Voice of the Machines - Heartstrings (Lyra, unfinished)

>Failed!
>That word highlighted the paper in red.
>The giant stamp covered the bottom section of the paper where it was necessary.
>The hoof that stamped the word returns it on the pad of ink where it came from.
>The pony at the head of the desk then gave the paper to one of the two others in front.
>One was greenish gray with a mane of dark blue and fuchsia.
>She had three pieces of candy in wrapping paper on her flank.
>The other was light green with a greenish and white mane.
>Another difference was that she had a horn growing out of her forehead.
>On her flank was a Harp.
>The candy colored equine was given the piece of paper stamped by the other pony.
>She read over it, her eyes moved back and forth as they did.
>Slowly her face turned from a neutral expression into a displeased one.
>The green one took notice and quickly acted, eager to see what was on the paper.
>A bright glow of yellow emitted from her horn.
>The same glow started to form around the paper that her companion was still reading.
>All of a sudden the paper shot out of her hooves towards the unicorn.

“Wha-. Hey Lyra give me that!”

>The paper quickly levitated over towards the wielder of the magic behind it.
>Lyra skimmed over the loose paper, looking at its contents.
>With her hoof the other mare tapped on Lyra’s horn, and flicked it.
>Losing her concentration, Lyra let go of the paper, and sneered at her friend.

“Bonny, that wasn’t nice.”

>Bonbon shrugs at the nickname.
>Both of them looked down at the middle of the floor, seeing the paper on the ground in between their seats.
>Lyra tried to get it before, Bonbon could but she was too slow.
>Bonbon’s hoof landed on the paper first, and as quickly she swiped the paper off the ground, continuing to look through it.

>After finishing the rest of the paper she expressed a sigh.

“Lyra, could you please step outside for a moment.”

>Lyra gave a groan, but she listened.
>Getting herself out of the chair she exited the office.
>She wasn’t displeased with herself, she was more worried about Bonbon getting wrapped up in this thing.
>She overheard small parts of the conversation in the room she was previously in.
>Putting her head against the wall she remained quiet to try to hear what they had to say.

“I don’t think that she is getting any better, Doctor! A dosage on her medication won’t help her.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Bonbon, but if we can’t have her treated with something higher, than we might have to move her, you know where.”

“You can’t put her in that place! Those Ponies are the crazy ones, not Lyra!”

“Her obsession will only get worse over time, and she has already been put through a serious number of programs to aid her. However she has failed them all.”

“Is there anything I can do to help her? I don’t want her to leave me! Please!”

“I’m not authorized to give you an answer at this time, but I can give you this advice."

>Lyra could hear the stallion give a small sigh.

“If she doesn’t improve by next week, then I’m afraid what will happen to her will be done to help her. I’m sorry. What I would reccomend for her is comfort, and time. I’m sure you can do that, Miss.”

“Thank you for your time, Doctor. Goodbye.”

>The sound of Bon Bon getting out of her seat can be heard.
>The sound of her hooves hitting the hard floor one by one making for the door.
>Lyra removes her face from the wall and sits down on the bench.
>The door creaks open and Bonbon pops out.

>Lyra gives her a small smile to try to cheer her friend up.
>Bonbon closes the door behind her with her back leg.
>She lets out a long sigh to Lyra

>"You are ridiculous."

>She trots off in the opposite direction from Lyra.
>Lyra gets off of the bench to her.
>She trots alongside Bonbon down the hall.
>Bonbon and Lyra make to the service counter in the front of the building.

>"Wait here a moment, okay."

>Lyra sits on the the bench.
>She sits in that funky position she does.
>Seeing this Bonbon gets agitated a little.

>"Lyra!"

>She stomps her hoof on the ground.
>Lyra flinches and sits on her rump.
>The way Bonbon stressed her about.
>The practically everypony does.
>Bonbon keeps an eye on her as she backs herself to the front counter.
>Lyra made no hesitation to move, but to this point, Bonbon had to keep watch on her for whatever
>After a few feet back, she turned around, and moved to the service window.
>Bonbon went up to the window and spoke to the desk official.
>Lyra looked around the waiting room, and thought to herself to occupy her time waiting.
>Nopony else was in the lobby besides Lyra and Bonbon.
>Looking out the window near the entrance, Lyra saw that the sun had started to set.
>The sky took on a shade of orange, red, and a light yellow.
>It was only a few more minutes before the sun would go down completely, as the dark shades of night started to settle the sky.
>Lyra looked back at the direction the service desk is to see Bonbon approaching her.
>She seemed to be holding onto something in her hoof which she held up to her face.
>Reaching Lyra she extended out her hoof.
>Extending it out, she gave what was in her hoof to Lyra.
>A mint flavored lollipop from the front desk, which had several.

>”Here. I know it’s your favorite flavor.”

>Lyra’s unicorn horn started to illuminate.
>A amber colored aura started to surround the entire horn.
>The same glow also started to appear around the handle of the candy.
>The candy starts to float up in air.
>Lyra shares a smile with her friend.

”Thank you.”

>Unwrapping the candy, she discards of the waste in a trash bin, and sets the candy in her mouth.

>”Alright lets go.”

>Lyra gets out of the bench and both of them head to the exit door.
>Just before they exit they pick up their saddle bags from security.
>The candy in her mouth she closes in her teeth keeping it in.
>She then uses her magic on the door that exits the building.
>Lyra being polite, lets Bonbon head out first.
>Using her magic she opens up the door for her friend.

>”Why thank you, Lyra.”

>As she walks out the door, Lyra tries her best to hide a playful grin.
>Bonbon outside the building starts to walk in the fresh air.
>Lyra takes control of the door again and has some fun.
>Using her magic, she makes the door hit Bonbon in the rump as she trots out.
>Lyra starts to giggle a bit and uses her hoof to hide it up.
>Bonbon gets off of the ground and turns around to see her friend on the other side of the glass door.
>She scrunches up her muzzle and presses it up against the glass.
>Lyra still snickers a bit behind her.
>Bonbon lets go and walks the other way, knowing how playful Lyra can be sometimes.
>Lyra opens the door again and runs up to Bonbon.
>They both walk down to the front gate together.
>Not one of them speaks a word until Lyra breaks the ice.

>”Sorry about that, Bonbon.”

>”Not your fault. You are sick after all.”

>They exit through the gate and into the Crystal Empire’s Grand City.
>Overhead of the gate they passed through has an engraving into it.

>Crystal Empire General Hospital.

>The couple make their way through the crystal crafted city.
>It sure is much different from Ponyville, their hometown.

>For one all the pony’s who have lived here have grown manes that shine in the light.
>Reminding them of the city’s name, traditions, and a slight change in DNA from the effects of the powerful crystals found here.
>Those crystal ponies are said to shine just as bright as the crystals kept there, even the well known Crystal Heart that kept the city under protection, and to feed some kind of happiness energy back to Equestria.
>Over a years time, a mare without a crystal mane would start to grow, but crystal heart would be able to provide that during the Crystal Fair.
>And even in this time of night, the moonlight shined down and made their glow a little more solace and relaxing.
>But neither of them were there for a new mane style, but for answers to Lyra’s condition that they hoped to solve.
>Another big difference from their home is the Empire’s creative architecture.
>Most houses in Ponyville are mostly made out of quality Everfree Forest wood, and hay roofs.
>In more urban places like Canterlot, Manehattan, or Baltimare, the buildings were built out of stone and brick.
>However in the Crystal Empire, the citizens build most if not all their buildings out of crystals found there.
>These crystals look like colored rock, but are hard as steel from the inside and out.
>They carve all the pieces out from giant crystals and make houses and shops out of them.
>And they even use smaller pieces that can’t be used to make simple things from bed frames, to lamp posts.
>As the dusk of the nights start to set in, the night is even busy with much work involved.
>Unicorns with knowledge of pyrokinesis under the order of work, have been instructed to light the city lamps with a magic flame that will last till morning.
>Other ponies collect the trash from the garbage cans around the town, taking them to the magic dumps on the outskirts of the city.

>And even some other ponies see the young night as fun and travel out into the city for things to do.
>The sky already night time showed the crescent moon, and the several stars in the sky.
>Lyra and Bonbon were doing the opposite of that.
>They were walking towards the hotel they were staying at for the trip.
>Thirty minutes into their walk back a faint sound could be heard from Lyra.
>It sounded as if she was growling at her.

>”Bonbon, I’m hungry.”

>Looks like she has an honest stomach, her growling agrees with that statement.

>”We can get something at the hotel to eat.”

>Bonbon kept walking down the street, not stopping for anymore of Lyra’s complaints.
>But something does stop her locomotion.
>Something is tugging at her hind leg.
>She turns around to find out that it’s Lyra.
>Lyra is on the cold ground holding onto Bonbon’s leg.

>”Can’t we get something around town. I’m really hungry.

>She’s acting like a filly doing this kind of stuff.
>She even sounds like one.
>But she has had a rough day today, and the best thing for the both of them would be food.
>Bonbon sighs and gives in.

>”Fine.”

>Lyra springs up from the ground with a happy expression on her face.
>She trots just a few paces forward getting in front of her friend.

>”Follow me.”

>For the next half an hour, Lyra takes her friend on what seems like a tour of the Crystal Empire, searching for a bite to eat.
>Together they find a number of nice restaurants, some are very nice.
>However nice is another way to describe fancy, and expensive.
>And the ones that aren’t so fancy are closed for the night.
>After all that time searching they have yet to find anything that will satisfy them.
>The two stop in the sidewalk and try to gather their thoughts.

>”I know we’re close, Bonbon. I just know.”

>Bonbon is really exhausted from all the searching, and the moment of truth comes out.
>Bonbons stomach starts to rumble too, which leaves her tired, and hungry.
>For a moment she was distracted by the calm night sky and the pretty lights of the city around her.
>She caught eye on the street post, which took Bonbon by surprise.
>The sign only a few meters away looks somewhat familiar to her.
>Turns out it is.
>After getting a closer examination she realises she has been here just a few minutes ago.
>It reads “Crystal Ave N-S.” ,and “Highlighter Street E-W.”

>”Lyra!”

>The green mare faces to her friend who seems to be in a state of rage.

>”This is the same place we were to begin with. We’ve been walking in a circle!”

>She looks like she is enraged enough to pull the horns off a minotaur.
>Lyra looks around the block, and at the street sign for reference.

>”Huh. Now that you mention it I guess we have been. But at least I found where we need to go.”

>Bonbon was about to throw a shit fit on her friend until she heard that last part of her sentence.
>Just then a magnificent smell of food is discovered by Bonbon.

>She immediately calms down and relaxes, trying to get more of the smell of relief.

>”Where is that lovely scent coming from?”

>”In there!”

>Lyra points her hoove to a giant open crystal gateway for which Bonbon had just noticed.
>It was hard to miss too, it had a hanging banner on it, a sign in between the two pillars, and not to mention, but it was huge.

>”How did I miss something that big?”

>Through the gate lies on of the most amazing parts of the crystal city, The Plaza.
>The two mares walked into the open area to find where the night was considered playtime too many.
>Down the streets lie several different services.
>Bars, dance clubs, boutiques, small coffee shops, and a few decent restaurants.
>Along the streets are groups of ponies all looking forward to the night that has just begun.
>The two mares that have just been introduced to this environment are so amazed that they can hardly keep their mouth up.
>Walking along the sidewalk is a challenge for Lyra.
>Every boutique that they pass, Bonbon tries to convince her friend to let her at least try something on.
>Even the dresses through the windows bring her excitement.
>As she finally gets Lyra to go in a store the sound of her stomach rumbling, reminds her what they were really here for.
>The two then go trotting down the plaza in search of what they really came for, a nice place to eat that wasn’t overpriced.
>They find a well known outdoor cafe that overlooked the Crystal River.
>They sit down in a booth at the edge of the outdoor deck that was right over the river.
>They set their saddle bags onto the coat hanger attached to the outside of the booth.
>The hostess leaves them menus and gets back to her position.
>A few minutes after the mares look over the menu their waiter comes to their booth.
>She takes out a notepad from her apron pocket and places it on the table.

>”May I take your order?”

>Bonbon puts her menu against the table and looks at the waiter.

>”Could I have some tea, and a serving of bread?”

>She takes out a pencil from her pockets and holds in her mouth.
>She writes down the order into the notepad.
>She turns to Lyra to ask her order.

>”And what would you like?”

>Lyra doesn’t answer, her face still stares into the menu blocking her face from the waiter.
>Not even responding to the waiter, Bonbon steps in.

>”Could you make that tea for two, please?”

>”Certainly.”

>She writes down a X2 beside where she has written Tea.
>She puts the pencil back into her pocket and walks off with the notepad in her mouth.
>Bonbon gives a cold stare back to her friend.
>During the time Bonbon had her head turned away Lyra had put down her menu and looks over the balcony.
>Over the rails is the Crystal river, its water runs calmly down the land, and small boats that lay in the water seem to be as calm as the river during the time of night.
>Bonbon looks over the side with her friend distracted by the soft glows that can be seen at the bottom.
>At the bottom of the river lie barren crystal reefs that frolic with wildlife.
>The light from the moon is actually able to be reflected by the crystals making them easier to see in the night than the day.
>Lyra keeps quiet as she seems to be entranced by the crystals beauty.

>”They sure are pretty aren’t the, Lyra.”

>She doesn’t speak a word.
>Bonbon comes to her sense and addresses Lyra directly.

>”Listen Lyra we need to talk.”

>She keeps her head facing the river, but responds.

>”What is there to talk about?”

>”Your condition, that’s what. I’m really starting to worry about you.”

>She takes her hoof from her side and places it on Lyra’s.
>She looks into her face, but Lyra’s is turned away.

>”It’s why we came here in the first place, the doctors here have the best knowledge of insanity, and maybe this change of scenery will make you come to your senses.”

>Lyra takes her face away from the river and looks at her friend.
>Her facial expression doesn’t change from the way it was before.
>Neither happy nor sad, just plain.

>”Why? Because I’ll be thrown into an asylum if I don’t change. Because everypony else thinks I am a crazy mare who speaks of things nopony else would believe.”

>Bonbon feels sympathy for her friend.
>She wants to believe what she is going though is only temporary.
>But over the past year, everyday hasn’t seemed change her completely.
>And it seems like she is getting worse all the time.

>”It’s because I want you to be safe, and to be your old self again. The Lyra that enjoyed playing the harp with her friends. The one that took me into her home after all my troubles. The one that helped me when I deeply needed it. I want to see her again, not this Lyra who thinks that creatures of her imagination are real.”

>Lyra takes her hoof away from Bonbon’s touch.
>She has a displeased look on her face.

>”I keep telling you that they are real. And that I will see them one day. Somehow it will happen!”

>That last line shook the table, and Lyra felt a strong urge of hatred.
>Lyra then took in a deep breath and calmed herself with a small anger management exercise.

>”Bonbon, I’m sorry. Perhaps I am just crazy, and maybe I should be locked up.”

>She covered her face into her hoof and rested against the table.
>Bonbon felt as though she had angered her friend.
>Which is the last thing she wanted to do.

>The waitress had come back with a set of tea.
>A kennel and two cups sat on the metal platter.
>She gave them to the two mares along with the basket of fresh bread.

>”Is there anything else you would like, Ma’am?”

>”No thank you. And thank you for the tea.”

>The mare went back inside and left the two alone.
>Bonbon raised up the tea glass with her hooves and poured herself a cup.
>After she finished with her’s she poured some for her friend.
>She nudged it to her. The warm cup hit against her leg.

>”Hey cheer up. Admitting you might be crazy is a good step to recovery.”

>Lyra lifts her head up and takes a sip of the tea.
>Using her magic to levitate the cup up.
>She quickly finishes off the cup and sets it down with her magic.
>Wiping away the brown colored mixture that is on her muzzle she responds to Bonbon’s previous statement.

>”So you think I am crazy then.”

>While hearing that she has a small sip of her tea.
>She sets it back down onto the table to answer her.

>”Listen. All these events, the medication, the programs, the counselors. They are here to help you. And together we will find a way to cure you. I promise.”

>The two have another some more tea, and eat the bread.
>Bonbon does her best to distract Lyra from the events at the hospital earlier.
>However she seems like her mind is keeping her distracted with whatever thoughts she might be having.
>Lyra thinks to herself about how all this began, and how she has had to deal with it in the past year.
>She does try her best to talk to Bonbon though, and enjoys her company.
>After they finish, Bonbon calls over the waitress for the check.
>The two pay their bits and then leave the cafe.
>They head towards the exit of the plaza and try to find a way back to the hotel.
>As they make it outside, Bonbon knows where to go.
>Lyra however has no intention to go back to the hotel.
>As Bonbon starts to walk in the direction back, Lyra grabs her attention.

>”Hey, Lyra. I think I’m going to go for a walk. I need to spend some time to myself.”

>Bonbon looks back at her friend worried about her.

>”Will you be able to find your way back to the hotel?”

>”Yes I will. Just don’t fall asleep before I get there.”

>”Okay, see you later, Lyra. And please do use this time as best as you can. It might do you some good.”

>Lyra watched as her friend walked around the corner and disappeared.
>She then made her way into the opposite direction.
>As she walked down the sidewalk she observed more of the nightlife in the city.
>She saw more street thug looking ponies along the way.
>She even heard to some police sirens and cop carts rushing through the streets to where ever they need to go.
>She had no trouble along the way, as she trotted to a much more barren part of town.
>She walked through the gates that lead into the Public Park.
>As she walked through, she saw no one else around, no ponies on the benches, or even walking around.
>However she did see something unusual.
>She saw on one of the trees, a piece of paper with a tall slender pony on it.
>However she didn’t let herself get distracted by it, and walked towards to parks centerpiece.
>She arrived at the grand crystal fountain, one of the parks many highlights.
>It stood in the middle of a giant paved circle, and was in the exact center.
>All around were only lighted lamps, park benches, trash cans, and trees.
>Lyra walked up to the fountain, and was completely alone in the park.

>She looked at the small statues of ponies, at the top, and the streams of water that fell to the bottom of the fountain.
>At the bottom was several small bits, the equivalent to loose pocket change.
>Lyra took in the sound of the water rushing, and the solace that surrounded her presence.
>She looked up at the statue.

>”I don’t know why I came here. Perhaps it was to get something off my chest.”

>The statue stood still, but to Lyra, it felt like it was at her attention.

>”The whole reason I came to the Crystal Empire was to see if I could be cured. So I could return to a normal life like everypony else wants. But I feel as though I can’t let go of the thought of them.”

>She sighs looking back down at the pond full of shiny coins.
>Her horn starts to glow in amber.
>The same aura forms around the lock on her saddlebag.
>Opening it up she pulls out one loose bit from it.
>She places it on the fountains stone table.

>”I wish. I wish. I wish to just see one of them. Just one, and to talk to them too please. They always talk to me in my dreams, but now I think I can go back to a normal life with just knowing they exist. I wish.”

>After she wishes, she pushes the bit into the pond with her hoof.
>She watches as it sinks to the bottom and rests with the others.
>Lyra looks up back at the statues.
>However what she see’s frightens her, to almost certain death.
>The appearance of the pony was replaced by the image of the creatures lurking in her mind.
>It has all the qualities that she knew they had.
>The hooves are replaced by hands, the back hooves replaced by feet.
>The body stands on two legs alone, and has a massive torso.
>It’s face shrinks, and the muzzle disappears into a nose, along with the ears.

>The statue face stares into Lyra’s soul, as it has changed fright before her eyes.
>Lyra then closes her eyes in fear.
>The mixed thoughts of real and fiction clash in her mind, trying to determine the recent event.
>She opens her eyes hoping for the statue to be the granted wish, but alas it wasn’t.
>Lyra see’s the statute as it was before, just a pony.
>Lyra is unhappy to think that her wish might never be granted.
>And things such as the one’s that lurk in her head are why other ponies see her as insane.
>Lyra looks down at the pool filled with coins.
>The only thing she sees other than the shiny bits is a glimpse of her reflection in the water.

>”Seems like it was just me…”

>Having nothing else to say, she turned away from the fountain and towards the park exit.
>Leaving through the gate, Lyra saw that the streets were completely empty.
>All the house lights were turned off, block by block.
>However the city street lamps still remained lightened up, a flame burned brightly inside the glass.
>They helped Lyra walk her way through the streets.
>Along her walk, Lyra grew depressed knowing that a wish like the one she made, would never come true.
>Even in a world of magic, some things were truly impossible to achieve.
>Lyra had started to make her way through a small district in the city where some of the time bad stuff seemed to happen, but only at night.
>Lyra made her way cautiously through the streets, having ready the pepper spray in her bag with magic.
>She was pretty prepared for anypony that may have seen her as a target.
>Walking along she passed by a small alley.
>At the time her mind was still set on the fact that wishes wouldn’t do a thing to change the world.
>Suddenly a small sound of hooves clopping on the ground made Lyra alert.
>She looked into the alley, her horn glowing amber with magic.
>The sound became louder, as whoever hid in it came closer and closer.

>Out of the shadow, another pony appeared.
>An old mare, in a black cloak revealed herself.
>Lyra made eye contact with the stranger, wondering why someone of her age would be out this late.

>”You here for my merch, kid?”

>Lyra looked around to see if she was talking to another pony besides her.
>Finding nopony else she turned back to the old mare.

>”Are you talking to me?”

>”Yes, I’m talking to you, who else do you think I was talking to?”

>”Anyways, are you looking to buy or not, kid?”

>Lyra looked at the strange pony, her face had a quizzical expression.

>”What do you mean, buy?”

>The mare looked around the alley, and over the back of her body.
>She then turned back to Lyra.

>”Follow me.”

>She turned her body around and walked the other way, into the alley.
>Lyra grew curious of this mare, and started to follow her into the dark.
>The two went through into the alley, meeting in the near middle, where more connected to the block.
>The two stood in the alley, the older mare watched Lyra’s movements, like a hawk.
>She turned her head around and over her back again to make sure they were alone.

>”What is this all about? And who are you?”

>Lyra had just questioned the mare.
>The mares forehead grew a dark red aura around it, the same color as her eyes.
>Her hood came down her head, that covered her in the darkness.
>She was a unicorn. Her mane seemed to be some kind of dark lavender, and her body a dark shade of blue, mixed with violet.
>Her aging showed too, as some wrinkles were there on her face, and her ears unable keep themselves up all the time, like Lyra’s did.

>"Just a simple towns pony."

>She then walked over to the large dumpster up against the wall of a building.
>She opened it up and began to search through it, like a desperate beggar looking for leftovers.

>She found what she looking for when the other half of her body came out of the dumpster, with a large box being held by her magic.
>She set the box on the ground next to Lyra's hooves.
>Engraved on cover is what appears to be some strange symbols around a pattern. They crept around the entire wooden box.
>Lyra moves her face closer to the box wondering what could be inside.
>She is only inches away before a nearby hoof slammed onto it, scaring Lyra a bit and bringing her head away.

>”You aren’t a snitch are you?”

>”I swear to Celestia that I’m not.”

>She unlocks the box and opens it up.
>Lyra finds what is inside of it is downright dangerous.
>The box is full of illegal substances.
>From drugs, to banned spells, this unicorn had quite a collection of such things.

>”What the? Where did you get all this stuff?”

>”That’s my business alone, but I’d be happy to sell to anypony who can pay the price.”

>Lyra started to get what the old mare had dragged her in for. For some drug money alone.
>Without another word, Lyra turned her back and headed for an exit.
>The pony started to panic and try to convince her back.

>”Come on kid! Don’t tell! I have the keys to anything your mind can imagine.”

>The last few words stopped Lyra in her tracks.
>She turned back and faced the mare.

>”What did you say?”

>The pony seemed relieved.

>”I said, I have stuff that will let you see anything you want to. Promise.”

>Lyra was then reminded of how she came here in the first place, because of the things in her head.
>She walked back towards Lambda to see what else she had to say or show.
>She pulled out a potion bottle filled with a white fluid with her magic, showing it to Lyra.

>”This is it, my dear. Whatever you desire it enclosed in this.”

>Lyra felt the urge to resist the drug, but also felt deeply attracted to it.
>She couldn't refuse anymore.
>She unstrapped her saddlebag, and took out a bit bag.

>”How much?”

>The mare took control of the small bit bag, and put the potion in Lyra’s saddlebag.
>She then packed up her things and was just about to leave, only to give Lyra one last piece of advice.

>”You better not rat me out. You’re in this too now!”

>She then galloped into the shadows away from Lyra, leaving her in between the building alleys.
>Lyra left alone, she made her way out of the bad part of the city and back to the park, where nopony would find her.