Thundermare is Go · 12:22am May 14th, 2019
We Don't Talk About Captain Thunderhoof is complete, and I wanted to share some thoughts about it. If you haven't read it yet—possibly because you like to wait until after stories are finished to read them—go check it out before reading this blog, as it assumes you're already familiar with everything and is riddled with unmarked spoilers.
This definitely didn't turn out how anyone expected it to, myself included. Assembling the thing was an adventure in and of itself, part of me watching in shock and horror as the outline ballooned from a quick gag to a grand, multichapter mystery. If you look at the blog where Estee threw down the gauntlet, you can watch me report on the progress roughly in real time in the comments.
It all stemmed from the source, as these things do. We see Captain Thunderhoof as a bizarrely proportioned apparent alicorn capable of tornadoes, reform spells, and lifting a truck out of a pothole. We also see that Galloping Grove has trucks, along with videophones and a blend of both human (Montague, Todd) and pony (Corn, Peg, a chef named Rigatoni) naming conventions.
So obviously, my first thought was "changelings abducted humans for love and technology."
Well, it was obvious to me, but I've never met a problem that can't be solved by attaching a few extra universes. "Spring Breakdown" having just aired meant that I had a perfect excuse in the form of naturally occuring portals.
Of course, I still had to work in the Wonderbolts. Specifically, as per the short description demanded by the challenge, the "Worst. Wonderbolt. EVER." So, what qualifies as such, especially given Wind Rider, Fleetfoot, and Lightning Dust forming a Norn-like trio of Wonderbolt awfulness past, present, and narrowly averted future?
Well, this is Equestria. Why not a Wonderbolt who tried to conquer the nation? An internal military coup is pretty much the only kind of invasion we haven't seen yet, and since Thunderhoof would be a changeling, it definitely works. Especially as a charismatic, "Concordia Vult!" crusader. Extra-especially if she sincerely believed it. If Thunderhoof's resemblance to Celestia were homage rather than mockery, that could make the situation much more interesting.
Mind you, this is all assembled post hoc as best as I can remember my own creative process about six weeks after the fact, so there are probably inaccuracies scattered throughout. Me retracing my steps is more archaeology than memory. I will note that I loved the reader speculation on Galloping Grove being similar to the Pegasus Enclave of Fallout: Equestria before I revealed the town, including the possibility of it being home to Wind Rider, Lightning Dust, and possibly even Cozy Glow. (To say nothing of Corn and Peg reimagined as Thunderhoof's enforcers!) It makes me wish I could've justified a color photo of the old, hornless Thunderhoof just to smoke that herring a little redder by giving her the colors of some of her infamous alleged descendants.
Speaking of Corn and Peg... yeah, there wasn't much of them. This was a tale of intrigue, deception, and plots that span decades. There just wasn't much room for two innocent kids in there. Especially not when Photuris actively kept them out of the worst of it.
As for this Twilight, there were two major sources of inspiration for her. iisaw definitely gets a nod, given how I tantalized her with a secret then let her plow through every obstacle in her wake in her need to find the truth, a la The Celestia Code. But I suspect GaPJaxie also had a hand, because changeling queens with actual tactical competence bring Queen Amaryllis of the Third Wheel series to mind. (The Virgin Princess spoilers follow) And, by extension, the horrifying nature of alicorn existence in those stories. I do love the series, but I can definitely see myself embracing a Twilight capable of growth to contrast it.
The potshots at the School of Friendship and Twilight inheriting the kingdom were just for fun. 
Oh, and one more thing that I'm honestly disappointed that no one mentioned: Photuris is the genus of the so-called "femme fatale" fireflies, the ones who imitate the signalling patterns of other species and devour unsuspecting males who approach would-be mates. What could be a more perfect name for a Wonderbolt changeling queen?
Since this was an Estee challenge, I made sure to put in a theme with the chapter titles, in this case various synonyms for "unspoken." Of course, each one ties in to the contents of the chapter as well.
• Taboo: Rainbow Dash doesn't know why Rule Seven exists, just that it does, and that she must obey it. Twilight, naturally, can't just accept something so arbitrary.
• Classified: Spitfire and Publicity Stunt stonewall Twilight, so she flies over their heads and onto Celestia's balcony.
• Undisclosed: Unlike the Wonderbolts, Celestia treats the story of Thunderhoof less as a matter of national security and more as something she's trying not to bring up and hoping that no one else does either. Similarly, Twilight doesn't reveal the full extent of what she's learned to Moondancer, which ends up denying mission-critical knowledge to Photuris.
• Private: A series of personal moments between friends and family... and one mailmare revealing the forbidden lore of the post office. Twilight's contingency is put into place, unknown even to the audience, much less Photuris. And finally, Twilight finds her way to a very private community.
• Verboten: German for "forbidden," though in English it connotes state-enforced unspeakability. So to does Twilight encounter institutionalized secrecy, whether it's the memetic locks in Montague's mind or Todd's terrified reaction to an unfamiliar alicorn. The chapter ends with Twilight finding the true power behind the mayor's office chair.
• Clandestine: Not just covert, but criminally covert, much like everything Thunderhoof does with the lake portal... and her own troops. Much to Twilight's misfortune.
• Unpony: As with 1984, Thunderhoof never truly existed. Photuris presents the Ministry-approved truth of changelings and humans for Twilight's consideration in Hive Chamber 101... though Twilight flips the script through her own inequine contingency and the angry moonhorse it signals.
• Understood: Unlike the other chapters, this is a positive sort of omission, one where you don't need to say anything because everyone already knows it, the comfortable silence between friends. The story ultimately has a happy, friendly ending... though it's also understood that's there's more to tell.
And there is definitely more to tell in this setting. Indeed, I've already told some of it: Shoeshine and the Khaki Maniac, with its ongoing trade with the human world and fallout from the schedule-clearing chronomancy, is in fact in the same continuity as Thunderhoof. I'm not sure what other stories I'll tell of this particular Equestria, or when they'll come out, but I do hope to revisit it at some point.
Again, this one didn't turn out how anyone expected, but I'm very happy with it. Thanks for reading.
We're all just such instigators... Arsonists, even.
Thunderbirds reference is always a win!
I contest that; the queen has yet to exhibit any unusual tactical competence and has instead been fighting the inept Crystal Empire. The strategies that worked the best were the ones that the Infiltrators already knew, and it's unlikely that once people with skill start showing up (assuming they're allowed to be skilled; that series isn't about war specifically so it might not spend time building a good general) she'll keep her success rate. Especially since she seems to buy her own 'A god am I' crap and doesn't understand why others don't.
Well, it was more interesting than my typical Grim-dark deconstruction bit. Which somehow got more likes than any of my real stories, which I still find weird.
Huh. I did not really suspect this to share continuity with Khaki Maniac.
I'm glad to see the comparisons to iisaw weren't random imaginings, but intentional choices. Shades of his Twilight are apparent in this story.
Speaking of the fireflies, this is uncanny. I was just messing around on Tvtropes when the random trope generator came up with More Deadly Than the Male. Guess what came up under the real life examples? Yep, our pal Photuris. I didn't know this before I read it there.
Knowledge!
"Wind Rider, Fleetfoot, and Lightning Dust forming a Norn-like trio of Wonderbolt awfulness past, present, and narrowly averted future"
...Am I forgetting something? What did Fleetfoot do?
"Photuris is the genus of the so-called "femme fatale" fireflies, the ones who imitate the signalling patterns of other species and devour unsuspecting males who approach would-be mates. What could be a more perfect name for a Wonderbolt changeling queen?"
Oh, neat! I don't think I'd heard of those before; thanks.
"I've already told some of it"
Oh, also neat!
You're welcome, and thanks for writing!
You've just created a new AU :3
How many does that make now?
You are undeniably on a roll!
I was the one who originally, in the Discord, pointed Estee at Corn and Peg, and I regretted my sin.
Well, this story was great! I feel you've repented my sin for me.
Thanks for writing it!
In all fairness, it's shamefully tragic that Corn and Peg as well as Filly Funtasia will devour what's left of FIM only to stoke our indignations even further, just like when RBUK ripped off of Unikitty...
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G5 is set to be a thing. I can't speak to its quality, having avoided the spoilers as much as I can, but it at least has the potential to be a worthy heir.
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Yes, but for how long? That is the question: in the light of recent events, it's only a matter of time 'til it goes the way of all flesh; the fact that the real world is getting worse and worse is pretty harrowing to say the least.