The Equestrian Air Force

Soon after Rainbow Dash and the rest of the Pegasi has already signed up for the E.R.A.F, they were trying their hardest not to be too paranoid. But for HandyFlash, he was worried about the others. He was an experienced pilot of the prototypes of the jets but he was worried about how they will think about them piloting those.

Later at Night, Ponyville was peace and quiet as the lights of the moon and fireflies were around the town and the Everfree forest.

Fluttershy kept waking up multiple times because of the nightmares. The jets are faster than her, and she was thinking about what would happen if she went way beyond fast. Her controls might go crazy or she can crash. When it was two in the morning, she saw Rainbow Dash looking up in the sky laying on a lonely cloud, wondering what flying a jet would be like. Could it go faster than her or even her own Sonic Rainboom? So many questions were in her head.

Fluttershy couldn't sleep. So she got out of her bed and looked outside to see Rainbow Dash who was still laying on the cloud, staring at the moon and stars as they shined and lightly lit Equestria. Crickets chirped, the air was lightly blowing and the sound of the nearby river was making this night relaxing. That must be the reason why. She just wanted to calm down for tomorrow.

She looked around and realized Rainbow Dash was not the only one watching the stars and the Moon of Princess Luna. Cloudchaser and Flitter were laying down on a few fog clouds on the lake, HandyFlash was on top of a tree, Thunderlane and Blossomforth sitting on a bench, Dumbbell laying on the ground and Derpy eating a Midnight Muffin she bought at Sugarcube Corner while laying on an old fountain which was still clean.

She put on her scarf and went to her pet Bunny Rabbit, Angel who was still asleep and tucked him in a bit more and kissed his little head then open the door quietly and went outside like the rest. The breeze gave her a little chills but it was relaxing. It made her somewhat forget about the nightmares she had.

She lightly flew up on Rainbow Dash's cloud and saw that she was still looking up on the sky. The Sky Blue Pegasus noticed Fluttershy and continued looking up on the sky.

Rainbow Dash smirked. "Oh. Hey Fluttershy. Couldn't sleep I see." she said while her eyes were closed.

"Yes I…I can't get my mind off the fact that we're in the Equestrian Royal Air Force. I mean…I don't even know what to do if we train or graduate." Fluttershy told her as she sat down next to her Rainbow Pegasus Friend.

"Don't worry about it. Just try to be yourself. Don't be assertive like my ex-best friend Gilda." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

"B-But…I was over assertive to everypony in Ponyville once. Including Pinkie Pie and Rarity." Fluttershy looked down, guilty thinking about that day.

"Well that's the past. You don't need to worry about it. You just need to focus on tomorrow and nothing else. I'm sure you'll be fine." Rainbow Dash patted her back. "Well, would you like to relax like everyone else here?" She asked as she took a piece of her cloud by her hoof and rubbed it creating water and splashed it in her own face and layer back down.

Fluttershy nodded. "I guess. I had enough sleep anyway. Plus it's three in the morning." She layer down and looked at the stars too along with the others in the area. "I wonder what flying the jets would be like."

Rainbow Dash smiled. "I'm guessing it'll be faster than I fly. Plus I'm wondering if there's a competition soon about being the most skilled jet pilot. If there was, I would try to get another name for myself. By wings and air-whatever." She said.

Another voice came from behind them. "I'm sure you will Rainbow Dash. I guess I can teach you a few stuff when we complete our training." it said. They turned around to see it was HandyFlash. "You two okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Just thinking about how training will be." Rainbow Dash responded.

"Training will be fine. I promise. Just have a good memory just in case." HandyFlash reminded them.

"Hope I have a lot more memory capacity than before. But at least it'll be fine. Like that Sugarcube Corner Marey Island Cake." A different voice was said.

"Oh Flitter, you have to talk about sweets at this time?" Another voice was said.

"C'mon Cloudchaser. Don't you think you would know by now that I act like a sweet tooth every night?" Flitter chuckled and rolled her eyes jokingly.

"That reminded me last time you ate ten cupcakes just to get ready for that Pegasi Waterspout or Hurricane." Rainbow Dash commented.

"I needed more energy just in case just like Snowflake and his wing power." Flitter said and layer down on the cloud next to Fluttershy. Cloudchaser did the same and layer next to Flitter. "And your wing power of course." She added.

"Yeah I guess. So what you we do now?" Rainbow Dash asked looking around the cloud.

"I suggest we get some rest. Training won't be hard but just in case, just rest to get the stress out." HandyFlash suggested. He sounded serious and you could never doubt he was joking.

"Everypony, just lay down in the cloud. Future pilots like us need some rest." Rainbow Dash said and laid down closing her eyes. They all nodded and laid down on the cloud sleeping peacefully.

-(Cloudsdale, E.R.A.F Headquarters)-

Today was the day of training for the E.R.A.F. Many Pegasi excitingly went inside the headquarters and signed in then went to the cloud fields where the training starts. Rainbow Dash, HandyFlash, Fluttershy, Dumbbell, Derpy, Flitter, Cloudchaser, Thunderlane and Blossomforth went inside and sign themselves in and reported to the cloud fields, nervously.

"Oh…I'm so nervous. What if we had to go through obstacles, fight others, use our wings as weapons…" Fluttershy looked around, paranoid about the training.

"What? Fluttershy, this isn't E.R.G training. Don't worry about hoof to hoof combat or anything like that. This is pilot training and I'm sure you will be fine." Dumbbell said looking around field. He was secretly hoping that what he said was true.

"Okay this is it. Neon Nimbus is up there. Let's go." Rainbow Dash told them as they went to a crowd of Pegasi who were standing in front where Neon Nimbus was. She cleared her throat.

"Attention Pegasus ponies. I'm glad you are all here in time. Hope you had a good sleep last night. Now you're probably wondering, what is the training like in the Equestrian Royal Air Force. Now don't worry everypony. E.R.A.F training is not like E.R.G training or anything. It requires bravery, agility, skill, intelligence, focus and loyalty. Today, I'm assigning all of you to simulation tests. I'm not immediately sending you to your own Jets yet. Professor Handel made a simulation test to show you the rules and controls of your aircraft. But soon if you pass the simulations, you'll be piloting your jet next." Neon Nimbus spreader her wings and hovered up and pointed at the building called 'T Hangar 1'. "That's where you all are going right now. Report there are once my future pilots." She said to all the Pegasi as they started heading over there.

HandyFlash was about to go in the Hanger but was stopped by Neon Nimbus. "Hey Flash. How about you teach your friends while you're in the hanger. You're an experienced pilot before and I know you can get some tips to them." She smiled and walked to the T Hanger 1 along with the group.

Inside the hangar, multiple simulation seats were almost covering the whole hangar. Other Pegasus ponies began going in the seats and put on the goggles they were supposed to wear. They were all chatting quietly as they waited for their turn.

"Isn't it great? All these trainers want to be pilots. Anyway, HandyFlash, I got some extra seats for your friends to do the simulation on. All yours my friend." Neon Nimbus said and went to the rest of the other ponies to learn the tests.

HandyFlash looked at his friends and saw that they were amazed about the pilot simulator. HandyFlash's father, Professor Handel made these along with other scientist, even HandyFlash's mother, Florence.

"So, you all can take a seat now. I promise it won't hurt you or anything." HandyFlash said as he saw his friends go inside the seats and put on the goggles nervously.

"Um…HandyFlash, what if I mess up on this test?"Fluttershy asked nicely and nervously.

"Don't worry and take your time. To pass this test, you need to know how to use it. If you're used to it, and I'm sure you'll pass." he replied.

Two hours later after the simulation test, they all when the hangars which displayed the Jets and weapons. All of them were amazed on how impressive they looked. Flitter noticed that one weapon was made of Styrofoam in the hangar in the center. She looked at Neon Nimbus confused.

"Uh…Neon Nimbus, mind telling me why that canister is made of Styrofoam?" Flitter asked pointing at it.

"What? Those canisters cost more than your lives." She responded.

Flitter was kind of speechless about what she said. "I-Uh…" she stammered.

"Nah I'm just kidding. Well, why would I put a real one in here, where I show trainers the weapons and Jets? It might hurt somepony. This place is just showing the designs." Neon Nimbus chuckled.

"That is a good point." Flitter chuckled also.

"I can't imagine if that actually happened." Thunderlane grinned nervously and looked away.

Later that day, they all went and a hot air balloon in high-altitude, even above Cloudsdale. Strong winds were blowing which was very loud and made their voices more indistinct.

"Hey! What does this have to do with training as a pilot?!" Rainbow Dash asked loudly as she can.

"If you get ejected from your aircraft, you're going to get used to the air and use your wings to assist your landing!" Neon Nimbus said. "So your going to have to jump down! Don't worry! It's safe just in case!" she added.

"Okay! Who jumps first?!" Rainbow Dash asked, looking around her friends.

"Ladies First!" Thunderlane yelled cowardly.

"Okay! Let's go first Thunderlane!" Rainbow Dash grabbed him and jumped down along with him. His screams of terror were heard…kind of embarrassing huh? Blossomforth giggled about what just happened.

Later on, Fluttershy was in the medical room to learn the steps of helping a down pilot. She looked around and waited patiently for her teacher. A door was heard opening and showed a stallion with a medical coat. His coat was navy blue like his mane which had a white streak. He walked in with his clipboard and looked at Fluttershy. His eyes widened. And so did Fluttershy's.

"B-B-Brother?" Fluttershy spoke quietly in surprise. She got up and ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"Fluttershy? Your joining the Air Force? Wow. I didn't expect you to be in here. How is everything?" he asked and hugged back.

"It's all good Echo Hart. I didn't know you are a medical trainer in the E.R.A.F when it started." She smiled sweetly and looked around.

"Well, after I graduated in Manehattan Medical University, I found out this group needed a doctor to assist the trainers. So I came here." Echo Hart smiled and hugged his sister again. "It's been a long time to see my sister again. Promise me you'll be safe if you graduate."

"I will. I-I…I missed you..." She said as tears flowed her eyes.

"Same here Flutters. Same here. Now, let's get your medical training started." Echo Hart said taking his clipboard out and showed Fluttershy the basics.

In another hangar, Cloudchaser and Derpy were wandering around along with other Pegasi following a young mare who is leading the tour of stealth aircraft. Her coat is Light Red, her mane and tail was long with the color Dark Blue and Blonde Streaks and her Cutie Mark was a Golden Thunderbolt with a Rainbow Star. Which means she is going to be an E.R.A.F pilot soon.

"Okay initiates, my name is Shining Dawn and I will be the tour guide for today in the stealth aircraft hangar. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me." Shining Dawn said nicely and walked inside while the others followed.

"We have Stealth Aircraft already Ma'am?" Cloudchaser asked.

"Indeed. Unicorn magic is used on stealth aircraft to make it more advanced than regular ones. The Stealth Aircrafts have medium armor but very difficult to be exposed." Shining Dawn said and showed one of the models of the aircraft.

"Huh. Sounds like my kind of aircraft. That's pretty cool!" A mare Pegasus said. She had a Raven colored coat, Light blue mane and tail with dark blue streaks and her cutie mark was two feathers enter locking with a crescent moon.

"Well Swift Night, it kind of matches you. I could see you as a skilled stealth pilot one day." Shining Dawn smiled and continued walking.

"Thank you. But, it may take a while for me to get used to it though. I bet Cheary will assist me a bit anyway." Swift Night chuckled and corrected her mane a bit.

"Try not to let her Muffle in soon." Shining Dawn giggled. Swift Night nodded and laughed.

"Muffin? Where?" Derpy reacted. Shining Dawn chuckled on how silly she reacted.

"No Derpy. I said Muffle In. Not muffin." She corrected.

Derpy looked down in and embarrassment. "Oh. Sorry." she said.

"It's okay. Anyway, let's move on."

In the Air Traffic Control Tower, HandyFlash was just looking at the technology along with fellow initiates. He was showing them about the technology they use to contact pilots on the jets from the tower. Just in case of an emergency in the tower, they will have to do the job on the tower themselves. Anything can happen you know.

"Hey HandyFlash, is there an automatic way to land your aircraft without using you hooves?" One initiate asked.

"Yes there is Lancaster. But if the weather is critical or something, you have to do it yourself because if it's on auto land, it can mess it up." HandyFlash replied and showed him the weather radar.

"Oh okay." Lancaster looked at the radar.

"Man I hope your not worried about a thunderstorm or anything when your about to land." One of his friends said.

"Not really. You should not be worried to as well Hawk." Lancaster said.

"I know. I know. Just saying." Hawk responded and continued looking around. "Ace, do you think that Emergencies will rarely happen?"

"I don't know man. This is a new unit and I don't know much about it yet." Ace replied on Hawk's question.

"You sure have a lot of questions Hawk." A mare Pegasus commented.

"Spectrum, beginners like us are supposed to ask questions to each other, including the teachers." Another initiate said.

"Oh Darkstar, still acting like a good and smart student." Spectrum smirked and rolled her eyes.

"What? Can't I be a good flyer soon?" Darkstar shrugged and continued looking around the tower.

Later that day, it was 6:00PM in Equestria as other Pegasi ponies start to go home and rest. Except Rainbow Dash and her friends. They were told to stay for a while by Neon Nimbus. She wanted to show them something. They followed her to a hangar, which stored nine jets. Their eyes widened by the sight. The nine jets were mean't for them. Their style, colors, Cutie Marks and names were on them.

"Hope you all like it. It took us a while to make it look good for you guys." Neon Nimbus grinned proudly as they all stared speechlessly.

"HandyFlash, your jet is called the CPB-86. Which is the Cyclonic Pyre Bedevil Type 86. Completely agile and a multirole fighter."

"Rainbow Dash, your jet is called the RVP-184. Which is the Rainbow Vanguard Prototype Type 184. Very fast and agile like yourself."

"Fluttershy, your jet is called the IPG-619. Which is the Infinity Predator Guardian Type 619. Gives extra shields like how nice you are to your friends."

"Thunderlane, your jet is called the TBH-2012. Which is the Thunder Bolting Hunter Type 2012. A quick reacting jet for tight situations."

"Blossomforth, your jet is called the ESF-26. Which is the Electronic Support Fighter Type 26. Gives electronic support for your friends."

"Derpy, your jet is called the CHS-4. Which is the Cross Hovered Scout Type 4. It hovers and flies like a jet. Very good precision."

"Dumbbell, your jet is called the EWS-4. Which is the Echoing Wave Striker Type 4. A very good diving jet and good strength."

"Flitter, your jet is called the DWW-6. Which is the Dart Wavered Wing Type 6. Very agile and good for dogfighting."

"Cloudchaser, your jet is called the CTP-33. Which is the Cloud Tracking Phantom Type 33. Extremely fast and good for air-to-air fighting. Also has a jamming system."

Rainbow Dash looked at Neon Nimbus in surprise. "Wow. That's a mouth full." she commented.

"Yeah. But when the nine of you graduate after training, I have a name for your squadron." Neon Nimbus smirked as they waited patiently.

"Well what's the name?" Fluttershy asked.

"Arion Squadron. Anyway, you all can go home and rest. You deserved it. Dismissed." Neon Nimbus said.