"Mayor Hill here broadcasting an emergency notification to everyone in Greenhaven. A state of Emergency has been declared. But dont worry we will get through this. Just follow the instructions of Sheriff Star and his deputies and any other radio messages and we will get through this. Stay safe everyone, look out for your neighbors."
--Looped message heard near the burned out remains of the town of Greenhaven.

Date: August 9th, 1666 CC
Time: 14:15
Name: Prancer
Location: Unnamed private airfield Southeastern Equestria

The car skidded to a stop outside of the gates of Prancer’s family air strip where they kept their private jet for when they flew where they wanted. They had been lucky to be at the winter house when the invaders attacked and had been avoiding the worst of it.

Prancer was the only child of a noble house and heir to its titles. Groomed by his Father to take over once he was gone Prancer learned very quickly not to express his own opinions on matters as his Father believed he knew best on all things, a fact Prancer could tell was far from the truth as while they had wealth, they were far from The Council, they didn't even qualify as a middle house within Equestrian society do to his parents insistence on use of their wealth to do all they canto acquire more at the cost of everyone else. You can’t rise without allies and no one will ally with someone they knew would stab them in the back at the first inconvenience.

Even with this horrible situation Prancer’s Father only cared for themselves ordering their personal security to lock the gates and keep everyone out even other Equestrians focused only on self preservation and nothing on what it means to be a Nobel in the upper parts of society.

Even now with the invaders getting close Father had slipped them out quietly without alerting the house staff of the threat, luckily Prancer had been able to leave a note so they might get some warning and can flee before it's too late to hide.

“Come now the plane should be ready.” Father said as he got out of the car and went to the trunk to get their suitcases, having packed as if they were going on vacation and weren't running for their lives.

Prancer’s Mother wasn't much better, married for her looks and name rather than anything going on in her head. Prancer hated to think that way as at least his Mother showed kindness to others but he had to face facts, she was the product of wealth and only wealth, not education or anything so she didn't understand much. If he wanted to rise Prancer would have to try and repair the damage both families reputations have left him with. That was if he survived this ordeal.

Prancer grabbed his suitcase, packed with a single change of clothes and the rest of the space was taken up by water food and a rifle he used for competition shooting, it wasn't much but it was better then being unarmed.

The 3 of them made their way through the gate and across the tarmac toward the hanger that housed their plane and they were greeted by Fair Winds the pilot of their jet and former air force pilot, one of the few good decisions his Father made as it was paying off now.

“Jets all fueled up and ready to go.” Fair Winds said in her drawl that marked her speech. “Where too sir”

“I am thinking the Griffin Kingdoms will be quite fine, yes quite fine.” Father said.

Fair Winds nodded. “Right away sir, leave your bags here and I'll take care of them.” Fair Winds said clearly unaware of the situation.

Father of course didn't tell her as he walked past her leaving his bags headed for the stairs.

Prancer followed as he knew saying anything now would only result in a delay and despite his plans for the future, he couldn't do anything if he didn’t escape. So he left his bag with the others and boarded the small jet.

Inside was a shrine to wealth, finest chairs, gold trim on things, even a few paintings and of course wine. Everything is just the highest quality materials whether it functions or not.

Prancer took one of the seats and buckled the seatbelt as he looked out the window, watching Fair Winds load the luggage into the cargo hold.

Once that was done Fair Winds climbed aboard and pulled the stepped up sealing the cabin. “Just give me a moment and we will be heading out.” She said to them before heading to the cockpit to take her seat.

Just as she said, within a moment the cabin was filled with a dull hum as the engines came on and soon they were taxing out of the hangar towards the runway. As they did, Fair Wind’s voice came over the intercom. “Uh…Sir i think i may have an issue with the radio, i can't seem to raise any air traffic controllers.”

Father was quick to pick up the phone built into his seat that gave him a direct line to her head set. “I’m sure it's just the weather, it was called for a thunderstorm further north.” he said quickly, making it clear he was deliberately keeping the truth from the pilot. Telling her might result in her abandoning the flight plan and Father couldn't have anyone disobeying him.

It sickened the young unicorn but there wasn't much he could do.

After a moment. "Yes I'm sure once we are going it will be fine.” Father said and hung up the phone and the plane moved towards the runway.

Prance caught movement out his window and looked to see a car speeding down the road toward the air strip, the front showing damage as if it had rammed something and the speed it was taking turns told Prancer all he needed to know, the Invaders had reached the area.

The car skidded to a stop outside the gate and and a mare jumped from the passenger seat frantically waving as she galloped towards the gate as the driver got out along with two foals. Prancer watched as the four ran for the plane not even carrying anything as if they fled before they could as the plane slowly turned onto the runway.

Prancer looked at his Father who had poured himself a glass of wine and then back to the family frantically galloping and trying to get the pilots attention and he made a decision.

Prancer unbuckled from his seat and headed for the front of the plane.

“Prancer what are you doing?” His mother asked.

Prancer ignored her as he opened the door and waved out the door. “Come on! Move!”

“What are you doing?” His Father said angrily as he got up and marched towards Prancer.

“What's going on back there? I got an indication the door opened? I can’t take off if it's open.” Fair Winds said over the intercom.

Prancer ignored them. “Hurry we don't have much time!” he yelled as the family galloped for the door.
Prancer was yanked back inside by his angry Father who stormed past him and started to pull the stairs back up.

Prancer did something he had never thought of doing ever and tackled his Father away from them.

“What do you think you're doing young colt?” his Father yelled in anger.

A moment later Fair Wind came out of the cockpit. “What the hell is going on?” She said seeing the scene before her of Prancer and his Father wrestling on the ground.

A few seconds later a mare entered the cabin and turned back to take the first foal from the stallion. “Who the hell are you? This is a private plane." Fair Winds said.

The mare took the last foal and the stallion boarded. “Thank you, thank you so much they were right behind us.” he said.

“What? Who was behind you?” Fair Winds asked, confused.

Prancer got off his father. “The damn country is being invaded, we have to leave now as they reached this area, we have to go NOW!” he said.

“Wh…invasion?” Fair winds said and looked between Prancer serious look and the terrified family moving to find seats in the back. “Alright, buckle up.” She said and moved to pull the stairs backup as a large vehicle of unknown make came into view coming down the road.

The mare approached. “I’m a pilot, small planes but I should be able to help,” She said and Fair Winds nodded as the two headed for the cockpit.

The strange vehicle reached the gate and crashed through it as the plane started to pick up speed for take off.

Prancer got to his seat and lost sight of it as it moved to get behind the plane. Prancer turned his seat around to look at the stallion who was getting the foals buckled into the seat. “Don't worry, Fair Winds is one of the best pilots.” he assured them.

The stallion nodded and took a seat just as the plane started taking off a moment before an energy blast fired past the window barely missing the plane.

“Shit!” Prancer heard one of the pilots say before they banked hard as they gained altitude and more energy blasts were fired.

In seconds they were out of range and climbing higher into the sky as rapidly as they could.

Suddenly the intercom sounded with Fair Wind’s voice. “Shit hold on, we got company up here, starting evasive maneuvers.” She said a moment before they banked hard once more, the entire plane going sideways, thankfully designed to be agile for a civilian plane, the maneuvers caused the paintings to fall from their perches.

The foals yelped in fear as wine bottles slid from the rack and shatter against the wall.

Prancer clutched the armrests as the passengers were jostled back and forth as Fair Winds threw her entire military experience at keeping them airborne and from being shot, Prancer occasionally getting glimpses of energy bolts flying past the window missing them by inches.

“Hold on, going to get rough here, we are entering the Dragonlands.” Fair Winds warned moments before the cabin shook from the turbulent air for the Dragonlands caused by all the volcanic activity in the area.

Prance could see the two mares in the cockpits doing all they could talking back and forth rapidly giving orders and responses the young stallion didn't understand.

Suddenly they were diving and Prancer felt like his stomach jumped into his throat and in moments his window was filled with sheer cliffs as the plane flew through a jagged canyon barely missing rock protrusions or lava falls as energy bolts still barely missed them.

“Hold on!” Fair Winds yelled back and pulled up hard pinning everyone to their seat and Prancer saw them pass over a cliff so close he was amazed they didn't scrap it.

“Oh….shit….” Fair Winds said and Prancer eyes snapped to the cockpit and could see beyond the window a massive dragon turning to face the plane looking annoyed as energy bolts that missed the plane struck it not seeming to do anything but annoy it further.

“Hold on!” Fair Wind yelled and banked harder than ever before and as she did the windows were illuminated with a blue light as the dragon unleashed its fire coming so close to the private jet there was a very sharp increase in the internal temperature.

The dragon stopped its breath and was moving now faster than you'd expect something that big to move as its claws shot out and caught one of the pursuing craft and crushed it as easily as one crushes a plastic up.

“Never thought I'd be happy to see a full size dragon.” Fair Winds said, sounding relieved as the jet flew further into the Dragonlands leaving behind a very one sided battle as the Dragon was making short work of the alien crafts.

Author's Note

This chapter brought to you by

Friction by Imagine Dragons

And yes I get the irony of the band's name and how this chapter ends.