Dear Diary
Day 1
Forget the date, this is the first entry in this diary as mother calls it. I really don't know what to write or how to write it. I'm still new to the alphabet that mother has told us about. I'm not happy with anything, there I said it. All the chaos, the evil, the hatred. Mother tried to explain to us what colors were, like green, blue, red, yellow, orange. She says the grass is supposed to be green, the sky is blue? She also tells us of a rainbow? I've yet to hear of that. Still, I'm worried about what this is doing to Lulu. She's so innocent and sweet.
Twilight Sparkle was busy dusting her library. Today was reshelving day after all, and she couldn't put all of her books on the dusty bookshelves could she? Of course not! Spike was busy at Rarity's doing Celestia knows what and nothing was particularly exciting back here either. Twilight couldn't reach the top shelf of the last bookcase so she walked up the stairs and lock-on to the dusty shelf and wiped it clean.
"Done!"
The bookcases were indeed finish and they sparkled clean and shined like they were brand new. The books were all stacked on the other side waiting to be sorted. The lavender unicorn levitated a checklist over in front of her and pulled up a quill that was resting in the bedroom. She looked at the checklist and crossed off the first item.
"Dust the bookshelves. Check! Next item on the agenda? Reshelve books."
Twilight put down the checklist on top of the barren case and jumped over to pile of literature on the floor. She picked up the first pile in her magic and gently carried it over trying to keep her concentration on the task at hand. Which proved to be a waste because at that moment the door swung open and a familiar filly walked through the door.
"Hello? Twilight? Rarity sent me!" The filly looked around for the magical mare until she saw a pile of books on the floor in front of her.
Twilight's head popped up out of the books, scattering a few of them here and there. She rubbed her head for a moment when she spotted Sweetie Belle at the door. She seemed uncomfortable with the situation.
"On second thought, maybe I should just come back at another time."
"Oh no, Sweetie Belle, it's fine. I was just in the middle of reshelving when you walked in. What can I do for you?"
"Well, Rarity wanted to see if you could help teach me magic. You are the best I know, and Rarity can't teach me because she's always busy with her orders." Sweetie Belle cast her eyes down at the floor and her ears flattened against her head.
Twilight looked at the young unicorn and smiled. It was always fun teaching young filly's about magic, and now Twilight had the opportunity to have a student of her own. Sweetie Belle could be reckless at times, but she was creative and enthusiastic.
"Well, Sweetie Belle, if it's ok with your parents I guess I could teach you magic and spells." Sweetie Belle's ears perked up and she smiled big.
"YAY! Thank you thank you THANK YOU!" Sweetie Belle ran forward and gave Twilight a hug of gratitude. Twilight was a bit taken aback by the sudden contact but brushed it off and returned the hug.
"We can have our first lesson today if you want? But I need to finish up here first ok?"
"Can I help! If I help you it would go a whole lot faster!" Twilight giggled.
"Ok, you can help."
"Yay!" Sweetie Belle dashed into the fray of books and immediately began putting books on random spots on the shelves.
"Um, Sweetie Belle? You have to-" Twilight stopped when she saw that Sweetie Belle was just throwing the books onto the shelves as fast as she could. Twilight was still in the book fort that she had accidentally made and started levitating books up onto the shelves.
She examined the titles as she went and sorted them accordingly. Equestrian Games, Supernaturals, Advancement Spells, Legends of Equestria. Wait, Legends of Equestria? Twilight stopped her sorting and pulled the book back in front of her. Where had this come from? Twilight was confused now, she had read almost every book in the library and she had never seen this one before. She flipped through the pages and skimmed the words. She passed up legends like 'A Double Rainboom' or 'The Mare in the Moon' (Which is a legend now) and 'The Solar Journal'.
Whoa whoa whoa, hold up! The Solar Journal? Twilight levitated the book over in front of her eyes. There was a large diagram of a book on the page, the various parts pointed out. The title of the page was named The Solar Journal. Now Twilight was interested. She scanned the page for anything resourceful and helpful in determining what this journal was about.
"Hey, Sweetie Belle?" Sweetie Belle glanced back when she heard her name.
"Yeah, Twilight? What is-What are you reading?" Sweetie stopped shelving and dropped the books on the ground.
"Take a look at this."
She walked over and jumped up on the pile and scanned the passage that Twilight was reading.
The Solar Journal is believed to be the journal of Princess Celestia that dates back to her youth and to a period of time before Equestria even existed. The journal contains all of the princesses thoughts before she became a princess. It is also believed to hold information on Pre-Equestrian lifestyles and culture. A search had gone on for the book but was nothing was ever found. The book was there fore deemed as a legend. The Princess herself claimed that she owned no book in her youth, and thus was officially deemed a legendary item. There are still archaeologists who continue the search for the book but have found no evidence of it's existence. The search was given up and was forgotten in the history books.
Twilight turned the page to continue learning of the entry but the next page was torn at the seams. Twilight flipped the page back and forth looking more and more frustrated and unsatisfied everytime. Sweetie Belle on the other hand looked confused and stepped back from the mare.
"The Solar Journal? I've never heard of that before." She kept backing up until she bumped into the bookcase.
There was a rattling heard from within the furniture at first. Both ponies turned their heads towards the shelf. The shelf started to shake and rattle loudly. Panic started to settle into their minds at first, but was driven away by curiosity. The shelf stopped it's rattling and stood still. They cocked their heads in confusion. There was a 'click' and the case started shifting sideways and revealed a hidden passageway. The case was now completely out of the way and the hidden passage was fully exposed. Sweetie Belle and Twilight both looked at each other then back at the door. Sweetie Belle was the first one to make a move and cautiously walked over to the passage.
"Sweetie Belle, wait!" Sweetie Belle paused and looked back at Twilight.
"What?"
"We don't know what could be down there!" Sweetie Belle took a step back from the hidden hall.
Twilight Sparkle was absolutely dumbstruck! In all her years of living in the library she had never known of this secret passage! It was, amazing! Who knows what could be down there? There could be treasure, or some ancient artifact, or a book! Her curiosity was overwhelming at the possibilities as to what was hidden down there. There was only one way to find out. Twilight leaped from the pile of books she was still encased in and landed next to Sweetie Belle. The white unicorn was shaking in her hooves from anxiety and excitement. Twilight walked up to the walkway, there were steps going down. Torches lined the walls and it was dimly lit. It defined ominous and eerie in ways only a staircase could. Twilight stretched out her hoof and brought it down on the first step. Her hoof 'clinked' against the wooden step and Twilight released a breath. She motioned for Sweetie Belle to follow and she did, reluctantly at first then she started down the stairs right behind Twilight.
The staircase was spiral shaped and led down quite a bit. Twilight's hooves were starting to ache when they reached the bottom. There was yet another door but this one looked very distinct from the last. There was metal engraved into the wood and the knob was colder than snow. The door had two torches on either side illuminating the shadows guarding the door. Sweetie Belle managed to squeeze herself underneath Twilight, her head and her horn rubbed up against the other unicorn's fur. They stared at the door blankly neither one wanting to make a move and open the entrance in front of them. There was a very long pause until finally Twilight reached out. Her hoof was shaking as she moved to make contact with the knob. The cold air from within rushed their feet below and only succeeded in delaying Twilight's entry into the chamber.
She finally touched the metal knob. It was freezing! The knob was colder than icy winds mixed with heavy snowfall. She turned the icicle clockwise, turning the gears and releasing the door from it's position. Twilight gulped loudly and felt Sweetie Belle retreat into her belly fur for protection from whatever was inside. She opened the door very slowly, the creaking of the rusted hinges echoing in the hall. Twilight took a peek inside the chamber after she had opened the door enough for her to stick her head through. Sweetie Belle had also peeked her head inside as well.
The chamber was relatively small, a desk sat at the far end across from them and bookcases lined the walls. There was a quill and ink laid on the desk along with a piece of paper with landmarks drawn on it. There were four torches in the room, each one in the corners of the room providing enough light to read and write. Sweetie Belle moved out from under Twilight and trotted into the room, glancing at everything on display. Twilight also walked in but headed straight for the desk instead of taking in the scenery. The map was a map of Equestria, specifically of the Everfree forest and the surrounding area.
"What is all this, Twilight?"
"It seems to be a study of some kind. This must be hundreds of years old! I mean just look at it, this practically speaks historical goldmine!" Sweetie Belle made an 'oh' motion with her lips and continued browsing the artifacts.
She came across all sorts of spell books and pictures along with notes and paper plastered on the wall. She came across the map and studied it for a moment.
"Twilight, what is this?" Twilight was looking at a book sitting on the shelf and acknowledged Sweetie without looking away.
"It's a map of the Everfree forest and the area surrounding it."
"Where's Ponyville? I don't see it anywhere on the map."
"That's because that map dates back before Ponyville."
Sweetie Belle glanced sideways for a second and noticed a piece of paper on the wall. It had words written on it that were illegible to her, but Twilight might be able to help her translate.
"Hey, Twilight, can you translate this?" Twilight had picked up a book in her magic but immediately put it back after she had heard the word translate.
"Translate what?" Sweetie Belle pointed to the paper.
"That." Twilight squinted trying to get the words into view. The torches didn't do a very good job of illuminating the paper, but it would have to do.
"Well, it'll be a rough translation. It says When you gain entry to the Everfree. Follow the path of vines and leaves. Reach the palace of Light and Dark. Light the statue with a spark. Reveal the door which is so bright. The key to it as pure as light. Within the room a prize awaits. Behold the book of Celestia the great."
"So what does that mean?" Twilight had to think about it for a second.
What did it mean? Gain entry to the Everfree, Reach the palace of Light and Dark? The book of Celestia the great? Twilight had no idea what any of it meant. Then it clicked, all the pieces fit together like one big puzzle! The palace of Light and Dark must have been the old home of the royal alicorn sisters in the Everfree. The book of Celestia the great must be the Solar Journal! Twilight jumped up and down in joy. She had figured out the riddle, now the real challenge began. She needed to obtain that book no matter what it takes! Sweetie Belle was busy trying to figure out the riddle herself when she noticed the suddenly happy unicorn next to her.
"Why are you so happy?" Twilight stopped her jumping and smiled big, managing to scare Sweetie Belle a bit in the process.
"I know where the book is."
Mother is sick, severely sick. I don't know what's causing it or how to help her. She seems so frail and weak. It saddens me but Lulu isn't fairing any better. She's been rather hostile towards me lately, all of her words are filled with venom and spite. It's almost like she's blaming me for mother's ailment! I'm scared for her. She was always the playful one, she was always so happy, like nothing could bring her down. Now she's like this predator that wants to bring everyone down with her. I hope mother gets well soon, for not only mine but Lulu's sake as well.
"Really?!" Sweetie Belle's voice squeaked as from all the excitement she was holding back.
"Yes, Sweetie Belle, I do and I'm going to find it!" Twilight snatched the paper and the map and rushed the door leading back up to the lobby.
Sweetie Belle was right on her hooves and was moving at a fast pace. Excitement was driving both of them up the stairs as fast as they could. Twilight's mind was racing all the way up to the lobby. The location of the solar journal was revealed! There was a small problem though, it was hidden away in the Everfree which was known for it's explicit dangers and monsters. Twilight flashed back to when she encountered a cockatrice and was turned to stone. She shivered as she reached the opening. Bursting into the lobby Twilight shielded her eyes when the light flooded in. Sweetie Belle bounded in as well and started jumping around in a circle.
"This is so cool!" Twilight glanced over at Sweetie Belle and smiled even harder.
She looked over towards the forlorn book left on the pile. Twilight walked over and picked it up in her magenta aura and proceeded to close it but she stopped. Looking closely there was a line she missed, it spoke of a 'Librarian'. Twilight's eyes scanned the paper for more information.
The only pony ever known to hold the book was a pony defined from legend as The Librarian(See page 432). She supposedly kept the book for Celestia and guarded it all her days, prohibiting anyone from reaching it. No pony was ever able to best her and obtain the book. When the Librarian passed she took all knowledge and the location of the book to her grave. Investigation teams searched her library for answers but were unable to find any.
Twilight, having had her interest peaked, turned to the specified page. The title read 'The Librarian' and all the pages were intact. There was a picture of a pony dressed up in a mage's outfit and she cradled a staff in her left hoof. There was an entry written down at the bottom of the image.
The Librarian was known as Lady Dawn and served with the princess. She took the place of Starswirl the Bearded when he passed. She created magical enchantments and wandered Equestria in search of historical knowledge and cultural qualities. She officially became The Librarian after the Princess had supposedly entrusted her with the Solar Journal. No evidence has been found justifying the existence of this, the Princess did give an answer to the claim. "While Dawn did help me during her life, of the Solar Journal. I'm afraid your legend is just that, a legend."
Twilight flipped the page of the book onto the next page but came face to face with the back cover of the book. That was it, nothing more nothing less. Twilight closed the book and put it on the shelf. The questions started popping up one by one. Why was Celestia so keen on hiding the Solar Journal? Why did she entrust Dawn as it's safeguard? What was she trying hide? Twilight sat down on her haunches to think, she ignored Sweetie Belle's constant chatter on the other side of the lobby. The book had said they had searched her library, but where was said library? Twilight put it aside for now, that search would have to wait for another day. She looked down at the papers in her hooves, each one a factor in the discovery of the lost artifact.
Sweetie Belle had calmed down some while Twilight was lost in her book. The filly made her way over to Twilight and sat down next to her. She looked up at Twilight, then down at the papers, then at Twilight again with a blank face. She poked Twilight in the arm until she was able to grasp the attention of the spaced out mare. Twilight slowly glanced down at Sweetie Belle.
"Yes?"
"What are we going to do now?" Twilight blinked. Did she say we?
"What's this we stuff?"
"Aren't I going too?"
"Sweetie Belle, its in the Everfree forest!"
"I know I know, but I really want to find the Solar Journal too! After all I helped you find those papers." She pointed to the papers. "And on the way you could teach me some spells! See, it's a win-win situation!"
Twilight opened her mouth to object but quickly closed it. She did have a point. She helped find the location of the Solar Journal, even if she had discovered the documents revealing it's location by accident. After short thought about it Twilight gave in.
"Alright, you can go. But don't you think we should tell Rarity where we're going first?" Sweetie Belle groaned.
"Yeah, but she'll never let me go and I really want to! Twilight, do we have to?" Twilight thought about it for a moment.
Pros: Sweetie Belle could learn a lot from this journey, she'll learn some spells along the way which will help improve her magic, and she'll be able to help me with navigation. Cons: Rarity will be furious at me for taking Sweetie without permission, we don't know what will happen or what we'll encounter while in the Everfree, there's the possibility we might not be able to find the book at all!
Twilight weighed the pros and cons of the situation heavily and came to a decision. Even though Rarity would be severely angry with her, a young filly like Sweetie Belle might enjoy the trip into the forest.
"Alright, Sweetie, I won't tell your sister."
"YAY!"
"But."
"But?"
"I will have to leave a note telling Spike where we will be." Sweetie Belle cocked her head sideways in confusion.
"But wouldn't Spike just go an tell Rarity?" Twilight smiled which further confused Sweetie Belle.
"Don't worry about that, I've got it covered." Twilight pulled out a paper and quill and started scribbling out some words.
Sweetie Belle looked over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of what she was writing. Twilight finished up and placed the note on the table next to the flower vase.
Spike,
Gone Fishin' with Sweetie Belle. Be back later.
Twilight
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. They had recently learned the term cliche in school and at first Sweetie Belle didn't know of a good example of one, but she did now. Sweetie Belle gazed up from the note and saw that Twilight was no longer in the room. She glanced around looking for a hint of the purple unicorn, but couldn't find one. She called out to Twilight hoping she would answer and she could find out where she had disappeared to.
"Twilight?" There was no answer.
"Twilight?" Sweetie Belle's voice heightened a bit.
Still no response.
"Twilight!" Sweetie Belle called louder.
"What is Sweetie Belle?" Sweetie Belle thanked Celestia that Twilight responded this time and wandered into the kitchen.
"Where did you go?" Sweetie Belle noticed that most of the cabinets had almost nothing in them.
"Upstairs!"
Twilight was upstairs going through all of her plans. She wanted to bring her friends but it was applebuck season, and that meant AJ would be busy with harvest, Fluttershy would be a great help if she weren't so afraid to go within a mile of the forest. Rainbow would help but Twilight doubted that she would help given it was to get a book that wasn't Daring Do. Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie would mean that by the time they were ready to leave the whole town would know what they were doing and Rarity was a huge no-no because as Sweetie Belle mentioned she would never allow Sweetie Belle into the forest. Twilight mentally crossed out each of her friends and her mind wandered. Why would Celestia go through so much trouble to hide a book? Surely it's contents could benefit Equestria in some way right?
Twilight's mind flashed back to when she was filly.
Princess Celestia was sorting through her mail pile. Various letters about issues out of hand and other royal business flooded the mail bag. She was absolutely bored and was stuck doing something that only made matters worse. her newest student, Twilight Sparkle, walked into the throne room with a book in front of her nose. Celestia had noticed her student walk in and sat upright in her chair.
"Twilight Sparkle!" The filly broke away from her book to acknowledge her mentor.
"Hi, Princess! I don't meant to bother you but I have a question."
"What?"
"What's the Solar Journal?"
Celestia's heart stopped cold. She looked lifeless, a million emotions going through her mind. Twilight looked up at her mentor who was frozen on the seat. Twilight was afraid she had said the wrong thing. She immediately put down the book and hesitantly took a step forward.
"U-um, Princess?" No response.
"Prince-"
"Where did you hear that?" Twilight almost jumped out of her fur.
"I read about it in this book?" Celestia just stared blankly into space.
"What book was that?" Twilight shakily lifted the cover of the dropped book.
"Equestrian L-Legends." Celestia broke away from her staring and stared instead at the unicorn in the room.
"Twilight, the Solar Journal is nothing more than a myth. Nothing more nothing less, I do not want to hear anymore about it."
"B-b-but why?" Celestia sighed heavily and got up. She walked casually over to Twilight and Twilight in response put her head down. Celestia put her hoof on Twilight's shoulder and said in a stern voice.
"Twilight." Twilight made eye contact with her mentor.
"Sometimes, the past is better left buried."
Twilight was shaken from her reverie by another pony shaking her violently. She blinked twice and Sweetie Belle's face came into focus and then her voice became audible.
"Twilight? Twilight? Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Nothing important. You ready to go?" Sweetie Belle nodded.
"Yep! Wait, shouldn't we pack?" Twilight facehoofed.
In her daze she had forgotten to pack everything they needed for the trip. Twilight walked over to one of the closets and dug out her saddlebag as well as a smaller one for Sweetie Belle.She fitted the saddlebag on Sweetie Belle and fitted herself with her own. Levitating the map and paper into her saddlebag Twilight motioned for Sweetie Belle to follow her into the kitchen. She went over to one of the empty cabinets and opened it. Sweetie Belle's face adopted a look of confusion.
"Why isn't there anything in there?" Twilight laughed a little.
"There isn't anything on the outside-" She pushed the inside of the cabinet to reveal a hidden compartment stocked with food. "-but there is something on the inside. I had this put in to prevent Spike's food spree." She grabbed some apples from the compartment.
"Here." Sweetie Belle caught the apple in her hooves and glanced at it for a moment.
Um, Twilight, shouldn't you bring Applejack, or Rainbow Dash, or someone! Even Fluttershy would be a huge help!" Twilight sighed.
"They each have their own things going on, Applejack with applecuk season, Rainbow with her weather duties, Fluttershy and her animals."
"What about Pinkie Pie?" Twilight shuddered with scared Sweetie Belle a bit.
"Although her Pinkie Sense would be helpful, she wouldn't be able to keep this quiet. By the time we reach the Everfree everypony in Ponyville will know. That includes Rarity."
"Oh."
"Before we leave let me grab a couple things." Sweetie Belle glanced at Twilight before looking at her saddlebag.
"Like what?" Twilight trotted into the library and grabbed 3 books off the shelf. She levitated one of them over to Sweetie Belle.
"Beginner Spells and Enchantments? Why do we need this?" Twilight smiled.
"So we can work on your magic of course! Now then, I've got Legends of Equestria and Supernaturals. Anything missing?" Sweetie Belle glanced around one last time and shook her head no.
"I don't think so." Twilight smiled happily and Sweetie Belle in return also smiled.
"Alright then, let's go!"
Without any warning Twilight's horn charged up and started glowing in it's magenta aura. In an instant Sweetie Belle's vision was filled with a white light that temporarily blinded her. She closed her eyes and felt as light as a feather. Every nerve in her body felt like it was pricked and a slight tingling ran through her. In another flash they were in front of the Everfree forest. Twilight was still the same distance from her and looked perfectly fine. Sweetie Belle on the other hand, felt nauseous and galloped over to a bush near the entrance. Twilight looked away from the scene but could hear the various sounds of someone vomiting. Sweetie Belle came back looking better but Twilight still kept her distance in case there was anything left over.
"What did you do?"
"I simply teleported us here." Sweetie Belle put a hoof on her stomach.
"Let's not do that again." Twilight rolled her eyes and turned to face the woodlands before her.
It loomed over them and had an evil essence emanating from it. It seemed to be taunting them to enter, that they couldn't get to the book, that they would ultimately fail. Sweetie Belle came up to Twilight and glanced at the forest, then Twilight, then the forest again. The various sounds coming from the Everfree were intimidating and started to scare Sweetie Belle. They heard a faint roar that belonged to the most terrifying creature in the forest. Sweetie Belle started shaking in her hooves from fear.
"Um, Twilight. I-I don't think this is a good idea."
"Then you can head home, Sweetie Belle." Sweetie Belle stared at Twilight.
"W-What?"
"I said you can go home if you want Sweetie Belle. I'm not forcing you to come with me." Twilight stated calmly.
Sweetie Belle thought about it for a moment before coming to a decision.
"No, I want to find the Solar Journal too." Twilight nodded and began walking into the forest.
Sweetie Belle looked back towards the dirt road leading back into town, then began walking into the forest as well.
Spike walked into the library shortly after the two had left. He had been out helping Rarity like always and was clueless as to where Twilight had gone.
"Twilight! I'm back!" There was no response.
"Twilight? Where are-oh, a note!" Spike picked up the piece of paper on the table and read it.
Spike,
Gone Fishin' with Sweetie Belle. Be back later.
Twilight
"Weird. I didn't even know Twilight liked fishing."
Spike put down the note and walked into the kitchen. He looked up at the open cabinet and saw the food hidden within. He crossed his arms and a grin grew on his face.
"So that's where she hid the food!" Spike didn't feel like making the effort to climb up to grab one of the various snacks.
He waddled back into the lobby and was about to head up to take one of his 7 hour bubble baths when out of the corner of his eye he spotted the open passageway. The torches were still going strong and the books were still scatterd in a pile on the floor. He walked up to the opening and looked inside. The wooden steps lead down deep into the depths of the library. Spike looked away towards the pile of books and sighed.
"Twilight's not gonna like this." Spike grabbed a quill and a scroll and started scribbling down on the paper.
"Dear Princess Celestia."
