(A1) - Chapter 1: The Sky Calls

No Glory Won

Chapter 1: The Sky Calls

“Oh what I would give to be born with wings!”

Perspective: Night Light

The story of how Sunshine Tempest and I got drafted was pretty much the same. We were both at home, 2 weeks after we had finally moved in together at last to cloudsdale. She lived most of her time in Canterlot beforehoof. But more importantly, it was about 3 months since the war began. It was mid-April, I think the 22nd If my memory’s not too shabby as it normally is.

We were both waking up to a casual morning. The war was fresh on everybody’s mind, and while the Borders fell quickly, there was, finally, some good news. The Shire River, just near Whitebell, has been fortified heavily with fortifications, and equipment. Within the first month in the war, Equestria has seen many improvements in their military, transforming from an Oversized Police Force to an actual Formidable Military.

In the first few days of the war, progress was quickly achieved by the changelings. Within 6 days, Vanhoover fell. And after that, Tall Tales was next, 3 weeks afterward. And 1 more week after that, and the Changelings would’ve crossed the river.

But then, the rain came down. And then a Storm. The Pegasi had shaped and moved the clouds to form a storm across half of Equestria. Within Hours, the Panzer IIIs were Bogged down in the mud and rain, due to Weather complications.

Or at least, that was what the newspapers and radio broadcasts say. I had no way of knowing whether or not it was true though. But I was not gonna travel over to see for myself.

After about 1 and a half months of non-stop mobile combat, the changeling advance was finally halted at the Shire River. Just past the Ruby Mountains Southwest of the river, the frontlines were also shifted around Mead Resort near the small lake at the Western coastline. And to the North, in the Crystal Empire, the Borders shifted past Featherfall Dale and were stopped at the evergreen river. Stalliongrad and Crystal Ponies alike hold the line in the Crystal Empire. And Due to an abnormally long winter and Colossal Mountains, the Changelings couldn't go beyond that line.

Another month and a half later, and the lines haven’t shifted. There were attempts to cross the river, but the bridges to cross were already destroyed, and the absurd amount of defenses were proving to be too much for the changelings. I knew it wouldn't last long though. Sooner or later, something will happen. I feared the river would fall sometime within the year.

I was going through my Sky Mailbox, and Sunshine was making us both breakfast. I could smell Hay Toast, and Eggs. at first, there were the usual pickups: Posters of War Bonds advertisements were common nowadays, what with the war on and all. There were also many different postcards that contained various propaganda art pieces. Posters that said

"They fight so you can eat! Won't you fight for them, too?"

Nothing unusual. But the next piece of Mail was different. There were two of the exact same kind: An envelope from the Equestrian Military Draft Administration. I froze when I looked at the envelope, a very surreal surge of fear penetrating my core. Carefully and ever so slowly, I ripped the envelope open and found a typed letter inside.

“Night Light,

We have entered a state of Emergency that has come down to the Industry and Military Mobilizing in mass force, and in such a hurry, that helping hands are needed. And for this reason, we have activated: The Draft!

As of this current moment, the Population of Equestria is Estimated to be about 40-50 Million, based on expert calculations. And the Recruitment Policy states that at least 5.00% of the nation is Recruitable for service. And YOU, My Little Pony, have been drafted to join The Equestrian Military!”

I didn’t finish. I was standing there, petrified at the sudden revelation.

I was going to war.

“What’s it this time, Night Light? More War Bond Posters?”

I tore open the second envelope and found another note.

“Sunshine Tempest,”

It said the Exact same thing as my letter, replacing me with Sunshine instead. It spoke of her joining the Equestrian Military as well.

“Night Light?” Sunshine asked again. Warm, salty tears were cornering my eyes. “Night Light, what is it?” Sunshine, sounding a little more worried. I just sat on my haunches and stared at my letter, reading it again.

“...We recognize that you, Night Light, are indeed a Pegasus. And the RAF is always in need of more capable Ponies like you! You will be tasked to arrive at the Los Pegasus Airfield on April 28th at 0900 Hours. If you are not there, your home will be visited, and we will take you there by force, or you will face custody in fair court by order of Equestrian Law.”

“Night Light, You’re scaring me. What is it?” Sunshine asked again. I simply just held the note in my hooves and wept. Sunshine picked up the second letter, and Slowly read. I didn't turn to look at her. I heard a gasp from behind, and more tears flowed.

I felt a hoof placed over my whither. Finally, I mustered the courage to face her. Her eyes were puffy and red, her lips quivering. I couldn't think of any way to find comfort in this situation. Instead, I only reached out to her in a desperate attempt to find solace. Sunshine was looking down, her shoulders heaving - when I embraced her in my hooves. She returned the gesture... but even then, it didn't change anything.

No words or actions in this world could be said to save us from the nightmare we were about to go into.

That ordeal was six days before. I stood outside the entrance to the Airfield with my pack slung on my back. I took a deep breath and simply trotted forward. I walked inside a terminal, walked up to the lady behind a desk, and showed her my draft papers. “Where can I go for this?” I asked her.

She quickly read the letter, then replied nonchalantly: “Go to the Cloud Runway and find the Teal Mare with the Rainbow Mane. She’ll help you.”

I walked back out and spread my wings, taking off to the Cloud Runway up in the Sky. there were Buildings on the ground, as well as in the Sky, Casinos, Resorts, and in this case, an Airfield. I slowly hovered to the top and landed near the edge of the runway. All around me, I found Pegasi, and Unicorns grouped together near a variety of planes, no doubt still standing on the clouds due to the unicorns' help. Pegasi were inspecting it, while the Unicorns were taking notes and recording data.

I eventually found the Rainbow Colored Mare that the lady was referring to. She was lining up other recruits in a neat line in front of a hanger. I could hear her yelling as I walked to her.

“Right, Listen up Fillies and Colts! You are here today because your sorry flanks just got drafted. Happens to the best of us. Hell, happened to me even. And Under Celestia’s orders herself, it is my Job to Train up all of the Pilots from this region. And you bet your Flanks off that I can transform you from recruits to Aces. Hell, you might even be as 20% better than the enemy by the time I’m done with you!

I’ll teach you about how to fly, how to Dodge, and how to shoot down some Bugs! I’ll teach you what it means to be a Pegasus, and I’ll teach you how to outsmart the Enemy. When I’m through with you, you’ll be as good, or maybe even better than the Wonderbolts!”

The mare finally noticed my Presence and turned to face me. she trotted up to until she was just a couple of meters away from me. “And who are you supposed to be?”

“Uh, N-Night Light. I was drafted to be a pilot, s-o I came here.” I finished pathetically. I handed her my Draft papers as proof, after pulling them out of my pack. She quickly read it over, nodding while doing so, then smiled.

“So we got another Recruit in our midst then, huh? And it looks like she's a little shaken up, too." she sneered. I could only look down in silence. she gave a single chuckle. "No worries. You came in just in time, as a matter of fact. We were just about to get sorted out. But for now, you can talk to Spitfire near the barracks down near the end of the runway. Tell her Rainbow sent ya, she’ll help you get sorted as to where to bunk.”

“Um... thanks. What do I do after that?”

“Find me. I’ll see what I can do with you.”

“Ok, Yes Ma’am.” I saluted and made my way over to the end of the runway. trotting my way across the flat paved clouds, the barracks were on the other side. But it didn’t seem too-

“Hey, WATCH OUT!” A mare suddenly yelled to my left, Approaching me with very fast speed. I was barely able to Dodge back, as she flew past me, barely missing me.

“DAMMIT NIGHT LIGHT, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING A RUNWAY! EVERY PEGASUS KNOWS THIS!” Rainbow Bellowed behind me. I stiffened as I turned around to face. She had a Pissy look on her face. “Do you have Eyes, Night Light?”

“Wh-What?” I replied. Bad Idea.

“I ASKED YOU A QUESTION, RECRUIT! YOU REPLY WITH AN ANSWER, NOT ANOTHER DAMN QUESTION! I SAID DO YOU HAVE EYES!? She practically shrieked at me.

“YES MA’AM” I yelled back, looking straight.

“Good, I was beginning to think you were BLIND! Next Time look both ways before you cross! UNDERSTAND!?”

“MA’AM, YES MA’AM!” I yelled again. And with that, She turned back to the other recruits, who were smiling in amusement.

“You think this is funny, Smartasses?” Rainbow Snarled, as she walked up to one of them, their smiles dissipating instantly as they captured her attention.

“Ma'am, no Ma’am!” they replied.

“Drop and give me 30! All of you! Move it, move it!” and they did so, rather fast I’ll admit. I turned to head towards the Barracks, but a mare was walking towards me. Actually, it was the same Mare that almost hit me from before. Orange Coat, Green Mane.

“You alright, hun?” She asked, in a weird accent.

“Um, yeah. I’m... fine now. Sorry about that.”

She simply Smiled. “You’re not the only one who crossed the runway without looking on your first day. You see Rainbow over there?” She pointed at rainbow and her recruits... who were still doing pushups. “She did the exact same thing on her first day as a wonderbolt.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. Was called ‘Newbie Dash’ since then. That’s sort of her nickname. Though, she doesn’t like it, so don’t tell her I told you.”

I giggled. “Don’t worry, I won’t. What’s your name anyway?”

“Name’s Apple Mint. Apple for the Coat, Mint for the Mane.”

“Night Light. Nice to meet you.” I stretched my wingtip out, to which she shakes promptly. “Well, I oughta get going. Have to meet this... Spitfire, whoever she is.”

“See you around Night Light,” Mint replied, and walked towards one of the Hangers. I didn't know at the time, but I would never see her again.

I made my way across the Runway (after looking both ways this time) and made my way to the Barracks. I trotted through the door, and was greeted with the sight of a Yellowish-Orange Pegasus Mare clinging to Bar on the ceiling, and pulling herself up, then down then up again, over and over.

“Um, ‘Scuse me, would you happen to be Spitfire?” I asked Timidly.

She glanced at me in the side of her vision, then dropped down on all fours, and faced me. “Yep! One and only. What is it?”

“Um, I’m one of the New Recruits. ‘Rainbow’ said to send me here.”

She scanned me up and down, observing my form. “Another one, huh? Alright, Follow me. I’ll show you your bed, and stuff.” she proceeded to walk down the hall. She near the middle of the Barracks, she stopped near a bed. “This is yours. The Footlocker has your uniform. Feel free to slip that on. Though I recommend doing it sometime today, lest you want to make Rainbow unhappy.”

“I, uh, I think I already have done that.”

“Oh boy. What happened?” She replied with a grin.

“I crossed the runway without looking. Almost hit a mare, Apple Mint, I think her name was.”

“Hahahahah, Oh that is classic! That’s EXACTLY what Rainbow did on her first day too! Tell me, did she give you a nickname?”

“You mean a name like… ’Newbie Dash’? No, at least, I don’t think so.” I really hoped not. This first day was already overwhelming enough.

“That ain’t the only Nickname she’s got” Spitfire Chuckled. “Well, I did my job. but hey, if you’re down, how about I’ll buy you a drink some time?”

I blushed furiously and looked away. “Uh, I mean, Thank you, but no thank you. I already have a Special Somepony.”

She laughed, even harder this time, again.

“That’s not what I meant! I meant it as a get together with friends, sharing drinks and all. Probably the only chance you’ll probably get that leisure. Anyway, get yourself settled in. I need to find Rainbow anyway.”

As she left, I opened the Foot Locker, and indeed found a One-Piece Uniform. One size fits all, from the looks of it. I got in the bathroom, proceeded to put it on. Comfy, but pretty Airtight. I inspected the other contents of the Foot Locker. Some MRE’s, and a Notebook with Pen. I wasn’t good at mouth writing, but I was decent enough. Maybe I’ll make a journal log or something. There wasn’t much else in there, aside from a simple Hygiene kit, with soap. I imagine for the showers.

I made my way back outside and flew my way over to Rainbow, now in uniform. I made my way towards her, to which she noticed, and saluted to her as I landed in front of her.

“Heh, looking good soldier. Already in uniform. I bet you’re eager to get started, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Ma’am!” I replied.

“Good, because we’re about to show you what it means to Really be a pilot!”

Days passed by after that. The sore muscles, I can get used to after a while, but it still hurt like all Hell. I didn’t think to be a Pilot could be so exhausting. Never really questioned it though. I just followed Orders. Just like a soldier.

My thoughts could not escape Sunshine. I wonder if She’s better off than I am. I pray to the goddesses every day to keep her safe. I don’t know what I would do if I were to just come home and find out she’s... gone.

I shook my head, clearing my head of such thoughts. “Don’t think about it. Just... keep going. That’s all you can do.” I said to myself. I laid there in my Barrack cot, staring at the ceiling during curfew. I couldn’t sleep. I was still too sore from the grueling workouts that rainbow gives us, and my mind was racing. I sat up, got out of my bed, and pulled out my footlocker, gently opening it to make sure I didn’t wake the others. I pulled out the notebook and pen, holding both in my mouth as I made my way to the bathroom, and closed the door. I turned on the light, and sat in a stall to myself, and began writing.

“Dear Sunshine...”