//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Where No Pony Has Gone Before // by RK_Striker_JK_5 //------------------------------// Captain Jean-Luc Picard walked the corridors of the USS Enterprise, the latest Starfleet ship to bear the name. He felt some pride, but more than a little nervousness as he thought to the footsteps he would be following in. Jim Kirk, Spock, Demora Sulu, Rachel Garrett… this will be a tall task for me. He continued walking, turning a corner. He passed by a Vulcan male in science-division blue, and a pegasus mare in operations-mustard. Both stopped and acknowledged him before continuing on their way, Picard nodding to them as he walked past. The low whistle of the intercom sounded out, followed by a voice. “Captain Picard, there is an incoming transmission from Starfleet Command for you, sir. It is Admiral Garrett.” Picard stopped in his tracks and tapped the combadge on his left breast. “Thank you, Mister Data.” He took a moment to orient himself. “I’ll be at my quarters in about two minutes. Tell the admiral I’ll take it there.” “Understood, sir.” Picard increased his gait, reaching a turbolift and entering. “Deck nine,” he called out, even as the doors closed. Within seconds, the doors slid open once more and he hurried down the corridor. He finally reached the door to his quarters and entered, making his way to a desk in the corner. He sat down and swung a monitor around. “Computer, open channel to Starfleet Command. Authorization: Picard-Delta-Five.” The computer triple-beeped. “Authorization acknowledged. Opening channel.” The screen changed from the emblem of the Federation to the head and upper body of one Admiral Rachel Garrett. She had a stern visage, with piercing brown eyes, black hair cut in a bob with a hint of silver, and a set mouth. “Captain, good to see you.” Picard nodded, leaning forward slightly. “And you as well, Admiral. My apologies for keeping you waiting.” Garrett waved him off. “I know how big your Enterprise is, Captain. No apology necessary.” She glanced down. “The ESS Commander Hurricane will be rendezvousing with you outside the Sol System. Admiral McCoy will be transferring over for a short inspection tour before you head out on your general mission.” Picard rubbed his chin. “An Equestrian ship?” Garrett shrugged. “Apparently he wanted to spend some time with ‘an old friend’, as he put it.” Picard smiled slightly. “Well, he’s certainly earned that right. We’ll roll out the red carpet for him, Admiral. Anything else?” Garrett hesitated for a moment. “To be honest, I’m not sure. Q is supposed to show up on your Enterprise’s maiden voyage, but a lot has been changed. It could get a bit dicey out there.” Picard allowed himself a small chuckle. “If the hero of Narendra III thinks things might get ‘dicey’, then that’s definitely cause for concern.” Garrett tilted her head down and stared at Picard. “Hardly a hero, Captain. I merely took advantage of information to make sure there was sufficient forces there to put an end to the situation before it escalated.” “And you earned a debt of honor from an entire planet, along with a future statue in the Hall of Heroes on Q’onoS,” Picard replied. “I’d say you more than earned that, Admiral.” Garrett’s expression softened, if only slightly. “Thank you, Captain. I’ll let you get back to your mission. Safe travels. Starfleet Command out.” Spike made his way down the halls of the Castle of Friendship, managing to slide through aides, cleaning staff, and other beings there. He smiled as just about everyone there greeted him, calling out his name or waving a hoof, hand, or paw. I remember when I could slip by without anyone ever noticing I was there. I’m so glad those days are over. No longer a baby dragon barely a foot tall, he was now nearly seven-feet high. And although he was lean, his arms were like steel cables, his legs hydraulic pistons. His wings were tucked against his back, a remarkable feat considering they could stretch to nearly ten feet in width. He made his way to one room down a corridor and entered. “Twi, Twi, you in here?” he called out, before spotting his old friend at the far end, standing on a balcony. He walked over, brow furrowing with every step. “Twilight, you all right?” Twilight’s ears folded against her head as Spike approached. She waited for him to stand beside her before speaking. “Sorry, Spike. It’s just…” She waved a wing at the sky, in the direction of the setting sun. “Tomorrow is the Summer Sun Celebration. I just wish… I wish my friends were here to enjoy it with me.” Spike slowly nodded. “Yeah. this is the first time none of them are here with us. At least not physically.” He shrugged. “Should be a bit different.” Twilight looked at him out of the corner of his eye. “‘A bit different’? That’s all you can say about it, Spike?” Spike’s eyes shifted from left to right. “Well, yeah?” He turned and looked around, finally walking over to a desk. He picked up a datapad on it and, with a deft flick of a claw, started scrolling through screen of text. “Not everyone can be here all the time, Twilight.” his eyes narrowed as he looked over the text currently on the datapad’s screen. “I mean, you and I both know Fluttershy’s the best one to deal with tribble outbreaks on Klingon farm worlds. And there’s no way Rainbow Dash would give up on being the captain of the Commander Hurricane, especially with such an important mission.” A small snort escaped Twilight. “I’m not sure how ‘important’ it really is transferring Admiral McCoy to the Enterprise.” Spike smiled as he glanced back up at Twilight. “Yeah. She probably just loves making those warp drive noises with her mouth.” He looked back down at the datapad. “Although it’s been a while since Applejack toured House Apple’s holdings on Sherman’s Planet. And Rarity’s been making noises about going back to Earth to check on her five boutiques there for ages.” Twilight finally turned from the setting sun and made her way into the room proper. “And Pinkie Pie’s the best ambassador to Vulcan we can have.” She stopped next to Spike. “You’re right, you’re right. It still won’t make it any easier.” Spike rubbed his chin. “Well… you could write them a letter.” He snorted, green flame shooting from his nostrils. His eyes crossed slightly as he looked down at them. “I’m still trying to figure out how you extended my range to interstellar distances.” Twilight finally smiled. “Oh, trade secret.” She floated a quill, inkwell, and scroll off a table and over to her. Spike held up a hand and grabbed the scroll out of midair. “Twilight, how’s about I write these? For old time’s sake?” Twilight’s horn lit up. Four more scrolls and quills floated into the air. “Okay, Spike. Give me one second.” She shot a thin beam of magic at the quills. It split apart, enveloping each one with her magic. Another beam broke off, hitting the one in Spike’s claw. “There we go. Now you’ll only have to write once.” Spike bowed to her. “Why thank you, milady! My tired, aching claws are in your debt.” A chuckle escaped Twilight. “I’m glad to spare your delicate digits such pain.” She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts together. “Dear friends…” The morning sun rose over the First City of the Klingon Empire, turning the buildings crimson. At one such building, the Klingon Imperial Science Academy, students and teachers alike rose and prepared for the oncoming day. Je’Len, daughter of Mel’kig, hurried along the hallways, backpack slung over one shoulder and PADDs clutched in her hands. She weaved her way through other students, occasionally just shoulder-blocking her way through a crowd. “I will be late!” she snarled. “Move, you brainless Ferengi! Get to your own classes!” Finally, Je’Len managed to arrive at one set of double-doors. She walked through them, finding herself in a rather large auditorium. Over a dozen rows of chairs and desks were arranged in a semicircle, surrounding a stage. A podium was at the center of the stage, a large standalone screen behind it. Je’Len made her way down a set of stairs, then slid her way to her assigned seat. The auditorium quickly filled up with other students. A general hush fell over them as their  chronometers ticked to 0900 hours, local time. A door on the back wall opened and an elder Klingon male walked out onto the stage. He wore a brown robe trimmed with silver chainmail, and carried a thick leather-bound book in his right hand. He walked over to the podium and placed the book down on it. Sharp brown eyes darted from left to right. “A full class, excellent!” He thumped his chest. “I am Set’Xie, son of Kang and Mara.” Set’Xie spread his arms out, seeming to take in the entire class. “This is the next step on your journeys. Your weapons shall be your mind and tricorders. Your armor shall be your ideas and books. Your battlefields shall be laboratories, and test sites. Your battles shall be against the forces of nature itself! And if you succeed, the prize shall be nothing less than the secrets of the universe!” The teacher paced back and forth, waving his right hand in the air. “You shall not be alone in this. Look to your left, and then look to your right. Your comrades in arms are all around you, for there is strength in unity, in friendship.” He brought his hand in and motioned to himself.” And I shall aid you as well as I can.” A large grin blossomed on Set’Xie’s face. “Now, let us see how well I can do in teaching you all the True Way of the Warrior!” Discord nibbled a bit on a biscuit. He sat on a chair on the ceiling of his house. “Did you think it would end up like this?” he asked his guest. Q looked up. He was sprawled out on the couch, a smirk on his face. “I’m afraid I knew everything that was going to happen when the timeline changed, my dear Discord. It’s one of the trials of being omniscient. Nothing surprises you.” Discord groaned. He pushed himself from his chair and backstroked down to the couch, water wings appearing on his limbs. “Oh, don’t give me that, Q! We’re both evolved beings. And you are not omniscient.” He leaned in close. “Or did you let Sisko knock you for a loop?” Q waved a finger at Discord. “Don’t push it too far. Our friendship can only mitigate so much before I get… irritated.” Discord backed away to the other side of the couch, paw and claw up. “Sorry, sorry!” He tilted his head. “But the question does stand, Q. Did you think it would end up like this?” he repeated. Q snapped his fingers. A martini glass appeared in his left hand, and he took a sip before speaking. “Well, I knew some things would change.” He paused, expression turning somber. “As a father, I’m glad neither Jim Kirk nor Kang nor Koloth or Kor outlived their sons.” A groan escaped Q. “Oh, look at me. I’m getting positively sentimental in my old age.” Discord barked a laugh, changing into a dog for a moment. “Oh, please! It’s the magic of friendship, Q! Don’t fight it.” He paused. “Speaking of which, don’t you have a friendship to go and start? I think Mon Capitan will be waiting for you.” The martini glass in Q’s hand disappeared. “I’m not sure, Discord. I mean he knows about me. There’s no Farpoint Station test this time around. What’s the point?” Discord gasped. “The point? What does that matter? The point is to go and see him! I don’t know, mix things up a bit there. Give him a full head of hair or something.” Q eyed him. “Let’s not go too far. Still, you’re right. They’re expecting me to show up, so I might as well make an appearance.” He rose from the couch and tugged down on the front of his shirt. “Thank you, Discord. A pleasure, as always.” He raised his right hand, but stopped before snapping his fingers. “Although speaking of friends and friendships, don’t you have someone to attend to?” Discord leaned back slightly. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Q snorted. “What a shame. You just made a new friend and you’ve forgotten about him. Ah, well. Hopefully I’ll do better with Jean-Luc than you did with Flash Sentry and that little ‘Savior of the Universe’ game you talked him into after the Queen concert.” With that, he snapped his fingers and vanished in a flash of light. Discord sat on the couch for a few moments. “Forgotten… new friend…” He slapped his face with a paw and slowly dragged it down his face and snout, cheeks turning a bright plaid. “Oh… whoops. How could I have forgotten that?” Beep, beep, beep… Lieutenant Flim sat up straight in his seat. He looked up at the monitor right above his sensor station. His eyes widened as his brain processed the image on the screen. He swallowed and waited a handful of heartbeats before leaning in close to a microphone on his station and speaking into it. “General Shadow, have I mentioned how lovely you look today? And how powerful you are?” He shrunk down slightly. “Also, Flash Sentry is approaching.” The temperature seemed to drop several degrees as General Tempest Shadow stalked down a flight of stairs from her station. “What do you mean… Flash Sentry approaching?” she snarled out, upper lip curling to reveal some rather sharp teeth. Flim shrank down in his seat. “Well… he’s flying in on a night-pony rocket cycle.” He chuckled nervously. “And have I mentioned how lovely you look?” Tempest Shadow spun from him, right foreleg up. “OPEN FIRE! ALL WEAPONS!” She looked back to Flim. “Dispatch War-Blimp Applejacks to bring back his body!” Outside the palace of Discord the Diabolical, Flash Sentry sent his ‘borrowed’ rocket-cycle into a series of twists and turns, avoiding blasts of powerful magic coming from cannons situated around Discord’s palace. He turned his rocket-cycle around, sparing a moment to glance back as a rather large, armored blimp emerged from one of the palace hangers. Flash turned back and leaned on the throttle as much as he dared. He allowed himself a moment’s respite and rested on the controls for a moment. “Next time Discord tells me it’ll just be a fun game based off of the human music we were listening to…” He looked around at the technicolored clouds, even as his ears somehow picked up the faint music of Queen. “Next time I’ll ask him if I can bring some friends, you know!” He tossed his head back and let out a wild yell as his mane whipped about behind him, his own adventures ahead.