Two hooves slammed on the table. "So, like, what happened next?!"
"Simmer down, Sally!" J. R. Bard reached over and planted Vinyl back in her seat.
"No way!" She jumped back up. "I'm too hyped! We had a swarm of chained zombies go all rampage mode, followed by a numb run through Canterlot in the saddle of a skinny purple alicorn! And then a giant pony made of stars came down from the heavens!" Her hoof pounded the table again. "Sure, there was a bunch of long and boring stuff back at the beginning, and the start of the second half was almost as messy as my nose, but now it's like I'm reliving the best of my Sunday nights! Everything just got faster about halfway through that last part; sometimes real fast, but I can't complain. Man. Lyra's got you three beat."
"Miss Scratch," Octavia said. "It's good to see that you're enjoying yourself, but we'd all like to know what happens next just as much as you. Shall we let Lyra continue?"
"Oh yeah!" She waved a hoof at me. "Keep going! There's more, right? Tell me there's more!"
I giggled. "Yes, Vinyl. There's more. So after they all separated the song from me-"
"Ohhhh, this is gonna be good, I can just tell."
"-the Matriarch departed back to wherever she is now. I soon collapsed from the cold again, and Aria realized there was one last part to the spell. She finished it, and next thing I knew, I was back here in Ponyville, right where Nightmare Moon had come down. My first instinct was to go straight to my foalhood friend's library, where we are now, so I did just that." There was a meow from my left shoulder. "Just after Al here found me near Town Hall." I stroked his neck. "So Twilight and I had our teary reunion, and she insisted I get checked out at the local hospital. I was fine of course, and we both felt that having some more ponies to speak to who knew me would be a good start. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and the rest of our hosts were luckily all free for the day. As we moved through town to find them all, however, other ponies recognized me. That Pegasus filly I mentioned earlier, Scootaloo, hugged me and spoke of my assisting Rainbow Dash in rescuing her." I snickered. "Caramel and Wind Whistler gave thanks for my 'music'; Caramel in particular thanked me for a particular tale, and I thanked him in turn for something important he did for me when this all started." I stopped for a moment and soon felt Melodia's hoof on my shoulder.
"Sorry. So we spoke for a little bit, mostly of the same things you've all been hearing for the past hour along with whatever else came up. The seven of us, however, hadn't come close to reaching an hour before the exhaustion hit. My nights had been restless for days; I can't remember exactly for how long. They took me back to my cabin, and I slept straight through from yesterday afternoon to this morning. Applejack and Twilight came by for an early visit and took me back to the library, where Pinkie Pie had prepared a surprise 'Congratulations On Being Un-Cursed' party for me, as she calls it." I laughed before closing the journal. "And here we are."
"Aw, bummer! No more zombies or flying star-ponies?" Vinyl pouted. "What a let-down of an ending. I should write my own. Can you, like, hook me up with a copy of all this? I'm sure it'll be just like remixing a few records."
"How remarkable," Melodia said. "No matter what happened, you just kept going! And that performance, that duet! The Matriarch!" Her wings fluttered. "Oh, I wish we could have been there to see you complete the Nocturne!"
"I'll say!" J. R. Bard chimed in. "I mean, it's a dang miracle you've turned out alright, but you're meanin' to tell me the gosh-darned Cosmic Matriarch herself came down just shy of 24 hours ago for your performance? Were it not for ya showin' us the Nightbringer at our first meeting, I'd plum call you mad!"
"Well," I replied. "With everything I've been through, Mr. Bard, I wouldn't exactly say I'm sane. It took me a while to realize I'd lived through it all, and..." I gulped, "Some of the things I've done..."
"Oh, nonsense!" Melodia's hoof was on my shoulder again. "We all heard your tale! You've done a lot of good for Equestria, Lyra. An experience like yours would change anypony! 'Change' isn't insanity! You should know that more than all of us! Heehee!"
I blushed. "Yeah, I guess you're right." This wasn't the time.
J. R. Bard turned to Octavia. "How 'bout you, Missy? You've hardly spoke a peep since she mentioned the lost princess."
Octavia let out a breath and settled her hooves on the table. "Apologies, everypony. This is just so much to take in." She turned to me. "I wanted to ask, Lyra, can you go into any more detail about being in the Matriarch's presence? I know you discussed it earlier, but is there anything else you can say? What was it like?"
"Hmmm..." I rubbed the back of my neck. "Well, I heard a peaceful harmony that almost sounded like a calm breeze, but in musical form. It got louder-no, clearer as she approached, and it wasn't external. It seemed to come from within, and there was also that light and sudden warmth that I mentioned." I put a hoof to my chin. "It was beautiful more than anything. Everything was beautiful. Her very presence seemed to awaken some part of my soul that remained dormant since my conceiving; the part she mothered that exists in us all. I mean, heh, that's how I'd describe it. There's no way to know how true it is." They stayed silent. "She did all she could to assure me I'd be fine. Even though the Matriarch no longer walks Equestria in physical form, it was clear she loves us all as she does the princesses, like we're her own. I guess we are, in a way."
Octavia's eyes remained fixated as she took my words in. She soon smiled with a satisfied nod. "Thank you, Lyra. And I'm glad you were able to best this curse. It's good to see you again."
"Dang straight!"
"Yeah! All that stuff took guts, man, even if the ending was underwhelming!"
My cheeks were flushed again. "Heh. Thanks, guys. Your being here really means a lot to me." Octavia nodded. "Now there's something I'd like to ask, just out of curiosity."
"Shoot, darlin'."
I settled my hooves. "How is it that you all made the trip here in the first place at such short notice? I was just as surprised as everypony else to see you four enter the library. It's amazing to have you, but aren't your schedules packed?"
After a pause, J. R. Bard was the first to answer. "Well, I can't directly speak for these three as I'm retired, but look at it like this." He strummed his guitar. "Imagine me seated on my Appleloosan porch playin' a tune one fine mornin' as I do every day. Nothin's out of the ordinary and everythin's nice and quiet, when suddenly I start gettin' these visions of a meetin' I attended just barely a couple 'a weeks ago, where three music-savvy mares and I helped a certain cursed unicorn arrange a piece worthy of splittin' the heavens apart. I also recall that this same fine filly bore the gosh-danged Nightbringer itself and made a promise that she wouldn't be disappointin' the lot of us, and that she's based in the little town of Ponyville. Would you not be wantin' to hear a tale of such nature as soon as possible, to fill the holes as to how or why you'd forget such an event in the first place?"
Octavia nodded. "I was up in Canterlot myself when you and this Princess of Twilight made the run through the streets, when the cries of Nightmare Moon's supposed return began to spread. With everything that's been happening lately..." She paused and cleared her throat. "There have been a number of crises this past year and a half, as you're aware, Lyra. Nightmare Moon nearly plunged the world into eternal darkness, and then there was that draconequus, Discord." She shook her head. "The world is going through a strange time. We've now seen the return of two alicorn princesses in less than two years, and there have lately been increasing sightings of changelings in close proximity to Canterlot. I myself have been taking it easy in light of such events, and I'm sure everypony else here are taking similar leaves."
"Yes, and Sapphire Shores as well," Melodia confirmed. She beamed a smile my way. "That's the silver lining in all this chaos. We're able to spend time with ponies we care about. We had to be here, Lyra, to hear your story and know that you've turned out okay!"
Vinyl's magenta eyes glided over all ponies in the room, and up to Al, before settling on me. "Yeah. Pretty much all that, only with more funk thrown into the words."
"Well, like I said, it's amazing to have you four here. Thank you, all of you, for taking the time to speak with me again. It really means a lot." Al plopped off my shoulder and moved to Octavia, nuzzling her nose. She backed away, but soon had a smile on her face and was stroking his coat. We all chuckled.
"So what's your plan now?" Melodia asked. "I mean, after you relax for a little while. Do you think you'll go back to your studies?"
I paused for a moment. "I'm not sure. I think I'll just take it slow and see what the world throws at me. Way back when, I was always worried about being the top in my class, but that was a long time ago. After everything I've seen, I don't think I can go back to traditional studies. Like Octavia said weeks ago, I now believe there's more a soul side to music than anything."
She smiled. "Well, I wish you luck in whatever it is you do and wherever you go from here. It's been a privilege to speak with you again, Lyra, and I'm so happy you're able to sit here with us in remembered form. Heehee!"
Al was purring by Octavia when she spoke. "Shall we head back downstairs, everypony?"
"Heck Yeah! Pinkie and I go way back. She knows how to party! We've gotta get in on this!"
"Hehe..." Melodia moved a nervous hoof through her mane. "I wonder how condensed the guest list has become since we began?"
J. R. Bard moved to her side. "I've got me some experience with crazed pony crowds. Just stay close. I'll protect ya'."
"Oh! Umm, okay!" Her cheeks turned a familiar rose color.
A yawning purple dragon was stretching near the bottom of the first flight of stairs.
"Hey there, Spike! Where have you been all day?"
"Huh?" He wiped his eyes. "Oh! Hey, Lyra. I've been asleep, just like I was yesterday when you showed up. Twilight's been working me so hard that she's letting me sleep in for a few days. Heh. It's pretty nice."
I chuckled. "Sounds relaxing. Would you like to join us? Pinkie Pie's throwing a party downstairs."
He scratched his forehead. "Eh, maybe later. I've got things to take care of up in the study."
"Oh, alright! Take your time." We headed further down the stairs and were soon back on the first floor. Various ponies acknowledged me upon reentry; Caramel gave me a wave and smiled along with Wind Whistler, while Thunderlane and Blossomforth both looked my way with nods. Scarlet Breeze was snapping a few pictures and lowered the camera to give me a wink.
"You're back!" Twilight pranced over and gave me a friendly nuzzle. "How did it go?"
I giggled at my foalhood friend. "As well as it could have, Twi. What did we miss down here?"
"Not too much," she began. "Morning Dew and Ambrosia showed up, along with a few others. Some ponies popped in but only stayed for a little while; I believe Derpy was among them, and Dr. Whooves. Oh! And Pinkie wanted me to tell you-"
"-That we're setting up 'Pin The Hoodie on the Unicorn!'" Pinkie dropped down right in front of us. "Wanna play, Lyra Greenhooves? It's a game featuring YOU!"
I let out a chuckle. "Maybe later. There's actually something I-"
"Oh, I've gotta get in on that!" Vinyl's laugh sounded from behind. "Anypony else? How about it, Octavia? You want in? I'll try to go easy on ya!"
"I'll pass, thanks," she replied with a blank stare.
"Pfft. Buzzkills..."
"Right this way, PON-3!" Vinyl trotted away with a hopping Pinkie.
Melodia fidgeted and smiled towards the bearded stallion at her side. "So, Mr. Bard. I see you've brought your guitar."
"Hardly ever leaves my sight," he said. "What of it?"
"Well, I've gained a musical eye from working with Sapphire Shores, and I suspect many of these ponies are dancers."
Pinkie Pie zipped back over. "I can set you up with a microphone, backing track and everything! Whaddya say, Jumpin' Ray?!"
He glanced at Pinkie and then back to a giggling Melodia Braids. "Now just a minute here, Missy-"
"C'mon, Mr. Bard!" I said. "I seem to recall you stating your fondness towards dancing. Why not help these ponies to experience that?"
Octavia chimed in. "I myself would certainly love to see you perform in person, Mr. Bard."
He looked at us all, stroking his beard. Finally, he conceded. "Alright. I'll come outta my retirement just for today, Lyra. For you. This is a special occasion, after all."
"Right this way, then, Ray-Stallion!"
"And can ya stop with the name?!" He grabbed his guitar and followed Pinkie's lead.
"Heehee!" Melodia blushed and clapped her hooves. "This is so exciting! Let's grab our seats, Octavia!" Octavia smiled and moved with Melodia to a nearby table, leaving us alone.
Twilight giggled "Now that we have a minute, what was it you wanted to say?"
Before I could speak, I heard Wind Whistler laughing at a table near the center of the library with Caramel and Thunderlane. Blossomforth was approaching them with a couple slices of carrot cake, courtesy of none other than Carrot Top herself. They'd all no doubt soon be on the dance floor depending on the speed of J. R. Bard's playing. I looked his way, where Pinkie had grabbed a microphone stand and was setting him up with an acoustic amp. Octavia was saying something to Melodia, who was still ecstatic over the impending performance. Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were seated nearby, chatting with eyes towards the growing stage set. Around us were ponies enjoying themselves, so shouldn't I have been doing the same with my foalhood friend after the months of hell I'd been through?
"Lyra?"
"Never mind," I said. "This isn't the time, Twilight. We'll talk about it later."
She squinted her eyes. "Is everything okay? You've seemed a little distant."
I shook my head. "No, Twilight. Not everything. But like I said, I don't feel this is the time or place." I smiled as J. R. Bard's guitar tuning echoed through the library. "Besides, a lot of things are okay. Can we just enjoy Pinkie's party for now?"
Twilight returned my smile. "Of course, Lyra. Today's your day."
"Fillies and gentlecolts!" We took our seats at the sound of Pinkie's amplified voice. "I present to you the one, the only, the coming-out-of-retirement-for-a-day pony himself, Jumpin' Ray-"
"Just 'Mr. Bard', please, Missy!"
"-Mr. J. R. Bard!!!" Applause sounded, and J. R. Bard face-hoofed before adjusting his hat.
"Alright, everpony. This is my first time playin' in quite some time, so I wanna see y'all up and at 'em. Do yer best not to go too crazy, though. This here lick and all precedin' ones are dedicated to our fine guest of honor Lyra Heartstrings. It's a song called Green Fields & High Trees." Ponies moved to the dance floor as his guitar introduction sounded.
The party then became as alive as I'd felt the day before. Hats were in the air along with the gleeful cheers, and ponies all around moved with one-another. I joined Twilight, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie in a square dance, along with Wind Whistler and various others. Even Melodia and Octavia joined in on the fun.
Two ponies approached me during one of my breaks. Before I knew it, Morning Dew was hoofing me a tulip while speaking over the music, saying "Good afternoon to you, uhh, Lyra."
He grinned at Ambrosia, whose hat was tipped to one side. She giggled, shooting me a smile as well.
"Thank you for everything you've done, for both us and everypony else in this here town, Miss Angel." She glanced at Morning Dew, then back to me as her smile faded. "And don't think I won't be keepin' my eyes on the pair of ya'."
I snickered. "You've got nothing to worry about, Ambrosia. I wouldn't think of coming between you two."
She kept her stone cold gaze for a moment longer before bursting into laughter. "I'm just messin' with y'all. Good to see you've turned out alright, Lyra. Cya around!" Morning Dew nodded to me, and I returned it with a smile while placing the tulip behind my ear. I felt Al crawl up and press his nose to the flower.
J. R. Bard wrapped up with a rendition of Saddle Jones's Ghost Herders in the Sky, and by then it was late afternoon. Most of the guests cleared out until it was just us and the four musicians.
"That was awesome, Mr. Bard!" I said after we'd finished cleaning up the set.
"I'll say! I could feel the floor shakin' beneath my hooves!" added Applejack. She removed her hat. "Thank you, Mr. Bard. Seein' ya play was quite the experience. My Pa and I were avid fans back in the day."
"Really? Well I'm glad ya liked it." He placed his pick in her hoof. "This is yours. Thank you, all y'all, in turn for keepin' out the nut-headed stampedin' nonsense. I could see myself returnin' to the stage on a more regular schedule if all my shows were like this one."
"Oh!" Melodia said. "D-Do you think there's a real chance?"
He scratched his beard. "Eh, we'll see what happens." Al meowed from Fluttershy's hooves.
"Yes! Finally!" Vinyl yelled from across the library. "I've pinned the stupid sweater, blindfolded, right in its spot! Perfectly! Guys, come look! Look what I-" Her shades dropped to the wooden floor. "Whoa. Uh, guys? You might wanna turn around..."
We did just that, and there were three crowned ponies making their way through the opened library door. The one with the thinnest figure kept her distance. Octavia's eyes widened, and Melodia's mouth was agape.
"Well, I'll be bucked..." mumbled J. R. Bard while removing his hat.
"Princess Celestia!" We all kneeled.
"She's not the only one, darling," Rarity whispered to Twilight.
"And Luna! And... Aria!" My foalhood friend joined our kneel. "Wow! So this is Princess Aria! Lyra's told us quite a bit about you."
"Hello, my little ponies," Celestia said. "Aria, this is my apprentice. She's been here in Ponyville for the past year and a half studying friendship. Her and her friends are just the right ponies for you to meet."
Twilight walked closer and bowed to the once-lost princess. "It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness. I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is Applejack-"
"Howdy there!"
"-Rainbow Dash-"
"What's up?"
"-Rarity-"
"Oh, what a marvelous figure you have!"
"-Fluttershy-"
"H-Hello, Princess."
"-and Pinkie Pie."
"HI THERE! Welcome to Equestria! Do you like cake?"
Aria stared at the hopping pink pony. "Luna's showed me the substance, but I haven't tried it."
Pinkie breathed in a gasp that would have shred any other pony's vocal chords. "That's okay! We'll fix that in no time." She exchanged a wink with Princess Luna.
"They helped me to understand many marvels in this world, Sister," Luna said. "We're confident they'll be able to help you as well."
"Why now, though, Princess?" Rainbow Dash addressed Celestia. "I mean, it's just about sunset. Not exactly enough time for a full day like there was with Luna here."
Celestia smiled. "Another time, then. Does a princess need a reason to visit you all after a busy day? You amazing ponies who've all had a hoof in returning both long-lost sisters to her life?"
Luna nuzzled Celestia before speaking again. "Although, you could say there's a bit of a reason..." All royal eyes were on me, and the sisters moved to the side.
They walked up from where the princesses stood, their exhausted steps echoing through the old tree. His amber coat almost matched the color in the shorter mare's tired eyes that went straight to me, the little filly whose identical golden gaze she hadn't looked into for over a year.
Everypony else was gone from my world.
Mom's eyes glistened to further match mine, and Dad held a hoof to his muzzle at sight of the daughter he couldn't recognize just weeks before.
"Oh Goddess..." Mom said as I galloped into their arms. They held me. I held them. We all cried.
"M-Mom. D-Daddy." I mustered. "I-I'm so sorry I-I..."
"Shhhhh..." Mom's voice. "I-It's okay, Lyra. Everything is fine." She gave me a warm nuzzle, and I threw both hooves around her before losing myself in our tears.
"I love y-you so much, Mom." I kissed her on the cheek, and soon felt Dad's hoof on my shoulder.
My eyes met his, and I spoke with a shaking smile. "I-I love you, Daddy, and I m-missed you more th-than music itself."
His own tears fell as he snickered. "C'mere, kiddo." He pulled me close, and I held tight. "I was-" He paused. "I-I can still remember the way you looked at me."
I nuzzled him. "It's okay. It w-was beyond either of us, Dad. You have no idea."
All of our coats were covered with tears, and not all were happy. In light of what happened during my absence, I couldn't shake how painful it felt for them both to be present here.
Mom put hooves around both of us. "The princesses told us so much, but w-we still-"
"That doesn't matter right now," I said. "Come here. There are ponies I want you both to meet."
I walked them to our company who stood near the bottom of the staircase. Some had turned away to be polite, while others were sniffling almost as much as we were. Even Vinyl shed a few tears that night. I introduced everypony, and we all sat and spoke until Celestia's sun was a crimson glimmer in the sky.
"It's a beautiful evening..." I said.
Melodia glanced out the window. "It is, isn't it?" She agreed.
"Finest I've seen in ages," Applejack said. "I reckon we've got you, Aria, and Pinkie here to thank for that." She smiled at us all.
I ran a hoof over my face with a sigh. "There's something I haven't been able to mention, and I need to talk about it."
Everypony's eyes were on me. I took a deep breath to subside how sick I felt. Mom walked closer and touched my cheek. "It's okay, dear. Just take it slow."
I threw my gaze to the door. "Would anypony fancy an evening walk?"
Mom and Dad stood with an aching distance between them.
"This is where it happened, right?" Luna asked with hint of a shaking voice.
"Yes." I walked to the spot just a few yards short of Town Hall and planted a firm hoof. Al jumped from Fluttershy's arms and was on my back again. "Right here is where I stood when the Nocturne found me."
The almost-full moon glistened in Luna's eyes, and some of the others joined her gaze. Celestia gave her a comforting nuzzle.
I gulped. "Th-through my search, I listened and spoke to those around this beautiful town. As some of you know, I was more often than not involved in particular events. Several ponies would say that I'm wonderful, that I've done nothing but good things for them or others, but I haven't."
"That's crazy!" Rainbow Dash said. "I remember when you figured out where Scootaloo was after the accident with Dr. Whooves' magical leyline machine thing, and we were all too stupid to listen. And you were there when we finally found her! Don't cut yourself short!"
Rarity stepped forward. "Rainbow Dash is right! You're a magnificent pony, Lyra, and you've done amazing things for us all out of the kindness of your heart alone! Even when..."
Twilight put a hoof on her friend's shoulder, and all eyes were once again on me. I took a deep breath. "There's s-something that happened just before Discord's return."
"Just before..." Applejack put a hoof on her chin. "Last month, right? I reckon that was when all the business with Snips happened? You came to Rainbow, Twi and me about his pa-"
"-Straight Edge." I let out a sharp breath. "Straight Edge..." My chest sparked with a heavy rage, and not just towards him.
"That was his name. What about the no-good demon?"
My face was warm. I turned away with a shaking lip.
"Lyra..." I heard Twilight step forward.
"Remember all of those injuries he seemed to wake up with? The broken legs and everything?" My foalhood friend took two steps back, and I faced them again with another deep breath. "That was me. I..." A sob escaped. "I f-followed him at night with a two-by-four, and..."
Mom gasped. Melodia put a hoof to her muzzle, and J. R. Bard adjusted his hat. I kept going.
"H-He begged. He begged as I screamed at his broken figure that nopony would miss him. I-I was going to do it, but I regained myself just in time..." I slid a hoof along the ground and slammed it down with all of my strength. Al meowed.
"Talk about a rough night out!" Vinyl said.
"H-How can I just walk away? How can I let ponies call me 'good' and 'wonderful' when I've done something just as horrible as him?"
The silence made me turn away.
"What did this Straight Edge do, exactly?" Mom asked.
"Does it matter?" I retorted. "I shouldn't have-"
"Yes, Lyra. It matters, especially with what you were going through." Twilight looked towards my mother. "Straight Edge was an alcoholic stallion who abused his family both mentally and physically, going so far as to strangle his son in public with his magic."
"Land sakes." J. R. Bard said with a sigh.
"He's one pony our town is better without," Applejack said. "Lyra here discovered the truth of what was goin' on, but she couldn't bring us to see with her situation and all." She addressed me. "I seem to recall givin' him a buck or two myself when you briefly brought it to our attention."
"Heck yeah, and me too. We saw it ourselves." Rainbow Dash flew over the crowd and landed near Applejack. "The guy had his kid in the air by the throat, but we all forgot about it just like that. I wouldn't have been able to hold myself back in your place, Lyra. You're something else."
I wiped my eyes. "Yes, yes. He's horrible, but that doesn't change what I've done. I can't just pretend it never happened."
"You aren't the only one who's lost her way under the Firmaments' spell." My eyes were wide at the sound of Aria's voice. The three alicorns stepped forward with the Princess of Twilight in the middle. "Your brief misstep is miniscule in comparison to what I've wrought. My own spell had a role in descending Luna into madness, transforming her into Nightmare Moon to guard a secret that had been kept for too long." She looked to Luna and nuzzled her close.
"And there were many things that could have been done to make the resulting conflict less impacting," Celestia said. A few of our company were shifting uncomfortably in light of this subject matter.
Luna separated from Aria and focused her godly gaze on me. "The Firmaments were ruthless, Lyra Heartstrings. Just as ruthless as this Straight Edge. We know of his crimes and trial. He would have strangled his son to death were it not for the intervention of the big red one. Knowing of his true nature for as long as you claim, it's no wonder you resorted to such measures when taking the evidence into account. It must have been maddening, tiring, to have gone through such an ordeal." She shook her head and moved close to look me in the eye. "His injuring? That wasn't you. You mustn't let that which the Firmaments had so much of a sway on drag you down. We all know what an amazing pony you are, Lyra Heartstrings. You were able to stop yourself, and just look at all the good you've accomplished through your struggles." She gestured towards Aria and the various ponies around us.
"Yep! You're something else, Lyra!" said Rainbow.
"Darned tootin'!"
"An inspiration," Octavia said, making me blush. Al meowed and licked my mane.
I closed my eyes and sniffled. "I-I'll try, your highness. I will."
"And besides," Twilight said with a hoof around me. "He's making a full recovery! He'll be back on his hooves in no time."
"Yeah, good for him," Rainbow Dash said. Applejack shushed her.
"Oh, and just one more thing..." Luna's horn glowed, and an old black sweater pinged into reality. "I believe this is yours? It was left in my presence when Aria's spell took you."
I smiled at the old hoodie that'd been through worse than ice and death with me. My gaze went to Applejack. "That's yours now, girl. Keep it." She smiled.
I nodded to her, levitating it on my back over Al. "Thank you, Princess." Spike walked up and touched the folded hoodie.
"Hmm. I knew something was missing all this time," he said. "Heh. Dig the swell hoodie!"
We all laughed. I put a hoof around him in a hug.
Rarity took a few glances around. "Umm, pardon me, everypony and your highnesses, but did any of you happen to see where-"
"I FOUND HER!" Pinkie Pie landed next to me and shouted. I jumped, almost losing the ground beneath my hooves. Al hissed.
"Pinkie Pie!" Twilight said. "We hadn't even noticed you'd left! Where'd you go?"
"Where do I start?!" Pinkie said. "Oh! I guess I could start there. So, right after we set out on Lyra MintHooves' late-night post-party stroll, my tail started twitch-a-twitching out of nowhere!" She wiggled her pink tail to demonstrate. "It told me that another pony had entered town looking to enjoy my-our-'Congrats On Being Un-Cursed' party, but she'd missed it! I had to find her as soon as possible, to get her in on the after-party that we're now having, and I did! Here she is!" She put her hooves up to present her guest. "Give her a second. She's coming up from the library."
We all looked past Pinkie's direction to see her pale figure.
"Moondancer...?"
Pinkie's guest trotted closer, and her violet-streaked red mane was soon visible in the dimming sunlight.
"Moondancer!" I yelled out, cantering forward to meet her.
"There she is!" Moondancer said as we wrapped our hooves around each other. "Girl, you've got some explaining to do. Just what the hay is going on? Am I going senile, or what?"
I laughed joyously. "It's a complicated story, Moondancer, involving cursed music and lost ponies-"
"Hmm." She let go and stood in front of me. "On second thought, I might need a good night's sleep to prepare. This is sounding like one of those Bridleway plays you'd always drag us to." Her mouth formed a familiar grin, and she soon erupted a laugh while running a hoof through my mane. "It's great to see you, girl, and it's a miracle I can actually recognize you this time."
I giggled. "Oh, y-you have no idea..."
"Now where's this after-party Pinkie promised me? I'd assume it's involving everypony just over-whoa." She walked closer with two violet eyes set on the princesses. "Not your typical after-party. I think I'm getting a sense of what your little adventure involved, Lyra. Now this is something; one, two...three? Fillydelphia was filled with all kinds of rumors, and you don't look like Princess Mi Amore Cadenza to me."
The Princess of Twilight's matching eyes met Moondancer's. "My name is Aria."
"Princess Aria. It's a privilege to meet you, your highness. Highnesses. I'm Moondancer." She knelt to the three alicorns. "Dang, Aria! I like your whole get-up, wings and all."
Aria glanced back at her wing-stalks and flapped them with a hint of a smile. "Thanks."
She turned to my parents. "Nebulous. Nova." She nodded to each of them, and Mom hugged her.
And then she went to Twilight, who kept her eyes averted up until then. I couldn't help but bite my lip. "A lot of things make sense now, don't they, Twi?"
Twilight smiled. "It's no wonder. Lyra kept us out of each others' manes all the way through foalhood, didn't she?"
"Yep. That's how I remember it," Moondancer said with a smile my way. "Come here, ya egghead." She hugged Twilight with one hoof, and that was it.
"So what have you been up to, Moondancer?" I trotted up near my foalhood friends. "It's been a while. I mean, hypothetically speaking."
"Eh, all the usual," she said with a sly smile. "I'm still teaching, and I'm still with that handsome hunk of a stallion I told you two about last time I was here." She took a close look at her silver hooflet and blushed with a giggle. "Speaking of which, there is something..." Her eyes glistened. "I'm pregnant."
"What?! Wow!" I had my hooves around her again. "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!" Twilight and the others echoed my words.
"Whoa there, Lyra! Easy, girl! There's two of us in here now!" She laughed her laugh, and the night somehow got even better from there.
We all sat, right in the center of an evening Ponyville, watching as Celestia lower the crimson sun beneath the horizon and gazing at Luna as she filled the black sky with her mother's twinkling constellations. It was a little chilly that night, but none of us were bothered. I told everypony of Alabaster and Penumbra Comethoof beneath the bittersweet stars while J. R. Bard strummed some more 'licks' as he called them. Soon, our guests began to scatter; the princesses took off towards Canterlot, and Applejack showed Ponyville's music guests to the Horseshoe Hotel. It was soon just Mom, Dad, Twilight, Moondancer and me, gazing at the twinkling gifts of Luna's night.
"So when are you due, Moondancer?" Twilight asked.
"Six months or so," she said with a hoof to her stomach. "This whole thing... I've always wanted kids of my own, as you girls know, but I'm still so flipping nervous."
"Hey." I reached over from where I laid and touched her shoulder. "You'll do fine. If you ever need to talk, about anything, you'll know where to find me." I smiled. "Us."
"Aren't you coming home, Lyra?" Mom sat up. She was holding Dad's hoof.
I bit my lip and looked their way. "Honestly, Mom, I'm not too sure what I'm doing at this point."
"What about your studies?" Dad asked. "You were always striving tooth-and-hoof to be top in your class, and from what we've all heard today, it sounds like you've only improved."
I rolled over and ran a hoof through my mane with a sigh. "I've just seen so much," I began, picking my words carefully. "Learned so much. There's so much more to music than just studies and theories, and I was nothing more than an oblivious filly back then to have thought otherwise. After what I've been through, Dad, I can't go back to that. I can't go back to traditional studies." I gulped. "That just isn't me anymore."
Dad sighed. "Well, kiddo, it's your life. I'll support you wherever you decide to take it. Isn't that right, Nova?"
"Now just a minute," Mom said in that tone capable of stopping me in my tracks, "Let's not get too hasty, Lyra. Surely you can give yourself time to think about all this? Instead of just blowing off school completely?"
I put a hoof to my chin. "Well, I've given it a lot of thought actually, and right now I'm considering staying here in Ponyville."
Mom's eyes widened for a moment. "But Lyra, your studies! Don't you want to do something with your life? Like Octavia? She called you an inspiration today, for Luna's sake! Don't you think you should use that talent?"
I laughed with a hoof on my face. "Mother. In the past year and a half, I've been a first-hoof witness to Nightmare Moon's return, I've made multiple trips through a realm where forgotten ponies were chained for eternity and freed them along with the lost princess who resided there, I've had to face the God of Chaos against odds that weren't in my favor, and I've met the Mother of All herself. All this time, nopony knew of my existence. All I had for company was Al here, so I personally don't think it's so out-there that I'd rather settle down for the time being." Al meowed.
Mom opened her mouth, but stopped herself. She lowered her head and spoke. "Y-You're right, Lyra. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I just need to figure everything out. Give me time."
"You spoke with Discord?!" Twilight asked. "You haven't told us about that! What happened?"
I smiled and rolled back over with two hooves behind my head. "Well, the night is still young. You know him and Aria were together once? Like, thousands of years ago?"
Twilight blinked. "No way."
"With her? Chaos itself?" Moondancer let out a laugh along with Twilight. "You're pulling our legs, right? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!"
"Yeah, it's pretty weird now that I think about it." I snickered. "Anyway, it happened when you all were recuperating, Twilight. He tried to change me like he did everypony else, but the Nightbringer kept me safe from his magic." My eyes locked on Orion's Tail in the night sky. "He wanted the instrument, so I did what I could to keep him distracted from Ponyville. I wagered it in a little game we played; the oldest game..."
"So the code word is 'Bornstellar,' alright?"
"Excuse me?" I asked with a giggle.
"The code word!" Pinkie hopped at my side. "You hid last time, so it's only fair that I hide while you take my place in presenting your gift! When I'm just out of sight, we'll need some way for you to signal if and when you're in need of me!"
"You know, Pinkie," I began. "I enjoy your company, but you don't have to tag along. The curse is gone. You can go meet the others if you want. I'll be fine."
"I know, but this is an opportunity to see lots of smiles! I can't just pass it up!" She stopped hopping and settled into a walk. "And I also get to provide moral support for you! Everypony wins!"
"Moral support?" I giggled. "Well, whatever cheers you up. Your happiness is just as important as anypony else's, Miss Pie." I glanced at the chocolate-frosted vanilla cake. It wasn't as big as last time, but there was no doubt it would taste just as sweet. "So, 'Bornstellar?' I'll keep that in mind."
"Good!" We both stopped just short of our destination. "Looks like we're here! I'll be in my place." She leapt to the bushes and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Just pretend I'm not here, Mintsleeves! And remember the code word!"
"Hehe, I will." The sleeve of my hoodie moved in the November breeze as I extended a hoof.
The doorbell rang, and my eyes glided back to where Pinkie was crouched. I took a deep breath. The door opened without a moment's expense. "Hi there!" I said.
Her beige face lit up with a smile. "Oh! Hello!" She paused as if sifting through memories that my presence brought forth. "Haven't... W-We've met before, haven't we?"
"Yes," I replied. "Although it's a bit complicated-"
She startled me with a sudden gasp. "You're that pony I found out here just a few weeks ago! And I-I forgot about you twice-no, more than that! I spoke to you again just recently! How... Goodness, are you alright?!" She stepped closer and touched my face. "Just what in Equestria have you been through?"
"Uhh..." My cheeks were flushed.
Her blue eyes closed. "I'm sorry. I-I shouldn't have-"
"No no! It's alright! I've told-" I gulped. "A lot of ponies have wanted to know. You're hardly the first who I'm willing to tell," I said with a smile.
She tilted her head. "Oh! Your name's Lyra, isn't it? Carrot Top mentioned somepony this morning, and so did Morning Dew when he stopped by for some sweets. Something about that alicorn who appeared in Canterlot a few days ago."
A laugh escaped. "That's me! I mean, yes. My name is Lyra Heartstrings."
She snickered. "I'm Bon Bon, but I have a feeling you already knew that. It's nice to properly meet you, Lyra!"
"Likewise!" I replied while levitating our gift closer. "This is for you."
Her smile widened at sight of the cake. "Hmm. This looks a tad bit familiar..." She touched the velvet bag that hung from the bin. "It was you. You're 'Anonymous', aren't you?"
"What...?" It took a second for me to remember. "OH! Yes, but Pinkie had just as much a role as me. And there's only a few cupcakes in there this time. Nothing too creative."
Bon Bon giggled. "Well, it's 'creative' enough for me." She moved closer, and I gasped as she embraced me. "Hehe. Thank you, Lyra. I don't know how, but you knew exactly what I needed."
I hugged her back. "You saved me, Bon Bon. I had to return the favor somehow, despite my curse."
She let go with a sniffle. "Well, I'm glad y-you've turned out okay." Her eyes glistened. "So what was the nature of this curse? And this lost princess?"
I ran a hoof through my mane. "It's a bit of a long story, but that's partly related to why I'm here this morning."
"Oh?"
"Yes." I cleared my throat. "I'm taking it easy with a few great ponies today, some I've known for a while and others who I met when I was a ghost. Would you like to join us? I broke the curse just a few days ago, and you could say we're celebrating." I grinned. "We're heading to Sugarcube Corner, and we might take a walk around town later if the weather's not too chilly."
She giggled with a sweet smile. "Sure! I'd love to! I just need a second to sort this batch."
"Great! You do that, I'll put this somewhere it can't melt."
"Oh yeah! Just put it here in the fridge." She waved me in, and I followed her to the kitchen as she unloaded the first oven. I opened the fridge and set our gift on the top shelf.
"Alright, just a few more!" she said. I grabbed the last tray with my magic and sorted the sweets just as she had. "Well, that's a way to do it! Thank you!"
Back outside, I yelled towards the bushes. "Pinkie? You can come out now!"
Silence. Bon Bon rose an eyebrow.
I sighed with a chuckle. "Bornstellar-"
"-MAKES ETERNAL FROSTING!" She leapt out and was right next to us in less than a second. "Hi Bon Bon!"
"Pinkie Pie! Hello there!" Bon Bon said unfazed. "Why were you in that bush?"
I laughed. "She insisted that we swap roles from the last time we were here. That's where I was when Pinkie gave you our first gift; I couldn't show myself without spoiling the moment with memory loss."
"Yep!" Pinkie said. "That's pretty much the gist of it, Bonnie! I wanted to provide support for Mintyfresh here in case she needed it, and take in the smiles from this reunion of course."
I felt my cheeks flush again.
"I see," Bon Bon said with a smile of her own. "Well, I'm glad we were able to provide! Shall we get going, everypony?"
"Yes!" Pinkie started hopping back towards the library. "Last one there's a rotten First-Form!"
Bon Bon giggled and broke into a trot. "No fair! And what does that even mean?"
I chuckled to myself, taking in a breath of the beautiful air before joining in the race.