Skies of Harmony

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter Zero
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven

Prologue

Author's Note

The Kingdom of Tidas Aurora and all associated characters, items, and other assorted miscellaneous things are either property of myself or ~ShadowSerphnt at deviantart.com

Some elements of Ace Combat: The Equestrian War was borrowed from ~SonictheHedgehogPL

Prologue

Prologue to War

Long ago in the fantasy of Realm, all the world's nations lived in peace and harmony. From Equestria, the Republic Sky Realm, Vulcan Sol, and the two Kingdoms of Tidas and Aurora calm skies graced the pristine lands and vibrant oceans. But... Dark times loomed ahead for the fantasy of Realm, as wars and cataclysms befell the world...

The earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns of Equestria faced dangers once thought to be vanquished, from the eternal night of Nightmare Moon, to the chaos and destruction of Discord, and the hungry hordes that are the Changelings the beautiful country seemed doomed. But, a brave princess; Twilight Sparkle and her friends Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy brought together the Elements of Harmony to restore balance to all of Equestria, time and time again, from any threat they may face. Thanks to the heroism of the Mane 6, as they are called, Equestria is safe... For now...

The Republic Sky Realm has faired no better, as their mighty continent sank into the depths of the sea of Eternity's Crossing. The dragons, fearful for their lives, took to the skies with mighty, steam powered airborne cities to escape their apocalypse. With their use of steampunk, helium, and magical properties they forged a new nation forgoing earthbound lands to the free, blue skies. As they adapted to their new living, they made peace with all the world's nations, trading freely for supplies and services. But all remembrance was not discarded: once a year, on the very same day their continent sank, all the floating cities of the Republic Sky Realm converge into one massive floating country over the sunken lands they used to call home. Happy with their new, nomadic lifestyles the dragons have succeeded their problems with invention and ingenuity.

With the fires of war erupting in the anthro lands of Vulcan Sol, the once uneasy peace has turned into a power hungry struggle between waring ideals. Vulcan Sol has been at war for over a hundred years, with no end in sight until the Great Uprising. As the wars went on, a fiery and hateful warlord thrusted his mighty sword into his exhausted foes, conquering army after army, tribe after tribe... And now: nation after nation as their advance grew in strength, so did their lands. United, but under harsh and dystopian rule, the new nation: the Empire of Vulcan Sol has killed, raped, and destroyed many lands and brought whole nations, like the Griffin Kingdom, to their knees. Their use of banned, arcane magic has inspired fear into the rest of the world as nothing could possibly stand in their path. Now eying territory, magic, and technology from Equestria and the Republic the Empire of Vulcan Sol is on the verge of enslaving the world.

But! From the light of the west is the valiant, new kingdom of Tidas Aurora, prophesied to end the Dark Days of Realm. Formed from the divided Pokemorphs of two waring kingdoms: Tidas and Aurora, the new nation is at the forefront of technology and alchemy. Manipulated by an evil necromancer, the two kingdoms seemed to have been lost, until one day, the exiled prince of Tidas fell in love with the exiled princess of Aurora. Together they travelled the land, searching for clues to the hatred of their nations. They discovered the necromancer and broke his grasp on their parents, but in doing so, the necromancer killed the kings and queens of Tidas and Aurora. In righteous fury, the two lovers united their kingdoms to wage one final battle to end the reign of the necromancer and his undead armies. The battle was fought for a year, the skies turned red with blood, and on the end of Judgement Day the prince and princess of Tidas and Aurora faced the necromancer one last time in a duel to the death. In victory, the demonic wizard was slain with the Saber of Tidas thrusted into his heart and the sky turned to a bright blue, brighter than any sky that graced over the land before it. Combined together, the Kingdom of Tidas Aurora had the manufacturing capable unheard of in any conventional sense, with alchemy transmuting even the two most different parts to fit in almost any machine, be it made for the part or not. This is where we begin our story: this is the Skies of Harmony.

Chapter Zero

Prototype

Today the Monarchy of Tidas was in celebration, as a new king was about to take the throne. He is a young and benevolent soul, with a heart that beats for the good of the people. The Monarchy of Tidas had been locked in a brutal and bloody war with the Kingdom of the Aurora Isles. For ages the two kingdoms fought for reasons unknown. They were bitter enemies. All of the anthropomorphic Pokémon within the two nations resented their rivals. These Pokemorphs were fighting for a false truth, by the promise that if one nation sheds the blood of another their people will be saved. In the past their kings were manipulating, cruel, and unjust, corrupted by an unseen force. One day the Prince of Tidas was exiled from his kingdom and wandered for years on this planet of Realm. Many of his people thought that he was dead and was lost as another causality to the war.

But there was a prophecy:

“At a time of great sorrow the only son of the kingdom shall perish. As the people turn to more bloodshed only omens and the apocalypse loom .There will be war, famine, and days without end. All hope is gone and extinction will follow…

But as the days grow closer the son will be reborn into the light. Wielding valor in his heart and a saber in hand he will unite the nations upon a stead of steel. He will become the kingdom’s finest monarch, a knight, alchemist, and father to all. For all who bask in his light will be sheltered, for those who oppose shall be damned. Behold the king, the Eternal King!”

In the Kingdom of the Aurora Isles there was a Princess who also ran away from her unjust nation. She was also the sole child of her parents and the only heir to the throne. In the midst of turmoil the two exiles fell in love. Fueled by new ambitions and a sense of purpose to unite their nations they called their brothers and sisters to arms. Without fear of death or hesitations they rallied allies and dispelled their differences. In their insurgency they had found the source of their parent’s corruption: a dark wizard who poisoned the minds of the monarchs to make their nations fight against their whims. With the truth revealed the two nations combined to fight the wizard and his army of the damned. The battle was long, bloody, and lasted for months without end. In the mountains of bodies and the rivers of blood the outnumbered forces of the kingdoms fought against the corruption and finally, after a year of endless slaughter, the flag of the Monarchy of Tidas was erected side by side to the Flag of the Aurora Isles: with the flag bearers, Prince and Princess, basking their glory.

Here stands the new King and Queen, being crowned the new leaders of a united nation…

Years later, the Age of Technology graces the land. The year is 1942, peace and prosperity spread its light onto the Kingdom of Tidas Aurora. Eighteen years have passed since that horrible war that claimed so many lives. Yet out of the ashes a new generation was born, there we stand: a brand new day, with a young Glaceon waking up to the ray of sunshine outside his window. He stretches outward and dons his robes. Being the son of the King, the prince pushed back the curtains blocking his sister's bed in the corner. His sister, a Vaporeon, pulled her sheets up to continue to sleep. On the radio was the graceful national anthem, a song titled A Brand New Day, the song was a perfect fit for the weather outside; bright, beautiful, and the fresh spring air brought on a sense of adventure. Yet, the princess still lay in bed shunning the brilliance of the day.

“My dear sister, will you please wake up?” the prince sat onto her bed and gently rocked his twin sister.

“Mikey? Can't it wait, the fair princess would like to sleep a little bit more,” she pulled a pillow over her head.

“C'mon sister, today is our formal introduction into the White Pheasant Special Forces, least you can do is to show some haste!”

“Oh! Brother, I forgot completely! Please fetch me my uniform!”

“Y'all ready for the big day?” a Zorua opened the door to their room. He spoke in a southern accent typical for the Desert Dwellers of the Zona Desert, “Today's the day fer our introduction!”

“Ghost my friend! We were just on our fair way, but my sister is unprepared as ever.”

“Brother, will you stop with the teasing? I am a perfectly capable markswoman of the highest caliber.”

“Yo guys? Can we go now?” an Absol also came in, speaking in a more contemporary manner.

“Good morning to you Zakary! How are you today?” Mikey asked.

“Fine, but can we hurry? Ghost and I are spinning our wheels here.”

“Yeah! Dem wagon's not gonna hall itself ya know?”

“Right, sister are you ready?”

“One minute everyone, I just have to waterbend my fins straight.”

As they step outside the palace a luxury jeep awaited their arrival to the army base. Mikey took the wheel and drove off into town. There they were showered with confetti and paraded down the main square with an armored column of Tiger tanks, Shermans, and T-34-85s all painted in the same color scheme of green with the symbol of two swords crossed with a red circle background worn proudly on their sides. As the parade makes its way to Tidas City National Army Base the jeep stops short of a stage as the four friends get out to greet their friends and family in the crowd. They take their place on the stand as a general takes the stage.

“Today, our proud nation of Tidas Aurora marks the celebration of our fine prince, princess, and these two excellent warriors acceptance into our very first special forces program! My nephew will you have a say?” the Buizel general offered Mikey the chance to speak.

“Thank you uncle! I also thank you all for your support and kindness. I, Micheal Rivers will gladly accept this role with humility and see to it that I will protect our peace and freedom for as long as I am part of this great country!”

“Micheal... It is with great honor that I present you the family heirloom: the Sword of the Tidas Aurora. Use it with great respect my son...”

“...Thank you father...” he bows to the king, a red and white Buizel in short robes wearing a military uniform.

“You will now be fitted into your alchemical armor. Please don your suit while the orchestra plays my nephew.”

Mikey nods and steps to the steam powered machine to don his armor piece by piece. The armor took on a light blue glow as the naturally alchemical mythrill plating was placed on. Steam flowed around the Glaceon as the flurry of movement in the automata's carefully and precisely placed and fitted each piece of his armor. Completed, Mikey steps out of the booth and faces the crowd. The crescendo of the anthem reached its peak as he drew his sword and held it into the air in triumph.

“Behold! The White Pheasants! The legends of Tidas Aurora: Micheal, our brave knight! Tanya, our shinobe markswoman! Ghost, our field alchemist and engineer! And finally, the Razgriz himself, Zakary, machinegunner, pilot, and rifleman! All hail the White Pheasants as they proudly march as full fledged soldiers of Tidas Aurora!”

Chapter One

A Glorious Day

The skies above Ponyville was lit up with a bright blue and the sunny weather scheduled by the pegasi. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, save for one reserved for a certain rainbow maned blue pony and her friend. All was well in Equestria and there was little to no thought of what befell their neighbors to the north.

There was a little filly just looking up in the sky as she walked home from school. Applebloom noticed streaks of vapor from four flying objects. These weren't pegasi like the ones that usually flew over the town to move the clouds, these were green colored and metallic and a distant drone could be heard from them. They flew lower and Applebloom could make out their shapes: they were planes, and planes she immediately recognized.

"The Pheasants are here!" she jumped in joy and exclaimed, "Hey everyone! The White Pheasants are here ya'll!"

She ran to the small army airfield set up near Sweet Apple Acres, her home and orchard. She bounced with joy near the chain fence topped with razor wire as she could see the planes land. They were planes of Tidas Aurora, and planes she knew all too well, belonging to her friends from across the sea. Applebloom's older sister, Applejack stood by to watch with her.

"Well looky here, our good buddies the Pheasants are in town. Wonder what they're all doin' here?" Applejack looked at the odd, flat plane with two giant props. It was a V-173, the "Flying Flapjack" as it was called and it taxied right up to the fence the girls were standing by. The pilot of the craft extends a ladder and hops out, he was a Zorua Pokemorph with a leather cowboy hat, jacket, and boots worn outside his flight jacket. He smiles to the two ponies and tipped his hat.

"Mornin' Applebloom, Applejack!" he spoke with a softer southern drawl than the two ponies.

"Ghost! Ghost! Whadda wanna tell me about where ya been huh, huh?" Applebloom bounced around in excitement for her friend.

"Easy there lil' filly. How ya'll doin' Ghost?" Applejack calmed her little sister.

"Been doin' quite fine! Them Mikey and Tanya want us to meet with ya'll Princess Twilight. Tidas Aurora's been mighty fine for now. I reckon Vulcan Sol might try somethin' soon though," the grey fox leaned on one of the fence poles and talked to his friends, "Say AJ, can ya call ya friends for a meetin today? Mikey and Tanya want all ya'll to hear em out."

"Right, I'll be sure to do that Ghosty. Maybe ya can stop on by for some Zap Apple jam later on!" Applejack smiled as she and Applebloom trotted next to their friend.

"I'd love some AJ, oh and Applebloom. I've got a present for ya," Ghost reached into his pocket and brought out a nice, big, juicy Pecha Berry from his homeland, "Here ya go, fresh from my farm!"

"Oh boy!" Applebloom caught the berry as it was tossed over the fence. She happily bit into it and smiled as the sweet, tart flavor spread around her tongue, "Thanks Ghost! It's been a while since I've had one of these Pecha Berries."

"Don't mention it cowgirl, too bad that there berry don't grow in these parts. Ya can only find 'em in Tidas Aurora."

"It's a shame really," Applejack commented, "I'll met you by Twi's library in a minute, I'll walk Applebloom home."

"But Applejack!" Applebloom whined.

"Hey there lil' filly, I'll be here for a while, so I'll see you after this here meetin's done. Kay?" Ghost smiled to Applebloom and shook her hoof through a hole in the chain fence.

"Deal! I'ma gonna make a special jar of Zap Apple jam for you Ghost!" Applebloom trotted away to her house.

"Well, I'll see ya'll then later Ghosty!" Applejack ran to catch up with her sister.

"Ya'll take care now!" Ghost walked away to the jeep waiting for him.

Rainbow Dash was napping on a cloud as usual when all of a sudden she was woken up with the sound of a jet engine. Jet engines were rare in this world, and she knew of only one person to fly such a machine. She spotted the culprit, a Tidas Aurora Me 262, one of the fastest planes on Realm, but not as fast as her. She knew who was flying the fine aircraft and was posed for launch off the cloud.

"Hey Sky, sit tight, I need to say hi to a friend of ours," She turned to her friend who was sleeping on the cloud. Being a heavy sleeper, he did not hear her, "Uh, nevermind."

She launched herself from the cloud and accelerated to the plane, she saw the pilot and her friend, Zak. She gave him a salute and stuck out her tongue at the Absol pilot. Zak laughed and returned a joking middle finger to Rainbow Dash.

"Same old Zak, still an asshole," she landed right on his wing and tapped the glass, making funny faces. Zak opened his canopy and greeted her.

"Sup Dash!" Zak yelled, "Meet me on the ground will you? I'm trying to land!"

"Roger," Rainbow hopped right off his wing and followed Zak as he landed on the same airfield as Ghost. As he came to a halt Rainbow Dash was right there to lightly buck him.

"Yeah yeah yeah, How you been Dashie?" Zak taxied his plane next to Ghost and talked to Dash.

"Hmm, 20% cooler since you last saw me. Dude, you got a new plane!" Dash took a look at the advanced aircraft he flew in with.

"Yup, the Me 262. The most advanced aircraft Tidas Aurora has to offer. And I get the first production model! Four 30mm autocannons with alchemical explosive rounds, lead computing gunsights, and an integrated alchemical flight suit and heads up display. All powered by Redstone circuitry," Zak smiled and crossed his arms.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! I love this plane! So fast! So agile! It's unlike anything I've seen ever!" Rainbow Dash started to fly in and around the plane, "You up for a race in this thing?"

"Pfft! Just no Sonic Rainboom okay? Once you break the sound barrier you're out. And this race will be more about agility than speed," Zak grinned and gave Dash a competitive glare.

"You're on!" Dash pointed her hoof to his face.

"Hey! Ya'll done yet?" Ghost drove up in his jeep and waved to Zak, "We're suppose to be meetin' up with Twi remember?"

"Oh shit, yeah. Tell you what Dash. We'll have the race as soon as we're done with the meeting," Zak jumped off his plane while Rainbow Dash still sat on the wing.

"I wipe the floor with you Zak! You're looking to get your ass whooped in ten seconds flat!"

"You may be the best flier in all of Equestria, but I'm the best pilot in all of Realm bitch! We'll have that race!" Zak smiled and waved, "Hey Rainbow Dash, you can come along to the meeting too! Mikey and Tanya requested for the rest of the Mane 6 to be there!"

"Oh yeah... Twilight did say something about that today huh... Well! Ya snooze ya lose!" she flew at breakneck speed to the meeting, trailing a rainbow colored vapor behind her.

"Pfft, and I thought I was cocky."

"No no no! Spike! The Prince and Princess of Tidas Aurora are coming today! I need this place tidied up before they arrive!" Princess Twilight was frantically cleaning and putting stuff away while she prepares to leave for her meeting in Canterlot. The White Pheasants were to escort her and the rest of the Mane 6 to Princess Celestia's castle, "SPIIKEE!"

"Finished!" the purple dragon put away the final book that was lying on the floor. He was aided by an owl that quickly dusted off the shelves, "Thanks Owlowiscious"

"Who?" the owl hooted.

"You dummy! Haha," Spike laughed as he joked with Twilight's feathered friend.

"Good! Everything is set for my departure. Owlowiscious, keep an eye on the library while I'm away. Spike, you're free to do what you want today. You've definitely earned it," Twilight patted the small dragon with her wing and hoof.

"Are we all ready to go darling?" Rarity comes in through the back door with Fluttershy, "I'm simply ecstatic to go to Canterlot again! Oh I love it all."

"Umm... Twilight... When are our friends going to get here?..." Fluttershy spoke in her soft and gentle voice.

"They should be here-" Twilight could hear the engine of a jeep outside her house, "Now!"

There was a knock on the door and Spike rushed over to open it. Before them was the Prince of Tidas Aurora, Micheal Rivers. He was a Glaceon clad in his royal alchemical powered armor with his short sword sheathed and a revolver holstered. Next to him was his sister, Princess Tanya. She was a Vaporeon wearing her elegant black dress, given to her by Rarity herself. It seemed fitting for her to wear it, but she also had it modified to pull away to reveal her two piece ninja uniform. She carried with her a few hidden weapons: throwing stars and kunais, as well as a hidden katana and C96 machine pistol, as she was as much a soldier as her brother, being the sniper ninja of the team. Her rifle was in the jeep.

"The fair Princess Twilight, Ms. Rarity, Ms. Fluttershy, Mr. Spike," Mikey bowed to the princess and Twilight did the same out of respect.

"Who?" Owlowiscious cut in.

"I shant have forgotten you oh feathered one. Mr. Owlowiscious," Mikey smiled and greeted the owl.

"Whoa!" Rainbow Dash flew in from behind and nearly hit Tanya.

"Opps! Sorry Princess Tanya," Rainbow Dash bowed and laughed nervously.

"Tis fine my friend mare. Up! Up! No need to be so formal, we are all fine friends and comrades," Tanya stroked Dash's mane and patted her back.

"Okay," She turned to glare at Zak, who obviously drove them quicker than she could fly to the library, "You win this time!"

Zak shrugs and laughs it off. Dash does the same.

"Hmm, it seems a few of the Mane 6 are missing Princess Twilight. Say, how are thou on this fine day?" Mikey asked.

"Fine thank you, and yes, we may be missing Applejack and-" Mikey cupped Twilight's mouth.

"Dare not you say thine name! I am so sorry for the rudeness but I simply can't stand to hear that name!" Mikey let go and bowed in humility.

"HI GUYS!" Pinkie Pie came bouncing in through the back and gasped, "OOO! HI HI HI! Are you the Prince and Princess of Tidas Aurora? How is it back there? Are you here for a visit? Vacation? OH! You're visiting for a vacation! You know what this means! A PARTY!"

"Hey guys, I'm here," Applejack came in as well.

"Thine Arceus in heavens galore will you please make the one they call Pinkie Pie to stay quiet while we escort you all to the Canterlot Palace to discuss this war?" Mikey slid his face into his palm and pinned his ears down, trying not to hear Pinkie Pie's babbling.

"Oh my gosh! I didn't throw a party for the Prince and Princess of Tidas Aurora! I should throw a party right now! I mean, c'mon! Hello! The Prince and Princes-" Mikey grabbed her and started to shake her back and forth.

"WILL YOU PLEASE FOR THE GODS SAKE IN ALL THE CELESTIAL BODIES PLEASE STOP TALKING! THINE INSISTENT CHATTER IS DRIVING ME TO MADNESS!" Mikey stopped and let her down gently.

"Yeah, huh... Pinkie Pie, I think you should calm down. Remember, Prince Micheal doesn't really like it when you... You know... Be Pinkie Pie," Twilight tried to calm her friend down.

"Oo! Okey dokey pokey!"

"My brother would appreciate your silence Ms. Pinkie Pie. Maybe we can celebrate a lovely welcoming party after our business within thine castle walls of Canterlot," Tanya added.

"Well, is everyone ready?" Twilight looked to all her friends. They all gave a quick "yes" and nodded.

"Oo! Except me! Cuz I talk a lot! Say, why are you typing this on an Ipad? Oo! You're computer is still broken isn't it? Opps! Sorry!" Pinkie Pie just broke the forth wall again.

"That would have been my right to allude past thine forth wall. Pinkie Pie, you have taken my occupation, as I do this in his other stories. Please, all I ask of you is to not interrupt this trait again," Tanya added, "Sorry everyone for the inconvenience."

"Okay, so Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity. You three will take a plane with Ghost to fly to Canterlot. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and I will fly there alongside the rest of the White Pheasants aircraft," Twilight overviewed.

"Got it Twilight!" Dash saluted and glared at Zak.

"Oh, please be a dear and fly smoothly. I wouldn't want to mess up my pretty Canterlot attire!" Rarity got on the jeep while keeping her dress off the floor.

"I'll be sure to fly extra smooth for ya'll," Ghost tipped his hat and smiled back.

"Oo! I've never rode on this thing before! What's it called? Is it a car? automobile? What is it?"

"It's a jeep Pinkie Pie, Ghosty said they're all made in Tidas Aurora for them military folk. It also makes a darn good farm hauler too!" Applejack answered.

"Well I for one think it looks all messy. Since when have you cleaned this vehicle?"

"Hmm, probably never with the chassis, the insides should be fine. Don't worry, that pretty lil' dress of yours won't get muddy with this thing on road," Ghost kept driving to the airbase where a transport plane was waiting to take them to Canterlot. It was an An-2 that was custom made for high value cilents.

"Oh! What a darling aircraft! It's so plush and comfy!" Rarity took a look inside, "Tell me, do we get an in-flight meal?"

"Of course Ms. Rarity. After you, say Applejack! You can call shotgun in the cockpit if ya like!" Ghost waved to his friend.

"Yeehaw! Now that sounds mighty fine Ghosty! See ya'll in Canterlot!" Applejack and Pinkie Pie boarded the plane with Ghost while Zak, Mikey, and Tanya went to their planes.

"Pheasant One to tower control, requesting takeoff clearance," Mikey radioed out to the Ponyville Airbase control tower.

"White Pheasant Squadron is cleared for takeoff. Proceed to runway one," a unicorn in uniform cleared the squadron for takeoff.

"Mane One with Regal One, Mirage Two, and Five, are we cleared?" Twilight used her magic to talk to the tower.

"Cleared to take off Princess from runway two, good luck in Canterlot!"

"Alright everypony! Take to the skies!" Twilight and the rest of her pegasi friends spread their wings and galloped to gain speed. With their important documents and other items carried in saddles, the three ponies preformed a rolling takeoff and finally touched the skies.

"Pheasant Squadron, let's go," Mikey spun up the pusher propellers of his XP-55 Ascender and taxied to the runway with his sister's J7W Shinden and Zak's Me 262. Zak was the first to take off with the brand new jet engines of his prototype craft. The fighter lifted off in a roaring blaze of fire and smoke. Tanya and Mikey lifted off at the same time in unison with their pusher prop aircraft. The three formed up into a "V" shaped formation with Twilight, Rainbow, and Fluttershy. The transport was flying behind them with Ghost and Applejack in the cockpit.

They all flew in and around the clouds, flowing through the sweet blue skies with carefree abandon. It was a fairly straight and boring flight to Canterlot and the planes and ponies took joy in flying a scenic and flowing path. In the distance they could see Canterlot just mere miles away. It had grown quite a bit, and supplemented by steampunk technology from the Republic Sky Realm, the cliffside city arched it's way from mountain to mountain. The Mane 6 and White Pheasants flew underneath one of the arches and looped, wove, and maneuvered in between the pillars and obstacles of the city, gracefully dancing in the sky, giving a wonderful air show to the inhabitants of Canterlot. They had finally reached their destination; a floating runway built right next to the Canterlot Castle. Touching down, their craft slowed and taxied to one of the nearby hangars. The White Pheasants and the Mane 6 had finally arrived after a short flight. The earth ponies and unicorn departed from the An-2 with Ghost to meet up with everyone as they came in.

"Alright, Princess Celestia will be waiting for all of us in the war room with the King and Queen of Tidas Aurora. We're here to discuss our plans for dealing with the Empire of Vulcan Sol," Twilight explained to her friends why they were there.

"Um... What about the rest of Mirage Squadron Twilight?" Fluttershy asked, barely heard.

"Oh, You'll still be a part of Mirage Squadron, same as Rainbow Dash. But we're going to have to stay together just in case we need to bring together the Elements of Harmony once again. Now, Prince Micheal, I'm sure you have plenty to discuss with our Princess," Twi turned her attention to Mikey.

"But of course Princess Twilight. My sister and I are ready to contribute to the combined war effort. Make haste, for our time is now," they made their way past the hallways of the castle and were sitting outside some very large and heavy wooden doors, hardly ever opened from the lack of true conflict in Equestria. As he opened the door, Mikey noticed his father, mother, and the two Equestrian rulers discussing plans for the defense of their nations.

"-As you can see here, the Empire of Vulcan Sol has toppled the Griffin Kingdom and have attacked several Tidas Aurora outer colonies. Reports have come in that many skirmishes and battles have been taking place near and around our borders in a two front assault. Now, resistance has been light and fairly teasing, but over the course of a few days our finest recon planes have sighted massive armies of enemy soldiers amassing near the Tidas Aurora borders," the King of Tidas Aurora explained to the two Princesses. He was a Buizel, red and white in color with a military uniform decorated in medals and a beret like crown on his head.

"It would seem the same is true for our northern borders King Rivers. I would like to thank you for the additional support you've provided Equestria during the past few years after the Equestrian War. You've proven to be quite helpful allies, I cannot thank you enough," Princess Celestia nodded.

"Sister, it is imperative that we gather up our military once again to defend against these unlawful invaders! I have kept a record of all the organized ranks and units from the last war with the Griffin Kingdom and if you say the word I shall bring our subjects to arms," Princess Luna spoke proudly and boldly of their fine citizens.

"So be it my fair sister, Equestria shall prepare for war once again. It seems as though my nation will never know a lasting peace."

"Peace always finds a way Princess Celestia. For as we, your allies, will stand by you until balance is restored to the world. Chin up my good mare, let the light and air of divine winds drive you to joy and happiness. For it is our duty and destiny to redeem this world," the Queen of Tidas Aurora speaks to calm down her ally. The Flareon smiled and radiated her grace. She was wearing a more formal dress of royalty and her crown was also very conventional. Princess Celestia dipped her head in agreement and perked up, smiling at the radiant serenity and optimism of the queen.

"Ah! Son and daughter! Come! Come! Join us in our endeavors," the king greeted Mikey and Tanya.

"Father," Mikey bowed. Tanya and the rest of the White Pheasants did as well. As they got back up Mikey and Tanya embraced their parents and gathered around.

"Dear Princesses, this is my son, daughter, and my other two best soldiers: Micheal, Tanya, Ghost, and Zakary," the king introduced them.

"It's glorious to meet such fine warriors, tell me, what is thine role in the armies of Tidas Aurora?" Princess Luna approached them.

"Thine name is Prince Captain Micheal Rivers and I am a valiant knight of the White Pheasants the best warriors in Tidas Aurora. I wield the legendary Saber of Tidas in my left and a revolver in my right and my mythril alchemical armor has seen the baptism of fire and fury on the battlefields of my homeland."

"And what of you, fair mermaid creature?" Luna turned to Tanya.

"I am the fair warrior princess; Tanya Rivers. In the art of war I have slain many foes from afar with a scoped rifle as my brush. My finer strokes are cast with lightening quick blades of steel and stealthy thrown daggers and pointed stars. My graceful demeanor hides a truly masterful shadow warrior oh great princess."

"Very impressive, your children are quite talented King Rivers," Celestia spoke.

"The finest! I am proud of them both as well as their friends for protecting and upholding our lands!"

"Hm, state your warrior status and name comrades of the prince and princess of Tidas Aurora!" Luna eyed them both to survey their talents for war.

"My name is Lt. Zakary Sintari. I am the automatic rifleman and ace pilot of the White Pheasants. My weapon is the Browning Automatic Rifle, custom built and modified by my friend and the prince's brother. My sidearm is the trusty M1911 and I specialize in shock tactics and airborne mastery ma'am!" Zak saluted.

"Very good! And you?" Luna turned to Ghost.

"Well, I'm Ghost. Ima kind of a rootin' tootin' cowboy of the bunch. If I ain't packin' my six shooters I run dual model 1887 shotguns to the fight. I've been shootin' all my life and I got swapped up by my country pretty quick for the military. I'm agile and evasive, hardly ever gettin' hit with them there bullets flyin' about. Sorry 'bout the accent, I can hardly ever speak formal," Ghost scratched his head in nervousness.

"It matters not, I see the finest warriors of Tidas Aurora brings good hands to the fight!" Luna expresses her approval.

"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna. We, the Mane 6 are here to serve you at your time of need," Twilight and her friends bow.

"My dearest student Twilight Sparkle, I'm so glad you could make it to assist in our situation. As you may have heard, I want all of Equestria to prepare for war once again. You will each assume your previous titles from the Equestrian War. Do you have the documents I asked for Twilight?"

"Yes Princess, all the records and manuscripts I kept from the Equestrian War. Hopefully this will help to reorganize the Equestrian Allied Forces once again," Twilight magically levitates the stack of papers from her saddle to the war room table near Celestia.

"Thank you Twilight, now, I will hand you a written copy of all that we discussed today in our meeting. Please read it carefully and send me a letter with your additions and opinions on the matter. You can all stay for a while if you're inclined. I will also need to speak to Twilight in a moment," Princess Celestia gave her student a typed up scroll of the discussion and lead her to a separate room.

"I will also need to speak with the rest of the warriors of the Mane 6 for reorganizing our armies," Princess Luna added.

"Micheal, Tanya you two as well. Your mother and I also need your input for this war," King Rivers also needed to see his subordinates.

"Yes father," the two simultaneously spoke.

"This meeting is now dismissed for now, we will continue once our subjects give their inputs," Princess Celestia paused the discussion and walked back into her quarters.

"It's time we took some action. What do you say Ghost? Ready to kick some ass?" Zak whispered to his friend.

"Yippy ka yay mofo," Ghost agreed and whispered back.

Chapter Two

Clouds

"Dear Princess Celestia, although the Empire of Vulcan Sol has not yet reached Equestrian borders I have some news to report to you about our current standing in the war. Recent scouting missions conducted by Mirage Squadron have revealed numerous armored columns moving in from the the north of The Wilds, Trottingham, and Germaneigh. I have asked Prince Micheal of Tidas Aurora to send some of his best forces to assist in these areas," Princess Twilight paced back and forth as Spike recorded everything she said.

"Mr. Spike, care to add my reports as well?" Prince Micheal wanted to add a few notes.

"Yes sir!" Spike gave a quick salute and grabbed some more ink handed to him from Twilight's pet owl.

"Good," Mikey cleared his throat, "Princess Celestia, as Prince Micheal Rivers of Tidas Aurora I would also like to add some notes to the precise deployments of Tidas Aurora forces. I have sent the 1st Panzer Brigade and a handful of Wehrmacht to guard the German borders in case of a flanking attack from the northeast. As of now, many armored vehicles like Tiger tanks and Pz IVs should be arriving into Marelin as I report. In Trottingham I have requested deployments of SAS and the 1st and 4th Commando Brigades to train local defense volunteers. As the mountain passes are too rough for an armored assault I have stationed the finest units of the Royal Air Force Fighter and Bomber Commands as well. Stationed in the back in Stallionrad is the Soviet 8th Army with our brand new T34-85 tanks and batteries of Katyusha rocket artillery. With that out of the way, I have concentrated the 3rd Army to defend against attacks from the west, stationing them north of Cloudsdale near the Griffin border. This unit is primarily Sherman medium tanks and tank destroyers such as M10 Wolverines and M18 Hellcats waiting in ambush. More reinforcements from Tidas Aurora will arrive when the situation escalates. Furthermore, your requests for more lend-leased weapons are underway and being shipped to Manehatten, Canterbury, and New Saddle. Please keep the skies open and patrolled so Tidas Aurora shipping lanes can be kept cleared. Your faithful ally-"

"And loyal student, Prince Micheal-"

"And Twilight Sparkle respectively," Mikey glanced over to the dragon, "Did you get all of that good sir?"

"Done and finished!" Spike burned the letter with a magical breath of fire, sending it straight to Princess Celestia and Luna from the Ponyville Library.

"Prince Micheal, what does the Empire of Vulcan Sol want from Equestria anyway?" Twilight approached him and asked.

Mikey stared outside of the window and contemplated, "It's not what they want... It's what they covet: everything, and anything. Magic, technology, alchemy, knowledge... Slaves... They are barbarians Princess. All they seek is conquest and to make the whole of Realm theirs. Although their native citizens enjoy much benefit they enslave all other races to do all their bidding. They see us as inferior, sub-sentient, only fit for work horses or subordinates to all their whims. Those who oppose are slain by the millions, as what befell the Griffin Kingdoms. They stood united, undivided and strong. They fought bravely but were weakened after the Equestrian War, bringing the country to their knees. The populous was either enslaved or slain, with factory like efficiency."

"In English please," Rainbow Dash flew up to the window and was eavesdropping on the conversation. Mikey was not amused.

"Basically Dashie, The Evil Empire wants everything and anything and they won't stop until they get it, enslave the people, or just kill everypony," A sky blue pegasus flew up next to her. He had a red mane, white wings, and a yellow tail. His cutie mark was that of a stylized sun, patterned in the same fashion as the sun on the Fillypine flag.

Mikey sighed, "Might I ask who your friend is Rainbow Dash?"

"Sky Buster's the name! I'm an old friend of Dash. We met in flight school when we were just foals when I moved to Cloudsdale from the Fillypines. I came back during the EQW when I heard Equestria was under attack. Dashie told me all about you Prince Mikey," Sky Buster gently flew into the window and landed next to him, offering his hoof to shake.

"Um, sorry good stallion, but only my dearest friends can address me by that moniker. Please, be a tad more formal," Mikey slowly pushed away his hoof with his finger, "Now, let's try this again."

"And I thought Rarity was-," Sky talked to himself, "Nevermind! C'mon man! Lighten up! Your friends with my girlfriend you know?"

"You? A suitor for Rainbow Dash? You seem the type."

"Sky! Geez, scream it to the world why don't you," Dash lightly bucked Sky.

"Hey, he's a friend right?" he placed his hoof on Mikey's shoulder and pulled him closer beside him, "Riiight?"

"Ugh, as much as this invades my personal space, I suppose so... A friend of Rainbow Dash is a friend of mine," Mikey gently slid out of Sky's grasp, "You know good sir, you remind me much about my father. Very casual, upbeat, and I assume you're a valiant warrior?"

"One of the finest, but I think Dash gets the honor of the greatest ever," Sky flew next to Dash and gave her a hug.

"Mhm! He's right you know," Dash took the compliment.

"So what is your dad like Mikey?"

Pinkie Pie sprang into the frame to break the forth wall and bursted out, "OO! OO! OO! It's because Sky is really just Buster, not like Sky Buster, but like King Rivers OR OR! President Buster Rivers of the United Planetary Federation! They're all just different personas and OCs of the same person, the author himself! Hey! You're still writing this on an Ipad! Is your computer fixed yet? Why aren't you working on Signs of Decay? WHERE IS SIGNS OF DECAY?!"

The other Tanya from StarFox: Hybrid Ascension ripped open a portal with Aurora from Pokemon: Signs of Decay to step into the scene. They both glared at Pinkie Pie with an intense gaze that pierced into her soul.

"YOU!... TOOK!... OUR!... JOBS!..." they both grabbed Pinkie Pie and pulled her offscreen, a flurry of cartoon dust and beating noises can be heard and seen just to the left of the screen. David from Hybrid Ascension steps from the right and awkwardly smiles.

"We will be back after these technical difficulties!" the view transitions to a screen of a 1940s cartoon style Jolteon trying to fix a broken film reel. It then flashes back to the main plot line with a director's black and white clipper reading 'Take Two'

"SoH Chapter Two: Take Two! Action!" the author's voice announced to get his audience back on track.

"So what is your dad like Mikey?" Sky asked his new friend.

"He's... Unique to say the least. He's not like most kings, he's still a soldier at heart and casual in almost all situations aside from formal attendance. I hear Princess Celestia is the same way and has already considered my family as part of her closer circle of friends."

"Neat," Sky acknowledged, "You busy as a bee Prince?"

"Yes good sir, Twilight and I have much to discuss about the war," Mikey nodded.

"Actually Micheal, I was just about to go to Applejack's place to see if she needs help training for the rodeo coming to town. C'mon! It'll be fun," Twilight invited the prince.

"I guess you're right. I do feel like I should relax for a bit," Mikey, ever formal, paced and stroked his second pair of drooping ears.

"Yeah, chill out Mike-Mike. You are a Glaceon after all," Rainbow Dash patted him on the back.

"Yeah, hang out with Dash and I sometime. Don't forget: Friendship is magic!" Sky joined in to pat Mikey on the back. He was still wearing his royal armor with sheathed and holstered weapons.

"It's quite a shame that magic is banned in my country then. Quite a strange story about it's origin really: my father, having lost his father and mother to an evil necromancer banned the use of magic just because of personal phobia. Quite strange am I right? No matter, alchemy serves as our, how you say, 'bread and butter.'"

"Hm, alchemy huh? I've heard some stuff about it but I've never seen it," Sky Buster commented.

"Shall I give a quick demonstration?" Mikey asked his equine friends.

"Sure! Show us what you got," Sky promptly replied back.

"I'm going to need a bar of metal or a gemstone. Spike, may you spare one from your possessions?" Mikey turned to Spike.

"Huh, sure, here you go," Spike handed him a smaller sapphire from his chest of gems.

Micheal took out a piece of chalk and started to draw an alchemist circle on the floor of the library. He drew some symbols of a sword within some of the triangular marks within the circle. He placed a philosophers stone at the head of the circle and placed the gem in the middle. Mikey concentrated and placed his paws to the sides of the circle. Then the enchanted symbol started to glow a bright red and orange. The gemstone morphed and twisted into what looked like a handle, then it rose up from the ground and formed into a swirling entity that burst out in a blue light, revealing a sharpened and stylized cobalt blue steel sword hovering in the air. He grabbed the blade and examined it. Backing off from his friends he used his waterbending to grab an apple from a nearby table and threw it into the air, slicing the fruit into four even slices before catching each piece on the blade.

"One for each of you!" Mikey gave one piece to each of his companions.

"Wow, a scholar and a swordsman. My kind of guy," Sky Buster was impressed.

"Years of practice my friend. Although my brother, Prince David, is much better than I in the arts of alchemy and science. He is our top researcher and engineer. Here Spike, this shall be your gift," he hands Spike the sword and smiled.

"Thanks Prince Micheal!" the dragon placed the sword in his room and came back to the front door.

"You're welcome. Well, I see we are well and finished with everything here. Shall we proceed to Sweet Apple Acres?"

"We're all set Prince," Twilight grabbed her saddle and checked to see if she had everything she needed.

"Let's take my Panther tank, I have room for all of you."

"It's not gonna be too bumpy is it?" Twilight asked.

"Nay, this fine machine was built by a luxury automotive plant. You couldn't ask for a finer vehicle, smooth as can be Princess," Mikey walked outside and stood next to his green painted Pz V Panther. The marking on the side of the turret was that of two swords crossed with a bright red circle in the background. The rest of his friends walked out with him.

"I call gun!" Sky Buster rushed past Mikey and plopped his butt into the open hatch where the gunner would sit, "Sweet! Kwk 45. This baby's gotta pierce through even the best magical enchantment those Vulkies have on their vehicles."

"Fond of weapons I see?" Mikey hopped in the driver seat.

"He's such an egghead about that stuff. He's got more books about weapons and wars than my novel collection," Dash sat next to Sky on the back of the turret.

"He's a great military asset, a trotting military encyclopedia if I do say so myself. He taught me a lot about how wars are fought outside of Equestria. Since we haven't had any wars since this nation was founded, we were caught off guard when the Griffins attacked. Sky knows more about war than almost anypony," Princess Twilight sat in the commander's hatch, fit for royalty.

"I've served here and there. I was there when the Vulkies first attacked the Republic Sky Realm. I had my helmet and electronic HUD, a winged, armed saddle with 20mm quad rainbow cannons, eight 70mm rockets, and two 250kg 'Hard Candy' bombs. The first battle for the city of Talon! Two hundred magical biplanes, scores of air battleships, and fleets of warships from the Evil Empire. My allies, the dragons, were outnumbered three to one. You know what I said?: 'Fair Odds!' I was there with my buddies Blaze Blitz, a fellow pegasus, and Sytex, a dragon flying a Tidas Aurora built IL-2. There was flak, shrapnel, and burning planes everywhere. The skies turned grey and debris filled the air, my wing mates and I held the skies for what seemed like forever. In the fires and fury of combat we were a three person air force, Blaze Blitz covering multirole, Sytex with ground and sea attack, and I myself cleared the skies. We had underestimated their biplanes at first, but they had enchanted each and every one of them with speed and agility magic, they were more than a match for the exported stock I-16s and Bf 109s in use by the Republic. Their ships, sea and air too, all magically augmented. And so as the battle drew into the night, Sytex was almost out of fuel and had to return to base. He was tailed by a Fokker Triplane and shot right out of the sky. I didn't see him eject and I figured he sank with his plane. Blaze flew down to try and help him but he was going too fast in his dive and also impacted the water. I went over to help, tears in my eyes. I didn't want to believe they were dead but, all I saw was Blaze's helmet float up to the surface. They were never heard from again," Sky Buster went on with his story.

"Wow... I never knew that happened to you Sky, you okay?" Twilight noticed him with some tears in his eyes. Dash came over and hugged him.

"...I'm fine you two... It's nice to get things off my back sometimes. Plus, a soldier like you Prince Mikey should know that feeling all too well," Sky wiped away a tear and looked over to Mikey.

"...Yes, I too have suffered from this war. My aunt and my first squad were executed when they refused to be enslaved. I had escaped my prison and vowed to avenge them all. The Empire has taken from me one of my best friends," Mikey shared as well.

"I'm with you on that brother... Brohoof?" Sky offered his hoof.

"Yes, quite... Say, how do you... Are we, shaking hands?"

"I forgot you're the formal type. You curl your paw into a fist and bump your knuckles with my hoof," Sky explained.

"Oh, you mean what my casual citizens call a 'fist bump?'"

"Yeah! It's called a brohoof here but you get the idea," Sky reached over and bumped his hoof with Mikey's fist.

"But a quick question my good sir, what are these so called 'electronics' you explained in your long tale?"

"Well, you see, Equestria mainly relies on magic in their so called, 'tech tree' but there are a few pieces of advanced equipment that run on electricity called electronics. They're few and far between, only used for civilian purposes mostly. I think we're about to approach an example now," Sky explained more about Equestria.

"What makes you say that sir?"

They were about to approach the house of Vinyl Scratch and Octavia. Mikey could hear the faint sound of a type of music unknown to him.

"Dear lord Arceus, what is that horrid screeching?" the music grew louder as they came into view of the house.

"That's just Vinyl Scratch! She's our radio DJ and her music is AWESOME! She's probably just doing the dishes!" Sky yelled as the music grew louder.

"Good morning Ponyville!" Vinyl broke another window and she looked outside.

"MORNING VINYL! WASSUP?!" Sky screamed at the top of his lungs and started to bob his head hard. Rainbow Dash and Spike started to bob as well while Mikey and Twilight tried their best to cover their ears.

"NOT MUCH SKY! LET'S HANG LATER K?" Vinyl waved back.

"DASH AND I WILL! CLEAN THOSE DISHES WITH WUBS!"

"HELLL YEAH!" Vinyl retreated back into her house and the tank drove away.

"Dear merciful Mew, what a strange manner of sound. Does one even call that music?" Mikey tried to get the ringing out of his ears.

"The best music in all of Equestria..." Sky cross his arms and nodded, barely shaken by the dubstep.

"So awesome," Rainbow Dash agreed.

"We're here!" Twilight could see Applejack's barn in the distance and before long they had arrived to her farm. Mikey parked near Zak and Applebloom who were leaning on a wooden fence watching Ghost and Applejack train for the next rodeo.

"Sup guys?" Zak glanced over to Mikey and the rest of his friends.

"I dare say not much. We just happened to pick up one of Rainbow Dash's closer friends," Mikey turned to Sky Buster.

"Cool, who's your friend Dash?"

"You can call me Sky, or Buster, or as Dashie likes to call me: dumbass," Sky held out his hoof.

"Nice to meet you. You old friends with Dash?"

"Yeah, you could say we're more than friends, hint hint," Sky scooted closer to Dash and gave her a hug.

Dash rolled her eyes, "Yeah, he's kind of my boyfriend. I told you about him a little bit a while ago."

"Oh yeah, you did didn't you. So Sky, tell me more about yourself," Zak turned to lean backwards on the fence.

"My whole life story or just the gist of it?" Sky replied casually.

"Probably cut to the chase."

"I'm an ace, soldier, and as Twilight put it: 'a trotting military encyclopedia.' I'm both an egghead and a badass and no pony but Dashie could ever beat me in the air."

Zak smiled, "Think you could beat me in a dogfight?"

"I'll wipe the floor with you, any day, any time. What crappy little plane do you fly?"

Zak motioned his head over to the green Me 262 parked near the razor wire fence, "That..."

Sky looked in awe and was throughly impressed, "Is that... A JET?!"

"First production model. Brand new right out of the factory."

"Okay, you could definitely give me a run for my money," Sky admitted.

"Damn straight," Zak turned back to see Applejack and Ghost compete with each other on the various rodeo setups. Challenges like hay bail tossing and vaulting over a mud pit with three vertical hurdles.

As Applejack vaulted over the pit she knocked one of the hurdles off, almost clearing her previous best height. Meanwhile, Ghost was sprinting forward at top speed when he touched off from the edge of the mud pit. He thrust himself into the air with enough momentum to clear the third hurdle on his lane set by Applejack, not even touching the carefully balanced pole. In his dolphin dive he hit the other end of the pit, landing with a roll on the dry dirt on the other end. He looked back to see Applejack face first into the mud.

"Aw shucks!" Applejack slapped the mud off her face.

"Need help there cowgirl?" Ghost offered his paw.

"Thanks Ghosty, darn pole threw off my jump," Applejack looked back at the hurdle she knocked off as Ghost pulled her up.

"Maybe next time AJ, how's 'bout I show off some my shootin' skills for free? Maybe it'll cheer ya up a bit," Ghost smiled and dusted off AJ.

"I reckon we have time for that, anything new sharp shot?" Applejack wiped off the rest of the mud off her and smiled.

"Darn tootin'! Zak, throw me my shotties," Ghost waved to Zak to go to the jeep. Zak opened a gun case with two lever action sawed off shotguns.

"Catch!" Zak threw him his unloaded shotguns and Ghost caught them with deft hands.

"Thanks bud! Dual Model 1887s. I call 'em Stuart an' Amish, old time shotguns of mine, had 'em since I was a pup," Ghost could load both guns at the same time with his superior dexterity, "Hey Applebloom! Ya wanna set up some them old bottles you have lyin' round?"

"Sure thing Ghost!" Applebloom eagerly and quickly set up a few whisky bottles lying around in a recycle bin some ways away from Ghost on some fences at the edge of the farm. She joined the others to spectate.

Ghost flip-cocked both of his shotguns and turned to his audience, "How's 'bout some skeets to start!"

Ghost shouldered one of his shotguns and grabbed a few clay pigeons from Zak.

"Count 'em! Seven clays, seven shells in the mag. I'm gonna hit every one these skeets with each slug. I am using slugs, so ya better hold onto ya hats!"

Ghost threw up the seven clay pigeons and dispatched each one with the rapid cycling and handling of his lever action, shooting as fast as a semi-automatic. He flipped out the last empty shell and checked the breach. Smiling to his audience and tipping his hat. Everyone clapped and cheered.

"Thank ya'll, thank ya'll. For my next trick I'ma gonna dual weld good old Stuart and Amish here and see if I can take out those bottles from edge to center, two at a time on opposite ends," Ghost loaded his empty shotgun and twirl-cocked both. He stood about fifty feet from the center bottles and aimed each of his shotguns independently towards the two bottles on the opposite ends. He fired and with unerring accuracy he hit both bottles and flip cocked each gun. He kept up his momentum and dispatched each bottle with lightning quick double bursts going from both edges to the middle. This was extremely difficult and required split second twitch aiming on each gun. Ghost definitely had some reflexes and superior familiarity with his firearms. As he got to the middle bottle, of which there was only one, he twirled his shotguns into the air, took out his revolvers, and quick on the draw, he broke the last one before catching both shotguns and holstering his pistols.

"Ta da!"

"Good show! Good show my friend!" Mikey applauded and gently cheered.

"Nice one dude! You really nailed it that time," Zak clapped as well.

"That there's a fine and dandy talent you got there Ghosty. I ain't seen anything quite like that before," Applejack commented, impressed at the performance.

"Aw shucks AJ, it's nothin' really, you just gotta practice and all," Ghost adjusted his hat. However, there was something that was bugging him, like the sound of distant thunder, "Say, ya'll here that?"

"Hear what?" Zak looked around, "I don't hear a thing."

"Hmm, I kinda hear that," AJ listened close, "Kinda does sound like them planes."

"That is quite odd, Tidas Aurora aircraft shouldn't be flying in or around Ponyville at this time. Could it be a thunderstorm approaching?"

"No way man, the weather patrol's not scheduled any storms for the next week," Sky Buster added, "That does sound like... Radial engines..."

Sky immediately knew what was about to happen.

"I gotta go! Dash, rally the other Mirage Squadron members and meet me in the Ponyville Airbase, hangar two. Those Vukies are here!"

"Applebloom! I want you and Granny Smith to take cover in the cellar, ya hear?" Applejack instructed her little sister.

"Applejack, I'm scared," the normally brave little filly shook.

"Go on now, keep Granny safe okay!" Applejack nudged her to gallop as fast as she could to the house. She turned her attention to her older brother, "Big Mac! Let's warn the mayor! I'm coming with you!"

"Eeyup!" Big Mac gave a quick response and galloped away to Ponyville with AJ.

"Zak, Ghost, ready thine aircraft! Let not a barbarian through!"

"Roger that Mikey!" Zak saluted and jumped into the jeep. Ghost vaulted in as well.

"Go forth! I will meet you two there!" Mikey couldn't leave his tank exposed in the middle of the field so he had to drive it past the chain link fence and took a section down. He drove his tank into the first aircraft hangar and hopped out of the Panther. He quickly dropped his armor and donned a flight suit to climb into his Ascender.

"My sister, Zak, Ghost, are you ready in your aircraft?"

"Yes my brother!" Tanya slipped into her Shinden Kyushu.

"Wilco!" Zak in his Me 262.

"This is Growla' ten four good buddy!" Ghost as well in his Flying Flapjack.

"This is Mirage Squadron! We're taking off now," a pink coated and blue maned mare wearing a pink vest announced over the radio. The pegasi preparing for takeoff had the same helmet mounted displays, armed with winged saddles Sky Buster had explained earlier, with 20mm quad cannons, bombs, and rockets.

"Sky Buster here! See you in the air Pheasants!" Sky saluted his friends as they taxied out of the hangar. The seven pegasi galloped in a rolling takeoff and took to the skies when the air raid sirens finally blared.

Mikey did a few pre-flight checks and taxied onto the runway with his squad, "Tower! This is Pheasant One, requesting takeoff clearance!"

"Pheasants are cleared! Take to the air and defend Ponyville!"

"Roger tower..." Mikey's fighter roared to life and his turboprop engines growled. All of the Pheasant aircraft rolled down the runway and lifted off into battle.

"Altitude restriction cancelled! Good luck!"

"Gladly," Mikey nodded and banked hard to the west, "Give me a sitrep on all allied assets!"

"Sky Buster here! 179th Squadron, Mirage, is flying on your six!" Sky pulled up in formation with Mikey, grinned zealously, and saluted.

"10th Earth Pony Brigade ready fer taskin'!" Applejack announced. She had been appointed by Princess Celestia as a commander in the previous and now current war.

"42nd Unicorn Division is ready to assist in airborne tracking! We count fifty hostile aircraft and three armored zeppelins on our magic sweep," Twilight as well, keeping track of the invading forces with magical radar.

"Tidas Aurora 49th Anti Air Brigade ready! Flakpanzers, quad-fifties, and gun trucks at the ready! Call the word chief!"

"Princess Twilight, I need reports on enemy ground units. Are there any?" Mikey called out to his ally.

"Negative, air attack only. It's strange how they managed to slip through this far."

"Roger that, they're starting their terror bombing campaign."

"You think they got some new stealth magic or something?" Zak suggested.

"I've heard of it, it was an experimental enchantment only found in Equestria. How'd the Vulkies get their paws on that?" Sky Buster commented.

"Hey Chopper, quit with your motor mouth will you?" Firefly, the pink, blue maned squadron leader told to Sky.

"I'm just sayin, maybe we got some traitors within Canterlot," Sky added.

"It matters not as of now! Comrades of Mirage Squadron, let's take down these aggressors before they harm anyone in Ponyville!" Tanya yelled in zealous glory.

"White Pheasant Squadron, engage!" Mikey ordered.

"Mirage Squadron, engage as well!" Firefly too.

Chapter Three

The skies above Ponyville had erupted in a blazing dogfight as the Empire of Vulcan Sol mounted their airborne attack. With flak filling the air and planes and pegasi trying to defend the town from invasion. Sky Buster was hot on the heels of a parasol winged Vulcan fighter, augmented with magic to fly as fast and as agile as that of a Zero or Corsair. Although hopelessly outdated, the craft was comparable in combat ability to stock frontline aircraft fielded by Tidas Aurora due to its magical arcane enchantments.

"C'mon asshole! C'mon!" Sky lined up his gunsights to the deceptively agile monoplane, "Guns guns guns!"

Lighting up his enemy with rainbow tracer cannons, Sky Buster downed his first kill of the day. He was blaring electronic music in his helmet and grinned. He turned to another biplane fighter that was chasing him down.

"Hmph! Amateur!" Sky Buster performed his signature aerial technique: the Cobra Stall, to fly backwards for a split second vectoring his wing power so that his opponent would dart past him. This was a difficult technique to accomplish in full combat gear, as the pegasi had to keep flying forward for the extra winglets to keep them aloft. With his enemy flying right past him Sky Buster barrel rolled into position and filled the enemy fighter with 20mm cannon fire, "Chopper splash two bandits!"

"Good job my comrade!" Mikey was attacking one of the heavily armored airships that were on an bombing vector towards Ponyville. The legendary Kirov airships were ridiculously armored and armed with an absurd amount of bombs that could be dropped in rapid succession. Mikey was concentrated on destroying all of its engines to slow the massive aircraft down, but the whole craft was further shielded by a magical force field. The fast firing quad fifty caliber guns of his fighter merely bouncing off the airship, "Pheasant One to all flights! Concentrate all firepower onto their Kirov airships!"

"This is Firefly! Callsign Flash, Mirage Squadron request acknowledged!"

"Fluttershy! How's that enchantment countermeasure pod doing?" Sky Buster flew up next to her and noticed she had difficulties trying to get the sensitive magic jamming pod to work.

"It's not working, I'm trying to fix it," Fluttershy muttered softly into her radio. She was the radio operator and ECM fighter pony charged with a more supportive rather than a combat role.

"I'll fix it! Dash, Chopper, cover us while I get this thing to work! Those Vulcans are gonna be gunning for us!" one of Sky's squadron mates, a white coated and pale blue maned mare named Thunder Bolt flew over to Fluttershy to get her ECM pod to full operation. She was well trained with the use of technology, being a Cloudsdale factory worker before the Dark Days hit.

"Callsigns Chopper and Rainbow copy that! Let's go!" Rainbow Dash and Sky Buster pulled off in unison and flew within the airspace of Fluttershy and Thunder Bolt.

"Pheasant One and Two on the hunt!" Mikey and Tanya tried to cover as well.

"Thirty seconds! Pod rebooting!" Thunder Bolt was frantically trying to hack and reconfigure the pod.

"Thirty years of sitting duck time!" Sky Buster glanced over to his left and right to see a flight of biplanes coming after the exposed fighter ponies, "Dash! Tally five bandits ten o' clock! Engage!"

Dash saluted and they both dove to intercept. With the sun to their backs they were in the ideal ambush position in a dogfight.

"Surprise from the clouds bitches!" Sky Buster and Rainbow Dash burst out from the clouds and unloaded with their rainbow tracer cannons, downing two of the five aircraft, "Haha! Chopper and Rainbow, confirmed splash two bandits!"

"Great job Sky! How's everypony doing?" Firefly, the Mirage Squadron flightlead requested for a sitrep.

"Chopper, half full on ammo. Still got my rockets!"

"Rainbow here. A-okay as well."

"Done! ECM pod repaired, Thunder reengaging Vulcan forces!"

"Um... Butterfly here, anti enchantment support is up, they're crippled."

The rest of her squadron gave reports that they were focusing on the airships. Meanwhile, Pheasant Squadron was busy keeping some dive bombers off their targets.

"Hey Mikey! Looks like their enchantments are down!" Zak noticed a few craft limp back to their slow and cumbersome physical performance, making them easy pickings.

"White Pheasant aircraft, focus all fire on their airships! Our flak guns will down the rest of their aircraft!" Mikey ordered his flight to attack.

"Yeehaw! Ten four good buddy! Prowla' engagin' Kirovs!" Ghost destroyed one of the engines of the bomber blimp, making it turn heavily to the left, way off target, disabled. Mikey came in and peppered the armored hull of the hydrogen craft, making a large hole that was burning slowly at the canvas and metal.

"Zak here! One of their Kirovs are going for the town plaza! I'm hitting it with an X-4 guided missile!"

Beneath his craft was a prototype air to air missile, the first of it's kind in the world of Realm, one of the many superweapons fielded by the Kingdom of Tidas Aurora.

"Pheasant Three... Vulpix One!" Zak launched the missile and guided it manually with a small joystick on the side of his cockpit. It wasn't perfect, but the large size of the blimp made the wire guided missile easily hit it's mark, disabling its main engine and igniting the volatile hydrogen. The blimp drifted slowly into the ground and fortunately overshot the town plaza, crashing into the park and detonating safely away from anypony, "Hell yeah! Confirmed first kill with guided air to air munition! David's gonna be happy about this!"

The bomber disabled by Ghost was trying to limp back to friendly airspace but Sky Buster wasn't going to let it escape so easily.

"You're not getting away..." Sky was out of ammo and jettisoned his saddle over the airbase for recovery. He held his breath as he flew into the gaping hole of the ship, avoiding to inhale the burning hydrogen. He landed with a loud thud to announce his presence and glared at an enemy crew member, "Sup!"

"Inferior being! Why do you stand against the tide that is the Empi-?"

Sky Buster disarmed him and stabbed him in the mouth as he monologued with his own sword, "Haha, yeah, shut up!"

A squad of soldiers armed with bayonets charged at the pegasus.

"C'mon! I'll take all you assholes out!" Sky bucked a rifle out of one of the soldier's paws that charged him and used his wings to transition into a backflip to dodge another stab directed at him, landing on top of an anthro dog's head and stomping down with momentum, breaking his neck. His wing was stabbed in the feathers and he used that to his advantage by twisting back, grabbing the rifle and disarming the enemy with a swift elbow strike to his face, coupled with an overhand strike when Sky twirled the rifle out of his paws, skillfully leveraging his enemy's energy to strike them back. He broke the bolt of the rifle and tossed it over the railing as one soldier was just about to get up. Sky, with his wing, pulled out his ivory handled .357 magnum made from an anthro's horn and shot his enemy before he could get up.

"Pfft! Please, spare your embarrassment! This is my killing gun. Nopony trots away from my killing gun," Sky noticed another enemy away party trying to intercept him, "Well you Vulkie bastards, I'd love to chat buut!"

Sky shot one of the grenades on the chest of the commander and took off the pin. The grenade dropped off the railing and into the bomb bay.

"Salamat po!" Sky jumped off in a backwards freefall and watched as the blimp tore itself into two pieces upon explosion. The brilliant fireball brought a smile to his face as he emerged unharmed from a cloud of black smoke. Rainbow Dash was right there to catch him in time, although he didn't need it.

"Hey egghead! You okay?"

"I'm fine Dash, just brought the pain," Sky put his hooves behind his head and relaxed, flipping his visor up to see Dash's face, "You?"

Dash responded by jokingly dropping him. Sky merely let himself fall and smiled.

"I love you too!" his voice faded in his fall. Sky rolled over and spread his wings to glide onto a cloud. He looked at the town he helped to save and he smiled that it merely received some light structural damage, as burning planes were intercepted on the outskirts of the city, before they could do any major damage, "Chopper, requesting sitrep on mission status."

"This is Firefly, Chopper you crazy son of a bitch, that was some fancy flying back there. Glad to see you come back to Equestria."

"Thanks, I couldn't just sit by while my beloved nation was besieged... Again. And after what those Vulkies did, it's personal this time, I'm not in it for the money now."

A few hours later the town could finally take a breather. It was evening now and the ponies were just returning home to settle down for the night. Sky Buster was flying about when he noticed a small gamboge colored filly looking over what appeared to be a pile of wood that had been knocked loose by the air attack. He flew over and landed softly next to the young filly.

"Hey Scoots. You okay?" Sky Buster gave further inspection to the pile of wood, now noticing that it was her broken scooter.

"No, those mean pilots blew up my scooter," the filly looked disappointed. Sky smiled and patted her on the back.

"Well, looks like I'll need to report this to HQ as an enemy kill on wheeled transport. Hey, cheer up little sis. Let's head home for tonight and have some dinner. You hungry?"

"Yeah..." Scootaloo smiled and hugged her adopted brother.

"Hop on! And don't mind the smell of gunpowder and burning zeppelin, work was exhausting today," Sky brought a smile to her face and a laugh as well, "Want me to go full throttle this time?"

"You bet! Give it your best shot big brother!"

Sky Buster flipped his visor down, shading his face with an amber tinted lense, "Hang on!"

Sky spread his wings wide and with a powerful thrust he lifted off, quickly accelerating to transonic speeds at low altitude. He followed the course of the river that ran through town leaving an upwards wake of water caused by the force of his wings as he flew low enough to touch the water. He climbed into the clouds and into the upper atmosphere.

"Supersonic here we go!" Sky patted his little sister.

"Sweet!" Scootaloo held on tight as Sky Buster swept his wings back and dropped into a deep dive at full thrust, breaking the sound barrier and forming a mach cone. His helmet indicated his airspeed.

"Mach 2!" Sky kept accelerating, "Mach 3!"

"We're gonna crash!" Scootaloo yelled.

"Not on my watch! Mach 4!" Sky hit his fastest speed, "Alright! Thrust vectoring! Hitting the boost!"

He began to decelerate at such a rapid pace that he and Scootaloo began to shake violently. They were dropping altitude fast and they were on a collision course with their cloud house.

"Don't sweat lil sis!" Sky Buster pitched up and vectored his wing power to perform his signature Cobra stall, quickly bleeding momentum and gracefully touching down onto the cloud.

"That was awesome! How'd you do that?" Scootaloo fluttered shortly in excitement.

"I'll explain it to you later during dinner, it's rather complex and requires that you know the principles of aerodynamic physics. Just some things I put into practice after flight school," Sky patted her on the head as he rang the doorbell. Dash answered it with a smile.

"Hey guys!"

"Hey Dash! Look, I found a chicken!" Sky joked playfully as Scootaloo jumped off his back.

"Very funny Sky," Dash lightly bucked him again.

"How's my adobo cooking? All that stuff gotta be really tender now!" Sky hung up his helmet and powered it off, his red mane jumbled up like hat hair. Dash's pet tortoise crawled up next to him, "Oh! Hey Antanov! How's my favorite flying tortoise?"

The reptile rubbed against him and pointed to a managed rotor near his pet bed. Sky gave Tank the nickname of Antanov, referring to an experimental airborne tank design.

"Ugh, I told you about the importance of anti-torque physics regarding rotors you know? Don't worry, I just finished up a coaxial system for you at base, hold on, I got it in my saddle bag somewhere," Sky looked for the new rotor pack for Tank to fly with. He found it in his right pocket and presented it to the shelled reptilian, "Here we go! Twilight and I built that for you with Prince David's help. He wanted me to test it out, he's getting crazy with all his helicopter designs."

The tortoise returned a confused look at him but turned to smile at his new flight system.

"Go on! Try it out Tanky!" Dash patted her turtle and switched the pack on. With one revolution the rotors deployed from their folded position.

"Preflight checks! Swash plates?" Sky checked the controls, "Check! Anti-torque assembly?"

The reptile spun both his propellers slowly.

"Check! Awesome Shades?" Dash added. Tank retracted into his shell and came back out with a pair of sunglasses.

"Cleared for takeoff Antanov!" Sky watched as the twin rotors of their pet tortoise whirled up and the normally slow and steady reptile lifted off into the air, "It works! Roll over for me boy!"

Tank did an indoor barrel roll with his new rotor pack, successfully demonstrating it's agility.

"Huh, he couldn't do that before," Scootaloo hopped onto the couch and looked at the flying turtle.

"Exactly, he's much more stable and the twin blades will give him more power and agility. At least that's what Prince David told me. So! Who's hungry?" Sky asked.

Dash, Scoots, and Tank raised their hooves (leg in the case of Tank) to the question and they all proceeded to the dinner table.

Later that night Sky Buster was fast asleep and huddled close to Dash, sleeping in the same bed. He started to stir slightly and twitch at the dream he was having.

"Hey Sky, what's up?" Shining Armor spoke to him within his dreams.

"Not much, just some studying that needs to be done. Basic security and formation tactics. Did you hear that Tidas Aurora has fielded a new class of weapon called an assault rifle? It fires a downsized version of the same round fired by the Kar98s we use in training," Sky explained as he relived his flashback during his years at the Royal Guard Academy.

"This letter arrived for you, it seems important and you should probably open it as soon as possible."

"Oh, I wonder what it could be..." Sky swiftly opened it with a multitool he kept handy. As he read the letter it became clear that it was of a serious and heartbreaking tone. He dropped the letter and collapsed to the ground in an anxiety attack. The letter drifted to the ground, this was what it read:

-Sky Buster,

We deeply regret to inform you that your family was killed in a recent attack by the Empire of Vulcan Sol. Your mother, father, brother, and grandparents were victims of a ruthless attack on the Equestrian commonwealth of the Fillypines. As your commanding officer and mentor, I deeply apologize and send my sincerest sympathy for your loss. You may stay and study at the academy for as long as we can allow, free from any financial burdens. We are deeply sorry for the news...

-General Swift

Sky was a nervous and distraught wreck. Writhing in both emotional and physical pain on the ground as he was sobbing freely, stomach churning sickly, and curled into the fetal position. His friend lifted him up with magic and carried him into their dorm, Shining Armor picked up the letter and read what was on it.

"...Sky..." he had no words to say.

"M-My whole f-family! D-Dead!" he continued to writhe and sob uncontrollably, he was hyperventilating and was about to throw up. Shining Armor there to comfort him and catch his vomit just in time with a well needed trash bin.

Sky Buster was turning in his sleep and crying as well, muttering uncomfortably. In his state he woke up Dash, who glanced at him and immediately tried to wake him as well.

"Sky! Sky! Wake up! Sky!" She shook him awake with a look of concern at the hyperventilating and sobbing pegasus, "Wake up!"

Sky gasped and was thrusted back to reality, embracing Dash in a tight hug, trying to control his emotions.

"T-They're all dead Dash! Celestia dammit, I wish I could've done something!"

"Hey! Hey! Breath man!" Dash stuffed a paper bag into his face and held him up, "You're okay... I'm here..."

Sky whipped his head back and forth and wiped the tears from his face. He got up from the bed and trotted to the window with Dash supporting him.

"Hey... You're gonna be okay. I'll never leave you hangin' bud. Sing with me," she comforted her boyfriend with an embrace and some kind words, "I can save my lonely soul for you..."

"...B-But the feeling in my heart can't follow through..." Sky began to sing through his sobbing.

"You can give your broken heart to me..." Dash backed up so he could see the smiled on her face. She hugged him tighter.

"...Caz you know that I'll stay with you..." Sky smiled back and held her tighter, finally calm and in the hooves of one of his family.

"That's why they call me Loyalty..."

Chapter Four

Chapter 4

Legends

A month has passed since the beginning of the war. Vulcan Sol has now advanced into the northern reaches of Tidas Aurora, having abandoned their first airborne push into the borders of Equestria. Glacial skies were all around the mountainous border of Tidas Aurora and the Empire of Vulcan Sol. Valais Air Force Base was where the ace pilots of Mirage Squadron were stationed. Fluttershy and Thunder Bolt were enjoying the wintry goodness as they built a snowpony just outside the barracks where Firefly, Rainbow, and Sky Buster were staring outside to glance at them while doing miscellaneous tasks to pass the time. Dash was reading the newest Daring Do novel and Sky was busy editing the novel Rainbow had written herself. He glanced over to his girlfriend and smiled.

"You know Rainbow, this place has a lot of nostalgia for me," Sky stated.

"Uh huh..." she kept reading her book. Sky waited for her to finish the chapter before talking again, "Sorry about that, what were you saying?"

"I said that this place brings a lot of memories back to me," Sky paused, "This was where I flew my first sortie... I have a story to tell. Good thing you fell in love with a writer huh?"

"I love fun stories! Lay it on me tough guy," she turned her attention to her red maned lover.

Flashing back, it was a cold and snowy day. Sky Buster had just been employed by the Tidas Aurora security contractor; Universal Protection Foundation, after service as a Royal Canterlot Guard. Assigned to the 6th Air Division, 66th Air Force Unit, his first flight as a mercenary pilot was with his new squadron leader. Sky's flight lead was a grey pegasus, with one wing blue in color. A black tail trailed behind him and his cutie mark was that of a burning flame. Clad in an equally grey, with red trim, battle saddle and red fighter helmet.

"Galm 1, Galm 2, maintain present course," their radar operator back at base was monitoring their mission.

"This is Galm 2 roger that," Sky radioed out to the operator.

"Bearing 315 Vulcan Bombers approaching," the operator gave a quick sitrep.

"Nopony wants to bail out into a mountain of ice. We're counting on you flight leader," Sky turned to his superior.

"All units, prepare to intercept!" their support operative gave the order.

"You'd better have our pay ready and waiting," Sky smirked and glanced over to his flight lead.

"That's only if we make it through this alive," Cipher finally spoke emotionless and professional.

"Be ready to pony up, we'll be back before you know it," Sky radioed out again. Cipher could admire the young stallions cocky attitude and smiled at his confidence. He saw the potential in the young Sky Buster and was ready to show him the ropes of what it meant to be a fighter pony.

"Galm 2, follow orders from Galm 1. Free engagement is prohibited during this engagement."

"Roger. Cipher I'll follow your lead, you're Galm 1 now," Sky paused as they accelerated and picked up speed to intercept the bombers heading towards the very same Valais Air Base, "Cipher, I've heard stories about you. You're an honorable pony Cipher. It's an honor to fly with you."

The rush of the cold wind on their faces crusted their visors with ice. In the distance they could see their targets highlighted in their HUDs. A squadron of Handley Page Type 0 bombers escorted by a flight of Sopwith Camels. All were enchanted to fly faster, carry more payload, and were on par with even the best Tidas Aurora P-40 or B17. But since the beginning of aerial warfare on Realm pegasi were hands down the best fighters in the world. Fully armed and equipped they could reach speeds of high subsonic, far faster than almost everything present at this time. Natural born fliers since their birth, pegasi had ruled the skies for centuries. This wasn't about to change during the First Vulcan Conflict.

“Bandits spotted, 12 o' clock hugging the mountains! Galm 1 engaging,” Cipher tucked his wings and pitched down hard. His silent dive was undetected by the first two bombers with Sky Buster following his lead, “Galm 2! Cover my six from enemy fighters!”

“Roger buddy! I'm staying in the clouds!” Sky was skimming the cloud cover above their prey. From Cipher's four o' clock a flight of experimental Vulcan E.I monoplanes were coming in fast, “Cipher! Three bandits, your four o' clock! I'll get em!”

Sky flipped over and nosed down, thrusting with his wings he gripped the trigger on his hoof and clenched it down, firing an Equestrian made 20mm Friend Mk II rainbow quad cannons. His first kill had the enemy's right wing clipped and was bleeding out a magical haze that enchanted the monoplane fighter. As Sky Buster flew past his first kill his coat was filled with goosebumps and euphoric feelings started to flood his senses. It was at that moment he knew he was in the right place, the bright, blue, and open sky was his home, and he wanted to protect it the way he could have done for his family. This was for his family.

He extended his wings and flapped hard, vectoring his thrust while maintaining his dexterous and fine tuned wing movements. For most pegasi, the resulting recovery from a mach one nosedive at 500 meters was impossible, but Sky Buster's flying style was unlike anything anyone has ever seen before. His G tolerance and agility could only be bested by some of the more legendary pegasi, like the fabled Mobius One.

“Bandit confirmed down! My first kill! Reengaging!” Sky banked a hard right turn to intercept another E.I monoplane coming right at Cipher. Sky was quick to react, shooting it down with a well timed volley of tracer fire, “Bagged another! How are those bombers?”

“Easy pickings, I've driven off their fighter escort. We should move on to the next squadron!” Cipher gave the signal to form up.

“Yes sir, do you mind if I finish off the escorts you left alive? These are Vulcan fighters after all. We leave them alive they'll just hunt us down the next mission.”

“You heard our operator, free engagement is prohibited. Don't waste your ammo on the flies,” Cipher bounced back the answer.

“Well they're parasitic bot flies if you ask me. Kill all of them after what they did. My whole family, grandparents, uncles, aunts, parents... Brother... All taken from me after their invasion of the commonwealth. Permission to engage limping enemy aircraft sir?”

“Permission denied, however, once we shoot down all these bombers you are free to engage,” Cipher compromised.

“I like that compromise, focus on the mission then swat these assholes. You take the lead buddy!”

“Galm 1, reengaging!” they both flew off to tackle their next targets.

“It was... Amazing... The rush of the cold air, the sounds of war all around me, and my first kill... It made me feel powerful, avenging. I scored three kills that day. Afterwards Cipher and I went on to help win the war for Tidas Aurora and the Republic Sky Realm. We fought many battles and became such good friends. Afterward, one of the dragon mercenaries that was Galm 3 betrayed our squadron and almost had me killed. He managed to clip my wing, but luckily it was just a flesh wound and I parachuted to safety. It was the first and only time I've ever been shot down. I'll never forget what Cipher did, shooting him down to avenge me,” Sky rambled on as the flashback ended, “When the war faded away, he too disappeared. I've never heard or seen him again. I'm still here, still in a war. A war to decide the fate of the free world. What do you think Dashie?”

“I think that should go in a novel. Maybe an autobiography. Can you make your autobiography a novel?”
*
“SUPRISE!” Pinkie Pie slammed the door wide open and added to Dash's comment, “Of course that's going into a story Rainbow! Just look over here and smile! Say hi to all the watchers and readers out there!”

“Um... Hi?” she was reluctant to say hello.

Through another portal comes the ponysonas of both Tanya the Vaporeon from Starfox: Hybrid Ascension and Aurora from Pokemon: Signs of Decay to remove the ever intrusive, yet slightly hilarious antics of Pinkemina Diane Pie. Tanya's OC was a unicorn named Sea Breeze, purple maned with streaks of dark blue with hair folded behind her ears like that of one of Photo Finish's assistants. Her coat was blue in color and she had a long and flowing tail. Aurora was a white pegasus with a short black mane wearing flight goggles and with the same cutie mark as that of Sky Buster. She went by the same name in this universe. The two mares stuffed Pinkie into a large garbage bag and hauled her off beyond the forth wall, beating sounds could be heard off screen. David from Hybrid Ascension had his OC, Thunder, get thrown into the mix as well. He was a yellow pegasus with short wings and a white spiky hairdo and tail. He was wearing shades and a tuxedo and pulled out a device that looked like a pen.

“Ladies I want you to look at the birdie, now,” with a flash the three pegasi who saw Pinkie stood in a trance, the light erasing their short term memory. The Forth Wall Enforcers were gone and there stood Firefly, Sky Buster, and Rainbow Dash without a hint to what just happened. Sky shook his head and looked about.

“Huh, must have derped. You do the same Dash? It felt like time just jumped.”

“Yeah, weird...” She looked about the room as well, nothing was misplaced and the door was closed, “Oh well!”

Miles away in the Manehatten Harbor the White Pheasants were on the flight deck of the TSS Midway overlooking the cityscape of the majestic and grand metropolitan capital of Equestria they were stationed to protect. With the exception of Zak, all of their aircraft were capable of being carrier based. Zak had to exchange his Me 262 for a carrier based version of the He 162 Volksjager with swept forward wings, another prototype of Tidas Aurora fresh from the production line. They sat in their quarters and passed the time listening to the radio.

“Thy brother, what shall we do today?” Tanya yawned.

“I have not a clue dear sister. Ugh! There it is again!” Mikey turned off the radio as another electronic song came on, Nostalgia by DJ Pon-3, “How can anyone listen to such awful noise! These so called 'wubs' have ruined a perfectly good song.”

“I agree, why do the ponies like this type of music thy brother?”

“Once again, I have not the slightest clue. Mechanical screeching has no place in music. Music has to be flowing, organic, not synthetic and wasted.”

“Maybe it's because of the circumstances of how we are raised dear brother. Maybe in thy other universe somewhere far from this reality we enjoy this type of music and dance to it often. What type of universe would that be brother? I wish to write about it in my next novel. I shall put most forethought into this venture and predict weapons far great in the future. Do you think jets that can hover could work? Wingless and rotorless aircraft?”

“Nay, tis impossible sister.”

“I bloody doubt that chap,” David the Jolteon walks in with his British accent. This was the David native to this universe and he wore steampunk attire with a monocle over his right eye and a suit as well as a spikey white hairstyle, “I predict in the future we'll have the necessary tech for that. But for now let's focus on things that are within our reach brother.”

“How are thine helicopters coming along brother?” Mikey asked.

“Remarkably fair. My Flettner team has made one with dual intermeshing rotors for use as an airborne attack platform. The first few prototypes are in the hangar awaiting combat deployment. Come this way my siblings, I shall show you.”

They followed David into the hangar and were presented with the odd helicopters with intermeshing twin rotors. These were Fl 282s with twin seats for a pilot and gunner. The pilot was armed with rail launched rockets and the gunner had control of an MG-42 as well as experimental X-7 anti tank missiles derived from the X-4 Zak had used in the early stages of the war. David, much like his Hybrid Ascension counterpart, was in charge of building the most intricate and advanced weapons seen on Realm.

“So, whatcha think for a rotorcraft?” David asked.

“Merry... Very merry. Shall they be combat tested soon?” Tanya examined the aircraft.

The alarm sounded in the Midway and they had their answer. The speakers roared to life.

“All hands! Man your battle stations! This is not a drill! Vulcan bombers are approaching Manehatten harbor! Ships have been spotted as well! Prepare for combat!”

“Well there's your answer,” David smiled and shrugged, “To your planes my siblings. I shall oversee the combat tests of the Fl 282s.”

Mikey and Tanya ran to their planes in the far end of the hangar. Ghost and Zak were already there fixing their planes from earlier.

“Howdy partners!” Ghost waved from the cockpit of his Flying Flapjack. He was carrying a gun pod with a modified 35mm antitank cannon for use as a short range air to air shotgun.

“Greetings good friend, let's say we give them a show!” Mikey smiled back as he got into his XP-55 Ascender, armed with two quad fifty caliber pods under each wing, giving him 12 machine guns in total.

“Roger that Mikey. Pheasant 3 ready. Just say the word dude,” Zak gave a thumbs up and patted the side of his plane. He had with him two wing mounted 38mm flak cannons.

“Let us fight in this glorious battle. Thine enemy's blood shall be my paint in the air of war...” Tanya's Shinden roared to life as it was ascended to the flight deck for take off along with the rest of her squadron. Her plane had a high velocity 37mm antitank cannon modified to be used as a long range air to air gun, “This is Pheasant 2! Taking to the skies!”

She lifted off into the sky in unison with her brother, their pusher prop planes in perfect formation advancing towards the enemy fleet. Ghost and Zak were close behind, ready to support.

“Pheasant 1 to all fighters. Enemy fleet approaching Manehatten Harbor. Fighters are to attack bombers and their escorts. Attack aircraft are to engage the surface elements,” Mikey radioed out.

“This is night fighter Oka Nieba! New enemy planes on radar!” the radar plane, a P-61 Black Widow, was providing airborne radar support to the whole squadron of Tidas Aurora planes, “It's a Vulcan formation! Cougar Squadron!”

From the west comes a squadron of aircraft unlike anything Vulcan Sol has used before. These were Vulcan built Suiga fighters, a mismatched cross of a Super Corsair and a Zero.

“Hold on, those aren't the usual Vulcan fighters!” Zak could see these were all metal planes. It was unknown if they were enchanted.

“You're right Zakary, hark! Oka Nieba, does thou confirm magical enchantment on enemy aircraft?”

“Negative, it seems that they were made with Tidas Aurora parts.”

“Copy that Oka! Pheasant 3 is engaging!” Zak folded his wings up and put the throttle to full, making his fighter go dangerously fast and unstable, yet, he was in full control. He pushed his plane to the limit as he approached the enemy formation. He flipped his wings down and extended his combat flaps. He broke the enemy formation with a burst of twin 20mm cannon fire, turning back into the fray. One of the enemy Vulcan pilots whipped around 180 in a controlled stall to fire at Zak, barely missing him as Zak rolled the instant he fired.

“Zakary! We will come to support!” Mikey punched the fuel injector to give his engine the power it needed to accelerate to Zak. All four of the Cougar fighters were distracted by Zak's gung-ho charge.

“Transmitting enemy radio signals now!” Oka Nieba relayed a message.

“So, these are the feared White Pheasants? They're pushovers,” one of the enemy cats scoffed at the White Pheasants, “Your orders are to shoot down the night fighters and jammer aircraft. All unenchanted craft are to engage. All others stay a kilometer away from their jammers. Don't let your planes turn to slugs. Cougar Squad, engage!”

“Copy that Lynx!” the jaguar anthro tipped his wings to his commander and broke away to target the radar and jammer planes.

“Zakary! Engage and destroy those interceptors! Make Haste!” Mikey turned into the fray as scores of enchanted enemy biplanes and canvas aircraft swarmed into the battlefield. Among them he noticed all new all metal aircraft made from alchemy. Since these were made with alchemy, they were incompatible with any magical enchantments. They were fused together cleanly with parts gathered from shot down Tidas Aurora made aircraft.

“I'm on it! Engaging!” He punched his combat flaps down and turned sharply into the Cougar Squadron, trying to get onto their six o clock position. Zak held off from his triggers and approached from below, trying to hide under the line of sight of the new fighters. He was nearly three hundred meters out and lined up for a shot. He squeezed the trigger and a flurry of cannon rounds erupted from his two 20mm cannons.

The enemy Cougar Squadron ace pitched up sharply and cut his throttle, bleeding airspeed and whipping around to catch Zak's vulnerable six o clock position. Mid-flip, Zak saw the Lynx pilot and the markings on the side of his cockpit. He had shot down over twenty planes with this one aircraft alone and more markings on the side caught his eye: three feathered wings with stylized pony heads. This pilot was a Triple Pegasi Killer, noteworthy in skill. In the world of Realm to shoot down a pegasus in combat would make you an instant ace, as even the average pegasus fighter pony could outmatch any propeller driven aircraft of this time. The two fighters broke off to reengage.

“Whoa! Mikey did you see that guy!” Zak radioed out hurriedly.

“Nay, what is thy status?”

“These guys are confirmed Pegasi Killers! Probably one of the best in their nation! Could use some help.”

“Roger my friend! Pheasants two and four! Assist our squad mate.”

“Ay my brother! Engaging!” Tanya pitched up into the sky to hide in the clouds, eying targets like a falcon ready to dive.

“Ten four good buddy! Pheasant four layin' the smackdown!” Ghost came to the aid of the P-61 radar aircraft that was getting shot to pieces by the Cougar aces. The black plane was trailing smoke with one engine on fire, barely keeping aloft, bullet holes and torn metal everywhere.

“Keep that jammer alive! Pegasi from the Manehatten guard are scrambling. Tis only a matter of time,” Mikey directed all other planes to keep a close watch on the damaged craft, making sure the enchantment jamming effect kept up.

“This is Oka Nieba! Our radar is shot out and we are slowly losing altitude! Please, guard us while you can!”

“Ten four! Growla's got cha back Oka!” Ghost came in from a high yo yo and got onto the tail of one of the Cougar fighters. His stream of tracers barely missing the enemy craft, with only a few hitting their mark. The scratched Vulcan fighter broke upwards to counter the diving attack Ghost had performed, “Shucks! Mikey, thatch weave with me!”

“Ay, I will counter maneuver with you, does thou have a visual?” Mikey couldn't see where the Suiga had got to and was in a defensive weaving formation with Ghost, keeping their eyes on a swivel.

“Pounce em!” an intercepted enemy message alerted the Tidas Auroran craft to the actions of their enemies. Mikey and Ghost countered the sideways pincer with both performing a rolling scissors with their two enemies.

“Shit! They came from the sides Mikey!”

“Ay! I bite my thumb at them!” the dual helix of Vulcan and Tidas Auroran aircraft corkscrewed violently, each pilot could see the faces of their enemy as the helix came closer and closer.

“Ey' Mikey! Check this out!” Ghost throttled down with his flying flapjack and the craft forced his opponent to overshoot and stall, the circular fighter still kept aloft by it's wing design. Ghost's four fifty caliber guns rending the enemy fighter into submission. The craft has crash landed into the ocean and its pilot survived, “Growla, splash one bandit!”

“Thine fighter can't hold! I'm stalling,” Mikey's fighter was struggling to stay up. The XP-55 had extremely poor stall performance and he needed to gain airspeed.

“Brother! Disengage from your target, I will handle the feline...”

“Tanya! Tanya, where art thou sister?” Mikey looked around, the world still spinning from his rolling scissors.

“Look to the clouds and the heavens above, for our angels will descend...” Tanya dove into the fray with her J7W Shinden. Erupting from the clouds above, she put a good long burst into the wings of the enemy craft, perforating the starboard wing and shearing it right off, “Vio, splash one...”

“Help! Help! I've lost control!” Mikey's fighter had stalled and was in an inverted corkscrew spiraling to the ocean, “I have to bail out! Punching out the propeller blades!”

Mikey pulled the ejection lever to jettison the blades of his pusher prop. He slid his canopy open and cut himself free of the harnesses, still being pushed and shaken in his seat by the falling three ton aircraft.

“Holy shit! He's going down fast! Tanya, do you see a chute?” Zak circled once around his friend's aircraft and tried to go back into the fight.

“Negative! Brother!” Tanya cried out.

“...Please, let thy grace and blessing reach down Arceus. I pray for a miracle to save my life...” Mikey was pinned into his seat by the rush of air and the inertia of his downed fighter.

One of the Vulcan aircraft lined up for a shot on the XP-55, Mikey getting the full impact of fifty caliber shells spiraling up and down the fuselage and wings. The Cougar pilot left over wanted to show no mercy to the Tidas Aurora craft, even when it was spiraling to its death. The wing of the Ascender broke off... The plane rolled uncontrollably and Mikey was thrown out.

“Mikey!” Zak raced to the attacking Cougar squadron ace, it was the Pegasus Killer he saw before. The enemy ace broke off in a climb and once again used the cloud cover to mask his escape. Zak tried to follow, but overshot the propeller plane with his jet going too fast to turn inside the Suiga fighter. He saw the limp body of Mikey flash by his cockpit.

Mikey had been passed out as the G forces of his spiraling craft forced blood to his limbs away from his brain. He regained consciousness and saw himself plummeting to the ground. He righted himself from his uncontrolled free fall and pulled his ripcord: the parachute giving a hard and welcomed jerk upwards as it deployed. He looked around, prying the oxygen mask off his face and he saw the air battle still at large. Sighing in great relief, he thanked his god.

“Thine lord Arceus, hollowed be your name... I thank you...”

“Chute! I see his chute!” Zak pulled right back up and looked behind him to see the domed canvas carrying his friend to safety, “He's alive! Scramble some SAR assets Oka!”

“Oka Nieba, roger that! We've still losing altitude slowly, but we should be able to land. See you back on the ground Pheasants!”

“Thank Arceus and all his blessing bestowed... Brother, art thou okay?”

“Yes my fair sister, all is fine,” Mikey smiled at his sister's Shinden as it flew on by, “Continue with the battle my friends! I shall, how you say, 'hang around.'”

Back in the snowy north of Valais Air Base, Sky Buster and Rainbow Dash were out near the runway surveying the new arrivals coming in. It was a mixed squadron of Tidas Aurora pilots coupled with some Equestrian agents. A flight of Corsairs, Skyraiders, J4M Lukes, and D4Y Judies came in to land in groups of four. They taxied over to their hangars and their pilots hopped out. Some were Pokemorph, others Unicorn or Earth Ponies. Mirage Squadron took notice to the young pilots. They looked to be fresh out of training. Firefly commented.

“Newbies huh? Those nuggets might be able to help if we get them on the right track. Guess they're the ones were suppose to train?”

“Yeah, I was like that once. But better, since I already knew the ropes of flying,” Sky replied.

“Say, didn't you train some of these nuggets before Sky?” Firefly looked over to the red maned stallion.

“Mhmm. They're a pain in the cutie mark sometimes, but most are eager to learn and I like that about them. Those planes are new, last time I flew for TA they only had Hellcats and Zeros. Now they give the new guys these brand new aircraft? Guess they might not be too bad after all. I also noticed their flight style, confident and controlled for the most part, although a few of them had a touchy landing. Once we get these guys some training runs we'll test their extremes. Hold on, the transports are landing now,” Sky looked to the end of the runway and an Fw 200 Condor transport plane landed. The large four engined craft pulled up into the empty hangar next to their barracks and powered down.

The rest of Mirage Squadron followed the craft as the back door swung open, a Swanna Pokemorph holding it open as two ponies trotted out of the plane. The first pony was a pegasus mare, with pale blue coat and a flowing, long, and puffy brown mane stripped with one long strip of yellow. Her tail followed the same pattern as her mane. She wore a jet black long sleeved shirt and a pair of khaki cargo pants held up by a utility belt that held all sorts of magical spy gadgets. Her partner followed: a white earth pony stallion with ridiculously attractive eyebrows steps forth, mane and tail a light-medium shade of blue. He was also wearing the same outfit as the pegasus mare.

“Holy Sweet Celestia! Kim is that you?” Sky smiled and greeted the mare, “Welcome to Valais Air Base! In the sweet province of Ustio, Tidas Aurora!”

“Ugh, it's fucking freezing here. You guys got any pancakes and hot cocoa? Antony ate all the spicy taco sauce in his pockets during the flight.”

“Yeah, I think we have some hot cocoa. I'd like you to meet my assigned unit; the 179th Tactical Pegasus Squadron. Everypony, this is Kim. She and I worked together during the first Vulcan Conflict. She's a spy and special forces agent of Tidas Aurora. Kim, this is Firefly, Thunderbolt, Medley, Cloud Kicker, Fluttershy, and the one and only-”

“Rainbow Dash! At your service ma'am!”

“The-Rainbow Dash?” Kim stuttered, “Oh-h my y-yes. All the yes!”

“Um, Kim,” Antony poked her, but she was as frozen as the outside of the now closed hangar.

“Yeah, she can get all fan-girly like that,” Sky shook her slightly and Kim bolted over the Rainbow.

“I've heard so many stories about you! Like how you did that sonic rainboom to save your friend's life! Or how about passing the Wonderbolts Academy and becoming an ace flier! I once heard you took on four griffins by yourself and won, is that true?” her wings fluttered.

“Whoa whoa, easy there Kim,” Antony stepped in, “I'm sure we can all get caught up when we get settled, but need I remind you that a war is going on?”

“Besides, that fight between those four griffins I saved Rainbow from that,” Firefly spoke out.

“And Fluttershy! You tamed Discord! Oh sweet Celestia, I want to meet him personally. How is he after the whole incident?”

“Umm... He mostly lounges around Canterlot Castle and comes for visits sometimes. I can tell you his pranks are way more harmless now that Pinkie Pie is involved. Yay!” Fluttershy smiled, a small squee heard in the background.

“Let's get to somewhere a bit warmer. We've got an empty room in the barracks you two can bunk in. Only one bed though, sorry,” Sky pointed over to the long rectangular building to the right of the hangar.

“You're joking right?...” Kim shot a glance at Sky.

“Yeah! I'm just fuckin' round with you. There's a bunk bed,” Sky chuckled a bit.

“Same old Sky Buster, still an asshole,” Kim rolled her eyes and walked with the rest of the group into the now blizzard heavy terrain. Snowfall was heavy and the group was freezing. The chill of the air was short lived as they all piled into the barracks for the night.

“So what brings you to this frozen wasteland KP?” Sky walked her down the hallway to the room at the end of the building.

“Equestria MI6 sent us over here to investigate a possible superweapon being built in the north at Mount Schirm. The only reason why I'm telling you this is because command hand picked your squadron to help with the recon mission.”

“But, there are nine of us. Not much of a convert recon mission with all of us in the air like that.”

“I wasn't done Sky, they hand picked you and Rainbow Dash for this assignment. You got our plane ready?”

“Yeah, it's here. I was wondering why there was a de Havilland Mosquito in the reserve hangar when all this airbase had were pegasi. Photo-recon variant and low radar cross section. Great aircraft for a stealth mission.”

“Exactly, Antony and I are going up at the ass crack of dawn. You better read up on this briefing,” Kim handed a folder to Sky Buster. He took it in his mouth and tucked it on his back.

“Will do! Nice to work with you again KP.”

“Yeah, same. Well, good night. Sortie first thing in the morning,” Kim closed the door to her room and Sky Buster walked off to his quarters, eying the contents of the briefing.

“Fighter escort huh? That I can do.”

Chapter Five

Chapter 5

Solitaire

Flying in from the south of the enemy airbase where the Vulcan secret weapon was supposed to be stored, the flight of the two pegasi and the Mosquito recon aircraft penetrated the airspace at low altitude. Kim was flying the plane with controls strapped to her wings while Antony sat in the back as the navigator and photographer. Flying in escort was Sky Buster and Rainbow Dash, fully armed with guns and rockets purely for an air to air role. Sky Buster radioed out before they entered the enemy airspace.

“Hey KP! We're coming near the picket magic radar. The closer to the ground you can fly the better, you'll be going in there alone from here. Maintain radio silence until you reach the airfield. Remember: you're unarmed, so keep a low profile.”

“Roger, that's what I do best Sky,” Kim nodded as she looked back and forth at the terrain. The trees all had a shade of unnaturally dark brown with grey tints. The mountainous region was seeped in stale browns and greys from the trees and rocks. An aura of evil surrounded the land, be it from AA defenses or supernatural causes. A chill ran down Kim's spine, and Antony felt it too.

“Radio silence starts now, begin your mission. We'll be here ready to escort you back,” Rainbow flew next to the cockpit and gave a salute before breaking off. The Mosquito performed a shallow dive and descended close to the river that ran all the way to the base of Mt. Schirm. Rainbow turns to Sky, “Say, you really thing she's cool to do this?”

“Of course, KP and I flew in the last war. I was the one who trained her to fly a plane with her wings. Sometimes a pegasus can't do it all you know.”

Dash glanced over confused, “Like wha-?”

“We fly in there and their radar is gonna light up, even if we ditch these battle saddles our radar sigs are way too high for this mission. Plus, that plane's got a camera mounted inside of it to take pictures at high speeds. Too bulky to put in a saddle. Plus all that extra stuff to protect against bullets helps too.”

“You got a point there I guess.”

“Look at her down there, she's weaving in and out of the radar cones like a pro. I taught her all that,” Sky Buster smiled.

In the cockpit of her plane, KP was doing her best to keep out of the radar of the heavily defended base. Her Mosquito was travelling close to 300 miles per hour at only fifty meters above the ground, knife-edging between trees and twisting with the course of river. Meanwhile, in the back seat, Antony was getting thrown about as the plane made its way along the river.

“Kim, can I ask that you please fly this plane a little more gently please?”

“Welp, too bad. This radar net is too thick for a leisure flight. Here, put this on,” KP tossed him a rope.

“A rope? What am I-” he was tossed about.

“Figure it out genius,” Kim winked at him with her tongue out playfully, the plane doing a knife-edge in between two trees. She slid the plane into the airspace of the secret base and her radio crackled to life.

“You made it in Pancake? Good. There should be some cargo blimps. I want you to line up a shot with all of them in the picture. How many do you see?”

“I see three of them. Lining up for the shot. You're up AC,” Kim signaled to her back seater.

Several hours earlier, Vladmir Sidorov landed at the very same airfield KP was about to photograph. The arctic fox anthro taxied his speed and firepower enchanted I-153 biplane onto the tarmac and smiled glancing at the numerous kill markings of his aircraft, two marking a pony head with wings that labeled him as a Pegasus Hunter, an instant ace pilot.

“Good evening Vladmir! How goes the hunt my friend?” Auburn Gradius, a black cat and a dear friend of Vladmir waved to him. She was strikingly cute with big eyes and an always smiling face, but she was Vulcan Sol through and through. Like almost all anthros, she and Vladmir believed that all the other races of the world were inferior to their own united species. This was what made the nation so powerful: the Magic of Unity. Similar to how the Magic of Friendship graces the land of Equestria, Unity is an extremely misunderstood and difficult form of magic to piece together. It grows stronger as one race believes in one unifying ideal. It allows Vulcan Sol mages to come up with enchantments far greater in scope and efficiency than even that of Equestria and also makes them immune to the ill effects of dark magic. Although weaker than the Magic of Friendship, because its strength is determined by one people believing in one ideal it has grown to rival the power of the ultimate magic. However, it still requires multiple mages to even stand a chance against one unicorn as the magic is dependent on users working together to amplify their spells exponentially.

“Very fine! I shot down three Tidas Auroran planes last sortie. Pass me some of that white and red paint will you Sevre? Thank you friend,” Vladmir asked his fellow squadron mate. Sevre Kaznakov (Pronounced: Severe) was a viper and ground attack pilot. He was more resentful than the two mammalians. He deeply hated everyone who wasn't an Anthro. But he did enjoy the finer things in life, even if they were foreign. He loved Tidas Auroran food and artwork and he was hoping the near certain occupation of the Auroran homeland would give him all the time to soak it in while his new Pokemorph HM slaves ferry him from place to place.

“Yess...” he was a one with few words. He let his actions speak for themselves. Sevre looked over to their planes, Auburn flew a Pegas modified to be a night fighter. The bombs were replaced with a magic radar system and the cannons removed to mount four UltraShKASs machine guns. Hers did not have the capability to serve as an early warning aircraft like that of Tidas Aurora however, but was still enchanted to fly faster and more agile. Sevre flew a PO-2 night bomber, equally over saturated with enchantments to carry more bombs, better fuel mileage, and agility for good measure. There was one other squadron mate who was just coming in for landing. His name was Bob Solstitialis, a sun conure, who flew in a Fiat CR. 32 biplane fighter. He taxied over to his friends and hopped out.

“Evening everyone, sorry I took so long. The sky is quite beautiful tonight isn't it?”

“I say so Tialis. You can see all the major constellations tonight,” Vladmir patted the bird's shoulder, “Good fighting out there by the way.”

“Thank you sir Vladmir! Vulcan Sol will liberate those lost in their wrong ideals like those of our nation's past wars. We are unstoppable Captain!” a smile crossed his beak.

“Yes, yes we will. Although they may be inferior as a species that doesn't mean we have to treat them like feral animals though. They are still living, breathing peoples and all life should be respected. We will show them the way in during occupation. This war is a necessary evil my friend! For we may share with the world our riches and ideals!” Vladmir helped him out of his plane.

“Yes sir! I am happy to fight for Vulcan Sol,” Bob smiled to his superior.

“Da, da. Yes my friend. Today you have become an ace. Five Auroran and Equestrian aircraft shot down. Did you thank them for dying for our cause?”

“No sir, respectfully asking: why would I do that? They are the enemy and they're not fighting for us.”

“Remember when I said you should respect your enemy? I always thank those I kill as their contribution to our war is to stop fighting and let the process of natural selection decide fate. We fight for a grand cause Tialis, always thank our enemies for surrendering themselves or their lives to us. They are just lost friends after all,” Vlad explained cheerfully to his squad mate.

“Perssonally I think Tidass Aurora should die in a holocaustic fire...” Sevre voiced his opinion.

“That attitude will get you killed Sevre. I understand that you've lost loved ones by the hands of Tidas Aurora but you should still honor your prey.”

“Pfft! I'll honor my prey when I wipe them off my asss,” with that he turned the other way, no further comment.

“I won't force my opinions on you then. Suit yourself,” Vlad brushed it off, “Auburn! Let's get some aged wine for our new ace of Rapier Squadron!”

“As you wish sir! White or red, or maybe something more exotic?”

“Actually ssir, I've been saving a Tidas Auroran bluk berry wine for just such an occasion. No hard feelingss?” Sevre offered.

“That would be fantastic! A round of poker to go along as well friends!”

Back in the present, Kim was just about ready to line up a shot when she had alerted the base. Rapier Squadron scrambled to their planes.

“Tidas Auroran Mosquito! We can't let them leave. It might have been a photo recon aircraft!”

“Manifold pressure stable! Engines check out! Rapier one, I'm taking off!” with that Auburn taxied to the runway and quickly lifted off, her radar fixed onto Kim's plane.

“Rapier one will follow with the rest of the squadron,” Vladmir also took off with Tialis and Sevre on his wings.

“Ugh! This pilot's really tough! He's going full throttle and my Pegas can't keep up.”

“Dive to intercept then! You've got the attitude advantage!”

“Yes sir!” Auburn punched the plane into Wartime Emergency Power and quickly caught up to the Mosquito, “Firing now!”

The 12000 rounds per minute of Auburn's four machine guns tore into the Mossy's wooden fuselage and nearly hit Antony, a perfectly circular hole just three inches away from his head.

“Oh Sweet Celestia and Luna's Asshole! Kim!” he yelled.

“On it! Where's our fighter cover?”

“Right here Pancake! Did you miss us?” Sky Buster and Rainbow Dash came in from the clouds and dove to catch Auburn by surprise.

“Rapier Two! Bandits eleven o clock high!” Vlad communicated with a magic device.

“Huh?!” Auburn broke off to the left with a hard rudder. Her engine was hit with a 20mm shell and began to spun irregularly, “Damned! They've damaged my engine! I have to pull out.”

“Guard her escape! Tialis you guard Auburn. I will handle the Pegasi...”

“As will I...” Sevre was eager to fight the best fliers Equestria had to offer.

“Sevre, we're more nimble than they are, but they have better speed and climbing. If you want to take out a Pegasus, force them down low! Follow me into the mountain range!” Vlad and Sev were using the terrain to their advantage by hiding from Sky and Rainbow.

“Where'd they go? Sky do you see them?”

“Hiding in the terrain to shake us off. Right there! In and out of the mountain tops!” Sky saw them weave in and out.

“I'm chasing 'em! Cover me!” Dash kept her dive and readied the trigger on her hoof.

“Dash wait! That's what they want you to do! Fuck!” Sky had no other choice but dive after his girlfriend, “Don't do anything stupid!”

“Relax! This guy's a chump! Rainbow, guns guns guns!” as she crested the mountain the enemy plane looped upwards and forced her overshoot. She tried to follow, but her speed kept her from turning tighter, “Dammit! He's on my six.”

“Get some altitude Dash! I'll deal with him! Chopper, guns guns guns!” Sky unleashed his quad cannons and Vladmir pulled away, fouling the aim of Sky, “Shit! Get back to Kim! See how she's doing! We're done here. Pull out Dashie.”

“Roger, Hey Kim how you holding up?” Dash caught up to the Mosquito.

“Bad... Elevators shot out, my left wing is Auroran Swiss cheese. Got hit with some kind of bullet hose. AC is fine, just a little shaken, a piece of shrapnel almost vented a hole in his noggin.”

“At least we made it out of there alive Kim,” Antony sighed in relief.

“Ah hehe... To be honest with you we might not land this...” KP looked over to Dash who was right next to her cockpit and winked.

“What?!” Antony panicked, “Sweet filly Luna why didn't you tell me Kim!”

“Just hang on to your horseshoes AC! We're gonna land this if it kills us!”

“You're mad Kim! Rainbow! Rainbow are you there?! Get me out of here!”

Rainbow giggled to herself, “Sorry AC! I'm busy with some fighters right now!”

Sky Buster was still engaged with Rapier One. Their duel was up close and personal as Vladmir's more agile aircraft got onto Sky's backside. The ShKASs machine guns giving a violent growl like a hungry beast out for blood. With a hard yaw, Sky managed to dodge the bullets coming right at him, but several lucky hits ruptured the right wing of his battle saddle. He was slowing down as there wasn't enough lift to sustain his heavy load.

“Ugh! I'm a sitting duck! I'm gonna have to jettison this thing... Like always...” Sky grasped the cord in his mouth and pulled. Unfortunately, the cord snapped and he was still hanging in his saddle harness. Once he realized it, his mouth was set agape, eyes widened... This was it... He was gonna die for the one he loved all because of one simple mistake. He pictured his death: the I-153 would roll over and dive onto him, growling machine guns tearing into his flesh and sinew. He would have been dead before he hit the ground. Memories flashed: flight camp, meeting Rainbow, guard academy, his first tour of duty and the wars that followed... And now this...

“Dammit!... Just! Dammit! Dashie if you can hear me... Help...” Sky couldn't hold back the tears. He turned his head to look around for anything: nothing... The biplane chased him down and pulled in leisurely behind him. He glared with all of his hatred and switched his channel to the open mic, “...Damn you to the furthest reaches of hell you Vulkie scumbag...”

Vladmir pulled up to the damaged pony and looked right at him. Radioing out to him, “...No... It's not your time...”

Sky reached for the revolver with his hoof and grasped it, taking aim right at the cockpit of the fighter, “...Diiee!...”

Vladmir simply pulled off as the round harmlessly plunked right on his fuselage. The bullet didn't have enough force to penetrate into something vital, “You will learn my friend...”

“What?! Come back here and fight me coward!” Sky emptied all rounds into the I-153 to no effect and Vlad was gone just like that... He felt like he was going to vomit, something like that had never happened to him during his first two wars. The sweet sound of Dash's voice came through.

“Chopper! Sky buddy! You're hurt. What happened?” Rainbow pulled up next to him and gave him a hug, “I was so worried.”

“I-I don't know... What the Fuck! Happened... He didn't shoot me down, he had a clear shot he had me right in his sights he pulled up and said some bullshit-I!”

“Calm down... He must have run out of ammo is all,” Rainbow tried to rationalize.

“...You're right... It might have... Just, something about that felt... Unreal... He pulled up to me and said 'It's not your time...' What the fuck is that suppose to mean?...”

“He's just full of himself! That's what. Asshole doesn't know who you are and let you live. Dumbass!”

“Ha, haha! Yeah! Phew! Say, can you cut off this saddle? It's beat to shit and I hate flying with dead weight.”

“Sure thing!” Rainbow pressed the barrels of her right cannons onto the strap of Sky's saddle and shot it off with a quick pull of the trigger. Sky Buster broke upwards and sailed.

“Woo! Thanks Dashie!” he got on top of her and gave her a hug.

“Go ahead and help KP! She might need it. Her elevators got shot out and she might crash,” Dash pointed to the runway as Kim made her approach.

“Nah! She doesn't need it. If you look she's using her flaps to pitch up and ailerons to nose down. Again: I taught her that myself!”

“Hahaha! Antony doesn't know!” Rainbow burst into laughter.

“That's KP for you, a fucking troll with wings if I ever saw one.”

“Oh my gosh oh my gosh Antony we're gonna crash!” KP was screaming as if she was panicking, all the while the craft was approaching the runway smoothly, albeit with turbulence, and well within her control.

“Kim! If there's one thing I wanted to tell you... I really think you-” the plane touched down and started to stop. It came to a halt with over half the runway still available.

“Kidding! I was in control the whole time... Yup... Just doing my thing,” she was polishing her hoof and brought out her phone, “Hey Valais AB mess hall, could you send a pizza to the pilot ponies barracks. I just landed a plane with no elevators... Yeah... Yeah... Uh-uh... No no mushrooms please. Yeah... Yeah okay bye!”

She looked over to Antony and smirked, “You mad bro?”

“You're a fucking troll you know that right?”

“Yeah, but it was all in good fun,” Kim smiled.

“IN GOOD FUN? Madame you almost made a crater in the runway! How in Celestia's name was that 'all in good fun?'” Antony freaked.

“But I didn't... Anyway, can you really stay mad at me? We completed the mission didn't we?”

“I suppose you're right... We've had closer calls,” AC rolled his eyes.

“Should we give you two love birds more time in there! It's not exactly the mile high club if the plane is parked!” Sky Buster knocked on the side of the cockpit. Kim's hoof punched through the wood fuselage of the plane and punched him right in the face, “So worth it!...” he collapsed to the tarmac with no further harm.

A short while later Sky Buster examined his revolver. He had spent all of his rounds except one hollowpoint bullet. He stared at it for a while and put it off to the side, cleaning the rest of his firearm. He looked right at the bullet and thought out loud.

“...I'll save you for later...”

Meanwhile in the middle of the Sea of Eternity's Crossing the White Pheasants were flying well above the cloud cover on a special mission to act as ambassadors to the Republic Sky Realm. Trouble was: the darn capital never stood in one place for long and the last known coordinates of the flying city was a few days old. They were getting restless after flying for hours in the middle of nowhere.

“Brother, where in Arceus' Realmly bounds is the great dragon city of Prominence? We've been flying for hundreds of miles with nothing but thine horizon of clouds,” Tanya was still scanning back and forth from the cockpit of her Shinden.

“My fair sister I have not the slightest idea where thine city may lie. At this rate we might as well head back for the Midway,” Prince Micheal radioed back out from his brand new YP-55 Ascender, now with a five bladed Packard engine to replace the faulty Allison. New armament in the nose of two fifty calibers and two 20mm cannons gave the craft a dart-like form with the new and much lighter wings and airframe. David had fixed the problem with the aircraft entering an uncontrolled stall.

“Sounds 'bout right! Back to the boat guys for sum good ol' BBQ!” Ghost was still flying his pancake, “Fancy that hippo-cow!”

“Hold on guys, I've got something on radar,” Zak was flight testing yet another new aircraft. This time it was a Donier 335: a pusher/puller night fighter with propellers at the front and back.

Suddenly a ring of anti aircraft fire erupted from the clouds, firing onto the squadron.

“Whoa!” Mikey climbed for altitude to evade the fire, “It's a flak trap! Vulcan Sol has intercepted us?”

“No! It's not Vulcan Sol, unidentified enemy! Evade evade!” Zak threw his craft from side to side to dodge the flak.

“Tarnation! Why y'all shootin' at us whoever ya are?!”

“Leave this place now or be shot down! It is the will of the Sky Realm's council,” a mysterious voice on their radios called out.

“You buffoons! Tis us, the White Pheasants of Tidas Aurora! Fools, let us land, we are bingo fuel,” Mikey radioed back.

“The White Pheasants? Oh... Um... Yes yes! Please land,” the operator replied back.

“Hey dipshit! Cut the flak please!” Zak looked about and the puffs of flak started to dissipate, “Seriously, we need to have our markings straight. Good thing they couldn't see us.”

“Yes, quite fortunate. Though I do believe we received some minor damage,” Mikey overviewed his squadron.

“Leakin' some fuel Mikey, piece of metal got lodged in ma fuel tank,” Ghost noticed his fuel gauge depleting more rapidly, “Gonna land first okay?”

“Roger friend, tis your turn today.”

“There it is!” the clouds parted to reveal the magnificent Prominence City, the capital of the Republic Sky Realm, “This is Pheasant Four, requestin permission to land!”

“Pheasant Four, you are cleared to land. Proceed to runway number one at Xiuhcoatl Airbase. Our representatives will meet you shortly.”

A few minutes later, several representatives of the Republic Sky Realm attend to the White Pheasants as they arrived.

“Welcome friends and allies of the Republic! I am councilman Sytex Xiuhcoatl. I do sincerely apologize for the rough introduction,” the dragon with the white scales with blue underbelly and horns shook hands with the leader of the Pheasants.

“Greatly appreciated good sir. However, I do think that we may require a system to tell friendly aircraft from that of Vulcan Sol, least we repeat that episode on a much deadlier mistake,” Mikey nodded.

“Very well, we shall work with your king to establish clear rules of engagement. Please, proceed into the war room. We have much to discuss,” the dragon lead them to the Prominence City Citadel. From there they started to discuss.

“We're at war here good fellow. Do you have anything at all that shall assist in our war effort? I do understand you wish to remain neutral during this course of events, but you shall not be able to keep thine country safe for long. We have reports of aggression towards Sky Realm shipping and attacks on civilians. What say you?” Mikey pitched his end.

“I have to agree. Some of the other cities disregard your warnings but as the representative of Prominence and a veteran of the Vulcan Republic War you have my support. We have some citizens who are skilled in repairing ground vehicles, and they don't have much to do up here. We shall send them for support.”

“Nay, that is not enough good sir. Tidas Aurora fears that the Republic will fall if Vulcan Sol is to strike. I suggest you commit to the war as fortune favors the bold,” Mikey continued, handing out reports to the councilman.

“Fairly. Very well, I shall see what else we may have...” he thought for a moment, “Have you any need for bunks? Surely the extra soldiers at hand in the Republic is not a breach of our treaties. Or, perhaps, any need for 'scraps' to be repurposed?”

“Hmm...” Mikey thought about it, “We were tasked to assess the preparedness of thine country. Pray tell, how have the other cities faired in general?”

“Overall, we have picked up production on things thanks to some local builders having come forward. These builders have also helped expand some of the dwellings and repair our inner workings since the last war. Our food production has been on a swing, but overall sustainable. The only thing we are lacking in is, generally, funds to purchase from other nations. This is true for all our cities, though our funds are increasing as we speak, extra supplies are being had and we have been able to market them,” Sytex explained in detail.

“Good, I as the prince of Tidas Aurora shall help with that. My country will start buying War Bonds from the Republic and see to it that you have the funds you need. This great nation shall not fall from the skies under the watch of Tidas Aurora my friend,” Mikey suddenly remembered something, “Pardon me, but did you happen to take part in the stalwart defense of Talon City?”

“Why yes... I flew a ground attack aircraft provided by your nation,” Sytex recalled, “Why is that?”

“Hark! Your old squadron mate, Sky Buster. He is well and fine and flying with the ranks of Equestria's finest!”

“Wait! No way, I thought he had died in that engagement. Where is he? I have a debt of friendship to pay for his support. Assistant! Pack my things, I will go to Equestria to send my goodwill,” a smile shot across his face upon hearing the news that one of his friends was okay.

“Stop right there, um, Zak how do you say that phrase about being eager?”

“Eager McBeaver,” Zak rolled his eyes.

“Yes, merry. That phrase. Now, if you'll excuse me I need to add that Sky Buster is currently stationed on the Auroran mainland. Valais Airbase up in the north to help train and support new pilots. Please give him my thanks when you meet him!”

“I will! Thank you Prince. This is most wonderful of news! I shall go to Tidas Aurora immediately.”

Hours later at Valais Air Base the night had fallen and the air was still. Outside was a lovely crescent moon atop snow covered trees and the mountains that shelter the snowy high valley. Rainbow Dash and Sky Buster were curled up all tight and warm in bed until Sky accidentally pushed the blanket away from the both of them. They started to shiver a little as Firefly came into the barracks from her night flying training mission. She passed by the open door of Rainbow and Sky.

“You poor thing you...” She gently patted Sky's mane and turned to whisper at Rainbow, “You're doing a fine job Dashie. Your father would be proud.”

She tucked the two of them in and gave them both a kiss on the forehead.

“Sweet dreams, daughter and son...”

Chapter Six

Cloudsdale was buzzing with energy as air racers from around the world of Realm compete to win the championship title of the Red Hoof Air Race. There were pilots from all the world's nations, with the brand new Tidas Auroran pilots ready to test out their skills in pitched head to head time trials. Among these pilots were the father and daughter team of Roy and Emerald Ming, hailing from the Auroran province of Verusa. They flew two heavily modified P-36 fighters that were left over from the previous war with Vulcan Sol, still sporting their old blue and white sun roundel of the Verusian Air Task Force. Speaking of Vulcan Sol, there was one orange tabby cat pilot by the name of Vex Gradius who was also competing in the Red Hoof Air Race. Vex was a prototype test pilot for his nation, and revealed the brand new Vulcan Sol Macchi C.200 monoplane fighter. The Tidas Auroran pilots kept their eyes not only the prize but also their enemy as well. They were weary of any threat this pilot was going to present. Although all of the racers had their guns stripped from their aircraft there was something about Auburn's brother that made them all uneasy.

The Wonderbolts flew by, showing off their brand new Spitfire Mk. 14s donated to them from Tidas Aurora. They had put on an airshow to commemorate the Final Four racers. The last racer was right behind them as their escort. This was Equestria's star racer back from his long retirement and out to protect his title. A friend of both Spitfire and Soarin, this stallion trailed a trademark rainbow colored smoke from his blue and white P-51D Mustang. His sharp turns bled airspeed as he approached the runway to land. He taxied over to the racers hangars and slid open the bubble canopy. The first to hop out was Scootaloo as she crawled up and over her adopted father's shoulder. Her dad was Spectrum Streak: writer, air racer, and father to the one and only Rainbow Dash.

“Phew! Glad to see I haven't lost the spirit huh Scoots?” Spectrum turned to Scootaloo.

“You bet!” she smiled, her wings beat in a flurry of excitement, “I've been watching all your old racing videos big sister kept. Is is true on your last race you won second place by only .36 seconds?”

“Yeah, and that was only a few days before your big sister was born. I had to settle down for a bit, but now that she's out of the house I felt the need to race again. It's really refreshing now: new faces, new rules, and the planes! I've never even seen an aircraft until Tidas Aurora showed up. Now it seems like they're everywhere Scoots.”

“Hey dad, I was wondering... Where did you get this plane?” Scootaloo was rummaging through the old gun compartment that's now being used to store luggage and other assorted items.

“Your big brother and I fixed this plane together! It was a really nice birthday present. He got in touch with some of his Tidas Aurora buddies and bought this plane right out of the factory for only 1,500 bits. He taught me how to fly with strapped controls and manual mode as well and with the money him and I are making off that co-authored book we just published I've been practicing a lot in this plane,” Spectrum opened up his gun compartment for his luggage as well. His ground crew was on standby to service his plane.

Meanwhile in the island nation of the Fillypines, Tidas Aurora had hired a very special pony to recover an ancient artifact that might be of some help to Vulcan Sol's war effort. Daring Do, also known as A.K. Yearling, was walking in the busy streets of Iloilo City. The smell of raw sewage, diesel, and freshly cooked food mixed together in a bittersweet motley of scents. There were ponies and the indigenous water buffalo, known as carabao, all mixed together selling everything from freshly caught seaweed to exotic fruits like jackfruit, mangoes, and pineapples. She was no stranger to foreign lands but this was one of the more unique outings she'd ever done. Partly because she didn't know much about the Fillypines and it's less than peaceful history. She took in the sights as she trotted into the Molo District, the old churches and school houses that set apart the old city from the new city. Her directions took her to a back road with small market stalls selling fermented fish sauce and raw seafood. The sickening smell turned her away. She then stared at a rusted up metal gate to a compound with a tall concrete wall topped with broken glass to deter any thieves. The painted on warning on the gate read “DO NOT ENTER” in bright red spray paint, with a thick combination lock to boot. She pulled a note from her hat that read the combination: BF1942. Twisting the lock open she proceeded to pull open the rusty and heavy gate. Inside the compound was questionable. The small corn field at the front of the house was left with the dead husks of uncared stalks. Parasitic plants had cracked and broken the concrete driveway at her feet. The masonry was destroyed and crumbling with exposed rebar. The metal roof of the parking space was collapsed onto a carriage, a dog skeleton crushed by the fallen stone and concrete supports. A screen door hung by only one hinge as she opened it and stepped inside the house. It looked like something out of the apocalypse. The roof had a giant hole, yellow rotting furniture thrown about with spots of blood and mold. An old dried up fish tank with broken glass and what was left of the fish lay on the once beautifully tiled floor. An old hardwood table was on its side with bullet holes shot into it.

As Daring Do walked into the house a medium sized figure caught her eye to the left. It was of Luna, a sweet filly Luna. Made of plastic and painted by hand. One of her wings was gone, half of her burnt as she held one hoof up in the air in a peaceful gesture. She approached it with wonder.

“Who... Could have done this?...” She asked herself. There was a pony that silently flew right behind her.

“That... Would be Vulcan Sol...” it was Sky Buster. He wasn't wearing his usual flight helmet. Instead he was wearing a full metal military helmet with a matching uniform. Slung over his back was an AK-47.

Daring Do lashed back with her whip, but Sky Buster deflected the crack with the frame of his rifle. Daring caught the firearm in her mouth as the whip recoiled back, wrapping the weapon with her second lash. The sling of the Kalashnikov pulled Sky forward into Daring's swift kick. He bore the brunt of her hoof and recoiled back. Daring then used her whip to immobilize Sky Buster's hooves. She came face to face with him.

“Who are you?” she asked aggressively. Instead of an answer, a cold metallic end of what felt like a cylinder was gently thrust next to her ribcage. Sky smiled.

“Tsk... Tsk...” he was using his free wing to aim his revolver right at her heart, “You have the right to take my life... But know that I will also take yours...”

He threw the revolver to the side and disarmed himself.

“I am Sky Buster. And you are A.K. Yearling I suppose? Or do you want me to call you Daring Do?”

She sighed as she freed him, “Are you the mercenary my employers want me to work with?”

“Oh, mercenary is such a degrading title... I prefer to be called a 'foreign volunteer,' and by that I mean yes...” Sky Buster retrieved his rifle and handgun, “I suggest you get yourself a firearm. Things in the third world are not as forgiving as they are back in Equestria. You can dodge spears, arrows, and traps, but you can't dodge a bullet. And there are plenty left over from the last two wars.”

“Last... Two wars?” she asked a bit intrigued.

“The First Vulcan Sol Conflict and the Neighponese Occupation. Not fun times for the Fillypines,” Sky answered as he took a drink of hard cider from his flask, “What you see here is my childhood home... I wasn't here when my whole family was killed. Their ghosts haunt these walls, their blood stained in the furniture. Hell, even my dead dog is just chillin' under the carriage...”

He sighed deeply.

“The thing is... I once blamed myself about this, how I couldn't save them. Now I don't, and for good reason. Vulcan Sol is an evil nation that will stop at nothing until the whole world is theirs. Don't trust any anthro you see. They'll just stab you in the back and walk away. And if you're wondering: yeah, I'm crazy... But I've got the best help I could ever ask for,” Sky twisted around back at Daring Do, “I've heard of you. I've read your books. You need to work on your allusions, using real names like that can get those who've helped you get killed. Then again, it was the first time anypony ever helped you.”

“Stuff it motormouth, why exactly are you helping me?” she stood her ground.

“Isn't it obvious Miss Daring! You-need me to direct you alll over these islands. You-don't know where to go, where it's safe, and how crazy-fucked up pirates and insurgents there are on these islands. Oh, and one more thing:” he softly banged his chest with both hooves, “I'm dating the rainbow colored girl who saved your ass in your last book.”

He threw some pictures of him and Rainbow enjoying some happy moments together from out of his wallet for Daring to take a look.

“No joke huh?”

“You're in good hooves Miss Daring. I graduated the Royal Guard Academy and flew with the best Equestria had to offer in the last war,” Sky saluted, “Sorry for the show, but I just like to fuck with people under my watch.”

“Oh haha...” she wasn't amused.

“Okay, I get it, you're kinda pissed. Let me apologize sneaking up on you then acting like a jerk. I'm sorry.”

“Hm... Fair enough. Now we need to get to work,” she took out her map, “We're suppose to go to Leyte Gulf. Do you know where that is?”

“About a thirty minute flight to the west. Here you should probably take this,” Sky handed her 2,400 pesos, “Cash for weapons. I can take you to a good black market dealer.”

“I'll take your word for it,” she underestimated him and remembered how he was crafty enough to potentially kill her had Sky been a threat. The two flew off to the north to get the supplies.

Back at Cloudsdale Emerald was already in the air and ready to start her time trial. He course was set up with colored clouds acting as pylons which they had to perform a set routine to compete for the best time. They had to turn, knife-edge, half cuban, and perform split second aerial maneuvers to aim for the fastest time.

“It's a great day here at the Cloudsdale Airport and our racers are right up and ready to kick the tires and light the fires! Good afternoon everyone and I do mean everyone as I see a few non-pony faces out there in the crowd today! My name is Soarin here to sportscast the Final Four as they compete for the second annual Red Hoof Air Races. I'm joined today by my friend and squadron leader; Spitfire. Miss Spitfire, do you wish to comment on our current racer just starting on her run?” Soarin announced to the ever cheering and pumped up crowd.

“Yes I do Lieutenant. Hailing from Tidas Aurora is a female pilot by the name of Emerald Ming, at only twenty years of age she is among the youngest pilots to reach the finalist trials! She starting flying at only the age of thirteen as a crop duster pilot with her father, who is also competing in today's pitched head to head race. Here we go she's starting her run! Look at that dive, 362 kilometers per hour right on the money. Very tight turning on those first two gates! It's quite a testament to the P-36's performance.”

“The thing about Curtiss aircraft are their amazing dive performance. Oh look at that a little high with the 8.5 G turn past the red gate, no penalties so far. Emerald is really one with her aircraft isn't she?” Soarin looked to Spitfire.

“That is right Soarin, that plane is doing exactly what she wants it to do and in a race like this we are talking about a few millimeters margin of error from any critical penalties that might just cost anyone the race right here. With two Auroran pilots can either Vulcan Sol or Equestria take home the glory in this international air race?”

“Looks like they might have a chance as Emerald Ming finishes her trial with a less than stellar time of 1:12.41. Just a half second off from her previous time and believe me that is going to open up a whole new can of worms for Tidas Aurora as Equestria and Vulcan Sol have their best pilots ready to race.”

Meanwhile, in the now urbanized Ponyville there was a unicorn paying close attention to the unfolding air race as he eagerly awaited Spectrum's turn. The stallion had a deep blue coat underneath his work uniform and square black glasses. His mane was jet black and contained in a matching cap that read the title of the sandwich shop he worked at: Wubway. His cutie mark was of a pencil, keyboard, and game controller all crossed together an in a pixelated fashion. A customer came up to him: a brown colt with a propeller hat.

“Hello Game!” he greeted the sandwich artist.

“Hey Button, what's up? Welcome to Wubway, where we serve your sandwich with a good helping of modular bass. What would you like today?”

“Can I get a cucumber sub with extra oats and lettuce please?”

“Of course you can kiddo. How's your KDR in Call of Cutie: Ghosts?” Game Theory prepared the sandwich with the first main veggies, “Toasted sandwich for you right?”

“Huh uh. And kinda bad actually... 1.0,” he looked up at blue unicorn as he pulled the tray from the oven.

“Well that's not that bad. We all gotta start somewhere. Over to you Kami!” he passed the tray to the light peach colored pegasus mare with a beautiful light brown mane that flowed from the sides of her head, somewhat like the drooping of a winter hat. Underneath her cap she wore a green bandana with an orange stripe that ran at the bottom. Her cutie mark was of a Pokeball, a ribbon in the background.

“Hello there!” She smiled at Button, “Lettuce and oats right?”

“Yup,” Button kinda dug at the ground, a little disappointed.

“Hey, cheer up. Are you side-strafing?” Game asked.

“Yup.”

“Aiming down sights often?”

“Mhm.”

“Playing League Play?”

“Of course.”

“What about working on your quick-scoping? Reload cancel? Watching the minimap? Not forgetting about your Com Radios?”

“Bad, yes, got that down, and yes...” Button replied in sequence.

Game Theory looked down with a smile and patted Button on the head, “I will teach you later young warrior. Enjoy the sandwich!”

Game winked and wrapped up the sandwich for Button Mash.

“That's for you, I'll pay for it.”

“Wow! Gee thanks coach!” Button took the bag in his mouth and happily trotted off.

“Anytime my protege...” he nodded approvingly as Button walked out, “He'll make a fine addition to the Lunar Knights Clan.”

“Excuse me, Game and Kami. Can I talk to you for a minute in private?” their boss addressed them.

“Sure thing boss,” Game kept a smile, Kami was a little concerned though. They headed into the kitchen and their boss sighed heavily.

“I'm afraid I'm going to have to let you two go...”

“W-What? But why sir?” Kami was the first to exclaim.

“Now now, it has nothing to do with your work performance. I don't want to let you guys go, but I have to,” he looked away.

“But, why?” Game asked.

“...Equestria has declared war on Vulcan Sol. Your numbers came up and you've been both drafted. I'm sorry.”

“Whoa whoa whoa! I don't think I can handle war! Shooting a guy on screen is way different than actually killing a dude. Sure, I've played all these war games b-but. Oh Celestia... Oh sweet Celestia I can't do this!” Game Theory started to have a panic attack.

“Game! Calm down!” Kami went up to him and hugged him with both her arms and wings, “Shhh... We're gonna get through this together. How long do we have to prepare?”

“A week. And don't think you can cheat the draft either. They've got unicorns with lie detection spells and you could end up in jail for that. Sorry it had to be this way,” he handed them both their severance package, “I hope that helps.”

“Thank you, we'll be back after the war. I promise. And I promise to you Game that we'll get back okay? We're too smart to be put into the front lines,” she kissed her boyfriend, “You'll be okay. I won't let anything happen to you. Hey, Spectrum's about to take the stage. You should go watch.”

“Yeah, maybe I should,” his gut feeling made him uneasy, “This is still just so fucked up.”

“Well looky what we got here! The pride and joy of Equestria's air racers back from retirement! Spectrum Streak is an extremely wonderful pilot with over three dozen trophies and prizes from his extensive racing career! He's done it all folks! From endurance races, to speed, agility, and time trials. Can he master the art of piloting an aircraft though ladies and gentlecolts? Let's find out as he begins his run!” Spitfire looked up and saw Spectrum enter into the opening dive.

“And a perfect 365 kilometers per hour! Right at the limit of entry speed! Miss Spitfire this is truly a joy to see Spectrum honed back to his fighting edge! You have to wonder who coached him on how to fly an aircraft. Look at that! Beautiful and aggressive nine point five G turns at a perfect altitude through those gates, with the trademark trail of rainbow smoke in his wake. What a spectacular show today folks!” Soarin announced over the wildly excited crowd. Scootaloo was cheering her heart out for her father.

“I would personally love to meet his flying coach. Whoever he or she may be really taught Spectrum to fly so perfectly! Still no penalties with .10 seconds ahead of the both the Tidas Aurorans! Can he win one for Equestria this year?” Spitfire too, was excited for her friend and past colleague.

“There he goes! The last vertical turn, can he make the grade?” Soarin was on the edge of his seat and the crowd went silent. As Spectrum's P-51 crossed the finish line the race timer stopped, “One minute ten seconds flat! It's a new record for the famous Equestrian racer; Spectrum Streak! He has to be felling really good right about now!”

“Now that is an academy record if I ever saw one,” Spitfire added, “Huh, what's this? It appears the prototype Vulcan fighter is unable to fly. It looks like a flat tire Lieutenant. No use taking off with that now!”

“A crushing defeat for Vulcan Sol. Let's hear what the judges have to say!”

“Coming in at number four: Vex Gradius of Vulcan Sol... Number three: Roy Ming of Tidas Aurora. And the winner of the second annual Red Hoof Air Race goes to... Spectrum Streak of Equestria! Congratulations on behalf of all the racing fans!” one of the tower operators announced to the crowd. The fever pitched cheering reached a climax and Scootaloo was fluttering her wings in excitement.

“Yes! Thank you very much! I would like to thank my future son in law. He's the one who taught me how to fly and fix up this aircraft. He's fighting out there guys! So this is Spectrum, saying: support our troops!” Spectrum radioed in and flew past the spectators seats and gave a nice tip of his wing to the crowd. As he flew off into the clouds he thought about Sky Buster, turning off his radio, “I couldn't have done it without you son...”

With machete in hoof, Sky Buster was clearing the way for his escort. Daring Do was focused on finding this treasure and looking intensely at the map.

“So, I don't suppose you know what this treasure might be?”

“Pasatsat Hiyas... The Ghosts of Past Wars Gem. During the first Vulcan Conflict and the Neighponese Occupation it is said that the ghosts of those who were killed in their wake left behind a tainted and corrupted gemstone, imbued with dark magic. Ghosts that were never put to rest were sucked in from all over the Fillypines. Well, no time to lose!” Sky Buster looked back at Daring, “You have your gun with you?”

Daring pulled it from her holster, a Colt 45 M1911, “Yup.”

“Good, I suggest you keep it out, Stay down!” Sky ducked and observed a dirt trail, heavily used by offroad vehicles. One of which happened to drive by, ponies and carabao all armed with Type 100 SMGs, Cei-Rigotti Vulcan semi automatic rifles, and SKS Tidas Auroran rifles. Sky Buster pulled his machete, “Pirates... Watch this, but cover me.”

“No thanks,” Daring prepared her whip.

Sky Buster held her back gently and whispered, “Are you trying to get killed?...”

“Hey! Who's that?”

“Shit!” Sky acted quickly, throwing a rock in the opposite direction from where they were, attracting the attention of the pirates away from them. With their backs turned, Sky rushed forward and stabbed one of the pirates. As he kicked the body away, he pulled the pin from a grenade on their vest, “Get down!”

He tackled Daring as the grenade exploded, sending shrapnel through the foliage and outright killing any pirate left out in the open.

“Do! I suggest you use that gun! NOW!” Sky got off her and put down some suppressing fire with his AK.

Daring aimed in to one of the charging water buffalo with a machete trying to gut Sky. Three shots into the ribcage sealed the fate of the carabao and he collapsed to the jungle floor, right at Sky's forehooves.

“Phew! Thanks for the save!” Sky was looting the bodies for SKS ammo, “Be sure to check their bodies. I'd rather have free ammo than no ammo.”

Sky Buster was also taking money out of their wallets as well as any other valuable goods.

“Hey, isn't that stealing?” She glanced back at him.

“It's a fucking dead guy and he's evil. It's them or us and to the victor go the spoils. I suggest you hurry up, they like to patrol this area a lot.”

“Wow... He's really dead huh?” Daring looked at the water buffalo she just killed and stood there for a while.

“Let's fucking go! It's like you never shot a guy in your life before!” he was twirling around a gold necklace he got off one of the pirates while chopping away the foliage with his bolo. Daring Do followed him slowly into the jungle.

“That's the thing... It just felt, wrong...”

Sky Buster stopped, “So you're telling me you'd rather have a guy kill me instead huh? I don't get your logic Daring. Look, like I said; things are very different in the third world nations. You've got scumbags, terrorists, pirates, and all sorts of shitholes just waiting to kill you for your food, money, anything they can grab, whatever! I may have been born in a rich family, but I learned the hard way after coming back here when my family died. It's them or us, and trust me I've seen some shit you don't want to see. Now the legend of the gem says that there are ghosts that block passage to it. If you see one then don't freak out. Find the burial mound the corpse should be in and stab into it. Do them a favor and send them to rest in peace.”

Daring Do tripped on one of the burial mounds he just mentioned. A strewn mat of rotted banana leaves with a small slit stabbed into it puffed up from it, smelling of rotten flesh and flies gathering around it almost instantly.

“Good job,” Sky examined the mat, “Strange, that's a small slit. Smaller than a combat knife and way smaller than a machete or bolo. I'd say that was a Vulcan Sol officer's rapier. It's close, look for any strange details, something magical.”

Daring sifted through the brush and found a strange clearing full of burial mounds. A group of Roman/Slavic looking anthros with sub machine guns, bolt action rifles, and Renault light tanks surrounded a tall black monolith, a gemstone on top of it.

“Does that count?”

“Oh yeah... This is not good... I see a whole platoon plus they're supported by two tanks. They're having trouble getting to that gem though. I didn't expect the tanks. Dumbasses always have intel wrong! I wish my friend KP was here, her intel is golden for operations. Oh, and see the faint green shimmer on those tanks? Armor and speed enchantments. A Panzerfaust would be nice...”

“A what?” Daring whispered, “Meh, I don't care. How do we take these guys on?”

“Element of surprise and improvise... Say, why don't you use this,” Sky handed her a bow and arrow he had picked off from the pirates, “I assume you know how to use that?”

“What do you take me for?” Do gazed back, unamused.

“I take you as a greeny! A noob! You haven't seen war! Just do what I say, shove that hoof up your mouth and we are gonna get out of this alive and we'll both be on our separate ways with a big bag of cash. Kill them quietly, if you can,” Sky glared back in a gaze that paralyzed Daring, if only for a brief second, “This is why I hate working with loners like you. You think you're tough, invincible. Pfft... You're dead here if you keep that up.”

“I-” Daring stepped back, “I'll do it.”

“Good, now about those tanks...” Sky eyeballed the two tanks and noticed one of them had its hatches open, exposing the crew of two, “I got it! Come with me, let's sneak around!”

“What's the plan big guy?” she loaded her bow.

“See how the shimmering doesn't appear in the open crew hatches? Aim an arrow right in there after I do this!” Sky wrapped a grenade to the tip of the arrow, “Now, this grenade has a fuse of five seconds. Once I pull this pin, you got two to three seconds to aim for the hatch. At this range we should dash into the tank and close the hatches behind us. You drive, I gun! Trust me on this...”

“Um, okay! I'm game for it,” Daring notched her arrow and aimed slightly above the hatch of the tank. She exhaled and drew the bow. Sky pulled the pin and the safety catch flew off. She let the arrow fly right into the tank, but it bounced off and exploded near the monolith as the Vulcan troops were trying to retrieve the gem.

“Shit! You missed!”

“Well I've never shot an arrow with a grenade strapped to it before!” she answered back.

“Just go go! We still have the element of surprise, we can do this!”

Daring once again notched another arrow, this time with a barbed steel tip. Spotting a Vulkie getting to his feet, she shot it right into his neck. The soldier screamed clawing at the arrow as warm blood dripped onto his armor. He coughed blood and collapsed into the dirt, a red puddle forming on his face. Daring froze.

“Celestia... I-” Sky Buster was there to smack her back into reality.

“THEM OR US!” He spotted another Vulcan soldier as he aimed a semi-automatic rifle to their direction, “Go loud!”

Sky Buster whipped the AK-47 off his back and unloaded into the soldier in the open, the bullets teared into flesh and left big open holes in the Vulcan's chest plate and vital organs. Sky grabbed Daring and flew into the top of a tree.

“Get over it greeny! It's horrible ain't it?! That's war for you and I'm here to make sure you don't end up like that! Now come on-” Sky was almost interrupted as a tank shell tore into the jungle and hit the tree they were hiding in. The massive mango tree toppled over and knocked the wind out of both Sky and Daring. She looked around for him.

“Sky! Sky Buster!” she was pinned under one of the thick branches of the tree as a Vulcan Fire Mage came right up to the jungle and started to burn it down with dark magic, “Oh shit! No no no no no!”

She was trying to free herself but her wing and back leg were firmly stuck in the fallen tree. She saw the fire reaching ever closer to her and the heat started to weave through her coat.

“Sky! Sky Buster!” She was doing her best to free herself from the fallen branches. No luck. She saw Sky Buster tackle the Fire Mage and was strangling him with her own whip. He turned over to Daring Do and threw his bolo right at her.

The machete dug into the branch her leg was caught under. He yelled, “Daring Do! Use that! You're my bitch now you little Vulcan asshole!”

He tightened his choke hold on the Fire Mage and turned to the tank.

“Can't shoot me huh! Your precious little Mages aren't so easy to replace you fuckers! Shoot me you stupid tank and you kill him too!” Sky Buster held up the remnants of the platoon as Daring was furiously trying to free herself from the thick branches.

With machete in hoof and the fire spreading closer and closer to her, Daring Do chopped into the tree as the fire started to singe her coat. With her wing free she extended it, only to have it catch fire and it burned her severely. She screamed.

“Daring!” Sky Buster was distracted by her scream and the Vulcan Mage kicked him off. The angry magician donned in silver and gold accented Roman armor glared at the pegasus, palms red with flame.

“Ave... True to Vulcan Sol...” as the mage thrust his palm forward to unleash hellfire onto Sky Buster, Daring Do flew in with a swift kick to knock the officer to the ground. She grabbed Sky Buster and darted into the forest.

“They fucking got me!” Sky Buster was trying to put out the fire that was eating away at his clothing, He tore it off and threw it into the jungle. He screamed as some of it was already fused to his skin from the burns. Half his body was hairless and his left side was left with third degree burns, “Medic! I need a med kit!”

Daring sifted through his saddle bags and found the burn treatment kit within his medical box. She treated Sky's wounds with the burn ointment and poured some rubbing alcohol into it. Sky Buster's agonizing screams tore into her mind, making her forget about her half burnt wing and the lesser pain she was experiencing.

“Sweet Celestia... You're gonna be fine! Stay with me!”

“It fucking hurts! Don't let me die here man!... Not like this!...” Sky tried to move to pull the gold necklace off his neck, but the pain shot through him as he hanked it off, “ARRRG! Fuck! Daring! If I don't make it out of here, give this to Dashie!”

He dropped his gold locket with a picture of Rainbow Dash smiling into the hoof of Daring Do. She took it and placed it with care into her pocket.

“You're not dying here. I have to complete the mission!”

“Don't do it! Dammit!...” Sky tried to reach out for her. His pain was swelling and he was just about to pass out, “I-I... I don't want to be alone...”

Having bandaged and treated her burnt wing, Daring flew as best she could avoiding any direct line of sight to the Vulcans. She flew right behind one of the tanks and started to punch one of their hatches open. She pulled her M1911 and the crewman greeted her with a dagger, which she deflected with her wing. She shot into the stomach of the soldier and pulled him out of his vehicle. As she got in she gave a swift buck to the face to the driver, who slumped over on his controls and made the tank go full speed into some trees before it stopped as one of the tracks broke loose from the other tank shooting right into it. Daring was thrown about in the vehicle and knocked to the floor. Another shot, this time her tank shook violently as a shell ripped into the engine, stopping it completely. As she got up she wrapped her hooves over the gun and started to crank the turret to aim right at the other tank. She aimed right into the gunner's hatch and shot her first round into it, the gun of the enemy tank immediately drooped. She found one of the unused shells that had been knocked to the floor and fumbled trying to figure out how to reload the gun. She stuffed it into the breach and fired again, this time at the driver bailing out. There was a splash of red and he refused to get up. Daring Do was bleeding all over the inside of the tank as her wing still held the dagger, pure adrenaline preventing her from feeling it. One more shot: a high explosive round right into the center of the last group. It made quite the splash and took out the remaining Vulcan Sol.

She opened the hatch and collapsed out of the tank, pulling the knife from her wing. She trotted slowly to the gemstone on top of the monolith, dead and burning bodies all around her. Her wings took on a heavy burden as she flew up and collected the floating stone, once again falling to the ground in her exhaustion and pain. Her legs protested and she dragged herself to the treeline where Sky Buster was still recovering. She pulled the locket from her pocket and placed it in Sky's hoof.

“You're not dead yet... Show her you love her...”

“Did you get it?...” Sky took the locket and held it close.

Daring reached into her jacket and pulled the black gemstone radiating it's dark aura, “We got it...”

Chapter Seven

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