This story is a sequel to Rekindled Embers
The Holy Equestrian Diarchy rules with an iron hoof; it's citizens are bound with dogma and prejudice as solid as iron chains.
Order is upheld by the Knights, elite, magic-bearing warriors who follow the will of ancient Saints, dead centuries ago.
One such pony, a follower of Saint Rarity the Generous, embarks on a journey designed to spread Her word, and that of the other Saints, to peoples in the distant city of Jubilation.
Things do not go as planned.
Mercury's Journal is a side story for Rekindled Embers. Reading the original should not be necessary to enjoy this story, but is encouraged!
This story was written for four Quills and Sofas Pride Month event; each chapter corresponding with a different speedwriting event coordinated with four letters (L, G, B, and T). Prereading provided by the members of Q&S. Additional pre-reading thanks to ninjadeadbeard and Celestilune. Thank you all!
Cover art by kleia.
Ah, to know a garden and see one's own flowers blossom... wonderful.
A very nifty little tale, a to the z; excelsior.
So slightly random and off topic question, are the guns they’re using supposed to be something more primitive like flint/cap-lock or something more modern like bolt action or semi auto?
11388588
The firearm technology in this AU is roughly on the same level as that available around World War One. I'm no firearm expert, though.
Quality, as expected. I wonder how much more she'll see to shake her faith. And will she retain it or not?
11388779
Got it, thanks!
Where (when) does this story happen in terms of the central time-line?
-a curious reader
11421434
If you are reading RE, these events are happening roughly around the time Emberglow was a squire.
11421612
It's always neat to see alternate perspectives like this. Makes the world feel a bit bigger and more "real" than a story that never leaves town. Not hating on small stories, love those too, but huge expansive works like yours can be a real treat unless they get way out of hand like some stories that are big for the sake of bigness. I don't think you have to worry about that though.
I was expecting the refutation of homophobic dogma, but not the envy. I'll bet a high percentage of the ponies in the Radiant are Ace.
And side note, it's kinda funny seeing the word piccolo be used outside of a Dragon Ball context. Shows how nerdy I am.
I need to point out a story error here. All Knights in training have to learn how to fight against a live Griffin, as a proxy for fighting against pegasi, and unicorns.
First off, condolences for your loss.
Secondly, Mercury's a character that I simultaneously want to hug and smack upside the head. That's a good thing in terms of writing quality.
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I appreciate your vigilance in pointing this out and alerting us of this!
Hi there! Rekindled Embers Lorekeeper Celeste here.
However, this story (and Mercury's attendance at Ivy Seminary) takes place a few years before Emberglow's own. Adorjan the Griffon (from Chapter 4) was not yet employed by the Knighthood, meaning therefore that Mercury couldn't have met or fought the griffon. At the time of Mercury's training, an alternative method was used to drill pages on how to combat unicorns and other magic users, as well as some flying opponents. Adorjan was a recent addition to the curriculum as of Emberglow's term, so Mercury is correct to say she has not yet met a live griffon (at least, that she knows of!).
Hope this helps clarify! Happy reading!
11493208
Ok, I just thought it was a standard educational practice.
I may have known about the background lore if I ever went to the discord server.
Man what a chapter, I’m just happy she’s breaking the mental chains free from the Diarchy’s brainwashed religion little by little.
In addition to being just generally terrible in all sorts of ways, apparently life in the diarchy is also very boring. That's almost a bigger reason to leave than the aforementioned terribleness. Almost.
Beautemous.
Ah, I see what you did here. Good work. This might just be all the other stories in the genre I've read, but I feel like Mercury figured themselves out a little too quickly in the end.
I don't know how to feel exactly about this change...it's not that he's wrong or anything, if thats how he feels more power to him, Its more...just having to get used to this new information (if that makes sense). I've gotten used to the mental image of a mare so yeah...
BIG SIGH
In any case, you did a good job of touching a complex topic.
That's a very cool ritual. Is there a pre-existing ritual that you got the idea from, or is this completely original to the story?
11546549
Pretty original.
I am in love with the idea of a society where transition isn't criminalized or demonized, but instead celebrated. It sort of also sprung from the idea of a culture and faith that puts a strong importance in both change and narrative; the batponies worship Luna, a deity of change, and they worship them through storytelling.
The whole ritual came from those ideas.