Daring Do and the Celestial Correspondence
Dear Princess Celestia
In my latest research report (attached), I have identified the locations of several artifacts of immense magical power. In the wrong hooves, they can be used to do immense evil, as I am sure you are aware. Indeed, most of these artifacts are well protected by a variety of traps, and well hidden from all but the most thorough researchers.
However, I have found something else of particular concern, which I must inform you of immediately. Specifically, I am not the only one seeking information on these artifacts. Several of the library books that I wished to consult had already been taken from the library by one A. Huizotl (which may be a pseudonym); several of the books I did consult had recent notes scribbled in the margins, presumably by this same pony. The librarians inform me that he wears a heavy coat, presumably to hide both face and cutie mark; I cannot even be sure that he is always the same pony.
From his selection of reading material, and after careful consideration of his margin notes, I believe that he seems particularly interested in two types of artifact; firstly, artifacts with potentially apocalyptic abilities, and secondly, artifacts of practical use in the evading of traps and recovery of other artifacts. In the second category, I believe he may have already obtained the Cat Whistle of Katmandu; in the first category, I believe he may be on the trail of the Sapphire Stone. Moreover, I believe he may have a good chance of finding this powerful artifact.
The consequences should this artifact fall into the wrong hooves are well documented in my attached research paper. It is clearly a matter of utmost importance to prevent this from coming to pass. In light of the clear urgency of this situation, I would like to volunteer to ensure that A. Huizotl (or whatever his real name is) does not get his hooves upon the Sapphire Stone.
Your faithful student,
Daring Do
My dear student
I appreciate your dedication to the study of archaeology, and you know that I trust your judgement completely, but you really must get your muzzle out of those dusty old books! There is more to a young mare's life than the study of archaeology, and in light of this, I would like to ask you to go to Las Pegasus, to supervise the arrangements for this year's Summer Sun celebration.
You will need to meet with four ponies; Clementine Orange, who will be arranging the food; Thundercloud, head of the local weather division, who will be ensuring a clear sky; Octavia Melody, who will be arranging the music; and Polished Gem, who will be taking care of the decorations.
Aside from this, I have one further, even more essential task for you to complete – make some friends!
From the desk of Her Royal Highness,
Princess Celestia
Dear Princess Celestia
I have thought back to my previous letter, and I have realised how it must have sounded – I was talking about someone trying to end all life in half of Equestria, and I had found out only because I had coincidentally been requesting similar books from the library! It does sound rather like the subject of a cheap adventure novel, does it not?
However, I remained quite certain of my conclusions despite the implausibility thereof. Thus, I decided it was time to procure additional proof of my suspicions.
To this end, I staked out the library and confronted A. Huizotl. Much to my surprise, when I tore off his cloak I quickly discovered that he is not a pony at all! He is a blue creature, with a long mouth bisecting his long head; his general body shape is vaguely minotaur-like, in that he is bipedal and possesses hands; however, he is substantially less bulky than the average minotaur; furthermore, he possesses a third hand (with which he is surprisingly dexterous, and which has enough strength to lift up a pegasus by the scruff of her neck and throw her several metres) at the end of a prehensile tail.
Though our altercation was mostly physical, I did find some relevant pieces of information. Ahuizotl (as he calls himself) expresses omnicidal tendencies, and quite vigorously described a wish to destroy all of ponykind, starting with myself.
I do believe that, in his hands, the Sapphire Stone would be used to do great damage. Again, I must urge you to take immediate actionon this front.
Your diligent student,
Daring Do
My dear student
I have received complaints from no less than fifteen people, three of them librarians, with regard to your 'altercation' in the library with Ahuizotl. Seven bookshelves have collapsed, several irreplaceable tomes have been badly damaged, and four library patrons are still in hospital (fortunately none are any longer in a serious condition). Though I understand that your intentions were pure, your actions alone still had severe negative consequences.
I must re-iterate my earlier letter. Go to Las Pegasus, and supervise the Summer Sun celebration. Talk with Clementine Orange, Thundercloud, Octavia Melody, and Polished Gem.
And, most importantly of all, MAKE SOME FRIENDS!
From the desk of Her Royal Highness,
Princess Celestia
Dear Princess Celestia
Words cannot express how disgusted I am at your trivialisation of my concerns in the matter of the Sapphire Stone. I have come to realise that relying on your aid in this matter will be entirely useless; therefore, by the time you read this letter, I will already have left on my way to hunt down the Lost Temple of Banihoof; I have at least narrowed it down to a fairly small area of jungle (though the page most likely to give the specific location had been torn from the book before I had been able to read it; probably by Ahuizotl).
As I clearly cannot rely on the aid of the Crown in matters archaeological, I will need to rely on my own wits in this matter. Rest assured that I will take the actions necessary to protect my fellow ponies, even if you are not interested in doing so.
I will be ignoring any further correspondence you may be sending my way. I shall find a way to finance my studies without my stipend, and I will continue my work, from now and in perpetuity, alone.
Your former student
Daring Do
My dear, and unfortunately retired, student -
Daring Do tossed the letter into the fireplace, unread. She had no interest in anything else that Celestia might or might not have to say.
In Las Pegasus, Polished Gem, the custodian of the Las Pegasus Museum, put the finishing touches on her new display about the Banihoof Tribe; which included a map (recently uncovered in the attic of one of Doctor Living Stone's descendants) showing the location of their famously hidden temple. It was right next to a display centred around the Elements of Harmony.
Celestia looked at a sheet of paper. The line at the top of the paper read, quite simply, 'Loyalty'. Below that were seventeen names. The first sixteen had a line through them.
The seventeenth name was Daring Do.
With a sigh, Celestia picked up her quill and drew a line through the last name on the list.
It was almost a month later that a young filly managed to hatch a dragon egg in her entrance exam...