Lyra Story Chap 1

“… And so you see, Mrs. Mayor, if I had additional funding, I could continue excavation of the Old Palace ruins. It would be a major step towards preserving history from that period!”

Lyra Heartstrings smiled wide, hoping for the best. She’d managed to talk the Mayor into more far-fetched expeditions in the past, but this… She could tell before the Mayor spoke what exactly was coming.

“I’m sorry, Miss Heartstrings,” said the Mayor, with an almost genuine hurt expression and voice, “But we’ve neither the funds nor the go-ahead to do work in the Everfree. You’ll have to shelf this one.”

The Dejection was enough to sour any hopeful expression or sense of professionalism that Lyra had. With a somber nod, she paced backwards a few steps.

“I understand,” she intoned absently, “I’ll… I’ll see myself out.”

Turning to leave, the Aquamarine unicorn shook her head impulsively more out of a sense of failure than any real need to move her neck. The expedition had been shot down and destroyed before any real progress had been made. She had to figure something out, though. There was too much history in the old palace, and far too much of it was subject to the elements. One good storm or a fight between wild animals and precious history could be lost.

“If the mayor won’t provide me with the funds,” she said to herself quietly as she left the office, walking out of the newly-refurbished town hall, “Then I will just have to do this myself.” With a half-confident smile, she tried to reassure herself, yes, she could do this.

“It’ll just be like the early days.” Was the only thing she could say to give herself some sense of confidence. This was bound to be the most difficult expedition yet, and all for the possibility of some unknown knowledge, stuff that was more than likely well recorded anyway.

Hurrying home, she scurried through the market, almost colliding with Pinkie Pie at one point. Mumbling an apology, she hardly focused on that, too deep in thought with the preparations needed for this trip. She was sure Bon-Bon would help get the stuff together, she was always ready to lend a hand. She’d need to travel light through, so no more than the basics, such as brushes, shovels, and a pick incase she needed to move aside any rocks of flagstones. Yes, it would be a heavy pack but she could manage. The hardest part would be paying for the expenses, but, if this went well, that would be no problem. The kinds of relics and knowledge that was bound to reside there, those things would make fine additions to the budding Ponyville Museum, perhaps even attracting the attention of the Canterlot Preservation Society!

At that last thought, Lyra was beyond stopping. This could be her chance to enter the big-leagues, so to speak, and with it, she’d have all the grant money she could ever need to dive into the big projects.

She arrived home in short notice, giving a friendly “Hallo!” to her neighbor, who’s name always eluded her, before going inside to the scene of your average “Lives away from home” traveler. It was a barely used mess, disorganized in the extreme, and a few bags, already packed in preparation for any sort of trip, sat by the door. Trotting with some pep in her stride, the disappointment of the meeting with the Mayor long-gone from her thoughts, she set about gathering the items she’d need for a stay in the Everfree.

The Everfree, one of the most dangerous and out-right frightening places in Equstria, was home to many dangerous and self-reliant creatures, which often fended for themselves in a vicious cycle of life. It was hardly a peaceful place like Ponyville, but with the bait of undiscovered treasures and wealths of knowledge, she couldn’t resist.

A saddlebag was set on her kitchen table, and she began to sort through her closet for what she needed. Three brushes, mostly large, but a smaller one as well; Two shovels, one small handled, the other, longer; A pickaxe with a flat blade and a point; A tent and the necessary rope and stakes to set it up; Last but not least, she added a field guide that she had checked out from the Library regarding the Everfree and its inhabitants.

Now, she just needed food, plenty of food, and she would have all that she needed. She headed to her bedroom, numerous relics of varying value lining the hallway on strong, well-mounted shelves catching nothing more than a passing glance and a fond memory, she collected a few personal trinkets, such as her hair comb and toothbrush. She had everything she could muster immediately, now she just needed to speak to-

“Yoo hoo, Lyra! You home?” called a familiar voice, elicting a smile from the packing pony.

“I’m in the kitchen,” Lyra spat with a full mouth as she put her last things away, “Just getting things settled for the expedition.”

Bon-bon pranced in, beaming, “Oh, Lyra! You got the grant from the mayor?”

“Well…” Lyra shuffled a little, “No. But I decided, it’s not that much different from my other expeditions I did before I began the big stuff! I don’t need a silly grant, or nothing.”

“Lyra, what in Celestia’s name are you thinking?” Bon-Bon asked flatly, “The Everfree is dangerous! It’s scary, and filled with pitfalls and hazards! You can’t just go in there alone!”

“Then why don’t you come with?” Asked Lyra happily, “It would be so much fun! Just like a camping trip, only in the old pala-“

”No, Lyra, I’m not going.” Replied the other Pony, with a frown, “Look, if I can’t talk you out of it, can I atleast help?”

“Actually…” Lyra began with a smirk, pulling her saddlebags on, “I do need a few errands ran before I leave…”