Dr. Aerokeen: A prominent psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in the region, Dr. Aerokeen works at the Ponyville Psychiatric Hospital (specifically ward A, hall K). She is wise, kind and fearless, preferring a personal approach to patient care rather than simply doling out meds. Aerokeen is especially big on the positive effects of artistic expression as a form of therapy, and encourages her charges in the direction of creative writing. She has one patient in particular for whom the program is doing a world of good.

Principle Cranky D. Donkey: Cranky may not wield any political power, but he’ll be damned if he doesn’t perch proudly on the Thatchroof Prep throne. A world traveler with hands-on experience in just about any subject you could name (“Go ahead, punk, name ‘em!”), Principle C runs a tight ship and doesn’t tolerate any dumbassery or shenanigans in Thatchroof’s hallowed halls. Call him Doodle and he’ll break your legs. That little pet name is reserved for use by Cranky’s adored wife Matilda (a social worker in Ponyville).

Mayor (“Mare”) Maria Martinez: That’s kind of an unusual name for a pony, I might have heard you mumble. According to rumors that may or may not have a solid foundation, Maria had an ancestor from beyond the Mirror, and every few generations the name is reused in her honor. Speaking of Her Honor, Maria originally hailed from Ciudad Neighzahualcoltl, where she was tragically widowed young. She relocated with her little son to Ponyville, where she put herself through college and eventually entered local politics. She proved to be so damn good at running the town that she simply got reelected by repeated landslides for decades (she’s finally starting to look at retirement). Her son, meanwhile, attained his own tremendous success as a musician and record producer. Maria doesn’t bother to dye her mane silver anymore; she considers herself too old to care, and besides, her nieta loves the hot pink.

Sheriff Noteworthy: An old soldier from the Royal Guard, Noteworthy wasn’t cut out for the fancy life in Canterlot and retreated to Ponyville, where he put his skills in defending the public to good use as a tough but fair sheriff. His right eye was destroyed in battle; while his new magical prosthetic is fully functional, it doesn’t quite match his other eye and many people find it off-putting. In his spare time, Note plays a mean saxophone. He is also the father of Minuette, and loves living near his little girl.

Royal Executor Tempest Shadow: A pony of origins most mysterious, Tempest went very rogue for a while but eventually doubled back to the faction of our heroes (is that all you get for now?…‘fraid so!). As Royal Executor to Princess Twilight, it’s Tempest’s job to protect Her Highness at any cost, and to undertake any dirty work that might need doing. Hard as adamantium nails but possessing a great big soft spot for Twilight, Tempest can almost always be spotted right at Twilight’s side. It helps that Tempest is not only the Royal Executor but also the Dreamy Royal Marefriend, which is totally a real title. Why would Twilight make these things up?

Her Highness the Princess of Friendship Twilight Sparkle: Here she is, folks. The little superliterate unicorn who earned her wings (not pictured) and super strength by freeing Her Royal Highness the Sovereign of the Tides Princess Luna from the malignant psychic entity Nightmare Moon. Not even Celestia saw that one coming, but any port in a storm! Also, Spike is here. Little Twilight magically hatched him from a lonely egg like some kind of Pokemon. Now they’re stuck with each other! For the better part of forever!