Author's Note

Here is the song found in this chapter, from the Burnout 3 Soundtrack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_cQGr0AYFc

Always You

Viral had not gotten much sleep. Then again years of street racing had really taken a toll on her sleep schedule. She might have well have been nocturnal, she was used to working on limited sleep. The others, save for Twilight who was just now waking up, were already outside. Viral paid little attention to the group. Not only did her run in the day before become stuck in her mind, but Lightning Dust too was still a fresh memory.

As much as she wanted to see her there was almost zero chance that if they did run into each other again she would try to kill her. It was a hard truth. She hadn't seen her real mother since she first stepped through the portal and any alternate version of her was nothing like the pony she knew as a filly.

Twilight finally made her way outside, greeting every pony that was awake.

"Good morning Twilight, I hope you had a good sleep." Akula greeted the alicorn.

"I hope you have a bit of energy. I think we're gonna need it." Viral said unemotionally. Akula gave her a sharp glare.

"Which reminds me..." He then gave her a death glare, one she would never forget. "Where were you last night!" He questioned the bright red mare. Viral took a moment to recover before sharing the info about the ponies she ran into after her race the night before. He responded with a single word swear.

"This doesn't surprise me. He just realized his advantage over us, and now he's coming down with a vengeance."

It was at that moment that the most adorable yawn came from Fluttershy, who had just awoken from her slumber. She said good morning before Akula continued.

"We're gonna need to step up our game. If we just stay still and not free any others, we're gonna get overwhelmed pretty quickly. We need to gain some allies."

It was at this point that Viral began to zone out, daydreaming about being back home. She enjoyed the excitement of racing, dare she call it second nature to her now. She was the most experienced of the group, and she had the fastest car. The only reason she was here in Paradise and not home was her loyalty to helping these ponies. She barely caught Akula mentioning Big Surf Island and staying at the junkyard to hold down the fort.

Every pony but her and Akula were now going to Big Surf Island, Twilight with a new SI-7.

Viral was even less thrilled about being stuck inside with Akula despite their mostly friendly partnership. It was better than being stuck alone in the same room with Danger. She paid little attention to the changeling talking with the rest of the group as she listened to some songs from many years ago. Songs that would probably fit in a arcade racing game from 2004.

She barely noticed Akula step away from the conversation to eye her.

"What you listening to?"

"It's nothing good, just reminiscing on the classics."

She put her earbuds back in, attempting to drown out the environment around her. Akula was none to pleased and walked up to her. Before he could attempt to redraw her attention she whipped the ear buds out and got up, staring directly into his eyes.

"Did you want something?" She asked quizzically, with an almost sarcastic tone.

"The only reason I want you to stay here is because I can't go and I trust you the most to watch my back."

"Well I'm flattered, but you know damn well I'm better than any pony on these streets. I could wipe the floor with anyone I come across including Grogar and his goons. Instead I'm here teaching rookies how to drive when I could be back home."

She once again pulled out her Criterion Elite License, with 100% engraved on it.

"See this? I've got nothing left to do in this city, so forgive me for being bored while I'm stuck here for the time being as Twilight does what I could do twice over in half the time."

She took a breath, pausing to catch herself. Akula hadn't flinched from her words, he was as stoic as ever. With nothing left to rant about, she placed her earbuds in once more. Just in time for a new song. She checked the name.

Amber Pacific-Always You

Akula cleared his throat in order to get Viral's attention. She pulled a single earbud out to continue listening but also hear what he had to say.

"I haven't known you long enough to figure out everything about you Viral, but I know your still here for a reason. You stayed voluntarily, otherwise you would have left for Wing City by now. You do have a tendency to lie to yourself and others."

He wasn't wrong, Viral was staying for a reason. It was a reason she was scared to admit. She trusted him with the information, but wasn't sure if he would talk about it with say Thunderlane or any of the other ponies.

"I'll hold a place for you in time, inside my heart for you and I. I won't forget these tears I cried, with every year that passes by."

"I just want to see my mother again Akula. I haven't seen her face since i turned 20, that was when I first stepped in this place. I was stuck here for 7 years according to my account. the features don't add up, time is different here then home, but my point still stands."

"Why didn't you go back to her when you could?"

"Because I didn't know where to look! I ended up in Wing City by accident. That place isn't my home...."

"Good times last forever, I'll keep my heart with yours. For every minute I am gone."

"...and neither is here. I'm doing what is right, but i'm no hero. Ever since Twilight arrived she's done all the work. I've been little more than a helpful bystander...."

"You can stop doing that now." Akula interrupted. Viral gave him little more than a questioning look.

"I'll give it up, this time again. Some things are better left unsaid. All I have are lasting dreams..."

"Yes Twilight is doing most of the work, but every pony's contribution is going to count in the end. You, more than any pony else, are the best driver I have on these streets. See it this way, Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy want their friends back. I want my crew back myself, despite the fact they tried to kill me not too long ago. Thunderlane wants to be with the Wonderbolts again, and I'm pretty sure Danger just wants this over with so he can have fun and not worry about anything."

"Like trying to bring me to bed unwillingly?"

"My point is Viral, every pony here is working towards a similar goal. Bring back their friends and save both Paradise City and Equestria, and I bet you have some pony you want back as well."

"Swear you'll never leave me, I'll be there every time. In your heart and in your eyes."

She couldn't bring herself to look into his eyes as she spoke.

"She's not the same, she looks and sounds the part but she isn't like her. My mother gave up her reckless nature, she didn't allow it to control her life. She also didn't try to kill me."

"And in this universe, you weren't born. Viral, there are two things wrong with what you're saying. She isn't thinking under her own control, and she doesn't know you like you know her."

"Good times last forever, I'll keep my heart with yours. For every minute I am gone. Swear you'll never leave me, I'll be there every time. In your heart and in your eyes."

"Look, we are all working for the same goal. You, me, and the rest of the free ponies want our friends and loved ones back. If we are going to do this we need to stay safe and watch out for each other. You have experience with this city, more than I do, and I wouldn't want any other pony by my side in this predicament."

His words seemed to set off a switch in Viral's mind, he was absolutely right. As if by sheer coincidence the song ended just as they were finished. Then again, she seemed to be connected to music whenever she needed it the most. Perhaps this was one such moment.

"It's going to be a long time before we'll get her back."

"All the more reason to stay collected. I'm sure you'll get through this."

She was confident he was right. The group of ponies needed her expertise. Surely it would become useful soon enough.