"This is, um... I don't really know what to say."
"Well, I know it's not my place, General, but—"
"Let me just stop you right there. I haven't been a general in quite some time; you don't need to call me that."
"S-sorry, ma'am. Anyway, I heard you were planning on writing your memoirs soon, so I thought this would help."
"So you got me a journal? I appreciate the gesture, Ms. Posey, but I do have my own paper."
"Oh, it's not just a journal, Gen— I-I mean, Ms. Firefly. The book is magic."
"Magic, you say?"
"Oh, yes. According to the pony that sold it to me, the book will ask you questions when you write in it."
"Questions? Questions about what?"
"Mainly about your life, I believe. I don't know, I haven't tried it myself. B-but I'm sure it'll help you organize your thoughts."
"Hmm. I see. Well, thank you very much for the gift, Ms. Posey. I hope your new life in the Wonderbolts will be as fulfilling as mine was."
"Th-thank you. That means a lot coming from you, Gen— I-I mean, Ms. Firefly. W-well, I'd best be going. Enjoy the book!"
"I'm sure I will. Take care, Ms. Posey."
***
Alright, Mr. Book. It's time you and I got properly acquainted. Mind you, I am a bit apprehensive, but I'm also very excited. I'd much rather share my awesome story with an audience than just keep this to myself. And believe me, Mr. Book. My story is awesome. No, I'm not just saying that to fuel my own ego. My accomplishments are still being lauded to this day, and I'm proud of every single one of them.
I suppose I should start off by introducing myself. My name is Firefly, though most ponies know me better as General Firefly. However, I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me that. I haven't been a general for quite some time now.
As you probably have guessed, I am a military pony. I was right there during the founding of the EUP; Equestria's first standing military after the banishment of Nightmare Moon. Princess Celestia had appointed me to lead the Pegasus Division, and I was determined to live up to that distinction. Maybe a bit too determined, thinking back on it. Some ponies say that I went above and beyond the call of duty on that front. But do I regret it? Not in the slightest, my friend.
For you see, I can claim something that few other ponies can claim. Ponies like Starswirl the Bearded; Commander Hurricane; Princess Celestia herself. And that claim is simply this: I managed to make history.
When threats against our home began to wane, I didn't see that as an excuse for my squadron to be grounded. Instead, we continued to train ourselves in mind, body, and spirit. Then, on the anniversary of Equestria's first celestial year of peace, we put our training to good use with a celebratory airshow. I can still remember everything down to the last second about that day. The wind blowing through my mane and coat; my wingponies keeping pace with every single swoop and dive I made; the cheers from the ponies below; the adrenaline coursing through my veins like wildfire. Not since I earned my Cutie Mark did I feel so, alive. And truth be told, it's a feeling I kinda miss. Don't get me wrong; I retired from active service for a damn good reason. Still, it would be nice to fly like that again...
Oh, my apologies. I've been rambling so much that I forgot the most important part of the evening. That part is where I made history. As it turns out, that passion we put into our little stunt show was enough to trigger something deep within our hearts. Our inner magic practically exploded from our bodies, and it ignited the night sky with a shower of technicolor lightning. Words cannot describe the euphoria I felt in that moment. It wasn't just my inner magic practically pouring out of every cell of my body, oh no. It was the audience, cheering my name. Our names. We were an inspiration to the ponies that watched us, regardless of what tribe they hailed from. And just to put the icing on the cake, I saw one little pegasus filly at the end of the night. I'll never forget what she said to me:
"When I grow up, I wanna be just like you!"
That's when I made my decision. I wanted to continue to inspire ponies like that. Not only was it my special talent, but it was something the pegasi of Equestria needed. Before that day, pegasi were bound by military traditions that were a carry-over from pre-unification times. We still maintain those traditions today, but in this land of peace we call Equestria, that niche shouldn't be the only thing we should strive for. There's more to flying than just being a force to be reckoned with. And I wanted to show that to everypony.
That's right, Mr. Book. I am the founder of the elite flight team known as the Wonderbolts. And even after my retirement, they are still going strong. They still defend the land as a branch of the EUP, but that's not all they do. They also help monitor the weather from our home in Cloudsdale. And during times of peace (such as what we have right now), they dazzle and inspire ponies with death-defying stunts. I can't speak for every pegasus in Equestria, but for the majority I've spoken to, being a Wonderbolt is a goal that they aspire to. And I was the one to get that ball rolling.
There. Now you know some basic stuff about me, Mr. Book. I guess now I just leave you around a bit and wait for you to ask me questions. I don't know how much control I have over this process, but I hope you'll remain, tasteful. I mean, I don't mind delving into more intimate territory every now and then; just don't expect me to give you all the naughty details. I have to draw a line in the sand somewhere.
So, yeah. I'm not sure how to end this, so I'll just say I hope to hear from you soon.
...
No, it still feels weird saying that to a book. Ah well, I've already made my bed. Might as well sleep in it.