My Little Marvel: Captain Equestriaby CuchulainSetantaChaptersA Day That Will Live in InfamyRecruitmentOperation RebirthA Day That Will Live in InfamyThe first thing that Ivan sensed was a distant thud. A second one, closer, stirred him back to consciousness. As he lifted his heavy eyelids, reds and greens filled his vision. Slowly, the formless colors focused into Hearth's Warming lights, wreathes, and other decorations. He closed his eyes again. If the dull pain in the guardspony's head was any indication, he had had too much eggnog with his squadmates the night before. He just had to wait until his hangover lessened to a more manageable state before he got up. Hopefully, his commanding officer had joined in the night's festivities and wouldn't be too upset with him for having a little holiday fun. Another pair of thuds made Ivan's eyes shoot open again. Hearth's Warming Eve was still a couple weeks off. He hadn't been drinking. This was something else. Something much, much worse. Groans of pain reached Ivan's ears as he slowly rose to his feet, taking in his surroundings once again. Sparks flew from broken Hearth's Warming lights as they lay on the ground. A fallen pine tree filled the air with thick smoke as it was consumed in flames. Wounded ponies lay scattered about, some also coming to terms with their situations, others already trying to get to safety or mourning less fortunate loved ones. Another series of thuds. This time, Ivan turned his gaze to where he thought he had heard the louder of the pair, seeing a pillar of smoke rise into the air as what Ivan now recognized as cannonfire blasted a building apart. "They're coming back this way!" Ivan tensed as he heard the panicked cry. Anypony who could still move got to cover as dark shadows quickly danced across the ground. Ivan turned his eyes skyward, catching sight of the source of the shadows. Griffons. An army of griffons soared above the city. Every few seconds, one broke off from the flock and dove out of view, before rising back up a few moments later with a pony in their clutches. Ivan's heart sank as he saw the griffons release their grip on their captives in midair, letting them plummet to their deaths. A sickening crack caught the guard's attention, soon joined by screams of terror. Turning, Ivan saw one of the griffons' victims laying in the street a few feet away. Mustering his strength, he hobbled over to where the victim lay and stopped dead in his tracks when he got close enough to see who it was. It was his commanding officer. Ivan had to suppress the urge to panic. Injured or not, he was still a guard. The time to lay down was over. "E-everypony get off the streets!" Ivan shouted as loud as he could, his throat sore from the smoke. "Get inside! Don't stand in the open!" Slowly, the other ponies followed Ivan's command. The artillery was still a danger, but hopefully the griffons would have a harder time getting to them now. With the civilians out of harm's way for the moment, Ivan turned his attention to himself. His head still hurt. Taking off his helmet, Ivan saw a large dent in the side. The last thing he remembered before being knocked out was a loud explosion above him. A cannonball must have hit a nearby building, hitting him with debris. If he hadn't been wearing his armor, he would have been killed. Replacing his battered helmet, Ivan started moving in the direction of the barracks. There had to still be some guards left. Somepony capable of fighting back. As Ivan turned the street corner, however, he froze. A formation of armored ponies was headed his way, and they weren't any of his comrades. They were covered in black, spiky armor, and all wore large helmets that completely covered their heads. Green light flowed from the eyeholes, and they marched forward in unnatural synchronization. "Crystal troopers," Ivan whispered to himself. So that was it, then. Sombra had answered the princesses' ultimatum in the worst way possible. This wasn't a random attack. It was a full-scale invasion. Ivan quickly ducked into a nearby building. The Crystal troopers had given no indication that they had seen him. Ivan prayed that they hadn't. Trotting behind some rubble, he dropped to his stomach and waited. Slowly, the rhythmic, mechanical sound of hooves beating against stone grew to a crescendo as the army approached the building. It felt like hours before the sound began to grow softer before ceasing completely. Ivan dared to peek out from his hiding spot, and his spirits lifted a bit as he saw the formation had indeed passed by. Slowly, wary of any other troopers, Ivan stepped out of the building. His hooves almost immediately left the ground as something grabbed him by the shoulders and lifted him into the air. Ivan felt like his heart had fallen out and been left behind where he went airborne. He had been so focused on the Crystal troopers that he had forgotten about the griffons. Ivan tried to crane his head to look at his attacker, but the way the griffon was holding him prevented him from getting a good look. All he could make out was the yellow skin on the talons that gripped him. It was all over. Ivan had seen what the griffons had done to the other ponies they caught. To his CO. There was nothing he could do anymore. Any moment now, he would be released and then... what? What did it feel like to die? Ivan was shaken from his thoughts as he caught sight of his barracks - or what was left of it. The buildings were nothing but burning rubble now, and Ivan could see small shapes that he knew to be what remained of the guards who hadn't gotten out in time. He thanked the princesses that he was too high up to make out any details. It made sense, he reminded himself. The natural first target for a military attack would be where the opposing military would be stationed. Even if he had made it to the barracks, it wouldn't have mattered. All hope gone, Ivan closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable. The feeling of air rushing past him told Ivan that he was descending... but it was slower than he had expected it to be. Was his mind playing tricks on him? Did time just feel like it was going slower when you were about to die? Ivan cautiously opened his eyes. He was descending, but he wasn't falling. The griffon still had a hold on him. After he realized he wasn't dying yet, Ivan realized where he was descending towards. The griffon released its grip, and Ivan fell to the hard ground, though it was a much shorter distance than he had feared. Ivan slowly rose to his hooves, glancing fearfully around him. The cold glares of griffons and the empty green light of Crystal trooper helmets followed his movements. A few feet away, the cannons that had been battering the city continued their dreadful task. Ivan had been taken back to the enemy lines. He turned to get a look at his captor, and found himself wishing that he had been dropped like the other ponies. The griffon that had seized him was dark gray on both its avian and feline halves. It would have looked unremarkable, if not for its head. It looked the head of a great vulture. The skin was completely bare of feathers and tinted a deep, blood red. More than that, it seemed shrunken, clinging tightly to the creature's skull. It would have been a terrible sight on its own, but Ivan knew this griffon... and knew that there was much more to fear from him than just the way he looked. The griffon must have picked up on Ivan's realization, as his beak curved in a slight grin. "You know who I am, don't you, pony?" Ivan slowly nodded. "Everypony knows who you are. You're the Red Skull. Sombra's second-in-command." The Skull chuckled. "So word of my exploits has reached Equestria. Good. Tell me, pony, do you know why I spared your life?" Ivan shook his head. Raising an eyebrow, the Skull strode over to one of the Crystal troopers. The trooper made no motion as the Skull reached up with a talon and stroked the helmet it wore. "I assume you know the purpose of these helmets, right?" "They control the Crystal ponies' minds. Sombra brainwashes his subjects and sends them into battle against their will." The Skull clicked his tongue. "Close, but not quite. It's true that the helmets affect the Crystal ponies' minds, but they are not brainwashed. Their minds are still their own." A smile crept across the Skull's face as he turned to Ivan, causing a chill to creep down the guardspony's spine. "The magic in the helmet brings out the deepest fears of the pony wearing them. They are locked into their most terrible nightmares. If the magic didn't keep them from using their vocal cords, you could hear them screaming their lungs out." The Skull strode closer to Ivan, causing him to unconsciously back away. "Subtle alterations in the spell affect the pony's actions. Make them imagine they are being chased, and they will move where we want them to. Make them think they are being attacked, and they will lash out. Scare them enough, and they will freeze up in terror." Ivan felt himself back into something. Looking back, he saw the Crystal troopers blocking his escape. Only now did he realize they were just as imprisoned as he was. No, that wasn't right. They were worse off. Was this the fate the Skull intended for him? "Fear is a powerful motivator. This invasion is proof of that. It wasn't enough to face the Equestrian army on the battlefield. We needed to show you what happens when you cross his Majesty, King Sombra. Your homes, your families, your children - all will burn." Ivan turned and started as he saw the Skull's gruesome visage right in front of him. "When his Majesty tasked me with destroying Stalliongrad, his orders were to leave no survivors. I have every intention of carrying out those orders, but it's not quite enough, is it? How do I make you frightened instead of simply hardening your resolve? For this to truly strike fear into your hearts, I need to leave a more... personal mark." Ivan had no time to react as the Skull threw something into his face. He coughed as he inhaled. He felt like someone had jammed a lit torch down his throat. The sensation spread from his throat to his face, and then to his whole head. He barely noticed the griffons and Crystal troopers backing away from him. The world looked like it was spinning. Clumps of something fell from his head. Grasping at the clumps, Ivan saw that it was his own fur falling out. The last thing Ivan ever perceived was the Red Skull whispering into his ear two words that would follow him into the afterlife. "Hail Sombra." Celestia was no stranger to monsters. It had only been a few decades since she and her sister had stopped Discord, and Tirek before him. Even before ascending to the throne, it seemed that not a moon would go by that the pair had had to deal with some demon or monstrosity that was now imprisoned in Tartarus. It hadn't been easy, and they weren't always able to stop the forces of evil before they claimed a few victims. Celestia had seen death before. But how could a simple griffon be able to cause this much carnage? When Equestrian Intelligence had first told her of the experiments being performed on the Crystal Empire's slaves, she had hoped that they were exaggerations. The body in front of her told her otherwise. What had once been a Stalliongrad guardspony was chained to a tree before her. The only way to tell the guard's name was the identification tag stitched into the inside of his helmet. His "face," if one could call it that anymore, was something out of a nightmare. All the fur on the guard's head had fallen off, leaving only shriveled crimson hide that clung tightly to the unfortunate pony's skull. Above the deformed corpse, a sign had been posted. "A gift for the princesses," it said, "signed" with the image of an avian skull, painted in red ink. The ruined city of Stalliongrad lay beyond the tree. Guards were still searching the rubble, but it appeared that the city's entire population had been killed - guards, civilians, even foals hadn't been spared. It would have been enough of a message on its own. But this twisted "gift," left on the only road Equestrian responders could approach the city from, was just a twist of the knife. It had been meant to frighten her. And despite everything Celestia had faced in her life so far, it was working. "Did Captain Fury find out why they didn't see it coming?" Celestia asked, responding to the wing she felt on her shoulder. She didn't turn to see her sister's response. "He did," came Luna's voice. "We just received the report from the guard station. Two hours before the attack, the local pegasi brigade was called out to the east to look into a possible diamond dog incursion. When they got there, they were surrounded and killed by griffons. Without their air support, Stalliongrad had no chance against the invasion." "Espionage, then," Celestia muttered, whether to herself or to Luna, not even she knew. "It would appear so. You know what we have to do." "It seems you were right." "What about?" Luna asked, raising an eyebrow. Celestia finally turned away from the guard's corpse, meeting her sister's gaze. "About what would happen. About what Sombra would do when he told him to release his slaves." Luna scoffed. "I didn't know for sure, Tia. Only Sombra knew that. And if you're insinuating that I'm somehow proud that I was right about this barbarism, I prayed to whatever powers would listen that it wouldn't come to this!" "You're right, I'm sorry. I did not mean to imply that. It's just..." Celestia sighed, "it's just that we've never declared a war before, Lu! When we fought Tirek and Discord, we were fighting one monster. We were fighting individuals. Even when the guard fought diamond dog raiding parties, it was only a few scattered tribes. We're going to have to declare war on not one, but two nations this time! How can we justify violence on that scale? How can we fight against somepony who's sending others to fight and die against their will?" "Sombra had his chance, Tia. We asked him to surrender peacefully. We asked him to stop all this." Luna pointed at the ruined city. At the deformed corpse. "This was his response. How can we justify striking back? Ask yourself what they would want. Would they want us to do nothing, or would they want us to bring their killers to justice?" Celestia turned to look at the guard's body again. Ivan. The name inscribed on the inside of his helmet was Ivan. What wasn't written down was if he had any family. How old he was. How long he had served. If he had any idea if this cold day, only a few weeks from Hearth's Warming, would be his last. "We have a lot to do. Prepare a press conference in Canterlot. Let the citizens of Equestria know that we are now at war with the Crystal Empire and the Griffon Kingdom. And tell Professor Erskine to go ahead with his program. I only hope it's not too late." Author's Note Dedicated to those who served, fought, and died at Pearl Harbor, Stalingrad, and the other battlefields of World War II. Because of your bravery, we live in a world where we are free to write stories about magic ponies and Nazi-punching superheroes on the internet. Thank you. RecruitmentThe Captain strained to lift his eyelids as he regained consciousness. As he tried to move his legs, he found the task impossible. Finally succeeding in opening his eyes, he saw why. Large, iron chains bound the stallion to the ground, all four of his legs clamped together. He groaned. Had the battle really gone that badly? "Ah, you are vith us vonce again, Herr Captain?" came a heavily-accented voice. The Captain shifted his head, searching for the source. Suddenly, an avian head entered his vision, a large scar across one eye and a diabolic grin across the beak. "So gut to see you alive. I vas vorried you vouldn't be around for ze vun part." "And what does a sick, winged rat like you consider 'fun,' Baron Bloodwing?" the Captain grunted. "I'm so glad you asked, Captain. You see, I am avare you vere vith Agent 65 bevore she met her... untimely end. I'm sure you know zat she vas carryink a list of all ze Equestrian agents currently hiding in ze Crystal Umpire. His Majesty would very much like to have zat list. I don't suppose you vould be villing to let me know where it is, vould you? "I'd sooner die, griffon scum." "I vas hopink you'd say zat, Captain. Old Hans has been vaitink for a gut meal." The Captain's gaze turned to a large, iron gate across the torture chamber from his position. Slowly, the portal creaked open as a large, two-headed hydra emerged, its twin jaws slavering for pony flesh. "I can call him off at any time, Captain. You only need to tell me vere ze list is. Othervise, Captain Justice dies today!" "Will Captain Justice give up Agent 65's list to the sinister Baron Bloodwing? Can he escape the bloodthirsty hydra before he becomes its next meal? Come back next week to see the answers, loyal viewers, and witness the might of Captain Justice, Griffon-Smasher!" As the curtain fell across the stage, the audience roared their approval at the latest episode. Colts, fillies, and their parents stamped their hooves and cheered all the louder as Captain Justice trotted once more onto the stage. "Thank you, citizens! Thank you! This show wouldn't be possible without your support!" The costumed stallion raised a hoof, signaling the audience for silence. "And with your support, justice lives on. As I'm sure all of you are aware, this show is about more than Captain Justice or Baron Bloodwing. As we speak, Equestria's brave stallions fight the good fight against Sombra's crystal goons and their dirty griffon allies. They are the true defenders of justice and harmony. But they can't fight without our help. Equestria needs you, dear viewers, to win this war. Support our troops! Donate spare food to feed them, spare metal to arm and armor them, spare hooves to work with them! No colt or filly is too young to help! And you parents in the audience, recruitment centers are open in all cities and towns. Join the Equestrian Guard today, and let justice prevail!" Another cheer came from the audience as Captain Justice bowed his head. After the Captain left the stage, the audience slowly filtered out of the theater. No one took notice of the slight pegasus mare sitting in the back, lingering a moment after the other ponies left. Sighing, she got up from her seat before trotting off. "You just don't know when to quit, do you?" Firefly turned to see a blue coated, red-maned earth pony stallion trotting up to her. The pink coated, blue-maned pegasus shook her head. "It only took you two tries to join up, and I don't even have to lie about my age." "True, but at least I look like I'm 25. You're the one they always think is lying." "It shouldn't be this hard, Buck," Firefly sighed. "They keep saying they're willing to take anypony, but when somepony comes along who actually believes in what they're fighting for, they won't even give her a desk job." "Firefly, there was a time not too long ago when you couldn't lift a stapler, let alone a spear," Buck replied. "And you don't have to actually join the Guard to help out." "So you're saying I should just keep donating old cans? You're a guard. Tell me, do they actually make weapons or armor out of those things?" "Well... no. But..." "I'm sick of sitting on the sidelines, Buck. It's nearly been a year since this war started, and ponies are still dying." "You can't help them by getting yourself killed, though." Buck placed a foreleg over Firefly's shoulder. "Trust me, I will do everything in my power to end the war. Just keep your chin up. One of these days, you're going to hear how Captain Barn Bucker's squadron kicked Sombra's sorry flank into the sea." "It's a long way from Private to Captain, Buck." "Give me time," Buck said as he trotted away. Firefly sighed as she watched her friend go. "I'm sorry, Buck. I can't wait that long." The unicorn massaged his forehead with a hoof as he looked over the papers in front of him. "You do know that we're all part of the same army, right? I know about the other recruitment centers." "I know," Firefly groaned. "But isn't there any position I can fill? I don't have to have a combat role. Anything will do." "Miss Firefly, EVERY recruit has to pass a physical exam before they're accepted. And you've failed every one you've taken." The unicorn turned a frustrated gaze back to the papers in front of him. "Cloudsdale, Fillydelphia, Baltimare, even Trottingham, every center you've applied in has turned you down. You've got to take a hint, miss. Just because you're applying in Manehattan doesn't change the facts. You've had practically every disease known to exist, you have the physique of a fifteen year old; for the Princesses' sake, you were even dropped out of flight school because they thought you'd literally drop dead if you took the flight exam! I'm sorry, you're just not army material." Firefly was silent for a long time as the recruitment officer's words sunk in. Finally, she managed to speak again. "There must be something... anything you can do." "I am," the unicorn said, levitating a red stamp over the paper before slamming it down. "I'm saving your life." Firefly took the paper without another word. She spared no glance to the word "Rejected" stamped upon it, still dripping with red ink. Turning, she walked out of the recruitment center, numb to the world around her. She barely noticed the griffon in front of her before she slammed straight into him. "Oh! Sorry!" she stammered, scrambling to pick up the rejected application forms. "It's quite alright, my dear. I was actually hoping to speak with you." Firefly's ears perked up as she caught the faint hints of a griffon accent on the male voice. Slowly, she looked up, just noticing the griffon's species for the first time. The feathers on his avian half were white, while the fur on his feline half was light grey. His head resembled that of an owl. "Me? What about?" Firefly asked hesitantly. The griffon didn't seem to be a threat; if anything, he had a kind, almost comforting air to him. Firefly couldn't help but be reminded of her grandfather looking at the old creature. "I think I may be able to help you." "So, you work with the Equestrian Guard?" Firefly asked as the old griffon led her into his office in the recruitment center. "Surprised that a griffon is working with the pony military?" he chuckled. "I actually came to Equestria long before the Griffon Kingdom allied with the Crystal Empire. It's been my home for so many years, I couldn't help but protect it, even from my kin." "Oh, no, I didn't mean anything like that," Firefly stammered. "You just seem a little... older than I was expecting from a guard." "I'm not a guard, actually," the griffon said. "I'm a doctor. Doctor Erskine." "Firefly," the pegasus said, extending a hoof. Erskine took and shook it. "Charmed. I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but I overheard that your application to join the Guard was rejected?" "Yeah, but you said you could help? How?" "Before I answer, let me ask you a question. Why, exactly do you want to be a guard?" Firefly thought long and hard before answering. "Well... I'm sure you heard about my... medical history." Erskine nodded, prompting Firefly to continue. "It seems like ever since I was born, I always had to rely on somepony else to do things for me. Feed me, keep me safe. I can barely fly on my own. My parents never seemed to mind, but as I got older, I felt that I needed to take responsibility for myself." "Then the war broke out. One day, everything's fine. The next, Stalliongrad has been wiped out. No warning, no declaration of war, just... gone. I didn't lose any family in the attack, but I know folks who did. It was the first time I had seen anypony as helpless as I thought I was. And, well, I thought I had to do something. I had to do something to help them, just like others had always helped me." "So you want to kill griffons and crystal troopers?" "I don't want to kill anypony. I don't want to hurt anypony. I just don't want them to hurt anypony else. Doctor, I have been sitting at home, safe and surrounded by those who care about me, while everypony else is out there dying to keep me safe. And every time I try to help, I'm told, 'Don't worry, this isn't your fight. Let somepony else take care of it.' I've been waiting a year, doctor. How long do I have to keep waiting?" Erskine scratched his forehead with a talon. "You know, I have family back in the Griffon Kingdom. They're not soldiers, and they don't support the war against Equestria. But when I told them that I was helping the guard, they asked me to stop. They're terrified that a spy could find out what I'm doing and kill me. They just want me to 'wait until this blows over.' But I know Sombra. I had colleagues that decided to work for him. And I know that he's not going to stop until Equestria is crushed. So I chose to do whatever I can to make sure that doesn't happen. I want to do what I can to see my family again." "Miss Firefly, I have been working on a program to create better soldiers for the Equestrian Guard. I have a potion, a formula, based on old griffon alchemy, that I think may be able to enhance a pony's body, making them stronger, faster, and tougher than any other pony alive. If you're willing, I would like to give you that formula and make you not a soldier, but a super-soldier." Firefly opened her mouth to reply, but Erskine raised his claw, motioning her to wait. "Before you say anything, I must warn you that you would be the first pony ever to receive this potion. It could work, but I don't know if it will. It could kill you, and it would be a painful, excruciating death. But if it does work, then I think you may be able to finally do something to help end this war." Firefly was once again lost in thought as she walked through the streets of Manehattan underneath Luna's moon. Erskine had given her as much time as she needed to think over his proposal. And boy, did she need it. "Painful, excruciating death." Erskine certainly didn't sugar-coat it. If she agreed to this and the test failed, the consequences would be a lot graver than another rejected application. But if it worked? If it worked, Firefly could finally make a difference. She would be one step closer to stopping Sombra. One step closer to bringing the troops home to their families. One step closer to avenging the victims of Stalliongrad. One step closer to Erskine being able to see his family again. "Well, look at you! You certainly look good in armor!" A female voice broke Firefly out of her thoughts. She turned towards the source of the voice and caught sight of a guardspony with a unicorn mare outside a small bar. "I know, right? Just got into the guard this afternoon, babe," the guard said to what Firefly guessed was his marefriend. "I always did like stallions in uniform, but I never thought you'd look so sexy in one. So when do you ship out?" "Not till tomorrow. Still have time for a little going-away party?" "Do you have to ask? Anything for a guard!" Something at Firefly's hoof drew her away from the conversation. Looking down, she saw a discarded newspaper had blown up to her in the wind. Picking it up, she looked over the headlines. "Death Count Continues to Rise in Trottingham Bombings." "Crystal Death-Camps: Do They Exist? An Escaped Slave Tells Her Story." "Five Dead in Factory Blaze - Imperial Sabotage Suspected." Dropping the paper, Firefly turned and trotted back to the recruitment center. Operation RebirthFirefly couldn't stop staring. She had never been to the Castle of the Two Sisters before. The size and majesty of the building was hard to wrap her head around, let alone the fact that this was the beating heart of the nation. This was the center of the nation's government. The Princesses lived here. She was treading on the same ground they did every day. "Beautiful..." she whispered. "It really is, isn't it?" Doctor Erskine said from Firefly's side. "Don't stare too long, though. We have an appointment to keep." Firefly nodded, following the griffon into the castle. Guards and government staff were busily rushing from place to place inside as Erskine led Firefly to a small, unassuming door off to the side of the central chamber. As Erskine opened the door, Firefly was surprised to see a bare hallway with a simple wooden desk at the end, just before another door. A frail-looking elderly mare sat behind the desk, looking up at the newcomers with a suspicious gaze as they entered. "What's the price of carrots in the Canterlot market today?" she asked, her hoof reaching under the desk. Erskine cleared his throat. "Twelve bits, but I hear the apples are much better," he said as clearly as he could. The mare put her hoof down, then trotted over to the door, opening it for the two without another word. Firefly looked under the desk where the mare had been reaching as she passed, surprised to see a small crossbow with a bolt already loaded and ready. Turning back, Firefly saw that the room she and Erskine had entered was small and cramped, only large enough to hold the two of them and perhaps another three or four ponies. Erskine reached into the side of the doorway, pulling a metal gate across the entrance, before pressing a small button on the side of the wall. The room suddenly lurched before beginning to move. Firefly started as she saw the elderly mare shut the door, which then slide up and out of sight. "First time on an elevator, I take it?" Erskine asked. Firefly nervously chuckled and nodded. The elevator slid to a stop as they came to another doorway, this one opening up into a large chamber crowded with ponies. Erskine opened the elevator gate and motioned for Firefly to step out. She looked around the chamber as she did so. One by one, the ponies looked up from their work and stared at Firefly. She simply stared back. Looking up, she felt her breath catch as she noticed a small platform overlooking the chamber. Seated in chairs were many of the Equestrian military's top commanders, as well as government representatives... and both princesses. "My Princesses, mares, and gentlecolts," Erskine announced, "today is a momentous occasion in Equestria's history. This young mare has graciously volunteered to be the first test subject for Operation Rebirth. This operation, if all goes well, will transform her into the pinnacle of pony potential - the first of a corps of super-agents whose mental and physical ability will make them a force no enemy soldier, spy, or saboteur will be able to stand against." The military commanders and government agents murmured amongst themselves, looking skeptically at Firefly. Her eyes were not on them, however. She was looking up at Celestia, who smiled warmly at the young pegasus. "Firefly, if you please, step into the middle of the chamber," Erskine said. Firefly did so, the ponies making way for her. As she reached the middle of the room, a unicorn stepped forward, holding a small syringe and an anti-septic pad in his magical grip. Wiping Firefly's foreleg with the pad, he injected Firefly with the syringe's contents, Firefly wincing slightly as he did so. As the unicorn stepped away, Firefly moved her foreleg experimentally. "That's it? That wasn't so bad." "That was penicillin," Erskine smiled. He held up a glass bottle filled with blue liquid. "This is the serum." Firefly hesitantly took the bottle, closed her eyes, and drank every last drop. She smacked her lips. It tasted like apples. Erskine stepped back, allowing a group of unicorns to circle Firefly. Her eyes widened as their horns charged and they fired bolts of magic at her. Firefly screamed in pain as the magic made contact. Her whole body felt like it was on fire. She sank to her knees, no longer able to stand. Every muscle in her body throbbed in pain as they began to expand. She could feel her own bones increase in thickness. Her wings felt like they were being torn from her sides. Firefly wondered if this was what it felt like to die. She opened her eyes, not remembering when she had closed them. She saw Erskine approaching, waving frantically at the unicorns. She strained her ears, faintly hearing him saying something. "Stop! Stop it! You're killing her!" "N... no..." Firefly managed to say. "K... k... keep... go... ing... I... can... take it..." Erskine looked at her with worry, but nodded and backed away. Finally, after a few more moments of agonizing torture, the unicorns stopped. Unable to take any more, Firefly collapsed. Erskine rushed up to her. "Are you alright, my dear?" "I... I'll be... fine..." Firefly grunted. "Did... did it work?" Erskine smiled. "Take a look for yourself." He grabbed a small mirror off a nearby table and held it up for her to see. Firefly's heart nearly stopped from what she saw. She had grown at least another two hoof-lengths in height. She was now actually taller than Erskine. Her formerly thin body was now filled out with thick muscles. Her wings were longer and much, much stronger. She experimentally flapped them, surprised when they actually moved her body a little. "How do you feel?" Erskine asked. Firefly struggled to come up with the right words. All her life, she had dreamed of becoming stronger and healthier. Now that this moment was here, how did she feel? Excited? Ecstatic? Blissful? Terrified? "Taller," she finally stammered. Cheers filled the chamber as the ponies saw that the experiment had been successful. Firefly looked back up at the audience, seeing the military and government personnel loudly stamping the floor as they shouted with joy. All except the princesses, who simply beamed down on Firefly with pride. Firefly felt herself smile as well. The scientists and mages crowded around Erskine, congratulating him and shaking his talons. "Doctor, my congratulations to you," said one unicorn approaching from behind. Erskine turned towards him, grinning widely. "And my sympathies to your family." Erskine's grin fell as he looked at the unicorn with confusion. Suddenly, without warning, the unicorn levitated a quill pen up from one of the desks at the side of the room... and thrust it into Erskine's neck. "HAIL, SOMBRA!"
A Day That Will Live in InfamyThe first thing that Ivan sensed was a distant thud. A second one, closer, stirred him back to consciousness. As he lifted his heavy eyelids, reds and greens filled his vision. Slowly, the formless colors focused into Hearth's Warming lights, wreathes, and other decorations. He closed his eyes again. If the dull pain in the guardspony's head was any indication, he had had too much eggnog with his squadmates the night before. He just had to wait until his hangover lessened to a more manageable state before he got up. Hopefully, his commanding officer had joined in the night's festivities and wouldn't be too upset with him for having a little holiday fun. Another pair of thuds made Ivan's eyes shoot open again. Hearth's Warming Eve was still a couple weeks off. He hadn't been drinking. This was something else. Something much, much worse. Groans of pain reached Ivan's ears as he slowly rose to his feet, taking in his surroundings once again. Sparks flew from broken Hearth's Warming lights as they lay on the ground. A fallen pine tree filled the air with thick smoke as it was consumed in flames. Wounded ponies lay scattered about, some also coming to terms with their situations, others already trying to get to safety or mourning less fortunate loved ones. Another series of thuds. This time, Ivan turned his gaze to where he thought he had heard the louder of the pair, seeing a pillar of smoke rise into the air as what Ivan now recognized as cannonfire blasted a building apart. "They're coming back this way!" Ivan tensed as he heard the panicked cry. Anypony who could still move got to cover as dark shadows quickly danced across the ground. Ivan turned his eyes skyward, catching sight of the source of the shadows. Griffons. An army of griffons soared above the city. Every few seconds, one broke off from the flock and dove out of view, before rising back up a few moments later with a pony in their clutches. Ivan's heart sank as he saw the griffons release their grip on their captives in midair, letting them plummet to their deaths. A sickening crack caught the guard's attention, soon joined by screams of terror. Turning, Ivan saw one of the griffons' victims laying in the street a few feet away. Mustering his strength, he hobbled over to where the victim lay and stopped dead in his tracks when he got close enough to see who it was. It was his commanding officer. Ivan had to suppress the urge to panic. Injured or not, he was still a guard. The time to lay down was over. "E-everypony get off the streets!" Ivan shouted as loud as he could, his throat sore from the smoke. "Get inside! Don't stand in the open!" Slowly, the other ponies followed Ivan's command. The artillery was still a danger, but hopefully the griffons would have a harder time getting to them now. With the civilians out of harm's way for the moment, Ivan turned his attention to himself. His head still hurt. Taking off his helmet, Ivan saw a large dent in the side. The last thing he remembered before being knocked out was a loud explosion above him. A cannonball must have hit a nearby building, hitting him with debris. If he hadn't been wearing his armor, he would have been killed. Replacing his battered helmet, Ivan started moving in the direction of the barracks. There had to still be some guards left. Somepony capable of fighting back. As Ivan turned the street corner, however, he froze. A formation of armored ponies was headed his way, and they weren't any of his comrades. They were covered in black, spiky armor, and all wore large helmets that completely covered their heads. Green light flowed from the eyeholes, and they marched forward in unnatural synchronization. "Crystal troopers," Ivan whispered to himself. So that was it, then. Sombra had answered the princesses' ultimatum in the worst way possible. This wasn't a random attack. It was a full-scale invasion. Ivan quickly ducked into a nearby building. The Crystal troopers had given no indication that they had seen him. Ivan prayed that they hadn't. Trotting behind some rubble, he dropped to his stomach and waited. Slowly, the rhythmic, mechanical sound of hooves beating against stone grew to a crescendo as the army approached the building. It felt like hours before the sound began to grow softer before ceasing completely. Ivan dared to peek out from his hiding spot, and his spirits lifted a bit as he saw the formation had indeed passed by. Slowly, wary of any other troopers, Ivan stepped out of the building. His hooves almost immediately left the ground as something grabbed him by the shoulders and lifted him into the air. Ivan felt like his heart had fallen out and been left behind where he went airborne. He had been so focused on the Crystal troopers that he had forgotten about the griffons. Ivan tried to crane his head to look at his attacker, but the way the griffon was holding him prevented him from getting a good look. All he could make out was the yellow skin on the talons that gripped him. It was all over. Ivan had seen what the griffons had done to the other ponies they caught. To his CO. There was nothing he could do anymore. Any moment now, he would be released and then... what? What did it feel like to die? Ivan was shaken from his thoughts as he caught sight of his barracks - or what was left of it. The buildings were nothing but burning rubble now, and Ivan could see small shapes that he knew to be what remained of the guards who hadn't gotten out in time. He thanked the princesses that he was too high up to make out any details. It made sense, he reminded himself. The natural first target for a military attack would be where the opposing military would be stationed. Even if he had made it to the barracks, it wouldn't have mattered. All hope gone, Ivan closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable. The feeling of air rushing past him told Ivan that he was descending... but it was slower than he had expected it to be. Was his mind playing tricks on him? Did time just feel like it was going slower when you were about to die? Ivan cautiously opened his eyes. He was descending, but he wasn't falling. The griffon still had a hold on him. After he realized he wasn't dying yet, Ivan realized where he was descending towards. The griffon released its grip, and Ivan fell to the hard ground, though it was a much shorter distance than he had feared. Ivan slowly rose to his hooves, glancing fearfully around him. The cold glares of griffons and the empty green light of Crystal trooper helmets followed his movements. A few feet away, the cannons that had been battering the city continued their dreadful task. Ivan had been taken back to the enemy lines. He turned to get a look at his captor, and found himself wishing that he had been dropped like the other ponies. The griffon that had seized him was dark gray on both its avian and feline halves. It would have looked unremarkable, if not for its head. It looked the head of a great vulture. The skin was completely bare of feathers and tinted a deep, blood red. More than that, it seemed shrunken, clinging tightly to the creature's skull. It would have been a terrible sight on its own, but Ivan knew this griffon... and knew that there was much more to fear from him than just the way he looked. The griffon must have picked up on Ivan's realization, as his beak curved in a slight grin. "You know who I am, don't you, pony?" Ivan slowly nodded. "Everypony knows who you are. You're the Red Skull. Sombra's second-in-command." The Skull chuckled. "So word of my exploits has reached Equestria. Good. Tell me, pony, do you know why I spared your life?" Ivan shook his head. Raising an eyebrow, the Skull strode over to one of the Crystal troopers. The trooper made no motion as the Skull reached up with a talon and stroked the helmet it wore. "I assume you know the purpose of these helmets, right?" "They control the Crystal ponies' minds. Sombra brainwashes his subjects and sends them into battle against their will." The Skull clicked his tongue. "Close, but not quite. It's true that the helmets affect the Crystal ponies' minds, but they are not brainwashed. Their minds are still their own." A smile crept across the Skull's face as he turned to Ivan, causing a chill to creep down the guardspony's spine. "The magic in the helmet brings out the deepest fears of the pony wearing them. They are locked into their most terrible nightmares. If the magic didn't keep them from using their vocal cords, you could hear them screaming their lungs out." The Skull strode closer to Ivan, causing him to unconsciously back away. "Subtle alterations in the spell affect the pony's actions. Make them imagine they are being chased, and they will move where we want them to. Make them think they are being attacked, and they will lash out. Scare them enough, and they will freeze up in terror." Ivan felt himself back into something. Looking back, he saw the Crystal troopers blocking his escape. Only now did he realize they were just as imprisoned as he was. No, that wasn't right. They were worse off. Was this the fate the Skull intended for him? "Fear is a powerful motivator. This invasion is proof of that. It wasn't enough to face the Equestrian army on the battlefield. We needed to show you what happens when you cross his Majesty, King Sombra. Your homes, your families, your children - all will burn." Ivan turned and started as he saw the Skull's gruesome visage right in front of him. "When his Majesty tasked me with destroying Stalliongrad, his orders were to leave no survivors. I have every intention of carrying out those orders, but it's not quite enough, is it? How do I make you frightened instead of simply hardening your resolve? For this to truly strike fear into your hearts, I need to leave a more... personal mark." Ivan had no time to react as the Skull threw something into his face. He coughed as he inhaled. He felt like someone had jammed a lit torch down his throat. The sensation spread from his throat to his face, and then to his whole head. He barely noticed the griffons and Crystal troopers backing away from him. The world looked like it was spinning. Clumps of something fell from his head. Grasping at the clumps, Ivan saw that it was his own fur falling out. The last thing Ivan ever perceived was the Red Skull whispering into his ear two words that would follow him into the afterlife. "Hail Sombra." Celestia was no stranger to monsters. It had only been a few decades since she and her sister had stopped Discord, and Tirek before him. Even before ascending to the throne, it seemed that not a moon would go by that the pair had had to deal with some demon or monstrosity that was now imprisoned in Tartarus. It hadn't been easy, and they weren't always able to stop the forces of evil before they claimed a few victims. Celestia had seen death before. But how could a simple griffon be able to cause this much carnage? When Equestrian Intelligence had first told her of the experiments being performed on the Crystal Empire's slaves, she had hoped that they were exaggerations. The body in front of her told her otherwise. What had once been a Stalliongrad guardspony was chained to a tree before her. The only way to tell the guard's name was the identification tag stitched into the inside of his helmet. His "face," if one could call it that anymore, was something out of a nightmare. All the fur on the guard's head had fallen off, leaving only shriveled crimson hide that clung tightly to the unfortunate pony's skull. Above the deformed corpse, a sign had been posted. "A gift for the princesses," it said, "signed" with the image of an avian skull, painted in red ink. The ruined city of Stalliongrad lay beyond the tree. Guards were still searching the rubble, but it appeared that the city's entire population had been killed - guards, civilians, even foals hadn't been spared. It would have been enough of a message on its own. But this twisted "gift," left on the only road Equestrian responders could approach the city from, was just a twist of the knife. It had been meant to frighten her. And despite everything Celestia had faced in her life so far, it was working. "Did Captain Fury find out why they didn't see it coming?" Celestia asked, responding to the wing she felt on her shoulder. She didn't turn to see her sister's response. "He did," came Luna's voice. "We just received the report from the guard station. Two hours before the attack, the local pegasi brigade was called out to the east to look into a possible diamond dog incursion. When they got there, they were surrounded and killed by griffons. Without their air support, Stalliongrad had no chance against the invasion." "Espionage, then," Celestia muttered, whether to herself or to Luna, not even she knew. "It would appear so. You know what we have to do." "It seems you were right." "What about?" Luna asked, raising an eyebrow. Celestia finally turned away from the guard's corpse, meeting her sister's gaze. "About what would happen. About what Sombra would do when he told him to release his slaves." Luna scoffed. "I didn't know for sure, Tia. Only Sombra knew that. And if you're insinuating that I'm somehow proud that I was right about this barbarism, I prayed to whatever powers would listen that it wouldn't come to this!" "You're right, I'm sorry. I did not mean to imply that. It's just..." Celestia sighed, "it's just that we've never declared a war before, Lu! When we fought Tirek and Discord, we were fighting one monster. We were fighting individuals. Even when the guard fought diamond dog raiding parties, it was only a few scattered tribes. We're going to have to declare war on not one, but two nations this time! How can we justify violence on that scale? How can we fight against somepony who's sending others to fight and die against their will?" "Sombra had his chance, Tia. We asked him to surrender peacefully. We asked him to stop all this." Luna pointed at the ruined city. At the deformed corpse. "This was his response. How can we justify striking back? Ask yourself what they would want. Would they want us to do nothing, or would they want us to bring their killers to justice?" Celestia turned to look at the guard's body again. Ivan. The name inscribed on the inside of his helmet was Ivan. What wasn't written down was if he had any family. How old he was. How long he had served. If he had any idea if this cold day, only a few weeks from Hearth's Warming, would be his last. "We have a lot to do. Prepare a press conference in Canterlot. Let the citizens of Equestria know that we are now at war with the Crystal Empire and the Griffon Kingdom. And tell Professor Erskine to go ahead with his program. I only hope it's not too late." Author's Note Dedicated to those who served, fought, and died at Pearl Harbor, Stalingrad, and the other battlefields of World War II. Because of your bravery, we live in a world where we are free to write stories about magic ponies and Nazi-punching superheroes on the internet. Thank you.
RecruitmentThe Captain strained to lift his eyelids as he regained consciousness. As he tried to move his legs, he found the task impossible. Finally succeeding in opening his eyes, he saw why. Large, iron chains bound the stallion to the ground, all four of his legs clamped together. He groaned. Had the battle really gone that badly? "Ah, you are vith us vonce again, Herr Captain?" came a heavily-accented voice. The Captain shifted his head, searching for the source. Suddenly, an avian head entered his vision, a large scar across one eye and a diabolic grin across the beak. "So gut to see you alive. I vas vorried you vouldn't be around for ze vun part." "And what does a sick, winged rat like you consider 'fun,' Baron Bloodwing?" the Captain grunted. "I'm so glad you asked, Captain. You see, I am avare you vere vith Agent 65 bevore she met her... untimely end. I'm sure you know zat she vas carryink a list of all ze Equestrian agents currently hiding in ze Crystal Umpire. His Majesty would very much like to have zat list. I don't suppose you vould be villing to let me know where it is, vould you? "I'd sooner die, griffon scum." "I vas hopink you'd say zat, Captain. Old Hans has been vaitink for a gut meal." The Captain's gaze turned to a large, iron gate across the torture chamber from his position. Slowly, the portal creaked open as a large, two-headed hydra emerged, its twin jaws slavering for pony flesh. "I can call him off at any time, Captain. You only need to tell me vere ze list is. Othervise, Captain Justice dies today!" "Will Captain Justice give up Agent 65's list to the sinister Baron Bloodwing? Can he escape the bloodthirsty hydra before he becomes its next meal? Come back next week to see the answers, loyal viewers, and witness the might of Captain Justice, Griffon-Smasher!" As the curtain fell across the stage, the audience roared their approval at the latest episode. Colts, fillies, and their parents stamped their hooves and cheered all the louder as Captain Justice trotted once more onto the stage. "Thank you, citizens! Thank you! This show wouldn't be possible without your support!" The costumed stallion raised a hoof, signaling the audience for silence. "And with your support, justice lives on. As I'm sure all of you are aware, this show is about more than Captain Justice or Baron Bloodwing. As we speak, Equestria's brave stallions fight the good fight against Sombra's crystal goons and their dirty griffon allies. They are the true defenders of justice and harmony. But they can't fight without our help. Equestria needs you, dear viewers, to win this war. Support our troops! Donate spare food to feed them, spare metal to arm and armor them, spare hooves to work with them! No colt or filly is too young to help! And you parents in the audience, recruitment centers are open in all cities and towns. Join the Equestrian Guard today, and let justice prevail!" Another cheer came from the audience as Captain Justice bowed his head. After the Captain left the stage, the audience slowly filtered out of the theater. No one took notice of the slight pegasus mare sitting in the back, lingering a moment after the other ponies left. Sighing, she got up from her seat before trotting off. "You just don't know when to quit, do you?" Firefly turned to see a blue coated, red-maned earth pony stallion trotting up to her. The pink coated, blue-maned pegasus shook her head. "It only took you two tries to join up, and I don't even have to lie about my age." "True, but at least I look like I'm 25. You're the one they always think is lying." "It shouldn't be this hard, Buck," Firefly sighed. "They keep saying they're willing to take anypony, but when somepony comes along who actually believes in what they're fighting for, they won't even give her a desk job." "Firefly, there was a time not too long ago when you couldn't lift a stapler, let alone a spear," Buck replied. "And you don't have to actually join the Guard to help out." "So you're saying I should just keep donating old cans? You're a guard. Tell me, do they actually make weapons or armor out of those things?" "Well... no. But..." "I'm sick of sitting on the sidelines, Buck. It's nearly been a year since this war started, and ponies are still dying." "You can't help them by getting yourself killed, though." Buck placed a foreleg over Firefly's shoulder. "Trust me, I will do everything in my power to end the war. Just keep your chin up. One of these days, you're going to hear how Captain Barn Bucker's squadron kicked Sombra's sorry flank into the sea." "It's a long way from Private to Captain, Buck." "Give me time," Buck said as he trotted away. Firefly sighed as she watched her friend go. "I'm sorry, Buck. I can't wait that long." The unicorn massaged his forehead with a hoof as he looked over the papers in front of him. "You do know that we're all part of the same army, right? I know about the other recruitment centers." "I know," Firefly groaned. "But isn't there any position I can fill? I don't have to have a combat role. Anything will do." "Miss Firefly, EVERY recruit has to pass a physical exam before they're accepted. And you've failed every one you've taken." The unicorn turned a frustrated gaze back to the papers in front of him. "Cloudsdale, Fillydelphia, Baltimare, even Trottingham, every center you've applied in has turned you down. You've got to take a hint, miss. Just because you're applying in Manehattan doesn't change the facts. You've had practically every disease known to exist, you have the physique of a fifteen year old; for the Princesses' sake, you were even dropped out of flight school because they thought you'd literally drop dead if you took the flight exam! I'm sorry, you're just not army material." Firefly was silent for a long time as the recruitment officer's words sunk in. Finally, she managed to speak again. "There must be something... anything you can do." "I am," the unicorn said, levitating a red stamp over the paper before slamming it down. "I'm saving your life." Firefly took the paper without another word. She spared no glance to the word "Rejected" stamped upon it, still dripping with red ink. Turning, she walked out of the recruitment center, numb to the world around her. She barely noticed the griffon in front of her before she slammed straight into him. "Oh! Sorry!" she stammered, scrambling to pick up the rejected application forms. "It's quite alright, my dear. I was actually hoping to speak with you." Firefly's ears perked up as she caught the faint hints of a griffon accent on the male voice. Slowly, she looked up, just noticing the griffon's species for the first time. The feathers on his avian half were white, while the fur on his feline half was light grey. His head resembled that of an owl. "Me? What about?" Firefly asked hesitantly. The griffon didn't seem to be a threat; if anything, he had a kind, almost comforting air to him. Firefly couldn't help but be reminded of her grandfather looking at the old creature. "I think I may be able to help you." "So, you work with the Equestrian Guard?" Firefly asked as the old griffon led her into his office in the recruitment center. "Surprised that a griffon is working with the pony military?" he chuckled. "I actually came to Equestria long before the Griffon Kingdom allied with the Crystal Empire. It's been my home for so many years, I couldn't help but protect it, even from my kin." "Oh, no, I didn't mean anything like that," Firefly stammered. "You just seem a little... older than I was expecting from a guard." "I'm not a guard, actually," the griffon said. "I'm a doctor. Doctor Erskine." "Firefly," the pegasus said, extending a hoof. Erskine took and shook it. "Charmed. I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but I overheard that your application to join the Guard was rejected?" "Yeah, but you said you could help? How?" "Before I answer, let me ask you a question. Why, exactly do you want to be a guard?" Firefly thought long and hard before answering. "Well... I'm sure you heard about my... medical history." Erskine nodded, prompting Firefly to continue. "It seems like ever since I was born, I always had to rely on somepony else to do things for me. Feed me, keep me safe. I can barely fly on my own. My parents never seemed to mind, but as I got older, I felt that I needed to take responsibility for myself." "Then the war broke out. One day, everything's fine. The next, Stalliongrad has been wiped out. No warning, no declaration of war, just... gone. I didn't lose any family in the attack, but I know folks who did. It was the first time I had seen anypony as helpless as I thought I was. And, well, I thought I had to do something. I had to do something to help them, just like others had always helped me." "So you want to kill griffons and crystal troopers?" "I don't want to kill anypony. I don't want to hurt anypony. I just don't want them to hurt anypony else. Doctor, I have been sitting at home, safe and surrounded by those who care about me, while everypony else is out there dying to keep me safe. And every time I try to help, I'm told, 'Don't worry, this isn't your fight. Let somepony else take care of it.' I've been waiting a year, doctor. How long do I have to keep waiting?" Erskine scratched his forehead with a talon. "You know, I have family back in the Griffon Kingdom. They're not soldiers, and they don't support the war against Equestria. But when I told them that I was helping the guard, they asked me to stop. They're terrified that a spy could find out what I'm doing and kill me. They just want me to 'wait until this blows over.' But I know Sombra. I had colleagues that decided to work for him. And I know that he's not going to stop until Equestria is crushed. So I chose to do whatever I can to make sure that doesn't happen. I want to do what I can to see my family again." "Miss Firefly, I have been working on a program to create better soldiers for the Equestrian Guard. I have a potion, a formula, based on old griffon alchemy, that I think may be able to enhance a pony's body, making them stronger, faster, and tougher than any other pony alive. If you're willing, I would like to give you that formula and make you not a soldier, but a super-soldier." Firefly opened her mouth to reply, but Erskine raised his claw, motioning her to wait. "Before you say anything, I must warn you that you would be the first pony ever to receive this potion. It could work, but I don't know if it will. It could kill you, and it would be a painful, excruciating death. But if it does work, then I think you may be able to finally do something to help end this war." Firefly was once again lost in thought as she walked through the streets of Manehattan underneath Luna's moon. Erskine had given her as much time as she needed to think over his proposal. And boy, did she need it. "Painful, excruciating death." Erskine certainly didn't sugar-coat it. If she agreed to this and the test failed, the consequences would be a lot graver than another rejected application. But if it worked? If it worked, Firefly could finally make a difference. She would be one step closer to stopping Sombra. One step closer to bringing the troops home to their families. One step closer to avenging the victims of Stalliongrad. One step closer to Erskine being able to see his family again. "Well, look at you! You certainly look good in armor!" A female voice broke Firefly out of her thoughts. She turned towards the source of the voice and caught sight of a guardspony with a unicorn mare outside a small bar. "I know, right? Just got into the guard this afternoon, babe," the guard said to what Firefly guessed was his marefriend. "I always did like stallions in uniform, but I never thought you'd look so sexy in one. So when do you ship out?" "Not till tomorrow. Still have time for a little going-away party?" "Do you have to ask? Anything for a guard!" Something at Firefly's hoof drew her away from the conversation. Looking down, she saw a discarded newspaper had blown up to her in the wind. Picking it up, she looked over the headlines. "Death Count Continues to Rise in Trottingham Bombings." "Crystal Death-Camps: Do They Exist? An Escaped Slave Tells Her Story." "Five Dead in Factory Blaze - Imperial Sabotage Suspected." Dropping the paper, Firefly turned and trotted back to the recruitment center.
Operation RebirthFirefly couldn't stop staring. She had never been to the Castle of the Two Sisters before. The size and majesty of the building was hard to wrap her head around, let alone the fact that this was the beating heart of the nation. This was the center of the nation's government. The Princesses lived here. She was treading on the same ground they did every day. "Beautiful..." she whispered. "It really is, isn't it?" Doctor Erskine said from Firefly's side. "Don't stare too long, though. We have an appointment to keep." Firefly nodded, following the griffon into the castle. Guards and government staff were busily rushing from place to place inside as Erskine led Firefly to a small, unassuming door off to the side of the central chamber. As Erskine opened the door, Firefly was surprised to see a bare hallway with a simple wooden desk at the end, just before another door. A frail-looking elderly mare sat behind the desk, looking up at the newcomers with a suspicious gaze as they entered. "What's the price of carrots in the Canterlot market today?" she asked, her hoof reaching under the desk. Erskine cleared his throat. "Twelve bits, but I hear the apples are much better," he said as clearly as he could. The mare put her hoof down, then trotted over to the door, opening it for the two without another word. Firefly looked under the desk where the mare had been reaching as she passed, surprised to see a small crossbow with a bolt already loaded and ready. Turning back, Firefly saw that the room she and Erskine had entered was small and cramped, only large enough to hold the two of them and perhaps another three or four ponies. Erskine reached into the side of the doorway, pulling a metal gate across the entrance, before pressing a small button on the side of the wall. The room suddenly lurched before beginning to move. Firefly started as she saw the elderly mare shut the door, which then slide up and out of sight. "First time on an elevator, I take it?" Erskine asked. Firefly nervously chuckled and nodded. The elevator slid to a stop as they came to another doorway, this one opening up into a large chamber crowded with ponies. Erskine opened the elevator gate and motioned for Firefly to step out. She looked around the chamber as she did so. One by one, the ponies looked up from their work and stared at Firefly. She simply stared back. Looking up, she felt her breath catch as she noticed a small platform overlooking the chamber. Seated in chairs were many of the Equestrian military's top commanders, as well as government representatives... and both princesses. "My Princesses, mares, and gentlecolts," Erskine announced, "today is a momentous occasion in Equestria's history. This young mare has graciously volunteered to be the first test subject for Operation Rebirth. This operation, if all goes well, will transform her into the pinnacle of pony potential - the first of a corps of super-agents whose mental and physical ability will make them a force no enemy soldier, spy, or saboteur will be able to stand against." The military commanders and government agents murmured amongst themselves, looking skeptically at Firefly. Her eyes were not on them, however. She was looking up at Celestia, who smiled warmly at the young pegasus. "Firefly, if you please, step into the middle of the chamber," Erskine said. Firefly did so, the ponies making way for her. As she reached the middle of the room, a unicorn stepped forward, holding a small syringe and an anti-septic pad in his magical grip. Wiping Firefly's foreleg with the pad, he injected Firefly with the syringe's contents, Firefly wincing slightly as he did so. As the unicorn stepped away, Firefly moved her foreleg experimentally. "That's it? That wasn't so bad." "That was penicillin," Erskine smiled. He held up a glass bottle filled with blue liquid. "This is the serum." Firefly hesitantly took the bottle, closed her eyes, and drank every last drop. She smacked her lips. It tasted like apples. Erskine stepped back, allowing a group of unicorns to circle Firefly. Her eyes widened as their horns charged and they fired bolts of magic at her. Firefly screamed in pain as the magic made contact. Her whole body felt like it was on fire. She sank to her knees, no longer able to stand. Every muscle in her body throbbed in pain as they began to expand. She could feel her own bones increase in thickness. Her wings felt like they were being torn from her sides. Firefly wondered if this was what it felt like to die. She opened her eyes, not remembering when she had closed them. She saw Erskine approaching, waving frantically at the unicorns. She strained her ears, faintly hearing him saying something. "Stop! Stop it! You're killing her!" "N... no..." Firefly managed to say. "K... k... keep... go... ing... I... can... take it..." Erskine looked at her with worry, but nodded and backed away. Finally, after a few more moments of agonizing torture, the unicorns stopped. Unable to take any more, Firefly collapsed. Erskine rushed up to her. "Are you alright, my dear?" "I... I'll be... fine..." Firefly grunted. "Did... did it work?" Erskine smiled. "Take a look for yourself." He grabbed a small mirror off a nearby table and held it up for her to see. Firefly's heart nearly stopped from what she saw. She had grown at least another two hoof-lengths in height. She was now actually taller than Erskine. Her formerly thin body was now filled out with thick muscles. Her wings were longer and much, much stronger. She experimentally flapped them, surprised when they actually moved her body a little. "How do you feel?" Erskine asked. Firefly struggled to come up with the right words. All her life, she had dreamed of becoming stronger and healthier. Now that this moment was here, how did she feel? Excited? Ecstatic? Blissful? Terrified? "Taller," she finally stammered. Cheers filled the chamber as the ponies saw that the experiment had been successful. Firefly looked back up at the audience, seeing the military and government personnel loudly stamping the floor as they shouted with joy. All except the princesses, who simply beamed down on Firefly with pride. Firefly felt herself smile as well. The scientists and mages crowded around Erskine, congratulating him and shaking his talons. "Doctor, my congratulations to you," said one unicorn approaching from behind. Erskine turned towards him, grinning widely. "And my sympathies to your family." Erskine's grin fell as he looked at the unicorn with confusion. Suddenly, without warning, the unicorn levitated a quill pen up from one of the desks at the side of the room... and thrust it into Erskine's neck. "HAIL, SOMBRA!"
