Stranded in the Canaries

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..."