Where No Pony Has Gone Before: Final Thoughts · 9:03pm Aug 13th, 2018
Dear readers, followers, all those who may stray upon this.
Here, i shall share some of my thoughts on this fic. On why I wrote it, stuff behind the scenes, 'Word of God' stuff for a possible Trivia tab for a tropes page if it ever gets made. Hope springs eternal. ;)
Anyway...
My background on Trek
November 29th, 1986. 8 PM eastern standard time. WNDS TV-50, channel ten on the dial at the time. I could give you my dad's address at the time, but probably not a good idea. ;) Hell, if we were in his old mobile home, i could point to you where his TV was and where I was sitting when it came on. What came on? Balance of Terror, the first episode of Star Trek I ever saw. My dad looked to me. "Oh, Star Trek! Jon, have you ever seen Star Trek? I think you'd like it."
I did. Oh god how I did and still do. With the exception of Discovery, I've seen every episode of Trek and own it all on DVD. All the movies, Prime and Kelvin timeline. I have 194 novels, numerous tech manuals, RPG guides, magazines, episode guides, nipicker's guides, scale-models, and toys. I've even had my picture taken with William Shatner.
Alternate:
I'm the guy on the right, wearing the black jacket.
I'm a small fish in the fan pond, but a fan nonetheless. Star Trek to me is... optimism. It's hope. It's getting better. it's something I desperately need. So, when the 50th anniversary was approaching, I knew I had to do something for it. I owe it so much.
The idea
I've always had a kernel of the plot as an idea for this. Where the crew of the TOS Enterprise visit Equestria. TOS made the most sense, since the Prime Directive wasn't nearly as restrictive as later on. Nothing too big at first. When the 50th anniversary was approaching, I knew I this was my best shot at getting off my ass and getting this done.
I figured just the Enterprise crew wouldn't be enough, so I figured quickly on a Klingon crew. Thing is, I didn't want it to get too dark or fighty. So either I create an OC, or I use an existing character. I prefer using a canon character whenever possible, so I chose Kang.
Originally there was gonna be more conflict. A member of Kang's crew trying to sabotage things or something. I quickly nixed that-too fighty, IMO. I wanted them to get along, although the High Command being idiots was always in the cards. ;p
The hate entity from Day of the Dove was always gonna be a rogue windigo. I was originally gonna have dilithium simply be mined by rock farms, but I decided to go with weeds when I read speculation in the comments.
The whole thing with Sunset came out of the blue. Nothing really 'triggered' it. Just light bulb.
I chose to have it during the Animated Series so I could justify a bit more including M'Ress and Arex.
When it came to the My Little Pony side, I quickly narrowed in on when I wanted it to happen. Or rather when it had to happen. I wanted Princess Twilight, so post-season three. I wanted Discord there and be able to write him without the whole, "His reformation is bullcrap so far," so had to be post-season four. I loathe the episode 'What About Discord, so had to be before that. Or around that to cancel that episode out. And since I really don't like Starlight Glimmer, and wanted to avoid writing her... well, there you go.
What happens to Starlight here in the future of this timeline? Darned if I know, and I don't care to speculate. Now onto more pleasant things for me...
On the Canterlot High side, I knew I'd have to include Sunset, since she's Twilight's main contact through the journal. Since I've only seen the first two, it was easy enough to place the setting there. Works out that those two take place before the end of season five. ;) And of course, I had to have Trixie be the Trekkie who introduced her to Star Trek. Like I've said, Trixie is a canny negotiator when it comes to her parts in my fics. :p And since they're both Trekkies... the whole, "Here's all the series and movies!" came from there.
Will there be a sequel?
To be honest? No. I'm sorry, but for now, this is the end of the line. This fic was meant to be a love letter to Star Trek. I've never really had plans to go and rewrite the entirety of Trek canon. Or even... I wouldn't even know where to really go after this. Believe me. I legit appreciate the enthusiasm, but, well, there's only two real ideas I've got for a new fic in this timeline. And both were suggestions from the comments.
1. A prequel of the Federation probe landing on Equestria.
2. A sequel four years later, where Equestria's first warp-driven starship, the Philomena launches. Twilight, Spike, Sunset, and Trixie would pilot.
Other than that... not really. Again, legit sorry. I just wouldn't know where to take this. Well, I had one more idea...
Flash... Sentry? Really?
Okay, confession? I never hated Flash Sentry. :p I understand if people don't like him. No character can appeal to everyone. More than fair enough. But still... the guy's no Adric or Jar Jar Binks. I like to throw him a bone. So I had him cameo here. And I figured he, like most ponies, would like to listen to some Earth music. So my mind wandered and, of course, it landed on...
I mean, it's Queen. Is there anything else needed to be said there?
So, yeah. And I figured Discord would be the one best to send him to a Queen concert. And of course Discord wouldn't stop there... so yeah. :D
That final vignette was supposed to be a lot longer, and include rewrites of most of the famous scenes. You know the ones. :D
For the record, here's a list off the top of my head of how I would've recast the roles. Some may be missing. But here are the ones I remember.
Flash Sentry-Flash Gordon
Twilight Sparkle-Dale Arden
Pinkie Pie;Doctor Hans Zarkov
Discord-Ming the Merciless
Sombra-Clytus
Tempest Shadow-General Kala
Flim-That guy who says, "Flash Gordon Approaching!"
Applejack-Prince Barin
Rarity-Princess Aura
Luna-Prince Vultan
I may be missing roles. Well, probably am. Those are the major ones.
Final thoughts/acknowledgements
So, yeah. A little under two years. I'm glad I did this. I'm glad I got into Star Trek. I'm glad i got into My Little Pony. It's a minor tribute, but this came from the heart.
I'd like to thank all my proofreaders, listed in the comments. I'd like to thank YOU, those who have read this. I appreciate you all. And I'm glad for all your comments and views and favorites. I legit appreciate it.
Thank you, everyone.
This is embarrassing. All this time, I thought you were a girl.
Awww sweet backstory. Wish I had similar, I just caught a Voyager episode randomly and from there proceeded to watch as much of Star Trek as my TV had allowed. And we all know that TV is a cruel mistress.
As for sequel? Nah, feels finished to me. I'd probably enjoy reading more Star Trek fiction in general than milk the crossover. But you are the captain, my captain.
Your photo with Shatner. Would that have happen to have been taken at United FanCon in 2006? (UFC was a con in Springfield, MA. Last one was in 2009). I'm guessing that one, due to the tv station you mentioned being in New England.
If it was, we may have met. I was helping out at that con. Not staff, but since a lot of my friends were, I got roped into fetching stuff for them. (Yes, that is part of why my name is Fetch). I was the guy with a yellow labrador puppet on my arm. I still am when I go to conventions.
4919530
I'd like a tiny sequel: An Equestrian ship is brought to the Delta Quadrant by The Caretaker instead of the Equinox. Can they keep to the virtues of Harmony, or will trying to get home corrupt them into beings worse than Sombra?
I am happy that Flash got a bone, thanks for all of that wonderful writing!
Well, I loved this story while it lasted
You have my envy for having met William Shatner.
This story was very good. I enjoyed it thoroughly. While I would enjoy a first-contact prequel, I can understand that you want to move on to new projects. As a very wise? man once said,
well here we are at the end of the story, and it's time to stop. For the moment, there's always something new to write after all. I look forward to whatever you decide to dream up next.
But since we're rolling credits, I think it only fitting to include some appropriate music.
Now, A story doesn't end when the writer stops writing; for while we the readers may see this as finished, for the characters it's just getting started.
So long mate, we'll see you around eh?
That cast list is perfect.
But...
TlhIngan Hol Dajatlh'a'?
I don't, but I'm just curious.
Real talk though: Do pony crew of the Enterprise wear pants?
4919556
More like a spin off than a sequel. Don't think it would be that tiny. Could be interesting.
4919765
It's Season One TNG. No one wore pants if they could help it.
I'm interested
I normally don't answer replies, but I think this time I'll make an attempt.
4919517
I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing... ;)
4919530
Thanks! And heck, yours isn't too bad. And yeah, I think I'm mostly done with this one.
4919548
No, sorry. It was taken in Worcester, Mass. And I don't remember anyone with a yellow Labrador. It would've been cool, though!
4919556
might be a bit much for a 'tiny' sequel, sorry. ;)
4919581
i think he deserves one. ;) And you're welcome. :)
4919619
Thanks.
4919635
It was quick, but made of win. :D
4919651
Thanks. And yeah. I don't wanna milk this thing. It's over. it's done. for me, at least.
4919663
Thanks. :D
4919669
No, I don't. I have an old Klingonese/English dictionary, but I had to use online translators.
4919765
*Shrug of God*
4920521
I thought you were a girl because your profile on fanfiction.net had a girl a the image. Also, no offense, but to me, your writing looked like a girl’s speech patterns. That’s what I get for assumptions.
It has been quite a ride.