Dear Princess Celestia,
I have attached a report with all my findings and conclusions from the Shadow Incident and the subsequent Nightmare Test. After three weeks with no further insights, I am forced to admit that I have reached the limit of what I can draw from the data I have. At this time, per your directives, I will continue my studies in the magic of friendship foremost, with the studies of shadow magic as a secondary or even tertiary goal.
I must admit I have little hope for further breakthroughs in my lifetime on shadow magic. The thaumatic structure is so radically different that it will likely take many years to fully understand how to create a spell, and a mana source must be found if any progress is to be made beyond flaring. I will continue to keep it in my mind, but will focus on my other studies as you suggest.
However, this is not the main purpose I have for writing this letter. Having thought on the matter for the last few weeks, I have come to see both Epona and Link as a friend. Furthermore, I have had some thoughts on the relationship we had, and I believe I have enough to write a friendship report.
I am not particularly close with either Epona or Link. Epona spent the majority of her time with Applejack, and it is likely that Applejack is the closest friend to Epona. Link, well, we rarely ever saw him. Even when he was changing our lives, by rescuing the Crusaders or by rescuing us from Nightmare Moon, we never saw him. And Fluttershy is the only pony I know that managed to understand his speech.
And yet I consider them both to be my friend, even though I do not know what Epona’s favorite color is, or even what Link is telling me. And I realized that I considered them a friend, not because I knew them, but because despite the lack of a deep relationship I could count on both of them to help us out.
A friend does not have to be someone you see everyday, or even know very well. A friend can be anyone that you trust enough to be a friend.
Your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle