Early the next day, two individuals were passing a guard checkpoint between the Commons and Palace District of Canterlot. The courtyard was as busy as ever with teams of ponies going to and fro. There was a scattering of other species in the mix, the largest minority being free-trader changelings, but even they were dwarfed by the ponies’ numbers. The bright morning sun was framed by a few clouds giving the hot summer day some much needed shade. At the heart of the plaza was a tall and proud gold statue of three ponies in old style armor whose names escaped all but the royal sisters.
Lyra Heartstrings and her lifelong friend, Bon Bon, smiled and gave thanks to the soldiers as they left the checkpoint. Both mares returned their citizen badges, one of Equestria and one of Tradewinds, the new changeling hive shared by Queens Aegis and Blitzkrieg, to their saddlebag and satchels respectively. Lyra twirled the court-summons scroll in her fingers before socketing it in a scroll clasp.
While the cream colored earth mare had changed little over the years, save for gaining a bit of weight thanks to her confectionery business, the same could not be said of her tall friend. Ever since Lyra awoke from her rebirth, she stepped out on two legs and never looked back. The seafoam-green changeling’s eyes held a blue glow, barely perceivable in the morning sun. She wore an assortment of fanny packs. As with all her new kin, she had small holes in her limbs, and her horn had become smooth with a slight backward curve that ended in a sharp point.
Their original conversation picked back up once they were clear of the checkpoint with Bon Bon taking the lead. “Can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve been to the palace.”
Lyra craned her neck to see the tops of the marble spires. “Doesn’t look any different. Some things never change now do they?”
Bon Bon eyed a passing patrol and their firearms with a scowl. “Too bad some things do.”
The change in Bon Bon’s voice and emotional aura brought Lyra’s attention first to her friend, and then to the patrol’s weapons. The pale green changeling unconsciously tapped her holstered pistol. “Are you ever going to get over firearms? With so many things going on right now, the queens want all of us to wear one.”
“It’s not that,” Bon Bon chided right back. “There was a majesty about swords and spears. I mean look,” she waved a hoof at a golden statue of Celestia commemorating some old battle where the alicorn held a sword aloft. “Back when sparring was an art, not just a race to win.”
Lyra shrugged and picked up the pace a bit. Bon Bon easily kept up with her as they passed into the great hall. Ponies both common and noble were crammed together. With the day court in full session, there was almost nowhere left to stand or fly. While the gold plated soldiers stood vigilant over the various passages that led deeper into the castle, none bothered to give the crowd any sort of organization. Unicorn and earth ponies alike were so jam-packed that no amount of perfume could hide the waft of sweat and body odor made worse by the summer heat.
Lyra didn’t mind the smell, as changeling odor was worse in some ways, but her nose twinged all the same at the disorganized throng. Her gossamer wings buzzed irritably. “Come on, let’s find a guard since I got an official summons.”
“Sounds like a good idea.” Bon Bon waved a hoof in front of her nose. “The sooner the better.”
It didn’t take much effort to spot one, but squeezing their way through to reach one was another chore entirely. Bon Bon had the wisdom to direct them to one of the guards along the side exits where the crowd was thinnest. It was thankfully a short walk, and Lyra offered the guard her scroll upon reaching him.
“Heyya guy, can I break in line since I got an official summons?”
The uniform white unicorn eyed Lyra and Bon Bon carefully while unrolling the scroll. “…Everything seems to check out.” He returned the scroll and turned to his partner on the other side of the exit. “These two have a priority audience with the Princess. Cover for me. You going to be fine solo?”
Lyra sensed an irate emotional aura coming from the partner, but his outer appearance remained as stony as ever. “I think I can handle it. Just make it brief.”
Within short order, Lyra and Bon Bon were ushered through one of side passages and into the main throne room, the door of which was cleverly disguised as one of the stained glass windows. Princess Celestia sat on her throne, listening to a petition from a collection of five earth ponies. Lyra and Bon Bon’s intrusion drew a brief glance from Celestia—one just long enough for her to recognize the changeling and her friend. Celestia gave a curt nod to the guard who bowed and departed, leaving the pair to stand near a pillar. Lyra chose to pass the time by leaning against it while they waited.
By the time the Princess returned her attention to the supplicants, they had brought up a large whiteboard with a drawing of the southeastern seaboard and a collection of boats around an island far off shore. From her time in helping construct Aegis and Blitz’s hive, Lyra might have paid attention, but there was a strange tint to the emotions in the room. The brightest came from Celestia herself. The alicorn possessed the same warm composure as was common for her. Lyra sifted around the earth ponies’ aura, only finding the expected nervousness of rejection and hope of success.
Not them… Somepony in here is super antsy, but where? She looked to the guards and found bits of pride and boredom. Not them. The scent of restlessness mocked her, but all she could glean was that it came from a single source. Gah, there’re too many ponies in here for me to get a good lock. Maybe when this group leaves I can find it.
It was then that Bon Bon nudged her and whispered. “Hey, wake up. I think we’re going to be called soon.” Lyra closed her empathy to focus on Celestia.
“I must admit I have been worried for a long time as to what happened to the hippogriffs. You may have your expedition. See the royal financier about funding in three days’ time.”
The petitioners sang Celestia’s praises and quickly packed up to leave before she might change her mind. The Princess kept a cheery face and waved them farewell. It was only after the earth ponies moved away from the throne that Lyra spied an oddly familiar mare on the opposite side of the room, the source of all the anxiety, fear and depression. The grey and faded purple mane teased Lyra with the mare’s identity, and all it took her was a brief query to the hive mind to know who it was.
Velvet. Lyra scowled harshly with clenched teeth. Her wings buzzed angrily, and she pushed off the pillar a bit. “What is she doing here?” she hissed under her breath.
Bon Bon may not have had access to the hive mind, but she remembered the news of Velvet’s trial and crimes. It was not something she could easily forget. “Wasn’t she in an asylum or something?”
“Got released a few years back,” Lyra growled as she clenched her fists. “She should have stayed there.”
“Lyra Heartstrings,” Celestia called out warmly from her throne. “Thank you for answering my summons.”
Lyra did her best to throw her anger aside to give the Princess the respectful smile she deserved and bounced over to stand before her and bow. “Pleasure’s all mine, your majesty. Not that I’d ever say no.”
“Oh?” Celestia asked impishly as she idly watched Bon Bon join her friend and bow much lower than Lyra had. “You may be half tempted after hearing what I am about to ask of you.” She flicked her eyes in Velvet’s direction. “You may step forward Ms. Twilight Velvet.”
Lyra inwardly bristled at the full name. She doesn’t have the right to bear Queen Twilight’s name, even in half.
The sullen yet resolute mare obeyed and quickly made her way to stand on the opposite side of the red carpet from Lyra. Velvet tried to ignore the spiteful glare Lyra was giving her and focus instead on Celestia. “I am at your service, Princess.” Lyra snorted disdainfully, but otherwise kept her mouth shut.
“It has been six years since Psykira Arvatus attested to your return to sanity and willingness to repent.” Celestia granted her a thin smile. “Something few beings are capable of after falling so far, less so without purification from ancient magic. And yet thus far you are not acting the part.” Celestia shifted to a gentle frown as Velvet started to shiver a bit. “Unless I am mistaken, you have spent all these years locked away in a library. I expected you would naturally need time to compose yourself and catch up on recent events, but sadly it took a visit from Arvatus to finally stir you into action. Do you have any reason for this that I am unaware of?”
Lyra fully expected Velvet to go on a defensive rant. Here come the excuses.
Yet all Velvet did was hang her head and mutter just loudly enough to be heard, “None. I’m sorry, Princess.”
Silence ruled for several moments. Celestia had the barest thoughtful frown as she studied the bowing mare before her. “Ms. Velvet, you remind me much of your daughter’s protégé, a pony if you can believe it. A mare by the name of Starlight Glimmer.” That got a surprised look out of Lyra and Bon Bon, and a confused one out of Twilight Velvet. “Like Starlight, you both have committed serious crimes that would normally require stone imprisonment or worse. Admittedly, your actions were far less... how shall I put this … apocalyptic.”
Velvet gulped at the description. “I can’t say I’ve ever heard of any Starlight Glimmer, let alone anypony else with world ending plots.”
“I’m sure either she or Twilight Sparkle can elaborate on the matter further should they desire. But the matter that concerns you here and now is that unlike Starlight, you have yet to make any attempts at reconciliation. That must begin today.”
“Yes, your highness.” Velvet tried to keep her tone determined and humble, yet she could not hide her shakiness.
“Excellent. Now, as for you, Miss Lyra Heartstrings,” Celestia’s posture and outward expression brightened considerably. “I want you to escort Twilight Velvet and make sure Velvet does not come to harm.” Celestia didn’t need to be an empath to see the sheer indignation in the changeling’s tense shoulders and barely hidden scowl, but she chose to ignore it. “I trust the queens will keep your kin from doing anything rash, but there might be other parties out there who would.”
Lyra anxiously scratched the back of her neck. “Not that I’d question your wisdom, your highness, but why me? I’m a musician, not a soldier.”
“Granted. However I have two reasons for your selection. First, as for the matter of security, it is my understanding that Queen Aegis has made it a point to have all drones of Tradewinds trained to use firearms.” Celestia’s eyes drifted to the pistol still strapped to Lyra’s thigh. “I have made it an imperative that the public views these weapons as little more than deterrents than anything else. After all, a horn is capable of much worse if used for dark ends. That alone should be enough protection.
“As for the second, and more personal reason,” Celestia gave Lyra a thoughtful look, her critical gaze taking in the hybrid’s features. “To the best of my knowledge, you’re the only pony to date who willingly became a changeling without any… extenuating circumstances. That is why I want you to be the one to escort Twilight Velvet.”
“I don’t mean to presume, Princess,” Lyra countered as politely as she could while sounding irritated. “But why not just leave Velvet in whatever hole she was hiding in if she wasn’t screwing around? Why would the Queen want to reopen old wounds?” Lyra ignored the hitched gasp from across the carpet.
Celestia, on the other hoof, took on an admonishing tone. “Because I would assume a changeling would understand a mother’s importance.” Celestia put a touch of magic in her voice to make it reverberate in Lyra’s ears. “Am I correct in that assessment?”
Lyra bowed in submission along with a frown and drooping ears. “Yes, your highness. Unless my Queen commands otherwise, I’ll do as you ask.”
“You would not be here if Blitz was unaware of this matter.” Celestia eased up on the gentle intimidation for a warmer demeanor. “Now,” Celestia waved Velvet over so both she and the changeling stood a little closer together. “This is not a problem that can be aided with deadlines and schedules. Nevertheless, I want to see actual progress. I will leave the details to you.”
At last, Celestia turned towards the cream colored earth mare. “Miss Bon Bon, from what I hear, Lyra and you are practically joined at the hip.”
Bon Bon tittered a bit before releasing a sigh. She gave Lyra a sidelong grin. “Not so much these days. Lyra’s music career takes her away from Ponyville and my shop all too often.”
“Life always finds a way to change on us,” Celestia replied with no less remembrance of things past. “Given how important I feel this task is, the crown will compensate you for any lost business you incur should you wish to aid your friend.”
Bon Bon blushed and tried to dig into the floor with a hoof. “I appreciate the offer, your highness, but I have a family back home that I can’t leave for that long.” She gave Velvet a courteous, if studious look. “I get the feeling this might take a while.”
“If that is your wish, far be it from me to stop you,” Celestia clapped her hooves together in a gesture to end things. “I expect to hear good things in the future.” She directed a more focused stare at Velvet, making sure to hold the other mare’s eyes. “I’ve kept my eye on you, Twilight Velvet. I have no doubt you are remorseful.” The mare in question wilted only slightly. “Things can get better for you, but you must convince yourself of that before it can happen.”
Once the audience with Celestia was over, Bon Bon directed the three of them to the hotel she had reserved before learning about the summons. The walk there was more or less uneventful as far as Velvet was concerned. With all of her time being away from the public eye, few ponies gave her more than cursory glances, and none spoke to her outside of polite greetings. She was just a vaguely familiar face with no name.
The hotel room itself at first glance was barely classy enough to be on Music Row. As with most of Canterlot, the room was mostly white marble with luxurious furniture. Upon closer inspection, however, the furniture was a little worse for wear. There were small holes along the side, and the coverings were close to being threadbare. The marble had large cracks revealing the stone was only half an inch deep, with wood making the bulk of the floor. At the end of the day, however, it was ritzier than Velvet had expected, or even experienced in far too long.
Yet she was hesitant to do more than stand by the door and watch as the bipedal changeling petted and kissed her lyre. “I’m sorry I had to leave you here all alone, but momma’s back.”
For a moment, Velvet felt she was back in the asylum. Not wanting to dwell on that unpleasant sensation, Velvet looked to Bon Bon, who was scrounging around the mini fridge to grab some lunch.
That left Velvet feeling more or less out of place since no one had told her what she was allowed to do. So she resolved to discreetly sit in the nearby armchair and watch Lyra tune her instrument.
Her silent vigil was eventually broken by two things. First, the delightful smell of salad dressing, and the second was the occasional plucking of strings. The plucking alone would have only warranted mild attention, since no actual song was being played. However, it was the sound of the notes themselves that was bizarre yet exotically enticing. She watched Lyra play, only to realize the changeling was not using magic or hooves to play, but those curious fingers. It was akin to hearing a whole new instrument for the first time. Velvet was so enraptured by just the tuning plucks that she almost didn’t notice Bon Bon had brought three salads over.
“Where are my manners? Let me help you.” With a bit of her magic, Velvet relieved Bon Bon’s back of the salads and placed the bowls on the table.
Feeling like her lyre was in good shape, Lyra carefully placed it back in its case before joining the rest of them at the small round table. She glared at Velvet while telekinetically applying her salad dressing. The lime green mare exuded enough malice to make Velvet do everything in her power to keep from looking at her. Sitting outside of the silent battle, Bon Bon noisily clattered her fork. “So, Velvet, I know you’re feeling emotionally raw with all this, so I won’t pry on the hows and whys. But I’d like to get to know you a little better before we try to set any plans.”
“I can tell you all about her,” Lyra grumbled as she stuffed her fork. “The Link has allll kinds of dirt on who you are.”
Velvet’s fork dropped and clattered on her plate. Her thoughts were racing enough already without Lyra’s anger stoking the flames. The most prominent thing that kept running through her mind was what she felt the last time she saw Twilight Sparkle at the trial. Hate. Raw, unbridled hatred for the monster that had claimed her daughter’s mind, body and soul. Framing it all was Arvatus’ efforts in breaking her out of that madness. “...I’m sure it does,” she said at length, barely above a whisper. She pushed her chair back and spoke with forced calm. “I need to freshen up, please excuse me.”
Bon Bon watched the shaken mare retreat to the bathroom before turning around and smacking Lyra in the back of the head. “What is wrong with you?” Bon Bon whisper-shouted. “You’re supposed to be helping her, not doing your best sour donkey impersonation!”
Lyra rubbed the sore spot that was sure to become a welt. “Hey, the Queen and Princess just said I had a job to do; it doesn’t mean I have to like it, or her for that matter.”
“And what kind of job do you think this is exactly?” Bon Bon rebuked. “Velvet needs support if this is going to happen the way the Princess wants, and you’re making it harder than it has to be.”
Lyra grumbled and fiddled with her fork. “You don’t know what it was like to feel what that—” Lyra caught herself from saying the barb that was on her tongue. “That pony did to Queen Twilight.”
Bon Bon leaned back in her cushion and leveled a disbelieving eye. “And you do? Last I checked, you were still a pony when all that business happened.” A heavy silence hung over the table, broken only by muffled noises coming from the bathroom, noises Bon Bon could only assume was sobbing, but couldn’t be sure.
“...I saw the memory of Velvet’s betrayal.” Lyra shoveled some food in her mouth while Bon Bon’s ears went flat.
“You did?”
“Yeah, and it’s not like reading a book or hearing about it in the news. I saw it all from Twilight’s eyes. I saw every little verbal knife twist that that—” Lyra bit her tongue again, “—that pony said and did. Everything. So you’ll forgive me if I can’t be all spring daisies and cinnamon.”
“Did Blitz see that memory too?” Bon Bon asked after thinking for a few seconds. “Like you did?”
“Yes,” Lyra huffed before shoving more salad in her maw. “It’s the only way I could have since I’m not directly connected to Twilight.”
“So if Blitz is willing to give this venture a try, shouldn’t you too?”
“Bah! That’s why she’s queen material and I’m not.”
“Do I need to find another drone and tell them to get Blitz on your keister about being a sour tart? Because at this point I doubt you’d relay it for me.”
At that, Lyra pushed her plate away and rubbed her face with a groan. “You know what, answer me this, and I’ll try to keep my mouth shut.” Lyra jabbed a finger at Bon Bon. “Forget what the royals want for a second. Do you think she’s worth the effort after everything she did?”
The pregnant pause dropped the room into a long silence. In the stillness, Bon Bon couldn’t hear a sound from the bathroom. “If she were my mother… I guess I’d wait and see if she proved sincere. You have to give her that chance.”
Lyra mulled over the argument, scratching the base of her neck. Her scratching got faster and harder into a fevered pitched. For a moment, Bon Bon was worried she’d have to stop her before she cut herself. Before she did though, Lyra stopped and crossed her arms in a pout. “Fine. I’ll be good, but only so long as she doesn’t tick me off. That, and I still have a concert to practice for.”
“Thank you, Lyra. When Velvet comes back, I’ll take her around town and give you some space.”
As if on cue, Velvet chose that time to emerge from the bathroom. The old mare looked no worse for wear, but couldn’t hide her reddened eyes. “My apologies for running out like that. I just needed to clear my head.”
Bon Bon gave Lyra a warning glare before becoming more friendly. “Perfectly understandable under the circumstances. Lyra has to practice, so would you like to go for a walk?”
Velvet glanced at Lyra who was making it a point to avoid looking at her. “Yes, I could really use some air.”
Leaving Lyra to cast a soundproofing spell behind them, Bon Bon led Velvet Sparkle out to the lobby. The ground floor was a decent affair, and lunch was still being served at a buffet. But the hour was a bit late for lunch so only a few patrons were left. Most of them were visiting ponies or other species who could afford it. Bon Bon made to leave out the front lobby only for Velvet to turn away and start walking along the pathway that ringed the ground floor. Bon Bon picked up the pace a bit to catch up with her.
A few questions lingered on her lips, but Bon Bon decided to keep her peace. This allowed Velvet to be the first to speak as they rounded the corner leading to the indoor pool. “That friend of yours… is she originally from Canterlot?”
“Yes and no,” Bon Bon answered with a sheepish grin. “But I don’t think I’m allowed to say more than that.”
Velvet nodded in acceptance. “I remember a filly by that name and color from Twilight’s tenure in magic kindergarten. I don’t wish to pry if you can’t answer, but why did she become a changeling?”
“If you knew her, it wouldn’t be much of a mystery.” Bon Bon rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help but snicker at a memory. “Lyra’s always had this fanatical fascination with hands. So much so that she modeled her method of telekinesis after the things. So when Queens Aegis and Blitz showed up with hands, Lyra went bonkers trying to join them.”
A faint ghostly smile crossed Velvet’s features. Bon Bon waited for some sort of reply, but outside of a nod, none was forthcoming. The two mares did a lap around the lobby before Bon Bon broke the silence. “Did you not want to go out and about?”
“I don’t think I should.” Velvet gave a forlorn sigh. “You heard the Princess. Lyra is my protection, and the last thing I want is somepony attacking me and getting her in trouble. I’ve made enough enemies already without adding to the list.”
“You don’t think anypony would actually do that right here in Canterlot do you?”
“Do you know all of my crimes, Miss Bon Bon?” There was an air of resignation and mild acceptance in her tone. Velvet stopped walking to give the younger mare a sad look; the calm way a person spoke on their deathbed.
“I read the papers.”
“Then you should know that I foalnapped both my daughter and Rainbow Dash from within the castle itself.” Bon Bon went wide eyed at her, and almost stopped walking out of shock. “I doubt the princesses would have included that little nugget of a security breach.”
“...No, they didn’t.” Bon Bon tried to sound supportive, but she couldn’t stop the slight accusation in her voice.
Satisfied her point had been made, Velvet returned to her stroll. She spoke up only when Bon Bon recovered and ran up to join her again. “I will not lie and say Lyra’s words do not hurt, but they are wholly justified.” Velvet gave Bon Bon a fatigued look, only to be met with a sympathetic one. “Please don’t forget that.”
“I will on two conditions,” Bon Bon replied with steel, catching Velvet a little off balance. “First, you cut out the pity party when Twilight forgives you.”
“I—” Velvet started before her gaze fell to the floor. “I don’t know if I can keep that promise.”
Using a bit of harsh friendship she used with Lyra, Bon Bon jabbed a hoof at Velvet’s chest, jarring the mare out of her funk for a few moments. “Well, tough, because you need to. My second condition is that you need to come to Lyra’s concert tomorrow night.”
Velvet gave a blank blink. “I suspected I would have to regardless seeing how I am shackled to her.”
“Not exactly how I would describe the arrangement, but I’ll take it,” Bon Bon said with a modicum of good cheer. “Trust me. Once you hear Lyra play, you’ll feel worlds better, I guarantee it.”
Halfway across Upper Canterlot, Azure Skies was leaving the Canterlot Observatory and made to put her employee badge in her saddlebag when she spotted Night Light waiting for her on the steps. The blue stallion had aged well, with a single streak of grey in his mane and a greying muzzle. Night Light bounced up from his sitting position to make a flourishing bow. “There’s my lovely lady, how are you this fine day?”
“Oh, bless your heart. Have you been waiting since noon? I told Blue Bar not to be late in covering for me.” She made her way down the steps, allowing Night Light to theatrically lift her hoof and kiss it.
“Think nothing of it, my dear, because I have some good news.”
“Oh? You finally got that promotion to director?” she asked with excitement bubbling over her hunger pangs.
“That’s still in the works,” he dismissed with a hoof wave. “But I have something a little better.” From within his mane he pulled out a collection of black tickets with gold letters. “Twily sent us six tickets to see Lyra Heartstrings’ performance at the Royal Orchestra Hall.”
Azure’s face twisted into confusion. “Isn’t she the girl who became a changeling willingly? I didn’t know she was a musician.” Using her magic, she plucked a ticket away from the pack to inspect the writing.
Night Light folded the remaining tickets and returned them to his mane. He waved her forward to the street so they could walk to their favorite bistro. “I asked Twily that very same thing. Apparently she was very small time before her rebirth, and has been practicing in secret since then. Twily said she took extra lessons from her homeland and that her music is quite exotic. Which is a little odd since I thought Equestria was her homeland but I think she was using that spy talk Twily uses on me. She can be quite the goofy filly.”
“In that case this sounds like it will be all over the gossip rags and there’s no way I’m missing that.” Azure did a mental count. “Six tickets, the two of us, the girls, plus one… I thought we agreed to never take those three together out in public after the Cheese Incident.”
“That’s why I’m thinking on making Pear Butter our plus one. She’s the only one who can wrangle the fillies, and I think she’s more than earned a concert, don’t you think?”
Azure Skies laughed lightheartedly at memories of the children’s antics. “Ah yes, and then some.”
“Oh come now,” he joked, “the little ones could always be so much worse behaved than they are.”