//------------------------------// // Year 2 // Story: My Little Pony: Mint-Green Version // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// The goof off was exciting as it was over the top. Lyra wasn’t sure which party planner she liked the most, the traditional over-the-top Pinkie Pie, or the more extravagant Cheese Sandwich. Bringing home a piece of both cakes, she smiled as the door closed behind her and she headed into her living room. Walking over to the couches, she sat down in her usual spot and took a large bite from the first cake. It melted in her mouth, and she moaned in delight. The sound roused Flash Fire, who slowly walked downstairs and greeted Lyra warmly, taking a seat beside her and heating up the room to a more comfortable temperature. “I really can’t decide, both were such fun. Mmpfh, and the cakes are too good.” Taking a bite out of the second cake, she gently stroked her Pokemon’s fur and let a warm smile fall upon her face. Looking toward a small table to the side of the living room, her smile faded as she looked to the remains of a circular device, empty of the magic it had once contained. Lyra quickly turned away and finished off the cakes, shifting slightly to rouse Flash Fire, who promptly leapt off the couch and headed up the stairs. Lyra followed a moment later, and both headed for her bed. Flash Fire took a spot on the floor, and Lyra laid on top of her blankets as the room slowly heated once more. After a moment, she sighed and stood up. Flash Fire followed her as she headed downstairs and opened the door, letting her pokemon out into the garden as she closed it behind her. Moving toward a small area that had been flattened of most plant life, excluding the grass, she laid down as her pokemon curled around her. Within a few moments, they were both comfy and she closed her eyes, promptly falling asleep. Lyra put down the box of decorations as Rarity passed, speaking about a sudden change in her design, which was into a farm setting. Following Rarity, Lyra tried to get her attention to ask about it. “Rarity-” Lyra was cut off as Applejack and Twilight approached, and closed her mouth. Looking away, she bit her lip and returned to helping change the design. It wasn’t any of her business. It wasn’t like Rarity was a good friend of hers. Lyra sighed and paused once more, ears flicking downward. Yeah they were friends, but there was always a barrier that separated her from the rest of them. It wasn’t her strangeness, nor how she acted, they got along very well for the most part. If Lyra had to guess what the barrier was, she would have to guess it was the fact she wasn’t an Element of Harmony. Lyra thought back to her time in the other world, where she had been treated as a pokemon. It didn’t take long before she began to draw similarities, and she frowned and turned to watch them go. Was she just a pokemon to them? Lyra stood up and followed them outside. “I’m sorry, I just...really wanted him to like me. I’ll change the design back now.” Rarity’s voice made Lyra come to a stop, and her eyes widened, and she looked to the ground. Turning around, she quickly returned to her task of helping with the decorations. Biting her lip, she shook her head, and watched Rarity once more walk in and change the design, as she had known she was going to. Lyra watched the Ponytones sing, letting the music wash over her. Really, she adored their sound, and it was always nice to support Rarity, even when she was just another face in the crowd. Something had changed recently however, Big Mac sounded more harmonious? Lyra wasn’t an expert on lyrical music, she did know a bit though. The curtain fell, literally, and Lyra’s eyes widened. Fluttershy was lip singing for Big Mac? Lyra watched her look into the crowd, and go pale. It quickly went downhill and Lyra tried to push her way through the crowd to go and help Twilight and Rarity with Fluttershy. However, by the time she made it, the issue was already resolved. Lyra paused on the stage, one step away from turning into backstage. Hearing every word she closed her eyes and turned around, heading once more into the crowd. Lyra passed Bon Bon, and raised her head as she was situated with a glare. Bon Bon, the only pony who had ever tolerated her. Lyra could tell this was no longer the case. Lyra turned, and left the building. “I’m sorry, you’ll have to leave soon Lyra. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo are coming over for Twilight Time soon.” Twilight finished putting away the last of the books as Lyra turned and smiled pleasantly at Twilight. “Of course, I’ll be on my way then.” Lyra closed the book she had been reading and put it in her saddlebags. There was silence for a few moments, and Lyra began to make her way toward the door. “Pinkie Pie’s throwing a party tomorrow, will you be coming?” Twilight blinked in surprise as Lyra flinched and looked to her, eyes widened in surprise. “Uh sorry I can’t, I’ve gotta look after Flash Fire and Growlithe.” Lyra didn’t mention the fact Rarity had told her about the party herself, nor the reason why she was looking after Growlithe, and Twilight didn’t seem to notice. “Oh, alright then. You have a good night.” Twilight tilted her head and gave a smile, which Lyra returned before heading out the door. As soon as she was out of eyesight of the Library, her smile faded and she paused, before sighing and heading home. Flash Fire could use some solo training. “So we made it out of the Breezies home just as the door closed, and that was our day. What about you?” Twilight smiled to Lyra as she listened intently. It was one of the few days Lyra had been invited out, and they were currently discussing the events of the day. “My day was nothing much, just the usual routine,” she replied, the smile feeling fake and plastic on her face. Once again, Twilight failed to notice, and gave a chuckle in response. “I wish my days had a ‘usual routine’. Nowadays I can’t go outside with a natural disaster popping up that needs solving.” Twilight sighed in slight annoyance. Lyra gritted her teeth and let a flicker of irritation cross her face. “I’m sure that’s such a hassle for you,” she muttered under her breath. Twilight raised her head and Lyra instantly returned to a pleasant smile, nodding in agreement. “Did you say something?” Twilight tilted her head, a frown forming on her face. Lyra paused, and then chuckled, shaking her head in response. Twilight was unconvinced. “I’m sure I heard something. Are you sure you’re ok?” Twilight peered as Lyra as she once more laughed it off, and took a sip of her drink. “I’m fine Twilight, I don’t really understand why you’re so worried, this is a public place.” Lyra forced her smile to grow, and Twilight glanced around the empty area, and returned her eyes to Lyra, still unconvinced. Standing up, she made her way around the table and locked eyes with Lyra. “What’s wrong? Maybe I can help you.” Twilight’s wide eyes looked right into Lyra’s as she put a hoof. Lyra turned away, and briefly thought of denying it still. Twilight wouldn’t be able to get her to say anything, Lyra knew how stubborn as a rock she was. But, looking across the street she saw a pony couple walking together down the road, and bit her lip, heaving a sigh of defeat. “You always go on adventures, and I’m forced to stay here alone while you go and battle manticores or Discords or darkness or something. It’s like I’m not even part of the group, I’m just someone in the background that gives your world slightly more meaning.” Lyra looked to Twilight, and watched the eyes widen in shock, and sighed, turning away. “I-I’m sorry I never meant to-” Hearing Twilight try to apologise, Lyra cut her off with a wave of her hoof, letting her head fall onto the table. “I know Twilight, I know. But the feeling doesn’t leave because rational thought tells it to.” Lyra sighed once more and watched the couple walk down the street, her mouth sour and her mouth in a pout. It wasn’t fair on Twilight, but she couldn’t just bottle her feelings up. That led to bad things down the road, she had seen it happen. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel that way, and I’ll make sure from now on to invite you whenever possible. I’ll talk to the others as well. I’m sure you would rather not have to tell them what you told me.” Twilight smiled and once more walked back to her seat as Lyra raised her head and looked away from the two ponies on the street. “Thanks Twilight.” Lyra blinked, tilting her head as Twilight chuckled and instead pointed straight at Lyra. “No, thank you.” “Are you sure Twilight can handle taking those two monsters?” Rarity was still concerned even after the long train ride to Canterlot. Lyra chuckled, and nudged Rarity slightly too hard. “Relax Rarity, they can take care of themselves for the most part at this point. Twilight’s just making sure they don’t get into trouble.” Lyra saw the doubt on Rarity’s face, and rolled her eyes. Rarity was so overprotective at times. “I’m really glad you invited me along to Canterlot,” added Lyra as a second thought, managing to get Rarity off the subject of the Pokemon. Rarity quickly answered with a warm smile, and they both paused outside the building Rarity would be showing off her latest design. “I am really sorry you can’t come in with me, but they just wouldn’t allow it.” Rarity once more smiled apologetically, and Lyra dismissed her with a wave of her hoof. “Nonsense, it’s fine. I’m just glad to be out of Ponyville for a day. I’m going to go look around town. I’ll meet up with you at the train station when this is done.” Lyra bid farewell to Rarity and trotted away with a quiet smile on her face. It wasn’t much, but it was definitely a start. It was hard to contain her hopeful glee. Finally, things were looking up.