Alikera set the cup down, smiling at Twilight.

“This is a very tasty tea, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Thank you!” The purple unicorn smiled.

“So, you are the town librarian, yes?”

“Indeed! I have the biggest collection outside the Royal Archives in the Canterlot Castle!” Alikera smiled.

“Do you have any novels to read?”

“You mean like fiction?”

“Exactly.”

“That’s madness! Why would you read something that’s not true and proven?”

“Entertainment, Twilight Sparkle. I have always said one’s imagination is one’s greatest asset. Let me tell you about Wer’Ghan the Librarian.”

“The Librarian? You’ve got my attention, Alikera.”

“Very well.” The quiet Asahi’s wings twitched as she sat down more comfortably.

“There were many of us eons ago. I was in command of the fleets. Korgal was always busy managing our worlds, with a wide flock of clerks and assistants. No one was suffering under their guidance. Tala’Hiri the Shadowsong was a musician without compare. She could compose the most stirring musical pieces. Nell-Tiray, quirky little Tala’s mother, was our leader. She was an honest, just leader. She never boasted her accomplishments. But I digress.” She sipped some more tea from her cup.

“Wer’Ghan was in charge of our entire written works. Blueprints. Maps. History books. Everything we knew or wrote down. And his most valued possessions were his novels, though the term ‘endless chronicles’ comes to mind. He had such an imagination, such flair for writing. Even the smallest idea he got, he turned to realising it with such passion. He would write breath-taking tales of bravery, epic adventures of ages beyond and worlds unknown that would leave you wanting to read more. He would create characters, pit them against insurmountable odds, and have them emerge victorious. He paid such attention to details, even the smallest ones. He believed strongly in a happy ending.”

“Where did he keep them all?”

“Otherworld. A planet that was his home and his domain. He kept everything he wrote there. Imagine, if you will, a world of libraries. Tall, magnificent buildings that held the knowledge of our entire race.” Twilight was practically drooling by this point.

“A world… of libraries?”

“It would warm Wer’Ghan’s heart to meet you. Alas, none have seen him for many, many years. We fear that he and Otherworld are gone, though there is no proof to that. I hope that, someday, we may find him again.” She stood up, holding out her hands in front of her.

“I have a parting gift for you, Twilight Sparkle, if you would accept one from me. One of Wer’Ghan’s writings.” She conjured a thick tome in front of her, handing it to the dumbstruck unicorn.

“I sincerely hope you will enjoy it. I must leave now. There are fleets to marshal. Troops to move. Planets to liberate. I hope I will meet you again, Twilight Sparkle of Equestria. Farewell.” Twilight lifted her eyes from the tome in her hooves, but Alikera had already disappeared.

The Asahi’s words echoed in her mind and she reverently opened the old book, seeing the strange alien sigils change shape, until she recognised the language.

Equish.

I was but a simple worker when my life was destroyed. I had a good life. I had a nice girl I was planning to propose to. And then the Aal’Tharian Sovereigns attacked… Next Chapter: Chapter 23 Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 4 Minutes