https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX5kjz94AZU
Prologue
The concept of "aggressive warfare" or "invasion" was somewhat “alien” to many Equestrians.
We rarely relied on our military to solve conflicts with other states. We were never those kind of States that prefers doing so. WE adhered to Defensive Military Doctrine. We relied heavily on Diplomatic dilly-dallies to solve Conflicts. In fact, we’re the best on doing it so much that many peace agreements between various countries were signed in this country. Now, if Diplomacy was our first line of defense, what is the military role then? Self Defense, for the short answer.
Si vis pacem, Para bellum. Those who wanted peace must prepare for war. That was the motto of the EHDF, The Equestrian Homeland Defense Force. The EHDF was separated into 3 major branches. The Air Force, The Navy, and The Home Guard. The home guard was equivalent to an Army, and it was further separated into three divisions. Same goes for the Air Force and the Navy, albeit the latter were split into two divisions rather than three.
But before we jump on those, let’s talk about the Wonderbolts. The Wonderbolts, as we know it, on its first conception was purely made for defending the homeland and as a quick response force to many emergencies across Equestria. Overtime, they begun to deviate from that goal, becoming more focused on performing airshows albeit keeping some of the principles of a homeland defense apparatus. As of today, the role of being a QRF has mostly diminished or replaced by other branches of civilian service. Until the airshow disaster three years ago.
As the result of the incident the Quadruvirate of the Princesses (is it the correct word for Four princesses ruling the principality of Equestria?) issued a decree ordering the reorganization of the Wonderbolts. In which results into the formation of two regiments inside the WB. One’s focused on acrobatics and the other’s focused on rescuing civilians, effectively returning to its original roots. And for the record, all WB units were mandatory to combat training. Hence they’re technically still part of the Equestrian Navy.
And here I am. Training new cadets for the QRF regiment. Sure, being a part of (and also training) a new service branch is a tough task, the current Group Captain, Captain Spitfire, had to reinstate many Retired or reserve WB personnel to fill up the Commanding structure. One of them is my Mother, Rainbow Dash. She returned with the Bolts for another four years, training new bloods in meteorology and weather management whilst filling the Officers rank with those that are younger than her. Luckily, Capt. Spitfire authorized a Brevet on my rank, accelerating it into Lieutenant JG on the first day of my duty on the base.
3 DAYS BEFORE THE INVASION
WONDERBOLTS HQ, HMS NIMBUS. 4500 ft. OVER PONYVILLE
The sounds of cadets training was heard on the distance, some of them were practicing acrobatic maneuvers, some are undergoing PT and basic QRF maneuvers.
“ALRIGHT NEWBLOODS, that marks the end of today's routine! Please return your gears to your respective lockers and kindly double time to the showers. ESPECIALLY you Sea Sparrow. You smell like a rotting camembert! The rest of you, enjoy your summer sun leave.”
“Permission to speak freely sir!” the cadet replied.
"go ahead stinkbug."
Sparrow then proceeds to flip his middle finger towards me
"Is that all you got cadet?"
"I thought i would get the expected response!"
And so i got close to Sparrow
"Let me tell you a story of a, how should i say this... A Cockheaded cadet of the days of old. There was a cadet who acts and spoke just like you. One day, his shenanigans and ego went too far that it ruins his relationship with everyone including his gal, and left him with a mark on his face. Courtesy of Admiral Spitfire. So now i will put this straight you Jack-assed son of an attractive young mare from oblivion. If you think you're here to show how beautiful your flank is ___ NOBODY.FIGHTS.ALONE. because i was there Cadet. End of story.
“DISMISSED!”
Yeah, I still have that naughty persona. Well, back to the office then. And suddenly, a voice startled me.
“I suppose you're now something, am i right?”
Turns out it was my dad. Commander Soarin Spirit, second in command of the Nimbus beside Captain Spitfire.
“Dad? What are you doing here?” I answered with a surprised tone.
“Oh just clearing some paperwork with aunt Spits, and watching you train these new kids. Ah those days, just like when I mentored your mom”
“Speaking of mom, where is she?” i asked him while we were walking around the base
“Hanging out with her friends at the friendship castle. Says it’s an annual thing. Oh yeah, when I was doing some paperwork, aunt Spitfire told me that you’re taking a liberty for a week?”
“To the Canaries, yes. I want to loosen up some steam with my old ponyville bunch”
“Oh, then it’s not a honeymoon then.” He chuckled
as we continued our walk around the base, a little "ping" came up in my head
“One last thing dad, years ago you told me this story about how my great grandfather died in action over the Canaries. Where was his resting place anyway?”
He then paused, trying to remember where his grandfather were laid to rest with the rest of his squad.
“The northwestern point of the main island, at cape whitehead memorial. Why are you asking about that thing Prism?”
“I want to pay some respects to him. Veterans day is in three days isn’t it? So it feels appropriate to do so, I suppose.” I replied to him with a slightly determined tone.
“I suppose you are right my boy. And speaking of it, it has been ages the last time i visited the Memorial. So please kindly send my regards to him too, OK?”
“Will do sir.”
“HEY PRISM!” screamed someone from the distance. Buut I obviously know who it is. Whirlwind.
“Ayy, C’mere you little-!” as I kissed her in the lips. While she completely oblivious to the presence of her father-in-law.
“Oh, Mr. Skies- I mean Commander Skies! Sorry sir, i didn’t-“
“At ease Ensign, we are all family here. By the way, I’m going back to the HQ, those papers aren’t going to sort themselves. Clear skies kids.”
“And Fair Winds Cdr. Skies”
“Fair winds dad.”
And with that he flew towards the HQ building.
“So honey, how was the day? Are we still going to the Canaries?”
“After I take care of the papers Dubz, we all know that. So, how’s today’s routine?”
“Well, remember that cadet who looks like the younger genderbent version of CPO Sky Stinger? ”
"Bonanza? why?"
"You see, when we're performing..."
Day Zero (Ponyville, the Old Sisters Castle)
So, how many times has Equestria got involved in conflicts or wars? Honestly, i have no idea. Sure, some of them are notable enough to be written in the history books such as the War of the two Sisters (also known as the Lunar Rebellion), the Changeling Incursions, Lord Tirek's Invasion, the Crystal Empire war, and the Discordian crisis. To name the few
4 HOURS LATER
OLD SISTERS CASTLE, 1.2 Km SE OF PONYVILLE
“FULL HOUSE! I WON!” screamed Hot Head.
“Aw man not again!” I grumbled as I threw my card on the table. Hothead has beaten me again in a poker game for three times in a row.
“High five redhead!” said Prince Illusion.
“Boom” Hothead replies, slapping his fore hoof towards Illusion’s right paw
“I swear to mother Faust you must’ve switched his card Lulu!”
“That’s preposterous, i wouldn't cheat on a game like these! well, except on that occassion” again Illusion shouted.
“Now you must pay all the expenses for my next date!”
“How about I make it better by giving you both a ticket to the Canaries?” please don’t overspend.
Now Hothead begun showing that intrigued- i mean smughead face.
“Hold the phone, you, paying for-“
“But the return trip will be paid by yourself, and the hotel… halved. Come on man, I am bringing Dubz here!”
“I heard that!” shouted Whirlwind from the kitchen.
“Eh, it still sounds logical, I’ll take it. I’m going to call her now.”
As soon as he left the game room, Lucky, Nidra, Starburst and Fletcher enters it.
“Ey, what’s up?”
“So, little boy Blue is going to the Canaries huh? Tell you what, we’ll be going there, all of us. In my Bird.”
That one came from Nidra, I don’t know how did she just- well, ‘least my wallet is saved.
“That is mighty generous of you, any reasons for that?”
“I want to blow off some steam too ya pinhead! All these “greeting, meeting and jibber jabber” with diplomats is really getting on my nerves! I’m literally burned out mate!” She fierily replied, with a pistol gesture on her temple.
“I got it lass. It’s always sucks to work behind the desk, or sitting with diplomats and those stuff. But hey, it’s our duty as the successors to the throne. Speaking of crown duties, unfortunately I can’t join the tripwith you guys.” Sighed Illusion at the end of his sentence.
“why?”
“Remember that ‘situation’ in Dragonstone? Apparently mom is sending me, Claire and Uncle Spike over there to take care of things. Hope it’ll be short. Can’t let you guys party in the Cans without me.” he chuckled.
Just then, Hothead returns to the room.
“Right, so… Prism, I guess you are in luck. Lightbringer can’t join us because she’s having a Family reunion for a week. But she invited me to a date at Horseshoe Lake in 16 days from now. And I’m still joining you on this trip”
“Fine then, we will depart tomorrow morning, are we clear?”
“Duly noted PB.” Exclaimed Lucky.
“PB? That’s a new nickname. Never heard anyone-“
Then I was cut by Dubz, back with a beverage cart.
“Drinks are ready guys! And I see the other four has arrived”
“Dubz, did you invite the-“
…And then I got cut off by Starburst. Who’s clearly not in her best mood right now.
“YES SHE DID. Now can I PLEASE have the drinks now! LOOK, four hours ago some dumbass private made fun of my stature and goofed off during PT, while also clearly oblivious to my rank. So I gave those boots little ‘kick in the sack’. And by Faust I see no reason for not doing so to you too if you kept blabbering! Gosh, fresh meats these days!”
“Yeesh, is that h-OW MY KNEE! Hey Fletcher, did she really did that thing to a Private?”
“Yes she did, shame that I didn’t stop that poor stallion in time.” Replied Fletcher.
“Argh, Starburst, you should lay down your Caff, for real now.”
And so after a pack of ice and many laughs later…
“So, as I say before. We’ll depart from this castle around 09:00 hours, so let’s get your respective stuff. And move to the guest rooms. Let’s call it a night and prep up guys.
10 HOURS LATER
