Bon Bon could feel the heat from the morning sun shining through the window. However, this warmth was tainted by an unpleasant smell in the air. She quietly moaned to herself and whispered, “Lyra must be trying to cook a new food again. Why does our bedroom have to be above the kitchen?” Failing to hold back a cough, she continued whispering. “This one’s really bad.” She rubbed the tiredness from her eyes as she opened them, letting them adjust to the light as she stared at the ceiling.
Now having the energy and motivation to move, she quickly lifted her head and rolled to her left. Now being off the bed, she realised something had caught her eye. Something was in the back left corner of the room. Although from her current point of view, it was more of the right back corner. Bon Bon quickly turned so she could see the left corner of the room. She jumped and nearly screamed, but she stopped herself.
Bon Bon held a fore hoof over her adrenaline paced heart. What in tartarus is a timberwolf doing in my bedroom? Not important, but it does explain the bad smell. They really need mouthwash. What is important is that I don’t wake it up. Slowly and cautiously, Bon Bon backed up toward the door, keeping an eye on both the door and timberwolf the whole time. Lucky for her, the door was only one meter away from the bed. Using one of her back hooves, she quietly turned the knob and pushed the door open. Never taking her eyes off the sleeping timberwolf, she backed out of the room and closed the door just as quietly.
Briskly but still quietly, Bon Bon trotted down the staircase into the living room.
Now out of immediate danger and able to relax a little, she went to sit on the couch. “I have a blood hungry monster asleep in my room, so what are my options?” Bon Bon allowed herself a little laugh and then gasped. “I don't know why I'm alive now. Maybe it ate Lyra and… no, there would have been a mess in the room. Getting off track,” she said with a shake of her head. “First, I should find something to help defend myself. A metal pan from the kitchen will do nicely.” She made her way to the kitchen, on the left.
Walking up to a drawer, she opened it half way, then tapped her forehead. “What am I doing? I don’t have to be a monster to take down a monster. Lyra has an assortment of magic artifacts that could be really helpful. I may be an earth pony, but that doesn’t mean I can’t use an artifact. Although, I’m not a fan of magic.” Bon Bon trotted through the kitchen and to the basement door, the one that led to Lyra’s side.
Making her way down the staircase, she walked into the well-kept and well-lit room. Display cases lined the room from wall to wall, some even on the walls. Currently there were three hundred display cases, but only two hundred and five had an item in them.
Bon Bon walked over to the small device that Lyra used to help organize the artifacts and cases. Ironically, it was an artifact itself. Bon Bon sighed. “Why can’t Lyra be this organized in normal life? Magic does seem like it could be the nicest way to remove the wolf.” She stuck her hoof in the hoof-shaped crevice on the device. She shivered as she felt a light magic surround her. Her mind was now filled with the knowledge of all the artifacts, their properties, and their location. It was like a mental filing system. “What’s a good artifact to use? I like the sound of the one that turns something into stone, but the user slowly turns to stone too.” Bon Bon subconsciously tapped her hoof on the floor. “Although not helpful right now, I like the one that lets you know what others opinions of you are. Too bad it makes it so you say all your thoughts too. Nothing you think would be safe. Oh, here we go. This shield making necklace could work, and the side effect is not too bad. It’s only that unicorns can’t use the artifact or be affected by it. It’s in Aisle eight.”
With a plan, Bon Bon removed her hoof from the device. She walked to the location to pick up her new necklace. Removing it from the display case, she put it on and left the basement.
Upon exiting the kitchen, Bon Bon smiled. Time to test this thing. She looked at the blue couch in the living room. With a nod of her head, she thought, Hope this works. She watched curiously as a beige colored shield appeared around the couch. She also noticed the necklace was glowing. Bon Bon turned toward the staircase as the shield vanished.
Bon Bon slowly opened her bedroom door. To her surprise, the timberwolf had woken up.
Thinking fast, Bon Bon used her necklace to put a shield around her enemy. Let’s see you get out of that. Stupid monster. Bon Bon cautiously walked up to the now trapped timberwolf. She tapped the shield with a forehoof. “So, what do I do now? I never thought this far ahead. I guess I’ll just push the shield and you out of my home.” Pony and wolf kept their eyes on each other as Bon Bon casually made her way to the space between the shield and wall.
Seeing an opportunity, the timberwolf lunged a claw toward the pony, shattering the shield on impact. With no time to react, Bon Bon watched in horror as the claw crashed into her neck and took the necklace. Just as quickly, the timberwolf jumped to the other side of the room.
“Nice move there. Steeling my necklace was smart, but play time is over.” Bon Bon took a deep breath, and coughed because of it. “You and your bad breath are done for. I’m going to shatter you into tiny splinters. You won’t know what hit ya.” Taking a charging stance, Bon Bon readied herself to run straight at her enemy.
Charging full speed, Bon Bon almost hit the wall as her enemy jumped out of the way. Turning quickly, she continued this action four more times, but to no avail. Unfortunately the timberwolf was just too fast in its dodging skills.
Catching her breath, she said, “I need a new plan, and preferably one that takes less energy.” Bon Bon looked at her enemy with confusion. “Why do you keep jumping to the opposite side of the room from where I am? Any timberwolf I know of would just attack. Now that I think about it.” Bon Bon giggled before continuing. “I’m the only one attacking. Guess that makes me the monster.”
Bon Bon took a few small steps toward the timberwolf, and the wolf stepped away just as many.
“Something is not right here,” commented Bon Bon. “Discovering a timberwolf with a weird personality is not how I wanted to spend my Saturday. How would a timberwolf even get into my house?” Bon Bon’s eyes lit up. “I bet this is Lyra’s doing. It makes perfect sense. That unicorn loves to give me a scare or surprise me. I’m onto you Lyra! You can stop hiding now. Lyra?”
Bon Bon watched as the timberwolf threw the stolen necklace onto the bed. Quickly but still cautious, Bon Bon made her way to the bed. As she picked up the necklace something caught her eye. She picked up the note that was tucked under the pillow.
Still keeping an eye on the timberwolf, she read the note.
Hey there, Bon Bon.
If you’re reading this, then good morning to you. I have a small problem. I started transforming into a timberwolf, probably am one by the time you read this. I don’t really know why it happened. I have not been looking for or messing with magic artifacts. Yeah, I don’t know if I’ll stay in the house or leave. Actually, I’ll stay here. I would hate for you to have you go out looking for me as a timberwolf just to find a real one.
I know you don’t like using magic artifacts, but my enchanted mirror is not letting me use it for communications. I have an artifact that will let us talk. It’s a set of earrings that let you hear other creature’s thoughts, so it’ll be like I’m talking to you. Only wear one. Aisle two is where you can find it.
Sorry if I accidently scare you, but not sorry too.
Setting the note down, Bon Bon shook her head. “This is a new one. I’ll go get this earring, and then we can figure this thing out.” On that note, Bon Bon left.
She returned a minute later.
With an earring on ear and one in hoof, she smiled. “I brought the other one too. I’ll put it on you, then you should be able to hear my thoughts, right?” Walking up to the timberwolf, Bon Bon put the extra earring on it.
Yes, replied Lyra.
“Hearing your voice come from a timberwolf is weird. Weirder still, your mouth does not move.” Bon Bon rolled her eyes as she walked away to light a scented candle before leaving the room. “I guess I should go get Twilight. The princess does like magic stuff.”
Timberwolf Lyra followed Bon Bon downstairs. Princess Twilight is in the Crystal Empire.
“What? Oh, how disappointing.” A sigh escaped Bon Bon. “Guess that means I’ll need to help. Tell me what happened last night.”
Nothing unusual, replied Lyra with a tilt of her wolf head. I was just following the path that leads to the old castle, went to it read some of the books, and then left. And no, none of the books were enchanted.
Bon Bon said nothing, her face showing she was in deep thought.
Hey, why can’t I hear you thinking? I have an enchanted earring too.
Giggling lightly, Bon Bon answered, “Don’t you know your own magic artifacts? The earrings only pick up what is sent. You only hear what I want you to hear.” Like this. Anyway, I think we should go see Zecora. She is an expert on Everfree stuff. But how am I going to get a timberwolf out of my home, through town, and to Everfree without it being seen?” Bon Bon stared out one of the windows. “Getting a timberwolf past everypony won’t be easy.” She turned to face the timberwolf. “Twilight would think about this logically. First, we don’t have anything to hide you with. Even if I used blankets, I could not carry you without you being seen. Second, I could try running scared with you chasing me, but that would only attract attention. However somepony might try to attack you. Oh,” She said as her eyes sparkled. “You could use timberwolf magic, or lack of it to make yourself fall apart. I just carry a saddlebag or two outside casually, and no pony is the wiser.”
Bon Bon watched as the timberwolf fell into pieces.
“That won’t do, too many large pieces, and I don’t have a cart to carry them in.” Bon Bon jumped as a knock was heard from the door. Putting on a smile, she opened the front door slightly. “Roseluck… I totally forgot about our breakfast plans. Sorry, but they have been canceled.”
Rose raised an eyebrow. “That means something happened to Lyra, right?”
“Maybe.”
Rose smiled deviously. “Now you have my interest. I must know now.” Bon Bon tried to close the door, but Rose blocked it with a forehoof. “Bon Bon, tell me now. You know as well as me that we both have not-so-normal lives.” Roseluck moved her head closer and began whispering. “You and Lyra work for a top secret government agency, and I travel through time and space in a blue box. In short, I can handle whatever info you’re trying to hide.”
Bon Bon dropped her head in defeat and opened the door enough for Rose to enter.
Rose took a seat on the floor, and Bon Bon did the same. “Rose, my sweet Lyra was transformed into a timberwolf. A nice one, but obviously not what she or I wants.”
Hearing this info, a timberwolf walked into the main room from the kitchen.
Rose glanced between pony and wolf. “You two are wearing an earring, matching too. For identifying reasons I assume?”
“Yes,” replied Bon Bon with a nod. “It also lets us communicate telepathically. However, the important thing is we need to figure out how to move a timberwolf through town without it being seen. Sooner rather than later.”
“What about a moving cart? They come in many different sizes and are common, from small personal sized to large-home-moving-stuff size.”
Bon Bon facehooved. “Of course. It’s so beautifully simple. We just rent a medium size one, get a tarp, and haul it to the Everfree.”
With slight confusion, Roseluck asked, “Why do you need to rent one? Surely you have one just sitting around home.”
Shaking her head while smiling, Bon Bon replied, “Nope, have no reason to need one. Everything I move is small enough to fit in saddlebags. I make my candy fresh at my candy shop, so no delivery needed. Moving companies provide a cart when needed. And when I invent a new weaponized candy, it has to be delivered by saddlebag to my bosses before they decide to start mass producing it or not.” Bon Bon failed to stop herself from giggling. “Look at me talking about my weaponized candy like it’s a casual thing and not a secret government thing. Let’s go pick up a cart.”
Bon Bon grabbed a saddlebag of bits before opening the door. Roseluck followed her friend as they both trotted north on main street. Avoiding most shops and other ponies, Bon Bon decided she needed a small breakfast and bought a small sandwich from a shop. The whole round trip took nine minutes, with little talk between the two mares.
Bon Bon, with a medium sized cart strapped to her, arrived back at home. Rose knocked on the door. “Lyra, we’re back.” Carefully opening the door, as to not hit the back of the cart, Rose signaled Lyra the timberwolf to get into the cart and under the tarp. Tying the tarp down after their new guest was ready, Rose walked up to Bon Bon. “Time to go.”
Nodding, Bon Bon began the trip south, trotting briskly. Their trip was quiet for several minutes of the journey. Bon Bon broke the silence with a question.“Rose, how do you think Zecora will react to my problem?”
“I think she will be surprised, but I doubt she will be afraid, and might be a bit intrigued.”
Rose received and gave a wave to Fluttershy as they crossed a bridge out of Ponyville’s southern border. “I wonder what Fluttershy would think if she could spend time with a nice timberwolf.”
With a small giggle, Bon Bon replied, “I bet she would be terrified of even standing next to it. Poor mare can be scared of anything, but she is getting better since she became the Element of Kindness. And,” Bon Bon tilted her head, “she seems to be braver when Discord or Rainbow Dash is with her. I’ll never truly understand how anypony can tolerate the Spirit of chaos.” Sighing dramatically, she continued. “And when Dash and Discord get together to play pranks on the town… the horror, the horror.”
Having reached the edge of the Everfree, Rose untied the tarp.
The timberwolf jumped, happy to have some space to move. So, candy mare, should I hide when we reach Zecora’s, or just sit behind you?
Don’t call me candy mare while you are a timberwolf. It’s just weird. Just sit behind us. One of us will go inside and inform Zecora of the events. I really hope she can help.
Shall do, boss. I shall obey every order. Just like a loyal dog, or wolf.
“Hey! snapped Rose. “Stop staring at each other and lets get going.” Bon Bon and the timberwolf looked toward Roseluck. However, both said nothing and simply stared awkwardly at her. Realization quickly hit Rose. “Oh… you two are doing the telepathic thing? Sorry, I didn’t know.”
Bon Bon looked back toward Lyra the timberwolf. “Rose is right. We should be walking into the forest. Rose will tell Zecora about our dilemma. For now, lets focus on getting through the forest.” With that, the trio began their short trip into the dark forest.
After a few minutes of following the trimmed out path, the group reached their goal.
Bon Bon untrapped herself from the cart and smiled as she sat down next to her obedient wolf. “Everfree is not so bad as long as you stay on the premade path the Element bearers made.”
Roseluck smiled. “The hut of the evil enchantress. Zecora is really nice for being an evil enchantress.” Rose knocked on the door before letting herself in.
Seeing that Zecora was eating breakfast, although she was practically done. Rose took the opportunity to talk. “Hi, I’m Rose. My two friends think you can help them. The problem is one of them was turned into a timberwolf. We don’t know how or why, or how to get her back to normal.”
With a raised eyebrow, Zecora replied, “Sounds like quite a day. Tell me, where are they?”
Using her back hoof, Rose opened the door. “Girls, Zecora is ready for you.”
Bon Bon wasted no time as she trotted into the unfamiliar home. Lyra the timberwolf was a bit slower, carefully poking her head into the building before cautiously walking in.
Zecora eyed the timberwolf as she walked around it. “So, you do not know what happened to you, but I may have an answer for you. This forest is a dangerous place, with much magic out of place. I will not lie, you do have a few options to try. In a week’s time, this problem will resign. If option one is not for you, maybe it shall be option two. Discord’s magic is the key. Find him, and get help for thee. If chaos is not for you, then try a changeling queen too. That is all I can say with answers today.”
“A week is too long,” said Bon Bon. “I have zero patience for Discord. He should still be stone. But I don’t think Chrysalis will help, not without some sort of payment. Are you sure that’s all I can do? There has to be some magic artifact I can use to help Lyra.”
“There are a few, but all are out of reach from you.”
Opening the door, Bon Bon replied, “Thanks for the help, I guess. At least I have something to work off of. Rose, are you joining me?”
“Nope,” replied a smiling Roseluck. “I’m going to help Zecora with some stuff. I’ll pick up the cart too, so don’t worry about it.”
Bon Bon and her loyal timberwolf left Zecora’s home and began the short walk out of Everfree.
Upon reaching the edge of Everfree, timberwolf Lyra stopped walking. I can’t follow you at this point, Bon Bon.
“That’s all right. Let’s decide what we should bring to Chrysalis to convince her to help.” Sitting down on some grass, Bon Bon said, “Got any ideas, like maybe a magic artifact?”
I don’t think the magic artifacts in our home will be much use to her. I hardly ever use them. I just keep them because I like them. All the ones she would want just happen to be locked up at Warehouse 13, or one through twelve, and for good reason.
Bon Bon sighed dramatically. “Guess that won’t work. I’ll take drastic measures. I’ll try using some weaponized candy, the type that makes you susceptible to just agreeing to everything. Too bad I don’t have mind control candy.”
Timberwolf Lyra shook her head in disapproval. You know that’s a horrible idea and won’t work.
“You won’t persuade me to not try this, Lyra.”
Fine, but try my idea first. Go ask Colgate for her enchanted watch. Tell her Lyra wants to borrow it. Also, ask her to allow you one full round use of it. Tell Chrysalis it’s a time travel artifact, but not the part where it only takes you seven days into the past at most.
“What, Colgate has a time travel artifact? Why would she need it when she can control time anyway? Also, shouldn't one of the warehouses have it instead? Something that dangerous should not be in public hooves. And yet you want me to give it to... Chrysalis!”
It has a safeguard. If Colgate doesn’t want you to use it, you can’t use it.
Bon Bon rubbed her chin in a thinking pose. “I guess that works for me. I’ll go into town and talk to Colgate.”
With a new plan made, Bon Bon stood up and galloped into Ponyville. Most ponies moved out of her way, but for those that didn’t, she did her best to avoid them. After five minutes of full-on galloping, she reached her target building.
Stumbling in through the door, Bon Bon stood against the back wall catching her breath.
From behind the check-in counter, Colgate waved. “Hi, Bon Bon. Why the rush? Got a cavity from too much taste testing of new candies?”
Bon Bon, now mostly recovered, made her way to the counter. “No cavities today. Lyra and I need to borrow your enchanted watch.” Noticing the annoyance on Colgate’s face, Bon Bon chose her next words more carefully. “Lyra will have no access to it, only me. We’re not even going to be time traveling, just demonstrating. Am I correct in assuming it only works if you want it to?”
“Yes,” replied Colgate with slight annoyance. “Why do you want it?”
“Short story,” Bon Bon said with a smile. “I need help from Chrysalis, and I doubt she would give it for free. Your watch is the motivation to get her to want to help. I just need you to allow me to be able to use the watch for two whole round trips.”
“Alright, but don’t complain when Chrysalis seeks revenge after she learns you tricked her.” In a flash of blue magic, a watch appeared on the counter. “Rules, I’ll allow you to use my watch twice, not Chrysalis. It’s for observational use only. You can see the past–technically, be there, but you can’t interact with it and it can’t interact with you.”
Bon Bon smiled a she put the watch around her foreleg. “Thanks. I now owe you a favor.”
As Colgate watched Bon Bon leave, she thought to herself. Ponies asking for my time artifacts is much better than being captured and having my immortality siphoned from me.
Her trip back to Everfree was ten minutes because she was casually trotting instead of galloping. On her way back to Everfree, she also stopped by her home to pick up a saddlebag, weaponized candy, and Lyra’s enchanted hoofheld mirror.
Bon Bon smiled gleefully as she crossed the southern bridge leaving Ponyville. Trotting briskly, she reached Lyra in about ninety seconds. “I had an idea on my way there. I’m going to see if this watch can show us what happened to you, and when. Want to join me?”
Sure.
Holding her forehoof up, Bon Bon looked at the watch. “Here we go. Watch, take us to the point and place in time where Lyra was affected by timberwolf magic.”
Bon Bon shivered in fear as a blue aura surrounded her and timberwolf Lyra. The magic faded, pony and wolf fading away with it. Pony and wolf now stood at the old castle in the Everfree, both watching past Lyra walk out of the building to check out a fallen tree. Past Lyra tore off several branches, freeing an owl that had been stuck.
Bon Bon and timberwolf Lyra reappeared where they had been before they had used the enchanted watch. Bon Bon sighed. “So you helping an owl is what turned you into a timberwolf? That makes no sense.”
That’s not all that happened. It’s hard to see from where we were, but as I was tearing off branches, one of them cut me. I’m guessing the tree had timberwolf magic, and that’s what turned me into a timberwolf.
With curiosity in her voice, Bon Bon replied, “Interesting. At least it’s temporary. But why would Zecora specifically say a changeling queen could help us? Why not Twilight? She is good with transformation magics too. I probably should have asked Zecora that. I’m genuinely curious now.” Bon Bon opened her saddlebag, taking out Lyra’s enchanted hoofheld mirror. “I’ll just have to ask her when I see her. Lyra, you don’t mind if I use your mirror to get to the Crystal Empire? I don’t want to take a day long train ride. I should have thought of this for getting you out of Ponyville. I guess I was too stressed.”
Sure, go ahead. Just because I can’t seem to use it to communicate does not mean it won’t open portals. I’ll be here waiting.
Holding the mirror with a forehoof, Bon Bon closed her eyes. “Alright mirror, open a portal to the Crystal Empire. Preferably a secluded spot where no pony is at right now.”
Bon Bon opened her eyes as she heard the sound of magic in front of her. With caution and fear, she stepped through the portal.
Now alone at the edge of the Everfree, timberwolf Lyra chose to lay down and rest.
====================
At the Crystal Empire, in the Crystal Castle, a portal opened. Although no ponies saw it or the pony who exited from it.
Putting the enchanted mirror away, Bon Bon looked around. “It would appear I’m in the main hall of the Crystal Castle. Now off to find Chrysalis, or somepony to direct me to her.” Turning to her left, she began walking down one of the smaller hallways. Admiring the crystal structure, as she turned to enter a new hallway, one with five more directions to choose from. Hearing two voices, she chose to go down the hall they were emanating from.
With a smile, Bon Bon waved at two guard ponies. “Hi, do you know where I can find Chrysalis?”
With clear skepticism in his voice, a guard said, “You mean Cadence, right?”
Returning the skepticism and adding a dash of anger, Bon Bon replied, “Do you really think I would mix those two up? Will one of you tell me what I want to know?”
“That way,” replied a guard as he pointed down a hallway. “I’m sure you can find the door by yourself.”
Bon Bon walked down the hallway she had been directed at. After a minute of walking, she could see a door that stood out from the rest of the crystal structure. Having reached what she assumed was her target, she lightly knocked a few times. Bon Bon took a deep breath as a green aura slowly opened the black door in front of her.
Walking into the room, Bon Bon said, “Chrysalis, I would like you to help me, and I need to ask you a question.”
Looking out the window and not caring to turn around, Chrysalis replied, “It would make more sense for you to ask your Crystal Princess to help you, but I might accept the offer. Now what is this question?”
Bon Bon shuffled her forehooves nervously. “How should I word this? Somepony specifically pointed me toward a changeling queen for a timberwolf related problem. Do you know why that would be, or what relationship timberwolves and changelings have?”
Still not turning around, Chrysalis chuckled a bit evilly. “That’s a topic I don’t hear brought up much. I shall fill your curiosity. Long ago, when Discord ruled Equestria, several hives of changelings tried to fight the lord of chaos. They were of little effect and Discord toyed with them by turning the underlings into timberwolves and the queens into enchanted trees, which created more timberwolves. After the fall of Discord, the underlings and queens were turned back to normal. That’s how the story goes.” Chrysalis laughed evilly before continuing. “You’ll be greatly disappointed, but I shall not offer my help. I’m not obligated to help a citizen of Equestria, just the Crystal Empire. Everfree forest is the only place where Discord’s magic remained. As such, that’s where you are obviously from.”
“But I need help,” pouted Bon Bon.
“Don’t care,” replied Chrysalis. “Don’t care what your problem is, or to help you. So, you shall leave me alone. Don’t make me call the guards.”
“Fine,” scoffed Bon Bon before opening her saddlebag. “Maybe I should ask the Crystal Princess for help.”
As if by magic, the Crystal Princess opened the doors to the room. “Chrysalis, time for the meeting. Who is this visitor?” asked Cadence.
Chrysalis simply teleported away without saying a word.
Bon Bon smiled at Cadence. “I was wondering if you or Twilight could help me with a magic related problem?”
“Sorry,” replied Cadence. “Princess Twilight and I are in an important summit meeting. Now that the changelings, specifically the ones that tried to invade Equestria, are official citizens of the Empire, we are discussing the new relationship between the Empire and Equestria. It’s going to take a few more days.”
Bon Bon simply nodded her head and watched Cadence leave. “Well, that was a bust. I didn’t even get the chance to persuade Chrysalis with the time traveling artifact.” Bon Bon sighed. “I guess that leaves me with just asking Discord for help. I can’t believe I’m going to ask him for help.”
Bon Bon grabbed Lyra’s mirror from in the saddlebag. She quickly looked around to make sure no ponies were close by. Being confident of there being no other ponies, she opened a portal with the mirror and left.
Bon Bon walked out from the portal, taking in a breath of fresh forest air. “Lyra, I’m back.” Seeing no timberwolf near by, Bon Bon called out again. “Lyra! Are you here? She better not be planning to jump out and scare me. Lyra!?” Still having received no response, Bon Bon chose to lay down.
“Hey, Bon Bon,” said a soft voice from above.
“Hi, Fluttershy,” said Bon Bon with more sadness than expected.
“Do you want help looking for Lyra? I can have some of my animal buddies help, at least the big ones. We saw a timberwolf, but we chased it away.”
“So you chased Lyra away,” Bon Bon said a bit too casual.
“What?” squeaked Fluttershy. “Was the timberwolf chasing Lyra?”
“No, the timberwolf is Lyra. She was turned into one. Albeit a nice one, but still a timberwolf.”
“Oh,” gasped Fluttershy. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I was just trying to protect my animal buddies. Please forgive me.”
“It’s fine. She’ll be here soon.” Lyra, I don’t know if you can hear me, but Fluttershy knows it’s you. So you can stop hiding. Bon Bon took in a deep breath. “Do you know where I can find… Discord?”
“Sure,” replied a gleeful Fluttershy.
Bon Bon watched as Fluttershy flew toward her home in the distance. Still lying down, Bon Bon saw a timberwolf approaching from within the forest. She could see the light reflecting off the small earring it was wearing, so she knew it was Lyra. Timberwolf Lyra walked up to Bon Bon and chose to lay down next to her. Both pony and wolf said nothing as they sort of relaxed for the next few minutes.
Fluttershy made her presence known as she said, “Hi, Bon Bon and… Lyra, I guess. I’ve never seen a timberwolf so calm. Anyway, Discord should be here any second.”
From nowhere, A large yellow flower bloomed, and Discord emerged from within. “I’m here my dearest Fluttershy.” With no warning, Discord grabbed and hugged both Bon Bon and timberwolf Lyra.
With flailing hooves, Bon Bon yelled, “Let me go! Don’t touch me, you monster!” A second later, Bon Bon was on the ground.
Discord hugged the timberwolf tighter. “I thought friends gave hugs to each other?”
With stinging venom in her voice, Bon Bon replied, “I’m not your friend, never will be either. Just help me so I can leave.”
Discord, now petting a timberwolf, replied, “Fluttershy, are you sure this is the right pony? I thought a pony who made candy for a living would be sweeter. Oh well, I guess she is a bitter candy. So, miss bitter candy, what do you demand of me?”
Sighing over dramatically, Bon Bon answered, “Your magic turned Lyra into a timberwolf, I want her tuned back into a pony.”
“How could you not love her new form?” A small stage appeared, and timberwolf Lyra now stood on it as Discord helped the wolf strike a few glamorous poses. “She is simply stunning, marvelous, great for keeping away unwanted guests. Good for scaring some unsuspecting ponies too.” Discord began eating some candy.
Bon Bon noticed the wrappers of the candies looked like her cutie mark. She turned to look at her flank, and was less than thrilled at what she saw. “Discord! Give my cutie mark back right now.”
“But they taste so sweet, unlike your attitude.”
Bon Bon pounded a forehoof into the ground. “Discord! Stop these shenanigans! I would much rather have Chrysalis help me, but she had some meeting to be at. So that plan failed. Stop wasting my time. Are you going to help or not?”
Pointing a talon, Discord asked, “Are you going to say please?”
Bon Bon facehooved. “Please, will you help me?”
“I shall help, but mostly because my dearest Fluttershy would want that. Also, Lyra is nice to me. I can’t help you directly, but I know a song that can help.”
“What?!” interrupted Bon Bon. “What a coincidence, a pony who loves music can be cured by a song. How long did it take you to make up that one? How can you not help directly when it’s your magic? Forget it, I’ll wait a few hours and see if I can persuade Chrysalis to help. At least she doesn’t flaunt magic around like an uncontrollable thing.” Bon Bon turned and began walking back toward Ponyville, but said one last thing. “The world would be so much better without magic.”
Fluttershy, Discord, and timberwolf Lyra watched silently as Bon Bon walked away.
“Oh my, what happened?” asked Fluttershy.
Discord shrugged it off. “Don’t know, but I’ll still help Lyra.” A harp appeared next to Discord. “This song can heal a lot of things, but not everything. It works here because the magic on you is temporary. If it were permanent, well let’s just say you would have met with a terrible fate. The notes go as follows, b-a-f---b-a-f---b-a-e-d-e.” Discord began to play the notes.
As Discord went through the song a second time, a green aura surrounded timberwolf Lyra. Fluttershy slowly danced to the soothing music as she watched the wolf become engulfed in magic, and turn into a familiar pony.
Lyra, now a pony again, excitedly jumped in place. “So nice to be back to normal. I’m surprised the spirit of chaos could make such a nice song.”
“I can’t take the credit,” replied Discord. “I just borrowed it. Do you want to explain what your candy friend freaked out about?”
Lyra scowled a bit. “She really does not like magic, hates it even sometimes. She can’t avoid it since she lives in a world of it. Thanks for helping, however, I must leave now.” Lyra galloped away.
Several minutes later, Lyra entered her home. She walked into the kitchen, where she saw Bon Bon cooking some lunch. “Hi, Bon Bon.”
Bon Bon looked over, with a bit of surprise. “Oh, so Discord did help. I guess I’ll have to thank him later. If I ever thank him, it will be later. Do you want some soup?”
“I’d love some food. And I’m sure a good meal will help calm you down.”
