Forty Minute Fantasies

“Something wrong, Bonnie?”

Bon Bon looked up at Lyra.  “A bit of a problem, yes.  I just got a message from my Agency Handler in Canterlot.”  She shook her head briefly.  “He has another mission for me, I’m afraid.”

“Oh.”  Lyra sank back into the couch.  “Do you know  how long you’ll be gone?”

“I’m not sure.”  Bon Bon walked over to the couch, settling down on the far end.  “Tell me something: do you remember the ruckus you and those fillies caused a week back?  You know, the ‘Local Youth Resistance Agency’?”

“Hey!”  Lyra’s head snapped up, her tone indignant.  “I paid our fines, and they said the Mayor’s mane will grow back!”

Bon Bon shook her head.  “I’m not angry, dear, just asking.  I think it may be related to this.”

Lyra’s gaze went from defensive to curious.  “O~kay?  Any particular reason why?”

“Well, it’s like this - you said Miss Sparkle looked you over and found a… what did you say she called it?”

“I couldn’t repeat the original words if my life depended on it,” Lyra said, staring.  “She eventually shortened it to ‘thought virus’.”

Bon Bon frowned.  “Yes… and do you know if she took any kind of defensive precautions while investigating you?”

Lyra closed her eyes, her head tilting back as she tried to remember.  “I don’t… I can’t recall anything, no.  Why?”

Bon Bon sighed.  “I was afraid of that.”  She turned, staring Lyra straight in the face.  “The new mission I’ve been assigned comes down to this: the Agency has received word from the Crystal Empire that Princess Cadance has been kidnapped.”  She held up a hoof to forestall any questions.  “The ransom message left behind identifies the group responsible as the, erm, ‘Trans-World Intervention League, Interception Group, Heist Team.’”  A rueful grin began to cover Bon Bon’s face as she finished up, saying “In addition to the detailed level of precision, note the acronym.”

Lyra rolled her eyes up, thinking.  “Trans-World Inter… T, W, I - oh, come ON!”  She stared back at Bon Bon, an almost pained look on her face.  “T.W.I.L.I.G.H.T.?”

“Now do you see why I think it’s related?”  Bon Bon shook her head as she rose from the couch.  “Given that I suspect you’ll be immune to reinfection by that ‘thought virus’, I think I’m requesting some backup on this one, dear.  I’ll start making the travel arrangements; you go round up your little L.Y.R.A. minions to help us out.”