(All rise for the United Terran Federation Anthem and Battle Cry)

"Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition."- Adam Smith.

The last group of servants finished removing all the dinner plates from the table and only left a pile of beverages. The Equestrians had been so invested with Shadow squad, that they had forgotten to eat.

"It might sound ridiculous, but this is the only possible way to explain the replications of Terran technologies and customs on Epona." sighed X-ray.

"Remember when we told you about evolution?" asked Scarecrow.

"You mean the whole idea that we were originally small uninteresting lifeforms that somehow became other lifeforms until we turned into ponies?" chuckled Celestia.

"Do you know why that happens?" challenged Scorch. "The reason why that small cell becomes a sapient creature?"

"Because nopony likes being small?" smiled Pinkie Pie.

"Because of adaptation." informed X-ray. "When an organism experiences a change in the environment, a gradual process occurs throughout millions of years in which the life form begins to mutate and become a new life form in order to survive."

"That sounds ridiculous." laughed Rainbow Dash. "Just because the weather gets bad, doesn't mean I'm gonna sprout an extra limb."

"Well it's the truth whether you like it or not." glared Scorch. "That's how we all got here."

"You humans are all about questioning, why don't you ever evolution?" challenged Twilight. "You seem to defend it like a religion."

"That's because evolution is not a myth or theory. It is a FACT that matter how much you question, will remain valid. It's not something you believe in." groaned Scarecrow.

"How do you know it is true?" inquired Luna, as if she was prepared to accept a trophy.

"Because if you take a fucking machine that analyzes and breaks down DNA, you will notice that humans share common a common genetic code with other lifeforms the same why the children share DNA with their parents." explained X-ray. "If you keep picking apart the genetic code of an organism, you will eventually get to a simple strand of DNA that was the origin of all life."

"So where did that piece of DNA come from huh?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Genetic code is made up of elements like oxygen. I would assume it formed around the same time the Earth formed." pondered Scorch.

"So not even you 4 are one hundred percent sure." accused Celestia.

"Just because we don't know the origins of a process fluently doesn't undermine the fact that it evolved into all the other organisms of Earth." gritted Scarecrow. "Besides, we're not fully fledged evolutionary biologists."

"How do you know such a concept isn't exclusive to Earth?" said Rarity.

X-ray crossed his arms. "Because the same thing happens if you take a fucking analyze the genetic code of the plants and animals on colonies like Auraxis and Mahatma. Every planet with organic life can trace its organisms back to one simple life form."

"What about us ponies? Our planet is historically a few tens of thousands years old. YOU 4 acknowledge that. How is possible for a process that takes millions of years to occur on this planet?" countered Twilight.

"Like we said, ponies are a special case, but this isn't a topic regarding creationism vs evolution in the biological sense." spoke up Overwatch. "Besides, who are you going to argue with? Those who actually research into the origin of life, make discoveries and improve on the final thesis. Or those who blindly follow to a thousand year old book that has likely been distorted over time?"

"So why bring up the topic of evolution?" grumbled Cadance.

"Because evolution is not just a concept that applies to biology, but society as well." replied Scorch.

"When society encounters a problem, it naturally has to find a way to solve it." began Scarecrow. "When humans started to develop farming, they could stay in one place. When they could stay in one place, they could start living in homes and focus on the other fields of life."

"Well that is true." admitted Twilight. "Society does have to change over time in order to get over barriers."

"Exactly, and as humans adapted, we went from living in mud hoses to cities to space colonies." nodded X-ray.

"But what does this have ta do with ponies bein' lak humans?" interrogated Applejack.

"Because ponies too evolved from living in simple mud houses to where you are now right?" insisted Scarecrow.

"Not true. We've always started from living in small communities in houses with farming and intelligence." stated Celestia.

"Such a feat is impossible. You can't just randomly live in complex structures or having knowledge in a field you never had to learn." debunked Scorch.

"We believe that it was our creator who awarded us with this kind of knowledge, but you seem insistent that this isn't the case." said Rarity.

"If ponies were created, fine. But the fact doesn't change that you've continued to make decisions that largely reflect those of humanity." snorted X-ray. "Ponies could have easily spoken another language and developed technologies that better suit them."

"So what do you think is happening?" asked Fluttershy.

"When human society changed or invented something it was a conscious decision." implied Scorch. "We chose to invent the computer, the trumpet and the book that is meant to be operated by hand. Not because it simply felt right."

"But you said social progress is natural. Shouldn't decisions necessary for adaptation be involuntary?" shrugged Twilight.

"A law of the universe is that society will progress one way or another. What is voluntary however, is the specific choice that is made to adapt." corrected X-ray.

"Humans chose willingly to create the facilities to get where we are. Ponies did not. You had a compulsion." reminded Scarecrow. "If ponies had free will, they would have consciously chose to adapt on their own accord."

"We ponies do have free will! How do you know we wouldn't have ended up having humanity's technology and culture even if you didn't exist?" questioned Rainbow Dash.

"The earliest forms of adaptation in society are influenced by environments." said Scorch. "That is partially the reason as to why Earth has different cultures since not all humans built societies in the same place."

"That is true." gulped Rarity. "If you look at the races of Equestria, you will notice a difference in culture due to different societies living in different regions. The Zebras are a far cry from the Buffalo."

"But Epona does not have Earth's geography." pointed X-ray. "So the races of Equestria should not have developed in a path that mimicked humanity's cultures unless one fundamental truth applies to this world......."

"The races of Epona are evolving like humans. You're race is, and always has been, on the path of following humanity."

The ponies weren't sure how to respond to X-ray's answer except laugh.

"Wait. Let me get this straight; ponies are supposed to one day turn into humans?" laughed Pinkie Pie.

"Don't twist our words." snarled Overwatch. "You're not becoming humans regarding anatomy, rather you are becoming and in fact are humans in terms of culture and social norms."

"We're ponies and we're proud!" snorted Applejack.

"Physically yes. Socially and culturally; no." stated Scorch.

"The nation of Equestria isn't based on the edicts of humanity, it is based on the philosophies held by ponykind." defended Celestia.

"This isn't about Ponykind, it is about everything that lives on Epona." calmed Scarecrow. "The Equestrian race has and is following a cultural evolution parallel to that of the 'caucasian' race while Zebras seem to be on the path held by a generic African ethnicity."

"What do you mean by the caucasian race?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Basically every ethnicity having to do with western Europe and evidentially Australia and what remains of North America." explained X-ray. He felt like a racist idiot using the phrase 'caucasian race', but this was the case.

"If you're so certain, what is your proof that we are nothing more than humanity's echo?" asked Cadance.

Scorch rolled his eyes. "For starters we speak the same language."

"So what? This wasn't the language we always spoke. " Defended Twilight. "What if all intelligent creatures speak English or as we call it, Equestrian."

"That would be a plausible statement if not for the fact that the English language developed off of previous incarnations with the first one being ancient greek and the next being latin." remarked X-ray. "Didn't you ponies say your language was developed off of older versions as well?"

"It was. But, I do not believe we shared the same ancient languages." sighed Luna.

"I doubt it." snorted Scarecrow. "The motto of the 23rd is Vestri Maximus Timor that is latin for-"

"Your biggest fear." answered Celestia. "What you call latin is called 'old speak' to us."

"And to prove our point forward, look at the symbol on our shoulder blades." instructed Scorch. The demo man stood up and pointed to the 23rd's logo.

"That's an Omega." realized Fluttershy. "It was the last letter in the first form of the pony language."

"To us, that language is called ancient Greek." hissed Overwatch. "As you can see, our languages evolved similarly."

"I'm afraid we're going to need more evidence then simple language transitions to believe you darling." dramatized Rarity.

"Here's the thing. Western civilization had a different powerhouse throughout time that influenced the other nations within the region." started X-ray. "The first was Ancient Greece, followed by Rome, then England and finally America."

"The popular language spoken by the mass people often equated the one spoken by the superpower." added Scarecrow. "Equestria is one nation, despite the fact that its languages changed according the popular language spoken by the white ethnicity."

"Well of course we had to change our languages. We can't just speak the same one forever." insisted Twilight.

"Actually you could have, since Equestria is one nation with its own race without any influence from other races. You could have spoken the same language and got off fine." instead X-ray.

"But we ponies didn't elect to change our languages," brought up Celestia. "It just happened-"

"Spontaneously?" interrupted Scorch. "If ponies had free will, they would have no reason to adapt the language they speak. Humans, or at least the whites, elected to evolve their language in order to adjust to the shift in power."

"Are you implying ponies have no free will?" glared Rainbow Dash.

"Of course you're in control of your actions." defended Scarecrow. "Society though. Not so much, you're doomed to follow in the footsteps of humanity."

"Just because we speak the same language?" blurted Shining Armor.

"Not just that, but accents as well." added X-ray. "The vocal cords that make up and Equine are far too different from that of a human, yet you speak with western various western accents."

"Is their something wrong with the tone of our voices?" whimpered Fluttershy.

Scarecrow turned around. "X-ray speaks english fluently, but he still doesn't speak it with the same accent as an Equestrian. Just because we share the same language doesn't mean you should speak it in the same dialect."

"What kind of dialects do we have in that case?" questioned Celestia.

"All of you speak with some sort of generic American accent." guess Scorch. "Rarity and the nobles speak with what is a combination of English and French."

"Well I don't know what drove me to speak like this, but I found it suiting." defended the white mare.

"Applejack speaks with a southern American accent."

"If dat's what y'all call it." shrugged Applejack. "This is how ma family always speaks."

"Luna however seems to speak with an accent that is more fitting with your times. As in old English."

"Yes, and I used to speak an earlier version of this language." nodded the Alicorn of the Night. "A thousand years ago, we used to use phrases such as 'thou'."

"Which is how English started out as well until it was simplified" smiled X-ray. "Another proof of parallel evolution."

"Oh please, Equestrian would have changed anyway since the older form was too complicated." implied Cadance.

"How about names?" suggested Scorch. "Ponies have named their cities after human ones, expect with well, pony puns. You could have named it anything you wanted."

"Like we said, it wasn't as much of a choice as much as it was a compulsion." reminded Celestia.

"While humans named our cities based on conscious decision." countered Scarecrow. "Also, your cities are named after the ones that were inhabited by the western races. You could have easily made cities like Marelaysia or Mexicolt."

"Well, names like that just don't feel right for ponies like us." responded Rainbow Dash.

"They don't feel right right because it would contradict your society's destiny to follow in humanity's, specifically the Caucasian's footsteps." smirked X-ray. "Hell, you ponies could have easily made original names for your settlements without inserting pony puns, but you didn't."

"What about the previous cities we ponies have built?" challenged Twilight. "Before, the main cities we had were Trome and Preece."

"You mean like Rome and Greece?" responded Scorch. "They were the most influential locations amongst the western world during respective time periods, yet you have settlements named after the USA. What happened to these cities?"

"They got old and we built new cities." smiled Pinkie Pie.

"Ah. The same way how the sphere of influence went from these locations to England and America, Equestrians tore down these locations to keep in touch with humanity." told X-ray.

"No where in our history will you fund us mentioning humanity." shook Twilight. "We did not rebuild to replicate your race."

"Do not believe we are implying that you are intentionally doing this." warned Overwatch.

"But how do city names prove we're evolving like humans?" questioned Celestia.

"Ponies had no reason to rebuild and rename their cities unless it was for renovation reasons." said Scarecrow. "Ponies had no change in central influence since they were either 3 separate city states under the same banner or one nation entirely."

"Given the fact that ponies have changed their city names in accordance with the central influence of western society, we clearly have another reason for our theory to be validated." stated Scorch.

"If y'all think you can debunk everythin' we tell you, then we should be able to deny your theory as well!" exclaimed Applejack.

"Not giving into reason eh?" smirked Scarecrow. "Let's look at your holidays, we made it more than clear that something is off considering all of our holidays coincide with yours."

"We didn't plan our holidays to match up with yours, they just did!" insisted Pinkie Pie.

Scorch rolled his eyes, again. "That is what we're trying to say. Your celebrations were all caused involuntarily to align with human holidays since your society is evolving like ours."

"For example, I find it hard to believe that a race that believes in tolerance somehow started fighting amongst itself a few thousand years ago." exemplified X-ray.

"They were fighting because a snow storm was driving them apart. Right?" whispered Fluttershy.

"The snow storm was being caused by Windigos, which are attracted to fighting." informed Scarecrow. "Why did the three pony tries, who evidentially were getting along fine, start arguing, in all times, during late November when we humans celebrated Hanukah and Christmas?"

The Equestrians pondered the statement. It did feel so out of place for the three tribes to start bickering all of a sudden. It was as if the entire situation was fixed for everything to go along smoothly.

"What about NightMare Night? What can you decipher from that?" challenged Luna.

Scorch fixed his blond hair. "When we were in the art room, we took notes of all dates and we recorded that you turned into NightMare Moon after a considerable time you faced Sombra."

"And how does that relate to the human celebration of......Halloween?" checked Celestia.

X-ray cracked his knuckles. "Luna had Sombra's influence all over her and she was more than ready to crack. The fact that she went mad on October 30th or 31st is uncanny."

"This could have just been a coincidence." insisted Cadance.

"Then what about the activities enacted on this day? What drove ponies to go trick or treating and dressing up in costumes from a pony that wanted to kill them all?" groaned Scarecrow.

Twilight didn't know how to respond. Scarecrow was right. Why did they dress up fillies and colts in costumes and make them go door to door to ask for candy?

"How about new years day huh?" piped up X-ray. "Or the months and days of the year?"

"What about it?" responded Applejack.

"The reason why Earth has 365 days in a year is because that is how long it takes to orbit the planet naturally."

"The rotation of Epona however and how long it takes for a year to form is not arbitrary but rather controllable." continued Scorch. "Controlled by the two alicorns in this room."

"And how does that contribute to the relationship between human and pony society?" inquired Shining Armor.

"Because Celestia and Luna are in control of day and night, they could have easily chosen how long it takes for a single year to occur. Why 365 like Earth?" blurted Scarecrow.

"I believe we said this before. We were not always in control of day and night cycles. The schedule for the rotation of the heavenly bodies was decided by the unicorn society as a whole who brought forth day and night." explained Celestia.

X-ray crossed his arms. "But why did they choose 365? A planet with the diameter and of yours orbiting a miniature star like yours would take a much different time for a complete cycle to occur. Why choose an obscure number like 365?"

"It was not our decision. Let us not repeat that." puffed Luna.

Scorch ignored her. "What about the day and night cycle? Once again, a planet your size and mass shouldn't naturally have a 24 hour day and night cycle like Earth."

"But if that's true, how do humans keep track of time on different planets?" awed Pinkie Pie.

"They just use Terran time and we've been able to modify the gravity of planets, especially on their poles in order to get them to tilt faster or slower on their axis." explained X-ray. "But we were in control of that day and night cycle as a conscious decision. Did ponies knowingly make the decision for day and night to be 24 hours....or did it 'feel right'?"

Cadance calmed herself down with her technique. "None of us were alive at that time. You're asking the wrong pony."

"Come on, surely you know something." begged Scarecrow. "Look, even if the time for days and years is the same between our home worlds, why do we use the same unit to measure time?"

"As in?" let on Twilight.

"Why did ponies find it necessary to divide the day in 24 hours like Earths? Or 60 seconds in a minute?" said Scorch.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "So how do you expect us to record time?"

"You ponies could have easily decided to make it 100 seconds in a minute or 1000 time units in a day. Yet you didn't." noted Scarecrow. "You ponies felt compelled to use Terran time units to evolve like us."

"Anything else to add that we're becoming....you?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Yes. Nothing you've invented makes the slightest amount of sense for ponies to use." said Scorch.

"How so?" questioned Celestia.

"For starters look at these chairs." face palmed X-ray.

"I know, they don't blend in well with the colors of the hall." nodded Rarity.

"Not that, pay attention to it's structure. Chairs like these are meant for upright bi-peds to sit on, not horses. Don't any of you notice just how ridiculous you look sitting like this?"

Twilight looked at her position. "I think it's fine."

"But doesn't anypony feel uncomfortable sitting like a human?" brought up Scarecrow. "It goes against your natural form."

"Truth be told, ah do feel kinda funny every time we sit like this." admitted Applejack.

"That's because ponies aren't supposed to sit like this. Humans invented chairs and other sitting equipment consciously because this is how we are supposed to sit like." muttered Overwatch. "So why do ponies lack chairs meant for creatures with 4 legs."

Celestia placed a hoof on her chin. "That is an observant statement, but we ponies truly feel our furniture is meant to be built in this certain way."

"In order to follow humanity." smiled Scorch.

"But come on. Chairs?" whined Rainbow Dash. "You really think you're going to convince us of your stupid theory because of the way we sit?"

Scarecrow crossed his arms. "How about door knobs. Why have them?"

"Because we're supposed to open doors like that. Duh." laughed Pinkie Pie.

"You are aware that a door knob is meant to be operated by fingers grasping the knob and either pushing or pulling." explained X-ray.

"Could you elaborate darling?" Requested Rarity.

"Ponies have no fingers to grasp the knob. I can understand telekinesis, but not everypony in this room can use that kind of biological power. So how do non horned ponies get around that?" questioned Scorch.

"Well we just could just use our teeth." whimpered Fluttershy.

"That is disgusting. If ponies weren't evolving like humans, than surely you would have invented a mechanism that specifically required hooves to operate." stated Scarecrow.

Celestia raised an eyebrow. "What would you have in mind then?"

"We don't know." shrugged X-ray. "We're not ponies, we don't know how you're supposed to work things out with hooves. When we realized there was a settlement in habited by ponies, we expected to find completely new breeds of technology that was meant to work for quadrupeds. Not replications of what humans already use."

"I doubt everything here is an object meant for upright apes to use. Us ponies have adjusted perfectly." challenged Twilight.

"Think about it." hissed Overwatch. "Look at this cup. Do you really think an Equestrian without telekinesis is capable of grasping it and moving it towards their mouth?"

"That's why we have straws silly!" laughed Pinkie Pie.

"Or what about small objects like pencils or keys? Surely they are a pain to pick up due to the fact you lack fingers to grasp the object?" shook Scarecrow.

"They aren't dat hard ta pick up." defended Applejack.

"Oh yeah? Pick up that fork. With your hooves." dared Scorch.

The orange mare stared at the kitchen utensil for a moment. She attempted to hold it the same way the humans did, but couldn't due to the fact she lacked fingers. She attempted scraping it with two fore hooves and balancing it, only for the fork to awkwardly fumble around.

"As you can see, all of the items that ponies seem insistent on using on is impractical due to the lack of fingers." gloated X-ray.

"That's not true! There are plenty of things we can use with hooves." implied Twilight.

"Like what, books?" laughed Scarecrow. "To use a book, you need to have fingers to be able to turn the page and carry them around. You probably get around it with telekinesis, but what about the other ponies?"

"You can just balance the book in your fore hooves, it's not that hard." scowled Rainbow Dash.

"But ponies are quadrupeds." reminded X-ray. "Why waste time attempting to adjust to something requiring the use of fingers when you could have easily invented something that would have suited the pony form nicely?"

"Simple my dear X-ray." said Scarecrow in a singing voice. "Because they are evolving like humans."

The Equestrians glared at Shadow's commander hastily.

"Come on." sighed Scorch. "Every object you ponies have is something that is clearly meant for humans to use. If you followed your own evolutionary path, your technology would have been different."

"So my troops wouldn't be wielding spears?" guessed Shining Armor.

"Exactly. A spear is perhaps the worse weapon you could give to a creature without fingers." snapped X-ray. "If ponies weren't evolving like humans, you would have logically developed weapons meant to be held by hooves."

"What about our instruments?" pondered Pinkie Pie.

"Same." said Scorch. "The music devices that you ponies utilize aren't practical for hoofed quadrupeds as well. Instruments such as the clarinet or tuba require you to be standing up on hind legs which goes against your nature and hit multiple notes with fingers which you lack."

"Well excuse us for trying to make music!" yelled Twilight. "Look, we never intended to replicate human technology, we just ended up with it for no reason."

"There is a reason." hissed Overwatch. "You're society is evolving like humans."

The last bits of doubt were shrouding away Equestrians

Scarecrow yawned. "If ponies weren't evolving like humans, you would have consciously developed tools that were practical for the hoofed four legged creature rather than unintentionally making tools we humans have."

"Like what?" asked Cadance.

"I'm going to repeat ourselves. We're not hoofed quadrupeds, we don't know what technologies ponies should invent that suits their bodies." pointed Scorch. "But because you're evolving like humans, I guess we'll never know."

"Are you absolutely certain of your statements?" checked Celestia.

"We are and the entire Federation listening to us is sure as well." said Scarecrow.

X-ray stared at the solar alicorn. "You know what else solidifies our theory? Ponies have a really messed up biology that allows them to commit acts considered magical like a chameleon changing colors while humans do not have nay sort of the thing."

"And what does that have to do with anything?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Human society had to adapt without magic, ponies did. That alone should create an extremely different society based upon values and technology, but it didn't. The Equestrians were free from any influence and free at any time to form their own set of values, but you didn't. Instead, the Equestrian race has decided to follow along the path of humanity and plagiarize its holidays, its music styles and technology." remarked Scorch.

"What furthers it more, is that humans knowingly created its facilities, ponies had to follow an urge. If you lacked an urge, mark my words society would be fucking different." concluded Scarecrow.

The ponies were silent for a moment.

"Are you sure your species isn't the one copying ours?" let out Fluttershy.

X-ray laughed. "We've existed for millions of years, ponies have existed for thousands. We're clearly the older race. Every single time we've noticed a similarity between our races, our counterpart had existed for a considerably longer time than yours. My little pony, I think your race is the one evolving like ours."

"And it's not just your species that is evolving like humanity." reminded Scarecrow. "The Zebras are following the footsteps of Africans while the Griffins follow the Persians. The fact that every single human ethnicity exists on Epona is no coincidence."

"Alright." gasped Celestia. "We'll buy into your theory. For now."

Scorch wiped his fore head. "But I will say this, ponies might be evolving like humans. But not properly."

The Equestrians looked at the demo man confusedly.

"What do you mean by not properly?" repeated Cadance.

"How long have Equestrians existed?" asked Scarecrow.

"Our race is as old as this planet is." answered Luna.

"So basically you ponies came into existence at the same time as your planet." nodded X-ray.

"We believed we were made by our creator, but you're implying that this wasn't the case." reminded Rarity.

"Well of course. An alicorn randomly making the world has numerous flaws in it." snorted Scorch. "But even if you were theoretically created by an alicorn, what would have driven her to instruct you to utilize human technology?"

"That's a good point." pondered Twilight. "She would have to have had a sufficient standard understanding of human technology and customs."

"And tens of thousands of years ago, we didn't even speak this language nor have instruments like the piano. Since your creator is clearly dead, what force could have driven ponies to end up with the current facilities?" inquired Scarecrow.

"Like we said, it just happened. And I am being completely honest. There was no outside influence, we just happened to have ended up like humans." assured Celestia.

"What complicates the situation further is the fact that this planet is home to mythological creatures as well as real creatures on Earth." cursed X-ray. "This planet is definitely not a natural occurrence."

"So how do you suppose Epona came to be?" asked Rainbow Dash.

Scorch thought about it for a moment. "We don't know, but right now we'll accept that you just appeared. Regardless of origin, the planet would have had to have built been by something that had an awareness for human mythology, as well as Earth's biology considering there are Terran animals on here as well."

"What if humans built this planet?" suggested Luna.

Shadow laughed.

"We humans were primitives by the time this planet was incepted." chuckled X-ray. "We've recorded every inch of human history even before the age of this planet. If we were a space faring species, we'd know."

"I don't know about that though." spoke up Overwatch. "What if we really were here before?"

"The pony history books don't mention anything about humanity." corrected Twilight.

"But don't you remember Twilight?" squeaked Fluttershy. "When we were in the Everfree Forest, a Hydra attacked Shadow squad on the premises that they apologize for a past misdeed."

The princesses listened closely.

"But we couldn't have done a misdeed if we weren't here." pointed Scarecrow.

"What about Trixie?" remembered Pinkie Pie. "She said that humans were mean and scary and wanted to kill Shadow because of something they did in the past which she read in a Griffin religion book."

"How could have Trixie read about a Griffin's religion? Studying the religion of another species is forbidden." awed Celestia.

"When has Trixie ever accepted being denied something?" scowled Rainbow Dash.

"All the Eponan species have coordinated on the planet's history, if they knew about humans being on this planet in the past, we should have known too." shook Cadance.

"Perhaps the other species consider their religion separate from their history." realized X-ray.

"But if Trixie wanted to kill humans because they were on Epona, then what did they do?" questioned Celestia.

"How could we know? There is no part of human history that details us going to other planets." defended Scorch.

"What if humans made the Eponan creatures?" theorized Shining Armor. "It would explain why there are creatures considered myths present here."

"No way. If we can't build worlds now, we could not have built them before." debunked Scarecrow.

"But Scarecrow, when ya said dat humans hadn' done anythin' to ponies in the past, your lie detector thingy went off!" yelled Applejack.

The ponies were dead silent as well as the humans. The only sound in the room was the radio chatter emitted by the debating congressmen listening on Apex.

"Let's not jump to conclusions. Trixie could have easily rigged our lie detectors during our face off in order to fool everypony and justify her rage." assured X-ray.

"Trixie was many things, but I don't think she'd be that clever or kill unless she was completely sincere." defended Twilight.

"We'll get to the bottom of this eventually." assured Scorch. "After this, we'll contact the other races and the rest of humanity should be ready for backup. Regardless of your origin however, it doesn't explain why ponies are evolving inappropriately."

Twilight flexed her mane. "What do you mean by inappropriately?"

"When we were in the art room, we saw the first picture regarding pony history depicting you in a city state similar to that of ancient Greece." started Scarecrow.

"Well that's how we started out." shrugged Fluttershy.

"But tens of thousands of years ago, we humans were neolithic primitives who barely had any knowledge of society and how the world worked." revealed Scorch. "The time period regarding classical Greece didn't really occur until 4 thousand years ago."

"So what are you trying to imply?" checked Cadance.

X-ray twirled his gloved fingers. "In those 4 thousand years, we humans jumped from living in small, farm and war based communities to inventing faster than light travel."

"But we ponies have been like this for tens of thousands of years." gasped Rarity.

"Exactly, you started off as far more civilized than us and had tens of thousands of years to progress." explained Scarecrow. "The Equestrians should be far more advanced that humans."

"But we're not." frowned Celestia. "How could have humans evolved so quickly in a few thousand years?"

The humans looked at each other and nodded. They would get to that later.

"It doesn't matter how fast humans have evolved, it doesn't change the fact that Equestria is full of Anachronisms." discoursed X-ray. "Some things shouldn't fit in to the general time."

"Like what?" inquired Pinkie Pie.

"Alright. The general consensus we have with Equestria is that it takes place within a renaissance time period based on social norms, politics, and general views on knowledge like science, art and math." began Scorch.

"Wow, you're observant." complimented Rainbow Dash. "So what doesn't add up?"

Scarecrow scratched his chin. "For starters, the way you ponies speak."

"This again?" ranted Luna.

"Since ponies are evolving like humans, you shouldn't be speaking this dialect of English or Equestrian, with American accents. Instead you should be speaking with the older dialect of this language using phrases like 'thou' or 'thy'." insisted Scarecrow.

"How so?" pondered Fluttershy.

"To be precise, most of you speak with modern American accents and speak modern American English that didn't come into effect until far after this time." informed X-ray.

"So ma voice is ahead of times?" gulped Applejack.

Scarecrow nodded. "The southern American accent originated sometime during the Enlightenment era which succeeded the Renaissance when European settlers that left their hometowns and colonized America."

"Wait. So what you are saying is that we should all be speaking with Applejack's or Twilight's dialects?" shivered Rarity.

"Not necessarily." countered Scorch. "The ponies represent the caucasian race as a whole. You can have Italian, French and British accents, but the American tone is what is out of context."

"Just like the fact you have named a good portion of your cities after American ones despite having an overall Renaissance architecture." added Overwatch.

"Your statements are implying that some parts of Ponykind exceed the theorized time period." noted Twilight.

"Exactly, and so does your furniture. You ponies have home appliances like refrigerators and stoves despite lacking other technologies developed within the Renaissance period like the radio and television." added X-ray.

"What about evolution within the field of knowledge?" questioned Celestia.

"Funny story. You ponies have an understanding in medical technologies on par with humans in the 1990's, but all fields relating to physics and mathematics that were recorded before that period are missing." laughed Scarecrow.

Pinkie Pie laughed too. She didn't know why.

"Let's not forget musical genres." reminded Scorch. "You ponies have late 20th century electronica that developed off of classical music, thus skipping a century of music."

"Well I'm glad we didn't invent such barbaric styles of music." stiffed Rarity.

"What's also funny is that some parts of Equestria are laggard of the times." chuckled X-ray. "The armor of the royal guard doesn't seem to have changed since its inception. Even renaissance Europe had better combat gear."

Shining Armor gave X-ray a dirty look.

Rainbow Dash sighed. "So how does this all affect your theory?"

"Well, we humans certainly didn't have electronica or microwaves during the Renaissance." started Scarecrow.

"But doesn't this mean ponies are not evolving like humans?" asked Celestia.

"No. You are evolving like humans, in the social sense. Just selectively." let out X-ray. "Some parts are ahead of time while others are in synch."

"Nothing however seems to succeed the 21st century in any field." noted Scorch. "Not to mention, ponies are evolving slower than humans."

"Slower?" repeated Fluttershy.

"When humans reached the period of classical Greece and Rome, it took us around 4 thousand ears to evolve into a space faring race." reminded X-ray.

"We know that part." groaned Twilight.

"But ponies on the other hoof, seem to have been stuck in the ancient period for around ten thousand years and had a bloated dark ages of another tens of thousands of years." informed Scarecrow.

"Well you can not expect any noticeable changes in society to occur within such a comparably short time frame." insisted Cadance.

"Not with the way ponies handle dilemmas." growled Overwatch in a tone no one could hear in.

The Equestrians were having a hard time accepting the fact that Epona was merely an echo of Earth. As Shadow calmed down, the ponies restlessly discussed the situation amongst themselves.

Had they really been in control of their lives? Or were they doomed to follow through whatever humanity encountered? But now that they knew this information, was the obligation broken?

"As slow as we are," called out Rainbow Dash. She hated being called slow. "Would we, following humanities foot steps, end up as a race with technology on par with yours?"

"I would assume so." encouraged Scorch. "But with the amount of time it takes for ponies to transition to another time period, that would have taken tens of thousands of years. Who knows where humanity would end up by then."

"Aw man. I was really looking forward to flying on space ships now." cried Pinkie Pie.

X-ray stroked his black hair. "Actually, since we humans have arrived on Epona, we've interfered with the natural progression of your society. You can expect the stakes to change."

The Ponies gave the rifleman quizzical looks.

Author's Notes:

Sorry for ending it abruptly.

As you can see, Shadow is very observant.

EDIT: Changed the UTF's theme to the Terran Republic's theme and the Papers Please theme is now the War Cry.