Prologue.

Edited by Silver Blade and Eggynack.

July 16, 2001

NLR territory, 5 miles from the Equestrian border.

It was a bright sunny day in the low mountains of the New Lunar Republic where millions of ponies were migrating from Equestria to the newly founded nation next to it.  In the sky were squadrons of NLR Su-35 fighters, including the legendary Shadowbolts in their Su-47s.

“Check in, everypony,”  a mare’s voice said through the com of her Su-47 exo-suit to the other pegasus fighters.

“Blackwing reporting.”

“Diamond Eye reporting.”

“Star Scream reporting.”

“Dread Wing reporting.”

The rest of the pilots responded by turning on their IFF signals.  It was quiet for awhile till Blackwing said, “Captain, why are we still guarding these ponies?”  He flew closer to his captain,  “I mean they’ve already crossed into our borders, so they’re already safe.  Right Scoots?”

Scootaloo turned her head in her helmet and answered,  “Just because they crossed the border, that doesn’t mean they’re safe.”

“Scootaloo is right, Blackwing,”  Diamond Eye said, “there could be a chance that rogue Equestrian fighters might try to take back their former ponies.”

“But why?”  Dread Wing asked.  “Most of them are impoverished.”

Star Scream flew closer to Dread Wing and answered,  “It would be extremely bad for the noble’s economy.”  Dread Wing was even more confused till Star Scream explained it,  “They are half of Equestria's population, so they would be losing all that money when these ponies left.”

“And that’s the reason we’re still defending these ponies.”  Scootaloo said.  She then contacted the V-22 Ospreys picking up pony immigrants.  “All Ospreys, how’s the pickup?”

“Everything is ok captain,”  one of the Ospreys answered,  “We’re picking up the young and the weak as you ordered.”

Scoots smiled but then noticed that one of them was behind and asked.  “Osprey 84, you’re falling behind. Is there a problem?”

“Yeah, engine 2 is slowing down for some reason,”  the pilot responded.  “Hey, number 2, what’s wrong?”

“The dang propeller got loose somehow, and now it’s not going fast as it should,”  the pegasus in engine 2 of the Osprey responded.

Scootaloo heard this and proposed, “84, I think you need to head back to the capital for maintenance.”

Before the pilot could answer, the pegasus in engine 2 answered,  “Negative, captain. If I can fly faster then engine 1, I may be able to get it equal again.”

Scootaloo thought for a moment.  "Alright engine 2, but if you get any further problems, turn back immediately."

“Roger that, captain.”

After a few minutes, Osprey 84 began to catch up to the rest of the group.  Everything was looking good until a voice came up in every com.

“This is Eagle Eye, transmitting to all aircraft. Radar is picking up 17 dozen bogies coming from the Equestrian border.”

“What!?”  Diamond Eye said loudly.

“They are high speed, approaching your position,”  Eagle Eye added.

Scootaloo narrowed her eyes and ordered, “All Shadowbolts intercept them.”  Scoots and her squadron turned and headed towards the incoming aircraft.  “We’ll ask them to turn back, but if they don’t listen, or take any hostile actions, shoot them down immediately, understand?”

“Ma'am, yes ma'am!”

The Shadowbolts accelerated towards the fighters to see if they were friendly or not.  They flew about 2 miles away from the immigrants till they finally saw the Equestrian fighters.  Scootaloo adjusted the frequency of her radio to communicate with the Equestrian fighters.

“This is Scootaloo, captain of the Shadowbolts,”  She said into her com.  “You are trespassing in New Lunar Republic territory. Please turn around now or you will be shot down.”

There was no answer.  The Equestrian fighters simply increased their speed.

“They’re not responding,”  Star Scream said.

Scootaloo then tried one last time.  “I repeat: Equestrian fighters turn back immediately.”

It was silent till the Equestrian squadron finally answered,  “This is captain Steel Wing of the Equestrian Air Force.  We have been sent by Iron Hoof, the captain of the Royal Guard.”  Steel Wing’s weapons went active.  “He ordered us to bring back the ponies that have left our borders… and to eliminate the former Shadowbolts members.”

Steel Wing then launched a missile at Scootaloo who quickly evaded it and ordered,  “All NLR fighters, the Equestrian fighters are hostile!  Repeat: the fighters are hostile, fire at will!”  Scoots then launched a missile and shot down one of the fighters.  “Protect our new civilians at all costs.”

That’s when all tartarus broke loose; every fighter in the area began fighting at each other, and the Shadowbolts were doing better than the rest.  In just 10 minutes, enemy fighters were being shot down by the Shadowbolts; Dread Wing score 6, Diamond Eye 4, Blackwing 8, Star Scream 11, and Scootaloo 21.  But even with all of the losses, the Equestrian fighters were endless.  The enemy kept out maneuvering the other pilots and taking them down.

“No matter how many we shoot down, they’re still taking a whole lot of our own pilots,”  Diamond Eye said.

“Do you think there’s an AWACS nearby?”  Dread Wing asked.

“It’s the only possible way for them to coordinate their fighters.”

Then, suddenly, a voice spoke,  “Mayday, mayday, this is Osprey 84. The engine 2 plan didn’t work for long, and now we’re sitting ducks… incoming fighter!  Launch flares!”

Scootaloo quickly reacted and ordered,  “Star Scream, go protect Osprey 84, Blackwing, take two fighters with you and protect the rest of the Ospreys, Diamond Eye take four fighters to protect our civilians, and Dread Wing, you're with me to find and destroy their AWACS.”  Scoots accelerated towards the brunt of the enemy.  “Understood?”

“YES MA'AM!”  The entire Shadowbolt squad responded before flying in different directions.

Scootaloo looked to her left to see Dread Wing beside her.  “Alright Dread Wing, lets find their AWACS.”

//////////****//////////

1 mile from the conflict zone.

“Aww stallion, I still can’t believe we ran into a dang dragon,”  complained Blaze Ring, one of the Equestrian air force’s fighter pilots.

“Calm down, Blaze Ring. That’s over now and we need to get to the fight.”

“Well Horizon, what would you think if a dragon nearly burned through your DANG ARMOR!”  Blaze Ring yelled into his com, while speeding up to Horizon to show the burn marks on the tail wing of his exo-suit.

“Keep quiet, you two,”  a mare’s voice spoke in an irritated tone. “It’s been hard enough trying to get there with rundown F-16 exo-suits, but hearing you two arguing is making it even harder for ME to be calm.  Am I right Sound Wave?”

“I agree that those two are always arguing over the simplest things, Red Dawn.”  Sound Wave said in a robotic voice.

“Jeez, I still can’t get used to that voice of his since his accident back in flight camp,”  Blaze Ring said while going back to his normal position.  “Well, at least he’s still alive and kicking.”

“Calm down, everypony, we’re almost here,”  a voice interrupted them.

“So, what is the mission Flash?”

“That’s LIEUTENANT Flash Sentry, Horizon.”

“Easy, Red Dawn. We’re a team, and a team sticks together,”  Flash said.

“Yes sir, sorry sir.”

“Yes, anyways, the mission is to ‘escort’ the immigrants that have left back to our country, and to execute Scootaloo, the former Shadowbolt captain.”

“Wait, but didn’t Celestia give them permission to secede from Equestria?”  Sound Wave asked.

“Yes, but the other nobles disagreed and secretly hired Iron Hoof to send a platoon to bring back the immigrants.”

“Flash Sentry, when are you going to join the fight,”  a bitter voice spoke out of their coms.  “Steel Wing’s fighters are being shot down.”

“Don’t worry sir, we’re almost there,”  Flash responded.

“Well, good, because we need you here to protect the AWACS so that we can have a coordinational advantage over the battle. understood?”

“Sir, yes sir,”  Flash answered, and Iron Hoof’s voice was gone.  “Alright First Aerial Royal Guard squadron, move out.”

“Yes sir!”

//////////****//////////

Back at the battle, Scoots and Dread Wing desperately tried to find the enemy’s AWACS, but it was to no avail.

“Dang it, where is it?”  Dread Wing asked impatiently.  “Eagle Eye, do you have anything on radar?”

“Negative, but I’m still searching just like you.”

“Alright Eagle Eye, do the best you can,”  Scootaloo ordered.

“Yes ma’am.”

“There it is!” Scootaloo said, finally spotting the AWACS out of the corner of her eye.  She started towards it, with Dread Wing behind her following, and said, “Alright Dread Wing. Let’s take that thing down.”

“Yes ma'am,”  Dread Wing responded, but that was before he saw five F-16 exo-suit fighters, painted with gold and white paint, right beside the AWACS.

“Enemy fighters’ dead ahead. They’re the Shadowbolts.”  Before Flash ordered his squadron to engage, Iron Hoof spoke suddenly.

“All Equestrian fighters, you have new orders.  The enemy has taken down too many of our fighters for an escort, so your new orders are to drop all of your bombs on the traitorous escapees.”

Flash’s eyes widen in shock and asked.  “Sir, did you say that we have to kill innocent ponies?”

“Lieutenant Flash Sentry, those ‘innocent ponies’ are abandoning Equestria for a false country and are thus betraying Equestria, and according to the order, any traitors are to be executed.”  Iron Hoof answered coldly.  “Now do your job, Lieutenant.”

Flash was silent for a while before answering, “Yes sir.”

“Good, Iron Hoof out.”

Flash Sentry then opened his com to his squadron and said,  “Alright ponies, we have two options. We could do as Iron Hoof ordered, or…”

//////////****//////////

“Alright Dread Wing, you take down that AWACS while I distract the fighters, and-.”

Scoots didn't finish her sentence because Flash found their frequency and spoke.  “This is Flash Sentry of the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron; tell us a reason why we shouldn’t bomb those immigrants.”

Scootaloo narrowed her eyes and answered,  “They’re looking for a new life,”  Scootaloo put her weapons on standby,  “a new life where a pony could be equal with another pony despite their race.  Where an earth pony or a pegasi has the same chance to become nobility as a unicorn, and where they can love a pony of a different race.  That’s why.”

Flash looked at his squadron to see them nodding in their helmets, and he said.  “In that case…”  his squadron decelerated behind the AWACS,  “Open fire.”

Each fighter shot a missile at their AWACS and destroyed it.  Scootaloo and Dread Wing were shocked to see the most loyalist Royal Guard fighters shoot down their only advantage in the battle.

“Alright First Aerial Royal Guard squadron, assist the NLR forces in protecting those immigrants.”  Flash then flew next to Scootaloo.  “We are temporally under orders to do whatever you want, Scootaloo.”

Scoots thought for a while and ordered,  “Assist the other Shadowbolts.”  She then downloaded the location of her team to the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron’s map, and broadcasted it to the remaining NLR fighters.  “This is Shadowbolt captain Scootaloo; the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron is assisting us to help eliminate the rest of the enemy.  Do not fire at them.”

With that, the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron spread out to help the Shadowbolts, while Flash and Sound Wave stayed with Scoots and Dread Wing.

“Where to now?”  Dread Wing asked.

“Now we go where the enemy is at their thickest and wipe them out,”  Scoots answered.

The four fighters flew towards the remaining Equestrian fighters and heard their coms.

“What the hay happened?  I just lost signal to the AWACS,”  Steel Wing said.

“How are we supposed to fight the NLR now without any coordination?”  Another pilot asked nervously.

Then the four fighters shot their long range missiles and shot down 24 enemy fighters.

“Those are the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron, why are they firing at- ahhhh!”  Steel Wing managed to say before Flash killed him with a radar missile.

“You always did talk too much,”  Flash said to the now burning exo-suit of Steel Wing.  “Let’s take them out.”

//////////****//////////

16 minutes later.

The NLR manage to protect all of its new civilians with the help of both the Shadowbolts and the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron.

All of fighters of the two squadrons met up at the Equestrian border

When Flash’s team were about to head back towards Equestria, Diamond Ring asked.  “How about you join us?”

Flash’s team slowed down, and Flash answered,  “We’re loyal to Equestria, and loyal to her princesses, Celestia and Luna. We could never abandon it or them.”

Scootaloo flew closer to Flash and asked, “Then why did you decide to help us?”

Flash was silent for a moment before answering.  “We… admire your ideals of equality for all ponies.  And we hope your nation grows strong from that.”

“Then why don’t you want to come?”  Blackwing asked.

“Same answer as before, we’re loyal to Equestria and her princesses.”  Flash said with a serious tone while remembering a lavender alicorn he knew,  “and because this operation was conducted on Iron Hoof’s orders, without any permission from the princesses.”

With that, the First Aerial Royal Guard squadron flew back in the direction of Equestria. The Shadowbolts did the same, heading back to Excalibur, their new capital .

While flying back Flash contacted Iron Hoof, saying, “This is Lieutenant Flash Sentry contacting Iron Hoof. Come in.”

  “About darn time I got a response,”  Iron Hoof said impatiently.  “Now tell me what happened.”

“The enemy was overwhelming, sir. They managed to find and destroy our AWACS, and only me and my squadron survived.”  Flash sighed. “The mission was a total failure.”

“Dang it!”  Iron Hoof yelled then quieted down.  “Get your flanks back to base, Lieutenant,”  He said bitterly.

“Yes sir.”

“And Sentry…”

“Huh?”

“Today never happened.”

With that, Iron Hoof broke communication by turning off his radio.  Flash flew closer to his squad and said, “Alright First Aerial Royal Guard squadron, just like what Iron Hoof said.  What ever happened today… what we did today… it never happened. Understood?”

“Sir, yes sir.”

With that, they increased their speed and flew towards Canterlot.

At the same time, both Flash and Scootaloo sighed and asked themselves:

“How did it come to this?”

//////////****//////////

years ago…

April 19, 1989

Royal Guard training camp, 1 mile from Canterlot.

Flash was polishing his training armor and spear till his drill sergeant, Iron Hoof, ordered him to clean the bathroom stalls.

Flash sighed and said to himself, “One day I’ll be remembered for... something.”

//////////****//////////

Sugarcube corner alleyway, Ponyville.

A filly had just woken up from a nightmare.  She looked around her makeshift home and asked herself,  “Why don't I have a family?”