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 past; 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 hardship 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!”

Author's Notes:

Welcome, one and all! For those who are curious, Firefly first appeared in part 65 of the Turnabout Storm novelization channeled by Maya Fey (no, really), and later in chapter 11 of The Lawyer and the Unicorn. This is in some ways a continuation of the latter, which I will not link because the story is M-rated. If you wish to read it, it is available through my story page.

We emphasize it is NOT necessary to read Turnabout Storm or The Lawyer and the Unicorn to read this. Though it nominally takes place in the Turnabout Storm universe, it can be enjoyed as a standalone story; a sword-and-sorcery tale of a dark time in Equestria's past. Enjoy!

--Firesight and Leo Archon

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UPDATE: Musical selections have been salted throughout the chapters. You'll see them as centered section headers in the usual Green URL text. There's one that starts the story below. They're for ambiance; you can listen to them or not as you see fit. Thanks go to James CyberLink for selecting the bulk of them.