To Be Somepony

The sign Green Field Meadows swung back and worth in the night breeze as Ribbon walked out of it's front door. Her mane was completely tied back and braided and she wore a brown vest over a white dress shirt as her uniform. The bag that still held her uncompleted homework was like a heavy burden as she worried if she'd have time to finish it when she got home to her frantic mother. Her stomach ached with pain, and only a deep grumble partially lifted the pain.

After school she had gone straight to the restaurant, anxious from the Monday morning at the get go to start her first day at her first job. The hours in the classroom seemed like days that snailed by that day, and she cursed the teacher whenever he began handing out homework.

Her walk home was a tiring one, with her brain completely worn out from the day of collecting and washing dishes the entire afternoon. Pruned hooves and a few bits in tips were her reward which she continued to weigh back and forth in her mind.

Walking in through her front door, her mother instantly asked how her first day was but not after saying how cute she looked in her uniform. Ribbon could hardly breath out an answer to her, and dropped her bag on the staircase and went into the kitchen looking for food.

"Did you make any money?" her mother asked.

"A little."

"Are you hungry?"

"Yeah."

On the kitchen counter she saw a plate of food waiting for her prepared by her mother, which made her regret the annoyance she felt at her mothers tenacious questions. She ate her food over the sink, too tired to walk out to the table and sit down, then went up to her room to begin the homework she dreaded to retrieve from her satchel.

It's hated contents were dumped onto her desk, then she took out the band that held her braid and shook out her brown mane. It was already eight when she began, and forty minutes passed until she finished then tossed her uniform on top of a chest inside her rooms closet. She put on a record and fell into her bed, falling asleep without even getting under the blanket.

A loud buzzing noise woke her from a deep sleep, then she slammed her hoof on her alarm to shut it off. The dream she had experienced was one that felt so real and would make anyone regret ever waking up. She had found herself in a great library, where the ceiling was a hundred feet above her, where great couches that stretch yards cushioned many others that studied or rested peacefully. The shelves stretched as high as the ceiling and were lined with novels, story books, encyclopedias and almanacs.

In the middle of the library, though extremely unorthodox, was a garden that was so well decorated it seemed the library had sprung from the gardens flowers and shrubbery that filled the air with a freshness that could clear the most clouded mind. And beyond the garden and past the shelves was an outdoor reading area that bathed in the soft rays of the setting summer sun. Ribbon had walked out to watch as the sun set over a grand ocean of red and orange.

She had gone to the edge of stone padded terrace of the library and looked down to watch as the waves went up against the cliff the grand library rested on. Something was calling to her, and made her go off the edge and plummet down to the bottom, feeling a sense of relief as her life was drawing to an end. But before she made it to the waves, her clock had woken her and brought her back to reality.

As soon as she remembered what had happened in her dream, she dug her muzzle into her pillow and screamed, wanting with all her heart to return to her dream. A tear went down her cheek and soaked into her pillow, which she then dug her face out of and planted her hooves to the wooden floor of her room and limped lazily down the stairs with her bag and uniform to begin another day.

"Miss Ribbon, this behavior is much unlike you." Mr. Longboard, her teacher said over her as she slept on her desk.

She slowly removed her head from the notes on her desk and looked wearily up at him.

"Sorry." she said, then noticed most of the class looking at her.

"I pray that though it is nearing the end of the school year," he said to the rest, "that you all will not mimic such behavior and let your grades fall. I know you all dread having to stay another year in my class as much as I do."

Few of the student snickered as he turned back to Ribbon.

"Speak with me after class please."

He walked back up to the front of the class as Ribbon looked around and saw Sprinkle smiling at her, to which she responded by drooping her head sideways and opening her mouth to let her tongue stick out as if she were dead.

"Why don't you pick up where we left off Miss Ribbon."

"Okay... ugh, lets see."

"'By the time the council had...'"

"'By the time the council had finished the meeting,'" Ribbon said, finding where to read in her history book, "'it was decided that with the vanishing of the Crystal Kingdom, which was still unbeknownst to most of Equestria, would be erased from the public eyes and ears to avoid mass panic or concern. Princess Celestia then dispatched a small group of carefully chosen scholars to each other the major populace to destroy whatever evidence there was of its existence and to silence any suspicion.'"

Ever since the Crystal Kingdom reappeared almost a year earlier, and had held the past Equestria Games, it had been recognized as another providence under the loving guidance of Princess Cadence. Now its breve history had been added without haste to the curriculum.

Though she found the idea of an entire kingdom made of crystal truly a magical wonder, she didn't enjoy however the added homework that came with it. Looking up at the clock, even though she knew it would be many hours before they were released, and she could return to her training at Green Field Meadows, it was a habit to look up at the clock to see how much longer of one subject they had left before a break. Fifteen minutes were left for history before lunch, and felt much longer as she struggled to keep her head up.

When it came, and she took her bag out to her groups spot out in the courtyard, she laid against the tree, quickly ate her sandwich and tried to rest but noticed Sprinkle come up to her. Her white coat and blonde mane looked as if they had been freshly cleaned and made her look extra perky than usual. But as she drew closer, Ribbon noticed a look on her face less happy than usual.

"Hey Ribbon." she said kindly, "Something wrong?"

"No, just tired." she said then yawned.

"Whats the matter, bad night of sleep?"

"No, I just got a job and started yesterday, but I didn't get much time to myself afterwards."

"Wow, that's so cool! Did your parents make you get it?"

"Just decided to get it myself one day, then got lucky and got a job as a busgirl at Green Meadows."

"You don't look so good though, are you sure your alright?"

"Yeah, of course I am."

What happened next Ribbon almost expected to. Sprinkle laid down opposite to her and looked in her eyes.

For the many years they had know each other, ever since elementary, they had shared many secrets such as little crushes and had gone over to the others for dozens of sleep overs. Something she knew was the special between all best friends was the bond that nothing compared to, the bond that linked her and Sprinkle and what made her sense there was more on Ribbons mind. Sprinkle was also very supportive with her friend, and was as persistent as she was goofy at most times.

"There's something you're not telling me." she said.

"Ugh... you sound just like my parents whenever we have a sit down."

"Whats the matter."

"Nothing." Ribbon insisted, but only got an icy stare, "Really... nothing."

"Come on, there's something bothering you, I can tell."

Ribbon turned her head to look away, then sighed.

"Well... it's just, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. And I've been kind of depressed lately too."

"Why? You have a crush or something?"

"No, not for a long time and nothing like that depression. But... you know, I just think that sometimes its hard to face reality."

"What?"

"Well, you know how we went out last week, how I went to the library?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I was really excited to see Princess Twilight you know, and I just think I got too excited. You see, when I went to give her a letter from Spike when we looking at dresses, I was hoping I could get to talk with her... and maybe become her friend. But when I gave her the letter, she just said "thanks" and went away. I just got really sad after that."

"Well... I can see why you got sad, but it's nothing to sulk over. You can't let it bother you for so long, otherwise it turns you into this."

"Yeah I know that, but its not why I feel so terrible right now. You see the night after that day, after I had gotten over it, Princess Luna visited me in a dream."

"Oh wow!" Sprinkle said in a loud whisper, "What was she like."

"Beautiful, and so wise and listening. But she told me that my emotions had been festering inside me for so long, and that I might turn evil if I let that continue."

"You evil, impossible."

"I know, but then we began talking some more and then... something came up."

"What?"

Ribbon readjusted herself on the ground, then looked into her friends eyes.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"Wh... What? You know I want to be a baker someday, what with all the treats you and I used to make."

"I know, but are you sure you're really happy with being that for the rest of your life?"

"Why wouldn't I. Its what I love and what makes me feel special."

Sprinkle took a pause and thought, then looked back at Ribbon.

"Is this because you don't have your cutie mark? Look, don't sweat it. It'll come in time."

"I'm just... so confused right now. And I keep blaming myself for being so... me."

Sprinkle didn't day anything.

"I don't know. I'm just tired right now and want to go home. But then I have to go back to work and continue training and its all just a big hassle."

"Come on. I know you can do it." Sprinkle said and rubbed her head against Ribbons, "You can pull through, you're awesome like that."

"I hope so." Ribbon sighed.

The classroom was empty except for Ribbon and the teacher. She stood in front of his desk waiting as he looked through the piles of homework turned in that day and made everything on his desk organized.

"I need to be going soon." Ribbon said, "I have to go to my work."

"Work? Interesting."

"Yes. I came home tired last night, which is why I fell asleep for a bit, if that's what this is about."

"No no, it's just that the other day I was gifted with a surprise visit from Miss Cherilee, and we had quite the chat."

"Oh!?"

"She said the two of you spoke and had an interesting conversation."

"I suppose."

"Tell me Ribbon, have you given any thought to taking the entrance exam to the Canterlot college."

"Well... a little. But I don't think I'm really cut out for it."

"A similar answer to what Cherilee told me. But we both thought on it, and after a while agreed on the fact that we both consider you different from most students we've seen in the past. What I'm saying here is that we believe that you should deeply consider going to the college and taking its entrance exam. We both believe you have great potential and would benefit greatly from attending there."

"I don't know, it just seems like a lot of money right now. Neither my parents could afford it probably."

"I see, well hopefully something will come up."

Ribbon left the schoolhouse and made it to Green Field Meadows, where in the small staff room in the back she hung her bag, took out her neatly folded uniform and got ready to clock in to continue training. She braided her mane and made sure there were no wrinkles in the vest, then punched her card in the clocking machine a few minutes before her shift started. Her trainer then came in and they went through a quick run down of the restaurants organization; where the tables were and how they were numbered and how to balance her time with washing and picking up dishes.

They left and Ribbon went out to the kitchen and grabbed her tray that strapped on like a saddle. It was busy when she began, and stayed that way all throughout her hours including her break. By the time the clock in the kitchen read seven thirty, her legs were sore from going up and down the stairs to the second floor multiple times and her stomach ached with hunger again. She punched her card again and left the building.

When she made it home and went through the front door, she found her parents sitting in the living room and reading quietly to themselves.

"How was work darling?" her mother asked.

"Fine."

"Your dinners in the kitchen if your hungry."

On the counter again she saw a plate with still freshly cooked food waiting for her.

"Why don't you eat out here." her father said, "I think we need to talk a little."

"Here we go."

Very rarely did Ribbon and her parents talk, but only when they forewarned her like saying they needed to talk did she know she was in for it. She took her plate and sat at the table and ate, then her father began when she was almost finished.

"You've been acting a little more quiet than usual. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah."

"It took me and your mother by surprise when you showed up with that paper from your work. You've never really done anything like that without asking us first. What gives?"

Ribbon shrugged.

"There must be some reason as to why your acting like this."

"I'm fine." she insisted.

"Is everything alright at school?" her mother asked, "Are any of the other students giving you a hard time?"

"No."

"Are your grades slipping and you're having a hard time keeping them up?" her father asked.

"No."

"Alright, that's good, just checking. Because the other day when you came home after school you looked a little depressed. Did your friends say anything or made fun of you while you were out with them?"

"No."

"Why are you always so quiet with us?" her mother asked, "Every time we ask you anything you just say yes or no. We want to hear whats really going on in your head. Somethings bothering you."

"It's nothing."

"What is?"

"it's nothing." Ribbon insisted again.

"Is it this job of yours; is it too much for you right now?"

"No."

"Then why'd you get it?"

"I just felt like I should get a job, start earning money."

"Well you don't have to worry about it. Your chores are enough and you wont be moving out for a while."

"I know. I just felt like I should get a job."

"Why?" her father asked, "Is it the college? Were you thinking of going?"

"Maybe. But its too expensive."

"Well its not that expensive."

"Five thousand?"

"You don't pay it all at one time, little by little as you attend."

"And you're okay with that?"

"All we want is whats best for you. You'd be an excellent student; you get good grades, you never talk back and you're always on top of your homework and projects. Is that why you got a job, so you could start saving to go?"

"I guess."

"Well we're more than happy to help." her mother said lovingly, "Me and your father are both very proud of you, you know that. Seeing you grow up all by yourself without our help just makes us so happy."

"And if your worried about the fee for the college, don't worry about it. If you want to go, we can pay for it."

"But if I were to go I'd be living in Canterlot for like two years."

"I think that be good for you." her father said in a way that almost hurt her, "I'm pretty sure you'd be more happy surrounded by culture than being stuck here."

"But... all my friends are here."

"Well I'm sure you could come down and visit sometimes. Its a school, not a prison."

"Why don't you just give it some more thought." her mother suggested, "Tell us when you want to."

"Okay."

Ribbon got up, washed her dish and went up to her room where she fell chest first into her bed and looked out her window. After few minutes of rest she got out of her uniform, did what little homework she had for the night then fell right back into bed. A record playing soft opera helped her relax as piano played and a soft but very firm mares voice sung in a language Ribbon didn't know.

"Looks like I'm going to college. Great."

She looked over at the book which had been untouched since its hard covered leather had touch the desk. Its title was written along its spine in gold letters. She wished with all her heart that the library from her dream existed, that somewhere there was someplace she could let her mind be free without the worries of life, to be able to let go and fall of the edge with no regrets.

She reached for the book and pulled it onto her bed.

"One page, from the prologue."

She opened the front cover and saw the title written again on the first page with the writers very own signature below it, followed by the table of contents on the next four pages. Fifty seven chapters made the book, each with a different name rather than a number. She opened it to the prologue title The Beginning, and found it humorously well named.

"When kingdoms fall, lives taken, and the very fabric that binds our brittle minds unravels into the abyss which we call the truth, it is then that our true characters are shown to the world in all there naked horror and we are left to pick ourselves from the ashes that we call humility and learn from the terrible experience that we may better ourselves. When we see the world that we once called home crumble before our eyes and are left to live in a state of existence that is unknown to us, it is then that we see how spoiled we are and we begin to question how we may rebuild our lives to prevent such disaster from cursing our world again. The sins of the past will forever haunt and agonize us with there creeping tentacles that cling to us and draw us into an oblivion that we have no hope of ever escaping, but it is when we fight back the pull, when we clench our teeth and fight back with all our possessions gone, our fear surrounding us and our sloth emotions overpowering us, it is then that heroes are born to guide us. In the time of prosperity, one must watch for the shadows at night to spoil the parties where drunkards lash their tongues back and forth in vulgarity, to taint the food they gorge to fatten themselves and to poison the wine that drips from there lips. For when all the crops are harvested, when the last river damned and the last mountain scaled, society dooms itself to an miserable apocalypse that few survive and are destined to relive again when having witnessed those who gorged and drunk themselves from a far off in there trash bins, nibbling away at the scraps. One does not stop to question how or why this tragedy occurs, or how its choking vines are first seeded in the very fertile ground the grapes of wine are planted and how they can be cut down and burned, never to kill again. No, those who suffered in the slums of society and watched as the high fell, leaving a golden stairway to the banquet of thieves only sat and watched with greed, waiting in the dark for their very own moment at an ignorant damnation. But those who sheltered their pups, who fed them and kept them warm during the bitter nights, in whose hearts the very essence of purity was first sparked but never became a living fire only stayed in the shadows and watched like those who sat with empty stomachs, waiting for the scraps to fall from the masters table. This is how the kingdom of Lauroc fell to the darkness that seeped its way from the Void, down the mountain and into the very streams that first quenched the thirst of a small village that cultivated the earth and stone and grew into a town which bared the storms of war and drought, which rose from the ashes stronger and with a greater fire, but in whose wealth fell victim to the darkness's grip and now lies into its own tub of waste, corruption, lust, greed, gluttony and sin.

One forest holds many trees, and across the entire world there are many forests where though one tree falls five grow in its place. Across the world there are plains of tall grass, mountains with icy faces, glaciers of barren snow and ice, volcanoes with sparkling jewels deep within there hot stone, rivers and oceans of vast size, and skies with narry a spot to ruin their blue perfection. And in from this world are many worlds, each with there own plains and mountains and rivers and oceans, and all these worlds come together to create the world of worlds so that life may continue to grow into a creature of beauty and purity. These worlds of worlds of worlds combine with more worlds of worlds, creating an infinitely greater creature which knows not death and only continues to grow.

But there can be no life without death, which in turn brought forth the Void, which destroys worlds of worlds, which dries the seas and burns the forests and crumbles the mountains. It grows from the shadows of worlds, and balances the never ending growth of worlds with the never ending destruction of worlds.

It only takes one curious fool to try and tamper with the Void, to offset the balance and ruin that which took generations to build. And now the Void spills into the world with no end in sight. Those who see the coming flood flee to the tops of mountains, but in vain as the Void then comes from the sky as rain and soaks their rags. They seek a hero who has seen the Void spilled many times before, who knows the path it will take to drown the world, and knows the sacrifice..."

Ribbon had almost no idea what she had just read, whether or not she had read what was the greatest piece of literature she was to childishly stupid to understand or had just read a page that vomited words at her and dripped down her body. She reread the entire page, its word making little more sense to her and making her continue onto the next page as her music continued to play behind her. An hour she spent reading a section of the book that was only fifteen pages long with the same type of grammar and diction on each page, and though she knew she was a slow reader, it was the fastest hour that had ever gone by in her life.

She set the book back down on her desk, uncertain if the next time she got the craving for its words would be scared off by its complexity, set her alarm and got under her blanket. The words she read still washed back and forth in her mind like waves as she fell to sleep.