In the backdrop of Ponyville is a large mountain. It overlooks the small but growing town with a watchful eye. On this mountain is a castle that is built into the cliffside. This castle watches over the greater land that surrounds Ponyville as a vigilant observer. Most often, it is bustling with routine traffic.
As the sun rises above and sheds new light on the plains, the moon sinks into the horizon. A new day has come to roust all the ponies out of their beds. As the light creeps up, many begin their days while others have been up prior to that.
==-==-==
"Little sister, what are you doing?" A regal white alicorn with large wings and horn walks in with a stifled yawn. Her mane and tail are both multicolored and flow on the merest of breezes. A gold crown tops her head, gold shoes her feet, and a golden sun on her rear flanks.
She walks up to a couch with another alicorn laying on it. This one is very different. In many ways, she appears to be the opposite. Black coat, translucent blue mane and tail that similarly flow, and a crescent moon as her sign. She has a smaller black crown and dark shoes. "My sister," she replies. "I was reading..." she says sorrowfully. But, a thought strikes her. "Verily the Moon would be withdrawn by now!"
"No," she says quietly with a comforting hoof. "That's fine. I was referring to that," she says as she points to the collection beside her. "Luna, how many buckets of ice cream have you eaten?"
Luna looks over to the many discarded containers but then looks up at her sister. "Forgive me..." she says tearfully. "I was enthralled with this book, and it became so downtrodden... Verily, I started to get depressed and... well?"
"I see," Celestia says with a small smile. "Well. The plot thickens."
Luna gives an exasperated sigh as her ears cave in. "Forsooth... it does..."
==-==-==
Below, in the little town of Ponyville, other things have begun to spin into motion. While many of the others have left the library for different reasons, yet another visitor rapped on its door. As ever, the baby dragon opened up for a new guest.
"You're looking for Twilight?" he asks. "She stepped out. But, she should be back soon. Come on in!"
A red pony walks in as offered by the current resident. She looks around with a bit of amusement at all the books that line the walls. She has a short cinnamon mane and blue eyes. "I have friends that would like this place," she says. "I'm more of an action type, though. My name's Casie."
"I'm Spike. Make yourself comfortable."
"Sure. Thanks." Casie eyes a seat and sets down on it. Her tail swings around to curl around her flank.
"Did you see that fire last night?" Spike asks. "I was asleep. I only heard about it."
Casie's eyes turn away. "No. I didn't see it." While her tail covers one flank and a flaming cutie mark, she puts a pillow against her other side to hide the matching one. "Was anyone hurt?"
"No. Some stranger came in and saved the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They'll be fine, I hear."
"The Cutie Whatnow?"
Spike looks at her for a moment. "Not from around here, are you? They're a trio of fillies that are trying to get their Cutie Marks."
She would ask, but Casie is sure to get a rather strange look for it. "I see."
There is another rapping on the door as another hoof asks for entry. "Hello?" a voice asks from the other side. "I was told someone here could help me. I'm looking for Twilight Sparkle?"
"Geez..." Spike groans with a bitter look. "Nopony ever comes looking for me..." He stomps over to the door and readies for another guest. Despite his aggravation, he opens the door with a smile. "She's out right now," he greets.
"Alright," a blue coated pony says with a smile. "Do you know when she'll be back?"
"Not really. Maybe I could help you!!"
"Amanda?" a voice calls from within. "Is that you?"
Her blue eyes widen as her smile grows. "Casie?!" The newcomer trots joyfully into the library past the little dragon.
"Sure..." he grits. "Make yourself at home." He closes the door rather rudely before returning to his duties.
"I see you're here too, Casie?" The seat is large enough for her as well, so she plants her behind on it. "I guess all five of us made it here?"
"Yeah."
"I haven't seen Kat," Amanda remarks.
"I'm sure she's around here somewhere." Casie looks up at Amanda's head for a moment and touches her hoof to the latter's blue horn. "What's up with this?"
"I don't know. It was sticking out of my head when I woke up. My ring is around it," she notes while pointing to the base.
Casie smiles a little and taps her red earring, but keeps it from doing any magic. "I guess we'll need them for something. Whatever brought us here made sure we had them. Must be a reason."
"I dunno," Amanda notes with a little blush. "I feel kinda weird. If I don't use it, I'm running around naked. If I do use it, it feels like I'm heading into battle."
For a moment, Casie ponders this and looks around Amanda's pony body. Although she is indeed bare, "there's not really anything you need to hide. Kinda liberating, actually," she says with a smile. She momentarily caresses Amanda's flat chest area with a smirk. "I mean, what are you ashamed of?"
"I suppose you're right." And yet, the method on proving her point caused a flush of red across her face.
The door swings open again on its own. A magenta aura opens it for a moment and moments later closes after Twilight enters. "Spike!!" she hollers. "I'm back!" She walks in and quickly notes the two newcomers sitting on the couch. "Oh! Hello! And you are...?"
"Casie."
"Amanda. We've been told that you might be able to help us. You see--"
"You're looking for your friends?" Twilight interupts.
"...Yeah. How did you know?"
"They've been looking for you, too."
In another part of the library, in one of the more residental rooms, Spike continues his cleaning duties. While he spent time on returning all the books back to their shelves, his routine has fallen behind. Although it's not his business to eavesdrop, he can't help but overhear parts of the conversation.
"Sssssspppiiiikkkkeeee..." a voice says in a long whisper. "Ssssppppiiikkkeee..."
The little dragon turns about and finds... nopony. The room is empty, save for him and his imagination. "Whatever."
"S-P-I-K-E!!!"
While his tools hit the floor, Spike hangs from a beam three meters above. "Wha--what was that?!"
"I am the Spirit of the Library. You WILL heed my demands lest I drag you to its lowest depths and EAT YOU!!!"
"WH-WHAT DO YOU W-WANT?!!" Spike answers fearfully.
"You will bring me triple chocolate muffins!! And coffee!! NOW!!!"
The dragon drops to the floor and quickly zips off to meet the demands. Without a word, he dashes through the residential area, through the library itself, and out the front door.
"Spike!!" Twilight shouts as he passes her. "Where are you going?" But, he is long gone before any such answer can be given. She just shrugs her shoulders and moves on. She is just happy that he didn't put a hole through the door.
Another knocking, and the door opens to Fluttershy again. The yellow pony lets herself in with a bit of an embarrassed expression. "I'm... sorry, Twilight. I shouldn't have run off."
But, far from being upset, Twilight puts a foreleg around her friend's withers. "Don't worry about it, Fluttershy. I would have done the same thing if one of my books was in jeopardy."
"You know," Amanda notes. "This reminds me of how we all met in the beginning."
"No kidding," Casie agrees. "Geez, it feels like 17 years or something."