The Fireflies were a revolutionary militia group featured as an antagonistic faction in The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II, and a playable faction in Factions MP. They revolted against FEDRA's rule in many quarantine zones around the United States. The Fireflies' ultimate goal was to restore all branches of the American government. However, they were largely unsuccessful in their war against FEDRA. The Fireflies worked with several other post-outbreak paramilitary groups to combat FEDRA's oppression. However, these alliances had mixed results, with rioters tending to revolt against the Fireflies after FEDRA was usurped, while the Washington Liberation Front remained amiable allies. The Fireflies were also searching for a vaccine for the Cordyceps brain infection (CBI) and did whatever it took to accomplish it. The militia group was spread throughout the country, but their final main headquarters was located at St. Mary's Hospital in Salt Lake City. Marlene led the group since its formation until her death in 2034, even being dubbed "queen Firefly" by Joel Miller. To identify members in their group, the Fireflies often wore yellow or green clothing, similar to the glow of real fireflies. Furthermore, to differentiate real members from spies, each member wore a pendant chained around their necks. There were at least 318 officially registered Fireflies who were given a pendant. After Joel escaped St. Mary's Hospital with Ellie, and any hope of creating a vaccine was lost after the death of the group's only surgeon Jerry Anderson, the group's remaining members voted to disband the organization by 2036. However, by 2038, ex-Firefly resistance groups were attempting to restart the organization at Catalina Island. Creation and war against FEDRA The Fireflies were founded in the 2010s, shortly after the CBI outbreak. This was in response to FEDRA's military-supported coup d'etat and subsequent suspension of most branches of the U.S. government, as well as the brutal martial law that was enacted in the quarantine zones, such as Los Angeles. The group called for an end to the military's rule and staged several protests and riots in attempts to gain control over the quarantine zones. Support from the public increased when soldiers executed at least six Firefly members. By the 2020s, the Fireflies inspired civilians in numerous quarantine zones to rise up against the military, leading to rebellions in several cities in the United States. While rebelling, Fireflies commonly graffitied their group's slogan, "Look for the light", around the cities, mainly on building walls. They successfully defeated the military in the city of Pittsburgh, but their actions did not always have the desired results. In most uprisings, rioting citizens did more of the fighting than actual Firefly members, leading to feuds that typically resulted in the citizens turning on their city's Fireflies after the revolt was finished, fearing a reign of oppression by the Fireflies rather than the military. The Fireflies lost control and were executed or forced to flee, allowing the citizens to take over, some adopting a "survival of the fittest" philosophy instead of trying to find a cure or build a better society. Elsewhere, the Fireflies also committed to a drawn-out campaign against the military stationed in the Denver QZ. Tommy Miller and Eugene Linden were placed in a Firefly terrorist cell within the city and launched bombing assaults on military checkpoints. Their cell leader also had them capture and torture numerous military personnel within the city. The actions they committed estranged Eugene from his wife and daughter, who saw his and the Fireflies' fervent fighting as a futile endeavor. In the end, the campaign came to a standstill, and Eugene and Tommy left the Fireflies soon after to join a community living in Jackson, Wyoming. Searching for a cure The Fireflies searched in vain for a cure to counter the CBI for many years. Morale within the organization fell as vaccination tests continued to fail and the military began to hunt them down. They eventually set up their main research laboratory at the University of Eastern Colorado, sometime after a group of students either left or died out. While there, they set up a guard post to maintain a log of who and what came in and to monitor the outskirts of the area as they set up their main research lab in the Science building. At some point, Tommy visited the lab when he was a Firefly, still believing it to be the Fireflies' main base even after leaving the group. A message on a Firefly's recorder mentioned that they did have some success in trials with a passive vaccine in 2028, but nothing came of this in the long run. A few years before the events of the main game, given the presence of a bloater, the Fireflies relocated their base from the University of Eastern Colorado to St. Mary's Hospital in Salt Lake City, as the safety of the science lab was becoming compromised by infected attacks. Furthermore, a Firefly scientist became infected when a lab monkey carrying the infection bit him. Choosing not to go with the others, who left so quickly that they abandoned most of their medical equipment, he took his own life after lamenting about his time as a Firefly. Events of Factions MP Somewhere in America, a group of Fireflies attempted to steal a shipment from a group of hunters, as securing the supplies would increase their chances of creating a cure for the CBI. The group staked out the camp for 12 weeks, gaining as many survivors as possible while fighting groups of hunters that attacked them weekly. If the group succeeded in getting the shipment, they became one step closer to saving humanity. If not, the hunters successfully repelled and killed them, securing the supplies for themselves. Finding an immune subject – Events of American Dreams In Boston in 2033, the Fireflies were engaged in a shootout with the Boston military just outside the zone. Ellie and Riley came across the fight where the militia group was losing and Riley used Winston's smoke bombs to cover the group's escape. The Fireflies later found the two girls in the shopping mall and saved them from a couple of infected but took the girls prisoner. Marlene, who was among the group, ordered the girls to be kept alive after recognizing Ellie. After finding a smuggler's tunnel to hide in, Marlene later freed Ellie and Riley. As Riley and Marlene argued over the former joining the group, the Fireflies were attacked by three armed smugglers. With minimal casualties, the Fireflies killed the smugglers and Marlene tested Riley's commitment. Marlene later directed the girls back to the QZ, though not before telling Ellie about her mother. Riley eventually was allowed to join the Fireflies after following a member into an alleyway. There, Marlene greeted her, asking what took so long. She gifted Riley her own Firefly pendant and a handgun. The group in Boston initially planned to leave the city in the coming months after recruiting Riley but plans changed when Marlene discovered that Ellie was immune. This caused the group to reorganize so they could set up an operation to get Ellie out of the city—the girl becoming the group's key objective. Events of The Last of Us A few weeks later, the Fireflies orchestrated a terrorist attack on a military checkpoint, bombing a vehicle to distract the military while Marlene worked to smuggle Ellie from the city. Marlene made a deal with a local smuggler named Robert to take Ellie to the Capitol Building. The Fireflies planned to exit the city quietly, but the military began to provoke them. The Fireflies became violent in response, and Robert was killed by Joel and Tess. After meeting with Marlene, they saw soldiers executing Fireflies. Later, Joel and Tess agreed to take Ellie to the Capitol Building in return for their weapons. However, the Fireflies at the rendezvous were dead, and the trio had to flee. Without Ellie, the Fireflies feared their last chance at a cure was lost. Marlene and the surviving Boston Fireflies later retreated to Salt Lake City. They reunited with comrades but were saddened by the death of the extraction team. Defeat and formally disbanding On April 28, 2034, a Firefly patrol found Joel and Ellie in the city tunnels. Ellie was unconscious, and Joel was knocked out while giving her CPR. Both were taken to the Firefly base. The doctors informed Marlene that removing the infected portion of Ellie's brain would kill her. Marlene reluctantly agreed to the surgery. Joel, learning of this, killed his guard, stormed the operating room, killed Jerry Anderson, and escaped with Ellie. Marlene tried to stop Joel in the parking garage, urging him to reconsider. Joel shot and killed her, not willing to lose Ellie. Following the deaths of Marlene, Ethan, and Jerry, the remaining Fireflies became demoralized. After suffering repeated defeats, the loss of leadership, and their final hope for a cure, they formally voted to disband by 2036. Attempts to re-form – Events of The Last of Us Part II Some Fireflies disagreed with the disbanding, hoping to continue resisting or create a cure. However, they were in the minority. The group splintered. Abby Anderson, Manny Alvarez, Owen Moore, Mel, and Nora joined the Washington Liberation Front, gaining veteran status. Abby later killed Joel in pursuit of vengeance. There were rumors of former Fireflies regrouping in Santa Barbara. Abby and Lev pursued a lead to a house at 2425 Constance, discovering radio frequencies indicating contact with outposts in California. They made contact with a man claiming the Fireflies had gathered at Catalina Island. However, before reaching them, Abby and Lev were captured by the Rattlers and enslaved. They were eventually freed and escaped by boat, heading for Catalina Island.