Changing Lanes 03

>“Wait, so why was the car all pissed off? How can it come possessed straight from the factory?”
“Wow Rainbow, I wasn’t expecting you to actually think while watching the movie. I’m impressed.”
>Dash popped you in the back of the head while Luna laughed.
“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.”
>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.
“Watcha reading Twily?”
>She really hated that name, but she is so immersed in her reading, she doesn’t notice.
“Oookay then, while bookworm is in her own fantasy land, you guys want to watch another movie?”
>“We were actually curious as to why you have such a passion for these ‘cars.’”
“Well Luna, I just sort of grew up around people that worked on cars, so I was around them at an early age.”
>“But what is the significance of your Superbird? It seems not all of your species is this attached to transportation. Especially something that old.”
>Well that was easy enough to answer. You point to the massive poster above your TV.
“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.”
>“Holy crap, that makes what Spitfire has accomplished with the Wonderbolts seem like nothing.”
>You figured Dash would be impressed, racing was in her blood, a lot like you.
>“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.”
>You see this as a chance to take a shot at uncovering Luna’s past.
“On that note Luna, I’ve shared an intimate part of my past, I think it’s only fair you share something, as well.”
>Dash and Twilight both look at you, then to Luna.
>Luna drops her head to avoid eye contact with everyone.
>Twilight breaks the awkward silence that has settled upon the room.
>“Come on Luna, everyp0ny else has made peace with what happened in the past, don’t feel ashamed.”
>“We all have things we aren’t proud of. Like me secretly talking to my Wonderbolt plushies as if they were real!”
“Rainbow? I don’t think that’s a secret anymore.”
>Dash gets a horrified look on her face.
>“……..er, I used to, I should say. Not anymore, of course!”
“….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.”
>Luna was still silent. You expect her to teleport out at any moment.
>“We will not tell you what haunts us from our past. We will show you.”
>The blue alicorn raises her head, eyes emitting a blinding white light. For a moment, you can’t see a thing.


>Slowly, a scene begins to take form and play out.
>Two younger versions of the Royal sisters are holding open court together in the castle.
>But instead of Celestia and Luna getting equal attention, everyone seems to be focused on the white alicorn.
>By Luna’s bored and frustrated expression, this isn’t a freak occurrence.
>Suddenly, you begin to feel as if you are there.
>Colors become crisper, and you can hear the sounds and applause of the crowd as Celestia finishes some sort of speech.
>Judging by the crowd’s movements, court has just finished up, and the sun is beginning to set.
>But suddenly, the six doors at the opposite end of the room slam shut.
>“We are not finished here. Since you all seem to have little interest in us, we shall make you stay!”
>Luna gets up from the throne she had been sitting on to continue.
>Meanwhile, Celestia finally breaks out of her apparent state of shock and rises from her throne as well.
>“Sister, this behavior is most unbecoming of a Princess! We ask you immediately silence your tongue!”
>“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!”
>“What are you saying, sister?”
>The younger alicorn suddenly seems to lose consciousness, before another voice breaks the sudden quiet that has fallen upon the room.
>“We are no longer your sister. Luna is no more!”
>The shadows in the room suddenly begin to twist and stretch, moving toward the princess of the night.
>P0nies are running towards the closed doors, trying to kick them open as screams and gasps erupt from others.
>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.
>“We shall be known as Nightmare Moon from this day forth, and night shall be eternal!”

>Numerous duels between the former sisters flash past you, not unlike a highlight reel.
>All throughout, the battles are fought under the light of the moon.
>Apparently the fallen princess wasn’t kidding about the night being eternal.
>It is hard to tell how long this went on, but the conclusion is crystal clear.
>Celestia and Nightmare Moon find each other facing off in the castle, which is now in a state of disrepair.
>They are wearing pieces of armor now, notably breastplates and helmets.
>While Celestia’s armor is a gleaming gold with inlaid jewels, Nightmare Moon’s is a more sinister shimmering blue.
>Almost as if on cue, both lower their heads, horns thrusting forward in anticipation of attack.
>Slowly, they begin to move toward each other, building into full-on gallop.
>A jousting match, last p0ny standing the winner.
>Just before they clash together, a blinding flash erupts from Celestia, along with a pained whisper.
>“I’m so sorry, sister.”


>Slowly, everything dims around you, and your room in present day began to reappear as Luna speaks.
>“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.”
>That explains the outdated dialect.
>“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.”
>Twilight pops Dash in the shoulder.
>“Ow! I was just saying…..”
>Luna has her head hung low again. You do the only thing you can think of at this point.
>Pulling her close, you wrap your arms around her neck and embrace her. She flinches a bit in surprise.
“Luna, it’s alright. We’ve all made mistakes, I don’t think any less of you.”
>“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.”
>Luna unfurls her wings, returning the embrace.
>“Well, at least all this made sense and had a happy ending, unlike that movie we just watched. Who names an inanimate object, anyways?”
>It was Luna’s turn to pop Rainbow, this time in the back of the head.
>“Ow! Dammit, stop hitting me!”