Chapter 17 (Interlude-2) Palaces and Princesses

Whinnyappleous was already a thriving, bustling, city before the Princess of the Night was given rein over it. It was during the transition of power that the residents of the city got their only sight of the new castle in the daylight, and even then, they only saw the completed building for one day before the shroud of everlasting night fell, casting it forever in darkness. In Canterlot several paintings and pictures of Luna's new abode could be found adorning various walls, all of them taken on that one brief day before Luna's spell took effect.

Visiting dignitaries marveled at its elegant beauty. Cast entirely in black marble, it's eclectic spires and minarets were accented in silver. Silver trim was also around every window and doorway, reflecting whatever light was available, causing the illusion that the entire castle was edged in quicksilver light. This effect was only heightened once the city was cast into darkness, with only the moon to offer illumination on Luna's masterpiece. Just as she had planned.

(Princess Luna)

It went without saying that I was quite angry with the results of 'Moonlight's' interrogation of the two detective ponies. No pony knew of the actual nature of our relationship, but I admit she came close to letting it slip when she lost her temper in there. Still, she got the answers I needed, and that was the main thing. Now it was time for the Princess of the Night to get involved directly. Something that I had hoped I wouldn't have to do, but in this instance it would be for the best.

I called my maid to have my consigliere, Ink Blotter, summoned to my chambers. He was here in a matter of moments.

“Yes Princess? You sent for me?” He said, bowing low.

“I.B. you've been working for me since you graduated school.” I begin in a measured tone. “I've known you since you were a colt, ever since your father earned a place in the guard back in Canterlot. Tell me, art thou happy working for me?”

“W-what? Of course Princess. I was never happier than the day you promoted me to your personal staff. Serving under you has been a joy. Why do you ask my Princess? Has my work been unsatisfactory? Have I offended you somehow?” His tone is all I needed to hear. He isn't false in his sincerity, I would know.

“Offended me? Well, that remains to be seen. You see during the course of a recent investigation, I've turned up documents that could only have come from this office. Documents that have your signature on them. Documents that, until now, I have had no knowledge of whatsoever. Before this goes any further Ink Blotter, I would very much like an explanation for them.” I hoof over to him the documents in question, and study his face as he examines them. His emotions are quite easy to read. They start out as confused, then surprise, then quickly turn into anger. Interesting, in all the years I have known him, I can't recall ever seeing him angry before. As a matter of fact, he seems very close to rage. Fascinating.

“Princess, I assure you, these documents are fake.” Ink Blotter replies, anger rising in his voice.

This is, from him, is a very interesting statement. He knows as well as I do that all correspondence from my personal office is done on specially made parchment. I have boxes of them made in advance with my royal seal, and a personal magical signature imbued in each one. It is impossible to fake. Furthermore they are kept in my office safe, and no pony less than another alicorn could break the protections spells surrounding it, which makes these forms impossible to steal. And the only other pony, aside from myself, that is ever allowed to use any of it in my name is the one standing here before me, claiming that what he holds are fakes. Why? He knows better. He must realize I've checked them before calling him in here. Hmm...

“Thou sayest these documents are fraudulent.” I say, falling back on old Equestrian. A sure sign to him that I am quite angry. “Yet we both know this cannot be so. Explain, if you please.”

He holds up one of the pages of letterhead, and points a hoof toward the lower right hoof corner. “Watermark.” He states flatly. “See Princess, right there above the watermark those tiny letters and numbers, EE-103? The letters represent the batch number, and the number is the number of the page. If you'll check over our records, you'll see that at no point ever have I used any of that batch of letterhead. I've never even seen that batch number. And if you'll check back through our receipts, you'll see that every box we have ever received has the batch numbers and amounts on them going all the way back to when we first switched off of hoofmade stationary. Princess, I use this stationary every day. I order it for you when supplies get low. You can check with the manufacturer, we have never had this batch number in your castle. As for my signature, that could be forged by almost any pony that has come across a copy of my hoofwriting. Princess, these are not mine.” He says once more, his voice full of earnest anger.

I examine the letterhead once more, staring at the tiny numbers he has shown me. I can honestly say that I have never noticed them before. It takes only a moment to confirm that all of the letterhead that I have confronted him with all bear the same batch designation 'EE', and that the numbers are indeed different. I spend a few moments examining random correspondence from the last few months. He's right, there are different batch letters, and numbers. They change almost weekly. I have a lot of correspondence. I know Ink Blotter too well, he wouldn't have offered up the option of checking the receipts, if he didn't know that he was right. I realized I felt a wave of relief at this thought. I still trusted him, and my instincts were seldom wrong.

“Ink Blotter. Few times have I ever been so pleased to have been wrong about something. I had hoped that somehow, someway, there would be a reason for you to retain my trust. Although I confess, I could not see how before now. Oh fee! I'm really not good at this. Ink Blotter… I'm sorry. I apologize for slandering thy good name. I-”

“Please Princess… please stop!” He says shaking his head in denial. “A Princess doesn't apologize to a servant. Please, it is unseemly! Say rather that I was able to point out a previously overlooked option, other than my possible treason. And despite this, I would still rather you conduct a full investigation that will absolve me of any lingering doubt that you may have.”

I was very grateful that Ink Blotter had said that. I fully intended to investigate this matter regardless. I hadn't lied to him when I told him I was grateful that he had found another possibility other than him being a traitor. Had he not, he would have quickly found himself in the worst of my dungeons, awaiting a long grueling interrogation. This option is still on the table so to speak, despite my gut feelings, pending upon what I find out next.

“As you say Ink Blotter. So, supposing the fact you you are not a traitor to me, we must then trace this problem back to it's potential source. Only one company manufactures my personal stationary. It's the same company that supplies most everything we use in the castle on a daily basis. And considering the government contracts, contacts, and influence we provide them, until today I would have said they were beyond reproach. But obviously, somehow, some way, they are responsible for these documents. So my next step is to find out how and why. Expect agent Moonlight Shadow to be paying you a visit before the night is out. I want her to go over every receipt and batch number of stationary that we have received. I'll be having her make a list of them and note any discrepancies or gaps in the letter or number sequences. I'm looking to see if batches or boxes have gone 'missing'. If none of them have, then it looks like agent Shadow may be making a return visit to Night Industries.”

“Of course Princess. I'll put myself at her disposal.” Ink Blotter says, bowing low once more.

This was not something 'agent Shadow' was going to look forward to doing. But I had to be absolutely sure before I decided to go flexing my authority against Night Industries. My word was still law, that went without saying. But Night Industries was almost single hoofedly responsible for all of the advances my city has made since my arrival. Medicine, technology, quality of life. They were far too important to my plans for me to simply raze them to the ground and sow that ground with salt. No, if it turned out that an investigation was warranted, it would have to be a stealth mission. Just Moonlight and Johnny. If any two ponies could get in and out without being noticed, it would be those two.

Of course, on the other hoof, if it DID turn out that Night Industries was dirty, well… there were always other playing pieces on the board. It might set my long term goals back a century or two. But I have plenty of time. I've waited over a thousand years after all, a few hundred more won't be a problem. And then dear sister, then you will finally see just what I have always been capable of.

(Princess Celestia)

“You know something Blue? I think I'm just about tired of the gold trim.” Celestia says between petitioners, from atop her royal throne.

Blueblood chokes briefly on his tea. “I-I'm sorry. Did you say you were tired of the gold trim? Surely you jest Auntie. Who could ever get tired of gold?”

“Me Blue… me. I've had to look at gold and white for the past eleven hundred years. It's boring. Gold and white, gold and white. So plain. No style. It's boring.”

“It's regal!” Blueblood counters. “It's a symbol of grace and purity. And a reflection of yourself I might add.” He says, pointing a hoof at her armor.

“Yes, I know, the 'perfect, pure Princess', at least to the public. But it's gotten old. I want something different. How would you feel about… blue.”

“Me?” Blueblood asks confused.

“No, not you, I mean the COLOR blue. We take all of the gold trim down and repaint it a nice blue. I'm thinking Lapis, or Azure, or perhaps...Midnight? Yes, Midnight blue I think. Redo the armor, the throne. White and Blue, yes, I think it would look stunning.”

Blueblood pauses for a moment. Over the years he has gotten used to his aunt coming up with some crazy idea out of thin air that he usually has to spend days talking her out of for her 'image's' sake. It got to be almost a game between them. But for once, he actually found himself nodding.

“Auntie, to be honest I think it's a wonderful idea. It would give the old castle a brand new look. And I have to agree blue and white DO look good together.”

“Well then it's settled. After we finish with the petitioners, I'll have Hindsight send for some decorators. With any luck we can have the whole thing redone in less than a month.” Celestia says excitedly.

“Mmmhmm.” Blueblood replies absently. “A month you say auntie? Isn't that about the time you expect your sister to return for a visit to celebrate her birthday?” He asks suspiciously, strolling over to examine one of the paintings of Luna's castle. “White and Midnight blue was it? Why, that's the exactly opposite of the color scheme of auntie Luna's castle. What an interesting coincidence.” Blueblood says tapping a hoof to his chin thoughtfully.

Before Celestia can frame a reply, a scroll suddenly materializes before her. She deftly plucks it from the air and holding up a hoof to forestall her great nephew, she begins to read. Her eyes widen in shock, “faith and belestia Shamus! Has the time finally come for your revenge?” Then she drops the scroll to the floor, and turns toward the Prince.

“No time to explain. I have to leave for Ponyville RIGHT NOW. Blue, you are in charge until I get back. I'll send word if I'm gone for more than a day.” And with that the solar princess teleports from the room, leaving the suddenly surprised newly minted ruler pro tem of Equestria, to fall absently to his knees in shock.

“Me? In charge? Auntie actually left ME in charge? The one thing that she said not even Discord could ever force her to do? Left ME in charge? Hah! In your face Fancy Pants!” Blueblood turns to the nearest royal guard. “Point Blank, please tell the remaining petitioners that court will be in recess until auntie Celestia returns. Then please have someone send for Hindsight, I'd like to relay auntie's wishes to him regarding her plans for the redecoration of the castle.”

“Yes sir!” Point Blank replies, firing off a smart salute. Inside however he can't help but think to himself. 'Well, I must admit I am impressed. Sixty seconds on the clock and he hasn't managed to do anything stupid. In fact, those were very sensible and non selfish orders he just gave. Perhaps I have been misjudging the royal prince.'

“Oh, and Point Blank, see if you can arrange to have Fancy Pants and his charming wife to come by while I am discussing those renovations with Hindsight. It would gall him to no end if he thought I actually had a hoof in redecorating the entire castle.” Blueblood cackles gleefully.

'Ah, never mind', Point Blank thinks, before exiting the room. 'The world once again makes sense'.

After the guard leaves the room, Blueblood reaches down and picks up the scroll that Celestia had dropped. He examines it curiously. “Code: Emerald Dawn,” he reads aloud. “What in Equestria does THAT mean?”

(Bon Bon)

“It stands for a leprechaun uprising from the Everfree Forest.” Bon Bon explains to Lyra as they make their way around to the rear of the palace grounds.

“Leprechaun uprising? You mean those cute little fey creatures in the green three piece suits that are forever burying their pots of gold all over the forest? Why would they ever stage an uprising? Aside from their pot burying fetish, they are the laziest creatures in the Everfree.” Lyra says as the two edge themselves behind a row of hydrangeas.

“Well, to be honest, I doubt they ever would. But my former agency had contingency plans in place for basically every potential magical and non-magical threat to Equestria. Also, mom has a particular phobia against a certain leprechaun living in the Everfree. It wouldn't take much for her to believe that he has rallied his brethren for revenge.”

“Revenge? Against Celestia? But why?” Lyra asks, as Bon Bon moves around a section of blocks hidden behind the hydrangea in a particular order. Suddenly, part of the wall slides open to reveal a secret passage, which closes back up as soon as the two are safely inside.

“Well, remember how Celestia and Luna used to live in that palace in the Everfree forest?” Bon Bon asks, as they make their way down the corridor. “Well, back then no one had even heard of the two soon-to-be rulers of Equestria. So where do you think they found all the money to build their new castle? And why do you think they built it in the Everfree of all places?”

Lyra stops walking as her eyes go wide. “Wait. Wait one second. You mean to tell me that Celestia built her empire, and her palace, all from stolen leprechaun gold?”

“Now, now. Not STOLEN gold.” Bon Bon chides. “However, tricking leprechauns out of gold has been a completely legitimate and legal means of acquiring funds going all the way back to prehistory. It just so happened that one leprechaun in particular was very very bad at three card monty, and mom was very very good.”

“Three card m- Your mom was a crook?!?” Lyra all but shouts. “Unbelievable, our whole diarchy is based on an alicorn swindler! I think I need to sit down a moment.”

“Well, hold on for just a minute, we're almost there.” Bon Bon says, pushing a block in the side of the wall which opens up into a room down in the depths of the castle. “Ah, there we go. Glad to see I haven't lost my way around here.”

“Indeed.” a new voice says, coming into view, holding a high caliber M.I.S.P.P.L. in the grip of his magic. “Then I'm sure you'll remember your way back to the dungeons.”

“Aren't you being a little overly dramatic Fact Finder?” Bon Bon replies nonplussed. “All these years, and the first thing you say to me is a threat? C'mon, how long has it been?”

“Not long enough.” The stallion called Fact Finder replies. “But apparently too long for you to remember the rules. No unauthorized ponies are allowed in the vault. No exceptions. And the only pony currently authorized to be here beside myself is the boss, or, if she is out if of the castle, the next highest ranking pony. And since no other high ranking pony even KNOWS about the vault, that means just Celestia. Now if you'll excuse me for just one moment, I will inform her of your presence, and then call the guards to escort you to a nice comfy cell.”

“B-Bonny? I don't want to go to prison, Bonny.” Lyra says worriedly.

“Relax hon, no one is going to prison. Just give it a minute.” Bon Bon replies with confidence.

“Gone? What do you mean gone?” Fact Finder says into his viewing crystal. “She should be dealing with petitioners for the next two hours… what? An emergency trip to Ponyville?!? Well, who's in charge then? WHAT! THAT twit?!? Oh no...” Fact Finder looks fearfully over his shoulder at a very smug Bon Bon.

“Hmm, so mom's gone on a trip has she.” Bon Bon says, grinning evilly. “Oh, and did I hear that the current ruler pro tem is Prince Blueblood? My, my. Now let me see if I remember the 'Blueblood Protocols' correctly. I believe they went something like “Under no circumstances is that bloody twit to ever be allowed to be in charge of the agency, no matter what! If, and it's a very big IF, I ever were to loose my senses and leave him in charge of Canterlot, control of the agency will fall to the next highest ranking pony. I don't care if it's the bloody janitor, just keep Blueblood's hooves out of here!” Isn't that what mom said Fact Finder? I'm sure YOU would remember.”

Fact Finder's head falls, and his shoulder's slump. “Yes ma'am.” He says in defeat.

“Oh goody.” Bon Bon responds happily. “And remind me, with all the other princesses not here, who would be the highest ranking pony left? His adopted daughter I think… now what was her name?”

{Mumble, mumble}. Fact Finder grunts incoherently.

“I'm sorry, could you say that again for my friend? A little louder this time” Bon Bon asks sweetly.

“Sweetie Drops.” Fact Finder grinds out.

“Why that's right! Imagine that! Little old me! Well I'd best get to work then. First order of business is to take care of your intruder problem. Swift justice, that's what I'M about! All right, in the case of Agent Sweetie Drops, and her beautiful sidekick Lyra Heartstrings, I find the defendants not guilty. As for their wrongful arrest, I sentence their accuser one 'Fact Finder' I believe his name was, to going to the royal kitchens, and bringing the defendants a banana split apiece. And make it snappy!” Bon Bon says imperiously.

“Are you serious?!?” Fact Finder shouts angrily. “I am a highly trained agent in the service of her majesty! Also, do you have any idea how long it will take me to make it through all those secret passages to get to the kitchens? No pony is supposed to even know I exist outside the chain of command. If a guard sees me, he'll toss me out on my ear!”

“Well I'm sure a 'highly trained agent' won't have any trouble dodging a few palace guards. Tell you what, I'll authorize a banana split for yourself as well. Call it 'hazard pay'.” Bon Bon says regally.

“FINE!” Fact Finder says, turning to stomp away. But not before asking “Um, can I have sprinkles on mine?”

“Sorry, sprinkles are for authorized ponies only.” Bonny says with a wicked grin, causing Fact Finder's face to cloud up once more. “Kidding! Just kidding! You can have sprinkles. Sprinkles all around.” She says grandly.

“Well then,” Fact Finder says calming down, “I'll get right on it ma'am.” Then he disappears down yet another hidden passageway.

“That pony always did have a sweet tooth,” Bon Bon says before quickly tapping in a combination and throwing the door to the vault wide open. “Now, let's get down to business before he gets back.”

“You set all that up to get him out of the room while we dug around.” Lyra says in awe. “You are one sneaky pony!”

“Well, not all THAT sneaky. Fact Finder knew what I was doing. But also, since I AM technically in charge, he can't get in trouble for it. Also by sending him away, he can honestly say later on that he has no idea what I was doing in here. This keeps him off the hook, and I'm sure he's grateful for that, although he'd never show it.” Bonny says as they begin to trot down the lengthy passages that make up the vault's huge underground interior.

“So,” Lyra says after several minutes of walking. “Just what IS all this stuff?” She says gesturing at all of the rows and rows of shelves as they pass.

“Ah, well the Vault is kind of a combination holding cell, experimental laboratory, and storehouse. See, all the things the agency captures, confiscates, or discovers will sooner or later end up here. Despite our seemingly easy access, it is one of the most secure underground facilities in all of Equestria.” Bon Bon remarks, turning down corridors seemingly at random.

“Riiiight,” Lyra says sarcastically. “That's why there was only one guard.”

“Who? Fact Finder? No silly, he wasn't a guard. He was the researcher on duty for today. This place doesn't have any guards.” Bon Bon says shaking her head.

“No guards? But what keeps someone from cracking the vault and taking whatever they wanted?” Lyra asks in disbelief. “I mean I know the door is big and all, but you can't tell me that somepony couldn't crack it.”

“Well, actually I could. I mean it was designed to be uncrackable. It has a chaos lock on it. But that really doesn't matter. No being that isn't supposed to be here, or, like you, who is along with an agent, would ever get anywhere near it. What you didn't see outside, or don't in here for that matter, is that every flat surface is covered in runes. Death runes. Just about every nasty, violent, and /or creative form of death known to pony kind.” At Lyra's skeptical look, Bon Bon trots over to the nearest shelf and runs her hoof across it. Almost like an after image strange green runes flare briefly to life at her touch before fading back to invisibility.

Lyra yelps in surprise.

“So you see hon, we really have no need for ponies to keep it safe.” Bon Bon says with what looks like a wicked grin.

“By Celestia, what in the world do you have stored in here?” Lyra asks barely suppressing a shudder.

“Bad things,” Bonny replies, “very bad things. For example see that row of statues?” She says gesturing at a section of shelves with built in display cases.

Lyra trots over to them reading the nameplates of each one. “Guerdon- Spirit of Revenge, Mayhem- Spirit of Slaughter,( https://sites.google.com/site/quixoticsstudy/home/the-cellar/her-magesty-s-assassin ), {shameless self plug}, Ouroboros- Spirit of Gluttony, Mort- Spirit of Embarrassment, Faze-Spirit of Confusion,” and then she came to an empty display case, “Discord- Spirit of Chaos. Wait you mean all of these statues are...”

“Yup,” Bonny confirms, “each one is another Spirit, just like Discord, and equally as powerful. Celestia hopes to one day reform the rest of them. Personally I think it's a fool's hope, but then again mom always did think long term so, who knows?”

Lyra backs quickly away from the self, as the two move further down the corridor.

“By the Sky Stallion Bonny, is everything in here as dangerous as those?”

“No, no… not EVERYTHING,” Bon Bon amends.

Suddenly she stops dead in here tracks.

“No, no way! It can't be!” She says before rushing over to a new section of shelves.

“What? What can't be? What are you talking about?” Lyra says, quickly catching up to Bon Bon.

As she makes her way to Bonny's side she can see what has caught her friends attention. Inside clear glass cages she can make out two of the biggest, fattest, parasprites she has ever seen. On the cage in front of Bon Bon a name plate reads “Lindana”, and the one next to it bears the moniker “Angry Ed”.

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” Bon Bon says excitedly. “I thought they were all destroyed after the Pinkie polka incident. I don't believe it! Lyra, I need a bobby pin. We are getting these guys out of here.”

“What? Those bugs? Why? Aren't they dangerous?” Lyra replies in alarm.

“Dangerous? Oh yes, very, very, dangerous,” Bon Bon replies offhoofedly, taking the proffered bobby pin and setting to work on Linda's lock.

“Then WHY are you trying to set them free!” Lyra says in alarm.

By now all of the shouting had caused the bug name Lindana to awaken from her slumber. It blinked its eyes a few times before focusing on the pony in front of it. Lindana's eye widen in surprise, and it begins to hop up and down excitedly, as Bon Bon finally manages to open the lock on her cage. Without wasting a moment the bug quickly leaps out onto Bon Bon, and as Lyra watches in horror, it scuttles around under the back of her mane and extends a long needle-like talon, and inserts it directly into Bon Bon's back.

“Ohhh yesss!” Bon Bon yells, not quite in pain. “Oh, you make it hurt so good!” She says throwing back her head.

Suddenly thousands upon thousands of tiny parasprites come from underneath the bug called Lindana, quickly covering Bon Bon from head to tail.

“Bio-link re-established.” A strange flat voice emanates from the vicinity of Bon Bon. All systems are green, nanny-sprite armor configuration at optimal condition. Now syncing bio-component memories. Warning: due to long term downtime, this process may take several minutes.”

“W-what… what's going on? Bon Bon! Are you okay! Say something, speak to me!” Lyra yells frantically.

“What? Oh, Lyra… yes, I'm.. okay.” Bon Bon says, in a somewhat disoriented voice.

“Okay? You don't SOUND okay. Just what is going on?” Lyra says, staring helplessly at the black clad pony before her.

“O-Okay, this might take a few minutes.” Bon Bon says, trying to focus on the moment as memories are being exchanged rapid fire back and forth between her and the bug known as Lindana.

“See, a long time ago, there was a program to test out a new kind of power armor. Living power armor. They grew special parasprites in a lab for it. I was one of six ponies who was given one to test in the field. There were two unicorns, two pegasus, and two earth ponies. Each of us had a parasprite partner. Mine was Lindana. Overall the program was a success. Despite some losses during the testing stage.”

“Losses?” Lyra said worriedly.

“We lost one pegasus to the 'life tap' ability. At the time we didn't realize how dangerous it could be. His bug partner committed suicide shortly thereafter, horrified at the mistake it had made. We lost one bug, 'Bob', when he sacrificed himself to save his pony partner. And we lost a unicorn and bug when the unicorn was forced to activate his alpha rune. We had no idea what the consequences of doing that inside power armor were, until he tried it. We were lucky that he was fighting in the badlands at the time. The blast took out everything in a five mile radius.”

“But that leaves three bugs, there are only two here.” Lyra says looking over at Angry Ed.

“J- just a minute, the memory swap is almost complete. I may have an answer momentarily.” Bon Bon says, her eyes staring off into space.

“Memory exchange complete. Agent Sweetie drops now designated as agent Bon Bon.” The black armored head turns to face Lyra, it's huge insectile eyes unblinking, and mandibles clicking as it speaks. “Hello friend Lyra, it is a pleasure to...to.. It's so totally cool to meet you! I'm Lindana, and I want to have FUN!” It says, suddenly sounding like a young mare instead of a cold flat insect.

“Oh, there we go, it's sooo great to have you back!” Bon Bon says, trotting in place. “I had no idea you guys were down here, or else I would have sprung you years ago.”

“It's cool Bonny,” Lindana replies, “I can see what they told you in my head now. Totally uncool splitting us up, just because we have a thing for music. I mean W.T.F. who doesn't like music, am I right?”

“Totes true!” Bon Bon says. “Oh Sky Stallion, I just flashed on what happened to Derek. Oh Lindana, I'm so sorry!” To Lyra Bon Bon explains, “Derek was the other parasprite that was in here. The took him to be experimented on, to see if they could correct the musical weakness that parasprites posses. He didn't survive. That's why we have to get Lindana and Ed out of here, before they decide to do the same to them.”

“Okay, so you need to jimmy the lock on Ed's cage, and we can take him outside and set him free.” Lyra says retrieving the bobby pin Bon Bon dropped earlier.

“Um, yeah… about that.” Bon Bon says, as the helmet she is wearing flows off of her head, letting Bon Bon look Lyra in the eyes. “I'm afraid it isn't that simple.”

“Why? What do you mean?” Lyra asks.

“Well, see Ed was once bonded with a pony. This particular strain of bug can live completely independent up until that happens. But once it bonds with a pony, it undergoes a biological change. It lives as a symbiont with it's host. If it doesn't receive certain nutrients from it's host body every week or so, it will die.” Bon Bon confesses.

“It's true,” Lindana confirms. “Right now we have a host pony that comes by once a week to feed us and then leaves. He’s actually due later this evening. If Ed doesn't get the nutrients he needs before midnight, then he will die of starvation. That's why we both sleep as much as we do. They figured out the bare minimum amount they need to feed us to keep us alive. Any more, and we might have the strength to escape on our own.”

“So, wait, are you saying that if we free Ed that he would have to bond to somepony to survive? You mean me don't you! You want ME to bond with… with...” Lyra says, unable to continue.

“Now, now, no pony is forcing you to do anything that you don't want to do.” Bon Bon says reassuringly. “Just give it some thought while I find the files I was looking for. If you decide you aren't able to handle the idea, we will just leave Ed here. I doubt they will do anything to him anytime soon. Especially if they discover he is the only bug left. We can come back and rescue him later.”

Lyra falls silent, as the two, now three, make their way deeper into the vault. The shelves and shelves of wondrous and terrible artifacts and beings hold no interest for her now, as she considers what her best friend has asked of her. Eventually they make it to the archive section, and Bon Bon busily beings to root through the massive amounts of files.

“Goddess, these files are totally a mess. It doesn't look like any pony has organized them since they were stored here. Fact Finder has some explaining to do the next time I see him.” Bon Bon says in vexation.

“Um, Bonny, I totally doubt that files would be what Fact Finder would be concerned with if he saw us now.” Lindana said with a playful tone.

“Murrrer” Bonny replies with a file in her mouth and one in each hoof.

“Um, Lindana? Excuse me, but… could I ask you some questions?” Lyra says hesitantly.

“Oh, like totally,”she says, peeling her head off the back of Bon Bon so she can face Lyra directly. “Like, what do you want to know?”

“Well, um in the first place, what's it like. I mean being connected to a pony. I wish you were able to tell me Bon Bon's perspective as well though...”

“Oh, like I can totally do that, we share the same memories after all. Okay so like for me it's like I can suddenly be able to think all these like deep thoughts and stuff. See, like, as a bug, all I really think about is eating, sleeping, and having sex. But like when I bond with a pony… BOOM! WHOOSH! BAM! All these majorly impressive thoughts and ideas are like right there. Philosophy, science, magic. It's like totally Rad! Oh, and like just being connected to Bonny is like having this really smart older sister to go out and have fun with all of the time. I really totally missed that while she was gone.” Lindana says with a note of sadness. “Oh so like from Bon Bon's perspective, well first there is this stinging pain, not too bad, but like yeah, noticeable, when we first link up. Then it's like the same for her, like having a sister in her head. We share the same thoughts, and can like totally talk to each other mind to mind at like the speed of thought and junk. The pony host is always like totally in charge, unless she somehow were to get knocked out. She thinks what she wants us to do, and I help her do it. Oh, and there's like so much we can do together that we can't do apart. We can fly, and turn invisible, and we are like really strong! And she can order my nanny-sprites to make themselves into all kinds of things. There's like a ton of stuff we can do! But only while we are bonded.”

“I-I see.” Lyra says thoughtfully. “Um, just one more question, if you don't mind.”

“Sure, go ahead.” Lindana says.

“The other bug. Um, why is he called Angry Ed?”

“Oh, well see, he wasn't always called that.” Lindana admits. “Ed's partner was a Pegasus agent. And they were very close. After they were separated, Ed would always ask whoever came through for any news about him. About a year and a half ago, our temporary host linked with him to feed him, and Ed saw in his memories that his old partner had died while on assignment. Worse yet, the way he died would never had happened had he still been bonded with Ed. Ed went wild with rage, yanking himself out of the host, and causing him to be sent to the hospital. Ed has been angry and violent ever since. They keep him on starvation rations just so he never gets strong enough to hurt anypony else. It's really a shame. Ed was as happy and fun loving a bug as I was. He was just so attached to his partner. They were best friends. I only wish there were some way to help him.”

“Hmm. What was his partner's name?” Lyra asks.

“Blazing Star,” Lindana replies, “why?”

“Well, I was just thinking. I know how I would feel if suddenly Bonny didn't come home one day. I could never rest wondering what happened to her. And I wouldn't be able to get on with my life without being able to say goodbye.”

“Ah HA! Found it!” Bonny interrupts triumphantly.

“Good job Bonny,” Lyra says, as Bon Bon gets to her hooves. “Now before we go, you need to go back in there and find a file on a pegasus named Blazing Star.”

“What?!? But I just now finished finding Duskwind's file! Give me one good reason to go through all that again!” Bon Bon Says crossing her hooves across her chest.

“Because your BEST FRIEND asked you NICELY.” Lyra says in tones of icy steel.

“Ah. O-okay. Sure thing,” Bon Bon says quietly, as she gets back on the floor and begins to search.

“Okay, that was like totally impressive and junk.” Lindana says to Lyra. “I've like seen Bon Bon face down a Bugbear before, and not even blink.”

“Well, Bonny and I have been friends a long time now. She knows I wouldn't ask her for something that way unless I thought it was really important.” Lyra says with a grin. “Also, she knows how I get when I don't get my way.”

“Hmm. Accessing memories...” Lindana says intrigued. “Oh sweet Luna!” She says visibly shuddering. “Okay, I am like totally going to stay on your good side! For like, ever!”

Many minutes later. “Okay, okay, here is your stupid file. Can we go now?” Bon Bon asks, trying to shake the dust off of her exposed mane.

“Yeah, we just need to make one quick stop first. I need to talk to Ed.” Lyra admits.

“Ed? So like you are actually considering it?” Lindana asks in wonder.

“Well, that will be up to him.” Lyra replies.

Bon Bon just shakes her head. “Lyra, every day I find another reason to like you. You are one strong, caring, and compassionate pony.”

“And that's why I deserve sprinkles. Hopefully my banana split won't have melted by the time we get back.” Lyra says with a smirk.

Moments later they make their way back to the parasprite cages. It takes Bon Bon only a moment to pick the other lock. She lifts the lid, and carefully lifts out Ed and sets him on the shelf before them.

“Ed? Ed. Wake up, it's me Lindana. Bon Bon and her friend have come to rescue us. “C'mon Ed,” Lindana gentle prods, “it's time to go.”

Very slowly the bug known as Ed opens his eyes. He takes a moment to focus on the beings before her. First the unknown mint green unicorn. Then on Lindana ,clad around her partner Sweetie Drops. Lindana extends a small tendril to Ed which he accepts, allowing them to communicate through her link.

“So. You finally came to save your partner.” The masculine voice of Ed emits from Bon Bon's armor. “Took you long enough.”

“Now Ed, be cool.” Lindana warns. “She totally had no idea that we were even still alive.”

“Whatever.” Ed replies disdainfully. “You got your partner back, good for you. Now get out of here while you still have a chance.”

“Not without you Ed.” Lyra interjects.

“And who in Tartarus are YOU supposed to be?” Ed snaps back.

“My name is Lyra Heartstrings. Bon Bon, or as you call her, Sweetie Drops, is my best friend. They told me what happened to you Ed. I want to help you.”

“Oh DID they now? Well, if they DID tell you everything, then you already know that I CAN'T be helped. So just shove off will you? Leave and old bug to die.”

“I can't do that Ed.” Lyra says sadly. “And I can help you. I can help you get to where your partner is buried. I can help you say goodbye to him.”

Ed's eyes go wide. “Y-you would do that? Do you have any idea what you are offering? You are offering to bond yourself to me. Our minds would join as one. We would know everything about each other. EVERYTHING. Why would you offer to do such a thing for a bug? A bug you don't even know.”

Lyra wordlessly uses her magic to retrieve her lyre from her mane. She sits on the floor before them, and begins to play a haunting melody in the style of her homeland. Then, she begins to sing.

I hung me harp up on the willow,

when I first made this Ponyville town,

My broken heart by fair Edami,

still fresh and raw when I came to town,

I learned a trade from Flim and Flam,

two scoundrels of the first degree,

and within the year, I was so despondent,

that Doctor Hooves well knew me,

Oh, Cloudsdale floating in the sky,

Oh, Cloudsdale, the rose was there for me,

I hung my harp high upon the willows,

of Horseshoe Bay, by the sea,

On Heartshwarming day, I burned the work down,

I found myself without a dawn,

Oh, but I had more than any silver,

Cos' I had a friend in yon Bon Bon,

In Everfree wood we'd wander,

On the Sister's steps I would recite,

"Take your harp down from the willows",

said Bon Bon, and she was right,

Oh, Cloudsdale floating in the sky,

Oh, Cloudsdale the road was there for me,

I took my harp down from the willows,

Bon Bon, I bow to thee,

Bon Bon, I bow to thee,

Bon Bon, I bow to thee…

Lyra lowers her harp, facing her best friend.

“You DO understand.” Ed says in wonder.

“About true friendship? Aye Ed, I really, really, do.” Lyra confirms, extending her hoof toward him.

Ed disentangles himself from Lindana, and slowly, reverently, crawls up Lyra's arm. He makes his way behind her head and carefully, gently, inserts his talon into the base of her neck.

A moment later a soft voice speaks to Lyra from inside of her own head. “Hello Lyra. In a moment we will begin exchanging memories. It will take a little while since this is our first time. But before that, I just wanted to let you know what I thought of your beautiful ballad.” Suddenly a rush of mental images and emotions fill Lyra's mind causing her to blush, and tear up simultaneously.

“T-thank you Ed. That means a lot to me.” Lyra finally responds.

“No Lyra, thank you. Thank you for offering me one last chance, to live again.” Ed replies softly.

“Bio-link confirmed. Now syncing bio-component memories. Warning: This process will take several minutes.” Ed says in a loud neutral tone.

Bon Bon and Lindana make themselves a seat out of a nearby box and settle in to wait. Suddenly a voice interrupts them from over Bonny's shoulder. “Here.” The voice says, passing up a banana split.

Bon Bon turns to see Fact Finder standing behind them, tears flowing down his face.

“You must have heard Lyra's singing. Yeah, she has that effect on me too.” Bon Bon offers.

“Just shut up and eat. I never saw nothing, I never heard nothing. I never came back here, and as far as I know, no pony had ever gotten near the vault today.” Fact Finder says gruffly.

Bon Bon sets her dessert down, and turns, taking Fact Finder by the back of the neck, pulling him roughly toward her. Before he can react, she seals his muzzle to hers in a passionate kiss. Minutes later as they pull apart, she says, “and THAT never happened either.”

Fact Finder takes a moment to regain his composure. “No... no it didn't.” He says, before trotting off back toward the entrance of the vault. The last thing Bonny can hear from him is his distant muttering of, “drat, that mare melted all of my ice cream!”

Bon Bon smiles to herself, her thoughts interrupted a moment later by, “memory exchange complete. New partner designated Lyra Heartstrings. Hello on every level Lyra, my name is Edward, but you can call me Ed. I hope we will do great things together.”

“I-I'm sure we will Ed. I'm sure we will.” Lyra says, still reeling inside from the flood of a lifetime's worth of memories, that have suddenly become a part of her. “Okay Bonny. You got what you came for. Now what's the plan? Still need to talk with your mom before we go?”

“I'm afraid that little talk with mom will have to wait awhile, at least until we can find our partners someplace safe to hide. No, first we'll go pay our respects to Blazing Star. It's the very least we can do. Then after that, we are going to Whinnyappleous.”

“Whinnyappleous? Luna's new domain?” Lyra says in surprise.

“That's right. Duskwind is somewhere in Sin Whinny itself. And I won't rest until I find him!”

Author's Notes:

Okay, a couple of things. First off, yeah I know. But I already had a perky bubbly personality in mind for Bon Bon's bug partner. I was about to name her Linda, then that song popped back into my head. (Blame Disney).
Secondly, Lyra's song was based on "I Hung my Harp upon the Willows'. It seemed apt in many regards.