Lyra: Ribbon? What are you doing in Ponyville in the middle of the week?

Ribbon: Can a mother not be there for her daughter on the first week of a new school year?

Lyra: N-no? I mean, are you here to buy your ticket home now?

Ribbon: Of course! A smart mare purchases her ticket early to avoid the rush.

Lyra: But… this is rush hour…
Ribbon: So it is! But, about that conversation we had earlier. You recall, yes?

Lyra: Is this really the best time? I’m kinda working-
Ribbon: You’re with a customer, so you still are. Now I believe I made a very generous offer…
Lyra: You did.
Ribbon: And…?

Lyra: I appreciate the consideration, but-
Ribbon: Ugh! Why am I not surprised?

Lyra: Look, I know why you’re doing this and I’m not against it.
Ribbon: And how do you-…!? Wait… what?

Lyra: I don’t like Bon-Bon sitting around waiting for me to suddenly fall in love with her! She’s wasting her life away! There’s a hundred thousand ponies out there that could make her happy and she needs to get over me!

Ribbon: I… Well, yes that-
Lyra: But bringing her suitors isn’t going to work. She’s an entrepreneur, a self-starter, an independent workhorse. It has to be her that finds somepony.

Ribbon: Hmm… Yes that does sound like Bonnie. A change to the encounter then? Stage a meeting perhaps?

Lyra: I’m not helping you play matchmaker. I’m just letting you know I’m not standing in your way.

Ribbon: Fair enough. And this should be fare enough for a ticket. And a good day to you.

[Pause]

Lyra: She’ll be happier when she gets past me. I just… want her to be happy…

Lyra: Say, Bon-Bon? Have you ever thought about moving?

Bon-Bon: What?

Lyra: You know, moving away from Ponyville.

Bon-Bon: Why? Are you trying to get rid of me?

Lyra: Oh no. I was just wondering.

Bon-Bon: Lyra, Ponyville is where my business is. I can’t just drag it around behind me. If I moved to another small town I’d have to start all over again. And if I moved to a big city I’d be driven out of business by competition. I know because that’s exactly what I would do.

Lyra: What about, like, franchising and chains?

Bon-Bon: I suppose that’s possible somewhere down the road. And sure, I’d have to at least move temporarily to help get it started. But I’d have to have a lot of money stored up. And that’s just not happening anytime soon. If ever. Why do you ask? I thought you loved Ponyville.

Lyra: Oh I do! I was just curious, you know, about the future.

Bon-Bon: That’s a lo~ng ways away. I’m focused more on the foreseeable future right now.

Lyra: Oh, okay.

Ribbon: Hello, Lyra.

Lyra: Ribbon! Uh, hey! Bon-Bon’s not here right now-
Ribbon: I know.

Lyra: Liza is out playing, if you need me to-
Ribbon: Oh, no. I came here to talk to you.

Lyra: Oh. Uh…. Okay.

Ribbon: You see, I’ve begun to feel like Tootsie and I don’t spend enough time together.

Lyra: Well, yeah.

Ribbon: Yeah? Like-you-have-no-manners-what-so-… Anyway. I do a fair deal of typing, record keeping, scheduling- you know, things of that nature-
Lyra: Uh huh.
Ribbon: And I thought to myself, “I spend so much time on these details when really, I could hire somepony to do this for me-!“
Lyra: Okay.
Ribbon: And why would I hire just any old pony when I could hire somepony I know? Somepony who I trust with my very child?

Lyra: I don’t think Bon-Bon is going to-
Ribbon: How well do you type? You run your little blog thing, surely you have considerable experience.

Lyra: Well I-
Ribbon: So you type well? Fabulous! How would you like to work for me?

Lyra: I don’t-
Ribbon: I can assure you compensation that far exceeds your current position. And, if you want, I could even begin to teach you some law. Expand your skill set? In time, maybe take over client interviews. Perhaps sit in on a few cases. Maybe even become an attorney yourself.

Lyra: That’s-
Ribbon: And the money! Not just for yourself either. I bet there’s more than a few causes you could help support with bits to spare! Think about that. The opportunity to help others. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?

Lyra: Well, yes-
Ribbon: Splendid! You can pack your things and we’ll find you a nice place in Manehattan to stay.

Lyra: Wait. Leave Ponyville?

Ribbon: Well, of course. I can’t very well have a secretary working way out here. Oh, but you grew up in Canterlot, yes? Manehattan is so much more interesting! The shows, the shopping, the scenery! And so much more secure. How often does this little backwater village get attacked, set on fire, or turned inside-out?

Lyra: I’d… I’d have to-

Ribbon: Think about it? Oh of course! I wouldn’t expect you to just up and leave. No, of course not. But do give it some real consideration, would you? This is no small offer, after a~ll!

Lyra: Yeah… Sure…

Ribbon: Yes, but surely you could have done it, right?

Bon-Bon: The only thing I could have done was told them from the start how unfeasible it was. A chocolate fountain fixture built into the cake is one thing, but a working chocolate waterfall? On a seven layered cake? That might not be impossible, but the cost and time associated with planning, testing and putting something like that together would cost more than anypony having a wedding in Ponyville could afford. Especially under the short notice they had.

Ribbon: Haha! Of course! That was quite a short time to plan a wedding in!

Lyra: Rarity tends to plan a little big, but she’s also not one to shy away from a challenge.

Ribbon: And it all did work out in the end. At least, that’s what the article said.

Lyra: I don’t know first hoof, but Applejack said the ceremonies went without a hitch. And you’d be hard-pressed to challenge Applejack’s word.

Ribbon: Nice to know magazines can still tell the truth sometimes. And it’s so nice of you to join us for once, Lyra.

Lyra: Yeah, I’m usually working on Fridays and the weekend.

Ribbon: Are you? I was under the impression government employees didn’t work on holidays or weekends.

Lyra: I’m actually subcontracted. I work for-

Ribbon: Subcontracted? You poor dear. I’m so sorry. How dreadful.

Bon-Bon: Ribbon…

Ribbon: Oh, it’s not her fault. It’s a terrible system designed to cut corners and underpay employees. You don’t even get any benefits, do you?

Lyra: Well, there’s been some talk about it under the new group that bought the contract, but I don’t know when it’s supposed to start. Right now we’re under probation-

Ribbon: Under probation! You’ve been working there for a year, haven’t you? See? Down right criminal treatment. Ought to be illegal. But, if it’s a government operation, who’s going to call them out on it? It’s tragic, really.

Lyra: Y-yeah…

“Lyra, please talk to me. This isn’t like you.“
Despite the princess’s plea, Lyra’s eyes remained fixed on the floor.
“Are you afraid? I promise, we can protect you. You can stay here!“
When Princess Celestia lifted her hoof to raise Lyra’s head, Lyra jerked away.
“Are they holding something over you? Are you protecting somepony? Please talk to me, Lyra.“
___

“Lyra, please. Silence is not the answer. Aren’t pony’s lives at stake? This can’t get any better if you don’t say something.“
___

“Lyra, I know you’ve been angry with me. But if you can just put that aside…“
___

“Lyra, please say something! Anything!“
___

“Lyra! Lyra!“
___

Lyra could feel the princess’s tears on her shoulder and she clutched at her bedsheet. Though her mouth moved, she couldn’t speak a reply to the nightmares. In the morning, she would find the tears had been her own.

“Lyra, I know you’re being forced into this.” Princess Celestia walked toward Lyra and placed a wing around her, “Tell me who. Tell me how they’re getting to you. Are there others? I promise we will find a way to put a stop to this once and for-.“
Lyra took a step back and pushed the alicorn’s wing away, “Just send me away again. Like you did last time.“
“W-what?“ Princess Celestia, stunned, looked between the guards, searching for an answer, “Lyra, that was over a year ago. Sunset Shimmer… I had apologized for-… I’m sorry, Lyra. Please forgive me. But you must-“
Lyra shook her head, “I have nothing to say…“ She never even looked up.

“Lyra, what have you done?“ There was a hint of anger in the princess’s tone as she spoke, back turned.
“What difference does it make?” Lyra pushed herself up and wiped some dirt off her coat, “All those selfish ponies do is waste it anyway. You know that money could actually mean something to-“
In a flash, Lyra’s gaze was met with bright, glowing eyes and a thunderous shout, “TO WHOM DO YOU SPEAK?!“ Lyra crumpled to the floor in a low bow and shivered. But before she could reply, Princess Celestia turned her back to the filly, “Take her. I haven’t the time or the patience.“
Lyra jumped to her feet as fast as she could, but was already held by two soldiers, “No! Please your highness!” She struggled against their grip, but was slowly dragged away. “I’m sorry! Please! Just let me explain! Please!“

“Lyra…“ Princess Celestia stood at a distance in profile from Lyra. Her eyes were closed and her head was lowered. Her shoulders sagged in disappointment, “There were many witnesses… They… they said you stole food. Why? Have you not been provided with enough to eat?“
Lyra stood up and fought back tears, “There were others your highness! Living on the streets! I was trying to help them! But I only took a little! Nopony would miss it!“
The princess grit her teeth, “We are responsible for our own actions.“ Lyra’s head fell and she too closed her eyes. “If there are ponies going hungry, then we will do what we can. But the law is the law. You must not…“

“A-gh! Let go of me! Let gooo!“

Lyra flailed against the armored ponies dragging her down the massive hallway, but to no avail. If she had the strength to fight back before, it had long since waned. Two doors, easily ten times Lyra’s size, parted before them and the light inside blinded her. She felt herself finally released onto the carpet beneath her. And as her vision returned, a towering figure came into view.

“Lyra? Are you alright?“ The pearl-white princess of the sun knelt down to level herself with Lyra. “Please tell me what happened. I know that what I heard cannot be true.“
Lyra’s forced herself to her haunches and her eyes darted around the throne room. She struggled against exhaustion to explain herself, “It… it wasn’t me! I saw him steal it! I tried to stop him!“
“You tried?“ Princess Celestia drew back to give the filly space.
Lyra’s eyes widen, “I-I did! I did stop him! I got the pouch back! I was going to return it! But then they started yelling at me! I got scared and I ran! They were yelling at me!“
The alicorn princess wrapped her long arm around Lyra and drew her in close, “Shh… It’s alright, child. If you can tell us what he looked like…“

Shut up.

Just…

shut up…

[Long pause]

Lyra: Why don’t you just say it?

B: Because I don’t have to. I already know the answer. You’re the one still struggling with the question.

Lyra: But I’m not!

B: And I’m not a trained psychologist. Which is something you happen to see on a regular basis. Maybe you should talk about this with her.

Lyra: I don’t want to talk about this at all!

B: Then why did you bring it up? I certainly don’t care. I’m concerned with your life, not your denial.

Lyra: I’m not-!

B: Stop. Instead of refuting every single thing you hear that you disagree with, why don’t you try turning it around into something that might have some real impact? Not “Am I jealous?” But “Why am I jealous?“ What is it about Twilight that makes her worth comparing yourself to? There are a hundred or more mares that have had an easier life than you that are better off to boot. Why Twilight? Has it always been Twilight?

Lyra: I… I don’t know…

B: And I’m not a trained psychologist.

Lyra: I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation.

Twilight: I just… never quite put two and two together, I guess.

Lyra: More than that, I can’t believe you didn’t get me! You came back to Ponyville for Pinkie Pie but you didn’t get me?!

Twilight: Well, I couldn’t carry Pinkie Pie and you at once.

Lyra: Alright, fine.

Twilight: I’m really sorry for how I treated you, Lyra.

Lyra: Yeah, well it’s not alright. I was never as smart, or as quick, or as clever, so I couldn’t even keep up with you and Moondancer. Quite clearly, I might as well have not even existed to you.

Twilight: I know! And I’m sorry! If I can just-

Lyra: But you know what really gets to me? All the help you’ve given me. I figured it was because we went way back. But not even knowing who I was? How could anypony have really changed that much? How could a pony that only had friends by association become this selfless… thing? … But I guess that’s why you became the princess. And me…?

Twilight: Lyra… I-

Lyra: I don’t really want to talk right now, Twilight. I just want to think to myself.

Lyra: Blossomforth! [Heavy Knocking] Blossomforth! [Heavy Knocking] If you don’t open this door for me you’ll open it for Twilight!

Blossomforth: Lyra? What’s going on?

Lyra: Well look who decided to wake up! I bet you had a real long night last night!

Blossomforth: I didn’t invite you inside.

Lyra: Cut the crap! I didn’t tell Twilight yet, but I know what you’ve done!

Blossomforth: You… you were spying on me?

Lyra: You bet your flank I was! How could you?!

Blossomforth: I-I didn’t think it was that big of a deal! It’s just a show!

Lyra: Just a-… What?

Blossomforth: And I thought you liked My Little Human.

Lyra: Don’t play dumb with me! I saw you fly out of Twilight’s Castle! You’ve been going to the human world!

Blossomforth: WHAT!? No! Never! I hated that place! Everything moves too fast and it’s so loud and I can’t fly and last time I was there a filly got hurt and the other two ran off and they were my responsibility and I couldn’t find either of-!

Lyra: Wait a minute. Wait a minute! You seriously haven’t been going to the human world? I saw a pegasus fly out of the castle late last night.

Blossomforth: So I’m suddenly the only pegasus in Ponyville?!

Lyra: You’re the only pegasus that knows about it! Except Rainbow Dash. And Fluttershy. Okay, I might not know everypony that knows about it. Maybe I jumped the hurdle here.

Blossomforth: MAYBE?! I’m about to have a panic attack!

Lyra: Alright I’m sorry! I just didn’t want you to get in trouble if I could talk you out of it! Just- Don’t tell anypony about this! Twilight is trying to catch whoever is responsible before they can do anything rash.

Blossomforth: I don’t even want to remember this! Get out of my house!

[Door Slam] [Pause]

Lyra: Okay. That went well.

Tootsie: [Audible Yawn]

Bon-Bon: When you said you were planning a picnic, this isn’t what I had in mind.

Lyra: Hey! You were the one that said you didn’t like me going out late by myself. Now I’m not alone!

Bon-Bon: Tootsie, let’s go home.

Tootsie: No. I… [Audiable Yawn] I wanna catch the badguy too.

Lyra: You hear that? So heroic and brave! And not covert and secret-keeping…

Bon-Bon: Okay fine! I’m the crazy pony here!

Lyra: As long as you know!

Bon-Bon: This is so stupid… If somepony’s breaking into the castle, they aren’t going to be so easy to find. Are you expecting them to just walk out the front-… Lyra. Lyra! Up! Up! The window!

Lyra: Holy crap! That’s not Twilight!

Tootsie: Oh my gosh! That’s them!

Lyra: Shh! Quiet! Twilight doesn’t want them to know we know anything!

Bon-Bon: So what do we do?

Lyra: I’m… I’m trying to make out who it is.

Bon-Bon: They’re already flying away.

Lyra: Shoot! But we know it’s a pegasus. Which gives me a pretty good idea of who it might be…

Lyra: Yeah. That’s definitely turned on.

Spike: The portal to the human world was like this when we got back from Canterlot. You really don’t know anything about it?

Lyra: No. I don’t have a reason to go back to that world again. I got everything I needed the first time.

Spike: This is really bad… If Twilight finds out-

Twilight: Finds out what?

Spike: Twilight! I-I-

Twilight: I already know everything, Spike.

Spike: You… do?

Twilight: Even with the map, I still consider this portal the most valuable and dangerous object in the castle. You think I don’t check on it several times a day?

Spike: But… why didn’t you say anything?

Twilight: You were solving a problem, so I let you take care of it. And you did a good job, Spike. At least until this happened. Speaking of which… Lyra, did this little lie lead to a greater truth too?

Lyra: Hey, I don’t know anything about this!

Twilight: I’d like to believe that, but you already tried going behind my back once. Regardless, this is a major security risk. There’s no telling who went in there, what they’re doing, or what they might bring back.

Lyra: So close the portal. Risk gone.

Twilight: I can’t! If whoever passed through the portal is still in there, they’ll be trapped! And if they become desperate… Ooh… I wish I’d dismantled that machine the moment I got back!

Spike: What do we do now?

Lyra: Go in after them?

Twilight: No… If something bad happens, Sunset Shimmer will contact me. I can’t let whoever went in there know that we know. We’re going to have to wait this one out, Spike. Lyra, I want to trust you. Whoever is doing this could be coming and going daily. If you find out anything, please let me know.

Lyra: Yeah, sure.