Battle Ready pushed the door to the Golden Oak's Library open with a light shove from his shoulder. He looked around and raised a black eyebrow at what he saw. The first floor was nearly dominated by a single circular room, carved into the wood. Shelves had also been made into the wood of the tree as carved niches to house the library's many books. Two doors led off to different rooms beyond the library itself, and a wide staircase hugged the walls. Near the back was a solid looking desk, upon which lay several scattered papers.
Deciding to check his new home before opening up shop, Battle set his rucksack down by the front door and made his way to the door that stood behind the desk. Upon opening it he discovered it led into a further extension of the library; a second, slightly smaller room with more books, although these were slightly dusty and appeared to be advanced magical studies of some variety or another. After casting his eyes around the room he closed the door and moved to the other doorway across the library.
Upon opening this door, he uncovered access to the kitchen. A small room with only the bare essentials, but plenty of storage space for food and ingredients. A quick rummage around the cupboards and cabinets revealed that Mayor Mare had been correct in assuming Twilight had left the kitchen fully stocked. The only downside was that she had left it stocked for her particular diet. He gave a twisted frown at the sight of so many flowers and grass substances. He'd definitely need to go shopping later in the day. At least there were raspberries and celery he could survive on for a few days.
Closing the last cupboard, he turned on the spot to see a door he hadn't noticed before. Intrigued, he walked over to it and pulled it open. A staircase leading down greeted him. Eyebrow raised, he descended, hand trailing against the wooden wall to his right.
The basement beneath the library was larger than both the rooms above combined. A collection of junk lay around the edges of the enclosed space, with some old dusty boxes shoved out of the way. The closer Battle got to the ground, the more he saw. Some old, metallic equipment was hidden away in the shadows. Symbols that had been carved onto pieces of stone tablet and wooden slats lay in dusty cobwebs. Ancient books and texts lay hidden in plain sight. The only clean thing in the jumble lay at the back of the room.
A display box. A glass display box on a wooden plinth. Within he could plainly see five ornate golden necklaces; each one embedded with a single, brilliant jewel at the centre; each one carved into an intricate shape. A large, dark purple amethyst carved into the shape of a diamond. A morganite stone, bright and pink, shaped like a butterfly. An aquamarine, shining and brilliant, looking just like a party balloon. A deep red ruby, carved into a jagged lightning bolt. And a brilliant sunstone, orange and fiery shaped like an apple.
Battle's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates as he saw what lay before him. Not twenty feet away from where he stood were five of the Elements of Harmony. He could guess which was which, he had only heard about the powerful artifacts, yet he knew that Princess Twilight's crown was the sixth, the Element of Magic. The others; Generosity, Kindness, Laughter, Loyalty and Honesty, were practically at his fingertips.
His moment of giddy excitement however was cut short as his mind kicked in. His eyes narrowed and looked around. There was no possible and conceivable way that Twilight Sparkle, the Princess responsible for the Elements, would leave them in the basement without any form of protection.
His navy blue eyes flicked around the room again, only now with a critical eye.
He could feel their was magic in the air. Powerful magic. He crouched down close to the floor and scanned the dust covered ground. He took a breath and blew out, sending a cloud of dust into the air. His eyes immediately saw what the dust had cleverly been concealing.
Runes. Markings of protection and defense. Of blinding and unconsciousness. These markings were designed to incapacitate anyone who walked through their borders.
Battle gave an approving smile. These enchantments were expertly cast to keep anyone from reaching the Elements of Harmony. Satisfied with this situation, Battle stood upright again. The spells would keep anyone but the most advanced of mages from reaching the Elements and perhaps those who they deemed appropriate, like the spellcaster herself, or those ordained to wield the Elements of Harmony.
He made his way back upstairs from the basement before closing the door. He briefly wondered whether or not he should lock it before he shrugged. Anyone who would be snooping around in the basement would be easily dealt with by the spells down there. The Elements were well protected. With the ground floor and the basement examined, Battle returned to the library proper and made his way up the stairs to the level above.
Much like the basement, the library's upper level was a much larger room. More books lined the walls, along with another desk pushed against the wall. A series of organised parchments and quills, inkwells and notes were kept on the desk. At the window beside the desk a large telescope stood pointing skyward. Battle could see a balcony across the room and another short flight of steps leading into an alcove where he could spot a few beds hiding in the shadows.
Battle gave an approving nod. The library was definitely a decent place to live. And with no definite time to expect Princess Twilight back from her excursion in Zebrika, it might as well be considered his home. Not a bad plan considering. He had come to call far worse places home after all. But this... this quaint little library in this little village of one of the most beautiful countries in the world... he might just grow attached to this place.
A loud crash from downstairs jerked him from his daydreaming. With a troubled frown he began to make his way back down the steps and into the library. He could make out a few hushed whispers and a few slight wingbeats as whoever was in the library moved about.
As he saw the library he raised an amused eyebrow and simply leaned against the wall, folding his arms, a slight smile at the scene before him. A slim, lean mare was racing around the library on her powerful wings as she scanned the titles of books franticly with rose coloured eyes wide. Her coat was a cyan blue in colour and her mane and tail were both a rainbow of colours from red to violet. She was clearly fit, Battle appraised, and obviously built herself up for speed going by her body. Indeed this idea was perhaps supported by the tracksuit bottoms and sports bra she was wearing. From the way she was moving so fast he couldn't tell what her Cutie Mark was, though he thought he did catch a glimpse of red yellow and blue.
She didn't seem to notice that Battle was there, and neither did the other pony, Battle noticed. Another mare, though his one was an earth pony with an orange coat and a brilliant blonde mane and tail. She watched the pegasus with glittering green eyes with a sort of, annoyed amusement with her arms folded across her chest. She appeared to have a much bigger build than the pegasus, more likely for strength than speed. She was however not an athlete Battle assumed, as her attire appeared more casual. A chequered red and blue shirt under a tasseled waistcoat with some blue jeans, brown faux-leather boots and an old stetson cocked crookedly on her head. Unlike the other mare, Battle could see the Cutie Mark of three red apples on her slightly freckled cheek.
Battle stayed motionless. These two didn't appear harmful, and if they did prove to be dangerous... Battle shook his head as the orange mare spoke.
"Come on Dash," she sighed, a slightly southern twang to her voice. When the other mare (Dash was it?) didn't seem to hear her however she scowled and cleared her throat. "Look Dash we're technically breakin' in here."
"Pfft," Dash scoffed. "Twilight never cared if I came in the library day or night."
"The thing is Dash this ain't Twilight's library anymore," Dash's friend hissed. "It belongs to whoever Mayor Mare hires as the town's new librarian."
"And until he or she shows up," Dash responded. "I'm still calling this place Twilight's library. Now where is it? I should've had the new Daring Doo last week!"
"Have you tried looking under D?" Battle asked casually, unable to keep his silence any longer.
The effect was immediate. Dash was so shocked and horrified she lost focus and dropped from the air like a stone and face-planted into the floor. The other mare gasped and held her hand up to her mouth in a guilty expression. Dash jumped to her hooves and rubber her muzzle as Battle stepped down the remaining stairs to the library floor.
"Can I help either of you two at all?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Yeah you can!" Dash snapped rushing up to Battle, practically standing nose to nose with the stallion. "Who are you? What are you doing in Twilight's library?"
"Easy there partner!" the other mare cried, wrapping her arms around Dash's midsection and dragging her backwards. She gave Battle an apologetic smile before stepping between him and Dash. "I take it ya'll are Twilight's replacement librarian?"
"I am indeed," Battle announced. He held out his hand for the other mare to take, which she did and shook it vigorously. "Battle Ready at your service. Ponyville's replacement librarian until such a time as Twilight Sparkle returns from her exploits in Zebrika."
"Applejack," she replied. "I work on the apple orchards jus' outside o' Ponyville."
"Pleasure to meet you Miss Applejack," Battle said, his gaze turning to Dash. "Both you and your friend."
Applejack blushed and turned to her friend behind her, who had now decided to have the good grace to look decidedly sheepish under Battle's slightly austere gaze. She shuffled forwards and rubbed her prismatic mane and blushed, smiled nervously. Now that she had stopped moving Battle could see the Cutie Mark on her cheek. A mixed yellow blue and red lightning bolt bursting from a snow white cloud. Battle rolled his eyes and held out his hand for her to shake again.
"Pleased to meet you as well Miss," he said. "And you have nothing to be nervous about. You're not in any trouble. While I had planned on having an hour or two to get settled in I have no problems in serving two friends of Princess Twilight Sparkle."
Dash's eyes lit up slightly and she straightened up, taking Battle's hand in a firm grip and giving it a few solid shakes.
"Thanks pal," she replied, sweeping a few bangs from her eyes. "And it's Rainbow Dash. Not Miss."
"Rainbow Dash," Battle repeated. "I'll make sure to remember it."
"You'd better," Dash joked. She stood for a moment before she looked around the library. "So.... you got any idea where the latest Daring Doo might be hidden?"
Battle blinked and scratched his head.
"Uh... Daring Doo?"
"You know, the totally awesome series of books! The ones about the pegasus archeologist Daring Doo and how she constantly has to stop the evil Auizotal!" Dash exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she said it.
Battle chuckled and looked around the library. "I don't believe I am familiar with that particular series of novels. I must make a note to become more acquainted with them."
"You've never read Daring Doo?" Dash gasped, her eyes now wide with horror. Battle shook his head.
"Never even heard of them?" Applejack asked. Another shake of the head. "What rock have ya'll been livin' under? Daring Doo are some of the most popular books in Equestria."
Battle shrugged.
"Well all I'll say buddy is boy are you in for a treat!" Dash squealed. "And speaking of treat, the newest addition came out just after Twilight left." She nudged Battle gently in the rips with her elbow. "And I kinda think the new librarian might be able to help find it?"
Battle rolled his eyes. "I'll try my best Miss-"
"Just call me Dash."
"Dash. But try to remember that A: I have just arrived in the library. Heck I haven;t even unpacked my things. And B: there is always the possibility that the novel you're looking for might not currently be in the library's selection."
Dash nodded, but didn't seemed to be listening. With a mental sigh Battle quickly walked to one of the shelves and began scanning the books. To the untrained eye it would appear that these books were arranged randomly. They weren't in accordance with the Dewey Decimal System that was for certain. It took Battle less than half a minute to realise the pattern of how these books were organised. A most unusual fashion, they were arranged into topic for each section of shelving, and each topic was arranged A-Z by title.
"How odd," Battle murmured, straightening up and looking around for the fiction section of the library. Acutely aware of Applejack and Dash watching him, he strode over to the books and skimmed through the titles. Coming to 'D' he began to scan more thoroughly. He soon found an entire shelf dedicated to the Daring Doo series. How anypony could miss it was beyond him but he slid the last book from the shelf and raised it in the air with an aura of nervous triumph.
"Is this what you were looking for Dash?" Battle asked handing it to her.
Her eyes instantly grew to the size of dinner plates and she punched the air in triumph.
"YES!" she squealed. "Battle you just officially became cool!"
"Um... thanks?" Battle said, slightly confused.
"She means thanks," Applejack explained. "And Ah've gotta thank ya'll too. She's been draggin' me down here everyday since that book came out trying to find it."
It wasn't that hard to find, Battle thought to himself. "Don't mention it," he said, smiling. "And uh, since you're a friend of Princess Twilight's, I suppose we can forget any late fee's this once, 'ey Dash?"
Dash's pupil's shrank to the size of pins, before she held up her balled fist. Battle recognised the gesture and mimicked her stand and gently touched knuckles with Dash.
"You just became twenty percent cooler," Dash whispered.
I'm going to be seeing a lot of her aren't I? Battle thought.