Chapter 10: Letters
You find several letters inserted between the pages of the diary. Half of them are written in the same clean, minimalistic hoof writing as the diary, the other half with a more neat and twirly one. You unfold the first one of the later eagerly and begin to read.
Dear Sapphire
With the latest records you sent me, my research on the pre-classical era has come to a momentary hold. I came to the conclusion that it is not possible to learn more about the area with research on written records alone, but how I came to that conclusion is the actual significant result of my research.
I came to the conclusion that the records have been destroyed or altered deliberately, to hide the truth of the events that unfolded in those times.
Pages in the books you sent me are missing, other records that should exist were nowhere to be found and some of those we found don't match with other writings of the same author.
I find this facts to be most disturbing. If somepony went to these length to hide the truth, it must mean that we are kept in the black on historical events of utmost importance.
I will travel to Canterlot at once and tell Princess Celestia about it. She will know what to do.
Thank you again for your help with my research.
Yours truly, Twilight Sparkle.
You eagerly unfold the next letter, one that is written in the same hoof writing as the book, just to find that it is written in code. You try your best to decipher it, but even with your best efforts and the magic goggles, that were able to translate the strange writing at the beginning of the book, you have no luck. You begin rummaging through the diary to find some clues. You are in luck, after a short while you find a ragged note containing the cipher, most likely the original piece that had been used to encode the writings in the first place. With new vigor you begin deciphering the next letter.
Dear Twilight
Do not go with your findings to Celestia! She was most likely the ruler of this country when those documents were altered in the first place. I doubt it happened without her blessing. She may even have ordered it done.
And truth be told, I would not be surprised. In Bosperan it is common practice to alter the records of the previous government when a new emperor took power. There is even something called “demnatio memorae”, the complete erase of records about an unloved ruler, so that he may be forgotten from history.
I urge you to keep your findings between the two of us. Additional research is required before anypony can be told. We must first find out who altered the records an why. I have told you before, that knowledge is power, but you must know that knowledge can also be dangerous. There may be a perfectly good reason for erasing the information you seek, and telling Celestia about it might escalate the situation.
Hoping the letter reaches you in time.
Sapphire
Dear Sapphire
I only got your letter when I came back to Ponyville. It had been lying in front of my bed. It most likely arrived when I was asleep and I didn't see it when I rushed to catch the train for Canterlot in the morning.
And only now -two days later- do I find the calmness of mind to answer it.
You were right, I shouldn't have told Celestia. When I confronted her she didn't even try to deny it. She explained it to me. I'll spare you the details, but she basically had the same reasoning you do: some knowledge is dangerous.
And clearly she doesn't trust me with this knowledge. She still wouldn't tell me the truth when I asked her for it. Instead she tried to find out why I started this research in the first place and tried to persuade me to stop it. But if she has lied to me in this matter, what else is she keeping from me? How could I still trust her?
In short, we had a fallout. There was some shouting involved and I ran out of the palace and took the next train back to Ponyville.
Now what will I do? Spike says I should try to talk to her again, and we would work things out. I don't think he understands the situation at all.
Do you have any advice?
Hoping for your swift answer Twilight Sparkle.
Dear Twilight
I know it can be troubling to find out that your teacher has been lying to you. I found out that my teachers at the circle's tower had been keeping secrets from me only a few years after I started my training. It was more of a gradual process though, and I do not regret it, as it lead not only to me questioning my teachers and all they taught me, but to question everything else too. My understanding of the arcane arts increased rapidly afterward.
I may not have much to give as advice, but I will share what I can.
Don't act rashly, best postpone important decisions until your confusion clears up.
Trust in yourself. You are a powerful sorceress and one of the most intelligent ponies I know, even without your teacher. I'm sure you will manage to learn everything and achieve anything you want well on your own. You are now free to choose your own path. Don't rush it, choose wisely.
My last advice is to not touch the subject of the pre-classical area for some time and continue with some other research until the furor has died down. You have been doing research on the magic of friendship before, have you not? I know you to be too curious and stubborn to give up on it though. So if you do continue your research, do so in secret and keep up appearances. It will be much easier to find the truth, if nopony knows you are searching for it.
Yours, Sapphire
You pick up the next letter with the twirly hoof writing, you know recognize as the one of Twilight Sparkle. But now her letters too are written in code, luckily the same code, that is used for the other letters, so you have no trouble deciphering it.
Dear Sapphire
I know it has been a long time since I have written, but it took some time for the events after my fight with the princess to settle down. I'm no longer her personal student.
But I'm still living in Ponyville, in the library, and all of my friends are very supportive of me. I'm fine.
I have been doing some wider research on magic again and am in dire need of somepony to discuss my findings with, and since you and Trixie are the only competed sorceresses outside of the Canterlot school I know and I can trust, I'm asking if I can share my findings with you.
I'm also making plans to pick up my research on the pre-classical area again, but that will still take some time, especially since I'm following your advice to do so in secret.
Hope to read from you again soon.
Yours truly, Twilight Sparkle.
Dear Twilight
I am delighted to hear from you again, and am pleased to learn that you are doing well.
Of course will I help you with your magic research, you know how much I like the subject myself.
I will come to visit you in Ponyville next Saturday if you do not object. Then we can discuss everything in length. Have some tea ready.
Hope to see you soon, Sapphire