This story is a sequel to Luna's Daughters
(Can be read without first reading the prequel.)
Centuries ago, in the years after Nightmare Moon's banishment, Luna and Celestia's descendants helped Celestia build the new nation.
Luna's great-granddaughter, Gale Glider, forged the Royal Equestrian Coast Guard, imbuing it with traditions of valor, sacrifice, and bravery. Her final words remain their sacred oath:
"We have to go out. We don't have to come back."
Preread by Sledge115 and RDT, thank you!
Cover art found on Google without any attribution, alas.
Chapters (5)
As usual, Sock - amazingly done. A worthy sequel to one of the site's best.
It was a pleasure (and honor) prereading this story. Woven in this story were several compelling narratives and themes about sacrifice, the responsibility of leadership, and coming-of-age. And the trees, dammit. Beautiful imagery.
If you enjoyed this, then I would heavily recommend the prequel, Luna's Daughter, and vice versa.
Not finished reading yet, but I have to say, 'as nervous as a one headed hydra' is a simply incredible expression.
I swear these stories are some of my favs on the site.
and the message that these show are always great to hear.
~Reggie
*Reads the story and thinks then I Tip back my Head and gives a Mournful HOWL. then I push my front paws out as far as I can, giving all those who have given their lives a full Bow*
Well Done I say! WELL DONE
"How can man die better: than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his Gods."
~ Horatio, Lays of Ancient Rome
To see it, here...
A greatly moving work. It just didn't really resonate with me as much as I thought it would. I imagine it will touch many others more deeply, however.
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Thanks!
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She's quoting the prequel, "Luna's Daughters."
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That's fair. I still think Luna's Daughters is my best, never-to-be-surpassed work.
Well-told. Very well-told.
[Wipes eyes]
Where did all this dusty air come from...?
You've done it again. Excellent work and I do hope you continue this series.
A most excellent sequel and one far too long in coming to our eyes. Lot of a feeling of the Honor Harrington series as well.
I for one think this one equals if not surpasses it's prequel, bravo Gale and Red Sky, true marine heroes and bright examples to your craft.
A strong start from you, just like with ASTRT or RW. Let's see the rest.
Brings to mind the ending of Kipling's "Hymn of Breaking Strain":
I never cry at what I read. But THIS.
I love your Baron Red Sky MacIntosh. Thank you for writing this.
Are you familiar with Douglas Malloch's Good Timber? The heroes you write remind me of these lines:
This story was so engaging.
How much so?
It’s now 04:20am.
I have been trying to get sleep for the past several hours, but my mind kept coming back to this story that I opened in the evening - when I thought I’d just read the first chapter, then go to bed.
But during the night... my mind kept coming back to the story instead of letting me sleep.
And so, a few paragraphs at a time, I read more of the story before before rolling in bed and telling myself that I had read enough to satisfy my mind’s curiosity. Hour after hour went by.
Of course, sleep would not find me until I had found the end.
You wrote an enrapturing story.
Bravo.
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I was going through the comments and I read yours and inadvertently found myself humming a couple of sea-shanties with these lyrics (Wellerman for example)
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Thank you!
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This story was languishing, missing the "X" factor to make it come together. I then re-read Shadow of Saganami and realized that the background character of the officer-cadet needed to be the deuteragonist, and it came together.
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Goodess, no, but I have now!
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Not explicitly, but I bet I read it years ago and it influenced me subtly.
I know that several people have quoted one of the trio of poems in this video, but your writing causes me to consider the wisdom of all three and more.
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Shadow of Saganami is a great book. It's due a reread soon.
I finished reading, and I really liked it. You really have a knack for military-themed stories, and I wish I was half the writer as you.
With that said, I think this had less of an impact than Redheart's War, but of course I also realize the themes were quite different here. Although that ending couldn't have been more beautiful. And now I'm seriously thinking about reading the prequel, too.
I was only a bit surprised that the story was so focused on the original characters. Not that I minded, as you wrote them well, but some might be surprised, as there isn't an OC tag on the story.
So bravo to you, and good luck on finishing the sequel to RW. I know you're working on it, and I'm sure you will whip up quite the tale with that one, too.
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Glad you enjoyed! I'll agree that "Redheart" and "Luna's Daughters" are better outings of mine, but this was still fun to write and thank for reading.
I used [Royal guard] as a specific sort of [OC] tag.
One of the best stories on the site, yours or anyone else's. Outstanding work, and a most worthy sequel. Thank you for it.
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Thank you! I appreciate the kind words and the read.
As a military Brony, I must say that you have encapsulated something that I have struggled to put into words time & time again. Bravo!
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Thank you!
I had a gut feeling this would be one of those stories that would nearly make me cry from the time I read Gale's last words, and I wasn't wrong. Outstanding work. I applaud your capabilities in building fascinating characters within just a few chapters.
Can I ask what sort of research/where you looked in order to find information for this story? I can't imagine the attention to detail could've shined without it.
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Hard to say, really. I've been a voracious reader since I was six, and I remember almost everything I ever read.
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That's just unfair. I call my affliction "Hungry Eyes" because I'll read anything given enough time. I can't claim to remember very much of it though.
smote
smitten
That hits hard, even knowing (more or less) what was coming.
Well, damn. I feel bad for waiting so long to finish this story. Magnificent work, and a worthy sequel. I hope you write more in this series.
That was a good story.
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Thank you!
God damn. This is the best thing I’ve read in months.
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Thank you!
This is a really moving story, exemplifying courage and honour. Well done!
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Thanks!
Dammit, Sock. Why must you make me cry so? Bravo and well writ.
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It's what I do.
Thanks for reading!
That, indeed, is the burden facing anyone who calls himself a leader. Will you merely direct from behind, or lead from the front?
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Some nice things about fiction, 1., characters can be more pure archetypes than real life, and 2., mentors can just SAY it, more than in real life.
I am late to the party, but just read this through. It made me remember why I love writing fiction, especially fanfiction, so much. Wonderful read, and great work with the scenes on the wrecked ship! You have a way of adding gravitas to your grim action scenes that I am absolutely jealous of.
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Thank you, much appreciated!
I forgot to mention: This story adds an unexpectedly elegant bit to my headcanon, one that hadn't occurred to me before.
Prince Blueblood is Luna's somethingth-great-grandchild, which makes him, by extension, Celestia's somethingth-great-nephew. That explains quite well why he's referred to as her "nephew" in the current day.
...of course, this is probably canon in your universe already, but, as I said, it just occurred to me.
As a U.S.C.G. vet I would like to complement you on your portrayal of the Coast Guard whether it be pony or man the saying holds the same. "You have to go out You don't have to come back." Thanks.
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Thank you! I appreciate the kind words.
The Equestrian Coast Guard and the USCG would undoubtedly get along extremely well (even though the USCG is by far the younger service)…
And is it wrong of me to wish that Celestia had chosen to send Sunset Shimmer to Her Coast Guard Academy instead of showing her the mirror?