//------------------------------// // Chapter Two: Worst Night Ever // Story: Ponies Protecting Ponies: The Return of Chaos // by Venates //------------------------------// Carrot picked up another drink, enjoying herself far too much to only have one. "Lyra, you said it yourself: Amethyst isn't the best choice for a honeypot here, and you're our only remaining unicorn on the team." came Amethyst's bitter voice. was Lyra's dignified response. declared Derpy. Carrot could only imagine the pegasus locking one of her eyes onto the figure, and hopefully sporting the same stupid grin she was. Carrot grinned wide and swayed with the music. "'Here?'" she asked, offering to finish Lyra's sentence for her. She took a big gulp of her drink. "Lyra, as this mission's chief handler, I order you to romance that stallion and determine his threat level." Amethyst's snort was audible over the comm link. <...I hate all of you,> said Lyra. "Mwah." Carrot blew a kiss into the air. "Don't worry, I'll be listening and ready to give you advice if you need it." said Lyra. "Perfectly healthy enjoyment, actually," said Carrot through another sip. "Ahem." Carrot coughed and almost lost some of her drink. She gave her chest a good thump before turning to address the stallion standing behind her. Before she could say, 'Yes?' her chest needed another good thump. "Golden?" asked the light-grey unicorn. He was wearing a dapper tuxedo, and his violet mane was combed perfectly. His face wore a look of recognition as he licked his lips to speak again. "Golden Harvest? I thought I saw you earlier, and... Well... I guess I wanted to see if that blown kiss was aimed at me." Carrot swallowed before allowing his name to pass her lips. "...Written Script?" The stallion smiled. said Lyra from another world entirely. "It's been a while," said Written Script, his emerald eyes lost in reminiscence. "Yes," replied Carrot with a weak voice and a small smile. She nodded and fought back a tear. "A very long while." Carrot's ear tickled, but she paid it no mind. Doctor Hooves has been welcomed on the team with open hooves. He's added some much-needed levity to the group. The interactions between him and Iron Ore are nothing short of adorable. They're practically inseparable! Carrot has already given him a few assignments to help him get acquainted with the new lab, and he's really taken to it. You'd almost think he'd been here this whole time. A few of his experiments have meandered the edge of unauthorized, but Carrot has been surprisingly supportive. And here I am keeping a written journal as my one source of rebellion under her. Still, it's refreshing to not have to obey every single order. Derpy has been acting rather strange lately. I think she's still getting used to being away from Cloudsdale, not to mention dealing with an underground base. I'm sure that's discomforting for a pegasus. I think Iron Ore has noticed her behavior as well. I overheard him joking with Hooves that Derpy has been eyeing him, but Hooves didn't look bothered one way or the other. Perhaps he's simply married to science. It would explain a lot. Even so, there is a strict probation on relationships in this company, especially within the company. You never know what kind of trouble that can cause. Carrot casually rubbed at one of her ears, as though addressing an itch. Lyra's annoying voice ceased. "What–" Carrot coughed. "What brings you here?" she asked. Written Script smiled. "Really, Golden? Small talk?" he replied. Before Carrot could answer, he continued, "Remember that play I was working on? It turned out to, well, not exactly be a big hit, but it got noticed by the right ponies. One script later and actors were reading my lines on Bridleway!" "Oh, Written, I'm so happy for you!" Carrot gushed. Her hind legs quivered. "I can only imagine how much that must mean to you!" "Second best thing that's ever happened to me," Written said with a smile. He gave a small wave to the castle around them. "One of the producers comes to these things every year, and managed to get me a ticket." He flexed his eyebrows. "See what the big leagues are like." Carrot giggled. "Is it everything you ever dreamed of?" she asked. "Almost." Written Script offered a hoof. "I don't suppose you would care for a dance? You've been swaying to the music all night." "Been watching me sway, have you?" asked Carrot coyly. Written smiled but did not reply. Carrot took his hoof and joined him on the dance floor. Iron Ore hasn't been himself these last few days. He's been distant. Sour, even. Playful quips between him and his brother have turned into hurtful bickering. He doesn't listen to Carrot's orders anymore, nor does he report his time out of headquarters. He even snapped at Derpy in the breakroom, and she's been nothing but kind to him. Carrot's a mess. I don't think she knows how to deal with this kind of subordination. She's never had to be tough in her tenure here; everypony always got along just fine. This may be her first true test as a leader. I'd like to say that I have complete faith in her, but truth is, I'm actually really worried. Derpy swiveled an eye onto Lyra below her and shook her head. "I'm... not exactly romantic," she answered. She gave her wings a few good flaps. "Besides, I wouldn't know how to 'sell' being a unicorn, you know what I mean?" answered Amethyst. She adopted a ditsy voice. <'Tell me my horn's pretty.'> continued Lyra. Derpy lowered her eyelids. "Dinky is adopted," she said. "I know I've told you this. Like, eight times." asked Lyra. Derpy could see her dumbfounded expression. asked Amethyst. shouted Lyra. Derpy watched as she stomped toward her target. Before either Amethyst or Derpy could argue, Lyra swiped at her ear, and Derpy knew she was silenced. Still, Lyra couldn't stop her from watching the ensuing chaos. "Miss Doo, is that you?" Derpy dropped a few inches before collecting herself. She looked down to see a familiar face she'd been blocking from her past. "Um... yes." She lowered herself to ground-level to speak with the skinny stallion. He looked at her through a wide pair of lenses. "I say, what were you looking for all the way up there?" he asked her. "Surely you didn't bring your child? Such a young filly would easily get lost in this mess!" "Oh, no, I..." Derpy swallowed. "I heard the Wonderbolts would be here. I've been in Ponyville for so long now, and it would be nice to speak to an old piece of home." "Yes, yes, quite," said the stallion gruffly. He coughed before saying, "How is Dinky, may I ask?" "She's doing fine, thank you." Derpy glared at him with one eye. The other was trained on Lyra, but it was harder to keep her in sight from ground level. She tried to keep her eye movements slow to keep from being distracting. "She actually just began practicing magic recently." "Magic? Already?" said the stallion. "Why, don't you think it's a bit early? Her doing magic at all is rather... concerning." "I think she's at a fine age for it," Derpy said, gritting her teeth. The stallion sighed. "Miss Doo... May I call you Ditzy?" "No," said Derpy curtly. "Now, now, no need for hostility, my dear," said the stallion. He cleaned his glasses on his lapel, shrinking his eyes considerably. "I know we left on the wrong hoof, but I did everything I could when you came to me for help." Derpy sighed. "I know. And I suppose I can never repay you for that." "I still don't think taking the child home was the wisest of decisions." Derpy's other eye rocked back forward and locked onto the stallion. He almost dropped his glasses in shock. "What you have to think of my daughter is no longer relevant," she said, seething. "Now, if you don't mind..." Derpy stomped past the stallion, flaring a wing in his face as she passed. As soon as she was past the bouncer, she spread both wings and rocketed away. "Wait!" the stallion called after her, "How in Equestria did you get VIP tickets?!" "Lyra? Derpy? Carrot? Hello?" Amethyst pressed her comm link into her ear, wondering if it was malfunctioning. Watching Twilight and Celestia greet guests was dreadfully dull, the voices of her comrades her only source of entertainment. One by one, however, those voices stopped coming. Amethyst was alone. She sighed and looked onward to Twilight Sparkle. She didn't look to be enjoying her night any more than Amethyst. Amethyst recalled all the trouble Twilight went through with her tickets for the event, and couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Overpowering that, however, was some indignation that now neither were enjoying themselves. Her only continuing mission was to keep Twilight protected on Celestia's behalf, but Celestia was right there. Surely Carrot could have relocated her by now? Perhaps somewhere with food or dancing? And not one pony had complimented her saddleskirt. Amethyst snorted and gave her ear a tap. "This is Agent Star," she said under her breath. "Can anyone read me?" answered a voice. "I'm sorry, I just–" Something triggered within Amethyst's memory. "Melody... Weren't you the one who recruited Lyra?" answered Agent Melody. "Replacement?" said Amethyst, half insulted and half inquisitive. "What are you talking about?" asked Agent Melody. The next few noises Amethyst heard were the sounds of a struggle. "Agent Melody?" Amethyst's heart raced; another voice silenced, and she couldn't help but fear the worst. "Hello?" She switched channels again. "Carrot, what's going on?" A deep rumbling came from the ballroom. Amethyst saw Twilight turn in shock, then race toward the noise. Celestia hesitated before following her. "Carrot, I've lost visual on Twilight!" said Amethyst, desperation in her voice. "I need to know if I should relocate!" No response. "Carrot, please!" Amethyst's heart beat faster. "Derpy, Lyra, somepony, please answer me!" After a few bated breaths amid a growing cacophony, Amethyst cycled through a few more channels. "This is Agent Star! Please respond! Somepony, please respond!" Her emotions welled to the surface. "SOMEPONY TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!" she cracked. Stay cool, Lyra said to herself. Stay cool, and he'll be putty in your hooves. No sweat. Just get the information, and get out. As Lyra neared her target, her death march turned into a sashay, and her scowl into a smoldering smile. If the mare could have an evil twin, she would look exactly like this. Only a few paces away from target, the stallion turned and locked eyes with her. Lyra's innermost muscles tensed with anticipation, but her pace never lost its rhythm. "I have to say, I'm not used to seeing eyes such as yours, Mister...?" "Havoc," replied the stallion with a bow. He gazed at her with one eye of green and the other one crimson. "That's quite a compliment coming from a unicorn whose own eyes reflect perfection." Do not vomit! "And right now they're reflecting you," Lyra said with a purr. I'm taking, like, eight showers after this. "Indeed," said the stallion with a placid smile. Lyra fluttered her eyelids an appropriate amount of times. "So what is it you do that brings you to the VIP section, Mister Havoc?" "I do a number of different things," Havoc replied casually. He motioned for a drink tray to come near, and he and Lyra both took up a tiny glass with their magic. "I help recruit ponies into better professions, speak at a few events, but mostly I find my interests in things more historical in nature." "History?" Lyra repeated, feigning delighted interest. "What is it you find so appealing about that which distracts from the here and now?" "While here and now is quite enjoyable," Havoc said with smirk and a twirl of his glass, "knowing what came before can help us better prepare for what's yet to come. In a way, studying history is like predicting the future." "I never thought of it that way," said Lyra, making sure her tone made the stallion sound like smartest pony in the universe. "That must open up all sorts of ideas for you." "Oh yes," replied Havoc, taking a sip of his drink. He eyed Lyra over the glass. "Among other things." Lyra pretended to fail to stifle a giggle, but succeeded in hiding a retching sound from her gullet. I want to punch that smug mug SO BAD. "Tell me, Mister Havoc." Lyra took a few swaying steps forward. "What kind of future do you see?" "I hope, soon..." Havoc took a few paces closer himself. "I can show you exactly what kind of future to expect, Agent Heartstrings." Lyra closed her eyes and leaned in close. Then, like a snap, pulled her neck back and asked, "Wait, what did you just call–?" A loud boom echoed from the ballroom, and Lyra looked to it instinctively. After a brief silence, the rumbling of a stampede with screams from pony and animal alike followed suit. "My cue," said Havoc. Lyra turned back around. Havoc gave a small bow before saying, "Adieu, my dear." "Oh no you–" Lyra's horn lit in a golden glow. "You're coming with–!" Lyra's aura floated around Havoc and fluctuated, never quite matching his form. He winked and disappeared while Lyra's glow continued to envelop thin air. "...Me?" The shouts from the ballroom drew closer. Lyra's growl turned into a scream as she whacked at her ear to turn her comms back on. "WHAT IS GOING ON?!" roared Lyra. sobbed Amethyst. "Star, suck it up and meet me in the ballroom!" Lyra commanded. She looked around. "I don't see Doo here, but hopefully Top hasn't left her post!" Iron Ore didn't come back from his mission today. He was supposed to inspect the castle ruins in Everfree to find a missing Canterlot agent. He may have been playing hooky again, but Carrot and I went looking for him anyway. We found... We found what was left. We don't know what could do this to a pony in such a short amount of time, but... No one is taking it well. Derpy left for Canterlot without saying anything more to anyone. Carrot is an absolute wreck. Ponyville has never lost an agent before. I've been trying to keep up the paperwork in her stead. I'm in a desperate need to grieve as well, but... somepony has to keep the lights on. Doctor Hooves is taking it the worst. Despite how much they've been arguing lately, it's clear he still has a deep, undying love for his brother. He's been cycling through fits of hysteria and utter contempt. It's a miracle the lab is even still standing, let alone the stone walls around us. I don't know if he'll ever be okay. We always knew this job would have its devastating moments. I don't think any of us expected this. Amethyst wiped away the last of her tears, her cheeks burning with the shame of having them in the first place. Lyra heard her voice broken, but she didn't need to see it in her face as well. Catching one last breath, Amethyst rounded the corner between the VIP section and the ballroom. Lyra popped into view, spotted Amethyst, and jerked her head down the hall. She was fast, but Amethyst managed to catch up. "What happened?" asked Amethyst. "Didn't I ask you that?" replied Lyra. She grit her teeth. "I take it nothing interesting happened while Celestia was around. "No, I was bored to tears." Lyra looked like she wanted to say something, but decided against it. The ballroom was mostly quiet now, save for a few stragglers speaking to reporters and cleaning up mud. In a far corner stood Carrot Top tending to the wounds of an unfamiliar, seated stallion. Lyra's grit teeth turned into an intense scowl. "THERE you are!" Lyra snarled upon her approach. The stallion looked at her in shock. "Friends of yours, Golden?" the stallion asked Carrot Top. "I'm sorry, I don't think we've met. I'm Written Script" He extended a hoof to the two unicorns. "Oh!" said Carrot, her hooves still on the Written's forehead. "Yes! These are my... my coworkers." She pointed to Amethyst and uttered, "Her name isssss Sparkle...r. Sparkler. And the green one is–" "Lyra Heartstrings," barked Lyra. She never stopped glaring at Carrot Top. Written Script lowered his hoof, and Lyra threw a foreleg out in exasperation. "Where have you been?!" Lyra demanded. "We've been trying to get a hold of you!" Carrot drew back. "I've–" "I'm afraid that's my fault," said Written Script. "Golden Harvest and I haven't seen each other in a long time, and after a few drinks–" "And you've been drinking?!" asked Lyra incredulously. Carrot took a step backward and looked down. "You know what, I don't even care." Lyra stamped her hoof back to the ground, causing Carrot and her companion to flinch. "That 'suspicious stallion' definitely has something to do with this, and–" "Okay, I think things are getting a little heated," said Written, interjecting. He moved his front hooves slowly. "The night has been a little rough, and I think we all need to just–" "Guys." "DON'T YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" shouted Lyra, her eyes wide and livid. "YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME! DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO KEEP PONIES LIKE YOU–" "Guys!" "Don't you dare yell at him!" said Carrot Top, finding her voice again. "This is the nicest stallion a mare could ever meet, not that you'd know anything about–" "GUYS!" "WHAT, Star?!" Lyra spun to look at Amethyst with an expression meant for Carrot Top. Amethyst would have apologized on instinct if there were not more pressing matters. She motioned to her ear and watched as Lyra realized that she was hearing the same thing; it had just been drowned out by her own voice. Derpy was shouting. Lyra whacked Carrot Top upside the head. Written stood to protest, as did Carrot, but then her expression changed from anger to grave concern. "I hear you, Doo, yes. Don't worry, we're coming!" "Now hold on a minute!" said Written. His disbelieving eyes darted between them "We're not going anywhere until Golden gets an apology for such uncivil behavior!" "Don't need it." Carrot kissed Written Script's cheek and raced for the gardens. "Keep up, you two!" Lyra and Amethyst did not hesitate to follow. Amethyst took one glance back at Carrot's companion, who was holding his cheek and didn't look intent on removing his hoof anytime soon. Questions about Carrot's past would have to wait for another time. Doo finally came back from Canterlot. It's been months, and, get this: she adopted a child. A unicorn filly, to be exact. If this is her way of coping with Iron Ore's death, then it's not one I can agree with. I suppose I don't have any control over her personal matters. It's my understanding though that a contact of hers in Canterlot also tried to talk her out of it. Clearly that didn't go anywhere. She assures me that she used a fake name on all the papers, so at least she was still thinking like an agent. Hooves might be getting worse. His euphoric moments are getting longer, but they feel like a shallow mask that's being used to hide the pain. That, or he's legitimately going mad. If this keeps up any longer, I may have to take him in to see a psychiatrist. Grief is normal. This... For this long? This isn't. Trouble is, his only emergency contacts are his brother and the agency. So, unless Carrot decides to come into the office for a change, my hooves are tied. To be honest, I'm not even sure I can continue taking orders from Carrot. How is this being a leader? As Amethyst, Lyra, and Carrot Top ran into the castle gardens, Derpy's floating form came into view. she called. A waving foreleg could be seen. "Oh, fun, the cult-y kind of terrorists," Lyra muttered. "No time for jokes, Heartstrings!" shouted Carrot over the wind. "Doo, can you get in there and break it up?" Lyra muttered something about someone having time for stallions, but only Amethyst heard. said Derpy, "Roger that," said Carrot. She swiped at her ear in stride. "This is Agent Top, calling across all channels. Does anyone copy? We need backup in the sculpture garden!" Amethyst was afraid to tell her of this part: no one from the Canterlot branch had been replying to her either. Carrot snarled. "I guess it's up to us. You two be on standby for any cancellation spells." Amethyst and Lyra both nodded. As they neared the garden, they heard deep, rhythmic chanting coming from beyond a few hedge walls. shouted Derpy. The mares bobbed and weaved around sculptures of various sizes and depictions before one of the tallest came into view, almost a dozen ponies kneeling before it. Each one was blasting it with their own brand of magic. "Za na tu Discord," Amethyst heard chanted from the nearest cultist. "Omavue trenai coca triste..." "Attack!" shouted Carrot Top. "Scatter!" shrieked one of the chanters. The unicorns who could teleport did so. Derpy dove at one who transformed into a puddle before seeping into the ground. Lyra went to grab another with her magic before it vanished. "Amethyst, check your magic!" Lyra called. "One of these guys did this inside; it's like some kind of... phantom image!" Amethyst threw her own magical grab at a few figures, but struggled to get a grip on any of them. "Smoke and mirrors!" shouted Amethyst. "Not a good way to do your makeup, Star!" shouted Carrot Top. She kicked a figure and it turned to dust. "It's just an illusion!" Amethyst clarified. An unfamiliar voice joined the commotion. "Well, well, well, it looks like my distraction could have used an extra few seconds." "You!" Amethyst turned to see Lyra bolting for a unicorn with two distinctly-colored eyes. He vanished into thin air, and two identical stallions appeared on either side of Lyra. "I know, I left you too soon, Agent Heartstrings," said the duplicate stallions. Lyra lashed out at two more whiffs of air. The voice continued, "Any longer and I think the two of us may have had some real fun, hm?" "Shut up!" shouted Lyra, looking for another image to bash. "How do you know my name?!" The stallion's laughter echoed as Lyra ran circles in the field. Amethyst looked up into the sky. "Derpy!" she called. "He's trying to distract us! Focus your attention somewhere else!" Derpy spun her head around. "He has doubles all over!" she replied. "He can't be far!" said Amethyst. "Chances are good he's still close enough to do magic on this statue!" Derpy looked a little closer to their position before both of her eyes locked onto something. She dove straight down into the hedge maze. Not a second later, the images taunting Lyra disappeared, and the laughter was replaced by the sounds of a scuffle culminating in a loud crack. A moment later, Derpy flapped over the hedge wall, dragging a body with her. She dropped it before her companions, where the stallion writhed in pain. A deep crevice spanned the length of his horn, and a few pitiful sparks drifted from it. Lyra whistled low. "Remind me to never get on your bad side, Doo." Carrot Top is stepping down from the Chief Handler position, effective immediately. It seems I'm not the only one who doesn't think she has what it takes to do this job. She's named me her successor, while she retakes the role of a standard agent. I suppose it's fitting, given the fact that I've basically been doing the job in her stead these past few months. Now it just comes with a title and a little more authority. And... responsibility. The next agent to go down is on me. I wouldn't be as worried if that blasted Summer Sun Celebration wasn't on the horizon, and Hooves' progress has slowed considerably since the passing of his brother. No matter what, I can't forget that these ponies, as broken as they currently are, are all I have. This town... I would give anything for my home. It's why I joined in the first place. There is so much here worth protecting, and I am not going to betray that. No matter what. "Bon Bon?" Bon Bon sighed and looked up from her memories. "Yes, Doctor? What is it?" "Director Dent is on the monitor," Hooves said, peeking through Bon Bon's office door. "The others came across something major in Canterlot. He'd like you to come up immediately." Bon Bon sighed again and put her old journal back in its drawer, this time locking it. "Tell him I'll be on the next train." "No. Absolutely not." Carrot Top stood in front of Rad Dent, a disgruntled look on her face. "None of your Canterlot agents showed up," Carrot replied. She shifted her weight. "My agents caught him, therefore they get to interrogate him." "He was caught in Canterlot, and it will be Canterlot agents in that room with him!" said Dent. He puffed his chest to make sure the light hit his medals at the right angle. "You're out of your jurisdiction!" "And you're out of agents!" Carrot retorted. "Unless any have returned from animal roundup? Hm?" Dent's eyebrows furrowed. "Chasing the cultists you failed to catch," he grunted. His composure relaxed. "Though I suppose they may be a while yet." Dent sighed and shook his head. "Fine. Go on ahead." Carrot gave a sweet smile. "I'll use some former Canterlot agents, if that makes you feel any better." She turned to the ponies standing behind her. "Lyra, Amethyst, you're up. Use magic to restrain him if he can still do anything with that broken horn. I don't think I need to explain which one of you is the bad cop or the good cop." Lyra smirked and gave a half salute as she and Amethyst entered a secluded room. Light blinked on inside, revealing the pair with a stallion cuffed down to a table. Derpy sat watching through a window with one eye. The other eye followed Carrot and Dent as they took their own seats next to her. Dent coughed. "So, Carrot, I uh... I heard you ran into an old flame at the Gala." "Not now, Dent," Carrot replied with no patience in her voice. Inside the room, Lyra closed the door and walked up to the table Havoc was chained to. Amethyst stood watching with casual interest. In an instant, Lyra swung one of her front hooves square into Havoc's jaw. Amethyst blinked, but otherwise didn't move. Havoc spat and chuckled as he brought his gaze back forward. "Flawless technique," he said. He looked up at Lyra. "Minotauran, I believe? Eastern Isles?" "Southern," Lyra grunted. She picked up a clipboard and paced while reading it. "You'll have to excuse my partner," said Amethyst with a smile. "I think she's a little upset you left her before finishing your conversation." Lyra stopped and shot Amethyst a glare before she resumed her pace. "That was quite the distraction your followers pulled." "Please." Havoc waved a dismissive hoof. "It doesn't take a degree in chaos theory to have known that Twilight Sparkle and her friends would have ruined the Gala on their own." He gave a mischievous smile. "Though a simple spell to make animals afraid of the animal-whisperer certainly helped matters." "So... 'Havoc,'" said Lyra, still in pace. "Kind of a hokey alias to give yourself." Havoc smirked. "To each their own, Agent Heartstrings." Lyra winced, but didn't lose her composure otherwise. "Says here you're wanted for a lot of things," Lyra stated as her eyes traced the clipboard. "Top among them being treason against the throne, persuading ponies into a fanatical following, vocalizing radical ideals, and desecration of artifacts of historical and cultural significance." Havoc grinned and leaned forward. "The last three I told you at the Gala. The first... well." He leaned back again. "A matter of interpretation, really." "Uh-huh." Lyra flipped through the pages of her clipboard. Amethyst stepped forward. "I have to say, I'm impressed by your magic," said Amethyst. Her eyes gazed up to his horn. "Or what it used to be, anyway. Tell me, is there a specific mage you follow to learn that sort of thing?" Havoc chuckled. "Good magic so seldom goes noticed. It's my own design, so I'm afraid you won't learn it from anyone other than myself and my followers, and, whoops," he gestured vaguely around the room. "You only have me. And you broke me." He pouted mockingly as he pointed at his horn. "I'm not sure I can believe you," said Amethyst, taking a side step. "It takes a special kind of talent to create new spells, and I don't see you as a special kind of individual." Havoc's eyes narrowed. "You wound me, Agent. My magic is based mostly on memory. A pony need only see me once before I can implant myself in their head, creating a real-time memory of myself. And, wouldn't you know..." Havoc sneered. "Every PPP agent in Canterlot got my picture on their datasticks. It didn't take much at all to keep so many of you busy." Amethyst took a few steps back. "Impressive," she said on a soft breath. Lyra retook her place at the front. "Alright, so you've got a few party tricks," she said, giving her hoof a small wave. "Big deal. What do you want with that statue in the garden? I mean, if you were trying to destroy it, it was already pretty ugly." Havoc's muscles tightened. Lyra smirked. "That is no mere statue," snarled Havoc. Lyra gave an obtuse roll of her eyes over her thick smile. "Then why don't you enlighten me?" she asked. Havoc opened his mouth to speak before giving a soft chuckle. "I don't see what good that would do. You don't have the best track record with believing in fairy tales, Agent Heartstrings." Lyra's eyes narrowed. She placed both hooves on the table and leaned into Havoc. The detained stallion didn't budge. "You're going to tell me how you know me," said Lyra, her breath heavy on her lips. "And then you're going to tell me what in the heck you were doing to that statue." Havoc's lips curled, but he said nothing. Lyra gave the table a deafening smack; Havoc sat unfazed. Lyra then paced near the one-way mirror as Amethyst stepped forward again. "You know, I like a good story," Amethyst said. She leaned gently against the table. "Maybe you could try my ears on for size." Havoc considered the pink unicorn. "It's one of the older myths, you see," he said to Amethyst. "I doubt anypony under a thousand years old even remembers it." "So you admit it's a myth," said Lyra from over her shoulder. Havoc sneered. "Hardly." He waved a hoof and continued, "Ponies have legends that go back for millennia. Some are just stories, some are true, and some just needs a little... push." He smiled at the mares knowingly. "I think the two of you know a little about that." Lyra and Amethyst looked at one another. "'The Elements of Harmony,'" recited Havoc as he leaned back, his eyes gazing at a distant memory. "I remember reading that one a lot as a colt. The idea that somewhere, out there, were magical gemstones that kept ponies safe. Just as that pathetic princess would have you believe." "What do you have against Celestia?" asked Amethyst, eyebrows lowering. "Princess Celestia, Star," replied Lyra. Havoc's wicked grin reached his ears. His eyes pierced into Amethyst's. "Does she do that often, Agent Star?" Lyra raised an eyebrow as Amethyst replied. "Well, yeah. What of it?" Havoc gave a short laugh devoid of humor. "It's just so... and you think I'm in a cult?" He laughed again. Lyra stamped the ground and shoved her clipboard in Havoc's face. Amethyst took a few steps back from the table. "'The Cult of Chaos,'" Lyra read, pointing at the clipboard. "Says it right here, freak. You are a direct threat to the harmony of this nation!" Havoc's face shifted dramatically. The laughter stopped, his smile dropped, and his eyelids hung low. "Let me tell you what harmony is," he said. He eased forward in his seat. Lyra stood rigid, but Amethyst leaned forward just a bit, her eyes wide. "Harmony," Havoc continued, "is a fat whopping lie. Harmony is a complete and constant struggle against the natural order of life. Anything can possibly happen in any given moment. It might rain. It might snow. The dam could break. The house might catch fire. A pony could disappear into nothing." He smiled mischievously. "A loved one could keel over and never get up." Amethyst winced, and Lyra's eyes narrowed. "Harmony is an unwinnable fight to stop the things that cannot be stopped. "You see, the idea of harmony is completely relative. What's normal to the spider is chaos to the fly. A single pony and the laws she’s written over the course of a thousand years provide your entire concept of harmony. Except, oh wait, there was another, wasn't there? And what happened to her? The moment she disagreed with her sister's actions–" Havoc banged his two front hooves on the table, causing both mares to flinch. "Banished to the moon for one thousand years." "You don't know anything about what happened with Luna!" shouted Amethyst. Havoc looked between her and Lyra expectantly. "Really?" he asked Lyra. "Just going to let that one slide?" "What are you talking about?" Lyra demanded. Havoc chuckled. "It's just interesting is all. Look, I'm going to tell you everything you need to know, right now." Amethyst took a few more steps back and hit the wall. Lyra stepped forward threateningly. "Was I trying to bring chaos? Yes, of course. The whole point was to bring back that Spirit. Why? Because this world has gone on for too long blindly accepting a single pony's idea of harmony and what it takes to maintain it. Celestia doesn't–" "Princess Celestia." Havoc's eyes gleamed. He pointed at Lyra slowly. "Say that again." Lyra winced. "Excuse me?" "Go on," said Havoc, giving her a wave. "Say what you just said." "P... Princess Celestia?" "Mm." Havoc leaned forward and rested his chin on his hooves. "Tell me, how does that feel? Does it feel good to always make sure the full title is said correctly? Even when correcting somepony else?" "Lyra..." Amethyst took a cautious step forward and raised a hoof toward her counterpart with hesitation. "What is he... what is he saying?" "Oh, I'll tell you," Havoc said, his face drooping to mock concern. A banging came from the one-way mirror, but Amethyst and Lyra were fixated on the stallion before them. "You have to say it, Lyra Heartstrings. It's what happens to all the agents who dare speak up against the princess. It's what happens to all the ponies who learn the truth." "You should be very proud of your agents, Bon Bon," said Celestia, her stride small so her companion could keep up. "They performed admirably in capturing one of Equestria's most wanted." Bon Bon gave a content smile. "Those ponies do continue to amaze me in what they can accomplish. It's good that you got Twilight and her friends out of there on such short notice. I'm just glad–" Banging and shouting reached their ears. After a quick glance at one another, both ponies raced through Canterlot's PPP headquarters to find a handful of ponies outside one of the interrogation rooms. "What is happening?" demanded Celestia. "I had orders for no one to speak to the prisoner!" Derpy was covering her eyes with her hooves while Carrot Top held her, her own eyes staring aghast at the window in front of them. Rad Dent ceased banging on the window to turn to Celestia and say, "He's shouting lies, ma'am! That blasted unicorn is saying–" The interrogation room burst open. There Lyra stood, her chest heaving and her limbs shaking. Bon Bon peeked around Celestia. "Heartstrings?" Bon Bon asked, "What in blazes has gotten into you?" Lyra's eyes were not on Bon Bon. "You!" she seethed. She took heavy steps toward Celestia as her eyes narrowed. "What did you do to me?!" Amethyst came out of the room after Lyra, sweating and eyes wide. "Lyra," she uttered, "please, calm down!" "I WILL NOT BE CALM!" Lyra shrieked. She whipped around and glared daggers straight through Amethyst's heart. Amethyst took several paces back, her jaw dropped, and tears formed in her eyes. Lyra snapped back at Celestia. "YOU BRAINWASHED ME! YOU'VE BEEN BRAINWASHING ALL OF US, HAVEN'T YOU?!" Celestia's wings flinched. "Miss Heartstrings, whatever that stallion told you–" "I CAN'T STOP!" Lyra shook even harder, and her front legs gave out. She fell forward and stared at the floor. Amethyst took a few cautious steps forward, as did Bon Bon. Neither Carrot nor Derpy moved, but Carrot was watching. Rad Dent's face was indiscernible. "I can't stop..." sobbed Lyra. Celestia took a regal step forward. "Miss Heartstrings..." "I tried, you know?" Lyra's body continued to shake. "He made me try, and I couldn't do it, C... Cel... Princess. He made me try." Lyra slowly stood back up on all four hooves. The trembling lessened. She looked back into Celestia's face, new resolve in her eyes. "So what did I do, huh?" she asked. Celestia didn't move. "What, was I a terrorist too? Did I try to overthrow you and make myself princess? Or maybe I just forgot to bow once and you didn't like it?" Bon Bon took a heavy step forward. "Heartstrings, you are way out of line!" she said. Lyra's gaze rounded onto her. "I bet she got you too," said Lyra, more sad than angry. "I bet she got all of you." Lyra made a wide motion around the room. "Except for Star," she sobbed. "Star hasn't been in the agency long enough to do anything wrong. But what do I know? Maybe Star's been here the whole time and had her entire memory wiped!" "Lyra, that's enough!" said Carrot. She held Derpy closer, who was now sobbing herself. Amethyst sank to the floor and stared at it. Lyra gave Carrot a glare before turning back to Celestia, who stood resigned. "It's all just a big waste of time," said Lyra. "You've got us running around protecting this... this... Twilight Sparkle, and for what? So that when she gets in real danger, she'll just get blown into smithereens? You really think we can protect her forever?" Lyra shuddered. "We've had to deal with timberwolves... hydras... even great big BLOODY DRAGONS!" Lyra coughed and rubbed her nose. No one spoke. "And... and for what?" Lyra's voice cracked as she looked for any answers from the stoic princess. "We're risking our lives just to keep a favorite toy from getting broken?" "Lyra..." Lyra turned around to see the tearful, pleading eyes of Amethyst and shook her head. "No, Star," said Lyra. "My first protégé... before I trained you... I coddled her. I gave her a leg up through all of her training and praised each simple task as though she were a child. And she never knew. Just like Princess Celestia here is doing with Twilight. Then, on her very first mission, she..." Lyra gulped. Then her eyes widened. She turned back to Celestia. "...I don't remember..." Lyra's eyes were pinpricks. Celestica was rigid. Lyra stuttered, "That's... you... she..." "...I think that's enough, Agent Heartstrings," said Celestia, finally breaking her silence. Lyra's eyebrows furrowed as she stood herself up taller. "You're right, Princess." Lyra turned to the pony behind the alicorn. "I'm glad you're here, Bon Bon. You're exactly the pony I need to see right now." Bon Bon stared at her, confused. She took a hesitant step forward as Lyra approached her. "Bon Bon... I quit."