Author's Note

This is your fair warning, this chapter deals in something real, and dark (in the it's dark to contrast hope kind of way). If you continue reading, well, it's on you, don't say I didn't warn you. With the new red tag, I'm sure you can guess why. If you want to skip this chapter, that's OK.

Chapter 91

"What are these soldiers doing?" Bon Bon asked as several armored mares blocked her and Julius's way out of the castle.

"Orders. Julius and Zecora are not to leave the castle unless they're under armored guard. If Julius wishes to leave the castle, we must accompany him," one of the guards said as nine other soldiers surrounded the two. "We must ask you, where are you going, and why are you going there?"

"I'm going to some mare's house, Minuette's house. I'm going there because Lyra is there and having some kind of trouble. Bon Bon thinks I might be able to help," Julius told the soldiers, who all shared a look.

"Going off to some random mare's house, not exactly safe for a stallion. Still, we'll be with you; it should be safe enough. If trouble comes up, the ten of us should be able to deal with it and escort you to safety," one of the guardmares commented as the rest took up guard detail. "We're ready to leave now if you are."

"I have no problem leaving now if you're ready," Julius said as he looked at Bon Bon.

"Yeah, I'm ready," Bon Bon said with a smile. "Don't worry; the guards don't bother me; they're just doing their job; they got their orders. I meet plenty like them in my line of work."

"You meet a lot of creatures like that in your work? That's surprising; I thought that you ran a candy shop," Julius said as the guards led the two out of the castle.

"Yeah, but due to how close to Canterlot Ponyville is, many soldiers stop by when they're headed out. Most of the shop owners have more experience with soldiers, guards, royal officials, and whatnot than most other places. Sure some military towns might be more familiar with soldiers and border towns with guards, but we have the most experience with all forms of officials. I've seen more than a few soldiers pass through my shop and more officials. Eventually, you get used to it," Bon Bon told Julius in between giving directions to the guards.

"Yeah, that makes sense. I'm pretty sure university, and college towns get the same thing. Frankly, good for them. I swear if I had to put up with Karens asking for some ridiculous order that's literally impossible to do while insulting everybody; or some wannabe Chad wanting extra protein powder in his coffee while calling everyone else a bunch of soyboys cucks, I'd lose my mind. Oh God, I feel stupider just saying that. Ow, my brain," Julius said as he rubbed his temples.

"Oh, you have those kinds of customers too. We get them from time to time; they're always difficult to deal with; I think the worst we get on a somewhat regular basis is Spoiled Rich. Funnily enough, Filthy Rich is pretty good," Bon Bon chuckled as they walked through the streets.

"Yeah, he seems pretty good, which, considering his name, is really surprising," Julius commented as the group made their way to Minuette's house.

"You're not the first to think that. I think in a very distant second would be Aloe, Lotus, and Bulk Biceps. They aren't bad, just a bit demanding. Though, to be fair, we pay it back to them when we go to the Day Spa," Bon Bon chuckled. "A bit of professional joking," she giggled as a slightly odd-looking house came into view.

"I can't tell if that house wants to be European or Arabic," Julius chuckled as he spotted a house with what seemed to be an exaggerated hat for a roof.

"Oh, that's Minuette's house," Bon Bon said as Julius looked at her. "I've no idea what European or Arabic is, but that style is common a bit further north. I think it's to help with keeping snow away from their doors and windows," she said as the ground walked up to the door.

"Makes sense; still, it'll take me a moment to get used to the look. I don't hate it; honestly, I kinda like it, but it's a bit in the cultural uncanny valley," Julius said with a shudder as Bon Bon knocked on the door.

"Lyra, are you in?" Bon Bon asked as she knocked.

"Yeah, I am. Minuette is at work right now, give me a moment," Lyra responded as she walked over to the door. Unlocking the door, she opened it to be greeted by two guardmares. "Ummm, why are there guards here?"

"Standard protection detail. We need to do a sweep of the premises to ensure that they're safe. Just let two of us in, and we should be done with the sweep in a few minutes," one of the guards told Lyra.

"OK," Lyra slowly said as she stepped outside, and two unicorn guardmares stepped in. "Bon Bon, what's this about?"

"Oh, they're here because of me," Julius jumped in. "Celestia ordered that Zecora and I were to be guarded at all times if we were to leave the castle. So, don't mind them; they're just doing their job."

"Oh! Oh," Lyra exclaimed as she slightly shied away.

"I brought him to see if he could help you with whatever you're feeling right now," Bon Bon told Lyra. "Since this started shortly after you two met, I'm guessing that he's somehow involved."

"I suppose that's technically correct," Lyra hummed. "But how did you find him?"

"I ran into him at the castle," Bon Bon responded. "I know, I know, it seems odd that I was at the castle. But I owed a favor to a few of the chefs, so I went to help with some cooking."

"Yeah, I think I remember you saying something about helping at the castle. Sorry, Bon Bon, my head's not in a good place right now. Old memories of another time," Lyra sighed as Bon Bon rolled her eyes.

"Again, with that, Lyra? I know you've had episodes in the past, but it's been worse these past few days. Whatever it is, you can tell me. Trust me, I've seen some pretty odd things before," Bon Bon told Lyra.

"Yeah, you'd think, but this, this is different. Somehow Doctor Whooves understood it and explained some of it, well, the time part of it. He said that time is not like a fabric, but it's more like a rug, then he said not to worry about it," Lyra dryly laughed.

"I know he's a doctor, but I don't really trust Whooves. I mean, I've looked into it, and I've never found where he's gotten his degree. He seems nice enough, but he's more than a little weird and a bit suspicious," Bon Bon told Lyra.

"Don't worry about it, Bon Bon, Doctor Whooves seems to be your standard Time Lord," Julius told Bon Bon.

"Yeah, he mostly seems to be on David Tennant's time," Lyra added, making Julius look at her.

"How, how do you know that?" Julius nearly spat out.

"Oh, well, I'll tell you in private," Lyra said as she avoided Julius's gaze.

"All clear," one of the guardmares said as the two exited the house. "You're clear to go in," the other guardmare said as the group entered Minuette's house.

"Julius, follow me," Lyra said as she ushered him towards the stairs. "We need to talk alone."

"Don't worry; I can handle myself. Worst to worst, I think I can deal with one lone unicorn," Julius smiled and nodded at the guards.

"Even so, we'll be waiting close by. Just outside earshot if you're just talking, but we'll easily hear you if you shout. No matter how confident you feel, if multiple creatures enter the room, or if you're in trouble, shout immediately, understood!" The lead guard ordered.

"Yeah, yeah, though, I'm pretty sure nothing like that will happen," Julius sighed as he followed Lyra. Following the mare upstairs and into a bedroom, he collected himself. "Alright, so what is this about?"

"It's just," Lyra began as she locked the door and collected her thoughts, "it's just how did you do it? You know, keep your human form after you killed yourself?"

"I'm sorry, what?" Julius loudly exclaimed.

"Is everything fine in there?" One of the guards shouted at the room.

"Ummm, maybe. Honestly, I don't know. If one of you could make me a really strong drink, like a Cuba Libra minus the coke," Julius requested as he mentally recovered.

"No idea what that is, but one of us can go out and get you a strong drink," the guard responded.

"Good, thank you," Julius said as he rubbed his ears. "Now, Lyra, I need you to repeat what you just said. I think I had something insane in my ears."

"You didn't," Lyra assured Julius. "How did you keep your human form when you killed yourself?" She repeated.

"OK, I have just two questions. First, what! Second, the fuck!" Julius exclaimed as he sat down.

"You, you really have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" Lyra asked as Julius shook his head. "Then how did you get to this world?"

"Magical amulet from this world," Julius flatly said.

"Ah, lucky you," Lyra solemnly said. "I, well, you can guess."

"Yeah, I can. And seeing a human is reminding you of your old life?" Julius guessed.

"Yes, it is," Lyra somewhat sadly said.

"Don't suppose you'd mind telling me about it? Talking might help," Julius suggested.

"Well, I only started to remember things clearly when I was about twelve. Before then, I just had some vague dreams, but when I turned twelve, the memories began to come back. My early memories were nice, but my middle school memories, well," Lyra trailed off.

"Yeah, I feel you. In my middle school, a girl also ended her life, overdosing on painkillers if I remember. The school held a memorial for her. I prayed for her for what it's worth," Julius told Lyra.

"That was nice," Lyra softly smiled, "and a bit painful. I went the same way. The bullying just became too much after a while."

"I see; I'm sorry. Do you have any regrets about it?" Julius asked.

"Yes, a few. I wanted to be a musician, which, to be fair, I am now. Then, there was this boy from school. I never really got to know him, but we had a few classes together. About half of the girls were afraid of him because of all the fights he got into; the other liked him because he was handsome. From the classes we had, he seemed nice, but we never talked. I asked one of the boys that were around him about him before. Jan said that 'his parents always keep him and his siblings busy. Honestly, they have almost no free time.'" Lyra admitted.

"Hah, funny that. In school, I hung around two guys, Jan and Wolfgang, though most called Wolfgang by his middle name, Leon," Julius laughed as Lyra eyed Julius.

"Your middle school, what was it? And when did you go?" Lyra asked.

"Highland Park, and my last year there was two thousand seven. Why do you ask?" Julius asked as Lyra tried to say something. "Wait, no. You're lying."

"Lyra Monroe," they both said as they backed away slightly from each other.

"Is everything OK in there?" One of the guards asked after a seemingly dense air of silence came over the house.

"No, I need an adult," Julius flatly responded.

"You are an adult," Bon Bon shouted back.

"Not in this situation. Not when I'm on this kind of feelstrip," Julius responded shakingly.

"What about Lyra? How's she?" Bon Bon asked.

"She's more in shock than me," Julius said.

"I'll be fine," Lyra said as she collected herself. "I've had a lot of time to come to terms with this. Still, I didn't think we'd ever meet, at least like this."

"Tell me about it. Though, shouldn't you be a lot younger?" Julius asked.

"Yeah, you'd think, but we all get sent to different times. That's what I asked Doctor Whooves about, and what he explained as a rug," Lyra laughed. "You could just imagine my surprise when I met Robin Williams."

"Wait, Robin Williams is here? Like, 'You'll never have a friend like me' Robin Williams?" Julius asked in surprise.

"Yes, he's a comedian. We're pen pals," Lyra smiled at Julius.

"I must meet him," Julius firmly stated.

"I'll mention that a friend wants to meet him in the next letter I send him," Lyra smiled. "But, what about Bon Bon? Like, what should I do about her?"

"That's your decision. Though, if you tell her the truth, I'll be right there with you if you want," Julius offered.

"Maybe after a drink or two," Lyra chuckled. "Do you think that guard is back with your drink?"

"No idea, let's find out," Julius said as he led Lyra out of the room.