Title:           Cy-Lyra - Day 9
Author:          sometwifag
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/VatfWHU0
First Edit:      Friday 22nd of August 2014 07:23:53 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Friday 22nd of August 2014 07:23:53 AM CDT

:::Before you ask "WTF HAPPENED TO DAY 7 & 8?!", they are briefly described in this entry, so chill the fuck out.:::
 
>You are Anonymous.
>Today is the day.
>The day Twilight's plan will be put into action.
>The attempt to heal Lyra.
>After you finally admitted your love to Lyra a couple days ago, she got busy.
>Your time was mostly occupied by having her dictate letters to you to write for her family and friends.
>And of course, you were right.
>This mare had more friends that she wanted to touch base with than you care to imagine.
>Only one mare comes to mind that could top Lyra.
>Pinkie.
>No one can top Pinkie.
>The letter to her parents was emotional and difficult to write to say the least.
>You are sure there are tear stains on the parchment.
>Your tears, obviously.
>It started out easy enough, but...she started to realize the extent of what she was trying to say in the letter.
>Something to prepare them for the worst.
>You held together the best you could for her.
>Lyra had to take a few breaks, and you couldn't have been more thankful for them.
>It's a different experience, saying those thoughts out loud versus just writing them and keeping them in your own mind.
>Hearing it out loud makes it more...real.
>The letters to her friends weren't any better.
>The two big ones were to Bon Bon and Octavia.
>Bon Bon's was rather short and sweet.
>They'd already discussed a lot just the night before.
>Octavia had made more of an influence on her than you'd imagined.
>She brought out a lot of the creativity in Lyra, and had influenced her musical interests and style indefinitely.
>Those three letters alone took an entire day to write.
>The emotional strain on you was intense, but you couldn't even fathom what Lyra was going through.
>Still, with every ounce of determination you had, you tried to cheer her up during breaks.
>It was impossible, really, but hopefully your thoughts got across anyway.
>The two of you would wander around the castle together, not saying much.
>Just taking in the surroundings.
>As remarkable Twilight's castle might be, you never let her out of your sight.
>You could tell she was trying to be happy for you as well.
>She told you that she didn't want you to remember her being this depressing and mopey.
>You assured her that wouldn't happen.
>She'd already left a big enough imprint in your memory.
>The next day was a bit more tedious than anything.
>Lyra's memory went into overdrive.
>She was able to pick out every moment a pony made a difference in her life, so she wanted to make sure all of these ponies knew how they'd shaped her into who she was today, and that she still thought of them.
>You had to step in and ask her to dial it down a bit when she wanted to thank the pony that'd given her a large hay-fry instead of a medium when she'd gotten lunch at some nameless fast food restaurant in Canterlot.
>Seriously? How were you supposed to mail that one?
>All in all, you ended up with 16 letters to write.
>Not too bad, and it didn't get very emotional over all.
>The two of you ran into Twilight during a break.
>Lyra had told her that she was ready for the procedure to begin tomorrow.
>Twilight explained that the other princesses have been training hard, getting every step down perfectly.
>She has complete confidence that it will all go according to plan.
>Lyra merely said her thanks and walked off, you following behind her, mouthing an apology to Twilight for the less than grateful response.
>Lyra and you had found a pathway leading to a balcony.
>It overlooked nearly the entirety of Ponyville.
>You could almost make out where your house stood, if it wasn't for the trees blocking it.
>The two of you set on the floor, leaning on one another, your arm wrapped around the top of her chest, just below her neck.
>And she cried as you both watched the sunset.
>You sat stock still, holding onto that scared filly as she shook, keeping her rooted to this world.
>To your heart.
>She'd fallen asleep long after the moon had risen.
>You carried her back through the castle.
>What you didn't expect were the appearance of several castle staff members lining the halls.
>Each one staring in your direction.
>When you drew close, they would bow their heads, or take off their hats.
>Some would simply whisper "I'm sorry."
>Others would whisper "Good luck."
>The entire experience was getting to you.
>But you continued to deliver Lyra to her bed as stone-faced as possible, regardless of the tears making their way down your cheeks.
>After making it to your room, you'd tucked Lyra in carefully, just as you'd always done at your house, kissing her on her head again.
>You left to sleep on a couch--a bench actually--in the hall near her room.
>Sleep would have been incorrect to say as well.
>You stressed and worried on that bench until morning came.
>This morning…
>The morning of her recovery…
>After all, today is the day.
>The first hints of the sun's rays are coming through some windows on one side of the hall.
>You shift around on the bench and notice the familiar tug of a blanket covering you.
>Huh.
>Don't remember that being there.
>You are distracted by the small dust particles floating lazily through the sunlight.
>It barely registers that in this very castle, Celestia herself is raising that very sun.
>The view is hypnotic, almost putting you in a trance.
>The golden sheen of the sun's grandeur playing on the dust gives the illusion of gold dancing in the air.
>As you stare, you start to lose focus, the image before you becoming blurry.
>The dust starts to circle around in an energetic pattern.
>Your lack of sleep is definitely getting to you, but you don't bother to discredit the vision before your eyes.
>Dust collects in various places, forming a crude interpretation of a pony's body.
>It is walking in place, stopping to look around.
>It's a unicorn, from what you can tell.
>There's so much light, it's hard to pick up on subtleties
>A second blob of light seems to be forming near the first.
>Much taller, and slimmer.
>Oh.
>OH.
>It's a human.
>It's you and Lyra.
>Heh heh. Neat.
>You continue to watch the fancy light show as your eyes focus in and out.
>The light-Lyra sees that your light-double has arrived.
>She immediately jumps in the air, and your double catches her, leaning down to...kiss her, you presume.
>Their heads are close and tilted in a manner that coincides with kissing.
>Dust moving around in sunlight can only grant so much detail.
>Either that, or you're dead-ass tired and your hallucination is half-assed.
>They kiss, and make out, and suck face for a while before your double releases her to the ground.
>Light-Lyra is obviously very excited.
>She is running and bouncing around your double's legs, stopping in playful stances like a dog would.
>She scrapes a forehoof back and finally pounces and knocks the double over.
>You swear you can hear the two of you laughing as you both tumble to the ground.
>The dust becomes a flurry of golden light as you watch them wrestle on the ground, their laughter growing.
>You notice that you're chuckling along as well, observing the scene.
>The playful conflict continues for a while with you slowly laughing more and more with them until it is suddenly whisked away in a single moment as a purple mare walks through them.
>The dust scatters and thins out, the gold light receding as your eyes focus on the very real princess heading towards you, a concerned expression on her face.
>"Anonymous, what are you laughing at? Oh my goodness! Did you really sleep out here in the hall all night?"
>You start to right yourself from the bench, using what willpower you have to balance yourself and still raise a hand so you can correct her, the blanket falling to the floor.
"Nope. I didn't sleep at all."
>You finish it up with a giggle as you remember the noogie light-Lyra was giving your double.
>"That isn't healthy, Anon! You have to be in peak condition for Lyra's procedure as well! Tatarus, I didn't plan for this!"
>She stomps around as you lazily blink one eye after the other, trying to piece together what she just said in your mind.
>By the time you get it sorted out, you gasp, eyes shooting wide.
>You just jeopardized Lyra's well being because you couldn't get any sleep!
"Oh God, Twilight! I-I didn't know! What are we going to do now? I'm not in any shape to go through this!"
>She stops and looks at you, then promptly looks around herself.
>It's a shady look, like she's trying to make sure no one is near-by.
>She finishes up staring at you again, her face determined.
>"Come with me."
>You get off of the bench, kicking at the blanket that has wrapped itself around your legs which are still wobbly from your sleep deprived state and follow her to the staircase.
>Fuck stairs.
>All of  them.
>Twilight walks down a flight and steps behind a small area under them.
>You follow suit, crouching down to fit in the tight compartment.
>"OK, so what I'm about to do could land me in some serious trouble, so don't breathe a word of it, got that?"
>You have no idea what she's talking about, but you nod anyway.
>The situation seems serious enough, so why not?
>Twilight closes her eyes as her horn lights up.
>You hear the familiar sound of soft whistling winds that magic seems to make when its being casted.
>Without warning, there is a painful prick in the center of your forehead.
>And in an instant, you feel renewed.
>Like you've slept for 20 hours but you don't have that "Oh God why did I sleep so much" feeling.
>You take a deep breath through your nose and feel more rested than you have for years.
>Magic.
"W-wow, Twilight! What was THAT?!"
>"Shhhh!"
>She shoves a hoof in your mouth and whispers harshly.
>Pony hooves smell weird.
>"THAT, was a spell that I would cast on myself back in Canterlot to allow me to stay up for, uh...extended study sessions."
>Neat, but you don't see the harm in that.
>She takes her hoof away just as you start to question her.
"What's wrong with that?"
>"Our bodies need sleep, Anonymous. I nearly killed myself using it. Ever since, I've been prohibited from casting it."
"So wait, you're telling me that ponies--or unicorns specifically--can be legally banned from casting certain spells?"
>"Yes. And not just unicorns as all ponies have innate magical abilities. If a pony is caught using a spell in such a manner that can be harmful to others or themselves, they can be found guilty of magic misuse, and thus banned from using the spell and others related to it for an indefinite amount of time. At which point they would then be appointed some form of therapy to help cope with the loss of the spell's effects."
"Huh… Learn something new everyday, I suppose."
>"Yes. Wonderful. Now don't mention this to anypony at all, Anonymous. I'm serious here. I did you a favor so we can help Lyra properly."
>You nod your head a little too earnestly, bumping it into the underside of the stairs you've just crammed under.
>Twilight winced as you hiss and rub the sore spot.
"You can count on me, Twilight. It never happened."
>She nods and motions for you to leave the small area.
>After she has climbed out, something bugs you about Twilight's spell.
"So hey...That spell you totally didn't use on me…"
>Twilight turns around so fast you felt the air move, her eyes frantic.
>It's that "What the fuck are you seriously doing?!" look.
"Well, if it hurt you so much, why did you just use it on me? Aren't I going to get the bad effects, too?"
>She glances around her again before she speaks, keeping her voice low.
>"Anonymous, I was on my second month using the spell when they found me dehydrated, malnourished, gasping for air and hours away from death. One day will not hurt you."
>Wow.
>Twilight is super serious about studying to nearly kill herself over it.
>"Anyway, that's in the past. I came to get you so I could explain just what it is exactly that we're going to be doing during the procedure. Everypony has their part, including you. We're all waiting in the throne room."
"What about Lyra? Shouldn't she hear this, too?"
>"She's actually already down there. Said that she couldn't sleep very well, and I don't blame her. She was the one who told us that you'd fallen asleep in the hall. She said that she tried to wake you up, but settled for giving you a blanket instead."
>Case of the mysterious blanket solved, and you love Lyra that much more for it.
>But wait, so she already left her room?
>Well, at least you know you got SOME sleep.
>No way you would have missed her coming out of that room, even if you were as dead tired as you were.
>Twilight leads on down a few more stories as you both make your way to the throne room.
>The castle is eerily vacant of staff once again.
"So, what's up with the staff? Do they just come and go as they please?"
>"Today is a rather special day. We need as little distraction and as much privacy as possible."
>The small talk and questions stop as you both enter the throne room.
>Sure enough, the whole gang is here.
>Celestia.
>Cadence.
>Twilight.
>Yourself.
>And Lyra.
>After a quick glance, you can see that Celestia's horn is glowing, her eyes shut in deep concentration.
>You turn and point to her in curiosity.
>"She's still raising the sun."
>Cadence whispers across the room, which really wasn't much of a whisper.
>You make an "O" face of understanding as you and Twilight finally approach the three mares.
>Everyone is sitting on the floor, so you follow along as well.
>You cross your legs and sit on your bum near Lyra.
>She hasn't taken her lens off you since you entered.
>You smile to her, leaning over and giving one of her forehooves a little squeeze.
"Thanks for the blanket."
>Lyra curls her ankle in an attempt to "squeeze" your hand back.
>"Thanks for taking care of me last night."
>A heavy exhale from Celestia breaks the moment.
>She shakes her head back, waving her flowing mane around behind her and opens her eyes.
>You're not sure if anyone else has noticed it, but she looks...tired.
>You start to feel a bit of sympathy for Celestia, having to do this every day.
>Ruling over generations of ponies.
>It must get grating at times.
>She looks to you and smiles warmly.
>Now THAT'S how Celestia should look.
>You can't help but smile back.
>"I'm sorry, everypony. Were you waiting on me?"
>Twilight takes to answering that.
>"Not long, princess. Anonymous and I just arrived."
>Celestia nods.
>"Good. Then let's proceed with the explanation."
>"Right. This procedure is built on the basis of extreme surgery conditions, as I was telling you earlier, Lyra. I will be providing anesthetic support, numbing your internal organs as the process begins. Celestia with be in charge of securing and removing the blah blah blah blah-"
>You zoned out shortly after.
>While you would have been interested in listening to Twilight drone on the development of this whole ordeal and just what all has to go into it, your mind is elsewhere.
>Lack of sleep will do that to you.
>But it wasn't just the exhausted state your mind was in that made you zone out.
>This could very well be the last moments you have with Lyra.
>You try to wrap your head around such an outcome.
>It doesn't end well.
>Shutting yourself in.
>Avoiding social contact.
>Not taking care of yourself.
>Pretty much purposefully treating yourself like shit just so you can end up with Lyra again.
>A slow suicide, if you will.
>Although, you aren't much of a believer in God and whatnot, stranger things have happened around here.
>Anything could happen.
>But you wonder if ponies even believe in the afterlife.
>What if there is no afterlife for them?
>Then Lyra would just be...gone.
>Your only hope at ever seeing her again would be to figure out a way to reanimate the dead.
>But you're not cut out for that kind of stuff.
>Plus, you've seen too many movies to know where that would end up.
>Something else comes to mind though...
>The machines she has now are keeping her alive when clearly, she should be dead.
>...
>Christ.
>What are you thinking?!
>Twilight and everyone is going through all of this trouble just to get those horrible things out of her, and here you are contemplating putting them back in just so you can be with her.
>You really are selfish to try and keep a mare alive by unethical means just to have her near you.
>...
>This just needs to be over with soon.
>You'll handle it as it comes.
>It makes you wonder, though.
>Just what is the motive behind deforming these creatures?
>Why did the threat in the forest impart these changes upon their bodies?
>Why did it seem fit to mutilate the animals and ponies of this world?
>What's its angle?
>What's the catch?
>You don't have much to go on except for the experience you went through.
>And you'd rather not reflect in that.
>Although, there was something that bugged you about it.
>That huge...whatever the fuck it was, said that you were "different".
>What did it mean by that?
>How did it know?
>Why did it leave you alone?
>You're making things more difficult on yourself than anything.
>Speaking of that crazy shit, is anyone even doing anything about it?
>You haven't heard anything about it since you were rescued by Twilight.
>Ugh.
>Better to just leave it be.
>It's way out if your league.
>Is she still talking?
>Wait, you just heard your name.
>Probably a good idea to start listening.
>"-while Cadence matches its frequency and minimizes the harmonics caused by external exposure to-"
>Stopped there.
>Twilight is one long-winded pony.
>You're more anxious than anything, really.
>You've been tapping your hand on your knee repeatedly, bouncing your leg from time to time.
>So much of this stuff is going over your head.
>Is Lyra picking up on this stuff any?
>You glance in her direction, but she's already looking at you.
>A confused look covers your features.
>And that's when you noticed that it's suddenly quiet in the room.
>You slowly pan around, matching eyes with the other mares present, all of them looking at you.
"Uh..."
>Twilight slams her hoof into her face.
>Damn, doesn't that hurt?
>"You weren't even listening, were you?!"
>Twilight looks pissed.
>Before she blows a fuse, Celestia places a hoof on the purple princess's shoulder.
>"Twilight, you can't expect him to understand all of the intricacies of magic when he possesses none that he can wield."
>Twilight is quick to rebuke.
>"But this is important! He probably didn't even hear what his part was in this whole thing!"
>You wince inwardly.
>You have no idea what you're supposed to do.
>No bullshitting this one.
"Er, sorry. I did zone out kinda early on."
>Celestia's attempts to calm Twilight do nothing.
>You can see her boiling over when she finally snaps.
>"I can't believe you, Anonymous! We are talking about LYRA'S LIFE, and you are just off in your own little world?! Are you even taking this seriously?! Do you even care about the outcome of this?!"
>"Twilight!"
>Celestia calls her out, but it doesn't stop you.
>She threw some low blows there.
"Yeah, I do care about this! And I do take it seriously! I'm just so goddamned stressed over it that I can barely focus! For fucks sake, this might be the last time I fucking see her alive! I'm sorry if I'm a bit distracted, YOUR HIGHNESS."
>Twilight glares at you, her horn sparking to life.
>Celestia catches on quick and stomps between the two of you, her own horn glowing.
>"THAT IS ENOUGH!"
>Twilight's horn extinguishes, but her gaze never leaves yours.
>"We can't have this kind of conflict going into a procedure this difficult! I understand that the situation has caused some tension, but you two need to mend this before we can begin!"
>Twilight doesn't let up.
>"Well, if Anonymous wou-"
>"Twilight Sparkle! What did I just get finished saying?!"
>Like a child being berated by their mother, Twilight flattens her ears back and winces.
>The room goes silent save for some oddly sounding hum that seems to be coming fro-
>Ah, it's Lyra.
>Looking back, it probably wasn't smart to start arguing like this.
>She's under enough stress as it is.
>You'd hate to see her in any state worse than she has to be.
>You take a deep breath and calm your nerves.
"Okay. I'm sorry that I didn't pay attention earlier. I just kind of tune out all of that magic talk since I know none of it applies to me. So, if you would please give me the cut and dry version so I know what to do, I would appreciate it."
>Twilight fidgets a bit.
>"I guess you're right. Sorry I got so worked up. It's just that this is so-"
"I know. I get it, really I do."
>Twilight takes a deep breath as well.
>"Alright. Short version. I will be making sure Lyra is as comfortable as possible during the procedure, although there is still a slight chance that she'll feel a bit of pressure. Celestia will be making sure that the devices are removed successfully, and scanning the repairing areas to make sure there are no complications. She will also be monitoring to make sure that Lyra's organic parts will be able to sustain her head, as we still know nothing about how it works other than that it seems to run off  of these organize substitutes. If it does, we wait to recharge then we proceed to getting her head back. If it doesn't, Celestia will be keeping her alive until we can get Princess Luna here to assist with the extra power we will need for the final phase. Cadence will be performing the bulk of the work. And you will be working directly with her. She will be copying your love from you in small amounts, rewriting it with a bit of magic, and forcing it all back to Lyra, kick starting the healing process. Your job is to stay focused. Keep your thoughts centered around Lyra. The more of an emotional response you get from your thoughts, the more potent the power Cadence will wield. Now, do you have any questions?"
>...
"So...I just stand there and think about Lyra?"
>"Yes."
>...
"That...could have been said in a lot fewer words."
>Twilight's mouth hangs open.
"B-but that's not to say that I don't appreciate knowing everyone's part!"
>Nice save.
>She gives you an uncertain look but is otherwise pleased with your response.
>Cadence clears her throat.
>"Well then, Lyra, are you ready to start?"
>All eyes turn to the mare of the hour.
>You can already see her fidgeting, scared out of her mind as to what these next moments hold for her.
>She glances to all of the ponies in the room, then stopping and staring at you.
>You mouth the words "I love you".
>The motors in her stomach are gaining in volume, but have started to even out harmonically.
>That's usually a good sign.
>Lyra finally nods.
>"Y-yes."
>The air grows a little colder.
>You look around at the response of the princesses in the room.
>Every one of them is stone-faced.
>Not a single emotion displayed.
>Celestia finally speaks up.
>"Very well. You are a brave mare, Lyra. Not many ponies could go through the same unfortunate experiences you've had to endure."
>Celestia looks to Twilight who continues the short speech.
>"She's right, Lyra. Don't ever sell yourself short on this. You've had to live through so much. I'm not sure I could handle what you've lived through. I mean, come on. You lost your magic! That's practically my entire life."
>Twilight looks to Cadence who also puts in her two cents.
>"While I don't know about that, Twilight, I do know that you are a very strong mare, Lyra. One of the strongest ponies I've ever seen. And the most undeserving of your predicament. That's why we have been working to give you the highest possible chance to return to your proper form. We hope that we can take you away from this nightmare."
>All three mares look back to you.
>Guess it's your turn to say something now.
>You look at Lyra.
>She's an absolute mess, shaking all over the place, motors whirring full blast.
>And you smile.
"Lyra, you've come a long way from the scared mare that showed up at my front door that fateful night. I know you'll make it through this."
>You walk over and kneel in front of her, her head following you the entire way.
"And I'll be with you every step of the way."
>Lyra hangs her head down and nods.
>There's a few moments of silence as Lyra gathers her thoughts and prepares herself for this.
>After several painstaking seconds, she raises her head back up and looks straight into you.
>"I'm ready."
>You embrace her and give her a little kiss on her head then step back and look to Celestia.
>"Let's prepare, then."
>Her horn glows, and in an instant the thrones leave the room and the windows are draped.
>Light emits from a single point in the center of the room, illuminating a large circle on the floor.
>"Lyra, if you'd please step to the center of the light."
>On wobbly legs, Lyra makes her way to the center.
>Celestia glides past you, pushing you along with her wing.
>You scoot along, looking back towards Twilight and Cadence.
>The four of you form a wide rectangle around Lyra at the edge of the circle.
>"Lyra…"
>She turns and looks to Celestia.
>Behind her, you see Twilight and Cadence bow their heads.
>That's a bit ominous.
>You turn to look at Celestia.
>Her face is full of sorrow.
>What the hell is going on?
>"I...do not like to asking this of my little ponies, but...should this be your last moments in Equestria…"
>You turn back to Lyra, her lens shining from the single light source in the room, unmoving.
>"...do you have any last words?"
>...
>Holy…
>Holy shit…
>Never in your life would you have ever imagined hearing that question legitimately.
>And directed towards someone you love.
>"I…"
>Lyra's broken voice splits the silence.
>"...I..."
>It's the saddest sound you've ever heard, and it's breaking your heart.
>Lyra turns her head away, trying to figure out what she wants to say.
>"...N-no. I don't."
>The room is still.
>What would you have expected?
>What would you say given the question?
>Celestia lowers her head.
>"I see."
>After a few moments of silence, Celestia raises her head again.
>"Let us begin."
>You immediately see Cadence light her horn.
>Warmth encompasses you as her spell takes hold on your body.
>Cadence has a look of pure focus on her, but your attention is not on her.
>It's on the bravest mare you've ever seen in your life.
>Lyra, shaking herself to near death, is waiting for the procedure to begin.
>Twilight's glow has already surrounded her and is administering a numbing agent.
>Celestia's horn is glowing as well, doing God knows what.
>The room is filled with oddly disharmonic tones that are resonating in the most unpleasant of ways.
>Your body is assaulted by the deep thrums of magic phasing in and out of each other as the powerful alicorns prepare and produce their spells.
>You look back to Lyra.
>She's staring straight at you.
>You both hold the gaze until you are suddenly thrown for a loop as a great tug pulls at your heart.
>Literally.
>Your vision darkens and the cacophony of powerful magic becomes a dull hum as you fall to your knees.
>Out of the blurry image, you can see that Cadence has started pouring gobs of magic from her horn into Lyra, who has become nothing but a bright glow with a slight silhouette bearing her unique profile.
>Still feeling a tugging sensation at your chest, you look down and see multiple large threads of magic leaving your chest and coming together as they get closer to Cadence.
>Slowly, color starts to return to the world and along with it, the sounds of screaming.
>Lyra's screaming.
>You don't know if anyone else can hear her, but she is screaming just as she did in your bathtub.
>You glance around frantically, seeing if anyone else can hear her.
>You lock eyes with Twilight.
>She yells over the noise, her voice carried through the room by the ripping winds created by the overpowering forces at work.
>"There's nothing I can do! The new tissue isn't affected by the numbing spell quick enough! She'll have to bear it until it takes effect!"
>Damnit.
>Not what you wanted to hear.
>You've seen how she reacted without any assistance.
>Now you can't see her at all.
>You look back to Cadence, eyes glowing, a fierce expression on her face.
>She suddenly turns to you.
>"Think of her, Anonymous! Don't let her slip away!"
>Right.
>Lyra….
>That odd little pony from the market that caught your eye.
>She would stare from across the square, glancing away quickly when you met her eyes.
>Sometimes, she'd run her head into another pony that was nearby, knock stuff over, generally cause a scene trying to make sure you didn't notice her watching you.
>Lyra.
>The bashful mare you'd run into just to get a chance to talk.
>You'd slept around enough and wanted something substantial.
>This mare was obviously into you, but she wasn't nearly as bold about it, which was a nice change of pace.
>None of that blushing or crossing her back legs when you were nearby.
>Just a wide-eyed stare of something more.
>Lyra.
>The scared filly that ran to YOU of all other ponies and creatures that inhabited Ponyville for help in her greatest time of need.
>The filly that begged you to end her life, her suffering, because she knew that no one would ever want to keep her around.
>She knew she was hideous.
>She knew that she didn't fit in anymore.
>She knew that there was no hope.
>And you agreed.
>But seeing her condition.
>Hearing her voice.
>Holding her close.
>This scared filly changed you.
>And with that change, came hope.
>Lyra.
>The only other creature out on this alien world that sought you out just as much as you did her.
>Lyra.
>The only mare to ever profess her love to you, and mean it.
>Lyra.
>The mare that spent her last night before this procedure crying by your side.
>"AAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!"
>Your thoughts are brought to a reeling halt as a gut wrenching scream crosses your ears.
"LYRA?!"
>"AAHHHH! IT HURTS SO MUCH!"
>You look back to Twilight, your vision impaired from staring into the white haze that is Cadence's spell.
>You see Twilight spreading her legs wider, then thrusting her head upwards, a powerful gust of warm air emanating from her and blowing past you.
>Looking over the Celestia, and she is simply stock still, eyes closed, horn glowing, pouring whatever she is into this procedure.
>Lyra's screams dissolve into loud mummbles of sobbing.
>A quick glance to Cadence and you're forced to do a double take.
>Steam is rising from her glowing eyes.
>Is she...crying?
>Her legs are shaking harshly.
>How she's lasted this long is beyond you, but then again you can't even into magic.
>A loud crack and a flash makes you jump out of your skin.
>The winds in the room die down.
>Lyra's cries soften.
>The magic surrounding everything around you is diminishing.
>...Holy shit…
>...Is this it?
>...Are they finished?
>The blinding light encompassing Lyra fades, and slowly she comes back into view.
>Within seconds, your heart drops to your stomach.
>Her back is facing you, the mechanical nightmare that is her head still there, just as it always has been.
>She is trembling , barely holding herself up on her haunches.
>Sudden, her front legs give out and she lands hard on her stomach.
>You move instantly to help her.
>There's a slight yelp, but nothing more, but it doesn't register.
>The closer you get, the more you notice an unsettling amount of blood pooled beneath her.
>To the side of her, a mass of metal shavings and large parts piled up on one another.
>If you were to stop and look, you'd be able to make out one of the canisters that was used as a lung.
"Lyra!"
>You see her try to move her legs to try and stand back up.
>You get next to her and roll her on her side to get her off of th-
>...
>Oh shit.
>OH SHIT!
"Ha...hahaha!...WhahaHAA!"
>During this entire ordeal, there has only been three things you've wanted to do to Lyra.
>And you are about to do one now.
>With no warning whatsoever, you reach under Lyra's forelegs, raising her up in the air.
>And you hug her.
>Close.
>You squeeze her barrel into your chest as hard as you can, the tremendous gaping hole that has been a trademark of her suffering sealed and gone.
>Flesh and hair restored.
>Virtually no trace of it ever happening to her.
>You can't help but laugh in jubilation at the progress this has made.
"Oh my God Lyra! Look at you!"
>You hold her out in front of you and she bends her head down to take in the extent of the repair.
>"Th-th-this is...Oh my gosh, Anonymous!"
>She is rubbing her hooves over her barrel frantically.
>You toss her in the air lightly, catching her in your arms on her back.
>You fall to the floor, Lyra now in your lap and you start rubbing her belly.
>Ponies love belly rubs, and Lyra has been long overdue for one.
>She is squealing and squirming as you tickle her stomach.
>You are laughing along just as well, tears welling up in your eyes.
>You can't believe it!
>It's working!
>The tickling comes to a stop as she gets some traction in your lap and stands up to throw her forelegs around your neck, hugging you close.
>You bring your arms around her back, squeezing her tightly, the two of you laughing in hope and joy.
>You barely register the sound of hoofsteps as Celetia approaches the two of you.
>You look up to her with a smile so wide you don't know how your face is able to contain it.
>You almost regret not taking those smiling strength training sessions Pinkie had offered you to be able to withstand extreme smiles for long periods of time.
>Guess she knew you'd need it.
>"Lyra, I am overjoyed with your progress. I hate to interrupt the celebration however, but Twilight and I would like to give you a once over to make sure we haven't left anything behind. We want to make sure the first phase is as complete as it appears."
>Lyra pushes herself away from your body, nearly hitting you in the head as she nods frantically to the sun princess.
>She hops off of you but stops mid stride to turn around and lunge back to you and hug you again.
>You give her another big squeeze.
"Go on, Lyra! They gotta get you checked out!"
>"I know I know I know I know! I'm just...Oh my gosh, Anonymous, I'm so happy right now!"
>She pushes away from you once more, but you both hold each other's gaze momentarily.
>You can clearly make out her face, grinning from ear to ear, those golden pools for eyes sparkling with newfound joy.
>Celestia calls out for her once more and the image fades right before your eyes.
>You can't wait to keep seeing that face.
>Lyra bounds over to Celestia, following her over to Twilight, who is tending to a downed Cadence.
>Her eyes are shut and you can tell that she's breathing heavily, mane sticking to her sweat-covered coat.
"Is Cadence going to be okay?"
>"She'll be fine. Just magical exhaustion."
>Twilight replied without looking up from her attentions to Cadence.
>Celestia and Twilight converse with one another, but you don't hear any of it.
>Wow.
>Just...wow!
>This is huge!
>Lyra is one step closer to returning back to her normal self.
>You couldn't be happier for her.
>You see some light dimming in and out in their general vicinity, but you aren't paying attention.
>This is truly amazing.
>If you had any doubts about being thrown into Equestria, they are all completely gone.
>This display alone has shown you the true power of magic.
>Never in your wildest dreams would you have imagined something like this ever happening.
>Back on Earth, Lyra wouldn't have had a chance. She would have died.
>End of story.
>But here…
>You are so enchanted with this realization that you miss Lyra bounding and leaping towards you.
>She tackles you to the ground, hugging you around your chest, nuzzling her hard metal head into you.
>"They said I was clean, Anon!"
>Twilight walks over to your personal cuddle pile.
>"That's right! All traces of the implants are gone. You are nearly 100% pony, Lyra!"
>Lyra squeezes you tighter and squirms.
>"Eeeeheeeheehee! I'm so excited! I can't thank you all enough for helping me!"
>Twilight clears her throat.
>"Erm, well, yes, but it wasn't just us. If Anon hadn't been as persistent as he was, we never would have seen this day."
>You blush at the praise, but she's absolutely right.
>Not sensing this as a proper moment to brag, you stay quiet and just smile, enjoying the good mood.
>With Lyra still against you, you can feel her chest rising and lowering with every breath she takes.
>How she is breathing is beyond you.
>And as much as you'd like to know, you'll leave it at "magic" for now.
>But with this sensation against you, it makes it all the more real.
>Lyra is alive.
>More alive than she's ever been for over a week.
>You see Celestia walk over with a weary Cadence under her wing, both of them smiling.
>Twilight notices them and begins to make an announcement.
>"Now, I hate to be a buzzkill considering the good mood, but we aren't finished yet."
>The tone of the room has become deadly serious.
>"As much as I'd like to say that this was the hard part, it wasn't. The real risk will come during the next and final phase, and time couldn't be more crucial. With Lyra's body repaired, her self-healing will focus squarely on her head. We all know what that means."
>All heads nod in agreement.
>"We will start the second phase later tonight after we've all rested. Especially Cadence."
>At the mention of rest, you feel a wave of fatigue.
>Is Twilight's spell wearing off?
>Fuck.
>Can't exactly ask her for another hit of it in front of everyone.
>And you've noticed one thing for sure:
>It's easy as shit to get addicted to staying up.
>Hell, when it's that easy, why wouldn't you?
>You see Celestia guide Cadence out of the throne room.
>Twilight hangs around and watches them go as well.
>As soon as they clear the doorway, Twilight lights her horn.
>With a few pops, the thrones return to their proper place, the center light goes out, and the windows are visible once again, filling the room with the sun's light.
>The blood in the center of the floor simply vanishes before your eyes as well.
>Looking down at yourself, you see that the blood you'd gotten all over yourself from hugging Lyra is gone.
>Her coat seem to be clean as well, from what you can see.
>"Phew! That was getting a little hard on my eyes there!"
>Twilight chuckles to herself.
>"Is there anything that I can do for you two? That spell didn't take too much out of you, did it Anonymous?"
>Still holding onto the mare in your lap, you give her a slow blink and a smile.
"Nah. It was weird at first. Thought I was going to die, but it didn't hurt. Just felt like my heart was being pulled away. But it came back, and I was fine."
>Twilight rubs a hoof against her chin.
>"Hmmm. I'll make sure to let Cadence know."
>Lyra has stopped her squirming and has been still in your lap for a little while and you try and lift her.
>Dead to the world again.
>This mare, she can sleep through anything.
>She finally gets her entire body back, but her first order of business is a nap.
>"Anon, you know you should get some rest as well. I know you want to stay up with Lyra, but she's had a lot taken out of her as well. Not many ponies can withstand that much pain and magic, but she held on."
>Twilight goes to walk out of the throne room, but stops just before exiting.
>"And if you were to ask me? I'd say she held on for you."
>And with a yawn, she leaves.
>You look down at the sleeping mare in your arms.
>There's a light snoring coming from her.
>Upon a look, you can see that a lot of the damage around her neck is fixed as well.
>Instead of being able to slightly see down into her neck where the metallic fixture and her spine combine, you see her flesh simply wrap around it all, creating a somewhat flat surface that the head looks as if it's resting on.
>Of course, there are still hydraulic poles and lines running inside of her neck, but you're not sure where they go to since everything internally has been removed.
>Perhaps they've been directly attached to certain parts of her organs to supply the head with whatever it was the substitutes were giving off.
>You don't know.
>There is a small opening in the new flesh, however.
>Nearly impossible to see if you weren't looking for it.
>It moves every now and then, almost in time with her snoring.
>Nope.
>It's EXACTLY in time with her snoring.
>That must be where she's breathing from.
>Weird shit, man.
>But you've seen weirder.
>You move Lyra's forelegs off of you and carry her on her back, just as you always have.
>Like a princess.
>You carry her back up to your room and tuck her into the bed.
>A long yawn espaces from you.
"Ugh. Maybe a nap wouldn't be that bad of an idea."
>You get in the bed with Lyra, your chest pressed against her back.
>With an arm underneath your pillows and the other resting over Lyra's belly, you find yourself drifting off to sleep.
>...
>There's...something wet on your hand.
>You lift it up, but you can't really see it in this dark room.
>When did it get dark anyway?
>The sun practically had the entire room lit when you went to sleep.
>Oh wait, the curtains are drawn.
>You bring your hand closer to you, trying to get a better view of what is on your hand, swirling your fingers around a bit, testing its viscosity.
>You move out of the bed in a smooth motion and stand in front of the window, moving the curtains out of the way with your dry hand.
>Moonlight pours in and lights up the room.
>Must have slept longer than you thought.
>You move you hand into the light's path to see wh-
>Blood.
>There is blood on your hand.
>No, it's practically dripping with it.
>You can feel it traveling down the length of your arm as you raise your hand higher.
>You turn quickly to look at Lyra.
>You nearly break.
>Ribs broken and exposed, internal organs strewn about on the bed, mechanical replacements in their place.
>The scene was beyond grotesque.
>She's been mangled.
>And what's worse, you can't see her breathing.
>You can't hear the sounds of any of the mechanical parts.
>You are drowning in silence.
>Thoughts run through your head at the speed of light, trying to come up with any possible scenario as to why this happened.
>You start to move Lyra, but decide that it's a bad idea.
>A lot of the organs spilling out of her still look connected.
>You make for the door, running as fast as you can.
>You open it up and step out of your room-
>-and into darkness.
>Your ears are flooded with the sounds of angry machines moving about you.
>Animalistic cries of agony and sorrow cut through the noise.
>It all blurs together in a nightmare-fueled static.
>Then, a word.
>"Different."
>It booms across your ears, shaking you to the core and knocking the wind from you.
>You feel frigid, heart pounding and body damp, stuck in an eternal cold-sweat.
>The cries of unknown horrors screech across your mind again.
>All you can see is darkness.
>You've tried turning to get back into your room, but the door was gone.
>You've lost Lyra.
>And now, whatever it was in the forest has found you again.
>You fall to your knees in defeat.
>You can't see.
>All you hear are nightmares.
>And all you can feel is the wretched dripping of blood from your hand.
>You scream, this time, finding your voice.
"HELP!"
>That's all you knew to say.
>But alas, that's all you had to say.
>A blinding light appears in the distance of the void, giving way to a long path leading to it.
>A cascading wave of light continues to hurdle in your direction, and with every second it travels, the sounds of the void diminish.
>The wave reaches you and flows through you effortlessly, seeming to drag your woes and worries with it.
>The void has become a simple light grey, with a long pathway leading to a pure white spot stuck in the middle of nowhere.
>You find your strength and stand, moving down the path.
>It isn't long before you hear the tell-tale sound of pony hooves.
>And in the distance, you can make out the silhouette of just that.
>But...It's an alicorn.
>Without warning, you are face to face with the visitor.
>But you expected it for some reason, as if it made sense.
>Luna is standing before you, her wings spread and her head slightly raised to meet your eyes.
>"Anonymous."
"Princess Luna."
>"'Tis not normal of most creatures to have dreams in the morning as you are."
"Wait, what?"
>"Can you not tell that this is a dream?"
>You know, that would make a lot of sense, actually.
>"I should correct myself. 'Twas not a dream you were having, but a nightmare."
>She can say that again.
"Y-yeah, I guess so."
>"Anonymous, your call for help was not unnoticed. I came here to help you conquer your nightmare. What is it that you are afraid of? Is Lyra not sleeping soundly beside you at this moment?"
>In what is probably one of the most dizzying experiences you've ever had, the void shift around you at unnatural speeds until color starts to splotch into place and you find yourself standing on the ceiling of your bedroom.
>You look up and sure enough, Lyra is the little spoon to your big spoon.
>No blood.
>No horrible wound.
>Just the two of you sleeping soundly.
"H-how."
>"Magic, my dear Anonymous."
>You look to Luna and see her smirking.
>"Sister and I know how fond you are of justifying strange occurrences with such a blanket statement."
>You laugh and shake your head.
>So, the princesses have been keeping tabs on you this whole time, eh?
>"But it is not far from the truth. Indeed, all of the outstanding events or happenings you have witnessed have in part been the result of great magical feats."
"So, you're telling me that you can jump into dreams?"
>Luna nods.
>"Indeed, Anonymous. As the Princess of the Night, it is my duty to tend to the well-being of my sleeping subjects, both in reality and in the dream realm."
>Neat.
>You were sure having one hell of a dream there.
>Good thing she showed up.
"Well, thanks for getting me out of that nightmare."
>"You are most welcome. But tell me, what brings you so much grief?"
>You scratch the back of your head, still look up at the image of you and Lyra sleeping.
>Lyra shifts slightly, and you see yourself tighten your grip around her.
>Adorable.
"To be honest, Princess, I guess I'm just super concerned with that crazy shit in the forest. The stuff that got me? The shit that hurt Lyra?"
>"I am aware of it. Let me ease your mind then, Anonymous. The threat has been taken care of."
"What? How? Did they leave?"
>"Not quite. You see, while my sister has been here working on restoring Lyra, I have been battling the monstrosity you speak of."
"WHAT?!"
>"It hasn't been a very interesting conflict, but the mysterious doorway has been sealed off. Nothing will get in or out of the barrier we have in place around it."
"So what, you're just going to leave a shield around it until it figures out how to break free?"
>"Firstly, it is a barrier, not a shield. Secondly, yes. It shall stay dormant until a suitable method to deal with it is found. The barrier can withstand any assault and will be able to sustain itself for a great length of time. There is nothing to worry about."
>It does put your mind at ease to know that the princesses have been working on it, but...
>"There is something more that troubles you, isn't there?"
"I..."
>You rub your hands through your hair in aggravation.
"I don't know, Luna. I feel like I've missed something. Like everything is going to come undone at any minute. And with nightmares like what I just had, it surely isn't helping any."
>Luna tilts her head in confusion.
>"Why, whatever would be an issue? What could you have forgotten?"
>You start to pace around.
"That's just it. I don't know. But, something feels off. Like...this isn't going to work out."
>Luna steps in front of your path.
>"Anonymous, your pessimistic beliefs could rival those of Twilight Sparkle's. The procedures taking place today are heavily influenced by faith."
>Faith?
>The view changes around you again, and you are suddenly sitting on the ceiling of Twilight's personal room.
>She's alone, sitting by a desk with several books and papers thrown about.
>There's a quill floating nearby in her telltale magical grasp, scratching away at papers.
>You can't read any of them from your distance, but you can make out some diagrams that look similar to the various machinery that sustained Lyra.
>She seems to be focusing on one that looks like her head.
>"Have faith in your friends, Anonymous."
>You see Twilight's head sink slightly, then jerk up suddenly.
>She frantically looks around for something, then finally grabs a cup of coffee in her hooves and takes a few large gulps.
"Is this happening right now?"
>Luna nods.
"What the hell is she doing?! She should be resting, or relaxing, or having Dash eat her out! Why is she still up?"
>The image fades before you and blurs into a swirl of colors.
>You are suddenly sitting on the ceiling of Cadence's room.
>She is lying in the middle of what looks like a pillow mountain, asleep.
>Celestia is nearby, enveloping Cadence in her magic, her horn glowing steady.
>Her eyes are closed in concentration, but it doesn't seem to be very taxing to the sun goddess.
>In fact, it almost looks like she's taking a nap.
"I guess it really did take a toll on Cadence."
>"More than you could imagine, physically, magically, and mentally. "
"Mentally?"
>Luna nods sagely.
>"Indeed. While it may have looked like she was under physical strain, she was under more mental anguish during the entire procedure. The success of it lies nearly 100% on her shoulders alone. If she fails, Lyra will perish."
>...
>That's rough.
"Wow. I...guess I never really took that into account."
>"Correct. Which is why you must have faith in your friends, Anonymous. As a word of advice, when you are asked to think about Lyra, do so with all of your heart. But make sure to have your friends in your heart as well. It will do more than you could imagine for them all."
>Well, this is good and all, but is there a guide for this?
>A method for keeping friends in your heart even when the life of the one you love is hanging by a thread?
>Is there a way to keep all of this under control?
>Is it healthy to even keep all of this bottled up in one person?
>Your head is spinning.
>Well, the room is.
>Wait.
"What's happening?"
>"Put your heart at ease, Anonymous. And have faith. Your Lyra is a strong mare and she will get through this."
>The world around you is getting darker as time moves on, still swirling around you faster and faster.
>You can't hear anything other than howling winds as you are put through what you'd imagine being flushed down a toilet is like.
"Luna, wait!"
>You yell over the noise, barely hearing your own voice.
>"The time for you to play your part will come, Anonymous! Have faith in your friends!"
>Luna's voice cuts through clear as day.
>She is gone, and you are left swirling in the remnants of your last vision.
>You get a sensation of falling.
>Looking down, you see your own bed.
>And as soon as you hit, you jerk awake harshly, yelping and accidentally pushing on Lyra.
>She jumps up immediately.
>"Wh-what! What's wrong!"
>You take in the scene before you.
>Lyra, standing on the bed, hovering a few inches above your face.
>The room is bathed in a burning orange light as the sun sets in the distance.
>Holy hell, were you out that long?
"Why are you up already?"
>She backs up a bit.
>"I uh, I couldn't sleep."
"You've been awake this whole time?! Lyra, you need to rest up before the next procedure!"
>"I slept a little bit, but I kept having these weird dreams, so I just stayed awake."
>Weird dreams, huh?
"What kind of dreams?"
>She sits down on the bed, looking away from you.
>"I uh...I got hurt. Again. Real bad, though. I don't even know if I was alive."
"Hurt?"
>"The...machines were inside me again. And you were there, but you thought I was dead. I heard you scream and you ran out of the room. I saw you fall, then...I woke up."
>Shit.
>Same dreams again.
>Or nightmares.
>Best to not bring it up to her. She doesn't need to know about that whole interaction with Luna.
"I'm sorry, babe. I wish I could stop you from having these dreams."
>"I-it's okay. I'll manage."
>You reach across the bed and give her a big hug.
>You love hugging this mare.
>You will make sure that she gets a hug every single day.
>She slowly starts to hug back.
>After a few minutes of hugging it out, you both release each other and head out of your room.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starving."
>Damnit.
>Stupid stupid stupid!
>She can't eat, so of course she-
>"I think I'm a little hungry, too."
>What?
"What?"
>Lyra looks up to you.
>"I...think I'm feeling a little hungry, too."
>The hair stands on the back of your neck.
>This is EXACTLY what Twilight was worried about.
>Her internal organs are working, and now she doesn't have a way to get any nourishment.
"Uh…"
>What the hell do you do?!
>"I-it's fine, though. I can wait. I'll just...get my head, then we can eat. Heh heh."
>That's a terrible joke.
>You don't comment on it, instead looking down the hall towards the stairs.
"C'mon."
>You put a little pressure behind Lyra's head to start her towards the stairs.
>"Where are we going?"
"To Twilight."
>Surely they're all rested now.
>You've been asleep nearly the entire day.
>You head down the stairs quickly, cutting through some rooms unceremoniously and finally finding yourself in the hall leading to Twilight's quarters.
>"Anon, why are we in such a hurry?"
"Just a little longer. You'll be fine."
>"But, all I said was that I was a little hungry."
>You spin on your heels facing her.
"But you can't eat, Lyra!"
>It must have just dawned on her as to the implications of her statement.
>She looks around her a bit, avoiding eye contact with you.
>"O-oh. I...I guess I forgot."
"You guess you forgo-"
>Nope.
>Stop.
>Take some deep breaths, Anon.
>It is possible that through all of this good news and the excitement over the success that she could have legitimately forgotten that she can't eat.
>You lower yourself down and rub her back.
"Sorry... Didn't mean to-"
>"It's fine. I get it. I just got caught up in the-"
"Yeah, me too."
>You stop and turn at the sound of a door opening.
>Twilight steps out of her room yawning, nightcap on her head.
>A dark blue with small yellow stars on it.
>It's too fucking adorable.
>She takes a hoof and rubs the sleep from her eyes.
>Finally looking ahead of her, she sees the two of you sitting on the ground.
>"What are you doing?"
>Her voice is a bit scratchy.
>Guess she fell asleep hard after working on whatever it was she was doing.
"We were just on our way to see you. Good thing you're already awake. I'd hate to interrupt your sleep."
>Twilight reaches a hoof up and scratches her head, fluffing her mane up a bit.
>"Well, I'm up. So, what did you guys need?"
"Well, you see...Lyra's sorta...hungry."
>Twilight blinks at you slowly.
>You look from left to right.
>Did you miss something?
>You try again.
"As in, she would like to eat some food?"
>Twilight blinks once more, but you slowly see her eyes widen in realization.
>"Oh shit."
>Not what you wanted to hear.
>"U-Uh, okay. Don't panic. Stay calm."
>Who is she telling this to?
>She runs across the hall, and starts to knock on Cadence's door frantically.
>Within seconds, the doors are thrown open and Celestia steps out, full alert.
>"What is it, Twilight?"
>You can see them talking, but you can't really hear them anymore.
>Lyra nudges against your side.
>"I'm sorry, but you don't have to-"
"Babe, there's nothing wrong with being hungry. We just gotta figure out how to approach it is all."
>She shakes her head at you, but you don't really pay it any mind.
>You turn back to the commotion in front of Cadence's room.
>Look like the mare herself woke up.
>She looks much better than earlier, almost back to her old self again, minus the frizzy hair.
>Every now and then one of the three glance over in your direction.
>They either smile or keeping talking.
>This is ridiculous. What could they seriously be discussing this much?
"Hey, I'm going to go see what they're talking about, alright?"
>Lyra reaches for you, but you disregard it.
>Instead, you give her a quick peck on her head before standing up and walking over to the three alicorns.
>The conversation slowly comes into focus with Twilight's voice.
>"-but nutrition alone will not sate her hunger. There's got to be a way to get something in her stomach!"
>Cadence offers suggestions and Twilight shoots them down with logic or doubt.
>Celestia is quiet for the most part.
>She glances up and smiles to you when you approach.
>You can't help but smile back.
>Twilight notices, turns to look to you, but quickly looks in the other direction.
>"I-...I don't know Anonymous."
"What?"
>"How to help Lyra! I don't know what to do!"
>"Um…"
>Everyone turns as Lyra approaches.
>You see Twilight light her horn immediately, hopefully distributing her words to the other mares.
>"I uh...I don't mean to bother but...I think I'm fine."
"Lyra, you're not fine. If you're hungry, then we need to find a way for you to eat as soon as possible!"
>"Anon is right."
>Cadence steps forward.
>"Don't suffer for our sake. We'll figure this out."
>"B-but it's not-"
"Lyra, stop. You're not going to sit there and starve in front of us!"
>"Would you pleas-"
"No! You can't beat yourself up over stuff like this!"
>"BUT I'M NOT HUNGRY!"
>...
"What? You just said-"
>"I can't believe you're making me say this in front of Celestia herself. I. AM. NOT. HUNGRY."
"Okay, then what is it?"
>She fidgets a bit.
>"It...it was gas."
>...
>Silence.
>...
>God, she must be embarassed.
>The moment is broken by a loud chortle and some air blowing against the back of your head.
>You turn around and see Celestia totally losing it.
>Her laughter fills the entire hall with an overwhelming sense of jubilation.
>The situation, however, still hangs heavy, making it extremely uncomfortable.
>"I'm-oh goodness-I'm sorry Anonymous. I hope I didn't get any spittle on you! BWAHAHA!"
>WAT
>The other two alicorns stare at their sun goddess, mouths agape.
>"You-hehehe-you must forgive me! I haven't seen this much conflict over a little gas in all my years!"
>You have no idea how to respond.
>Celestia is the only one laughing.
>Should…
>Should you laugh, too?
>It is wrong to laugh?
>You turn back to Lyra and see how she's taking it.
>Her head is down.
>Not much to go on.
>She'd probably die of embarrassment if she could right in this very spot.
>Celestia finally starts to calm down and moves towards Lyra, raising her head with a hoof.
>"Oh, my little pony. You have no idea how long it has been since I've laughed like that. All of this gloom and negative emotion has been getting to me recently, and this has been a welcome change in the atmosphere. Please, don't be embarrassed over your predicament. Our bodies can surprise us all the time. I find myself in very similar situations at times. You handled it marvelously."
>Celestia gives her a warm smile.
>You can see Lyra's tail move back and forth slightly.
>The princess sighs and stand back to full height.
>"Speaking of surprises, I think it's time I use the little fillies room. If you'll excuse me."
>And with that, she simply trots off.
>The other two princesses are still unsure of what just happened.
"Uh…"
>Your simple utterance echos in the halls with no response.
>After a few tense seconds, Twilight finally speaks up.
>"Well...This is awkward."
>Everyone nods or makes small noises of agreement.
>"Sorry about all of that, Lyra."
>Lyra waves a hoof in front of her.
>"N-no, it's okay. I haven't had these urges in a while, so I guess it was easy to mistake it for something else."
>You fiddle with some lint in your pockets.
>It's your turn to break the silence now, but it wasn't really under your control.
>Your stomach lets loose a fierce growl.
"Heh. I can't speak for any of you, but I'm actually hungry."
>The mares present all giggle and we all start to make our way down the hall.
>Destination: Cafeteria.
>Twilight and Cadence chat a bit, making sure they'd gotten enough rest and to see if they're ready and yada yada yada.
>You, on the other hand, were working yourself into a fit of worry.
>Sure, this instance of Lyra's hunger was a mistake, but what will happen when she actually gets hungry?
>It's going to happen sooner or later.
>You just hope that a solution is in sight by then if she hasn't gotten her head back.
>Man, that sounds weird.
>Something this drastic, you still don't know how it will work, but hey, magic has done all kinds of shit to impress you so far.
>You all make it to the cafeteria.
>Your worry has diminished your appetite slightly and you settle for a small salad.
>"Lyra, did you sleep well?"
>Cadence starts up some small talk.
>"Oh, n-no, not really. Just some bad dreams, but...Anon was there with me, so it wasn't too bad."
>You keep your head down.
>You know they're looking at you, but you just keep eating.
>Twilight speaks up next after swallowing a mouthful of...flower petals.
>Ponies.
>"So, are you ready for this next phase, Lyra?"
>"As ready as I'll ever be."
>You could hear her voice waver a bit.
>"There's no reason to worry, Lyra. I've been working on the process more and I think I've come up with a failsafe, should something go wrong."
>Twilight reaches down with her lower jaw and scoops up more petals.
>Cadence is staring at her with a curious smile on her face, a sandwich floating nearby with a few bites out of it.
>"Never change, Twilight."
>Cadence's comment causes Twilight to stop and blush slightly.
>She quickly swallows her food and laughs nervously, wiping a loose petal from her face.
>"Well, as I was saying. the failsafe should divert the power we gather for the procedure harmlessly into the air. For example, if we are gathering the energy needed, and one of us were to break concentration, the magic will be expelled into the air."
>"Really?"
>This must be news to Cadence.
>"That's right. I'll go over the new details with you and Celestia before we begin."
>The meal is finished up relatively quietly after that.
>"Lyra, if you and Anonymous want to browse around the castle a bit before we begin, that's fine. I still have some things to go over with Celestia and Cadence about the new failsafe."
>Lyra nods and looks over to you.
>You give a little smile and stand up from the table.
"In that case, I think we'll take our leave."
>You pick your bowl up and empty the rest of your salad into a trashcan, Lyra behind you.
"Hey."
>You yell back over to the table.
"What time do we need to meet up?"
>"Oh, don't worry about that. I'll come find you."
>You nod and wave, looking back down to Lyra.
>"Shall we?"
"Lead on, ma'am."
>The two of you exit the Cafeteria and head up some nearby stairs.
"So, where are we headed?"
>"Bon Bon's room."
>Oh. Her.
>"I want to show her the progress we've made!"
"I'm sure she'll be happy to see it. BUt you know, you can't talk to her."
>"That's fine. Besides, that's what you're here for!"
>You look down at the teal mare by your side.
>She looks up to you with that same expressionless machine for a head, and tilts it slightly.
>For another moment, your eyes are playing tricks on you.
>You can see Lyra's face, tilted slightly, one eye closed because of an unruly lock of hair, a big smile on her face, and her tongue poking out just barely between her teeth.
>That look steals your heart.
>You are a slave to Lyra's adorable expressions.
>And just like that, it's gone.
>You both turn back to the path and reach Bon Bon's door rather quickly.
>Lyra knocks a few times.
>You hear some light hoofsteps form the other side, then finally the door swings open.
>"Oh, hey Lyra!"
>Bon Bon looks around a bit.
>"Where's Twilight?"
"She's talking with the other princesses. Lyra has something she wants to show you."
>"Oh?"
"The fruits of our labor!"
>Lyra immediately rears back on her hind legs, holding herself upwards with a forehoof against your side.
>Bon Bon's face drops for a moment, but then shoots into the widest grin, her eyes already spilling over with emotion.
>"Oh my goodness! This is fantastic, Lyra! Ahhahahaha!"
>Bon Bon lunges out and hugs her, holding nothing back.
>The two of them simply enjoy each other's embrace for a few minutes.
>"Oh, this is soooo great to see! What else has to be done?"
"There's only one more phase left, and we're going to attempt it tonight. We've all got our fingers crossed for her."
>Bon Bon gives you a confused look.
>"Fingers...crossed?"
>Facepalm.
"It's an expression. Means something like 'hoping for the best' and stuff."
>"Oh...I don't get it."
>Whatever.
>She's back to being stupidly excited in no time.
>"I just can't believe that this is actually happening! Ooooooohhhh!"
>Lyra catches your eye as you watch the two of them.
>"We should probably go. I want to see Dash next. There's not much we can do without Twilight's talking spell."
>You're about to explain your short visit when Bon Bon suddenly rushes into you with a hug.
>She nuzzles her head into you.
>"Thank you. Thank you so much for helping my best friend."
>You slowly wrap your arms around the pale-colored mare.
"I'd do anything for her."
>The moment is getting a little emotional, so you let her go.
>You explain to Bon Bon about your short visit and you head off to find Dash.
>Come to think of it, you don't have a clue where she's staying.
>Remembering your little tour, you both wind up at the castle gym.
>Sure enough, there's Rainbow.
>It looks like she's taking a break at the moment.
>Must have been working hard.
>Her coat and mane are matted down, slick with sweat.
>It really compliments her in a totally "holy shit I want to fuck you until you break" sort of way.
>She see the two of you enter.
>"Hey! There's the mare of the hour!"
>She effortlessly swoops over to meet you, landing with a soft click of her hoofs.
>"Twi told me about it. So, lemme see, lemme see!"
>Again, Lyra stands on her rear legs like earlier with Bon Bon.
>"Yeheheheess! That is AWESOME!"
>She dives in for a group hug.
>"Ohmigosh, I'm so happy for you, Lyra!"
>She release the two of you, rubbing a foreleg over her face.
"Awww, are you crying, Dash?"
>"Yeah yeah, I am. Twilight's been telling me not to keep my emotions so bottled up. Says it's not healthy."
>And it isn't.
>"I'm still the toughest around, though, so don't think that just because I shed a few tears, I won't whoop you into next week!"
>You laugh a bit.
>It's refreshing to see Rainbow like this.
>Like she always should have.
>"So, what's next on the list? Are they almost done?"
"Twilight's working with Cadence and Celestia on a new failsafe thing she figured out to make it safer for Lyra. There's only one phase left, and we're going to attempt it tonight."
>"Well, if that's the case, I won't even say good luck! With the kind of help you're getting Lyra, and with your attitude, you'll beat this in no time."
>She moves in for a slower, more tame hug with Lyra.
>"I gotta say, I'm impressed, girl. I don't think I would have had it in me to go through what you've had to."
>They slowly release, and Dash backs up a bit.
>She salutes Lyra.
>Lyra gives a shaky salute back.
>You both turn to leave.
>"Hey!"
>You look back to the multicolored mare.
>"You better look out for her. She's the best thing that's ever happened to you...To all of us, actually."
>You smile.
"I will."
>Dash nods.
>"Oh, and uh...sorry about all the sweat and stuff."
>You look down at your clothes.
>There are large splotches of damp material lining the front and side of your clothes.
>Lyra doesn't look much better.
>Before you can say anything, Dash is back at her routine, flying around obstacles and performing tricks.
>"Well, guess we'd better get cleaned up."
>You both make it through the castle halls uninterrupted and into your room.
>"Ooo! Ooo! Let me take a shower first!"
"Okay, okay! What's got you so excited about a shower?"
>Lyra spins in a little circle.
>"I haven't been able to take care of myself in a while. It's just something I want to do."
"Alright then. Just don't hesitate to ask if you need some help."
>She stammers a bit, and backs up into the bathroom.
>"R-right. Well, I'll go on and...take my shower."
>What was she-
>Shit.
>You sorta brought up an embarrassing memory.
>A sexy, scary memory.
>You rub your face.
>The sound of running water fills the room with a comforting drone.
>You are relaxed by the constant muffled white noise, sitting on the bed and waiting for Lyra to finish her shower.
>Honestly, you just need to change clothes. You've been wearing the same thing for some time, now.
>You get up and knock on the bathroom door.
>Lyra yelps and you hear frantic hooves hitting the floor of the shower.
"Sorry! I just wanted to tell you that I'm going to find a change of clothes. I'll be right back!"
>"O-okay!"
>You head out of your room and bump right into the muzzle of Twilight Sparkle.
>You both let out an "oof" as she backs away quickly, scrunching her face up and wiggling it around.
>"Goodness, Anonymous! What's the hurry?"
"Sorry. I was just about to go look for a change of clothes, but I kind of just realized that I have no idea where I'm going for that. Heh heh"
>"Oh! Well, there's still a few pieces of clothing that you left when you moved out of the Castle. I could get those for you."
>Well shit, that couldn't have worked out any better.
"Sure!"
>"What do you need to change for anyway?"
"Um...kinda been wearing the same thing for about three days now. It's getting gross."
>"Oh. Right. Well, it's in my room. I can go fetch it for you."
"I'll come with, just to pass the time."
>The two of you pass through the halls relatively quiet.
>It isn't until you make it to the hall leading to Twilight's room that you smirk.
"So...why are my clothes in your room?"
>She nearly trips and falls on her face.
>"N-no reason! Eheheh!"
>You give her a look.
>She knows the look.
>The "I can clearly see through your ruse" look.
>"C'mon, Anon! You know that's all behind me now!"
"Is it?"
>"W-what?"
"Is it really behind you now?"
>"Uh, yes. Yes it is."
>She's starting to get a bit frustrated with your lack of belief.
>Really, you're just toying with her.
>You couldn't care less what she did with your old clothes.
>Knowing her, she probably tried to wear them.
>More colorful ways to use them come to mind.
>You just hope that they're clean.
>The two of you enter her chambers.
>It's as you remember it last.
>Except with less fingering going on.
>"Just a minute. I'm pretty sure I know where they are."
>Twilight busies herself opening and closing drawers and closets before she finally runs across a small box tucked beside a desk.
>"Ah! Here it is. I was going to ship it out when it fell off my desk. I guess I just forgot about it."
>A likely story.
"Thanks. So, how is the new plan coming along?"
>"Well, the inclusion of the failsafe has put all of us at ease. Cadence especially."
"Cadence?"
>"She uh...she's not taking this whole thing very well."
"Oh. I didn't know."
>Twilight paces around the room, straightening up books, moving things around for no reason.
>"Yeah. She really thinks that we don't have enough magic for this."
"Not enough? You have friggin' Celestia backing you guys up! How is that not enough?"
>"You'd be surprised, anonymous."
"I...guess I am…"
>You sit in silence for a while, taking in this new info.
"Do you...think there's enough power?"
>"I can't be certain. If it were a matter of just applying the power and letting it heal, that's one thing. But this has to be instant, as in under a single second. Nothing like this has ever been done before. It's...purely theoretical at this point."
>Damnit.
>You rest your forehead against your hand, slowly dragging your palm down your face.
"You know what? Just…"
>You avert her eyes, looking around the room, blinking back the moisture gathering in your eyes.
"...Fuck...Just...Do what you can."
>And with that, you turn and leave Twilight's room.
>...
>-------------------------
>...
>The two of you have taken your showers and cleaned up.
>Anon's new clothes were clean, thank goodness.
>Just a simple grey shirt and a pair of jeans Rarity had made when he first got here.
>You are Lyra, and it was time for the final phase.
>Back in the throne room.
>All princesses accounted for.
>Plus yourself and Anon.
>Once again, the room was darkened, save for a single light in the center with you standing alone in it.
>The formation was different this time.
>The three alicorns stood by each other, as close as possible with Cadence in the center.
>Anon stood exactly opposite of them, his view likely blocked by your body.
>But you aren't looking at him.
>You are currently facing the trio or mares as they go over the details of this final procedure.
>To be completely honest, and nothing against Twilight, but you couldn't give a rats ass about this stuff.
>You just want to be whole again.
>You want your magic back.
>You want to be able to step out into public.
>You want to be yourself.
>Your name is called out, and you snap out of your distressing thoughts.
>"Lyra? Did you catch that?"
>Of course you didn't.
"Uh, y-yeah...Yeah, I did."
>You nod slowly.
>You see them turn to one another.
>You can tell by their expression that they know you weren't listening.
>Cadence looks the most anxious of them all.
>Perhaps the explanation was for their own sake?
>Something to prolong the inevitable?
>You can see her fear in her eyes.
>She's scared that this will not work.
>She's afraid that she'll have your death on her hooves.
>And as much as you want to assure them that it isn't the case, you can't.
>Because it's true.
>Although, if you were to die, you'd rather it be quick.
>If this is to fail, you pray to the gods that it fails spectacularly and kills you instantly.
>A wave of guilt flows over you.
>You promised Anon that you wouldn't think like that anymore.
>But, it's so hard not to, when you're this close to the end.
>"Okay then...Whenever you're ready, Lyra."
>You nod, looking towards the floor.
>Slowly, you turn in the opposite direction, facing Anonymous.
>Your Anonymous.
>He mouth is set in a determined line.
>But his eyes are filled with sorrow.
>It's understood that this could be the last time you ever see each other.
>You're honestly tired of all these close calls, but you don't dare make any of them any less significant than the last.
"Anonymous…"
>"Lyra…"
>Your voices don't carry far in the empty throne room.
>You're not even sure how your voice works.
>You simply talk, and Anonymous hears you.
"...Thank you. I love you."
>What more is there to say, really?
>You could spend hours on end, recounting the many favors Anon has done for you, but it wouldn't matter.
>It's all been said before.
>And it's understood.
>"I love you too, Lyra."
>You look back to the floor as you gather your wits, but there's nothing to collect.
>You're ready.
>You want this.
>On shaky legs, you turn halfway, facing neither the princesses or Anonymous.
>You move your head in Twilight's general direction, and give a simple nod.
>And the spell begins.
>A strand of magic whips by you, striking Anon in the chest.
>He stands firm, his hands clenched tight.
>On your other side, the three mares are locked in concentration, their eyes closed, sparks shooting and arcing from their horns.
>The room is filled with an unsettling rumble that shakes you to your core as the magic phases in and out of harmony.
>Being a unicorn yourself, you have the capability to appreciate the complexity and immense power that is being handled just to the left of you.
>But you can't.
>You are using every ounce of your will to keep your legs from buckling under you.
>A large flare, and the noise increases, bringing with it a harsh current of air that swirls and slaps against you.
>You widen your stance, trying to stay upright as best as possible.
>Looking back to Anon, he's struggling with the winds, but is standing up nonetheless.
>Another flash and a wild arc of magic traces up a wall, causing minor damage, spreading some debris on the floor.
>The power you are witnessing could easily level this castle if directed in such a manner.
>And the plan is to direct it all towards you.
>The idea is frightening, but your experience with the previous phase has you prepared.
>"AAAAHHHGK!"
>You turn to see Twilight down on her forelegs, her face twisted in pain.
>She shouts to the other mares.
>"Don't you dare stop! K-keep going! I'm f-fine!"
>Twilight is already at her limit.
>Cadence has nearly become a living light source, the power within her barely contained.
>Celestia is showing signs of fatigue, which you find more unsettling than you expected.
>If Celestia is having trouble, she's nearly tapped out.
>If she's tapped out, then that means-
>Another loud crack of magic and you nearly fall to the ground.
>Celestia doubles over on her side.
>"NOW!"
>Twilight yells the command through the room.
>You prepare your body for the impact.
>You prepare yourself for the possible final moment.
>This is it.
>Any second now, the burn of magic will course it's way through you, and you will be left to its will.
>The rumbling grows in pitch and volume.
>It's getting closer.
>You can feel the hairs on your back standing on end.
>You can feel your tail flaring out as the long strands are drawn to the magic in the room.
>You steady your stance once more and look to the ceiling.
>With a horrible splitting crash, your vision is bathed in white.
>And you fall unconscious…
>...
>-------------------------------------
>...
>You are Anonymous, and you can't see a goddamned thing.
>Your eyes have been assaulted by a terrible blinding light, and your ears have been turned to pudding from the blast you heard.
>You stumble and fall on your hands and knees.
>The ringing in your ears is making it difficult to tell if the magic is dying down or not.
>You don't care though.
>You need to see Lyra.
>Unfortunately, you're nearly blind thanks to that flash.
>You simply start crawling in the direction you believe Lyra to be in.
>The high-pitched ringing persists, but you can definitely tell that the rumbling is subsiding.
>You keep crawling.
>Your vision is slowly returning.
>There's an odd whining you hear in addition to your ringing.
>A few seconds of crawling and you can start to make it out.
>Someone is screaming.
>"NOOOOOOOOO!!!"
>You blood runs cold.
>You have to see Lrya.
>You steady yourself and get to your feet.
>You'd been pretty close to the right direction.
>You can make out a teal blur.
>That's your target.
>More screaming, and it almost sounds like arguing.
>"NO NO NO NO NO NO!"
>"ANSWER ME! WHAT HAPPENED?!"
>"YOU MUST CALM DOWN!"
>Your heart is racing, your skin clammy.
>You can feel your shirt dampening from your sweat.
>When did you start sweating?
>Doesn't matter.
>Lyra is closer now.
>"GET HIM AWAY FROM HER!"
>"ANON! STOP!"
>You ignore them.
>She's so close, and your vision is coming in.
>You are nearly right on top of her and-
>-you stop.
>A choked cough escapes you.
>Lyra is lying on the floor, motionless…
>...the abysmal horror that has been her head...still attached.
>It failed.
>The plan failed.
>You fall to your knees, and cradle her in your arms, your chest spasming as you sob silently.
>You bring her close to your chest and hold her tight.
>She's limp in your grasp.
>You hear a thundering sound approaching.
>Hoofsteps.
>Quick hoofsteps.
>They're getting close.
>"Anonymous!"
>Twilight calls out your name.
>You don't move.
>They've reached you now, standing behind you.
>You squeeze the mare in your arms tighter.
>And for a second…
>...you feel her chest move.
>"Ano-"
>You whip your head back.
"SHUTUP! EVERYONE JUST SHUTUP!"
>Slowly, you turn back to Lyra and lift her higher, pressing your ear to your chest.
>And the most beautiful sound you've ever heard thuds softly against you.
>Her heartbeat.
>By God, she's alive!
>Another choked sob escapes you as you are overcome with too many emotions to contain.
>You hug her ever tighter as the realization swells within you.
"She's...she's still alive."
>You can hear some sputtering and strangled gasps from the mares behind you.
>You all sit in silence as you hold the worlds bravest mare in your lap.
>...
>-------------------------
>...
>It's been nearly four hours since the last attempt to heal Lyra.
>Anon and Lyra returned to their room to retire for the night shortly after the episode.
>The poor mare was still unconscious.
>The threat of a coma was brought up, but a quick scan proved that her sleep was harmless.
>The shock of it all is just about gone.
>At least, for you it is.
>You are Twilight, and you are sitting in your quarters with both Celestia and Cadence.
>It's been...quiet for longer than you care for.
>Celestia is sitting on a few pillows, scribbling away at parchment.
>She's writing letters.
>Letter's for Lyra's family.
>It's all just a precautionary measure, you assure yourself.
>Might as well have the paperwork drawn up in case the worst happens, right?
>Over on the other side of the room, Cadence is lying on the floor, curled up as small as she can be.
"Cadence...you know it's not-"
>"I KNOW, Twilight...I know it's not my fault."
>She fluffs her wings a bit.
>"We just...don't have enough magic. I had to make the call to stop it, but I was stupid and let it get out of hand for a moment. But it doesn't matter."
>You walk over to the troubled mare.
"You were NOT stupid, Cadence. You were handling a lot of magic. And it DOES matter. You did fantastic for what you did!"
>Cadence stands and turns, meeting you nose to nose swiftly.
>"I COULD HAVE KILLED HER! I COULD HAVE KILLED US ALL!"
>You stammer and back up slightly.
"N-no! W-well, Celetsia could have-"
>"-DONE NOTHING! She spent all of her magic on the spell! She couldn't have done anything!"
>She's absolutely right.
>And it terrifies you that everypony in that room was that close to turning into dust.
"But, w-we're still alive! Doesn't that count? Nothing bad happened!"
>"Nothing bad happened? Twilight, just how far have you dug yourself into denial over this? WE. FAILED. There are no more solutions!"
"We could get Luna to help with the power shortage! We could get other unicorns to lend us their power!"
>A stinging pain shoots across your jaw as Cadence swings her hoof into it.
>The room is silent.
>You are absolutely stunned.
>You lock eyes with Cadence, her own rimmed with red.
>"You don't get it, do you? You still think there's a way out of this, BUT THERE ISN'T!"
>Cadence slams a hoof into the ground.
>"That mare is going to die, Twilight! More magic isn't going to work because there's no way I can contain it!"
"I-it's really not th-that hard! All you have to do is-"
>"It may have been easy for you to do it back when Tirek returned, but I'm not you, Twilight. I'm not the Element of Magic."
"B-but...There's…"
>You falter, trying to find...something.
>There has to be a fix.
>There has to be!
"Maybe...maybe, if I could find a book on-"
"Oh, just GROW UP TWILIGHT!"
>Cadence shoves herself into you.
>"There isn't some 'book' out there with the secret to bringing her back! There's nothing! You have to accept that!"
>"Cadence."
>Celestia stands and walks over to the two of you.
>She places a wing on Cadence's shoulder.
>She looks...sad.
>"My dear Twilight. I am deeply sorry, but Cadence is correct. We've done all that we can. Surely you see that."
"Wh-what?"
>Even Celestia?
>"While Cadence has been a bit harsh about it, you must not fool yourself. It will only lead to more pain later on. Please...trust me on this."
>You stand in awe at what you're hearing.
"So...you're both just...giving up?"
>"Twilight-"
"Save it…I've heard enough."
>"Twilight, please! Don't do this to yourself!"
>You turn and walk out of your room, slamming the doors behind you.
"How could they just give up like that?! This is a mare's LIFE we are talking about!"
>You are wandering the halls of your castle aimlessly as you let the events settle in your mind.
>At the top of a staircase you somehow came to, you press a hoof to your mouth, the stinging still there.
>There's a small spot of blood on your hoof.
>With a thought, you remove it.
>You don't bother to heal the wound.
>Continuing on your thoughtless quest through your castle, you mutter to yourself.
"There absolutely HAS to be a way to fix this."
>Some huffs and slight hoof stomps later, you find yourself at a dead end.
"There's a solution for every problem. I must be missing something."
>You are walking past a door when you hear some odd sounds.
>The sounds are too muffled to make out, but your interest has been piqued.
>Looking around to make sure there are no witnesses, you press your ear up to the door.
>It's not much clearer but you can make out the sound of some sort of...contact happening between two...things?
>It's odd to place.
>Wait.
>You just heard somepony's voice.
>You step back and look at the door.
>This is Anon and Lyra's door.
>...
>What are they doing?
>The odd noises have driven you into a mad curiosity, and they are slowly starting to resemble...
>If they are doing anything to compromise Lyra's well being, you have to stop them immediately.
>It's your duty.
>You look around again for any witnesses.
>Empty.
>You try and peek under the door.
>Horseapples.
>It's nearly black in there.
>Just as you are raising your head up, you sense a deeply powerful flow of magic, unlike anything you've ever felt before.
>Your heart jumps into your throat.
>Is someone trying to attack the castle?
>Did Celestia notice it?
>No time to warn her.
>You have to get more pieces of the puzzle.
>You focus on it's origin.
>The spread is wide and vast, just flowing through everything.
>Unlike most magic, it's shaped like some sort of large disc, slowly rotating.
>The most likely point of origin will be the center.
>You calculate the speeds of the magic at different points, and figure out a rough location.
>It's...on the other side of the very door you're standing next to.
>Your heart drops from your throat to your stomach as you make the connection.
>Lyra.
>Acting quickly, you close all curtains and darken all lights in the hall.
>In the dead of night as it already is, there is no light whatsoever.
>You grasp the door with your magic.
>Surrounding the hinges and your self in a sound barrier, you push the door open and step inside, quickly closing the door behind you.
>Your mind is sent reeling at the potent musk of sweat and sex.
>The sound of flesh meeting flesh repeatedly fills your ears.]
>And your mind shorts.
>You can see them in the moonlight spilling through the window.
>On the bed.
>They are having sex.
>Anon is having sex with Lyra.
>Right in front of you.
>Anon is lying on the bed.
>Lyra is riding him ferociously.
>It's as clear as day.
>And they don't know you're here.
>Through your connection to the strange swirl of magic, you can hear both Lyra's and Anon's moans, their curses, their pleads, their begging, every utterance that isn't drowned out by the hypnotic slapping of two beings caught in a primal lust for one another.
>And the worst part of it all.
>You can't move.
>'Aroused' would be a gross understatement as to your current condition.
>You are so turned on by the sight of Anon fucking another mare that you are stuck cold in your place.
>You sit on the ground, a hoof already on it's way down between your rear legs.
>When your hoof makes contact with your nearly swollen lips, you've completely forgotten about your reason for entering the room in the first place.
>Your mind is slave to your primal instincts as your heat kicks into full gear, the only goal being satisfaction.
>And as you start to hoof yourself while watching your old crush fuck another mare relentlessly, you whisper to yourself:
"What is wrong with me?"
>...
>---------------------------
>The night's been rough.
>You are Anon, and you and Lyra have just made it back to your room after the failure.
>You are carrying her in your arms, Twilight right behind you.
>"Anon, I'm so sorry! We'll think of-"
"Stop. Just stop, Twilight."
>You lie Lyra down on her side of the bed and tuck her in.
>Just like you always have.
>"Please, hear me out, Anonym-"
"No, you hear me out, okay? Just leave us alone for now."
>You round the bed and make it to your side, sitting down on the edge, your head in your hands.
>You exhale loudly, your eyes still red from earlier.
"Goddamnit…"
>You mutter under your breath.
"Look. Just...go...figure something out. I don't fucking care."
>You hear her take a few steps back when she finally closes the door and leaves.
>You sit there in the moonlit room for a while longer, trying to grasp what this whole situation even means.
>Of course, you know what it means.
>You just don't want to commit to that thought.
>Eventually, you undress, sleeping only in your boxers and you slip in bed next to Lyra.
>The weight of the situation crushes you, and mental exhaustion nearly takes you when a sudden movement draws you back.
>You sit up slightly and wait.
>Lyra's back leg gives a light kick and her head lolls around on the pillow.
>"Mmmmnnnn...What happened?"
>Her lens hones in on you.
>"Anon?"
"Hey, babe."
>Does she not know yet?
>Oh God, you don't want to break something like this to her.
"How are you feeling?"
>"Like I was hit by a speeding cart, but otherwise, I'm okay."
"That's good, that's good."
>You rub her back slightly.
"So hey...The, uh...the spell that we tried-"
>"It didn't work, I know."
>You give her an uncertain look.
>"I think I can tell when I have a machine for a head, Anon."
>She playfully kicks you in the leg.
>How can she be so calm about this?
"Are you sure you're alright?"
>"This may sound weird, but I knew it didn't work the moment I was knocked unconscious. I had a lot of time to go over it all in my head while I was out, though."
"Oh."
>You keep rubbing her back.
>She suddenly moves against your hand and you move it out of the way.
>She presses herself against you.
>Little spoon.
>"We can try again tomorrow, right?"
>You don't have the heart to tell her.
>God, you aren't strong enough for her to tell her the truth.
>So you lie.
"Yeah, babe. Of course."
>She snuggles against you and huffs.
>"In that case, I don't want to have to sit through today any longer than I have to."
>You take that as your cue.
>You move back down and drape an arm over her side.
>Even with all of this bad news, you have to admit:
>Having Lyra this close to you makes you feel so much better.
>Wherever this mare goes, that's your home.
>Feeling the gentle motions of her breathing, the mental stress blanket comes back once again, and you succum to sleep in very short order.
>...
>...
>You wake up in the middle of the night to a familiar sensation.
>You hand is wet again.
>There's no mystery to follow this time.
>You can clearly see why.
>Lyra has your arm in her hooves, giving herself a dose of some heavy petting.
>Your body is rocking slightly as she softly bounces herself against you, her rump rubbing against your crotch, your cock slowly making itself known.
>"Nng."
>Lyra is making some subtle moans as she struggles to get your hand to cooperate.
>While this is pretty awesome, it's not at the same time.
>For Christ's sake, it wasn't but a few hours ago that she was pretty much doomed.
>You have to say something, so you whisper in her ear.
"...Lyra?"
>She releases your arm immediately and sits as still as a board.
>Is she…
>No...
>Does she really think she's going to get away with this?
>Hell, this is how a kid acts!
>It's a little funny, but you stop yourself from laughing about it.
>But it's adorable how she thinks she can get away with something like this.
"Lyra, I know what you were doing."
>You wipe your hand off on the blankets and slowly turn her over to face you.
>She keeps her head facing down, not making eye contact.
"But why?"
>She doesn't say anything or move.
>You try to rub her shoulder a bit.
"C'mon, babe. You can tell me."
>Nothing.
>You both sit like this for a while, your eyes wandering around the room, just trying to think of something to say to pass the time or figure out what's going on.
>She eventually speaks up.
>"I'm...I-I'm scared."
>She huddles up closer to your body, placing her head underneath your own.
>You press her closer against you.
>It's a little awkward since you have half a chub going on, but you try to steer your mind away from it.
>You hope Lyra doesn't feel it.
"I know you are, babe. But we'll make it through. You'll see. They'll figure it out tomorrow."
>You're grasping at straws here, trying to convince yourself more than anything.
>Doesn't explain the happy ending she was trying to give herself, though.
>She sniffles.
>You can feel her back tense every now and then.
>"Y-you don't have to lie, Anon. I can pick up on the mood."
>You sigh through your nose.
>Fuck.
>So she already knows, then.
"I'm sorry, babe. I'm so sorry. But you've got Twilight, Cadence and hell, even Celestia working on this. If anyone can figure it out, it'll be-"
>"They're scared, too."
"Huh?"
>That was unexpected.
>"I-I can see it--the way they look at each other--that they're j-just as s-scared as me."
>You feel Lyra move a hoof down your side, rubbing in various areas along the way.
>It's rather soothing, but this is a rather odd conversation to be rubbing each other to.
>You let her continue.
>Perhaps it's just her method of coping.
>Whatever it is, it's getting your off slightly, making it difficult to keep your dick in check.
>"A-and...I've been thinking a lot…"
>She's reached your thigh by now, rubbing you in small circles cautiously.
>"...about...about us…"
>You feel her move her hoof up and across your back, pulling herself into you harder.
>The rubbing and close contact has caused your dong to expand to nearly full mast by now.
>There's no way you can hide it.
>And there's no way she can mistake it for anything else.
"Lyra, wha-"
>"If...If I'm not gonna make it..."
>There's a strange pressure against your crotch.
>Did…
>Did she just...wink on you?
"Lyra, d-"
>"Stop."
>She takes her hoof from your back, placing it on your chest.
>Slowly, she puts pressure on you, turning you to lie on your back.
>She climbs on top of you, her lens and various small lights sparkling in the moonlight, using her hoof to draw small circles and spirals across your chest.
>"I-If I'm not gonna make it...I want to be able to share myself with the one I love before I go."
>God...
>That…
>...
>Shit.
>The tears are already welling up.
>You can't stop them.
>A few make their way down the sides of your face, wrapping to the back of your head.
>But you reign them in soon enough.
>How…
>How can you say no?
>If what Twilight says is true, then this very act could kill her.
>But…
>If you don't…
>You'll crush her heart.
>She wants this so bad.
>You stare into that lens, that same, emotionless lens.
>"Consider it as getting my final asset in order."
>She lays her chest against yours, her forelegs tucked against your sides.
>You feel her body tremble as she winks against you again.
"Lyra…"
>You move your hands, tracing them along her forelegs and her sides, hugging her softly, making sure to press her against your nearly engorged member.
>You've made your decision.
"...Let's do it."
>You grab a forehoof in hand and bring it to your mouth as you tenderly press your lips against it.
>Remember those two remaining things you wanted to do to Lyra?
>Well, you're about to cross off one more.
>Lyra trembles again as you kiss her hoof over and over.
>You can feel her firm leg muscles tighten randomly when your lips come in contact with the strangely spongy appendage.
>You're not really sure how hooves work here, but all you know is that they're soft when they need to be, and they stay cleaner than you would have expected.
>She coos as you press your tongue into the center of her hoof during a kiss.
>Since you can't exactly make out, this is the best you can do.
>And you're not going to kiss her head, since she can't feel it.
>You use your free hand to have her other hoof join in on the fun.
>You go back and forth, slowly kissing each one, licking around the rim at random.
>She shudders and you feel another wink against your crotch.
>Your dick--able to pierce the heavens by now--twitches against her in reaction.
"Lyra, I love you so much."
>You speak between your kisses quickly, not wanting break your stride.
>"I l-love you too, Anonymous."
>The kissing continues.
>She's getting a little impatient with things and starts to grind against you in all the right ways.
>Letting go of her hooves, you trace your fingers down her sides, making her moan slightly.
>Damn, this mare really has a thing for hands.
>You reach that wonderful plot of hers and get two handfuls.
>You knead her ass like a pastry chef while she continues to rub on you.
>She goes to reposition a rear leg when it gets caught on your boxers.
>She stands up and looks underneath herself, examining the undergarment.
>She looks back up to you.
>"Could you-"
"Absolutely."
>You release that blessed piece of plot and work your boxers off.
>She is watching intently.
>You purposefully keep your dick stuck under the elastic band as you pull them down, bending your cock downwards.
>You've always heard that stallions slap their shit against their stomach.
>Wanted to see for yourself just what kind of effect that display has on a mare.
>When it finally reaches its limit, it comes back with a satisfying smack against your abdomen.
>She shudders at the sight and sound, a drop of her personal lubricant landing on your member.
>Oh yes. You'll be doing that more often.
>"It's so...d-different from what I expected."
"I've come to find that it gets the job done fairly well."
>"Hmhm, I can't wait."
>You move your arm out from under her, and she lowers herself against you, sandwiching your engorged cock between the two of you.
>Then she starts moving.
>Like a reflex, your hands are back on her ass, squeezing, spreading, doing whatever you can to feel every millimeter of it squish between your fingers.
>The angle is difficult to work with, though, as you are more accustomed to working directly with a mare's ass instead of around it.
>You reach around a bit further, trailing your fingertips just outside her slit.
>Her whole body tenses as her forelegs squeeze against your chest.
>You chuckle at her reaction.
"What do you say we finish what we started in the shower?"
>She curls her legs around you, pulling herself into a full-body hug.
>You feel her wink against your bare cock.
"I'll take that as a yes."
>You lift her off of you and place her back in a 69.
>Obviously, a one-sided 69, but you have no problem with that.
>In fact, you could go this whole night and not cum, just as long as she enjoys herself.
>"S-sorry I won't-"
"Lyra, stop."
>With her eager pussy right in front of you, drooling on your neck, you trail a finger right through the middle of it, just barely parting her lips.
"I know exactly what I'm doing."
>Her scent floods your nasal cavities.
>The tantalizing combination of mint, lime and that ever so sweet hint of cherries has taken hold of your actions.
>You rub your full hand up and down her vag, coating yourself in her fluids.
>She winks against your palm a few times.
>With your other hand, you grab hold of her dock and pull lightly from time to time.
>Some mares dig it, others don't.
>Lyra begs for it.
>"Oooh sssshhhhhit, Anon! Don't you dare let go my tail!"
>Happy to oblige.
>Time to take it up a notch.
>Just like before in the shower, you slow your hand down and dip a finger inside, the hunger of her marehood already pulling it into her.
>No teasing this time, you go as deep as you can.
>"Ahhh!"
>A quick thrust here and there, a curl or two at times, and Lyra has turned into pudding.
>You give a strong tug against her tail and shove another finger in, no warning.
>"Haaah! Keep going! Pull me harder!"
>Guess you're learning all sorts of things about Lyra tonight.
>She likes having her tail pulled.
>She likes it when you present yourself like a stallion.
>She's not afraid to tell you what she wants.
>All in all, good things.
>You start alternating both fingers, stabbing in quickly and curling out.
>She's winking madly, moaning out loud, not a care in the world.
>Words have failed her at this point.
>You give her another hard tug on her tail, followed up with a hard slap on that juicy plot of hers.
>A strong pressure pulls on your fingers and small spit of Lyra's marejuice flys out and lands on your face.
>Another pull of pressure and another shot of her marecum hits your chin as she makes some strangled squeaks.
>Her hold on your fingers finally relaxes, and you slowly remove yourself.
>You feel all of her tension leave as she lies on top of you, breathing heavily.
>A leg twitches against your side from time to time.
>Curiosity strikes as you take your juice-drenched hand to your mouth.
>Just as you begin to get a taste, Lyra turns her head back to witness it.
>More leg twitches.
>She makes a few noises, but you just stare at her, licking each finger as provocative as possible.
>The taste…
>Holy shit, it's almost like a fruit smoothie, except it comes from this mare's cunt instead of fruits.
>There is a salty aftertaste, but it doesn't intrude too much.
>You could probably get sick off of her drippings.
>But hell, if it makes her happy, you'll drink it by the glass.
>"F-fffff-ffuck, Anon. I...I don't…"
>Speechless.
>She takes a minute to catch her breath.
>You simply massage dat flank while you wait.
>Lyra's first real experience with hands, and you couldn't be happier to be the one to give it to her.
>This mare has changed your life.
>You're ready to change hers.
>She's shaking a bit, but you keep at your work.
>Then an odd sound…
>Like she's having trouble breathing.
"Lyra?"
>You stop, lifting her, sitting up, and setting her in your lap, you cock resting against her pussy.
>Just as you thought.
>She's crying.
"What's wrong?"
>She won't look at you.
>"N-nothing."
>orly.png
"Seriously, babe. Did I hurt you?"
>N-no! Goddess, no. That was...fantastic."
"Then what's up?"
>She finally turns and looks into your eyes.
>Another vision of her face, completely flushed, eyes watering, and a big smile on her face.
>The image is gone as soon as she lunges and throws her forelegs around your neck, embracing you.
>"I'm just...s-so happy."
>You hug her back just as fierce.
>Basking in the moment, you both hold the embrace.
>After a few moments, you dick twitches against her slit.
>Lyra squirms in your lap.
>Looks like she's ready again.
>She leans back, looking at you, her legs resting on your shoulders.
>You know what she wants.
"Are you ready, Lyra?"
>Of course she's ready. Your dick is nearly covered by her lust pouring out of her snatch.
>But that isn't the kind of ready you're asking about.
>"I...I'm ready, Anon. I want this. I want you."
>Slowly, she raises herself to allow your dick to spring to its upwards position.
>She is moving around, resting her lips against the tip of it, shifting a bit, lining herself up with you.
>You are about to guide her down on your length when a bright idea comes to mind.
>Remembering when you walked in on Lyra's dream, you are about to make it come true.
>You raise up from the bed, picking her up with you.
>She looks around in confusion, but you simply keep staring into that lens of hers.
>You lie her down on her back and spread her rear legs outwards as you stand at the edge of the bed.
>Just like in her dream you witnessed.
>Her flower is slightly swollen, just a small margin of a shade darker than the rest of her body, glistening from the slowly secreting liquids that have pooled inside that sweet cavern.
>It clicks in her head, suddenly looking down towards her nethers.
>You graze your member across her lower lips, spreading the combination of your juices around one another.
>There's enough lubricant to keep a train running smoothly between the two of you.
>A couple light slaps from your dick against her pussy, and she's already hitching her breath.
>"St-stop teasing me!"
>Well, you heard the lady!
>You press the head of your member down between her folds, slowly, watching as her lips spread to swallow it whole.
>Lyra is fully focused on the act, small whimpers and utterances escaping her as your length is gently slid inside.
>In a slick motion, her lips have surrounded the head of your cock.
>The milking sensation that you still haven't grown used to in mares is toying with very tip of your cock, driving you wild for her.
>A small moan slips past your tongue.
>Since all seems well, it's time to slide in.
>At a glacial pace, [spoiler]just like this story's updates,[/spoiler] you push into her.
>Never before have you felt a mare hunger for your presence like Lyra.
>It was more than lust.
>It was a blinding need.
>The thought makes you smirk.
>About a quarter of your rod slid inside, and you are getting the full brunt of Lyra's marehood.
>The pressure on your member is definitely inspiring, to say the least, unlike anything you've ever experienced from another mare.
>While Twilight may have had pure strength on her side, she did not have the control Lyra is displaying to your immense pleasure.
>Hold, release, pulse, pulse. Hold, release, pulse, pulse.
>All in perfect time.
>The rhythmic sensations assaulting the head of your cock are indescribable.
>You wonder if her aptitude in music influences her sexual performance.
"Goddamn, Lyra. You are intense."
>You move your hands up and down her rear legs, making sure to get a handful of that prime flank of hers on your trips down.
>"Is-ahh, is that a g-good thing?"
>You free a hand to grasp a forehoof, bending to meet it to your lips as you slide in to the half-point.
>Her stomach tightens and she squirms under your touch, stimulating your rod further as the ministrations increase slightly.
>You pull your mouth away from her hoof, saliva hanging between the two momentarily until it snaps under its own weight.
"It's perfect."
>Lyra's head is thrown back as you continue your torturous entry.
>"MmmhaaafffffFFFUCK! Just give it to me, Anon! Give it all to me!"
>She knows what she wants, and you are happy to deliver to your gal.
>You pull back, leaving only the tip in.
>Releasing her hooves, your hands find their way to Lyra's waist.
>You squeeze her tightly, and with little fanfare, you slam it home, hilting.
>It was like a switch.
>One minute, you had a reserved, nervous, tense, and completely lustful mare under you.
>Now, with the entirety of your cock buried inside of her, you have a moaning, limp, cocksleeve, her lust just as strong as ever.
>She has gone nearly entirely limp.
>Well, except for one part.
>The part that's got you locked in ecstasy.
>Lyra's ministrations against your length are nothing short of breathtaking.
>The pulling, the pressure, the rhythmic pulsing--all across your entire length, sweeping it up and down in an amazing show of sexual prowess.
>And here, all you have is a fairly nice cock.
>You will finish in minutes if you don't act fast.
>"Haaaah! Oh GODDESSES Anon! You feel fantastic! Oh, it's better than I ever dreamed!"
"Grk...Y-you're one to talk, Lyra! If you don't slack up, I'm g-gonna be through in a few minutes!"
>You push against her waist and pull yourself out about half-way.
>You are already having trouble catching your breath, mouth open as you take in as much air as you can.
>Shit, this mare is something else.
>You're going to have to step up your game if you want to give her a time she'll remember for the rest of her days.
>A time worth dying for.
>...
>FUCK.
>STOP RUINING THE MOOD, BRAIN.
>A few good squeezes from Lyra brings you out of the clouds and back into the bedroom.
>You blink a few times and look around, stopping when you focus on her head.
>Her lens is locked onto your eyes, the two of you, locked in a crazy battle of sex.
>Without warning, you thrust in, hilting once again.
>She throws her head back into the mattress, moaning loudly.
>You pull back out at the same speed of your entry, and you begin to pump into this wonderful mare's pussy at an even pace, stopping only half-way on your exits.
>It's cute how she can't decide what to do with her forelegs.
>One minute, she's gripping the sheets, another, she's got them scrunched under her head.
>Sometimes, she will let them roam around her body.
>That gives you an invitation to help her out.
>Moving your hands from her waist, you travel them across the inside of her rear legs.
>She's back to gripping the sheets again.
>When you reach her hooves, you take them both in hand, raising them skywards.
>With her legs parallel to your body, her hooves nearly reach your face.
>Still keeping your half-entering pace, you start making out with her rear hooves.
>Kissing them, spreading your tongue across them, massaging them with your fingertips.
>You swear, you never had a hoof fetish before, but you may have just developed an unhealthy addiction to them thanks to Lyra.
>It's kind of a neat coincidence, really.
>Lyra's crazy about your hands.
>You're crazy about her hooves.
>Speaking of Lyra, she's in a near fit of a state.
>"Haaah! Oooooh, fff-fffffuck, Anon! Y-you're incredible!"
>You smile into the hoof currently pressed against your lips.
>You move your hands up and down her legs, squeezing them, feeling her muscles tense with every thrust.
>It's time to speed things up a bit.
>You increase your pace, keeping her legs held high between your arms as you move back to holding her hips.
>A few minutes of this and you move your hand to smack her ass.
>She yelps on the contact.
>You can feel her tail swishing violently between your legs, a cute shiver passing through with every slap.
>Your mind is nearly gone, focusing on the pleasure and trying to get more out of her.
>You've been holding yourself back for some time, struggling to remind your body the circumstances this is all happening under.
>Another smack against that clenched plot, and you stop with a hard trust.
>You stand for a minute to catch your breath.
>You are close, but then again it's hard to tell with the barrage of pleasure Lyra's dishing out.
>You let her legs fall to their sides slowly as you keep your stance, buried to the hilt inside of her.
>She finally regains enough mental capacity to get her head to look at you.
>"Wha-"
>It's all she could get out before you reach behind her, lifting her from the bed.
>Her legs immediately go around your neck, and she's holding on for life.
>You move your hands to her ass, spreading them slightly and squeezing them in your palms.
>Her tail whips around wildly, the hair brushing against your legs at times.
>Her body trembles against your own, as she embraces you in more ways than one.
>And with no announcement, you begin to exit her pussy, leaving only the tip.
>You re-enter at a quick pace, repeating the procedure.
>She yelps, holding you tighter as you assault her drooling marehood.
>You grunt as you start to use your hips and arms to raise her and let her drop, your body craving to reach deeper.
>Lyra's hold slips little by little as you thrust upwards.
>After a few moments, her forelegs are jelly, simply dangling against your body.
>You have moved one arm to her back to ensure she doesn't fall.
>Your mind breaks as you increase your pace, pounding into her relentlessly, your balls serving as an extra hammer of force as they slap against her.
>Suddenly, your cock is strangled.
>You stop your assault as Lyra clenches on your length.
>The feeling is intense, and after all of the friction between you two, your body has a chance to breathe.
>You can feel strong pulses as fluid escapes around your dick.
>Her body is shaking harshly in your grasp, and she's lost all ability to hold onto you.
>More strangled squeaks come from her.
>Guess she's not a screamer.
>To be honest, it's a refreshing change.
>Minutes pass as you hold her in your arms.
>You feel her start to move again, her forehooves pressing against you.
>Without making eye contact, she states her next request.
>"I...I w-want to be on t-top."
>Fucking.
>Yes.
>You love it when a mare wants to take the lead.
>You nod and start kiss her on her neck, just below the carnage of her head.
>She lolls her head back to give you better access as you suckle on the flesh around her shoulders.
>You step back a few paces, lining up your ass with the bed and sit down, still licking and sucking on her neck.
>You stop to move your legs back onto the bed and scootch over a bit so you don't risk falling off.
>You rub your hands up and down her back as she starts to stand, straddling your body.
>Your member slides out of her hungry snatch, plopping against your abdomen.
>The air of the room stimulates you further as the liquids surrounding your cock start to cool.
>"Anon...are you holding back on purpose?"
"What?"
>"You...you haven't...y'know, yet."
"Oh, no. It just takes longer for humans to get off...Sorry."
>She shakes her head.
>"No! Don't be sorry! I was just…curious."
>She starts to lower her rear end.
>"Think you could help me a little?"
>You nod and reach for your tool, pointing it to the heavens.
>The heavens being Lyra's amazing pussy.
>Slowly, painfully slowly, she lowers herself onto your girth.
>You take in every detail of her lips spreading, accommodating to your size.
>She's getting a little impatient and speeds up her descent until she is sitting on you, your length having vanished inside of her.
>"Goddesses, Anonymous. I wish I could show you how good you feel to me."
>The constant rhythmic pulses have returned once again.
"Oh, I think you're doing more than enough."
>She laughs a little as she raises her rear end up, stopping just as soon as you are about to completely exit.
>Then she drops.
>Hard.
>And that's when you learn something else about Lyra.
>And as...unsettling as it may sound at first, she's a fucking animal.
>She holds nothing back as she bounces on you at full force, impaling herself onto you as hard as she can.
>The sudden change in her behavior throws you for a loop, and you are content to simply enjoy the ride.
>You reach up and grasp her hips again, feeling her motions through your arms.
>You try to help by giving her some extra downwards force.
>Your bodies slap against one another in the best of ways.
>Your breathing is labored severely by now, as is Lyra's.
>Holy fuck, she speeds up.
>You didn't think she'd be able to go quite so fast.
>Horse legs are strong legs.
>You reach back and slap her bouncing plot as hard as you can, nothing held back.
>She yells out into the room, never slowing down.
>You take that as a sign to continue.
>Another hard slap and she nearly screams.
>You're getting close now.
>So damn close.
>You need to bring it to her attention.
"L-Lyra!"
>Fuck, it's hard to talk through all of this movement.
"I-I'm almost-"
>"Inside!"
>It as a command.
>You are to cum inside Lyra, per her orders.
>And you are elated to comply.
>Both hands on her hips, you angle your own slightly to give you some wiggle room.
>You start to meet her downward movements as you pound upwards into her with every bit of strength you can muster.
>Lyra is at a near constant scream by now.
>She must be about to go as well.
>You give it all you've got, your hips burning from the overexertion, your arms pained by the repeated movements.
>Lyra clamps down on your cock with double the force you felt earlier.
>Fluids are starting to run up your stomach.
>She's apparently met her big finish.
>Time to give her yours.
>You've held on for as long as you could, the pressure in your balls building to asinine levels.
>With a hard grunt you pound her one last time, using all of your strength to keep her still on top of you as you prepare for the oncoming orgasm.
>Colors.
>That's all you see as you tightly clench your eyes in ecstasy as the first rope releases inside of Lyra, hot, abundant, and satisfying beyond measure.
>You actually yell out in unabashed pleasure.
>The second throb from your cock, and you swear Lyra's pussy is working in tandem, releasing and squeezing in time with your shots.
>Red.
>An intense red fills your vision as a blinding light shines through your eyelids.
>You dare open them.
>And what you witness…
>...is magic...
>You can make out the silhouette of Lyra's body against the golden light that pours through the room.
>Your eyes are locked on Lyra's head, the seam around her neck the source of the light.
>She is looking upwards slightly towards the wall behind you.
>And she is as still as a board.
>It is now that you realize that you cannot move.
>You also notice the strange silence you are lost in.
>The golden light around you shifts slowly in a circular pattern, the center being Lyra's body.
>Your mind slowly starts to shatter as an intense feeling emanates from from crotch.
>It's familiar, for sure.
>But never before have you had it last as long as you feel it now.
>You are cumming.
>Your third rope of cum is shooting into Lyra.
>It's different though, like you are continually stuck cumming at once.
>A final realization unfolds.
>Time has nearly stopped.
>Just like back in the bathtub.
>You.
>Feel.
>Everything.
>Every squirm and wriggle of the sperm traveling up your shaft, every subtle ripple of flesh inside of Lyra's vag, the sweat squeezing out of your pores, all of it.
>And you are locked in this state, forever gazing at Lyra in ecstasy as you coat her insides with your essence.
>A heavenly voice is heard.
>"Anonymous."
>You want to respond, but you know that you can't.
>Time doesn't allow you to speak.
>But the voice alone sends you reeling into a state of pure bliss.
>Stress, worries, angst, all of it gone.
>Your last coherent thought being that of a warning from Twilight: ”To behold magic like that in person, it is a miracle that you are still sane. That much magical exposure could have driven you mad or turned you into a vegetable."
>The light shifts, the disc expanding at a rapid pace, covering the area.
>As it blows over you, your negative thoughts are removed.
>All that is left are the mind rending sensations of your everlasting orgasm and your overwhelming happiness.
>The blast of light settles, and you are left in near darkness when you notice a concentrated glow around the rim of Lyra's neck.
>And in the oddest fashion, you see it begin to travel upwards.
>Bone, muscle, flesh, hair.
>You see it all start to reappear right in front of you as it makes it's way upwards at a snails pace.
>The metal and machinery is scrunching up, some of it peeling away and broken off entirely.
>The broken pieces stay in place, hung in time.
>Hydraulic lines that ran down into her neck are severed, leaving behind no trace of them ever entering her body.
>The light reaches nearly a quarter of the way up her head, and it's too much pressure for the mechanical portion to bear.
>You see the lower portion buckle inwards on itself as it struggles to stay attached to Lyra's body.
>You can slowly make out a lower jaw forming, teeth visible now.
>You're not sure how much more of this you can take.
>Between the shock of the visual, the crippling orgasm and the constant barrage of elation, you are hard pressed to stay cognizant.
>The pressure from below the head is too great.
>The lens shatters, and the artificial head is rejected.
>The rear of the head jerks upwards, making the broken lens look down at you.
>The rim of light is still making its way upwards, nothing stopping it.
>You can faintly see the head starting to float off, away from the bed.
>You're guessing it was a great amount of force if you can visibly see it moving.
>Due to the angle of Lyra's head when this crazy shit started, you can't see the top, only the outer progress.
>You are somewhat thankful, as you're not sure you'd want to see the inside of a pony's head.
>The light has made it half-way up her eyes.
>How long have you been sitting here?
>Hours?
>Days?
>It's hard to gauge anymore.
>The progress has pushed the metal hunk of Lyra's old head out of the way.
>All you can see is the light traveling.
>It's pretty crazy, watching her eyes form right before your eyes just before they are covered by her eyelids.
>She must have her eyes closed then.
>Another unaccounted for amount of time has passed.
>You can hardly grasp your situation as your dick sends you countless amounts of pleasure.
>Your vision is going at random.
>By the time you can comprehend what you're seeing, the light is finishing up at the tips of her ears.
>The final sliver of light disappears at the tip of her horn.
>The world is still.
>And for the first time in too long, you gaze at the face of Lyra Heartstrings.
>Your Lyra.
>That great feeling of happiness expands within your chest, yearning to burst free.
>You no longer care about your endless orgasm.
>It pales in comparison to the sheer joy of seeing Lyra whole again.
>A soft voice travels across your mind.
>"Thank you."
>And all at once, time returns.
>The husk of Lyra's machine head is thrown across the room, the small metal shavings and broken pieces falling around you and in the bed.
>And Lyra, your beautiful Lyra, falls to your chest, her mane spilling around her.
>The room is quiet once again except for your own labored breathing.
>You slide your hands up from her hips, draping one around her back.
>The other meets her face, and you brush a lock of her mane around her horn.
>You can feel the steady rise and fall of her own breath, her heart thumping against your chest quietly.
>It's the most soothing sensation you've ever experienced.
>Your lungs have calmed down, your heart falling in rhythm.
>You brush a hand over her ear.
>It flops playfully back into place, and you scratch behind it.
>An odd twitch from her leg a few times, and she starts to stir.
>Your heart jumps back up to speed at the severity of the moment.
>And slowly, lit only by the moonlight, Lyra opens her eyes.
>Your view is indescribable.
>Her eyes have captivated you.
>The glistening pools of gold have taken your breath, and stolen your heart.
>You can see her pupils dilate as they overflow with emotion.
>Her mouth moves, but nothing comes out.
>You place both arms behind her back, hugging her close to you.
>Her eyes close as she silently sobs in your grasp.
>Her breath hitches and a small squeak makes it past her lips.
>It's incredible, hearing her voice through your ears again.
>The barest whisper of her voice crosses you.
>"A-...A-Anon..."
>You're beyond words to hear her speak using her own mouth.
>And to call your name first...
"I'm right here, babe."
>You give her a little squeeze.
>She shifts her legs around, hugging you back, nuzzling her head into your chest.
>"...Please..."
>That word.
>Memories resurface.
>Memories of a broken mare, begging for death.
>"...Don't wake me up from this."
>You tighten your grip.
"If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up either."
>She hugs you closer, her tears falling against your chest.
>The sounds of Lyra's sniffles and your own breathing dissipate, only leaving her soft murmurs as she sleeps in your arms.
>You are about to succumb to sleep yourself when something catches your ear...
>"Ghk..."
>A quick intake of breath from another individual and you come to the realization that you and Lyra are not the only occupants in this room.
>You turn your head to the door, straining against the darkness.
>Two eyes stare back at you, reflecting the pale moonlight.
>The shape of the intruders bangs give them away.
>Twilight.
>Your vision is adjusting to the lack of light.
>She has a hoof covering her mouth.
>You just look at her.
>How.
>When.
>Why.
>These words go through your mind, but none stick to ask.
>It is now that you realize your are completely naked, still buried inside of Lyra.
>The awkward meter is off the charts.
>Luckily, there is no need for immediate explanation as Twilight zaps herself out of the room.
>You honestly don't care.
>Lyra is back, and sleeping in your arms.
>All is right with the world.
>And you join your mare in slumber.
>...
>-----------------------
>...
"Ffffuck!"
>You exclaim out into the room just as soon as your hoof crosses over your clit.
>You're not worried about being heard thanks to your sound spell.
>You are Twilight, and you are assaulting your marehood like a red-maned step-colt.
>Never before have you sat and watched a couple having sex.
>The thought excites you more.
>The risk of being caught.
>The personal glimpse at these two individuals in a way no one has seen them before.
>And for one of them to be Anonymous, no less.
>Watching as Lyra takes his full length relentlessly heats you up.
>Your hoof is covered with your arousal.
>Normally, you'd apply some magical assistance to increase your pleasure and help you along, but you can't afford to waver on your spell in the least.
>Looks like you're doing it the Earth Pony way.
>You stop to lean forward until you are lying on your chest, your chin pressing into the floor.
>You hoist your flank in the air, your back curved inwards, tail whipping wildly beyond your control.
>Wings erect and slightly quivering in the moment, you slink a hoof down your midsection until you reach your sensitive bud once again.
>You cry out in bliss as you rub against the pleasure capital of your sopping marehood.
>Light droplets hit the floor as you work yourself, your foreleg cramping at the repeated strokes.
>Anon reaches his hands around Lyra's hips.
>Oh, how you wish those hands would have their way with your hips.
>You take in every intimate detail as his fingers drum against her sides, preparing for something more.
>His grip tightens, and you see his arm muscles strain as he forces Lyra onto himself.
>A rear leg slips against the floor, spreading your stance.
>You're shaking, and you know you're close.
>That fast?
>Huh.
>Never would have guessed you'd be into voyeurism.
>Congrats, Twilight!
>You've learned something new about yourself!
>Your chin is scooting against the floor, falling in rhythm with your heavily labored breaths.
>Anon reaches out and slaps Lyra, square on her cutie mark.
>The resulting yelp and the increase in pace nearly sets you off, yourself.
>Your predictions about Anon's aggressive nature while mating is confirmed.
>You hoof is a blur against your drenched lips, legs shaking and parting slightly still, widening your stance.
>The spread of your legs makes it increasingly difficult to maintain the position.
>You soon collapse onto your foreleg, but you keep hammering away at it.
>Your eyes are locked in at the action, Anon's cock being swallowed whole by Lyra's marehood.
>A very lucky mare, you think to yourself.
>Strings of fluids are seen stretching and snapping as Lyra bounces away from Anon's lap.
>The sounds cannot be mistaken for anything but the lewd act.
>The mixture of Anon's heady sweat and Lyra's sweet musk flood your nostrils.
>Fuck it.
>You spare a bit of your magic to create a temporal solid form.
>A magic dildo, some call it.
>All unicorn mares have their own way of accomplishing a similar spell.
>You take your hoof away, your back legs spread out behind you, tail raised.
>And with a practiced motion, you guide the magic phallus into your wanting cavern.
>You scream.
>The sound barrier wavers slightly, but you pour as much concentration as you can afford into keeping it active.
>Your vision has been getting blurry.
>Anon has started thrusting into Lyra equally as hard as she forces herself down on him.
>The speed is frantic, and you match their rhythm perfectly with your personal toy.
>Lyra yelps loudly.
>Anon is grunting along, churning into her as hard as he can, his muscles rippling as his sweat catches the moonlight.
>It's too much.
>You can't hold on.
>You increase your pace over their own.
>You have to finish before they do.
>"L-Lyra!...I-I'm almost-"
>"Inside!"
>Oh fuck!
>They're nearly done!
>Your mind is stuck only on finishing before them.
>All concentration on the sound barrier is lost.
>You don't even know if it's even active anymore.
>The risk of getting caught puts you over the edge as you use all magic at your disposal on your drooling cunt.
>You've reduced the size of the magic phallus, creating a second one and alternating their insertions while a thin thread of magic flicks against your clit.
>You taste the floor as your tongue falls out, the room growing dark as your lids lower in pure unadulterated pleasure.
>Your legs twitch harshly against the floor, a great pressure building within your loins.
>Lyra screams.
>And so do you.
>With the force of a charging minotaur, you climax.
>Through three gushes of marecum, you tear your throat in rapture.
>And through a half-lidded gaze, you witness the impossible.
>It was over in an instant.
>A fraction of a second.
>A blinding flash of golden light, and you witness Lyra's mechanical head thrown from her body.
>Her own--real--head in its place.
>She falls against Anonymous, who wraps his arms around her.
>You notice that your magical toys have vanished, and the room is silent, save for all the heavy breathing in the room.
>This impossible feat snaps you back to reality, the gravity of the situation coming back into focus.
>You just sat and watched Anonymous and Lyra have sex.
>And you masturbated to it.
>Furiously.
>Realizing that the sound barrier has also dissipated, you hold your breath.
>Lyra stirs in Anon's grasp.
>You nearly piss yourself.
>She's alive.
>Some words are exchanged, but you don't care.
>The sheer impossibility of this has your mind completely frazzled.
>Yes.
>You do use the word "frazzled" from time to time.
>Your breathing hitches, causing you to cough slightly.
"Ghk…"
>You inhale at your grave mistake and throw your hoof over your mouth, hoping to Celestia that they didn't hear you.
>No chance.
>Anon's head turns to you instantly, his gaze piercing through the darkness.
>Your eyes water.
>You are beyond humiliated.
>You can't even bring yourself to try and defend your position.
>You can't apologize.
>You can't say anything.
>Anonymous is still looking at you.
>You can't move, so you do what you always do.
>Panic and teleport.
>With a quick thought and a surge of magic, you are back in your room, sitting in the center.
>You simply twitch and shake at random as you take in the events that just occurred.
>You walked around the castle.
>You stumbled about a strange source of magic.
>You believed it to be Lyra.
>Turns out it was, but in the form of Anon and Lyra rutting each other senseless.
>You...became enthralled with the act of watching them.
>So much so that you pleasured yourself in the same room.
>Willingly.
>Deliberately.
>Knowing of the consequences and how...wrong it was, you still did it.
>And then…
>Lyra...got her head back.
>And you just can't believe it.
>She...she moved.
>She moved.
>She talked.
>You don't know what she said, but you heard her voice, and it wasn't through magic.
>She moved, she talked, and she lived through it.
>A rush of adrenaline courses through your body as a cold wave of excitement hits you.
>You haven't felt this in years.
>Nostalgic is the best word you can use to describe the emotion this feeling brings.
>And as you collapse to the ground, Celestia and Cadence running to your aid, you finally define this feeling.
>The excitement of magic.
>Tears darken your coat as you smile.
>Celestia and Cadence are saying something to you, but you can't hear them, their voices miles away from your thoughts.
>You haven't been excited by magic in so long.
>It never surprised you.
>You never beheld something that you couldn't best within a day of study.
>You start to laugh as the joy and pure elation of witnessing something worthy of being classified as "miraculous" settles in.
>You are clutching your chest as you heave your laughter out into your room, your throat burning from it's strenuous use.
>Celestia and Cadence look worried, but you don't care.
>You can explain it later.
>Right now, you're a little filly again, watching Celestia raise the sun before your eyes for the first time.
>...