Duty or Friendship?

by Alphamon_Ouryuken

Rating: teen
Tags: Sad, Lyra, Romance, Drama, Bon-Bon, Tragedy, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 4032

The life of a secret agent is never an easy one...

Cover Art by: V-D-K

When Lyra's best friend Bonbon revealed her true identity, it was the most soul-crushing realization she'd ever gone through... but not for the reason Bonbon thinks...

Now Lyra must make a choice of her own, but which will she choose? Her best friend, or her duty to the crown?

Published 2015-08-26 22:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-08-26 22:40:02 UTC

Bittersweet Melodies

Celestia's Sun disappeared beyond the horizon as Luna's Moon began to rise, illuminating that night sky, an equine figure leaped out of the shadows, jumping across the rooftops with skill and grace. Swift enough not to be noticed, yet graceful enough not to make a sound.

As the figure continued its journey, it could not ignore to feeling of dread growing within its gut. It knew just how dangerous this line of work could be, and how cruel and unforgiving some of the choices it had to make were.

And tonight it would make the most painful choice of all.

The figure eventually made it to the edge of town, immediately take to the trees the moment it cleared the last rooftop. It jumped from tree to tree until it found itself at its destination: The Everfree Forest.

Without a moment of hesitation, it darted into the forest, after a few moments it veered off the safe path and deeper into the woods, eventually arriving in a clearing. It made its way towards the center and waited, it thoughts slowly drifting to earlier that evening...

***

"Now that was an amazing wedding!" Bonbon said as she finished tidying up the kitchen.

"I know right?!" Lyra giggled as she entered the living room carrying a few pictures. "I still can't believe Steven cut off his own mustache for Cranky!"

"Well, when you're as close friends as those two, you tend to do anything to see the other happy..." Bonbon smiled as she followed the mint free unicorn. "Just like us, right Lyra?"

Lyra smirked as she sat down on the couch. "Yeah, just like us... Agent Sweetie Drops."

Bonbon sighed upon hearing her true name. "Still not gonna let that go, are ya?"

"Oh I let it go, that doesn't mean I can't tease you about it!" She giggled. "Though I can't help but think the name could be better... how's "Sweetie-Bons" sound?" She asked playfully, only to duck as she avoided the pillow thrown at her.

"Real cute Lyra." Bonbon chuckled before letting out a tired yawn. "Well, I'm hitting the hay. After all the excitement we've been through today I think it's best to turn in early." She stated that she made her way towards the stairs. "You coming?"

"Nah, I'm gonna take the couch tonight." Lyra said before yawning herself, placing the pictures she been holding on the table before laying down with her hooves behind her head. " 'Night Bonbon."

"Goodnight Lyra, see you in the morning." The earth pony smiled before trotting upstairs... never noticing the tear that escaped Lyra's eye as she gazed at the picture of them at the wedding... the last picture they'd be in together...

***

"...were you followed?" A voice from the shadows called out, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"You know me better than that." Lyra retorted in an almost insulted tone. "Anyone who does follow me never lives to gloat about it."

"True…" The new figure stated as it made its way out of the shadows. "... But one can never be too sure. But enough about that, I have another mission for you."

Lyra sighed as she turned to face her superior, the only one capable of traversing the dreams of the resting, the embodiment of the moon itself: Princess Luna.

"According to my intel, a former agent of Canterlot's monster-hunting agency has blown her cover and revealed her true name, as well as her connection to the organization as well. I believe you already know her."

Lyra winced, she'd known this was coming. "Bonbon."

"Yes, the earth pony. A very promising agent, if her files are correct." Luna mused to herself. "Sadly we can't have a loose-lipped former agent running about. She needs to be dealt with." The Night Princess stated in a firm tone.

"P-Please Princess Luna," Lyra stammered. "I can talk to her, get her to keep quiet, there's no need to-"

"That wasn't a request, it was in order." The Princess cut her off, leaving no room for an argument. "She immediately revealed her true identity to you the moment that Bugbear showed up. Suppose she accidentally revealed that information to one of our enemies? She's a loose end that needs to be tied up." She stated before bending down, putting herself at eye level with the mint green unicorn. "And if you refuse to take this mission, I will find somepony who will, is that understood?"

Lyra gulped as she stared into the eyes of the Princess of the Night, she wanted to say no, she wanted to get down on her knees and beg the Princess reconsider. But the look she had in her eyes made it clear that this wasn't up to debate, either she killed Bonbon, or someone else would.

With a heavy heart, she sighed before bowing to her superior. "Yes Princess..."

***

Bonbon had always been a morning pony, the moment Celestia's sun graced her face she was up and ready to take the day by the horns! She whistled to herself as she happily trotted down the stairs, passing through the living room and give the sleeping unicorn a playful nudge. "Wakey wakey, sunshine!" She giggled before heading towards the kitchen.

"Ugh... leave me alone... take the moon men..." Lyra groaned.

"Wow, somepony got up on the side of the couch!" The earth pony teased as she opened the fridge. "Although can you really do that if there's only one side to get up off of?" She mused to herself as she pulled out a tray of eggs. "Wow, I'm starting to sound like Pinkie!"

"Yeah you sure are…" Lyra said as she made her way into the kitchen, mentally scanning the environment for ways to carry out her mission.

There were knives in the draw... no, too messy.

The rat poison on the top shelf? No, she didn't deserve to suffer. It had to be as quick and painless as possible, she was a trained spy too after all...

"~cus I love to see you smile, smile, smile, yes I do~" Bonbon sung as she she opened the bottom cabinet to take out a pan. Along the way, she took out one of her candies that were in a small box next to her and opened it before chucking it into her mouth and starting to chew.

Lyra then noticed her lyre, a few wires on the table from her earlier attempts to fix it. Seeing no other option, she levitated one of them and began to inch closer to Bon Bon. 'I’m sorry. Goodbye.'

Bonbon had just swallowed the candy and was about to ask her friend what kind of eggs she wanted... only to find herself unable to speak... or breathe for the matter. She vainly tried to move, only to find that she was being held in place... by Lyra's magic.

"L-Ly-" She managed to choke out, only for an agonizing pain to erupt from her neck. With what little freedom she had her eyes darted to her reflection glass bowl she'd pulled out, revealing her best friend… strangling her with a string from her lyre.

"I'm sorry Bonbon..." Lyra choked out as tears erupted from her eyes. "I'm so sorry... just go to sleep..."

Whatever Bonbon was thinking could not be voiced, within minutes the body of the earth pony went completely limp as the light faded from her eyes.

"Sleep... just sleep... forever..." Lyra whispered as she released the body from her magic hold, letting it collapse to the floor like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

Lyra stood there for what seemed like an eternity, staring at the corpse of her best friend. The mare she'd been with for as long as she could remember was dead, by her own hoof, in the very home they'd shared...

She couldn't take it anymore, she ran to the nearby sink and threw up.

***

Bonbon's funeral was held several days later at a church near the edge of the village. Inside there were several pictures of her hung on opposite sides of the room, from her time as a foal to her days as a grown mare, each frame had Lyra with her in some way or another, which only caused the mint green unicorn more grief. She turned her attention to the altar where Bonbon's body rested, her casket adorned with various gems arranged to form her cutie mark(donated by Rarity), the casket itself surrounded by daisies, lilies, orchids, roses, and tulips(provided by Fluttershy, with some help from her animal friends), and in front of the casket was a portrait of Bonbon.

"I'm so sorry for your loss." Lyra turned to see Pinkie Pie, her mane completely straight and her coat depressingly dim. Her eyes were overflowing with tears as she gave Lyra a comforting hug with the she gently returned.

Upon looking around she saw that pretty much every resident of Ponyville had arrived, the Elements of Harmony and respective families, the Cakes, the Mayor, Cranky and Matilda, heck even Zecora had showed up.

As she slowly trotted towards the altar, she could see a few more familiar faces, Octavia sniffing as she held onto Vinyl as if she'd disappear if she let go, Dinky sobbing as her mother Derpy tried to calm her down(despite being on the verge of tearing up herself). The CMC and Spike were going through the same scenario, with sister(or in Spike and Scootaloo's case, sister-figures).

'It had to be done... it had to be done...'
She mentally repeated to herself as she made her way to the altar. 'There was no other way...'

"She was always so nice to me and I ...and I... I took her for granted..." A voice brought her out of her thoughts. She looked towards her destination to see none other than Diamond Tiara standing there, her eyes puffy and red from constant crying. Unlike those times where she'd shit fake tears to get sympathy, these were 100% real. The filly continued her little speech as best she could without tearing up. "I can only h-hope that s-s-she finds peace in the n-next life, and... and-" Whatever she was about to say was drowned out by more sobs as she broke down, finding herself unable to finish. Her father quietly lead her back to her seat as Lyra approached, closing her eyes as she passed them. She couldn't bring herself to look them in the eyes.

'It had to be done... it had to be done...'
She reminded herself as she stood in front of the casket containing the lifeless corpse of her dead friend. The inside of the casket was filled with various types of flowers as well small bite-sized candies that she'd personally made. But what drew her attention was the pose her body was in; Her eyes closed as though she were sleeping, her hooves together in a praying motion. Completely innocent... unlike her. She took a glance at the portrait and couldn't help but notice she was in the exact same pose; resting in the field of flowers, she had taken that picture during their trip to Horseshoe Bay.

She quickly turned around, unable to stand the sight of the very friend she killed, however the hundreds of ponies watching her didn't help ease her guilt. She took a deep breath, she had to do this.

"I... I could never remember a time when Bonbon didn't have a smile on her face, the kindness she showed other ponies while rarely asking for anything in return warmed the hearts of everypony. And if there's one thing I'll never forget about her, it's that she was the most compassionate friend a mare could ever ask for..." At that point it finally occurred to her that tears were streaming down her cheeks, but at the moment she couldn't care less. "You were my best friend Bonbon, and no matter how much time passes I'll... I'll always remember you!" She finished, finally letting herself break down and weeping for her friend.

***

Lyra stayed rooted to the spot as Bonbon's casket was lowered into the ground, never saying a word even as the Ponyville residents offered their sincerest condolences. Even after the funeral had ended and everyone had gone home, she just sat there, clutching a small box to her chest and staring at the tombstone.

Here lies Bonbon.

A loving friend with a heart as sweet as sugar,

May she rest in peace.

As Celestia's Sun disappeared beyond the horizon and Luna's Moon began to rise, the mint green unicorn felt a chill got down her spine. She glanced to the left and scowled. "Does anypony else know?" She asked bluntly.

"No. My agents made sure of that." Answered Luna as she rose from the shadows, her tone neutral and cold as she made her way towards the grieving unicorn. "You did the right thing." She said, draping her wing over her in a comforting motion.

"That doesn't make it any less painful." Lyra scoffed, staring at her friend's tombstone. "Princess Luna... I request permission to be released from your service. I... I just can't do this anymore..."

Luna arched a brow, but nodded. "Very well, I'll have all records of your association with my organization eliminated, it's the least I can do..." She stated, getting up and flaring her wings. "But be forewarned, you know the penalty of revealing your affiliation..." She stated in a threatening tone.

Lyra nodded as she got up to leave. "Don't worry, you'll never see or hear from me again after this." However she stopped and turned to face the Night Princess. "Consider this a parting gift." She said she levitated the small box she'd been holding towards her.

Curious, the Princess took the box into her own magic grasp and opened it. Inside was an assortment of various chocolates and candies, the Princess was about to address Lyra, only to find a spot she wants occupied completely empty.

"That was the last batch she ever made…" Lyra's voice echoed throughout the cemetery.

The Princess stared at the small box for a moment before gently closing it teleporting away...

***

Four days later the residents of Ponyville had gathered for another funeral, for one Lyra Heartstrings. According to the ponies that found her, she'd taken her own life by hanging herself.

Her casket was decorated with lyres and music notes, a tribute to her love for music. The mint green unicorn herself lay inside with a look utter despair on her face, her eyes closed with dark bags under them from constant crying. The lid of the casket (bearing her cutie mark) was closed as it was brought to the cemetery.

"I don't understand it," Whispered Rarity as the coffin was lowered into the ground, right next to Bonbon's grave. "I understand that she took Lyra's death the hardest, but to take her own life...?"

"Maybe... maybe they were closer than just friends…" Twilight whispered back before turning her attention towards the grave as it was immediately filled in. Smooth and couldn't help but find odd that two of the closest ponies died in the same week, it felt to little odd to her…

"Twilight...?"

The Princess of Friendship was brought out of her thoughts upon hearing her assistant's voice, she looked down to see Spike hugging her hoof and looking up at her with tears in his eyes. "Please... promise you won't leave me...?"

Twilight quickly dismissed those thoughts in favor giving her little brother figure a comforting hug. "I won't Spike, I promise."

A safe distance from the funeral, a certain Princess watched from afar... before vanishing into a wisp of smoke...

***

Back in Canterlot Castle, Princess Luna reappeared in her room... with a malicious smile on her face. "Well, that went better than expected." She chuckled sinisterly as she trotted towards her bed.

"Everything is going exactly as planned. I knew letting that Bugbear rampage through Ponyville would flush out at least one of Celestia's agents." She mused to herself as she threw herself onto the bed. "And soon I will find them all, eliminating them, then replace them with my own agents... then I can commence my little coup." She giggled sadistically as she rolled onto her back. "As if I could just forget those thousands of years I spent on the moon." She grumbled in a bitter tone.

"Though it was a shame I had to lose Lyra, she showed much promise..." She groaned, eventually should have to send another one of her agents to Ponyville, couldn't leave that town unchecked. "Oh well, you win some you lose some." The Princess sighed as she rolled onto her belly, which promptly started to growl.

"Hmmm... I have been busy for the last few days..." She glanced around her room, rise landing on the box of chocolates Lyra had gave her. "A small snack wouldn't hurt." She smirked as she levitated the box towards herself, opening it and happily chucking a few into her mouth. "Mmm~ it's too bad she worked for my sister..." The Princess mused to herself as she swallowed the chocolate and quickly chucked a few more into his mouth. "... with candies this good, I might have hired her-"

*thump*

Luna looked down, realizing that she'd dropped the box. Shrugging, she attempted to levitate it back up, only for it to slowly phase through her aura and drop to the floor again. Before she could question what was going on, a sudden feeling of weakness spread through her body.

"W-What's h-h-happening to me..?" She groaned as she struggled to crawl out of bed, only to unceremoniously flop onto the floor, her entire body felt like it had gone numb. 'Why... why do I feel so weak...?' Her eyes darting around until they landed on the box of half eaten chocolates, her widened in realization. 'Poison.'

She vainly tried calling out for her Guards, but the most that came out was a pained whimper as darkness engulfed her vision...

***

Celestia stood at the alter, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked upon the various ponies that had arrived from all across Equestria, from the Pegasi of Cloudsdale to the Earth Ponies and Buffalo from Appaloosa.

The funeral had taken place in the throne room, which had been completely redecorated in Luna's image, the drapes and curtains were all adorned with her cutie mark, and the stained glass windows now showed her in all her finery.

Then there was Luna herself, laying on her back atop a pedestal where the throne would be, her attire was quite similar to the one she'd worn at Twilight's coronation, a gown that displayed several shades of cobalt with a dark magenta trim, a white crescent moon at the neckline and a matching tiara.

"Today... today is the day that the sun weeps..." Celestia began, not even bothering to put on her mask of a refined, composed ruler. No, they'd see the real her. "And she cries not just for the passing of the moon, but the death of a dream they both shared." She sniffed. "A dream that someday, the moon would be free from her past, that she'd be able to be looked upon not as the one who fell to darkness, but one who became the light that protected us from the very darkness we feared." She paused, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I can... I can only hope that she finds that freedom in the next life beyond this one..." She finished as she turned to face her sister's body. Unlike most ponies who were buried, Alicorns had a more... Unique way of laying their deceased to rest.

Her horn glowed brightly as Luna's body was lifted off the pedestal, Celestia focused as her magic aura became brighter, small wisps of magic wafting off of her horn as they wrapped around the deceased Alicorns body. Almost instantly flames erupted from her horn, traveling along the wisps of magic from her horn to Luna's body, the flames engulfed her body an almost hypnotic display of yellow, orange, and red. The ponies could only watch in sympathy as their ruler cremated her sister with her own magic.

By the time she was done, nothing remained of Princess Luna. Not even ashes.

***

'I wish it didn't have to be this way, dear sister.' The Sun Princess thought to herself as she sat in front of her sister's grave, which had been built in the palace gardens l. 'May Fausticorn help you find peace in the next world.'

"Princess..." A voice called out, snapping her out of her thoughts. She turned to see two familiar faces emerge from the shadows.

"Lyra, Sweetie Dr-sorry, Bonbon." She addressed the two, trying her hardest to remain composed. "I must thank you both for your services. Especially you Lyra, had you not sent me that message I may not have known about my sister's scheming until it was too late."

Lyra and Bonbon bowed respectfully, although Lyra gave Bonbon an apologetic look. It hadn't been easy for her to cook up that potion so quickly, it had been designed to put her in a death-like state, fooling everyone into thinking she'd passed away.

"I know it must've been hard for you to order your sister's..." Bonbon hesitated, only for Celestia to finish for her.

"Termination. I did what I had to to reserve peace throughout Equestria. If I hadn't we could have been dealing with the second coming of Nightmare Moon, this time with an army to back her up." She stated firmly, though her expression made her emotions more than obvious. 'That doesn't make what I have to do any less painful...' She mentally added.

"Princess, if I may-" Lyra began, but was cut off.

"I've already seen to it that you both be given new false ID's, as far as the world knows you two are dead." She stated, to levitating a black suitcase towards the two former agents. The moment Lyra took it the Princess turned her attention back to her sister's grave. "Now please, leave me be."

Without another word, the two ponies left their Princess alone... it was not long before they heard her weeping in sorrow.

"...let's go." Bonbon sighed, Lyra nodded as her horn glowed, teleporting the two away...

***

The two reappeared on all tall hill overlooking Ponyville. The time with they had made a life for themselves, where they'd built so many memories together, now they'd have to leave it all behind…

"Are you ready…?" Lyra asked her friend, who was staring at her former home with sorrow-filled eyes.

"Before we go, I need to ask..." Bonbon began, not taking her eyes off her former home. "...if a situation like this ever came up again... would you kill me?"

Lyra turned to her friend and stared at her for a few seconds... before grabbing her with her magic, forcing her to look at her.

"I would NEVER kill you Bonbon." She said seriously, then before Bonbon could respond, she pressed her lips against the Earth Pony's lips. They both stayed that way for a full minute, letting their actions express their feelings.

When the two finally broke apart for air, Bombon gave her a dazed look. "I could never kill my best friend." Lyra smirked, giving her a light peck on the nose.

Bonbon giggled as she hugged the mint green unicorn. "If that's how you kiss a friend, I wonder how you'd kiss your marefriend."

Lyra gave her a coy smile and press Bonbon's forehead against her own. "Let's find out." She chuckled as her horn glowed.

And with those words, the duo vanished, never to be seen again...

-The End-

Author's Note

This is my very first attempt at a genuinely sad/tragic story, so forgive me if I'm a little rusty. That being said, I hope you all enjoyed this! And if not, I urge you to comment on what exactly so that I may better my future stories that touchy subject like this.