Week 1
September 19, 999 A.N
Dear journal,
I have decided to keep a journal for my final year at Princess Celesta's School for Gifted Unicorns. It only seems right to, after all, I'm going for my Masters in historical studies. For anypony of the future who finds this; please enjoy a glimpse in my life. If anypony else finds it give it back!
Sad news for my first entry. Snort, my dragon friend left today; he felt it was time to live with his family. His brother came and picked him up, since it would be a few years for his wings to grow in. I haven't met a more different dragon! While Snort was a little grouchy and contemplative, his brother on the other hoof was cheerful and talkative. He spent the few hours he had telling me his entire family line! And me with out my quill...
All good things come to an end soon though- Snort and I said goodbye for the final time. He gave me a very touching gift, a pendent made from his egg shell when he hatched. I had a gift for him as well, a journal matching my new one. He snorted (how else would he get his name) but seemed very touched. I'll miss the little lemon.
P.S.: Snort if you’re the one reading this in a century; Sorry!
September 21, 999 A.N.
Dear journal,
Today I met the most amazing mare. Her name is Twilight Sparkle. I went to the library to study and there she was, books piled about like a fort. She had an almost ravenous appetite for books; history, art, magic and I think I saw a copy of obscure unicorn history. My favorite.
I spent the next few hours trying to get her attention. No Luck. I did however get the attention of her dragon assistant Spike, who was asleep under a pile of books. He told me that it's impossible to talk to her when she was "in the zone". I asked him about her, he told me she was hoof selected by Princess Celestia herself! So, she's the one I kept hearing about!
Spike was very friendly and quick witted. I realized how much I missed Snort when I talk to spike but I look forward to speaking to the both of them again.
September 22, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
History Buff joined me in the library today- he's a good colt and my best friend here in Canterlot. I told him all about yesterday. that's when the most wonderful thing happened! Twilight walked right through the door, looking for me!
Spike had told her about me yesterday and she apologized for ignoring me. she said that her studies don't allow for idle chat. Such dedication! Buff didn't seem to be impressed by her, but he's into stallions. So what does he know.
Buff and I went to Pony Joe's after school. where we met up with Splash and Brute. it was a good day. Brute finally popped the question to Splash. Splash asked Buff to be her maid of honour, He agreed. They've planned the wedding for after graduation. Brute may seem scary at first but he has a heart of gold. and is one heck of a singer. Splash takes is in adv magics 101, she has a thing for romance novels.
September 24, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
I met Twilight again, she sad a quick hello and goodbye before heading to her private study. Spike, however was talking to Moon Dancer and her friends, that is until Twilight levitated him up with her
I received a letter from from Snort, he is doing well. He says his wings are starting to grow in now. His mother and father have been instructing him on proper dragon etiquette.Snort hasn't met all of his family yet but there seems to be a Reunion coming up soon His brother sends his regards. I wrote back and made few comments about flying lemons. I also made sure to send a bit of topaz along to let him know I was joking. I look forward to a long and snarky reply.
Class focused on the griffon war today, this is more Buff's area of expertise. He comes from a long line of military ponies his great great great grandfather is is even famous! Sgt. Shine and Buff (a pegasus), he held back a wing of Griffons to give his squad time to teleport to safety. In fact the unicorn in Shines squad was in love with shines daughter and they married shortly after. Although Shine lost his life, he gained a son.
I went to Pony Joe's by myself today buff stayed behind to speak with the professor. I suspect he'll correct her on several points of the lecture.
September 25, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
My funds are running low, even with the scholarship l received. It seems that I'll have to get an after school job. Again. Maybe Pony Joe is hiring? Sure the pay is low but it can't be as bad as my last job. Under water sewer technician. The less said on that the better. Class itself didn't even seem to make me feel better and it was about the statue of victory in the Cantorlot gardens!
In other news, it seems that Brute and Splash had a little tiff about towels of all things and broke off their engagement. Poor Brute he's so depressed he wont eat and Brute loves to eat. Splash hasn't left her dorm-room all day and I heard she didn't go to her advanced magics class either. I give them 3 days before they are back together.
I ran into Spike today he was busy sorting Twilights' reports on her reports and he had just got back from Pony Joe's so the reports were covered in jelly and sprinkles. I helped the poor dragon out, He seem tired. It has nothing to do with my infatuation with Twilight. In fact it seemed Twilight was busy with something called "re-shelving day". This is apperently the day where Twilight reorganizes her bookshelves. I wish I could be so organized. my apartment has one shelf my writing desk.
Week 2
September 28, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
I was right! Three days!
Splash and Brute decided to meet at Pony Joe's ( buff and I helped with that...) Both of them looked at each other and broke down crying and apologizing almost immediately. Splash agreed with us that the whole thing was silly and she forgave him. Brute on the other hoof was grinning ear to ear.
With his appetite returned, he went to order a celebratory snack. Poor Pony Joe. I took that moment to ask Pony Joe if he was hiring, I can start tomorrow!
Since I had no lectures today I decided to go to one of Canterlot’s museums, The Smithponian! I haven't been there since I was a young colt and I'm glad to say that is even better than I remembered. They had an exhibit on Starswirl the bearded. A real scrap of cloth from his cloak next to a replica of the full outfit. the only problem is that they used silver bells instead of brass. Starswirl only wore silver bells on festivals. Most amazing of all was one of his journals. One of the only three ever found! The one on display now mainly consisted of his time tutoring Clover the clever. While not historically important. (it didn't tell us anything we didn't already know.) It did provide insight in to this great pony. In Clovers diary she mentioned that he was a harsh taskmaster and he didn't like fun. While in Starswirl's he was proud of her cleverness but was disappointed by her lack of focus and study.
September 29, 999 A.N.
Dear journal
I started my training at Pony Joe's. His wife Coffee Bean taught me how to make coffee. Coffee is a wonderful drink. Deep. aromatic and delicious. I don't think I could have survived class last year with out it. Coffee Bean was very kind and told me the history of coffee, which is surprisingly interesting! It was first discovered by zebras and used in potions and rituals,.Soon, they gave it to the griffons as a peace offering. The griffons soon began use the stimulant to aid in battle and they mastered its brewing. Even today griffon brewmasters are said to make coffee better then even ponies with coffee cutie marks. During the Equestrian/Griffon peace summit in the nightmare era coffee was served as a peace offering The pony delegates were afraid of the dark concoction. That is until a thirsty pony wandered in to the tent and drank the whole pot in front of everyone. The griffon ambassador was greatly amused by this and made the peace talks easier.
October 1, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
The Annual running of the leaves today, well, in Ponyville. Buff, Splash and Brute ran in this years running of the leaves in Canterlot. A lot of Canterlot ponies journey to Ponyville to watch or race. I had to work that day. I still remember back in Manehatten, my neighbors (former Ponyville residents) would put paper leaves on lampposts. They would invite all the neighborhood children and we would have our very own running of the leaves. After work I found out that Splash had gotten third place.
October 2, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
After school I wound up covering a night-shift at Pony Joe's. I'm used to staying up late. Spike dropped by that night for some donuts for he and twilight. I met a young mare named Candlelight, She was a student here in Canterlot. She had just got off her night job, lighting all the lamps around the school. we spent most of the night talking. She was being tutored in magic by Brass Tacks.
Poor girl, Brass is nice to everyone but her students. Even worse she comes from the same town as Brass, so she can't get away even during school breaks. The rest of the night then passed quickly. At least I got off in time to watch the sunrise.
October 3, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
I slept most of today. Splash and Brute dragged me out of bed to watch Brute's performance in Così fan tutte. I went back to bed but I found that I was wide awake now. So, I went to Pony Joe's, for his sleepers special (a very calming tea.)
When I got there I saw Buff sitting with a handsome pegasus.
When Buff saw me he waved me over. He introduced me to his new friend, well, his friend introduced himself. His name was Captain Jack Harness and despite myself, I found him very charming. It seems Jack was waiting for an earth pony friend named Doctor Whooves. While I was drinking my tea, Jack and Buff began hitting on every mare, stallion and griffon that walked in, all while flirting with each other. I don't think I've ever seen Buff so happy. Oddly, Jack said thank you to me for introducing him to Buff. He must have me confused for somepony else
Authors note: A.N. stands for After Nightmare.
Week 9
November 22, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
I can't believe I fell asleep during to-days lecture. It was on the genealogical history of Consular Pudding Head, leader of the earth pony tribe. It's always nice to hear history about other ponies, rather then ancient spells and wars we usually focus on. I fell asleep somewhere around hearing about his son Flan and woke up around his Great great great great (several greats after) grand daughter Custard, current mayor of Manehatten. The pudding head line has always been a favorite of mine and I slept through it! Luckily the professor had let me look over his notes.
Every descendent of Puddinghead has went on to do something great (albeit in an unorthodox manner). from Flan's plan to rid Equestria of its rat problem. One that left Equestria in a cheese shortage for years..( Although to this day a rat will not enter a ponies home without being invited first). Too Zabaione, the architect who designed most of Canterlots buildings , An interesting note is that smart cookie and her line of decadence always seem to pair up with the pudding heads. I believe to keep them from getting too wild. In fact the mayor of Manehattens assistant (Bright Cookie has often said "My ancestors and I always keep a extinguisher on hoof"
November 23, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
I think I've finally worked up the courage to ask Twilight out. Maybe out for coffee, or to the smithponian or even just coffee at the library.
I met Captain Jack Harness in town today, he treated me like an old friend. but when I asked him about Buff he pretended to not remember him. I quickly reminded him when and where we met, all while he kept fiddling with a bracelet. When I told Buff about it he seemed amused.
November 27, 999 A.N
Dear Journal
I'm sorry for not writing here for the past few days. After the politely cold rejection from Twilight, I just didn't feel like writing anything. work and class ran together in a blur. I vaguely remember yelling at my apartment walls for a day or so. It took all of my friends care and attention (also a well placed hoof to the mouth). During this time Buff said something that I'll always carry with me;
"If you love something let it go. If it comes back, it's yours. If not, then it was not meant to be"
A bit possessive I know but those words helped. So here I am, letting her go. I'll always love her and if she doesn't want me at the moment then I shall respect her wishes. If she asks me tomorrow to move a mountain, I would do it without question. If she finds someone she love's as much as I love her, then I'll wish them a long and happy life.
Week 10
November 30, 999 A.N
Dear Journal
I received another letter from Snort today. He has met with most of his family now. He sent back a few sketches of them. He is headed to a dragon village to meet the rest. I didn't know Dragons even had villages. I'll have to look into that. He thanked me for the topaz and had even sent back a rather embarrassing sketch of me with a note saying "this is for the lemon crack!" I'll leave it in the back pocket of this journal.
In other news Buff, Splash, Brute and I went to a play. Called The Rise of Discord and based on a book by Scary Shelly. The story goes that a mad unicorn had taken pieces of different animals and begun merging them together. He created manticores and cockatrices and even the timber-wolves. The mad doctor soon felt ready to try his process on the sentient creatures of Equestria. He merged Griffions, dragons and all three pony tribes (and a few other creatures) into one being. The resulting monster was Discord, lord of chaos. At first the doctor was delighted but the creature became too powerful and insane. The play ends with Discord performing the same merging spells on the doctor before taking over equestria. Leaving a deformed lumpy mess of former pony center-stage. This is the last time I let Splash pick a play.
December 4 999 A.N
Dear Journal
I found somepony to talk to about Dragon villages, he's a dragon expert here in Cantorlot. He told me even though dragons are solitary creatures, They meet in large groups during the great Dragon migration. Sometimes, outside the migration, they meet up in small villages. These "Villages" are where dragons share stories and meet family and friends, Without the stress of the migration they are genuinely more peaceful then. These villages rarely last a year or two, although the longest one on record was for fifty years. There is one about a days flight from here over the mountains.
This is perfect. To be able talk to adult dragons, some of whom could be older then Celestia. It's just the thing I need to take my mind off from school, work and other things. Luckily tomorrow is the start of hearth's warming eve festival. I asked Pony Joe for the week off. I booked a Pegasus wagon to take me there. I can take off tomorrow. Maybe on the way back I can stop into Manehatten to see my parents.
December 5 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
The flight was terrible, no fault of the Pagasus flying it though. I guess I'm not one for flying. I've arrived just as the sun was setting on the edge of the village. There are dragons flying all about and large canvas tents and a huge tent in the center. It must be a communal meeting place. I'm felling better now, so I'll head into the village. The Wagon will be back for me in four days
December 6, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
I don't really remember what happened. Just a shadow and fangs and extreme pain. I awoke the next day bandaged and I heard familiar voices. It was Snort and his brother! After Snort made sure I was alright he berated me for coming here. Apparently, since I didn't get permission from the dragon council to come here, I wasn't under the protection of the peace treaty. There are dragons here who lived before the treaty and they enjoyed the taste of ponies. Snorts brother had actually saved my life by biting into me. It marked me as his meal. I have never been more relived to be thought of as a snack. I''ll heal but I'll have a scar.
I lost a lot of blood, so it may be my imagination but Snorts brother seems to be drooling whenever he looks at me now.
December 7, 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
Snort and his brother (Bash I think his name is) have taken me on a tour of the village. Since I was now their invited guest, I cant be eaten. That didn't stop the hungry stares though. I got to meet what I thought was a dragon blacksmith, as it turns out he was the local food vender. He was making iron cupcakes and selling them to build up his horde with gems. He also had a selection of pony food. Hay bacon is very popular with dragons.
December 8 999 A.N.
Dear Journal
I went with Snort to the center tent. I had mistakenly thought it was a community meeting or dinning hall. No, it belonged to a gargantuan dragon on an equally large cushion. His teeth alone were bigger then me. His scales were the same color as the smoke billowing out of the tents here. Despite Snorts reassurances that I'll like this giant, every instinct told me to run. Not that I could get away in my present condition. Then he spoke to me, he sounded old like a part of the earth itself. His name was Vignarsjach or ash shadow as it translates. Ash (as he likes to be called by ponies) is an amazing dragon, one of the first to propose peace with equestria.
He is an oddity by dragon standards. Odd as in he has no hoard of his own. Which is unbelievable for a dragon his size.
he then told me the tale of why he didn't have a hoard. I've wrote it down as he talked. he had a thick draconic
Listen close lad, I haven't a hoard because of Starswirl the bearded. Of course he didn't have the beard then. I was just a little wyrmling like young snort here and I had just discovered the joy of hoarding. Of course the more I hoarded the bigger I grew, greed growth and all that. I could sneak in to another dragons hoard and steal the lot in the dead of night. and with my parents asleep for the next few centuries. My growth was out of control. I became even bigger then I am now. soon I was taking Adult dragons hoards by force. I was unstoppable. that is until starswirl wandered by with his two companions. Clover the clever and Shepperds Pie a strange young earth pony. It seams I stole Shepherds flock of sheep and he asked Starswirl for help.
After they found my hiding place, they began their plan. Starswirl used a spell to make himself and his friends into ornate bowls, which I carried back to my hoard. once I was asleep, Clover reversed the spell. Then star swirl used another spell to transform all of my hoard into sheep, which Shepherds shepherded out.
At this he began laughing for several minutes. I sure they felt it back in Cantorlot
" I couldn't catch them no matter how fast I ran. And with that realization I snapped back into my cute little self. I vowed to never be that greedy again. I spent the next few centuries rebuilding the hoards of the ones I stole.
Lad, It doesn't matter how big or scary you are if your dumber then a bag of rocks. They showed cleverness, intelligence and bravery. All attributes that dragons admire. I spent the next few centuries trying to convince other dragons to respect ponies. Oh and if you see any sheep with gold fleece send them to me they're one of mine.
I couldn't believe it! an actual first hand account of Starswirl and the amniomorphic spell. I wish I could speak with him more but he seemed very tired and soon was in a quiet sleep.
December 10 999A.N.
Today my Pegasus cart came to pick me up. It was great to see Snort again. and my meeting with Ash is a memory I'll treasure. I hope to see him again. I don't think anypony would believe me, if I didn't have the scars to prove it. It will be another day of flight to Manehatten. I hope mom isn't to upset after I tell her what happened.
