Lyra's Adventures in Ponyville

Big Dreams

Lyra padded down the cobblestone lane. Her mane was long and glossy, fresh after a dry cut. Her amber eyes glinted with the diamonds she was carrying in the expensive satin pouch. Her cutie mark was sewn into it with golden threads. Tall, shiny, gemstone buildings appeared and disappeared. Grand gardens surrounded the palaces, rare and exotic plants laid out neatly in rows. Flowers the color of the blazing sun and silver moons were in full bloom. A vast building shadowed all the others, with bigger and more vivid flowers and precious gems than any other. Lyra smiled. 'Home sweet home. I love being rich...'

Lyra woke up, with her eyes still closed tightly. But she knew she woke up. She heard the clatter of scooter wheels on stones and dirt, a cloud of dust was forming at her window. The dream was gone, it was so real, almost glorious. To Lyra, it was. 'I wonder what my bedroom would have looked like...' she muttered sleepily. She threw the pink and red heart blanket off her body and stood up lazily. Blinking mucus out of her large, blurred eyes, Lyra went downstairs into the bathroom.

She combed her mane nicely, but it still stuck out in some places. Then she brushed her teeth with minty toothpaste, using an old, ordinary green toothbrush. Then Lyra washed her face with a slightly small block of nice-scented olive soap. She used a pink towel to dry her face. Life already seemed better. Lyra opened the door cheerfully and picked up the newspaper Scootaloo left at her door with her magic aura.

Closing the door, Lyra went into the kitchen and put the paper on her oak, polished table. She made herself a quick breakfast of cornflakes and chocolate milk. She devoured it pretty quickly. In the dream she would have probably had a feast of delicious foreign dishes. Lyra shrugged and clopped outside. It was mildly warm, a few wisps of clouds shadowing the round disk of the blurred pale yellow sun. It was pretty cool in the shade of Lyra's porch, the pink cloth hung over the door.

Stepping out into the sun, Lyra noticed a few pegasi enjoying the weather in the clouds. She just made out the shape of Spitfire, the mad, upright, spiky hair just visible. Behind her was Lightning Dust, with her just as bright mane. And behind them, Scootaloo fluttered feebly compared to the two older flyers. But she was still only a filly after all. Lyra enjoyed the tricks for a while before heading right to the clump of trees. Behind it, in the shade was the bookshop in which she worked in.

Opening the door and letting out a ring of the silver bell, Lyra saw the other shopkeeper. Braeburn smiled, looking over the rim of a deep blue cover. 'I got a date with Vinyl' he announced, happily. 'Super' Lyra replied, just as pleased. 'Strange, a DJ and a former apple farmer who gave up his part in the community of Appleoosa to study literature in Canterlot and later came to work in a simple Ponyville library' Lyra remarked after a minute of silence.

Braeburn smiled again. 'This is not exactly Ponyville, it is a special district of it, for the, uh, more...special or important members of the community' he stammered. Vinyl was in the door way, red eyes glinting beneath her trademark sunglasses. 'I hope ya won't be late for our first night out! I heard that Rainbow and Sorain went off training this morning to 'help in service of Sugarcube Corner'. I bet three bits that they're dating' she said. Braebrun looked uncomfortable. Maybe she was a little too feisty for him after all. 'Okay' he replied in a simple way. Turning to Lyra he mouthed 'Cover for me'.

Lyra regretted winking when he said that. She could have just told someone to fetch Mayor Mare from the normal district and Braebrun would have to spend the day in the bookshop. But he went. It was a simmering hot afternoon. It was awesome outside but exceptionally dull and boring inside. Especially if you spent the day alone, sorting books and selling one to a teacher who was too busy to chat.

Later, in the evening, Braeburn came, slightly absent-minded. But after sinking in a copy of 'Daring Do and the Ghost Cowboys' he looked better. 'Lyra, take a day off tomorrow, you look tired' he said after a few chapters. 'You sure?' Lyra muttered sleepily. 'Yeah, I'll manage'. Lyra's face brightened a little and she started towards the door. Suddenly, Twilight stormed in, nearly knocking Lyra over. 'Oh! I'm so sorry Lyra! Actually, I was looking for you. It's time you get a rise. From 300 bits a week, you'll have 350 bits and one gem a week' the princess announced. Lyra's eyes widened.

'You...are you sure I deserve it?' she asked dumbly. 'Yes, I am' Twilight answered with an edge to her tone, her glare focused on Breaburn, who was too busy reading to notice. Lyra smiled, thanked Twily and started closing the shop. Another busy day has passed by. Another raise was given. Another day was coming to an end. Lyra yawned and locked the door one last time for today. Walking the dirt path to her house, Lyra felt light and happy. Tomorrow, her dream might just come true. She'd take a train to Canterlot.

The following morning Lyra woke up early despite having a day off. The familiar clatter of Scootaloo delivering the paper was distant. Lyra threw the blanket off her, made the bed and repeated her daily routine. But this time she took a refreshing shower, using lemon and lime shampoo. Then she took the now slightly bigger sack of bits (and now a gem) Twilight always left on her porch and padded outside. It was cool and slightly misty, the sun pale again, and fain. A cover of thin gray clouds shaded the dim sky. It would soon rain.

Lyra galloped along the usual path, meeting Scotaloo on the way. She clopped into the town center, and padded up the steps to Sugarcube Corner. It was empty and Mrs Cup Cake was only coming down the stairs into the shop. 'Hello my dear!' she called out. 'Now, what can I do for you, Lyra dear?' she said warmly. 'I'd like...' Lyra watched the pretty cakes with glinting eyes. 'I'll have the cinnamon bun, warm, please and I'll also have a cherry pie' she said. 'Why don't you wait a few minutes and get a fresh one, dear?' Mrs Cup Cake coaxed. 'Sorry, I've got a train to catch!' Lyra smiled.

'Okay'. Then Mrs Cup Cake's smile widened. 'And I'll give you a small apple pie slice, it's on the house. You might be hungry in Canterlot' she beamed. 'Thanks a bunch' Lyra smiled back. After putting the pastries in a small bag and accepting a payment, Mrs Cup Cake waved Lyra off as she trotted to the train station, munching on the warm cinnamon bun. Soon, she will be in a different city. A place of her dreams.