Solum: Arise from Dirt and Ashes

I'm here. I'm outside! Oh, it's everything I imagined and more! All those wasted years! My body trembled in excitement. Why do we hide ourselves from this?

I turned to face the cave's mouth and was met with a structure of rock that peaked up at the heavens. I turned back to the forest, getting a three-sixty view of the new world that sprawled out before me. I saw that our stone structure didn't stand alone, in fact there were many others of all sorts of shape and size. I could see other rock structures, ones that reached into the earth instead of stand out. I shifted to look at the forest, my eyes wandered down to the trees that were closest to me. There was a river that separated the mountain that I stood on and the jungle.

"Dad?" I kept my gaze on the forest.

"Yes, Solum?" He answered.

"I was just thinking..." I paused for a second, "...If the outside world is this beautiful, why do we contain ourselves beneath the ground?"

Father took an audible breath before he began.

"Son, the surface world is a dangerous place filled with much bigger things than us. The pack would not live long if we lived up here." His tone saddened, "We bury ourselves for protection and mining ore and jewels."

"Hm..." I thought about it for a moment. It did make sense, but that did mean liked the facts, "...I understand."

"Good, any questions you have, you ask me, alright?" He asked, his voice had brightened up again.

"Alright, dad." I responded.

I heard the loud hum of a horn from the depths of our cave. My father's ears perked up at the sound. I knew the sound all too much, it signaled the start of the workday. Whenever the horn rang out, all the miners would plunge down into the ground and ten hours later they would collect the day's pay, and get to go home. Most of the miners stayed longer though, to play a couple of games of poker.

"Shoot, I thought I had more time." Looking at me, my dad signed, "Sorry, son, but I'm going to have to cut this adventure short."

I rushed to him and put my hand together in a pleading manner, "Ooh, dad, could I please, please, please stay out longer?"

"Hmm... I don't know." He put a paw on his beard, stroking it he thought.

"Please? I SWEAR I'll be good!" I begged.

He signed again, "Alright." He raised a finger as if he was giving me a lecture, "But only a LITTLE while longer, and stay within sight of the cave." His voice was hard, making sure I understood his demands.

Despite his stern expression, I closed in on him and gave him a hug of gratitude.

"Thank you! Thank you!" I babbled.

I felt his arms return the hug, "You're welcome... and be careful, please."

He released me and stepped back.

"I have to go now, son." He ruffled my hair, "Tell your mother I love her when you get back." He turned and started his way back into the cave, answering the call of the horn.

"Will do, dad, have fun at work!" I yelled, watching him leave.

I heard him laugh in the distance, "YEA, FUN!" I chuckled as well.

When he disappeared from sight I faced the forest again, then started making my way down the mountain side. I shuffled down the steep rocks that piled at the mountain's base, pausing every once in a while to look at the scenery around me. Diamond dogs were well built for climbing, so I easily made it to the bottom. I stopped mere paws away from the ground floor before the floor grabbed my attention. It seemed to be covered in light green hair! All of the floor had a green coat on it. How did I miss this? I inched downward to get a better look at it. Still holding on to the rock wall with one arm I ducked my head closer. The hair looked to be a plant, but I wasn't sure.

I reached down with my leg and placed it on the floor, I quickly pulled it back, making sure it wasn't really a giant, plant, floor monster. I listened and waited, but nothing moved or growled at my disturbance. Hmm...Maybe the monster made of plants was a little far fetched... I boldly placed both of my legs firmly on the carpet of plants. The ground felt soft under my thick boots. I saw  tiny flying animals around me. My eyes skimmed the ground until they stopped on the river ahead of me. I couldn't wait to see all the critters than might be hiding in between the rocks on the riverbed.

I ran toward the edge of the stream, looking at my surroundings as I closed in. It was almost too much to take in, the land outside was breathtaking. I stopped running to notice that I was now ankle-deep in the river. The water flooded my boots, it felt refreshingly cool, not too cold. I lifted one leg and removed my soaked boot and then placed my foot back into the stream. The water rushed through the gaps between my toes. I've been missing so much! I took off my other boot and did the same with my other leg.

"AAaaww..." I breathed out, "That's...that's nice..."

The water was clear as day. I bent over and took a sip of the flowing water. It didn't have any mineral taste to it, like what we got in the cave. Actually it was clean, I couldn't taste anything, purely water. I looked up from where I drank and saw an animal IN the the water. As it slowly swam upstream, my eyes narrowed. This animal was different, it was bigger but that wasn't the only thing. I lifted my snout from the stream. I focused on the creature. It's not coming up for air. It must have magical lungs or something.

I walked back to dry ground, boots in my paws, still enjoying the scenery. I could stay out here forever!

...Only a LITTLE while longer... My dad's words echoed in my head.

Oh yeah, that's right... I saddened a bit, knowing that I soon had to leave this place. Back down into the earth, the happiness can't last forever... or can it? If I could learn the ways of the outdoors, I could survive on my own! I could live on the land! Oh, that would be so cool, but how do I get the information that I need?

"The school, that's it!" I replied to my own question.

Put my boots back on and started towards the entrance of the cave. I hurried my way to the base of mountain. I didn't know when the school opened and closed and it was better to get there sooner than later. I climbed back up the side of the mountain and made my way to the cave's mouth. I looked back at the gorgeous landscape, there was a grim expression painted on my my face.

There is still so much to learn about this place, and I cannot learn it all on my own. I took a moment to imprint the sight of the forest into my mind. I'll be back as soon I learn how to take care of myself out here. With one more sad look, I turned and headed back into the dark place I called home. The air froze up immediately, I buttoned up my jacket again. I saw a guard close to the entrance, I spoke up at him.

"Hey, mister!" He faced me and raised an eyebrow, "How long have i been out there?"

He search his brain for an estimate, "Hmm, I'd say at least forty-five minutes!" He responded after a while.

Damn, I've been out there that long? Where did all the time go? "Thank you!" I yelled to him

He nodded in response.

I walked through the bustling shopping center, business has really pick up since the morning. I managed to get to the lift, the dog who had the lift shift was standing near it, waiting for orders.

"Second floor, please." I said to him.

"Very well, sir." He motioned to the cart, "Get in."

I complied. He then took the rope off its' anchor and began lowering me. The lift stopped on the second floor, as instructed. I hopped off of it.

"Could you wait up for me?! I won't be long!" I called up.

"As you wish." I heard him reply from above.

I jogged over to the school's doors. I raised my paw and knocked. I waited a while when one of the doors to the school opened. A woman stood in the doorway. She looked down at me and smiled.

"Why, hello there, little one. I haven't see you around before, can I help you with something?" She kept her warm smile on her face. Little one?!

"Yes." I rubbed the back of my head, "I was wondering if you had anything that can help me learn more about the surface world."

"Hmm... I think I might have something In here..." She retreated into the school, "Come in, Come in."

I followed her passed the doorway and closed the door behind me. I stepped into the room and looked around. There were about thirty desks in a neat order, they all had a chair that sat underneath them. The desks faced the front of the room, where a big black rectangle was placed on the wall and also where the teacher was located. She was looking in one of the several bookcases. Her fingers stopped on a thick grey book and pulled it out of its' resting place.

"Aha, here we are!" She blew the dust that gather at the top of the book, "Is this what you are for?"

I took a look at the cover. Survival Guide to Equestria: Diamond Dog Edition.

"Equestria?" I questioned, shifting my gaze to the teacher.

"Oh, it's what the ponies call this territory that they live in." She answered.

"Ponies?" I cocked my eyebrow at her response.

She looked at me in indifference. "Tell you what, I'll sell you this book. It's pretty obvious that you have A LOT to learn about the world outside of this cave and nobody has read this book in ages."

I perked up at this news. "Really? How much is it?"

"How much you got?" She said quickly.

I reached into my pockets, searching for anything to pay for the book. I pulled my paws out and opened them. "Umm...String, some left-over blueberries, and a cool looking rock."

"Deal." I smiled and gave her my things. In return she placed the book in my paws. "She's all yours, kid."

"Oh, thank you so much, ma'am!" I bubbled out.

"No problem." She shot back a smile that matched mine. "Now, run along home, pup. My class will be here soon."

"Yes, ma'am!" I chirped, still excited at the newest addition of gifts today.

"Have a nice day, pup." She waved me to the door.

"I will, ma'am, bye." With a skip in my step, I headed to the lift. After I exited the building, I couldn't keep my eyes off the heavy book in my possession. I nearly bumped into the lift.

"Are you ready, sir?" I hear a voice call out from above.

"Yes!" I answered.

"Where to?" He asked.

"Forth floor, please!" I hopped into the cart.

"Yes, sir." The container began to lower. I cracked open the book to the first page and began to read;

So you want to learn how to survive? You want to leave your home cave and live by the land, huh? Well, there is much you need to learn about the land of Equestria. If follow along with this step-by-step guide, you will learn the ropes of pony culture and get the know-how that will help you live through even the roughest conditions of the environment. I'm your guide, BEAR GRYLLS

I turned the page to find the index and looked to the bottom of the table. Wow, over a thousand pages. This book is jammed pack with useful information! Just what I needed!

I felt myself stop suddenly, I was on the bottom floor. I yelled a thank you up to the lift operator and then got off. I started my way for home, the book tucked uder my arm and a mindset that was ready to learn.