It was many moons ago, long before the three pony tribes organized and formed uneasy alliances to benefit from one another. Monsters of all shapes and sizes terrorized the pony kind in Equestria. Ponies fell victim to giant spider traps, were hunted by hydra, and tormented by many other creatures. Nopony was safe.
But amongst the unicorns was one filly who harbored a warrior's spirit. A pony whose very name would grow to embody honor and victory. Her name was Glory.
From a young age, Glory was a fighter. While the other fillies played, Glory created and practiced various exercises to home herself. She trained her body in means of strength, speed, stamina, and endurance. Something called out to her, leading her towards a certain destiny. While some saw her exercises as odd and teased her, there were more who acknowledged her skills and followed her example to strengthen their bodies and sharpen their minds for battle. They, too, could tell they needed to prepare for a dark day that was soon approaching.
It wasn't long before Glory's oldest brother was named leader of their herd, and she, as the youngest sister, was left to pick whatever destiny she wished, since she had several older siblings to aid the herd and assist their eldest brother. But destiny always sets one down a certain path.
Years passed, and Glory and her group of warriors grew. They had gained a little respect by chasing off predators like the wolves made of wood, giant birds made of stone, and carnivorous plants. It wasn't until one setting sun that creatures emerged from the darkness.
Seemingly shapeless, say for some slight resemblance to thin, starved ponies with their clacking hooves, long snouts that produced a twisted sound of a whinny, and flowing manes and tails of smoke. But that was as close to ponies as the creatures were. They were living shadows that fed of fear, some who had survived and traveled a great distance, sensing great fear masked by false courage. For although Glory's eldest brother may have put up a front and presented himself as a wise, brave ruler, he was kept awake by his troubling thoughts and fears most nights, unsure if he was even worthy enough to lead their herd. His fear grew and fermented, attracting the shadow creatures.
Try as they might, Glory's warriors couldn't seem to harm the shadow creatures. Their bucks, kicks, punches, and even biting didn't seem to affect them. All their physical attacks seemed to pass right by them. The shadow creatures swarmed around Glory and her herd, their howls seemed to twist into sick laughter as fear began to bubble up from the herd. All seemed lost as the herd was pushed back and forced to huddle into a circle surrounded by a blackened sea of distorted pony shadows.
But one pony refused to back down
Pushing her way away from the herd, Glory puffed out her chest, narrowed her eyes on the shifting bodies of the enemy, then drew in a breath, puffing out her chest even further, before letting out a loud battle cry that could be heard for miles. The sound wave from her comparing voice stunned the shadow creatures, stopping them in their tracks and causing them to look into this one mare whose heart held no fear, but a white hor burning courage, like that of a dwarf star. The pause of the creatures didn't last long and seen they focused their efforts on breaking the mare. They swarmed her, encased her in a sphere made of their bodies, and their laughter grew louder as their bodies shifted to present horrible images to the mare of her greatest fears. Things that would leave anyone in a fetal position, begging for the madness to stop. But such antics wouldn't work on Glory.
Taking a deep breath, Glory focused all her body's energy into her horn, which began to glow a brilliant swirl of silver, purple and blue, before shooting out a living beam of light, almost like a shooting star. The star was able to make contact and do damage to the creatures. It zoomed all around, hitting the shadow creatures in the head, stomach, and sides, for the first time in their lives, actually causing them great pain. The burning light somehow singles their shadowy bodies. Glory focuses long and hard, turning her head but never blinking as she maintained control of her tiny shooting star that pummeled the shadow creatures, making them cry out in pain. After several long minutes of the creatures receiving a beating, and Glory never showing signs of weakness, the shadow creatures began to retreat from where they came.
Silence fell as Glory watched the last of the shadow creatures disappear into the distance. Then cheers erupted from her herd, ponies gathered around to thank their hero. After a short while of congratulating Glory on her victory, her oldest brother, their leader, bent down and offered her the position of leader.
But Glory rejected his offer.
A mark had appeared on her flank, the same as he had when he was chosen to be their leader. It was her destiny to fight end defend her herd from those who would do them wrong. She offered her aid to her oldest brother, but would not lead him. Sometimes our destinies are not an easy path to walk, and sometimes we may doubt ourselves. But we need to stick to our guns, aid one another, practice with all our might, and never lose faith in ourselves. And when we emerge victorious over our trials and can hold our heads up high, this will be known as glory.
Now, some ponies argue that this story is nothing more then an old pony's tale, put together by somepony who had too much free thought on their hooves. But in the magical land of Equestria, it would be hard to find a legend that isn't true, or at least, very, very close to the truth.
If nothing else, remember the courageous pony, say her name whenever you feel a challenge is too big for you to handle. Say it once, even under your breath. Let it give you the strength to scream it to the clouds above before charging at your problem head first.
