Dollface: Fillies and Gentlecolts, I feel like we’ve gone a little off track. How about a short recess? You can all head back to the hotel and get yourselves some lunch- our treat of course! We’ll pick things back up in, lets say an hour?
??? 3: If I can even eat anything after that…

[Long Pause]

Sprint: What warehouse? Dolores! What warehouse?

Dollface: It was going to be our last stop tomorrow… The next day, after the attack in this alley… Twelve stallions, seven of which had criminal records, were found murdered in a warehouse near the skydocks.
Tamale: Murdered?
Dollface: Yeah… When they arrived they found one half-dead mare, identity withheld… and one crying, blood-soaked, 6-month-old colt.
Bon-Bon: [Gasp]

Raindrops: Stop. Stop writing!
Tamale: Ah-! Doll! Catch!
Raindrops: Stop it!
Sprint: You better back up, Rain!

Raindrops: You can’t publish this! If the public finds out Lyra committed murder Princess Celestia will be forced to banish her forever! Doll! [Pause] Doll!

Dollface: You’re right… Tamale. Purge: Code Red. We need this done fast. Sprint, you get us a bucket. Rain, secure a location. Toss the ashes off the edge of Canterlot… Hey! I want this spread so wide even magic can’t restore it, you hear? [Pause] In the mean time, I gotta find some way to smooth things over with those rich ponies… And we definitely can’t go to that warehouse… I’ll tell you this much, Lyra. I don’t know how you did it, but I wish I’d been there to stop you… I wouldn’t have left twelve bodies for them to find.

Lyra: Two came from the front…
Dollface: There’s nothing in the report about-
Lyra: One more came up from behind… It was planned.
Dollface: Tamale… Write down everything.
Lyra: One more came flying down from the roof… From the roof.

[Pause]

Bon-Bon: Lyra…?
Lyra: Why? W-… what did they think I going to do? Fly away?

??? 1: Is this part of the tour?

Lyra: The unicorn from behind had a knife… I charged him. Knocked it away, but the other two were right behind me… I ducked a bat and pushed one over into the other, but the pegasus grabbed me by the hair and… just started pulling me straight up… I was on my hindlegs, screaming, flailing at him… Then… the unicorn got the knife back…
Raindrops: Lyra don’t.
Lyra: He held me still and dug the knife into me… here. Then he dragged the blade down…
??? 3: Good gracious!
??? 1: Is this real?! I-Is that scar real?!
Lyra: I… fell… I couldn’t feel anything. Everything was disappearing… I thought I was dead, but I wasn’t afraid… I wasn’t.
Bon-Bon: It’s alright, Lyra. Y-you’re okay now.

Dollface: Then what happened?
Sprint: Doll! For God’s sake!
Dollface: What. Happened?
Lyra: I… I woke up chained to a wall… Locked in a cage, inside of a-
Dollface: Warehouse?

??? 1: So what’s so special about this particular alleyway?
Dollface: This, according to records released to the public, is the location of the last known predatory attack in Canterlot linked to gang activity.
??? 1: Who was-?
Dollface: As with the other locations, no public records reveal the identities of any party involved in the attack.
??? 1: Aww…
??? 2: That’s a shame.

Sprint: Celes…
Raindrops: Still think information has no bias?

Dollface: Ahem. According to this diagram the bulk of the attack was roughly here… Leaving a bloodstain… in about… this shape. The report indicates there was blood along the walls, blood spray on the ground, and a trail of blood leading around that corner before disappearing. The nature of the attack and the fate of the victim is either unknown or unlisted.
??? 3: Can you draw a chalk outline for the other blood markings?
Dollface: Um… For time’s sake, I’ll leave that to your imagination. Let me check my notes and we’ll move on in just a moment.

Hot Tamale: Doll, I’m having like second and third thoughts about this…
Dollface: I know. I know. Insensitive rich pricks… They only signed up for this because it was something exclusive to lord over others… But this information isn’t for them. Remember, we’re doing this for the public.

Lyra: This isn’t right…
Raindrops: You’re darn right, it isn’t.
Lyra: This dumpster was moved. It used to be bolted down here, across from the other one.
Raindrops: Well… That’s not really what I-
Lyra: That would have made the attack here.
Dollface: Hmm?

Lyra: Everypony? This is Bon-Bon. Bon-Bon? This is Sparkle Sprint.
Sprint: Hey. Don’t mind the hoof; it still gets the job done.
Bon-Bon: Nice to meet you.

Lyra: Hot Tamale.
Tamale: Hello, and be sure to let me know if you need anything. Maybe lunch?
Bon-Bon: Oh. Um-
Tamale: She’s not spoken for, is she?
Lyra: Nah, but you’re gonna need some celestia luck for that, sister.
Tamale: Some risks are with taking.

Lyra: And I guess this is Dollface, but she used to be a lot more chill.
Dollface: She used to not have so many responsibilities, either. You don’t have any editor or publishing connections, do you?
Bon-Bon: Oh… Sorry.
Dollface: Yeah… Me too… I take it you’re a non-paying guest.
Bon-Bon: Not necessari-
Lyra: We’re not in the best financial situation right now.

Dollface: Yeah? Join the club. Evidently we’ll have T-shirts soon. Speaking of which- Lyra, it is nice to see you again. But as we’ll have some paying guests along the way this time, a certain level of professionalism is necessary. So if you start to feel… upset, I’d appreciate it if you took your wailing a few blocks over- so as not to make anypony uncomfortable.
Raindrops: Right… We wouldn’t want anypony feeling like they didn’t get their moneys worth…
Dollface: Oh ho ho. I haven’t forgotten about you. This is an officially sanctioned tour. That means the guard is going to be watching out for us. So just in case you’re feeling a little outburst-y…? Well, it’d look awful funny for a big hero like yourself to be dragged off by armed soldiers.

[Long Pause]

Raindrops: I really hate her.

Lyra: Um… Hi girls.
Sprint: Holy crap. It really is you.
Tamale: Lyra! Hey!

Dollface: Oh. You’re here for real. Your letter was so last-minute I… Well look, we’re doing a paid tour this year and we actually got a few ponies to sign up-
Raindrops: You’re exploiting our suffering for money?
Dollface: Funding. For the book. No thanks to you, Ms.Got-Out-Early Wonderbolt.
Raindrops: And what’s that supposed to mean?
Dollface: Oh my, I had no idea the Wonderbolt’s lengthy list of exclusive benefits included a spine implant.

Tamale: Come on, girls. Not already.
Sprint: Nah. Let ‘em go at it. I wanna see Rain finally snap and rearrange Doll’s face.
Dollface: Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Sprint: Shoot. Rain here could have broke you in half before she became a big shot. You just stick to pushin’ pencils for us, pencil pusher.

Raindrops: I take it that means you’re still in favor…
Tamale: Sorry, Rain. If history repeats itself out of ignorance, our sacrifices will have been for nothing.
Raindrops: I’m sure that’d look real nice on a T-shirt…
Sprint: T-Shirts. Now there’s an idea. Are you writing this down, pencil pusher?
Dollface: I don’t know. Tamale, are you?
Tamale: Oh! Right!

Lyra: This isn’t everypony, is it?
Raindrops: We used to have a better turnout, but somepony ran them all off.
Dollface: Once this book gets published, you can take your reunion and shove it for all I care. The truth is getting out, whether you like it or not.

[Pause]

Bon-Bon: And I thought my reunions had some tension…

Bon-Bon: I know it’s sort of late to ask, since we’re already on the train, but are you sure it’s alright for me to be here?
Lyra: No.

Bon-Bon: Gee, thanks…
Lyra: What do you want me to do, lie? I don’t even know if it’s alright for me to be going!
Raindrops: Don’t you worry, Lyra. No pony’s gonna turn you away while I’m around.
Lyra: I appreciate that, Raindrops, but that’s not what I’m worried about…

Bon-Bon: Have you ever gone to one of these reunions before?
Lyra: Eh… Once.
Raindrops: Yeah… That one could have gone better… Hey wait. Lyra! That’s not why we stopped talking, was it?
Lyra: It was kind of embarrassing…
Bon-Bon: What happened-?
Raindrops: You listen up, Lyra. You are a strong pony. And just because you’re a strong pony, doesn’t mean you won’t break down. But I want you to know that no matter what, I’m with you! E-even though I can’t physically follow you if you run off, because I have to stay with the group. [Pause] Oh! Plus… you’ve got Bon-Bon! I mean, who else could a pony ask for?

Bon-Bon: Thank you, Raindrops.
Raindrops: Do you feel any better, Lyra?
Lyra: A little.
Raindrops: Good… ‘cause I really don’t like talking so much…

[Long Pause]

Bon-Bon: No one is forcing you to do this, Lyra.
Lyra: Yes they are… I’m forcing me to do this…

Lyra: You go every year, right Raindrops?
Raindrops: Oh sure! They can’t keep me away. I’m the oldest active member. They can’t tell me I can’t go.

Lyra: Uh…

Raindrops: Sorry. I know I’m a little quiet, but I have strong political beliefs.
Lyra: About what?

Raindrops: Oh! I don’t guess you’d know much about that… See, ponies like us… you know, the survivors? We’re kind of divided. The younger ponies want to tell the world about all the bad stuff that happened in Canterlot. Publish a book and everything. But older ponies like me? We know that’s not going to help. It’s just going to put bad ideas in pony’s heads. You know, copycat crimes? You’re actually sort of an oddball for being on our side since you’re younger.

Lyra: I… had no idea there was a movement to publish the truth.

Raindrops: Yeah… The younger ponies have all but chased all the older ones off. But they’ll never get rid of me! And I’ll keep speaking out against them! Protecting ponykind from themselves! It’s what Princess Celestia would want, I’m sure.

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…

Lyra: I mean, you’re going, right?

Raindrops: Oh absolutely! I can’t wait to see Princess Celestia on stage. And… Um…

Lyra: You’re leanin’ in kinda close there-
Raindrops: I’ll actually be there on official Wonderbolt business, watching over the Princess. Shhh~…

Lyra: Oh, okay.

Raindrops: I bet you’re so excited! This must be a big deal for you!

Lyra: Eh heh heh… Ah W-why would…? [Pause] Why would it be a big deal to me specifically?

Raindrops: Oh… I don’t know… I always got the impression that Princess Celestia meant a lot to you. She helped you or something, right?

Lyra: Yeah… Kinda…

Raindrops: You’re going to be there though for the play, aren’t you?

Lyra: Eh-I… Y-eah! Of course!

Raindrops: Oh good! I’ll try to find you so we can sit together. It’ll be nice to talk to Bon-Bon some more, too. I don’t think we get to talk enough these days.

Lyra: Welp! Here it is, Drops!
Raindrops: Please don’t call me that.

Lyra: Here it is, Rains!

Raindrops: Oh my. That’s disturbing.

Lyra: Yeah, definite changeling error. But thankfully it was just a reformed changeling trying to blend in. Funny enough, there was also an alicorn operating landing lights at the airport. Didn’t get a picture of that one, but another false alarm.

Raindrops: I see. Is this why you left so suddenly?

Bon-Bon/Lyra: No!

Bon-Bon: We were just-
Lyra: It was a-

Lyra: Contest!
Bon-Bon: Vaca- Yes! Contest!

Raindrops: Ah-kay. At first I thought maybe it was ‘cause of your birthday.

Bon-Bon: It was!
Lyra: Yes!
Bon-Bon: Birthday Contest!
Lyra: Grand prize!
Bon-Bon: All expenses paid!
Lyra: Just not for very long!
Bon-Bon/Lyra: Haha!

Raindrops: Oh… Ah-kay.

Lyra: Nice of Rarity to invite us over for a fashion show, eh Bon-Bon?

Bon-Bon: Why are you talking like that? And I didn’t think it was her fashion show. I thought she was just participating.

Lyra: No, you’re right. Strange that she had to leave early.

Bon-Bon: Did she and her friends say anything as they left?

Lyra: I heard Rainbow Dash say something to Applejack. Something about, “Fluttershy taking a level in Pinkie Pie.“

Bon-Bon: Hmm. Cryptic.

Lyra: Sorry we got separated in the crowd.

Bon-Bon: It’s alright. Raindrops was with me.

Raindrops: Raindrops is still with you.

Bon-Bon: And we’re delighted to have you!

Lyra: Yeah! You should’ve told us you’d be there!

Lyra: Wait wait wait wait. Wait. Back up. You were living in Cloudsdale long enough to spectate on Rainbow Dash’s entire competitive career?

Raindrops: Yes?

Lyra: How? I thought you grew up in Canterlot, like me.

Raindrops: I did.

Lyra: That’s impossible! You can’t be in two places at once!

Raindrops: I… wasn’t? We lived in Lower Canterlot till I was fifteen, then we moved to Cloudsdale to live with my grandmother.

Lyra: You were fifteen at Rainbow Dash’s first race?

Raindrops: Well, like eighteen by then.

Lyra: H… H-how old are you?

Raindrops: Thirty.
Lyra: You’re older than me?!
Raindrops: Nine.

[Pause]

Lyra: Y… You’re almost forty?! But… but you look like you’re twenty!

Raindrops: Oh, well thank you.

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!

[Violent gust of wind]

Raindrops: I’M NOT A DOG!
Bedbug: Where did she-?!
Ladybug: Up there!
Raindrops: I’M A WONDERBOLT-!
Bedbug: Ooof-!
[Loud crash]

Ladybug: Rrrr-! I’ll fry you!
[Sparking electricity]
Lyra: No~!
Ladybug: Ugh-! Ah-!
Bon-Bon: Lyra!
Lyra: Help Raindrops!

Ladybug: Hah! You think you’ve won?! You think my back’s to the wall?! You’re not even in the same league as me!
Lyra: Ugh! OW!
Ladybug: The days of friendship and laughter are over! This is our time!
[Laser]
Lyra: Ug-!
Ladybug: And from the ashes of your burnt-out kingdom; a new hive. My hive!
Lyra: Gah-!
Ladybug: That’s right! I will be queen! And your descendants will be grain for my bread!
Lyra: Ah-!
[Thud]
Ladybug: But you don’t have to worry. You won’t live to see it!

[High-pitched siren]

Lyra: TODAY OCTAVIA!
Ladybug: Wha-?
[Klang]

Ladybug: Uh…
[Thud]

Octavia: [Panting] I liked that cello…
Lyra: [Pant] I thought it was a double bass.
Octavia: Don’t you get cheeky with me.

[Coughing]

Octavia: Vinyl! [Distant running] Vinyl, wake up! Wake up!

Ladybug: Fools! After you’re dealt with, we’ll just say you were the Changelings! Then, in an act of retaliation, we’ll personally march your entire military into our borders- into an insurmountable trap! You’ve only hastened your pitiful nation’s destruction!

Bon-Bon: Not if I can help it!

[Multiple lasers]

Bon-Bon: Lyra, they have me pinned down! What are we gonna do?!

Bedbug: Where do you think you’re going?!
Raindrops: N-no-
Bedbug: Don’t even think about moving, you dog!
Raindrops: Oh-oh… kay…
Ladybug: You move, dog, and you and your friends are dust.
Raindrops: I-I won’t-
Bedbug: Look at you. Spineless. Like a cowardly puppy!
Raindrops: I’m… I’m not…
Ladybug: Don’t worry, you mutt, you’ll be rewarded for your obedience.
Bedbug: Sure! It won’t even hurt-!