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// An Owl in Canterlot 4 
// Story: Truthseeker 
// by RB_ 
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	“Your… job?” Bon Bon asked, confused. “Lyra, last I checked, you were a lyrist.”

“And I used to think you were just a candymaker. You aren’t the only one with secrets, Bonnie.”

Bon Bon winced. “Would you stop bringing that up!” she hissed, her eyes darting towards the others.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about us,” Ditzy said, grinning mischievously. “Miss Drops.”

Her eyes grew wide. “How— How could you possibly know about that?” She looked towards Lyra, worry and suspicion playing across her features. “Did you tell them?! Please tell me you didn’t tell them!”

Pinkie spoke up. “We’ve known since before you retired. We did used to be in the same line of work, after all.”

“The same line of work?”

“Protecting Equestria,” Pinkie answered, slipping into a serious tone. “In secret. Hunting monsters. Fighting evil. Making sure hidden things stay hidden and sealed things stay sealed. Keeping ponies safe from things they were not meant to see, so they can go about their lives without living in constant fear. 

“Every pony in this room besides you is a member of a secret, underground network of ponies, and other creatures, who work from the shadows to keep Equestria safe from things that nopony else can deal with.”

“What do you mean, ‘nopony else can deal with’? We have a royal guard for a reason—”

“You of all ponies should know that we can’t rely on the guard for everything! What would the guard have done last night? Or the royal mages? Or the Wonderbolts? They don’t have the knowledge or experience necessary to deal with things like that. We do.”

“But you’re just civilians!”

“We just want to keep everypony safe and smiling.” Pinkie said. “And if we have to work to do that ourselves, then so be it.”

“But— I—” Bon Bon fell back into a chair. “I… need a minute to think about all this.”

A tense silence filled the room. Lyra began to worry, but then she noticed Ditzy Doo was smiling. Can’t be too bad, then.

At last, Bon Bon broke the silence. “Well, I guess I’m coming out of retirement. How do I become a member?”

“What!?” Lyra cried.

“Well, somepony has to be around to keep this idiot out of trouble, right?” she said, gesturing to Lyra.

“Hey!”

“I was hoping you would say that. We could always use a mare of your talents.” Pinkie said, attempting to keep up her serious façade despite her huge smiles. 

“So, how do I join? Is there a ritual, or an oath, or…?”

“No need. Welcome to the Vigilant Owl, Mare in Black.”

There was a long, dramatic pause.

“…Mare in Black?”

“No, Mare in Black. It’s your moniker, a codename of sorts. Kind of similar to mine and Maud’s, actually.” Pinkie giggled. 

“But why Mare in Black? I don’t think I’ve ever worn a suit in my life…”

“…It was the best Maud and I could come up with on such short notice. Time for introductions! Pinkamena Diane Pie, Queen in Pink.”

Maud introduced herself next. “Maudlin Elizabeth Pie, Queen in Grey.”

“Ditzy Doo, Chronovoyant.”

Finally, it was Lyra’s turn. “Lyra Heartstrings, Truthseeker. And, Bonnie— Thanks.”

Before Bon Bon could say anything, Pinkie interrupted. “Now, the next thing you need to learn is the greeting…”