Chapters Chapter 1: The Legend's Daily Business
19,000m above the sea of Hippogriffia, along side with the warm sea-breeze and marshmallow-like clouds, two silver metal birds whooshed by in a speed of Mach 2.35, pulling loose a few clouds within them.
Two J-11b of the Hippogriffia Air Force was on a patrol mission, along side their borders. Just two weeks ago, the Hippogriffia Navy caught an Equestrian Military Speed boat along their borders, luckily, no gunfire broke out. But it's a warning for them. So, as the result, the Hippogriffian Air Force decided to scout the borders every 3 hours.
Terramar ain't gonna let any intruders pass him in his patrol mission. As the son of General Sky Beak, Terramar showed strong interest in military since his youth, after becoming an adult, he joined the Hippogriffian Air Force, now piloting a J-11b fighter jet. Along side with him is his best buddy--- Gallus. He's a Griffon, he joined the Hippogriffian Air Force as a support from Griffonian Empire. They're best friends since the first day they met. And these two went on patrol missions together, as always.
As the two pilots flew over a cloud, they spotted something silver under it----- a recon aircraft. From an unknown country; but Terramar and Gallus can be sure it's not legal.
"Him again," Gallus sighed, "What's he up to?"
"I sent you the data link," Terramar said, "Let's go."
The two planes quickly turned and fled towards the recon aircraft. They flew side by side with the recon aircraft. Terramar peered inside their cockpit, seeing two Equestrian ponies flying it, two stallion, and one mare.
"Seriously? Them again?" Gallus grunted, "It's the fourth time!"
Terramar switched his radio to the same link as the recon aircraft, then he begin to spoke in the international military air-craft identification code.
"This is the Hippogriffian Air Force, you're entering the Hippogriffia air space, please indicate your nationality, ID, and the purpose of the flight, and leave immediately." he spoke to the radio. Then he glanced up at the recon aircraft's cockpit.
The stallion in it took of his sun glasses, also glanced at him. Then, he put his hoof over his ears.
"I can't hear you!" he teased, "I can't hear you!"
"Ugh! Stop pretending you didn't hear!" Terramar groaned.
"Save it, bud." Gallus said to his friend, "Ain't gonna work on them."
"How about this?" Terramar said as he flipped his plane to its belly and showed the recon aircraft its missiles, all loaded and ready to fire.
The stallion ignored it and turned towards the mare, who's flying the plane.
"His English got better isn't he?" the mare asked with a smirk on her face.
"Maybe he got himself a tutor," the stallion with sun glasses scoffed, "continue surveillance." he then repeated his order to another stallion behind him, who nodded and continued to recon.
"Hey, these guys can stick with me," he grinned as he pulled the lever up a bit, "till the day I learn Hippogriffian."
The entire recon aircraft was pulled backward, and it started to ram towards Gallus's jet, causing him to panic.
But Gallus calmed himself down and immediately pulled his lever to the side, dodging the incoming aircraft.
"Holy Celestia!" Gallus snarled, "Fuck those shits! Playing dead in the air eh."
"Keep an eye on them," Terramar spoke calmly but sternly in the radio, "I'll handle them."
Gallus's jet slid under the recon aircraft's belly. In the recon aircraft's cockpit, the stallion saw the jet went under their belly, he started to get nervous.
"Where's the other griff?" he asked.
Meanwhile, Terramar went to the other side, he lowered his airspeed and turned his lever to the right. He performed a barrel roll and flew upside down on top of the aircraft, while Gallus is on the bottom of it. Stallions and mare exchanged nervously glances.
"This is the Hippogriffia Air Force," Terramar spoke through the international link again, "You're entering the Hippogriffian air space, this is the last warning, leave immediately or I will shoot you down."
"Shit." the stallion groaned as he pulled the lever back and preparing to leave.
"Well somepony's gonna learn Hippogriffian eh/" the mare smirked.
"What you like him now?"
"He's kinda cute, cuter than you."
With that, the recon aircraft left the air space. Gallus and Terramar switched back to their patrol position.
"Hey bro," Gallus said, "That barrel roll; it reminded me of a movie."
"Shut up," Terramar grinned, "That's our job."
He then switched the link towards the HQ, "This is Hunter to HQ, mission accomplished requesting for return."
"Positive." the HQ said.
"Alright Gal, let's go home." Terramar said as he turned his pane and flew towards their air base, along side with Gallus. But these Equestrians ain't gonna let them leave that fast.
Two F-15 fighters suddenly appeared behind them, each has a fuel tank on their belly. Inside were two stallion pilots.
"Two unidentified aircrafts, on your six. Coming in fast." Gallus reported.
"Ain't friendly." Terramar agreed, "Stay sharp."
In the cockpit of one F-15, the stallion activated the missile guided system and locked onto Teramar's. "Target locked." he said.
"Shit!" Gallus gasped in horror, "Terramar! You're locked! Evading! Pop flares!"
Immediately the two J-11b popped bright yellow flares from their back while barrel rolled to the side. The F-15s chased after them.
The two J-11s continue to dodge, barrel rolls, cobra, emergency roll, zero-G flips, and other extreme maneuvers. But those F-15s are just won't give up. Terrarmar got plan.
"They've gone too far," Terramar said to his body, "Give 'em a lesson."
"Roger."
Then the two fighter jets rushed into the cloud. Vanishing from sight and radar. The two F-15s were now lose.
"Blind! Blind!" One of them cried.
"Keep radar tracking!" the other one ordered.
Finally, they passed the cloud, however, there are only one J-11; Gallus's.
"Wait there's only one plane." the enemy said, feeling a bit fishy.
Meanwhile, behind them, Terramar's plane did a back-flip and landed behind the two F-15s. He smirked. His missile tracking system locked onto both of them.
"See you in the next life!" he shouted. Terramar is using international link, so pretty sure those two F-15s heard that; they started to panic.
"Shit! 6 o'clock!" one of them cried.
"Flares! Flares!"
The two F-15 scrambled over the air while deploying flares. But Terramar just kept following them, his claws on the trigger. One single push could release a missile that flies in a speed of Mach 3, it could kill both F-15s in a second.
"Drop fuel tank! Drop fuel tank!" the command fighter shouted, "I'm outta here! This is no fun!"
Then, the two F-15 dropped their fuel tanks and soared back to where they came from. So fast they even created a sonic boom while retreating.
"Ha! Leave so soon?" Gallus laughed, "Anything just to feel alive!"
"Alright Gal, now lets go home." Terramar said as the two jets flew back to their air base. This time, there's no fighters chasing them. Why? Cuz these two are gods!
Author's Note
Here's my new story! Enjoy and feel free to leave comments.
Chapter 2: Assembling the Team
IN A TOP SECRET MILITARY HQ, SOMEWHERE IN SOMNAMBULA...
In a dark room with two computers, both has a picture of a female orange pegasus with bright purple manes, and a white hippogriff with sea-colored feathers. In front of the computers sat a mysterious figure, on his talons were both bio-reports about the two pilots on the screen.
"Scootaloo and Terramar... Best pilot we've got..." he muttered, "Terramar, shot down more than 20 planes with zero causalities, Scootaloo, pilots a military rescue helicopter, saved more than 50 ponies during an intense Earthquake..." then, he folded their pictures into a paper airplane. He smirked, "Just what we need..."
(~)
WESTERN HIPPOGRIFFIA, TRAINING BASE: SPECIAL OPERATION DRILL
Outside a massive fortress, stood a hippogriff guard with a red mark on his left arm, in his grip was an assault rifle. He glanced around, make sure no enemy came sneaking around. Then, he turned and walked away.
Right after he turned into a corner. Another hippogriff; this time however, had a blue marking on his arm, climbed up the ramp. Terramar had been through many drills like this, so he's a master at stealth mission. But this time, things are gonna get a lot harder with dogs.
Terramar landed softly onto the ground, he took off his blue marking and replaced it with a red one. Then, he sneaked into the "enemy" base.
A few miles from the "enemy" base, a blue griffon was hidden in a bush, a remote control pad in his grip. It led to a small drone that's following Terramar, to warn him incase of anyone coming. Gallus knew him too well, sometimes he do stupid stuff.
"South-East entrance in 25 meters." he reported to Terramar through a small speaker, "The control room, north-east corner."
Meanwhile, in the "enemy" base, Terramar had successfully sneaked into the control room using the tips from Gallus through the drone.
"You'll have to go the long way around." Gallus said to him through the speaker, "But I just have to go through the window, and straight on to the target." he grinned, "Cuz I can fly."
"Just open the door." Terramar reminded him through the speaker.
The drone next to him released a grip that contains computer virus that breaks through passcodes. With a small "Beep" sound, the door snatched open, and Terramar walked inside.
In the room was the data center, his mission is steal an important code from it, then transport it back to his base. Terramar glanced around to make sure no one is watching, then he used a smart key and opened a file. Then, Terramar snatched up the code and closed the files again. Just when he thought this mission is going great, Gallus's drone spotted something.
"Are you done?" Gallus asked through the speaker.
"Don't rush me."
"I'm not rushing you," Gallus warned, "someone's coming!"
"Stall him." Terramar said calmly.
"What? How am I suppose to stall him?" Gallus asked.
The "enemy" hippogriff walked in, Gallus had no choice but to transform his drone into a sign and stuck to the wall, it says "No Smoking."
The "enemy" hippogriff slightly frowned in confusion at this.
But Terramar was still inside the control room.
"Ugh, it's too late," Gallus sighed, "If your number's up, it's up. See you in the next life!"
Terramar immediately lay onto the floor, playing dead.
The door opened and the "enemy" hippogriff saw Terramar on the floor, with a red marking on his arm. He thought he "passed out".
"Oh man!" he cried as he rushed next to Terramar, "Are you okay?" he asked as he flipped Terramar over who is smiling. Before he realized it's a trick, Terramar reacted first.
"Her her, sorry pal." he said as he rammed his head against the "enemy's".
SMACK!
"Ouch!" Gallus flinched at this.
The moment Terramar fled out, the alarm went off.
"Kill the alarm! Get me outta here." Terramar spoke to the speaker as he ran out.
"Exit through the storage room's door, there's no griffs!" Gallus got out of his hiding spot and ran to get his friend.
Terramar opened the door and sighed in relief, but froze when he saw a dog staring at him.
"Heh heh...." he smiled nervously as he pointed towards the red marking. "Good boy..."
(~)
"BAD BOY!!!" Terramar shouted as he ran from the dog, who was chasing him, barking.
"DID A DOG ATE YOUR BRAIN?!" he yelled at the speaker, "YOU SAID TEHRE'S NO ONE IN THE EXIT!!!"
"I meant no griffs!" Gallus yelled as he rode on a speeder bike towards Terramar, "It's a dog!"
Terramar saw a cliff in front of him, he grabbed a parachute from the ground and clipped it on his back, he glanced back and saw the dog coming.
Terramar jumped, so did the stupid dog.
His parachute went open, Terramar lunged forward and caught the dog in his arms.
"Our mission is to steal the code!" Gallus face-pumped, "They didn't say to bring back a pet!"
(~)
SOUTHERN HIPPOGRIFFIA, MOUNTAIN RANGE:
The thunder roared through the mountains, a rescue military helicopter flew pass them, approaching to the area. Just a few hours ago, this place is flooded, trapping ten ponies on top of a house, and the water level is raising.
In the cockpit was an orange pegasus with bright purple manes, and another stallion. But the pegasus was flying the helicopter.
"Our last rescue operation didn't get everyone clear," the stallion said, "I think they're trapped on top of their roof. The flood might take down the entire house. They're in extreme danger."
The helicopter was flying through a strong gust of wind, causing it to wobble, but due to Scootaloo's great piloting skill, the chopper remained safe.
"The wind's too strong!" the stallion next to her said, "We're having a hard time to stable the chopper."
Scootaloo saw a rock in front of them, she immediately pulled the lever left, avoiding it, "Hold still!" she said to the stallion.
"Watch out for the..." the stallion saw a piece of rock coming.
But Scootaloo remained calm, she dodged it by flying above the rock. Nearly crashing the chopper.
"Scoot you're crazy!" the stallion gasped.
"Crazy is my middle name." Scootaloo said with a bit of humor in her voice.
They finally got above the house where the ponies were trapped.
"HELP!!! OVER HERE!!!" they cried.
"Stragglers spotted," she said to the stallion, "get them up."
Then she lowered the attitude, the hatch opened and the stallion threw a rope ladder onto the surface. "Climb on!" he shout to the trapped ponies.
They immediately climbed on, scrambling.
"One by one!" the stallion said, after 2 minutes, the ten ponies were safely onboard. Just as the hatch closed, the flood came in, destroying the house in a single blow. Scootaloo herself sighed in relief. Another successful operation , she thought as she piloted the helicopter away. Back to the base.
(~)
IN THE TOP SECRET MILITARY BASE, SOMNAMBULA
The figure checked both Scootaloo and Terramar's status report again, then he sat back nd leaned against he chair. He typed a massage to the Hippogriffian Air Force HQ.
"About time..." he said.
Chapter 3: Different Paths
HIPPOGRIFFIAN AIR FORCE RUNWAY: A FAREWELL SKY AIR SHOW
Today was an special day, an elite pilot that was in service for 50 years is retired. And on this day, General Sky Beak decided to throw an air show for his Farewell Sky Ceremony. The retiring pilot is a male hippogriff in his 60s. His name is Tsunami. Tsunami fought in both Changeling-griffon war and the Dragon Civil War. He is a war hero. First to shot down over 60 enemy planes and the first hippogriff to ever fly a jet fighter.
Terramar and Gallus were the leader of the air show squadron. They'll be flying a J-10C today instead of a J-11.
Their J-10C was covered in a parade skin. Blue, red, and white. With a Hippogriffian Air Force avatar on their tail. Each of the J-10C contains a colorful smoke screen that will be used for the air show.
Outside, the Air Force pilots were sat in rows of chairs, listening to the old pilot Tsunami's farewell speech. Terramar and Gallus were sitting next to each other. Terramar paid his full attention, while Gallus was half joking around. But he did showed some respects when needed to.
Tsunami tapped the microphone, checking it. Then he took a deep breath, and began his speech.
"I flown for 50 years," he said with a confident yet low tone, "I used to be where you guys are, below the podium, witnessing former generation's heroes, farewell the blue skies, with great honor. " He paused for a moment glancing at the crowd of young pilots. "But I never let myself think of when my day would come," he let out a sigh, a confident and encouraging sigh, "The sky is always for new fighters, new pilots to be trained up and fly up, it's time to pass the blue skies into your ready claws." He paused, looking at the crowds of the new generations of guardians, his eyes filled with confident and encouragement, "But it's just hard to say good-bye. Because the life-stories of my generation, were written in these skies."
Terramar was so attracted and touched by Tsunami's words, he felt like he was flying in the blue skies above. Just like what he said, their old generation already wrote and finished an old chapter. It's time for them, the young and new generation of pilots, to write a new one.
"Every flight path we left up there," Tsunami continued, "testified our devotion to protecting our motherland's air space. Even these last few days..."
While Terramar is day dreaming, Gallus slightly nudged him, "Your goddess," he smirked. He showed his phone, taking pictures of Scootaloo, who's currently sitting in front of them.
"Cut it out!" Terramar whispered to Gallus, annoyed.
"I laid in my bed one night, memories flew in my head." Tsunami said, a bit humorous, "Back in the Changeling-Griffon War, I was a young pilot, in my Fishbed 21. I kept listening to the radio transmissions, it was quite impressive. How did they got from their 9 o'clock to their sixth before we even noticed? He was at my tail at the split second, firing cannons at me. To be honest, it was quite embarrassing, cause I wet my pants. The entire plane stinks for at least a week." he said in a half serious half sarcastic tone, causing the crowd to chuckle.
He then glanced at the crowd, "Am I awesome?"
"YES SIR!!!!" the crowd answered.
"How about you guys? Are you awesome?"
"YES SIR!!!"
"That's right," he smiled, "You're even better than me. Every time I looked at you guys, I'm honesty astounded, not only because of your courage, your skills, actions, and thoughts, but because the blood beats in your veins beats in time with this new era! Yours is new blood fit for new generations of fighter planes. And because you're better, more perfect, and used to succeeding, there is something that I most tell you all today. You all need to be prepared, not to only meet with victory," he took a deep breath, "but to also face with failures! This is what makes an soldier an soldier! You just learn to treat the skies with reverence. This is the only way, can you shoulder the responsibility!" He finished his speech with a mighty shout, making everygriff to nod.
Then, he stood straight and saluted to these future guardians.
The pilots raised up in union, and saluted back to their old hero.
After a brief moment, they sat in union.
Tsunami ended his salute, paused, and looked at his wife.
"My dear wife," he said, "Thank you for all your understanding and supports for all these years. In my heart, you're always my true blue sky." Tsunami smiled, and saluted for one last time.
The crowd broke into cheers, clapping. Tsunami's wife teared up in joy.
Terramar clapped, he turned his gaze towards Scootaloo, who also looked at him. The two's gaze locked on for a few second before ending it.
Was that a blush Terramar saw on Scootaloo's face?
(~)
"Three, Two, One! Cheese!" Gallus said as he finished up a group picture with his teammates and Tsunami.
"Alright! Guys, our time's up!" Gallus said as he ran off with Terramar, "time for the show!"
Both pilots came to the runway, there is two huge J-10C jet fighters with beautiful looking skins and avatars. The two nodded at each other before getting into the cockpit. Helmets on and gears on.
The engine roared as two jets soared through the air. The sounds of after burns were like the sounds of cheers.
"Alright Gal," Terramar spoke through the speaker, "You know what to do."
The two jets released a trail of red and blue smokes, painting the skies.
Cobra, barrel rolls, back flip, Zero-G turns, and many other awesome stunts. The crowd enjoyed it, but Scootaloo enjoyed the most. She had a lovely smile on her face the whole time. Unfortunately, Gallus caught that face in the middle of a low pass.
"Hey Terra," he smirked and spoke through the speaker.
"Yeah?" Terramar replied.
"Your girl's smiling at you."
"So?"
"You should admit it."
"Shut up!"
Unnoticed by them, the mysterious stallion that checked their status back in Somnambula was next to the shadow of a military truck, he had a sun glasses on. He looked up and saw Gallus and Terramar's jet performing a challenging stunt. But especially Terramar, he did this hard stunt in a quick swift way.
He smiled as he checked Terramar's name on his check board.
(~)
HIPPOGRIFFIAN AIR FORCE, PARTY ROOM, 7:30 PM
I can see the rainbow,
In your tears as they fall on down
I can see your soul grow
Through the pain as they hit the ground
I can see a rainbow
In your tears as the sun comes out
As the sun comes out...
Scootaloo was on the stage, singing "Rainbow". That song was really popular ever since the defeat of Storm King ages ago.
Gallus and Terramar was at the table not far away from Scootaloo, Gallus was laughing with some other griffs, while Terramar was just sitting there, watching Scootaloo sing. Somehow, Terramar found Scootaloo very enchanting, he couldn't keep his eyes off her. Especially the tone in her voice, Terramar thought he was dreaming...
"Stop staring," Gallus saw Terramar staring at Scootalo, a wide grin formed on his face, "This is your best chance you ever had!"
"Why did I feel like you're a total imbecile?" Terramar asked, annoyed.
Gallus is still grinning, he took off his sun glasses, turned to Terramar, nudged him.
"Only you can determine your fate!" he laughed.
He then patted Terramar and jumped off the old model of the J-5 jet fighter, and walked into the crowd. Leaving the hippogriff alone to think. He continued to look at Scootaloo.
I am here and I see your pain Through the storms, through the clouds, the rain I'm telling you you cannot escape You can do it, just feel baby
I can see a rainbow In your tears as they fall on down I can see your soul grow Through the pain as they hit the ground I can see a rainbow In your tears as the sun comes out As the sun comes out
Here comes the sun Smiling down Here comes the sun Smiling down Here comes the sun Smiling down Smiling down
I can see a rainbow In your tears as they fall on down I can see your soul grow Through the pain as they hit the ground I can see a rainbow In your tears as the sun comes out As the sun comes out
I can see a rainbow In your tears as they fall on down I can see your soul grow Through the pain as they hit the ground I can see a rainbow In your tears as the sun comes out As the sun comes out...
Scootaloo finished the song with a upbeat "whoo!"
The griffs cheered. So did Terramar, he smiled at her.
(~)
The crowds were picking foods to eat after the song, Terramar couldn't find Gallus anywhere, problem went hanging out with some of his buddies.
Terramar saw Scootaloo standing alone next to the window, he mane flew in the air as the wind blew through them, making her beautiful as every. Terramar took a deep breath and walked to his crush.
"Through time goes by," he said, Scootaloo looked up.
"Oh, didn't see you there Terra." she said.
"We're never apart." Terramar finished, smiling.
"Can't believe, after so many years, you're still looking as great as ever." Terramar complemented.
Scootaloo didn't say anything.
"After I listened to your song, it was like my 18 year-old self was brought back to life again," he said, a bit of dramatic tone, "You know what? Once you've been through struggles as comrades in arms, no matter how much time passes, that scene of affection, it never really changes."
"Hey Terra," Scootaloo suddenly looked up.
"Huh? What is it?" Terramar's heart skipped a beat.
"Remember who patted my face with cake at the graduation ceremony 3 years ago at the Air Force school?" she asked.
"Well of course I do.." he said, but realized it was a trap, "Uh.....it was..... me...."
"Damn right it was you!" she demanded happily as she patted a mouthful of cake onto Terramar's face.
Then she walked away, meeting Gallus, who walked right in and saw this scene.
"Hey, isn't this Scootaloo from the CMC years ago?" he asked in a joking tone.
"Keep faking it." Scoot smiled.
She hugged him, "Long time no see pal!"
Gallus chuckled nervously as he shot a look at Terramar, the hippogriff shrugged.
Scootaloo then turned towards Terramar, hooves opened. At first Terramar though it was his, so he did the same. But embarrassed after seeing Scootaloo was greeting Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell, who were outside hugging her.
Tsunami passed by and smirked at Terramar, "I thought I taught you everything," he said, "Yet you still don't remember not to offend mares, did you?"
"Mr. Tsunami." Gallus greeted their old teacher. Terramar, Scootaloo, and Gallus all graduated from Tsunami's Flight School 3 years ago.
"You wanted to fly overseas, it was approved." Tsunami said to Gallus, who was smiling. "It's good pay, don't spend it all."
"You have my words Mr. Tsunami." Gallus smiled as he shook Tsunami's claws.
"Drop by my house later, my wife wants to send you off with a proper farewell." the old pilot patted Gallus's shoulder before walking off.
Terramar shot Gallus a "What's he talking about?" look, Gallus give him a "I'll tell you later" look.
"So Mr. tsunami?" Scootaloo asked as she approached from behind, "What are you going to do?"
"There's many ways to fly," Tsunami smiled, "UAVs are planes aren't them?"
"Whoa! Now you're flying UAVs?!" Gallus exclaimed.
"Your problems?"
"Uh....no...no sir."
Tsunami chuckled, "No need to call me sir anymore, I'm no longer in the squadron, I'm in the HQ working as UAV pilot. We won't be meeting so often."
He then turned to Terramar, who still have cake creams on his face, he smirked, "Can't wipe It of eh?"
Terramar smiled nervously as he glanced at Scootaloo. She saw that and turned away, hiding her blush.
Both Gallus and Tsunami giggled at this.
(~)
Later, outside the room, at the garden not far from the Air field.
"When did you made this decision?" Terramar asked as he sat down next to Gallus. The Griffon told him to talk outside about this, whole, flying oversea stuff.
"A while ago," Gallus said, "I wasn't sure it'd go through, so I didn't tell you."
"Flying overseas," Terramar slightly laughed as this. "you didn't even run it with me?"
"It's not like you're my guardian." Gallus scoffed.
"I...Then what I am to you?" Terramar asked, offended.
Gallus chucked, "Chill, you're like my brother, have been ever since we graduated from the flight school."
Terramar sighed.
"But I've thought this through." Gallus said, "I want a different kind of life. You can find another wing griff."
"Not just anyone can be my wing griff." Terramar argued, "we've been the best of the pilots. If you give up now, you'll regret it."
"The best," Gallus pointed at Terramar, "there's only one, it's you."
Terramar let out a deep sigh as he looked out into the night sky, "This again."
"All dynamic duos has a hero and a sidekick," Gallus explained, "One of them must pay the price. Just like you and Scoot, all these years, both of you so proud, never managed to get together."
"This is not even the same thing!" Terramar yelled, but sighed after that, "Sorry."
"If you are my brother," Gallus said, "then you'll respect my decision."
Suddenly, Scootaloo appeared behind them.
"Hey!" she said, making two griffs jumped, "What are you both doing?"
"Hey Scoots," unlike Terramar, who's a bit timid, Gallus spoke up, "We're just talking about... uh.... flying stuff."
"Well, hurry up," Scootaloo waved before walking off, "We're leaving."
Without a second thought, Terramar followed Scootaloo, leaving Gallus alone.
He turend back to snap his buddy out, "Come on. Let's go."
But Gallus just smiled, "Not me. It's your time."
Scootaloo shot Terramar a confused look as they walked away.
Chapter 4: The Sky Hunters
"Sky Hunters is our Air Force's convert unit, we exist to hone Air Force combat-readiness. We represent the Air Force elite. Those that were defeated by us gave us a name, Battlefield Grindstone." said the mysterious figure who had the sun glasses on. Yep, the same guy that checked Terramar and Scootaloo.
After the farewell ceremony, Terramar, Scootaloo, and many other elites were taken into a briefing room. After the explaining that figure spoke, they knew that they're enrolled to become a part of the Hippogriffian Air Force's most deadly unit; the Sky Hunters.
"Joining the Sky Hunters, requires a pay of price." the figure said in a serious tone, facing all the pilots, who stood straightened in a row. "Once you're in, your current position including all benefits, will be forfeit."
His words were not in a commanding tone, but it sent chills to all those who heard him, including both Terramar and Scootaloo.
"You'll be leaving your comfort zone," the figure continued, "taking the most dangerous missions and challenges..."
Terramar and Scootaloo exchanged glances.
"You'll only have each other," he said, "and the possibility of KIA."
The figure then glanced at the pilots, revealing his eagle-sharp gazes, "You can still change your minds, just turn around and leave."
"Smoke and mirrors." Terramar muttered.
SPACK!
The figure smacked the files against the table, grabbing everyone's attention. He then turned and faced the pilots once again. He scoffed.
"All of you," he said, "were handpicked by me from the Air Force's elite. I've brought you all together here, to undergo my personal stringent selection. Personally, I'm your biggest fan." he said while grinning, but that grin only lasted for a mili second before vanishing, "I love seeing the confident looks on your faces, your pride, and that you think you're all that."
He then changed to an extremely serious expression, words cold, "Now I look forward to see what you're made of, this might be my only pleasure I derive, in this wilderness.
He then took of his sun glasses, revealing a pair of thunder blue eagle eyes, "I'm the head of the Sky Hunters Special Brigade. My name is..." he shot deadly glances to the pilots, "Riptide."
(~)
After the short introduction ended, the pilots were divided into 4 groups in 4 military jeeps. They headed toward the desert of Somnambula. At least that's what they know before the driver stopped and covered the windows with a metal board, probably tryin to hide the exact location o their secret air base.
After an hour of driving, they finally arrived in front of an underground cave, once the jeeps were in, the giant metal entrance slammed shut behind them. As the went deeper into the base, more armed soldiers and vehicles appeared. Their faces were expressionless, a bit like Celestia's royal guards.
Once they passed the cave, the jeeps entered a opened air field.
On top of them, two J-11b flew overhead, sounds of after burns roared as they flew by.
Th jeeps stopped in a underground parking lot again after getting into another cave.
The pilots got off one by one, they glanced around the room curiously, no wonder this is a secret unit, there's barely any signs that says or instructs them to do anything. Next to the entrance was a expressionless hippogriff guard with a OBZ-95 automatic rifle.
"Look at this place," Terramar said to Scootaloo, "It's made to withstand world war three!"
Suddenly, the guard shouted, causing them to jump.
"It's 3 kilometers walk to the valley, you're now entering the top secret military facility! If you are not up to the task, go no further! Remember, this place does not exist!"
The pilots then walked into a checking section, everyone were expected to put their packs in for a check, also to walk between a metal detecter.
Terramar got into the line first, the hippogriff soldier greeted him and immediately got into topic.
"Your ID, sir." he said, holding a claw out.
Terramar give the soldier his military ID, the soldier got it and checked it.
"Hey, bud," Terramar suddenly asked, "That photo, can I keep it?"
The soldier shot him a look, he pulled out the picture. It's the picture that was taken at the party. A picture of him, Gallus, and most importantly, Scootaloo.
Then the soldier nodded. "Yes."
"You cannot take your wallet and phone in." the soldier said with a blank tone.
Terramar took out his wallet and phone, the soldier took it from him and put it in a sealed box, along with the others.
Terramar glanced net to him and saw a soldier packing up, he dropped a pocket with emergency needs. But he's pretty sure that the Air Force won't need such thing. Since they're up in the air, not on the ground.
"That, you may as well leave behind." he said to the hippogriff next to him, "For sure you won't be using it."
"This is assigned to me by my troop." the hippogriff explained to him as he held the little pocket.
"What troop are you in?" Terramar asked. "So considerable."
But the hippogriff just put it in his pocket, got his stuff, and left.
Scootaloo came in, "Field troops for emergency use," she said, "for water storing and sand-proofing." she said as she lifted her bag and placed it to the checking soldier.
"I know." Terramar smiled before leaving with his stuff. Scootaloo smiled back.
The solider got out the photo, which is the same one Terramar had before.
"You need this photo too?" he asked.
Scootaloo glanced at Terramar, who is passing the metal detecter, she slightly smiled.
(~)
At Riptide's office, the pilots were asked to introduce themselves.
"Helicopter pilot, Scootaloo." the pegasus said.
"Air Force sergeant Breeze." he's a hippogriff.
"Air Force Sergeant Soar. From the Thunder Commandos of the GSTF (Griffon Special Task Forces)" this young sergeant is a Griffon.
"Terramar, winner of both Gold Wing, Silver Wing, and Golden Dart."
Unnoticed by him, Riptide slightly surprised by his files and document history.
"Hippogriffian Degree in Data Security and Automation." Soar said.
"Good with guns, combat, and explosives." Breeze said. Riptide nodded.
"Unfamiliar terrains and complex weather are no problem." Scootaloo said. Riptide flipped through her files, nodded.
"Sky Hunters needs a tech-savvy and multitalented griff like myself." Soar said.
"I'm confident on passing the test. And be a Sky Hunter." Breeze said with a confident tone.
"I've come here, to become the best pilot I can be." Scootaloo said.
"I can handle all kinds of weather," Terramar said, "proficient with 3 types of jets, I've been awarded..."
But Riptide seemed to be more interested on the mission two days ago, the mission when he and Gallus fought two fighter jets without open fire.
"You pulled off an explosion mission out at the Hippogriffian Sea a few days ago, am I correct?" he asked.
Terramar grinned, "As far as I concerned, that was a piece of cake. Not even worth saying. After all, at the time---"
"Alright." Riptide cut him off.
Terramar let out sigh, "Even though I don't know what I'm doing here, I just want to say, very second spend on the ground I considered a waste of my time. Tell me, when can I get in a plane?"
Riptide let out a evil smirk, "Right now."
(~)
On a carrier plane, Terramar was in a airborne suit, with parachute on his back. His wings were locked behind the bag, unable to sue them. That goes for everyone else. While Terramar is preparing for the jump, everyone else is talking. Riptide got irritated by this and decided to use Terramae as a tool...
Behind them, the hatch opened. Terramar had a confident smile.
"I've got this." he said.
He then saw Riptide with an unfriendly smirk on his face. He let out a nervous laugh.
"Hey hey, I can do this myself, I can----"
Refore Terramar could finish, Riptide gave him a light kick on his butt, the poor hippogriff fell out of the plane.
"RIIIIIIPTIDDDEEEE!!!" he screamed as he fell. Riptide doesn't care about that at all. "F**k!!!"
"Who's next?" he asked. Still had his unfriendly smirk. The pilots exchanged nervous glances and shut up.
"That's what I thought."
