Lyra: I can’t believe you all liked that episode…

Blossomforth: What? It was good! Cocoon was there! He’s always great!
Lyra: Ugh! Cocoon is the worst villain in the show. Why does everycreature like him?
Blossomforth: He’s devious and sneaky and dangerous and… he looks cool! He doesn’t just fight the heroes, he tricks them!

Raindrops: The doppelgangers were pretty cool.

Lyra: The doppelgangers were pretty cool-
Blossomforth: Cocoon made them!
Lyra: How?! Where was this skill acquired? And why was it never used until now?! Nevermind how much of a waste it all was. That plot thread went no where!
Blossomforth: He needed to find the source of the heroes’ powers!
Lyra: Which never would have worked if the heroes were acting like themselves! The writers could have done anything to fill in that gap, but instead they introduced these six doubles and dumbed down even Twain and Jacob just so everything would “work out”. Just like always! Every time Cocoon shows up the heroes act like lunatics! [Pause] No offense.

Princess Luna: We shall not feign that no injury was incurred.

Lyra: Sorry…

Princess Luna: You are forgiven.

Raindrops: Did… you watch the episode, your highness?

Princess Luna: Indeed. We found the plot structure to be rather juvenile, but resigned that the objective was comedy. And in that regard, believe a moderate success was enjoyed.

Bon-Bon: Kinda weird not being the only adult in the room for a change…

We won! Ya~y!

And here’s a picture of the main team!

Raindrops and B (not pictured) carried us through much of the early game. Blues (not pictured) and Vinyl did a lot of heavy lifting in the mid-game. Blossomforth and I were invaluable in the endgame. And Octavia maintained a strong presence throughout and participated in the most operations.

But overall MVP (and team leader) was Bon-Bon! She had a rough start and a number of early injuries, but by the last mission her accuracy was unparalleled. Her crack shots were the entire reason we won!

Lyra: Huh. Those clouds look sorta funny…

Raindrops: The picture is sideways. We’re in the middle of the vertical climb in a loop-de-loop.

Lyra: Woof. I never really thought about all the orientation-screwing those kinds of maneuvers must cause.

Blossomforth: You haven’t got a clue…

Raindrops: Oh! And I saw Rainbow Dash come back with Princess Twilight! Just as Twister and I were finishing up. I think they were, like, guest instructing some applicants with Captain Spitfire.

Blossomforth: I still can’t believe you’re in the Wonderbolts Academy.

Raindrops: Eh heh heh… Sorry…

Blossomforth: For what?

Raindrops: … Uh-?
Lyra: How did you do?
Raindrops: Oh! I did…! I mean, I think it was… I, uh, probably did alright-
Lyra: That’s great! Congratulations!
Blossomforth: Yeah! Great job!

Raindrops: Hehe! Thanks!

Bon-Bon: Lyra! Blossomforth is all over you! Move!

Lyra: [Panting] Blossomforth… Can SEE DEEZ NUTS!

Blossomforth: Ugh! Rude!
Bon-Bon: Blossomforth can’t see anything if she’s standing on them. Come on! It doesn’t matter how much I have the ball if you give me nothing to work with!

Raindrops: I think you’re doing great, Lyra!

Lyra: … Thanks, Raindrops.

Octavia: Good evening, Vinyl. You look well-rested, which I would consider to be odd given we stand upon a sports field. I take it practice is a little one-sided?

Lyra: H-hey Octavia!

Octavia: Good evening, Lyra. Bonnie.
Bon-Bon: Octavia.

Octavia: Now Vinyl, you’ll recall that patron in Manehattan that canceled on you? … Well, they uncanceled. I came to see you as a formality, thinking you’d be too exhausted to perform. However-

Bon-Bon: It’s alright, Vinyl, you go ahead. I don’t think you’ll be getting much practice like this anyway. You and Raindrops can go too, Muffins. And thanks for filling in for our earth pony today!

Muffins: Sure! Happy to help! Although I’m not really sure I did anything…?

Bon-Bon: We’ll keep practicing, if you’re up to it Blossomforth.

Blossomforth: You bet!

Raindrops: I’ll just stick around and cheer everypony on then! Hehe, I don’t really have anything else to do.

Bon-Bon: Alright, Lyra. Get up.

Lyra: … Like I haven’t got embarrassed enough today…

Lyra: Look, all I’m trying to say is that Hamtaro was the best cartoon ever made-I’m not trying to turn this into some big debate. Mostly because it’s not debatable.
Blossomforth: How can you even say that in a universe where Cowboy Bebop exists?!
Lyra: Nothing wrong with the show, it just wasn’t Hamtaro. Not every show can reach that kind of potential.
Blossomforth: This is absurd! We Bare Bears is better than Hamtaro!
Lyra: Now now, let’s not say things we can’t take back.

Blossomforth: Ugh… Raindrops, bring us back to earth here.

Raindrops: Heh heh. Well, I really liked uh… KND?
Blossomforth: Are you kidding me?!
Lyra: Hmm. You liked how it’s world was much deeper than it appeared at first.

Raindrops: Yeah! Like My Little Human and Steven Universe!
Blossomforth: But it was just made up as they went along; you could tell that in season 1! At least Steven Universe did it right!
Lyra: Steven Universe did the same thing. Over half of the first season was just monster-of-the-week villain chasing. It’s a simple concept to get you started and acquainted with the characters before things get complicated.
Blossomforth: But the creators had things in motion even back then!
Lyra: But they weren’t realized until later in order to create self-contained episodes. Kids Next Door might not have done that as well, but it wasn’t supposed to. It was primarily comedy/action. Steven Universe is comedy/action/drama. If it was anything less than what it was it’d be terrible.

Bon-Bon: Swords down, fillies. I brought cookies. Still having your nerd-debate?

Lyra: What was your favorite cartoon, Bon-Bon?

Bon-Bon: Secret of NIHM.

Lyra: Ah… That’s a good one.
Blossomforth: That IS a good one.
Raindrops: I’ve never heard of it.

Lyra: I just… really didn’t like the episode…
Blossomforth: [Gasp] You didn’t like Mr. Greg?!

Lyra: What? No! That was fantastic!
Blossomforth: The Shortie Squad?

Lyra: No! Peridot is suddenly psychic, what’s not to love?

Blossomforth: The Lars episode?
Lyra: No!

Raindrops: Steven Floats was a little slow paced, I guess…
Lyra: No-ho-ho-ho-…

Blossomforth: … The one with Sour Cream’s dad?

Lyra: Yes…

Blossomforth: … What was wrong with it? Seemed pretty formulaic to me.

Lyra: That’s the- [Sigh] … Nevermind…

Raindrops: Lyra, you know how this works. Nopony is going to coax it out of you. You either say something or you don’t.

Lyra: I just… Marty was a jerk, sure, but why couldn’t he have made a real connection with Sour Cream? Why couldn’t the conflict of the episode have been about choosing to favor the parent that raised you or the parent you share interests with? Wouldn’t that have been a more interesting episode?

Blossomforth: Uh… I guess?
Raindrops: Maybe?

Lyra: Why can’t a parent disappear and come back… and come back with genuine interest in their child…?

Blossomforth: …Wha-?
Raindrops: They can do that Lyra- You’re right. That’s what should have happened.

Lyra: Haha! Yeah! But did you see the Ranger Tabes episode? That was awesome!

Blossomforth: Yeah it was! I had to pause it when she caught that dart and was just all… like it was nothing!

Lyra: Haha! Yeah! Right Raindrops?

Raindrops: Uh… I actually haven’t seen that one yet. I got up to the newest Chloe episode. At least I think it’s the newest one…

Lyra: I love Chloe! She’s my favorite character! I feel like she should be the main character.

Blossomforth: I actually like the three bears “fish-out-of-water” setup and the mix of wacky and normal characters they interact with. It’s refreshing and well balanced.

Lyra: Really? I feel Chloe would have the same “fish-out-of-water” experience considering her background. And her parents are great. And I just really want to know more about her and what she’s doing. I bet it’d make a great high school drama, only you know, set in college and staring a junior high student.

Blossomforth: Maybe, but it would never have the same balance of surreal and mundane, or the constant out-of-placeness that the bears have. It’s what makes the show special.

Lyra: I just find myself infinitely more interested in the Chloe episodes.
Blossomforth: Ah, but Chloe never met Ranger Tabes.
Lyra: Oooo… Good point.

Raindrops: My favorites are the bears’ past episodes.

Blossomforth: Oh my gosh! I love those! They’re all so sweet!
Lyra: I know, right?
Raindrops: Heehee.

Lyra: I don’t know. I didn’t like the first episode since the hiatus ended. I just really liked the second one.

Blossomforth: Well, what about the song?

Lyra: Ugh. It was like they were trying to channel Art In Distress and wound up with Raze This Barn.

Blossomforth: I liked Raze this Barn!

Lyra: What? Is there a single song you don’t like?

Blossomforth: I didn’t like In This Town.

Lyra: Are you kidding me? You didn’t like the one song that’s intentionally unnerving, but you liked Raze This Barn?

Blossomforth: There’s nothing creepy about Raze This Barn! It’s about how we shouldn’t fear natural destructive forces!

Lyra: You read an analysis online, didn’t you?

Blossomforth: N-No?

Lyra: Anyway. I did really like Rafferty and Rainart in the newest episode.

Blossomforth: So did I! It was great! Couldn’t you just scream when Raff booped Rain’s nose?

Lyra: Oh Cels… You’re Rainerty shipping trash aren’t you?

Blossomforth: But they’re so good together!

Lyra: Everypony knows Jakerty is the one true ship.

Blossomforth: Is not!

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.

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.

You feel like you’re falling, and can see bright lights pass before your closed eyes. You try your best to brace for impact, but you don’t know which way is up! You start to feel sick when suddenly the lights disappear and fresh air impacts your face. Then, something soft catches you and you open your eyes.

“Gotcha.” You find yourself on Blossomforth’s back, who has just landed. You roll off and stumble for a dizzy moment. Once you get steady, you take a look at your hand, which has turned back into a hoof. Looks like you made it!

You look around the room. Blossomforth is next to you, looking like she’s ready to dive and catch you if you lose your balance. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are beside one another. Bon-Bon is off to one side; there’s an owl perched on a box near her. And Spike is in the middle.

Spike claps, “Alright! That just leaves Lyra left, right? She’s still coming, isn’t she?“

The portal starts to flash and Blossomforth pulls you out of the way with one of her wings. Then she steps in front of you and bends her knees, ready to fly into action. Literally. The mirror glows and Lyra slowly walks out, standing on her hindlegs.

“Well,” Blossomforth interrupts, “If you don’t mind, we won’t be waiting for her to get here. You two,” She points to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, “Through the portal, now. And you’d better not try to run off again while I find Spike. Bon-Bon already told me who your parents are.“

With heads held low, the pair walk toward the statue. But before they pass, they both turn toward you. “See you on the other side, Liza.“ Diamond Tiara says. Silver Spoon just waves. Then they both step through the statue and vanish.

Blossomforth approaches the statue after them, “When I get home I’m taking a nice long bath. And I might not get out until Winter Wrap-Up.“ Bon-Bon muffles a laugh and Blossomforth too vanishes through the statue.

Only you and Aunt Bon-Bon remain. She puts her arm around you and pulls you in close, “Well, should we wait for Lyra? How long did she say she’d be?“

“Bon-Bon?“

You and Bon-Bon spin around to find Lyra standing behind you. But it’s not the Lyra you were expecting.

“… Ran around all day like a crazy pony!“ Blossomforth points at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon in turn, “All I asked of you was to say put but no~! You wondered unsupervised in a strange world were you could have been hurt… or worse! And what was I supposed to do, huh? Once the students starting pouring in I had to escape and leave poor Liza behind! What if she was hurt more than I thought?!”

Blossomforth turns her head, sees you, and rushes over. As she walks away, you see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon roll their eyes at her.

“There you are! Are you alright?“ You nod and tell her that your head still hurts a little, but otherwise you feel fine. She looks relieved. This has probably been very stressful for her. You thank her for her help and give her a hug. She seems confused at first, but eventually hugs you back. Then you both let go and return to the statue.

Aunt Bon-Bon claps to draw your attention, “So, what did Lyra say?“ You tell her that she’s coming home, but skip everything else. Bon-Bon closes her eyes and sighs slightly, “I’m glad to hear that.“