In the land of Equestria, there is a legend, a legend that goes back to a time when the peaceful land as is known now did not exist, for certain, peaceful settlements within Equestria did exist, but Equestria as a whole was still fraught with turmoil, particularly at its borders with its neighbors the mighty Griffon Empire, for this takes place also back before the Griffons fell to squalor, they were a mighty peoples who sought to expand their influence across the known world. It is at this time that a young mare decides to fight against the social norms of the time and join the elite Royal Guard. This mare would go on to do many great things in her life, and 'tis certain that her influence changed the course of history. This is a story of love, of hate, of honor, of glory. This is a story of war, and those who lived and died to preserve the ideals of harmony from those who at best did not understand it and at worst openly disparaged it. This is the story of Captain Firefly.
Disclaimer:
Story Belongs to Firesight at FimFiction: https://www.fimfiction.net/user/65008/Firesight
My Little Pony (c) Hasbro
Cover Art belongs to Equestria-Prevails on DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/equestria-prevails
Ruler of Equestria, a diplomat, a mother-figure to many, and wishing that the Gryphons and Ponies could come to peaceful terms. But do not mistake her reluctance to fight as a weakness, she will defend her ponies like the proverbial mother bear.
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
“You are wrong, Sergeant. She can,” I stated with surety, causing the Guardspony healer and recruiter to cringe. “For the amulet would not have chosen her unless she had great power it could bend to its will. And yet, nor could she have thrown off its influence unless she possessed an even greater will… and love for her friend,” I further noted, nodding down at their held hooves.
“If she could defeat such potent dark magic, ’tis certain she can overcome the harsh training of the Armored Guard. Please keep me apprised of her status and progress, Sergeant. And methinks it best you not tell her or anypony else I was here,” I finished, though my tone made clear it was less a request than an order.
Recruiting Officer and Chief medic of Fort Spur his character I think can be stern at times, easily frazzled, and not overly fond of surprises or change.
Sergeant Major Windshear, with respect, is this wise? Would it not be more prudent to merely dismiss her from the service here and now?”
“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…?”
“F-Firefly, My Princess.” He bowed his head low as he answered, his tone nervous. “Perchance you have already heard of her—the first mare to attempt entry into the Armored Guard?”
This character was a highly decorated veteran of the Pony/Griffon war that had circumstances been different would have destroyed Equestria. She was a hero as well as a sister, a mother, a friend, and many other roles. These two stories are journals that look at how she went from a hot-headed teen to where she ended up.
The Important Part: This particular role covers her early years where she goes through basic training and tries to fight her way into the military's elite. Also includes a line where she tries alternative means to show those unfair jerkwads that she has what it takes even if it means losing everything.
“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!”
“Why should I?” I countered, showing my teeth and disrespect along with them. “Is your hearing as bad as your math, you useless mule? You heard me plainly. And I have had quite enough of your constant berating and yelling at me! You are, without a doubt, the most despicable, arrogant, misogynistic horse I have ever met… sir.” I spat the last word out.
Wait until that weakling Windshear sees me NOW! I thought, imagining the look on his face as he beheld me and realized he was now nothing to me. Taunt me… humiliate me… destroy my dreams… I’ll make you SUFFER for this! I silently swore with my thoughts, already imagining all the ways I would wreak vengeance upon him. I’ll repay you for everything you did to me… I will take back what is rightfully MINE!
Captain Firefly is a highly decorated veteran of the Pony/Gryphon War she has seen much action in her days, and while she is no longer a spring chicken, she still has plenty of vim and verve left. She enjoys getting together with her fellow vets and talking about "the good old days". For this role, I am looking for a voice that can play around with the concept of nostalgia, be soft-spoken when talking about sad memories, light-hearted when talking about the silliness of youth, etc.
I was always a very rough-and-tumble pony, a pegasus who loved practicing stunts and enjoyed getting into scraps with the local colts and fillies whenever she could. It drove my caretakers at the orphanage mad, but they eventually learned that I simply didn’t take well to confinement or discipline—I needed the sky, and I had a competitive fire that would simply not be quenched.
I lacked patience and constantly strove to prove myself for reasons even I wasn’t fully clear on, except for an unquenchable drive and desire to be the best—the best flyer, the best fighter… and in time, the best warrior.
Yet when the Princess gave a speech from her royal balcony, ’twas not she who held my attention so much as the sight of the Armored Guardsponies flanking her. Big, sleek stallions who were said to be the best soldiers in Equestria’s military, this despite Equestria’s badly skewed gender ratios and the need to protect breeding males at all costs…
Best and really only friend during Firefly's early years, she is the yin to Firefly's yang personality acting as the voice of reason and being supportive of her when times are tough. Bookish and soft-spoken in nature, but don't mistake that for weakness as she is the daughter to military parents (who don't appear until later in the story) for now suffice to say that despite outward appearances, she has a keen mind and a solid core tending to use the "brains over brawn" mentality.
Wind Whistler rubbed her eyes with a hoof. “Your pride may be either your salvation or your downfall, my friend. ’Tis unclear to me which yet,” my bookish friend chided. “I grant not everypony who enlists in the Guard has the same harsh training regime you put yourself through. Nonetheless, methinks they are an accomplished group that is not to be trifled with.” She looked askance at me as she spoke. “Do you truly believe that you shall be any better than the rest of them?”
She favored me with a sad smile. “Is that not what friends do?”
To my slight surprise, she looked less pleased than concerned. “Firefly… that pendant… I believe I’ve seen it before, in a book on dark magic.” She stepped in for a closer look. “Are you… certain you’re perfectly fin
Alarmed, Wind Whistler took several steps back, her eyes wide, her mane whipping in the sudden gale. “Wh… what are you doing? Are you listening to yourself?” my friend called to me… or did I even need such a thing any more? “This isn’t you, Firefly! It’s that amulet! You have to take it off!”she came out of cover long enough to beg me over the sound of roaring wind and crackling thunder. “Please! It’s poisoning you!”
A grizzled veteran of 20+ years, he has been in many a battle and done much for his country, he is currently stationed as a trainer at Fort Spur where the Royal Guards (armored division) are trained, he is a no-nonsense drill instructor who takes his job very seriously. Being a Veteran he has seen much action and much death in his time and wants to make sure that all recruits are ready for the field. Some might see his methods as overly harsh but if you can't handle the stress of basic, you certainly cannot handle actual battle. Despite all this, he does actually care for his recruits, and becomes a mentor and even father figure to those who make it through basic, giving sound advice and even the occasional hug (in the privacy of his office mind you) to those who ask for it or need it.
“You call THAT flying?! I’ve seen earth ponies fly faster than YOU, recruit!”
“Flattery gets you nowhere, recruit,” he said calmly, giving me his usual mocking smirk. “Now, either you get back to lifting and I forget that charming repartee, or you continue to make a foal of yourself and I put you in your richly deserved place… back in the maid outfit you deserve!”
“No honor?” He gave a derisive laugh, crossing his forelegs in his hover. “And methinks you are speaking out your tail! Do you think honor is going to help you in a fight against a full-grown dragon, recruit? Do you think a charging Minotaur or pack of Diamond Dogs will be impressed by your honor?” he recited in contempt. “Do you think a gryphon raider is going to act according to your honor? Or just take advantage of it as he pretends to surrender only to blind you with a flash gem, leaving the corpse of your squadmate behind as he slits her throat for expecting him to fight fairly?” he asked, and for the first time I heard an edge to his own voice like he was speaking from bitter experience. “These aren’t the dueling fields of Neighpon! Honor has its place, but not in war against Equestria’s enemies! And not against me!”
A mysterious shopkeeper who claims to know your heart's truest desire, an amulet, a potion, it matters not, and if you desire it enough, he'll even let you have it for free. I need someone who can do a villain of the snake-like kind smooth talking and seemingly sincere but is most likely not what he appears.
“Do not be fooled by my manner of dress, my young friend.” He seemed to be reading my thoughts. “I assure you I am a respectable businesspony who only wishes to help others. And there is much here that might interest you.”
“I assure you that no matter what it may be, there is something in this shop that will help you. If your need is great enough, I will even give it to you for free!”
“For long years have taught me that everypony loves something for nothing… even if it costs them everything.”
A voice coming from the ancient artifact known as the Alicorn Amulet, cruel, pitiless, and hungry for power.
She was holding you back, the voice, no longer sounding like my own thoughts, said. If anything, it now sounded like a particularly malevolent stallion speaking. She, Windshear, the Captain of the Guard, even your weak and worthless Princess… all of them are chains that will weigh you down and prevent you from rising to your rightful place!
So you wouldst give up your dreams for one pony’s ‘friendship’? it mocked. Such things are abstract and unreliable. Fleeting and foalish. Your power is REAL!
I have waited centuries for a suitable host and I will NOT be denied! Not by A MERE FLYER!
Captain of the Royal guard, a highly decorated officer who demands excellence in his troops. Doesn't do much at this point in the story, but should I continue to do more chapters he does show up again with more lines and at which point I might change him from a minor role to a supporting role.
“This duel ’tis by my order, recruit,” he told me almost apologetically, but there was an edge to his voice as well. “The Sergeant Major tells me you are ready. Are you?” he watched me carefully, looking for any hint of doubt or uncertainty.
“Combatants! Begin!” he brought his hoof down in a sharp slashing motion.
I would love it if I could get someone to do some basic music and or sound effects for this story, I am looking for sounds and music befitting a war epic, with a touch of supernatural for a chapter when the main character goes into a downward spiral of thinking she wants revenge no matter the cost.
Say something you think would fit
We are now on to the production phase of this project, and as this is eventually going onto YouTube, I am going to need artwork. I am focusing on the first four chapters of a much longer work, and I desire art that covers some of the more "telling" scenes which include a basic-training/boot camp like scene, two aerial duels, a tavern, a mysterious shop filled with powerful artifacts, and so forth. I am more than happy to talk to auditionees on our discord: https://discord.gg/VzJ359V
The most important thing to keep in mind is this is a historical AU fic based upon the tv show My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. So weapons and armor will have to be compatible with ponies particularly Pegasi. Also, this is set in a medieval-like setting, so weapons will be primarily of the blade types (swords, lances, halberds and so forth). And finally, this story is rated T for teens so when designing, try and keep it primarily SFW (mild elements of NSFW such as mild-medium bloodshed, a broken wing, visual representations of minor swearing (i.e. skulls, lightning, etc.) are allowed, but no overt NSFW stuff will be accepted (no vulgar depictions of gore, no sexual depictions of any kind, and so forth).
Say something you think would fit
