The girls decided that the high school parking lot would be the best place to hold the car wash since it had enough space for people to park their cars and it was an area people passed by frequently everyday. Of course, that's what they had been hoping for.
Big Macintosh had helped bring most of the supplies they needed and was willing to pay to get his old truck washed, which only took about ten minutes. An hour had passed after he left and no one else had shown up.
Applejack looked ready to tear her hat in half. “Ah don't get it,” she growled. “The weather's appropriate, and we're in a hard to miss area, so what the hell is going on!?”
Rarity on the other hand had a triumphant smirk on her face. “Well it can't be helped darling,” she said. “I suppose everyone likes those automatic car washers.”
“Ooh I do!” Pinkie said. “Because they make you feel like you're going through a hurricane! And then the dryers go off at full blast like BSSSHHH! and your car is perfectly dry!”
Applejack glared at Rarity. “Yeah, Ah can see you're enjoying this aren't ya? Ya gonna point out now that this was a terrible idea?”
“Applejack dear, why would I be taking pleasure in all this?” Rarity asked innocently. “And I never said it was a bad idea, only that I didn't think it was going to take off.”
“So...how long are we going to stay out here?” Fluttershy asked.
“Well uh...Ah was hoping til about five?” Applejack suggested.
Rainbow groaned loudly while Rarity now looked livid. “You can't possibly be suggesting that we stay out here for another two hours!” she snapped. “We only have two days before the deadline for the contest and we haven't even gotten started yet!”
“Oh come on now, making a video only takes a few hours at best!” Applejack snapped back.
“A few hours at-!?” Rarity stopped as she took a deep breath. “You really have no idea how these things work do you?” She pointed up a finger. “First, since this is a music video, we need to get the choreography down and that will take a few hours at best.” She lifted a second finger. “Then we need to come up with an original song. Luckily I managed to brainstorm a few ideas in the past few hours so that will save us a little time.” She then held up a third finger. “And finally, once everything is recorded, it's going to take us a few hours to get all the editing down.”
Applejack had a sour look on her face. “Alright, Ah get yer point…” she grumbled.
Thankfully, Twilight decided to finally step in. “Applejack, don't get me wrong, this wasn't a bad idea but if this contest is the best opportunity for you guys to get the money you need, I think you're going to need all the time you can get.”
Applejack sighed. “Ah guess yer right sugarcube... alright we'll go with yer idea then.” She the looked behind them all and her eyes widened. “Uh...but maybe after we take care of that Maserati.”
“Huh?” Everyone looked behind as they saw the navy blue Maserati coming up towards the parking lot. It was coming in pretty fast, which at first made the girls think it was one of their fellow students, but they didn't know anyone with a car like that. Not even Flash owned something that expensive.
“Sweet wheels,” Rainbow commented.
The car then pulled up next to them and the window rolled down. “I heard there was a car wash going on?” Vice-Principal Luna asked, wearing a pair of sunglasses.
Everyone stared at her in shock. “Uh...yeah,” Applejack said. “You uh...need the regular wash or the-”
“If you could wax it too I'd greatly appreciate it,” Luna said as she turned off the engine and stepped out of the car.
“If...you don't mind me asking Luna,” Rarity began. “Where did you get such an... expensive car?”
“Oh...yes, this is a bit of a secret,” Luna said. “My one aunt, she's very... wealthy and she got me this for my birthday this month. Needless to say Celestia is very jealous of me right now.” She then gave Applejack a ten dollar bill. “Keep the change. I'm guessing it's a slow day?”
“Actually we were about to cut our losses and call it a day,” Applejack said. “But we're willing to clean the vice-principal’s car. Fluttershy, Pinkie, care to give me a hand?”
As the three of them got to work, Luna was standing next to Rainbow, and the former was quick to notice the latter's sudden discomfort. I'm not really that unapproachable am I? Unless...oh no don't tell me...no I'm sure it's not that. I'll play this cautiously. “So...how are things Rainbow Dash?”
“Oh uh….fine Luna….yourself?”
“I'm fine.” Ugh, I'm making things worse! I might as well get straight to the point. “If you don't mind me asking...do you ever get these weird dreams where...you do stuff you normally wouldn't do in real life.”
Rainbow had her eyes turned away but she was turning red slightly. “Uh...sometimes I do, yeah.”
I knew it. Somehow, they ended up experiencing the same dream. Well, Luna had an idea why at least.
Before Princess Luna had returned to Equestria, she had given Luna a small notebook. “Whenever you write in this, it'll show up in a similar notebook I have in my office,” Luna had said. “If there's anything you need...or if you want to have some fun, don't hesitate to ask.”
After the dream, Luna didn't waste any time writing to her counterpart. Somehow she must know what was going on. Unfortunately she did as Luna ended up reading the Princess' response.
Dear Luna,
I must admit this seems... troubling. I say this because you specifically said you experienced the dream from a different perspective than Rainbow Dash did. I may have forgotten to mention this, but I have a very specific role in Equestria: I can enter the dreams of others.
You may think that's insidious, but I assure you it's to help, especially those with nightmares. I don't know why but your short experience in Equestria somehow gave you this ability and you're experiencing this as you sleep. Perhaps it could be something else but if these “dreams” continue, let me know immediately.
I do not believe this is anything too serious and I can say you don't need to be alarmed but I'll speak to my sister about this. For now, speak of this to no one.Sincerely,
Princess Luna
The princess had been right about one thing, it was troubling. Luna decided, despite her counterpart's warning, that it was best to get it out into the open with Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow...I need to speak with you privately.” She walked towards the middle of the parking lot while Rainbow slowly followed.
Twilight and Rarity looked at the two in confusion. “Do you have any idea what's going on?” Twilight asked.
“Not in the slightest darling,” Rarity replied.
Once they were far enough away, Rainbow spoke up. “Um...is something wrong?”
“You'll have to forgive me for being so forward but...you had a dream last night didn't you?” Luna asked.
“I...uh…” Rainbow was at a loss of words.
“This isn't an interrogation. I...was witness to your dream. It was quite...steamy…”
“Oh my gosh...you were-!?”
“Y-Yes... unfortunately,” Luna replied. “I just want to say that there's nothing to be ashamed of and...well, I’m flattered that you find me so attractive.”
Luna couldn't help but smile while Rainbow looked like she wanted to die. “But I'm sure you're aware of the complications that such a relationship has.”
“Well yeah but-wait a minute are you…!?”
“I'm suggesting nothing,” Luna grinned as she walked back to her car. “But really I'm flattered.”
Fortunately, the girls had just finished waxing off the car. “Good as new,” Applejack said proudly.
“Hmm...you definitely do a lot better job than those $5 car wash places,” Luna said as she got in and put on her shades. She started the engine which roared loudly. “By the way, my apologies for not saying hello, Princess Twilight. I hope everything is well on your end.”
“...How did you-?”
“You're not wearing glasses dear,” Luna said as she started to drive off.
Twilight felt the need to get the last word in. “These could be contacts!”
“Doubtful~!”
Twilight huffed slightly as the car disappeared. “So...what did Vice-Principal Luna need to talk to you about, Rainbow?” Rarity asked.
“Oh uh... nothing big. Just talking about girl stuff,” Rainbow replied.
“...You never talk about girl stuff. With anyone,” Applejack deadpanned.
“Unless it's one of those big nRPGs,” Rainbow pointed out. Perhaps the girls were imagining it, but Rainbow seemed a lot more chipper now. “Anyway, don't we have a music video to do?”
“Absolutely!” Rarity replied. “Chop chop ladies, we need all the time we can get! I have most of what I need in my car so we can set up in the school auditorium.”
As they put everything away into Fluttershy’s van, there was something on Twilight's mind. “A rich aunt…” Twilight said out loud, thinking back to what Luna said. Her eyes suddenly widened. “Oh my gosh...she can't possibly mean…!?”
Even on the most perfect days, strolling through the Everfree Forest always made them less than perfect. Even Celestia's pure white aura was dimmed slightly in these woods. She, Sunset, and Luna formed a line while Twilight and Starlight walked right behind them.
“I must admit, our last time here wasn't exactly very memorable,” Celestia said as she peered through the trees.
Luna shuddered. “Please don't remind me.” Noticing Sunset’s look of confusion, she explained. “One time the Everfree Forest went rampant and threatened to overtake all of Equestria.” She then noticed Sunset's look of surprise, she added, “Surely Twilight told you all this?”
“Um...not that particular event?” Sunset chuckled nervously. “I mean, I heard about Flurry Heart almost destroying the Crystal Empire.”
“You can't really blame an infant for something like that,” Celestia said. “And besides, Discord did finally apologize for the whole Everfree thing.”
“I never thought in a thousand years you'd let him out,” Sunset said.
Luna laughed bitterly at the choice of words. “Well it's not so bad since he seems to fancy dear Tia here.”
“N-No he doesn't!” Celestia suddenly blushed.
“Aha! What do I see there!?”
“You know,” Twilight whispered to Starlight. “For being the most powerful ponies in this world... they're very down-to-earth.”
“Oh I know, I found that out first hand,” Starlight replied. “Here's a bit of advice: don't switch their cutie marks.”
“...Why would you ever-?”
“It was spur of the moment okay!?”
“In all seriousness now sister,” Celestia said. “Does something here seem…off to you?”
Luna paused for a moment. “Well, we haven't run into any Timberwolves, which by itself is odd.”
“That and it's quiet. Very quiet.” Normally you could hear some wildlife in the woods. But now all there was was silence.
“I've got a bad feeling about this…” Twilight said.
“I think we better hurry to the castle,” Celestia said, her pace increasing. “Everypony, stay on your guard.”
It only took about another ten minutes before they finally reached the castle ruins. Celestia and Luna looked on sadly. “Once upon a time we called this home,” Celestia stated.
“Indeed, and like everything else I took it for granted and destroyed it,” Luna said somewhat bitterly.
It was at this moment that Twilight knew she had to say something. “Well...it may not be what it once was but...we did the best we could,” she said as she stepped forward.
Both princesses smiled. “And we are appreciative of this,” Celestia said, giving her “former student” a hug. Sunset grinned as Twilight had a look of surprise which eventually broke down into a smile.
“Well, no point in standing around out here,” Luna said.
“You're right,” Celestia replied. “Sunset, it's time for you to see where Luna and I once lived a thousand years ago.”
It was any wonder that the gate was still able to open despite laying dormant for over a thousand years. However, as they went inside, they were quick to pick up on the renovations Twilight and her friends made. “Twilight I must say, you and your friends have been busy,” Luna commented as she stared at the tapestry.
“No kidding,” Starlight asked.
“Oh...well...you know…” Twilight grinned sheepishly.
They continued through the castle, checking out the library (“Yep, Twilight was definitely here,” Sunset said.), the courtyard, and finally the throne room. It was here that both Celestia and Luna looked uncomfortable.
“This is where it all happened,” Luna said softly.
“Yes,” Celestia sighed sadly.
“Faust I was so immature,” Luna said. “I should've talked to you and instead I let my resentment stew inside and here, a thousand years ago, I couldn't take it anymore.”
“Um... everypony?” Starlight asked. She shivered slightly. “Is it just me or...did it get a lot colder in here?”
Everyone else was quick to pick up on this as their breath could be seen. “Something's here,” Celestia said.
“Not a...windigo?” Sunset asked, dread suddenly filling her.
“No…” Luna said as the room started to darken. “It's something that never left... something I recognize easily. An old part of me that refuses to pass on…”
It became hard to see, but near the dismantled throne, a glowing pair of eyes appeared, staring at them. The eyes came closer as a figure started to take shape. At first it looked like someone wearing a cloak but as the figure came closer, they realized it was part of the shadowy figure.
“Hello Luna,” the Nightmare said, it's voice distorted and echoing throughout the room. “Did you miss me…? I missed you…”