The Shining Wings of the Sky

Chapter I:
Operation Thunderstorm

"Nebula One, stop daydreaming and listen to the briefing"

Colonel Lightning Hooves. Call sign Vortex. Captain of the Stellar Squadron. A war veteran. My commanding officer. He's been around since the Air Force was established. He received many merits and rewards for his skills for being an ace pilot. All of his remarkable abilities did not come without a cost. On one of his missions, an enemy fighter fired at Lightning's cockpit head on. His right eye was shot but nevertheless, he continued the mission. That's why he now wears an eye patch. This showcased his resiliency and he's willing to go through massive pains to get the mission done. Even though he's like that, he's actually a nice guy. Back when I passed the entrance exam, he was amazed at my skills. He treated me dinner while we talked about our lives. We both came to visit Lightpulse once. He was surprised that I was affiliated with, and I quote "a scary looking colt." He and Lightpulse actually got along together, As strange as it was, both of them were actually big video game fans.

"Let's continue the briefing. Our intel has discovered that enemy fighters have been sighted in the airspace of Baltimare. The Constellar Squadron has taken responsibility to take care of this matter. Nebula One and Two, you will assist me in taking out the fighters. Solar One and Two, you will scout the area in case of reinforcements. Whether it be land, sea or sky, it is your job to inform us about it. Operation will start on 0900H. Be prepared before we head out. Dismissed."

A simple air-to-air mission. Should be easy enough. I head out from the briefing room and walk through the corridors of the establishment.

"Hey isn't that Starlight? The ruthless young ace of the Constellar Squadron?"
I hear this as I pass by some pilots.
"Really? She looks like she hasn't brushed her mane in weeks! That beautiful azure mane is a waste. Split ends EVERYWHERE. Does she even wash her mane?"
Well I don't really brush my mane, there are more important things to do than brush my mane but I DO wash it.
"I heard she doesn't feel any emotions. That's why she doesn't show mercy to the enemy."
Hey, wait. That's not true! I need to clear this up. I walk towards those pilots.

"Hey guys." I said to them.
"O-oh. H-hey Starlight! W-we were just talking about um...how great you are at flying!"
"Y-yeah, what he said. OH! Would you look at the time! We really need to get to the briefing room! See ya!"
At that moment, they ran away faster than my F-22. Is that what I am to other people? A ruthless, killing machine who doesn't brush her mane?

I ponder about this as I go to my quarters. My bed lies next to the window. The floor is littered with blueprints I need to give to my mechanic. My desk is filled with pictures of Lightpulse and me. Which reminds me, I need to visit him after the mission. I tossed myself onto the bed and fell into slumber.

I woke up 2 hours before the mission. I looked at the mirror and I remembered about yesterday. Why do I need to brush my mane if the helmet I'm gonna wear is gonna mess it up anyway? It doesn't matter now, my stomach is grumbling for some grub. I now proceed to the mess hall for breakfast. I'm feeling a bit hungry and I mission is coming up. Can't fly with an empty stomach. Without a moment to soon, I chowed down. I can still hear some pilots talking about me.

"Dude, look at Starlight's food. Isn't she taking too much?"
"She needs the energy to annihilate the enemy forces. It's only natural."
"B-but look! She's chomping on those like a pig."
"That's revolting..."
Well, yeah. I need to hurry up and monitor my plane.

I finish my meal down to the last morsel and I proceed to my hangar. I meet up with my mechanic, good ol' Sharpsmith. I gave him the blueprints which was cluttered in my room.
"So, ya goin' out to a mission eh?", he exclaimed.
"Yeah, I can handle air-to-air fights normally. I need you to install air-to-surface missiles in case of reinforcements.", I said.
"Good idea in that brain'a yours. Ya have potential, young'in.", he replied.
"Thanks."
"Ya may not look like it, but ya could be a great leader. Diligent, independent and reliable. Looks like you're plane's set to go. Good luck on your mission"
"I will, thanks for the encouragement."

I hop on aboard my F-22 and get wait for Vortex's orders.

"Everybody here? Good. Constellar Squadron, prepare for take-off."

We head out to the Baltimare airspace. Just like our intel suspected, there were indeed enemy fighters.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Constellar Squadron."
Is that the enemy?
"We've heard all about you. The greatest ace of the Alliance Air Force. The one they call Vortex."
"What are you babbling about?", the Colonel replied.
"You see, the Crimson Chaos has been monitoring you. You were eliminating the chaos Discord spread throughout Equestria."
"Who are you? What's the Crimson Chaos?"
"We live in the Northern section of Equestria, secluded from other countries. We can be easily identified by our crimson eyes. We can not let you continue eliminating the chaos."
"Constellar Squadron, open fire to enemy fighters.", the Colonel ordered.

Finally, some action. "Nebula One, engaging."
"Nebula Two, engaging."

I push my throttle to full speed as I feel my adrenaline pump. Let's see, there's one, two, three, four, five enemies. I forgot I switched my secondary missiles to air-to-surface. Oh well, standard missiles will have to do. I have to admit, they're pretty good fliers. They avoided most of my missiles.

"I've got you now!", the enemy exclaimed.
"Nebula One, watch your six!", the Colonel shouted at me.
I applied my air brakes and descended, the enemy flew right above me and continued flying forward. He's open for fire.

"Enemy down", I reported.

I spot another one. Sticking out like a sore thumb. I give chase, of course. He was flying relatively close to the ocean surface. Guess it's time to use my air-to-surface missile.

"Another one bites the dust.", I reported while smirking at my reference.
"I managed to get one as well.", Nebula Two reported.
"I took one out.", Vortex reported.

That makes four fighters out of commission. But there were five, where's the other one?

"Vortex, come in. This is Solar One."
"What is it?"
"Enemy bomber approaching Baltimare's city. Should we engage?"
"Remain hidden, continue patrolling that aircraft."
"Understood, Solar One out."

"Nebula One and Two, you heard him. Proceed to Baltimare's city and engage the aircraft."
"Understood!", we said in unison.

The three of us headed west to Baltimare's city.

"COLONEL! This is Solar One. The aircraft dropped a bomb towards the city!"
"What!? Intercept that bomb immediately!"
"Negative, our missiles can't target the bomb. It's near impossible to shoot it down with our gattling gun."
"Nebula One, take care of the enemy aircraft. I'll take care of the bomb."
"B-but how-", I replied but the Colonel cuts me off short.
"Just leave it to me!", he retorted. "Starlight, you're one of the best fighters around. Make sure you keep it that way."
"Wait, what?"
Right then, he flew towards the bomb.

I flew behind the enemy aircraft. It was sturdy, took me about 4 missiles to take it out.
"Where's the Colonel?", Nebula Two asked.
Just then, an explosion occurred at a distance.
"Did the Colonel intercept the bomb?", I asked.
"Seems so.", Nebula Two replied. "Well, it looks like another mission wrapped up."
"It's too early to celebrate, Nebula Two.", Solar Two added. "I can't detect the Colonel's presence anywhere."

No, it can't be. He wouldn't.

Solar One said, "Looks like the Colonel intercepted the bomb with his plane."

Author's Notes:
Sorry for the long update but thanks for reading anyway. Suggestions and criticism are welcome, as always. If there are any artists there that wants to draw the characters of this story for free, you have my deepest and sincerest gratitude.