Lyra and Bon Bon moved through the evening streets of Ponyville towards the station. Lyra glanced around as they went. "I... hope we cream that jerk fast."
Bon Bon swiveled an ear at her. "It's not too late to go home. You don't have to fight it."
Lyra huffed. "I'm in. That isn't changing. Even if it did take the Princess and her friends all day to subdue it before..."
A small figure emerged from the darkness, glimmering even in the dim light. It was Lucy. "Hey! What are you two doing out so late?"
Bon Bon raised a brow. "I could ask the same, little filly. Do you parents know where you are?"
Lucy snorted with choked back laughter. "We haven't met before, but I'm Lucy, and my parents are on another world, so I'm on my own." She sat on her haunches and looked directly at Lyra, who was trying to avoid her gaze. "What's wrong?"
Lyra looked up at Lucy. "So, uh, I kinda have to go..."
Lucy frowned. "You're saying that like you're not coming back. What's wrong?" She crossed her short forelegs. "You didn't spend all this time telling us to trust you for you to not trust us. Out with it."
Bon Bon moved between Lucy and Lyra. "Look, foal, we have to go. Nothing personal, in fact, it's for your own good. The longer we're here, the more trouble it'll bring to Ponyville."
Lucy shook her head defiantly. "So? Lyra was stepped on by a dragon--" Bon Bon quirked a brow at Lyra, who shrugged sheepishly. "--and she was saved by one of us. We once-humans are tough people, er ponies. We don't want to lose Lyra, and we'll fight to keep her, so whatever's scaring you has to get through us first, and that's final."
Bon Bon reached down with her snout and grabbed Lucy by the scruff. "Lyra, where does she live? I'll drop her off."
Lucy wriggled around in the grip. "This isn't a joke!" Bon Bon placed a fetlock over Lucy's snout, silencing her.
Lyra turned to the once-human house. "This way." She led the way even as dread built in her, unsure how things would turn out. "She's, uh, kind of their leader, second to me."
Bon Bon raised a brow. "How is a bunch of stallions and mares led by a little filly, crystal or not?"
"Well, you see, she's not really a filly. I mean, physically, yeah, but she has the mind of a full-grown mare, and she takes responsibility important."
Bon Bon's reply was cut off as she was bit by her passenger. With a yelp, she dropped Lucy, who dashed off ahead. Bon Bon frowned at her retreating form. "Well, fine, we can get going now? We're running late as it is."
Lyra gave a stiff nod. "Alright, next stop, train station." They turned together and walked through the town, but arrayed in front of the station were a collection of ponies. Once-humans.
Lyra hid behind Bon Bon, who glanced back at her, then at the crowd. "They're here for you, my musical roommate. Say goodbye, or stay with them. Either is fine."
Lyra peeked out at the crowd and rubbed her forehooves together before stepping forward. "So, uh, hey guys..."
Sam crossed his forelegs. "What's this about you skipping town on us?"
Robin Song pointed at Lyra. "You're invited to the wedding, where are you running off to?"
Lucy gave a little smile from on top of Sam. "Whatever this is, let us choose to fight with you, or not. Don't run away from us."
Lyra took a slow breath. "Alright, so... Did anypony here hear about the bugbear attack?"
Shattered Stone raised a hoof. "Yeah. I heard it was during a wedding, and Twilight Sparkle took care of it."
Lyra shuffled a little. "Well, it's back, and we have to fight it. Without Twilight Sparkle's help."
Sunny stepped forward. "I'm up for a scrap! I'll teach it a lesson or two trying to mess with my bestie, Lyra!"
Not everyone was as agreeable, some backed away, others stepped forward. Bon Bon shook her head. "This is insanity! None of you are trained in combat! Why are you all so eager to throw yourselves into danger when you don't have to?"
Thomas drew out a nasty looking cleaver with his magic from a saddlebag. "Someone's threatening a friend of mine, they're going to get cut. Do you think bugbears make decent meat?"
Bon Bon went pale and turned to Lyra. "Your patients are barbaric!"
Lyra smiled a little. "Yeah... But they're mine." She held out her hooves wide and she was swept up in a crushing hug from all sides. "I'm sorry for trying to sneak away..."
Steven cuffed Lyra on the back of the head. "You always were a silly unicorn, you know that. We love that about you."
Lyra stomped a hoof. "I think it's settled, Bon Bon. We should let the bugbear come, and he'll learn how bad an idea it is to mess with Ponyville."
Bon Bon looked from one hopeful face to the next before sighing, sagging in place. "There's no reasoning with you when you're like this..." She nuzzled her way through the crowd and pressed her nose to Lyra's. "We'll just have to make sure this place stays safe your way."