1) My online buddy insists that pikachu in that new detective game needs to be voiced by Danny DeVito. I can’t argue.

2) I haven’t, but without any prior knowledge I’m positive they’ve done Magic Pengel. Tell me I’m wrong.

3) Lyra: I feel I’d be closer to Bunnie.

Tootsie: Can I be Sally?

Lyra: Pfft. You can be Antoine.
Tootsie: E~w!
Lyra: Oh hush; you’ve never even seen the show.

4) Without further knowledge, I couldn’t say. From what I found on it though, it looks like a point-and-click adventure game. Not my cup of tea. So feel free to spoil it for me to elaborate on “dark”. I’ll censor it if I gotta when I reply.

5) Lyra: Crotch boobs are ridiculous enough. I draw the line at snake boobs.

Tootsie: Boo~bs!

Lyra: Stop making me out to be a bad influence! You know better!

???: Ah! Bonnie! So good of you to finally grace us with your presence!

Tootsie: Hi, Jacques!
Jacques: Salut, Lady Liza!

Bon-Bon: It’s a pleasure to be served by you, Jacques. This is Lyra.

Jacques: The maiden of honor herself-!
Lyra: And while I hate to start us off on the wrong hoof, your face is entirely too close to my face.

Jacques: Je vous prie d'accepter mes excuses. I am Jacques and I will be your waiter for this evening.

Lyra: Nice to meet you Jacques.

Jacques: How may I begin your dining experience tonight?

Bon-Bon: Well Lyra, if you’re done gawking at the menu, I’ll be ordering for the both of us.

Lyra: I can order for myself!

Bon-Bon: Sure you can. Soon as I can trust you to not order something cheap.

Tootsie: What about me?

Bon-Bon: Just don’t make yourself sick.
Tootsie: Suh-wee~t!
Lyra: Wait a minute! That’s not fair! She can order for herself but I can’t?!

Bon-Bon: She knows what food tastes like.
Tootsie: Heehee!

Lyra: Bon-Bon. Psst. Bon-Bon!
Bon-Bon: I’m only sitting across from you, Lyra.
Lyra: We have to get out of here! This place is even more expensive than I thought!

Bon-Bon: I told you not to worry about it.

Lyra: Why are we even here? Most of crap on this menu is more expensive than a week’s groceries!

Bon-Bon: Because you will learn what good food tastes like if I literally have to shove it down your throat.

Lyra: I know what good food tastes like!

Bon-Bon: No. You know what passable food tastes like. You probably know what okay food tastes like. And you might’ve even had overpriced food. But there is no mistaking good food. And if you’d had it before you wouldn’t eat half of the slop you do with a grin.
Lyra: Bet me…
Bon-Bon: And unfortunately the only place in Ponyville that serves good food is on the pricier side. I consider it an investment in your culinary education.

Tootsie: Do I order from the cheap menu or the expensive menu?

Bon-Bon: Your mother will be covering you.

Tootsie: Sweet!

Ribbon: It looks just like the pictures. Absolutely amazing, Tootsie!

Tootsie: Liza.

Ribbon: Liza. Yes. I’m just so proud of you!

Tootsie: Thanks!

Ribbon: I mean, you display such proficiency and skill-
Tootsie: Mom.
Ribbon: I can’t imagine you doing anything else!
Tootsie: Mom.
Ribbon: If you’re this good now, just think of what you’ll be capable of in the-
Tootsie: Mom!

Ribbon: Alright, alright. Go grab your things. I’ll carry your horticulture marvel. I’m sure your father will be delighted to see your work! Look Bonnie!

Bon-Bon: I’ve been watching her take care of that flower for the last few months, Ribbon.

Ribbon: But just look here! Where the leaves change color? The book says that’s very hard to do!

Bon-Bon: And that’s wonderful, Ribbon! I’m happy for Liza.

Ribbon: Oh you shush. I’m a mother and I’m proud of my daughter’s work. Nothing more.

Bon-Bon: Right… Can you hurry up and get that thing out of here? Lyra’s been sneezing like mad ever since it bloomed.

Ribbon: Really? Almost a shame to take it then.

Bon-Bon: I don’t know what got between you two, but I don’t like it.

Ribbon: She won’t like it either…

Bon-Bon: I didn’t catch that?

Ribbon: Oh-uh, our maid, dear. She has allergies too. I’m sure she won’t like the flower either. But nothing for you to be concerned with!

Sorry I haven’t wrote anything in you in like… 2 years. Lyra says that days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months and before you know it years have past and you don’t know what you’re doing with your life anymore. That might be an exaggeration. I’m honestly not sure.

I just wanted to write down my feelings before all of this just becomes normal. I spent more time than I would have liked with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon seemed kind of stuck up and proud, but Diamond Tiara was just this mean, controlling thing. I haven’t forgotten the ring of secrets she held over us, but it seems like such a long time ago.

After we came back from… our trip… They were a little nicer to me, but it was still all about being the best to them. Diamond Tiara, more than Silver Spoon, would do anything in her power to manipulate and blackmail others into getting what she wanted. Then this election thing happened. And suddenly everypony was ready to finally stand up as one against them. Against her.

Pipsqueak was the start, but it was the Cutie Mark Crusaders that rallied everypony together. Despite her threats and taunts, or maybe even in spite of them, Diamond Tiara lost. And not just a small contest, but something big. She lost her control. And she lost her friend. Perhaps it was wrong of me, but I immediately took the opportunity to hang out with Silver Spoon in her place. She was always so much more approachable when Diamond Tiara wasn’t around. We had fun. We played. I thought this was some huge change.

But then, Diamond Tiara. She told off her mother. Told her off in front of everypony. Just like I did… In that moment I felt like maybe she and I weren’t so different. As I watched it all unfold I felt like the entire world must have been changing. Diamond Tiara and the CMC as friends? They were the two biggest causes for conflict in the school! If they weren’t at each others’ throats anymore… Nothing would be the same! No more fighting! No more picking sides!

Maybe it won’t last. Maybe this is just a phase and everything will go back to how it was. But I hope it doesn’t. I feel… free. Like I can breathe again. Like I’m allowed to be a kid again.

~ Liza “Tootsie Flute“ Doolots

P.S.: The new playground is really cool! And so are the CMC’s cutie marks! I wish I had a shared cutie mark.

1) Because she thinks the government should provide equal pay for equal work? Doesn’t seem like that extreme of a thing.

2) Tootsie: I like the songs on youtube too much. Sorry!

3) These days you might want to clarify which castle.

4) I’m not sure how you being “mark” explains why you and Nightmare Moon are going to find me. Also that sounds like rubbish.

5) Shadowwalker9000, are you at all related to Powerman 5000? Also, being a baby you’re obviously new to this life, so I’ll give you some advise. Ponies don’t like you narrating your life aloud to them. I’ll commend your composition though! You spell very well for a baby!

6) I liked The Rock because even though he was a face, he was also a completely arrogant jerk which made him more interesting.

Incidentally, I also liked The Rock.

Lyra: Come o~n. You said you’d do it. You gotta start it!

B: [Audible sigh] … We.

Lyra: Are the Crys-tal!
Bon-Bon: Are the Crystal!

Tootsie: Gems!

B: We’ll always save the day.
Lyra: We’ll al-ways save the day!
Bon-Bon: We’ll always save the da~y!

Tootsie: And if you think we can’t! We’ll-!

B: Always find a way.
Lyra: Al-ways find a way!
Bon-Bon: Always find a wa~y!
Tootsie: Always find a way!

B: That’s why the people-

B: Of. This. World.
Lyra: O~f thi~s wo~rld!
Bon-Bon: O~f this wo~rld!

B: Believe in. Garnet.

Lyra: Am-y-thyst!

Bon-Bon: And Pear~l!

Tootsie: And Steven!

Lyra: Anti-Skub, of course. Skub is dangerous.

Bon-Bon: Dangerous? Skub is too valuable to ignore.

Lyra: What? I can’t believe I’m hearing this. You’re Pro-Skub?

Bon-Bon: It’s only logical. Skub leads to increased productivity.

Lyra: But at what cost? Skub is damaging to both our economy and environment!

Bon-Bon: It’s industry. It’s necessity. It’s the only real option. Nothing else comes close.

Lyra: And what about the side effects? It’s going to destroy the very fabric of our society!

Bon-Bon: If it does, then a new society will be built in its place. One that understands the true value of Skub.

Tootsie: I’m confused. What’s Skub?

Lyra: Filth scrapped from the bowels of Tartarus!

Bon-Bon: The future, sweetheart. The future of Ponykind.

Lyra: Don’t feed her such vile lies!

Bon-Bon: She needs to learn the truth now! Skub is everything!

Lyra: Everything wrong with the world!

Tootsie: This is an internet joke, isn’t it?

Bon-Bon: In a couple of years ponies will wonder how they ever lived without Skub!

Tootsie: You’re both weird…

Lyra: There won’t be anypony left in a couple of years if Skub isn’t stopped!

1) Oh heavens no! That wasn’t even her fault! And I’m way past the point of caring about those fillies. They’d probably be embarrassed about it if I ever ran into them and brought it up.

2) More complicated than anything else, I guess.

3) Sure! I mean, I don’t remember much of it. But I remember that spoon thing from the sound episode!

4) And to you! Although I’m not sure which Independence Day you mean.

5) Lyra: That already short list has become a lot shorter over the last year.

Tootsie: I get to hang out with my friends! And go swimming! And we play tag-!

Bon-Bon: And how is your summer reading going?

Tootsie: A~w…

1) I… Didn’t realize he played basketball. Or that he was a donkey. I’ve recently heard he’s not very good at Portal 2, though.

2) Oh give it a rest. Iris wasn’t even that interesting of a character. Not that Double was either. Really, the only good thing to come out of X4 was Split Mushroom.

3) Lyra: Yeah… I’m a little new to this I guess…

Tootsie: I’m fine, thanks for asking! No school!

Lyra: She’s doing The No School Dance.

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…

1) Would you believe there are ponies who have memorized that bit of sentence vomit?

Incidentally I own Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, but I only ever did the section on the ship and the VR missions. I already knew how most of the story went and I really didn’t care.

2) Tootsie: What’s a flask?

Lyra: It’s… uhm… One of those little glass science-things, right?

Bon-Bon: It’s just a container for holding liquid.

3) Well, I guess I celebrated by starting to play The Secret World. More of a coincidence than celebration, though.

4) Okay. That would have deflated by now, right?

5) Well, I don’t really like Silver. At all.

What about ShadowxEspio?

With everypony else gone, you turn to Silver Spoon. She keeps opening and closing her mouth, like she’s struggling to find what to say.

“That was…“ She finally looks up and extends her neck toward you, “Really weird!“ You both draw back from that and she starts to look around. “I-I mean… In a good way?“ Her gaze rests on you and she lifts her hoof, “I know this whole trip was supposed to be Diamond Tiara’s present for me. But it never really felt like that, you know?“ Her eyes wonder again, “What I mean to say is…“ Then they fall back to you, “If you wanted to come to my birthday party, I wouldn’t turn you away or anything.“ She looks down and kicks at the ground with her hoof, “Not like it’s a big deal. It’s, you know, whatever. I mean, you already gave me a present. It’d be silly to give me a present and you weren’t invited.“

She looks up again, this time with her head tilted, “So, I guess I’ll see you there. You know, if you want to come, that is.“ Then she turns and walks away without waiting for an answer. You watch her until she disappears into a side street.

You suddenly feel very tired, and your head starts to pound. You definitely still have that knot on your head, though the swelling has gone down a lot. You release a long sigh, then head home. There’s still plenty of choices left to make, but you think you can manage for now.

The group slows to a halt on the edge of town, panting after their run.

“I can’t believe we pulled that off without Princess Twilight finding out!“ Blossomforth sighs, “I’m going to go home and try to forget any of this ever happened!“ Then she stretches her wings wide and takes to the skies.

“Well, there’s still plenty of time left in the day. “ Bon-Bon shields her eyes and glances up towards the sun. It’s still resting high in the sky. “Guess I’ll head into the shop. See if I can’t get some revenue coming in.“ She puts a hoof on Lyra’s shoulder, “We’ll talk at length about this later. But for now, how about I trust you to never do this again.“
Lyra lifts her hoof and puts it on Bon-Bon’s, “That sounds fair. And I’m sorry.“
“We’ll see.“ Then Bon-Bon walks off into town, disappearing in the crowd.

“I have a lot to look through.” Lyra taps the saddlebag on her back, “And I have to get ready for work tonight. And somewhere in there I gotta get some real sleep.“ Lyra waves to you and walks backwards, “Catch you back at the house, Liza. Good thing there was no school today or you fillies would be swimming in trouble, huh?” Then she turns to round a corner and slips out of view.

“Hmm. It was a far cry from what we were promised,“ Diamond Tiara yawns, “But I guess you’re in the clear.“ She smirks, “I’ll bet our adventure was loads better than yours, though. Maybe we’ll tell you about it sometime. You know, if we feel like it.“ Diamond Tiara turns her back to you, “For now, I have a party I’ll be attending and I need some beauty rest.“ She turns her head back toward you, “But you probably wouldn’t know anything about that.“ Then she gives a coy smile and trots away.

“Alright! You did it!“ Spike cheers! “Owlowiscious, the book!“
The owl gives a soft, “Who?“ Then flies up to the top of the large machine and picks up the book with its talons. Lyra backs away from the machine and its quiet hum and lights slowly fade. The bird drops the book into Spike’s waiting claws, then flies over to the cover on the ground and starts to fumble with it.

Lyra drops to all four legs and approaches the little purple dragon, “Spike, I-“
Spike puts the book under his arm and holds his other claw up to stop Lyra, “You can explain later. For now-” Spike jumps and points to the door, “Everypony needs to get out! Twilight’ll be back any second now! Rear stairwell and out the window! Go go go!“

Everypony breaks into a run and, lead by Blossomforth, snakes their way to and down the stairs. Once there they each jump out the nearest window, one at a time. Lyra leads the group outside, hugging the wall as they head toward the front of the castle. She then gives a signal to go, “Twilight just went inside! Move!“

Then the group makes their final sprint back toward town.