//------------------------------//
// Equestrian Rights 
// Story: Mares in Black I - Target: Lyra Heartstrings 
// by Lucki 
//------------------------------//

  The earth pony bites her lip as she's led into the Royal Throne-room by a white royal guard. She bows at the regal, white alicorn, making sure to do it properly.
"Bon Bon," Princess Celestia nods, looking down at her from the grand seat.
"PLEASE EXIT THE ROOM TO GIVE US SOME PRIVACY!" Princess Luna shouts in the Royal Canterlot voice. All of the guards head outside, and the earth pony covers her ears.
"You too, Luna," Celestia says to the princess of the night.
"But, sister, all of Equestria's affairs are mine, too-" Luna begins, but Celestia cuts her off.
"This does not concern all of Equestria."
Luna opens her mouth to speak, but decides against it. She stands up and slowly walks out the back exit, muttering something that neither of the other ponies in the room could hear.
All the doors are surrounded in a yellow glow and are slammed shut. Then, all the sides of the room are coated in the same color. The earth pony looks up at her Princess, confused.
"This way, nopony outside can hear us," Celestia informs her.
"Oh..."
"Now, we have something very serious to talk about, Agent Sweetie Drops."
"Yes, Princess."
"When you were told to stay undercover in Ponyville, you were told to do so no matter what. Correct?"
"Yes, Princess."
"But what did you do, Sweetie Drops?"
"I... I told somepony I was an agent, your majesty."
"Why did you do this?"
The agent considers lying, but decides against it. "Because she was my best friend."
"That is not a good reason, Sweet."
"But isn't friendship supposed to be magic?"
"Of course, I'm sure everypony in Ponyville knows that - including you. But some friends need to keep secrets."
"But... Is she right?"
"About what, Sweet?"
"She said our whole friendship is based on a lie."
"Is she really your friend, Agent Sweetie Drops?"
"Of course she is!"
The alicorn doesn't respond.
"...Right?"
"Sweetie Drops. I am truly sorry to inform you of this, but whoever your friend is, she will have to be... eliminated."
"Celestia, you can't mean..."
"Yes, Sweet. I'm very sorry it has to be this way. And, you must... get rid of her yourself. Doing otherwise is punishable by death."
The earth pony doesn't respond, but she does begin a silent cry. Celestia walks down to her from the throne.
She strokes the mare's mane. "Can you do it, Agent?"
Sweet sniffles a little. But, wiping her face with her hoof, she looks up and says, "Can I sleep on it?"
"Of course. You may spend the night in the castle."
"Thank you, your majesty."
As soon as Celestia lowers the barrier of silence, Luna flies in through one of the doors.
"Finally, sister!" she rolls her eyes, "It's past time for you to lower the sun."
"Oh! I do apologize, Luna. Wait here, Bon Bon. I will lead you to your chambers in a moment."
The alicorns fly off, leaving Sweet alone in the Throne Room. She reaches into her saddlebag and pulls out a picture of her and her best friend, sitting on the bench like they always do on Sunday afternoon. Pinkie Pie had jumped out of the bushes with a camera that day.
"Lyra..." -a single tear falls onto the edge of the picture- "...why does it have to be this way?"