Chapter 1: Joining the RAF
Main Theme
(Daredevil, Ace Combat 7)
It had been only a year since the declaration of war against Grogar and the Legion of Doom. Almost every young and strong male creatures and females enlisted the United Nation Army (UNA). Technologies raised so quick after Princess Twilight decided to boost UNA's military power, to prevent further conflicts. Like this war.
A year ago, on October 19, Grogar's Army invaded South United Republic of Nation (Equestria, Changeling Kingdom, Hippogriffia/Seaquestria, Dragon Land, Yakyakstan, etc.), two weeks later, Grogar's Army seized Kulgetown, now the entire Southern URN is under his control. Three days later, the Legion of Doom also joined the war along side with Grogar, their army invading the lands next to Equestria, forming a circle around Equestria, trapping it.
As the result, Princess Twilight and Lord Ember first declared war on Grogar and Legion of Doom. Followed by Thorax, Queen Novo, and Prince Rutherford. Even the Kirins, send a Volunteer Army to help the URN. Now that the entire nation is at war, Princess Twilight assigned Commander Fizzlepop "Tempest Shadow" Berrytwist a mission to create a strong Air Force. As the result, jet fighters and other military vehicles were in production to all nations.
Especially after a new and updated version of the Royal Air Force's F-16 "Viper" entered service, many young stallions and creatures enlisted the Royal Air Force. Some wanted to fight for their country, others for their families and friends, but a small amount of them joined only for glory. However, lack of pilots made the UNA ignored these thoughts.
For Gallus the griffon, joining UNA's Royal Air Force was more than just serving. He had an ambition to win the heart of a hippogriff that he had a crush on. He also had a dream of putting to rest a dark period of his past where his entire life had come crashing down. See, he was abandoned at a very young age, adopted by Grandpa Gruff, who... doesn't care too much about him at all. And not to mention the fact that he discovered that his family didn't abandoned him; they just hated him from birth and decided to... throw him away like a useless garbage...
One day, Silverstream and Luster Dawn arrived at the Treehouse of Harmony when they heard Royal Air Force's Enlisting music coming from one of the rooms within the treehouse:
"Hmm," Silverstream remarked, looking over at Luster Dawn. "Since when did we got a record player?"
"Well it's either that or Gallus has taken up singing," Luster Dawn remarked as they walked into the treehouse. "And I certainly don't hear him singing." Meanwhile, the song began playing again.
Walking up the stairs, they went into the room where Gallus was doing his homework while listening to a record player.
"Um, Gallus?" Silverstream called, but the griffon didn't hear her. "Gallus?"
Going over to the record player, Luster turned it off and only Gallus' humming was heard, but not for long. "Who turned off the music?" He asked, turning around sharply and seeing Silverstream behind him as he blushed. "Oh, hey there Silverstream. I didn't hear you there."
"Of course you didn't, Gallus," Silverstream remarked while picking up the record that Gallus was playing. "What exactly is this anyway?"
"Sandbar loaned it to me," Gallus explained. "With all this talk about war and stuff, it really got me interested."
"Interested? About what?" Luster Dawn asked while reading the record label. "'RAF When That Day Comes', Must be a new trend or something. Never really heard of it."
"That's because no one's ever needed to listen to war musics as of now," Gallus explained. "I mean there was the Griffon Civil War, but we all know how that went," Almost immediately, Silverstream couldn't help but notice a strange look on Gallus' face, almost as if he had something to hide from her. "He also loaned me a few others in case you are interested." He added while handing several other records to Luster and Silverstream.
"Um, thanks," Luster Dawn stammered with a puzzled look on her face. "'March of the Royal Air Force'? 'Steel Torrent March'?" Hmm, if you like, I can listen to it after I get all my homework done and give you my feedback on it."
"Me too," Silverstream added, sitting down next to her beloved. "Um, Gallus, is there something you're hiding from me?"
"What do you mean?" Gallus blinked, a bit of nervousness in his tone. Unfortunately, Silverstream caught that.
"I mean, ever since Headmare Starlight announced that Commander Tempest Shadow is coming to speak…" Silverstream began.
"Fizzlepop Berrytwist." Luster Dawn corrected.
"Yes, well, ever since Fizzlepop Berrytwist was announced that she would be speaking to us, you've been being very secretive about something to me," Silverstream pointed. "Are you interested in joining the RAF? Is that why you're listening to all this RAF music now?"
Gallus felt his eyes widen upon hearing this. "Why do you ask me that? What would give you that idea?" He asked, trying to hide his intentions. "All I'm trying to do is to show my support for Commander Tempest Shadow…"
"Fizzlepop Berrytwist." Luster Dawn corrected again, much to Gallus' slight annoyance.
"Whatever," Gallus shrugged his claws. "All I'm trying to do is show my support for Commander Fizzlepop Berrytwist. She's one of the underdogs like I once was. I mean, look at what I went through, seeing my parent throwing me outta their live and causing me to…."
"Yes, how could I forget that, Gallus?" Silverstream asked, remembering the Hearth's Warming prank that caused Gallus to open up about his background. "We never knew you were suffering so much until then."
"Remember also that Tempest had her own issues with her past, yet now that she's Princess Twilight's commander of the Royal Air Force, she has a chance to make her positive mark on URN." Luster Dawn added.
Luster's words echoed through Gallus' mind, but he knew that he and Tempest were destined to come together one way or another. He had a dream, an ambition to protect and serve all creatures of URN and no one was going to deny him that chance.
Why do I get the feeling that Gallus is going to join the RAF? Silverstream thought to herself as she attempted to focus on her schoolwork. He's too young and besides… I love him.
(~)
The next morning, the whole student body of the School of Friendship was gathered in a large auditorium as Commander Tempest Shadow looked up at them with a nervous glance on her face. "Do you think they're really ready to join the Army?" Tempest asked Sunburst as she sat on the stage, "They seemed... a bit too young."
"I think they'll try their best to support you and the Royal Air Force," Sunburst replied and reassured her. "After all, we are at war. So they might view this differently given the military background."
"I hope so. Still, war is not a friendly joke." Tempest nervously confessed, looking at the multi-creature students, then she suddenly took notice of Gallus, sitting with his friends. "That griffon there, the one sitting next to that bubbly hippogriff. He's looking right at me. Who is he again?"
"That's Gallus. He's one of the students who saved our school from Cozy Glow," Sunburst pointed out. "Supposedly, he and Silverstream are close, and what I mean by that is like really close. But he always insists it's nothing."
Tempest kept her eyes on the griffon. She didn't really know why but something seemed to be drawing her to him.
"Good morning, everycreature," Starlight announced as all in the auditorium quieted down. "I'm sure a lot of you are excited about us having a really important guest speaker with us today. With URN in a state of war, I feel that some of you will have a lot of questions regarding what's going to happen, and how you can help fight this war."
"She's looking right at you," Below, Silverstream whispered to Gallus. "Tempest has her eyes on you, Gallus."
Gallus. meanwhile, noticed that Silverstream had her claw in his, and felt a sense of Silverstream being worried and concerned for him.
"Everycreature, please join me in welcoming Commander Tempest Shadow of the URN Royal Air Force, specially assigned to the protection of URN and beyond." Starlight instructed.
With the sound of applause, Tempest stepped forward, giving the audience her full attention. "Thank you, Headmare Starlight," Tempest replied, clearing her throat. "And uh… my actual name is…" She blushed. "Fizzlepop Berrytwist. But please, call me Tempest."
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Starlight backed away quite nervously.
"Now, as your guest speaker," Tempest began while pacing back and forth across the stage. "It's my duty to inform you of how you can help with the war effort First, I want to make it clear to anyone still confused: Yes, I am the same Tempest Shadow who once attacked and enslaved the citizens of Canterlot per the Storm King's orders."
A series of nervous murmurs befell the students upon hearing this, including Luster Dawn herself.
"But," Tempest continued. "Rest assured that I am no longer that same pony. Thanks to her highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle, I've been given a second chance in life. And that second chance is helping URN fight against Grogar and his allies. But I cannot do it alone. I need your help, every one of you has a part to play," Activating her broken horn, Tempest produced a screen showing off a list of ways that creatures could contribute to the war. "These are the three ways any of you can contribute to the war effort," She explained. "First: You could enlist either here or with the armies of your kingdoms if you wish. I can tell you right now that if you enlist, you will be put through some of the most rigorous training of your young lives."
Gallus took this statement seriously. To him though, it didn't really matter what would happen. He had tough skin and a strong heart underneath his feathers.
"The other is by buying…" Tempest started to say only to stop when she looked to her left. "Um, Grubber? Grubber?"
"Sorry, Tempest," The hedgehog apologized as he carried a large box followed by a Storm Creature. "We weren't paying attention to the…"
But Tempest snatched the boxes away from her assistants and turned back to the audience. "By buying these," Using her magic, Tempest pulled out a green piece of paper with Twilight's portrait in the center. "These are war bonds," She declared. "The money you use to buy these war bonds will go towards producing weapons for our troops on the front lines and the production of the military vehicles. If you wish to buy now, my assistants will be coming up and down the aisles with these bonds, and will provide further instruction if needed."
Once the assembly was over, Gallus set his attention on seeking out Tempest. Going down the bleachers, he approached the broken horned pony. "Excuse me, um, Commander Tempest?" He nervously asked as Tempest turned around to face him. "That was a…nice assembly you gave."
"Indeed," Tempest remarked, addressing the griffon. "You must be Gallus, correct?"
Suddenly, Gallus felt his heart sink in shock! He couldn't believe that Tempest knew who his name was. "You…you know my name?" He asked.
"I do," Tempest answered. "Princess Twilight told me about you and your friends, Gallus. About the special bond you all share. And she told me about your troubled past. I feel like we might have something in common."
Doing as they were told, Grubber and Hannibal proceeded to go up and down the bleachers.
"Finally," Tempest concluded. "How many of you here hold a specific talent?"
Right away, several students raised their wings, hooves or other appendages, including Ocellus, Smolder and Yona. "Good, because there will be plenty of times where our warriors will need to be entertained. It doesn't matter what you do, as long as it keeps our spirits up both on and off the front lines." Tempest smiled.
"But remember this," Tempest cautioned as she concluded her lecture. "We are all in this together. Each of you must play his or her part in defeating Grogar and his allies. Only by working together can we win this war."
When the school day finally ended, Gallus prepared to make his way over to the RAF Enlisting Center, but Silverstream was concerned. "So, you aren't going to the treehouse?" She asked while at the lockers.
"Sorry Silverstream," Gallus answered. "But Commander Tempest Shadow wants to see me. This might be my one chance to finally kick the demons of my past! A chance to finally give back to the country that gave me friends, a home and most importantly a family!"
This is exactly what Silverstream's afraid of. She knew how merciless and brutal the war is; due to Storm King's attack long ago. But most importantly, she doesn't want to loose her one true love, she has to at least propose to him!
Before Silverstream could say another word, Gallus dashed away. The young hippogriff felt worried that the love of her life was possibly making a big mistake.
(~)
Leaving the school, Gallus made his way to the RAF Enlisting Center, where a Loooooong line of stallions and creatures formed from the entrance. The blue griffon have to wait for almost an hour until it's finally his turn.
"NEXT!!!" he heard Tempest's loud bark as the stallion in front of him walked away. He took a deep breath before walking up. Tempest saw him.
"Gallus?!" she asked, "What are you doing here?! Shouldn't you be at the treehouse of yours with your friends?"
"Commander Temepst, I'm here to enlist into the RAF, to serve my country!" Gallus said in a serious tone.
"You're not joking."
"No ma'am."
Tempest sighed, "Gallus, what I meant by helping the war is to work as an engineer or someone who is FAR from the front lines, not to mention your age."
"Age doesn't matter ma'am." Gallus corrected, still with the serious tone, making him sound mature, "What matters is that a soldier do what his job is. Especially if this country gave me a new life, my friends, and my family. And I must repay my country by serving it with absolute loyalty."
"What about that hippogriff named Silverstream?" Tempest snapped, "Think about Silverstream, what she'll think of this. If you have feelings for her."
This actually got Gallus to shut up and think. Tempest is right about one thing, if he joined the RAF, he won't be seeing his crush for a long time. Especially at wartime, if he... he dies... what'll happen to Silverstream?
Gallus shook that thought off, he ain't gonna fall back, and he certainly AIN'T gonna die!
"I'm sorry ma'am, but my mine has been made up," Gallus said, "I must pay my country and my beloved back after what they've done to me. I, Gallus, request to join the RAF."
Tempest closed her eyes and thought it for a moment.
"Fine." she said, much to Gallus's excitement.
"BUT!" this grabbed Gallus's attention, "If you fail the training, you get your blue-ass butt outta the RAF and stay as a student! Deal?" Tempest asked.
Gallus hesitated for a brief moment, but then he looked up, confident and firm on his young face. "Deal."
"Very well, just sign your name on the list and come by tomorrow at 9:30 AM to check in." Tempest said as she sighed. She knew Silverstream would go crazy if she ever find out, but Gallus is right; after what this country has given him; a new life, new friends, new family, and his beloved one... He couldn't just be useless... he must do something... to thank this country.
But Gallus is still a young teenager, and kids at his age can go impatient and impulse with things.
"Well, I really do hope he knows what he's doing..." Tempest said to herself as she watched the eager Griffon walking away.
Author's Note
Here's chapter 1! It's inspired by TwilightSparkle3562's MLP Season 11. So you have my thanks. Also, you guys can suggest me what military planes I can put into this story, feel free to leave comments! :)
Author's Note
Here it is! Feel free to leave comments! By the way, the fun part starts at Chapter 3.
Chapter 2: Faith
Theme for this chapter.
(I Vow To Thee My Country, Battlefield 5 OST)
Stop this music when you see this: (~)
Gallus went back to the treehouse to do his homework, it may be his last homework, since he's gonna fly a plane and shooting down enemies instead of writing stuff. He hummed the RAF song all the way back into his room. But the moment he opened his door, he came face-to-face with Silverstream; and she does NOT look happy.
"Gallus? Where are you this whole time?" she asked, still looking upset.
"Oh! Hey Silver.... Uh... I... well.... um..." Gallus stammered.
Silveratream knew he's hiding something. "Gallus, are you hiding something from me? Be honest." she said, with a slight disappointment. Knowing that she'll find out sooner or later, Gallus sighed and spilled it out, "I... I went to the RAF Enlisting Center. Commander Tempest told me to go to the RAF Camp next morning by 9:30. "
Silverstream closed her eyes, trying not to smack him in his face. Her worst fear is happening. One step closer to losing her love.
"Look Silver, I know you don't want me to enlist, but I... I want to prove that I'm worthy. And to repay this country for giving me new life, new family, and... And you."Gallus said, but he realized his spoke too fast and some word came out.
"Prove yourself to who?" Silverstream asked.
"Well... to... um..." Gallus stammered.
"If you don't want to say it, it's fine..." Silverstream said, looking to the floor.
"No! No it's not!" Gallus said, maybe too quick, "I want to prove that I'm worthy of you!"
"Me?!"
"*Sigh* Yes."
Silverstream hated this, she don't want Gallus to risk his life just to prove that he is worthy to be with her. "Gallus, listen." She suddenly said, "I don't want you to die trying to impress me or make me proud. I'm already proud of who you are. But I will respect your choice."
"Thanks, I... I should've known." Gallus sighed in relief, for a brief moment he thought Silverstream's gonna get all mad and piss off. "Well, if there's no problems please excuse me, I hav etc pack up my stuff for the camp tomorrow."
He turned to walk back to his room, but stopped by SIlverstream's call, "Gallus wait!"
"Yeah?" callus asked as he turned, but what happened next is NOT what he'd expected.
Silverstream's beak was on his. She kissed him.
After a few moment, she broke the kiss, leaving Gallus still trying to process what had just happened.
"There's something I wanna say before you go..." Silverstream started.
"That you love me?" Gallus finished.
"Look Gallus, I'm going to say it again," Silverstram said, Gallus looked into her eyes, "You said you joined the RAF to make me proud, but you've already did. You're already a hero in my eyes, Gallus. And I want us to have a future together. But I need you at my side for that to happen. I still respected your choice but... keep in mind that, I loved you because of who you are, don't try to risk your life just to prove me something." She finished with a warm smile.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Gallus threw himself onto Silverstream, hugging her tightly...
(~)
The next morning, Gallus woke up very early, he double checked his pack, making sure nothing was left behind. It's pretty far from the RAF Training Camp since it's located near Canterlot, and the train aren't gonna wait. He turned and saw a photo of him and Silverstream, both laughing. It was taken last year, at the camping road trip. Gallus hesitated for a brief moment, then he took the photo and gently put it in his pack.
He stood in front of the treehouse's door, thinking about SIlverstream. He knew how hard and tough to become a pilot, and if he did, he won't have that much time to spend with SIlverstream; who just became his girlfriend yesterday. Suddenly, he felt a claw on his shoulder, making him jump a bit. Gallus turned and saw his beloved looking at him with a pair of sad, yet encouraging eyes.
"Oh hey Silver, I... I didn't see you there." Gallus scratched the back of his head, while smiling.
Silverstream hugged him tight, and he returned the hug. Suddenly, he heard Silverstream sobbing quietly in his chest feathers.
"Wha, what's wrong Sliver?" Gallus asked with concern in his voice.
"Not... nothing, j... just thinking about I won't be seeing you that often anymore..." Silverstream sniffed, tears rolling down her beautiful violet eyes, "I'm worried about you... what if... what if you never came back? What if---" she was cut short by a quick lovely kiss on her beak.
Gallus smiled warmly at her, "No what if, turn it into 'I will'." he said while gently stroking his beloved's adorable face, "I will return to you. I Pinkie Promise."
Silverstream wiped away her tears and lay her head onto Gallus's shoulder, "You better." she said while nuzzling him.
Gallus smiled and kissed her again, "Will this answer you?"
"Yes." And they unleashed their true love kiss.
After a long moment, Gallus slowly broke the kiss, holding his special somegriff's claws, "I should get going, the train's not gonna wait." Then, he picked up his pack and prepared to leave.
"Wait!"
Gallus turned, Silverstream gave him a beautiful neckless made of many colorful sea shells and a piece of the magic pearl on it. "I made it myself," she said, "It's for good luck and also... a sign of engagement."
"Thanks Silver." Gallus smiled.
They hugged one last time, "Please... be well... I'll wait for you until you returns..." he heard SIlverstream whispered into his ears. Finally, they broke the hug and Gallus walked towards the train station.
Luckily, Gallus was on time, with a loud whistle, the train left Ponyville, towards the RAF Camp.
(~)
Gallus walked into a cabin, and he saw a female Griffon, a female Kirin, and a male Pegasus sitting in the cabin. The female Griffon saw Gallus and greeted him.
"Hi there, my name is Glenda, these are my friends Wildfire and Whirlwind. And you are?..." she said. Glenda is a bit bubbly like Gabby and Silverstream, Wildfire is... well, the quiet type, Whirlwind is a nice stallion.
"My name is Gallus," Gallus said, sitting next to Glenda, "Nice to meet you all."
They spend the next hour talking about themselves. Gallus was quite surprised that Glenda is also a fighter pilot of the GEAF (Griffon Empire Air Force), but she quit due to her injury on a mission, later, after she healed, she enlisted the RAF to soar through the clouds again. Wildfire is quite young, he wanted to become a AWACS pilot, he only talked about his goal and... that's pretty much it. Yep, definily a quiet type. Whirlwind is an ex-Wonderbolt, after the war started, he quit Wonderbolt and enlisted the RAF, for his family. Whirlwind is the oldest of his family, he had a 3-year-old brother, his mom is in hospital, and his father has PTSD, since he's a Veteran of the Griffon Civil War (Now, you might ask what does the Griffon Civil War have to do with ponies? Because Whirlwind's dad is part of the Equestrian Volunteer Army that had been sent to the Griffon Empire to help.). So, that left with Whirlwind the only available member of his family to enlist RAF.
Finally, after another boring hour, the train arrived at the Canterlot Train station.
The four new friends walked out of the train station and towards the RAF Camp according to the map Glenda is holding. Finally,they came to a stop in front of a huge, guarded military training camp, the words on the entrance tells it all:
"Royal Air Force Training Camp" and the sentence below it inspired Gallus the most: "Here, the most comfortable day is always yesterday."
Taking a deep breath, Gallus walked in. This is where I take off, he thought, I have faith in myself!
What Gallus don't know is that later, he'll be whining about this place is HELL...
