Chronicles of Equestria I: The Tome, the Stranger and the Book Club

There are many wonderful and magical things in the world. Ask just about anypony in Equestria and they will agree on this. There are majestic creations of nature like the mountains, forests and various animals; great achievements of talented ponies which can be shown by simply pointing at the weather factories of Cloudsdale or the Palace of Canterlot. Still, the most wonderful thing in the world is friendship.

Or at least that's what Twilight Sparkle thought. Or perhaps still does? She did write countless letters to her mentor - Princess Celestia - about its beauty and she does love her friends dearly, but...

Twilight Sparkle was laying on her bed, tiredly. The sun was going to come up soon, or at least her clock suggested as much. She followed a group of Pegasi with her eyes through the window, who were cleaning up the last of the storm that went on for most of the night. The unicorn didn't sleep a minute this past night.

The storm itself wasn't what kept her up though, it was rather-

'What was that?!' she whispered to herself, pulling her head down as she heard a loud crashing noise from downstairs. 'Who could it be at this hour?'

She silently stepped off of her bed and started listening. Something definitely was moving down there. Owloysius - who was resting on the end of her bed - looked at Twilight questioningly, she just replied by shaking her head, then started sneaking towards the stairs. She saw the stairs themselves cast an unsteady shadow on the wall, somepony was walking up and down with a candle, if only she could see who...

'Spike?!' she blurted in surprise once she sneaked low enough to find the intruder. The librarian unintentionally startled her young, dragon assistant who spun around as fast as dragonly possible. Before he could answer, Twilight used her horn to turn on the lights in the Library, revealing a small pile of books at the bottom of a book case. She noted it quickly then continued: 'What are you doing up so early?'

'I could ask the same.' replied the baggy eyed Spike, panting a bit, then he released a big yawn. Owloysius also flew down from upstairs and sat between two books on a shelf, looking curiously at the baby dragon. 'I got woken up by the storm a while ago. I thought, maybe I'll do some of the morning checklist a bit early and then I'll get to sleep-in later.' he explained and took another yawn. 'Storm got you too, huh?' the dragon asked of the mare, then looked at the curious owl with a raised eyebrow. That just 'whoo'-ed and flew over to a table next to Twilight.

'Actually, no. I was up all night. Thinking.' replied Twilight and started putting the books back on the shelf with her magic.

Spike didn't want to look lazy so hurried over to the books and started sorting through them. After he moved a few of them back on their place he grabbed a seemingly random book and said:

'Ah there it was! "Crystal Mane and the Riddles of the Hornless Unicorn - Adventures and Brain Teasers for the Clever-minded" by Swift Quill. He did that other book you read last week, right? "The Mare or the Ursa?" I think… Twilight?'

Twilight laid down on the floor and just hanged her head.

'Are you alright Twilight?' Spike walked over to the pony and looked her in the eye. Twilight didn't return his gaze for a moment but then looked up and said:

'Do you think it's wrong that I want my friends to be different?' she asked with a troubled look.

'Uh. Different, how exactly?' asked the dragon back after a little pause. Spike wasn't quite sure what to think of this sudden question.

'It's just...' started Twilight then paused and looked away again. 'That book.' she took the book out of Spike's hand with magic and opened it. 'I love this book, I love all the riddles and brain teasers Swift Quill puts in his work but... There isn't anypony who I can share it with.'

'Oooooooh?' said Spike, starting as if he understood but ending in a questioning tone.

'Look, it's just that I love my friends but it always feels so... Empty when I finish a book. I would so love to go to the Spa with Rarity and talk over what she thinks of the subliminal messages in "The Guardian of Canterlot" or "The Crimson Mare of Lost Pegasus Mountain". But I can't. None of my friends read.'

'But they do! I'm here just as much as you, if not more, and I see when Rarity and Fluttershy drop by every so often to take out a book.'

'Oh really, what was the last book Rarity took out, Spike?' asked Twilight.

'Uhm... I'm not sure, I wasn't paying too much attention to… the book.' admitted Spike, blushing a little.

'Well, it was a fashion gallery from a few decades back.' said Twilight. 'I know because she asked me if we have one like that, as she has an order from a retro-loving client. And Fluttershy...' Twilight sighed and stood up, continuing to put the books to their place. 'She's Fluttershy! I once tried to talk with her but she just said "I don't know Twilight, I didn't really like that book, but I'm not sure I have any right to judge the talents of the writer like that." Not to mention that she would probably be shattered by the more mature stories. And even when it would come to riddles like the ones in this book, I have little hopes. When we played chess the other week, it was obvious that she's seeing two steps ahead of me near the end, but she was holding back because she didn't want to make me feel bad by beating me. Argh!' she grunted.

'What about the others though?' asked Spike while taking care of the ladder which also tripped over when the books fell.

'Seriously? Only time Applejack asked for a real book was when Macintosh wasn't well and she wanted to give him something to do while resting. Rainbow Dash wouldn't read a book, only if maybe it "starred" a dragon-taming Pegasus who does base jumping into active volcanoes as a hobby.' Twilight used the word "starred" disgustedly on books. For her, characters were but tools to convey a message. 'And as for Pinkie Pie.' A sudden thought broke her concentration and she paused again. This caused three books she was holding mid-air, to fall on Spike.

'Watch it!'

'Sorry Spike.' she apologized and quickly moved the rest of the books up to their place. 'I just thought that I don't really even know how Pinkie feels about books.'

'Neeh... Don't put everything on that pony Twilight. She's great and all but can you imagine her with a book that doesn't happen to be booby-trapped? '

'Ah, you're right Spike...' Twilight nodded sadly. 'You know, the most well-read pony I know here would be Cheerilee but she's always busy planning programs for the foals. She rarely has time to read books that she's interested in. And I didn't even mention you suddenly getting very sleepy every time I try to talk to you about a book.' she finished, to which Spike rubbed the back of his head and looked away.

'Well there are always your friends back in Canterlot.' said the dragon.

'Spike...' Twilight raised her eyebrows at her assistant.

'Oh, right. You were pretty anti-social weren't you?' Spike laughed uncomfortably when he realized what he just said. Then once more with less spirit, as he realized his correction's similarity.

'Thanks a lot Spike.' said Twilight a bit hurt, but she knew her assistant was right. She's really wasted a lot of potential by sticking to herself as much as she did when she lived there.

'Still, there was a book club back there, right? Maybe you could join it as a long range member and ah...' Spike suddenly realized that if Twilight will start to send letters to a book club regularly, that will only mean more work for him. But he went too far, he can't just say: 'Never mind, bad idea.'

Somehow the phrase managed to slip out of his mouth. 'Darn it!' he thought then tried to correct himself:

'I mean, it wouldn't be the same but... Hey! Maybe you can start a book club right here! Think about it! Ponies may not read much now but if you'll start a book club, they might end up loving it and you'll have somepony to discuss this stuff with!'

'That...' started Twilight and put on her thinking look. '...is actually a great idea Spike! I mean, I would have to take time to organize meeting schedules…' The lavender unicorn started trotting up and down the room with an excited look on her face. '…and mark down "Book of the Week" worthy candidates as well but I could do that!'

'You're not actually thinking of starting it right now though, right?' asked Spike who meanwhile made his way back to his bed, knowing he didn't have near enough energy to finish the rest of the morning checklist.

'Why wouldn't I? What do you mean? Should I wait for spring so…' she paused as Spike pointed out the window. 'Oh, tonight.'

All of a sudden as she thought about it, the lack of sleep crashed down on her and she realized she's been very woozy for a while now.

'You're right I guess, thank you Spike. I think we could postpone the morning checklist to say, noon maybe?' she asked as she covered Spike with his blanket, but her assistant seemed to take it as a rhetorical question.

While the baby dragon quickly fell asleep, Twilight quietly walked to the half-done checklist and scribbled "organize book club" at the end, then made her way up the stairs to her bed.

She soon fell asleep, thinking of the various and numerous books she could start off on.

The day went by mostly as usual, Twilight ran through the first few chapters of Swift Quill's book. On a sudden thought, she visited Fluttershy and shared a cup of tea with her. But as soon as she noticed on the clock that school time is almost over, she excused herself and rushed off to find Cheerilee. Twilight believed, that being a teacher, she might have useful tips for opening a book club. Who knows, maybe they could even choose a few 'fun' and less mature books - Perhaps adventure stories? - for the foals to read so she needs to organize less events and has more time. That way she could join the book club!

Sadly, Cheerilee couldn't give anything more than major pointers that Twilight already thought of and she would have hated to go into such an important project without a proper guide. When she returned home, she found out that Spike and Owloysius searched through the library for a guide book that could help her, but didn't find anything. Though Spike noted that "It can't be that complicated." Twilight felt that the best course of action would be to take a trip to Canterlot - where such a club already existed - and search for guidelines there.

'I'm sorry Spike, but you'll just have to stay here.' she said while placing two wrapped up sandwiches in her saddlebag, which rested on a table. 'I probably won't be back until tomorrow afternoon and somepony might need the library.'

'But Owloysius could do that too.' said Spike pointing the riddle book in his hand at the owl. Twilight gently lifted the book out of his hand and placed it in her saddlebag as well.

'Thanks for getting that for me.' she noted while looking into the open pack, writing a mental stock of everything she'll need. 'Owloysius won't do, because to be honest, some ponies still have trouble communicating with him. And look on the bright side- Check.' she interrupted herself as she moved a small pouch of bits into her bag. 'So look on the bright side Spike: At least you'll get to sleep in, as much as you like. Until somepony comes knocking of course.' Finished, she put the saddlebag on.

'Fiiiine.' though the thought of snoozing late into the morning again sounded charming, Spike didn't much like the idea of being alone in the library. When Twilight was around, at least he could talk with someone. When she wasn't, he just couldn't wait for a good excuse to go off somewhere or do something interesting.

'Thanks for understanding Spike.' she said with a smile and rubbed the baby dragon with her nose.

'Alright, quit it!' shooed her off Spike, failing to hide a blush.

'Take care Spike! Make sure he doesn't wreck the place, Owloysius!' she said and walked out of the library.

Twilight knew she could make the trip a lot simpler if – for example – she would order a carriage, but she had a new-found lightness in her hearth and thought she should take the few mile trot to Canterlot herself. She also knew that narrowing down her favourite books (which books listed in numbers that could easily fill all of any other pony's bookshelves) to just one book per we- Week? Why she completely forgot how busy everypony is in Ponyville! Not everypony has the luxury to sit down and read an entire book in just a week's time. No a week won't do, maybe two weeks? Yes that sounds better, everypony should be able to go through a book in that time, right? Ah, but this is just the kind of thing she needs from Canterlot.

She trotted on, making book selections in her head, while admiring the orange leaves of fall. Somewhere around half way to Canterlot a thought crossed her mind: She never realized how much she changed for her friends. And all for the better! The years of study blurred together in her mind while the time she spent in Ponyville - while not short - was made of sparkling, unique moments. There were sad times, definitely; but the good parts, the time she spent with her friends having fun, has overpowered any dark shadows.

It was strange to her really. She would always think so clear of so many things while reading her books. She would think of Equestria's history, unveiling the chains of events that formed it into the land it is now. She would think about the great unicorns of old who first harnessed magic while reading about spells and the studies of mages. She would think about pretty much everything while reading, but she needed a long lone walk to think about herself for once.

'Why didn't I join the book club in Canterlot while I lived there?' she wondered. The obvious answer was that she didn't quite feel "Home" among other ponies back then and now she felt ashamed at her younger self, for not giving them a chance.

She continued her trot in this manner as the Sun slowly made its way to the far west. By the time she made it to the base of the road, going up to the mountain on which Canterlot rested, it barely closed 30 degrees from the ground. Seeing how the library will probably be closing by the time she gets there, she decided she'd better just go have dinner and then go to sleep. To sleep? But where?

She couldn't believe her stupidity, she knew she should have gathered what she'll need before departure on a scroll instead of just doing it off the top of her head! It's much easier to gather her thoughts that way. Now with her haste and mind slower from having slept only through the morning she completely forgot to make reservations! No doubt with winter so close tourism is sky high in Canterlot, some looking to sell the last of their fall produce, some preparing for the various, winter sport competitions that are commonly held near to the capital... The hotels will simply be full! She could always go to the castle but she can't simply walk in there and say "Excuse me Princess Celestia, but would you mind if I'd just crash in your Palace?" No! These things have an order to them! She should have sent a letter ahead.

While she climbed the road, mentally punishing herself for this stupid mistake, her barrel rumbled as her stomach voiced it's solid opinion of how the chain of importance should go in the current situation. She shook her head and quickly went through a list of places she could get a quick bite. Almost instantly a small, secluded, not very luxurious but very comfortable tavern came to her mind, not far from an entrance to the old Canterlot dungeon. It's name was simply "The Feed Bag" as its history dated back to ancient times - perhaps to the very first days of Canterlot - when ponies who broke the law or simply hoarded up huge debts were punished by forced labour. They often had a bag put on their muzzle so they won't voice their anger. This was called a "feed bag" because they only removed it after the ponies were returned to the dungeon so they had to have their lunch (mostly apple-mush) poured into this bag.

Originally Twilight was introduced to this surprisingly rustic little tavern by Spike and despite its strange feel, it grew on her. Mostly because it was rarely visited by any of the other students, who of course would always try to get on the good side of Celestia's little prodigy. Here she could easily find a corner table to retreat to and read a book or think in quietly while having her meal. Come to think of it, she never asked, but given that it is a 'tavern' they might actually have a room for the night.

As she finished the line of thought her stomach unleashed another - perhaps approving - growl and she placed more haste in her steps, quickly recollecting her memories on how to get to The Feed Bag.

Once she arrived at the tavern, Twilight was pleasantly surprised as the brown coated owner of the tavern greeted her fondly; though he didn't see her in a long time and they never really talked to each other. Apart from the orders that is. Her joy grew even more when he informed her that they indeed have a room ready and waiting. As it turned out Spike realized the mistake in the planning before Twilight and have sent a quick letter to Umber Mug (the proud owner of this modest tavern), somehow knowing where she will go when in doubt, even before she did. She felt especially glad that Spike didn't write to the Princess as she would have hated to show even so minor mistakes as not writing ahead to her dear mentor. After a delicious dinner, she retreated to her room. She found it a bit too rustic by Canterlot standards, given its simplicity and cranking floor, but she didn't mind it too much and went to sleep.

First thing in the morning, she felt a bit sore from the unfamiliar bed, but in the spirit of a good guest she didn't mention it. As she left after a quick breakfast, yesterday's light-heartedness took hold of her once more. She couldn't stop thinking about how much she opened up for the world recently and it's all thanks to her friends. Maybe she could repay them in kind? Yes that would be perfect! After all, winter is coming, so Applejack will have a little less work without so many weeds and what-nots around. She would have time to give to some quality books. Twilight will definitely have to remember to invite Applejack to the club once it's started.

She made her way through the familiar streets to the Canterlot Royal Library which, also happened to give home to The Swift Quill/Deep-Word Royal Book Association of Canterlot, the most renowned, almost academic level 'book club' in all of Equestria, though not a single one of its members would be caught dead calling it a 'club' or even shortening its name to R.B.A.C. as most ponies call it.

Normally, it was very difficult to get in touch with the ponies running it, but one of its leading figures Clover Cover (Sweet Clover by birth) a famous mainly romance book writer, shared mutual respect with Twilight from the years she lived in Canterlot. Clover Cover's first best seller publication, a humorously written gardening guide titled 'Gardening for Unicorns, or Why It's BETTER to Use Your Hooves Sometimes' has actually been inspired when she was watching a much younger Twilight practice a plant growing spell in the Royal Garden as part of her studies. Some thought of the book as a sarcastic critique on all of Unicorn kind as Clover Cover herself was an Earth Pony but few things could be further from the truth. She actually had a deep fascination with Unicorn magic, despite being unable to cast spells of her own.

'Twilight Sparkle!' Clover Cover greeted the unicorn, who was waiting for her in the lobby of the Library. 'I am glad to see such a young literary enthusiast again!' She smiled at the younger pony from between a few stylishly hanging, greying locks of her mane.'

'Good Morning Miss Cover.' replied Twilight gently bowing her head.

'Oh don't be silly, just call me Clover.' the older mare replied. 'I was just preparing to drink a cup of tea before one of our group meetings! Would you care to join? You can tell me why you asked for me somewhat more comfortably then.'

Twilight accepted after a moment's consideration. She was originally planning to just ask the mare for any tips and hopefully a book explaining the steps of such a noble organization she was planning to set up in Ponyville. However, maybe she can ask to join this meeting and gain first hoof experience on how these meetings go.

She followed Clover Cover up a few flights of stairs from the lobby and down a corridor. She knew the corridor and recognized the paintings on the wall. They were all great writers, bibliographers and researchers of their own time, she could name each of them off the top of her head and - with the exception of Deep-Word who only wrote one, but over four dozen volumes long book titled simply "Equestria" - she could name at least five books that she read of each author. She felt warmth inside as many meaningful quotes rushed into her mind. Soon she'll be able to share all thisof these wonderful thoughts and epimyths with plenty of her Ponyville neighbours.

'So, what was it that you needed dear?' asked the writer once she led the unicorn into her office.

'Well, I recently decided that, as I am currently the librarian in Ponyville and as there is no such group there yet, I should open a book club.' explained Twilight.

'Oh, Ponyville was it?' asked the mare, but unlike most of Canterlot's wealthier, renown citizens, her voice rang with genuine interest instead of snobbish disappointment. 'Yes, I remember now.' she continued while putting a kettle on a small stove in the corner of her office.

'I was hoping you might have a few guidelines for me.' Twilight finished.

'My guidelines?' asked the mare with a bit of surprise. 'I see what you mean dear, but I think you're asking the wrong pony.' she said with a friendly smile. 'In technicality I'm not actually running any such groups personally. I'm just here to enjoy the company of other book lovers and share my thoughts. I make a few book choices but that is it.'

'Well yes...' started Twilight then stopped. This wasn't exactly what she expected. 'But you've been with the Association for at least five years. I'm sure you have some guidelines you could share with me.'

Clover Cover hummed thoughtfully while carefully taking of the top of the kettle to see how the water's brewing. She browsed through a few flavours and with half attention asked the unicorn if she would like morning glory flavour, who just nodded silently. 'I'm not quite sure.' she said finally, dropping the tea in the kettle and putting the top back. 'With something like this it is all about the group itself, instead of just the initial planning. You should ask your candidates what they want. But as I said, we're just about to hold a meeting, I'm not sure if you've read this week's book as it's quite new, but I'm sure nopony would mind if you just took a seat and listened to how such a meeting goes. It's about "The Black Stallion" if you're curious.'

'I don't think I had a chance to read that yet.' noted Twilight. 'But I would be very happy if I could join your group for today.'

'It is settled then!' smiled the older mare.

A few moments later the kettle started whistling and she quickly took out two teacups while Twilight (somewhat crossing the line between small town and city courtesy) used her magic to carefully pour the contents of the hot kettle into them.

'Thank you dear.' nodded the mare and they both drank. 'Say, we've got about an hour, would you mind telling me what settling down in Ponyville was like? I'm gathering material for a new story where a high town filly settles into a little country town and meets the stallion of her dreams! I know it sounds very "Starmane and Cidercork" at first, but believe me it will have a little 'out there' theme to it. A bit of comedy for what it's worth. I'm sure my readers will love it.'

With that, the conversation changed tracks, but Twilight didn't mind. She talked a bit about her friends, the various little town myths that have Ponyville enthralled and explained the unique competitive but friendly atmosphere, telling about the fall of leaves festival and other similar events. Clover Cover shown special interest in Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy for some reason but Twilight just kept talking about her life and thinking about the book club until the mare noted that it was time to go.

There is not much to tell about the meeting that Twilight attended. Given that she only knew the book that gave the theme to the meeting by name, she didn't understand most of the things the members brought up. But she still loved it! All the debate on the context, the small but important plot elements they've pointed out to each other… It was exactly what she hoped to recreate back home!

She took a few minor notes in her head about the meeting, but other than wanting a book club even more, she didn't get much out of the whole meeting. She decided the best thing she could do after bidding farewell to Clover, was to go down to the Royal Library's Book and Souvenir shop and look for a guide that can give her more instruction on the actual 'how' of things.

A while later she emerged from said shop with ten new books, a very fine feather quill along with an exquisite inkwell with a large, elegant 'S' written on it and a very small, almost brochure like book. Much to her sadness the last one was the largest guide she could find in the theme of establishing a book club. As much as she didn't want to accept, apparently Spike was right about the whole thing, it didn't seem all that complicated. But she literally walked the extra mile and now she knows everything necessary.

'And that never hurts!' she thought as she trotted out of the Library and made her way towards the city gates. Once there, she sat down at a Café and ordered two sandwiches.

One of them she packed for the route back home, and the other she ate while looking through the ten little treasures she's found in the store. 'Naturally', the first book she bought was "The Black Stallion" but the other nine were also great books she either never had a chance to get her hooves on or have been recently published by some of her favourite authors. As she enjoyed her new life in Ponyville, she had to admit that personally getting new books around there was difficult. Above that, since a nasty incident when her package was left on her porch in a storm - wetting and damaging the books she ordered - she was no longer a fan of delivery services.

Once finished with her meal she pondered for a moment if maybe she should stay for just a bit longer, after all she should visit her dear mentor given how rarely she visits Canterlot now days... But no, it would be rude to go to the palace and taking the Princess' time from those who waited days or even weeks for a hearing. Even for a pony of Twilight's standing this was not common place. She should send word first and even wait a day to keep things proper, and as she knew her assistant, Spike was getting more and more anxious being alone in the Library all day. And there's the club too. Maybe she should write a letter to the Princess once she's home and tell her about her plans for the book club!

She left behind the magnificent gates of Canterlot thinking about how she shall write the letter and continued down the familiar road to Ponyville. She ran through the forewords of her new books while going, creating a little order in which she should read them when she'll have time. Somewhat less distracted by her own flooding thoughts, she continued solving a few of the riddles in Swift Quill's book, which she've neglected so far.