“You lied to me!” Lyra’s voice shattered like glass hitting the ground, filled with rage that barely concealed her profound sadness.

Sweetie Drops averted her gaze, her ears folding back. Words crowded her throat, but none made it past her lips. How could she explain that every decision had been to protect Lyra?

“You weren’t a candy seller... you were a Canterlot agent. Everything I thought I knew about you—it was all a lie!” Lyra’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she took a step back, as though needing to create distance.

“Lyra, please… I never wanted to hurt you.” Sweetie Drops lifted a hoof toward her, but Lyra recoiled from the touch. “I am a candy seller. Listen, I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you, but I had direct orders from Celestia herself. I was bound to secrecy.”

Lyra lowered her head, hiding her face behind her mane, unable to face the truth.

“That’s not what hurts the most.”

“Then what is it? I’ve been a good partner. I’ve never caused trouble, always supported you in everything. Why does this bother you so much?”

Lyra raised her head, revealing a tear-streaked face.

“Because what hurts is that you used me as a cover for your fake life. You even changed your personality to deceive me.”

Though Sweetie Drops wanted to deny it, part of it was true. Her chest tightened as she saw how deeply Lyra was affected. “I’m sorry, truly... I tried to appeal to the princess, to get permission to tell you alone, but she denied it.”

“I don’t believe you anymore,” Lyra muttered, wiping her tears with a hoof, her voice soft and broken.

“I… I need time to think. I’m leaving. I don’t think I’m needed here anyway,” she said, turning slowly and starting to trot toward the exit.

“Lyra, wait.” Sweetie Drops grabbed her by the shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.

"Focus on your mission. After all, it's your real job, isn't it? Don't worry about me, Bon Bon." Lyra chuckled bitterly. "If that even is your real name."

Sweetie Drops' heart clenched even tighter, and she cast her gaze to the ground, the weight of her anguish pressing down on her.

"My real name is Sweetie Drops," she admitted.
Lyra gasped and shot a sideways glance at the mare, her brow furrowing again as fresh tears spilled from her eyes. She jerked away from Sweetie Drops' touch and galloped out of the town hall.

Sweetie Drops clenched her teeth, closed her eyes tightly, let out a long sigh, and resumed her path.

For her, fulfilling the mission had always been one of the most important things in her life. At least, that was true before she met Lyra. She never imagined her life would be so derailed by one simple mare. She truly cared for her, a genuine affection that she rarely allowed herself to feel in her line of work. Well, not anymore.

But she couldn't lose focus. "She might be very upset right now, but I'm sure that once she calms down, we can talk properly. I just need to finish this first."

"Twilight, Twilight, where are you?!"

Fortunately, Sweetie Drops didn’t have to search far. Just a few meters ahead, a mare stepped out of the mayor’s office. It was, of course, the mayor herself.

She looked visibly nervous, her anxiety so palpable that Sweetie Drops noticed she didn’t even register her presence. Mayor Mare simply stared at the ground, muttering incoherent complaints under her breath.

"Excuse me, Mayor Mare, I need to speak with you," Sweetie Drops said in the calmest, softest voice she could manage, trying not to startle her. Even so, the mayor yelped in fright, needing a few moments to collect herself.

"How did you get in here? Is this… is this a coup because of my incompetence?" she stammered in comic panic. In another situation, Sweetie Drops might have found it amusing, but not now.

Sweetie Drops could only look at the mayor with understanding. "How can I make her see that what’s happening is beyond anything they can imagine?" Her mind raced nonstop. Without wasting any more time, she pulled out her badge of authority.

When she held it up to Mare’s face, the mayor’s eyes widened, and her fears dissipated instantly.

"Is that a—?"

"Yes, yes, it’s a badge of authority. Mayor, I’m here to help under Princess Celestia’s orders. I need you to listen."

The mayor smiled with relief, clearly believing her prayers had been answered by the Princess.

"I’m all ears."

"There’s a bar on the outskirts of town, the only one, actually. It’s so hidden and poorly advertised that not many ponies know about it. I went there with my friends to drink about half an hour ago."

Twilight smiled slightly, her breath easing as she processed this information.

"Good, that’s better. Now, you said you got into a fight with your friend there, correct?"

The stallion spoke more dejectedly, unable to meet the mare's gaze.

"Yes, we fought outside the tavern, and the owner came out to break it up. Then, out of nowhere, this… thing appeared out of nowhere, it took Fern to the Everfree Forest. A few minutes later, the energy wave hit the town…" he said in a low voice.

Twilight frowned with concern. The stallion's fears weren't just paranoia—someone was truly in danger. His expressions were too sincere to be lies.

"Alright, I'll help you. I'll look for him. I've traced the epicenter of the wave, and if these two events are connected, your friend should be near that area."

"I want to help too!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed from behind Twilight, bouncing forward and landing between them.

"Huh? Are you okay, Twilight?" she asked innocently, looking at her friend.

Twilight froze in place, her hoof pressed against her chest.

"No point in complaining now," she muttered under her breath, her mind racing to calm herself.

The shock didn't last long, and she shifted to a sympathetic smile for the pink pony. Pinkie’s attitude was the same as always, but Twilight couldn’t ignore the tremor in her knees. She was fighting her fear the only way she knew how.

"Pinkie, I appreciate the gesture, but I’d prefer you stay here and help the townsfolk. This feels more serious than our past adventures," Twilight said, her voice laced with apprehension, prioritizing her friend's safety.

"I don’t want anything to happen to you, Pinkie." She glanced down at her own trembling knees.

Pinkie noticed Twilight’s concern and brushed it off.

"Silly, I told you I’m fine." Pinkie shook her hooves to stop the shaking. "It’s not fear; I told you, it means something big is going to happen, and I want to be there to help."

"I know, but the town…"

"Not to interrupt, but I don’t think Fern has much time!" Shein interjected, his voice full of desperation. "The townsfolk can panic all they want, but unlike him, they’ll be safe here. The town can wait."

"Actually, that won’t be necessary."

All three ponies turned at the sound of a new voice. Approaching them were two mares: one easily recognized as the mayor, and the other only familiar to Shein.

Twilight quickly approached Mayor Mare.

"Mayor, I’m relieved to see you’re alright." She then turned her gaze to the mare leading the trot. "And you are…?"

The mare promptly showed her badge.

"Agent Sweetie Drops. That’s all I can tell you."

"She’s the one who helped me get into the town hall," Shein added in her defense.

"Wow, a secret agent!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, leaping into the conversation. She leaned in close to the agent, resting a hoof on her shoulder.

"Tell me the truth. White chocolate isn’t real chocolate, right? So why do they call it chocolate? Is it some kind of conspiracy to overthrow chocolate as the pinnacle of flavor? Come on, tell me your secrets…" she whispered, her eyes unsettlingly intense.

"Uhhh…" Sweetie Drops stammered, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she struggled to respond.

"Just ignore her, for your own good," Twilight said with an embarrassed smile.
"So, Agent, what were you saying earlier?"

Sweetie Drops nodded and carefully removed Pinkie's hoof.
"I was ordered by Princess Celestia to prepare and inform the mayor about the arrival of her guard in town due to the potential danger in the forest. The orders were to prevent anyone from entering the Everfree Forest until the guards arrived. However, knowing this pony's friend is in serious danger, I’ll allow you to venture into the forest."

"Fantastic! That makes us secret agents, doesn’t it?" Pinkie exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

"Come on, Twilight, we’ve got ponies to save!" The pink mare tried to gallop off but was stopped by Twilight's hoof on her neck.

"Hold on a second. I’m relieved to hear that Princess Celestia is aware, but something about this feels a bit off," Twilight said, narrowing her eyes.

"Now that you mention it, it is odd. I thought the Princess and her guards didn’t work at night," Pinkie added innocently, rubbing her chin.

"What? No! Not that! I mean, why didn’t she send me a message first? I’m her most faithful student—her only student! Shouldn’t I be the first one informed in town?" Twilight shouted, both confused and slightly annoyed.

"Twilight!" By a twist of fate, a small purple dragon burst out of the town hall, exhausted and alarmed. He ran as fast as his short, chubby legs would carry him, frantically waving a scroll in the air. When his eyes met Twilight’s, his excitement made him trip, but he didn’t stop.

Twilight watched him approach, and her anger melted away like snow under the sun, replaced by a growing sense of foolishness. How hadn’t she realized sooner? The little dragon was always the one receiving and delivering letters. Twilight couldn’t help but feel like an idiot. On impulse, she slapped her face with a hoof, thoroughly embarrassed.

"Twilight! I’ve got a message from the Princess—it says—"

"That there’s danger in the Everfree Forest and we shouldn’t go in, right?" Twilight interrupted quickly, keeping her hoof on her face.

"Uh, yeah… How did you know?" the dragon asked, bewildered.

Upon hearing her assistant’s confirmation, Twilight could only rub her face harder in frustration. If she’d stayed home, none of this would have happened.

Twilight let out a groan of exasperation.
"Fine. We’re wasting time. Here’s the plan: I’ll lead the way." She closed her eyes, focusing on the energy around her. Suddenly, the world seemed to darken in her mind, as though she were seeing in the dark, with the contours of structures and objects faintly outlined by magical glimmers.

The energy flowed, appearing to her as a blue mist interwoven with the vibrant colors of the ponies. Everything else was silent—only she could see these patterns. She channeled the magic in her horn, weaving a clear path toward their destination.

She opened her eyes with determination, as if she had made an irreversible decision.
"I have a path mapped out in my mind. If we want to reach that pony, we must leave now. Mayor Mare, Spike, stay here and assist Rarity with the townsfolk until the Princess’s guards arrive. Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Drops, and I will teleport as close as I can." Twilight charged her horn with more magic.

"Wait! Twilight, you told me you wouldn’t go near the forest!" the dragon shouted, his voice heavy with concern.

"I know what I said, Spike, but this is too serious to ignore. I’m the only one who can reach that pony quickly." Twilight swiftly formed a circle of magic around the three mares.

"But…"

Twilight knelt in front of Spike, placing a gentle hoof on his shoulder.
"Spike, I know you’re worried, and believe me, I am too." Her voice softened, though it carried an unwavering resolve. "But I need you to trust me. I promise I’ll take every necessary precaution and return so we can handle this together."

Spike looked at her, his eyes filled with anxiety, but he slowly nodded.
"Okay… just please, be careful, Twilight."

She gave him a tender smile before standing again, her horn glowing as she prepared to depart.
"I promise."

"Relax, kid. It’s common knowledge that her decision-making under pressure is… questionable, but it’s my job to keep ponies safe. I’ll keep her in check," Sweetie Drops said, winking sympathetically as Twilight growled in protest.

"And I’ll keep our super-secret team’s spirits high!" Pinkie Pie added, raising a hoof energetically.

The mares’ words lightened Spike’s mood, and he nodded with relief. His worry eased as he saw the confidence in their faces.

Twilight’s magic surged from her horn, a brilliant light that almost blinded the nearby ponies. She focused all her energy, attempting to transport the three bodies much farther than she ever had before.

Just seconds from completing the spell, the stallion spoke one last time.
"Miss Twilight, I… betrayed Fern’s trust! For a moment, I even thought about abandoning him." Tears streamed down Shein’s face again.

"I’m not strong enough to help him on my own. I’m just a coward who doesn’t deserve anything, but… I want to ask for one thing." Shein bowed low to the ground, a gesture of desperate plea.
"Don’t let him die."

Twilight looked at the stallion, her eyes filled with compassion and determination.
"I promise you that too."

"And while we’re at it, we’ll work on that self-esteem of yours when we get back," Pinkie said with a comforting smile.

Without another word, the sphere of light enveloped the mares, and they vanished in a flash.

Shein remained in his bow until Mayor Mare stepped beside him, placing a hoof gently on his back.
"You can wait in the town hall if you’d like. You must be under a lot of stress."

"No, I must wait for the princess's guard. There's something I didn’t mention, and I want to confess everything to the authorities," he said sadly, standing up slowly and dragging himself toward the building’s wall, where he slumped down as if his strings had been cut.

"Wow, I don’t know what happened to him, but it must’ve been bad," Spike said, completely missing the gravity of the moment.

"But what did he mean by confessing something he didn’t mention…?"

"LOOK, IT’S THE MAYOR!"

A random pony in the crowd finally noticed the presence of the one who was supposed to lead and speak for them.

The pegasus who had managed to act as the town’s spokesperson spoke with condescension.
"Well, look who decided to show up. Mayor Mare, if it’s not too much trouble, why don’t you come and do your job instead of delegating it to others?"

"Don’t be so rude, darling. That kind of talk is unbecoming of a civilized pony," Rarity scolded, narrowing her eyes like a mother reprimanding her child.

The pegasus tried to retort sharply, but the words got stuck in his throat when Rarity narrowed her eyes even further. Like a scolded colt, he crossed his hooves and looked away.

"That’s better. Now, ladies and gentlemen, give me a moment to speak with the mayor, and then I’ll address all of you," Rarity said in a calm yet decisive tone. She trotted away with her usual meticulous grace, her posture elegant and unyielding.

As she passed by Light Wood, he quickly handed her a handkerchief, as if anticipating her needs. Rarity offered him a small nod of thanks, gracefully extending her hoof to take the handkerchief without losing her air of sophistication.

Before she could fully respond, a small dragon suddenly burst onto the scene at a speed that would’ve made Rainbow Dash proud. Spike appeared out of nowhere, running with determination, holding a tray firmly in his claws. With a smooth motion, he lifted it directly in front of Rarity.

On the tray rested not only a professionally folded handkerchief but also a glass of perfectly served apple cider.

Rarity’s eyes widened in surprise, and a smile lit up her face as she saw what Spike had brought.
"Spike-waiky! What are you doing here?" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with delight and gratitude. She grabbed the handkerchief with her hoof while her magic levitated the cider. She dabbed her face delicately with the handkerchief before taking an elegant sip of the cider.

Spike, despite his small stature, grinned with confidence, proud of his accomplishment.
"I came to deliver a message to Twilight, and she told me to stay and help you."

Upon hearing this, Rarity frowned slightly, her head whipping around as she searched for Twilight.
"She told you to stay? Did she leave?" she asked, her voice a mix of concern and confusion. Her eyes scanned every corner of the town hall’s exterior, desperately seeking her friend. But as she looked, she noticed something else was missing—Pinkie Pie had disappeared as well.

She frowned, feeling slightly offended.

“How rude of them to leave me behind,” the mare muttered, her brow furrowed. Her words carried evident frustration, though there was also a spark of confusion.

"I'm sure they didn't mean to, but they have more pressing matters to attend to," Mayor Mare said, her voice calm, though her expression betrayed a hint of worry.

Rarity looked at her intently, her gaze softening slightly. "Mayor, I'm glad to see you're feeling better, but... what kind of problems?"

"A Canterlot agent explained everything to me. Twilight and Pinkie Pie left with her to rescue a pony in the Everfree Forest... I hope you won’t be upset about that," Mare said, her tone tinged with regret.

"No, it's fine. Honestly, it was the best decision. I need to head home and make sure my little sister isn’t panicking," Rarity replied, her ears drooping. "The poor thing has been completely alone for several minutes. I can’t even imagine how scared she must be."

"Then I won’t keep you any longer. Thank you so much for helping me with the citizens. I’ll manage things from here," Mare said, trying to sound confident. She glanced at the crowd, which was impatiently awaiting the end of their conversation. She was grateful they were far enough away not to hear her.

Mare swallowed hard.
"I can handle this," she said, though there was a faint hesitation in her voice.

"And I’ll be here to help you!" Spike shouted enthusiastically.

"Ooooh, you’re quite the gentleman, Spikey-Wikey," Rarity responded, leaning down to give him a big hug.

Spike returned the embrace joyfully, subtly turning his head to glance sideways, a smug grin spreading across his face as he caught sight of the stallion still holding out the handkerchief. Light Wood stood frozen, mouth agape, one of his eyebrows twitching in disbelief.

Rarity released Spike after a few seconds and calmly turned to the mayor.

"With your permission, Mayor, I’ll be leaving. I hope everything goes well."

With her characteristic elegance, Rarity trotted past the mayor toward the town hall.

"Come along, Spike."

"I'm right behind you, Rarity!" the little dragon replied, his short legs moving quickly to keep up.

"Goodbye, Miss Rarity," Mare said as she watched the two enter the town hall, likely to exit through the back door, away from the crowd.

"I’ve been upstaged by a baby dragon..." Light Wood muttered, still in the same position, his gaze fixed on the spot where Rarity and Spike had disappeared. His tone was a mix of frustration and disbelief, as though he couldn’t process what had just happened.

Mare slowly turned toward her bodyguard, her expression a blend of curiosity and confusion. "Did you say something, Light Wood?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That dragon!" Light Wood exclaimed, his face flushing with restrained anger. "He stole all of Rarity's attention and then mocked me right in my face." He pursed his lips, his jaw tightening as he ground his teeth, visibly annoyed.

Mare looked at him with a strained, awkward smile before averting her gaze, feeling the weight of his words. "W-well... if you’ll excuse me, I have ponies to attend to."

The mayor quickly distanced herself from the frustrated stallion and positioned herself where Rarity had been moments earlier. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and spoke firmly.

She paused for a moment to find her voice, then straightened her posture and addressed the crowd with confidence:

"Dear citizens, I apologize for the delay, but I assure you that your wait was not in vain. Just moments ago, I received important information from none other than Princess Celestia herself."

Author's Note

I'm going to follow Paul's advice, and I'm going to stop placing images, and the drawings I make will be put at the end of the chapter.