Canterlot.

One of the most important cities in all of Equestria. Royal, beautiful, mysterious. Headed by our two gods, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

I owned a small home on the edge of the city. It fit in with the rest of the housing around it; a glossy white with a slightly more pink colouring for the roof, outlined with fake gold. A sort of box-shaped building, two floors, a basement, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Large enough to hold a family of four. Two windows per floor. (I can hardly remember my home as of now. Refer to page 92 for Canterlot housing studies.)

Most ponies painted their houses, or remodeled them, or just added a signature garden in front to show how their home was unique. I never did anything interesting with mine, I only enjoyed thinking. Thinking about the planet I lived on, the other races that inhabited it, how it all coalesced without collapsing on itself…

I loved thinking about everything. I guess I was a philosopher? I don’t know.

These are my last entries before I continue. I am by no means a writer, or a genius. I must simply rid my mind of these memories. Whomever will read this, do not follow me. Do not model yourself after me. Do not remember me.

Do yourself a favor, and deliver this diary to the authorities with haste.

If you feel confident enough to follow my instructions…

Well.

Left home. Went to local café, ‘Latte’s Lots.’ Met Joyole for the first time, Zebra. Didn’t speak with a rhyming scheme. Pleased.

Talked for a while. Joyole told me that he worked at the Royal Castle. Invited me to come with him so he could give me a tour.

Accepted.
(I was busy with something on the side, magical oriented. Didn’t provide enough information for future readers; whatever. Probably won’t, looks good enough. Refer to page 23 for Zebra studies, and whatever notes that indicate what page my Canterlot Dining studies are located on.)

We arrived some time during the late morning, about 11:28 AM. The Royal Castle stood tall and wide, it was certainly a sight. I had never gotten the chance to see it up close before then, let alone step foot inside. I was smiling, staring at it and the area around. The guards stopped us, asking for identification before we went inside. I was actually surprised; I had expected them to be a little more rough, but they were quite nice to us. Probably didn’t get much crime to toughen them up verbally, but they still certainly looked like they could take a hit or two. Or a hundred more. (Page 134 for armor and guard studies.)

Joyole presented his identification, but I realized I hadn’t brought mine. Identification badges were needed to even set foot in the castle, everpony was given one. I had left mine at home; I had no reason to enter the Royal Castle. Luckily, the guards only needed one ponies (or Zebras) identification badge, so I followed behind Joyole. (Page 15 should have some studies on identification badges. Short one.)

The inside wasn’t as spectacular as the outside. At least, in my opinion. It did look amazing, but…

It was very large. It was pretty, but it felt too empty. It needed more clutter. It didn’t seem empty for a reason either, and it bugged me to no end as I followed Joyole. He asked me where we should go first, but I had no idea what was on the inside. He decided on a place we would both enjoy; the dining hall.

The dining hall wasn’t as empty as the halls, there were banners adorned along the walls and windows, carpets lined the floor and long tables accented them. Armors were placed seemingly randomly in the room, various shields were displayed below the banners.

Ponies were all around the room, sitting and dining, standing and chatting, and even some pegasi were flying above, watching the crowd or trying to get away from it, if only for a moment. Some were citizens, others were Royal workers. The largest majority of the population in this room was of the Royal Guard. Joyole seemed confused; and a little worried.

“What are so many ponies of the Royal Guard doing here? Usually, they’re out training or stationed down in Stalliongrad to protect that one machine those nuts down there have been working on. You got any ideas?” (This is the best I remember of what he said. Refer to day 56 on my studies on speaking, might have something there.)

I shrugged. I knew nothing about the Royal Guard, other than you do not get on their bad side. They were the toughest of the tough, they know things that regular ponies don’t, and they have space-age technology. Weaponry and machinery, amazing things. I’ve never seen any of them myself, but I hear things going around. (Page 101 for space-age design theories.)

Joyole shrugged as well, and he directed me to an empty end of a table. We sat down, and we waited for somepony to service us.

I continued watching the crowd. I loved being around others. I loved observing them, singling ponies out and watching how they behave. I felt surprisingly comfortable here.

I spotted two Royal Guard ponies pushing a cart full of books through the dining hall. Nopony else seemed to be paying attention to them, they'd probably seen it before. But why would they need Royal Guards to push a book cart somewhere, didn't they have ponies who worked here who did that?

I watched them quietly go through the crowd, and exit the room as silently as they went through.

I felt something.

I felt drawn to what was in that cart.