Changing Lanes 17

“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.”
>“Anon, it’s been fifteen minutes.”
>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.
>You figured the response would be very quick, but you haven’t heard a thing back.
“So what? You want to just continue to sit here and wait?”
>Twilight seems to be getting very frustrated with your impatience, but you don’t care.
>Even though you don’t know where Luna is or what has happened, you feel like it is your fault.
>It may very well be the same delusions your were having are now afflicting her.
>Alright, this wait is ridiculous, you can‘t just sit here and do nothing.
>You get up and walk towards the door.
“This is driving me nuts, I’m going home. Let me know if Celestia says anything back.”
>“You may hear what she has to say in person, Anon.”
>You whirl around at the sound of another familiar voice in the room.
>Sure enough, there stands Princess Celestia.
>Realization hits you, this is the first time you have been in her company since you were stuck in the body of her sister.
>Play it cool, dude.
“Hello, Princess Celestia, glad to finally hear something from you.”
>Celestia’s warm smile widens, as she apparently senses your anxiety.
>“Please Anon, relax. I was not angry nor surprised when Luna told me of the occurrences of the previous few days.”
“What do you mean, not surprised?”
>“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.”
>You glance over at Twilight, who is looking like a deer in the headlights.
“Excuse me for asking, but why didn’t you say something?”
>Celestia chuckles at your inquisition.
>“I thought it would be more enjoyable to go along with it. ”
“Hm. I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing. Any news on Luna?”
>“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.”
>Your stomach churns as your guilt returns even stronger.
>A white wing embraces you lightly.
>“Do not blame yourself  for what is happening. I do not hold any anger or ill will against you.”
“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.”
>“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.”
>You feel a little bit better, knowing you made such a difference in Luna’s demeanor and life.
>But something else is bothering you.
“By the way, did Luna mention anything about the delusions I had, or was my letter the first you heard of them?”
>The alicorn’s expression turns grim.
>“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.”
>You forgot about their mental connection.
>This news makes her disappearance even more unnerving.
“So now what? You planning on just sitting around hoping she’s not dying somewhere so the precious kingdom can sleep at night?”
>Celestia seems taken aback at your outburst, as Twilight shoots you a dirty glare.
“Alright, that came out harsher than I was planning. Sorry.”
>The white alicorn regains her composure as she glances out the window, and pushes the sun below the horizon.
>“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.”
>Celestia closes her eyes and sighs.
>“Besides that, Luna cannot die, so it is a matter of her frame of mind or where she is.”
>Wait, what?
>“Excuse me, Princess, but what do you mean Luna cannot die?”
>Twilight seems to read your mind, as she asks the same question you had.
>“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.”
“Ooh, kinky.”
>The two of them turn to you, seemingly unamused.
“Sorry, bad joke.”
>“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.”
“So it’s not an alicorn thing, living a long time and being immortal and all?”
>Celestia shakes her head.
>“No. True, alicorn tend to have a longer lifespan, but not infinite.”
>Something else bothers you about this.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how did you manage to find out this ability?”
>She chuckles.
>“Luna was a bit of a daredevil when we were young. She went a bit too far one time.”
>You feel you will need to hear this story from Luna sometime.
>“Back to the situation, I must ask. How did these hallucinations start? And how extreme did they become?”
>You tell her about your confrontation with Luna the first night, and the increasing frequency up until the fix.
>The Princess listens silently, and continues her silence when you finish.
>Twilight exchanges nervous glances with you.
>Finally, after what seems like an eternity, she speaks.
>“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.”
>Before either you or Twilight has a chance to say anything, she disappears in a flash.
“I’m not positive, but I think she’s more nervous than she is letting on.”
>“Thank you, Mr. Obvious.”
>You and Twilight walk out of the library to get some fresh air.
>Night has fully overtaken Equestria at this point.
>Must have spent more time in there with the Princess than you thought.
“Did you know all that crap about immortality and whatnot?”
>Twilight shakes her head.
>“I had a vague theory, but no, I never heard it nor read it anywhere.”
>You can’t help but laugh, as she gives you an odd look.
“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.”
>“I’m sure any of us would feel the same way if we were stuck in your world. Doesn’t mean it’s backwards.”
“I know, I didn’t mean to offend you if I did. It’s just so overwhelming sometimes.”
>“Well, you’ve dealt with it pretty well so far. Aside from the first day.”
>The Superbird still sits parked outside, gleaming in the light of the nearly full moon.
“So what are you gonna do now, Twilight?”
>She looks at you confused.
>“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.”
“Oh. Well, okay then.”
>You begin to walk towards your car, opening the door and sliding in.
>“Anon, don’t.”
>You turn your head towards Twilight.
“Don’t what? I’m going home, watch movies or something.”
>Turning the key, the engine roars to life, and settles into a growling idle.
>Twilight is still staring at you, apparently she doesn’t believe you.
>Wise p0ny, you suppose.
>You flash her a smile and pull away, headlights popping up and turning on to light the way.
>As you cruise down the road at a leisurely pace, a bright light momentarily blinds your peripheral vision.
>“If you’re not going to listen to me, I guess I need to make sure you don’t get into trouble.”
>You glance over at Twilight, who has appeared in the seat next to you.
“I knew you’d see things my way eventually.”
>She rolls her eyes.
>“Just shut up and go.”
“Oh, alrighty then.”
>You grab another gear and mash the throttle.
>The engine roars like an angry beast as you pick up speed rapidly.
>Unfortunately, you can hardly hear the engine’s music over Twilight’s screams.
>You forgot, she’s never been in the car before when it’s moving.
>Oh well.
>She’ll get used to it.