In school, everypony learns about the official history of Equestria, the acts of heroes and villains that made the world what it is today. But at home, everypony learns another, secret history, about how their family and theirs alone is at the center of Equestria's history, and how without them, the world will fall apart. This Hearth's Warming Eve, Twilight Sparkle and their friends will share their secret histories, and in this way discover that the bonds between them reach back far earlier than Rainbow Dash's first Sonic Rainboom.

This is a follow-up to my earlier story, "The Best of All Possible Worlds". That story was set centuries in the past, while this story is present day. If you're wondering where the humans came from, see another side story that is otherwise unrelated to this, "Parade Coverage". Despite that, I expect that this story stands alone. The story's set in an alternate-universe Season Three that branched off early in Season Two.

For generations, humanity has dreamed of discovering intelligent life out in the stars. To say that ending that search in downtown Pasadena was a surprise would be an understatement.

Princess Luna had herself a simple mission: Track Twilight Sparkle and her friends through a malfunctioning portal to Earth, and get them out without being noticed. Luna had no desire to establish permanent relations, or even to stay and talk. After all, both princesses were convinced from previous experience that humans were nothing but trouble.

It appears that both parties have much to learn about each other.

Present-day follow-up to "The Best of All Possible Worlds". "Alternate Universe" tag is because it pretty quickly diverges from Second Season continuity.

The royal court of Canterlot welcomes its newest member with open forelegs: the human philosopher Voltaire, from Earth.

On Earth, Voltaire is known as the greatest enemy of tyranny in the history of literature, and a legend in his own mind.

On Equestria, the court betting pool is giving him a week before the Princess banishes him to the Moon.

TV Tropes page.

In their continuing quest to escape from the mental control of the Dragon Emperor, Vinyl, Twilight and Pinkie venture into the dream of Rainbow Dash, where Vinyl is transformed into a superhero straight out of a comic book. Too bad that for every comic book superhero, there must be an equally powerful supervillain...

After Vinyl Scratch helps Twilight to escape from the deadly dreams the Elements of Harmony have all been trapped in, they decide to head back to save the others, and to start with the dream world of Pinkie Pie, since she surely would be the best guide to get them through the dreams of anypony.

In retrospect, two ponies treading alone into the mind of the pony with Pinkamena in her head might have been a less than wise decision...

Sequel to "The Perfect Little Village of Ponyville" (which the above description just spoiled utterly if you haven't read it yet). Additional tags may be added after the story spoils them.