Declassified #2 - Behind the scenes of "Another Life -A Torchwood Story-"

This story was initially to be part of Winningverse canon, but it deviated quite a bit the more the story progressed, primarily with the inclusion of an alternative form of alchemy, Star Kicker not on her mission for Princess Luna, and Flash having a close relationship with Cloud Kicker.

It would later shift to the same universe as Torchwood ESOV. Had it continued, Pokey Pierce and Candy Mane would have made an appearance in the second chapter “The Great Detective” and ally with the Twelfth Precinct (at least Flash, Midnight, Star, and Cloud) to uncover a bedridden Diamond Dust’s abilities. Said abilities were caused by miniature robots called nanomites (a dual reference to the nanites from Acrhie’s Sonic the Hedgehog and Metal Gear’s nanomachines) residing in Diamond’s bloodstream, a result of secret military tests. They artificially generated magical energy, but had the downside of dealing harmful radiation to the host, which explains why Diamond was near death at the end of chapter 1.

Following that discovery, the plot would have progressed with Star leaving for her aforementioned mission, but not before her prototype tracker was analyzed and praised by the Torchwood team. Changeling Pokey would utilize this technology to keep tabs on Flash and Midnight. Cloud would depart early on as well and return to the Kicker Home Guard, but still be involved as a witness.

Flash harbors a crush for Cloud, though he has to ignore it due to being aware of her recent history (a la death of Nimbus Gust). Though it wouldn't have worked out, with Cloud still having a thing for Jack Harness. In a surprise twist, Flash's feelings transfer to Diamond Dust, the very mare who tried to kill him, following a heart-to-heart during an unmonitored interrogation. Additionally, Diamond Dust claims to know of an imposter in the Canterlot hierarchy, who it really is, and what it has planned for the city. Her actions against the precinct were a way of getting the attention of the precinct while convincing any Changeling spies she was insane. Later, the precinct would receive orders to transfer Diamond to a secure cell in Canterlot’s dungeons. Flash, Midnight, and Pokey would escort her there. The latter springs a trap and sends the former two plus Diamond into the catacombs beneath the city to ensure nopony stood in the way of Chrysalis’s takeover. The story, which would have lasted four chapters, would have ended there and been tied up by an epilogue depicting their rescue following the Changeling invasion and Diamond receiving a pardon for her crimes.

The revamped chapter was meant to retcon the story from the defunct ESOV canon to the Sombraverse introduced in the IDW comics. The plot would have remained the same, except Time Turner and Rose would have appeared instead of Pokey and Candy. The traitor was an element that had yet to be decided upon.

The Doctor would have possessed character traits from the classic series Doctors (including Eight and Valeyard), at some point using a catchphrase from each, while Rose would’ve been analogous to Amy Pond instead of Rose Tyler.

The chapter also introduces Shephard Pie, who was to be characterized as a medic who shared traits with Pinkie Pie and Half-Life’s Adrian Shephard. He has a white coat with gray dappling, black mane, brown eyes, and a cutie mark of three slices of cottage pie. He wore dark green armor with a medical cross on helmet.

Diamond Dust utilizes alchemy similar to the alchemy from Fullmetal Alchemist. In fact, the chapter was partially inspired by the first episode of the Brotherhood anime, and Diamond Dust is essentially Isaac McDougal (former member of the military trying to prevent a disaster, ends up looking like the bad guy). She has a light blue coat, silver mane, gray eyes, and cutie mark of three snowflakes. Imagine a unicorn version of Fleetfoot.

Midnight Sun was meant to be a mix of Sunset’s name and ability, Twilight’s bookishness, and a diluted, but high opinion of herself from Trixie. She is charcoal gray with a two-tone red mane and gold eyes. Her cutie mark is a radiation sun. Her armor was black as ebony. Imagine Dinky in her late twenties or early thirties. Additionally, very early on, she was to be an accomplice to Diamond Dust working on the inside.

Domino is essentially an expy of the Domino Squad from Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Tan coat, black mane graying at the temples, brown eyes with a patch over his left one, and a cutie mark of a 1-4 domino to represent the sole surviving member of Domino Squad: (spoilers!) Echo. As expected, he possesses white armor with blue markings.

The Twelfth Precinct is featured in the Luna Micro-Series, which in turn references it from either Barney Miller or Castle.
Lightning Dust is Flash Sentry’s sister. This concept, plus a few others and some characters, will be echoed in the upcoming Sentry.
Airheart (officially Jetstream) is a pony who was Cloud’s bunkmate during their time at West Hoof, an element yet to be made official Winning canon by WyattKesslerFelix (to which I’m eagerly looking forward to). Dusk Watch is a nod to a fellow hammer-happy pre-reader.

Diamond proclaiming she doesn’t take orders from the Guard nearly echoes Maleficent’s remark to Sora in Kingdom Hearts II.
If it were proper vernacular, it would have been said as “High Command, I am disappoint.”

Flash claiming his injury is just a flesh wound is a nod to Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

The exchange between Star and Cloud when Shephard glanced at the latter’s rear is a nod to the opening cutscene of Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Flash mentally chanting “Think, think, think” is a phrase frequently used by Winnie the Pooh.

Little Celestia’s is a nod to the popular ponification of Little Ceaser’s pizzeria.

Flash’s mental exclamation of “Yahtzee!” is a nod to Jim Carrey’s line in Bruce Almighty.

“Dammit, I’m a cloudtrotter, not a magician!” is a parody of Dr. McCoy’s “Dammit Jim, I’m a doctor, not an X.” catchphrase from Star Trek.

Here's a chart that shows off the original characters, plus the original cast of The Alternate Life of Sparkler No-Last Name and ponified Normal Norman and Saints Bro from Equestria Girls.