When future generations look in their history texts, and ask "Where did it all change? What twisted the face of Equestria from the agrarian utopia it once was and into the industrial empire it has been for decades?" we will not have the answer. After all, Equestria was peaceful (relatively) for nigh upon a thousand years. There was the possibility that it had been inevitable—progress marches on, after all. "But still," they will insist. "There had to be some tiny thing, something that changed!"

One night, one very late night, Tinkertoy Smith arrived in Canterlot by train.

This is the flagship story for the Sparkyverse, an alternate universe Steampunk version of MLP: FiM. It is not necessary to read this before reading the others, but it will likely help explain some of the weirdness of that universe. (But, for simplicity, think Dishonored with Ponies.)