#QUEENS OF CANINIA

[glapplebloom]

Also known as the 2021 Annual.

Team Rarity is here with Big Mac, Maud Pie and Mage Meadowbrook, and they’re heading to the Kingdom of Dogs. We meet one and they seem to talk like the Diamond Dogs. Luckily Maud understands that they’re not going on a Cable Car, they’re going on a Mine Car with a VERY high drop. After a crazy ride, they arrive at the Dog Kingdom. Or should I say Kingdoms...

So the Kingdom of Caninia is split between six sisters. Three of them left the original castle because they were sick of following tradition and the others stood because their Queen believes in following tradition while the other two didn’t want to leave her behind. All because they found a new Gem Vain and the Queen didn’t allow it. Also the new Queen is sick.

But they seem to be cool because Mage Meadowbrook promises to find the source of her sister’s sickness and possibly even cure it. So the six sisters finally meet as the Pony Crew goes down the cave. They find the source of the sickness: The Carbunkappa are eating up a bunch of Galena minerals and when they do it creates a lot of dust. Now what's the problem? It's Lead, so the Newer Queen is actually suffering from Lead poisoning.

Well, that’s one problem solved. But they just so happen to discover that the cave they’re eating is underneath the old castle and they ate enough to weaken the foundation. It’ll be moments before everything collapses. The Six sisters show up overhearing everything when they eventually fall deeper to find yet another Tree of Harmony. And like the last two stories, the six are the Elements of Harmony and undo all the damage.

It ends with the Older Queen apologizing and wanting to try all the new stuff they have done. She also declared all six of them are now queens. And it ends with a tease of the Knights of Harmony. Overall, not a fan of this one. Six new characters being focused on with nothing really making them stand out apart from two of them being twins and one knowing magic. I’ll do a bigger rewrite for this another time, but in short I’m cutting the sisters down to two. 

[soulvee-animationz]

Queens of Caninia as incorrect quotes!!

@f-p-studios

Jenn: With great power comes great need to take a nap. Wake me up later.

Indy, threatening the others with a paintball gun: Listen... Life comes at us fast. We don't know what life is gonna give us... And today, it's gonna give you... a paintball! Katherina: Okay okay stop asking me if I'm straight, gay, bi, whatever. I identify as a FUCKING THREAT.

Moon: You can de-escalate any situation by simply saying, 'Are we about to kiss?' Moon: Doesn't work for getting out of speeding tickets, by the way.

Amber: You’ll have a hard time believing this because it never happens, but I made a mistake.

Fiona: Not trying to brag or anything, but I can wake up without an alarm clock now simply due to my crippling and overwhelming anxiety, so...

Jenn: I prevented a murder today. Katherina: Really? How’d you do that? Jenn: self control.

Jenn, standing with their back turned: I’ve been expecting you, Katherina. Katherina: How did you do that without turning around? Jenn: ... To be perfectly honest, the first couple of people I did that to were not you.

Jenn: I'm incredibly fast at math. Katherina: Alright, what's 30x17? Jenn: 47 Katherina: That's not even close. Jenn: But it was fast.

Indy: I think I'm having a mid-life crisis.  Fiona: You're like 15 years old  Indy: I MIGHT DIE AT 30!

Indy: Here's some advice Fiona: I didn't ask for any Indy: Too bad. I'm stuck here with my thoughts and you're the only one who talks to me

Indy: Hey, you want some leftovers?  Fiona: What's that?  Indy: You've never had leftovers???  Fiona: No, because I'm not a quitter.

Amber: This is a mistake  Fiona, enthusiastically: A mistake we're going to laugh about one day!  Amber: But not today  Fiona, still enthusiastic: Oh, no. Today's going to be a mess

Moon: English is a difficult language. It can be understood through tough thorough thought, though. Amber: You need to stop.

Moon: Today is a day of running through hurdles. Amber: Aren’t you supposed to jump OVER hurdles? Moon: Whatever. Fear is only something to be afraid of if you let it scare you.

Fiona: Welcome, fellow idiots  Amber: Hello, Fiona  Fiona: No, no, not you, you're not an idiot  Amber: You underestimate me

Fiona: Do you think you’d actually notice if someone didn’t cast a shadow? Or if their limbs were just slightly too long? Or if they had just a little too many teeth? like how many times have you passed Something on the street and you just didn’t Notice It? Amber: Stay woke monsterfuckers ur love is out there!!!!! Fiona: Yknow what? Not my point at all in any way whatsoever, but I’m glad I could be an inspiration.

Fiona: Lol heads up if you try to make a candle with food coloring, the food coloring will just sink to the bottom of the glass, and when the flame eventually reaches the bottom all the food coloring will catch fire and become one giant tall flame that you cannot possibly blow out and the glass will start to crack and then you'll throw your tea on it in a panic and then the extremely hot food coloring will boil and sizzle horribly and then the glass will shatter. Please take my word on this lmfao  Amber: What did you do Fiona?  Fiona: A MISTAKE

*Squad reactions to being told ‘I love you’*  Moon: Thanks fam!  Jenn: oh no  Amber: *cries* I love you too  Katherina: Sounds fake but okay  Fiona: *A flustered mess*  Indy: can i get a refund

Moon: Hewwo.  Amber: Hihiiiiii!  Jenn: Greetings, Humans.  Katherina: Three kinds of people.  Fiona: I want pudding.  Moon: Four kinds of people.  Indy: WHAT’S UP FUCKERS?  Katherina: Five kinds of people.

Moon: If you bite it and you die, it’s poisonous. If it bites you and you die, it’s venomous.  Amber: What if it bites me and it dies!?  Jenn: Then you’re poisonous. Jesus Christ, Amber, learn to listen.  Fiona: What if it bites itself and I die?  Indy: That’s voodoo.  Katherina: What if it bites me and someone else dies?  Amber: That’s correlation, not causation.  Fiona: What if we bite each other, and neither of us die?  Indy: That’s kinky.  Moon: Oh my God.

[soulvee-animationz]

KDJSHZJDKSKXJXJX FR FR FR FR- 😭😭😭

Katherina: Well, well, well... if it isn’t my old friend: the dawning realization that I fucked up bad.

@soulvee-animationz

[pastelponyparade-a]

@stcrmbled​ liked for starter​

“Hail traveler! Might I ask what brings you to the Kingdom of Caninia? Our ruler, Queen Katharina Proudpaws has not told us any word of pending visitors or dignities? So as the Captain of the Royal Guard and advisor to Her Highness. I must ask what is the nature of your visit to our kingdom?”

The Diamond Dog would stand tall and stalwart as she addressed the strange creature that approached the main entrance into the royal castle. Swaying her cape to the side Indiana would despite her kind demeanor stand ready to fell the stranger if ill intent be their purpose.   

[taiblogcomics]

Get Along, Little Doggies

Hey there, curious mind pains. Well, we're kinda barrelling down to a finale here. Got just a little bit to go, but I think we'll end on a good note (if kind of a cliffhanger, for now). We got a stop to make on the way before issue 100, though. Want a little more story? Well, then, here's the most recent My Little Pony Annual~

And here's the cover:

Looks like they're barrelling towards some sort of finale, too. I love Maud's expression, it's worried but not over the top like the others. It's very suitable for her. It's a nice, action-y cover and there's really not a lot to say about it! It's just a good cover~

So, I dunno if you remember when we saw the lights in the cats' Harmony Tree shrine, but there was an extra one lit, despite having only seen the cats and zebras at that point. We need a little bit more story to finish the story arc, so we're using this annual to take Rarity's group up to the diamond dogs' kingdom. Essentially I'm doing this one now, in case there's any plot here that might become relevant during the finale. Either way, I think it's a fitting use for an annual to fill out the remaining story arc we didn't get to~

We open with Rarity's harmony team in transit: her, Big Macintosh, Mage Meadowbrook, and Maud Pie. Seems they've received personal invitations to the Diamond Dogs' kingdom, and Meadowbrook finds it suspicious because they received two different invitations--from two different queens. Rarity, however, is mostly put out by how bumpy the road is, which interferes with her knitting some sweaters as gifts. Maud returns from a nearby geological survey, having discovered some potential research papers, and more currently pressing, a diamond dog with a minecart waiting to greet them.

The cart immediately drops into a huge tunnel to give us the image for our cover. It's quickly over, but no one really enjoyed it. They arrive at the diamond dogs' kingdom--or kingdoms? There's two separate castles, with a huge crevasse between them. This kind of explains the twin invitations. So this is the kingdom of Caninia, and they're greeted by two of the kingdom's princesses, Moon and Amber. They have much longer names that are actually so unwieldly as to make pony names seem reasonable. "Princess Twilight Sparkle" is much easier than "Princess Ambrosia Muffinbuns". I refuse to detail any of their actual names further~

Rarity and Amber quickly hit it off, since Amber is much more fashionable than any of the diamond dogs back in Equestria (distant cousins, she's assured). They're introduced to a third princess, Jenn, who is the actual ruler on the throne. She also collapses as soon as she gets up from the throne, so clearly things aren't going great. Regardless, Jenn is eager to open trade with Equestria and form an alliance, which is good news. She offers Rarity a gemstone as big as Tom, and invites them all for dinner that night.

Until then, further tours of Caninia are conducted, with the lot of them each being impressed with their amenities. Meadowbrook, however, insists on pushing the issue of the other invitation. Eventually Rarity relents and asks Amber about the other castle across the way. Turns out, there's a second kingdom of Caninia, ruled by another three princesses. Get it, there's six in total. Guess where this is going. Amber is pretty upset, since she hasn't seen her sisters in years, so Moon is the one who explains the backstory.

So part of the princesses' duties include excavating the royal mines. The trio here found a branching path with unknown creatures inhabiting it. They brought the matter to their other sisters, including the head ruling sister, Katherina. Katherina is against the exploration for fear it may be dangerous, but the other trio decide that new knowledge beats tradition, and branch out to follow the cavern and settle their own kingdom across the gap. It was about here that Jenn got sick, and Katherina refuses to let the sisters visit, saying Jenn brought it on herself. And that's where the current conflict lies.

So the group elects to go to the other Caninia to see if they can patch things up. Maud and Rarity are familiar with sisterly conflicts, and Maud also has a specialised knowledge of rocks. And hey, they were invited. It's only one more harrowing minecart trip over, and they're warmly greeted by Princesses Fiona and Indy. Fiona is Amber's twin, which explains why she's so upset about being split up. They head into the castle, which is very dark and sterile in terms of decoration. Keeping things exactly the same is according to tradition, after all. I'm beginning to see the problem here.

They're introduced to the queen, Katherina. She does not go by Kat, if you were curious, breaking the pattern among her sisters. In fact, she's rather offended by the mere suggestion. She's less interested in establishing relations with Equestria, finding it to be a land always embroiled in some conflict. She has five younger sisters to protect. Maud immediately calls her out on the hypocricy of hiding behind her sisters, but refusing to let them visit. Katherina replies that reckless and greedy actions like exploration and decorating needlessly endangers the heirs to the throne, and she is loyal to the throne above all else.

Mage Meadowbrook steps in here. One of the main reasons they've forbidden contact is because Jenn got sick. This is quarantine more than anything. But Meadowbrook is very good at identifying and curing ailments. So if she can determine what's ailing Jenn, it might help reassure Katherina. She agrees, but she won't be held responsible if the ponies get themselves sick as well. They agree, and are lowered into the mines in the canyon dividing the two kingdoms. Both trios of sisters line up along the edges to see their new friends into the depths...

And what's down in the caves? It's a breed of rock turtle called a carbunkappa. They eat minerals and expel byproducts. And the minerals they've uncovered in this pocket of caves is galena, which Maud identifies as also being called lead sulfide. So the rock turtles have been munching the galena and expelling lead dust. It's pretty obvious to Meadowbrook that Jenn therefore has lead poisoning. (The ponies are wearing masks, so they're not in immediate danger.) Such a concentration of turtles is weakening the caverns' foundations, though, and the earth begins to shake.

Feeling the vibrations all the way back on the surface, the diamond dogs jump into the fray to protect their new friends. Moon and Amber go first, and Fiona follows, not being able to bear separation from her sister any longer. Jenn and Indy follow, and Katherina is forced to join them in order to protect them. Once down there, the combined efforts of dogs and ponies use both magic and brute strength to block some of the rocks. Unfortunately, their efforts cannot spare the cavern from collapsing, and they all tumble into the ruins below.

Yes, ruins. Finally, down here is where we find our next Tree of Harmony. Rarity quickly works it out, assigning the dogs to the symbols that best match them and their traits. Surprisingly, it doesn't activate instantly. The spot for loyalty beneath Katherina remains unlit, as does Jenn's generosity. Katherina understands why, and apologises. Her loyalty to tradition outstripped the loyalty to her sisters, and it's why they've been in disharmony. Jenn accepts the apology generously, and the Treen finally activates, granting the six sisters their magic.

And so, the six of them united have the magic to stop the earthquake and keep the castle standing. And once united, they decide to remain that way, moving from the old castle into Jenn's newer one. Meadowbrook prepares a cure for Jenn's lead poisoning, and the lot of them decide to all become queen and rule by committee. They build a bridge over the canyon, just as they've bridged their relationships. And Rarity writes Twilight a letter about their experiences. And somewhere far away, another altar lamp lights up, calling for a meeting of the Knights of Harmony...

Being an annual, there's also a few extras. Most are art pieces either from this book or cover reprints from older issues. There's also a couple reprints of some Katie Cook two-page comics, from way back in issues 1 and 12, which were so long ago that the former isn't even on this blog. It's the one where Pinkie Pie is modeling a dress for Rarity, but excuses herself to get ice cream and ruins the dress. To cover it up, she quickly folds the curtains into a dress. Issue 12 is old enough to be on this blog, but it's just an MTV top 10 countdown parody. Still nice to get a few old pieces shown again, especially by Katie Cook~

Like I said earlier, it’s a good use of an annual to fill out the missing story arc. It’s an okay story, too! Just mostly okay. It doesn’t really explain much about the diamond dogs as a species, given they’re very different than the ones portrayed in the actual show. They could’ve been an all-new species, and it wouldn’t affect either the plot or your greater understanding of the world. The only other gripe I have is that Big Mac is kind of superfluous to the team. I know he’s not exactly a talker, but he never has any particular insight either. You could probably just have this story without him, and that’s kind of a shame.

Next week, though... It’s finally time for issue 100. See you then~

[glapplebloom]

Time for the Dogs to get a show.

The story begins as the comic does: Rarity’s group are heading to the Diamond Dog kingdom of Caninia since they were invited. Perfect for The Spreading Friendship Mission. They wonder why they got two invitations and after going on basically a Rollercoaster, they arrive at Caninia where there are two castles. At the first castle, they are greeted by the guards who lead them to Queen Jennino Lanternlight. She’ll be basically merged with Moonbeam so she’s the Queen and the strongest magic user of the Kingdom.

She personally gives them a tour of the place, where it highlights that they seem to rely on magic a lot more but also that she’s sick. Mage Meadowbrook notices this and asks about it which leads to the story of the two Kingdoms. Some of the dogs were digging in the Royal Mines when they discovered a new vein of Gemstones as well as creatures they had never seen before.When informing the Old Queen, Lanternlight wishes to explore it herself while her sister denied it. This led to a falling out between the two and the splitting of the Kingdom.

Those who were loyal to tradition stood with the Old Queen as those who wanted new things went with Jennino. Sadly, despite their increase in magic knowledge, she has been getting sicker overtime. Her doctors are unsure what could be the cause and fear if it is not figured out it could get worse. Seeing a Friendship problem, Rarity’s group volunteers to talk to the Old Queen and hopefully quell this conflict. 

After another rollercoaster ride, they meet the other side which is more traditional. They eventually meet Queen Katherin Proudpaws and while she does show to want to ensure that the Kingdom retains the traditions they followed for generations, she still shows concern because despite not stepping foot in the other Kingdom, she has dogs looking on to see what is happening across. And while she believes the vein had some magic curse that caused the sickness, you can tell she still worries for her health.

That’s when Mage Meadowbrook made an offer. She thinks she could cure Jennino’s sickness if she can figure out what caused it. Katherin accepts the offer and personally escorts them to the mines. Her original intention was to just lead them there and stay behind, but when she got there she saw that her sister was already there. Turns out she wasn’t the only one spying so when Jennino heard they were going down to the mines she insisted on coming along.

The two sisters argued but then Lanterlight started coughing. Unable to see her sister like this, she decides to break tradition and help her go into the caves against her better judgment. Covering up, the group head towards the vein where the Ponies make the discovery of the Carbunkappa and Galena. So the sisters are there to hear that the reason for her sickness was simply lead poisoning and it was curable. Katherin hugged her sister after hearing the news, but that’s when they discovered that the cavern is underneath the old castle, and it is only a matter of days before it collapses.

With this new information, Proudpaws realized that if it wasn’t for them breaking tradition, a tragedy would have fallen upon her kingdom. She apologizes to Jennino and renounces her title as queen to let Lanternlight be the one true Queen. Days later, the old Kingdom was evacuated as the Dogs were working on strengthening the foundation. With this as well as the Queen title being passed on, the Dogs began to mingle with each other again. Even two twins who were separated because of this split. They also begin to help move the Carbunkappa to a new location

Queen Jennino promises that when that half of the Kingdom is fixed, they will allow the old traditions to continue. But the two sides can visit each other anytime they want. And that is symbolized with a bridge being made where the gap is. At a distance, Balor of the Knights of Order looked on, seeing their supply of Lead Glance had been cut off. He goes back home to inform Danu.

[soulvee-animationz]

Fiona Floppyears kicking Cuddles' ass for his crimes

MY FAVORITE QUEEN OF CANINIA KICKING CUDDLES’ ASS?!?!?!?!? YES PLEASE-

[soulvee-animationz]

JSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSSJSJ-

Fiona: When have I ever done anything rash or irresponsible?

Indy: I have a list. It's alphabetized.

@soulvee-animationz

[soulvee-animationz]

The entire kingdom of Caninia kicking Cuddles' ass for keeping their queens hostage

YESSSSS-

[soulvee-animationz]

I do like interacting with you & seeing your art

Same same same!!! Ur one of my favorite mutuals bro, and your art is- so good??? Like what the fluff, hOW ARE YOU SO GOOD AT DRAWING TEH QUEENS OF CANINIA?!!?!

[pastelponyparade-a]

“Six queens of Caninia may seem like alot. But in truth our kingdom has been more united and prosperous then it was under one queen. No ounce of insult intended towards my sister Kat of course when she alone ruled as sole queen.”

[soulvee-animationz]

KFNDHHSKSKXJDJAHX CANON- CANON TRUE AND REAL-

Katherina: I'd like to offer you moral support, but I have questionable morals

(It just seems like something she would say, plus I got it out of a generator)

@soulvee-animationz

[soulvee-animationz]

I AM LOOKING AND I AM DELIGHTED- /GEN

Meet Felicity & Nicodemus "Nico" Gemgleam

These two are dating :)

Nico is the son of Ambrosia Muffinbuns & I'll introduce his twin later

Hey @dragonladdie what are your thoughts

[soulvee-animationz]

Jsjsjsjsjs am glad that u do!! We need more queens of caninia content!!

Queens of Caninia as incorrect quotes!!

@f-p-studios

Jenn: With great power comes great need to take a nap. Wake me up later.

Indy, threatening the others with a paintball gun: Listen... Life comes at us fast. We don't know what life is gonna give us... And today, it's gonna give you... a paintball! Katherina: Okay okay stop asking me if I'm straight, gay, bi, whatever. I identify as a FUCKING THREAT.

Moon: You can de-escalate any situation by simply saying, 'Are we about to kiss?' Moon: Doesn't work for getting out of speeding tickets, by the way.

Amber: You’ll have a hard time believing this because it never happens, but I made a mistake.

Fiona: Not trying to brag or anything, but I can wake up without an alarm clock now simply due to my crippling and overwhelming anxiety, so...

Jenn: I prevented a murder today. Katherina: Really? How’d you do that? Jenn: self control.

Jenn, standing with their back turned: I’ve been expecting you, Katherina. Katherina: How did you do that without turning around? Jenn: ... To be perfectly honest, the first couple of people I did that to were not you.

Jenn: I'm incredibly fast at math. Katherina: Alright, what's 30x17? Jenn: 47 Katherina: That's not even close. Jenn: But it was fast.

Indy: I think I'm having a mid-life crisis.  Fiona: You're like 15 years old  Indy: I MIGHT DIE AT 30!

Indy: Here's some advice Fiona: I didn't ask for any Indy: Too bad. I'm stuck here with my thoughts and you're the only one who talks to me

Indy: Hey, you want some leftovers?  Fiona: What's that?  Indy: You've never had leftovers???  Fiona: No, because I'm not a quitter.

Amber: This is a mistake  Fiona, enthusiastically: A mistake we're going to laugh about one day!  Amber: But not today  Fiona, still enthusiastic: Oh, no. Today's going to be a mess

Moon: English is a difficult language. It can be understood through tough thorough thought, though. Amber: You need to stop.

Moon: Today is a day of running through hurdles. Amber: Aren’t you supposed to jump OVER hurdles? Moon: Whatever. Fear is only something to be afraid of if you let it scare you.

Fiona: Welcome, fellow idiots  Amber: Hello, Fiona  Fiona: No, no, not you, you're not an idiot  Amber: You underestimate me

Fiona: Do you think you’d actually notice if someone didn’t cast a shadow? Or if their limbs were just slightly too long? Or if they had just a little too many teeth? like how many times have you passed Something on the street and you just didn’t Notice It? Amber: Stay woke monsterfuckers ur love is out there!!!!! Fiona: Yknow what? Not my point at all in any way whatsoever, but I’m glad I could be an inspiration.

Fiona: Lol heads up if you try to make a candle with food coloring, the food coloring will just sink to the bottom of the glass, and when the flame eventually reaches the bottom all the food coloring will catch fire and become one giant tall flame that you cannot possibly blow out and the glass will start to crack and then you'll throw your tea on it in a panic and then the extremely hot food coloring will boil and sizzle horribly and then the glass will shatter. Please take my word on this lmfao  Amber: What did you do Fiona?  Fiona: A MISTAKE

*Squad reactions to being told ‘I love you’*  Moon: Thanks fam!  Jenn: oh no  Amber: *cries* I love you too  Katherina: Sounds fake but okay  Fiona: *A flustered mess*  Indy: can i get a refund

Moon: Hewwo.  Amber: Hihiiiiii!  Jenn: Greetings, Humans.  Katherina: Three kinds of people.  Fiona: I want pudding.  Moon: Four kinds of people.  Indy: WHAT’S UP FUCKERS?  Katherina: Five kinds of people.

Moon: If you bite it and you die, it’s poisonous. If it bites you and you die, it’s venomous.  Amber: What if it bites me and it dies!?  Jenn: Then you’re poisonous. Jesus Christ, Amber, learn to listen.  Fiona: What if it bites itself and I die?  Indy: That’s voodoo.  Katherina: What if it bites me and someone else dies?  Amber: That’s correlation, not causation.  Fiona: What if we bite each other, and neither of us die?  Indy: That’s kinky.  Moon: Oh my God.