The Book Of Friendship

Chapters

The Alicorn Empire
Oceana And Seaquestria
Letters Between Sisters I
Omnipotence's Friends
Alicorn Recipes
Plum Loco Cocoa (Ft. The Great And Powerful Trixie)
More Alicorn Recipes: Cocoa Beetles
Still More Alicorn Recipes: The Cursed Sandwich
The Song Of Equestria (Ft. Songbird Serenade)
The Twenty Kingdoms (Ft. Treecicle)
The First Friendship Test
Alternative Means For Settling A Dispute
The Secrets Of Mane Magic
Arcanichalcum
Surprise's Super Spectacular Party Guide (Ft. Surprise)
Letters Between Sisters III
The Tremors Of Saddle Arabia
The Lost Alicorn Empire Time Capsule
The Museum Of The Alicorn Empire
Letters Between Sisters V
Mane Magic II (Ft. The Great And Powerful Trixie)
The Storm Kingdom
The Lightning Empress
The Demons Of Eclipsa (Ft. Treecicle)
Letters Between Sisters VI
Letters Between Sisters VII
The Rules Of Popularity (Ft. Popularity)
Letters Between Sisters VIII
Eclipsa's Kung Fu Academy
The Goddess Complex (Beginning Of The Age Of The Goddess)
The Sword Maketh Mare (Ft. Artemis)
The Pony Who Loved The Ocean (Ft. Oceana)
The Great Alicorn City
Letters Between Sisters IX
Surprise's Surprise Sweets N Treats Guide (Ft. Surprise)
Friendship Quest I: The Quest Begins
Friendship Quest II: The Stonesaw Mines
Friendship Quest III: Welcome To Freshport
Friendship Quest IV: Across The Dernam Sea
Friendship Quest V: Manoa Prison Hole
Friendship Quest VI: Entering The Sandman Desert
Friendship Quest VII: The Doorest Of Fores
Friendship Quest VIII: The Dragon's Temple
Friendship Quest IX: The Secret Hideout
Friendship Quest X: Earth Star Village
Vampirism: Fact or Fiction?
Before Hearths Warming
Eclipsa Day Part I: It Begins
Eclipsa Day Part II: The Opening Festival
Eclipsa Day Part III: The Musical Event
Eclipsa Day Part IV: The Great Feast
Foreword: A Personal Account From Queen Omnipotence and Eclipsa.
To: Omnipotence, From: Oceana
Letters Between Sisters II
Omnipotence And Eclipsa on: How To Resolve Conflict Without Fighting
How Cider Was Invented (Omnipotence And Eclipsa Get Wasted)
Letters Between Sisters IV
Why Unicorns Are Unicorns
Friendship Quest Prolougue:
Letters Between Sisters X

The Alicorn Empire

(The following information was retrieved from The Pre-Equestrian Section of The Canterlot archives by one notable historian, Myth Finder. She later documented what she found, here in this passage. PLEASE DO NOT MISUSE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN ANY WAY. Failure to do so, may result in permanent banning from the Archives.

Thank You.)

"Huh." Starlight said aloud, turning the book over with her magic."I wonder what this was doing under here, then."

Starlight examined the cover of the large white book she had found wedged under a bookshelf, while checking out a few (hundred something) books for Twilight from The Royal Canterlot Archives.

The bright golden lettering on the front, immediately caught her eye. It said one word only: "Hello."

Starlight scrunched her face in confusion as she removed a large note that had been attached to the front of the book. She quickly scanned over it.

Treecicle's Notes: The Alicorn Empire.

The Alicorn Empire was an immensely powerful monarchy that was once the largest body of Equine Kingdoms in our world, entirely made up of Alicorns, including The Goddess, who would go on to create The Earth, Pegasus and Unicorn races of Equestria. For 100,000 years they controlled half of the entire world with no issues.

They were a single, unifying body that controlled and housed the first Equine kingdoms to settle on Concordia. Led by the legendary Alicorn Queen, Omnipotence, The Alicorn Empire was comprised of 20 Alicorn Kingdoms that founded the empire over 800 years after Omnipotence and Eclipsa journeyed to Concordia from their homeworld. Despite her hoof in building the empire, Eclipsa herself had very little to do with it, and instead sanctioned to rule over her own empire, on the other side of the world. But she stayed in touch with her sister the whole time.

The Alicorn Empire was vast, powerful, limitless in resources, wealth and intelligence and was the first step towards Equines calling Concordia home.

So...lets put things into perspective here.

The Alicorn Empire controlled half of the entire world, without issue for over 100,000 years. 100 centuries of absolute power and prosperity over half of the world, and not a single problem for the entire duration of it's existence?!

NO other empire in the history of Equine-kind has ever lasted that long, not even Equestria itself, which has been ruled by Princess Celestia and Luna for at least 1000 years. That much power over one entire half of the world, without being overthrown, or collapsing under it's own weight? That is....beyond amazing.

But HOW did they do it? Well, I did some more research (Which I may or may not have broken into the Canterlot University Museum in the dead of night to retrieve, but....I digress) and I think I may have found out.

First: Literally, the other half of the world was ruled by Eclipsa's Kingdom, which was just as powerful (If not more so in some cases) as The Alicorn Kingdom. If your beloved sister is the ruler of the only other empire that rivals your own...then you don't have much to worry about. Together, they ruled it all.

Second: Queen Omnipotence was the creator and patron saint of the Alicorn race, as well as the first of her species to show friendship to another pony, something that on her homeworld, was unheard of. She was the Celestia of her day....actually, if what I've managed to find out about her is true, then she makes Celestia look like Discord, by today's standards.

And Lastly: GEOGRAPHY. This is the biggest one. The factor that guaranteed The Alicorn Empire absolute power for a hundred thousand years, if not longer still.

So now, let's talk Geography!

The Alicorn Empire consisted of all of where Equestria is today, as well as several island nations and kingdoms. The other half of the world was of course under the rule of Eclipsa. And in between these two empires, smaller nations flourished and grew under alliance with The Alicorns.

And then there's the ocean. A massive body of water, that connected the Alicorn Empire to Eclipsa's Kingdom and allowed the rest of the world, free trade and travel. This kind of influence only strengthened the empire's power. Not only that but their Naval Military also protected and maintained several checkpoints across the seas.

And then there's the heart of the empire: Aliaewah, The Birthplace of The Alicorn Empire, The gleaming spire sitting atop the Great Alicorn City.

Oh, yes they had MANY kingdoms, that dotted what would one day be Equestria, but do you know where Aliaewah was? Where it was that Queen Omnipotence, and her sister would meet? Where the Alicorn Empire's brightest and mightiest would collaborate,and indeed the future and plans of the empire were sculpted?

On top of a cloud.

Thousands of feet above the planet.

From which you need to be an Alicorn to even set hoof on, as well as come back down from. Not even a Pegasus could trot in those sacred grounds.

Yeah, pretty sure nopony's invading that place anytime soon.

Starlight's eyes were wide as dinner plates as she couldn't contain her curiosity and amazement. She had to know more!

With great care, she opened the book to the first page. It was here, that she learned about Queen Omnipotence and her sister Eclipsa: The very first Alicorns to settle on Concordia, and the founders of their entire civilization. She couldn't put it down.

This book, whatever it was clearly held secrets. Secrets that Starlight had never imagined were out there. Things she knew right from the beginning that she would never read in any other book, nor hear about in any museum. These were things nopony in the world knew, except for her and apparently this mysterious author, Treecicle, whoever she was. Starlight tried to check the book out but it wasn't in the archives system, so the librarian simply let Starlight take it. Upon returning to Twilight's castle, Starlight became engrossed in the possibilities the book meant for not just Equestria, but possibly the world.

It was then, that Starlight decided to make it her mission to research and log all the amazing things the book revealed to her as she read through it. So she began keeping a journal.

Oceana And Seaquestria

(Starlight dipped her quill in the fresh ink, and began her first journal entry, scribbling hastily on the parchment.)

What I've read in this...Book Of Friendship, is astonishing to say the least. I was so captivated by it that over 5 hours had gone by before I realized I had stood in that one spot reading without stop. I probably would've slept there had it not been for the librarian coming to escort me out."

I have to keep reading it, and translate its contents so that everypony can discover what I have! But a question still lingers at the back of my mind: why was this hidden away? surely, something as amazing and groundbreaking in our history as The Book of Friendship, would be immortalized in a museum, for all the world to see and learn from. and yet here I find it, stowed away in the forgotten corners of The Archives. It raises so many questions.

Nevertheless, I'm logging the first of my discoveries from the book, here. When Twilight had spoke to me of a far off kingdom of Seaponies, I was...skeptical to be honest. But now that I have read about it in the book, my skepticism is all but vanished.

Starlight's Journal: Seaquestria

Seaquestria (love that name too. Very catchy) is an ancient undersea kingdom that connects to the surface via Mount Aris. Twilight and the rest of her friends had traveled there during the whole Storm King incident (Still VERY glad I had gone back to my old village for a visit, while that was happening) and it was there she encountered the seaponies. and their queen.

Well...it turns out that the Seaponies that Twilight and her friends met, were NOT the Original Seaponies.

Oceana: The Alicorn Who Loved The Sea

The original Seaponies were the subjects of Oceana, a fellow Alicorn and friend of Omnipotence, who fell in love with the sea. So much so, she used her magic to permanently transform herself into the first Seapony. Many other Alicorns shared her love of the ocean, and went with her into the sea, becoming the first Seaponies to found the kingdom of Seaquestria.

Though now the ruler of her own kingdom, Oceana never once wavered in her friendship to Omnipotence, and they stayed in contact constantly. Under her leadership, Seaquestria thrived and prospered, becoming an underwater paradise. As it grew, many more went into the ocean to become part of such an amazing world. It was then that Oceana created The Mother Pearl, a magical pearl imbued with the very spirit of the ocean, that could be used to turn anypony into a Seapony. As well as back to normal.

Can you imagine it? Being able to transform yourself into an entirely different pony race, with just the wave of a hoof? Something like that would change everything! I only hope one day, I'll be able to study such an artifact.

Anyway, it seemed like Seaquestria would grow to become one of the 20 separate Alicorn Kingdoms to found the Alicorn Empire. I've tried to discover anything on the 20 other kingdoms, but I haven't found a thing in the Archives, and even The Book of Friendship itself seems to be keeping it a secret.

Perhaps If I continue to read through it, I'll find out more about them.

For now, there's actually not much left about Seaquestria. The book stops after the Mother Pearl was created, and it doesn't say anything on where they went, or if they're even still around in the ocean somewhere. Which suggests a few things...

One: The Seaquestria that Twilight visited was created by Oceana and The original Seaponies, but they abandoned it for some unknown reason. If that's the case, where could they have gone?

Two: Oceana and her Seaponies are still in the ocean, but have moved on to a New Seaquestria, perhaps to escape some underwater threat they all faced.

Three: The Seaquestria they found is NOT the actual Seaquestria, but perhaps just....part of it?

Urgh! This would be a lot easier if the book just said it somewhere! But I must admit, this whole thing fascinates me to no end. I feel like I'm on the verge of making a groundbreaking historical discovery, that would make even Twilight blush.

But I have to wonder....what did happen to Oceana and the Seaponies? Where did they go? And did anyone else know?

I'll keep at it. For now though, this ends my first (possibly historical) journal entry on The Book of Friendship.

Until my next entry!

Letters Between Sisters I

My Dearest Sister,

You know I love you. But....I have to be honest for a moment.

Just what in the name of the greater gods, convinced you that blowing up an entire section of the Black Skull Islands, to....what was it again? "Build myself a Summer Castle?" And enraging not one, but ALL seven of The Dragon Overlords, by going to their lair and telling them to "Get off Ma Land" before stringing together an entire alphabet of obscenities about their mothers, was in ANY way a rational, let alone sane idea??

What were you thinking!? You know we have tried multiple times to make peace with the dragons! We may be an Empire, but we DO NOT go around declaring entire other nations ours, at the expense of those already settled there. This is our home, dear sister. But we must share it with those others who already made this planet their home.

The Alicorn Empire was built on what I have always believed in, and what nopony else from our homeworld, will ever understand: Friendship.

We must learn to be friends with these creatures. It will be so much better for everypony if we do.

Please, Don't do anything like that again. I have spoken to The Dragon Overlords and they have agreed to let it go, if you apologize for blowing up half their islands and to Lord Cinder about what you said about his mother and the zoo animals (Really, dear sister? Did you have to go that far?)

Please apologize as soon as you can, so we can put all this behind us. Okay?

Love,

Omni

My Dearest Sister,

I will try to refrain from using profanity in this letter, for your sake, as I explain what happened.

Ahem...

So, first off that F@#%ing stupid little C@#t, Cinder was being a total f@#%ing prick. He was all like "Oh, miss Eclipsa! Please forgive my rudeness, but we simply cannot allow you to build this castle of yours on Black Skull Island. It's the sacred birthplace of our ancestors!"or some sh@t like that. So I responded by telling him that his mother...actually, I'd rather not say. I wouldn't want to offend your virgin ears.

But he was asking for it, trust me.

Okay, Okay (I can already feel your pretty purple eyes, judging a hole through me.) I will....ugh, "apologize" for blowing up the islands. But not for Cinder's mother and her perverted antics at the zoo. That's her fault.

And that Cinder motherf@#%er. (Didn't want to build my castle there anyways.)

Love,

Eclipsa

P.S: I know how much this "Friendship" thing means to you, and that you want to share it with everypony. And I respect that. But in my defense, I would like to say this. Dragons are stupid and Cinder is an assh@#e.

P.S.S: You have NO idea how hard it was to hold back on the swearing in this letter. But I did it for you. Your'e welcome.

Omnipotence's Friends

Starlight's Journal: Omnipotence's Friends

Me and Twilight have Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and of course Fluttershy (bless her). But my next entry on The Book Of Friendship is about the friends that Queen Omnipotence had made during her reign. And before, as well.

From what I can gather, it seems that Omnipotence had only ONE friend on her homeplanet, and that was Oceana. This is because friendship didn't even exist until Omnipotence became the only Alicorn on her planet to show kindness and concern for others. Nopony else had ever wanted to share their lives and interests with other Alicorns. She was the first. And she was shunned for it. But then Oceana came along and agreed with her idea, that Alicorns can have friends. And they became the best of friends, because of that idea.

And then when she founded The Alicorn Empire, and Alicorns from her old home came to be apart of it, eventually, that idea would be given form again, and Omnipotence would make five new friends who shared her philosophy of friendship, and they would work so that the whole world would learn what it means.

I've compiled a list with descriptions below of each of Queen Omnipotence's friends. I'm also amazed at the similarities each one shares with Twilight's friends.

First, there is Muse: An Alicorn of virtue and a gifted singer and songwriter. It was she that composed the first Alicorn Song, using her mystical lute. She shares Fluttershy's kindness and gentle nature, as never once did she ever falter in being the kindest of souls to, not just her friends, but all living things, even if they showed no kindness themselves, or even just flat out hated her. Interestingly, she also apparently never spoke, preferring to let her music and songs speak for her.

Second is, Artemis: A powerful and majestic Alicorn, who symbolized the might of The Alicorn Empire's Army, with her trusty bow and arrows. It was her that created the modern sport of archery, and it was said to be impossible for her to miss a shot, even if she tried to. She shares Applejack's virtue of honesty, with her words always being as true as the arrows she fired. She led the Alicorn Empire's Army known as The Lance.

Third, and personally, the most...interesting of the bunch, is Surprise: Surprise was the Pinkie Pie of The Alicorn Empire. That's the simple way to describe her. The original "Party Pony" was always full of joy, cheerfulness and laughter, and worked hard to make sure everypony in The Great Alicorn City had a smile on their face. Un-Surprisingly (Heh. Good one, Starlight) is the fact that Surprise share's Pinkie Pie's Element Of Laughter, and was very possibly the first Element Of Laughter of the time. Also like Pinkie, Surprise apparently worked as both the Alicorn City's Party Planner and a baker at her own sweets shoppe. (...I'm getting nervous now)

Fourth, is the lovely and beautiful Popularity: An Alicorn of refined taste and even more refined beauty, Popularity was said to be the most beautiful Alicorn in The Alicorn Empire. A talented designer and even more talented sorceress, Popularity shared Rarity's generosity, willing to give her time and efforts to helping others who needed her for either her fashion expertise or her magic expertise. (I visualize her as being a more mature combination of Rarity, Twilight and Trixie, for some reason)

Fifth, is of course, Oceana: Oceana was not only Queen Omnipotence's first friend, but also the only Alicorn from her planet to befriend another Alicorn, thus solidifying the idea of Friendship. She fell in love with the sea, but her loyalty to her friends and to The Alicorn Empire never once was put into question. She did everything to maintain both her own kingdom, and her relationship with her dearest friends, of which she had more love in her heart for, then even that of the ocean.

It was the friendships between these mares, that made The Alicorn Empire as powerful as it was. Perhaps If I continue to research the book, I will be able to learn more about them. Maybe we could even adapt the friendship lessons they learned with our own! Imagine taking friendship lessons from the very mare who invented Friendship itself! (Twilight would probably have a panic attack. Unless she paced herself....and used smaller words.....VERY small.)

For now, this ends my next entry on The Book Of Friendship. I can't wait to see what else it can teach me, and I feel I will have quite a story for Twilight when I'm finished....whenever that will be.

Until my next entry!

Alicorn Recipes

(Starlight sat in Twilight's kitchen, and hesitated before she wrote down the title of her next journal entry)

Starlight's Journal: Alicorn Recipes

Okay, so....this next entry will be a little different (As well as possibly disastrous) but I have recently discovered a chapter of The Book Of Friendship that outlined several of The Alicorn Empire's most delicious recipes. Most of them were written in by Queen Omnipotence herself as well as Eclipsa. One in particular, was written by both of them.

Now...I'm no chef. But I'm willing to give some of these a try if nothing for the sake of discovery....and because I am actually really hungry.

So,with that said, let's start with the first recipe!

Recipe I: Sunlight Souffle

By: Queen Omnipotence

Okay...so were off to an interesting start. In addition to being the creator of friendship, and the queen of The alicorn Empire, Omnipotence was also apparently a world class gourmet, because I'm fairly sure I have no hope of making this dish.

But, I'm going to give it a shot.

The ingredients are fairly simple, there's milk, flour, eggs and butter. But then there's a special kind of cheese you need. Twilight does not have this cheese, and I'm fairly sure nopony else in Equestria has it either.

So...I'll be back once I have everything.

(Starlight returns 4 hours later, covered in bruises, scratches and jungle vines with bits of leaves)

Okay, so I'm back...and alive! (Barely)

I found the cheese, but...don't go looking for it. Just don't. (Were only at the first recipe and I've already risked my life for cheese...great.)

I've prepped the oven and mixed the ingredients, following all the careful steps laid out for me by Omnipotence's guiding hooves. All that's left is to bake it, hope it doesn't fall or explode, then....eat it.

While the souffle cooks, I'll write down what Omnipotence has to say about it in the description of the recipe:

"The brilliance of the sun and the exquisite flavor of this souffle is one of the greatest treasures of The Alicorn Empire. I hope you enjoy it!"

Huh. That actually sounds encouraging. I'm slightly less worried now.

(45 Minutes later, the timer on Twilight's oven emits a loud ding, signaling the souffle is done)

Okay, so I've eaten a bite...and it's very good. I honestly thought it would turn out pretty bad, but it turned out fine.

While I eat this, I'll go into more detail on the recipes put into the book, and why.

The Sunlight Souffle was The alicorn Empire's most famous dish, if not the official food of the empire. Omnipotence listed down the recipe in the book for the purpose of future generations learning how to make it themselves.

The next recipe the book lists, is a festive drink, meant to be enjoyed around Hearth's Warming. But for now, I'll make it as yet another experiment for the sake of discovery.

And with that, I think I'll end my entry here for today, as I am far too tired (and covered in flour)to keep cooking today. I'll sign off here, but I'll continue with the next recipe tomorrow.

Until, my next entry!

(As soon as Starlight writes her sign off, she leaves the kitchen and immediately falls asleep on Twilight's couch, collapsing in a small cloud of flour, which spreads throughout the air and onto the floor.)

Plum Loco Cocoa (Ft. The Great And Powerful Trixie)

(The next day, Starlight dips her quill in the ink and writes down the title of her next journal entry, while Trixie watches from the table beside her. They are both in Twilight's kitchen)

(Trixie yawns as she lays her head down on the table. She asks Starlight "So...why am I here again?")

(Starlight looks over at her with a smile. "Because, this next recipe is meant to be shared between friends. Plus, you were the one who was dying to see this Book Of Friendship after I told you about it.")

(Trixie looks defensive. "Okay, so I may have said that, but I didn't think I would have to sit here and just watch you write things! I want to write something too, If I'm apart of all this now!")

(Starlight rolls her eyes as she grins. "Fine.")

Starlight's Journal: Plum Loco Cocoa

Okay, so this next recipe will involve me and my best friend Trixie-

(Trixie's quill appears from nowhere as it hastily scribbles underneath Starlight's words, in dark blue ink)

That's, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE, Starlight.

Ugh, right, The Great And Powerful Trixie....to help me prepare this next recipe which is listed in the book as:

Recipe II: Plum Loco Cocoa

By: Queen Omnipotence and Eclipsa

According to the book, Plum Loco Cocoa is a smooth, thick, richly purple hot drink, that gives off a delicious smell of chocolate and plums. It's meant to be enjoyed with friends around Hearth's Warming, when its cold and snowing outside.

But today, were going to make and enjoy some when its about....I wanna say, 75 degrees out. Makes sense.

(Starlight sets the quill down and turns to Trixie to list off the recipe for Plum Loco Cocoa. Trixie ignores her as she takes her own quill and just copies the recipe from the book into Starlight's journal. Starlight watches in surprise as Trixie writes)

Ingredients

1-4 plums (chopped)
3/4 cups white sugar
3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup boiling water
1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
3 1/2 cups milk
A pinch of cinnamon

(Starlight politely questions her. "Um...what are you doing?")

(Trixie simply shrugs. "I'm writing down the recipe...duh!")

(Starlight raises an eyebrow. "But you can't just copy down the recipe from the book!")

(Trixie looks at her confused. "Well how is anypony else going to know how to make it?)

(Starlight sighs. "We are just testing the recipe itself, not writing a cookbook!")

(Trixie sets her quill down and gives Starlight a clever look. "Then how will we be able to sustain the ancient and long lost customs of The Alicorn Empire, by keeping a record of their recipes so that those who read your journal about your discovery, will be able to recreate that splendor of cuisine that the Alicorns did over 100,000 years ago, and perhaps even be inspired to create their own takes on them?")

(Starlight stares at Trixie with awestruck eyes."Umm....okay, fine. Sure.")

(Trixie smiles, satisfied, as she finishes writing down the recipe.)

Combine the cocoa and sugar in a saucepan. Mix in boiling water, and stir. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk, cinnamon and chopped plums and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Divide between 4 mugs. You can add cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

(Starlight sighs as she writes down below the completed recipe)

Okay, so...there's the recipe I guess. If you want it.

Now we just have to make it!

(Starlight and Trixie follow the recipe to make the drink. When its done they pour some into mugs, let it cool then drink)

Huh. It's a bit too rich for my tastes, but it's still REALLY good.

(Starlight asks what Trixie thought of it, but Trixie ignores her as she continues to drink her cocoa, completely entranced by it's deliciousness.)

Uh...okay. Well, I'd say that's a good place to stop for right now. I might check into more of these recipes a little later one, but for now...

Until my-

Our.

...Our, next entry!

More Alicorn Recipes: Cocoa Beetles

(Starlight and Trixie are once again in Twilight's kitchen, as Starlight writes down the title of her next entry)

Starlight's Journal: Cocoa Beetles

Okay so, today we are doing another recipe from the book, this one being a recipe Eclipsa created....so naturally both me and Trixie are terrified, but we'll at least give it a shot.

(Trixie looks a little nervous now, as she writes down the recipe from the book)

Ingredients

1 pack of light cocoa candy melts
1 pack of dark cocoa candy melts
1/2 cup Cocoa krispies
Strawberry pop rocks (optional)
Eclipsa's Mark (Required)
Candy Egg molds

(Trixie scratches her head. "What's an Eclipsa's Mark?" she asks)

(Starlight double checks the recipe and raises an eyebrow. "Uhh...I'm not sure. It has to be an ingredient of some kind, right? Maybe some kind of fruit?" she wonders.)

("So...how can we make these, then? It says it's required." Trixie says reading off the recipe again.)

(Starlight is unsure, but has an idea. "Maybe the book has something on it?" she ponders)

(They flip through the book, looking for some explanation as to what Eclipsa's Mark could be. However the only thing they find is a small hastily scribbled note on an empty page. It says:

Eclipsa's cutie mark is NOT a cutie mark. It is HER mark. And it has power. Where as Omnipotence created and gifted her own cutie mark to allow her to raise the sun, Eclipsa's Mark is extremely special. There is no other brand like it, and she has always had it. It has no special talent or purpose, other than to channel her magic to a certain focused point.

Branding or even just drawing her mark anywhere will activate its power, which can potentially be very dangerous, as it seems to be just as erratic and chaotic as Eclipsa herself. If not handled properly, the Mark will simply "do what it wants" regardless of science, magic or the laws of whichever universe its in. According to Eclipsa, she made it so her mark can only be put in the world up to eight times. Afterwards, the mark can no longer be drawn or branded anywhere till one of the existing ones is gone.

(The note is signed Zhukov.Below it is a drawing of what Eclipsa's Mark actually is.)

(Starlight and Trixie exchange glances, both seeming unsure of what to do.)

(Starlight breaks the tension. "I mean...it's obviously dangerous, right?"

("Yeah, but it's magic. You can handle magic right?" Trixie asks)

("Yeah, but...this is Eclipsa's magic. And shes basically completely insane!")

(Trixie shrugs. "I say we give it a shot. All we have to do is draw this *she gestures to the mark drawn on the note* somewhere on these cocoa beetles...I think.")

(Starlight is still nervous, but nonetheless, they both decide to try it. Worst case scenario, they go get Twilight. Worse then worse case, they go get Celestia and Luna. Any worse then that, they go get Discord.)

First step, Melt the light cocoa melts in a small bowl on a stovetop, stirring between every 30 second long heating.

(Starlight and Trixie melt the cocoa melts, with Starlight continuing to stir every 30 seconds. Trixie reads the next part of the recipe.)

Second step: Once melted, pour it into candy egg molds, filling each about half way. Next add a small amount of cocoa krispies to each mold, then add the Eclipsa Mark into each mold as well. Carefully stir them into the melted chocolate, and top them off with another layer of chocolate.

(Trixie carefully traces the mark drawn on the note on an un-melted chocolate mold in thin white icing. As soon as she does so, a strange presence is felt in the room, that causes Trixie to look quickly behind her. But nopony is there. She does the same thing for the rest of the chocolate molds and both her and Starlight can feel a mysterious power working its way through the area. They both try to ignore it as Starlight reads of the next step.)

Third step, Make sure all of them are evenly coated before smoothing them out with a few solid taps on the table and into the freezer they go!

(Starlight does so, and they wait for the chocolate to harden. The strange presence is no longer felt, but both Starlight and Trixie's horns stir as they feel the same mysterious power grow stronger and stronger. They both think they may have made a mistake.)

Fourth step, Once they are fully hardened, pop them out of the molds and wait.

(Starlight and Trixie take the molds out of the freezer and set them on the counter. At once the mysterious power is gone and they look around for any strange activity. But they see nothing. Then they wait.)

After 30 seconds, Trixie's ear perks up as she hears a soft cracking sound. She looks down to see that the chocolate molds are stirring and twitching. She leans in to get a closer look when all of a sudden they sprout little antennae, legs and glossy wings, and began flying around. Trixie screams and falls of her chair, as Starlight only looks at them in complete amazement. As Trixie covers her head with her hooves, Starlight returns to the recipe and reads the final step.)

Lastly, In about 30 seconds or so, each egg will sprout into little chocolate beetles with legs, antennae and wings. Be sure to catch them before they fly away and trap them in a candy box, which is also inscribed with the Eclipsa Mark. (to keep them from trying to escape.) Next bite into one and enjoy, as it wriggles around in your hoof, still barely alive!

(Starlight laughs, as she is absolutely amazed at the level of magic she had just witnessed. "T-This...this is unbelievable!" she cries. "This is more advanced magic then ANYTHING I've ever read about, let alone actually seen!" She exclaims excitedly, as she tries and fails to catch one of the cocoa beetles. "I don't even think Star Swirl could do something like this!")

(Trixie is less then excited and simply cries out for Starlight to make them go away.)

(Starlight follows the last step, taking a spare candy box and catching all the beetles with her magic inside of it. The Box buzzes and hums as the beetles try to escape. Then Starlight remembers the most important step, as she draws another Eclipsa Mark on the box. Instantly, the box is still and quiet. Starlight is at a loss for words.)

(She glances at the description for the recipe left by Eclipsa in the book, while Trixie gets up off the floor and straightens her hat)

Description: "Regular chocolates always bored me. They're just too....normal. But these are so much better in my opinion. Its always fun to bite off their heads and watch them squirm around, before they finally die. Then you eat the rest of em! Enjoy!"

- Eclipsa

Still More Alicorn Recipes: The Cursed Sandwich

(Starlight seems very excited for this next recipe. Where as Trixie looks like she would rather be at her carriage. Under her blankets. Under her bed. With all the doors and windows locked.)

Starlight's Journal: The Cursed Sandwich

For the longest time, I thought of names like Clover The Clever, Cosmic Wonder, Gallopeio and Star Swirl The Bearded when I thought of the ultimate masters of magical knowledge and ability....but now, there's a new name to add to that list.

This whole time, I've thought of Eclipsa to be a chaotic, impulsive and violent lunatic, with just as much common sense as a breezy who thinks he can arm wrestle an Ursa Major. But now, I see what she really is deep down.

Eclipsa may have been a little out there, but she was also a genius! I mean, magic that can turn a few chocolate molds into living chocolate beetles? And all by drawing just a single mark, a mark that she created, herself?! I have never seen such powerful and advanced magic in my entire life.

Whatever Eclipsa's Mark is, it definitely warrants more study, with caution being exercised at all times of course.

Which is why we are trying another of Eclipsa's Recipes, that uses her mark, this one being for something called The Cursed Sandwich. From what I've read, it seems to be just a normal sandwich, but apparently if you fail to put the Eclipsa Mark in there, you will be cursed with bad luck upon eating the sandwich. Sounds tricky, but we can give it a shot. Odds are, we aren't going to be eating it ourselves, as it uses meat as a primary ingredient. But we'll figure something out.

(Trixie copies the recipe into the journal, while Starlight prepares the ingredients they had gotten before hand.)

Ingredients

Sliced ham
1/2 pound of ground beef
1/3rd cup of bread crumbs
1 Egg
salt and pepper
1/3 cup BBQ sauce
1 clove minced garlic
2 cups marinara sauce
1 large white bread sub sandwich bun
Eclipsa's Mark (Required to prevent Curse)

(Trixie is nervous about using another Eclipsa Mark, after the insane things she saw it was capable of doing. She compares the thing to Discord, in that it seemingly acts its own will upon the world, and the world simply obeys without explanation or reasoning. But she goes a step further, saying that the mark doesn't even obey the natural laws of magic in itself. Trixie is very clearly scared about it, but Starlight calms her down, saying this is the last time that they will be using it for anything. They can simply research more on it either from the book, or if possible, track down Treecicle (The author who left the note on the Book Of Friendship in the first place, when Starlight had first found it) and see what she knows about Eclipsa's Mark. Or even Eclipsa herself.)

(Trixie feels a bit better and decides to help her with this last recipe using the mark.)

First step, Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, BBQ sauce and salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix well by hand. Form balls a little larger then ping pong balls. Set in fridge for 10 minutes.

(Starlight does so, setting each meatball on a tray and putting them in the freezer.)

Fill pot with oil and heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry the meatballs until they are fully browned. Take the meat balls out of the pot and throw into an oven at 400 degrees for an additional 5 minutes.

(Starlight does so. The meatballs cook as the smell of cooking meat fills the kitchen. Trixie and Starlight both admit it smells amazing.)

Third, Slice the bread in half. Add marinara sauce to the base of the bottom half of the bread. Add the slices of ham. Top the ham with meatballs.

(The two mares prepare the sandwich, following the last few steps as instructed.)

Finally, Wear Eclipsa's mark somewhere on your body, before eating otherwise you WILL be cursed instantly. Enjoy!

(Starlight and Trixie both discuss that they should take the sandwich to Griffonstone, to see if any of the Griffins would like to try the sandwich. They make a charm necklace of Eclipsa's Mark to be worn while it's eaten, then head out.)

Description: "The term, 'To Die For', has been tossed around ALOT over the millennia. Well...now I've made a sandwich that will literally kill you if you eat it wrong. Your welcome :3"

Eclipsa

The Song Of Equestria (Ft. Songbird Serenade)

(Starlight puts in a few last minute calculations into the large recording device-like machine then turns it on)

Starlight: Hello?...Testing. Test, test.....cinnamon rolls are my favorite dessert.

Trixie: They are?

Starlight: I'm just making sure Twilight's machine works. Wait... yes! It works! Now we can just discuss what we find in the book, and this machine will turn our words into written words in the journal for us!

Trixie: How does THAT work?

Starlight: I dunno....magic?

Trixie: Wait...shouldn't we have waited to turn it on till we were ready to talk about the book?

Songbird: Does my voice show up too?....oh, cool! How does it know whose who, though?

Starlight:....magic.

Songbird: *Chuckles* A'right then.

Starlight: Okay, let's start over. *Ahem*.....Hello and welcome to my next entry in my, now voice written, journal regarding The Book Of Friendship and it's contents. I am Starlight Glimmer, but I would hope you've read my previous entries and knew that already.

Trixie: And I....Am THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, Trixie! *Several fireworks go off*

Starlight: *coughs* and *cough* we are joined today by the lovely and famous pony pop star, Songbird Serenade, who will be helping us analyze the latest chapter of The Book Of Friendship, that talks about something called The Song Of Equestria. Neither me, nor Trixie know anything about this, but our friend Songbird, does! So...let's get started.

Starlight's Journal: The Song Of Equestria

Starlight: Alright, so first off, welcome Ms. Songbird, and thanks for coming to discuss this with us!

Songbird: No worries. Glad to be here!

Starlight: Awesome! So tell us...what is The Song Of Equestria?

Songbird: The Song Of Equestria was apparently the very first song ever created in the world. I mean, the first REAL song, the first to carry in it all of the heart, the soul, the joy and the kindness inside a pony. The one that inspired music, to basically become what it is today. It was said to have the power to inspire all, and undo any evil...least that's what the stories say. I was just a filly, when my mom told me about it. But I've never forgotten about it.

Trixie: So...how come none of that's in the book? It just says the title and nothing else!

Songbird: Because it's not something that you can put into words. You have to hear music, FEEL it. I guess that applies to the Song Of Equestria. You have to hear it, to understand it.

Starlight: Do you know it?

Songbird: Nope. Nopony does. It was lost a really long time ago. But what it contributed to music is unparalleled. There probably wouldn't even be music if not for that one song.

Trixie: Great, but how do we discuss anything about a song nopony knows?!

Starlight: Well, we know it was written by Muse, an Alicorn musician. Do you know anything about her, Ms. Serenade?

Songbird: Hmmm...yes, but not much. I know she apparently never talked.

Starlight: Do you know why?

Songbird: This might sound weird, but....I think she was too smart to talk.

Trixie: Too smart to talk? What is that supposed to mean?

Songbird: Well....think about it. She wrote the first song in history. On her own she decided to use her gifts of music and singing and created a song with them. Something nopony else ever thought of doing, before her! That's pretty bucking smart...if you'll excuse my language.

Starlight: I suppose that makes sense. The book also says she was kind beyond reproach, which is why in my entry I compared her to Fluttershy.

Songbird: She had this way with, well...everyone. No matter who you were you couldn't help but respect her. You lay your coat on the ground for her to walk on, and she would go out and buy you a new coat, along with cleaning and steam pressing your old one.

Trixie: Huh. I don't see Fluttershy doing that.

Starlight: Trixie, be nice.

Trixie: Like Fluttershy or Muse?

Starlight: Both. Do you know who would know about The Song Of Equestria, Ms. Serenade?

Songbird: Honestly, I would say the only pony who would really know is Muse, herself. But even if she's alive, which is unlikely given how she would be over 100,000 years old, and you managed to find her...it's not like she would have much to say.

Starlight: Good point.

Songbird: But then again....I suppose the celestial princesses might know about it. I don't think they were even alive back then but they may have heard it somewhere when they were fillies. It's worth a shot.

Starlight: Hmmm...alright. Let's go see if they ever heard anything about it.

Trixie: Actually, I think I know someone else who might know, Starlight.

Starlight: Really? Who?

Trixie: You won't like it.

Starlight: Trixie, this is groundbreaking discoveries were making here! I could care less if I like it or not.

Trixie:....Discord.

Starlight:....No. No way.

Trixie: C'mon, Starlight! He's the most ancient being we know of, even more then the princesses! For all we know, he was around when Muse actually wrote the song! He would know better then anypony. And you know it.

Starlight: Ughh...you're right, I do know it.

Trixie: Buuut?

Starlight: I don't like it.

Trixie: Told ya.

(Entry ends abruptly)

The Twenty Kingdoms (Ft. Treecicle)

Treecicle's Notes: The Twenty Founding Kingdoms of The Alicorn Empire

When Omnipotence and Eclipsa first landed on Concordia, they ran into several already existing kingdoms, that would eventually combine their resources and go on to help Omnipotence and Eclipsa found The Alicorn Empire. Through helping and or befriending each kingdom, Omnipotence and Eclipsa gained favor with all twenty of the following provinces, and it was this alliance that would lead to the founding of the Alicorn Empire.

The Twenty Kingdoms

20.) Draconeqqusland: The Draconeqqi, were always in their own world. Literally. Draconeqqusland existed on the opposite side of our reality. A confusing, chaotic mess of nonsense and failing logic, but it was still home to the odd and out of place (in every sense of the word) Draconeqqi. It's thought that this place and its' terrifyingly powerful magic is what gives Discord his insane powers. Although, it begs the question, of what happened to the other Draconeqqi?

19.) The Crystal Empire: A magnificent and flourishing kingdom, that was ruled by the might Cyrstal KIng, a noble alicorn stallion who had left homeworld eons before Omnipotence and Eclipsa did. The empire was known for keeping it's borders open but secured, and anypony who wished to enter was more then welcome. Omnipotence allied with them after she saved a group of their soldiers from a terrfying Ursa Mega attack. (Think Ursa Major. But bigger. And Meaner.)

18.) Saddle Arabia: A quaint desert oasis in the sands to the east. Saddle Arabia was known for its citizens being, not ponies, nor alicorns....but horses. Taller and stronger then any pony, and with more defined features. They were proud and unwelcoming to visitors, preferring to live in theri desert oasis in peace. It was Omnipotence and Eclipsa that finally convicned them to open their borders, when Omni found she finds fezzes to be incredibly funny.

17.) Seaquestria: It would be 800 years till Oceana would become the first seapony and found the kingdom of Seaquestria, which was already allied with Omnipotence and Eclipsa.

16.) The Storm Kingdom: An extremely advanced military nation, ruled by a power mad storm beast, with aspirations of dominating everything, destroying Omnipotence's growing kingdom. After his defeat at the hooves of Omnipotence and Sacanas, she became the new Storm Queen and allied herself and the storm kingdom with Omnipotence and Eclipsa.

15.) The Eastern Unicorn Tribe: A peaceful valley to the east, of the very first unicorns. This tribe is famous for one day being the home of the legendary Mistmane. The land was ruled by an emperor obsessed with beauty, to the point where he was blinded at the state of his kingdom. It was Eclipsa that finally knocked some sense into him (Literally.)

14.) Pony Shire: A very quaint and small village that would one day be called Ponyville. Omnipotence aided the small village by helping them grow their crops, and they allied themselves to the sisters.

13.) Black Mountain Kingdom: A large scale mining kingdom, famous for its mining and shipping of precious gems and jewels harvested from the earth. However, it was also famous for it's extremely greedy and thieving citizens. On a visit to the kingdom,one thief made the very bad decision of trying to steal from Eclipsa. They changed their tune rather quickly after that.

12.) Fondue Kingdom: A festive kingdom, known for their jovial lifestyle, parties and music. While on vacation there, Omnipotence and Eclipsa saved it from an encroaching demon attack from The Hated Gates.

11.) Plum Kingdom: A dark and spooky kingdom of earth ponies, known for it's haunted house horror movie-esque atmosphere and overall Nightmare Night every night, feeling. Omnipotence and Eclipsa saved the kingdom from an ancient curse.

10.) Platinum Kingdom: Popularity's home, is an extremely regal high society kingdom, full of immense class and wealth. Popularity befriended Omnipotence and Eclipsa, when they visited the kingdom to help solve the mystery of their king who had mysteriously vanished from his palace.

9.) Chocolate Kingdom: An entire kingdom, where everything but its citizens is chocolate! Saved from an invasion of the Storm Kingdom's military by Omnipotence and Eclipsa.

8.) Science Kingdom: The most advanced kingdom of super genius unicorns that there has ever been, known for completely disregarding magic to focus on the pursuits of science. Famous for being the home of Clover The Clever's ancestors. Saved by Omnipotence from a horrifying dimension eater unleashed by a mad scientist.

7.) Flower Kingdom: A lavish kingdom of earth ponies, so in tuned with nature, they were able to manipulate the plants and trees to their wills. Allied with Omnipotence after she saved their most precious treasure, The Flower Of Eternity, from thieves.

6.) Juice Kingdom: A seaside kingdom known for its thousands of fruit trees and rivers and lakes of juice, as well as juice rain. Saved by Omnipotence, Eclipsa and Oceana from a massive seamonster attack.

5.) Cake Kingdom: A cloud kingdom of pegasus bakers. Their mayor was saved from a gang of sky pirates by Eclipsa.

4.) Snow Kingdom: The neighboring kingdom of The Storm Kingdom. Always capped with snow, and filled with gleaming ice spires and cities of snow and ice. Their queen was saved by Omnipotence and Sacanas from the clutches of The Storm Lord.

3.) Cheese Kingdom: A massive kingdom of cheese making earth ponies, inside of a massive cheese wheel. Saved from a swarm of Parasprites by Omnipotence.

2.) Nuts Kingdom: A kingdom of all things nuts and hundreds of nut farms, ruled by a Duchess Of Nuts. The Duchess bonded with Eclipsa over tea.

1.) Shadow Kingdom: Nothing is known about The Shadow Kingdom, nor why they allied themselves with Omnipotence. But what is known is the fact they were the last kingdom to ally with Omnipotence before the founding of The Alicorn Empire.

The First Friendship Test

Created, Completed, Edited, Fine tuned and Tested by: Omnipotence, Muse, Surprise, Artemis, Popularity and Oceana

Supervised by: Eclipsa

Introduction

Hello, my esteemed subjects! And welcome to the first ever Friendship test, a specialized written test that will compile, analyze and score your overall ability to exercise friendship and what you can learn from it. This test was created by me and my friends, over weeks of study, proofreading, testing and application of each....Friendship Lesson, into modern Alicorn/ any other society. It's not perfect by any means, but it serves more to teach then to judge with scores.

Please read the following questions and answer each one honestly. Each question partakes to a certain aspect of friendship, that me and my friends all share and represent, and as such they themselves have written their own question on this test. Have fun!

Aspect I: Generosity

Your friend asks you to share with them your most prized possession. It means the world to you. Will you share it with them?