Forward:
[ It’s my fourth day in this strange new world. I made first contact with what appears to be the dominant species of this planet, a species of equines. Some of them seem to have wings. They’re intelligent, like humans. Each one of them has a story to tell. I realize quickly that, as a Historian, it’s my job to record those stories. I set out to learn more about the individuals, eager to learn each one of their stories, as well as the different cultures of this planet.
The first thing I notice is three distinct categorizations of Equines. There are what they call Earth Ponies (which is very peculiar word choice, since Earth is the name of my home planet), which have no wings or horns, Unicorns which have horns and can use magic, and Pegasi, which have wings and can fly.
I get this information from a library in a town called Ponyville. The library is built inside a giant tree, which is peculiar. From this point on, I decide to log the stories of each individual equine. I will be recording the stories in this book in order of when I meet the equine. I will get as comprehensive of information as possible before moving on to the next equine. It’s a flawless plan.
My name, for all intents and purposes, is Corkscrew. It’s an unusual name, I came up with a name that sounded similar to other names in this society. Anyways, let us begin. ]
TWILIGHT SPARKLE
Cork’s notes: The first equine I met was a purple unicorn named Twilight Sparkle. She was the keeper of the library. It was talking to her that I developed an organized system for recording information. I would start by giving some personal notes, like I am now. Then I would record the Equines specific race, occupation, and the strange symbol on their flank. Next, I would ask the Equine to tell me their life story (couldn’t hurt to try.) Then, in the future, if I learn more about an Equine from other Equines, I will record the new information. My explanation may be confusing, but you’ll get the hang of it.
Name: Twilight Sparkle
Race: Unicorn
Occupation: Library attendant/Student
Symbol: A big star surrounded by smaller stars
Personal account: “Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle. When I was little, I went to the Summer Sun Festival, which is when our Princess, Princess Celestia, raises the sun for the longest day of Summer. There, I was blown away by the beauty of her magical abilities. From that point on, I dedicated my life to studying the arts of magic to be JUST like her. Of course, that was a silly dream, since she’s an alicorn (she has a horn and wings) and is sort of a Goddess. Anyway, I was young and had big dreams. So I practiced magic 24/7. Eventually, my parents enrolled me in Celestia’s school of magic. I was so excited, but I got really nervous during my entrance exam. I had to hatch a dragon egg.
So, I was there with the egg, as nervous as I’ve ever been. Then, suddenly, there was this incredible blast of rainbow energy, which caused me to almost explode in a magical fury. However, Princess Celestia came in and calmed me down, and taught me to control my power. Afterwards, she took me as her own personal pupil! Years later, I pretty much saved the entire world from eternal night and was sent here to Ponyville to study friendship. And, well, here I am!”
Closing Statements: I was amazed at how easy it was to get the Unicorn to talk. I’m hoping all the equines of the land will open up that easily. A few things that interest me: Princess Celestia, alicorns, the Eternal Night Fiasco (my own term), magic, and the studying of friendship. Everything else seemed pretty... Normal, actually. I’m still amazed that the equines speak English.
COLGATE
Cork’s notes: Upon leaving the library, I came across another Unicorn. This one had blue fur and a blue mane, with this really cool looking white stripe through it. Her mane looks kind of like... Toothpaste. And her name’s Colgate. What a strange coincidence.
Name: Colgate
Race: Unicorn
Occupation: Student at Canterlot University, currently studying abroad in Ponyville. (Which I hardly think is far enough from Canterlot to count as abroad... At least not by Earth standards.)
Symbol: Hourglass.
Personal account: “Colgate’s actually my surname. My first name is Atria, but most of my friends just call me Colgate. I’m a time student. You can tell by my hourglass cutie mark that my special talent is time. I’m actually the only student in Mr. Doctor Whoof’s Time 101 class at Canterlot University. I’m here in Ponyville studying the time progression of Equestria in a more tame enviroment... At least that’s what Mr. Doctor said. I’m not actually entirely sure what I’m supposed to be doing here... Don’t telly anypony though.
I first noticed my special talent when I was just a little filly. Ya know, like most fillies do. I was skating, on ice and what not, and suddenly the ice broke and a friend of mine named Bon-Bon fell in. I was there with another friend, Lyra, and we didn’t know what to do. Suddenly, this really weird thing happened, and time basically rewound to right before Bon-Bon fell in, and I was able to save her. Of course, I was the only one who remembered this. Nopony believed me, until I met Mr. Doctor Whoof at Canterlot University, who said I had a very rare gift. That’s about all, I’ve been studying with him ever since. I tell most ponies that I make hourglasses, since ponies don’t believe me when I tell the truth. Honestly, I’m not sure why I told you the truth, I don’t even know who... Or what you are.”
Closing Statements: It seems that there are some Equines (or Ponies as they call themselves) who have incredible powers like none of the others. Including power over time itself. I would be very interested in meeting this Doctor Whoof, so I plan to take the next train to Canterlot. With luck, I’ll meet somepony interesting on the train. One last thing, I’ve learned that the mysterious symbols on the ponies’ flanks are called Cutie Marks, and they represent that Pony’s special talent in life. I will apply this knowledge to future entries.
LYRA
Cork’s notes: Another Unicorn. Odd. It seems that Canterlot is the main home of the Unicorn race, from what I gather. From what I gathered, there are two train routes. One goes from Ponyville, to Fillydelphia, to Appleloosa, and back to Ponyville. The other goes from Ponyville, to Canterlot, to Manehattan, underneath Cloudsdale (the Pegasus city in the sky), then back to Ponyville. I’ve noticed this odd trend of references to my homeworld (Colgate, Fillydelphia, Appleloosa, Manehattan) I wonder what that could mean. I also note that Lyra is one of the friends Colgate mentioned.
Name: Lyra
Race: Unicorn
Occupation: Musician.
Cutie Mark: A lyre (Go figure), though she supposedly is capable of playing any stringed instrument.
Personal Account: “I was raised from a young age to play stringed instruments. I could play the lyre pretty well by age 6, and learned others as I went. I had fierce competition my whole life from this Earth Pony named Octavia. She was a cellist, and she was good. Fierce competition, no doubt. However, unlike her, I had friends. Colgate, Bon-Bon and I have been best friends for years! When we all turned of age, we rode the rails all around Equestria! What an adventure that was. Then Colgate went off to learn to control her time magic, and left us behind. It was sad, but we were happy for her.
Bon-Bon and I remain friends to this day... Really close friends. We live together even. I’m actually on my way back to our home in Canterlot right now. I’m so excited to see her again. Everytime I come home from a long trip like this, she always has a batch of warm, fresh baked cookies waiting, or muffins, or, sometimes, bon-bons. She makes the best bon-bons... Hence her name [She smiled at this point. She seemed to be really fond of this Bon-Bon... Another Unicorn no doubt.] It’s really impressive that she can cook so well, since she’s an Earth Pony and doesn’t have any magic. [I stand corrected.] Well... That’s enough about me.. What about you? What’s your name?” This caught me off guard. She wanted to know about ME? The other two just rambled on until they had to leave... Well, I didn’t want to seem rude.
“My name’s Corkscrew.” I said. “I’m not really from around here.”
“I could see that.” She commented. Luckily for me, about then, the train pulled into Canterlot station. “Oh, well I guess it’s time to go. See you around!”
Closing Statements: I was beginning to think that these ponies only cared about talking about themselves. It’s good to know that they care about other people too, but it makes things difficult for me... I’ll have to think of a backstory... And it would be really helpful if I didn’t stand out so much. Also, I’m now 90% sure that there are lesbians in this society. They aren’t as different from humanity as I expected.
DOCTOR WHOOF
Cork’s notes: Finally, and Earth Pony! I found him in a little office at Canterlot University, no students, just like Colgate said. I must say, he’s certainly an unusual pony... But my encounter with him turned out to be incredibly useful.
Name: Doctor Whoof
Race: Earth Pony
Occupation: Teacher at Canterlot University/Timelord, as he calls it.
Cutie Mark: Hourglass
Personal Account: “Allo! I’m Doctor Whoof. You can just call me The Doctor. Actually, I’d prefer it if you called my The Doctor. Not sure why, that’s just what everypony calls me. I call me that too, still don’t know why... And it’s my life story you want? Well... I was born in Canterlot, a coal miner’s son... And you don’t believe that for one minute, do you? Okay, fine then, the truth. I can tell you’re not from around here. Likely from a different planet. Well, you see, so am I. You may have heard of my species, but you probably haven’t. What are you, a Kaled? A human maybe? [This shocked me. He knew what I was. I just nodded.] Ah, of course. I’ve met humans. I actually spent a good ammount of time with them. I have this thing that can make me look like a human. I’m a Timelord, from the planet Gallopfrey.”
“I’m Corkscrew, from the planet Earth.” I responded... Oddly. I felt the need to converse with this pony.
“Ah, I knew it. However, I really doubt your real name is Corkscrew.”
“I really doubt your real name’s Doctor.”
“... Fair enough. All right then! So, you came to this planet, not entirely sure how, and, being a human, you want to learn everything about it. Oh, I love humans like you. Am I right?” I nod. “Well, I’m guessing then that you’re looking for a way to blend in then?” I nod again. “Then I have just what you need.”
Closing Statements: The Doctor used this device on me called a Chameleon Arch. He said it originally only worked on Timelords, and it’s supposed to wipe your memory, but he’s adjusted it since arriving in Equestria to make it more effective. He gave me some bits so I could make it in the world. I am now Corkscrew the pegasus. I can fly! It feels wise to head to Cloudsdale now, simply because I can... But first, I need some sort of backstory.
CORKSCREW
Cork’s notes: From the name, it sounds as though I bottle wine or something. However, I’ve seen no alcohol in this world yet, so I need to improvise. My story is shaky at best, but it should be enough.
Name: Corkscrew
Race: Pegasus
Occupation: Documentarian (A word I just made up. It means one who makes documentaries.) Doing a documentary on average Pony life.
Cutie Mark: Open book with a quil laying on it
Personal Account: My mother Capscrew and my father Woodscrew were both carpenters. They named me Corkscrew in hope that I would follow in their footsteps. However, I soon discovered that my special talent was in recording the stories of different ponies around the world. So, when I turned of age, I set out to work on my documentary, documenting the individual lives of every pony I could find. [This story works well, since it accurately depicts my true intentions anyway.]
Closing Statements: Now that I have a story, and at least one other... Foreigner I know I can trust in Canterlot, I set out for Cloudsdale, still getting a hang of the whole flying thing. Also, note: Pegasus ponies can walk on clouds. Isn’t that something?
DITZY DOO
Cork’s notes: The first Pegasus I met on my journey to Cloudsdale was a very unusual grey pegasus. She seemed to fly as poorly as I did, and when I tried to talk to her, she just mumbled about muffins and stuff I couldn’t understand. I took a break a while after meeting her to rest on the ground under a tree, and she showed up and gave me a letter. I used the letter for her personal account.
Name: Ditzy Doo
Race: Pegasus
Occupation: Mail Pony
Cutie Mark: Bubbles (Which seems to have nothing to do with mail delivery.
Personal account: Dear Mr. Screw,
All my life, I’ve never been really good at talking. Because of this, at a young age, they gave me the nickname “Derpy Hooves”. It wasn’t until we started writing letters and essays that I learned I could write so much better than I could speak. Articulating my thoughts into spoken words was always difficult for me, but I could write them down just fine.
It wasn’t long after I learned to write well that I got my Cutie Mark. To this day, I’m not entirely sure what it means, but I think it’s symbolic. A bubble seems like nothing, a little thing that floats away, but when you think about it, it’s so much more. A bubble is a fragile little thing that floats through the air, solely because it’s lighter than the air itself. I think it’s kind of like me. I seem like I’m just a derpy little pegasus, but there’s so much more to me than that.
I loved writing letters especially. I guess that’s part of why I became a mail carrier. I work all around Equestria. I’m not the only mail carrier of course, but a lot of people say I’m the best. I don’t know though. Anyway, that’s essentially my story. Thank you for taking the time to read this [there’s a drawing of a smiley-face].
Love, Ditzy Doo
Closing statements: Ditzy Doo is probably the most interesting pony I’ve met yet. She’s just so... She seems brilliant, though she can barely say anything other than “muffin”. Literally when she gave me the letter, she said “Delivery for the muffins”. When I read that letter, expecting a bunch of random scribbles, it pretty much took my breath away. It was at that point that I remembered why I loved my job so much.
RAINBOW DASH
Cork’s notes: First of all, here in Cloudsdale, I finally found a type-writer that works with hooves. It’s useful, though packing it around is a pain. Due to the influence of magic, this culture seems to be less technologically evolved. I bump into a hot-shot pegasus named Rainbow Dash, who’s here visiting her family. Something about her account seems unusual.
Name: Rainbow Dash
Race: Pegasus
Occupation: Weather Worker (apparently she clears clouds and sets up rain storms and what not. Strange, really. Everything natural seems to be done manually here.)
Cutie Mark: A rainbow lightning bolt coming out of a cloud.
Personal account: “Hey! I’m Rainbow Dash, the fastest, coolest pegasus in all of Equestria! One day, I’m gonna fly with the Wonderbolts, just watch me! Then, EVERYPONY will know how great I am! I won the best young fliers competition a while back. That’s PROOF that I’m the best. I saved lives too! My friend Rarity, and the Wonderbolts themselves. I saved their lives, they HAVE to let me join them someday!
I’m here in Cloudsdale visiting my family. Ya know, my real family. My mother and father and uncles and all that. Yep. I visit them a lot. They write me letters a lot too. They can’t go a day without missing me it seems! Boy does my family love me. They’re the best! The coolest family in Equestria! Well, I gotta get going, gotta visit my family and go fly around some more, like I do! Because I’m the best! Later!” [Then she left]
Closing statements: She seemed to focus heavily on how she was the best flier and had a wonderful family. However, she told me nothing of her actual past. I do have intentions of meeting this pegasus again, and hopefully uncovering the truth. That’s one thing I tend to be pretty good at. I should be a detective, with an hourglass Cutie Mark. Anyway, since my encounter with Rainbow Dash was so brief and chaotic, I don’t even know if it deserves its own full article, but whatever. Every bit of information helps. At least I vaguely know who she is now.
SPITFIRE
Cork’s notes: I’m now staying at the Cloudsdale Inn. The Wonderbolts are staying here too. Turns out they actually live in Canterlot, which I found unusual. Turns out more than just Unicorns live there after all. I figure I should try to talk to them, get their stories and all. Since they’re famous, I don’t want to miss this opportunity.
Name: Spitfire
Race: Pegasus
Occupation: Wonderbolt (professional stunt-flier)
Cutie Mark: … I don’t know actually. She always wears her uniform. It has a lightning bolt on the flank, but I don’t know if that’s her Cutie Mark. I never asked her to take it off. I don’t know about pony culture, but I know it’s not natural for a human male to ask a female he just met to take off her clothes.
Personal account: “Well, I’m Spitfire, but you probably already knew that. I’m a Wonderbolt. If we had an official captain, it would either be me or Soarin. Probably me. We usually just both fill the role though.
I was raised here in Cloudsdale, like most Pegasi. I flew sooner and better than anypony in my class. I was sent to Flight School a year early. I graduated Flight School a year early [Go figure] and before long, I was a Wonderbolt apprentice. I had family in the Wonderbolts. My brother, Jetfire, he was the captain when I first joined as an apprentice. He was injured in a flight accident and couldn’t perform anymore, so I stepped up. Before long, I was respected like a captain, but we all still thought of Jetfire as our captain, even though he no longer performed.
Closing statements: I couldn’t get a lot from her, since she had to get ready for a performance, and I never got to speak to any other members of the Wonderbolts, but I was rather interested in some parts of her story. Ideally this Jetfire. I would have to hunt the Wonderbolts down again one day.
A LETTER TO DITZY DOO
Cork’s notes: This is not a usual article, I just feel inclined to document this. I sat down in the Cloudsdale Inn and typed up a letter to Ditzy Doo. Why I did this, I’m not entirely sure. I felt some sort of obligation to respond to that lovely letter from such a... Well, Derpy looking pegasus. I also felt it necessary to meet some new ponies I’ve been told about. Bon-Bon, Octavia, and Jetfire were all on my immediate list. As though becoming a pony has caused me to start thinking like a pony. Go figure.
Letter: Dear Ditzy Doo,
I was thoroughly impressed by your letter and the information in it. It was amusing, and it reminded me why I became a documentarian. To hear and record the individual stories of each individual, to see beyond stereotypes and assumptions, to recognize the fact that every pony I see and meet is a unique individual with their own life. And for this, I thank you. You really are something.
-Corkscrew
OCTAVIA
Cork’s notes: I packed up my type-writer and left Cloudsdale. I caught the train at the station underneath Cloudsdale and headed to Manehattan. This time, I sat across from a grey Earth Pony with a cello case next to her. I was joyful when I found out who she was.
Name: Octavia
Race: Earth Pony
Occupation: Musician
Cutie Mark: A treble cleff. This leads me to believe that music theory works about the same in Equestria. Another strange coincidence.
Personal account: “I was forced to play the cello as a filly. I was raised in Manehattan, and my parents were both high-class musicians. They raised me with Beethoofen and other classical musicians. This aggravated me through most of my childhood, leading me to hate this thing. [She motions towards her cello]
However, all that changed when I was ten years old. My parents took me to this show. An orchestra, conducted by this famous Maestro, who’s now retired, who was known only as The Maestro. They played Beethoofen’s ninth symphony, and it was AMAZING. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard. From that day on, I dedicated myself to music by choice, not because my parents made me. And from that point on, I got so much better. Now, I’m definitely one of the best in Equestria. My only real competition is a unicorn named Lyra. She’s similar to me in many ways, and even though I usually beat her, she’s getting better and better. I respect her as a fellow musician, and would actually really love to perform with her one day.” [ Before we parted, she gave me her address, and told me to write if I wanted or stop by sometime. I didn’t find out as much as I could have, so I’ll probably take her up on that offer... Solely for Documentarying, of course (I made that word up too)]
Closing statements: That was all we had time for. The train arrived in Manehattan. The first thing that crossed my mind was her story compared to Lyra’s. Lyra seemed to envy Octavia, almost malicefully. Octavia seemed to respect Lyra as competition, and possibly a future band-member.
The next thing that crossed my mind was, of course, The Maestro. The only other pony I’d met with a name so vague was The Doctor. The name’s were similar in that neither of them were names, just titles. I made a note of this, eager to one day meet The Maestro.
The last thing that crossed my mind is that my personality seemed to be changing since I’ve become a pegasus. As though the Chameleon Arch changed more than just my appearance. Either that, or the society is rubbing off on me. Either way, I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.
FLAT HAT
Cork’s notes: The first pony to catch my eyes in Manehattan was a young orange Earth Pony selling newspapers. This interested me, because I could have sworn I saw that same pony in Ponyville. I spent several days in Cloudsdale, so it was fully possible for her to come here by train... The only thing that I wondered was why.
Name: Flat Hat
Race: Earth Pony
Occupation: Newspaper salespony
Cutie Mark: A Newspaper (Go figure)
Personally account: I was raised here in Manehattan. I was an orphan. Raised in the Manehattan orphanage. There weren’t many other orphans. Just a few earth ponies and this wild blue pegasus. I never talked to her, she seemed like a hot shot. Either way, I haven’t seen her since I was old enough to leave that place. It wasn’t a TERRIBLE place, better than the streets.
I got a job back in the orphanage as a newspaper salespony. When I grew up, the owner of the stand retired and gave it to me. Recently I hired a young colt to run the shop back in Ponyville, and came here to open a new shop. [Pony’s set up franchises too. Go figure.]
That’s... Pretty much it about me. My life hasn’t been too exciting. Anyway, how about a newspaper?
Closing Statements: I bought a newspaper, it felt like a common courtesy. The paper’s headlines told of Princess Luna’s return to the throne, and the agriculture section told of a rock farm that almost went bankrupt, but was saved by a sudden, unexplained, mass purchase of rocks. The rock farm is said to be the only rock farm left in Equestria. Ran by a stallion named Mutton Pie.
So I added two new ponies to my list to visit. Princess Luna, and Mutton Pie.
FRÉDÉRIC HORSESHOEPIN
Cork’s notes: I decided to take a short break and see a concert. It was a total coincidence that the concert happened to feature Octavia, the musical mare I’d only just met. After the concert, I was able to get backstage and meet her pianist, Frédéric Horseshoepin. I, of course, took advantage of the opportunity to interview him.
Name: Frédéric Horseshoepin
Race: Earth Pony
Occupation: Musician, pianist specifically.
Cutie Mark: Two sets of double eighth notes, one black, and one white.
Personal Account: I was born and raised here in Manehattan. I started taking piano lessons at age 8 by choice, wanting to grow up to be a marvelous pianist. I would say I was successful. Now I perform with Octavia here. Before you ask, no, there’s no romantic involvement. I have a wife. Her name is Bluenote, she is a sousaphone player. She lives in Canterlot. She performs with us when we’re in the area.
Octavia and met Blue and myself about a year and a half ago. She was doing a small, solo performance, and I just loved the idea of helping a younger musician make it in the world, so I took her under my wing... So to speak. [I nodded. They had to get going, so I said good-bye to Frédéric Horseshoepin, and Octavia of course.]
Closing Statements: Frédéric Horseshoepin seemed alright. Not my favorite. Not the most interesting story either. Octavia continues to interest me though. I feel like I can learn more from her in the future. I will definitely try to speak to her again... Completeley professionally of course, for the sake of my research... Go figure.
Coming soon: Rainbow Dash Part 2, Scootaloo, Soarin, and Mutton Pie, and more!