        Lyra stood uncomfortably on a wooden raft floating in the center of Ponyville’s reservoir.  Princess Celestia had chosen this location because there was nothing for several miles around that any substantial force could hide behind.  She had made certain that the weatherponies had cleared the sky, save for some cloud observations posts.  The weather patrol had set up a flight and ground exclusion zone around the entire area.  In effect, Lyra was currently the only pony in a three-mile radius, a thought which made her distinctly uncomfortable.  She had never been that far from everypony else before, as far as she knew.  In the hills around her, a company of elite guards watched and waited, and the Wonderbolts were standing by to relay messages if needed.  Princess Celestia was back in Canterlot, but could teleport in to collapse the spell instantly.  Twilight was undoubtedly watching closely.  Unicorns were standing by to shoot up three red lights, the signal that something had gone wrong.  It would also most likely be Lyra’s death warrant if they made that signal, which was a thought she found particularly unsettling.