“Radio’s out!” Benjamin called the radio station.

“I have no fucking idea where we are. Some how that cloud bank knocked us off course… away from our escort.” Cameron said from the navigation room.

“Thank God the skies are clear.” John said from the radar area.

“Colin, we doing alright on altitude?” Nate asked the main pilot.

“Yeah, just fine.” Colin nodded, “Great on fuel too.”

“CONNOR!” Nate shouted.

“WHAT!” Connor shouted from the right gun pit.

“KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!” Nate shouted. “SAME FOR YOU ALEC AND MATT!”

“Jack how we doin on our payload?” Ryan questioned as he approached Jack who was checking a few of the bombs.

“She’s nice and secure.” Jack said as he patted one of the bombs.

“Great, Cody how are the engines looking?” Ryan said as he glanced back at the Engineer area.

“All of them are fully functioning.” Cody said.

“Holy shit.” Colin said, “Do the Nazi’s have any cities put on the side of a mountain?”

“No.” Cameron said as he walked into the cockpit, “Well I’ll be damned.” He said, looking out the window at the massive mountain, a city clearly visible on the side.

Ryan walked back to the bombsight and slid down onto the floor beside it. “God…” He sighed.

“Well… let’s just… try to get back… we’ve got a mission to complete.” Nate said.

Colin nodded and concentrated on flying.

The plane went quiet except for the sounds of the engines and machinery.

They flew overtop of the city and were bracing for flak fire. When none came they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Ryan walked into the cockpit and stood over the two pilots.

“Something wrong?” Nate asked.

“Just bored.” Ryan said.

“Yeah we all ar-” Nate was cut off as pistol fire was heard in the back of the plane.

“SHIT MATT!” Alec shouted.

“WHAT THE FU-” Jack was cut off by a few more shots.

Nate drew his pistol and got up to investigate.

Colin was visibly shaking. “Ryan…” He said quietly.

Ryan was nervously glancing back as the plane fell silent again.

“SHIT CODY’S SNAP-” Nate shouted before getting shot.

“FOR THE FATHERLAND!” Cody screamed as he shot Connor.

“Ryan… get the parachute.” Colin said in an oddly calm tone.

“Wh… what?” Ryan questioned shakily.

“Get the fucking parachute. Get the fuck out of this plane.” Colin ordered.

“I’ll… I’ll try.” Ryan said with a small nod.

“Under my seat. There’s a small bundle hand it to me.” Colin said as he continued to fly.

Ryan handed Colin the bundle.

“Now fucking run.” Colin said.

Ryan charged out of the cockpit and saw Cameron in a pool of blood while Benjamin struggled with Cody.

Ryan grabbed a parachute and booted open the side door. He heard a ticking from the cockpit and his eyes widened.

Cody shot Benjamin in the throat and pushed him down.

Ryan shot a fearful glance back.

Cody rushed him and slammed the empty gun into the side of Ryan’s head knocking him out cold and out of the plane.

Cody turned back towards the cockpit. “Now it’s time for you to die…”

After reports of a massive metal contraption was flying above Canterlot reached her ears Princess Celestia had moved out into the overlook area. She carefully watched it for any signs of hostility.

Luna watched it too. “Sister what do you suppose it is?” She asked.

“I don’t have the slightest clue. It seems to be harmless for now though.” Celestia said.

“Well lets hope it stays that way.” Luna said.

“Yes, lets hope.” Celestia nodded.

Celestia glanced back up at the side and saw something fly open from the side of the metal contraption. She saw a figure in the opening.

“Sister… I’m beginning to think…” Luna said as her horn started to light up.

“Wait…” Celestia said, “I don’t think this is what you’re assuming it is…”

After watching the figure for another minute they saw it get thrown out of the opening and start to fall towards the ground.

Celestia shot up into the air without warning and flew as fast as she could manage towards the falling creature.

When she got about halfway there an explosion rocked the air as the metal contraption was bathed in fire and shattered from the inside.

The creature continued falling limply towards the ground.

Celestia’s magic flared up and she shielded herself from the shrapnel as it flew through the air.

After a moment she flew up under the creature and caught it. She instantly saw it was a male.

His breathing was shallow and there was a small trickle of blood coming down from his right temple. He remained unresponsive to her touch.

Luna and a few guards made it to Celestia shortly after. “You’re okay!” Luna said happily.

Celestia was about to say, ‘Why wouldn’t I be’, when she saw the thick black smoke that had come from the explosion. “Yes I am.” She nodded, “But we do have an injury.” She motioned to the unconscious man she was holding.

“How badly?” Luna asked as she hovered closer.

“I think it’s just his head… it looks like he was hit by something and that’s what knocked him out of whatever they were in. Though… it appears he was leaving anyway.” Celestia said as she looked down at the parachute on his back.

“Let’s get him to solid ground. Hopefully when he wakes up he’ll be able to talk.” Luna said.

“Get the doctors to prepare a room.” Celestia said to the guards.

“Yes Ma’am!” Two of the guards saluted before flying back towards the castle.

Celestia looked over the clothing he had on she didn’t notice anything that would help to identify him.

“Where do you suppose he came from?” Luna asked.

Celestia remained quiet.

“Sister?” Luna asked.

“I don’t know.” Celestia said.

“Princess the hospital has a room ready.” A guard said.

“Let’s get him there right away.” Celestia said as she flew towards the hospital.

The doctor looked over some of the charts.

“How badly is he hurt?” Celestia asked.

“A major concussion. Whatever was used to hit him in the temple was meant to kill him.” The doctor said, “He’s lucky that you got to him in such a short time. And from my calculations… he should be waking up soon.”

“Who is he?” She asked.

“I don’t know…” The doctor said with a sigh.

“Well I suppose we should ask him when he wakes up.” Celestia said.

The doctor nodded, “If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask.” He said, setting down the clipboard and walking out of the room.

The man shifted a little on the bed, letting out a small slightly pained groan.

Celestia quickly walked up to the bed. “Easy… You’re in a hospital.” She said calmly.

The man’s eyes fluttered open and he looked up uneasily at Celestia. “A… a hospital… what… side?” He asked shakily.

“E… Equestria.” Celestia said uncertainly.

“Equestria…” The man said slowly. “I’ve… never heard of a country called… Equestria.”

“Where were you headed?” Celestia asked curiously.

The man looked uncertainly at her for a moment, keeping quiet.

“You can tell me. You’re safe here.” Celestia smiled.

He closed his eyes momentarily. “We were intending to bomb an industrial plant.” He said.

“Excuse me?” Celestia said, her eyes widening.

“We were going to cripple the German ammunition supply by hitting a major ammunition factory.” He said.

“Germans?” Celestia questioned.

“Or the Nazis. Either way… the government is evil. They intend to conquer and rule the entire world.” He said.

“And why haven’t I heard of these ‘Nazis’?” Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow..

“I’m going to guess for the same reason that we lost radio contact with our escort and why our navigator said we were lost.” He said.

“And why would that be?” Celestia asked.

“I… don’t know.” He said quietly. “We just… did.”

“Do you know where they are?” She asked.

“Dead…” He said quietly. “I know it…”

“Did you kill them?” She asked.

“No! They were all my friends!” He said sounding slightly angry.

“I see…” She mumbled.

“God…” He said quietly, his head falling back onto the pillow, “I just… can’t believe Cody was a traitor…” He winced as he touched his temple.

“What did he do?” She asked.

“He’s the one who shot and killed most of the crew… though he ran out of ammo before he could shoot me.” He said.

“That’s not good.” She said, crossing one leg over the other.

“Not go-” He froze when he saw her wings and horn, for the first time legitimately paying attention to her. “What… the… hell…” He mumbled, his eyes widening.

“Is something wrong?” She asked.

“What… the hell… are you…” He said, sounding scared now.

“I’d ask if you meant my title or my species, but I can obviously tell you aren’t from here. I am Princess Celestia. I am an alicorn, and ruler over Canterlot.” She said.

He shook a little and he tried to process the information.

“I can tell you need some time. Just call the nurse if you need anything.” She said, standing up and about to walk out.

“N… no…” He said quickly.

“You would prefer I stay?” She asked.

“I guess… I just want someone… to talk too… though the horn and wings… that’s still a lot to take in…” He said.

“I would imagine.” She laughed, taking a seat next to him again.

He paused momentarily as something hit him. “You said… Princess right?” He asked.

“Yes. I rule alongside my sister. Princess Luna.” She nodded.

“Well I’ll be damned… I never thought I’d talk to any form of royalty.” He chuckled.

“Yes I hear that a lot.” She joked. “Although this is the first in these circumstances.”

“Well… might as well open up a bit if I’m stuck here.” He said. “Not like they really care about a single lost soldier.” He sighed.

“You’ll be surprised about what people care about around here.” She smiled.

“That sounds great.” He said.

“If I may, what is your name?” She asked.

“Just call me Ryan.” He said. “I’m guessing as the leader of Equestria… Sorry one of them you’ll want to keep an eye on me.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Oh of course…” She said jokingly.

“So… you didn’t intend on all but imprisoning me?” Ryan asked.

“Oh definitely. You’ve committed the most devastating of crimes.” She said.

“And… that is?” He asked uncertainly.

“Well you did just invade my kingdom. And there are serious charges to that.” She said.

“Um…” He mumbled shrinking back onto the bed slightly.

“I will hope to see you again when you make a full recovery… Implying I get here before the executioner.” She sighed, standing up.

The fear was clear on his face as he kept silent.

Author's Note

I would like to thank my Co-author Vinyl_Wubs. He's a great writer and a really great friend of mine. I hope you decide to check out his work.