//------------------------------//
// 52 - Massive Missives 
// Story: It's OK to Be a Pony 
// by David Silver 
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Lyra trotted through the town, whistling as she went. A pegasus suddenly swooped down at her with a letter in her mouth. "Lyra Heartstrings!"

Lyra pointed at herself. "That's me! Hey there, Muffins. What's up?"

Muffins took the letter from her mouth and offered it to Lyra. "For you!"

Lyra accepted the letter in her magic. "Thanks Muffins. How's life treating you?"

The cross-eyed pegasus tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Doing alright. Are you really talking with a bunch of crazy aliens?"

Lyra bobbed her head. "Sure am. They're all really sweet in their different ways. They're learning how to be good ponies."

Muffins smiled brightly. "Gosh, that sounds really neat, and hard. I'll stick with delivering the mail." She shook her mail satchel lightly. "Speaking of which, I really should get going! Have a good day, Lyra!"

Off she went, leaving Lyra to tear open the envelope and peek at the letter within.



Dear Miss Heartstrings,

It has come to our attention that you are the foremost expert on this matter. A pony professing to be a 'hew man' has arrived in Canterlot. Unfortunately, he is currently being held in the Canterlot Prison, and cannot be released to your care at this time. If you could come see him at your earliest convenience, we would appreciate it.

Thank You,
Watchful Eye



Lyra tilted her head curiously, considering the letter. "Why didn't they send him to me?" She tucked the letter away and tossed the envelope in a trashcan. "I hope he isn't hurting himself, or somepony else." She briefly considered calling off her visit entirely, turning between Thomas' house and  the train station. "Sam's doing alright," she said to herself, making her decision and heading briskly to the station to rescue the new once-human.

On her way, she quickly scribbled a letter to Sweetie Drops. Her thoughts turned to their eventual union. Would they keep their old names? Probably, but there was something dramatic and romantic about taking on parts of the other's name. Sweetie Heartstrings? Lyra Drops? Lyra's head contently churned through equally silly thoughts on her way to Canterlot.

Lyra arrived and made a beeline for the castle, and the prison it held. She was met by a nervous looking mare with large glasses. "I'm so glad you came quickly. We just aren't sure what to do, but Princess Celestia insisted you'd be able to handle it."

Lyra lifted an ear at the alarmed mare. "Is he causing damage? Is he violent?"

She shook her head quickly. "Oh, no, not like you're saying. He's not hurting anypony, but he drank an eighth of the alcohol supplies. An eighth! The doctor had to use her strongest detoxification spell on him to make sure he wouldn't go into shock."

Lyra tilted her head a little. "How did he get at those at all? Can he teleport?"

The mare sighed softly. "No, it's strange. He moved around the halls and guards like he knew where they'd be, and he appeared in a great explosion of heat and flames, making strange marks on the ground along the way. Celestia said he came here on his own, had to, or he would have come through the door, or so she says. I don't understand it all, I confess."

Lyra barely knew more, and nodded slowly. "Alright, so he came on his own power, somehow? Did he say anything?"

"Something about 'Another bureau universe'? I don't have the slightest idea what he's trying to say. We're keeping him safe, from himself and for others. Please, can you help him?"

Lyra bobbed her head quickly. "I'll try! Show me where he appeared. Maybe I can figure out some of those marks you mentioned." Lyra followed along curiously, coming to a small room that looked like a study. The mare that led her didn't want to go in, so Lyra entered alone. 

Her eyes were drawn instantly to the strange runic marks forming a rough circle on the floor. Her training told her it was for magical use. Could humans use magic? Or was this magic he got from becoming a unicorn maybe? Lyra frowned a little, tapping at the ground before starting to circle slowly and decipher the runes. They weren't standard notation, at least not at any school she'd been to. Alien magic! "They need to send an arcane scholar in here to document this."

"We have sent for one, Miss Heartstrings."

Lyra leaned in close to the strange writing and tried sending her own magic through it. The feedback felt odd and unnatural and she shuddered, drawing back. Perhaps messing with alien runes wasn't the best idea? "Alright, where is he? The once-human, that is."

Lyra stepped out of the room to find Celestia had joined them, and was looking directly at her. "Oh! Um, hello, your majesty."

Celestia nodded softly. "I was afraid this might happen. It seems the humans are capable of wielding magic in some of their mirrors, just as we are not in some of ours. You should be very careful around this once-human. A confused magician is the worst kind, and he could cause great harm to himself and the ponies around him if he gets agitated."

Lyra pointed down the hall. "Well, lead the way, your majesty. The sooner I speak to him, the sooner we can calm the situation down. I bet he's just lost and feeling isolated. A friend is just what he needs."

Celestia smiled at Lyra's words. "I knew you could handle this. Be mindful that he is still inebriated from his... time... spent in the cellars. The doctor assured me he is safe, but he is still tipsy."

Lyra performed a sharp salute. "I'll keep that in mind. Worry not, your majesty, we'll have him straightened out in no time at all." Wasting no further time, Lyra followed after Celestia, eager to see the mysterious magic-wielding once-human.