//------------------------------// // Chapter VI // Story: Losing Ponies Sucks // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// “So how exactly are we going to stop her?” I asked as I galloped next to Lyra, panting as I tried to keep up with Bon Bon. How in Equestria that mare could run that fast was beyond me. “Buck if I know!” Lyra called back as she slid under a carriage. “Bon Bon usually calls the shots when we chase down ponies!” “What the hay are you talking about?” I demanded. “Do you two have a secret kidnapping ring that I didn’t know about?” “It’s complicated!” Lyre shouted as we skidded to a stop and all three slammed to a stop, slamming into Bon Bons flank and we all toppled over each other. “Lyra I love you but please remove your hoof from between my legs,” Bon Bon growled. “Now is not the time.” “Sorry!” I exclaimed sheepishly as I pulled my hoof away. “Trust me, I don’t want my hoof there anymore than you do!” “Oh sorry Berry,” Bon Bon muttered as we all three shakily stood up. “What the hay was that?” Lyra demanded. “We haven’t that type of hiccup since the Giant Tortoise Incident Of Trottingham!” “The what?” I asked curiously. “Celestia, why do I have weird friends?” “Shush!” Bon Bon hissed and pointed a hoof at Starlight stumbling down the alley and running into the dead end. “We got her. Lyra, did you get the rope and magical inhibitor?” “Got it,” Lyra said with her eyes glued on Starlight. “Are we doing what we did in Canterlot that one time?” “Yup,” Bon Bon nodded. “Berry, distract her with a conversation. Lyra’s gonna slap the inhibitor on her horn so she can’t use her magic and I’ll tie her up. Applejack gave me lessons in hog tying.” “Got it,” I answered. “How are we sure she won’t attack us?” “Well we don’t,” Bon Bon admitted as she started tying her rope. “Well that’s reassuring,” I muttered as I rolled my eyes. I slowly edged forward to the sitting drunk mare. “If I die, raise Ruby for me. She’s not allowed chocolate after six pm.” “Sure,” Lyra commented as I trotted up to Starlight. “Hey Starlight,” I said casually as I sat down on my haunches in front of her. “You got some exercise in tonight, didn’t ya?” “Oh heyyy barkeep!” Starlight giggled as she waved her forehooves wildly around. “Ya here to join me on the holy quest we’ve been assigned by Monsieur Bourbon?” “Absolutely!” I grinned enthusiastically. “I personally prefer whiskey but to each their own. Why don’t you hand me that plastic sword? I’m the sober one after all. Don’t want you accidentally hurting yourself after all now do we?” Starlight hesitantly pushed the sword my way. “Ya got that right!” She exclaimed as Lyra and Bon Bon inched forward in my peripheral. “You ever think about the future?” I asked her. “Let me tell ya, I think about it all the time. Ruby is getting so big. Soon enough I gotta get her a bigger bed and get her ready for high school. Can you believe that?” “Wowwww!” Starlight swayed as she nodded. “Foals are scary man. They can grow up in front of your eyes.” “It’s rewarding though!” I shot back as Lyra levitated the black piece of metal closer to Starlights horn. “Me and Trixie wanted to adopt. Surprisingly, she had suggested it. We got inspired by Lyra adopting two fillies,” Starlight chuckled. “That’s nice of you,” I nodded as Lyra prepared to pounce. “If I had the bits, I’d probably adopted a filly.” “That’s nice-,” Starlight froze as Lyra slammed the inhibitor on her horn as Bon Bon swung her lasso a few times and grabbed Starlights hoof together. She grunted as her jaw slammed into the dirt. “Hold her down!” Bon Bon groaned as Starlight tried to roll away. I jumped forward and held her down as Bon Bon started tying her hooves together. “Why don’t you tie me up like this anymore?” Lyra complained as I lifted Starlight onto my back. “Don’t even answer that Bon Bon,” I warned. “I don’t even wanna know the answer.” Bon Bon chuckled as I took a step forward. “What do we do with her?” Lyra asked eagerly. “Put her in the dungeon?” “You have a dungeon? Why?” I asked. The two mares gave me a look and I rolled my eyes. “Forget I asked. She can sleep on the couch. I’ll talk to the Princess soon. She should be back tomorrow I think.” “Okay,” Bon Bon shrugged. “Fine with us.” “How did you two get so good at tying down creatures? Where did you even get this equipment?” “Sorry. Can’t tell you,” Lyra replied. “It’s for your own safety. Don’t want you arrested.” Now I was more curious. “Okay.” ------------------------------------------------------------- I slammed a hoof into the castle door as a dragon opened the door. “Oh hey Berry,” Spike said. “I promise I didn’t accidentally burn your flowerbed.” “Uh okay? I’m here for the Princess,” I answered with a raised eyebrow. I didn’t even know my flower bed had been burned. “Thank Luna,” he muttered. “Right this way. She’s in the library.” I followed himself and entered the library as he slammed the door shut. Twilight was laying on the floor reading. “Princess,” I said and bowed slightly. “Is now a bad time?” “Twilight please,” she corrected instantly. “And I’m always happy to talk to anypony in the town. How can I help you Berry?” “I’m here to talk about Starlight, Twilight.” That sounded foreign to say to me. “Have you found her? She didn’t come home and I’ve been worried sick!” Twilight asked hopefully. “She’s asleep on my couch. We had a little adventure,” I chuckled. “I’m here to offer my advice on how to help her.” “I’ve tried everything,” Twilight admitted as she slumped over. “There’s nothing I can think of.” “Sometimes you have to do the simple options,” I answered as she gave me a confused look. “I quit drinking because I had to raise my daughter after Cherry died. That opened my eyes so to speak. You have the school of friendship opening up soon, right?” “Right but what does that have to do with Starlight?” “Give Starlight a job. She’ll be so focused on her work she won’t have time to drink. Give her something like counselor or a teacher,” I suggested as Twilight raised an eyebrow. “How certain of this are you? I don’t want my students stealing alcohol from her desk.” I hesitantly placed a foreleg on Twilight’s shoulder. “I’m hundred percent certain.” Twilight slowly nodded as she smiled. “The job is hers.”