To you who now read this, know that the writing of this story was not Firefly’s idea. It was requested by me, so that all who fought and died on both sides of the Great Pony/Gryphon War would not be forgotten. Know also that even though it will tell of many fights and battles, this is less a tale of valor and glory than the enduring and unconquerable power of friendship.
To truly understand it, you must leave the peaceful era of the present and go back to a troubled time in Equestria’s existence; a time when the hold of Harmony was far weaker and a still-young Equestrian nation faced many potential threats. It was a time when magical elements could not be wielded; a time when matters between races were too often settled not with words and diplomacy, but with steel and sorcery...
A time when one young mare took her fate by the reins, embarking on a journey whose legacy would long outlive her. And yet, for all her medals and honors, and for all her feats and victories, she would not wish to be remembered as a soldier, a leader, or even a warrior.
She would wish to be remembered as a mother, a sister… and a very beloved friend.
Signed,
Celestia Daybringer
Princess of the Sun
Diarch of Equestria
Sergeant Bone Deep, the recruiter for the Royal Guard, stared at me for several seconds like I had sprouted a second pair of wings. “I apologize, miss, but... methinks I misheard you. Perchance you couldst repeat yourself?”
I sighed, exasperated with the stallion’s confusion. It had been amusing at first, but the novelty expired quickly. “For the third and final time, Sergeant, I wish to join the armored division of the Royal Guard, not the plainclothes security.”
The unicorn sergeant sighed and massaged his temple; he looked like he was beginning to have a headache. “Miss, my sincerest apologies, but there are rules and regulations regarding where mare and stallion recruits are sent—”
“—Nary a one of which specifically says that all mares must be plainclothes security,” I interrupted smoothly, having anticipated the question from the start. The Sergeant was right in that most stallions who sought the Guard joined the armored division, while mares underwent separate training that, though intense, would leave them little more than glorified servants to the Celestial Palace and lesser nobles, maids and attendants whose jobs it would be to stop assassins and who would only don actual uniforms for ceremonies or battle armor in times of war. “’Tis certain I have done enough research in preparation for this to know for a fact that there is no rule or regulation that prohibits mares from donning Guardspony armor!” I slammed a hoof down on the table in front of him for emphasis.
Bone Deep blinked. He hadn’t expected such a forceful response, apparently. “W-well, regardless, ’tis highly irregular for a mare to—”
“Irregular though it may be,” I broke in again, “change has to start somewhere, and ’tis not something to be feared. If I do not do this, ’tis certain that someday, somepony else will. I wish it to be me!”
I could tell I was wearing him down as he tried one last time to protest. “But ’tis against tradition—”
“Traditions can and do change,” I said over him, letting some of my anger leak into my voice at his continued obstinacy. I knew I’d likely have to deal with it, but I expected far better arguments than these. “Tradition does not make things wrong or right, Sergeant. What was traditional yesterday could be out of date today. For example—” I let my voice fall flatter than a piece of unleavened bread “—’twas once traditional for unicorns and pegasi to rob earth ponies of the lion’s share of their harvest.”
He flinched. The comparison to the tale of the Hearth’s Warming had hit home, it seemed. “V-very well, miss. Since you are so insistent and know the rules so well, I shall have the papers readied and sent to the appropriate officers for approval.” He steadied himself, taking a deep breath, trying to still his twitching tail. “Methinks it necessary to warn you, however—even if they approve your application, ‘tis certain you will not have an easy time of it. The Armored Guard is a proud group who do not take kindly to those they see as interlopers. And you will be in for it from the start—the Sergeant Major in charge of pegasus training is hard on everypony, especially those who stand out. And ‘tis certain you will stand out, Miss…?”
I laughed merrily, flaring my wings in a boastful display born of all the pride and arrogance of youth, answering with the cocky certainty of a mare who knew not yet what she faced. “Methinks I’ve overcome enough hardships in my life to not be afraid of one more, Sergeant Bone Deep! I will pass all tests and become the first mare to enter the Armored Guard, or my name is not Firefly!”
I commend you on your research. Have you actually watched the original 80's version of MLP?
You have my attention!
It's a very boastful story... I like it.
First three paragraphs and i'm liking this fic already.
7283473
I finally got around to fixing that last paragraph of the first chapter that you flagged in your review. Hopefully it comes across a bit better now.
8021086 I think I might want to backtrack on what I said in the review. That was mostly my young mind believing what information it poured out was important.
But this is really -- like, really good. The first half of the paragraph is a perfect comparison to the second half. It really displays Firefly's cockiness.
I mean it when I say I'm writing a second review. It's hard to find a story I actually like and want to put at the top of my recommendation list.
Keep up the good work!
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I would love to see a second review! If I may suggest then, the proper time to do so would be after the next chapter, which takes us to the discovery of gryphon plans and the very eve of war, making it a natural breakpoint of sorts. I'll use it to make another play for new readership then and hopefully finish this long climb to 200 likes.
I promised folks that if and when this reached 300 likes I'd turn it into a book. But at this rate it'll be another year.
Hrm... does raise a few questions about why there are such gender-specified roles for the plainclothes security ponies versus the armed guardsmen. Will be interested to see why.
And while it is cliche for a character to go “or my name isn’t ______” Firefly pulled that off well. I can see her doing that. Okay-continue!
8864467
You’ll get a partial answer in the next chapter.
She’s a bit too cocky to start; you’ll note how she couches her own words with the proceeding sentence, as she’s writing this as her much older self who can only look back at herself so many years later and shake her head. She can pull it off, but she hasn’t earned it yet. And by the time she has, she’ll no longer wish to.
Oh wow, I've only just started reading this and I'm getting a marvelous vibe already! Very excited to see what's next.
I'm likely to not comment on every chapter but I plan to lose myself within these leaps of imagination or dreaming, I shall befall the excitement as the possibilities to come. Until my next comment, I shall read.
9949013
Excellent! I'm very proud of this story, so I sincerely hope you enjoy it. A lot of thought and care went into it from many writers and not just me.
Comments are always welcome! I love feedback and hearing that folks are enjoying my works. I hope this will spark many such leaps of imagination and dreaming. Until your next comment, I shall wait and continue working on the second book, which has already nearly equaled the size of the first.
Interesting start. Looking forward to see where this is going.
Hmm, many years late on this. However,is it wrong to be getting For Honor vibes here?
10163110
I don't recognize the reference, sorry. But welcome aboard! It my not-so-humble opinion, this story and series is one of the best war epics on site. Hope you enjoy!
Daybringer. I like that Surname.
The Sergeant was quite easy to convince and let her applicate, though.
Screw obsolete traditions. Instant like
11133152
Her thoughts exactly!