[It's a leather-bound book, tucked in the back of some minor possessions left at Canterlot Castle. The hornwriting is rushed with sharp penstrokes.]

First night away.

The princess requested more ponies for this mission than I expected. They all look cheerful, relaxed, and chatty, like they’ve done this before, and they probably have. This is probably run of the mill for them. They know what they’re doing. That’s why they look at me like – that. They can see right through me. They know I’ve never traveled, never fought a true villain, never done anything worthwhile. They can see it on my face, and they think it’s hilarious, so they’ve been trying to coddle me with their fake friendship. They think I’m weak.

Well, it won’t work. I hate them. They’re the weak ones. I’m stronger, smarter, faster, more talented than them. I have to be.

I’ll show them.

...

It’s been a few days. I’ve decided to keep notes. Not because I want to devote spare time to thinking about these stupid ponies. But – just because.

The pink pony, Silky, is far too happy. Possibly sincere, somehow, and a good not a bad leader. She and Vibrant Grove stayed behind in Canterlot with the magician filly. I despise Vibrant Grove. He can see right through me – he can see everything. I have proof from his own words. I can’t let him use my fear I won’t let him be better than me.

The rest of our group has been… not as scheming as I expected. I’m waiting for the moment they strike, using my flaws against me, but we’ve gone through a lot already, and… they haven’t so far. Not like back home, even though I made mistakes failed I haven’t been enough. For some reason, they haven’t used that against me. The pegasus Roswell thinks he can say whatever he wants to me, but I see through his games.

Forest Storm is quiet. I wish I could find something to hate about him, but he’s probably the least annoying of these ponies. At first I was intimidated suspicious of him, but he hasn’t done anything malicious. He’s… not unintelligent.

Skylight Scintillate is also not a… bad pony, if I’m being honest. None of them are bad, actually. Skylight’s got that standard pony friendship attitude, but she – makes helpful observations, I guess. I guess she’s smart. And good at coming up with ideas. Not that I’d ever tell her.

Caramel is a recent addition to our group. She’s not all that annoying, either. When we reached Ponyville, she was swallowed by a messed-up giant mantis creature, and I – was right there next to her. It happened in an instant. It was terrifyi

She’s in a relationship with Dynamo Pad, who is… a good pony, I guess. He’s infuriatingly not terrible at diplomacy. He doesn’t always succeed – but he takes charge with a sincerity I’ve never seen. He’s got compassion, stupid as it is to bring up. He gives things his all. He’s comfortable caring about ponies, and he strives to make up for his mistakes. Could I ever do the same

None of these ponies are my – friends. I don’t do friendship. I can’t. But if I ever had a "friend," it would be Mango. Since we sparred that first day, it’s been – easy, interacting with Mango. I don’t feel like she’s holding anything over my head. She’s annoyingly cheery, but she’s a good fighter, but not in a way that makes me angry, and – I believe her when she says things. She deserved the win, when we sparred... and I promised her I'd fight her in a dance battle later. I still want to be stronger than her, but… I don’t feel like I’m losing my balance.

Not that I ever lose my balance. I’m strong. I don't know if I'm anything at all.

But maybe these ponies aren’t so bad. I’d rather die than tell them, though. Anypony would get an ego the size of the Everfree over that.

... 

[Hornwriting is heavier and more jagged.]

We found out the truth about Black Licorice.

Things have been moving fast. Not a lot of time to write. We arrived in Canterlot again, and – I can’t think clearly. I can’t stop thinking about that pony.

I think I get it now. I can’t run from this… not when I understood all her garbage, for a second. And that just makes me hate her more. How could she jus

We have to stop her. I don’t know how. I don’t think I can fight her. I mean – I could, but. I don’t know. I don’t know what I mean. We just have to stop her. The princess and the castle staff aren’t doing anything, and I hate it. And I don’t trust the draconequus to succeed, not when we haven’t heard from him since.

Our team has to do something. We have to – put our heads together. Ugh. It’s friendship baloney, but maybe it’s the truth. I won’t say it aloud, but… I wouldn’t be opposed. Entirely. To being their friends. At some point.

For some Celestia-forsaken reason, I trust these ponies.

No time to write more. We’re going to investigate town – gathering forces. Time to get this show on the road.