Chapters The ponies jumped from their beds and were still half asleep when their C/O strode into their barracks. "All right today you will begin training in howto fly some of Equestria's greatest aircraft. You will go up with an instructor and they will teach you the basics. After we evaluate your flying we will decide whether you will fly a fighter, bomber, or if your better off as a member of the ground crew. Any questions?" Immedietly a hoof few up and caught Colnel's attention. "Yes, private Dash?" "Sir, what if i were to know im already a good enough flyer to fly a fighter?" A few snickers from the group were quikly hushed by a glare from the Colonel. "Priate Dash you will go through the same training as everypony else in this group. Just because you and your five friends represent the Elements of Harmony and are freinds with Princess Celestia does not mean you'll get special treatment." After a lecture from the Colonel the cadets trotted towards their airplanes, AT-6's and PT-22's, parked at the end of the runway. Shouts of "CONTACT" and "CLEAR PROP" could be heard by everypony on the base. Soon the sky was full of looping and rolling aircraft. Of the six freinds who signed up together cause "it looked fun", Rainbow Dash showed the most promise of becoming a fighter pilot. Twilight kept looking at the map and the plane's manuel and nearly crashed at least twice, she was declaired to be a better navigaitor then pilot,Pinke Pie just kept doing loops till the instuctor threw up, Applejack seemed to learn faster but had trouble controling such a high proformance plane and was assigned to pilot a B-24 Liberaitor, Fluttershy was to upset after her plane's wing struck a bird that the instuctor had to land the plane since Fluttershy's vision was blurred by tears, and Rarity was complaining about her uniform so much the instructor bailed out. When all the cadets had landed they were graded and told their assignments. Rainbow Dash was assigned to a fighter squadren on a tropical island where the Equestrian navy anchored half of their fleet. Applejack was shiped out to Manehatten with the 96th Bomb Squadren. Pinke Pie was assigned the position of waist gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress with the 303rd Bomb group. Rarity was assigned the job of co-pilot of a B-25 on the same island as Dash. As for Fluttershy, she was made the care-giver of the search and rescue dogs at the base. Soon the friends were seperaited by thousands of miles. But one calm Sunday morning something happened that would shake all of Equestria to its very core.
December 7
As Rainbow Dash and Rarity strolled along the side walk by the little shops near the base it seemed nothing was out of the ordenary. But soon the tanquility of the morning was shattered by an enomous explosion. One of the battleship's had exploded. Soon they noticed airplanes swooping so low you could see the pilots faces. They were griffins! The aircraft bore a red dot on the side and wings. These were the markings of the griffin military to the east. AsRainbow Dash scambled to get to her P-40 Warhawk she saw wounded and dead ponies being carried to the hospital. When Dash arrived at her airplane she saw it had a few bullet holes in it but it would fly. She pushed the ignition and the engine roared to life. As soon as she got off the runway she meet up with with another pilot who had gotten airborne. "I got a bogey on my six!" shouted the flyer and soon Dash shotdown the Griffin. When the attack was over the ponies landed at the airbase. "Just what in the hell was that!" shouted the flyer as he climbed out of his cockpit. "I'd say we just got a suprise visit from those bastards north of us." said Rainbow in response. "Well they just destroyed half of this base and the naval fleet" said the black earth pony. "Well at least we're alive." said Rainbow. "True. Say will you help me find my brother?" asked the earth pony. "Sure. Name's Rainbow Dash by the way." "Nice to meet you Rainbow Dash. My name's Crow." replyed the black earth pony. "Well we wont find your brother chating." said Dash. So off they went looking for Crow's brother. "Was he on one of the ships?" asked Dash. "Yea, the battleship Fillydelphia." replied Crow. As they neared the harbor they saw sunken ships and some that were on fire and the verge of capsizing. They looked and saw the Fillydelphia sunk to the bottom with her superstucture juting from the water. The Fillydelphia took a bomb to the forward ammo stores and was blown in two. Crow turned and rushed for the hospital hoping his brother wasn't one of the dead. When they reached the hospital Crow began his frantic search but it was all in vein. He found his brother on a cot with shrapnel in his neck. As Crow walked towards his brother he noticed that he seemed to strugle just to turn his head to look at his brother due to the amount of blood he lost. They talked for a few minutes befor his brother said "pay those bastards back." and let out his last breath. Crow broke down and began to cry so hard that Dash had to guide him out of the hospital." I'll make those sons a bitches pay for this!" said Crow as they headed back towards the airfield. Soon news was flashed all over Equestria that the griffins had bombed the naval fleet. Equestria was now at war with the Griffin Kingdom
April 18
All the friends were reunited but not under the conditions they would have liked. All talking was silenced when the commander of the mission showed up to breif them. "All right since we left that hell-hole of an island, I can now tell you our target. It is the wepons manufacturing facilitys in Gryphus." A loud roar of cheers went up from the eighty ponies who volunteered for the mission. Normaly most of the ponies were the type to stay quiet and not talk but they felt the need to celibrate since the target after all was in the enemy's capitol city. For years the griffins hadfbenrled by an evil dictator who brainwashed his people into beliving they were the master race, that the world belonged to the griffens and the ponies were the enemy. He told them their land would not see a single enemy bomb touch their soil. The ponies were about to prove him wrong. One by one the B-25 mitchell's lifted off the deck of the aircraft carrier. Soon all sixteen were winging towards the enemy capitol. The planes stayed low to the ground to avoid being detected by the enemy's radar and they maintained radio silence. Soon the enemy capitol was i sight. Radio silence was broken for the bombing run. "Open bomb bay doors, open bomb bay doors!" came the shout from the lead plane. Bomb bay doors swund open on all the aircraft. Soon the bombadeir's had the target in their sights. They flipped a switch and the planes lurched up with the sudden dropping of thr bombs. A few seconds later the planes shook with the force of the explosion. "We hit out target, good job raiders!" came the announcement. The factories were blown to bits and smoke could be seen twenty miles away. Seconds later griffin's were maning 37mm and 88mm Anti-Aircraft guns and firing at the bombers. Black puffs surrounded the planes as the 88 shell's exploded. After every nearby burst the ponies could hear the shrapnal pinging off the planes. After a few minutes they were out of firing range but there were still problems for the crew's. First they had to treat the wounded that were hit by shrapnal. Then there was the matter of their dwindling fuel. In plane number five Twilight radioed they had about and hour and a half worth of fuel that, if nursed, would get them to Equestria. As the clock on the instrament panel slowly wound up the hour the pilots caught sight of an Equestrian airfield directly ahead. They all landed with ten minutes of fuel left in their tanks. When they climbed out of the planes there were cheers from all the ponies on the base. The crew's were treated like heroes. A dinner was hosted in their honor at the palace in Canterlot the next day and all were awarded medals for their bravery on the mission, eventhough more then a few admitted that they were scared out of their minds. When the dinner was over they were all supposed to go back to their original bases and wait for word if they were going to the front or staying put.
July 13
By now most ponies that were in the service were deployed close to the front. Dash and her friends were no exceptions. Dash and Crow had just been transfered to the new 332nd Fighter Group, 99th Fighter Squadren in northern Equestria to combat the griffins. The griffins main target though was to bomb Canterlot. This lead Princess' Celestia and Luna to form a new branch of the Royal Guards, the Royal Air Force. They were conceved specificly to protect Canterlot, although they were ocasionally sent to give back-up to the regular Equestrian Army Air Force. Back at the base the RAF pilots got a special treat, brand new Spitfire MK.II fighters to replace their old Hurricane MK.I's. This enfuriated Rainbow Dash. She said they had been stuck with old P-40's while the Royal Gaurds got brand new fighters. "It's totaly unfair!" she yelled. "Dash just calm down." said Crow. "You'r getting worked up over nothing. We'll get new planes, give it time. Maybe they'll give us some of those new P-51A's that just rolled out of the factory last week." "Maybe." mumbled dash, still fumeing over the Spitfire's. "Come on, lets go get some food in town. I'm starving." said Crow. "Ok."said dash and they walk out of their room towards town.
July 29
A rather heavy set griffin strode towards the office of the dictaitor of the Griffin Kingdom. In his white dress jacket, knee high boots, and officers cap the griffon looked rather profesional. When he entered the office of the dictaitor he clicked his heels together, snaped to attention, saluted, and stated "Good morning Mein Fuhrer." "Have a seat Goering," the Fuhrer said. The griffin sat and when he did his medals that covered his chest jingled and klinked together. "Goering why do you wear those medals?" the Fuhrer asked. "I am proud of them Mein Fuhrer."stated Goering. There was a knock at the door. "Come in." the Fuhrer said. A griffin army private steped in and saluted then began to speek. "Mein Fuhrer, Dokter Goebbels wishes to speek with you." "Thank you private. Dismised." stated the Fuhrer. "Mein Fuhrer, i have an operation that will bring Equestria to its knee's." blurted Goering. "Goering i dont have time to talk about this." said the Fuhrer as he got up from his chair. "Just use the original plan." "Of cource Mein Fuhrer." and Goering left it at that.
August 3
"Hey Dash guess what?!" yelled Crow as he brurst through their door. "What?" asked Dash. "They're making a better version of theP-51A. And we're first on the list of groups that get them!" shouted Crow excitedly. "Really?!" Dash asked excitedly. "Yea. here's the list." said Crow as he gave it to Rainbow Dash. "Holy Crap!" Dash shouted. Rainbow Dash got so excited she grabbed Crow and kissed him. Then realizing what she did they both turned red. "Sorry. I got a little to excited." Dash said. "It's ok" said Crow. "Your a good kisser." He said as he left the room to tell the rest of the squadren.
August 30
The base was buzzing with activity as the new P-51B's were landing at the base. "See Dash. I told you, you just have to wait." said Crow as they lay in the grass while watching the new fighters land. "Would have been nice to have these before the RAF pilots left so i could rub it in their faces." said Dash. "Oh well." said Crow. "Could be worse. We could be training newbees at the old airfield" "I guess." murmered Dash. "Did the Colonel say if they're painting the aircraft?"asked Dash. "Not yet. But I did hear your getting promoted." said Crow. "Really?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Yea. Think they said Lieutenant Colonel or something like that." Crow said as a fighter flew overhead.
September 1
Rainbow Dash now had silver oak leafs on her uniform. She was now the second highest ranking pony on the base. Even though she could have, Dash didnt sleep in the commanders hut. She insted stayed in her bunk above Crow. Dash was beginning to fall in love with Crow, though she wouldn't admit it.
Chapter 3 The orange's are sweet
September 2 06:00
A voice cracked with static in the base tower "Tower this is Weather Recon 1. The orange's are sweet. Over?" The controler picked up the mic and replied "Roger that Weather Recon 1. This is tower, over and out." The controler sent the information to the Colonel and a breifing was called at 07:00.
September 2 07:00
The breifing room was at a dull roar with wispering and aircrews shifting uncomfortably on the wood benches. The wispering stopped when the Colonel walked up to a huge map of the Griffin Kingdom. "All right listen up!" he barked. "Today you'll be going on the first raid on the capitol since April. We expect there will be heavy flak fire and quite a few enemy fighters. Weather recon shows very few clouds around the target but that could change. Your primary targets are the government buildings downtown. Good luck everypony." With that the crews headed for their planes. Rainbow Dash and Crow walked together to their fighter planes. The planes had just been painted a few days before. "you think the bombers will be able to recognize us?" asked Crow. "Of coarse they will." said Dash "P-51's with red tails, I dont think they couldnt." Soon the Base was filled with the sounds of engines reving for take off.
September 2 10:00
It had been an hour since take off and they hadnt seen a single griffin fighter. Had the Colonel been wrong? Dash kept her eyes open for anything that looked even remotely odd. Suddenly a bomber to her right burst into flames and went down, the crews screams could be heard by the entire squadren as the crew burned alive. Suddenly Dash saw it, the griffin BF-109 fighter that shot down the bomber. Her and Crow gave chase and she quickly shot it down. But what Dash didnt know was she was in a gunsight herself.
September 2 10:30
As Dash turned back towards the bombers, bullets began pinging off the plane as the griffin silently worked his way behind her. He had her in his sights and aimed to kill. Dash tryed to do some manuvers to shake him but he seemed to know what she was going to do next.Suddenly bullets tore through the side of her fighter and hit her in the right leg. Blood covered the guages and levers but she could put pressure on her wounds so the blood stopped. The griffin may have counted on Rainbow Dash but not Crow when he found out Dash was hurt. Crow came up behind the griffin and shot him down. By now the were over the target and the bombers dropped their deadly present and headed for home.
September 2 13:30
Rainbow Dash and other wounded got priority landing at the base. Crow touched down right next to Dash and they both taxied over and parked. As Crow helped Dash out of her plane some medic ponies came and took her to the medical hut. Rainbow Dash wasnt alone though. When she arrived she saw her freind Twilight Sparkle in the hut too. "Twilight what are you doing here?" asked Rainbow Dash. "I got shrapnle in my side from a flak burst." said the purple unicorn. The doctors assigned Dash the bed next to Twilight so they could talk with eachother.
September 3
Crow walked in to the midical hut with flowers for Dash. Her face lighed up when she saw him coming to see her. Crow gave her the flowers and sat on the side of the bed. A few hours later Crow said he had to go and got up and left. "Why dont you tell him how you feel?" came a voice to the left of Dash. Dash looked and saw Twilight had closed her book and was looking at her. "He likes you and i can tell you like him." Twilight said. "Is it that obvious?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Well considering the flowers, the fact I thought you were going to hit the ceiling you were bouncing so much when you saw him coming, or that you kissed him." "You know we kissed?!" asked Dash. Twilight grinned and mearly said "I do now."
June 5
It had been almost nine months since Dash had been released from the medical hut but her leg still hurt. "Hey Dash?" Crow said as he entered the bunk house. "What time does that breifing start in the morning?" "About two." Dash replied. "What the hell is so important that the Princess' sent the Airborne, Rangers, AND the Green Beret's?" Crow asked. "I wish i could tell you but you'll learn soon enough." Dash said.
June 6 02:00
"Alright everypony listen up!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "Today we will be flying air support for Operation Overlord!" Dash turned and pulled a curton down off of a board to reveal a map of the Griffin Kingdom's eastern shoreline. "The goal of this mission is to send troops ashore and hopefully we will be able to push the Griffin's back and take their capitol and end this war." Dash turned back to the map and pointed to five highlighted areas. "There are going to be five landing sites, codenamed Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, and Utah." Dash said as she pointed to the beach as she named it. Now are there any questions?" Dash asked looking at the croud in front of her. "Good. Now there are somepony's who wishes to address you." Celestia and Luna walked onto the stage. Celestia looked at the crowd of grim faces, knowing many of them would die. “You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving being's everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the Griffin war
machine, the elimination of tyranny over the oppressed peoples and security for ourselves in a free world.I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!" The crowd roared with cheers. "Colonel Dash?" Luna turned to Rainbow Dash. " Are you sure you can do this?" Dash turned to Luna. "Your highness, I will hang their Fuher from his talons in the streets of Gryphus myself." Dash looked back at the soldiers. "Failure is not an option."
June 6 03:00
All the pilots and ground personel lined the runway and saluted as the C-47's carrying the paratroopers zoomed down the runway into the inky black of the night. When all the plane's had taken off Dash turned and headed for the barracks. Crow was walking along side her on the way and could see her face in the moon light and saw she looked worryed. "Dash, whats wrong?" Crow asked. "What if we fail to hold the beaches? What if the invasion fails?" Dash said darkly. Crow turned to Rainbow Dash "Dash get ahold of yourself. We WON'T fail. We WILL hold the beaches. Do you understand? Like I heard you tell Luna 'failure is not an option'."
Chapter 4 Darkest before the dawn
Chapter 4 Darkest before the dawn
September 5
The bugeler's call awoke everypony on the base "Why do they have to wake us up at five in the morning on a saterday?" moaned Rainbow Dash. "Saterday's for sleeping in!" "Well look on the up side Dash." Twilight said. "Todays our last day in the medical hut so tommorow you can fly your plane again!" "I'm afraid not." said the doctor standing near their cots. "Miss Dash is going to have to stay out of that plane for a few days till her leg's better. Sorry Dash, I know you love to fly but this is for your own safty." "Well if it makes you feel better Dash we dont have a mission planed till next week." Twilight said trying to cheer Rainbow Dash up. "Are y'all feelin' better?" came Applejack's voice from the door to the hut. She stepped inside and six more ponies followed her into the hut. Crow, picking up the rear, sat down on the edge of Rainbow Dash's bed and planted a kiss on her cheek making Dash blush. "Dashie and Crow sittin in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Pinkie shouted, grinning the whole time. "Pinkie stop." Applejack said gently elbowing Pinkie. "AJ it's fine. Let her have her fun." Rainbow Dash said. "After all if me and Crow are going to be dateing then i may as well get used to it." "Command got you a new plane. One that doesn't look like swiss chesse." Crow said. "What's the point?" Dash asked. "The doctor said i cant fly for a few day's." "Well just cause you cant fly your plane doesn't mean its the end of the world." Crow said. "But there is good news. The Princess' heard about you being hurt and decided to give you the first P-51D to be sent into combat." So they gave me a newer Mustang?" Dash asked. "Yeah. Tell ya what, we'll check you and Twilight out of the hut and you can go see it." Crow said with a smile. A few minutes later when the girls were done with the paperwork, they all went outside to see Dash's new plane. When they rounded the Edge of the hanger's there was the Mustang with the only paint being on the tail and nose. Ooooo, Shiny!" shouted Pinkie and she ran over and began making face's in the bare metal skin. Dash noticed some fimiler looking filly's around and in her plane. "What are they doing?!" an alarmed Rainbow Dash asked. "Relax RD." Applejack said calmly. "Applebloom and her freinds signed up for the youth training so they could see us everyday." "Applebloom! Hit the ignition i wanna see how the engine looks!" The ponies turned and saw Big Macintosh walking towards the plane pusing a small step ladder. Most of them were suprised as this was the most they had ever heard Big Macintosh talk up to now. "Ok.!" Applebloom shouted as she climbed up onto the wing and into the cockpit. Big Macintosh pushed the ladded up to the plane and lifted the engine cowl. "Start her up!" came the order from Big Macintosh. Seconds later the engine caughed and roared to life. "She sounds beautyful!" Crow said. "And just think Dash you're the frst pony to have one!"
September 10
Dash slowly put on her flying suit, wincing in pain as she pulled her boot over her nearly healed wounds. "Need some help?" Crow asked. "No just bumped one of the spots." Dash replied. "Well be careful Dash. The doctor said one of those 'spots' could get infected if you arn't careful." Crow said with a worried tone in his voice. "Relax Crow i'm fine." Dash said. Within minutes Dash was on the runway and was soon in the skys with her new plane and for the first time in over a week Dash felt truely at home. She had leared that week that it's always darkest before the dawn.