Essays Index
Alternate Universes series: Part 1 - Overview

This one is quite heavily based on IDW comic continuity. In fact, most of this was conceptualised in the first place for the sole purpose of explaining the weird shit in the early IDW comics. And I don't stop there either, because tying the IDW weirdness together with my own fics, both current and yet unreleased, was also a feat in itself.

In short, buckle up, kids, because this is where it gets complicated.

Overview:
The prime universe which most Borderworld stories follow is just one reality in a much larger multiverse, which is itself only a small part of a theoretically infinite omniverse. Within at least the local multiverse, every universe began from the same starting point, before then splintering into infinite possible outcomes, forming alternate universes. Most of these alternate universes diverged naturally, though many were also artificially created through time travel, such as the remarked timelines created by Starlight Glimmer.

All of these close alternate universes, no matter how divergent, conform to the same laws of physics, as they were set in stone at the moment of the original universe's birth. Thus, every universe in this particular corner of the multiverse shares the same laws of magic, making travel between them comparatively easier, and ensuring the existence of the Fundaments of Magic in these realities. As a result, the Eternals are universal constants in this part of the multiverse, though their forms can vary.

Further out into the multiverse, beyond the Borderworld's sphere of influence, are the more distant timelines, which diverged prior to the Big Bang, and thus have different laws of physics entirely. These universes, though still bearing some distant connection to the same origin point as the Borderworld, are significantly more difficult to reach for interdimensional travellers, and more dangerous for them too, as lifeforms travelling between universes may not be compatible with each other's physics. In particular, magic often works very differently in these more distant universes, if it even exists at all, which can interfere with travel attempts, cause spells to stop working, or affect the passage of the soul beyond death. Some Borderworld superportals such as the Nexus still connect to these more distant universes, but these connections are rarer.

Even further beyond are universes which may not share even a tangential connection to the Borderworld, being totally independent, branching off from a different origin point entirely, and almost certainly working by their own laws of physics, but which are still a part of the multiverse as the Borderworld's inhabitants would understand it. This multiverse is not the limit, however, as beyond even that there are theorised to be other multiverses, where even the metaphysics governing the coexistence of parallel universes may be different.

Despite the vastness of this greater omniverse, however, versions of Equestria can still be found all over it. The infinite nature of existence means that even universes far apart, sharing no common connection, can sometimes by coincidence mirror each other. The Borderworld and the canon Friendship is Magic universe, for example, have completely different histories, operate by different laws of physics, and are very far apart in the multiverse, yet by cosmic coincidence, both still have many elements in common.

Conversely, many much closer universes can also sharply diverge in appearance. Just as there are versions of Equestria in other multiverses entirely, the Borderworld's local multiverse also contains many universes which do not have an Equestria at all, or which may bear resemblance to other, more distant universes instead. For example, the Borderworld's local multiverse very likely contains a universe resembling our own reality, despite our reality almost certainly not conforming to the Borderworld's local or multiversal physics.

As the Borderworld's name derives from its position sitting on the border between many of these parallel worlds, its inhabitants have visited and been visited by many of them, and even named several. Star Swirl the Bearded and Princess Celestia in particular travelled to many other alternate universes during the so-called Age of Invention, documenting their findings and even bringing artefacts back to Earth Prime.

What follows is a list of notable alternate universes and timelines which have either had contact with the Borderworld, or are otherwise relevant to it.

Crystal Mirror universes:
Worlds previously accessed by Star Swirl the Bearded and Princess Celestia through either of the two Crystal Mirrors during their adventures together.

Earth 1 - Dinoworld:
The first alternate universe ever visited by Celestia and Star Swirl. An alternate timeline in which the dinosaurs remained the dominant species on Earth, and eventually evolved to develop cutie marks of their own. Contains dinosaur counterparts of many familiar characters. Celestia and Star Swirl briefly encountered a dinosaur version of Fluttershy in their first visit to this world.

Earth 44 - Pennyworld:
An alternate timeline in which ponykind defeated the griffon invasions of the Chimera Wars, and the Three Tribes remained in Thoroupe instead of migrating across the Forsaken Crags. They later sent expedition forces across the sea and colonised the Heartland regardless, but the colonisation of the Heartland in this world was much more brutal and authoritarian than in the prime universe, similar to real world colonialism. This eventually resulted in the Heartland colonies rebelling against their kings in Thoroupe and establishing a democratic republic called the United States of Amareica.

In Princess Celestia and Star Swirl's first visit to this world, they worked with a local vigilante to help foil a heist by a master criminal who hoped to steal a giant penny on display at an exhibition. After their adventure, Celestia and Star Swirl purchased this giant penny, which bore the face of one of this world's most famous presidents, and brought it back with them to Earth Prime.

Earth 48 - Spyworld:
An alternate timeline in which bipedal anthropomorphic ponies with human characteristics evolved instead of quadrupeds, resulting in a technologically advanced world similar in appearance to our Earth during the Cold War. Celestia and Star Swirl's one and only visit to this world saw them swept up in the world of spies and supervillains, and helping to defeat a notorious assassin. Star Swirl the Bearded brought back a disassembled golden handgun from this world as a keepsake, and Celestia took back an old flag depicting a rising sun, the flag of this world's version of Imperial Japan.

It was their visit to this world, and the problems they encountered with standing out amongst the locals, which inspired Star Swirl to later construct a second mirror with the ability to transform travellers to match the local dominant species.

Earth 67 - Necroworld:
An alternate timeline in which Discord never created the windigoes, and the Three Tribes freely went to war without having to worry about bringing down an eternal winter. As a result, the Three Tribes never united to form Equestria, but did still establish their southern colonies. Some remained under the control of their homelands, while others rebelled, and others still were conquered by external threats like the deer or griffons. The Heartland in this world thus became a fractious, divided land of many different countries, each developing their own unique cultures.

Celestia and Star Swirl's visit to this world brought them to the castle of a necromancer scientist named Dr. Frankenstein, who was attempting to create new life by animating the body parts of dead ponies with a combination of magic and electricity. Star Swirl and Celestia reluctantly took part in the doctor's experiment to expand their own understanding of magic and science, and were present for much of the resulting fallout.

Earth 85 - Scienceworld:
An alternate timeline similar to Pennyworld. Celestia and Star Swirl visited this world's version of the United States of Amareica, where they attended a science exposition demonstrating this world's amazing new discoveries and technology. Celestia and Star Swirl made many return trips to this world in particular to purchase samples of the most useful items and bring them back to Equestria for general use. Some of their most notable acquisitions were penicillin, the gramophone, and the lightbulb, all of which were gradually introduced to Equestria over the following centuries. However, they also brought back the Hyde formula, created by this universe's version of Dr. Jekyll, nearly causing a national crisis when Celestia was briefly overtaken by an evil persona after testing it.

Earth 154 - The Other Side:
See Alternate Universes Part 2 - Earth 154.

Earth 237 - Pedestria:
See Alternate Universes Part 3 - Earth 237.

Random contact universes:
Undocumented worlds which have had contact with the Borderworld's universe, either directly or indirectly.

The Spiderverse:
An alternate timeline in which Earth was never invaded by chimeras, and the Arachnian Empire maintained its supremacy and conquered most of the known world, resulting in the great spiders becoming the dominant species on Earth instead of equines. This world contains great spider counterparts of many characters who we know from the prime universe.

The Spiderverse had involuntary contact with the Borderworld when a random portal briefly opened between the two in the diamond dog kingdom of Underhaven, in an event known to the diamond dogs as the Space Oddity. Both sides assumed an attack by the other, and the resulting conflict led to the fall of Underhaven and the exodus of the diamond dogs from the Appaloosan Mountains. Several great spiders were left stranded in the Borderworld after the portal closed, including the Spiderverse counterpart of Derpy Hooves. Their descendants and reincarnations still inhabit the ruins of Underhaven today.

The Pirateverse:
An alternate timeline in which King Leo was a chaotic, evil deity instead of a benevolent and harmonious one, who intentionally melted the polar ice caps and caused Earth's sea levels to rapidly rise several generations ago. As a result of his actions, the Equestria of the Pirateverse is a series of islands rather than a continent, and ponykind are a seafaring species out of necessity. Many of this world's counterparts of the characters we know are fishermen, merchants, pirates, or some other variety of sailor.

Portals have sporadically opened between the Borderworld and the Pirateverse at several points in history, usually at sea, and usually during storms. This has many times resulted in hapless sailors from the Pirateverse ending up in the Borderworld without initially realising it, only later discovering the sudden abundance of dry land to explore. Among those to become stranded in the Borderworld were the Pirateverse's counterparts of the Apple family, who in their world crewed their own pirate ship, the Golden Apple. They have since taken up residence on the Gallopinghost Islands.

The Stormverse:
An alternate timeline in which the yetis were created to be sapient creatures, and built their own civilization in the Yaket Range alongside the yaks, goats, and dragons. The Three Tribes of this world were unable to get as strong a foothold in the region after their exodus from Thoroupe, and consequently, they remained an isolated northern minority instead of colonising the south. The sun and moon in this world also never fell under unicorn control, as they were too small and disorganised, and the duty was instead taken up by the Asgardians after the War of the Sun. As a result, Equestria never came to be.

This is the home universe of the Storm King, who was a reincarnation of sky god, Boreas. Just like in the prime universe, Boreas was killed by the griffons and sealed within the Idol of Boreas, until it was damaged and he escaped. However, while the fate of the prime universe's Boreas is unknown, his Stormverse counterpart reincarnated as one of the intelligent yetis of the far north, who subsequently conquered his own people, crowned himself king, and made war on all of their neighbours. After achieving final victory, the Storm King eventually became bored of ruling, and so left with an air fleet to plunder other lands, which he did for several years before accidentally sailing his fleet through a portal. At least one version of the Storm King subsequently emerged in the prime universe's Jotunheim, while other versions appeared in many other universes.

The Monaverse:
An alternate timeline in which a pony counterpart of Leonardo da Vinci produced a version of the Mona Lisa, only for it to go missing centuries later after being sucked through a random portal. This universe's Mona Lisa ended up on the Gallopinghost Islands of the Borderworld.

The Meganverse:
An alternate timeline similar to Earth-237, except bearing an even stronger resemblance to our own reality, and plagued by random interdimensional incursions throughout its history. Portals between the Borderworld and the Meganverse are responsible for the vast majority of reported cases of humans in Equestria. The most famous case was Megan Williams, ancient hero of the Valley of Eden, who in legend was said to have liberated the land when she defeated the King of Tauros in single combat. More recent reported cases include a human pirate crew seen in the vicinity of the Celestial Sea, and a human mercenary reportedly working for the infamous Sunheart Company. The Gallopinghost Islands are also home to various human artefacts originating from the Meganverse, including a bust of a human pharaoh.

The Orsimverse:
Home universe of Orsim Desmenee, the planet-devouring outer god. All that is known about it is that its laws of physics do not conform to Borderworld standards, but that entities from this universe can still use their powers comfortably within the confines of Borderworld physics.

The Nameless Universe:
Home universe of the Nameless One, the outer god slain by Celestia and Luna during the Classical Era. All that is known about it is that its laws of physics do not conform to Borderworld standards, but that entities from this universe can still use their powers comfortably within the confines of Borderworld physics.

The Canonverse:
A distant universe, not conforming to Borderworld physics, which either perfectly mirrors or at least closely resembles the canon universe of Friendship is Magic. Though it has not had any direct contact with the prime universe, it was visited by a version of the Storm King identical to the one of the Stormverse, resulting in the events of My Little Pony: The Movie in that world.

Divergent universes:
Alternate timelines which hew very closely to the prime universe, and which each have a specific, clear, and identifiable divergence point, often caused by time travel.

The Fireverse:
The "original" prime timeline of the Borderworld. In this timeline, after the events of To Where and Back Again, Chrysalis fought against Thorax in a Changeling Civil War, which eventually ended with a peace agreement, negotiated with Equestrian assistance. The peace held for several years, until Chrysalis betrayed the truce and murdered Thorax, beginning the Changeling War which later led to the collapse of Equestria. The eventual outcome of this was a future very similar to the one of To Keep the Fire Burning, except with both black and colourful changelings present.

The Observerse:
An alternate timeline in which Chrysalis was assassinated by time travellers from the Fireverse's future decades prior to her attack on Canterlot. In this timeline, Equestria never collapsed in the Changeling War, but instead eventually became a polluted dystopian nightmare ruled by a race of genetically engineered super-ponies known as the Observers. The Observers of this timeline intended to travel back in time and colonise the Equestria of the past, as the planet in their time was exhausted for resources and nigh-uninhabitable.

The Iceverse:
An alternate timeline in which the Observers caused minor changes in history while travelling back in time to observe the past in preparation for their invasion. Their changes inadvertantly prevented the time travel assassination of Chrysalis, setting the timeline back on its original course, and also saved the life of a future villain who did not survive in either previous timeline. This timeline closely followed the Fireverse afterwards, aside from the Observers making occasional appearances, until the Observers were eventually defeated sometime after the Changeling Civil War.

However, instead of Equestria collapsing in the Changeling War, the other villain rose to power instead, eventually leading to Equestria becoming a frozen, post-apocalyptic wasteland inhabited by genetically engineered mutants. The surviving ponies eventually transformed themselves into a race of cyborgs to better survive the harsh conditions, and these cyberponies later regained control of the planet and rebuilt their society with the help of the horrins and other alien races of the Starguard, which Earth later joined as a full member.

This timeline's far future was briefly observed by Discord in Discord's Magical History Tour, and Big Macintosh also visited the wasteland period of this future when he accidentally fell into a timewarp in Zen and the Art of Gazebo Repair, leading to an adventure where he fought off a tribe of mutant apes who intended to follow him back to the past and threaten Ponyville.

The Fireverse:
An alternate timeline in which the villain who caused the collapse of Equestria in the Iceverse was assassinated by time travellers from the wasteland period of its future. The Observers were also never able to execute their plans due to being unable to return to the future which they had originally come from. Aside from the presence of the Observers and the nature of the other villain's death, this iteration of the Fireverse turned out extremely similar to the first. Time travellers from this Fireverse later travelled back to assassinate Chrysalis again, creating a second variation of the Observerse, and so and so forth, creating an endless loop of variations of these three primary timelines.

The Remarked Timelines:
A series of seven alternate timelines created by Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer during their time-travelling (see Remarked Timelines Part 1 - Overview).

The EISverse:
The setting of Subject is Sedated. An alternate timeline offshoot of the Iceverse, occurring as a result of Special Agent Exuding Malevolence surviving the changeling infiltration of the Equestrian Intelligence Service, and rising to become its director in the aftermath.

The World on Fire:
The setting of To Keep the Fire Burning. An alternate timeline offshoot of the Fireverse, occurring as a result of Spike not joining the search for Thorax in The Times They Are A Changeling, and Thorax starving to death in his cave without ever meeting Spike. Because Thorax never relaxed their fears, the changeling paranoia in the Crystal Empire continued, and the heightened security prevented Chrysalis from executing her plan to kidnap Equestria's leaders. Later, a peace agreement was signed between Equestria and the changelings, which held for several years, until a later betrayal by Chrysalis led to the Changeling War and the collapse of Equestria (see The World on Fire).

Acknowledgements:
-Amareica is a fairly obvious horse pun for America, but nonetheless I'm gonna thank Alara J. Rogers for coming up with it first in Not the Hero.
-I'd like to thank the anthro tag and all the filthy pornographers who use it for inspiring Spyworld. Couldn't have done it without you guys!
-The Spiderverse was my own idea, but calling its emergence into Underhaven the Space Oddity was all FanOfMostEverything in his Friendship is Card Games blog for Return of Chrysalis.
-While I'm at it, he also pointed out the weirdness in the Friendship Ahoy arc that inspired many of the other random contact universes as well.
-The Storm King being an invader from another world was Oliver's idea, proposed in his Points of Canon analysis for the MLP movie.
-The idea of a G4 Megan who defeated a King of Tauros (not Tirek; an ancestor of his) is a very direct reference to a piece of art called "Ignis Lavat" by Equestria Prevails. I like to imagine that this exact scene occurred almost precisely as depicted.
-This isn't a fandom inspiration, exactly, but I feel the need to point out for those not in the know that the Observers are from Fringe, and that we have Andy Price to thank for their inclusion here because of their constant cameos in the comics he illustrated.
-Actually, you know what? Credit to IDW in general for their comics containing so much weird shit that I conceptualised this entire universe.

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The Spiderverse had involuntary contact with the Borderworld when a random portal briefly opened between the two in the diamond dog kingdom of Underhaven, in an event known to the diamond dogs as the Space Oddity.

More people need to make use of David Bowie, Goblin Diamond Dog King.
(Oh! I get credit for this one. Nice. )

a human mercenary reportedly working for the infamous Sunheart Company.

Well. At least they survived Dragonfall. I assume.

Fascinating stuff. I'm always a sucker for a good multiverse. Looking forward to the deeper dives.

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You know I gotta do it to 'em.

Posh12/07/2020
I had a dream about a story where flim and flam came back to ponyville to try selling apple products again

the only joke I remember was applejack saying “we sell our cider in foreign markets, but we’re not allowed to call it ‘cider’ there”

DannyJ12/07/2020
I saw a fic in new stories a few days ago about cider.

Except cider was a euphemism for piss.

I don't think I will ever forget that.

Posh12/07/2020
That sounds like something an Oblivion NPC would say

i hope the piss cider guy sees this and it ruins his day