Skies of Harmony

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...”