In the future, an island appears in the middle of one of oceans. This island is protected by a magical barrier that no human can pass through, and is home to a race of ponies – the island is Equestria, and its inhabitants are the ponies. Shortly after the island's appearance, its pony inhabitants make contact with mankind and start up a chain of "Conversion Bureaus" – places where humans unsatisfied with their lives can go to have themselves transformed into ponies.