Quick, Misty, and I stood infront of General Lightning Arcs desk. The general had been giving the three of us a long look, and I was about ready to scream.

“We’ve received intel. Good intel, of what appears to be a prison situated less than a klick east of one of those big guns that took out the Twister. What drew our interests was the fact that power armor-clad pegasi are guarding the damned thing. That gives us plenty of reason to believe that they’re holding any POWs they have, there.”

“Alright, so I’m guessing we won't be moving the Victorious or any of the raptors towards it, with that gun there at least. So what’s the plan?” I asked. I wanted- No, I needed, to get out there.

“You’re right about that. That’s why we’re sending you and a special detachment to take out the gun and prison. Once that’s done, we’ll send the Pyrocumulus to pick you and the prisoners up.”

“Special detachment, Sir?” I questioned, though I had no doubt he knew I’d ask.

The general gave the slightest smirk as he pressed a button on his phone. “Send the captain in, please.” The resumed looking at us with that small smirk.

A second later the door opened and I turned to see a stallion walking in. His coat was a deep, but off, blue. His mane was a mess of choppy cyan, and his eyes much the same color as Quicks. What struck me however, was his armor. A rich blue, engraved and complimented only by the gold the trimming. The bolt of lightning with a pair of wings was perfectly centered on his chest.

No way. I thought.

“This is Captain Rain Maker. Team leader of the Wonderbolts. You will be attached to his team for this mission. You leave immediately and will receive further instruction from him.” he nodded to the new pony.

Rain Maker nodded back. “Thank you General, “ He spoke with a softer voice than I expected from a Wonderbolt. “I appreciate you lending be this team. If you three will follow me.” He headed out of the office, the three of us in tow.

After we grabbed our gear we went straight to the squad bay, where four other blue-gold clad Wonderbolts were making final preparations for the mission. The only difference between them and Captain Rain, were they all had their helmets on, making them indistinguishable aside from the color of their muzzles.

“Alright, this is how it’s gonna go down,” Captain Rain began. “My team will kick things off with a distraction. Once the enemy is caught up trying to get us, I want you three to hit the prison. The defense should be light, and from what the General told me, you three can tear through a whole battalion if you wanted to.” He gave a chuckle at that. Though I thought that a bit exaggerated, it still felt good to be thought of as such an efficient team. “Once my team and I blow that gun to ruble, we’ll reinforce you. That sound good?”

I looked back at my team, getting nods from both. “Sounds solid.” I said, turning back to the Captain.

“Alright, if you need anything or have any problems out there, just raise me on comms.” With a nod, he turned to meet with his team. I did the same with mine.

“You two ready?”

“Yessir.” Quick said as gave one last look at his launcher. “Time to get Rod back.”

“You’re damn right it is.” I replied, sliding my goggles over my eyes and checking my novasurge rifles. I spotted the blade strapped to me and realized the Captain could have seen it. Shit. I hope that he either didn’t see it, or just didn’t care. “You ready Misty?”

“Yes captain.”

“Alright. Lets kick some flank. For Rod.” I said with a nod as I heard the bay doors his open.

With nods of agreement from my team, I turned and fell in formation with the Wonerbolts. That still made me grin. Sure, I was flying into combat, and sure, I might die. But i’m flying with these great ponies! How cool is that?

“Thunder, comms check. You and your team good?” Rains voice spoke in my ear.

“We’re good.”

“You’re callsign Victory. Mine is Council. How copy?”

“Solid copy, Council. Victory out.” I finished.

“All units, launch!” The speakers barked as we sped off into the late night.

The first thing I noticed was it was raining, and raining hard. If I didn’t have my EFS, I might not had been able to keep track of Rain and his men, let alone my own.

We’d been flying for over an hour under radio silence. I was fine with long distance flight, though I could only imagine how tired Quick must have been.

Soon enough Rains voice came over the comms. “Council to Victory. How copy?”

“Victory copies. Go Council.”

“Follow us in as we lower altitude rapidly. We will be landing, I repeat, we will be landing. How copy?” Rain didn’t sound tired the least bit either.

“Solid copy Council. On your lead.” I replied.

Almost immediately I saw the five hazy forms drop rapidly, and I followed suit, along with my team. I became worried at the high speed at which we were falling at, the EFS didn’t exactly give us our altitude either.

I flared my wings outward just a mere second after the Wonderbolts in front of me did, narrowly avoiding a collision.

Misty, flying behind me however, did not. I was nearly thrown into the elite flyers on point as she collided with my back. Misty was light, and I could have easily held both of us back. But with her armor on, she was just a bit too much. I began to rapidly approach the slowing Wonderbolts.

I was just about to shout a warning to Council, but Misty was Quicker to think. She opened up her wings and relieved me of her weight, allowing me to halt my rapid descent mere inches from Council.

I followed the descent, but turned my head to look at Misty, knowing she could feel the look I was giving her.

“Uh, sorry Captain. I didn’t expect us to slow so Quickly.” She said quietly over our comms.

I gave her a nod, trying to maintain as much radio silence as possible. As I turned around I couldn’t help but grin. I found the idea that Quick had an easier time stopping amusing.

The ground was now coming up to greet us, and we soon landed.

“We move out in five.” Rain said.

“Copy.” I replied, then gave myself a good shake, trying to shake some of the water from my mane. The act was in vain, as the constant downpour wasn't giving any signs of letting up. I was fine with that. I turned to Misty and Quick. “How you guys holding up?”

“I’m just fine.” Misty said. “Sorry about the flying.”

“it’s fine.” i said with a laugh. “At least you pulled up at the last second.”

Quick and Misty both looked past my left shoulder and I turned as well. Rain was standing there.

“Nice flying you three. I would have expected most ponies to crash into us with a rapid decrease of speed like that.”

I chuckled. “Thank you Captain.” I could feel Misty blush out of embarrassment.

“Anyways, the gun and prison are five or so klicks from here. Us four will be hoffin’ it while the rest of my team flies at high altitude.”

I nodded in affirmation.

Rain turned and gave his onlooking team a nod, and all four launched themselves into the sky like rockets, vanishing from view in seconds. He then looked back to us. “Alright. Diamond formation, I’ll take point. Lets get going.”

We formed up. Quick taking the rear, Misty taking the left flank, I on the right, and Rain in the lead. The trek wasn’t going to be short. We had to move slowly and cautiously, as we were well deep in hostile territory.

“So, the General tells me one of your teammates may be in that prison.” Rain spoke quietly, but enough to be heard by all three of us.

“Affirmative. His names Rod. He’s our radioman.” I replied.

“Well I hope you find him. Just keep your heads on a swivel when you’re in there. Nothing reckless.”

“We hear you. How long will you guys be busy with that gun?”

“Eh, shouldn't take us too long. Really, all’s were doing is loading it with a buck ton of explosives and turning it to scrap. The council didn’t need to call on us for the job, but they wanted a reason to show us off outside of a show.” Rain said, distaste obvious in his voice. “But we’re happy to help. Especially if it means freeing our ponies.”

“Thanks, the support is appreciated.” I said. We continued the rest of our hike in silence, the journey taking us over the mud slick terrain. Quick had the worst time, tripping twice, eliciting laughter from both Misty and I. Rain just smirking.

We finally arrived at the top of a nearby hill, the large cannon taking up most of our view with how close we were. Though in the dim early morning light, I could also spot the small compound to the left of the gun.

“That’s our target.” I informed my team.

Quick stepped up beside me. “So, how we gonna do this?”

I gave the structure a long look. “Misty, “ Was it just me, or was her rifle a bit longer than usual?

“Hm?” She seemed to be distracted, but I didn’t have time to question her.

“I want you to stay up here. You have a prime firing position.”

“Yes sir.”

“Quick, I want you blow any clumps of enemies away. Be careful, do not hit the building.”

“Yessir!” he gave a heart salute.

I turned to Rain. “So when do we begin?”

The captain smirked. He looked upwards. “We’re a go. Thirty seconds.” he said, obviously radioing his men. “Watch this.” His grin never faltering.

I counted down the seconds in my head, waiting to see what attack the Wonderbolts were about to perform.

I saw three black dots far away in the sky, coming towards us. Where’s the last one? Is that even them? I wondered.

9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2,

I lost track of the numbers as a roar filled the silence, as if the very air around above us had been destroyed. The boom was immediately followed only by an explosion of rainbow. Right above the gun, the circle of color expanded outwards. I barely registered the pops of gunfire that came from the compound. I could only watch the wave of red, greens, blues, and more passed overhead of us. I’d never seen something so magnificent.

“Talk about daring tricks.” I mumbled, still awe struck.

Rains voice snapped me out of my trance as he called to me over my headset. “Victory, pick up your jaw and get moving!”

“C-copy! Council, Victory out!” I looked over at my team. “Lets get Rod out of there!”

I leapt into the air and sped towards the prison. I could see griffons and armored ponies alike moving towards and firing at the Wonderbolts at the gun. Attacking them now would cause chaos in our favor. This plan was flawless.

Don’t jinx it Thunder… I thought to myself.

I picked my target, a pegasi firing from a distance with his laser rifles. A traitor. He didn’t even see me coming as my own lasers turned him to ash.

I kept flying, turning right to engage my text enemy. I hadn’t been noticed amongst the current fighting, and that was good. I would retain my element of surprise for as long as I could.

I began closing the distance with a light brown griffon, wielding a hunting rifle, to minimal effect from the way he widely fired.

Before I even fired, I watched him jerk suddenly, a clear trail of crimson seeming to spray from his body, chasing the bullet out.

I began to wonder who had shot him, as I didn’t hear the thunderous boom of Mistys’ rifle. No time to dwell on it though.

I felt the small impact of a low caliber round striking my leg. I looked over just as another round struck my chest. If it weren't for the armor, these rounds may have stung a bit. A single blonde feathered griffon hoverd with a small framed revolver in his hand. The anger that burnt in his eyes was far more frightening however.

I lined up the shot and bit down, sending a streak of orange at him. Before I could see it make contact, I was sent spiraling away as a flurry of feathers hit me with full force.

When I stabilized my self I narrowly had time to dodge the razor sharp talons that the large bird was throwing at me. I spotted an opening and rammed my rear hooves into his chest. He squawked in pain a backed of to catch his breath. It was then I realized how big he was. He had to have been four heads taller than me!

Before I knew it he was back on the offensive. His talons were slicing the air around me, narrowly missing my armor.

He’s so fast! I thought as I just barely deflected one of his strikes with my armored leg.

The next strike I wasn’t so lucky with, however. His talons came across my unprotected muzzle. Though they only barely scraped me, the sharp bones still drew blood.

“Fuck!” I hissed through clenched and bloodied teeth. When I bit down, I hadn’t realized the bradle was still in my mouth, and my rifles went off. Lucky me, as the large griffon received two bolts to the chest.

He gave another squawk of pain, this time far louder than the first. I’d hurt him, but he was still fighting!

“Just die you feathered basta- “ I was cut off as the bird was disappeared into a flash, and I was splattered with warmth.

I wiped my goggled and said a silent thank you that my mouth was closed. I grunted as a pushed my goggles up, the blood not coming off but smearing.. I blink a few times, feeling the cool morning air against my bare eyes.

I saw another explosion down on the ground, and a second after Quick flying low and slow.

I gave a strong flap and spun around, turning to face the prison. Another hard flap and I was flying straight at it. A griffon popped up, out of seemingly nowhere, and I instinctively fired, my beams killing him almost instantly.

I wonder what it feels like when you’re turned to dust? I thought as I flew through my enemies falling ashes. I gave a shiver, not wanting to know, let alone think about it.

I was nearing the prison, and could see the front door, however a glint from the roof caught my eyes.

As soon as I saw him on the roof I was suddenly jerked to the left by my battle saddle. The sudden force ripping me back knocked the wind out of me, and I began to fall. The sudden loss of altitude was a saving grace though, as I heard the thunderous roar of the snipers anti-machine rifle.

“Misty! Sniper! Roof of the prison!” I shouted as I did my best to recover.

Another booming gunshot, the loud whistle passing to my left.

“Fuck!” I dove down some more, then began a rapid climb.

Boom.

The whistle passed just over my head, I could feel the overpressure of the air from the massive round passing so close.

I started flying erratically, looping, rolling, dipping, and climbing. Doing my best to not make a pattern.

Boom.

I dove down as fast as I could at hearing that shot. The difference between that one and the previous three was there was not white or overpressure. I did my best to break in the air, then shot to my left, doing whatever it took to avoid his crosshairs.

“Sniper neutralized.” I heard Mistys’ quiet voice say.

Thank you, and thank the goddesses. I returned to my flight path, landing on the roof within a minute.

The body of the sniper lay crumpled next to his massive weapon. A single hole was dripping blood underneath his front leg, a large pool of blood and bits of bone spreading from his other side.

His rifle had to have been longer than he. An extra mag sat next to his corpse. I gave the large round a look. It was almost as long as my hoof!

I realized what kind of damage that could do to flesh, and instinctively looked at my left side.

The entire Novasure rifle had been twisted and torn. A good third of the thing was gone. Hail Frost wasn’t going to be a happy pony.

I shook my head and turned towards the stairs that lead down into the building. Why walk in the front, when I can creep down through the top?

“This is Victory, I’m entering the prison.”

Author's Note

See, I told you guys I'm still with it! Haha, well it really does feel good to get this chapter out, as I owe you guys for not posting for so long. More to come. What's in the prison??