//------------------------------//
// In which many tears, of both joy and terror, are shed 
// Story: Twilight Sparkle's Excellent Space Voyage 
// by TehMorganator 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 2



In which many tears, of both joy and terror, are shed


"Buck, I think I left the oven on!", Rainbow Dash screamed. Twilight grabbed her by the shoulders. "How can you think about that at a time like this!?" She yelled. "Sorry, just crossed my mind", Dash muttered.

Twilight held her hooves to her temples. Thinkthinkthinkthinkthink! Finally it struck her. "The oven can wait, Dash. I'm gonna try something!". She slid the knife she kept concealed in her hoof out, and sliced open the mainframe of the ship. 

"If I can switch the red wire and blue wire after I cut them out, I can-!" She was cut off by a large cabinet falling onto her. "What the hay!? What is that even doing there!? Dash, grab the knife, and switch them, but be quick, you only have five seconds or it'll probably kill us both!".

Dash took the knife, and sliced two wires free. "So now what?!" She yelled, straining to be heard over the engines. "Did you cut the blue and red wires free?" Twilight asked. "I don't bucking know, I'm bucking monochromatic colourblind!"

"What?!" Twilight choked. "What did you bucking say?", more of a hiss this time. Rainbow Dash shrugged, dropping one wire under the cabinet, and the other on her own hoof, electrocuting herself. She doubled over, mane standing on end. 

"How the hay do you even breathe right, Dash?", Twilight spat. "You are a foul cesspit of the epitome of incompetence, you bucking-!". The shuttle slowed, until it was at a steady speed, headed towards their destination. "Oh...", was all Twilight could say. "You fixed it...". 


***


Twilight Sparkle sat in the ship's medical bay, bandaged. The cabinet, thankfully, hadn't done any serious damage, although she had thought it a bit of a design flaw, but she wouldn't question Celestia's judgement. Kindhearted Celestia, who had reassured that nothing would possibly go wrong. She even forgave her for the incident with the chariot. Celestia, whom Twilight was sure would remain forever uncorruoted and Twilight would never have to overthrow in an epic duel, possibly with some 'Cello music playing in the background.

Twilight groaned and stood up. A feat not so impressive by human standards, but bear in mind that she had to throw herself forwards, land on her front hooves and then twist her neck upwards 90 degrees. It made a satisfying clicking noise. 

"Celestia, that feels good", she sighed. Her legs were still a little stiff, and she stumbled a few times on the way to the bridge. Upon entering, she was greeted by a well-rested looking Rainbow Dash. "Good morning, Twilight! Glad to see you're awake". Twilight glared at her. "Why's that?", she snapped, still waking up and desperately needing a coffee. 

"Because I have absolutely no idea how to fly this thing", came Dash's excessively cheery tone. "Well, while you're overflowing with merriment here, I'll get a coffee, and try to operate it", she muttered wearily. "Oh, could you make one of my special blend protein shakes?" Rainbow called as she left. Twilight swished her tail in annoyance. "Do I look like a waitress?"


***


A much more cheerful, well groomed Twilight trotted in holding a tray. "One Rainbow Dash protein shake, just the way you like it. 3 chocolate brownies, a whole bag of marshmallows, only the pink ones, some-". Dash cut her off. "Y'know, you don't have to list everything in it. Some pony might be..." She gulped dramatically, "listening".

Twilight sipped her coffee , sighed and sat back in her seat. Rainbow Dash followed suit, but, after a sip, fumbled it. The protein shake spilled onto the main console, causing sparks to fly from it. "Bucking Hooves...", she muttered.

And the ship was off at high speeds once more. This time, Twilight calculated, at a speed where they would hit the moon in about 10 minutes, and blow roughly a quarter of it into deep space. Instead of stating these facts, she screamed "I don't wanna die!". Dash joined in with a terrified "Me too!" And a third, more excited than scared voice yelled "Me three!", from behind them. Twilight and Rainbow Dash looked at each other, then slowly turned to look at their unexpected guest.

"Surprise!", the bubblegum pony cheered, with a burst of confetti.