//------------------------------// // Chapter II: Behind Canterlot Walls // Story: Wings of Bravery // by Fabella //------------------------------// As the sun arose across the horizon, the bright rays of the sun penetrated through the window that sat above Derpy's bed. Hearing the tweets of the birds infiltrate the spare room, Derpy slowly sat up in the bed a bit dazed with her mane messy and ruffled. She glanced outside the window and looked about Ponyville. As the small window was open, she said hello to the small two birds that looked at her curiously. "Hello little birdies." she blinked slowly. Smiling as they turned their head. Derpy blinked and gasped, scaring away the two small birds as the thoughts of what she was suppose to do today with Carrot came storming back. She quickly stepped out of bed but in her rush, ended up tripping on some of the blanket instead. Her head laid pressed against the floor while her eyeballs spun around. She picked herself up and shook her head trying to place her spinning orbs back like they were suppose to. After regaining her balance and recovering from the rather embarrassing incident, she shot her way through the short halls of Carrots home and to her room. Swinging open the door she saw her friend in a rather peaceful slumber. Her mouth opened wide as drool pooled onto her pillow. “Carrot! Carrot!” Carrot's eyes shot open at the violent shaking her friend was given her. “What Derpy!? What?!” “Today's the day we go to Canterlot Library like you promise!” “Oh yeah.” she yawned. Face still droopy from waking. “That.” she looked to the clock on her wall which showed eight o'clock. “Derpy.” “Yes.” “It's only eight o'clock.” “Yeah.” She stared blankly at her and Derpy did the same. “Nevermind.” Derpy let go of her friend and Carrot begun to straighten her bed. “You didn't need to wake me up so early. You had me thinking that it was way pass three or something.” “Sorry. I really don't want to miss out.” "Miss out on..." Carrot sighed in defeat. “It's fine but next time, don't panic so much. Geez, you nearly scared me half to death.” "Sorry." Carrot chuckled. "It's fine Derpy." Carrot finished pressing the last few touches on her bed. “Come on, I'll go make us something to eat. Since it's Sunday, the train for Canterlot won't be running until twelve anyway and so once we're done we can head out. Done deal?.” "Done deal!" When they finally arrived at the Canterlot library they were greeted by large clear glass doors. Derpy took the initiative to knock on them. The sound, resounding through the inside. A medium brown mare with glasses on and a cutie mark in the shape of a bookmark peeked from over her spectacles. The Canterlot Librarian glared at Derpy who immediately pointed to Carrot knowing of what she was going to ask her. She sighed and got up out of her seat. She walked towards them with a steady speed and lit up her horn. Using magic to open the wide doors and allowing them in. “I hope you learned that next time you want a book from the top shelves you can just ask and we'll get it down for you Ms. Derpy.” “Understood Ms. Books Smart.” The librarian went back to her desk, sat down and continued checking in returned books. Not paying much mind to the wandering two. Carrot's eyes wandered around the large and tall bookcases that held colorful books of all types. From history, legends, tales and novels, there was a book that laid somewhere for all interests. It was neat and tidy. So much so, that the light that beamed in from the multiple windows that lined the walls seem to reflect back on itself. An elevator near the end of the library led to the second floor. It definitely earned it's title of being the largest collection of books in Equestria. “I didn't expect the library to be, be so...big!” Carrot said in surprise. Derpy nodded in agreement. “Yeah! It is the part of the royal library after all. This one, however, is more open to the public then the Canterlot Archives in Canterlot Castle. Everything here is coded and organized.” “I didn't think it'll be so tidy either. Well, at least this tidy.” “That's unicorns for you. Considering Canterlot's filled with them, it's not surprising.” “Well, where do you want to start?” “In the storybook and fantasy section of course!” Derpy galloped in front of her friend and Carrot followed slowly after her. Eyes continuing to wander across the neat and polished ebony bookcases. Taking in fully the sights of the glistening interior. Right when they were about to go through the books a certain mare walked in with guards at her sides. Her mane and tail sparkled pastel colors of pink, blue, purple and green and she stood nearly a foot taller over her escorts. Gold shoes adorned her hooves and a matching regalia on her chest with a purple gemstone shone brightly like the crown on her head. “Princess Celestia!” Derpy and Carrot said in unison as they approached the tall mare. Both bowing down before her. Showing their respects to the ruler of the sun. “No need to be so formal young mares, I am only here to say a simple statement. Despite what I heard of your, accident,” Derpy blushed. Scratching at her foreleg. “I have been noticing that you are only one of the few who visit here regularly Ms. Derpy. You come here mainly for a young filly by the name of Dinky yes?” “Yes your majes-I mean Celestia.” Celestia chuckled. “All I wanted to say was that you are most welcomed to check out as many books as you like and stay here as long as you like.” The librarian's mouth dropped open. A her countenance was one of unbelief knowing of Derpy's previous destructive power that she unleashed in the library. The Princess was truly a benevolent character for if it was up to her, she would quickly have Derpy in and out in a short time. Unable to ban her completely she could at least make it a compromise her way in particular. Unfortunately, she had no say in the matter as her highness wishes undid her own. Derpy ran up and hugged the princess. A tear nearly forming in one of her closed eyes. “Oh thank you Princess Celestia! Thank you.” Celestia was slightly put aback by the kind gesture but gave a gleeful nod in response. “You are welcome but now if you mind, I must get going. I have work to attend to back at the castle.” Celestia proceeded to exit the room along with her guards but not without giving a small grin to the librarian who hid her face behind a book. Grumbling about her majesty's decision. She wondered if the princess did this just to irk her nerves. In short reply, the princess merely chuckled. Shutting the glass doors of the library before flying off in her golden chariot that was parked right outside. Derpy and Carrot took hold of the opportunity Celestia gave them and raided the library trying out all different types. Ms. Books Smart cringed at the minor destruction they we're doing but had no choice but to tolerate it. Biting her tongue outside of grumbling about the entire incident. They went through all the types of genres that lined the ebony shelves. Storybooks, pony tales, history and even spell books. Derpy was interested in every book she picked out and read each one, or at least tried to before her eyes caught onto another. Seeming to have forgotten her main purpose of choosing a book to read to Dinky. Carrot too was doing her part finding storybooks for Derpy to read but both eventually lost track of time and begun to get invested in each book. Time passing quickly as they went through book by book and case through case. Eventually succumbing to their wandering thoughts.