Life is a domino effect even if we don't know it. A build up of events where a single dominoe toppled will lead to a massive spill that can be both tiresome and disastrous.
Without the School of Friendship, a lot of things can turn out to be very different. Especially when Princess Twilight succeeds Equestria as a important figure a lot sooner than expected.
An experimental entry in the Lateverse
That is one very, pretty, Golly.