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// Pegasi, Earth and Unicorn...What's the Difference?  
// Story: An Alien's Guide to Equestria 
// by Newenglandee 
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Hello, everyone. Nee-Buh-Loh here. 

Next chapter, we're going to be talking about Rarity and Applejack's help with me when we visited the Minotaur Kingdom. Needless to say, our biggest concerns were justified. Our greatest hopes from what we'd heard of their talent were justified, but so were our fears about their harsh justice system. 

But I wanted to tell you, dear reader, that you've no doubt heard phrases such as "Earth pony" and "Pegasus" and "Unicorn" being tossed about in this story and you'd like to know if there's anything beyond physical differences that these three races of Ponies demonstrate.

Truthfully, yes. There are significant differences with the ponies, and I was very, VERY lucky to have a good, balanced blend of ponies in my group of researchers to talk to about said differences. Pinkie Pie and Applejack were happy to talk about Earth ponies, Rarity and Twilight were overjoyed to hear I wanted to know about the keen talents of unicorns and even alicorns, and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were quite interested in chatting about Pegasi.

So how did all three races meet? Well, many, many moons ago, so the legend goes, all three races were at each other's throats. They were selfishly arguing over land and resources and being petty, elitist, snobbish and cruel. But then something happened: circumstances forced all three groups together when they realized that it was only by working together could they survive. Evidently monstrous beasts known as Wendigos were threatening them and a pony from each race decided "Fighting was stupid", as Dash bluntly put it, and they came together. It started with a simple hug. A hug as warm as a hot mug of cocoa that spread a sweet, tingling, loving feeling of belonging. And according to the old texts, this act of simple trust, of "Let's work together, I'm putting my faith in what we can do as one" gave birth to the physical manifestation of a powerful force. 

Love was all they needed. And it protects Equestria from the raw force of Hatred that the Wendigos represented to this day, as well as providing a beautiful living reminder over Canterlot itself of the power of Harmony. It's a shining beacon to all.

It is that spirit of Harmony that all of the races, and I do mean ALL of them, there was no dispute, which makes Ponies so great. They feel it is their fundamental core. 

Frankly, I believe it. I've seen so much of their species and this world, I don't doubt it. But I wanted to know what they honestly felt about each other and themselves. Yes, they agree they're all awesome, but some are more awesome in other ways than others, surely?

I also had Spike the Dragon assisting me. Sometimes a little outside perspective added in a dose of realism. I took in, however, his obvious bias for Rarity. Math nerds will be happy to know the influence percentage was mathematically and scientifically significant: he was 90% more positive on reflex to speak well about unicorns than any other race. So I ALSO asked Princess Celestia and Luna, themselves alicorns and a rarity in the Equestrian species, to act as additional experts on the differences between the species. 

ON INTELLIGENCE

Fluttershy: "Oh, well, I don't like to think anybody's dumber than anyone else. We're all smart in our own ways. Dash retains information really well, she just doesn't realize it, and nobody else could memorize every single page of Daring Do's adventures. Not even Twilight. Besides, Dash and Pinkie Pie are just so creative, sometimes even more so than Rarity! Pinkie Pie's a real artist with her parties, and Dash has a way of moving through the sky like she's a ballerina when she really wants to."

Rainbow Dash:  "Everyone thinks I'm...well, that I'm the dumbest of the group. I get that feeling from other ponies. I don't really care. I'm smart when it counts, and so are a lot of Pegasi! We're the biggest group in the military, we've got more knowledge of how life really works. WE know how to work the Rainbow Factory, WE can accurately gauge exactly how much wind pressure your wings can handle at 10,000 feet! I'd like to see Twilight figure that one out while also trying to take care of a tornado!...no, that's not fair. I'm sorry. Unicorns can be so snotty towards us. A lot of them think we're just dumb jocks."

Applejack:  "A lot of folks, I reckon they think I'm dumb. Maybe. But I know the Earth. I know when she's ripe and ready for crops. I know exactly how to handle wild animals and cattle. I can tie a triple decker knot and rope steers like nobody's business. And I can tell when it's going to rain just by looking at the sky and feeling the temperature of the air. I might not be "smart"...but I'm wise. There's a difference. Knowledge and real intelligence, they're two different things, pardner." 

Pinkie Pie: "I don't know who's smart and who's dumb. I never think about things like that. I just believe in making other people happy. I don't like insisting everyone has to be held to the same exact standard. We're not all the same pony! We can't all fit in the same mold and I wouldn't want it that way! Everyone's perfect in their little, special unique ways, and there's nothing wrong with being not as smart as someone else. I don't care if I can't solve a theory from Haycartes. NOBODY can figure out how to make people smile like me. 

Rarity: Sophistication is what matters. You must conduct yourself with civility and nobility in all affairs. And that means reading up. I worked long and hard, many nights at a time, and developed a successful business. I've a shrewd and clever mind, I assure you. And I have to be, because when it comes to fashion, its about being able to get inside people's heads and helping them realize what they want. I have to know a person's interests and how they'd want to look just by looking at what they wear. It can be tricky to formulate that in your mind if you're not a unicorn, but having magic helps considerably, darling. I feel sorry for the Pegasi and Unicorns who can't do magic. I wonder sometimes if there'd ever be some way they could learn it?

Twilight: Well, honestly, I've asked for intelligence quotient tests. But they're so unreliable so often. I've poured over various tomes and uncovered a few studies on the different races. On average when it comes to critical thinking and problem-solving, Pegasi excel. They do far, far superior to other races, whilst the Earth ponies are on average more creative and better at things like writing and drawing, with someone like R.K Yearling being an exception, whilst Unicorns, like I was, excelled at the math and science sections of the intelligence tests. I don't know if any one species is truly DUMB. I suppose, on average, when accounting for all factors and medians, unicorns are slightly above the others in overall intelligence quotients? 

Spike: If intelligent means "somebody who solves everyone's problems", I've got to say Twilight is the smartest. She's usually the one who figures out what we all need to do to save the day. Rarity's so creative and clever, but...well, Twilight just figures things out sooner! 

Princess Celestia: Honestly, I don't know how you could ever choose which of our little ponies was smarter. I mean, parents don't actually choose favorites! That's just a myth. And Luna and I don't have favorites.

Princess Luna: Unicorns are smarter. I've spent a lot of time around Earth Ponies and Pegasus Ponies and Unicorns, and in truth, I feel unicorns are smarter. There have been more unicorn philosophers and scientists than from any other race. It may just be because there are more unicorns within Canterlot and most of these thinkers came from the city that it's simply a matter of circumstance, but now we're going chicken and egg. I'm saying unicorns.

ON PHYSICAL STRENGTH

Fluttershy: "Uh...you know, I'm not really the strongest. I think Rainbow Dash and Applejack are much, much stronger than I am, and I think they're really strong. I don't know if I could say an Earth pony was stronger than a Unicorn or Pegasus. I mean, what does it mean to be strong?"

Rainbow Dash:  "I can kick the behinds of any baddie that I come across, and I tell you, there's a good reason why we Pegasus ponies are the Calvary of the Equestrian army! We put the "Wonder" in Wonderbolts. We're lean, mean, fighting machines. We strike hard and more importantly, strike fast. We overwhelm the enemy. Buck YEAH Pegasus ponies are stronger!"

Applejack:  "Are Earth ponies stronger than other ponies? Reckon course. We were the ones to first till the land. We can get rid of the nastiest critters, we can crack the ground with a good ol' kick in the right place. We're built tough and strong and we last long. Don't get me wrong! Pegasus types, they can go for a while up in the worst conditions up in the sky. But they ain't endurable. They're good for when you need something done quick. When you need something done right, done strong, done HARD...you turn to an Earth pony 99 percent of the time, no ifs, ands or buts." 

Pinkie Pie: "She really said that? Oh, Equestrian language. Why must the word for for "exception" be a homonym for my tushie? But...heeheeehee...she's right. I'm pretty sure we Earth ponies are stronger. I grew up on a rock farm and I tell you, it made me really, really tough. Beneath my seemingly puckish exterior is a honed form similar to that of Arnold Hoofzenenegger!" 

Rarity: "Darling, unicorns don't really "fight" on the front lines. So whether it's Pegasi or Earth ponies that are stronger, I couldn't quite tell you. We usually need to cast magic from the back, staying out of the line of fire so we can work our ways. Pegasi and Earth ponies can afford to be more reckless. I'm not sure which of them is stronger. Someone really ought to do a test. It'd be fascinating to know. 

Twilight: "Which race is stronger? Well, nobody ever did a study of that. I'm surprised, honestly. Maybe it's because Canterlot doesn't have a lot of Earth ponies to survey. It could be Unicorn-centrism, which is a true shame. If I had to take a guess based on what I've seen of the various ponies I've encountered as to which race of pony is stronger, Pegasi may be able to endure harsh temperatures and harsh winds up above, but they're usually wearing clothing to protect them from the worst of that when they're out flying. The Wonderbolt costumes, for example, are incredibly well-designed to be protective and snug. Earth ponies usually don't work with that, they're exposed to the elements more, so I believe they've got an advantage.

Spike: "Ooooh. Gee. Who's stronger? I love Rarity an Twilight, but I'd never call them physically stronger than Rainbow Dash or Applejack. And I don't think Fluttershy's the type to plow a field. Pinkie Pie always seems to be able to bring in huge party supplies to places all over town and at a moment's notice, and I've got no idea how she carries it all. So I GUESS maybe Earth ponies are stronger?

Princess Luna: Unicorns may be smarter, and Pegasi can fly and reach places others dare not tread, but Earth ponies are without a doubt the strongest out of all the pony races. I don't know why Celestia just won't admit to this. I suppose she wants to treat all ponies equally and fairly. But I argue that not acknowledging that each race has advantages the other doesn't really ISN'T treating them fairly. 

Princess Celestia: I'm, I'm not doing this. Look, I don't really want to say one group is better than another. That sort of mindset was what led to ponies bickering so much the Wendigos almost froze them all solid to begin with. 

WHO WOULD MAKE FOR A BETTER LEADER?

Fluttershy: "We Pegasus...er, we're really very much all about the right goals. We're results-oriented. We want to get things done and get it done right. I know that you catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar, and a good leader needs to know that. When you can reach someone on an emotional level, you can really make them understand how they can improve themselves and everyone around them!"

Rainbow Dash:  "Real leaders need to be tough and capable of taking a licking and keep on-a-kickin'. They have to be strong and fast. They need to be the best at everything they do, and they need to be there for their people. That, above all else, is what matters. If you're not good enough to protect your people, you're trash. But if you don't even want to TRY to protect them, then you're lower than trash!"

Applejack:  "An Earth pony knows that hard work and struggle are what matters. An Earth pony leader gets things done by pulling everyone together and having everyone put in their all. It's about shared responsibility, and above all, bein' honest. If somebody goes up to me, say I'm the ruler of Equestria, and they ask me "Do we got enough food for the winter" and the stores are pretty darn bare, I'm gonna tell them "Darn tootin', this is gonna be tough". Some will lie selfishly and indiscriminately. Others draw a line. But I'm a straight-talker, and a good leader has to be the same. When your ponies know you're honest with them, they'll keep going back to you, because they'll know you're the one they can rely on."

Pinkie Pie: "Oh, I think a good leader is someone who everyone likes. Who can make everyone happy. When I see depressed creatures I remind them on their own behalf to think of celebrated heads of state, or 'specially great communicators! Did they have brains or knowledge? Don't make me laugh! They were POPULAR. It's all about pop-u-laaar! And with some assist you see, from folks like you or me, we'll change who you are! And nothing will stop you from becoming popul...lar!"

Rarity: "A good leader listens to people. Understands them and their needs. You have to be understanding. Considerate. Generous. Give and give, all that you have! Don't be afraid or ashamed to give up everything you have to help others. It becomes a symbol to others to be generous as well. When you're there for other people, they in turn will try to be there for you, and that attitude spreads about like a "good infection"!" 

Twilight: "I always wondered why Princess Celestia and Luna got to be rulers. And truth be told, I think it's based solely on their merits, and that a good leader has to prove themselves. They were capable of raising  the sun and moon, they defeated Discord and Tirek the first time, they exiled King Sombra from the Crystal Empire. Doing all that, why wouldn't Equestrians say "We want you in charge"? So we all drew up a Constitution and the two became our monarchs. I know that kind of sounds like "whoever beats up the most bad guys" is the basis for how we decide who gets to be in charge, but...okay, maybe it sort of is...um...it's complicated." 

Spike: "Well, dragons kind of base leadership on pure strength and stuff. I don't like that. I don't think a leader should be a bully. A leader should be somebody that makes the hard decisions and takes responsibility. Even if it means you've messed up. And believe me. I would know. 

Princess Luna: I, um...well...I was kind of jealous about not being appreciated as a leader myself. So I may be biased when it comes to this. Are you sure I should talk about this sort of thing?

Princess Celestia: I've noticed you've collected a large variety of answers, and the true answer lies in the story of the fable of the elephant and the blind ponies. Five different ponies all found an elephant and felt up different parts of its body, all saying the elephant was like a tree trunk or a snake or the like. All were partially right! But all were still in the wrong. And therein is the true answer. All of my little ponies and my dear Spike, they've all partially got the right ideas, but they're not all completely right. A true leader has to be both authoritarian and compassionate, capable of leading the people yet knowing when to acquiesce to them. They have to be generous, but also harsh at times. They have to be intelligent and logical, yet be able to truly feel for their people when it most counts. A leader must be, in many ways, a paradox, a constant conflict of emotions and states. But we ponies are like that. We're not all one thing all the time, after all. And is that so bad? 

Spike: HONESTLY, I think alicorns make the best leaders. I mean, they can do magic and fly. Two for one. That's good enough, right? I think. And I've never heard of a lousy alicorn leader.