Changing Lanes 11

>So here you are, spending the night with two p0nies you just flipped out on.
>Well, one p0ny and a p0ny in your human body.
>Not to mention earlier she was pissed at you, if she still isn’t.
>You lay on the couch in the living room, Luna and Rainbow walking in behind you.
>A deathly quiet settles over the room.
“So…. I’m really sorry about earlier. You know, yelling and going crazy and everything.”
>“You’re still crazy, you just aren’t screaming anymore.”
>You don’t even bother to look to where Nightmare Moon is as she speaks.
>“While we do not appreciate the invasion of privacy from earlier this evening, we do apologize for also, as you say, ‘flipping out’ earlier.”
>The mood in the room lightens up a bit, feeling as thought the air pressure has significantly dropped.
>“Anon, I gotta ask, what did you dream about that made you go so crazy when you woke up?”
“You and Luna trashing my car. Well, trashing doesn’t even begin to describe it; more like obliterated.”
>The room falls silent again as everyone tries to come up with a new topic.
>“Aww, everyp0ny is afraid of hurting each others' feelings. Hahahaha, this is so pathetic!”
>You do your best to ignore Nightmare.
>Luna seems to notice your mind is occupied by a certain black hallucination, as she clears her throat to get your attention.
“Sorry, it’s just hard to focus and ignore.”
>“Yes, we unfortunately remember all too well.”
“When all of this happened to you all those years ago, did she really drive you insane to change you?”
>Luna furrows her brow, deep in thought.
>“I suppose in a way. We assume that is what she has said to you.”
>You nod your head as Luna continues.
>“It was not so much a delve into insanity as it was being persuaded to embrace and use our anger to fuel our ambitions.”
>“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.”
“On a lighter note, what have you and Rainbow been doing?”
>“Watching movies, flipping though some of your books, not very much as far as being constructive.”
>You look over to Rainbow Dash, who is staring up at the ceiling.
>Either that, or dead.
>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.
>The ability to fly is pretty neat, though.
>Magic though…that’s a confusing headache.
>An idea pops into your head.
“Well, seeing as we’re both still stuck like this and both here, may as well make the best of it.”
>You leap off the couch and trot towards the door, turning back once you reach it.
>The other two look at you completely perplexed.
“Well Luna, do you want to drive or not?”
>Her confused expression instantly snaps to one of pure giddiness.
>“You are not jesting?!”
“We had this planned all along, didn’t we? Well, sort of.”
>She jumps up and runs to you, squishing you into a hug.
>You find yourself almost choking on your ethereal mane.
>“Blech, get a room, you two.”
>“Silence, Rainbow.”
>As you straighten out your mane so it‘s not in your face, you glance at Rainbow and mock laugh at her.
>As Luna opens the door and the two of you walk out, you grab Rainbow with your magic and drag her along.
“Come on, I can’t be left alone, so neither can you.”
>Dash grumbles as she tries to fidget out of your grasp.
>“Alright, alright. I have legs, you know.”


“Okay Luna, let’s take it slow.”
>“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.”
>She points to each piece as she mentions it.
>Rainbow snickers as she circles around slowly overhead.
“Yes, but knowing what they do is one thing. It is a whole ‘nother thing to actually use them properly.”
>As she gets situated in the driver’s seat, Nightmare Moon is wandering around the car, making stupid comments.
>Fortunately, with your mind preoccupied, you pay little attention, let alone actually hear what she is saying.
>You toss Luna the keys.
“Go ahead, start her up. Pump the throttle twice, turn the key, and when it fires, release they key.”
>As Luna begins the process you outlined, you feel a knot in your stomach beginning to grow.
>“You look more nervous than she does, Anon.”
>You find Rainbow hovering beside you.
“Yeah, well, that car is my baby, so it makes me nervous with someone else behind the wheel.”
>“Technically it is you.”
“You have a point, Dash. Still, screw you.”
>A familiar, ground-thumping roar snaps you both out of your short conversation as the Superbird comes to life.
>You lean your head in through the open window.
“Good, now, depress the clutch, put the gearshift into first -”
>“-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.”
>You sigh, trying to relieve your sudden increase in anxiety.
“Go ahead, give it a try.”
>Stepping back, you watch Luna intently.
>The RPMs of the Hemi increase a bit as she gives it some throttle.
>Slowly, the Superbird moves, then suddenly lurches and goes quiet.
>“….This seems much harder than you display it to be, Anon.”
>You laugh, remembering when you first learned to drive manual transmission.
“It will take some time, but you’ll get it. Fire her up again.”
>As Luna turns the key, the car lurches forward, causing her to yelp in surprise.
“Oh, I forgot. Take it out of gear or depress the clutch. Otherwise it will do that.”
>Still a little startled, she gingerly pops the shifter out of gear and fires up the Superbird again.
>Once again, as she slowly lets off the clutch, the steel beast moves.
>But this time, Luna gets it going, and moves along at a slow pace.
>“Huzzah! We have done it!”
“Good job Luna! Now try speed up a get and shifting gears. Be careful with the throttle, she’s got some power.”
>Nervously, you take to the air, hovering near the window to guide and encourage her.
>You seem to have little to worry about, as she is very light with the throttle as she speeds up and shifts to second.
“Alright! You’re a natural at this!”
>Luna grins ear to ear, as she turns the steering wheel and grabs another gear.
>Suddenly, your mind is wracked by a loud familiar voice.
>“Luna, are you ready for shift change?”
>Rainbow looks very concerned as your flight pattern becomes very wobbly.
“It’s Celestia talking to me. Still scares the shit out of me.”
>After your heart resumes a normal rhythm, you reply back to Celestia and push the moon below the horizon.
>“Also, I hope you didn’t forget about our monthly meeting with the governors of our major cities.”
>Whoa whoa whoa whoa.
“Um, Luna, what the hell is Celly talking about when she says meeting with governors?”
>Luna slams on the brakes and stalls the car.
>“Oh…..we forgot that was coming up so soon.”
>Be there in a bit, sister.
>You reply to Celestia while trying to gather more information from Luna.
“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?”
>Luna reels from the wall of words thrown at her as she steps out of the car.
>“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.”
“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.”
>Rainbow giggles at your little rant.
>At least someone can find something funny about this.
>“On the bright side, it should only be one day of meetings….”
“Should be one day? You mean it could potentially be longer?”
>Luna grins sheepishly.
>“We believe you will be fine. Keep calm and collected for us?”
>You take a deep breath as you realize you’re just going to have to bear through it.
“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.”
>Luna leans over and gives you a peck on the cheek.
>You feel your face grow hot as you are undoubtedly blushing.
>Did that just happen?
>Dash looks at both of you in surprise.
>Luna just giggles.
>“We find it cute when you are pouting.”
“Uhm…..right. So, I have to go then. Hopefully see you this evening, you two.”
>“Stay collected, Anon, we know you can do this.”
>Rather than teleport, you spread your wings and take off.
>May as well get some time to relax and reflect before putting up with a room full of uppity assholes.
>“Finally we’re alone so you can spend quality time with me!”
>You look over to your left to see Nightmare Moon grinning back at you.
>Shit.
>“Oh don’t be like that, I know you missed my company, after spending a night with those bland p0nies.”
>You do your best to ignore the hallucination as you glide towards the castle, and another long, tiring day.
>“Hey Anon, wait up!”
>You crane your neck to look behind you to see Rainbow Dash fast approaching.
“What Dash, don’t feel as if you ribbed me enough tonight?”
>“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.”
“I can’t say I follow.”
>Rainbow rolls her eyes.
>“Gee, I don’t know, maybe all the hugging, and to top off the night, the peck on the cheek.”
>Your face gets hot again as you blush out of embarrassment.
“Oh, that. I don’t know, I guess I didn’t really think about it.”
>“I’m calling bullshit on that one, Anon.”
>You aren’t even sure where to begin to think or explain what Rainbow has brought to the table.
>So instead, you do the first thing that comes to mind.
>With a strain and great flap of your wings, you pick up speed rapidly.
>“Hey! You’re not going to be able to outrun me!!”
>You can hear Rainbow Dash straining as well as she slowly catches up to you.
>You point your nose downwards to lose altitude, and hopefully outmaneuver her through the tree groves below you.
>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.
>Unfortunately, your lapse in judgment made you forget Rainbow is smaller, and a bit more agile as a result.
>Attempting to push yourself faster, your right wing clips a tree and you crash to the ground, somersaulting and sliding to a halt.
>Dash lands next to you a moment later.
>“First off, are you alright?”
>You get up slowly to make sure nothing is injured. Everything seems fine, including your wing.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
>“I told you, there was no way you could get away from me.”
“Check your ego, Dash.”
>The blue pegasus scowls at you.
>“Tell me what’s going on with you two. Are you getting mushy?”
“No Dash, I just…… I don’t know. I guess we’ve just gotten a bit closer with this whole mess that’s happened.”
>“Going from friends that enjoy talking to hugging and kissing is more than ‘a bit closer.’ Do you love her?”
“Oh god, really?”
>“DO YOU LOVE HER?!”
“….It seems a bit maybe, yes.”
>“Does Celestia know?”
>This is getting really weird.
“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.”
>“Uh huh, sure.”
>You fan out your wings and begin to take off.
“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.”
>“Okay, lover boy. Er, girl.”
>You shoot Rainbow a glare as she gives you a goofy smile.
“Maybe I should practice getting used to magic on you, first.”
>“Gotta go! See you, Anon!”
>Just when you thought you had enough on your mind, something else just has to be added to it.
>This is going to be a doozy of a day.