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// Prompt #238: Not Invited 
// Story: Ponywatching 
// by ThunderTempest 
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“I am not some silly, gullible fool like the other ponies,” said Lyra, “I will refuse to have the wool pulled over my eyes, I will not simply accept whatever our tyrannical alicorn overlords feed us in the so called ‘free press’, and I will not go quietly into the long dark night. And if I suddenly and mysteriously vanish one night, you will know that I was right all along!”

The other ponies with her were staring, but Lyra didn’t care right now.

“Everything that has happened has been organised by the Princesses, a plan over a thousand years in the making. And what, you may ask, is this all for? I will tell you, my friends. It is all so that when the Princesses bring forth the apocalypse, we shall accept it with a smile and a song!”

“Are you finished?” asked Twilight Sparkle, as she moved a chess piece on the board in front of her, before turning to the second chess board set off to her side and contemplating her options.

“Yeah, I’m finished,” said Lyra “It’s just I’ve lived in Ponyville longer than you, still send letters to Minuette and the old gang in Canterlot, and you didn’t invite me when you went to see them!”

“I said I was sorry,” said Twilight Sparkle, moving a chess piece on the second chess board.

“And besides,” said Minuette, shifting her queen to capture Twilight’s knight, “You were busy that week anyway. You couldn’t have come.”

“I still wanted to be invited,” grumbled Lyra, staring at her board for a moment. “And she’s playing both of us at once!”

“And now the real reason comes out,” giggled Minuette.

“Though, It would be better to say that I’m beating you both at chess simultaneously,” said Twilight, as Lyra shoved a peice into the path of a piece that was threatening her king.

“Check and mate,” said Twilight, her magic moving pieces on both boards, finishing both games. Minuette and Lyra both looked down, and groaned.

“Well, I suppose it’s to be expected,” said Lyra, “She does play chess with Princess Celestia.” Minuette nodded her agreement.

“Princess Celestia is actually a terrible chess player. Princess Luna, on the other hoof,” said Twilight, letting the thought hang in the air. Lyra and Minuette shared a look.

“Come on, Twilight,” said Lyra, “we’re not that gullible. Everypony knows Princess Celestia enjoys chess, and she’s had like, eight hundred years to learn it.”

“She enjoys it, yes,” said Twilight as she lead her two friends back through the castle, and out to lunch, “but she’s not good at it.”