Skies of Harmony

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.