A pair of Ferengi merchants and part-time slave traders (any time they think they can get away with it) decide to pick up some people from the newly discovered world of Equestria - a world without local space travel. For variety, they decide to pick out one of each of the major groupings - a pegasus, and earth pony, a unicorn. For ease of control, they pick out juveniles.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders fit the bill perfectly.

(Sidequel to Equestria's First Warp Drive)

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Once upon a time, the Federation paid a visit to Equestria. The story of that visit - and some of its consequences - is detailed over here.

Partway through the tale (in chapter 15, to be exact) a Ferengi ship passing through space meets another ship. There were meta-narrative reasons for this, reasons why the author thought it would be necessary.

These reasons were promptly proven incorrect.

This, therefore, is the story of what would have happened, had the Ferengi ship not met anyone else on their way through space. It follows on directly from chapter 14 (Further Communication) of Equestria's First Warp Drive; I strongly recommend that you read the first fourteen chapters of that story first, and then return here.

Every schoolfilly has heard of the Federation - the tall, mysterious, magicless beings from another world, who visit only rarely and briefly; waiting, they say, for 'stable planetary political unity'.

This is the story of when they first visited Equestria; of early contact between the Princesses and the Federation. It is also the tale of how Princess Luna, with some help from the House of Sparkle, managed the first fully Equestrian warp jump; and of how Spike became the first dragon in space.

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Additional note: There is an alternate ending for this story, which can be found over here. It follows on directly after the chapter titled Further Communications (and there is a note in the author's notes for that chapter to that effect, with another link).

The reasons for the split are contained in the comments to this story. (Note: Said reasons contain spoilers)

When Lyra finds her old pet fish in the back of the freezer, she sees an opportunity to recapture the glories of her youth.

Lyra and Flipper are back together after ten years. After all, a bit of ice never got in the way of true friendship.

[Featured on EQD 21/4/2014] [Now on TVTropes]

When Luna gifts Twilight the town of Ponyville and its surrounding countryside as her demesne she's initially confused. Then, after double checking her dictionary, more than a little concerned.

All her friends are, legally, her possessions. The town that took her in is her plaything, if she so wishes. She has been given responsibility.

Can Twilight's vision for a modern renaissance outrun the harsh realities of the shadowy figures pulling strings behind the scenes, nobles jockeying for her attention, and an irritatingly metaphorical love triangle?

Special thanks to the insatiable Blue_Paladin42, the incorrigible Maskedferret, the intuitive Southpaw and the indestructible newbiedoodle for all their hard work, past, present and future.

George Sparrow has a lot on his plate.

During the day, he is transformed into a strange, small horse with wings and capability of speech. However, when the night falls, he changes back to his human form. On top of it all, he is trapped in a world filled with colorful, talking creatures that refer to themselves as 'ponies.'

Saddled with a task of rebuilding the enigmatic Faraway Farm, George Sparrow has to learn to live in this strange, new world while trying to solve the mystery surrounding his arrival to Equestria.

Now if only these 'ponies' would leave him alone...

(Now proofread by the awesome O_O and themaskedferret)

Naturally, everypony knows the story of how Twilight Sparkle met her friends, and how they all became the Elements of Harmony. The very subject is now taught in schools around Equestria, much to the chagrin of Twilight's children.

But not many ponies know of the story behind how Twilight ended up in a relationship with both Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

Now, her three children are going to hear that story. Whether they want to or not. Even if it takes nine more seasons.

Suit up.
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This was meant to be my entry for the AppleDashLight group contest.
Cover art edited from a picture by niegelvonwolf.
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Since meeting Apple Bloom, Twilight, and their friends, Zecora's life has become much more filled with warmth and purpose than it has been ever before. But old patterns of thought are hard to change, and becoming part of a community can seem impossible to a recluse.

2014-10-15: Edited by Feo Takahari.

The Equestrian Exploration Institute: an organization devoted to further the intellectual and terrestrial exploits of the land of Equestria. Who other than the dauntless Pinkamina Diane Pie would be better suited to handle the precipitous perils populating the uncharted reaches?

Based loosely upon Jules Verne's Five Weeks in a Balloon
Make that very loosely.

When Miss Cheerilee announces a 'family life' project, Dinky Hooves decides to video-log (vlog) various family activities.

After years of research and study, Lyra Heartstrings publishes a guide to everything human: Lyra Heartstrings Guide to Human Culture and Biology. Unfortunately a lot of what is written is inferred, and Lyra never learned good judgement on inferences.

OC label is for fake citation within the text.
Random parentheticals containing names are meant to be Lyras citations.
Italicized text is when BonBon is reacting to Lyra's "facts."
It would be greatly appreciated if you could post recommended OC names in the comments, I'm terrible at coming up with pony names.