https://web.archive.org/web/20190115030825/https://8ch.net/gtpone/res/2808.html

>this world
>is sick
>you're holding the binoculars in your hooves
>you can't let the glow of your magic get you caught
>not now
>not after you've come so far
>from the bushes, you espy the tree-like Ponyville Castle
>it won't be long now
>at the base of the castle is a small device you nonchalantly dropped about 28 minutes ago
>soon there will be one less princess in Equestria
>and this is only the test run
>if it works, you're going to carry out your full-scale attack against Canterlot Mountain itself
>no more Canterlot
>no more princesses
>well, there is that one other princess who lives way up north
>but you'll figure something out for her too
>now...
>it should be just about...
>NOW!
>a loud squeaking noise rips through the night
>a puff of confetti hangs just above the ground
>the castle is unharmed
"Huh?"
>quiet! there's something stirring in the castle!
>a door on a high balcony slides open
>and out steps Princess Twilight herself
<"Hello? Who's there?"
>sshhh, don't respond, it's a trap
<"Pinkie Pie?"
>actually, you did get the device from Pinkie Pie
>she said it was the most powerful firework she had
>isn't a firework the same thing as a bomb?
<"Eh..."
>the unelected tyrant of Ponyville disappears within her castle once more
>looks like now is the time to make your retreat, Lyra
>you creep out of the bushes and zip through the shadows til you arrive at home
>damn! another mission failed
>oh well, you'll figure out a new plan tomorrow

>you like to think of your home as a reflection of Equestrian society
>a total, unsalvageable mess
>an innavigable maze of unwanted detritus
>the ruins of a once-nice place buried under mountains of empty beer cans
>you should really get all these cans out of your home
>judging by the Sun hanging outside your window, you've awoken in the wee hours of the afternoon
>judging by the rapping at your chamber door, you've been awoken by someone who wants to speak to you
>is it the guard?
>should you make a break for it?
>no
>they don't have any evidence
>running will only look suspicious
>better just ask what they want through the door
>you wade through the cans and put your face  near the heavy wooden door
"Who is it?"
/"It's Bon Bon."
>Bon Bon
>your best friend since college
>you had some good times back in the day
>but all that ended when she revealed her true identity to you as Special Agent Sweetie Drops
>as a covert law enforcement agent, you just can't have her around
>she'd ruin everything
>you were forced to cut off contact with her almost entirely
>unfortunately, that pony can't take a hint
>or maybe she was assigned to monitor your activities
>either way, you need to get her out of here
>you have about a hundred more of Pinkie Pie's explosive devices sitting in your basement
>you can't risk discovery
"What do you want?"
/"I wanted to see you. We haven't hung out in ages!"
"Sorry, no time. I'm, uh, busy."
/"But you haven't had a gig in months!"
"I'm, uh, sick. Cough cough."
>/"Lyra-"
"Cough."
/"I bought us two season passes to the spa."
>sweet Sun!
>it's social engineering!
>don't fall for it, Lyra
"J-just leave mine on the doorstep."
/"Nope! You have to come with me."
"R-right now?"
/"Right now, or I'm giving yours to Lily."
>don't fall for it, Lyra
>don't fall for it, Lyra
>don't fall-
>you open the door and stare ashamedly at your hooves
/"Lyra? Oh my goodness, you look terrible!"
"I-I, uh..."
/"I can see I didn't come a second too soon. You need to get spoiled, stat!"

>the spa
>Ponyville's own hotbed of decadence and degeneracy
>literally
>because the spa has literal hotbeds
>you're on one right now
>you'd be disgusted
>but it feels so nice
>your bed is opposite Bon Bon's, lengthwise
>laying on your belly, you can see her gazing into the depths of your soul
>with that little smirk on her face
/"See? You really needed this. Isn't life so much better when you listen to old Bon Bon?"
"Unhuhuhhhhhuhhhhhh..."
>this is bad
>your muscles have become too relaxed
>you can't even control your jaw well enough to speak
>you're completely vulnerable to attack right now
>if the guard is planning to strike, they'll do it any second now...
>Bon Bon giggles
/"I know, right? It's not like you to get so stressed out. What's up? Is it the whole can't-find-work thing?"
"Nhuh-huhnhhhunnnhhhhhh..."
/"Well don't worry about that right now. We'll get you back on your hooves. Those pricks in the Ponyville Chamber Orchestra are gonna realize that losing you was the worst thing that ever happened to them."
"Mmmnnnhhh..."
<"Oh, hello Lyra!"
>like a rubber band snapping back into place, your muscles are tensed and ready to spring into action
>it's Twilight Sparkle
>fortunately, it doesn't seem like an attack
>it looks like she and that friend of hers, Rarity, were following one of the spa ponies to the nearby hot tub room
"Uh... hello."
<"Lyra, I was visiting with the girls up in Canterlot just the other day. They were all saying you never go up to visit them anymore."
"The... girls?"
<"You know, all our old school friends. Minuette, Twinklshine, Lemon Hearts, Moon Dancer."
"Moon Dancer is going outside again?"
/"Lyra! You never told me you were classmates with Princess Twilight!"
"Well, I guess I kind of forgot. We grew pretty distant after she ran off to Ponyville and made new friends."
/"But didn't you move to Ponyville right afterwards?"
"Yeah, but I always kept in touch with my old friends. Until... recently."
>you sigh
"Anyways, even before that. You know, Bon Bon, you were always hanging out with me and the girls in college, but somehow you never even met Twilight. She was always too busy with her private studies or something."
>Twilight is smiling sadly at you
<"I know I wasn't a very good friend, Lyra. I guess you're the last one I haven't apologized to yet."
>Twilight frowns
<"Lotus, could we upgrade to a bath for four?"
>the spa pony smiles and nods
<"Would you two care to join us?"
>Bon Bon springs to her hooves
/"Yes!"
"Uh..."
>Bon Bon glares at you
/"Yes!"
"Okay."

>"Oh, I know exactly what you went through, dear. I have to beg and plead every single time to get Twilight out to the spa."
/"Yep. It's those gifted unicorn types, you know."
>Rarity and Bon Bon share a giggle
>Twilight is staring at you
>you're staring back
<"So, Lyra. What have you been up to? Still into music?"
"Yeah, I was playing with the local orchestra. But then, uh…"
/"The pricks kicked her out! Can you believe it?"
<"What? That's horrible!"
/"This is practically the first time she's gone outside since. I can't stand-"
"Bon Bon."
>Bon Bon shuts up
"To answer your question, I haven't been up to very much lately, Princess. I've just been thinking. And doing a little light writing I guess."
>Twilight cringes at "Princess"
>and then lights up
<"You've been doing some writing?"
>oh, Tartarus
>why'd you mention that?
>if a princess got a hold of one of your manifestoes, you'd be on the moon before nightfall
"Oh, it's nothing worth sharing. Just some random thoughts."
<"Well, if you don't want to share it… I'm just interested because the Princess is holding a little fete this weekend."
"Which one?"
<"Which what?"
"Which princess?"
<"Oh, sorry, I mean Princess Celestia. There may be four… or… five of us now, but there's only one 'The Princess' to me."
/"What's a fete?"
>"It's a sort of high class ball for intellectuals."
<"Right. All the princesses will be there, and I think most of the ponies from our class at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns will be there too. Actually, pretty much every scholar in Equestria will be there, and probably some nobles and other famous ponies too. I'm going to be reading an essay about my findings on friendship, and there's going to be other speakers presenting their writings as well. Stories, poems, studies."
"Oh, well, like I said, I don't think anything I've written is really worth-"
>Bon Bon gasps
/"Lyra! You could play there!"
"Play? What? Like, on my lyre?"
/"Probably your harp. This sounds like a really fancy party."
<"That's a great idea! I could definitely get you a slot on stage if you want it, Lyra. It would be good to get you and your talents back into society."
"Uh… sure. That sounds like fun."
<"Oh, Lyra! This is going to be great! Do you have a song you want to play?"
"I think I'll write something special for the occasion. I'll tell you what it's called when it's ready."
>you sit and chat cheerfully for about another hour
>you get out of the bath
>you dry off
>you get home
>you grin
>looks like you worked something out after all

>now
>despite being an alumna of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns
>you've never been an especially powerfull spellcaster
>such things aren't terribly uncommon
>there was a colt named Sunburst in another class
>he had a talent for memorizing all kinds of spell and magical theories
>but he lacked the raw power to actually do half of the things he knew how to do
>at a glance, it might seem that you were consigned to a similarly tragic fate
>until one considers just what your talent actually is
>music
>lyres, harps, guitars, banjos, lutes, mandolins, ukeleles
>if it can be plucked or strummed, you're already a master with it
>and the nice thing about being well-versed in both music and in magic
>is that there's plenty of music-based magic
>and as for magical instruments
>the harp is surpassed only by the fife
>you wade through the lake of empty beer cans to a long-forgotten closet
>and with some struggle, you get the door open
>but there it is
>your prized pedal harp
>it's nothing too fancy
>just some basic instrument strings stretched across a frame of cheap polished brass
>but you take good care of it
>and you know how to use it
>giddily, you stroke the brass with your hooves
>and you think up a few basic magical notes to play
>your hooves move from the frame to the strings
>the sound is beyond beauty to your ears
>you really can't believe that you've gone so long without doing this, even just for fun
>but now it seems that your calling as Equestria's reckoning has led you back to your passion for music
>it's destiny, it has to be
>you weave a simple spell into the song
>it's nothing complicated, just a light show
>the closet is filled with the shimmering essence of a rainbow
>this is really a rapturous moment for you
>because you've got a plan now
>and it's sure to work
>all the princesses and most of Equestrian high society will be eagerly gathered to witness you destroy them
>your horn won't glow during the whole show
>your victims will never suspect anything til the end
>your hooves pluck a little sleeping spell
>your head starts to nod toward the floor
>whoah! careful, Lyra!
>don't want to put yourself to sleep now
>you stop playing and you grin at your reflection in the harp's brass
>yes, just a little sleeping spell
>and with just a slight modification to it
>you can put them all to sleep
>forever
>though, realistically, spells like that only last for about a thousand years
>whatever
>it's plenty of time
>you'll need to work on modifying the spell a bit, both to lengthen its effects and you exclude you from them
>you'll probably need to get some sort of test subject too
>oh man
>you're really gonna do it this time, aren't you?

>crack of noon
>Sun in your face
>sheets on your body
>you are awake
>you'll probably have to worry about your appearance a bit on the day of the fete
>but today
>a wet hairbrush in your mane
>and a wet toothbrush in your mouth
>that will suffice
>time to get to work
>the safest way to prepare the spell would be to cast a little charm on your ears
>this will render you immune to your own musical magic
>problem
>there's no way to know the spell works unless you use it to put something to sleep
>you don't want this to end in a puff of confetti 
>like the bomb plot
>solution
>aquire an animal
>an animal won't be able to tell you what your distracting lightshow looks like
>but that can be tested separately from the sleeping spell portion of the song
>if the animal goes to sleep, the spell works
>preferred animal
>songbird
>small, won't eat much
>believable pet for someone with your cutie mark
>you're going out to get one right now
>destination
>the home of a pony named Fluttershy
>you open your door to step out
>on the other side is Twilight Sparkle
>her hoof is raised
>she was probably about to knock on the door
>behind her are more ponies you recognize
>Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, Minuette, Moon Dancer
<"Lyra! Hi!"
>this is less than ideal
"Oh, uh, hi girls. What are you all doing here?"
>somehow, the first one to answer you is Moon Dancer
_"Twilight told us you were both performing at the fete. We thought we'd come pay you a visit."
>Minuette thrusts forward to fling her hooves around your neck
~"We haven't seen you in forever!"
"Ah, yeah, well..."
>the others crowd around you to join in the hug
>it's all very touching
>there's just one thing at the back of your mind
"Wait, so does this mean you're all coming to the fete?"
~"Uh huh!"
>problem
>all of your friends are going to be exposed to your sleeping spell
>including the ones you weren't trying to assasinate
>solution
>unknown

>Minuette decided to come with you to Fluttershy's home
>the others went out to lunch
>they made you promise to go to dinner with them tonight
>annoying
>you've just told Fluttershy that you're interested in adopting a bird
>her eyes are widening and sparkling in slow motion, almost as if Minuette cast a spell on her
>but before you know it, she's grabbing your hoof and dragging you off to a large tree
>she drops you and Minuette off at the base of the tree and flies up to peer into its branches
>"Oh little birdies, come out please. I've got some new friends I'd like you to meet."
>and the tree makes you aware
>that it is swarming
>with birds
>cardinals
>robins
>finches
>woodpeckers
>there's even a toucan
>Fluttershy smiles at the birds
>"My friend Lyra is interested in adopting one of you. Go and say hello."
>the birds
>they don't say hello
>they just stare at you
>one bird, a bluebird, hops down to the branch nearest you and stares from there
>Minuette points at it
~"I think that one likes you."
>the bird hops from the tree and onto Minuette's pointing hoof
~"Oh!"
>Minuette giggles
~"You look like toothpaste!"
>the bird chirps
~"You like that, huh?"
>she holds the bird right up to your face
~"Look! He reminds me of when we were little fillies, and we both thought we'd be dentists."
"Because we both looked like toothpaste..."
>the bird chirps
>hops down Minuette's hoof a little
>and nuzzles its face on your snout
~"Hehe, He definitely likes you."
"Yeah..."
>it's staring into your eyes
>something about it feels...
>like something
"I think I'll take this one home."

>for the millionth time, you sit at your harp with the latest revision of the song before you
>Toothpaste, music afficianado that he apparently is, sits perched at rapt attention nearby
>you check your ear protection
>and then go
>there's really no adequate way to describe the music of a harp with mere words
>the experience is much more significant
>much more precise
>much greater than language could ever be
>here you play a little higher and quicker
>Toothpaste's eyes follow a light show you cannot see with great enthusiasm
>here you add a sort of trilling flourish, and the bird shivers
>here the music slows
>the bird's head droops
>for only a moment, the song rises to fantastic heights, and the bird almost looks ready to take wing
>but slowly it descends once more
>lower
>slower
>the bird's eyelids look very heavy on it
>and now...
>holy hay is that Twilight outside the window?
>no way! she's close enough to hear you!
>the purple princess pony's eyes roll back into her head
>then she collapses beneath the window
>oh, no, no, no, no
>the spell isn't perfected yet, she's going to wake up!
>and when she does she'll know what you're planning!
>you'll be on the moon before it sets!
>whoah, when did the moon rise anyway?
>you race outside and find her unconscious on the ground
>oh, no, no, no, no
>she's already beginning to stir
>Twilight looks right at you!
<"Lyra? What's wrong?"
>you realize that you're trotting in place
>stay still now, Lyra
"Uh, I saw you... faint."
<"Faint?"
>she realizes that she's lying on your flowerbed
<"Oh!"
>she leaps up to her hooves and pats down her wings
<"Sorry! I guess I really do stay up too late."
>ohhhh
>good
>she has no idea
<"Lyra?"
>you're staring at her
"Y-yeah?"
<"You missed dinner."
"Dinner?"
<"You know, you said you'd meet me and the girls for dinner tonight."
"Oh. Yeah, I did. I guess I just... lost track of the time. You know, working on the... song."
<"Is is coming along well? Can I hear it?"
"No! It's not ready yet!"
<"Well, all right then. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put any stress on you. With the fete only two days away and all-"
"Two days?"
<"Well, yeah. I asked you if you wanted to perform yesterday, on Wednesday. Thursday, Friday... Saturday. Lyra... Lyra, you're sweating."
"Don't worry about me. Trust me, you're better off saving your worry for yourself. Anyway, if you're all right then, I'll just go and work on my song some more. Good night!"
>you begin to make your way to your door
>Twilight doesn't follow
<"Lyra! Everyone's worried about you! They say you're pushing everyone away!"
"Is this coming from you, Twilight?"
>you're not looking at her
>but Twilight's silence tells you that she probably took that like a slap in the face
>you're halfway through your door
<"Lyra, can you at least meet us for breakfast at my place tomorrow? I'm making pancakes!"
"Yeah, sure, whatever, bye!"
>the door slams shut
>no, wait!
>you meant no!
>well
>it might be good to learn the floor plan of a castle
>anyway
>you've come up with your solution to the problem of all your friends being at the fete
>you're just going to put them to sleep along with everyone else

>there
>Toothpaste has been asleep for over an hour now
>obviously, there's no way to confirm that it really lasts forever
>you'd have to wait forever, after all
>but, as a master of musical magic
>you're pretty sure this is it
>and it only took you all night
>the Sun is still low in the sky, though no longer red with the sunrise
>you're probably just in time for breakfast at Twilight's
>just need to freshen up a bit
>a few minutes later and you're fresh as a splash of cold water and cheap perfume will get you
>a few minutes after that and you're knocking on the door of a big crystal tree
>wondering if you can really go through with your plan tomorrow
>these ponies are your friends, aren't they?
>the door opens
>a purple princess pony sees you
>and she smiles brightly
<"Lyra, you came! Come on in, the girls are all here! I'm still cooking, but breakfast will be out in just a minute."
>seated at a crystal table in crystal chairs are the mares you called friends as a foal
>there are two seats open
>you assume that the one with the purple star on it is for Twilight
>so you take the one with butterflies stamped on it
>Lemon Hearts waves vigorously and smiles cheerily
>behaving exactly the way she won't after tomorrow
>"Lyraaaaaaaa! Hiiiiiiiii! It's been for-eeeeeeever! How have you beeeeeeeen?"
"I've been well."
>"Mmmmm, we've got to catch up some time, just the two of us."
"Sure."
>Minuette gives a friendly greeting as well
~"Hey, Lyra. How's Toothpaste doing?"
"He's... asleep right now."
>the pony in the seat directly to your left is Moon Dancer
>she nods shyly in your direction
_"Hi, Lyra. Been a while."
"Yeah. When did you decide to crawl out from under your rock?"
>Moon Dancer flinches, and looks down at her hooves
>Twinkleshine snorts
>"You're one to talk."
>Twilight walks in carrying plates stacked high with pancakes
<"Okay! Who's ready to eat?"
>Lemon Hearts is excited
>"Oh! Me! I am!"
>Twilight dishes out the food
>you take a bite
>ugh
>it's bland
>flavorless
>squishy and moist
>like chewing dank air
>are you the only one who notices this?
>the others are scarfing this garbage down so happily
>are they faking it?
>you've had enough of this
>you stand up, clinking your fork against your glass
"I'd like to propose a toast to the author of this meal."
<"Oh?"
"To Twilight Sparkle. The pony who abandoned all of her friends for four years and was made the Princess of Friendship for it."
>Twinkleshine scoffs
>"Lyra! Why are you being such a jerk toda-"
"And to Twinkleshine. The bitch who always liked to put gum in my mane."
>a plate flies past you and shatters against the wall
~"L-Lyra!"
>you turn around and make your way toward the door without another word
>"That pony is seriously messed up in the head!"
<"N-now, girls, Lyra's under a lot of pressure. She's got a lot riding on the performance tomorrow, l-let's just try to be unders-"
>the door shutting behind you silences all further conversation to your ear
"I don't need your understanding."

>outside of the castle, it's starting to rain
>the pale surface of the dirt road before you is rapidly peppered with dark polka dots
>the Sun-baked earth greedily drinks the rain and starts to become soggy
>so does your mane
>you bow down your head
>and quickly walk toward home
>the rain seeps through your coat and pricks your skin with cold
>letting you know that you still feel
>how unfortunate
>if they had known that they had been pleading for their world, maybe they wouldn't have insulted you so monstrously
>that Lemon Hearts
>had she thought you wouldn't notice?
>the biting smirk disguised as a friendly smile
>the condescension in her voice, hidden behind a cheery lilt
>how horrific
>and Twilight
>had she intentionally prepared fouled food just for you?
>it seems like the only logical explanation
>the food on your plate was intentionally bad, while everyone else was served a proper breakfast
>some sort of prank?
>what a bitch
>and that's to say nothing about Twinkleshine's outright attempted assault on you
>all these high society types
>these intellectuals
>these Canterlot socialites
>all these sorcerers and scholars and musicians and princesses
>they all look down on you
>but you're glad they look down on you
>yes, glad!
>if the social elite of this land had accepted you among their ranks, you'd be one of them
>perpetuating their sickness
>and someone else would have taken up the necessary task of eradicating them, destroying you in the process
>no
>starting tomorrow, this land will belong to the good ponies
>ponies who won't condescend to look down on you
>ponies like Bon Bon
>in mid-step, your hooves collide with one another
>and your face is in the mud
>you lay there for a minute, drinking deeply of the physical sensation
>and a set of creme-colored hooves stop just before your eyes
/"Lyra?"
>looking down on you are the greenish eyes of Bon Bon
/"Are... are you okay?"
>you grunt, and clamber to your hooves
"I just fell."
>Bon Bon blinks
/"Well, okay then. Anyway, I was looking for you. Great news!"
>this
>this friendship
>on an equal basis
>among equals
>that's why folks like Bon Bon are going to inherit the earth tomorrow
>you smile
"What's up?"
/"I bought a ticket to that party you're performing at tomorrow! I talked to Princess Twilight about it and she was able to get me one totally last minute! I'm gonna be there for your big break, how great is that?"
>oh
>is it getting hotter outside?
>or is that just the slimy thing writhing in your gut?
/"Lyra?"
"Y... you shouldn't... I... don't..."
/"You don't want me to come?"
"I've... got to..."
>you stumble off to the side and make your way around Bon Bon
/"Lyra! Where are you going?"
"I've... gotta go... See you... tomorrow!"
>the scenery passes by in a haze
>and somehow you arrive at home
>flinging open the door, you're greeted by the last thing you wanted to see
>Twilight and Moon Dancer are standing there, staring intently at you
"How... did you... get here?!"
<"We teleported in. Lyra, there's something bothering you. We need to talk!"
"Get... out... of my house!"
<"Lyr-"
"Out!"
>you storm behind them and start shoving them weakly with your body
_"Eep!"
<"Lyra, I don't understand! Why are you treating us like this? Didn't I do you a favor? Don't you want to perform tomorrow?"
>a poorly aimed shove sends you ricocheting off of Twilight and sprawling on the floor
"I... I do. You did... You have no idea..."
<"Lyra! We can't help you if you don't talk to us!"
>you sigh and settle into the floor
>the panic that's been building in you finally starts to settle into freezing cold, yet manageable, unease
"After tomorrow. After tomorrow, you'll understand."
<"Understand what?"
"You'll understand. I promise. After tomorrow. Now go."
<"Lyr-"
"Get! Out!"
<"I... Okay, Lyra. I trust you. Moon Dancer, let's go."
>Moon Dancer looks uneasily at you
_"Are you sure?"
<"Yes. Sometimes friends need to give each other space. Come on."
>and then they're gone
>and then
>there on the floor
>among the stacks of cans
>you descend into a troubled unconsciousness

>morning
>in the cargo bay beneath you is the large luggage case which contains your harp
>in the seat next to you is the briefcase which contains the sheet music that will end Equestria
>it occurs to you now that you don't have any plans for what happens after today
>it doesn't matter
>whatever comes next
>it'll be better than this
>it might be possible to block up the doors to the castle before anyone notices
>and maybe find some sort of artifact or spell in the archives that will enable you to protect ponies from external threats
>it doesn't matter right now though
>right now what matters is justice
>the door to your lonely train car slides open
>in walks a white unicorn, looking around nervously for something
>she spots you
>and freezes
"Good morning, Moon Dancer."
_"L-L-L-L-Lyra! H-hi! Um, I, um, I forgot some things, so the others went on ahead without me... a-a-and you, apparently."
"I like to sleep in."
_"R-right. I-I-I was actually just looking for a bathroom. Is there one in this car?"
"Dunno. Haven't checked."
_"Um... right... well... I don't see one in here so I guess I'll keep looking!"
"Bye, Moon Dancer."
_"Yep. See you later. Right... um..."
"Yes?"
_"S-since I found you there's actually something I wanted to say."
"Oh?"
_"I, um, Twilight and I, we, um, we read through some of your writings yesterday..."
"That's nice."
_"R-really? Twilight said you really didn't want anyone to, you know, read those."
"It doesn't matter anymore."
_"Um, well, I thought... it was... really... smart. And Twilight did too."
"Did she really?"
_"Uh huh. That stuff about introducing more democratic elements to the government... She said that even she hadn't gotten a say when she was made a princess!"
"Well I'm glad you liked it."
_"Yeah, m-me too. Um... yesterday you said... we'd understand after today and I just wanted to know what you meant by that!"
>wow
>you've never seen Moon Dancer act like this before
>so agitated
>of course, it's not without good cause
>though she couldn't possibly know that
"I meant you'll understand after today."
_"Um... okay. I-I'll just go find that bathroom now."
"Bye, Moon Dancer."
_"Okay, sorry, sorry, I'll get going, I just... one more thing... I... I think you're really brilliant, Lyra... so, um... just... d-don't do anything rash, okay?"
>you grin lazily at the flustered bookworm
"I won't do anything stupid. I promise."

>the bizarre calm you experienced on the train is gone
>and now it's back
>and now it's gone
>your heart can't decide how hard it wants to pump right now
>so it seems to be cycling through all available speeds
>you're behind the curtain right now
>your harp standing tall before you
>your retribution, desguised as music, sitting on a stand beside it
>Twilight is just finishing her presentation on the study of friendship
<"And now, a presentation from yet another good friend, who... who I have a lot to learn from. Without further ado, an original piece by Lyra Heartstrings of Ponyville!"
>the curtain rises slowly
>ever so slowly
>torturously slowly
>and the anticipation you've felt climaxes
>as you know
>that this very instant
>is your moment of truth
>Twilight winks at you
<"Show us all, Lyra."
>and she steps down from the stage
>and finds a table populated with familiar faces
>Minuette
>Moon Dancer
>Lemon Hearts
>Twinkleshine
>if you didn't know about their secret condescension
>you might even say that there's no evidence of yesterday's scene in their bright faces
>somehow, Bon Bon is sitting among them too
>she's waving at you
>how unfortunate
>nothing less than total detachment from personal feelings will help you do what needs to be done now
>as far as you're aware, no spell in the world will be able to recussitate her
>but maybe someday you'll find an artifact that will
>until then though
>she's an unfortunate casualty
>your resolve is ironclad with the looming presence of yet another pony at that very table
>Princess Celestia herself
>whispering something in Twilight's ear
>to Tartarus with them, then
>stiffly
>professionally
>you step beside your instrument
>and assume an upright sitting position
>and pluck your first note
>the magical visual effects are lost to you due to the enchantment on your ears
>but the audience
>shivers
>soon you're playing them up mountains
>through forests
>across rivers
>through scorching deserts and biting tundras
>that's the easiest way to word it, of course
>music is, as always, beyond the capability of language to describe adequately
>oh, you can use the technical terms
>but that only gives a vague concept of the music
>and only to an expert
>much easier to describe it poetically
>now you're playing them down into a deep valley
>slowly, you play the Sun below its horizon
>somebody near the front stretches and yawns
>this is it
>at the bottom of the valley lies a fragrant lilac bush
>and ponies begin to nod
>poor Minuette can hardly keep her eyes open
>Twilight is grinning stupidly
>not suspecting a thing
>in just a few seconds now
>it'll be all over
>but your hoof hits the strings again
>and no sound comes forth
>the music stops
>you try to pluck a few more times
>what's going on?
>the ponies in the audience
>they're stuck in a place between wakefulness and sleep
>frozen
>not even breathing
>who could have...?
>Minuette?
>no, she's as still as everyone else
>oh
>well there's your problem
>just a few seats from Minuette's
>Princess Celestia sits erect
>blinking

>you stare at her
>and she stares at you
>maybe if you don't move, she won't either
>nope
>the Princess's body is moved by a deep breath
>then she spreads her wings
>and soars over the frozen audience
>and lands in front of you
>her wings still outstretched
>the stage lights casting a deep shadow on her face
>the wrath of a mighty monarch incarnate
>well
>you gambled it all
>and lost
>you knew something like this might happen
>and you'll face it with dignity
"N-not a lot of energy in this crowd, huh?"
>no
>more dignity than that
="Miss Heartstrings."
>oh, hay
>you'll be in Tartarus before five minutes pass
>assuming time is passing, anyway
>the least you can do is stand up straight
>and look her in the eye
>and keep your trembling down to a reasonable minimum
"Yes, Princess?"
="I don't suppose you think your audience is falling asleep out of boredom, do you?"
"No, Princess. I don't."
="Then why?"
"I'm doing it. I wove a spell into my song that would have put them to sleep. Forever."
="Forever is a long time. I'm sure I taught you myself that those sorts of things usually don't last much more than a thousand years."
"Yes, Princess. You did."
="I suppose I also taught you what happens to ponies who try to threaten my kingdom with spells that last forever."
"Yes, Princess. You did."
="Good. I remember that your talent was never traditional spellcasting, and that your schooling was a bit different from most of the students at my Academy."
>the Princess reaches a gold-shod hoof to her head
>and pulls two glowing objects from her ears
="I have been a Princess for a long time. There is very little I'm not adequately prepared for."
>she sighs
="I don't recall ever having to speak to you like this while you were a schoolfilly. Would you mind explaining to me why I'm doing so while you're a grown-up?"
>you feel your face momentarily twitch into a scowl
"Your society is sick. I wanted to destroy it."
="Destroy it? Good heavens! You'd certainly have achieved that had you put Twilight and her friends to sleep for a thousand years. Do you know how many times they've saved all of our lives? How ever did you plan to protect my ponies while I was away?"
"Um... Without... Without your sneering intellectual elite, Equestria would... um... harness the true power of friendship: as a friendship among equals."
="Why, aren't you a part of Equestria's intellectual elite yourself? You're only the most talented musical mage to have graduated from a Canterlot academy."
"A lot of good that's done me! Traditional spellcasters have always looked down on me!"
="Looked down on you?"
>the Princess cranes her neck around
>then turns around completely, standing exactly beside you
>and she scans the crowd
="It looks to me like they're looking up to you. Especially..."
>Celestia's hoof jabs at the table where your nominal friends sit in suspended animation
="...those ones. Aren't they your friends?"
"They look down on me the same as anyone else. Mostly."
="Are you sure? Look closely. I see something different."
"I..."
>behind the frozen sleepiness, you see...
="I see pride, Lyra Heartstrings. Pride for you."
"I... So what? Your society as a whole is still sick."
="Maybe. When did you first start to think like this?"
"Only... about a month ago."
="A month, hm? Let me see... one month... ah yes, when you were asked to resign from the Ponyville Chamber Orchestra."
"Yes. That's when it started. When I was thrown out onto the street by ponies I thought were my friends."
="That sounds horrible. Why did it happen?"
"I was first chair of the strings section. Somebody 'important' wanted my position. I was thrown out to make room."
="Oh, my."
"She was some prince's niece. A distant relative of yours, no doubt."
="Yes, I do believe she was. I suppose I deserve to be overthrown then, don't I?"
"I..."
="Lyra, I'm going to go back to my seat and resume the flow of time. I'm not going to put my earplugs back in. You may do what you feel you must, if you will only promise to grant me one request."
>you find yourself inhaling deeply
"What do you need?"
="I need you to watch your friends. I need you to watch them very closely, as you put them to sleep. Forever."
>you're blinking now
"I'll do that."
="Thank you. And now..."
>Princess Celestia soars back to her table
>and settles into her seat
>and the ponies begin to stir
>you don't realize you've gone about ten seconds without playing, until a shout
>half a shout, anyway
>half a shout and half a yawn
>makes its way across the auditorium
<"You can do it, Lyra!"
>you shake your head
>get into your upright sitting position
>and play

>the brightness level in your room tells you that it's long past morning
>actually, it's telling you that this isn't your room at all
>or even your home
>the dingy brown walls have been replaced with clean white ones
>bright white lights overhead almost overpower the Sunlight pouring in through a window that's much too clean to be yours
>and...
>and...
"Twilight?"
<"Lyra! You're awake!"
"I noticed. But where...?"
<"You're still in Canterlot Castle. This is Princess Celestia's personal hospital."
"What was I doing in... How long...?"
<"Oh, not long. Just about a day or so."
_"Not quite. The exact count was eighteen hours, twelve minutes, and twenty-one seconds."
>Moon Dancer waves at you from the foot of the immaculate bed you're lying in
"Huh..."
>you're racking your brain now
>trying to remember something
>something rather important
"H-hey... shouldn't you both be... asleep right now?"
>Twilight laughs
<"Well, we did stay up all night, but it's morning now, Lyra."
"No... I played you to the top of the mountain..."
<"Lyra, try to stay relaxe-"
"And beyond the mountain! I played you to the sky... To the stars! We danced in the Sun together, you, me, everyone! And then..."
_"And then you collapsed."
<"And Twinkleshine galloped onstage to help."
"Twinkleshine? But why...?"
<"Well, there she is now, why don't you ask her?"
>Twilight points to an open door
>striding into the brightly lit room is Twinkleshine, clad in a shining white labcoat with a stethoscope around her neck
>oh yeah
>she did go to med school, didn't she?
>lined up behind her like baby ducks are Minuette, Lemon Hearts, and Bon Bon
>"Is my patient awake? Are you two exciting her?"
<"Wh- no!"
>Twilight's face is scrunched into a shifty surprise
_"Well, she is awake, anyhow."
>"I see. Well, I think it's high time I gave you a piece of my mind, Miss Lyra Heartstrings!"
"Uh, l-look, about the o-other d-"
>"Why on Earth did you agree to perform on a stage being as sick as you were! You scared all of us half to death!"
"I was... sick?"
>"Only with the most acute case of brain fever I've ever heard of! Lyra! You... you!"
>your stern friend throws her forelegs about your neck
>"Why didn't you tell anyone you were going through so much?"
"I, uh, guess I didn't know myself."
>Lemon Hearts smugs into Twinkleshine's ear
>"No exciting the patient now!"
>"I, um, right!"
>Twinkleshine gets up
>and Bon Bon quickly fills the empty space she leaves behind
/"Here, Lyra, I brought you some dinner. Twinkie here said you'd be good to eat as soon as you woke up."
>a bag full of something that smells really good is dropped by your side
"Wow, thanks."
>Minuette almost shoves Bon Bon out of the way
~"And ''I'' went back to Ponyville and brought... this!"
>Minuette displays a bird perched upon her hoof
>he's small
>blue
>and named Toothpaste
>and he's chirping and twittering away merrily
>oh
>naturally
>the little bird hops up out of sight
>and a small weight perches itself on your horn
>the room is full of giggles
>and somehow
>you don't notice a massive, gold-shod hoof making its way toward your shoulder
>it lands gently
>Princess Celestia stands at the head of the bed
>looking at you all upside-downedly
>has she been in here the whole time?
"I-I-I... uh..."
>the Princess smiles
="Well done, Lyra."