Ramblings on the genetics of Ponies

[Untitled Goose Q 5,137]

It is done! I bring you my

 

Ramblings on the genetics of Ponies with speculation on the origins of Alicorns.

 

This was inspired by the “Is it possible to have alicorn offspring for non-alicorns?” thread. 

 

As seen in Baby Cakes (S2, EP13), it is possible for a pony couple to give birth to ponies of a different tribe. However, as seen is various episodes, whether or not this happens is not completely random, as Pinkie’s Family are all earth ponies and Rarity’s are all unicorns fr example. However, as it has been shown that the tribes can interbreed, they are not separate species as such, more along the lines of breeds, but as you do not see a half unicorn/pegasus for example, that does not quite work, (hence my use of tribes). 

 

My theory is that within the genetic code of each pony is a gene, or set of genes, that reconfigures other parts of the genetic code for each tribe, which would usually be the same as the parents. Having ancestors of a different tribe must also be carried down in the genetic code, or be a rare random mutation, not enough data to go on here. I suspect there could be a mixture of both.

 

However, we must also include magic in any theory. It is evident that magic is built into each pony, for example, just having wings would in no way allow a pegasus to walk on clouds. This built in magic is also shown in Cutie Marks. This magic could allow any pony who reaches a certain, rare, mental state of enlightenment to undergo a transformation into an Alicorn.

 

On the Origin of Alicorns.

 

Did anyone else notice the flag at the end of Hearth’s Warming Eve (S2 EP11) had what appeared to be Celestia and Luna on it? And yet the pair are not mentioned at all, seeing as if they were there they would have helped against the Windigos. Thus, I do not think they were around before the Fire of Friendship was created, but they must have been around afterwards.

I think either they were created by the Fire of Friendship, or transformed by it (Elements of Harmony created at same time??). Either way, they did not start their rule straight away, as Discord was around first (Possibility of  Windigos caused by Discord??)

 

Thank you for reading this. Thoughts?

 

(and yes I know I haven't followed up all topics fully. These are just ramblings)

 

 

[Klick-Klack 299]

Rationalising genetics in mlp would be like trying to explain physics in team fortress 2. If our models of genetics were to apply, there would be too much of a difference in the genetic codes for suitable offspring. What would happen indeed if DNA coding for wings is combined with DNA coding for... the ability to plant stuff..? I would have thought there would be erros matching the codons, especially if such physical differences are about. So I would have to agree with you and say its magic.Our human science ain't quite the cake for mlp xP

[Untitled Goose Q 5,137]

Rationalising genetics in mlp would be like trying to explain physics in team fortress 2. If our models of genetics were to apply, there would be too much of a difference in the genetic codes for suitable offspring. What would happen indeed if DNA coding for wings is combined with DNA coding for... the ability to plant stuff..? I would have thought there would be erros matching the codons, especially if such physical differences are about. So I would have to agree with you and say its magic.Our human science ain't quite the cake for mlp xP

True. This was more of a mental exercise then anything else of course. 

 

When magic enters, science gets really really weird. I think it is doable though.

[Zygen 6,066]

I've always assumed that Alicorns are made, not born, and so far the show supports that.

 

I think after defeating Discord Celestia and Luna became Alicorns from something they did, not totally sure what though, but they became Alicorns.

 

As for the other pony genetic stuff, I can basically agree with it all.

[Colt 555]

Those are some good thoughts I would like to add some ideas here.

 

We have saw a unicorn and a pegasus turning into alicorns, it is cannon that two of the three tribes can turn into alicorns and very much likely all three tribes could do so so we would have to consider that the "genes" to be part of the three tribes its possible.

 

Up to now we have seen that magic was the particular catalyst for this "evolutions" but then again we can consider than all 3 tribes have a certain degree of magic in them. I think that every pony gamete has the potential to be born as one of the three races and if special and astronomically unlikely conditions are satisfied a pony can be born as an alicorn.

 

This could be possible only if historically when the tribes were not part of the same nation they have "traded" their foals, giving the new born to the tribe they belonged to. Something totally out of mind for the actual world of equestria but who knows.

 

Any way those are only thoughts

[Fergus Mo 21]

 

It is done! I bring you my

 

Ramblings on the genetics of Ponies with speculation on the origins of Alicorns.

 

This was inspired by the “Is it possible to have alicorn offspring for non-alicorns?” thread. 

 

As seen in Baby Cakes (S2, EP13), it is possible for a pony couple to give birth to ponies of a different tribe. However, as seen is various episodes, whether or not this happens is not completely random, as Pinkie’s Family are all earth ponies and Rarity’s are all unicorns fr example. However, as it has been shown that the tribes can interbreed, they are not separate species as such, more along the lines of breeds, but as you do not see a half unicorn/pegasus for example, that does not quite work, (hence my use of tribes). 

 

My theory is that within the genetic code of each pony is a gene, or set of genes, that reconfigures other parts of the genetic code for each tribe, which would usually be the same as the parents. Having ancestors of a different tribe must also be carried down in the genetic code, or be a rare random mutation, not enough data to go on here. I suspect there could be a mixture of both.

 

However, we must also include magic in any theory. It is evident that magic is built into each pony, for example, just having wings would in no way allow a pegasus to walk on clouds. This built in magic is also shown in Cutie Marks. This magic could allow any pony who reaches a certain, rare, mental state of enlightenment to undergo a transformation into an Alicorn.

 

On the Origin of Alicorns.

 

Did anyone else notice the flag at the end of Hearth’s Warming Eve (S2 EP11) had what appeared to be Celestia and Luna on it? And yet the pair are not mentioned at all, seeing as if they were there they would have helped against the Windigos. Thus, I do not think they were around before the Fire of Friendship was created, but they must have been around afterwards.

I think either they were created by the Fire of Friendship, or transformed by it (Elements of Harmony created at same time??). Either way, they did not start their rule straight away, as Discord was around first (Possibility of  Windigos caused by Discord??)

 

Thank you for reading this. Thoughts?

 

(and yes I know I haven't followed up all topics fully. These are just ramblings)

 

Nondisjunction. That would explain why the Cakes had babies of different species. 

 

For anyone who isn't familiar with HS biology, nondisjunction is when chromosomes don't line up properly in meiosis so that that gametes have the incorrect number of chromosomes. My theory is that, since pegasi, earth ponies, and unicorns have different numbers of chromosomes (or so I assume), nondisjunction can cause one subspecies to create offspring with different amounts of chromosomes and therefore of different subspecies.

 

Of course, pony genetics might be completely different from humans, but nondisjunction is IMO the only way to explain the Cakes' situation with human genetics.

 

As for the alicorn origin thing, Faust stated that Tia and Lulu were both born alicorns. As for the flag, that might've just been a general Equestrian banner personifying the day-night cycle. Or maybe the two alicorns always had controlled the sun/moon; they only revealed themselves later.

[Fhaolan 4,484]

 

As for the alicorn origin thing, Faust stated that Tia and Lulu were both born alicorns. As for the flag, that might've just been a general Equestrian banner personifying the day-night cycle. Or maybe the two alicorns always had controlled the sun/moon; they only revealed themselves later.

Or Celestia and Luna were deliberately engineered some time later to match the existing symbols for political reasons....

[Fergus Mo 21]

Or Celestia and Luna were deliberately engineered some time later to match the existing symbols for political reasons....

Maybe Hearth's Warming Eve was a cover story created by Tia and Lulu to gain political legitimacy, only they forgot to alter one small detail, the flag?

 

 

What are they hiding? Why are they hiding it?

[NavelColt 22,882]

This thread appears to be discussing MLP:FiM in some way, shape or form. Thus, it has been sentenced to Show Discussion.

 

This is an automatically generated message, by the way.

[Untitled Goose Q 5,137]

Nondisjunction. That would explain why the Cakes had babies of different species. 

 

For anyone who isn't familiar with HS biology, nondisjunction is when chromosomes don't line up properly in meiosis so that that gametes have the incorrect number of chromosomes. My theory is that, since pegasi, earth ponies, and unicorns have different numbers of chromosomes (or so I assume), nondisjunction can cause one subspecies to create offspring with different amounts of chromosomes and therefore of different subspecies.

 

Of course, pony genetics might be completely different from humans, but nondisjunction is IMO the only way to explain the Cakes' situation with human genetics.

 

As for the alicorn origin thing, Faust stated that Tia and Lulu were both born alicorns. As for the flag, that might've just been a general Equestrian banner personifying the day-night cycle. Or maybe the two alicorns always had controlled the sun/moon; they only revealed themselves later.

 

It has been a while since I studied biology, so I forgot about that bit. That would do it.

 

Those are some good thoughts I would like to add some ideas here.

 

We have saw a unicorn and a pegasus turning into alicorns, it is cannon that two of the three tribes can turn into alicorns and very much likely all three tribes could do so so we would have to consider that the "genes" to be part of the three tribes its possible.

 

Up to now we have seen that magic was the particular catalyst for this "evolutions" but then again we can consider than all 3 tribes have a certain degree of magic in them. I think that every pony gamete has the potential to be born as one of the three races and if special and astronomically unlikely conditions are satisfied a pony can be born as an alicorn.

 

This could be possible only if historically when the tribes were not part of the same nation they have "traded" their foals, giving the new born to the tribe they belonged to. Something totally out of mind for the actual world of equestria but who knows.

 

Any way those are only thoughts

 

For anyone who isn't familiar with HS biology, nondisjunction is when chromosomes don't line up properly in meiosis so that that gametes have the incorrect number of chromosomes. My theory is that, since pegasi, earth ponies, and unicorns have different numbers of chromosomes (or so I assume), nondisjunction can cause one subspecies to create offspring with different amounts of chromosomes and therefore of different subspecies.

 

Of course, pony genetics might be completely different from humans, but nondisjunction is IMO the only way to explain the Cakes' situation with human genetics.

 

As for the alicorn origin thing, Faust stated that Tia and Lulu were both born alicorns. As for the flag, that might've just been a general Equestrian banner personifying the day-night cycle. Or maybe the two alicorns always had controlled the sun/moon; they only revealed themselves later.

 

I suspect it is possible for magic to alter the gene or genes that define tribe to initiate Alicorn transformation; a conclusion I came to after writing my post.

Edited July 31, 2013 by Questioner

[Lion Tree 4]

hey alicorns can be born from pegaisus and unicorns..look my dad is a Pegasus and my mom is a unicorn (somehow my dad found how to use magic without a horn)

1.me

2.my dad

3.my mom

[Untitled Goose Q 5,137]

I'm talking about what is know from the show, OCs are not canon. Although there is no evidence alicorns can not be born normally, there is none to say they can.

[Nature's Spell 526]

I won't, at this time, get into the general genetic discussion, but I do have an interest in Alicorns. Reguardless what Faust said, and without any other evidence, I think given that Cadence and Twilight earned their Alicornhood/princessship (considered the same) I'm guessing that Celestia and Luna did likewise. Given the close relationship between being an Alicorn and a princess reproductive genetics may not play a role, but magic clearly does.

Edited August 5, 2013 by Nature Spell

[pinkiefan1287 610]

 

 

Did anyone else notice the flag at the end of Hearth’s Warming Eve (S2 EP11) had what appeared to be Celestia and Luna on it? And yet the pair are not mentioned at all, seeing as if they were there they would have helped against the Windigos. Thus, I do not think they were around before the Fire of Friendship was created, but they must have been around afterwards.

 

Well by the end of the play they were done in flash-back mode. So when the flag came up it was just a current flag they had and not one they used in the past. If you ask me, they had one before Celestia and Luna took rule and changed it when they started to rule the land. Just an idea.

 

Overall this is a pretty good idea. I think one can be turned in an alicorn and in a rare case can be born.

[Untitled Goose Q 5,137]

Well by the end of the play they were done in flash-back mode. So when the flag came up it was just a current flag they had and not one they used in the past. If you ask me, they had one before Celestia and Luna took rule and changed it when they started to rule the land. Just an idea.

 

Overall this is a pretty good idea. I think one can be turned in an alicorn and in a rare case can be born.

We still of course have the question of when Celestia and Luna popped up... and Discord's first known reign.

 

I really want a detailed official timeline now.

[Scootalove 10,689]

I don't think that it is possible for alicorns to mate with non-alicorns to create an alicorn foal because, alicorns can only make a alicorn foal with another alicorn. This is when genetics come to mind, but since magic can't really alter genetics it can't happen.

 

Oh great, now I'm rambling. But as for the Celestia, Luna, and Discord thing.. I'm not sure.

[Untitled Goose Q 5,137]

I don't think that it is possible for alicorns to mate with non-alicorns to create an alicorn foal because, alicorns can only make a alicorn foal with another alicorn. This is when genetics come to mind, but since magic can't really alter genetics it can't happen.

 

Oh great, now I'm rambling. But as for the Celestia, Luna, and Discord thing.. I'm not sure.

Not enough information on the Alicorn/Alicorn reproduction, but you could be right there. And as for magic not altering genetics... the very nature of magic means that what we know about science has to be re-evaluated.

 

And as for you rambling... please continue.

[pinkiefan1287 610]

We still of course have the question of when Celestia and Luna popped up... and Discord's first known reign.

 

I really want a detailed official timeline now.

 

Well we may just have to wait for the next Discord or Celesia/ Luna episode to come up, to find that out.

 

I don't think that it is possible for alicorns to mate with non-alicorns to create an alicorn foal because, alicorns can only make a alicorn foal with another alicorn. This is when genetics come to mind, but since magic can't really alter genetics it can't happen.

 

Oh great, now I'm rambling. But as for the Celestia, Luna, and Discord thing.. I'm not sure.

 

I kinda disagree with that. We don't have enough info to say an alicorn can be born by alicorn/alicorn or unicorn/alicorn. If you ask me, it could be a posable for an alicorn to mate with non-alicorns. But only way to find out is if Cadences and Shining Armor have a baby.

 

Besides if there is magic to time travel and rase the sun and moon, I feel magic can even change ones DNA.

[Scootalove 10,689]

 

 

 

I kinda disagree with that. We don't have enough info to say an alicorn can be born by alicorn/alicorn or unicorn/alicorn. If you ask me, it could be a posable for an alicorn to mate with non-alicorns. But only way to find out is if Cadences and Shining Armor have a baby.

 

Besides if there is magic to time travel and rase the sun and moon, I feel magic can even change ones DNA.

I agree with you on that but, I don't think magic can actually change another pony's DNA since it is the DNA that they are born with which it might not be possible to change the DNA frequency. You could be on to something.

[Fhaolan 4,484]

I agree with you on that but, I don't think magic can actually change another pony's DNA since it is the DNA that they are born with which it might not be possible to change the DNA frequency. You could be on to something.

 

You're assuming that ponies have a system similar to DNA. That's not guaranteed. It's the way Earth biology works, but that doesn't mean anywhere else follows the same system. In fact, it would be highly unlikely anyone else follows the same system.

 

It's also possible that Alicorn is not only dominant but 'completely dominant', meaning that any child of an Alicorn will always be an Alicorn no matter what the other parent was. This does occur in real life. In this case, the only good reason why Alicorns haven't taken over the gene pool entirely would be because the alicorns we've seen (including mystery princess of the love poison) are the only alicorns that have existed so far, and they haven't bred with anyone. (Beyond possibly the mystery princess giving birth to Celestia and Luna, according to one theory set.)

[Scootalove 10,689]

You're assuming that ponies have a system similar to DNA. That's not guaranteed. It's the way Earth biology works, but that doesn't mean anywhere else follows the same system. In fact, it would be highly unlikely anyone else follows the same system.

 

It's also possible that Alicorn is not only dominant but 'completely dominant', meaning that any child of an Alicorn will always be an Alicorn no matter what the other parent was. This does occur in real life. In this case, the only good reason why Alicorns haven't taken over the gene pool entirely would be because the alicorns we've seen (including mystery princess of the love poison) are the only alicorns that have existed so far, and they haven't bred with anyone. (Beyond possibly the mystery princess giving birth to Celestia and Luna, according to one theory set.)

Now, I really agree with your points. Usually, I just think that ponies can't really have their DNA altered but anything can be possible.

[Lion Tree 4]

Ik  a ever tree creature that can reverse and make you grow younger.....but it`ll also make you disappear but you won`t be forgotten

[FluffyGoat13 375]

Questioner, if you don't mind i'll update this by stating what we now know to be and not to be true. I'll mention some of my own thoughts.

 

However, we must also include magic in any theory. It is evident that magic is built into each pony, for example, just having wings would in no way allow a pegasus to walk on clouds. This built in magic is also shown in Cutie Marks. This magic could allow any pony who reaches a certain, rare, mental state of enlightenment to undergo a transformation into an Alicorn.

So we now know this ^ to be true as shown at the end of S-3

 

 

 

Did anyone else notice the flag at the end of Hearth’s Warming Eve (S2 EP11) had what appeared to be Celestia and Luna on it? And yet the pair are not mentioned at all, seeing as if they were there they would have helped against the Windigos. Thus, I do not think they were around before the Fire of Friendship was created, but they must have been around afterwards.

I think either they were created by the Fire of Friendship, or transformed by it (Elements of Harmony created at same time??). Either way, they did not start their rule straight away, as Discord was around first (Possibility of  Windigos caused by Discord??)

We now also know where the elements came from (In Red) but not what created them. So the possibility of the elements being created by the Fire of Friendship still stands. Plus the elements can only be used if friendship is involved, backing this very vague theory up.

 

However we still do not know where Celestia or Luna came from (Blue), and your theory of them being transformed by it seems believable. However, this raises another question; how did they get their Sun and Moon Cutie Marks? Were they Transformed before they got their cutie marks? Because of that i must root for the theory that they were created by the Fires of Friendship rather than transformed by it.

 

We also still do not know if Discord caused the Windigos (green) and most likely never will. We do know however that Celestia and Luna were alicorns before defeating Discord and that they possessed them during their fight and also that Celestia new about the elements beforehand. This suggests 2 things; either Celestia and Luna were born/transformed/created after the elements or that no-creature new of the elements until just before or during Discords reign.

 

Now because i study history i need to know as much background/causes to an event as possible. Prepare for History bullet points:

• We don't know the age of Discord. However, in most cultures chaos exists at the beginning of (sometimes before) the creation of the universe. This means Discord could be as old as or even older than the universe (which we also do not know the age of).
• Another thing is that generally in cultures where chaos is as old as the universe it is often paired with order (but not always) in causing the existence of the universe. This theory suggests that there may also be a being like Discord but representing order somewhere in the mlp universe. Another point to add is that Harmony is balance, not good but not bad. Meaning that the elements were either created with the universe or are also as old as Discord.
• We know that Discord was over-thrown at-least 1000 years ago. However King Sombra was also over-thrown about 1000 years ago AND Luna/Nightmaremoon was banished about 1000 years ago (it was exactly 1000 years ago on MLP:FiM's first episode but we don't know how much time has elapsed since then).
• We do not know how Sombra was overthrown, the elements are not mentioned in Celestias history lesson.
• We also know that Tirek and Scorpan arrived in Equestria before Luna was banished but after Discord.
• We also do not know where Tirek and Scorpan came from, only that it was a far-off land.
• Tirek and Scorpan seem wield the power of extreme distruction, but only if they take a load of creatures power. This ability to take power can even be used on Discord, a possible deity. This suggest that Tirek and Scorpan are also of god-like power, potentially explaining their (Discord and Tireks) agelessness. Their desturctive potential and the fact that they use a beings own power against them could suggest what tey represent, war and/or more chaos.
• To support that Tirek and Scorpan arrived after Discord is this; Tirek mentioned that it is an honour to meet Discord, refered to his feats as legendary, mentioned Discords stone prison and said it would be great to have a being of Discords power on Tireks side.
• All of this seems to suggest that either Celestia and Luna are another embodiment of Harmony (anyone else notice that the Equestrian flag looks remarkably like the simbol Yin-Yang, a representation of Harmony?)
• This still leaves this question; Where is the embodiment(s)/manifestation(s)/avatar(s) of Order?

Edited November 5, 2014 by BritishBrony 13

[Untitled Goose Q 5,137]

 

Questioner, if you don't mind i'll update this by stating what we now know to be and not to be true. I'll mention some of my own thoughts.

 

So we now know this ^ to be true as shown at the end of S-3

 

 

 

We now also know where the elements came from (In Red) but not what created them. So the possibility of the elements being created by the Fire of Friendship still stands. Plus the elements can only be used if friendship is involved, backing this very vague theory up.

 

However we still do not know where Celestia or Luna came from (Blue), and your theory of them being transformed by it seems believable. However, this raises another question; how did they get their Sun and Moon Cutie Marks? Were they Transformed before they got their cutie marks? Because of that i must root for the theory that they were created by the Fires of Friendship rather than transformed by it.

 

We also still do not know if Discord caused the Windigos (green) and most likely never will. We do know however that Celestia and Luna were alicorns before defeating Discord and that they possessed them during their fight and also that Celestia new about the elements beforehand. This suggests 2 things; either Celestia and Luna were born/transformed/created after the elements or that no-creature new of the elements until just before or during Discords reign.

 

Now because i study history i need to know as much background/causes to an event as possible. Prepare for History bullet points:

• We don't know the age of Discord. However, in most cultures chaos exists at the beginning of (sometimes before) the creation of the universe. This means Discord could be as old as or even older than the universe (which we also do not know the age of).
• Another thing is that generally in cultures where chaos is as old as the universe it is often paired with order (but not always) in causing the existence of the universe. This theory suggests that there may also be a being like Discord but representing order somewhere in the mlp universe. Another point to add is that Harmony is balance, not good but not bad. Meaning that the elements were either created with the universe or are also as old as Discord.
• We know that Discord was over-thrown at-least 1000 years ago. However King Sombra was also over-thrown about 1000 years ago AND Luna/Nightmaremoon was banished about 1000 years ago (it was exactly 1000 years ago on MLP:FiM's first episode but we don't know how much time has elapsed since then).
• We do not know how Sombra was overthrown, the elements are not mentioned in Celestias history lesson.
• We also know that Tirek and Scorpan arrived in Equestria before Luna was banished but after Discord.
• We also do not know where Tirek and Scorpan came from, only that it was a far-off land.
• Tirek and Scorpan seem wield the power of extreme distruction, but only if they take a load of creatures power. This ability to take power can even be used on Discord, a possible deity. This suggest that Tirek and Scorpan are also of god-like power, potentially explaining their (Discord and Tireks) agelessness. Their desturctive potential and the fact that they use a beings own power against them could suggest what tey represent, war and/or more chaos.
• To support that Tirek and Scorpan arrived after Discord is this; Tirek mentioned that it is an honour to meet Discord, refered to his feats as legendary, mentioned Discords stone prison and said it would be great to have a being of Discords power on Tireks side.
• All of this seems to suggest that either Celestia and Luna are another embodiment of Harmony (anyone else notice that the Equestrian flag looks remarkably like the simble Yin-Yang, a representation of Harmony?)
• This still leaves this question; Where is the embodiment(s)/manifestation(s)/avatar(s) of Order?

 

Ooooh, time to ramble again.   

 

I no longer think that the Fires of Friendship created the Elements, but merely allowed the ponies to access the power of Harmony, since they became more harmonious as a species, possibly for the first time.

 

There is also the fact that with the Rainbow power and the Tree of Harmony, it would seem that there is more to Harmony than just the Elements, and so I would say that Harmony is the opposite to Discord/Chaos in Equestria (after all, Harmony is as much the antithesis to chaos as Order is), possibly just not a conscious, sentient being like Discord is. This would mean that it acts through other living beings (which considering Discord is one being, would make sense, more of the opposite part).

[FluffyGoat13 375]

Well using my geography skills and the Official Map of Equestria (the small and basic but canon one), I have figured out a few things (these are completely irrelevant to genetics but fairly related to my previous post):

• After re-watching the monologue Celestia gave during of Twilight's Kingdom (E. 25-26, S4) Tirek and Scorpan came through (or maybe from) an arid, rocky and dead land. South of Equestria (past the desert where Applelosa (I suck at spelling) and Dodge Point are situated) there is a rocky, seemingly arid, and seemingly dead land. This suggests that these two may have come from the south.
• When Discord had the 'blue flu' him, Twilight and Cadence went to a pretty arid rocky land seemingly south.
• When Queen Chrysalis and her minions were defeated at Canterlot they Team Rocketed of south, towards this arid, rocky, and dead land.
• On this map, to the North of Equestria there is a frozen mountain range and past that is a completely white area called the "Frozen Nurth/North". (On the map it is a bit pixalated but it almost certainly is a u). We know the three Pony Tribes and the Windigos came from the north, and that it was cold.
• The migrating dragons came from a South Westerly direction.
• There is no indication of where Maretonia is.

Basically what i am saying is that we know the Ponies and Windigos came from the North, and it seems that Tirek and Scorpan came from the south (Potentially the changelings came from the south). However no-one knows where Discord came from, and since he seems able to create pocket dimensions there is no way of knowing if Discord originated somewhere else. It may also be suggested that the gates to Tartarus are either in these 'Badlands' (What i call the dead area south of Equestria) or in the Frozen North. This is because the first place Tirek was located after he escaped was the Crystal Empire, in the north. However, it is possible that the gates are in the Badlands because Queen Chrysalis was cannoned down there, either she was thrown in Tartarus or she was just thrown down there for no reason.

Technically this is all semi-canon. It is based on what is canon and what isn't canon is speculation, which is based on what is canon. So, this has the potential to be true but chances are we will never find out.

Edited November 4, 2014 by BritishBrony 13