By now it was the afternoon, and the sun was preparing for its descent towards the horizon.
“Five hours and a few hundred miles to go,” Fluttershy thought, navigating through lanes of traffic to get in front, where the road would be clear. “I can still do this. Oh my friends, I am coming home.”
After twenty minutes of flicking the indicator lights and swerving, she finally found an opening, and with the boost set to a high setting of 30 PSI, hit the gas hard, flying down the highway, smashing the speed limit as the speedometer needle passed the 170 km/h mark, then the 220 km/h mark.
Oh Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy thought with a giggle, amidst the crazy speed and the screaming sound of boost from the huge turbo. You’d be sooooooooooooooooooo jealous if you knew what I’m doing now.
After another long high-speed run, she slowed down to a modest 105 km/h and kept going. Down the highway, however, she faced a big problem. Interstate Highway 10 split into two highway: the main going northwest and the other heading slightly south.
“Hmmm,” she thought, slowing down to give her mind more time to stir up a good solution. Finally she decided to stop. But as she pulled over to the side, a little scraping sound came from the rear of the car.
Upon stopping, Fluttershy gasped in horror as she realized why the car was making that noise – the rear tires were almost completely shredded and worn out from so much hard driving over a distance that was now several hundred miles.
“I’ve got to get these changed!” she said to herself. “As soon as possible.”
With the uncertainty feeling rising within her, Fluttershy popped the hood and looked over the engine bay. Many of the parts were covered in dust and sand from the winds back in New Mexico and Arizona, which gave the turbo and the intake manifold a pale look. On top of that, a battery fuse had blown out. Thankfully it was just the air-con fuse and not a performance-related fuse.
Checking the map and nearby locations via the Supra’s ever-helpful head unit, she figured out the best way would be to take the smaller Highway 60 and from there join Highway 215, then go a little northwest, and then head down south along Highway 91 to the small town of Corona, where hopefully she could get some new tires and a new battery fuse.
With her route planned out, Fluttershy drove back out onto the highway, driving no faster than 80 km/h. After half an hour she reached Corona, and found a tire and oil change facility.
“Hi there,” Fluttershy said in a sweet voice to the employees. “I really need to get my tires changed. Do you have any racing performance-spec tires in stock for my rims?”
The workers just smiled back but also wore “WTF?” looks.
After checking the Supra’s chrome CCW rims, the tire specialists hoisted the Supra up and carefully removed the shredded rear tires and performed a full-on inspection.
“It still intrigues me how you manage to drive that thing without crashing. How long have you been driving this car?” one of them questioned Fluttershy, who was looking so cute and innocent sitting on the sidelines observing the Supra’s underside.
“Um, about two and a half days now. I’m actually in quite a hurry, because I need to arrive at a certain location soon.”
“Two and a half days? Without any accidents?” the man exclaimed. “Non-stop? You don’t look like much of a truck driver.”
Fluttershy let out an adorable giggle. “I sure sugar ain’t. I drove for about fifteen to eighteen hours at a time and took brief naps in between. As a matter of fact, I’ve driven all the way from Albuquerque. Nothing’s like a Supra, this car is just amazing. It was scary, that big turbo, but I got used to it after about a day of driving. In spite of being rather nervous and shy, I found it a real joy to drive.”
“You look pretty worn out,” one of the workmen said, working the pneumatic system that lowered the car back to ground level. “You drive like you’ve done this before. Are you a racer?”
Fluttershy shook her head. “It isn’t even my car, I was given a task by the owner to drive it. It was really scary at first, but I love it now…I wish I could have it as my own.” She whispered those last words.
After the tires were fixed and the wheels polished, Fluttershy had them change the oil for a racing-spec synthetic Pennzoil oil, and paid her full amount of money. Then she reversed out of the shop and waved the workmen goodbye.
Next, Fluttershy bought a bottle of water and a small cloth from a home décor store, pulled over by the side of the road, and wiped down the engine bay. Thankfully many of the major parts, such as the intercooler, turbo, intake manifold, and head were all warm and not boiling hot, and thus she was able to wipe many of the parts clean of New Mexico dirt and Arizona dust.
Working out another route to get to the Pacific Coast highway, she shut the Supra’s hood, buckled the racing harness back across her chest, started up the engine and drove straight for the nearest auto shop, bought a new air-con fuse, and with help and guidance from one of the employees, she pulled out the old one and installed the new one. Next, she had an auto repair shop wash the car down (including the rims) and polish the bodywork, removing scuff marks and any would-be scratches. Her total tire and oil change and repair spending came to well over six hundred dollars.
The afternoon was fading fast. But now that she was on fresh rubber, smooth oil, a replaced fuse, and a gleaming grey painted bodywork, Fluttershy could now put the hammer down.
With all the bravery she had left in her desperate bid to return home, Fluttershy drove back down the road and hit the highway yet again. Her plan was to travel down Highway 91 all the way to Highway 110, and then head north to Interstate Highway 10, where she would head west again until she reached the Pacific Coast Highway.
“For my friend Justin, for me, and for my pony friends,” Fluttershy whispered determinedly to herself, shifting into third gear and pushing 200 km/h on the highway, swerving between cars and trucks. She had no care for the speed limits – all she wanted was to reach the coast in time.
“That’s…Sweet Celestia! 250, 270, 284 km/h!” she exclaimed, accelerating hard on a wide open stretch of Highway 90. After slowing down due to the front of the car starting to lift up a little, Fluttershy sat back and enjoyed the bright warmth of the sun at a modest speed of 130 km/h. Within less than half an hour she had reached Highway 110, and took a right, heading back up north. For a moment, it looked like it was going to be a one-pony race. But then she ran into Los Angeles famous evening rush hour near Interstate Highway 10.
“Um, excuse me guys, but can you move please?” Fluttershy said politely for the millionth time, desperately trying to navigate through the maze of cars heading up north to the all-famous city of Los Angeles.
Another thing that Fluttershy began to notice was the attitude of the people. Occasionally one person would get out of his or her car and start mindlessly yelling and screaming, sometimes even punching the other person’s car.
If only you’d just show a little kindness to each other, and realize that fighting isn’t the solution to happiness, she thought sadly, passing by a yelling man at the side of the road.
As the sun went down, Fluttershy finally turned onto Highway 10, and drove as fast as she could, heading towards the ocean which she could now just about see, a thick bluish-black line on the horizon.
Just as all daylight ceased, Fluttershy was so happy she was nearly ready to just jump out of the car and fly in circles in the air. She had reached the Pacific Coast Highway! It had taken her more than 70 hours, but she’d done it!
At that moment, Carter called her up.
“Flutters?”
“Ah, hi Carter!” Fluttershy’s voice was joyful as ever.
“Where—where in the hell are you?”
“I’ve reached the Pacific Coast Highway!” Fluttershy exclaimed with excitement, almost yelling.
Carter’s eyes flooded with tears – both of liquid pride and concern. “I normally wouldn’t say this, but it’s 7:50 p.m., you’ve got an appointment with destiny.”
“I know, but the traffic just below LA was such a handful, and I did get caught speeding about three times,” Fluttershy replied in a yeah-I-know voice. “Oh Celestia, am I glad to have that behind me now.”
“How’s the car?”
“It’s running well, never had any problems with it, except a blown fuse which I replaced, as well as changed the tires and the oil. I’ve got a good feeling my luck might change. Bye, Carter,” Fluttershy replied, a tear dripping from her eye.
“Bye, Flutters,” Carter said, and hung up.
Fluttershy swallowed and sighed. That was the last time she'd ever talk to him. She wanted to just stop and relax, but she was so close now. Taking care that there were no speed traps or cops around, she went for it, bring the speed back up, for one last 200 km/h run.
Throughout her journey across three states, Fluttershy had changed a lot. She still felt shy and nervous, but found confidence and bravery through driving the Supra. Feeling the g-force generated by boost was incredibly scary, but having the ability to adjust it allowed her to experience it in stages, until she was able to handle a large amount of it. The LED lit gauges were also fascinating to observe and have that sense of being able to accurately know what was happening to the engine’s turbo. Added to which, the racing seats’ curving design felt much like her bear friend back in Equestria, with its “hugging” feel, which helped give her a feeling that the car was forgiving, strong-willed, and secure. That it would be protective and comforting for her. Last but certainly not least was the incredible strength of the straight-six-cylinder engine. Even with a big turbo attached to it and all the endless pulls and speed runs Fluttershy had done over the course of her journey, it still ran strong and delivered that characteristic boost feeling every time, sending the car rocketing forward with ease and precision.
It was amazing to think that Fluttershy, for all her shyness, timidness, and exceptional bravery, had fallen in love with a 1995 Toyota Supra, and didn’t want to leave it.
“There it is!” Fluttershy exclaimed, and turned off the highway onto the twisty Rambla Pacifico Street. Up ahead lay a U-bend, and she decided to do one of the most daring things she’d ever do in her entire life.
Gaining speed in third gear, she approached the corner, downshifted to second gear, then briefly yanked the handbrake, dropped it back down, then dropped the clutch, spun the steering wheel around, and gently tapped the throttle. As a result, the car began to slide sideways and produce a fair amount of smoke.
In this seemingly out-of-control circumstance, Fluttershy tried maintaining control as best as she could, and despite accidentally pressing the throttle a little too hard at the end, causing the car to nearly spin out at the turn’s exit. Had she not quickly corrected it with her steering, the Supra would have smashed into the metal barrier. She had drifted – for the first time ever! (All from one video she’d watched on Carter’s laptop.)
Returning to a regular driving manner, Fluttershy drove down the twisty road and turned right on Deerpath Lane making her way up the narrow bendy road. And up at the top, there was one hell of a surprise. Justin’s house was there, and the gates had been opened. Fluttershy carefully drove through them at exactly 7:59 p.m., and neatly parked the car in the driveway. She pulled out the key with her mouth, unbuckled herself, pushed the door open, and jumped out, flying in circle in the air with joy. She’d been given one task, and she’d done it! All by herself!
And finally, finally, she’d be able to go home to her friends and see Equestria again.
Heading to the front door, she cautiously knocked. The house was enormous, with two large garages and a beautifully crafted porch and front deck.
No one answered, but just then another car, this one even louder than the Supra, pulled up. It had a much more aggressive engine sound and appearance than the Supra as well. Yet it had a lovely bright green color that reminded her of her little cottage back in Equestria.
The car stopped beside the Supra and out stepped a man in a crisp, smooth black suit with dress pants and shiny leather shoes. Rarity would have adored him. It was Justin Davis.
“Pretty impressive, I must say. You just about accomplished it. How about we spend some time together tonight as well as tomorrow?” Justin’s voice was seriously formal yet happy and charming.
Fluttershy looked down. “I…I really want to go back to Equestria, I miss my friends so much.”
Justin knelt down and stroked her mane smoothly and reassuringly. “Aw, Fluttershy. You don’t have to leave right away. Besides, aren’t you going to give thanks to the one who gave you the one shot at actually being able to return home when no one else did?”
Hearing this, Fluttershy jumped up and gave Justin a big hug, nuzzling his cheek with her muzzle. “Thank you, Justin. I also need to tell you something important.”
Justin smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “That can wait a moment. Let’s have some dinner. I’d bet you’re hungry.”
Fluttershy nodded and smiled. Justin locked the Huracan and together they walked up to the front door.