a Rifle, a Hat, and a Wrench

by Jayraptor

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Human, Adventure
Length: 7161

On an Average day in the life of Longshot, a military pony stationed just outside of Ponyville in the Crimson moon Military compound. As it will turn out though will be far from average when a human appears outside the walls...s.

Longshot has kept secrets from many ponies in his life but only because he had to. On one fateful day though a secret that Longshot shouldn't have known will be unleashed upon Equestria. The secret not dangerous in itself threatens to cause panic and mass hysteria. For this secret hides that there are other dimensions. Dimensions that harbor humanity.

Ok first guys i want to say I'm the only person working on this story. You will have to brave my spelling and grammar mistakes. Also join our steam group Pizza United nations to help me out with private messages and tips for the story. And last I'm doing this in my free time so there will be no deadlines and I'm not promising that ill complete it.

some links to what some of the Characters look like VVV

Longshot: Click here
Bluesand: Click here
Hardwired Hooves: Click here
The Soldier: Click here

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-10-14 01:08:40 UTC

Trouble on the Crimson Moon

Longshot's eyes slowly opened to the sound of shouting and blaring alarms. This however did not cause him to rush. Instead Longshot slowly climbed out of his dusty cot and placed some water over some coals from last nights fire. He then went on to make himself decent. First dawning his Uniform over his black coat. Then settling a a red beret over his light and dark green hair. After doing this Longshot took the kettle off the fire and poured the near boiling water into a tin cup.

While placing a mint tea bag in the cup, Longshot opened the flap of his officer's tent to see soldiers rushing to the perimeter of the military compound. The Fairly large outpost with the name of Crimson Moon Command center, was covered with a deep purplish fog. Clearly alarmed, the commander of the outpost had ordered most of the compound's soldiers to defensive positions all around the military encampment. Clearly unimpressed Longshot slowly trotted to the sandbag wall while taking sips from his cup.

"What do you think it is LS?" asked a fellow officer, clearly full of worry as he joined Longshot at the sandbags.

As Longshot turned to look at the pony, he noticed he was wearing a gas mask.

"Well its not gas, if it was me and you would both be dead." exclaimed Longshot.

"But I'm wearing a mask..." The very confused officer tired to explain.

"You forgot to put a filter in."

Clearly ashamed of his mistake the officer blushed and took off his mask. While the officer was fumbling trying to explain himself Longshot noticed he could see a good extra 10 feet through the fog.

"Its starting to clear"

The officer who had given up on explaining himself also looked into the fog and noticed the same thing happening. As quickly as it arrived, the fog disappeared. With full viewing range of the landscape Longshot could see a curled up pony about 150 meters away from the wall. Longshot pulling out his radio while not looking away from the pony.

"THERE IS A PONY OUTSIDE FROM THE SOUTH WALL, IS IT ONE OF OURS?"

After two seconds of static a reply came in.

"NEGATIVE ALL PERSONNEL ACCOUNTED FOR."

"PERMISSION TO APPROACH?" Questioned Longshot hopefully.

After 20 more seconds of static the radio gave a response using Longshot's Favorite word.

"GRANTED."

Longshot Gracefully flew over to the pony taking in more details. It was a light blue pony with dark blue hair. He had a cutie mark that resembled a DNA helix. And the strangest part was the smoke curling off its body. Drawing his sidearm Longshot landed 5 feet away from the strange pony.

"Identify yourself!" Longshot ordered without a response.

After waiting about 10 seconds Longshot started to shuffle toward the pony in till he was so close that he could touch him. The thought that this was a trap briefly crossed his mind and he cursed himself for being reckless and not sending the bomb squad first.

"Meh I've been blown up before." Said Longshot as he reached with his hoof and gently poked the Stallions side.

Immediately after touching the pony its eyes shot open as it got up on two hooves, instantly falling on to his side.

"Calm down, i'm not here to hurt you." Explained Longshot to the mental pony.

"Ok its just I can't stand, I think I need a hospi----  YOUR A TALKING HORSE!" Panicked the now very mental pony as he pointed at longshot. While doing this his eyes drifted toward his hooves. "WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FINGERS"

Hearing the word finger sent Longshot into a panic as he thought about his options. He went with the violent one. As the pony was screaming and examining his new body Longshot clocked the pony in the side of the head sending him back to the ground.

"WHAT THE F&@# DUDE?" screamed the pony as he started to get back up.

"Sorry that was supposed to knock you out." exclaimed Longshot as his hoof made contact with the ponies face yet again.

This time the pony hit the ground and showed no more intentions of getting back up. Longshot poked the pony a few times to confirm he had lost consciousness.

"That, that could have gone better" said longshot while in the process of lifting the pony onto his back.

"WHATS GOING ON DOWN THERE?" Screeched the radio.

"YEA ITS JUST...." Answered longshot as he fumbled for the words. "JUST A PEDESTRIAN, HES INJURED WITH BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO THE HEAD."

"WONDER HOW THAT CAME TO BE."

"HELL IF I KNOW."

"WELL DROP HIM OFF AT THE MEDICAL TENT AND WE WILL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO."

"ROGER."

One thing was sure, he wasn't bringing the pony to the medical ward. Too many secrets that need to be kept for that, but what should he do there is not really anyone to help him here, yet. Longshots Mind starting working in overdrive as he tried to remember what Bluesand had told him. Then it hit him, Blue had said something about a block, he said the block contained help.

Hell if he knew what it meant, but he did know that block he was talking about. As he hurtled the sandbag and ran toward his tent he tried to think of what the saying could mean. Maybe the cube was a distress signal or some kind of beacon. Maybe it contained supplies or some kind of super weapon. Longshot loved the idea of a super weapon, but he doubted it would help him in this situation.

As he arrived at his tent he rushed though the flaps and tossed the not so much a pony onto his cot. He then went into his drawers and pulled out a solid black cube and threw it down on his desk. Now how to get it to work.

"Activate?" tried Longshot

"Open, start, go, on , animate, fire up, mobilize, rouse, spur, impell? guessed Longshot "You know what F&$@ it"

Longshot brought his elbow down on the cube immediately sending a jolt of pain up Longshot's leg as he stumbled backward.

"F&#@ m---." As Longshot looked up he saw the cube was giving off a blinding light. As he stumbled back it started to give off the sound of similar to a dog whistle. At this point the light engulfed Longshot blinding him, this sent sent him to a panic.

"Am i dead?" questioned Longshot

"Far from it my friend" Answered a surprisingly familiar voice.

"Blue? Is that you?"

"It would seem so." the now identified voice answered

As Longshot started to regain his sight he could see the white unicorn looking very annoyed with is actions staring at him with those grey eyes. Longshot knew the pony had black and blue hair but it was currently covered by a fedora that seemed to radiate unnatural energy. Dismissing that for another time he looked to the left of the annoyed pony to see a bright orange pegasus laying on his back looking at the top of the tent while holding a wrench in his hooves. He guessed before he had hit that box that the pony was working on some kind of car from underneath.

"Hardwired its been a long time"

"Time is hardly relevant" Bluesand added

"might I ask why i'm in a tent" Questioned Hardwired Hooves as he got up and brushed off his Black and light brownish hair.

"I need help with something..."

"With the human am i right?" said Bluesand

"How... How did you..." stuttered Longshot

"That pony on the bed is far from normal" Said Bluesand matter of factly "my hat told me so." Finished Blue with a smile

"What? You know what never mind can you guys help?"

"Well we could take him to the lab" Said Hardwired

"The lab is gone Hardwired,  that was 200 years ago..."

"Or was it Yesterday?" Said Bluesand "I can take us there."

"Let me guess the hat?"

"Ah LS this is hardly a hat!"

"Last time you tried to explain one of your little items my brain almost turned to mush, Lets avoid you telling more about it."

"Is anypony else hungry? because i'm starving." butted in Hardwired

"Honestly I don't have much here just military rations, its been a long war." Said Longshot

"Speaking of war, who is the enemy?" asked Bluesand

"Changlings, thats as far as i'm going to say"

"Fine I don't need to know anyway"

"Well i'm still really hungry, is there anything else to eat around here"

"Duck." firmly said Bluesand with glassy eyes

"Ok one Bluesand we don't have any duck, two we are herbivores..."

"DUCK" said Bluesand as he tackled Longshot to the floor.

The same instant he Tackled Longshot a artillery shell ripped though his tent and making contact with the ground a few more tents down. Longshots ears were ringing as he made out the sound of followup rounds impacting the outpost. Longshot looked up to see a soldier open up what was left of the entrance to his tent while talking in a extremely worried tone

"SIR ARE YOU OKA----" He stopped mid sentence staring at the pony who had just tackled a military officer

Drawing the gun he aimed for Bluesand's head.

"Time to go!" yelled Bluesand as he hit the side of his hat.

The First thing that happened was complete silence and stillness of the room, followed by the loss of color from the world around them. Panicking the soldier dropped his gun and started screaming. The side of the tent started to open into a black circle that slowly gathered suction as Bluesand and Hardwired jumped into it. Before Following them Longshot went to grab his rifle and in his panic also grabbed a pack of tea bags. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the soldier start to fly into  the hole with his friends. Grabbing his back they both plunged into the void.

Chapter 1: A New Old World

As a dark blue sphere sputtered into existence followed by a deafening howling as ponies were spat out of it. And out came two soldiers, a engineer, a time traveler, and a not so much a pony. The first get on their hooves was the time traveler by the name of Bluesand with a large grin on his face.

"Celestia, I love doing that!" Exclaimed the solid white unicorn.

The next to stand was an uninvited soldier who immediately grabbed a trash bin, Vomiting his stomach contents and dropping the can. Noticing he dropped his rifle he went to reach for his sidearm. As he drew his weapon a bullet impacted his pistol sending it flying out of his hooves and sliding across the room. As he looked to his left he saw that Longshot had gotten to his hooves and was holding his own smoking sidearm.

"Stand down soldier!" Shouted Longshot at the panicking unicorn.

"WHO THE BUCK ARE THESE PONIES, WHERE AM I!!?!?" yelled the now very distraught soldier

"The real question is when are we?" Longshot said smiling as he looked at a not very amused time traveler. "What? I had to say it!"

"Well we are 1 year, 46 days, 4 hours, 23 minutes and 15 seconds after the crowning of Princess Twilight"

"WHAT!" sacreamed the soldier.

"I volunteer Bluesand to explain it to him!" jumped Longshot.

"Yea, yea, after I find out where we are."

"You dont know where we are!?" asked the soldier and Longshot simultaneously .

"um.... guys... um...." stuttered Hardwired.

"Hey, when dealing with time i'm dead on, space, meh we could be a little off from where the lab is."

"How off!?" yelled longshot.

"Guys this is kind of important..." Said Hardwired starting to sound clearer.

"We could be a 100 yards away or we could be 100 miles away." calmly said Bluesand

"What!?!?!?!?" Longshot yelled louder.

"GUYS PLEASE!" said Hardwired as he stamped the ground and pointed toward a doorway.

Following his hoof the others looked toward the the door to see a sky blue mare standing in the door frame with her mouth wide open. She had dark blue and white hair that somewhat resembled toothpaste. The oddest part was her hourglass cutie mark which they could only guess its purpose.

Without warning the mare started to scream louder then a air raid siren on nuke day. It was so loud that it could have been classified as acoustic warfare, driving to deafen and drive its opposition insane.

"Huh, thats where we are, the Ponyville dentistry office. Hi Colgate!" Yelled Bluesand over the blood curdling scream.

"Lets get out of here, get our hearing checked, then ill call for a ride I think Corrupt and Crimson are available!" shouted Hardwired.

"Me First! I don't want to go deaf!" said the soldier loudly as he made his way towards the door.

As the group swiftly made a B line toward the fire exit they passed the still screaming mint mare. When they open the door they triggered the fire alarm as well as the emergency water valves which went to soak the petrified mare. slowly the mare started to calm and and quite herself. One reason was the potential danger of magically appearing time robbers fading, and two, she was starting to run out of oxygen.

As Colgate sat there in the fall of water, still trying to understand what happened Longshot practically slide tackled his way back into the room sliding a good 20 feet into the center of the room. Colgate was going to scream again but then she noticed that her throat felt like somepony took a cheese grater to it.

"Oh hi I just forgot something." said Longshot as he picked up the soldier's dented sidearm and proceeded around an examination table.

"There you are!" exclaimed Longshot as he leaned down and picked up the still unconscious colt.

"God Damn how are you still out after that! Oh no offense to you um... what was it Colgate?"

"Um what does god mean..." Said Colgate barely audibly

"OH, oh its um well nothing, wait you know what" said Longshot grabbing a piece of paper and writing down a ten digit number while smiling.

"What do i do with this?" said Colgate as she received the piece of paper.

"Call me!" said Longshot with a nervous smile

"With what?"

"A phon... they don't exist yet, do they." said Longshot his smile turning to a frown.

"That would be a no." Answered Colgate questionaly.

"Blaaa, forget it!" Said Longshot clearly frustrated as he rushed for the door.

"Your a very random pony!" yelled Colgate at the rushing Stallion

"Oh yes I am!" answered Longshot as he bashed through the door.

As he came into the daylight once again he sees that his group had taken cover behind various objects. Hardwired and Bluesand were hiding behind an apple stand while the soldier was comically hiding behind a lamppost. As Longshot looked into the street he stared down the barrel of a changeling assault rifle. As the 3 changelings were about to open fire a few things happened.

One, Longshot Drew his sidearm and fired nailing the changeling on the left in the forehead. Two, Longshot dove and rolled behind flower stand as the 2 remaining changelings opened fire lacing the wall with bullets. And three, a dozen more changelings came out of the alleyways in a brisk march as Bluesand threw some kind of blue rod at the advancing forces.

On impact the rod exploded in large blue sparks then imploded, sucking three unlucky changelings to Celestia knows where. The blast left a perfect semicircle crater and a group of shocked changelings slowly backing away, fearing the crazy white pony would throw another magic rod of death.

"Changelings!?! How the hell did they get here!" Hollered Longshot at the two ponies behind the apple stand.

"Simple, they followed us, how I don't know." Said Bluesand in a slightly louder but still calm and stable voice.

"Ok so lets send them back!' Said Longshot grabbing his rifle and tossing his sidearm to the soldier.

"Hey 'Shot give me two minutes I need to do something!" Said Hardwired grabbing his wrench.

"Roger!" Said Longshot as he got up with a slight grin.

Longshot rolled out of cover and he went up on his hind legs aiming his rifle at his first victim and pulled the trigger. The bullet flew out of the barrel and slammed the changeling in his temple and out the back of his skull where it continued to hit a street sign on the other side of the road. The lingering vapour trail indicating where the changeling once stood, but now he lay on the ground in a puddle of blood, definitely not the Ponyville Longshot remembered.

As Longshot pulled back the rifles bolt to load another devastating round into the firing chamber he could hear the popping of the the soldier's g18 and the falling of another changeling combatant. The sound of the firing pistol sounded so weak after the air shaking sound of his rifle but he still welcomed the sound of friendly gunfire. Slamming the bolt of the rifle back into the rear of the firearm Longshot raised it again to take aim.

This time the bullet went upward and into a wooded support of a deck that was suspended over a group of four changelings. Without the critical support the deck creaked, then gave way as gravity took control. One Changeling was fast enough to jump out its way but the other three were buried under a mass amount of wood and stone. As the changeling started to recollect what had just occurred a bullet from the soldier's firearm impacted him in his chest sending him back to the ground.

As the soldier ejected the clip from his gun to reload a changeling took the opportunity to fire. Unleashing three bursts of gunfire at the soldier his cover didn't stand a chance. As a bullet clipped the soldier's hip and he let out a howl as he reloaded and returned the favour as he opened fire with the g18 getting at least 8 good bullets into the combatants chest. Another changeling was about to open fire when a high caliber round ripped through his side and sent him to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

"Done, you guys can get back!" yelled Hardwired sounding very accomplished.

"Awww but I was starting to have fun" Said the soldier with a small amount of blood coming out of the corner of his mouth.

Longshot looked to his right to see a medieval looking contraption. It was some sort of jacked up super slingshot on steroids. There were three slots in which were loaded bright red apples. The sling had so many taught wires and strings hooked up to it that it looked like it would snap and go flying everywhere. At its side was Hardwired cranking back a handle with an evil grin on his face as he took aim.

"BUY SOME APPLES BITCHES!" yelled Hardwired as he pull a string unleashing the apples at mach speed toward the 5 remaining stunned changelings.

As the first apple found its mark you could hear the sound of a neck cracking as the apple collided with the side of a changeling's head and sent it into a unnatural position. The second apple impacting a changeling in the chest rupturing some very important things as he stumbled to the ground and didn't get up. The third missed but it hardly mattered as Hardwired had already loaded another batch of hell apples and pulled the string letting them soar into the air.

Once again only two apples impacted leaving one sole survivor. In a frenzied panic the lone soldier pulled out his radio and starting talking so fast you could barely make out the words in his raspy swift voice. One word he said was clear though the word was "backup". Then to end his rambling an apple clocked him in the head sending him spinning then collapsing on the ground.

"Yea thats not good." Said Longshot as he heard the beat of a march down the alley.

"I dont want to die in a different time period!" Said the soldier with a slight whimper in his voice.

"Just dig in and we will be fine! How many rounds you got left soldier?" Sternly questioned Longshot.

"4 clips and a fragmentation grenade sir!" Said the soldier with a sense of purpose returning to his voice.

"That will have to be enough, take aim at the alley and dont waste a bullet!" Yelled Longshot positioning his rifle on the flower stand with a bipod.

The marching kept getting louder until the small army of changelings rounded the corner. The small group of armed ponies opened fire unleashing hot metal and hard apples at the approaching force. Even though the group kept taking out large numbers of the charging force had their orders and they just kept coming, mind that they came slower since they had to jumped over the bodies of their comrades that had fallen in front of them.

"I'm out of ammo!" screamed the soldier over the gunfire.

"Time to use that grenade of yours!" Said Longshot not taking his eye off his scope.

"Roger, FIRE IN THE HOLE!" Said the Soldier as he flung the the round explosive over his head.

The frag skipped across the concrete a good three times then detonated in the middle of a large advancing group sending them flying against the walls. Despite losing the group of soldiers the enemy kept advancing with a vengeful purpose.

"Ok now we are really screwed" Said Longshot in a grim voice.

The Changelings started to fire and dot the area where the group was with metal not giving them a chance to return their fire. The gunfire only intensified as the enemy closed in on their position raising the risk of a bullet finding a way though their cover and hitting one of them. It was only a matter of time before they were all overwhelmed and covered in bullets. Longshot looked to his side to see the soldier take a bullet in his vest, thankfully not penetrating but he couldn't take much more.

Then one of the most beautiful sounds they could hear at this time. The sound of a 50 caliber unloading into the flesh of its enemy. The bullets shredding through the enemy as Longshot looked up the street to see two humvees flooring it down the cobble road unleashing their metallic payload. Then another beautiful sound followed, the beating of the rotor of a blackhawk as it soared over dropping its cargo.

"How do we even have these, they aren't even invented yet!" Said Longshot in total shock.

"We Invented them a tad early" Said Hardwired with a sheepish grin.

"By a tad do you mean 150 years early!?" Questioned Longshot.

"Um yea." Said hardwired a little quieter.

Longshot didn't hear him because he was too focused on the blackhawk's "cargo". Dropping out of the bird was armed pegasuses diving toward combat wearing  P.U.N. Ranger uniforms. As they hit the ground they drew their weapons and started to unleash hell on the unsuspecting changelings.

The battle from that point was over quick. The changelings didn't stand a chance to the combined power of two ranger squadrons, 2 humvees, and a small group of future soldiers. As the helicopter came in for a landing and the soldiers set up street barricades until a clean up crew could arrive, a very familiar red colt walked up to the group.

"Crimson Its been way too long!" said Longshot Joyfully to the approaching stallion.

"Yes it has, so whats going on?" Said Crimson

"Ahhh you know, firefights, time traveling, stuff like that" Said Longshot with a hint of Sarcasm in his voice.

"So nothing has changed?" Said Crimson with a wide grin.

"Hehe nope! So how did you find us by the way?" Questioned Longshot truly interested.

"Him" Said Crimson pointing at Bluesand.

"OHHH so thats what you were doing this entire time, I was wondering." Exclaimed Longshot.

"Did you think i would just sit there and let us get shot?" Said Bluesand slapping Longshot's back

"Guess not hehe" Said Longshot with a smirk

"Is anyone concerned that i've been shot?" Said a light headed soldier.

"Yea I think we should return to base, we taking the heli?" Asked Longshot.

"um yes." Answered Crimson.

"Get to the chopaah!" Said Hardwired starting to laugh."Sorry it needed to be said!"

"Wait may I ask why there is a knocked out pony behind that flower stand." Asked Crimson.

"Dammit! How do I keep forgetting him, I mean he is literally the entire reason I came here!" Rambled Longshot as he went around the cart and slung the colt over his back. Longshot then went on to board the blackhawk with with the others following. Then as the helicopter rose into the air someone came over the radio.

"PHOENIX 2 WE HAVE TWO BIRDS MISSING AT 345-674 IT IS URGENT THAT THEIR SITUATION IS DISCOVERED, COMMAND OUT."

"ROGER, THIS IS PHOENIX 2 CHANGING COURSE."

"You guys ready for a pitstop?" Said the pilot over the blackhawk's intercom system as the helicopter took a hard right towards the everfree.

Flaming Wings

As the two F-22 raptors screeched across the sky the forest below seemed to retract as the two metal beasts flew over head. The two aircraft banked left toward their new destination as the thunderous sound of their mach 2 engines rocked the everfree below. The two man crew of the lead F-22 discussing political topics as the wing aircraft crew stayed stern and focused. This was to be a routine patrol along the everfree and nothing much ever happened for the creatures below had no way of interacting with the super sonic fighters.

"Are those two idiots talking about cupcakes again?" Questioned the pilot of the side aircraft.

"Na, some gossip about Princess Twilight, rather more intelligent than their last conversation but it hardly matters." Responded the co-pilot.

"How in Celestia's name are we the wingmen when mayonnaise has a higher IQ than those buffoons."

"I ask myself that question everyday sir." Again responded the co-pilot.

"Wait, What the hell are they doing now!?" Said the Pilot looking on as the lead aircraft started to accelerate and take a slight turn to the left.

"Ill contact them over the radio give me a sec" Said the co-pilot as he switched on the comm unit in his helmet on.

"GRYPHON 1 YOU ARE OFF COURSE REVERT IMMEDIATELY." calmly said the co-pilot as he prepared to wait for an answer.

"NEGATIVE WE FINALLY HAVE READINGS ON RADAR AND WE ARE CHECKING IT OUT." Replied the lead aircraft still turning.

"THAT'S NOT OUR JOB WE CAN SEND A RECON UNIT." Retorted the wingman.

"WE NEVER GET TO DO ANYTHING, DO YOU THINK WE ARE ABOUT TO LET THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR ACTION GO, YOU CAN FOLLOW US OR YOU CAN CONTINUE YOUR BORING ROUTE." Answered the aircraft accelerating even more

"fucking idiots."  murmured the pilot as he turned to join the lead aircraft.

The two F-22s continued toward the unidentified reading's coordinates as the the wingmen sat in silence listening to the lead aircraft's crew speculating what it could be and if they could actually shoot something over the radio.

"When we get back to base dont think im not reporting this." Said the Pilot breaking the silence.

"I would do the same sir." replied the co-pilot

"Sometimes I wonder how these guys could have possibly slipped through the cracks of the academ--" The pilot was cut short by a sharp and persistent beeping on the control panel and a fluorescent warning light.

"CONTACTS" Yelled the pilot as a missile impacted the lead aircraft sending it down in flames and shrapnel.

"OH FUCK, GET US OUT OF HERE!" Shouted the co-pilot as he looked down at his radar to see 8 more blips heading for their F-22.

"Roger!" Loudly responded the pilot as the aircraft took a sharp right. "Deploy Flares!" Ordered the pilot

"Aye, Flares away!" Answered the co-pilot in a frenzy as bright blinding red flares were ejected from the aircraft.

3 projectiles went to chase the false targets but the other 5 still gaining on the lone F-22. The crew started to recollect their training as afterburners were engaged pushing the the two pegasi into the back of their seats. The Aircraft kept dramatically increasing in speed until a massive VWWOOOMM-BOOOOM echoed through the sky as the F-22 raptor broke the sound barrier.

One of the missiles fell behind from the sudden burst of speed and losing its target disengaged and fell from the sky while the others managing to somehow keep up.

"Get us behind the missiles for at least just a second! Those things are not going to drop off anytime soon!"  shouted the co-pilot as he prepped the fighters weaponry

"Ill try but no promises!" Responded the pilot as he gripped the handles harder.

The plane took a sharp dive toward the ground then proceeded to go upside down as the crew stared up to see the unforgiving forest below. And just as fast as the aircraft dove it rose up again behind the missiles. Flipping off the safety case on the firing mechanism the co-pilot opened fire. As the raptors M61A2 Vulcan 20 mm cannon pounded away the missiles started to veer off to get behind the aircraft again. As one of the 20 mm round impacted the fuel compartment of one of the missiles it detonated into a fiery ball into which the aircraft flew. The Thermal insulation of the cockpit protecting the ponies inside but still blocking their view of the other 3 projectiles.

Despite the blinding of the crew the vulcans computer automated laser guidance system found another target. When the fire cleared the missiles were yet again behind the F-22 but only two remained.

"Fucking hell what will it take to ditch these things!?" Yelled the co-pilot up to the front of the plane.

"Hell i don't kno---" The pilot was once again stopped by the sight of one of the missiles on radar getting ready to strike the plane.

"DO A BARREL ROLL" Yelled the co-pilot also noticing the projectile nearing.

The Aircraft started to spin with the wings doing circles around the center of the aircraft as the missile closed in. The missile barely missing its target as it scratched pass the glass of the cockpit. The missile, now in front of the aircraft and in the sights of the vulcan cannon. As the cannon shredded the missile the aircraft was ready for, and able to avoid the cloud of fire that followed.

"OK one left how we going to do this?" Questioned the co-pilot.

"Oh I have an idea... Think we are going to a get a promotion for this?"

"Hell, we certainly won't be wingmen anymore!" Replied the co pilot joyfully

"Ok lets do this!" Responded the pilot equally as enthusiastic.

The Plane shot upward its nose jutting towards the sky as the missile followed its vertical path. The Engines started to struggle to maintain the raptors speed as it shot upward at mach speed with the missile equally struggling to maintain flight. A warning started to flash over the control panel with a electrical voice repeating the same words over and over again "Stall Imminent".

"Sir we are going to stall!" Panicked the co-pilot.

"Do you think I didn't realize that? And dont worry the missile will stall out first, hopefully." Reassured the pilot

"Oh hopefully, that makes me feel better!"

The Plane continued its suicidal journey to the heavens with the missile close behind. Now both airborne craft were starting to feel the power of gravity as they climbed into the atmosphere.

"Cmon baby don't die on us." Murmured the pilot in the heat of his concentration.

"Talking to the machine won't help us." Said the co-pilot hearing the pilot over the comm unit.

As he said that the the aircraft shook and creaked as it started to lose speed even faster.

"See what you've done now, you've gone and hurt its feelings!"

"Oh oh sorry plane, good F-22, don't let us die!" Said the co-pilot correcting himself.

After 2 more minutes of the nerve racking flight the missile finally gave in to gravity as it disengaged and fell back to Equestria. With the sight of the last explosive falling the crew let out a cheer as the aircraft went horizontal again and started to descend.

"It really takes near death to appreciate life to the fullest doesn't it?" Said the co-pilot as he started to relax in his chair.

"Or a view like this." Said the pilot looking over the everfree from their high perch in the sky.

"Well no more being wingmen for us right buddy!" Said the Pilot breaking his stare from the horizon.

"You betcha, but it was unfortunate that those two had to die, they were idiots but they didn't deserve to die." Said the co-pilot referring to the two man crew of the lead F-22.

"No pony really deserves to die." Responded the pilot solemnly.

"Yea I guess, do you think we will have enough fuel to return to base, those afterburners really burned thou--" The co-pilot was silenced by the impact of a very uninvited missile on the the side of the aircraft.

The explosion rocked the aircraft as one of its wings tore off from the body and the plane started to enter a death spiral of fiery demise.

"WHERE THE HELL DID THAT COME FROM!?" Shouted the pilot as he quickly considered his options.

Not getting a response the pilot looked back to see that the impact had knocked his co-pilot out and now his limp body lay on the dashboard blood seeping from his helmet.

"Oh Fuck! It is not a good day!" Said the pilot as he leaned back and unbuckled the co-pilot from the aircraft.

Doing the same with himself he then went to kick the cockpits protecting glass out with his hind legs. After 4 good kicks a bolt came out and the glass fell away from the aircraft. Leaning back again the pilot clenched the rear ejection cord, then his own.

"Off we go!" Shouted the pilot as he pulled the cords jettisoning him and the co-pilot into the cold sky.

On ejection the co-pilot and his pilot were separated when the pilot was struck by a falling piece of metal stunning him as he started to plummet. Regaining his senses he spread his wings and slowed himself until he was in a balanced hover. Looking down he could see his comrade still unconscious and plummeting toward the hard ground.

"Ugh why can't this be easier!" Complained the pilot as he went into a sharp dive in an attempt to save his friend.

Gaining speed as well as air resistance the experienced flyer shot down like a bullet to the aid of his co-pilot. The wind hitting his face and making his eyes water as he came closer and closer to the ground. Streamlining his wings the pilot picked up ever more speed as he neared the co-pilot. dangerously close to the ground now the pilot pushed himself to his limit as he rocketed downward grabbing onto the co-pilot.

With only 500 meters between them and the ground the pilot extended his wings in an attempt to slow their descent as they came closer and closer to the forest floor. The Air resistance was so intense that it felt like it threatened to tear the pilots wings clean off as they dragged through the unforgiving air. They were a 100 meters away, then 50, then 25.

The crew tore through the branches as they came to the end of their descent. there was a sickening cracking as a branch collided with the pilot's wing sending it into a disjointed formation. Leaves and twigs scratching in their faces as they passed through the canopy and fell toward the ground thankfully impacting in a splotch of mud but still it was a violent crash.

"That wasn't that bad was it?" Said the pilot accompanied with a grunt of pain as he got up.

Still not getting a response the pilot dragged his comrade out of the mud and onto a soft piece of dirt where he removed both his and the co-pilots helmet. Seeing the gash in the co-pilots head he ripped part of his uniform and fashioned a bandage and proceeded to wrap the wound.

"You not dying today friend you hear me? You hear me!?" Said the pilot losing his calm as he started to realize the seriousness of the injury.

"Stop wasting your time on me, tend to yourself." Coughed the co-pilot regaining consciousness blood dripping from his mouth.

"Your life is just as important as mine and i'm not as hurt as you!" Returned the pilot

"I'm not going to make it Phoenix, and you are hurt." Said the co-pilot pointing at the large gash in the pilots side.

Phoenix hadn't noticed the flesh wound because of a combination of adrenaline and a concern for his partners safety. Seeing the injury sent a bolt of pain up his body as the his nerves started to receive pain once again.

"Its just a flesh wound, you need the help more." Said Phoenix tightening the bandage.

"Bandage yourself first then." replied the co-pilot his voice getting fainter.

"Ill do it if you promise me you will hang in there." Bargained the pilot.

"Sir, I don't make promises that I cant keep" Weakly responded the co-pilot.

"WELL YOU CAN'T JUST GIVE UP!" Shouted Phoenix at the dying airmen with the fear of losing his friend and being alone in the everfree getting to him.

"Everyone dies Phoenix, you know that." Said the co-pilot his voice getting harder to hear.

"Yea but this is too soon dammit!" Said Phoenix panicking as he is watching his friend die in front of him.

"We were the best damn wingmen in equestria weren't we." Said the co-pilot struggling to get out the words.

"Yea we were, we still are buddy, always remember that." Said Phoenix starting to tear up.

"I.... I... I will" Said the co-pilot barely audibly as he smiled and closed his eyes.

The pilot Collapsing on top of his friend as he took his last breath. Phoenix sat there now not wanting to believe that his best friend was gone, that it was just one big bad dream, that it will all be better in the morning. Unfortunately he didnt wake up instead reality hit him like a freight train. His best friend was dead, he was lost in the middle of the everfree, he was wounded and he had no way of calling for help besides a flare gun, and there was no pony around to see it.

As the pilot got to his feet he leaned down and tore the co-pilots dog tags off his neck that read "Sergeant crosswind 334582". He sat there staring at it for a good 5 minutes before he spoke to the darkness of the forest.

"Ill find those bastards that did this buddy, Ill find them." Promised the pilot as he slipped the dogtags into his pocket

Then the pilot went to take the Sergeants sidearm ammunition and flare gun supplies. Phoenix got up and paused before heading north into the abyss of a forest. The airmen trudged through the forest following the needle of his compass with his sidearm drawn. When he came to a massive tree blocking his path he took too hard of a turn as he tried to get around and he stumbled from the pain of his injuries but was able to get back to his hooves trying to ignore it. He was bleeding but not badly, he had a splitting headache but nothing that would cripple his advance, and he had a broken wing which didn't hurt at all just limited his movement.

After about 2 hours of traveling a roar shook the forest as a lion/eagle/scorpion abomination came out of the shrubs just 10 meters from the injured pilot. Taking aim at the creatures head the soldier prepared to fire but waited to see if it was necessary. The creature and the pilot kept looking at each other, frozen in time until that beast took the first move by taking flight and gliding toward the pilot its mouth open in preparation to tear him apart. The pilot was about to open fire when he twitched from the pain in his side sending the bullet into the creatures knee instead of the intended target, the head. The animal, responding to the pain aimed upward to gain some altitude colliding with the pilot and knocking him to the ground and his sidearm into the darkness of the forest.

Getting to his hooves he looked up to see the manticore had turned around and was preparing to dive at the airmen. Phoenix knew he didn't have the energy to get out of its way and the beast knew that too as it plunged downward toward the stunned pilot. wrestling with his vest the pilot tried to find a weapon or any form of defense from the manticore as it plummeted ever closer. Now literally tearing out the contents of his vest the pilot panicked as the manticore still gaining speed closed in on its prey.

When the manticore was only 20 meters away Phoenix opened the last compartment of his vest drawing his flare gun and fired the single shot loaded. The flare combusted in air as the projectile soared through the musky damp forest at the beast. The animal's pupil shrinking as it anticipated what would follow. As the flare impacted the manticore its fur ignited into a blaze of intense heat and pain. The thing then impacted the ground with a loud thud following, accompanied by the creatures cries of agony as it slowly burned to death.

The pilot looked away not wanting to see what he had caused, instead he busied himself trying to find his weapon and collecting his supplies that were thrown about in his frenzy. upon finding his sidearm he set off north again leaving the manticore to die alone.

After another hour of walking the pilot heard the glorious sound of helicopter overhead. Using his last ounce of strength the determined pilot climbed up the nearest tree to get above the canopy. reaching a high limb he looked over the tree cover as he raised his hoof and fired the flare gun into the sky.