercing the dark.
  389. >Nightmare Moon has returned, and she has cornered you.
  390. >She lets out another terrifying laugh.
  391. >“We have been locked away for so long, and are quite famished.”
  392. >As she smiles, her fangs are fully revealed to you.
  393. >“You shall do nicely for a homecoming appetizer.”
  394. >You close your eyes just as she leaps towards you, fangs aiming for your neck.
  395. >Then, nothing.
  396.  
  397. -----------------------
  398.  
  399. >Laughter breaks the dead silence.
  400. >“We have outdone ourselves this time. Got you good!”
  401. >Luna is standing before your bed, as she flips on the lights with her magic.
  402. “……really Luna? Goddammit, you about made me piss myself!”
  403. >Okay, you did a little bit.
  404. >“Sorry, the opportunity was too good for us to pass up. What are you doing asleep this early, anyways?”
  405. “I was tired, I worked on the Superbird most of the day and thrashed her a bit on the test track.”
  406. >Luna makes a pouty face.
  407. >“Without us there to spectate? Anon, we are truly hurt.”
  408. “Yeah, yeah. It’s really nice outside, I can still get out the ‘bird and go for a night cruise if you want to tag along.”
  409. >“Absolutely! Our night is free, no open court or royal functions to attend to.”
  410. >It was a rare occurrence, but the princesses occasionally found themselves with a day free of duties.
  411. “Gimme a sec, and I’ll be right out.”
  412.  
  413.  
  414. >You are Luna, and it has been a long day of waiting.
  415. >Anymore, every morning you went to sleep, you couldn’t wait to wake up to relax in the company of Anon.
  416. >It was just so much more carefree than being with anyone else, aside from your sister.
  417. >Anon didn’t see your royal title, he seemed to look past it and was genuinely interested in you.
  418. >No charades of formality were needed around him, it was a time to let your mane down, so to speak.
  419. >And a time for competition.
  420. >Time had forgotten millennia ago, when racing had been your life.
  421. >Most of the time, you had tried to forget the past yourself. But Anon’s arrival reignited the long lost passion.
  422. >Mainly because the thought of this odd new form of racing had brought a hope of reliving the past, and the dream that had been taken from you.
  423. >The movie from a few nights ago - Christine, you think it was - had brought a moment of inspiration later that night after going home.
  424. >Days of poring over the library of magic had brought only frustration.
  425. >Until this morning before bed.
  426. >Finally, in an untitled tome, did you find the spell you had been hoping to find.
  427. >After two hours of study, you were sure you had it down pat to use.
  428. >Some much needed rest, and you would try to propose the idea to Anon tonight.
  429.  
  430.  
  431.  
  432. >Luna seemed really impatient tonight, for whatever reason.
  433. >She kept pacing outside as you got dressed and grabbed your keys.
  434. >As she watches, you climb into the Superbird, and twist the key.
  435. >The familiar growl of the V-8 greets your ears. It is a sound that never gets old.
  436. >You slide the shifter into reverse, and back out of the garage.
  437. >The blue alicorn quickly trots out to the track as you twist the steering wheel and put the transmission into drive, headed out to meet her there.
  438. >Once you get there, Luna is looking at the ground, looking as if she is in debate about something.
  439. >Didn’t you already get through the skeletons in the closets?
  440. >You come to a stop, turn off the engine, and get out.
  441. “What’s wrong Luna? Less than a minute ago, you were jumping for joy.”
  442. >“Anon, we have something to ask of you, if you do not mind.”
  443. “Luna, you don’t have to ask if you can ask. You’re my friend.”
  444. >She blushes a bit at that. You weren’t exactly helping with her apparent uneasiness.
  445. >“The movie we viewed a couple days ago, Christine, gave us an idea we were hoping you were willing to let us try.”
  446. >Oh god, ideas from movies are never good.
  447. >“In the movie, he car was apparently possessed by a being. We were wondering if you could let us try something like that.”
  448. “……You want to possess the Superbird?”
  449. >Luna’s eyes go wide at your question, then giggles.
  450. >“No, do not be silly, that would never work.”
  451. >Well, you feel pretty stupid now.
  452. >“We want to try to possess you.”
  453.  
  454.  
  455. “……..wait, what?”
  456. >“It would not be a permanent thing, it would be quick. You would still have consciousness.”
  457. >This conversation just took a turn into the weird.
  458. “Why Luna? I don’t follow your train of thought.”
  459. >“Your Superbird intrigues us so much, we would like to experience what it is like to be “behind the wheel,” as you say.”
  460. “I don’t know Luna, this all just sounds weird to me.”
  461. >Oh god, she’s giving you puppy dog eyes.
  462. >Can’t. Resist.
  463. “Alright Luna, if you think you can pull this off, I’m game.”
  464. >Luna tackles you to the ground, spouting thank yous left and right.
  465. >After what seems like minutes, she gets off of you and you get up off the ground.
  466. “So what do I need to do?”
  467. >“Leave it all to me, stand right where you are as I charge the spell.”
  468. >While you trust Luna, you can’t help but feel a bit nervous as Luna’s horn begins to glow brighter and brighter, gathering energy.
  469. >“Here goes nothing!”
  470. >You feel the energy from the spell hit you, filling your senses with a tingling sensation.
  471. >Then you black out.
  472.  
  473.  
  474. >You aren’t sure how long you’ve been out as you slowly regain consciousness.
  475. “Luna? I don’t think your spell worked.”
  476. >All of that energy apparently screwed with your senses, your voice sounds off.
  477. “Luna? Where the hell are y-”
  478. >As you scan the surroundings, you see you slowly stirring awake.
  479. >Correction, your body stirring awake.
  480. >Frantically, you look into the mirror of your car you apparently fell next to, and gasp at the sight of your reflection.
  481. >Except your reflection is that of a certain blue alicorn.
  482. “……..Luna, what did you do?”
  483. >She - or he, or whatever - stumbles over to where you are.
  484. >“It is possible we made a mistake in the casting of the spell.”
  485. “Fuck me.”
  486. >“We fail to see how intercourse will have any benefit on this predicament.”
  487.  
  488. -----
  489.  
  490. “I thought you said you knew what you were doing! How did you make a mistake this bad?!”
  491. >“Anon - er, Lun…. Lunanon? No, that sounds like a good fit for us. We must come up with a name for you as well to avoid confusion.”
  492. >You face hoof.
  493. “Focus, please. How did you cock up the spell?”
  494. >“We are not certain what went wrong. Perhaps something was lost during translation.”
  495. >You are completely lost at this point. And still trying to get used to your ethereal mane constantly moving and distracting you.
  496. “What do you mean translation? I thought you knew the spell.”
  497. >Lunanon drops her head and kicks at the dirt.
  498. >Apparently the body swap hadn’t carried over how you were both used to walking and moving in your normal bodies. Thank god for that.
  499. >“We went through the royal archives, specifically the old section of the library of magic.”
  500. “How old are we talking about, Lun….. Lunanon?”
  501. >May as well try getting used to the confusing situation.
  502. “The spell was written in the dead language our ancestors used when we were still a filly.”
  503. “And you didn’t think any of this was a bad idea? Clearly the spell was forgotten because it was dangerous or easy to fuck up!”
  504. >You see Lunanon’s face tighten up as she tries to hold back tears.
  505. >“We said we are sorry. Clearly, if there is one thing we are good at, it is as you say, ‘fucking up.’”
  506. >She turns and runs towards your home.
  507. “Luna, wait!”
  508. >Too late, she slams the door behind her.
  509. >And you hear the audible click of the lock.
  510. >Great. Not only were you stuck in a body that wasn’t yours, you were locked out of your own home.
  511. >Er, your former home, or body’s home…..
  512. >This shit is already giving you a headache.
  513.  
  514. >“Princess Luna!”
  515. >You turn around to see Twilight landing and trotting over to you.
  516. >Oh shit. Time to play it cool.
  517. “Hey Twily.”
  518. >Goddammit, good job cocking that up already.
  519. >Twilight looks extremely confused.
  520. >“Luna, I think you’ve been spending too much time with Anon lately. You’re starting to sound like him!”
  521. “Yes, indeed. Heh heh.”
  522. >You just slo-mo dodged that bullet.
  523. >“Where is Anon, anyways? It’s not like him to leave the Superbird outside.”
  524. “He, uh….. went inside for a bit. Said he’d be back out in a short while.”
  525. >“Oh. So how are you tonight, Luna? How long till you have to be back to the castle?”
  526. ‘I, er, we have the night off tonight. No royal shit to put up with tonight!”
  527. >Really? That was smooth.
  528. >Twilight looks at you suspiciously now.
  529. >“Princess, what is going on? You don’t seem like yourself tonight at all.”
  530. “It’s nothing, really. Just trying to relax, not be so formal.”
  531. >Hopefully she bought that, it looks like she did.
  532. >“Alright then, I have to get back to the library, Spike said the newest order of books were scheduled to come in before 11 tonight.”
  533. “I’ll tell Anon you stopped by. Have a good night!”
  534. >Twilight starts to trot off, then stops.
  535. >“I just have one question, Luna.”
  536. “Ask away, Twilight.”
  537. >“I was reading one of Anon’s books, and it said that Plymouth and Dodge had planned to build cars like his in 1971 as well, but they didn’t. Do you think they just wussed out?”
  538. “THAT’S A LOAD OF SHIT, NASCAR CASTRATED THE WING CARS BECAUSE THEY WERE BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE THE OTHER MAKES COULD COME UP WITH!”
  539. >Fuck, busted.
  540. >Twilight gasps and gallops back over to you.
  541. >“Anon, what happened?! Why are you Luna?! And where is she really?!”
  542. “Luna got a bright idea to try out a spell that she had translated, and clearly didn’t do something right. Somehow, we swapped bodies. And Luna really is inside, in my body, but the door is locked.”
  543. >“Why is the door locked?”
  544. “I…. sort of lost my temper a bit. It didn’t go over well.”
  545. >Twilight frowns and baps you on the head with her wing.
  546. >“You really need to work on keeping your emotions in check. Why don’t you just teleport in and apologize?”
  547. “Twi, I may be in Luna’s body, but I have no idea how to use magic.”
  548. >“Teleportation is simple. Close your eyes and focus, and picture yourself in the place you want to be.”
  549. >This seems stupid, but you go along with it.
  550. >Closing your eyes and focusing on your living room, you wait to sense something, anything to tell you it had been a success or failure.
  551. “Twilight, this isn’t working. I told you I couldn’t do it.”
  552. >“Open your eyes, then tell me that.”
  553. >As your eyes focus back in, you find yourself jump back in surprise.
  554. “We’re in my living room. How?”
  555. >“Told you it would work. Magic is an odd thing. For many spells, once it is learned, it cannot be forgotten. It’s almost like a natural reflex to do it, as long as one has a magic reserve and way to discharge.”
  556. “….. I still don’t get it, I never learned any spells. So how could I have used it?”
  557. >Twilight face hoofs in frustration.
  558. >“Think of it this way, Anon. When you and Luna swapped places, your consciousness and memories were the only thing that crossed over. Natural abilities, such as magic, were left in the respected places.”
  559. “Okay…… but wait, how do you know about this body swap crap? Body swap wasn‘t even the thing Luna was aiming to accomplish.”
  560. >“The spell itself may have been lost to all but a few ancient tomes, but the history and basic mechanics of it can still be found in other books.”
  561. >Should have known bookworm found it in a book at some point.
  562. >“What was the spell she was trying to cast, anyways.”
  563. “She was trying a spell that would basically allow her to see and feel everything I did, so she could experience what it would be like to thrash the Superbird around the track.”
  564. >Twilight cringes at your explanation.
  565. “What, what’s the matter?”
  566. >“It just sounds really dangerous to me. I mean, even if that had worked, with Luna not being in a physical body with a magic reserve or way to discharge, I don’t see how she would be able to return to normalcy.”
  567. “….So this plan was completely fucked from the beginning. Awesome.”
  568.  
  569.  
  570. “Lunanon, please open the door. I didn’t mean to lose my temper.”
  571. >“Lunanon?”
  572. >Twilight looks at you as if you had lost your mind.
  573. “She picked it out herself to avoid confusion in this confusing mess.”
  574. >“So what did you come up for yourself?”
  575. >Facehoof, this time by you.
  576. “Twi, let’s focus on getting Lunanon out of the bedroom.”
  577. >“We request you leave us alone, we are not coming out!”
  578. >Judging by Lunanon’s voice, she has been crying for the past ten to fifteen minutes since she went in the house.
  579. “Come on, Lunanon, you can’t just live in there the rest of your life.”
  580. >“We can still try!”
  581. >You sigh. Sure, it would be possible to teleport in, but you aren’t comfortable doing that.
  582. >In the end, it could just make the tension of the situation boil over.
  583. “I’m sorry, I know you were just trying to have fun, and it backfired a bit. We all make mistakes Luna. I still love you.”
  584. >Twilight went wide-eyed.
  585. >“What did you say?”
  586. >Well shit, you got it in stereo from both sides of the door.
  587. “…..I, uh…. Um..”
  588. >Did you really love her? Where the hell did that come from?
  589. >Before you can react, Lunanon has thrown open the door and embraced you.
  590. >At least you got her out of the room.
  591. >There was going to be some serious reflecting on your feelings later, though.
  592. “Anyway, someone have an idea how to fix this?”
  593. >“I might be able to find something in the archives in the castle, but it will be a few days at least. Celestia might have an idea, but I’m not sure how she would react to Luna’s experimentation.”
  594. >Lunanon droops her head with Twilight’s words.
  595. “We’ll figure something out, Lunanon. In the meantime, guess we’re going to have to get used to this.”
  596. >“The Princess is right, you both just need to act like nothing is out of the ordinary till I find something.”
  597. >Lunanon giggles.
  598. “What’s so funny?”
  599. >“Oh nothing, PRINCESS Anon.”
  600. >Goddammit. This night just keeps getting better.
  601.  
  602. -----
  603.  
  604. >“Sister, where are you at? It is almost time for sunrise, are you ready?”
  605. “Why is someone yelling in my head?!”
  606. >Twilight looked confused while Lunanon just laughed.
  607. >“Princess, it’s just our sister Celestia. You will get used to it.”
  608. “Wonderful. How do I answer back, and more importantly, set the moon?”
  609. >“Just think what you want to say to her as you picture her visage in your mind.”
  610. >Well, all this magic crap was weird, but at least it was apparently pretty easy.
  611. >I will be back at the castle shortly, I’m ready when you are.
  612. >“Take it away, then.”
  613. “Alright, so what do I do to get the moon to go down? Wait, let me guess, visualize myself moving it.”
  614. >Lunanon giggles again.
  615. >“You’re picking this up fairly well. Though it helps to be in the body of one of the most advanced and experienced magic users in all of Equestria.”
  616. “Wow, don’t be so hard on yourself there.”
  617. >Judging by her perplexed expression, Lunanon didn’t get your sarcasm.
  618. “Nevermind, here goes nothing.”
  619. >You focus in on the moon, feeling your horn charge up, then push with all your might on the moon.
  620. >And it speeds down below the horizon.
  621. >“We believe you put perhaps a bit too much force on that.”
  622. “Gee, you think? I was expecting it to be heavier.”
  623. >“Hey guys, didn’t think you’d be up this early!”
  624. >Oh good, now Rainbow Dash is here.
  625. >It was useless to try to hide the situation from her. She knew you too well.
  626. >Actually, that gives you an idea.
  627. “Twilight, do you think you would be able to spend a few days in Canterlot with me? You know, try to help me not seem so suspicious?”
  628. >“I think so, and that should help speed things up trying to find a solution since I won’t be traveling back and forth.”
  629. >Rainbow Dash stares at the two of you, then at Lunanon.
  630. >“Um, what did I miss?”
  631.  
  632.  
  633. >“Ahahahaha, how do you like being a princess, Anon?”
  634. “Rainbow, I’m warning you, shut up.”
  635. >Dash keeps laughing anyways, oblivious to your building anger.
  636. >The cork finally pops.
  637. >You grab Rainbow by the tail with your magic, and lift her up into the air, her head and eyes level with yours.
  638. >She stops laughing, and genuine fear creeps into her face.
  639. “It has been a long ass night, and now I have to deal with royal duty bullshit until this whole fucking mess is sorted out. So please. SHUT. UP.
  640. >Well, the Royal Canterlot Voice was easy to master when anger was flowing through your veins.
  641. >Dash is visibly shaken by now, she only manages a whisper.
  642. >“I’m sorry.”
  643. “That’s better.”
  644. >You release her and set her on the ground gently.
  645. “Now then, until this whole mess gets put back to normal, Twilight has agreed to tag along with me to Canterlot to help fit in. Rainbow, if you can, I want you to stay with Lunanon and help her figure things out. If you aren’t busy with weather duties.”
  646. >Rainbow snaps out of her stupor.
  647. >“Free of weather duty and ready to help!”
  648. “Thank you, and sorry if I had to get a bit cross with you. I need to get back to the castle now, I told Celestia I’d be there.”
  649. >“I just need to stop by the library and get Spike and a few things, I’ll be right behind you.”
  650. “Thanks Twi.”
  651. >You turn to Lunanon and Rainbow.
  652. “If possible, we will come by every night to update the progress. And Lunanon?”
  653. >“Yes?”
  654. “No Superbird without my permission and supervision.”
  655. >Lunanon pouts.
  656. >“You’re no fun.”
  657. “I know, I like taking everyone’s fun away. I’ll see you two tonight, hopefully.”
  658. >“Anon, watch out for my sister.”
  659. “…what do you mean by that, Lunanon?”
  660. >“You’ll see.”
  661.  
  662. >“We really need to work on keeping your emotions in check.”
  663. “I know, I’ve been told that before.”
  664. >You and Twilight had teleported to the castle and had a short conversation with Celestia before heading off to the archives.
  665. >Fortunately, Celestia didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary, aside from not using Luna’s trademark outdated dialect.
  666. >Losing a bet with Anon worked well enough as an excuse, you thought.
  667. >“Anon, it’s not so simple as a ‘I’m working on it.” Not at this point in time.”
  668. “What do you mean?”
  669. >Damn, how big is this castle? Feels like you have been walking for 15 minutes since leaving the throne room.
  670. >“Acting as Princess Luna, you are going to have some frustrations during day to day duties, you need to keep your composure. Luna is known for her cool demeanor, even under pressure.”
  671. “On Earth, I was used to seeing excessive stupidity, especially when it came to politics. I got this.”
  672. >Twilight shakes her head. Something else is bothering her.
  673. >“Anon, that’s not the major thing I’m worried about. You know Luna’s history, and while we defeated Nightmare Moon, no one is exactly positive she is gone for good.”
  674. “So in other words, your fear is I get so angry, I Hulk out?
  675. >Confusion is evident on Twilight’s face.
  676. “Nevermind. But I don’t get it, I thought Nightmare Moon WAS Luna.”
  677. >“It’s….. complicated to explain. We can discuss it more later, because here we are, the royal archives!”
  678. “So what do I need to look for in all of these books? I’m completely lost.”
  679. >“Well….. Um……. I guess maybe you didn’t need to come with me?”
  680. >Facehoof again.
  681. “Well, in that case, I guess I’ll head to “my” room and get some sleep. See you later.”
  682. >Rather than walk all the way back, you teleport back to your chambers.
  683. >You had not been able to do that to get to the library since you had never been there, and thus could not visualize it.
  684. >Beautiful, deep blue hues greet you when you open your eyes.
  685. >The walls, drapery, everything was in some sort of shade of blue.
  686. >Wonder what Luna’s favorite color is.
  687. >Meanwhile, the trim on the aforementioned drapes - as well as the furniture - contrasted nicely, with a pale silver hue that shone like the stars she controlled.
  688. >Well, the ones you controlled, for now.
  689. >Wearily, you pull back the covers on the bed and climb in.
  690. >Almost as soon as your head hits the pillow, you are out like a light.
  691.  
  692. >“Rise and shine Luna, your shift is up!”
  693. >Ugh, did you really sleep that long?
  694. >You roll out of bed half asleep.
  695. >And instantly fall to the ceiling.
  696. >Wait, what?
  697. “What in the hell is going on?!”
  698. >You hear Celestia outside the room trying not to laugh.
  699. >You look around the room. Somehow everything is upside down.
  700. “Really Celestia?! How in the hell did you pull this off without waking me?”
  701. >Celestia pokes her head in and gives you a smirk.
  702. >“You’re a heavy sleeper.”
  703. >Her horn glows, and the whole room seems to rotate.
  704. >Along with you rolling across the floor.
  705. “Ow. You could have warned me, Celly.”
  706. >“Where would be the fun in that? By the way, tonight is probably going to be rather slow, again. Only a handful of p0nies waiting for open court with you, and just a bit of paperwork.”
  707. “Oh joy. I’ll be out in just a sec. Where’s Twilight?”
  708. >“She had to check in on the library real quick, she should be back soon.”
  709. >Looks like you’re going to have to wing it for the first bit tonight.
  710. >Thanks Twilight.
  711.  
  712. -----
  713.  
  714. >Okay, you have no idea how Luna manages to stay sane during her work.
  715. >Stupid question after stupid question.
  716. >“Princess Luna, it is an honor to even be in the same room as you.”
  717. >Brown noser.
  718. “Thank you, what can I help you with today?”
  719. >“I was wondering if you could arrange the stars tomorrow night. I am planning to propose to my special somep0ny, and it would be a real treat to have the stars arranged so they said, “Will you marry me?”
  720. >Seriously? God damn.
  721. “No, we apologize, that is something we cannot do. Best wishes for you though.”
  722. >“Thank you anyways, Princess.”
  723. > Fortunately, that looks like the last of your visitors of court.
  724. >Like Luna had told you before, night court was rather quiet, which she didn’t seem to mind too badly.
  725. >You sigh, rising from the throne you had been seated on, and stretch.
  726. >“Princess! I am so sorry I was late!”
  727. “It’s alright Twilight, I managed.”
  728. >The guards look at you funny.
  729. “Er…. Managed to get through this slow night, I mean.”
  730. >You really need to carefully think out everything before you say it.
  731. “Come Twilight, I have some paperwork my sister has left in my chambers to peruse.”
  732. >As you walk out of the room, you lean in closely to Twilight.
  733. “I have no idea how Luna manages to get through court without injuring someone.”
  734.  
  735.  
  736. “So, I’m guessing you haven’t found anything in the archives yet?”
  737. >You and Twilight had walked to your room in virtual silence.
  738. >Mainly because of all the active guards around the hallways of both the throne room and personal chambers.
  739. >“Well, I found a lot of really neat spell books that I really need to read sometime, but nothing that helps the current situation.”
  740. “I wasn’t expecting to get the fix tonight.”
  741. >“Sorry, I wish I had better news.”
  742. >You glance over at Twilight. She seems a little depressed.
  743. “Don’t be down in the dumps about it Twi, I just meant it’s a tall order for anyp0ny to find something like that on the first try with as many books there are in the archives.”
  744. >“I know, I just really wanted to impress and surprise you.”
  745. “The fact you’re willing to put up with my shit and help is impressive enough.”
  746. >Twilight giggles at that one.
  747. >You take a seat at your desk, casually glancing at the paperwork neatly stacked on your desk.
  748. >Twilight takes a seat on your bed.
  749. “So Twilight, we’re in a safe place, now what about this Nightmare Moon crap you mentioned earlier? I’m intrigued.”
  750. >You swivel your chair around.
  751. >“Well, we all thought the same thing you do, that when Nightmare Moon was defeated, she was gone for good.”
  752. “What changed your mind?”
  753. >“It was something not many p0nies know about. Those that do don’t like to talk about it.”
  754. “Oh wow, this is already dark and edgy.”
  755. >Twilight chucks a pillow at you in mock frustration.
  756. >“Anyway, less than a year after Luna returned, a lot of p0nies throughout P0nyville started having very vivid, terrible nightmares. For two or three days this went on.”
  757. >“It all came to a head when my friends and I spent the night together. We all began to have nightmares once again, before we were awaken by Rarity’s screams. Some sort of dark shadows grabbed her and took her away, to the moon.”
  758. “Oookay then, this story is already getting weird. Continue.”
  759. >“By this time Luna and Celestia arrived, and filled us in on the second part of the story. While it was Luna’s jealousy and anger that acted as the trigger all those years ago, it turns out these “shadows” were in fact some sort of sentient being, that could harness that raw emotion and “infect” an individual, so to speak.
  760. “Sounds a lot like a virus infecting someone whose immune system is compromised.”
  761. >“A lot like that, yeah. Anyways, when we got onto the moon -”
  762. “Wait, you guys went to the moon?”
  763. >“Well, yes. We had to get Rarity back.”
  764. “Right. I’ll just go with it.”
  765. >“When we got there, the shadows had already infected Rarity and turned her into a being a lot like Nightmare Moon. Turns out, Luna’s desire to make night permanent wasn’t her idea, but these nightmare forces, as Nightmare Rarity had the same desire.”
  766. “And it all ended with you getting back Rarity and defeating evil, and you all went home happily ever after, right?”
  767. >“Er, yeah. But it’s hard to tell whether there are still malevolent forces waiting to take advantage of such a situation again, or if we got them all.”
  768. “I don’t understand why they didn’t just go after Luna again, or wait that long when there surely was someone in Equestria having moments of anguish ripe for the picking.”
  769. >“Well, they try to go for someone with some sort of power. Luna of course is an alicorn princess, and Rarity holds one of the Elements of Harmony, which was what helped defeat the nightmare creatures previously. But I’m not sure why they did not go after Luna again.”
  770. >“My guess would be she still had not completely recovered all of her magical reserves and abilities by that time, or the original possession or infection or whatever caused her to be immune or resistant to be infected again.”
  771. “Alright, so if Luna is immune, I should be safe. Right?”
  772. >“No, because while the nightmare creatures change the p0ny they get a hold of, they still need an opening in the mind to make their way in. And Luna’s consciousness is in your body.”
  773. “Wonderful.”
  774. >“Now I want to know something from you, after explaining all of that backstory.”
  775. “Alright, fire away.”
  776. >“Do you really love Luna?”
  777. >You fall out of the chair you were sitting in.
  778. “What…… what the hell kind of question is that?”
  779. >“When you were trying to get Luna to come out of the room, you said you still lo-”
  780. “I know what I said, Twilight.”
  781. >“Well then?”
  782. “I…. I don’t really know. I don’t even know why I said that.”
  783. >Twilight doesn’t seem satisfied with your answer.
  784. >“How do you not know if you meant it or why you said it? You act like you have something to hide.”
  785. “Well, back on Earth, stuff like this was illegal, and just plain wrong.”
  786. >“Falling in love?”
  787. “With a different species, yes.”
  788. >“But from what you have told me, humans are the only species capable of speech, higher planes of thought process, and so on. That’s not the case here, is it?”
  789. “I……. never thought of it that way. Still seems a little weird to me to even think of a relationship with something outside my species.”
  790. >Twilight rolls her eyes.
  791. >“How is it any weirder than the situation you’re in right now?”
  792. >You look down at your hooves.
  793. “You got a point there, nerd.”
  794. >“Shut up.”
  795. >You turn your head towards the doorway, to the door across the room.
  796. “I’m assuming the room right across is Celestia’s chambers? And I assume she has her own bathroom?”
  797. >“Uh, yeah. But why do you ask?”
  798. >A mischievous grin comes across your face.
  799. “Oh, no reason. Just curious.”
  800.  
  801. >“LUNA!”
  802. >Holy crap, Celestia had a set of pipes on her.
  803. >It is morning, the end of your shift, and the start of Celestia’s.
  804. >After the chat with Twilight, she had returned to her guest chambers to sleep for the night.
  805. >Meanwhile, after looking over paperwork that you only had a basic grasp on, you spent the rest of the shift wandering the halls of the castle.
  806. >Not much else to do, it seemed.
  807. >Well, other than sneaking into Celly’s room.
  808. >Meanwhile, she walks in to the personal dining room, and you try not to laugh.
  809. “Oh, hello sister. You look….. different today.”
  810. >“Yes, I was wondering if you could tell me why my normally white coat is BLACK!”
  811. “….maybe you’ve been spending too much time around the sun?”
  812. >Celestia’s glare almost feels like it could slice through you.
  813. “Okay, I might have put a little bit of dye in your soap. It’s only temporary.”
  814. >“How long, pray tell, is ‘temporary?’”
  815. “Two days, maybe?”
  816. >Celestia closes her eyes and her horn glows.
  817. >Well, this is it, you get to visit the moon like Luna did.
  818. >“You’re lucky my illusionary magic isn’t as rusty as it used to be.”
  819. >Celestia’s coat turns white again. Or at least to your eyes, anyways.
  820. >She opens her eyes after finishing the spell. She’s still not happy.
  821. >“I thought we agreed any pranks were to be kept to personal chambers.”
  822. “Technically, it would be, if you didn’t leave your room.”
  823. >Celestia giggles.
  824. >”I have to admit, you did get me pretty good.”
  825. “I’m just full of surprises. Night shift was boring last night, so I got through all the reports you left me.”
  826. >The white alicorn turns to you, her face sporting a rather surprised expression.
  827. >“Really? Normally you are so meticulous in your reading, you’d only get through half of that stack in a night.”
  828. >You grin sheepishly.
  829. “Like I said, full of surprises.”
  830.  
  831. -----
  832.  
  833. >You return to your room after a short time with Celestia before her shift.
  834. >To say this experience was an eye-opener would be an understatement.
  835. >Despite her calm demeanor and politeness, she always scared the crap out of you.
  836. >There was always a feeling of constantly needing to be formal around her.
  837. >But as it turns out, she seems to be just like everyone else.
  838. >Except maybe a bit more mischievous.
  839. >Just as you climb into bed to get some sleep, there’s a knock on the door.
  840. >“Princess Luna? Are you in there?”
  841. >It was Twilight.
  842. “Yes, come in.”
  843. >Twilight opens the door quietly and walks in.
  844. >As usual, she has a number of books with her in her saddlebags.
  845. “I’m guessing you really didn’t get much sleep last night, did you?”
  846. >“….yes I did, what makes you say that?”
  847. “I can tell those books are different from the ones you had last night.”
  848. >Twi just sighs.
  849. >“You pay more attention to the weirdest little things….”
  850. “Twilight, you really need to stop pushing yourself so hard and just get some sleep. As in what I’m about to do.”
  851. >“Alright, alright. I’ll put the books down tonight.”
  852. “Good. Tonight before court I’m planning on checking how Rainbow and Lunanon are doing, see how much trouble they’ve found.”
  853. >“Speaking of trouble, was that Celestia I heard yelling earlier this morning?”
  854. “…..might have been. Holy shit is she loud.”
  855. >Twilight narrows her eyes at you.
  856. >“What did you do?”
  857. “I didn’t do anything. Someone mixed up her shampoo with black dye.”
  858. >“Oh no. This better not lead into a prank war.”
  859. “You sound familiar with this.”
  860. >“More than I care to be. You get some sleep, I’ll head to the Royal Archives again.”
  861. >She doesn’t have to tell you twice.
  862. >As soon as your head hits the pillow, you are out like a light.
  863.  
  864. >“Oh sister, it is almost time or your shift!”
  865. >Ugh, what you wouldn’t do for more sleep.
  866. >You roll out of bed half asleep and get properly attired for court.
  867. >Awful, boring court.
  868. >You open your chamber door, and scream.
  869. “WHERE IS THE FUCKING HALLWAY FLOOR?”
  870. >It looks like an empty, bottomless black pit just beyond the threshold.
  871. >You then notice a distinctive laughter coming from the room across.
  872. “Really, Celestia? That could have killed me had I not stopped.”
  873. >She opens her door and smirks.
  874. >“In case you’ve forgotten Luna, you have wings. And it’s only an illusion.”
  875. >With that, her horn glows, and the floor slowly fades into view again.
  876. “What time is it, anyway?”
  877. >“Oh, about 6:00. You still have a couple hours, if you want to go and visit Anon.”
  878. >It was weird being referred to, yet not being referred to at the same time.
  879. “Thanks, sis. I think I’ll head out there for a bit.”
  880. >“No problem. I’m just glad to see you out and about again. Well that, and seeing the old Luna come out.”
  881. “What do you mean?”
  882. >“Oh, you know, the whole fascination with speed and racing you used to have. Before all of the royalty duties.”
  883. >You feel your mind trying to explode at that point.
  884. “I, um……..don’t quite recall any of that. You know, before the banishment.”
  885. >Celestia averts her gaze at the word “banishment.”
  886. >You trot over and awkwardly try to nuzzle her.
  887. “It’s fine, Celly. You have to let it go at some point. But please, enlighten me.”
  888. >You’re kinda impressed this is actually a good thing. Luna must really not talk to even her sister about her past.
  889. >You feel a sudden tingling, then realize you are in another room.
  890. >God this teleportation shit is weird.
  891. >You look around the room. It’s filled with different pictures and what looks like old awards or something.
  892. “Where are we? I don’t remember ever seeing this room.”
  893. >“Yes, it’s been a long time, Luna. I made this room in the castle and hid it away after you tried to throw all these things out. Just before….”
  894. >Geez, Celestia really beats herself up over what she had to do to her sister.
  895. >Er, sort of her sister, you suppose.
  896. >You take a closer look at some of the photos. All of them seem to be of you - er, Luna - at a much younger age.
  897. >Most of them show her posed with different awards or flying, all of them with a number 43 on her flank.
  898. >“You really don’t remember, do you?”
  899. >You look back over at Celestia.
  900. >She’s currently sitting down, a content smile on her face.
  901. “No, I can’t say that I do. What are all these awards, Celly? Some sort of racing?”
  902. >“Yes, way back before we overthrew Discord and rose to power, you were quite the accomplished flier. It was your whole life, and you were amazing at it. Speed, agility, everything about it, you just loved it all.”
  903. >You look at one of the bigger trophies, dated almost 1300 years ago.
  904. “But what happened?”
  905. >“Well, responsibility happened. After Discord was removed, it was up to us to get everything in Equestria back into order. And that took a long time.”
  906. >You vaguely remember one of Twilight’s history lessons being about Discord.
  907. “But if I was so good at it, didn’t I try to get back into it?”
  908. >Celestia’s smile vanishes.
  909. >“Unfortunately, by that time you had grown a lot bigger. As in, reaching closer to a mature alicorn. You just didn’t have the same speed and agility you once had.”
  910. >“And I didn’t like the idea of you being a princess competing in such events, nor did many others.
  911. “So you forbid me from doing it at all?”
  912. >The white alicorn sighs and continues.
  913. >“It was not one of my prouder moments. It sort of crushed you, to be quite honest. I always felt at least half of the reason for your ‘rebellion’ was because of that.”
  914. “So you hid it away from everyone over the years?”
  915. >“Yes, sort of. The only thing mentioned in the history books about that event is about the jealousy. It was unfortunately a rather selfish reason. I hated myself for so long.”
  916. >You walk over to Celestia again and giver her a hug.
  917. “We all make mistakes at some point. Moving on and learning from them is the best you can do.”
  918. >“I know sister, thank you. If you want to see Anon before you start your night shift, you might want to get going.”
  919. “I will. Thanks for sharing with me Celestia. You’re pretty cool, after all.”
  920. >Celestia’s expression turns awkward.
  921. “Er, for a big sister. You also nag a lot, so that offsets it some.”
  922. >Celly sticks her tongue out at you.
  923. >And with that, you teleport off to P0nyville.
  924.  
  925.  
  926. “Lunanon, Rainbow, I’m back!”
  927. >You could have teleported into the house, but you really didn’t want to scare the shit out of everyone.
  928. >But you’ve been outside knocking on the door for about two minutes now.
  929. >Where the hell are they?
  930. >Just as you are about to teleport in, the door opens, and Lunanon is standing there.
  931. >“Oh, sorry, we had the TV up really loud. How did last night go?”
  932. “It sucked. I don’t know how you can do it every night. Between the stupid questions and the boredom.”
  933. >“Yes, it is rather dull at night. Where is Twilight?”
  934. >Shit, you forgot about her in your haste to visit and talk about what you found out.
  935. >You both walk into the living room and sit down.
  936. >Rainbow is so immersed in whatever she’s watching, she takes a few minutes to acknowledge you.
  937. “I was pressed for time, so I kinda rushed and forgot.”
  938. >“Just as well. Knowing her, she is likely buried in a book.”
  939. “Yeah….hey, Celestia shared something with me just before I got here that I thought was pretty neat.
  940. >“Oh? What’s that?”
  941. “She showed me all your old awards and pictures from when you raced when you were younger. I thought it was really cool.”
  942. >Lunanon’s expression goes cold, while Rainbow suddenly snaps to attention.
  943. >“Luna, I never knew you used to race. That’s awesome!”
  944. >“No, it’s not. I have no idea what you are talking about, Anon. Are you feeling okay? Maybe you are getting sick and a bit delusional.”
  945. >She glares at you and motions with her head toward the door.
  946. >“Rainbow, we shall return shortly, I’m going outside quick. Anon, would you like to join us?”
  947. “Er, sure, I guess.”
  948. >You both walk out the door, you behind Lunanon.
  949. >She leads to into the nearby woods a short ways, then stops at a clearing.
  950. >“Anon, never bring up anything about that part of my past again.”
  951. >She finally turns toward you, and she is more pissed than you’ve ever seen her.
  952. >Oh boy.
  953. “But why, Luna? Why do you feel the need to hide something that’s a part of you? It’s awesome.”
  954. >“MY DREAM WAS TAKEN FROM ME AND CRUSHED! AND FOR WHAT?! TO SIT IN COURT AT NIGHT AND ANSWER STUPID QUESTIONS!!”
  955. >Oh shit, she has the Canterlot Voice in your body as well.
  956. “Luna, just calm down…..”
  957. >“I ASSUMED YOU WOULD PRETEND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL WHILE IN CANTERLOT, NOT DIG THROUGH MY PAST AND SPEW OUT SECRETS TO EVERYONE!”
  958. “Look, I’m sorry, I just thought - “
  959. >“YOU DIDN’T THINK! DO NOT FOLLOW ME HOME!!”
  960. >And with that, Lunanon storms back towards the house.
  961.  
  962.  
  963. >That went well.
  964. >Sighing, you wander further into the woods, gathering your thoughts as you go, before coming to a small river.
  965. >You sit next to the river’s edge, back to the sun so you aren’t blinded by it as it sets.
  966. >It’s a good thing you still have about an hour and a half to relax before your shift.
  967. >“Don’t beat yourself up too much, Luna has always been a bit touchy with her past.”
  968. “Really? I couldn’t tell.”
  969. >Wait, what the fuck?
  970. >You look around the surrounding forest. Maybe you really are losing it.
  971. >“No, you’re not losing it. Well, relatively speaking.”
  972. “Who are you?”
  973. >“I’m you. Sort of. Look down.”
  974. >You look down to see your shadow on the river’s surface.
  975. “Wow, that’s a great joke. Can’t you come up with something better?”
  976. >Suddenly, your shadow starts moving on its own.
  977. >It gets a little larger, and two bright white eyes seem to appear and glow on the water’s surface.
  978. “What the fuck?”
  979. >“Do you always use such harsh language? It’s rather unbecoming.”
  980. “I like making a bold impression. I’ll ask again, who the hell are you?”
  981. >The shadowy being sighs and shakes its head.
  982. >“You really aren’t too sharp, are you?”
  983. “Bite me. I’m losing my patience, you overgrown shadow puppet.”
  984. >“I’ll turn down the offer for now.”
  985. >Your shadow seems to lift off the water, shifting form once again.
  986. >As it takes shape and color, you recognize what is going on.
  987. “So, you’re Nightmare Moon, I’m guessing.”
  988. >She finally finishes her dramatic show, and shows off her fangs in a wide grin.
  989. >“So you’ve heard of me. I’m flattered.”
  990. “That’s nice. I thought you were wiped off the map a year or two ago. Well, twice, actually.”
  991. >“It is rather hard to pay attention when Twilight goes off on one of her monologues. Or maybe you just have a bad memory.”
  992. >This place just keeps getting weirder and weirder the more time you spend in this world.
  993. >But fuck it, may as well go along with it.
  994. “No, I understand the whole nightmare forces shit or whatever, but you, or me, or whatever got violated by the Elements of Harmony. So how can you be here talking to me without a body?”
  995. >The jet black alicorn face hoofs.
  996. >“Look, let’s put it a very simple way so you can stop asking stupid questions.”
  997. >Bitch.
  998. >“I am part of you, or Luna’s body, to be specific. That being said, I heard that.”
  999. “Great, I don’t even get personal thoughts anymore.”
  1000. >“Anyways, despite the unfortunate battle which supposedly ended me, a little piece of me still exists in there. I’ve just been….sleeping, so to speak.”
  1001. “Then what woke you up?”
  1002. >“The presence of a different mind. Luna was used to my tactics I suppose, after a thousand years and then being freed. But you, well, just acknowledging me and answering back in your time of frustration let me through.”
  1003. “Good, you’re free. Now fuck off and find another body.”
  1004. >“Oh, I would if I could, but I’m stuck on you. I am you. So now you’re stuck with me.”
  1005. >Goddamn, this is really getting to be a headache figuring this shit out.
  1006. “You’re screwed when everyone sees you’re back.”
  1007. >Nightmare Moon just laughs.
  1008. >“I’m not really here. You’re just seeing me, hallucinating me.”
  1009. “Wonderful. Just fucking wonderful.”
  1010. >“Oh come on, I’m not that bad. Now, it’s probably about time we returned to Canterlot. It’s almost night.”
  1011. >She, or it, or whatever, is right. Probably best to get a move on.
  1012. >Luna is pissed at you, and now you’re talking to a hallucination.
  1013. >This is going to be one long night.
  1014.  
  1015. -----
  1016.  
  1017. >“Celestia really needs to change things up a bit in here. White is so overdone in this place.”
  1018. “Please shut up.”
  1019. >The guards in the throne room look at you with confused and concerned looks.
  1020. “I mean, shut the windows, please. It’s a little drafty in here.”
  1021. >“Yes, of course Princess.”
  1022. >You glare in the direction of Nightmare Moon, who is trying not to laugh.
  1023. >“What? Just trying to lighten the mood. You’re way too tense.”
  1024. >Ever since you’ve returned to the castle, Nightmare Moon has been talking almost constant.
  1025. >Which has made it a pain in the ass to hold court, to say the least.
  1026. “Is there anyone else in waiting for court?”
  1027. >“No Princess, it is clear.”
  1028. >You get up off the throne you were sitting in, and force yourself to use Luna’s dialect.
  1029. “We will take a walk, allow ourselves to stretch our legs.”
  1030. >The nearest guard nods in approval.
  1031. >“Yes Princess. Would you like a guard to accompany you?”
  1032. “Uh, no, we are fine. Thank you.”
  1033. >“Nicely played. You’re getting good at your impression of Luna, and that’s coming from someone that was stuck with her for a 1000 years.”
  1034. >You walk out of the throne room in complete silence.
  1035. >“Oh come on, don’t ignore me. You’re gonna hurt my feelings.”
  1036. “I didn’t think evil had feelings.”
  1037. >“Well, no I don’t. But it got you to talk to me.”
  1038. >For fuck’s sake, this is annoying.
  1039. >Nightmare continues to ramble as you walk along the hallways of the castle.
  1040. >You don’t even have a particular place you’re going, you just need to collect your thoughts again.
  1041. >No easy feat with this black and blue bitch talking your ear off.
  1042. >“Can’t you please come up with another insult? ‘Bitch’ is getting stale really quick.”
  1043. “Alright, how about ‘whore’?”
  1044. >“Better, but I expected something more original.”
  1045. >“Princess Luna, there you are!”
  1046. >You and your antagonizing hallucination turn to see Twilight trotting toward you.
  1047. >“Oh no, not the purple one. Don’t let her monologue.”
  1048. “Hello Twilight, how are you tonight?”
  1049. >“Fine. I’m surprised you didn’t visit Anon tonight.”
  1050. >You look around and see the hallways are clear aside from you two.
  1051. >“Make that three. I count.”
  1052. >Ugh.
  1053. “I did, I was just in a hurry and forgot to get you. Sorry.”
  1054. >Twilight shakes her head and smiles.
  1055. >“That’s okay, how is Luna holding up.
  1056. >Do you really tell her or just lie?
  1057. “She’s doing fine. Mostly just bored, watching TV with Rainbow.”
  1058. >Nightmare Moon leans in close.
  1059. >“It’s a good thing Twilight is socially retarded, you aren’t very convincing at lying.”
  1060. >“…..are you okay, Anon? You look like something is bothering you.”
  1061. “I’m fine. I just… didn’t sleep that well. And court has been dull.
  1062. >“Well played. Not awkward at all.”
  1063. >Fuck you.
  1064. >“I‘m not in the mood. Besides that fact, that’d pretty much be masturbation.”
  1065. >Twilight directs her attention to where you are staring, concerned.
  1066. >“…anyway, maybe we should go to the archives and see what we can find? I think I’ve narrowed down the section we need to look in.”
  1067. “Sounds like a plan. Lead the way.”
  1068.  
  1069. >“What was that all about, Luna?”
  1070. >You are Luna, and you’ve just returned to the house after spending a half hour wandering along forest paths.
  1071. >It took a while to calm yourself down after Anon started talking about what he had learned from Celestia.
  1072. >He may not have meant to upset you, but it feels like he is using this predicament to invade your privacy.
  1073. “It is nothing, Rainbow Dash. Anon seems to be a little under the weather, so I had him head home.
  1074. >Dash gives you a concerned expression.
  1075. >“Is he all right? And more importantly, are you all right? You look a little pale.”
  1076. “Everything is fine. Now, let’s get back to what we were watching, shall we?”
  1077. >Rainbow shrugs and unpauses the movie.
  1078. >Really, you can’t even remember what it is about, nor do you care much.
  1079. >As you sit back down, painful memories flood back to you.
  1080. >Anon had been correct in saying racing was a passion for you.
  1081. >Nay, an obsession. An endless hunger for speed.
  1082. >You had always been someone a runt so to speak. Smaller than most p0nies, until being an alicorn, you finally outgrew everyone.
  1083. >Well, except for Celly.
  1084. >But really, it was an advantage.
  1085. >After all, less weight means more speed.
  1086. >And your smaller stature allowed you unprecedented agility.
  1087. >It would be a gross understatement to say you had dusted your rivals in nearly every race and agility competition.
  1088. >Quite funny how all those years ago, something in you decided to race with the number 43, considering how Anon was obsessed with the man in his home dimension that dominated racing with the same number.
  1089. >But when Discord began his tyranny, you had put your own passions aside to help Equestria with their coup.
  1090. >Years of battle paid off in the end, but the lack of practice meant when you had returned to racing, you were well outpaced by most p0nies.
  1091. >Well, the lack of practice and your growth spurt.
  1092. >Sure, the larger wings meant less effort to get you going, but it also made for wider turns.
  1093. >And more weight.
  1094. >But by that time, you and Celestia had taken power over the land, and she wanted your focus to be on royal duties, not “hobbies,” as she called it.
  1095. >A part of you felt like it had died when you had to give up racing.
  1096. >A part left vacant, empty until Nightmare Moon.
  1097. >“Luna. Hello, you in there?”
  1098. >Rainbow Dash fills your whole line of vision.
  1099. “Yes, how many times must we say it in one minute for you to understand?!”
  1100. >Rainbow cringes at the hint of venom in your voice.
  1101. >This has really been a stressful few days, and you keep taking it out on your friends.
  1102. “I’m…. I’m sorry, Rainbow. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. I just have a lot on my mind.”
  1103. >The pegasus rolls her eyes.
  1104. >“If you don’t open up and tell me what is going on, I’ll have Twilight hold you down and torture you with a speech.”
  1105. >You sigh. It really isn’t worth holding it all in any more you suppose.
  1106. “You win, Dash. What Anon said earlier about my past is true.”
  1107. >“But I don’t understand. Why would you hide something cool like that?”
  1108. “Sit back down. This is going to be a long story……”
  1109.  
  1110. >“Celestia still doesn’t know how to have any fun, why does she insist on locking away all the books on dark magic?”
  1111. >You have spent an hour in the archives with Twilight, and your hallucination still hasn’t shut up for five minutes.
  1112. >“Well maybe if you paid attention to me and we had a meaningful conversati-”
  1113. >Ignore.
  1114. >You turn to Twilight, who is surrounded by a number of books she is apparently reading simultaneously.
  1115. >You aren’t sure whether to be impressed or disturbed by a talent like that.
  1116. “Find anything of interest, Twilight?”
  1117. >“Not really. Some spells I would like to try out at some point, but nothing to help the current situation. What about you?”
  1118. >You sigh as Nightmare Moon continues to ramble on a few feet away.
  1119. “No, and I’m starting to get a bit of a headache. I think if it’s alright with you, I’m going to head back to my room.”
  1120. >Twilight nods in approval.
  1121. >“Sure Luna - er, Anon. Sorry.”
  1122. “It’s fine. I’ll probably be back in a while.”
  1123. >You place the book in front of you back on the shelf and shuffle out of the room.
  1124. >With one black alicorn in tow.
  1125. >The hallways are completely barren of life at this point of the night.
  1126. >“Oh come on, why didn’t you tell Twilight about me? I know you want to.”
  1127. “Yeah, that’s a great idea. Cause panic and probably lock me up in fear, what’s not to love?”
  1128. >“That’s the spirit!”
  1129. >You stop and glare at her as she shows her fangs again in a wide grin.
  1130. “That was sarcasm, asshole.”
  1131. >“So was my reply, sweetie.”
  1132. >You resume your walk down the long corridors of the castle.
  1133. “What is your deal? I understand your apparent purpose is to annoy the fuck out of me, but why?”
  1134. >“I thought it was rather obvious. To make you go insane.”
  1135. >You stop again and look at her.
  1136. >Nightmare Moon’s face is serious, this apparently isn’t a joke.
  1137. “What good is that going to do?”
  1138. >“Oh come now, you don’t think Luna just agreed to let me through, did you? I had to……give her a few nudges in the right direction.
  1139. “So basically, I lose control of my mind, and you regain it and take full consciousness.”
  1140. >“There you go, Sherlock Hooves. Took forever, but you finally get it.”
  1141. >Once again, you begin your walk.
  1142. >“Aw, did I hurt your feelings? I’m sorry, really.”
  1143. >The rest of the walk to your chambers is in complete silence.
  1144. >Well, for you anyway.
  1145. >Nightmare Moon seems content to make stupid comments about everything.
  1146. >Once you reach your room, you flop onto the bed and stretch out.
  1147. >Your mind continues to replay the visit with Luna earlier.
  1148. >The anger that flashed through her glare and her voice was unsettling and painful.
  1149. >Curiosity got the best of you, and it may have cost you a friend.
  1150. >Maybe more.
  1151. >“Ahahaha, that is so cute! You actually think you and Luna could be a couple!”
  1152. “Goddammit, shut UP!”
  1153. >Anger sears through your veins as you focus on where Nightmare Moon is standing, and send a blast of energy hurtling toward the alicorn.
  1154. >Needless to say, it passes through her and obliterates the desk behind.
  1155. >“Anon, what in Tartarus is going on?!”
  1156. >Twilight is standing in the doorway to your room.
  1157. “I……I…..”
  1158. >What do you even say at this point?
  1159. >Nightmare meanwhile is sporting her toothy grin at your cockup.
  1160. “What are you even doing here? I thought you were in the Archives.”
  1161. >Twi gingerly steps towards you, apparently in fear whether she is dealing with a stable being.
  1162. >“I followed you, because something hasn’t seemed right about you at all tonight.”
  1163. >She glances over at the charred remains of the desk, as well as the cracks in the wall behind where it once stood.
  1164. >“And I can see my hunch was correct. Now tell me what is going on.”
  1165. >You glance over to where your annoying vision is standing, who is trying not to laugh again.
  1166. >Fury begins to grip you again, as you begin to charge another energy blast.
  1167. >A sharp pain erupts from the back of your head.
  1168. >Darkness begins to envelop your vision as the echoes of laughter fill your ears.
  1169. >Then, nothing.
  1170.  
  1171. -----
  1172.  
  1173. >Anon really left you no choice when he began to charge another blast of energy.
  1174. >You are Twilight, and you have kidnapped the princess.
  1175. >Well, maybe kidnapped is a harsh word, since you have good intentions.
  1176. >But it took quick thinking and a heavy book to stop Anon from destroying the whole room.
  1177. >Hopefully you didn’t give him a concussion.
  1178. >Quickly, before anyp0ny came to see what the commotion was about, you teleported yourself and the unconscious body of your friend back to Anon’s house.
  1179. >You appear in the living room in a flash of light, startling Rainbow Dash and Luna.
  1180. “Luna, Rainbow, help me, please!”
  1181. >They both snap out of their daze and grab a hold of Anon’s limp frame, and help carry him to the bed.
  1182. >After a brief silence, Rainbow pipes up with the first question.
  1183. >“What happened to him? Or, her….. Or whatever.”
  1184. “Let’s just go with ‘him’ s a pronoun, even if he is in Luna’s body.”
  1185. >Luna lightly blushes at the awkwardness of the situation.
  1186. “And this old tome happened to him. I had to hit him with it to knock him out.”
  1187. >Rainbow and Luna share nervous glances.
  1188. “He was flipping out! Just kept yelling and discharging energy blasts all over the place!”
  1189. >“Twilight, we do not understand why you would show Anon offensive magic, especially with somep0ny so new to the concept.”
  1190. “I didn’t. We were in the Archives reading through some books, and he said he had a headache and needed to get some rest. He was acting odd all night when I was with him, staring and very quiet.”
  1191. >Luna begins to look very troubled.
  1192. “What, what is it Luna?”
  1193. >“Tonight……has not been a very good night for either of us. We sort of lost our temper at him earlier when he came to visit.”
  1194. “Usually you are so cool and collected Luna, what in Equestria could set you off?”
  1195. >Luna sighs, and takes a seat on the bed.
  1196. >“We just finished telling Rainbow Dash what has been bothering us, we may as well tell you, too.”
  1197.  
  1198. * * *
  1199.  
  1200. >A dull throbbing pain greets you as you slowly gain consciousness.
  1201. “God damn, what the hell was that?”
  1202. >Instinctively, you bring a hoof to your face to brush away your ethereal mane.
  1203. >Looking around, you can see you’re in the forest again.
  1204. “Twilight? What the hell are we doing out here?”
  1205. >A familiar voice answers your call.
  1206. >“No Twilight here, just little old me.”
  1207. >Nightmare Moon steps out of the shadows, reminiscent of a cliché movie.
  1208. “Oh good. For a second, I thought I may have gotten rid of you. How the hell did we get here?”
  1209. >The black alicorn glances up towards the sky.
  1210. >“Here? Why, we aren’t anywhere. We’re both in your head.”
  1211. >This makes perfect sense.
  1212. >“You’re unconscious, you dimwit.”
  1213. >The last thing you remember is trying to vaporize the dark hallucination before….
  1214. >Nightmare face hoofs.
  1215. >“Twilight cracked you in the back of the head. Are you this dense all the time, or is it some sort of weird hobby for you?”
  1216. >You feel your pulse begin to speed up again.
  1217. >This nigger is really testing your patience.
  1218. >“Nigger? That’s a new one. What’s it mean?”
  1219. “It means I’ve had enough of your fucking shit. If you don’t shut the hell up within the next thirty seconds, I am going to rearrange your whole body.”
  1220. >“Oooohoohooo, someone is getting nasty! I like it when you talk dirty to me!”
  1221. >Just as you begin to charge up another blast of magic, you stop.
  1222. >This is what your hallucination wants.
  1223. >For you to lose control.
  1224. >Slowly, you turn around and walk the other way.
  1225. >“Ugh, really? You’re such a tease.”
  1226. “That’s nice. I’m not letting you win that easy.”
  1227. >“Hmm, playing hard to get now. This will be fun.”
  1228. >You continue to ignore her as she babbles on, before the path you are walking on slowly darkens.
  1229.  
  1230. * * *
  1231.  
  1232. “So you used to be an avid racer like Rainbow? Why would you hide something like that?
  1233. >Luna drops her gaze to the floor.
  1234. >“That’s exactly what I said, Twilight! It’s awesome!”
  1235. >“For us it is a painful memory. To know we had such potential, only to be forced to throw it away.”
  1236. >Royalty isn’t as fun as everyp0ny makes it out to be.
  1237. >You hug Luna as best you can to console her.
  1238. “So, what do you think we should do about Anon? Any idea why he’s been acting so odd? I understand he feels bad, but…”
  1239. >Anon suddenly begins mumbling in his deep sleep.
  1240. >Then starts thrashing, as if in a violent nightmare.
  1241. >The two turn to you as you stop in mid-sentence.
  1242. “We need to wake him up. Now!”
  1243.  
  1244. * * *
  1245.  
  1246. >A violent shaking motion slowly awakens you.
  1247. >As you open your eyes, you find Luna, - still in your body - Twilight, and Rainbow Dash huddled around you.
  1248. >You’re back in your house, in your room.
  1249. >“Thank goodness you’re awake. I was afraid I may have hit you too hard.”
  1250. “Urgh, yeah, thanks for that, Twilight. My head feels really good right now.
  1251. >“You really didn’t give me a choice, Anon. How do you feel besides that?”
  1252. >Looking around, there’s no sign of Nightmare Moon. Maybe she finally got tired and needed a rest?
  1253. “Fine I guess, Confused as to why we are in my house and not at the castle, but fine nonetheless.”
  1254. >Twilight nods, and sighs in apparent relief.
  1255. >“You seem a lot better. What was going on?”
  1256. >May as well tell the truth, since it seems the coast is clear.
  1257. “I……was hallucinating. Nightmare Moon to be exact.”
  1258. >Everyone’s eyes in the room go wide.
  1259. >Everyone but Twilight, that is.
  1260. >“It occurred to me when we arrived here that might have been it. I told you raw emotions may bring something like that back, be it anger or sorrow. Luna told us about what happened earlier.”
  1261. >You look over at Luna, who quickly averts your gaze.
  1262. “Yeah, I guess. I don’t see her anymore though. I dreamt she tried to push me over the edge to take control, but I guess I outfoxed her.”
  1263. >“Alright, Anon! I can’t believe you kicked her flank without my help!”
  1264. >Typical Rainbow.
  1265. “Luna, I’m sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of a bad situation like that.”
  1266. >“Your apology means little to us, to be quite blunt, Anon.”
  1267. >Twilight and Rainbow Dash turns to Luna in disbelief.
  1268. >“Luna, I thought you made amends with wh-”
  1269. >“No. We have made amends with our past, but not with the dishonesty and treachery he has shown he is made of this evening. We are ashamed to have even considered you a friend.”
  1270. >Pain lances through your chest as she continues.
  1271. >“In fact, since Anon seems to believe our past and crushed dreams are such an interesting footnote, we have taken the liberty to do some crushing of our own. ‘Tis quite good therapy, to be truthful.”
  1272. >The blood in your veins run cold as you bolt up off the bed and through the house, yanking the door open with your magic.
  1273. >What greets you as your eyes adjust to the dim outdoors puts you on the verge of tears.
  1274. >Crumpled purple steel and shattered glass are strewn across the yard.
  1275. >Cut wires, slashed tires, and a shredded interior, everything that was once part of your pride and joy is a mess.
  1276. >“The sledgehammers and crowbars in your garage worked quite well, did they not? Now you know how it feels, Anon. Interesting, is it not?”
  1277. >Slowly, you feel the strength in your legs fade, as you black out once again.
  1278.  
  1279.  
  1280. >“Get back, you two, I think he’s coming to.”
  1281. >The voice of Twilight pierces the darkness as you slowly open your eyes again.
  1282. >Once again, you are in your house, in your room.
  1283. >And downright furious.
  1284. “You’re fucking right you better get back!”
  1285. >The two p0nies and the p0ny in your human body jump back in surprise as you leap off the bed.
  1286. >“Anon, calm down, you’re not thinking str-”
  1287. >Anger coursing through your veins, you push past Twilight’s attempt to hold you back as you approach Luna.
  1288. “I don’t know why I ever gave a fuck about you. Excuse me for hurting your damn feelings, you little bitch. How interesting will it be to watch your own body tear you apart limb from limb? WELL?!”
  1289. >Tears stream from Luna as she tries to flatten herself to the wall.
  1290. “And I find it hard to believe you alone could have done all of that. Let me guess, you helped her Rainbow?!”
  1291. >Rainbow jumps again as you turn toward her.
  1292. >“Anon, what are you talking about?! It’s me, Rainbow, your fri-”
  1293. >A glow from your horn quickly zips the pegasus’s mouth shut.
  1294. >Just as you turn back to Luna, you suddenly can’t move.
  1295. “What the hell?”
  1296. >Twilight enters your field of vision, her horn aglow.
  1297. >“Anon, chill out! No one has any idea what you are talking about.”
  1298. >Maniacal laughter erupts from your gut.
  1299. “Really?! Did you not see what those two did outside?!”
  1300. >Twilight’s face contorts into a confused expression.
  1301. >“What? You just woke up. I had to knock you out at the castle and I brought you here.”
  1302. “…so I was dreaming?”
  1303. >“Yes, apparently.”
  1304. >Laughter breaks the sudden quiet that has fallen over of the room as Nightmare Moon appears across from you.
  1305. >“I believe that round goes to me!”
  1306. >“ANON LOOK AT ME!”
  1307. >You are startled back to Twilight.
  1308. >“You need to tell us what is going on RIGHT NOW. There is something you have not been telling me all night.”
  1309. >As you look around to everyone in the room, all three of them look at you pleadingly.
  1310. >Most notably Luna, who looks on the verge of tears.
  1311. “I’ve been…… hallucinating. And apparently it’s not getting any better.”
  1312. >“Hallucinating what?”
  1313. >You spot Nightmare Moon out of the corner of your eye, sporting a toothy grin again.
  1314. >Apparently she’s enjoying this.
  1315. “Nightmare Moon.”
  1316. >Everyone’s eyes go wide.
  1317. >Aside from Luna’s, that is.
  1318. >“It was a matter of time, we are afraid.”
  1319. >The room’s attention is directed onto Luna.
  1320. >Twilight again breaks the awkward silence.
  1321. >“What do you mean Luna? You knew Nightmare moon was coming back?”
  1322. “No, because she never really left. You all think of Nightmare Moon as a separate entity because of the incident with Rarity. But it didn’t start out that way.”
  1323. >Luna closes her eyes and seems to read your mind as she speak.
  1324. >“Nightmare Moon is not so much a separate being as she is an extension of us. Our jealousy, our anger, it created a rift in us that split our personality. What Anon is experiencing is that other personality awakening, using our own mind against us.”
  1325. “So how did you manage to put the old horse to sleep?”
  1326. >“Having to spend a millennia with her, you pick up certain nuances in her trickery.”
  1327. >You roll your eyes in frustration.
  1328. “I don’t really think I have a whole millennia to learn. She’s already driving me up the wall, and now apparently is influencing my dreams.”
  1329. >You turn to Twilight as slowly, she releases you from her magic grasp.
  1330. “I think we need to figure out the solution to our body swap predicament even faster.”
  1331. >Twilight stands straight and proud.
  1332. >“You got it! Why don’t you stay here with Rainbow and Luna while I go back to the Archives to keep digging? Maybe being around other p0nies constantly will help you focus on reality.”
  1333. >Reflexively, you cringe at the last part of her sentence.
  1334. >Yep, it’s official.
  1335. >You’re going nuts.
  1336.  
  1337. -----
  1338.  
  1339. >So here you are, spending the night with two p0nies you just flipped out on.
  1340. >Well, one p0ny and a p0ny in your human body.
  1341. >Not to mention earlier she was pissed at you, if she still isn’t.
  1342. >You lay on the couch in the living room, Luna and Rainbow walking in behind you.
  1343. >A deathly quiet settles over the room.
  1344. “So…. I’m really sorry about earlier. You know, yelling and going crazy and everything.”
  1345. >“You’re still crazy, you just aren’t screaming anymore.”
  1346. >You don’t even bother to look to where Nightmare Moon is as she speaks.
  1347. >“While we do not appreciate the invasion of privacy from earlier this evening, we do apologize for also, as you say, ‘flipping out’ earlier.”
  1348. >The mood in the room lightens up a bit, feeling as thought the air pressure has significantly dropped.
  1349. >“Anon, I gotta ask, what did you dream about that made you go so crazy when you woke up?”
  1350. “You and Luna trashing my car. Well, trashing doesn’t even begin to describe it; more like obliterated.”
  1351. >The room falls silent again as everyone tries to come up with a new topic.
  1352. >“Aww, everyp0ny is afraid of hurting each others' feelings. Hahahaha, this is so pathetic!”
  1353. >You do your best to ignore Nightmare.
  1354. >Luna seems to notice your mind is occupied by a certain black hallucination, as she clears her throat to get your attention.
  1355. “Sorry, it’s just hard to focus and ignore.”
  1356. >“Yes, we unfortunately remember all too well.”
  1357. “When all of this happened to you all those years ago, did she really drive you insane to change you?”
  1358. >Luna furrows her brow, deep in thought.
  1359. >“I suppose in a way. We assume that is what she has said to you.”
  1360. >You nod your head as Luna continues.
  1361. >“It was not so much a delve into insanity as it was being persuaded to embrace and use our anger to fuel our ambitions.”
  1362. >“Psh, don’t believe her lies, it is what she wanted. She asked for my help. Well, help from the nightmare forces to harness her raw magical talent.”
  1363. “On a lighter note, what have you and Rainbow been doing?”
  1364. >“Watching movies, flipping though some of your books, not very much as far as being constructive.”
  1365. >You look over to Rainbow Dash, who is staring up at the ceiling.
  1366. >Either that, or dead.
  1367. >Normally, with a tense or uncomfortable situation like this, you would go for a cruise, but that clearly won’t be possible, being stuck as an alicorn and all.
  1368. >The ability to fly is pretty neat, though.
  1369. >Magic though…that’s a confusing headache.
  1370. >An idea pops into your head.
  1371. “Well, seeing as we’re both still stuck like this and both here, may as well make the best of it.”
  1372. >You leap off the couch and trot towards the door, turning back once you reach it.
  1373. >The other two look at you completely perplexed.
  1374. “Well Luna, do you want to drive or not?”
  1375. >Her confused expression instantly snaps to one of pure giddiness.
  1376. >“You are not jesting?!”
  1377. “We had this planned all along, didn’t we? Well, sort of.”
  1378. >She jumps up and runs to you, squishing you into a hug.
  1379. >You find yourself almost choking on your ethereal mane.
  1380. >“Blech, get a room, you two.”
  1381. >“Silence, Rainbow.”
  1382. >As you straighten out your mane so it‘s not in your face, you glance at Rainbow and mock laugh at her.
  1383. >As Luna opens the door and the two of you walk out, you grab Rainbow with your magic and drag her along.
  1384. “Come on, I can’t be left alone, so neither can you.”
  1385. >Dash grumbles as she tries to fidget out of your grasp.
  1386. >“Alright, alright. I have legs, you know.”
  1387.  
  1388.  
  1389. “Okay Luna, let’s take it slow.”
  1390. >“Please Anon, we have watched you a hundred times drive this Superbird. Steering wheel to turn, ignition for on and off, left pedal for throttle, middle for brake, right for clutch, and gear shift for….well, shifting gears.”
  1391. >She points to each piece as she mentions it.
  1392. >Rainbow snickers as she circles around slowly overhead.
  1393. “Yes, but knowing what they do is one thing. It is a whole ‘nother thing to actually use them properly.”
  1394. >As she gets situated in the driver’s seat, Nightmare Moon is wandering around the car, making stupid comments.
  1395. >Fortunately, with your mind preoccupied, you pay little attention, let alone actually hear what she is saying.
  1396. >You toss Luna the keys.
  1397. “Go ahead, start her up. Pump the throttle twice, turn the key, and when it fires, release they key.”
  1398. >As Luna begins the process you outlined, you feel a knot in your stomach beginning to grow.
  1399. >“You look more nervous than she does, Anon.”
  1400. >You find Rainbow hovering beside you.
  1401. “Yeah, well, that car is my baby, so it makes me nervous with someone else behind the wheel.”
  1402. >“Technically it is you.”
  1403. “You have a point, Dash. Still, screw you.”
  1404. >A familiar, ground-thumping roar snaps you both out of your short conversation as the Superbird comes to life.
  1405. >You lean your head in through the open window.
  1406. “Good, now, depress the clutch, put the gearshift into first -”
  1407. >“-and as you let off of the clutch slowly, increase pressure on the throttle until you begin moving. Anon, you have gone over this with us in the past, whether directly or indirectly.”
  1408. >You sigh, trying to relieve your sudden increase in anxiety.
  1409. “Go ahead, give it a try.”
  1410. >Stepping back, you watch Luna intently.
  1411. >The RPMs of the Hemi increase a bit as she gives it some throttle.
  1412. >Slowly, the Superbird moves, then suddenly lurches and goes quiet.
  1413. >“….This seems much harder than you display it to be, Anon.”
  1414. >You laugh, remembering when you first learned to drive manual transmission.
  1415. “It will take some time, but you’ll get it. Fire her up again.”
  1416. >As Luna turns the key, the car lurches forward, causing her to yelp in surprise.
  1417. “Oh, I forgot. Take it out of gear or depress the clutch. Otherwise it will do that.”
  1418. >Still a little startled, she gingerly pops the shifter out of gear and fires up the Superbird again.
  1419. >Once again, as she slowly lets off the clutch, the steel beast moves.
  1420. >But this time, Luna gets it going, and moves along at a slow pace.
  1421. >“Huzzah! We have done it!”
  1422. “Good job Luna! Now try speed up a get and shifting gears. Be careful with the throttle, she’s got some power.”
  1423. >Nervously, you take to the air, hovering near the window to guide and encourage her.
  1424. >You seem to have little to worry about, as she is very light with the throttle as she speeds up and shifts to second.
  1425. “Alright! You’re a natural at this!”
  1426. >Luna grins ear to ear, as she turns the steering wheel and grabs another gear.
  1427. >Suddenly, your mind is wracked by a loud familiar voice.
  1428. >“Luna, are you ready for shift change?”
  1429. >Rainbow looks very concerned as your flight pattern becomes very wobbly.
  1430. “It’s Celestia talking to me. Still scares the shit out of me.”
  1431. >After your heart resumes a normal rhythm, you reply back to Celestia and push the moon below the horizon.
  1432. >“Also, I hope you didn’t forget about our monthly meeting with the governors of our major cities.”
  1433. >Whoa whoa whoa whoa.
  1434. “Um, Luna, what the hell is Celly talking about when she says meeting with governors?”
  1435. >Luna slams on the brakes and stalls the car.
  1436. >“Oh…..we forgot that was coming up so soon.”
  1437. >Be there in a bit, sister.
  1438. >You reply to Celestia while trying to gather more information from Luna.
  1439. “Dammit, as if court and paperwork weren’t bad enough, I have to deal with a meeting with politicians too?! Are you supposed to just be the only rulers, being monarchs and all?”
  1440. >Luna reels from the wall of words thrown at her as she steps out of the car.
  1441. >“Well, our word is law, but it is near impossible for us to keep a watchful eye over all of Equestria. So we have p0nies below us that make sure the day to day works of each major city run smoothly.”
  1442. “Great, so not only do I have to keep my sanity safe from hallucinations of an evil being, but now I have to deal with a bunch of annoying political assholes.”
  1443. >Rainbow giggles at your little rant.
  1444. >At least someone can find something funny about this.
  1445. >“On the bright side, it should only be one day of meetings….”
  1446. “Should be one day? You mean it could potentially be longer?”
  1447. >Luna grins sheepishly.
  1448. >“We believe you will be fine. Keep calm and collected for us?”
  1449. >You take a deep breath as you realize you’re just going to have to bear through it.
  1450. “Alright, I’ll keep my attitude in check. You’re going to owe me for teaching you to drive, AND not letting me create anarchy to get out of this.”
  1451. >Luna leans over and gives you a peck on the cheek.
  1452. >You feel your face grow hot as you are undoubtedly blushing.
  1453. >Did that just happen?
  1454. >Dash looks at both of you in surprise.
  1455. >Luna just giggles.
  1456. >“We find it cute when you are pouting.”
  1457. “Uhm…..right. So, I have to go then. Hopefully see you this evening, you two.”
  1458. >“Stay collected, Anon, we know you can do this.”
  1459. >Rather than teleport, you spread your wings and take off.
  1460. >May as well get some time to relax and reflect before putting up with a room full of uppity assholes.
  1461. >“Finally we’re alone so you can spend quality time with me!”
  1462. >You look over to your left to see Nightmare Moon grinning back at you.
  1463. >Shit.
  1464. >“Oh don’t be like that, I know you missed my company, after spending a night with those bland p0nies.”
  1465. >You do your best to ignore the hallucination as you glide towards the castle, and another long, tiring day.
  1466. >“Hey Anon, wait up!”
  1467. >You crane your neck to look behind you to see Rainbow Dash fast approaching.
  1468. “What Dash, don’t feel as if you ribbed me enough tonight?”
  1469. >“No. Well, I could never do enough of that to you. I’m just wondering what in the hay is going on with the two of you.”
  1470. “I can’t say I follow.”
  1471. >Rainbow rolls her eyes.
  1472. >“Gee, I don’t know, maybe all the hugging, and to top off the night, the peck on the cheek.”
  1473. >Your face gets hot again as you blush out of embarrassment.
  1474. “Oh, that. I don’t know, I guess I didn’t really think about it.”
  1475. >“I’m calling bullshit on that one, Anon.”
  1476. >You aren’t even sure where to begin to think or explain what Rainbow has brought to the table.
  1477. >So instead, you do the first thing that comes to mind.
  1478. >With a strain and great flap of your wings, you pick up speed rapidly.
  1479. >“Hey! You’re not going to be able to outrun me!!”
  1480. >You can hear Rainbow Dash straining as well as she slowly catches up to you.
  1481. >You point your nose downwards to lose altitude, and hopefully outmaneuver her through the tree groves below you.
  1482. >As the wind quickly gets louder and louder as you pick up speed, you pull out of the dive and start cutting through the trees, slaloming left and right.
  1483. >Unfortunately, your lapse in judgment made you forget Rainbow is smaller, and a bit more agile as a result.
  1484. >Attempting to push yourself faster, your right wing clips a tree and you crash to the ground, somersaulting and sliding to a halt.
  1485. >Dash lands next to you a moment later.
  1486. >“First off, are you alright?”
  1487. >You get up slowly to make sure nothing is injured. Everything seems fine, including your wing.
  1488. “Yeah, I’m good.”
  1489. >“I told you, there was no way you could get away from me.”
  1490. “Check your ego, Dash.”
  1491. >The blue pegasus scowls at you.
  1492. >“Tell me what’s going on with you two. Are you getting mushy?”
  1493. “No Dash, I just…… I don’t know. I guess we’ve just gotten a bit closer with this whole mess that’s happened.”
  1494. >“Going from friends that enjoy talking to hugging and kissing is more than ‘a bit closer.’ Do you love her?”
  1495. “Oh god, really?”
  1496. >“DO YOU LOVE HER?!”
  1497. “….It seems a bit maybe, yes.”
  1498. >“Does Celestia know?”
  1499. >This is getting really weird.
  1500. “What the fuck Dash? You ask me if I love her, I said yes. That doesn’t mean we’re fucking dating or anything weird like that. It just means I care a lot for her. Like you and Twilight.”
  1501. >“Uh huh, sure.”
  1502. >You fan out your wings and begin to take off.
  1503. “This conversation has been great, but I have to get back to the castle and deal with this shitty meeting. Or meetings, I don’t really know. I just know it will suck.”
  1504. >“Okay, lover boy. Er, girl.”
  1505. >You shoot Rainbow a glare as she gives you a goofy smile.
  1506. “Maybe I should practice getting used to magic on you, first.”
  1507. >“Gotta go! See you, Anon!”
  1508. >Just when you thought you had enough on your mind, something else just has to be added to it.
  1509. >This is going to be a doozy of a day.
  1510.  
  1511. -----
  1512.  
  1513. >“Sister, where were you all night?”
  1514. >You’ve just returned to the castle, and already the questions are starting.
  1515. “We, uh, needed some fresh air, to look over Equestria ourselves.”
  1516. >Celestia looks very cross as you finish coming up with a lame excuse.
  1517. >“That’s fine, but you need to remember to let the guards know you plan to go out so they don’t panic.”
  1518. “Oh, right. Sorry about that.”
  1519. >She actually bought that?
  1520. “So when do our guests arrive? I probably look like crap after being out all night.”
  1521. >The white alicorn smirks.
  1522. >“You have about an hour to get ready, they should be here at 9 o’clock. I’ll leave you to it, I have some things I need to take care of before the meeting.”
  1523. >As she walks down the hallway, you open the door to your room and head to the shower.
  1524. >By this point, you realize how tired you really are.
  1525. >It has been an eventful night and early morning, and it’s still a long day ahead.
  1526. >As you turn on the water and step into the shower, you wonder if Twilight has found anything noteworthy in the Archives.
  1527. >Though your little breakdown undoubtedly cut a few hours out of what time she had to research.
  1528. >“You’re screwed like this forever, you haven’t figured that out yet?”
  1529. >You close your eyes and sigh as Nightmare Moon returns to annoy the shit out of you.
  1530. >Rather than respond, you focus on your thoughts and stay silent.
  1531. >No use in even acknowledging her, it will just egg her on.
  1532. >As you enjoy the heat of the water beating down on you, suddenly a shock is sent through your system.
  1533. “HOLY SHIT WHY IS THE WATER FREEZING?!”
  1534. >Loud laughter can be heard out in the hallway, even with two doors between you.
  1535. “CELESTIA, I’LL KILL YOU!”
  1536. >You charge out of the bathroom still sopping wet and burst through the door to the hallway.
  1537. >Celestia stops her laughing fit and stares.
  1538. >“Um, I think you forgot to dry off before coming out.”
  1539. “I thought you had shit to do?”
  1540. >Celly tries her hardest not to laugh again.
  1541. >“I got it done quickly.”
  1542. >Walking back into your room, you grab a towel and dry off as best you can.
  1543. > Celestia follows you in.
  1544. >“Oh come on, brighten up a bit. It’s going to be a long, stressfully formal day, may as well find some joy out of it.
  1545. >You sigh as your anger dies away.
  1546. “I’m sorry Celly, it’s just been a rather long night. I’m just already feeling a little tired.”
  1547. >“That’s alright, here.”
  1548. >She passes you a mug of liquid caffeine.
  1549. >You’ve never been a fan of the hot, black brew, but you’ll take any energy source you can.
  1550. “Thanks. Hopefully this can keep me going through the day.”
  1551. >“You and me both, sis.”
  1552. >Celestia comes up with her own mug of coffee as you get dressed and fidget with your mane.
  1553. >Took forever, but you’re finally getting used to the thing constantly moving.
  1554. >Figures, once you get comfortable with this body, you’re going to have to readjust to being human again when the spell is reversed.
  1555. >If it ever is, as slow and fruitless as the search has been.
  1556. >“Something else on your mind, Luna?”
  1557. “Huh? What makes you say that?”
  1558. >“The fact you’ve been staring blankly in the mirror for the last five minutes brushing the same part of your mane leads me to assume something is bothering you.”
  1559. >You turn back to Celly, who looks a little worried.
  1560. >The urge to tell her everything that is going on, that you aren’t even Luna, begins to build inside you.
  1561. >Being so old and wise, she has to know something that can fix this.
  1562. >But the consequences of a negative reaction hold you back.
  1563. “Nothing. Just some stupid figures that haven’t been coming out right in our recent reviews of the budget.
  1564. >“You fret over the smallest things. We need to break you out of that.”
  1565.  
  1566.  
  1567. >“Welcome everyp0ny, I hope you all had safe journeys here to Canterlot?”
  1568. >Celestia opens the meeting with a bit of formal small talk as you down another cup of coffee beside her.
  1569. >Meanwhile, Nightmare Moon wanders around the large table, biting some of the p0nies’ necks in a mock feeding frenzy to get a rise out of you.
  1570. >But you are not falling for this bait.
  1571. >Mainly be cause she is making herself look so stupid.
  1572. >“So without further ado, who wants to start with any issues they are currently facing in their province?”
  1573. >An older stallion stands and introduces himself as the governor of the province containing the city of Manehatten.
  1574. >Something like that, you aren’t really listening.
  1575. >-and so as you can see, while we are currently under our budget right now, we have had to make some unwanted cuts to our construction projects, including the new bridge to replace the existing suspension bridge.”
  1576. >“How much more funding is needed to complete the project?”
  1577. >Something something something, blah blah blah.
  1578. >You look up at the clock and see it is only 9:25.
  1579. >This fucking sucks.
  1580. >“I’m sorry, is there somewhere you need to be, Princess? Or do you find our issues to be of little interest?”
  1581. >You look back at the stallion speaking, who is looking at you with disapproval.
  1582. “No, I’m sorry. We were up all night, so we have not slept since yesterday afternoon.”
  1583. >“Then may I suggest next time taking a nap before our monthly meeting?”
  1584. >Asshole.
  1585. >“Anyways, as we were saying before we had to awaken Princess Luna-”
  1586. >Alright, fuck this guy.
  1587. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just can’t find a reason to give a shit about your money woes when you’re the reason for your own failings. Please tell me, how much do you make in a year?”
  1588. >The governor is in shock at your outburst, but manages to stutter out an answer.
  1589. >“Six million bits, maybe?”
  1590. “So basically, if we threw you off that fucking bridge to nowhere, it would free up more than enough money to finish the project, AND we wouldn’t have to listen to you constantly gripe about money when YOU’RE half the problem. Perhaps you should try cutting back on your salary? Or maybe you like my other idea better.”
  1591. >“N-no Princess. We get the gist of your argument. Perhaps some money can be freed elsewhere.”
  1592. “There you go. That wasn’t that hard, was it?”
  1593. >Celestia kicks you underneath the table.
  1594. “Who’s next? I’m sure I can help somep0ny else!”
  1595. >Your sister stands up and motions to you.
  1596. >“Will you excuse us, mares and gentle colts?”
  1597. >You follow Celestia out of the room and into the hallway.
  1598. >She leadings you into another room for privacy.
  1599. >At least you escaped from all of those pricks, though you’re going to probably get an earful now.
  1600. >Celestia glares at you.
  1601. >“Luna, what in the wide world of Equestria was that?”
  1602. >You shrug your shoulders.
  1603. “I figured he wanted me to help him come up with a solution to his problem, since he seemed so desperate to include me in his monologue. So I helped him.”
  1604. >“While I may have found a bit of amusement in your solution for him, I am shocked and rather disturbed to hear you speak like that during formal events. Something is going on that you aren’t telling me.”
  1605. >“Right, Celestia ALWAYS knows when something is wrong with her sister. Well, except for that time she had to banish her away because she didn’t notice the warning signs.”
  1606. >You strain to ignore your hallucination as you try to figure out what to say next.
  1607. >“LUNA! Dammit, say something!”
  1608. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
  1609. >“Open up to me! ‘Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.’ Do you not remember the last time you tried to hide from me?”
  1610. >“Ooh, ooh, I know the answer to this one! Pick me!”
  1611. “I just need sleep. I haven’t slept in 24 hours, and I don’t feel well.”
  1612. >Celestia stares for what seems like an eternity, studying you, trying to find a hidden message in your expression.
  1613. >Your stomach tightens as the two of you stand off in silence.
  1614. >Finally, Celestia sighs.
  1615. >Either she believes you, or has given up on you spilling the beans.
  1616. >“Alright Luna, I trust you when you say there is nothing wrong aside from sleep deprivation. I do hope if there is something that troubles you, you will come to me at once.”
  1617. “Of course Celly. But really, I’m fine.”
  1618. >The white alicorn nuzzles you before she turns and heads out of the room.
  1619. >“Go get some sleep, I’ll tell them you aren’t feeling well. We can continue on without you, if that is alright?”
  1620. >Awesome, you got a free ticket out of this whole day!
  1621. “That’s fine, we can be filled in at another time of any noteworthy items.”
  1622. >Celestia flashes you a smile, but you can tell she is still a bit concerned about you.
  1623. >You feel bad for causing her worry, but it beats causing a panic by revealing the truth.
  1624. >As Celly rejoins the meeting, you head back to your chambers for some much needed rest.
  1625. >Realizing the Archives are on the way there, you decide to stop by to see if Twilight is still there, and what she has found.
  1626. >“Five bits says she fell asleep with her hear in a book.”
  1627. >As annoying as you find the black alicorn, you figure she’s probably right.
  1628. >Heading to the far corner of the room, you find Twilight among a stack of books.
  1629. >While she is awake, the bags under her eyes tell you it’s been a while since she has slept.
  1630. >“Damn. Oh well, we didn’t shake on it!”
  1631. >One again, you strain to ignore as you approach the purple bookworm.
  1632. “Twi, didn’t I tell you to get into a normal sleep schedule?”
  1633. >Twilight jumps as you speak to her.
  1634. >Apparently she’s so out of it, she never noticed you approach.
  1635. >“Ano - er, Luna! I thought you had a meeting to attend to.”
  1636. “I got out of it. Apparently sleep deprivation makes me an asshole.”
  1637. >“More than normal, you mean?”
  1638. >God, shut up.
  1639. >Twilight rubs her eyes and stretches as she stands up.
  1640. “I’m heading back to my room to get some sleep, do I need to drag you to your room to get you to do the same?”
  1641. >“Fine mother, I’ll get some shut eye. How is your little…….vision going?”
  1642. >You look over to where Nightmare is standing, raising her eyebrows at you and smirking.
  1643. “Annoying as ever. Definitely not getting any better.”
  1644. >“I think it may be a good idea for me to nap nearby in your room. So we don’t have a repeat problem like last night.”
  1645. “Yeah, I still have a slight headache from that blow to the head. Thanks for that.”
  1646. >Twilight giggles.
  1647. >“It’s not like I had a choice in the matter. It was either that, or watch you destroy the whole room.”
  1648. >You stop in your tracks, deep in thought.
  1649. “Why is it when I was unconscious, I had two or three oddly vivid, specific dreams? Real enough that I went crazy?”
  1650. >“Nightmare Moon is more than a sinister sounding name, Anon. Didn’t you know Luna had the ability to view and influence other’s dreams?”
  1651. “No, but that sounds rather creepy, to be honest.”
  1652. >Your mind flips to some of the more……interesting dreams you’ve had in the past.
  1653. >“Like Luna, Nightmare Moon had the ability to influence dreams. But she focused more on causing terrifying nightmares. I’m sure with her being within you, she has the same sort of power, but only on your mind.”
  1654. “In other words, I go to sleep, I go nuts. I stay awake, I go nuts. All roads lead to hell.”
  1655. >Twilight makes a face.
  1656. >“Hell? What is that?”
  1657. “Don’t worry about it. I‘m too tired to explain.”
  1658. >The two of you walk in relative silence the rest of the way to your room.
  1659. >A few minutes later, you open the door to your room and quickly climb into bed, exhausted.
  1660. “Where are you going to sleep, Twilight?”
  1661. >Rather than answer your question, she grabs several pillows out of your linen closet and arranges them into a crude mattress.
  1662. “Alrighty then. G’night.”
  1663. >“Night Anon. Try not to attack anything. Just assume anything you see is a dream.”
  1664. “I’ll see what I can do.”
  1665. >“Sweet nightmares, darling.”
  1666. >Fuck you too.
  1667.  
  1668. -----
  1669.  
  1670. >You awaken to a throbbing pain in the back of your head.
  1671. >Most likely a residual pain from the blow to the head Twilight gave you.
  1672. >Slowly you climb out of bed and look to where Twilight is sleeping.
  1673. >Well, WAS sleeping.
  1674. >Once again you find her head buried in a book.
  1675. “Did you actually sleep at all, or just fake me out?”
  1676. >She turns to you, with a deer in the headlights look.
  1677. >“I slept. For a little bit”
  1678. “Uh huh. How long is a little bit?”
  1679. >“Six hours. Actually, I think it was closer to seven.”
  1680. >As you stretch, a thought comes to your mind.
  1681. “Wait, how long was I out?”
  1682. >Twi looks up at the clock and thinks.
  1683. >“I think almost nineteen hours.”
  1684. “Holy shit. You didn’t wake me at all?
  1685. >“No, you seemed like you needed the sleep. Besides, you’re still dreaming.”
  1686. “…….what?”
  1687. >Twilight’s body begins to twist and contort, and she shifts into a familiar form.
  1688. “Really? You can’t just let me get some peace for a little bit?”
  1689. >Nightmare Moon greets you with her familiar toothy grin.
  1690. >“It’s more fun to keep you on edge. Like this!”
  1691. >Instantly, she charges her magic and sends a blast of energy your way.
  1692. >As it hits you, you black out.
  1693. >“Anon, are you alright?”
  1694. >You slowly open your eyes again to see a concerned Twilight hovering over you.
  1695. “Never better. Assuming this isn’t another demented dream.”
  1696. >“…..how many have you had? You’ve been out like a light for ten hours.”
  1697. >As you sit up in bed, you try to think back.
  1698. “I dunno, maybe seven or eight. At least from what I can remember. Why did you wake me?”
  1699. >“Sister, are you okay? We heard screaming from all the way in the throne room.”
  1700. >That could explain it.
  1701. “I’m fine. I was startled by Twilight while I was sleeping, that’s all.”
  1702. >Celestia gives you both a queer look as the two of you grin nervously.
  1703. >“Right. Anyway, how are you feeling?”
  1704. >You scan the room, oddly seeing no sign of Nightmare Moon.
  1705. “Better. I don’t feel like I’m running on pure caffeine anymore.”
  1706. >Celestia doesn’t seem to be totally convinced by your answer.
  1707. >“Why don’t you take the night off and relax. You know, just to be safe.”
  1708. “Alright, I’ll take you up on that offer, thanks.”
  1709. >The white alicorn nods and exits the room in silence.
  1710. >You turn to Twilight, who lets out a nervous sigh.
  1711. “Do you think she’s starting to suspect something?”
  1712. >“The fact her and Luna are sisters and grew up together makes it almost guaranteed she’s starting to think something is up. The only variable in that equation is the fact Luna was locked away for a 1000 years.”
  1713. “Okay, I asked for a simple yes or no, not a math lesson.”
  1714. >You are met with a pillow to the face.
  1715. “Anyway, have you found ANYTHING? Or are we still just dead in the water?”
  1716. >Twilight’s face twists in frustration.
  1717. >“I’ve further narrowed down the section we need to look into one bookcase.”
  1718. “Hey, that sounds really good! What’s the problem?”
  1719. >“That’s makes still about seven hundred books to go though. And many of those will need a bit of translating, which will make it take longer.”
  1720. “Ugh. Why can’t someone just translate everything into another book and save the original?”
  1721. >“Probably because that would make it too easy.”
  1722. >You beat your head against the wall in anger.
  1723. “So in other words, with only you being able to translate, this has the chance to take a few months. Great.”
  1724. >“Well, you keep making me get sleep, so it makes it take longer.”
  1725. >An idea strikes you.
  1726. “There is one other person that could help us translate. Give me a few of your books.”
  1727. >“Um, okay. But where are you goi-”
  1728. >As you teleport in a flash, Twilight’s sentence is cut off.
  1729. >Finally, you’re getting used to this enough that you don’t feel disoriented when you arrive at your destination.
  1730. >Which in this case, is your home.
  1731. “Luna, you in here?”
  1732. >“….Anon?”
  1733. “Yes, what are you doing?”
  1734. >Luna walks out of your bedroom, hair disheveled and rubbing her eyes.
  1735. >“Well, we were trying to sleep. Until you startled us.”
  1736. >Now you feel bad, since she undoubtedly has gotten used to being nocturnal, doing it for….well, who knows how long.
  1737. “Er, sorry about that. I didn’t think.”
  1738. >“Fortunately, we still got some sleep, so we do not have an overwhelming urge to strangle you.”
  1739. >Okay then, she’s definitely not a morning person, either.
  1740. “Sorry again. But Twilight has narrowed down our search for a reversal spell.”
  1741. >“That’s good news. But surely you did not drop in just to inform us of that.”
  1742. >You pull out a couple books you had cradled in your wings.
  1743. “Well, they’re from an older section of the Archives. So they need a bit of translating.”
  1744. >Luna grabs a book and flips through it.
  1745. >“It doesn’t look too bad. Most of these books seem to be written only about 800 years ago.”
  1746. >You make a face as Luna continues.
  1747. >“We should be able to get through these books today after we finish getting some sleep. I am familiar with most of this since our language did not drastically change between when I was banished and when these were written.”
  1748. “Alrighty then, sounds like a plan. Thanks Luna.”
  1749. >She turns to you.
  1750. >“And how are you faring today?”
  1751. >You decide to lie so she doesn’t get too worried.
  1752. “Pretty good. Those meetings were hell, but I managed.”
  1753. >“That is a little surprising to us, to be truthful. The governor of Manehatten usually pushes us close to the brink. Rather arrogant, that one.”
  1754. “Heh, yeah.”
  1755. >The both of you stand there a bit in silence, looking around the room.
  1756. “So, I guess I’ll get going then. Why don’t you get some sleep?”
  1757. >“Yes, we shall. Thank you, Anon.”
  1758. >You find yourself a little confused.
  1759. “Why are you thanking me?”
  1760. >She smirks a little at your question.
  1761. >“The fact that unlike everyp0ny else here in Equestria, you don’t see me as royalty. You don’t sit there and suck up to me. You treat me like anyp0ny else, and we love that.”
  1762. “Yeah, I can see how all the ass-kissing gets annoying. That and the formal shit.”
  1763. >“And the politics, we assume?”
  1764. “Those don’t even need to be mentioned.”
  1765. >The two of you laugh.
  1766. “Well, Twilight is probably going insane back at the castle. I was in such a rush, I didn’t tell her when I was going before I teleported out. I’ll pop in at some point tonight.”
  1767. >“Goodbye Anon, see you later.”
  1768. >You once again focus and teleport, this time back to the castle.
  1769.  
  1770.  
  1771. >As the room comes into focus, you find Twilight looking at you, and not very happy.
  1772. “What?”
  1773. >“Couldn’t you at least tell me where you were going before just disappearing?”
  1774. “I was caught in the moment. I popped in to see Luna, gave her a couple of the books.”
  1775. >Twilight’s face lightens up.
  1776. >“That was a good idea. I feel stupid for not thinking she could help translate. How long did she estimate she’d be able to get through them?”
  1777. “By tonight, most likely. Apparently she’s been around for so long, the language was familiar to her.”
  1778. >“That’s great news. Did you happen to tell her anything that has gone on here?”
  1779. “No, I didn’t see any reason to make her worry. Actually, I haven’t even seen Nightmare Moon since I woke up.”
  1780. >“That’s….good?”
  1781. “Maybe. I doubt it. Probably just tired herself out fucking with my dreams.”
  1782. >The hit back to reality puts a damper on the mood of the room.
  1783. >“Well, I’ll get back to reading then. What are you going to do?”
  1784. “…..Shit. I don’t know. You’re busy, Luna’s sleeping, Rainbow is working. Maybe I’ll just wander around the castle.”
  1785. >“Alright then, but for the love of Celestia, don’t do anything crazy.”
  1786. “Great. Well, this will be boring.”
  1787. >You walk out of your chambers and walk along the desolate hallway.
  1788. >Despite it being early afternoon, there is no one around aside from the occasional guard.
  1789. >And it is deathly quiet.
  1790. >They really need to put more drapes and rugs in here, as the echoes of your steps ricochet around you.
  1791. >“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
  1792. >You jump and turn to see Celestia standing several feet behind you.
  1793. “Uh, hey Celly. You scared the hell out of me.”
  1794. >She is silent as she slowly strides toward you.
  1795. “What, uh…..weren’t you going into the throne room?”
  1796. >Still no answer as she continues to approach.
  1797. >She looks downright pissed as she finally stops in front of you.
  1798. “…..okay. Are you screwing with me again?”
  1799. >Suddenly, she head butts you in the chest, her horn piercing past your ribs.
  1800. >Pain wracks you as you feel blood begin to run out of the wound, as Celestia backs out.
  1801. >“You aren’t my sister.”
  1802. “Wha…. Celestia, it’s….me.”
  1803. >The strength drains from you and you lose your balance, as everything grows dim in your line of sight.
  1804. >“Hahaha, morning sunshine!”
  1805. >Your vision flickers as Celestia disappears, as well as the pain.
  1806. “Fuck me. I’ve been dreaming? Again?”
  1807. >Hoofsteps begin to approach from behind, as Nightmare Moon makes her presence known.
  1808. >“Actually, no. I’m just getting better at fucking with your reality. Pretty convincing, isn’t it?”
  1809. >Gingerly, you get up, still remembering the intense pain you felt just a moment ago.
  1810. >“Are you ready to just let me take the reigns of this body? You don’t look so hot.”
  1811. “Shut up, you fucking whore. If you think you’re going to crack me just like that, you’re the delusional one.”
  1812. >Once again, Nightmare Moon just laughs at you.
  1813. >“Oh please. You’ve been easy to crack thus far. Not even three days, and already I’m further along breaking you than I was in a year with Luna!”
  1814. “Shut up.”
  1815. >“If only Luna knew how pathetic you were, she’d be ashamed of you. Being this fucking weak. Ha!”
  1816. >As your blood pressure rises, you start getting a headache.
  1817. >“You poor thing. Just going to tell me to shut up again? That’s pretty much all you can do, isn’t it? You can’t fight me, you’ll never win!”
  1818. “I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP!”
  1819. >A dark wave of energy seems to erupt as you yell, your rage hitting a peak.
  1820. >The sound of breaking glass follows, as several of the stained glass windows along the hallway shatter.
  1821. >“Very good for a beginner. You’re starting to learn.”
  1822. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
  1823. >Nightmare points a hoof down the hallway, as it is littered with broken glass and other debris.
  1824. >“Finally you started accepting some of my magic. That’s why I’ve been pushing you. Helping you unlock that rage, that raw power, so when I take over, I‘m fully recharged!”
  1825. >Fear grips you as she continues to talk.
  1826. >You aren’t listening.
  1827. >You’re losing control.
  1828. >And there’s seemingly nothing you can do to fight back.
  1829.  
  1830. -----
  1831.  
  1832. >“Whatcha reading, Luna?”
  1833. >Rainbow strides into the room as you are seated on the couch, deep in one of the books Anon brought.
  1834. >You managed to get a few hours of sleep after Anon departed, before you finally got up and started reading.
  1835. “Anon brought us a few books that needed translation, or at least somep0ny that could read this older language.”
  1836. >The blue pegasus jumps onto the couch and looks at the page you’re on.
  1837. >“Yeah, that looks like a bunch of gibberish. How old is it?”
  1838. “Probably only about 750 years old, give or take a few years.”
  1839. >Dash looks at you funny.
  1840. “What? What did I say?”
  1841. >“’Only’ 750 years old? Holy shit.”
  1842. “Pardon me, but compared to how long we have been around, it is not exactly that long ago.”
  1843. >She blushes a bit as she realizes how her comment came across.
  1844. >You really aren’t that upset, since your age is something that can be a bit overlooked.
  1845. >Truthfully, you don’t know how old you are, you lost track a long time ago.
  1846. “It is fine, Rainbow Dash. We are not upset.”
  1847. >“So what are you reading these for? Think they might have what you need to reverse the mistake.”
  1848. “We are unsure right now. Hopefully, this or the last book we have has something.
  1849. >Rainbow looks bored as you resume reading.
  1850. >“So what will you do if you can’t reverse the spell?”
  1851. “Rainbow Dash, there is always a way to reverse a spell. It will just take some time to find the answer.”
  1852. >“Yeah, but you don’t have magic to cast it, Anon is in your body. Do you think he can do it?”
  1853. >Horseapples. You hadn’t thought of that.
  1854. >Your silence clearly has tipped Rainbow off.
  1855. >“You didn’t think about that till now, did you?”
  1856. “No, unfortunately. It never occurred to us. But we are confident we will find a way to fix this.”
  1857. >“How did Anon seem to be doing? Still have all his marbles?”
  1858. >You know Dash is just trying to lighten the mood a bit, but the light-hearted jokes seem rather out of place.
  1859. >Besides that, you aren’t sure how Anon is doing.
  1860. “He said he was alright.”
  1861. >“There’s a ‘but’ coming up here, I can feel it.”
  1862. “I don’t think he is being completely open to me.”
  1863. >“What makes you say that?”
  1864. >You can’t help but giggle a bit.
  1865. “We have been in that body for well over a millennia, we know our own little tics and nuances. He seemed very on edge, and I could tell he was lying.”
  1866. >Rainbow raises an eyebrow.
  1867. >“So why not make him tell you the truth?”
  1868. “I think he has enough stress now, I don’t see a clear reason to push him any more.”
  1869.  
  1870. * * *
  1871.  
  1872. >“Oh come on, where are you going?”
  1873. >The sound of your hooves as you gallop down the hallway partially drowns out the taunting of Nightmare Moon.
  1874. >You don’t know where to go or what to do.
  1875. >You just know you need to get away from the bitch before she scrambles your brain.
  1876. >“Really? How do you think you’re going to run away from me? I’m YOU, dipshit.”
  1877. >Once again, she is right ahead of you.
  1878. >Gasping for breath, you slow down and make a hard right into the next hallway.
  1879. >Suddenly, you hit something, and crash to the floor.
  1880. >Where the hallway had appeared to be is just an empty room.
  1881. >“Hahaha, Told you running was pointless. That was fun to watch though!”
  1882. “Just leave me alone for five fucking minutes!”
  1883. >As you get up off the floor, you hear a voice behind you.
  1884. >“Anon! What in Equestria is going on?!”
  1885. >Is this another ruse, or is the Twilight standing here the real thing?
  1886. >You take your chances.
  1887. >Dropping your head, you charge toward the doorway the purple alicorn is standing in.
  1888. >As you get to the doorway, part of you expects to feel resistance.
  1889. >Instead, you go right through her.
  1890. >She isn’t real.
  1891. >“Damn. Well, I have to say, you’ve got guts.”
  1892. >Still trying to catch your breath, you give up running and slowly amble back toward your room.
  1893. >“There you go. Just give up and it will be over sooner, so you don’t have to fight.”
  1894. “Fuck you! Unless you kill me, you’re not going to gain control! And killing me kills you, so you’re fucked!”
  1895. >Nightmare Moon’s cocky grin turns into a sneer.
  1896. >“That sounds like a challenge to me. Challenge accepted.”
  1897. >“Sister! Are you alright? We heard yelling and glass breaking.”
  1898. >“Oh goody, a show!”
  1899. >Jesus, this shit again.
  1900. “Really Nightmare Moon? Can you come up with something more imaginative than the same shit over and over?”
  1901. >“What?! Luna, what are you talking about?!”
  1902. “Shut the fuck up, you aren’t real!”
  1903. >Celestia, or at least the vision of her, recoils in shock.
  1904. >“Calm down, please! You’re not well.”
  1905. >You laugh, partly out of frustration, partly out of the sheer unoriginality of this trick.
  1906. >“Luna…..just come with me, calm down.”
  1907. >Okay, fuck this.
  1908. >You send a bolt of energy in the direction of the hallucination, to get rid of it like the last one.
  1909. >This time, it manages to shield itself from the attack with its own magic.
  1910. >Dammit. You were hoping that would dissipate the illusion.
  1911. >“Please, don’t made me fight you. I can’t do this again.
  1912. >Celestia looks as if she’s about to break down.
  1913. >Shit. You really fucked up now.
  1914. “I…..I’m sorry. I don’t know wh-”
  1915. >You’re hit with a bright beam of energy that knocks you on your ass.
  1916. >Momentarily stunned, you try to get up.
  1917. >Only to be slammed back to the ground by a forceful white hoof.
  1918. >The look on Celestia’s face is grim, as you search for a way to get free.
  1919. >You are hit again, knocking you out of your train of thought.
  1920. >“I would have just ended you a 100 years ago if I had known this would happen again.
  1921. “I’m sorry! I just need help, let me explain!”
  1922. >Your pleas are met with more pain as you try to resist and get out of her reach.
  1923. >Eventually, you give up, and close your eyes, waiting for the end.
  1924.  
  1925.  
  1926. >“Anon, get up! What the hay happened to you?”
  1927. >All feelings of pain slowly melt away, as you open your eyes.
  1928. >Celestia is nowhere to be found.
  1929. >You turn your head to see Twilight galloping toward you.
  1930. “Are you actually real?”
  1931. >“What?”
  1932. >Slowly, you get up off the hallway floor.
  1933. “Are. You. Real?”
  1934. >Twilight looks very nervous. As you take an offensive stance.
  1935. >“Yes, Anon. It’s me, Twilight.”
  1936. >Fuck it. You decide to go along with it.
  1937. >You’re tired of fighting right now.
  1938. >Or, to be more specific, getting beaten to a pulp.
  1939. >“Now, tell me what happened. The hallway is a mess!”
  1940. >As the two of you walk back to your room, you tell her everything.
  1941. >No sense in lying anymore, your visions are just getting worse.
  1942. >The two of you are very careful once you reach the broken glass in the hallway.
  1943. >Apparently all the guards are deaf. Or just retarded, since no one has shown up.
  1944. >No wonder this place is susceptible to attacks from time to time.
  1945. “So what do I do now, Twilight? Apparently, I can’t be left alone. But how can I have you or somebody accompanying me without making Celestia and other suspicious?”
  1946. >Twilight sighs, a look of defeat upon her face.
  1947. >“I don’t know. At this point, I feel like we’re running out of time if it’s getting this bad.”
  1948. “Well, it’s only 9 in the morning, and Celly wants me to take the night off again, so the way I see it, I still have at least about 36 hours to do whatever. May as well have a bit more privacy at my place.”
  1949. >“I suppose so. At least if you start having a freakout again, you won’t be near Celestia and cause her more concern. I’ll go grab some more books.”
  1950. >You walk along with her in relative silence again.
  1951. >“So, are you seeing anything right now?”
  1952. “No. It seems like Nightmare Moon has to go dormant after every ‘attack.’ Unfortunately, the hallucinations are getting more and more real. As in, feeling pain, like when Celestia beat the shit out of me.”
  1953. >Twilight cringes at the last part.
  1954. >You open the door to your room and Twilight grabs her saddlebags.
  1955. >They are absolutely packed full of books.
  1956. “Damn. Did you bring the whole section with you?”
  1957. >“No. It’s only about fifty books.”
  1958. >You shake your head.
  1959. “You ready then?”
  1960. >“Yep.”
  1961. >You focus on your home, and in a flash, the castle room disappears.
  1962.  
  1963. >When your surroundings come into focus, they definitely aren’t that of your home.
  1964. >The remnants of an old stone building lay around you.
  1965. >Whatever it was, it was a massive structure.
  1966. >“Anon, why are we here?”
  1967. >Twilight shifts uncomfortably.
  1968. “I don’t know. I don’t even know where ‘here’ is.”
  1969. >“This is the old castle where the Princesses resided.”
  1970. “Old castle? What happened to it? Looks like a bomb hit it.”
  1971. >“I happened.”
  1972. >You look up to see Nightmare Moon again, standing on an outcropping on one of the walls.
  1973. “You mean you’re ugly enough to cause walls to crumble at your side?”
  1974. >“…..Anon?”
  1975. “What?”
  1976. >“I’m guessing you’re hallucinating again?”
  1977. >You scowl back up at the wall.
  1978. >Nightmare Moon is no longer there, but you can hear her laughing.
  1979. “Yeah. I’ve never been here before, but by what I was told, this is where it all went down all those years ago?”
  1980. >“Yes. After those events, Celestia abandoned it. It was too much work to repair, and the memories were too painful for her, I’d imagine.”
  1981. “Why don’t you teleport us this time? Apparently my magic is now being a bit……..influenced.”
  1982. >Once again, your surroundings disappear in a flash.
  1983. >This time when your surroundings come into view, you are in your home.
  1984. >Luna and Rainbow are both sitting on the couch.
  1985. >“Hey guys, what’s up?”
  1986. >Luna keeps her eyes buried in the book in front of her.
  1987. >“We assume you are ready to tell us how you are really doing today?”
  1988. >Well then.
  1989. “Was I that bad of a liar, or are you just really good at reading people?”
  1990. >Luna looks up at you and chuckles.
  1991. >“Both.”
  1992. >You make a mental note to never try to lie to Luna again.
  1993. “I guess for the time being, I can’t really be left alone, because my hallucinations are getting worse. Celestia has given me the night off because she suspects something is wrong as well.”
  1994. >Luna’s face turns troubled at the last part of your sentence.
  1995. >“If she is beginning to suspect something, we must make haste and find a solution very soon.”
  1996. >“I brought a bunch more books, and I can always pop in and get more if we need them.”
  1997. >Twilight gets excited, just like whenever she begins talking about books.
  1998. >You turn to Rainbow. You’re surprised she is even here.
  1999. “Rainbow, I thought you had work today?”
  2000. >“I do, I actually need to get going shortly. I was just checking in on Luna before I left.”
  2001. >Damn. You were hoping she didn’t have to work, that she was mistaken or something.
  2002. >For now, it looks like you’ll be spending the day with Luna and Twilight.
  2003. >Who are busy reading.
  2004. >Well, this will be dull.
  2005. >Which is probably a good thing.
  2006. >“Spill it Anon. We need to know what all has happened.”
  2007.  
  2008. >You spend the next 20 minutes describing the events of the last day and a half.
  2009. >Midway through, Dash cannot stay any longer, else she would be late for work.
  2010. >But Luna is quiet the whole time, while Twilight makes faces and gasps as if she were watching a horror movie.
  2011. >You would expect that kind of a melodramatic response from Rarity, but not Twilight.
  2012. “So, now we’re here. No sign of Nightmare Moon at the moment. Seems like after every bout, she has to recharge for a bit, so I get some peace.”
  2013. >“While it is unfortunate the hallucinations are now afflicting not just your sight, but other senses, it is at least a good thing Nightmare is not constantly around you.”
  2014. >You sigh. It’s not much of a silver lining in this whole mess, but it’s something to hold on to.
  2015. “I’m just worried one of these times I will mistake one of my friends for a hallucination. It seems like there’s no way to tell the difference!”
  2016. >“There is no way to tell the difference. You just need to remain calm when you have an attack.”
  2017. “Right, because that’s easy when I’m being pummeled into oblivion.”
  2018. >Luna crosses her arms. She seems a bit frustrated with your answers.
  2019. >“Nop0ny said it would be easy. It certainly won’t be. But for the sake of you and your friends, you must adapt and endure it until we can come up with something.”
  2020. “I’ll see what I can do.”
  2021.  
  2022. -----
  2023.  
  2024. “Damn it’s quiet in here.”
  2025. >“Not when you keep complaining Anon.”
  2026. >Twilight keeps her head buried in the book she’s reading, but she doesn’t sound happy with you.
  2027. >It sucks when you can’t help with anything.
  2028. >You tried reading one of the number of books, but it is impossible for you to make heads or tails of any of the writing.
  2029. “Hey, so if we do find something, how the hell am I going to be able to cast the spell? I don’t know shit about magic.”
  2030. >The other two look at each other, then at you.
  2031. “Cool, so I’m not the only one that thinks we might be fucked.”
  2032. >“No, we will figure out a way. Spells can be adjusted and changed a bit, if one has the correct knowledge.”
  2033. “What does that mean?”
  2034. >You admit you’ve been a bit of a pain in the ass the last twenty minutes.
  2035. >You’re just bored.
  2036. >But the other two seem to be getting frustrated.
  2037. >“Just…….don’t worry about it, Anon.”
  2038. >Suddenly, Twilight’s eyes light up.
  2039. >“Hey, I might have found something!”
  2040. >Luna gets up and looks at the page she is pointing at excitedly.
  2041. >“Yes, that might be able to get this whole mess cleaned up. Now we just need to figure out a way that you can cast it, Twilight.”
  2042. “Aww, you don’t trust me with magic.
  2043. >They look at each other again, and back to you, speaking in unison.
  2044. >“No!”
  2045. “Fiiine.”
  2046.  
  2047. >A good portion of the afternoon is eaten up as Luna and Twilight concentrate on adjusting the spell so a third party can cast it.
  2048. >Meanwhile, Nightmare Moon finally made a return, gabbing up a storm and pissing you off.
  2049. >A few times, Luna had to smack you to keep from going off the rails.
  2050. >“I’m back! Did I miss anything?”
  2051. >Dash trots into the house.
  2052. “No, you might be just in time. The two bookworms found something, and they’ve been at it all afternoon trying to change it a bit.”
  2053. >“Why is that?”
  2054. “I don’t have a clue how to cast a new spell. So hopefully, Twilight will be able to do it instead.”
  2055. >“Hello Rainbow, you’re just in time!”
  2056. >Twilight finally gets up from the paper she and Luna had been focusing on.
  2057. “Did you finally get it?”
  2058. >“I think so.”
  2059. >She fidgets nervously as Luna joins the three of you.
  2060. >“We are quite confident it will work. The chances are slim this will backfire.”
  2061. “Okay. And what happens if it does backfire?”
  2062. >No one answers your question.
  2063. >Finally, Twilight speaks up.
  2064. >“Now, I need you and Luna to stand near each other, and I need COMPLETE silence while I try to focus.”
  2065. >The two of you do as you are told, while Rainbow goes and sits on the couch, as if watching a show.
  2066. >A few minutes pass, and still nothing happens.
  2067. >“Ahahaha, I told you, you’re stuck with me!”
  2068. >Ignore.
  2069. >Just as you’re about to ask Twilight if she needs a break, a blinding flash erupts from her horn.
  2070. >It’s hard, but you hold still and close your eyes rather than shield them from the light.
  2071. >The sound of rushing air passes past your ears, then everything is quiet again.
  2072. “Twilight? I don’t think it worked. Nothing feels different.”
  2073. >Holy shit.
  2074. >Your voice is actually yours this time.
  2075. >You open your eyes and look over, to see Luna - in her correct body - smirking at you.
  2076. >“Are you sure it did not work?”
  2077. >You let the smartass comment slide as you give her a hug.
  2078. >Quickly, you reach over and force Twilight into the hug as well.
  2079. “You guys are awesome.”
  2080. >“Hey, I’m awesome too! I had to deal with the both of you, so I helped some.”
  2081. “Shut up and get over here.”
  2082.  
  2083. >“Well, I believe we are finished messing will old spells for quite a while. At least, ones that have sure dire consequences.”
  2084. “Probably a good choice. You helped fix it though, so I suppose you redeemed yourself.”
  2085. >There’s that sly smirk again.
  2086. >God damn it’s adorable.
  2087. >“So, anything going on ‘upstairs?’”
  2088. >Dash motions to her head with a hoof.
  2089. >“We have control of the situation. The damn has been plugged, so to speak.”
  2090. >Everyone in the room seems to relax even more with that piece of news.
  2091. >Twilight starts gathering up her books and paper, cramming them into her saddlebags.
  2092. >Meanwhile, looking outside, the sun is beginning to set.
  2093. “That basically chewed up the whole day, now what?”
  2094. >“I’m getting these books to the Archives, and I’m going to bed. I haven’t gotten any sleep in almost two days.”
  2095. >Dash facehoofs, as you and Luna shake your heads.
  2096. >“Twilight, you really need to develop a normal sleeping habit. Remember that time you freaked out about not having a report for Celestia?”
  2097. >“Yeah, what about it?”
  2098. >“Sleep deprivation will lead to that kind of a scenario again. Go home and sleep now, worry about the books tomorrow.”
  2099. >Twilight huffs and puts down her saddlebags.
  2100. >“Okay, mother.”
  2101. “Night Twily, thanks.”
  2102. >“Goodnight everyp0ny.”
  2103. >The purple alicorn walks out the door, closing it behind her.
  2104. >You turn to Luna.
  2105. “So, you got the night off, what do you want to do?”
  2106. >“We should probably get back to the castle, for at least a while. Now that this problem is solved, our sister would probably be better off knowing the truth about the last few days. So she doesn’t think we have completely lost it.”
  2107. “Good luck with that, then. Oh, and sorry about your desk.”
  2108. >Luna gives you a queer look.
  2109. “You’ll see.”
  2110.  
  2111. >Not long after, Luna departs back to Canterlot.
  2112. >“So, apart from being on the verge of living your life in a rubber room, how was it being ‘Princess of the Night‘?”
  2113. “It sucked, what more is there to say?”
  2114. >Dash laughs, as you flop down on the couch and flip on the TV.
  2115. >“I’m surprised you aren’t out there kissing your car, not being able to drive it for so long must have caused you a lot of pain.”
  2116. >You had thought about it, but the past couple days has left you drained.
  2117. “It’s never a good idea to mix power and fatigue. I’m flippin tired.”
  2118. >As you put on another episode of one of your favorite shows, Starsky and Hutch, Rainbow sits next to you.
  2119. >Yu lean over and grab a couple sodas out of your mini fridge, offering one to Dash.
  2120. >“No thanks, I’m good.”
  2121. >You crack yours open and take a few sips.
  2122. >“So you do know if you started dating Luna, you’d probably have to attend a lot of royal events, right?”
  2123. >Soda goes flying in front of you as you try not to choke.
  2124. “What in the fuck?”
  2125. >“What? I’m just saying.”
  2126. “No, I mean, where in the hell did that come from? Like really, what in the actual fuck?”
  2127. >Dash looks as if you’ve just spouted a bunch of gibberish.
  2128. >“You said you loved her in the forest that one night when you crashed trying to get away from me.”
  2129. “No, I know that, but….wow, that’s a long leap between what I said and what you just said.”
  2130. >The two of you are silent for a while, aside from comments here and there on the show you’re watching.
  2131. >As the episode wraps up, you turn to Rainbow.
  2132. “Rainbow, I need you to do me a favor.”
  2133. >“Sure Anon.”
  2134. “Don’t ever try to become a professional matchmaker. You suck at it.”
  2135. >She playfully hits you in the ribs as you start up another episode of Starsky and Hutch.
  2136. >Thank god everything is back to normal.
  2137. >Relatively speaking.
  2138.  
  2139. -----
  2140.  
  2141. >It’s been a couple days since finally getting back in the correct body.
  2142. >Not quiet as hard to adjust back as you thought it would be.
  2143. >But the more troubling item on your mind is Luna.
  2144. >Notably, her absence around your place.
  2145. >She hasn’t visited at all after returning to the castle that night.
  2146. >But right now, you’re trying to get the damn tachometer in the Superbird to work.
  2147. >For whatever reason, it likes to be temperamental at times.
  2148. >You know when to shift, you know the exact sound pitch of the RPMs when you need to.
  2149. >It’s just annoying to have something in the instrument panel not work.
  2150. >Sitting upside down in the driver’s seat, you trace the wire up to the gauge, trying to find any breaks in the wire or the clips.
  2151. >“Hey Anon!”
  2152. >BANG
  2153. “Ow, fuck!”
  2154. >Such are the joys of limited space when working on something.
  2155. >You rub your forehead you managed to hit on the underside of the dashboard as you get situated to see Rainbow giving you and odd look.
  2156. >“Uh…..why were you sitting like that?”
  2157. “This tach gauge isn’t working right again, I’m trying to fix it.”
  2158. >A blank stare is your response.
  2159. >Oh right, she probably has no idea what you are even talking about.
  2160. “Basically in a nutshell, this gauge in the dashboard tells me how fast the engine is going, but it is not functioning right.”
  2161. >Finally, she speaks up.
  2162. >“But I thought the speed-o-meter thingy told you how fast you were going?”
  2163. >You laugh and shake your head.
  2164. “I could explain it all to you, but I’m sure you don’t want to sit there and listen to me for twenty minutes.”
  2165. >The blue pegasus feigns a pained expression.
  2166. >“Nooo, my brain can’t handle listening to you for that long!”
  2167. “I forgot how funny you were. Hey, have you or Twilight heard anything from Luna lately?”
  2168. >Rainbow’s expression turns serious.
  2169. >“No, I haven’t heard a thing. I mean, I’m sure she’s fine, but I have no idea why Luna hasn’t popped up.”
  2170. “Hm. Alright then. While you’re here, you wanna help me with this? I need you to track this wire and make sure this black coating isn’t broken.”
  2171. >“Well, I don’t WANNA help, but I guess I could stick around.”
  2172. “Wow, you’re just full of it today.”
  2173.  
  2174. >You never did figure out why that fucker isn’t working.
  2175. >An hour looking at every possible wire and connection, and still nothing.
  2176. >So you figure it’s the gauge itself.
  2177. >Oh well, nothing you can do about that.
  2178. >Rainbow went home not long afterwards.
  2179. >Evidently, she was tired, seeing as how she fell asleep tracing the wires in the engine bay.
  2180. >A quick beep of the signature horn of the car awoke her.
  2181. >Totally an accident.
  2182. >Now, with dusk settling in on Equestria, you decide to go for a leisurely cruise.
  2183. >A turn of the key, and the orange monster under the hood burbles to life.
  2184. >You push the clutch in and get moving in first gear.
  2185. >Second gear, then third, and you leave it there.
  2186. >Scenery passes by at a relatively slow speed compared to when you really jam the accelerator.
  2187. >Turning off the road you’re on, you head down the winding path that goes through the forest nearby.
  2188. >Sighing and relaxing back into the seat, your mind is settled by the low grumble, combined with the light hum of the tires.
  2189. >Who needs a radio when you have mechanical music like this?
  2190. >“Greetings, Anon.”
  2191. >The car jolts forward as your foot increase pressure on the throttle in surprise.
  2192. >Luna is peering in on the passenger’s side, gliding along beside you.
  2193. “Goddamn, someone needs to put a bell on you.”
  2194. >You pull over and get out.
  2195. “Where have you been the last few days? Everyone has been nervous and worried about you.”
  2196. >She blushes slightly before answering.
  2197. >“We apologize, it was not our intention to cause discomfort. Thy sister required help with the Royal Archives, which took a while.”
  2198. “What do you mean? I don’t mean to pry, I’m just really curious.”
  2199. >“Celestia was curious about the spell we attempted to use, as well as what else was contained in the Archives. The last few days hath been spent translating many older texts. How has thou fared aside from having fears for us?”
  2200. “I’m fine, it’s been quiet. I’m guessing all that translation is why you’re speaking with all the ‘thy’ and ‘thou’?”
  2201. >Luna blushes much more this time.
  2202. >“Yes, thy brain hath gone through much texts lately, we are afraid it is a bad habit for now.”
  2203. >You backtrack a bit.
  2204. “So Celestia wasn’t mad about what you did?
  2205. >She shakes her head, mane billowing and shaking with her in a mesmerizing display.
  2206. >“She was not upset, just rather relieved thou did not destroy Equestria in that short span of time.”
  2207. “I didn’t think it went too bad, really.”
  2208. >“Thy desk would disagree with thou. As well as the stained glass windows in the hall.”
  2209. >Oh right, that.
  2210. “I said I was sorry. Anyway, did you tell her about the other thing that was going on? About Nightmare Moon, I mean.”
  2211. >Luna scratches the back of her head, seemingly at unease.
  2212. >“No, we did not believe Celestia needed to be informed of that occurrence.”
  2213. >You cross your arms. Part of you doesn’t seem to feel right about this.
  2214. “I think it would be a good idea to let her know. I mean, you say you have everything under control and on mute up there in your head, but what if it starts again?”
  2215. >“Thou does not trust our judgment?”
  2216. >Crap, it sounds like you might have struck a nerve.
  2217. >Time to initiate damage control.
  2218. “No, I’m not saying that. I’m just saying, you didn’t like it when I was not completely honest with you, and then everything got worse. Maybe we’re better safe than sorry?”
  2219. >Luna closes her eyes while listening to you.
  2220. >A knot forms in your stomach again as you try to thing of something else to say.
  2221. >“Perhaps thou has a point. Thy sister shall be informed of the other occurrences before the start of her shift.”
  2222. “And could you at least check in tomorrow night even if you and Celly are doing something? Rather than just make everyone paranoid?”
  2223. >A smile crosses Luna’s face again as she rises from her sitting position.
  2224. >“But we find it adorable when thou is ill at ease. But I must go, thy shift is rapidly approaching. Tomorrow we may be able to stay longer.”
  2225. “Thanks for at least popping in for a bit. Night, Luna.”
  2226. >As you open your door, a tingling sensation slowly turns you back around.
  2227. >Luna has you in her magical grip as she stands in front of you.
  2228. >“Thou was not planning to leave without a hug, yes?”
  2229. “Uh, no. Of course not.”
  2230. >She jumps up, her forelegs resting on your shoulders.
  2231. >She looks at you with half lidded eyes, a sly smile across her face as she leans in.
  2232. >“Or maybe a bit more than a hug…”
  2233.  
  2234.  
  2235. “Anon!”
  2236. >BANG
  2237. “GODDAMN IT!”
  2238. >You open your eyes, seeing stars.
  2239. >As you finally focus, you see the underside of your dashboard again.
  2240. >Well that was an…… interesting dream.
  2241. >“What the hay were you doing? All I could hear was mumbling.”
  2242. >You turn your head to look at Rainbow Dash, who is standing near your open car door.
  2243. “I apparently fell asleep for a bit.”
  2244. >Dash smirks.
  2245. >“That explains a lot then. What were you dreaming that you kept blubbering on about?”
  2246. “Nothing. I don’t remember.”
  2247. >“Luna is right, you suck at lying.”
  2248. >You feel your face grow hot as Rainbow mentions Luna.
  2249. >Her face lights up as she tries not to laugh at your obvious giveaway.
  2250. >Damn it.
  2251. “Rainbow, we will not mention this. Ever. Or I will kill you.”
  2252. >She stop laughing at your threat.
  2253. >“You’re no fun.”
  2254. >Still silence.
  2255. >“Fine, relax. But can you tell me what it was about?”
  2256. “Subject change, now. Did you find any broke wires under the hood?”
  2257. >She turns back and heads to the front of the Superbird as you twist and sit upright in the seat, and step out.
  2258. >You find Dash pointing to a small, disconnected plug.
  2259. >Really? How the hell did you manage to miss that?
  2260. “That’s probably it.”
  2261. >Snapping the plug back together, you fire up the car and check the gauges.
  2262. >Sure enough, the tach is working again.
  2263. >Suddenly, a thought comes to your mind.
  2264. “Hey Rainbow, Luna has the power to go through people’s dreams, doesn’t she?”
  2265. >“Yeah, I think so. Why do you ask?”
  2266. >As she finishes, Dash seems to understand where you are going with the question.
  2267. >“Well, I guess depending on what your dream was, you’re hoping Luna didn’t happen to stop by, huh?”
  2268. >That’s an understatement.
  2269. >Fuck magic.
  2270. >Rainbow seems to sense you are genuinely uncomfortable with the situation, and changes her tone.
  2271. >“I wouldn’t worry about it Anon, whatever it is. I can imagine she has seen a lot worse in p0nies’ dreams.”
  2272. >The two of you laugh, while at least you cringe internally.
  2273. >You can not imagine what kind of fucked up dreams Luna has probably seen in other p0nies.
  2274. “Well, I think I’m going to head over to Twilight’s and visit her, you wanna come?”
  2275. >“I would, but I haven’t even been home yet. Tank is probably wondering if I got lost.”
  2276. >Oh lord, her pet turtle.
  2277. >The last time Rainbow brought him around, you swear you got a concussion when he managed to bang you in the head.
  2278. >You grab first gear, and calmly let out of the clutch as the Superbird begins to roll.
  2279. “Alrighty then, see you later.”
  2280.  
  2281. >Twilight’s treebrary was a little less than two miles from your house, which is on the outskirts of town.
  2282. >Thankfully, you don’t have to walk, so you’re there in no time.
  2283. >Killing the ignition, you climb out and knock on the door.
  2284. >“We’re closed for the day!”
  2285. >What the hell?
  2286. “It’s me, Anon. I just came to vis-”
  2287. >The door rapidly opens, and you are forcefully pulled in by magic, with the door slamming behind you.
  2288. >You spot Twilight on the floor above, apparently hunched over a book.
  2289. “Well it’s nice to see you too, Twilight. What gives?”
  2290. >As you climb up the stairs, she seems to be trying to figure out what to say.
  2291. >Judging by the minor dishevelment of her mane, she’s stressed.
  2292. “Twilight, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
  2293. >Finally, she speaks.
  2294. >“I just got a letter from Princess Celestia.”
  2295. >Well that’s not really out of the ordinary.
  2296. >You press onward.
  2297. “Okay. That’s not really helpful to me. You’re stressing out big time right now, spill it.”
  2298. >For the first time since you came in, she looks at you.
  2299. >“Luna is missing.”
  2300. “Missing, what do you mean missing? For how long now?”
  2301. >Twi turns her head back to the letter sitting on her bed.
  2302. >“Apparently she disappeared after her shift and going to bed yesterday. Last night she never showed up for court, and she still has not been seen since.”
  2303. >You feel like you’re going to throw up, your mind focusing on one thing.
  2304. “Twilight. Do you think maybe she couldn’t handle…..”
  2305. >“The delusions you were having? I don’t know, Anon. While Celestia is concerned, she doesn’t want to raise the alarm and cause panic, so this information doesn’t leave this room.”
  2306. “Well, does Celly know about the hallucinations I was having?”
  2307. >The purple alicorn responds with a funny look.
  2308. >“Celly?”
  2309. “Sorry, habit from the whole clusterfuck a few days ago. It’s the name I used to annoy her.”
  2310. >“We really need to go more in depth about what happened during those few days. But anyway, no, I have no idea what Luna told her.”
  2311. “So what is she doing about it? You know, since she apparently is more concerned about scaring people rather than finding her own sister?”
  2312. >“Anon!”
  2313. >You throw your hands up in frustration.
  2314. “I’m just calling it as I see it.”
  2315. >“She has p0nies from the guard incognito searching for her, scanning the skies. She cares about Luna, but she also cannot let her emotions get in the way of ruling the kingdom.”
  2316. >You relent a bit. She has a point there.
  2317. “I’ll give her that. So what do we do, since we can’t go searching and let everyone know what’s going on.”
  2318. >You hope Twilight doesn’t give you the answer you think she will.
  2319. >“I guess we just have to wait.”
  2320. >Fuck. There it is.
  2321.  
  2322. -----
  2323.  
  2324. “Well this has been just great sitting around waiting, but I’m thinking Celestia either didn’t get the message, or she’s busy. I guess I’ll go home.”
  2325. >“Anon, it’s been fifteen minutes.”
  2326. >You had Twilight send a message to Celestia, vaguely outlining some of the hallucinations you had in the days of being Luna, in case Luna herself neglected not to say anything about them.
  2327. >You figured the response would be very quick, but you haven’t heard a thing back.
  2328. “So what? You want to just continue to sit here and wait?”
  2329. >Twilight seems to be getting very frustrated with your impatience, but you don’t care.
  2330. >Even though you don’t know where Luna is or what has happened, you feel like it is your fault.
  2331. >It may very well be the same delusions your were having are now afflicting her.
  2332. >Alright, this wait is ridiculous, you can‘t just sit here and do nothing.
  2333. >You get up and walk towards the door.
  2334. “This is driving me nuts, I’m going home. Let me know if Celestia says anything back.”
  2335. >“You may hear what she has to say in person, Anon.”
  2336. >You whirl around at the sound of another familiar voice in the room.
  2337. >Sure enough, there stands Princess Celestia.
  2338. >Realization hits you, this is the first time you have been in her company since you were stuck in the body of her sister.
  2339. >Play it cool, dude.
  2340. “Hello, Princess Celestia, glad to finally hear something from you.”
  2341. >Celestia’s warm smile widens, as she apparently senses your anxiety.
  2342. >“Please Anon, relax. I was not angry nor surprised when Luna told me of the occurrences of the previous few days.”
  2343. “What do you mean, not surprised?”
  2344. >“My sister and I have been together for many years. By the end of the first day, I could tell you weren’t Luna. And I happened to overhear you and Twilight in the Archives.”
  2345. >You glance over at Twilight, who is looking like a deer in the headlights.
  2346. “Excuse me for asking, but why didn’t you say something?”
  2347. >Celestia chuckles at your inquisition.
  2348. >“I thought it would be more enjoyable to go along with it. ”
  2349. “Hm. I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing. Any news on Luna?”
  2350. >“I’m sorry, no. And now that I know Nightmare Moon had been tormenting you, I fear that may play a part in the disappearance of my sister.”
  2351. >Your stomach churns as your guilt returns even stronger.
  2352. >A white wing embraces you lightly.
  2353. >“Do not blame yourself for what is happening. I do not hold any anger or ill will against you.”
  2354. “Why not? I mean, obviously if the worst case scenario we are all thinking is true, I’m the one that let Nightmare out, that’s on me.”
  2355. >“That may be, but you have also unlocked a side of my sister I have not seen in many, many years. She wakes up every morning eager to see you and her other friends, and she has a renewed passion in speed. Something that I have missed.”
  2356. >You feel a little bit better, knowing you made such a difference in Luna’s demeanor and life.
  2357. >But something else is bothering you.
  2358. “By the way, did Luna mention anything about the delusions I had, or was my letter the first you heard of them?”
  2359. >The alicorn’s expression turns grim.
  2360. >“No, your letter was the first I have heard anything of this. Such a development as this makes me extremely concerned, especially since I have not been able to contact her telepathically.”
  2361. >You forgot about their mental connection.
  2362. >This news makes her disappearance even more unnerving.
  2363. “So now what? You planning on just sitting around hoping she’s not dying somewhere so the precious kingdom can sleep at night?”
  2364. >Celestia seems taken aback at your outburst, as Twilight shoots you a dirty glare.
  2365. “Alright, that came out harsher than I was planning. Sorry.”
  2366. >The white alicorn regains her composure as she glances out the window, and pushes the sun below the horizon.
  2367. >“I understand your anger and concern, and I feel much the same way. I do have several groups of p0nies searching while keeping a low profile as to not cause an alarm. However, it is a delicate situation to deal with, moreso because the events of the past year are still fresh in everyp0ny’s mind, I’m sure.”
  2368. >Celestia closes her eyes and sighs.
  2369. >“Besides that, Luna cannot die, so it is a matter of her frame of mind or where she is.”
  2370. >Wait, what?
  2371. >“Excuse me, Princess, but what do you mean Luna cannot die?”
  2372. >Twilight seems to read your mind, as she asks the same question you had.
  2373. >“Much like my dear Philomena, Luna and I share the same ability as the phoenix. Were we to fall very ill or be gravely injured, we turn to ash, and rise again from them.”
  2374. “Ooh, kinky.”
  2375. >The two of them turn to you, seemingly unamused.
  2376. “Sorry, bad joke.”
  2377. >“As I was saying, our ability apparently stems from our ties to the sun and moon, and our duty to rise and set them every day and night.”
  2378. “So it’s not an alicorn thing, living a long time and being immortal and all?”
  2379. >Celestia shakes her head.
  2380. >“No. True, alicorn tend to have a longer lifespan, but not infinite.”
  2381. >Something else bothers you about this.
  2382. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you manage to find out this ability?”
  2383. >She chuckles.
  2384. >“Luna was a bit of a daredevil when we were young. She went a bit too far one time.”
  2385. >You feel you will need to hear this story from Luna sometime.
  2386. >“Back to the situation, I must ask. How did these hallucinations start? And how extreme did they become?”
  2387. >You tell her about your confrontation with Luna the first night, and the increasing frequency up until the fix.
  2388. >The Princess listens silently, and continues her silence when you finish.
  2389. >Twilight exchanges nervous glances with you.
  2390. >Finally, after what seems like an eternity, she speaks.
  2391. >“I must get back to the castle and get some rest. I will be in contact if I require more information or have my own to share. Thank you for your help.”
  2392. >Before either you or Twilight has a chance to say anything, she disappears in a flash.
  2393. “I’m not positive, but I think she’s more nervous than she is letting on.”
  2394. >“Thank you, Mr. Obvious.”
  2395. >You and Twilight walk out of the library to get some fresh air.
  2396. >Night has fully overtaken Equestria at this point.
  2397. >Must have spent more time in there with the Princess than you thought.
  2398. “Did you know all that crap about immortality and whatnot?”
  2399. >Twilight shakes her head.
  2400. >“I had a vague theory, but no, I never heard it nor read it anywhere.”
  2401. >You can’t help but laugh, as she gives you an odd look.
  2402. “This place is just so fucked up for me. Pretty much all of my legends back home are true here. Phoenixes, immortality, alicorn, pegasi, unicorns, dragons, it’s all backwards.”
  2403. >“I’m sure any of us would feel the same way if we were stuck in your world. Doesn’t mean it’s backwards.”
  2404. “I know, I didn’t mean to offend you if I did. It’s just so overwhelming sometimes.”
  2405. >“Well, you’ve dealt with it pretty well so far. Aside from the first day.”
  2406. >The Superbird still sits parked outside, gleaming in the light of the nearly full moon.
  2407. “So what are you gonna do now, Twilight?”
  2408. >She looks at you confused.
  2409. >“I’m getting some rest as well. You heard Celestia, she has p0nies out searching. As much as I want to help, I don’t want to go against her wishes to keep this issue quiet.”
  2410. “Oh. Well, okay then.”
  2411. >You begin to walk towards your car, opening the door and sliding in.
  2412. >“Anon, don’t.”
  2413. >You turn your head towards Twilight.
  2414. “Don’t what? I’m going home, watch movies or something.”
  2415. >Turning the key, the engine roars to life, and settles into a growling idle.
  2416. >Twilight is still staring at you, apparently she doesn’t believe you.
  2417. >Wise p0ny, you suppose.
  2418. >You flash her a smile and pull away, headlights popping up and turning on to light the way.
  2419. >As you cruise down the road at a leisurely pace, a bright light momentarily blinds your peripheral vision.
  2420. >“If you’re not going to listen to me, I guess I need to make sure you don’t get into trouble.”
  2421. >You glance over at Twilight, who has appeared in the seat next to you.
  2422. “I knew you’d see things my way eventually.”
  2423. >She rolls her eyes.
  2424. >“Just shut up and go.”
  2425. “Oh, alrighty then.”
  2426. >You grab another gear and mash the throttle.
  2427. >The engine roars like an angry beast as you pick up speed rapidly.
  2428. >Unfortunately, you can hardly hear the engine’s music over Twilight’s screams.
  2429. >You forgot, she’s never been in the car before when it’s moving.
  2430. >Oh well.
  2431. >She’ll get used to it.
  2432.  
  2433. -----
  2434.  
  2435. >“Never do that again.”
  2436. “Why? I thought it was fun. Aside from the deafening screaming.”
  2437. >Twilight is finally catching hr breath after your short full throttle journey through the countryside.
  2438. >“You could have at least warned me you were going to do that!”
  2439. >You laugh.
  2440. “Then it wouldn’t have been near as much fun.”
  2441. >She clearly doesn’t find it funny at all.
  2442. “Sorry, I’ll drive civilly from now on. Any idea what we should be looking for, or where?”
  2443. >“No. You’re the one that wanted to ignore Celestia’s orders, you figure it out.”
  2444. >You slow down and downshift, making a right turn.
  2445. >Twilight is still fidgeting nervously in the seat next to you.
  2446. “Come on, I’m not even going that fast now. Just relax.”
  2447. >“Sorry, I just have a really bad feeling about this.”
  2448. >No sooner does she finish her sentence, both of you hear a loud bang, as if you’ve hit something.
  2449. >You jam on the brakes reflexively, the Superbird sliding to a halt.
  2450. >“What did you hit?!”
  2451. “Nothing, I had my eyes on the road the whole time! I didn’t feel anything, did you?”
  2452. >“I don’t think so. I don’t see anything in the mirror.”
  2453. >You cut the ignition as the two of you climb out of the car and walk back to where you were when you heard the sound.
  2454. >It may be dark out, but Twilight fortunately has a spell to cast some light on the path.
  2455. >Still, the two of you find nothing on the roadway, as you scratch your head in confusion.
  2456. >Twilight again fidgets nervously.
  2457. “Hey, calm down. Everything is fine, Twilight.”
  2458. >Suddenly, you hear the familiar sound of a Chrysler starter, then the snarling exhaust note of a big block engine.
  2459. >Twilight stares at you with eyes as big as saucers.
  2460. >“I thought you turned the car off when we got out?”
  2461. “Um….”
  2462. >You spin your car keys around your index finger.
  2463. >The roar of an engine and sudden illumination of where the two of you are standing snaps you both out of your frightened daze as you turn around.
  2464. “What the fuck….”
  2465. >A loud roar answers you as the Superbird lunges towards you.
  2466. >You stand there as Twilight tries to headbutt you to move.
  2467. “Just wait..”
  2468. >“Wait?! Are you nuts Anon?! RUN!”
  2469. “Trust me on this…”
  2470. >Twilight continues to try to push you as the metallic beast closes in.
  2471. >You’ve watched enough movies to know what to do here.
  2472. >Grabbing Twilight, you heave her to your left, as you leap to the right, the car flying between the two of you.
  2473. >Instantly, your Superbird’s nose droops down as the tail comes up, the brakes skidding the car to a halt.
  2474. >Then, nothing.
  2475. >It’s just sitting there, idling.
  2476. >You look over at Twilight, who is slowly rising to her feet.
  2477. >“You could have told me you were going to do that.”
  2478. “No time. And you were criticizing my driving, so that played a factor.”
  2479. >You slowly creep towards the idling car, when the ignition cuts and it falls silent once again.
  2480. >Silent, aside from a quiet knocking sound coming from inside.
  2481. “What the hell is going on?”
  2482. >Twilight joins you by your side as you near the rear of the purple machine.
  2483. >Abruptly, the trunk pops open with a loud squeak.
  2484. >“Good evening.”
  2485. >A familiar face greets you with a bad impression of a Transylvanian accent.
  2486. >Luna.
  2487. “Luna, you’re safe!”
  2488. >Your feeling of relief turns to one of anger.
  2489. “What the hell was all of that?! And where have you been?!”
  2490. >The blue alicorn climbs out of the trunk, a wicked grin on her face.
  2491. >“It occurred to us with the events of the previous week, Nightmare Night had come and gone without us. Thus, happy late Nightmare Night!”
  2492. >What.
  2493. >Twilight breaks you from your dumbfounded state.
  2494. >“Luna, you didn’t say anything about trying to run us over!”
  2495. >Luna turns her attention to the purple one.
  2496. >"Pardon us, but we were in full control at all times, you both were safe. In addition, you nearly ruined our plan with your nervous fidgeting!”
  2497. “Wait. You knew about this Twilight?”
  2498. >Her expression gives you the answer before she even says a word.
  2499. “What about Celestia, don’t you think she has been worried sick about you?!”
  2500. >Luna shakes her head.
  2501. >“Quite the opposite Anon. Our sister happened to be in on the whole ruse as well.”
  2502. >You stand there, unsure of what to say.
  2503. >“We were actually able to startle you enough as to be completely silent for once. We thought it impossible!”
  2504. “The fact I’m still trying to get control of my heart rate clearly has nothing to do with me not having a comment. Thanks.”
  2505. >Curiosity and concern dot the faces of both alicorns in front of you.
  2506. “What? Yes, Luna got me really good, so?”
  2507. >“Anon, what are you even talking about?”
  2508. “What Luna just said, about me being shocked into silence for once.”
  2509. >The two look at each other, then back at you.
  2510. >Luna in particular seems be trying to burn holes into you with her stare.
  2511. >“Anon. Can. You. Hear. This?”
  2512. “You. Can. Speak. Normally.”
  2513. >Wait, why is she speaking without moving her mouth?
  2514. >Luna takes a step back, her face frozen in a look of shock.
  2515. >“Luna, what is it? What’s wrong?”
  2516. >Twilight looks back and forth between you two, waiting for someone to speak.
  2517. >“It seems Anon and I seem to have a mental connection.”
  2518. >“….what does that mean?”
  2519. “We can communicate telepathically.”
  2520. >“Indeed. We are inclined to believe this is a side effect resulting from the events of the previous week.”
  2521. >As if a dam let loose in her mind, Twilight begins with a barrage of questions.
  2522. >“But how, Luna? And why now, rather than when the two of you were still swapped, or even as soon as you switched back? And Anon, can you speak with Celestia, too?”
  2523. “Twilight, I think we’re both as confused as you are.”
  2524. >You turn back to Luna, who seems to have regained her composure.
  2525. “So now what?”
  2526. >“We are unsure of what to do. Such a development causes us concern for the development of further side effects.”
  2527. >Twilight suddenly turns and gallops back towards town.
  2528. “Twily, where are you going?”
  2529. >She doesn’t look back as she shouts back an answer.
  2530. >“This calls for more research!”
  2531. >Should have guessed that one.
  2532. >[We suppose it would be a good idea to follow her to the library.]
  2533. “You know, you could have just said that aloud rather than pass it via mental telephone.”
  2534. >“Sorry.”
  2535. >You run your hand through Luna’s mane and head toward your car.
  2536. [Bet I’ll beat you back to town though.]
  2537. >You gun the engine as you send a mental challenge to the night princess.
  2538. >[Good luck, you shall need the head start!]
  2539. >Rowing through the gears as you gain speed, you look in the mirror to see Luna is right behind you.
  2540. >Damn she’s fast in a straight line with her big wingspan.
  2541. >And town is a straight shot ahead.
  2542. >Maybe this wasn’t a good challenge.
  2543. >You hit 4th gear, and creep towards the redline.
  2544. >“We suppose a bigger head start was needed for you to have a chance.”
  2545. >You look to your left to see Luna giving you a wide, cocky grin as she keeps pace.
  2546. >Judging by the fact she doesn’t seem to be straining, she has more fuel in the tank.
  2547. >You back off, no sense in risking the engine.
  2548. >Can’t win ‘em all, but how did she get the extra speed?
  2549. >It slipped your mind earlier, but how did she pull off the prank earlier, too?
  2550. >[Relax Anon, we shall explain when you finally make it to the library.]
  2551. [GET OUT OF MY HEAD LUNA.]
  2552. >You hear her laugh as she zips ahead of you into the night.
  2553.  
  2554. >“Wow Luna, you actually beat Anon by more than a nose?”
  2555. >“You give us the impression you thought it an impossible feat, Twilight.”
  2556. >Twilight fidgets.
  2557. >“No, I just meant…..um…”
  2558. “Twilight, chill out. She’s messin with you.”
  2559. >“I knew that, Anon!”
  2560. >Luna laughs as the three of you enter Twilight’s library.
  2561. “So Luna, explain to me where that extra bit of speed came from tonight. You’ve kept pace with me and edged me before, but never whipped my ass like that.”
  2562. >Luna beams, taking pride in her convincing win in the impromptu race.
  2563. >“Well Anon, the main reason we have not paid a visit in the last few days is because we have been training with Rainbow Dash. She has showed us a number of ways for us to improve in our flight and regain much of the form we once had so long ago.
  2564. >Dammit, was everyone in on this fake disappearance thing?
  2565. >“Rainbow Dash was not in on our playful ruse. She wished to keep our training a secret to surprise you in a race.”
  2566. “Okay, seriously Luna, personal space.”
  2567. >Luna blushes at your scolding.
  2568. >“Our apologies, but you are keeping your thoughts open to the mental link.”
  2569. >You rub your forehead in frustration.
  2570. “It’s not like I’m used to being able to talk to others just by thinking. I had a few days of it when I was stuck in your body, that’s it.”
  2571. >“Yes, our sister said you had a habit of keeping her awake at night.”
  2572. >You glance over at Twilight, who seems to have buried herself amongst several books as the two of you were jabbing at each other.
  2573. >With one question answered, you move on to the next.
  2574. “How the hell did you mange to get in the Superbird with us? Not to mention try to mow Twilight and me down with the old beast.”
  2575. >“Getting into the car with you was quite simple. I merely took an ethereal form.”
  2576. “Er….come again?”
  2577. >The purple alicorn doesn’t even turn away from her books to clarify.
  2578. >“Think of it as a mist of energy, Anon.”
  2579. >“And at last, we finally have deciphered and corrected the possession spell we attempted the previous week.”
  2580. “Just couldn’t leave it alone, huh?”
  2581. >Luna smiles and shakes her head.
  2582. >“Nay, magic is a constant process of learning and perfecting. Even after a millenia, we still have much to learn.”
  2583. “Well, with those questions answered, I suppose it’s time to focus on our current situation.”
  2584. >You grab a book out of the pile Twilight has amassed, as does Luna.
  2585.  
  2586. “I haven’t found even a footnote regarding telepathy in any of these damn books.”
  2587. >You chuck another book over your shoulder in annoyance, landing in the small heap behind you.
  2588. >The three of you have been in the library for over half the night looking through countless books.
  2589. >Luna sighs and rubs her temple with a hoof.
  2590. >“We are afraid we face the same frustration, Anon. Though our hopes were not at a high level to begin.”
  2591. >Your mind flashes back to something Celestia had said earlier in the evening.
  2592. “Celestia mentioned something about the two of you being immortal, and you were the one that discovered that trait. Care to elaborate how you managed that?”
  2593. >The blue alicorn huffs as she rises from her sitting position.
  2594. >“Our sister seems to find much entertainment in sharing that story, we find it surprising she did not delve into detail.”
  2595. “I think she was more concerned in keeping your prank on track.”
  2596. “Hm. She at least did that for us. But as for what happened, we merely went into a steep dive to pick up speed and waited a moment to long too pull up. Our sister did not find it funny when that happened, I assure you.”
  2597. “What did it feel like?”
  2598. >Luna raises an eyebrow.
  2599. >“A rather morbid question to ask. But to answer it, quite painful.”
  2600. “Well, yeah, I’m sure the hit to the ground hurt, I just meant the whole ‘rise from the ashes,’ metaphorically speaking.”
  2601. >“We were referring to both.”
  2602. >You scratch the back of your head, feeling a bit awkward.
  2603. >Twilight has been oddly quiet this whole time.
  2604. >You glace over to see her passed out, her head laying on the pages of the book she was reading.
  2605. “So now what? I’m tried of reading about magical gibberish, is this suddenly ability to tune into princess radio something that needs to be addressed urgently?”
  2606. >“It is indeed rather concerning, but I suppose we need not fret over this tonight. Perhaps our sister may be able to help with research tomorrow.”
  2607. >You get up and stretch, getting a couple good pops from your back.
  2608. “Well, I’m gonna head back home so the purple one can sleep in peace, if you want you can tag along.”
  2609. >Luna giggles as she walks out behind you, quietly closing the door behind the two of you.
  2610. >“While we would love to join you, it is time we return to the castle for the night.”
  2611. >Climbing into the Superbird, you fire up the engine.
  2612. “Alrighty then. See you tomorrow, I hope?”
  2613. >The night princess takes off into the night, without a response.
  2614. >[Good night Anon, we shall return tomorrow night.]
  2615. >Dammit, this is still weird as hell.
  2616. >But at least everything else is back to normal.
  2617. >As much as it can be.
  2618.  
  2619. -----
  2620.  
  2621. >“Anon, what are these?”
  2622. >Luna pulls a bag out of the closet in your room.
  2623. >Just like everyone else, Luna is constantly finding things in your house to ask questions about.
  2624. >Hell, even finding things you didn’t remember you had.
  2625. >Tonight, it’s just you and Luna hanging out at your place.
  2626. “I don’t know, what’s in there?”
  2627. >The blue alicorn sets the bag down and pulls out a couple orange strips of plastic.
  2628. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
  2629. >“I assure you we are not jesting, it was in your closet.”
  2630. >You grab the bag and rummage through it, grabbing a few more strips.
  2631. “This is my old Hot Wheels track. I thought I got rid of this stuff a long time ago.”
  2632. >Laughing, past memories of setting up tracks as a kid rush through your mind.
  2633. >Luna looks at you, thoroughly confused.
  2634. “Rather than explain, I can show you what this stuff is. That is, if you’re interested.”
  2635. >Her face lights up like a kid at Christmas.
  2636. >“Yes! We shall assist you with whatever you may need.!”
  2637. “Sweet. Now, this stuff is extremely simple to put together, it’s just a matter of planning it out.”
  2638. >You demonstrate by sliding in a plastic connector between two strips.
  2639. >She grabs a few strips and does the same, making a three foot section.
  2640. “I should have some curves in here as well, and hopefully I still kept the ramps and loops.”
  2641. >You find Luna’s excitement to be contagious, as you hurriedly rummage through the bag and pull out a few of the aforementioned pieces.
  2642. >Meanwhile, she heads back to the closet, and pulls out yet another bag, dumping it out on the floor.
  2643. “Geez, I had more of this crap than I remember.”
  2644. >You look down at the heaping pile of pieces as Luna continues to quickly put pieces together.
  2645. “I have a feeling we’re going to make a mess out of my house tonight.”
  2646.  
  2647. “Switch the curve around with the loop, so it will scrub off some of the speed before hitting the loop.”
  2648. >If there isn’t a mile’s worth of track set up in your house, it has got to be pretty damn close.
  2649. >[Actually, we have counted 983 feet Anon, well short of a mile.]
  2650. >You look over at Luna in astonishment.
  2651. “You’ve really been keeping track of all this?”
  2652. >“Yes. Were we not supposed to?”
  2653. “It’s fine. I’m just impressed you actually have tallied it all up. Also, mental space please.”
  2654. >Luna smiles at you sheepishly.
  2655. >“Apologies, ‘tis a habit.”
  2656. >After about a half hour of setting up, the two of you finally finished, using almost every piece of track.
  2657. >Fortunately, the batteries in all of your speed stations seem to still be working, which is the only reason this length was possible.
  2658. >“So, what is next, Anon?”
  2659. >Without a word, you scramble into your room and head to the box in your closet, dragging it out to the living room with you.
  2660. >Popping open the lid, you search for a specific car.
  2661. >One Luna will be quite familiar with.
  2662. >Opening your palm, you give Luna a look at your find.
  2663. >“Why, ‘tis a miniature version of your Superbird!”
  2664. “Yep. I got tons of these little things. Most of them based on real full scale cars.”
  2665. >She looks at the top layer of the massive tub of diecast cars.
  2666. >“And all of these are from your childhood?”
  2667. “Um. Well, maybe a few here and there from the past couple years.”
  2668. >She chuckles.
  2669. “Now, we see how well it works.”
  2670. >Luna goes quiet, partly in anticipation, partly in confusion.
  2671. >Climbing atop a chair, you reach the starting point of the track, clamped onto the top shelf of your bookcase and set down the car.
  2672. >Letting go, the two of you watch it race down the track, weaving through a series of curves before tackling a loop.
  2673. >And by tackling a loop, you mean flying off and landing near where Luna stands.
  2674. >“We…..suppose that was not meant to happen?”
  2675. >You sigh as you jump down.
  2676. “Dammit, I thought I had it scrub off enough speed through the curves.”
  2677. >Bending down to remove the loop, you scan the ensuing length of track, trying to figure out where to put it next.
  2678. “What about here, Anon?”
  2679. >The alicorn points a hoof at a section of track two feet ahead.
  2680. “Worth a shot.”
  2681. >Making the change, you ready another car at the top of the track, and send it down.
  2682. >It races through the curves and makes the loop this time.
  2683. >Before going off a ramp and hitting the edge of the other side.
  2684. >Luna tries to stifle a laugh.
  2685. “Now I remember why I got tired of this shit as a kid.”
  2686. >“Perhaps there is an easier way to set up the track to be efficient in limiting the amount of speed lost?”
  2687. >A light bulb goes off in your head.
  2688. “I know just the p0ny to consult when it comes to efficiency. Or anything smarts-related. Could you zap us over to Twilight’s?”
  2689. >Luna nods, as she focuses and grabs you with a wing.
  2690. >A bright flash later, and the two of you are in Twilight’s library.
  2691. “Hey Twilight, you home?”
  2692. >You don’t see her, but you hear a response from the loft.
  2693. >“Anon, can’t you knock?
  2694. “I would if I had used the door.”
  2695. >“What in Equestria are y-”
  2696. >Twilight pokes her head past the balcony and stops mid-sentence when she spots Luna.
  2697. >“Princess Luna!”
  2698. >“Greetings, Twilight.”
  2699. >The purple alicorn hovers down and lands in front of you.
  2700. >“What brings the two of you over here at this time of night?”
  2701. >Before Luna can speak, you cut in.
  2702. “Research, my dear Twilight.”
  2703. >Twilight’s eyes light up.
  2704. >Bingo.
  2705. >“Research? What kind of research? What can I help with?”
  2706. >You look over at Luna and smile.
  2707. “Back to my place.”
  2708.  
  2709.  
  2710. “….and so if you could figure out how to lower the amount of speed lost, your research here could help me with the Superbird!”
  2711. >“Really? I’d love to help!”
  2712. >You pat Twilight on the head.
  2713. “Luna and I will leave you to it, so you can work without interruption. We’ll be outside.”
  2714. >Twilight doesn’t seem to notice, as she’s already looking things over and writing things down as you and Luna walk outside.
  2715. >“Anon, do you not feel unscrupulous conning Twilight into doing your work?”
  2716. >Luna continues to walk with you while trying to lecture.
  2717. “Relax Luna, you saw how excited she was to do this. Everybody wins.”
  2718. >“Hm. Perhaps.”
  2719. >Casually, you try to switch the subject.
  2720. “So, what did your sister have to say about this mental talk mumbo-jumbo?”
  2721. >The two of you stop and relax next to a tree out front.
  2722. >“She is quite perplexed as well, though rather unconcerned.To be quite honest, neither of us has ever given much thought to our gift of telepathy. And certainly there is no literature on such a subject.”
  2723. “Why not?”
  2724. >Luna looks up at her night sky.
  2725. >“To date, we have heard of no other beings in this realm to have such a gift. ‘Tis an oddity only the two of us possess. Until now.”
  2726. >The two of you sit in relative silence, enjoying the night.
  2727. >Or waiting for the other one to say something, you aren’t sure.
  2728. >You reflect on your talks with Twilight about you and Luna, why not just admit you love her?
  2729. >You assume she feels the same way, with as much time as she spends with you, and her reaction to the slip up a few days ago.
  2730. >“Anon, we must really teach you how to keep your thoughts private. And soon.”
  2731. >Fuck.
  2732. “So….. Well I guess I at least don’t have to say anything now.”
  2733. >“Hm, indeed.”
  2734. >She contiues to look upward toward her night sky, a slight smile on her face.
  2735. >“We must be honest with you about this, Anon.”
  2736. “Yes?”
  2737. >“I’m done, Anon!”
  2738. >Your head whips around to catch sight of Twilight trotting towards you.
  2739. >Really?
  2740. >Fucking Twilight.
  2741. >You turn back to Luna, who rises from her seated position.
  2742. >“Come Anon, let us not make Twilight wait.”
  2743. >She gives you a sly smile as she makes her way back to the house.
  2744. >Dammit.
  2745. >Sighing, you get up and follow the two of them into the house.
  2746. >Graphs and stacks of paper greet you as you enter, as well as a significantly reconfigured track.
  2747. >“So Anon, where would you like me to start on my findings?”
  2748. “Testing, of course.”
  2749. >You grab a car and set it at the top of the track.
  2750. >“Well, I haven’t completely tested the last twenty feet, maybe you should let me-”
  2751. >You let go as the little car screams down the track like a bullet.
  2752. >All three of you have trouble keeping it in sight through all the twists and turns.
  2753. “Holy shit Twilight, this is awesome!”
  2754. >“Indeed Twilight, we are impressed.”
  2755. >You haven’t a clue what kind of crap Twilight studied to get this thing to work so perfectly, but damn she’s good.
  2756. >The purple alicorn revels in the compliments, beaming proudly.
  2757. >The car seems to have lost no speed as it speeds through the last stretch, hitting the final ramp.
  2758. >And going way above your padded landing area, finding the window instead.
  2759. >The tinkling of glass brings a silence to the house.
  2760. >Twilight laughs nervously as she tries to think of something to say.
  2761. >“I…..might have made a miscalculation on the last part.”
  2762. >Luna smirks at you.
  2763. >“We would call it karma, dear Twilight.”
  2764. >Fuck.
  2765. “It’s…it’s fine Twilight. I should have let you explain everything first.”
  2766. >You hear a small chuckle come from the blue alicorn again as you turn around and face her.
  2767. [Okay, I get it. You and me need to talk about what was interrupted earlier.]
  2768. >[But we find this struggling to be so adorable.]
  2769. >Twilight eyes the two of you.
  2770. >“Is there something going on I don’t know about?”
  2771. “No.”
  2772. >“Oh Anon, there is no need to hide this if you truly love me.”
  2773. >Twilight gasps in surprise, before screaming like a high school girl.
  2774. >“You finally asked her, Anon? I told you she felt the same way!”
  2775. >Luna wraps a wing around you as she stands next to you and smiles.
  2776. >“Do you feel this conversation is satisfactorily completed, Anon?”
  2777. “Yes. Now it just comes down to how I’m going to get you back for making me go through that.”
  2778. >She turns her head curiously.
  2779. >“Through what, exactly? We did not think the wait was that lengthy.”
  2780. “No, having to hear Twilight scream. Holy crap Twilight, I think you about broke the rest of my windows.”
  2781. >Twilight calms down, blushing profusely.
  2782. >"Sorry, sorry. I'm just so happy for you two!"
  2783. "You act like we're getting married."
  2784.  
  2785. >Twilight cleans up her research materials and sketches a quick layout of the track she put together while you and Luna clean up the glass.
  2786. >Fortunately, living in a world with magic makes sealing the broken window a snap, as Luna manages to do so.
  2787. >Twilight returns to her home not long after, leaving just you and Luna.
  2788. “Luna, what were you going to say earlier?”
  2789. >“Pardon?”
  2790. “When the two of us were outside sitting together. The way you paused to think tells me it wasn’t to say you felt the same way, so what was it?”
  2791. >Luna’s face turns stoic as she averts your gaze.
  2792. >“Anon, we have been alive for thousands of years. And yet, we know nothing about being together with somep0ny. ‘Special somep0nies,’ we believe it is referred to.”
  2793. >You can’t help but laugh.
  2794. >She seems unimpressed at your outburst.
  2795. >“What, pray tell, is so humorous about us pouring our heart out to you, Anon?”
  2796. “It’s just funny that bothers you, because I sure as hell haven’t ever been in any relationship either.”
  2797. >“Really? So how will we know how to proceed?”
  2798. >You shrug.
  2799. “I guess we’ll just be clueless. Together.”
  2800. >Luna drapes a wing over your shoulders.
  2801. >“Hm, together. We like the sound of that, Anon.”

Changing Lanes 01

by Autopony

Night Princess vs Superbird

by Autopony

Changing Lanes 2

by Autopony

Friendship is Mandatory

by Autopony

Changing Lanes: Dream Taming for Dummies

by Autopony