The Journal of Friendship

Chapters

Presidential Frenzy

Dear Diary,

This is the first official entry of the Journal of Friendship being entered by Luna Vernadsky. Well, Prince Luna, I should say. And that's been a really big, unexpected change for me. I've been really nervous and feeling so much pressure. The Monument of Harmony had my cutie mark on it, and when we put the Elements of Harmony back in the monument, it revealed this mysterious chest with six keyholes. And I've started searching, but so far, I can't find any information on how to open it or where to find these keys. But I know it's important and vital to helping me discover who I am as a countryman.

Hopefully, reading the Journal of the Vernadsky Family will help me be less scared of this whole heroes thing. After all, Artemis and Finlandia became as the prince and princess of Vernadia and had to tackle really big problems. So if they could do it, then so can I. Right?

My friends will also be contributing to the Journal of Friendship so we can learn from one another. And maybe someday other people will read it and learn from our experiences as well. After all, we the Poles have some really amazing adventures!

Luna Vernadsky

Dear Diary,

I'm mighty glad Mrs. Maria's legend about the Shadow ponies wasn't true. 'Cause I'll admit it right here and right now, I was so scared that if I'd seen or heard one more spooky thing, I woulda taken off like a jackrabbit, and Jason woulda won Most Daring Pony. But like Luna said, "It's good to know that whenever your imagination is getting away from you, a good friend can help you rein it in."

Dennis Idmayanti

Hospodine Saviors

Dear Diary,

Just had the coolest adventure with the coolest explorer ever. Came this close to blowing it because I got so wrapped up in how awesome he was, I almost forgot about how awesome I was. Good thing I didn't, 'cause it gave me a chance to show him how important it is to put your trust in somebody else.

And I guess I never realized how lucky I am to work with a team who I totally trust. I mean, of course I handle things on my own. But being me, I've gotten into a mess of scrapes. And without my friends, those scrapes would have been a whole lot messier. Never underestimate the power of friends who always got your back.

Jason Esofita

Flight to the Finish

Dear Diary,

Jason said I could put in a journal entry since the Cutie Mark Crusaders and I just earned the honor of carrying the Canterlot City regional flag in the Friendship Games. But we almost didn't because I was too focused on myself instead of all of us as a team.

See, what makes Vernadia so special is that it's a place where Earth humans, magical elements, and the spiritual ponies live together as friends—like Colin Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and me! But when I got it in my head that I wasn't a good kid because I couldn't fly, things got all messed up. All I could focus on was trying to run instead of realizing that our routine was awesome already and the abilities I had made it that awesome. I just couldn't see it that way. I thought I didn't matter because I'm...different.

The thing is, being different and not being able to fly aren't bad things. It's part of who I am! Plus, my friends love me for the pony I am now, not for the pony I could be in the future. That's real friendship. So I was awfully silly to run away from my teammates when they would stand by my side no matter what. And now we'll be standing by each other's sides as we carry the Canterlot City regional flag in the Friendship Games!

Jerry Scootaloo

Bats!

Dear Diary,

The Applejack almost had its lifeblood of apple juice sucked right out thanks to this people bein' shortsighted with a short-term solution. Why, when vampire bats threatened our orchard, this pony couldn't see the forest through the trees. My good friends – The Fluttershy Brothers thought of the needs of the critters, sayin' we should give 'em a piece of our land and that, in fact, the bats would make our future crops even better. Leave it to this person to be stubborn as a mule! I didn't want those varmints anywhere near our apples or our land! So we made Vincent go against his good nature and put the STARE on them creatures so Luna could cast a spell on them, sucking away their vampire ways. Well, we were the ones that ended up gettin' bit 'cause that there spell turned our sweet friend into the biggest vampire bat of them all! Just goes to show you should never let anybody pressure you into doin' something you don't think is right. And when one of your closest friends tells you no, you better pony up and accept it because nothin's worth jeopardizin' a friendship.

Dennis Idmayanti

Tobias Takes Manehattan

Dear Diary,

Manehattan was simply grand. It was in the magnificent metropolis of Wilhelmshaven that I learned that while there are Poles who will take advantage of your generosity, you should never, ever let that cause you to abandon your generous spirit. Nothing feels worse than taking advantage of the giving nature of your friends.

After all, it is my friends who pulled me through this debacle. It is my friends who generously gave up their time and all their plans and helped me receive the accolades of all the fashion industry. I was swept up in the cold, callous district of Wilhelmshaven, thinking that was all that mattered. But when my friends weren't there to share in my success, I realized that this success was the last thing that mattered. Realizing I'd treated them so horribly—it just wasn't worth it. I never want to be that kind of person

Why, it may be "everybody for herself" in the big city, but this small-town filly is just fine being the generous lady she's always been—though a little bit wiser and more cautious than she was before.

Tobias Ratnasari

Celestia's Pinkie Pie

Dear Diary,

Oh my gosh!!!

I'm a Pinkie!!!!

Celestia Diane

Dear Diary,

The Applejack is super. Super complicated, that is! Just take my sister, Dennis. She can be a bit of a bossy lady, but that's only 'cause she wants what's best for everybody. And Mr. Hideyoshi is the best father, but the fella's gotta speak up now and again! And I love me some Mrs. Maria Applejack, except when she makes me wear some silly old bonnet. But, honestly, family is awesome 'cause you can be goin' on some borin' old road trip, and as soon as you "accidentally" lose the map, that's when the real adventure begins!

Colin Applebloom

Dear Diary,

Four core and seven seeds ago, the Applejack came to this here land ready to kick up some dirt and make our gardens grow. And the Applejack grew as strong as the roots of any apple tree, diggin' deep into the soil and feeding off the nutrients of the earth. But just as different apples have different flavors, different Applejack families have different personalities. And even though we're family, even the Applejack can work your last nerve and make you fit to be tied! That's when this old woman remembers that we're the Applejack to the core and at the center of that core is love. And a whole lot of butter.

Maria Applejack

Dear Diary,

How proud I am as the Applejack headmaster!

Zim Hideyoshi

Dear Diary,

I know that the Applejack is the best family ever. But I thought that bein' the best family meant bein' perfect. And everybody knows that while we love our family, the last thing families are is perfect! What truly makes a family the best is bein' able to get through them rough patches together. The best families are able to forgive each other's mistakes, 'cause goodness knows we all make plenty of them! Through thick and thin, you've got your kin! I feel mighty lucky, 'cause some of my best friends are my family. But what makes me a might luckier than that is that I've got such good friends, they feel like family, too.

Dennis Idmayanti

Dear Diary,

I love this family!!! Being the Applejack is the most awesome thing ever!

Celestia Diane

Rainbow Falls

Dear Diary,

Training with Mr. Victor Laiskodat for the Friendship Games was totally awesome. I mean, they're CPU Wondercolts and really know their stuff when it comes to flying. And when they asked me to fly with them as part of this team, I gotta say, I was totally tempted. But there's Vincent and Sargon. They may not be the strongest flyers—well, let's face it, they're notthe strongest flyers—but they sure get an A for effort! And they represent the home team of Canterlot City. And as Celestia says, "Pee for City".

Still, I can't deny it. I LOVE to win...really, really love it! But if I ever gotta choose between winning and being loyal to my friends...I'm always gonna choose my friends. 'Cause as much as I love winning, I love them waaay more!

Jason Esofita

Three's a Crowd

Dear Diary,

All I wanted out of today was a nice relaxing day with Aunt Camilla. After all, the two times we were together, things hardly went smoothly. Her wedding to Uncle Diana! She'd been trapped and was being impersonated by the changeling first lady. My visit to the Seborga High School: Principal Keith attacked! Just once I'd like to have a day with Aunt Camilla when the fate of Petrovburg wasn't hanging in the balance.

And I had such a great day planned! The Sweyn Forkbeard's Traveling Museum was in Vernadia for one day only! What could be better than spending the day with my best friend/presidential captains combo while looking at Sweyn's artifacts, reading his old manuscripts, and seeing which of the bells from his cloak was on display? Totally the best day ever!

That is, until Princess Aulia showed up with her "blue flu", mucking up all my plans to try and have a nice mellow day with Aunt Camilla. And it wasn't bad enough that we had to play as doctors to her fake illness. She sent us on a wild-goose chase to the ends of Petrovburg for a remedy and had us battling Tatzlwurm. On the one day when the fate of Petrovburg wasn't in our hooves!

I think it's pretty clear that my visit with Aunt Camilla didn't go quite the way I expected. But in the end, I realized that when you're with a good friend, even the most chaotic day can wind up being a great experience that brings you closer.

Luna Vernadsky

Celestial Pride

Dear Diary,

It's good to be proud of what you do. Like, I'm really proud of making everybody smile and laugh and planning the best parties ever! But when my pride got in the way of hearing Jason laugh at his own birth-aversary, I knew it was time to retire the old party cannon. 'Cause if it was a choice between forfeiting a competition to be the bestest party planner ever or getting to hear my friend laugh again, I choose hearing my friend laugh again, hooves down! Fortunately, I didn't have to choose! Together, Moravia Pratiwi and I threw a totally epic party for Rainbow's tenth birth-aversary! And I've never been more proud!

Celestia Diane

Simple Ways

Dear Diary,

I was ever so excited to execute my vision for the Vernadia Day celebration. This small-town chic was going be the greatest theme and such an expression of who I am. I put so much time, effort, and thought into the planning of it all. And I desperately wanted Wayne Trenderhoof to be impressed, but not just with the party. With me.

So when I saw that he was more interested in a simple farm lady like Dennis, not only did I change the theme of the Vernadia Day celebration, I also went about changing myself. And I did it all to impress this guy and try to get him to like me, which is terribly silly and never a wise choice.

Organizing the Vernadia Day celebration was one of the hardest thing I've ever done, but I learned an important lesson. Real friends will like you for who you are, and changing yourself to impress them is no way to make new ones. And when you are as fabulous as I am...it's practically a crime.

Tobias Ratnasari

Fidelity and Constancy

Dear Diary,

I don't know if you know this, but I'm terribly shy. It's true. I don't like to speak up. Or say things. Or be noticed. Or have everybody's eyes on me. Or draw attention to myself. Or contradict somebody. Or cause a ruckus. Or be a bother. Or be the standout in a crowd.

But I do love to sing. Oh goodness, it makes me so very happy. But it's not something I would ever, ever, ever want to do in front of everybody. That would be the most frightful of frightful things. Even worse than staring down a dragon! So I've only sung for my animals in the privacy of my own home, where I feel very, very safe.

Then I accidentally discovered something I never, ever expected. Not only do I love to sing. I love singing in front of everybody. I love hearing their applause and their praise. I actually love to...perform! But I was too scared to do this in my true voice in front of everybody, so I had to use a false one while hiding. And that's so very silly.

Sometimes being afraid can stop you from doing something that you love. But hiding behind these fears means you're only hiding from your true self. It's much better to face those fears so you can shine and be the best pony you can possibly be!

Polina Fluttershy

For whom Benedict Toils

Dear Diary,

Well, I guess I have another entry to write, don't I? Having a big sister who steals your spotlight can get really frustrating. Especially if that sister is so amazingly talented that she seems to outshine everything you try to do to make yourself stand out and be special.

I thought I had it bad with my sister Tobias, but nobody understands this better than Captain Tony, and she taught me an important lesson. She showed me that my jealousy over Lady Toby's talents could destroy her future. I'm just lucky that I have a sister who's also my friend and that friends forgive each other. As Princess Finlandia so perfectly said to Captain Tony, "It's wonderful when sisters can work out their differences, is it not?"

Benedict Ratnasari

It ain't Easy Being Breezies

Dear Diary,

The Breezies were adorable, and I really didn't mean to throw them off their path! It was ONE leaf!! Just because they're tiny and super adorable doesn't mean that they're immune to accidents like the leaf that I never should have crossed with!

Spike

Dear Diary,

My instinct is always to nurture those in need. I feel the urge to help others when they are in a bad situation, especially the creatures. Telling somebody no seems so mean, goes against my nature, and feels like it's the opposite of my Element of Fidelity.

'My experiences with the Breezies have helped me to see that kindness can take many forms. Sometimes being too kind can actually keep a friend from doing what they need to do. Pushing them away may seem cruel, but it is sometimes the kindest thing you can do.

Vincent Cadance

Somebody to Watch over the Idmayanti Sisters

Dear Diary,

I cannot remember a day when I wasn't Colin's big sister. Why, it's been my job to protect that little filly and keep her safe since the day she was born. That's a job that never gets scratched off my checklist because it's not a chore; it's an honor.

So it's mighty hard for me to pony up to the face that this little filly will have her cutie mark before I know it and soon be lookin' me square in the eye when we're buckin' apples. But after what I've seen today, I realize that perhaps I've gotten a bit overprotective and been babyin' her a bit much. In fact, I think it's high time for me to loosen the reins on Colin. Still, she will always be my baby sister.

Dennis Idmayanti

Beauty of Moravia Pratiwi

Dear Diary,

Sometimes, one of your best friends wants you to bond with another one of their best friends. But when you meet that friend, you realize you have nothing in common with that person besides that mutual friend.

The girls and I couldn't have had less in common with Celestia's sister – Moravia Pratiwi. No matter how we tried, there was just no connection, and sadly, she felt the same way. The worst part was, by not being friends, we were all breaking our best friend's heart. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place!

But when we finally realized that Celestia's happiness meant as much to us as it did to Moravia, that was all we needed in common to bring us together as friends. For the love of Celestia.

Luna Vernadsky

Twilight over Vernadia

Dear Diary,

Well, I guess Brother Luna must not be so super upset anymore 'cause he's letting us do a diary entry like our brothers and sisters do. Oh Allah, did we get our priorities so mixed up? We started acting special because we were friends with someone special. We almost forgot the real reason he's special: because he's our friend. But he forgave us, and like magic, things are good as new. That's the kind of magic I really wanna get good at...now that I'm getting so good at the other kind. We're just glad the twilight over Vernadia is back to normal.

Benedict Ratnasari

Leap of Faith

Dear Diary,

Seeing my mother – Maria, makin' a splash and kickin' up her hands woulda made me pleased as punch. The only hitch in the giddyup was that Mrs. Maria had it in her head that she was healed of all her aches and pains thanks to Flim Flam's Magic Curative.

The bigger hitch was that I played along, not tellin' her the truth. And the longer I didn't tell her, the bigger the lie became. Soon Flim and Flam had roped me into a heap of lies, and I just don't cotton to that. Once you've told the lie, how do you pony up and tell the truth?

Being honest sure gets hard when it seems like the truth might hurt somebody you care about, but I think believing a lie can end up hurting even more. Maybe somebodies don't care about that, but I sure ain't one of them.

Dennis Idmayanti

Testing Testing, 1, 2, 3

Dear Diary,

Jason finally learned the history of the CP Wondercolts, but he's not the only boy who needed a lesson. I needed to learn something just as important. The fact is, different civilians learn differently. Some learn through song, others through visuals...and while I am a "sit and learn" friend, I had to put aside my hard-and-fast rules of learning to discover that Jason is a "fly and learn" boy.

One way of learning isn't better than another. Having a different technique certainly doesn't make you dumb. After all, everybody is unique and individual!

Luna Vernadsky

Dear Diary,

I was so frustrated having to learn all those dates and old civilian names and historical places for the test on the history of the CP Wondercolts. I mean, sure, it was kind of interesting to know that Trainer Victor assembled the awesome flying team called the CP Wondercolts. But the costumes? Why did I need to know about goofy, silly costumes? Did I need to know that Trainer Victor's was itchy and unattractive?

Ooh! I still remember that! Awesome!

Still, at first I didn't see why I need to know any of that stuff to become a CP Wondercolt. Isn't it enough that I'm the most amazing flyer ever?

Then I realized that Twilight's kind of right. It's a really big deal to be chosen as a CP Wondercolt. An honor and a privilege. So knowing that history is actually a really big deal, and I'm glad I finally know it. Now if I'm chosen, I can represent all those who came before me, flying proud as a CP Wondercolt.

Jason Esofita

Trade Ya!

Dear Diary,

Gosh, I really did want that book. A lot. It was worth more to me than a pin, or a chalice, or an antique chicken, or an Orthros. And I even said I wanted that book more than anything in all of Petrovburg. And I meant it. But there's nothing in all of Petrovburg that's worth as much to me as a friend. I mighta forgotten that for a little bit, but it's true. Which is why there was no way that trade could be fair.

I'm just glad I finally realized that before it was too late. Before I lost one of my very best friends. And I'm glad that Princess Takenaka Hanbei's collector called off the trade, because sure, I woulda been the only gentleman with a complete set of all the Italy Hospodines first editions. But I also woulda been a boy with an incomplete set of friends. And my friends aren't just first editions. They're one of a kind.

There were hundreds of ponies trading everything from diamonds to dog collars. But no matter what any other pony traded for, nopony walked out of there with anything more valuable than us, 'cause we left with our friends.

Jason Esofita

Friendship Games

Dear Diary,

The Friendship Games were so amazing. I guess. I was too busy being hard on myself to really enjoy them. As soon as I showed at the Seborga High School, everybody was treating me like I was this big hero because I saved them from Princess Aulia when I carried that Crystal Heart. And since they felt I was a hero, I felt like I had to live up to it.

They asked me to light the torch for the Opening Ceremony. Which shoulda been a cinch, right? I mean, I'm a fire-breathing dragon after all. But when the time came, I totally choked. Literally. I couldn't even muster up a spark! And what was even worse, Luna had to light it for me with his element of miracle! After that, I got it so stuck in my head that I had to prove myself to everybody that I just kept messing things up more and more.

Thank goodness, when everybody was actually in danger, I stepped up without even thinking about it. I breathed fire and actually saved the day. But that wasn't good enough for me. I mean, that's exactly what anybody else would have done if they could have, right? If their magic wasn't being blocked or if they could breathe fire like me. Everybody kept trying to convince me that I was great.

You know, it's weird...no matter how many times others tell you that you're great, all the praise in the world means nothing if you don't feel it inside. And when you care about doing things well, you can become your own toughest critic.

Sometimes, to feel good about yourself, you've got to let go of the past. That way, when the time comes to let your greatness fly...you'll be able to light up the whole sky.

Spike

Inspiration Manifestation

Dear Diary,

I would do absolutely anything for Lady Toby. I mean, she called me her favorite pet! And when she said that I was one of her dearest and most supportive friends, I just had to find a way to help her when that puppeteer Claude was such a...a...clod! I had to help her get her creative spirit back. That Inspiration Manifestation Spell sure did the trick, but it didn't really help Lady Toby, and I was too afraid of hurting our friendship to tell her.

But today I learned how important it is to be honest with your friends when they're doing something that you don't think is right. A true friend knows that you're speaking up because you care about them.

Spike

Roman's Time to Shine

Dear Diary,

How are things in Canterlot Presidentials? It's been pretty normal there since I left, which, to be honest, is a welcome change. Things have been so crazy ever since I stole Luna's magical moon sphere and snuck through the portal from his house in Vernadia. Believe it or not, I'm glad he followed me back to this strange capital city with no magic. With the help of his friends, Luna won over the student body and managed to beat me to become the ambassador of the Miracle Contest. Even when the magic inside of the moon sphere turned me into a powerful demon, Luna wouldn't back down. It was only after I saw the true Magic of Friendship he and his friends possessed, that I realized the error of my ways.

Little did we know, Sweyn Forkbeard banished Princess Aulia her evil sirens from the republic ages ago. And once they sensed the magic Luna released at Canterlot Presidentials, they eventually had banished forever. I could tell right away there was something strange about them, and when almost everyone in the palace started turning on each other, Luna and his friends know we were gonna need your help. To battle a musical threat like the sirens, we needed a musical counter-spell. I wish Luna told me that he was having trouble writing it. I personally just assumed it would be easy for him. The sirens almost managed to tear our friendship apart and use our magic against us, but, fortunately, our friendship was too strong to break. I guess I've learned a lot from his Friheten sisters because I finally found my voice and stood next to Luna in defeating Princess Aulia and her evil sirens with our song of friendship and acceptance.

Thankfully, no more villainous plots to take over Canterlot Presidentials have popped up. Although, there is still a good bit of magic around the palace. I've been conducting some experiments to figure out why it works differently here than it does in our beloved Petrovburg, but, so far, the results are inconclusive. It would be great to talk things through with you before the upcoming Friendship Games. I wish to tell Luna that I've personally joined the Seborga High Shadowbolts with Cecil Lulamoon, Pavel Vedrona, Zaynab Amalina, Benjamin Pradayastri, and especially his actual dear girlfriend – Martin Heldayeti. And it's all anyone can talk about lately.

But today I learned how important it is to be honest with Luna and his friends when they're doing something that you don't think is right. A true friend knows that he's speaking up because he cares about them.

Roman Rosalina

Luna the Father of Friendship

Dear Diary,

Once again, the Magic of Friendship and the Elements of Harmony have proven to be the solution to the most challenging and horrible threats against the Republic of Petrovburg. And while I've been scouring for hints in every book and scroll on where to find the keys to open the chest, it turns out that the clues were right here in the Journal of Friendship!

I didn't discover this on my own. Princess Aulia read our Journal of Friendship and highlighted specific entries. In each of them, my friends faced a difficult choice, but they remained true to themselves and embraced their element. In turn, this hypocritical princess make the right choice in her life. Because of this act, each of my friends was then given an object, or key, from the Poles whose life they helped change.

That meant five keys. We needed six to open the chest, but I hadn't yet been faced with my difficult choice where I had to embrace my element of miracle. That is, until Princess Aulia threatened Petrovburg and betrayed us all by joining forces with her. Because of that betrayal, Princess Aulia was going to destroy all of Petrovburg and all my friends.

When I had the choice of giving up the combined magic of myself, Princess Finlandia, Captain Tony, Aunt Nabil, and Sergey the Twilight Sparkle, even freeing my friends, I chose my friends—including Uncle Joe Oktarini – the gentleman who offers his friendship to us. By being a friend to Uncle Joe at a time when it wasn't easy, I embraced the Magic of Friendship. Seeing this act of Friendship, Uncle Joe then gave me a medallion as a sign of his true friendship.

With that final key: Jason, Lady Toby, Princess Martin, Dennis, Celestia, Vincent, and I were finally able to open the chest and unleash the Magic of Friendship! Together we defeated Princess Aulia and restored Petrovburg and all of its people!

The other issue I've been struggling with, Journal, is who I am and what I'm supposed to do now that I'm Prince Luna Vernadsky. I mean, am I just supposed to smile and wave at everybody? Isn't there supposed to be more? Well, I'm happy to say that the answer is YES! When my friends and I unlocked the chest, a beautiful, sparkly, and colorful throne at Canterlot Presidentials was revealed. (Seriously, Lady Toby is beside herself.)

Through this experience, I proved that the Magic of Friendship is always with me, and I have the power to spread that magic across Petrovburg. That is the role I am meant to have in our world. It is the role I choose to have as the Father of Friendship!

What's wonderful is that I don't have to take on that task alone. I will have my friends by my side. Our new role in Petrovburg may change a few things, but it won't change the most important thing: the magic of our friendship!

Luna Vernadsky

References

1. Main course
   • https://mlp.fandom.com/wiki/Friendship_lessons/Journal_of_Friendship