>Day 2 in Equestria
>Technically it’s still “Night 1” until the sun comes up, but you know that’s going to be delayed well past the normal time anyway.
>So fuck it, you’re calling this Day 2.
 
>Anyway, you have FINALLY arrived at Ponyville’s town hall.
>Your ass is killing you.
>Note to self: don’t spite someone by riding on their head for an extended period of time, unless they’re actually aware of you being spiteful.
>Especially if they have a weird pointy fin-ridge-thing on their head like Spike.
>It’s just not worth it.
>You hop down off of him as he continues inside the town hall on Twilight’s back.
>Following behind them, you immediately start looking around for Lyra.
 
>This is either going to be pretty easy or pretty hard… It occurs to you that if this is the “show”, there will probably be a lot of Lyra clones scattered around, given the sheer number of ponies that are filling the hall.
>Hopefully they’re all connected by some kind of hive intelligence, and any one of them will be able to see you, as well as do whatever the Lyra at the party did to make that fruit punch interact with you.
>It would be a bitch having to check each one individually until somep0ny responded.
>Standing so tall over the crowd at least gives you an advantage while looking for prospective Lyras.
>Or it would, except you realize there are a lot fewer Lyras than you expected.
>Namely, none.
 
>In fact you can’t see any duplicates among the assembled ponies at all.
>Instead you notice a very wide variety of ponies that look out of place - conspicuous body type differences from the “norm”, mismatched non-pastel colors…
>A lot of them are an eyesore.
>You’re not really sure what to make of this.
>You thought you were trapped in the “official” show universe, or something?
>Lyra’s behavior toward you had all happened when the “camera” would’ve been elsewhere, you figured, but this was a glaring difference in a major scene.
>Hmm.
>Maybe you actually are in the official Equestria that the show’s creators were influenced by… but they just were more concerned with making a good show than staying entirely faithful to their “vision”.
>You definitely wouldn’t blame them for replacing the less visually appealing background ponies with copies of the nicer-looking ones.
>You don’t know what all this may mean for your current situation if you’re right… or if it would even mean anything.
 
>Well, other than it being a pain in the ass to find Lyra.
>Where the hell could she be?
>It’s hard to focus when you keep wincing at the sight of ponies that look like they could be someone’s terrible OC.
>Come to think of it, you wouldn’t be surprised if some of them were.
>Wait – you can see Bon Bon, right over there, but for some reason Lyra isn’t with her?
>How strange…
>You make your way over, having to basically crowd-walk on top of the backs of ponies to get there.
>Not like they give a fuck anyway.
 
>As you get closer you can make out Bon Bon turning to the side, looking down and harshly whispering to someone.
>“…come on, you look completely ridiculous…”
>“B-but it’s in here! I saw it looking around! It’s trying to find me!” Aha… that anxious mumbling sounds like Lyra.
>Finally!
>You crawl your way across the last few ponies and reach Bon Bon, easing yourself onto her back and looking over her side.
>Lyra is crouching down with her hooves over her head - no wonder you couldn’t find her before.
>Bon Bon sighs beneath you, whispering impatiently. “Lyra, nothing is trying to find you… Lyra, look at me.”
>The hiding unicorn raises her head and looks up, seeing you staring down at her from on Bon Bon’s back, and she almost screams before shoving a hoof in her own mouth.
“Ah. Umm… Hi Lyra.”
>Way to be smooth there, bro.
>Fuck you, brain.
 
>You hurriedly climb off of Bon Bon, standing behind her where there’s a break in the crowd.
>Lyra’s wide-open eyes follow you the entire time.
>Bon Bon groans, and takes Lyra’s face in her hooves, bringing them face to face.
>“LYRA. I don’t know what’s gotten into you today, but you’re being really embarrassing… There is nothing following you, whatever you see is NOT real, so for buck’s sake just ignore it okay?”
>You clear your throat, as you must beg to disagree.
“Uh, no, I’m real all right.”
>Lyra tries to turn her head toward you, but Bon Bon holds her firm.
>“Just. Ignore. It. You’re making everyp0ny stare at us.”
 
>Looking around, you see she’s kinda right.
>Most of the others around have backed off a little and are trying, mostly unsuccessfully, to pay no attention to the odd whispered exchange.
>But you don’t really care.
>Lyra is probably the only way you’re not going to die here, so you need to convince her to help you somehow.
>Bon Bon sighs, letting go of her. “If you can’t cut it out I’m just taking us home, unless you WANT to make yourself look like a foal in front of Princess Celestia.”
>That seems to have an effect on Lyra, because she shakes her head, gulps and stand up straight. “N-no. I want to stay for this… I’ll be okay.”
>Lyra seems to calm down a lot, or at least she’s putting on a good show of it.
>That satisfies Bon Bon, and she starts to chat with another pony next to her, saying something about how “she’s not usually like this”.
 
>With Bon Bon out of the way and Lyra at least acting more relaxed around you, maybe now you can finally say your piece to her.
“Lyra?”
>She doesn’t make any indication she heard you, apart from shivering a little.
>You sigh and go over to crouch down next to her.
“Look, I’m sorry to bother you, but-”
>“Go away…” She whispers very quietly, staring straight ahead.
>Bon Bon looks over and raises an eyebrow, but Lyra gives her a weak smile, so she just shrugs and turns back to her conversation.
>You try again.
“Lyra, I-”
>“No, go away, you’re not real…”
>Oh hell no, you do not need the only pony who can see you to think you’re imaginary.
>Fucking Bon Bon…
 
>You put your hand on Lyra’s shoulder firmly, and can feel her trembling.
“Lyra, I assure you, I AM real, and I need-”
>“Please…” She turns to look at you, barely talking loud enough to hear, and you realize she’s fighting to hold back tears. “…Don’t ruin this for me… w-why can’t you just leave me alone?”
>Oh god, that face.
>It hadn’t quite hit you how much this was affecting her, but the look in her eyes makes you realize she is upset as fuck.
>You quickly pull back your hand, standing up.
“Lyra, I’m… I’m sorry. Never mind.”
>You feel like a complete asshole as you start climbing over ponies towards the side of the hall.
“Just forget about me and try to enjoy the celebration, while you can.”
>You hear her sniffling slightly behind you, but you don’t turn around.
>You can make out her mumbling something. “W-while I…?”
>Fuck, you hadn’t really meant to say that last bit.
>Oh well… she’ll find out soon enough…
 
>You go over near where Applejack and Rainbow Dash are enjoying some refreshments at a table, and lean yourself up against the wall, sighing heavily.
>You are such a selfish bastard.
>You’re not being selfish, dumbass, this is a matter of life and death.
>I know brain, I know, still…
>You can’t help feeling bad about it.
>You’d probably feel worse being dead.
>Not helping, brain.
 
>You don’t have time to mope anyway, because suddenly a bunch of birds start doing a little fanfare from one of the balconies.
>A spotlight shines down on the stage, where Mayor Mare is smiling widely.
>“Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!”
>Oh boy, here we go.
 
>All the ponies cheer, and Lyra seems to brighten up almost instantly.
>It makes you feel a little better about upsetting her to see her get over it so quickly… a shame it won’t last.
>The mayor goes through her whole spiel praising Celestia and whatnot, as the ponies cheer louder and louder.
>Lyra looks super-excited, jumping up and down high in the air with a huge grin on her face.
>The poor mare is really looking forward to this… damn it, you’re feeling sorry for her again already.
>“…the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria - Princess Celestia!” Mayor Mare finishes her introduction, and Rarity pulls open the curtains of the upper stage to reveal-
>Nothing. Surprise!
>All the ponies start mumbling in confusion while the Mayor tries to calm them down.
>“Remain calm, everyp0ny, there must be a reasonable explanation!”
>You see Lyra turn around for a moment, looking straight at you. She then says something to Bon Bon, but you can’t make out what.
>Hmm.
 
>Rarity comes out from backstage on the balcony, looking worried. “She’s GONE!”
>Everyp0ny gasps, and then gasps again with a scream or two thrown in as a starry black cloud swirls on the upper stage.
>It whirls together into the form of NIGHTMARE MOOOON!
>It’s actually pretty awesome to see her do that in person. (In pony?)
>You clap in spite of yourself.
>“Oh, my beloved subjects…” She looks around the room, grinning. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious little sun-loving faces.”
>“What did you do with our Princess?!”
>Rainbow Dash shouts and flies at Nightmare Moon, only to have Applejack grab her by the tail with her mouth. “Wohhh thur, nully!”
 
>The jet-black alicorn laughs. “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don’t you know who I am?”
>You raise your hand and wave.
“It’s Princess Luna! …Oh wait, no, my bad, Nightmare Moon!”
>Uh, what the fuck are you doing?
>Trying to have fun, brain, piss off.
>It’s not like anyone but Lyra can hear you anyway - although you did just make her turn and stare at you really funny.
>You give Lyra a goofy shrug before looking back at Nightmare, who… is also staring?
>Oh, yes - at the loud, silly pink pony who’s now by the table in front of you.
>“Hokey Smokes? How about… Queen Meanie? No - Black Snooty, Black Snooty!”
>Applejack shoves a muffin in Pinkie Pie’s mouth to shut her up, and Nightmare sighs before floating around the balconies to harass Fluttershy and Rarity.
>“Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?”
>Twilight speaks up, making Nightmare look her way in surprise. ”I did - and I know who you are. You’re the Mare in the Moon: Nightmare Moon!”
>Yeah, you totally called it.
 
>Everyp0ny gasps. Lyra can’t stop looking back and forth between you and Nightmare.
>“Well well well, somepony who remembers me.” The mare of darkness smirks at her before frowning. “Then you also know why I’m here.”
>“You’re here to… to…” Twilight gulps.
>Nightmare Moon chuckles coldly. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last.”
>Ooh, ooh, here it comes!
>“From this moment forth, the night – will last – FOREVER! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
>She cackles evilly, her ethereal mane spinning upwards into a giant starry tornado as lightning flashes out of its depths.
 
>You can’t help but laugh along with her and clap at the performance.
>You had always been entertained by this scene, it was just over the top enough to be fun without turning Nightmare into a corny villain.
>Seriously, ‘The night will last FOREVERRRRR!’ …So melodramatic. It was great.
>“Seize her! Only she knows where the princess is!”
>Huh? Mayor Mare, what are you…
>Oh, duh, we’re just going full steam into the next episode, aren’t we.
>Yep – here go the royal guards, flying at Nightmare Moon.
>This isn’t going to end badly for them at all, nope, no sir.
>“Stand back, you foals!” Nightmare lightnings the guards in the face and does her evil laugh again.
>Her mane swirls around her and she turns into a starry mist, flying out the door of the town hall, shortly followed by Rainbow Dash.
 
>Pretty much everyp0ny else is running around in a panic.
>You see Lyra among the ponies fleeing the building, with Bon Bon trying to keep up.
>You start to follow her, but pause.
>She’s having a bad enough day as it is, do you really need to harass her even more?
>Um, yeah, or you’re going to fucking die.
>That’s a valid point, brain, but still…
>SHE’S GETTING AWAY, FAGGOT!
>Ohshit!
>You run after the crowd of fleeing ponies, heading out the door into the not-actually-eternal night.
>You see Bon Bon chasing Lyra, and try to keep up with them as they gallop through the streets of Ponyville.
>It’s not as easy as you hoped, not having eaten or drank anything substantial for hours.
>They begin to outpace you, always just out of sight.
>Eventually, you round a corner only to find an empty street lined with houses.
>Well… fuck.
 
>Groaning, you sit down in the middle of the street, hearing panicked shouts coming from all over the town.
>This sucks. You had hoped to at least find out where Lyra lived, so you could camp out by her house and try to get her attention.
>She would have to listen to you eventually, right?
>You sigh, getting up. Doesn’t really matter if you don’t know where she is.
>You start to head for the library to join up with the “show”, but realize it might be smarter to just rest underwater to conserve your strength and possibly stay hydrated.
>Not like you’ll be missing anything, you just watched this episode yesterday.
>Yet it feels like it was so much longer ago…
 
>The sound of a door swinging open catches your attention.
>You look over just in time to see something get tossed out the open door before it quickly shuts.
>Weird.
>You’ve got a date with a fountain, but you go over to check out the thing anyway.
>In the dark it just kind of looks like a big lump lying on the ground.
>You try poking it, and it gives under your touch.
>Wait, woah, what?
>No weird tingly phasing bullshit?
>You grab for it, and it stays solid in your hands as you bring it up to your face, where a big smile is forming.
>It’s your torn apart, raggedy-ass bathrobe.
>You look towards the door it was thrown out of.
>You have a feeling you just found Lyra’s house.
 
(To be continued)