> Equestria and the Librarian of her roles namesake
>  by shcalda
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: Let there be light
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a large city, a great tree of light rose from the sky. Unstopped by anything, it shone straight with warmth in its core. For three days, there was only light be it day or night.

However, the light was meant to shine for seven.

After three days of light, as if there was no light at all, the city was covered in darkness for four days. This event would be known from then on as “White Night, Dark Day”. No one knew what caused this event, and no one ever would.

For the cause of this light had left their world entirely.

In Equestria, every alicorn felt something change.

Princess Celestia excused her day court, taking the rest of the day to plan.

Princess Luna entered the realm of dreams, seeking visions of events yet unknown.

Princess Cadance confided in her husband, hoping to rationalize her thoughts.

And Princess Twilight sparkle, as was her reaction to most things unknown, began studying, searching for knowledge of the sudden shift within books and tomes.

All of them felt a sudden change, and though they knew not why, all of them felt dread that day.

Elsewhere, a seed of light sprouted, and from it, came a great Library.
> 1: On The first day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash was having a good day.

It all began with a quick shower in the morning before doing her part in helping the weather team. It was a good kind of work in her eyes. She could easily clear the skies for everypony to enjoy, and she had more than enough time after to nap. Even more conveniently, it was the kind of work that didn’t need too much thinking, giving her more time to think of what stunts she could practice in the afternoon.

”Maybe Pinkie would want to watch me today?” she wondered. Currently, she was taking the time to nap on her favourite cloud spot above Sweet Apple Acres. Most of the sky was already clear and when given the chance, Rainbow Dash gladly took her break. She enjoyed this spot a lot. Not only was it close to her friend Applejack’s home, but it was also the perfect spot to sleep in peace. Not only that but when the sun would begin to set, it was the perfect place to watch.

Rainbow felt an ache in her stomach as she looked down over the orchard. The Apple family had always taken such good care of their apple trees, the red fruits shining in the sunlight on the tree branches. They were never too ripe and not a single one had ever gone bad. Stretching her limbs, Rainbow flew down and swiped an apple from one of the branches. She was about to finish her break, however, it was only fair that she had something to eat first.

Finishing the apple, Rainbow Dash returned to work, the clouds dispersing beneath her trained hooves. Only an hour later and the skies were cleared. With the rest of the day to relax, she flew to her usual practice area. Thinking back to her friends, Rainbow Dash could only smile as she began to fly and do loops. Her friends were a unique bunch, she knew. Who would think an athlete and a seamstress would ever be friends after all.

Rarity was very different compared to Rainbow Dash. While she was happy to get dirty, Rarity would sooner faint if any dirt was caught in her fur. While she enjoyed competing, Rarity would prefer to take things slow. Rarity was always refined and tried to look as fabulous as possible, Rainbow Dash would rather gag. And yet, They still enjoyed each others company. While Rainbow would rather be flying, she admired Rarities patience and attention to detail, always seeing the little things and working on her dresses to make them better as a whole.

Rarity was a complete contrast to Applejack. A hard worker, Applejack would go day-in-day-out to help her farm, making sure her crops grew the best they could. Rainbow dash enjoyed hanging out with Applejack, and they both had fun competing. From hoof wrestling to drinking, they could both be very stubborn competitors and loved trying to one-up each other. That’s not to say there were other things she liked about Applejack. For example, she was much more down-to-earth and would always stop her from running straight into danger.

Not like Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie was weird, in a good way. Pinkie was Ponyville’s resident party planner and was a baker at Sugarcube Corner. When she wasn’t baking amazing desserts or planning birthdays, you could find Pinkie going around town, making everyone’s day better. She always had the best jokes and Rainbow liked coming up with awesome pranks with her. She always knew just what to do to make a pony smile.

That included Fluttershy too. Fluttershy was a childhood friend and while she was rather timid, Rainbow dash still liked spending time with her. Fluttershy was an animal caretaker and always knew how to talk things out. She even reformed the spirit of chaos, Discord. She was always so kind and loved to spend time with her friends. While she wouldn’t admit it openly, Rainbow Dash admired how brave Fluttershy could be. She always tried to do the right thing, even when she was scared.

That left the pony who brought them all together in the first place, Twilight Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle was an egghead who would try to find a solution to any problem in her books. She’d certainly begun to relax more in stressful situations, but Twilight would still freak out if she didn’t have an immediate solution. She was also kind of cool, being able to handle herself in a fight with her magic, and she was the one to introduce Rainbow Dash to Daring Do, one of the best book series ever!

Rainbow frowned. Twilight had holed up in her castle yesterday and when she tried to find out what was going on, she found twilight panicking in her study with books littering the floor.



“what’s going on in here, Twilight!?” Rainbow gawked.
The floor was littered with dusty books and scrolls, stacks of old tomes stood tall in a corner of the room, swaying as though a single touch could bring them toppling down. Twilight sat at her desk, four books open in front her as a quill scribbled notes beside her in her magic.

Twilight turned suddenly, her mouth hanging open as her bloodshot eyes widened to look at her. “Something’s very wrong, Rainbow Dash, and I don’t know what it is!” she exclaimed. Twilight brought her attention back to the books, her eyes moving rapidly between them as she flipped the pages in her magic.

“Twilight relax, you know I’ll help you with whatever’s going on but you need to tell me what’s happening first,” Rainbow placated.

With reluctance, Twilight placed the books on her desk and organized her notes. She took a breath, practising her sister-in-law’s relaxation technique, before taking a sigh. “I don’t think this is something any of the girls can help with, you included, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight spoke softly.

“What do you mean, Twilight? Haven’t we always come on top by working together?” Rainbow asked, “Look, just explain what’s going on and I’ll help.”

Twilight’s eyes darted to the books on the desk before she looked to Rainbow Dash. With a sigh, Twilight explained, “Yesterday afternoon, something happened, and it gave me a sense of unease. I’m not sure what it was, but I sent a letter to Celestia about it and she sent a letter back saying she felt it too. Cadance and Luna also felt it but none of us knows what happened.” Twilight frowned. Her wings sagged as she continued to speak, bringing her notes from her desk as she continued to explain. “I’ve been researching for any information on what happened, but I’ve found nothing on what it could be. Cadance thinks it might not be anything to worry about, maybe it was just a weird alicorn thing, but I can’t just let it go like that,” Twilight expressed.

“I think Luna has been trying to see if anything happened in the dream realm, but I don’t know if that has been fruitful yet. Celestia seemed worried in her letter, I think she’s trusting me to find out what’s happening. She already has to do her part as leader of Equestria to keep everypony safe, but she can’t do everything. I just hope I can find out what this is before anypony gets hurt.”

Rainbow Dash was quiet, her wings slowing as she stopped flying. Putting a hoof to her mouth, Rainbow sat down. “I don’t know twilight, this is very confusing,” she finally answered. “Maybe you’re right, this seems like something way tougher than what we’ve dealt with.” Pausing, Rainbow Dash took some time to think. Twilight sat down in front of her, notes in her hooves as they both thought quietly.

Twilight was the first to speak, putting a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “I know you want to help, Rainbow Dash, but I think this might be something far beyond us.” standing up and walking to her desk, twilight placed her notes back before stopping. “How about this?” Twilight considered. “I will keep looking for a solution while you keep an eye out on everypony. If you notice anything strange happen, just come talk to me and I’ll see what I can find out,” she concluded.

Getting back to her hooves, Rainbow Dash’s brow furrowed before she beamed at Twilight. “I can totally do that! Don’t worry Twilight, I’ll make sure no one gets hurt. If anyone gets in danger, I’ll save them no matter what!”

Twilight gave a warm smile before speaking, “Thank you, Rainbow Dash. I know I can count on you”.




Since their talk, Twilight had still been looking through those old tomes while Rainbow would occasionally fly over Ponyville to see if anything happened. She hadn’t seen anything out of the ordinary yet, but she trusted Twilight, and when Twilight Sparkle said something was wrong, ponies knew something had to be wrong.

As she finished her practice for the day, Rainbow took another flight around Ponyville. It was about time for another, and as much as she wanted to lie down, she knew it would be better to be safe than sorry. As she finished her final circle around the area, Rainbow Dash stopped at Sugarcube corner. An intoxicating aroma escaped the inside of the bakery, and smelling the delectable treats within, Rainbow Dash flew down and opened the doors. Something washed over her as the doors opened, and soon, Rainbow Dash had disappeared.


 ~א~


Angela was unsure of what had happened. Her plan had worked almost perfectly. She still lost half of the light she had needed, and the Sephirah had required some persuasion in being put to sleep again, but that was to be expected. She knew they wouldn’t let her disrupt their plans without a fight, but she was able to make a compromise with them eventually.

What she had not expected was to find herself outside of the city.

She had very little knowledge yet of this new world, though she knew that it functioned by a different set of rules to what she was used to. An example was that the sun, rather than being in the centre of the solar system, instead orbited the planet she now inhabited. Similarly, the stars acted as a background to the night sky and moved as though they were controlled by a puppeteer.

Alongside this, many creatures humans had thought of as myths seemed to live in this world. She had been lucky to come across a book within the library with information on such monsters when a wyrm had decidedly come too close to the libraries borders. She had since placed it on her favourite desk in case she were to meet any other creatures she knew little about.

Angela stopped as something entered the library.

The library had yet to open its doors, and as such, it should not have been possible for anything to enter.

Noting the location where the unwelcome object had appeared, Angela quickly left. What she found was not expected.

Standing in the vestibule to the library stood a cyan coloured equine with a similarly coloured pair of wings and a technicolour mane.


 ~☁~


“Woah, where am I?” Rainbow questioned, looking about the room she had found herself.

The building itself definitely wasn’t Sugarcube Corner. In fact, it looked more similar to a library, with large rows of books in shelves made of dark wood. Between the shelves, pillars stood on either side of the room, yellow lights hanging from the tops like fireflies, giving the room a warm atmosphere. The floor was also wooden, with a shiny coating of varnish with not a single imperfection and the ceiling was high enough that Rainbow Dash surmised that she could fly easily and with little discomfort.

Wherever she was though, it was definitely dangerous, and she knew she wasn’t meant to be here.

A loud noise echoed through the room, almost like the snap of Discord’s talons, as a strange, monkey-like creature appeared before her. It wore a dark suit and skirt along with a dark purple long coat, a white flowery design adorning the bottom. Its hair was a light blue and its eyes shone with a golden yellow, staring down upon Rainbow dash as though gazing into her soul.

“I will only say this once,” it exclaimed, its voice like the frigid cold of winter. “I despise roundabout explanations so simply answer my questions. What are you, how did you enter this place and for what purpose?”

“Hey, I’m the one asking questions buddy,” Rainbow argued, quickly lifting from the ground to fly at eye level with the strange creature. “I don’t know who you think you are but you can’t tell me what to do!”

“I will not answer any questions until you have answered mine, fail to do so and there will be punishment,” the creature responded. “I will ask again. What are you, how did you enter this place and for what purpose?”

“No, you answer me. Who are you? Where am- AAAAH!” Rainbow Dash screamed as she felt the muscles in her hindleg begin to tear. Time seemed to crawl as her leg was pulled from her body, her tendons ripping as the limb was removed. If anything was outside she was sure they could hear as her screams drowned out the sound of her skin breaking to show the muscles within snapping. Her wings faltered as she fell to the ground, pain soaring through her flank at where the limb had once been.

Trying to suppress her pain, Rainbow dash faintly felt the sticky wet liquid spurting from her leg begin to pool around her form.

“Fail to answer again and I will remove another leg,” the monster spoke, staring down upon rainbow dash with a frown.

“Why?” Rainbow begged weakly, her voice straining from her throat. Angela simply stared before raising her head, causing Rainbow Dash’s other leg to be torn from her by an invisible force. Rainbow Dash’s howls echoed through the library as the pain throbbed in her head.

“I said I wouldn’t answer any questions until you answered me,” the woman spoke. “You have one more chance until I take your wings. What are you, how have you entered and why?”

Rainbow Dash groaned as her eyes began to dull, her wings spread across the floor as she forced herself to speak. “I’m a pegasus from Ponyville. I was looking to see if anything weird had happened in town recently since Twilight is worried about something, I was going to buy some cupcakes from Sugarcube Corner when-” Rainbow’s eyes shut as her teeth clenched, her voice rising from her throat as she felt one of her wings break under the invisible force the thing in front of her used to torture her. A yell escaped her teeth as she felt the muscles snap from the strain and she felt her coat grow wet as she lost her wing.

With her wing gone, she would never be able to fly again.

“You spoke for too long, stay concise and on topic and you may just survive,” the thing spoke coldly, it’s voice uninterested in what lay before her. “How did you enter?” it asked. Had Rainbow Dash still been conscious, she may have answered. However, as her eyes began to close, the last thoughts that went through her head were whether her friends would ever know what happened to her and what would happen when she was gone.

“Looks like it fainted. No matter, this may be useful.”
> 2: Of questions and answers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash awoke with a start.

Her eyes were wide open and her heart was racing as she examined her surroundings. She was still in the library, but now she was in a different room.

The room was much larger than the one before, with enough space to compare in size to the halls of Canterlot castle and a ceiling high enough that even a creature the size of a hydra could fit in comfortably. The back of the room had piles of books stacked and ordered into neat sections, as though ready and waiting to be put back into their shelves. Lastly, in the middle of the room was a large desk with a small desk lamp sitting proudly above a large, thick book.

Rainbow Dash took a moment to breathe, remembering the pain from moments ago as her limbs were torn one by one. With clenched teeth, Rainbow looked over herself. She had expected blood-soaked fur and warped skin but was surprised to find her legs and wings intact. Tentatively raising her wings, she was awestruck to find not only did she still have her limbs, but it was also as though they had never been hurt, to begin with. Raising herself from the cold floor, her legs moved with renewed vigour as she flapped her wings, feeling the ambient air currents beneath her feathers. Had her wings always been so sensitive?

“Good, you are awake,” spoke a familiar voice.

The creature was back, a smile adorning its face as it looked down upon Rainbow Dash.

“I have returned your limbs to you and made some readjustments to make them easier to use. Consider them an apology, despite you trespassing in my library,” it exclaimed, its smile unwavering as it considered the pegasus.

Rainbow Dash growled, her body moving on instinct to raise her to the creatures eye level as she spoke. “What the hay did you do that for!” Rainbow yelled.

The creature was quick to respond, as though having considered this exact question. “The Library is closed, and yet somehow you were able to enter. My immediate response was to investigate and interrogate whoever had entered. I have since looked into your species further and made a decision,” it spoke robotically. “What is your name?”

Rainbow stared down at the creature. It seemed to be a girl, and while it had not attacked yet since she had entered, Rainbow Dash knew not to drop her guard. After a few silent seconds, she relented, landing on the ground with a scowl. “Rainbow Dash,” she confessed.

“Welcome to The Library, I am Angela, the librarian of my roles namesake. From now on you will help me in managing the Library and receiving guests,” She explained.

“Like Tartarus I’m helping you!” Rainbow Dash rebuked. “Why in Equestria should I help you?”

“So this place is called Equestria? Interesting,” Angela muttered. “There are two reasons for you to help me. First, I need to analyse how you were able to enter the library uninvited. Letting you go now would be incredibly foolish and pose a threat to the library. Second, I will be collecting books about this place in search of the one absolute book. As a native, your knowledge of this world would be invaluable to me,” she answered. “It’s not as though you can leave without my permission anyway.”

After a moment of thought, Rainbow Dash scoffed. “Fine, I’ll help, but you better let me go when this is all over!”

“Good, then we have come to an agreement,” Angela exclaimed. “Then let me explain your work.”

“Your role is to welcome the guests invited to the library. I will determine what guests to invite and send them an invitation accordingly. When they accept and arrive in the library, you will be the one to entertain them. Since you know of this world, I am sure you will do a better job receiving them than I could.”

“What do you mean by entertain?” rainbow dash questioned. “Am I meant to do some stunts for them or something?”

“It’s simple,” Angela exclaimed. “When they arrive, the guests will be presented with an ordeal and books will open up in the process. Should the guests overcome the ordeal, they will be deemed worthy to earn their books. Should they fail, however, they shall be transformed into books themselves which shall aid in finding the one true book.”

“You may die during the ordeal,” Angela added, “but it is only temporary. You will get back up when the library closes. No one may rest here without my permission.”

“What the hay!?” Rainbow exclaimed. “No way. I’m not going to kill anypony just for some random books!”

“You have already agreed to help,” Angela countered. “These are not merely books, they hold untold knowledge of the people they come from and with each guest, I learn more about this world and it’s inhabitants and come ever closer to finding the perfect book that will complete me.”

“I’m not going to kill them!” Rainbow argued. The room was silent as the two stared at each other, the tension in the room was palpable.

Angela sighed. “You may dislike it, but you will come to see things differently in time. I will begin preparing invitations, for now, it would be best that you begin to acquaint yourself with the floor you will be managing,” Angela claimed. With a snap, Angela disappeared, leaving Rainbow Dash alone in the room.


 ~❇~


Twilight Sparkle paced in her study as she thought of what could have happened. The room was a mess of papers and books strewn across the room and a large set of notes had begun to pile on the unicorn's desk. She did not know what had happened but she was worried that her wariness to the feeling she had felt earlier in the week was not unfounded.

Twilight had seen Rainbow Dash yesterday at midday where she explained that nothing strange had happened in Ponyville yet. Since then, Twilight had continued to look into what may have happened, studying possible reports of strange happenings across Equestria. In Baltimare, ponies had been going missing, however, this had been happening long before what she called ‘the fear event’. In Cloudsdale however, the pegasi had begun having difficulties in preparing the weather and in the Crystal Empire, the winds of the frozen north had begun to pick up. Lastly, in Canterlot, ponies had been growing restless, noting the princesses worried looks.

The only thing Twilight could see that might connect these events was that they had begun within a day of the fear event, but even then, it could have come off as coincidence. She knew for sure, however, that Rainbow Dash’s disappearance was not.

Rainbow Dash had been looking to see if anything strange happened and then she goes missing? Twilight was sure there was some connection, but what could have caused this? She did not know.

Pinkie Pie had come over in the afternoon speaking about a doozy, so it was possible that pinkie felt when Rainbow Dash had disappeared, but there was no way of knowing where she was now.

Trotting to her notes, Twilight began reanalyzing all that had happened. She was sure there had to be a clue and after some time, there was sure to be more evidence. Twilight simply hoped that her friend was okay.
> 3: Criminal Reception
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The burgundy mare flinched as Keen Gaze stomped his hoof on the ground. The plastic bag behind her crackled beneath her hooves as her groceries went unnoticed in the alleyway. Lifting a hoof to protect herself, the mare whimpered as she stumbled back from Keen, who slowly stalked forward.

“You had two weeks lady, two weeks to pay up!” he yelled. “And what did you do? Gave me puppy dog eyes and asked for more.” Keen spat on the ground, shifting his purple-furred body as he outstretched his wings, displaying the sharp metal that covered the front. “This isn’t a charity, bitch, so hand over the cash or things are going to get messy.”

“Please, just give me a bit more time!” the mare yelped. Falling to the floor, she struggled to stand up or flee. Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared at her approaching aggressor. “I’ll get you the money, I just need another hit and some more time!” she choked.

“You aren’t getting any more time, Dewdrop!” Keen snapped. “You should’ve made sure you’d have the money before begging for some more Zed.”

Dewdrop’s heart rose into her throat as she pushed herself off the ground. She began galloping as fast as her frail body allowed her, running between back alleys as her attacker followed in pursuit. The streets flew past her eyes as her sight became blurry, the sound of wings growing closer and closer, a constant in her mind as she forced herself to run.

The sound of Keen following her began to dissipate as she ran, looking behind her, the stallion had lost speed, a feeling of hope spreading across her as she began to lose her pursuer. A sharp pain ran through her barrel as she fell to the ground, her muscles tense as she failed to move. Her hope shattered as she heard the sound of magic dissipating and saw a grey unicorn with a white mane begin walking forward in her peripheries.

“You didn’t need to interfere, Tang,” Keen declared. “She was right where I wanted her.”

“Is that so?” The unicorn mare, Cold Tang, spoke. “Then why did I see her getting away?”

“Because she’s a Wonderbolt,” Keen deadpanned. “I was letting her think she was escaping, make her lose her guard.”

Dewdrop’s eyes darted between the two, adrenaline coursing through her body yet being unable to do anything. She watched as the two continued to bicker, her eyes filling with fresh tears at the thought of what they would do to her.

“It doesn’t matter,” Cold Tang finally exclaimed. “I found something interesting for us to do once we’re done with her.” a blue note appeared beside her and was levitated for Keen to read.

“Some Library? How’s that interesting?” Keen Gaze wondered. Dewdrop’s hoof twitched as she felt the magic she had been hit with begin to wear off.

“It’s not just some library, Gaze. The letter says it’s called The Library, which means it must have some unique information we could learn and sell,” Tang explained.

“Like what? How to run a business?” Keen mocked. Cold glared at the stallion, her magic highlighting a portion of the invitation. “Fine, I’ll join you, but only because this ‘ordeal’ could be fun.”

“Good,” Cold exclaimed. “Now, to finish with business,” she spoke, turning to the mare behind them. Dewdrop’s eyes were wide as she noticed her two attackers watch her slowly struggle to limp away.

Keen Gaze grinned.


 ~☁~


“How could they do something like that!” Rainbow yelled.

After talking with Angela, Rainbow Dash had decided to get more comfortable in the library. She had already started getting used to the rows of books on ‘Keter’ floor when Angela had called her about an Invitation.

“It would seem our societies are not so different after all,” Angela deduced. Rainbow staggered back as she thought about what she saw. Ponies fighting wasn’t uncommon but attacking each other like that. Rainbow Dash shook her head.

“That pegasus said something about ‘Zed’, do you know what he was talking about?” Angela inquired. The room was silent as Rainbow Dash’s brow furrowed.

“Zed, it’s a drug from Griffonstone. The only reason I know about it is ‘cause an old friend tried giving me some. Whenever she’d take it though, she was a lot calmer.”

“It’s fortunate you didn’t take it then, that woman seemed addicted,” Angela remarked.

“Why would they do that to her though, why would they, Kill her!” Rainbow Dash begged. The question was all she could think about as she sat down on the cold floor.

“She was in debt and failed to pay. Humans only care about money and their selfish ideals. It would seem these ponies think the same way,” Angela scoffed.

“No, ponies aren’t like that,” Rainbow Dash muttered.

Ignoring the cyan mare, Angela was quick to change the subject. “Nonetheless, this will be your first reception, I expect you will be more than capable of tending to our guests,” she remarked.


 ~א~


Entering the library, Keen Gaze was in awe at what he saw. The library was huge, much bigger than any building he had seen. With a smirk, he looked to his associate. “Looks like things are gonna be interesting, right, Tang?”

Behind him, Cold Tang held a firm scowl as she analyzed the shelves beside them. “Many of these books look brand new, as though they had just been printed. This is beginning to look like promising,” she reckoned.

As the two ponies looked across the room from wall to wall, they turned as a loud snap came from ahead. A large bipedal creature stood in front of them, its blue hair shimmering under the light of the room. Closing a book and placing it at its side, Angela eyed the two before speaking.

“Greetings, I am Angela, the director and librarian of my role’s namesake. Welcome to the library,” she greeted.

“A pleasure to meet you,” Cold responded. “I am Cold Tang, and this is my associate, Keen Gaze. I read your invitation, am I correct in assuming this library is new?” she queried.

“That is correct, the library has only opened its doors today, you are our first guests,” Angela answered. “If you wish to obtain any books, however, you will first have to complete an ordeal, as stated in the invitation.” a small smile began to creep its way onto Angela’s face as Cold Tang took the time to mull over the information. Keen Gaze, however, did not seem to care.

“Finally, what I’m really interested in!” he exclaimed. “Tell me, about this ordeal, who are we fighting? I can’t wait to see how much pain they can take,” Keen sneered.

“Your ordeal will be with one of my librarians up ahead. Complete the ordeal and you will leave with the books you seek,” she answered.

“Very well,” Cold accepted. “We shall face this ordeal and take the books we want. Let us see what your ‘librarian’ can do.”

With a smile, Angela opened her book, flipped a page and looked to the page. “May you find your book in this place,” she spoke, and with another snap, Angela was gone.


 ~☁~


Rainbow Dash was nervous. She knew she would have to fight eventually, but she never thought it would happen like this. Standing in the arena of Keter floor, Rainbow Dash stretched her wings as she prepared for what angela called, the ‘ordeal’.

Rainbow had been in fights before. She had fought the kids who had bullied Fluttershy, and she was more than willing to fight Discord when he had first been released. Rainbow Dash had even fought during the Changeling invasion on Canterlot. This time, however, she would be fighting alone. This time it was a matter of life or death. No, this was not just an ordeal, it was her ordeal.

“Look what we got here,” a deep voice taunted. Looking to the darkness of the entrance, Rainbow dash saw two ponies enter the floor. A tall, purple pegasus entered first, a confident smirk lining his features as he raised his wings, sharp metal aligned against the wingtips. Behind him strode a grey unicorn mare. Her steps were calculated, planned, as her horn lit with a blue light.

As Keen Gaze and Cold Tang took their stances, a chuckle escaped Keen’s mouth. “Looks like we got ourselves a librarian.”

Taking a look at the two, Rainbow Dash steeled herself as she considered her actions. This was a fight to the death, and as much as she hated having to choose, she couldn’t die here. “I don’t want to kill you,” she exclaimed. “If you leave now, we don’t have to fight like this, please, there’s no reason for us to do this.”

“What, cold feet?” Keen sneered. “Come on, why not you just let us kill you then? We want to see those books you got hoarded here and I want a fight. Don’t you go getting scared now!”

In one second, Keen Gaze was already upon her. If it weren’t for her training around obstacles, Rainbow dash may have already lost, but her body quickly moved right as Keen’s wing struck the air were her neck once was. Rainbow Dash Paled at the dawning realization as keens hooves touched the ground. With his hooves sliding against the floor, Keen flapped his wings as he flew forward to Rainbow Dash’s new spot in the air.

In any other flight, the sight of the two pegasi flying around each other may have been beautiful. As it was now, however, Rainbow Dash was having trouble keeping up with the fight. Whenever she dodged a strike, a new kick was already moving towards her, and she had only a moment to flap her wings and move out of the attack. It was exhausting, and it only became worse with the prospect of killing the pony attacking her.

Rainbow dash flew down as another strike from Keen’s wing flew by her barrel. Seeing an opportunity and little other action to take, Rainbow Dash steeled her resolve, gripped tight around Keen’s hind legs and pulled. With his momentum stopped, Keen’s eyes widened as he began to fall, his wings struggled to gain control as Rainbow Dash flew straight down. He tried to kick himself free as his body tumbled in the air, but Rainbow held firm. As they continued to fall, Keen gaze clenched his teeth, trying to rotate to put Rainbow dash beneath him, but it was for nought. Watching as a rainbow trail grew behind them, Keen prepared for impact as rainbow Desperately pushed further.

Seeing her associate falling, Cold Tang was quick to begin firing magic towards the cyan pegasus. The rainbow blur reacted to keep pulling themselves to the ground, evading each blast as best she could. As two bolts hit her wings, Rainbow Dash clenched her teeth. Her body ached, her wing pulsing with pain from the bolts of magic that had hit her, but she had to keep going.

They were so close to the ground, Rainbow Dash was nearly there. As they reached the peak of their fall, Rainbow dash smiled. Feeling Keen struggle in her hooves, Rainbow Dash lifted her wings, letting go of Keen Gaze as she pulled up to fly close to the ground, directly towards Cold Tang.

The impact Keen made against the ground left cracks across the floor, a cloud of dust hiding Rainbow Dash for only a moment as her wings pushed against the air. Her body speeding forward straight as an arrow. With only seconds to prepare, Cold Tang’s horn exploded with light as shield spells upon Sheild spells were conjured to protect her. With but a moment left, Cold’s horn glowed sharply against the colours of the room as she charged one final bolt of magic.

Rainbow Dash did not have time to evade the bolt as it hit her square in the chest, and yet it did nothing to slow her down. As her body crashed against the spells that had been conjured, each shield broke one after the other. With each shield broken, Rainbow Dash pushed ever harder until finally, a loud crack resounded as rainbow dash’s hooves struck Cold tangs chest.

Tumbling across the room, before skidding to a halt, Rainbow dash lay on the floor, bruised and battered. The sound of two books fluttered in Rainbow's ears as a light shown up to the ceiling. As her eyes closed once more, Rainbow Dash could only smile.
> 4: Resolving Success
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When she awoke, Rainbow Dash found herself resting on an oak bed. The mattress was almost as soft as most clouds she napped on, and the lighting of the room was just dim enough that she could sleep, yet bright enough that upon waking up, she could see the room surprisingly well.

The room itself was bare for the most part aside from a small writing desk and an empty bookshelf. A stack of paper was neatly placed on the side of the desk, while a folded note laid directly in the centre, a quill and inkpot sitting beside it. Standing up, Rainbow Dash found the room to be much smaller than the others she had seen in the Library. The room was about double the height of an average room for a pony, yet the size itself was uncannily similar to her bedroom at home.

With slow steps, Rainbow walked to the desk and looked over the note. A grumble left her as she looked at the front, the large L in the centre telling her exactly who had left it. ”No point in leaving it unread,” she thought, her eyes rolling as her hooves unfolded the message.




Dear Ms Dash

Congratulations on your success, the first reception of The Library was successful and the books acquired have been organized. With these books, I am now able to learn more about the world of Equestria and have taken the first steps to the one book.

There are some things we must now discuss. Please meet with me in my study when you are awake.

- Angela




Putting down the note, Rainbow scoffed. The reception had been difficult for her, both physically and emotionally. She had been in fights before but she had never killed. It was fundamentally wrong in every way to her so the idea of being congratulated for it felt wrong. Of course, Angela seemed to only care for her own goals. It did not matter who would be hurt in the process. To her, it seemed, all that mattered was her ‘one book’.

The sound of her hoof steps on the wooden floor echoed across the Library as Rainbow trudged to her destination. There was no gloating to be had here, no fanfare or victory cries. Rainbow Dash had put two ponies to death.

Entering Angela’s study, Rainbow Dash was quiet as she waited for Angela’s attention. The latter sat in a small chair, poring over the contents of a small book. The book itself was new, a violet paperback with a symbol on the spine reminiscent of a wing. After a short time, Angela closed the book, placed it to the side of her desk and looked to the solemn pegasus.

“Welcome back Ms Dash, I hope that your room is to your liking?” Angela asked, a smile gracing her lips.

“Yeah, sure,” Rainbow Dash sourly dismissed. “What do you want, Angela?”

Angela frowned, sighing as she looked back to the book on the table. Returning her attention, Angela picked up the paperback and held it forward for Rainbow Dash to see. “I wish to congratulate you, Ms Dash. Without your help, we would not have been able to begin a reception in the Library.

“With you handling the guests, we have successfully gained access to the first books on the road to the one true book. With it, I will be that much closer to my goals. I have you to thank for these first steps.” placing down the book, Angela continued. “There are now some things that we must discuss, specifically in regards to your abilities in the reception.”

“I don’t want to kill anypony else,” Rainbow Dash held. “Killing ponies is wrong, Angela. I’m not going to kill somepony over some books!” Rainbow tensed. Her body prepared to move as Angela sat still. Silence reigned as the two held firm. Angela was the first to speak.

“Those that enter this Library know what will happen if they fail and are fully prepared to die. Much like the two ponies that you recently fought, they will not hold back and will kill you if you do not respond in kind. The guests who receive an invitation to the Library have a choice; they may sign the invitation and enter the Library, knowing the risks, or they may choose not to. You may believe that the ponies of Equestria would be unwilling to kill, but you must face the facts. Not all of them are so kind, and some would be willing to murder.”

Picking up the book beside her, Angela held it out to Rainbow Dash. “You have a choice to make. You may either continue to deny the truth before you and die, unwilling to make the final blow,” Angela gave, “or accept the circumstances and fight.”

The only sound in the room that could be heard was Rainbow Dash’s quiet breathing. Staring at the book with scorn, Rainbow Dash secured it In her hoof, tucking it beneath her left wing. The frown on Angela’s features held firm as she continued. 

“You have already agreed to act as the librarian of the Floor of General Works and help in the reception of guests to the Library. To prepare you for further guests, I will give you access to the books of the guests you defeat. These shall help you in fighting and receiving the guests that shall arrive,” Angela explained.

“How are these books meant to help me fight?” Rainbow questioned. “Am I meant to bore them to death?”

Angela smiled, her eyes looking down at Rainbow Dash as she explained. “The books in this library hold knowledge only known by the ones who leave them. With these books, you may gain the power and skills of those you have defeated.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Rainbow blanked. “So, if I open this book, I’ll learn about one of those ponies I fought and gain their powers? That sounds crazy, Angela,” Rainbow Challenged.

“You shall see for yourself soon enough,” Angela countered. “Until then, continue to organize the books on your floor. We shall speak again before the next Reception.”

“Fine, see you later,” Rainbow responded. Before she left, her hoofsteps slowed at angela’s final words.

“You must make your choice, Rainbow Dash. Do not think you may simply ignore it.”

As she left, the sound of her hooves on wood and the weight of the paperback under her wing were the only things Rainbow Dash could concentrate on as she returned to her room.
> 5: Unread Knowledge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The book of Keen Gaze had sat in the empty bookshelf in Rainbow Dash’s room ever since her last conversation with Angela. It had felt like days since they had spoken, not that she could tell from inside the Library.

Since then, she had continued working to organize the books in the Library. It was a boring process, looking over each book, reading over a few pages of random text, and placing it in the place it best fit.

Most of the books were complete nonsense, pages filled with random collections of letters and words. There were a few she had found that had seemed promising. She had been surprised to see that one book was titled ‘Daring do and the Portrait of ashen waste’ however she was greatly disappointed when she found that it, much like many others, held nothing but random letters placed together in an unreadable mess.

Now here she was, looking at the Book of Keen Gaze on her desk with a frown. Rainbow Dash eyed the book carefully. It was white, golden borders curving around the sides of the book like a picture frame. There was no name written anywhere on the cover, back or spine, only a symbol in the shape of a wing. The wing was coloured in a reflective silver, hinting at its owners favoured weapon, the only change was a single feather at the end, coloured in black with a small droplet near falling from the tip.

Rainbow Dash knew she would have to open the book. Angela had said it could give her power but more so, she could learn about what this stallion was thinking.

Why would a pony kill? That was all she could think of as she looked at the book before her. It was something she had been wondering ever since she saw what Keen and his friend had done. The question had stumped her entirely and even when she had spoken with Angela. She did not have an answer.

Rainbow Dash had a choice to make, just as Angela said. If she was going to make a choice, however, she had to see why. Placing her hoof against the end of the page, Rainbow Dash turned open the book. A white light quickly escaped the pages of the book, shining brightly through the room as Rainbow Dash tried to cover her eyes. As the light filled the room, it quickly became impossible to see.




It’s sad to see how often ponies take things for granted.

I used to be part of Princess Celestia’s royal guard and helped in the military defence against the griffons when they tried to invade a few years back. It was a difficult job originally, I would often see bodies being lined up and covered in tarps while I left for my station. The griffons were merciless in their assault, searching for ways to break our ranks day and night, but we held strong.

I stopped being afraid of death at some point. I saw it so often, earth ponies with large gashes across their barrel, pegasi dropping to the ground with a thud, I became numb to the empty looks in their eyes.

When I was finally relieved of duty, I was given a large sum of bits for my work, enough that I could theoretically live without working another day in my life. That was a lie though. For the first few years, I lived a happy life, but there was always a feeling of something missing in my chest.

The money didn’t actually last long in the end. After a decade, I had to try to find some work again. I failed to get in the royal guard again after I had done some illicit activities one night, and no one needed the help of a pegasus in Canterlot, nobles would always look down at me for my time as a soldier.

Eventually, when my savings were nearly empty, I found my way into the darker streets of the city. I found myself in the criminal world after a small mishap with the local gangs since then I’ve slowly made my way up the ranks as a highly reputable Zed dealer.

Of course, I don’t like having to work with those griffons who import the stuff, bastards are more than happy to taunt me about what happened on the field. They pay good money though, and when somepony doesn’t pay up for the goods, the adrenaline from the hunt makes me feel whole.




Rainbow Dash quickly rose to her hooves as the light dissipated. Looking across her room, the book sat at her desk as it had before and the room was in its original condition, the light that had just previously filled the space, however, was gone. What was it that she had just seen?

Stepping carefully and letting her eyes dart across the room several times, Rainbow Dash stood in front of the now open book. She saw no signs of change or that anything had happened in the room, but she still felt cautious. After a few further moments of watching for any changes, she looked back to the pages of Keen Gaze.

The book had been opened to the middle, the pages looked worn and old and small stains could be seen, of what, Rainbow Dash couldn’t tell. Most of the writing on the pages were gibberish, random collections of letters to make a strange cypher of meaningless possibilities, except for six paragraphs, six paragraphs that Rainbow Dash now knew well.

After a few more moments of looking across the pages, Rainbow Dash stepped back. Her body felt heavy as she took it all in. This was why Keen Gaze was fighting? For money and thrills? He killed a pony to feel better?

Rainbow Dash scowled. ”that’s stupid!” she thought to herself. ”Nopony should do something like that. Killing ponies like he did is awful!”

Quickly rising back to her hooves, Rainbow Dash swiftly closed the book before her, throwing it across the room. A loud bang went across the room as the book hit the wall, leaving a mark and falling to the floor.

Rainbow Dash looked over her hoof before looking back to the paperback. Had she always been so strong? Lifting the book from the ground, Rainbow Dash made a quick inspection before looking at her forehooves again. The book had not been damaged, yet it felt lighter in her hooves that it had before. Her hooves had not changed as far as she could tell either.

”So, if I open this book, I’ll learn about one of those ponies I fought and gain their powers? That sounds crazy, Angela,” Rainbow Challenged.  “You shall see for yourself soon enough,” Angela countered.

Remembering Angela’s words, Rainbow Dash looked over herself and was soon in disbelief at what she saw.

Her wings had become larger with her feathers at least 5 centimetres longer and some had changed to a dark purple hue. Spreading them out, she saw the silver metal that shone on the tops of her wings, sharp and primed for a fight. The rest of her body had also increased in size. Her muscles were now much more noticeable against her coat and her hindlegs looked strong enough to snap wood.

Most noticeably, her cutie mark had changed. While before, her cutie mark showed a cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt, it had now changed to show a rainbow trail behind a purple pegasus wing. Shocked, rainbow dash sat on her bed.

Is this what Angela had meant? She felt heavier, yet stronger. Rainbow’s brow furrowed. Placing the book back on her desk, she skimmed through the book’s pages. There was no other information that could help her except for the six paragraphs that caused this.

Sighing, Rainbow Dash was left looking for an answer. ”Why am I here? Why did I have to be the one to end up here?” stomping her hoof against the ground, Rainbow Dash sat in silence.

”I have to leave,” She concluded. ”Even if helps coming, I need to get out. I’m not going to let myself be stuck in here. I’m getting out of here, no matter what it takes!”

Rainbow Dash had never been one to wait for help. If anything, she was the one saving others and sitting around hoping for help would get her nowhere. Even if it meant she would have to help Angela, she would leave this place. ” And once I’m out, I’m going find everypony who would think to hurt another creature and make sure they get what they’ve got coming!

Steeling her conviction, Rainbow smiled. she may have to hurt some other ponies herself to get out, but no matter what, she would leave this place, she would get back to her friends, and nopony else will have to get hurt.
> 6: Taking Role
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Have you got the goods?” spoke a gruff voice. The torches in the Manehatten sewers made small patches of light for ponies to move. Against the walls, three shadows moved like a puppet show.

“Yeah, I’ve got it,” spoke another voice. It was gravelly and scratchy, yet lighter than the other. “When have I not?”

“Let’s just get this over with,” a third voice piped. Unlike the other two, this voice was feminine, yet monotone. “The sooner this is done, the better.”

“Right,” the first voice agreed. In the light, the shadows began to move. The silhouette of griffon brought down its talons and placed a small box between them as the other two shadows, two ponies, placed down a large sack. “There’s your cut, check it if you want,” the griffon muttered, lifting the sack before leaving, their silhouettes disappearing from sight.

The two ponies stayed still for a short while before a held breath was released. “Damn, thought we would be goners! Those eyes sure are piercing,” the gravelly voice spoke.

“Now’s not the time, Lock,” spoke the mare. “We still have a job to do. Take the box, we need to leave before the guard patrol returns.”

As the stallion placed the box on his back, the two silhouettes began to trot in the opposite direction, leaving the sounds of water to echo across the sewers.


 ~=~


At a small office, two ponies entered the room of a dark blue stallion, his hooves placed together at his desk. The first to enter was a brown stallion with a short, ginger mane and a keyhole for a cutie mark. He was soon followed by a lime pegasus mare. Her violet mane was straight and slid down one side of her head. It had been carefully cut straight to shoulder-length while her tail showed lots of time had been spent keeping it groomed and clean. Lastly, her own cutie mark was a row of books in a wheel.

A smile graced Lock’s lips as he cheerily spoke, “Hey boss, we’re back!”

“Lock, Stop, welcome back. I see you have the payment,” the blue stallion exclaimed.

“Of course,” the mare, Stop, answered. “The griffon at the rendezvous was much more to the point than the others, something I can respect.”

Lock lifted the small box from his back and placed it on the desk for the blue stallion. Opening it, inside was a large sum of bits, placed in small bundles for easier transport and organizing. After a short time of the stallion at the desk inspecting the payment, he gave a slow nod, removed some of the money and pushed it across the desk for the two in front of him.

“Look like we got paid properly, no signs of mishandling or lack of care from the griffons, good work,” he congratulated, a small smile at a job well done. His demeanour quickly became more sombre however as he spoke again. “Now then, before you leave with your payment, there is something I must discuss with you both.”

“What is it?” Stop asked. “Do you have another job for us?”

“Indeed. I’m sure you both know about Keen Gaze and Cold Tang, yes?”

Those two? What about ‘em?” Lock asked, brow raised.

A sigh left the stallion, placing his chin against his hooves. “They have seemingly vanished. The last I heard from them, they were collecting payment from some of our debtors. That was two days ago, I have not heard from them since.”

“Is it not possible they decided to lea-” Stop began to ask before being interrupted by Lock. His voice was lower, more calculated than before and his smile had vanished.

“No, they wouldn’t do something like that. I used to work with them and while they may value money, they always finished their work. Those two wouldn’t just run off with the money, they’re loyal and reliable,” he posited.

“Not once have those two failed to finish a job,” the boss acknowledged. “Keen Gaze’s speed and durability made him particularly effective at hit and run tactics or pushing an offensive, his experience as a guard also gave him quite dangerous in combat. Cold Tang was adept with quick casting. Specifically, shield spells. Her defensive abilities made her a powerful defence in dangerous situations and her knowledge of long-range combat spells gave her a powerful range of counterattacks. Together, those two would be difficult for anyone to defeat and made them a perfect team for dangerous missions and escapades. It’s hard for me to see them losing a fight.”

Opening a cabinet beside him, the blue stallion placed a small note on the desk, moving it forward for his two compatriots to see. The note was blue with a golden border. The symbol of an open book placed on the back. Reading the note, Lock and Stop’s expressions changed from one of curiosity to one of confusion.

“Why are you showing us this?” Stop asked, bemused.

“Read closer,” Lock pointed. “This place doesn’t call itself a library, it calls itself The Library. Seems if you want any books though, you have to complete some sort of ‘ordeal’.

“Indeed,” the boss nodded. “What’s more, look at the books of the day.”

Stop’s eyes widened as she read the final words on the bottom of the invitation. She was quickly joined by Lock as the words stared up at them. Book of Keen Gaze and Book of Cold Tang. Looking back to their boss, a frown had crossed his face.

Lock was the first to speak. “Boss, no, Cobblestone, what are you saying we do?”

“I’m sure you both have figured it out,” Cobblestone answered. “We are going to try to save them. They were the only ponies who could get things done across Equestria, our work will be greatly reduced without them, and I’m sure those griffons aren’t going to like that.”

“Are you sure?” Stop questioned. “We don’t have to save them, there must be some other ponies who could take this sort of work and I’m sure the griffons would be able to help us, they can be lenient.”

“Not in this case. The griffons will just assume we are wasting their time and they have other companies working for them. Any sign that we can’t do our job and we become the weakest link. They don’t have to work with us if they think we are failing. That’s why we need to go there,” Cobblestone explained.

“Alright, count me in then,” Lock smiled. “If we’re going to save those two, I can’t wait to give them a good ribbing.”

“It doesn’t seem I have much of a choice in this,” Stop muttered. “I will join as well. I am expecting to be compensated for this, however.”

“Very well,” Cobble nodded. “Let’s show them what we’ve got.”


 ~☁~


“So those last two were working with these guys?” Rainbow Dash wondered.

“It seems so,” Angela responded, “Though these three don’t seem quite as violent. I wonder why they are working for the griffons though, would it not be more lucrative to do any other work? I’d assume with their skills, they would be able to find more effective work elsewhere.”

“What do you mean?” Rainbow asked.

“I found out a small amount of information about ‘Cutie Marks’ while reading through the books. My understanding of it is limited but from what I can see, Lock’s cutie mark shows he has some knowledge and skill in regards to keys and locks. Could he not find work making such?”

“Well, he probably could, but ponies usually don’t want to hire criminals.” Rainbow explained. “If he has any sort of record, he may have had more trouble getting a job. That or there’s just a lot of locksmiths around already,” Rainbow snickered.

“Same goes for those other two. I’m surprised they decided to do this though, the royal guard is usually very strict about this sort of stuff. How long have they been doing this and how have they been able to get away with it?” Rainbow questioned. Rainbow Dash landed back on the ground, her body had since returned to its original state since taking the book of Keen Gaze. 

A curious look crossed Angela’s face as she looked at the cyan pegasus. “You seem much calmer, miss Dash,” Angela examined.

“Yeah,” Rainbow acknowledged, “I took some time to think and I got a reason to fight now.”

“I see. I suggest you head up and prepare to greet our guests,” angela dismissed.

“On it,” rainbow replied, quickly flying off with a rainbow blur.

A sigh left angela’s lips, left with a thought. ”what is that pony planning?”


 ~א~


A loud snap crossed the entrance of the library as three ponies entered. A whistle broke through the hall as Lock surveyed the area. “Quite a lot of books, aren’t there? Boss, think we could take a few of these with us as well?”

Cobble simply huffed, “perhaps another day, for now, we must get Keen Gaze and Cold Tang.”

Investigating more closely, Stop picked up a book before responding, “there is no point in taking them, most of them are just gibberish.”

Another snap pierced the silence of the room as the three ponies all looked to the now occupied front of the room. In front of them stood a strange bipedal creature, its one hand holding a book while its other hand hung limply by its side. The creatures skin was icy pale like porcelain and its sky blue hair helped to contrast its yellow eyes, which seemed to pierce through their souls.

“Greetings, dear guests and welcome to The Library. I am angela, the director and librarian of my role’s namesake.”

Cobble was the first to speak, clearing his voice as he looked up at the creatures face. “Hello, I am Cobblestone and these are my associates. Your invitation said you know of two ponies, Keen Gaze and Cold Tang. I believe you know what happened to them, am I correct?”

“That is correct,” angela nodded. “They were here recently in fact. If you wish to gain their books, I suggest you head onwards to earn them.”

“What the hell are you?” Lock spoke up, a scowl adorning his features. “What kind of creature are you meant to be? I mean, you have some of the features of a minotaur or monkey, but then other parts of you look like some sort of doll. What are you? No, that doesn’t matter, what I want to know exactly what you did with Keen and Cold. Where are they and what did you do to them?” Lock interrogated.

Angela’s frown hardened as silence reigned. Taking a moment to look to the other two ponies, they had gone quiet, looking between Angela and their cohort. “If you must know, they failed to beat their ordeal and were turned into books as is stated in the invitation you were given, if you wish to acquire them, then you must succeed where they failed.”

“And what if we don’t do that, what if we just fight you here?” Lock argued.

Sighing, Angela leered at the brown pony. “May you find your book in this place,” Angela answered before disappearing.


 ~☁~


Standing at the ready, Rainbow Dash stretched her wings as she stared at the entrance. Her brow furrowed as she watched. She had done this before, and two on one no less, however, she had only been able to do so after pushing herself to the edge and almost died in the process. This time, she was not only fighting three ponies but three ponies who knew what they were doing. Three ponies who knew what it took to win, three ponies putting their lives on the line for their friends. 

”Stop it,” Rainbow chastised as she shook her head. ”There’s no point in thinking about that, if we’re getting out of here, we have to win.”

Looking back to the entrance, Rainbow Dash’s muscles tensed as Lock, Stop and Cobblestone entered the floor. As they looked around, seeing the cyan pegasus in from of them, Cobblestone smiled.

“So you’re the person we have to fight?” Lock inquired. “Doesn’t seem like this will be too hard. Just got to beat you up, get those books and head home in time for supper!”

“Don’t expect it to be that easy,” Rainbow grinned, spreading her wings.

“It seems I will have to counter her flight,” Stop exclaimed. “Prepare for my signal, you know what to do.”

Silence filled the room as they all waited, muscles tense and minds concentrated.

Taking the initiative, Rainbow Dash was the first to act, flying forwards towards Lock before being intercepted by Stop, who quickly moved to stomp at Dash’s chest. Rainbow dash responded quickly, however, pushing herself upwards before the attack could collide. With a huff, Stop quickly followed suit into the air as Rainbow Dash flew for the brown earth pony.

Prepared, Lock tensed his body, turning around right as Rainbow Dash entered his range and kicked back. Too close to the stallion, Rainbow Dash had only enough time to redirect the strike as Lock bucked her in the barrel, sending her hurtling back.

It took a few seconds for Rainbow Dash to regain control of her flight, a few seconds being all the time Stop needed however to attack the dazed mare. Reaching the cyan pegasus, her hindleg struck true as she kicked her barrel, redirecting her momentum towards Cobblestone.

With a smirk, cobblestone pulled back a hoof, waited for Dash to get closer, it punched forward. He was not so lucky however as Rainbow Dash used her momentum to push herself faster. Deflecting the punch upwards, Rainbow Dash Retaliated with her own, pushing the air out of Cobblestones chest before tackling him and pushing him to the ground.

Continuing her assault, Rainbow Dash lifted Cobblestone by the barrel before dropping him back down against the floor. Seeing the danger, Lock ran forward, passing Stop as he did so, and struck Dash’s side, knocking her back and making her falter in her assault. Quickly moving away, Rainbow dash looked behind her before flying backwards, evading another strike from Stop.

Each of the ponies huffed in exhaustion, the attacks and movement beginning to wear on them. The fight swiftly continued however as Lock and Stop moved to help lift Cobblestone back while Rainbow Dash took back to the air.

The fight continued as rainbow flew back down, aiming this time for Stop. The pegasus had too little time to react and was quickly pinned down as rainbow dash struck. Pushing her hind legs against the floor to quickly turn her momentum on Lock. 

Blood fell from his lip as Dash’s hoof struck true, striking with a haymaker and launching Lock across the room. With Rainbow Dash still preoccupied on the strike, Cobblestone ran forward, punching her abdomen before grabbing her from behind and tackling her to the ground. 

Rainbow Dash quickly retaliated, headbutting the stallion and striking with an uppercut. The blow successfully knocked down the stallion and let him open to attack. Taking the opportunity, Rainbow Dash grabbed Cobblestone before lifting them both up.

As Cobblestone tried to fight back, Rainbow Dash held tight, diving straight down. Panic struck cobblestones mind as he struggled to escape and only as the two were about to reach the ground did Rainbow Dash let go, righting herself as Cobblestone hit the ground with a crash.

Light fluttered up from the crater where Cobblestone once was and both Lock and Stop stared wide-eyed as they saw the pegasus flying closer.

“Move it!” yelled Lock, snapping Stop out of her stupor, as he prepared for the rainbow blur rushing towards him.

Time seemed to crawl as Lock watched Rainbow Dash moving in his direction, her speed creating a visible barrier of wind around her. As Dash came within range, Lock pushed himself, launching his forehooves off the ground and pushing himself out of the trajectory of the speeding blur. At that same time, Locks hoof struck true, striking Rainbow Dash’s flank and pushing off her direction.

The impact was enough to destabilize her, causing Rainbow Dash to hit the ground with a thud and scrape across the ground. Lifting her head, her body was haggard, panting and sucking in air like her life depended on it. Her vision had become blurry and she had difficulty standing up.

Knowing the danger, Rainbow Dash rubbed her eyes, pushing her body to keep going. As her last two opponents came closer, she prayed for the strength to continue.

“Looks like you couldn’t beat us all after all,” Lock taunted, breathing heavily but still trudging forward. Stop followed him, limping as her hooves loudly hit the floor.

Looking to Rainbow Dash, Lock saw she was mumbling yet. Tired as he was, he walked forward. “What’s that? I can’t hear you.”

“I said I’m not done yet!” Rainbow shouted. Launching herself forward, she tackled Lock to the ground. Adrenaline coursed through her as she raised her hooves and punched as fast and as hard as she could against the stallion beneath her.

Lock coughed and hacked as he was struck, over and over again, trying to raise his hooved to defend himself, but it was little use. As his hooves hit the ground once more, his body dissipated, light fluttering up into the air as Rainbow dash took deep breaths.

With horror in her eyes, Stop pushed herself up, her wings burning as she flew up into the air and looked down at the cyan monster below. Rage fueled her as Stop flew down, hooves outstretched to strike at the pony below. As she flew closer, Rainbow dash looked up. Her eyes widened as she felt her jaw get pushed back, thrown back by the force of a punch from Stop.

As both pegasi regained their momentum, both flew. Their wings outstretched to strike and both reaching their limits. In one final move, they struck and as the wind settled around them, only Rainbow Dash remained.


 ~❇~


The quill hastily moved as twilight willed it, writing as fast as she could before sealing a scroll and teleporting it with a spell that Celestia had taught her so long ago, one meant only to use in emergencies. as she let go of a breath she had not realized she had been holding, she wiped the sweat from her brow and returned to her notes. notes that had since become that much more extensive.

Celestia had been caring for the day court when the letter had appeared. She had quickly relieved the court for the day when she received it. Unsure of its contents, but sure of its purpose, her eyes widened as she opened it and read the short message that Twilight had written.




Dear Princess Celestia
I need your help, I fear that a new danger has come to Equestria and I fear they may have kidnapped Rainbow Dash.



> 7: Idle Hands
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash awoke suddenly in her room, gasping for air as she took in the surroundings of the space she now slept in. Her new room in the library had since been given a few extra pieces of furniture. A small, bin had been placed beside the desk on the other side of the room and a few books had been placed at the top of the bookshelf, likely place by Angela.

Rainbow grunted as she stretched, a dull ache in her side making itself apparent. She knew she pushed herself hard in that last fight, but she hadn’t felt sore when she woke up before.  As she looked over her coat, she was surprised to see a few marks were still in her fur, leaving signs of her earlier encounter. ”that doesn’t seem right,” she concluded. Another thing to talk to Angela about later.

Standing up, her hooves moved wearily as she ambled her way to the writing desk. Another note lay on the table unfolded, the precise handwriting identifying it as Angela’s.




Dear Miss Dash,

Congratulations on another successful reception. Your work continues to be successful and we were able to extract more information from our latest guests. I was not able to restore your body to full capacity this time however, your injuries were much more severe than I had expected.

As it stands, it would not be effective to have you handle future guests alone. We will need more help. Come to me when you have recovered.

Angela.




“Well, at least I know what happened now,” Rainbow Dash grumbled. A new question had been left unanswered, however, and Rainbow worried about what it could mean. What help was Angela thinking of? Was she thinking to bring someone else into the library?

Rainbow grit her teeth. Such questions would be answered soon enough as rainbow Dash galloped down the halls of the Keter floor. Her pace was uninterrupted as she passed piles of books that she had yet to put away, nor was it interrupted by the new staircase that had appeared beside one of the shelves.


 ~א~


Angela sighed as she combed through one of the newest books. While Rainbow Dash may have constantly praised Equestria for being a kind place, the books she had seen so far proved quite the opposite. The Equestrians she had seen so far were violent, cold-hearted, and selfish, willing to kill for their own gain, some even enjoying it. She had only met 6 so far and Angela could already see some similarities to the sorts of people she had heard were common in The City.

Finally finished reading through the pages of the Book of Lock, Angela placed the book to the side of her desk. She was about to grab another book when Rainbow Dash ran into the room. Her fur was clean except for a bruise beside her right wing and her mane had become messier, with a few strands pointing in the opposite direction to the rest.

“Rainbow Dash, welcome back,” Angela greeted.

“What are you planning!” Rainbow yelled, quickly pushing herself into the air and bringing herself face to face with the Librarian.

“I am glad to see you awake. Stop hovering in front of me before I remove your wings a second time,” Angela responded, the words like a sharp blade, cutting off the confrontation.

As Rainbow Dash returned to ground level, her glare was fixed on Angela. “You better not force anypony else to help you,” Rainbow accused.

Angela sighed. “You are a talented individual, Rainbow Dash, but as I’m sure you are aware, it seems you may need some help in future. There are many books in this Library, including books of individuals from before this Library arrived in Equestria. I had hoped that I would not be forced to do this, but it seems I will have to awaken some of the individuals within.”

Rainbow Dash placed her hoof to her chin. “Alright, but who would I be working with?” she asked.

“One of the past members of the Keter floor, I do not know which one,” Angela answered. “They are currently stuck in their books until someone brings them out.”

“What do you mean?” Rainbow wondered. “Are they trapped?”

“Yes, their books are connected to a group of creatures called abnormalities. They are powerful and often deadly, I do not know what has happened to them since becoming books, however, so they may likely act quite differently to what I remember,” Angela confessed.

“So, to get some more help, I need to fight some evil monster?” Rainbow Dash groaned. Alright, let’s do this then.”


 ~☁~


She had to enter the book. Rainbow Dash didn’t know how it happened, but she had to enter the book to fight this ‘Abnormality’.

Rainbow Dash grumbled as she thought back over her current situation. Summoned into a magical library she can’t escape where the owner attacks her and then forces her to fight people also brought into the library. To make things even stranger, the books contained every possible combination of letters and the owner of the librarian was some sort of alien.

It all felt like a story Pinkie Pie would make (minus the laughs and candy), and yet, here she was, about to fight a monster in a book to bring a person out. She only hoped whoever she was helping would not be as bad as Angela.

Finally observing her surroundings, Rainbow gawked. The large room around her was dark, as though standing in the entrance of a cave. The room was made of some sort of metal but the walls were covered in scratch marks, marks that Rainbow Dash soon recognized as a tally.

That’s when she heard it, tapping coming from the other side of the room. Looking to the source of the noise, she saw two large, bony hands moving closer. The hands tapped their middle and index finger against the ground as they drew closer, as though miming two figures, creatures like Angela, walking forward towards her.

”this must be an Abnormality,” Rainbow Dash figured. She was quick to extend her wings, the sharp blades of Keen Gaze glinting with unseen light, as she prepared to fight. The hands stopped their advance at this, the left hand dropping down onto each of its fingers and raising two fingers as though trying to intimidate her.

A tense air filled the room as both parties prepared. Rainbow’s wings twitched as the hands gently bobbed as though breathing. The moment was quickly cut however as Rainbow Dash launched forward, darting towards the hand on the right. While the right hand stayed in place, the left hand quickly scuttled forward, following Rainbow Dash and moving to fight back.

With her fast movement, Rainbow Dash struck true, flying past the right hand as her wing cut at its thumb. The cut was not as deep as she had expected, however, as the hand recoiled, the cut only going skin deep. The left hand meanwhile, quickly moved to attack, striking at Rainbow Dash with two fingers moving forward in a scissor motion.

Rainbow shot upwards to dodge the strike, successfully making it out of the way. Looking behind her, however, she saw her tail had become much shorter, the hair having been cut nearly perfectly and the hand now holding the lost strands.

With an uncanny change, the right hand dropped down into a similar scuttling position as the left hand, while the left hand soon moved into a standing position. Rainbow Dash did not have time to think however as the Right hand jumped upwards towards her, aiming to strike in a clenched fist.

Rainbow Dash was not as lucky this time as the hand crashed into her, shoving her back as she acted to regain her balance in the air. Rainbow Dash was able to use the strike’s momentum to her advantage, however, as she turned to strike the hand back. As the Right hand re-oriented itself on the ground, Rainbow Dash quickly flew past, cutting at the appendage.

The cut this time was deeper, leaving a deep laceration against the hands back. The hand writhed as Rainbow Dash smirked, flying forward for another strike before she was interrupted by the return of the Left hand placing itself between them. With palm upraised, Rainbow Dash tried to strike only to find her wing once again leaving what may as well have been a paper cut.

Rainbow Dash frowned as the two hands switched places again. Sighing as she flew away, Rainbow thought about the situation. It seemed as though the hands changed tactics whenever they were attacked. While the scuttling hand was the one to attack, the standing hand would act to defend.

”This is going to be annoying,” Rainbow mulled over. Attacking the scuttling hand directly put her in danger, but would also let her hit the hands better. Meanwhile, the defending hand would always be harmed less, but only acted to protect the other.

Rainbow chuckled. She always did prefer a proper fight, and the risk would be worth it. With a plan ready, Rainbow flew back into the fight.

The hands had changed again, the left hand now preparing to while the right hand had moved into a standing position. Not that it mattered now as Rainbow Dash flew directly towards the left hand, wings outstretched for another strike.

The left hand reacted quickly, propping itself onto its thumb as it prepared to swat the speedy pegasus. This did not deter Rainbow Dash however as she flew directly towards the outstretched hand. As both prepared to strike, Rainbow Dash quickly banked left, dodging the hand’s fingers while cutting into the hand’s palm with her wing.

The strike cut deep, leaving the hand writhing on the ground in pain. With a cut so deep, the hand began bleeding in spurts, the wound refusing to close as it struggled to rise. Rainbow Dash held back her lunch as she looked back at the harm she had dealt. The sight was gruesome, and she had not yet been prepared for such carnage.

Spotting the opportunity, the right hand quickly changed position and lunged. Rainbow Dash was unprepared as the hand shot forward with one finger pointed towards her. Reflexively, Rainbow shot her hooves in front of her, but it was too late. The finger struck true, piercing through Dash’s forelegs and striking her barrel. 

The finger did not pierce through her thankfully, but the strike left a large hole through her hooves as she was pushed back. Rainbow hacked and coughed as she lay on the ground, trying to regain her footing, but was unable to stand as she recoiled from the blow.

Everything began to blur as Rainbow lay on the cold ground, her body refusing to move as she began losing sight. As she saw the right hand begin moving closer, everything began to fade and she wondered if this would be the end.

”You look like you’re the worst flier in the whole academy, you’ll probably quit after the first day.”

”No ma’am. I’d never quit ma’am.”

With a sudden burst of energy, Rainbow Dash opened her eyes. The hand had grown close now and was preparing to crush her, but that wouldn’t happen. With the strength she had, Rainbow Dash quickly pushed herself with her hind legs, putting herself in a better position to unfurl her wings. Though her legs had been badly injured, her wings had been left with only a few bruises.

As the hand began to fall, Rainbow Dash put all her energy into her wings, forcing herself up. Time seemed to crawl as Rainbow Dash flew out of the hands grasp by the breadth of a hair, the force leaving Rainbow still winded, but alive.

Looking down to the hand before her, she growled, her wings holding her aloft as she winced from the throbbing pain in her hooves. ”Time to finish this.”

Rainbow Dash dove, her wings straining as she slowly picked up speed. Seeing its target, the hand raised itself to block the strike, Rainbow Dash did not care, however. Faster and faster, Rainbow Dash flew, the wind around her rippling as a cone began in front of her.

”What’s a Sonic Rainboom?”

”You haven’t heard of a Sonic Rainboom? It’s like, the most coolest thing ever!”

The sky exploded behind her as Rainbow struck at the hand. A great spectrum of colour broke across the sky and spread outwards, lighting the horizon as Rainbow pushed forwards, the hand stood no chance as Rainbow darted around it. Cuts and gashes marking themselves across its body before the hand finally fell to the ground.

Rainbow panted when she finally stopped, the adrenaline in her system finally wearing away as she fell to the floor. Bringing herself to a seating position, she began trying to control her breath as she felt her rate finally begin to slow down. The fight had been tough, but it was done.

There was only one thing left on her mind to wonder now. Where was the creature she was meant to save?

Her eyes widened as a large, bloody sword pointed itself towards her, held in the hand of another creature like Angela. This one wore a red suit and gloves with a crimson scarf around its neck. Its brown hair had been carefully combed and parted at the side, with the back having been tied into two pigtails that started near the top of her head but reached down to her shoulders.

Its eyes looked down at Rainbow Dash in contempt as it looked more carefully at her. When it finally spoke, its voice was full of venom.

“And what the hell are you supposed to be?”
> 8: New Allies, Old Questions.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash stayed still as the blade held steady, the blade pointed directly between her eyes as the new creature looked her over. The figure’s eyes never changed as it tilted its head, looking across the rest of Rainbow’s body.

“Well, mind telling me what you are?” the thing interrogated. “I have to assume you’re sentient. Are you another abnormality?”

Rainbow Dash looked back at the hands behind her, wounded and harmless in their current state, before shaking her head. “No! I’m here to help you,” she retorted.

“Oh good, so you can speak,” it muttered while keeping its eyes trained on her. “Alright then, you’re clearly not going to try to attack me. Tell me, what’s a creature like you doing in L. Corp?”

Rainbow tilted her head as her brow furrowed. “L. Corp?”

“Oh, you don’t know. You must be a new one,” the figure spoke, “I should try to get some data from the information team after this then. How about you recap what’s going on then? I don’t remember having to contain an abnormality like that before?”

Rainbow Dash was about to retort, getting back to her hooves when the figure leaned close to her face, bringing its large sword closer to her neck. “Don’t try to lie to me either. I don’t like getting false data, it means I have to fight more.”

Looking at it closer, the sword wasn’t just bloody, its blade was held together by pulsing flesh, bones protruding from the sides of the hilt. Her inspection slowly stopped and she shivered as a large eye opened on the side of the blade, spinning wildly before focusing on her.

“Now tell me,” the creature ordered, “what’s happening here?”

Rainbow moved backwards as she glared at the creature, who had since returned to a standing position. “Geez, no need to get so violent,” she huffed. “First Angela, now you, are all of you creatures like that?” Rainbow sat as she looked at the creature. It had raised an eyebrow and looked at her in confusion.

“You know Angela?” the creature spoke, a smirk beginning to break through her straight facade.

“Uh, Yeah, she’s why I’m here,” Rainbow answered. As she explained, “Look, I Don’t know what this ‘L. Corp’ is but I was just going about my day when I ended up in a library. I was attacked by Angela, and now I’m trapped in this library and I’m being forced to help her. I was having trouble so she forced me to go into this book to find you, saying you can help us.”

“Well damn, looks like she did it after all,” it chuckled. Placing its sword on the ground, the creature sat down, bending its legs as it slouched forward. “Fine, I’ll believe you for now, but then, if you aren’t an abnormality, what are you?”

“I’m Rainbow Dash!” she boasted, “best flyer in all of Equestria.” a moment of silence passed before she realized what she had said. “I’m a Pegasus,” she added sheepishly.

“Never heard of an Equestria, but seeing as I’m sitting in front of a real Pegasus, I guess I’m just going to have to believe you,” it muttered.

“Well, I would say it’s a pleasure to meet you if we weren’t in a bloody testing chamber. I’m Evangeline,” it greeted awkwardly. “So, how do we get out of here?”


 ~☁~


Thankfully, the process of leaving was not an issue as Angela brought them out. It was a weird sensation for Rainbow Dash to enter and leave the book, but the new creature, Evangeline, did not seem so perplexed.

After a bit of talking and discussion, Evangeline had been brought up to speed about the library, about it being in Equestria and about receiving guests. Throughout all of it, Evangeline had kept to only a few words as they spoke, simply nodding and asking small questions here and there.

There was one thing Rainbow Dash still Didn’t know anything about though. What was this L. Corp, and how did it tie to Evangeline and Angela. She was brought out of her musings as Evangeline finally spoke up.

“Angela, what happened to L. Corp and everyone else?” she spoke, her voice unfaltering in tone.

Angela sighed, the same kind of sigh Rainbow had heard time and time again. “L. Corp was destroyed in the process of releasing all of the accumulated light,” she explained. “Meanwhile, all of the employees have been contained in books, waiting to be released.”

Evangeline tensed, her hands reaching her mouth as she held her breath. Rainbow Dash did not understand the gesture but could sense the tension in the air as the two figures stared each other down.

“Fine, I won’t look into it any further,” Evangeline relented, “but we will talk about this more, Angela.”

“I will explain in more detail later,” Angela conceded.

As Evangeline began to make her way out of the room, she stopped to look at Rainbow Dash, a slight smile visible on her face. “Are you going to show me around or what?”


 ~☁~


It was quiet as the two new librarians walked through the halls of Keter floor, the sound of their steps echoing behind them. An unknown tension had grown between the two as Rainbow Dash wondered how to ask her question.

“So,” she started, looking to the new creature walking beside her, “what are you two?”

“I’m a human,” Evangeline answered.

“And Angela?” Rainbow questioned.

“Angela’s a machine,” Evangeline responded.

“Wait, what?” Rainbow gaped. “You’re kidding, right? I mean, that’s got to be a joke,” Dash chuckled.

“No. Though she may look human, Angela is an Artificial Intelligence. Have you not seen a robot before?”

Rainbow gulped nervously, “No, I’ve never met anything like you two. I don’t think there’s anything like you two anywhere in Equestria. There are a few stories about evil robot’s though.”

“I see,” Evangeline considered. “Well, aside from Angela’s current goals, you have nothing to worry about. The laws around automated combat make it illegal to give a weapon to a machine, much less use a machine to fight. If another machine somehow ended up in your ‘Equestria’ you would have nothing to worry about,” Evangeline spoke. Her answer was more so a lecture than reassurance and did little to comfort Dash.

An awkward silence pervaded between the two as they continued before Rainbow Dash spoke again. “You said something about an ‘L. Corp’ when we met. What is that?”

There was a moment of pause as Evangeline thought to herself, momentarily slowing her pace before responding. “Well, the Lobotomy Corporation was the company I used to work for, generally, it was an energy company.” she smiled for a moment before continuing to walk as before.

“Wait, why are they called Lobotomy Corp?” Rainbow questioned.

Evangeline pondered, “Well, I’m not sure of the specifics but I remember it having something to do with the way the abnormalities were made.”

“And those are like those hand things?” Rainbow queried.

“Oh, right,” Evangeline spoke. “Abnormalities are strange monsters and creatures that the Lobotomy Corporation contained and tested on to make Enkephalin, which was used to power The City. Some people also used it recreationally but that’s a story for another time.”

“Back in the Lobotomy Corporation, we had a set of rankings for them based on their level of danger, though I’m unsure how effective those grades would be now. If I were to grade those hands, I would say they would be Teth level.”

“Uh, Teth? Lady, I have no idea what that means,” Rainbow pointed out, “if you’re just going to bring this stuff up, don’t you think you might want to explain it?”

Evangeline chuckled into her hand as she looked at the confused mare. “Right, sorry, I forgot you’re new to all of this for a moment. It’s not quite as important anymore but the grades from easiest to hardest go like this: Zayin, Teth, He, Waw and Aleph.”

A lump formed in Rainbow’s throat as she heard this, “wait, and those hands were just Teth level?” she paled.

Regaining her composure, Evangeline nodded, “they can still be quite dangerous and deadly, but compared to some abnormalities I saw back in the day, those hands were only a bit stronger than most Teth’s.”

“I’m not going to have to fight more of those things am I?” Rainbow tensed.

“I have no clue, I wouldn’t bet on it, however,” she responded.

“Uh, how about we talk about something else,” Rainbow stammered. “What’s the deal with your sword and suit?” she pointed out warily.

Rainbow Dash had not noticed it before but the suit that Evangeline wore was not just red. It seemed to pulse and move, as though twitching impatiently. Bone like protrusions broke out from the cuffs where the suit’s material bent around them like muscles. Most unnervingly was the blue eye on the suit’s shoulder that kept looking down at her, staring with a predatory gaze.

“Right,” Evangeline sighed. “To help with handling abnormalities, armours and weapons were made from some of the enkephalin they released called E.G.O, such as what I am wearing now. Through my work in handling abnormalities, and being one of the only ones to be able to handle the one that created the suit you see here, I was given the only working E.G.O for this particular Abnormality. I guess the Manager of the facility thought I had earned it.”

“You’ve fought those monsters in the past?” Rainbow Marveled.

“Yes, I nearly died a few times, though thankfully it was never enough to put me down for good,” Evangeline answered.

Their conversation continued like this until eventually reaching Rainbow Dash’s room. The curious pegasus asked questions, and the former employee responded. Rainbow still knew of the danger that would come in the future but at least for now, having these conversations, Rainbow relaxed and took the time to put her mind at ease.


 ~מ~


Rainbow Dash had barely noticed the steps to the second floor of the library when she had run past them earlier but standing in front of them, with warm candles lighting the polished wooden staircase, it seemed almost inviting.

Trudging up the steps, Rainbow Dash was careful not to drop the books piled on her back as she followed the steps. As she reached the second level, however, her eyes widened in awe.

Before her were rows upon rows of wooden bookshelves, each filled from top to bottom with books. The polished dark wood floor glistened under the glowing warm light coming from the roof and tables with 6 chairs were placed in larger reading spaces every few rows of shelves. Overall, the space was quite inviting.

”with a few beanbag chairs and a cup of hot chocolate, this would be a great place to read some Daring Do,” Rainbow thought happily. She pushed the thoughts aside for now however, she had a job to do.

“Hello, Anypony here?” Rainbow spoke out. She was unsure who was here but she knew she had to talk with whoever took care of this floor. Her only hope was she wouldn’t be meeting anyone as bad as Angela.

“Hello?” called out a lighter, more lively voice, “give me just a moment!” it called out. With the sound of footsteps coming from ahead, Rainbow Dash waited, tracing circles on the floor as she did.

It was only a few seconds before another human appeared from behind a bookshelf, her hazel hair flowing down her shoulders behind a brown coat. She wore a white shirt, black waistcoat and pants, with a brown bow tied around her shirt collar and a red headband lay in her hair. “Hello, I’m the patron librarian of the floor of history, Malkuth!” she exclaimed happily.

“Um, nice to meet you, I’m Rainbow Dash,” she returned. Rainbow dash raised a hoof forward for a greeting.

“Oh, so you’re a pegasus, right?” Malkuth wondered, shaking Rainbow's hoof gently as she looked curiously at the blue equestrian before her. “I haven’t seen a pony before but stories about you were always an enjoyable read.”

“Wait, you’ve heard of us?” Rainbow questioned.

“Why yes! Well, not you specifically but The City has a few records of stories about horses with wings from some ancient civilizations,” Malkuth explained.

“Wait, back up. This isn’t a trick right, you’re actually being nice? Because when Angela first met me, she tried to kill me, and Evangeline interrogated me,” Rainbow Examined incredulously.

“Oh, you know them both.” Malkuth’s smile lowered a little as she looked to the pony in front of her. “I’m not going to hurt you, I promise.”

A pang of guilt hit Rainbow Dash for a moment. Recognizing the genuine response, Rainbow relented. “Alright then. Well, it’s nice to meet a friendly face,” she replied. “Angela asked me to come up here and give you some books to start sorting.”

Malkuth gave a relieved sigh before seeing the books on Rainbows back. Picking them up, she placed them on the table before giving a warm smile. “Thank you, I’m sure Angela will want me to sort these books quickly. Would you like to stay and talk for a bit?”

“Uh, sure, how about I help with the books while we’re at it?” Rainbow responded, flying to the books, and picking one up to begin organizing.

“Oh, thank you! It will be nice to have some company up here,” Malkuth beamed.

Sorting the books was an easy task, and though Rainbow still had trouble sorting them, she had become much better at it since entering The Library. Malkuth however was much faster in comparison, even taking a moment to read the first page before seemingly knowing exactly where to put it. All the while, Malkuth kept a happy smile, quietly humming to herself as they placed the books away. It was a completely different environment to helping Twilight sort them.

Breaking the ice, Rainbow spoke up first, “so, what’s your connection to Angela?”

A sigh left Malkuths lips again as she thought of a response. “How do I put this. Well, Angela and I have some unfinished business. I’m not quite happy with it but I have to follow her orders, no matter how I feel,” she explained. “I used to work with her once but, since waking up, I’ve been rather upset with her.”

Rainbow chuckled, “yeah, it’s a similar story here. I just kind of woke up in this library a few weeks ago and since then I’ve been forced to work all day long.”

“You also said Evangeline earlier,” Malkuth remembered, “is she awake as well?”

“Yeah, actually,” Rainbow answered. “You seem to know her, has she always been so quick to fight?”

That made Malkuth giggle. “She must have thought you were a monster in disguise or something. When she used to work with me, she was always trying to do her best. If she ever heard there was danger, she would always run right in to fight it off.”

“Oh, you worked together?” Rainbow wondered.

“Well, she and her teammates worked in my department, though eventually, they all were moved to a different department,” she clarified.

“So you were like the team leader?” Rainbow estimated. She got a quick nod as Malkuth placed another book into place,

Once they were finally done, Rainbow lay down and the floor and gave a happy sigh. “Man, that was tiring. How do ponies find organizing fun?”

Malkuth smiled down at the cyan pegasus as she took a seat at a nearby chair. “Well, it’s definitely a lot of work, but I like reading through the books here, so I try to have a quick look before putting them away to see if I might find something I will want to read after,” she responded. “Thank you for all the help Rainbow Dash, it was nice to talk with you.”

Getting up, Rainbow Dash smiled back. “No problem, I’m always happy to help a friend. If you want to talk again sometime, you could always come downstairs and we can hang out.”

Malkuth smiled happily as she waved the pegasus goodbye. Perhaps things would get better in the future. “I would love to.”