Changing Lanes 34

"What a mess."
>As you remove the last bolt, you let the crumpled nose of the Superbird fall to the floor with a clatter.
>You decided to start work on your car today, to distract your mind from the news Luna and Celestia had for you this morning.
>A few weeks ago, Celestia had suggested moving the Superbird from the garden outside, to the garage where both of their chariots were stored.
>It caused more than a few head turns and stares from the guards when you rolled in, but they seem to have settled down and gotten used to the sight.
>Today, there is no one in sight as you work, the garage echoing every sound you make.
>Both Luna and Celestia are either busy, or are giving you space, as you have not seen them since this morning.
>Rainbow and Twilight already left for the trip back to Ponyville this morning.
>Leaving you alone with your thoughts.
>With the nose removed, you inspect the front of the radiator for any damage.
>Luckily, it looks intact.
>But you had already assumed that, since you managed to drive it here from Ponyville weeks ago.
>Which may be the last time you ever see that place without bodyguards.
>"Are you always this pessimistic, or are you just looking for pity?"
>You feel the presence of Nightmare Moon behind you as you focus attention on getting the front fenders, not bothering to look at her.
>This is the first time she has appeared since the night Luna had her breakdown.
"Well I know I'm not going to get pity from you, nor do I want it. But how is there any other way to look at this situation?"
>Hearing no reply,you turn your head, finding the black alicorn sitting on her haunches.
>It really doesn't faze you seeing something that really is not there by this point, though you would probably feel differently had other ponies been around.
>"Gee, I don't know. Maybe the fact you're living with the princesses of all of Equestria? One of which you are intimately involved with, that is willing to do anything for you? I'd say that's a pretty good positive."
>You look down at your hands.
"Right, so we'll just forget that a whole species wants my head, or the fact I practically have a nuclear warhead in my body that could go off the next time I get stressed."
>You look up at Nightmare Moon, who does not respond.
>As you start loosening bolts on the driver's side fender, she speaks.
>"I am sorry your vision of a peaceful, perfect world has been shattered. But do not allow it to sour your outlook on life."
"I'm not, though it is funny hearing that from you, seeing as how you were created from such a scenario."
>"Who are you talking to?"
>You snap around to see Luna standing there, looking rather concerned.
>You briefly consider some sort of excuse, but stop.
>Luna was honest with you earlier today, the least you could do is the same.
"Nightmare."
>The black alicorn seems to have disappeared at this point.
>Surprisingly, Luna's apprehension seems to subside a bit.
>"I see."
>Neither of you say anything, as you return back to your work.
>"Do you find.... comfort in speaking with her?"
>Confused, you turn back around.
"What do you mean?"
>Luna steps closer to you.
>"What I mean is, do you find Nightmare Moon to be helpful to speak to? Do you do this on a regular basis?"
>You balk a bit at the question.
"No, not really. I mean, I've spoke to her once or twice to get my thoughts in order, but I wouldn't say she's more helpfu-"
>Luna raises a hoof to stop you.
>"Please, relax Anon. I am not upset with you, merely curious."
>You rise to your feet, hopping up and taking a seat on the hood, while Luna sits in front of you.
"It's hard to explain. It's like I'm talking to someone else, but at the same time, I'm speaking to myself. Helps me clear my thoughts, I guess. But why aren't you mad at me for speaking to her?"
>She cocks her head.
>"Consider it a change of perspective after what we have learned of our past. While I am not exactly enthused of the idea, she has proven to keep you safe, so I will give her the benefit of the doubt at this point."
>She pauses a moment, before continuing.
>"Are you alright? From what we discussed earlier today, I mean?"
>You nod your head.
"Yeah, I guess I am. Just frustrated as hell, is all. I suppose to a lesser extent, a bit nervous about the fact something that I can't even control inside me could kill me."
>Luna places a hoof on your shoulder.
>"I do not want you to worry about that. Hopefully my sister and I can find some way to either rid you of the magic, or somehow contain it. But do not fret over it."
>She looks over to the crumpled nosecone of the Superbird Laying on the ground, and begins to use her magic to reform the steel and remove the dents.
"Thanks. But what about the changelings? You said they were out for blood, so am I just going to be stuck in the castle for the rest of my life? I mean, at least I get to spend more time with you, but I still miss my own home to a point."
>Her face contorts oddly as she focuses on her work.
>"I don't know Anonymous. I wish I had an answer for you. Unfortunately, changelings are nigh impossible to find, for the simple reason they can look like anypony. In addition, nopony I know of has any idea where their hive is located."
"So, is there any way to reveal a changeling disguised as someone else? I mean, what if they try some fuckery to capture me or kill me? How am I going to know who to trust?"
>As she finishes her work, she turns it over in her magical grasp, as you nod and smile.
>It will still need to be painted, but Luna's magic saves you a hell of a lot of time.
>"Well, Canterlot has worked hard since the first major attack by the changelings during Princess Cadence's wedding. They very nearly took over the city, but Twilight Sparkle was able to recognize Chrysalis for who she was. But we have not had the chance to try any sort of wards or spells because nopony has had a live specimen of a changeling. But, we do now. The changeling that I had to fight off in the dungeon is still alive, so there are certain things we can try."
>She rises to her hooves.
>"The best advice I can give you for now is to be on guard Anonymous, and stick close to my sister and I. The castle is on high alert, so it will be very difficult for any changelings to try anything, but trust your judgement if the need arises."
>You cringe a bit, the situation seeming rather dour, at best.
>Flaring out her wings, she stands on her hind legs and embraces you in a tight hug.
>"Please, I do not want you to fret over the situation. I am merely informing you of what we are dealing with at this point in time."
"I know, and I appreciate you being honest with me."
>She steps back, her wings still flared out on either side.
>"It has been a difficult lesson to learn, but I will not hide anything from you. Our mistakes in the past have led us here, and we are doing the best to fix them."
>It is your turn to feel concerned for Luna's state of mind.
"Are you alright? I mean, you know I don't blame you for everything that has happened, right?"
>"I will be fine, Anonymous. As I said, I do feel responsible for putting you in this situation, but it is giving me a stronger drive and will to come up with a solution and fix our wrongs."
"Okay, just don't dwell on it too much."
>She turns her gaze to the castle.
>"I must go Anonymous. Let me know if there is anything you need."
>She leans back in, giving you a kiss.
"I'm good. I'll catch up with you this evening."
>She smiles, turning and taking to the air, back towards the castle.
>"At least somepony can talk some sense into you, dingus."
>You jump a bit, turning to see Nightmare Moon sitting on the hood next to you.
"Most other ponies don't act like a sarcastic bitch when they're supposedly trying to help."
>She stares at you.
>"Sorry, I'll try to work on that."
"You're just proving my point."
>She scowls, then disappears again.
>You return back to your work, feeling a bit better about your situation.

>"There you are. I was beginning to wonder if you had fallen asleep in there."
>You climb into bed next to Luna after a long, relaxing shower to finish the day.
"Good thing I didn't take a bath, then."
>She giggles.
>"I must ask, how does your shoulder feel?"
>You rotate your arm around a bit in demonstration.
"Not bad at all. Some of the stiffness has gone away, just feels a little weak from being unused for so long."
>She nods, her face turning serious.
>"Anonymous, this may seem like an odd request, but I want you to meet me in Celestia's dream tonight."
>You stare at her, rather confused.
"Uh, okay. What's going on, we gonna torment her?"
>Luna shakes her head.
>"No, I will explain in time. But for now, goodnight."
>The two of you kiss, then turn out the lights.
>But rather than wait to fall asleep to enter the dreamscape, you close your eyes and focus your mind, and enter into the void.
>Once again, the familiar starry night sky of the dreamscape surrounds you.
>It has become a lot easier to find a specific pony's dream, as you focus your thoughts.
>A door materializes in front of you, and you enter.
>You step through to find the castle.... of cake?
>Looking around incredulously, it seems everything around you is made out of some sort of sweet.
>You knew Celly had a sweet tooth, but this is ridiculous.
>"This is not exactly a rare dream for my sister."
>You turn to find Luna next to you.
"It's, uh... certainly something. Wow."
>"Come, she is likely to be in the throne room."
>You follow Luna's lead as she pushes open the doors to the room.
>Up ahead, Celestia is lounging on the throne, munching on what looks to be a part of the aforementioned seat.
>You do your best not to laugh.
>"Sister."
>Celly takes notice, scrambling to save face.
>"Luna, Anonymous. I was not expecting you for a while."
>She closes her eyes, the castle melting away into a quiet meadow.
>You lean over, whispering to Luna.
"I thought she didn't have the same abilities to manipulate dreams as us."
>"Not other ponies' dream, but this is her dream. She has become quite skilled at lucid dreaming."
>Clearing your throat, you resume a normal speaking voice.
"So, what are we doing here? I mean, this is an odd place to meet, in a dream?"
>Luna is the first to speak up.
>"Anonymous, do you recall the evening that a changeling attempted to pose as me in the castle that started this whole mess?"
>Thinking back, you remember that the only reason you recognized that it was not Luna was a heads up by Nightmare Moon.
"Yeah, one of them apparently tried to put a spell on me, and it didn't work."
>"Luna told me that the reason you were able to recognize what was going on was the result of information from... Nightmare Moon."
>Celestia's tone darkens at the mention of her sister's counterpart, startling you a bit.
"Uh, yeah. Obviously that didn't work out too well, but she did warn me."
>"Do you know how she did it?"
>Celestia leans in, hopeful for an answer.
"I... really don't know. She said she sensed it, but.... why are we here, anyways?"
>"Anon, Nightmare Moon may have a way to identify changelings that we do not know as of now."
>Luna and her sister exchange glances, taking a deep breath.
>"Which is why we want to talk to her. We want you to summon her here in the dreamscape."
>You look at the both of them in shock, not believing their straight faces.
"Are you two serious?"
>Celestia speaks up.
>"Yes, Anonymous. As much as I am not fond of the idea, your safety as well as all of Equestria's is more important than my desire to never set eyes upon what I was forced to banish long ago."
>Luna looks up at her sister rather uneasily.
>She has definitely made peace with her past better than Celestia.
>How do you even begin to respond?
"Well, I don't really ever 'summon' her, I guess. She just sort of shows up."
>Both of the royal sister's shoulders droop in dismay.
>You close your eyes, focusing, trying to contact her.
[Alright darkie, if you want to make a good impression, now is the time.]
>You open your eyes and look around.
>Other than the royal sisters, the only other sign of life in this dream are birds off in the distance.
"Sorry, I wish I could just snap my fingers."
>As you demonstrate, you feel a presence behind you.
>Turning, you find a pair of feral turquoise eyes greet you.
>"You rang?"
>You thumb over your shoulder.
"Yeah, apparently they want to talk to you."
>Nightmare Moon's gaze drifts to the sisters behind you.
>Her solemn face suddenly erupts in a toothy grin as she steps past you, while you whirl around to watch.
>"Princess Celestia. This is a surprise. And hello, me."
>Luna seems to take it all in stride, while Celestia seems rather on edge.
>The black alicorn stops less than a foot away from where Celestia is seated.
>"It has been quite a while since we've spoken. How are you?"
>Sternly, Celestia glares back, silent for what seems like an eternity.
>Even you are beginning to feel uncomfortable.
>With no answer, Nightmare Moon turns her head towards Luna.
>"Luna, I assume you are doing well, considering your history lesson a few weeks ago?"
>She doesn't smile, but remains calm.
>"It has not been easy, but I have made peace with my past. Though I do wonder why you are putting on this act of arrogance, considering you were rather sympathetic the last time we spoke."
>If you didn't know any better, you would think Nightmare seems a tad rattled by Luna's words.
>"Yes, well, that was then, and this is now. Consider the issue that the pony that banished us from existence is standing before me."
>This is not going in a good direction.
"Maybe we can sort history out later, but right now, why don't w-"
>Nightmare Moon raises a hoof, glaring at you.
>"No. You are the one always in control, I have always been stuck idle, silent. But not now."
>Even the birds in this dream world lie silent at this point.
>She turns back to Celestia.
>"Perhaps the other half of me has made her peace with the past, but I have not. Tell me, do you know what it feels like to be banished, vaporized, sealed into the moon itself?"
>"No, I do not."
>"Let me assure you, it is a pain so agonizing, the fires of Tartarus do not even begin to scratch the surface."
>"You gave me no choice. You threatened to bring harm to the ponies I swore to protect."
>Celestia's voice remains defiant.
>But rage burns in Nightmare's eyes.
>"AND YET YOU HARM ME! YOUR OWN SISTER! You didn't even try to save me!"
>Celestia falters, tears in her eyes, anger in her voice.
>"What was I to do?! We were so young, I did not have the knowledge I do now! You are not my sister, but I still live with the shame of what I had to do to my Luna."
>"No, I am Luna, but just a part of her. The years of bottled up anger, crushed dreams, sadness has warped part of me into what stands before you. All that pressure to step into a role I did not want, led to me."
>"That's enough. You've had time to say what you want, but let us move on from the past and look to the present."
>Everyone's attention has snapped to Luna, who has remained surprisingly calm.
>"Fine. Why am I here, anyways?"
"How did you manage to see that Luna wasn't really Luna that night at the castle when all this shit went down?"
>Nightmare Moon cocks her head at you.
>"I told you, I could feel her trying to feed off you."
>"But how? How did you sense that, exactly?"
>"I don't know. The only theory I could come up with is the changeling's efforts were focused on Anonymous, without realizing there was another entity within him. Its magic had no effect on me whatsoever."
>Nightmare pauses.
>"Well, there is one other thing, though I do not know how helpful it will be."
>Celestia has regained most of her composure by this point.
>"Please, any information is of use to us. The changelings desire to capture Anonymous for what he did to their queen."
>"Yes, I know. As boring as it is, I listen in and see through Anon's eyes from time to time. I'm caught up on all the events. The only
other thing I can tell you is existing this long without my own body, my own senses, has left me with a better ability to sense magic, to identify it. Changeling magic has a unique feel to it, and it is something they exude when they are in a form other than their own."
>Luna steps forward, looking up at her counterpart.
>"I ask of you you keep on guard for changelings. Warn Anonymous if he is in danger, just as you did in the castle. Your guidance in my nightmare tells me you are willing to help, and I ask for your assistance now."
>Nightmare Moon seems taken by surprise by Luna's request and trust.
>Nevertheless, she nods.
>"Only because it is you who is asking. And to save my own hide, since I'm stuck with him now."
>She nods her head over her shoulder, to where you stand.
>Bitch.
>"Thank you."
>Everyone turns to Celestia.
>"While it upsets me to have to see you again, to even hear from you again, it does not make me oblivious to what valuable information you have given to us."
>Nightmare rolls her eyes.
>"Right. Well, we should do this again sometime. perhaps a reenactment for old time's sake?"
>In a cloud of blue haze, the black alicorn disappears.
>Luna looks up at her sister.
>"Are you alright?"
>"I will be fine Luna. I suppose we are all having to face our inner demons recently."
>She manages a small smile, before looking at you.
>"Anonymous, while it may not seem so, Nightmare Moon's insight may hold a key to preventing changelings from penetrating the castle. But until then, you must be on guard. Do not rely solely on what she has promised."
"I'll be fine. At least I get to be in the castle with you two, that's a plus."
>She beams in response.
>"I feel the same way, Anonymous."

>Sunlight filters through the drapes of Luna's bedroom as you begin to awaken.
>With Luna still cuddled into your arms, you lie there, just enjoying the quiet.
>It is not long before she stirs awake as well.
>"Good morning."
"Mornin."
>"I hope you slept well after the discussion last night?"
>You yawn, rubbing one of your eyes.
"Yeah, I did. Boy, that didn't exactly go smoothly, did it?"
>Your yawn seems to be contagious, as Luna does the same.
>"It was... more dramatic than I had expected, yes."
"You think Celly is okay? She seemed pretty shaken up."
>Luna lies there a moment before answering you.
>"I believe so, yes. She was right about one thing. We have both had to confront our inner demons, whether we had wished to or rather to forget them. It has been a long time since those events, which make it even harder to face them."
>You brush her mane away from her face.
"I'd say you came through it with flying colors. You seemed to be the calmest out of everyone last night."
>Luna blushes a bit.
>"I wouldn't say it was easy, but somepony had to keep their mind clear through the emotions."
"And you really trust Nightmare Moon?"
>She nods quickly.
>"Yes, I do. She may say otherwise, but I believe she is willing to look over you for reasons other than her own well-being. Nightmare Moon came from a desire for somepony to empathize, a shoulder for which to cry on, for guidance. I do not think that purpose she once had has diminished one bit."
>This complete turnaround of her opinion of Nightmare Moon is astonishing, to say the least.
"How nice, I have a guardian angel now. I of course use the term 'angel' lightly."
>Luna giggles, lightly whacking you over the head with a pillow.
"Ow! Celestia, your sister is abusing me!!"
>From the other side of the wall, you hear a reply.
>"You probably earned it!"
>Luna's giggle fit erupts into all-out laughter.
"When I grow up, I'm living alone."