An Alternate Universe where Canterlot city is part of an Exclusion Zone designated after an Magical disaster of cataclysmic proportions ripped through the city and the surrounding area (and as far as the coastline). The nature of said disaster not being well known but being described as "The Gateway to Equestria blowing wide open and Equestrian magic surging through like a torrent of water after a Dam breach.".

What can only be said about the state of the environment after the disaster, one described it as being "fucked up beyond comprehension". some plant life in the zone had become altered. Several examples of affected plant life being multicolored apples that grew from trees resembling storm clouds that cave off a rainbow aura and blue flowers that mutated any unaffected beings that touched them. A large portion of the forest were camp everfree is situated has become infested with dangerous and hostile plant life and fauna, though despite this a community made up of "mutated" humans sprouting deer-like features lives at the site of the former summer camp (having been renamed as the settlement of thicket according to it's inhabitants). Some geologic anomalies include an area of the city that had been uplifted and mysteriously floats in the sky. It is currently inhabited by a group sprouting both avian and equine features.

Power, water and other amenities and services were cut off in response to the formation of the zone. However, the population remains quarantined inside the zone as the torrent of magic gave them unusual powers as well as equine or other animal features such as horse ears wings or tails. and in one case, both of a girl's (lyra) arms became the forelegs of a horse. other deformities observed is a single straight horn protruding from the forehead and certain people were observed to have sprouted canine features or an odd blend of avian features on the upper part of their bodies while the lower part of their bodies sprouted feline features. It's also been observed that animal life has been affected too. Dogs, specifically. As they have grown to monstrous size, spew fire and exhibit reptilian features.

As a result of the cutoffs and the damage to infrastructure by the disaster, society in the city and the surrounding area has mostly broken down and collapsed, with various groups and factions forming in it's wake. Some of them being based around certain groups with specific powers or deformities.

Some examples of factions as follows:

- Diamond Dogs -Faction of scavengers. made up of humans sprouting canine features. often seen as roving gangs but haved based themselves over at an old quarry.

- Canterlot - located within the abandoned husk of Canterlot High. Ruled over by self proclaimed "princess" and former principal Celestia and her sister Luna. Perception of night and day cycles is different in their territory.

- The Crystal Empire - Occupies the Abandoned Crystal Prep Academy. Ruled over by self proclaimed "Empress" Cadence.

- Thicket - Secluded community of Humans with deer-like features. Led by self proclaimed, king aspen. Have the bility to control the plant life around them. Occupy former Camp Everfree.

- Kirin's Grove - Neutral Faction. tend to be peaceful, but can turn violent and transform into monstrous beings if wronged. Occupy former Chinatown District. lead by self-proclaimed "queen" Rain Shine.

- Griffonstone - Faction occupied by humans with a strange blend of avian features on the upper half feline features on their bottom half. Suffers from constant power struggles.

- Hippogriffia. Settlement and faction situated along the coastline. Ruled over by self proclaimed "queen" Novo.

- cloudsdale - Faction of humans sprouting predominantly equine features and bird wings. occupy a part of town that had mysteriously uplifted and floats above the ground unexplainably.

The incident was however, big enough for the Us governemnt to take notice. They were the ones responsible for setting up the quarantine and establishing the exclusion for the reasons of keeping the magical phenomena contained and to study Equestrian magic. From time to time, Supplies are dropped over the region for the inhabitants living in the affected area.

Don't look at this as being similar to fallout or the MLP AU, Fallout Equestia. This is meant to be based more around the Chernobyl Exclusion zone and the S.T.A.L.K.E.R videogames as well as it's inspiration, the book,"Roadside Picnic" as there are now equestrian artifacts and anomalies scattered throughout the zone as a result of the disaster. and also expect a lot people running around in hoodies, balaclavas, smgs and gasmasks.

pretty much, what happened here is a chernobyl-esque, post-apocalyptic scenario where instead of leaking into the human world, Equestria's magic and essence surged through in torrents.

*cue melancholic russian guitar song