July 16, 2001
NLR territory, 5 miles from the Equestrian border.
It was a bright sunny day in the low mountains of New Lunar Republic where millions of ponies are immigrating from Equestria to the new founded nation next to it. And up in the sky are squadrons of NLR fighters including the legendary Shadowbolts.
“Check in everypony.” A mare’s voice said through the coms of the exo-suits the Pegasus fighters were wearing.
“Black Wing reporting.”
“Diamond Eye reporting.”
“Star Scream reporting.”
“Dread Wing reporting.”
The rest of the pilots responded by turning on their IFF signals. It was quiet for a while till Black Wing spoke.
“Captain, why are we still guarding these ponies?” He flew closer to his captain. “I mean there already crossed into our borders, so they’re already safe. Right Scoots?”
Scootaloo turned her head in her helmet and answered. “Just because they crossed the border doesn’t mean there save Black Wing.”
“Scootaloo is right Black Wing.” Diamond Eye supported her captain. “There could be a chance that rogue Equestrian fighters might try to take back there former ponies.”
“But why?” Dread Wing asked. “Most of them are poverty.”
Star Scream flew closer to Dread Wing and answered. “It would be extremely bad for the noble’s economy.” Dread Wing was even more confused till Star Scream explained it. “When they were in Equestria, the money they manage to gain was immediately taxed from them to the nobles.”
“And that’s the reason were still defending these ponies.” Scootaloo said. She then contacted the V-22 Ospreys picking up pony immigrants. “All ospreys, how’s the pickup?”
“Everything is ok captain.” One of the ospreys answered. “We’re picking up the young and the weak as you ordered.”
Scoots smiled but then noticed that one of them was behind and asked. “Osprey 84 you’re falling behind, is there a problem?”
“Yeah, engine number 2 is slowing down for some reason.” The pilot responded. “Hey number 2 what’s wrong.”
“The dang propeller got loose somehow, and now its not going fast as it should be.” The pony in engine 2 of the osprey responded.
Scootaloo heard this and proposed. “84, I think you need to head back to the capital for maintenance.”
Before the pilot could answer, the engine 2 answered first. “Negative captain, if I can fly faster then engine 1 I may be able to get it equal again.”
Scootaloo thought for a moment then answered. “Alright engine 2, but if you get any further problems turn back immediately 84.”
“Roger that captain.”
After a few minutes osprey 84 began to pickup to the rest of the group. Everything was looking good till a voice came up in every coms.
“This is Eagle Eye transmitting to all aircraft, radar have pickup 17 dozen bogies coming from the Equestrian border.”
“What!?” Diamond Eye said loudly.
“They are high speed approaching to your direction.” Eagle Eye added.
Scootaloo narrowed her eyes and ordered. “All Shadowbolts intercept them.” Scoots and her squadron turned and headed towards the incoming aircraft. “We’ll ask them to turn back, but if they don’t listen or do any hostile actions, shoot them down immediately, understand?”
“Mam yes mam!”
The Shadowbolts full speed ahead towards the fighters to see if they are friendly or not. They flew about 2 miles away from the immigrants till they finally saw the Equestrian fighters. Scootaloo adjusted the frequency of her radio to communicate with the Equestrian fighters.
“This is Scootaloo, captain of the Shadowbolts.” She said into her com. “You are trespassing in New Lunar Republic territory, please turn around now or you will be shot down.”
There was no answer. The Equestrian fighters simply increased their speed.
“There not responding.” Star Scream said.
Scootaloo then tried one last time. “I repeat Equestrian fighters turn back immediately.”
It was silent till the Equestrian squadron finally answered. “This is captain Steel Wing of the Equestrian Air Force. We have been sent from Iron Hoof, the captain of the Royal Guard.” Steel Wing’s weapons went active. “He ordered us to bring back the ponies that have left our border… and to eliminate the former Shadowbolt members.”
Steel Wing then launched a missile at Scootaloo who quickly evaded it and ordered. “All NLR fighters, the Equestrian fighters are hostile! Repeat the fighters are hostile, fire at will!” Scoots then launched a missile and shot down one of the fighters. “Protect our new civilians at all costs.”
That’s when all hay broke loose; every fighter in the area began fighting each other and the Shadowbolts are doing better then the rest. In just 10 minutes enemy fighters were being shot down by the Shadowbolts; Dread Wing score 6, Diamond Eye 4, Black Wing 8, Star Scream 11, and Scootaloo 21. But even with all of the losses the Equestrian fighters were endless. The enemy kept out maneuvering the other pilots and taking them down.
“No matter how many we shoot down, there still taking a whole lot of our own pilots.” Diamond Eye said.
“Do you think there’s an AWAX nearby?” Dread Wing asked.
“It’s the only possible way for them to coordinate their fighters.”
Then suddenly a voice spoke. “Mayday, mayday, this is osprey 84.” The pilot of osprey 84 yelled. “The engines 2’s plan didn’t work for long, and now were sitting ducks… incoming fighter! Launch flares!”
Scootaloo quickly reacted and ordered. “Star Scream, go protect osprey 84, Black Wing take two fighters with you and protect the rest of the ospreys, Diamond Eye take four fighters to protect our civilians, and Dread Wing your with me to find and destroy their AWAX.” Scoots spend up her speed towards the brunt of the enemy. “Understood?”
“YES MAM!” The entire Shadowbolt squad responded before flying in different directions.
Scootaloo looked to her left to see Dread Wing beside her. “Alright Dread Wing, lets find their AWAX.”
==========
1 mile from the conflict zone.
A squadron of Equestrian fighters is rushing towards the rest of the platoon. They have been delayed because they nearly encountered a dragon when they were flying towards the border.
“Ahh stallion, I sill can’t believe of the chances of running into a dang dragon.” One of the pilots complained.
“Calm down Blaze Ring, that’s over now and we need to get to the fight.”
“Well Horizon, what would you think if a dragon nearly burned through your DANG ARMOR!” Blaze Ring yelled in is com
while speeding up to Horizon to show the burn marks on his tail wing of his exo-suit.
“Keep quiet you two.” A mare’s voice spoke with an irritated tone. “It been hard enough trying to get there with rundown F-16 exo-suits but hearing you two arguing is making it even harder for ME to be calm. Am I right Sound Wave?”
“I agree those two are always arguing over the simplest things Red Dawn.” Sound Wave said in a robotic emotionless tone.
“Jeez I still can’t get used to his voice of his, since his accident when he was in flight camp.” Blaze Ring said while going back to his normal position. “Well at least he still alive and kicking it.”
“Calm down everypony, we’re almost here.” A voice interrupted them.
“So what is the mission Flash?” Horizon asked but then was spoke back by Red Dawn.
“That’s LIEUTENANT Flash Sentry, Horizon.”
“Easy Red Dawn, we’re a team and a team sticks together.” Flash said.
“Yes sir, sorry sir.”
“Yes, anyways the mission is to ‘escort’ the immigrants that have left back to our country again, and to execute the former Shadowbolt captain Scootaloo.” Flash answered Horizon’s question.
“Wait, but didn't Celestia give them permission to succeed from Equestria?” Sound Wave asked.
“Yes, but the other nobles disagree and secretly hired Iron Hoof to send a platoon to bring back the immigrants.” Flash answered again.
“Flash Sentry when are you going to join the fight.” A bitter voice spoke out of their coms. “Steel Wing’s fighters are being shot down.”
“Don’t worry Iron Hoof we’re almost there.” Flash responded.
“Well good, because when you get there protect the AWAX for we can have coordinational advantage over the battle, understood?”
“Sir Yes, sir.” Flash answered and Iron Hoof voice was gone. “Alright First Aerial Royal Guard squadron, move out.”
“Yes sir!”
==========
Back at the battle, Scoots and Dread Wing desperately tried to find the enemy’s AWAX but with no avail.
“Dang it, where is it.” Dread Wing asked impatiently. “Eagle Eye, do you have anything on radar?”
“Negative, but I’m still searching just like you.”
“Alright Eagle Eye, do the best you can.” Scootaloo ordered.
“Yes mam.”
Then Scootaloo from the corner of her eye spotted the AWAX. “There it is!” She then turned her exo-suit towards it, with Dread Wing behind her following. “Alright Dread Wing, let’s take that thing down.”
“Yes mam.” Dread Wing responded but then saw a fighter squadron. "What’s that?”
Right beside the AWAX are five F-16 exo-suit fighters painted with gold and white paint on them. “Enemy fighters’ dead ahead. There the Shadowbolts.” Before Flash ordered to engage Iron Hoof’s spoke suddenly.
“All Equestrian fighters, you have new orders. The enemy had taken down to many of our fighters for an escort, so your new orders are now to drop all bombs on the traitorous escapees.”
Flash’s eyes widen in shock and asked. “Sir did you said we have to kill innocent ponies?”
“Lieutenant Flash Sentry, those ‘innocent ponies’ are abandoning Equestria for a false country and thus are betraying Equestria, and in the order any traitors are to be executed.” Iron Hoof answered coldly. “Now do your job Lieutenant.”
Flash was silent for a while before answering. “Yes sir.”
“Good, Iron Hoof out.”
Flash Sentry then opened his com to his squadron and asked them. “Alright ponies, we have two options.” They all listen to him with open ears. “We could do as Iron Hoof ordered or…”
==========
“Alright Dread Wing, you take down that AWAX while I’ll distract the fighters and-.”
Scoots didn’t finish her sentence because Flash found their frequency and spoke. “This is Flash Sentry of the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron; tell us a reason of why we shouldn’t bomb those immigrants.”
Scootaloo narrowed her eyes and answered. “They’re looking for a new life.” Scootaloo put her weapons on standby. “A new life where a pony could be equal with another pony despite there race. For a earth pony or a pegasi to become a noble then to be born as a unicorn, and to love the pony of different race. That’s why.”
Flash looked at his squadron to see them nodding in their helmets and he said. “In that case…” His squadron decelerates behind the AWAX. “Open fire.”
Each fighter shot a missile at their AWAX and destroyed it. Scootaloo and Dread Wing were shocked to see the most loyalist Royal Guard fighters to shoot down their only advantage over the battle.
“Alright First Aerial Royal Guard squadron, insist the NLR forces on protecting those immigrants.” Flash then flew next to Scootaloo. “You will temporally order us to do what ever you want Scootaloo.”
Scoots thought for a while and ordered. “Insist the other Shadowbolts.” She then downloaded the location of her team to the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron’s map and then broadcast to the remaining NLR fighters. “This is Shadowbolt captain Scootaloo; the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron is insisting us to help to eliminate the rest of the enemy. Do not fire at them.”
With that the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron spread out to help the Shadowbolts while Flash and Sound Wave stayed with Scoots and Dread Wing.
“Where too now?” Dread Wing asked.
“Now we go to the thickest of the enemy and wipe them out.” Scoots answered.
The four fighters flew towards the scattered remaining Equestrian fighters and heard their coms.
“What the hay happened? I just lost signal to the AWAX.” Steel Wing said.
“How are we supposed to fight the NLR now without any coordination?” Another pilot asked nervously.
Then the four fighters shot their long range missiles and shot down 24 enemy fighters.
“Those are the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron, why are they firing at- ahhhh!” Steel Wing managed to say before Flash killed him with a radar missile.
“You always did talk too much.” Flash said to the now burning exo-suit of Steel Wing. “Let’s take them out.”
==========
16 minutes later.
The NLR manage to protect all of its new civilians with the help of both the Shadowbolts and the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron. All fighters of the two teams met up at the Equestrian border, with Flash’s team about to leave till Diamond Ring asked.
“What about you join us?”
Flash’s team slowed down to be by Scootaloo’s team and Flash answered. “Because we’re loyal to Equestria and her princesses Celestia and Luna, we could never abandon it.” Scootaloo flew closer to Flash and asked.
“Than why did you decided to help us?”
Flash was silent for a moment before answering. “We… admire your ideals of equality for all ponies. And we hope your nation grows strong from that.”
“Then why don’t you want to come?” Black Wing asked.
“Same answer as before, we’re loyal to Equestria and her princesses.” Flash said with a serious tone while remembering a lavender alicorn he closely knows. “And this operation was done by Iron Hoof order without any permission from the princesses.”
With that the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron flew back to the direction of Equestria. The Shadowbolts did the same, heading back to their new capital Excalibur.
==========
While flying back Flash contacted Iron Hoof that was blocked by Sound Wave’s jamming devise. “This is lieutenant Flash Sentry contacting Iron Hoof come in.”
Then Iron Hoof spoke. “About darn time I got a response.” He said impatiently. “Now tell me what happened.”
“The enemy was overwhelming sir, they manage to find and destroyed our AWAX and only me and my squadron survived.” Flash sighed and finished. “The mission was a total failure.”
“Dang it!” Iron Hoof yelled then quieted down. “Get your flanks back to base lieutenant.” He said bitterly.
“Yes sir.”
“And Sentry…”
“Huh?”
“To day never happened.”
With that Iron Hoof stopped talking by turning off his radio. Flash flew closer to his squad and said.
“Alright First Aerial Royal Guard squadron, just like what Iron Hoof said. What ever happened today… what we did today… never happened, understood?”
“Sir Yes, sir.”
With that they increased their speed and flew towards Canterlot.
At the same time, both Flash and Scootaloo sighed and asked to them selves.
“How did this all happen?”
==========
13 years ago…
April 19, 1989
Royal Guard training camp, 1 mile from Canterlot.
Flash was polishing his training armor and spear till his drill sergeant Iron Hoof ordered him to clean the bathroom stalls.
Flash sighed and asked to himself.
“One day I’ll be remembered for something.”
==========
Somewhere in Ponyville slums.
A three year old filly had just woken up from a nightmare. She looked around to see her make shift home in an alleyway made out of a trash can. She shrugged off some trash in her mane and got back to sleep with a wish.
“I wish my life can be better then this.”