Protection of an Empire

by 0_0

First published

After being accused of being a changeling spy, Bon Bon is forced to go on the run from the Equestrian police.

After being accused of being a changeling spy, Bon Bon is forced to confront the harsh realities of trying to stop an enemy who could be anyone: sometimes, you get the wrong pony.

"Caught"

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Perfect. Just perfect. Today's just been the most perfect day ever. I can hear Lyra's voice now. "But Bon Bon," she'd say, "how could today be absolutely perfect? I thought you hated Tuesdays!"

Well, I'm on the run from the Equestrian police because somepony hoofed me as a changeling, that seems pretty perfect. Nope, absolutely fine with that. Just PERFECT.

Heck, the only reason I haven't been caught yet is because I used to track down changelings for a living. Well, sort of a living. As much as I hate to admit it, Lyra made most of the money between the two of us, what with her bigshot lectures and all. If it wasn't for her, I would've been out on the street within a month.

But I suppose I oughtta back things up a bit. Y'know, introduce myself and all. It isn't like the cops don't already know who I am, so it wouldn't hurt to clear things up for anypony else who finds this. Get the formalities over with.

My name's Bon Bon. If you're finding this note (and it hasn't been moved), then the room you're standing in is mine. At least, it used to be. I was the head of our local CCAS (Civilian Changeling Alert Society) chapter, but I seriously doubt I still have that job, since, again, totally a changeling over here. I make pretty good candy. I used to do that for a living before Canterlot got targeted by the changelings. I made a lot more money at it, too, but I figured that tracking down changeling subversives was way more important than making candy.
Let's see, um... I can hold my breath for 90 seconds, my favorite color is blue... That's all the important stuff I can think of. Oh, and I live with a professor of Equestrian history. Although to be honest, I think she lowered the cost of my room just to be nice. We've known each other since we were foals, so when I said I was short on cash and about to get kicked out of my apartment, she pretty much just gave me the room for free. She raised the monthly rent a bit after that, but still.

Or I least, I used to live with her. Man, this whole on-the-run thing is going to take some getting used to. I'm gonna have to leave pretty soon, and the only reason I'm still here is because I wanted to finish this note.

I figure I've got about half an hour before the police get here, but Lyra deserves an explanation. So Lyra, if you're reading this: if you see my name in the papers under the "Wanted" section, I'm fine. Relatively speaking. Normally I'd be out clearing my name right about now, but the folks I saw asking around the market for me were government types. The shady, crazy kind. If they think they've caught a changeling, well, they won't stop until they've reeled 'em in.

And also: thank you. For everything. I don't know what I would have done without you.

-Bon Bon

Into Hiding

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Y'know, I kind of like the idea of somepony else finding that note. Maybe when I'm locked up in prison someone'd get to hear my side of the story. So I'll keep writing more. It gives me something to do at least.

So! I stopped by Sugar Cube Corner today to see about getting some food before I head into the Everfree. Mrs. Cake took one look at me and got real nervous, then brought me into the back room to talk. I guess the Equestrian Intelligence Agency folks got her spooked about me.

Dang. I'll bet Pinkie wouldn't have been scared of them, what with her connections with the princess and all. Real shame, she probably woulda given me some free food and wished me on my way.

Anyways, Pinkie ain't here anymore, and Mrs. Cake said she couldn't sell to me if she wanted to. She's already in a bit of trouble with the government, and selling to a fugitive certainly wouldn't help that. So I take what I have.

Perfect.

That all comes down to some apples, a bit of asparagus, and just enough hay to wrap them up in. So yeah, Lyra, I'm the one who cleaned out the pantry. You can help yourself to pretty much any of my stuff, since I won't be needing it anymore. Man, I hadn't even really thought about how I'd be leaving everything behind until now. I mean, I thought about it a little, but it never really... Clicked. Until now, that is.

I spent all the bits I managed to grab on a ticket to Appaloosa. The guy didn't even look at me twice. I sure hope this is worth it.

-Bon Bon

Into the Forest

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Everfree. The one place where they might not find me. I'm starting to regret this decision already.

My hope is that I can get at least decently deep into the forest while the EIA searches Appaloosa from top to bottom. Those people are pretty stupid when it comes to finding real changelings, so I figured they'd be even dumber when it comes to finding fake ones.

So... I didn't really come in here with that great of a plan, if you can even call it that. I remember that there used to be a zebra that turned out to be a traitor living in the Everfree Forest, so I was gonna go find their old house. There's no way I'm surviving without supplies from there.

Wait, I think we might've taken everything from there when I brought her in with the rest of the CCAS members. I don't really remember, it was a while ago. I hope we didn't, because otherwise I'm pretty much screwed.

-Ever hopeful, Bon Bon