Aces In Exile

**Chapter Eight:

Rising tensions**

Council chambers of the country of Asterion:

"Elder Steel Hide, what news has there been from the Dragon Lords?" Asked elder Swift Runner. "No word yet, they still have not responded to the messenger we sent to them two weeks ago." He replied. "I grow worrisome, do you think that they could be planning something?"

He pondered. "I would hope not Swift Runner, long have we strove to keep our truce with the dragon kin, for them to break it now after all this time..." Steel Hide trailed off as he heard a commotion coming from the other side of the chamber door.

The doors burst open, through them fell one of the honor guard posted in front of the chamber doors. Then, past him stepped the leader of their attackers. "What is the meaning of this Iron Heart?" Questioned Swift Runner. "Isn't it obvious you old cow? It's time that someone with a fresher mind took over." He sneered. "You shall pay for this you traitor!" Steel Hide threatened as he drew his sword.

"Oh I think not, BOWMEN!" He called as a large group of crossbow armed troops entered the room and took aim.

"We will see you burn in Tartarus for this Iron Heart." Steel Hide said. Iron hide raised his arm, then dropped it, as crossbow bolts filled the room.

Equestria:

"This is Blue leader, ready for take off." Alzack called flight control as his craft was hooked up to the catapult on top of the flight deck.

"Roger that Blue leader, solo patrol mission is a go, happy hunting." The controller replied. Al braced himself as his body and his fighter was rapidly accelerated down the ship, launching him off the end of the left runway. "Blue leader is clear, beginning patrol."

Alzack called as he banked towards his assigned airspace, roughly over the town of Ponyville. Even though there was not a single enemy anywhere nearby, the commander did not want the crew going soft, so patrols were launched every now and then, but to save on fuel, they were only done by a single aircraft at a time.

Nearing Ponyville's airspace, Al could make out the bustle of the town below him, as well as multiple pegasi attending to the weather.

Down below, Rainbow Dash could hear the by now unmistakable sound of the engines of one of the Pride's fighter craft.

Looking around, she spotted it making it's way around the edge of the town, but still fairly close. A cocky grin soon found itself on Dash's face, there was a race to be had, and she quickly shot off to get it started.

Inside the cockpit, Alzack's radar warned him of an incoming object, checking his left side, he saw a blue pegasus with rainbow hair fly up to him. The two looking between each other, Dash poked her tongue out at him before zooming away. "Oh no, I am not getting chewed out for racing in a military craft." He said as he slowly banked away, but looking back, he saw that she had written something in the sky with a few clouds.

SLOWPOKE

"Oh you little, it is on." Al reversed his course and increased his throttle. Seeing that her plan had worked, Dash bolted off quickly, both her and the pilot effortlessly rolling and turning around the clouds high in the sky. The match was fairly even, Dash being smaller than the war bird was obviously much more maneuverable, but the fighter with it's powerful engines easily had her in the speed department.

Even so, with the acrobatics he pulled to keep up with her cornering, Dash could tell that this one was no rookie flyer.

Down below in the town, the local townsponies, and crew on leave watched the spectacle from the ground, each cheering for their side's representative. Some of them had even started putting down bets on the event, Pinkie sat on one of the building's roofs with a small bucket of popcorn as she watched and cheered dash on. "Hey, want some Storm?" Huh? Oh sure, thanks pinks. "No problem."

"YAY, GO DASHIE!" She shouted. The race had come to it's last leg, clear sky between them both and the finish line, and Dash had a lead on the pilot coming out of the last turn, but now without any clouds, it was a straight shot to the finish. 'Come on Dash, you got this!' She thought to herself. "Sorry kid, but not quite." Alzack said to himself as he engaged the afterburners and rapidly accelerated past, easily breaking the sound barrier as he crossed the line.

Down in the town, it was a mix of cheers and a few groans as the people celebrated a good race and some bits and credits were exchanged between each of the people who placed bets. It had all been very exciting, and back in the air, the two competitors flew side by side, waved to each other and flew off to each return to their own duties. 'Next time, you won't be so lucky.' Dash thought to herself.

Meanwhile, Pinkie was returning to sugar cube corner with a small popcorn bucket full of coins.... Wait Pinkie I thought you were cheering on Dash? "Shh~" Was her only answer as she winked and entered the building. "Goodnight everypony!" Hey wait, you can't use your fourth wall powers to make money on gambling! Pinkie get back here! PINKIE!~